USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 11
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The returns for 1841 showed thirty-nine members; one of whom was Joel A. Matteson who was inaugurated Governor of Illinois in 1853.
Rock River Lodge U.D.
Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Kentucky, August 30, 1841:
The Grand Master reported that since the last annual convocation of the Grand Lodge, the following Dispensation for the formation of a new lodge has been granted.
To William J. Mix, as Master, James J. Beatty as Sr. Warden, and Emanuel Morrison as Jr. Warden. to form a lodge in the town of Oregon City, County of Ogle and State of Illinois, to be known as Rock River, on the 26th of November, 1840.
Diligent search in old county histories and inquiries among old residents have failed to furnish any information about this lodge or the names of the Master and Wardens. Jerusalem Lodge No. 62 was chartered in 1846 but the names of officers are different from those in the first dispensation.
Chapter 8 THE SECOND GRAND LODGE
Preliminary Action
Bodley Lodge May 1, 1837.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to ascertain how many Lodges in this State are organized, preparatory to organizing a Grand Lodge of Illinois, to be held in the town of Quincy.
It was in the office of Alexander Dunlap that the movement to organize the Grand Lodge was started. In 1854, W. B. Warren said:
It was in his room, and in his presence, that the first pen was put to paper towards the organization of the Grand Lodge. It was then that the ball was put in motion. Little did the two individuals who started the enterprise anticipate that the Grand Lodge they were then endeavor- ing to establish would, in the short space of fourteen years, number, under its jurisdiction, 148 lodges with 5,500 members.
Here is the evidence that Alexander Dunlap and William B. War- ren were the two to whom all honor must be given for founding the Grand Lodge.
For June 24, 1839, the minutes of Bodley Lodge No. 97 records the following:
Bro. Ralston read a letter from Harmony Lodge No. 24, at Jack- sonville, relative (to) forming a Grand Lodge in this State. The follow- ing resolution was, after some discussion, passed: Resolved, That we deem it expedient to form a Grand Lodge in this State, and Bros. Ralston and Rogers were appointed a committee to answer said letter on the subject of the Grand Lodge.
On October 28, 1839, Springfield Lodge No. 26 was constituted. At that session on motion:
Bros. Helm, Adams and Lindsay were appointed a committee to represent this Lodge at a convention of the Lodges of this State, to be hield in Jacksonville, on the 27th day of December proximo, for the pur- pose of conferring together as to the propriety of establishing a Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois and determining the place of holding the same.
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November 19, 1839, Equality Lodge No. 102:
Resolved, That a committee of Brothers William J. Gatewood, Ed- mund Jones and Tarlton Dunn, be appointed to correspond with all the subordinate lodges in this State, with a view to reorganizing the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois.
Temperance Lodge No. 27, Vandalia June 10, 1839:
The Worshipful Master laid before the Lodge a communication from a committee of Harmony Lodge No. 24, at Jacksonville, Illinois, on the subject of forming a Grand Lodge in this State, which was read, and on motion, ordered to be laid on the table.
On July S the communication was taken from the table, and re- ferred to Brothers Gorin, McCurdy and MeLaughlin.
On September 4 the following action was had:
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare a memorial or address to the several Lodges held in this State, inviting them to send delegates to a Masonic Convention, to be held at Vandalia, on the 27th day of December next, for the purpose of forming a Grand Lodge for the State of Illinois, and report the same to this Lodge, at the adjourned meeting to be held on Friday next.
November 11, 1839, Temperance Lodge No. 27:
The committee to whom was referred the resolution "to correspond with several Lodges held in this State, inviting them to send delegates to a Masonic Convntion, to be held at Vandalia on the 27th December next for the purpose of forming a Grand Lodge for the State of Illinois," asked to be discharged from further consideration thereof; and the Bro. Worshipful moved that Vandalia be stricken out, and Jacksonville be inserted instead thereof. Agreed to. The chair appointed Bro. Worshipful a committee of one to perform the duties of the above named committee, and he was also appointed a delegate to the convention to be held at Jacksonville, on the 27th December next.
June 22, 1839, Columbus Lodge U.D .:
A communication was produced by the W.M. from the Jacksonville Lodge of Illinois, on the subject of the formation of a Grand Lodge for this State, which having been read, was referred to a committee of the W. Master, Treasurer and Junior Deacon.
