USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 34
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ELMER E. BEACH
Grand Master 1921-22
Born December 19, 1861
Died March 17, 1950
After being admitted to the bar Elmer Beach practiced law in Chicago until he retired a few years ago.
He was made a Mason in Siloam Lodge No. 780 on November 16, 1888; transferred his membership to Evans Lodge No. 524 at Evanston in 1893; in 1896 affiliated with Park Lodge No. 843 at Chicago and served as Master in 1901. When Exemplar Lodge No. 966 was organ- ized in 1913 he became a charter member and was the first Master. For several years he was a member of the Board of Grand Examiners and was chairman when the ritual was revised in 1913. In 1921 he was installed as Grand Master and served for two years. Since 1933 he was on the committee on foreign correspondence and served until his death.
Elmer Beach was a fine dignified gentleman with an exceptionally pleasing personality. His counsel and advice were eagerly sought and freely given to the brethren of Illinois.
Masonic funeral services were conducted in Raleigh, North Caro- lina, on March 19, 1950.
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Grand Masters
ARTHUR EDWIN WOOD
Grand Master 1923
Born January 28, 1864
Died February 8, 1926
Brother Wood was born near Green Valley, Illinois on January 28, 1864. In 1893 he moved to Gibson City where he lived most of the remainder of his life. He was raised in Norton Lodge No. 631 at Cabery but transferred his membership to Gibson Lodge No. 733 at Gibson City. He served his lodge as Master in 1908 and the next year passed the examination for a commission as Grand Lecturer. In 1912 he was appointed a member of the Board of Grand Examiners and served for three years, the last as chairman. On October 9, 1917 he was elected Junior Grand Warden and was advanced regularly until on October 11, 1923 he was elected Grand Master. On account of ill health he only served for one year.
In 1894 he was exalted in Gibson Chapter No. 183 and served as High Priest in 1904-05-06. In 1909 he was started in the official line and became Grand High Priest in 1917. He was also a member of Gibson Council No. 72, Olivet Commandery No. 38, Ansar Temple Mystic Shrine and the Scottish Rite bodies in Oriental Consistory but changed his membership to the Bloomington bodies when they were formed. On September 19, 1911 he was crowned an Inspector General, 33rd degree.
In business life he was solicitor for a commission house in Chicago and became a director and stockholder in the same firm.
In 1919 he moved his family to Chicago where he lived until his death, which occurred on February 8, 1926. Funeral services were held on February 12, 1926.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
RICHARD C. DAVENPORT
Grand Master 1924-25
Born October 8, 1886
Richard C. Davenport was born in Harrisburg, Illinois on October 8, 1886. He attended the City and Township High School and finished his business education at Gem City Business College, Quincy, Illinois.
Continuing in the coal mining business, which his father left, he served as Secretary of the Davenport Coal Mining Company until 1920, when he disposed of these interests and engaged in banking. In December, 1928 he accepted the office of Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois, which position he now occupies. His business experience, his knowledge of Masonic laws and usages, and his love for Masonry combine to make him well fitted for that important office.
Brother Davenport was made a Master Mason on November 2, 1908 in Harrisburg Lodge No. 325. He is a past presiding officer of the four York Rite Bodies in Harrisburg, a Past Worthy Patron of Har- risburg Chapter No. 671, Order of Eastern Star. He belongs to Miss- issippi Valley Consistory and Ainad Temple in East St. Louis. He is an honorary member of the Supreme Council, having received the 33rd degree in Buffalo on September 21, 1926. He is also a Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois, which office he held in 1937.
Brother Davenport was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge in October, 1920, from which office he advanced until October, 1924, when he was elected Grand Master at the age of 38 years, being one of the youngest ever elected to that high office.
On June 9, 1909 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Haddon of Nuneaton, England. To this union two sons were born, Benjamin Haddon and Richard Cameron, both of whom are members of Harris- burg Lodge No. 325. The Davenports are members of the First Pres- byterian Church of Harrisburg and are interested in the religious, social and civic activities of their city.
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Grand Masters
DAVID DIETRICH KING
Grand Master 1926
Born January 14, 1858
Died June 17, 1939
Brother King came to Chicago and worked as a printer. In 1893 he organized the King Apron Supply Company, which he operated suc- cessfully until about a year before his death.
He was raised in Siloam Lodge No. 780 in 1889 and served as Mas- ter in 1905. In 1913 he became a charter member of Exemplar Lodge No. 966. He served for some time as a District Deputy. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1921 and became Grand Master in 1926 and served for one year.
