BURT Z. KASSON, 66, FORMER STATE SENATOR, CO. HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER, DIES AT HOME

Burt Z. Kasson, 66, former State Senator and prominent figure in Fulton County for many years, died at 1:55 o'clock Saturday afternoon at his home, 104 Kingsboro avenue. Although he had been ill several weeks, Mr. Kasson appeared to be improving until stricken with a heart attack Saturday afternoon. He died a few minutes afterwards.

Mr. Kasson was born in Gloversville, August 23, 1877 and spent the greater part of his life in this city. He was a descendant of one of the pioneer families in the county and was the son of Harvey Z. and Ealla R. Dean Kasson. His only sister, Lillian, died about 35 years ago. The Kasson family settled near Broadalbin in 1775 and resided for many years in the vicinity known as the Kasson district.

He graduated from Gloversville High school and later attended Phillips Exeter Academy. Later he enrolled at Harvard University where he pursued scientific studies and was graduated as a mining engineer. His first job was in the Hudson Bay region, Canada. Later he did some mining engineering in Mexico. A few years prior to the death of his sister he returned to Gloversville to take up his residence with his widowed mother on North Main Street.

For a number of years he was active in the county. Immediately after his return to Gloversville he turned his attention to the family farm situated near Red Bunch. He made it into a sort of experimental station. He was a keen and patient observer of crops and begetation. Being trained as a geologist he was familiar with the properties of the soil and with soil chemistry. He did much to improve and develop farms and farming in Fulton County.

Many years ago Mr. Kasson became interested in politics. He was elected supervisor for a number of terms and served as chairman of the Fulton County Board of Supervisors. He served in the Assembly during 1915, 1916 and 1917. The Republican party ran him for State Senator from the 35th Senatorial District in 1918. After serving two terms in the State Senate he declined to be a candidate for re-election. For several years and during the Hoover presidential campaign he served as chairman of the Fulton County Republican committee.

For a number of years prior to the construction of the Sacandaga Reservoir, Mr. Kasson was employed as a land buyer by the Hudson River Regulating Board. Here again his unusual knowledge of farms and farming played an important role because of the number of acres purchased to make way for the huge reservoir.

In 1930 Mr. Kasson was name county commissioner of highways and continued in office until his death. He applied his scientific knowledge to the job together with his ability to organize and get things accomplished. He was extremely proud of the fact that the cost of road construction in the county was one of the lowest per mile of any county int the state.

Knowledge Mr. Kasson has gained elsewhere was brought to use and within a short time the county highway department was modernized. It was placed on a scientific and modern basis. He gained the utmost support from the employes by delegating authority to the men, by supplying facts and data upon which his foremen made their own decisions, but in fact were such as he had anticipated. He was on hand nights throughout the winter encouraging the men as they kept the traffic lanes through the county clear of snow and seldom ever left the barn until the last crew had returned.

One of the first county built highways under Mr. Kasson's jurisdiction was the Canada Lake road by way of the Staley swamp. He was assisted by Eberly Hutchinson. His familiarity with soil rock formations as well as the raod materials created some of the best county highways in this section of the state. He was particularly proud of the Benson highway, one of the outstanding scenic roads in this vicinity. He studied the resistance to the weather, travel and other factors on that highway as well as the 150 miles of other county highways.

Mr. Kasson was elected president of the Fulton County National Band and Trust Company in 1936. He contributed considerable to the institution through his knowledge of financial matters as well as his executive ability. He was also a director of the Nathan Littauer Hospital Association, a member of the FUlton County Council of Girl Scouts and a director of the Free Library.

He served a number of years as director of the Prospect Hill Cemetery Association. He was chairman of the Fulton County Ration Board and treasurer of the War Council. He was also a director in the Daniel Hays Company, the Upstate Telephone Corporation and the Gloversville Knitting Company. He served some time as a member of the Board of Education. He was a member of the Pine Brook Golf Club and as chairman of the greens committee did such an excellent job that he was elected a life member.

Mr. Kasson was a 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of Gloversville Lodge, 429, F. & A.M.; Johnstown Chapter, R.A.M.; Holy Cross Commandery, 51, Knights Templar; the Scottish Knights and the Shrine. He was also a member of Gloversville Lodge, 26, B.P.O. Elks; the Eccentric Club and the Fulton County Farm Bureau.

He was married in 1911 to Grace Adams Martin. Although always ready and eager to do everything possible for his fellowmen, he was thoroughly devoted to his family. He never took time off for a vacation.

The survivors besides his widow, are two sons, Austin B. Kasson, of Gloversville, and John M. Kasson, of Fort Worth, Tex.; one daughter, Miss Helen M. Kasson, of Philadelphia, Pa.; three cousins, Mrs. Clay O'Dell, of Johnstown; Miss Antoinette Kasson and Miss Grace Kasson, of Albany.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home, 194 Kingsboro avenue. Rev. A.P. Manwell, of the First Congregational church, will officiate. Burial will be made in the Prospect Hill Cemetery.

-The Morning Herald, Gloversville, NY; Monday, September 27, 1943