William Moses "Moss" Mason 1863-1923

MASON, SAUL, KINT, HENEMAN, HENAMAN, WILSON, HALL

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/11/2010 at 23:15:53

“Moss” Mason Passes Away Very Suddenly
Succumbs in Doctor’s Office While Waiting
Heart Failure the Cause
Was One of Estherville’s Best Citizens and Will be Greatly Missed

The community was greatly shocked yesterday when the word spread around that W. M. Mason, our well known fellow townsman, had died suddenly at Dr. Heydenburk’s office. Mr. Mason had been complaining of a pain in his chest for about three days and yesterday, feeling worse than usual, he went to Dr. Heydenburg for an examination. The doctor examined him and found that his heart was in very bad shape. Mr. Mason said he would not take a treatment then but would sit down and rest a while. The pain became gradually worse, however, and he said he believe he would take a treatment. Before the treatment could be given, however, his condition became so alarming that the doctor realized that nothing could be done for him and telephoned to his wife and daughter, who arrived barely in time to say good-by before the sufferer lapsed into unconsciousness, passing away at about 9 o’clock in the forenoon. While Mr. Mason was apparently a strong and healthy man he had been told years ago that he had a weak heart and had experienced trouble before involving this organ of the body. He was a man about sixty years of age, clean, upright and a splendid citizen. While not a member of any church he was a regular attendant at church services. He found great pleasure in visiting the sick and administering to their needs, especially those who lacked proper care. His sudden death comes as a great shock to his wife and children and other relatives, all of whom have the sympathy of the community in their sorrow. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 21, 1923)

W. M. Mason Drops Dead Tues. Morn
Was Prominent Man of City and County
Seemed in Good Health
Greatly Beloved Here by Many Because of Acts of Kindness and Charity

The many friends of Moss Mason were shocked Tuesday [February 20, 1923] morning to learn of his sudden and unexpected death of heart failure. Mr. Mason apparently had been in good health, but Monday night he noticed a slight pain in his left side over his heart. Tuesday morning, thinking to relieve the pain in his chest, he went to Dr. Heydenburk’s office for an examination and treatment. Arriving there he was given the examination and immediate treatments were advised, the trouble being diagnosed as his heart. Mr. Mason feeling better at that particular moment remarked that he believed he would go home and return for a treatment later. However, as he reached the door of the office the pain returned stronger than before, and he decided to remain and take a treatment then. While Dr. Heydenburk finished working on another patient, Mr. Mason waited in the outer office. In a few minutes going out to see Mr. Mason, the doctor found him in a much worse condition and immediately took charge of him. He was revived and Dr. Wilson called. Mrs. Mason and Mrs. Bert Kint were likewise notified and arrived at once, but Mr. Mason was beyond human help and he died within twenty minutes after his entry to the office.

Mr. Mason was known as one of the most popular men in Estherville having spent a number of years here after his retirement from his farm south of Terril. He leaves his wife and five children to mourn his loss. The children are Ora, who is well known here as Mrs. Bert Kint; James of Terril; Ralph of Terril; Mrs. Elmer Heneman of Armstrong, and Ray who is attending college at Ames.

Details of the funeral services have not been arranged as we go to press, the final arrangements pending the arrival of relatives and friends. Mr. Mason had reached the age of sixty-one years and was one of the men who helped to develop this county. He was progressive and had a large circle of friends who extend their sympathy to his family in this time of loss. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, February 21, 1923)

Obituary W. M. Mason
William Moses Mason was born March 14, 1863, in County Westmorland, England. Together with his parents he came to America in the spring of 1872 and settled in Iowa. Having grown to manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Saul on November 3, 1882. To this union were born five children, three sons and two daughters.

Mr. Mason with his family resided in Tama and Grundy counties until 1896 when they moved to Clay county where they resided until about six years ago when they came to Estherville where he has since made his home. He was one of a family of eleven children, eight brothers and three sisters, of whom six have died leaving three brothers and three sisters: J. E. Mason of Dallas, Oregon, Mrs. R. C. Wilson of Dallas, Oregon, Mrs. Margaret Hall of Reinbeck, Iowa, R. C. Mason of Graettinger and Allan Mason of Armstrong.

Mr. Mason was a man with a big heart; benevolent in spirit and kind in his conduct towards his fellow man. Whatever may have been his shortcomings in earlier life (and most of us have them) he gathered himself in a magnificent manner and for years had sought opportunity to prove himself a friend to man. If any were sick, especially if they were poor in this world’s goods and had few intimate friends, he was quick in his response to their needs and gave them the attention of a brother, sparing neither time nor effort to give them relief and comfort.

Although not formally connected with the church through membership he had for a long time been faithful in attendance at our services, rarely missing a Sabbath when he was not present to take part in our public worship. And during one of our recent community revival efforts he made an open confession to Christ and declared his purpose of uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church and was faithful in his support of the program of the Kingdom of Christ. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge at Terril and of the Knights of Pythias in Estherville.

His health had been almost perfect as far as one could see from outward appearances; robust and strong, he was always in a happy state of mind with but little to complain of at any time. Hence it was indeed a great shock not only to his family but likewise to his many friends when on Tuesday morning the repot spread over the community that he had died suddenly of heart failure. Perhaps, however, he had premonitions of his death as within the last week or ten days he had told several of his friends that when he died he expected the end to come suddenly as with other members of his family.

Swift to its end ebs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see –
O thou who changeth not, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Mr. Mason had attained the age of 59 years, eleven months and six days, and was yet a young man. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Saul Mason; his five children, J. H. Mason of Terril, Ralph Mason of Dickens, Mrs. Elmer Henaman of Armstrong, Raymond Mason of Ames and Mrs. Bert Kint of Estherville; eight grandchildren and three brothers and two sisters. Besides these there are many friends throughout Emmet, Clay and Dickinson counties where he has been best known for the past twenty-five years who deeply mourn his death and sympathize most keenly with his family.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the Methodist Episcopal church. Relatives and friends filled the church to pay a last tribute of love and respect and many beautiful floral offerings were brought. Music was furnished by a double quartet and Rev. J. W. LaGrone, his pastor, spoke briefly of his amiable qualities and sacrificing services, and bore testimony to his devotion to altruistic ideals and purposes. A large number of his brothers from the K. of P. lodge attended in a body and had charge of the services at the grave. The body was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 28, 1923)