My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Daniel B. Mason, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Cincinnati, Ark., was born in Marion County, Ala., September 23, 1820, and his father is the fifth of seven children born to Elijah and Temple Mason. His father was a gunsmith by trade and a splendid workman. He spent most of his time in Franklin County, Tenn., where he died at the age of ninety-five. The mother died in Alabama in 1826, when her son, Daniel B., was but six years old. After her death Daniel B. was bound out to a man by the name of John Woods, a drinking, worthless fellow, with whom he remained until seventeen years of age. He then ran away to Murfreesboro, Tenn., and here learned the black­smith trade. In 1840 he moved to Washington County, Ark., having worked in Benton County, Ark., and Indian Territory until 1849; he put up a shop in Cincinnati, Ark., and with the exception of about four years carried on that business until 1882. In 1844 he wedded Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of P. V. Rhea, and a native of Lincoln County, Tenn., born January 8, 1824. She came to that county with her parents when quite young. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mason were born ten children, eight now living, five sons and three daughters. Three of the sons are blacksmiths. Mr. Mason has always been an active business man, and is now running the Travelers’ Home, the Cincinnati and Fayetteville hack line, and is the owner of 100 acres of land. He is, politically, a Democrat; is a Royal Arch Mason, having held all the offices in the Chapter and Blue Lodge, and has for many years been justice of the peace, still holding that office. He has always been liberal in supporting schools, churches and all other worthy enterprises; he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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This family biography is one of 300 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Washington County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

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