MASON, Roswell B. - Revision history

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	MASON, Roswell B. (Sept. 19, 1805 – Chicago, IL, Jan. 1, 1892) Roswell B. Mason was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ~~‘50s~~ and ~~‘60s~~ in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH & DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO.]] In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.		MASON, Roswell B. (Sept. 19, 1805 – Chicago, IL, Jan. 1, 1892) Roswell B. Mason was the engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, 1850s and 1860s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH & DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO.]] In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois and served from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.

	Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. Roswell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)		Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. Roswell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)
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	Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)		Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)

	In 1853, just two ~~short~~ years after starting the construction of the Illinois Central, R. B. ~~MASON~~ and Robert ~~SCHUYLER~~, president of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, along with [[LANGWORTHY, Lucius Hart\|Lucius Hart LANGWORTHY]], [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]], [[SMITH, Platt\|Platt SMITH]], U.S. Senator [[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]] and other early Dubuque pioneers incorporated the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad. Col. Roswell B. Mason was elected engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, while serving the same role for the Illinois Central. (34)		In 1853, just two years after starting the construction of the Illinois Central, R. B. Mason and Robert Schuyler, president of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, along with [[LANGWORTHY, Lucius Hart\|Lucius Hart LANGWORTHY]], [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]], [[SMITH, Platt\|Platt SMITH]], U.S. Senator [[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]] and other early Dubuque pioneers incorporated the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad. Col. Roswell B. Mason was elected engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, while serving the same role for the Illinois Central. (34)

	In 1855 the Illinois Central was nearing completion so Mason, preparing for the next stage of his career, resigned as engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroads. B.B. Provoost was promoted to engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific. Mason started to plan his move to Dubuque from Chicago and started a railroad construction company in Dubuque called ‘Mason, Bishop and Company’ with partner Ferris BISHOP. The company was hired by the Dubuque & Pacific to start construction on the railroad line from Dubuque to Dyersville, Iowa. (4)		In 1855 the Illinois Central was nearing completion so Mason, preparing for the next stage of his career, resigned as engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroads. B.B. Provoost was promoted to engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific. Mason started to plan his move to Dubuque from Chicago and started a railroad construction company in Dubuque called ‘Mason, Bishop and Company’ with partner Ferris BISHOP. The company was hired by the Dubuque & Pacific to start construction on the railroad line from Dubuque to Dyersville, Iowa. (4)

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	In 1856, Mason resigned from the Illinois Central when the line was completed and moved to Dubuque, living on Locust Street between 13th and 14th Streets. Mason, Bishop and Company, along with the offices of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, and their lawyer Platt Smith, where located in the Julien Theater Building on the northwest corner of 5th and Locust Streets. (5)		In 1856, Mason resigned from the Illinois Central when the line was completed and moved to Dubuque, living on Locust Street between 13th and 14th Streets. Mason, Bishop and Company, along with the offices of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, and their lawyer Platt Smith, where located in the Julien Theater Building on the northwest corner of 5th and Locust Streets. (5)

	In 1857, while Mason continued work on constructing the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad line, he took a break in September to travel to Chicago and testify in an Illinois Supreme Court case, Hurd v. Rock Island Bridge Company, being defended by a prairie lawyer and corporate counsel for the Illinois Central by the name of ~~[[LINCOLN,~~ Abraham~~\|Abraham LINCOLN]]~~. Mason's testimony turned out to be key in Lincoln presentation before the High Court. Mason and Lincoln were already familiar with each other, both having spent the better part of the 1850s working for the board of directors of the Illinois Central. Lincoln as one of their corporate lawyers and Mason as their chief engineer. Lincoln won his precedent setting case on behalf of the Rock Island Bridge Company, bring him into the national spotlight as an able railroad attorney. (6)		In 1857, while Mason continued work on constructing the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad line, he took a break in September to travel to Chicago and testify in an Illinois Supreme Court case, Hurd v. Rock Island Bridge Company, being defended by a prairie lawyer and corporate counsel for the Illinois Central by the name of Abraham Lincoln. Mason's testimony turned out to be key in Lincoln presentation before the High Court. Mason and Lincoln were already familiar with each other, both having spent the better part of the 1850s working for the board of directors of the Illinois Central. Lincoln as one of their corporate lawyers and Mason as their chief engineer. Lincoln won his precedent setting case on behalf of the Rock Island Bridge Company, bring him into the national spotlight as an able railroad attorney. (6)

	In 1858, Mason was made president of the newly created Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad, a spur line to be built off of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, running from Cedar Falls, Iowa to Minneapolis, Minnesota. (7)		In 1858, Mason was made president of the newly created Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad, a spur line to be built off of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, running from Cedar Falls, Iowa to Minneapolis, Minnesota. (7)

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	MASON, Roswell B. (~~September~~ 19, 1805 – ~~January~~ 1, 1892) Roswell B. ~~MASON~~ was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH & DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO.]] In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.		MASON, Roswell B. (Sept. 19, 1805 – Chicago, IL, Jan. 1, 1892) Roswell B. Mason was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH & DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO.]] In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.

	Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. Roswell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)		Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. Roswell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)

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	MASON, Roswell B. (September 19, 1805 – January 1, 1892) Roswell B. MASON was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH & DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO.]] In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.		MASON, Roswell B. (September 19, 1805 – January 1, 1892) Roswell B. MASON was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH & DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO.]] In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.

	Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. ~~RosWell~~ B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)		Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. Roswell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)

	Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)		Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)

Randylyon at 04:11, 2 August 2018

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	Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)		Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)

	In 1853, just two short years after starting the construction of the Illinois Central, R. B. MASON and Robert SCHUYLER, president of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, along with [[LANGWORTHY, Lucius Hart\|Lucius Hart LANGWORTHY]], [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]], [[SMITH, Platt\|Platt SMITH]], U.S. Senator [[JONES, George Wallace ~~Jones~~\|George Wallace JONES]] and other early Dubuque pioneers incorporated the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad. Col. Roswell B. Mason was elected engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, while serving the same role for the Illinois Central. (34)		In 1853, just two short years after starting the construction of the Illinois Central, R. B. MASON and Robert SCHUYLER, president of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, along with [[LANGWORTHY, Lucius Hart\|Lucius Hart LANGWORTHY]], [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]], [[SMITH, Platt\|Platt SMITH]], U.S. Senator [[JONES, George Wallace\|George Wallace JONES]] and other early Dubuque pioneers incorporated the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad. Col. Roswell B. Mason was elected engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, while serving the same role for the Illinois Central. (34)

	In 1855 the Illinois Central was nearing completion so Mason, preparing for the next stage of his career, resigned as engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroads. B.B. Provoost was promoted to engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific. Mason started to plan his move to Dubuque from Chicago and started a railroad construction company in Dubuque called ‘Mason, Bishop and Company’ with partner Ferris BISHOP. The company was hired by the Dubuque & Pacific to start construction on the railroad line from Dubuque to Dyersville, Iowa. (4)		In 1855 the Illinois Central was nearing completion so Mason, preparing for the next stage of his career, resigned as engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroads. B.B. Provoost was promoted to engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific. Mason started to plan his move to Dubuque from Chicago and started a railroad construction company in Dubuque called ‘Mason, Bishop and Company’ with partner Ferris BISHOP. The company was hired by the Dubuque & Pacific to start construction on the railroad line from Dubuque to Dyersville, Iowa. (4)
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	In 1859, Mason was made a director and president of the Northern Iowa Land Company. The Northern Iowa Land Company was established to sell land along the planned route line of the Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad to fund its construction and develop towns, businesses and opportunities throughout Iowa and Minnesota. (8)		In 1859, Mason was made a director and president of the Northern Iowa Land Company. The Northern Iowa Land Company was established to sell land along the planned route line of the Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad to fund its construction and develop towns, businesses and opportunities throughout Iowa and Minnesota. (8)

	In 1859, the gaunt prairie lawyer from Springfield, Illinois once again called upon his friend R.B. Mason to be a key witness in his last Illinois Supreme Court case, as well as the last suit on behalf of the Illinois Central that Abraham Lincoln would litigate; People v. Illinois Central Railroad Company. (9) It is probable that Lincoln met with ~~MASON~~ when he visited Dunleith and Dubuque July 16-18, in 1859, to discuss the case and answer questions state officials traveling with Lincoln might have regarding the construction, condition or current value of the Illinois Central Railroad. Lincoln was hosting a visual inspection of all 705 miles of the Illinois Central Railroad lines related to a state tax assessment dispute, trying to help the two parties come to an agreed on an assessment value for the properties of the Illinois Central. (10)		In 1859, the gaunt prairie lawyer from Springfield, Illinois once again called upon his friend R.B. Mason to be a key witness in his last Illinois Supreme Court case, as well as the last suit on behalf of the Illinois Central that Abraham Lincoln would litigate; People v. Illinois Central Railroad Company. (9) It is probable that Lincoln met with Mason when he visited Dunleith and Dubuque July 16-18, in 1859, to discuss the case and answer questions state officials traveling with Lincoln might have regarding the construction, condition or current value of the Illinois Central Railroad. Lincoln was hosting a visual inspection of all 705 miles of the Illinois Central Railroad lines related to a state tax assessment dispute, trying to help the two parties come to an agreed on an assessment value for the properties of the Illinois Central. (10)

