USA > Washington DC > History of the Grand lodge and of freemasonry in the District of Columbia : with biographical appendix > Part 33
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JESSE WASHINGTON LEE, JR.,
GRAND MASTER, 1888.
Past Grand Master Lee is a native of Maryland, having been born in Harford County of that State, July 9, 1833. At the age of twenty-two he entered the U. S. Navy, from which he was discharged October 8, 1857. At the outbreak of the Civil War he offered his services in defense of the Union, and was mustered November 8, 1861, as 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant of the Baltimore Light Infantry. This organization was subsequently consolidated with the Third Maryland Vols. (Inf.), and he became Captain of Company K of that regiment. With his command he participated in the battle of Cedar Mountain and an engagement at Beverly Ford, Va. He was Deputy Provost Marshal 3d Dist., Baltimore, Md., under Enrollment Act, 1863, 1864, and 1865; Assessor 3d Dist., Bal- timore, Md., 1866; General Service, U. S. A., November 22, 1866. Since then he has held a position of trust in the War Department, particularly distinguishing himself during the late Spanish-American War by his suc- cessful administration of the extremely arduous duties of his office.
He first saw Masonic light in St. John's Lodge, No. 11, August 27, 1875, and served as its Master in 1879, 1880, and 1882. Exalted in Potomac Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M., November 3, 1875, he became High Priest of that body in 1880. He was knighted in Potomac Commandery No. 3, K. T., July 16, 1884, but upon the formation of Orient Commandery,
GRAND MASTER, 1906.
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IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
No. 5, became one of its charter members, and served as its Commander in 1897. In the Grand Chapter of R. A. M. of the District he reached the position of Grand Principal Sojourner in 1881, but declined further advancement.
After filling successively the several important subordinate offices in the Grand Lodge he was elected Grand Master in December, 1887.
His administration, covering the year 1888, was a notably successful and prosperous one, and to him fell the honor of laying the cornerstone of the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1007 G Street, Northwest. Altho he did not enter the Masonic Fraternity until early middle life he quickly became one of its best known, most prominent, and popular members, and rose rapidly to the most important positions in the Order. A natural and recognized leader of men he possesses also the distinction of being one of the most impressive ritualists of the jurisdiction.
In the A. A. S. R. also, many honors have come to him. He was made Perfect Elu February 11, 1888, by Orient Lodge of Perfection, No. 2; Knight Rose Croix, February 24, 1888, by Evangelist Chapter ; Kadosh, March 3, 1888, by Robert de Bruce Council, and April 16, 1888, received the thirty-second degree in Albert Pike Consistory. He was Master of Ceremonies in Orient Lodge of Perfection, No. 2, in 1889; First Sub-Preceptor of Robert de Bruce Council of Kadosh for several years, and Orator of Albert Pike Consistory, No. 1, from 1893 to 1895. He was elected a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor by the Supreme Council of the thirty-third degree for the Southern Jurisdiction, U. S. A., October 19, 1897.
Right Worshipful Brother Lee is Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, of the Grand R. A. Chapter of Arizona, and of the Grand Commandery of Alabama, near the corresponding Grand bodies of the District of Columbia.
HARRISON DINGMAN,
GRAND MASTER, 1889.
Born in Hudson, N. Y., September 5, 1840, he received a common school education in his native city, and in May, 1861, enlisted for two years in the 14th N. Y. Vol. Inf., and at the battle of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862, was wounded.
In January, 1867, he was appointed to a clerkship in the Indian Bureau where he is now employed. His tenure of office, however, has not been continuous, as he has been engaged in other pursuits and filled other positions, notably as Supervisor for the District of Columbia in the Census of 1890 and 1900. He was also connected with the first United States Porto Rican Census in 1899, filling the position of Assistant Director.
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He has been prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, filling the office of Department Commander of the Potomac Department, and later was elected Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief of the National Organiza- tion, and in the National Encampment, held in this city in 1892, he occupied the very responsible position of Secretary to the Citizens' Com- mittee, which brought him into national reputation in Grand Army circles.
Bro. Dingman has had a most notable Masonic career. He first saw light in Masonry in The New Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9, being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason August 12, 1880, and serving the lodge as Master in 1884. He was elected Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge in 1884 and served as Grand Master of Masons in 1889.
