Harry Rust Virgin (August 25, 1854 – April 11, 1932) was an American politician and freemason from Maine. Virgin, a Republican, served three terms in the Maine Legislature, including a term as the Maine Senate President. He was the son of Colonel William Wirt Virgin of Rumford and Sarah Hall Cole from Norway, Maine. He lived in Portland, Maine, while serving in the legislature.

Harry Rust Virgin
From 1902's An Album of the Attorneys of Maine
Member of the Maine Senate
In office
1901–1904
Personal details
Born(1854-08-25)August 25, 1854
Rumford, Maine, US
DiedApril 11, 1932(1932-04-11) (aged 77)
Portland, Maine, US
Political partyRepublican
ResidencePortland, Maine

Political Career

edit

Virgin was initially elected to the Portland City Council, and in 1898, he furthered his political career by winning a seat in the Maine House of Representatives. Demonstrating his capabilities, he was then elected to the Maine Senate just two years later. Virgin's success continued, and after securing re-election to the Senate in 1902, he was honored with the position of Senate President for his third and final term. It is noteworthy that his father had also served as Senate President, making William and Henry Virgin the only father-son duo to both hold that distinguished position in Maine's history.[1]

Freemasonry

edit

Virgin was heavily involved in Freemasonry, Knights Templar (Freemasonry), and Scottish Rite. He became a master mason at the Ancient Land-Mark Lodge No. 17 in Portland, Maine on January 13, 1888.[2] He served as the Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Maine, Knights Templar (Freemasonry), in 1909.[2] He received the 32° as a Scottish Rite mason on January 31, 1889. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the Maine Sovereign Consistory from 1919 to 1922.[2] He was crowned an active member of the Supreme Council, Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction, on September 22, 1921 and served as the Deputy for Maine from 1925 to 1930.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Harry R. Virgin, Portland, ca. 1903". Maine Historical Society. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Baynard, Jr., Samuel Harrison (1938). History of the Supreme Council, 33°. Boston, Mass.: Supreme Council.