M.W. Winthrop Buck 1924
Winthrop Buck
Past Grand Master Grand Secretary
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, September 2, 1878, son of Edward Winthrop and Abigail Barber Osborn Buck. He was a direct descendant of Governor Winthrop, one of Connecticut's first Governors.
He was graduated from Yale University, Class of 1900, and afterward was a teacher at a private school in Old Lyme, later moving to Old Saybrook where he also taught school. In 1905 he came to Hartford, where he taught at the South School until 1914 when he was appointed Principal of the Noah Webster School, a position he held until 1929.
During this period he was appointed District Deputy of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut and held that office for three consecutive terms. He was elected Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut in 1924. In 1929 he was elected Grand Secretary and devoted his full time to that office. He was a keen student of Masonic history and his studies and research on historical and other Masonic events will be a valuable and permanent record for future reference.
He received Masonic Light in Pythagoras Lodge No. 45 in Old Lyme; afterward transferring his membership to Siloam Lodge No. 32 in Old Saybrook and, after moving to Hartford, affiliated with Hartford Lodge No. 88 and became Worshipful Master in 1914. He was a member of Burning Bush Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of East Haddam, Wolcott Council No.1 Royal and Select Masters of Hartford; and Washington Commandery No.1, Knights Templar of Hartford. He also was a Charter Member of Philosophic Lodge of Research and was its Senior Warden. He was Secretary of the Board of Managers of The Masonic Charity Foundation. He was Grand Representative for the Grand Lodge of Georgia near the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. He was Associate Venerable Master for Hartford County Masonic Veteran Association of Connecticut and a member of Hartford County Actual Past Masters' Association. He was a member of Wethersfield Chapter No. 97, Order of the Eastern Star.
He was active in numerous other organizations, a Past Deacon of the First Church of Christ, Wethersfield, Past President of the Wethersfield Historical Society, Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Wethersfield, and Secretary of the Class of 1886 of Hartford Public High School. He was also a member of the Sons of the American
Revolution and was a member of the Hartford Choral Club for many years. He lived at 56 Broad Street, Wethersfield and died at Hartford Hospital, November 6, 1947.
"Sleep on, dear friend, such lives as thine
Have not been lived in vain,
But yield an influence rare, divine,
On lives that here remain."
