grand masters
Past and Present
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What is a Grand Master GM-PGM ?
In Texas the Grand Master (Presiding Officer's) position has Jurisdictional Authority over the Odd Fellow Lodges of Texas. This job is an elected position. The Grand Master not only presides over the Grand Lodge of Texas but he also has a duty to continue local lodge functions by dispensations for the formation of a new lodge or the arrest of a charter of any lodge that he deems it proper to do so. When The Grand Lodge is in session, the Grand Master shall, if present, preside over the sessions, enforce the laws, reserve order, decide all questions of order, and enforce their decisions, subject to the right of appeal to the Grand Lodge. The Grand Master has the casting vote in case of ties, except in elections. He appoints all committees except as otherwise provided by The Grand Lodge. When The Grand Lodge is not in session, the Grand Master shall fill vacancies in Grand Lodge offices by recess appointment; elect and cause to be communicated the semi-annual password; exercise supervisory power over all Lodges, correct their errors, declare generally and locally the customs and usages of the Order. He also must visit and inspect the books, records, proceedings and work of all Lodges annually or more frequently if necessary either in person or by Deputy and require that their decisions and rulings be obeyed. The Grand Master may grant many dispensations such as wearing regalia to the funeral of the spouse of a member; holding a public installation of officers and permitting a candidate to receive more than one Degree at the same meeting. The Grand Master can even permit a Lodge to dispense with a regular meeting for good cause. He can grant any other dispensations as may be essential and for the best interest of the Order, provided that no dispensation violates the laws of the Order. The Grand Master shall receive the 'Honors of the Order' during official visits; receive reimbursement for expenses as The Grand Lodge may provide and in accordance with vouchers submitted for expenses actually incurred. He must report fully in writing to The Grand Lodge at its annual session the State of the Order. The Grand Master must represent or cause a Representative to be appointed to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery during the annual Pilgrimage on behalf of this Grand Body. Funds for this event must be provided from the Grand Master's Promotional Fund. The Grand Master must visit all the lodges by the end of his term in Grand Lodge. ByThere are many more duties not mentioned in this short passage. For a more details, one must review the 'Grand Lodge Texas Code Book'. which is available to all members in good standing. The Grand Master's usually serve a one year term however, there are certain exceptions. Since 1841 there have been a few cases where a Grand Master has served more than a one year term . When the Grand Master has completed his term he is considered a Past Grand Master which comes with certain privileges that will not be discussed at this time. Below you will see several rows of pictures with each image indicating the Texas I.O.O.F. Grand Master for the year starting with the first Grand Master who was James A. Young (in 1841). We have made every effort to locate pictures for each Grand Master. Those without pictures have human icons. Each image is linked to the Grand Master’s Bio. A great effort has been made to locate interesting information for each Bio. We are still searching new data. If anyone has information that they would like to see added please contact us. Thank you. |
THE GRAND LODGE I.0.0.F. OF TEXAS
PAST GRAND MASTERS
To see list of PGMs click here
You may use the above search box to search within this website. For example, if you want to have a list of all the PGMs from Waco, Texas type the word 'waco'.
Click on images below to read the Past Grand Master's Bio.
We have made every effort to locate a picture of each PGM.
This website is a work in progress. We welcome any additions or corrections to the information provided.
If you have a picture or know of a picture of an I .O.O.F. Past Grand Master please CONTACT US
We have made every effort to locate a picture of each PGM.
This website is a work in progress. We welcome any additions or corrections to the information provided.
If you have a picture or know of a picture of an I .O.O.F. Past Grand Master please CONTACT US
* DECEASED
(a) - ELECTED TO FILL THE VACANCY CAUSED By THE RESIGNATION OF H. E. LOCKETT (b) - ELECTED VICE, D.C.GIBBINS, GRAND MASTER- ELECTED, RESIGNED (c) - J. S. RAMSAY ASSUMED DUTIES, of JOHN J. SEE who had RESIGNED. (d) - INSTALLED AND RESIGNED BECAUSE OF LEAVING THE STATE. |
(e) - ELECTED TO SUCCEED R. L WYNNE who had RESIGNED.
(f) - INSTALLED AND RESIGNED DUE TO ILL HEALTH. (g) - APPOINTED TO FILL VACANCY, R. C. COWAN, RESIGNED. (h) - D.G.M. NOT ELECTED - PREVIOUS G. M. RE-ELECTED. (j) - PREVIOUS G. M. FILLED 2nd TERM DUE TO COVID |
The image above is an interesting 1898 artistic depiction of pioneer I.O.O.F. Texas Leaders.
1. A. M. Dechman PGM
2. HON. W. L. Blanton PGM 3. HON. Ben S. Rogers PGM 4. P. De Cordova PGM 5. COL. Stillwell H. Russell PGR 6. Seth B. Strong PGM 7. Dr. T. W. Wiley PGM 8. C. A. Keller PGR 9. S. W. Porter PGT |
10. T. R. Anderson PGM
11. G. C. Fahm PGW 12. J. R. Gough PGM 13. D. Ludlow PGP 14. I. Popper PGP 15. Ben W. Rhine PGHP 16. W. M. Edwards PGM 17. Charles L. Saver PGS 18. John Spellmas PGP |
19. HON. James L. Autry PGM
20. HON. Charles R. Gibson PGM 21. Genevieve Shearer PPRA 22. MRS. Christine Benedict PPRA 23. MRS. Katie McCaulley PPRA 24. HON. Barnett Gibbs PGM 25. MRS. Lily McCracken PPRA 26. John T. Walton PGM 27. Judge W. R. Makemson PGM |
For list of I.O.O.F. acronyms click here.
Our Present I.O.O.F. Grand Master of Texas
“Disregard for the past will never do us any good.
Without it we cannot know truly who we are.”
- Syd Moore -
Without it we cannot know truly who we are.”
- Syd Moore -