Difference between revisions of "MAGLWLawrence"

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(MEMORIAL)
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was Illustrious Master of Medford Council, Grand Master of the Grand Council, and Treasurer of the Grand Council for many years preceding his death. He was a member and Past Commander of Boston Commandery. He was a member of the Scottish Rite bodies in Boston, and was coroneted Honorary Member of the Supreme Council 33° in 1896.
 
was Illustrious Master of Medford Council, Grand Master of the Grand Council, and Treasurer of the Grand Council for many years preceding his death. He was a member and Past Commander of Boston Commandery. He was a member of the Scottish Rite bodies in Boston, and was coroneted Honorary Member of the Supreme Council 33° in 1896.
  
R.W. Brother Lawrence's life was one of great usefulness in many directions. His years weighed lightly upon him, and his lamented death as a result of an automobile accident, cutting him off as it did in the midst of varied activities, seemed as untimely as it was unfortunate. His wide contacts with life made him many friends both in and out of the Masonic Fraternity, and he leaves a vacancy which it would be difficult, if not impossibLe, to fill.
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R.W. Brother Lawrence's life was one of great usefulness in many directions. His years weighed lightly upon him, and his lamented death as a result of an automobile accident, cutting him off as it did in the midst of varied activities, seemed as untimely as it was unfortunate. His wide contacts with life made him many friends both in and out of the Masonic Fraternity, and he leaves a vacancy which it would be difficult, if not impossible, to fill.
  
 
''From Proceedings, Page 1929-50:''
 
''From Proceedings, Page 1929-50:''
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In the passing of Right Worshipful Brother Lawrence the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has lost a faithful and interested Brother, one who held Masonry dear to his heart, a constant attendant at its meetings and on its several Committees of which he was a member, and an enthusiastic supporter of its policies.
 
In the passing of Right Worshipful Brother Lawrence the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has lost a faithful and interested Brother, one who held Masonry dear to his heart, a constant attendant at its meetings and on its several Committees of which he was a member, and an enthusiastic supporter of its policies.
  
Right Worshipful Brother Lawrence wry a man of upright character and one to whom a Brother could appeal with confidence that he would receive good advice or
+
Right Worshipful Brother Lawrence was a man of upright character and one to whom a Brother could appeal with confidence that he would receive good advice or
 
assistance, as the necessity demanded - an active man of affairs, highly regarded by his different associates, holding many responsible positions in civic, industrial, and Lodge activities.
 
assistance, as the necessity demanded - an active man of affairs, highly regarded by his different associates, holding many responsible positions in civic, industrial, and Lodge activities.
  

Revision as of 18:38, 15 October 2011

WILLIAM BADGER LAWRENCE 1856-1928

WilliamLawrence1929.jpg

Junior Grand Warden, 1902

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page 1929-26:

R.W. Brother Lawrence, son of M. W. Samuel Crocker Lawrence, was born in Charlestown, Mass., Nov. 5, 1856. He was graduated from the Boston Latin School in 1875, Harvard College in 1879, and from the Harvard Law School in 1882. Admitted to the Bar in 1883 he practiced the profession of law up to the time of his death. He was actively associated with his father in railroad interests particularly in connection with the Boston and Maine R. R. and allied corporations.

He gave much attention to public and political affairs both on the practical and theoretical side. He wrote many political articles, and was an authority on the history of government and politics. He was a life long member of the Republican party, beginning his official life as one of the Selectmen of the then town of Medford in 1888 and 1890. In 1891 and 1892 he represented Medford in the House of Representatives, and in 1893 and 1894 was Senator from what was then the First Middlesex District. He was a member of the Republican State Committee in 1891 and 1892, and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1904 which nominated Theodore Roosevelt for the Presidency.

He was a member of many military, civic, and patriotic organizations. IIe was an active member and officer in the First Parish Unitarian Church of Medford.

In 1883 he married Miss Alice May Sears. He is survived by Mrs. Lawrence, two sons, two daughters, five grandsons, .and one granddaughter.

From a very early period of his life R.W. Brother Lawrence was an active and enthusiastic Freemason. He was initiated. in Mount Hermon Lodge January 3, 1878, passed February 7th, raised March 7th, and took membership April 4th. He was Worshipful Master of Mount Hermon Lodge in 1887 and 1888. He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Sixth Masonic District by M.W. Henry Endicott for 1889, and by M.W. Samuel Wells for 1890. In 1902 he was Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge. IIe was a charter member of Samuel Crocker Lawrence Lodge in 1920.

He was a Trustee of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust from 1912 to the close of his life.

In Capitular Masonry he was Past High Priest of Mystic Royal Arch Chapter, and Deputy Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter. In Cryptic Masonry he was Illustrious Master of Medford Council, Grand Master of the Grand Council, and Treasurer of the Grand Council for many years preceding his death. He was a member and Past Commander of Boston Commandery. He was a member of the Scottish Rite bodies in Boston, and was coroneted Honorary Member of the Supreme Council 33° in 1896.

