As it became more evident to colored Masons in Ohio that the Masonic bodies in the United States would neither recognize their Grand Lodges nor acknowledge them as Masons, the opinion grew that foreign Masonic bodies would not have the same attitudes. The fact could never be overlooked that a British lodge had admitted Prince Hall and that a charter for Masonic work had been issued by the Grand Lodge of London, England. Travelers in Europe had also reported how well they were received by Masonic bodies and individual Masons. These travelers returned to report the lack of Masonic prejudice there. The anti-slavery tradition and absence of color prejudice were associated with several foreign nations and peoples.
This attitude was expressed by Grand Master William H. Parham, in his annual address to the Grand Lodge in 1876, when he said that he believed that prejudice would be reduced only "through foreign sympathy, foreign fraternity and foreign aid," and that he had seconded the labors of Brother Justin Holland "to whom more than to any other man in this Jurisdiction belongs the credit of pushing our claims to the successful result which had been reached before the Masonic powers of the world."
The American attitude had its origin in color prejudice but it based itself ostensibly upon the principle of exclusive Grand Lodge or territorial jurisdiction. This principle had its American origin in an action of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on September 10, 1794, stating its determination "not to grant any charter of erection to any Lodge out of this Commonwealth, where another Grand Lodge has jurisdiction." This doctrine was encouraged by an agreement between the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts and New York. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts suggested on January 4, 1796, in a communication to the Grand Lodge of New York that a regulation be adopted declaring "that no charter or dispensation for holding a Lodge be issued by any Grand Lodge to any number of Masons, residing out of the state wherein the Grand Lodge is established."
From this resolution there had developed the doctrine that a Grand Lodge is the exclusive authority in a state and that no Grand Lodge may come into the territory of another, nor could fraternal recognition be given to such a lodge or lodges. This doctrine has been used to discourage and discount Prince Hall Masonry. It has not been approved outside of the United States. In many areas in Europe there are concurrent jurisdictions.
In this connection, General Albert Pike on February 7, 1877, sent a letter to the Supreme Council of Peru with the following statement, quoted in Ohio Masonry, 1925: "The doctrine of exclusive Grand Lodge jurisdiction had grown up in the United States, and has been accepted here as politic and in the interest of harmony. It does not prevail in Europe, and is not a part of Masonic organic law, and its zealots here have not been content to stop when they pushed it to the verge of absurdity." This doctrine was a convenient weapon to use against Prince Hall Masonry, although it has not been used as a general principle in Masonry. In England, Ireland, Scotland, and other parts of Europe, there are Grand Lodges operating in the same territory.
On the question of recognition of Prince Hall Masonry, Prince Hall Historian Harry Davis has written". . . it is appropriate to note that the Prince Hall Mason has never asked for formal recognition of his own volition. When such a request was made, it was invariably induced by the solicitation of members of the dominant group who felt the inconsistency manifested in the separation of the two groups by the color line. Such was notably the case when action was precipitated in Massachusetts in 1869, New Jersey and Ohio. There always has been, and always will be, Masons who will insist that the Masonic creed and the Masonic practice must coincide. The projection of Prince Hall Masonry as an issue will continue until creed and practice are reconciled by the test of Square, Plumb and Level."
Since foreign lodges had no such views as American Lodges, correspondence and contacts were kept up with these lodges.
The one Prince Hall Mason most interested was Justin Holland who conducted this work in a most effective manner. He had served Masonry in Ohio in several capacities. He was made a Master Mason in 1862 in Eureka Lodge No. 14, Cleveland, Ohio. He participated in the organization of Excelsior Lodge No. 11 and served as its first secretary. He served his lodge as Junior Warden and Worshipful Master. In 1875 and 1876, he was elected Deputy Grand Master and served as Grand High Priest in his Royal Arch Chapter. However, his most distinguished service was rendered in the development of the foreign relations of the Grand Lodge from 1871 to 1883. This was the period when the effects of the action of the white Masons of the Grand Lodge of Ohio had spent themselves in fixing the separation of the lodges without recognition. The colored Masons felt these effects keenly. Brother Holland, who was charged with these negotiations, has reported at length upon them.
There were six grand lodges in foreign countries which established recognition and fraternal relations with the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio. The first of these recognitions and acknowledgements came from the Grand Lodge of Peru. The Most Serene Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Peru, Don Blas Jesel Alzmora, addressed a letter to Grand Master William T. Boyd of the State of Ohio. This letter was dated July 31, 1874. It was written in Spanish and was translated by Brother Holland as follows:
''Distinguished and Esteemed Brothers:
"Your appreciated letter of the 15 January ult., is received and, in reply, I am happy to make known to you the great pleasure afforded by the reception of such communications, and more still, to answer them. You have judged correctly, Illustrious Brother, in supposing that your communication would be received with courtesy, and you may rest well assured that its contents have given me great satisfaction. The Grand Orient, under which I have the honor to preside, will always receive with sentiments of fraternal love all communication from its sister Grand Lodges of the utter extreme of the hemisphere, and will, with alacrity, answer and sustain correspondence with it, promptly executing the precepts of our Royal Arch.