He served for two years as chairman of a special committee on re- vision of the Constitution and By-laws of the Grand Lodge. At the time of his death he was a member of the jurisprudence committee. He had been a regular attendant at the schools of instruction and was ap- pointed a member of the Board of Grand Examiners in 1918 and served for three years, part of the time as chairman.
The record reads:
In appreciation of his generosity and because of his admirable qualities of character, a memorial in his honor is to be erected in Green- castle, Pa., the city of his birth, on the premises of the Jerome R. King Playground which brother King donated to that city in memory of his brother, in August 1923. His dedicatory address delivered on that occasion is still remembered.
He was exalted in York Chapter No. 148 and became a charter member of St. Cecelia Chapter No. 220 and was its second High Priest. He was knighted in Columbia Commandery No. 63 and became a charter member of St. Cecelia Commandery No. 83. He was a mem- ber of Oriental Consistory and Medinah Shrine.
The last rites were conducted by Harmonia Lodge No. 138 of West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 20, 1939.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
LOUIS LINCOLN EMMERSON
Grand Master 1927-28
Born December 27, 1863
Died February 4, 1941
Brother Emmerson was born in Albion, Illinois, on December 27, 1863. In 1886 he came to Mt. Vernon and began a business career. From 1896 to 1901 he was engaged in the mercantile business in which he made a signal success. In 1901 he was one of the leaders in or- ganizing the Third National Bank of Mt. Vernon and was cashier until his election as president. He was a member of the State Board of Equalization and for four years was a Commissioner of the Southern Penitentiary. In 1916 he was elected Secretary of State, served for 12 years, and then was elected Governor, serving one term.
He was raised in Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 31 in 1891 and was Master in 1913. In 1923 he was elected Junior Grand Warden and in 1927 Grand Master, serving for two years. He is the only member of the Craft that was Grand Master and Governor at the same time.
He was exalted in Hiram W. Hubbard Chapter No. 160 (now Andrew D. Webb) and served for seven years as High Priest. In 1913 he was elected Grand High Priest and served for one year.
He was knighted in Cyrene Commandery No. 23 at Centralia and was the first commander of Patton Commandery No. 69 at Mt. Vernon, serving for three years. In 1919 he was elected Grand Commander for a one-year term. He received the 33rd degree at Saratoga, New York in 1911. He was created an active member of the Supreme Council in 1928.
In addition to his Illinois activities he was Treasurer of the Grand Encampment for a number of years.
The honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him by both Millikin University and Illinois College. He organized and for years was the teacher of the Men's Bible Class of the Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon.
He died on February 4, 1941 and was buried by the Grand Lodge with the officers of the Grand Commandery acting as an escort.
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Grand Masters
EDWARD CLAUDE MULLEN
Grand Master 1929-30
Born June 10, 1869
Died August 11, 1944
This brother was born on June 10, 1869 in Cincinnati, Ohio where he spent his boyhood and attended the Cincinnati schools. He moved to Chicago in 1885, and on September 3, 1899 was married to Miss Anna Barbian of McHenry, Illinois. Shortly after that they moved to Oak Park where they made their home until his death. He was a sales manager for N. K. Fairbanks Company and later for the Indianapolis Conserve Company. For a time he was connected with the Huyler Candy Company of New York and became their western representa- tive. In 1912 he organized and incorporated the E. C. Mullen Com- pany, manufacturers of lubricating oil and greases, of which institu- tion he became President and General Manager.
He was made a Mason in Ashlar Lodge No. 308 on July 3, 1900. In 1910 he was elected Senior Deacon and advanced regularly until he became Master in 1913. He was a member of Oak Park Chapter No. 244, Apollo Commandery No. 1, and later dimitted to Siloan Com- mandery No. 54 at Oak Park. He joined Oriental Consistory in 1923 and received the 33rd degree in 1931. He was commissioned a Grand Lecturer in 1913 and elected President of the Grand Lecturer's Associa- tion. He was also president of the Masonic Standard Club of Chicago.
He was appointed District Deputy and served as president of the District Deputy Grand Masters' Association. He held honorary mem- bership in nine lodges. He was elected Grand Master in 1929 and served for two years. In 1931 he was elected Grand Treasurer served until his death which occurred on August 11, 1944.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
G. HAVEN STEPHENS
Grand Master 1931-32
Born May 25, 1881
Brother Stephens was born on May 25, 1881 at Rossville, Illinois, the son of a pioneer Methodist minister. He attended school in several towns where his father was placed and graduated from the Philadel- phia Dental College. He practiced his profession in Danville until he was elected Secretary of Danville Consistory. In September, 1908 he was raised in Olive Branch Lodge No. 38 at Danville. Four years later a Grand Lecturer and for two years was president of the Grand Lec- turers' Association. In 1915 he was appointed a District Deputy and served for eight years. In 1922 he was appointed a member of the Board of Grand Examiners and served for three years, the last as chairman.
