
History Of Freemasonry
In Ohio
From 1791 to 1912
by W. M. Cunningham and John
G. Reeves
THE HISTORY OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE
OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE
OF OHIO
From 1892 To 1912
INCLUSIVE
By W. M. CUNNINGHAM, M. A.,
Past Grand Master F.& A M., P. G. H. P. of Royal Arch
Masons, P. G. M. of R. and S. Masters, and
S. G. I. G. 33° Grand Historian.

VOLUME 3
Part III
Copyright, 1914 By J. H. Bromwell Grand Secretary
Cincinnati, Ohio
1907
M.·. W.·. HORACE A. IRVIN,
GRAND MASTER
Grand Lodge convened at the Auditorium,
Canton, Wednesday, October 16, A. D. 1907, with M.·. W.·.
Horace A. Irvin, Grand Master, in the Chair, all the other Grand Officers
in their stations, Past Grand Masters W. M. Cunningham, J. M. Goodspeed,
Leander Burdick, Levi C. Goodale, Allen Andrews, C. F. Clapp, Wm. B.
Melish, Barton Smith, Nelson Williams, E. L. Lybarger, Frank S. Harmon,
Ike M. Robinson, W. A. Belt, O. P. Sperra, C. G. Ballou, Lewis P. Schaus,
Past Deputy Grand Masters Wm. J. Akers and J. L'H. Long, twenty-two
District Lecturers, and the representatives of 492 Subordinate Lodges
in attendance, 12 Lodges not being represented.
The Grand Master read his annual address,
in which he calls attention to the death of Bro. Charles A. Woodward,
Most Worshipful Past Grand Master of Masons of Ohio, who died at Cleveland,
February 15, A. D. 1907. He was born at Cincinnati, December 6, 1827,
was made a Master Mason November 27, A. D. 1855, in Cleveland City Lodge
No.15, exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in Webb Chapter No.14,
R. A. M., April 16, 1857; Knighted in Oriental Commandery No.12, K.
T., September 5, 1864; received the Thirty-second Degree, A. A. S. R.,
March 25, 1865, and was elected and made an honorary Thirty-third Degree
member of the Supreme Council of that Rite, June 18, 1870, and served
as an Officer in various bodies of the York and Scottish Rite, and as
Grand Master of Ohio in 1876 and 1877
Also the death of R.·. W.·.
Bro. Sidney Moore, Past Junior Grand Warden of this Grand Lodge, who
died at Delaware, Ohio, May 27, 1907.
His gift to the Masons of Delaware of their
splendid Masonic Temple and to the citizens of Delaware of the home
for aged people, while probably the most conspicuous of his philanthropies,
do not represent the total of his benevolence. It was his pleasure to
be at all times helpful and in most of his acts of charity concealed
the identity of the donor.
Reports that the San Francisco and California
Emergency Fund of $2,184.60, unexpended and turned over by Grand Master
L. P. Schaus, last year, bad been increased by the refunding by the
Grand Lodge of California of the additional sum of $1,600, our pro rata
share of the unexpended balance in their hands, the fund now aggregating
$3,784.60, and accrued interest, the fund being invested at four per
cent per annum, payable in semi-annual installments.
On January 29, 1907, received a communication
from the Grand Orient of Greece asking for an exchange of representatives.
On April -, 1907, received a communication from the Grand Lodge of Canada
advising me it had canceled the warrant issued by it to the Royal Solomon
Mother Lodge at Jerusalem, Palestine; and on July 30, 1907, received
a communication from the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan,
advising us it had withdrawn from the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, and formed
itself into a new Grand Lodge to he known as the "Grand Lodge of
Saskatchewan" and requesting recognition and exchange of representatives,
all of which were referred to the Committee on Foreign Correspondence
for investigation and report at this session of the Grand Lodge.
Reports the appointment of the twenty-five
District Lecturers, and commends them as loyal, courteous, energetic,
and efficient Officers.
The Past Grand Master's jewel voted to
M.·. W.·. Grand Master Lewis P. Schaus was presented to
him by M.·. W.·. Bro. L. C. Goodale, at the meeting of
Acme Lodge No.554, of which he is a charter member, on the evening of
December 19, 1906, in the presence of over 250 Masons, including M.·.
W.·. Bro. Wm. M. Cunningham and M.·. W.·. Grand
Master Horace A. Irvin, and was received by him in a pleasant speech
of acceptance and thanks.
The terms of M.·. W.·. Bro.
Leander Burdick and M.·. W.·. Bro. C. F. Clapp as Trustees
of the Masonic Home expiring December 31, 1906, the Grand Master in
November, reappointed them for the term of three years subject to approval
of the Grand Lodge, and which appointment was duly confirmed by the
Grand Lodge.
The membership, August 31, A. D. 1907,
was 68,679, an increase of 3,574 over last year, and the largest gain
since 1903, which remains the banner year.
SUPREME COURT DECISION
"On June 18 of this year, the Supreme
Court of Ohio decided the famous New England Lodge No.4 case in favor
of the legitimate body, thereby restoring to it the property of which
it has been deprived for nearly twelve years.
"While we congratulate New England
Lodge No.4 on the recovery of its historic property, this Grand Lodge
has infinitely more cause of congratulating itself, as this decision
probably forever decides the property rights of all legitimate Masonic
bodies, and is a complete recognition by the highest tribunal of the
state of the authority and supremacy of the Grand Lodge in the management
and conduct of its affairs."
A full statement of the facts in this ease
and the brief of M.·. W.·. Bro. Allen Andrews of counsel
for the Grand Lodge, will be found in the first volume of this history,
and his report to the Grand Master will be found in the proceedings
of 1907.
Dispensations were granted for new Lodges
at the following places:
November 14, 1906, Clarington Lodge, at
Clarington.
February 26, 1907, Enoch T. Carson Lodge, at Cincinnati.
October 10, 1907, received petition for a new Lodge to be called Euclid
Lodge, and located at Cleveland, which is referred to the Committee
on Charters.
Proxies were issued to the following Brothers
to dedicate Masonic Temples and Halls, lay corner stones, etc.:
October 13, 1906, to M.·. W.·.
Bro. Allen Andrews, to dedicate the Masonic Temple at Portsmouth, October
26; October 13, 1906, to M.·. W.·. Bro. F. S. Harmon,
to dedicate the new Masonic Temple at Elyria, October 18; October 18,
1906, to M. Bro. C. F. Clapp, to lay the corner stone of the West Side
Christian Church at Warren, October 21; October 29, 1906, to R.·.
W.·. Bro. Harry S. Kissell, to constitute Ostrander Lodge No.594,
November 5; November 13, 1906, to R.·. W.·. Bro. B. F.
Perry, to dedicate Woodward Masonic Temple at Cleveland, November 14;
January 15, 1907, to W. Bro. J. W. Moore, to dedicate the Lodge room
of Homeworth Lodge No.499, January 19; February 16, 1907, to M.·.
W.·. Bro. F. S. Harmon, to represent the Grand Master at the
funeral of M.·. W.·. Bro. C. A. Woodward; September 13,
1907, to M.·. W.·. Bro. I. M. Robinson, to lay the corner
stone of the Masonic Temple at Marietta, October 7; September 28, 1907,
to R.·. W.·. Bro. C. S. Hoskinson, to dedicate the Hall
of Lowell Lodge No.436, at Lowell, October 8; October 22, 1906, to M.·.
W.·. H. A. Irvin, to dedicate the Lodge rooms at Kalida; November
2, 1906, to M.·. W.·. Bro. L. P. Schaus, to dedicate the
Lodge room of Neoaeacia Lodge No. 595, at Columbus; July 11, 1906, to
M.·. W.·. Bro. H. A. Irvin, to dedicate the Lodge room
of Pharos Lodge No.355, at St. Paris; July 25, 1906, to M.·.
W.·. Bro. H. A. Irvin, to dedicate the Lodge room of Waynesville
Lodge No.163, Waynesville.
Lodges constituted:
On October 31, 1906, M.·. W.·.
Bro. L. P. Schaus, constituted Neoacacia Lodge No.595, at Columbus,
and installed its Officers; on October 5, 1906 R.·. W.·.
Harry S. Kissell, constituted Ostrander Lodge No.594; and installed
its Officers.
Full reports were made by these Brethren
of the performance of the duties assigned to them.
The Grand Master presided at the ceremonies
of laying the corner stones of the following edifices:
October 16, 1906, laying the corner stone
of the Masonic Temple at Dayton.
June 20, 1907, laying the corner stone of the new auditorium at Miami
University, Oxford, Ohio.
August 28, 1907, laying the corner stone of Christ's Episcopal Church,
Xenia.
October 2, 1907, laying the corner stone of the new Masonic Temple at
Greenville.
Reports visitation of twenty-five Lodges,
at each of which he was received with splendid courtesy and generous
hospitality due the representative of this Grand Lodge.
The Grand Master reported a number of decisions
which were approved by the Grand Lodge.
The Grand Master received from the Secretary
of New England Lodge No.4 at different times the petitions of the following
former members of said Lodge who were expelled for associating themselves
with the clandestine so-called New England Lodge No.4 at Worthington,
and the clandestine so-called Grand Lodge formed at Worthington, the
legitimate Lodge having unanimously voted recommending the restoration
of said members, they having fully renounced all connection with or
allegiance to all bodies declared clandestine by this Grand Lodge, and
declared full allegiance to this Grand Lodge and its legitimate subordinates,
viz.: Harry R. Hughett, C. G. Moore, Charles F. White, Nathan Pinney,
Aaron P. Spencer, Charles F. Pinney, and Charles F. Hinds, who were
members of New England Lodge when its charter was arrested in 1891,
and the following who were expelled by this Grand Lodge at its session
of 1891, viz.: Justin Pinney, J. R. Topping, and D. H. Welling, all
of which are referred to the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence for
examination and report.
