George Mason

MASON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 10:18:58

George Mason, a retired farmer living in Madrid, well merit’s the rest that has come to him, because his life has been characterized by unremitting diligence. He took up his abode in the town in 1895, but has been a resident of the state since 1884. He was born in the neighboring state of Illinois, his birth having occurred on the Fox river, in La Salle county, February 19, 1839. He was reared to manhood in La Salle county, Illinois, upon the old home farm and there early became familiar with the work of field and meadow as he assisted his father in carrying on the old home place. At the usual age he entered the common schools and later continued his studies in a private school in that locality. For two terms he engaged in teaching in La Salle county, Under the parental roof he remained until his marriage, which was celebrated in La Salle, county July 3, 1862, the lady of his choice being Sarah Ann Kennison, who was born in Vermont, but spent the greater part of her girlhood days in Illinois. She is a sister of J s Kennison, of Garden township. After his marriage Mr Mason located upon a farm in Kendall county, Illinois, near Joliet, and there purchased a good tract of land which he continued to cultivate for eighteen years. He then sold the property and removed to Washington county, Iowa, purchasing there a farm of 240 acres. Many improvements he placed upon the land during this eight years residence there, and on the expiration of that period he sold the property for nearly double the amount in which he had paid for it. For two years he then reside in Washington county and then in 1895 he removed to Madrid, purchasing ten acres of land in the village. On this he erected a large white residence which is one of the attractive homes of the town and here he is now living retired.
Mr and Mrs Mason are the parents of five children of whom four are living: Isabelle, wife of John H Mayer, a substantial farmer of Garden township, E G , who caries on farming near Washington, Iowa, L E, who is also an agriculturist of Garden township, and Florence, the wife of Dr E C Brown, of Madrid. They also lost one son, Delbert, who died at the age of four years. They have also reared a niece, Miss Edna Copp, who was left an orphan in infancy and has since been a member of the Mason household. Our subject and his wife are Christian people, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal church of Madrid, and Mr Mason is now serving as president of the church board. He is also identified with the Masonic fraternity which he joined in 1856. At the present time he is associated with Madrid Lodge and is likewise a member of the chapter and commandery of Morris, Illinois, thus having become a Knight Templar Mason. He votes with the Democracy, having cast his first presidential ballot for Stephen A Douglas, the “ Little Giant” of Illinois. At local elections, howe3ver, he does not consider himself bound by party ties, supporting the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for the office, While residing in Kendall county, Illinois, he was elected and served for eleven consecutive years as justice of the peace. This was a well deserved honor and indicated his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him, for, although, a Democrat, he was continually elected in a Republican township. In Washington county, Iowa he served for seven years as justice of the peace and was also assessor, school treasurer and filled other positions of honor and trust. He is now serving as justice of the peace in Douglas township, Boone county. His decisions have ever been strictly fair and impartial and hove won for him golden opinions. Mr Mason has ever commanded the respect and confidence of the people, for he has ever been loyal to public duty and the obligations of the home and of friendship. His career is in all respects an exemplary one and his example might well serve as one worthy of emulation.

1902 Boone County History Book