He was elected Senior Grand Warden in 1927 and Grand Master in 1931. During his two years as Grand Master he visited every one of the 100 districts. He laid seven cornerstones, dedicated ten Masonic halls, attended 193 official receptions and fifty other Masonic functions. To keep these engagements he traveled more than 116,000 miles via auto and several thousands more by train and airplane. He is a mem- ber of Vermilion Chapter No. 82, Athelstan Commandery No. 45 and Ansar Shrine at Springfield. He has served the Scottish Rite bodies as Sovereign Prince and as Master of Rose Croix. He received the 33rd degree in 1922. He was a member of the special committee on music for the degrees for the Grand Lodge.
Upon retiring as Grand Master he was appointed a member of the appeals and grievances committee. He is now a member of the Board of Managers of the Masonic Home at Sullivan.
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Grand Masters
GROVER CLEVELAND NIEMEYER
Grand Master 1933-34
Born January 12, 1881
Brother Niemeyer was born on January 12, 1881 at Montrose, Illi- nois; was educated in the public schools and Austin College, Effingham; graduated from the Illinois College of Law (now Law Department, DePaul University), Chicago, and was admitted to the bar in 1904.
On December 27, 1911 he was married to Miss Grace Sumner Potter of Lexington, Kentucky. They have one son, Grover C. Niemeyer, Jr.
He served at various times as assistant state's attorney, special assistant state's attorney of Cook County and as special attorney for the Board of Election Commissioners of Chicago in the prosecution of vote frauds. In 1933 he was elected a Judge of the Superior Court of Cook County, the position he still holds.
He was raised in East Gate Lodge No. 923 in June, 1910; became Master in December, 1915; president of the Masonic Standard Club in 1919; Grand Lecturer, 1921-24; District Deputy, 1921-29; became a charter member of Howard Lodge No. 1134 in 1925; was elected Grand Master in 1933 and served for 2 years; was appointed a mem- ber of the appeals and grievances committee in 1936. He has since retired from active connection with the Grand Lodge.
HAL CARTER McLOUD
Grand Master 1935-36
Born March 31, 1876
The fifty-seventh Grand Master of Masons was born on a farm near Cantrall, Illinois on March 31, 1876. He was educated in Sanga- mon County schools. On October 11, 1905 he was married to Miss Anna Laura Klotz. They have one daughter.
For more than 31 years he was in the home office of the Franklin Life Insurance Company, of Springfield. In his youth he was a
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Freemasonry in Illinois
travelling saleman for the National Cash Register Company of Dayton, Ohio, and for the Smith Premier Typewriter Company of Syracuse, New York.
He was raised in Tyrian Lodge No. 333 on April 10, 1910. He served as Master in 1915, was commissioned a Grand Lecturer in 1914; served as Secretary of his lodge, 1918 to 1935; was District Deputy, 1918 to 1923. In 1923 he was appointed a member of the Board of Grand Examiners and served for three years. He joined Springfield Chapter No. 1, Springfield Council No. 2, Elwood Com- mandery No. 6 of which he is a Past Commander, Springfield Con- sistory, was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1931 and Grand Master in 1935, serving for two years.
Upon retiring as Grand Master he was appointed a member of the appeals and grievances committee. In 1950 he succeeded Elmer E. Beach as committee on correspondence.
EVERETT LEROY LAWRENCE
Grand Master 1937-38
Born February 7, 1888
Brother Lawrence was born in Hull, Illinois, on February 7, 1888. He attended the local school and became connected with his father in a general merchandising business. In May, 1926 he moved to Quincy, having been elected Secretary of Quincy Consistory, a position he still holds.
He was made a Mason in Hull Lodge No. 910; his father was Mas- ter and conferred the degrees upon him. At his official reception in his home lodge when he was Grand Master his father again presided.
He was Master of Hull Lodge in 1914 and served for seven years. When he moved to Quincy he affiliated with Quincy Lodge No. 296. He was exalted in Barry Chapter No. 88 but affiliated with Quincy Chapter No. 5. He is a member of Quincy Council No. 15; Quincy Commandery No. 77; Quincy Consistory; Ainad Shrine at East St. Louis; and Grace Whipple Chapter No. 312, Order of Eastern Star. He was crowned an Inspector General 33rd degree A.A.S.R. at Co- lumbus, Ohio on September 28, 1938.
