BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Henry L. Kennan: 1901-1902
Most Worshipful Brother Henry Laurens Kennan received his
summons to the Supreme Grand Lodge Above on September
17, 1928, at the age of seventy-six, after a life of faithful
service, not only to this Grand Lodge but also to his community
and his country. Born at Norwalk, Ohio, on April 11, 1852, he
received his education in Western Reserve University, at
Cleveland, Ohio, and immediately took up the study of law, in
which profession he proved himself an adept. At the early age
of thirty he was elevated to the position of Probate Judge, and
served in that capacity until 1891 when he came west and was
soon recognized as eminently fitted for the position of Judge of
the Superior Court of the State of Washington in and for
Spokane County, which post he held until his hearing failed and
he retired in 1917.
Brother Kennan received his first three degrees in Masonry in
1884 in Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 64, of Ohio, later becoming a member of Spokane Lodge, No. 34,
Spokane, Washington, in which affiliation he remained until his death.
He was appointed Senior Grand Deacon of this Grand Lodge in 1897; became Junior Grand Warden in
1898; Senior Grand Warden in 1899; Deputy Grand Master in 1900; and was elected Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of Washington in 1901. His long experience as a judge of the civil courts of the land enabled
him to steer clear of the many pitfalls arising in the administration of the law, and to set forth clearly those
Masonic ideals which should govern the Grand Lodge in its deliberations. He also found a place on the
Jurisprudence Committee of the Grand Lodge, which position he held up to the time of his death.
He was also a Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M., having served in that capacity in
1914-15; and was its Grand Secretary from 1921 until he passed the portals of immortal life last year.
In the Order of High Priesthood, he served as Grand Chaplain from 1903 to 1922, when he was elected
Grand Recorder.
An honored member of the Grand Council, he became its Grand Master in 1895, and afterward was elected
its Grand Treasurer, which position he held to the last.
Brother Kennan became a Knight Templar in 1884, passed the chairs and was elected Grand Commander
of the Grand Commandery of Washington in 1912, and in 1921 was appointed to fill Brother Yancey C.
Blalock's position as Grand Recorder, which position he held until his death.
He received the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in 1910 in Oriental Consistory, No. 2,
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of Spokane, and for an honorable and successful service in that body he was elevated to the position of
Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1919, and advanced to that of Inspector General Honorary
33° in 1923.
He was also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and served as
Potentate of El Katif Temple in 1896.
He became a member of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1921.
As a member of the Order of the Eastern Star he served as Grand Patron in 1898.
He was president of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Temple Association of Spokane from 1901 to
1927.
The above record is one of which to be proud, and yet Brother Kennan was not a man to boast of his
preferment, but was always modest and retiring in his disposition, and by sheer force of character as shown
in his relations with his brethren, he became known by his quiet, dignified, yet wholesome influence
wherever his lot was cast. He was a man whose influence was felt, not alone in the State of Washington,
but throughout the whole of the United States, wherever Masons were known. Of his probity of character,
I need not speak to you who knew him personally, and who admired him for his sterling qualities of mind
and heart.
While Past Grand Master Kennan was not one of the earliest pioneers of this Grand Lodge, yet he was
known intimately by many of them, and was appreciated by them as a worthy candidate for Masonic
honors; and we can imagine that as the real pioneers of the institution gather about their campfires on the
other side of things, and talk over the varied experiences of this life, more than one of their grey shadows
will steal forth to welcome Brother Kennan's shade as it appears from the mists which separate this world
of the quick from that of the dead, and give him a cordial welcome to their silent world.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Stephen J. Chadwick: 1900-1901
Most Worshipful Brother Stephen James Chadwick was born at
Roseburg, Oregon, on April 28, 1863, to pioneer parents in the
Oregon country. At that time, his illustrious father, Stephen
Fowler Chadwick, was Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge
of Oregon, from which station he became Grand Master, served
his Grand Lodge for many years as chairman of the Committee
on Correspondence, and from 1889 until his death in 1895 was
Grand Secretary. Most Worshipful Brother Stephen Fowler
Chadwick also served as Governor of the State of Oregon from
February 1, 1877 to September 11, 1878.
Stephen James Chadwick was educated in the Oregon schools,
and liked to refer in his later years in discussing any given subject
to what was said in "McGuffey's Reader." He studied at
Willamette University in Salem and at the Oregon State
University at Eugene.
He was admitted to the practice of law in 1885, and early in his professional career went with young Mark
A. Fullerton to Colfax, Washington, where these two as partners opened their humble law office. Young
Chadwick became layor of the town and also served as chairman of the State Board of Land
Commissioners; while in 1898 his partner, Fullerton, was elected to the Supreme Bench of the state. In
1900 "Steve", as everyone at Colfax and in Whitman County by then referred to Bro. Chadwick, was
elected to the superior court judgeship, which position he efficiently held until he was appointed on
December 3, 1908, to a place on the Supreme Bench of the state by the side of his former partner.
Stephen J. Chadwick came to our State Supreme Bench at a most opportune time. He was permitted
through his selection to become associated with those outstanding thinkers, Justices O. R. Dunbar and
Frank H. Rudkin. Almost at once he took a place at their sides as the third distinguished justice in our
state's judicial history. His first reported decision is the case of Anderson v. Mitchell, 51 Wash. 265,
decided December 24, 1908; his last, a dissenting opinion as Chief Justice, is Miller v. Kemper, 107 Wash.
274. During the span between these two cases, in the eleven years that he served can be found much of
that substantive law declared by our Supreme Court which has stood the scrutiny and now bears the
approval of other state jurisdictions and of federal courts.
By his bench associations Justice Chadwick had knit into his very being the native practicality of Justice
Dunbar, the stolid fortitude of Justice Rudkin and the geniality of his later associate. Justice Mack F. Gose,
He was a leading influence and an impelling force with his fellow justices and he became permanently
endeared to each.
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At times he differed radically from his associate justices, and when he did, there was no doubt as to where
he stood. A marked example of this is found in the case of In Re Brown's Estate, 83 Wash. 528, in which
the en banc court majority of six judges affirmed in less than two pages the holding of a trial court that
the will of one Sarah J. Brown was not a forgery. Justice Chadwick, however, was convinced to the contrary
and wrote a thirty page dissenting opinion, with photostatic reproductions of known and doubted
signatures of the lady in question. By his arguments he logically drove home point after point as a result
of careful research and of consultations with experts, and left for all time an excellent treatise, and the
only exhaustive one in our state reports on handwriting. Subsequent disclosures have demonstrated that
Justice Chadwick's opinion was correct.
In Masonry our distinguished brother took an active part from the time of becoming a Master Mason in
Hiram Lodge, No. 21, at Colfax, on January 23, 1892. He was appointed by Most Worshipful Grand Master
Thomas Amos as the first Master of Amos Lodge, U. D., to which he had dimitted, in the following
February, in which capacity he served on being elected in 1893 and in 1898. When these two Lodges were
later consolidated, he again became a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 21, and so remained throughout his
life.
Most Worshipful Brother Chadwick first attended our Grand Lodge as the representative of Amos Lodge,
U. D., in 1892, and he thereafter attended continuously through all Annual Communications for a period
of forty years. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1895 and was again elected to that station in 1897,
from which he was regularly advanced to become Grand Master in 1900. Since that time he has served
most of the important committees of our Grand Lodge and has headed several, notably the Committee on
Grievance and Appeals, the chairmanship of which committee he held until his death.
Most Worshipful Brother Chadwick was a member of Colfax Chapter, No. 8, Royal Arch Masons, and
served as High Priest in 1905. He also became a Noble of the Order of the Mystic Shrine; a member of the
Red Cross of Constantine in Seattle; a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Mason, from
which he was elected a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in the Valley of Seattle and at time of
his death, was Senior Warden in Washington Chapter of Rose Croix. In 1902 he was Grand Patron of the
Order of Eastern Star, and for many years served as one of its principal advisers.
Our illustrious brother was stricken and died, almost before his illness was known, on November 19, 1931.
The funeral services were held in the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple at Seattle under auspices of
Washington Chapter, Knights of the Rose Croix, with Grand Master Thomas M. Askren acting as Wise
Master. A vast concourse of sorrowing friends attended, both humble and distinguished alike grieved by
a loss, the like of which they had not known before. No more genuine tribute of real affection from a state
at large to a distinguished citizen, and to a dearly beloved friend could have been given. They honored
him in death, as they bad in life, as the granite rock of manhood, of character, and of unswerving love he
had so frequently made manifest to the least of them by the simplicity of his great soul.
On the floor of Grand Lodge he was a master of advocacy. The almost certain inquiry on any subject under
consideration, "Where does Chadwick stand?" His appeal to the Craft was simple, direct and inherently
honest, and nearly always it prevailed. It was said that he stood unmoved by vociferous denunciation or
clamorous applause for opposition, and, by logical presentation of definite propositions which he
thoroughly understood, changed the whole aspect of the subject before the body. He dared to follow
through to its logical end exactly that for which he stood. He hated equivocation and double dealing, and
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he would not tolerate them in our open forum. Yet, when the test had passed and a conclusion was reached,
he held no rancor in his breast, but with tolerance and submission yielded where to have longer stood out
would wound. He believed and lived that sentiment, which he incorporated in his message as Grand
Master:
"Brave minds howe'er at war are secret friends. Their generous discord with the battle ends; In peace they
wonder whence dissention rose, And ask how friends so like could e'er be foes." This Most Worshipful
Grand Lodge has thus had for years the benefit of one of Washington's leading jurists, one of her most
distinguished citizens, one of her clearest thinkers, one of her most fearless men and one of her most truly
Masonic members,—all in this lovable brother, who was never too busy to speak a kindly greeting, or to
yield an attentive ear to the humblest of our Craft. He loved us all and he never divorced himself from any
of us. He had worn the purple of authority, and truly it graced his shoulders, but it never changed his heart
nor' affected his head. He lived and died truly a member of the Craft.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ William M. Seeman: 1899-1900
William Morris Seeman an accountant and resident of
Puyallup was chosen Grand Master for the next year. He came
to Puyallup in 1880 from Ohio and was raised in Corinthian
Lodge, No. 38, there. He was its Master in 1890, 1891 and
1896. He was an accountant at the Western State Hospital at
Fort Steilacoom for some time.
