William E. Mason

Who was William E. Mason?

William Ernest Mason was a U.S. Representative and Senator from Illinois.

Mason was born in Franklinville, New York. His family moved to Bentonsport, Iowa when he was 8. He attended Birmingham College. After graduating, he taught at Bentonsport Academy, which he had previously attended. After studying law, he moved to Chicago in 1872 and was admitted to the bar.

Mason was elected to Congress in 1887 and again two years later. Following his defeat in 1890, he returned to law practice in Chicago in 1891, but was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1897. After one term, he returned to Chicago. He served three more terms in the House from 1917 until his death. On Apr 5, 1917, he was one of 50 representatives who voted against declaring war on Germany. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Waukegan, Illinois.