USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 33
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One year he was president of the Illinois Bankers' Association and declined an appointment as a member of the Federal Reserve Board offered by President Harding. For a number of years he was a mem- ber of the Normal School Board of Illinois; a member of the finance committee of the United Charities of Chicago and the Destitute Crippled Children's Home of Chicago. He was a life member of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Historical Society, the Field Col- umbian Museum and the Chicago Academy of Science.
He was raised in Fellowship Lodge No. 89 at Marion when 21 years of age and elected Master four years later. He attended every meeting of the Grand Lodge from October, 1881 until his death in 1936. He was Grand Master 1894-95, Grand Treasurer 1903-31. He delivered the oration before the Grand Lodge in 1920.
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He was High Priest of Marion Chapter No. 100 and of Mt. Carmel Chapter No. 159. In 1905 he was elected Grand High Priest and served one term. He was an active member of the Supreme Council 33rd degree and was elected Treasurer of that body in 1912, a position he retained until his death. He was one of five delegates from the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States to the International Con- ference of the 33rd degree Masons, at Lausanne, Switzerland in 1922.
He died on January 22, 1936. Funeral services were held in the Scottish Rite Cathedral, Chicago under the auspices of the Scottish Rite. He was laid to rest in Rosehill Cemetery.
OWEN SCOTT
Grand Master 1895-96
Born July 6, 1848
Died December 21, 1928
Owen Scott was born in Effingham County, Illinois, and made a Mason in 1871 in Watson Lodge No. 602 at Watson, Illinois. Later he affiliated with Effingham Lodge No. 149 and then with Wade Barney Lodge No. 512 at Bloomington. At the time of his death he was a member of Macon Lodge No. 8, Decatur. He had served the Grand Lodge as District Deputy. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1889 and became Grand Master in 1895-96. He served on various committees and was elected Grand Secretary in 1921 and served for eight years. He prepared the material for the memorial volume to Joseph Robbins, and was a member of the committee that revised the by-laws. It was during his administration that life membership was abolished. He delivered the oration before the Grand Lodge in 1881. Altogether his life was a busy one and devoted to the interest of Masonry during his more than 80 years.
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EDWARD COOK
Grand Master 1897-98
Born September 20, 1836
Died May 20, 1915
Edward Cook was the youngest of seven children born on a farm in Oneida County, New York, on September 20, 1836. When he was nine years old the family moved to a farm near Adrian, Michigan, where they lived in a log house. Brother Cook assisted his father in clearing most of their farm, when he was not yet 13 years old. A few summers later he worked on a nearby farm for $12 a month and earned enough money to go to school all winter. He qualified himself to teach school and later engaged in the book business.
He was raised in Blaney Lodge No. 271 and served as Master six terms. He was a member of the Chapter, Council and Scottish Rite bodies. He first appeared in Grand Lodge in 1871 as chairman of the finance committee and from that time was always connected with the Grand Lodge in some capacity.
Brother Cook was an enthusiastic ritualist and insisted on having every lodge conform to the standard work. During his administration one lodge in particular had very elaborate stage settings and regalia which he insisted were illegal and ordered their use discontinued. In his report to the Grand Lodge he said:
In a few instances, however, I have been saddened and discouraged to see evidence of an attempt to improve upon, enlarge, ornament and spectacularize the ceremonies. In most cases of this kind it has only been necessary to call attention to the unwarranted character of these prac- tices to insure their suppression promptly and cheerfully.
A few have shown a disposition to persist, and to these it should be said that the use of expensive robes and the introduction of uniforms, military drills, stage settings, theatrical scenes, inappropriate music, and other appliances and paraphernalia are things unknown to Ancient Craft Masonry, and foreign to our ceremonies as authoritatively taught and practiced by our schools.
The next year an edict condemning such displays was issued.
He died at his home in Oak Park on May 20, 1915 at the age of 78 years.
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CHARLES F. HITCHCOCK
Grand Master 1899-1900
Born January 11, 1836
Died October 26, 1912
Brother Hitchcock was born in Pittston, New York, on January 11, 1836. When he reached manhood he came to Illinois and located at Aurora where he engaged in business. He was raised in Aurora Lodge No. 254 on November 22, 1858. From Aurora he moved to Sparland and joined Sparland Lodge No. 441, serving as Master for seven years. Leaving Sparland he moved to Peoria and affiliated with Temple Lodge No. 46 and served that lodge as Master for two years. In 1885 he was appointed District Deputy for the then Fourteenth District. In 1893 he was elected Junior Grand Warden. He was elected Grand Master in 1899 and again in 1900. The question of accepting the be- quest of Robert Miller of Sullivan came before the Grand Lodge dur- ing the second year of Brother Hitchcock's administration.
