USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 12
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In 1848: - The brethren of Mount Moriah Lodge at Hillsboro, hav- ing previously been at work under a charter granted by the M.W. Grand Lodge of Missouri, made application to me for authority to reorganize and work under their old charter, at the suggestion and on the recom- mendation of the aforesaid Grand Lodge, a certified copy of which was presented to me with their application, and is as follows:
In Grand Lodge of Missouri, Oct. 12, 1847, A.L. 5847.
Whereas, Mount Moriah Lodge No. 33, at Hillsboro, Illinois, was chartered by this Grand Lodge anterior to the forming of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and for some years faithfully performed the duties of the Craft. and Whereas this Grand Lodge did, at its last annual communication, declare the charter of said Lodge forfeited, granted to said Lodge all the property and effects it then had; and Whereas the members of said Lodge have made known a desire to be reorganized under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, without the necessity of again undergoing the usual probation; therefore
Resolved, that this Grand Lodge cheerfully recommend the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois to authorize said members to reorganize under the aforesaid charter and report their work and pro- ceedings to said Grand Lodge at its next annual communication.
Fredc, L. Billon, Gr. Sec'y.
The report of the Grand Master of Illinois reads:
Not being able to understand by what Masonic rule of usage the Grand Master of our Grand Lodge could resuscitate the charter once granted by another Grand Lodge and by it subsequently declared for- feited, and authorize the members of such defunct Lodge to reorganize and work under it; and not feeling disposed to countenance in any man-
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Illinois Lodges under Missouri
ner whatever, the continued infringement upon our territorial jurisdic- tion, as assumed and exercised by the M.W. Grand Lodge of Missouri, in still holding on to other lodges in our State with so much pertinacity as she continues to do, notwithstanding the repeated efforts on the part of this Grand Lodge to have our sister Missouri withdraw her entire jurisdiction from our rightful territory; after stating by objection to the brethren of Hillsboro, against granting their request or complying with the recommendation of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Missouri, I tendered them the aforesaid dispensation, under which they might organize, and have a legal existence as a lodge until the present meeting of our Grand Lodge, not requiring any fee therefor at the time, which dispensation they accepted.
In this way Mount Moriah Lodge No. 51 became a constituent of the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
Clinton Lodge No. 39
This lodge received its dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Missouri in January 1841; which dispensation was continued until 1842.
In 1841 there were fourteen Master Masons, six Fellowcraft and five Entered Apprentices; in 1842 there were thirty-one members, having raised eleven. In 1842 the dues of Brother Thos. Moon were remitted, and it was
Ordered, That he pay no further dues, owing to his indigent circum- stances, age, and respectability as a worthy ancient Mason.
On February 14 the Lodge took early action on the St. John's Day celebration and invited Brother N. M. McCurdy of Vandalia to deliver an oration.
May 9 on motion:
Resolved, By the Lodge, that we deem the drinking of ardent spirits unmasonie and should not be tolerated among Masons.
St. John's Day was celebrated with seventeen members being pres- ent and thirteen visitors from seven other lodges.
On July 11 a petition, signed by eight Master Masons asking for a recommendation to form a new lodge at Salem, Illinois, was granted. The only other record of this lodge is in the Missouri Proceedings for 1846:
Clinton Lodge No. 39 of Carlyle - it appears from the documents in the office of Brother Grand Secretary, that that Lodge has ceased to meet. No returns have been received from her since 1843; nor have her dues been paid for the last three years. This Lodge is in our sister
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State of Illinois, in which a Grand Lodge has been organized. Clinton Lodge existed but a few years under our jurisdiction, and worked faith- fully for a time, until, by removals and other causes, her numbers were very much reduced.