	Mason made his way from Dubuque to Mount Vernon, Illinois to testify in the Illinois Supreme Court case the People v. Illinois Central Railroad, on November 11-12. Mason, along with Illinois Central Vice President George B. McClellan, served as Lincoln’s key witnesses in his presentation before the High Court. The Court would rule in favor of Lincoln and the railroad when they handed down their opinion in 1860, just one short year before Lincoln and McClellan were leading the defense of the Union in the [[CIVIL WAR]]. (11)		Mason made his way from Dubuque to Mount Vernon, Illinois to testify in the Illinois Supreme Court case the People v. Illinois Central Railroad, on November 11-12. Mason, along with Illinois Central Vice President George B. McClellan, served as Lincoln’s key witnesses in his presentation before the High Court. The Court would rule in favor of Lincoln and the railroad when they handed down their opinion in 1860, just one short year before Lincoln and McClellan were leading the defense of the Union in the [[CIVIL WAR]]. (11)

	In August of 1859 ~~MASON~~ was elected to the board of directors of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad and made a vice president. (12)		In August of 1859 Mason was elected to the board of directors of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad and made a vice president. (12)

	In 1860, Mason was elected president of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad by the board of directors. In August of 1860, the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad was reorganized as the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad with a new management structure. Mason remained on the board of directors of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, but removed himself from any management positions. (13)		In 1860, Mason was elected president of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad by the board of directors. In August of 1860, the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad was reorganized as the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad with a new management structure. Mason remained on the board of directors of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, but removed himself from any management positions. (13)

Randylyon at 04:10, 2 August 2018

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	Roswell B. MASON, American railroad pioneer, passed away in Chicago on January 1, 1892 and is buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Although MASON is primarily known for being mayor during the Great Chicago Fire, his greatest accomplishment is his construction of the first land-grant railroad in the United States, and the largest railroad every constructed up that point in time at 705 miles, the Illinois Central - running from Cairo, Illinois to Chicago and to Dunleith, Illinois, crossing over the mighty Mississippi River by way of the Dunleith & Dubuque Railroad Bridge and on to Dyersville, Iowa. (17)		Roswell B. MASON, American railroad pioneer, passed away in Chicago on January 1, 1892 and is buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Although MASON is primarily known for being mayor during the Great Chicago Fire, his greatest accomplishment is his construction of the first land-grant railroad in the United States, and the largest railroad every constructed up that point in time at 705 miles, the Illinois Central - running from Cairo, Illinois to Chicago and to Dunleith, Illinois, crossing over the mighty Mississippi River by way of the Dunleith & Dubuque Railroad Bridge and on to Dyersville, Iowa. (17)

			Contributed by John T. Pregler. Read more about him and his website on the opening page of this encyclopedia.

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	MASON, Roswell B. (September 19, 1805 – January 1, 1892) Roswell B. MASON was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH & DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO]]. In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.		MASON, Roswell B. (September 19, 1805 – January 1, 1892) Roswell B. MASON was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH & DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO.]] In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.

	Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. RosWell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)		Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. RosWell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)

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	MASON, Roswell B. (September 19, 1805 – January 1, 1892) Roswell B. MASON was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH ~~AND~~ DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO]]. In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.		MASON, Roswell B. (September 19, 1805 – January 1, 1892) Roswell B. MASON was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH & DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO]]. In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.

	Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. ~~Rowsell~~ B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)		Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. RosWell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)

	Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)		Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)

Randylyon at 04:10, 1 August 2018

2018-08-01T04:10:54Z

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	MASON, Roswell B. (September 19, 1805 – January 1, 1892) Roswell B. MASON was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH AND DUBUQUE BRIDGE ~~COMPANY~~]]. In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.		MASON, Roswell B. (September 19, 1805 – January 1, 1892) Roswell B. MASON was engineer-in-chief of several important early American railroad enterprises in the 1840s, ‘50s and ‘60s in the United States, including the New York & New Haven Railroad, [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]], [[DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD]] and the [[DUNLEITH AND DUBUQUE BRIDGE CO]]. In the same year that Mason, along with U.S. Congressman [[ALLISON, William Boyd\|William Boyd ALLISON]] and [[CARNEGIE, Andrew\|Andrew CARNEGIE]], finished the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge, Mason ran for and was elected the mayor of Chicago, Illinois from 1869-1871. Mason was at the end of his term as mayor when the tale tells of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern and starting the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1871.

	Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. Rowsell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)		Mason first moved to the upper Midwest and Chicago when he was hired by the Illinois Central in 1851 as engineer-in-chief, overseeing all aspects of construction of the Illinois Central Railroad; some 705 miles of railroad track, bridges and depot buildings. Rowsell B., or Col. Mason, as he was commonly called, had started his engineering career working in the engineering department constructing the Erie Canal. In 1837, Mason shifted his focus from canals to railroads when he took the position of chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad. He became chief engineer and superintendent for the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1848. (1)

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	Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)		Mason and [[PROVOOST, Benjamin B.\|Benjamin B. PROVOOST]], one of his eight associates who made up Mason's original corps of engineers used to build the Illinois Central Railroad, played key roles in early Dubuque railroad history. Provoost was given responsibility by Mason for building the portion of the Illinois Central Railroad that ran from Eldena, Illinois, near La Salle, to Dubuque, Iowa with the terminus in Dunleith (present-day East Dubuque), Illinois. (2)

	In 1853, just two short years after starting the construction of the Illinois Central, R. B. MASON and Robert SCHUYLER, president of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, along with Lucius ~~LANGWORHTY~~, Jesse P. FARLEY, Platt SMITH, U.S. Senator George Wallace JONES and other early Dubuque pioneers incorporated the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad. Col. Roswell B. ~~MASON~~ was elected engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, while serving the same role for the Illinois Central. (34)		In 1853, just two short years after starting the construction of the Illinois Central, R. B. MASON and Robert SCHUYLER, president of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, along with [[LANGWORTHY, Lucius Hart\|Lucius Hart LANGWORTHY]], [[FARLEY, Jesse P.\|Jesse P. FARLEY]], [[SMITH, Platt\|Platt SMITH]], U.S. Senator [[JONES, George Wallace Jones\|George Wallace JONES]] and other early Dubuque pioneers incorporated the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad. Col. Roswell B. Mason was elected engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, while serving the same role for the Illinois Central. (34)

	In 1855 the Illinois Central was nearing completion so ~~MASON~~, preparing for the next stage of his career, resigned as engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroads. B.B. ~~PROVOOVST~~ was promoted to engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific. ~~MASON~~ started to plan his move to Dubuque from Chicago and started a railroad construction company in Dubuque called ‘Mason, Bishop and Company’ with partner Ferris BISHOP. The company was hired by the Dubuque & Pacific to start construction on the railroad line from Dubuque to Dyersville, Iowa. (4)		In 1855 the Illinois Central was nearing completion so Mason, preparing for the next stage of his career, resigned as engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroads. B.B. Provoost was promoted to engineer-in-chief of the Dubuque & Pacific. Mason started to plan his move to Dubuque from Chicago and started a railroad construction company in Dubuque called ‘Mason, Bishop and Company’ with partner Ferris BISHOP. The company was hired by the Dubuque & Pacific to start construction on the railroad line from Dubuque to Dyersville, Iowa. (4)

	In 1856, ~~MASON~~ resigned from the Illinois Central when the line was completed and moved to Dubuque, living on Locust Street between 13th and 14th Streets. Mason, Bishop and Company, along with the offices of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, and their lawyer Platt ~~SMITH~~, where located in the Julien Theater Building on the northwest corner of 5th and Locust Streets. (5)		In 1856, Mason resigned from the Illinois Central when the line was completed and moved to Dubuque, living on Locust Street between 13th and 14th Streets. Mason, Bishop and Company, along with the offices of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, and their lawyer Platt Smith, where located in the Julien Theater Building on the northwest corner of 5th and Locust Streets. (5)

