Eli Bass was born on December 11, 1804, according to his gravestone in Ashland, MO. He had been born in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of Peter Bass, a prominent property and slave owner.  Peter Bass moved  his family just north of Ashland, MO, in southern Boone County in 1819.  The family residence was one mile north of the New Salem Cemetery.  Upon his father’s death, Eli and his brother, John, were left the family fortune.  Instead of enjoying the fruit of their father’s lifetime of work, the brothers decided to make something more for themselves.  John went to law school, and became a prominent lawyer in St. Louis, while Eli took control of the family plantation.

Eli married Margaret Johnson on February 26, 1829, ten years after moving to Boone County.  Within a few years, Eli had invested in large tracts of prime land in Boone County, thus accumulating a large plantation.

The 1850 census gave details of 44 year old Eli’s vast holdings.  According to the census, Eli and 38 year old Margaret had raised 7 children.  Their children were:  Mary, 17; Sarah, 16; William, 14; John, 12; Robert, 10; Felix, 3; and Everett, 3.  Eli was the wealthiest farmer in Boone County.  The 1850 agricultural census revealed to the county the magnitude of Eli’s holdings.  Eli had become the county’s largest slaveholder, with 52 slaves.  Amazingly, his plantation was valued at $150,000, containing 2,000 improved and 8,000 unimproved acres. In 1850, his livestock included 20 horses, 50 asses, 30 milk cows, 14 working oxen, 400 sheep, and 200 swine.  Harvests listed for the 1850 census showed 600 bushels of wheat, 300 bushels of rye, 10,000 bushels of corn, 1,000 bushels of oats, 400 pounds of flax, and 100 tons of hay.  A total of 100 bushels of Irish potatoes and 20 bushels of sweet potatoes, along with 20 gallons of wine, and 650 lbs. of butter only added to the plantation’s tremendous wealth.

Eli was said to be a true gentleman.  He possessed extensive knowledge, along with a great deal of practical sense.  Eli managed the estate beautifully, making it and his family prosper.  Being one of the largest real estate owners in central Missouri, he let his true southern hospitality shine through.  The herds of Eli’s estate were as magnificent as his estate, and they too were managed very practically.

The Bass plantation was said to be the largest west of the Mississippi River.  The Bass family’s plantation home was erected in 1817, and was comprised of 36 rooms.  Unfortunately, the massive chimney from Eli’s home is the only remnant of the plantation today, as a house fire in 1917 destroyed it.

     Remnants of Bass' plantation home, 2003

Eli, always putting high importance on learning, made sure that his children were well schooled.  He sent for five tutors from the east to personally school his children.  Out of his generosity, Eli also invited neighbor children to take lessons alongside his children.[1]  Out of concern for education in general, Eli contributed $3,000 to the building of a State University in Columbia, MO.  Being an honest Baptist man, he passed his ambition and honesty down to his children.  The sons were said to be “among the most enterprising and intelligent citizens of Boone County.”[2]  Eli’s wife, Margaret Johnson, had also contributed largely to the family and to the estate.  She was said to be a very Christian lady, easily loved by all she came across.

Memorial to Bass Plantation

Additionally, Eli became a prominent livestock breeder.  Cattle breeding was Eli’s specialty.  He imported the finest Shorthorns from Kentucky to his plantation, and began his venture into cattle breeding.[3]  It was also said that he produced more mules than anyone else in his time. Eli also made his mark in nearly all other classes of livestock.    He later passed on this art of breeding to his son, William.  William took interest in both jacks and mules, and became a noteworthy breeder as the years passed.

By the 1860’s, slaves played a major roll in the economic successes of their Boone County owners.  “Slaves, integrated into almost every phase of the county economy, showed that they could be employed profitably in diversified agriculture.”[4]  The perfect example of how to manage such an operation was displayed by Eli Bass.

Graves of Eli Bass and Family, New Salem Cemetery

It has been said Eli, always expressing true compassion for his slaves, had maintained many slaves even after the Civil War.  Though they were all allowed to go, many appreciated the lifestyle they could continue to live on the plantation, and understood the typical white man’s opinion of them.  This opinion would not allow the black population to excel in a white world.  They maintained such a lifestyle until Eli’s death on July 23, 1865.  He was buried in New Salem Cemetery, near the plantation. This marked a sad day for his slaves and Boone County, as the Bass’ plantation would never again be the same.

Photo Credits:

• Irwin Photo.
• Ashton, J. Monthly Bulletin, Volume XXI, Number XI, November, 1923.  History of Shorthorns in Missouri Prior to the Civil War.

This page was designed by Duane Nanneman under direction of Dr. Lyndon Irwin