Page 309 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Benjamin E. Lombard

1868-1869

Most Worshipful Brother Benjamin E. Lombard, Grand
Master of Masons of the Washington Territory, 1868-69,
was born in Turner, Maine, on May 11, 1825. He received
the Entered Apprentice Degree in Alna Lodge, No. 43, at
Damariscotta, Maine on October 7,1854; and raised to the
Sublime Degree on October 25, 1854. On December 3,
1857, he was installed as Junior Warden.

He came direct to Port Madison, in the Washington
Territory, in the Spring of 1860, and found employment aa
a ship-carpenter, and numerous are the evidences that he was
a skillful and industrious operative mason.

On August 14, 1860, Most Worshipful Brother James Biles
granted a Dispensation to a number of brethren at Port Madison to open a Lodge, under the name
of Kane Lodge U.D.; Brother Lombard would be appointed as the first Worshipful Master. He
would remain so for the first two years after the Lodge was duly chartered as Kane Lodge No. 8.

In 1863, he was elected Senior Grand Warden, and in 1868, was elected Grand Master. It is said
that his administration was marked with great prudence and justice, and was eminently satisfactory
to the Craft.

He would return to the quarries of Kane Lodge No. 8, and again serve as its Master during the
years 1869 and 1870.

Until 1871, with rare exception, he would remain an active participant in the affairs of the Grand
Lodge as a counsellor and thoroughly informed Mason. His services were most valuable to the
body and to the fraternity throughout the Territory.

In civic life, Most Worshipful Brother Lombard held several important offices, among which were
those of Judge of the Probate Court, as also Representative in the Territorial Legislature, from
Kitsap County. In all these positions, he was faithful to every trust, zealous in the performance of
duty, earnest, honest, industrious, prompt and most obliging.
Due to declining health, our Most Worshipful Brother returned to his native Maine. He died at
Auburn, Maine, on June 25, 1872, and was buried with Masonic honors by the brethren of Tranquil
Lodge, No. 29, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Auburn, Worshipful Master Almon C. Pray presiding.