USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > History of the Grand lodge and of freemasonry in the District of Columbia : with biographical appendix > Part 28
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The so-called adoptive rites, admitting women to member- ship, which have flourished for over 400 years in certain European countries, and that one which under the title of the " Order of the Eastern Star," has met with phenomenal suc- cess in comparatively recent years in this and other countries, claim to, and in a large measure do, supply this omission. They give the necessary passport to the close blood dependents of the ancient Craft that may bring to them that protection and succor that is their inalienable right.
This of itself constitutes the great and unassailable reason for the existence of the Order, while, to give it attractiveness and permanency, the ritual is enriched and beautified by moral and religious instruction, such as Masonry itself everywhere
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seeks to inculcate, and, in addition, the social side of life is made an effective instrument for the enlargement and perpetu- ation of the institution.
Freemasonry does not exercise the least control over the Eastern Star or kindred Orders, and therefore the term " adoptive" is only applicable in the limited sense that the Fra- ternity at large is gradually recognizing the value of such or- ganizations and more and more extending encouragement to them.
Particularly is this true on this Continent, where it is a not- able fact that in every instance the establishment and growth of an Eastern Star community has been followed locally by an unwonted interest and zeal in the Masonic Fraternity, and this has largely operated to quiet the prejudices aroused in the earlier years of its appearance. Along this line it may be noted that as early as 1849 we find the Grand Lodges here and there becoming uneasy about this alleged innovation of degrees for women, and drastic resolutions against their encouragement were passed by some of these bodies, and this attitude was maintained in isolated localities well up toward the latter part of the century; but this sentiment was by no means the pre- vailing one and is now rapidly disappearing.
The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, always con- servative yet always liberal, has not withheld its encourage- ment from the Order, and the relations between the two or- ganizations, drawn together through the joint management of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home, has ever been increas- ingly amicable and mutually profitable. But long before the formation of the first chapter in this section the best senti- ment of the Fraternity is indicated in the following extract from the address of Grand Master R. B. Donaldson, one of the bright particular Masonic stars in the history of this juris- diction, delivered May 26, 1870, before the Grand Lodge :
It is also an important question, I will here re- mark, whether Lodges of Adoption, which enlist the gentler sex beneath the protecting banners of our Order, are not bene- ficial to Craftsmen. True, the fair neophytes may not be con-
On Sligo Mill Road and proposed extension of New Hampshire Avenue, D. C.
COMPLETED WING OF MASONIC AND EASTERN STAR HOME.
-
4.7 7
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tent with the partial withdrawal of the vails which conceal our secrets ; but I do not share the apprehension of a distinguished Craftsman, expressed at Boston, that within the next hundred years we shall see women wearing the mystic apron, handling the emblematic trowel, and debating whether men should any longer be initiated into the secrets of the Order."
About the middle of the nineteenth century a Rite of Adop- tion was recognized and regulated by the Grand Orient of France, and it is probable that this Rite was introduced into the Colonies by the French officers who aided the American Government during the Revolutionary War, but there is no evidence that the ritual of the Rite corresponded in any degree with the one in use by the Order of the Eastern Star today. Indeed a translation of the former by the late Albert Pike, in 1874, destroys any attempt to establish a close relationship. That the present Order, however, is the outgrowth or legiti- mate descendent of the rite above referred to is a reasonable and acceptable conclusion from the data at hand, but the ritual by which it finds expression is conceded to be, in its substantial entirety, the work of Robert Morris, a distinguished Masonic brother, who during his lifetime claimed to have compiled it about 1849, and to have spent a number of years subsequently in communicating it.
In 1868 Brother Morris resolved to devote the balance of his life to Masonic explorations in the Holy Land, and Robert Macoy, of New York, claimed that he turned over to him the prerogative he had assumed in the Order of the Eastern Star ; but previous to this Macoy had arranged a manual of the Order, which was published by the Masonic Publishing Com- pany and was not copyrighted. In this he styled himself " National Grand Secretary," and attempted to keep up the semblance of a supreme Grand body. In 1876 he assumed the title of " Supreme Grand Patron," and issued 641 charters to thirty-five different States, the District of Columbia receiv- ing one, which was organized in Hiram Lodge room, Nine- teenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W., and known as Electa Lodge, having among its members some of the most
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prominent Masons of the jurisdiction, Mr. J. H. Jochum, Jr., then Deputy Grand Master and later Grand High Priest, and others, taking an active interest in the new departure. This lodge appears to have existed for a period of six or eight years.
