Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-06-21

naSl1ng eyes OF our late DrOGncf as ne |
arose In response to Brother Perry's
request, for remarks from our only
living past Grand Secretary. A per-
feet picture of health and fine man.
hood. He has gone. His work is
finished. In the cold month of
December the summons came and
found him ready. All his life was a
preparation for the great change,
which sooner or later comes Eto all,
when the Supreme Grand Master
calls us to give an account OF our
stewardship.
Brother Hoskinson was born May
II, 1886, on farm at small place
called Johnson's Corners, near Akron,
Ohio, where his parents continued to
reside until the early forties, then
they removed to Wisconsin, making
the entire journey with yoke of
oxen and prairie schooner, settling
at Beloit, where his father entered
the mercantile business. Here his
school and assisting in the store. He
always had books near him, reading
and studying whenever opportunity
offered. In the early days when the
lamented Matt Carpenter practised
law in the courts at Beloit, nothing
had greater facination for our late
Brother than the mastery arguments
of this able lawyer. Whenever court
was in session he never missed being
present as an attentive listener.
Though only boy in years, he was
almost man in his power to reason.
In later years he greatly regretted,
that the practice of law was not his
profession. In 1850 his father having
decided his son should become a
Methodist minister, sent him to
Beloit Academy, then one OF the first
and best institutions of learning in
the Northwest, where he finished his
Academic course in the spring of 1852,
being honor man of his class. In the
fall of 1852, he entered Beloit College
where the same high standard of work
was maintained, until the spring of
1854, when he was compelled by mis-
| fortune in his fathers business, to
leave college only six weeks from
commencement day, that he might
seek employment to assist the family.
With this aim in view he went to
Chicago,-found employment in what
was at that time one of the largest
dry good stores in the city, where his
close attention to detail, integrity
and high moral character soon marked
him out for advancement to a more
important position. Be it said to his
honor, that he proved himself worthy
of the confidence thus reposed in him
at this early period of his career.
In 1856, Brother Hoskinson was sent
by his employer with stock of goods
to the thriving young city of Green
Bay, Wis, where he opened store,
managing it so we'll, that in the fall
OF 1858, an interest in the business was
given him and retained for some years.
Coming in contact with the brightest
and best men of the city, his circle of
acquaintance and friends soon
became larger, ever seeking for what
is best, he began to feel an interest in
Masonry and was initiated and
entered apprentice in Washington
Lodge No. 81, January 8, 1860. From
this date his progress in Masonry was
almost phenomenal; passing through
the degrees with a rapidity that is
seldom attained by anyone. His
brethren early recognizing his true
worth, elected him worshipful master,
in which position he served them for
four years, bringing credit to the
lodge and himself. His regular atten-
dance at Grand Lodge and close
attention to it's sessions brought him
in contact with the brethren where
his ability was recognized, and in
1872, was appointed chairman of the
committee on foreign correspondence.
To this work he gave strict attention,
and presented one of the best reports
that had ever been given, up to that
time. The following June he was
elected grand secretary, in which
capacity he served two terms, viz
1873 and 1874. His thorough educa-
tion and integrity were soon made
manifest in his services. The system
of records which he introduced at
that time and used during his term
Of office, have been constantly in use
since, and today we have in our grand
secretary's Office, one Of the finest
systems to be found in this country.
Being lover of books he was anxious
to have literature of Masonry, he
laid the foundation of our present
library, by collecting few books and
pamphlets, slowly year by year new
books have been added, until at the
] present time it bids fair to become
worthy monument of a noble desire.
| Upon retiring from the office of grand
secretary, he became part owner of
the Green Bay Gazette, and founded
the first daily paper in that city, AS
an editor, he was success. His able
editorials attracted attention, they
were the expression of fine moral