WI BIO - Dane Co - GREEN, Mason M.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 133-134

Mason M. GREEN, an attorney of Oregon, Dane County, WI, who has been a 
resident of the county since 1850, and consequently has a large and extended 
acquaintance throughout the State, was born in Wayne County, NY, 21 Nov 1837, 
a son of Samuel and Nancy (CHASE) GREEN, natives of NY, born, respectively, 
in Washington and Ontario Counties. Samuel GREEN was born in 1807, being one 
in a family of thirteen children. When he was seven years old his father 
died, and four years later his mother died, leaving him to the care of an 
elder brother, with whom he remained until he attained years of discretion, 
and engaged in hard work instead of attending school. When still a young 
man, Samuel GREEN, with a brother-in-law, emigrated to Lyons, Wayne County, 
NY, then on the frontier, where he pursued farming on a tract of land he 
purchased, and as the country was unsettled he had plenty of work to do in 
order to clear his land.

In 1835 Samuel GREEN here met Nancy CHASE, of Ontario County, a daughter of 
Jenks and Jemina (ROBBINS) CHASE, natives of RI, and pioneers of Ontario 
County, NY, having settled in Phelps, when white settlers were few and 
Indians plenty. After marriage, Samuel and Nancy (CHASE) GREEN resided on a 
farm in Wayne County, NY, which was a large one, finely located and 
considered to be the best in that section of the country. Here they reared 
their family and continued to reside until 1850, when they emigrated to WI by 
way of the lakes to Detroit, MI, railroad across MI, and via Lake Michigan to 
Kenosha, WI [Kenosha County was part of Racine County until its creation in 
1850], finally settling in Fitchburg Township, Dane County, WI, where Samuel 
GREEN purchased 280 acres of land, of which 55 were broken and on which was 
erected a log cabin and log barn, covered with straw. Here the family 
settled and lived for many years. Samuel GREEN died on the farm in Fitchburg 
Township [Dane County], WI, on 06 May 1879. Many improvements were made 
during his life and the farm was nicely cultivated, although he contended 
against many difficulties, chief among which was the destruction of his home 
and household goods by fire. Nancy (CHASE) GREEN and a daughter now make 
this farm of 160 acres their home.

Samuel GREEN was a very quiet, industrious, unassuming citizen, a Democrat in 
politics, although he only took sufficient interest in politics to vote. He 
was a very healthy man until about three years prior to his death, when he 
suffered a stroke of paralysis. Samuel and Nancy (CHASE) GREEN had three 
children: Mason M., our subject; Mary J., now the wife of Ethan S. POSTLE, 
who resides on the old homestead; and Allen J., a member of Company D, 23rd 
WI, who served until the end of the war. He was only seventeen years old 
when he enlisted and participated in all the engagements of the regiment from 
Arkansas Post to the close of hostilities. Although taken prisoner several 
times he always escaped. After the war he went West and drove a stage on the 
plains, but never returned home, the last that was heard of him was that he 
started out on an Indian raid, from which he did not come back, [p 134] so 
the natural inference was that he was killed by savages, a sad ending to so 
brave a life.

Mason M. GREEN was in his thirteenth year when he came to WI, and in this 
State he attended district school in winter and assisted his father on the 
farm in the summer and ran a threshing machine in the threshing season. 
During his boyhood he eagerly read all law books he could possibly obtain. In 1862 Mason M. GREEN enlisted in 
the same regiment his brother had joined, 
and was mustered into the State service in Sep 1862, but when the regiment was 
mustered into the U. S. service he was commissioned recruiting officer and 
served in that capacity until 1863, when he purchased horses for the 
Government, being associated with John DAIRYMPLE, of Green County, WI, in the 
business, and in all they bought 535 horses. The partnership thus formed has 
since dissolved, but the two gentlemen continue to be warm friends and many 
are the pleasant talks they have over those exciting days.

In 1867 Mason M. GREEN was associated with B. F. NOTT at Oregon [Dane County, 
WI] in the clothing trade, but later withdrew and went to Cherokee*, going 
over much of the western country with a team. Mr. GREEN was Justice of the 
Peace during his stay in Oregon [WI], and did a large business. He went to 
Madison, Dane County, WI, in the fall of 1869, where he attended law school 
and did some collecting in the capacity of Deputy Sheriff and attended law 
school. In 1873 Mason M. GREEN returned to Oregon [Dane County, WI], but the 
following year spent several months in CO and other parts of the West. In 
1876 he was admitted to the bar and has followed the practice of his 
profession ever since. [* There is a "Cherokee" in Marathon County, WI, but 
since the author states he went "over much of the western country with a 
team," the possibility exists the author is referring to one of the many 
other places named "Cherokee" in other states. Submitter believes the author 
is referring to Cherokee, Marathon County, WI, since the area of WI was often 
referred to in this work as "the western country."] 

Mason M. GREEN was married on 01 Jul 1858 to Huldah C. BENNETT, daughter of 
Egbert BENNETT; she was born in Chenango County, NY, 01 Dec 1840. Mason M. 
and Huldah C. (BENNETT) GREEN have two children: George E., born 08 Nov 
1861, station agent and grain dealer at Dempster [Hamlin County], SD, who 
married Miss Ruby BOSWELL, 27 Sep 1892; and Hattie M., born 04 Mar 1866, who 
married Dudley S. ELLIOTT on 06 Dec 1885. A little daughter, Jennie 
Celestia, was born to Dudley S. and Hattie M. (GREEN) ELLIOTT on 22 Jul 1888 
at Sioux City [Woodbury County], IA, who is the pet of her grandparents.

Mason M. GREEN was a Republican until 1888, since which time he has been a 
stanch Democrat, as a thorough study of the tariff question convinced him 
that party was the one which was in nearest accord with his own convictions. 
He is a charter member of Oregon Lodge, No. 151, Ancient Free & Accepted 
Masons, and is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in 
both organizations is quite active. Mrs. GREEN and her daughter are devoted 
members of the Presbyterian Church, in which they are faithful workers, and 
Mrs. GREEN is a member of the Women's Relief Corps. The family is well known 
and respected throughout the county.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly