USA > Washington DC > History of the Grand lodge and of freemasonry in the District of Columbia : with biographical appendix > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
As an essayist on scientific subjects he has attained first rank. Follow- ing are a few of his writings: "Absorption of gases by water and the or- ganic matter contained therein," (Franklin Institute Journal, Vol. 60, 1870) ; "An improved distilling apparatus for steamships," (F. I. J., Vol. 64, 1872) ; "Pneumatic Steering Gear," (F. I. J., Vol. 71) ; "The Flagship Trenton," (Naval Institute, Vols. 4 and 5) ; "Ventilation of ships," (N. I., Vol. 6, 1880) ; "Engineering reports from the Albatross," (G. P. O., 1882-3-4-5-6) ; "Electric lighting on shipboard," (Science, Vol. 2, 1883) ; " Flight of the flying fish," (Science, Vols. 8 and 10). In the French Academy it was said : " It remained for an American naval officer to prove by mathematics the flight of this fish."
Bro. Baird is Past President of the American Society of Naval En- gineers, a member of the Geographical Society, Sons of American Revo-
382
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY
lution, Cosmos Club, and Society of Naval Architects and Marine En- gineers. After the reorganization of the public school system in Wash- ington, in 1906, he held the very important position of President of the local Board of Education for several years.
In Masonry Bro. Baird has long been unusually active. He comes of a family of Masons, his father, grandfather, and three uncles on that side being members of the Craft, while on his mother's side tradition has it that every man for eleven generations back was entitled to wear the lambskin apron. He was initiated, passed, and raised in Tolerancia Lodge, No. 4, at Lisbon, Portugal, in July, 1867; affiliated with Naval Lodge, No. 87, in Vallejo, California, in 1870, and affiliated with Hope Lodge, No. 20, of this jurisdiction, in 1875, of which last lodge he became Master in 1883. He was also elected an honorary member of Naval Lodge, No. 4, of Washington, D. C., February 6, 1902. He received the Capitular de- grees in Washington R. A. Chapter, No. 2, Washington, D. C., being ex- alted January 25, 1882, and serving as High Priest of that Chapter during 1890. He was knighted in Washington Commandery, No. 1, in January, 1891. He received the first fourteen degrees of the Scottish Rite in Portugal in 1867; the Rose Croix grade in Evangelist Chapter ; the Knight of Kadosh in Robert de Bruce Council, and the Consistory grades in Albert Pike Consistory. He was crowned a thirty-third degree Mason October 26, 1901, in the A. A. S. R., Southern Jurisdiction of the United States.
Since the death of Bro. Singleton Bro. Baird has most ably and acceptably filled the position of Chairman of the Committee on Cor- respondence.
MATTHEW TRIMBLE,
GRAND MASTER, 1897.
To Bro. Trimble's marked executive ability and thoroughgoing busi- ness methods may properly be given a large share of the honor of suc- cessfully launching the New Masonic Temple enterprise, which developed during his administration from a suggestion of Columbia Commandery, No. 2, K. T.
He has for many years been an exceedingly popular official of the Dis- trict and brought to the position of Assessor, to which he was appointed March 16, 1890, an intimate knowledge of local affairs which enabled him to discharge the duties of that office with the consummate skill bred of long experience.
He was born March 16, 1842, finished his classical education in 1860 at Kenyon College, Ohio, and for two years thereafter was in charge of the preparatory department of a college located at La Grange, Ky. He re- ceived the degrees of A. B. and A. M. in regular course from his Alma Mater. Removing to Washington in 1865, he took up the study of law in
383
IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Columbian (George Washington) University, and graduated therefrom in 1867 with the degree of LL. B. The following year he commenced the practice of his profession in Pomeroy, Ohio, in partnership with Judge Lewis Paine, of that place, a distinguished lawyer and an alumnus of Kenyon College, but in 1869 returned to Washington and continued the practice of law until his selection as Assessor, as before stated, which position he held for ten years, when at his own request he was transferred to the Board of Assistant Assessors of Personal Property, which position he now occupies.
During the existence of the District Legislature he was a member of that body, representing the Tenth Legislative District.
