Biography of S. A. Mason - Conway Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Cathy Barnes Date: 21 Jun 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas. Goodspeed Publishers, 1891. page 84 Dr. S. A. Mason, a physician of an excellent reputation and a good practice in Gregory Township, was born in Alabama, September 14, 1847. He was the eldest of a family of seven children born to Dennis and Louisa Mason; his parents were respectively natives of South Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Mason, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and came to Alabama with his parents in 1858; emigrated to Tennessee and located in Lincoln County and made that his permanent home till his death, which occurred in 1866. Mrs. Mason is still living, and resides on the old home place; they were both members of the M. E. Church South. Our subject owes his advancement mainly to his own efforts, growing up at a period when schools were few and during the war wholly abolished. He attended school in Alabama, and in 1858 accompanied his parents when they moved into Tennessee. His youth prevented his entering the army at the outbreak of the war, but in 1864 he joined Forrest's cavalry and saw much hard fighting till the close of hostilities; he was wounded at the battle of Richland Creek by a bullet passing through his leg. He was at Stephenson, Ala., at the time of the surrender, and from there he at once proceeded home and began life anew by farming, and during leisure intervals attending school. He soon turned his attention to the study of medicine, attending the Medical College at Memphis, and in 1876 he began the practice of that profession; he afterward pursued the study further and graduated in 1887. On the 12th of October, 1876, Mr. Mason was married to Miss C. Simmons, a native of Alabama; to this union have been born six children: Barbara (deceased), Walter, Lulah, James (deceased), Maggie and Gradie D. In 1881 he removed with his family to Arkansas and settled in Conway County. Here his ability was soon recognized, and he has acquired a large and profitable practice. The doctor belongs to the secret societies of the Knights of Honor and the Odd Fellows, Hope Lodge, No. 38. Politically he is active, and pronounced a strong adherent to the Democracy. In all matters of public improvement he is a leader. Religiously, he and Mrs. Mason are members of the Baptist Church.