The Story of Abraham Joseph Bassett
By Abe J. Bassett
This photo was taken about 1907, and shows, from L to R: Abraham Joseph Bassett (my father) at age 22 when he would have already started his peddling career; Hiceebe Bassett, my aunt, age 16; Sam Bassett, my uncle, age 19; Michael Bassett, cousin to my father, age 18.
I love this beat-up photo. My aunt probably came across the ocean dressed in a robe of sorts, but here she is, dressed as any girl of the times might be. And the brothers and cousin are in three piece suits, with ties, and pocket watches in the vests, chained to the button holes in the vest. What better proof that these immigrants wanted to be integrated into American society.
The story below was printed in Abe, Son of Abraham, a memoir published in 2013. The author writes about his Grandfather Joseph Bassett (1843-1926) and his father Abraham Joseph Bassett. (1885-1949) The book is available on Amazon.com.
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Peddlers are Entrepreneurs
Abraham Joseph Bassett and his Lebanese Compatriots
Papa’s world of work in America began as a peddler. That many Lebanese immigrants to America in the early 20th century began their work as peddlers is quite logical, for in the old country, craftsmen and merchants would sometimes walk to neighboring villages to offer their wares.
In America, they used homemade wooden boxes strapped to their backs, filled with merchandise, offering goods to those who lived on farms, where most of America’s population resided at the turn of the century. This system allowed the immigrants to learn English and American ways, and it also permitted them to accumulate financial resources, which were used for important priorities. First in importance was to buy passage for those left behind, including wives and mothers, and brothers and sisters. The second objective was to be able to purchase a farm, or to establish a business. A peddler worked for himself and required very little capital to start a business and capital accumulation was easier in the days before income taxes and business fees.
Papa and his father arrived in America in 1901. Five years passed before the remaining members of the family could immigrate in 1906. By this time, Joseph and Abraham had acquired or were renting a farmhouse with several acres of farmland. By 1910, Joseph was the owner of this land. People from the mountains of Lebanon would not have known much about Midwest farming, but they knew about hard work and they became successful farmers.
In time my father Abraham moved beyond peddling into storefront businesses He first affiliated himself with his brother-in-law, Moses Bassett, in Madison, West Virginia (1914). He then partnered with another brother-in-law, Sam Saad, in the grocery business in Pikeville, Kentucky (1915). By the time of the 1920 census he was the manager/owner of a “fruit stand” in Williamson, West Virginia. A photograph of this store shows that he sold many items beyond fruits: ice cream, canned food, sodas, etc. He quickly learned to sell whatever it was that customers wanted to buy. In time, his “fruit stand” became a confectionary store where he made and sold fudge and other sweet candies. At Christmas time, his store was stocked with tables filled with homemade fudge and hard rock candy purchased from vendors. Much of the candy may have come from Toledo, Ohio, where a cousin, Sam Bassett, owned a candy factory. Bassett’s Confectionary store also sold newspapers, sandwiches, sodas, and ice cream. In time, beer and sandwiches were added as well as a jukebox and a pinball machine.
Hard work was the norm for my father. He opened his confectionary store in the morning and locked the door at night. A few times I was with him late at night waiting for him to finish mopping the linoleum floor. He did every job he had to do to run a business that earned his family’s subsistence.
As a successful businessman, he knew he must constantly reinvest into the business. On Sunday mornings there a rush of customers came to buy copies of The Cincinnati Enquirer that arrived on southbound Norfolk & Western passenger trains, and The Times of Roanoke, Virginia, that arrived on northbound trains. It was fortuitous that the confectionary store was directly across the street from the train station.
The store’s income during the depression was augmented after my father purchased and installed slot machines. They were placed in the “back room” of the store and also in several other locations throughout the county. I have no specific knowledge of how this illegal activity was arranged, but there is no question, knowing small town politics in West Virginia, that Papa “paid off” the Sheriff. My Dad was a 32nd degree Mason, as were many of the town’s businessmen, and the contacts one made in this charitable and influential organization were always important and useful.
Lebanese immigrants loved their new country and quickly adapted. They believed in the adage that America was “the great melting pot.” They worked to become productive and loyal citizens of America, grateful for the opportunities that were presented to them.