	In 1857, while ~~MASON~~ continued work on constructing the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad line, he took a break in September to travel to Chicago and testify in an Illinois Supreme Court case, Hurd v. Rock Island Bridge Company, being defended by a prairie lawyer and corporate counsel for the Illinois Central by the name of Abraham LINCOLN. ~~MASON’s~~ testimony turned out to be key in ~~LINCOLN’s~~ presentation before the High Court. ~~R. B. MASON~~ and ~~Abraham LINCOLN~~ were already familiar with each other, both having spent the better part of the 1850s working for the board of directors of the Illinois Central. ~~LINCOLN~~ as one of their corporate lawyers and ~~MASON~~ as their chief engineer. ~~LINCOLN~~ won his ~~precedence~~ setting case on behalf of the Rock Island Bridge Company, bring him into the national spotlight as an able railroad attorney. (6)		In 1857, while Mason continued work on constructing the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad line, he took a break in September to travel to Chicago and testify in an Illinois Supreme Court case, Hurd v. Rock Island Bridge Company, being defended by a prairie lawyer and corporate counsel for the Illinois Central by the name of [[LINCOLN, Abraham\|Abraham LINCOLN]]. Mason's testimony turned out to be key in Lincoln presentation before the High Court. Mason and Lincoln were already familiar with each other, both having spent the better part of the 1850s working for the board of directors of the Illinois Central. Lincoln as one of their corporate lawyers and Mason as their chief engineer. Lincoln won his precedent setting case on behalf of the Rock Island Bridge Company, bring him into the national spotlight as an able railroad attorney. (6)

	In 1858, ~~MASON~~ was made president of the newly created Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad, a spur line to be built off of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, running from Cedar Falls, Iowa to Minneapolis, Minnesota. (7)		In 1858, Mason was made president of the newly created Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad, a spur line to be built off of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad, running from Cedar Falls, Iowa to Minneapolis, Minnesota. (7)

	In 1859, ~~MASON~~ was made a director and president of the Northern Iowa Land Company. The Northern Iowa Land Company was established to sell land along the planned route line of the Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad to fund its construction and develop towns, businesses and opportunities throughout Iowa and Minnesota. (8)		In 1859, Mason was made a director and president of the Northern Iowa Land Company. The Northern Iowa Land Company was established to sell land along the planned route line of the Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad to fund its construction and develop towns, businesses and opportunities throughout Iowa and Minnesota. (8)

	In 1859, the gaunt prairie lawyer from Springfield, Illinois once again called upon his friend R.B. ~~MASON~~ to be a key witness in his last Illinois Supreme Court case, as well as the last suit on behalf of the Illinois Central that Abraham ~~LINCOLN~~ would litigate; People v. Illinois Central Railroad Company. (9) It is probable that ~~LINCOLN~~ met with MASON when he visited Dunleith and Dubuque July 16-18, in 1859, to discuss the case and answer questions state officials traveling with ~~LINCOLN~~ might have regarding the construction, condition or current value of the Illinois Central Railroad. Lincoln was hosting a visual inspection of all 705 miles of the Illinois Central Railroad lines related to a state tax assessment dispute, trying to help the two parties come to an agreed on an assessment value for the properties of the Illinois Central. (10)		In 1859, the gaunt prairie lawyer from Springfield, Illinois once again called upon his friend R.B. Mason to be a key witness in his last Illinois Supreme Court case, as well as the last suit on behalf of the Illinois Central that Abraham Lincoln would litigate; People v. Illinois Central Railroad Company. (9) It is probable that Lincoln met with MASON when he visited Dunleith and Dubuque July 16-18, in 1859, to discuss the case and answer questions state officials traveling with Lincoln might have regarding the construction, condition or current value of the Illinois Central Railroad. Lincoln was hosting a visual inspection of all 705 miles of the Illinois Central Railroad lines related to a state tax assessment dispute, trying to help the two parties come to an agreed on an assessment value for the properties of the Illinois Central. (10)

	~~MASON~~ made his way from Dubuque to Mount Vernon, Illinois to testify in the Illinois Supreme Court case the People v. Illinois Central Railroad, on November 11-12. ~~MASON~~, along with Illinois Central Vice President George B. McClellan, served as Lincoln’s key witnesses in his presentation before the High Court. The Court would rule in favor of Lincoln and the railroad when they handed down their opinion in 1860, just one short year before Lincoln and McClellan were leading the defense of the Union in the ~~American Civil War~~. (11)		Mason made his way from Dubuque to Mount Vernon, Illinois to testify in the Illinois Supreme Court case the People v. Illinois Central Railroad, on November 11-12. Mason, along with Illinois Central Vice President George B. McClellan, served as Lincoln’s key witnesses in his presentation before the High Court. The Court would rule in favor of Lincoln and the railroad when they handed down their opinion in 1860, just one short year before Lincoln and McClellan were leading the defense of the Union in the [[CIVIL WAR]]. (11)