While pursuing his studies at Kenyon he became a charter member of Kenyon Chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, for which he still retains his early enthusiasm, being at present the President of the Wash- ington Graduate Association of that fraternity. He was also identified with the Nu Pi Kappa Literary Society and early developed a reputation as an orator, a reputation which later years has broadened and strengthened to an enviable extent. He is a charter member of the University Club of this city, and of the national Geographic Society, the Churchman's League of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the Oldest Inhabitants' Associa- tion, and Vice-President of the Masonic Temple Association. In religion he is an Episcopalian, and since his residence in Washington has been a member and communicant in St. John's P. E. Church, Sixteenth and H Streets, Northwest, being for many years a vestryman of said church and its registrar.
In Masonry Bro. Trimble has for many years been actively interested. He received the Blue Lodge degrees in B. B. French Lodge, No. 15, in 1867, having been entered January 21, passed February 18, and raised March 23, of that year. He affiliated with Pentalpha Lodge, No. 23, May 5, 1880, and served as its Master in 1883, withdrawing therefrom in 1907 to become a charter member of Temple Lodge, No. 32. He received the Capitular degrees in Washington Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2, in 1868, and became High Priest in 1877. He received the Orders of Knighthood in Columbia Commandery, No. 2, April 5, 1868; the same year dimitted from Columbia Commandery and organized Ohio Valley Commandery at Pomeroy, Ohio, and was elected its first Eminent Commander under the charter. On February 4, 1876, he affiliated with Columbia Commandery.
After filling a number of the subordinate Grand Lodge offices he was elected Grand Master for the year 1897.
December 11, 1878, he was elected and installed Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the District of Columbia and served in that capacity for two successive years.
He is Past President of the Convention of Anointed High Priests. In the A. A. S. R. he has attained the thirty-second degree and been elected Knight Commander, Court of Honor, and Past Wise Master of the Rose Croix Chapter. He is also a member of Almas Temple A. A. O. N. M. S.
384
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY
SAMUEL CLAXTON PALMER,
GRAND MASTER, 1898.
The subject of this sketch has spent his entire life in Georgetown, D. C., where he was born in October, 1839. His education was obtained in the schools of that city, but at an early age he engaged in mercantile pur- suits, being employed by John Trunnell, in the grocery business, from 1850 to 1854; by Knowles & Johnson, in the ship chandlery business, from 1854 to 1861, and by Riley A. Shinn, in the bottling business, from 1861 to 1863. In 1863, with a partner by the name of Green, he succeeded Shinn in this business, but shortly after acquired the entire interest in the business which he has ever since conducted in his own name.
While an active, progressive business man and citizen, Bro. Palmer has never held any public office, but for many years has held an enviable place in the hearts of his fellow townsmen and has always been foremost in every movement for municipal betterment or private philanthropy.
Altho of a retiring disposition he is lovable to a degree, and is one of the best known and most highly respected men in West Washington.
Among his business activities may be mentioned his service as a director of the Farmers and Mechanics' National Bank since 1894.
Bro. Palmer's interest and activity in Masonry covers a period of more than forty years, and has been of the greatest value not only to the sub- ordinate bodies with which he was affiliated, but to the Craft in general, his administration of the affairs of the Grand Lodge during his term as Grand Master being marked by the same ability and business acumen which brought success to him in his private affairs.
He was initiated in The New Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9, February 18, 1867; passed March 28, 1867; raised May 2, 1867, and withdrew December 28, 1868, to become a charter member of George C. Whiting Lodge, No. 22; was Senior Warden, 1870-71; Worshipful Master, 1872-73, and Treas- urer, 1874 to 1897, and 1900 to 1902. After service through the progressive line of the Grand Lodge he ascended the Grand East for the year 1898.
He received the Capitular degrees in Potomac Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M., June 13, September 12, and October 10, 1871.
He was knighted in Columbia Commandery, No. 2, K. T., November 6, 1874, and remains a member at this time.
JOHN HENRY SMALL, JR.,
GRAND MASTER, 1899.
Brother Small was born September 2, 1855, in this city, where he has al- ways resided, and received his education in the local public schools. and the Spencerian Business College. Soon after his graduation from the College he became associated with his father in the florist business. The firm of J. H. Small & Sons (composed of father and two sons) has long
PROPOSED MASONIC AND EASTERN STAR HOME.
