
Note:
Phoenixmasonry is proud to present the below optically scanned version of
William R. Denslow's
"10,000 Famous Freemasons." This scan was made by Ralph
W. Omholt, PM and is
available exclusively at Phoenixmasonry.
This very rare and
long out of print biographical work is a must for any
Mason with a desire
for Masonic research.

10,000 FAMOUS
FREEMASONS
By
WILLIAM R. DENSLOW
Volume I
A- D
Foreword by
HARRY S. TRUMAN, P.G.M.
Past Master,
Missouri Lodge of Research
Published by
Macoy
Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc.
Richmond, Virginia
Copyright, I957, William R. Denslow
Foreword

Harry S
Truman, PGM, Grand Lodge of Missouri
It is a great pleasure and
satisfaction to me that the Missouri Lodge of Research is to publish four
volumes containing the biographies of ten thousand or more Freemasons who have
contributed to the history of the Free World.
We know that research is the most important step in the study of
history. Comprehensive and accurate information must be available for those
who would interpret trends in world happenings.
History is made by men. It is therefore necessary to know about
the men who have made history. In the study of the past we must know the
motives that inspired men who made history. Events and dates are of no value
unless we can discover what caused those events at the dates stated in what
passes for history.
Plutarch in Roman times and Abbott in recent times wrote
biographies of great men. Thousands of words about the subjects of these
biographies have been written by other famous men—Shakespeare, for instance,
and Milton and Emerson and Toynbee.
Perhaps these Masonic biographies will cause future historians,
authors and playwrights to appreciate what has been done since these great
books were written. Then people of future generations will have a fair basis
for the evaluation of our times.
HARRY S. TRUMAN, PGM
Past Master
Missouri Lodge of Research
Independence, Missouri
December 9, 1957
Preface
This is the first of four
projected volumes entitled 10,000 Famous Freemasons, a much needed Masonic
research project, sponsored by the Missouri Lodge of Research.
Perhaps the title is misleading, for the men listed herein, in the
main, have not been famous primarily for their contributions to Freemasonry,
but they are 10,000 famous or interesting personalities who have made their
names in other fields. However, they have been, or are, members of the
fraternity. There are hundreds of professional Freemasons and thousands of
Masonic dignitaries who will not be mentioned. Their biographies have been
inscribed in the various proceedings and annals of Freemasonry and will not be
given here. A few national heads, founders and Masonic authors will be the
exceptions.
These volumes do not cover any particular country or time, but, on
the contrary, are world-wide in scope and cover the famous men from the
beginnings of Freemasonry down to, and including, the present year.
Many volumes and pamphlets have been written on "Famous
Freemasons." This work will exceed them all in scope, and, we hope, in
accuracy. Nevertheless it is only a start on the vast amount of material that
is available in the field of Masonic biography. It is a continuing process and
tomorrow may lift a brother to prominence or rob another of his laurels.
It is difficult to establish a criteria for inclusion in these
volumes. The reader will note, for instance, that many famous Freemasons have
been overlooked, whereas many famous men who were anti-Masons are included.
Former members who have been "back sliders" are noted as such when it comes to
our attention and famous men who have been expelled are listed also. We have
given the facts and have not attempted to claim what was not ours.
The last volume of this series will include an addenda of the many
worthy brethren who have been omitted, and we will rely on our readers to
bring these names to our attention so that they may be included.
To understand the difficulties in preparing a volume of this type,
let us explain how it has been accomplished. Five years ago, we microfilmed
and reprinted several thousand biographical cards in the library of the House
of the Temple, Supreme Council, 33°, AASR (SJ). This kind gesture of the
Southern Supreme Council is appreciated. This basic card file started our
research. In the intervening five years, we have increased our 3 x 5 reference
file from the original group to the amazing total of approximately 60,000
cards. To do this, we have read, marked and pasted on 3 x 5 cards, all the
biographies in the current Who's Who, the two volumes of Who Was Who and the
Who's Who Supplements. The majority of our references, however, have come from
thousands of Masonic books and periodicals which we have indexed during this
period. This is a continuing process, and we add a dozen or more biographical
cards a day to our files. This card file is supplemented by an extensive
biographical file for more lengthy material.
We already have mentioned the valuable assistance given by the
Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, for the part it contributed to this
project. The York Rite also has donated heavily by paying the salary of the
author and his staff of The Royal Arch Mason magazine for the many hours they
have spent working on these volumes. They have bought card files, cards, books
and other material that has been necessary in compiling the original material.
The contribution of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons will run into
five figures before the project is completed.
The compiler wishes to express his appreciation to Ray V. Denslow,
Nada W. Hoffman and Juanita D. Denslow for their help in copyreading and
proofreading and to Hazel H. Jackson for maintaining the card files.
These volumes will stand as a memorial to the criticism of our
detractors. What other group of men in the world has accomplished so much? A
perusal of these biographies will indicate that a great proportion of the
liberators, patriots, royalty, explorers, statesmen, judges, inventors,
soldiers, sailors, musicians, entertainers, aviators, and business executives
have seen fit to honor our fraternity with their membership. For more than 200
years Freemasonry has produced men of leadership, morals and vision; men of
knowledge; men of science; men of war; men who would free their people from
the oppressor; men who would fight to maintain that liberty—and men who would
offer a helping hand to the downtrodden. They are, indeed, brethren of whom we
may be proud!
In these four volumes you may
read their record. It will speak for itself!
WILLIAM R. DENSLOW,
Compiler of the 1957
Transactions, Missouri
Lodge of Research.
vi
A
John Aasen A giant 8' 6" tall
who, when raised in Highland Park Lodge No. 382, Los Angeles on July 14, 1924,
weighed 536 lbs. The raising was done by Arthur S. Crites, G.M. and all
ritualistic ceremonies were observed except that 12 craftsmen were required.
Fifteen hundred witnessed the ceremony. Aasen appeared in a number of motion
pictures including The Circus.
Leon Abbett Governor of New Jersey, 1885-1887. Past master Mystic
Tie Lodge No. 272, New York City. Demitted to Varick Lodge No. 31, Jersey City
and later to Temple Lodge No. 110. Was representative to G.L. of Ireland from
G.L. of New Jersey from 1886 to 1894. Member of Ancient Chapter No. 1, R.A.M.,
New York City.
Stephen Abbot General in American Revolution. Member Essex Lodge,
Salem, Mass.
Bud Abbott Radio, stage and screen performer. b. Asbury Park,
N.J., Oct. 2, 1898. Began as a cashier in theatres in 1916 and became famous
with the founding of the team "Abbott and Costello." Sold 78 million in war
bonds on a 31 day tour during WW2 and entertained in 300 Army and Navy camps.
A Mason and a Shriner.
George B. Abbott English Masonic writer. Member of Gladsmuir Lodge
No. 1385.
Leon M. Abbott (1867-1932) Grand Commander of Supreme Council AASR
(NJ) PGM of Mass. Raised in Columbian Lodge, Boston, June 7,1894. PHP of St.
Paul's Royal Arch Chapter, Boston.
Robert 0. Abbott (1824-1867) Surgeon General of the U.S., 1862-67.
b. in Pennsylvania, he entered the army in 1849 as assistant surgeon and
accompanied Magruder's battery to California. He subsequently served in the
East and also in Florida and Texas. During 1861 he was assistant to the chief
medical purveyor of New York and later medical director of the Fifth Army
Corps. The duties of his office were arduous and he died of overwork.
Mentioned as a Mason in the District of Columbia proceedings of 1865.
William R. Abbott (1869-1950) President of Illinois Bell Telephone
Co. 1922-30; chairman of the board, 1930-34. b. Sept. 18, 1869 in New York
City. Began as clerk for Erie Railroad in 1885 and with the Westchester (N.Y.)
Telephone Company in 1888. Was with Illinois Bell from 1893, becoming general
superintendent, general manager, vice president and president. Mason and
Knight Templar. d. Mar. 2, 1950.
Abd-el-Kader (1807-1883) Algerian patriot and emir of Mascara. b.
near Mascara, his family were Sherifs or descendants of Mohammed, and his
father, Mahi-ed-Din, was celebrated throughout north Africa for his piety and
charity. He received an excellent education in theology, philosophy and the
manly arts such as horsemanship. After the French had taken possession of
Algeria (1830) the Arabs entreated Mahi-ed-Din to become their 1st Duke of Abercorn sultan, which he did, but immediately abdicated in
favor of Abd, his son. Abd, at the head of 9,000 troops marched toward Oran to
drive out the French. The fighting was bitter, but the French remained in
possession of the city. For the next 13 years he stubbornly resisted the
French conquest of Algeria, but in 1847 when they massed 120,000 troops
against him, he was forced to surrender under these tremendous odds. Although
promised that he would be allowed to go to Alexandria, he and his family were
detained in Europe for five years. In July, 1860, he was active in defending
the Christians against the murderous attacks of the Moslems in the Christian
quarters at Damascus. In recognition of saving many lives, he received
decorations and presents from many countries.. The remainder of his life was
occupied in public devotions, religious instruction and practical charity. A
biography published in London in 1867 records this interesting episode: "Abd-el-Kader
had just succeeded in achieving, after much toil and self-abnegation, the
highest distinction to be attained in a religious profession, dogmatic and
exclusive. By a singular contrast he now wished to wear the badge of a society
based and established on the principle of universal brotherhood. The Masonid
body in Alexandria hastened to welcome the illustrious neophyte. The Lodge of
the Pyramids was specially convened for the occasion on the evening of 18th of
June (1867). Abd-el-Kader was initiated into the mysteries, and to the
privileges of being a 'Fellow of the Prophet,' added the more time-honored
privilege of being a 'Free and Accepted Mason.' " He died at Damascus on May
26, 1883.
