Charles Mason

MASON, THOMPSON

Posted By: Jeanie
Date: 5/18/2005 at 12:47:17

Charles Mason.

Few men are better known in York township, than the subject of this brief sketch – Charles Mason – who for a period of sixteen years has made his home on section three. His parents were natives of New York, where Charles their son, was born in Oneida County, December 28th, 1829. Here he remained until eight years of age when his father and family moved to Marshall County, Indiana. After remaining a number of years in this State, he emigrated to Illinois, where he remained until the year 1865 when he settled in this County in York township. Mr. Mason now owns one of the finest farms in Tama County, consisting of two hundred and twenty acres in sections two and three all under cultivation, with the beautiful little village of Waltham on part of it. This town was layed out by order of Mr. Mason in the year 1868 by H. Jacobs, containing about fifteen acres. His house is located upon a slight elevation facing the south and is surrounded by a beautiful grove together with a fine orchard covering about four acres. In this grove we find the American and European larches, furs, chestnut, iron wood and several varieties of cherries, both wild and tame pears, peaches and the white and yellow willow, which makes it very beautiful and attractive. In his garden he raises large quantities of small fruit consisting of Russell’s Great Prolific, Wilson’s Albany and many other kind of strawberries, all kinds of grapes, raspberries, etc, and is successfully raising the hucklebury which is a very rare fruit in this County. Mr. Mason is what we may call a “willow man” believing that they are the only successful hedge to be used in this country. His entire farm together with the edges of sloughs are surrounded by the white willow which besides making a splendid fence, beautifies the place and gives it a neat appearance, while for about twenty or thirty feet upon the inside he has tame grass and clover sown making it very convenient in cultivating the field.

In 1850 when by twenty one years of age he led to the hymenial alter Miss Mary Ann Thompson. Today he has a family of nine children, two boys and seven girls. His oldest son Albert Mason, is married, and besides carrying on his own farm assists in carrying on that of his fathers.

From the History of Tama County, Iowa. by Samuel D. Chapman. Printed at the Toledo Times Office. 1879. Pages 152 and 153.