The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-09-24
FUNERAL OF IRA BERRY.
Tho Masonic Bodies Assist In the
Last Sad Rites.

On the Goth anniversary of the birth of Ira
Berry his remains were buried. The funeral
services commemorative Of our late venera-
BILE fellow citizen were held yesterday after
noon. Quite early in the afternoon the Sir
Knights Of Portland Commandery and the
Sir Knights of st. Alban Commandery met
at their respective armories. These two
bodies were consolidated and together acted
as escort to the Grand Lodge. The Grand
Lodge met at Masonic HALL shortly before
2 o'clock and the line was formed on Elk
change street. the escorting bodies taking
the right, followed by the Grand Lodge, Of
fclals Of Mt. Vernon Chapter and Ancient
Landmark Lodge and many members of 9TH
or Masonic bodies. p. G. NJ, Marquis F.
King acted as grand marshal OF the process
sion.
When the procession started 1t moved first
to the late residence of the deceased on
Brown street. There private services were
being held, attended by the family and a
few friends. The remains were taken under
escort and the line moved slowly to the New
Jerusalem church on High street, which was
already we'll filled when the Masonic bodies
arrived.
The remains were borne into the church
by the following gentlemen:
Past Grand Master E. p. Burnham OF Saco, and
Past Grand Warden John W. Ballou OF Bath
representing the Grand Lodge.
Grand High Priest Charles l. Collamore of
Bangor, and Grand Treasurer Rufus III. HinkIev
OF Portland, representing the Grand Chapter.
Grand Commando Arlington b. Marston of
Bangor, and Sir Knight William G. Davis Of Port
land, representing the Grand COmmandery and
Sir Knight K. b. Ma'lett, Jr.,- 33rd degree Of
Freeport and Sir Knight William o. Fox, Send
degree OF Portland, representing the Scottish
Rite.
The church was filled with the friends of
the venerable man whose obsequies were
celebrated. After the coffin was borne up
the aisle there followed long line of his de-
scendants and near relatives Many promi-
nent citizens occupied seats besides those
who were in the Masonic ranks. Among
them were noted such men as the Hon. Will
liam w. Thomas, Rev. DIR. Asa Dalton. Hon.
Thomas B. Reed. Mr.. George A. Thomas,
City Treasurer George Fl. Libby, Hon
George F. Talbot and others.
Chambers Band. which had played out
side the church while the procession was en-
tering. was seated in the gallery. One whole
section of pews from front to rear was occu-
pied by the Masons, and then the services
began with music by female quartette. Mr..
Berry had been an honorary member of the
Rossini Club almost from its foundation and
four OF its members sang as he would have
wished them to sing, lift Thine
Eyes" Rev. William b. Hayden
the venerable ex-pastor Of the church, read
selections from the scriptures aud then de-
llvered an address. 1t was full of feeling, it
was thoughtful and hopeful and helpful.
Mr.. Hayden did not make himself a bio
grapher or historian, nor did he even dwell
long on the personal characteristics of Mr..
Berry, but he called attention. quietly, to
some OF the more striking points in his per
sonality. and set them forth in way which
was better than any formal eulogy would
have been, and 1t was easily seen that the
speakers heart was as young as that of his
friend had been. The literary and artistic
tastes OF the deceased, the sweetness of his
home life, and the love and respect in which
he was held by the more than half hundred
oil bis descendants were not passed over un-
noticed.
After prayer by the clergyman the quar-
tette sang "One Sweetly Solemn Thought,
etc" and then after pronouncing the bene-
diction. Mr.. Hayden retired and the Masonic
ceremonies began. They were conducted by
Past Grand Master Josiah H. Drummond,
acting as Grand Master, while Rev. DIR. ohm
f. Clymer officiated as Grand Chaplain. At
ter these rites were finished, Chandler's
Band played "Pleyel's flynn" most effect
lively. and then. after an opportunity had
been given for viewing the remains the pro-
cessi0n was reformed and moved to Ever
green Cemetery. The Portland and st. AL
pan Communicates went to the grave and
there formed square wherein the closing
ceremonies were performed, many of the
pest known members of Mt. Vernon Conn
Gil. Ancient Landmark Lodge, and yarious
other societies of which the deceased was
member being present The esteem in
which he was held was testified to BY the
number of out of town men who were pras-
emit. among them, 10 addition to those al
ready mentioned being such men as Hon.
Joseph M. Hayes Of Bath, p. g. Warden, A.
Al. Wetherbee OF Warren, and others. at
the final services Rev. DIR. Clymer again Of
hciated. Hon. III. III. Burbank of Saco. ID,
q. M, Geo. r. Shaw, Junior Grand Warden.
Grand Treasurer w. o. Fox, Grand Secretary
Charles d. Smith, and Grand Deacons
Charles IL. Snow and Edward G, SWEET
participated in the rites. Then the line was
solemnly reformed and all was over.
Excursion to Bath.
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