Most Worshipful Brother Frederick Clement Schramm

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1909.

"He was a man, take him all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again."

To those who have known Frederick Clement Schramm through the years these words seem peculiarly applicable to him.

This does not mean that there will not be-and not now-among us men of vision; of initiative; capable of doing large things in a large way; possessed of qualities necessary to successful leadership, and of personality which will win for them recognition and high place among their fellows, and the unswerving loyalty of associates and friends. But it does mean that for one of his many-sided character; diversity of interests; powers of attraction, and the supreme gift of friendship in large measure-these combined in right proportions with the others, and all shot through with a warm, throbbing, sympathetic vitality and understanding-for one thus equipped, as he was, we know not where to turn.

Frederick Clement Schramm was a native of Ohio, son of Stephen S. and Sarah E. Schramm, born in Willoughby, of that state, December 1st, 1863, and passed within the veil, August 25th,1935, at the age of seventy-one years, eight months and twenty-four days.

In the early seventies Brother Schramm came with his parents to Ogden, and there at an early age he entered upon the career which brought him distinction in all the varied activities in which he engaged.

We cannot here trace, even in barest outline, the steps by which he rose to the high position he occupied in the business world, or consider in detail his great service to Masonry, in all of its branches during the nearly fifty years of his connection with the Fraternity, and which brought to him the highest honors that could be bestowed. And, as characteristic of the man, it should be said that the attainment of those honors did not mark the termination of his devoted service to any of these organizations. On the contrary he continued to the end to give to them all, of his seasoned judgement and rare ability.

Following, stated as briefly as possible, were his principal Masonic connections:

He was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Weber Lodge No. 6, October 11, 1886; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, October21st, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason October 28, 1886. He was Master of his Lodge in the years 1891 and 1892.

In the Grand Lodge of Utah he early served in several official positions, including ten years as Grand Lecturer. He declined election as Junior Grand Warden in 1893, but was elected to that station in 1906, and was regularly advanced becoming Grand Master in 1909.

He received the Royal Arch Degree on May 20, 1887, in Ogden Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., and was High Priest of that Chapter in 1896.

His membership in Utah Council No. 1, R. & S. M. dates from May 27, 1907; he served as Illustrious Master of this body in 1916.

Brother Schramm was Knighted in El Monte Commandery No. 2, K. T., Ogden, November 9, 1887, and was Eminent Commander of this Commandery for the years 1893, 1894 and 1895. He was elected Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Utah, in May, 1933.

In Scottish Rite he received the degrees from the 4th to the 32nd inclusive as a member "At Large" of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, in April 1889; was invested with the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in the Supreme Council, October 18, 1901, and was elected to receive the 33º with the rank and dignity of Inspector General Honorary and an Honorary Member of the Supreme, October 18, 1905, and on October 16th, 1917, he was elected and crowned an Active Member of the Supreme Council, with the title of Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Utah. Late in the fall of 1922, or early in the following year, Nevada was attached to the Jurisdiction of Utah, and this additional responsibility Brother Schramm carried for something like nine years. For a number of years he was Grand Master of Ceremonies in the Supreme Council, and at the October session, 1933, he was advance to the position of Grand Minister of State.

He was created a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in El Jebel Temple, Denver, in 1889; affiliated with El Kalah Temple , Salt Lake, at the December meeting in1897, and at the same meeting was elected Illustrious Potentate for the year 1898. At the annual meeting of El Kalah Temple, December, 1906, he was elected as a representative to the Supreme Council, and re-elected each year thereafter to and including 1920. In June of the following year (1921) he was elected an honorary member of the Supreme Council, and seven years later, May, 1928, he was made an Emeritus Member of the Supreme Council, having served twenty-one years consecutively.

Probably more than any other one man, Brother Schramm was responsible for bringing to Salt Lake the mobile unit of the Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children, which opened its doors January 22, 1925. He was Chairman of the local Board of Governors from the inception of this work, and to it he gave untiring and devoted service till the end came.

Of professional, civic and social connections it may be noted in passing that he held membership in the Pharmaceutical Association of Utah, the Chamber of Commerce, the Salt Lake Rotary Club, and the Alta, and Country Clubs.

The foregoing partial list of activities afford but a glimpse of the broad and varied field of usefulness and service in which this dynamic personality made for himself a commanding position, equaled by few. Of the man, and of his outstanding leadership, and his genius for friendship, it tells little, and that by indirection only.

On November 15, 1911, Brother Schramm was married to Miss Wynn Coman, who survives him.

An Occasional Communication of Grand Lodge was convened, August 28, 1935, and upon request of Weber Lodge No. 6, of which Brother Schramm was a member, Grand Master D. D. Stockman, assisted by associate Grand Officers, conducted the funeral services.

Ref: Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Utah, 1936, page 81, 82.

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