John Bertram

John Bertram was born on August 7, 1883, at Bertram, Texas, and came to Houston in 1907. He spent 41 years with Western Union and was assistant wire chief at the time of his death.

He received his degrees in Gray Lodge in 1911: the Entered Apprentice on April 7, the Fellowcraft on May 19, and the Master Mason degree on June 16. He was appointed Senior Deacon for 1912–1913, elected Senior Warden for 1913–1914, and installed as the 43rd Master in 1914 by District Deputy Grand Master Andral Vann, with Past Master Gus A. Brandt of Holland Lodge as Marshal.

His year began in peace and ended with the world at war. The lodge raised its standard of ritual work, adopting a by-law amendment proposed by A. J. Dow that required every Master Mason to pass his trial lecture within six months. In December the lodge ordered a group photograph hung in the lodge room of five Brethren who had earned Grand Lodge certificates of proficiency in the work. Open meetings with music and refreshments for members’ families became a regular part of lodge life.

On November 4, 1914, Past Master Andral Vann read a petition to form a new lodge, Temple Lodge No. 4, which Gray Lodge approved and later allowed to meet in the Temple. That same month the Port of Houston formally opened, and when World War I broke out in Europe, Gray Lodge sent $100 at the Grand Master’s request for the relief of Brethren and their families made destitute by the war.

He was a member of all the York Rite bodies and a charter member of Arabia Temple of the Shrine. He died on January 8, 1949, at the age of 65, and was buried in Forest Park. He was survived by a sister, Mrs. Jennie Bobo of Florence, Texas, and a brother, Carl Bertram of Bertram, Texas.