MOGMJYocum
JOHN C. YOCUM 1854-1903
Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive
Grand Master, 1902-1903
BIOGRAPHY
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
John Yocum was born in Pennsylvania, April 23, 1854 of Scotch and German parentage. He had an excellent education attending public schools until the age of sixteen. He then entered Elysbury Academy in Elysburg, Pa. and after four years in the study of the field of pedagogics he entered Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., graduating as Latin Salutatorian of the class of 1879. He entered the law office of former United States Senator Charles Buckalew at Bloomsburg Pa. He came to Kansas City in the spring of 1887 becoming a member of the firm Yocum and Dolphin with offices in the Massachusetts Building.
His Masonic career began in 1855 in Catawissa Lodge No 349 where he was made a Master Mason, April 28, 1855. He dimitted from Catawissa Lodge when he moved to Kansas City and affiliated with Temple Lodge No 299. He was elected Master in 1892 and served one year.
He was named Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge in 1895 and was appointed Grand Senior Steward in 1896, being elected Grand Master in 1902.
When the Grand Lodge of Missouri met in the City of St Louis,October 20, 1903 it was presided over by Dr. Wm. F. Kuhn, Deputy Grand Master, John Campbell Yocum, the Grand Master, having died, April 26, 1903. Masonic services were held in Temple Lodge and a funeral service held in the First Presbyterian Church in Kansas City. At the wishes of the family the remains were buried in the family burial grounds in Annville, Pa.
