Page 22 - Jan 2021 MFM.indd

Th e Hands of the Workman
Reid Gardiner
Grand Secretary Emeritus, Editor

William J. Marshall
Grand Master 1927-1928
Brother William J. Marshall Dr. W. J. Marshall was the Grand Master who in 1928
was born on 9 Sept 1875 in recommended that the Grand Lodge make provisions
Shiawassee County, Michigan. for a permanent home, its own Grand Lodge building.
He attended a country school In 1937, MWPGM Marshall was part of the dedication
and Chesaning High School, team for Helena's new Grand Lodge building.
graduating at the age of
seventeen. He spent the next He was exalted in Kalispell Chapter No. 13, R.A.M.
four years teaching at country dimitting to become a Charter Member of Polson
schools in northern Michigan. Chapter No. 24, and served as High Priest. He was greeted
In 1899, he entered the Medical in Tyrean Council No. 3 at Missoula in 1920 and was
Department of the University Th rice Illustrious Master in 1927. He was Knighted in
of Michigan. He transferred to Cyrene Commandery No. 10 at Kalispell in 1914. In 1920
the Department of Arts and, he transferred his membership and became a Charter
in 1905, received a Bachelor of member of Melita Commandery No. 21 at Polson. In
Arts Degree. Th en re-entered the 1920, he dimitted to join St. Omer Commandery No. 10
Medical School and graduated in 1909 with a degree at Missoula and was Eminent Commander in 1926-1927.
of Medical Doctor. Still not satisfi ed, he continued his
medical work along the research line and returned to the He became a member of Butte Consistory and Bagdad
University of Michigan in 1919 and obtained a degree of Temple at Butte in 1918. Brother Marshall became a
Master of Science. member of the Eastern Star, being fi rst a member at Ann
In October of 1909, he moved to Polson, Montana, Arbor, Michigan, dimitting in 1911 to become a Charter
and engaged in medicine until 1920, when he associated member of Mystic Chapter No. 53, at Polson, Montana.
with the Western Montana Clinic. While in Polson, he He was Worthy Patron in 1914. Later he became a
also served as President of the School Board and Mayor member of Electa Chapter No. 7 of Missoula.
of Polson. He has was a member of the staff and visiting
physician at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula. He It was said that he had a pleasing yet forceful
was a member of the Northwestern Montana Medical personality that was felt throughout the jurisdiction;
Society, the Council of the Montana State Association, his tenacity of purpose, particularly along the lines of
and counselor for the Pacifi c Northwest Society, and Masonic Education, brought order out of chaos in our
a member of the American Medical Association. In educational work and the plan he laid down, though it
Missoula, Brother Marshall was a member of the was improved upon over time. Montana Masonry was
Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, member of richer for having had him for a strong leader.
the Cemetery Board, and Chairman of the Red Cross.
And was a member of the Board of Trustees of the M. W. Brother William J. Marshall died on 24 Sept 1952
Congregational Church at Missoula. In 1917 he became at the age of 77 and is buried at the Missoula Cemetery.
a Lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps and later
promoted to Major, Medical Corps, US Army.
Brother Marshall's father-in-law and his fi ve sons
were all Masons. His Mother-in-law was Grand Matron
of Montana OES in 1920-1921. While at the University
of Michigan, Bother Marshall became a member of the
Michigan Masonic Club and later became the Acacia
Club fraternity Founder.

Immediately following his twenty-fi rst birthday, he
petitioned for the Degrees of Masonry and was raised in
Gaylord Lodge No. 366, Gaylord, Michigan. Initiated 17
Nov 1896, Passed 18 Nov 1896, and Raised to the Sublime
Degree of a Master Mason on 22 Dec 1896. While a
student, he dimitted to join Fraternity Lodge No. 262 in
Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1910, he dmitted to become a
member of Polson Lodge No. 78, Polson, Montana, and
served as Worshipful Master in 1912. He was elected as
Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Montana
on 18 Aug 1927 in Helena.
Montana Freemason Page 22 Jan/Feb 2021 Volume 97 No. 1