Brother Richard Louis Conely was born in Brighton, Michigan on May 7, 1868, where he made his home until 1882, when he came to Salt Lake City with his parents. He attended the public school of Brighton and continued his school work at the Collegiate Institute in Salt Lake City, one of the oldest private schools in the City.

In 1901, after completing his school work, he was appointed Chief Deputy Assessor of Salt Lake County, in which position he continued for six years. In August, 1899, he entered the employ of the W. S. McCornick and Company Bank as manager of their branch bank at Mercur. Shortly after a fire that destroyed the greater part of the town of Mercur, July, 1902, he returned to Salt Lake City to resume work in the main bank, He continued with that bank until its final dissolution.

Brother Conely and Miss Rhoda Mullett of Salt Lake City were married on December 31, 1890, from which union four children were born: William; Frederick; Gladys and Richard. William was taken by death in his early manhood.

Brother Comely’s father and many of his close relatives were members of the Masonic Fraternity and it was quite natural that he, too, should be a Mason. He became a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 2 of Salt Lake City in 1896, and , while serving as Senior Warden of that Lodge, he dimitted on October 8, 1900 to assist in the organization of Rocky Mountain Lodge No. 11, which was then located at Mercur, and served two years, 1901 and 1902, as its Worshipful Master.

After serving two years as an elective officer of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. of Utah, he was elected M[WGrand Master, January 20, 1904. He was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Colorado on January 7, 1901 and served as such continuously until his death. He was elected Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. of Utah on January 18, 1911 and served as such continuously until his death.

In Scottish Rite he received the degrees 4th to 32nd, inclusive, in the first Class, Reunion No. 1 of the Scottish Rite Masonry in Utah, held May 10 to 13, 1903. The Dispensation was granted by the Supreme Council at Washington the month previous and the Charter issued on October 21 of the same year. Brother Conely served as Venerable Master of Jordan Lodge of Perfection during the year 1907 and as Master of Kadosh of Utah Consistory during the year 1918; he was elected to the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor October 21, 1909 and Coroneted Inspector General Honorary of the 33rd degree on October 16, 1923.

He became a member of El Kalah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Salt Lake City October 14, 1904.

He was also very active in the Order of the Eastern Star. He was among the very early members of Lynds Chapter No. 1, which was chartered June 20, 1892 and he later transferred his membership to become a Charter Member of Mizpah Chapter, which was chartered September 20, 1905. He served as Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star during the Masonic year 1908-1909.

He passed away on Monday morning, August 23, (1954) following an illness that confined him to his home for several months.

Those of his immediate family who survive are his widow, Mrs. Rhoda Mullett Conely; two sons, Frederick M. and Richard A. Conely of Salt Lake City and one daughter, Mrs Gladys Conely Brown of Los Angeles, California.
Their many, many friends, acquired throughout the many years of residence in this City, extend sincere sympathy in their bereavement.