MAGLWDavis

From MasonicGenealogy
Revision as of 15:36, 18 September 2012 by Hotc1733 (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

WENDELL T[HORNTON]. DAVIS 1818-1876

WendellDavis1877.jpg

Senior Grand Warden, 1865

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page 1876-157:

"Most Worshipful: —

"In your Annual Address you were pleased to mention in appropriate terms our loss by the decease of our Brother, Wendell T. Davis, one of the permanent members of this Grand Lodge. Subsequently you appointed the undersigned a committee to prepare a memorial of him, with suitable resolutions. Your committee would respectfully REPORT:

"That Wendell Thornton Davis was born in Sandwich, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the year 1818. The precise date of his birth we are unable to state. He died in Greenfield, in this State, on Sunday, the third of this month. He leaves two sons and three daughters. His wife died in 1875. As a man, he was esteemed and beloved. He was a true friend; was kind, genial, social, and benevolent. The newspaper press of Greenfield has devoted columns appreciative of his high character.

"As a citizen, he filled faithfully important trusts. He was interested in public affairs ; he had represented his town in the Legislature, and was for a number of years one of its Selectmen. At the time of his death he was Register in Bankruptcy. For many years he held the office of Trial Justice, and probably heard more cases, it is said, than any other magistrate in his county. He discharged many duties, of a fiduciary character, for persons and corporations, with promptness and integrity. As a Mason — a Freemason — we shall now speak of him. He was initiated in Jerusalem Lodge, of Northampton, in 1847, and was Master of Republican Lodge, of Greenfield, in 1858 and 1859.

"In a note, addressed to our Recording Grand Secretary from Greenfield, it is stated that 'he was a Past High Priest of Franklin R.A. Chapter; Past Ill. Master of Titus Strong Council, and the first Eminent Commander of Connecticut Valley Commandery. He, in fact, was the father of our Council and Commandery. He always retained his interest, and was always the most respected and best-loved Mason and man in all this section.' He was also Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts. Owing to the great distance of his residence from the seat of the Grand Lodge, and his numerous duties and engagements, of a public and private nature, he was seldom present at our Communications. Still, he manifested concern in our transactions. On December 9, 1857, he was chosen a trustee of the Charity Fund. At the election of December 14, 1864, he was chosen Senior Grand Warden. He was a member of the Committee on the Library in 1869, while he represented Republican Lodge, as Master, in Grand Lodge; the same position he filled in 1870, 1871, and 1872.

"He ever took a lively interest in the welfare and honor of Republican Lodge. He was among the foremost to welcome the Grand Master on his visit to that Lodge on the 10th of August, 1857. Though the weather was most inclement, and deprived the members of anticipated pleasures to a large extent, yet the occasion was marked with great success through the activity of Brother Davis and his associates. On the 14th of April, 1859, the funeral of Rev. William Flint, Deputy Grand Master, occurred at Greenfield. He had requested to be buried with Masonic honors, under the direction of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Master, R.W. Charles W. Moore, R.W. Winslow Lewis, M.D., and Rev. Samuel Osgood, D.D., with several other Masonic Brethren, repaired to Greenfield to conduct the obsequies. There was a very large concourse of Masons and people, notwithstanding the weather was cold, wet, and cheerless. The ceremonies were conducted most satisfactorily through the labor, mainly, of our late Brother Davis. Whenever a Masonic duty was to be performed, if it rested with him, it was done with alacrity, and with a spirit of cheerfulness and devotion.

"The following is copied from the Boston Globe: —

"The funeral of Wendell Thornton Davis took place yesterday, at half-past 1 o'clock, and was the largest public or private funeral ever held in Western Massachusetts. Mr. Davis was probably the most popular man in not only Greenfield, but in Franklin county. Large delegations from the Knights Templars and other Masonic bodies of Franklin and adjoining counties were present, and special trains were run over the several railroads terminating in this town. During the funeral services all the stores of the town were closed, and business .was entirely suspended. The greatest tribute to the worth and estimation in which the deceased was held in this town was manifested by the large gathering of the poor and laboring classes, who turned out en masse to pay their respects to one who had always been their friend. The services were held in the Unitarian Church, and were conducted by the Rev. J. F. Moors. The floral decorations, which were extensive and exquisite, were contributed by friends and different associations and citizens. After the funeral services were concluded, the remains, followed by a long cortege of carriages and of citizens on foot, were carried to Green River Cemetery. The funeral ceremonies were in charge of the Masonic Bodies, the deceased having desired in his lifetime to be buried with Masonic honors. Among the distinguished persons present were the local judges of the county, the legal fraternity, Registers Noyes and Thorndike, of Boston, Mayor Merriam, Judge Ware and others of Fitchburg."

"The Boston Daily Advertiser speaks of Brother Davis thus:—

"Mr. Wendell T. Davis, Register of Bankruptcy for the tenth district, who died suddenly in Greenfield, on Sunday afternoon, was fifty-eight years old, a native of Plymouth [Sandwich]; son of Judge Wendell Davis, and brother of Mr. George T. Davis, now of Portland, Maine, and was a graduate of Harvard in 1838, the class of James Russell Lowell, Judge Devens, of Worcester, and Dr. George B. Loring. He came early to Greenfield, and has been for thirty years a prominent factor in the local, social and public life. He was for many years a director of the Fitchburg Railroad, almost from the first, Secretary of the old Troy and Greenfield Company, and always one of the stanch friends of the Hoosac-Tunnel enterprise. With others, he bought up the Turner's Falls water privilege when the Dutch capitalists gave up their attempt to found a city at Montague, and can be called certainly one of the founders of the new manufacturing city and rival of Holyoke on the Connecticut. He was the business head of the Turner's Falls Power Company, and retained an interest in most of the local manufacturing enterprises, as in all the public works of the new village. His wife died a year or so ago, but he leaves a large family, — one of his sons is in the navy, another in Colorado, and a daughter is the wife of John Conness, formerly Senator from California."

The appended resolutions we recommend to the Grand Lodge for adoption. All of which is respectfully submitted.

JOHN T. HEARD, Past Grand Master,
JONAS K. PATCH, D.D.G. Master Eighth District,
HENRY L. MILLER, W.M. of Republican Lodge.

RESOLUTIONS.

Resolved, That this Grand Lodge laments the death of Wendell Thornton Davis, one of 'its permanent members; one of the Masonic Brotherhood who for nearly thirty years was an active, faithful and exemplary Brother.

Resolved, That it gives this Grand Lodge extreme satisfaction to bear witness to his virtues, as a man and citizen as well as a Mason.

Resolved, That we sympathize with the family of the deceased, at the great loss they mourn ; and, also, with Republican Lodge at the bereavement which that body experiences in parting with one who studied its interests and welfare most devotedly, and with a kind and brotherly spirit.

Resolved, That these resolutions be transmitted to the family of Brother Davis, and to Republican Lodge.


Distinguished Brothers