MAGLABrooks
Contents
ADDISON GOTT BROOKS 1883-1947
- MM 1914, WM 1923, The Tyrian
- DDGM, Gloucester 9, 1926
- DDGM, Gloucester 9, 1927
- Honorary Member, Proxy, Hykes Memorial
- Senior Grand Warden 1933
MEMORIAL
FROM PROCEEDINGS, 1947
From Proceedings, Page 1947-59:
Born in Gloucester, Mass., August 24, 1885
Died in Boston, February 2, 1947
Right Worshipful Addison G. Brooks was the son of Reuben and Martha A. Lakeman Brooks. His father was fourth in line of men bearing that name, going back to Colonial Days in Sandy Bay (now Rockport, Mass.). His mother was a native of Hallowell, Maine, where the Lakemans had lived for several generations.
Right Worshipful Brother Brooks was a graduate of Gloucester High School (an honor pupil), class of 1902, was graduated from Dartmouth College as a Bachelor of Arts in 1906, with Phi Beta Kappa rank.
He was employed by LePage's Inc. of Gloucester and had been Treasurer and Assistant General Manager for several years.
On October 7, 1908, he was married to Marguerite Ada Eames of Framingham, who survives him with two sons, Laurence F. of Gloucester, and Richard L. of Westport, Connecticut. Two grandchildren, Thomas Reuben and Sara Ross Brooks of Gloucester, and a sister, Mrs. Walter D. Brookings of Alexandria, Virginia, also survive him.
He was active in many fields. A member of Trinity Congregational Church of Gloucester since March 4, 1900, he had served as Moderator from 1918 to 1922, and Treasurer from 1922 to 1925 and had been a member of the Standing Committee since 1938 to the time of his death. He was elected Director of the Cape Ann National Bank in 1923; was a Director of the Service Mutual Liability Insurance Company from 1928 until its liquidation in 1941; was elected a Trustee under the will of Samuel Sawyer in 1936; had been a Director of the Gloucester Electric Company since 1943; and was a member of the Corporation of the Cape Ann Savings Bank.
In civic affairs he was prominent in various capacities, including directorships of the Chamber of Commerce, Gloucester Fishermen's Institute, Chairman of the Gloucester branch of the American Red Cross for several years, and served on a number of Municipal Committees.
His affiliations included the Gloucester Rotary Club, of which he was President in 1941-42; the Gloucester Y.M.C.A., which elected him a Director in 1926 and Vice-President in 1937; The Cape Ann Camera Club, of which he was President in 1938 and 1939. He was Governor of the 196th District of Rotary International in 1943-44, and became a member of the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Y.M.C.A. organization.
"Ad" Brooks, as he was called by all who knew him well, was a fluent speaker, with a gift for gracious phrases and a flair for thought provoking humor. He was in great demand as a public speaker and gave generously of his time and talents. For ten years he taught the rudiments of public speaking to men and women who enrolled in an evening course sponsored by the Gloucester Y.M.C.A. and many have been grateful to him for the boost in self-confidence and ability to stand up and talk before people.
Right Worshipful Brother Brooks was enthusiastic in Freemasonry and held many honors in the Craft. He was raised a Master Mason in The Tyrian Lodge, Gloucester, Massachusetts, on March 31, 1914, and was its Worshipful Master in 1923; District Deputy Grand Master for the Ninth Masonic District by appointment from Most Worshipful Frank L. Simpson in 1926-27; Senior Grand Warden in 1933; served on the Grand Lodge Education Committee from 1928; and was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick near the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1930. In 1946 he was elected an Honorary Past Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick. He became a member at large of the Board of Masonic Relief in 1932 and served as its clerk from 1938 to 1944, He was elected an Honorary Member of Hykes Memorial Lodge of Tientsin, China, in 1928 and served as its Proxy to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. He was awarded a Henry Price Medal in 1933 by Most Worshipful Curtis Chapman. He received all Masonic degrees up to and including the 32nd, being a member of The Tyrian Lodge; William Ferson Royal Arch Chapter; Salem Council, R. & S. M., of Salem; Bethlehem Commandery, Knights Templar; Sutton Lodge of Perfection, Jubilee Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Emmanuel Chapter of Rose Croix and Massachusetts Consistory of Boston; and Aleppo Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Boston. He was Secretary-Treasurer of the North Shore Past Master's Association from 1929-t938, when he became President for one year, and in 1944 again elected Secretary-Treasurer. The Past District Deputies' Association elected him Secretary in 1933-37 and President in 1941-42.
His life was one of wonderful activity and great achievement, end he will be missed and lamented in many circles where his active helpfulness made itself felt. He had learned to exemplify the words of Henry VanDyke:
"Four things a man must learn to do
If he would keep his record true;
Think, without confusion, clearly,
Love his fellowmen sincerely,
Act from honest motives, purely,
Trust in God and Heaven securely."