He received the Capitular degrees in Columbia Chapter, No. 1, in 1881, and filled the office of High Priest in 1886. After filling various offices in the line of the Grand Chapter he was elected Grand High Priest and filled that position in 1893. In 1890 he served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Washington Council, No. 1.
He received the Orders of Knighthood in Washington Commandery in 1883, and filled the position of Commander in 1891 and 1892. During the two years of his incumbency he conferred the Orders of Knighthood on 115 candidates, and his record has never been equaled in the history of the Commandery. He was elected Grand Standard-Bearer in the Grand Commandery in 1897, and after filling two other offices in the line was elected Grand Commander in May, 1900. At the Triennial Conclave at Saratoga, in 1907, he was appointed Grand Captain of the Guard of the Grand Encampment.
WV. Bro. Dingman has not confined his activities to the York Rite in Masonry, but has also been prominently identified with the Scottish Rite. He received the degrees conferred in Mithras Lodge in 1888, and in 1889 received the other degrees including the thirty-second degree in Evangelist Chapter, Robert de Bruce Council, and Albert Pike Consistory. In 1894 he served as Commander of Robert de Bruce Council. He was made Knight Commander, Court of Honor, October, 1897, and on October 23, 1903, received the thirty-third and last degree.
He has devoted a great deal of time and energy in promoting the interests of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of Almas Temple and served as Potentate during 1893-4-5 and 1896; in 1903 he was elected Recorder, and is still holding that office. In 1896 he was elected Imperial Potentate for North America, and by virtue of filling that position is a delegate ad vitam to the Imperial Council.
It will be seen that R. E. Sir Dingman has been highly honored by the Masonic Fraternity, but these honors have been bestowed on him as a fitting reward for a lifetime spent in unselfish devotion to the interests of the Craft. He has filled every position with zeal, fidelity, and conspicu- ous ability. By his loyalty and genial personality he has attracted to him- self a circle of life-long friends, and his name is known in every State and Territory.
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IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
JAMES ANTHONY SAMPLE,
GRAND MASTER, 1890.
Born in South Bend, Ind., October 6, 1844, Bro. Sample received his education in the common schools of that State and Northern Indiana College. In June, 1862, he removed to Washington as an aide in the United States Coast Survey, served later in the Navy Department and the office of the Public Printer, and entered the Treasury Department in May, 1869, where he has continuously remained.
Bro. Sample has, since 1875, served in the United States Treasurer's office, of which is now Assistant Cashier, and in the cash room filled the positions of paying, receiving, change teller, and vault clerk. In 1892 he was made chief of the division of issue, where all of the United States currency issues were sealed, separated, and packed, and where the silver and minor coins sent in for redemption are counted and assorted. He has been frequently intrusted with the examination of sub-treasuries; was sent to London in 1871 with $10,000,000 coupon bonds for the Jay Cooke, McCulloch & Co. syndicate, and in 1900 was selected by Secretary Gage for the exchange of money of Porto Rico, taking $3,000,000 in United States currency to the island and shipping back to the United States Mint $5,000,000 in the Spanish provincial coin.
Bro. Sample is a man of most engaging personality, a clear and logical thinker, an attractive and convincing speaker, and possessed of executive ability of the highest order, an equipment which has been at the service of the Fraternity in the District for nearly four decades, his lively interest and active participation in its affairs having never known abatement since his affiliation here in 1875.
He was for many years an earnest advocate of the proposition to build a new Temple; was prominently identified with every movement in that direction, and soon after the formation of the late Masonic Temple Asso- ciation became its Treasurer and one of its most valued advisors, and through his trained business ability and indefatigable zeal did much for the success of that enterprise.
Bro. Sample was initiated in South Bend Lodge, No. 294, South Bend, Ind., March 18, 1867; passed March 22, 1867, and raised April 2, 1867; withdrew October 3, 1873; affiliated with San Diego Lodge, No. 35, San Diego, Cal., January 31, 1874; withdrew July 25, 1874; affiliated with B. B. French Lodge, No. 15, of this jurisdiction July 19, 1875; was elected Junior Warden for the year 1881; Senior Warden, 1882, and Worshipful Master, 1883; was elected Junior Grand Warden for 1887, and after passing through the intervening chairs in regular order served as Grand Master for the year 1890. He was elected Grand Treasurer in 1901 and has served continuously as such since that date.
He is also an honorary member of Anacostia Lodge, No. 21, Osiris Lodge, No. 26, and Temple Lodge, No. 32.
