Notes:
Benjamin is listed in the "Biographical History of Northern CA"' page 350
"
Benjamin D. Mason was born in Baltimore, MD, March 1, 1834, son of George and Catherine (Mumma) Mason. In 1852 he came on the steamer, 'Prometheus' via Nicaragua to CA. He married Elizabeth Zimmerman, a native of IN (parents native of PA) in Placerville, 19 Jan 1875. He died at age 75 in El Dorado County, 28 Dec 1908. Elizabeth Mason died age 79 in El Dorado County Apr 26 1922.
"
In the 1850 census of MD, Baltimore, Dist 2, Ben is living with a Joseph Bell family at the age of 15. He was obviously a very independant individual since he is not living with his parents.
[Note: There is a Ben H. F. Mason, b: Maryland about 1840 living in Rockland, CA]
In 1880, Benj. D and his wife, Elizabeth are living in Placerville, El Dorado County, CA. He is a merchant
In 1900, Benj. D and Elizabeth are living in Placerville, El Dorado Co., CA. he is retired. They have had no children. Married 24 yrs
[The following notes: from Susan Stevenson e-mail tracker-01@charter.net]
********************************************************
1. Notes from 1860 Census say B D Mason was single living in Cold Springs Township, El Dorado Co, Calif. Says
he was married within the year but wife not with him. Elizabeth Zimmerman was in the 1860 Census in Johnson Co,
Missouri, Warrensburg. Page 1100 El Dorado County.
2. Notes from the Biographical History of Northern CA, page 350:
"Benjamin D. Mason was born in Baltimore, MD Mar 1 1834, son of George and Catherine (Mumma) Mason. In 1852 he came on the steamer Prometheus via Nicaraga to CA. He married Elizabeth Zimmerman, a native of IN (parents native of PA) in Placerville Jan 19, 1875. He died at age 75 in El Dorado County Dec 28, 1908. Elizabeth Mason died age 79 in El Dorado County Apr 26, 1922. It does not appear they had any children, or at least none are mentioned."
3. Article in the Placerville Mountain Democrat, Aug 27, 1881 (age 47)
"Add that is a bad section to be in, without some kind of rattlesnake antidote. Every time Ben Mason comes down from his mine he brings a pocketfull of rattles with him. A short time ago he was climbing up a steep bank near his claim, reaching out for shrubs or roots by which to pull himself up, and just as he was about to grasp one gnarled root, he espied just beyond it an enormous four and a half foot rattler, coiled up and ready for a spring. Quicker than lightening, Mr. Mason didn't take hold of that root (because he didn't want to), but let go of the bush by which he supported the waight of his body, with his other hand. Mr. Mason is about six feet four inches high and spare in proportion. Like an attenuated streak of greased lightening that Hancock and English human, liberty pole (Mr. Mason is a Democrat) slid down that bank entirely suspending pulse, temperature and respiration until he got to the bottom."
4. Obituary from Placerville Mountain Democrat, Dec 26, 1908 (age 75)
"Pasing of a Good and True Man"
"Benjamin Dorsey Mason, one of the best known and most respected citizens of this city and county passed away at his home on Sacramento street, soon after midnight last Monday morning. He had been in declining health for several months but confined to his home only about a week. By the most skillful physicians, disordered digestive organs are assigned as the immediate cause of his death.
He was a native of Maryland and came to this State around the Horn in 1852 and soon thereafter to this county, where he had resided about fifty-six years. He was 75 years, 3 months and 27 days of age. For several years he and the late J. W. Killough were mining partners at Cold Springs and other mining camps in and about Placerville. After various mining ventures he formed a partnership in the grocery business with E. W. Witmer and the later John I. Reed which concluded his active business life. Several years ago, he leases his building at the corner of Main and Sacramento streets to Butts and Quiqley, who are still in business at the same place.
In 1876 Mr. Mason was married to Miss Elizabeth Zimmerman, a sister of J. H. Zimmerman of Pacific Station and R. M. Zimmerman, formerly of this now of Redwood City. Having no children Mr. and Mrs. Maso\n adopted a child several years ago, who died soon afterwards. Their union was of kindred spirits and their retired life was ideally happy.
In all social, political and moral controversies, Ben Mason was a stalwart of stalwarts. True to his own high moral sense, he was true to his own principles and opinions and never betrayed the trust or confidence of friend or foe. However others may have differed from him, none who knew him ever doubted his sterling manhood. And so it was that his lamented death left no enemy behind him.
Funerl services at the residence on Sacramento street last Wednesday were conducted by the Rev. C. E. Malmann and a quartette composed of Mrs. S. H. Rantz, Miss Mollie Carpenter, A. S. Fox and Wm. Bland, rendered appropriate musical selections, and the burial at Union cemetery was conducted by Palmyra Lodge No. 26, F. and A. M., the impressive service being delivered by Past Master R. P. Patterson. The following gentelmen served as pallbearers: Judge N. D. Arnot, E. W. Witmer, B. Gruben, R. N. Day, Chas. E. Marsh and H. A. Carroll"
5. Calif Census of 1860 says he was in El Dorado County, White Oak Township, page 1020
6. Note from Placerville Mountain Democrat, Sep 7, 1907 (age 73)
In an obituary for Simon Bogart, references were made to B D Mason:
"He arrived in this county on the 8th of April 1852, coming via the Isthmus on the same steamer with our townsman B. D. Mason, who was then 18 years of age."
7. Note from the Placerville Mountain Democrat, Nov 20, 1886 (age 52)
Add for B. D. Mason, grocery:
"B. D. Mason, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions, Darlington Stand Corner Main and Sacramento Streets. Keeps the Best Grade of Groceries, Provisions and Miners' supplies. Flour, Grain and Feed. Choice Family Groceries, Licquors, Crocker and Glassware. Country Produce Bought and Sold. Ruling Prices."
8. Note from the Placerville Mountain Democrat Dec 26, 1908 (age 75)
"Frank Zimmerman and mother, Mrs. R. M. Zimmerman, were arivals from Redwood City Sunday evening, summoned by the illness of B. D. Mason, who passed away Monday morning"
9. Note from the Placerville Mountain Democrat, June 10, 1876 (age 42)
"Dissolution Notice. The co-partnership heretofore existing between the undersigned, under the firm name of Mason & Witmer, is hereby dissolved by mutual consent. The business will be continued at the old stand by B. D. Mason, who will pay all debts and receipts for all dues of the late firm. Placerville, May 27, 1876. B. D. Mason, K. W. Witmer."