Zeno Bass
1844 - 1923 (78 years)
Person ID: I854 | Tree: Imported from RootsMagic | Last Modified: 23 Oct 2025
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Name Zeno Bass Notes - Excerpt from letter written by Glenn Timmons:
Some of the history handed down: It seems that Grandpa Bass, being a southerner, went to Kansas with the Jayhawkers about 1860 to escape the war. Kansas being a territory not a State. Grandpa Timmons took the attitude that he should have come north and fought with the Union army otherwise he was a Southern sympathizer.
While I was very young, I could not understand why my grandparents never came to visit but later learned that they were not on speaking terms and were not going to risk being forced to make up.
(Note: this account does not align with facts very well, though the drama is likely real)
Zeno moved from Indiana to Kansas in 1867, and went on to Iowa in 1873. He farmed for 39 years. He later moved to Malvern in 1912. They travelled from Indiana to Kansas via covered wagon, after experiencing drought and a siege with the grasshooppers. They left Kansas and moved to a farm 5 miles southwest of Malvern, Iowa, where his son Louis lived until 1957, whien Louis' granson moved into the house (Richard). Zeno was a successful farmer and owner of a large farm. He raised Black Angus cattle. Later in life, Zeno and Harriet moved to Malvern where they built a new home in the northwest part of town. One of his great grandsons occupies the house at present (1980), Richard Bass, son of Austin Bass, son of Louis Bass, son of Zeno.
(from Jane Otto)
Birth 29 Sep 1844 Morgantown, Morgan, Indiana, United States 
Gender Male Died 19 Sep 1923 Malvern, Mills, Iowa, United States [1] - Zeno Bass, son of Henry and Susannah, grandson of Arthur and Rebecca Bass, was born in Morgantown, Ind., on Sept. 29, 1844. Here he spent the early part of his life, and on February 21, 1866, he was united in marriage with Harriet Dill of Morgantown, Ind., who has been a faithful helpmate.
Seven children were born to this union ---namely Mrs. Emily Timmons of Valley, Nebr., Ora, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Mayo of Genva, Nebr.; Mrs. Ida Dillehay of Logan, Iowa; Zeno Jr. of Strahan; Louis of Malvern; and Mrs. Nannie Hodges of Hasting, Iowa. There are also twenty-six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, who with the widow and surviving children, are left to mourn his loss.
He moved with his family in 1867 to Kansas, where he resided for six years and then came to Iowa 1873, locating on a farm in Rawles township and here continued to make their home for thirty-nine years.
Not only was he a farmer of unusual ability, taking a great interest in keeping his farm one of the best in the community, but was also a true friend, often traveling miles to aid a sick neighbor. His interests were always in others, as might be demonstrated by his honest business dealing, making it a pleasure to business men to have dealing with him. He was a firm believer in all powerful God and accomplished much for his Maker. He was member of the Masonic fraternity since early manhood, taking great interest in its work and molding his life according to its teaching.
Coming to Malvern in 1912, he and his wife retired from farm life and built a beautiful home in northwest Malvern. There they continued to live until his death,September 19, 1923, having lived to the ripe old age of 78 years, 11 months and 20 days---a life of usefulness and a character worthy of emulation, and has left a vacancy that can never be filed.
September 21 was an ideal day and at his late home in Malvern funeral services were held in the afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. E. Wilkins of the Baptist church. People had come in large numbers from every part of the county to papay their respects to one of the fine pioneers of our county. Music for the services was provided by Messre. Robert Criswell, J. R. McClymonds and Mesdames F. R. Chantry and Lawrence Talbott. The Mascoic order---Fred Dickersbaugh, Yandell SeatonJohn Beckwith, Otto Kline, Clayton Roberts, C. Woodhill. His Masonic brothers of Malvern were present in good numbers as funeral escort. At the grave the ritualistic ceremony of the order was given by C.S. Royce, and truly impressive was it delivered.
