James Harvey Bass

  General Notes:

Children:
Katherine Sutherland, 1869\endash 1965
Sallie Keen, 1871\endash 1969
Mary Ellen Grinstead, 1876\endash 1912
Bessie B. Rex, 1878\endash 1964

James Harvey Bass, stock dealer and proprietor of the Bass House, was born in Howard County, Missouri, in June 1834. His father, George P. Bass, who was born in Nashville, Tennessee, died in Howard County in 1863. He came to Boone County as an early pioneer and established a tannery, which he carried on for many years. The mother of James, formerly Susanna M. Wiseman, and a native of Kentucky, is now living in Boone County.

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and received a common school education, and learned the plastering trade. He worked some on the farm and at plastering in the fall seasons, and in 1861 he became a member of the Home Guards.

Coming to Henry County in 1867, he settled twelve miles west of Windsor on a farm, working the farm and also doing plastering for the country around about.

He married Mrs. Elizabeth (Woolfolk) Wall December 16, 1868. She had two sons by her first husband, Eugene E. Wall and Julius F. Wall. Julius F. married Miss Katie Burress, of Windsor, July 8, 1882.

Mrs. Bass's first husband, Julius F. Wall, was killed at the Battle of Lone Jack on August 16, 1862. He was with Colonel Cockrell's regiment. [Vard Cockrell was a Confederate colonel. At least 55 Confederates were killed at this battle.]

Her father, Charles T. Woolfolk, was born in Virginia, but was raised in Kentucky. His father was John Woolfolk, a Virginian by birth and of English descent and a soldier in the Revolution. Her mother was originally Polly A. Payne, of Kentucky.

Mr. and Mrs. Bass have four daughters: Katie Woolfolk, Sallie P., Mary Ella, and Bessie Lewis. They are members of the Baptist Church, and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

In 1869 Mr. Bass commenced the stock business and has made it his principal occupation since then. In 1876 he went to Texas with his family and started a sheep ranch in Comanche County with his brother, Lawrence. They continued it for four years. Selling out, he returned to his farm near Windsor, but soon disposed of this and moved into town. As the stock business was his favorite calling, he immediately commenced operations in company with Jacob Strauss, and since that time they have been the leading buyers in town.

Mr. Bass has been a very fortunate businessman and accumulated a large property. He is liberal in the support of schools, churches, and the different enterprises of the city. Mrs. Bass has charge of the hotel and is proving herself to be a most capable and energetic woman.

(Source - 1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co., pg. 556)