St. Clair Lodge No. 60
On November 19, 1841 a petition signed by eleven Master Masons, praying for a dispensation to form and open a Lodge at Belleville, Illinois, was presented to Naphtali Lodge of St. Louis for a recom- mendation. The first signer was John Hay who was one of the early petitioners to Western Star Lodge No. 107 at Kaskaskia. The dis- pensation was granted on February 12, 1842. Joseph Bennett was ap- pointed Worshipful Master; J. C. Theill, Senior Warden; and Herman Cox, Junior Warden. "A committee was appointed to prepare by-laws, and the petition of J. L. D. Morrison, an Entered Apprentice of West- ern Star Lodge was received and referred."
On March 9, 1842 Brother C. G. Y. Taylor was raised. He was elected Grand Master in 1850 when the Grand Lodge met at Shawnee- town.
On October 25 the Lodge was duly constituted as No. 60 by A. T. Douglas, Grand Visitor, Grand Lodge of Missouri, and the officers installed.
On February 21, 1843 the following was adopted:
Resolved, That no Brother Master Mason ought to sue another brother in a court of law.
On September 19 the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, St. Clair Lodge No. 60 is located within the limits of the State of Illinois, and the Grand Lodge to which she owes her juris- diction is situated in another State; and,
Whereas, Every interest and inducement, as well as fraternal feel- ing, prompts this Lodge to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri and become subject to the Grand Lodge in our own State; therefore, be it
Resolved, That St. Clair Lodge No. 60 respectfully intimate to the Grand Lodge of Missouri their wish to withdraw from her jurisdiction for the purpose of becoming subject to the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Missouri, 1843:
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
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the care and protection of that Grand Lodge, and earnestly hope that their union may be blessed to the prosperity and happiness of all.
On December 26, the Master presented
a new charter from the M.W. Grand Lodge of Illinois, giving the Lodge authority to work under the name and style of St. Clair Lodge No. 24, which was read.
Marion Lodge No. 59
On July 7. 1842 a petition was prepared by a number of brethren residing in the town of Salem, Illinois, asking for a dispensation to form and open a lodge at that place. This petition was recommended by Clinton Lodge No. 39 at Carlyle. This petition was recommended on July 11 and the dispensation granted on July 14 by Joab Bernard, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, attested by Richard B. Dallam, Grand Secretary. There were eight signers. On October 27 Brother Douglas constituted the Lodge as No. 59 and in- stalled John A. Goudy as Worshipful Master, W. H. H. Barnes, Senior Warden, Alexander H. Barnes, Junior Warden, Matthew W. Hall, Treasurer. August 14, Brother Bradley, District Deputy Grand Master presided. The semi-annual election was held and the record is so un- usual that we give it as recorded.
The gavel was placed in the hands of Bro. H. P. Boyaken. Bro. A. H. Barnes was commanded to "look well to the West," and Bro. M. W. Hall received a like command to "look well to the South." The keys were intrusted to Bro. W. H. H. Barnes, while Bro. H. S. Mills was condemned to another six months as "cacothes scribendi." Justice R. Ruman was placed between the Master and treasurer, and Fra Potter placed at the elbow of the "Pillar of Strength." J. Cooper was placed outside the door, and A. K. King appointed to conduct the devotional exercises of the Lodge.
On November 11 Brothers King, W. H. H. Barnes and Hall, were appointed a committee to inquire into and report to this Lodge on the expediency of this Lodge demitting from the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and joining the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
In 1844 the lodge held three elections, March 11, July 8, and No- vember 11.
It was unanimously resolved, That we do believe it to be the duty of this Lodge to guard especially the Minor children of deceased Bro. Isaac G. Barr, and to see that they are properly educated.
This was the last record of this lodge.
Chapter 10 TITLE OF THE GRAND LODGE
The Constitution of 1841 designated the title as "The Grand Lodge of Illinois, of Free and Accepted Masons."
In 1846 it was
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to apply to the next Gen- eral Assembly of the State of Illinois, for a charter of the Most Wor- shipful Grand Lodge of Illinois, giving it a legal existence.
The next year the charter from the State was presented:
AN ACT
TO INCORPORATE THE GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:
SECTION 1. That the Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of Illi- nois be and the same is hereby declared and constituted a body politic and corporate by the name, style and description of the "Grand Lodge of Illinois of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons."