There was present at the services Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Timmons and family of Valley, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Frasier, the latter a grand-daughter, of Ceresco, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Mayo Bass, Geneva, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Dillehay of Logan, Iowa. One remarkable fact stated in the annals of Zeno Bass Sr. was that he had never been sick previous to the illness that came upon him some few weeks ago. This isindicative of the fine life he lived. Few men or women of 79 years have such a record. One cannot speak of such a man in other than complimentary words. Zeno Bass Sr. has such a record as neighbor and citizen that any man would not be criticized for envying him. For near two score years he lived and labored on the same farm, aand kept well physically. He dealt fairly with everyone, and thus won the friendship of scores with whom he had business relations. In his life his children found an inspiration that gave them a right view of life. He did not need official honors to make him a marked man. His character and life were such as to give him the highest regard by his neighbors. Several years ago Mr. and Mrs. Bass divided their property among their children, in full confidence that those children would meet ttheir obligations to their parents. The children's ministrations to father and mother proved their devotion, and the splendid teaching in the home circle. No children could ask a richer legacy than the Bass children received from their parents as to life's duties and responsibilities.
Buried Malvern Cemetery, Malvern, Mills, Iowa, United States - Excerpt from letter written by Glenn Timmons:
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Parents
Father Henry Bass (ID:I960), b. 22 Jun 1823, Driftwood, Jackson, Indiana, United States d. 7 Apr 1904, Morgantown, Morgan, Indiana, United States (Age 80 years) Mother Susannah Jemison (ID:I961), b. 19 Jun 1826 d. 15 Mar 1857, Morgantown, Morgan, Indiana, United States (Age 30 years) Marriage 24 Feb 1842 Children 1. 
Malinda Bass (ID:I962), b. 26 Nov 1842 d. 26 Dec 1844 (Age 2 years)2. Zeno Bass (ID:I854)
(current person)
, b. 29 Sep 1844, Morgantown, Morgan, Indiana, United States d. 19 Sep 1923, Malvern, Mills, Iowa, United States (Age 78 years)3. Charles Bass (ID:I963), b. 18 Apr 1847 d. 22 Nov 1853 (Age 6 years)4. Alexander Bass (ID:I964), b. 1848 d. Yes, date unknown5. Rebecca Bass (ID:I965), b. 17 Aug 1848 d. Abt 1920, Morgantown, Morgan, Indiana, United States (Age 71 years)6. Mary Bass (ID:I966), b. 3 Jan 1854 d. Dec 1873 (Age 19 years)7. Catherine Bass (ID:I967), b. 19 Apr 1855 d. 2 Dec 1855 (Age 0 years)8. Arthur Bass (ID:I968), b. 16 Oct 1856 d. 7 Nov 1856 (Age 0 years)9. Silas Bass (ID:I969), b. 15 Mar 1857 d. 15 Mar 1857 (Age 0 years) -
Family
Wife Harriet Dill (ID:I855), b. 4 Jan 1846, Morgantown, Morgan, Indiana, United States d. 3 Jul 1931, Malvern, Mills, Iowa, United States (Age 85 years) Marriage 21 Feb 1866 Morgantown, Morgan, Indiana, United States Children 1. Emily Bass (ID:I795), b. 31 Jul 1867, Morgantown, Morgan, Indiana, United States d. 27 Jun 1948, Ceresco, Saunders, Nebraska, United States (Age 80 years)2. Mayo Bass (ID:I857), b. 1869, Allen, Lyon, Kansas, United States d. 14 Sep 1950 (Age 81 years)3. Ora Bass (ID:I856), b. 5 Jul 1870, Allen, Lyon, Kansas, United States d. 17 Aug 1895 (Age 25 years)4. Ida Susan Bass (ID:I858), b. 30 Oct 1875, Malvern, Mills, Iowa, United States d. 4 Apr 1955, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States (Age 79 years)5. Zeno Bass, Jr. (ID:I859), b. 8 Aug 1880, Malvern, Mills, Iowa, United States d. 23 Nov 1968 (Age 88 years)6. Louis Bass (ID:I860), b. 8 Feb 1883, Malvern, Mills, Iowa, United States d. 20 Sep 1969 (Age 86 years)7. Nannie Edith Bass (ID:I861), b. 19 Apr 1886 d. Yes, date unknown -
