M. W. Brother Harry Stevens Johnson was born April 21, 1868, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his education in the schools of Cincinnati. Upon leaving school entered the service of the Central Union Depot and Railway Company, (now Cincinnati Union Terminal Company), and in 1897 was appointed Superintendent, a position he held until his retirement 1923. He was an active member in the North Presbyterian Church since 1883. He served for many years as trustee and elder. He taught Sunday school for seventy years.
M. W. Brother Johnson was married Mary Edith Bates and to this marriage one son was born.
M. W. Brother Johnson was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Hoffner Lodge No. 253, June 13, 1891; passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft July 13,1891 and raised to the Sublime Degree of master mason August 8, 1891. He became Worshipful Master in 1897. And with the exception of three years, he has served as trustee from 1897 to 1959.
He received the Mark Master Degree, November 25, 1892, Past and Most Excellent Master Degrees, December 2, 1892 and The Royal Arch Degree, December 14, 1892, in Cumminsville Chapter No. 158, Cincinnati Ohio. He served in the various offices of the Chapter and became High Priest in 1904.
He received the Royal and Select Master degrees and was greeted as a Super Excellent Master in Cincinnati Council No.1, October 24, 1917.
He was created a Knight Templar in Cincinnati Commandery No.3, April 14, 1914, in which he served as Sword Bearer, Standard Bearer, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Generalissimo and was Eminent Commander in 1920.
In the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, he received the degrees in Gibulum Lodge of Perfection, Nov. 16, 1905; Dalcho Council Princes of Jerusalem, Dec. 14, 1905; Cincinnati Chapter Rose Croix, Dec. 21, 1905; Ohio Consistory, Feb. 1, 1906. He was crowned Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33°, and honorary member, Supreme Council, Sept. 19, 1922, at Cleveland, Ohio.
In the Grand Lodge of Ohio, he served five years as District Lecturer; Grand Marshal in 1917; Senior Grand Deacon, 1918; Grand Orator, 1919; Junior Grand Warden, 1920; Senior Grand Warden, 1921 and Deputy Grand Master, 1922. He was elected Grand Master of Masons of Ohio Oct. 19, 1922. Elected Grand Secretary, 1924 to 1959.
M. W. Brother Johnson led Ohio Masonry as its Grand Secretary through thirty-six years of eventful and fruitful years. They were years characterized by quiet and steady growth, distinguished by peace and harmony at home, by the most cordial and friendly relations with other Jurisdictions, greater social and philanthropic effort, by increasing usefulness to its members and to the community at large.
The death of M. W. Brother Harry Stevens Johnson removed from the Grand Jurisdiction of Ohio one of its most distinguished and honored Masons. Probably no man in recent years acquired so many friends and acquaintances in the Fraternity, or served it so long, so devotedly and so effectively. Even though the Great Architect of the Universe permitted this Brother to bless our lives with his presence for many years, more than man’s allotted time; we have in our sorrow and deep sense of loss only partial comfort therefrom.
M. W. Brother Johnson departed this life on, May 19, 1959, his body was interred in the Spring Grove Cemetery, Section 16, Lot 107, Cincinnati, Ohio.