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ETHELBERT VINCENT GRABILL 1874-1951

Deputy Grand Master, 1949

MEMORIAL

Born in Greenville, Michigan, October 6, 1874
Died in Boston, November 30, 1951

To speak of R.W. Ethelbert V. Grabill is to speak of a person who in the eyes of God and man exemplified every virtue that made life worth-while. In religion and in educational, fraternal and communal interests his warm and kindly influence was felt by all who were privileged to know him.

He was the son of Elliott Finley and Ann Sutton Jenney Grabill, receiving his early education in Greenville, Michigan. He then attended Oberlin College, where he earned a Bachelor's and later a Doctor's Degree. He continued his education at Harvard College and received an LL.B. Degree in 1899. His main profession since youth was law, and for many years he was the Reporter of Decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court.

He was a member of the American, the Massachusetts, and the Boston Bar Associations, the Harvard Law School Association, the Bostonian Society, Boston City Club, and Appalachian Mountain Club. He was Vice-President of the American Congregational Association and a Trustee and Secretary of the Eliot School.

As an author, he won distinction by writing Sacco and Vanzetti in the Scales of Justice, 1927 and The Prevention of Industrial Disputes, 1946.

While active in so many fields, he found his greatest love and work in Masonrv. He was raised a Master Mason in Columbian Lodge, Boston, on June 6, 1918. He later became a Charter Member of Loyalty. In 1943 he was elected Worshipful Master of Columbian Lodge, holding this office for two years.

He received the Royal Arch Degree in St. Paul's Chapter, 1919; the Super Excellent Degree in Boston Council, 1923; and the Order of the Temple in St. Bernard Cornmandery, 1919, of which he was Eminent Commander in 1925. He was for some years Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the Grand Commandery and Organizer and Chairman of the Educational Fund Committee of the Knights Templars.

In the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Bodies he was a member of Boston Lafayette Lodge of Perfection, Giles F. Yates Council of Princes of jerusalem, Mt. Olivet Chapter of Rose Croix, and Massachusetts Consistory, of which he was Commander-in-Chief, 1946-1949. He was an Honorary 33rd Degree Mason.

In 1949 he was appointed Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, and was a holder of the Henry Price Medal. One of his finest expressions in Masonry was a pageant that he wrote entitled, The Infuence of Masonry in the History of Our Country.

His last words were a glowing and loving tribute to his wife for long devotion and companionship, and to the value of Masonic principles, wherein he stated, "Ever since I was raised as a Master Mason, I have been wholeheartedly convinced of the potential value of Masonic principles and their kinetic value for the peace and welfare of all both within and outside the fraternity."

A life so rich and full in human endeavor cannot soon be forgotten. We shall always cherish his beloved memory. It can truly be said of R.W. Ethelbert Yincent Grabill that while on this good earth, he was a man lost in his work, a work that may well have been lost without him.

Fraternally submitted
Roger Keith, Chairman
Nathan P. Harris
Herman A. Osgood
Committee

Distinguished Brothers