James, 1st Duke of Abercorn (18111885) 10th Earl, 2nd Marquis and
1st Duke of Abercorn. Grandson of 1st Marquis; lord lieutenant of
Ireland(1866-68; 1874-76). Grand Master of Ireland 1874-1885.
James, 2nd Duke of Abercorn (18381913) Eldest brother of Lord
George Francis Hamilton. Was official figurehead of the Irish landlords in
land war and opposed home rule. Grand Master of Ireland in 1886 succeeding his
father, the first duke.
James, 7th Earl of Abercorn (James Hamilton) (?-1744) Privy
Councilor of England. Named Grand Master of England by the retiring Grand
Master, Duke of Richmond, in 1725. He was at that time master of a lodge and
had served on the committee of charity during that year. Succeeded his father
as Earl of Abercorn in 1734. Died, 1744.
John W. Abercrombie (1866-1940) Educator and public official.
President of University of Alabama 190211. State supervisor of teacher
certification in Alabama 1935-40. Acting Secretary for U.S. Department of
Labor 1918-20. Member of 63rd and 64th Congress 1913-17. Member of Alabama
Senate 1896-98. Mason and 32° AASR.
Sir Ralph Abercromby (1734-1801) British general who led the
expeditionary force that conquered St. Lucia and Trinidad in 1795-96. He
commanded troops in the Mediterranean in 1800, defeated the French at
Alexandria in 1801 and died of wounds received there. He is credited with
restoring the discipline and efficiency of the British army. Member of
Canon-gate Kilwinning Lodge No. 2, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Charles Aberdour (Lord Sholto) Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
England (Moderns) from 1757-61 and 20th Grand Master Mason of Scotland,
1755-56. He was later the 15th Earl of Morton.
Walter S. Abernathy Transportation economist, government official.
2 Sir Allan Adair b. Sept. 7, 1887 at Petersburg, Va.
Transportation specialist, Dept. of Commerce 1928-53; executive secretary Pan
American Railway Congress since 1949. Raised in Powhatan Starke Lodge No. 124,
Petersburg, Va. on Sept. 5, 1919. Member of Columbia Chapter No. 1,
Washington, D.C. 32° AASR (SJ) in Albert Pike Consistory, Washington, D.C. May
28, 1946. Member of Almas Shrine Temple, 1946; Washington Chapter No. 3,
National Sojourners, George Washington Camp of Heroes of '76. Past president
(1944) of advisory board of Masonic Clubs of D.C. Past deputy state president
of National League of Masonic Clubs.
Robert S. Abernethy Brigadier General, U.S. Army. b. Aug. 5, 1874
in Gonzales Co., Texas. Commissioned lieutenant in 1897 and promoted through
grades to general rank on Oct. 1, 1932. Served in the Spanish American War and
in the Philippines. Commanded 175th Field Artillery Brigade, A.E.F. in WW1.
His last command was San Francisco Port of Embarkation and he retired in 1938.
Member of Summerton Lodge No. 105, Summerton, N.C. and served as national
president of the National Sojourners from 1937-40.
Thomas G. Abernethy Congressman from Mississippi. Member of 76th
to 84th Congresses. b. May 16, 1903 at Eupora, Miss. Lawyer. Received degrees
in Eupora Lodge No. 423 and presently member of Prairie Lodge No. 87 at
Okolona, Miss. Member of Royal Arch Chapter and Commandery, K.T. at Okolona
and Hamasa Shrine Temple at Meridian, Miss.
Edmond Francois Valentin About (1828-1885) French journalist,
novelist, playwright and member of the French Academy. Author of Le Roi des
Montagnes (1856), Le Nez d'un Notaire (1862) and Madelon (1863). Mason.
George, 5th Earl of Aboyne (George Gordon) (1761-1853) Soldier;
succeeded as 5th Earl of Aboyne in 1794 and the 9th Marquis of Huntly in 1836.
Was Grand Master of Scotland in 1802-03.
Antonine Firmin Abraham A Freemason who made himself notorious at
Paris in the beginning of the 19th century by the manufacture and sale of
false Masonic diplomas and by trading the higher degrees, from which traffic
he reaped a harvest for some time.
Herbert Abraham President of Ruberoid Co. since 1903. b. July 9,
1883, New York City. President of Asphalt Roofing Industry Bureau three terms.
Served on War Industries Board, Washington, 1917-18. Mason.
Allen Abrams Vice president of Marathon Corp. since 1940 and
Director since 1943. Deputy Director of development and research for O.S.S. in
1943-44. b. Jan. 27, 1889. Mason.
Benjamin Abrams President of Emerson Radio and Phonograph Corp.
Came to this country from Romania at the age of 12. Left school at 13 to help
support his fatherless family and by the age of 29 had acquired the name,
assets and presidency of the Emerson Corp. His career is studded with
"firsts"; the radio-phonograph, the smallest radio and commercial television.
Famed for his philanthropy to national and international projects. He is a
member of Farragut Lodge No. 976, New York City.
Franz Abt (1819-1885) German composer. b. Eilenberg Saxony d.
Wiesbaden. Composed a number of cantatas and songs for the lodge for use on
St. John's Feast Days. Initiated in Brunswick Lodge in 1853.
Sir Allan Adair British Major General created the 6th Baron in
1938 of baronetcy established in 1888. Served with Grenadier Guards in
1916-17 and was in command of the 3rd Bn. in 1940; the 30th Guards Brigade in
1941; and the 6th Brigade in 1942; when he was given command of the newly
formed Armored Division of the Guards which he retained until the end of WW2
and led in the epic dash of 1944 from the Seine to the relief of Brussels. It
was regarded as one of the most gallant achievements of the European
liberation. His only son (a captain) was killed when the Guards attacked Mount
Camino in Italy, Nov. 1943. Since 1951 he has been second in command of the
Queen's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard. Commander of the Bath; DSO; M.C.
He entered Masonry in April, 1924 in Household Brigade Lodge No. 2614, serving
as master. Appointed assistant grand master of the G.L. of England in 1953. A
member of most of the Masonic rites in England.
E. Ross Adair Congressman from 4th Indiana district to 82nd
Congress. b. Dec. 15, 1907 at Albion, Ind. Admitted to bar in 1933 and since
practiced at Fort Wayne. Served in army overseas in WW2. Raised in Albion
Lodge No. 97, Albion, Ind. in 1929. 32° AASR in Fort Wayne, Ind. Shriner,
National Sojourner, Tall Cedar member.
Hugh R. Adair Justice, Supreme Court of Montana from 1943 and
chief justice since 1947. b. Aug. 27, 1889 at Trego Co., Kansas. Served in
both bodies of Montana state legislature and was lieutenant governor from
1937-41, addressing the Grand Lodge of Montana in this capacity in 1938. Past
potentate of Algeria Shrine Temple.
Jackson L. Adair Congressman, judge. b. Feb. 23, 1888 at Clayton,
Ill. Graduated from Univ. of Michigan in 1911 and admitted to bar in Michigan,
Okahoma and Illinois, first practicing in Muskogee, Okla. in 1911-13 and then
in Quincy, Ill. Illinois state senator in 1928-32 and member of the 73rd and
74th Congresses (1933-37) from 15th district. Has been U.S. district judge,
Southern Illinois district since 1937. Mason.
Alva Adams (1850-1922) Governor of Colorado 1887-89; 1897-99.
Candidate for governor in 1904 and was declared elected, being seated on Jan.
10, but on March 20, 1905 he was ousted by legislature which gave the office
to James H. Peabody, who served one day and resigned. Member of first Colorado
legislature in 1876. U.S. Commissioner-General to Australia, New Zealand,
Java, Siam, and China. Knighted in Pueblo Commandery No. 3, K.T. Jan. 15,
1884; 32° January 29, 1890 in Denver. Active member of Supreme Council AASR (SJ).
b. Iowa Co., Wis., May 14, 1850; d. Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 1, 1922.
Alva B. Adams (1875-1941) U.S. Senator from Colorado, 1923-45. b.
Oct. 29, 1875 at Del Norte, Colo. Graduate of Yale and Columbia universities,
and admitted to Colorado bar in 1899, practicing at Pueblo. d. Dec. 1, 1941.
Mason.
Andrew Adams (1736-1797) Signer of Articles of Confederation in
1777 and chief justice of Supreme Court of Connecticut. b. in January, 1736 in
Stratford, Conn. Graduated from Yale in 1760 and practiced at Stamford and
Litchfield. Member of state legislature in 1776-81; delegate to Congress in
1777-80 and again in 1781-82. Appointed judge of state supreme court in 1789,
he was made chief justice in 1793. He was an adroit lawyer and an able judge.
Member of St. Paul's Lodge No. 11, Litchfield, Conn. d. Nov. 26, 1797.
Charles F. Adams (1876-1946) Business executive who pioneered and developed
National League hockey in U.S., 1925. Governor of the league 1925-37; Director
and chairman of board of Eastern Racing Association 1935-43. Director Boston
National League Baseball Association 1927-35. Knight Templar and Shriner. b.
Oct. 19, 1876, in Newport, Vt. d. Oct. 1, 1946.
Claude M. Adams Brigadier General U.S. Army (1943). Executive
officer and aide-de-camp to General G. C. Marshall, chief of staff; military
attache to Brazil 1942-44. Served in WW1 as lieutenant. Vice president of
O'Donnell Shoe Corp. Mason. b. Hum-bolt, Tenn., Oct 2, 1895.
Frank R. Adams Author and playwright. Has written about 20 novels,
a score of musical comedies, several motion pictures and a book of lyrics of
musical comedy. b. July 7, 1883 at Morrison, Ill. Graduate of Univ. of Chicago
in 1904. Mason.
Jasper Adams (1793-1841) Clergyman and educator. b. Aug. 27, 1793
in Medway, Mass. Graduate of Brown Univ. and studied theology at Andover. Math
professor at Brown and at same time ordained in Episcopal church. Became
president of the college of Charleston in 1824, and Hobart College (Geneva,
N.Y.) in 1826. Served as professor at West Point from 1838-40. Raised in Mt.
Vernon Lodge No. 4, Providence, R.I. in Sept., 1821. d. Oct. 25, 1841.
John Adams American Revolution (naval). Purser on ship Raleigh
during Revolution. Member St. John's Lodge No. 1, Portsmouth, N.H.
John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) Sixth President of the United States
1825-29. An anti-Mason who a year before his death published a book of his
letters against the Masonic fraternity which amounted to an expose.
John T. Adams (1873-1942) Chief Justice, Supreme Court of
Colorado,1931-34. b. Dec. 25, 1873 at La Porte, Ind. Admitted to bar in 1900.
Named to Supreme Court of Colorado as justice in 1925, serving last part of
term as chief justice. Resumed law practice in 1935. Mason. d. May 13, 1942.
Karl L. Adams (1888-1948) President of Northern Illinois State
Teachers College at DeKalb, Ill. from 1929. b. Sept. 5, 1888 at Lexington,
Ohio. Mason. d. Dec. 6, 1948.
Kenneth S. Adams Chairman of board of Phillips Petroleum Co. since
1951. President of Phillips from 193851. b. Aug. 31, 1899 at Horton, Kans.
Began with Phillips as a warehouse clerk in 1920. Member of Bartlesville Lodge
No. 284, Bartlesville Chapter No. 55, R.A.M.; Calvary Commandery No. 26, K.T.
all of Bartlesville, Okla. 33° AASR (SJ) at Guthrie, Okla.; Kara Grotto,
Bartlesville; Tulsa Court No. 47, Royal Order of Jesters, Tulsa; Akdar Shrine
Temple at Tulsa; Wasono Shrine Club, Bartlesville, Bartlesville Scottish Rite
Club. Member, Legion of Honor, Order of DeMolay and Trustee, Masonic
Foundation of Oklahoma, Inc.
Myron E. Adams (1876-1930) Social Worker. D.D. Syracuse University
1898. Ordained Baptist minister 1905. Social worker in Rochester, N.Y.;
Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo and New York City. Organized and became first
director of Department of Morale (under Chief of Staff U.S. Army) during WW1.
Executive secretary of National Rehabilitation Comm. 1922; associated with
Marshall Field and Albert A. Sprague in the Public Service Associates, Inc.,
1922-26. Mason. b. Feb. 19, 1876. d. Jan. 17, 1930.
Richard Adams Privateer and Captain during Revolution. Member of
St. Peter's Lodge, Newburyport, Mass.
Samuel Adams Signer, Declaration of Independence. No record of his Masonic
affiliation although purported to have been made a Mason in St. John's Lodge,
Boston, Mass.
Samuel Adams Governor of Arkansas in 1844. Member of Clarksville
Lodge No. 5 (Ark.) and junior grand warden pro-tem of the G.L. of Arkansas in
1844.
Samuel E. Adams Active member of Supreme Council AASR (SJ). d.
March 29, 1912. Raised in Vermont Lodge No. 18, Hartland, Vt. Exalted in
Burlington (Vt.) Chapter No. 3, Feb. 14, 1855. Knighted in Burlington
Commandery No. 2, Sept. 19, 1855. Received 33° from G.C. Albert Pike at
Minneapolis, Minn. Aug. 23, 1885.
Sherman Adams Governor of New Hampshire; advisor to President
Eisenhower. Elected governor of New Hampshire in 1949 and was the 40th
Freemason to serve as governor out of a total of 67 since 1785. As advisor to
Eisenhower he was often called "Assistant President," and was chief of the
White House staff. Described as "tough-minded, aloof, knowing all the
policies, aims, purposes and background." Makes many decisions on his own and
is sometimes called "The Rock of Gibraltar." Knight Templar, 32° and member of
Bektash Shrine Temple of N.H. Served in WW1 and traces kinship back to two
presidents of the U.S. Speaker of N.H. House of Representatives 1943-44 and
member of the 79th Congress. b. East Dover, Vt., Jan. 8, 1899.
Wilbur L. Adams (1884-1937) Congressman from Delaware 73rd
Congress. Lawyer. Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, 1934. b. Oct. 23,
1884. d. Dec. 4, 1937. Mason.
Henry Adamson Wrote the first printed reference yet discovered
showing the Master's Word to be connected with the Rosy Cross. It occurs in
his The Muses Threnodie—"For weare brethren of the Rosy Cross we have the
Mason's Word.”
Sir Michael Adeane Private secretary to Queen Elizabeth of England
and to her father, King George VI, to whom he acted, in a sense, as a Masonic
aide-de-camp on many occasions. Represented George VI at installation of the
Earl of Scarbrough as GM in 1951. A Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of
the Bath, he served as senior grand deacon of the Grand Lodge of England in
1946.
Charles Adkins (1863-1941) Congressman from Illinois 69th to 72nd
Congresses (1925-33). Mason. Home, Decatur, Ill.
Jesse C. Adkins (1879-1955) Judge. Special assistant to the
Attorney General from 1908 to 1916. Appointed Associate Justice, Supreme Court
of District of Columbia in 1930. Chairman jud. sect. American Bar Assn., 1935.
Mason. 32°. b. April 13, 1879. d. Mar. 29, 1955.
Julius Ochs Adler (1892-1955) Major General; vice-president and
general manager of the New York Times. Fought in both WW1 and WW2 and was
called a "Soldier's Soldier" by President Eisenhower. Was active in many
Jewish, civic and patriotic endeavors throughout his life. The rank of
general—which Adler carried proudly—was not honorary. He had been a civilian
soldier for forty years. Since WW1, he had served the 77th infantry division.
He left it during WW2 to lead other combat troops. After the war he rejoined
the 77th and became the commanding general of this New York reserve unit. He
started with the New York Times in 1914, and in directing its business
management as well as that of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times, he helped
maintain the high standards that have been a credit to the world of
journalism. He was a member of Justice Lodge No. 753
of New York City. Adler died on October 3, 1955 and was buried in Arlington
National Cemetery on October 6.
Adolph Friedrich IV Duke of Mecklemburg-Strelitz (1738-1794)
Initiated in 1772 by deputation of the lodge Irene zu den drei Sternen in
Rostock, Germany. In 1774 he entered the lodge at New-Brandeburg remaining a
member until his death.
Adolph Fredrik (1710-1771) King of Sweden 1751-1771. Was master of
a Stockholm lodge and received the title of Protector of Swedish Freemasonry
in 1762.
Baron van Aersen-Beyeren Grand Master of the Netherlands
1756-1758.
John S. Africa (1839-1900) Banker and grand master of Pennsylvania
1891-1892. Member Pennyslvania legislature, 1860. Secretary Internal Affairs
of Pa. 1883-87. President Union Trust Co. of Philadelphia 1887-1900.
Gregorio Aglipay Chaplain General of the Philippine Army
1899-1901. Scottish Rite member. Later headed the Philippine Independent
Church.
Andrew D. Agnew (1867-1951) Grand Master of the Grand Encampment,
K.T. 1932-37. Native of Ireland. Lawyer. Active member of the Supreme Council
(NJ), 1920. 33* in 1911.
Ignacio Agramonte (1841-1873) Cuban patriot and Freemason who
participated in war which followed Cuba's declaration of independence in 1868.
b. in Puerto Principe, he was commissioned under Cespedes and became leader of
the revolts of 1868-69 against Spain. He was killed in battle.
Camillo Mora Aguilar Governor of province of San Jose, Costa Rica.
Son of President Juan Rafa el Mora. An agriculturist. Member of Union
Fraternal No. 10.
Joaquin Aguilar Magistrate of Supreme Court of Costa Rica. Member
of the College of Lawyers. Esperanza Lodge.
Emilio Aguinaldo Philippine patriot and general. b. March 22,
1869, at Old Cavite, Luzon of Chinese and Tagalog parentage. Was educated in
the home of a Jesuit priest and later in the University of St. Thomas,
conducted by the Dominican friars in Manila. Was initiated Jan. 1, 1895 in
Pilar Lodge under the Grand Orient of Spain, becoming master of the lodge. At
the outbreak of the insurrection in August, 1896, he was mayor of Cavite
Viejo. During this uprising, he took a prominent part, displaying a marked
capacity for leadership. In 1898 Spain gave him a subsidy for remaining out of
the country and he went to Hong Kong until the U.S. entered the war against
Spain. Believing the time was ripe for a change in government, he returned
immediately after the Battle of Manila, May 1, 1898, for the express purpose
of assisting the American government. They gave him authority to set up a
native government of which he became the head and organized an army. Having
doubt as to the future freedom of his country under American rule, he began
hostilities against the U.S. during the year 1899 and engaged in several
pitched battles, but was driven from capital to capital until finally captured
by General Frederick Funston at Palawan, Luzon on March 23, 1901. On April 19,
1901 he took an oath of allegiance to the U.S. and retired to a peaceful life.
During the Spanish rebellion he organized the Triagle Magdalo, with other
Freemasons and it later became Magdalo Lodge. The lodge held its meetings in
Aguinaldo's residence. It was on the balcony of this residence that the
proclamation of the First Republic and the unveiling of the original
Philippine flag took place,
7
Charles T. Aikens June 12,
1898. Four months after his initiation into Freemasonry, he affiliated with
the Katipunan, an organization patterned after Freemasonry with passwords and
three degrees. Seeing this organization was the best means of gathering
support for the revolutionary movement, he encouraged all able-bodied men to
join it, and the success of the revolution, at least in Cavite, may be
attributed to the Katipunan. When the Grand Orient of Spain fused with the G.L.
of the Philippines in February 1917, Aguinaldo became a Scottish Rite Mason.
He was coroneted a 33° on Feb. 13, 1955.
Charles T. Aikens (1862-1927) University president and Lutheran
minister. Ordained, 1888. President of Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove,
Pa. from 1905. President of Lutheran Synod of Central Pa. 1897-1901. 32° AASR.
Marquess of Ailsa (1872-1943) Archibald Kennedy, 15th Earl of
Cassillis, created Marquess of Ailsa in 1938. b. May 22, 1872. d. Feb. 27,
1943. The Kennedys are a famous and powerful Scottish family long settled in
Ayrshire. Ancester John Kennedy of Dunure obtained Cassillis and other lands
in Ayrshire about 1350. John's descendant Sir James Kennedy married Mary, a
daughter of King Robert III and their son Sir Gilbert Kennedy was created Lord
Kennedy before 1458. Gilbert's grandson David, third Lord Kennedy, was created
Earl of Cassillis before 1530. In 1831 the 12th Earl of Cassillis became the
first Marquess of Ailsa, taking the title from the craig which was his
property. Archibald was educated at Eton College, Trinity College, Cambridge
and Edinburgh universities. Served as major in the South African War
(19001902) and was with the British Expeditionary Forces from Dec., 1914 to
May, 1919. Later became a memberof the Royal Company of Archers and as such
constituted a member of His Majesty's Bodyguard for Scotland. His services
were called for in every large civic or national enterprise. He had held many
high offices in Freemasonry, and was head of the Grand Chapter of Scotland for
30 years, being 1st Grand Principal from 1913 until his death in 1943. He made
three Masonic visits to the United States, 1924, 1927 and 1933 for the purpose
of settling jurisdictional differences with the General Grand Chapter over the
chapters in the Philippines. On his death his titles passed to his brother
Charles q.v. Initiated in Holy-rood House Lodge No. 44, Edinburgh, Nov. 17,
1896.
Marquess of Ailsa Charles Kennedy, 16th Earl of Cassillis and 5th
Marquess of Ailsa upon the death of his brother, Archibald q.v., in 1943. b.
April 10, 1875, he was educated at Eton and Royal Agriculture College
Cirencester. Formerly captain Ayrshire Yeomanry and lieutenant 3rd Bn. Royal
Scotts Fusilliers; served in South Africa 1900-1901 as captain, Prince of
Wales Light Horse. As Lord Kennedy, he received most of his Masonic light in
the United States, where he came after the African War. He was initiated in
Acacia Lodge No. 11, A.F. & A.M. of Cheyenne, Wyoming April 4, 1905; passed
May 25, 1905 and raised June 8, 1905. His petition for the capitular degrees
was received by Lebanon Chapter No. 3 of Laramie, Wyo. on June 9, 1909 and was
elected July 14. He received the MM and PM degrees Aug. 11, 1909. The MEM and
RAM degrees were conferred by Nevada Chapter No. 56, of Nevada, Mo. by request
of Lebanon chapter on March 14 and 22, 1910. About 1914 he was in Davenport,
Iowa. He de-milted from the lodge in Nov. 15, 1921 and the chapter Nov. 9,
1921. In a letter to the chapter dated Dec. 10, 1919 he thanked them for
remitting a year's dues because of his war service, stating that he left
the U.S. in Nov., 1914 and joined the Ayrshire Yeomanry, Jan., 1915. He stated
he "was passed as unfit for overseas service and at the end of 1916 was
appointed an area gas officer. . . . I was attached to the 18th Division for a
short time in France in 1918 on a tour of instruction. Until quite recently
have been engaged in training in gas defensive measures and am now trying to
get the bally stuff out of my system.”
William D. B. Ainey (1864-1933) Chairman Public Service Commission
of Pa. and Congressman. Member of 62nd and 63rd Congresses (1911-15). Chairman
of Public Service Comm. of Pa. 1915. Delegate to Interparliamentary
Conference, Geneva, 1912 and to the Hague in 1913. Delegate to
Interparliamentary Union, Paris, 1927. Mason.
James Ainslie Scottish clergyman, who in 1652 was the subject of
an ecclesiastical investigation because he was a Mason and "possessed the
Mason Word." On appeal to the Presbytery at Kelso, he was cleared "because in
the purest tymes of this kirke, maisons haveing that word have been
ministers.”
John C. Ainsworth (1870-1943) Financier. President of States
Steamship Co.; president of Ainsworth National Bank, Portland, Oregon and its
successor, the U.S. National Bank. Director of many corporations and the
Federal Reserve Bank in Portland. 33° John C. Ainsworth (1822-1893)
Transportation pioneer of the Pacific Northwest. Went West with the 1850 gold
rush and soon settled in Oregon where he pioneered in transportation. He was
the guiding genius of river steamboat transportation and his Oregon Steam
Navigation Co. grew tothe Pacific Northwest division of the Union Pacific
Railroad. His Portland bank was the largest in Oregon. Was an incorporator and
promoter of the Northern Pacific Railway. Was raised in Farmington Lodge No.
9, Ohio and became the first master of Multnomah Lodge No. 86 (Mo. register),
now Oregon No. 1. He helped organize the G.L. of Oregon and served as grand
master 1854-55. In 1865 he was grand high priest of the Grand Chapter.
Inspector general 33° AASR (SJ).
Milburn P. Akers Editor, political and editorial writer. b. May 4,
1900. Assistant to Secretary of Interior 1939-41. Executive secretary of
Illinois Development Council 1937-39. Editor of Chicago Sun, 1941-42. Mason.
George E. Akerson (1889-1937) Secretary to President Hoover
192931; Hoover's assistant when Secretary of Commerce 1925-28. Washington
correspondent and asst. managing editor of Minneapolis Tribune 1912-25. 32° at
Minneapolis Feb. 27, 1929. Received Shrine at Washington, D.C. Apr. 29, 1929
as courtesy to Zurah Temple in Minneapolis.
Spencer B. Akin Major General U.S. Army. b. Feb. 13, 1889. B.S.
Virginia Military Institute 1910. 2nd lt. U.S. Army, 1910 advancing through
grades to brigadier general in 1941 and major general in 1943. Chief signal
officer on staff of General MacArthur and later chief signal officer,
Department of Army. Cited by Poor Richard Club for his reorganization of
Army's system of communication to needs of atomic warfare. Mason.
Sir Adeyemo Alakija (1884-1952) Nigeria spiritual and political
leader. Headed the Executive Council of the Colony and Protectorate in
Nigeria, also a spiritual leader among the natives and respected public
figure. Member Star of Nigeria Chapter No. 255,
R.A.M. 23° AASR. Appointed grand superintendent over Royal Arch in the
district both English and Scottish constitutions as well as head of the
District Grand Lodge. Died April 9, 1952.
Miguel Ricardo de Alava (17711843) Spanish general and statesman.
He participated in the Peninsular War under Wellington in 1811 and in 1815 was
in the service of Ferdinand VII. He was a liberal leader and president of the
Cortes in 1822, in which year he aided in the deposition of Ferdinand. In 1814
he was imprisoned for being a Freemason. Upon Ferdinand's restoration by the
French in 1823, Alava fled to England. He was later in' the service of Maria
Christina against Don Carlos. Named ambassador to London in 1834 and Paris in
1835, retiring to France after the La Granja insurrection.
Leopold, Duke of Albany Youngest son of Queen Victoria was
initiated in Apollo University Lodge No. 357, Oxford, England May 1, 1874 and
in May, 1875 became a member of Lodge of Antiquity. No. 2. Served as master of
Apollo Lodge, 1876.
Juan Bautista Alberdi (1810-1884) Distinguished Argentine
statesman, jurist and publisher. He was noted principally for his Bases, a
treatise on American public right. Hostile to Rosas, he exiled himself to
Uruguay where he studied law, later practicing in Chile. On the overthrow of
Rosas by Urquiza q.v. he was successively named by the latter as minister to
Paris, Madrid, Washington and London. Mason.
Albert Victor Christian Edward (see Duke of Clarence) Carl Albert
Congressman from Oklahoma, 80th Congress (1947-49) Lawyer. b. May 10, 1908.
Member of South McAlester Lodge No. 96, Mc- Alester, Okla. (1946), 32° Indian
Consistory, AASR (SJ) and DeMolay Legion of Honor.
Casimir August Albert Duke of Saxony-Teschen (1738-1822) Last
governor of the Austrian Netherlands. Brother of King Karl Christian Joseph.
Initiated in Dresden, Germany, in lodge Zu den drei Schwestern, 1764.
Prince Albert Duke of York. b. December 14, 1895, in London.
Provincial G.M. of Middlesex.
Albert-Edward, Prince of Wales (1841-1910) (see Edward VII of
England) Eldest son of Queen Victoria. Initiated in Stockholm in 1868 by King
Charles XV and made past grand master in 1870. In 1875 he received the AASR
degrees. In 1875 he succeeded the Marquis de Ripon as grand master of England,
an office which he held until his death in 1910.
Manuel Masimino Alberti (17631811) Catholic priest and Argentine
patriot. Although a Catholic priest he joined Freemasonry and was active in
events that led to the "open forum" on May 24, 1810 and the revolution of that
year. He was one of the "junta," or council, then formed to rule the country.
Henri Christophe Albrecht (17631800) German Masonic writer.
Initiated 1785. In 1792 he published at Hamburg a work entitled Materialen zu
einer kritischen Geschichte der Freimaurerei (Collections towards a critical
history of Freemasonry).
Ralph G. Albrecht Specialist in international law. Prosecuted
Herman Goering and others before International Military Tribunal, 1945-46. b.
Aug. 11, 1896 at Jersey City, N.J. Graduate of Univ. of Pennsylvania and
Harvard. Admitted to bar in 1924. Associate counsel for American claimants
against Germany in "Black Tom" and "Kingsland" explosions, 1924-39. Commander, U.S. Navy,
1941-45. Naval observer with American Embassy London, England and with Pacific
Fleet, Pearl Harbor and Australia. Assistant Director O.S.S. (War Crimes) and
assistant to attorney general, 1945. Raised in Dalhousie Lodge, Newtonville,
Mass. on Nov. 16, 1921.
Horace M. Albright Conservationist. b. Jan. 6, 1890. Director
National Park Service 1917-18; asst. director and superintendent Yellowstone
National Park 1919-29. In charge of Yosemite National Park, 1927-28. Director
National Park Service Jan. 12, 1929 to Aug. 10, 1933. Advisor, director and
official of many national conservation projects. Member of Livingston Lodge
No. 32, Livingston, Montana, being raised in June, 1923. He was given his
degrees in a period of five weeks while in charge of Yellowstone National Park
so that he would be a member in time to entertain President Harding in
Yellowstone on June 30 and July 1, 1923.
James L. Alcorn Former Governor and Senator from Mississippi.
Member Coahoma Lodge No. 104, Friar's Point, Miss. and Jackson Chapter No. 6,
Jackson, Miss.
Alvin B. Alden (1818-1882) Did much for laying foundation of
Freemasonry in Wisconsin. Grand master 1861-63; grand high priest 1863; grand
commander 1866-68; sovereign grand inspector general, AASR.
Chester H. Aldrich (1862-1924) Governor of Nebraska and jurist.
Admitted to Nebraska bar, 1891. Member Nebraska Senate, 1907. Governor of
Nebraska 1911-13. Justice, Supreme Court of Nebraska 1919-25. Mason and Knight
Templar.
Kildroy P. Aldrich 1st Assistant Postmaster General, 1943-45. b.
Feb. 16, 1877. With postal department from 1897 to 1945, serving in various
ca-pacities from postal clerk to assistant postmaster general. Raised in
Siloam Lodge No. 276, Oklahoma City, Okla. in 1913 and a life member. Member
of Missouri Consistory No. 1, St. Louis, Mo. (SJ).
Nelson W. Aldrich (1841-1915) U.S. Senator from Rhode Island from
1881 to 1911. b. Nov. 6, 1841 at Foster, R.I.; Graduate of Brown Univ. Member
of R.I. House of Representatives from 1875-77, serving as speaker of same.
Elected five times to U.S. Senate and declined nomination for reelection in
1910. A member of What Cheer Lodge No. 21, (past master) Providence and
Providence Chapter No. 1 as well as Cavalry Commandery No. 13 which he served
as commander in 1871. In 1879 he was grand commander of the Grand Commandery
of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. d. Apr. 16, 1915.
Elizabeth Aldworth Said to be the only woman ever regularly
initiated into Freemasonry. See "Elizabeth St. Leger.”
J. Frank Alee Former U.S. Senator from Delaware. Member Union
Lodge No. 7, Dover, Del.
Miguel Aleman President of Mexico 1947-52. Petitioned Antiquities
Lodge No. 9 of Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico on Sept. 25, 1930 as a young man of
26. Initiated Oct. 20, 1930; passed April 27, 1931 and raised July 31, 1931.
He later demitted to City of Mexico Lodge No. 35. Received AASR degrees 4th
through 32nd Nov. 24, 1942 by Grand Commander Antonio Arceo. Made a noble of
the Mystic Shrine in Anezeh Temple of Mexico City on Nov. 27, 1945. Son of
General Miguel Aleman, who as a revolutionist against Porfirio Diaz, fled to
the mountains as an open rebel for three years before the general revolution
of 1910, leaving 8-year-old Miguel as head of the house. By sellingpapers he worked his way through the law school of the National
University and on graduation set up a thriving law business principally with
labor unions and individual workers. His public life began as magistrate of
the Veracruz Supreme Court. Was elected to the Senate and in 1936 was
appointed Governor of Veracruz, serving until 1940. He resigned as governor to
manage the election of his friend, General Avila Camacho, who, when he won,
appointed Aleman as Minister of Interior. At 37, he was the youngest cabinet
member and Camacho's principal trouble shooter between the federal government
and the 28 states. In this capacity he won international recognition for
tracking down some 2,000 German and Japanese nationals in deference to the
U.S. He was nominated as president by the head of the Latin-American
Federation of Labor and his campaign manager was the editor of the labor
newspaper, El Popular. Industrialists backed him because he understood the
technical necessities of Mexican industry. Scholars and professional men
cheered him for his ability and brains. The old revolutionary generals liked
his background and political philosophy, and the masses voted for him because
he had given them more in the way of social reform than anyone within their
memory. He was particularly interested in public education and transportation.
Alexander I (1777-1825) Czar of Russia from 1801-1825. b. Dec. 23,
1777 and succeeded Paul I q.v. on the throne in 1801. While he prohibited all
secret societies in 1801, in 1803 he rescinded this prohibition. It is said
that he was convinced by Johann Boeber q.v., later grand master of Russia, of
the benefits of Masonry and he not only lifted the ban, but became a member
himself. Some sources claim he was initiated in Canongate Kilwinning Lodge of
Edinburgh, Scotland and in 1814 acted as master at the conferring of the
degrees in a military lodge in Paris on William III, Emperor of Germany. He
was, for certain, a member of the Polish Grand Orient. In November, 1815 the
Polish Masons gave a banquet in his honor after which he left generous gifts
for the Grand Orient. He has been accused of using Freemasonry for political
purposes. d. Dec. 1, 1825 under mysterious circumstances. In 1822 he became
suspicious of the political dangers inherent in some of the Russian lodges,
and on the advice of Grand Master Kushelev of the Grand Lodge "Astra," banned
Freemasonry on August 1, 1822. This date marks the destruction of Russian
Freemasonry, for his successor, Nicholas I, confirmed the edict on April 21,
1826.
Alexander III (1241-1286) King of Scotland from 1349. Legend
states he favored Freemasons and that Kilwinning Abbey was built under his
guidance. Married Margaret, daughter of Henry III, in 1251. Defeated Norwegian
invasion in 1263. United Hebrides and Isle of Man to the kingdom.
Abraham Alexander (?-1816) One of the founders of the Mother
Supreme Council, Scottish Rite at Charleston, S. Car. He was born in London
and emigrated to this country before 1764, settling in Charleston, where he
became secretary to the collector of customs and later auditor. He became
first secretary general of the Mother Supreme Council and seems to have been a
member of Lodge La Candeur as his signature appears on the minutes of March
18, 1798. Of Jewish religion, he was chazan, or reader for Bayh Elohim
congregation. He served as reader for 20 years, resigning in 1784. He died
Feb. 21, 1816 and is buried in the Jewish cemetery at Charleston.
12
Prince Alexander of Wurtemberg Ben Alexander (1894-1944)
President of Masonite Corp. Started as a laborer in the wood pulp industry in
1919 and by 1926 was president of the Masonite Corp. Director or officer of
many corporations. Mason.
George F. Alexander (1882-?) Jurist. U.S. Marshal of Oregon
1917-21. Judge, 1st Division of Alaska since 1933. b. Apr. 20 1882. Mason.
32°, Shriner, president of Juneau Shrine Club 1934-39. Deceased.
Grover C. Alexander (1887-1950) Early member of Baseball Hall of
Fame (1938). A great National League pitcher for two decades with the
Phil-lies, Cubs and Cardinals starting in 1911. In 1926 he won the world
championship for the Cardinals by striking out Lazzeri with bases full in
final crisis at Yankee Stadium. He was raised in St. Paul Lodge No. 82, St.
Paul, Nebraska on Feb. 8, 1923 expelled for un-Masonic conduct March 20, 1930.
Sir Harold R. L. G. Alexander 1st Viscount of Tunis. b. 1891.
Served in France, 1914-18 and northwest frontier of India in 1935. Was
commander of the 1st Division from 1938-40 and was in charge of the evacuation
of the British army from Dunkirk. Assigned to the Burma front in March, 1942,
he became commander-in-chief of the Middle East in August. As deputy allied
commander-in-chief in North Africa (1943), Alexander, with General Montgomery,
who mapped the successful British campaign in Egypt. He commanded Sicilian
(July 1943) and Italian (Sept. 1943) invasions. He was made field marshal in
November, 1944 and was allied commander-in-chief of Italy in 1944-45. Since
1946 he has been Governor-General of Canada. Alexander is a member of
Athlumney Lodge No. 3245 of London, serving as its master in 193839. He is a
past grand steward andpast grand warden of the G.L. of England and a member of
the house committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls. He is active
in Royal Arch Masonry. Born in New Zealand, he was a well known athlete and
Olympic games record holder in his youth.
Hubbard F. Alexander Steamship executive. b. Aug. 14, 1879. Began
as wharf agent in Tacoma, Wash. 1894. Later president of the following:
Commercial Dock Co. 1901-27; Alaska Pacific S.S. Co. 1907-08; Alaska Coast Co.
1908-11; Pacific Alaska Navigation Co. 1908-26; Pacific Steamship Co. (Admiral
Line), 1916-30. Mason, 32°.
James P. Alexander Judge. (18831948) Chief Justice Supreme Court
of Texas (1941-48). Texas lawyer since admittance to bar in 1908. District
judge, 19th district of Texas 1920-24; associate justice Court of Civil
Appeals, Waco, 1931 to 1940; Mason and Shriner.
John L. Alexander (1878-1932) Executive Director of American Youth
Foundation 1924-32. Served in executive or secretarial capacity for many
religious and youth movements including Boy Scouts, Y.M.C.A. Mason.
Lord Alexander Scottish records show him to be one of the earliest
of the speculatives (July 3, 1634) Lodge of Edinburgh. He was Right Honorable
Master of the Work to His Majesty.
Nathaniel Alexander (1756-1808) Governor of North Carolina,
1805-07. Surgeon in the Revolutionary War. Served as an officer of the G.L. of
North Carolina in 1802, '03, '06, '07 and was senior grand deacon at his death
in 1808.
Prince Alexander of Orange (Netherlands) Grand Master 1832-84.
Prince Alexander of Wurtemberg Initiated in 1808 in the Phoenix
Lodge in Paris. Was uncle of Emperor Alexander of Russia.
Robert Alexander (1863-1941) Major General U.S. Army. Advanced in
rank from a private in 1886 through grades to Brig. General N.A., 1918 and
Maj. General 1918-19 (temp.); Brig. General 1921 and retired as Maj. General
1927. Served in Indian campaign of 1890-91, Philippines, Cuba and Mexico as
well as WW1. Mason.
Algert D. Alexis Rear Admiral U.S. Navy. b. June 25, 1897.
Appointed lieutenant (jg) in 1921 and advanced through grades to rear admiral
in 1950. His speciality in the service was naval construction and he commanded
many naval installations both at home and abroad, including staff commander of
the service force for the invasion of Japan. He retired in 1954 and is now a
consulting civil engineer. Raised in Peter Williamson Lodge No. 323, Scranton,
Pa. in 1920. Royal Arch membership in Norfolk, Va. Past president of
Charleston, S.C. chapter of the National Sojourners.
Bernard Soto Alfaro Former president of Costa Rica. He developed a
national spirit in the country and is one of the most eminent men produced by
the Republic. He entered the lodge Esperanza when a young man and was made
"Protector of the Order" in the Supreme Council, AASR.
Colon Eloy Alfaro Ambassador from Ecuador. b. Jan. 1, 1891, son of
Eloy Alfaro, Ecuadorian patriot and president. Educated in Ecuador, U.S.
Military Academy, German Cavalry School, and George Washington University.
Served as consul general to Canal Zone, Panama, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatamala,
El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia, Dominican Republic and United
States. Was ambassador to U.S. 1936-44. He has also served his country on many
special diplomatic missions. Has been a member of the Board of Governors of
the Pan American Union at Washington, D.C., since 1947. Mason and 33° AASR.
Shriner. Member of Canal Zone Consistory as are his three sons, Eloy, Jaime
and Olmedo.
Eloy Alfaro (1842-1912) Ecuadorian liberator and president. b.
June 25, 1842 in Montecristi. He led an uprising against President Cordero
(1893-95) and declared himself anticlerical dictator and president of Ecuador
from 1897-1901 and 1907-11. He led the revolt of 1906 that deposed President
Lisardo Garcia and became constitutional president in 1907. As president he
reduced the power of the Roman Catholic church. More laws for the betterment
of public schools and social reforms for the people were enacted during his
presidency than there had been in the 120 years since the Republic was
established. Most of his life was spent in exile. As a disciple of Bolivar he
advocated Pan-Americanism and convened the second Pan American Congress in
Mexico City in 1896. Alfaro was responsible for the introduction of the
"Panama hat" to the world. While in exile in Panama, he imported the
Ecuador-made toquilla hats which he sold in great numbers to travelers passing
through the Isthmus. Having been purchased in Panama, the hats were presumed
to be products of the country and thus became known as "Panamas." Alfaro
attempted to aid Cuba in securing its independence from Spain and in 1895 sent
an impassioned letter to Queen Marie Cristina of Spain, pleading for Cuban
independence. He resigned as president Aug. 12, 1911 hoping to prevent a
revolt and continue the liberal regime. When a new revolt broke out, he
returned from his exile in Panama hoping to effect a conciliation between the
factions. He was seized in Guayaquil and sent over the railway which he had
built to Quito where he was thrown into jail and a few hours later (Jan.
28, 1912) was murdered. Affectionately called "Citizen of the Americas," he
has been honored with monuments and statues in Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and the United States. Busts of Alfaro in
the U.S. are found in St. Augustine, Florida; Lincoln, Nebraska; House of the
Temple, Washington, D.C.; Washington National Memorial at Alexandria, and
Gainesville, Florida. Even Spain named a street in his ancestral town of Cervera del Rio Alhambra for him.
Bruce R. Alger Congressman, 84th Congress from 5th Texas district.
b. June 12, 1918. Owner of Alger Development Co., Bruce Alger Realtor,
Modernair Construction Co., all of Dallas. 32° AASR and Shriner.
Russell A. Alger (1836-1907) Major General in Civil War, working
his way from the ranks. Served as governor of Michigan from 1885-87 and was
Secretary of War under McKinley from 1897-99, resigning at McKinley's request
because of criticism directed against the War Department for inefficiency.
Member of Corinthian Lodge No. 241 of Detroit, being raised Dec. 9, 1895.
Francois D' Alincourt French gentleman, who, in the year 1776 was
sent with Don Gyres de Ornellas Pracao, q.v. a Portuguese nobleman, to prison,
by the governor of the island of Madeira, for being Freemasons.
Sir Archibald Alison (1792-1867) English author. b. Dec. 29, 1792
at Kenley, Shropshire, England and d. May 23, 1867 at Glasgow, Scotland.
Received his degrees at Glasgow Kilwinning Lodge in 1837. An historian; and as
sheriff of Lanarkshire suppressed the riots of 1837. Author of History of
Europe during the French Revolution (1833-42) in ten volumes and a nine volume
continuation in 1852-59.
John S. Allard Brigadier General and corporation executive. b.
Jan. 16, 1897. Served overseas with Air Force, 1942-45, and promoted from
colonel to brigadier general in 1944. President of Curtis-Wright Export Corp.
since 1929; vice pres. of Curtis-Wright Corp. since 1929 and director of
Wright Aeronautical Corp., Curtis-Wright Airplane Co., and Curtis-Wright
Airports Co. Mason.
Herbert J. Allemang Vice president of Philco Corp. since 1951. b.
May 3, 1902. Raised in South Bend Lodge No. 294, South Bend, Ind. in 1923.
Member of AASR (NJ) in South Bend and Medinah Shrine Temple.
Alfred G. Allen (1867-1932) Congressman from Ohio to 62nd, 63rd,
and 64th Congresses (1911-17). Lawyer. Mason.
Charles H. Allen (1848-1934) First governor of Puerto Rico. b.
April 15, 1848 at Lowell, Mass. He was a member of the Massachusetts house of
representatives in 1881 and '82 and in the state senate in 1883. He was a
member of the 49th and 50th Congresses (1885-89), and assistant secretary of
the Navy from 1898-1900. After the United States freed the island of Puerto
Rico from a 400-year despotic rule of Spain he became its first governor
(1900-02). He was a member of William North Lodge of Lowell, Mass.
Ethan Allen (1738-1789) Major General in Revolution. Gained fame
as a colonel commanding the "Green Mountain Boys," who with Benedict Arnold,
q.v., seized Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775. He was captured at Montreal and
held prisoner from 177578, exchanged and returned to Vermont. Although he has
been described as one "who seems to have been a Master Mason" it is thought that he only received one degree at
Windsor, Vt. on July 7, 1777. His brother Ira, q.v., was a member of Vermont
Lodge No. 1. Probably not a Mason. Was a prisoner in England on date given for
his first degree in Windsor, Vt.
Ethan N. Allen Baseball coach. b. Jan. 1, 1904. An outfielder with
various National League teams 1926-36 and with Browns of American League since
1938; motion picture director of National League public relations dept.
1938-42; head coach at Yale in 1946. Has done sports announcing and written
several books on baseball. Member of Yeatman Lodge No. 162, Cincinnati, Ohio,
32° Ohio Consistory at Cincinnati and Shriner.
Ezra G. Allen (1885-1952) Rear Admiral U.S. Navy. b. March 11,
1885 at Scranton, Pa. Graduated U.S. Naval Academy, 1907. Ensign. U.S. Navy in
1907, advancing to rear admiral. Mason. d. January, 1952.
Frank G. Allen Former governor of Massachusetts. b. Lynn, Mass.
Oct. 6, 1874. Was raised in Orient Lodge, Norwood, Mass. June 23, 1920,
receiving 33° in Northern Jurisdiction, Sept. 16, 1930.
George W. Allen (?-1928) Chief Justice Supreme Court of Colorado,
1926-28. Member Pennsylvania House of Representatives 1874-76 moving to
Colorado in 1880. Judge district court, Denver 1888-1910. Republican nominee
for governor 1896 and defeated for U.S. Senator 1896. Justice of Supreme Court
1916-26. Died Jan. 29, 1928. Mason, 32° AASR and Shriner.
Henry J. Allen (1868-1950) U.S. Senator and former governor of
Kansas. b. Sept. 11, 1868 in Warren Co., Pa. Began as editor of Manhattan
Nationalist in 1894 and later owned and operated several daily newspapers in
Kansas; chairman of board of Wichita Daily Beacon Publishing Co. Governor of
Kansas from 1919-23 and appointed U.S. Senator to succeed Vice-president
Curtis in 1929. Assistant to Charles G. Dawes, pres. of Reconstruction Finance
Corp. in 1932. Editor of the Topeka Journal from 1935 until death. Director of
publicity for the Hoover-Curtis campaign in 1928 and as president of the Great
Lakes-St. Lawrence Tidewater Assn., helped prepare treaty between U.S. and
Canada on that project. Active abroad in WW1 in Red Cross work. Mason. d. Jan.
17, 1950.
Hervey Allen Author, who although not a Freemason, is one of the
few writers of historical novels to give credit for the part Freemasonry
played in our Revolutionary period. Among his writings are Anthony Adverse,
1933; The Forest and the Fort, 1943; and Bedford Village, 1944. b. Dec. 8,
1889. Mr. Allen wrote on May 23, 1944 as follows: "Several members of the
fraternity have written in asking if I hold membership. I do not and never
have. My father and grandfather and a great many other relatives have been
Masons for many generations back, but for various reasons I have never joined.
My interest in the theme of Masonry in American life is purely historical, and
I think that my not being a member is at this time perhaps a help in my
stressing the theme, as I can do so without any suspicion of being a special
pleader from the inside. There is no doubt that for some reason or other
American historians have overlooked one of the prime and deep-running
influences in American life. As you know, there are many reasons for that.”
Hubert A. Allen (1872-1942) Brigadier General U.S. Army. Actively
identified with Iowa national guard for 25 years. Served as captain in
Spanish-American war and appointed brigadier general in 1917. Mason.
Ira Allen (1751-1814) Brother of Ethan Allen q.v. and politically
active in the Revolutionary period. b. Cornwall, Conn., he with
two other fellow members of Vermont Lodge No. 1 (now 18), led the fight for
statehood of Vermont. The others were Thomas Chittenden q.v. and Dr. Jonas Fay
q.v. Between 1780 and 1791 he was in negotiation with the British which was
thought to force Congress to recognize Vermont's claims—which they did on
March 4, 1791. He assisted in the founding of the Univ. of Vermont in 1789. He
was initiated in Vermont Lodge No. 1 of Charleston, N.H. in 1782.
Ivan E. Allen Business executive who gave Fort Mountain to state
of Georgia; it is now one of the state parks. b. Mar. 1, 1877 at Dalton, Ga.
Chairman of Ivan Allen-Marshall Co.; Ivan Allen Bldg., Atlanta Blank Book Mfg.
Co., and has served on many state political and civic boards including term as
state senator 1919-21. A Knight Templar and Shriner.
James M. Allen General in the Civil War. A Mason.
J. Edward Allen Educator and writer. Instructor in public school
system of Warrenton, N.C. since 1907 and served as superintendent of public
instruction for Warren Co. since 1919. Member board of trustees Wake Forest
College since 1922; board of trustees, state school for blind and deaf; on
board of Oxford Orphanage. Grand Master G.L. of North Carolina 1939-40. Also
headed state York Rite bodies and Shrine. Writer of many Masonic books and
articles including revision of Goulds History of Freemasonry published by
Scribners in 1936. b. March 21, 1887 at Warrenton, N.C.
John Allen 3rd Viscount Grand Master, G.L. of Ireland, 1744.
John E. Allen (1873-1945) Chief Justice, Supreme Court of New
Hampshire, 1934-43. Educated at Dartmouth and Harvard, he was admitted to N.H.
bar in 1897, serving as probate judge from 1899 to 1906. He was associate
justice of Superior Court of N.H. 1917-24 and 1924-34 before becoming chief
justice. Mason.
John M. Allen Major in Texas-Mexican War. He came to Texas
attracted by the rumors of impending conflict between Americans and Mexicans.
As commander of the armed ship Terrible, he had been ordered to New Orleans
for the purpose of recruiting soldiers for the impending conflict. While in
New Orleans he received a charter from the grand secretary of the G.L. of
Louisiana for Holland Lodge No. 36 to be delivered to Anson Jones q.v. General
Sam Houston q.v. sent an orderly to Allen advising him of the impending clash
and urging speed to the reinforcements he had. Allen joined Houston's forces,
carrying with him the charter and other communications from the G.L. of
Louisiana. He met Anson Jones (to be first Grand Master of Texas) on the
prairie between Croce's and San Jacinto, while Houston's army was on the march
just before the battle of San Jacinto. Jones placed it in his saddlebags and
carried it through the battle of San Jacinto.
Lee E. Allen Congressman from 16th district of Illinois to 73rd to
80th Congresses inclusive (1933-49). b. Oct. 5, 1898 at Elizabeth, Ill. Taught
school, served as circuit court clerk and has practiced law since 1930. Mason.
Oscar K. Allen Former governor of Louisiana. Member of Eastern
Star Lodge No. 151, Winnfield, La.
Peter B. Allen General U.S. Army. First master of Terre Haute
Lodge No. 19, Terre Haute, Indiana.
William Allen Purchased the ground for the State House (Independence Hall) at Philadelphia in 1729 and gave a grand banquet in
1736 at the inauguration of the building. It was here that the Declaration of
Independence was signed.
Roger Allin Former governor of North Dakota. Member of Golden
Valley Lodge No. 6, Park River, N.D.
James B. Allison Major General, U.S. Army. b. Sept. 15, 1873 at
York, S. Car. Appointed 2nd lieutenant in 1898 advancing through grades to
major general in 1935 when he became chief signal officer. Retired in 1937.
Served in Mexican War and WW1. Mason.
William B. Allison (1829-1908) U.S. Senator from Iowa 1873-1909.
b. March 2, 1829 at Perry, 0. Admitted to bar in 1850, he practiced in Ohio
until 1858 when he moved to Dubuque, Iowa. Raised troops for Civil War and was
U.S. Representative in Congress from 1863-71. In 1888 and 1896 he was a
candidate for Republican presidential nomination. A charter member of Mosaic
Lodge No. 125 of Dubuque, Iowa, he was honorary senior grand warden of the
Grand Lodge of Iowa in 1889.
James V. Allred Governor of Texas 1935-39. b. Mar. 29, 1899 at
Bowie, Texas. Admitted to Texas bar in 1924. Served as district attorney
1923-25 and attorney general of Texas 193135. U.S. District Judge, southern
district of Texas 1939-42. Practicing attorney since 1942. Raised in Bowie
Lodge No. 578 July 6, 1920. Received Scottish Rite degrees in 1926. K.C.C.H.
Avery Allyn Anti-Masonic writer. Once a member of lodge, chapter
and commandery in Connecticut.
Edward B. Almon (1860-1933) Congressman from Alabama to 64th to
72nd Congresses (1915-33). b. April 18, 1860 at Moulton, Ala. Admitted to bar
1883. Member Alabama state senate 1892-96 and speaker of house of
representatives in 1911. Judge of 11th circuit 1898-1906. Mason.
