M.W. William Ellis Hanmer 1940
William Ellis Hanmer
On January 5, 1966, .Most Worshipful Brother William Ellis Hanmer, P.G.M. died at his home in Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he had been born on October 7, 1879 and where he had resided all of his life. He was the son of Henry H. and Clara E. Hanmer.
He was educated in the public schools of Wethersfield. When he entered the business world he became associated with the Williams and Carleton Company, wholesale grocers and dealers in druggists' supplies. After spending some time learning the business, he became a salesman for the company covering Eastern Connecticut and the state of Rhode Island.
Later he entered the employ of Frayer and Foster Company, coal and oil merchants, as a salesman. Subsequently he became associated with the Parkville Coal and Oil Company of Hartford where he worked until his retirement in 1956.
On June 15, 1903 at West Springfield, Massachusetts, Brother Hanmer married Flora Emily Fancher. She pre-deceased him in 1962. One daughter was born to this marriage, (Mrs.) Gertrude Hanmer Armbruster, who survives him, together with two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
M.W. Brother Hanmer was always interested in civic affairs and devoted much service to his community and state. He served as a Representative from the' Town of Wethersfield in the General Assembly from 1941 to 1944 inclusive, and as a State Senator from the Fourth Senatorial District in 1945 and 1946. -
He gave much of his time to other worthy causes. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Wethersfield and served; it as a Vestryman. He was also a Past President of the Exchange Club of Hartford; and Past President of the Wethersfield Historical Society. Brother Hanmer was a member of the Odd Fellows and was a Past Grand of Hartford Lodge No. 82, LO.O.F. and a Past Chief Patriarch of Midian Encampment No.7, LO.O.F.
In the Masonic Fraternity he was most active for many years.
His record is a most impressive one.
MASONIC RECORD
Symbolic Raised in Saint John's Lodge No.4, A.F. & A.M. of Hartford, May 26, 1915; Worshipful Master, 1919-1920; Trustee, 1947-1961, Charter Member of Philosophic Lodge of Research, 1941; Worshipful Master, 1943, District Deputy, Sixth Masonic District 1924. Appointed Grand Junior Steward, M.W. Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Connecticut, 1933. Most Worshipful Grand Master, 1940. Awarded the Pierpont Edwards Medal for Distinguished Masonic Service, 1946. Received Grand Lodge Fifty Year Button, 1965.
Capitular Exalted in Pythagoras Chapter No. 17, R.A.M., Hartford, December 29, 1916.
Cryptic Greeted in Wolcott Council, No.1, R. & S.M. of Hartford, January 4. 1917; Thrice Illustrious Master, 1924; Most Puissant Grand Master, 1948.
Chivalric Knighted in Washington Commandery No.1, K.T. of Hartford, May 29, 1917.
Scottish Rite Received 14 ° in Charter Oak Lodge of Perfection, January 10, 1918; Thrice Potent Master, 1945-46. Received 16° in Hartford Council, Princes of Jerusalem, January 17, 1918; Sovereign Prince, 1950-5l. Received 18° in Cyrus Goodell Chapter of Rose Croix, January 24, 1918; Most Wise Master 1947-48. Received 32° in Connecticut Consistory, Norwich, May 28, 1918.
Coroneted with the 33rd Degree and made an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 24, 1947.
Miscellaneous Member of Sphinx Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Hartford, May 22, 1918. Member of Saint Andrew's Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine of Hartford.
Member Masonic Veteran Association of Connecticut. Member of Wethersfield Chapter No. 97, Order of the Eastern Star; its first Worthy Patron, 1921-1923.
A Masonic Memorial Service was conducted by Saint John's Lodge No.4, A.F. & A.M. of Hartford at the Pratt Funeral Home on Sunday evening, January 9, 1966.
Funeral services were held at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Wethersfield with the Rector, Rev. John H. Findlay, assisted by the Rev. John A. Rogers, officiating. Past Masters of Saint John's Lodge acted as bearers.
Burial was in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield.
We learn from the archives of our Craft that :in the time of King Solomon, the workmen most concerned eulogized Grand Master Hiram Abif by exclaiming "He was a great and good man. These simple words best describe our departed Brother William Ellis Hanmer, the 94th Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut.
"Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man
fallen this day in Israel?"
II Samuel 3, 38
