Charles H. Mason

Charles H. Mason (1830 – July 29, 1859 ) was an American politician, the first Secretary of State for Washington Territory, and acting Governor for two and a half years while the territorial Governor, Isaac Ingalls Stevens, conducted railroad surveys and concluded treaties with First Nations tribes and confederations.

Biography Mason was born in 1830 in Fort Washington, Maryland. After the death of his father in 1837, he moved with his mother to her home town of Providence, Rhode Island. Mason graduated with honors from Brown University in 1850 and was recommended for the bar shortly after. Following the establishment of Washington Territory in March 1853, Mason was appointed Secretary of the Territory and came west, arriving in September 1853.

As Acting Governor he served the state in time of war, from October 1855 to January 1856, as hostilities between settlers and First Nations peoples erupted in Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Historians assess his efforts during this time as "marked with energy, decision, and wisdom." Mason called for volunteers, maintained peaceful relations with non-hostile bands, and treated all parties with fairness. From May 15, 1855, Mason assisted Stevens in the negotiations of the Medicine Creek and Point No Point Treaties and was credited as the secretary of the treaty commissions. Mason transported documents to the nation's capital and secured $300,000 for territorial aid.

In all he served four stints as acting Governor: Mason Lake, in that county, was also named for him.