Page 253 - 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Washington until the resolution was repealed. The resolution was reluctantly rescinded in June 1899.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.

Above all there was the ceremony of the tombstone dedication where members of both Grand Lodges

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