MOGMTRiddick
THOMAS F. RIDDICK 1781-1830
Grand Master, 1821
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Most Worshipful Brother Thomas Fiveash Riddick was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. He, with others, who will in this connection receive due mention, met in St. Louis April 23, 1821, and effected an organization. The following day, April 24, Brother Riddick was elected Grand Master. The installation ceremonies took place May 4, 1821, Brother Thompson Douglass, of Missouri Lodge No. 12, in charge. In accordance with the By-Laws adopted by the Grand Body, the term ended at the Annual Communication in October.
Brother Riddick was born at Suffolk, county seat of Nausemond County, Virginia, June 5, 1781. He came to St. Louis in 1803. We have no means of ascertaining when or where he became a Mason, except that in the charter issued to St. Louis Lodge No. 111, dated September 15, 1808, Brother Riddick was Senior Warden. At the organization of the Grand Lodge in April, 1821, he appeared, representing Joachim Lodge No. 25, at Herculaneum, Missouri.
In March, 1805, he was appointed by the President as Clerk of the Courts of Common Pleas, Quarter Session, and Oyer and Terminer for the District of St. Louis. Two years later was reappointed, also held the office of Assessor of Rates and Levies, including the township of St. Louis. On May 7, 1808, he was appointed by the Acting Governor Recorder of Land Titles, with a provision that in his absence his deputy should act. Reappointment to all of the positions followed in 1812, and again in 1815. He was elected a Representative in the State Legislature in 1818. When the old Territorial Bank of Missouri was chartered, he was one of the first Board of Directors, and in 1820 became President. For twenty years he was actively engaged in business. He subsequently moved to Sulphur Springs, in Jefferson County, Missouri, where he resided until his death, January 15, 1830.
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Born June 5, 1781 in Suffolk, Virginia
Masonic: Louisiana Lodge No 109, St. Genevieve, St Louis Lodge No 111 St Louis (later Missouri Lodge No. 1)
Came to St Louis about 1804, one of the original Bank Commissioners of St Louis. The old Riddick home in St Louis was one of the show places of the City. It was built of brick, located on the west side of Fourth street, and in 1818 it was regarded as well out in the country. One of the novelties introduced in the building were window panes 13x18 inches, extra large size imported from Pittsburg.
Principle originator of the Missouri Public School System.
Died January 15, 1830 in Sulfur Springs, and is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis.
- Find A Grave page with extensive biography
CHARTERS GRANTED
- 09/25/1821: Harmony #4, Louisiana
- 10/01/1821: Unity #6, Jackson
- 04/01/1822: Olive Branch #5, Alton, IL
