Richard Charles Else

of Hennet, Spink and Else

1905 Obituary

'DEATH OF MR. R.C. ELSE. A DISTINGUISHED FREEMASON. The Freemasons throughout the Province of Somerset will learn with deep sorrow of the death, which occurred on Saturday morning, at Clifton, at the advanced age of 81 years, of Mr. Richard Charles Else, J.P. of the County of Somerset, and an ex-Mayor of Bridgwater, but who was best known as a distinguished and much-beloved Freemason, having for upwards of a quarter of a century occupied the position of Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and being also a Past Grand Deacon of England.

'After leaving Bridgwater (where he occupied Binford House, now to be utilised as a Free Library, towards which Mr. Carnegie has given the sum of £3,500) Mr. Else went to reside at Binford House, Victoria-square, Bristol, where his wife died about two years ago, bequeathing the sum of £2,000 to the Bridgwater Infirmary. About a year ago he changed to apartments at 18, West Mall, Clifton, where he became much invalided, being confined for the most part indoors.

'The deceased gentleman, who was an engineer by profession, and was associated with Mr. Brunel in the construction of the Bristol and Exeter Railway, and also the Saltash bridge, was Mayor of Bridgwater in the Jubilee Year (1897), and had the honour of being presented Queen Victoria. In Bridgwater had also filled the positions of president of the Conservative Association and chairman of the School Board. In 1887 married the widow of Mr. Richard Smith, solicitor, of Bridgwater, P.P.G. secretary of Somersetshire Freemasons.

'Early in 1902, on account of physical infirmity. Brother Else resigned the exalted position of D.P.G.M., of Somerset, and on the 23rd November in that year, at a very unique and large gathering of brethren held as a lodge of emergency, by special permission at the Masonic Hall, Bristol, a further presentation was made to Brother Else in the shape of a detailed interesting history of Freemasonry in Somerset (compiled by Brother T. F. Norris), with particular reference to his own Masonic career in a specially bound volume. The volume contained a sketch of Brother Else's Masonic career, which, it was stated, extended over a period of 44 years, he having been initiated in the Rural Philanthropic Lodge in 1858, and in this Lodge he was thence installed as Worshipful Master.

'In connection with the Royal Arch and Mark Masonry degrees, and also as a Knight Templar, Brother Else was equally distinguished, and his valuable services to Masonic charities, to which he was a very liberal contributor, were very highly appreciated. Since his retirement from active participation in Masonic work, he was presented with the sum five hundred guineas, subscribed for brethren throughout the province, and the whole of this sum he at once determined should be devoted to the purchase of votes now known as the Else votes, to be apportioned among the three Masonic charities. The funeral will take place Thursday next at 12.30 at the Lyncombe and Widcombe Cemetery at Bath, where the remains of Bro. Else's mother and other relations are interred, and it will undoubtedly be attended by a large number of Masonic brethren from all parts of the province.'

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