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1825
1926
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ORRIN PEARSON
A CONCISE HISTORY OF La Fayette Lodge, Ro. 79 Free and Accepted Masons of Zanesville, Ohio
Including a Brief History of Freemasonry
By ORRIN PEARSON 32° Past Master Past High Priest Thrice Illustrious Past Master
TO THAT FREEMASON WHATEVER LAND MAY CLAIM HIM AS A SON WHO THROUGH LEARNING AND RESEARCH HAS PENETRATED THE ARCANA OF FREEMASONRY
AND ILLUSTRATED ITS ANTIQUITIES, WHOSE MIND HATH BEST DISCERNED THROUGH THE ALLEGORICAL VEIL THAT ENSHROUDS ITS MYSTERIES
THE HOLINESS OF ITS PRINCIPLES
WHOSE EARS HATH HEARD ITS GLORIOUS TRADITIONS, WHOSE HEART HATH SYMPATHIZED WITH THE DISTRESSED, WHOSE HAND, LIBERAL UNTO ITS MEANS, HATH RELIEVED THE WANTS OF THE AFFLICTED WHOSE VERY LIFE EXEMPLIFIES THE THREE GREAT TENETS OF OUR PROFESSION,
BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF, AND TRUTH THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
Preface
F REEMASONRY is an indeterminate subject, presenting an infinite variety of phases and complexities, a com- prehensive knowledge of which is beyond the scope of the average reader.
The'works of reputable writers upon this subject reflect the opinion of their authors, that the Fraternity of Freemasons is indeed an ancient society, notwithstanding that material evi- dence to substantiate this theory is lacking.
The introduction to this history has been written with due regard to brevity, at the same time giving a digest of the rather exhaustive works of our best-known authorities without making any statements that might lead to controversial argument.
The history of La Fayette Lodge should be of keen interest to every local Mason, as well as to every citizen of this com- munity, it being closely allied with the history and progress of Zanesville and Muskingum County.
Neither time nor labor has been spared in the endeavor to make this work as complete as possible, and every consistent effort has been put forth in giving an accurate account of the more important events of the Lodge in a concise and impartial manner.
Doubtless some errors will be found, especially in the sta- tistical portion of the book, but this is unavoidable owing to the limited amount of time at our disposal, and the incomplete and illegible condition of the early records.
In writing this history, we have been actuated merely by the desire to be of some small service to the Fraternity, in return for the honors and favors so generously bestowed.
Grateful acknowledgement is hereby made to Bro. William D. Terry for his invaluable assistance in preparing an abstract of the minutes, thereby lightening our burden and curtailing the amount of time required in this production by many months.
A Lodge history is necessarily dry and uninteresting, and
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Preface
for this reason many incidents have been mentioned which are of no historical value, but of more than passing interest to the Craft.
By mere chance, many of our poorest years have been un- usually eventful, while others, though prosperous in every way, possess nothing of historical value beyond the ordinary routine.
In order that each Worshipful Master might receive due credit for work actually performed during his term of office, the number of Master Masons raised or affiliated has been computed according to the calendar year, and not the fiscal year, which will account for any discrepancies existing between the number stated in this history and that shown in the annual report to the Grand Lodge.
ORRIN PEARSON.
Zanesville, Ohio, July 22, 1926.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY,
-
11
CHAPTER II
INSTITUTION,
-
19
CHAPTER III
FIRST MASONIC TEMPLE,
-
71
CHAPTER IV
CLANDESTINE MASONRY, -
-
- 106
CHAPTER V
OUR MASONIC TEMPLE,
-
130
IO
Contents
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Pearson, Orrin Frontispiece
Our First Meeting Place
20
Moore, Samuel R. 200
BIOGRAPHIES
Allman, Abraham E 102
Lucas, Clarence S. 182
Arthur, John T
49
McClelland, Harry S
164
Bainter, Charles N.
125
Mendenhall, Wilber J 205
Bell, Thomas 203
Mercer, John L. 118
Blocksom, William. 26
Monkhouse, Richard .
82
Bolin, John Parker. 120
Moore, Cornelius 45
Bolin, William H. 116
38
Moore, Samuel R 201
Conant, Calvin. 23
148
Nowell, Roy R. 146
176
Dixon, John. 79
140
Pearson, Orrin.
169
Elliott, Samuel
93
179
Ferrel, Frank L. D.
151
Powell, Walter L.
150
Ford, John P .. 207
Redmond, John.
60
Fracker, John T
34
Richards, Imri. 76
Greaves, John.
85
Rowe, John. 136
26
Hall, John.
28
Sedgwick, George C
33
Hall, Gordius A.
28
Sedgwick, Robert H
64
Hamline, Leonidas L
24
Shaffer, William
208
Hartmeyer, John.
