Bassler, Elias

Birth

Elias Bassler was born in the Town of Knox on the old Bassler homestead on February 8, 1819. the son of Frederick Bassler (B. 1793) and Maria Salsburg, His siblings were:

• Anna Bassler
• Maria Bassler
• Jacob Bassler
• Peter Bassler
• Levinus Bassler
• Sophia Bassler
• Eliza Bassler
• Emma Bassler

Education

Elias attended the common district schools.

Occupation

Elias Bassler remained on the farm until thirty-nine years of age when he came into possession of his present farm of 130 acres, through the assistance of his father and on this farm he has ever since resided, doing general farming. In politics, Elias Bassler is a Republican, and while feeling a keen interest in the welfare of his party he has never sought political honors.

Marriage & Children

In 1842 Elias Bassler married Eva, a daughter of Jacob Sand of Knoxand they have three children;

• Dorothy L. Bassler, wife of Nicholas Sheldon of Knox
• Olivia M. Bassler, wife of Jacob E. Onderdonk of Central Bridge, NY.
• Catherine E. Bassler who died when nineteen.

Death

Mrs. Bassler died in February of 1894.

Additional Media

Bassler, Elias, a well known landmark, was born in the town of Knox, on the old Bassler homestead, Februarys, 1819.

Frederick Bassler, his great-grandfather, was a native of Switzerland, who immigrated to America before 1750 and settled in Philadelphia. He was married on board of ship while on his way to America. Between 1750 and 1760 he settled in what is now the town of Knox, took up 238 acres of land and made himself a home in the forest, and was one of the first eight to settle in the town of Berne.

Frederick Bassler, the grandfather of Elias, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1753, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in Knox, of which he subsequently came in possession. When the Revolutionary war broke out he took sides with the British and enlisted in their service. His wife was Martha Ball, a native of Berne, born in 1768, and their children were Peter, Frederick, Henry, John, Benjamin, Eve, Elizabeth, Maria and Ann Eliza. He died November 5, 1851, at the age of ninety-eight years; his wife died February 27, 1833.

Frederick, the father of Elias Bassler, was born on the homestead in 1793; coming into possession of one-half of the homestead, he added more to his landed possessions, where he remained a lifelong and successful farmer. He was prominent and influential in the political affairs of his town and county, being chosen six times by his townsmen to represent them in the Board of Supervisors, and was once elected to represent his district in the State Legislature on the Republican ticket. He was actively identified with the church and was one of the building committee to erect the first Dutch Reformed church of Berne, in which he afterwards officiated. His wife was Maria Salsburg, and their children were Anna, Maria. Elias, Jacob. Peter, Levinus, Sophia, Eliza and Emma. He died in 1874 and his wife in 1862.

Elias Bassler, when a boy, attended the common district schools. He remained on the farm until thirty-nine years af age, when he came into possession of his present farm of 130 acres, through the assistance of his father, and on this farm he has ever since resided, doing general farming. In politics Mr. Bassler is a Republican, and while feeling a keen interest in the welfare of his party, he has never sought political honors. In 1842 he married Eva, daughter of Jacob Sand of Knox, and they have three children: Dorthy L. (wife of Nicholas Sheldon of Knox), Olivia M. (wife of James E. Onderdonk of Central Bridge, N. Y.), and Catharine E. (who died when nineteen). Mrs. Bassler died in February, 1894. They were both members of the Reformed church, in which he has officiated as deacon and elder. He has now retired from the active life and care of the farm, which he now leases to his son-in-law, Mr. Sheldon.

Landmarks of Albany County, New York

Sources

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