MOGMJParson
JOHN ROLPH PARSON 1839-1924
Grand Master, 1892-1893
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Note: This biography was written when Brother Parson was still alive. He died in 1924 and is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
Most Worshipful Brother John Rolph Parson made his entrance in the Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication of 1876. He represented Aurora Lodge No. 267, as Junior Warden. It would be almost impossible to follow him in all his work in the Grand Lodge or the various positions held by him. We find as far back as the date when he first represented his Lodge as Worshipful Master — in 1878 — that he even that early made an impress, as he was that year appointed Grand Marshal, and was reappointed in 1879. In 1889 he was elected Junior Grand Warden, 1890 Senior Grand Warden, 1891 Deputy Grand Master, and at the Annual Session in 1892 was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Brother Parson was born in Buffalo, New York, February 24, 1839, where he received his education in the public and high schools. In his early manhood he started for the West, stopping in Chicago a little while, when he concluded to try St. Louis. This was in 1859 that he located here and entered his father's establishment, which he, in connection with his elder brother, Timothy T., succeeded to and conducted until a few years ago. Since he has been alone in the same line of business. His first step in Masonry was in Aurora Lodge No. 267, St. Louis, where he was raised May 2, 1869. He was started in office as Junior Steward in 1870, Junior Warden in 1876, Senior Warden in 1877, Worshipful Master in 1878, Treasurer in 1879, and re-elected fifteen years, when he declined to serve longer.
The Capitular degrees were conferred upon him in Bellefontaine Royal Arch Chapter No. 25, in 1871. He was Excellent High Priest in 1878, 1882, 1883 and 1888, and has served as Treasurer for several years. He passed the Circle in Old Hiram Council No. 10, October 21, 1871, was Thrice Illustrious Master in 1878 and re-elected in 1879, and is now Recorder. He was created a Knight Templar in St. Aldemar Commandery No. 18, Knights Templar, August 15, 1871, and was elected Junior Warden 1872, Captain,General 1873, Eminent Commander in 1874, Treasurer in 1892 and 1893, declining re-election further.
The degrees from the 4th to the 32d of the A. A. S. Rite were received by him from Illustrious Albert G. Mackey in 1881. He served as Master of Kadosh from 1885 to 1894. In 1884 he was at Washington, D. C, elected Knight Commander, Court of Honor, and in 1890 at Washington was made a Thirty-third and last Degree Mason.
Brother Parson is a charter member of Bellefontaine Chapter No. 69, Order Eastern Star, and served as Worthy Patron. He was one among the first members of Moolah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., along late in the eighties, and for past few years has served as Recorder.
In 1885 he was chosen Chairman of the Triennial Committee for the Triennial Conclave held in St. Louis in 1886. His experience, together with indefatigable energy, rendered the event an unusual success, the conclusion of which resulted in establishing an Endowment Fund of the Masonic Home and the contribution — the first — of $35,000, largely secured through his efforts. He was Chairman of the Dedication Committee of the Masonic Home in June, 1889, when he again displayed great energy and was largely instrumental in acquiring a financial success and the collection of $7,100 for the Home Fund. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home since its organization, and has served as Secretary for several years.
In all the Grand Bodies Brother Parson attained distinction. In the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Missouri he served as Royal Arch Captain in 1885 and 1886, Principal Sojourner 1887, Captain of the Host 1888, Scribe 1889, King 1890, Deputy Grand High Priest 1891, and Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1892. He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge at the time of his election as Grand High Priest, serving in both positions. His was the second instance in the history of those two bodies that such an event occurred. In the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Missouri he was elected Grand Treasurer October, 1878, holding over until May, 1880, when he was elected Deputy Grand Master, and in 18S1 he was chosen Most Illustrious Grand Master. In the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Missouri he was appointed Grand Warder in 1874 and again in 1875, elected Grand Captain,General in 1876, and Right Eminent Grand Commander in 1877. In 1883 he was appointed Grand Drill Master, reappointed yearly, serving consecutively ten years, and again appointed in 1899, serving one year.
In the Grand Chapter Order Eastern Star of Missouri he served thirteen years as Grand Secretary, from 1875 to 1887, inclusive. He was elected Grand Patron in 1888 and re-elected in 1889. He was also Grand Treasurer, 1883 to 1889, of the General Grand Chapter of the United States, Order Eastern Star.
Brother Parson holds membership in each and every Masonic or kindred body that he ever entered, never having dimitted from any one.
Brother Parson is also distinguished as one of three in the State of Missouri who have presided in all of the Masonic Grand Bodies.
