1870. The officers elected for 1870, were: M. E. CHARLES H. BROWN, Kalamazoo, 4R. E. HUGH MCCURDY, Corunna, R. E. L. H. RANDALL, Grand Rapids, R. E. JOHN W. FINCH, Adrian, R. E. J. EASTMAN JOHNSON, Centreville, R. E. RUFUS W. LANDON, Niles, Grand High Priest. Grand Scribe. Grand Treasurer. R. E. REV. WILLIAM STOWE, Port Huron, Grand Chaplain. R. E. A. I. SAWYER, Monroe, R. E. GEORGE W. WILMOT, Fenton, R. E. JEX J. BARDWELL, Detroit, R. E. STILLMAN BLANCHARD, Tecumseh, Grand Captain of the Host. SKETCH OF CHARLES H. BROWN. Charles Humphrey Brown was born in Keene, New Hampshire, on the second day of May, 1825, where he spent his boyhood days. About the year 1840, he came with his father's family to Grand Rapids, where he learned the business of harness and trunk maker, and in 1850 he went into business for himself in that line. He was married in 1852 to Susanna M. Murdock and the following year removed to Kalamazoo, where he again established himself in the harness and trunk business. This place remained his home for the next twenty-three years. When the war broke out he was among the first to enlist and went to the front as Adjutant of the 25th regiment Michigan infantry, serving until compelled to return home on account of ill health. Returning then to Kalamazoo, he resumed the business he had laid down for a military life. He was made a Master Mason in Grand River, Lodge, No. 34, Grand Rapids, April 9th, 1851. On the thirteenth of February, 1854, he was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Kalamazoo Chapter, No. 13, and in 1865 was elected High Priest of that Chapter and served as such for the next six years. In 1870, after having filled various other offices in the Grand Chapter, he was elected Grand High Priest, and filled that high station with marked ability for one year. In 1876 he removed with his family back to Grand Rapids and this place has since been his home. In 1890 he was stricken with paralysis and has been an almost helpless invalid ever since. During the year 1870 Grand High Priest Charles H. Brown gave dispensations to seven new Chapters, located at Mt. Clemens, Ithaca, Milford, St. Joseph, Lowell, Alpena and Decatur. The last named is the only one of these Chapters that has gone into retirement, its charter being revoked after it had worked for twenty-two years. It was in this year that Czar Jones, Past Grand High Priest, was thrust out from the courts of the tabernacle for his own acts. In reporting his action in this matter to the Grand Chapter, M. E. Companion Brown said: In the performance I now come to the most painful part of my official duties. of the trust with which I am charged, as your presiding officer, I am under the disagreeable necessity of alluding to a matter which I would much rather pass over in silence. I cannot express my chagrin and mortification, that one so favored, and for so long a time the occupant of the highest positions in the gift of this Grand Body, should so far forget, or disregard his solemn obligations, as to render himself obnoxious to its discipline. Could ignorance or any other excuse be offered in extenuation of the wanton violation of our rules, that is proven to have occurred in the case now alluded to, I should have been glad to overlook it, in the hope that this erring companion might go his way and sin no more. But as nothing was offered in extenuation of the companion's offense, and being satisfied that his wilful, reckless and long continued violations of the first principles of R. A. Masonry required punishment, I saw no course left but to bring him to judgment. The necessary proof having been secured, I ordered Peninsular Chapter, No. 16, to prefer charges against Czar Jones, P. G. H. P. of this Grand Chapter, for a violation of one of its edicts. (See proceedings 1864.) Charges were duly preferred, and after proper trial Czar Jones was suspended from all the rights and benefits of Chapter Masonry. The case, together with all the accompanying documents and papers, I now submit for your careful consideration and I sincerely hope that you will give it that consideration, which so flagrant a breach of the rules of our noble order requires. Justice demands that it should be stamped with that infamy which it deserves. I now leave it in your hands. The