W. E. Mason

W. E. MASON, a farmer of Howard township, Labette county, Kansas, living in section 28, township 34, range 18, was born in Spencer county, Kentucky, March 17, 1837. He is a son of W. H. and Eliza (McGuire) Mason, W. H. Mason was born in Kentucky, and married Eliza McGuire. They had six children: W. E., the subject of this sketch; John P.; George R.; Jane D.; Eliza B.; and Nancy, deceased.

W. E. Mason was reared in Shelby county, Kentucky, until he was seventeen years old. During his early years he followed the trade of a carpenter. He was a slave owner, but when the Civil war broke out he enlisted on the Union side, and served in Company F, 6th Reg., Ky. Vol. Inf. He saw much active service, and took part in the battles of Stone River, Perryville and Shiloh; he served in the army for three years. After the war he returned to Kentucky, where he lived for a number of years. In 1876, he went to Illinois, where he remained one year, and then returned to Kentucky. There he followed the trade of a carpenter, Mr. Mason located in Howard township, Labette county, Kansas, in January, 1885. He first spent a short time in Oswego, and then moved upon the Neville farm, where he carries on general farming. He is a man of firm, honest and upright principles, and is greatly esteemed by all who know him.

Mr. Mason married Mrs. Sarah Neville, in 1886. She had by her first marriage the following children, namely: John, who married Mattie Opdyke, and resides in Coffeyville, Kansas; Charles, who married Mina Sweet, and has two children, - Leona and Gladys; Carrie, who married A. J. Brown, a farmer of Canada township, and has one child, - Laura; and Albert H. Mr. Mason is a member of the Populist party. He belongs to the G. A. R., Edna, Post, No. 160; and to the M. W. of A. Lodge, of Valeda. He is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Mason has many warm friends in the county.