M.W. Elizur Goodrich 1825

Elizur Goodrich

A third lawyer now succeeds to the Grand East Elizur Goodrich was born in New Haven, October 3, 1787. Yale was situated too near home, probably, and therefore he entered Williams College, graduating in 1806. Yale also gave him an honorary degree the same year. Like many a young man before and since, he taught school a while in Durham before studying law with his uncle, Chauncey Goodrich, in Hartford. He gave up practice in consequence of pecuniary difficulties of his partner and retired from Hartford to Colchester, the home of his wife, who was the daughter of General Henry Champion, the second treasurer of the Grand Lodge.

Here he again engaged in educational pursuits being principal of the famous Bacon Academy from 1822 to 1824, with a salary of $600. For the majority of the remainder of his life he resided in Hartford without active business, but taking care of his property, inherited from his father and said to be considerable.

His Masonic career began when he joined St. John's Lodge, No.4, on Christmas Day, 1816. Brother Goodrich was chosen Master January 10, 1821, but for some reason served for only six months. He could not have gone far, for his course in the chairs of the Grand Lodge was uninterrupted. He started as Grand Senior Deacon in 1820 and became Grand Master in 1825. During his year the practice of having a two-day session was adopted. Other_ Masonic honors that were his were Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M., in 1825; Eminent Commander, Washington Commandery, K. T., and Grand Master of the Grand Council, R. & S. M., in 1824. His death occurred November 3, 1868.