Mecklenburg County NcArchives Obituaries.....Winchester, Francis Mortimer November 10, 1917 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Danielle Mozingo danisue1970@yahoo.com November 15, 2010, 2:08 pm Charlotte Observer, November 12, 1917 DR. WINCHESTER DIED YESTERDAY ----- Was Past Grand Master of North Carolina Grand Lodge of Masons ----- Funeral Service Will Be Held This Afternoon at Three O'Clock. Masons in Charge. ----- Dr. F. M. Winchester, past grand master of the grand lodge of Masons of North Carolina, and one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of Charlotte and Mecklenburg county, passed away yesterday morning at 8:30 o'clock at his home, 301 South Myers street. Dr. Winchester became ill about three years ago. Since then he underwent treatment at hospitals, but did not improve. He had been confined to his bed for the most part during the last year. For the last two weeks he had been seriously ill, and his death was not unexpected by members of the family and friends. For 24 years Dr. Winchester had been a resident of Charlotte. During that time he held every office in North Carolina masonry, and was connected with all plans worked out and put into operation by the organization for the good of the Masons and families of Masons in North Carolina. He had been engaged in the practice of medicine in Charlotte since 1893, until his health failed him three years ago. The funeral service will be conducted at Trinity Methodist church this afternoon at 3 o'clock. It will be in charge of the grand lodge of North Carolina Masons. Rev. J. W. Moore, pastor of Trinity church, will preach the funeral sermon. Interment will be in Elmwood cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from members of the grand lodge. Native of Union. Dr. Winchester was born in Union county, October 28, 1857. He was therefore inhis sixty-second year. He was a son of John Robinson Winchester and Julia Wolfe Winchester. After graduating from the high school at Monroe, Dr. Winchester attended the Jefferson Medical college, in Philadelphia. He graduated in medicine in 1880. Soon after graduation he married Miss Willie Brookshire of Montgomery county. In the practice of his profession Dr. Winchester achieved marked success. He was one of the oldest physicians in the city. It was due almost entirely to the untiring efforts of Dr. Winchester that the home for Masons and their wives at Greensboro was founded. He introduced resolutions in the grand lodge for the founding of such a home. These resolutions were passed. For five or six years Dr. Winchester worked almost incessantly stirring up interest in the founding of the home at Greensboro. While he was grand master in 1913, the home was completed, a monument to North Carolina Masonry, and to Past Grand Master F. M. Winchester. Worked for Eastern Star. The deceased was the first worth patron of the Charlotte chapter, No. 36, of the North Carolina Order of the Eastern Star, which was organized here some years ago. Dr. Winchester was one of the prime movers in forming a chapter of the order of the Eastern Star here. Miss Heln Hoyle, worthy matron of the order, has issued an order requesting all members to meet at the Y. M. C. A. this afternoon at 2:50 o'clock to attend in a body the funeral service. The deceased was made a Master Mason on March 23, 1894. From 1896 until 1900 he was worshipful master of Excelsior lodge, Charlotte. He was high priest of the Royal Arch chapter from 1905 until 1907. Dr. Winchester was also past grand commander of the Knights Templar. Aside from being a Mason of high standing, the deceased was a prominent member of Mecklenburg lodge, Knights of Pythias. Dr. Winchester was a steward in Trinity Methodist church. He was very ative in all affairs connected with is church and the religious life of the city, until his health became such that he was obliged to give up these duties, in which he found great delight. When a few members of Tryon Street Methodist church formed the second Methodist church in Charlotte, Trinity church, more that 22 years ago, Dr. Winchester was one of the most active in the formation of this new church. He was connected with its rapid growth and progress, therefore, from the time it was formed. The deceased was a man of high intellect and deep religios convictions. Despite the fact that he had a very large practice in his profession, requiring a large portion of his time, he always found time to be of help in causes for the good of the community in which he lived, and the order to which he was so greatly devoted. Besides his wife, Dr. Wichester is survived by one son and one daughter, R. H. Winchester, of Charlotte, and Mrs. J. A. McCall, of Concord. He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Henry Winchester, Robert Winchester, and Mrs. Minnie Benton, of Charlotte; Ben Winchester, of Clifton Forge, Va., Howard Winchester, of Columbia, S. C.; Mrs. Annie Reaves, of Raleigh, and Mrs. Will Porter, of this county. Notices have been issued requesting Masons to assemble at the Masonic temple this afternoon at 2 o'clock to attend the funeral of Dr. Winchester in a body. 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