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Birth:          29 Mar 1845 Jefferson Co., Ind.
Death:          13 Feb 1935 Sarita, Kennedy Co., Tex.
Burial:         Oak Grove Cemetery, Cooke Co., Tex.

Notes
www.rootsweb.com/ilmarion/nichols.htm
1880 in Foster, Marion Co., Ill. farmer
1900 in Justice Pct 1, Cooke Co., Tex. nurseryman
1910 in Justice Pct 1, Cameron Co., Tex. own income
1930 in Justice Pct 1, Cooke Co., Tex. no inc with son in law Luther Hafford
from http://www.geocities.com/gracebassett/iAlgernonSidneyBassett.html
Algernon Sidney "Sid" BASSETT, born 29 Mar 1845, Jefferson ­County, Indiana, son 
of Harvey Foster and Sarah (CHILTON) BASSETT. Sid had brown eyes and dark hair. 
Sid died 13 Feb 1935, Sarita, Kenedy County, Texas. Sid and Ellen are buried in Oak 
Grove Cemetery, Cooke County, Texas, near Gainesville. 
    Sid married Frances Ellen NICHOLS 9 Oct 1867, Marion County, Illinois. She was 
born 12 Mar 1850, Foster Township, Marion County, Illinois, daughter of David and 
Mary J. (FOSTER) NICHOLS. She died 4 Apr 1917, Sarita, Kenedy County, Texas. 
     David NICHOLS was the son of David NICHOLS of Bloomfield, Massachusettsp a 
wealthy farmer. Mary J. FOSTER was born in Carlyle, Clinton County, Illinois.
Sid's mother died when he was only 9 years old. His father remarried two years later. 
Life was not easy being a son of a farmer in the early days. It was very hard work. 
     In 1857, Sid's father moved from Indiana to Foster Township, Marion County, 
Illinois, hoping to secure a better life for him­self and his family. The Bassetts were 
one of the early settlers of the county. They first lived in a log cabin, but soon built a 
nice frame home. 
    They were turbulent times for the United States of America. There was much 
question on who had the most power, the Federal Government or the State 
Government. The south claimed they had the right to do as they pleased without the 
say of the Federal Government. The north said that the states must be united or all 
would fall. Then there was also the big question of slavery. Abraham Lincoln of Illinois 
was elected the first Republican president of the United States of America. He being 
the first commoner to do so. He was also the first president not belonging to a 
particular denomination. The great Civil War broke out. A sad waE splitting the nation 
in half. Brother against brother, cousins against cousins and fathers against sons. The 
Bassett's patriotism was never questione . They being from a very old and highly 
respected family of New England, stood strong for the Union, the country they loved 
and willing to die so that others may live, in a united land of freedom. 
    On 7 Sep 1863, Algernon S. BASSETT enlisted into Company I of the 111th Illinois 
Infantry for the purpose of serving in the Union Army of the United States during the 
Civil War. Sid's father also served in Company I of the 111th Illinois US Infantry. Sid's 
father-in-law to be, David NICHOLS, was a Lieutenant in this same Infantry. 
The following is from Sid's diary: 

"Sunday Jan 1st 1865 
    "This is the beginning of a new year. May peace dawn before its close. Cool but 
warmer than one year ago. I am at Mound City Ill. We are expecting to be paid soon. 
There has been no news from Sherman since he left Savannah Ga. Unwell. 

"Tuesday 3rd 
    "There is an examination for the V.R.C. The Dr. wants me to go into it but I would 
rather go to my Rgt. Unwell. 

"Thursday 5th 
    "There was a sale of the deceased Soldiers effects. They went very cheap. 

"Tuesday 10th 
    "Considerable snow and rain. I have a very bad cold. Hosp. full of sick." 

