USA > Indiana > A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
52
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
and on the evening of the adjournment above mentioned I suggested to Mr. Samuel Merrill, the Representative from Switzerland county, the name I preferred. He at once adopted it and agreed to support it. We together called on Governor Jennings, who had been a witness to the amusing scenes of the day previous, and told him to what conclusion we had come. He gave us to understand that he favored the name we had agreed upon, and that he would not hesi- tate to so express himself. When the House met and went into committee on the bill, I moved to fill the blank with 'Indianapolis.' The name created a shout of laughter! Mr. Merrill, however, seconded the motion. We discussed the proposition freely and fully; the members conversed with each other informally, and the name gradually com- mended itself to the committee, and was accepted. The principal reason given for its adoption, to-wit, that its Greek termination would indicate the importance of the town, was, I am sure, the reason that overcame opposition to the name. The town was finally named Indianapolis. "JEREMIAH SULLIVAN."
At the semi-centennial celebration of the organization of the Grand Lodge, in 1868, he was one of three surviving members who were present at its organization at Madison, January 12, 1818. He was especially invited to attend, but, being unable to do so, he sent a letter of regret, in which he said: "I would have replied at an earlier date, but I did not know, until within a few days past, whether I would be able to attend or not. I have now to say that, while I should, for many reasons, be gratified at meeting the Grand Lodge of Indiana on an occasion so full of pleas- ant reminiscences, it will be extremely inconvenient, if not impossible, for me to do so." Thereupon he, with others, was made an honorary member of the Grand Lodge. He died in 1869, being at the time judge of the Criminal Court of Jefferson county.
NICHOLAS D. GROVER was a member of the Grand Lodge at its organization, being a representative from Madison Lodge, and was the last survivor at the time of his death in 1876. He was present at the annual meeting in 1868, and
53
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
was made an honorary member of the Grand Lodge. On taking his seat in the East he spoke as follows:
"BRETHREN-Having passed the scriptural age of three- score years and ten-being now in my 75th year-my voice is weak and my tongue refuses its office. Fifty-two years ago I applied for initiation into Union Lodge No. 29, working under a charter from the Grand Lodge of Ken- tucky. On receiving the third or Master's degree in Ma- sonry, I felt, and have ever since felt, that it was a second birth to me. I have lived all through the Morgan excite- ment and the burdens which then had to be borne, and I felt it as deeply as anyone. I hoped all the time to live long enough to see Masonry triumph over false accusations of almost the entire country; even when the lodges of three or four different States had suspended operations, I still hoped. And I did not hope in vain. I have lived long enough to see my every wish gratified. Masonry has had its triumph, and a glorious one it is. I have lived through it all, and am 'now ready to be offered up' when my Grand Master calls for me.
"My working days are over, yet my love for the Order is still the same. Ten years ago I was elected Tyler of Tip- ton Lodge No. 33, and a short time afterward to the same position in Orient Lodge in Logansport, and in all of five different departments of Masonry, and I tell you, brethren, that in all these ten years, old as I am, I have never once missed lighting the lamps for the Masons of Logansport. In these ten years now past I have attended the burial of enough brethren to make an average sized lodge. Thank- ing you for your kindness and the honor you have this day conferred upon me, I will say no more."
Seven years later, on the 17th of June, 1875, he died at his home in Logansport. He was a native of Maryland, having been born in the vicinity of Baltimore, January 12, 1793. He removed to the Indiana Territory and settled in Madison, June, 1815, and in December of the same year received the degrees of Masonry in the lodge at that place. At the organization of the Grand Lodge he was elected Grand Pursuivant, which position he held until the next annual meeting, when he was elected Senior Grand Deacon and was re-elected at the annual meeting following.
54
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
The brethren at Logansport consigned his body to the grave with Masonic honors, and thus closed the earthly career of the last surviving member of the Grand Lodge at its organization.
COPELAND P. J. ARION was a prominent resident of Mad- ison, and at the organization of the Grand Lodge at that place was present as a visitor, and at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in September following was present as one of the representatives of Union Lodge, and, with one or two exceptions, was an attendant at the annual meetings until 1824-5. He was at one time Postmaster of Madison, and also published a paper at that place. After the war he re- moved to or near Wheaton, Illinois, where he lived on a farm until he died, several years ago.
