1895:  L. W. Mason's Hardware and Crockery photo credit:  An Illustrated History of Smethport   ©1895 The new hardware store of   L. W. Mason  completed in November 1886 was undoubtedly the  finest establishment of  it's kind that could be found in northern Pennsylvania.   The building is situated on Main St., one door east of the building lately owned by Mr.  Mason.  It was two stories in the front and three stories in the back, and in the basement, besides conveniences for the storage of provisions for a family, and all the machinery and tools necessary for carrying on an extensive business. The upper floor of this building  was the living quarters of Mr. Mason and his family.  This part had all the modern conveniences, a parlor, halls, bed rooms, a dining room, a kitchen, and a bathroom.  In the bathroom there was hot and cold water, and this was eventually added to the kitchen. The first story of this building contained every article usually found in a hardware store, and all of the most modern make and styles.  The arrangement of the store set the standards for any other  hardware store found in the county.  The drawers, shelves, counters,  gas fixtures, etc., were all of the most modern design of the time.  They combined the usefull with the ornamental, and expressly arranged the product for easy access and convenience in doing business.

 

L. W.  Mason's Biography Linn W. Mason, hardware merchant, Smethport, is a son of Louis J. and Nancy Mason, and was born in Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, New York, in 1843, and at an early age he moved to Smethport, where he attended the academy.  After the completion of his studies, he learned the hardware trade, and in 1859 became proprietor of a working interest in a wholesale flour and feed store at Emporium.  He, however, returned to Smethport, and engaged in the hardware trade.  In 1861 he went into the army with a sutler, remaining two years. He then purchased a hardware store of Mr. Nurse, but the Western fever had a strong hold upon him, and he is next found at Des Moines, Iowa where he remained for two years.  He then moved to Tioga County, Pennsylvania where he remained for four years in the hardware business, and in 1879 he returned to Smethport, where he erected the very fine building he now  Smethport Hardware and Crockery, he fitted this building magnificently for the hardware business.  He married Frances, daughter of David R. Bennet, and they had two daughters:  Mary Louise and Cora.  Mr. Mason was an active Democrat.  He and his family are members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

The McKean Democrat Oct. 10 1890 An Excellent Range A Democrat scribe strolled into the finely appointed hardware store of L. W. Mason the other night, and the first thing that attracted his attention as he entered the door was one of Jewett’s double-even, wrought-steel ranges, which is without a doubt one of the best things of its kind ever shown in this or any other market. The range is constructed entirely of steel, which readers it’s well nigh indestructible under the severest test that it can be subjected to. One of its most valuable features is the perfect control its user has over the fire, whereby the heat, whether much or little, can be sent just where it is wanted, so that it is not necessary to heat up the entire range when the top is only in use. The men’s point in all stoves or ranges in the oven, which will in time burn out, thus rendering them useless. To guard against this defect, the Jewett range oven is interchangeable, so that if by chance it should ever give out all you have to do is to take out two bolts, remove the old oven, and replace it with a new one, which is only the work of a few moments, and then the range is as good as new. It is claimed that baking can be done in one-half the time with the Jewett that is required with any other range manufactured. The quickness with which the oven can be heated is one of its most important features, which will be appreciated by the user. The door drops down, being fitted with a lever, so all you have to do is -- -ai-- a catch and it drops down quietly without having to touch it at all. The hot water heater is attached to the back of the range in such a manner as not to interfere with the oven in any way—a feature that no other range we know of possesses. These ranges are furnished with double or single ovens, to suit the fancy of the purchaser, and are arranged to burn gas, coal or wood. The firebox is large and so constructed as to give a tremendous heating power when required. We have no hesitancy in saying that the Jewett is the finest range in every particular that we ever saw, and if you want to see an elegant piece of kitchen furniture, just step into Mason’s and inspect this range. You will be well repaid for your trouble.

The McKean Democrat Nov. 14th, 1890 Westhenholm Pocketknives L. W. Mason is the only dealer in the city who can show you a full line of Westenholm’s celebrated pocketknives.

The McKean Democrat Feb. 20th, 1891 Maple Sugar Buckets and Pans The maple sugar season is drawing near, and L. W. Mason is prepared for that event with a large stock of sap buckets and pans. See advertisement.

The McKean Democrat June 23, 1893 Mason's Fresh Look L. W. Mason has brightened up the front of his hardware store with a fresh coat of varnish.

The McKean Democrat June 23, 1893 Mason's Lawn Equipment L. W. Mason to sell the Champion Mowers and Rakes. Best in the world.

The McKean Democrat Sept. 28th, 1894 L. W. Mason's Gun Inventory Single and double barrel shot guns, and prices to please, at Mason & Co’s.

McKean County Miner January 4, 1895 Page 3, Column 3 L. W. Mason's Has Music Boxes in Store L. W. Mason has a very fine music box in his store, which produces sweet music.  The beauty of the box is that if a new piece of music is published it can be obtained for the small sum of fifty cents, all arranged for the box.