"I have ordered our Grand Secretary to communicate with you in full, congratulating you on the success of your Worshipful Grand Lodge.
"With sentiments of my distinguished
esteem, I submit myself yours fraternally, recommending the appointment
of Grand Representatives from our Grand Orient and your Grand
Lodge, of which our Grand Secretary writes to you; I subscribe
myself your Brother and co-worker,
Bias Jesel Alzmora 33º
"Most Serene Grand Master Orient of Peru
Arthur M. Whorley 33º Grand Secretary
Grand Orient of Peru."
It seemed desirable according to Brother Holland that information should be given to the Grand Orient of Peru concerning the Grand Lodge of Ohio and that it should be stated that the Grand Lodge was composed of a colored membership. Grand Master Boyd was of the same opinion and a letter was written giving the history of Masonry among colored Americans and the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The circumstances surrounding the division of white and colored Grand Lodges were outlined in this letter. A reply was received from the Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Peru stating that he did not recede from the position which he had stated in his previous letter and that he would place the question before the Grand Orient in session. This session was held on April 9, 1874, and attention was called to the matter. He requested a careful examination of the material concerning the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio and the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of 1875, concerning this correspondence. The Grand Orient of Peru referred the subject to a special committee and it was postponed to a regular communication of the Grand Orient.
This session was held on April 4, 1875, when the Grand Master placed before it a communication stating that he had held correspondence with the Ohio Grand Lodge which had resulted in an application for recognition by the Grand Orient of Peru. He submitted the correspondence of Grand Master Boyd and among the references which he made were: "It is due that I should say to you that in all of the states of our sisters of the North, exist Grand Lodges of whites and others of colored men. The first deny to the second initiation, and refuse them admission into their lodges even though they may be already Masons. This attitude has compelled the colored brethren to form independent Grand Lodges which are now soliciting our foreign Masonic governments, the recognition which they had not been able to obtain from the Brethren of their own country. The Grand Orient of Hungary has already recognized them, and in France and Germany the subject is being warmly debated." He recommended consideration of the documents and approval of his proceedings in this matter.
The subject was again referred to a special committee. The Committee reported on June 13, in favor of recognition. The official Bulletin reported "the official recognition solicited by the Grand Master Wm. T. Boyd, was approved being saluted with a triple Battery of the degree."
Arthur M. Whorley, the Grand Secretary, was designated as representative of, the Grand Lodge near the Grand Orient of Peru and Brother Justin Holland had been designated as a representative near the Grand Lodge of Ohio for the Grand Orient of Peru. Brother Whorley was accepted and recognized by his Grand Lodge and charged to send the commission to Brother Holland and this was done in the authorization as follows: "Be it known, that reposing full confidence in our very beloved Brother Justin Holland, we have deemed it opportune to constitute and appoint, and by these presents we do constitute and appoint the aforementioned Brother Justin Holland, Representative of the Grand Orient of Peru, near the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio, for the objects mediated."
On the same day the Grand Lodge adopted the following Resolution: "The Grand Lodge of Peru officially recognizes the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ohio, William T. Boyd, Esquire, Most Worshipful Grand Master. The Grand Orient of Peru, nominate, constitute, and appoint Justin Holland, Esquire, Grand Representative of the Grand Orient of Peru to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ohio, conferring on him the rank of Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Peru." This recognition is the first foreign acknowledgement which had been granted to the Ohio Grand Lodge of colored Masons in the United States.
During the same period, correspondence had been maintained with Masons in Germany and at a meeting of the League at Darmstadt, May 16, 1875, after discussion concerning the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, the motion was approved: "Concerning the recognition of the two Grand Lodges, Prince Hall of Massachusetts and Ohio, the Grand Lodge Convention declares these lodges to be legally constituted, and all German lodges will cheerfully open the doors of their halls, therein to welcome the members of the above Grand Lodge or their Daughter Lodges."
The League of German Grand Lodges placed its approval upon these two lodges. This approval was a recognition of the legality and Masonic regularity of the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Massachusetts and Ohio. There was no exchange of representatives as was the case in the Grand Lodge of Peru, but it was an authorization for the Grand Lodges of Germany to enter into fraternal relations with the two Grand Lodges.
On May 17, 1875, Grand Master Frederic Glitza of the Grand Lodge of Hamburg addressed a fraternal letter to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of colored Masons for the State of Ohio requesting that he would send the names of three members from whom he could select one as a representative of their Grand Lodge in the Grand Lodge for the state of Ohio, and said that he would also send three names from his Grand Lodge for a similar selection. The Grand Master selected Brothers John R. Blackburn, Justin Holland, and Peter H. Trott. The Grand Lodge of Hamburg met on June 24, and Brother John B. Blackburn, Grand Secretary, was chosen as the representative of the Grand Lodge of Hamburg near the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio and his diploma and Jewel were received at a meeting of the Grand Lodge, August 8, 1875, Dayton, Ohio. He was requested to appear at the meetings of the Grand Lodge as the representative of the Grand Lodge of Hamburg and to take part in its debates as far as representatives of other lodges were allowed to do and to promote the connection between both Grand Lodges. Brother Gustav Morgenstern was chosen from a list of three names by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, as the representative of the State of Ohio.
The fourth foreign recognition was from the Grand National Orient of the Dominican Republic. A letter was sent to the Grand Master of this Orient by Grand Master William T. Boyd of the State of Ohio, February 14, 1875, with reference to recognition. There was some delay in the reply to this letter. It was received under date of August 17, 1875, with an accompanying letter from the Grand Secretary. Grand Master Jacinto de Castro 33º acknowledged receipt of the letter and concurred in the desires to draw closer the bonds of union which existed between the Masonic bodies of the world.
He suggested the exchange of representatives so that a Brother might be selected to represent them in the character of their Grand representatives and included a list in order that the Grand Lodge representatives of the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio could select from it their representatives. Brother Juan Augustin Cohen, Grand Secretary, was chosen as the representative for the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio near the Grand National Orient of the Dominican Republic and Past Grand Master William T. Boyd was appointed by Grand Master William H. Parham to represent the Grand National Orient of the Dominican Republic near the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio.
The fifth recognition was the result of overtures to the Grand Orient of France which were made in correspondence in November, 1872. Another letter was sent in 1873, under date of April 25, and on May 31 the Council of the Grand Orient of France appointed a Committee to study the subject and report concerning it. Brother Holland stated as a result of the letter received on July 2, from the Grand Master that he prepared a letter giving information concerning the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio. Brother Holland also noted that in April, 1876, he received a publication The Mond Maconnique, published in Paris which printed a statement that the Council for the Grand Orient of France, in its session of April 8, had approved the proposal of Brother Caubet "to recognize as regular Masonic power the Grand Lodge of colored men of Missouri, and the Grand Lodge of colored men of Ohio," and "fraternal relations supported by garents d'amitie, will henceforth be established between these Masonic powers in the Grand Orient of France."
Grand Master William H. Parham had instructed Brother Holland to correspond with the Grand Orient of France concerning this matter. When this information was received, Brother Holland wrote a fraternal letter to Grand Master Caubet expressing his high appreciation of the work which Brother Caubet had done in the cause of the colored Masons of the United States and stated that as a mark of esteem, the Grand Lodge of Ohio desired to nominate him as representative of the Grand Orient of France. This nomination was accepted by Brother Caubet. On July 8, 1876, a fraternal letter was sent by the Grand Master for the State of Ohio to Brother Caubet containing his nomination as a representative to the Grand Orient of France near the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio. The Council for the Grand Orient of France confirmed this nomination and the member appointment of Brother Holland by Grand Master Parham to represent France near the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio.
The sixth recognition was by the Grand Orient of Italy; This procedure dated from March 1, 1873, when Grand Master William T. Boyd sent a letter concerning recognition. The first known reply was received on April 10, 1876. Brother Holland addressed a fraternal letter to the Grand Master of Italy soliciting fraternal recognition. In this case as in others, Brother Holland was careful to designate the Grand Lodge as "Grand Lodge of Colored Masons for the State of Ohio" so that the request would be understood from its racial point of view. The reply was received from the Grand Secretary, Luiga Castelazzo, stating that the letter would be laid before the Grand Orient of Italy at its meeting. He also offered to serve the cause of the Grand Lodge before the Grand Orient of Italy and the Commission was immediately sent to him authorizing him to act as the representative near the Grand Orient of Italy.
On July 7, 1876, the Grand Lodge of Colored Masons for the State of Ohio was recognized by unanimous vote by the Grand Orient of Italy as a regular Masonic power in the following words: "The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio in the United States of America, is recognized as a regular Masonic power by the Grand Orient of Italy, which will hold with said Grand Lodge cordial relations of friendship and brotherhood." Brother Parham was chosen to represent the Grand Orient of Italy near the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio, and Brother Luiga Castelazzo was chosen as a representative for the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio near the Grand Orient of Italy.
The seventh recognition was by the Grand Orient of Hungary which was started by letter from Grand Master Boyd in 1874. The reply to this letter reached the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio (white), and for more than two years there was no further word on the subject. Brother Holland revived this correspondence and suggested the appointment of Dr. Hermann Beigel, hospital Director at Vienna, as the Grand Lodge "Representative General in Europe." Grand Master Parham made this appointment. This led to the renewal of correspondence. Brother Holland sent an account of the history of Colored Masonry in the United States and of the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio. With this statement, there was sent an application for fraternal recognition.
On March 4, 1877, this recognition was formally
granted in the following words: "The
preliminary negotiations between the Grand Orient of Hungary and
the Representative General of the Grand Lodge for the State of
Ohio has reached a conclusion and led to a very happy result.
The Grand Orient of Hungary, as was to be expected, concluded
in its session of the 4th of March, to formally recognize the
colored Grand Lodge of Ohio, the legitimate organization of which
was proved by the Representative General, and to enter into representative
and friendly relations with it." The Grand Orient of Hungary
proposed Brother Michael Kemeny, a, member of the Council of the
Order, as the representative of the Grand Orient, and Grand Master
Parham was proposed as the representative of the Grand Lodge for
Ohio.
These recognitions were important proofs of the legality and regularity of the Graud Lodge for the State of Ohio. The representatives near these foreign Grand bodies were Most Worshipful J. G. Kindell, Representative General to the European Grand Lodges with the rank of Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio, Leipsig, Germany; Brother Arthur M. Whorley of San Francisco, for the Grand Orient of Peril, Lima; Brother Gustav Morgenstern, for the Grand Orient Of Hamburg; Brother Ceraldino Santiago, Santa Domingo, for the Grand National Orient of the Dominican Republic; Brother Caubet, Paris, France for the Grand Orient of France; Brother Luigi Castelazzo, Rome, Italy for the Grand Orient of Italy; Brother Michael Kemeny, Budapest, Hungary, for the Grand Orient of Hungary; Brother Hermann Beigel, Vienna, Representative General for Europe. The representatives of the foreign Grand bodies near the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio were: Brothers James A. Guy, Grand Orient of Peru, Zanesville, Ohio; John R. Blackburn, Grand Lodge of Hamburg, Xenia, Ohio; W. T. Boyd, Grand Orient of Dominica, Cleveland, Ohio; Lewis D. Easton, Grand Orient of France, Cleveland, Ohio; William H. Parham, Grand Orient of Italy, and Grand Orient of Hungary, Cincinnati, Ohio.
These recognitions were important not only to the Grand Lodge of Ohio but also to Prince Hall Masons generally, for they gave evidences of approval and of brotherhood at a period in history when such sanctions were needed. Prince Hall Masons had been rebuffed as well and were unrecognized by American Masons. While these recognitions had little influence on American attitudes toward Prince Hall Masons, they were of inestimable value in strengthening the morale and giving assurance to Prince Hall Masons that they were upon sound foundations and that segregation and denial of fellowship could not invalidate their foundations in Masonic history and tradition.
This period of Masonic separation within the United States and recognition abroad was paralleled by continued consolidation of the advancement which had taken place within the state. Beginning, with 1869, there was a period of years when there was the continuous leadership of Grand Masters who served regularly and continuously for terms of years. These terms gave them opportunity to interpret and to establish ideals and programs for Grand Lodge developments. The same developments occurred in the offices of Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary. During this period, continuance in office gave opportunity for the consolidation of gains and the building of the fraternity from within. The period witnessed the Grand Masterships of William T. Boyd, 1869-1875; William H. Parham, 1875-1878, and Samuel W. Clark, 1879-1887.
Marked progress was made by the Grand Lodge of Ohio under Grand Master William T. Boyd. He was born in Frederick County, Virginia, October, 1829, and when six months of age was taken to New Harmony, Indiana. He became a bricklayer and then worked for forty-one years as a railroad baggage master. He was made a Master Mason in Union Lodge No. 5 in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1850. He came to Cleveland, Ohio in 1851, and participated in the organization of Eureka Lodge No. 14. He was elected Worshipful Master of this lodge in 1857. He, with other members of Eureka Lodge, withdrew from it, when the lodge decided to continue its relationships with the National Grand Lodge, contrary to their views. They organized Excelsior Lodge No. 11 and Brother Boyd was elected its first Worshipful Master. He attended his first Grand Lodge Communication as an active participant in 1865, and two years later was elected Deputy Grand Master serving until 1868. He then became Chairman of the Committee on Grand Master's Addresses and served as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence.
In 1869, Brother Boyd was installed as Grand Master There were few lodges and only 720 members when he under took this work. At the conclusion of his Grand Mastership in 1874, there were 37 lodges with 868 members. He also led in the establishment of fraternal relations with other Grand Lodges, although some of these lodges were withdrawing their connections with the Ohio Grand Lodge during his administration. When Grand Master Boyd left office, he had established fraternal relations with twenty-three General Lodges, and as noted above Foreign Grand Lodges had given recognition to the Grand Lodge of Colored Masons of Ohio. He served during his Grand Mastership as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence and insisted upon emphasizing this aspect of the work. It was unusual for a Grand Master to continue as Chairman of this Committee but Grand Master Boyd had a deep interest in this work. He also began the collection of pamphlets and documents dealing with Masonry from Grand Lodges, Grand Orients and Supreme Councils. These materials were said to amount to over three thousand in number and was regarded as "the most complete collection of Masonic documents of any colored Mason in the country."
It was under Grand Master Boyd that the Constitution of 1873 made provision that the Grand Lodge should hold stated communications annually. Under this action the time of meeting was changed from June to August and the length of the session was limited to three days. One of the reasons for this change was to make it convenient for teachers of the public schools to meet, as there was a large number of them who were then active in Masonry.
