... [William J. Mason] was born Oct. 28, 1825, in Jefferson township, and the mother was born Nov. 1, 1833. The father received his education in the district schools and also spent one year at Dublin Academy. He taught school several terms, learned the carpenter trade at the age of seventeen years, and later moved to Jackson township, where he followed his trade until about 1890, when he retired. He was a factor in the development of the community in which he lived and always took an active and lively interest in its welfare. He was a man of strong personality, steadfast of purpose, and any cause espoused by him had an advocate who knew not the name nor signs of defeat. His courage made him a champion in all matters in which he was a party, and he is remembered as one of the strong meng of his day - a leader and a developer of character. He was a self-made man, and everything possessed by him was the result of his labor and thrift. He died Jan. 8, 1901, and his wife passed away April 14, 1892. Many buildings in western Wayne county stand as monuments to his skill and energy. ...