By Abe J. Bassett
This photo was taken about 1907, and shows, from L to R: Abraham Joseph Bassett (my father) at age 22 when he would have already started his peddling career; Hiceebe Bassett, my aunt, age 16; Sam Bassett, my uncle, age 19; Michael Bassett, cousin to my father, age 18.
I love this beat-up photo. My aunt probably came across the ocean dressed in a robe of sorts, but here she is, dressed as any girl of the times might be. And the brothers and cousin are in three piece suits, with ties, and pocket watches in the vests, chained to the button holes in the vest. What better proof that these immigrants wanted to be integrated into American society.
The story below was printed in Abe, Son of Abraham, a memoir published in 2013. The author writes about his Grandfather Joseph Bassett (1843-1926) and his father Abraham Joseph Bassett. (1885-1949) The book is available on Amazon.com.
___________________
Peddlers are Entrepreneurs
Abraham Joseph Bassett and his Lebanese Compatriots
Papa’s world of work in America began as a peddler. That many Lebanese immigrants to America in the early 20th century began their work as peddlers is quite logical, for in the old country, craftsmen and merchants would sometimes walk to neighboring villages to offer their wares.
In America, they used homemade wooden boxes strapped to their backs, filled with merchandise, offering goods to those who lived on farms, where most of America’s population resided at the turn of the century. This system allowed the immigrants to learn English and American ways, and it also permitted them to accumulate financial resources, which were used for important priorities. First in importance was to buy passage for those left behind, including wives and mothers, and brothers and sisters. The second objective was to be able to purchase a farm, or to establish a business. A peddler worked for himself and required very little capital to start a business and capital accumulation was easier in the days before income taxes and business fees.
Papa and his father arrived in America in 1901. Five years passed before the remaining members of the family could immigrate in 1906. By this time, Joseph and Abraham had acquired or were renting a farmhouse with several acres of farmland. By 1910, Joseph was the owner of this land. People from the mountains of Lebanon would not have known much about Midwest farming, but they knew about hard work and they became successful farmers.
In time my father Abraham moved beyond peddling into storefront businesses He first affiliated himself with his brother-in-law, Moses Bassett, in Madison, West Virginia (1914). He then partnered with another brother-in-law, Sam Saad, in the grocery business in Pikeville, Kentucky (1915). By the time of the 1920 census he was the manager/owner of a “fruit stand” in Williamson, West Virginia. A photograph of this store shows that he sold many items beyond fruits: ice cream, canned food, sodas, etc. He quickly learned to sell whatever it was that customers wanted to buy. In time, his “fruit stand” became a confectionary store where he made and sold fudge and other sweet candies. At Christmas time, his store was stocked with tables filled with homemade fudge and hard rock candy purchased from vendors. Much of the candy may have come from Toledo, Ohio, where a cousin, Sam Bassett, owned a candy factory. Bassett’s Confectionary store also sold newspapers, sandwiches, sodas, and ice cream. In time, beer and sandwiches were added as well as a jukebox and a pinball machine.
Hard work was the norm for my father. He opened his confectionary store in the morning and locked the door at night. A few times I was with him late at night waiting for him to finish mopping the linoleum floor. He did every job he had to do to run a business that earned his family’s subsistence.
As a successful businessman, he knew he must constantly reinvest into the business. On Sunday mornings there a rush of customers came to buy copies of The Cincinnati Enquirer that arrived on southbound Norfolk & Western passenger trains, and The Times of Roanoke, Virginia, that arrived on northbound trains. It was fortuitous that the confectionary store was directly across the street from the train station.
The store’s income during the depression was augmented after my father purchased and installed slot machines. They were placed in the “back room” of the store and also in several other locations throughout the county. I have no specific knowledge of how this illegal activity was arranged, but there is no question, knowing small town politics in West Virginia, that Papa “paid off” the Sheriff. My Dad was a 32nd degree Mason, as were many of the town’s businessmen, and the contacts one made in this charitable and influential organization were always important and useful.
Lebanese immigrants loved their new country and quickly adapted. They believed in the adage that America was “the great melting pot.” They worked to become productive and loyal citizens of America, grateful for the opportunities that were presented to them.