SEC. 2. The said corporation, by the name and style aforesaid, shall have full power to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, prosecute and defend, in all manner of actions at law, or in equity, in all places whatever, where legal or equitable proceedings are had. The said cor- poration shall have power to make such constitution and by-laws as may be deemed proper. Provided, that such constitution and by-laws shall not conflict with the Constitution and Laws of this State and of the United States.
SEC. 3. Said corporation shall have power to loan money belong- ing to the same and take promissory notes or other evidences for the money so loaned, which may be received in their corporate name afore- said in all courts and places whatever where judicial proceedings are had.
SEC. 4. The said corporation by the name and style aforesaid shall be capable in law of purchasing, holding and conveying real estate for the benefit of said corporation and for no other use or benefit whatever; Provided, that said corporation shall not at any one time hold property to an amount exceeding fifty thousand dollars nor real estate to an amount exceeding one thousand acres of land.
SEC. 5. For the purpose of carrying into effect the objects of this
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Title of the Grand Lodge
act the members of this corporation shall have power and are hereby authorized to appoint out of their number three trustees to hold their offices for the term of one year and until their successors are elected.
Approved February 20, 1847.
AUG. FRENCH. NEWTON CLOUD, Speaker of the House of Representatives. JOSEPH B. WILLS, Speaker of the Senate.
This Act gave the name as
GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS OF ANCIENT, FREE AND AC- CEPTED MASONS.
The Act was not satisfactory in several particulars and an amended Act was passed in 1855.
AN ACT
TO AMEND AN ACT ENTITLED "AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS."
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That the Grand Master, deputy grand master, grand wardens, grand secretary, and grand treasurer for the time being, and their successors in office, of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, together with the masters and wardens of the several lodges subordinate to [constituents of] said Grand Lodge, while holding said offices, shall be and the same are hereby forever declared to be a body politic and corporate, by the name, style, and description of "The Grand Lodge of the State of Illi- nois, Free and Accepted Masons."
SEC. 2. The said corporation, by the name and style aforesaid, shall have full power to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, prosecute and defend in all manner of actions at law or in equity, in all places where legal or equitable proceedings are had. The said corporation shall have power to make such constitution, by-laws, rules and regulations for its own government, and the management of its concerns and govern- ment of its subordinates [constituents] as shall be decmd advisable, and to alter and amend the same at pleasure. Provided, that such constitu- tion, by-laws, rules, and regulations shall not conflict with the constitution and laws of this State and of the United States.
SEC. 3. The said corporation, by name and style aforesaid, shall be capable in law of purchasing, holding and conveying real and per- sonal estate for the benefit of said corporation, to create a charity and educational fund, a representative fund, a library fund, and a Grand Lodge fund, and for no other use or benefits whatever: Provided, that said corporation shall not at any one time hold personal or mixed prop- erty to an amount exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, nor real estate to an amount exceeding two thousand acres of land.
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SEC. 4. The said corporation shall have power to loan money be- longing to the same, and take promissory notes or other evidences of debt for the money so loaned or any property sold, which may be recovered in their corporate name aforesaid, in all courts or places where judicial proceedings are held.
SEC. 5. The said corporation is also authorized to borrow money in sums not exceeding one thousand dollars at any one time, and at a rate of interest not exceeding ten per cent per annum.
SEC. 6. In the management of its business concerns, said corpora- tion is hereby authorized to appoint such agents, officers, and attorneys for that purpose as from time to time may be deemed proper.
SEC. 7. Each subordinate [constituent] lodge under the jurisdiction of the aforesaid Grand Lodge, now in existence or which may hereafter be chartered by the same, is also hereby declared to be a body politic and corporate by and under the name, style, and number set forth in their respective charters, and by such designation they may respectively sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, prosecute and defend against all suits arising in law or chancery, in all the courts of this state. The said subordinate [constituent] lodges respectively shall be capable in law of purchasing or receiving, by purchase, gift, or otherwise, and of selling and conveying, real and personal estate for the benefit of said subordinate [constituent] lodges respectively: Provided, that neither of said lodges shall at any one time hold real estate exceeding in value thirty thousand dollars.
