852
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
they started for Illinois. After visiting the southern part of this State, they came to Dundee Township, Kane County, where Mr. Mason bought the claim to a tract of land about three miles west of Dundee village, receiving title to the same from the Government in 1840. Mrs. Mason died in 1891. Mr. Mason resided on the home farm sixty-three years, and in 1901, removed to Elgin and thereafter made his home with his daughter. For many years he was widely known as a sheep raiser. He was a man of kindly disposition, and a thrifty, sagacious and intelligent farmer. The old David Mason homestead is one of the land-marks in this part of Kane County. Mr. and Mrs. Mason reared a family of five children: J. Rollin and Maria H. (deceased), Mrs. Jean M. White, of Elgin; J. Leland Mason, and Mrs. Ada M. Teeple, who resides in Dundee. Mr. Mason died June 14, 1903.
J. LELAND MASON, farmer and stock-breeder, was born in Dundee Township, Kane County, Ill., June 30, 1847, son of David and Eliza (Col-son) Mason, educated in the district schools and trained to farming. In 1871 he engaged in the milk business in Chicago, and for one year in a cheese factory at Cameron, Mo. Returning to Dundee in 1875, he embarked in dairy farming, in which he has since been engaged on an extensive scale. In later years he has also been largely interested in breeding Holstein-Presian cattle, and giving special attention to fattening hogs for the Chicago market. Mr. Mason has always been interested in farmers' organizations, and keeps in touch with all that tends to improvement in practical farming. His fine stock and well-cultivated nelds demonstrate what a young man, unaided, may acquire by perseverance and intelligence. J. L. Mason was married in 1870 to Jeannette Fraser, daughter of Thomas and Ann Fraser, of Rutland Township, Kane County, Ill. Beside the material success they have achieved, they have reared and educated the following named children who reside in Dundee: Edith R., Rollin E., Anna E., Irving F., Mildred M., Elizabeth A., David A., Thomas L., and Josephine J.-a family of which they may justly be proud.
JAMES O. MASON, manufacturer, Aurora, Ill., born in Fort Ann, Washington County, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1846, was reared on a farm and educated in the local schools. In 1868 he came to Aurora, and at first was clerk in a grocery store, but soon began traveling for the J. P. Fogg Seed Company, in which occupation he continued until 1874, when he and his brother 0. T. bought out the Hattery Bros, steam bakery at Aurora, continuing it as the Mason Bros.' Bakery. In 1890 they sold out to the American Biscuit Company, the business being taken over seven years later by the National Biscuit Company, Mr. J. 0. Mason being General Manager under both corporations until 1900. He is still a stockholder in the last named corporation. In 1895 he assisted in the formation of the Aurora Corset Company of which he is now Treasurer and a Director. He is also Vice-President of the Fox River Light, Heat and Power Company, a Director of the German-American Bank at Aurora, a member of the Kane County Board of Supervisors and Treasurer of the City of Aurora. He married in 1895 Miss Roma L., daughter of Charles A. Adams, of Aurora, and at one time of Fort Ann, N. Y.
JOHN MASON (deceased), pioneer farmer, Dundee Township, Kane County, Ill., was born in Savoy, Mass., in 1816, where he was reared and trained in the blacksmith's trade. In 1839 he came to Dundee, Ill., and for a time worked at his trade among the pioneer settlers, but very soon purchased a tract of land four miles southwest of Dundee, and about the same distance from Elgin. He received the title to this land from the Government, and he here made his home until his death, which occurred in 1876. He was widely known and highly esteemed. Mr. Mason was twice married, his first wife being Diantha Kelsey, who bore him two sons and two daughters: Mrs. Eleanor Sherman, Judson P., Mrs. Mary Beverly and Emerson (deceased). After her death he married Malinda Bradley, who survived him for several years and died in California.
JUDSON P. MASON, dairy farmer and stock-feeder, Dundee Township, Kane County, Ill., was born in the Township where he now resides, March 31, 1850, son of John and Diantha (Kelsey) Mason. His education was obtained in the public schools, and Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After leaving school he became connected with a cheese factory at Cameron, Mo., the first in that State. After remaining there seven years he came back to Dundee, Ill., to take up dairy farming, fol-
