GEORGE W. MASON
Memory of a man remains after he has gone, and it is fortunate when, as in the case of our subject, memory brings
up so many admirable qualities. Mr. Mason was a merchant and stock-dealer of Richmond Mo., who was born at Knoxville,
Ray County, Mo., August 20, 1843, and died February 13, 1874. The circumstances of his death were as follows: He
left home the night of February 11with a load of cattle for St. Louis. The morning of the 12th, when a few miles
west of Mexico, some of the cattle got down, and Mr. Mason climbed up on top of the cars and was making an effort
to rouse them. Just at that time the axle of the car broke on which he was standing and he was thrown to the ground,
receiving such injuries as caused his death the day following at Mexico, in Audrain County. Mrs. Mason was summoned
to his bedside and reached there about twelve hours before his death occurred. He was the son of George A. and
Elizabeth (Chipman) Mason, both natives of Kentucky, who removed to Ray County, Mo., in 1839 and settled at Knoxville,
where for eight years the father carried on a grocery store. About 1847 he moved to Millville and carried on a
general store. His death occurred in February, 1861. In 1865, the family moved to Richmond, Mo., where Mrs. Mason
died in January, 1876.
Our subject was the eldest son of four children, and passed his boyhood in Knoxville and Millville, where he attended
the public schools, after which he attended the Fayette High School. On leaving the latter he entered his father's
store and remained there until the death of that parent, when he removed with his mother and the children to Richmond.
Here he engaged in a mercantile business, running a general store, at the same time handling grain and produce
and live stock until his death. He was cut off in the midst of an active and successful career, and his death was
deplored by the entire community. As a business man he had no superior and confidence in him was unshaken. All
of his undertakings had been successful and he had accumulated a handsome property, gained by upright dealings.
Mr. Mason was married April 9, 1867, to Miss Alice Davis, of Richmond, a daughter of Dr. Nathaniel Davis, one of
the honored citizens and successful physicians of Ray County. Her mother was Maria (Allen) Davis, a most estimable
woman, whose benevolent spirit manifested itself in kindnesses and charities to those requiring it. Mrs. Mason
was born and reared to womanhood in Ray County, where her parents were pioneers, and where she received her education.
She bore her husband one child, Charles W., a dealer in live stock, and also a pork-packer, and a young man of
promise with a very good knowledge of business. Mrs. Mason is a lady of excellent business habits, and at the same
time kind and neighborly, having gathered about her a host of warm friends. The homestead which she occupies is
a comfortable building surrounded by a grove of native and transplanted trees, where she welcomes her friends and
entertains them with a genuine and hearty hospitality.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton and Linn Counties, Missouri, Page 366
ROBERT L MILSTEAD
was born December 31, 1848, in Ray County Missouri. He lived there in the farm till fourteen years of age, when
moved to Iowa with his parents, remaining there three years, then moved to Macon County, Missouri. After living
there one year, he came to Adair County {Mo} and farmed until 1907, when he moved to Brashear, engaging in the
general merchandise business with his brother. The firm was known as Milstead Bros. Later his brother sold his
interest to H.T. Wilson and Mr. Milstead's son, WIlliam Everett Milstead. Mr. Milstead owns a residence in Brashear
and eighty acres of land adjoining. He was engaged in farming in Adair County forty years. Robert Milstead was
married December 10, 1872 to Margaret E Davidson, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Fair) Davidson. They had nine
children: Carrie Maude, born February 01, 1874; John E, October 10, 1875; Myrtle, December 24, 1878, died July
07, 1879; William E, August 20, 1881; Anna E, March 23, 1884; James R, June 15, 1888; Glen M., October 21, 1891;
Genevieve M, June 15, 1895; Leta W, March 06, 1898. Mr. Milstead is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist church.
Source: "The History of Adair County Missouri" by E.M. Violette, 1911. Submitted by Desiree Burrell
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