James M. Mason was born to Virginia Senator James M. Mason in 1838. He served in the Confederate Army and moved to West Virginia in 1870 practicing law in Charlestown. He was elected for one term in the House of Delegates in 1875. He served as a member of the West Virginia Tax Commission to equalize the state taxes in 1884 and 1885. He served as editor of Charlestown's Democrat. He was part of the movement to repay war debt to Virginia. More historical information available in finding aid.
From the description of J.M. Mason collection of papers, 1888. (Western North Carolina Library Network). WorldCat record id: 276307844