R.W. Brother Lawrence's life was one of great usefulness in many directions. His years weighed lightly upon him, and his lamented death as a result of an automobile accident, cutting him off as it did in the midst of varied activities, seemed as untimely as it was unfortunate. His wide contacts with life made him many friends both in and out of the Masonic Fraternity, and he leaves a vacancy which it would be difficult, if not impossible, to fill.

From Proceedings, Page 1929-50:

In the passing of Right Worshipful Brother Lawrence the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has lost a faithful and interested Brother, one who held Masonry dear to his heart, a constant attendant at its meetings and on its several Committees of which he was a member, and an enthusiastic supporter of its policies.

Right Worshipful Brother Lawrence was a man of upright character and one to whom a Brother could appeal with confidence that he would receive good advice or assistance, as the necessity demanded - an active man of affairs, highly regarded by his different associates, holding many responsible positions in civic, industrial, and Lodge activities.

He was the son of our late Most Worshipful Brother Samuel Crocker Lawrence, a descendant of an old New England family and representative of its best traditions. He was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on November 16, 1856, and attended the public schools of that place. He was graduated from the Boston Latin School in 1875; entered Harvard College and was graduated in the class of 1879, from thence attending the Harvard Law School, receiving his diploma from there in the year of 1882.

He was actively engaged in the practice of his profession as a lawyer for forty-five years, during which time he became connected with the Boston & Maine Railroad, which Corporation he served as Clerk of the Board, and if memory serves us correctly he was at one time a Director. In civic life his services were very highly esteemed.

He served his District as State Representative and Senator and was a member of the Republican State Committee, being the Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1904 that nominated Theodore Roosevelt for President. He was a member of the Cape Cod Pilgrim Memorial Association, of which he was President. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and held office up to the time of his death as one of the Trustees of the Medford Savings Bank Corporation. He was also a member of the Veteran Association of the Lawrence Life Guards, of which he was a Trustee; also a member of the Medford Historical Society, the Middlesex Club and was in close association with active men in the affairs of the Boston & Maine Railroad, up to the time of his passing away. In all these activities his abilities were very highly appreciated, as was testified by the responsible positions which he occupied. At all times his advice was sought and valued in the business affairs of the Associations with which he was connected, in many of which he occupied a prominent position.

In Masonry he found his principal diversion from the duties of a very active life. He was a member and Past Master of Mount Hermon Lodge of Medford, and served the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts as District Deputy Grand Master. In 1902 he was elected Junior Grand Warden. He was also High Priest of Mystic Chapter and in 1901 was Deputy Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. In Council Masonry he was very active, serving his local Council as Illustrious Master in Medford. and serving the Grand Council as Most lllustrious Grand Master in 1901, 1902, and 1903. He was at the time of his death the Senior Past Grand Master.

He was also active in the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Boston and received. the 33rd Degree and Honorary Membership in the Supreme Council on September 15, 1896. He served for a great many years as a Trustee of the Masonic Educatio:r and Charity Trust, and was ready with advice and assistance when required, what he had to say being listened to as from one who spoke from deep experience and a keen interest in its affairs.

His death was caused by an accident which occurred on his returning horne from a Masonic meeting. Leaving the Boston Temple in full health, he little expected, most probably, that this would be his last trip into the City of Boston, for on his way home in his automobile he met with an accident which caused his death three days later.

His passing came as a shock, for most of us were led to believe that he would recover very shortly from a bad shaking up and be with us once more. In fact it was only a couple of days before his passing that, when a friend of his called up the hospital to inquire as to his condition, Brother Lawrence answered the telephone himself, assuring the said friend that he was gaining rapidly and that within a very few days at the outside would be with us again, going about his life as usual.

His funeral took place at the Lawrence family residence at 30 Rural Avenue, Medford, and was largely attended by his Masonic Brethren and representatives of the different Associations of which he was a member. The flags on all the public buildings of Medford were at half mast. Reverend C. Dethlefs, Pastor of the First Parish Unitarian Church of Medford and Chaplain of the Samuel Crocker Lawrence Lodge, conducted the services, assisted by an instrumental trio and quartette. The honorary bearers were composed of the Brethren from the Mount Hermon Lodge of which he was a member.

If death were the sad event it has so often been pictured, then not only man but Nature would be perpetually clad in sable garments and the eyes should never cease from weeping. No life closes without sadness. Some tendrils of personal affection must be broken. but death is the common lot of man. Some surrender at the first shock of battle. Others only after long siege and trial, but it comes to all alike. The same inscrutable change; the same inevitable departure. To some of us who have passed the middle line of life and seem with hastening steps to near the western shores, this change appears more a resting place where the mind worried and perplexed with entangled questions, where the body enfeebled with numerous ills and wasted by disease, can find that peace and quiet otherwise unattainable.

Respectfully submitted,
William H. Emerson,
Edward L. Shinn,
William E. Scott,
Committee.


Distinguished Brothers