HASTON TWOMEY, PANOLA COUNTY, TEXAS Originally published in the EAST TEXAS FAMILY RECORDS VOL. 8, NO. 3, FALL 1984, by East Texas Genealogical Society. by Leila B. LaGrone Carthage, Texas Haston TWOMEY, a Panola County Mason, served his local A. F., A. M. and R. A. chapters well; but he did much more. The Grand High Priest of Texas, J. C. KIDD, wrote a beautiful Tribute of Mourning to "All Royal Arch Masons of Texas", on June 29, 1899. "In his death the Church has lost a devoted worker for the glory of GOD and the good of the people; the State, an upright true-hearted citizen; Masonry, one whose life was the embodiment of the principles it teaches; and Humanity, a friend." Haston TWOMEY was a good example of the strong and courageous pioneers who tamed the East Texas wilderness. He was born in Monroe County, Tennessee, March 4, 1824; and by his sixteenth birthday, he had lived alternately in Arkansas, Tennessee, Indiana and Mississippi. Arriving in Texas in 1840, he lived in what was then Shelby County. By 1845, he had established himself in Rusk County. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1842, and he became a licensed minister of the Methodist Church in 1874. He married Emily TIPPET on June 22, 1845, and they lived several years in the newly established Panola County. In March, 1854, he moved his family to California where they lived in Amador County until returning to Panola County, Texas, in 1861. Two very early mention of Mr. TWOMEY in HISTORY OF PANOLA COUNTY was TWOMEY'S Mill as the start of a school precinct in 1854; and "Haston TWOMEY as a supply Minister for Woods Methodist Church in 1881". Mr. TWOMEY entered the Confederate Army from Woods Post Office area, where he had settled. Masonic records say "He was a valiant soldier in the cause until the fall of Vicksburg in 1863." He had become a Mason at Carthage Lodge #78, in 1850, and served as its Master in 1853. In California, he affiliated with Volcano Lodge #54, and also served as its Master. There, he also received Royal Arch Degrees in 1855. After the Civil War, Mr. TWOMEY became one of the most respected Masons in Texas. He received Council Degrees in Washington, #2, Texas in 1870. The Order of Temple was conferred upon him by Gray Commandery #16, Knights Templar at Marshall, Texas in September, 1895. He was present, as a Member at Grand Chapter, in 1870; and in 1873, he attended as High Priest of Carthage Chapter #28, as a permnanent Member. Records show that he attended every Grand Convention from 1870 until his death in 1899, except two: 1874 and 1889. He served as District Grand Visitor from 1875 until his death. He served as a member of the Committee on Work from 1876 to 1896. In 1882 he was elected Grand Scribe and he served the Lodge as Grand High Priest, 1884-1885. In 1896, he was made High Priest of the Order of High Priesthood, and as such, continued until his death. The "Book of Minutes" #3, of Carthage Chapter #28 of Royal Arch Masons, shows that the Chapter had ceased to operate in December 1883. Times had been hard and certain properties were sold to clear outstanding debt. This demise would have come a year before Mr. TWOMEY became the Grand High Priest of Texas. It must have been a disappointment to him that Carthage Royal Arch Chapter was inactive at that time. Later records show that Haston TWOMEY was called by the Grand High Priest to reorganize Carthage Chapter on October 6, 1897. Present for that organizational meeting were: T. P. HULL, 0. H. COOPER, E. S. HULL, W. F. DAVIS, L. H. JOHNSON, B. C. ODOM, A. J. MILLER, N. W. GILLASPIE and Haston TWOMEY. Officers had been appointed by the Grand High Priest. Motions were approved to hold meetings each first Wednesday Night and payment of Annual Dues of $2.00. Four petitions for new members were received and referred to Committees. Then, by unanimous vote, they suspended the rules and voted on the four men at that meeting. All were elected to receive the Degrees of the Royal Arch Masons. They were: J. L. CHADWICK, Jasper COLLINS, S. A. WOODWARD, and J. A. GARN. Three months later, Mr. TWOMEY reported to the Chapter that the old Charter #28 had been restored to the Chapter. Mr. TWOMEY also gave his expense account for attendibg Grand Chapter as Carthage High Priest, as follows: "Round-trip ticket to Houston, $5.30; Breakfast at Hotel, 50¢; Board at Houston (for a week) $6.75; Street Car Fare, lO¢; Total $12.65. The first mention in Chapter Minutes of TWOMEY'S illness was on January 25, 1899, after T. P. HULL had served as High Priest for several meetings. J. L. CHADWICK read to the Chapter a Statement of Haston TWOMEY'S indebtedness, amounting to $124.92. Mr. CHADWICK then moved that the Secretary be instructed to ask for the $150.00 of appropriation made by the 49th Annual Grand Chapter. Apparently, this appropriation was to help Carthage Chapter get on its feet, financially. Mr. CHADWICK asked that the money be sent to "Champion TWOMEY for his relief". The motion must have carried, though that decision is not clear in the Minutes. Mr. Haston TWOMEY died June 14, 1899, and the July Chapter meeting voted to donate $20.00 which the deceased brother owed for lodge dues. A Resolutions Committee was named but their names were not given. Later, on December 27, 1899, the Chapter read a Statement from the Grand High Priest, J. C. KIDD, that the "Grand Chapter had sent $300.00 for the family of Past Grand High Priest Haston TWOMEY." Mr. TWOMEY is buried at Woods Cemetery, and his gravestone gives dates: March 4, 1824 - June 14, 1899; his wife Emily, is there also, February 8, 1822- November 16, 1903. ============================================================================ *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Gina Heffernan May 18, 2002 ***********************************************************************