Page 9 - Jan Feb 2022 Mag. Base.indd

H Hands of the ands of the WWorkmanorkman
John Robert Lloyd, Grand Master 1935-1936
John Lloyd was born in
Minnsville, Pennsylvania,
on October 26th, 1876.
John was still an infant
when his family moved
west, settling in Butte,
Montana. John, or "Jack"
as he was generally known,
received his education in
Grammar School and High
School in Butte. While still
a schoolboy, he found
employment as a paperboy
delivering the morning
news to an outlying area
where he delivered the
paper by horseback.
During this time, John's
father served as Sheriff of Silver Bow County, a position
he held for several years. Because of his father's work as
Sheriff, John had the opportunity to be exposed to some
of the worst and best of humanity, which helped develop
his character and a deep understanding of human
weakness and a kind sympathy for those in distress.
Brother Lloyd had always been fond of athletics; his
favorite sports to play were football, boxing, and bicycle
racing. He had been Quarterback for the Butte Athletic
Club Football team. He had a good record as an amateur
boxer. On one occasion, he rode his bicycle more than a
thousand miles to pay a visit to his childhood sweetheart,
whom he later married.
After graduation from Butte High School, he was
employed by the Anaconda Copper Company in Butte
and later Great Falls and in California and Mexico.
John was 21 years old in 1898 when the Spanish
American War started; he enlisted and served with
Company L, 3rd United States Volunteer Cavalry, better
known as Grigsby's Cowboys or Grigsby's Rough Riders.
Another Mason, Seth Bullock, served as a Captain
of Company A, 3rd United States Volunteer Cavalry,
Grigsby's Cowboys. President Roosevelt knew both Lloyd
and Bullock. Roosevelt had served as a Lt Colonel of the
1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, more commonly
known as "Roosevelt's Rough Riders."
In 1903, President Roosevelt visited Butte and requested
that John Lloyd act as a member of his bodyguard.
President Theodore Roosevelt also visited Helena and
Gardiner. He assisted the Grand Lodge of Montana and
laid the cornerstone for the arch at the north entrance to
Yellowstone National Park, now known as the Roosevelt
Arch.
Montana Freemason
In a letter from Roosevelt to his Secretary of State John
Hays, he said:
"From Washington [State] I turned southward, and when
I struck northern Montana, again came to my old stamping
grounds and among my old friends. I met all kinds of characters
with whom I had hunted and worked and slept and sometimes
fought. From Helena, I went southward to Butte, reaching that
city in the afternoon of May 27th. By this time, Seth Bullock had
joined us. Seth Bullock [part of the bodyguard detail] riding
close beside the rear wheel of my carriage, [he] was such a
splendid looking fellow with his size and supple strength, his
strangely marked aquiline face, with its big mustache, and the
broad brim of his soft dark hat drawn down over his dark eyes.
However, no one made a motion to attack me.."
About 1910, John Lloyd opened a clothing business in
Great Falls. Later he was appointed as Post Master for
Great Falls, serving from 1924 to 1936.
M. W. Brother Lloyd was made a Master Mason in Euclid
Lodge No. 58, Great Falls, on April 4th, 1911. In 1933 he
dimitted to Columbia Falls Lodge No. 89, but on return to
Great Falls, he took a dimit, and on October 17th, 1916,
he re-affiliated with Euclid Lodge No. 58. Brother John R.
Lloyd was Master of Euclid Lodge in 1918. He received the
degrees of Royal Arch Masonry in Kalispell Chapter No.
13 and later affiliated with Great Falls Chapter No. 9. He
was Knighted in Black Eagle Commandery No. 8 of Great
Falls. He received the degrees of the Scottish Rite in Great
Falls in 1919. He became a K.C.C.H. in October 1927; and
was elected to receive the 33rd on October 16th, 1935,
with the degree conferred on him on March 9th, 1936. M.
W. Brother Lloyd was elected as Grand Master of Masons
in Montana in 1935. The cornerstone of the Grand Lodge
Building in Helena was laid on July 18th, 1936, by Grand
Master John R. Lloyd.
During the 1935-1936 Masonic Year, M.W. Brother
Lloyd oversaw Special Communications for Dedication of
the new Temple in Shelby. Laying Cornerstone of the new
Federal Building in Dillon. Dedication of the new Temple
in Corvallis. Laying the Cornerstone of the new Library,
Museum, and Office building of this Grand Lodge and
conducting the funeral of M.W.P.G.M. George W. Craven.
The 72nd Annual Communication was held in Butte,
August 19-20, 1936. M.W. Brother Lloyd visited 100
Montana Lodges. 133 of 135 Lodges were represented
at the Communication, 508 voting members attended.
There were 338 new Master Masons raised.
Total membership in 1936 was 18,078, with 135 Lodges.
Membership as of January 2022 is 3,578, with 78 Lodges.
M.W. Brother Lloyd had moved to California; he died
on February 27th, 1949, at Teinescal, California, and was
buried at Olivewood Cemetery, Riverside, California.
Page 9 Jan/Feb 2022 Volume 98 No.1