My Genealogy Hound

J. W. Mason was born in Nelson County, Ky., in 1853. His father, J. W. Mason, was a native of Henry County, Ky., and of English descent. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mollie Kirk, was a native of Harrison County, Ind., and was of Irish descent. The parents were married in Kentucky, where the father resided a number of years, engaged in farming. About the year 1840 he moved to Pike County, Ill., where he entered land. Previous to his coming to Pike County he met with misfortune, and had to pay a security debt of $6,000. He was an old Henry Clay Whig in politics, and for a number of years was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His widow soon after his death moved to Kentucky, and made her home with her sister in Henry County, where she resided until her death in 1863. Our subject is the only son of a family of two children. He made his home with his mother until twenty years of age, his father having died when our subject was but fourteen. In 1854 he moved to Keokuk County, Iowa. As he was something of a mechanic, brick-layer and plasterer by trade, he found employment at good prices, and made money while there. In 1855 he returned to Kentucky, and spent the winter of 1856 in Northeast Missouri, where he followed his trade for several years in Lewis and Clark Counties. November 10, 1859, Mr. Mason married Miss Emaline Laswell, a daughter of William Laswell, a native of Kentucky. For several years after marriage our subject rented land in Washington Township, but in 1863 he purchased land in the eastern part of the same township, where he has ever since resided, a period of twenty-five years. To his marriage were born two children, viz.: William H. and Felix S. William H. is a physician of prominence at Sand Hill, Scotland Co., Mo. Felix S. is still at home, and manages the farm, which consists of 170 acres of excellent land, all well improved. He is a Democrat in politics, has been a member of the Masonic lodge for over twenty years, and is a member of the Baptist Church, as is also his wife and two sons.