The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-28
MASONIC COLUMN.
william II. IhralI, Past Grand Mass
ters of Ohio.

The committee on obituaries of the
Grand lodge of Ohio, thus speaks of one of
Vermont's sons, giving the record of an
honorable public and Masonic life. 1t is
rs well the history of one of the prominent
families of Western Vermont
VIM. b. Thrall was the fourth son of
Jesse Thrall, farmer in Rutland, Yer
mont, where he was born on the 18th of
June, 1893. His father, Jesse Thrall, was
born in Windsor, Connecticut, and settled
in Rutland in 1891. His father, Jesse,
was the son of Samuel Thrall, who was
farmer and captain of company in the
Revolutionary army. Samuel was a son
Of John Thrall Cd, who was a son Of John
Ihrall list, who was son of Timothy
Thral, and Timothy was son of William
Thrall, who, iu 1920, was member of
Rev. Mr.. Warchams church, organized at
Plymouth, England, for the purpose of
emigrating to America. In 1880 the church
arrived in America, and located at Dor
chester, Mass; but in 1885 it removed to
Windsor, Conn, where Jesse ThraIl, father
Of Bro. VIM. b. Ihrall. was born.
Thus Bro. Thrall sancestors can be traced
back to the old Puritans who left England
t'i.t' tuNy IhiSht tlNli lthSloVo
liberty. They preferred wilderness in
tested by savages, with liberty, to the lux
uries of England, infested by II bloated
state priesthood and a tyrannical aristoc-
racy.
Bro. Thrall learned the art of printing in
the office of the Rutland (Vt.) He1uM,
then owned by VIM. Fay. In 1877 lie
came to Ohio, worked a while III Columbus
rs a journeyman, and in 1919 went to Cir
cleville, and purchased printing establish
ment called "Thc Olive Branch" soon
changed to the "Circleville Herald" which
he edited and published tor twenty-six
years.
In 1887 he was elected representative of
Pickaway county in the legislature, was
postmaster in Circlevlle during the pres-
dency of Mr.. Adams, and was reformed
out by Gen. Jackson.
He was mayor of Circlevillc some eight
or ten years, and appointed associate judge
of the county on the It'll of April, 1916,
but resigned the Office in November, 1916,
and removed to Columbus, where he pur-
chased a part interest in the SOHO State
Journal, and became its editor.
In 1862, '53 and '54, he was clerk at the
head of bureau in the Treasury Depart
ment at Washington, under Past Grand
Master Thomas Corwln
In 1868, when the office of Comptroller
of the Treasury was created by act of the
legislature, Gov. Chase appointed Bro.
Thrall to that office, to which he was after
wards elected by the people
In March, 1864, he was appointed by
Gov. Brough, and in 1870 by Gov. HAYES,
one of the trustees of the Central Ohio lun-
attic asylum.
In all these varied posts OF responsibility,
and amid all the conflicts of parties, though
Bro. Thrall was an incorporating pOliti-
clan, the charge of venality or corruption
was never made against him.
He received common district school ed
ucation only. yet he was one of the most
torcible and accurate writers in Ohio.
On the 9th of August, 1929, Bro. Thrall
married Miss Nancy Graham, who died
July 26, 1928. On the 2lst of February
1926, he married Maria Rock, who survives
him. They had nine children, five of
whom died young. Henry b., his second
son, went into the army as captain on the
first call for troops in the late rebellion ;
was taken sick, came home, and died Sept
l8, 1868. His eldest son, DR.. VIM. r. Thral
is United States Marshal for the Southern
district of Ohio.
Before the death of Bro. Thrall there
were of the family four brothers aud one
sister, aged 70, 70, 70 and 81, and there
had not been death in the family for 70
years.
Bro. Thrall was not rich, but left enough
to insure his bereaved widow comfortable
support and what is far better the glorious
memory of his illustrious life.
Your committee are aware that his Ma
sonic life Is, with us, as Masons, the para
mount object of interest, but the Masonic
life of Bro. Thrall would be very imperfect
without this preliminary sketch of his do
mestic and civil character. He was initial
ed into the mysteries of Masonry in Picka-
way lodge, No. 90, at Circleville, May B.
1920 He served rs secretary junior and
senior wardens, and worshipful master from
the time he was eligible until he removed
10 Columbus In 1916.
In lS4l, as deputy grand master, he Off
clated in organizing Columbus lodge, No
80, and two years after his removal to Co
lumbus he was elected worshipful master
OF that lodge, and reelected for seven years
afterward.
In 1926 and 1929 he was grand junior
deacon of this Grand lodge, and in 1884,
was grand junior warden, and from 1885 t.
1S43 was deputy grand master, when hi
was elected M. w. grand master, and served
as such until 1896
In the organization of Masonic veter
ans" in 1872, he was elected president
which Office he held ~ the time of hi
death
lu the higher orders of Masonry, il
which he was Grand principal sojourner
king, high priest, and eminent commando
of Mt. Vernon commandery, il is not prop
or for your committee to speak. AS mas
ter Masons we know nothing about them
ana these orders will, undoubtedly, pay
proper tribute TO his Masonic skill zeal
ability and fidelity in those offices
reviewing the lives Of our =. G. Master
Fielding and Thrall, your committee cal
no better express their feelings than t.
adopt the language of our English brother
"They endeared themselves to all GU
hearts, not only by their answering devo
ton to the high and holy principles Of Free
masonry, but by the courtesy, the urbanity
and the dignity with which they performed
their duties as Grand masters. We woul,
rather be the ruler of glorious fraternit,
of good and true men than the monarch o
many European realm We would rath
er reign In the hearts and affections of on
brother MasOns than exercise comnlan,
over their lives and fortunes. We woul,
rather have the epitaph placed on on
tombs that we had served our fellow-mel
and advanced the interest of truth and viz