proxy for the Thrice Illustrious Master he was elected Grand Steward in the Grand Council of Michigan, and steadily advanced until called to the Grand East as Most Illustrious Grand Master in 1896. He has for several years served as Grand Representative of Ontario, near Michigan.

He was dubbed and created a Knight Templar in Apollo Commandery, No. 31, at Ludington, October 24, 1883. He crossed the hot sands of the desert and joined the forces of Saladin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Grand Rapids, February 21, 1896.

Companion McMahon served for a term as Trustee of the Michigan Masonic Home at Grand Rapids. He is a member of the Michigan Knights of the Grip. His church affiliations are as a member of Brewster Congregational Church of Detroit.

LOYD B. HESS.

GRAND MASTER, 1897.

Companion Loyd B. Hess was born in Bloomburg, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1850, and came to Michigan in early life. In 1878 he was married to Miss Bell Hart, of Three Rivers, which union was blessed with three sons.

For a number of years he was cashier of the First National Bank at Centreville, and in 1894 he removed to Grand Rapids and was engaged in the insurance business, in which he continued to the time of his death.

His Masonic record is as follows: He was made Master Mason in Three Rivers Lodge, No. 57, August 13, 1872; was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Salathiel Chapter, No. 23, Three Rivers, May 23, 1873, and was High Priest of that Chapter in 1893 and 1894. Was made a Royal and Select Master in Nebuzaradan Council, No. 37, at Three Rivers, December 3, 1883, and was its Thrice Illustrious Master during 1891 and 1892. He was Knighted in Three Rivers Commandery, No. 29, January 7, 1874, and was Eminent Commander in 1884.

In 1892 he was elected Grand Steward of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Michigan, from which station he was advanced year by year, until in 1897 he was elected Most Illustrious Grand Master.

He was a most genial and warm-hearted man and had a pleasant greeting for all.

He died at his home in the city of Grand Rapids on the tenth day of June, 1901, and his burial was at Three Rivers, the services being conducted by the Commandery of which he was a member.

CHARLES M. NORTON.

GRAND MASTER, 1898.

GRAND TREASURER, 1899 TO

Charles M. Norton was born October 30, 1847, in Depauville, Jefferson County, New York. His parents were Helon and Nancy (Richardson) Norton, and with them he removed to Maumee, Ohio, in 1854. Ten years later, January 2, 1864, he enlisted in Battery H, First Ohio Light Infantry, and served until the end of the war.

He started to learn the hardware and tinware business at Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1865, and he seems to have had a strong liking for his first love as he still sells nails and milk pans.

November 26, 1868, he was united in marriage to Sarah C. Merry, of Perrsyburg, and two sons, Earl M. and Bert R., were born to them. Later he removed to Michigan and resided in Leslie and Ypsilanti, and in 1891 he removed to Lansing, which is his present home.

He received the Symbolic degrees in Phoenix Lodge, No. 123, at Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1869; was exalted a Royal Arch Mason, May 23, 1884, in Leslie Chapter, No. 100, at Leslie, Michigan. He passed the Circle of Perfection in the Cryptic Rite in Leslie Council, No. 50, at Leslie, December 11, 1884, and was dubbed a Knight Templar in Jackson Commandery, No. 9, K. T., September 23, 1885, at Jackson, Michigan. He was made a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, June 30, 1887, in Michigan Sovereign Consistory at Detroit, and is one of the "Old Guard." He was made a member of Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., June 30, 1887.

In 1891 Companion Norton was elected Grand Master of the First Veil in the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Michigan and was steadily advanced until in 1898 he was elected to preside over the Royal Craft.

In 1894 he was first elected to the official grade of Grand Conductor of the Council in Grand Council and in 1898 he was elected Grand Master, thus enjoying the distinguished and unusual honor of presiding over two Grand Bodies of Masonry the same year. June 27, 1899, after the death of George H. Greene, Grand Treasurer of the Grand Council, Companion Norton was appointed to fill the vacancy and has been continuously re-elected to that position of trust and responsibility each year.

Companion Norton has a wide acquaintance throughout the state and his friendship is highly prized by all who know him. When not busy hustling stoves or jack knives he may be found in a quiet nook patiently endeavoring to lure a member of the finny tribe from its native element.