He removed to California because of ill health in 1902. Later
he resided in Arizona. He took a dimit from Corinthian Lodge
in 1911 and his final years are therefore not a matter of record
in our archives.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ William H. Upton: 1898-1899
William Henry Upton was born on June 19, 1854, in
Weaverville CA. He received his early education in the schools
of Portland, Oregon, and afterward entered Yale College,
graduating there in 1877, at the age of 23 years. He then spent
three years in the Navy Department at Washington City, and
afterwards graduating with honors in the Columbia Law
School.
Upton came to Walla Walla in 1880 where he immediately
began the practice of his profession, the practice of law. In 1887
he was elected a member of the city council; the following year
became a member of the Territorial Legislature; and in 1890
was elected Superior Court Judge of Walla Walla and Franklin
counties.
Brother Upton was made a Mason in Blue Mountain Lodge No.
13 in Walla Walla, becoming its Master in 1892. He would
apply his scholarship, his agile mind, and his industry to the study of Freemasonry. These combined with
his rare gifts as a speaker and writer would soon mark him for Grand Lodge Leadership. He was elected
Junior Grand Warden in 1896, and would be elevated to the rank and station of Grand Master in 1898.
Our Most Worshipful Brother made many significant contributions to Masonry; his most significant being
his committee report of 1897 on Black Masonry and his efforts as Grand Master passing a resolution
recognizing Prince Hall Masons in the State of Washington. However the majority of the other white
Grand Lodges in the United States and Canada withdrew Masonic relations with the Grand Lodge of
Washington until the resolution was repealed. The resolution was reluctantly rescinded in June 1899.
William H. Upton continued to write on this subject with conviction.
His work on Black Masonry was an important chapter in Masonic history. He died on November 3, 1906.
Upton’s sincere interest was demonstrated by a provision in his will that no monument should be erected
over his grave until “both colored and white Masons could stand over it as brothers.” In June 1990 the
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington passed a resolution recognizing the Prince
Hall Grand Lodge. On June 8, 1991 Both Grand Lodges gathered to lay a marker on William Upton's
grave.
Side by side Masons from both Grand Lodges marched in a huge long line. When they got to the cemetery
there were speeches and prayers and hugs and recognition of William Upton's surviving family that were
there that day.
Above all there was the ceremony of the tombstone dedication where members of both Grand Lodges
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using the working tools of a Master Mason declared the work of engraved stone square, level and plumb.
As the veil was lifted from the stone all could read these words inscribed thereon: "This memorial
commemorates the fruition of the last will and testament of William H. Upton M⸫W⸫ Past Grand Master
Wash. F & AM who desired that all Masons regardless of color, should dwell together as recognized
Masonic Brethren. This was accomplished in 1990 by actions of both Grand Lodges M⸫W⸫ GL F&AM
of Wash. and M⸫W⸫ Prince Hall GL F&AM of Wash. Dedicated June 8, 1991 AL 5991"
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Archibald W. Frater: 1897-1898
Archibald Wanless Frater was born in Belmont County, Ohio
on April 20, 1856 the son of Thomas and Isabella (Taylor)
Frater. He received his education in the public schools and was
a graduate of Ohio Central College where he met Warren G.
Harding who became a lifelong friend. He studied law in the
office of the Hon. Thomas E. Duncan in Mt. Gilead, Ohio.
Brother Frater moved to Minnesota where he began the practice
of law in 1881 and in 1882 he was elected clerk of the district
court of town of Brainerd. He served in this position for two
years and in returned to private practice. In 1886, he went to
Kansas where he continued the practice of law and became an
investor in the Bank of Webster.
On May 1, 1888, Brother Frater came to Washington and lived
first in Tacoma. A year later he moved to Snohomish,
Washington and opened a law office. In 1890 he was elected to
th
the second legislature of Washington for the 44 District. He
served as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and was involved in writing the first laws for the
newly formed State. In 1898 he moved to Seattle and was elected as a judge of the King County Superior
Court.
In early 1906, Judge Frater delivered quite a unique sentence to an unfortunate soldier who had decided to
pass his time on leave getting drunk. Joe Munch, a soldier at Fort Lawton, had decided that garrison life
was a bit dull and was discovered by a policeman in a highly- intoxicated condition. He was hustled off to
the police station and received a sentence of thirty days in jail. The case was appealed to Judge Frater. He
decided that while the soldier’s crime did not merit punishment, he should be taught a lesson.
Consequently, Judge Frater sentenced this wayward soldier to one minute in jail. Many thought that the
Judge was joking until Mr. Munch was taken to jail and held there for exactly sixty seconds. He was so
surprised that when he was released he decided that he should get away quickly before the judge decided
to impose a harsher sentence.
Brother Frater received his Masonic degrees in Aurora Lodge #100 in Brainerd, Minnesota in 1882. He
affiliated with Centennial Lodge #25 in Snohomish when he moved there in 1889 and served as its Master
in 1893. He was appointed Grand Orator and served in that position from 1893 to 1894 and was elected
Junior Grand Warden in 1894. Most Worshipful Brother Frater was elected Grand Master in 1897.
Following his term as Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Frater continued to serve the Fraternity for
many years up until the time of his passing. Most notably he was appointed by the wills of John and Lizzie
Irvine to serve as one of the first trustees of the Irvine Trust that they created to provide for the newly
formed Masonic Home in Puyallup. Most Worshipful Brother Frater also served from 1922-1924 as
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chairman of the committee tasked to find a new site for the home which by this time had outgrown its
original location.
Most Worshipful Brother Frater passed to the celestial Lodge on December 25, 1925.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Yancey C. Blalock: 1896-1897
With the lasting example of his honored father before him, Dr.
Yancey C. Blalock has followed in his professional footsteps
and has won a place among the eminent physicians and
surgeons of Walla Walla. Our Most Worshipful Brother was
born in Mitchell County, North Carolina, on August 3, 1859, a
son of Dr. Nelson G. and Panthea A. (Durham) Blalock. During
his infancy the family moved to Macon County, Illinois, and he
was a youth of fourteen when they started across the plains to
Walla Walla, making the long and arduous journey according
to the primitive methods of the time. Dr. Blalock has a very
vivid recollection of many of the events of the trip as they
passed on over the long stretches of hot sand and through the
mountain passes that eventually brought them to the Pacific
Coast.
His education was largely acquired in the public schools of
Walla Walla and in the Whitman Seminary. At length he
determined to make the practice of medicine his life work and accordingly in 1881 entered the Jefferson
Medical College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which his father had graduated many years before.
He completed his course in that institution as a member of the class of 1884, after which he returned at
once to Walla Walla and for a time was associated with his father in the active practice of medicine and
surgery. Later, however, he established himself independently in practice, and in 1902 he accepted the
appointment to the position of receiver of the United States land office at Walla Walla, serving in that
capacity for two years, at the end of which time he resigned to resume the private practice of his profession.
He gave his undivided thought and attention to his professional interests and was ranked among the leading
practitioners of Walla Walla County. He was most conscientious in the performance of his professional
duties, recognizing how grave are the responsibilities which confront the physician.
In April 1883, Dr. Blalock was united in marriage to Miss Julia Sanderson, a native daughter of Walla
Walla, and to them was born a son, Jesse. Mrs. Blalock passed away on the 6th of January, 1885, and in
1890 Dr. Blalock was again married, this union being with Miss Lillian Ballou, a native of Illinois and a
daughter of Orlando and Elizabeth (Boyd) Ballou. To this marriage was born a daughter, Phoebe.
Dr. Blalock was brought to Masonic Light when he received the Entered Apprentice Degree on November
22nd, 1880; that of Fellowcraft on January 3rd, 1881; and was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master
Mason on February 7th the same year. In 1888 he was elected Master of his Lodge, and in 1892 became
its Secretary. He began attending the communications of the Grand Lodge of Washington very early in
his career as a Mason, paying his own way year after year, when it was necessary to travel by boat and
stage for many weary miles to do so. In 1896, at a time when the great fight was on over the liquor
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question, he was elected Grand Master and presided with shrewdness and decorum.
He received the Royal Arch Degree in 1885; was elected High Priest of his Chapter in 1891, 1892 and
1893; was elected Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Washington, in June,
rd
1889, a position to which he was re-elected to serve for the 33 time just a week before his death.
He was a member of Zabud Council, No. 7, Royal and Select Masters, He was a member of Zabud Council,
No. 7, Royal and Select Masters, located at Walla Walla, and was elected Grand Master of the Grand
Council in 1898. In 1886, he received the orders of the Temple, and was elected Grand Commander of
the Grand Commandery of Washington, in 1890. In 1891 he became the Grand Recorder of that Grand
Body, which position he held unto the end.
rd
His membership in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite began in 1882, and he was coroneted a 33
Degree Inspector General Honorary in March of 1914.
He and his wife were members of Alki Chapter, No. 25, Order of Eastern Star. Dr. Blalock served as
Patron, while his wife served as Matron. He would hold the office of Grand Patron of the Order of the
Eastern Star, having been elected in 1897.
Dr. Blalock has occupied various civic offices and for three terms was county coroner. He served in the
volunteer fire department of Walla Walla for twenty-two years, six of which he was chief. He was always
loyal in positions of public trust and in all of his service in behalf of the community was actuated by a
singleness of purpose that has brought good results for the community. His political allegiance was given
to the Republican Party, and he was an active and earnest worker in its ranks. He served as chairman of
the Republican county central committee and put forth every legitimate effort to further the success of the
principles in which he so firmly believed.
Most Worshipful Dr. Yancey C Blalock laid down his working tools on May 12, 1921. His prominence,
professional and otherwise, was the outcome of his ability, his fidelity to duty and his high standards. His
sterling characteristics commend him to the confidence and goodwill of all and throughout Walla Walla
County, where almost his entire life had been passed, he had a circle of friends almost equal to the circle
of his acquaintance.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ W.W. Witherspoon: 1895-1896
Most Worshipful Brother William Wallace Witherspoon was
born in Detroit, Michigan on March 3, 1851. He would travel
to Spokane in 1883, and enter the retail grocery business, but
retired after the great fire of 1889. One of the first brick
buildings in Spokane, and also two frame buildings, were
erected by him; all of which were destroyed in the fire of 1889.
In 1884 he assisted in organizing the first volunteer fire
department of Spokane, and later was chief for two years. In
1892 he became a member of the Board of Public Works, and
in 1899 was appointed Chief of Police. For several years he
discharged the duties of that office in a highly commendable
manner. It was said of him by one of his successors: "He was a
fine, square, upright man, a good commissioner, an excellent
chief, and was all man."
