Page 199 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Loomis Baldrey

1934-1935

Most Worshipful Brother Alfred Abiel Loomis Baldrey was
born in Camden, New Jersey on May 19, 1882. He received his
early education in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fulton, New
York, graduating from Syracuse (New York) High School in
1900 and from the Classical School of Syracuse in 1901. He
received a Bachelor of Philosophy from Syracuse University in
1904, and a Bachelor of Laws from Syracuse Law College in
1906, graduating as Salutatorian of his class. He came to
Bellingham in 1908 and established himself in the practice of
law and he followed this profession up to the time of his death
on August 8, 1954.

His Masonic history is a long one and his many connections fully demonstrate that Masonry was
his chief love. Our Most Worshipful Brother was raised in Hiram Lodge No. 144 of Fulton, New
York on July
27. 1906. In 1908 shortly after arriving in Bellingham he affiliated with Whatcom Lodge No. 151
and became its Master in 1920. In June 1936 he became a Charter Member and first Junior Warden
of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281 advancing in regular order to become its Worshipful
Master. He was a Charter Member of Pierre B. Cornwall Lodge No. 283, and an Honorary Member
of Bellingham Bay Lodge No. 44, Fairhaven Lodge No. 73, Tanana Lodge No. 162 of Fairbanks,
Alaska.
He was a member of all the various bodies connected with both the York Rite and Scottish Rite
and at the time of his death was a Knight of the York Grand Cross and Eminent Warder of
Evergreen State Priory. In the Scottish Rite he was a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour
and was coroneted 33 Degree of that Rite in October 1953. He was also a member of the Royal
rd
Order of Scotland with membership in the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Provinces of British
Columbia and Alberta, Canada. He also held membership in Maple Leaf Chapter, O.E.S., No. 58,
serving as its Worthy Patron in 1928. He served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Chapter O.E.S.
in 1939-1940. Likewise he was a member of Bellingham Court No. 25, Order of Amaranth and
served as its first Royal Patron in 1928, and was Grand Royal Patron of the Grand Court of
Washington in 1931-1932. He was also a member of Angora Grotto in Seattle.

Brother Baldrey was appointed Grand Orator in 1923, and Junior Grand Deacon in 1926. In 1931
he was elected Junior Grand Warden and from that position he progressed through the elective
stations to become Grand Master in 1934. But that was not the end of the story for he continued
with all his heart and soul to endeavor to advance the cause of Freemasonry and only death ceased
his activities in this respect.