History of Boone County, Missouri
1882, Western Historical Company, St. Louis
Page 1126

Is a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky, born April 25, 1819. His parents were Jonathan and Mary Mastersen, the former a Pennsylvanian, and the latter a Kentuckian, by birth. Charles W. moved with his father’s family to Menard county, Illinois, in 1835. They settled on a farm, though the son spent most of his time working in a woolen factory, and received his education in the common schools. He was married September 30, 1840, to Miss Phoebe M. Houghton, a native of Menard county, Illinois, born January 22, 1823. Her parents, Elijah and Catharine Houghton, were natives of New Jersey, the mother being still alive, residing in Illinois, now at the advanced age of 90 years. Mr. Mastersen and wife are the parents of thirteen children, nine of them still living, eight of whom are members of the Christian church. He and Mrs. M. have been members of the same church for many years, he since he was sixteen, and she, from the time she was fifteen years old. Mr. Mastersen has served one term as commissioner of public schools in Boone county.

Two of his sons were in the Federal service during the war, one in the cavalry service for four years, and the other three years in the artillery. Mr. M. owns a good farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, all in cultivation, and forty acres of timbered land. His farm is well adapted to raising the cereals common to this latitude, and Mr. M. also produces live stock—horses, mules, cattle and swine. He is a successful farmer and a good provider for the maintenance of his family.

Contributed by Kristin Vaughn