He was made a Mason in Ashlar Lodge, No, 91, of Detroit,
Michigan. He affiliated with Spokane Lodge, No, 34, in 1884, and until his death was ever watchful of its
interests, and most of the time a constant attendant at its communications. One of the most genial and
genuine of men; his big heart could almost be heard to beat around the corner before his manly form
appeared. His presence at our Grand Lodge meetings was always hailed with satisfaction by all in
attendance; for he was known and loved by all. He was elected Master in 1885 and from that time on he
became interested in the Annual Communications of the Grand Lodge,
In 1895, he was honored by being elected Grand Master. Following his year as Grand Master, he rendered
efficient service when a member of standing or special committees. At the time of his death he was a
member of the special committee appointed by Most Worshipful James McCormack to consider the needs
of our Masonic Home.
He received the capitular degrees in Spokane Chapter, No, 2; being exalted to the degree of Royal Arch
Mason in August, 1892, For two years he was King, but declined election as High Priest owing to the
pressure of private business.
He was created a Knight Templar in Cataract Commandery, No. 3, July 11th, 1893, and became
Commander in 1896.
In March 1894 he became a member of El Katif Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
In 1891 he was largely instrumental in the organization of Electa Chapter, No. 20, Order of the Eastern
Star, and became its Patron in 1899.
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Two days before the passing of our Most Worshipful Brother, Grand Master McCormack visited with him.
He shared this conversation in his report to the Craft:
He then looked the picture of health, and, while I offered him words of encouragement, he said: "I am not
afraid. I am not dismayed. I am ready when the call comes." But turning to his life-long partner, his devoted
wife, he said: "Grand Master, she is all I care to live for." He retired to rest the evening of the following
day, "like one who wraps his martial cloak around him and lies down to pleasant dreams," On the morning
of September 5, 1922, when she whom he wanted to live for tried to awaken him, the great spirit of him
we loved so well had taken its flight and left the form by which we knew him in peaceful repose.
To Most Worshipful Brother Witherspoon, Masonry was service. In the early days of Spokane, no one was
more active in seeking out the sick and distressed. He was not satisfied to let a day go by without having
visited the sick, relieved the needy, or in some way to practice as well as preach the sublime principles of
our Order
It can well be said of him that his ambition was to raise a smile on the cheek of sorrow. The situation of
every one, however wretched, he made his own; he wept with those who wept and rejoiced with those
who rejoice. He bade not the naked go and be clothed, nor the hungry be filled, but the same impulse that
moved his heart in the unhappy orphan's favor directed his hand to relief.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Joseph M. Taylor: 1894-1895
rd
At the 133 Annual Communication it was noted by Most
Worshipful Past Grand Master Walter F. Meier that “in the
seventy-five years' existence of this Grand Lodge, there have
been three Josephs who have served it as Grand Master:
Joseph A. Kuhn, elected in 1882, Joseph Smith, elected in
1887, and Joseph M. Taylor, elected in 1894.” He stated
further: “Sometime during the period of their service in the
Grand Lodge, these three distinguished brethren constituted
themselves into a triumvirate and entered into a solemn
engagement with each other, promising that upon the death of
one of them the survivors would, if possible, conduct the
obsequies of him who had gone, and that the survivor of these
two would, in turn, fulfill the same duty when the one of them
was called away. This pact was renewed at the successive
Annual Communications of the Grand Lodge, and, as
promised, it was faithfully observed.
When Most Worshipful Brother Smith laid down the tools
and implements of his earthly service. Most Worshipful Brother Kuhn was incapacitated through illness,
and Most Worshipful Brother Taylor, under special deputization of the Grand Master, convened the Grand
Lodge at Kalama, and conducted the funeral services for him. Subsequently, when Most Worshipful
Brother Kuhn was called from labor to rest, in like manner, Most Worshipful Brother Taylor performed
the last sad rites for him. The tie between these distinguished brethren was very strong, and it was not
strange that Most Worshipful Brother Taylor, as the last survivor of them, in delivering the memorial
addresses for them in this Grand Lodge, should express his grief at their absence and say, ‘My hope is that
in the mystic future I may be privileged to commune with them.’”
Our Past Grand Master then offered this memorial to the last of the “Three Josephs”, Most Worshipful
Brother Joseph Marion Taylor who was called to the Celestial Lodge above on September 22, 1932.
Most Worshipful Brother Joseph Marion Taylor was born June 3, 1854, at the little village of Waterford in
Washington County, Ohio. His paternal ancestors came to this part of Ohio from Frederic, Maryland, and
his maternal ancestors were Shermans from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, These families settled on the
Muskingum River, and here young Joseph spent his boyhood days assisting his father In his farming
operations, as well as in boatbuilding.
His early education was obtained in the public schools of Ohio and he soon developed a special aptitude
for mathematics. He attended the high schools in both Stockport and Malta in Ohio, and then took a
scientific course in Adrian College at Adrian, Michigan, At the age of eighteen, he began teaching, which
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proved to be his life work. In 1879, he moved from Ohio to Milton, Umatilla County, Oregon, where he
became principal of the public schools in that town. Here he remained until 1883, when he went to
Centerville, now Athena, in the same county, as principal of the public schools there. In 1884, he was
chosen as the first principal of the Eastern Oregon Normal School at Weston, Oregon.
The following year he came to Seattle to accept the Chair of Mathematics, offered to him by the Board of
Regents of the University of Washington, and here he spent the balance of his active years as a teacher of
both mathematics and astronomy. He was an important factor in the upbuilding of the University of
Washington, and that he attained to eminence in his profession is attested by the fact that he served in both
the capacities of President of the Washington State Teachers' Association and Secretary of the State Board
of Education. Even after he ceased his active work as a teacher at the University, he continued to engage
in private educational work, for many who required special assistance and training sought and obtained
his aid. As a result of his profession he became known to an ever-increasing circle of acquaintances and
friends.
Masonically, he had an unusually active career from which he derived a broad and valuable experience. It
was while he was principal of the public schools in Weston that in 1882, he applied for, and received, the
symbolic degrees of Masonry in Weston Lodge, No, 65. He must have manifested an interest in the affairs
of the Lodge from the start, for, on December 13, 1884, he was elected Secretary, The last minutes of the
Lodge attested by him are those of the meeting held June 27, 1885, The record of November 14, 1885,
shows that his dues "were ordered remitted In consideration of his acting as Secretary for the year 1885,
and a dimit ordered sent to him," he having moved to Seattle to take up his work in the University of
Washington.
Upon his arrival In Seattle, he was not long in re-establishing his Masonic connections, as he affiliated with
St, John's Lodge, No, 9, on December 26, 1885, As in the case of his Mother Lodge, so in respect to his
Lodge of adoption, he took an active part In the work. This Is attested by the fact that he served as Junior
Warden in 1887, Senior Warden in 1888, and Worshipful Master in 1889, 1890 and 1891, being the only
Master of St, John's Lodge, No, 9, to serve three consecutive years.
He was not content to serve only in the Symbolic Lodge, as he was also a member of Seattle Chapter, No.
3, Royal Arch Masons, which he served as High Priest in 1892. On June 17, 1892, he was anointed and
consecrated to the Holy Order of High Priesthood, and on the following day he was installed as Excellent
Grand Orator in the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington. He was greeted
in Seattle Council, No, 6, Royal and Select Masters. He was knighted in Seattle Commandery, No. 2,
Knights Templar, wherein he served as Prelate several years. He received the degrees of the Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, served as Wise Master of Washington Chapter of Rose Croix,
Commander of Washington Council of Kadosh, and Commander In Chief of Lawson Consistory. For his
service to the Scottish Rite, he was invested with the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the
Court of Honour. He was a member of Afifi Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
He also served as Worthy Patron in Lorraine Chapter, No. 6, Order of the Eastern Star, and was elected
and installed as the first Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of that Order when It was organized
in Port Townsend in 1888.
An examination of the Grand Lodge proceedings discloses that he first attended the Annual
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Communication held in Port Townsend in June 1888, and served on the Committee on Returns and Work
of Lodges. The next year when the Grand Lodge convened in Olympia, he was there representing his Lodge
as its Worshipful Master. This time he served on the Committee on Finance.
He attended the next communication of the Grand Lodge, which was held in Ellensburg in June 1890. In
addition to performing his Committee duties, he was appointed by the newly elected Grand Master, and
installed as Grand Orator. During his term as Grand Orator, he acted as the Grand Master's deputy in
constituting Falls City Lodge, No. 66, on July 12, 1890.
At the 1891 Annual Communication, he would be elected and installed as Junior Grand Warden, a position
he held while serving as Worshipful Master of St. Johns Lodge, No. 9, for the third consecutive year. He
made a regular advance during the succeeding years, first to the office of Senior Grand Warden, in
Spokane, Deputy Grand Master, In Tacoma, and Most Worshipful Grand Master, in Everett.
During his time in the Oriental Chair, Most Worshipful Brother Taylor was busy. When the Grand Lodge
convened in Olympia on June 11, 1895, aside from routine matters, he reported that on July 4, 1894, he
had laid the cornerstone of a new building of the University of Washington, that he had rendered forty
decisions, acted on fifteen amendments to By-Laws of Lodges, granted sixteen special dispensations,
constituted two Lodges and granted dispensations for three new Lodges.
The completion of his year as Grand Master did not mean a cessation of Interest and activity in the Grand
Lodge, for during succeeding years he was called upon and served as follows: Once as a member of the
Jurisprudence Committee.; three times as a member of the Committee on Obituaries; twice on the
Committee on Charters and New Lodges; once on the Committee on Finance; once on the Committee on
By-Laws; for five years as Grand Lecturer, and during the last of such years he reported having instructed
49 Lodges and attended fifteen of the thirty visitations made by the Grand Master, In his capacity as Grand
Lecturer he delivered a lecture on "Masonry and Science," at the semi-centennial of Olympia Lodge, No,
1. He also served on a special committee appointed to consider and report on the District Deputy Grand
Master system. He was present at every Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge following the
completion of his Grand Mastership in 1895, down to 1932, with the exception of two, when he was
unavoidably detained. In 1915, when he was absent the second time, the following telegram was sent to
him by direction of the Grand Lodge:
"The Grand Lodge of Masons misses your inspiring presence, wise counsel and illuminating wit, and
regrets that public duties compel your absence."