	In August of 1859 MASON was elected to the board of directors of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad and made a vice president. (12)		In August of 1859 MASON was elected to the board of directors of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad and made a vice president. (12)

	In 1860, ~~MASON~~ was elected president of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad by the board of directors. In August of 1860, the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad was reorganized as the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad with a new management structure. ~~MASON~~ remained on the board of directors of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, but removed himself from any management positions. (13)		In 1860, Mason was elected president of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad by the board of directors. In August of 1860, the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad was reorganized as the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad with a new management structure. Mason remained on the board of directors of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, but removed himself from any management positions. (13)

	In 1861, ~~MASON~~ moved back to Chicago to take a job in the Illinois Central Land Department, and would later become corporate Comptroller, until his departure in 1867. (14)		In 1861, Mason moved back to Chicago to take a job in the Illinois Central Land Department, and would later become corporate Comptroller, until his departure in 1867. (14)

	In 1867, R.B. ~~MASON~~ was made chief engineer of the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge Company and moved back to Dubuque, Iowa. Working with company president and U.S. Representative William Boyd ALLISON and legal counsel Platt SMITH, the men select the Key City Bridge Company and Andrew CARNEGIE to construct the bridge. The bridge was constructed in 1868 and on January 2, 1869, the last major construction project of Col. Roswell B. ~~MASON’s~~ engineering career is opened for business. Eventually the Illinois Central would obtain rights to the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge and the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad (formerly the Dubuque & Pacific) and would stretch from New Orleans, Louisiana to Sioux City, Iowa. (15)		In 1867, R. B. Mason was made chief engineer of the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge Company and moved back to Dubuque, Iowa. Working with company president and U.S. Representative William Boyd ALLISON and legal counsel Platt SMITH, the men select the Key City Bridge Company and Andrew CARNEGIE to construct the bridge. The bridge was constructed in 1868 and on January 2, 1869, the last major construction project of Col. Roswell B. Mason's engineering career is opened for business. Eventually the Illinois Central would obtain rights to the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge and the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad (formerly the Dubuque & Pacific) and would stretch from New Orleans, Louisiana to Sioux City, Iowa. (15)

	In 1869, ~~MASON~~ moved back to Chicago and was elected mayor. Towards the end of his term as mayor, the Great Chicago Fire broke out. ~~MASON~~ immediate called upon surrounding communities like Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis, and Dubuque for help. Personal telegram requests to friends in Dubuque did not fall on deaf ears. Dubuque would begin sending money and supplies to Chicago over the railroad bridge and tracks MASON had been responsible for constructing. (16)		In 1869, Mason moved back to Chicago and was elected mayor. Towards the end of his term as mayor, the Great Chicago Fire broke out. Mason immediate called upon surrounding communities like Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis, and Dubuque for help. Personal telegram requests to friends in Dubuque did not fall on deaf ears. Dubuque would begin sending money and supplies to Chicago over the railroad bridge and tracks MASON had been responsible for constructing. (16)

	Roswell B. ~~MASON~~, American railroad pioneer, passed away in Chicago on January 1, 1892 and is buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Although ~~MASON~~ is primarily known for being mayor during the Great Chicago Fire, his greatest accomplishment is his construction of the first land-grant railroad in the United States, and the largest railroad every constructed up that point in time at 705 miles, the Illinois Central - running from Cairo, Illinois to Chicago and to Dunleith, Illinois, crossing over the mighty Mississippi River by way of the Dunleith & Dubuque Railroad Bridge and on to Dyersville, Iowa. (17)		Roswell B. Mason, American railroad pioneer, passed away in Chicago on January 1, 1892 and is buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Although he is primarily known for being mayor during the Great Chicago Fire, his greatest accomplishment is his construction of the first land-grant railroad in the United States, and the largest railroad every constructed up that point in time at 705 miles, the Illinois Central - running from Cairo, Illinois to Chicago and to Dunleith, Illinois, crossing over the mighty Mississippi River by way of the Dunleith & Dubuque Railroad Bridge and on to Dyersville, Iowa. (17)

	Contributed by John T. Pregler. Read more about him and his website on the opening page of this encyclopedia.		Contributed by John T. Pregler. Read more about him and his website on the opening page of this encyclopedia.