Peter T. Mason of Texas County, Missouri

Peter T. Mason, farmer and county judge-elect, is a son of Dexter and Laura (Parker) Mason, who were born in Vermont and New York, in 1811 and 1810, respectively. When young they both became residents of Massachusetts, where they were united in the bonds of matrimony, and soon after moved to New York, then to Ohio where they spent about four years, and then returned to New York. In 1858 they became residents of Texas County, Mo., and when the Rebellion broke out the father and his three eldest sons enlisted in the Union service, while the mother and younger children returned to New York. The father and two of his sons returned home to New York, but the other son died in the hospital at St. Louis. In 1866 the family again returned to Texas County, Mo., and in 1875 and 1876 Dexter Mason represented Texas County in the State Legislature, the latter year being appointed by Gov. Hardin an honorary member of the Board of Managers, from Missouri, at the Centennial Exposition. He was a Democrat in politics, a farmer by occupation, and died at the age of seventy-three years, his wife’s death occurring at the age of seventy-five. Their family consisted of four sons and two daughters, Peter T. Mason being their youngest child. He was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., October 22, 1847, and owing to the unsettled condition of the country during the late war, his early education was somewhat neglected. At the early age of thirteen years he began hiring out by the month, and on the 15th of November, 1866, was married to Miss Barbara Collie, who was born in Scotland on the 22d of August, 1847, but came to America when nine years of age. Her union with Mr. Mason resulted in the birth of eight children: William D., Herbert C., James R., Frank, Edwin, Elizabeth L., Roy M. and Grace. Mrs. Mason died February 29, 1888. Soon after his marriage Mr. Mason came to Texas County, where he now has a good farm of 215 acres, 130 acres of which are under cultivation. He is a Democrat, a Mason, and November 6, 1888, was elected to the office of county judge, the duties of which he is filling very creditably.