He was the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Ohio near our Grand Lodge from 1900 to the time
of his death. He acted as Grand Treasurer when the Grand Lodge convened to conduct the funeral services
for Past Grand Master Daniel Bagley, and as Junior Grand Warden during the Grand Lodge session in 1928,
the regular incumbent of that office, Right Worshipful Bro. Roy S. Hayward, having died during the year.
He was a member of a committee of three appointed to prepare a suitable memorial address on the life of
Past Grand Master Daniel Bagley, and, upon request of the Grand Master, he prepared and delivered the
memorial addresses on Past Grand Masters Joseph Smith, Joseph A. Kuhn, and John Arthur, all of whom
were especially dear to him. He was often a participant in the "love feast" that prevails just before the
closing of our Grand Lodge Annual Communications. The last recorded instance of such participation was
in Tacoma, in 1929, when he spoke, "making a Masonic application of the George Washington Farewell
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Address, and warning Masons against entangling alliances with so-called Masonic organizations which
are undermining this grand, old Institution of ours." In 1931, at the request of the Grand Master, he
assumed the Chair in the Grand East during the reception of Grand Representatives. In his characteristic
fashion, he welcomed these Representatives and, after referring to the effort to bring about what if called
the League of Nations, he concluded:
"Now, Brethren, there is a League of Nations. There is a League of Nations that has lasted from time
immemorial, and you today. Brethren, are the representatives of that League. That League is governed by
law higher than any treaty that may be made among Nations, or any statute that may be enacted by any
legislature. That law is the law of Brotherly Love. That law Is the law of Universal Brotherhood. It is a
sublime law that binds all nations and kindreds and tongues In a bond of union as strong as an iron band,
but in its application as gentle as the silken thread that binds a wreath of flowers. "Now, Brethren, you are
the representatives of this League of Nations. You are governed by that sublime law. And we will predict
that at some time in the future the nations will be drawn closer together, as they have been saved many
fatalities through the Instrumentality of this grand institution of Freemasonry."
On September 22, 1932, while he was at the home of a daughter, his spirit ascended on high to resume
communion with his brethren who had preceded him. He was laid to rest In Mt, Pleasant Cemetery in
Seattle, While he had lived for upwards of 78 years, yet it was but natural that his brethren should mourn,
for Most Worshipful Brother Joseph Marion Taylor was not only a lovable character, but also a tower of
strength, as well as a beacon light, to them.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Edward R. Hare: 1893-1894
Most Worshipful Brother Edward Ross Hare received his
education in the public schools of Mount Pleasant, Iowa,
which was cut short at an early age by family requirements,
as his father died because of Libby Prison hardships.
He began work, when about 15 years of age, as a clerk in one
of the mercantile stores of Mount Pleasant, in whose employ
he continued for about twelve years.
On Oct. 1, 1884, he married Miss Winnifred Beatty, of
Oskaloosa, Iowa. The newly married couple would shortly
move to Tacoma where he entered the clothing business in
partnership with his brother-in-law,
M. M. Taylor, in which business he continued until about
1894. He then became Deputy Treasurer of the City of
Tacoma and served the city until 1903, when he began
employment with the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Our Most Worshipful Brother was initiated into Freemasonry Dec. 9, 1881; passed Jan. 6, 1882, and raised
to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason Feb. 3, 1882, in Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 8. F. & A. M., at
Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
He was made a Royal Arch Mason May 25, 1882, in Henry Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M.; a Roval and Select
Master in December, 1882, in Henry Council." No. 8. R. & S. M., and was knighted a Knight Templar
July 31, 1882, in Jeruselam Commandery. No. 7, all at Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Subsequent to his move to Tacoma all his Masonic affiliations were transferred to the Bodies of his
adopted city, and he took a keen and active interest in their growth.
He received the Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by communication in
1889, and his activities were immediately and continuously devoted to the spread of the Rite in Tacoma.
He became a charter member of the Bodies of the Rite established there and for four years served as
Secretary. As a mark of recognition of his services to the Scottish Rite the Supreme Council elected him
to the rank of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour Oct. 9. 1892, and as a further recognition for
his continued zeal he was coroneted 33° Honorary Inspector General June 12, 1896.
Additionally, he was a member of Afifi Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S., of Tacoma; elected Grand Patron.
Order of the Eastern Star, of Washington, in June, 1889; Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights
Templar, of Washington in June 1892, and as Most Excellent Grand High Priest, R. A. M., of Washington,
in June, 1895.
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Edward Ross Hare was elected Grand Master of our Grand Lodge in June of 1893. He served during a
period of great financial difficulty in our country. To quote from his Address to the Brethren: “…true,
many of our Lodges will show a loss of membership, and all have felt the heavy drain on their resources,
due to extraordinary calls for assistance, but, I am happy to say, the great majority have been able to bear
these burdens and now come to Grand Lodge with a good representation and their dues paid.”
Most Worshipful Brother Edward Ross Hare was called from labor on July 16, 1916.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Alfred A. Plummer: 1892-1993
Alfred Augustus Plummer, a Port Townsend businessman,
th
was elected the 30 Grand Master. He had the distinction of
being the first native son to reach that elevation. He was born
in Port Townsend September 7, 1856, and he died there
September 15, 1897 at the early age of 41. He was in the
bakery business in Tacoma in 1881 and opened a foundry in
Port Townsend in 1883. He held city and county offices there,
and served as a state legislator and as deputy collector of
U.S. customs.
He received his degrees in Port Townsend, No. 6, in 1878, and
became the Master of Tacoma Lodge, U.D., in 1882 until its
consolidation with Golden Rule Lodge, No. 22, to form
Tacoma Lodge, No. 22. He affiliated with Port Townsend
Lodge, No. 6, and became its Master in 1886.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Thomas Amos: 1891-1892
Most Worshipful Thomas Amos was born on November 3, 1847
in the land of loch and doon, of Scottish parents, he naturally
drew in with his early sustenance a vigor and love of freedom
which made him in after years a champion of the rights of man
and always placed him upon a positive side of every question. A
firm believer in the honorableness of labor, the end of his school
days found him learning the old and very select art of the
blacksmith.
He came to America in 1871, resided in Canada for two years.
He would emigrate to California where he would be made a
Mason in North Star Lodge No. 91 in 1875. In 1876, he would
be wed to Mary McGrath at the Russ House in San Francisco.
They would make their way to Washington, making their home
in Colfax, where he would become a prominent figure in his
trade and a leader in Masonic circles.
Most Worshipful Thomas Amos was elected Grand Master in 1891, and served in that capacity with
marked ability, doing himself honor and maintaining that of the Grand Lodge.
While serving as Grand Master, he was called upon to act in re of the Cerneau lodges that were being
organized in the jurisdiction. In this matter he showed much wisdom as he handled the vexing question in
a way to completely forestall criticism, and yet be effective. He took the stand that the Grand Lodge had
nothing to do with the so-called higher degrees, but merely contented himself with uttering a word of
warning to the brethren as to the effect of allying oneself to illegitimate bodies. This stand resulted in
quieting the uneasiness of all concerned.
His labors for the Grand Lodge subsequent to his tenure as Grand Master were confined to committee
work, and scarcely a year went by without his name being appended to some important report.
Although he was not allowed to enjoy the years usually allotted to man, being called to rest on April 27,
1906, his work was well done an we profit thereby as surely as though he remained with us to the three
score and ten. (Proceedings, Annual Communication 1906)
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ James E. Edmiston: 1890-1891
Throwback Thursday – High on the roll of Washington's
distinguished citizens appears the name of James Ewen
Edmiston, Grand Master 1890 -1891, who was for many years
a resident of Dayton. His ideals of life were very high and in
early manhood he displayed conspicuously the traits of
character that made his career brilliantly successful.
Our brother was born in Washington County, Arkansas, on
March 29, 1849. In 1863, at the age of fourteen, he enlisted in
the Confederate Army. After the close of hostilities he returned
to his home in Arkansas and remained long enough to assist in
putting the plantation again into shape. He then went to
Bentonville, Arkansas, where he attended the Bentonville
College for two years, and while a student there he also taught
school. In 1870 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, whence he made
his way to the Pacific coast. He taught school for a time in Oregon and also pursued a course of study at
Corvallis College, from which he received his degree in 1873.
On March 13, 1873 he was united in marriage to Helen Lacey, a native of Clackamas County, Oregon.
Soon after their marriage, they moved to Colfax, Washington, where for three years he was engaged in
teaching school. In 1876 he took up his abode in Dayton, where for some years following he devoted his
attention to teaching and then engaged in selling farm machinery. He also operated a large sawmill and
was identified with various other business interests which have contributed to the material development
and progress of this section of the state.
Our brother had been educated with a view to entering the ministry but subsequently turned his attention
to law and pursued his reading under the preceptorship of John Y. Ostrander. In 1885, he was admitted to
the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession, becoming one of the prominent lawyers of
Columbia County, being named Prosecuting Attorney for said county in 1886.
It has been said that he was remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with
which he prepared his cases. At no time was his reading ever confined to the limitations of the questions
at issue. It went beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected but
also for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. His legal learning,
his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasped the points in an argument all combined to make
him one of the capable attorneys at the bar of Columbia County and the public and the profession
acknowledged him the peer of the ablest regarding him as a jurist of exceptionally rare ability.
Like many of the previous occupants of the Oriental Chair, Edmiston figured very prominently in the
public life of the community. At one time he served as Superintendent of Schools of Columbia County.
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He first came prominently into public notice when elected a member of the upper house of the Washington
Territorial Legislature and for many years he was a member of the state central committee of the
Democratic Party. In 1894 he was offered the nomination for governor but refused to become a candidate.
He regarded the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and with
remarkable fidelity he labored for the interests of his clients. It is said that he never lost a case which he
appealed to the Supreme Court. It should be no surprise that our Most Worshipful Brother was considered
the highest authority on Masonic jurisprudence in our jurisdiction, and served as chairman of the
Jurisprudence Committee for 10 years.
For a long period M⸫W⸫ B Edmiston was collecting data for a history of southeastern Washington but
died on May 8, 1900, before the completion of the work. At that time, was president of the board of regents
of the Washington State College at Pullman, and on the day of his burial the college was closed in respect
to his memory. Every business house and the schools of Dayton were also closed and the day was given
over to sincere mourning by the entire community. The bar of Dayton passed appropriate resolutions and
every mark of respect that could be shown, both in a public and a private way, was evidenced. At the
Annual Communication in 1900, M⸫W⸫ William Seeman memorialized M⸫W⸫ Edmiston with these
words: “A great man has fallen in Israel.”
