M.W. George Sylvester Hull 1953
George Sylvester Hull
George Sylvester Hull, 107th Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut, was born in Clinton, Connecticut, December 7, 1885. He received his early education in the Morgan School at Clinton and was graduated from Wesleyan University in 1908, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He was a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity.
On June 12, 1912, he was united in marriage to Ethel G. DeWitt of Marlborough, Massachusetts. Immediately afterward, he engaged in the business of jeweler and watch maker in Clinton, which he conducted successfully for more than fifty years. Mrs. Hull passed away October 17, 1964.
Brother Hull was a member and past master of Jeptha Lodge No. 95 A.F. & A.M. of Clinton. He also held a dual membership in Annawon Lodge No. 115, A.F. & A.M. of West Haven. He was a member of Halleck Chapter No. 44 R.A.M., Cyrene Commandery No. 8, K.T., and Sphinx Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Hartford: He was also a member of all the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Hartford, and of Connecticut Consistory in the Valley of Norwich. He served as Worthy Patron of Bethlehem Chapter No. 68, O.E.S. in 1932. He was also a Board Member of Guilford Assembly No. 23, Order of Rainbow for Girls. He occupied the post of District Deputy for the Seventh Masonic District in 1931-1932, and in 1945 was appointed to the office of Grand Junior Steward of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Connecticut. On April 2, 1953, he was installed the 107th Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut.
His contribution to the civic, religious and business life of his community was no less impressive than his Masonic career. Brother Hull was a charter member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, and served as its Chief for fifty four years. He was a charter member of the Middlesex County Fire Chiefs Association; a member of the Middlesex County Fire - Police Association; and Chairman of the Clinton Communications Commission. He was for a long time a member of the Board of Directors of the Clinton National Bank, and was chairman of the Morgan School Fund Board of Trustees. He served the town as selectman from 1951 to 1953. He was representative in the State Legislature in 1912. He was a member of the Board of Assessors for two years.
He helped to form the first Boy Scout troop in Clinton and also occupied the chairmanship of the Salvation Army in that town.
Brother Hull was a life long member of the Congregational Church in Clinton. His was an active membership, including teaching in the Sunday School, leadership of youth groups, serving as the last clerk in the old Ecclestical Society, chairmanship of the Standing Committee and of the Board of Deacons. On several occasions in the absence of the Pastor he conducted Sunday Worship and delivered sermons that were a source of inspiration to the congregation. It is significant that the wide range of his tastes and talents was so well displayed in the fact that he was equally at home in the pulpit or the seat of the fire truck which he sometimes drove.
Brother Hull passed away October 27, 1968. It was fitting that his body was borne to its final resting place on the fire truck he purchased for the fire department many years ago.
His was a life of service to God and his fellow man, lived in quiet and simple dignity, doing without fanfare or trumpet those things which exemplified in daily practice the great principles of brotherly love taught in his church and his lodge. He has left a living monument in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him, and in the community which has been made a little richer because of this quiet and unassuming life, devoted to the service of others.
"His life was gentle, and the elements so mix'd in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This Was a Man!' "
