RIGMMarsh

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GEORGE W. MARSH 1800-1865

Grand Master 1853-1854

BIOGRAPHY

From History of Freemasonry in Rhode Island, 1895, Page 311:

This brother, active and helpful in Masonic affairs for a considerable number of years, was born in Douglas, Mass., near the beginning of the present century. His ancestors were Massachusetts people of good repute. In boyhood and early life he resided with his parents at Slatersville, R. I., where he went to school for a limited period and also worked in a mill. He was of studious habits and exceedingly fond of reading. Thus he acquired, with comparatively little help from schools, a fairly good education, and became himself a teacher, taking charge, successively, of several schools in the vicinity of his early home. Afterwards he took up his residence in Woonsocket, R. I., and engaged in the calendering business. At a still later period— between 1830 and 1840—he engaged in manufacturing pursuits, first leasing the Huntsville Mill near Pascoag, and a few years afterwards building the Saxondale Mill not far distant. He caused a good road to be built between the two places, and midway, at Laurel Hill, gave generous aid toward the erection of a Methodist house of worship. He was a devoted adherent of the Methodist Church and died in the communion of that faith.

He was not altogether successful in the prosecution of his manufacturing interests which, at one time, were quite important. His financial losses were occasioned, for the most part, by his trying to help others. He was a man of cheerful mien and relished the hearing or telling of a good story. Soon after attaining his majority he married Susan Hall, of Woonsocket, who survived him until 1865. They had four children, three of them living at the time of this writing, viz.: Mrs. Sayles Walling, of Providence; Edward Marsh, East Somerville, Mass.; A. D. Marsh, Providence.

Of the Masonic career of the subject of this sketch but little is known prior to his appearance in the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island. That he was an active and influential member of Friendship Lodge, No. 7, Chepachet, is evident. As Wor. Master of this Lodge he is reported among the members of Grand Lodge present at the annual communication in 1844. The next year his abilities were recognized by his election to the office of Junior Grand Warden. He held this office for two years. In 1847 he was honored with promotion to the place of Senior Grand Warden. He was Deputy Grand Master during the entire period of the administration of the office of Grand Master by William Field; and in 1853, Bro. Marsh was advanced to the highest position. He served two years. He was exceedingly helpful in promoting the interests of Freemasonry as these were then requiring the sympathy and fostering care of Grand Lodge. He was devoted to the Institution and believed in its abiding strength. By his earnest words and generous gifts he rendered important help to the cause of Freemasonry at a time when, just emerging from the shadows, there was urgent need of helpful advocates and practical encouragement.


Rhode Island People