MWPGM Archives - GL of AL

Howard Eugene Blackwell, PGM 1968-1969

Where he is known the best is where our new Grand Master is loved and respected the most. This certainly is a compliment to anyone and should make us all proud that we have elected him to serve this exalted station.

Brother Blackwell was born in Frisco City, Monroe County, Alabama, May 11, 1909, the son of William R. Blackwell and Susan V. Whatley Blackwell of that city. He attended the schools of Frisco City and graduated from Frisco City High School and the Mobile Business College. He also attended San Diego State College, San Diego, California. On December 2, 1938 he married Irma Lee Conway, Pensacola, Florida, and they have one son, Leslie Howard Blackwell, a junior partner in Blackwell Automotive Parts Company established by Howard E. Blackwell in 1958, in Satsuma, Alabama.

Brother Blackwell is a member of and active in the First Baptist Church of Satsuma. He has been a participant in civic, cultural and business affairs of the community, serving the Housing Authority of his City, the Industrial Board of his County and was a member of and President of Satsuma’s Town Council (city governing body) for eight years.

He was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Frisco City Lodge 702 F&AM, on October 19, 1944; Passed to the Degree Fellowcraft on October 23, 1944 and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on October 26, 1944. He became a Charter Member of Satsuma Lodge 899 on August 18, 1951 and is a Past Master of that Lodge. On November. 15, 1954 he qualified for the coveted Proficiency Certificate in the Alabama Ritual, his score being near perfect. He has served his lodge many years as Treasurer, which office he. now holds. He was appointed District Lecturer for Mobile and Baldwin Counties in November of 1955 and served until 1961, at which time he was promoted to the Committee, on Ritual Work, serving as its Chairman in 1963-64 and remaining on the committee until he was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge in November of 1965. He regularly advanced through the Senior Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master stations and was elevated to the exalted office of Grand Master of Masons in Alabama on November 20, 1968.

He is currently the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Turkey near the Grand Lodge of Alabama. Brother Blackwell was Exalted a Royal Arch Mason on April 15, 1949 in Mobile Chapter 21; Greeted a Royal and Select Master in Mobile Council 12 on April 22, 1949, and was Constituted a Knight Templar in Mobile Commandery No. 2 on May 13, 1949. He became a Charter Member of St. Bernard Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine in Mobile, and later presided as Sovereign. He is a Shriner in Abba Temple, Mobile. He became a Charter Member of Satsuma Chapter 515, Order of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Patron from 1954 to 1957. Thus you will determine that Masonry in Southwest Alabama in particular and in the whole State in general, has felt the touch of Howard Blackwell for the past two decades.

Fraternal associates will avouch for the fact that Brother Blackwell is a dedicated Mason, always ready to give freely of himself and his time to promote Masonry, thereby rendering service to God, country and fellowman. He has a deep and abiding faith that this endeavor will help to make this great land a better place in which to live and inspire others to keep the laws of the Supreme Architect of the Universe and show forth His praise in the world.

His tenure as Grand Master can only mature him in the faith, hope and charity begun in his early Masonry and continued to the very gateway of the venerable duty he now discharges as Alabama’s leading Mason.

William Lovard Lee, PGM 1931-1933

“William Lovard Lee was born April 17, 1873, in Clayton, Alabama, the son of Alto V. and Lillie(Lawrence) Lee. He was educated in the common schools of his native town and graduated from the University of Alabama in the year 1892. After teaching school for three years in Camden and Columbia, he was admitted to practice law in Clayton, Alabama on November 13, 1895, a profession he followed with great success and distinction. He served as Mayor of Columbia, Alabama from 1900 to 1904, was a member of the State Legislature in 1907, and Chairman of the Houston County Board of Education from 1914 to 1921. He was a member of the Democratic Executive Committee of the State of Alabama 1916 to 1920 and was Chairman of the Houston County Democratic Executive Committee for eight years.

He was married on December 9, 1896 to Miss Ellen Thomas and to their union seven children were born: William L. Lee, Jr. Wallace T. Lee, Eloise Lee, Wilellen Lee, Vela Lee, Dorothy Lee ,
and Alto V. Lee.

William Lovard Lee was initiated on August 24, 1901, in Columbia Lodge No. 135 of Columbia, Alabama, passed September 29, 1901 and raised October 14, 1901, serving this Lodge as Worshipful Master during the years 1904, 1905, and 1906.

