Page 186 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Charles P. Kirtland

1939-1940

Most Worshipful Charles Phelps Kirtland was born in
Chicago, Illinois on March 16, 1895, the son of Charles
Bushnell Kirtland and Grace Kirtland. His early schooling
was obtained in Chicago. In 1909, the family moved from
Chicago to New Westminster, British Columbia, and here
Charles attended high school and in 1915 graduated from
Columbian College.

His business career was begun as an accountant in the New
Westminster Branch of the Merchants' Bank of Canada. In
June of 1917 he entered the service of the United States
Army, which ended in December, 1918. Upon his discharge
from service, he entered the employ of the First National Bank of Bellingham, Washington, where
he remained for eight years. At the end of that time he became cashier and manager of the bank at
Skagway, Alaska. This connection continued for three years and he was then elected vice-president
and manager of the Bank of Alaska at Wrangell. He remained there for eight years and was then
elected senior vice-president and manager of the Anchorage Branch of the same firm, all of these
banks being branches of the Bank of Alaska.

Brother Kirtland was active in many phases of life. During his residence at Wrangell he was twice
elected Mayor; in addition to which he served as president of the School Board and president of
the Chamber of Commerce and was also active in the American Legion. He was a director and
officer in several business concerns in southeastern Alaska and gained a wide acquaintanceship
and standing as a business executive throughout the territory.

His Masonic connection began in 1922 at Bellingham, where in Whatcom Lodge No. 151, he was
raised to the sublime the degree of Master Mason. From the start Brother Kirtland took an active
interest in Masonic work and became proficient in the ritual to such an extent that he was elected
Junior Warden in Whatcom Lodge No. 151 in 1925. It was during his term in this station that he
moved to Alaska, whereupon he dimitted to White Pass Lodge No. 113. Here his interest in
Masonry manifested itself and he was elected Junior Warden of White Pass Lodge No. 113 in
1927, being advanced and becoming Master in 1930.

He became a regular attendant at Grand Lodge sessions and when the District Deputy Grand
Master system was adopted by the Grand Lodge of Washington, he was appointed District Deputy
Grand Master of District No. 3, which post he held for two years. In 1936 he was honored by
election to the post of Junior Grand Warden of Grand Lodge, being regularly chosen to a higher
position each year and becoming Grand Master in June, 1939. He would be the first member of an