He was exalted in Aurora Chapter No. 22 in 1860 and was High Priest for one year. He received the Council degrees in Peoria Council No. 11 in 1878. The Orders of Knighthood was conferred upon him on October 16, 1866 by Peoria Commandery, and he served as Com- mander 1876-80 inclusive.
He received the degrees of the Scottish Rite in March, 1870 in Peoria Consistory and served as Commander-in-Chief for 12 years. He was crowned an Inspector General 33rd degree on September 22, 1885.
He was a charter member of St. Helena Conclave No. 3, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine.
His funeral was held in the Universalist Church on October 28, 1912.
He was a zealous and devoted member of the Craft. His biog- rapher said:
His whole life was a reflection of the principles which he had ac- quired from his masonic teachings. In his dealings with his fellow men he was courteous and considerate. In all his business and official re- sponsibilities he was zealous, untiring and scrupulously honest. His sterling qualities of manhood caused him to be admired and respected by all, and his life and character furnish a fitting example for us who survive him.
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GEORGE MAYHEW MOULTON
Grand Master 1901-02
Born March 15, 1851
Died July 24, 1927
Brother Moulton was born in Readsboro, Vermont, on March 15, 1851. With his parents he came to Chicago in 1853 and was a resident of Chicago the rest of his life. He was educated in the public schools, graduating at the age of 17. He then began work with his father building grain elevators. He and his father built the first large elevator in Duluth, Minnesota. He was a stockholder in the World's Columbian Exposition. He was a member of the Union League Club, South Shore and Medinah Clubs.
After leaving the building business he was actively engaged in insurance companies until 1925. He then made two trips around the world.
MILITARY SERVICE
At one time he was President of the Sons of the American Revo- lution. Early in life he became interested in military affairs. He was commissioned a Major in the Second Illinois National Guard Regi- ment. When the Spanish-American War broke out he was Colonel of the Second Regiment Infantry. The regiment was part of the occupa- tion forces of Cuba. In December, 1898 he was appointed first chief of police of Havana and also was the first mayor during the American occupation. After the war ended in 1902 he was commissioned a Brigadier General and in 1907 Major General in command of all the Illinois National Guard.
MASONIC RECORD
He was raised in Covenant Lodge No. 526 on February 26, 1875, Master 1892; Grand Master 1901-02; exalted in Corinthian Chapter No. 35, on May 13, 1875; Grand High Priest, 1894; greeted in Siloam Council, 1875; Master 1884 and 1893; Grand Master, 1889; knighted in St. Bernard Commandery No. 35, September 1, 1875; Commander, 1883; Grand Commander, 1890; Grand Master of the Grand Encamp- ment, Knights Templar, 1904-07; 32nd degree in Oriental Consistory;
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Commander-in-Chief, 1889-90; received the 33rd degree in 1887; Knight of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine; Guardian Knight of the Holy Sepulchre in the Grand Council of Illinois, October 25, 1875; member of the Royal Order of Scotland and Knight Commander of the Grand Priory of England.
He was also a member and past officer of several organizations affiliated with Masonry, and an honorary member of many Masonic bodies.
In 1884 he was one of the incorporators of the Knights Templar and Masons' Life Indemnity Company and was president in 1890.
He was the first president of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home until 1890, when he retired voluntarily but remained as a trustee.
For several years he was chairman of the jurisprudence committees of the four Grand Bodies of the York Rite.
This in brief is the record of a long life spent in the interest of Masonry. He died on July 24, 1927, having been a member of his beloved order 52 years and 35 years a member of the Grand Lodge. One of his last requests was that he be buried by Covenant Lodge No. 526. This was done with full Masonic honors on July 27, 1927. His funeral was attended by one of the most notable gatherings of Masons in the history of this jurisdiction.
WILLIAM B. WRIGHT
Grand Master 1903-04
Born June 7, 1860
Died March 23, 1941
Brother Wright received the degrees of Masonry in Effingham Lodge No. 149 in 1886 and served as Master for four years from 1888 to 1891 inclusive. He was a member of all the appendant bodies and was elected Grand Master in 1903 and served for two years. After retiring from office he was a member of various committees. At the time of his death he was chairman of the jurisprudence committee.
