Political figure. Mason was the first Secretary of State for Washington Territory, and was acting Governor for two and a half years total while the territorial Governor, Isaac Ingalls Stevens, conducted railroad surveys and concluded treaties with First Nations tribes and confederations. Mason moved at the age of seven to Rhode Island, graduated with honors from Brown University in 1850, and was recommended for the bar shortly after. In September 1853 he received the political appointment as Secretary of State and came west. As Acting Governor he served the state in time of war, from October 1855 to January 1856, as hostilities between settlers and First Nations peoples erupted in Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Historians assess his efforts during this time as "marked with energy, decision, and wisdom." Mason called for volunteers, maintained peaceful relations with non-hostile bands, and treated all parties with fairness. From 15 May 1855, Mason assisted Stevens in the negotiations of the Medicine Creek and Point No Point Treaties and was credited as the secretary of the treaty commissions. Mason transported documents to the nation's capital and secured funding for territorial aid. He died after a brief illness at Olympia, Washington Territory; his burial location was established by the Washington State Archivist from primary source material and his grave marked in 1997 following an extensive search. Mason County, Washington was renamed in 1864 in honor of this politician.
Political figure. Mason was the first Secretary of State for Washington Territory, and was acting Governor for two and a half years total while the territorial Governor, Isaac Ingalls Stevens, conducted railroad surveys and concluded treaties with First Nations tribes and confederations. Mason moved at the age of seven to Rhode Island, graduated with honors from Brown University in 1850, and was recommended for the bar shortly after. In September 1853 he received the political appointment as Secretary of State and came west. As Acting Governor he served the state in time of war, from October 1855 to January 1856, as hostilities between settlers and First Nations peoples erupted in Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Historians assess his efforts during this time as "marked with energy, decision, and wisdom." Mason called for volunteers, maintained peaceful relations with non-hostile bands, and treated all parties with fairness. From 15 May 1855, Mason assisted Stevens in the negotiations of the Medicine Creek and Point No Point Treaties and was credited as the secretary of the treaty commissions. Mason transported documents to the nation's capital and secured funding for territorial aid. He died after a brief illness at Olympia, Washington Territory; his burial location was established by the Washington State Archivist from primary source material and his grave marked in 1997 following an extensive search. Mason County, Washington was renamed in 1864 in honor of this politician.
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