J. H. Bassett is the editor and proprietor of the Arthur Graphic, which he bought and took charge of October 1, 1899. The paper was founded in April, 1887, by T. J. Haney, and was edited and owned by him until he sold it to Mr. Bassett. In 1883 he bought the Arcola Record, which he ran until 1886, when he sold it to P. L. Henry. Mr. Bassett was three years and a half in the public printing office at Washington, under the administration of President Harrison, at the end of which time he re-signed and came home. In 1891 he and his father then again purchased the Record and ran it until 1895, selling to B. F. Wamsley. In 1897 lie and his brother, M. H. Bassett, who owned the Mattoon Daily Journal, again purchased the Record and Mr. Bassett had sole charge of the paper until January 1, 1899, when the paper was sold to Nathan Collins and son. The Arthur Graphic was originally a five-column newspaper, but has recently been made six by the present proprietor, w110 has in other ways overhauled the paper and office and considerably increased the circulation.
Mr. Bassett was born in Arcola Township, this County, July 19, 1861. In 1882 he married Miss Nora Perkins, who died in 1887. To this union was born one child, Nellie. He again married, in 1895, Miss Maggie Degnan, of Springfield, Illinois, becoming his wife. To them three children have been born, Bessie, Martin and Mary. The Arthur Graphic has a circulation of about five hundred, is well edited and is a very popular local newspaper.
