MOGMWJohnson

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WILLIAM FOREMAN JOHNSON 1861-1925

WJohnson.jpg

Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive

Grand Master, 1920-1921

BIOGRAPHY

From Missouri Lodge of Research:

William Foreman Johnson was born, February 8, 1861 in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Mo., a son of Professor Charles Brown and Elizabeth Ford Johnson. He was educated largely under his father's preceptorship in Brandenburg, Ky. Seminary and Shelbyville Mo. College.His first position was assistant principle in Shelbyville in 1880, then removed to Pilot Grove, Mo., where he was associated with his brother in the Pilot Grove Collegiate Institute. He was elected to the Missouri General Assembly and served 1888-1889. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Cooper County in 1896 and re-elected in 1908 and 1910.

Brother Johnson never lost his interest in literature; he was widely read and it was his habit to read the classics daily. As an English scholar he had few equals. His diction was falutless and his eloquence persuasive. In 1919, he worte a history of Cooper County.

In 1882 he married Miss Margaret Harris of Pilot Grove and they were the parents of three children, Mary Elizabeth, Marquerite and Newton H.

He was made a Mason in Wm D, Muir Lodge No 277, Pilot Grove in 1882 and served as Master in 1891. He dimitted in 1897 to affiliate with Cooper Lodge No 36 at Boonville, Mo., and served as Master in 1900. He was DDGL for eleven years from 1902 to 1912. He was appointed Grand Orator in 1901 and Grand Sword Bearer in 1911 and regularly advanced until, 1920 when he was appointed Grand Master.

He received the the Capitular degrees in Boonville Chapter No 60 RAM February 16, 1883 and served as High Priest in 1902, 1903 and 1904. In 1904 he was elected Grand Master of the First Veil in the Grand Chapter and became Grand High Priest in 1913.

He was a member of the Scottish Rite in Kansas City receiving the degrees in 1922.

His death occurred at this home in Boonville, Tuesday March 17, 1925 after an illnes of three years. Masonic services were conducted by Past Grand Master. Frank Jesse, then Grand Secretary and burial was in Walnut Grove Cemetery at Boonville.


Missouri Grand Masters