The committee were Brothers Jonas, W. D. McCann, and J. Ma- gorian. On July 27 the committee reported as follows:
The committee on the Jacksonville communication reported that they agree in opinion of their brethren of Harmony Lodge, as to the propriety of forming a Grand Lodge for the State of Illinois, and your
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committee trust that on that subject, so important to the interests of Masonry, there will be no diversity of opinion among the Craft. At the same time your committee would suggest, that the final location of the Grand Lodge should be determined on by the delegates from different Lodges, after consultation on the subject. Your committee believe that Jacksonville would be a favorable point for the first meeting, and organization of the Grand Lodge, but differ with the members of Har- mony Lodge as to the time of the meeting-the 27th of December is an unpleasant season of the year for travelling, and your committee be- lieve that but few could be induced to attend at Jacksonville at that time, and your committee believe that the meeting should either take place earlier in the fall, or be postponed until next spring.
Entertaining those views your committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolution:
Resolved, That this lodge approve of the views expressed by their committee, and will co-operate with the other Lodges of this State in the design of forming a Grand Lodge, and will appoint delegates to the same, as soon as the time and place is determined on.
Resolved, That the Secretary transmit to Harmony Lodge No. 24, a copy of this report and resolutions.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
A. Jonas W. D. McCann Jas. Magorian
committee.
Far West Lodge No. 29
March 21st, 5840 .- In answer to a communication from Bodley Lodge No. 1, at Quincy, III., relative to the formation of a new Grand Lodge, Bros. James L. James and Dennis Rockwell were appointed proxies to represent Far West Lodge in the proposed convention to be held at Jacksonville the first Monday in April, and recommended that the G.L. be located at Springfield.
From a report made to Springfield Lodge No. 26 we learn that on December 27, 1839, a convention was held at Jacksonville, to take into consideration the subject of the formation of a Grand Lodge. The report is here given:
That they attended the sittings of the convention, and participated in the deliberations, at the time and place appointed. There was not a general attendance of delegates from the different Lodges of the State, though letters were read from nearly all not represented, approving the object of the convention. After consultation it was unanimously deter- mined that a Grand Lodge should be formed for the State of Illinois. The first Monday of April next was fixed upon as the day for the assembling of another convention at Jacksonville, when it is expected the Lodges
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generally will be represented, the place for the permanent location of the Grand Lodge will be selected, the officers elected, and the Grand Lodge finally constituted. all of which is respectfully submitted,
M. Helm A. Lindsay J. Adams.
committee
For some reason not now apparent another convention was held at Jacksonville on January 20, 1840 and it was unanimously resolved,
That it is expedient and proper that a Grand Lodge for the State of Illinois be established upon principles consistent with, and subordinate to, the general regulations and ancient constitutions of Freemasonry, and that Brothers W. B. Warren and W. S. Vance of Jacksonville and J. Adams and M. Helm of Springfield be a Committee to correspond with the several Lodges in this State and ask their co-operation and assistance and request their attendance by representative or proxy at a convention to be holden at Jacksonville on the 6th day of April A.D. 1840, for the purpose of discussing the propriety of establishing a Grand Lodge for the State of Illinois, and determining the best place for locating the same.
Again Springfield Lodge No. 26:
Whereas, at a meeting of delegates from various Lodges of this State, held at Jacksonville in December last, to consider and decide upon the propriety and expediency of forming a Grand Lodge for the State of Illinois, and to adopt such preliminary measures as might be deemed necessary towards the organization of a Grand Lodge, it is unanimously agreed that the permanent location of said Grand Lodge should be de- termined by a majority of the subordinate Lodges in this State, each Lodge having one vote; and
Whereas, At the subsequent meeting of delegates in April last, which constituted the present Grand Lodge, its location was decided upon in a manner different from that agreed upon at the preliminary meeting aforesaid, and giving to some Lodges an undue preponderance over others in said decision; and
Whereas, This Lodge believes that the only fair and equitable mode of settling that question, involving convenience and interest of all the subordinate Lodges, and of each equally, is by the vote of said Lodges, as such, each Lodge having one vote; and
Whereas, This Lodge will never be satisfied with, or silently acquiese in the decision of said question, not procured in this or some similar way; therefore;
Resolved, That this Lodge does hereby protest against the decision aforesaid, and instructs its delegates to the approaching annual communi- cation to have said decision annulled, and the question of permanent
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location of the Grand Lodge to be determined by a majority of the votes of all subordinate Lodges, or in some other mode equally calculated to secure to each Lodge its due share of influence.
