Born October 13, 1840, at Benson, Vermont, Joseph J. Bascom grew up there and volunteered for the Civil War. Wounded, he was discharged July 30, 1863. Migrating to Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada, he, in due time, met and married Mary Bolster on September 29, 1869.

In 1882, along with several other men from Ontario, Joseph Bascom settled in Uxbridge Township in Barnes County. Joseph and Mary had four children when they arrived in Barnes County; Alice, Gertrude, Helen, William and Mary (Minnie). Alice attended the local school, Valley City Normal, and Jamestown College. After teaching, she married Franklyn L. Widdifield in 1894.

Joseph Bascom served as the Postmaster of the Uxbridge Community from November 20, 1883 to March 3, 1896. The post office was moved to the newly settled town of Leal in 1892, where he continued as the postmaster until 1896.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 24