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Grand Masters
He served as District Deputy, 1916-26, was appointed a member of the Board of Grand Examiners in 1927 and served as chairman in 1931-32. He was elected Grand Master in 1937-38. After retiring from that office he was appointed a member of the jurisprudence committee and is now chairman of that committee.
Being still comparatively a young Mason he bids fair to continue active service in Masonry for many years.
DAN DE BAUGH
Grand Master 1939-40
Born March 23, 1881
Died June 3, 1946
This Grand Master was born on March 23, 1881 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He was educated in the public schools and the German- English Academy. On March 14, 1910 he was married to Miss Flor- ence Binns of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In 1898 Brother DeBaugh joined the Ringling Brothers Show, entering the Outdoor Publicity and Excursion Department in 1900. In 1908 he became the Assistant General Excursion Agent with an office in Chicago. Ten years later he was made manager of the Chicago office of the Ringling Brothers-Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows.
He was raised in Apollo Lodge No. 642 on March 9, 1908 and be- came a charter member of Hyde Park Lodge No. 989, serving as Master in 1918-19. He was commissioned a Grand Lecturer in Decem- ber, 1917, appointed District Deputy in 1924 and appointed a member of the Board of Grand Examiners in 1927. He held this position for four years, during two of which he was chairman.
He was a member of Loyal Chapter No. 233, Palestine Council No. 66, St. Cecelia Commandery No. 83, Oriental Consistory and Medinah Temple. On September 24, 1941 he received the 33rd degree at Chicago.
He was elected Grand Master in 1939 and served for two years.
He was greatly interested in the ritual and made a record of attend- ance at the schools which has never been equalled, having attended 102 consecutive schools. He gave the Grand Lodge a business ad- ministration for which he was eminently qualified from his experience with transportation questions connected with his business.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
He died on June 3, 1946 at his home in Chicago. His funeral ser- vices were held on June 6 in the Scottish Rite Cathedral. The service was in charge of Fred I. Mills, Past Grand Master, in the absence of the Grand Master, who was attending the Grand Lodge in England.
KARL J. MOHR
Grand Master 1941-42
Born February 18, 1891
This brother was born in Pekin, Illinois on February 18, 1891. After graduating from the Pekin high school he entered the University of Michigan from which he graduated in 1913 with the degree of A.B. and in 1915 with the degree of LL.B. During his college career he was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, international scholastic honor society, Delta Sigma Rho, national forensic fraternity and the Michigan Law Review, the published journal of the Law College.
While attending the University of Michigan Brother Mohr met Miss Alice Deane Adams of Oswego, New York, to whom he was mar- ried on June 28, 1916. They have two sons and one daughter.
After graduation he located in Rockford where he is engaged in the practice of law. For six years he was a member of the Board of Rock- ford Community Fund, the last two as President. He also served several years on the Winnebago County Committee on Illinois Emer- gency Relief, the last six months as chairman.
He is a member of the University Club, the Rockford Country Club, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the County and State Bar Association.
Brother Mohr was made a Mason in Pekin Lodge No. 29 on September 16, 1913 and, upon locating in Rockford, affiliated with Star of the East Lodge No. 166 on February 4, 1916. He served this lodge as Master in 1923 and was commissioned a Grand Lecturer on January 5, 1924. He was appointed District Deputy on October 15, 1925, which office he held until August 31, 1929 when he was ap- pointed a member of the Board of Grand Examiners. He was a mem- ber of the Board for six years, the last of which he was chairman.
He is a member of all the co-ordinate bodies and of Freeport Con-
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Grand Masters
sistory. He was crowned an Inspector General 33rd degree on Septem- ber 24, 1944.
He was elected Grand Master of Masons in 1941 and again in 1942. Upon retiring from office he was appointed General Counsel for the Grand Lodge.
He has received many honors outside of Illinois: the Henry Price Medal from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts; Honorary member, Grand Chapter of Louisiana; Director, George Washington Mem- orial Association; President, Grand Masters' Conference, 1942; Ser- vice Medal, Grand Lodge of Rhode Island; Honorary Member, Grand Lodge of South Dakota; Honorary Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan; Honorary Member, Past Grand Masters Asso- ciations of Nebraska and Tennessee; Honorary Junior Grand Warden, Grand Lodge of Scotland.
He is still in the prime of life and bids fair to remain with us for many years.
STUART E. PIERSON
Grand Master 1943-44
Born September 8, 1872
This brother first saw the light of day in Carrollton, Illinois on September 8, 1872. He attended the public school until he was ten years old, when his family moved to Minneapolis, because of ill health of his father.