It becoming evident about this time that the Supreme Grand body was purely imaginary with Bro. Macoy, who exercised all the functions of such a body, and incidentally enjoyed all the emoluments thereof, active steps were taken in 1874 to form a legitimate General Grand body, and this was con- summated in 1876, in the Masonic Temple at Indianapolis, Ind.
At the time of this organization the Order consisted of thirteen Grand Chapters, with 275 subordinate chapters, and a membership of 13,000, in striking contrast with the present showing of forty-nine Grand Chapters, 6,549 subordinate chapters, and a membership of 521,141.
The first chapter under the present regime in the District was chartered by the General Grand Chapter July 17, 1892, and Brother Lantz, Worthy Patron of Alpha Chapter, Balti- more, Md., was deputized by the Most Worthy Grand Patron of the General Grand Chapter to organize Ruth Chapter, No. 1, in Stansbury Lodge Room, Brightwood, D. C., with fifty- two charter members. This was followed, July 12, 1894, by the formation of Electa Chapter, No. 2, meeting in Anacostia Lodge Room; January 25, 1895, Naomi, No. 3, in Scottish Rite Cathedral; May 12, 1895, Martha, No. 4, Naval Lodge Hall; January 6, 1896, Esther, No. 5, Scottish Rite Cathedral ; Jan. 11, 1896, Adah, No. 6, Hiram Lodge Room. Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 6 were granted permission, through special reso- lutions of the Grand Lodge, to meet in the lodge rooms desig- nated above, and these resolutions logically brought about the adoption of an omnibus order, allowing any subordinate lodge to grant this permission in future.
In 1896 the membership in the District numbered 855, in six chapters, subordinate to the General Grand Chapter, and paying into its treasury per annum twenty-five cents per capita. On March 30, 1896, these six chapters, by a concur-
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rent resolution, petitioned the General Grand Chapter to form a Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia. In accordance with the call of the Most Worthy Grand Patron, the repre- sentatives and delegates of the several chapters in the jurisdic- tion met in Scottish Rite Cathedral, April 30, 1896, and or- ganized the local Grand Chapter.
The growth of the Order in the District has been remark- able in the last decade, fourteen chapters in all having been chartered since 1892, twelve of which are still flourishing and known, besides the above, as Bethlehem, No. 7; Mizpah, No. S; Areme, No. 10; Brookland, No. 11; Takoma, No. 12; Temple, No. 13, and Cathedral, No. 14, with an aggregate membership of 3,113 at the last report, October 31, 1910. Adalı, No. 6, chartered in 1896, became extinct in a few years, was later revived with the No. 9, but passed away again after a brief period.
In 1899 the Grand Chapter appointed a committee to inves- tigate the advisability and practicability of establishing a Home for aged and dependent Masons, their widows and orphans, and for indigent members of the Order of the East- ern Star. Upon a favorable report, active work was at once begun and rapidly carried to successful conclusion, the Ma- sonic Fraternity, after a few years, cooperating with the Or- der in the maintainance of the enterprise. The detailed his- tory of this notable achievement, which stands as a lasting monument to the perseverance and effectiveness of the or- ganization, appears in the chapter on Benevolences, and an- swers in full all arguments against the existence of this valu- able auxiliary to Masonry.
The positions of Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron in the District have been filled as follows : Mrs. Alcena Lamond, L. Cabell Williamson, 1896 ; Mrs. M. Ella Espey, Cor- nelius W. Okey (deceased), 1897; Mrs. Carolyn A. Handy, W. E. Nalley, 1898 ; Mrs. Willie R. Messenger (deceased), Mil- lard T. Dixon, 1899; Mrs. Carrie B. Allen, John F. O'Neill, 1900; Mrs. Almeria S. Williamson, Fred J. Randolph, 1901; Mrs. Eliza P. Walson, Charles J. O'Neill, 1902; Mrs. Carrie
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Bornheim, Bennett A. Allen, 1903; Mrs. Nellie M. Lander- gren, Adolphus Gude, 1904; Mrs. Katie M. L. Gude, George W. Mobray, 1905; Mrs. Jeannette R. Newton, William F. Hunt, 1906; Miss Clara E. Ball, J. J. Faber, 1907; Mrs. Julia N. Streater, William F. Gude, 1908; Mrs. Mary T. O'Brien, Tom J. Landergren, 1909 ; Mrs. Hattie R. Hutchinson, Angus Lamond, 1910, while the present incumbent of the office of Grand Secretary, Mrs. Rose A. Yost, has ably filled that po- sition continuously since 1900.
