Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 4. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 698. ELI PATTERSON MAST who by his many friends is known as "Lark" Mast, has a well developed farm property, the excellent appearance of which is largely due to his labors and energy. The land is in Coos county and there he is carrying on general farming and stock-raising. He was born in North Carolina, in 1848, and is a son of Leason and Sarah (Duger) Mast. The father died in 1884. In the family were three children; Charlotte, who is the widow of William P. Mast, of Lee, Oregon; Eli P., of this review; and Hester, who is the widow of L. L. Harmon, also of Lee. Eli P. Mast spent his youthful days in his parents' home and started out to earn his own living when a young man of twenty-one years. He was brought up on a farm in North Carolina, his father being a large land owner there, and Eli P. Mast became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After his marriage he took charge of the home place, which he operated until after the birth of two of his children, when, with his family and his parents, he came to Oregon, previously disposing of his business interests in North Carolina. He settled first at Roseburg and there lived for two years. In 1872, however, he had purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and later the family removed to that farm from Roseburg. The tract was wild and unimproved when it came into his possession and there were no wagon roads in the district. Provisions had to be packed on one of the horses and not an acre had been cleared nor was any brush cut. Mr. Mast at once began the arduous task of clearing the land, on which he built his home. He went into the logging camps where he worked a part of each year and through other portions of the year continued the task of developing his farm. It was by his employment with others that he was able to earn money with which to carry on the work of improvement on his own place. He still owns the original tract and all of the land is under cultivation save twenty acres. His fields are rich and productive, his methods of farming are practical and the results are gratifying. He raises hay, wheat, oats and barley, and in addition is engaged in stock-raising, handling cattle, horses and Chester White hogs for the market. In 1866 Mr. Mast was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Woodring, a native of North Carolina and a daughter of Daniel and Caroline (Rector) Woodring, in whose family were nine children, of whom four are living: Jacob, a resident of Washington; Mrs. Mast; Mary, the wife of John Walker, of Virginia; and Daniel, of North Carolina. Two brothers of Mrs. Mast, John and William, reached years of maturity but are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Mast have been born six children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are: William Lee, a farmer residing at McKinley, Oregon, who has four children, Mildred, Milford, Roy and Aldon; Sarah Caroline, who is the wife of J. R. Benham, of Sitkum, Oregon, and has three children, Zilphie, Lennie and Julius; Fred, of Lee, Oregon, who has two children, Harry and Alice; and Jack, who is married and lives at home with his parents. Eli Patterson Mast votes with the democratic party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought nor desired public office. He has served as school director and the cause of education has always found in him a warm friend. He has worked earnestly and persistently since coming to the west, has made each year bring him nearer to the goal of his ambition and has thus advanced to a creditable position among the substantial residents of Coos county. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.