BIOGRAPHIES:  Lyman S. MASON, Downsville, Dunn County, WI

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Lyman S. Mason, superintendent for Knapp, Stout, & Co. at Downsville. Was
born at Cazenovia, N. Y., in 1822. He removed to Ohio with his parents,
when a child. When quite a young man, he returned to Cazenovia, and was
a student of the Oneida Conference Seminary for about four years, teaching,
however, part of the time. He went to Grant County in 1845, where he engaged
in teaching; also worked at mining for a time. Afterwards engaged as salesman
in the store of Vance Brothers, near Potosi. In the Spring of 1849, soon
after the gold fever excitement began, he joined in the rush to California.
He went by the overland route, which in these days of rapid transit would
seem a great undertaking. He engaged in mining there, returning November,
1851, and settled in Grant County. In March, 1852, he went to West Point,
Iowa, where he resided one year; thence to Keokak, but returned to Grant
County, and settled at Cassville, where, in company with his brother-in-law,
C. S. Irish, he built a saw mill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber.
He was afterwards engaged there in selling goods. He enlisted July, 1862
in the 20th Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, but was transferred
to the 25th Regiment, and made a second lieutenant. He remained in this
capacity, and mostly on detached duty, till March 1866. He then returned
to Cassville, and engaged in mercantile business under [p 290] the firm
name of Otto RENKE & Co. He remained there till March 1871, when he removed
to Menomonie, and engaged with Knapp, Stout & Co. He is at present 
superintendent of their business at Downsville. His wife was Almira, daughter 
of Joshua Sumner, who settled in Potosi in 1844, where he removed from Erie 
Co., N. Y. He is still a resident of Grant County. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have 
four children--Anna, W. A. Sherwin, Squire S. and Nellie.

-- From "History of Northern Wisconsin, An Account of Its Settlement, Growth,
Development and Resources; an Extensive Sketch of its Counties, Cities, 
Towns and Villages." Volume 1.  Chicago: the Western Historical Company, 
A.T. Andreas, Proprietor, 1881, pages 289-290