Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013,
                           All Rights Reserved
                          U.S. Data Repository

    Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
=========================================================================
U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization.
Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain
the consent of the transcriber prior to use.
Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so.
=========================================================================
Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================

Portrait and biographical record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago - 1893

Page 123-124

    G. H. MASON, an extensive general merchant, and present Deputy
Collector of the port of Montague, Muskegon County, Mich., is numbered
among the substantial citizens and leading men of his locality.  Our
subject was born in Lindsay, Victoria County, Ontario, February 1,
1862, and is the son of LAWRENCE and BESSIE (SMITH) MASON, both of
English nativity.  The father was born in Devonshire in 1838, and was
only a little lad when the paternal grandfather, RICHARD MASON, a
mechanic, emigrated with his family to America.  Grandfather MASON
settled with his children in Canada, later removed to New York, and
finally made his permanent home in Michigan, locating in Montague,
where he died some four years ago.  LAWRENCE MASON, the father, is a
man of fine education and excellent business attainments and, prospered
financially, is now living upon his highly cultivated farm near Montague.
The mother of Mr. MASON, born in Wiltshire, England, was the daughter
of a hotel-keeper of that country, and went to Canada when she was a
small child, but in a short time went to New York State, later returning
to Canada, where her parents died.  Mr. MASON was the eldest of the six
children who blessed the home of the father and mother.  IDA died at
the age of twelve years; FRED is a clerk in the store of our subject;
NELLIE, the second daughter, married Prof. H. A. CORBETT, Principal of
the schools at White Cloud, Mich.;  MABEL lives with her parents; the
other brother died in infancy.

    Our subject spent the days of his boyhood in Lindsay, Ontario,
where his father was then engaged in business.  Educated mainly in
the High School of Lindsay, he completed a thorough course of study
by the time he was sixteen years old, and then was employed in an
office as book-keeper.  The place of business in which he engaged
was a railroad, steamship, telegraph and express office.  He remained
with this company for two years, and during this length of time
mastered every branch of the business.  Our subject next became an
express messenger on the Grand Trunk Railroad, but resigned that
position to accept the more congenial occupation of a book-keeper
for Mason Brothers, uncles of his, engaged in mercantile business
at Montague, Mich.  The change in his location occurred in 1880, and
for four or five years Mr. Mason remained with the firm in the capa-
city of an employe.  One of the uncles having died in the mean time,
our subject then bought the entire business, which he has since most
profitably conducted.

    For a time our subject ran branch houses at Ferry and Shelby, but
finally closed them, and now concentrates his attention upon the one
large store in Montague, which controls the best trade of its vicinity.
Mr. MASON has also been interested in real estate, but devotes himself
mainly to handling merchandise.  In November, 1885, G. H. MASON and
Miss EMMA DALTON were united in marriage.  Mrs. MASON is a daughter of
PETER DALTON, one of the pioneer lumbermen of Montague.  Two sons,
GEORGE DOWLING, aged six years, and WILLIAM LAWRENCE, aged two, have
brightened the happy home.  Mrs. MASON, an accomplished lady and
superior scholar and a graduate of St. Mary's, of Indiana, inherited
from her father considerable real estate, now managed by Mr. MASON.
Politically a Democrat, our subject has always been deeply interested
in matters of mutual welfare, and as Collector of the port has dis-
charged the duties incident to the office to the great satisfaction
of all interested.  Fraternally, Mr. MASON is a valued member of the
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and in his social and business
relations commands the esteem of a wide acquaintance  His home, the
abode of hospitality, is the centre of attraction for many friends,
both Mr. and Mrs. MASON being general favorites in Montague.

===========================================================================