He commenced practicing law in 1882 and was elected county judge in 1894. In 1904 he was appointed a member of the Illinois State Board of Law Examiners and remained a member of that board
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for 12 years. In 1916 he was elected Circuit Judge for the Fourth Dis- trict and held that office for 24 years, retiring in 1939. He was formerly president of the Second Judicial District Bar Association and at the time of his death was Vice-president of the First National Bank at Effingham.
He was buried by the Grand Lodge on March 25, 1941.
CHESTER E. ALLEN
Grand Master 1905-06
Born February 6, 1846
Died December 15, 1931
The forty-first Grand Master was born in Galesburg on February 6, 1846. At 18 years of age he enlisted in the United States Army and served several months. He engaged in the meat business with his three brothers and after several years of active participation he retired. He served the city as marshall and the county as deputy sheriff.
He was raised in Alpha Lodge No. 155 on April 21, 1876. 50 years later he was the honored guest of his lodge at its seventy-fifth anni- versary. He was elected Master in 1879 and served for four years. Again in 1890 he was elected Master and served for three years. In 1892-93 he served on the Grand Lodge committee of Lodges U.D .; was appointed District Deputy in 1894 and the next year was elected Junior Grand Warden. He was elected Grand Master on October 6, 1905 and 1906.
He was a member of Galesburg Chapter No. 46, Knoxville Council No. 1 and Galesburg Commandery No. 8 of which he was a Past Com- mander. He joined the Peoria Scottish Rite Bodies and Mohammed Shrine. On September 19, 1907 he was elected to receive the 33rd degree and received the degree the next September.
Brother Allen on March 3, 1928 presented to his lodge a silver trowel which he had used to lay the cornerstone of the Hancock County Courthouse in 1907; also the apron the lodge had given him when he was raised.
To Vesper Lodge he presented another silver trowel and a gavel which has an important history. Brother Allen used it when he laid the cornerstone of the Hancock County Courthouse.
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The gavel was made from the judges' bench in the old courthouse. The inlaid square and compass in the top of the case was made from wood taken from an old elm tree which shaded the house of President Lincoln in Springfield, Ill. The wood inlaid in the front of the case was taken from the coach which bore our martyred President's remains from Washington to Springfield, after his assassination; the inlaid wood in one end of the case was taken from an old apple tree in the yard of the late Rev. Peter Cartright's home in Logan county, and the inlaid walnut in the other end was taken from the stairway in the home of the noted pioneer preacher. The whole was made with a common pocket knife by L. C. Reeves of Bowen.
Brother Allen gave the Masonic Temple his library and said if they would provide a place he would donate the other items of his collec- tion to the two lodges.
He died on December 15, 1931 and was buried with Masonic rites, the Grand Master presiding.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON BELL
Grand Master 1907-08
Born October 29, 1853
Died April 14, 1938
At the age of 17 Brother Bell enrolled in Blackburn College and graduated in 1875. After graduation he read law with Augustus C. Walker. For more than 40 years he was a trustee of his college and for more than 60 years followed the law for his livelihood. At the time of his death he was the Dean and President of the Macoupin County Bar Association. His wide and varied experience before the courts gave him an unusual command of language and this, combined with his natural ability, made him one of the foremost speakers, not only in Grand Lodge, but before public gatherings of many kinds.
His vocation was law but his avocation was Masonry. He was raised on May 8, 1880 in Mt. Nebo Lodge No. 76 and one year and seven months later was elected Master. He served in all for five years.
His first official connection with the Grand Lodge was as District Deputy, in which office he served for eight years. On October 1, 1907 he was elected Grand Master and served for two years. During his ad- ministration he was sucessful in having four words added to the cor- porate title of the Grand Lodge to make it correspond to the constitu- tional title. He was also instrumental in having the limitation on the
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amount of property the Grand Lodge could own abolished. These he considered the most important acts of his administration. In 1912 he delivered the oration before the Grand Lodge which attracted wide attention and brought forth much favorable comment. He accepted several invitations to deliver the oration before Masonic bodies, not only in Illinois, but in other states. He was appointed chairman of the jurisprudence committee and held that appointment until his death.
He was a member of Macoupin Chapter No. 187; Staunton Coun- cil (now defunct), St. Omer Commandery and Springfield Consistory. He received the 33rd degree on September 19, 1916.
After a long illness he passed away and was buried on Easter Sunday, followed to the cemetery by a long line of brethren, escorted by a large number of Knights Templar. The services at the grave were conducted by the Grand Master.