WILLIAM G. HENDERSON, GRAND MASTER, 1900.
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
BIOGRAPHIES.
THE LIFE STORY OF EACH GRAND MASTER OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JURISDICTION AND OTHER BRETHREN OF NOTE.
In the preparation of the following biographical sketches the author has aimed to bring the subjects into view as men, as citizens, and as Masons. The lapse of time, the fragment- ary character of the earlier records, the remarkable dearth of local news in the public prints of the first half of the last century, and the lack of information and sometimes indif- ference of descendants have prevented the fullest realization of this hope, and yet sufficient data has been gathered to con- stitute an interesting and valuable addition to our local his- tory, which is here presented.
JOHN VALENTINE REINTZEL,
GRAND MASTER, 1811.
An old Luther Bible, published at Basel, Germany, in 1839, originally the family Bible of the Reintzels, and now in the custody of the librarian of Georgetown College, contains several leaves of family notes, written in German, and from these we quote the following extract : "John Valen- tine Reintzel was born and came upon this earth-came into this world- in the year Anno 1761, on the 26th day of February, in the sign of the Archer (Sagittarius), and received holy baptism."
.
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He was the son of John Valentine Reintzel, Sr., who came to this country from Hamburg, Germany, in the latter part of the eighteenth century and settled at or near Georgetown. Both father and son seem to have abbreviated the baptismal name, and were known as Valentine Reintzel, Sr. and Jr., respectively.
While only the most meager data concerning the subject of this sketch is available, sufficient evidence is at hand to show that he was an in- fluential citizen and identified with all the progressive movements of his day in the locality of his adoption, the first recorded meeting of the Corporation of Georgetown, held November 28, 1791, at the house of Joseph Semmes, showing him present as a Common Councilman.
That he was a prosperous business man is attested by the land records, which show his large holdings of real estate, and that he was public- spirited and philanthropical seems to be established by the alleged donation by him of the site on which the old Bridge (M) Street Presbyterian Church of Georgetown stood for many years and his recorded liberality in all of his lodge's subscription charities.
His Masonic activity commences with the earliest pages of recorded local history, and with the story of the struggles of the Fraternity in the pioneer days his name will always be inseparably linked as that of a forceful leader.
We find him Master of Lodge No. 9, of Georgetown, in 1793, and in that capacity participating with the illustrious Washington in the cere- mony of laying the cornerstone of the Capitol building, and being on that occasion signally honored by having placed in his charge by the first President the gavel used in the exercises-a gavel ever since cherished by Potomac Lodge and the jurisdiction as a most precious heritage.
Throughout all the trying experiences of the Fraternity during the last decade of the eighteenth and the first of the nineteenth centuries he appears to have been a leading spirit, and as one of the original members helped to place Potomac Lodge, No. 43, chartered November 11, 1806, on a firm footing, acting as Worshipful Master thereof for the years 1807, 1808, 1809, and 1810, and continuing his activity by substituting in the minor offices as late as 1815, when we find him acting as Junior Warden. From its formation until 1810, the Lodge met in the third story of his residence.
Brother Reintzel was prominent in the movement to form the Grand Lodge of the District and was honored by being elected the first Grand Master, his election by the convention called for the purpose of creating a Grand Lodge taking place January 8, 1811, and the installation following at the first meeting of the Grand Lodge, as such, February 19, 1811.
He died in the latter part of 1817, and the Grand Lodge, being notified thereof at the stated communication of December 27 of that year,
Resolved, unanimously, that the Past Grand Officers of this Grand Lodge be and they are hereby required to wear crepe on the left arm for the space of one month as a token of the brotherly love and respect entertained by the said Grand Lodge for their deceased Brother and late R. W. Grand Master.
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One of the many disappointments which have come to the author of this work is his failure, after the most diligent and far-reaching search, to bring to light a drawing or painting of this good man and Mason for reproduction in these pages.
ALEXANDER McCORMICK,
GRAND MASTER, 1812-13.
This Brother was the immigrant son of a Church of England minister in Ulster, who came to Georgetown in the latter part of the eighteenth century and eventually moved to Capitol Hill, where he spent the balance of his life. From 1807 till his death he filled the position of Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in that section, passing away February 18, 1821, and being interred with distinguished Masonic honors in Congressional Cemetery.
Bro. McCormick, while a clergyman, also was a citizen of prominence, identified with all the progressive movements of his day, and served for some years as alderman and a member of the City Council.
As a member of the Masonic Fraternity, however, his history is best known. He was initiated in Federal Lodge, No. 15 (now No. 1), February 1, 1796, passed February 13, 1796, and raised March 7, 1796. At once he began to make his mark in Fraternity circles, and as early as 1798 represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of Maryland; was Master of his lodge in 1806, 1808-9, 1812-14, and 1816; Secretary in 1810. He was a delegate from Federal in the convention to form a Grand Lodge in the District and served as chairman of that gathering. After serving as S. G. Warden in 1811, he became the second Grand Master and filled that office with conspicuous ability through the formative years of the infant Grand Lodge.
There is at this time in the possession of Federal Lodge a code of by-laws drawn up by Bro. McCormick in 1798, when he became Master, having for its object " a restoration of dignity and discipline; or return to true Masonic character and conduct; a lessening of conviviality, and the provision of a sure revenue to enable the lodge to live, work, and pay its way."
Bro. McCormick was undoubtedly a member of the so-called Royal Arch Encampment appendant to Federal Lodge, No. 15, in 1795-99, for in the re-organization of the Grand Chapter of Maryland and the District of Columbia in 1807 we find him elected as Grand Treasurer of that body. During the latter years of his life he took great interest in the advancement of Capitular Masonry.
One of the most interesting relics in the possession of the Grand Lodge is a fragment of spermaceti candle presented to it by the widow of a son of Bro. McCormick's in 1867, and represented as being the remains of the candle carried by him at the funeral of General Washington, and with which he was said to have entered the tomb. Corroborative evidence leaves no room for doubt as to the genuineness of the souvenir which is carefully preserved.
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AMOS ALEXANDER,
GRAND MASTER, 1814 AND 1817,
This Brother was born in Cecil County, Md., in 1760, and settled in Alexandria, Va., sometime prior to 1800. In 1803 he was appointed In- spector of Flour at Alexandria, and held that position until 1824, when he resigned. During the following year he passed away in the city of his adoption.
Bro. Alexander appears to have been a public spirited and useful citizen, and filled the then very important post above referred to with credit, as is evidenced by his long tenure of office. In this connection it must be recalled that at that time the port of Alexandria was one of first im- portance. According to his contemporaries he was a man of sterling integrity and universally respected.
In Masonic circles he was ever active and was one of the pioneers in the formation of this Grand Lodge, appearing as a delegate from Alexandria-Brooke Lodge, No. 47, at the original convention in this city December 11, 1810, and taking an active part in the subsequent formative steps.
He served as Master of Brooke Lodge, No. 2, in 1814, 1817, and 1818; as Deputy Grand Master, 1812, 1813, and 1816 (an instance of elevation to the Grand East without previous service as Master), and was Grand Master in 1814, and again in 1817.
Another unique feature of his Masonic career is furnished by the fact that four years subsequent to his service as Grand Master he filled the position of Junior Warden of Brooke Lodge for one term in 1821, and that of Senior Warden for the years 1822 to 1825.
Upon his retirement from office as Grand Master the Grand Lodge unanimously passed a resolution of thanks to him "as a testimony of their unfeigned respect for his person, and for the able and impartial manner in which he has discharged the duties of Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia."
He passed away sometime in 1826.
JOHN DAVIDSON,
GRAND MASTER, 1815-16,
The subject of this sketch was a son of Gen. John Davidson, of An- napolis, Md., who was one of the original proprietors of the land within the lines of the original District of Columbia. He was born and resided in Richmond, Va., until early adult life, and for many years thereafter was a resident of the First Ward in this city and conducted what was known as Davidson's wharf, located near the mouth of Rock Creek. He was a prominent and active citizen and identified with all the pro-
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gressive movements of the period and, in common with the leading citizens of that early day, was a member of the Union Fire Company, which organization held many of its meetings at his house.