On September 15 the above named preamble and resolutions were passed. The Secretary was directed to write to the Lodges at Hills- boro and Vandalia, and request them to withdraw from the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and unite with the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
Grand Lodge Organized
A convocation was held at Mason's Hall, in the town of Jackson- ville, on the 6th day of April, A.D. 1840, A.L. 5840.
Present.
J. T. Jones, W.M.
W. B. Warren, S.W.
A. Dunlap, J.W.
A. V. Putman, Secy.
S. W. Lucas, Treasurer
W. S. Vance, S.D.
J. N. Lueas, J.D.
A. C. Dixon, S. & T.
Brother Adams appeared as representative of Springfield Lodge No. 26
H. Rogers and H. Dills of Bodley Lodge No. 29
WV. D. McCann, Columbus Lodge No. 20
J. T. Jones, proxy, Equality Lodge No. 102
D. Rockwell, proxy, Far West Lodge No. 29
W. B. Warren and A. Dunlap, Harmony Lodge No. 24
A lodge of Master Masons was then opened according to ancient form and usage. The object of the meeting having been fully con- sidered, it was unanimously
Resolved, That the several subordinate Lodges of Ancient Free- masonry in the State of Illinois here assembled, represented by delegates and proxies properly authorized, consider it as a matter of right and as conducive to the general benefit of Masonry, that a Grand Lodge be established in the State of Illinois, and that they now proceed to estab- lish, organize and locate the same accordingly, to be known and desig- nated by the name of the GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS.
On motion, Brothers Warren, Jones and McCann were appointed a committee to draft and report a Constitution and By-laws for the govern- ment of the Grand Lodge.
On motion, a ballot was held for the purpose of locating the Grand Lodge which resulted in no choice.
On motion, the Lodge was then called from labor to refreshment. 3 o'clock P.M. - The Grand Lodge was called from refreshment to labor; present, same officers and brethren as in the morning.
IL
Mu
PORTRAITS
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Where the Grand Lodge was organized in 1840. Mason's Hall, Jacksonville.
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The committee to draft a Constitution and By-laws reported that they had performed that duty.
The Constitution and By-laws having been read and amended, were adopted.
A ballot was then had upon the location of the Grand Lodge, which was decided in favor of Jacksonville.
On motion, The Grand Lodge then went into a ballot for officers, whereupon the following officers were elected viz;
M.W. Abraham Jonas, G.M.
R.W. James Adams, D.G.M.
W. W. S. Vance, G.S.W.
H. Rogers G.J.W.
W. B. Warren, G. Secy.
A. Dunlap, G. Treas.
On motion, Brothers Warren, Vance and Dunlap were appointed a committee to have the Constitution and By-laws printed.
On motion, the Grand Secretary was authorized to procure a seal for the Grand Lodge; when
On motion, the Grand Lodge was called from labor to refreshment until the last Tuesday in April, 2 o'clock P.M.
Tuesday April 28th A.D. 1840, A.L. 5840
The Grand Lodge was called from refreshment to labor. Present R.W. James Adams, D.G.M.
W. W. S. Vance, G.S.W.
Samuel W. Lucas, G.J.W.
W. B. Warren, G.S.
A. Dunlap, G.T.
P. Coffman, G.S.D.
A.V. Putnam, G.J.D.
A. S. Dixon, G.S. & T.
The following representatives appeared and took their seats, viz: Brothers James Adams, of Springfield Lodge
WV. B. Warren and A. Dunlap, Harmony Lodge
J. T. Jones, Equality Lodge; W. S. Vance and D. Rockwell, proxy Far West Lodge. Visting brethren - J. T. Sigler, C. Ludlum, J. Gregory of Harmony Lodge, and -- Dawson, Saint Louis Lodge No. 20.
On motion, all but Past Masters having retired, a convocation of Past Masters was declared and the M.W. Grand Master was installed by proxy. and the Grand Honors paid him agrecably to Ancient Form and usage. The convocation was then dissolved, and the W. Grand Lodge was called from labor to refreshiment until tomorrow morning, 8 o'clock.
The installation was by authority of Article 36 of the General Regu- lations of 1722.
"But if the Brother whom the present Grand Master shall nominate as his successor, or whom the Grand Lodge shall choose by ballot, as above, is by sickness, or other necessary occasion, absent, he cannot be proclaimed Grand Master, unless the old Grand Master, or some of the Masters and Wardens of Lodges, can vouch upon the honor of a Brother,
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that the said person so nominated or chosen, will readily accept the office."
