Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Mason, John 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 1:43 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

John Mason, farmer, section 27, Coloma Township, was born Dec. 25, 1803, in 
Paisley, Scotland, and was the fifth child in his father's family of 11 
children, eight sons and three daughters. His parents were George and 
Elizabeth (Nelson) Mason, natives also of Scotland. His father was a 
manufacturer of silk and shawls, and died March 7, 1849, and his mother Feb. 
29, 1832. When 17 years of age he emigrated to America, landing at Quebec. 
Going to Caledonia Co., Vt., he worked out by the month on a farm, remaining 
there until 1830. He then traveled for a while, in the meantime learning the 
mason's trade. In September, 1836, he came to Chicago, and went thence to 
Joliet, where he worked on a farm. The next year he came to Sterling, this 
county, when it was wild prairie, there being there but one house—a log 
structure. Here he worked at odd jobs, until he took a claim of a quarter-
section of land three miles north of Sterling. After living there for four 
years he sold the place, and then for two years drove a team, hauling to 
Chicago and return, and doing other jobs in the line of teaming. About this 
time he suffered considerably from inflammation of the eyes, trying many 
remedies, but without avail.  Returning to Scotland, his eyes were cured, and 
he came again to Sterling, where he resumed his trade for two years. He then 
came to Coloma, and purchased 80 acres of land, where he has since made his 
home. He has never been married, but has always had some of his friends living 
with him. In politics Mr. Mason is a Jackson Democrat, and votes steadfastly 
with his party. In religion he was brought up a Presbyterian. He is a public-
spirited man, as is evinced by the material and moral aid he has given public 
institutions of beneficence. Robert McNeil, a nephew of Mr. Mason, who has 
lived with him ever since his immigration to this country, in 1849, 
superintends the work of the farm. He was married July 4, 1856, to Miss Jean 
Tyle, of Ogle Co., Ill., but formerly from Scotland. They have been the 
parents of eight children: Alexander J., Agnes J., Willie E., John M., Jennie 
L., Georgiana M., Robert B. and Mary I. Mr. McNeil is a Democrat, and a member 
of the County Democratic Committee; also Chairman of the Town Central 
Committee. He holds the Presbyterian faith, and his wife and daughter belong 
to the Presbyterian Church at Sterling. Mr. McNeil was the first organizer of 
the Whiteside County Caledonian Club, consisting of 40 members, all of Scotch 
descent. They received a charter in 1878, and are still in existence. They 
have a  a library of 250 volumes, mostly of Scotch and English literature.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

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