In the Grand Lodge of Alabama he served as Chairman of the Committee on Appeals and on December 3, 1925 was elected Junior Grand Warden. He was regularly advanced and on December 2, 1931 was elected Grand Master, being re-elected on December 7, 1932.

He received the Capitular degrees in Dothan Chapter No. 113, of Dothan, Alabama, on July 24, 1903; demitting from this Chapter on May 8, 1908, to become a Charter member and the first High Priest of Columbia Chapter No. 138, of Columbia, Alabama and served as High Priest from 1908 to 1912 and again from 1914 to 1916. He received the Order of High Priesthood on December 3, 1912 . In the Grand Chapter of Alabama he was appointed Grand Master of the First Veil on December 3, 1912, was successively advanced and on November 30, 1920, was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest. He received the Cryptic degrees in Montgomery Council No. 3 of Montgomery, Alabama on December 2, 1912. He was knighted in Dothan Commandery No. 25 of Dothan, Alabama on March 25, 1908 and was a member of Zamora Temple A.A.O. N.M.S. of Birmingham, Alabama.

Upon assuming office as Grand Master, he found the treasury empty, with an indebtedness of $40,000.00 with no appreciable income for the past year, the expense of the Grand Lodge before him, and the Masonic home, the symbol of our love, with 428 residents to care for, with no cash on hand and no revenues to look forward to. William Lovard Lee was a man, led by God, who came into the hearts of Masonic Brethren and caused them to sense the great responsibility resting upon them. Under the leadership of this man, we began to set our house in order, and with our trust in God, and our brotherly love re-exemplified, our great lights rebrightened.

William Lovard Lee passed away on December 28, 1944.”

Robert F. Lovelady, PGM 1929-1931

“Robert F. Lovelady was born on a farm near Danville, Morgan County, Alabama, and was educated in the public schools of Morgan County. At an early age he studied pharmacy and opened a drug store in Pratt City, now Birmingham. Later he engaged in the wholesale and retail drug business in Birmingham. He was elected president of the State Pharmaceutical Association of Alabama and represented Alabama at the National Retail Drug Association. In 1907 he was elected to the State Legislature to represent Jefferson County, Alabama. He was a member of the Committee on Education and Temperance and took an active part in the cause of both introducing the State Local Option Bill that became law. In 1908 he was elected a member of the Board of Revenue of Jefferson County and served as President 12 years. He also served as Chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee. Govenor Brandon appointed him in 1924 a member of the Jury Commission of Jefferson County and in 1925 he was appointed private secretary to John H. Taylor, Commissioner of the City of Birmingham. He was appointed Superintendent of the Hillman Hospital, Birmingham in January 1930. Bro. Lovelady was a Methodist and served as President of the Board of Missions for twenty years. He served as a Sunday School Superintendent for 25 years.

He was initiated in Florida Lodge No. 450, A.F.& A. M., October, 11, 1890, passed October 25, raised November 8, 1890. He represented his Lodge in 1894 as Junior Warden; and had not missed a Grand Lodge meeting since that time—37 years. He was elected Master of his Lodge in June, 1895 and served for two years. Bro. Lovelady served the Grand Lodge as Chairman of the Committee on Lodges Under Dispensation for many years and on December 4, 1924, was elected Junior Grand Warden. He was regularly advanced and on December 4, 1929, was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master, being re-elected to that office on December 3, 1930.

He received the degree of Mark Master in Pratt City Chapter No. 108 of Pratt City, Alabama, on April 17, 1893; Past Master, May 1, 1893; Most Excellent Master, May 20, 1893, and Royal arch June 15, 1893. Bro. Lovelady served this Chapter as High Priest for the years 1898, 1902 and 1904. He received the Cryptic Degrees in Sam Thompson Council No. 43, of Birmingham, Alabama, on December 4, 1894 and was knighted in Cyrene Commandery No. 10, Knights Templar, of Birmingham, Alabama, on December 4, 1894. He was a member of Ludie Little Chapter No. 343, O.E. S., of Pratt City, Alabama. He was a member of Birmingham Consistory No. 1, A. A. S. R. S. J., of Birmingham, Alabama. He was a member of Zamora Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. of Birmingham, Alabama.

