Charles E. Baldwin, Senior Grand Warden,
1911
Brother
Baldwin was born Jan. 4, 1864, near Bradford, Iowa, where his
boyhood was spent on a farm. His early education was received in
the district public schools, which he attended during the winter
terms when the duties of the farm would permit. He afterward
attended Bradford Academy, at Bradford, Iowa, and the Iowa State
Agricultural College, at Ames, Iowa. After leaving college he
engaged in school teaching, first in a country school and
afterward as Principal of the Public Schools at Ionia,
Fredericksburg, and Lawler, Iowa. In 1889 he was appointed a
clerk in the Department of Labor in Washington and has been
advanced through the various official grades to the position of
Statistical Expert, and at present is Chief of the Examination
Division in the Bureau of Labor, Department of Commerce and
Labor. After coming to Washington he took up the study of
pharmacy and graduated from the National College of Pharmacy in
1891, at which college he served as President of his class.
Brother Baldwin was initiated in the
mysteries of Freemasonry in King David Lodge, No. 28, F. A. A.
M., March 6, 1894, passed April 3, 1894, and raised to the
sublime degree of Master Mason May 1, 1894. He served through
the line of offices and was Master in 1898. He is now Treasurer
of King David Lodge. He received the Capitular degrees in Eureka
Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons, in 1897, and served as High
Priest in 1905. He was knighted in Columbia Commandery, No. 2,
Knights Templar, in October, 1902, and presided as Eminent
Commander in 1907-08. He is an honorary member of Mary
Commandery, No. 36, K. T., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At the Annual Conclave of the Grand
Commandery, K. T., of the District of Columbia, May 9, 1910, he
was elected Grand Captain of the Guard. The Council degrees were
conferred upon him in Washington Council, No. 1, Royal and
Select Masters, in 1905. He afterward became a charter member of
Adoniram Council, No. 2, and served as its first Treasurer under
its charter.
He was honored by election to the
office of Excellent President of the Convention of High Priests
in 1910.
At the annual communication of the
Grand Lodge, F. A. A. M., of the District of Columbia, in
December, 1902, he was elected Junior Grand Steward, and has
advanced successively through each of the several stations and
places to that of Senior Grand Warden, which station he now
occupies.
He is a member of Almas Temple, A. A.
O. N. M. S.
He has also been an active worker in
the Order of Knights of Pythias, being a Past Chancellor
Commander of Polo Lodge, No. 215, K. of P., of the jurisdiction
of Iowa, and having served two terms as a representative in the
Grand Lodge.
A man of high intellectual
attainments and rare executive ability, of courteous demeanor
and magnetic pleasing personality, Brother Baldwin's coming
administration as Grand Master cannot fail to be of the greatest
credit and value to this jurisdiction.
AHGP
District of Columbia
Source: History of the Grand Lodge and
Freemasonry in the District of Columbia, compiled by W. Brother
Kenton N. Harper, 1911.
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