Captain Mason was born in Brownville, Pennsylvania, He received his education in public schools and at Reed’s Academy in his native town. At the age of fourteen years, he began working in a dry goods store where he remained for a year and a half. He then went into the steamboat business as a second clerk on one of the boats running on the Monongahela River. He followed this occupation until 1865 when he left the service, having risen from second clerk to commander. He retained his connection with river business, being agent for the Northern Line Packet Company for sixteen years. While on the river he traveled to over fourteen states, and his careful observation of the rivers made him an expert in the various deliberations held for the improvement of the navigable streams of the west. He took an active part in every feasible enterprise for increasing the commerce of St. Louis by improving the channel of the Mississippi and other rivers, as well as by the building of railroads. At one time he was president of the St. Louis Board of Trade, and for many years was a member of the Merchants’ Exchange, in whose deliberations he always took an active part.He was identified with a number of important industries in St. Louis and St. Paul. In 1876 he was elected county marshal of St. Louis County and in 1877 was elected city marshal. He was elected sheriff of St. Louis in 1880 and re-elected in 1882. In 1884 he was appointed general superintendent for the Anchor Line steamers and in 1887 was elected president of the company. In 1897 he was candidate for city auditor on the Republican ticket and won by a large majority. He was a member of several societies including the Masons, the Odd-Fellows, the Knights of Honor, the St. Louis Legion of Honor and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Captain Mason was born in Brownville, Pennsylvania, He received his education in public schools and at Reed’s Academy in his native town. At the age of fourteen years, he began working in a dry goods store where he remained for a year and a half. He then went into the steamboat business as a second clerk on one of the boats running on the Monongahela River. He followed this occupation until 1865 when he left the service, having risen from second clerk to commander. He retained his connection with river business, being agent for the Northern Line Packet Company for sixteen years. While on the river he traveled to over fourteen states, and his careful observation of the rivers made him an expert in the various deliberations held for the improvement of the navigable streams of the west. He took an active part in every feasible enterprise for increasing the commerce of St. Louis by improving the channel of the Mississippi and other rivers, as well as by the building of railroads. At one time he was president of the St. Louis Board of Trade, and for many years was a member of the Merchants’ Exchange, in whose deliberations he always took an active part.He was identified with a number of important industries in St. Louis and St. Paul. In 1876 he was elected county marshal of St. Louis County and in 1877 was elected city marshal. He was elected sheriff of St. Louis in 1880 and re-elected in 1882. In 1884 he was appointed general superintendent for the Anchor Line steamers and in 1887 was elected president of the company. In 1897 he was candidate for city auditor on the Republican ticket and won by a large majority. He was a member of several societies including the Masons, the Odd-Fellows, the Knights of Honor, the St. Louis Legion of Honor and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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