James Masterton (1845-1908)
Shoemaker
James Masterton of Bathgate was a shoemaker based in Bathgate, West Lothian in Scotland and became a successful master shoemaker. But when a young man he almost died of exposure between Uphall and Bathgate. Although his first name is not provided in the newspaper account in the Falkirk Herald, he is the only Masterton shoemaker in the vicinity and his age of 24 would be a reasonable fit with the "young man" described.
Genealogy
James Masterton was the eldest son and third child of James Dickson Masterton and Marion Samuel. He married Rebecca Duff in November 1871.
Fuller details of the extended family of James Masterton can be found in the following link.
The Falkirk Herald
MAN FOUND FROZEN ON THE ROAD.- On Tuesday morning, as two men were proceeding home to Dechmont from Boghall Oil Works, and when near Drumcross Oil Works, about seven o'clock, they discovered a young man lying on the road side, quite helpless from exposure. They carried him to Drumcross, and when the poor's inspector, Mr Robertson, from Bathgate, was informed, he proceeded there along with Dr Doig, who found the man in a very precarious condition, and had him conveyed to the poor-house, where he lay insensible till late at night. He was identified as being a shoemaker named Masterton, belonging to here, who had been at Uphall the day previous along with a companion, who had left him. Up till now he remains in a very dangerous condition.
The Falkirk Herald
24th February 1870