He received the Capitular degrees in Washington Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M., and was High Priest thereof in 1897.
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He was knighted January 23, 1889, in Washington Commandery, No. 1, K. T., and during the same year received the fourteenth degree in the Scottish Rite.
THOMAS F. GIBBS,
GRAND MASTER, 1891.
This Brother was born in Sandwich, Mass., July 14, 1837. In early life he removed to Bridgewater, in his native State, where he received an academic education. October 6, 1864, he enlisted in the 20th Maine In- fantry, and shortly afterward was detailed for hospital duty in Washington, D. C., in which service he continued until October 31, 1865, when he was honorably discharged and immediately appointed to a position in the War Department. He graduated from the Medical Department of the Georgetown University of this city in 1870, and practiced his profession for about a year in Providence, Rhode Island. He then returned to Washington and resumed his position in the War Department, and con- tinued in that service the balance of his active life. In July, 1901, while going from Washington to Boston, the steamer encountered a heavy gale and Bro. Gibbs was flung violently from his berth, receiving injuries from which he never recovered, resulting in progressive paralysis and partial blindness.
He was made a Master Mason in Columbia Lodge, No. 3, January 5, 1876; was Junior Warden of said lodge in 1878; Senior Warden in 1879, and Worshipful Master in 1880 and 1883. He was Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge in 1885, served in each succeeding station in the progressive line, and was Grand Master in 1891. He was also an honorary member of M. M. Parker and Washington Centennial Lodges. In Capitular Masonry, Bro. Gibbs was Grand High Priest in the year 1892. He died January 30, 1906.
For twenty-five years he was a faithful and zealous worker in Symbolic and Capitular Masonry until his active career was terminated by the injury noted above. In manner courteous and genial, in disposition candid and sincere, he was held in great affection by all who knew him. Living for years in the shadow of death, with the knowledge that his summons might come at any moment, he was yet brave and cheerful, and his interest in the Fraternity never failed.
He was, indeed, an ideal Mason and a living practical exponent of the moral tenets of the Fraternity.
Francia roman AGodman .
GRAND MASTER, 1907; GRAND HIGH PRIEST, 1909.
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IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FREDERICK GOODING ALEXANDER,
GRAND MASTER, 1892.
Bro. Alexander was born in Newark, N. J., March 15, 1853, four years after his parents came to this country from England. He moved to Washington in 1862, and was educated in the public schools and Gonzaga College of this city, attending the latter institution three years. Being but a lad during the Civil War he had no military service as a combatant, but during Gen. Early's raid on the Capital City he acted as a drummer boy at Emory Hospital.
For a number of years he has been engaged in the grocery business in this city.
Bro. Alexander has always been an earnest and valued member of the Fraternity, and while circumstances, over which he has had no control, have latterly caused his withdrawal from active participation in Masonic matters, he yet retains a lively interest in all that pertains to the Order and keeps in close touch with his brethren.
Gifted with a commanding presence united with a most affable disposi- tion, possessed of executive ability of a high order and a genius for organization, he quickly came to the front in all his Masonic bodies, fulfilled the trusts reposed in him in a most satisfactory manner, and gathered to himself a host of friends.
He was initiated in Stansbury Lodge, No. 24, of this jurisdiction March 25, 1878; passed April 22, 1878, and raised July 8, 1878. After serving as Junior and Senior Warden of his lodge in 1882 and 1883, respectively, he filled the office of Master for the years 1884, '85, '87, and '88; was S. G. Deacon in 1887; G. Marshal in 1888; J. G. Warden in 1889; S. G. Warden in 1890; D. G. Master in 1891, and Grand Master in 1892. He was elected an honorary member of M. M. Parker Lodge, No. 27, November 6, 1894.
He received the Capitular degrees in Columbia R. A. Chapter, No. 1, during November, 1879; withdrew December 17, 1890, to become a charter member of Brightwood Chapter, No. 9.
He was knighted in DeMolay Mounted Commandery May 22, 1883, and served as its Commander for 1890-91.
Bro. Alexander was among the earliest members of the Fraternity to recognize the value of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as the first Patron of the first Chapter to be instituted here-Ruth Chapter, No. 1, located at Brightwood, D. C.
LANDON CABELL WILLIAMSON, GRAND MASTER, 1893.
