In May 1857, Reuben F. Mastin purchased this valley from L.N. Breed and George Lathrop for $150. That was a bargain, even back then. It was Mastin who named this beautiful valley, Elysian, located a short distance from Janesville. Later that year, or to be precise, on November 19, Mastin sold out to Richard D. Bass for $1,000 and Bass would reside there for the next forty-six years. A portion of the original family ranch remained in the Bass family ownership until 1981.
I believe the Valley was owned by Reuben F (Frazier) Mastin, not Martin.
Ted Harwood (Reuben’s g g grandson)