In some research I was doing, I came across the life story of Samuel T. Daniels, who was Grand Master of the Prince Hall Masons of Maryland for 38 years, beginning in the early 1960s.
Brother Daniels was born on August 28, 1922 in Baltimore Maryland. After graduating high school, Brother Daniels served in the second World War in the Army, attaining the rank of Captain, and first joined the craft in 1946 and was a member of Eden Lodge #72 in Baltimore.
Samuel T. Daniels, lovingly known by “The Family” as “The Grand” provided leadership that earned him praise from Prince Hall Masons worldwide. His individual achievements, memberships, and civic contributions are too numerous to list here, but are captured in his obituary, but tell a story of a long career that spanned teaching, public service, research, and labor union advocacy.
The photo above is assumed to have been taken in the late 1950s, prior to Willard Allen’s death and about 7 years before Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court.
His ingenuity, leadership qualities, and hard work led to Sam being elected Grand Master following the death of Willard Allen, the previous grand master.
In the 1980s, he advocated for voter registration and participation in Baltimore communities.
“Legislation, more than anything else, influences our lives daily, monthly, weekly and eternally. If we are not a voting people, those in office are not going to care about us.”
Samuel T. Daniels 1982
The largest single part of his career was spent at the Baltimore Council for Equal Business Opportunity (CEBO) a private organization that encouraged black participation in business. Brother Daniels retired in 1989 after more than 20 years as executive director of CEBO.
Brother Daniels passed away on January 6th, 2005 aged 82 at the Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center, and is buried at Arbutus Memorial Park in Baltimore County, Maryland. At his funeral services, he received both a service from the Kappa Fraternity and also a Masonic funeral service.
References
- Samuel T. Daniels Obituary
- Baltimore Sun Profile – January 7th 2005
- Prince Hall Scottish Rite Masons of Maryland
- Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland
- Eden Lodge #72
- Baltimore Heritage: Eutaw Place Temple
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