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.
Personal details
Born	(1850-07-07)July 7, 1850 Franklinville, New York
Died	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 in libraries (WorldCat catalog)

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by James H. Ward	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 3rd congressional district 1887–1891	Succeeded by Allan C. Durborow, Jr.
Preceded by William E. Williams	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's at-large congressional district March 4, 1917 – June 16, 1921	Succeeded by Winnifred S. M. Huck
United States Senate
Preceded by John M. Palmer	U.S. Senator (Class 3) from Illinois 1897–1903 Served alongside: Shelby M. Cullom	Succeeded by Albert J. Hopkins