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History
Of Freemasonry In Ohio
From 1791 to 1912 by W. M. Cunningham and John G. Reeve=
s
THE
HISTORY OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE By
W. M. CUNNINGHAM, M. A.,
VOLUME
3 Part
IV Copyright,
1914 By J. H. Bromwell Grand Secretary Cincinnati, Ohio
1912 M.·. W.·. THOMAS B. GUITTEAU, GRAND MASTER, IN THE CHAIR=
The Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free a=
nd
Accepted Masons of the state of Ohio convened in the Valentine Theater,
Toledo, Ohio, at ten o'clock, A. M., Wednesday, October 23, 1912, there b=
eing
in attendance all the Grand Officers, the following. PAST GRAND OFFICERS M. .W. Past Grand Masters Leander Burdick, Levi C. Goodale, Allen Andr=
ews,
Wm. B. Melish, Barton Smith, Nelson Williams, F. C. Gulliford, F. L.
Lybarger, Frank S. Harmon, Ike M. Robinson, W. A. Belt, O. P. Sperra, C. =
G.
Ballou, Lewis P. Schaus, Horace A. Irvin, Geo. D. Copeland, C. S. Hoskins=
en,
B. F. Perry and H. S. Kissell. R.·. W.·. Past Deputy Grand Master, Wm. J. Akers, and 23
District Lecturers. OPENING M.·. W.·. Bro. F. C. Gulliford submitted the following:<= o:p> REPORT ON CREDENTIALS Number of chartered Lodges, 524; number of Lodges represented, 518; nu=
mber
of Lodges not represented, 6; proxies on file of Worshipful Master, 32;
proxies on file of Senior Warden, 226; proxies on file of Junior Warden, =
225. The committee further reported all of the Grand Officers, all of the P=
ast
Grand Masters except M.·. W.·. Bro. Carroll F. Clapp, the P=
ast
Deputy Grand Master, all of the District Lecturers except Bros. F. G.
Chamberlin and Fred F. Harmon, and a constitutional number of Lodges, duly
represented by their officers and proxies, present and registered. Whereupon the Grand Master declared the M.·. W.·. Grand
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Ohio opened in Ample Fo=
rm. This was followed by an invocation by the R.·. W.·. Grand
Chaplain, Clement G. Martin. The Masonic Glee Club, made up entirely of
Masons, and under the direction of Bro. V. O. Moore, rendered a musical
selection. The M.·. W.·. Grand Master submitted his annual address =
in
which among other things were the following: IN MEMORIAM Past Deputy Grand Master M.·. W.·. Bro. Jacob L'Hommedieu
Long died at Mansfield, Ohio, on May 31, 1912. His remains were conveyed =
to
Ottawa, Ohio, his former residence, under an escort of Brethren from
Mansfield, where, on Sunday afternoon, June 2, the beautiful funeral serv=
ice
of the Order was performed at the Presbyterian Church of that city, under=
the
auspices of Ottawa Lodge No.325. Upon receipt of the notice of the death of M.·. W.·. Bro.
Long, a memorial was issued and sent to each Lodge in this Grand
Jurisdiction. FRATERNAL DEAD IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS During the year I have received notice of the death of twenty-six dist=
inguished
Brethren of other Grand Jurisdictions. DISTRICT LECTURERS I issued a call to the District Lecturers to meet at the Masonic Templ=
e,
Columbus, on January 19, 1912, for the purpose of perfecting plans for the
inspection of Lodges, the discussion of ritualistic work, inspection blan=
ks,
etc. Twenty of the twenty-five Lecturers were present, and a profitable d=
ay
was spent discussing these matters. We were honored upon this occasion by the presence of M.·.
W.·. Bro. Lewis P. Schaus, P. G. M., and R.·. W.·. B=
ro.
George L. Marshall, Junior Grand Warden All Lodges in the Jurisdiction ha=
ve
been inspected. Each Lodge has received a letter from the Grand Master up=
on
receipt of the District Lecturer's report. I am pleased to say that with =
few
exceptions the Lodges arc shown to be proficient in the Ritual, and in an
excellent financial and physical condition. The District Lecturers are deserving of much praise for the zeal and
efficiency displayed. They have served the Craft with the utmost fidelity,
and have kindly and cheerfully responded to every personal request. TRUSTEES OF THE OHIO MASONIC HOME In accordance with the provisions of Resolution XXII of this Grand Lod=
ge,
on December 28, 1911, I reappointed Bros. Edward Harford and R. Arthur
Worthington, both of Springfield, Ohio, as Trustees of the Ohio Masonic H=
ome. DISPENSATIONS FOR NEW LODGES I have granted six dispensations to establish new Lodges, the petition=
ers
having in each case complied with all the requirements of the Code, viz.:=
October 21, 1911, to 145 applicants to open a Lodge in Toledo, Ohio, t=
o be
known as "Barton Smith Lodge," so named in honor of M.·.
W.·. Bro. Barton Smith, a Past Grand Master of this Grand Lodge, a
beloved member of the Fraternity of Toledo, and well known to Masonry
throughout the world. Since granting dispensation, this Lodge has attained a membership of
approximately 225, with a large amount of work in sight. Barton Smith Lod=
ge
is in a most flourishing condition. December 28, 1911, to petitioners of Cincinnati, Ohio, to open a Lodge=
to
be known as "Winton Lodge." DISPENSATIONS GRANTED During my term of office I have granted ninety dispensations, as follo=
ws: To elect and install various officers of Lodges 30 SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS During my term of office the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ohio has b=
een
convened in Special Communication for the following purposes: DEDICATIONS November 25, 1911, Lodge rooms of Dover Lodge No.489, Dover, Ohio,
R.·. W.·. Bro. Edwin S. Griffiths Deputy Grand Master,
presiding. December 11, 1911, Lodge rooms of Covington Lodge No.168, Covington, O=
hio,
M.·. W.·. Bro. Thomas B. Guitteau, Grand Master, presiding.=
December 27, 1914, Lodge rooms of Roseville Lodge No.566, Roseville, O=
hio,
M.·. W.·. Bro. Ike M. Robinson, Past Grand Master, presidin=
g. Detailed reports of the above communications are printed in the
proceedings. SPECIAL EMERGENT COMMUNICATIONS At the last session of the Grand Lodge, charters were issued to the
following Lodges, all of which have been constituted and consecrated by
myself or by Brethren acting under authority of my proxy: LODGES CONSTITUTED October 24, 1911, I regularly constituted and consecrated Meridian Lod=
ge,
No.610, and installed its officers at Cleveland, Ohio. Detailed reports of the above communications will be found in the
proceedings. CORNER STONES LAID October 22, 1911, Marvin Memorial Parish House of the Church of Our Sa=
vior
(Episcopal), Akron, Ohio, M.·. W.·. Bro. Thomas B. Guitteau,
Grand Master, presiding. Detailed reports of the above are printed in the proceedings. FIRES During the past year the following Masonic Temples or Halls were damag=
ed
or destroyed by fire, and in one ease the charter was lost: The Masonic Temple at Washington C. H. was entirely destroyed by fire =
on
the night of December 30, 1911. I am pleased to state, however, that Faye=
tte
Lodge No.107, saved its charter, as well as part of the records. Thereupo=
n,
at the request of said Lodge, I issued a dispensation authorizing it to
temporarily hold its meetings in the I. O. O. F. Building in that city. On January 23, 1912, the Masonic Temple at Portsmouth was badly damage=
d by
fire, sustaining a loss of approximately $25,000.00, which fortunately was
fully covered by insurance. The Lodge rooms of Aurora Lodge suffered no
damage other than that occasioned by smoke. On April 8, 1912, the Hall of Bloomingburg Lodge No.449, F. & A. M=
.,
Bloomingburg, Ohio, together with its charter, part of the records and all
the furniture, was totally consumed by fire. Other quarters having been
