Passaic County NJ Archives Biographies.....Victor Louis MASON, 1870 - 1912
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 10, 2008, 2:39 am

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

MASON, Victor Louis,
Man of Affairs, Enterprising Citizen.

  Though not yet in his prime when his life came to its sudden end, Victor Louis
Mason had already gained a recognized position in the business world of two
continents. In his early career as private secretary to high government
officials, he formed many close and lasting friendships with men eminent in
public life, notably John Hay, General Russell A. Alger and General Nelson A.
Miles, U. S. A.

  His business life was an important one, and just prior to his death he had
advantageously placed in London a large issue of the bonds of an American
company. He was a social favorite, and a well known member of leading clubs in
different cities. In his adopted home, Passaic, New Jersey, he became a leader,
and as president of the Board of Trade was foremost in all movements for the
upbuilding of the city. He was of English and French ancestry, and combined with
the solid qualities of the former, the vivacity and dash of the latter. His
paternal ancestors were early settlers in Virginia; his mother was of French
parentage, a direct descendant of Pepin le Broef. Thoroughly equipped through
inheritance, education and personality, he met with no failures in his life
work. and will be remembered as a man who achieved much, even though his life
was a comparatively short one.

  Victor Louis Mason was born in Washington, District of Columhia, December 9,
1870, and died in London, England, May 13, 1912. He was the son of James Madison
and Laura Elizabeth (Pepin) Mason, and of distinguished Virginia lineage. He
prepared for college in Washington schools, and then entered Columbian
University (now George Washington University) from which he was graduated in the
class of 1897. Soon after graduation he became private secretary to General
Russell A. Alger, Secretary of War under President McKinley, and remained with
him until General Alger was succeeded by Hon. Elihu Root. He continued with
Secretary Root in the same capacity for a short time. After General Alger
returned to Detroit, Mr. Mason joined him in 1899, and again became his private
secretary. He filled this position until the spring of 1902, when Tie became
assistant to Frank M. Murphy, president of the Development Company of America in
New York City. Shortly afterward he was elected second vice-president, then
vice-president, an office he most efficiently filled until his resignation in
1910. In addition to serving as vice-president and member of the executive
committee of the Development Company of America, Mr. Mason was a director and a
member of the executive committee of the Tombstone Consolidated Mines Company,
Limited, the Imperial Copper Company, and the American Mexican Lumber Company.

  He was the close personal friend of Mr. Murphy, and was always free to admit
that to his association with him he owed much of his success in the business
world. During a portion of the time that he was connected with the Development
Company, Mr. Mason represented the company in England, where he gained an
extensive acquaintance among the financiers of London and Continental European
cities. On his return from England he became a resident of Passaic, New Jersey,
and served as president of the Passaic Board of Trade from 1907 until the time
of his death. He actively encouraged all movements for social betterment; took a
prominent part in affairs of local interest, as for instance, when he laid the
corner stone of the Smith Academy, an institution devoted to the social and
physical activities of the young people of Passaic; and indeed displayed
enthusiasm for the development of the city along all lines. It was through his
efforts that an appropriation was secured from Congress for a post office
building in Passaic, and that a Sunday mail collection was ordered. It was due
to him also that the Passaic Bank was made a national depositary. He was one of
the first and strongest advocates of the purification of the Passaic river, the
agitation he began, now bearing fruit in the construction of the trunk sewer
system, that will eventually purify the river and enhance the value of all lands
adjoining the river.

  While president of the Passaic Board of Trade, he planned the memorable
banquet given by the board to noted men of the nation, an event that was fully
recorded in the daily press and will long be remembered in Passaic. President
Taft was the guest of honor. Other eminent men attending the banquet were:
Postmaster-general Hitchcock, Secretary of Commerce and Labor Nagel, the British
Ambassador, Leslie M. Shaw; ex-Governor Stokes, of New Jersey; ex-Governor
Murphy, and Governor Woodrow Wilson. These men were all personal friends of Mr.
Mason. Other warm friends were General Alger, General Coleman Dupont,
ex-Governor Fort, ex-Governor Griggs, Oscar Straus, Senator Brice, of Ohio, and
Charles E. Hughes. Mr. Mason was brought into contact with many public men
through his association with General Alger in Washington and Detroit, his
important business connections, his service in 1008 as assistant secretary of
the Republican National Committeewith headquarters in New York, and his active
part in the election of President Taft. He also made a large army acquaintance
in his capacity as secretary of the National Board of Ordnance and Fortification.

