MAGLFPutnam
FREDERIC L. PUTNAM 1868-1960
Senior Grand Warden, 1936
MEMORIALS
From Proceedings, Page 1960-26:
Born at Malden, Massachusetts, February 4, 1868
Died at Springfield, Vermont, January 4, 1960
Right Worshipful Frederic Lincoln Putnam was the son of Henry L. and Mary E. Putnam and a direct descendant of John Putnam, who settled at Salem, Massachusetts, in 1634. His early life was spent in Malden, Massachusetts, where he attended the public schools, afterwards studying accounting and law. {n 1907 he entered the employ of Middlesex County, and on October 8, 1910, was appointed by the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts fourth Assistant Clerk of the Courts for the County of Middlesex , Later he was advanced to third, second and first Assistant Clerk.
On October 25, 1925, R.W. Brother Putnam married Mary Pearl Gould, daughter of Levi Gould, who for many years was a Middlesex County Commissioner and the first mayor of the City of Melrose, Massachusetts. There were no children and Mrs. Putnam passed on at Melrose December 28, 1940.
On May 18, 1937, owing to the death of the then Clerk of Courts, R.W. Brother Putnam was appointed Clerk of Courts for Middlesex County, to hold office until another was elected and qualified. In 1938 he became a candidate for this office and was elected. He was re-elected in 1940 and in 1946. He did not seek election in 1952, and in January 1953, he retired. In 1941 he received the Award for Meritorious Service (the first in Massachusetts). On March 30, 1944, he married Elizabeth Lloyd Campbell, who survives him, together with several nephews and nieces. He lived for many years, until a few months before his death, in Melrose where he served as Trustee of the Melrose Memorial Building and Trustee of the Wyoming Cemetery. He belonged to the Men's Club of the Melrose Congregational Church and was called upon frequently as a speaker before that and other groups.
In his 91st year, R.W. Brother Putnam passed on after a long illness at Springfield, Vermont, on January 4, 1960. Masonic services were conducted at the Weir Funeral Home in Malden by the Worshipful Master and Officers of Mount Vernon Lodge. Most Worshipful Laurence E. Eaton, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, and his Grand Marshal were also present. The funeral service was private. Interment was in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
His Masonic record was long and eminently distinguished. He was received an Entered Apprentice in Mount Vernon Lodge, A.F.& A.M., of Malden on April 4, 1889, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft May 6, 1889, and raised a Master Mason June 6, 1889. He entered the line in Mount Vernon Lodge almost immediately and served as Worshipful Master in 1900-1901. He was a Charter Member of Mount Scopus Lodge and elected an Honorary Member of several Lodges.
In Grand Lodge he was appointed Senior Grand Deacon in 1903 and District Deputy Grand Master of the Melrose 7th District in 1927. He served as Grand Lecturer from 1904 to 1921 and in 1922 was awarded the Henry Price Medal for outstanding Masonic service. He was elected Senior Grand Warden in 1936 and received a Veteran's Medal in 1939.
In the York Rite, R.W. Brother Putnam received the Royal Arch Degree in Tabernacle Chapter at Malden December 18, 1893. He became a Royal and Select Master in Melrose Council April 18, 1894, and was knighted in Beauseant Commandery, No. 41, K.T., on May 28, 1894, where he served as Prelate and as Eminent Commander in 1905.
In Scottish Rite R.W. Brother Putnam joined Boston Lafayette Lodge of Perfection October 1, 1920; Giles F. Yates Council of Princes of Jerusalem October 8, 1920; Mount Olivet Chapter of Rose Croix October 15, 1920; and Massachusetts Consistory December 29, 1920. He was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council on September 29, 1948, at Boston.
R.W. Brother Putnam was a leader of men - strong in private and public life, strong in character, in integrity, in his profession, in his friendships, in the esteem of his fellow men, and strong in Masonry. The honors and success which came to him were freely accorded, because he was diligent and sincere in all his work and inspiring to all those with whom he was associated in civic and fraternal affairs. He was a man's man, loyal and courageous, who will long be remembered by all who knew him.
Fraternally submitted,
Claude L. Allen
Jacob J. Glazin
Russell E. Pilling
Committee
