The morning call., 1890-12-29
PIONEER AND MASON.
Death of a Prominent Citizen of
San Francisco.
Alexander Gurdon Abel After Life Of Active
Usefulness Passes Quietly Away at His
Home in This City.

Alexander Gurdon Abel, one Of the most
prominent citizens of San Francisco. who
for the last thirty-six years had been Grand
Secretary of the Masonic order in this State,
died at his residence, 1927 Washington
street, yesterday. His death was the result
of general breaking down OF The system in
old age, for the deceased was 70 years old
and had lived an active live Recently de-
bility took the place Of energy and good
health and he failed. rapidly. His friends
had expected his death for some time, and
when he sank during Saturday night it was
noticed that he had not long to live: Ats
O'Clock ia the morning be passed away. ::
Hewas born in New York State. When
a young nan he. was employed in the State
department at Washington. and was the
bearer of important dispatches from Presi-
dent Tyler to Samuel Houston, who was
operating in Texas. During the same adj
ministration he WAS appointed Consul to the
Hawaiian Islands.
-. HIS EARLY CAREER. :.
On his way to the islands he landed at
Monterey. This was in 1S47. Two years
laterhe returned to California, and engaged
in mercantile pursuits in this. city.
In 1854 he was: appointed by Grand Mas.
ter W. ii. Howard the Grand Secretary of
the Masons for this State. on the death of
Levi Stowell. and the following year he was
elected to the position which he retained to
the time of his death. -.
Among the important Offices he has filed
area. State Senator curing the fourteenth
session, Commissioner of immigration,
Chairman OF the Republican State Central
Committee. President of the Pioneers in 1857
and two years following. and President and
Manager of the Masonic Hall Association
since It's organization.
= A PROMINENT MASON. j.;
Deceased WAS mazda d Mason in Eadara
Lodge, No. l., Washington. d. c.. on May
II, 1852. Hewas exalted to the Royal Arch
in Columbia Chapter, No. Is, Washingto ton,
+ ID. c., on Maybe, 1859. He received the or
ders OF knlghthooa in Washington Encamp-
ment No. i, In the same: city on June 16,
49,. He was made an Inspector General
of tile Thirty-third Degree in the Supreme
Council for the Southern Jurisdiction of the
|; United States in Charleston. S. g., in 1865
In 1855 lie was elected. Master of Califor-
mia Lodge, No /, and flied the position for
two years. He served California Chapter
of Royal Arch Masons, No. s. one year as
High Priest. For eight years he was Com
mander of California Commandery. No. i,
OF Knights TemDlar. He was Grand High
Priest OF the Grand Chapter for a year.
During 1861 he was Grand Commander of
the knights Temllar of California.
He was up to his deceaSe an Honorary In
spector-General of the Thirty third Degree
of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
+ " HIS uuliiius eBeISy anu perseverance the
Masonic fraternity owe the existence of
their magnificent temple in this city.
+. CEREMONIES AT INfERMENT.
Next Thursday afternoon at o'clock the
funeral ceremonies will take place at King
Solomon's Hall, Masonic Temple, under the
work of the Grand Lodge Of Free and Ac-
cepted Masons of California Grand Master
Alvah Russell Conklin Will -officiate.
Two daughters, both of when are mar
ried, are surviving members of the family
of dect ased. About a year ago his brother,
A. S. Abel. proprietor of the Baltimore
Sun and one of the wealthiest news paper
men of the day, died in this city while on "A
visit. A. g. Abel owned considerable real
estate in Oakland and San Francisco at the
time Of his death.