USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 28
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1912: The official receipt for dues was adopted.
1913: This year the edict against smoking during lodge meetings was issued.
1914: The burial ceremony was changed to provide for cremation or use of a crypt. Only a few changes were needed.
1917: Dual membership prohibited except as to honorary members. 1917: The "Code Quiz" was adopted. Its object was to examine all
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applicants for commissions as Grand Lecturers on "Their knowledge of the principles, laws, rules, regulations, customs and usages of the fra- ternity." The Quiz covered 35 pages.
1916: A ceremony for introducing the flag was adopted and, with slight changes, continued until Grand Master Pierson ruled that the flag was part of the furniture of the lodge and should be in position before the lodge was opened and remain there until after closing; this to conform to military regulations.
1918: It was recommended to the Lodges that all soldiers' dues be remitted during the continuance of the war.
1922: Recommendation was made that a board of Legal Examiners be appointed to examine all Masters-elect on their proficiency in knowledge of the law and ability to conduct the business of their lodges in an orderly and satisfactory manner. Under the terms of this resolution no Master could assume the duties of his office until he had a certificate of proficiency from the Board. The intention was good but it was utterly impossible for one committee to examine 900 or more Masters so it was not adopted.
1924: Henry E. Hamilton died. He was Senior Grand Warden in 1877 but did not desire advancement so resigned.
1928: The committee on financial research was created and func- tioned for some years but has since been discontinued.
1932: All lodges were requested to hold a public celebration of the bi-centennial of the birthday of George Washington.
Grand Lodge began holding two day sessions.
A proposed amendment to permit Past Masters to have a vote in Grand Lodge was defeated.
1936: A button for fifty-year members was adopted and in 1946 such members were exempt from all dues.
1945: A financial limit was placed on the amount of indebtedness a lodge could carry on new buildings. It was, and still is, necessary for a lodge to have two-thirds of the cost of such building before permission could be granted to proceed with the construction.
Illinois Masons took a prominent part in organizing the Grand Army of the Republic. The first commander of the first post was Captain M. F. Kanan. He was a member of Macon Lodge No. S as were two others, Brigadier General Isaac C. Pugh and Major John H. Nale. Captain Christian Reibsame was a member of Ionic Lodge No. 312. Major General John M. Palmer, a member of Mt. Nebo Lodge
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Freemasonry in Illinois
No. 76 and Grand Orator in 1857, was the first state commander, Major General Stephen A. Hurlbut, a member of Belvidere Lodge No. 60 and Grand Orator in 1859, was the first national commander-in-chief. Major General John A. Logan was the second national commander-in- chief. He originated the Decoration Day service. He was raised in Mitchell Lodge No. 85 and transferred his membership to Benton Lodge No. 64. He was a member of Washington Chapter No. 43, Chevalier Bayard Commandery No. 52 and Oriental Consistory. He was elected to receive the 33rd degree but died before it could be conferred.
Brothers Logan, Palmer and Kanan were the ritual committee. They provided for three degrees or grades-Recruit, Soldier and Veteran. Each had a sign, grip and password. The initiatory work, including obligations, had many familiar passages.
While the wording of the obligation is different from that of Ma- sonry it is plain that it was written by those who were familiar with Masonic ritual.
Chapter 46 MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
In 1840 there were eight small lodges in the state, none with a large membership. No figures were given in 1850 but from then on every ten years the figures are given below.
1860
11,712
1910
101,692
1870
36,250
1920
203,447
1880
35,570
1930
293,294
1890
49,369
1940
192,836
1900
57,325
1950
243,519
The largest membership was in 1929 with 294,209; then came the decline which lasted until 1942 with 187,768. In the last eight years there has been a gain of 55,751 and indications are that it will con- tinue.
In 1931 there were 1,014 chartered lodges; in 1950 the number was reduced to 975.
Meeting Places
Jacksonville
1840-
Chicago .1849
41-42-43-44-45
Springfield .
.April, 1850
Peoria
1846
Shawneetown October, 1850
Quincy
1847
Springfield .1851-69
Alton
1848
Chicago 1870-1952
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AUTHORITIES CONSULTED
History of Masonry in Illinois-Reynolds
History of Freemasonry in Illinois-Smith Pioneer History of Illinois-Ex-Governor John Reynolds History of Freemasonry in Galena-Smith Records of Grand Lodges
District of Columbia
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Missouri
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin
Records of Grand Chapters District of Columbia Kentucky
War records Illinois Territory
Indiana Territory Washington, D.C., War Department
Bureau of Census records
Proceedings of Grand Lodges of Illinois 1822-27 Missouri 1820-48 Records of Western Star Lodge 1828-29
Western Intelligencer, December 19, 1816
Kaskaskia Republican, May 2, 1825 Illinois Intelligencer, December 13, 1863 Quincy Herald, September 26, 1867 Oriental Consistory-Warvelle History of Scottish Rite in Chicago-Barnard
Mormonism and Masonry, Goodwin The Illinois Masonic Review Masonic Trowell, Reynolds Masonic Beginnings in California and Hawaii-Whicher
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Freemasonry in Illinois
Fifty Years of Masonry in California-Sherman
Illinois Historical Society Publications
Missouri Historical Society Records James May file, Burton Collection, Detroit Public Library Compendium of Masonry-Warvelle
The White Apron-Milligan
Bateman and Selby's Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, 1907, page 531
Restoration of Masonic Geometry and Symbolism-Bromwell History of Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42
Old Brownsville Days-W. B. Husband
Letter of William Vaughn about U. S. Grant
Report of John C. Smith about U. S. Grant
Early history of Whiteside County-Charles Bent-1887
GRAND MASTERS OF FIRST GRAND LODGE 1822 1826
Shadrach Bond Grand Master-1822
SHADRACH BOND
Grand Master 1822-23
Died April 13, 1832
Born November 24, 1773
Brother Bond was born in Fredrickstown, Maryland, November 23, 1773.
He came to Illinois in 1794, and located near what is now New Design in Monroe County. Later he moved to Kaskaskia and built the first brick residence a short distance west of the town. One account says the bricks were made on the farm, the other that they were brought from Pittsburgh.
He attended the session of the Territorial Legislature, and was a member when Illinois was separated from Indiana. He was the first delegate to Congress at a time when the trip required 35 days. He took his seat on December 3, 1812, and resigned on October 3, 1814, to accept an appointment as receiver of Public Monies at Kaskaskia.
He was instrumental in passing the "Pre-emption Bill" which was a great help to the early settlers who were there before the land was surveyed. He was the first Governor under the State Constitution, being elected without opposition, the only governor so elected. After retiring as governor he was appointed Register of the Land Office at Kaskaskia, the highest salaried office in the state. It paid $3,000 per annum. He was 6 feet tall, weighed 200 pounds, had a dark complex- ion, glossy black hair and was fond of hunting and fishing. He was a successful farmer, a justice of the peace and judge of the court of common pleas.
MILITARY
July 6, 1806, Governor William Henry Harrison appointed Shad- rach Bond adjutant in the St. Clair County Militia. On 26 Oct. he was appointed lieutenant-colonel, vice George Atchinson, deceased. (Laws of Indiana Territory, 1801-1809, edited by F. S. Philbrick, Illinois State Historical Library Collections, v. 21, p. CCXLVIII.)
(In the Governors' letter-books, 1818-1834, Illinois State Historical Library Collections, v. 4, p. 4, note 1.)
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Freemasonry in Illinois
On 9 December, 1809, he was appointed colonel, commandant of militia in St. Clair County, by Nathaniel Pope, Secretary of Illinois Territory. On 7, March, 1812, he was appointed aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief.
The records of the War Department at Washington show that Shadrach Bond served as a private in Captain Stephen Gill's Company, Forty-first Regiment (Hutchin's ) Maryland Militia, War of 1812. His service commenced on August 25, 1812, and ended on November 1, 1812. His residence is shown as Baltimore County.
MASONIC
He petitioned Temple Lodge No. 26 at Reisterstown, Maryland and received the degree of Entered Apprentice on March 13, 1803; Fellowcraft on April 10, 1803 and Master Mason prior to November 1, 1803, exact date not in records. Dimitted (date not in records), re- affiliated on November 4, 1804.
Temple Lodge was organized in 1798 and became defunct in 1815.
He visited Western Star Lodge No. 107 at Kaskaskia on October 4, 1806 and petitioned for affiliation. He was elected to membership on December 27, 1806. He served the lodge as Junior Deacon in 1814; Worshipful Master 1815, 1818, 1827, 1828, 1829. He was elected Grand Master on December 11, 1822 and had retired as Governor December 5 of the same year.
He died at his home on April 13, 1832 and was buried on his farm. His remains were moved to Chester in 1879. In 1883 the State erected a large monument to his memory in Evergreen Cemetery at Chester.
Shadrach Bond monument in Chester.
JAMES HALL
Grand Master 1824-25
Born August 19, 1793
Died in 1868
The second Grand Master of Masons was born in Philadelphia on August 19, 1793. In 1813 he enlisted in the Washington Guards and later in the United States Army. The war department record shows him a Third Lieutenant, March 30, 1814; assigned to the Second Regiment Artillery; promoted to Second Lieutenant, May 1, 1814; transferred to Corps Artillery, May 12, 1814; transferred to Ordnance, January 1, 1816; promoted to First Lieutenant, May 17, 1816; resigned, June 30, 1818. He participated in the Niagara campaign of 1814 and in the battle of Lundy's Lane. For a short time he was a prisoner of war. He was one of five artillery officers assigned to go with Stephen Deca- tur against the Barbary pirates. He sailed from Boston on August 6, 1815 on the Enterprise but only reached Gibraltar because the ship was disabled. He studied law in Pittsburgh. In 1820 he came to Shawneetown. He was 27 years old at the time. Shawneetown was then the most important point on the Ohio river below Louisville, Kentucky. At the time he arrived he said:
The town now contains about one hundred houses, of which five or six are brick, several of frame, and the remainder of logs. It has twelve stores at which a large and active trade is carried on, besides a number of shops of a smaller description, two excellent taverns, an inde- pendent bank, a branch of the State bank; a land office, a post office, two printing offices, and furnishes employment to carpenters, cabinet makers, blacksmiths, tailors, shoemakers, bakers, and other mechanics, of whom a number are settled here.
In 1820 Hall bought a half interest in the Illinois Gazette and thus began his career as an editor and writer. As there was little money in the country he was forced to accept trade as payment for subscrip- tions and advertisements. These were paid in "linen and rags; also bacon, tallow, beeswax and feathers." Evidently he was forced to manage a store as a side line to his newspaper business.
In 1821 he was appointed prosecuting attorney for ten counties in the neighborhood of Gallatin County. Courts were held twice a year and the time was fixed when the roads were in condition to permit
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the judge and lawyers to travel. There were no roads, only horse trails. A log cabin or bar-room in a tavern was fitted up with table, chairs and benches so court could be held. The first court in Shawneetown was held on a flatboat because there was no suitable room in the town. The office of prosecuting attorney was one that required great courage and sometimes the attorney had to assist in arresting offenders. He held this office for four years. During the session of the legislature of 1824-25 Hall was appointed circuit judge of the fourth judicial district at a salary of $600 per annum.
When General LaFayette visited Shawneetown on May 14, 1825 Hall delivered the address of welcome at the Rawlins Hotel.
Hall resigned as circuit judge in 1827 and was appointed state treasurer, which office he held for four years. He bought The Illinois Intelligencer which soon had a subscription list as large as those of all the other papers combined. Governor John Reynolds said of him:
Judge Hall, whose paper, the Intelligencer, had almost as much cir- culation as all the other journals, was acknowledged to be one of the most scientific and polished writers in the State, or in the West; and he poured out streams of red-hot lava from his press that I felt on many occasions.
Hall took a prominent part in organizing the "Antiquarian and His- torical Society of Illinois." This lasted a few years only. Hall's knowl- edge of the west made him famous as an interpreter of the western conditions. He attempted to publish an educational magazine but his local constituents were principally interested in providing food and clothing rather than educational matters. Realizing this was a failure he moved to Cincinnati. He sold his newspaper in Vandalia and in January, 1833 left for his new home. He became cashier of the Commercial Bank in Cincinnati until 1840 when he resigned to enter other lines of activity. He died in Cincinnati in 1868.
In the records of Ohio Lodge No. 113, held at Pittsburgh, we find: James Hall, initiated, March 13, 1817; passed Oct. 8, 1817; raised Oct. 8 1817.
He was Master of Lawrence Lodge No. 34 at Shawneetown in 1821 and 1822. In 1822 he was one of two delegates from Lawrence Lodge that participated in the organization of the Grand Lodge. The proceedings of 1824 show him as the Deputy Grand Master presiding in the absence of the Grand Master. On December 8, 1824 he was elected Grand Master and again on January 4, 1826.
Rawkins Hotel, in Shawneetown, where Grand Master James Hall received Gen. LaFayette.
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M.W. Bro. Guy William Smith Born 1792 - Died 1879 Last Grand Master of the First Grand Lodge, 1826
GUY WILLIAM SMITH
Grand Master 1826
Born May 6, 1792
Died January 30, 1879
The third Grand Master was born in what is now Jessamine County, Kentucky, on May 6, 1792. After finishing school he was made assistant to his uncle who was clerk of the circuit court of Bullitt and Nelson Counties.
When the War of 1812 broke out he enlisted in Captain H. P. Duvall's Company in the Eighth Regiment of Kentucky and was in the campaign of the northwest in Northern Indiana and the Illinois Territory. In 1813 he was in Captain M. W. Wickliffe's Company in the Fifth Regiment of Kentucky Mounted Volunteers. This regi- ment under William Henry Harrison invaded Canada. He participated in the battle of the Thames River where Tecumseh was killed. After this battle the Kentucky troops were returned home and mustered out of the United States service at Limestons, (now Maysville ) Ken- tucky, November 4 to 13, 1813.
In the spring of 1814 he went to Shawneetown, Illinois, where for 18 months he was clerk to the agent of the Salt Works, then under control of the general government.
In September, 1815 he was appointed clerk of the Edwards County Court.
On June 21, 1817 he was appointed Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Militia. In 1821 he was elected Major General. At that time the law required
Brigadier and Major Generals shall be elected by the officers of their Brigades and Divisions respectively.
All Militia Officers shall be commissioned by the Governor, and may hold their commission during good behavior or until they arrive at the age of sixty years.
In 1818 he was commissioned to take the census of Edwards County; he was also recorder of Edwards County and Senator 1818-20 from that county at the first legislature.
In 1821 he was appointed Receiver of Public Money at Palestine and held that office for 20 years.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
In 1850 he was assistant marshall for the federal census.
He then resigned and was elected to the House in 1842, serving two years. About 1850 he moved to McDonough County and spent a few years there farming.
He then moved to Iowa and bought land. He paid for 80 acres with a "Military Land Bounty Warrant which was issued in favor of "Guy W. Smith, private in Captain Duvall's Company Kentucky Mili- tia, War of 1812."
He was twice married, his first wife Eliza Brown, being supposed to be a daughter of Thomas C. Browne, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. They were married on April 13, 1819. She died on November 22, 1822, leaving two children. He married Jerretta Wilson on March 25, 1824, by whom he had eight children. Mrs. Jeretta Smith died on October 6, 1856.
Brother Smith was about 5 feet and 6 inches tall, well-built and retained his vigor and mind until his death, which occurred on January 30, 1879. He was buried beside his wife at West Liberty church, a few miles west of Dodgeville, Des Moines County, Iowa.
MASONIC
He received the Entered Apprentice degree in Jerusalem Lodge No. 9, Henderson, Kentucky on July 31, 1813 and was raised on August 13, 1813. The first record of his membership in Illinois was when he was elected Master of Palestine Lodge U.D. The Grand Lodge pro- ceedings for 1824 read:
Brother Guy W. Smith presented the dispensation granted in vaca- tion to certain brethren residing in Palestine, also a return from said Lodge which was received. On motion of Brother Grand Treasurer a charter was granted to Palestine Lodge and time was given them until the next Grand Communication to pay the fees due for said charter. The Grand Lodge was then adjourned "till the first day of January next" (1825) and a lodge of Past Master Masons was opened when Brother Guy W. Smith was introduced and duly installed as master of Palestine Lodge in ample form.
In 1826 he served the lodge as Secretary. He was elected Grand Master, December 12, 1826, and was Grand Master when Western Star Lodge was elected to membership in the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
His brother John Speed Smith was a member of Richmond Lodge No. 25, Kentucky, and was Grand Master of Masons in Kentucky, in 1824-25.
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The last reference to his Masonic activities is in the minutes of Temperance Lodge No. 27 at Vandalia, June 4, 1839. It reads:
Guy W. Smith, late Grand Master of the R.W. Grand Lodge of Illinois, visiting.
The family history states that Brother Smith was a Royal Arch Mason. If that statement is correct he must have received the degree from a lodge as the first attempt to organize a chapter in Kentucky was in November, 1814, when a petition was presented to Grand Lodge for authority to institute a chapter at Lexington.
GRAND MASTERS OF PRESENT GRAND LODGE 1840 1951
M.W. Bro. Abraham Jonas Born 1801 - Died 1864 First Grand Master of the present Grand Lodge, 1840-1841
ABRAHAM JONAS
Grand Master 1840-41
Born September 12, 1801
Died June 8, 1864
He was born in Devonshire, England, on September 12, 1801. The year 1819 found him in Cincinnati, Ohio, where upon attaining his majority he was raised in Miami Lodge. In 1825 he moved to Ken- tucky and a few years later organized Grant Lodge at Williamstown, Kentucky, of which he was Master. In 1829 he was elected Junior Grand Warden of Kentucky and Grand Master in 1832. In 1838 he settled in Columbus, Illinois where he became acquainted with enough Masons to sign a petition for a lodge which was sent to the Grand Lodge of Missouri. The dispensation was granted in 1839 with Jonas as Master. The Grand Lodge was organized in April, 1840 and Brother Jonas was elected Grand Master. He was not present and was installed by proxy. He served about two and one-half years as Grand Master. In 1842 he issued the dispensation for the Mormon lodge at Nauvoo which caused so much trouble.
He delivered the oration before the Grand Lodge in 1847 and again in 1859. In 1842 he was elected to the state legislature and served one term. At first he was in the mercantile business but was admitted to the bar in 1843 and practiced law in Quincy until 1864.
He was postmaster in Quincy for 12 years, being appointed by Presidents Taylor, Fillmore and Lincoln.
He was a presidential Elector on the Fremont ticket. He was an important participant in the two conventions that nominated Lincoln for President. Lincoln later commissioned Jonas to tasks of state involving great responsibility but the nature of those duties was not stated.
He is first mentioned as a member of Georgetown Chapter No. 13 in 1827. He attended Grand Chapter as a visitor on August 31, 1835 and acted as Grand King p.t. and the next day was elected Grand Scribe. There is no further mention of his capitular activities in either George- town or Grand Chapter. He was the first High Priest of Quincy Chap- ter No. 5 in 1846. At the time of his death, which occurred on June 8, 1864, he was a member of Herman Lodge No. 39.
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During the Civil War the four sons of Brother Jonas were in the Confederate army while he remained steadfast in support of the Union. When the doctors gave no hope for the recovery of Brother Jonas from his final illness he expressed a desire to see one of his sons who was a prisoner of war. Friends communicated with President Lincoln and he ordered the son released and sent word to Brother Jonas that the boy was on the way to see him. He arrived on the day his father died but in time to be recognized and welcomed.
In 1928 the Grand Lodge appropriated $2,000 for a monument to be erected over the grave of Brother Jonas in Valley of Peace Cemetery in Quincy. On August 31, 1929 Louis L. Emmerson, Grand Master, and the Grand Masters of Missouri and Wisconsin were present to pay tribute to our first Grand Master. The exercises were concluded with an oration by Oscar A. Kropf, Grand Orator. The memorial stands 7 feet high and is 2 feet wide and mounted on a pedestal. Near the top is the square and compasses encircling the letter "G." Below are the words "Abraham Jonas, First Grand Master of Masons of Illinois, 1840-41."
MEREDITH HELM
Grand Master 1842
Born in 1802
Died in 1866
Brother Helm was born in 1802 in Williamsport, Maryland. After graduating in literary studies he attended the Baltimore, Maryland Medical College, graduating, it is thought, in 1827. He commenced practice in his home town until 1831. The following year he came to Springfield and practiced his profession until 1832 when he returned to Maryland for his family. His health being impaired he moved to Rochester, where he engaged in farming for a year before returning to Springfield. He resumed his medical practice and continued it until his death in 1866. He resided at the southeast corner of Sixth Street and Capitol Avenue, then known as Market Street.
He joined Potomac Lodge No. 5 in Washington, D.C., receiving the degree of Entered Apprentice on November 3, Fellowcraft on No- vember 17 and Master Mason on November 22, all in 1825. He dimit- ted in 1826. We next hear of him as a charter member of Friendship Lodge No. 84 at Hagerstown, Maryland.
ABRAHAM JONAS FIRST GRAND MASTER OF MASONS OF ILLINOIS 1840 -- 41 1801 -- 1864
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Abraham Jonas monument in Quincy.
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His name does not appear as one of the signers of the petition for the dispensation of Springfield Lodge No. 26 but at the first meeting, held on April 20, 1839, he was appointed First Master of Ceremonies. He was invited to install the officers. On December 25 he was elected Master for 1840-41. He was one of three delegates appointed on No- vember 18, 1839 to attend a meeting at Jacksonville to represent the lodge at a convention to be held on December 27 for the purpose of conferring as to the propriety of organizing a Grand Lodge for the state. He attended another preliminary meeting at Jacksonville on January 20, 1840 and was appointed one of a committee to correspond with the other lodges in the state asking their co-operation in forming a Grand Lodge.
At the organization meeting of April 6, 1840 he acted as Grand Marshall and was appointed Senior Grand Deacon. At the second annual meeting he was elected Deputy Grand Master and in 1842 was elected Grand Master. He was Grand Master during the trouble with the Mormon lodges.
He was not satisfied with the way business was conducted in Springfield Lodge No. 4 and offered a resolution in 1841 reading:
Whereas, in the judgment of this Lodge, circumstances which are in- compatible with the peace, harmony and well-being of the lodge, and which are otherwise incurable; therefore be it
Resolved, That Springfield Lodge No. 4 be and it is hereby dis- solved and that it cease to exist, work, or act in any manner or form from and after the close of the present meeting.
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