Frank W. Baltes Ca. 1882
Frank William Baltes was born on March 19, 1860 near Oak Point, Washington, just across and upriver from Astoria. He was trained in the Printing business and became President and Manager of the F.W. Baltes Printing Co. in Portland by 1890, they specialized in “Books and Job printers”.
On November 12, 1887 he filed a patent for a Receiving Table for Cylinder Printing Presses (serial # 254965). The combination, with a receiving-table, of finger guides, adjustably secured to said table and provided with laterally projecting arms, substantially as described, whereby the fingers are made to serve a twofold purpose-viz., guides to the sheet and stops for the fly-asset forth.
He printed the books and Reunion programs for the Scottish Rite for many years.
He was Raised a Master Mason in Temple Lodge #7 in Astoria on March 27, 1882[1]. He was appointed Senior Deacon to serve out the rest of 1882. He demitted from Temple Lodge and petitioned Portland Lodge #55 in Portland on February 2, 1883 and was received by affiliate on March 2, 1883. He was appointed Senior Deacon in 1884 and elected Junior Warden for 1889 and 1890. He was elected Senior Warden in 1890 and served as Master of Portland Lodge #55 in 1891. He joined Al Kader Shrine on May 17, 1888.
Frank W. Baltes
Master of Portland Lodge #55 in 1891
He joined the Portland Scottish Rite and received the 4° on March 3, 1891, 14° March 17, 1891, 18° July 21, 1891, 30° January 26, 1892 and the 32° January 31, 1893. He was elected KCCH on October 19, 1897. He received his 50 year pin on December 25, 1931. He died on October 31, 1932 in Portland, Oregon. His Masonic service was held at the Portland Crematorium on November 2, 1932. He was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Astoria.
Frank Baltes married Josephine May on Jan 17, 1895 in Tecoma, Washington
Baltes Company from the Portland Directory
Early Reunion Program Printed by the F.W. Baltes Company
[1] The records of Portland Lodge #55 say he was Raised on March 27, 1881. First problem was he couldn’t legally join until he was 21, his birthday being March 19, that would leave 8 days to receive the degrees and give back his proficiencies. Second the Grand Lodge Proceedings show that he went through the degrees between May 1881 and May 1882.
About the author:
Michael D. Robinson 32° KCCH, was the second Master Mason Raised in Esoterika Lodge #227, and the first member Raised in that Lodge to serve as Worshipful Master. He was elected Master in 2013 and 2014, and currently serves as Historian. He is also Historian for Research Lodge #198 and Eugene Lodge #11 and District Deputy of District #13. Brother Robinson was appointed Historian of the Scottish Rite Orient of Oregon in December of 2014. He was the recipient of the “Novus Astorum” from the Portland Valley Scottish Rite in 2010, and the Hiram Award from Esoterika Lodge in 2012. In March of 2015 he was made Secretary of the Eugene Valley, and Director of the Work for that Valley in January of 2017.
