Edward R. Mason 1846-1928/29

MASON, STEWART

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 2/15/2002 at 23:44:13

(Des Moines Register)

Edward R. Mason, 82, pioneer automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest practicing attorneys in Des Moines, died at 5 p. m. Wednesday Jan. 30, at his home, 3722 Grand Avenue as a result of injuries suffered when he fell on the icy sidewalks in front of his home Tuesday.

Mrs. Mason discovered her husband on the walk and the aged attorney was carried into the house in an unconscious condition. Suffering from concussion of the brain, he never fully regained consciousness and died late Wednesday.

Besides his wife, he is survived by one son, E. W. Mason of Des Moines, a daughter, Mrs. James A. Stewar[?] of Kansas City; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

With the death of Mr. Mason, Des Moines loses another of its pioneers whose achievements figure in the progress of the state.

He is credited with being one of the first to manufacture cotton goods, barbed wire, tin ware and automobiles. In 1906 he became associated with Fred Duesenberg and financed the building of Duesenberg's first automobile called the Mason.

The factory, located at East Fift[h?] and Vine streets, was sold to F. [?]. Maytag in 1910 and moved to Waterloo.

WAS CLERK IN U.S. COURT

Mr. Mason had been practicing law in Des Moines for the last fifty six years; forty years of that time he officiated as clerk of the United States court, and also served as United States Ctmmissioner [sic].

FOUGHT IN CIVIL WAR

He was born Dec. 18, 1846, Franklinville, N. Y., and came to Bentonsport, Iowa, at the age of 13. He was the eleventh of fourteen children, all of whom are now dead. He enlisted in company K, Forty fifth Iowa volunteers during the civil war.

At the close of the war Mr. Mason studied medicine at the Keokuk Medical college and came to Des Moines in 1869. However, he lacked funds to pursue his career as practicing physician, and turned his attention to manufacturing, meeting with success in all his ventures. At the same time he was studying law and was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1872.

WAS PREPARING CASE

Since that time he has maintained an active practice in the city, and was preparing a case for court at the time of his death.

The residence at 3722 Grand avenue has been his home for more than fifty years.

(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 87 of Obit Book C found in the Van Buren County, IA Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in July 1999. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given. My photocopy was faded on the right-hand side and the brackets above show when a letter or two are unknown.)

I am NOT related to Edward R. Mason and am posting this obit for those who may find him in their family history.

(originally posted 18 Aug 1999)