Other Personal Events
1850 Federal Census 16 Nov 1850 Hensley, Johnson, Indiana, United States - p. 127A
Dwelling 1161
Family 1161
Lines 31-35
Henry Bass, 27, M, Farmer, $800 real estate owned, b. Indiana
Susan F., 23, F
Zeno, 6, M
Charles S., 3, M
Alexander, 1, M
1860 Federal Census 16 Jun 1860 Hensley, Johnson, Indiana, United States - p. 13-14
Dwelling 94
Family 94
Lines 35-40 (p. 13), 1-2 (p.14)
Henry Bass, 36, M, Farmer, $3000 Real Estate, $700 pers property, all born in Indiana
Percilla, 31, F
Zeno, 15, M, attended school
Alexander, 11, M, attended school
Rebecaa, 9, F, attended school
Mary, 6, F
Dora E., 1, F
Mary E. Bass, 17, Domestic
1870 Federal Census 4 Jul 1870 Deer Creek, Allen, Kansas, United States - p. 15
Dwelling 101
Family 102
Lines 5-7
Bass, Zeno, 25, M, W, Farmer, $1200 Real Estate, $400 personal
all born in Indiana
Hariet, 24, F, W, Keeping House
Emily, 2, F, W
1880 Federal Census 18 Jun 1880 Rawles, Mills, Iowa, United States - p. 3
SD 3
ED 134
Lines 9-14
Dwelling 19
Family 19
Bass, Zeno, W, M, 35, Married, Farmer
born Indiana, parents born Indiana
Harriet, W, F, 34, wife, married, keeping house
born Indiana, parents born Ohio
Emily, W, F, 12, daughter, at school, b. Indiana
Ora, W, M, 9, son, attended school, b. Kansas
Mayo, W, M, 6, son, attended school, b. Kansas
Ida, W, F, 4, daughter, b. Iowa
1885 Iowa State Census 1885 Rawles, Mills, Iowa, United States - p. 27
Lines 6-13
Dwelling 134
Family 134
Twp 71 Rng 42, Sec 10, SENE
Parents all native-born
Zeno Bass, 40, M, Married, Farmer, b. Indiana
Henriette, 39, F, Married, b. Indiana
Emily, 17, F, b. Indiana
Ora, 14, F, b. Kansas
May, 12, F, b. Kansas
Ida, 9, F, b. Mills Co
Zeno, 4, M, b. Mills Co
Lewis, 2, M, b. Mills Co
1900 Federal Census 7 Jun 1900 Rawles, Mills, Iowa, United States [2] - Lines 84-88
Bass, Zeno, head, W, M, Sep 1844, 56, married 34 yrs; born
Indiana, parents b. @ Indiana; owns farm
Harriet, wife, W, F, Jan 1846, 54; born Indiana, parents
b. @ Ohio
Zeno Jr., son, W, M, Aug 1880, 19, b. Iowa
Louis, son, W, M, Feb 1883, b. Iowa
Nanne E., daughter, W, F, Apr 1886, 14, b. Iowa
1910 Federal Census 28 Apr 1910 Rawles, Mills, Iowa, United States [3] - Lines 92-93
Bass, Zeno Sr., Head, M, W, 65, married 44 yrs.; born Indiana,
parents born @ Indiana)
Harriet, wife, F, W, 64; born Indiana, parents b. @ Ohio
1920 Federal Census 7 Jun 1920 Malvern, Mills, Iowa, United States [4] - Lines 36-37
Bass, Zeno Head, Owns free, M, W, 75, married; b. Indiana,
parents born @ Indiana
Harriet, wife, F, W, 74; b. Indiana, parents born @ Ohio
Probate Mills, Iowa, United States [5] - p. 127A
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Source Citations
- [S85] Digital Images of Death Certificates, 1921-1929, Mills County," death certificate 65-343 1/2 (1923), accessed 10 Jun 2017.
Silver Creek Township, Mills County
Male, White, Married
Age 78 years, 11 months, 20 dats
Retired Farmer
Birthplace: Indiana
Father: Henry Bass, born in Indiana
Mother: Rebecca Brookshire, born in Indiana
Informant: Zeno Bass, Jr.
Date of Death: Sept. 19, 1923
Cause of death: Leukemia, Arterial Sclerosis
I believe the death certificate erroneously identifies his grandmother, Rebecca Brookshire, as his mother. His mother was actually Susannah Jamison. - [S21] 1900 U.S. Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: Rawles, Mills, Iowa; Roll: 448; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0101; FHL microfilm: 1240448.
- [S23] 1910 U.S. Census.
- [S25] 1920 U.S. Census.
- [S86] Iowa, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997, Zeno Bass will; (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9064/records/28039 : accessed 10 Jun 2017).