BLAZING STAR LODGE No. 3, CHARLESTOWN.
Blazing Star Lodge No. 36 was organized under dispen- sation by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, probably in April, 1816. The first notice of the formation of the lodge is found in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, August 28, 1816, as follows:
"Ordered, That a charter issue, authorizing a lodge to be held in the town of Charlestown, county of Clark, and State of Indiana, to be known by the name of Blazing Star Lodge No. 36, and that John Miller be the first Master, Alexander Buckner the first Senior Warden, and Henry L. Miner the first Junior Warden."
From the returns of lodges printed the same year appears the following:
"Return of Blazing Star Lodge, held at Charlestown, In- diana Territory, from April, 1816, to August, 1816. Offi- cers: John Miller, Master; Alexander Buckner, Senior Warden; Henry L. Miner, Junior Warden; Milo R. Davis, Secretary: John Weathers, Treasurer; James Weir, Tyler. N. B .- The abstract return of the above lodge has been mislaid."
The last report of Blazing Star Lodge No. 36 made to the Grand Lodge of Kentucky covered the period from the date of the charter, August, 1817, to January 12, 1818, the
55
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
date of the organization of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. The following were officers and members of the lodge at that date:
Alexander Buckner, Master; Joseph Bartholomew, Sen- ior Warden; George Leas, Junior Warden; Isaac Howk, Secretary; Evan Shelby, Treasurer; John Weather, Senior Deacon; William Boven, Junior Deacon; William Dueison, Steward and Tyler.
MASTER MASONS.
John Miller, Henry L. Miner, Alexander C. Craig, James L. Wood, Samuel Stewart, Andrew Gilwick, John Epler, Samuel C. Tate, James Lemon, George Wood, James McCarley, Joseph A. Lingan, John Owens, James Blair.
In the convention at Corydon, December 3, 1817, the lodge was represented by John Miller and Joseph Bartholo- mew. At the organization of the Grand Lodge at Madi- son, January 12, 1818, the lodge was represented by Alex- ander Buckner, Isaac Howk and Samuel C. Tate. At this meeting, among the first officers elected, Alexander Buck- ner was chosen Grand Master, Samuel C. Tate Grand Treasurer, and Isaac Howk Senior Grand Deacon. In 1826 Isaac Ilowk was also elected Grand Master. (.1 sketch of the lives of Brothers Buckner and Howk will be found under the head of Grand Masters.) When the Grand Lodge was organized and the lodges had surrendered their charters from the mother Grand Lodge, Blazing Star became No. 3 on the Indiana roll of lodges.
At the September meeting, 1818, of the Grand Lodge the representatives of the lodge were John Weathers and George Leas; so that, with the three officers above named, the effulgence of Blazing Star was illuminated by six rep- resentatives, a majority of the whole representation at that meeting! At the election the following members of this lodge were elected: Henry L. Miner, Grand Treasurer; Isaac Howk, Grand Secretary; John Weathers, Junior Grand Deacon.
In 1830 the dues of the lodge, amounting to $60, were donated to the lodge. After that the lodge was not repre-
56
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
sented or the dues paid up to 1835, when it was stricken from the list of subordinate lodges by a resolution of the Grand Lodge. Its charter was not arrested, but was held in abevance. Nine years later, in 1844, the Grand Lodge adopted the following resolution :
"Resolved, That all dues and arrearages of Blazing Star Lodge No. 3 are hereby remitted; that the charter of said lodge is hereby restored; and that said lodge is hereby in- vested with as full and ample powers as if no forfeiture of her chartered privileges had taken place."
On the next day the committee made the following re- port, which was concurred in:
"The committee have examined the proceedings of a meeting of several members, brethren of Blazing Star Lodge No. 3, also a communication from the Grand Secre- tary on the same subject, and recommend the adoption of the following:
"Resolved, That Blazing Star Lodge No. 3 be permitted to retain their charter, and to recommence their labors im- mediately on receiving official notice from the Grand Sec- retary of the adoption of this resolution and installation of officers: Provided, That the Grand Secretary shall, before such installation, or any other proceeding under this reso- lution, first endorse on the charter of said lodge a statement of their renewal and the names of the new officers to be in- stalled, which certificate he shall sign and affix the seal of the Grand Lodge thereto."
