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CHARLES CLARK SPELLMAN 1843-1920

[CharlesSpellman1920.jpg

Junior Grand Warden, 1882

MEMORIAL

FROM PROCEEDINGS, 1920

From Proceedings, Page 1920-459:

R.W. CHARLES C. SPELLMAN, Past Junior Grand Warden, died at his home in Springfield on Sept. 13, 1920. Bro. Spellman has been a leader in Masonic affairs in the Connecticut Valley for many, many years and his advice and valuable help have been most generously given. His interest never waned and his hand was always the first one to grasp the visitors on arrival in his city. It will seem strange in Springfield not to hear the hearty voice and wholesome laugh of Bro. Spellman and his magnetism and enthusiasm will be sorely missed by his Brethren.

From Proceedings, Page 1920-577:

Charles Clark Spellman was born in South Wilbraham, now Hampden, Hampden County, Mass., December 3, 1843, and died in Springfield, Mass., September 13, 1920, son of Solomon C. Spellman, for many years trial justice of Hampden, and Mary (West) Spellman. He spent his early life in that town, receiving his early education at Monson Acpdemy and his preparatory education at Williston Seminary, from which he was graduated with the class of 1863.

He entered Yale College in the class of 1867, but before graduation left college to take up the study of law in the office of the late E. D. Beach in Springfield, Mass. After preliminary study in Mr. Beach's office, he completed his legal training in the Harvard Law School.

Following his graduation he returned to the office of Mr. Beach, where he remained to continue his studies until he was admitted to the Hampden County Bar during the March term of the Superior Court in 1868. He began active practice as the partner of former Mayor Charles A. Winchester, and immediately entered into active professional work with a vigor which soon earned for him the reputation of being unusually efficient. He remained in partnership with former Mayor Winchester until the latter's death, which occurred. a few years later. Soon after this, Rt. Wor. Brother Spellman entered partnership with former Mayor E. B. Maynard, the partnership continuing until the latter was appointed a Justice of the Superior Court.

After this Brother Spellman practiced alone for some years, and then, in 1899, when his son, Charles F. Spellman, was admitted to the bar, he formed a partnership with him under the firm name of Spellman and Spellman, of which he was senior member at the time of his death. From the time this partnership was formed until Brother Spellman's death, it remained one of the best known law firms in Western Massachusetts. With his son, Brother Spellman carried on a large practice, but despite this he was considered by the public in general as one of the most approachable attorneys of the Hampden County Bar.

A few years after his admission to the bar, Brother Spellman was appointed Clerk of the Springfield Police Court when that office was created. He remained in office for thirteen years, when he resigned.

Brother Spellman was elected to public office on several occasions. In 1878 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Legislature from one of the city districts which was considered overwhelmingly Republican. While in the Legislature he served with distinction on the Judiciary Committee. The following year he was elected to the State Senate from the first Hampden District. He also served in the Senate on the Judiciary Committee, as well as on the Harbor and Land Committee. IIe declined to stand for reelection.

In 1906 he was elected County Commissioner for Hampden County. Two years later he became Chairman of the Board, a post he held without interruption through four terms until the time of his death. His entire work as a public official was marked by faithful and thoroughly painstaking service. He gave generously of his time and of his counsel as an attorney to the affairs that came before him in his official capacity.

For more than fifty years Brother Spellman had been active in the various branches of Masonry. He came to be known as one of the foremost figures in Masonic circles; not only in Springfield. but throughout the entire jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. He was raised in Roswell Lee Lodge, A. F. & A. M., February 12, L870, was Master of that Lodge in 1877, 1878, and 1879; Treasurer 1883, 1884, 1885, and 1886; and in 1882 was Junior Grand Warden of this Grand Lodge.