98
Snyder, Zon L.
155
Hattan, Daniel. 66
Talley, E. Hillis
142
Herrick, Samuel .
25
Tanner, Cecil W.
159
Holston, John G. F., I ..
67
Terry, William D.
203
Huston, Archibald M.
78
Thompson, John W 58
James, George. 27
Torrance, Samuel R 181
Kelly, Frank A.
144
Van Horne, Isaac.
22
La Fayette, Marquis de.
197
White, J. Sherman
175
Launder, Thomas
56
Wiles, Charles C.
95
Lewellyn, Charles F
172
Wright, William. 202
Lewis, William T
206
Zimmer, Charles E. 167
Moore, Lewis .. 100
Cassady, Asa R.
Nicklin, Richard. 126
Davis, Oliver G.
162
O'Neal, Clarence E.
Dawson, William C.
Parshall, William A.
187
Evans, Elmer A.
Perry, Paul R.
Grimsley, Edward F.
122
Safford, Harry
MEMBERSHIP ROSTER, 1825-1926, 210
A CONCISE HISTORY OF La Fayette Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY
I N PRESENTING a history of La Fayette Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, embracing a period of more than a century, and portraying as briefly as expedient the prin- cipal events of interest in chronological order, we must revert to that embryonic stage of our development when Zanesville, judging from present-day standards of living, was no more than a prosperous hamlet.
Thousands of articles of daily use, now considered indis- pensable, were unknown and unheard of at that time; and, although our city ranked third among the municipalities of Ohio in population, wealth, and commercial activities, and for seventeen months had occupied the enviable position of being the State capital, it was destitute of paved streets, gas, elec- tricity, sewers, telephones, railroads, street cars, or, in fact, conveniences of any description.
The treacherous Indian still roamed at will through the primeval forest which encompassed the town, and the only means of locomotion was by stagecoach or on horseback.
The improvement of Zanesville began in 1804, and after an existence of twenty years had a population of about two thou- sand men, women, and children, with a courthouse, jail, and land office.
As early as 1812 the city boasted of having eleven taverns, eleven stores, and scores of mechanics and professional men.
The most important trades of that early period were the brickmakers, carpenters, brick and stone masons, cabinet mak- ers, smiths of various kinds, clock and watch makers, jewelers,
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History of La Fayette Lodge
boot and shoe makers, rope makers, boat builders, saddlers, printers, painters, and potters.
This city was also the center of the stage routes: one line running from Wheeling, West Virginia, to Maysville, Kentucky, while another ran coaches at regular intervals between Wheeling and Columbus.
Scattered among the early settlers of Zanesville were a num- ber of Freemasons who, previous to their emigration to what was considered the Far West, had affiliated themselves with one of the few Lodges then established in the colonies. These brethren were the pioneers of Masonry in this section of Ohio, and to them all honor is due in the organization of our local Masonic Bodies.
The induction of the principles of Freemasonry into this community was not attended by uniformed processions, moving to the measured strains of martial music, nor were these prin- ciples promulgated by glaring headlines, emblazoned upon the front pages of the newspapers. Our Fraternity was regarded with toleration rather than veneration, and the cardinal virtues of these early Craftsmen were those of silence, secrecy, and cir- cumspection.
In order to possess a comprehensive knowledge of the many difficulties encountered by these Freemasons during the early period of our development, due to the feeling of antipathy which pervaded the entire country, we must digress for a time and revert still farther back to that era of uncertainty immedi- ately preceding the introduction of Speculative into the Operative element of Masonry.
The novice searching for light in Freemasonry is confronted by an intricate maze of perplexing questions concerning the origin and antiquity of our ancient and honorable Society, which renders it very difficult for him to distinguish between the truth and the tradition.
Numberless books have been written upon this subject, many propounding theories of double origin and with unlimited pre- tensions, to prove to the gullible that Freemasonry has enjoyed an uninterrupted existence from some uncertain period ante- dating the building of Solomon's Temple, through the Dark Ages
I3
Introductory
and up to the present time. As to the truth of these extravagant assertions we can neither affirm nor deny; but, if we are to accept as authority the writings of such eminent Masonic schol- ars as Oliver, Preston, Anderson, Desaguliers, Mackey, and Gould, then we must concur in the opinion that little authentic information has been secured relative to the operations of the Craft prior to the sixteenth century.
In enumerating a few of the more plausible of these theories, regardless of their reputed value as such, we might mention the Comacines or Roman Collegia; the Dionesyan Artificers of Tyre, to whom for their cunning and ingenuity is attributed the mag- nificent beauty of King Solomon's Temple; the Druses of Leba- non; the Druids, who flourished in England during the Dark Ages; the Culdees of Ireland; the Pythagorians of Greece, and the followers of the Egyptian Hermes, known as Hermeticism. These are but a few of the many religious cults or building guilds which inhabited the various countries upon the European con- tinent prior to the ignorant and lawless period of mediæval his- tory known as the Dark Ages.