secured and inspected, on April 9th I issued a dispensation authorizing
Bloomingburg Lodge to temporarily occupy the same. The Hall of Chester Lodge No.238, F. & A. M., at Chesterville, was
entirely consumed by fire in the afternoon of June 3, 1912. While said Lo=
dge
lost all its furniture, the records and charter were saved. I therefore
issued a dispensation authorizing Chester Lodge to temporarily hold its
meetings in the Hall of the I. O. O. F., in said village. VISITATIONS During my term of office I visited thirty-one Lodges, and personally c=
onducted
the services at the laying of seven corner stones, the dedication of three
Masonic Halls, and the consecration of two Lodges. The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing the balance in the
General Fund, October 12, 1912, $67,792.71. The Grand Secretary presented his twenty-fourth annual report stating =
this
has been, so far as increase of membership is concerned, one of the most
prosperous years in this Grand Body. The number of members August 31, 191=
2,
was 86,493, a net gain for the year of 3,660. The total income for the ye=
ar
was $64,790.50 of which $63,644.65 was Grand dues. The per capita tax due=
the
Masonic Homo is $25,947.90, and he recommends the additional donation of =
the
sum of $20,000.00, which recommendation was concurred in by the Committee=
on
Accounts and adopted by the Grand Lodge, which appropriated to the Buildi=
ng
or Dormitory Fund, $15,000.00, and to the General Expense Fund, $5,000.00=
. He further reports as follows: EXAMINATION AND CORRECTIONS OF BY-LAWS "I take pleasure in informing you that the work of examining and
causing corrections to be made in the various By-Laws is practically
completed, the only two which are still unfinished being those of Nos.151=
and
464." CUTS OF TEMPLES He has procured a large number of photographs of Masonic Temples
throughout the state and, with your permission, will make a selection for
insertion in the annual proceedings for this year. They can not all be
included at one time, but the others can follow in the succeeding proceed=
ings
until all have been printed. He has also obtained from the living Past Grand Masters biographical sketches giving their Masonic records, to be filed for future reference.<= o:p> DISTINGUISHED VISITOR M.·. W.·. Bro. Frank T. Lodge, Past Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Michigan, and representative of that Grand
Lodge near the Grand Lodge of Ohio, was introduced to the Grand Lodge and
made a most interesting and eloquent response to the greetings extended to
him by the Most Worshipful Grand Master. TESTIMONIAL TO THE GRAND SECRETARY M.·. W.·. Bro. Levi C. Goodale, on behalf of the Special
Committee appointed at the last session of the Grand Lodge to procure and
present to the Grand Secretary a testimonial of the appreciation of the G=
rand
Lodge for the services rendered by him in the examination and correction =
of
the Lodge By-Laws, submitted a report of that committee and presented to =
the
Grand Secretary, in the name of the Grand Lodge, a beautiful office desk =
and
revolving chair. M.·. W.·. Bro. Horace A. Irvin, chairman of the committee
appointed at the last communication to procure and present to the retiring
Grand Master, M.·. W.·. Harry S. Kissell, a Past Grand Mast=
er's
Jewel, reported that the committee had duly performed the pleasant duty
assigned to them at a special meeting of Anthony Lodge No.455, (of which
Brother Kissell is a member), called for that purpose, at which over five
hundred Masons were present and which was followed with an elaborate banq=
uet. On recommendation of the Committee on Charters and Dispensations a
duplicate charter was granted to Bloomingburg Lodge No.449, in lieu of the
original destroyed by fire. The Committee on Necrology submitted their report and testimonials as =
to
the loss by death of Past Deputy Grand Master R.·. W.·. Jac=
ob
L'H. Long; Past Master J. Russell Johnson of Mystic Lodge No.405, Dayton,
Ohio, who was also a Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knig=
hts
Templars of Ohio, and a Thirty-third Degree member of the Supreme Council=
of
the A. A. S. R. for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United State=
s of
America, and the 1137 members of the Subordinate lodges in this Grand
Jurisdiction; and the distinguished dead of twenty of our sister Grand
Jurisdictions, among which were R.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. H. Dingl=
ey,
86 years, for 42 years Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Alabama, and=
had
served as Grand Treasurer of all the Grand Masonic Bodies in that state;
R.·. W.·. Henry B. Grant, 75 years, served 25 years as Grand
Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. At Painesville, Ohio, Joseph
Chapmen, Past Grand Master of Iowa, 81 years; R.·. W.·.
Christopher Diehl, 82 years, for 40 years Grand Secretary of the Grand Lo=
dge
of Utah, and a number of others whose ages range from 73 to 88 years. Ver=
ily
the grim reaper has been busy garnering in the ranks of the Patriarchs of=
the
Order. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION 28 OF THE CODE R.·. W.·. Bro. Chas. J. Pretzman submitted the following
proposed amendment to Section 28 of the Code, properly seconded: "No Lodge shall receive the petition of any applicant for the deg=
rees
unless such applicant shall have resided one year in the jurisdiction of =
such
Lodge; provided, however, that any commissioned, non-commissioned, or war=
rant
officer, or enlisted soldier of the regular army of the United States, who
has been in the service for a period of not less than one year, and who is
stationed at a regular United States barracks or post within the Grand
Jurisdiction of Ohio, may petition any Lodge within whose jurisdiction sa=
id
barracks or post is located, without reference to his actual residence for
one year within said jurisdiction," which was referred to the Commit=
tee
on Masonic Jurisprudence which reported thereon and the same was laid ove=
r to
the next Annual Grand Communication. DISTINGUISHED GUESTS The following distinguished Masons being present were severally introd=
uced
to the Grand Lodge and welcomed to seats in the Grand East: M.·. E.·. Companion Thomas H. Isitt, Grand High Priest of
the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; M.·. Ill.·. Lewis P.
Schaus, Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons;
M.·. W.·. Bro. Frank S. Harmon, Thirty-third Degree, Deputy=
of
the A. A. S. R.; M.·. W.·. Bro. Horace A. Irvin, Venerable
President of the Masonic Veterans Association of Ohio, and M. Em. Sir Wm.=
B.
Melish, Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templars, U. S. A=
. Each of these distinguished Brethren made suitable responses as
introduced. On motion of M.·. W.·. Bro. Frank S. Harmon, (R.·.
W.·. Bro. E. S. Griffiths being in the Chair), the following commi=
ttee
was appointed to procure and present to M.·. W.·. Bro. Thom=
as
B. Guitteau, Grand Master, the usual Past Grand Master's Jewel, viz.:
M.·. W.·. Bros. Barton Smith, Frank S. Harmon and Leander B=
urdick. Brother Edwin S. Griffiths of Cleveland, was elected M.·.
W.·. Grand Master; Bro. Charles J. Pretzman of Columbus, R.·=
;.
W.·. Deputy Grand Master; Brother George L. Marshall of Dayton,
R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden; Bro. Frank H. Marquis of
Mansfield, R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden; Bro. Ralph R. Ric=
kly
of Columbus, R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer, for the eighteenth
consecutive time, and Bro. J. H. Bromwell of Cincinnati, R.·.