James Young, Jr., Chairman
Frederic W. Frost
Norman H. Thurston
Committee
FROM GLOUCESTER DAILY TIMES
From Gloucester Daily Times, 02/03/1947, Page 1:
Addison Gott Brooks, one of the mainstays of Gloucester's community life for many years, died unexpectedly last night at the New England Baptist hospital in Boston, at the age of 61 years.
Mr. Brooks went to the hospital last Friday afternoon for observation, at the urgent suggestion of a friend, who had noticed that Mr. Brooks had not looked well in the preceding fortnight. At the hospital, Mr. Brooks was advised to remain for treatment.
Although no exact diagnosis has been received, it is understood that he had an unfavorable heart condition. He seemed to rest comfortably, and was reported in good spirits last evening when the family checked on his condition. Evidently a turn for the worse occurred suddenly around midnight. At 12.30 this morning the family received the news of his death.
The untimely passing of Mr. Brooks caused a shock of regret throughout the community, for he had been extremely active in business, civic, social, fraternal and religious affairs.
The funeral is to be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Trinity Congregational church. The family is requesting that no flowers be sent. Other details of the funeral were being held in abeyance until the arrival of Mr. Brooks' sister, Mrs. Walter D. Brookings (Martha N. Brooks), in Alexandria, Va.
Other near relatives surviving are the widow, Mrs. Marguerite Ada (Eames) Brooks, of 86 Prospect street; two sons, School Committeeman Laurence F. Brooks of Annisquam and Richard L. Brooks of Westport, Conn.; and two grandchildren, Thomas Reuben and Sara Ross Brooks of Annisquam.
Born In Gloucester Addison G. Brooks was born in this city August 24, 1885. His father was Reuben Brooks, last of a line of men of that name who had lived in Sandy Bay, the present Rockport, since Colonial days. His mother was the former Martha Adelaide Lakeman, of Hallowell, Me. Addison was one of six children. Of his five sisters, only Mrs. Brookings is now living.
Mr. Brooks received his early education from his aunt, Miss Anna M. Lakeman, who was principal of the Lane Grammar school, and in a private school conducted by Miss Elizabeth Saville in a little building off Elm Street, and called Harmony Hall. He later attended the old Gould Court school on Washington Street (now Grand Army Hall) and the Collins School. He was graduated from the classical course of Gloucester High school in 1902, as an honor pupil. During his four years he was successively private, corporal, sergeant and first lieutenant of Company A in the cadet battalion, and won second prizes in declamation and composition his senior year. He was staff artist of "Taps", the 1902 senior yearbook, and did art work on the "Crimson and White", the school magazine.
In the fall of 1902 he entered Dartmouth College, joined Chi Phi fraternity, and majored in English and minored in chemistry and economics. His only extra-curricular activity was the Mandolin club, in which he played guitar his senior year. He was graduated as a bachelor of arts in 1906, with Phi Beta Kappa rank.
Treasurer Of LePage's. While an undergraduate at Dartmouth he worked during two summers for the Russia Cement Co. (LePage's, Inc., since 1940), of which his father was one of the original incorporators. He was employed by the company immediately after graduation from Dartmouth, and maintained this association for more than 40 years. He had been a laborer in the evaporation room, a routine chemical controller in the laboratory, a clerk in the office, assistant superintendent superintendent, assistant treasurer, treasurer, director, and assistant general manager. His titles at death were treasurer and assistant general manager.
Between August, 1907, and January. 1908, he worked as assistant engineer in charge of construction of a rendering plant at Anacortes, Wash. Except for that time he has always been at the home plant, although travelling considerably.
Aside from his official duties, he acquired a technical knowledge of the photo-engraving trade, and has supervised the sales of LePage's photoengraving glue since 1931. being widely recognized as a consultant in that branch of the graphic arts.
Mr Brooks married Marguerite Ada Eames of Framingham on October 7, 1908. They resided on Essex avenue and Conant Avenue before building the brick house at 86 Prospect Street which was home from 1929 to the present. The family formerly owned a cottage at Wolf Hill.
Active in Many Fields. Mr. Brooks was elected a director of the Cape Ann National Bank in 1923 and maintained this position. He was a director of the Service Mutual Liability Insurance Co. from 1928 until its liquidation in 1941. He was elected a trustee under the will of Samuel Sawyer in 1936. He had been a director of the Gloucester Electric Co. since 1943. He was a member of the corporation of the Cape Ann Savings Bank.
In civic affairs, Mr. Brooks was prominent in various capacities, including directorships of the Chamber of Commerce from 1924 to 1930, of the Gloucester Fishermen's Institute for many years. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1928 and 1929. was chairman of the Gloucester branch of the American Rad Cross for several years during the 1920's. and served in a number of municipal committees, notably the Committee on Public Safety, years ago.