ALBERT BARTLETT ASHLEY
Grand Master 1909-10
Born September 9, 1838
Died November 1, 1916
Brother Ashley was a native of Middleborough, Massachusetts. At the age of 15 he left school and sailed on a whaling ship and con- tinued a seafaring life until the outbreak of the Civil War. At the age of 22 he navigated a sailing ship from Palermo, Sicily to Boston.
In April, 1861 he joined the United States Navy and served on the steam frigate Mississippi which was attached to the Gulf blockading squadron and participated in the bombardment of Pensacola and Mobile in 1861. He took part in the battle and capture of New Orleans in 1862. He left the Navy in June, 1862 and joined the Third Massa- chusetts Infantry. He helped recruit the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry, with which he served until 1865, when he was transferred to the Twenty-first United States Infantry. He enlisted as a private and rose to the rank of captain. In 1865 he was appointed Quartermaster of Marine Transportation of the Department of the South, having charge of all the Government transports in the department.
In April, 1867 he resigned from the government service and en- gaged in the coal business, being sent to several different mines. His last was at Brazil, Indiana, where he had charge of 22 mines.
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In 1893 he resigned and located in La Grange where he entered into the real estate business. That year he built a 50-room Summer Resort on Spring Lake, Michigan. This he managed in the summer months until 1913 when he sold the property.
He was made a Mason in King David Lodge, Taunton, Massachu- setts, in 1863. In 1874 he dimitted and joined Kewanee Lodge No. 169 and served that lodge as Master for seven years. He received the chapter degrees in Kewanee Chapter in 1875; the Council degrees in 1877 and was knighted in Temple Commandery No. 20 at Princeton in 1879. He received the Consistory degrees in Bloomington and Peoria in 1911. He joined the Shrine in Peoria in the same year. He joined Harmony Chapter Order of Eastern Star in Kewanee in 1877, served several terms as Patron and was Grand Patron in 1883-84-85.
He was appointed Grand Lecturer by Joseph Robbins in 1878. In July, 1887 he was appointed a member of the Board of Grand Ex- aminers and, with the exception of one year, continued on the board until 1903 when he was elected Junior Grand Warden. He was elected Grand Master in 1909-10.
He will be remembered chiefly as an accomplished ritualist. His interpretation of a certain character was such that everybody attended when he was to take part in the third degree ceremonies. He had a continuous service for nearly 40 years teaching ritual and his influence will long be remembered. His burial ceremonies were conducted in Oriental Consistory by the officers of the Grand Lodge on November 5, 1916 and he was laid to rest at his country home at Spring Lake, Michigan.
DELMAR DUANE DARRAH
Grand Master 1911-12
Born July 15, 1868
Died March 5, 1945
Born in Tolono on July 15, 1868, Brother Darrah attended the public schools, graduating from high school. He then attended Wes- leyan University at Bloomington, graduating therefrom in 1890, did postgraduate work at the University of Illinois and received the de- gree of Doctor of Philosophy. He taught English and Public Speak-
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ing in Wesleyan University for 20 years, then became editor of the paper, "The Illinois Freemason," for 33 years.
He was raised in Bloomington Lodge No. 43 on August 23, 1889 and was Master in 1893-94 and again in 1898. He organized Arts and Crafts Lodge No. 1017 and was its first Master. He was commissioned a Grand Lecturer in 1894. He was elected Grand Master in 1911 and 1912. During his administration the ritual was revised and officially adopted by the Grand Lodge.
He was exalted in Bloomington Chapter No. 26 on May 14, 1890 and served as High Priest in 1897-98. He was greeted in Urbana Council No. 19 on January 24, 1910; knighted in DeMolay Command- ery No. 24 on July 21, 1890; was Commander in 1897 and Grand Re- corder of the Grand Commandery, being elected in 1910 and serving 12 years.
He received the Consistory degrees in Peoria Consistory on April 20-21-22, 1891 and dimitted thereform to become a charter member of the Bloomington Bodies which were organized under his leadership. He served these bodies as Thrice Potent Master in 1908-09; Sovereign Prince from 1923 to his death; Most Wise Master, 1910-11; Com- mander-in-Chief, 1913 and Secretary of all four bodies, 1916-22.
He received the 33rd degree on September 21, 1909, was crowned an active member on Septembr 21, 1911 and was Deputy for Illinois from 1932 until his death. He was Lieutenant Grand Commander when he died.
He was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and of the Red Cross of Constantine.
He died on March 5, 1945 and the funeral ceremonies were held in the preceptory of Bloomington Consistory.
