MOGMFTygard
FLAVIUS JOSEPHIUS TYGARD 1839-1911
Grand Master, 1897-1898
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Note: This biography was written when Brother Tygard was still alive. He died in 1911 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri.
Most Worshipful Brother Flavius Josephius Tygard became a member of the Grand Lodge in 1873, being Worshipful Master of Butler Lodge No. 254, at Butler, Missouri. He was not officially recognized in the Grand Body until the October session of 1892, when he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon; the year following he was advanced to the office of Senior Grand Deacon, and in 1894 was elected Junior Grand Warden. The next year Senior Grand Warden; October, 1895, Deputy Grand Master, and at the Annual Communication October, 1897, was practically unanimously chosen Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Brother Tygard was born in Monongalia County, Virginia, November 16, 1839. He was educated in the schools of that day, completing same in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Early in his manhood he moved to and located at Butler, Bates County, and there organized the National Bank of Butler, in 1871; a few years later he organized another bank at Rich Hill, Missouri, both of which he has successfully managed since their respective organizations.
In Masonry he was initiated, passed, raised in Virginia in 1862. After his removal to Missouri he assisted in forming the Lodge at Holden, Missouri, from which he dimitted and united with Butler Lodge No. 254, in which he served in minor positions. He was elected Worshipful Master in 1875; again in 1876, 1877, and at intervals since. The Capitular degrees were conferred upon him in Miami Royal Arch Chapter No. 76, at Butler, which he served as Excellent High Priest in 1881. The degrees of Cryptic Masonry he received in Butler Council Royal and Select Masters No. 22, at Butler, Missouri, and was Thrice Illustrious Master of same for several terms. The Orders of Knighthood were conferred upon him October 1, 1875, in Bayard Commaudery No. 26, Knights Templar, at Harrisonville, Missouri. He dimitted therefrom in 1878 to assist in forming Gouley Commandery No. 30, at Butler, Missouri, which he served as Eminent Commander for several terms.
He was created a Noble in Ararat Temple Mystic Shrine, at Kansas City, May 28, 1891, and was a member of Rob. Morris Chapter, Order Eastern Star, until the charter was surrendered. He received all the degrees and grades, 4th to 32d, in the St. Louis Bodies of the Scottish Rite, completing same July 2, 1890.
In the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Missouri he was elected Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in 1888, Deputy Grand Master in 1889, and Most Illustrious Grand Master in 1890. The Order of High Priesthood he received in St. Louis May 9, 1888. In the organization of the Masonic Home of Missouri in 1886; he was one of the active promoters, and was elected a Director and Treasurer of same, serving since that date.
The Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Missouri signally honored him by electing him from the floor to the office of Grand Captain,General in 1881; his re-election in 1882, from which he was advanced to the honored station of Right Eminent Grand Commander in 1883. In 1888 he was elected Grand Treasurer of the Grand Commandery, and re-elected annually since, the position he is holding at this time.
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