MOGMJThomas
JOSHUA B. THOMAS 1849-1907
Grand Master, 1894-1895
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Note: This biography was written when Brother Thomas was still alive. He died in 1907 and is buried in Grandview Cemetery in Albany, Missouri.
Most Worshipful Brother Joshua B. Thomas appeared for the first time in the Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication of 1882, at which time he was appointed Grand Pursuivant. He filled various stations until 1891, when he was elected Junior Grand Warden; the following year Senior Grand Warden, in 1893 Deputy Grand Master, and in 1894 Most Worshipful Grand Master. Since retiring from the latter position he has been a regular attendant on the sessions of the Grand Lodge, continuously as chairman of some committee, and is now Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means.
Brother Thomas was born near Liberty, Kentucky, June 18, 1849 and received his education in the public and private schools. At the age of 22 years he located at Albany, Gentry County, Missouri, where he has resided since. He gave his county fourteen years of service as County Collector, County and Circuit Clerk. Retiring from the latter in 1889 he entered into the business of real estate; two years latter he was chosen cashier of the Bank of Albany, a position he has retained since.
In Masonry he made his entry in Casey Lodge No. 424, Kentucky, July 23, 1870; passed August 27th and was raised September 24th of the same year. Removing to Missouri he dimitted and affiliated with Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 312, in 1872. Three years later, in 1875, he again transferred his membership, affiliating with Athens Lodge No. 127, where he remained four years; he again dimitted in order to assist in organizing Island City Lodge No. 109, now Stanberry No. 109. One year later, in 1880, he once more returned to Athens Lodge No. 127, which he served as Worshipful Master in 18S1.
Brother Thomas was exalted in Bethany Royal Arch Chapter No. 80, at Bethany, Missouri, in 1880; dimitted a few years later to Albany R. A. Chapter No. 1 16, at Albany, Missouri. He passed the Circle in Hiram Council No. 1, St. Louis, in 1882, where his membership has since remained. The Orders of Knighthood were conferred upon him in Kadosh Commandery No. 21, at Cameron, Missouri, January 5, 1882. At the organization of Bethany Commandery No. 42, at Bethany, he became one of the charter members. In 1895 he dimitted and united with St. Joseph Commandery No. 4, at St. Joseph, Missouri, of which he is now a member. The Consistory degrees were received in the St. Louis bodies in 1884 and 1885; he transferred his membership to Western Consistory No. 2, at Kansas City in 1899, where he now belongs. The Order of High Priesthood was conferred upon him at Kansas City, Missouri, April 25, 1900.
Brother Thomas was initiated in Henrietta Chapter O. E. S., at Albany, Missouri, in 1875. The Chapter surrendered its charter. On the 30th of April, 1894, he assisted in organizing Esther Chapter No. 13, at Albany, and was Worthy Patron during 1894 and 1895. He became a member, April 23, 1890, of Moila Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., at St. Joseph.
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Joshua Bell Thomas was born in Dunnville, Ky., June 18, 1849. He was educated in the public and private schools of that State and at the age of twenty-two located at Albany, Gentry County, Mo.
For fourteen years he served Gentry County as county collector, county and circuit clerk. When he retired from this duty in 1889 he entered the real estate business, but two years later accepted a position as cashier of the bank in Albany.
Brother Bell entered Masonry through Casey Lodge No 424, Dunnville Ky., and was raised September 24, 1870. When he removed to Missouri he placed his dimit in Mt Pleasant Lodge No 312 in 1872. Three years later he transferred his membership to Athens Lodge N0 127, Albany Mo., and served as Master in 1880.
He attended Grand Lodge in 1882 as was appointed Grand Pursuivant, he was Grand Orator in 1884, Grand Senior Deacon in 1890 and became Grand Master in 1894.
He was a member of the York Rite Bodies in St Joseph and a member of the Scottish Rite.
His death occurred in Kansas City, Mo., November 15, 1907 at the age of fifty-eight. He had been in an enfeebled state and death was not unexpected. He is buried in Albany, Mo.
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