W. H. H. MASON, M. D. 51
he has gained and held the confidence and regard of his fellow-citizens. He served as moderator at the annual town meetings in Moultonborough, from 1857 to 1880, consecutively; was for several years town-clerk and superintending school committee, and was chosen representative in the legislature in 1859-60-62 and 69. He also ably represented the old sixth district in the New Hampshire Senate in 1864 and 1865, Charles H. Bell, present governor of the state, being president of that body in the former year, and the late ex-Governor Ezekiel A. Straw, of Manchester, in the latter. He took a prominent part in the legislative work during his service in each branch of the state legislature, both in the committee room and in debate, and his speeches upon different topics evinced thought and judgment, and commanded attention. He was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1876 by the unanimous vote of the citizens of Moultonborough, and served efficiently in that body. He was also a member of the state tax commission, appointed under the act of the legislature of 1877, his associate commissioners being Solon A. Carter, Nehemiah G. Ordway, Oren C. Moore, and William H. Cummings.
Dr. Mason has never lost his interest in the cause of agriculture, and has not ceased to honor the occupation in which he spent the early years of his life. He has purchased and improved numerous farms in his vicinity, devoting all the leisure time at his command to personal supervision of the work thereon. There are few men in the state, in fact, who have a more thorough understanding of the importance and the necessities of the farmer's calling in New Hampshire, or who have labored more earnestly and effectually to advance its interests. He has been a member of the state board of agriculture from its organization, in 1871, to the present time, with the exception of a single term, and has taken an active part in its work, having prepared various addresses and essays, which he has delivered at public meetings under the auspices of the board. Among the subjects discussed have been "Hygiene on the Farm," "Chemistry of Farming," "Farming as a Profession," "Comparative Advantages of Farming in New Hampshire and at the West," "Veterinary Practice," &C. He has also served for several years as a member of the board of trustees of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
Aside from his efforts in the various directions named, Dr. Mason has been called upon to contribute to the benefit and instruction of the people, in lectures and orations before lyceums, schools, academies, societies, and on various public occasions. He has seldom failed to respond to such calls, and has spoken always to the edification and pleasure of his hearers. In private and social, as well as in public and professional life, he has been faithful to every duty. In politics he is a Democrat in principle and conviction, though never an intense partisan, and utterly opposed to all measures of mere expediency. He has been prominent in the councils of his party, and, had the party been in the ascendency in the state, would have undoubtedly been called to higher public positions than he has occupied. In religion he is a Congregationalist, and has been a member of that church since he was twenty-one years of age.
Dr. Mason has been twice married. His first wife, with whom he was united November 14, 1844, was Mehitable A., daughter of Simon Moulton, Esq., of Moultonborough, who died July 25, 1853. A daughter, the fruit of this union, died in early childhood. December 21, 1854, he married Sarah J., daughter of John G. Brown, Esq., also of Moultonborough, by whom he has had three children, a daughter and two sons, the latter now living. The elder son, George L. Mason, born in 1855, studied medicine, graduating at Bellevue Medical College in 1876. He practiced four years in Moultonbo-
