Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-10-27


at the Masonic Temple At . o'clock to-
morrow morning. and will march in a
body 20 the B. l.. kowalski home.
G howalski Of Kingsville. arrived
IN Brownsville last night to attend the
funeral of his father. and three other
sons. Bernard. Paul and Alexander
an Of whom reside in Houston, will ar
rive here with their mother for the fun
eral.
Brownsville Pioneer
Benjamin kowalski was born at New
Orleans, September IL, 1854, coming to
Brownsville with his parents and two
brothers. Isaac and Louis. in 1868. lie
was educated al st. Joseph's College and
in 1876 opened "A merchandise brokerage
office at Thirteenth and. Elizabeth
streets. In 1884. during Cleveland's first
administration. he was appointed post
master, and later served a. u. s. Com
missioner. In 1910 he was elected mayor
Of the city, serving one term and re-
tiring from office with record for pro-
gressivc achievement which marked his
administration as one Of great advance
ment for Brownsville.
Benjamin Aowalski was united in
marriage on March 10. 1855. 70 Miss Cor
inne Wilson. daughter of DIR. Wilson.
one of the pioneer physicians Of the
city. TO this union were born six sons,
Bernard. Paul and Alexander. who re-
side in Houston. David. who resides in
New York City, Gus Of Kingsville. and
Clarence. who IL now In Caracas, Vene-
zuela. South America.
sk Al .r A.
IN the United States army. and in 1915
Mr. and Mrs. kowalski left Brownsville
TO spend their time with their boys who
were in training camps. residing for
several months in Waco, San Antonio
Leon Springs. Three Of the boys went
overseas. After the war Mr. and Mrs.
Kowalski made their home in Houston.
where their sons were erysged ir busi-
ness. making only occasional visits TO
their old home in Brownsville.
Prominent in Masonic Circles
The Masonic order never had a more
able or earnest exponent than Mr.. ko-
WALSH. He was initiated as an entered
apprentice in Rio Grande Lodge No. 81,
A. r. & A. NJ. on October II. 1875. and
was passed TO the degree Of fellow
craft on November 22, Of the same year
On December Is. he was raised to the
sublime degree Of master mason. After
serving as treasurer. senior steward
senior deacon and senior warden, he
was elected master Of the Rio Grande
lodge on June 20, 1882. He served as
master of this lodge five years, beint,
elected and installed for the last time
In June 1904. He was district deputy
grand master Of this Masonic district IN
1908 and 1904.
He received the degrees from the
fourth 10 the thrty-second. inclusive il
Texas Consistory. No. /. Valley OF
Galveston. il August. 1907. and he made
the pilgrimage across the "hot sands !
with n caravan of FL Nina Temple, A. A
| @. y. s.. also in August. 1907.
lie was a charter member and pas
worthy patron OF Hope Chapter No. l2i
| Order of the Eastern Star. and took ;
prominent part in the work Of that or
der during his years in Brownsville.
On December Z. 1915. he was elected ;
| life member If the Rio Grarde Lodge
one ~ the greatest tributes the Mason
| ic order can bestow for faithful service
A Natural Leader
Benjamin kowalski was natura
leader, and during the more than half ;
| century he resided in Brownsville he wa
| an important factor in the city's i'm
provement and progress. In all puhli
affairs he took a leading part. workini
for the community interest with an ear
ncstnfss and zeal which made his ef
forts success full In All the public posi-
tions he ccupied-postmaster. [. )
commissioner. mayer and various mino
positions he filled his trust in a man
ner which earned for him the respec
and confidence Of his fellow citizens
4 lie was impartial II his judgments. 10y
al 70 his city ana his fellow townsmen
q man of vision who foresaw the futur
in store for Brownsville and the Ri
Grande Valley. and whose energy an'
! earnestncss Of purpose contribute
| greatly 70 the development Of Browns
| willie and "a the general Improvement D