Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-08-22

wednesday, at The residence OF his SOn-ln-
law, Col. NJ. G. Hartman, near Staunton.
Hewas born in Liberty, Frederick county,
Md, November 18th, 1877, and was a Cap
tain in the war of 1872, came to Staunton
in 1913 and in March 1914, was made a
Mason in Staunton Lodge, No. IS, which
then met in a little frame building in a
corner of the old Trinity church yard. His
Masonic life was one Of unusual distinc-
ton, having been for 20 years master of
the lodge i'll which he was initiated, Grand
Master of the State of Virginia Grand
High Priest of the Grand Chapter Grand
Lecturer of both Grand Lodge and Chap
ter Tor II years, Grand Lecturer of North
Carolina and Eminent Commander of the
Commandery at Norfolk
He was noted throughout Virginia
and North Carolina for his Masonic knoWl-
edge, having received the various Masonic
| Lecturers from the celebrated Cushman,
many years ago, which he retained and
handed down pure as from the source he
received them, as attested by the many to
whom he has imputed Masonic instruc-
ton during the past fifty years. Even to a
very short time before his death, in his
| lectures to younger masons, the fact was
| clearly evinced that his memory was still
most retentive, his teachings not varying
in the slightest particular, as far as could
be detected by the Oldest and brightest
.masons of this locality. He was remark
able in another particular. So perfect
was his Masonic. knowledge, that he fire.
quently conferred the degrees in the blue
LODGE or Chapter" on different can
ddates, out of their regular order,
without the slightest mistake OF hesita
ton, and without reference to text or
guide, and with the greatest ease and cor
rectness, while lecturing on one degree
would answer questions in the others and
proceed undisturbed with the degree in
hand. For the correctness and perfection
of his Masonic learning, as well as the
purity of his character as a man and Chris
tian, he was greatly revered by the Mason
| ic brotherhood of this and other States
1t may be truly said, that one of, if not the
brightest light in the Masonic armament
of Virginia has gone out with him.
He never forgot his love for the order OF
which he had been so bright a member, and
among his last acts was distribution of
| the various ''jeWels, " which had been con-
ferred upon him by different lodges. One
of them, THAT presented by his own lodge
and with which he was always appeared on
marked occasions, attached to the lapel of
his coat, he desired should be worn at his
funeral by Master OF Grand Master, and
after the ceremonies be returned to one OF
his daughters to be kept in remembrance
| of him.
He was postmaster in Staunton before
| and during the war, but since then has been
! engaged in no active business. He had
| been a consistent member Of the Protestant
Episcopal church for many years and met
| his death with no anxiety. His farewell to
his children and numerous friends were
very touching, coming as they did from
mind unclouded to the last. In 1918,
Capt. S., was married to Miss Dunlap, of
this county. His daughters are Mrs.
| Getty, Of New York, wife Of Brig. Gen.
| OeCGy, U. .. "A. MIS-. Haflndn, VINE Oh
NJ. G. Hartman Mrs. Margaret Kenuey
and Mrs. Porterfeld Kenney. His sons are
Brig. Gen. j. W. Stevenson, U. S. A., and
VIM. R. Stevenson, Esq, Of Fauquier.-
He leaves some thirty grand children.
The funeral took place yesterday after
noon, at o'clock, from Trinity church,
service being read by Rev. w. @. Hull
hen, assisted by Rev. r. II. Phillips. The
remains were inferred in the Church yard
with the usual Masonic ceremonies, all the
Masonic orders in city being represented att
the grave, and many visiting Brothers from
Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Richmond
who had come on for the purpose Of being
present. The remains were brought to the
| Church under an escort of Knights Temp
| lar.
|