James Mason 1845-1910

MASON, CLARK, CLARKE, KURTZ, SQUIRE, TISDEL, TRUSDEL

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 3/26/2003 at 22:29:01

BENTONSPORT

The remains of James Mason of Des Moines, accompanied by relatives, was brought here for burial Monday. We are not informed as to a time or cause of his death, may be able to give full particulars next week. He is a brother of George, William, and Frank Mason and Mrs. M.M. Clark.

[handwritten at top of clipping is “Feb. 9, 1910”]

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FALL FROM CAR
PROVES FATAL
TO J.L. MASON

Well Known Wholesale Milliner
Succumbs to Sickness Brouht
On by Tumble on
Slippery Pavement

RESIDED IN DES MOINES
TWENTY-SIX YEARS.

As a result of a complication of kidney trouble, aided by a fall on the icy pavements about a week ago, James Lewis Mason, the pioneer Des Moines milliner, brother of former Senator William E. Mason of Chicago and of E.R. Mason, clerk of the federal circuit, died early today at his home, 521 Fourteenth street.

The news of the death of Mr. Mason comes as a surprise to the entire city, for only a few of his friends knew that he was seriously sick. Mr. Mason was at his store as late as Tuesday of this week. He did not take to his bed until Tuesday night.

He had been a sufferer from kidney trouble for several years and had not enjoyed the best of health for a long time. About a week ago as Mr. Mason alighted from a car at Seventh and Walnut street, he was thrown forward by the sudden movement of the car, and slipped on the icy pavement. His back was badly hurt by the fall and the attending physicians say that the fall brought about the trouble which caused his death.
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Located Here in 1884.

Mr. Mason came to Des Moines in 1884 from Memphis, Mo., where he had been engaged in the mercantile business. During his entire residence here he had been in the millinery business. His first location was at Seventy and Walnut, streets, where Younker building now stands. He was born at Franklinville, N.Y., March 22, 1845.

Mr. Mason is survived by his wife, three daughters, Mrs. Clark Tisdel, Muskogee, Okla.; Miss Mary Mason, Chicago; Mrs. Walter E. Squire, now in Paris, and one son, James Rupert Mason, of Los Angeles. William E. Mason, Chicago; E.R. Mason and J.F. Mason of Davenport are brothers of the dead man. He is also survived by his sister, Mrs. M.M. Clarke, of Des Moines. Mrs. Schiller Kurtz is a niece.

The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock from the residence at 521 Fourteenth street. Interment will be at Bentonsport, Van Buren county.

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[hand written at top of the following is “Feb-5, 1910]

Death of James L.Mason

J.L.Mason, a former resident of Bentonsport, brother of Ex-United States Senator W.E. Mason of Chicago and Mrs. M.M. Clark of Bentonsport, died Saturday at his home in Des Moines. Speaking of the deceased, the Des Moines Capital of Monday of this week says:

The funeral will be held from the home this afternoon at 1:30 o’clock. The interment will be made at Bentonsport, Ia., Mr. Mason’s old home. Mr. Mason is survived by a wife and three daughers, Miss Mary Mason of Chicago, Mrs. C. Trusdel of Muskogee, Okla., Mrs. W.E. Squire of Paris, France. He was the brother of E.R. Mason, until last month clerk of the United States circuit court, Hon. W.E. Mason of Chicago, formerly U.S. senator from Illinois; George Mason of Davenport and Frank Mason of Des Moines. He also left a sister, Mrs. Mary Clark, one of the oldest settlers of Des Moines. Mr. Mason came to Des Moines from Bentonsport in 1884 and ever since then has been in the notion and millinery business.

[This death notice and obits furnished courtesy of the Redheads and the Hansons, previous and current owners of the Mason House Inn]