The Grand Treasurer submitted his report
showing the balance on hand October 8, 1907, general fund, $55,596.94.
The Emergency Relief Fund:
October 11, 1906, received from L. P. Schaus,
Past Grand Master . . . . . . . $2,184.60
September 21, 1907, received from Grand Master of California . . . .
. . . . . . 1,600.00
Interest on deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43.69
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3,828.29
The Grand Secretary presented his report
congratulating the Grand Lodge and the Secretaries of the Subordinate
Lodges on the fact that all the annual returns and Grand dues were in
his hands prior to September 30, 1907; that the increase of membership
was 3,574, an increase over last year of 105; reports that the duplication
of the returns of 1906 were completed and bound and deposited in the
vault at the Masonic Home, and recommends the Secretaries of the Subordinate
Lodges use good ink, instead of typewriting the returns which fades
in a few years, while we have returns of 1809 which are as legible as
the day they were made.
The only indebtedness is the per capita
tax to the Masonic Home amounting to $20,603.70, and recommends an additional
donation of $12,000.00 to the Masonic Home, $6,000.00 to the general
and $6,000.00 to the endowment fund, which recommendation was approved
by the Committees on Charity and Accounts, and adopted by the Grand
Lodge and the appropriation made.
Reports that the supply of the Code is
nearly exhausted and the Grand Secretary has commenced the preparation
of a new revision, rearrangement, and new index of the Code, and estimates
the expense of a thorough revision at $3,000.00 and offers to make the
compilation and revise the publication thereof.
M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. B. Melish
offered the following which was adopted:
"Resolved, That this Grand Lodge receive
with hearty appreciation the offer of the R.·. W.·. Grand
Secretary to revise the Code of Laws, and to make a compilation of the
Decisions, and to arrange and index the laws of the Grand Lodge, etc.,
and to superintend the publication of the same."
M.·. W.·. Bro. Leander Burdick
presented the report of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home
and the report of the Superintendent and Secretary, which are printed
in the proceedings. The amounts contributed by the Grand Bodies of Ohio
at their 1906 sessions, were:
Grand Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$31,531.50
Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,174.75
Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,500.00
Comniandery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,500.00
Council Anointed High Priests . . . . 500.00
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$46,206.25
In addition to this the Ohio Council of
Deliberation of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern
Jurisdiction, realizing the necessity of adding to the capacity of the
Home, made an appeal to the several bodies located in Ohio for funds
sufficient to add an additional story to the rear part of the main building,
which appeal was generously responded to, and the sum of $16,400.00
was contributed, and the work is nearly completed, which has improved
the dining room and added thirty additional rooms over that part of
the building.
"It has been practically demonstrated
that Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery, Scottish Rite, and Order of
the Eastern Star have all been greatly interested in promoting and sustaining
this worthy charity, and we sincerely believe that no other Masonic
work in Ohio has ever or will ever be, accomplished that will reflect
greater honor on our beloved Fraternity than the establishment of the
Ohio Masonic Home.
The members of the Eastern Star, God bless
them appreciating the necessity of having suitable accommodations for
those who become seriously ill at the Home, have built and furnished
a beautiful hospital building, donating the same to the Trustees, which
has provided for a necessity that had long existed prior to this noble
act of those who took upon themselves the accomplishment of the work."
The Endowment Fund was increased by donations
from various Grand and Subordinate Masonic Bodies and individual Masons,
among which was the bequest of our late lamented Brother and late President
of the Board, John M. Stull, of $1,000.00, the total amount of such
donations, including accrued interest on investments, amounting to $14,320.98,
a good showing for one year. The total Endowment Fund 15 $74,149.33.
The number of residents at the Home are:
Men, 63; women, 42; boys, 28; girls, 23. Total, 156.
The Committee on Masonic History reported
that only 225 Subordinate Lodges had filed and reported the blanks sent
out for the purpose of obtaining a brief history of the organization,
etc., of the Lodges, and request the Grand Secretary send the District
Lecturers lists of the Lodges who have failed to report within their
districts and urge on them a prompt compliance with the orders of the
Grand Lodge, which was adopted and the committee continued for the purpose
of preparing the history.
The Committee on the S. Stacker Williams
monument reported the sum of $1,200.89 on hand, donated for the purpose
of erecting a suitable monument at his grave, which they consider sufficient
for that purpose, and the committee was continued until such stone could
be procured and erected.
Telegrams of greeting were sent to the
Grand Lodges of Kentucky and Wisconsin now in session and proper responses
received.
The Grand Master called attention of the
Grand Lodge to the fact that this was the birthday of one of the most
distinguished Masons in the United States, and by authority of the Grand
Lodge, sent the following telegram:
"Canton, Ohio, October 17, 1907. "
Henry L. Palmer,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Grand Lodge of Ohio in Annual Communication
at Canton, mindful of the eighty-eighth anniversary of America's most
distinguished Mason, extends to him sincere greetings and felicitations
on this notable occasion.
Horace A. Irvin, Grand Master."
To which the following response was received
from the distinguished Brother:
Horace A. Irvin, Grand Master, Grand Lodge
of Ohio.
I have received a dispatch, signed by you
as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, conveying the greetings
and felicitations of that distinguished body of Freemasons on the occasion
of my eighty-eighth birthday. I wish to thank you personally, and the
Grand Lodge of Ohio, for this kind remembrance, and I beg to assure
you that it was most highly appreciated.
Henry L. Palmer."
Charters were granted to the following
new Lodges:
Brookville No.596, at Brookville, Montgomery
County
Clarington No.597, at Clarington, Monroe County
F. T. Carson No.598, at Cincinnati
A dispensation was granted for Euclid Lodge
U. D. to be located at Cleveland.
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence
to whom the request of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan for recognition
was referred, report in favor of the same, which report was adopted.
The committee on the S. Stacker Williams
library reported that it had entered into an agreement with the Masonic
Library Association of Cincinnati, in pursuance of which the library,
complete, containing about seven thousand volumes, has been shipped
to Cincinnati and placed in the custody of the Cincinnati Masonic Library
Association of Cincinnati, with the privilege of using and circulating
the same among its members under the rules of its own library, but it
is to be always kept intact, and under the control of this Grand Lodge
until such time as it shall make suitable arrangements for its permanent
care and preservation as a distinctive Grand Lodge Library, no part
of it to be sold, or given away except by the express authority of the
Grand Lodge, and that the ownership thereof shall remain in the Grand
Lodge, but it is not to incur any expense in relation thereto except
the insurance. The library has been shelved in room 12, Masonic Temple,
Cincinnati, at a cost of about $400.00, which was donated by the Masons
of Cincinnati, which report was adopted and the action of the committee
approved.
Brother George D. Copeland, of Marion,
was elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master; Bro. C. S. Hoskinson,
of Zanesville, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master; Bro. B.
F. Perry, R., of Jefferson, R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden;
Bro. Harry S. Kissell, of Springileld, R.·. W.·. Junior
Grand Warden; Bro. Ralph R. Rickly re-elected R.·. W.·.
Grand Treasurer, and Bro. I. H. Bromwell, of Cincinnati, re-elected
R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary, and they and the appointive
Officers, were duly installed.
The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence,
to whom was referred the petitions of various members of New England
Lodge No.4, to be restored to good Masonic standing, reported as follows:
"The charter of New England Lodge
No.4 was arrested April, 1891, for rebellious and un-masonic conduct.
By this action all the members lost their Lodge membership, but were
entitled to make application respectively to the Grand Secretary for
certificates of good standing in Masonry, which certificates would,
on such applications, be granted or refused according to the merits
or demerits of each applicant. Now, among these members are Bros. C.
G. Moore, Chas. F. White, Nathan Pinney, Aaron P. Spencer, Chas. F.
Pinney, Chas. F. hinds and Harry R. lluggett, who have not affiliated
with any Lodge since the arrest of said charter. They now come and ask
to be placed in good Masonic standing. Subsequent to the arrest of the
charter, the Grand Lodge restored or granted a substitute charter to
the loyal members of the Lodge who had not engaged in the rebellious
and un-masonic conduct, and they resumed work again as New England Lodge
No.4. The Lodge now, and also the Grand Master, recommend that the prayer
of the Brethren above named be granted. In order to do this there is
nothing to do but for the Grand Secretary to issue the certificates
of good standing, and we now recommend that this be done.
"Some of those, however, who were
members of the Lodge when the charter was arrested, together with some
members of other Lodges who bad been engaged in the rebellion against
the Grand Lodge, were put to trial and duly expelled from all the rights
and benefits of Masonry by the Grand Lodge at its Annual Communication,
1891. (See proceedings 1891, page 48.) Among these, Mr. Justin Pinney,
Mr. J. R. Topping and Mr. D. H Welling, now petition the Grand Lodge
for restoration to the rights and benefits of Masonry. New England Lodge
No.4, and the Grand Master also, recommend that the prayer of this petition
be granted, and in this recommendation this committee concur."
M.·. W.·. Bro. Allen Andrews
moved the adoption of the report. M.·. W.·. Bro. Levi
C. Goodale asked for a separate vote on that portion of the report relating
to the restoration of Justin Pinney, J. R. Topping, and D. H. Welling
to good standing in the Order, which was allowed by the Grand Master.
After extended discussion the recommendation
of the committee as to the reinstatement of Justin Pinney, the Grand
Lodge resolved to postpone the matter for further consideration until
the next Annual Grand Communication. As to the recommendation that J.
R. Topping and B. H. Welling be reinstated, the Grand Lodge adopted
the recommendation, and directed the Grand Secretary to issue certificates
accordingly.
The balance of the report in relation to
the issuing of certificates to the other applicants as recommended by
the committee the Grand Lodge adopted.
