Note: Brother Clohecy removed from this Jurisdiction early in his term of office as Grand Master - now some 54 years ago. One result of this was that very little concerning his life is of record in the Utah Proceedings. For this reason such items of information as are now available are included in this sketch.

For the facts relating to Brother Clohecy’s early life and for the eulogy given herewith, we are indebted to Brother W. I. Day, Assistant Secretary of the East Bay Masonic Board of Relief, Oakland, California.

Brother Clohecy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 10th, 1846. He was a son of Marc Anthony Clohecy and Ann Brady Clohecy.

“His father,” writes Brother Day, “was for many years engaged in shipbuilding on the Mississippi River which at that time was a very lucrative business and he was able to provide very generously for his family.

“The fathers interest in the future welfare of his son was most practically expressed in his efforts to provide his son with a liberal education. In addition to the regular grammar school course young Thomas was sent to the best collage in New Orleans, where he received a splendid commercial education.
“Thomas Clohecy formed a regiment of which he was made Captain at the commencement of the War of the Rebellion and served with great distinction until the close of the war.(1)

“At the conclusion of the war,” writes our informant “Brother Clohecy engaged in mining and banking business which took him to Montana and to Utah, where he became a member of Wasatch Lodge,”

Concerning the period extending from 1879 to 1911, no information concerning Brother Clohecy’s whereabouts and activities is available aside from a statement by Grand Secretary Diehl to the effect that he went from Utah to Wood River, Idaho, where he engaged in merchandising and mining. During the last year named he took up residence in California, which was his home for the last 21 years of his life.

Grand Secretary Diehl, who was well acquainted with Brother Clohecy, has the following to say concerning him in his Correspondence Report, written in 1881. (2) This tribute was in response to a reference to Grand Master Clohecy’s address by Grand Secretary Hedges, of Montana. Said Brother Diehl:

“In calling Grand Master Clohecy’s address `able and high-toned,` Brother Hedges has only expressed the opinion of every Mason in our Jurisdiction. It has been said that a man shows his character in his writings, which in this case is certainly correct. Our Utah Masons are all proud of having Brother Clohecy for their Grand Master, and all agree that if there ever was a true Mason and high-toned gentleman that stood at the helm and commanded their beloved ship, it was him. True to his covenants, charitable to his fellow-men, firm in his resolutions, a friend to his friends, is a picture of Brother Clohecy that is not in the least overdrawn. During his residence in Utah he has seen the ups and downs of a western life, but under no circumstances has he deviated even a hairbreadth from the path which a righteous man should walk, and never did he despair. He has now left Utah and has cast his lot in the newly discovered mining region on Wood River in Idaho, where, as a merchant and miner, fortune seems to smile upon him. May it never be otherwise. As a citizen Utah has lost him, as a Mason our Grand Lodge will retain him, for it is his first love and he will remain fastened to it with all his heart, and a future historian of Masonry in Utah will have to mention Brother Clohecy’s name as one of the best promoters of its progress and intellectual developments.”

Past Grand Master Clohecy must have been an active, ardent member of the Fraternity, as the following Masonic record appears to show.
He was initiated in Wasatch Lodge No. 1, September 20, passed September 25th and raised September 30, 1872. He served his Lodge as Master in 1875. He was a life member of Wasatch Lodge No. 1.

In Grand Lodge Brother Clohecy was elected Senior Grand Warden while Master of Wasatch and served two years in that station..
November 15, 1877, he was advanced to the station of Deputy Grand Master and a year later, November 18, 1878, to that of Grand Master.
He was exalted in Utah Chapter No. 1, R. A. M., April 16, 1873, and was elected High Priest in December, 1877. On February 5, 1874, he was Knighted in Utah Commandery No. 1, K. T., and in December, 1877, was elected Eminent Commander.

In the meantime, on August 21, 1873, he received the degrees, 4th to the 14th inclusive, in St. John’s Lodge of Perfection No. 1, A. & A. S., Rite, Salt Lake City, and on March 12, 1874, he was elected Senior Warden and for the greater part of the time he served as presiding officer of that body until April 24th, 1877, when the charter was surrendered.

From the City Directory for 1874, it is learned that Brother Clohecy’s business was that of mining broker, and that he resided on 3rd South between West Temple and 1st West Streets.

Brother Clohecy died in Oakland, California, November 14, 1932, at the age of 86 years, one month and four days. He was buried with full Masonic honors in Oakland, November 16, 1832, by Live Oak Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M., under the auspices of the East Bay Masonic Board of Relief.

(1) There appears to be some confusion here with reference to dates and activities. While it is true that boys served in the ranks of the confederate armies, especially toward the close of the war, it is hardly likely that a boy of fifteen commanded a regiment, or even a company, early in that struggle.

(2) For the eulogy, prepared by Brother William I. Day, refer to page 82, Utah Proceedings, 1933.
Ref: Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Utah, 1933, page 80, 81, 82.