1920 federal census for District 15, ED 53, Baltimore Co., MD, North Point Rd., p. 23B [163] Garland Bassford, male, head, age 21, b. MD, father b. MD, mother b. MD, laborer, married Anna?, female, wife, age 21, b. MD, father b. MD, mother b. MD, married Garland, Jr., male, son, age 2, b. MD, father b. MD, mother b. MD, married
1930 federal census for Election District 15, ED 69, Baltimore Co., MD, Bright Light & Northeast? Rd., 6 May 1930, p. 30B [255] Garland B. Bassford, male, head, age 33, b. MD, father b. MD, mother b. VA, roller-tin mill, married, age 19 at first marriage Irma I., female, wife, age 32, b. PA, father b. Germany, mother b. Germany, married, age 18 at first marriage Garland B., male, son, age 12, b. MD, father b. MD, mother b. PA, single Marion A., male, son, age 8, b. MD, father b. MD, mother b. PA, single James Anthony, male, boarder, age 32, b. SC, father b. SC, mother b. SC, doubler-steel mill, single
He married Anna (BASFORD) abt 1916. [255] Garland age 19 at marriage. Born abt 1898-1899 in Maryland or Pennsylvania. [163], [255] age 21 in 1920 census, age 32 in 1930 census. Anna died ? . aka: Irma. [255]
Before she was married, she worked as a secretary at the YWCA in Washington. According to a newspaper article, she was introduced to Eleanor Roosevelt while working at the YWCA. [484]
In 1948, Gladys and Richard purchased a small farm (approximatly 50 acres) called "Fair Play Farm" (named for the original patent for the land) in an area called "Stringtown" in northern Baltimore Co., MD (now part of the Sparks-Glencoe P.O.). [484]
Gladys kept very active by maintaining the farm and working outside the home. During the 50s, 60s and 70s, Gladys had several jobs, but she's best remembered in our area for her involvement in real estate, where she was known as "the matriarch of the local real estate community." [484]
After Richard died from cancer in 1981, Gladys continued to maintain the farm for a few more years with the help of a developmentally disabled woman, Helen Bruehl, who lived with her. The farm eventually became more than Gladys could handle. Richard and Gladys had carved a 4.5 acre parcel out of the farm at some point in the late 70s or early 80s. In 1986, Gladys had a rancher built on that parcel, moved into it with Helen, and sold the rest of the farm. [484]
She drove a car until she was 95 years olds. [485]
Having no immediate family, she appointed Bradley Moore, President of the local Sparks State Bank, as the executor of her estate. [484]