SEC. 8. So far as applicable the provisions of sections four, five, and six of this act shall be applicable to each of said subordinate [con- stituent] lodges.
SEC. 9. In case any subordinate [constituent] lodge under the juris- diction of said Grand Lodge shall cease to exist or forfeit its charter, then all the estate, real and personal, together with all the records, books, papers, vouchers, furniture, jewels, seals, and fixtures belonging to such lodge shall immediately vest in said Grand Lodge; and all personal property, books, records, papers, vouchers, jewels, seals, furniture, deeds, money, evidence of debt, leases, or mortgages belonging to said lodge forfeiting its charter or ceasing to exist shall be delivered over by its last secretary or treasurer of the same, or other person having custody of them, to the proper officer or agent of said Grand Lodge, on demand, and on failing to do so each and every member of such delinquent lodge shall be liable to said Grand Lodge in an action of debt for the full value of the same.
SEC. 10. This act shall be deemed a public act and shall be liberally construed by all courts for the benefit of the corporation herein created.
SEC. 11. So much of the eleventh section of an act entitled “An act to incorporate the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois and subordinate chapters under its jurisdiction," approved February 9, 1853, as required a printed copy of the proceedings of said Grand Chap- ter, together with a list of its officers, a list of subordinate chapters, their
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officers and members, to be filed annually with the secretary of state, is hereby repealed.
SEC. 12. All acts and parts of acts conflicting with this act are hereby repealed.
SEC. 13. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved February 14, 1855.
This Act provided for the incorporation of every subordinate lodge with the same power and authority as the Grand Lodge in legal matters. By curious mischance the word "Ancient" was omitted from the title of the Grand Lodge. This caused much trouble in later years when a former Grand Secretary was charged with embezzling the funds of the Grand Lodge. The defense challenged the indictment by saying that the corporate name of the Grand Lodge was "Free and Accepted Masons" while the suit was brought by the Grand Lodge of "Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons." This forced the prosecution to prepare a long brief covering the whole history of the Grand Lodge, in which it was shown that the Grand Lodge charter of 1855 was merely a mistake, that the Grand Lodge had always been known as "Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons," that there was no other organization of that name and could be none. The judge ruled in favor of the prosecu- tion but nothing was done about correcting the charter until 1908 when Alexander H. Bell, Grand Master, took appropriate action. This was done to avoid future questions about the correct title in case of dona- tions to the Masonic Homes. The 1871 constitution changed the word- ing of the title to "The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois." The complete transaction is hereby given:
The correct corporate name of this Grand Lodge is as follows:
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois
ACTION OF THE GRAND LODGE CHANGING THE CORPORATE NAME OF THE GRAND LODGE TO "THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS."
STATE OF ILLINOIS, SS.
County of Adams,
I, the undersigned Isaac Cutter, as R.W. grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Frec and Accepted Masons, do hereby certify that at the annual meeting of the said Grand Lodge,
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held in the city of Chicago, in the state of Illinois, on the sixth day of October, A.D. 1908, at ten o'clock a.m. on that date, pursuant to the constitution and by-laws of said corporation, the following resolution was adopted by the unanimous vote of all of the representatives of lodges there present, being the representatives of more than seven hundred lodges out of a total of seven hundred and sixty-one lodges under the jurisdiction of such Grand Lodge. Such resolution there adopted, being as follows:
WHEREAS, By act of the general assembly of the state of Illinois approved February 20, 1847, there was incorporated the "Grand Lodge of Illinois of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons"; and
WHEREAS, Also by an amendatory act of the general assembly of Illinois approved February 14, 1855, the said "Grand Lodge of Illinois of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons" was in effect reincorporated by the name of "The Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Free and Ac- cepted Masons"; and
WHEREAS, This Most Worshipful Grand Lodge has in all of its doings excepting its official corporate acts preserved the use of the word Ancient in its corporate name and desires to so do hereafter; and has declared in its constitution that "This Grand Lodge shall hereafter be known by the name and style of 'The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois'"; be it therefore
Resolved, That the name of this corporation incorporated by an act of the general assembly of Illinois entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An Act to incorporate the Grand Lodge of Illinois of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons,'" approved February 14, A.D. 1855, be changed from the name of "The Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Free and Accepted Masons," as given it in such amendatory act, to the name, style and description of "The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois," and that this corporation be now and hereafter known, named and described by the name, style and description of "The Wost Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois."
