MAGLFSnow

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FRANKLIN E. SNOW 1849-1912

FranklinSnow1905.jpg

Junior Grand Warden, 1906

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page 1912-24, Grand Master's Address:

R.W. FRANKLIN E. SNOW, of Greenfield, was born in Griswoldville, Mass., April 10, 1849, and died at Greenfield on Saturday, Jan. 6, 1912. Brother Snow was emphatically a self-made man. With limited educational advantages, by his earnest, application and studious effort, he became "first among his equals."

His abilities were recognized and his assistance was called for in the town and the State, in corporations, in charitable work, and in the church. For thirty years his business life was full of activity and he employed his rich natural gifts in organizing and upbuilding various industries in Greenfield. He loved Masonry and gave freely of his strength, time, and means for its welfare. He was a universal favorite wherever known, and was both respected and loved.

From Proceedings, Page 1912-32:

For a period of a little over thirty years' covering the time of his mature life from thirty to sixty years of age, R.W. Bro. Franklin Edward Snow was a leader in Greenfield in at least three lines of activity - Masonic, business and public. Earnest, enthusiastic and happy in manner, his leadership was of the kind that commands co-operation and forgets all claim to credit. Masonry profited greatly by his interest and effort for its advancement. The entire range of Masonic honors reached by the organizations of his own town were visited upon him, and his associates bear witness to the marked fact that office with him was less an honor than an opportunity for good. Beyond the town he was recognized by the Fraternity, advanced to its highest degrees and called to distinguished offices.

Brother Snow was raised in Negaunee Lodge, Negaunee, Mich., taking his E.A. Degree Jan. 1, 1878; F.C. Degree, Jan. 15, 1878; M.M. Degree, Feb' 19, 1878. Upon his return to New England to enter into business in Greenfield, he was demitted from Negaunee Lodge and took membership in Republican Lodge, Dec. 1, 1881. He was admitted to Franklin Royal Arch Chapter, taking the Mark Degree, May 31, 1882; Past Degree, the same day; Most Excellent Degree, June 7; Royal Arch Degree, June 14. In Connecticut Valley Commandery, K.T., he received the Order of Red Cross, Oct. 10, 1884; Order of the Temple, Nov. 25, 1884; and Order of Malta, May 5, 1885. He joined Titus Strong Council in 1888; Evening Star Lodge of Perfection, Dec. 1, 1898; Massasoit'Council, Princes of Jerusalem, March 28, 1901; Springfield Chapter, Rose Croix, April 18, 1901; Massachusetts Consistory, receiving the Thirty-second Degree, April 26, 1902, and was a member of Melha Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Springfield.

Among the numerous offices to which Brother Snow was appointed and elected were Worshipful Master of Republican Lodge for the years 1887 and 1888; Eminent Commander of Connecticut Valley Commandery, K.T., in 1892, 1893, and 1894; District Deputy Grand Master of the Thirteenth Masonic District in 1895 and 1896; Grand Lecturer of the Grand Commandery of K.T. of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 1903, 1904, and 1905. He was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, Dec. 13, 1905.

His business counsel in Masonic circles was of great value, and he was liberal in his assistance of every undertaking of the Fraternity. He was a leader in the planning and construction of the Masonic Building in Greenfield, one of the trustees of the Association and a liberal subscriber to its bonds, his holdings of which are bequeathed by his will to the Association.

Right Worshipful Brother Snow died at his home on Congress Street, Greenfield, Saturday evening, Jan. 6, 1912. Brother Snow, who was the son of Newell Snow, was born at Griswoldville, in Colrain, April 10, 1849. He was educated in the public schools of Greenfield and Chicago. In 1867 he became bookkeeper in the Shelburne Falls National Bank and. remained there two years. In 1869 he engaged in the banking business at Halifax, N. S., and in 1870 went to western Wisconsin, where he established a general store. A year later he went to Chicago, where he was employed in a bank until June, 1873. He then became cashier of the First National Bank of Negaunee, Mich., where he remained the next five years, returning to Chicago as teller of the Northwestern National Bank.

In 1880 he engaged in the manufacture of tools and machinery at Greenfield as partner in the firm of Wells Bros. & Co. which was afterward incorporated as Wells Bros. Company, of which he was treasurer and general manager until Dec. 1, 1909. At that time he retired from active participation in business, but remained identified with the company as vice-president and director. He was also interested in a number of other Greenfield industries, among which was the Greenfield Machine Company, of which he was president, and at the time of his death he was a director of the First National Bank of Greenfield and a trustee of the Franktin Savings Institution. At one time he w&s a trustee of the Smith Charities of Northampton and for one year served as president of the Greenfield Board of Trade. In 1910 Governor Draper appointed him as trustee of the Northampton Insane Hospital.

Brother Snow's interests in social affairs outside his business were extended and be took an active interest in the affairs of Greenfield and in political matters. He was a steadfast Republican and served the party in many ways, being well known over the State for his activity and interest. I{e was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at St. Louis in 1904 and an Alternate to the Convention at Chicago in 1908. While deeply interested in the affairs of the town and the community in general, he never sought public office for himself, and held office on but one occasion, when he was a member of the Board of Assessors. He was connected with All Souls' Unitarian Church, of Greenfield.

He was closely associated with the affairs of the Greenfield Club and was its president for five years, holding tllit office at the time of the 150th anniversary of the town, and taking an active part in that affair, to the success of which he contributed to a large degree. He was also president of the old Greenfield Coaching Club. During the period of a little more than thirty years he pursued a life of unusual activity and the list of his accomplishments during that time is an unusual one. For all of his interest in affairs in general, he was a man deeply devoted to his domestic life.

He married, Jan. 17,1871, Miss L. Elizabeth Whitney, of Shelburne Falls. His widow and three daughters, Mrs. Franklin K. White, of Boston, Mrs. Fred R. Browning and Mrs. Charles N. Stoddard, of Greenfield, and a sister, Mrs. Thomas Wells, of Negaunee, Mich., and a brother, Walter N. Snow, of Greenfield, survive him.

The high degree of success in business affairs which Brother Snow attained was due to close application, good judgment, energy, integrity, and honesty. His friendliness and social nature was a marked characteristic. He liked people, never said unkind things about anyone, having due regard for the opinions and feelings of others; always liked to see the better side of people, and took an optimistic view of human nature. This trend of mind enabled him to contribute to the pleasure of others on all occasions honored by his presence.

Brother Snow will be greatly missed, the most by those who knew him best.

Respectfully submitted,
George W. Bishop,
Louis L. Campbell,
Jacob E. Schuler,
Committee.


Distinguished Brothers