Page 191 - 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.
rd
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 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.

Perhaps one of his major accomplishments was the part he played in the adoption of the District Deputy
system of the Grand Lodge, and his work as Committee on Fraternal Correspondence was outstanding.

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