The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-26

garded as Most Prominent
 Mason in Connecticut and l One of the Most Promin-
 ent in the World.
 proprietor of the Farmer, and for five
 years judge of probate of the City of Bridgeport, died this morning at his residence in Norwich of pneumonia, after an illness of few days. His 1 wife also is suffering with pneumonia. | Stricken by the death of her father,
 Miss Annie Gould, for years an inva- 1 lid, is seriously ill.
 MT. Gould had been suffering from an attack of the grip for a week or ten days when it suddenly turned to pluro- pneumonia. At his great age he was
 unable to withstand the ravages of the congestion and died about o'clock this morning. On account of her se- notified of his death. Her physician to-day said she was very low but he hoped for her recovery.
 MT. Gould was regarded as the most distinguished Mason in Connecticut
 and one of the most distinguished in the world.
 The late James L. Gould was born
 in Weston, Nov. 15, 1880. He re-
 ceived his early education in the
 schools of this city. In young man.
 hood he attended Yale University, re-
 ceived his diploma, and was graduat-
 ed afterward becoming a lawyer. He
 lived in Bridgeport until 1902. Since
 hat limo n hoC in
 Norwich. occupying his residence in that city during the winter months. During the hot seasons he lived at Eastern Point. pretty summer resort near New London
 MT. Gould was managing editor of
 this paper from 1866 to 1891. He >was
 man of high character and great
 ability. As an employer he was ever
 considerate of the rights and feelings
 of those under him, fact to which
 the writer, who served as a subordin-
 ate editor in his employ for nearly 20 years, with never word of disagree ment, can testify.
 As. friend, he was ever loyal; as an editor, he was aggressive, when be- lieying himself in the right; but he was never %intolerant of the2 opinions of others. Such men are not over plenti- full, and the world sustains a distinct loss when one is taken away.
 MT. Gould became associated with the Farmer in 1866, under the designa- tion of Pomeroy, Gould & Co., By the death of MT. Pomeroy, the firm name became in 1870, Gould & Stiles, and so continued until Jan. 1, 1891, when MT. Gould retired because of a Tnalady which bereft him of vision.
 MT. Gould not only attained distinc- toin as a journalist, but as a lawyer. He was five times chosen judge of pro- bate for the Bridgeport district, serv- ing one year terms, as a Democrat, in 1860, 1862, 1863, 1865 and 1866. His opinions upon the law commanded the respect of lawyers. His administration of this important office was in the in- terest of the humble and the friend less.
 In politics MT. Gould was a Jefferson ian Democrat. His political princi- pies were absorbed from the teachings of the great apostle of the Democratic party and modified to meet the chang ign order of the times.
 He was a member of the Masonic l Fraternity and attained many masonic honors, including the dignity of the 33rd degree He was widely known in the fraternity as the author of ma sonic text books, some of which are of the highest authority. A portion of his works are so abstruse as to re- | quire the profOundest knowledge of the | order and it's principles upon the part of the reader Possibly the best known of these writings is the Guide | to the Royal Arch Chapter which | ran through several editions. He was l associated in this work with John She | vile, P. G. H. P., of New Jersey. The l work was published in it's second ed1- l tion in 1867, when MT. Gould was G. H. F., of the Grand Chapter of Connec- ticut and G. G. R. A. Captain of the General Grand Chapter of the United States.
 He has been a devoted student of the Masonic institution, embracing in his research it's philosophy and sym bolisrn and has given special attention to ritualistic matters. As chairman : of the committee on rituals in the Grand Chapter, he reported the pres ent standard work. which was almost adopted and which receiv- ed the concentrations of the leading ritualists of the country, and was sub adopted by the General Grand Chapter of the United States, was made a Master Mason in St. Johns Lodge, Dec. 31, 1851; Royal Arch Mason, Jerusalem Chapter, Feb. B, 1852: Royal and Select Mason, Jeru- salem Council, Feb. 23. 1852; Knight Templar, Hamilton Commandery, May 21, 1855; received Scottish Rite degrees in Bridgeport in 1866; received 33rd de- gree, June z. 1866.
 He held the following offices, Master St. Johns Lodge 1870 to 1871; Most Excellent High, Priest of Jerusalem Chapter, 1861 to 1887; Twice Illustrious Master of Jerusalem Council. 1866 to 1867: Eminent Commander of Hamil- ton Commandery. 1869; from 1864 to 1899, important offices in Scottish Rite; Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Con- necticut 1871; Grand High Priest of Grand Chapter 1867 to 1868; Grand Master Grand Council, 1864; Grand Royal Arch Captain of General Grand Chapter, U. $. A., 1865 to 1868.
 The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him by Yale in 1851 and the degree of Master of Arts in