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Wm. A. Fairweather: 1889-1890
Most Worshipful Brother William Allen Fairweather was born
in Bloomfield New Brunswick, Canada on May 2, 1853, son of
Peter and Elizabeth Fairweather. Our brother spent the first
sixteen years of his life in his parents' home, and then left New
Brunswick, going to Nashua, New Hampshire, in order to finish
his education. On putting aside his textbooks he became
connected with the Underhill Edge Tool Company of Nashua,
and was thus employed for a number of years. In 1873,
however, he left the old Granite state and came to the Pacific
coast by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Eventually he arrived
at San Francisco and there he took passage on the old steamer
John L. Stevens bound for Portland.
On reaching his destination he entered the employ of the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company, which had just completed
its line from Portland north to Tacoma. For a time he was
located at Kalama, but in 1875 he came to Tacoma. becoming
one of the first settlers here. The future city was yet in its infancy and gave little promise of speedy
development or rapid growth. Where are now seen fine business blocks stood forest trees, and the most
far-sighted could scarcely have dreamed of the marvelous changes which were soon to occur. He remained
at Tacoma for about four years, and in 1879 crossed the Cascade mountains and established the first store
in the new town of Ainsworth on the Snake river.
Subsequently he engaged in general merchandising at Sprague, and, thus connected with different business
enterprises, his absence from Tacoma covered ten years. In 1886 he served as Mayor of Sprague and was
elected to other local offices in that place.
When the present site of the City of Tacoma was largely covered with forest trees that stood in their
primeval strength, he became an active factor in business and political circles, and through the intervening
years he watched with interest the progress and development here, and contributed in no small degree to
the growth and improvement of this section of the state. He was elected on the Republican ticket to the
office of Clerk of Pierce County for a term of two years. In May 1899, he was appointed deputy collector
of customs for the Puget Sound district in charge of the Port of Tacoma, a position he held until August
1930.
In 1881 he was married to Miss Annie Myers. The wedding taking place in Oregon City, Oregon. The
lady was the daughter of the Hon. John Myers, who was a member of the Oregon legislature for twelve
years and served as United States marshal under President Cleveland's administration. The Fairweather
home was been blessed with four children: Eva, Allen, John, and Frances.
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Our brother was made a Master Mason in Spokane Lodge. No. 34, July 6, 1882. He served three terms as
Master of Sprague Lodge, No. 49, from 1884 to 1887. He received the Royal Arch Degrees in 1883 in
Spokane Chapter, No. 54, receiving the Order of High Priesthood in 1886; He served as Illustrious Master
of Tacoma Council, No. 1, in 1902; and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Washington in 1888,
receiving the Order of High Priesthood in 1886; Royal and Select Masters Degrees, May 1, 1893, in
Tacoma Council. No. 1.
He joined the Order of Eastern Star on January 23rd. 1888. in Henrietta Chapter. No. 8, serving as Patron
that same year.
He was elected Grand Master of this Grand Lodge in 1889, the last Territorial Grand Master, presiding at
the Thirty-third Annual Communication. He was held in such regard that on October 1, 1891, on
recommendation of State Lodge, No. 68, Most Worshipful Grand Master Thomas Amos granted
dispensation to establish W. A. Fairweather Lodge at Tacoma. At the Annual Communication held in
1892, the Committee on Charters and New Lodges recommended that W. A. Fairweather Lodge U.D. be
chartered under the name Fairweather. (Note: The committee further recommended “that hereafter in
naming Lodges the names of living persons be not used.”) On July 6, 1892, Past Grand Master
Fairweather, acting as proxy for Most Worshipful Alfred Plummer, was granted the privilege to constitute
Fairweather Lodge, No. 82, at Tacoma, and installed its officers. At the time of his death, August 19,
1946, he was a life member of the Lodge that was named in his honor.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Nathan S. Porter: 1888-1889
Only a few have held elective Grand Lodge offices longer than
Nathan Smith Porter, an Olympia lawyer who was elected Grand
Master in 1888. He served 23 years in all. He was elected Junior
Grand Warden in 1885, Deputy Grand Master in 1887, Grand
Master the next year, and then Grand Treasurer for 20 terms from
1900 until he retired and the office was abolished in 1919.
He was born May 24, 1834 in New York State and was educated
there and in Ohio. He was another young man who came west to
California, and he arrived there in 1853. He came north to Seattle
in 1858 and then settled in Olympia in 1860. He was chief clerk
of the Territorial Legislature in 1866 and later was prosecuting
attorney of Thurston County. He received his Entered Apprentice
Degree in Grand Mound Lodge, No. 3 in 1867 and was not raised
until 1880 in Harmony Lodge, No. 18, in Olympia. He served as
its Treasurer. He died in Olympia December 25, 1920 at age 86.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Joseph Smith: 1887-1888
Joseph Smith of Kalama was elected this year. The new Grand
Master was an insurance agent. He was born October 21, 1828
in Pennsylvania, and came west to California in 1852. He
mined there and served as deputy sheriff. He saw service in the
Civil War and was commissioned a major. After the war he
was in business in Texas and Utah, and came to Kalam in 1872
to engage in the insurance business. He served in various public
offices in Kalama and Cowlitz County.
He had the distinction of being Master of Lodges in three states.
He was raised in St. John’s Lodge, No. 37, at Yreka, California
in 1856, and was its Master in 1858, 1859 and 1861. He was
Master of El Paso Lodge, No. 130, of Texas in 1868, and he
served as Master of Kalama Lodge, No. 17, for 15 years and as
Secretary for 10 years between 1873 and 1908. Few have toiled
for Washington Masonry so long and so faithfully as Joseph
Smith. He died in Kalama on August 11, 1910.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Louis Ziegler: 1885-1887
If Washington Masonry had a monument like Mount Rushmore to
honor our Past Grand Masters, there is no doubt that the image of
Louis Ziegler would appear there along with those of Thornton F.
McElroy and Thomas M. Reed. Much like McElroy and Reed,
M⸫W⸫ Brother Ziegler served as our Grand Master for two terms
from 1885-1887. During this time, he dealt with several complex
questions and his solutions to these issues left an indelible mark
on the fraternity. Some of them, in fact, are as relevant today as
they were over 100 years ago. Prior to his service to the Grand
Lodge, Brother Ziegler served as the founding Master of Spokane
Lodge #34 and was the father of Masonry in the Spokane area.
Brother Ziegler was born July 17, 1837 in Kettrick, Rhenish
Bavaria, Germany. At the age of fifteen his parents moved to the
United States and settled initially in Ohio. They moved to
Maysville, Kentucky where Louis learned the trade of wagon
maker. Three years after moving to Kentucky, the family returned to Ohio and Louis took up his trade in
Russellville. Louis later moved to Bloomington, Illinois and pursued his trade there until 1859. He settled
in Chenoa, Illinois where he started the first wagon and plow business in that town.
By 1865, Brother Ziegler’s business had grown to such an extent that he was able to build a new factory
building with an investment of $6000. In 1870, Brother Ziegler suffered his first catastrophic loss when
his factory burned to the ground and put him out of business. During the two years following this incident,
Brother Ziegler became active in Illinois Republican politics and served as sergeant at arms of the Illinois
State Senate from 1870-1872. Following his service in the Senate, he returned to his native Germany for
one year and returned to Illinois in 1873. After his return, he and a partner purchased the Chenoa Flour Mill
which they operated until 1876 when it too was destroyed by fire. They were able to rebuild and re-open
but fire once again destroyed their business in March of 1878. Brother Louis spent the next seventeen
months concluding his affairs in the town before setting out for the Northwest in search of a new life.
In addition to his business, Brother Ziegler served as Justice of the Peace of Chenoa from 1861 to 1865
and as Mayor for two terms. He was made a Mason in Chenoa Lodge #292 in 1859 and served as its
Worshipful Master from 1861 to 1873. He was also active in the local Royal Arch Chapter and Scottish
Rite Consistory. From 1862 until his departure from the state, he was an active member of the Grand
Lodge of Illinois and served as its Senior Grand Warden in 1878-79. On Christmas Day 1862, Brother
Ziegler was married to Miss Margaret Jane Sample who blessed him with two daughters and a son. His
family life, much like his business life was marred by tragedy. He lost his youngest daughter Frederika
Louisa in March of 1872 when she was only five years old and lost his older daughter Jennie Louise shortly
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after her marriage in 1886. This was particularly difficult for him since it was during his first term as
Grand Master.
Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler settled in Spokane Falls in August 1879. In 1880 he attended his first
Grand Lodge session in Olympia as the charter Master of Spokane Lodge #34. He was unable to attend
the 1881 session of Grand Lodge but he did attend the 1882 session in Walla Walla. In addition to serving
as Master of Spokane Lodge at the 1882 session, he also served as Chairman of both the Special
Committee on the Grand Master’s Address and the Committee of Finance and Accounts. He was
appointed to the office of Grand Orator as well as a member of the Committee on Jurisprudence. At the
Grand Lodge Communication in Seattle in 1883, Brother Ziegler delivered an oration on the constitution,
uses and teachings of Masonry. He was also appointed and installed Grand Marshal. Brother Ziegler was
elected Deputy Grand Master at the 1884 session held in Spokane Falls and was elected to his first term
as Grand Master at the 1885 session in Tacoma.
In both his 1886 and 1887 messages as Grand Master, M⸫W⸫ Brother Ziegler begins with passages that
display both his deep love of the Pacific Northwest and his skills as an orator. In his 1886 message, he
begins by paying tribute to Puget Sound which he describes as being, “a place of exquisite beauty and
delight and one of the most lovely inland seas upon the earth; teeming with abundance of delicious fishes
and all kinds of moluscan delicacies of the rarest flavor.”
Brother Ziegler goes on to describe the beauties of the Olympic Mountain Range. In that description, he
displays an extensive knowledge of Greek mythology and likens the Olympic Range to Mount Olympus
the home of the Greek Gods. From his illustration, he drew the lesson, “that man must toil and labor to
enjoy rest and peace, and that without labor and trouble no great achievements are made; and to enjoy
happiness, we must aid in making others happy also.” He goes on to remind the brothers at the beginning
of their labors, to “keep in view the fact that we are laboring in the interest of a brotherhood, aged and
honorable, tried and true, whose acts and deeds have ever been a blessing to suffering humanity, and
whose principles are as broad as the universe; let us not forget the duties we owe each other, the grandest
of which is charity for each other’s foibles and shortcomings that our professions may be blessed and our
teachings carried into proper effect.”
Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler’s 1886 message describes the events of the Masonic year and is worth
reading in its entirety. There are several key topics contained in this message. The first issue which Brother
Ziegler addresses is that of making Masons too quickly. At the time, the fraternity was undergoing an
explosion of growth and during his year Brother Ziegler had been called upon to grant several
dispensations out of time to confer degrees. He refused all but one and makes the following statement, “I
regret sincerely to notice a growing disposition, not only in the Lodges of our Jurisdiction, but everywhere,
to make Mason’s with all modern haste, and to consider that true prosperity consists in adding numbers on
the Roll; more regard seems to be paid to quantity that to quality, more to numbers than to kind. This my
brethren is wrong and can bring no good to the fraternity. Just pause and think and you will see that one
good man is worth more than a dozen poor ones, anywhere, but more especially in our Lodges.”
Brother Ziegler goes on to describe the decisions that he made as Grand Master. He describes his
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exhaustive workload during the year by stating, “Evidently, the Craft of this Jurisdiction, believe that it is
better for the Grand Master to wear out than to rust out, from the volume of correspondence which had
poured in upon me during the year past.” He goes on to state that, “I have tried to answer every letter, for
I now believe that is one of the rights reserved by the Craft, to heap on the Grand Master, bushels of all
sorts of questions, whereas, if the writer would bestow one-half the trouble he devotes to writing, and just
look into the Constitution and Code, nine to one, I wager, he would find there, the query completely
answered.” This is a sentiment which has been shared by many Grand Masters since then.
Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler summarizes his response to seven of the questions that he received
during the year. The seventh query describes an incident within his home Lodge Spokane #34 involving
Brothers Kellinger and Mitchell which continued into his second term as Grand Master in 1887. Brother
Kellinger refused to repay Brother Mitchell a debt that he was owed using what can only be described as
harsh language. M⸫W⸫ Brother Ziegler told Brother Kellinger to repay the brother and apologize for his
actions. Brother Kellinger agreed to do this however he did not actually do as the Grand Master asked.
The Grand Master found out about this when he came to Spokane Lodge to install its officers. He refused
to install Brother Kellinger as Secretary of Spokane Lodge and then referred the matter to the Master of
the Lodge. Brother Kellinger was put on trial by the Lodge but was acquitted since there was no evidence
that Brother Mitchell was a Mason and therefore no offense had been committed under the Masonic Code
at that time. Evidence of Brother Mitchell’s Masonic status was later received by Spokane Lodge but by
then it was too late to order a new trial.
The outcome of this situation bothered Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler greatly. He strongly recommends
changes in the Masonic code, “to declare, in unmistakable terms how far a Mason may act in confidence
with a brother Mason and still be within the bounds of propriety.” He later states, “We cannot afford to
let the world point the finger of scorn at our members and say, ‘that fellow is a Mason, he has defrauded
me and cheated me, and the law of his institution upholds him in it.” This incident was far from settled at
this point and played a significant role in Brother Ziegler’s second term as Grand Master.
Another key issue is addressed in the 1886 message was the legislation passed in 1885 prohibiting Lodges
from receiving or acting on petitions from anyone involved in the manufacture or sale of intoxicating
liquors. This action caused a great uproar in the fraternity and Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler quotes
from a circular that he had issued in defense of the legislation. In it, he argues that Masonry is a universal
institution and it is incumbent on every Grand Lodge to ensure that only the best men can become
members. He goes on to argue that since the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors requires a license
from the government to make it lawful, it is therefore in itself unlawful and morally wrong. It is not a
suitable occupation for anyone wishing to become a Mason. This legislation was the predominate view of
the Fraternity in this state for many years.
Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler’s first term was marred by his own health issues and the sudden death
of his oldest daughter. He suffered greatly from a painful case of eczema and it was T. M. Reed who
assisted in his recovery by taking him to hot springs in Arkansas, “by force and against my will.”
Following his return home, his daughter had come to visit him but she died from a heart problem. Brother
Ziegler closes his message with a description of these events by stating, “I am not satisfied with my
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administration as Grand Master, and of course I cannot expect you to be; yet I have this to say, I have done
all I could for the time I had to work.” The brethren accepted this unnecessary apology and re-elected him
as Grand Master.
The 1887 communication of Grand Lodge was held in Vancouver and Grand Master Ziegler once again
begins by describing the scenic beauty of the area. He delivers an elegant and scholarly description of the
Columbia River where he follows its course from the mountains of British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean.
He likens the River’s course to the varied duties of human life. The opening to this message concludes
with the following exhortation, “if we but persevere in the proper discharge of our duties, we shall emerge
from the mysterious recesses of intellectual darkness and enter that state of light and wisdom which is
bestowed as an inheritance of perpetual keeping on those who are faithful to every trust and obedient to
the laws and duties of true manhood.” Like his 1886 message, the opening to Grand Master Ziegler’s 1887
message is considered by some to be a classic which is well worth reading in its entirety.
Much of the 1887 message is devoted to a description of the Kellinger/Mitchell affair and should be read
by anyone with an interest in Masonic jurisprudence. By this time the situation had become so tangled that
it now involved Temple Lodge #42 in Cheney in addition to Spokane #34. Because of these events, Grand
Master Ziegler lays out a valiant argument for the duties and powers of the Grand Master.
Grand Master Ziegler’s philosophy is summarized in the following statement, “…during the recess of this
Grand Lodge the Grand Master is the only exponent of Masonic laws and principles, and that this high
prerogative must not be exercised by ignoramuses of the deepest die, who arrogate themselves to the rare
accomplishment of being Masonic jurists, with a view to leading the Craft to insubordination and
disobedience to the lawful powers that be.”
He argues that the Grand Master’s powers are derived from the Landmarks and ancient usages and cannot
be questioned by Lodges or Masons. He also argues that these powers cannot be abridged or limited by
Grand Lodges without perpetrating an innovation in the body of Masonry. In other words, the Grand
Master’s powers are absolute and cannot be questioned or constrained by anyone. Here he is arguing for
changes in the constitution which would allow the Grand Master to dispense justice as he deemed
appropriate rather than being muddied by, “legal technicalities and delays.” The changes he argued for
were never adopted and the Grand Master’s powers continue today in much the same way as they did
then.
Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler reiterates some of the topics in his 1886 message especially that of
making Masons too quickly. He makes the statement that, “Masonry is too cheap and easily attained,”
which is fascinating to hear in the year 1887. He also again argues against the joint occupancy of Masonic
Halls with other groups arguing that, “The design of Masonry is of an exclusive character and it cannot
be associated or mixed with other societies without marring its beauty and purposes.”
Following his service as Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler continued to be a pillar of the
Grand Lodge. In addition to serving as the Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee from 1888 through
1893, he served in a variety of other roles. In 1893 he drafted a resolution limiting the powers of delegates
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to a Masonic convention to be held in 1894 which essentially prevented them from considering or
supporting the idea of a Grand Lodge of the United States.
Overall, Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler could be a strong traditionalist when it came to Freemasonry.
He had no sympathy or patience for efforts at modernization which he viewed as blasphemous.
From his arrival in 1879 to his death in 1911, Brother Ziegler was a prominent citizen of the city of
Spokane. He not only founded Spokane Lodge #34 he also was a founder of Oriental Lodge #72. He was
instrumental in the construction of the original Spokane Masonic Temple as well. After arriving in
Spokane, Brother Ziegler opened a hardware business at the corner of Howard and Riverside Streets.
Unfortunately, he carried with him some of the bad luck that had plagued him in Illinois and his first
building in Spokane was destroyed by fire in 1889. Once again he rebuilt, this time in brick, and the five-
story building he constructed was considered the first skyscraper in the city.
Louis Ziegler passed to the celestial Lodge on January 15, 1911 and his memorial was delivered at the
1911 Grand Lodge Session by Most Worshipful John Arthur as the two had agreed several years before.
Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler distinguished himself as a great Grand Master in this jurisdiction. His
character and perseverance in the face of extraordinary tragedy provides us with a shining example of the
value of following the principles of Masonry to their fullest. Hopefully, this summary of Brother Ziegler’s
words and actions has done justice to a truly great Washington Mason.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ William H. White: 1884-1885
William Henry White, a Past Master of St. John’s Lodge, No. 9,
was elected as the new head of Masonry. He was a leading Seattle
lawyer and served in the Legislature, as King County prosecuting
attorney, and as a judge on the State Supreme Court.
He was born May 24, 1842 at Wellsburg, West Virginia, and was
made a Mason in Wellsburg Lodge, No. in 1869. He served in the
Civil War and came to Seattle in 1874 to practice law. He was a
Master of St. John’s Lodge in 1880. He died in Seattle April 29,
1914.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Levi Ankeny: 1883-1884
Levi Ankeny of Walla Walla was elected Grand Master. He was banker
and political leader and was elected US Senator from Washington for
the six-year term beginning in 1903. He was born August 1, 1844 in
Missouri and was taken to Oregon in 1850. He was educated in Portland
and as a young man became a packtrain merchant in Orofino and
Florence, and other mining districts in Idaho. He served as the first
mayor of Lewiston, Idaho, shortly after attaining his majority. He
returned to Portland in 1873 and in 1878 removed to Walla Walla,
where he established the first national bank to open its doors in
Washington. He is said to have attained his great popularity because he
encouraged his debtors to hang onto their land and business enterprises
during the panic of 1893. He refused to foreclose on loans unless forced
to do so.
After his death in Walla Walla on March 29, 1921, the Walla Walla
Union said of him: “During the hard times of 1893 and during several other financial panics, he could by
law have gained possession of much of the richest farming land of Walla Walla County by sharp practices,
which, however, were foreign to his nature. Innumerable times in the past few years he has aided many a
farmer and businessman in financial distress and thus kept this community free from the evils of
bankruptcy and hardship.”
Brother Ankeny became a Mason in Willamette Lodge, No. 2, in Portland in 1866. He affiliated with
Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, when he settled there, and became its Master in 1882. He long had a strong
hand in guiding our Grand Lodge as a member of its important committees.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Joseph A. Kuhn: 1882-1883
HON. JOSEPH A. KUHN, a resident of Port Townsend and a
representative in the development of that city, was born near
Gettsburg, Adams county, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1841, and
was the fourth in a family of six sons born to Colonel Joseph J. and
Jane (McCabe) Kuhn, natives of the same State.
