Houston A.P. Bassett facts for kids

Houston A.P. (Pat) Bassett (born March 14, 1857 – died July 17, 1920) was an important African-American politician from Texas. He was a member of the Republican Party. Bassett served in the Texas House of Representatives, which is a group of people who make laws for the state. He lived most of his life in Grimes County, Texas, where he was born.

Who Was Pat Bassett?

Pat Bassett was born in Grimes County, Texas, in 1857. His parents were farmers and did not have much money. Even though his family was poor, Pat worked hard to get a good education. He grew up to become a respected leader in his community.

Early Life and Education

Pat Bassett spent most of his childhood in Grimes County. He left Texas to attend college. He studied at Straight University in New Orleans, Louisiana. After that, he went to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Getting an education from these universities was a big achievement for him.

Becoming a Politician

After finishing his studies, Pat Bassett returned to Texas. He became very interested in politics. Politics is about how a country or state is governed. He decided to run for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. This is where elected officials make laws for the state.

His Time in Office

In 1886, Pat Bassett won his election for the Texas House of Representatives. This was a challenging election, but he succeeded. He served one term, from 1887 to 1889. During this time, he worked to represent the people of Grimes County. He was one of the few African-American politicians serving at that time.

Family Life

Pat Bassett was married to Cordelia Foster Bassett. They had four children together. He passed away in 1920 at the age of 63 in Grimes County, Texas.