He was exalted in Morning Star Chapter R.A.M. June 3, 1873, and held the office of Principal Sojourner in the years 1874 to 1876; also in 1883. He received the Cryptic degrees in Springfield Council, Royal and Select Masters, and was Thrice Illustrious Master in 1891. He was Knighted in Springfield Commandery, Knights Templars, June 18, 1873, and was Commander in 1881 and 1882, and was a member of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Association of Knights Templars Commanders.

In the Scottish Rite he was a member of the four bodies meeting in Springfield. He had been active in the bodies of this Rite and presided over the first three, and was a charter member of Springfield Chapter of Rose Croix and Connecticut Valley Consistory. He was created Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, 32d. degree, in Massachusetts Consistory, Boston, December 17, 1875, and made an Honorary Member, 33d degree of the Supreme Council, September 15, 1885.

Rt. Wor. Brother Spellman was married December 4, 1870, to Miss Jennie H. Flagg of Springfield, who, together with his son and daughter, survives him.

The prominent characteristics of Brother Spellman's life were an ever abounding joy in life itself, in the companionship of his fellow men, his desire to live a blameless life, to bear a good name before all the world, and. his untiring devotion to the Masonic Institution in all its branches. Brother Spellman never accumulated great wealth. He, probably, never saw a day in his life when he did not care more for an idea than for a dollar, and whatever money he accumulated he spent freely for his family and for charity.

To his host of friends in Springfield and throughout Massachusetts his memory will be in accord. with the dream of his life, "A man with a just, upright, and blameless life. "

Edwin A. Blodgett, Albert F. Crowther, Robert J. Black, Committee.

FROM COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION, 1921

From Proceedings of the Massachusetts Council of Deliberation AASR NMJ 1921, Page 47:

In presenting this memorial of our Illustrious Brother it is not our intention to enter into extended praise or eulogy, but simply to place on record an account of his life among those who knew him best, and of his sterling qualities and devotion to Masonry in all its branches.

He was born December 3, 1843, at South Wilbraham, Massachusetts, now the town of Hampden, son of Solomon C. and Mary Jane (West) Spellman. He received his early education at Monson Academy and his preparatory education at Williston Seminary, from which he was graduated with the class of 1863, entering Yale University in the class of 1867, but after a two years' course entered the office of the late Erasmus D. Beach to take up the study of law, completing his legal training in Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the Hampden County Bar in 1868, and began the practice of law in the city of Springfield, with Charles A. Winchester, with whom he continued until the latter’s death a few years after. When the police court was established he was appointed clerk, which office he held for thirteen years, when he resigned. He then formed a law partnership with Elisha B. Maynard, which continued until the latter was appointed Justice of the Superior Court. Mr. Spellman then continued practice alone for a number of years.

When his son Charles F. Spellman was admitted to the Bar in 1898, he formed a partnership with him under the firm name of Spellman & Spellman, of which he was senior member at the time of his death.

His office was always open to the rich and poor alike, and to each he gave the full benefit of his judgment and experience, and through the generous and courteous treatment of his clients he became one of the most popular lawyers of the county.

In 1887 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Legislature, receiving the support of the Republican party. The following year he was elected to the State Senate from the First Hampden District, again receiving the support of the Republican party. He served on the Judiciary Committees in the Senate and House and on the Land and Harbor Committee in the Senate. He declined a reelection. In 1906 he was elected County Commissioner, serving the county for nearly fourteen years, and twelve years as its chairman. During his entire term of office it was his chief ambition to secure for the city a new bridge across the Connecticut River, and to his host of friends it will always remain a regret that he was not permitted to live to see its completion.

Our Illustrious Brother was a zealous and devoted Freemason, and for constant and unselfish labors, knowledge of the ritual, jurisprudence of the craft, and beautiful rendering of the work, he has had few if any equals, lie was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Roswell Lee Lodge, February 12, 1870, elected Senior Warden in 1876, Worshipful Master in 1877, 1878, 1879, and Treasurer from 1893 to 1896, inclusive. He was elected to the office of Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1882 and at the time of his death was a life member.

