Harry H. Bassett
Harry Hoxie Bassett | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Utica, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 17, 1926 (aged 52) |
| Occupation | Automobile executive |
| Years active | 1905–1926 |
| Known for | President of Buick Motor Car Company (1920–1926) |
Harry Hoxie Bassett (born September 11, 1874 – died October 17, 1926) was a prominent executive in the American automobile sector, serving as president of the Buick Motor Car Company, a division of General Motors, from 1920 until 1926.
Early life
Born in Utica, New York, Bassett was the son of William Bassett and Mary (née Babcock).[1] Although he aspired to become a lawyer, financial limitations prevented him from attending law school. Consequently, immediately after high school, he embarked on a career in manufacturing by joining the Remington Arms Company. Remarkably, he had to request a day off work to attend his own high school graduation. After spending twelve years at Remington Arms, Bassett was invited by Charles Stewart Mott to take on the role of assistant general manager at Mott’s business in Flint. This move came after Billy Durant urged Mott to relocate his wheel and axle manufacturing firm from Utica, New York, to Flint, Michigan, to be closer to Buick’s production facilities. In 1905, Bassett accepted Mott’s offer and left Remington Arms.[2]
Weston-Mott operations
Once acquainted with Weston-Mott’s manufacturing activities in Utica, Bassett relocated to Flint and within a year earned a promotion to factory manager. The Flint facility was newly established and strategically positioned adjacent to a new Buick manufacturing plant. By 1909, Durant exchanged General Motors stock for shares in Weston-Mott, acquiring a 49% stake in the company. The remaining majority ownership of 51% was obtained by General Motors in 1913 during the tenure of Charles W. Nash.[3] Despite being owned by General Motors, Weston-Mott operated under the umbrella of the Buick Car Company. In 1916, Bassett was appointed vice-president of Weston-Mott and simultaneously took on the role of assistant general manager at Buick.[4] That same year, Walter Chrysler, then leading Buick Motor Car Company, threatened to resign amid Billy Durant regaining control over operations. Durant responded by offering Chrysler an annual salary of $500,000 plus bonuses to retain him for three more years; Chrysler eventually left in 1919. The decisive factor for Chrysler’s departure was Durant’s plan to invest $6 million in the Flint factory for frame production despite Chrysler having secured a more cost-effective deal with A.O. Smith of Milwaukee for frames.[3] Durant’s promotion of Bassett to general manager in that period was seen as an effort to establish a successor to Chrysler.[2][3]
Buick Motor Car Company
Following Chrysler's resignation, Bassett was elevated to Chrysler's former role, assuming the positions of president and general manager at Buick. Upon his appointment, Bassett was tasked with overseeing a $6 million factory expansion in Flint dedicated to frame production, along with an additional $3 million investment to launch a new manufacturing facility in St. Louis.
Bassett enjoyed considerable admiration from the factory workforce, many of whom affectionately called him "Harry." After interviewing Bassett, Forbes commented: "During a visit to a Buick plant with Harry Bassett as president, I observed that he was known simply as 'Harry' among hundreds of employees. He was constantly moving between departments, engaging with workers on equal footing; if he ran out of tobacco, he would not hesitate to ask a modestly positioned employee for some chew." Forbes further noted, "Other executives revealed that long-term employees felt they were not laboring for an impersonal corporation but for Harry Bassett himself, inspiring them to give their utmost efforts on his behalf."
Death
Bassett traveled to Paris accompanied by several General Motors executives to attend the Paris Auto Show. While there, he caught a cold which developed into bronchial pneumonia, leading to his death on 17 October 1926. His remains were transported back to the United States by special train from Detroit to Flint on 5 November 1926 and lay in state the following day. Buick plants closed on 5 and 6 November as a mark of respect and to allow employees to honor him. Edward T. Strong succeeded Bassett, appointed by Alfred Sloan, who was then heading General Motors.
References
- ↑ "New York State Census 1905". FamilySearch.org. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Forbes, Bertie Charles (1926). Automotive giants of America: Men who made our Motor Industry. ISBN 9788896365311.
{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Langworth, Richard M.; Norbye, Jan P. (1986). The Complete History of General Motors 1908-1986. New York: Beekman House. pp. 13–94.
- ↑ Automobile Journal (Volume 41 ed.). Pawtucket, RI: Automobile Journal Publishing Company. 10 March 1916. p. 15.