Most Worshipful Brother Charles Fred Jennings

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1917.

Brother Charles Fred Jennings was born in Laramie, Wyoming, July 10th, 1873. He attended public schools and University of Wyoming at Laramie until he was seventeen years of age, when, for financial reasons, he felt compelled to abandon his ambition in an educational way, and instead took up the battle of life's problems for himself in 1890, and accepted the position as storekeeper for the Union Pacific Railway at Glenns Ferry, Idaho. The following year he was transferred by the company to a similar position at Laramie, Wyoming, remaining there two years, when again he was transferred to the company's store at Green River in the same state.

Brother Jennings came to Salt Lake City, his present home, in 1897, and until 1907 was employed by the Oregon Short Line Railway in their store and purchasing department from which position he resigned in the spring of that year to accept the position of purchasing agent for the Utah Copper company and allied interests, which position he still holds. Brother Jennings having spent so many years of his life in this line of work, and being particularly adapted for it, his services are valuable to the Utah Copper's managing force, and is so recognized by that company. When it is known that in this department he has general supervision over the purchasing of supplies and equipment to the amount of several millions of dollars each year, it will readily be seen that the position he occupies is a responsible one, and that he must of necessity be a man of ability in this line of work.

His office force has been carefully trained until its efficiency is second to none, and the large volume of business daily handled is, to the casual observer, transacted with apparent ease and accuracy.

Brother Jennings is both methodical and painstaking in all duties that he assumes, and the affairs of the Grand Lodge will, without question, be conducted in an efficient and businesslike manner during his incumbency as Grand Master.

Brother Jennings was married to Miss Nellie Crandall, February 10th, 1904, at Pocatello, Idaho, and besides he and Mrs. Jennings, the family consist of four children, two boys and two girls.

Masonic Record

Brother Jennings was initiated in Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 6, at Green River, Wyoming, August 9th; passed to the degree of Fellowcraft August 13th, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason September 6th, 1894. He was Senior Deacon of this Lodge in 1895; Senior Warden in 1896, and Worshipful Master in 1887. Affiliated with Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 2, at Salt Lake City, March 14th, 1898, and was elected Junior Warden in 1900; Senior Warden in 1901, and Worshipful Master in 1902. Received the Royal Arch Chapter degrees in Baalbec Chapter No. 4, at Green River, Wyoming, in 1895. Affiliated with Utah Chapter No. 1, at Salt Lake City, in 1898, of which he was High Priest in 1911. It was his term as High Priest of Utah Chapter No. 1, that he took an active part in the formation of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Utah; was its first Grand High Priest, and was again elected to that office the following year-1912. In 1913 he was the main factor in the formation of Salt Lake Chapter No. 5, and was its High Priest until dispensation, but retained his membership in Utah Chapter No. 1. Salt Lake Chapter No. 5, appreciating his services in their behalf, elected him to honorary membership in 1914.

Brother Jennings was made a member of Red Cross of Constantine, St. Bernard Conclave No. 25, at Salt Lake City, April 4th, 1914, of which he was Sovereign from 1914 to 1916, and Intendant General from 1914 to the present time. Received the order of High Priesthood at Laramie, Wyoming, in 1912, and was President of the Utah Convention from 1913 to 1916. Received the Cryptic Rite degrees of Royal and Select Masters in Tyrus Council U. D., at Green River, Wyoming, in 1896. Affiliated with Utah Council No. 1, at Salt Lake City, November 5th, 1903, and was elected as Illustrious Master for 1917. Created a Knight Templar in Ascalon Commandery No. 5, at Green River, Wyoming, in May, 1895. Affiliated with Utah Commandery No. 1, at Salt Lake City, in 1898, of which he was Eminent Commander in 1903 and 1904.

In the Grand Commandery of Utah he was Senior Grand Warden in 1910 and 1911, Grand Captain General in 1912; Grand Generalissimo in 1913; Deputy Grand Commander in 1915.

In the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Utah, he was Senior Grand Deacon in 1902; Junior Grand Warden in 1914; Senior Grand Warden in 1915; Deputy Grand Master in 1916, and at the Forty-sixth Annual Communication held at Salt Lake City, January 16 and 17, 1917, was elected and installed Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Utah.

Ref: Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Utah, 1917, facings pages.

*Brother Jennings died at Salt Lake City, Utah, December 27, 1921.

At the time of his death he was a valued member of the General Committee on the New Masonic Temple and had given cheerfully of his thought and time to this undertaking.

*Ref: Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Utah, 1922.

Electronically Transcribed as written without corrections to grammar or spelling by Aaron E. Saathoff, P.M., March, 2005.