The liberal Argonauts and Pioneer Mason of Utah are getting less every year. Past Grand Master Edmund Pelton Johnson, who died at his home in Corinne, January 29th, 1898, at 11 o’clock p. m., was one of them. His best years were spent in Utah; it was here where his sterling Americanism was tested; it was here that his best friendships were formed. By his death Utah has lost one of its best known loyal citizens, and Free Masonry an earnest, warmhearted craftsman. Perhaps Bro. Johnson was not a keen business man, but that he was a honest man is proven by the many offices he held, each one of which he filled ably and creditably. In former years Bro. Johnson was a strong and healthy man, and always cheerful, but when in later years his health failed him and the frame became worn out he gave up the unequal struggle and laid down to eternal rest.

Bro. Johnson was born at Homer, Courtland County, N. Y., September 2d, 1832. He received his education at the New York Conference Seminary. In 1853 he moved to Elkhorn, Wis., where he engaged in the mercantile business, studying law at odd hours. In 1859 he removed to Kewanee, Ill., where he continued the study of law in the office of Judge C. C. Wilson, being admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Illinois in February, 1864. In July of the same year he emigrated to Stockton, and built the first smelter in Utah in company with the late Bro. Henry Monheim. He removed to Salt Lake City in 1867 and formed a partnership with Judge Hoge. In 1869 he removed to Corinne and remained there ten years practicing law and serving as mayor of the city for two terms. He went to Challis, Custer County, Idaho, in 1880, and was elected by the citizens of that county a member of the Territorial legislature of Idaho. Returning to Corinne in 1887, he was appointed by President Cleveland Probate Judge of Box Elder County, February, 1889, which office he held for over three years and until Utah was admitted as a State in the Union. He was elected Recorder of Box Elder county in 1892, and held that office for one term. During these five years he resided in Brigham City, the county seat of Box Elder County. After the expiration of his term as County Recorder he returned to Corinne.

Judge Johnson was present at the birth of the liberal party in the Convention held at Corinne in July 1870, and it was upon his motion that the organization was called the “Liberal political party of Utah.”

He was a delegate from Utah in 1872 to the national convention; held in Baltimore, Md., that nominated Horace Greeley for the Presidency.

Bro. Johnson was made a Mason in Elkhorn Lodge No. 77, at Elkhorn, Wis. He was initiated January 28th, passed February 25th, and raised March 12th, 1857.

Coming from Stockton to Salt Lake City he took at once an active part in Masonic affairs, casting his lot with Brethren of the then defunct Mt. Moriah Lodge, U. D., Nevada Registry. He was one of the petitioners for a Dispensation to open a Lodge in this city, which was granted by M∴W∴Bro. M. S. Adams, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, November 25th, 1867. On the following 18th day of December Mt. Moriah Lodge, U. D., Kansas Registry, was instituted, Bro. Johnson being its first Secretary.

In order to procure a charter for the young Lodge it was necessary for certain reasons, that it should be represented at the Thirteenth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, which met at Leavenworth, October 20th, 1868. The Brethren elected Bro. Johnson to proceed to that 1,600 miles far off city and defend their cause. It was at that time a tedious and dangerous journey, but Bro. Johnson’s love for Free Masonry was so deeply rooted that he undertook the tiresome journey and considered it a pleasure trip. His mission was successful. One month after leaving here he returned with a Charter for Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 70, Kansas Registry.

Bro Johnson was the father of Corinne Lodge. He was named as the first Master in its dispensation granted by Grand Master R. H. Robertson, October 15, 1873. While Master of the Lodge, U. D., he conferred fifty-nine Degrees, the largest number of Degrees conferred by any Master in the Jurisdiction. On the Charter of Corinne Lodge No. 5, the name of Bro. Johnson appears as its first Master. He held the office for one year, during which he conferred thirty-five degrees.

In Grand Lodge Bro. Johnson was appointed Grand Standard Bearer November 12, 1873. He was elected Deputy Grand Master November 10, 1875 and Grand Master, November 16,1876. He was always a zealous Grand Officer, and before his departure to Idaho attended every meeting of the Grand Lodge. Whenever he was in Grand Lodge he was busily engaged on Committee work. Bro. Johnson was a member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast, and at the time of his death Grand Representative of the Grand Lodges of Indiana and New Jersey.

The last remains of Bro. Johnson were tenderly and lovingly placed in the silent grave by his Brethren of Corinne Lodge and several members of the Grand Lodge, Grand Master Hardie conducting the impressive Masonic funeral service. The funeral was attended by a host of friends from Corinne and the surrounding country, all testifying to his worth as a kind neighbor and a good man.

On February 1, 1898, when the funeral cortege wended its way to the Cemetery, the valley and distant mountains were covered with glittering snow; the sun, however, shone brightly promising the advance of spring. It was a touching scene. It taught a Masonic lesson. A ripe life with a record as pure as snow had been extinguished in winter, but the sun rising higher on the zenith heralds the approach of spring, with its budding trees and flowers, and as time passes on the foliage of the spring and summer fades again away and dies, obeying the law of nature. It is an ever returning change of life; but the spirit of life never dies - it is eternal.

Bro. Johnson now sleeps in the silent grave “away from the turmoil of life.” May that sleep be sweet, and may it never be disturbed by the canyon winds when they blow over Bear River valley.