Person:Benjamin Bassel (2)

Transcribed and Contributed by Linn Baiker: Obituary of Benjamin Bassel Originally published in The Buckhannon Delta and Knight Errant Thurs Aug 29, 1907

Benjamin Bassel, youngest son of the late Benjamin and Elizabeth Ann Bassel, was born near Buckhannon, W. Va. in the year 1866, and died Aug 9, 1907, at the home of his father-in-law, the Hon Thomas J Farnsworth, in Buckhannon, W. Va.

His death was the untimely consummation of pulmonary troubles that had for a number of years depleted his strength, and driven him from his native state to seek the benefits of other climates, in his fight for life.

Benjamin Bassel was a descendant of two of the leading families of W. Va. His father was a lawyer, but had many years ago retired in vigorous manhood to agriculture and grazing, and built up a large landed estate, where this son was born and reared. But he had a student’s bent of mind, and was given every advantage possible to pursue it.

He graduated at an early age at the Normal and Classical Academy of Buckhannon, W. Va., and at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. Immediately after he took his degree in the law in that famous institution, returned to his native county of Upshur, passed the necessary examinations and was admitted to the practice of law, but owing to the fact that his father was growing too old to give attention to his estates he prevailed upon the son to take charge of affairs, which he did most successfully.

During these intervening years not losing sight of his desired course of life, he took the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Obelin (sic) University of Westerville, Ohio. After his father’s death and upon the advice of physicians, he went to the state of Colorado where he again turned his attention to the law. He was admitted to the Denver Bar.

He was most happily married Dec 21, 1899, to Miss Maude Carper Farnsworth, youngest daughter of the Hon Thomas J and Mary E Farnsworth of Buckhannon.

The funeral services were conducted at the home of his father-in-law, Senator Farnsworth, by Rev S D Tamblyn, his friend of old, assisted by Rev F S Townsend of the M E Church. He was buried in the family graveyard upon the old homestead, attended by a large concourse of sorrowing friends.

By William S. O’Brien

Transcribed from Upshur County, West Virginia Obituaries and News Items 1902-1911, Volume 2, p. 100; compiled by Lemoyne Wolfe and Karon King; 1977 Wedgewood Printing and Publishing Co, Fork Union, Virginia 23055

1. ↑ Wolfe, Lemoyne (Lemoyne Wentz), and Karon Lemley King. Upshur County, West Virginia, obituaries and news items. (Palmyra, Virginia: Wedgewood Pub. Co., 1994-1997, c1997)
   Vol. 2, pg 100.
2. ↑ Find A Grave.
3.   Jackson, P. A. Jackson Ledger. (1887)
   31.