Joseph A. was reared upon the farm, and attended the public schools
until his eighteenth year. He was then sent to Calvert College,
Maryland, and remained until 1859, when he determined to strike out
for self-support. In June, 1860, he arrived at Omaha, Nebraska,
which city was his headquarters for the following six years, he being
engaged in the arduous and adventurous business of freighting to
various points in the Rocky mountains, -- Denver, Salt Lake, Fort
Laramie and Virginia City. In 1866, with a mule train, he crossed to
Stockton, California; thence by steamer to Portland, Oregon; and then across to Olympia and down the
sound to Port Townsend, for the purpose of shipping before the mast. The vessel not being ready, Mr.
Kuhn opened a small photographic gallery, and at the same time began reading law in the office of Judson
& McFadden. He was admitted to the bar in 1870, and engaged in practice in the offices of his preceptors.
In 1872 Mr. McFadden was elected to Congress, and the firm then became Judson & Kuhn, which was
continued until 1876; then changed to Kuhn & Burke, with Judge Thomas Burke, of Seattle, as copartner;
and in 1880 the firm dissolved, and Mr. Kuhn continued alone up to 1890; then retired from active practice.
He has also been closely identified with the development of the city, and to him and Mr. Eisenbeis, who
were associated, is the city indebted for the enterprise of building 1,320 feet of sea-wall between Taylor
and Van Buren streets, thus adding materially to the appearance of the city, and improving the water front.
He has also erected some of the finest improvements of the city, in residence and business property, -- the
Chetzamoka block being his latest investment. He was one of the incorporators of the Commercial Bank
in 1890, and served two years as president. He was one of the organizers of the Merchants' Bank, and is a
stockholder and director of the First National Bank. He was active in organizing the Port Townsend
Southern Railroad Company, and served as president to the time of the sale of the road in 1890. He aided
in organizing, and is president of the Point Hudson Foundry, Port Townsend Construction & Street
Railway Company, and vice-president of the Port Townsend Gas & Fuel Company, besides owning
valuable timber lands in contiguous counties of the sound.
As a Democrat he has held a high rank in his party. In 1872 he was elected to the Legislature of
Washington, and by re-election has filled seven terms, serving in both houses. He served twelve years on
the School Board of Port Townsend; ten years Justice of the Peace; four years Probate Judge; two terms
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Mayor of Port Townsend; three terms Commissioner of Emigration; and has served as Chairman of
Territorial and County Democratic Committees; and from 1884 to 1892 was a member of the National
Democratic Committee.
As a Mason Judge Kuhn has received the thirty-second degree and Mystic Shrine -- Scottish Rite, Southern
Jurisdiction. He is Past Grand Master of the Lodge of Washington, and special duty of Supreme Council
for northern counties of Washington and Alaska.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Ralph Guichard: 1881-1882
Another native of Germany and former soldier was elected Grand
Master to succeed Brother Sohns. He was Ralph Guichard of Walla
Walla. He was born at Zeitz, Germany, December 8, 1830 and
came to America in 1854. He enlisted in the US Army in 1855 and
was stationed at The Dalles and Fort Walla Walla. After his
discharge he remained in Walla Walla as a merchant.
He helped erect the first building there that had glass windows. He
served on the city council, as probate judge, and was appointed
registrar of the US Land Office. He took his degrees in Walla Walla
Lodge, No. 7, in 1863, and served as its Secretary. Later he
affiliated with Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, and was its Master in
1880. He died in Walla Walla April 3, 1898, after a long and painful
illness.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Louis Sohns: 1880-1881
M⸫W⸫ B Louis Sohns was born in Beerfelden, Germany. He
attended Heidelberg University. At the age of 21, he took part
in the 1848 Revolution in Germany. When the rebellion failed,
he was arrested and put in jail. Somehow he escaped, and using
funds from his family, fled persecution in Germany to the
United States where he was naturalized in 1856.
Upon reaching the United States, Sohns joined the U. S. Army.
He was transferred to Fort Vancouver in the Washington
Territory, journeying via the Panama Isthmus in 1852. Also on
that boat was Captain Ulysses S. Grant, Lt. Henry C. Hodges,
and John McNeil Eddings, as they joined the 4th Infantry at the
Fort.
After leaving the army in 1856, Sohns worked in various jobs
including painting and construction. In 1862 he became a
stockholder and founder of the Puget Sound and Columbia River Railroad Company. The company was
authorized by the Territory to build a rail line originating in Steillacoom on the Puget Sound through
Vancouver and out to the mouth of the Deschutes River on the Columbia River. In 1866, he joined with
David F. Shuele to open ‘Sohns and Schuele’, a general merchandise retailer in Vancouver. The company
grew in business and products, including shipping of local produce, products, and grain to San Francisco,
California.
In 1867 Sohns and others founded the Clarke County Woolen Manufacturing Company, with the mill site
to be located at Salmon Creek, to the north of Vancouver. The local newspaper, in announcing the
company’s founding, stated ‘Every citizen of this county interested in its welfare ought to aid this project
to the extent of his ability.’
Sohns was a principle stockholder in the Vancouver, Kickitat and Yakima Railroad, and a director of the
Michigan Mill, the town's largest industry. Louis Sohns founded a successful wood products company,
specializing in cooperage and barrels, which shipped to various ports on the west coast, the Puget Sound
Manufacturing Company of Puyallup, for which he also served as president. In the late 1870s this company
was shipping as many as 3 million barrels to various ports on the West Coast.
With other business leaders in Vancouver, including H. G. Struve, Sohns in 1868 founded the first water
company for Vancouver. Later in 1881, with David F. Schuele, Sohns also founded the Chrystal Water
Company to address the increasing water needs of the growing county. In 1883 Sohns was a principle
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founder of Vancouver’s first bank, First National Bank. He served also as the bank’s first president. He
continued to preside as president, but left that position in 1889 to serve his second term as Mayor of
Vancouver.
In 1861, at the age of 34, Sohns was elected Treasurer of Clark County, and served for two years in that
position. In 1864 Sohns was elected as the ‘Councilman’ for Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat, serving in
the Washington Territory Legislature. In 1865, Sohns was again elected Treasurer of Clark County.
In 1875 Louis Sohns was elected Mayor of Vancouver, after having already served on the city council and
various civic committees. He served four years, but returned in 1889 to serve another two years as Mayor.
Sohns also served on the Washington Territory Legislature, and was a delegate for the Vancouver area to
the State Constitutional Convention in 1889, serving on the Preamble and Bill of Rights, Apportionment
and Representation, Revenue and Taxation, and Rules committees of the Convention.
In 1886, the Washington Territory Legislature established the State School for Defective Youth in
Vancouver, Washington. The act established a "school for the deaf, mute, blind, and feeble minded". Louis
Sohns and Charles Brown raised money from local civic leaders, purchased property, and built buildings
for the school. They were also added as trustees for the school. Years later the schools were separated into
a State School for the Deaf and the Washington School for the Blind. Louis Sohns retired from his active
business interests at Sohns and Sons in 1892. Although his health was failing, he continued to be active
in civic and personal affairs until his death in 1901.
It was said of M⸫W⸫ B Sohns: “True it is said that he has prospered, but he has not selfishly hoarded his
gains but has with an unstinting hand promoted the interests of the community, striven to anticipate their
wants and labored hard to add beauty to their surroundings. The noble building on Main Street, Vancouver,
is a witness to his public spirit, the new Masonic Hall is evidence of his fraternal feeling, and general
rumor is the only indicator of his unassuming generosity.”
Louis Sohns was elevated to the rank and station of Grand Master of Masons in the Washington Territory
in 1880.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Oliver P. Lacy: 1879-1880
Oliver Perry Lacy, a public official and a Past Master of Walla Walla
Lodge, No. 7, was elected as our leader in 1879. He was born Feb.
5, 1835 at Aurora, Ohio, and came to Walla Walla in 1861. He
occupied various civil offices in his city and in the Territory with
“honor to himself and fidelity to the people.”
He was a Territorial Legislator for a season and a member of the
Constitutional Convention of 1876. Walla Walla Lodge raised him
in 1873, and he served as its Master in 1875, and as Deputy Grand
Master in that year. He died in Walla Walla on October 28, 1884.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Elisha P. Ferry: 1878-1879
Most Worshipful Brother Elisha Peyre Ferry was born in Monroe
County in the Michigan Territory, near Detroit to Peter Ferry and
Clarissa Peyre-Ferry. The family would move to the small town
of Waukegan, Illinois, where Peter served as a judge. Elisha
graduated early from high school, and then from Fort Wayne Law
School, Indiana, passing the bar examination at just twenty. He
then practiced successfully as a lawyer in Waukegan for the next
twenty-three years, marrying Sarah Brown Kellog (1827–1912),
with whom he had five children: Eliza (1851–1935), James
(1853–1914), Lincoln (1860–1911), Julia (1864–1894), and
Pierre (1868–1932).
Elisha Ferry was a charter member of Harmony Lodge No. 18,
serving as the first Senior Deacon. He was elected Senior Warden
in 1872, and Worshipful Master in 1873, 1874, 1875. He would be advanced through the chairs once more
when he was again elected Junior Warden in 1876, and Senior Warden in 1877. For several years he was
the leading representative of his Lodge in the Grand Lodge. He occupied the position of Grand Orator for
two years, and during several annual sessions took an active part in Grand Lodge on important committees,
especially that of Jurisprudence. Brother Ferry was elected Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand
Lodge of the Territory of Washington in 1878 as well as being re-elected as Worshipful Master of
Harmony Lodge, No. 18, for the same year.
Important official business as Governor of the Territory required the presence of our Grand Master to be
in Eastern Washington during his Annual Communication.
In addition he was a founding member of the Seattle Scottish Rite.
Ferry became the Presidential Elector of Illinois in 1852, and then the first mayor of Waukegan in 1859,
winning by a big majority. In 1862 he was a delegate at the Illinois State Constitutional Convention.
During the American Civil War, Ferry joined the Union Army, helping to organize the Illinois regiment,
and making friends with Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln – important connections for the rising
politician.
In 1869 President Grant appointed Ferry to the position of Surveyor General of the rapidly developing
Washington Territory, and Ferry and his family moved to Olympia. In 1872 Grant appointed him as
Territorial Governor, and then, after the end of his four-year term, reappointed him to the same position.
Both as Surveyor and Governor, he was closely involved with the building of the Northern Pacific
Railway, and took a personal hand in planning the extension from Tacoma to Olympia.
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As Governor, Ferry was successful in putting Washington Territory on a sound financial footing, by
pressuring various counties to pay their taxes, and was able to leave his successor a Territory almost debt-
free. He also regulated the rail fares, and centralized the penal system on to a state rather than a county
basis.
After a break from politics, working in Seattle in law and banking, Ferry was nominated as Republican
candidate for State Governor, when Washington was granted statehood on November 11, 1889. He beat
the Democrat Eugene Semple with 58 percent of the vote. (The brethren of Harmony Lodge No. 18 did
also re-elect him as Worshipful Master on Harmony Lodge, on December 11, 1889. However, Most
Worshipful Brother Ferry’s duties as Governor precluded him from being installed.)
In his first summer, he had to supervise the rebuilding of three major cities that had been largely destroyed
by fire: Seattle, Ellensburg, and Spokane Falls. The prompt replacing of timber buildings with brick and
stone gave reassurance to the increasing numbers moving into the state, some of them interested in
acquiring public land. Ferry tried to manage the debate between supporters of business, wanting to
privatize land (mainly people in the West of the state) and those who favored full public ownership (mainly
East), but the commission he appointed failed to reach a conclusion in the allotted time, and this made the
administration look as though it was in the pocket of the corporations.
The same inference was drawn when a miners' strike was put down by the National Guard. Following a
costly fire, a local mining company decided to cut expenses by replacing white mineworkers with blacks
at lower wages. The longer the strike lasted, the more the employers saw the advantage of using black
labor, and this became their standard policy. Once again, the Washington Republicans were looking like
powerful allies of the corporations.
But Ferry's health was starting to fail, and he was having to miss important votes, as well as losing his
commanding presence in the chamber. Two years after stepping down as State Governor, he died of a
cold, on board a steamer in Puget Sound on October 14, 1895. In the life and character of Most Worshipful
Brother Elisha Peyre Ferry we have a grand illustration of a noble patriot, wise statesman, profound
lawyer; an incorruptible and honest citizen; a kind and courteous gentleman; a devoted, tender, loving
husband and father; a true, just and upright man and Freemason. His name is commemorated in Ferry
County, named for him in 1899, and by a popular mode of water transportation.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Robert C. Hill: 1877-1878
Robert Crosby Hill, a banker and a Past Master of Whidby Island
Lodge, No. 15, at Coupeville, was elected Grand Master in 1877.
He was born at Hatboro, PA, September 14, 1829, came to San
Francisco in 1850 and joined his brothers in Coupeville in 1853.
He fought in the Indian War of 1855-56.
He served as probate judge and auditor of Island County and as
clerk of the U.S. District Court for 12 years. He entered the
banking business in Port Townsend in 1881 and remained in it
until shortly before his death there May 10, 1916. He was made
a Mason in Whidby Island Lodge in 1869, and served it as
Treasurer, Secretary and Master.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Platt A. Preston: 1876-1877
In this centennial year Grand Lodge elected as its leader Platt
Adams Preston, a businessman of Waitsburg. He was born
November 1, 1837 in Saratoga, New York, and came to Waitsburg
in 1866 to engage in flour milling. He was successful in business
and was elected to the first State Senate.
Where he was made a Mason is not now of record, but he became
a charter member of Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, in 1870. He served
as its Master seven years between 1872 and 1887. He died March
12, 1900 in Galveston, Texas, where he had gone for his health.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Thomas T. Minor: 1875-1876
Most Worshipful Brother Thomas Taylor Minor was born on
February 20, 1844, in Manepy, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) an island
country in South Asia, located about 31 kilometres (19.3 mi) off
the southern coast of India. He was a son of Eastman Strong
Minor, who was descended from an old and esteemed
Connecticut family. Eastman Minor was a successful printer. He
closed his printing business and left Boston, Massachusetts , with
his first wife, Lucy Bailey, in October 1833 as Congregational
missionaries to Ceylon, to spread the gospel of Christianity from
India through Singapore and up to Bangkok. He returned to the
United States in July 1851 and settled in New Haven,
Connecticut.
His mother, Judith Manchester Taylor, was born in Madison,
New York in 1814 and died in New York in 1900. She was an
orphan and the daughter of Isaac and Judith Taylor. She ran the local school in Ceylon, learned Singhalese,
and taught it to her 2 stepchildren as well as her own six children.
Upon relocating at New Haven, Thomas attended the local school. In 1861, when he was 17, he enlisted
in the Union Army as a private in Company G, 7th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He rose to
the rank of captain and served as hospital steward and then surgeon.
After the war, he entered Yale School of Medicine graduating in 1867. He was then stationed for a short
time at a military post in Nebraska. While there he was appointed by the government to be a member of a
party of scientific men and explorers, to make a tour through Alaska in the interest of the Smithsonian
Institution. Returning from Alaska on a revenue cutter the party stopped at Port Townsend for supplies. It
was here where Minor met Dr. George Calhoun. The older doctor, who owned the Marine Hospital, then
the largest in the Northwest, invited the 24-year-old Minor to join in a partnership with him. Minor agreed,
settling in the town by the end of 1868.
Despite his youth, Dr. Minor quickly took an active role in Port Townsend civic affairs. He was an
accomplished orator and drew public attention when he gave a New Year's Eve address within weeks of
his arrival. By 1870, Minor had bought the Marine Hospital from Calhoun and was one of the leading
doctors on Puget Sound. In 1872, he organized the Puget Sound Telegraph Company to bring telegraph
service to Port Townsend. Six years later Minor set up the first telephone line in the city, operating between
his office and the hospital.
Our Brother would be brought to Masonic Light on January 24, 1869, in Port Townsend Lodge No. 6. His
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Masonic journey would take him to the Grand East on September 23, 1875.
Thomas Minor became a leader in the Republican party, regularly attending the party’s territorial
conventions and representing the territory at national conventions in 1876, 1880, and 1888. In 1880 he
was elected (by 98 votes out of 107 total) to the largely ornamental post of Mayor of Port Townsend. He
was re-elected the following year to a second one-year term.
Minor married Sarah Montgomery on August 20, 1872, in Oregon. Sarah (born May 21, 1840, in
Pennsylvania; died June 11, 1931, in Seattle) was the daughter of William Montgomery and Eliza
Moorhead. Thomas and Sarah were the parents of two daughters: Elizabeth Montgomery Minor, born on
May 14, 1874, in Port Townsend, Washington; died November 24, 1958, in Seattle; and Judith Strong
Minor, born December 2, 1876, Port Townsend; died July 19, 1959, Philadelphia.
In 1883, he moved his family and medical practice to the larger city. The Minors immediately became as
active in Seattle civic life as they had been in Port Townsend. Sarah Minor, whom he married on August
20,1872, was a co-founder of the Ladies Relief Society and Thomas Minor became a leader in Seattle’s
recently established Chamber of Commerce.
In 1886, Minor was part of a group of conservative Seattle business and civic leaders who organized a
"law and order" party known as the Loyal League in response to the labor unrest and anti-Chinese riots of
1885-1886 and the city’s depressed economic condition. Their candidate for mayor, Seattle founder Arthur
A. Denny (1822-1899), was defeated in the 1886 election. In the following year’s election, the Loyal
League supported Minor, who won the mayor’s office with a substantial majority. Minor’s one- year term
as mayor appears to have been successful, helped no doubt by the fact that Seattle was on its way to
economic recovery.
In addition to his term as mayor, Minor served three terms as president of the Seattle school board. He
presided over the start of a major school-building program and initiated reforms in school management.
With Washington territory preparing to become a state in 1889, Minor spent the summer as a delegate to
the convention that drafted the new state’s constitution. He was touted as a likely candidate for statewide
office. However, soon after the statehood celebrations in November 1889, Minor and his companions set
out on their ill-fated duck hunting trip.
Minor, his friend Morris Haller (son of M⸫W⸫ Granville Haller), and Haller’s brother-in-law Lewis Cox
hunted near Stanwood for several days without much success, so on December 2, 1889, they decided to
cross Saratoga Passage to Brann’s Point on Whidbey Island, a distance of 12 miles. Not finding a sailboat
to tow their canoes across, the three hunters set out across the often-treacherous passage paddling a large
Indian cedar canoe and a smaller canvas one. They were not seen alive again. Search parties set out when
they had not returned within a few days.
Once the empty canoes were found washed up on a Whidbey Island beach, it was apparent the men had
drowned. Seattle came to a standstill on Sunday, December 15, as huge memorial services and a
procession were held in honor of Minor and Haller. Morris Haller’s body was found on January 4, 1890,
P a g e | 296
and Lewis Cox’s body a month later. Minor was never found.
The names of Seattle’s Minor Avenue and T. T. Minor Elementary School both honor our Most
Worshipful Brother.
P a g e | 297
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ James R. Hayden: 1874-1875
Brother James R. Hayden was elected as Grand Master in 1874.
He was born February 22, 1837 in Oswego, New York and
served in the Civil War. He came to Washington Territory from
Chicago in 1870 and for 20 years was a collector of internal
revenue and worked in the federal land office in Olympia.
He was made a Mason in Blair Lodge, No. 393 of Chicago, and
affiliated with Olympia Lodge, No. 1 in 1870. He served as its
Master in 1872. He was manager of a savings bank in Seattle
and a regent of the University of Washington for a time, and for
numerous years before his death on November 15, 1902 in
Seattle he was sovereign Grand Inspector General in
Washington for the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction.
P a g e | 298
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ David C.H. Rothschild: 1873-1874
M⸫W⸫ Bro. David C.H. Rothschild , a Past Master of Port
Townsend Lodge, No. 6, was elected Grand Master in 1873. He
was born in Bavaria on August 7, 1824 and emigrated to the
United States in 1843. He came to Whatcom (now Bellingham)
in 1858 and entered the mercantile business in Port Townsend in
1859. He conducted this enterprise until his death by suicide there
on April 26, 1886.
He was made a Mason in Mount Neboh Lodge, No. 257, in New
York in 1853. He served as Master of Port Townsend Lodge three
years, 1868-70, and later as its Secretary and Treasurer.
P a g e | 299
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