W.·. Grand Secretary, for the twenty-fifth consecutive time. Columbus, Ohio, was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 22, =
A.
D. 1913, as the time for holding the next Annual Grand Communication. On recommendation of the Committee on Charters and Dispensations, char=
ters
were issued to the following Lodges, viz.: Barton Smith Lodge at Toledo;
Winton Lodge at Cincinnati; Youngstown Lodge at Youngstown; Stillwater Lo=
dge
at Dayton, and Kinsman Lodge at Columbus; and Sherwood Lodge was continued
under dispensation. The Committee on S. Stacker Williams Library reported that they have
received from the Masonic Library Association of Cincinnati, (Custodian of
the Williams Library), through its President, a tabulated statement showi=
ng
the additions made to the Library since it came into their possession, in
1907, of which the following is a condensed report: Proceedings needed July, 1909 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
. .
. . . . . . . . 2,087 Proceedings secured to Oct., 1911 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
. .
. . . . . . . 1,466 On recommendation of the Committee the sum of $100.00 was donated to t=
he
Cincinnati Masonic Library Association for the purpose of defraying the
expense of postage, expressage, etc., incidental to the procuring of the
volumes needed to keep the sets of proceedings up to date. The Committee on Foreign Correspondence presented its report covering =
195
pages, reviewing the proceedings of seventy Grand Lodges and giving a
condensed and masterly epitome of the important transactions of every Gra=
nd
Jurisdiction in the world for the year past, and containing more useful
information in relation to Masonic law, jurisprudence, usage and procedure
than can be found in any monitor of history extant. A slight idea of the scope of these reports can be had by examining the
index of that report covering five pages, treating 145 subjects. In referring to these reports at various times during the second and t=
hird
volumes we have called the attention of our readers to many of the import=
ant
subjects contained in them, urged the Craft and specially the Masonic stu=
dent
and the officers of the Subordinate Lodges to carefully read and study th=
em
thereby better fitting themselves to perform their duties as officers and
Masons. For over half a century M.·. W.·. Bro. William M.
Cunningham, regularly attended every communication of this Grand Lodge, a=
nd
for a quarter of a century he served it continuously as Chairman of the
Foreign Correspondence Committee and gave to that service and to its repo=
rts
his long experience, his unexcelled literary ability, and his ripe
scholarship in Masonic history, jurisprudence 'and procedure, dispensing
light on many important subjects Dot treated in the monitors or histories,
such as Clandestine Masonry, Negro Masonry, the so called Prince Hall Gra=
nd
Lodge, manner of wearing the Masonic Apron, and hundreds of others as can=
be
seen by consulting the index to each yearly report, and we again urge on =
all
Masonic students and officers to read them carefully, including those sin=
ce
his death, which are kept up to the same high standard. M.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams, chairman of the committe=
e,
concludes his 1912 report as follows: And now having done the best we could, we leave the labors of the
committee for a season of rest and refreshment: FROM LABOR TO REFRESHMENT From Labor to Refreshment-what a happy thought it is, To fell that all the burdens, all the sorrows, all the woes, From Labor to Refreshment - 'tis the Junior Warden's call Our Mystic work suspended, sweet converse reigns supreme, From Labor to Refreshment - 'tis the Great Grand Master's call There we shall see completed all the Master's wise designs, Nelson Williams, for the Committee. OHIO MASONIC HOME The officers and trustees of the Masonic Home pre~nted their annual
report, which is printed in the proceedings. The number of residents during the past year were: men, 71, average ag=
e 71
years; women, 50, average age 72 years; boys, 28, average age 11 years;
girls, 22, 'average age 11 years; total residents, 171. The amounts
contributed by the several Ohio Grand Masonic Bodies at their 1911 sessio=
ns
were: Grand Lodge . . . . . . . . $44,849.90 The following is a statement of the Christmas and Entertainment Fund:<= o:p> August 1, 1911, Balance on hand . . . . . . . $472.78 The various Subordinate Masonic Bodies and individual Masons contribut=
ed
during the year to the Home Improvement Fund for refurnishing rooms, etc.,
the sum of $17,117.91. The Grand Chapter of Ohio Order of the Eastern Star donated for repairs
and additions to the Hospital the sum of $3,012.59. A large number of donations were made by the various Subordinate Mason=
ic
Bodies, Chapters of the Eastern Star, and individual Masons, which are set
out in detail in the report, but are too numerous to mention here. The following table shows the receipts, expenditures and balances in e=
ach
of the funds beginning August 1, 1911, and terminating August 1, 1912: Funds . . . . . . . . . . .=
. . .
Balances July 31, 1911 . . . . . . . Receipts . . . . . . . Disbursements=
. .
. . . . . Balances July, 31 1912 It will be observed that the Endowment Fund now amounts to the sum of
$152,203.65. The committee recommends the transfer of $5,000.00 from the Home
Improvement Fund to the Dormitory Fund, and the transfer of $5,000.00 from
the General Fund to the Dormitory Fund, also the income from the Endowment
Fund for the coming year. The amounts contributed and donated by the several Ohio Grand Masonic
Bodies at their annual sessions in 1912, were as follows: Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, Grand Council, Grand Commandery . . .4,000.00 The Dormitory Fund was established by the Grand Lodge at the 1911
communication as a nucleus for an amount sufficient to erect and equip two
dormitories, one for boys and one for the girls; and the Grand Lodge
appropriated $5,000.00 at that session and $15,000.00 at this (1912) sess=
ion,
which with the interest accrued, $137.77, makes $20,137.77; and with the
transfer of the $10,000.00 recommended by the Auditing Committee brings t=
he
fund up to $30,137.77, enough to start the work on the dormitories. The returns from the farm, garden and hennery during the past year
amounted to the sum of $6,280.86. IMPROVEMENTS During the past few years very liberal donations have been made by all=
the
Masonic Bodies of both the York and Scottish Rite, and including the Nobl=
es
of the Mystic Shrine and the Order of the Eastern Star, for the purpose of
making many needed additions, repairs and improvements to the Home buildi=
ngs
and grounds, and which have been noted in this history from time to time =
as
they progressed. During the past year many valuable improvements have been completed wh=
ich
practically cover every part of the main building from basement to tower,=
and
also the hospital and grounds. OUR HOME CEMETERY under the direction of Bro. Goodale, is reported as approaching comple=
tion. Members of Antioch Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Dayton,
presented to the Home what are probably the finest and most fully-equipped
separate boys' and girls' playgrounds in the United States, as a gift from
Antioch Temple, erected at a cost of over $1,200. DONATIONS Again, as in past years, it becomes a pleasing duty to give credit and=
to
acknowledge our appreciation and to extend our sincere and hearty thanks =
to
the Order of the Eastern Star for what it has done for us during the past=
year,
by its munificent contribution of $3,000 to meet the expenses of moderniz=
ing
and looking after much needed repairing of the hospital. The following is the roster of the Officers and Board of Trustees of t=
he
Ohio Masonic Home, Springfield, 1912: OFFICERS James W. Iredell, Jr . . President TRUSTEES REPRESENTING THE GRAND LODGE Leander Burdick . . . Toledo REPRESENTING THE GRAND CHAPTER James W. Iredell, Jr . . . Cincinnati REPRESENTING THE GRAND COUNCIL Jacob H. Bromwell . . . Cincinnati REPRESENTING THE GRAND COMMANDERY Martin J. Houck . . . Dayton REPRESENTING THE A. & A. SCOTTISH RITE William B. Melish . . . Cincinnati COMMITTEES EXECUTIVE Edward Harford ADMISSION AND DISCHARGE Gibson H. Robinson FINANCE William B. Melish AUDITING William B. Melish RECOMMENDATION AS TO LODGES UNDER DISPENSATION M.·. W.·. Bro. Levi C. Goodale offered the following
resolution, which was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand Body that hereafter all
Lodges under dispensation applying to this Grand Lodge for charters shall
come before the Committee on Charters and Dispensations on the day preced=
ing
the Annual Grand Communication with a short historical preamble of the st=
eps
leading up to the acquiring of a dispensation; copy of all their official
transactions as a Lodge under Dispensation properly transcribed in their
minute books; and all these accompanied by a duplicate copy of said
transactions for the use of the office of the Grand Secretary. M.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams was re-appointed Chairman=
of
the Committee on Foreign Correspondence and M.·. W.·. Bro. =
A.
