USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 21
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At nine o'clock in the evening the Mystic Tie Club enjoyed a banquet. The menu card bore on the title page an illustration of the
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laying of the cornerstone; on the back was a cut of the Temple as it would appear when completed. At the conclusion of the banquet several speakers were introduced, all of whom delivered eloquent remarks appropriate to the occasion.
Leveling of the Cape-stone of the Masonic Temple
On November 6, 1891, exactly one year from the day the corner- stone was laid, the building was finished by the placing of the cape- stone. Brother John C. Smith, acting as proxy for the Grand Master, Monroe C. Crawford, opened the Grand Lodge in the Preceptory of Oriental Consistory at High Twelve. The procession was formed under the direction of Walter A. Stevens, Grand Marshal. It was led by two platoons of police numbering 76; followed by George M. Moulton, Past Grand Commander Knights Templar, Marshal-in-Chief and Aids. First came 65 members of Oriental Consistory, then seven Com- manderies with 470 members, 23 lodges with 1,600 members, 100 visiting brethren and the Grand Lodge Officers. There were nine bands in the procession. A press account of the celebration said:
The ceremonies attending the leveling of the cape-stone of the new Masonic Temple yesterday marked the practical completion of the great building. In one year's time the big building has progressed from the corner-stone to the cape-stone, and it stands today a towering monu- ment to the master minds that conceived it and to that fraternity, almost as old as history itself, which has caused it to be built.
Two years ago the plan of building a great temple, to be dedicated to the uses of Freemasonry, originated in the minds of Norman T. Gassette and others, their idea met the approval of their brother Masons, and the ground at State and Randolph streets was purchased for that purpose. To Burham and Root was given the work of drawing the plans, a work performed to the satisfaction of all interested. The corner-stone was laid one year from the time the plans were made public, and one year to the day the cape-stone was ready to be put in place.
A grander or more brilliant procession of Masons never marched along the streets of Chicago. More than 500 uniformed knights were in line, their white plumes waving and their highly burnished swords clanking as they marched along. Then the various lodges counter- marched and fell into the ranks, and soon 1,550 more men, ununiformed but bearing the various instruments of their order, were in motion.
After traversing several streets they arrived at the Temple Build- ing where the lodge members were formed in open order, when the Grand Lodge Officers proceeded to the front, the lodges closing ranks and following regular order, the oldest lodge immediately after the
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Grand Lodge. The Templars were drawn up in line on the west side of State Street.
A force of 200 police held back the great crowd which reached for blocks in every direction. The long procession countermarched and drew up in ranks before the speakers' stand. The officers of the Grand Lodge were assisted from their carriages and escorted to seats on the platform, the princes of Oriental Consistory and the Templars saluted with their swords.
The cape-stone rested on a table which had a flag of the United States for covering. A rope extending from a crane at the topmost point of the front wall was fastened to the stone, to be used in drawing it up to place. Past Grand Master John C. Smith sent a basket of flowers which almost hid the stone from view until the ceremonies were completed, when they were distributed among the women present, as mementos of the occasion.
The Oriental Quartette sang an anthem composed especially for the occasion by Rev. Henry G. Perry. Vice-president Amos Grannie, of the Masonic Fraternity Temple Association, then requested Brother John C. Smith to complete the building by placing the cape-stone ac- cording to the custom of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons. The principal architect of the building, D. H. Burnham, presented the working tools necessary to lay the stone. He said:
Having been entrusted with the duty of designing this edifice, and of supervising and directing the workmen in its erection, and having been enabled to witness its completion, I now, with due respect, present to you for inspection and approval the last stone that enters into its composition, and with it I now return to you the implements entrusted to me at the laying of the corner-stone, there being no further occasion for their use.
The Grand Master then had the working tools used to test the stone and it was found perfect. The Grand Master then said:
Mr. Burnham, I accept this work, assuring you of my hearty ap- proval, and will forthwith proceed to consecrate it according to ancient usage.
The stone was then consecrated with the ancient elements of the Craft, corn, wine and oil. The stone was then elevated and placed in position and
the Grand Honors given three times. The Grand Marshal proclaimed
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that the cape-stone of the Masonic Fraternity Temple has this day been celebrated according to the old customs of Free and Accepted Masons.
A suitable oration was delivered by Rev. Brother H. W. Thomas, after which Oriental Quartette sang a closing anthem, the audience was dismissed, the Templars and lodges returned to their various halls and the Grand Lodge to the Preceptory of Oriental Consistory where it was closed in ample form.
Cornerstone of the Illinois Masonic Home June 24, 1903
The most notable ceremony and the one which will appeal to the heart of every Mason of this great Jurisdiction, was that which marked the practical inception of the great and glorious charitable work which you by your votes authorized at our last annual communication.
The laying of this cornerstone was most assuredly a memorable event, embodying as it does in the event and the results to follow those excellent tenets of our institution, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, in the highest degree. Fully three thousand brethren and as many more of the public, by their presence testified to the deep interest which this work has excited within and without the fraternity, and gives assur- ance of its lasting and generous support. Eight Commanderies of Knights Templar, with bands, combined to make the demonstration unequalled in the annals of our history. All the elective officers of the Grand Lodge were there together with the Grand Orator and Grand Tyler.
The interest in the consecration of the stone was enhanced by the fact that a portion of the corn, wine and oil that were used was the actual product of the Holy Land, presented for the occasion by Brother John C. Smith, P.G.M. The contents of the casket placed within the stone embraced the following: Proceedings of the Grand Lodge 1901- 1902, Grand Orator's address at the laying of the corner-stone, Certified copy of the last will and testament of Robt. A. Miller and documents connected with its probation, Certified copy of the resolutions of the Grand Lodge, A.F. and A.M., of Illinois, and that part of the Grand Master's address pertaining to the bequest, Biography of Robert A. Miller, List of charter members and officers, and present members of the Sullivan lodge, History of the Illinois Masonic Home, Names of officers and Board of Trustees and name of architect, Copy of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge, Card of W. F. Benson, contractor and builder of Home, Program of exercises, June 18, 1903, Coins of 1903.
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The above is a copy of the address of William B. Wright, Grand Master.
Cornerstone of the Orphans' Home
On April 30, 1910 the Grand Master laid the cornerstone for the Orphans' Home at La Grange in the presence of several thousand people. The exercises were set for three o'clock in the afternoon. The weather was unpropitious but in every other respect this historic event was conducted to a successful conclusion.
The stone was laid with a silver trowel specially made and suitably inscribed for the use of the M.W. Grand Master, the cement was spread whereby the chief stone of the corner found a secure and lasting resting place, marking the climax of more than twenty-five years of constant endeavor to provide a permanent Masonic Home for the orphan children of our deceased brethren whom fate would otherwise cast adrift on the troubled sea of life.
All the Masonic organizations of Cook County were invited to attend and participate in the ceremonies. The line of march was com- posed of 21 lodges, two chapters with 200 members and escorted by five Commanderies with 300 Knights in full uniform.
The program of exercises and a list of the contents of the stone will be found on page 74-80 of the proceedings of 1910.
The children of the Home in Chicago were present to witness the laying of the cornerstone of the building which was to be their future home. The children attracted much attention and made a most favor- able impression. The rain cut short the oration of the Grand Orator which was greatly regretted. However, the event was imposing and will long be remembered by those who were present.
Cornerstone of the Royal Arch Memorial Hospital October 3, 1914
BY HENRY T. BURNAP, Grand Master
The Grand Lodge function of most importance and general interest to the craft, at which I officiated during my term of office, was the lay- ing of the cornerstone of the Royal Arch Memorial Hospital on the grounds of the Masonic Home at Sullivan which took place on Satur- day, October 3.
This ceremony marked the official beginning of a much needed and long desired addition to the facilities for the proper administra-
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tion of one of the great organized charities which is being conducted under the auspices of this Grand Lodge. All the elective officers of the Grand Lodge, with one exception, were present on this occasion and the ceremonies were witnessed by a large concourse of people from Sullivan and neighboring cities. Sullivan Lodge No. 764 at- tended in a body accompanied by a large delegation from Decatur who brought with them a band which furnished music for the cere- mony. The thanks of the Grand Lodge are due to the brethren of Sullivan for the interest which they manifested in attending to pre- liminary details and in provision made for transportation and enter- tainment of the visitors.
Other Cornerstones Laid by Grand Lodge
Masonic Temples
125
Schools
109
Hospitals
18
Churches
62
Court Houses
34
City Halls
13
Other buildings
35
Total
396
Dedications
The Grand Lodge has dedicated 297 lodge rooms.
Dedication of the Illinois Masonic Home
The most important dedication of the year as well as the most sig- nificant one in the history of the Grand Lodge occurred at Sullivan, Ill. where, on the 8th day of September, 1904, I convened an Occasional Grand Lodge and with appropriate ceremonies solemnly dedicated the Illinois Masonic Home to the purpose for which it is intended. A large number of Masons, Knights Templar and citizens graced the occasion with their presence.
Miss Winnie Titus, of Sullivan, rendered a beautiful and appro- priate solo and a number of songs by the celebrated Lexington Quartette added much to the beauty and dignity of the ceremonies.
M.W. Owen Scott delivered an impressive and eloquent dedicatory address, which I believe, should be preserved of record.
(From the report of Grand Master Wright ).
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Dedication of the Royal Arch Memorial Hospital
On April 11, 1915 a meeting of the Board of Managers was held at Sullivan at which Sir Knight Thomas A. Stevens, Grand Commander Knights Templar and Companion Everett R. Turnbull, Grand High Priest, were present. At this meeting a general committee on arrange- ments was selected consisting of Ralph H. Wheeler, president of the Board, the Grand Commander and Grand High Priest. The following were named chairmen of the sub-committees: Thomas H. Stevens, Escort and Marshal, Everett R. Turnbull, Local Arrangements, Louis L. Emmerson, Finance.
It was decided to make this a patriotic Fourth of July celebration but, as the fourth came on Sunday, the actual ceremony was on Mon- day the fifth. The day was bright and clear, the rain of the preceeding night had cooled the air and the heat was not uncomfortable. Never before in the history of Masonry in Illinois had Lodge, Chapter and Commandery appeared in public in one procession; never before had the Grand Officers of the three Grand Bodies sat together on one platform. These three great organizations have a common object; to relieve the distressed, care for the sick and comfort poor and weary pilgrims traveling from afar.
The attendance far surpassed all expectations. All railroads ran special trains and the crowd was enormous. The procession, by actual count, showed more than 5,000 in line. The distance from the town to the Home is about two miles. When the head of the parade entered the grounds the end had not started from the city. About half the line was taken up by the lodges with members marching eight abreast. The procession was headed by Siloam Commandery band, an organi- zation of Knights Templar only. Many other bands were in the line. The united quartettes numbering forty men under the leadership of George Kurzenknabe assisted materially in making the exercises a success. Nearly half of the lodges in the state were represented; 137 of the 153 lodges in Chicago were represented.
Most Excellent Grand High Priest Everett R. Turnbull, in a mas- terly and appropriate address formally presented the hospital to the Grand Lodge. In this he proved that Masons are conscious of and prepared to answer the age-old question that has come down through the ages, "Am I my brother's keeper?"
Most Worshipful Grand Master Henry T. Burnap, on behalf of the Grand Lodge, accepted the magnanimous gift in a pleasing and force-
Royal Arch Memorial Hospital, Sullivan.
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ful manner, and his acceptance was supplemented by a short address by Ralph H. Wheeler, of the Board of Managers. Companion Henry H. Montgomery, Past Grand High Priest, delivered an eloquent ora- tion on behalf of the Grand Chapter, which was responded to by George M. Moulton, Past Grand Master and former President of the Board of Managers of the Masonic Homes. The day was enlivened by band concerts and selections by the united quartettes, and all went home feeling that a great advance had been made in the usefulness of the Masonic fraternity in Illinois.
The Illinois Masonic Hospital
In 1909 a small company of Masons interested in the welfare of needy members organized a hospital association to carry out one of the great teachings of the fraternity. The members of the first Board of Trustees deserve to have their names on permanent record. They were: J. A. Lyons, D. A. Payne, M.D., Howard R. Appleget, Frank A. West, James Hill, Otto F. Dannenberg, Edgar W. Chestermann, Vivian M. Scott, Dan E. Meyer, C. D. Pence, Andrew N. Engle, Robert J. Daly, Thomas J. McGrath, J. B. McFatrich, Henry Steinbeck.
They had an abiding faith in the justice of their cause and went before the various Masonic organizations in Chicago asking for funds.
At first there were no funds available to furnish and maintain a hospital; extreme cases were farmed out to existing hospitals but this was far from satisfactory. As appeals for assistance grew in number the need for better and more adequate quarters could no longer be ignored.
In 1915 a number of prominent Masons in Chicago proceeded to form a corporation and obtained a charter, in which the objectives of the group were specified.
Some time prior to the incorporation of what was then known as the Gil. W. Barnard Hospital, various schemes were devised which provided the means for raising funds.
In 1921 the charter was amended and the name changed to the Illinois Masonic Hospital. The Chicago Union Hospital with a 60 bed capacity was purchased for $100,000. This was the first institution oper- ated in Illinois where Masonic charity cases could be treated exclu- sively under Masonic management. In three years the terrific demands made upon it for charity entirely outgrew the capacity of the hospital.
Following 1921, largely through the cooperation of Medinah Shrine, $200,000 was collected which enabled the directors to com-
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Freemasonry in Illinois
plete a new wing to the hospital. Following the fund raising campaign, immediate steps were taken to build a more modern structure, with facilities that were thought to be adequate to meet all charity needs for a long time to come.
However, the funds raised were far short of the cost of improve- ment and it became necessary to mortgage the property. Then came the great depression and the association was in a desperate condition for some years but the courageous and unfaltering faith of the directors and officers of the association finally brought the financial trouble to a satisfactory ending.
Since 1921 three additions have been built to the original building and five additional parcels of property contiguous to the main institu- tion have been purchased.
The second wing was completed free from debt; a new addition was added as a home for student and trained nurses; additional im- proved property was used for housing hospital attendants, including internes and resident physicians.
A third addition will be completed this month (November 1951), which will give a total of 400 beds, 40 bassinets, new recovery rooms, new X-ray department which occupies an entire floor, new clinic and examining rooms, pharmacy and many other added facilities. The boiler and laundry rooms occupy a separate building on hospital property. The nurses' homes surround the hospital.
The cornerstone of the latest addition to the nurses' home was laid on November 25, 1944.
An average year's work is given in the 1947 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge.
Patients admitted
11,947,
Patients' visits to clinic
30,183,
Association cases in hospital 555.
Babies born in hospital
1,750.
This property has grown from a very small beginning to its vast proportions. It is valued at more than a million and a quarter dollars and is owned by the Masonic Bodies of Cook County. It is the largest hospital in the country that has the name "Masonic" attached to it.
The present officers are: Edgar A. Jonas, President; Charles W. Kaiser, First Vice President; Frank E. Hodek, Jr., Second Vice Presi- dent; Fred P. Kirch, Treasurer; Watson Boyes, Secretary; William Tenney, Superintendent.
Chapter 25 CHARITY AND BENEVOLENCE
During the early years relief of members was a personal matter. A needy brother would apply directly to the Grand Lodge for help; that body, after investigation, would make a contribution. In those early days the Grand Lodge had no money to support an institution for permanent relief. As the membership grew in numbers and more cases were reported, especially children needing assistance, an attempt was made to have a plan for a Widows' and Orphans' Home adopted. However, the time was not ripe for such action and it was defeated. This was a resolution presented in 1875 and submitted to the lodges for a referendum vote. But there were those who felt that something must be done. Therefore a small band of courageous members decided to act as individuals. Accordingly George M. Moulton, Gorham B. Coffin and John A. Crawford applied for and received the following:
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING:
WHEREAS, a certificate, duly signed and acknowledged has been filed in the office of the Secretary of State, on the eleventh day of March, A.D. 1885, for the organization of "THE ILLINOIS MASONIC OR- PHANS' HOME," under and in accordance with the provisions of "An Act Concerning Corporations," approved April 18, 1872, and in force July 1, 1872, a copy of which certificate is hereto attached:
Now, Therefore, I, Henry D. Dement, Secretary of State of the State of Illinois, by virtue of the powers and duties vested in me by law, do hereby certify that the said "THE ILLINOIS MASONIC OR- PHANS' HOME" is a legally organized corporation under the laws of this State.
In testimony, whereof, I hereto set my hand and cause to be affixed the great Seal of State.
Done at the City of Springfield, this eleventh day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-five, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and ninth.
HENRY D. DEMENT
[SEAL]
Secretary of State.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
The object for which it was formed was to provide and maintain, at or near the City of Chicago, a home for the nurture, and intellectual, moral and physical culture of indigent children of deceased Freema- sons of the State of Illinois; and a temporary shelter and asylum for sick and indigent widows of such deceased Freemasons.
George M. Moulton was elected the first president of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home; Henry Turner, Vice President; and George W. Warvelle, Counsel. Jno. A. Crawford, Jno. J. Badenoch, Gorham B. Coffin, Chas. A. Moses, Thos. E. Miller, S. T. Gunderson, D. H. McDaneld, Herschel W. Dryer and Henson Robinson, with them composed the twelve original trustees, Gil W. Barnard was their secre- tary and Wiley M. Egan, treasurer.
Immediately facing these men was the tremendous task of devising means for raising sufficient funds to acquire a building suitable for use as an orphans' home. Another problem of equal importance was the matter of securing continual financial support to maintain the Home, year after year. It was agreed to accomplish both of these purposes by means of membership dues. Two classes of members were established, "active" and "life," the former paying annual dues of one dollar, the latter paying fifty dollars, either in one payment, or in not more than five annual installments. Twenty-five thousand pamphlets were printed and distributed, containing the by-laws and prospectus of the organization. The first annual report of the president disclosed the fact that over $5,000 had actually been paid into the treasury of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home and about half as much more pledged, but not yet paid.
It is the judgment of your Board [said the report], that a practical start should be made, as soon as we may be assured of the eontinuous financial support of the brethren. We do not aspire to a lofty edifice elegantly furnished at first, but propose to make an humble beginning, trusting that our good works may be the means of attracting gradually the united and spontaneous support of the brethren, so that in time, the spacious and lofty edifice may be reared.
This first annual report, with its courageous forward look, was presented on March 9, 1886, and with such dispatch did the Board proceed that before three months had passed a suitable building had been found and on June 12 a special meeting of the Association author- ized them to borrow a sum not to exceed $10,000 to purchase "the grounds and buildings situated at the intersection of Carroll Avenue and Sheldon Street in the City of Chicago." Within the next few weeks
The first building of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home, Carroll Avenue and Sheldon Street, Chicago.
MPin
1
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Charity and Benevolence
the property was purchased for $15,000. Five brethren, A. B. Ashley, A. M. Eddy, C. H. Tebbets, J. J. Badenoch and George M. Moulton each advanced $1,000 as temporary loans, which, with the money in the treasury, was sufficient to complete the purchase of the property at Carroll Avenue and Sheldon Street in Chicago.
A prospectus was immediately printed, bearing on the front a picture of the Home, and circulated among the Lodges. The following quotations from that circular show what enthusiasm and devotion marked the work of the trustees:
The Management of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home are much gratified at being able to announce to the Masonic fraternity of this State, that the practical establishment of a "Home" for the helpless and dependent Orphans of our deceased brethren is an assured fact in the near future. The view with which this circular is illustrated is an ac- curate reproduction of the premises lately secured for the purpose men- tioned. By a combination of strangely fortuitous circumstances we have been enabled to secure this beautiful property, admirably adapted for the purposes intended, at a price far below its real value. This property is situated at the North-west corner of Carroll Avenue and Sheldon Street, in the West Division of the City of Chicago, on improved streets, in a retired, yet eminently respectable locality. The grounds are 203 x 164 feet.
The Home was dedicated by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge on Thursday, October 7, 1886, the "Order of Exercises" announcing that "The Most Worshipful, the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of the State of Illinois, accompanied by its constituent Lodges, and under an escort tendered by the Chivalric orders of Knights Templar and Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, 32°, will leave the Grand Lodge Hall on Michigan Avenue at half past two o'clock." The dedi- catory ceremonies included an address by Most Worshipful Brother A. T. Darrah, Grand Master, prayers by the Grand Chaplain, Wor- shipful Brother G. W. Scawthon, and Rt. Rev. Brother Samuel Fallows, and a sermon by Rev. Brother H. W. Thomas.
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