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.