MAGLJSullivan

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JOHN A. SULLIVAN 1848-1925

JohnSullivan1925.jpg

Junior Grand Warden, 1923

MEMORIAL

FROM PROCEEDINGS, 1925

From Proceedings, Page 1925-205, from Grand Master's Address:

Our other Brother who has left this Masonic Company so long honored by his presence is R,.W. John A. Sullivan, of Northampton. A Past Grand 'Warden of this Grand Lodge, an honorary member of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, 33°, he stood among his Brethren with no arrogance of spirit so easily engendered by position achieved and honor conferred but with the quiet dignity and lofty purpose of one who translated the possession of privilege into the demand of responsibility. We never had a member of the Craft who loved it more. or tried more earnestly to carry out its purposes.

We shall miss him for he symbolized the brotherhood whose joys we are seeking to make real; but for him, always, there will be a special place in the memory of his Brethren.

From Proceedings, Page 1925-412:

On July 11. 1925, the Hand of the Lord took from our midst one of the most beloved officers of the Grand Lodge, Right Worshipful John A. Sullivan. Through many years of faithful service in Masonic bodies he had long been a familiar and loved figure throughout the District. His qualities of heart, warm friendliness and open kindliness, endeared him to his associates; his qualities of mind, well balanced judgment and shrewd insight, conferred upon him the capacity for leadership; his qualities of will, patient fulfillment of obligations and persistent attendance to duties, made him one to whom high office could, be entrusted; and his qualities of soul, deep faith in God his Creator and love for God his Father, made him the embodiment of the holiest Masonic Principles. Therefore, his fellows delighted to honor him.

He was born in Waterbury, Conn., April 6, 1848, later moving to Coliinsville, Conn. IIe came to Northampton, Mass., in 1871, where the active part of his life was lived. His city honored him as much as he would allow it, making him Town Clerk from 1879 to 1888. His Church, Edwards Congregational Church, honored him, making him a Director. Masonic bodies honored him. IIe became a member of Jerusalem Lodge, of Northampton, March 20, 1875, and was made the Master of the Lodge in 1881 and 1882. He also held membership in Republican Lodge, Greenfield, and Mountain Lodge, Shelburne Falls. On June 4, 1889, he became a Royal Arch Mason. Great interest was given by him to Northampton Commandery, of which he was Eminent Commander in 1894. He entered the Council on December 5, 1895. In 1898 he was made District Deputy Grand Master for the old Thirteenth District, and in 1910 was elected to the Board of Masonic Relief. In 1919 he entered the Bethlehem Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and in 1920 was made patron. In 1921 he took his place in the Lodge of Perfection, Springfield, being raised to the Princes of Jerusalem, March 12, Rose Croix, April 7, and Consistory, April 28. He was made Junior Grand 'Warden of the Grand Lodge 1923. The crowning honor of his Masonic career came to him September 24, 1924, when he was made a 33° Mason.

The Masonic Fraternity has suffered deep loss in the passing of this loyal friend and Brother, whose purposes and tastes and delights were all swept under the control of his joy in Masonry.

A bend in the road hides him, but he remains of our company, a little in advance of the rest, as he passes into the enjoyment of that eternal Temple for which he labored diligently and well.

Robert Gillette,
I. W. Davis,
Harold L. Ames,
Committee.

FROM COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION, 1926

From Proceedings of the Massachusetts Council of Deliberation AASR NMJ 1926, Page 43:

John Albert Sullivan was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, April (1, 1858, nnd died at Northampton, Massachusetts, July 12, 1925.

His parents being without means, his school days were brief, and he was soon pushed out into the world of men to shift for himself. He worked on farms and in mills wherever he could secure work. He was also employed in Pittsfield and Westfield, Massachusetts. Several years of his boyhood were spent in Granby, Connecticut, and vicinity. In 1870 he went to Northampton, Mass., where he secured employment for a time in the grain and flour establishment of W. W. Clapp. In 1875 he inaugurated the J. A. Sullivan grain and hardware business that in the succeeding fifty years grew to become one of the largest mercantile houses of its kind in the district, caring for the whole of Hampshire County. No other Northampton merchant had been in the business in the same place for such a long period. Number 1 Main Street, known as “Sullivan's Block,” had been the location of the business since it was founded.

Before Northampton became a city Illustrious Brother Sullivan served in the capacity of town clerk from 1879 to 1883, the year the municipal charter was granted.

With John C. Hammond, his brother-in-law, Illustrious Brother Sullivan was associated in the development and electrification of the Northampton Street Railway, then an almost defunct horse-drawn mode of transportation. The two men established the railway upon a sound basis and introduced electrical operation in 1892, affording the city its first modern trolley system.

Also, in conjunction with Mr. Hammond, Illustrious Brother Sullivan was instrumental in the extensive development of large tracts of real estate at Forbes and Harrison Avenues, in the Elm Street district, and in opening Warfield Place for development.

Illustrious Brother Sullivan married Julia F. Hammond, of Northampton, in 1882. She died the following year. In 1892 he married Hannah J. Merrill who died in 1908.

Illustrious Brother Sullivan's Masonic record extended over a long term of years, and was most useful to the Craft. He was raised in Jerusalem Lodge A. F. & A. M., Northampton, Mass., March 30, 1875, and was Master of the Lodge in 1880-81-82. In 1889 he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master, holding that office for two years. He was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge on December 13, 1922, sen the usual term of one year.

He was exalted in Northampton Royal Arch Chapter, Northampton, Mass., on June 4, 1879. After serving in the offices of Scribe and King he was not elected High Priest because of a serious illness. In Cryptic Masonry he received the degrees in William Parsons Council Royal and Select Masters, Northampton, Mass., Dec. 5, 1891. He was Knighted in Northampton Commandery No. 39 on July 11, 1887 and was Commander in 1893-94.

In Scottish Rite Masonry he received the degrees in Evening Star Lodge of Perfection, Springfield, Mass., on January 6, 1921; Massasoit Council, Princes of Jerusalem in March, 1921; Springfield Chapter of Rose Croix in April, 1921; and Connecticut Valley Consistory on April 28, 1921.

He received the 33° Honorary from the Supreme Council, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Northern Jurisdiction at its annual session in the City of Boston on September 16, 1924.

As a member of the Board of Directors and Standing Committee of historic “Edwards Church,” Illustrious Brother Sullivan took a prominent part in many philanthropic enterprises consummated for the church and city.

Testimony of his worth and the respect he had gained among the people of his adopted city was evidenced on the day of his obsequies, when, order of his Honor the Mayor, flags were at half mast, and all places of business were closed for the hour.

The striking characteristics of the life of Illustrious Brother Sullivan were fidelity and honesty; these, coupled with rare social qualities made deep impressions of respect in the minds of his Brethren and all others with whom he came in contact. His life was long and useful.

Respectfully submitted,
Edwin A. Blodgett,
D. E. Miller,
Chas. C. Spellman,
Committee.


Distinguished Brothers