Mart Mason left Wisconsin by team and wagon for Dakota Territory arriving at Barnes County (Valley City) in 1880. He worked for C. F. Kindred and B. W. Benson and in 1882 he worked for Benson, Stevens and Thompson in the machinery business. He was deputy sheriff under John Simons for six years, after which he and his brother Matts formed the Mason Brothers firm dealing in hardware and machinery. He was the first auctioneer in Barnes County and had a second-hand business. In 1890 he was married to Celia Connelly. They had one son - Dr. Clifford Mason of Oakland, California.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 153