RIGMWard
GEORGE FRANKLIN WARD 1884-1944
Grand Master 1940-1941
BIOGRAPHY
From Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, 1941:
George Franklin Ward was elected and installed as the eighty-sixth 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 Fiftieth Annual Communication, held at Providence, on Monday, May 20, 1940. He is the first member of St. Paul's Lodge, No. 14 of Newport, to be thus honored,
He was born in Newport, R. I. July 15, 1884, the son of Henry Nicholson and Sarah Newhall Ward. He attended the grade schools and Rogers High School and studied machine design at the Rhode Island School of Design at Providence, R. I,
After having been employed at the Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company, Providence. R. I., the Remington Arms Company, Ilion, N. Y., and the Howard & Bullough Company. Pawtucket. R. I., he was appointed November 30, 1910. as an Ordnance Draftsman at the U. S. Naval Torpedo Station, Newport. R. I. He has since served continuously at the Torpedo Station, at present as an Ordnance Engineer and Civilian Assistant to the Engineering Officer.
On November 18, 1911. he was married to Frances E. Carry, of Newport, and they have two sons, George Franklin Ward, Jr., born September 7, 1917, and Robert Carry Ward, born November II, 1922.
Brother Ward was initiated in St. Pauls Lodge. No. 14. of Newport, April 15, 1912. He was appointed Junior Steward January 25, 1919, and elected Master January 25, 1925. He was appointed Chaplain January 25, 1928. and has served continuously since that time.
He was exalted in Newport Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2. on June 24, 1920. and presided as High Priest of that Chapter in 1929.
He received the Cryptic Degrees in De Blois Council, No. 5, Newport, becoming a member thereof on October 12. 1920, and in 1927 occupied the East as Thrice Illustrious Master. On April 14, 1931, he was appointed Grand Steward of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the State of Rhode Island and was elected Most Illustrious Grand Master April 14, 1930. He is at present serving as Grand Chaplain, having been appointed April, 1911. lie was knighted in Washington Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar, of Newport. January IS. 1922. ami was its Eminent Commander in 1928. He is now serving as Prelate of that body.
In Grand Lodge he was appointed an Assistant Grand Lecturer. May. 1920, by Most Worshipful William L. Sweet, and served in that capacity for five years. In May, 1931. he was appointed Seventh District Deputy Grand Master by Most Worshipful J. Irving Shepley. He was advanced annually to the office of Grand Master, serving as District Deputy in every District except the First.
