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A History of Central and Western Texas, Vol. 1
Buckley B. Paddock, 1911

   [445-446]

          BEN HEY - The name of HEY is as closely associated with the
       early life and history of Mason county as any other, and BEN HEY
       is numbered among its native sons, born here in 1872 to the marriage
       union of WILSON and HANNAH (KORN) HEY.  The late WILSON HEY died at
       his home in Mason on the 3d of November, 1908.  He was one of the
       most prominent citizens of Mason county, and his long and useful
       life was filled with varied and interesting experiences.  He was
       born in Yorkshire, England, in 1837, but he left home when a boy to
       become a sailor and eventually he located in America and learned the
       tailor's trade in Memphis, Tennessee.  At the breaking out of the
       Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate service in Mississippi and
       served throughout the conflict, mostly in Forrest's Cavalry.  Fol-
       lowing the close of the war he came to the western frontier of
       Texas, and for some years, worked with the large cattle outfits, in
       the meantime making two or three trips to Arizona with large herds
       of cattle.  On one of those trips, and while acting as foreman of
       the outfit, they were raided by a band of Indians, who ran off the
       entire herd of three thousand cattle.

          MR. HEY established his permanent home in Mason county in 1868,
       locating on Comanche creek a short distance east of the town of
       Mason.  There he carried on a successful cattle ranching business
       for several years, and also conducted a tailoring business in Mason.
       But he is best remembered perhaps for his long service as an
       efficient public official in Mason county, his public service
       covering twenty years in all.  Beginning in 1882 he served Mason
       county as deputy clerk under BEN GOOCH for one term, and in 1884, he
       was elected the county and district clerk and served in that capa-
       city continuously by succesive re-elections until 1902, with the
       exception of seven years, five of which he was engaged in the cattle
       industry, and during one term he served as county judge.  He then
       retired from office.  In about the year of 1904 he moved to his
       beautiful home on the hill in the southern part of the town, the
       site of old Fort Mason, and the home commands a splendid view of the
       surrounding country.  His widow survives him.  She was, before
       marriage, HANNAH KORN, born at San Antonio, and a member of a
       pioneer German family.  She was reared on the frontier, their family
       home being on Red creek, in Kimble county, and the family were among
       the keenest sufferers from Indian depredations.  One of MR. HEY'S
       brothers was captured by the redskins and held in captivity for four
       years.

          When BEN HEY was about fourteen years old he began working in
       the county and district clerk's office for his father, and he has
       been connected with that office throughout the intervening years.
       In 1902 he was elected the county and district clerk to succeed his
       father, and he has been re-elected to the office in 1904, 1906 and
       1908.  He married MAUD KOUNTZ, and their three children are DIXIE
       FAY, MABEL BENNIE and RUTH KATHARINE.

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