The Grand Lodge was called to labor again. Present, the same officers and members as yesterday.
The R.W. Grand Master appointed brothers
P. Coffman, of Jacksonville, G.S.D.
I. R. Gray, of Springfield, G.J.D.
Rev. H. W. Osborn, Morgan Co., G.C.
M. Helm, of Springfield, G.M.
A. C. Dixon, of Jacksonville, G.S. & T.
The officers were then installed agreeably to ancient form and usage. Springfield Lodge then surrendered the charter under which she had been working and received one under this Grand Lodge as No. 4. Harmony Lodge surrendered her charter and received one as No. 3.
On motion, Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be authorized to issue charters to the following Lodges, Viz: To Bodley as No. 1; Equality Lodge as No. 2; Far West as No. 5; and Columbus as No. 6.
Resolved, That brother Grand Secretary be directed to make inquiry of the Officers of the late Grand Lodge of Illinois, what disposition was made of the jewels and furniture of said Lodge.
Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be authorized to have the pro- ceedings of this convocation printed, and transmit copies to the several Grand Lodges in the United States, the Canadas and Texas, and request a correspondence with them.
No further business appearing the Grand Lodge was closed in form and harmony.
Attest W. B. Warren
James Adams, D.G.M.
Grand Secretary.
In addition to the first four Grand Officers, Secretary and Treasurer, the By-laws provided for the election of the Grand Orator, Grand Chaplain and Grand Tyler.
Franklin Lodge No. 22, Temperance Lodge No. 27 and Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 33 remained under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Ottawa Lodge No. 114 and Friendship Lodge U.D. were under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. In 1842 the Grand Lodge of Missouri chartered Marion Lodge No. 59 and St. Clair Lodge No. 60. All these lodges have since affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
Chapter 9 ILLINOIS LODGES UNDER MISSOURI
In October 1842 W. B. Warren, Grand Secretary, visited the Grand Lodge of Missouri at St. Louis. He took with him a document to that Grand Lodge reading:
Whereas, it has been represented to this Grand Lodge of Illinois that several subordinate Lodges in this State are working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and, whereas, this Grand Lodge being in a state of infancy, whilst the Grand Lodge of Missouri is in a state of affluence, and not doubting their willingness to extend the hand of friendship and assistance to her sister Grand Lodge, and believ- ing, morcover, that it would be conducive to the interest and well being of Masonry that the Grand Lodges of the several States should govern and control the Masonic family within their bounds. Therefore,
Resolved, That Brother G. Secretary be requested to visit the Grand Lodge of Missouri at its next grand annual communication, and respect- fully request said Grand Lodge (as the Grand Lodge of Kentucky has done) to dissolve their connexion with the subordinate Lodges in this state. And further, that Brother G. Secretary tender to said Grand Lodge the best wishes of the Grand Lodge of Illinois for her Masonic prosperity and success, and the desire of this Grand Lodge for a continuance and interchange of those social relations which characterize our Fraternity for so many ages.
WV. B. Warren, B. Secretary.
The reply to this, after some preliminary remarks was:
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Missouri, while she will at all times cherish those Lodges which choose to remain under the jurisdic- tion of this Grand Lodge will at the same time cordially approve the act of any subordinate Lodge working under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge within the State of Illinois, that may find it convenient and desirable to withdraw from our jurisdiction and place herself under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
Yet, your committee cannot see upon what grounds this Grand Lodge would be justifiable in absolving its connexion with those Lodges contrary to their wish, unless they establish the principle that in every case, upon the establishment of a Grand Lodge in a State, the whole of the Lodges in that State would thereby be forced either to surrender their charters or attach themselves to that Grand Lodge. To show, there-
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fore, how unjust the establishment of such a principle would be, it will only be necessary to examine the practical effect it would produce.
Suppose, for instance, that there are fifty Lodges in the State of Illinois working under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, and that some three or five of those Lodges determined to form a Grand Lodge, they would, under the above principle, force the whole of the other Lodges into a connexion with them, thereby making a very small mi- nority rule a very large majority - thereby producing an effect contrary to the spirit and every principle of Masonry. Your committee, with these views, therefore, think this Grand Lodge cannot comply with the petition of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and can only say to those subordinate Lodges that they affectionately attach themselves to the Grand Lodge in Illinois, at the same time expressing the great regret in severing the ties which have so long bound us together.