Under Grand Master Boyd's administration, Golden rule Lodge No. 30 was established at Zanesville, June 23, 1870, with the following officers elected: James A. Guy, Worshipful Master; R. J. Tate, Senior Warden; William P. Messer, Junior Warden; William M. Tate, Treasurer; Amos Guy, Secretary; Alexander Pointer, Senior Deacon; James Garrison, Junior Deacon; George Guy, Senior Steward; William Gall, Junior Steward, Robert Johnson and D. McNabb, Tylers. This lodge has a historical background dating from its charter by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania as Canon Lodge No. 9, under which it operated from 1850 to 1869. After withdrawing from the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge, it carried on it work as Golden Rule Lodge until its charter under the Grand Lodge of Ohio was issued in 1870.
LaBelle Lodge No. 31 was established in Ohio in 1870 at Bellefontaine with the officers in the following year as follows: Joseph H. Hicks, Worshipful Master; T. D. Bray, Senior Warden; S. Stewart, Junior Warden; C. H. Bray, Secretary; Joseph H. Artis, Treasurer. St. Luke's Lodge No. 32 was established at Washington Court House with the following officers: Alex Anderson, Worshipful Master; L. D. Chester, Senior Warden; Israel Morgan, Junior Warden; John H. Evans, Secretary; W. T. Evans, Treasurer. There was one lodge outside of Ohio which was organized, Job Thompson No. 33 at Pulaski, Tennessee.
In 1871, three lodges were established in Ohio. Cedar Grove Lodge No. 17 had been organized at Greenfield in 1869, but the warrant of constitution was not granted until June 22, 1871, by the Grand Lodge of Ohio meeting at Delaware. Mt. Lebanon Lodge No. 20 was organized at Mechanicsburg in 1871 and began its work in 1873, with the following officers: H. Newman, Worshipful Master; P. Duncan, Senior Warden; Y. Y. Young, Junior Warden; L. Price, Secretary; C. D. Hill, Treasurer. Ionic Lodge No. 6 was chartered by the Grand Lodge, June 23, 1871. The original officers were: J. W. Jackson, Worshipful Master; George W. Beard, Senior Warden, and John F. James, Junior Warden. One lodge, Rubicon No. 27, was established at Warsaw, Kentucky in the same year. Its original officers were: Gleming Cousins, Worshipful Master; E. J. Burton, Senior Warden; Nelson Jack, Junior Warden; W. F. Cousins, Secretary, and C. Robinson, Treasurer.
Another permanent step in the history of the Grand Lodge was made in 1871, which was additional evidence of the competent leadership given by Grand Master William T. Boyd in the consolidation of Prince Hall Masonry, when an incorporation was obtained by the Grand Lodge. This incorporation was filed in Hamilton County, on June 26, 1871. The Grand Lodge thus became a body politic under the Statutes of Ohio. A fire subsequently in this Courthouse destroyed this document and other important records with it. However, this was an important step in the history of the Grand Lodge. It gave the subordinate lodges a sense of permanence and of the legal endorsement of their work.
The Proceedings of this historic session of 1871 are as follows:
Grand Lodge Proceeding, 1871
Delaware, Ohio
Morning Session
Saturday, June 24, 1871
The Grand Lodge was called from refreshment to labor, M. W. Grand Master Presiding.
Prayer by Rev. Bro. J. P. Underwood, Grand Chaplain.
The Minutes were read and approved.
INCORPORATION OF GRAND LODGE
Bro. Wm. T. Boyd, in behalf of the Trustees elect of the M. W. Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio, submitted a statement of the organization of a convention of the members of this M. W. Grand Lodge for the purpose of taking such steps as may be necessary to become an incorporated body, and that the convention had performed its work and adjourned, sine die:
A Convention, composed of the members of the Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio, was held in the Lodge Room of White Sulphur Lodge No. 10, Templars' Hall, Delaware, Ohio, for the purpose of considering the matter of having incorporated the M. W. Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio. Mr. A. J. Anderson was called to the Chair, and Mr. W. H. Parham elected as Secretary.
On motion, a committee of five was appointed to report resolutions expressive of the sense of the Convention of the matter for which the Convention was holden, consisting of David Jenkins, Peter H. Clark, J. P. Underwood, W. T. Boyd, John R. Blackburn.
The committee, after consultation, reported the following:
Whereas, It is expedient, for the purpose of protecting and accomplishing the purposes for which we are organized, that the M. W. Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, for the State of Ohio and its Jurisdiction, shall be incorporated; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we take the necessary steps to become a corporate body under the Statutes of Ohio.
Resolved, That five trustees be elected, whose term of office shall be five years; provided, that the first five elected shall serve one, two, three, four and five years, and that they shall draw lots to determine the term of service, and one be elected thereafter annually.
Resolved, That said trustees shall hold and control all real and personal property of the association; have power to fill any vacancy that may occur in their body, until the next meeting of the association.
On motion, Justin Holland, A. J. Anderson, David Jenkins, Wm. T. Boyd, T. B. Caldwell, were elected as Trustees, being distributed as follows: D. Jenkins, 5 years; J. Holland, 4 years; T. B. Caldwell, 3 years; W. T. Boyd, 2 years, and A. J. Anderson, 1 year.
Adopted.
