Biography of Charles A Peabody - MA Genealogy Trails

BROTHER CHARLES AUGUSTUS PEABODY, M.D., of Worcester, Massachusetts,

was born in Danvers, Mass., June 4, 1845, and is the son of J. Flint and Betsey (Wilkins) Peabody. He graduated from Amherst College with the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts, and later from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, as an M. D. He taught school for a time in the States of Delaware, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and in 1873 he began to practice medicine and surgery in Worcester.

In 1876 he went to India, where he practiced his profession in Bombay, for three years. Returning, via the Pacific and Oregon and California overland route to Boston, he again settled in Worcester, and for several years acted as physician at the Worcester Lunatic Hospital, and since December 1881, at Worcester City Hospital.

In 1888, he again crossed the Atlantic, making an extended tour of Europe and the " land of the Midnight Sun." BROTHER PEABODY in 1881 married Miss Caroline E. Allen, of Worcester. BROTHER PEABODY was made a Mason in Morning Star Lodge, of Worcester, Mass., September 14, 1886; a Royal Arch Mason in Worcester R. A. Chapter, of Worcester, June 10, 1887; a Royal and Select Master in Hiram Council, R. and S. M, of Worcester, June 30, 1887; and created a Knight Templar in Worcester County Commandery, K. T., of Worcester, March 22, 1888.

He received the Ineffable Grades in Worcester Lodge of Perfection, December 16, 1886; the Ancient Traditional Grades in Goddard Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Worcester, December 27, 1886; the Philosophical and Doctrinal Grades in Lawrence Chapter of Rose-Croix, of Worcester, the same day; and the Modern Historical and Chivalric Grades in Massachusetts Consistory S. P. R. S. 32Â°, of Boston, in April 1887.

He served as Junior Deacon of his Symbolic Lodge in 1886; was elected Junior Warden in 1887, Senior Warden in 1888 and 1889, and in 1890 was elected Worshipful Master and re-elected in 1891 and 1892. In Worcester Chapter, he filled the office of Scribe in 1887 that of King in 1888, and in 1889 became High Priest. For the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts, he was appointed Ex. G. M. 2d Veil in 1891, and in 1892 and 1893 Ex. G. R. A. Captain.

In Lawrence Chapter of Rose-Croix, he was appointed G. C. of G. in 1887, and in 1892 was elected G. 0. In Goddard Council Princes of Jerusalem, he was appointed V. G. M. of E. in 1887; and in 1888 was elected M. E. Junior Grand Warden, in 1889 G. H. P. Deputy G. M. and in 1890 and 1891 M. E. S. P. G. M. SIR KNIGHT PEABODY also enjoys official prominence in Worcester County Commandery K. T., having been elected Generalissimo in 1892.

In Massachusetts Consistory he was elected Ill. Minister of State and Grand Orator in 1891 for the term of three years, which position he now (1893) holds. BROTHER PEABODY is a member also of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Apartments, Worcester, having been elected in 1890, for the term of three years.

He is also a Director in the Free Public Library of Worcester, to which position he was elected in 1892, for the term of six years. He has at various times held official stations in Medical and other Associations; is the Surgeon of the "Worcester Continentals " an unattached Military Company; and since 1881 has been the Superintendent of the City Hospital of Worcester.

[Submitted by Robyn Greenlund]