MOGMEAllen
ETHELBERT FOSTER ALLEN 1854-1913
Grand Master, 1898-1899
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Note: This biography was written when Brother Allen was still alive. He died in 1913 and is buried in Mount Washington Cemetery in Independence, Missouri.
Most Worshipful Brother Ethelbert Forester Allen received his first official recognition in the Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication in October, 1892, when he was appointed one of the Grand Marshals. The following year he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon. In 1894 he was promoted to the office of Senior Grand Deacon. At the session of 1895 he was elected Junior Grand Warden, and Senior Grand Warden in 1896. At the session of 1897 he was elected Deputy Grand Master, and the following year was with great unanimity chosen to preside as Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Brother Allen was born in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, December 31, 1854. His scholastic training was received in the Hartford High School and Hopkins Grammar School, from which he graduated in 1876. Soon after completing his studies he turned his face to the West, and landed in Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained only a short period of time. His next move was to Dakota, where he engaged in the cattle raising business. After four years spent in that line, in 1881 he returned to Kansas City, Missouri, and engaged in the real estate and kindred lines of business, in which he has become conspicuous. At this time he holds the position of President of the Allen Investment Company, of Kansas City, Missouri.
He received his first light in Masonry in April, 1884, in Heroine Lodge No. 104, Kansas City. He was passed May following and raised in June. He was elected Worshipful Master in 1887, and re-elected in 1888. He served as President of the Masonic Board of Relief of Kansas City six years. The Capitular degrees were conferred upon him in Kansas City Royal Arch Chapter No. 10, where he was exalted June 30, 1885, and served as Excellent High Priest during 1888. He was Knighted in Oriental Commandery No. 3."), Knights Templar, and served as Eminent Commander one year. The Scottish Rite degrees, from the 4th to 32d, inclusive, were received in Western Consistory No. 2, at Kansas City.
He was one of the organizers of Ararat Temple Mystic Shrine, and was the first Potentate. In June, 1888, he was chosen Imperial Potentate of the Imperial Council of the United States.
At the State Convention of the Republican party in 1900 he was unanimously nominated for Lieutenant-Governor, but failed of election as his party was hopelessly in the minority. However, his personal popularity largely assisted in reducing the majority vote.
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Ethelbert Allen was born December 31, 1854 at Enfield, Conn., descended from famous New England revolutionary stock. His father was Ethan Allen of Fort Ticonderoga fame and his mother was a descendent of George Bancroft, the eminent historian. He attended high school in Hartford Conn. and the Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie N.Y. In February 1876 he came to Kansas City as a traveling salesman for a wholesale tobacco house but after a year and a half became manager for the Nebraska Cattle Company. Not finding this to he liking he began work with the well known firm of Bullene, Moore and Emery, the principle store of its kind in the city located at 7th and Main, this store later became the famous Emery, Bird, Thayer Dry good company. In 1887 he organized the Missouri Union Trust Co and later established and was President of the Allen Investment Company.
His Masonic career began with his entry in Heroine Lodge No. 104, Kansas City, Mo., where he was raised June 2, 1884 and served as Master in 1887 and 1888. He was appointed Grand Steward in 1890 and elected Grand Master in 1898.
He was a member of the York and Scottish Rite being coroneted Inspector-General Honorary in 1901. He was the father of Ararat Shrine and its first Potentate and in June 1888 was selected Imperial Potentate of the Imperial Council.
Having never been ill a day in his life until two months before his death. He went back East for the benefit of his health. Thinking his health was greatly improved he started to return to Kansas City, but on arrival in New London, Conn., he became seriously ill and died within a few minutes. A specific Grand Lodge was convened by Grand Master Lambert in the Masonic Temple, Kansas City, August 31, 1913, attended by ten Past Grand Masters and many officers of the Grand Lodge.
- Find A Grave page with biography