Born at Charlottesville, Va., October 12, 1853, his early education was by private tutor until he entered the National University where he re- ceived his degree in law, was immediately thereafter admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia and later before the U. S. Supreme Court, and since 1874 has been an active and successful
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practitioner before the bar of Washington. For a number of years M. W. Bro. Williamson has been active in local church affairs, being identified in his earlier adult life with the First Presbyterian and later with the Assembly Church, in which latter he was twice Superintendent of the Sunday School, an Elder, and the leader of a large Bible class. When the Assembly and North Presbyterian Church united several years ago and formed the Northminster Presbyterian Church, he went into that church and is at present an Elder, Superintendent of its Sabbath School, and teacher of a Bible class. His interest in other lines of religious activity is shown by the fact that he served the local Y. M. C. A. for years as its President.
For more than thirty years he has been an enthusiastic and tireless worker in all branches of Masonry and has given liberally of his time and talents in most efficient work in this field. He was made a Mason in Washington Centennial Lodge, No. 14, of this jurisdiction, receiving the three degrees February 19, March 18, and May 6, 1880, respectively ; was Junior Warden in 1884 and Master in 1885-'7; withdrew May 21, 1890, as a charter member of Osiris Lodge, No. 26, serving as its first S. W .; became Junior Grand Warden the same year; S. G. W., 1891; D. G. M., 1892, and Grand Master, 1893.
He received the Capitular degrees in LaFayette R. A. Chapter, No. 5, in October, 1884, entered the Council as Scribe in 1888, was King in 1889, and High Priest the following year.
He was knighted in Columbia Commandery, No. 2, K. T., but dimitted and became a member of Orient, No. 5, in which latter commandery he remains.
In Cryptic Masonry he is on the roll of Washington Council, No. 1, Royal and Select Masters.
He was one of the founders of the Masonic Relief Association of the United States and Canada, was the Secretary of the same for four years, and its President for two years. He is also a past president of the local Masonic Board of Relief. He holds membership in the Masonic Veterans' Association, the Convention of High Priests, and Almas Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
He is a thirty-third degree Mason of the A. A. Scottish Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States; is a member of Mithras Lodge, No. 1; a life member of Evangelist Chapter of Rose Croix, Robert De Bruce Council of Kadosh, and Albert Pike Consistory, A. A. S. R., and an honorary member of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite.
As a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Bro. Williamson has also attained exalted rank. He was the first Patron of Naomi Chapter, No. 3, the first Grand Patron of the District of Columbia, and has held the office of Most Worthy Grand Patron of the General Grand Chapter of the O. E. S.
He is one of the incorporators and directors of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home, and to his untiring interest, activity, and ability the success attained by that Institution is in a large measure due.
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IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
HENRY S. MERRILL,
GRAND MASTER, 1894.
Brother Merrill was born at Plymouth, N. H., May 23, 1843. When about six months old his father removed to Charleston, Mass., and in that place young Merrill resided and received a common school education, until the age of nineteen when, in July, 1862, he enlisted in the 36th Mass. Regt., U. S. Vols., for a period of three years. Two years later he re- ceived his discharge from the army to accept a clerkship in the War Department at Washington, and on February 1, 1872, resigned that posi- tion to enter the service of the Treasury Department where he has since remained.
Bro. Merrill has for many years taken a lively interest in local Masonic matters and has brought to the discharge of the duties of the many offices he has filled a degree of earnestness and ability which have been alike creditable to himself and the Fraternity. A genial, companionable man he has a host of friends, and still continues to keep in close and helpful touch with all the movements for the advancement of the Fraternity.
Bro. Merrill was initiated in LaFayette Lodge, No. 19, of this juris- diction, December 16, 1865; passed January 12, 1866, and raised February 1, 1866; served as J. W. in 1874; was Secretary, 1884-87, and again 1892- 93, and in the interim, in 1888, filled the East in his lodge.
He became Grand Master in 1894 after having filled the subordinate chairs and in the same year was elected to honorary membership in Washington Centennial Lodge, No. 14.
He received the Capitular degrees in Columbia R. A. Chapter, No. 1, from June 1 to August 8, 1866, and served as High Priest in 1872.
He was knighted in Columbia Commandery, No. 2, K. T., this city, in 1868 and dimitted therefrom in 1888; affiliated with Washington Command- ery, No. 1, August 8, 1888, and was Recorder of the latter body from April, 1896, to April, 1909.
He is a fifteenth degree Scottish Rite Mason, unaffiliated.
DAVID G. DIXON,
GRAND MASTER, 1895.
