MOGMHChiles
HENRY CLAY CHILES 1886-1966
Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive
Grand Master, 1938-1939
BIOGRAPHY
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Henry Chiles was born at the family home in Lexington, Mo., February 26, 1886, the son of William and Mary Desha. Brother Chiles received his early education in the public schools of Lexington after which he attended William Jewell College receiving the AB and AM degrees. In June 1910, he received the LL.B degree from the School of Law at Harvard University. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar and immediately began the practice of law with his father under the firm name of Chiles & Chiles. He was enrolled and dimitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States in 1916. In college, he became a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and after graduation served as its Knight Commander or National President.
During World War he was a First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General's Department of the United States Army, stationed at Camp McClellan, Alabama, Following the war he was Commissioned in the Officer's Reserve Crops, Judge Advocate General's Department and later given the rank of Major.
Brother Chiles was initiated in Lexington Lodge No 149 on October 16, 1911, passed November 20 and raised to the degree of Master Mason on December 18, 1911. He served as Master of his Lodge in 1919.
He was exalted to the Sublime Degree of the Royal Arch in Lexington Chapter NO 10, May 6, 1912 and served as High Priest in 1919. He passed the Circle in Shekinah Council No 24, Royal and Select Masters, Kansas City, April 22, 1913 and was created a Knight of the Order of the Temple in DeMolay Commandery No 3, November 30, 1914, serving as Commander in 1923.
He received all the degrees in the Scottish Rite 4-32 on November 5-8, 1917 in the Valley of Kansas City and was made KCCH on October 19, 1937.
He became a member of Ararat Shrine, Kansas City on December 1, 1915. He was also a member and Past Patron of Lexington Chapter No 248, Order of the Eastern Star.
He attended Grand Lodge as Master of Lexington Lodge in 1919 and attended each annual communication thereafter. He served as a member of the Committee on Appeals and Grievances in 1920-22 and was chairman of that committee from 1923-1927. Brother Chiles was appointed chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Revision of By-laws in 1932 and Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire near the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
Brother Chiles was appointed Grand Pursuivant by Grand Master Ittner, October 27, 1927 and elected Grand Master September 28, 1938. He was elected to the advancing line of the Grand Chapter in 1935 and served as Grand High Priest in 1943.
He assisted the late Dr. John Pickard in organizing the Masonic Research Council of Missouri in April 1927 and served as Vice-President during Dr. Pickard's lifetime and later became President of the Council.
He was a student of history, inclined to research and wrote several Masonic books; "Masonic College of Missouri", Royal Arch Masonry in Missouri", Early Day Masonry in Lexington, 1840" and a "Tribute to Anthony O'Sullivan".
Most Worshipful Brother Henry Clay Chiles, Grand Master of Masons in Missouri in 1938-1939, and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Missouri died on March 1, 1966 and was buried with Masonic Services at Lexington, March 4, 1966.
