Richard C. Mason
RICHARD C. MASON was born in New Jersey in 1832. When the Census was taken in 1880 he was working as a shoemaker and living at 441 Royden Street with his wife Rebecca and sons Bethuel and Thomas. By 1886 he had moved to 445 South 5th. He was then teaching piano and organ, and had opened a piano sales business at 528 Market Street, in which he remained involved through at least 1890.
Richard C. Mason does not appear at the South 5th Street address in the 1900 Census, however, his son Bethuel Mason was living there and working as a “piano polisher.” His younger son Thomas was also still living at that address, following the bricklayer’s trade, which he had been engaged in since the late 1870s.
R.C. Mason, Pianos and Organs
Historical and Industrial Review of Camden, N.J. — 1890
R.C. MASON, PIANOS AND ORGANS,
628 MARKET STREET.
AMONG the most prominent houses in the city may be mentioned that of Mr. R.C. Mason. The business was established by the present proprietor about three years ago (although Mr. Mason had for many years handled and sold various makes of pianos, for other houses), and has met with the greatest success. The building is about 25 x 90 feet in dimensions. The first floor is used solely as a piano wareroom, and the second floor for organs.
Mr. Mason was born in Camden, and has both worked and done business in this city all his life. When a boy he was put at the piano, and received a good musical education; in later years started as teacher, and by degrees drifted into the dealing and selling of Pianos and Organs. Through perseverance and honest dealings he managed to start in business for himself at the above address with a small stock of Pianos and Organs. The business has steadily increased.
Mr. Mason is the agent for many of the best makes of Pianos and Organs, among them the celebrated Sohmer Piano, Hardman, Colby & Co., Jacob Bros., Trowbridge Pianos, and the Story & Clark Organ.
Within the past year a repairing and rebuilding department has been added to the already established business, giving employment to about ten hands. This new feature of the business has so rapidly grown that a contract has already been given for the erection of a handsome repairing factory.
In the employ of Mr. Mason are six of the best workmen in the different branches of piano making that can be secured, they all coming from the best factories in New York.
He is a prominent man in social, commercial and political circles, being a member of the band of Freeholders and Chairman of the Court House Committee.
The illustration with this article is a reproduction of the famous Sohmer Piano, at present the most popular and preferred by all leading artists.
Advertising Trade Cards
R.C. Mason advertising trade cards
Liedertafel Ball
Camden Post —
LIEDERTAFEL BALL.
The Rain Somewhat Marred a Heretofore Lively Occasion.
Rain shooting at a slant from a leaden sky is enough to dissipate the hopes of any one anticipating a good time.
Such was the state of the weather last evening when the hands of every clock in kitchen and parlor pointed to the hour when the merry makers of the city assembled to while away the hours tripping the light fantastic.
It was the night of the Liedertafel ball at Armory Hall. Anton Oberst’s orchestra supplied the music, and from 9 o’clock in the evening until 6 o’clock Tuesday morning, March 1st, their instruments were kept busy furnishing the musical accompaniment for tripping toes.
Everybody who could dance did so; those who couldn’t looked on and laughed with delight.
Mr. John Lock and his stately daughter Lizzie led the grand march, numbering about one hundred couples.
Twenty-two dances were tripped through, beginning with the Leidertafel waltz and ending with a galop. At midnight there was a general unmasking, which revealed the identity of faces hidden by gauze and muslin.
Joseph Schaeffer and Leon Streisman, the former made up as a German comedian and the latter as a rosy cheeked female of the same nationality, made a big hit. Both spin silk in an up town mill.
The members of the Männerchor marched into the ball with South street noses and kazoo instruments. They serenaded everybody in the line of march and sang patriotic songs around the tables in the refreshment rooms.
Chief Dodd and six policemen were on hand to preserve order.
Everything passed of auspiciously. Charles Schultz was Master of Ceremonies; August Hiller, Assistant Conductor; Samuel Dodd, Chief. J. Vissel, President; A. Weber, Secretary; John Heileman, Treasurer; Anton Oberst, J. Lock, Wm. Maier and Jacob Seibert constituted the Committee of Arrangements.
Freeholder Richard Mason furnished the piano, which acted in concert with the other musical instruments.
Offices and Office-Seekers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
OFFICES AND OFFICE-SEEKERS
Positions Soon to Be Filled in Camden’s Municipal Government.
Another caucus of the Republican members and members-elect of Camden City Council will be held prior to the organization of the new Council. Building Inspector William H. Cole, who is a candidate for re-election, has two opponents—ex-City Assessor J. Oscar Nichuals and ex-Freeholder Richard C. Mason. All these candidates have practical knowledge of building operations and the contest is an interesting one. William T. G. Young, Jr., is a candidate to succeed the late Owen B. Jones, as assistant city clerk, a position which he formerly filled. So far there is no active opposition to City Engineer Farnham, Water Clerk Fithian and City Controller Hollingshed, who are candidates for re-election.
There are half a dozen candidates for the position of Excise Inspector, which the new Excise Board will fill. They include the present Inspector, Samuel Lee; John Cherry, Harry Goodman, Samuel Lodge, C. Harry Price and Frank Vacke. Arthur Bedell will probably be selected as president of the board, and City Clerk T. P. Varney will retain his position as clerk.
Councilman Sayrs, of the Seventh ward, will, it is said, be appointed by Judge Joline as clerk of the District Court to succeed George D. Barton, a Democrat, whose term expires next Friday.
Camden Elks Moving on City of Baltimore
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN ELKS MOVING ON CITY OF BALTIMORE
Camden Lodge, No. 293, B. P. O. Elks, will turn out in force at the annual gathering in Baltimore, which takes place to-day and continues until Saturday. The local Elks will be officially represented to-day by Samuel Kilpatrick, the alternate, as George D. Borton, the Exalted Ruler, will not be able to get down until to-morrow.
A large number went to Baltimore last night and many more will follow to-day. At least a hundred Camden Elks will be in attendance. The delegation last night was headed by Marshall W. Taylor, John G. Colsey, County Detective John S. Smith, John Irwin, Frank Peterson, Jas. Long, Joseph Kolb, Frank Fithian, Fred J. Newton, Joseph H. Pfeiffer, John McCabe, Martin Frand, Sheriff C. J. Mines, Joseph Burt, Isaac Moffett, ex-Sheriff Henry J. West, Richard Mason, Thomas P. Curley, John Fort, D. Harry Condit and John Beaston.