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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, 
Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871
(page 46)

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James Mason, the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 21st day of January, 1810, being the third son of Jacob and Catherine Mason. His father was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1782, and his mother was born in Burkley county, Virginia, on the 15th day of February, 1788. They emigrated to Richland county, Ohio, in the fall of 1814, and came to Farmington, Fulton county, Illinois, in the spring of 1837. Jacob Mason died on the 13th day of October, 1839, and his wife on the 7th day of April, 1850. 
   
Martin Mason, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Germany, but came to this country in an early day, and settled in Virginia. He was taken prisoner in the war between France and England, by an Indian chief, and sold to a French officer, at Fort Duquense, which was where Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, now stands. He was taken to Quebec and kept as a servant for eight years, and then made his escape and returned to Virginia, being one of the first settlers west of the Allegheny Mountains. He emigrated to Ohio in 1820, and died at the ripe old age of ninety. 
   
James Mason was married on the 20th day of March, 1840, to Miss Jane Jackson, who died July 12th, 1841. He then married his present wife, Mrs. Sarah Gayler, on the l5th day of October, 1849. His family consists of four children -- Jackson J., Josephine, Emma J., and Minnie, -- all living. 
   
Mr. Mason opened the first hotel ever kept in Farmington, on the 1st day of May, 1838, where he can still be found by the traveling public, ever ready to cater to their numerous wants. He has also one of the best farms in Knox county, Illinois, and is one of the great bee men of this country.