Most Worshipful Brother Benjamin Rogers Howell

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1925.

Those who can satisfactorily recount the life-story of another within restricted limits, avoiding on the one hand the faults of a partizan and on the other the ear-marks of an obituary, all the while keeping within hailing distance of known facts-such are of the elect, they are born, not made. Envy of the possessor of such transcendent qualities on the part of the less fortunate should have no standing in the court of last resort. All this by the way.

In the last twenty-five years (including the present year) the Grand Lodge of Utah has entrusted the direction of its affairs to eight lawyers, and to eighteen business men and members of other professions. During the same period, with a proper and justifiable degree of caution, the brethren of Utah have utilized the services of but two preachers as Grand Masters. In fact, not until forty years of varied activities and experience had shown that Grand Lodge was firmly established and in a position to weather any gale, did it choose as its leader a man of the "cloth". This year our Grand Master is drawn from the ranks of the legal profession.

Benjamin Rogers Howell, fifty-first Grand Master (two of his predecessors served three years each) comes from a state whose gifted sons have made substantial contributions to the literature, statemanship, politics and military history of our country-Indiana. He was born at Rockville, Parke county, of that state, June 23, 1876, and is descended from a long line of old American stock. The first of the name to arrive in this country landed in 1639 at Boston, then little more than the starting-point of the winding cow-paths which long since-and with all their tortuous windings preserved-assumed the dignity of streets.

Our present Grand Master did his preparatory work in the public schools of his native town, going thence to Wabash College from which he graduated with an A. B. in 1897. He continued in his Alma Mater the year following his graduation as Fowler-Duhme Fellow in English. The next year, 1898-99 saw him at Columbia University where the year's work brought him his Master's degree. Upon the completion of his studies at Columbia he came to Utah and began work as instructor in English in the University of Utah, in the fall of 1899. Here he remained until 1907, in the meantime having been promoted to the position of Assistant Professor of English and Principal of the Preparatory School. Since the date just named he has practiced law in Salt Lake City.

Among connections highly prized by the Grand Master is membership in the honorary Greek letter fraternity Phi Beta Kappa. He also holds membership in Delta Tau Delta, Sons of the American Revolution, American Bar Association and the Utah Bar Association.

On June 16, 1917, Brother Howell married Miss Oatherine Margaret Richards, and to them two daughters have been born; Mary Catherine, September 9, 1918, and Jean Richards, January 11, 1922.

Grand Master Howell was initiated in Acacia Lodge U. D., May 8, 1911, Passed May 29, and Raised June 24, of the same year. From the very start he took an active interest in the work and affairs of the Lodge, and at the December election 1917, he was chosen Master of Acacia Lodge No. 17. At the close of his term of office as Master, he was elected Treasurer of the Lodge and has continued to serve in that capacity to the present time. In due time he became indentified with the other branches of Masonry as a member of Utah Chapter No.1 Royal Arch Masons, Utah Commandery No. 1 Knights Templar, Utah Council No.1 Royal and Select Masters, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and also with El Kalah Temple Mystic Shrine. At the meeting of the Supreme Council A. & A. S. Rite, S. J., October, 1923, he was elected to the rank and decoration of K. C. C. H.

In Grand Lodge Brother Howell served three years as Grand Lecturer giving most acceptable and efficient service in that position. At the Fifty-second Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, 1922, he was elected Junior Grand Warden and from that position went forward until January 21, of the present year when he was chosen Grand Master.

Such briefly is a catalogue of some of the waymarks in the life of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Utah. He brings to the duties of this high office a disciplined mind, a valuable experience in things Masonic, a seasoned judgment, a habit of thoroughness that permits of no slighting of details, high ideals, a personality which has won for him the confidence and esteem of the brethren, and a knowledge of conditions in the Lodges throughout the Jurisdiction such as has been possessed by few of his predecessors, and above all he appreciates the best things in literature and is a sympathetic student and lover of the great Out-of-doors.

It is hardly necessary to add that the members of the Craft in Utah are fully convinced that a high level of achievement will be reached in things Masonic during the present year.

Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 1925.

PGM, Benjamin Rogers Howell died on August 12, 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 1941, page 94.