Page 12 - MFM Nov Dec 2021

Hands of the Workman

George W. Craven, Grand Master 1934-1935

eorge Warren Craven was the son of than twenty-five years and was Secretary
Ga clergyman. Born in Helena in April when he died. He served as President of
1871, Craven went on to live in several Montana Masonic Secretaries Association
other communities in Montana, including in 1929. He was appointed Grand Sword
Corvallis and Bozeman, he graduated Bearer in 1926. In 1934 George W.
from Bozeman High School. After high Craven was elected Most Worshipful
school, George entered Massachusetts Grand Master of Masons in Montana. He
Institute of Technology. After graduating was the first native-born Grand Master of
with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering Montana.
from the MIT, in 1898, Craven stayed in
Massachusetts to work for the New York, Grand Master Craven presided over
New Haven and Hartford railway. the 79th Annual Communication which
took place at Missoula. There were 135
He went on to work for the Boston and Montana chartered Lodges and 134 represented at the session.
Consolidated Copper and Silver Mining Company The membership was 18,321. There were 313 Master
at Great Falls. He later became employed by the Mason raised and a total of 958 degrees conferred
Highland Boy Gold Mining Company at Murray, Utah. during the year.
He returned to Butte in 1899 and continued to work
for B & M (which became the Anaconda Copper Brother Craven was a member of the Deer Lodge
Company. He subsequently served as a member of Chapter No.3, Royal Arch Masons; he was a member
the engineering staff of the Montana Power Company of and Thrice Illustrious Master of Zabud Council No.
and Anaconda Copper Mining Company. 2, and Commander of Montana Commandery No.
3, Knights Templar. He was a Noble of the Mystic
In 1905 he was a member of the College's faculty Shrine of Bagdad Temple. He was a member and a
at the Montana School of Mines, teaching mining Past Patron of Butte Chapter No. 39, Order of Eastern
engineering, mathematics, drawing, and mechanics. Star. He was also active within the Rotary Club and a
In 1919, he became vice-president, the first in the former president.
history of the College. He took over the position of
President from 1921 to 1928. George W. Craven, was M. W. Brother Craven had often been described
the fourth President of the Montana School of Mines in this manner. "There is no sham about the man,
(currently the Montana Technological University). no guile, no side-stepping an issue, he was modest,
unassuming, courteous, kindly, generous almost to a
He was considered an authority on hydrodynamics, fault, straightforward, loving and lovable and witty.
chemistry and other sciences. George was a past He had a high sense of responsibility. He left the office
chairman of the Montana Engineering Society and an of Grand Master with the love and respect of every
active member of the American Institute of Mining Mason in Montana. He was the first Grand Master
and Metallurgical Engineering, the Montana section since 1906 to visit every lodge in the State.
of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and
the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Most Worshipful Brother Craven died on 30
July 1936 in Butte. The Grand Lodge of Montana
Brother Craven became a Master Mason in January conducted Masonic funeral rites, followed by burial
1903 at Mount Moriah Lodge No 24 of Butte and was at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Butte, Silver Bow
Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1907 and again in County, Montana.
1910. He served a Secretary of the Lodge for more

Montana Freemason Page 12 Nov/Dec Volume 97 No.5