Bro. Dixon was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he was educated in the local district schools and resided until the outbreak of the Civil War, when, in April, 1861, he enlisted, and, August 5, 1861, was mustered into the Union Army and served three years with distinc- tion in Battery "B," 1st Pa. Reserve Light Artillery, being promoted October 10, 1861, to rank of Corporal, and participating in the battles in the seven days' fight before Richmond and Second Bull Run, in which
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latter engagement he was severely wounded. Upon receiving his discharge from the military service, June 8, 1864, he came to this city, and accepted a position in the War Department, Surgeon General's Office, and later became Chief Clerk of the Supply Division, which position he held at the time of his death.
Bro. Dixon was noted for his kindness of heart, genial disposition, and careful and painstaking habits, and was one of the most popular and best-beloved members of the Fraternity in the jurisdiction.
He passed away, after a long and painful illness, November 25, and his funeral took place at Rock Creek Cemetery, Sunday, November 28, 1909, under the auspices of the Grand Lodge, M. W. Brother H. K. Simpson officiating, and was attended by large delegations from his lodge, chapter, and commandery, and numerous friends.
He received the Blue Lodge degrees in Lebanon Lodge, No. 7, in this city in the years 1866-67, and after serving in several positions in the lodge, was elected Worshipful Master in 1880, and re-elected in 1881. In 1884 he served as Treasurer and in the election of that year was chosen Secretary of the lodge and filled that position for ten consecutive years.
He received the Capitular degrees in Washington R. A. Chapter, No. 2, in 1880-81, being exalted March 24, 1881, and after filling several of the subordinate offices of the chapter, was elected as its Excellent High Priest in December, 1884, serving for the year 1885. He was chosen Treasurer of the chapter in 1890, and served in that position continuously until the end of his life.
He was knighted in Washington Commandery, No. 1, K. T., in 1882, and subsequently served as Warder, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Captain General, and Generalissimo, and was elected Eminent Commander in 1893 and served as such for one year.
He was a member of the Masonic Veterans' Association of the District of Columbia.
He was made a member of Almas Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., August 30, 1886.
He was elected and served as President of the Convention of Anointed High Priests in 1894.
In 1886 he was elected an officer in the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, and after filling various offices in the line was elected M. W. G. Master, December, 1894, and served in that position for the succeeding Masonic year.
During his incumbency he officiated at the dedication of the recently erected Hall of Naval Lodge, No. 4, one of the most notable Masonic improvements of recent years.
He was for many years a member of the Fourth Presbyterian Church.
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IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
GEORGE W. BAIRD,
GRAND MASTER, 1896.
For many years Bro. Baird has been prominent and active in Ma- sonic, naval, literary, and social circles. Born in Washington, D. C., in 1843, he received his early education in the private and public schools of this city, and when quite young was apprenticed first to a printer and later to a machinist, at which latter occupation he quickly attained pro- ficiency. A natural draughtsman and ready free-hand sketcher, he pre- pared detail drawings from which work was gotten out when he was less than twelve years of age. At nineteen he entered the Navy as an Acting Third Assistant Engineer, serving in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron on the "Mississippi," "Calhoun," and "Pensacola," and was under fire twenty-three times during his first year of service. At twenty (the lowest age permitted) he entered the regular Navy, and served through all the grades to that of Chief Engineer. In August, 1895, he was appointed Su- perintendent of the State, War, and Navy building, was transferred to the Line of the Navy March 3, 1899, promoted to Captain December, 1902, and retired as a Rear Admiral April 22, 1905.
Admiral Baird has been remarkably prolific in inventions for the bet- terment of conditions in the Navy as well as along other lines. Among them are: A fresh-water distiller, an evaporator, pneumatic tell-tale, steam trap, automatic throttle, boiler feeder, etc. He also invented and worked out, proportioned and wrote up the system of ventilating ships by aspira- tion which is now universally used in large steamships. He was one of the pioneers in incandescent electric lighting, having installed the first in- candescent electric-lighting plant ever used in a government ship of any nation-the "Albatross"-a steamer built under his superintendence and of which he was chief engineer for nearly five years. This vessel being intended exclusively for deep-sea exploring he perfected plans for special machinery for that purpose which proved eminently successful. He was a member of the board which powered the enormous gun shops at Wash- ington, where he introduced the high-speed engines, rope transmission, etc., which are now in use in that plant.
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