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Charles Matthew Masoner

About

Charles Matthew Masoner was born Sep 18, 1879 in Hardy, Texas to Thomas Jefferson and Sarah E. McCraken Masoner. Charles was a veteran during peacetimes and World War I.

Early Life

The early history of Charles is unknown. According to some family history research, Charles was born in Oklahoma as Richard Matthew Masoner, and after an accident that led to the death of an 8-year-old sister from a gunshot wound, he left his family and joined the army. He then changed his name to Charles Matthew Scott.1

After serving some time in the Philippines, Charles was stationed in Fort Douglass, Utah where he met Clara Louise Anderson of Richmond in 1905. They were married on Jan 16, 1909 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"We lived first in an apartment on B. Street for awhile and then we were able to get a place at Fort Douglass. Then Charles was transferred by the Army to San Diego, Calif., so he went down there and soon sent for me."2.1

Life in California & Military Service

Charles was stationed at Fort Rosecrans at Point Loma, California in the United States Army Reserves.

"We lived there for sixteen years. Five of our children were born right there in that little house... It was vertable paradise. We had fruit trees, our own cows and goats, chickens and other creatures. I especially remember the wonderfully productive fig trees and blackberry bushes, which were demonds to pick from. It was so private and beautiful there, across the bay from San Diego."2.1

While in California, Charles was also stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington State. During World War I, Charles was appointed a Captain. After some time, Charles retired from active duty and became a recruiting officer for California.

Church Service

Though Clara was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Charles did not convert; however, he did not stop his family from attending church activities and responsibilities.

"Although Daddy could not bring himself to become a member of the Church, he did all that he could do to get us to our meetings, always sitting in the back and observing all that went on. He was asked to become an Honorary member of the Relief Society because he was so willing and diligent about taking the sisters around on their visiting assignment and would take me to all our meetings and either wait very patiently for me or come back later and take me and others home."2.2

Epilogue

"...Somthing began to happen to Charles' health. He had smoked most of his life. He was developing a terrible, racking and persistent cough. This last winter in our new home... Charles became very ill. It was colder out there and damp and he contacted bronchiel pnemonia which turned into double pneumonia. The doctor told us that his heart had become very bad and the pneumonia bout had weakened him a great deal but he was able to get around after his illness and be quite a bit, but he was worried about the large payments he was making on this new home. And right in the middle of this difficulty, he made the decision that he would make an extra effort to help my mother and father Anderson pay off the mortgage on their home in Richmond. The interest rates were high and they were in danger of losing their place."

From their hard work, Charles and Clara were able to send her family $100 per month and got their home paid off. In 1934, Charles built a small trailer to take the family to Richmond for Clara to spend her time after his death with her family.2.3 In early June, the Scotts arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah.2.4

"I finally got him to lie down for a little while but his heart was so bad by this time that a doctor had to be called to see him. The doctor said that he didn't see how he could make it on up to Richmond but he insisted that we try and we made it and Doctor Budge there told us that Daddy didn't have very long to live. But he did seem better for awhile and seemed so happy and relieved that we had made the trip. Everyone came in to see him and he was so glad to be there and greet everyone. He was optimistically making plans to be baptized in August when they would be holding a baptismal, and he was sure he would be better by then."2.4

Charles Matthew Masoner died July 9, 1934 during his sleep in their trailer in Richmond. He was buried in the Richmond Cemetery.