HHH
385
IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
held a prominent place among American florists, having extended its business eighteen years ago, by opening a branch in New York City, where its reputation as artist decorators has become as extensive as in Washington.
Bro. Small has been for a number of years a prominent figure in the · local business world, being connected with a number of financial insti- tutions, and was President of the Washington Board of Trade in 1909.
He is a man of unusually forceful character and possessed of an ideal business temperament; energetic, quick to grasp a situation, to foresee results, and to arrive ,at decision, yet withal safely conservative. Clear- minded and resourceful, straightforward, honorable, and upright, his leadership in the larger enterprises of the local Fraternity has always been marked by success, while his genial, courteous disposition toward all mankind has drawn to him a host of friends and admirers.
His greatest achievement, perhaps, in the Masonic field has been the building of the new Masonic Temple, with which, not only by reason of his executive connection with that enterprise, but also by his tireless personal efforts, his name will always be linked.
When, in 1897, upon the suggestion and invitation of Columbia Com- mandery, representatives of all the local Masonic bodies assembled for the purpose of considering the project of a new Masonic Temple, Bro. Small was made Chairman of the General Committee and of the Executive Committee, which it created. Later, when it was determined to give a Masonic Fair, he was made President of the Board of Control, and to his splendid organizing ability, energy, and zeal, was largely due the success of that great enterprise.
When the Masonic Temple Association was organized he was elected Vice-President, and subsequently when the late Bro. R. B. Donaldson, Past Grand Master, declined a re-election, Bro. Small was chosen Presi- dent, which most important position he held from January, 1899, until October 17, 1910.
.
Bro. Small was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason October 16, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft November 20, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason December 18, in the year 1879, in Washington Centennial Lodge, No. 14. He served as Senior Deacon in 1880, as Junior Warden in '81, as Senior Warden in '90, and as Worshipful Master in '91 and in '92. In the Grand Lodge he was Junior Grand Steward in '92, Junior Grand Deacon in '93, Senior Grand Deacon in '94, Grand Marshal in '95, Junior Grand Warden in '96, Senior Grand Warden in '97, Deputy Grand Master in '98, and Grand Master in 1899. He is also an honorary member of Acacia Lodge, No. 18, and Hope Lodge, No. 20.
He received the Capitular degrees in LaFayette R. A. Chapter, No. 5, in 1880: Mark Master, February 3; Past Master, March 2; Most Excellent Master, March 30, and Royal Arch, April 13; has been honored by his companions by election to the various chairs of office, and served with distinction as High Priest in 1897.
He was knighted in Columbia Commandery May 7, 1880, served as Guard in '92, as Standard-Bearer in '93, as Senior Warden in '94 and '95,
25
386
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY
as Captain-General in '96, as Generalissimo in '97, as Commander in '98, and has been elected a life member. He is at present Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Grand Commandery, K. T., D. C.
He is also a member of Washington Council, No. 1, Royal and Select Masters ; a life member of each of the Scottish Rite bodies of the Southern jurisdiction, having attained to the 33º (honorary) ; a member of Almas Temple, A. A. O. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of Naomi Chapter, No. 3, Order of the Eastern Star.
WILLIAM GEORGE HENDERSON,
GRAND MASTER, 1900.
Born in Washington, D. C., October 15, 1852, he received his education in various private schools, including the preparatory school of Columbian College. Receiving an appointment as clerk in the office of the Inspector of Building Materials for the Treasury Department's Extension he re- mained there until he secured a better appointment in the Agricultural Department, leaving this in 1868 to accept a clerkship in the U. S. Patent Office, where he was for a number of years a member of the examining corps, until 1874, when he resigned. At this time he received the degree of Bachelor of Law from Columbian Law School, graduating with the class of 1874, and was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.
For two years after beginning the general practice of law Bro. Hen- derson had his office with the late Walter D. Davidge. Subsequently he concluded to make a specialty of patent cases before the Federal courts. On the motion of Mr. Davidge he was admitted to the bar of the U. S. Supreme Court May 10, 1880.
