Most Worshipful Brother Ford Quint Elvidgewas born in Oakland, California on November 30, 1892. His early years were spent in Oakland before moving with his parents and brother in 1911 to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
He took a business course there and then later became an articled student-at-law and entered upon the study of law in Vancouver, B. C. Uninterested in joining the Canadian bar, he moved to Seattle in 1916 and entered the University of Washington. He was studying law there when the United States entered World War I in 1917. Elvidge enlisted in the US Army Reserve Corps. He was commissioned and sent to training as part of the US Medical Corps, making it as far as Camp Mills in New York before the armistice ending the war went into effect.
In March of 1918 he was called into active service, in August was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry (13th Inf., 8th Div.) and in November of the same year was commissioned 1st Lieutenant. He did not get "across" during the War. On February 28, 1919, he was honorably discharged from the Army at Hoboken, N. J. In 1918 he was admitted to the Bar of the State of Washington and began working with the law offices of Tucker and Hyland in Seattle. Eventually he founded Elvidge, Watt, Veblen & Tewell, remaining there until his retirement in 1974.
Ford is a Past Master of Arcana Lodge, No. 87, of Seattle. He was Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Washington for the year 1940-1941, being elected Junior Grand Warden in 1941, and advanced successively for meritorious service, culminating in his election as Grand Master in 1944. On his journey to the Grand East, our Most Worshipful Brother found himself in the position of “Acting as Grand Master” due to the untimely death of his predecessor, Most Worshipful Brother Donald Franklin Kizer.
He is a Past Wise Master of Washington Chapter of Rose Croix, Past Commander of Seattle Consistory, A. A. S. R. S. J., U. S. A. In December of 1943 the Thirty-third Degree of Scottish Rite Masonry was conferred upon him. Ford is a Past President of the Seattle High Twelve Club; a member of Nile Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; member of the National Sojourners and Heroes of 76 (Puget Sound Chapter, No. 40); Second Viceroy of St- Alban's Conclave, No. 18 (Knights of Red Cross of Constantine) and a member of the Legion of Honor (Order of DeMolay). He is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Phi, American Legion, American Bar Association, a Past President of the College Club of Seattle, a past member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Washington Alumni Association, a Past President of the Seattle Bar Association and at present a member of the Board of Governors of the Washington State Bar Association.
In 1953, President Eisenhower tabbed Most Worshipful Brother Elvidgeas the second appointed civilian Governor of Guam. He would remain in that office until May 1956. According to historians Paul Carano and Pedro Sanchez, his administration was defined by a determined effort to reduce government spending and improving the territory’s medical facilities and school system. In addition, he tried to encourage the local population to engage in western style commercial agriculture, but this effort was met with little success.
He did, however, have several notable achievements. Using his experience as a lawyer, he was able to negotiate with the naval authorities an agreement to increase power and water allocations for the general public. Governor Elvidge also worked to get Guam included in the Federal National Mortgage Association program, which helped provide funds for new housing or to build additions to existing housing for local residents.
The Elvidge administration also developed an islandwide cleanup program. Upon his arrival on Guam, Elvidge had observed that the island was littered with surplus military materials, abandoned automobile wreckage, piles of dumped trash and other eyesores which presented a potential health hazard. The cleanup campaign focused on education on proper sanitation procedures and village level efforts to remove garbage. In January 1954, Elvidge focused on acquiring over $100,000 worth of surplus military property, including plumbing supplies, heavy equipment, tools and typewriters. Many of these items were used by the government and also by the newly opened vocational school.
Another of Governor Elvidge’s significant achievements was his proposal to convert the newly constructed nursing school building at the Guam Memorial Hospital to a general hospital ward. The nursing school was part of a new hospital complex being constructed in Oka, Tamuning. Elvidge feared that funding would run out during the construction of the hospital due to decreasing tax revenues. Although Elvidge’s plan was initially rejected by the Legislature, eventually by 4 June 1955, a new 6-story, 65,000 square foot structure became a new wing of the permanent Guam Memorial Hospital.
Elvidge also worked toward the reopening of the Guam Museum in the garden house at the grounds of the Plaza de España, forming a Parks, Monuments and Museum Committee to reestablish, equip and operate the museum, as well as conduct studies and restore and preserve important historical landmarks.
Furthermore, during the Elvidge administration, Public Law 42 was passed, which allowed for jury trial in certain cases within the jurisdiction of the newly established District Court of Guam. Cargo handling rates at the Guam Commercial Port were reduced; the installation of a modern, islandwide telephone system was completed, and new schools were built in Inarajan and Santa Rita.
At the national level, Elvidge traveled to Washington, DC and had discussions with the Department of Interior officials and President Eisenhower regarding progress on Guam. Elvidge desired to clarify how and which federal laws were to be applied to Guam, especially in light of the Organic Act. He also expressed interest in the territory having its own representative in Congress, asserting, “I think Guam should have representation. They are not a large unit, but they are an integrated part of the United States.
Most Worshipful Brother Ford QuintElvidgewas called from labor at the age of 87 on July 14 1982. According to his obituary in the Seattle Times, he had served as a past president of the Seattle Bar Association, the College Club and the University of Washington Law School Alumni Association, and was a former member of the board of the Washington State Bar Association. Elvidge was also a past president of the Seattle chapter of the English-speaking Union and served as legal counsel to the British consul in Seattle. In 1966, Queen Elizabeth II conferred on him the title of honorary commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.