Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-02-11


Eminent Commander and Sir knights
OF McGrorty commandery No. a.
Your committee appointed 10 pre-
sent tribute Of respect to the mem
DRY OF Sir Knight Joseph y. McGrorty.
respectfully present the following:
Past Grand Commander Joseph
Parkhill McGrorty passed from this
life 10 the life eternal ON january 10.
1919. having reached the ripe old age
of eighty-seven years. and was accord
ell fun Masonic honors by Deming
Lodge No. II. McGrorty commnndery
No. I acting as eaort. The remains
were forwarded to his relatives nj Dan
vile Kentucky. for final burial.
Sir Knight McGrorty was born near
Raph0. County Donegal. North Of Ire
land. and early emlgratc1 To the Uni
tel States and engaged IN business
until the breaking out Of the war he
tween the states. when he entered the
military service OF the Southern Con
federncy and arose 10 the rank Oi
colonel. Soon after peace was dcclar-
cd. IN 1866. he made visit 10 his
family IN ireland. and after his re-
turn again engaged In business In Ken
lucky until 1881. when he settled In
Dcming then village Of canvas
houses Immediately showed his
faith IN the outcome of the place by
erecting the first substantial buildings
built here; aud up 10 the time of his
death his faith never waverel; al
ways ready and willing to do his full
part In any move proposed for the
good Of the town and its community.
His residence here from the time of
his coming until death. except during
the four years under the Cleveland adj
ministrntion. when he served as Col
lector Of Internal Revenue for the Dis
trict of New Mexico. was continuous.
For thirty-six years. until old age
and its infrmitieS made 1t impossible,
he was one of the most faithful and de-
pendnble workers In all the Deming
Masonic bodies lie affiliated with
Deming Lodge No. II in the year 1895.
ami became Worshipful Master of the
Lodge In 1896. Affiliated with Dem
Ing Royal Arch Chapter October -.
1885. and served ns its IIgih Priest
during the years 1895 and 1896.
Sir Knight McGrorty. with Sir
knights Il. Y McKeyes aud Fred \.
Pollock-the Indispensable number
were on May II. 1856, granted II Spe-
cinl diSpensation by Acting Grand
Master Charles ROOme. OF the Grand
Encumpment Knights Templar " the
United States, to form and open II
Commandery az Deming. New Mexico.
for the purpose Of creating II sufficient
number Of Knights Templnr To petit
tion for charter for commandery
~ this place. and on October 10. 1856.
u charter was issued to twelve Royal
Arch Masons who had been created
under the diSlpnsation Knights Tenn
plnr. for McGrorty Commandery No /.
the name having been unanimously SO.
lected by the petitioners In honor of
the frater whose effort mainly had pro-
cured the founding OF the Commandery.
Sir Knight McGrorty was our first
Eminent Commander. and filed that
office during the years 1886, 1887,
1883 and 1850. lie assisted In the or
ganizntion Of the Grand Commandery
Of New Mexico. and was Grand Com
mandcr during the years 1907.
In all the term implies. 1t can he
said Of Joseph =. McGrorty He was
az Honest Man" Hypocrisy and de-
ccit were foreign to his nature. No
one could truthfully say of him he was
ever guilty of mean or dishonest act
Faithful to his church--hlS first love
true to every Masonic obligation just
In his dealings with all mankind; he
entered the tomb as One who wraps
the drnpery OF his couch about him
and lies down To pleasant dreams
As true soldier of the Cross" II is
his To wear the crown immortal in
"rhe Land Of the Hereafter"
Courteously submitted,
Edw. Pennington.
Jnmps A Einupnr