Received the sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason in Morning Star Chapter, January 3, 1873, and held the office of Principal Sojourner from 1874 to 1876, inclusive, also for the year 1883.

Received the degrees of the Cryptic Rite in Springfield Council of Royal and Select Masters, February 3, 1883, and was elected Thrice Illustrious Master in 1891, having served as Principal Conductor of the Work the two preceding years.

Knighted in Springfield Commandery, K.T., No. 6, June 18, 1873. Elected Captain General in 1879, Generalissimo in 1880, and Eminent Commander in 1881 and 1882.

Received the fourteenth degree of the Scottish Rite in Evening Star Lodge of Perfection, January 23, 1875, and was elected its Thrice Potent Master in 1883 to 1888, inclusive.

Received the sixteenth degree in Massasoit Council Princes of Jerusalem, December 15, 1875, and was elected its Sovereign Prince from 1871) to 1886, inclusive.

He was a charter member of Springfield Chapter of Rose Croix and its Most Wise Master in 1897 and 1898.

He was a life member of Massachusetts Consistory, and a charter member of Connecticut Valley Consistory located at Springfield. Also a Past Second Lieutenant Commander of Massachusetts Council of De�liberation.

On September 15, 1885, in recognition of his devotion and service for the Scottish Rite Branch of Freemasonry, he was crowned an honorary member of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the thirty-third and last degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America.

He was clerk of the Masonic Hall Association and deeply interested in the proposed new Masonic Temple; also Trustee for the Masonic Charities and Trust Funds; our dean of Freemasonry who, in his reminiscences of Roswell Leo Lodge said, “I thank God that 1 belong to this Order, an Order that docs things because they are right.”

A more than half a century of labor in Masonry is closed and our Illustrious Brother has laid aside the working tools of the Craft, thus rounding out a complete Masonic life, loved and honored by his Masonic brethren, leaving a Masonic record we can point to with pride, which will be an incentive to those who may follow.

He was married on October l>, 1871, to Jennie H. Flagg, who survives him: also a son, Charles F. Spellman, of Springfield, and a daughter, Mrs Bessie S. West of White Plains, New York.

On the thirteenth day of September, 1920, our Illustrious Brother passed from our midst to that unknown Beyond from which no traveler returns, leaving behind many pleasant memories which will remain with us through the years to come.

His funeral was held at Faith Congregational Church, September 16, 1920, of which he was a member and regular attendant.

We laid him at rest in Peabody Cemetery, where with sad hearts we bade him farewell, trusting and hoping that we shall meet again, when that silent tongue may plead for us before the bar of the Supreme Judge of us all. “Light be the ashes upon thee and may the sunshine of heaven be am bright on thy waking."

Frank D. Fuller, 33°
Edwin A. Blodgett, 33°,
Thomas C. Hawks, 33°,
Committee.

FROM PROCEEDINGS, 1922

From Proceedings, Page 1922-96, at the constitution of Charles C. Spellman Lodge, 04/21/1922:

Charles Clark Spellman, born December 3, 1843, at South Wilbraham (now Hampden), after two years at Yale studied law at Harvard and was admitted to the Bar in 1868. In 1887 and 1888 he was in the Legislature, and in 1906 was elected County Commissioner, serving twelve years as chairman until his death on September 13, 1920.

He was raised in Roswell Lee Lodge February 12, 1870, was Master in 1877, 1878 and 1879 and Treasurer 1893 to 1896, and in 1882 was elected Junior Grand Warden of the rand Lodge. He was a member of Morning Star Royal Arch Chapter, served (in some instances several years in succession) at the head of all the other local bodies of both the York and Scottish Rites, was a life member of Massachusetts Consistory, a charter member of Connecticut Valley Consistory, and on September 15, 1885, received the honorary 33d Degree in the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite.

His sterling integrity, courtly courtesy, and firm adherence to principle made him esteemed as a friend, beloved as a Brother, and respected as a hih type of useful citizen.


Distinguished Brothers