The officers were installed under the above resolution May 15, 1845, by Brother Levi Sparks.
The lodge made no report for 1846 and 1847, and at the session in the latter year its charter was declared forfeited, and the Grand Secretary directed to take immediate posses- sion of all property belonging to the lodge, and its number, 3, was later given to Carlisle Lodge.
In 1857 the Grand Lodge granted a dispensation to cer- tain brethren, by the name of Blazing Star Lodge, with Thomas Beharrel as Master, Asa Glover, S. W., and D. W. Dailey, Jr., J. W. The said brethren also asked that the jewels surrendered to the Grand Lodge by the late Blazing Star Lodge be returned to the new lodge.
57
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
At the session in 1858 a charter was granted to Blazing Star Lodge No. 226, with Asa Glover, W. M., Andrew J. Hay, S. W., David W. Dailey, J. W. The jewels were ordered to be restored to them, or $25 be paid them for the same out of the Grand Lodge fund not otherwise appropri- ated. Since then the lodge has pursued the even tenor of its way.
DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF BLAZING STAR LODGE.
ISAAC NAYLOR made his first appearance in the Grand Lodge at the session of 1821 as a representative of Blazing Star Lodge No. 3, at Charlestown, in which he had been made in 1817. At that session he served as a member of the committee to examine visiting brethren, and on the Committee on Dispensations, and at the election was chosen Grand Orator, and re-elected in 1822.
As chairman of a special committee, he reported that members of a lodge could not petition to themselves for the establishment of a new lodge, could not vote upon their own petition, and that petitioners must apply to the nearest lodge for recommendation to the Grand Lodge. At the session of 1823 he delivered an oration, a copy of which was asked for publication, but as no copies of it are extant, it was probably not furnished.
He was frequently in the Grand Lodge for many years afterwards, always taking a prominent part. In 1854 he was appointed agent of the Grand Lodge to collect funds to erect a monument at Tippecanoe battle ground. Having been a participant in that battle, he took a lively interest in the work, and during the year devoted much time and labor in attempting to carry out the wishes of the Grand Lodge, a very full report of which may be found under the head of "Tippecanoe Masonic Monument."
He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, July 29, 1790. When he was quite young his father removed to Bourbon county, Kentucky, and subsequently, in 1803, to Clarke county, Indiana Territory, settling in Charlestown. It was here he received his education and studied law. In 1811 he enlisted as a private soldier under General Harri-
58
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
son, and fought in his several campaigns, particularly dis- tinguishing himself in the battle of Tippecanoe. At an early age he was admitted to the bar, and built up a repu- tation as a lawyer and jurist second to few in the State. In his habits he was temperate, and was never known to drink or play cards. He removed to Crawfordsville in 1833, and entered into partnership with the distinguished Henry S. Lane, with whom he continued until 1837, when he was "appointed Circuit Judge of the Crawfordsville circuit, which extended from Bedford and Salem, in the southern part of the State, to Lake Michigan on the north. While acting in this capacity he organized Benton, Jasper and Pulaski counties, and often, while traveling from one county to another on horseback in company with the late Governor Wright, who was prosecuting attorney, they were compelled to wade marshes and swim rivers, and frequently met hierds of deer and wolves. He served in all twenty- three years on the judicial bench. He was unassuming in his manners, but greatly noted for his stern, Puritanic ad- herence to moral principles. No man ever lived who pos- sessed in a greater degree the confidence of the public. Everybody had the most absolute faith in his integrity. Upon his death the members of the bar at Crawfordsville placed upon the records of the court, among other resolu- tions, the following:
"As a judge he was so pre-eminently pure that during the long period of twenty-three years that he served on the bench he was never assailed by even a suspicion of corrup- tion. His integrity and fidelity were so stern and unyield- ing that temptation itself vanished at his approach."
He died at his home in Crawfordsville, April 26, 1873, at the age of eighty-three years, and was buried with the honors of Masonry.
COL. JOSEPH BARTHOLOMEW, whose name is perpetuated in the name of Bartholomew county, represented Blazing Star Lodge in the convention at Corydon in 1817, and was one of the signers of the declaration of intention to form a Grand Lodge for Indiana. He was present at the session
59
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
of 1819, and was appointed Grand Treasurer pro tem., and one of the trustees of the Grand Charity Fund. At the election of officers he was chosen Senior Grand Warden.
