One in a collection by Allen Bachoroski,
Local Historical Writer,
Tales Along the
Highway of Legends
Note: This
is one in a series of historical stories about local families
in the Trinidad region.
Click here to find out more
about how these stories were collected.
Abraham
Mason the first son of George Mason was born in Walsenburg,
Co. March 1,1897. Most of his schooling was in the Trinidad
public schools, although he left school after his sophomore
year and went to work in the Commercial Savings Bank.
I believe he worked there for about a year, he then went
to Idaho and went to work for the Boise lumbering company
as a time keeper.
During
this time World War I broke out, not being old enough
for the U.S. Army he went to Canada and joined the army.
He was assigned to the 72nd Seaforth Highlander Regiment,
while in the front line he received a bullet in the hand
while coming out of a shell crater caring an ammunition
case for a machine gun. He stated if it had not been for
the case he would have been wounded more seriously. While
recovering at a hospital in England the war ended.
Abe
returned to Idaho where he married Evelyn Jackson April
5, 1919, she was born in Pomeroy, WA., but at the time
was working in a dry-goods store in Boise, ID.. After
marrying, his father wanted him to return to Trinidad
and help with the candy operation. He worked as a salesmen
until 1941, when he became general manager. On Aug 22,
1942, Earl Mason resigned from the board of directors,
and Abe Mason was elected as President and General Manager
of the candy company. In 1959 the board decided to quit
jobbing merchandise and increase the manufacturing part
of the business, distributing their product in plastic
bags. The area which was developed, covered parts of seven
states. In 1960 The Mason Candy Company purchased the
half of the building which belonged to the Colsen Fruit
and Produce, to enlarge the manufacturing facility.
His community activities included 10 years as a board
member of the Trinidad State Junior College, worked to
save the Old Baca House and it's creation into a museum,
active in both historical and archeological societies.
Abe retired in 1964 at which time Frank Mason became general
manager. Sept. 11, 1970 Abe Mason passed away and his
wife Ethel passed away March 1, 1981. Abe and Ethel had
four children, James C., Jack A., Frank E., Thomas R.
(Note:
if you have Photos of this family or know of anyone that
does, please have them get in touch with us so that we
might share some photos of the family here)