View source for MOGMFDonnell

== FORREST C. DONNELL 1884-1980 ==

http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/images/Missouri/FDonnell.jpg

''Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive''

''Grand Master, 1942-1943''

=== BIOGRAPHY ===

''From Missouri Lodge of Research:''

Forrest Donnell was born in Quitman, Nodaway County, Missouri on August 20, 1884, soon after moving to Maryville, Missouri. Forrest Donnell attended school in Maryville and entered the University of Missouri at the age of sixteen in 1900 and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1904, and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1907. He was Valedictorian of his High School Class, the College of Arts and in the Law School. He was a member of Kappa Sigma, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Delta Phi and the Order of Coif. Westminster College conferred the Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree on him in 1941.

His Masonic history began in Twilight Lodge No 114 at Columbia, Missouri, where he was raised to the degree of Master Mason on December 31, 1907. On February 4, 1908 he affiliated with Tuscan Lodge No 360 and served as Master in 1915.

He began his service to the Grand Lodge in 1926, serving on various committees of the Grand Lodge including Jurisprudence Committee, Supervisory Board of the Masonic Home, Special Committee of Trials of other Jurisdictions, and the Committee on Intoxicating, Liquors, Lotteries, and Gambling.

Brother Donnell was appointed Grand Orator in 1931 and Grand Pursuivant in 1932. He was elected and installed Grand Master in September 1942, while serving as Governor.

He was a member of the Scottish Rite receiving the degrees in May of 1916. He served as Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix in 1927 and 1928. He was decorated KCCH on October 18, 1921 and coroneted a 33rd degree on October 20. 1925. He became SGIG in Missouri and served from November 1927 to November 1929. 

Prior to 1940, Forrest Donnell had never sought elective public office. In that year he was elected Governor of Missouri on the Republican ticket, although the Democratic party elected all the other State offices. He was drafted to fun for the Office of Governor, despite protests from some, that the non-smoking, non-drinking attorney and Sunday School Teacher was "too good to be true"

Brother Donnell was elected to the United States Senate in 1944

Governor, Senator and Past Grand Master Forrest Donnell was received into the Celestial Grand Lodge on high, March 3, 1980 with Memorial Service for the family only being held at Grace United Methodist Church on March 10, 1980.

* [https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22855 Find A Grave page]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forrest_C._Donnell Wikipedia page]

<hr>

[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MissouriGrandMasters Missouri Grand Masters]