In 1843 we read in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
We find some resolutions by our brethren in Illinois relative to a withdrawal from this and uniting with the Grand Lodge of Illinois. We would respectfully suggest that this Grand Lodge recommend them to the care and protection of that Grand Lodge, and earnestly hope that their union may be blessed to the prosperity and happiness of all.
However, it was some time before all the lodges joined the Grand Lodge of Illinois. In 1845 we find Henderson P. Boyakin as District Deputy for the Seventh District of the Grand Lodge of Missouri in charge of the Illinois lodges.
Mount Moriah Lodge No. 33
On July 26, 1839, a petition was signed by C. B. Blockberger, Tem- perance U.D., Illinois; M. P. Nicholson, Mount Moriah No. 27, North Carolina; Martin Kinsley, Union No. 10, Providence, Rhode Island; Hail Kingsley, Washington No. 3, New York; Aaron Knapp, Homer No. 137, New York; M. L. Stinson, Vale of Tempe No. 45, Tennessee; Stephen Abbott, Genessee Union No. 332; Harry Wilton, Eden No. 7, Illinois, last Worshipful Master, asking for a dispensation to open a Lodge at Hillsboro, to be called Mount Moriah.
The dispensation was granted on August 17, 1839, and is signed by A. B. Chambers, Grand Senior Warden, and attested by Richard B. Dallam, Grand Secretary. C. B. Blockberger was named Master, Hail Kingsley, Senior Warden, and Martin Kinsley, Junior Warden. Brother Blockberger was raised in Temperance Lodge.
Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Missouri, 1840:
Whereas, Brother C. B. Blockberger, W.M. of Mount Moriah Lodge,
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was, with others recommended to this Grand Lodge, in 1839, by Tem- perance Lodge No. 27, for a letter of Dispensation, to form and open said Mount Moriah Lodge; and
Whereas, the name of the said Brother does not appear upon the return of said Temperance Lodge, at the last Annual Communication of thie Grand Lodge as a member thereof; and,
Whereas, also at the present Communication, on the returns of said Temperance Lodge, appears the name of Brother C. B. Blockberger, with the following entry annexed, "name was stricken from the roll of membership for non-payment of dues." Therefore,
Resolved, That Temperance Lodge be directed to correct said entry by allowing said Brother ( upon payment of his dues) regularly to dimit.
The lodge raised six candidates between its organization and De- cember 27. The Grand Lodge reported having
a return from Mount Moriah Lodge, Ill .; informally appointing Brother G. H. C. Melody their proxy, and asking a continuance of their Dispensation until the next Grand Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.
On October 7, 1840, A. B. Chambers, Grand Senior Warden, re- ported:
I visited Hillsboro in that State (Ill.) and saw and conversed with the Master and some of the members of Mount Moriah Lodge.
The charter for this lodge was granted on October 8, 1840 but was not received until November 4. The lodge was constituted on the same day.
On January 18 the lodge allowed sundry bills and ordered the Master to send to St. Louis for a "box of candles, if there is sufficient funds in the treasury to pay for the same." At this meeting it was resolved, to build a hall "over the shop of the W.M." ( He was a black- smith.) An entry indicates that the hall was built, since at the meeting of December 2 the Lodge was not opened "owning to the inclemency of the weather and the unfinished condition of the hall."
During the year 1841 the lodge raised twenty candidates. On February 22 the Lodge
at the desire of the citizens of Hillsboro and vicinity, joined in the celebration of the birthday of George Washington.
Mo. Pro. 1841 - From the transcript of Hillsborough Lodge it ap- pears that they, on various occasions, conferred the first and second degrees in a Master's Lodge, and the third in a Lodge of Apprentices.
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The Missouri returns show this lodge had forty members in 1842 and forty-four in 1843.
1842: On August 18, Brother Blockberger, Worshipful Master, tendered his resignation, and asked a dimit. Both the resignation and request were laid on the table until August 25, and a committee was appointed to take the matter into consideration. On August 25, the matter was taken up, when "the charge given the Master at his installation was read," whereupon Brother Blockberger (who had refused to take the East), withdrew his resignation and request for a dimit, and assumed his place. The lodge continued under the juris- diction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri until 1846 when the charter was arrested.
Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Missouri, 1846:
Resolved, That the Charter of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 33, at Hillsboro, Ills., be, and the same is hereby forfeited; and that what property she may possess be donated to her by the Grand Lodge.
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