“He was a man of delightful and charming personality, sound business ability, a civic, religious and political leader and was highly esteemed, respected and held in the highest regard by all who know him.”

On March 23, 1946, Past Grand Master, Robert F. Lovelady passed away and On March 24, 1946, Masonic Services were held in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Birmingham, Alabama.”
Lxv [1930 Pro][1946 Pro] [Grand Masters of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons The State of Alabama 1821-2008 by Donna R. Causey]

Henry Clanton Miller, PGM 1913-1915

“Henry Clanton Miller was born March 1st 1804, in Danville, Morgan County, Alabama, the second son of Dr. Nathan and Elizabeth Grizelle (Torrence) Miller; his father, a Royal Arch Mason was of Scotch-Irish and German descent from the Virginia families of Miller; his mother’s side was also of Scotch-Irish descent, her family being a branch of the Western N. C. Torrences. His boyhood days were spent in a wholesome atmosphere among a people of sterling qualities and high ideals; he received his early education under the tutelage of some of the best teachers of Alabama, later attending the State Normal College at Florence, and the Danville College. In his early manhood he came with his parents to Birmingham, and soon thereafter married Miss Margaret Brittain, who lived only two years; he was thereafter engaged in teaching for four years and was thereafter appointed Deputy Clerk and Register of the City Court of Birmingham. He continued in that service until he was elected Treasurer of Jefferson County. In 1914 he was engaged in the practice of law in the City of Birmingham. In 1890 he was married to Miss Sara Dagg of Kentucky, a young woman of rare charms and accomplishments, an artist of acknowledged genius, a musician of rare attainments, a linguist of note, and a recognized Queen of the Home, which was blessed with two girls and three boys. Her father and grandfather were two eminent Baptist ministers and teachers who were for many years President and professor in the Tuscaloosa Athenaeum and Mercer Univ., and her uncle Noah K. Davis was for many years at professor in Howard College, while it was located in Marion, and also a professor in the University of Virginia.

Bro. Miller was initiated in Birmingham Frat. Lodge No. 384 on July 18, 1892, passed Aug. 1, 1892, and raised Aug. 8, 1892. On Aug. 8, 1895 he demitted and became a charter member of Myles J. Greene Lodge No. 530; demitted from this Lodge and on Dec. 2, 1898, affiliated with East Lake Lodge No. 480. On June 26, 1900 he was elected Worshipful Master and served as such until 1903. On Nov. 30, 1905 he affiliated with Birmingham Temple Lodge No. 636 and was appointed “Lecturer” and presented with a gold watch and chain…..He received the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross in Cyrene Commandery No. 10, of Birmingham, Alabama on April 6, 1906, the Order of the Temple April 9, 1906 and the Order of Knight of Malta on Sep. 20, 1907. He was a member of the A. A.S.R. for the Southern Jurisdiction, having attained the 32nd degree, and received the degrees of the Rite as follows: Birmingham Lodge of Perfection No. 2, May 20, 1903; Birmingham Chapter of Rose Croix No. 2, May 20, 1903;…..

He was a member of Zamora Temple A.A. O. N. M. S; a member of Electa Chapter No. 16, O.E. S. of Avondale, Alabama…. On March 1, 1907, he was appointed Lecturer for the 10th Masonic District of Alabama. He was active in support of the Constitutional amendment providing for the Masonic Home, and was an active member of the Home Committee until the issue was carried….He was as well versed in the ritual of the first three degrees as any man in this State, and has done incalculable good to the Craft by his many visitations to Lodges. He was one of our most competent and effective workers and was beloved by the entire membership of this Jurisdiction. Bro. Miller passed away March 1, 1935.”

James McCaleb Wiley, PGM 1856-1858

“James McCaleb Wiley resided in Pike County, Alabama. He was born in Cabarrus Co. North Carolina March 12th, 1806, and came with his parents to Alabama in 1818. They settled in Lawrence County. James relocated to Dallas in 1824 and became a physician in 1826. He read law shortly after, and was licensed. In 1829 he removed to Louisiana and in 1832 to Mexico, where he became a military officer. In 1836 he returned to the State, and began to practice law in Butler Co. In 1839 he was appointed Register in Chancery of Barbour and removed to Clayton. He was elected Major General of the Militia in 1843. He practiced in partnership with Messrs. Shep Ruffin and B. B. McCraw. In 1865 he was appointed to the Circuit Court bench and was elected to Congress in 1866 but was not permitted to hold the seat. In 1868 he became Judge of the Circuit Court.