On 17 Jul 1865, Sid was honorably discharged from the United States Army., 
    After the war, Sid returned home to Marion County, Illinois. He mar­ried in 1867 into 
the prominent Nichols family, also of Foster Township 
    In 1869, sadness entered their family when at the age of 1 month and 10 days, thier 
first child died. 
    On 21 Jun 1870, the census shows Sidny (25) and Ellen (21) BASSETT living in 
Foster Township, Marion County, Illinois with Sid's parents. They had a Lester Post 
Office. Sid was listed as a farmer. 
    On 3 Jan 1871, Algernon purchased land in Section 23 of Foster Township from his 
father and step-mother for the price of $400.00. 
    On 7 Apr 1873, Sid bought 40 acres, Section 23 of Foster Township, for $5.00 from 
his father and step-mother. This was in Foster Township, Marion County, Illinois, near 
the homestead. 
    On 8 Nov 1878, the Marion County Herald says, "Dr. A. S. BASSETT resumes his 
practice at Pleasant Grove." Sid was a very intelligent man. He read and studied 
every­thing. He became a practicing country doctor in Pleasant Grove, an area in 
Foster Township. 
    On 22 Jun 1880, the census shows Sindney (35) and Frances E. (30) BASSETT 
living in Foster Township, Marion County, Illinois. With them were their children Walter 
age 9; Mary age 7; Amy age 5; and Harvey age 3. Also living with them was Ellen's 
brother Fillmore NICHOLS age 24. Sid and Fillmore were listed as farmers. 
    On 9 Sep 1880, Sid purchased land from Ellen's parents at a cost of $682.00. 
     After 1880 Sid and his wife and four children moved to Cooke County, Texas. They 
left Salem by wagon. The roads were bad and there were few bridges. When streams 
were up they camped and waited for the water to recede. The trip took 27 days. 
    Sid purchased a farm 11 miles southwest of Woodbine from Henry NELSON, who 
had homesteaded it. After farming for three uears, he went into the nursery business. 
He named it SPRING DALE NURSERY. He operated it for approximately 20 years. He 
planted many trees including pine, oak, cedar, magnolia, pear, crepe myrtle and pe­
can, of which are still living in 1988. One of the pine trees which is now dead, hit by 
lightning, exceeded the 1981 state cham­pion loblolly pine in diameter by 8 ". Sid also 
had a variety of shade and fruit trees and shrubs. 
    In 1890, Sid was living in Cooke County, Texas, where he was listed a a veteran. 
     In 1893, Sid won first prize at the 1893 Worlds Fair in Chicago for one of his newly 
propagated apples. The name of the apple was "Capitola." 
    On 16 Jun 1900, the census shows A. S. (55) and Frances E. (50) BASSETT living 
in Precinct One, Cooke County, Texas. With them were children Mary age 26; and 
Amy age 25. Sid was listed as a nurseryman. They also had a boarder ___?___ 
CUMMINGS, who was listed as a farm laborer. Sid owned his farm/nursery free of 
morgage. 
 In connection with his nursery business, he made fine wines from his fruits. 
    On 4 Apr 1902, Frances E. BASSETT purchased Lot 2 and 3 in Block 6 in Patoka, 
Marion County, Illinois. The price was $95.00. 
    On 30 Apr 1910, the census shows A. S. (65) and Frances E. (60) BASSETT living 
in Cameron County, Texas. They owned their own home. Living off of own income. 
With them was their daughter Mary BASSETT age 35. (Note: Cameron County is the 
most southern county in Texas. It borders Mexico and is on the Gulf of Mexico.) 
On 27 Jan 1920, the census shows the widowed S. Arthur BASSET age 75, living in 
District 193, Precinct 2; Willacy County, Texas. He was living alone in his own home. 
He owned his home free of morgage. 
    On 4 Apr 1930, the census shows the widowed Sidney A. BASSETT age 85, living 
in Precinct 1, Cooke County, Texas with his son-in-law and family, Luther HAFFORD. 
Luther had a poultry farm. Their home was valued at $4,000.00. This was the home 
that Sid built when he moved to Texas. 
    On 4 Aug 1932, the Kinmundy Express has, "East Zion News: Sidney BASSETT 
returned to Texas last Friday." <
    On 13 Feb 1936, the Kinmundy Express has, "East Zion: Word has been received 
from Texas that Mr. A. S. BASSETT is very poorly." 
    Sid had a brilliant mind and he never quit trying to learn more. He often wrote for 
magazines and newspapers. 
    Oak Grove Cemetery, where Uncle Sid and Aunt Ellen Bassett were buried is 
located near Woodbine on CR 219. The Norrid family once lived here and the burial of 
Tabitha Norrid in 1876 appears to be the earliest. It is well maintained and in current 
use. Surveyed in 1975 by P.E. Glenn and in 2000 by Jack Ware. 
Children of Algernon Sidney and Frances Ellen (NICHOLS) BASSETT: 

1. Luella BASSETT, born 15 Apr 1869 and died 25 May 1869, Foster Township, 
Marion County, Illinois. She is buried in Sandy Branch Cemetery in Foster Township. 

2. Walter Stephen BASSETT, born 31 Jan 1871, Foster Township, Marion County, 

3. Mary Belle BASSETT, born 30 Mar 1875, Foster Township, Marion County, Illinois. 

4. Amy Florence BASSETT, born 30 Mar 1875, Foster Township, Marion County, 

5. David Harvey BASSETT, born 27 May 1879, Foster Township, Marion County, 
findagrave
Sid was the son of Harvey Foster Bassett & Mary Sullivan Bassett. He married Frances 
Ellen Nichols, October 9, 1867 in Marion County Illinois. He was the father of Luella, 
Walter Stephen, Mary Belle, Amy Florence, & David Harvey. Sid fought in the Civil 
War in the 111th Illinois Infantry under his Father (Harvey Foster Bassett's) name. His 
father enlisted, but because of his age could not fight, so Sid took his place. 
Therefore Sid's name is not on record. This information was received from Amy Barron 
of Gainesville, Texas (now deceased). 



Parents
BASSETT Harvey Foster ()
SULLIVAN Mary ()

Siblings
BASSETT Algernon Sidney ("Sid") (29 Mar 1845 - 13 Feb 1935)

Marriage To NICHOLS Frances Ellen (12 Mar 1850 - 4 Apr 1917)
    m. 9 Oct 1867 Foster Twp., Marion Co., Ill.

Notes

Parents
NICHOLS David (18 May 1825 - 8 Feb 1879)
FOSTER Mary Jane (24 Dec 1828 - 5 Nov 1856)

Children by NICHOLS Frances Ellen 12 Mar 1850 - 4 Apr 1917
BASSETT Luella (15 Apr 1869 - 25 May 1869)
BASSETT Walter Stephen (31 Jan 1871 - 24 Jul 1933)
BASSETT Mary Belle (30 Mar 1872 - 24 May 1948)
BASSETT Amy Florence (30 Mar 1875 - 12 Feb 1913)
BASSETT David Harvey (27 May 1879 - 16 Jan 1912)

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