In 1820 he was appointed by the Legislature as one of the commissioners to select and locate a new capital for the State. The commissioners met at the farm of William Connor, at the mouth of Fall creek. They were divided, as appears from General Tipton's journal giving an account of the location, between Connor's farm, at the mouth of Fall creek, and the bluffs near Waverly. The Fall creek site (now Indianapolis) was chosen. General Tipton's journal describes how the location was made as follows:
"We met at McCormick's, and on my motion the com- missioners came to a resolution to select and locate sections Nos. 1 and 12, and east and west fractional sections No. 2, and east fractional section 11; and so much off the east side of the west fractional section No. 3, to be divided by a north-and-south line running parallel to the west boundary of said section, as will equal in amount four sections in township 15 north of range 3 east. We left our clerk mak- ing out our minutes and our report, and went to camp to dine. Returned after dinner. Our paper not being ready, General Bartholomew, Colonel Durham and myself re- turned to camp at 4. They went to sleep and I to writing. At 5 we decamped and went over to McCormick's. Our clerk having his writing ready, the commissioners met and signed their report and certified the service of the clerk. At 6:45 the first boat landed that ever was seen at the seat of government. It was a small ferry flat, with a canoe tied alongside, both loaded with the household goods of two families moving to the mouth of Fall creek. They came in a keel boat as far as they could get up the river, then re- loaded the boat and brought up their goods in the flat and canoe."
Brother Bartholomew was a prominent participant in the battle of Tippecanoe. In his report to the Secretary of War, General Harrison said of him: "Colonel Joseph Bartholomew, a very valuable officer, commanded the mi- litia infantry. He was wounded early in the action and his services lost to me."
60
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
In 1813 Colonel Bartholomew headed an expedition of mounted rangers which moved from Valonia toward the Delaware towns on the west fork of White river, with an intention to surprise and punish some hostile Indians who were supposed to be lurking about those villages. He found the Indian towns had mostly been deserted during the winter, and only occasional Indians were found lurking about. After destroying the corn upon which they fed, the expedition returned to Valonia. In July following another expedition, under Colonel William Russell, was organized, and moved to the Indian villages at the mouth of the Mississinewa. All the towns that were not evacu- ated were destroyed. They returned by way of Eel river, Winamac, Prophetstown, Fort Harrison, etc. The route traveled over amounted to upward of five hundred miles. In his report Colonel Russell said: "Colonel Joseph Bar- tholomew acted as aid-de-camp. This veteran has been so well tried in this kind of warfare that any encomiums from me would be useless."
LAWRENCEBURG LODGE No. 4.
This lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Ken- tucky, August, 1817, as Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 44. It was represented in the convention to form the Grand Lodge at Corydon, December 3, 1817, by James Dill. At the meeting at which the Grand Lodge was organized at Madi- son, January 12, 1818, Jonathan Woodbury represented the lodge, and was elected Junior Grand Deacon, and was also appointed a committee to examine visiting brethren. He also represented the lodge at the September, 1818, meeting, and was appointed on the Committee on Griev- ances. Ile also secured the adoption of a resolution pro- viding for a form as a guide for the subordinate lodges in making their annual returns. In 1819 James Dill was again the representative, and at that meeting was elected Junior Grand Warden. For some time after the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1822 the lodge was only occasion- ally represented in the Grand Lodge. In 1829 the Grand
61
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
Visitor, as to this lodge, said: "Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4: This lodge is far from being prosperous; a general want of harmony and interest seems to prevail; the exertions of a few kept it alive. The few that attended during my stay are truly deserving."
In 1830 the Grand Lodge donated $64.50 to be applied on dues owing to the Grand Lodge, provided the lodge would build a Masonic hall within two years, and provided further that the amount should be refunded to the Grand Lodge when the Grand Lodge should conclude to erect a Grand Masonic Hall, in which event it should be considered a loan only.
In 1835 Brother Percival reported as follows:
"He has used every exertion in his power to reinstate Lawrenceburg No. 4, but cannot boast of their work; yet he believes they will meet regularly from this time, as they have admitted several new members, and held an election at the last stated meeting, and some of them appear at pres- ent to be determined to pursue their labors."