Judge Wiley was of portly figure and impressive appearance. He was dignified and impartial on the bench and a citizen of moral habits and public spirit.

He married a daughter of Hon. Randall Duckworth of Dallas, and two of his sons became attorneys. Judge Wiley passed away Dec. 2nd, 1877.

STERLING A. M. WOOD, PGM 1854-1855

“STERLING A.M. WOOD was a citizen of Tuscaloosa, but a native of Lauderdale. He was born in 1823 and took a collegiate course. Later, he read law in Columbia, Tennessee, was admitted to the bar in 1845 and became the partner of his brother at Florence. In 1857 he represented Lauderdale in the legislature, and was at that session elected District Solicitor, a position he filled until 1861 when he went into the service as captain of the first company that left Lauderdale. He was elected colonel when the 7th Alabama Infantry was organized in May. STERLING remained with his regiment at Pensacola till ordered to Bowling Green, Ky., in Feb 1862. In March, he was commissioned as Brigadier General. At Shiloh, he commanded the 16th and 23rd Al, 27th and 44th Tenn., and 32nd Miss. regiments. The 44th Tenn. was afterwards taken away, as well as the 45th Al regiment. GIBSON’S ALABAMA and NEWMANS’ TENNESSEE. battalions were substituted. This splendid brigade was led by Sterling at Perryville, Murfreesboro, and Chickamauga. Perryville He was struck on the head by a shell fragment at Perryville and disabled for several weeks. He resigned in 1863, and practiced law in Tuscaloosa after the War.

GENERAL WOOD was six feet two inches and one of the finest looking men in the service. As a speaker he was fluent and eloquent, and ranked well at the bar. He was Master of the Grand Lodge of the Masons of this State for two years.

He married a MISS LEFTWICH of Virginia.”

David Clopton, PGM 1851-1854

“A native of Putnam County, Georgia, David Clopton was born Sept. 29, 1820 to and Miss Kendrick and Dr. R. Alford Clopton, a Virginian by birth and several times a member of the Georgia legislature. Dr. Clopton practiced medicine in Georgia many years. His parents settled in Macon County in 1843 where his father was President of the Bank and then became a planter. Dr. Clopton died Feb. 1870 in Montgomery at eighty-three years of age.

David graduated from Randolph-Macon College, read law under Hon. Absalom H. Chappell, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. After practicing a short time in Georgia, he relocated to Tuskegee in 1844. His first associate was Mr. Solomon L. Pope; his second was Hon. R. F. Ligon, a partnership that lasted nineteen years and made profitable to both. David’s name was before the legislature once or twice for Justice of the Supreme Court but he was not elected. In 1859 he was nominated by his party for Congress against his written remonstrance and was elected after one of the hottest canvasses ever witnessed in the State, defeating Hon. T. J. Judge of Montgomery 221 votes. He served till his State seceded from the Union and then retired with his delegation. Soon after his return home, David volunteered as a private in the 12th Al. Infantry, and served till the close of 1861. After his election, David took his seat in the first Confederate Congress. In 1863 he was reelected over Mr. John H. Cadenhead of Macon and remained in Congress till the downfall of the Confederacy. Afterwards, he only took a quiet interest in public affairs and practicing his profession in Montgomery since 1866.”

“In the early history of the Alabama, after the conclusion of the treaty of Fort Jackson, people poured into the state from Virginia, the two Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. The state was so quickly populated that the State Government felt that an Immigration Board was needed. David Clopton was a Director appointed to the First Board of Immigration in 1875.”

In October 1884, Governor O’Neal appointed Judge Clopton to the Supreme Court Bench. Judge Clopton was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Sheffield, also of the Sheffield Coal and Iron Company and was director in each of the corporations.

Mr. Clopton was a frail figure. His hair was black, complexion and eyes dark. The intellectual in him was predominant. He was a close student and an indefatigable worker. All his arguments were pointed, precise and perspicuous. His oratory was chaste, scholarly and finished. The purity of his life was exceptionable even among pious persons and he was exemplary in all the walks of a Christian gentleman.

