Famous Business Masons

Many men throughout history have been members of our fraternity.

In these pages we will present you with them and try to impress upon you the great men that have been Masons.

Famous Mason Categories
Articles of ConfederationAstronautsBusinessmenEntertainersExplorers and FrontiersmenGovernorsMilitary Leaders
PoliticianPresidentsSenatorSigner Declaration of IndependenceSportsSupreme Court JusticeUS Constitution

Members on this page are Businessmen

Leaders of Industry, Founders of Corporations and Inventors

During the Industrial Revolution, a captain of industry was a business leader whose means of amassing a personal fortune contributes positively to the country in some way. This may have been through increased productivity, expansion of markets, providing more jobs, or acts of philanthropy.

Photo of Charles Rolston

Charles Rolston

Creator of the Service Station

Biography

In June of 1908 the first gasoline station in Canada and, allegedly in the world, was opened in Vancouver on the southwest corner of Smythe and Cambie streets. The creation of Gizeh Shriner Charles M. Rolston, who received his degree’s in Acacia Lodge in 1902, and Major James S. Mathews, a member of Western Gate Lodge. The idea of a filling station evolved from a 1902 request of another Freemason, John Hendry of Union Lodge, manager of the Hastings Sawmill. Hendry telephoned the Imperial Oil Company, which then consisted of two employees, Charles Rolston, the manager and James Mathews, the clerk, he need some gasoline for his new automobile and did they have any in stock?