MASTEN, MRS. NANCY S., who is a Cass County woman who is proving her ability to conduct extensive farming interests successfully and scientifically, is justly accounted one of the representative agriculturalists of this section. Mrs. Masten was born in Cass County, April 30, 1851, a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Elmore) Combs, the former born in Kentucky, and the latter in Robinson County, Tenn., in 1812. These parents were married in Illinois, but later went overland in a covered wagon to Missouri, but came back to Illinois and located in Cass County.

Nancy S. Combs was reared on a farm and educated in the country schools of Cass County. On May 6, 1869, she married James Masten, born in Ohio, June 3, 1843, who came to Illinois in 1860. He was a farmer and stockraiser. His father served as a soldier during the Black Hawk war. Mr. and Mrs. Masten had the following children: Almira Jane, who was born December 19, 1870; Silas, who was born July 6, 1872; John William, who was born January 14, 1877; Nellie, who was born November 16, 1878; Edward C., who was born October 18, 1885; Rachel, who was born November 8, 1887; Ezra, born November 10, 1889, lives in Tallula; Charlie M., who was born February 24, 1892; Marion, who was born June 28, 1895, the last two being at home; and Jessie, Julia and Thomas, all three deceased. Mr. Masten died June 2, 1901. He was a Democrat and served as a school director. Mrs. Masten is a very capable woman and has all of her land, 230 acres, situated on section 32, township 18, range 8, under cultivation.