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1980 – Charles Albert Brigham Jr.

Charles Albert Brigham, Jr., was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 9, 1924, the eldest of four children of Charles Albert and Dorothy D. Brigham. His family, native to New England, moved to Cincinnati a few months after his birth. He was graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1942.

Following three years as a weather observer and instrument technician in the Army Air Corps in World War II, including two years in the Southwest Pacific and Okinawa theatres, he completed his education at the University of Cincinnati, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in June, 1948, and a Juris Doctor Degree in September, 1949. In 1948, he was elected to the University of Cincinnati Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

In April 1948, Brother Brigham married Martha Ann Otting. They were parents of four children. They also had seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Martha Brigham died in 1994. In May 1995, Brother Brigham married Janet Greer, who was an acquaintance since high school.

He was admitted to the Bar in 1950 and began a career in private law practice in Cincinnati. He retired in 1995 from the firm of Brigham & Brigham, which also included his son, Charles, and daughter, Barbara.

Brother Brigham was an active layman of the Westwood United Methodist Church, having served in many leadership capacities. He also was Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Home on College Hill in Cincinnati. He organized and served three terms as president of the Oak Hills Swim & Racquet Club, and was active in the Cincinnati, Ohio, and American Bar Associations, Lawyers’ Club of Cincinnati, Ohio Land Title Association, Cincinnati Mortgage Bankers Association, Cincinnati Exchange Club, Cincinnati Historical Society, the Cincinnati Club, and the Society of Mayflower descendants.

Brother Brigham was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Madisonville (now Madisonville-Madeira) Lodge No. 419, on April 18, 1946, and served as its Worshipful Master in 1955. In recent years, the Lodge has named its building in his honor.

He was also a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Cincinnati, having served as Sovereign Prince of Dalcho Council, Princes of Jerusalem, from 1974 to 1976. He was a member of the Valley’s Board of Trustees for 12 years and twice served as chairman. In October 1976, he was Coroneted an honorary member of the Supreme Council, 33′, A.A.S.R.

Other memberships include Price Hill Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Cincinnati Council, Royal and Select Masons; Trinity Commandery, Knights Templar; Syrian Shrine; St. Colomba Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Cincinnati Court, Royal Order of Jesters; Royal Order of Scotland; Masonic Veterans Association; Society of Past Masters of Cincinnati and Vicinity; West- wood Chapter, Order of Eastern Star; Ohio Lodge of Research; and he was an honorary member of many Lodges and other groups.

He had been recognized as an Honorary Legion of Honor recipient of the Order of DeMolay. He served as the Grand Representative for the Grand Lodge of Washington, near the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

From 1981 to 1994, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association in Alexandria, Virginia, including service as President the final four years.

In 1971 and 1972, Brother Brigham served the Grand Lodge of Ohio as a District Deputy Grand Master in the First Masonic District. Most Worshipful Brother Dale E. Fox appointed him Junior Grand Deacon in October 1972, and he was subsequently appointed Senior Grand Deacon, Grand Marshal, and Grand Orator. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1976, Senior Grand Warden in 1977, and Deputy Grand Master in 1978. On October 20, 1979, Most Worshipful Brother Brigham was installed as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of F&AM of Ohio.

In recent years, he had been spending much time in Florida. On February 23, 2003, Most Worshipful Brother Brigham passed away about 7:40 a.m. in a hospital in Florida. He had been ill and in the hospital for five days. Masonic services were conducted by Madisonville-Maderia Lodge No. 419, on February 28, 2003 in Westwood United Methodist Church. Funeral Services were conducted in the church on March 1. Our beloved Brother was laid to rest in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.