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Alonzo Howard Mason

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Birth	:	5 Jul 1903 Gate, Beaver County, Oklahoma, USA
Death	:	5 May 1994 Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Burial	:	Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Canada
Coordinate	:	52.3771700, -114.8904700
Description	:	Alonzo Mason loved to work...and fiddle, too (By Lorraine Melowsky) No, he's not the fiddler on the rooftop--he's Mr. Alonzo Mason, a Rocky pioneer. Mr. Mason homestead in the Bingley area for many years before retiring in Rocky Mountain House. Ask him about the pioneer days, and he'll reply, "You'll never believe it!" The Mason family had to endure many hardships, and Alonzo can testify to that. Alonzo Mason was born in 1903 in Oklahoma. His parents, Thomas and Martha Mason, moved west in 1912, and homesteaded in the Crimson Lake district. Two years later, they moved to the Bingley... Read More	Alonzo Mason loved to work...and fiddle, too (By Lorraine Melowsky) No, he's not the fiddler on the rooftop--he's Mr. Alonzo Mason, a Rocky pioneer. Mr. Mason homestead in the Bingley area for many years before retiring in Rocky Mountain House. Ask him about the pioneer days, and he'll reply, "You'll never believe it!" The Mason family had to endure many hardships, and Alonzo can testify to that. Alonzo Mason was born in 1903 in Oklahoma. His parents, Thomas and Martha Mason, moved west in 1912, and homesteaded in the Crimson Lake district. Two years later, they moved to the Bingley area. "I spent most of my time helping out my father on the homestead. In the summer and fall months, I'd work out at other farms, in Delia, Pincher Creek, High River, different ranches in Western Alberta." "Everybody had to work out in those days. Although I only made $1.00 a day, that was considered good money." At age 14, Alonzo attended Golden Heights school for two years. The school was later purchased by the Loyal Orange Society in Rocky, and used as a meeting hall. "My brothers and I received most of our education through correspondence courses. During the summer months, it was practically impossible to get to school. A swamp blocked our passage, and we had to walk seven miles in order to get around it." When the depression set in, Alonzo and five friends left for Nordegg to work in the sawmills. "I spent three winters working for Jimmy Spence at $1.50 a day. During winter, we'd set up camp at Nordegg and returned each summer and fall to farm." Alonzo was not only a hard worker, he was also a gifted musician. "All the Masons were musically inclined. My father played the banjo, violin and mandolin. He never taught us (Alonzo and his four brothers) to play; we picked it up ourselves." Often, in groups of two, the Masons performed at dances, concerts and parties. "I enjoyed it immensely; it was great fun. Afterwards, the crowd would take up a collection for us. I still have my old fiddle from back then. But when you get to be my age, you have to quit. When you're 84 years old, you slow down too!" In between performances, hardships plagued the family. "In 1919, a flu epidemic hit our district, and everyone, except my brother Noel, caught it. Noel took care of all of us. He'd chop wood all day, and keep the house warm all night. There wasn't a doctor around either. We all stayed in bed and sweated it out. Later, when we started feeling better, Noel got sick too, and we had to tend to him. I'll never forget the flu epidemic. My family was sick for that entire, cold winter. In 1924, Thomas Mason passed away, and "it was very hard on my mother. She went to work as a cook in Bill McDougall's lumbercamp, and was responsible for preparing three full-course meals daily, for 30 hungry men. How she did it, I'll never know. All for $4.00 a day." Fortunately, the Masons never had to go hungry. "My family always kept up a big garden, and we hunted quite a bit. Hunting licences cost $1.00, and we were permitted to stalk one bear, one moose, and a deer." In 1934, Alonzo married Miss Dorothy Whitford from Stettler. "We lived in Innisfail for a few years, and I sold farm machinery for the International Agent. Eventually, I tired of setting up equipment and delivering machinery - at all hours of the night - so I quit!" Soon after, Alonzo returned once again to Nordegg. "I worked at the Nordegg mine for three years until it closed in 1952. Coal wasn't selling anymore, diesel was taking over." However, wages had substantially improved; Mr. Mason was earning $14.80 for an eight-hour shift. Alonzo and Dorothy, along with their seven children, moved to an acreage in Leslieville. In 1972, the Masons retired in Rocky Mountain House. Dorothy Mason recently passed away. "I'm surprised to see all the changes that have taken place in Rocky. I was sure this town would amount to nothing. But when oil came, this place took off." Alonzo spends most of his time "puttering around and gardening. Everyone in Rocky says I've got the best-looking yard in town. And believe me, I know everyone in Rocky!" ----- Alonzo Howard Mason of Rocky Mountain House passed away on May 15, 1994 at the age of 90 years. Alonzo was born July 5, 1903 at Beaver County, Oklahoma. The Mason family migrated to Canada in 1912, where his father homestead in the Crimson Lake area. He is survived by three sons, Ray (Carrie), Ralph (Donna) and Frank of Rocky, four daughters, Doris (Garry), Doreen (Clarence), Edna (Bill), and Ilene all of Rocky. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Alonzo was predeceased by his loving wife, Dorothy, on January 28, 1986, his son Jack and daughter Frances, July 17, 1960, one son, Earl, October 28, 1991, and one infant great granddaughter, Diane, August 15, 1991. Alonzo was also predeceased by four brothers, Bill, Chet, Noel, and Tom, two sisters, Leota and Helen. Funeral services for the late Mr. Alonzo Mason will be held from the Chapel of the Rocky Funeral home on Saturday, May 21, 1994 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Todd De Haan officiating. Rocky and Sylvan Lake "Your Golden Rule Funeral Homes," entrusted with arrangements. ---- Other siblings: 1/2 Sisters Leota (Mason) Dutton (1890-1967) & Helen A. R. (Mason) Miller (1890-1974) and biological Brothers Floyd Mason (1896-1896) and Noel Lewis Mason (1901-1980) ---- (Bio write-up and obituary kindly provided by family member)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Alonzo Howard Mason's memorial?
Alonzo Howard Mason's memorial is located at: Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Canada.
When did Alonzo Howard Mason death?
Alonzo Howard Mason death on 5 May 1994 in Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the Alonzo Howard Mason's memorial?
Latitude: 52.3771700
Longitude: -114.8904700

Family Members:

Parent

Thomas Jefferson “Tom” Mason

(1868 - 1924)

Martha “Mattie” Gearheart Mason

(1876 - 1949)

Spouse

Dorothy Agnes Whitford Mason

(1911 - 1986)

Siblings

William Jennings “Bill” Mason

(1898 - 1979)

Chester Harvey “Chet” Mason

(1899 - 1970)

Thomas Jefferson Mason

(1906 - 1974)

Children

Jack H Mason

(1941 - 1960)

Frances I Mason

(1946 - 1960)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Pine Grove Cemetery
Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3771700, -114.8904700

2. Garth Cemetery
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11. Leedale Hutterite Cemetery
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13. Eckville Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.3487200, -114.3528700

14. Diamond Valley Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.2608600, -114.3595700

15. Raven Union Church Cemetery
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16. Benalto Cemetery
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17. Christ Lutheran Evangelical Cemetery
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18. Kuusamo Cemetery
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19. Vig Lutheran Church Cemetery
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20. West Haven Cemetery
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21. Kevisville Cemetery
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22. Lobley Cemetery
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Coordinate: 51.9247100, -114.7340000

23. Mount Auburn Cemetery
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24. West Meadows Cemetery
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