He graduated from the Minneapolis high school in 1891 and then attended Yale University from which he graduated in 1895. He then returned to Carrollton and entered the bank established by his grand- father in 1854. In 1898 he and Miss Mary Thomas were married; they have one daughter.
Although a banker, he devotes much time to agriculture and the management of his farms. In 1930 he was appointed Director of Agri- culture of the State of Illinois by Governor Emmerson and continued in that capacity until 1933.
He was raised in Carrollton Lodge No. 50 on January 28, 1897 and served as Master in 1899-1900. He is a past presiding officer of Carroll-
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Freemasonry in Illinois
ton Chapter No. 77, Carrollton Council No. 48 and Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 29, all of Carrollton. In 1926 he was appointed Grand Treasurer of the Grand Chapter to fill a vacancy and has held that office ever since. In October, 1943 he was elected an Honorary Past Grand High Priest. He served the Grand Commandery as Grand Commander in 1914, being now the dean of the Past Grand Com- manders, and since 1932 its Grand Treasurer. He was crowned a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, A.A.S.R. in 1923. On October 12, 1943 he was elected Grand Master and served for two years. Under his leadership the Masonic Service Centers for soldiers and sailors were carried to a successful conclusion. He still is active in the local bodies and very seldom misses a meeting of any of them.
WILLIAM TINSLEY
Grand Master 1945-46
Born July 1, 1868
Died April 6, 1948
This brother was born in Cropwell Butler, Nottinghamshire, Eng- land on July 1, 1868. He was educated in the public schools in Eng- land; came to the United States in 1889 and to Chicago in 1891, where he engaged in the hotel and restaurant business. On June 20, 1892 he was married to Miss Emma MacDonald of St. Charles, Missouri.
He joined Thomas J. Turner Lodge No. 409 on April 16, 1896, was appointed Junior Deacon the next year and reached the office of Master in 1901. In 1902 he was elected Secretary and served for 27 years. He was a member of all the co-ordinate bodies and of the Eastern Star.
He assisted in starting the Masonic Standard Instruction Club, the North Side Instruction Club, The Grand Lecturers Association of Illinois of which he was the first Secretary; the Grand Lecturers' Asso- ciation of Cook County and was its first president. He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master in 1917 and served several years in that capacity.
He was appointed a member of the Board of Grand Examiners in 1926 and served for four years. He was elected Grand Master in October, 1945.
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Grand Masters
He held honorary membership in 46 lodges; was appointed Grand Representative of the United Grand Lodge of England near the Grand Lodge of Illinois by His Royal Highness the Duke of Con- naught and Strathearn on May 2, 1923. He attended four sessions of that Grand Lodge, three times as Grand Representative and the last time as Grand Master.
He never missed a session of the Grand Lodge after he was Master in 1901.
FRED IRVING MILLS
Grand Master 1947-48
Born June 19, 1879
Brother Mills was born on a farm in Clark County on June 19, 1879. In 1885 his family moved to a farm in Crawford County and soon after to Robinson. In 1902 Brother Mills was married to Miss Maude Bradway. To this union two sons were born. Mrs. Mills passed away in 1937. In 1939 he was married to Mrs. Jean O'Haver Shassere who is nationally known for her connection with the steel industry.
After graduating from high school Brother Mills was employed in a clothing store. He formed a partnership with Brother Jesse R. Sheets and bought a clothing store which they operated for 42 years until Brother Mills retired, at the time he was elected Grand Master. He has been president of the Robinson Building and Loan Company; helped organize the Robinson Chamber of Commerce and served for several terms on the Board of Directors. He is a charter member of the Robinson Rotary Club, served one year as president and ten years as secretary.
Early in life he joined the Methodist church and served for 25 years as superintendent of the Sunday School and an equal length of time as a trustee.
He was made a Mason in Robinson Lodge No. 250 on November 10, 1909 and served as Master in 1914-15. He was commissioned a Grand Lecturer in 1914 and in October, 1934 was appointed a member of the Board of Grand Examiners. He served on the Board for seven years, the last two as chairman.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
He also served for five years as a member of the Chapter Board of Grand Examiners and in 1941 was elected and installed M.E. Grand High Priest. He holds membership in all the co-ordinate bodies and in Danville Consistory and Medinah Temple. He is a member of the Red Cross of Constantine at Champaign; also in the Eastern Star, White Shrine and Grotto. He was crowned an Inspector General 33rd degree A.A.S.R. at Cleveland in September, 1944. He was installed Grand Master in 1947.
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