In 1836 he reported "That he had not visited any lodge in the Sixth District except Lawrenceburg No. 4, which lodge has not prospered much in the last year, but hopes they will resuscitate."
In 1841 it was "Resolved, That Lawrenceburg Lodge No. + have permission to so alter her charter as to allow said lodge to hold an election for officers to govern the same an- nually."
The lodge continued an indifferent existence until 1846, when the Grand Master, in his address, reported as follows: "In consequence of information communicated to me of the irregular and unconstitutional proceedings by that lodge, I felt it my duty to arrest their charter and book of proceed- ings, which was done on the 25th of March, 1846."
The committee to whom the matter was referred in their report said :
"The committee have made a careful examination of the books, papers and other evidences which were introduced, and are very clear and unanimous in the opinion that said lodge has been guilty of a breach of Masonic usages, which
62
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
the members now present freely admit, and are willing to be reprimanded and promise reformation. We are further of the opinion that the delinquencies complained of were committed under excitement occasioned by the turbulent and unworthy conduct of some two or three of the members of that society. And further, that Lawrenceburg is one of the oldest lodges, and has long held a highly respectable position among the lodges of the State. We therefore unanimously recommend that the charter be immediately restored, and their representative admitted to a seat in the Grand Lodge." Which was concurred in.
The lodge, however, failed to keep its promise of reform- ation, and at the session of the Grand Lodge in 1848 "the Grand Master laid before the Grand Lodge the charter of Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4, arrested by him, together with sundry communications and papers upon the subject of said arrest." The action of the Grand Master was confirmed. The Grand Lodge granted a dispensation to certain of the brethren therein named, and at the next session (1849) the Committee on Charters made the following report:
"LAWRENCEBURG LODGE U. D .- They find their workings correct, proceedings neatly and correctly kept, and by-laws in accordance with the regulations of the Grand Lodge. They therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolution :
"Resolved, That a charter be granted to the petitioners at Lawrenceburg as Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4, and that James M. Sherrod be the W. M., James M. Swope, S. W., and John C. Craig, J. W."
Everything went along smoothly until 1854. At that session of the Grand Lodge the Grand Master reported that complaints had been laid before him of the irregularities of Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4. These reports coming from different sources and from reliable brethren, he appointed Brother J. F. Scoby, of Greensburg Lodge, to investigate the truth of the complaints. Some time elapsed before Brother Scoby reported. The Grand Master did not deem the irregularities sufficient and did not arrest the charter, but allowed them to continue. During the winter Brother Scoby, being informed of the further contemplated irregu-
63
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
larity of the lodge, attended their communication, and when they failed in the accomplishment of their object. fearing that their charter would be arrested, they voted to relinquish it. Brother Scoby took possession of the charter and effects of the lodge. Subsequently the effects were ordered sold, the debts paid, and the lodge stricken from the roll of lodges.
At the same session another dispensation was granted, and at the next meeting of the Grand Lodge, 1855, the Committee on Dispensations reported :
"We find their by-laws correct and their work in good order, and we therefore ask the adoption of the following:
"Resolved, That a charter be granted the brethren of Lawrenceburg, under the name of Lawrenceburg Lodge No. 4, and that John C. McQuisten be the first W. M., George W. Baldridge, S. W., and William Nevitt, J. W."
This ended the trouble in the lodge; peace has since reigned within its walls, and all is well.
PROMINENT MEMBERS.
Among those who took part in establishing Masonry in Lawrenceburg who were also prominent in the early history of the State may be mentioned-
JAMES DILL. He was the representative of Lawrence- burg Lodge in the Grand Lodge in 1819, and at that session was elected Junior Grand Warden. He was a general in the Indian wars, and had acted as aid to General Anthony Wayne. He was a lawyer, and the preceptor of Senator O. H. Smith, who, in describing him, said: "He was frank and open in his intercourse with others, about the common height, wore a long cue, dressed with taste, feat- ures good, eyelids heavy, hair thrown back in front." He married a daughter of General St. Clair; was many years Secretary of the Senate and clerk of the Dearborn Circuit Court.
HUGH T. FERRY was in early times a prominent member of Lawrenceburg Lodge, and figured extensively in the Grand Lodge in the interest of a scheme to purchase a farm to be attached to a manual labor school, and to serve as a
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.