Research Type
Facebook PostPerson
Chelsea HansenDate
Feb 28, 2025Notes
Posted on the Washington Masonic Library & Museum Facebook Page:
"The Grand Old Man of Masonry"
Thomas Milburne Reed held many titles throughout his life. He was a pioneer, Washington State's first Auditor, and a member of Washington's Constitutional Convention. At the Washington Masonic Library & Museum, we remember him most as Washington Grand Lodge's first Grand Secretary, Past Grand Master, and as described in his eulogy, "The Grand Old Man of Masonry."
Reed was highly motivated from an early age. After losing his mother at twelve years old, he worked on his uncle's Kentucky farm, earning enough to pay for some schooling during the winter months. He was intellectually curious and valued critical thinking, which led him to form his own positive opinion about Masonry during the height of Anti-Masonic rhetoric (spurred by the Morgan affair). In 1847, he was made a Mason in Kentucky’s Holloway Lodge No.153. The following year, Reed made his way to San Francisco as part of the Gold Rush. He worked his way up from miner, to general store owner, to Postmaster under President Pierce. In 1857, Reed moved to Washington Territory and joined Wells Fargo & Co as an agent.
Throughout Reed's life, Masonry remained a constant. He wasted no time becoming involved with the growing Masonic community in Washington Territory, and was instated as the Washington Grand Lodge's first Grand Secretary in 1858, a title he carried until he passed away in 1906 (save for the few years he stepped down as Grand Secretary to serve as Grand Master (1862-1864) and (1866-1867)).
Despite his many other roles and responsibilities, Reed made time to take all the Scottish-Rite degrees (including the Thirty-Third), as well as all York-rite (Royal Arch, Council R. & S. Masters, and Knights Templar). And, in keeping with his character, served in many leadership roles in these concordant and appendant bodies as well.
The Washington Masonic Library & Museum preserves several artifacts that belonged to MWB Thomas Reed, including his eye glasses, a surgical knife he used as a letter opener, photographs, and handwritten correspondences as Grand Secretary.
#GoldRush #MasonicHeritage #WashingtonTerritory #WashingtonHistory #ArtifactFriday