Grand Chapter did not think suspension an adequate punishment for the offense and adopted the following report and resolution: Your Committee find that said Companion Jones, after a fair and impartial trial before said Peninsular Chapter, was found guilty of said charges by a vote lacking but one of being unanimous, and that by a two-thirds vote the accused was indefinitely suspended from the rights and benefits of Royal Arch.Masonry. Considering the great masonic intelligence of the accused, the high and distinguished positions he has filled, and the honors conferred upon him in and by this Grand Chapter, your Committee are of the opinion that the penalty inflicted by Peninsular Chapter is inadequate to the offense committed. Your Committee, therefore, respectfully recommend the adoption of the following resolution: Resolved, That Czar Jones, one of the Past Grand High Priests of this Grand Chapter be, and is hereby expelled from the rights and benefits of Royal Arch Masonry. Never again was Czar Jones permitted to mingle with the Royal Craft that had so highly honored him and which he basely dishonored for a few paltry dollars. THE TEMPLARS IN 1869–70. At the annual conclave in June, 1869, the following Grand Officers were elected and installed: Sir THERON A. FLOWER, Pontiac, Sir J. L. MITCHELL, Jackson, Sir D. BOVEE, Coldwater, Sir L. C. STARKEY, Kalamazoo, Sir I. COGSHALL, Ionia, Sir JOHN GOLDSMITH, Jr, Jackson, Sir CARLOS G. CURTIS, Detroit, Sir O. BOURKE, Detroit, Sir IRVING M. SMITH, East Saginaw, Sir S. C. RANDALL, Flint, Sir E. M. STEVENS, Fenton, R. E. Grand Commander. V. E. Deputy Grand Commander. E. Grand Generalissimo. E. Grand Captain General. E. Grand Prelate. E. Grand Senior Warden. E. Grand Junior Warden. E. Grand Recorder. E. Grand Standard Bearer. E. Grand Captain of Guards. THERON A. FLOWER. Theron A. Flower has been one of the most prominent members of the masonic fraternity in Pontiac for half a century. He was made a Master Mason in Detroit Lodge, No. 2, on the eleventh day of April, 1848. His first impressions concerning the institution were of such a favorable nature that he at once became imbued with a desire to grasp more of its hidden mysteries and beauties, and his rise in the order was accordingly rapid. He became a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 21, by affiliation September 28, 1849, and nearly half a century later this Lodge still remains his masonic home. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Oakland Chapter, No. 5, September 12, 1849, soon after the organization of that Chapter under dispensation, and is now the oldest surviving member thereof. At the organization of Pontiac Council, No. 25, R. and S. M., he was appointed first Past Thrice Illustrious Master. He was present at the organization of the Grand Council in 1858, at which time he was elected Grand Captain of the Guard. It was in Templar Masonry, however, that Theron A. Flower achieved most distinction. For him the chivalric orders possessed a peculiar charm, and to them he gave much study and thought. He was a charter member of Pontiac Commandery, No. 2, and was its first Eminent Commander, administering its affairs with so much wisdom and skill that his fraters called him to that station seven different times. He was present and assisted in the organization of the Grand Commandery of Michigan, at which time he was elected the first Grand Junior Warden. He filled various other stations with honor and credit, and in 1869 was elected Grand Commander. With the exception of Benjamin Porter, he is now the senior surviving Past Grand Commander. Three new Commanderies were organized in this Templar year, at Bay City, Lexington and Howell. This brought the number of Commanderies up to twenty-eight, and the membership to about fifteen hundred in the jurisdiction. Among the recommendations of Grand Commander Flower was one requiring all candidates to procure uniform, or to deposit money for the same with the Recorder, before the Order of the Temple can be conferred. This was approved by the Grand Commandery and was made and has since remained the law in this jurisdiction. He also recommeded the appointment of a Grand Visitor, but this did not meet with sufficient favor to secure its adoption at that time. |