JOHN N. BASSETT, 75, DIES AT LENA TODAY
(Special to Press-Gazette 13 Mar 1937)
Prominent Retired Businessman Succumbs.

Lena, Wis.- John N. Bassett, 75, prominent retired businessman, died at his home here at 1:30 this morning of pneumonia. He had been ill for a week. The body is at the Steffen funeral home, but funeral arrangements have not yet been made.
Mr. Bassett was born Jan. 27, 1864, in Cadyville, N.Y., and came to Porterfield, Wis., where he served as station agent. He came to Lena 44 years ago. Since then he had been very active in civic life, and a leader in the affairs of the Democratic party. He was a member of the local C.O.F. and the Holy Name society. He was a school board member at various times, and was vice president of the defunct Farmers and Merchants bank and a director of the former Oconto County State bank.
Survivors are two sons, Bernard J., Lena, and Victor, Milwaukee; three daughters, Mrs. pat O'Callaghan, Suring, Mrs. R.W. Frazier, Oskhosk, and Mrs. Robert B. Biehl, Lena; one step-son, Joseph S. Rosera; and nine grandchildren.


JOHN N. BASSETT CALLED BY DEATH
PROMINENT LENA RESIDENT REACHES AGE OF 75 YEARS

John N. Bassett, prominent retired resident of Lena, was called by death at 1:30 a.m., March 13. Mr. Bassett was ill but a short time with the flu when complications set in which developed into pneumonia and resulted in his death at the age of 75.
Born January 27, 1864, in Cadyville, New York, he received his elementary education and then moved to Wisconsin where he attended the University of Wisconsin studying telegraphy. Upon the completion of the course he was employed by the C.M.St. P & O railroad as telegrapher at Porterfield. After remaining there a few months he was transferred to Lena in 1895 where he lived until now. He acted as agent in Lena for only a short time when he saw the fertile fields of business in the then underdeveloped community and established the Bassett Flour & Feed Mill which flourished until the retirement of the deceased in 1923 at which time the buildings were leased to the Farmers Feed store with main offices in Antigo.
Mr. Bassett will live in the minds of Lena residents for years to come in that he was a pioneer of that village and instrumental in bringing the telephone and electric light lines there many years ago. The power line was built and operated by Mr. Bassett who secured his power from Peshtigo until selling out to the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation some years ago.
He was also extremely active in community affairs in that he held an office on the board of education for many years until he retired in 1934 and was vice-president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank which was closed by the Presidents moratorium in 1932.
Mr. Bassett was an active member of the Foresters and Holy Name Society who both will turn out in a body at his last rites.
Funeral arrangements have not as yet been completed since several relatives live a considerable distance away.
Children surviving are Bernard J. Bassett, Lena, Mrs. Pat O'Callaghan, Suring, Mrs. R.W. Frazier, Oskhock, Victor Bassett, Milwaukee, Mrs. R.G. Biehl, Lena and Mrs. Joseph S. Rosera, stepson postmaster at Lena.
Sisters surviving are Mrs. Emma Perry, Manchester, H.H., Mrs. I.L. Paddock, Antioch, Ill. Brothers: Charles Bassett, Cadyville, N.Y., B.S. Bassett, San Jose, Calif.