Sir James Mellen GLEASON

Sir James Mellen GLEASON

Male 1833 - 1918  (85 years)
Person ID: I539034264  Marsh/Holcomb Branch  |  Last Modified: 19 May 2018


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  • Name James Mellen GLEASON 
    Title Sir 
    Birth 06 Oct 1833  Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Male 
    Died 15 Oct 1918 
    • MEMORIAL
      FROM PROCEEDINGS, 1918

      From Proceedings, Page 1918-271, Grand Master's Address:

      I exceedingly regret to be obliged to announce the decease of R.W. Brother James M. Gleason who passed from us on Tuesday, October 15, 1918. He became a member of this Grand Lodge in December, 1878, and was elected to Permanent Membership in 1887. For more than thirty years he cherished a deep interest in this Grand Body. Always present at the Quarterly Communications, always willing to serve in any capacity, prompt and efficient in every duty, wise and sympathetic in every case of want or distress - such was Brother Gleason, whose cordial greeting and cheerful disposition we shall greatly miss. His work was well done, his years full of activity, and his life crowned with charity and good will.

      From Proceedings, Page 1918-491:

      R. W. James Mellen Gleason, son of Josiah, Jr. and Susan Reed Morse Gleason, was born at Wardsboro, Vermont, October 6, 1833. He received his education in the public and private schools in his native town, at Springfield Wesleyan Seminary, Springfield, Vermont, and at French's Commercial College, Boston, Mass. He had taught school in Vermont four terms, probably the greater part of a year, when at twenty-three, in common with so many other New England country boys, he gravitated to Boston for his life work. Here he was a bookkeeper for seven years, and of the next seven years a hotel proprietor for three years. On March 1, 1870, he became Cashier of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, filling that position more than twenty-four years, when he became Treasurer, and served in that position until his retirement from business in 1911.

      His genealogical record shows him to be in the eighth generation from Thomas Gleason, of Sulgrave, Northamptonshire, England, who came to this country about 1632. It would be impossible to select a characteristic of our Brother which would apply singly to his many-sided life. He was an "all-round" good man, and viewed from any point measured up to the full stature of manliness. He was genial and wholesome to meet, faithful to every trust and to his friends, loyal to his country, his home, and to the Masonic Fraternity of which he was an honored member, charitable beyond anything we shall ever know, a liberal contributor to any cause which merited his attention and sympathy. As a memorial to his father and mother he caused to be erected in his native town a town hall which is said to have cost fifty thousand dollars. He was not given to discussing his gifts even with his close friends, and it is therefore impossible to record his benefactors.

      He enjoyed the society of his friends, as is evident by the following list of clubs and societies of which he was a member, which also indicates the diversity of his inclinations.

      New England Historic Genealogical Society
      Boston Art Club
      Appalachian Mountain Club
      Bostonian Society
      Young Men's Christian Union
      Vermont Association of Boston
      Vermont Veterans Association of Boston and Vicinity, Honorary Member
      Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Sergeant one year
      Knights of Rome and Red Cross of Constantine
      Edward W. Kinsley Post No. 113, G.A.R., Associate Member
      Algonquin Club
      Boston City Club
      Middlesex Club
      Massaehusetts Republican Club
      Siloam Lodge, No. 2, I.O.O.F.

      But with all his associations and connections there is no doubt his membership in the Masonic Fraternity rested nearest his heart and claimed and received his most intense devotion. In this he displayed the most untiring and efficient service as member of committee, or as a subordinate or presiding officer, without doubt obtaining more satisfaction from this connection than from any other outside his business.

      The following will indicate his activities in the various Masonic organizations. He received the Master Mason degree in Joseph Warren Lodge February 25, 1868, and membership March 24, 1868. He was respectively Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and Worshipful Master two years, 1877-1879. He was Treasurer of his Lodge twenty-five years, 1880-1905, when he was elected a Trustee, which office he held until his death.

      In Grand Lodge he served as Grand Pursuivant, 1881 and 1882; Grand Lecturer, 1884 to 1887 inclusive; a member of the Auditing Committee 1878 to 1880 inclusive, the last two years Chairman of the Committee; Chairman of the Committee on Returns 1880 to 1888, to which Committee he was later reappointed, being its Chairman at the time of his death; member of the Committee on Charters and By-Laws 1903-1907, and Senior Grand Warden in 1888. He was a member of the Worshipful Masters' Association of Boston, and one of the organizers of the District Deputy Grand Masters Association of which he continued an active and honored member.

      He received the Royal Arch Degree in Saint Andrew's Chapter January 20, 18n. serving as Chaplain two years, 1884-85. He received the Super-Excellent Degree in Boston Council Royal and Select Masters May 28, 1871, serving as Recorder seven years from 1873. He received the Order of the Temple in Boston Commandery No. 2, Knights Templars, November 20, 1872, when he served as Assistant Guard, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Captain General, Generalissimo, and Eminent Commander. In Grand Commandery he served on the Committee on Ritual in 1884 and as Grand Lecturer in 1890.

