Mason, Eugene Hutchinson "Gene" 1851-1929

MASON, MANATT, ABERNATHY, NESBIT, SCHLESSELMAN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 11/9/2014 at 16:44:28

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Jan. 11, 1929

GENE MASON
PASSES AWAY
----------------
Well Known As One of Poweshiek
County's Long Time
Residents
----------------
CAME TO IOWA IN
HIS YOUNG MANHOOD.
----------------
Attended Grinnell College In Early
Days--Farmed Near Brooklyn
Many Years.
----------------

Eugene Hutchinson Mason, passed away the morning of January 3, 1929, at his home in Brooklyn. His death was the result of a severe attack of influenza, when he was unable to overcome on account of his weakened physical condition, due to ill health for the past two years.

Mr. Mason, or Gene, as he was better known to his friends and neighbors, was born at Knightston, Indiana, on the 20th day of September, 1851. He came to Iowa when a young man and located first in Grinnell, where he completed his education at Grinnell College.

In 1875, he was united in marriage with Sarah Elizabeth Manatt and shortly thereafter, moved to their farm home four miles east of Brooklyn. Here he made his home and lived, worked and reared his family, until five years ago. He then moved to Brooklyn and there with his daughter, Hope, made his home until the time of his death. His wife, who was an invalid during the latter part of her life, passed away at their farm home on March 27, 1922.

There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mason. One, a daughter, died in infancy. Stella, the eldest daughter, is now married to Rufus Abernathy and makes her home in Roy, New Mexico. Eugene I. Mason, the only son, is now married and with his wife, Rae and daughter, Faith, Gene's only granddaughter, makes his home in Grinnell, Iowa. Hope, the youngest daughter, has always made her home with her father, caring for her mother during her long illness, always managing the household affairs and making a true home for her father to the present time.

Besides his own family, Mr. Mason raised and cared for Helen Nesbit, his niece, since her early childhood. She, too, is now married and with her husband, Louis Schlesselman and little son, Bobbie, referred to as Gene's only grandson, makes her home at Victor, Iowa.

Until the last years, Gene has always been an active man. Since moving to the vicinity of Brooklyn, he has personally managed and conducted the business affairs of his several farm and town properties. He was engaged in the grain business at Brooklyn and Carnforth for the period of thirty years and during this time operated the grain elevator at Brooklyn. Gene, in addition to his other activities, maintained an office in Brooklyn for a number of years prior to his death, where he transacted his personal business affairs, attended to the management of his real estate, bought and sold securities and made and handled loans for some of the larger companies.

In business affairs, Mr. Mason has prospered and he has always been known by his associates in business as an honest, upright, straight thinking courteous gentleman. Gene was a man of no pretense. He was just what he held himself out to be. Always kindly, generous and good natured, both in his home life and toward the general public.

The loss to this community in the passing of Mr. Mason is truly great.

The funeral services, conducted by the Rev. E.W.F. Holler, were held at his home in Brooklyn, Sunday, January 6th, at 1:30 p.m., the pall bearers being Fred Cunningham, Leo Dougherty, Hugh McIlrath, Joe Karr, Jack Talbott and Frank Talbott. Interment was made in the family lot in the I.O.O.F. cemetery at Brooklyn.