John Henry Rothwell

John Henry Rothwell was a native of Bolton, England. The records do not say when he came to America or to Houston, but he was a 28-year-old carpenter when he petitioned Gray Lodge on January 24, 1885.

His degrees were conferred in 1885: the Entered Apprentice on April 22, the Fellowcraft on May 26, and the Master Mason degree on August 10. He served as Senior Deacon in 1887–1889, was elected Junior Warden and then Senior Warden, and served as Master in 1890–1891. He was installed by Grand Master A. S. Richardson, the lodge’s own first Master.

Brother Rothwell later gave the lodge years of service at the Secretary’s desk, holding that office from 1912 until his death. The last minutes he recorded were for the meeting of October 16, 1920. Together with James R. Cade, who had been Secretary before him, he kept the lodge’s records for roughly a quarter century.

He took the Scottish Rite degrees through the 18° on August 31, 1896, and on that same date became a charter member and the first Senior Expert of Houston Chapter of Rose Croix. He was Wise Master of that Chapter in 1898 and Venerable Master of San Jacinto Lodge of Perfection in 1900.

He was High Priest of Washington Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., in 1892–1893. He became a Knight Templar on November 3, 1887, served as Eminent Commander of Ruthven Commandery No. 2, K. T., in 1891, and later as its Recorder. He was also a member of Arabia Temple, Ransford Chapter No. 135, Order of the Eastern Star, and Magnolia Camp, Woodmen of the World.

A veteran of 40 years with the Southern Pacific lines, he was for many years foreman of the coach construction department. He died at the company hospital on November 28, 1920, at the age of 64, and was buried with Masonic rites and a Templar escort in Glenwood Cemetery. His name lives on, alongside that of Past Master Cade, in Cade-Rothwell Lodge No. 1151 of Houston.