MOGMSFreet
SAMUEL RAYMOND FREET 1884-1931
Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive
Grand Master, 1929-1930
BIOGRAPHY
Samuel Freet was born on a farm near Slater, Mo. His father died when he was four years old and he remained on the farm with his mother and sister. He graduated from Salter High School in 1903 and after teaching in Slater High School for three years entered the University of Missouri and graduated from the law department in 1909 and was admitted to the bar the same year. He graduated as valedictorian of his class and was a member of Phi Delta Phi, legal fraternity. Immediately after graduation he came to Kansas City to follow his profession. He joined the firm who's name was McVey & Freet and had offices at 714 Ridge, Arcade Building.
He had a long desire to become a Freemason but lacked necessary funds. Finally, after practicing for eighteen months he acquired the $50.00 necessary to pay for initiation and in the fall of 1910 be petitioned Ivanhoe Lodge No 446, in Kansas City, Mo. He was raised December 10, 1910, the degree was conferred by Army Lodge at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served Ivanhoe Lodge as Master in 1920, during which year 458 candidates were raised and 151 were elected, In the fall of that year the Grand Lodge met in Kansas City and Grand Master Johnson appointed Brother Freet as Grand Pursuivant and advanced to be elected Grand Master in 1929. Illness prevented him from traveling the State and when it came time for him to preside over Grand Lodge he managed to open Grand Lodge but did not have the strength to read his address; he reclined on a cot in one of the wings of the stage at Ivanhoe Temple and listened to his address being given by Deputy Grand Master Gentry.
He was a member of the York Rite and Ararat Shrine and served as President of the Ivanhoe Temple Board.
Brother Freet died on Sunday, October 4, 1931. He funeral was held in the First Baptist Church, Kansas City, October 7, 1931, in the presence of an audience that taxed the capacity of the large auditorium. A special communication of the Grand Lodge was opened in the Sanctum Sanctorum of Ivanhoe Temple with Grand Master Wm. R. Gentry carrying out the Masonic Services. Interment was in Mt Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo.
