Cedar Hill Cemetery
Newark, Ohio
Hon. S. Stacker Williams, than whom no Mason in the state of Ohio was better or more widely-known, died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. W. C. Tanzey, Sunday morning, at about eleven o'clock.
Mr. Williams had been in feeble health for some two years, as a result of a paralytic stroke suffered in 1898, and for the past three weeks, it was recognized by his family and friends that it was merely a question of a short time until he would be called home.
Native of Tennessee
Mr. Williams was born in Dover, Tennessee, March 20, 1836, but came to Ohio when a young boy with his parents, who settled near Portsmouth. He received his education in the common schools and at Granville Academy, and, at the age of eighteen, he commenced to teach, becoming the superintendent of schools at Hanging Rock before he was twenty-one.
His life was spent in various pursuits, he for a number of years having engaged in farming, stock raising and wool buying. From 1868 to 1885, he was in the dry goods jobbing business in New York, devoting a good deal of time to traveling for his house.
Always a Loyal Mason
Mr. Williams' period of membership in the Masonic order exceeded forty years of active service to Masonry, until his illness incapacitated him from such activity.
He was made a Mason in Centre Lodge No. 11, Granville, Ohio, March 17, 1864; a Royal Arch Mason in Warren Chapter No. 6, Newark, February 6, 1865; a Royal and Select Master in Bigalow Council No. 7, Newark, February 8, 1865; a Knight Templar in Clinton Commandery No. 5, Newark, April 22, 1865; received grades of the Ancient Scottish Rite (4 to 32 degrees) in Cincinnati in December, 1865; created Sovereign Grand Inspector General and honorary member of Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States, September 20, 1887; was secretary, senior warden and master of Centre Star Lodge No. 11; thrice illustrious master of Bigelow Council No. 7; high priest of Warren Chapter No. 6; affiliated into Newark Commandery, 34, K. T.; generalissimo and eminent commander of that body, 1881-83; appointed and acted as grand lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Ohio for twenty years.
He was senior deacon and deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, 1867-84, and Grand Master of the Grand Body for three consecutive terms from 1885 to 1888.
Unusual Honor
To serve three consecutive terms as Grand Master is an unusual distinction, the two-term rule being recognized in that body, generally, as in many others. Mr. Williams own theories were in accord with the two term idea, but he was persuaded by the force of the demand for his third election to accept the trust.
During his period of service as Grand Master, Mr. Williams was called upon to face many trying questions, it being he who reported to the lodge the operations of the Cereneau Masons as being un-Masonic and contrary to the interests of the order.
Had Fine Library
Mr. Williams is said to have possessed the finest and one of the most extensive private Masonic libraries in the United States, and which he some years ago willed to the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The library contains probably 4000 separate volumes and original manuscripts, some of them of great antiquity and rarity.
He was the author and compiler of a two-volume work containing the lives and biographies of the most prominent Masons of the United States. The work, which was published on parchment and bound in vellum, sold for one thousand dollars per set, and one thousand sets were contracted for and sold before publication.
The Grand Lodge has at present no permanent quarters, and it is thought that it will designate the commandery having the best equipped and most accessible and available temple as the custodian of the rare collection bequeathed by the distinguished deceased.
Prominent in Church and Affairs
Mr. Williams was prominent in church and community affairs, having joined the Presbyterian church in Granville, where he always retained his membership. As a leading Mason and fine speaker, he attended and participated in many dedicatory exercises, among them the laying of the cornerstone of the First Baptist Church in this city.
In politics he was a Democrat, and twice served from Licking County as a member of the General Assembly, from 1896-1900.
It was but a day or two before his second election that he suffered his first stroke of paralysis, being seized while on the streets of Newark.
His condition did not become serious at that time, however, and he served with ability and distinction to the end of his term.
Mr. Williams has been practically incapacitated since February 1892, when he sustained a fall in Cincinnati, where he was attending a Scottish Rite convention.
He made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Tanzey, in this city, in August 1902.
In 1860 Mr. Williams married Miss Elizabeth Cochburn, English lady in Kentucky, she dying in 1889.
He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Tanzey, of this city, Mrs. B.M. East and Miss Minnie Williams, of Newark, and one son, D. A. Williams, assistant purchasing agent of the B. & O., whose home is in Baltimore.
Impressive Ceremonies
The funeral exercises, under the auspices of the Grand Lodge, were held in Newark on Tuesday afternoon from the first Presbyterian Church, and were very largely attended by Masons from all quarters of the state and were most impressive.
The remains were escorted from this city to Newark by A. T. Baldwin, T. F. Brown, W. H. Dial and C. F. Parker and these surrendered to the Grand Lodge.
Mr. Williams had long ago selected the gentlemen whom he desired to have act as bearers, choosing from each of the stations in the 33rd degree.
The services were conducted by Prof. Williams, of Dennison University, and burial was in the beautiful Newark Cemetery.