The committee called attention to the fact
that the action of the Grand Secretary in issuing certificates to the
former class and of the Grand Lodge in restoring the latter class to
the rights and benefits of Masonry have the effect to make them Masons
in good standing, but non-affiliates; and that to gain admission to
a Lodge, each must make application to the Lodge of his choice and can
Ile admitted to Lodge membership in such Lodge only by the action of
the Lodge and after ballot in the regular way; which statement and decision
were approved by the Grand Lodge.
M.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams,
M.·. W.·. Bro. L. P. Schaus and W. Bro. M. L. Finuell
were appointed a committee to procure and present to M. .W. .Bro. Horace
A. Irvin, retiring Grand Master, a Past Grand Master's jewel.
The Committee on Centennial Celebration
reported recommending that an appropriation of $5,000.00 be made and
set apart for the purpose of properly celebrating the anniversary of
the organization of this Grand Lodge, the same to be held during the
Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in the year 1908, and a majority
of the committee, six in number, voted in favor of holding such communication
and celebration in the city of Cincinnati, and the minority, three in
number, voted in favor of holding the same in the city of Columbus,
and the committee recommended it be held in Cincinnati, Wednesday, October
21, A. B. 1908.
A motion to strike out Cincinnati as the
place and insert Columbus was, on a rising vote, lost, and the report
was adopted as read and the Committee on Accounts reported in favor
of appropriating the sum of $5,000.00 for this purpose, which was adopted.
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence
presented its report which is printed in the proceedings, covering 361
pages, reviewing the proceedings of 63 English speaking and 16 non-English
speaking Grand Lodges.
The introductory contains letters from
Wm. James Hughan of Torquay, England; Robert Freke Gould and a sketch
of his lecture on "The Filiation of Speculative" (or Symbolic
Masonry) ; articles on "Early Freemasonry in France;" "The
1717 English Freemasonry in France;" "Albert Pike and Symbolic
Lodges;" "Physical Perfection;" "Correspondences;"
"Past Master's Degree," etc.
The general review of the various Grand
Lodges presents numerous articles and reviews of the general history,
condition, and progress of Masonry throughout the world, together with
reliable information relating to Masonic procedure and jurisprudence,
that is of general interest to all active and thinking Masons, and should
be perused by all members of the craft.
The Ohio Masonic Veterans' Association
met in the Masonic Temple, October 16, 1907, at 5 :30 p. m., with Venerable
Bro. Leander Burdick, President, in the Chair.
A large class of applicants was elected,
introduced, instructed and welcomed as Venerable Brethren, and the routine
business transacted. Ven. Bro. Wm. M. Cunningham was elected President
for the ensuing year.
The Brethren enjoyed a splendid banquet
prepared by the local Brethren and committee, for which a vote of thanks
was tendered.
1908
M.·. W.·. GEO. B. COPELAND,
GRAND MASTER
On Wednesday, October 21, A. D. 1908, at
9:15 o'clock a. m., the Officers and members of the Grand Lodge assembled
at the Hotel Sinton, Cincinnati, and were escorted by the Centennial
Committee with military bands to the Music hall, where the session of
the Grand Lodge were to be held.
The Grand Lodge and visiting Brethren in
large numbers, having taken their places, were entertained by an organ
recital by Bro. John Yoakley. This was followed by a rendition of Mozart's
Invocation by the Scottish Rite double quartet, of Cincinnati. Rev.
and R.·. W.·. Bro. Paul R. Hickok, Grand Chaplain, invoked
the blessing of Deity on the session, after which R.·. W.·.
Bro. Edward F. Shipley, Grand Orator, delivered an address of welcome,
which was responded to by R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master
Bro. C. S. Hoskinson.
Hon. Leopold Markbreit, Mayor of the city
of Cincinnati, paid a most beautiful tribute to the Fraternity, and
on behalf of the city, bade the Grand Lodge welcome, to which the M.·.
W.·. Grand Master Bro. George B. Copeland, responded.
The Scottish Rite double quartet sang "Lift
Thine Eyes," by Mendelssohn, and "Charity," by Nembach.
This was followed by various announcements
made by M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. B. Melish, chairman of the
general committee of the Grand Lodge, as to the program of entertainment
provided by the committee.
Following these announcements, a party
composed of fifty of the boys and girls of the Ohio Masonic Home was
presented to the assembled audience, and rendered a number of glees
and patriotic songs, concluding with "Home, Sweet Home."
All who were not entitled to remain within
the Hall as members of the Fraternity having withdrawn, the M.·.
W.·. Grand Master proceeded to open a Lodge of Master Masons,
the Grand Officers occupying their respective stations.
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form,
with M.·. W.·. Bro. George B. Copeland, Grand Master in
the East, all the Grand Officers in their respective stations, Past
Grand Masters W. M. Cunningham, J. M. Goodspeed, Leander Burdick, Levi
C. Goodale, Allen Andrews, C. F. Clapp, William 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. Ballou, Lewis P. Schaus,
and Horace A. Irvin, Past Deputy Grand Masters W. J. Akers and J. L'H.
Long, twenty-four District Lecturers, and the representatives of 508
of the 514 active Lodges in attendance.
The Grand Master read his address referring
in a pleasing and eloquent manner to the fact that on the 4th of January,
A. D. 1808, the representatives of a handful of Lodges met in the town
of Chillicothe, for the purpose of forming a Grand Lodge of Masons for
the State of Ohio, and on the last days of that year were again on their
way to hold the first Communication of this Grand Lodge, which was held
on January 2, A. D. 1809, the one hundredth anniversary of which we
now celebrate, and congratulating the craft on the fact that during
this time the handful of Masons had grown to over seventy-two thousand
active, earnest and faithful members; and the history of Ohio for the
last one hundred years has been largely the centennial history of Masonry;
and that we could point with pride to the long list of distinguished
patriots and statesmen who had served our state and nation in positions
of high honor and trust, and who had taken from the designs upon the
trestle board in our Lodges, the inspiration for lives which have left
their impress upon the pages of history.
Calls attention to the death of and pays
proper tribute to the following distinguished Brothers of this jurisdiction,
viz.:
Bro. Robert V. Hampson, who died at Salem,
Ohio, January 14, 1908. He was Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery
of the State of Ohio, and at the time of his death was serving as Grand
Treasurer of the Grand Chapter R. A. M. of Ohio, and Grand Treasurer
of the Grand Council It. & S. M. of Ohio, and was an honorary member
of the Supreme Council A. A. S. R. for the Northern Jurisdiction.
On the 17th of April, 1908, Illustrious
Bro. Henry C. Urner, Thirty-third Degree, died at Cincinnati, where
he was horn April 30, 1830, and lived during his entire lifetime. He
was initiated in Kuwinning Lodge No.356, June 10, 1870, became a Royal
Arch Mason in Cincinnati Chapter No.2, April 3, 1871, a Royal and Select
Master in Cincinnati Council No.1, June 19, 1871, created a Knight Templar
in Cincinnati Commandery No.3, May 22, 1871, received the Thirty-second
Degree in Ohio Consistory A. A. S. R., January 21, 1871, the Thirty-third
Degree in the Supreme Council, November 17, 1873, and was crowned an
active member, September 19, 1899.
On July 5, 1908, Bro. A. H. Snider, President
of the Marietta Masonic Building Company, died at Marietta.
Highly commends the District Lecturers
for their zeal and fidelity, every Subordinate Lodge in the state having
been inspected during the year.
The Past Grand Master's jewel voted to
M.·. W.·. Bro. Horace A. Irvin, retiring Grand Master,
at the last session, was presented to him by M.·. W.·.
Bro. Nelson Williams, P. G. M., during the ceremonies of the dedication
of the Masonic Temple at Dayton, the Grand Master having the pleasure
of being present at this pleasant ceremony.
The Grand Master reappointed M.·.
W.·. Bro. F. L. Lybarger, P. G. M., and M.·. W.·.
Bro. Nelson Williams, P. G. M., as Trustees of the Masonic Home for
three years from January 1, 1908.
At a meeting of the Centennial Committee
held at Cincinnati, March 4, 1908, it was decided that a Masonic History
of Ohio should be prepared by M.·. W.·. Bro. W. M. Cunningham,
Past Grand Master, who has been a Master Mason for fifty-eight years,
and who has personally attended every communication of the Grand Lodge
of Ohio for the last fifty-four years, and is the chairman of the Committee
on Masonic History; and I accordingly appointed Bro. W. M. Cunningham,
Grand Historian of Ohio.
Dispensations were issued for new Lodges
at the following places:
October 27, 1907, Euclid Lodge, at Cleveland.
March 20, 1908, Brenton D. Babcock Lodge, at Cleveland. This petition
was signed by one hundred petitioners.
March 21, 1908, Lakewood Lodge, at Lakewood.
April 17, 1908, West LaFayette Lodge, at West LaFayette.
September 16, 1908, received a petition for a new Lodge at Aurora, Portage
County, which is referred to the Committee on Charters.
Having received satisfactory evidence that
Clarington Lodge No.597 was free from debt, in compliance with the directions
of this Grand Lodge at its last session, I, on November 9, 1907, issued
and delivered the charter granted said Lodge.
Corner stones of the following Masonic
and public buildings were laid by the Grand Master or Brothers acting
as his proxy:
October 21, 1907, to M.·. W.·.
Bro. Horace A. Irvin, the corner stone of the new Masonic Temple at
Troy; November 24, 1907, to R.·. W.·. Bro. B. F. Perry,
Jr., the corner stone of the Children's Home of Mahoning County; April
4, 1908, M.·. W.·. Bro. Geo. D. Copeland, Grand Master,
the corner stone of a new public building at Wyoming; June 11, 1908,
M.·. W.·. Geo. D. Copeland, Grand Master, the corner stone
of the Court House at Youngstown; August 16, 1908, to R.·. W.·.
Bro. J. H. Bromwell, the corner stone of a new school building at Madisonville;
August 16, 1908, to R.·. W.·. Bro. Paul B. Hiekok, the
corner stone of the Second Presbyterian Church at East Liverpool; September
1, 1908, to Bro. G. C. Maurer, the corner stone of the Union Hospital
at New Philadelphia; October 10, 1908, to Bro. F. F. McCombs, the corner
stone of the Shadyside School House.
The following Masonic Temples and Lodge
rooms were dedicated by M.·. W.·. George D. Copeland,
Grand Master:
November 19, 1907, Masonic Temple at Dayton;
January 2, 1908, Masonic Lodge rooms at Cleveland; June 24, 1908, Masonic
Temple at Lancaster; September 1, 1908, Masonic Temple at Marietta;
October 1, 1908, Masonic Lodge rooms at Greenville.
The following Brothers acting as proxy
of the Grand Master, dedicated the following Masonic Lodge rooms:
December 19, 1907, Bro. A. L Rawlings,
Masonic Lodge rooms at Brownsville; January 14, 1908, Bro. B. S. Fogle,
Masonic Lodge rooms at Payne; February 15, 1908, Bro. G. A. Reuter,
Masonic Lodge rooms at Celina; April 29, 1908, Bro. W. A. Smurthwaite,
Masonic Lodge rooms at Steubenville; June 24, 1908, Bro. Walton H. Parker,
Masonic Lodge rooms at Stockport.
The following Lodges chartered at the last
session were duly constituted and their Officers installed by the following
Brothers acting as proxies for the Grand Master:
November 28, 1907, Bro. F. F. McCombs,
Clarington Lodge No.597, at Clarington; November 1, 1907, M.·.
W.·. Bro. L. C. Goodale, Enoch T. Carson Lodge No.598, Cincinnati;
December 6, 1907, M.·. W.·. Bro. H. A. Irvin, Brookville
Lodge No.596, at Brookville.
Reports a large number of visitations at
which he was received and treated with the utmost courtesy and hospitality
befitting the representative of this Grand Lodge.
Reports nine decisions which were approved.
On April 28, 1908, the Lodge room, property
and records of Peebles Lodge No.581 were destroyed by fire, and on August
2, 1908, the Lodge room and all the personal property and charter of
Bellville Lodge No.376, at Bellville, were destroyed by fire, and a
dispensation was issued authorizing the Lodge to continue work until
the close of this session, and a new charter is recommended.
An attempt was made to organize a clandestine
Lodge of Masons in Cleveland early in the year by advertising in the
city papers that one thousand men were wanted to join at $10.00 per
capita. Bros. Frank S. Harmon, M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master,
and Edwin S. Griffiths, W. Tumor Grand Deacon, succeeded in having the
papers discontinue such advertisement, and the matter seems to need
no further attention.
The people of Ohio are to be congratulated
upon not being misled into joining an institution, membership in which
can only bring upon them the contempt and detestation of all good Masons.
The Grand Treasurer submitted his report
showing a balance on hand October 1, 1908, in the general fund, $58,564.60,
and in the emergency relief fund, including interest, $4,027.76.
The Grand Secretary presented his report
showing the membership, August 31, 1908, 72,339, a gain of 3,660, and
a gain over last year of 86, being within 31 of 1903, which remains
the banner year.
While the net gain of 1903 still stands
as the largest, the gross gain of this year exceeds that of any previous
year.
This being the twentieth report of the
Grand Secretary, the following table is inserted showing the wonderful
increase in membership and annual income during the past twenty years:
|
Year
|
Number of Lodges
|
Number of Members
|
Annual Gain in Members
|
Annual Income
|
|
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908
|
488
490
493
495
495
494
498
497
498
500
501
503
499
499
501
503
505
507
510
514
|
34,184
34,840
35,603
37,044
38,089
38,851
39,906
40,839
41,713
42,848
44,201
46,348
48,349
51,374
55,065
58,243
61,636
65,105
68,679
72,339
|
966
656
1,333
1,441
1,045
762
1,055
933
874
1,135
1,353
2,147
2,001
3.025
3,691
3,178
3,393
3,469
3,574
3,660
|
$16,956.86
$16,996.61
$18,188.78
$18,703.21
$18,540.20
$18,558.88
$20,364.42
$26,998.0l
$26,165.67
$27,931.41
$33,444.50
$35,940.98
$37,341.71
$40,955.03
$44,625.08
$46,115.55
$50,958.04
$51,373.11
*$57,404.91
$55,466.04
|
Showing Increase in number of Lodges .
. . . . . . . . . 26
Increase in number of Members . . . . . . . . . . . . .38,155
Average gain each year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,908
Increase in annual income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$38,509.18
*This includes the Emergency fund, amounting
to $3,828.29.
Tile relative standing, in point of membership,
of Ohio with several other Grand Jurisdictions, taken from the last
Annual Proceedings on file, is as follows:
New York has 779 Lodges, and a membership
of 152,928
Illinois . . . . . 759 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .85,583
Pennsylvania .470 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84,341
Michigan . . . 405 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58,542
Missouri . . . . 593 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.45,348
It will be seen from this that Ohio comes
after Pennsylvania, or fourth in the list.
The only indebtedness is the per capita
tax due the Masonic Home, amounting to $21,701.70, and an additional
donation of $10,000.00 is recommended for the Home, $5,000.00 to the
general and $5,000.00 to the endowment fund, which recommendation was
concurred in by the Committees on Charity and Accounts, and approved
by the Grand Lodge, and the appropriation made.
Reports the revision of the Code is completed
except the index which will be completed soon after this session. The
work has been approved by the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence.
Practically all the spurious, clandestine
Lodges have ceased work and become extinct, but as some of their members
bold certificates and dimits, for the purpose of warning and protecting
Lodges in this and sister jurisdictions, a list of such so-called Lodges
is printed for the information of the Officers and members of the Lodges
in this and other jurisdictions.
The following distinguished Brothers being
present, were received, introduced to the Grand Lodge, and welcomed
with Grand Honors:
M.·. W.·. Bro. Chas. M. Mikels,
Grand Master of Indiana; R. Em. Sir Edwin B. King, Grand Commander Knights
Templars of Ohio; M. Ex. Ed. H. Archer, Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter
of Ohio; M.·. W.·. Warren J. Baker, Grand Master of the
Grand Council R. & S. M. of Ohio; M.·. W.·. Barton
Smith, Deputy for Ohio of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and M.
Em. William B. Melish, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of
the United States, Knights Templars. Each made a proper response thanking
the Grand Lodge for the courtesy.
Charters were granted to the following
new Lodges:
Euclid No.599, at Cleveland
Brenton D. Babcock No.600, at Cleveland
Lakewood No.601, at Lakewood, Cuyahoga County
West LaFayette No.602, at West LaFayette, Coshocton County
The applications of East Gate at Columbus,
and Sugar Creek Valley at Strasburg were rcferred to the incoming Grand
Master for investigation and action.
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence
submitted a special report acknowledging the courtesies extended to
this Grand Lodge in their Masonic papers and communications for its
special use, by V. W. Bro. Robert Freke Gould, of Kingsfield, Woking,
England; V. W. Bro. Wm. Jas. Hughan, of Torquay, England; and R.·.
W.·. Bro. Dr. W. J. Chetwode Crawley, Grand Treasurer of the
M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge of Ireland, respectfully recommend
that these three eminent Masons and distinguished authors be, and are
hereby constituted Honorary Members of the M.·. W.·. Grand
Lodge F. and A. M. of Ohio; which report was adopted and the recommendation
concurred in.
The Committee on Masonic History reported
that finding cooperative work in this connection not only ill advised
and unsatisfactory, but difficult in execution, and deeming it for the
best interests of the proposed historical work, they delegated its compilation
and the work connected therewith to the chairman of the committee, who
had compiled and completed the manuscript of the first volume and had
the same ready for the printer for publication, and bids have been received
from two competent printers. The manuscript of volume 1 has been approved
by the Grand Master and the committee recommends its publication and
the preparation of two additional volumes, which report and recommendation
were approved by the Grand Lodge.
The committee on S. S. Williams monument
was continued to next Annual Communication to enable it to complete
the duties assigned to it.
The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence
reported on the applications of Bros. F. E. Chambers and S. S. Pinney
of New England Lodge No.4 for restoration to good standing in Masonry
in favor of these applicants, it appearing they had not joined or participated
in the rebellious and un-masonic acts against this Grand Lodge, said
S. S. Pinney not being at that time a member of said Lodge, and being
a resident of Virginia, which report and recommendations were approved
by the Grand Lodge and the Grand Secretary directed to issue proper
certificates to them.
The case and application of Justin Pinney
was continued to the next Annual Communication, as the Brethren having
the ease, were not ready to submit the evidence.
The same committee reported adversely to
permitting the organization known as the "White Shrine of Jerusalem"
being permitted to use Masonic Halls for meeting purposes, which report
was adopted by the Grand Lodge.
Brother C. S. Hoskinson, of Zanesville,
was elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master; Bro. B. F. Perry,
Jr., of Jefferson, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master; Bro.
Harry S. Kissell, of Springfield, R.·. W.·. Senior Grand
Warden; Bro. Thomas B. Guitteau, of Toledo, R.·. W.·.
Junior Grand Warden; and Bro. Ralph R. Rickly, of Columbus, re-elected
R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer, and Bro. J. H. Bromwell, of
Cincinnati, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary, and they and the
appointive Officers were duly installed.
Cleveland was selected as the place and
Wednesday, October 20, A. D. 1909, as the time for holding the next
Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.
M.·. W.·. Bros. Nelson Williams,
Horace A. Irvin, and Frank S. Harmon were appointed a committee to procure
and present to M.·. W.·. Bro. George D. Copeland, retiring
Grand Master, a Past Grand Master's jewel.
The local Centennial Committee announced
that a special program for the entertainment of the Grand Lodge and
visitors had been arranged at the Zoological Garden this afternoon,
consisting of a special band concert by Bellstedt's famous band, an
exhibition drill by the Drill Corps of Hanselmaun Commandery No.16,
Knights Templars, one of the prize winners at the last Triennial Conclave,
music by the Hanselmann Military Band, parade and review by the Refuge
Home Cadets, accompanied by the Boys' Military Band, and other special
features of amusement and entertainment
M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. B. Melish,
chairman of the Centennial Celebration Committee, submitted a verbal
and partial report, stating it was the intention of the committee, if
permitted by the Grand Lodge, to prepare a complete and detailed report,
as a separate document, and mail the same to the Officers and members
of the Grand Lodge. That after this is accomplished the committee will
make a complete financial statement and report of the work of the committee
to the Grand Lodge at its next Annual Communication.
On motion, it was resolved that the Committee
on Centennial Celebration be permitted to publish a separate report
of their doings as a committee, and to pay the expense of the same from
the Centennial Celebration Fund already placed at their disposal; which
report and resolution was unanimously adopted.
By rising vote it was unanimously resolved
that the thanks of this Grand Lodge be extended to the Centennial Committee
and the Masons of Hamilton County for their zealous and elaborate entertainment
of this Grand Body and its individual members.
M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. B. Melish,
referring to the fact that there was present upon the platform a Venerable
Brother who had been a Mason for over fifty years, and was distinguished
not only in Masonry, but in the circles of his church throughout the
world, introduced Reverend Bro. John M. Walden, Bishop of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and a member of McMakin Lodge No.120 of this Grand
Jurisdiction. To this pleasant introduction the Reverend Brother responded
with much feeling, and expressed his appreciation of the compliment.
The Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home presented
their report, together with the report of the Superintendent, which
are printed in the proceedings.
The amounts contributed by the Grand Bodies
of Ohio at the 1907 sessions, were:
Grand Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . $32,603.70
" Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 9,172.75
" Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .1,500.00
" Commandery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,500.00
" Council Anointed High Priests . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . $47,026.45
Scottish Rite Masons for new building .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16,737.19
Blue Lodges for furnishing rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .2,365.66
Grand Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .$66,129.30
The appeal to the Scottish Rite Brethren
of Ohio for $15,000.00 for the purpose of adding two additional stories
to the dining room building met with the following generous response:
Cincinnati . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .$5,000.00
Columbus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,600.00
Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,000.00
Toledo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,500.00
Dayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,483.05
Canton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317.50
Steubenville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271.00
Youngstown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00
Cambridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.00
Add interest in funds deposited . . . . . . . . 104.74
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,737.19
The lower floor of the new addition, containing
thirty-one pleasant bedrooms, is now furnished and is being gradually
filled with occupants. The upper floor, which will contain twenty bedrooms,
will b filled later. Ths improvement is not only a great convenience,
but adds much to the appearance of the entire place. We are very grateful
to our Scottish Rite Brethren for their liberality.
The Trustees decided to appeal to the Blue
Lodges that had not contributed to the original furnishing of rooms
of the Home, asking the sum of $75.00 for each room. Twenty-four Lodges
responded with that amount each, and a number of Lodges and Brethren
sent smaller donations, the total amount to date being $2,365,66.
The endowment fund was increased during
the past year from donations of Grand and Subordinate Bodies and members
in the sum of $18,107.22, and that fund now amounts to the sum of $91,626.98.
The present residents are: Men, 66; women,
43; boys, 28; girls, 21. Total, 160.
We have still on our rolls thirty above
eighty years, four of them above ninety years, and two having reached
ninety-three years. The average age of our old folks is seventy-four
years. The general health of the residents is good considering their
advanced ages. We have lost but one child by death in our entire history,
and that was from disease contracted away from the Home.
The hospital erected and furnished by the
Order of the Eastern Star of Ohio is nobly fulfilling its mission, and
is of great value and service in caring for our sick and disabled, many
of whom are constantly within its precincts. 'The view from the building
is superb and is greatly enjoyed by the occupants.
The various Chapters of the Order of the
Eastern Star and bodies and individual members of the various Masonic
Bodies in Ohio, made their usual liberal contributions of money and
supplies to provide for the Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities,
all of which were highly appreciated.
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence
submitted their general report covering 391 pages and reviewing the
proceedings of 65 English speaking and 16 non-English speaking Grand
Lodges. This is the twenty-seventh annual report of this committee,
prepared and submitted by M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. M. Cunningham
as chairman of the Foreign Correspondence Committee of this Grand Lodge,
and who is recognized as the Dean of Foreign Correspondents by the Masonic
Fraternity throughout the world, and one of the best equipped and informed
Masons in the United States. His Foreign Correspondence Reports to this
Grand Lodge during the past twenty-seven years contain the best history
of the current events and transactions of the various Grand Lodges in
the world, and the views of their various correspondents, and a fund
of information in relation to their organization procedure, and progress
that can not be found in any other volume, magazine or set of papers,
and any student of Masonry and its tenets and history should carefully
read each one of the valuable and instructive reports.
The introductory of the present report
contains interesting articles on "The Value of Masonic Diplomas
or Certificates in Great Britain," by Wm. James Hughan; "Masonic
Diplomas or Certificates in Ireland," by W. J. Chetwode Crawley;
"Prehistoric Freemasonry," by Robert Freke Gould; "Symbolism,"
and a number of other instructive articles, and the usual review of
the various Grand Lodges.
1909
M.·. W.·. CHARLES S. HOSKINSON,
GRAND MASTER
Grand Lodge convened in the Hall of the
Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland, Ohio, Wednesday, October 20, A. D. 1909,
with Grand Master Charles S. Hoskinson in the Chair, all the other Grand
Officers in their stations; Past Grand Masters Leander Burdick, Levi
C. Goodale, Allen Andrews, Carroll F. Clapp, William B. Melish, Barton
Smith, Nelson Williams, E. C. Gulliford, E. L. Lybarger, Frank S. Harmon,
Ike M. Robinson, William A. Belt, O. P. Sperra, C. G. Ballou, Lewis
P. Schaus, Horace A. Irvin, George D. Copeland; Past Deputy Grand Masters
William J. Akers and J. L'H. Long, twenty-four District Lecturers, and
the representatives of 505 of the 514 active Lodges in attendance.
The Grand Master read his annual address,
congratulating the Craft on the prosperity of the Order in this State
during the past year. More Masons have been raised, affiliated, and
reinstated then ever before; yet the large number of deaths, (997),
withdrawals, and suspensions brings our net gain down to 3,637, twenty-three
less than last year.
Announces the death at Newark, Ohio, on
August 16, A. D. 1909, of Past Grand Master William M. Cunningham, the
oldest Past Grand Master of this Grand Jurisdiction, and an active and
distinguished member of this Grand Lodge, having attended every convocation
for over fifty years, served it in many capacities, and at the time
of his death was serving as Grand Historian, and Chairman of the Foreign
Correspondence Committee, which latter position he had held continuously
ever since 1885. He served as Grand Master of this Grand Lodge in 1877
and 1878.
He served as Grand High Priest of the Grand
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, in 1901; and as Chairman of its
Foreign Correspondence Committee in 1863, 1865, 1869, and continuously
since 1904; and was an Anointed Member of the Order of High Priesthood.
Served as M.·. W.·. Grand Master of the Grand Council
Royal and Select Masters of Ohio, in 1865 and 1866; and as Chairman
of its Committee on Foreign Correspondence from 1873 to 1881, and from
1899 to 1905.
Was Past Em. Commander of St. Luke's Commandery
No.34, K. T. of Newark, Ohio.
Was a member of Ohio Sovereign Consistory,
A. A. S. R. of Cincinnati, Ohio, since February 16, 1862, and received
the Honorary Grade of Thirty-third Degree in the Supreme Council for
the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, May 20, 1865.
He was a charter member, and Past President
of the Ohio Masonic Veterans Association.
He was a thorough student of Masonic literature,
and perhaps without a rival in the field of Masonic history and ritualism.
His reports as Chairman of the Committees on Foreign Correspondence
in the various Grand Bodies of this State are quoted as authority, and
have done more than the work of any one man to make Ohio Masonry known
throughout the world. He was the compiler and author of many Masonic
text books and manuals. His last literary work was the preparation of
the first volume of the Masonic History of Ohio which he had barely
finished when the dread summons came that called him to lay down the
pen and close his eyes upon its final pages. It will be one of the many
monuments to his Masonic attachments and his thoroughness in Masonic
literature and history.
His funeral was conducted by the Grand
Lodge assisted by a large concourse of Masons from various parts of
the state, and the citizens of Newark and vicinity.
The Grand Master issued a circular to all
the Subordinate Lodges in this Jurisdiction calling upon them to pay
fraternal respect to his memory.
The Grand Master issued dispensations for
the following new Lodges:
December 31, 1908, Cypress Lodge, at Strasburg,
Ohio; October 28, 1908, East Gate Lodge, at Columbus, Ohio; March 1,
1909, W. K. Rickseeker Lodge, at Aurora, Ohio; May 24, 1909, Emmanuel
Lodge, at Cleveland, Ohio; June 21, 1909, Glouster Lodge, at Glouster,
Ohio; September 8, 1909, Bremen Lodge, at Bremen, Ohio.
Complying with the expressed desire of
the Grand Master over thirty thousand Brethren, members of over four
hundred Lodges throughout this Jurisdiction, observed the festival of
St. John the Evangelist on Sunday, December 27, 1908, by attending Divine
service.
On the night of February 10, 1909, the
hall of Dover Lodge No.489, Dover, Ohio, was destroyed by fire. The
charter and only part of the records were saved.
On February 18, 1909, in the Scottish Rite
Cathedral, Cincinnati, Ohio, in the presence of a large number of distinguished
Brethren, the M.·. W.·. Grand Master, C. S. Hoskinson,
exercised his prerogative as Grand Master, and made Hon. William Howard
Taft a Mason at Sight.
There were present on this occasion the
Grand Masters of fourteen sister Grand Lodges, three Officers of the
Grand Encampment of Knights Templars of the United States, ten Officers
of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, twelve Past Grand Masters of Ohio, eight
Officers of the Grand Chapter of Ohio R. A. M., five Officers and seven
Past Grand Commanders of the Grand Commandery K. T. of Ohio, a large
number of Active and Honorary Members of the Supreme Council A. A. S.
R. Thirty-third Degree, three hundred and two of the W. Masters of the
Subordinate Lodges of the State, and twenty District Lecturers and a
large assembly of Master Masons.
A brief synopsis of the ceremony and proceedings
at this Occasional Convocation and Lodge will be found in the proceedings
of the Grand Lodge, pages 20 to 27.
Later in the evening Bro. William Howard
Taft was present at the conferring of the Master Mason's Degree by Kuwinning
Lodge No.356, and was presented by the Lodge with a beautiful lambskin
apron.
At a subsequent stated meeting of that
Lodge his petition for affiliation was presented, laid over to the next
stated meeting when he was duly elected to membership in the Lodge.
THE NEW CODE
The one great work, the work that should
be the pride of Ohio Masonry, the work that will perpetuate the memory
of one of our earnest and efficient Officers, the new code, has been
completed and two copies sent to each Lodge.
The Grand Master made the following appointments
during the past year:
COMMITTEE ON MASONIC HISTORY
October 26, 1908, W. Pro. T. C. Coates,
having tendered his resignation, the M.·. W.·. Grand Master
appointed M.·. W.·. Pro. George D. Copeland, Past Grand
Master, a member of the Committee on Masonic History.
August 23, 1909, he also appointed W. Bro.
John G. Reeves, Lancaster, Ohio, Chairman of the Committee on History
and Grand Historian, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of M.·.
W.·. Pro. William M. Cunningham.
GRAND CHAPLAIN
August 23, 1909, appointed Bishop John
M. Walden, since 1852 an active and exemplary member of McMakin Lodge
No.120, Mt. Healthy, Ohio, Grand Chaplain to fill the vacancy caused
by the removal of R.·. W.·. Bro. Paul R. Hickok to Washington,
D. C.
CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE
August 23, 1909, appointed M.·.
W.·. Bro. William A. Belt, Past Grand Master, Kenton, Ohio, Chairman
of said committee to fill the vacancy caused by the death of M.·.
W.·. Bro. William M. Cunningham.
TRUSTEES MASONIC HOME
December 31, 1908, appointed Bro. H. A.
Worthington, and reappointed Bro. Edward Harford, both of Springfield,
to serve as representatives of the Grand Lodge in the Board of Trustees
of the Masonic Home for the term of three years from January 1, 1909.
RITUAL COMMITTEE
January 2, 1909, appointed M.·.
W.·. Bro. C. G. Ballou, Past Grand Master, Toledo, Ohio, a member
of the Ritual Committee, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Bro. John L. Barbour.
The District Lecturers are highly commended
for the prompt and efficient manner in which they performed their duties.
All of the 514 chartered Lodges have been inspected, and complete reports
of every inspection received and filed.
The Grand Master laid the corner stones
of the following Masonic and public buildings:
January 14, 1909, Plymouth Congregational
Church, at Newark, Ohio; July 3, 1909, School Building, at Bellaire,
Ohio; July 4, 1909, Federal Building, at Warren, Ohio; August 21, 1909,
Methodist Church, at Logan, Ohio; September 14, 1909, Masonic Temple,
at Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
And the following by the Brethren named,
acting as proxies for the Grand Master.
April, 5, 1909, Masonic Temple at Youngstown,
Ohio, by Pro. A. D. Thomas; June 26, 1909, High School Building at Pleasant
Ridge, Ohio, by Bro. Scott Bonham; July 9, 1909, Carnegie Library at
Miamisburg, Ohio, by Pro. Horace A. Irvin; July 31, 1909, Elmwood Place
Town Hall at Elmwood Place, Ohio, by Bro. Scott Bonham.
The Grand Master regularly constituted
and consecrated the following new Lodges and installed their officers:
October 30, 1908, Euclid Lodge No.599,
Cleveland, Ohio; November 7, 1908, Lakewood Lodge No.601, Lakewood,
Ohio, and dedicated its Lodge rooms; December 2, 1908, West Lafayette
Lodge No.602, West Lafayette, Ohio, and dedicated its Lodge room November
2, 1908, M.·. W.·. Frank S. Harmon, Past Grand Master,
acting as proxy for the Grand Master, constituted and consecrated Brenton
D. Babcock Lodge No.600, Cleveland, Ohio, and installed its officers.
The Grand Master dedicated the following
Masonic Temples and Lodge rooms:
December 8, 1908, Masonic Lodge rooms at
Findlay, Ohio; December 10, 1908, Masonic Lodge rooms at Millersport,
Ohio; December 29, 1908, Masonic Temple at Troy, Ohio; January 26, 1909,
Masonic Lodge rooms at Elmore, Ohio; February 4, 1909, Masonic Lodge
rooms at Quaker City, Ohio; February 9, 1909, Masonic Lodge rooms at
Oberlin, Ohio; March 18, 1909, Masonic Temple at Mechanicsburg, Ohio;
September 10, 1909, Masonic Temple at Lodi, Ohio.
The following were dedicated by Brothers
acting as proxies of the Grand Master:
May 12, 1909, Masonic Lodge rooms at Washington
C. H., Ohio, Bro. Walter W. Hamilton presiding; June 15, 1909, Masonic
Lodge rooms at Niles, Ohio, Bro. A. D. Thomas, presiding; June 24, 1909,
Masonic Lodge rooms at Mt. Ephriam, Ohio, Bro. E. C. Chamberlain, presiding;
September 27 1909, Masonic Lodge rooms at Holgate, Ohio, Bro. Virgil
Squire, presiding; September 27, 1909, Masonic Lodge rooms at New Burlington,
Ohio, Bro. Chas. L. Harrod, presiding; October 4, 1909, Masonic Lodge
rooms at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Bro. H. M. Hagelbarger, presiding; October
13, 1909, Masonic Lodge rooms at Barberton, Ohio, Bro. H. M. Hagelbarger,
presiding.
July 26, 1909, the Grand Master issued
a dispensation to Warsaw Lodge No.255, at Spring Mountain, to remove
to Warsaw, its original home. The Grand Master visited 48 Subordinate
Lodges, at all of which he was received and welcomed with all the honors
and fraternal kindness due his high rank.
The Grand Treasurer presented his report
showing a balance in the General Fund, October 9, 1909, of $63,766.24;
and in the Emergency Relief Fund, $4,188.86.
The Grand Secretary submitted his twenty-first
annual report showing the net increase of membership, 3,637, being only
23 less than that of last year, and 44 less than the highest record
which was made in 1903. The returns of all the Lodges except Collinwood
Lodge No.582, were in on time, as were the Grand dues of all except
Senate Lodge No.378.
The number of members August 31, 1909,
75,976. The per capita due the Masonic Home was $22,792.80; and the
Grand Secretary recommended an additional donation of $10,000.00 to
the Endowment Fund, and $5,000.00 to the General Fund, which was concurred
in by the Committee on Accounts, and adopted by the Grand Lodge and
the appropriation made.
Shortly after the last session the revised
code was completed and copies distributed to the various Lodges, Present
and Past Grand Officers, and District Lecturers, and quite a number
sold. The estimated cost of publishing the code was $3,000.00; the actual
amount expended only $1,612.94, and the Grand Lodge has the plates which
will greatly reduce the cost of printing additional copies.
The Committee on Centennial Celebration
presented their financial report showing the total appropriation, $4,000.00,
and the total expenditures, $3,572.87, leaving a balance of $427.13
refunded to the Grand Lodge.
The Committee on the Memorial to Past Grand
Master S. Stacker Williams reported that they had collected funds amounting
to $1,296,64, with which they had procured and had placed on the Williams
lot in Cedar Hill Cemetery at Newark, Ohio, a beautiful large polished
Barre Granite Monument, and two granite markers for his grave and that
of Elizabeth Williams, his wife, which was approved, and the committee
discharged.
Brother B. F. Perry, Jr., of Jefferson
was elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master; Bro. Harry S. Kissell,
of Springfield, B. .W. Deputy Grand Master; Bro. Thomas B. Guitteau,
of Toledo B W Senior Grand Warden; Bro. Edwin S. Griffiths, of Cleveland,
R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden; Bro. Ralph R. Rickly, of
Columbus, re-elected R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer; and Bro.
J. H. Bromwell, of Cincinnati, reelected R.·. W.·. Grand
Secretary, and they and the appointive officers were duly installed.
Columbus, Ohio, was selected as the place,
and Wednesday, October 19, A. D. 1910, as the time of holding the next
Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.
The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence
reported on the petition of Justin Pinney, for restoration to good standing
in Masonry, (he having been expelled for his connection with the organization
of the clandestine, so called Worthington Grand Lodge of Ohio), recommending
that his petition be denied, which report and recommendation were unanimously
adopted by the Grand Lodge.
The petition of John J. Stoddart for restoration
to good standing was laid over for further information and consideration,
on recommendation of the same committee.
The proposed amendment of Section 16, of
the Code, providing that "No Lodge shall confer the first three
degrees of Masonry for less than twenty-five dollars, and in cases where
three or more Lodges have concurrent jurisdiction for less than forty
dollars," was unanimously adopted.
Charters were granted to the following
Lodges U. D.:
East Gate No.603, at Columbus, Ohio; Cypress
No.604, at Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio; Emmanuel No.605, at Cleveland,
Ohio.
Glouster Lodge, U. D.; W. K. Ricksecker
Lodge, U. D.; and Bremen Lodge, U. D., were continued under dispensations
until the next Annual Communication.
A committee consisting of M.·. W.·.
Bros. George D. Copeland, C. G. Ballou and F. L. Lybarger, was appointed
to procure and present the usual Past Grand Master's jewel to M.·.
W.·. Bro. Charles S. Hoskinson.
The Committee on Necrology presented their
report containing proper testimonies to the memory of M.·. W.·.
Bro. William M. Cunningham, the senior Past Grand Master of this Grand
Lodge, who died August 16, 1909; the 977 Brothers of this Grand Jurisdiction
who died during the past year, and a number of distinguished Brothers
of Sister Grand Jurisdictions, which report was adopted and is printed
in the proceedings.
The following distinguished Masons being
present were escorted to the Grand East and introduced by Past Grand
Master Nelson Williams, viz.: M.·. W.·. Barton Smith,
Past Grand Master, Lieutenant Commander of the Supreme Council Thirty-third
Degree of the A. A. S. R. of N. M. J.; M. Ex Comp. W. T. S. O'Hara,
Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R. A. M. of Ohio; and M.·.
W.·. Bro. William B. Melish, Past Grand Master, B. Em., Deputy
Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of the U. S. Knights Templar. The
Grand Honors were given, and a formal welcome tendered by the M.·.
W.·. Grand Master, which was responded to by each of the distinguished
Brothers.
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence,
through its Chairman M.·. W.·. William A. Belt, presented
its report covering 209 pages and reviewing the proceedings of 64 Grand
Jurisdictions and is a valuable addition to the many instructive and
able reports of this Grand Jurisdiction, and is specially commended
to all Masonic students.
The Committee on the Centennial Celebration
of the organization of this Grand Lodge in the year A. D. 1808, presented
a detailed statement of the ceremonies and proceedings attending this
celebration held during the Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge
at Cincinnati, Ohio, October 21 and 22, A. D. 1908; and which was printed
as an appendix to the proceedings of 1909, pages 347 to 423 inclusive.
Space will permit us to only insert a brief
synopsis, as follows:
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
of the
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND
ACCEPTED MASONS OF OHIO
FOREWORD
At the session of the Most Worshipful Grand
Lodge of Ohio, held in Cincinnati, October 18, 1905 the following preamble
and resolution, offered by M.·. W.·. Bro. Win. B. Melish,
were unanimously adopted.
"Whereas, This Grand Lodge was organized
in the year 1808, and will probably desire to and should celebrate in
some appropriate manner the centenary of this interesting occasion:
"Resolved, That a Special Committee
of seven be appointed by the incoming Grand Master to take into consideration
the proper manner of observing this event, and to report to this Grand
Lodge at its next Annual Communication a recommendation as to a suitable
program and the probable expense attendant thereon."
And in pursuance of this resolution, the
M.·. W.·. Grand Master, Lewis P. Schaus, appointed the
following:
PRELIMINARY COMMITTEE ON CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
M.·. W.·. Bros. William B.
Melish, of Cincinnati; W. M. Cunningham, Newark; Leander Burdiek, Toledo;
O. P. Sperra, Baveuna, and R.·. W.·. Bros. Horace A. Irvin,
Dayton, and J. H. Bromwell, Cincinnati.
At the Grand Communication, held in Columbus,
October 10, 1906, M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. B. Melish, as chairman,
resented a report on Centennial Celebration including among other things
the following recommendations:
"1. That the celebration of the one
hundredth anniversary of the organization of this Grand Lodge be had
in 1908, in connection with the Annual Communication of the M.·.
W.·. Grand Lodge and under its authority.
"2. That the Grand Master appoint
a committee of nine, of which committee he shall be a member, and that
said committee should be empowered to make all necessary arrangements
for the Centennial Celebration.
"3. That this celebration shall be
held in one of the large cities of the state, the location to be considered
by the Committee on Centennial Celebration, and their recommendation
to be made to the M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge at its Annual
Communication of 1907.
"4. That the program in its general
charter shall consist of a Masonic procession, escorting the M.·.
W.·. Grand Lodge on the morning of its first day session to its
place of meeting. That a commemorative service, with a program of an
historical and Masonic character, with appropriate music, be held in
a large hall during the afternoon of the first day's session, followed
by a reception to Masons and their families by the Most Worshipful Grand
Master and Officers of the Grand Lodge, the program concluding with
an anniversary banquet in the evening, the details of these events to
be arranged by the Centennial Celebration Committee.
"5. We are unable at this time to
report to the Grand Lodge the probable cost of a Centennial Celebration
such as outlined in this report. We recommend that the question of expenses
be referred to the committee to be appointed by the Grand Master, as
suggested in this report, said committee to report regarding the matter
of expenses to this Grand Lodge at its next Annual Communication."
On motion, the report of the committee
was adopted and the recommendations concurred in.
In accordance with the recommendation of
this report the M.·. W.·. Grand Master appointed the following
Brethren as the
COMMITTEE ON CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
M.·. W.·. Bros. Win. B. Melish,
Cincinnati, Chairman; Win. M. Cunningham, Newark; Leander Burdick, Toledo;
O. P. Sperra, Ravenna; Horace A. Irvin, Dayton; Lewis P. Schans, Newark;
and R.·. W.·. Bros. J. H. Bromwell, Cincinnati; Win. J.
Akers, Cleveland, and R. R. Rickly, Columbus.
At the Grand Communication held in Canton,
October 17, 1907, M.·. W.·. Bro. Win. B. Melish submitted
an additional report of the Committee on Centennial Celebration recommending
that said Celebration be held on the third Wednesday of October, (the
21st of the month), in the year 1908, and in the city of Cincinnati.
Which report was, on motion, unanimously
adopted.
THE COMMITTEE'S WORK
The Centennial Committee held its first
session at the Sinton Hotel, in Cincinnati, February 28, 1908, and elected
M.·. W.·. Bro. Win. B. Melish, Chairman, and R.·.
W.·. Bro. J. H. Bromwell, Secretary.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
LOCAL COMMITTEE
The Chairman announced that the Lodges
of Hamilton County had perfected an organization for the purpose of
taking charge of local details and of working in harmony with the Grand
Lodge Committee, and that Bro. E. E. Shipley had been chosen as Chairman
and Bro. Albert L. Knight as Secretary of this local organization.
SUB-COMMITTEES
The Chairman having been authorized to
appoint the necessary sub-committees, announced the following:
Finance - R. R. Rickly, O. P. Sperra, Wm.
J. Akers.
Hall and Meeting Place - L. P. Schaus, Horace A. Irvin, Wm. B. Melish.
Transportation - J. H. Bromwell, L. P. Schaus, R. R. Rickly.
Invitation - Wm. J. Akers, Wm. M. Cunningham, Leander Burdick.
Parade - Horace A. Irvin, O. P. Sperra, R. R. Rickly.
Hotels - Edward F. Shipley, Chairman Cincinnati Entertainment Committee,
First National Bank Building, Cincinnati.
Press and Publicity - O. P. Sperra, L. P. Schaus, Wm. M. Cunningham.
History and Publication - Wm. M. Cunningham, J. H. Bromwell, Leander
Burdiek.
Music - Leander Burdiek, Wm. J. Akers, Wm. B. Melish.
Entertainments - Wm. B. Melish, J. H. Bromwell, Horace A. Irvin.
Reception.- The Past Grand Masters and Past Deputy Grand Masters of
Ohio.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
The committee unanimously requested M.·.
W.·. Bro. Wm. M. Cunningham, the oldest living Past Grand Master
of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, to prepare an historical sketch to be read
by the Grand Secretary, which request was accepted by our venerable
and learned Brother, who subsequently delivered to the committee a full
and interesting resume of the principal events of interest which had
transpired in Masonry in this state during the existence of the Grand
Lodge.
POET LAUREATE
The committee, being fully advised by many
delightful experiences on other occasions of the poetic talent of our
M.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams, unanimously named him
"Poet Laureate" of the coming celebration, and invited him
to prepare an appropriate poem specially for that event, which request
our talented Brother complied with by furnishing and reading the beautiful
poem which will be set out in full later in this memorial.
MUSIC HALL
The Chairman, M.·. W.·. Bro.
Wm. B. Melish, announced to the committee that he had secured Music
Hall for the sessions of the Grand Lodge, as well as for the special
Centennial Celebration on October 21 and 22.
POSTER NOTICES
Special poster notices were printed and
mailed to every Lodge in the state, reminding them of the coming celebration
and inviting their membership to be present.
INVITATIONS
Handsomely engraved invitations to the
number of two thousand or more were ordered to be prepared and mailed
to the officers and members of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, to the Grand
Masters, and Grand Secretaries of other Grand Lodges, and to such other
distinguished Masons as the Committee on Invitation might think proper
to invite.
PARADE
The Subcommittee on Parade was directed
to arrange for a parade of Master Masons, to be reviewed by the Grand
Master and other Grand Officers and invited guests on the 21st day of
October at 2 :30 o'clock P. M., the line of march and other details
to be in charge of that committee.
SCOTTISH BITE CATHEDRAL
The Trustees of the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite of the valley of Cincinnati tendered, without charge,
the use of the handsome Cathedral of the Rite for Reception Committee
headquarters, or any other purpose for which it might be useful or needed,
which offer, it is needless to say, was accepted by the committee with
thanks.
BADGES
Two styles of bronze badges were ordered,
one for the use of the officers and members of the Grand Lodge, and
the other for the Brethren either of our own or other jurisdictions
who might be our guests.
THE CELEBRATION
GRAND MASTER'S INVITATION
The following invitation of the Grand Master
was sent to the Officers of the Grand Lodge, the Masters and Wardens
of Ohio Lodges, Past Grand Officers and District Lecturers, the Grand
Masters and Grand Secretaries of other jurisdictions, and a large number
of other invited guests:
ORDER OF THE GRAND MASTER
On October 5, 1908, M.·. W.·.
Bro. George D. Copeland, Grand Master, issued the following order of
instructions to the Grand Lodge Officers and Members and to the Brethren
of the several Lodges:
THE GRAND LODGE
OF THE
MOST ANCIENT AND HONORABLE FRATERNITY
OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE OF OHIO
OFFICE OF THE GRAND MASTER
GENERAL ORDER NO. 1
To the Masters, Wardens, and Brethren of
the Several Lodges within the Jurisdiction of the M.·. W.·.
Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Ohio.
GREETING:
I. The M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge
F. & A. M. of Ohio will convene in Annual Grand Communication in
the Music Hall, Elm Street, between Twelfth and Fourteenth Streets,
Cincinnati, Ohio, at 9 :30 A. M., Wednesday, October 21, A. D. 1908,
A. L. 5908.
II. All members of the Grand Lodge will,
as early as practicable, report their presence to the Committee on Credentials,
at Boom No.3, ground floor, at the Official Headquarters, the Hotel
Sinton, Fourth and Vine Streets.
III. The Officers and Members of the Grand
Lodge, and visitors from other Grand Lodges, will assemble at the Hotel
Sinton at 9 A. M., October 21, when the Grand Lodge will proceed, under
escort of the Cincinnati Entertainment Committee, to Music Hall.
IV. The Centennial Celebration Parade will
occur at 2 :30 P. M., Wednesday, October 21, and will be under the command
of M.·. W.·. Horace A. Irvin, Grand Marshal of the Parade,
with Bro. James Pettibone as Chief of Staff, to whom, at their headquarters,
Parlor "E," Hotel Sinton, Grand Lodge Members, Masters of
Lodges attending as Lodges, and unattached Brethren will promptly, on
arrival, report for assignment.
V. Lodges under our jurisdiction are hereby
authorized to appear in public from October 20 to October 22, inclusive,
for the purpose of attending this Centennial Celebration. The Grand
Master, and Officers and Committees of the Grand Lodge will be located
at the Hotel Sinton, Official Headquarters, the Parlor of the Grand
Master being Room No.322. The office of the Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer,
etc., and of the Centennial Celebration Committee will be Parlors "C"
and "E."
Given under my hand at my office in Marion,
this fifth day of October, A. D. 1908, A. L. 5908.
GEO. D. COPELAND, M.·. W.·. Grand Master
Attest:
J. H. BROMWELL, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary
Masonic Temple, Cincinnati.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
The program of entertainment for this day
was as follows:
Beginning at 10 o'clock A. M., the Grand
Lodge Officers and members and visiting Brethren were registered and
badges and tickets for the various entertainments distributed.
At 6 P. M. a banquet was tendered by the
local committee to the Masonic Veterans' Association, consisting of
Brethren who have been Master Masons for twenty-one years or more. This
banquet was given at the Scottish Bite Cathedral and was largely attended,
finely served, and made unusually interesting through the exchange of
reminiscences on the part of these veteran members of our Order, some
of whom joined the Fraternity a half-century or more ago.
At 7:30 P. M. the work of the various degrees
was exemplified at the Masonic Temple as follows:
Vattier Lodge No.386, Entered Apprentice
Degree; Cincinnati Lodge No.133, Fellow Craft Degree; Lafayette Lodge
No.81, Master Mason's Degree. In addition to this work, Hanselmann Lodge
No.208 exemplified the Master Mason's Degree in the German language.
At the same hour, and up to 11:30 P. M.,
a reception and smoker to our visiting Brethren was held at the Business
Men's Club, at which music, fraternal greetings, refreshments and cigars
entertained our visitors and furnished them a delightful evening.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
The day opened bright and pleasant and
was perfect in every respect. Great throngs filled the streets, and
upon the buildings in the business center of the city fluttered Masonic
banners and emblems by the thousands. The people of Cincinnati vied
with each other in making the celebration a success and in welcoming
the visiting Masons from every part of Ohio and from neighboring states.
The program of the day was initiated by
the march to Music Hall and the formal opening of the Grand Lodge, was
passed along to the immense parade in the afternoon, and was raised
to a sublime degree of enthusiasm in the exercises of the evening.
OPENING OF GRAND LODGE
At 9 o'clock A. M. the local Entertainment
Committee to the number of one hundred reported at the headquarters
of the M.·. W.·. Grand Master at the Sinton Hotel to act
as an escort to the Grand Lodge to Music Hall.
At 9:30 the procession was formed, the
Grand Officers, Past Grand Masters, Past Deputy Grand Masters, District
Lecturers, and representatives of the various Lodges, numbering altogether
nearly a thousand (being in line, with military bands interspersed at
suitable intervals, and the march was made to the place of meeting.
On arriving in front of Music Hall the
procession was massed and a large group photograph of the members of
the Grand Lodge was taken, after which the Brethren entered the hall,
the officers took their stations, and the following exercises were had
prior to the opening of the Grand Lodge, M.·. W.·. Bro.
Wm. B. Melish, Chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee, making the announcements:
OPENING EXERCISES
OF THE
GRAND LODGE OF OHIO FREE AND ACCEPTED
MASONS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1908
MUSIC HALL, CINCINNATI
9:30 A. M. - Organ Recital.... Bro. John
Yoakley
10:00 A. M. - Invocation .... Mozart Scottish Rite Double Quartette.
10:10 A. M. - Prayer.... Rev. Bro. Paul R. Hickok R.·. W.·.
Grand Chaplain.
10 :15 A. M. - Welcoming Address.... R.·. W.·. Bro. Edw.
F. Shipley Grand Orator, Chairman Cincinnati Entertainment Committee.
The Lord is My Strength.... Blodgett Scottish Bite Double Quartette.
Welcome to Cincinnati.... Hon. L. Markbreit Mayor of Cincinnati.
Response.... George D. Copeland Grand Master of Ohio.
Lift Thine Eyes.... Mendelssohn Charity.... Nembach Scottish Rite Double
Quartette.
Announcements of the Grand Lodge Centennial Celebration Committee,
M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. B. Melish, P. G.M., Chairman.
ORGAN RECITAL
The recital on the great organ was by Bro.
John Yoakley and delighted all, especially those who heard this famous
organ for the first time.
VOCAL MUSIC
The vocal music was furnished by the Scottish
Rite Double Quartette, and it is needless to say was rendered in the
most finished and artistic manner.
WELCOME
The welcoming address and the responses
were eloquent and impressive, and were greeted with frequent and hearty
applause.
HOME BOYS AND GIRLS
The final number of the program was unexpected
and came as a surprise to the hundreds of Brethren on the floor.
Fifty inmates of the Ohio Masonic Home
twenty-seven boys and twenty-three girls suddenly appeared upon the
stage and proceeded to render a number of songs which they had been
taught at the Home. The incident was both interesting and pathetic,
and many eyes were moist as the wards of the Order sang in their youthful
tones of "Home, Sweet Home."
They had been brought from Springfield,
where the Home is located, to Cincinnati in charge of the Superintendent,
Bro. John W. Parsons, and his wife the Matron, were met at the depot
and escorted to the Hall.
They remained in the city until the afternoon
of the 22d, and were given the time of their lives.
The visited the Zoo and saw the animals, rode in a tallyho about the
city, and were the guests of the Committee for a number of other pleasant
experiences, including a visit to the Walnut Street Theater to see "Buster
Brown," which they enjoyed to the limit.
THE PARADE
The M.·. W.·. Grand Master
having appointed M.·. W.·. Bro. Horace A. Irvin, Past
Grand Master, to act as Grand Marshal of the Centennial parade, general
orders were issued by the Grand Marshal for its formation and management.
The details set out in these orders were
carried out to the letter, and promptly at 2:30 P. M. the greatest Masonic
procession ever seen in this and probably any state, took up its line
of march.
That some proper conception may be had
of its magnitude the report of the Chief of Staff to the Grand Marshal,
is submitted:
REPORT OF CHIEF OF STAFF
To M.·. W.·. Bro. Horace
A. Irvin, Grand Marshal.
Dear Sir and Brother: The report of participants
in the Centennial parade is as follows:
MASONIC PARADE . . . . . . . . Officers
. . Past . . Members . . Officers . . Past . . Master . . Total
Cincinnati, October 21, 1908 . . . G. L. . . .G. M. . . . G. L. . .
. of Lodges . Mast. . Masons
Mounted Police . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Grand Marshal and Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
FIRST DIVISION
Marshal and Ades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Hofer's Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
LaFayette Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . 23 . . . . 18 . . . . . 219
Grand Lodge of Ohio . . . . . . . . .14 . . . . . .24 . . . . . 800
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 838
First Regiment Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Masonic Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECOND DIVISION
Marshal and Aides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Bellstedt's Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
McMillan Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .9 . . . . . .18 . . . .161 . . . . . 188
Hanselmann Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .8 . . . . . . 6 . . . . 167 . . . . . 181
N. C. Harmony Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 8 . . . . . .10 . . . .100 . . . . . 118
Ohio Masonic Home,65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Smittie's Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
Excelsior Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 10 . . . . . . 14 . . . . 96 . . . . . 120
Walnut Hils Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .10 . . . . . . 10 . . . .150 . . . . . 170
Madisonville Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .7 . . . . . . . 3 . . . . .66 . . . . . . 76
Wyoming Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . 5 . . . . .60 . . . . . . 74
THIRD DIVISION
Marshal and Aides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Kohlbrand's Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Cincinnati Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .7 . . . . . . .18 . . . 118 . . . . . 143