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DADMUN, JOHN W. 1819-1890

Biography from Proceedings, Page 1873-373:

He was born in Hubbardston, Mass., Dec. 20,1819. He was initiated into Masonry in Mount Lebanon Lodge, Boston, Feb. 14, 1859. His father, not having the means to give him a thorough education, gave him his time when he was eighteen years of age, and he succeeded in working his way along until he completed an academical education at the Wesleyan Academy, located in Wilbraham, Mass.

He joined the New England Methodist Conference at the age of twenty-two years; and has been pastor of churches in the towns of Ludlow, Southampton, South Hadley Falls, Enfield, Ware, Monson, Ipswich and Lowell; of the First Methodist Church and Grace Church, Boston; First Church, Boston Highlands; and for the last eight years he has been Chaplain and Superintendent of schools in the city institutions of Boston at Deer Island.

He has published musical works as follows: — "Revival Melodies," "Melodeon," "Eolian Harp," "Timbrel," "Humming- Bird," and " Masonic Choir." In a note recently written by him, he says, " Some of the happiest hours of my life have been spent in social intercourse with my Brethren in Masonry, particularly in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, while I served as Grand Chaplain and District Deputy Grand Master . . . I rejoice exceedingly in the prosperity of our beloved Institution in the good old Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Memorial from Proceedings, Page 1890-78:

A few weeks ago we were all startled by the announcement of the sudden death of our Rev. Brother John W. Dadmun. It will be remembered that he officiated as our Grand Chaplain at the Quarterly Communication in June last. Few Brethren were more generally known throughout the jurisdiction; a fact which was due in part to his service in many localities throughout the State as a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in part to his service in numerous offices of the different branches of our Fraternity.

He was born in Hubbardston, Mass., Dec. 20, 1819, and died at Deer Island, on the 6th of August last. He received his early education at Wesleyan Academy, of Wilbraham, Mass., and joined the New England Methodist Conference at the age of twenty-two years.

He was initiated in Mount Lebanon Lodge, of Boston, Feb. 14, 1859. He was a Charter member and the first Master of Zetland Lodge, of Boston, serving ih the latter capacity in the years 1867 and 1868. In 1863, 1864 and 1865, he filled the office of District Deputy Grand Master of the 6th, then the Worcester District, and in the years 1866, 1867 and 1868, he officiated as Grand Chaplain.

For the last twenty-five years he had been employed as Chaplain and Superintendent of Schools in the institutions of the city of Boston at Deer Island. While engaged there in the familiar and frequent duty of conducting an exhibition drill of the boys in one of the institutions — a duty in which he took great satisfaction — he was suddenly attacked with apoplexy, and died in a few moments. He was a most conscientious, faithful and devoted teacher, a kind and sympathetic friend, as well as a judicious adviser to all who would accept of his ministrations.

Nearly twenty years ago he said to Past Grand Master Heard: "Some of the happiest hours of my life have been spent in social intercourse with my Brethren in Masonry, particularly in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, while I served as Grand Chaplain and District Deputy Grand Master." His active interest and efficient service in the Fraternity continued until the day of his death, and he will be sadly missed from several of our most flourishing organizations. His prominence in our ranks and his long and valuable services seem to demand this brief tribute to his memory, although he was not, at the time of his death an Officer or member of this Grand Lodge.

DANFORTH, ALBERT W. 1851-1912

From Proceedings, Page 1912-177:

R.W. ALBERT W. DANFORTH was born in East Boston, Aug. 25, 1851, and died in Lowell, April 2, 1912. His father died when the son was quite young, and the family removed to Lowell. Brother Danforth attended the public schools in Lowell. After graduation from the high school, he found employment with various manufacturing companies until 1877, when he went to Newburyport to replace worn machinery for the Ocean, Peabody and Bartlett Mills. He remained there until 1883, when, upon the solicitation of the Chinese Ambassador in Washington, he went to China and erected the mills of the Shanghai Cotton Cloth Company. He remained twenty-seven years in Shanghai, engaged in mill construction and superintendence until 1910, when he returned to Lowell to engage in business as a consulting mill engineer. About the time that his prospects seemed to promise well, he was stricken down and died. A widow and three children survive him, who reside in Cairo, Illinois.

Brother Danforth received the first three degrees in St. John's Lodge, of Newburyport, in the month of June, 1881. He received the Royal Arch Degree in King Cyrus Chapter, March 9, 1882, and the Orders of Knighthood in Newburyport Commandery in the summer of L882. He was D.D. Grand Master of the China District for six years, from 1896 to 1901.

DAVIS, P(HINEAS) STEARNS, d. 1864

From Proceedings, Page VI-526:

It has pleased Almighty God, in his wise, but to us inscrutable Providence to remove by death from family and friends, from this Institution he so much loved and from his country in whose defence he so gallantly died, our beloved friend and Brother, W. Phineas Stearns Davis, formerly a member of this G. Lodge who was killed on the 12th. July in front of Petersburg, while in command of the Regt., and whereas a visitation so sudden and severe has filled our hearts with sorrow therefore

Resolved. That in the death of our Brother Davis, we mourn the loss of an estimable man and good citizen, an accomplished Mason, and tried soldier, and in the sacred domestic relations, a true an affectionate father, husband and Brother.

