Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-11
OUR LOCAL AFFAIRS.
Mr.. JOHN r. REcxAuLT.
Dssh Of This wsnksswn ciuzss and
Eminent Mason.

Eminent Mason.
| Mr.. John Farran Rsgnault died a,
9:4o last night at his residence, at ths
southwest corner Of Main and Fourth
streets, Of Bright's disease, in the scy.
eniy-secsnd year Of his age. He was
born IN Philadelphia Of French parents,
with whom he came to this city when
he was shout four years old, and was
one OF our best-known, as he was one
OF our worthiest, citizens. Long en-
gagged here in the paper-hanging and up
holstering business, he made and main
tanned a high name for business in
tegrity. In the days Of the Macis-
trate's Court he was often called upon
by the people to serve in that body, and
rs RecoFder Of the city discharged in
the absence OF the Mayor important
functions; for which his firm. WELL
balanced mind peculiarly qualified him.
A good saapy years later he held the
Office Of City Collector-preceding Mr..
Aylett =. Woodson. OF late he had
been quietly devoting himself to his old
bus'ne-., and had store on Ninth
street t1twecn Main and Bank.
Fifty years ago he was a member of
the Blues. He served from private up
70 lieutenant, and up to death was an
honorary member Of the organization.
Mr.. Regnault was never married he
lived with his sisters. and was to them
a most devoted and affectionate brother.
In personal appearance, particularly
after he became grey. he strongly
resembled General X. E. Lee in
the last years Of that chief
tain's life. Mr.. Regnault was a
man OF high character; was a useful
and hoDored citizen, and an eminent
member Of the Masonic fraternity. A
week ago last Sunday, conscious that
his end was approaching, he dictated to
one Of his nephews, son of the late
Mr.. Moses Ellyson, directions concern
ing his funeral and the orders to which
he belonged. Though dying for two or
three days, he did not seem to suffer
much pain, and passed away very
quietly indeed.
Mr.. Regnault was made Mason in
Richmond Lodge, No. 10, in 1874, and
presided over it as master from June.
1850, to June, 1854 was charter mas
ter Of Joppa Lodge, No. 40, and acted
as master for the years lS67-'6S; was
appointed district deputy grand master
Of the Richmond district in 1859, and
filed the Office for ten consecutive
years; was appointed grand treasurer
Of the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter,
and Grand Commandery Of Virginia in
July, 1883, to Gil vacancies made in
those bodies by the death Of Grand
Treasurer o. NJ. Marshall. These
several Offices he continued to fill with
signal system, care. fidelity. and
ability. He was made a ROYAL Arch
Mason in Richmond Chapter, No. 3,
in lS4s, and Knight Templar
in Richmond Commandery, No. ,,
in 1880; served as its eminent COM
mander for the years 1s60-'G2, and
after passing through all of the subor-
dinate offices he was elected grand
commander of the State in 1880. De-
clining > reelection to office, he served
in that position only one year. Since
he was made Mason lin lS4) to the
day Of his death he had a realizing
sense Of the duties devolying upon him,
and there are few Masons who more
faithfully, zealously, and judiciously
performed them. Full Of years and
full of honors, he has gone - across the
river to join the host who have pre-
ceded him." and with them to "rest
under the shade
His funeral will take place on San
day evening at 5 o'clock from Monu-
mental church.