Mr. Clopton’s first wife was a sister of Gov. R. F. Ligon of Macon. She died in 1867. His second a Mrs. Chambers of Columbus, Georgia. One of his daughters married Mr. Clifford A. Lanier of Montgomery Co, author of “Thorn-Fruit” and “Two-hundred Bales,” two volumes of romance. She died in 1885. He married a third time the widow of Clement C. Clay, Nov. 29, 1887 in Huntsville.

William Hendrix, PGM 1850-1851

WILLIAM HENDRIX was Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter 1847-48-49 and Grand Master in 1850. He was a member of Rising Sun Lodge in 1894.

RUFUS GREENE, PGM 1847-1849

RUFUS GREENE was Grand Master in 1847-48-49 and Grand Master of the Grand Council 1848-49-50. He was also Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter in 1850.

*He may have lived in Mobile and if so was involved in education and started the Male and Female Academy in Mobile, Alabama.

Billy Jackson, PGM 2021-2022

Tommy Morrow, PGM 2020-2021

Jon Michael Taylor, PGM 2019-2020

Brother Jon Michael Taylor was born on September 8th, 1966 and was raised in Tarrant, Alabama. He graduated from Tarrant High School in 1984 and the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1992. He has also earned degrees from the Community College of the Air Force, Jefferson State Community College, and the Air War College. He earned his Master’s Degree from the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in 2010.

He was initiated in Dolcito Masonic Lodge #596 located in Tarrant, Alabama on November 21st, 1987. He was Passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft on December 14th, 1987, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on January 23rd, 1988. He progressed through the Chairs of Dolcito Lodge #596 and was elected to serve as Worshipful Master during 1994 – 1995. He has served as Secretary of Dolcito Lodge since July 2001.

His service to the Grand Lodge of Alabama began when he was appointed to serve as Worshipful Junior Grand Deacon of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Fee and Accepted Masons of the State of Alabama in November 1995 by Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Gene Grooms. He was also appointed to serve as the Right Worshipful Grand Historian in November 1996 by Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Larry Wortham. He was appointed as District Lecturer for the 19th Masonic District in November 2007 and served in that capacity until his election as Junior Grand Warden in November 2016.

He was initiated into the York Rite Bodies in Woodlawn Chapter #146, Woodlawn Council #71, and Woodlawn Commandery #31 in 1991 and Boyles Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star #104 in 1996.

He is a current member of the Center Point Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star #416, Birmingham-Metro York Rite Bodies, the Royal Order of Scotland, the Saint Dunstan Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, Emrys W. John #179 York Rite College, the Old Cahaba Council #339 Allied Masonic Degrees, and Zamora Shrine. On October 26th, 2019, he was invested with the rank of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in the Valley of Birmingham Scottish Rite.

He enlisted into the Alabama Air National Guard in July 1986 and served in various assignments in the 117th Mission Support Group and the 117th Air Refueling Wing. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in August 1999 as a distinguished graduate of the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has commanded the 117th Communications Squadron and the 117th Intelligence Squadron. He also served as the Deputy Mission Support Group Commander for the 117th Air Refueling Wing. He has deployed to the United Arab Emirates, England, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, and Guam in direct support of Operations Desert Shield, Joint Forge, Allied Force, and Enduring Freedom.

He currently holds the rank of Colonel and is assigned to the National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Montgomery, Alabama where he serves as the Director of Staff for the Alabama Air National Guard. He is responsible for leading, directing, and managing all Air National Guard functions and direct program operations throughout the State of Alabama. As the state’s senior full-time Air National Guard Management official, he serves as a principal executive advisor to the Adjutant General and oversees and directs a variety of comprehensive military operations to include two Flying Wings, one Combat Communications Group, one Combat Communications Squadron, one Intelligence Squadron, and one Special Operations Communications Squadron.

He is the son of James Milton Taylor, a 62 Year Alabama Master Mason and Bonnie Taylor, a 60 year member of the Eastern Star. He is married to Aletha Taylor and they are active members of Pinson Church of Christ. They have three children: Daughters Casey and Hannah, and son Matt who was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Dolcito Lodge #596 in September 2018. They all live in Remlap, Alabama.

1 2 3 … 12