RIGMPalmer
HAILES LA GUE PALMER 1908-1981
Grand Master 1959-1960
BIOGRAPHY
Hailes LaGue Palmer, of Thomas Smith Webb Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., of Cranston, was elected and installed the one hundred fourth Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Annual Communication held in Providence on Monday, May 18, A. L. 5959, A.D. 1959.
M. W. Brother Palmer was bom in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 15, 1908, son of William Hailes and Laurina LaGue Palmer.
After his graduation from Classical High School, Providence, in 1926, he took a postgraduate course at Technical High School. He entered Brown University, of Providence, in 1927, graduating in 1931 with the Ph.B. Degree. He entered the Law School of Boston University, where he graduated in 1938 with the degree of LL.B.
Brother Palmer was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1938 and became a member of the Federal Court in 1940. He is a member of the Rhode Island Bar and the Kent County Bar Associations.
He was City Solicitor for the City of Warwick, R. I., from December, 1947 to December, 1953.
He was appointed Police Commissioner for the City of Warwick in January, 1954 to fill the unexpired term of Edward B. Ryder, Jr.
He was Chairman of the Board of Police Commission for the City of Warwick, from 1956 to 1958. He resigned in July, 1958, and on July 17, 1958 was appointed Judge of the Probate Court of the City of Warwick to fill the unexpired term of John G. Murphy. He was reappointed Judge of the Probate Court in January, 1959.
He is a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, the Sons of the American Revolution, and a member of the "Kentish Guards," a military organization in East Greenwich, R. I.
Brother Palmer is a member of St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church, Warwick.
He was married on April 19, 1939 to Helen C. Hallberg, and the union has been blessed with a daughter, Arlene Corinne.
M. W. Brother Palmer's Masonic record began on September 13, 1929 when he was initiated in Thomas Smith Webb Lodge No. 43, Cranston, and on January 27, 1930 he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. He was elected Worshipful Master of his lodge on October 30, 1947.
He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Seventh Masonic District on February 9, 1950 by M. W. Brother Howard B. Rice, and the following years was appointed to a similar position in other districts. On May 21, 1956 he was elected R. W. Junior Grand Warden; R. W. Senior Grand Warden on May 20, 1957; and R. W. Deputy Grand Master on May 19, 1958.
In the Capitular Rite he holds membership in Providence Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., of Providence.
He holds membership in the four bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Providence.
He is also a member of Palestine Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and was a Past Patron of Adah Chapter No. 15, Order of the Eastern Star, of East Greenwich.
He was made an Honorary Member of Narragansett Bay Chapter No. 14, National Sojourners, on May 26, 1959; an Honorary Member of the Center Square Club, of Port Washington, N. Y., on December 19, 1959; a Prophet at Sight of Kolah Grotto, M. O. V. P. E. R., on January 30, 1960; a Companion at Sight of Providence Council No. 1, R. & S. M., on March 11, 1960: and a Prophet at Sight of Massasoit Forest No. 112, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, on March 19. 1960.