B. Meldrum, Chairman of the Committee on Necrology. INSTALLATION OF GRAND OFFICERS All of the officers elected and appointed, with the exception of
R.·. W.·. Bro. A. B. Meldrum, were duly installed; M.&middo=
t;.
W.·. Bro. Frank S. harmon acting as Grand Master and M.·.
W.·. Bro. B. F. Perry as Grand Marshal. On motion the Grand Secretary was authorized to request the officers of
Woodward Lodge No.508, to install R.·. W.·. Bro. A. B. Meld=
rum
as Grand Chaplain. The Grand Lodge of Ohio was closed in Ample Form, and with a benedicti=
on
by Acting R.·. W.·. Grand Chaplain C. G. Martin, the Lodge =
of
Master Masons, which was opened at the beginning of the session, was duly
closed. Complimentary Dinner to the Past Grand Masters, By M.·. W.·. Bro. LEANDER BURDICK, P. G. M. While not actually a part of the proceedings of the M.·.
W.·. Grand Lodge of Ohio at its One Hundred and Third Annual Grand
Communication, it would seem eminently proper to insert therein a report =
of
the dinner tendered by M.·. W.·. Bro. Leander Burdick, the
senior living Past Grand Master, to his associate Past Grand Masters, the
M.·. W.·. Grand Master, the R.·. W.·. Deputy
Grand Master and the R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary on the eveni=
ng of
Tuesday, October 22, in the Boody Hotel. All the invited guests were present except M.·. W.·. Bro.
Carroll F. Clapp, who was detained at home by reason of the illness of his
wife. With this exception, the unbroken line of Past Grand Masters was
complete and in attendance. The guests were as follows: PAST GRAND MASTERS Leander Burdick, Levi C. Goodale, Allen Andrews, Wm. B. Melish, Barton
Smith, Nelson Williams, E. C. Gulliford, E. L. Lybarger, Frank S. Harmon,=
Ike
M. Robinson, W. A. Belt, O. P. Sperra, C. G. Ballon, Lewis P. Sehaus, Hor=
ace
A. Irvin, George D. Copeland, C. S. Hoskinson, B. F. Perry and H. S. Kiss=
ell. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS M.·. W.·. Grand Master Thomas B. Guitteau, R.·.
W.·. Deputy Grand Master Edwin S. Griffiths and R.·.
W.·. Grand Secretary J. H. Bromwell. This delightful occasion was closed by all uniting in that good old Sc=
otch
song, "Auld Lang Syne," and each joined with others in the earn=
est
wish that this remarkable unbroken line of Past Grand Masters might conti=
nue,
with new accessions year by year, for many future Grand Communications of=
our
Grand Lodge. PROCEEDINGS OF THE OHIO MASONIC VETERANS' ASSOCIATION The Ohio Masonic Veterans' Association met in its Forty-first Annual
Meeting in the Blue Lodge Room, Masonic Temple, Toledo, Ohio, at 6:30 P. =
M.,
October 23, 1912. OFFICERS PRESENT Ven. Bro. F. L. Lybarger, President; Ven. Bro. J. H. Bromwell, First
Vice-President; Ven. Bro. H. A. Irvin, Second Vice-President; Ven. Bro. W=
. A.
Belt, Third Vice-President; Ven. Bro. F. C. Gulliford, Fourth Vice-Presid=
ent;
Ven. Bro. Nelson Williams, Fifth Vice-President; Ven. Bro. C. G. Ballon,
Chaplain; Ven. Bro. E. H. Archer, Secretary-Treasurer; Ven. Bro. L. P.
Schaus, Marshal; Ven. Bro. W. B. Melish, Master of Ceremonies; Ven. Bro. =
D.
J. Caine, Inside Guard; Ven. Bro. Henry Haws, Outer Guard. Ven. Bro. Leander Burdick, Past President, and twenty-five Brethren. The record of the Fortieth Annual meeting was admitted in print, read,=
and
approved. The Secretary-Treasurer submitted his annual report, which was, on mot=
ion,
adopted. The Secretary reported the deaths of Venerable Past President J. L'H. =
Long
and Bro. E. B. Cox. Eighty-five petitions were presented and each petitioner declared duly
elected. The President appointed Bro. Leander Burdick, F. C. Gulliford and O. B.
Hannan a committee to recommend nominations for officers for the ensuing
year. They submitted the following report and election was held, and the
following were duly elected: Ven. Bro. H. A. Irvin, President; Ven. Bro. W. A. Belt, First
Vice-President; Ven. Bro. F. C. Gulliford, Second Vice-President; Ven. Br=
o.
Nelson Williams, Third Vice-President; Ven. Bro. J. W. Moore, Fourth
Vice-President; Ven. Bro. Ike M. Robinson, Fifth Vice-President; Ven. Bro=
. F.
H. Archer, Secretary-Treasurer; Ven. Bro. C. G. Ballou Chaplain; Ven. Bro=
. W.
B. Melish, Master of Ceremonies; Ven. Bro. W. T. S. O'Hara, Marshal; Ven. Bro. W. E. Joseph, Inner Guar=
d;
Ven. Bro. Ralph R. Rickly, Outer Guard. Venerable Bro. Nelson Williams, poet laureate, delivered a memorial to=
the
memory of the deceased members, concluding with the following: THE DEAR OLD CRONIES Brethren, let us pause a moment This is where they loved to linger, Yes, we miss these dear old Cronies' Dear old chums, of course we miss you, Some are here who soon must follow; Officers and Brethren then repaired to the banquet room, and were most
hospitably treated to a very satisfying dinner, after which addresses were
made by the retiring President, F. L. Lybarger, and the newly elected
President, H. A. Irvin, and Venerable Bros. Deardorif, W. B. Melish, Thom=
as
H. Isitt and Leander Burdick. On motion of Venerable Bro. Belt, a hearty and rising vote of thanks w=
as
given to the Brethren of Toledo for their hospitality. After an invocation by the Chaplain, the forty-first meeting adjourned=
. Time and Place of Next Meeting The next Annual Grand Communication will be held in the city of Columb=
us,
Ohio, on the fourth Wednesday of October, (22), 1913. GRAND OFFICERS 1912-1913 Brother Edwin S. Griffiths, Cleveland, M. Grand Master; Bro. Chas. I.
Pretzman, Columbus, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master; Bro. Geo=
. L.
Marshall, Dayton, R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden; Bro. Frank=
H.
