Page 300 - 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.

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