Charles Holland Mason
Encyclopedia
Charles Holland Mason was an 19th century American politician and lawyer. Mason served as United States Commissioner for the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) from 1890 until his death.
to Joseph and Harriet (Ormsby) Mason. Mason received a thorough classical education to fit him for practicing law. Mason attended the Hancock Literary and Scientific Institute. At age twenty-one, he emigrated West, locating first at Louisville, Kentucky
where he was employed as tutor in a private family, studying law between school hours with Hamilton Smith. A year later, he was admitted to the bar at Louisville. He came to Perry County, Indiana
during the 1840s.
On March 20, 1852, in Cannelton, Mason married Rachel Littell (Huckeby) Wright (1828–1883), the young widow of John G. Wright, the daughter of Joshua B. Huckeby
and Rebecca Lang. The couple had no children.
as United States Commissioner for the Indian Territory (before the organization of Oklahoma) with headquarters at Vinita
, where he died in June, 1894.
Early life and marriage
Mason was born in Walpole, New HampshireWalpole, New Hampshire
Walpole is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,734 at the 2010 census.The town's central settlement, where 605 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Walpole census-designated place , and is east of New Hampshire Route 12...
to Joseph and Harriet (Ormsby) Mason. Mason received a thorough classical education to fit him for practicing law. Mason attended the Hancock Literary and Scientific Institute. At age twenty-one, he emigrated West, locating first at Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
where he was employed as tutor in a private family, studying law between school hours with Hamilton Smith. A year later, he was admitted to the bar at Louisville. He came to Perry County, Indiana
Perry County, Indiana
Perry County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 19,338. The county seat is Tell City. It is the hilliest county as well as one of the most forested counties of in Indiana as it features more than of Hoosier National Forest...
during the 1840s.
On March 20, 1852, in Cannelton, Mason married Rachel Littell (Huckeby) Wright (1828–1883), the young widow of John G. Wright, the daughter of Joshua B. Huckeby
Joshua B. Huckeby
Joshua Brannon Huckeby was an 19th century American politician and lawyer. Huckeby represented Perry County in the Indiana House of Representatives during the 21st, 27th and 29th sessions of the Indiana General Assembly...
and Rebecca Lang. The couple had no children.
Political career
In 1890, Mason was appointed by president Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
as United States Commissioner for the Indian Territory (before the organization of Oklahoma) with headquarters at Vinita
Vinita, Oklahoma
Vinita is a city in south-central Craig County, Oklahoma. As of 2009, the population estimate was 6,057. It is the county seat of Craig County.-Geography:...
, where he died in June, 1894.