  Mr. Mason was a delegate to the New Jersey Republican State Convention of
1908, and a delegate to the National Republican Convention of that year which
nominated President Taft. During the campaign that followed, he accompanied Mr.
Taft on his noted western trip. Although Mr. Mason was importuned to accept the
nomination for mayor of Passaic and was spoken of for United States Senator from
New Jersey, he would never allow his name to be used in connection with
political office.

  He was deeply interested in the movements to bridge and tunnel the Hudson
river, and by appointment of Governor John H. Fort represented New Jersey as a
member of the New York Interstate Bridge Commission, a joint commission
appointed by the States of New Jersey and New York, of which he was
vice-chairman. He was also chairman of the New Jersey Interstate Bridge and
Tunnel Commission, and not long prior to his leaving for England in 1911 was
called in conference by Governor Wilson to discuss the plans of the new
commission for bridging the Hudson.

  Mr. Mason was a selfmade man in the truest sense; he worked his way through
college and followed high ideals. He was a witty, eloquent after-dinner speaker
and £• most pleasing writer. He began writing tor the press and periodicals when
bur twenty ye;irs of age, and continued to be an occasional contributor in later
life. Some of his articles were highly commended and republished in England.
notably "The Four Lincoln Conspirators," an article illustrated by photographs
taken by Mr. Mason. Among his other contributions to current literature were
"Munitions of Modern Warfare," and the "Flight and Capture of Jefferson Davis."
He was also responsible for the publication of a "History of the
Spanish-American War," which vindicates General Alger from the charges of
neglecting the soldiers' health and welfare.

  At a dinner of the Gridiron Club of Washington given in honor of Mr. Mason
after the elections of 1908, he was presented with a handsome silver loving cup.
the gift of the Republican National Committee, in recognition of his valuable
services during the campaign as secretary in charge of headquarters in New York
City.

  He was an ardent devotee of out-door sports, went on frequent fishing and
hunting trips, and was a member of the Yountakah and Aquackanock Country clubs
of Passaic, and the Automobile Club of America. He was also a member of the
Cosmos Club of Washington, the Lawyers' Club of New York City, and the Passaic
Club of Passaic. He was governor of the Michigan Society of New York, and a
member of the Sons of the American Revolution. His college fraternity was the
Theta Delta Chi. In all these clubs and societies he took an active interest and
was most highly regarded by his fellow members.

  Mr. Mason married, in 1891, Daisy Comstock, daughter of Frank Asbury and Emma
Helena Simons, of Water-town, New York. His wife and three children—Annette,
Helena, and Victor Louis (2d)—survive him.

  In the latter part of November, 1911, Mr. Mason went to England in the
interest of the North Carolina Transcontinental Construction Company, and for
several months was engaged in the flotation of a twenty-five million-dollar bond
issue of that company. After completing the bond sale to English capitalists,
Mr. Mason gave a luncheon to some personal friends in London, including
Commander Marsh, an officer of the English army and at noted aviator. Aviation
was a subject of interest to Mr. Mason; he had once made an ascent in a biplane
in the United States. Naturally the conversation turned to aviation, and after
luncheon the party, on invitation of Commander Marsh, motored to Aviation Field
at Brooklands. As Mr. Mason had expressed a wish to go up, Commander Marsh
secured him a seat in a monoplane piloted by the daring aviator, E. V. R.
Fisher. After being in flight but a few minutes the machine became unmanageable
and fell to the ground, injuring Mr. Mason fatally.