The McKean Democrat Jan. 18th, 1895 Shooke Returns to Mason's B. M. Shooke is again back in his old position at L. W. Mason’s. Bert Bus, after mature deliberation, concluded to return to his first love, and master the hardware business (Shook was the manager).

The McKean Democrat November 29th, 1895 Mason's Obituary Death of Linn W. Mason. Linn Winslow Mason died at his home in this borough at about 7 o’clock last Sunday morning after a short illness, aged 52 years. Very few outside of the immediate family were aware that Mr. Mason was ailing, when the news spread about town during the noon hour last Friday that he had been stricken down in an epileptic convulsion. Medical aid was immediately summoned, and after the proper remedies had been administered the patient rallied and it was thought then by the physicians that Mr. Mason would ultimately recover, but during the afternoon he had another bad spell, and during Saturday at frequent intervals he had ----king spells, the last which occurred at about 10 o’clock Saturday evening, at which time the attending physicians gave up hopes of prolonging life for more than a few hours at most. Mr. Mason passed a comparatively comfortable night, and when the final dissolution took place, he passed away peacefully and without a struggle. Linn W. Mason was born at Franklinville, N.Y., Sept. 28, 1843. He was the tenth child of a family of fourteen children of L. J. and Nancy Mason. Early in life the subject of this sketch came to Smethport, where he attended school. Afterwards he learned the tinner’s trade and was considered an expert workman. For a time he conducted a --- shop in the Miner building, which he subsequently disposed of to J. C. Hamlin, and went to Des Moines, Inc., where he remained two years, and then came back East. Mr. Mason worked at his trade several years at Port Allegany, Coudersport, Potter County, Elkland, Tioga, and we believe Mansfield, Tioga County. In 1879 he returned to Smethport and opened a --- shop in the basement of Specht & Sasse’s store. He prospered in business from the start, and we soon find him located in the building now occupied by F. G. Lindholm & Co., which he had stocked with a line of hardware. Business increased right along, and about ten years ago he erected the elegant hardware store, which he conducted up to his time of his death. This is one of the finest and best stocked stores of its kind in this section of the State. On June 11, 1868, Mr. Mason was united in marriage to Miss Frances A. daughter of the late David R. Bennett, of this borough. The fruits of this union where three children, two of whom, Mrs. E. M. Kerns and Miss Corrine Mason, and the widow survive. Of the brothers and sisters of the deceased seven survive. Mrs. Mary M. Clark, Mrs. Geneva (?) W--keson, Edward, George, James L., Frank, and Hon. W. E. Mason, the latter is a well-known lawyer and prominent politician of Chicago. The bereaved family will have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in the great affliction that has befallen Mason. Linn Mason, as he was familiarly known, was one of the brightest business man Smethport ever produced—shrewd, farseeing, and up to date in everything pertaining to his business, he prospered to a prominent degree. He was careful, methodical businessman and everything about his well-regarded store bore the imprint of thrift and enterprise. Mr. Mason was a man of marked individuality, but those who knew him best can, with the writer, testify to his kindness of heart --d the many good qualities of the and who has just passed away. Generous to a fault, a most entertaining conversationalist, genial in the company of his friends, he made friends on every hand. Being a thorough ----- of hypocrisy in whatever guise it might show itself, he never hesitated in showing his displeasure toward those who practiced it. The writer’s relations with Mr. Mason were always of the most pleasant nature. We knew his good qualities, and esteemed him as a warm personal friend. The funeral, which was largely attended, was held Wednesday afternoon at St. Luke’s church, Rev. J. H. McCandless officiating. The interment too place in Rose Hill cemetery. Peace to his ashes.

The McKean Democrat Aug. 3, 1900 Visiting Mason James Mason, of Des Moines, Iowa, is a guest of Mrs. F. A. Mason, of this borough. Mr. Mason is a brother of United States Senator W. E. Mason, of Illinois, and of the late L. W. Mason, of this place.

The McKean Democrat May 10, 1901 Passing On the Business Having disposed of my hardware business to H. H. Redfield I desire to have all parties owing me to call and settle their accounts within sixty days. F. A. Mason

The McKean Democrat Aug 24, 1905 H. H. Redfield Takes Over Masons Hardware, 1901 H. H. Redfield Hardware and Plumbing Of the varied mercantile interests that contribute to the sum of trade of a place few are of more importance that the general hardware line, and an enterprise to which we wish to direct special attention is H. H. Redfield, who conducts as well an equipped hardware store as there is to be found in this section of the State. This business was established twenty years ago by L. W. Mason and he was succeeded four years ago by the present proprietor. This house is wholesale and retail dealers in builders hardware, shelf hardware, stoves, ranges, tin ware, paints, oils, painters supplies, housekeeping goods, hunters and fishing outfits, etc, as well as a large assortment of glassware and Drasden china. The stock kept by this house is all new and strictly the very latest inventions in hardware of all descriptions are sold here. The proprietor, H. H. Redfield, is one of the most highly esteemed and respected citizens of Smethport and has always been prominent in any movement to better the town.