Roswell B. Mason (master in chancery)

Roswell B. Mason (February 24, 1873–July 26, 1934) was an American lawyer who serve as master in chancery of the original incarnation of the Circuit Court of Cook County for thirty years (from 1904 to 1934).[1]

Early life, family history, education

Mason was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 24, 1873.[1]

He was a son of lawyer and historian Edward G. Mason and his wife Julia Mason (née Starkweather).[1][2] He was one of ten sons (and thirteen children) the two had together.[2] Mason's paternal grandfather (and namesake) was Roswell B. Mason, who served as the mayor of Chicago.[1][2]

Mason graduated from Yale University in 1895.[2] While at Yale, he was am editor of the Yale Daily News and a member of the Scroll and Key Society. In 1897, he graduated from Northwestern Law School with a Bachelor of Laws.[1]

Career

Mason was admitted to the Illinois legal bar in 1897. From 1899 to 1902, he served as assistant and first assistant in the Chicago corporation counsel office. In 1903, Mason co-authored a major revision of Chicago's municipal code.[1]

In 1904, Mason was appointed master in chancery of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He held this position until his death in 1934.[1]

Mason was a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association. He was also member of the Illinois Democratic Party's central committee, and a district leader of the New Trier Township's Democratic organization.[1]

In 1922, Mason won a election to serve as a justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois if the newly-proposed state constitution were ratified by voters. However, the proposed constitution and its reforms to the Supreme Court were not ratified, making his election null.[1]

Personal life

In 1912, Mason married Janet Stebbins Warren, the daughter of James A. Warren.[3] They resided together in Winnetka, Illinois and had three children: Annie Warren, Julia Starkweather, and Sylvia.[1]

Mason died at the age of 61 of a sudden heart attack on July 26, 1934 while at his offices in Chicago's. Marquette Building. His burial occurred at Winnetka's Rose Hill Cemetery.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Roswell B. Mason Dies In His Office; Chicago Lawyer Is Victim of Heart Attack -- Was Long a'Master in Chancery. Co-Author Of City Code Served in 'Corporation Counsel's .Office Several Years -- Grandson of Former Mayor". The New York Times. July 26, 1934. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Extra; 3:30 A.M.; Edward G. Mason Is Dead; He Passes Peacefully Away At 1:50 This Morning; End Comes at St. Luke's Hospital–Remains Unconscious to the Last–His Wife and Son at His Bedside When the Hour of Dissolution Comes–Fatal Result of the Fall He Sustained Friday in the Safety Deposit Vaults of the Merchant's National Bank". Chicago Tribune. December 18, 1898. p. 1. Retrieved December 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Weddings: Janet Stebbins Warren and Roswell B. Mason". vitacollections.ca. Lake Shore News (Wilmette, Illinois). June 27, 1912. p. 9. Retrieved December 1, 2025.


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