Page 262 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ William H. Upton

1898-1899

William Henry Upton was born on June 19, 1854, in
Weaverville CA. He received his early education in the
schools of Portland, Oregon, and afterward entered Yale
College, graduating there in 1877, at the age of 23 years. He
then spent three years in the Navy Department at Washington
City, and afterwards graduating with honors in the Columbia
Law School.

Upton came to Walla Walla in 1880 where he immediately
began the practice of his profession, the practice of law. In
1887 he was elected a member of the city council; the
following year became a member of the Territorial
Legislature; and in 1890 was elected Superior Court Judge of Walla Walla and Franklin counties.

Brother Upton was made a Mason in Blue Mountain Lodge No. 13 in Walla Walla, becoming its
Master in 1892. He would apply his scholarship, his agile mind, and his industry to the study of
Freemasonry. These combined with his rare gifts as a speaker and writer would soon mark him for
Grand Lodge Leadership. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1896, and would be elevated to
the rank and station of Grand Master in 1898.

Our Most Worshipful Brother made many significant contributions to Masonry; his most
significant being his committee report of 1897 on Black Masonry and his efforts as Grand Master
passing a resolution recognizing Prince Hall Masons in the State of Washington. However the
majority of the other white Grand Lodges in the United States and Canada withdrew Masonic
relations with the Grand Lodge of Washington until the resolution was repealed. The resolution
was reluctantly rescinded in June 1899. William H. Upton continued to write on this subject with
conviction.

His work on Black Masonry was an important chapter in Masonic history. He died on November
3, 1906. Upton’s sincere interest was demonstrated by a provision in his will that no monument
should be erected over his grave until “both colored and white Masons could stand over it as
brothers.” In June 1990 the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington passed a
resolution recognizing the Prince Hall Grand Lodge. On June 8, 1991 Both Grand Lodges gathered
to lay a marker on William Upton's grave.

Side by side Masons from both Grand Lodges marched in a huge long line. When they got to the
cemetery there were speeches and prayers and hugs and recognition of William Upton's surviving
family that were there that day.