Timothy Chase, Seventeenth Grand Master
Most Worshipful Timothy Chase was a native of Massachusetts until about twenty-five years of age, when he came to Belfast in 1818, to pass the remainder of his life in a mercantile career. He was initiated into Masonry in Fayette Lodge at Carleton, Mass., in 1816, and on taking up residence in Belfast became a member of Belfast Lodge, which afterward became our present Phoenix Lodge, No. 24. He was appointed as Steward of the lodge at the same meeting he became a member, and continued in line and in the active work of the lodge until elected as its Master, which position he filled with honor to himself and pleasure to his brethren, for three years, declining a re-election. He was District Deputy Grand Master in 1849; Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge in 1850; Senior Grand Warden in 1851 and 1852; Deputy Grand Master in 1853, and Grand Master in 1854; served one term and declined a re-election. In 1865, a new lodge was formed in Belfast, which was named Timothy Chase Lodge in his honor, and of which he became a charter member, and is one of the few instances in this Grand Jurisdiction where a lodge has been named for a living individual. He was one of the founders of St. John's Commandery, No. 3, K. T., of Bangor. In Grand Chapter he served as Grand King in 1850, and was promoted to the position of Grand High Priest in 1853, and re-elected in 1854. Brother Chase died at his home in Belfast, on March 6, 1875, more than eighty years of age, and having been an active member of the craft for more than sixty years.
John Miller, Eighteenth Grand Master
Most Worshipful John Miller was a resident of Warren at the time he was elected Grand Master, in 1855. He received his Masonic degrees in Amity Lodge at Camden prior to 1810, and was a member of St. George Lodge, at Warren, from 1814 until his death. He appears to have been Master of St. George Lodge in 1820, at the time of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Maine, and was one of the delegates who participated in that event. He was District Deputy Grand Master in 1826 and 1827. In 1828, he was authorized to give the lectures and instructions in the lodges, a position he held until 1845. In 1855, he was a member of the committee which revised the work and lectures. In civil life Brother Miller was a member of the Constitutional Convention which framed the Constitution of the State of Maine, and was a member of the first Legislature in 1820, also the second in 1821. He was County Commissioner for Lincoln County from 1831 to 1838. He died in Warren, June 1, 1857, at the age of seventy-six years.
Jabez True, Nineteenth Grand Master
Most Worshipful Brother True was born in Poland, Maine, November 22, 1797. He received such an education as the common schools and academies afforded, and then engaged in teaching. In 1829, he settled in Shirley, but in 1833 he removed to Bangor and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1863, he removed to Portland where he resided until his death, April 5, 1869. He was an active and succesful business man, honorable in his dealing, commanding the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He was much in public life. In 1826 and 1827, he was a member of the House of Representatives; from 1843 to 1851, Sheriff of Penobscot County; State Senator in 1859 and 1860; Paymaster in the Army from 1861 to 1863; and at the time of his death was an officer of the Customs at Portland. He was made a Mason, July 24, 1820, in Cumberland Lodge at New Gloucester, Brother Samuel Fessenden, afterward Grand Master, being at the time Master of Cumberland Lodge. When he removed to Bangor he took an active part in resuscitating Rising Virtue Lodge, of which he was for many years an active and zealous member. He served his lodge as Senior Warden in 1851, and as Master in 1852 and 1853. He was District Deputy Grand Master in 1848 and 1849; was elected Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in 1855, and Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1856, serving but one year in that capacity.
Hiram Chase, Twentieth Grand Master
Most Worshipful Hiram Chase was elected the twentieth Grand Master in 1858, and re-elected the following year, thus serving the Grand Lodge during the period of reconstruction after the anti-masonic depression. His wise administration of its affairs during his term was at the time, and has ever since been a power to the institution. Most Worshipful Brother Chase was born in Charleston, Mass., December 4, 1817, and the following year his parents moved to Belfast, and he was ever after a resident of that place. He served as Postmaster for many years receiving his first appointment from President Lincoln, in 1862. He also held at different times many positions of trust, called by his fellow citizens. Initiated in Phoenix Lodge, No. 24, in 1846, he served as Master of the lodge in 1854. At the session of the Grand Lodge for that year his father, M. W. Timothy Chase, was elected Grand Master, and succeeding him four years later himself as Grand Master, it presents the only instance in this State where the highest office within the gift of the Brethren has been bestowed upon a father and son. Brother Chase died at his home in Belfast on April 6, 1900, and in accord with his expressed wish he was buried by the Grand Lodge of Maine in special session on Sunday, April 8th, Most Worshipful Winfield S. Choate, Grand Master, officiating.
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