George Mayhew Moulton
20th Most Eminent Grand Master, 1904-1907

George M. Moulton was Born in Readsboro, Vermont, on March 15, 1851, of colonial and revolutionary ancestry. He was educated in the public schools of Chicago, to which city his parents had moved in 1853. On his graduation in 1868 from Central High School, he entered his father's business, that of designing and building grain elevators.
In January, 1870, he went with his father to Duluth and aided in the construction of the first grain elevator built in that section of the country. He was secretary to the vice-president and general manager of the Elevator Company at that time. From that time on he became actively engaged in designing and constructing grain elevators in all parts of the country. During his later years, after the entrance of his son into the firm, he extended his building interests to include several of the large business buildings in Chicago, Columbus and Syracuse. In 1905 he became associated with Western Life Indemnity Insurance Company of which he became president, devoting his entire time to it until he retired in 1925 on account of failing health.
On March 12, 1873 he married Anna Flora Garland, to which union two children were born. Mrs. Moulton died in 1916.
In 1886 he was commissioned as major in the Second Regiment Illinois National Guard, and later as colonel of the Second Infantry Illinois National Guard. When his regiment was called into service in the Spanish American War, he was mustered into the United States Army in May, 1898. His regiment formed part of the Army of Occupation of Cuba. He was detached from his command and detailed on special duty in Havana to organize the police department, becoming the first mayor and the first chief of police of Havana under the American flag. Returning from this war service, he was appointed aide de camp and subsequently inspector general of the Illinois National Guard on the governor's staff. On July 4, 1907, the governor of Illinois commissioned him as major-general and assigned him to the command of the First Brigade of the Illinois National Guard stationed at Chicago.
He passed away in Chicago, on July 24, 1927.
Sir Knight Moulton was an ardent Mason and held, it has been said, more Masonic offices than any member of the order. These cover every recognized branch of the Craft.
He was made a Master Mason in Covenant Lodge No. 526 of Chicago on February 26, 1875. He was Worshipful Master in 1892. In the Grand Lodge of Illinois he was elected Senior Grand Deacon in 1893, and Grand Master in 1901 and again in 1902.
He was exalted in Corinthian Chapter No. 69 on May 13, 1875, and served as High Priest in 1886. The next year he was elected Grand Master of the First Veil in the Grand Chapter of Illinois and Grand High Priest in 1895. He received the Order of High Priesthood in October 1886.
He was greeted a Royal and Select Master in Siloam Council No. 53 on August 7, 1875, later affiliating with Chicago Council No. 4 of which he became Thrice Illustrious Master in 1884 and again in 1893. He was elected Grand Master of the Grand Council of Illinois in 1889.
In the Scottish Rite, Sir Knight Moulton received the 32° in Oriental Consistory on June 4, 1880. He was crowned a Sovereign Grand Inspector General 330 of the Northern Jurisdiction on September 20, 1887, at Providence, Rhode Island.
Sir Knight Moulton attained distinction in the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine. He was created a Knight of the Red Cross in the Grand Imperial Council of Illinois in 1875. He served as Sovereign of St. John's Conclave No. 1 in 1894, and subsequently as M.I. Grand Sovereign of the Imperial Council, Empire of the West in 1899. Later he severed his connection with the Imperial Council and became an active member of the Supreme Grand Chapter of the Grand Cross of Constantine of which he was elected Grand Sovereign. He received the Order of the Grand Cross in 1899.
Sir Knight Moulton was a member of Medinah Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of the Royal Order of Scotland, and of Queen Esther Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was one of the incorporators of the Illinois Masonic Orphans Home and served as its president for five years.
He was created a Knight Templar in St. Bernard Commandery No. 35 of Chicago on September 1, 1875, and served as Eminent Commander in 1883. In 1885 he was elected Grand Sword Bearer in the Grand Commandery of Illinois and in 1890 Grand Commander.
At the Twenty-fourth Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment held in Washington in 1889, he was appointed Grand Standard Bearer, and in 1904 was elected Grand Master.
From 1905 until his death he was a Trustee of the Grand Encampment Permanent Fund, and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Grand Encampment. He was present at every Conclave from 1889 to 1925. In 1904 he was appointed Knight Commander of the Holy House of the Temple by Earl of Euston at the Conclave held in San Francisco.
Sir Knight Moulton lived a life crowded with activity and accomplishment. With indomitable will and tireless perseverance, he achieved success in every line of endeavor to which he directed his talents. He always gave his best, and the record of his life bears testimony to the success of his creed and ideals. He was always ready to extend a helping hand to those who came to him for encouragement or assistance. For more than half a century he devoted himself unselfishly and wholeheartedly to Templarism.

Reference: From Dr. Francis J. Scully's...History of the Grand Encampment, Chapter XXIII, Biographies Of The Grand Masters, as published in the Knight Templar Magazine


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