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EDWIN AUGUSTUS BLODGETT 1851-1933

EdwinBlodgett1933.jpg

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page 1933-98:

Right Worshipful Brother Blodgett was born in Brookfield, Vermont, July 4, 1851, and died in Springfield May 31, 1933.

Brother Blodgett was educated in the public schools of Randolph, Vermont, and in the State Normal School of the same town. He entered the lumber business in early life and spent his active years in it. He was a member and president of the Board of Aldermen of Springfield for two years and was Chairman of the Board of Water Commissioners from 1915 to 1932.

He took his Masonic degrees in Hampden Lodge in 1886 and 1887 and was its Master in 1891. He was one of the founders of Esoteric Lodge in 1909. He served in Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Master for the Sixteenth Masonic District in 1895 and 1896, by appointment of Most Worshipful Edwin B. Holmes, and as Deputy Grand Master in 1911, by appointment of Most Worshipful Dana J. Flanders. He was elected a Trustee of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust in 1911 and served in that position until his death.

In other branches of our order his activities were many and distinguished. He was a member and Past High Priest of Morning Star Chapter, a member and Past Master of Springfield Council, a member and Past Commander of Springfield Commandery, and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Springfield, over two of which he had presided.

He was Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 1905-06, and was coronetted an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, thirty-third degree, in 1904. Brother Blodgett's long and active life was devoted to the service of his fellow men, and they recognized his service by bestowing upon him many honors, and, which was of far more worth, an unstinted measure of respect and affection.

From Proceedings, Page 1933-341:

Brother Edwin Augustus Blodgett died at his home in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, May 31, of this present year. He was a very distinguished Mason and toward the end of his life, at any rate, Masonry was not only his dominating interest, but apart from his family, his only interest.

He was born in Brookfield, Vermont, on Independence Day, in 1851. So it will be seen that he attained the age of eighty-two years less only a month and four days. He was the son of Loren and Luthera (Marsh) Blodgett. His early education was received in the elementary and high schools of his home town.

While a boy he removed to Springfield, Massachusetts, and lived there until his death, taking a very active part in the civic life of the city. He was a member of the Board of Water Commissioners from June 25, 1915, until February 1, 1933. From 1916 until he declined a renomination in the present year, he served as Chairman of the Board. He was a staunch Republican and served as a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1B98 and 1899, being president in 1899. He ran for Mayor on the Republican ticket in 1899, but was defeated. During his service on the Board of Aldermen, he was a member of several important boards.

Brother Blodgett was engaged in the lumber business, first as an employee of Marsh & Murray, then as a member of the firm of Day & Jobson Company, and later as head of the firm of Edwin A. Blodgett Lumber Company.

He was initiated in Hampden Lodge December 21, 1886, passed January 25, 1887, and raised March 15, 1887. Brother Blodgett became Master of his Lodge in an almost unbelievably short time, going to the East in 1890. He was also instrumental in the founding and one of the Charter members of Esoteric Lodge. He served as District Deputy Grand Master for the sixteenth Masonic District in 1894 and 1895, and in 1911 was appointed Deputy Grand Master. For twenty-one years he was a Trustee of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts.

In the York Rite he advanced as follows: Capitular Degrees in Morning Star Royal Arch Chapter in 1888. In the Chapter he made the same spectacular journey to the East that he had made in the Blue Lodge, becoming High Priest of that body in 1891. He received the degrees in Springfield Council of Royal and Select Masters in 1888 and served as its Thrice Illustrious Master during the years 1893 and 1894. He was knighted in Springfield Commandery No. 6, K. T. in 1890 and was its Eminent Commander in 1896 and 1897. He was appointed Grand Warder of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 1897 and served in the various offices until in 1905 he was elected its Grand Commander.

In the Scottish Rite he received the Ineffable Degrees in Evening Star Lodge of Perfection in 1890, and served as its Thrice Potent Master in 1895-6-7-8-9. He received the 15th and 16th degrees in Massasoit Council, Princes of Jerusalem, in 1891 and was its Sovereign Prince in 1899, 1900, and 1901. He received the 17th and 18th degrees in Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix, Worcester, in 1892. He was one of the petitioners and Charter members of Springfield Chapter of Rose Croix and chosen as its Most Wise Master in 1901-2-3. He received his 32nd degree in Massachusetts Consistory at Boston in 1892 and was Second Lieutenant Commander in 1901-2-3 and was later a Charter member of Connecticut Valiey Consistory in Springfield. He served as Second Lieutenant Commander of Massachusetts Council of Deliberation in 1897 and 1898. Brother Blodgett was coronetted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, and made an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, N. M. J., September 20, 1904.

He was a member of the District Deputy Grand Masters Association of Massachusetts; a member of the Past Commanders Association, and of the Past Grand Commanders Association of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He served for many years as President of the Springfield Masonic Hall Association and had much to do with the planning, financing, and erection of the present Masonic Temple. To this work, in which he took great pride, he gave freely of his time and liberally of his money.

In presenting this report, the members of the Committee feel that they are telling the story of one who unselfishly devoted himself to the work of the Craft. And they also feel that the spreading of the story of his life on the minutes of the Grand Lodge will challenge the emulation of many of his younger Brethren.

Percy T. Edrop
B. Halsey Spencer
Harold E. Hartwell
Committee


Distinguished Brothers