George Mason

            GEORGE MASON was born in Allen County, Ind., May 18, 1817, where the city of Fort Wayne now stands, and is the fourth child of Lewis and Judith (Terry) Mason, natives of Lower Canada and Ohio respectively. Lewis Mason emigrated to Ohio previous to the war of 1812, in which glorious contest he served as a soldier. He married, about 1809, and in 1813 removed to the neighborhood of Fort Wayne, and engaged in farming. The Indians were then very troublesome, preying upon  stock, etc. The family procured their breadstuffs from Ohio, and made all their clothing. Mr. Mason was a Catholic, dying at the age of seventy-eight. Mrs. Mason, a Baptist, dying at seventy years of age; their lives were their monuments.

    George Mason was reared on the frontier, and Indians were his playmates. He remained at home until manhood, and in 1838 came to this county (Jasper Co.), carrying his clothing in his arms, where, in January, 1839, he entered 120 acres, and on February 22, of that year married Miss Maria Gillam, born in 1818, and a daughter of John M. Gillam; she died September 7, 1834, leaving ten children, seven of whom are living –Josephus, Sarah L., John, Nathan, Maria E., Thomas and Elizabeth. Mr. Mason was next married, March 15, 1855, to Sarah Booher, born September 14, 1815, daughter of George and Sarah Booher.

    By thrift and frugality Mr. Mason has made a home and 120 acres, with good house and many improvements, besides giving to each of his children $1,200. He was first a Whig, then a Know-Nothing and later a Republican; he also served six years as Township Trustee. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana by F.A. Battey & Co., 1883. Page 577.