Marquis, Mansfield, R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden; Bro. Ral=
ph
R. Rickly, Columbus, R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer; Bro. T. H.
Bromwell, Cincinnati, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary; Bro. A. B.=
Meldrum,
Cleveland, R.·. W.·. Grand Chaplain; Bro. Joel C. Clore,
Cincinnati, R.·. W.·. Grand Orator; Bro. Matthew Smith,
Cleveland, R.·. W.·. Grand Marshal; Bro. H. M. Hagelbarger,
Akron, W. Senior Grand Deacon; Bro. Clinton B. Wilcox, Sandusky, W. Junior
Grand Deacon; Bro. A. B. Fairchild, Ravenna, Grand Tyler; The proceedings=
for
this year cover 492 pages, and are embellished with the cuts of twenty-fi=
ve
of the Ohio Masonic Temples made from photographs secured by our R.&middo=
t;.
W.·. Grand Secretary. A cut of the other Masonic Temples in the st=
ate
will follow from year to year until all have been inserted. The Masonic Temple at Columbus, now practically completed, is one of t= he largest temples in the United States devoted entirely to Masonic purposes, and will be opened, dedicated and consecrated to Masonic uses this fall.<= o:p> This closes the record of the Annual Communication of 1912, being the =
one
hundred and third Annual Grand Communication of the Grand Lodge, and
completes the history of the Grand Lodge from its organization to the clo=
se
of its 1912 Annual Communication, a record of which the Craft in Ohio have
every reason to be proud. The history of Masonry in the Great Northwestern Territory and state of
Ohio, is contemporary with the settlement, civilization and progress of t=
his
great commonwealth. General Rufus Putnam, who was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodg=
e of
Ohio, the leader and founder of the first white settlement in the great
Northwestern territory, at Marietta, Ohio, April 8, A. D. 1788, and a Past
Master of American Union Army Lodge; and Captain Jonathan Heart, Commanda=
nt
of Fort Harmar opposite Marietta, a Past Grand Lecturer in Connecticut, b=
eing
the Worshipful Master of said American Union Lodge; and Benjamin Tupper, a
Past Master of Hampshire Lodge of Connecticut, who was a constant visitor=
of
said Army Lodge; and Bros. Thomas Stanley, Griffen Green, Robert Oliver,
William Stacy, William Buruham, and William Mills, met at Marietta, June =
28,
1790, and opened said American Union Lodge, elected said seven Masons mem=
bers
of the Lodge, and thus established American Union Lodge as the first Maso=
nic
Lodge in the great Northwestern territory. The history of this and five o=
ther
Lodges whose representatives formed and organized the Grand Lodge of Ohio=
at
Chillicothe, January 4, A. D. 1808, is given in detail in the first volum=
e of
this history. Following this settlement at Marietta by General Rufus Putnam and his
forty-seven associates, were settlements at various places in the territo=
ry,
among which was old Mingo Town, about three miles below the present city =
of
Steubenville, and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1799 issued a warrant
for a Lodge at that place; at Cincinnati, and on September 8, 1791, the G=
rand
Lodge of New Jersey warranted Nova Cesarca Lodge at that place, afterwards
consolidated into N. C. Harmony Lodge No.2; at Warren, known as the
Connecticut Western Reserve, where the Grand Lodge of Connecticut at its
communication in 1804, warranted Erie Lodge; at Chillicothe, where Scioto
Lodge No.2, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1805; at
Zanesville, where Amity Lodge No.5 was warranted by the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania, June 24, 1805; at Worthington, where New England Lodge No.4,
was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, October 19, 1803, and at
various other points the pioneers from the eastern states founded settlem=
ents
and the resident Masons of such settlements secured charters from the Gra=
nd
Lodges from which they hailed and erected the Altars of Masonry in the
wilderness of this great territory. Thus from these sentiments of brave,
fearless, hardy pioneers has grown this great commonwealth now numbering
nearly five million souls, and from these few scattered, weak Lodges, has
sprung the 529 active Lodges with their 84,493 members; thus civilization,
religion and Masonry have traveled hand in band through the length and
breadth of this grand domain, showering their favors and manifold blessin=
gs
on all mankind within its borders, and carrying its benign influence
throughout the entire empire of the "Great West," and beyond its
borders to the "Isles of the Seas." In the early days of the territory and state of Ohio, Masonry furnished
many of their prominent officials. Space will not permit a detailed statement, but this Grand Benevolent Institution in Ohio furnished the nation three Presidents of the United States, eight members of the President's Cabinet, six United States Senat= ors; and the state, twelve Governors, and twelve Judges of the Supreme Court.<= o:p> One of its Grand Masters, General Lewis Cass, moved to the territory of
Michigan, and served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan; as
Governor of that territory from 1813 to 1831; as Secretary of War of the
United States from 1831 to 1836; as United States Minister to France from
1836 to 1842; as United States Senator from 1845 to 1857; as Secretary of
State of the United States from 1857 to 1860, and was candidate for Presi=
dent
of the United States in 1848. Many other of our Brethren served the natio=
n,
state, districts and counties in other prominent official positions too
numerous to mention in this history. Others turned their faces toward the setting sun, and with the star of
empire westward wended their way, and rose to distinction both in civil a=
nd
Masonic life in their new homes, serving in prominent official positions =
in
nation and state, and in their Masonic Grand Lodges from Grand Master dow=
n.
Some of these visited their old homes and our Grand Lodge during its
sessions, and mention of their fraternal reception will be found in the
proceedings of the Grand Lodge and this history. In the Councils of the General Masonic Bodies in both York and Scottish
Rites, the influence of Ohio's gifted and honored Masonic Brethren has al=
ways
been felt and recognized. Space will not permit us to enumerate in detail their valuable and
efficient services in every Grand and General Grand Body in the York Rite,
and we will have to confine ourselves to the principal offices held by Oh=
io
Masons in these exalted Masonic Bodies, as follows: YORK RITE General Grand Encampment of Knights Templars of the United States of
America, now designated Grand Encampment of Knights Templars of the United
States of America. JOHN SNOW Was present representing St. John's Encampment of Providence, R. I., at
the convention held at Masons Hall in the city of New York, June 20 and 2=
1,
A. D. 1816, which organized the General Grand Encampment, and was elected
General Grand Sword Bearer. Thomas Smith Webb, who represented Boston Enc=
ampment,
was elected Deputy Grand Master. In 1816 Webb and Snow came to Worthington, Ohio, and engaged in busine=
ss
there. On March 14, 1818, Webb issued to John Snow and others a dispensat=
ion
authorizing the organization of Mt. Vernon Encampment Knights Templars at
Worthington, and it was organized the next day. Sir Thomas Smith Webb, Sir
John Snow and Sir Fredrick Curtis, a Knight Templar hailing from Ireland,=
the
only Knights Templars known to be in Ohio, at that time, officiating. Sir
Thomas Smith Webb returned to Boston in August, 1818, on some business
connected with the enterprise of Snow and himself, and in July started to
return to Worthington, but died suddenly at Cleveland, Ohio, July 6, A. D.
