David H. Mason graduated from Dartmouth College in 1841 and moved to Boston to practice law. In The History of Newton Samuel F. Smith (who also wrote the “America” hymn that begins “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee..”) writes that Mr. Mason’s career presents an example of the success of a self-made man. After he had secured his office, purchased the necessary furniture and a few elementary law books, he had only twenty-five cents left in his pocket, and not a friend in Boston from whom he could claim the privilege of borrowing a dollar. From there, he built up his practice, moved to Newton, and entered the arena of public life. 

In 1860 Mr. Mason was appointed to the Massachusetts Board of Education. He was also deeply interested in sustaining the high quality of the schools in Newton. In fact, without his financial support and eloquent arguments against all the opposition, there would not have been the dedication of a new Newton High School building in 1897.

Mr. Mason was elected to represent Newton in the Massachusetts House of Representatives three times, the first in 1863. While in office, Mr. Mason won for himself the reputation of being one of the best debaters in that honorable body.

His motivation to participate in public life may have come from his background. Mason was described in The History of Middlesex County as “a friend to the poor, and a helper to the distressed. Mindful of his own early struggles, he sympathized with young men, and was ever ready with his advice and influence to encourage and stimulate them to prepare themselves for spheres of usefulness and honor.” He was appointed by President Ulysses Grant as the U.S. District Attorney in 1870, and served in that position until his death 3 years later.

A grammar school in Newton Centre in 1873 was renamed the Mason School in his memory. As we mentioned earlier when speaking about Marshall Rice, this school was combined with the Rice School to create Mason-Rice.