James Joseph Harbage was born in Columbus, Ohio, the last of three children born to Berchel J. and Gertrude Paul Harbage. He attended Public Schools in Columbus, graduating from East High School in 1920. He was a graduate of The American Institute of Banking.
Most Worshipful Brother Harbage was married to Frances A. (Dalgarn) Harbage on June 24, 1924. This marriage produced one daughter. Regrettably, Frances passed away on September 21, 1960. On January 4, 1962 he was married to Harriet (Steel) Harbage who preceded Brother Jim in death in 1997.
Until a few years prior to his death, he was an active member of the Broad Street Presbyterian Church in Columbus where he served as President of the Board of Deacons for many years. For six years, he served as a member of the “Sinking Fund” of the City of Columbus and for ten years was Treasurer of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
Jim began his career in the Banking Business in 1922 as a bank messenger at The Ohio National Bank. After many years of service and numerous positions, he retired as a Vice President in 1968.
Most Worshipful Brother Harbage was initiated an Entered Apprentice in East Gate Lodge No. 603 on January 10, 1924, passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft on January 29, 1924 and raised a Master Mason on February 22, 1924. He was elected Worshipful Master in November of 1937, and subsequently served as Trustee for many years. Brother Harbage received a 70-year Award from The Grand Lodge of Ohio on October 26, 1993.
In the York Rite, Companion Harbage was exalted in Temple Chapter No. 155 on March 26, 1936, advanced in York Council No. 115, R. & S. M., on March 1, 1945, and Knighted in Mt. Vernon Commandery No.1 on October 23, 1950.
Illustrious Brother Harbage received the Scottish Rite degrees in Enoch Lodge of Perfection, Franklin Council Princes of Jerusalem, Columbus Chapter of Rose Croix, and Scioto Consistory on November 16, 17 and 18, 1927. He served The Valley of Columbus as its Commander-in-Chief during the years 1957 to 1960. He was crowned an Honorary Member of The Supreme Council, 33°, at Philadelphia, PA on September 27, 1950. He held the office of Treasurer in The Ohio Council of Deliberation for twenty years or more.
For many years, Noble Jim Harbage served as Treasurer of Aladdin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He was a member of Achbar Grotto, The Masonic Veterans Association, St. Jerome’s Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, and the Royal Order of Jesters.
In the Grand Lodge, Most Worshipful Brother Harbage served as a District Deputy Grand Master for the years 1942, 1943 and 1944. On October 26,1944 he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon by Most Worshipful Grand Master David B. Sharp. He was subsequently appointed to the offices of Grand Marshal and Grand Orator (he did not serve the office of Senior Grand Deacon). He was elected Junior Grand Warden in October 1947, Senior Grand Warden in 1948, and Deputy Grand Master in 1949. On October 21, 1950 Most Worshipful Brother James J. Harbage was elected and installed The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Ohio.
Due to the death of the elected Grand Treasurer, he was appointed to serve the Grand Lodge of Ohio as its Grand Treasurer in 1956. He was elected to that position each year until his retirement in 1973. Until only the past few years, Most Worshipful Brother Harbage continued to serve The Grand Lodge of Ohio in several important positions. He was Secretary-Treasurer of The Scholarship Foundation until 1989 and served as Chairman of The Grand Lodge Temple Committee for many years.
Most Worshipful Brother Harbage always conducted himself with great dignity, displaying to the world the wonderful qualities inculcated in the several Masonic Degrees. His knowledge and expertise have been a source of great enlightenment to many Grand Masters who followed.
Most Worshipful Brother James Joseph Harbage passed away June 17, 1998 at The Forum Retirement Center. Masonic Services were conducted by the members of East Gate Lodge No. 603 on June 19, 1998. Funeral services were held on June 20, 1998 under the direction of The Schoedinger Funeral Homes, Worthington, Chapel, in Worthington, Ohio. Our Dear Brother was laid to rest at Union Cemetery in the grave next to his first wife, Frances.