The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-05-13

til 1S49, In which year he struck out fol
| the west, coming direct to Wisconsin.
in the Assembly.
! He at once became a leader among
men and in public affairs. As young
| Democrat, Mr.. Palmer took his place in
the lead in that party. He was first
elected to the general Assembly in 1898
serving from that year until lSOO, con
tinuously. He was again sent TO the AS
sembly in 1873. During his first term
he served as speaker of the house, and
again during the extra session IN iSoz:
During the years of 1Sbt-bS he served
MS an active member of the state Senate,
and during this service he was known as
one of the leading men of the state, be-
ing looked upon as the natural leader OF
his party, which nominated HIM as It's
candidate for governor, in 1868, but he
failed of election.
His title of Judge" came as the result
of his election, in 1873, TO the position
of Judge of Milwaukee county, which po-
sitiOn he held but one year, reslgnlnE IN
February. 1874. to accept the presidency
of the Northwestern Mutual Life insur-
ance company
His Life as a Mason.
Mr. Palmer became member of the.
Mas,tlic fraternity in 1871, at Troy, \.
y, where lie received the blue lodge de-
grees in Evening Star lodge No. 10.
in that city, in that year, lie received
the capituirr degrees in 1916 in Apollo
chapter of Troy, and the orders of
knightlood, in the Apollo encampment,
as it was then named, at Troy IN 1917.
He became n member of Wisconsin
lodge No. 13 shortly after locating here.
The lodge was then known as Tracy
lodge. He became a charter member of
Wisconsin chapter, No. I, and of Wis
consin council, No 4. He assisted in the
organization of Wisconsin commandery,
No. /. over which he presided for many
years. He was elected grand master of
Wisconsin in 1851 and again in 1898,
serving later in the same position,
1912. He was grand high priest Of the
grand chapter of Wisconsin, in 1850;
grand master Of the grand council, in
1863 and 1864; grand commander,
knights Templar, from 1888 to 1860,
inclusive, being the first grand command
or Of this state. He was elected grand
master Knights Templar of the United
States, in 1860. 1t was on August &.
1868, that he received the degrees of
the Ancient and Accepted Scottish rite
by communication, upon the introduc-
ton Of that feature of Masonry in this
state
He took part in the fall Of 1908 nj the
semi-centennal session of the grand com
OF W tscOnsln, held at Madison.
During the later wears of his remark
able career Judge Palmer devoted him
self more particularly to the Ancient and
Accepted Scottish rite. He was long an
active member of the supreme council,
Dr governing body Of the Scottish Rite
n the northern jurisdiction. over which
le presided as the supreme head since
$50. This jurisdiction comprises the
,ourtccn states of the Union lying east
If the Mississippi river. north Of Ken
lucky, the Ohio river, and West Virginia,
md north and east of Maryland. In
80 ne was advanced to the position of
most puisSant sovereign grand comInan-
Ter OF the supreme council, for the north !
rn jurisdiction, and since that year he
vas reelected at each succeeding tri- (
nniaI gathering, which is always held /
Il Boston, Mass.
Judge Palmer was known as one of the !
most companionable of men; true |
ricnd, ut all times and under all circum- !
tances a man Of close disccrnmcut and |
.oen pcrCepive faculties, and withal, !
nan Of wondrOus heart and mind.