Lem Towers, Jr., Grand Sword Bearer, 1911

Born in Washington, D. C, January 9, 1862, he has resided continuously since that time in the District of Columbia. His education was begun in the public schools, but shortly before reaching the age of twelve he was compelled, through force of circumstances, to leave school and seek employment, which he obtained as messenger boy in the old Washington Stock Exchange in September, 1873. In October, 1875, he entered the real estate office of A. L. Barber & Co.; in April, 1879, he was employed in the insurance offices of Hanson & Blackford, and in December, 1881, was appointed as a stenographer in the office of the Official Reporter of Debates of the United States Senate. In 1883 he became assistant editor of the National Tribune, of this city. In 1884 he was appointed as a stenographer in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury, and remained in that office until May, 1890, when he resigned to become the first Secretary of the Lincoln Fire Insurance Company. In January, 1892, he succeeded to the Secretary ship of the Columbia Fire Insurance Company, which position he held until that company retired from business in 1908, since which time he has been engaged in a general insurance business. In 1889 Brother Towers graduated at law from the old Columbian (now George Washington) University, and in June of that year was admitted to practice before the bar of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.

Brother Towers being possessed of an unusually courteous and pleasing demeanor is one of the most popular Masons in the jurisdiction, while his keen intellect, business training, and tact combine to make him a most # able executive officer and have won for him a large measure of success in all the offices he has held in business and Fraternal circles.

Brother Towers received all of his Masonic degrees in this jurisdiction. He was raised in Potomac Lodge, No. 5, F. A. A. M., September 3, 1900; exalted in Potomac Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M., October 31, 1900, and knighted in Potomac Commandery, No. 3, K. T., December 5, 1900. He was made a Noble of Almas Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., February 7, 1901 He was Master of Potomac Lodge for the year 1907; High Priest of Potomac Chapter, 1905, and Eminent Commander of Potomac Commandery, 1906. He is a charter member of Adoniram Council, No. 2, R. and S. M.t and an honorary member of Temple Lodge, No. 32. He has passed through the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, having received the thirty-second in Albert Pike Consistory June 30, 1903.

At present he is also Grand Principal Sojourner of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M. and Grand Standard-Bearer of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar.

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.