MOGMWPenick

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WILLIAM RIDGEWAY PENICK 1829-1897

WPenick.jpg

Grand Master, 1861-1862

BIOGRAPHY

From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:

Most Worshipful Brother William Ridgeway Penick is recorded as present at the Annual Session of the Grand Lodge of 1857, as Senior Warden of St. Joseph Lodge No. 78, and served on the Committee of Ways and Means. In 1858 he represented his Lodge as Master and was appointed Junior Grand Deacon. At the session of 1859 he was elected Senior Grand Warden; in 1860 Deputy Grand Master, and in 1861 Most Worshipful Grand Master. However, he never presided, having entered the army. He sent an address from the field to the Grand Lodge session of 1862. His successor was M. W. Brother George Whitcomb.

Brother Penick was born in Boone County, Missouri, May 20, 1829. He was made a Mason in St. Joseph Lodge No. 78, March 1, 1856, Senior Warden in 1857, Worshipful Master in 1858 and 1859. He was President of the Masonic Board of Relief of St. Joseph for twenty-one years. He was exalted in St. Joseph Royal Arch Chapter No. 14 in 1856; served as Excellent High Priest in 1860. He assisted in organizing St. Joseph Council No. 9, Royal and Select Masters, in 1871, and presided as Thrice Illustrious Master during the first two years of its existence. He was Knighted in Weston Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, in 1859, and assisted in the formation of St. Joseph Commandery No. 4 in 1859, and was the first Eminent Commander. He was a 32° member of the A. & A. S. Rite, and presiding officer of the two Constituent Bodies in St. Joseph during their existence.

In the Grand Bodies he was Royal Arch Captain in 1857, Scribe in 1858 and 1859, and Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter in 1861. He was M. P. Grand Master of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters in 1877, and Deputy Grand Commander of the Grand Commaudery Knights Templar of Missouri in 1861.

His death occurred in St. Joseph, December 4, 1897. He was then the oldest Past Grand High Priest in point of service, and the oldest member of St. Joseph Lodge who had been raised and retained continuous membership therein.

From Missouri Lodge of Research:

William R Penick was born in Boone County, Mo., May 20, 1829. When Penick was eight years old the family mover to western Missouri in an area known as the Platte purchase. At the age of 17 the family moved to St Joseph where Penick resumed formal schooling. Three weeks after the beginning of school the teacher died and Penick was entrusted to teach the classes.

He was a student of medicine and pharmacy.

During the war he was a supporter of the Union devoting a large portion of his time to suppressing the rebellion and strengthening the Union movement. He fought guerrillas under the command Todd and Quantrell in Platte, Clay, Cass and Jackson counties.

After the war he served as Coroner of Buchanan County and was President of the St Joseph and Denver Railroad Company

He petitioned St Joseph Lodge No 78 for membership on Saturday January 5, 1856 receiving the degrees being raised to the 3rd degree on March 1, 1856. He was a member of both the York and Scottish Rites. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Mason of Missouri, Grand Master of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters and Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Missouri.

Due to his military responsibilities he was unable to attend Grand Lodge the year he servied as Grand Master.

Penick died in St Joseph Missouri December 4, 1861 and is buried in Mt. Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph Missouri


Missouri Grand Masters