Vancouver Island Masonic History Project
As part of our Vancouver Island Masonic History Project, here is a page about George Mesher, a builder who was a member of Victoria-Columbia Lodge, No.1 in Victoria. George Mesher’s son, George Charles Mesher, was also a member of Victoria-Columbia, No.1 as well as being a prominent architect and builder. George Charles Mesher‘s construction firm built our Duncan Masonic Temple in 1912.
George Mesher’s building projects included Gypswyk, for Alexander Alfred Green, which is now the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
Here is a brief biography of George Mesher, Sr., taken from the contemporary newspaper reports of his death and funeral:
“Another respected pioneer of Victoria has passed to his rest and reward in the person of George Mesher, senior, who died at the residence of his son-in-law, F.A. Pauline, Foul Bay road, at a quarter to ten last evening.
The late Mr. Mesher had never had a day’s illness in all his eighty-one years of life until five weeks ago, when he was taken ill. At first it seemed to be but a passing ailment, but he did not rally and gradually sank, the end coming peacefully as if just passing into slumber.
Mr. Mesher was born in Brompton, Kent, England, in 1831, and came to Victoria with his family when he was fifty-five in 1886. In his new home he quickly took the place which his business ability and experience fitted him for, and in partnership with his eldest son, George C. Mesher, he carried on business as architects and builders for many years before he retired and left the active management in the hands of his son, which is one of the largest firms in the business on the coast. Although out of active work of the firm he retained a keen interest in affairs and his figure was a familiar one about the city. He was a man of the highest integrity and honor, of a most cheery disposition, and an especial favorite with children.
Two sons, six daughters, and eighteen grandchildren are left. George C. Mesher is at present in England, having left the day before his father was taken ill. The other is F.J. Mesher, who lives in California and is now on his way here. The daughters are Mrs. F.A. Pauline, Mrs. A.M. Cooke, Mrs. John Piercy, Mrs. M.A. Wylde, Mrs John Thaw, all of who reside in Victoria, and Mrs. M.J. Appleby, who is now a resident of Seattle.
Mr. Mesher was a member of Victoria-Columbia Lodge, No. 1, A.F. & A.M., and the funeral will be a Masonic one. He was a member of the congregation of St. John’s Church.
The body has been removed to the B.C. Funeral Furnishing Company’s parlors, from which the funeral will take place on Thursday at 2:15 p.m., services being conducted fifteen minutes later by Rev. Percival Jenns.”
(Source: Victoria Daily Times, 9 January 1912, page 9)
George Mesher is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C.
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