A. J. ANDERSON, Chairman
WM. H. PARHAM, Secretary
Five lodges were warranted in the State of Ohio in 1872. Fountain Lodge No. 35, was warranted at Yellow Springs in this year, and began its work in 1873, with the following officers: George E. Wilson, Worshipful Master; P. Thompson, Senior Warden; Henry Brown, Junior Warden; Joseph P. Smith, Secretary; Tucker Stewart, Treasurer. Craftsman's Lodge No. 36 at New Richmond was warranted in 1872, and began its work in 1873, with Ira Houston, Worshipful Master; Henry Fox, Senior Warden; Benjamin Lamb, Junior Warden; Philander Fox, Secretary; Thomas Perry, Treasurer. Corner Stone Lodge No. 37 was organized at Harveyburg in 1872, and its first officers reported in 1874 were: Jackson Stewart, Worshipful Master; John Lynch, Senior Warden; E. Bennett, Junior Warden. H. M. Singleton, Secretary, and George Mills, Treasurer.
Ancient Square Lodge No. 40 was organized July 4, 1871, with officers as follows: Lot Dower, Worshipful Master; Is sac Williams, Senior Warden; Preston Findley, Junior Warden; George Wheeler, Treasurer; Solomon Day, Secretary; John Butler, Senior Deacon; William Wheeler, Junior Deacon and James Cowan, Tyler. Its warrant was received October 10, 1872, from Brother Justin Holland who was deputized by Grand Master Boyd. Acacia Lodge No. 42 was warranted in 1871 at Clyde. Its officers in 1872, were G. R. Taylor, Worshipful Master; D. Whetsall, Senior Warden; S. Manley, Junior Warden; H. Windsor, Treasurer; J. Hawkins, Secretary.
There were two lodges warranted for Detroit, Michigan, and one for Parkersburg, West Virginia in l872. This was the period of the controversy concerning the National Compact. The Masons of Detroit had voted their views that the National Compact was illegal and irregular. The new lodges, Hiram and Mt. Pavan Lodges, of Detroit and North Star of Grand Rapids secured their dispensations from Ohio, with the idea of forming an independent Grand Lodge separate from the National Grand Lodge.
Mt. Pavan Lodge No. 45 was organized in Detroit, Michigan in 1872, with William Mumford, Worshipful Master; Thomas Cary, Senior Warden; Edward Harper, Junior Warden; Richard Gatewood, Treasurer; and C. E. Thompson, Secretary. Unity Lodge No. 46 was also organized in this year in Detroit with the following officers: J. F. Mitchell, Worshipful Master; J. F. Richards, Senior Warden and James M. Wells, Junior Warden. It was in the same year, 1872, that these lodges and others assembled in Detroit, September 23, and formed the Unity Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Michigan.
Ancient York Lodge No. 33 was warranted at Gallipolis, Ohio in 1874, with its first officers as follows: G. S. Jones, Worshipful Master; Samuel Johnson, Senior Warden; J. S. Asbury, Junior Warden; C. W. Gee, Treasurer; J. Allen, Secretary. White Post Lodge No. 43 was organized at Springfield in 1874. Its officers were: P. C. Parker, Worshipful Master; Daniel Frye, Junior Warden; W. George, Treasurer; Joseph Nelson, Secretary. One lodge, Western Star Lodge No. 34 was authorized by the Grand Lodge of Ohio in 1873, and began its work in 1874, with officers as follows: Hannibal G. Lett, Worshipful Master; Winston Smith, Senior Warden; J. R. Johnston, Junior Warden; Ishmael Keith, Treasurer, Allen Williams, Secretary
In 1875, William Hartwell Parham was elected eleventh Grand Master, after serving as Eighteenth Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio. He was born in Petersburg, Virginia in 1839. He moved to Philadelphia and came to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1868. He taught in the Cincinnati public schools and succeeded Peter H. Clark, an out standing Masonic leader, as principal of Gaines High School, a position held by him until the termination of this institution in 1888. Brother Parham studied law at the Cincinnati Law School and was graduated in 1874. The following year, 1875, in which he was elected Grand Master, was characterized by consistent building of the Order from within. The expansion of the Grand Lodge through new lodges was continued but there were periods when lodges were not organized.
At a later period, Brother Parham entered the practice of law and was elected to the 72nd General Assembly of the State of Ohio from Hamilton County, 1896-1897. In 1903, he was appointed Historiographer of the Grand Lodge and served in this capacity until his death.
Associated with Grand Master William H. Parliam as Grand Master were the Grand Officers: Justin Holland, Deputy Grand Master; George H. Bailey, Senior Grand Warden; Charles W. Bell, Junior Grand Warden; A. J. Anderson, Grand Treasurer; J. R. Blackburn, Grand Secretary, who had served as Grand Secretary since 1865. Past Grand Master William T. Boyd continued to serve as Chairman of Foreign Correspondence.
There were two lodges warranted by Grand Master Parham for Louisville, Kentucky in 1876. They were Parham Lodge No. 26, named in his honor and Southern Cross No. 39. Parham Lodge No. 26 had its original officers as follows: Alex Hanks, Worshipful Master; Franklin Glass, Senior Warden Solomon Stone, Junior Warden; S. L. Hopkins, Treasurer; John W. Turner, Secretary. Southern Cross Lodge No. 39 had as its officers in 1877: Shelton Guest, Worshipful Master; J. A. Brown, Senior Warden; William T. Banks, Junior Warden; S. Gillespie, Treasurer; Horace Wrightson, Secretary.
Two lodges were established in Kansas in 1876. They were Euclid Lodge No. 45 at Topeka and Olive Branch No. 46 at Leavenworth. Euclid Lodge No. 45 had as its officers: Samuel Hanks, Worshipful Waster; Franklin Glass, Senior Warden and Arzaniti Allen, Junior Warden. Olive Branch Lodge No. 46 had the following officers: F. O. Banyon, Worshipful Master; Austin Clark, Senior Warden and Oscar Harris, Junior Warden. In Mississippi in 1876, Olive Branch Lodge No. 42 was organized at Yazoo City, with officers as follows: Charles Harris, Worshipful Master; Walter Boyd, Senior Warden and William H. Hayman, Junior Warden.
Within the state of Ohio, Occidental Lodge No. 44 WM W granted in 1876 at Lima and in the next year 1877, the lodge began its activity with officers as follows: M. Morris, Worshipful Master; B. Shafer, Senior Warden; J. Averton Junior Warden; D. Sheafer, Treasurer, and John Ferguson, Secretary.
There were two lodges warranted in Ohio
in 1878. They were Champion Lodge No. 15, Springfield and Hannibal
Lodge No. 41, Newark. The officers of Champion Lodge No. 15 were:
William H. Dickson, W. M.; J. N. Moore, Senior Warden; John Wilborn,
Junior Warden; L. C. Filmore, Treasurer and Elias Smith, Secretary.
Hannibal Lodge No. 41 was organized November 20, 1871 as Doric
Lodge No. 11 The original Officers appointed by the Grand Master
for purposes of organization were: J. P. Underwood, Worshipful
Master; Wesley Gassaway, Senior Warden; John Norman Junior Warden;
Elisha Guy, Senior Deacon; Robert Johnson, Junior Deacon; William
Henry, Treasurer; John Bailes, Secretary, and Henry Sheldon, Tyler.
On July 12, 1877, interested brothers assembled under the call
of Brother James Guy, Deputy Grand Master of the State of Ohio,
and proceeded to reorganize Doric Lodge No. 11 as Hannibal Lodge
No. 41. The original officers were: Daniel M. Guy, Worshipful
Master; Charles T. Wright, Senior Warden; John Clark, Junior Warden;
William Carey, Senior Deacon; Andrew Rossin, Junior Deacon; William
Henry, Treasurer; Charles Toney, Secretary and Henry Allen, Tyler.
At the last Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge under Grand Master Parham and on his recommendation, a committee on history was appointed, "whose duty it shall be to compile a History as soon as possible of this Grand Lodge." The Grand Master appointed his committee as follows: Brothers William T. Boyd, Justin Holland, Richard Fortson and George H. Bailey. It was reported that this committee set to work earnestly and began to assemble material for a History.
The twelfth Grand Master was Samuel Wilcox Clark, 1879. 1888. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 25, 1846. He tended at first a private school, and then later the public schools. His first employment was as a cabin boy on a steamer between New Orleans and Cincinnati. When the Civil War began, the boat on which he worked was turned into a gunboat by the government. He remained with the crew and participated in the capture of General John Morgan's raiders. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Cincinnati and continued his education finally attending Adrian College, Michigan, for two years, leaving there because he did not have the funds to continue. He returned to Cincinnati to teach in the Walnut Hills Schools. He participated in the organization of the Clark Literary Circle, named for educator, Peter H. Clark. He became principal of the Western District Public Schools, a teacher in the Gaines High School and finally entered United States Government Service.
Brother Clark was initiated in Masonry and made a Master Mason in 1870 in True American Lodge No. 2, in Cincinnati. In 1871, he was elected Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for Ohio and lifted it rapidly to new heights. He was also elected Most Eminent Commander of the Knights Templars. In 1879, he was elevated to the office of Grand Master.
Associated with him were Masons of considerable experience. Among them were such Deputy Grand Masters as Justin Holland, J. W. Blackburn, and James A. Guy. The Grand Treasurers were A. J. Anderson, and W. H. Dickson, and the Grand Secretaries were J. R. Blackburn, C. L. Maxwell and Jere A. Brown. The ardent work of Brother Clark in Masonry began to manifest itself immediately in the administration of the Grand Lodge and in good counsel and guidance given to the subordinate lodges. He traveled extensively through the state and beyond its borders in the interest of Masonry.
When Clark began work in 1879 as Grand Master, there were thirty-live lodges with 913 members. When he completed his work in 1887, there were forty-live lodges with 966 members. The number of lodges had increased but the membership had riot increased too extensively for it was Grand Master Clark's opinion that Masons should be qualified and prepared and such Masons were not found in numbers.
