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JAMES PERRY WOOD 1854-1895

Grand Master, 1888-1889

BIOGRAPHY

From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:

Most Worshipful Brother James Perry Wood first appeared in the Grand Lodge of Missouri in October, 1879, when he came as Junior Warden of his Lodge. Two years later he represented his Lodge as Worshipful Master. At that session he was appointed Junior Grand Steward. In 1882 he was appointed Grand Orator, and reappointed in 1883. In 1884 he was appointed Senior Grand Deacon; elected Junior Grand Warden in 1885, Senior Grand Warden in 1886, Deputy Grand Master in 1887, and at the session in October, 1888, was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master.

Brother Wood was born in Ralls County, Missouri, July 6, 1854. He was reared on a farm, and sent to the Christian University at Canton, Missouri, where he graduated at the age of twenty years. He took up the study of law, completing in St. Louis, and was admitted to the bar in 1875. He began practice in New London, Ralls County, Missouri. Three years after was elected Prosecuting Attorney for his county and re-elected in 1880 and 1882. In 1884 he was elected to the State Senate to represent the counties of Ralls, Marion and Monroe. While in the Senate he championed the famous law known as the "Wood Local Option Law." He was afterward a candidate for Congress, but unsuccessful.

He started in Masonry in Monroe Lodge No. 64, at Monroe City, Missouri, and received the Master's degree April 20, 1878. He dimitted September 7th, and October 5th thereafter affiliated with New London Lodge No. 307, of which he was Junior Warden in 1879 and Worshipful Master in 1881, re-elected in 1882 and again in 1891, the latter term following his serving as Grand Master. He received the Capitular degrees in Ralls Chapter No. 55, at Centre, Missouri, in 1880, and served as Excellent High Priest one or more terms. He appeared in the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Missouri for the first time as Excellent High Priest of his Chapter at the Annual Convocation in May, 1883. At the session of 1885 he was chosen Grand Captain of the Host, in 1886 elected Scribe, Grand King in 1887, Deputy Grand High Priest in 1888, and Most Excellent Grand High Priest in May, 1891. From that time until the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in October following, he had the unusual distinction of holding the highest offices in both Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter. He was Knighted in Excalibar Commandery No. 5, Knights Templar, stationed at Hannibal, Missouri, but at the time of his death was a member of Cyrene Commandery No. 12, stationed at Bowling Green, Missouri.

Brother Wood met with an accident on the Hannibal Railroad, May 14, 1895, which resulted in his death June 18, 1895. His funeral was one of the largest ever known in North Missouri. Over two hundred Masons, representing thirteen Lodges, escorted by the Knights Templar, together with an immense concourse of citizens, were in line. Doctor Vincil delivered the eulogy, and performed the Masonic burial service at the grave.

Missouri Grand Masters