MOGMCWells

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CAMPBELL WELLS 1864-1916

CWells.jpg

Grand Master, 1900-1901

BIOGRAPHY

From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:

Note: This biography was written when Brother Wells was still alive. He died in 1916 and is buried in Platte City Cemetery in Platte City, Missouri.

Most Worshipful Brother Campbell Wells, the present Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, has the distinguished honor of being the youngest man ever elected to that exalted station in this jurisdiction, as well as the fifty-seventh and last in line of illustrious predecessors, covering a period of eighty years. His first appearance in the Grand Lodge was at the Annual Session of 1892, when he represented his Lodge as Worshipful Master. His first official recognition in the Grand Body, two years later, in 1894, was an appointment as Senior Grand Steward. The following year he was advanced to the station of Junior Grand Deacon, and Senior Grand Deacon in 1896. The next step, in 1897, was his election as Junior Grand Warden, in 1898 Senior Grand Warden, in 1899 Deputy Grand Master, and to the exalted station of Most Worshipful Grand Master October, 1900.

Our present distinguished Grand Master is a native Missourian, born in Platte County, May 23, 1864, where he has continuously resided since. His education was completed in Bethany College, West Virginia, taking a four-year course, from which he graduated in June, 1884, at the age of twenty years. He at once returned to Platte City, Missouri, where his father was conducting a banking business, which he engaged in, and has success fully pursued since.

Brother Wells petitioned for the mysteries of Masonry in Platte City Lodge No. 504, at Platte City, Missouri, in which he was initiated April 27, 1888; passed May 12th and raised to the sublime degree July 7th of the same year. He was at once placed in official position, advancing each year until he reached the East, where he was retained during 1892, 1893 and 1894. The Capitular degrees were conferred upon him in Platte City Royal Arch Chapter No. 21, at Platte City, Missouri, in 1888. He served as Excellent High Priest in 1897. He passed the Circle in Shekinah Council Royal and Select Masters No. 24, at Kansas City, Missouri, April 22, 1899, and received the Super,Excellent degree in the same Council April 25, 1900.

The Orders of Christian Knighthood were conferred upon him in Belt Commandery No. 9, Knights Templar, at Platte City, Missouri, receiving the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross May 25, 1889, the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple and Appendent Order of Malta May 28, 1889. After serving in line offices he was elected and served as Eminent Commander during 1898. The several degrees, grades and orders, from the 4° to the 32°, inclusive, were received by him in Western Consistory Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Kansas City, on November 15, 17, 18 and 19, 1897. He was anointed, consecrated and set apart to the Holy Order of High Priesthood April 21, 1897, in St. Louis.

Brother Wells assisted in forming Daisy Chapter No. 86, Order Eastern Star, September 20, 1897, in Platte City, and was the Worthy Patron in 1899.

In 1893 he was, by the Grand Lecturer, appointed Deputy for the Nineteenth District, composed of the seven Lodges in Platte County; was appointed every year until his election as Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1900.

As a Ritualist, he is "letter perfect."

From Missouri Lodge of Research:

Campbell Wells was a native of Missouri, born in New Market. Platte County, May 23, 1864. He attended Gaylord Institute in Platte City and later four years in Bethany College, West Virginia, graduating in 1884. His life was spent in the banking business when he and his father organized the Wells Banking Company. He was an active Democrat but never sought public office. He served as a member of the school board in Platte County for many years. By appointment of Governors Stephens, Dockery and Polk he served as curator of the University of Missouri from May 1897 to May 1909.

Brother Wells was initiated in Platte City Lodge No 504, April 27, 1888 and was raised July 7th of that year. He served as Master in 1892, 1893 and 1894, in which in that year he was appointed Grand Senior Steward. He was elected Grand Master in 1900.

Campbell Wells was a member of the York Rite and served as Grand Commander in 1906.

He received the various degrees of the Scottish Rite in Kansas City in November 1897 and in 1905 was coronated a Sovereign Grand Inspector-General of the Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, a member of Moila Shrine and a charter member of Elysian Grotto in Kansas City from 1897 until the time of his death in 1916 he was chairman of the Executive Committee of the Masonic Home and served as Treasurer. He was first Chancellor Commander of Platte Lodge No 296, Knights of Pythias and a Noble Grand of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Platte City.

He died in Platte City, Mo., December 14, 1916 and funeral services were conducted on Monday, December 18, 1916, Grand Master Edward Higbee officiating. He is buried in the Platte City Cemetery.


Missouri Grand Masters