The North Carolina Mason

Page 14 The North Carolina Mason November/December 2017 e Grand Historian's Courier Case Blackmer's namesake originally from N.Y. By Steven Campbell Grand Historian "Another Good Man Gone." us read the Salisbury newspaper on Feb. 13, 1889. e man being so publicly mourned was Luke Blackmer: a man whose deeds exemplified the tenets of Freemasonry and the namesake of two NC Lodges. A Personal Insight: Luke Blackmer was born in Monroe County, NY, on Sept. 26, 1824. He was described as a bright young man. At 18, he enrolled in the pres- tigious Union College (est. 1795) in Schenectady, NY. Within two years, he completed his studies with honors, studied law, and received his license to practice. In 1846, he would be confirmed in the local Episcopal church. During this same period, North Carolina was experiencing a gold rush in the Piedmont region and young Luke moved south. He settled in the boom town of Gold Hill. ere, he practiced law, oper- ated the Gold Hill Tavern, dabbled in real estate, and invested in gold mines. He was well received in the community, and with his move to Salisbury, became Clerk and Master of Equity for Rowan County. Luke was active in the Whig Party, which evolved into the Democratic Party. From 1849 until his death he was a member and Vestryman in Salisbury's oldest church, St. Luke's Episcopal. When a smallpox epidemic presented itself in 1851, he served on the health advisory board. In 1855, while handling a legal case in Anson County, Luke met Julia Cole of Wadesboro. eir resulting marriage of 34 years would witness the birth of three sons (William Cole, Walter Leak, Stephen Shelton) and a daughter (Anna Luke). Unfortunately, their marriage would result in Luke's father ( Jirah) disinheriting him for marrying a Southerner. As the country inched closer to war in 1861, the Blackmers' lives would, like so many others, be forever changed. With his judicial duties, Luke was exempt from military service; however his commitment to NC was fulfilled in numerous other ways, to include the Rowan Bible Society, the Salisbury Town Patrol, providing provisions of food, clothing and money to both Union prisoners confined in the Salisbury prison, as well as the impoverished guards. Upon the conclusion of this horrid conflict, Blackmer continued to serve his community and state: as a University of North Carolina Trustee (1866); working with e Negro Benevolent Society (1866), recognition by the Salisbury Prison Association, and numerous other civic groups. A Professional Profile: In our society it is, at times, difficult to separate one's personal identity from their professional life. We know that Luke Blackmer proved to be a successful attorney. Records indi- cate his purchasing of land, stock in gold mines, owning a tavern, as well as one time owning Salisbury's Henderson's Store and Taylor's Hardware. In 1849, he served on the NC Railroad Committee. During the War of Secession, he served as trea- surer of the Confederate Wayside Hospital and undertook a legal case resulting in the NC government ending its conscription of men over 50 for combat duty. Upon conclusion of the War, he would be elected to the NC House (1865-1866), serve on the State's Congressional District Committee, be a justice of the peace, a delegate to the NC Internal Improvement(s) Committee (1879), have the U.S. Post Office in Mount Ulla named for him (1879), and play a key role in establishing the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce (1889). Masonic Reflections: As you review Brother Blackmer's life there is one common theme: to do what is right. His 40-year Masonic journey began in Fulton #99 on March 2, 1849, when he was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. e dedication and influence he displayed in NC Freemasonry, especially in the Piedmont, cannot be denied. During his Masonic career, Masonry expe- rienced a renais- sance in NC, and much of it can be credited to his efforts. Here is a sampling of his Masonic involvement or influence: Junior Deacon in Fulton #99 (1849); addressed W. R. Davie #119 (1849); established Palestine #120, served as first Master (1849); Deacon and name- sake of Blackmer #127 (1850); opened Mocksville #134 (1850); selected as NC Grand Lodge Senior Deacon (1850); opened Carolina #141 (1851); assisted in establishing Lincoln #137 (1851); served as Master (PT) of Pee Dee #150 (1852); 1851-1853 served as the Grand Lodge Senior Warden; helped establish Scotch- Ireland #154 (1853); honored in the chartering of Blackmer #170 (1854); served on the Grand Lodge Committee which, on his motion, provided $5,000 to establish St. John's College, the precursor to the Oxford Home for Children (1857); elected DGHP of Royal Arch Chapter (1866); elected to HP of Royal Arch Chapter (1867); and was engaged in the temperance movement throughout NC, as many Free- masons were. e Final Curtain: Upon concluding a meeting estab- lishing the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 7, 1889, he sustained an unexpected stroke. Within two days, Luke Blackmer, would perish at 64. He was laid to rest in Salisbury's Chestnut Hill Cemetery. To this day the mark he left upon so many lives is still evident. Upon his passing it was written: "May all of us be prepared to meet death with such a clear conscience and clean lives behind us as was the life of Luke Blackmer. (is article originated pursuant to a request by WM Shawn Brown of Blackmer Lodge No. 127. On Sept. 30, 2017, Brother Luke Blackmer was honored at Fulton Lodge No. 99, followed by a Masonic memorial service at his graveside. A special thanks is offered to Brothers Aaron Kepley and Jonathan Underwood for their valued aid on this project.)

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