His affiliations included the Gloucester Rotary club, of which he was president in 1941-42; the Gloucester Y. M. C. A. which elected him a director in 1926 and vice president in 1937; the Cape Ann Camera club, of which he was president in 1938 and 1939. He and his wife were members of the Roundabout Club and he was President in 1923 and 1924. Mr. Brooks was governor of the 196th district of Rotary International in 1943-44, visiting the several member clubs, including Gloucester. In 1943, he became a member of the executive committee of the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Y. M. C. A. organization.
Gave Gencrously of Time. "Ad" Brooks, as he was known all over Cape Ann, was a fluent speaker, with a gift for gracious phrases and a flair for thought-provoking humor. He was in great demand as a public speaker, and gave generously of his time and talents. One of the most recent contributions of this sort was as announcer during the New England Music Festival program held at Newell Stadium a few years ago. For 10 years beginning in 1931 he taught the rudiments of public speaking to men and women who enrolled in an evening course sponsored by the Y. M. C. A. It is a tribute to his teaching ability that there are scores or his pupils who remain grateful to him, years afterward, for the boost he gave them in self-confidence and ability to stand up and talk before people.
Active in Masonry. Mr. Brooks was enthusiastic in Free Masonry, and held many honors in the craft. Becoming a Master Mason In May, 1914, he served as Master of The Tyrian lodge in 1923. district deputy grand master for the Ninth Masonic district during 1S26 and 1927. and senior grand warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1933. He served on the Grand lodge education committee from 1928, and was appointed grand representative from the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick near the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1930. In 1946 he was elected an honorary past senior grand warden of the Grand lodge of New Brunswick. He became a member-at-large of the board of Masonic relief in 1932 and served as its clerk from 1938 until 1944. He was elected an honorary member of Hykes Memorial Lodge of Tientsin, China, in 1928 and served as its proxy to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Mr. Brooks received all Masonic degrees up to and including the 32d, being a member of Tire Tyrian lodge; of William Ferson Royal Arch Chapter of this city; Salem Council. R. & S. M. of Salem; Bethlehem Commandery, Knights Templars of this city; Sutton Lodge of Perfection of Salem; Jubilee Council. P. of J., of Salem; Emmanuel Chapter of Rose Croix of Salem; Massachusetts Consistory of Boston, and Aleppo Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S., of Boston. He became secretary-treasurer of the North Shore Past Masters association in 1929 and served until 1938, when he became president for one year. In 1944 he was again elected secretary-treasurer. The Past District Deputy Grand Masters' association elected him secretary in 1933-37, and president in 1941 and 1942.
Member of Trinity Church. As a member since March 4, 1900, of Trinity Congregational church, Mr. Brooks served as moderator from 1918 to 1922, treasurer from 1922 to 1925. and a member of the standing committee since 1938, including the chairmanship from 1939 to 1944. He taught in the Sunday school at various times and for a few years was a member of the orchestra.
Like the rest of his family, Mr. Brooks always enjoyed travel. His first real tour was in 1901, when he visited the Buffalo Exposition with his father and two sisters. He was on the Pacific coast in 1907, 1917 and 1934, the first time working in Wash ington, the second time, accompanied by his wife, to take over the Imperial Glue Co. in San Francisco, the third time going through the Panama Canal by freighter on a vacation trip with his wife. In 1924 he visited England, Scotland and France on business. In 1938 he and his wife visited several European countries, and he recounted some of his impressions of that pre-war year in talks to local gatherings. In 1927. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks visited Cuba. Jamaica, the Canal Zone and Costa Rica. In 1931 he visited Cuba and Honduras. In 1939 he and his wife cruised to British Guiana. He travelled about 30,000 miles by air.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE, MARCH 1947
The members of the Education Committee of Grand Lodge are met today with saddened hearts; there is a vacant chair which for many years a veteran of our Committee had filled with loyal regularity.
R.W. Addison G. Brooks was raised in The Tyrian Lodge of Gloucester in 1914 and became its Worshipful Master in 1923. In 1926 and 1927 he was district Deputy Grand Master of the Gloucester Ninth Masonic District and in 1933 filled the high elective office of Senior Grand Warden. For six years beginning in 1938 he served as Clerk of the Board of Masonic Belief, and for the last twelve years had been an exceedingly valued member of this Committee.
In fact, throughout his life, R.W. Brother Brooks never ceased to put into real practice the precept of our Fraternity. For him "to do were as easy as to know what were good to do." Whether in Lodge or in Grand Lodge, he answered every call with a gracious willingness and eagerness to serve.
In this Committee we particularly valued his constructive criticism and his practical help in our broad field of activity.
So, while we shall sorely miss Ad's friendly smile, his sparkling quips, his helpful counsel, we shall happily treasure the memory of a true friend, a real Mason. For the Committee,
Earl W. Taylor
March 12, 1947
