Benjamin Daniel Hyam
Benjamin Daniel Hyam, Masonic Grand Master
WS 16/2277
Values Codes - I-H-E-P
Benjamin D. Hyam was born in London in 1813,
Hyam served in the United States Army in both the Mexican War (1846-1848) and in the Civil War.
Benjamin D. Hyam served in the United States Army in both the Mexican War (1846-1848) and in the Civil War.
He arrived in California in 1850
The Masons
The importance of the Masonic Movement for pioneer Western Jews is epitomized by Benjamin Daniel Hyam, California’s third Grand Master of the. Order.
Benjamin Hyam helped organize the California Grand Lodge in April, 1850, and as the then-Master of Benecia Lodge he served as Secretary of the Founding Convention, held in Sacramento.
He was elected Grand Master of California Masonry in 1852.
In San Francisco he helped organize the Mount Moriah Masonic Lodge.
Community
Among his personal friends were Henry Moses Lewis, a board member of Congregation Sherith Israel, and Joseph Shannon, Treasurer of the County of San Francisco and the second President of Congregation Emanu-El.
Benjamin Daniel Hyam later practiced law for many years in Washington, D.C..
Benjamin Hyam died in 1893 and is buried in Washington.
More information can be found in the following issues of Western States Jewish History:
Benjamin Daniel Hyam: Master Mason, San Francisco, California, 1813 - 1893; V41/1
Photo Gallery [New photos always welcome]
