History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/William E. Mason

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WILLIAM E. MASON, lawyer and lawmaker, lived in Iowa from the age of eight years until 1873. He was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, July 7, 1850. His parents removed to Iowa in 1858, settling at Bentonsport in Van Buren County where his father died in 1865. William was thus at the age of fifteen left to make his own way in the world. He received sufficient education to enable him to teach school and, coming to Des Moines in 1868, he followed teaching for two years. He then began the study of law in the office of Thomas F. Withrow. When Mr. Withrow was called to Chicago as solicitor for the Rock Island Railroad Company, young Mason accompanied him to that city and there completed his law studies. He entered upon the practice of his profession and before he was thirty was elected to the Illinois Legislature. Here began his successful public career which has given him a national reputation. In 1882 he was elected to the State Senate where he became one of the leading members. He was an eloquent public speaker and a popular member. In 1888 he was elected to Congress from the Third Chicago District and in that body won distinction. His sympathies were always with the common people and on all subjects of legislation affecting their welfare he was one of their most reliable friends. In 1897 he was elected United States Senator and soon attained high rank in that body.