  The following tributes to Mr. Mason's memory speak volumes in his praise:

  At a special meeting of the members of the Passaic Board of Trade, held May
twenty-third, nineteen hundred and twelve, the following minute was unanimously
adopted:

  The Passaic Board of Trade is met in special session upon the saddest occasion
in its history. Words cannot express the sorrow and loss we and the entire city
of Passaic have sustained in the death of Victor Louis Mason. We feel impotent
to adequately honor the memory of such a life. As our president for five years
we knew Mr. Mason as an inspiring leader in every movement for civic betterment;
a leader who commanded respect, confidence, and finally success. The good that
he has done will live after him. The Board of Trade never before achieved such
success as it has under the presidency of Victor Louis Mason. It has been during
the period of his residence and activity among us that the city of Passaic has
had its largest growth, and become most widely known. Mr. Mason's marked
executive ability, his high personal character, and pleasing personality were
freely acknowledged on every hand. In city, State and national councils, his
advice and assistance were freely given and highly esteemed.

  We shall miss his wise leadership, his faculty for accomplishment, and his
personal friendship. We shall miss him more than we can tell. His capacity and
willingness to labor for the upbuilding of his city were conspicuous and
notable. Therefore be it

  Resolved, That we record our high regard and affection for our late president,
Victor Louis Mason, and our deep appreciation of the voluntary public services
rendered by him to the Board and to the city of Passaic, also our keen sense of
loss in his death, and that we extend to his family our heartfelt sympathy in
their bereavement.               CHAS. F. H. JOHNSON,
                                               Secretary.
  Directors—Christian Balmsen, Alfred R. Barton, R. H. Bremner, E. J. Coughlin,
Isaac W. England, Julius Forstmann, W. F. Gaston, Thomas A. M. Goodlate, Chas.
F. H. Johnson, Robt. D. Kent, Richard Morrell, Edward A. Poor, George C. Hohlig,
George P. Rust, Richard Scoles, George N. Seger, Alex. Stuart, B. G. Volger, F.
Wilckes.

  The Interstate Bridge Commission and the New Jersey Interstate Bridge and
Tunnel Commission in joint session:

  In the passing of Victor Louis Mason, chairman of the New Jersey Bridge
Commission and vice-chairman of the joint commissions since their organizations
in nineteen hundred and six, the public service with respect to improved
interstate transportation between New York and New Jersey has sustained a great
loss and his colleagues on these commissions realize the deprivation of his wise
counsel and excellent business judgment; association with him in conference
lightened our labors. Let us therefore pause to note upon the minutes of our
proceedings our respectful voice in memory of his devotion to his duties in
connection with our work and the pleasant companionship he afforded us:

  Resolved, That the secretary cause a copy of this minute duly certified and
suitably engrossed to be transmitted to the family of Victor Louis Mason with
the condolence of the members of the New York Interstate Bridge Commission and
the New Jersey Interstate Bridge and Tunnel Commission.

                       McDOUGALL HAWKES,
                                    Chairman.

  At a special meeting of the board of directors of the North Carolina
Transcontinental Construction Company, held at its offices in the City of New
York, May 21, 1912, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

  Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God in His wise Providence to remove from our
midst our esteemed associate and loyal friend, Victor L. Mason, a man whom to
meet was to love; a true friend, a capable officer; a man of unusual energy and
zeal, and of high integrity, a Christian gentleman, and a patriotic citizen, and,

  Whereas, The long and intimate relation held with him in the faithful
discharge of his duties as president of this company makes it eminently fitting
that we record our appreciation of him, therefore

  Resolved, That the sudden removal of such a life leaves a vacancy and a shadow
that will be deeply realized by all members and friends of this organization,
and will prove a serious loss to the community and public.

  Resolved, That we convey to the bereaved wife and family of our departed
associate and friend our deep sympathy in this their hour of trial.

  Resolved, That an engrossed copy of these resolutions be sent to the bereaved
family, duly signed by the authorized officers.
                          T. C. DUPONT,
                                President.
Attest:
A. H. FAUST,
    Secretary.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

MEMORIAL CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF MARY DEPUE OGDEN

VOLUME III
MEMORIAL HISTORY COMPANY NEWARK,  NEW JERSEY
1917


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