J. C. LEMASTERS, wagon maker and carpenter, Topeka; son of P. W. Lemaster, of Kentucky, who was of French descent, a farmer, and an early settler of Hancock Co., III.; he came to Mason Co. in 1869, and is now in Nebraska; his wife's maiden name was Crabb, daughter of Vincent Crabb, of Ohio \; she died in 1865, in Illinois. J. C. Lemasters was born April 4, 1846, on a farm in Brown Co., Ohio, and remained there until 2 years old, when he came with the family to Hancock Co., Ill., and there remained until 1863, when he came to Fulton Co., Ill., and engaged in working by the month for three months, afterward returning to Ohio and working on a farm for his uncle, V. M. Crabb, and soon after removed to Fulton Co., and engaged on a farm for Miles & Warner for two years. In 1867, he came to Mason County, and engaged in teaching at Ebenezer, afterward teaching at the Bishop Schoolhouse, and in Topeka. He then engaged in merchandising, in partnership with T. J. Metzler, for six months; Mr. Metzler then withdrew, and Lemaster continued the business for six months, and then moved the stock to Lone Tree, Neb., where he continued in mercantile business for six months, and then engaged in farming for four years. In 1875, he returned to Mason Co., and soon engaged in carpentering and wagon making at Topeka, in which he still continues. He was married, in 1870, to Libby Todd, daughter of Joseph Todd, and sister of Thomas and George Todd, whose sketches appear elsewhere; she was born Aug. 15, 1845. They have two children, Lena M. and Clara R. Mr. Lemaster has held the office of Town Clerk, and is at present


Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer