MAGLEHorton
EDWARD A. HORTON, 1843-1931
Grand Chaplain, 1893-1931
From Proceedings, Page 1931-79:
Brother Horton was born in Springfield, Mass., September 28, 1843, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. A. Bensley, in Toronto, Ontario, April 15, 1931. When he was sixteen his family moved. to Chicago where he continued the education he had commenced in the Springfield Schools. The caII to arms in 1861 summoned him from his books and he enlisted in the navy. He served throughout the war and took part in many engagements.
After the war was over he resumed his studies in preparation for the Unitarian Ministry in Chicago University and then at Meadville Theological School from which he graduated in 1868. These studies were later continued in Germany at Brunswick and Heidelberg. His first pastorate of nine years was at Leominster, then after a short retirement enforced by illness, came three years at the old "Ship Church" in Hingham, and then at the Second Church in Boston, when ilI health again compelled his resignation.
He could not be idle for long, however, and soon took up denominational work as Director of the Unitarian Sunday School Association and Executive Secretary of the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches. His activity and influence in denominational circles were so great that Phillips Brooks called him "the Unitarian Bishop." The last twenty years of the nineteenth century was a great period in the Boston pulpit, and among the very distinguished churchmen of that time Brother Horton was a recognized leader.
In 1903 he was made Chaplain of the Massachusetts Senate. He served in that capacity for twenty-five years and on his retirement received tokens of honor and appreciation beyond any that had ever been given to any of his predecessors. He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1880 and that of Doctor of Divinity from Tufts College in 1919. He was the author of many volumes of religious literature and numerous hymns and poems.
From the first organization of the Grand Army of the Republic he was active in its work, being for a time State Chaplain and long the Chaplain of Edward W. Kinsley Post of Boston. He was Chaplain of the First Battalion of Massachusetts Cavalry for four years, and for another four years Chaplain of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and for many years was Chaplain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. For many years he was President of the Boston Common Society and was always vigilant in opposition to any effort to encroach upon the Common.
Brother Horton's chief service to Masonry was in Grand Lodge. He became a member of the The Lodge of Eleusis March 16, 1893, and was appointed Grand Chaplain the same year, serving continuously for the remainder of his life. So long as his strength permitted he was a regular attendant at Grand Lodge, and his fervent and inspiring prayers will long be remembered by those who were privileged to hear them.
He was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Boston and was given the thirty-third degree and Honorary Membership in the Supreme Council in 1907.
Although Brother Horton never after his youth was vigorous in health, he was granted a long life of service and leadership. Full of years and honors, he has gone to his reward, followed by the loving memories of a host of friends and admirers.
