MOGMRAnderson
RUFUS E. ANDERSON 1833-1909
Grand Master, 1873-1874
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Note: This biography was written when Brother Anderson was still alive. He died in 1909 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, Missouri.
Most Worshipful Brother Rufus K. Anderson is recorded as a representative and Senior Warden of Palmyra Lodge No. 18 at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in 1861. Brother Anderson was at once recognized. He was placed on important committees, and was appointed Grand Orator in 1863 and again in 1864. His election to the office of Junior Grand Warden followed in 1865; Senior Grand Warden in 1866; Deputy Grand Master in 1868, 1870 and 1871; Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1873. He was succeeded at the expiration of his term as Grand Master in 1874 by Brother John W. Luke.
Brother Anderson is a native of Missouri, born in Palmyra, Marion County, January 22, 1833. He removed to Hannibal in 1877, where he has since resided. He has been engaged in the practice of law all his life.
He was made a Mason in Palmyra Lodge No. 18, at Palmyra, Missouri, in 1859, and was Worshipful Master in 1862. He received the Capitular degrees in Palmyra Royal Arch Chapter No. 2 at Palmyra, in 1863; was elected Excellent High Priest in 1867, and re-elected each year for ten years until he changed his residence to Hannibal. He was elected High Priest of Hannibal R. A. Chapter No. 7, and was re-elected many times. In the Grand Chapter he was elected Grand Royal Arch Captain in 1863; Grand King in 1865 and again in 1866; Deputy Grand High Priest in 1867; re-elected in 1868 and again in 1873. He was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1874. He was Deputy Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Missouri in 1882.
He is also a 32° Scottish Rite Mason. He has served as Director of the Masonic Home since its inauguration.
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Anderson was born in Palmyra Missouri January 22, 1833 and died in Palmyra July 27, 1909.
His grandfather Rufus Easton was a second delegate to congress from the Missouri territory and the first Postmaster for St Louis.
Rufus Anderson attended the Masonic College and the Illinois College were he graduated din 1850. He began reading law with his father and was admitted to the Bar in 1852.
At the time of his death he was the Senior Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, having served thirty-five years previously. He entered Masonry through Palmyra Lodge No 18 in 1859 and three years later served as Master of the Lodge. Even before serving as Master he was appointed Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Missouri in 1861. He advanced through the line and was elected Grand Master in 1873.
In 1886 he was elected a Director of the Masonic Home of Missouri and assisted in the legal work necessary in establishing that institution. He remained a member of the Board from 1866 to the time of his death.
The Grand Lodge gave the funeral service, seven Grand Officers and three Past Grand Masters officiating. His remains are buried in Greenwood Cemetery at Palmyra, Mo.
