Cowboys of Past

One of my favorite pictures is of my Grandfather, Willard Mason.  He was born in 1889.  

As a child of 9 years old, he went to work full time in coal mines because his father died in the mines. 

Grandpa had 9 children.  He was quite the entrepreneur, owning several businesses in his small Missouri town.  A coal mine, a restaurant, a barbershop...

This picture was taken before he got married at age 20.  Do the math - before 1909!  He and a friend donned their best clothes for the shoot.  I believe he worked in Colorado awhile as a single man.  This photo may have been taken there.  Don't you love it!