RIGMAldrich
CHESTER MASON ALDRICH 1883-1952
Grand Master 1937-1938
BIOGRAPHY
Chester Mason Aldrich was elected and installed as the eighty-third Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at the One Hundred and Forty-Seventh Annual Communication, held at Providence, on Monday, May 17, 1937. He is the fourth member of Barney Merry Lodge, No. 29, of Pawtucket, to be thus honored by election as head of the Craft in this jurisdiction.
He was born in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, on August 29, 1883, the son of Samuel Robinson and Lydia (Heritage) Aldrich. His father was descended from ancestors who settled near Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1680, but his mother was born in Risley, England. Brother Aldrich received his elementary education in the public schools of Taunton, and attended the high school in that city, later attending high school at Hyde Park, Massachusetts, graduating from the latter in 1901.
Immediately after graduation he entered the employ of the E. Jenckes Manufacturing Company at Pawtucket, R. I. Subsequently he was associated with the Smith Webbing Company, and for several years was Assistant General Superintendent of the Phillips Insulated Wire Company, at Phillipsdale, in East Providence. He has been General Manager of the Braided Fabric Company, on Harrison street, for several years.
He was united in marriage on June 17. 1910, with Miss Eva Jenkinson, and resides on Humboldt Avenue. Providence. They have two children, a son and a daughter: Marjorie Mae, born March 27, 1911. who married, in the fall of 1937, Alfred J. Thatcher: and Chester Mason, Jr., born October 25, 1914, who was raised in Saint John's Lodge. No. 1, Providence, in April, 1938.
Brother Aldrich has always been an ardent and consistent Mason. He received his symbolic degrees in Barney Merry Lodge, No. 29, Pawtucket, as follows: E. A. on June 15, 1909; F. C. on October 19. 1909: M. M. on November 16, 1909, and signed the By-Laws on December 21, 1909, his name being number 425 on the Lodge's roll of members. At the Annual Communication of that Lodge, on June 27, 1911. he was appointed Sentinel by W. M. Walker Miller, and advanced in line until on June 26, 1917, when he was elected and installed Worshipful Master.
In Grand Lodge, at the Annual Communication on May 20, 1929, he was appointed Seventh District Deputy Grand Master by Most Worshipful Grand Master Arthur S. Vaughn, and was advanced annually through eight positions to the honored and distinguished station of Most Worshipful Grand Master. He holds the appointment of Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Vermont near the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.
ile received the Capitular Degrees in Pawtucket R. A. Chapter. No. 4, having been exalted to the degree of R. A. M. on March 15, 1914. In the Cryptic Rite he received the Council Degrees of R. M. and S. M. on December 12, 1919. in Pawtucket Council. R. & S. M. In Knight Templarism, he was knighted in Saint John's Commandery, No. 1, Providence, in January. 1920. In the Scottish Rite, he received the 32° on May 24. 1921, in Rhode Island Consistory in the Valley of Providence.
During his term as Grand Master his business acumen gave to the Craft n stabilization that materially counteracted the deterent influences of a continued financial and economic depression. His executive and administrative ability was reflected in Improved concerted activities through interchange of fraternal and inter-jurisdictional visitations and exemplifications, and his genial temperament and affability were strong factors in the increased manifestations of good fellowship and brotherly love which marked his administration.