The lapse of time, together with the meager records available, pre- clude the possibility of giving a pen picture of the personality and char- acteristics of the man, but that he filled a large place in the early history of Washington is beyond question, while as one of the pioneer Masons of this section, his service was of the greatest value, especially during the formative period of the Grand Lodge immediately after its institution, the few records preserved to us showing his intelligent initiative and participation at every step.
Originally a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 36, of Richmond, Va., he dimitted therefrom and united with Lebanon Lodge, No. 7, of this jurisdiction May 1, 1812 ; was Worshipful Master, 1813-1815, and treasurer, 1819-1825.
In the Grand Lodge he served as Deputy Grand Master in 1814, and Grand Master as above.
He passed away October, 1829.
DANIEL KURTZ,
GRAND MASTER, 1818-19.
One of the sturdy pioneers of Masonry in all its branches in the District of Columbia it is a matter for serious regret that the lapse of time has forever dropped the curtain and excluded from our view much con- cerning this Brother's general life which might picture him to us in his character as a citizen and as a man.
His Masonic history, however, has been preserved with some degree of completeness and, judging from the fact that for nearly half a century he stood high in the councils of the Fraternity and was a revered, respected, and beloved member of the Order, it requires only the most ordinary imagination to complete the picture and endow him with all the attributes which make for good citizenship and upright manhood.
Brother Kurtz was born at Georgetown, then in Frederick Co., Mary- land, October 5, 1784. When a youth he entered the Columbia Bank in that [thien] town, afterwards becoming cashier and holding the position until the bank closed, when he was appointed trustee to settle its affairs. He was subsequently appointed chief clerk in the Indian Bureau under the United States Government when, losing his position, by a change of administration, he devoted himself to farming until his death, which occurred August 10, 1846. The farm which he owned and on which he spent the last years of his life was an extensive tract on the west side of the present Rock Creek Park and including a part thereof.
While the date of Bro. Kurtz's entry into Masonry is unknown, he was
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connected with Federal Lodge for sometime prior to 1806, his name being inserted in the register about January, 1806. Dimitting therefrom during the same year he became a charter member of Potomac Lodge, No. 43 (now No. 5).
As a delegate from this lodge he took a prominent part in the formation of the Grand Lodge of the District. He filled the position of Master of Potomac Lodge for the years 1811, 1813, 1815, 1823, and 1826; was S. Grand Warden in 1814, Deputy Grand Master, 1815, 1817, and Grand Master, 1818 and 1819.
In local Capitular Masonry his is one of the earliest figures of which we have record, his name appearing on a list of members of the R. A. Chapter, which was a revival of the Royal Arch Encampment attached to Federal Lodge, in the year 1808. He became a charter member of Potomac R. A. Chapter, No. 8, upon its formation in 1818, served as Secretary for the years 1818 and 1819, as High Priest in 1820, and as Treasurer in 1844. He also had the distinction of being the Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Maryland and the District of Columbia during the years 1820-22.
Bro. Kurtz was also a charter member of Washington [Commandery] Encampment, No. 1, K. T., and in the Scottish Rite had attained to the 17th degree.
He passed away August 10, 1846.
WILLIAM HEWITT,
GRAND MASTER, 1820-21, 1828-29.
Brother Hewitt was a man of prominence in the early days of the City of Washington, and filled several public offices of trust, among others that of Register of the City from 1810 to 1838.
He was for many years treasurer of the old Patriotic Fire Company, and resided on the site of the Stewart Building, corner Sixth and D Streets, N. W., in which Gen. Scott had his headquarters at the opening of the Civil War.
For a quarter of a century he was an active, interested, and valuable worker in Symbolic Masonry in the District and has the distinction of having been connected with three local lodges during that period.
He was initiated in Federal Lodge, No. 1, June 3, 1811, passed August 5, 1811, and raised September 2, 1811. November 4, of the same year, he withdrew to become a charter member of Lebanon Lodge, No. 7; served the latter lodge as Secretary in 1811 and 1812; J. W., 1813; S. W., 1814; Worshipful Master, 1816 and 1817, and withdrew therefrom February 15, 1822. He was a charter member and the first Master of The New Jer- usalem Lodge, No. 9, and retained the East there for the years 1824 to 1826 inclusive.
Harry Starcifort
GRAND MASTER, 1901; GRAND HIGH PRIEST, 1902.
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