MOGMSSaunders
SAMUEL H. SAUNDERS 1813-1897
Grand Master, 1857-1859
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Most Worshipful Brother Samuel H. Saunders entered the Grand Lodge at the session in May, 1849, representing Relief Lodge, located at Georgetown, Pettis County, Missouri. His first official recognition was in his appointment as Junior Grand Deacon. In 1852 he was elected Junior Grand Warden. He being absent at the session of 1853, he was not advanced. He did not appear again until 1856, when he was elected Senior Grand Warden. At the following Annual Communication in May, 1857, he was elected Grand Master and re-elected in 1858, closing his two years of service in May, 1859. He was succeeded by Brother Marcus Boyd.
Brother Saunders was born near Richmond, Virginia, August 1, 1813. His early education was followed by a classical course in civil engineering in Bacon College, Georgetown, Kentucky. Following his graduation he pursued the vocation of a civil engineer for some years in Kentucky and Indiana. In 1838 he moved to Texas, but soon returned to Missouri, which he had previously adopted as his home, settling on a farm in Pettis County.
In 1844 we find he was a citizen of Cooper County, where he remained five years. In 1845 he took up the study of medicine, which he commenced the practice of in 1847. He continued practice until 1887. In 1849 he removed to Otterville, where he resided until his death, February 11, 1897.
In Masonry, which he adored and adorned, the exact date as to his entry cannot now be ascertained. He was made a Mason in Relief Lodge No. 105, located at Georgetown, Pettis County, Missouri, while the Lodge was under Dispensation, in 1848. A Charter was granted to the Lodge on May 10, 1849. He was Senior Deacon in 1850, and the same year made his appearance in the Grand Lodge as a representative of his Lodge, being proxy of the W. M. In 1851 he was Master, and as such appeared in the Grand Lodge. In 1853, he with others organized Pleasant Grove Lodge — now numbered 142 — at his home, Otterville; was the Master until elected Grand Master. He was elected many times afterward. He received the degrees of Capitular and Cryptic Masonry in the Chapter and Council located at Boonville, Missouri.
Excerpting from Dr. Vincil's tribute, published in the Masonic Constellation in March, 1897, and reproduced in the printed proceedings of the Grand Lodge, 1897: "Dr. Saunders was a gentleman of the old school, and possessed the elements of a true Mason. His was a large heart, always warm and tender. While he was endowed with a rugged nature, none more kind, was ever moved by generous impulses and a sincere desire of being serviceable to his fellow creatures. He prized Masonry above most men, and was a typical 'old time Mason.' His abhorrence of innovations upon the old paths was intense. The poor found in him a true friend and benefactor."