      He received the Grades in Boston Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and served two years as Secretary. He became a member of Giles F. Yates Council of Princes of Jerusalem October 6, 1871, Mount Olivet Chapter of Rose Croix October 20, 1871, and Massachusetts Consistory Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret November 3, 1871. He received the thirty-third degree and was enrolled an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, September 21, 1897. He received the Royal Order of Scotland September 19, 1898.

      He died October 15, 1918. Funeral services were held at the Second Unitarian Meeting House, Coolidge Corner, October 20, 1918. Rev. Dr. Van Ness and Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, officiating. In keeping with the well-known desires of our Brother, the service was of the simplest character, only Boston Commandery being represented officially by a guard of honor. After the ceremonies the remains were conveyed to Wardsboro, Vermont, for interment.

      So passes a good man and a good Mason, one who "Iived respected and dies regretted."

      Signed by the Committee,
      Dana J. Flanders
      Daniel W. Lawrence, Senior Permanent Member of the Grand Lodge,
      Leonard B. Nichols.
  • Parents

    Family ID: F00664 Group Sheet  |  Family Chart  
    Father Josiah GLEASON, Jr. (ID:I539034262),   b. 21 Apr 1803, Jamaica, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 07 Mar 1873, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 69 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Susan Read MORSE (ID:I539034263),   b. 1804, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 09 Jan 1866, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 62 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Marriage 06 Oct 1830 
    Children
    +1. MaleMartin Joseph GLEASON (ID:I539034211),   b. 31 Oct 1831, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 25 Jan 1891, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 59 years)
     2. MaleSir James Mellen GLEASON (ID:I539034264) (current person) ,   b. 06 Oct 1833, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Oct 1918 (Age 85 years)
     3. MaleEdson Garfield GLEASON (ID:I539034465),   b. 21 Jun 1835, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 Jul 1854 (Age 19 years)
     4. FemaleSarah Morse GLEASON (ID:I539034466),   b. 13 Feb 1838, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 10 Apr 1843 (Age 5 years)
     5. MaleWilliam Henry GLEASON (ID:I539034467),   b. 25 Apr 1840, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 26 Mar 1841, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 0 years)
     6. MaleWilliam Henry GLEASON (ID:I539034468),   b. 15 Nov 1843, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 03 Jan 1905, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 61 years)
  • Other Personal Events

    Knights Templar 18 Dec 1872  Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Listed as a Life and Honorary member 
    Masonic Membership 14 NOV1867  Joseph Warren Masonic Lodge,181 Lincoln Road Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Passed: 14 Jan 1868
    Raised: 25 Feb 1868
    Member: 24 Mar 1868
    Wor. Master: 1878-1879
    Grand Pursuivant: 1881-1882
    Grand Lecturer: 1883 - 1887
    Senior Grand Warden: 1888 
    Patriarch & Matriarch
    Thomas GLEASON,   b. Yes, date unknown   d. Yes, date unknown  (6 x Great Grandfather) 
    Susan Read MORSE,   b. 1804, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 09 Jan 1866, Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 62 years)  (Mother) 
  • Photos
    John Mellen Gleason
    John Mellon Gleason
    James Mellen Gleason
    James Mellen Gleason
    Past Em.,Com Boston Commandery
    Grand Lecturer Gd.,Com Knights Templar of
    Mass. and Rhode Island
    James Mellen Gleason
    James Mellen Gleason
    Folios
    By-laws and list of members of Boston Commandery of Knights Templars and the appendant orders : chartered march 3, 1806
    By-laws and list of members of Boston Commandery of Knights Templars and the appendant orders : chartered march 3, 1806
    Mason Membership Cards
    Massachusetts Mason Membership Cards 1733-1990 for James Mellen Gleason
    Massachusetts Mason Membership Cards 1733-1990 for James Mellen Gleason
    The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Massachusetts is the oldest Masonic lodge in the United States, dating back to 1733. This collection contains images of membership cards for men who belonged to that fraternal organization.

    Grand Lodges grant charters to smaller Masonic lodges, typically centered geographically, although the Massachusetts Grand Lodge at times included lodges in Panama, Chile, the People's Republic of China (meeting in Tokyo, Japan), and Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
    Albums  Marsh - Holcomb (70)
    Photographs of the Marsh and Holcomb Families

  • Event Map

    Link to Google MapsBirth - 06 Oct 1833 - Wardsboro, Windham, Vermont, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsKnights Templar - 18 Dec 1872 - Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Address Cemetery Location Village Town City County/Shire State Country Parish Province Region Township Area Continent Not Set
  • Reference  Mark and Amy Kosinski. "Sir James Mellen GLEASON". Four Branches Genealogy. http://www.fourbranches.org/tng/getperson.php?personID=I539034264&tree=mhkr (accessed March 29, 2024).

  • Source Citations

    1. [S00113] Godfrey Memorial Library, comp.. American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI), American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI), 338.

    2. [S580] Boston Commandery of Knights Templars, By-laws and list of members of Boston Commandery of Knights Templars and the appendant orders : chartered march 3, 1806, 71, 78, 80 and 147.

    3. [S574] Massachusetts Grand Lodge of Masons, Massachusetts Mason Membership Cards 1733-1990 for James Mellen Gleason, 6177.