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Note: ance Hall. He owned the hotel which was the meeting place for the "sons of Temperance" , which gave the town its name. He also ran a tannery on his farm in the "Mason Hollow" a trade he probably learned from his father, Wiley, a saddlemaker. He was a magistrate for nine years and a trustee of Earl Acadamy for two years." This is a portion of what was written by Byron McDonald in the Smith Co., TN History. Burial is in Temperance Hall cemetery in Dekalb Co., TN. M-R Goodspeed's Biographical Sketches of Dekalb County, Tennessee: John M. Mason, a well known farmer of the Fifteenth District, was born October 22, 1819, in North Carolina, and came to Smith (now Dekalb) County in 1827. He was the seventh of thirteen children born to Wiley and Nancy (Bensy) Mason. The father was born January 31, 1785, in Virginia. He served in the war of 1812, and was mustered out at the close of the war at Norfolk, Va. He moved to Caswell County, N. C., and from there to Smith County in 1827. He was a man of considerable intelligence, well versed in the Bible, in which he took a deep interest. He was also thoroughly posted on all political subjects. His death occurred in 1840. His father was a native of Whales. Mrs. Nancy Mason was born October 4, 1783, and died in North Carolina. Our subject had but limited educational advantages until after his majority. He attended the common schools of the county. He worked as an overseer and manager for several years. He then farmed on rented land until he was able to purchase forty-two acres near Riddleton, Smith County. From time to time he has added to his place, and now owns 400 acres, well cultivated and improved, and a house and lot in Smithville. For nine years he has been magistrate, and trustee of the Earl Academy two years. From 1859 to 1880 he was engaged in the tanning business, also in general merchandising, always meeting with success. He is a life-long Democrat; cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren. In 1849 he married miss Eliza, the youngest of six children of Nicholas and Sarah (Compton) Smith. Mrs. Mason was born September 4, 1833, in Wilson County. This union resulted in the birth of Mary E. afterward Mrs. James Turner (deceased); Robert Wiley and Adelia (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Mason are respected and earnest members of the Missionary Baptist Church. 1860 US Census, Temperance Hall, 15th District, Dekalb Co., TN, page 206, dwelling 1465/1455, with wife, Eliza; daughter, Mary A; and son, Robert. 1870 US Census, Temperance Hall, 15th District, Dekalb Co., TN, page 246, with wife, Eliza; son, Robert. Living next door is daughter, Mary A. with husband, James Turner and daughter, Edna. Shown on the 1880 US Census, District 15, Dkalb Co., TN, Page 198D, with wife, Eliza; and with Ellen Mason, other, 35; and Henry Mason, other, 8. Found John Mason in the 1900 US Census, 15th Civil District, Dekalb Co., TN, ED 52, Sheet 8b, Image 16 of 27; was living with grandaughter Edna (Turner) Wright and her husband G. B. Wright and their two daughters, Alta and Bula; also in this household was living Wilson Turner, a grandson of John Mason and a brother to Edna.
Note: "John Mason is mentioned in early history books as being one of the first merchants in Temper
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