Most Worshipful Brother Charles Francis Barrett

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1930.

For the third time in its history the Grand Lodge of Utah has for its leader a native son of the Bee Hive State. Brothers W. J. Lynch, 1902, and Dana T. Smith, 1927, share this distinction with our present Grand Master.

Charles Francis Barrett was born at Fort Douglas, Utah, March 19, 1873. After following the fortunes of the army-with which his father was connected-for about seven years, he returned to this State and Utah has since been his home, save for intervals of a year or two (between the ages of 22 and 30) when he was engaged in construction work in connection with hydraulic power enterprises and water-works systems.

He was educated in the public schools and the Brigham Young University at Provo. He studied law in the offices of Saxey and Edwards and was admitted to practice in the First District Court of the Territory of Utah in 1895. With the passing of his father in the year just named, he assumed the care of the family, and engaged in construction work as indicated in a previous paragraph. He was made supervisor of water-works for the D. & R. G. Railway, April 1st, 1904, with headquarters in Salt Lake. When the Commission form of government was adopted in Salt Lake, January 1st, 1912, he became superintendent of the city's water-works, in which position he continued until March 15, 1918, when he resigned to enter the Hathaway Agency, Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. Six years later, January 1st, 1922, he became manager of this agency, and has continued in that position to the present time.

The Grand Master married Miss Myrtle Budge, of American Falls, Idaho, June 6th, 1920. To them two sons-one of which was taken by death at an early age-and a daughter, Lois, were born. Maurice, the oldest was made a Mason some years ago by the Grand Master, and is a member of his father's Lodge, Acacia Lodge No. 17.

Brother Barrett was initiated an Entered Apprentice, in Weber Lodge No.6, October 10th; passed November 26th, and raised December 3rd, 1903. He dimitted December 7, 1911, and affiliated with Acacia Lodge No. 17, April 6th, 1912. His name appears in the Roster of Officers in his Lodge as Junior Steward in 1914, and he was regularly advanced and was elected Worshipful Master in December, 1918.

In Grand Lodge he was appointed Grand Marshal in 1927, elected Junior Grand Warden in 1928, Senior Grand Warden in 1929 and Grand Master in January of the present year, our Deputy Grand Master, R.W., J. Walter Ellingson having left the Jurisdiction.

He is a member of Salt Lake Chapter No.5, R.A.M.; was made a Master of the Royal Secret, A. & A. S. Rite with the spring class, May 1916, and has taken an active part in the degree work of the Bodies. He has presided in James Lowe Chapter Rose Croix and SaIt Lake Council of Kadosh, and at the present time he is Prelate in Utah Consistory.

He was elected Knight Commander Court of Honor, October 18th, 1921, and on October 25, 1929, he was coroneted an Inspector General Honorary.

Brother Barrett was initiated in El Kalah Temple, Mystic Shrine, October 18, 1916, served as Captain of the Guard, 1924 and has been regularly advanced, at the present time being Chief Rabban.

With a varied and extensive experience in the business world, years of activity in Masonry, possession of mental equipment and of those qualities of character which fit one for large responsibilities. the Craft of the Jurisdiction are assured of another successful administration of the affairs of the Fraternity under the leadership of Grand Master Barrett.

Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 1930.

PGM, Charles Francis Barrett died on February 12, 1957 in Whitter, California. Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings, 1958, page 102.