Mason, James A.

MASON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:36:25

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.525

JAMES A. MASON
James A. Mason, residing on section 18, Richland Township, where he owns and operates two hundred and twelve acres of highly improved land, was born on the farm where he now resides, on May 22, 1864, the son of William and Jane (Neal) Mason. His father was a native of New Jersey, where he passed the days of his boyhood and youth, and followed the occupation of sailor until he came to Van Buren County, Iowa, in 1843. From there he went to Des Moines, in which city he resided for a short time, and he helped to build the United States army barracks at that place. He took up a squatter's claim and, it is said, broke the first soil in Warren County, using an ox-team for this purpose. He married Miss Jane Neal, a native of Tennessee, who came to Iowa with her parents in 1844. Unto this union were born six children, five sons and one daughter, of whom James A., of th,is review, is the youngest. The father had accumulated here some eight hundred and sixty acres of land. He died October 5, 1895, at the age of eighty-one years, six months and six days.
James A. Mason completed his school work in the old Ackworth Academy and early entered upon the active duties connected with agricultural pur­suits. He aided his father in his extensive farming operations and on first branching out for himself bought sixty-seven acres of land in Palmyra Town­ship. In the settlement of his father's estate he acquired one hundred and forty-five acres of the home property on which the old homestead was located, making two hundred and twelve acres which he now owns. Mr. Mason ap­preciates the fact that farming is a science calling for the greatest exercise of judgment and keen perception, and the respectful attention and study he has ever accorded his occupation is manifested in the high degree of perfec­tion which he has attained in the cultivation of cereals, particularly corn, and the superior grade of live stock which he owns. He carried off the grand sweepstake prize on corn for Iowa and the world, and took the world's honors on corn in 1907 through the Iowa State Fair and State Agricultural College at Ames.
In live stock, he raises thoroughbred Jersey cattle, regis­tered Poland China hogs, and standard bred horses. His entry of stock and grain is always a conspicuous feature of the Iowa State Fair and he has taken several first premiums. The family prize as a valued souvenir some seed corn which they possess that was found on the road between Tennessee and here by their grandfather in 1844 and from which the first corn in Warren County was grown. It is in keeping with the intelligent direction that he has ever given his affairs that he has erected good buildings, has fenced and cross fenced the place and has done everything that was necessary to further the interests of his business and to enable him to carry it on to the best pos­sible advantage.
On February 1, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of James A. Mason and Miss Cora Patterson, a daughter of Thompson Patterson and native of Dallas County, Iowa. Unto this union has been born one daughter, Ermile, who is a graduate of the Carlisle high school.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Mason has been a staunch Republican. Though not an aspirant for public office he has ever taken an active interest in party principles and has served as delegate to several state and county conventions. Fraternally, he is a member of the old Hartford Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which his father was a charter member. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Hartford. Mrs. Mason is a member of the Eastern Star, the ladies' auxiliary of the Masonic fraternity, in which order she has held various offices. The family attends the Friends church.