Resolved. That we recall with melancholy pleasure that death will but serve to intensify those characteristic virtues and distinctive qualities which graced our Brother and caused the tidings of his death to carry general sorrow and gloom through the community, we reverence his noble and unselfish mind and character, his inflexibility of purpose, prompt to originate and thorough to accomplish his lofty patriotism and sense of duty that led him at the call of his Country to leave a young and tender family and brave the perils of a fierce and bloody war, and finally that reticent and modest disposition and deportment which withheld him from seeking preference and preferment leaving it to others to draw him forth for promotion and advancement rather than seem to unduly exalt himself.

Resolved. That in the death of Bro. Davis, the Institution is deprived of the society and services of one who has done much by his influence and example to raise the standard of our Order – who loved it for what it has done for him – and what it is, in his opinion, capable of doing for others, and who believed too, that the truths and lessons taught at the Masonic altar would make one a better man and better citizen, and what was more desirable meet the constant approval of his own conscience.

Resolved. That our sympathies are with the Widow and orphans in this, their afflictions, and while directing their thoughts and our own for consolation to a higher than earthly source, we with them find comfort in the pleasant remembrances of our Brother—his affectionate heart and generous nature, his active and useful life, his noble and heroic death.

All of which is respectfully submitted
Wm. W. BAKER
P. ADAMS AMES.
HENRY W. WARREN.

DEWING, SETH 1788-1883

Bro. SETH DEWING was born in Needham, September 6,1788, and died in Wellesley, January 7, 1883, at the age of ninety-four years and four months. He was made a Mason in Meridian Lodge, now of Natick, on Monday on or before the full of the moon, in September, 1809, and a Master Mason in the same Lodge on the 3d of November following, within three months after arriving at lawful age. His Masonic career extended through a term of more than seventy-three years.

In 1814 Bro. Dewing was elected Master of Meridian Lodge, and served seven or more years. During his whole life he enjoyed extraordinary health, and his mind continued clear to the last. He was a steadfast lover of Masonry, and was one of the signers of the Declaration of 1831. He was a thoroughly good man, and left a personal record beyond suspicion of reproach.

DOW, HOWARD M. 1837-1912

From Proceedings, Page 1912-124:

BRO. HOWARD M. DOW was born in Boston in 1837, and died at the residence of his son at Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, N. Y., June 12, 1912. He attended the old Mason Street school, and at the age of seven years began to take instructions on the organ, and at nine years on the piano and in musical com- position. At the age of sixteen he became a church organist in South Boston and he so continued for fifty-two years.

He held the position of organist in Dr. Hale's Church, Trinity, Arlington Street Church, Second Church, Dr. Minot J. Savage's Church of the Unity, remaining in the latter twenty years. He also played for a while at the Union Church, Nahant, and at the First Unitarian Church, Hingham. He was for many years in great demand as an accompanist for great singers in concerts owing to his extraordinary facility at reading the most difficult scores at sight. He published a number of music books made up of his own compositions, including the Masonic Orpheus and composed the music of I Cannot Always Trace the Way. Another large volume of his compositions was nearly ready for publication at the time of his decease.

His wife, Mary Agnes Rice, died in 1889, but he is survived by three children - Mrs. Dow, of Los Angeles, Cal., Arthur M. Dow, of New York, and James Dow, of Boston.

Brother Dow received the Masonic degrees in Joseph Warren Lodge in 1865-1866 and served this Grand Lodge as organist for many years. He was appointed the first time Dec. 27, 1867, by M.W. Charles C. Dame, and he served continuously until 1882. He was reappointed by M.W. Samuel Wells, Dec. 27, 1892, and served until 1907, making a period of twenty-eight years of loyal and cheerful service. Brother Dow endeared himself to the Fraternity by his pleasant manner, willing service, and loyal devotion to the interests of the Craft.

In one of his' volumes - Dow's Sacred Quartets – found the following words, for which the music was written by Brother Dow. The sentiment reveals the faith and hope of his own heart.

"I cannot always trace the way
Where Thou, Almighty One, dost move,
But I can always say,
That God is love.

"When mystery clouds my darkened path,
I'll check my dread, my doubts remove;
In this my soul sweet comfort hath
That God is love.

"Yes! God is love: a word like this
Can ev'ry gloomy thought remove,
And turn all tears, all woes to bliss,
That God is love."

DOWNS, JAMES 1847-1912

From Proceedings, Page 1912-24:

R.W. JAMES DOWNS, of Natick, was born in Leith, Scotland, May 28, 1847, and died in Natick Tuesday, Jan. 2, 1912. He came to America in 1866 and resided in Melrose. He later found employment as foreman with Pierson & Blethen, bakers and caterers in Natick. In 1887 he purchased the business from his employers and continued in it until 1897, when he retired. Since then he has been engaged in the restaurant, business on Boylston Street, Boston, nearly opposite the Masonic Temple.

Brother Downs received the Masonic degrees in Wyoming Lodge, of Melrose, in 1873 and 1874, and affiliated with Meridian Lodge, of Natick, April 1, 1874. He became Wor. Master in 1898 and served two years. He was District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-first Masonic District in 1906 and 1907. He served as Deputy Grand High Priest in 1894 and was Eminent Commander of Natick Commandery, K.T.,in 1893 and 1894.

Brother Downs was public spirited and interested in town affairs, serving the town as a selectman. Free hearted and generous, no one ever appealed to him in vain for help or counsel, and from all who knew him comes a very kindly word for Bro. James Downs.

Funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church in Natick, Jan. 5, 1912, and his remains were buried in Dell Park Cemetery with Masonic services by Meridian Lodge, Parker Royal Arch Chapter and Natick Commandery, K.T., acting as escort.

Distinguished Brothers