Difference between revisions of "MAOtherBrothersD"

Revision as of 11:02, 23 September 2011

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.

DEWEY, EDGAR O. 1878-1940

From Proceedings, Page 1940-219:

Brother Dewey was born in Reading, Massachusetts, on August 10, 1878, and died there on June 23, 1940. He was educated in the schools of Reading, and was an accountant by profession. After several years with the F. O. Dewey Company of Boston and upon the closing of that business he was appointed as Postmaster. of Reading in 1922, and held that position until 1934: His conduct of that office was marked by ability and courtesy. At the time of his death, he was associated with the Walter Cox Company of Charlestown in the real estate and insurance department. Brother Dewey was raised in Good Samaritan Lodge on June 5, 1902, and served as Master in 1911-1912, and as Secretary from l920 until his death.

In Grand Lodge he served as Senior Grand Steward in 1930, and as District Deputy Grand Master of the 7th District in 1925 and 1926.

He served as a Selectman of Reading from 1914 through 1918, and always took a keen interest in civic affairs. His church affiliation was in the First Congregational Church of Reading. He was Secretary of Reading Royal Arch Chapter, and a Charter member and a Past Commander of Reading Commandery K.T.

He took a keen and active interest in the 7th District Past Masters Association, Past District Deputy Grand Masters Association, and the Secretaries Association. He was a Past Commander of Corp. Charles F. Parker Camp 39 of the United Spanish War Veterans. The sudden and untimely death of Brother Dewey has removed one of our most diligent and popular members, and a host of friends hold him in loving memory.

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.

DUNHAM, DAVID B. 1872-1936

From Proceedings, Page 1936-106:

Brother Dunham was born in Catskill, New York, July 17, 1872; and died in Wareham May 12,1936.

Brother Dunham was educated in the public schools of Catskill. When about twenty years of age, he went to North Adams in the service of the American Express Company. After serving with that concern and with Armour & Company, he entered. the employ of the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, in which he remained until he retired on account of failing hialth.

Brother Dunham took his Masonic degrees in Lafayette Lafayette Lodge, of North Adams, in 1906, and was its Master in 1911. He served as District Deputy Grand Master for the Fifteenth Masonic District in 1917 and 1918, by appointment of Most Worshipful Leon M. Abbott. Although living in retirement of late years, he will be remembered with regret by those who were associated with him in his more active days.

Distinguished Brothers