William David Bassett was born on August 12, 1827 in the town of North East, Dutchess County, New York. On January 26, 1854 he married Caroline Antoinette Wheeler (1831-1911) in North East. In 1855, they moved to Rochester, N.Y. and started to raise a family. By 1857, Bassett had moved to New York City, where he was employed by fur dealers Charles King & Co., and later by George King in the same business. In the course of his work, Bassett traveled to Europe in 1862, 1868, and 1872. He retired from the fur trade in about 1874 and moved back to North East to work on his dairy farm. It supplied milk to New York City, which was shipped daily by railroad (in cans). Bassett operated the farm until his death on July 9, 1899. Its operation was continued by his son, William Hopkins Bassett.
From the description of W.D. Bassett papers, 1855-1930. (New York State Historical Association). WorldCat record id: 302286693
