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.
George
Mason was born in Paris, MO. Aug. 5, 1867 one of eleven
children born to Abraham Gartin and Ann E. Sinclair Mason.
His father ran the Paris Mercury news paper, where George
worked at the printing trade when he was young. It is
believed he went to Nebraska and worked as a clerk in
a store for a short time. He came to Walsenburg, CO when
he was about 21 years old, and served as postmaster from
1889-1893. He moved to Tobasco in 1901 going into the
general merchandise business and had two stores, one in
Cedar Hill above Ludlow and possibly one at Ludlow. I
have a scrip (25 cents) issued by the George Mason Co.
Ludlow, CO, April 2nd 1906. At this time his youngest
brother Earl had joined him.
In November 1892 at Hastings, CO he married Belle Watchman,
who had come from Fall Brook, PA. to be with her sister
Kathryn Watchman Setter who suffered from tuberculosis.
In 1908 he moved his family to Trinidad, CO and bought
into The Trinidad Candy CO., 401 N. Commercial St. (April
3, 1909). On June 29, 1909 the Board of Directors of The
Trinidad Candy CO. voted to change the name to the Mason
Candy CO., and George Mason was elected President-General
Manager. In 1910 George Mason and J.C. Colsen had a building
built at 401-415 Market St.. Colsen Fruit and Produce
occupied the south half of the building and The Mason
Candy CO. the north half.
During
World Was I he was the food administrator for Las Animas
County. On March 17, 1924 while serving as an alderman
(and mayor pro tem) the mayor E.H. Day passed away. On
March 24, 1924 George Mason was elected Mayor. The Candy
CO. also made ice cream and add's in 1920 were run in
the Chronicle News advertising Mason's None Nicer ice
cream. At some time in the early 20's the ice cream part
was sold to the Trinidad Creamery Co. 229 Elm St. of which
George was an officer.
George Mason passe away on Feb 1, 1934. Two of his sons
Earl E. and R.N. Mason, and one sister Margaret Mason
Nelson also live in Trinidad. R.N. later moved to La Junta,
Co. Belle Mason wife of George passed away on May 23.
1942. George and Belle had seven children Kathryn B.,
Ann E., Abraham G., Edna B., Christine, William W., and
George C.
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