The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-17
LOCAL MATTERS.


nifty OF Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons
in Virginia, and throughout the United
States, il not throughout the Masonic world,
will hear with regret OF the death Of DR.. John
Dove, of this city, which took place yester-
day morning at O'Clock, at the residence
OF his son-in-law, William b. Isaacs, Esq,
on Sixth street between Clay and Leigh.
John Dove was born in this city, Septem-
Der 2, 1892, in the house still standing at
the southwest corner OF Broad and Fifth
streets, and now owned by Marcus Har-
riS. He received his education in this city,
we believe. At a suitable age he attended
the lectures at Jefferson College, Phlladel-
phia, and there gained his diploma rs Doc
tor Of Medicine. He engaged in the prac-
tice Of his profession in this city, and con-
tihued in it up to near the end of his
long life. For many years he was ply
sician to the city Jail. He enjoyed whilst
in the vigor OF manhood large practice.
He was also during his life a member OF the
City Council for several years. Also, q
member and secretary OF the Board Of Wis
itorS OF the LaueaSterian school in this city
from its formation until it was made part
Of the public-schOol system of the State. He
was for a number Of years communicant
in St. Johns church, aud his daily walk and
converversation were such as became his
profession.
In every relation of life DR.. Dove was o
model man. Kind, courteous, intelligent,
and cousiderate to all, he was an honor to
his native city and State. But it was as q
Free Mason that he was best known. Never
father loved child more devotedly than
John Doveloved Masonry. Never child loved
father more devotedly than the Masons of
Virginia loved John Dove. To him more than
to any other man were due the purity and
excellence Of "the work" in Virginia. To
him more than to any other man the frater-
nifty looked as their faithful guide, counsel
lor, and friend. He visited the States
north OF Virginia many years ago, aud
learned ga more excellent" ritual than had
been in vogue in Virginia, and he it was
whence it has been transmitted unimpaired
to other States. He was, as Judge Wexford
said once, connecting link between the
revolutionary fathers and the present gene
ration. He was seven years old when Cen
eral Washington died, and thirty-four when
Thomas Jefferson died.
Or. Dove was in the year 1913 made a
Mason IN st. Johns Lodge, No. Sc, when
its meetings were held on Cary street, ep-
posite the old Columbian Hotel. He was an
honorary member OF that lodge when he
died, and it is understood that his funeral
ceremonies will be conducted by it. He
early became member also Of Richmond
Randolph Lodge, No. 10, of which he con-
tinued contributing member all his life-
He was no doubt an honorary member of
other &dges, all of which delighted to do
him honor. Two lodges in Virginia bear
his name-one Of them located in this city.
This latter lodge (of which the late T. p.
August was the first mastery was in 1872
the scene of most interesting ceremony
connected with the subject Of this notice.
The gifted Valentine, member OF the
Lodge, had executed bust of the 4 W G..
Secretary, and determined to present it as a
| gift to his Masonic mother, Dove Lodge.
The Lodge having been notified Of this in
tention. appointed suitable committee to
make the necessary arrangements Tor the
presentation and reception. The pro-
gramme was carried out on the night of
October Is, 1872, at Assembly Hall in the
| presence of an immense audience. The
ceremonies, incident to the occasion, were
conducted by Dove Lodge, assisted by Rich
mond Commandery, No. 2, X. T., and their
guests, St. Johns Commandery from Will
mington, Delaware. The stage was beau
tifully decorated, and on either side OF the
bust sat the gifted sculptor and the venera-
performed by that good and true Mason,
now gone to his final rest, r. w. Thomas
| II. Dudley, then Grand Treasurer
of the NJ. W. Grand Lodge OF Virginia.
The bust was pronounced by all who saw it
u faithful likeness in every particular. The
presentation address was made by M. w.
John G. McCabe, who stated that he was
initiated into the mysteries of the honorable
order by John Dove. He referred in glow
ing terms to the long and faithful services OF
the grand secretary, and said that the name
of John Dove was household word wher-
ever the Masonic banner is unfurled.
The bust was received on behalf OF the
lodge by r. w. Beverly R. Wexford, OF this
city, who said that in the organization OF
the Grand Lodge Of Virginia the craft had
looked to George Washington to be their
first Grand Master. " He declined the prof
fered honor, his duty to his country pre-
venting his acceptance. The craft then Sc
lected John Blair, a justice of the Supreme
Court. From his hands the gavel passed to
James Mercer, judge OF the first Court OF Ap-
peals of Virginia, and from him to Edmund
Randolph, Governor of Virginia, afterwards
Acknowledgement and Secretary OF State
under. George Washington; from him to
John Marshall; and from him to Robert
Brooke, afterwards Governor of Flr-
ginia. These were the fathers OF
Virginia Masonry. But the connecting
link yet remained. John Dove sat in Rich
mond Randolph Lodge, Ne. 49,, when John
Marshall welcomed Lafayette on his Ameri-
can tour. For more than dity-eight years
the records OF the Grand Lodge OF Virginia
attest his ever-punctual presence. Heis now
the oldest living grand secretary in the world.
For more than half century he has illus
trated the high character Of the Christian
Mason, enforcing by precept and example
the pure morality OF our order" In con-
cluding his address the speaker, with eyes
resting upon the venerable form, said:
"Venerable father, we would that we could
tender you leaf from the tabled cypress OF
Ceylon, to assure the continuance OF your
presence and your wisdom to guide and as
sist us, and our anxieties for those who
must follow would be relieved by the assu-
rance that it would remain to guide them"
Thls valuable gift remains I'M the hall OF
O0ye Lodge, mute but faithful reminder
to the craftsmen of John Dove.
AS early rs 1922 DR.. Dove was D strict
Deputy Grand Master. He held in the
Grand Lodge afterwards at different times
the positions OF Grand Senior Deacon, Grand
Junior Deacon, and Grand Junior Warden.
He was made Grand Secretary In 1882, and.
as we have said, held the office during lie.
He was Grand Secretary OF the Grand Chap
Ter from 1918 until his decease. Upon the
occasion OF the fIftieth anniversary OF his
frat election to that Office, he was presented
by the Chapter with gold wstch-chain OF
Hfty Iipka. He Wae Grand Recorder