MOGMRStevenson
ROBERT F. STEVENSON 1843-1925
Grand Master, 1884-1885
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Note: This biography was written when Brother Stevenson was still alive. He died in 1925 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.
Most Worshipful Brother Robert F. Stevenson appears to have represented Jefferson Lodge No. 43, of Jefferson City, Missouri, as Worshipful Master at the Annual Communication of 1879, as well as District Deputy Grand Master, and again in 1880, when he was Chairman of the Committee on Chartered Lodges. His ability was early recognized in his being elected Junior Grand Warden in 1881, Senior Grand Warden in 1882, Deputy Grand Master in 1883, and Most Worshipful Grand Master of Missouri Masons in 1884. His successor as Grand Master was Brother James W. Boyd.
Brother Stevenson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1843. Ten years after, the family removed to Illinois and settled on a farm near Elgin. There he attended school during winter months. His father died when young Robert was but fourteen years of age. He was placed under a guardian, who took him back to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1861 he returned to Illinois, remaining until 1866, when he moved to Henry County, Missouri, and engaged in merchandising. He studied law and in 1869 was admitted to practice. He was Deputy Sheriff and Collector of Henry County in 1871 and 1872, and Chief Clerk of the State Treasurer from 1873 until 1880, when he engaged in the banking business.
Brother Stevenson was initiated in Clintonville Lodge, Illinois, in I860, and was passed and raised in Calhoun Lodge No. 184, Calhoun, Missouri, in 1867. He affiliated with Tebo Lodge No. 68, at Clinton, Missouri, in 1869, and served as Senior Warden in 1871 and 1872. He dimitted in 1873 to Jefferson Lodge No. 43, at Jefferson City; was elected and served as Worshipful Master in 1878. In 1877 he received the Capitular degrees in Jefferson City Royal Arch Chapter No. 34 in 1877, and served as Scribe and Excellent High Priest. Entering the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons he was selected as Grand Principal Sojourner in 1881, Grand Captain of the Host in 1882, Grand Scribe in 1883, Grand King in 1884, Deputy Grand High Priest in 1885, and Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Missouri Royal Arch Masons in 1886.
The Orders of Christian Knighthood were conferred upon Companion Stevenson by Prince of Peace Commandery No. 29, Knights Templar, stationed at Jefferson City, Missouri. At the organization of said Commandery he was its first Prelate, afterwards Generalissimo. Removing to Clinton, Missouri, in 1881, he assisted in organizing Boanerges Commandery No. 34, at that place, and was the first Eminent Commander. He again changed his residence, dimitted and November 7, 1884, and affiliated with Oriental Commandery No. 35, in Kansas City, Missouri; and was elected Eminent Commander in 1885 and re elected in 1886.
He received the degrees, grades and orders of the A. & A. S. Rite, 4th to 32d, inclusive, from Illustrious Albert Pike, 33d degree, during year 1885, and was elected Wise Master of Arieopagus Chapter in 1891.
He was appointed Grand Lecturer of the Grand Chapter R. A. Masons of Missouri in 1899 and again in 1900.
His membership is now in Rural Lodge No. 316, Oriental R. A. Chapter No. 102, Shekinah Council No. 24, Royal and Select Masters, Oriental Commandery No. 35, Knights Templar, and Western Consistory No. 2, A. A. S. R., all in Kansas City, Missouri.
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Robert F. Stevenson, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, Past Grand Master of the Grand Council and Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 25, 1843. His father moved to California in 1948 and in 1853 the family moved to a farm in Illinois.at the age of 14 he was left an orphan by the death of his father and was placed in the hands of a guardian and returned to Philadelphia. In 1864 he married Eva Kinne at Bloomingdale, Ill., and in 1866 he moved to Missouri and engaged in merchandising in Calhoun, Henry County.
Brother Stevenson was initiated in 1865 in Clintonville Lodge (Illinois) and while living in Missouri completed his degrees in Clintonville Lodge being raised in 1867. He dimitted in 1869 to become a member of Tebo Lodge No 68 Clinton Mo., After moving to Jefferson City to attend to various state goverment positions he affiliated with Jefferson Lodge No 43 in 1873 and served as Master.
Stevenson was elected Grand Junior Warden in 1881 and elected Grand Master in 1884. He was appointed Grand Representative of England in 1904.
He was a member of the York Rite bodies and served as Grand High Priest and Grand Master of the Grand Council
In the Scottish Rite, he was a 33° member receiving the 4th through 32nd degrees by communication from Albert Pike in 1885. He became a member of Western Missouri Consistory No 2, Kansas City and was coroneted with the 33rd degree in 1915.
His death occurred at his home in Kansas City April 28, 1925 following a two year illness. Funeral services were conducted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Grand Commandery Knights Templar at the Masonic Temple 9th and Harrison. his remains were buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
