My Genealogy Hound

JAMES MASON, farmer, post office Wilkinsburg, son of William and Ellen (Hartley) Mason, was born in Haywood, Lancashire, England, in October, 1824. William was a cotton-manufacturer and surveyor, and gave his son a good common education. When seventeen years old the latter set out for America to learn a trade, and arriving at Pittsburgh took up shoemaking, at which he became a fine workman. This he followed more or less continuously for twenty years, keeping a shop for some time in Pittsburgh. In 1849 he bought land in what is now Penn township, where his home has since been. He was engaged for some time in operating a coal mine, but now gives his attention mainly to farming. He is liberal in religious ideas, and is a straight republican. In 1846 he married Mary, daughter of Thomas and Ann Davis, all of Wales, and they have eight children: Ann (Mrs. Hugh H. Ireland), in Beechmont; Ellen (Mrs. John Mills), in East Liberty; Thomas Davis, in Wilkins; William, in Sandy Creek; James, in Oil City; Mary Jane (Mrs. John McCurdy), in Verona; Edward Joseph, in Mansfield, and Robert, at home.