James L. Almond, Jr. Congressman and attorney-general of Virginia.
b. June 15, 1898 at Charlottesville, Va. Served as prosecuting attorney and
judge at Roanoke and in the 79th and 80th Congresses from Virginia. Has been
attorney-general of Virginia since 1948. Past potentate of Shrine.
Alfred S. Alschuler (1876-1940) Architect. b. Chicago, Nov. 2,
1876. Graduate of Armour Institute of Technology and studied at Art Institute
of Chicago. Designed the following Chicago buildings: London Guarantee and
Accident, Westminster, Cunard, John R. Thompson, John Sexton, Utilities, Lake
Michigan, Mercantile Exchange, Adams Franklin and Garment Center buildings;
plans of E. J. Brach & Son, Chicago Mail Order, Sinai Temple and Isaiah
Temple. Mason.
Richard Alsop (1761-1815) American author and poet. b. Middletown,
Conn. Was one of the Hartford wits, collaborating in the writing of The Echo,
a verse satire which appeared in the American Mercury and published in book
form in 1807. Among other works is A Poem, Sacred to the Memory of George
Washington (1800). A member of St. John's Lodge No. 2, Middletown, Conn. There
was a Richard Alsop who became a member of Hiram Lodge No. 1 at New Haven,
Conn. in 1752 and may have been his father.
Wilbur M. Alter Chief justice, Supreme Court of Colorado since
1955. b. Dec. 17, 1879 at Allegheny, Pa. Admitted to Colorado bar in 1906.
Judge of Supreme Court of Colorado from 1928-33; 1944-46; 1946 to present.
Past state commander of American Legion. Served in WW1 as an enlisted man.
Raised in Victor Lodge No. 99, Victor, Colo. in 1909. Demitted from chapter and commandery at Cripple
Creek and shrine in Denver.
Paul S. Althouse (1889-1954) American opera tenor. b. 1889 at
Reading, Pa., made his debut with Metropolitan Opera Co., N.Y. in 1913. Member
of St. John's Lodge No. 435, Reading, Pa. 32° AASR (SJ) at Reading, Pa. and
member of Rajah Shrine Temple, Reading. d. Feb. 6, 1954 and service was
conducted by Grand Lodge of New York at Rutgers Presbyterian Church on Feb. 8.
Francisco E. Alvarado Former secretary of state of Costa Rica. He
also served as president of the chamber of representatives and
administrator-general of railways. A member of Caridad Lodge No. 26.
Francisco P. Alvarado Costa Rican banker. He was one of the
founders of the Scottish Rite of Central America. A banker and teacher, he was
benefactor of San Juan de Dios Hospital. A member of Caridad No. 26.
Carlos Maria de Alvear (1789-1853) Argentine patriot, general and
coworker with San Martin, q.v. He took a prominent part in the liberation wars
of Argentine both politically and militarily. In 1814 he was the victorious
besieger of Montevideo, Uruguay, and a year later was named "supreme
administrator." In 1839 he was appointed minister to the United States, where
he died. He was a founder of the Lau-taro Lodge in 1812 together with San
Martin, liberator of the country.
Claude B. Alverson (1878-1922) Judge, Supreme Court of New York,
1921-22. Knight Templar, 32° AASR and Shriner.
Count Goblet d' Alviella (1846-1925) Belgian writer on religious
history, and politician. Also known as Comte Eugene. Was grand commander of
the Supreme Council 33° of Belgium.
Richard IL Amberg Publisher of St. Louis Globe-Democrat from
Sept., 1955. b. June 5, 1912 in New York City. Graduated from Harvard in 1933.
Editor and publisher of newspapers in Oil City and Knox, Pa. from 1937-41 and
also Sportsman's Hunting & Fishing Digest same years. He was director of
publicity for the American Transit Assn. from 1945-47 and general manager of
Newsday in 1947-49. In 1949-50 he was administrative assistant on the New York
Herald Tribune and general manager and director of The Post Standard,
Syracuse, N.Y. from 1950-52. Raised in Oil City Lodge No. 710, Oil City, Pa.
in 1938. Member of Oil City Chapter No. 236, R.A.M. and Talbot Cornmandery No.
43, K.T. both of Oil City. 32° AASR, Valley of St. Louis (SJ). Member of St.
Leo Conclave No. 71, Red Cross of Constantine, Syracuse, N.Y. and Moolah
Shrine Temple, St. Louis, Mo.
John Frederick Amelung Early American glass manufacturer. In
March, 1789 he visited George Washington at Mt. Vernon and presented him with
two engraved gobets with Washington's coat of arms. A zealous Mason, he
established a lodge in Frederick Co., Maryland sometime between 1790 and 1799.
James E. Ament (?-1936) College president and educator. b.
Woodburn, Ill. Graduated from Illinois Normal, Transylvania Univ. and a Ph.D.
from Oskaloosa College. Served as president of state teachers colleges in
Oklahoma, Missouri, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Inspected educational facilities
in England, Scotland, France, Germany and Switzerland. Ament became president
of the ultra National Park Seminary for Women at Washington, D.C. in 1916 and
was president and owner until his death in 1936. He was a 32° AASR (SJ).
19 Leopold S. Amery
Leopold S. Amery (1873-1955) English
publicist, statesman and mountaineer. b. Nov. 22, 1873 in India. Friend of
Winston Churchill q.v. at school days in Harrow and later when he was
correspondent of the Times in the South African War when Churchill was
correspondent of Daily Telegraph. He served with the army in Flanders and Near
East (1914-16). He became first lord of admiralty in 1922, serving until 1924
when he became secretary of state for colonies 1924-29 and secretary for
dominion affairs from 1925-29. In 1945-49 he was secretary for India and
Burma. Endowed with a strong physique, he was an avid mountaineer and three
peaks have been named for him—one in South Africa Drakenberg, one in the
Canadian Rockies and the third on Kerguelen Island on the edge of the
Antarctic. Member of Canada Lodge No. 3527, London and 10th master of that
lodge in 1920.
Ezra Ames (1768-1836) Portrait painter. b. Framingham, Mass. May
5, 1768. Painted portraits of Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams,
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Martin Van Buren, George Clinton, DeWitt
Clinton. Served as grand high priest of the G.C. of New York for 24 years, and
was general grand scribe of the General Grand Chapter for ten years (1806-16).
From 1816-20 he served as grand captain general of the Grand Encampment,
Knights Templar. Died Feb. 23, 1836.
Oliver Ames Former governor of Massachusetts. Although his
membership is not known, he was made an honorary member of Columbian Lodge of
Boston; was present at a meeting of Washington Lodge in Roxbury March 15,
1866; delivered a Masonic oration before Meridian Lodge, Natick, Mass., June,
1888.
Louis Amiable (1837-1897) French Masonic historian.
Arthur Oliver Villiers, Lord Ampthill (1869-1935) English nobleman
of the Russell family, holding the earldom of Bedford (from 1550), dukedom of
Bedford (from 1694) and barony of Ampthill (from 1881). b. Feb. 19, 1869 at
Rome, Italy where his father was British ambassador. Linguist and rowing man,
he saw service in WW1, being twice mentioned in dispatches and attaining the
rank of brevet colonel. He served as private secretary to Joseph Chamberlain
(1895-99) and was governor of Madras from 1899 to 1906. In 1904 he was
appointed acting Viceroy of India. Ampthill was appointed by King Edward VII
(then grand master) as provincial grand master for Bedfordshire on Nov. 17,
1891, and later served 27 years as pro grand master (1908-35) under H.R.H. the
Duke of Connaught. He was one of the founders of the National Party in 1918.
Member of Apollo Lodge, Oxford, England.
Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) Discoverer of South Pole. A Norwegian
polar explorer. b. Borge, Norway. He discovered the South Pole in December,
1911. In 1903-06 he navigated the northwest passage and fixed the position of
the North magnetic pole, and in 1926 he flew across the North pole with
Lincoln Ellsworth. He disappeared in June, 1928 on flight to rescue Nobile who
was lost returning from North Pole. Said by several sources to be a Freemason
but no lodge ever specified.
Charles L. Anceney (1863-?) Pioneer cattle rancher of the West. b.
April 17, 1863 at Denver, Colo., he was in charge of a cattle outfit at the
age of 14. Anceney was with the first herd of cattle going into lower
Yellowstone ranges in 1879 and was on the first drive to Bismarck, N. Dak. in
1881. At one time he swam the Missouri river and loaded a shipment of cattle
to Buffalo, N.Y. Fought with Sioux, Blackfeet and Cheyenne Indians. Was an associate of Child & Anceney (Harry W. Child),
1910 in the Flying D. Cattle Ranges, covering 500,000 acres and furnishing
support to 15,000 to 25,000 head of cattle. President of Gallatin Gateway
State Bank, promoted Camp Creek Branch of Northern Pacific Railway which
terminated at townsite of Anceney, Mont. Mason. Deceased.
William, Earl of Ancrum Fortieth Grand Master of Scotland, 1794-95
and later the 6th Marquis of Lothian.
Clinton P. Anderson U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and senator. b.
Oct. 23, 1895 at Centerville, S. Dak. Was state treasurer of New Mexico
1933-34; member of 77th to 79th Congresses from New Mexico (1941-47);
secretary