1819. At the next session of the General Grand Encampment, 1819, John Snow w=
as
elected and installed as General Grand Generalissimo, and served until 18=
26. He served as Grand Master of this Grand Lodge from 1819 to 1823. EZ'RA GRISWOLD Served as General Grand Sword Bearer, 1829 to 1832, and General Grand
Standard Bearer, 1832 to 1835. WILLIAM J. REESE Knighted in Mt. Vernon Encampment No.1, May 22, 1830; served as General
Grand Senior Warden, 1835 to 1838; General Grand Captain General, 1838 to
1841; General Grand Generalissimo, 1841 to 1844. Served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, 1834 to 1842; as Gr=
and
High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio R. A. M. 1833 and 1835 to 1839; =
and
M.·. Ill.·. Grand Master of the Grand Council of Ohio, R. &=
amp;
S. M. 1834 to 1837. Sir Wm. J. Reese issued the dispensations for and organized the follow=
ing
Encampments of Knights Templars: Cincinnati Encampment No.3, Cincinnati, Ohio, December 30, 1839; Massi=
llon
Encampment No.4, Massillon, Ohio; Clinton Encampment No.5, Mt. Vernon, Oh=
io,
October 12, 1843; on April 26, 1842, for an Encampment at Versailles, Ky.=
; on
January 2, 1840, for an Encampment at Louisville, Ky.; on March 20, 1841,=
to
the Encampment at Lexington, Ky., to meet and resume its Masonic business=
and
labors; on June 3, 1841 to Mt. Vernon Encampment No.1, at Worthington, Oh=
io,
to meet and resume labor, no meeting having been held since May 22, 1830,
when Sir Wm. J. Reese was Knighted in that Encampment. REV. ROBERT PUNSHON General Grand Prelate, 1841 to 1844. He was a charter member of Cincin=
nati
Encampment No.3; the M.·. W.·. Grand Master of the Grand
Council of Ohio, R. & S. M., from its organization in 1830 until 1833;
and Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment of Ohio Knights Templars, 1844.=
JOHN D. CALDWELL Grand Recorder of the Grand Encampment U. S. K. T., 1862 to 1871; Grand
Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, R. A. M. 1851 to 1869; Grand Reco=
rder
Grand Commandery of Ohio, K. T., 1851 to 1869; Grand Secretary Grand Lodg=
e of
Ohio F. & A. M., 1851 to 1888. KENT JARVIS Grand Captain General Grand Encampment, Knights Templars, U. S. A., 18=
65
to 1869; Grand Generalissimo, 1868 to 1871; Grand Commander of the Grand
Commandery of Ohio Knights Templars, 1859 to 1863. LAFAYETTE LYTTLE Grand Captain General Grand Encampment, U. S. A., Knights Templars, 18=
77
to 1880; Grand Commander, Grand Commandery of Ohio Knights Templars, 1886=
. WILLIAM B. HUBBARD General Grand Captain General of the General Grand Encampment Knights
Templars, U. S. A., 1844 to 1847 and General Grand Master of that Grand B=
ody,
12 years, 1847 to 1859. It was during his incumbency in the office of General Grand Master, (at
the Triennial Session of 1856, at Hartford, Connecticut), that the
Constitution of The General Grand Encampment of Knights Templars and Appe=
ndant
Orders for the United States of America, was amended, and the name thereof
changed to "The Grand Encampment of Knights Templars of the United
States of America," the title "General" dropped from all i=
ts
officers, the names and titles of the State Grand Encampments changed to
"Grand Commandery," and of the Subordinate Encampments to
"Commandery" and the titles of the officers of the state and
Subordinate Encampments changed. A number of other amendments and additio=
ns
were adopted, which gave rise to much dissatisfaction and dissension in t=
he
Grand and Subordinate Encampments, resulting in a number of the Grand
Encampments, Ohio among them, terminating their connection with the Gener=
al
Body for a time, but the difficulty was afterwards healed and all the Gra=
nd
and Subordinate Bodies renewed their allegiance to the Grand Encampment, =
and
conformed to the new Constitution as afterwards amended. Brother W. B. Hubbard served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohi=
o,
1850 to 1852, and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, R. A. M=
.,
1842 to 1846. WILLIAM B. MELISH Served as Grand Standard Bearer of the Grand Encampment Knights. Templ=
ars,
U. S. A., 1892 to 1895; Grand Junior Warden, 1895 to 1898; Grand Senior
Warden, 1898 to 1901; Grand Captain General, 1901 to 1904; Grand
Generalissimo, 1904 to 1907; Deputy Grand Master, 1907 to 1910. Sir Henry Warren Rngg, M. Em. . Grand Master, departed this life July =
21,
A. D. 1910, and Sir William B. Melish, assumed command and control of the
Grand Encampment as Acting Grand Master until the Triennial Conclave of t=
he
Grand Encampment held at Chicago, Ill., August 9th to 11th, A. D. 1910, at
which he was unanimously elected M.·. EM.·. Grand Master, a=
nd
served as such until the close of the Triennial Conclave held at Denver,
Colorado, August 12th to 15th, A. D. 1913. Sir Wm. B. Melish served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of
Ohio Knights Templars in 1890, having served as Deputy Grand Commander in
1889, and Grand Generalissimo in 1888. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio F. & A. M. in
1895; Deputy Grand Master in 1894, and Senior Grand Warden in 1892 and 18=
93. He has also been an active member of, and worker in, the Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite, having received the Thirty-second Degree in Ohio
Sovereign Consistory May 30, 1874, and the Honorary Thirty-third Degree in
the Supreme Council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, September 15, 1=
885. He filled various offices in the Bodies of the Rite at Cincinnati, Ohi=
o,
from 1876 to 1910, serving as Commander in Chief of Ohio Sovereign Grand
Consistory from 1895 to 1910. He also served as Imperial Potentate of the Imperial Council of the No=
bles
of the Mystic Shrine from 1892 to 1893 and 1894 to 1895. REV. JOHN M. WALDEN Served as Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment, U. S., Knights Templa=
rs,
1910 to 1913. GENERAL GRAND COUNCIL OF ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS OF THE UNITED STATES=
ORESTES A. B. SENTER Was present as the representative of the Grand Council of Ohio, at the
convention held at Detroit, Michigan, August 25 to 28, 1880, and assisted=
in
organizing the General Grand Council; served as General Grand Treasurer, =
1880
to 1886; General Grand P. C. W., 1886 to 1889; General Deputy Grand Maste=
r,
1889 to 1891; and General Grand Master, 1891 to 1894. Served as Ill. Grand
Master of the Grand Council of Ohio, R. & S. M., 1878 to 1879; as Gra=
nd
High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, R. A. M., 1893. GRAFF M. ACKLIN Served as General Grand Marshal of General Grand Council, 1897 to 1900;
General Grand Captain of the Guard, 1900 to 1903; General Grand P. C. of =
W.,
1900 to 1906; General Deputy Grand Master, 1906 to 1909; General Grand
Master, 1909 to 1912; served as Ill. Grand Master, Grand Council of Ohio,=
R.
& S. M., 1890 to 1891; as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of O=
hio,
R. A. M., 1897. NELSON WILLIAMS Served as General Grand Sentinel of General Grand Council, 1900 to 190=
3;
as M.·.Ill.·. Master of the Grand Council of Ohio, 1904; as
Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, R. A. M., 1902 ; as Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, 1897. GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF THE UNITED STATES REUBEN C. LEMMON Served as General Grand Treasurer, 1880 to 1891; General Grand King, 1=
891
to 1894; Deputy General Grand High Priest, 1894 to 1897
M.·.EX.·. General Grand High Priest, 1897 to 1900. Also served as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, R. A. M=
.,
1875 to 1876; Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, 1879 to 1880. JOHN D. CALDWELL General Grand Secretary, 1865 to 1871. REV. ROBERT PUNSHON General Grand Chaplain, 1841 to 1844. SCOTTISH RITE Supreme Council, Thirty-Third Degree, of the Ancient Accepted Scottish
Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of Americ=
a. KILLIAN VAN RENSSELAER Served as Ill. Grand Master of Ceremonies of the Supreme Council,
Thirty-third Degree, 1848 to 1851; as Ill. Deputy for Western Pennsylvania
and Ohio, 1851 to 1860; as P. Lieutenant Grand Commander, 1860 to 1862; a=
s M.
