Harrison Dingman, Grand Master, 1889

Born in Hudson, New York, September 5, 1840, he received a common school education in his native city, and in May, 1861, enlisted for two years in the 14th New York Vol. Inf., and at the battle of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862, was wounded.

In January, 1867, he was appointed to a clerkship in the Indian Bureau where he is now employed. His tenure of office, however, has not been continuous, as he has been engaged in other pursuits and filled other positions, notably as Supervisor for the District of Columbia in the Census of 1890 and 1900. He was also connected with the first United States Porto Rican Census in 1899, filling the position of Assistant Director.

He has been prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, filling the office of Department Commander of the Potomac Department, and later was elected Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief of the National Organization, and in the National Encampment, held in this city in 1892, he occupied the very responsible position of Secretary to the Citizens' Committee, which brought him into national reputation in Grand Army circles.

Brother Dingman has had a most notable Masonic career. He first saw light in Masonry in The New Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9, being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason August 12, 1880, and serving the lodge as Master in 1884. He was elected Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge in 1884 and served as Grand Master of Masons in 1889.

He received the Capitular degrees in Columbia Chapter, No. 1, in 1881, and filled the office of High Priest in 1886. After filling various offices in the line of the Grand Chapter he was elected Grand High Priest and filled that position in 1893. In 1890 he served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Washington Council, No. 1.

He received the Orders of Knighthood in Washington Commandery in 1883, and filled the position of Commander in 1891 and 1892. During the two years of his incumbency he conferred the Orders of Knighthood on 115 candidates, and his record has never been equaled in the history of the Commandery. He was elected Grand Standard-Bearer in the Grand Commandery in 1897, and after filling two other offices in the line was elected Grand Commander in May, 1900. At the Triennial Conclave at Saratoga, in 1907, he was appointed Grand Captain of the Guard of the Grand Encampment

W. Brother Dingman has not confined his activities to the York Rite in Masonry, but has also been prominently identified with the Scottish Rite. He received the degrees conferred in Mithras Lodge in 1888, and in 1889 received the other degrees including the thirty-second degree in Evangelist Chapter, Robert de Bruce Council, and Albert Pike Consistory. In 1894 he served as Commander of Robert de Bruce Council. He was made Knight Commander, Court of Honor, October, 1897, and on October 23, 1903, received the thirty-third and last degree.

He has devoted a great deal of time and energy in promoting the interests of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of Almas Temple and served as Potentate during 1893-4-5 and 1896; in 1903 he was elected Recorder, and is still holding that office. In 1896 he was elected Imperial Potentate for North America, and by virtue of filling that position is a delegate ad vitam to the Imperial Council.

It will be seen that R. E. Sir Dingman has been highly honored by the Masonic Fraternity, but these honors have been bestowed on him as a fitting reward for a lifetime spent in unselfish devotion to the interests of the Craft He has filled every position with zeal, fidelity, and conspicuous ability. By his loyalty and genial personality he has attracted to himself a circle of life-long friends, and his name is known in every State and Territory.

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.