Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Mason, William, Sr
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


WILLIAM MASON, SR., one of the older and most highly 
esteemed citizens of Londonderry township, Pa., is a 
practical and prosperous agriculturist, and a worthy 
representative of the brave and self-reliant men who have 
won the battle of life through patient, toilsome endeavor.  
He was born June 25, 1823, in the neighboring town of 
Colerain, Bedford County, a son of Philip W. Mason.  On the 
paternal side he is of English ancestry, his father having 
been born and brought up in England.
  After learning the shoemaker's trade in his native land, 
Philip W. Mason came to America, but before settling here 
permanently he crossed the broad Atlantic sixteen times.  He 
made his home for a few years in Colerain, Pa., and then 
removed to Cumberland Valley, where he spent his remaining 
days, dying in 1850 or soon after.  He married Sarah 
Deremer, of Bedford County.  She bore him several children, 
of whom the following survive: Annie, widow of the late 
Jesse Diehl, of Bedford County; John, a resident of 
Henderson County, Indiana; Sarah, of Pittsburg, Pa.; and 
William, whose name heads the present sketch, and whose 
personal history is given below.
  William Mason, Sr., was educated in the subscription 
schools of Colerain township, where his youthful days were 
passed.  When fifteen years old he went with his parents to 
Cumberland Valley township, and was there busily employed in 
farm labor until 1869.  Coming to Londonderry in that year, 
he assumed possession of his present estate, consisting of 
two hundred and eighty acres of fertile land, on which he 
has carried on general farming and stock-raising with 
decided success.  He has made excellent improvements on the 
place, which in its appointments ranks with the best in this 
part of the county, giving evidence of good judgment and 
practical ability in its care.  Mr. Mason invariably 
supports the principles of the Democratic party.  He has 
served a number of years as Assessor of the township and as 
President of the Board of School Directors, both of 
Cumberland Valley township, where he formerly resided, and 
of Londonderry.  He has greatly assisted in advancing the 
cause of education of the county.
  In 1848 Mr. Mason married Rachel Maguin, a daughter of 
Timothy and Nancy Maguin, late of Cumberland Valley, Pa.  
Their union was blessed by the birth of eleven children, of 
whom six are now living: James H., of Londonderry township; 
Jesse D., also of Londonderry; Joseph R., of Alleghany 
County, Maryland; Clara D., wife of James M. Kennel, of 
Londonderry; Shannon R., of Uniontown, Pa.; and Rose E.  
Mrs. Mason passed to the life immortal on July 12, 1884.
  "Such a perfect life as hers again
   In the world we may not see;
   For her heart was full of love,
   And her hands
   Were full of charity."


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa