Page 21 - June July MFM 2024

Brother Roberts always found the time to participate in or
support various civic and fraternal organizations. Starting in
1926, Albert served as Vice President and Treasurer of the
Boys Hi-Y Club, a social club for middle and high school boys
and girls affi liated with the Young Men’s Christian Association
(YMCA). He participated in the Helena Kiwanis Club and was
President in 1929. He was an active member of the Helena
Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter. Besides being the President of
the Helena Commercial Club, and also served as a member
of the Northwest Accrediting Association’s accreditation
committee. He was Vice President of the Elkhorn Council of
the Boy Scouts of America in 1930. He was not only a teacher,
administrator, humanitarian, and civic leader; he was also a
pillar of the community.

Figure 2: From First Vigilante Parade, May 1924. “3-7-77 Last Chance or Bust” His tenure as the Mayor of Helena for two terms was marked
From the archives of the Montana Masonic Foundati on. by visionary leadership that contributed signifi cantly to the
town’s prosperity. Brother Roberts was the Mayor of Helena,
Brother Roberts was well-known in the Helena community, starting in 1936 and ending in 1940. In 1936, an article in
the state of Montana, and the nation. He had been part of the Helena Independent Record newspaper said of the new
Helena High School for 36 years, and during that time, he had Mayor, “New hope must have been born in the hearts of
touched the lives of thousands of students. He was respected Helena homeowners and residents when they learned of
and admired for his wisdom, kindness, and dedication to his the results of the municipal election Monday evening; New
students. But it wasn’t just the students who adored him; hope that Helena may be restored to its former condition
the entire town looked up to him. He had achieved national as a city of beautiful homes; of clean streets comfortable
recognition for his work as an educator, and when a new high public buildings; adequate school houses and an abundant
school was built, he was chosen as the fi rst principal, and his water supply. Mayor Albert J Roberts is the kind of man to
contract was extended beyond retirement age. He became inspire this hope; he wants a city that every resident might
a general agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance be proud to call home. He has traveled to a wide range of
Company after he left the Helena School system and retired. places and studied at foreign universities. For Twenty-seven
His name is synonymous with excellence and dedication in years, he was the guiding spirit of classes of boys and girls,
education. His ability to speak several languages and engage averaging hundreds per year, and on June evening for more
with individuals from diverse backgrounds endeared him to than a quarter of a century, he has walked out on stage at the
his community. Albert’s infl uence reached well beyond the head of a class of young people; not a fi nished product, but
academic realm. a class launched into the sea of life, happy and confi dent.”

Fraternal and Civic Involvement On October 24, 1937, the cornerstone for the new Methodist
Episcopal Church in Helena was laid. The townspeople
Brother Roberts was actively engaged in government, gathered around the church site. It was a momentous
education, civic, and fraternity aff airs. He believed that occasion as the cornerstone was about to be laid. The
citizens should play an active role in the community and Mayor, Brother A. J. Roberts, was dressed in his Masonic
that all citizens should participate in civil discourse that regalia to perform a part of the Masonic ceremony with Past
addresses society’s social, political, and charitable aspects by Grand Master John Kain and other Grand Lodge AF&AM of
contributing, supporting, or volunteering. Montana members. The townspeople watched in awe as
the Masonic ceremony was conducted, complete with the
Brother Albert J. Roberts received the degrees of Freemasonry traditional pouring of corn, wine, and oil on the cornerstone.
at Keweenaw Lodge No. 242, Central, Michigan. He was Included in the cornerstone box were items taken from the
Initiated as an Entered Apprentice on August 16, 1888, Passed old Methodist Church’s cornerstone, which was laid 49 years
to the degree of Fellowcraft on October 19, 1888, and raised earlier in 1888.
to the sublime degree of Master Mason on October 25, 1888.
He transferred to Maurat Lodge No. 14, Albion, Michigan, Brother Albert Roberts lived in Helena, Montana, for 46
on February 18, 1895. He was issued a Dimit on November years. He passed away on November 5, 1944, in Helena at the
18, 1813, to transfer his membership to Helena Lodge No. age of seventy-seven. The community grieved the passing
3, Helena, Montana, and was elected to membership with of a cherished town member renowned for his kindness and
Helena No. 3 on December 5, 1913. Brother Roberts was generosity. His fi nal resting place is Forestvale Cemetery.
proud to have been a member of the Masonic Fraternity for
56 years. Helena Lodge No. 3 conducted a special communication for
Masonic Funeral Rites for Brother Albert James Roberts on
He was a member of the York Rite. He held various positions, Thursday, November 9, at 3:00 pm. The Consistory Shrine
including High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons Helena Chapter Temple was the location for a public service event at 3:30
No.2, Commander and Recorder in Helena Commandery pm. Helena, Commandery No. 2 of the Knights Templar,
No.2 Knights Templar, and Recorder for Helena Chapter No.1 furnished escort for the funeral of Past Commander A. J.
of the Royal and Select Masters. He was also a member of Roberts. All deeply felt the loss of this remarkable man.
the Algeria Shrine. For several years, He held the position of His legacy would live on in the hearts and minds of those
youth leader as DeMolay DAD and Chairman of the Board for he had touched, and his memory would continue to inspire
the E C Day Chapter. generations.

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