MASONIC BIOGRAPHIES FAMOUS FREEMASONS VICTORIA MAYORS GRAND MASTERS OBITUARY EULOGY

William Dalby GRAND MASTER, 1886-1887 January 28, 1839 - January 22, 1916 William Dalby was a native of Ontario, having been born at Richmond Hill, York County, Ontario. He came to Victoria in 1862, and was a prominent businessman of that city for many years. In 1889 he was Manager of the Belmont Tanning and Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company. In 1892 he was carrying on a Real Estate and Insurance business at 55 Albert Street. In 1893 he was a member of the firm of Dalby and Claxton, Financial and Cannery Agents, at 64 Yates St. In 1899 he had returned to the Real Estate business at 60 Yates Street. Mr. Dalby also served as president of the Agricultural Association, and a Justice of the Peace.1 Running as an Independant in the first provincial election in 1871, he lost to Amor De Cosmos, losing again in the 1874 byelection. Turning to municipal politics, he served as Mayor of Victoria from 1873 to 1875. He ran again in the seventh and eighth provincial elections, losing to past Premier Robert Beaven. "As mayor in October 1873 Dalby laid the foundation stone for the dam at the southern end of Beaver Lake."2 He was Representative for the Grand Lodge of Canada in Ontario near the Grand Lodge of British Columbia from 1887. His first wife, Sarah Jane Moody, was a sister of Sewell P. Moody of the Moodyville Saw Mills at Burrard Inlet, a charter member of Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 7, BCR. Vancouver Lodge No. 421 SC became Vancouver Lodge No. 2 BCR on 12 December 1871 and amalgamated to become Vancouver Quadra Lodge No 2 on 10 March 1877. Dalby remained a member of Vancouver Quadra Lodge No 2 after the amalgamation. He was buried in Ross Bay cemetery. Initiated, Passed and Raised : 1867 Vancouver Lodge No. 421 S.R. Worshipful Master 1870-1871 Secretary 1872 Vancouver Lodge No. 2 B.C.R. Grand Director of Ceremonies, 1871 Grand Treasurer, 1884 1.Robie L. Reid, Historical Notes and Biographical Sketches (1945). p. 200 ; John T. Marshall, History of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia 1871-1970 (1971), p. 441 ; William Burns, "Grand Historian's Report", Annual Proceedings (1916), p. 108. Also see "The Masonic service will be rendered at the graveside. By request of the Grand Master (Mr. Ditmars, of Vancouver), Past Grand Master E.B. Paul will officiate on his behalf at the funeral tomorrow." Victoria Daily Times, Victoria : 24 January 1916, pp. 11, 16. 2.No Ordinary People, Valerie Green. Victoria : Beach Holme Publishers, 1992. p. 55-57. "... became greatly involved in Masonic work. First holding the office of Master of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, in 1887 he was appointed as the B.C representative of the Grand Lodge of Canada." p. 56. Cf. Engraved trowel in family possession : "Presented to Wm Dalby Esqr Mayor City of Victoria on Laying Corner Stone Vic. Water Works Oct 7th 1873". Also see The Daily Standard, Victoria, 8 October, 1873.

ANTI-MASONRY | FAMOUS FREEMASONS | HOME | ESSAYS & PAPERS | SITEMAP

© 1871-2021 Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon A.F. & A. M. Updated: 2008/01/02 freemasonry.bcy.ca/grand_masters/dalby_w/dalby_w.html