BIOGRAPHY: Maston, Sylvester Grenell From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875 ************************************************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************* Honorable SYLVESTER GRENELL MASTON was born March 5, 1808, at Middletown, Rutland County, Vermont, and was one of a family of eleven children. His mother died February 1, 1825, after which his father was again married to a Miss Huntington, by whom he had two children, and died December 30, 1827, leaving no property. Young Sylvester early became attached to his books, and not being able to attend school but little, would have his lessons copied and carry them with him to commit as he labored in the field. He thus fitted himself for teaching, by which he secured means to prosecute his professional studies. When in his twenty-first year, he read a short time with Dr. Eliakim Paul, of Middletown, and then went to the Medical College of the University of Vermont, at Burlington, where he found a valuable friend in Professor Benjamin Lincoln, with whom he studied, assisting him in the anatomical and surgical department, until he graduated in 1832. He then returned to Middletown, and in February, 1833, was married to Mary Ann Hotchkiss, daughter of Dr. Hotchkiss, of Wells. Thence he moved to Van Buren, near Syracuse, Ononadaga County, New York, and practiced, in company with Dr. A. White. His practice extended into Onondaga, Cayuga and Chenango Counties. He was frequently called upon to speak on public occasions and his addresses were always received with favor, securing from the general public and the press the highest encomiums. He delivered an oration at Pitcher Springs, New York, July 4, 1839, which, with a number of other speeches, have been printed, all of them breathing forth eloquence and patriotism of a high order. Removing to Jones County, Iowa Territory, he was a member of the Convention that framed the first State Constitution, and was elected a member of the first and second General Assemblies of the State and came within one vote of being elected Speaker of the House. He took an active part in educational matters – was Chairman of the Committee on Schools – and assisted in passing the bill that located the State University at Iowa City. His wife died in 1849; by here he had four children, two of whom are living. He married again, and two children by his second wife, one of whom survives. His family is as follows: Benjamin Lincoln, a merchant in Anamosa, Iowa, and a soldier in the Union Army during the Rebellion. Sarah Leffingwell, who married Rev. S. N. Fellows, A.M., D.D., now at the head of the Normal Department in the State University at Iowa City. Catherine L, unmarried, and a graduate of Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, class of 1875. During the Rebellion, Dr. Maston was active, and aided with his money and voice in raising troops. The following is an extract from a speech delivered on the departure of the troops from Jones County. "What means all this array of men marshaling for war amid our own peaceful homes, along these beautiful prairies of Jones County, when our country is at peace with all the nations of the earth? What means this call to arms! to arms!! resounding long, loud and clear from the voices of millions of freemen along the cloud-capt hills of New England, and the shores of the Atlantic, and as it moves westward gathering strength and vigor until it reaches this great Valley of the Mississippi, where it meets the same unmistakable sound coming from the shores of the Pacific – the plains of California and Oregon, sweeping over their gold fields, and along the lofty snow-clad peaks of the Rocky Mountains with irresistible force, moving eastward until it reaches this great Father of Waters, where the war-cry like a mighty earthquake shakes the continent and startles the world? What means this almost unexampled sacrifice of fathers, brothers and sweethearts sending forth from their presence to fields of danger and death their dearest earthly treasures? Ah! my friends, our beloved country is in distress! Treason has planted its deadly fangs in our very vitals, and the genius of Liberty in sable robes is already beginning to weep over our departed greatness. Patriotism calls for all this. Look at that beautiful flag – those stars and stripes! Our Revolutionary fathers chose this for our national banner. They dedicated it to freedom – baptized it in their blood, and dying, bequeathed it as a rich inheritance to us, their children and posterity. Like a ministering angel, for eighty-five years it has been encircling the globe, carrying respect and protection to our countrymen the world over. Treason has penetrated deep to our very vitals, and in a portion of our country has trampled this emblem of freedom in the dust, and put in its place that of tyranny and slavery! It is a love for all that is dear to us as a nation of freemen and as philanthropists that impels us to this great sacrifice. Our household gods are freely offered on our country's altar. Yes, fellow citizens, I am proud of this state of my adoption –of Jones County, and especially of this noble band. I would to God I had sons enough to crush out this cursed rebellion at once. I would freely offer them all for the service of my country. I say to you all as I say to my only so, I am proud that you have volunteered in your country's service. Patriotism is a noble virtue. Above all – except our God – love your country. Remember that the hearts of your dearest friends go with you. You have their prayers and their benedictions. Now in conclusion – go and when your return, bring back not only those patriotic and Christian virtues you take with you, but also the well-earned reputation of a faithful soldier." The Doctor has been in the active practice of medicine, surgery and dentistry, for about forty- three years is temperate in all his habits, using neither tea, coffee, tobacco, nor intoxicating drinks and although now nearly sixty-eight years of age, is almost as spry and active as when in his prime. For a few years past he has been engaged in opening a stone quarry which he selected about thirty years since on the Wapsipinicon, near Anamosa. The stone has been tested for more than twenty- five years, and grows harder by exposure. Specimens have been worked which so nearly resemble the finest marble, that the best judges can not tell the difference. The capacity of the quarry is estimated at more than 5,000,000 cubic yards. The Doctor supplies the public from this quarry at the most reasonable rates. One of the finest water powers on the river he is now utilizing for preparing stone and grinding grain. It is near Viola, on the railroad, in Linn County, where the Doctor is still practicing his profession, in addition to superintending the stone-quarry and water power.