M.W. James Lewis Gould 1871

James Lewis Gould

Our next Grand Master was an example of perseverance and will power overcoming physical handicaps. James Lewis Gould was born in what is now Easton, November 15, 1830. At the age of three he removed to Bridgeport with his parents. Soon after his entrance into school, at seven years of age, he lost the sight of his right eye, being struck by an arrow while at play.

Finishing his college preparation with great honor he entered Yale and graduated with the class of 1851. After studying law in the office of Judge E. S. Abernathy he was admitted to the Bar in 1853 and received his M. A. from Yale the same year. From that time until 1866 except for a brief rest required by his weakening eye, he stood out prominently among the lawyers of Fairfield County.

From 1866 to 1891 he was part owner and editor of the Daily and Weekly Farmer of Bridgeport, retiring at the later date from active business. In civic circles he had been Judge of Probate for four years, a member of the City Council, and recorder of the City Court.

Raised in St. John's Lodge, No.3, December 31, 1851, he became a member and head of Jerusalem Chapter, No. 13, ·R. A. M., Jerusalem Council, No. 16, R. & S. M., and Hamilton Commandery, No.5, K. T. In Scottish Rite Masonry he received everything including the thirty-third degree. Although he did not become Master of his lodge until 1870, he had already started in the Grand Lodge as Grand Junior Deacon in 1865. Elected as Grand Master May 11, 1871, his one year term was marked by his revival, in this state, of the power of the Grand Master to make Masons at sight. The present standard work, entitled "Guide to the Chapter", was the result of the labors of Brother Gould and Brother John Sheville.

He was a man distinguished for his thorough manliness and dignity of character, with kindness of heart and charity of conscience; and his diligence as a student of Freemasonry has placed him in rank with the leading Masonic jurists and ritualists of his time. His death occurred at Norwich, January 26, 1909.

His picture appears in the 1892 and 1909 Proceedings.