Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-02-28
Death of John G. Mason.

Many readers of the TRANSCRIPT in
Austin and vicinity will remember John
Z. Mason as the owner Of large quanti-
ties of land in Mower county. Several
years ago his sons, Henry w. and J.
Fred, settled in Austin as agents for their
sale, Henry remaining here several years.
There is considerable land still unsold in
this county belonging to the Mason es-
tate. The Worcester (Mass.) Spy gives a
lengthy sketch of Mr. Mason, who died
in Worcester on the 18th of this month,
extracts from which we reproduce below,
believing they will be Of general interest
to the many acquaintance of the family
in Austin and Mower county:
In the death of John Coolidge Mason.
which occurred at the Hotel Pleasant, at
noon Saturday, Feb. II, from angina pee
torls, Worcester loses another of its citi-
zens whose business ability, fidelity, en-
terprise, industry and sagacity so wears
ago made the Worcester Of to-day possi
BILE. Among the firms of half a century
ago which drew the attention of the out
side world to this city, that of Ruggles,
Nourse, Mason & Co. was prominent.
and to the success which attended the
business of that firm Mr. Mason contrib
uted his full share, he being always &C.
tive in its management, and by his
strength OF purpose, wisdom and fore
sight materially contributing to the estab-
llshment OF business which has since
grown to be one of this cnterprising
city. leading industries. Mr.. Mason was a
native of the neighboring town of Shrews-
bury, where he was born May 81, 1910. In
1889, however, he came to Worcester,
and has since made this city his home,
where he has ever been held in high es-
TEEN, and where he has filled positions of
trust and responsibility with that same
ability and fidelity which marked the CON
Duct OF his own business. When he
came to Worcester he formed a partner
ship with Joel Nourse, under the firm
name of Nourse & Mason, which was
subsequently changed to Ruggles, Nourse,
Mason 4 Co.. for the manufacture of ap-
ricultural implements.
Mr.. Mason was elecetd director of the
Central Bank in 1851, and president of
the same in 1858, succeeding Hon. Thomas
Kinnicutt, and holding the office until his
death. He was also the first president of
the Peoples Savings Bank of this city,
which was incorporated in 1864, and held
that office until he resigned, in 1877, since
which time he has been its first vice presi-
dent, and has also been member of the
board Of investment. For many years he
was trustee and member of the board of
Investment of the Worcester County In
stitution for Savings, and a director of
the Worcester Gas Light Company, he
having been active in the formation of
the latter company. Public office never
had any attractions for him, partly on &C.
count OF the engrossing nature of his bust
ness engagements. and also because of
regularly modest and retiring disposition,
although he ever maintained an active in
tercst in public affairs. While modest
and retiring, he was man who was east
~ approached and one whose sympathies
were easily enlisted, his counsels being
freely given when sought, supported by
valuable and timely pecuniary assistance
known only to the many grateful reclp
tents. While contributing materially to
the prosperity of Worcester, he shared in
that prosperity, some of his real estate in
vestlnents having proved very remunera-
tive. MIR. Mason married daughter of
Rev. John Miles of Shrewsbury, who sur
wives him, and they were to celebrate
their golden wedding next June He
also leaves two sons, Henry w. and J.
Fred Mason, and three daughters, Mrs.
Henry A. Marsh, of this city, Mrs Will
liam Moulton, of Newburyport, and Miss
Sarah +. Mason, of this city.