ISAAC CUTTER, Grand Secretary.
(Grand Lodge Seal. )
STATE OF ILLINOIS, SS.
Macoupin County,
I, Alexander H. Bell, being first duly sworn, declare on oath that I am the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Free and Accepted Masons, whose name is to be changed as above set forth; that I am the presiding officer of such Grand Lodge and its principal executive officer; and that I was such and was presiding as such at said stated annual meeting of such Grand Lodge held on the sixth day of October, A.D. 1908, mentioned in the foregoing certificate.
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I state that said corporation has no president and no board of trustees and no stockholders, and I further state that the statements in the foregoing certificate made by the R.W. grand secretary of said Grand Lodge, are true in substance and in fact.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said corporation to be affixed this 15th day of October, A.D. 1908.
ALEXANDER H. BELL,
( Seal. ) Grand Master.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 15th day of October, A.D. 1908.
(Notarial Seal. )
JOHN WESTERMEIER,
Notary Public.
I, James A. Rose, as secretary of state of the state of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of papers showing the action taken changing the name of the corporation above mentioned as therein fully set forth, and of the affidavit of Alexander H. Bell thereto attached as a part thereof.
I hereby certify that the original, of which the above is a true copy, was filed in my office on the eleventh day of November, A.D. 1908, and that the name of said corporation is thereby changed as therein set forth from the name and description of "The Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Free and Accepted Masons," by which said corporation has been heretofore known, to the name, style and description of "The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois."
Given under my hand and the great seal of state at my office at Springfield, Illinois, on this eleventh day of November, A.D. 1908.
(Great Seal of State.)
JAMES A. ROSE, Secretary of State.
The corporate charter placed a limitation upon the amount of money, securities and land holdings the Grand Lodge might have. In 1900 the Grand Lodge had money in excess of the legal amount. It was voted to return all in excess to the lodges in proportion to their membership, the money to be the nucleus of a Charity Fund. The total returned was $85,344.22.
In 1911 the State Legislature passed an Act for the benefit of Fraternal and Benevolent Societies under Special Acts. This took off all limitations on the amount of funds.
FRATERNAL AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES UNDER SPECIAL ACTS. (Senate Bill No. 10. Approved June 2, 1911.)
AN ACT to enable fraternal and benevolent societies incorporated by special acts of the general assembly to take and hold property and
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borrow money needful and proper to serve and accomplish the purposes of their organization to the same extent as similar societies incorporated not for pecuniary profit under the general incorporation laws of this state.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: That in any case where any fra- ternal or benevolent society or association has been incorporated by any special act of the general assembly of Illinois, and where in the special act under which the same is incorporated or in any amendment thereto there is any limitation as to the amount of value of real estate or personal property which such incorporated body or any of its constituent or sub- ordinate bodies may hold or any limitation as to the amount of money which such fraternal or benevolent society or association may borrow, that notwithstanding any such limitation, such incorporated body or any of its constituent or subordinate bodies may hold real or personal prop- erty and may borrow money of whatever amount or value may be need- ful, suitable and proper to serve and accomplish the purpose of its organization, and to provide for them respectively suitable places of meeting and entertainment and accommodations for their officers and members to the same extent that societies for similar purposes and or- ganized not for pecuniary profit under the general incorporation laws of the state may own and hold property, both real and personal.
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