MOGMJSellers
JAMES McBRAYER SELLERS 1895-1990
Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive
Grand Master, 1953-1954
BIOGRAPHY
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
James Sellers father was Colonel Sandford Sellers who was born in Anderson County, Kentucky, July 24, 1854. He entered a private boarding school in Danville, Kentucky in 1872 where he remained for two years. He matriculated at Central University, Danville with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1877.
Benjamin Lewis Hobson, son of the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Missouri, graduated from Central University in the class of 1877 with Sanford Sellers. Young Hobson, then twenty years of age, soon returned to Lexington and on September 8, 1879 announced the opening of "A School for Boys and Young Men" that became with an endowment from Stephen Wentworth, Wentworth Male Academy. It was in 1880 that Stanford Sellers became Co-Principal of Wentworth, an association that lasted fifty-eight years. As Superintendent of Wentworth, he was commissioned a Major and then a Colonel in the Missour National Guard.
This is the heritage of "Mac" Sellers, 1954 Grand Master of Masons in Missouri.
James Sellers was born at Lexington, Missouri, June 20, 1895 and reared in the environment of a military and education institution. "Mac" entered Wentworth as a student in 1907 and graduated in 1912. He entered the University of Chicago in the Fall of 1912 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Summa Cum Laude; he majored in Greek and had a minor in Geology. While and undergraduate he was a member of Phi Theta Psi, Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi.
When the United States entered World War I, Mac Sellers volunteered and was Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. After training at Quantico, Virgina, he went overseas and was soon advanced to Captain, in command of the 78th Company, 6th Marines, Second Division. He participated in the battles of Chateau-Thierry, and Mont Blac and on through the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.For bravery in action, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star and the French Croix-de-Guerre and the Purple Cross. "Mac" retained his status as a reserve officer in the Marine Corp until his voluntary retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1944.
In 1921, he returned to Wentworth as Assistant Commandant and as a Instructor in Mathematics and Latin. He was Commandant from 1923-1928.He became Superintendent in 1933 and in 1935 he became President and Director of Wentworth Military Scientific and Literary Educational Company.
Brother Sellers Masonic journey began in Lexington Lodge NO 149 when he was initiated, October 25, 1920, passed, November 22, 1920 and raised October 21, 1921. He was Master of the Lodge in 1938. He was appointed Grand Sword Bearer in 1943 and elected Grand Master in 1953. He was a member of the Missouri Lodge of Research.
He belonged to Lexington Chapter No 10, RAM and served as High Priest in 1940. He was a member of Shekinah Council No 49 R&SM receiving all degrees in 1940. He was also a member of DeMolay Commandery No 3 and served as Commander in 1941. He served the Grand Commandery beginning as Grand Warder in 1942 and being elected Grand Commander in 1952.
He was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, Allied Masonic Degrees and the Shrine.
Brother Sellers was a "Renaissance Man" and truly as Scholar and a Gentleman. He was laid to rest in Lexington Memorial Cemetery, September 11, 1990 with Masonic Services being conducted by Right Worshipful Brother Frank Ames Arnold, then Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