HENRY THOMPSON BURNAP
Grand Master 1913-14
Born April 10, 1856
Died July 3, 1934
Brother Burnap was born in Upper Alton (now Alton) on April 10, 1856 and spent his entire life in that city. He received his education in the city schools, Shurtleff College, the University of Illinois and the old St. Louis Medical School.
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On September 9, 1879 he was married to Miss Annie Cooper Zar- nock, who preceded him in death four years before he passed away.
He was made a Mason in Franklin Lodge No. 25 at Alton in 1880. He affiliated with Piasa Lodge No. 27 in 1893; he was commissioned a Grand Lecturer in 1892; and became a member of the Board of Grand Examiners in 1900, serving seven years, the last three as chairman.
He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1907 and advanced regu- larly until he reached the office of Grand Master in October, 1913. He was again elected in 1914. He laid the cornerstone of the Royal Arch Memorial Hospital at the Illinois Masonic Home at Sullivan in 1914, and participated in the dedication on July 5, 1915. After retir- ing as Grand Master he served on various committees and was a mem- ber of the jurisprudence committee at the time of his death.
He was a member of Franklin Chapter No. 8, Alton Council No. 3 and Belvidere Commandery No. 2, all of Alton. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of East St. Louis and received the 33rd degree in 1920.
He was buried on July 6, 1934 at Alton. Alexander H. Bell, a life- long friend, spoke briefly at the home, after which Brother Burnap was laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery by Piasa Lodge No. 27, the cere- mony at the grave being conducted by the Grand Master.
RALPH H. WHEELER
Grand Master 1915-16
Born November 1, 1863
Died March 10, 1950
He graduated from Bennett Medical College in 1889, then came to Chicago where he practiced medicine until his retirement in January, 1950. He was made a Mason in William B. Warren Lodge No. 209 of Chicago on January 25, 1896 and served as Master in 1901. He became a charter member of America Lodge No. 889 in 1906 and was the first Master. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1909 and advanced regularly until he was elected Grand Master in 1915.
For some years he was president of the Board of Managers of the Masonic Home at Sullivan and in 1915 had charge of the Grand Lodge part of the dedication of the Royal Arch Memorial Hospital.
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At the time of his death he was chairman of the committee on Recognition of Foreign Jurisdictions.
He was a member of all the other Masonic bodies and was Poten- tate of the Shrine in 1911.
His death occurred suddenly at the home of his daughter in Winona, Minnesota on Friday afternoon, March 10, 1950. Masonic services were held by Winona Lodge No. 18 at Winona on Monday, March 13, 1950.
AUSTIN H. SCROGGIN
Grand Master 1917-18
Born May 12, 1855
Died April 26, 1919
Brother Scroggin was marching in procession to the cemetery to perform the Masonic ceremony at the grave of a member of his lodge when he was suddenly stricken. He died about one hour later, clad as Grand Master and wearing the jewel of his office. He lived his life in the little city of Lexington and all his Masonic activity was in Lex- ington Lodge No. 482.
He was commissioned a Grand Lecturer in 1902 and appointed to the Board of Grand Examiners in 1906. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1911 and advanced regularly until he reached the highest office in the gift of Masonry in Illinois. His funeral was private.
DANIEL G. FITZGERRELL
Grand Master 1919-20
Born February 10, 1868
Died April 24, 1924
Brother Fitzgerrell graduated from Ewing College and engaged in the banking business in Ewing. Ten years later he took charge of the First National Bank in Normal and remained with that institution until his death.
He was made a Mason in Ewing Lodge No. 705 in 1893 and filled nearly all the stations. He was commissioned a Grand Lecturer in
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1911 and appointed to the Board of Grand Examiners in 1912 and served one year, being elected Junior Grand Warden in 1913 without opposition. He was elected Deputy Grand Master in 1917 and the unexpected death of the Grand Master on April 26, 1919 advanced him to the unexpired term as Grand Master. Thus he presided over the Grand Lodge three times. The work of the Grand Master's office com- bined with the responsibility of the bank was too much of a strain.
On April 23, 1924 he went to the golf course and played until evening, then went home and ate a hearty dinner. About 8 o'clock he was taken seriously ill, by 9 o'clock he was unconscious, and he died at 2:30 the following morning. Thus at the early age of 57 he was taken from us. On April 26 his body lay in state in the Bloomington Masonic Temple. A little later his body was laid to rest with the ritual- istic ceremonies of Masonry. Brother Alexander H. Bell delivered the oration.
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