Most Illustrious Past Grand Master

Cryptic Masons of Tennessee

1966

Jacob R. Denny

Jacob R. Denny

Born in Campbell County, Tennessee, near LaFollette on January 5, 1909. He is the
son of the late Luke Kenneth Denny and Francis Ora Roach Denny.

He was educated in the public schools of Campbell County, University of Tennessee,
Georgia – Carolina School of Commerce and LaSalle University.

He was an Engineer with the Tennessee Department of Highways until 1937. Since then he
has been an executive with B. G. Young and Sons, Inc., and Unaka Paving Company, Inc., highway construction firms of Johnson City.

For years he has been Secretary of the Johnson City Tobacco Board of Trade and the
Democratic Primary Election Commission of Washington County.

He was married to Eunice Juanita Hartsell on August 11, 1934, who passed away on April
29, 1960. To this union were born two daughters, Janice Louise (Mrs. William W. Bain, Jr.),
Nashville and Cynthia Frances (Mrs. Jerry Hyde), San Pedro, California. He has one grandson, William Worthington Bain III. On August 3, 1962, he was married to Kathleen Bain.

He became a member of Cedar Hill Baptist Church, in Campbell County, in 1919 and is now a
member of Central Baptist Church at Johnson City.

He was raised in Johnson City Lodge No. 486 on March 13, 1950, and served as Worshipful
Master in 1955.

He was exalted in Thomas E Matson Chapter No. 131 at Johnson City on April 5, 1950, and
served as High Priest in 1957. He received the Order of High Priesthood at Nashville on March 25, 1957.

He was greeted in Holston Council No. 101 at Johnson City on October 13, 1952, and served
as Thrice Illustrious Master in1959. He received the Order of the Silver Trowel on March 23, 1959.

He was Knighted in Watauga Commandery No. 25 in Johnson City on September 27, 1956, and
served as Eminent Commander in 1961-62.

He became a Knight of the York Cross of Honour in Tennessee Prior No. 15 at Nashville on
August 4, 1961.

He received the Eastern Star Degree in Nolachuckey Chapter No. 194 on October 8, 1964.

He was initiated in Kerbela Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. at Knoxville on September 10, 1960.

He is a member of St. Mathias Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine at Knoxville.

He is a member of Charles Newton Bush Past Masters Association and the York Rite
Association of Upper East Tennessee.

In the Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters of Tennessee, he was elected Grand Steward
on March 21, 1960, and has advanced each year, being elected Most Illustrious Grand Master on March 21, 1966.

THE GRAND YORK RITE BODIES OF TENNESSEE

More Light being the object

100 Seventh Avenue North Suite #3
Nashville, TN 37203-3726