Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Joshua Mason

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Joshua Mason, merchant and postmaster at Mason Valley, Ark., was born 
in McDowell County, N. C., April 13, 1846, and is a son of John 
Jefferson and Emily (Gibbs) Mason, the former of whom was born in 
Alabama. Joshua Mason removed to Benton County, Ark., with his parents 
in 1858, and was here reared to manhood. He was educated in the common 
schools and by private study, and in contact with business life he has 
acquired a good practical education. His early days were spent in 
following the plow, but he afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits 
(about 1883), and his efforts in this direction have been followed 
with good results. His mercantile stock is valued at about $4,000, and 
his property in the country at about $3,000. All this property he has 
accumulated by hard work, honest dealing and good management. In 
September, 1863, he enlisted in the Union service, in Company A, First 
Arkansas Battery, and served under Capt. Denton D. Stark, his field of 
action being principally in Arkansas, Indian Territory and Missouri. 
He belongs to the Masonic lodge of Hazel Valley. He was married to 
Miss Sally Parker, who was born in Polk County, Mo., and is a daughter 
of Julia F. Parker, and he and wife worship in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South. Nearly all of Mr. Mason's people are engaged in 
farming, and are of Irish descent. The father, John Jefferson Mason, 
was born in Burke County, N. C., July 12, 1809, and is a son of Rev. 
Michael and Margaret (Hunter) Mason. Michael Mason was born in 
Pennsylvania, removed to Alabama, and there died in 1824. He was a 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church from early manhood until 
his death. His wife was born in North Carolina, and died in her native 
State in 1865. John Jefferson Mason was educated in the old-time 
subscription schools, and in 1835 was married to Emily Gibbs, who was 
born in North Carolina on the 22d of September. 1814, a daughter of 
Joshua and Rebecca (Conley) Gibbs. Mrs. Mason's grandfather, John 
Gibbs, was a Methodist minister for fifty years or more, and died at 
the age of eighty years, in North Carolina, in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mason became the parents of three sons and three daughters, and in 
1857 [p.867] immigrated to Arkansas, where he entered eighty acres of 
land and engaged in farming. He and wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, and are old and highly honored citizens of 
the county.