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Below is a family biography included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JUDGE CHARLES H. MASON, born at Walpole, Cheshire Co., N. H., August 9, 1827, is the third of nine children born to the marriage of Joseph Mason and Harriet Ormsby, who were natives respectively of Massachusetts and Connecticut, and of English descent, the Masons being of old Puritan stock. The subject of our sketch was raised on his father’s farm in his native State, receiving a good academical education, attending Hancock Literary and Scientific Institute of Hancock, N. H. At twenty-one years of age he emigrated West, locating first at Louisville, Ky., where he was employed as tutor in a private family, studying law between school hours with Hamilton Smith. When twenty-two years old he was admitted to the bar at Louisville, and removing to Perry County, Ind., embarked in the practice of his profession, also acting as agent for the American Cannel Coal Company. In 1849 he established the Cannelton Economist, the first newspaper in the county which he conducted two years and a half. He was also connected with various other enterprises and industries, but never relinquished legal pursuits. On the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was appointed Colonel of the Fifth Regiment (Legion), which he resigned in 1861, to accept the judgeship of the Court of Common Pleas for the district composed of Spencer, Perry, Crawford, Dubois and Orange Counties, a position he retained two years. In 1865 he was appointed collector of revenue for Perry County, serving as such ten years, and was also appointed a member of the Ohio River Commission by Gov. Baker. He has always retained his law practice however, and since 1880 has made his home at Rockport, and is recognized the peer of any attorney in the Second District. A stanch Republican in politics, he has been a faithful worker for his party, and by it has been honored at various times. He has actively worked for his county and town’s advancement, and in every way is a worthy and highly esteemed citizen. March 21, 1852, Rachel D., daughter of J. B. Huckaby, became his wife, and after a happily wedded life of over thirty years, Mrs. Mason died February 26, 1883, a member of the Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 344 biographies included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Spencer County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Spencer County, Indiana family biographies here: Spencer County, Indiana Biographies

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