Edward E. Sawyer

Edward E. Sawyer was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on December 17, 1883, and came to Houston about 1899. He spent 30 years with the Magnolia Petroleum Company, retiring as chief accountant about 1944.

He received his degrees in Gray Lodge in 1918: the Entered Apprentice on September 9, the Fellowcraft on November 14, and the Master Mason degree on December 12. In 1921 he was elected Secretary, the lodge’s busiest post in its busiest years, and served until 1931, when the Brethren elected him Senior Warden. Past Master Norman Atkinson installed him as the 61st Master in 1932, with the Eastern Star ladies decorating the lodge room. At the Grand Lodge that December he was appointed Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Texas, presented alongside Past Master John H. Crooker as Grand Senior Warden.

His was the hardest year of the Depression. The Grand Master urged all members “to remain loyal to the Fraternity during these times of crisis.” Many Brethren could no longer pay on their building stock, and the lodge’s special $6 building assessment was questioned under the Grand Lodge Constitution. Past Masters Kurtz E. Gaugler and Guy E. Stoy proposed replacing it with simple annual dues of $10, payable quarterly, with stock certificates for those who had already paid the assessment. Instead of Christmas baskets, relief went through the Master’s Fund to those most in need after careful inquiry. Some members, unable to pay, asked to be suspended; the lodge lost 123 members for nonpayment, and membership fell to 1,203. In March 1933 every bank in the nation closed by government order.

Even so, the lodge kept its traditions. Past Master’s Night raised J. P. Cornelius, a future Master of Gray, and Past Master J. F. Massey received the Lambskin Apron scroll for the oldest apron for the third year in a row.

After his term he returned to the Secretary’s desk in 1934 and served until his death, about 22 years in all. He was a 32° Scottish Rite Mason, a member of Lone Star Lodge No. 1, I.O.O.F., and a member of the First Christian Church. He attended Gray Lodge on April 24, 1946, and two days later, before the lodge met again, he died. He was buried in South Park Cemetery with Masonic ceremonies by Gray Lodge.