Richard Bassett

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Richard Bassett

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

A general farmer and dairyman, proprietor of the Mine Hill Dairy farm, Mr. BASSETT was born in St. Austell, Cornwall, England, October 7, 1847, a son of John and Mary (BALLIN) BASSETT. His father, also a native of that place, was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather was William BASSETT and the great-grandfather was John BASSETT.

The subject of this review was reared in the place of his nativity and received such educational advantages as the common schools there afforded. He continued upon the home farm until he had attained his majority, and in 1870 came to the United States, landing at New York on October 6, 1870. He came direct from that city to Dover and rented a small farm, within the city limits, comprising twenty acres. There he began the dairy business, having only seven cows. He remained on that farm for a year or two and then rented the Mine Hill farm, which at that time was part of an estate. It comprised eighty acres, and for nine years he rented the place, at the expiration of which time he purchased the property, and from time to time has extended its boundaries by additional purchase, until it now comprises two hundred and thirty acres. Much of this is under a high state of cultivation and the remainder is rich pasture land. Good fences divide the place into fields of convenient size, and commodious barns, sheds and other necessary outbuildings have been erected for the care of grain and stock and for the successful conduct of the dairy business. These were built under the special supervision of Mr. BASSETT, who is most progressive. His stalls for his cows are splendidly arranged and are supplied with fresh sawdust every day. On an Average he milks from forty to sixty cows and sells the products of the dairy to a large number of patrons in Dover. Since his embarkation in the business, a quarter of a century ago, his trade has constantly increased and has brought to him a handsome income. He is also successfully engaged in general farming, and follows most practical methods, as the result of which his farm presents a very neat and thrifty appearance.

September 21, 1870, Mr. BASSETT was united in marriage to Miss Sarah OPIE, a native of England and a daughter of William and Catherine (PENALL) OPIE. She was born April 15, 1844. They now have a family of three sons:

William J., born in September, 1872, is cashier of the George J. Goodrich Bakery Company, of Newark, New Jersey;
Thomas O., born March 29, 1876, and
Richard C., born July 21, 1878,

Who are assisting their father on the farm. The home is a pleasant residence, supplied with many modern improvements and conveniences. Mr. BASSETT and his family are members of the First Presbyterian church of Mine Hill, and have the respect and esteem of their neighbors and friends. He has always been a liberal contributor to church and charitable enterprises.

This biography was scanned and contributed by Catherine Smith DeMayo.