Brother Sidney Watson Badcon is a native of Lancashire, England, where he was born August 28, 1871. His father, James Arthur Badcon, of Welsh-English descent, is a Methodist minster in Sheridan, Montana. His mother, Mariam (Tranchard) Badcon, of Scotch-English descent, died in McCook, Neb. in 1897.

Brother Badcon received a common school education at Milford and Gulbertson, Neb. While attending school and working in a drug store he took a course of pharmacy (by mail) in the National Institute of Pharmacy of Chicago, Ill.

He came to Utah in 1891, and being unable to obtain employment in a drug store, owing to the dull times then prevailing in the Territory, worked for several months on the Tintic branch of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, then in course of construction. Coming to Ogden in September of that year, he was employed in two different drug stores for five years. In the fall of 1896 he bought a drug store on Twenty-fourth street. A few months later he bought the one known as Peeble’s Drug Store, on Washington avenue (formerly conducted by Brother F. C. Schramm), and by merging the two stocks became the sole owner of the leading drug store in Ogden. During his residence in Ogden he has gained the respect of all classes of people, and earned the reputation of a man of ability, integrity and honor.

He married Elsie Grace Dee, a native of Ogden, in January, 1896.

Grand Master Badcon’s Masonic record is as follows: He was initiated in Weber Lodge No. 6, at Ogden, April 24, passed October 18, and raised December 6, in the year 1894. He was Senior Steward of the Lodge in 1896, Junior Deacon 1897, Senior Deacon 1898, Junior Warden 1899, Senior Warden 1900, and Worshipful Master 1901-02. He has been Trustee of the Lodge for the past three years.

In the Grand Lodge of Utah he was appointed Grand Orator January 22, 1902, was elected Junior Grand Warden January 21, 1903. Senior Grand Warden January 20, 1904, Deputy Grand Master January 18, 1905, and Grand Master January 17, 1906. His Grand Lodge number is 1372, Lodge number 285. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota since August 11, 1904.

Brother Badcon received the Capitular Degree on Ogden Chapter No. 2 R. A. M. as follows: Mark Master and Past Master, May 12; Most Excellent and Royal Arch, November 27, 1896. He was Treasurer of Ogden Chapter in 1897, Principal Sojourner 1898, Scribe 1899, High Priest 1900 and 1901.

He was made a Companion of the Red Cross in El Monte Commandery No. 2, K. T., January 18, Knight Templar March 10, 1897, Knight of Malta March 9, 1898. He was Warden of the Commandery in 1898, Junior Warden 1899, Senior Warden 1900, Gen’l. in 1901, Eminent Commander 1902 and 1903.

He received the Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry from the 4th to the 32nd, inclusive, at the reunion of the four co-ordinate bodies of the Rite in Cheyenne, Wyo., February 25, 26, 27, 28, 1902. At the first meeting of the Scottish Brethren residing in Utah held December 14, 1902, and called for the purpose of organizing the bodies in the Valley of Salt Lake. Brother Badcon was unanimously elected Senior Warden of Jordan Lodge of Perfection June 30, 1903, he dimitted from the Cheyenne bodies and became a charter member of the Salt Lake bodies. February 15, 1905, he was elected and on the following 16th day of March installed Venerable Master of Jordan Lodge of Perfection No. 2. At the session of the Supreme Council held in Washington, D. C., October 19 and 19 1905, he was advance to the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor.

Grand Master Badcon is worthy of all the honors that have been conferred upon him, and the Mason of Utah feel assured that during his administration of the high of the Grand Lodge of Utah will be maintained and advanced.

IN MEMORIAM
Sidney Watson Bancon
Grand Master—1906

In the passing of Past Grand Master Sidney Watson Badcon the Masonic Brotherhood of Utah has lost one who through long years of individual and official service, made deep impress upon many who were privileged to know him through the years when health and spirit made him a dominant factor in almost all fields of Masonic work.
During years of official leadership as Master and Grand Master he surpassed in effectiveness, imparting a viril interpretation which gave degree routing effective charm. As he served in other posts of Masonic duty he carried this talent to the end. So appreciative were Masons of this that he was frequently chosen to fill more than one official term.

His genial fellowship drew a wide coterie of friends and in the days of his full strength a wide circle delighted in his companionship. It is impossible to evaluate influence resulting from his long residence in Ogden. He entered heartily into civic interests and as physician served an influential clientele.

His honesty, loyalty and sympathetic interestedness in men drew many to him. The list of activities in which he was an active factor would reveal anew the old truth that wherever a man may make his home and whatever means he selects for a livelihood, there is a sphere of attainment commensurate to his worth.

His official record will be found a part of almost all branched of Utah Masonry. His influence will continue an abiding inspiration in the lives of hundreds of his Masonic friends.

Brother Sidney Watson Bancon died October 7, 1944, Ogden, Utah.