Eli Harrison Sr. was a member of Vancouver & Quadra Lodge, No. 2 in Victoria, B.C. He served as Grand Master of B.C. from 1878-81. His son, Eli Harrison Jr. (1852-1930), was also a member of Vancouver & Quadra Lodge, No.2.
As Grand Master, Eli Harrison laid the cornerstone of the Victoria Masonic Temple in 1878.
Here are the local newspaper reports of Eli Harrison’s death and funeral:
“HARRISON – At St. Joseph’s hospital, on Thursday afternoon, the 19th inst., Eli Harrison, J.P., the beloved husband of Elizabeth Harrison, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. Deceased was a native of Hurdsfield, Cheshire, England.
The funeral will take place from the Masonic Temple on Monday, the 23rd inst., a 2 o’clock p.m., and from Christ Church cathedral at 2.45 p.m.
Friends please accept this intimation.”
(Source: Victoria Daily Times, 20 September 1907, page 2)
“The death occurred yesterday afternoon at saint Joseph’s Hospital, of Eli Harrison, of 43 Cadboro Bay road, father of Judge Harrison of the county court, after a brief illness.
The late Mr. Harrison occupied an important place in the early life of this city. Born in Hurdsfield, Cheshire, England, 84 years ago he came to America in 1850. Two years later he crossed the Mississippi valley across the mountains and then unknown plains to California. The journey was made by wagon, the one party traveling alone through a good deal of the journey. En route he was present at the storming of Fort Bridger.
During his residence in San Francisco he took part with the other English and French inhabitants in celebrating the victory of the allied forces in the Crimea. While doing so they were attacked by the mob who sympathized with the Russians but they fought them off and continued with the celebration.
In the days of the Cariboo gold rush in 1858, the late Mr. Harrison came north to Victoria and since that time had made his residence here. At the time of the union of the provinces he was chosen as one of the deputation to interview Lord Dufferin, then governor-general of Canada, with respect to the non-fulfillment of the terms of union. For a number of years he justice of the peace of the city.
Always a prominent mason, the late Mr. Harrison was elected grand master for the province from 1878 to and including part of 1881. He was the first principal of the Columbia Royal arch, chapel number 120 and was for some time special deputy of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, besides being an honorary member of several other masonic bodies. In 1878 he laid the foundation of the Masonic temple in this city, officiated at its dedication, and for many years was one of its trustees.
The immediate survivors of his family are: His wife, Mrs. E. Harrison, Judge E. Harrison, Mrs. D. McPhaden, New Westminster; Mrs. J.D. Batchelor, of Honolulu; Alfred Harrison, Portland, Ore.; Mrs. A.F. Gillihan, Berkeley, Cal.; Mrs. F.H. Wollaston, and Mrs. R. Ford Verrinder, of Victoria.
The funeral will take place from the Masonic temple on Monday the 23rd inst. At 2 o’clock p.m. and from Christ church cathedral at 2:45 p.m. to Ross Bay cemetery.”
(Source: Victoria Daily Times, 20 September 1907, page 5)
“For the benefit of the friends of the late Eli Harrison, whose funeral takes place on Monday afternoon, it might be stated that the remains will be conveyed to the Masonic temple, Douglas street, at 10.30 o’clock on Monday morning, and will rest there until the hour of the funeral, 2 p.m. The temple will be open during the hours stated, during which time friends of the deceased will be admitted. A short service will be held at the temple at 2 o’clock, after which the cortege will proceed to Christ Church cathedral, where Rev. Canon Beanlands will conduct the service, and from thence to Ross Bay cemetery.”
(Source: Victoria Daily Times, 21 September 1907, page 5)
Eli Harrison Sr. is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery but his headstone has disappeared. His son, Eli Harrison Jr., is buried in the same plot.
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