Bro. Henderson is also identified with interests outside the pale of his profession, among them the Washington Board of Trade, in which he was for six years a member of the Board of Directors and is at present Chairman of the important Committee on Streets and Avenues. He was one of the organizers, and for a number of years the President of the North Capitol and Eckington Citizens' Association, organized in 1896, and at present is a member ex officio of the Executive Committee of that Association and Chairman of its Committee on Street Railways.
Bro. Henderson has a large and lucrative practice in patent and trade- mark cases both in the District of Columbia and before the U. S. Circuit Courts throughout the States where litigation is in progress.
Of pleasing presence and courteous demeanor he rejoices in a host of friends, while his judicial training and analytical mind has won for him high rank in the councils of his fellows in all his public and semi-public associations. A close and logical reasoner and a convincing, forceful speaker Bro. Henderson has been a most valuable member of the Masonic
387
IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Fraternity, to which he has devoted his talents for many years, and in which he has received the highest honors.
He was initiated in The New Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9, August 13, 1874; passed September 10, 1874, and raised October 22, 1874; was Worshipful Master thereof in 1880, and after serving in various subordinate chairs was Grand Master in 1900. In 1903 he was Chairman of the Committee on Revision of the Grand Lodge Constitution and at present is Chairman of the Committee on Jurisprudence of the Grand Lodge.
He received the Capitular degree in Columbia Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., in 1875, and filled the offices of Scribe and King in 1881 and 1882, re- spectively.
He was knighted in Washington Commandery, No. 1, K. T., May 13, 1876, and received the Order of Malta February 28, 1877.
He is a member of Mithras Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, A. A. S. R., Southern jurisdiction, having received the fourteenth degree on Decem- ber 5, 1899.
For a number of years Bro. Henderson served as the representative of his lodge on the Masonic Board of Relief, and at one time was Presi- dent of that Board.
He has also represented his lodge in the New Masonic Temple As- sociation.
HARRY STANDIFORD,
GRAND MASTER, 1901.
Bro. Standiford was born in Alexandria, Va., May 23, 1858. He graduated from St. John's Academy, Alexandria, in 1874, and two years later came to Washington and engaged in the profession of pharmacy, graduating at the National College of Pharmacy in 1879. In 1883 he be- came the proprietor of a drug store at the southwest corner of Ninth and F Streets, N. W., and built up a large business, which continued until 1889, when he was obliged to vacate the premises on account of the de- molition of the building. He then removed to another stand on F Street, between Ninth and Tenth Streets, and continued in the drug business until 1892, when he established a wholesale cigar business, in which he is engaged at the present time.
M. W. Bro. Standiford was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge, No. 11, receiving the Master Mason's degree January 25, 1884. His aptitude for Masonic work soon led to his appointment to a place in the official line, and to his election, after filling several subordinate stations, to the office of Worshipful Master for the year 1890.
He received the Royal Arch degree in Washington Chapter, No. 2, Oc- tober 31, 1884, and was High Priest of the Chapter for the year 1895.
He was knighted in Washington Commandery, No. 1, K. T., August 23, 1886.
He became a member of Mithras Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R., June 19, 1889, and of Evangelist Chapter Rose Croix, February 26, 1899.
388
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY
He was initiated in Almas Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, Janu- ary 20, 1887, and has been an active member of that organization, serving as Illustrious Potentate in 1897 and 1898, and as representative in the Im- perial Council for six years.
At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of 1890, before he had retired from the chair of his lodge, he was elected Junior Grand Steward, and entered upon an official career which is probably without parallel in the history of the Grand Lodge. From December 27, 1890, when he took up the rod of the Junior Grand Steward, until December 27, 1901, when he laid down the gavel of the Grand Master, he was continu- ously in office, and served a full term in every station in the progressive line.
He was appointed Grand Master of the First Vail in the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the District of Columbia December 11, 1895, and after serving in all but two of the succeeding stations in the progressive line, on December 11, 1901, he was elected and installed Grand High Priest for an extended term which ended in February, 1903, the time of holding the Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter having been changed from December to February. From December 11 to December 27, 1901, he held the offices of both Grand Master and Grand High Priest.
