Frank Monroe Bassford: Counterfeiting at age 27

Frank Monroe Bassford was born 1 Feb 1907 in Canton, OK to Charles Monroe Bassford (1873-1932) & Lizzie Marler (1875-) He had lost both parents and 2 siblings before he was 27 years old.

Inmate #45705 Leavenworth 

Rec: 27 Oct 1934 from Pecatello, ID

Crime: Counterfeiting 

Term: 2-20 Consec

1-$1,000 Fine, 1- $2,000 fine Total $3,000

Age 27

FBI report dated 10 Dec 1934

Discharged: 1 Jun 1937

The 1940 census has him living at San Francisco Peninsula, CA at Tanforan Racetrack. Not sure what he was doing there but my guess is he was working there.

Tanforan Assembly Center, line to mess hall.

1942 Tanforan Assembly Center barracks.

In Spring 1942 the Tanforan Park Racetrack became the temporary Tanforan Assembly Center to process approximately 8,000 Bay Area Japanese Americans, U.S. citizens of Japanese ancestry with most born in the United States, for forced relocation and internment during WW II. The people were housed in horse stable stalls, on grandstands, or in 170 barracks quickly built in the infield, while awaiting removal to Japanese American Segregation Centers in other parts of the state and country.

Tanforan Racetrack was a thoroughbred horse racing facility in San Bruno, on the San Francisco Peninsula, in California. It was in operation from September 4, 1899 to 1964.

Frank Monroe Bassford was a Pvt. in the U.S. Army June 1927-Oct 1927 and there was a bench warrant for him. He came from a long line of family members that served.

Frank married Mary Alice Joalessette (1920-1969)

I did not find a marriage record.

Frank died 3 Mar 1955 in Napa, CA

According to the records above I noticed he was a lost sole with a lot of pain. He lost his parents and 2 siblings, which had to weigh on him. Then he started hanging out with the wrong crowd and got into trouble. These are the only records I found, he stayed out of trouble after this stint. 

I found 2 children Travis, & Elsie Edna Bassford (1946-2000).

Elsie was married at least 3 times.

I hope he found some peace in his life with happiness. He looks to be a nice guy.