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Harry H. Mason

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Harry H. Mason
Mason in 1912
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 21st district
In office
January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1937
Preceded byJames Earl Major
Succeeded byFrank W. Fries
Personal details
BornHarry Howland Mason
(1873-12-16)December 16, 1873
DiedMarch 10, 1946(1946-03-10) (aged 72)
PartyDemocratic
OccupationPolitician, newspaper publisher

Harry Howland Mason (December 16, 1873 March 10, 1946) was an American politician and newspaper publisher. A Democrat, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois.

Biography

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Mason was born on December 16, 1873, in Farmer City, Illinois, the son of James A. Mason and Lovenia F. Mason. He later moved to Delavan, where he received his education at local public schools. After schooling, he worked for the Delevan Advertiser. In 1903, he moved to Pawnee, where he was also operated the Pawnee Herald.[1] For eight years, he was president of the Central Illinois Press Association.[2]

Mason was a Democrat.[3] In 1930, he was acting secretary of the Sangamon County Democratic Committee.[4] From 1930 to 1933, he was the secretary of James Earl Major, and from July 21, 1933, to 1934, was treasurer of Sangamon County.[1][5]

Mason was a member of the United States House of Representatives, from January 3, 1935, to January 3, 1937, representing Illinois's 21st district.[1] He refused to run in the following election.[4] In the election, his name was put three times in the race for justice of the peace with him labelled as a Republican, as a practical joke.[6] Politically, he was a moderate conservative.[7] His stance on foreign policy caused schisms among his voterbase.[8][9]

After serving in Congress, Mason returned to newspaper publishing in Pawnee.[1] From 1942 to 1944, he was circuit clerk of Sangamon County,[2] serving while his predecessor was fighting in World War II.[10] On August 17, 1912, he married Mabel Pennoyer. He was Presbyterian.[2] He died on March 10, 1946, aged 72, in Springfield, and was buried at Prairie Rest Cemetery, in Delavan.[1][3]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mason, Harry Howland". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Harry H. Mason 1940 - 1944". www.sangamoncountycircuitclerk.org. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Mason". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Congressman Mason Won't Be Candidate". Illinois State Register. February 23, 1936. p. 7. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  5. "Harry H. Mason Appointed To Koehn's Post". Illinois State Register. July 21, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  6. "Joke Played On Ex-Congressman". Illinois State Register. February 28, 1937. p. 4. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  7. "MASON, Harry Howland (1873-1946)". www.voteview.com. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  8. "Veterans' League Heads Endorse Harry Mason For Seat In Next Congress". Illinois State Register. October 21, 1934. p. 15. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  9. "Defense Group Favors Ramey As Candidate". The Taylorville Daily Breeze Courier. October 4, 1934. p. 8. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  10. "Harry H. Mason, Pawnee Former Congressman, Dies". The State Journal-Register. March 11, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved May 22, 2026.