Bassler, Frederick
Born
Frederick Bassler was born June 11, 1853 at Philadelphia, PA[1] son of Frederick Bassler, Sr.
His life
He grew to manhood on his father's farm of which he subsequently came into possession. When the Revolutionary War broke out, he took sides with the British and enlisted in their service.[1]
Marriage and Children
His wife was Martha Ball a native of Berne, born in 1768.[1] (Maria Ball a daughter of Hendrick Ball and Maria Elizabetha Dietz. [2]),
Their children:
- Peter Bassler[1]
- Frederick Bassler (1793)]][1]
- Henry Bassler[1]
- John Bassler[1]
- Benjamin Bassler[1]
- Eve Bassler[1]
- Elizabeth Bassler[1]
- Maria Bassler[1]
- Ann Eliza Bassler[1]
Death
He died in Knox on November 5, 1851 at the age of 98 years; his wife died February 27, 1833
His Will
His will was written on August 6, 1835. It was proved and recorded on December 3, 1853
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.
Obituary
Died, on the 5th of November, 1851 at Berne, Albany Co., N. Y., Frederick Bassler, in the 99th year of his age.
The father of the venerable man was an emigrant from Basle, a town in the north of Switzerland. Upon his arrival in this country, he became a resident of the city of Philadelphia. While remaining here on the 11th of June, 1753, Mr. Bassler was born. In 1755, when he was about two years old, his father, with his little family, removed to Bernville, in the county of Albany. Being dissatisfied with his new home, and desirous of becoming permanently settled, within the space of three years having found a suitable location, he removed for the purpose of occupying it, about two miles north of the village. This beautiful spot, upon the banks of a winding stream, became the place of his abode for the remainder of his days. After his death the son Frederick, the subject of these remarks, succeeded him, occupying the old homestead until the day of his departure.
Mr. Bassler was early impressed by religious obligations. The great concern of that awful eternity upon which the soul must launch after death found a place in his affections, and taught him the necessity of an interest in the Savior of sinners. Accordingly, when the anguish of a troubled illuminating power of Divine truth, venturing to cherish a hope of acceptance with God, he united himself with the Reformed Dutch church of Schoharie, a distance of nearly 12 miles from his father's residence.
The old stone church, which in the rime of war was occupied as a fort, and in which Mr. Bassler attended with the ordinances of religion, is still standing as a memorial of our fathers' struggle for liberty and their zeal for the glory of God.
In 1771, in consequence of the great distance that many were obliged to travel for the pupose of attending divine service and catechetical instructions, the congregation of Schoharie divided and a new church organized, styled the church of Beaverdam. For the spiritual advancement of this portion of the Master's vineyard, a log house of worship was immediately erected about two miles west of Mr. Bassler's residence, where the services were conducted in the German language, affording many a far more easy access to religious ordinances that they had previously enjoyed. Yet these were emphatically times of trouble. While fearing the attack of foes there was no less dread of the cruelty of enemies rising up among them. The tribes of the Lord go up to his temple for worship, bearing with the the instruments of death. The clangor of arms, and the thoughts of war and bloodshed are mingled with the sacred duties of devotions of the Sabbath. The communicant carries with him his musket, as indispensable requisites to his attendance upon the ordinances of religion. Being at any moment liable to an attack, it was necessary at all times to be in readiness for defense. But after a lapse of years, these difficulties subsided, and the hearts of the faithful were encouraged to the performance of a more vigorous service. Now this rude and ancient building is removed, and a more convenient, large, and comfortable edifice is erected in its stead. Here for many years, Mr. Bassler met and communed with the people of God.
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