MASTIN, George W. 1836-1899

MASTIN, TRACY, VASEY

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:16

Obituary of G. W. Mastin

George Washington Mastin was born in Monroe county, state of New York, December 15, 1836. He was a son of Robert and Leonora (Tracy) Mastin and the eldest of a family of five children. His childhood and early manhood were spent in the vicinity of his birth place, amid the beautiful scenery along the shores of Lake Ontario. He received a common school education and afterward attended an academy at Rochester, N.Y., and later finished his education at an academy at Geneseo, N.Y. After leaving school he entered the law office of Judge Lord at Geneseo, N.Y., and for a time pursued the study of law. When the oil excitement broke out in Pennsylvania he went there and spent some time in the exciting pursuit of oil. During his stay there he was interested in several oil wells and his operations were attended with varying success. After leaving "Oildom" he returned to Geneseo county, N.Y., and went to work on the farm with his father.

In 1871, Geo. W. came to Grundy county with his father and engaged in farming. The Mastin family settled on a section of land a couple of miles south of the site of the present town of Wellsburg, and their hospitable home soon became known to the settlers for many miles around. In connection with his farming operations, "Wash," as he was familiarly called, spent a portion of his time for a number of years in buying and shipping stock in association with Hon. Geo. Wells and became widely known throughout this section of Iowa, for wherever "Wash" went his happy disposition and social nature made friends of all with whom he came in contact.

In May, 1890, Mr. Mastin was married to Maria Vasey of this county, and the same year built a cozy home on his own quarter section of land which was a part of the original Mastin farm before spoken of. In the spring of 1894, having accumulated a comfortable competence, he retired from the farm and came to Grundy Center where he continued to reside up to the time of his death. In 1893 he was made the legislative candidate of the democrat party, a position for which he was well qualified by natural endowments, education and experience. During the last two years of his life he was a member of the firm of Eessler, Mastin & Co., engaged in the vehicle and agricultural implement business at this place.

On the 27th of June, 1899, while attending to his regular business, suddenly, without premonition or warning, Mr. Mastin was seized with a fainting spell, which was the beginning of the sickness which in less than five weeks afterward resulted in his death. He was assisted to his home and medical assistance summoned. His malady developed so rapidly that within a day or so he was informed by his physician that he could probably live but a short time. He received the news with calmness and fortitude and throughout his entire illness maintained the cheerful and sunny demeanor that characterized his whole life.

Although never having made an open profession of his faith, Mr. Mastin was throughout his life a firm believer in Christianity and at his request he was baptized by Rev. Jordan of the Presbyterian church.

About a week after his sickness began, he seemed to apparently grow better and slight hopes were indulged that he might recover. Consulting physicians were called in at different times from Waterloo, Fort Dodge, and lastly from Chicago, and all that human skill could suggest was done for him, but human skill and loving care could not stay the hand of death and at twenty minutes to four o'clock on Monday morning the spirit of George W. Mastin was set free.

Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. C. H. Marsh of the Baptist church, taking for the subject of his discourse the text: "Every man shall give an account of himself to God." Rev. W. H. Jordan of the Presbyterian church, assisted in the services, after which the remains were followed to the cemetery by a large concourse of sympathizing friends.

George W. Mastin was one of those genial, cheery souls rarely met with and which it is always a pleasure to meet. Possessed of a social nature and an even bright and genial disposition he always had a hearty, cheerful word for every one and as he walked through the street with his bright smile, friendly word and hearty hand shake for all he seemed to leave a trail of sunshine behind him. To meet him was a pleasure and no fit of the blues could remain in his genial company. He was an especial favorite among the little folks for he loved them and they loved him. In his hospitable home he was the prince of entertainers. In business he was scrupulously conscientious and in all matters he was honest and upright. By his death a place in this community has been made vacant that will be hard to fill.

Deceased leaves a widow, a sister, Mrs. A. Macauley of Ft. Dodge, and a brother, A. T. Mastin, who lives on the old home farm near Wellsburg, with whom the whole community mourn with deep and sincere sorrow.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 3 August 1899, pg 1