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WILLIAM NORTH 1794-1872

Senior Grand Warden, 1861

From the centenary history of William North Lodge, 04/12/1967, Page 1967-127.

"Why was the Lodge named after William North? This gentleman, born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, July 13, 1794, came to Lowell in 1834 at the age of forty. He was an overseer of dyeing in the Middlesex Company. He soon became involved in community affairs, serving on the Common Council, the Board of Aldermen, and the School Committee, and becoming Vice President of City Institution for Savings. He had become a Mason early in life and had consistently followed the fortunes of Masonry through good and bad times with his customary fidelity. He had retained the vivacity of youth and had endeared himself to the younger brethren by familiar yet dignified intercourse. In fact, the local brethren often referred to him as Father North. He was a Christian man, one of the founders of St. Paul's Methodist Church and very active in its affairs for many years.

"He served as Master of three Lodges: two years in Seneca Lodge No. 55 in Torrington, Connecticut; three years in Libanus Lodge in New Hampshire; and after he came to Lowell, was Master of Pentucket Lodge during seven of its most prosperous years. He was elected a member of Mount Horeb Royal Arch Chapter April 21, 1846, and held the office of Excellent King in 1847. He was admitted a member of Ahasuerus Council, R. and S. Masters, in 1857, and served as Treasurer from that year until his death. He became a Charter Member of Pilgrim Commandery, K.T., October 10, 1855, and was its first Prelate, serving in that office until his decease. He also served the Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Master, 1857-1859, as Senior Grand Warden in 1861, and as a member of various committees. Such a man, civic-minded, full of spiritual and religious fervor, and with a great love for the Masonic Fraternity, was the one whose name was chosen to be an inspiration to our Lodge."

Report on Decease of Rt. Wor. William North, in Grand Lodge, March 13, A.L. 5872. Proceedings, Page 1872-31.

"The committee upon the decease of R. W. William North, of Lowell, respectfully REPORT.

"That our Brother North was born at Wethersfield, Connecticut, July 13, 1794, that he was initiated in Seneca Lodge, Torrington, Ct, in 1820, and was Master of the Lodge two years. During a residence in Great Falls, New Hampshire, he was Master of Libanus Lodge, in that town, three years. In the spring of 1834, he removed to Lowell, where he has since continued to reside. In 1845, he became a member of Pentucket Lodge in the city of Lowell, of which he was Master seven years. He held the office of District Deputy Grand Master three years under the appointment of Grand Master Heard, and in 1861 was elected Senior Grand Warden. He was also elected a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. In Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery, as well as in the thirtytwo grades of the Scottish Rite, he occupied prominent positions, and was a zealous co-worker with his companions in every department of our Institution.

During the days of persecution through which the Craft were compelled to pass, he remained true and steadfast to his obligations, and a bold defender of Freemasonry.

In his domestic relations he was affectionate, kind, and indulgent. In his associations with his fellow-citizens he avoided giving offence, and constantly labored to contribute to the happiness of others. In his relations to his Brethren he was kind, conciliatory, fraternal, and affectionate, and he possessed the respect and love of all the Craft with whom he came in contact. He was a godly, pious man, whose life was actuated by religious principles, and whose charity extended to all mankind. Dearly beloved by those who knew him best, modest where his own interests were in question, bold in defence of the right, he lived a pure life and attained a serene old age. His departure from this world was illumined by that precious light which made radiant the dark and gloomy passage to the tomb, and which prepared him for that immortal dawn which was soon to burst upon his enraptured vision.

His decease occurred at Lowell on the third day of January, 1872, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. His funeral obsequies were performed at Saint Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, January 6, attended by all the Masonic Bodies of Lowell, the M. W. Grand Master with a delegation from the Grand Lodge, and a large concourse of his fellow-citizens.

In view of this dispensation of our Heavenly Father, your committee respectfully recommend the adoption by the Grand Lodge of the following resolutions: —

Resolved, That by the death of our R. W. Brother William North, we are called upon to deplore the loss of one of the most faithful and zealous members of the Grand Lodge, who, by his genial temper and unvarying courtesy endeared himself to all his associates.

Resolved, That we will ever gratefully cherish the memory of our deceased Brother who by his life, devoted to the best interests of our Craft, by his unswerving integrity, Christian character and unsullied name, has done so much to sustain the reputation of Freemasonry in the community where he resided.

Resolved, That we tender to the family of our deceased Brother our most sincere sympathy in their deep affliction.

WILLIAM S. GARDNER,
WYZEMAN MARSHALL,
HORACE J. JOSLIN,
Committee.

Distinguished Brothers