Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-06-06
4 FINE PORTRAIT.

About two months ago Minturn Lodge
No 10. a. F. & A. NJ, of PIT. Pleasant APP
pointed a committee composed of c. f.
Hess L. S. Pomeroy and S. q. Hannigan
to have a life-size oil portrait made OF
Hon. II. r. Howard, Past Grand Master
of West Virginia, 10 be placed in their
lodge room The committee having had
the work done to their satisfaction, turned
the portrait over to THEM lodge at the
regular meeting held Tuesday night last
the same being reported to the lodge by
said committee through Hon. Rankin
Wiley. who on presenting the same TO the
lodge spoke as follows:
Worshipful Masters, Wardens and Breth-
ern:
In the great State OF Ohio in Cham
paign county. on February nth, 1913 there
was born TO certain family baby boy;
This baby was the idol OF father anu
mother. and so distinguished LOOKING was
he that his parents looked IN VAIN ABOUT
them for a name 10 confer upon him.
There was none that they could select
that they deemed good enough, ana IN the
predicament confronting him; the iather,
an enthusiastic Mason decided that ms
beloved lodge should help him out OF MS
uuandary Accordingly he reported the
good fortune with which he mad Deeh
visited in the birth of a son, ana, eN-
planning the difficulty he had experienced
in finding a suitable name, asked the
lodge to select one for him. Aften due
elaboration the lodge named the boy
Hiram Reese. Hiram after our Granu
Master. Hiram Abiff. and Reese. ior the
then Grand Master of the State r. ONO.
Thus the boy received his distinguished
given names. and 1t but remains 10 aud
that his surname was Howard, ana as
Hiram Reese Howard his name was m
scribed soon afterwards IN the fanny
Bible. and as Hiram Reese Howard II
hods an affectionate place in the memory
Of every person in this room, and count
less others not with us In the body now
but who in spirit are ever present.
When this boy grew 10 MANHOOD he re-
mempered his fathers love for the order
and soon knocked himself for permission
TO enter a Masonic lodge Being found
worthy to enter the permission was con-
coded. and a worthy Mason he became
and still remains.
When but eighteen years of age the war
broke out, and young Hiram Reese How
ard. recognizing the danger threatening
the country and moved by PATRIOTISM "
take up arms in the cause Of the Union,
the disruption of which keenly Appealed
to his young mind enlisted in regiment
of his native State and going TO the front
for four years suffered all the harQSnlps
and privatlons or a private soIdler III tn5
ranks ever foremost in heroiSm ana
moved by the Hottest sentiments OF pa
trotic ardor. 1t was not until peace was
declared and the war completely over thal
the valiant soldier laid down his arms,
and then he retired from the army, not
only with an honorable discharge. but
with the added honor of a medal voted 10
him by the Congress of the United States
for signal and distinguished bravery on
the field Of battle
The war over. in 1866 Hiram Reese How
ard came to Point Pleasant, and so con-
fident was he Of the future awaiting this
part Of the country that he then and there
determined 10 throw in his lot with us
and taking unto himself one OF our talr-
est daughters for wife established him
self in our midst and ever since he mas
so closely identified himself with the pros
perity aid advancement OF the city that
he NAV be considered TO have been in
strumental in the achievement OF the best
that has been done to attain for Point
Pleasant the position II occupies to-day.
But | wish more particularly TO speak
of our respected brother as Mason.
When he came here he at once took the
liveliest interest in revivng Minturn
Lodge and promotirg Freemasonry in the
town and county. and | may safely say In
the State also. His energy and devoted
interest were several times rewarded by
his election TO the Mastership of Minturn
Lodge and to representative positions IN
the Grand Lodge of the State. in which
he so ably. honorably ana admirably dls-
charged the onorous duties devolVing
Votion TO the order and his fidelity TO the
teachings of Masonry were felt 10 be only
adeousttly recognized by his election in
1857 as Grand Master of the Order in West
Virginia. And In that distinguished posi-
ZION his services were alike creditable 10
himself honorable TO the order ana re
fiective of the highest praise upon his
svmnathetic faithfulness in the promulga-
ton of the noblest aims of the craft: and
10 him can be applied with remarkable,
trutb tba fine old communication well
done thou good and faithful servant
In recognition of the services of Hiram
Reese Howard to the fraternity and the
cause of Masonry generally. the honor
and distinction he has brought to his
lodge and as a tribute TO his worth as a
man as well as a Mason. II was deter
mined a few weeks ago that a committee
Of members of this lodge should have an
oil portrait executed Of our most distin-
suiShed brother. the same TO be placed in
Tbe Lodge room. so that we migfS our
selves have A perpetual reminder of him
sir and his influence for good amongst
ms and that those to come after US
might have the opportunity 10 study his
features and learn true Masonry from his
example.
Al the request. and in behalf of your
committee appointed for that purpose.
I have now the honor TO report their duty
done and TO present TO Minturn Lodge No.
10 a +. & A. NJ, this portrait which we
regard as an appropriate. though II may
he an inadequate. tribute 10 the sterling
,,,or,h ~ our former Grand Master.
After these remarks by Mr.. Wiley. the
nortrait was accepted by an unanimous
vote Of the lodge. and the portrait ordered
n he placed upon the wall Of the lodge
room.
This portrait was painted by an artist