California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176



MILTON F. MASON was born in Harrison county, Mo., April 14, 1859. His father, James Mason, was a 
native of North Carolina and at an early day migrated to Missouri where he lived until 1865 when he 
moved to Iowa, settling near the city of Des Moines. There he engaged in a general farming enterprise 
and lived until his death in 1902. He married Miss Sophia Baber who was born in Indiana and died in 
Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Mason were born three children, two sons and one daughter. 

Milton F. Mason was the second child, and after completing his schooling he engaged in farming in Iowa 
on rented land, where he lived until 1887 when he disposed of his interests and came to California. 
Locating near Fowler, he purchased twenty acres of land, but later he sold it, and in 1892 bought his 
present fine ranch of forty acres. Twenty acres of this is in vineyard and the balance is devoted to the 
growing of alfalfa. 

While living in Iowa Mr. Mason married Miss Sarah Fannie Rife, and to them have been' born nine 
children, as follows : Ira, George, James, Walter, Harvey, Chester, Francis, Maud and Myrtle. All the 
children are living at home and their parents are giving them the benefit of a good common school 
education. Mr. Mason is a member of the Woodmen of the World and in politics is independent, 
believing it best to vote for the man whom he thinks qualified for the office. For eight years he has 
served as school director and was clerk of the board most of the time. He has met with splendid 
success in his undertakings, all the result of his own efforts, as he has made his way in the world alone 
since leaving home.