San Francisco
County
Biographies
JONATHAN
DRAKE STEVENSON
Col. Stevenson, venerable and
distinguished brother, was elected the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
California, April 17, 1850. During a long and useful life he has justly earned
the title of being the father and founder of Freemasonry on the Pacific Coast.
His Masonic career commenced in
Phoenix Lodge, No. 40, New York, in 1821, and he was elected Senior Warden of
his lodge December 22, 1882. “He has the honor of having been the Master of the
only lodge in the city of New York that had courage to hold regular meetings
and perform the Masonic work during that unreasonable panic and fanatical
craze.
He received the Royal Arch degree of
Masonry in Phoenix Chapter, New York city, in 1832,
and was elected King. The celebrated “Stevenson’s Regiment” was recruited by
him, under authority to sail around the horn and serve in California. He
commenced this work at the adjournment of the Legislature of New York, of which
he was a member. As a lawyer, military man, and civilian he has filled exalted
positions, and during a long and arduous career in serving his country and
humanity he had led an honest and blameless life. Our esteemed brother is
nearly ninety years old, and until a recent accident was performing the active
duties of life. As men and Masons we can point with pride to such men as our
countrymen and fathers.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: “Illustrated
Fraternal Directory Including Educational Institutions on the Pacific Coast”,
Page 114, Publ. Bancroft Co., San Francisco. Cal. 1889.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.
San Francisco County Biographies