Henry Pelham Holmes Bromwell

Republican Representative of Illinois's 7th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

August 26, 1823 (79 years old)

Birthday

January 7, 1903

Death

Was a lawyer, judge, and U.S. representative from Illinois before moving to Colorado where he continued his legal career and was involved in compiling the state’s statutes.
Served as a U.S. representative from 1865 to 1869.
Became a prominent Freemason, initiated in 1854, and held various high-ranking positions including Grand Master of Illinois and the first Honorary Grand Master of Colorado.
Developed the Free and Accepted Architects, a new rite for Freemasonry based on a geometrical system he evolved, aimed at restoring and preserving lost Masonic rituals.
Authored “Restorations of Masonic Geometry and Symbolry,” a significant contribution to Masonic literature focused on the esoteric nature of Sacred geometry.
Married Elizabeth Emily Payne in 1858 and had three children, two of whom died young; his wife also died early in 1865.
Moved across several states throughout his life, starting in Baltimore, Maryland, then to Ohio, Illinois, and finally settling in Colorado where he died in 1903.
Was involved in politics as a Republican until the 1880s, after which he switched to the Democratic Party.
His work and contributions to Freemasonry were recognized posthumously, with his Masonic publication company formed to publish his significant work on Masonic geometry and symbolism.
Buried in Riverside Cemetery in Denver, Colorado, after a funeral service conducted by the Grand Lodge of Colorado with notable Masonic figures in attendance.