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39«  MARVEL. MASON. pany, New England Phonograph Com- pany ; a member of the governing com- mittee of the Boston Athletic Association, and was a director of the Metropolitan Horse Railroad. He was one of the three who issued the notice requesting a com- pany of gentlemen to meet at the Hotel Vendome to organize what is now the Algonquin Club, and acted as chairman of all the preliminary meetings until the or- ganization was completed. MARVEL, JOHN C, son of William Marvel, 2d, and Betsey (Pitts) Marvel, was born in Westport, Bristol county, July 31, 1S1 7. His early education was limited to the common school. He entered commercial life in the gro- cery business with his father in 1840, the firm name being "William Marvel, 2d, & Son. In 1862 John C. assumed the business, and in 1869 took in his son as partner — firm name being John C. Marvel & Son. He again became sole owner in 187 1, and has conducted the business alone to the present time. He now divides his time between the store and farm. Mr. Marvel was first married in Reho- both, February 20, 1842, to Ruth W., daughter of Sylvan us and Charlotte (Wright) Peck. After the death of his first wife, he married her sister, Frances A. Peck, December 2, 1849. They have five children : William H., Ruth A., John F., May W., and Bessie W. Marvel. Mr. Marvel has been postmaster at Re- hoboth from 1843 to the present time ; treasurer of the Congregational society ten years ; town treasurer ten years ; mem- ber of the school board ; and a representa- tive to the General Court in 1859. MASON, ALBERT, son of Albert'!', and Arlina (Orcutt) Mason, was born in Middle- borough, Plymouth county, November 7, 1836. He was educated in the common schools and in Pierce Academy, Middleborough. He then studied law with Edward L. Sher- man, Plymouth, and was admitted to the bar in February, i860. He commenced practice in Plymouth. In August, 1862, he entered the United States service in the 38th regiment, Massachusetts volunteers, as 2d lieutenant, and contin- ued in the service till 1865. Early in Ins military service he was detailed for staff duty, serving as regimental and brigade quartermaster, and was subsequently com- missioned captain and assistant quarter- master by the president. November, 1865, he resumed practice in Plymouth, and was chairman of the board of selectmen from 1866 to '74; was a member of the House of Representatives, 1873 and '74; and in January, 1874, he took an office in Boston with Charles H. Drew, still retaining his office in Plym- outh. In May, 1S74, he formed a part- nership with Arthur Lord. Benjamin R. Curtis was afterward admitted to this firm, with offices in Plymouth and Boston. In July, 1874, Mr. Mason removed from Plymouth to Brookline, where he now re- sides ; December, 1874, was appointed on the board of harbor commissioners, and con- tinued on the boards succeeding this with various changes of title, till appointed jus- tice of the superior court in February, 1882, which office he has acceptably filled to the present time. Judge Mason was married in Plymouth, November 25, 1857, to Lydia F., daugh- ter of Nathan and Experience (Finney) Whiting. Of this union are six children : John W., Mary A., Alice, Charles N., Martha, and Grace W. Mason. MASON, Samuel William, son of Rev. Samuel and Abigail Sawyer (Whitcomb) Mason, was born in Proctorsville, (Caven- dish) Windsor county, Vt., October 11, 1824. He attended the district schools in Ver- mont and New Hampshire ; was fitted for college in Kingston, N. H. ; entered Dart- mouth College in 1845, and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1849. From his alma mater he received the degree of A. M. in 1S54, and that of Ph. D. in 1881. Immediately after leaving college, Mr. Mason went to Connecticut, and engaged in teaching in Rockville, but soon came to Boston with the intention of applying him- self to the study of law. While reading law in the office of Lyman Mason, he was appointed usher in Otis school, Boston. and subsequently transferred to the Endi- cott school. In 1850 he was appointed sub-master in the Eliot school, and master of the same school in 18S5. This position he held until the establishment of the board of supervisors, and was then (March, 1876) elected a member of the board of super- visors of the Boston public schools, which office he still holds. He has done much to mould public school methods in their evolution, and has ever been a tower of defence to the system. Dr. Mason has been secretary of the American Institute of Instruction, and president and secretary of the New Eng- land Superintendents' Association. He