Newton L. Mast


-Obituary-


Watauga Democrat from the Watauga Democrat, Thursday, March 21, 1929, front page

Headlines: N. L. Mast Died Monday Night

Sudden Passing Came as Shock to Family and Friends: Funeral and Interment Yesterday at Cove Creek.

Newton L. Mast, president of the Watauga county Bank and widely know business man, died almost suddenly at his home at Mast Monday evening. He was 69 years of age.

Mr. Mast had left Boone in the afternoon about 6 o'clock, having spent the day in Avery County looking after business matters, and was in usual good spirits when he left town. However, at home, news awaited him of the death of
his son-in-law, Mr. Paul Spainhour. After having conversed with a close friend over the telephone relative to funeral arrangements, Mr. Mast complained of a shortage of breath. His son, James, assisted him to a chair where he expired within about ten minutes. Heart trouble is supposed to have been the cause of his death.

Mr. Mast was one of the foremost merchants of the county, having opened his place of business to the public about 49 years ago. His success was phenomenal, he was an able financier, and was one of the wealthiest citizens
of the county. He was one of the founders of the Watauga County Bank, and was the president of that institution from its organization nearly twenty-five years ago, until death. The rapid growth of that organization from a tiny
country bank to one of the foremost financial institutions in northwest North Carolina was due largely to the keen business judgement and vision of its president.

Mr. Mast was a leader always in public affairs and was ever closely affiliated with those movements calculated to bring about more wholesome conditions for the citizenship as a whole. He was one of the leading spirts in the Cove Creek Baptist Church, having been a member since early youth. He
was broad in his church views and a co-worker with the Methodist people. He was a social and moral leader and his business ability has been a great asset in the development of his native county.

Funeral services were conducted yesterday (Wednesday) at 2:30 o'clock from Henson's Chapel Methodist Church by Rev. Will O. Gordan, pastor of the Cove Creek Baptist church (sic), Rev. R. A. Taylor assisting. Rev. W. R. Bradshaw
of Morganton was also present and conducted the funeral of P. G. Spainhour which held immediately following in the same church.

Interment was in the Cove Creek cemetery.

Mr. Mast is survived by a widow and two children, James Mast and Mrs. P. G. Spainhour.