As Grand Master his investigation of every question was thorough, and when his decision was entered no matter of law or fact had been over- looked. With a high sense of what was due to the dignity and well-being of the Fraternity, he addressed himself to the correction of irregularities, some of which had existed long enough to receive the sanction of ancient usage, and hesitated not to censure where censure was deserved. While maintaining our right of jurisdiction over profanes residing in the District of Columbia, but exercising the right of suffrage in the States, he jealously guarded the rights of another jurisdiction which had been unwittingly in- vaded by one of our lodges. He rebuked the violation of Masonic confi- dence, upheld the right of the Fraternity to a careful investigation of the character of applicants, criticised laxity in many details of administration, and commanded orderly procedure in the dispatch of business. Under his administration the financial affairs of the Grand Lodge were placed on a business basis. Tactful as well as forceful, his genial personality dis- armed the resentment which some of his official acts might have excited, and his unfailing courtesy won for him the love of all his brethren.
MALCOLM SEATON,
GRAND MASTER, 1902.
This Brother, the son of the late William Winston Seaton, Grand Master during the years 1821, 22, and 24, was born in Washington City, Dis- trict of Columbia, May 12, 1829. He received his education in the private schools of the city of his birth, with the exception of the time he was a
GRAND MASTER, 1908; GRAND HIGH PRIEST, 1904.
389
IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
pupil in Benjamin Hallowell's school of Alexandria, Va., and a student at Capt. Kingsley's military school on the Hudson River near West Point.
In 1848 he was appointed an aid in the United States Coast Survey, the distinguished scientist, Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache, at that time being its superintendent. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of Assistant Engineer in the Boundary Commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico, under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and served in that capacity until the last stake was driven at the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, having in the meantime worked upon the line from New Mexico to California, returning across the country to El Paso, and thence down through Mexico to Camargo on the Rio Grande.
In 1853 he was reappointed as assistant in the Coast Survey, but his health failing from exposure to the swamps in Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position October 26, 1860, in the clerical force of the United States Census, which position he held until the work on the Census was finished in July, 1866, when he was transferred to the U. S. Patent Office, his commission bearing date August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880, was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner, which position he held during the re- mainder of his life.
Bro. Seaton was made a Master Mason November 7, 1867, in Columbia Lodge, No. 3, of this jurisdiction, and on removing his residence to Georgetown, D. C. (now West Washington), he affiliated with Potomac Lodge, No. 5, of that city. He was elected Senior Warden of that lodge in 1889, and in 1890 was elected its Worshipful Master. In 1892 he was elected Junior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge, and successively passed through the several chairs, and was elected December 4 and in- stalled December 27, 1901, as M. W. Grand Master. This position he filled with signal ability, dignity, and grace. He exacted a strict ad- herence to constitutional provisions, the ancient landmarks, customs, and usages, and observance of fraternal courtesies; his dignified and courtly bearing always commanded respect and deference; his suavity of manner made it always a pleasure to approach him and be in his society, and his choice of language and grace of expression always insured him an atten- tive audience.
Bro. Seaton was also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, in which he had taken eighteen degrees. He was a member of Orient Lodge of Perfection, No. 2, until it surrendered its charter in December, 1902, and was later a member of Mithras Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, and also of Evangelist Chapter Rose Croix, A. A. S. R., located in the city of Washington.
The latter years of his life were years of suffering, which culminated in his death September 6, 1904, at Marblehead, Mass., whither he had gone but a short time before in the hope that the change might prove beneficial.
390
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY
GEORGE HAROLD WALKER,
GRAND MASTER, 1903.
Born in Pontypool, Monmouthshire, England, November 27, 1851, he came to this country in 1857, and after spending a year in Northern New York removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where his early education was ob- tained in the public schools and in printing and newspaper offices. In 1865, he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was employed as printer and reporter by the Cleveland Leader until 1873, when he entered Cornell University, working in a printing office at Ithaca to help pay his way at college. Returning to the Cleveland Leader, he was engaged as an edi- torial writer until 1880, when he was employed by the Cleveland Herald, coming to Washington as the representative of that journal in 1881. He soon returned to the Leader, which he represented at Washington until 1891, serving also for several years as correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle. In 1887 he became a member of the celebrated Gridiron Club, which he served as treasurer for many years. During his long and suc- cessful career as a newspaper man he was brought into contact with many distinguished public men, notably Presidents Garfield and Mckinley, with whom he was in close confidential relations.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.