William E. Mason

William Ernest Mason
United States Senator from Illinois
In office March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1903
Preceded by	John M. Palmer
Succeeded by	Albert J. Hopkins
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's at-large district
In office March 4, 1917 – June 16, 1921
Preceded by	William E. Williams
Succeeded by	Winnifred S. M. Huck
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1891
Preceded by	James H. Ward
Succeeded by	Allan C. Durborow, Jr.
Member of the Illinois Senate
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
Personal details
Born	July 7, 1850 Franklinville, New York
Died	June 16, 1921 (aged 70) Washington, D.C.
Political party	Republican

William Ernest Mason (July 7, 1850 – June 16, 1921) was a Republican U.S. Representative and Senator from Illinois. He is the father of Winnifred Sprague Mason Huck.

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 1886 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 1896. After one term, he returned to Chicago. He served three more terms in the House from 1917 until his death. On April 5, 1917, he was one of 50 representatives who voted against declaring war on Germany. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Waukegan, Illinois.

External links

• William E. Mason at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Works by or about William E. Mason at Internet Archive
• Works by or about William E. Mason in libraries (WorldCat catalog)