GRAVES

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Thursday, February 01, 2007 at 13:46:49 :

Independent Journal
Monday, June 30, 1952
Page 9

Maj. Benjamin Graves Dies; Charter Mason In Manila

Maj. Benjamin Hugh Graves, 75-year-old retired Army officer and a charter member of the first Masonic lodge established in the Philippine island, died Friday in San Rafael.

Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow.

A native of California, Maj. Graves went to the Philippines as a civilian employee of the Army during the insurrection period following the Spanish-American war. He became a charter member of the Masons in Manila in the early 1900s and holds of their card No. 5.

After service in World War I, he became purchasing agent for a fisheries concern in Alaska. More recently he had been employed at Oakland Army Base.

His home was at 1219 Mission avenue, San Rafael. He had lived in Marin only briefly.

Survivors include his widow, Violet, a son, Hugh M. Graves, employee of the Pacific coast edition of the Wall Street Journal in San Francisco; and a brother, Fred C. Graves of Los Angeles.

Graveside services will be held at 1:45 pm. Tomorrow under direction of Harry M. Williams mortuary, San Rafael, at Golden Gate national cemetery, San Bruno.

GRAVES-In San Rafael, June 27, 1952, Major Benjamin Hugh Graves, U.S. Army, retired, beloved husband of Violet Graves, loving father of Hugh M. Graves of San Francisco, loving brother of Fred C. Graves of Los Angeles, a native of California, aged 75 years. A life member of Manila Lodge No. 1 F&AM.

Friends are invited to attend the funeral Tuesday, Jul 1, 1952, at 1:45 p.m. at Golden Gate National cemetery, San Bruno, where graveside services will be held under the direction of Harry M. Williams mortuary, San Rafael.