Page 154 - Cornelius Hedges Story

141 The Cornelius Hedges Story

York Rite

On February 18, 1864, Cornelius Hedges was elected to receive
the degrees of the Chapter in Aholiab Chapter at Independence, Iowa.
He took the Mark Master degree on February19, and completed the
preliminary degrees on the 24th. He became a Royal Arch Mason on
March 25, less than a month prior to his departure for Montana.462 He
received the degrees of the Council in Springfield, Massachusetts,
probably in the early months of 1867.463

Hedges demitted from Aholiab Chapter and became a charter
member of Helena Chapter #2 on April 18, 1867,464 and became
its first scribe.465 The following year, on April 27, he helped found
Helena Council #9.466 And during November, 1867, he noted in his
journal that he had been studying Hindu theology because it had
been adopted by the RAM Chapter.467

He was elected High Priest of the Chapter on December 7, 1868,
and commented “surprised and pleased.” And on December 13,
1869, he was elected Thrice Illustrious Master of the Council, and
again remarked “to my surprise.”468 On March 16, 1869, he received
the Order of the Red Cross in the Commandery. Cornelius was given
the Order of Malta and the Order of Knight Templar on March 25.
That evening, he wrote of those degrees, “I liked them very much -
best of anything in Masonry.”469 On the evening of January 21, 1873,
he was installed as Eminent Commander of the Commandery in the
new Masonic Temple at Main and Edwards. He was again elected
Eminent Commander on December 17, 1878, and installed on the
same evening.470

On June 24, 1881, Cornelius Hedges and W. N. Baldwin
instituted Montana Commandery No. 3, Knights Templar, at
Butte.471 On May 8, 1888, Hedges indicated in his journal that he
was writing a Constitution for Grand Commandery. And on May
14, Grand Commandery for Montana was organized in Helena,
with Commanderies from Helena, Butte, Virginia City, and Miles
City, and Cornmanderies under dispensation from Livingston and
Billings represented. A. J. Fisk was elected Grand Commander, and
Cornelius Hedges was elected Grand Recorder. Hedges held that
position from 1888 to 1896 and 1904 to 1907. He was elected Grand
Commander in 1896.472