Ilion High School - Class of 1891

Utica Daily Press - October 18, 1926

Harry Bassett Former Utican, Dies in France

Article 2

Harry Bassett, Former Utican, Dies in France

Vice President of General Motors Corporation - Was Head of Buick Motors

Had Been Ill but Few Days

Native of Unadilla Forks Began industrial Career in Remington Arms Plant

Paris, Oct. 18 (AP) - H. H. Bassett, vice president of the General Motors Corporation, died this morning in the American Hospital at Neuilfy. He had been ill only a few days with bronchial pneumonia in both lungs.

Received His Grammar School Education Here

Flint. Mich., Oct 17 - Harry H. Bassett, who died today in Neuilfy, France, was president of Buick Motors Company. He was 51 years old.

Born at Unadilla Forks, near Utica, he received a grammar school education in that city and entered the employ of the Remington Arms, at Ilion, N.Y. at the age of 17. He worked in the plant there for 14 years, being promoted from a mechanic's helper to assistant general manager.

In 1905, he took a position as assistant manager of the Weston-Mott Wheel Works of Utica and came here in 1907, when the plant was moved to Flint. He was appointed assistant general manager of the Buick Motors Company here in 1916, and elected president of the company the following year when he was also elected vice president and a member of the board of directors of the General Motors Corporations.

Mr. Bassett is survived by his widow and one child, Harry Hood Bassett, who are now en route to France. He has two sisters, Tam and Corneila of Flint, Mich. He also leaves an adopted son, a French war orphan.

Ilion Friends Shocked by Mr. Bassett's Death

Mr. Bassett is survived by his widow and one child, Harry Hood Bassett, who are now en route to France. He has two sisters, Tam and Corneila of Flint, Mich. He also leaves an adopted son, a French war orphan.

Ilion. Oct 17 - The death of Harry Hexle Bassett, which occurred at the American Hospital at Neuilfy, Sunday morning, comes as a shock to the many Ilion friends who have watched his meteoric rise in the industrial and business world with pleasure and gratification. Personality combined with ability and conscientious effort, contributed much to his success.

From office boy at the Remington Arms plant to president of the Buick Motor Corporation, vice president of the General Motors Corporation, and director of the Federal Reserve bank in the Middle West district, gives one a brief idea of the success attained by him, yet success made no change in his regard for those whom he knew in the days spent in Ilion, and no one ever visited him at Flint who was not given a royal welcome, and if the visitor was in search of employment, a place was found for him.

Mr. Bassett was born at Unadilla Forks, September 10, 1874, and at an early age came to Ilion with his parents and for more than 10 years lived in John Street. He attended the Ilion schools, graduating from the high school class of 1891. The year previous he accepted the position as an office boy at the plant under Manager Cross, which duties he combined with his school work. After leaving school he continued with the company for about 13 years, gradually receiving promotion and during former Manager Welford Hartley's term was his assistant.

Later he was in charge of the cost accounting which position he held when he resigned his position about 20 year years ago to go with the Weston Mott Wheel Works at Utica. Later the company moved to Flint, Mich., and Mr. Bassett went as an assistant to Mr. Mott. Later the Weston-Mott Company was taken over by the Buick Motor Corporation.

While a resident of Ilion, Mr. Bassett was known to every resident and was most active in the social and civic activities. The Remington Cycle Club was Ilion's leading club about 23 years ago and in this he was a leading spirit.

He has always kept in touch with his Ilion friends and has visited Ilion on several occasions, but not as often as he desired, due to his many duties.

A year ago this summer, plans were made for a get-together of his old friends and Mr. Bassett had planned to be present but due to some from distant points not being able to be present, it was called off.