P. Sovereign Grand Commander, 1862 until May 17, A. D. 1867, when at the
Union of the United Supreme Councils he resigned, and Josiah H. Drummond of Portland, Maine, was elected by the United Supre=
me
Councils M. P. Sovereign Grand Commander. He was an active, earnest worke=
r in
the cause of Masonry to the date of his death, which occurred January 29,
1881. Sov. Grand Commander, Henry L. Palmer in announcing his death among
other things, said: "Undoubtedly he did more than any other man, dea=
d or
alive, towards popularizing the Ancient Accepted Bite." The Supreme
Council Thirty-third Degree for England, Wales and the Dependencies of the
British Crown sent a letter of condolence to our Supreme Council in which=
it
testified to his eminent Services for the Bite. In 1851 Brother Van Rensselaer instituted Adoniram Lodge of Perfection,
and a Council of the Princes of Jerusalem at Columbus, the first Bodies of
the Bite organized west of Albany, New York. In 1852, Enoch T. Carson, Ge=
orge
Hoadly, John H. Gerard, Absalom Death, Charles Brown, John A. Conn and Ge=
orge
B. Cramer, having taken the Degrees at Columbus, petitioned the Supreme
Council for a dispensation to open a Lodge of Perfection and Council of
Princes of Jerusalem at Cincinnati, which was granted, and those Bodies
instituted by Ill. Bro. K. H. Van Rensselaer on April 27, 1853, and on his
recommendation a dispensation was granted to, and he instituted Ohio
Sovereign Grand Consistory, Thirty-second Degree, at Cincinnati, Ohio,
December 27, 1853, which was the first Consistory instituted west of New
York, and afterwards became one of the largest Consistories in the world,=
and
from which sprang the other four great Consistories in Ohio. The Lodge of Perfection and Council of the Princes of Jerusalem at
Columbus flourished several years, and finally ceased work and surrendered
their charters, and other Bodies were later instituted and chartered and =
are
now in a flourishing condition, as is also Scioto Sovereign Consistory,
Thirty-second Degree, located there. ENOCH TERRY CARSON Served as Illustrious Deputy of Supreme Council, Thirty-third Degree, =
for
Ohio and Indiana, 1860 to 1867, when Indiana was made a separate district;
and as Deputy for Ohio, from 1867 to 1899. As Deputy he organized the fir=
st
Scottish Bite Bodies in Indiana, and instituted the Sovereign Consistory =
at
Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1864. Was a charter member of Ohio Sovereign
Consistory at its organization, December 27, 1853, and served as its
Commander in Chief, from 1857 to 1895, when he declined re-election. He was a member of the Union of the Supreme Councils, Thirty-third Deg=
ree,
May 17, 1867; served as P. Lieutenant Commander of the Supreme Council, 1=
870
to 1876; served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio Knights
Templars, 1871 to 1874; and enjoyed the distinction of being elected Grand
Commander from the floor by the Grand Cornmandery of Ohio; served as Chai=
rman
of Foreign Correspondence Committee of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, 1876=
to
1898. HEMAN ELY Served as Grand Treasurer General of the Supreme Council, Thirty-third
Degree, A. A. S. R., N. M. J., 1867 to 1891, re-elected in 1891, but decl=
ined
on account of ill health, and a resolution of respect was unanimously
adopted. Be was one of the members of the union of May 17, 1867; served as
Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio Knights Templars, 1864 to
1870. BARTON SMITH Served as Illustrious Deputy of the Supreme Council for Ohio, 1906 to
1909; as P. Lieutenant Commander of the Supreme Council, 1909 to 1910. At=
the
close of the ninety-eighth annual meeting of that Body, held at Detroit,
Michigan, on September 22, A. D. 1910, General Samuel F. Lawrence, M. P.
Sovereign Grand Commander, tendered his resignation to take effect at the
close of the session, and Illustrious Barton Smith succeeded him as M. P.
Sovereign Grand Commander. At the annual meeting held at Boston,
Massachusetts, September 30, A. D. 1912, was re-elected for the ensuing t=
erm
of three years, and is still acting as such. He represented the Supreme
Council as one of its Delegates at the International Conference of the
Supreme Councils of the World, held at Brussels, Belgium, June 10 to 15, =
A.
D. 1907. He served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio Knights
Templars, in 1896; Deputy Grand Master, in 1895; and as Grand Master of t=
he
Grand Lodge of Ohio, in 1896. ADDENDA The following Lists, Tables, Statistics and other Masonic Information,=
are
added as matters of ready reference, and will be found very convenient to=
the
Craft, furnished in a condensed form, saving valuable time and labor in
searching through the history for the facts therein contained. LIST OF SUBJECTS 1. Statistics of membership by counties, 1912. TOTAL MEMBERSHIP BY COUNTIE=
S, 1912 Adams 362 . . . . . . . . H=
amilton
9,530 . . . . . Noble 296
NUMBER - NAME - LOCATION - =
COUNTY -
CHART DATE
WAR OF 1776 American Union Lodge. (See Vol.1, P.80.) WAR OF 1812 Army Lodge No. 24 U. D., at Camp Meigs, 1813; represented in Grand Lod=
ge
session of 1814 and dropped from the rolls in 1820. WAR OF 1861-65 Pioneer Military Lodge, members of 4th Regt., O. V. I. Dispensation, M=
ay
15, 1861. Officers, J. Y. Cantwell, W. M.; James Cantwell, S. W., and John
Green, J. W. Made one return in 1861; Regiment disbanded but Dispensation=
not
returned. October 3, 1861; petition from members of 38th Regiment, O. V. I. at C=
amp
Trimble, near Defiance. No fee was sent and Dispensation not issued. Benedict Mi1itary Lodge, 55th Regiment, O. V. I. Dispensation, January=
15,
1862. Officers, Geo. H. Safford, W. M.; Jas. M. Stevens, S. W., and Danie=
l F.
DeWolf, J. W. Paid its dues and surrendered its Dispensation, October, 18=
63. Candy Mili1ary Lodge, 66th Regiment, O. V. I. Dispensation, January 18,
1862. Officers, A. L. Shepherd, W. M.; Ross Colwell, S. W., and T. G. Kel=
ler,
J. W. Aprons and Jewels returned March 16, 1864, but Dispensation not ret=
urned. Washington Military Lodge, 68th Regiment, O. V. I. Dispensation, Janua=
ry
27, 1862. Officers, James G. Haley, W. M.; Robt. K. Scott, S. W., and J. =
J.
Vorhes, J. W. Never made report, but in 1865, turned over Dispensation to
Grand Lodge. Union Military Lodge, 82nd Regiment, O. V. I. Dispensation, February 2=
2,
1862. Officers, J. Y. Cantwell, W. M.; J. A. McClusky, S. W., and J. P.
Drennan, J. W. Dispensation returned in 1865. Ward Military Lodge, 17th Regiment, O. V. I. Dispensation, April 10, 1=
862.
Officers, Bonham H. Fox, W. M.; James W. Stinchcomb, S. W., and Daniel M.
