M.W. William Frye English 1918
William Frye English
Perhaps no Past Grand Master was more beloved, especially in the Northern part of this jurisdiction, than Doctor English, as he was most frequently called. This Christian gentleman was born in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire, February 6, 1863, his father being a clergyman. He was graduated from Dartmouth College with the degree of A. B., and was later honored with the degree of A. M. The honor society of Phi Beta Kappa included him in its membership. In 1891 Bellevue College honored him with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
After serving the Congregational Church in Essex Junction, Vermont, as pastor from 1885 to 1887, he labored as a missionary in Asiatic Turkey from 1887 to 1892. In the latter year he began his twenty-four year ministry in the East Windsor Congregational Church. This responsibility was succeeded by the position which he held at his death, which was that of Treasurer and Assistant Superintendent of the Congregational Missionary Society of Connecticut. In the Missionary Society he held many positions of trust and served a number of struggling churches as temporary pastor.
In East Windsor he was Chairman of the School Committee from 1896 to 1916 and Librarian for ten years.
Raised in Oriental Lodge, No. 111, March 27, 1895, he became Worshipful Master in 1900. Several times thereafter he served his Lodge as Chaplain and never did he remove his membership although Liberty Lodge, No. 123, which he constituted and the Past Masters of St. John's Lodge, No.4, which he frequently visited, made him an honorary member. In addition he was a member of the Past Masters' Association of Hartford County and of Hartford Chapter, No. 64, Order of the Eastern Star.
In the Grand Lodge he served five years as Associate Grand Chaplain and as District Deputy for the years 1907 and 1908. In 1910 he was appointed Grand Junior Steward, filled every chair and became Grand Master in 1918. His last active office in the Grand Lodge was when he served as Grand Chaplain in 1924.
In spite of failing strength and increasing infirmities, he maintained his interest in Masonry and his oversight of the duties of his office until a week before his death, which occurred October 11, 1933. Services were held in the church he filled so many years, and were conducted by his two sons in the ministry, assisting the pastor.
Interment was in the neighboring cemetery, the Masonic service being in charge of the Grand Lodge and attended by many of the Brethren of his Lodge and many of his friends.
. To quote from remarks made by his eldest son, "He had a high sense of his calling, believing that he was where his God wanted him. His idea of the Christian ministry was a genuine call of God. He was genuinely loyal to his friends and would do anything within his power for a friend." His abounding sense of humor and his skillful use of the pun smoothed over many a difficult situation. The Church, Masonry, and mankind suffer a great loss in his going. May we retain a vivid mental picture of his character as an example.