One of the first lodges organized in this administration was Prince Hall Lodge No. 42 at Ironton, Ohio in 1879. The origin of the lodge grew out of the efforts of Brother Augustus Richard Green Guy, who came to Ironton as principal of the colored schools. He organized a Masonic Club arid petitioned the Grand Lodge for the establishment of a lodge. In November, 1879, Grand Master Clark, with other Grand Officers and members of Trinity Lodge No. 9 of Portsmouth, initiated, passed, and raised these members to the Sublime Degree of Master Masons. The Lodge was granted its charter by the Grand Lodge in 1880.
The original officers were A. R. G. Guy, Worshipful Master who had been a member of Rose Croix Lodge No. 28, Wilmington, Ohio; Wilson R. Carter, Senior Warden; John Baker, Junior Warden; David Hughes, Treasurer; P. G. Chapman, Secretary, Henry Woodfin, Senior Deacon; Cornelius James, Junior Deacon; David Schell, Senior Steward; James Toliver, Junior Steward and John Robinson, Tyler.
Another lodge, Goff Lodge No. 23 was renamed
in 1880, Golden Square Lodge No. 23. The officers of the newly
named Lodge were John Brown, Worshipful Master; Robert Mayers,
Senior Warden; James Bayard, Junior Warden; James M. Steward,
Treasurer, and Thomas Oliver, Secretary.
There was only one lodge organized and warranted by the Grand Lodge of Ohio outside of the State during Grand Master Clark's administration. This was Mt. Olive No. 34 at Louisville, Kentucky organized in 1880. The original officers were John H. Kean, Worshipful Master; Joseph H. Johnston, Senior Warden; A. J. Gibson, Treasurer; W. H. McRidley, Secretary.
Three years later, there were four lodges
warranted within the State of Ohio. One of these, Garfield Lodge
No. 31, was organized at Delphos in 1883, and launched with the
following officers in 1884, C. C. Underwood, Worshipful Master;
A. Payne, Senior Warden; P. L. Findlay, Junior Warden; G. A. Webster,
Treasurer and C. E. Taylor, Secretary. Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 43
was warranted in 1883, and began with the following officers in
1885: W. H. Jenkins, Worshipful Master; William T. Jupiter, Senior
Warden; Jared Jenkins, Junior Warden; Riley Jenkins, Treasurer
and William Turner, Secretary. Hiram Lodge No. 45 was warranted
in 1883 and had the following officers in 1884: W. T. Smith, Worshipful
Master; Douglass Mullen, Senior Warden; George W. Bryant, Junior
Warden, C. M. Roberts, Treasurer and Israel Roberts, Secretary.
Light of the West Lodge No. 46 was warranted in 1883 for Cleveland,
Ohio.
In the following year, Silver Leaf Lodge No. 47 was warranted
and began its work at Akron, Ohio, in 1885, with its original
officers: Lewis Thomas, Worshipful Master; R. N. Jones, Senior
Warden; E. M. Hailstock, Junior Warden; N. C. Lewis, Treasurer;
C. T. Alexander, Secretary. This Lodge was the only regularly
warranted one for this year.
However, Eureka Lodge No. 52 made a new beginning in 1885. This Lodge was unique in Ohio's Lodge History, because it held two warrants. One was under the Grand Lodge of Ohio as Eureka No. 4, and the other under the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Eureka Lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Ohio in 1865, and continued in the Grand Lodge until 1868, when the Grand Lodge withdrew its membership from the National Compact. Eureka Lodge declined to agree with the action of the Grand Lodge and its Charter was revoked. All of Eureka's members were suspended indefinitely with the exception of Jared Hughes, Fred Anderson, Moses Simmons and J. R. Evans. The Lodge then remained under the Grand Lodge of Ohio in 1885 as Eureka Lodge No. 52. Its officers at this time were Samuel Brooks, Worshipful Master; Fred Thomas, Senior Warden; T. W. Walker, Treasurer; Robert Scott, Secretary.
In 1887, there were two lodges established in Ohio. Mystic Lodge No. 20 was started with William H. Lucas, Worshipful Master; J. T. Mason, Senior Warden; J. M. Lucas, Junior Warden; W. H. White, Treasurer and I. L. Strother, Secretary. Miami Lodge No. 48 had its origin in December, 1886, when twelve members of Union Lodge No. 18, Piqua, Ohio, obtained their permits for the purpose of organizing a lodge at Troy. Their petition to the Grand Lodge was approved and Grand Master Clark set up the Lodge at Troy as Miami Lodge No. 48 in 1887. Its officers in 1888 were John A. Hall, Worshipful Master; Harrison Boze, Senior Warden; G. W. Street, Junior Warden; Wesley Anderson, Treasurer and W. A. Jones, Secretary.
The consolidation of these lodges into a
more unified whole was a task most challenging to the Masonic
leaders of Prince Hall Masonry in this period. Faced with non-recognition
and non-acceptance by American Masons, they were determined to
build within the Grand Lodge and through the Masters reach tile
subordinate lodges as they grew in number so that Prince Hall
Masons could be proud of their heritage.
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