Rea, J. W. No report made and Dispensation returned in 1865. Shiloh Military Lodge, 77th Regiment, 0. V. I. Dispensation, August 15,
1863. Officers, Wm. B. Mason, W. M.; J. W. Warfield, S. W., and R. E.
Smithson, J. W. No report made and Dispensation surrendered in 1865. ..........petition from members of 81st Regiment, O. V. I. The
Dispensation was refused because application was not in proper form. ..........petition from members of 116th and 122nd Regiments. Dispensa=
tion
refused for want of fees and required vouchers. ..........petition from members of 3rd Brigade, 5th Division, Army Cor=
ps,
West Tennessee, but having no authority to establish in a branch of the
service higher than a Regiment, the application was refused. ..........petition from members of 115th Regiment, O. V. I., December =
30,
1863; but Dispensation was refused because application was not in proper
form. ..........petition from members of The Ohio Brigade of the Army of the
Cumberland, Janunary 12, 1864. Dispensation refused because no authority =
to
establish a Lodge in any division of the army higher than a Regiment. ..........petition from members of the 105th Regiment, O. V. I., April=
1,
1864. Dispensation refused because proper vouchers did not accompany the
application. GRAND LODGES IN FRATERNAL INTERCOURSE WITH THE GRAND LODGE OF OHIO UNITED STATES GRAND LODGES Alabama Louisiana North Dakota FOREIGN GRAND LODGES Alberta Nova Scotia GRAND LODGE HALL The Grand Lodge of Ohio F. & A. M., at its Annual Communication he=
ld
in A. D. 1838, adopted the report of the committee theretofore appointed
recommending the building of a Grand Lodge Hall, and the permanent locati=
on
of the Grand Lodge at some central and convenient location in the state, =
and
by a vote of sixty-five Lodges in favor to five against, selected the tow=
n of
Lancaster as the location, and elected a committee of five to procure a
suitable site, and proceed to the erection of the building. Lancaster Lodge No. 57, located at Lancaster, subscribed the sum of
$5,000.00 toward the erection and completion of the hall, to be paid as t=
he
work progressed. At the 1839 Communication the committee reported the purchase of two l=
ots
in the town of Lancaster on Broad Street at the consideration of $2,800.0=
0;
Lancaster Lodge having paid the $1,000.00 hand payment and $225.00 to the
architects, making $1,225.00 on its subscription; and committees were
appointed to solicit subscriptions from the Subordinate Lodges for the fu=
nds
necessary to erect the building. At the Communication of 1840 the committee reported that by reason of =
the
stringency of the money market no progress had been made in collecting
subscriptions, and on their recommendation the Grand Lodge voted to loan =
the
committee the surplus funds of the Grand Lodge amounting to $1,400.00, wh=
ich
was adopted and the money placed in the hands of the committee; $1,000.00=
of
this was paid on the purchase price of the lots and the balance expended =
in
payment of hills. On Monday, October 18, A. D. 1841, being the day prior to the convenin=
g of
the Grand Lodge at its Annual Communication, at Lancaster, Ohio, the Grand
Master called a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge for the purpose =
of
laying the corner stone of the Grand Lodge Hall; all the Grand Lodge
Officers, the representatives of the Subordinate Lodges and a number of
surrounding Lodges, being present. The following Lodges participated in the procession and ceremonies:
Columbus Lodge No.30; Jackson Lodge No.85; Washington Lodge No.107;
Friendship Lodge No.103; Newark Lodge No.97; LaFayette Lodge No.79; Somer=
set
Lodge No.76; Pickaway Lodge No.23; Scioto Lodge No.6; Lancaster Lodge No.=
57;
and Lancaster Encampment No.2, Knights Templars, acting as escort to the =
Grand
Lodge. Brother William B. Thrall, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master=
in
his introductory address among other things said: "Brethren, you have been called together on this spot to witness =
the
performance of a most interesting ceremony. It is intended at this time a=
nd
in accordance with solemn usage, to lay the 'Head Stone of the Corner' in=
the
foundation of an edifice, here to be erected, for the use of the Grand Lo=
dge
of this state. "After the most mature deliberation, the representatives of the
Subordinate Lodges assembled in Grand Convention, in June, 1838, resolved
'that it was expedient that a suitable Masonic Edifice should be erected =
in
the town of Lancaster, to comport with the character and dignity of the
institution.' A committee of their own body was chosen by ballot, to whom
this important duty was confided, and they were clothed with all necessary
powers to carry it into effect. From among the numerous designs presented=
the
committee adopted the plan of John D. Jones, Esq., Architect, of Philadel=
phia. PLAN OF THE BUILDING "The style selected is of the Grecian Done character. The front
elevation of the proposed building will present a portico, similar in form
and proportions to the Temple of Diana Popylcea, at Eleusis, which is
esteemed one of the purest examples of this noble architectural order. "The entire length of the building will be one hundred feet,
exclusive of the portico; and the entire width, seventy-three feet. Its
altitude from ground to cornice top, will be about fifty feet. It will pr=
esent,
when finished, a massive and permanent structure, majestic in its simplic=
ity,
and classical in all its proportions, a faithful, enduring portraiture of=
the
'wisdom, strength and beauty' of the old institution. It will be devoted,
both by design and arrangement in the several parts, exclusively to Mason=
ic
purposes. It has been thought that the Fraternity of this great state sho=
uld
possess a hall, entirely their own, one separated from every secular and
business pursuit whatsoever; a pile, from 'turret to foundation stone'
solemnly set apart for the performance of the beautiful and mystic rites =
of
the temple. "The time has passed by when the members of this Order were compe=
lled
to penetrate the deep shades of the forest or climb to the heights of the
barren hill top-aloof from human presence and away from civilization-to p=
our
out upon the rude altars of nature, their oblations and offerings to Natu=
re's
Mystic God. The opinions of men have undergone a radical change in regard=
to
the institution. En-lightened reason has tested and approved it; Science =
has
taken shelter beneath the banners of the Order; Philanthropy, in its wide=
st
and most comprehensive range, claims with it the most intimate fellowship;
and Religion, from her thousand pulpits, has given it the influence of her
presence and the benefit of her prayers. Demonstrations are now daily mad=
e in
every part of the broad earth, of the great excellency of the institution=
by
men of the purest morals and of the loftiest intellect. There is a moveme=
nt
abroad in the Masonic world-an awakening up to duty and responsibility wh=
ich
is destined to exercise an immense conservative influence upon the moral =
and
social condition of man. It is believed that the noble building here to be
erected, will greatly conduce to such result; and that in after days; it =
will
stand out as a cynosure to the Fraternity of Ohio, the bond of their stre=
ngth
and the evidence of their prosperity, while from its walls there will go =
out
in gushing, copious fullness the benign and elevated spirit of Masonry.&q=
uot; A full account of the proceedings and ceremonies connected with the la=
ying
of this corner stone, covering twelve pages (pages 51 to 63), was ordered
printed by the Grand Lodge and sent out with the original proceedings of
1841. A large amount of subscriptions and donations were pledged to the erec=
tion
of the building, but unfortunately a severe financial depression and
stringency occurred lasting some years, which rendered the Subordinate
Lodges, individual Masons and the Grand Lodge itself, unable to carry out=
the
enterprise; and it was finally abandoned, the property sold and the debts
paid. Space will not allow us to follow these details, but they are recor=
ded
in the proceedings of the following years, where those desiring can
investigate. We thought it proper to call attention to the important fact
that the Craft at that early day were alive to the necessities and
advancement of the Order, and planned a building which if completed would
have been a credit to the Order, and which has since culminated in the
erection and completion of our Ohio Masonic Home, the brightest jewel in =
the
crown of Ohio Masonry.
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