From the "History of Warren,
Benton,
Jasper and
Newton Counties,
Indiana"Published by F.A. Battey and Co. 1883, reprinted 1978. pp 577
"George
Mason was born in
Allen Co., IN 18 May 1817, where the city of Ft. Wayne now stands, and is the 4th child of LEWIS and JUDITH (TERRY)
Mason, natives of lower canada and
Ohio, respectively. Lewis
Mason emigrated to OH previous to the war of 1812, in which glorious contest he served as a soldier. He married, about 1809 and in 1813 removed to the neighborhood of Ft. Wayne, and engaged in farming. THe indians were then very troublesome, preying upon stock, etc. The family procured their breadstuffs from OH, and made all their clothing. Mr. Mason was a Catholic, dying at the age of 78. MRs. Mason, a
Baptist, dying at 70 yrs of age; their lives were their monuments. George
Mason was reared on the forntier, and Indians were his playmates. He remained at home until manhood, and in 1838 came to this county, carrying his clothing in his arms, where in Jan 1839, he entered 120 acres, and on Feb. 22 of that year married Miss Maria
Gillam, born in 1818, and daughter of John M. Gillam; she died 7 sep 1854 leaving 10 children, seven of whom are living-Josephus, Sarah L., John, Nathan, Maria E., Thomas and Elizabeth. Mr. Mason next married, 15 Mar 1855, to Sarah
Booher, born 14 sep 1815, dau of George and SArah
Booher. By thrift and frugality Mr. Mason has made a home and 120 acres, with good house and many improvements, beside giving to each of his children $1200. HE was first a Whig, then a Know-Nothing, and later a Republican; he also served 6 years as township trustee. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church."
Are you aware of the
Mason Cemetery in
Jasper Co? I have the reading of it. Josephus and some of his family are buried in Independance Cem. in
Gillam Twp. HOpe this has helped some. Maria
Gillam was a sister to my ggg grandmother, Lavina
Gillam who married
Miles Bisher. Miles Father,
Jeremiah, married another of their sisters, Malinda.