Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, edited by James
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MASON, Melanethon Wells, inventor, born in Cheshire, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, in 1805; died in Rochester, New York, 20 June, 1875. He possessed much mechanical ability, and early turned his attention to devising various novelties in machinery, he also devoted years of close study to the management of railways, and filled many important offices on several roads. While he was master mechanic of the Syracuse and Auburn railway he invented many important improvements in locomotives that have since come into general use. He designed the lap-and-lead valve, which was put on the first engine in 1840. He also invented the four-driving-wheel locomotive, the first, that was built being the "Phoenix." Mr. Mason is perhaps best known by his locomotive head-light, which he perfected in 1842 in recognition of this important addition to the safety of railway travelling, he received a silver medal from the New York state agricultural society. He also invented a snow-plough, and was the builder of the first four-cylinder engine, the "E. P. Williams."
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