My Genealogy Hound

SOLOMON MASON, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Downs; one of the early pioneers of McLean Co., Ill.; born in Jessamine Co., Ky., Oct. 13, 1801; he removed with his parents to Ohio in 1805, and located in Montgomery Co., where he followed farming with his father until 19 years of age, when he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Fryer, August, 1820; she was born in Kentucky Nov. 25, 1799; she died Dec. 31, 1850, leaving eleven children, of whom six are now living, viz., George, John W., Eliza, Sarah, Daniel and Mary. His marriage with Elizabeth Brooks was celebrated in 1854; she was born in Indiana August 31, 1815; they had four children, of whom three are living — Samuel B., William H., Charles A. Upon the marriage of Mr. Mason, he farmed upon rented land for twelve years in Preble Co., Ohio, when he purchased eighty acres, upon which he lived until 1839, when he came West and located in McLean Co., Ill.; he settled upon his present place in 1840, where he has since continued to live during a period of thirty-eight years; Mr. Mason commenced in life without capital; he had $100 left him only; he has raised a large family, and now owns 240 acres of land upon his home farm, with good farm buildings, and 200 acres in Cropsey Township, Sec. 31, all of which he has accumulated by his own hard labor, energy and industry; he has suffered all the privations and hardships of frontier life, and, although now in the 78th year of his age, is in possession of all his faculties, and daily attends to the chores about his place. He has been a member of the United Brethren for a period of thirty years.