MOGMEBates

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EDWARD BATES 1793-1869

EBates.jpg

Grand Master, 1825-1828; 1831-1832

BIOGRAPHY

From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:

Most Worshipful Brother Edward Bates, the third Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, was one of those who assembled in the Convention February 22, 1821, to form a Grand Lodge, which adjourned until April 23 of the same year, when the organization was completed.

Brother Bates was chosen Grand Master at the Annual Communication in October, 1825, he having served as Senior Grand Warden, to which he was elected in 1821. His first year as Grand Master terminated in October, 1826, when he was again elected, and a third time in 1827. Once again, in 1831, he was called to the Grand East, and thereby served four full years as Grand Master.

Brother Bates was born on a farm in Goochland County, Virginia, September 4, 1793, and received an academic education. He was the youngest of a family of twelve children. Through early orphanage and a lack of means his education was not thorough; however, his brother assisted him as far as he could. Although but a youth he served as private in the war of 1812 with England. In the year 1814 he came to St. Louis, a stranger without a profession and with but limited means. Through the assistance of his elder brother Frederick — who was later Governor of Missouri — young Edward was influenced to enter Colonel Easton's law office, where he remained until admitted to practice in 1816. He was soon after appointed Attorney of the Territory, and in 1820 Attorney General. In 1820 he was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and the same year to the Legislature. In 1824 he was elected to Congress. After return ing from Congress he was elected to the Legislature from St. Charles County, where he had settled. Subsequently he located on a farm in St. Louis County. He continued the practice of law, which was lucrative. He often said it required all the money lawyer Bates could make to support farmer Bates. In 1842 he was elected Judge of the Land Court.

President Fillmore tendered him the War Secretaryship, which he declined. In 1856 he was elected presiding officer of the National Whig Convention at Baltimore. President Lincoln appointed him Attorney General in 1860, from which, inconsequence of ill-health, he resigned after serving less than two years. He died March 25, 1869, aged 76 years.

In Masonry our distinguished brother's record, except what appears in the beginning of this sketch, is beyond the possibility of resurrection. He was evidently made a Mason in the old Missouri Lodge No. 1, as he represented that Lodge in the organization of the Grand Lodge, and also in reconstructing the Lodge, changing to its present number, 1, which he served as Worshipful Master in 1821, 2, 3, 9, 1830, 1-2-3, a total of eight years.

A bronze statue of him was erected a few years since in Forest Park. (Information on Bates and the statue)


Missouri Grand Masters