Many writers connect the building of the pyramids of Egypt with early Freemasonry. We have conclusive proof that these pyramids were erected by various monarchs as tombs, the labor being performed by slaves; and, outside of the vast amount of labor required, little skill or ingenuity would be required for the performance were it not for the intricacies of their interior. Quoting from "The History of Ancient Egypt," by the famous archæologist, George Rawlinson, is the following statement: "No one can possibly examine the interior of the 'Great Pyramid' without being struck with astonishment at the wonderful me- chanical skill displayed in its construction. Nothing more per- fect mechanically has ever been erected since that time." The early Egyptians were not noted for their skill as builders, which would lead us to believe that this knowledge must have been received from outside sources. The solution to these many vexatious problems is still unsolved. A possible solution might lie in the building guilds that, according to reliable authorities, existed as early as the Persian Dominion. These guilds were composed of all the trades necessary to the construction of a
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History of La Fayette Lodge
building, the members of which traveled from place to place and from one country to another seeking employment. These guilds were presided over by a Master and Wardens, somewhat similar to the custom of our present Lodges, and the magnificent monasteries, palaces, and public buildings extant in Europe to- day after an existence of many centuries attest the skill of these guilds in the building art.
England finally became the center of their operations, and in that country they flourished for a time, but in the fifteenth cen- tury, during the reign of Charles II, they almost ceased to exist.
The guilds took a new lease on life, however, when the great fire of September, 1666, almost completely destroyed the city of London, and among the many fine buildings in the devastated region were more than fifty cathedrals, the reconstruction of which gave impetus to the building trades throughout the entire kingdom.
London was immediately rebuilt under the skillful hand of that world-renowned architect, Sir Christopher Wren, who was acknowledged Grand Master of the Operative Masons of Eng- land.
In the sixteenth century, during the reign of Henry VIII, Puritanism came into vogue, and as a result of this Protestant Reformation the guilds were suppressed by the Crown, and the building of churches was forbidden.
This action brought about the decline of Operative Masonry until, at the close of the century, there were but seven Lodges existing in London, and of this number but two of any conse- quence.
During the active life of Sir Christopher Wren annual meet- ings were held by the Grand Lodge, but after he became aged and infirm these meetings ceased for several years. These Operative Lodges conferred the one degree of Entered Ap- prentice, while the Grand Lodge, which was composed of all active Masons assembled en masse in a general assembly, con- ferred the remaining degrees of Fellow Craft and Master Mason,
In 1715, the four surviving Lodges of London resolved to take some united action to revive the Craft from the state of lethargy, into which it had fallen, and unite under a new Grand
I5
Introductory
Master, Sir Christopher Wren now being dead and none having been appointed to fill his place.
They, accordingly, met at the Apple Tree tavern, and having put in the chair the oldest Mason (being Master of a Lodge), they constituted themselves a Grand Lodge, pro tempore, and resolved to revive the annual assembly and feast, and select some noble Brother to serve them as Grand Master.
The annual feast and assembly was held June 24, 1717, being the birthday of St. John the Baptist, at the Goose and Gridiron tavern in London, and after a number of names had been pro- posed and a selection made by a majority of hands, Anthony Thayer, an Operative Mason, was duly elected Grand Master. Some time prior to the date of this revival the few remaining Lodges had endeavored to resuscitate the declining Order by admitting to membership noblemen and gentlemen of promi- nence, who were ignorant of the art of building but had dis- tinguished themselves as soldiers, sailors, or in the various arts and sciences. These Brethren were known as Accepted Masons, and even at this early date were of sufficient strength to wield a potent influence in shaping the future policies of the Fraternity. It is a noteworthy fact that in the selection of officers at this assembly the Senior Grand Warden was a carpenter, while a soldier was chosen to the office of Junior Grand Warden. This meeting, held at the Goose and Gridiron tavern, is known as "The Revival," and in the course of its deliberations the Grand Lodge decided that the privilege of assembling as Masons, which had hitherto been unlimited, should be vested in certain Lodges or Assemblies of Masons, and that every Lodge to be hereafter convened must be legally authorized by warrant from the Grand Master. At the meeting of this Grand Lodge, June 24, 1721, the Duke of Montagu was elected and proclaimed Grand Master. He immediately requested Rev. James Anderson and Dr. John T. Desaguliers, both men of genius and education, to revise, ar- range, and digest the old Gothic constitutions and charges, which task they faithfully executed, and gave to the Craft the ancient Charges and Regulations of Freemasons, so familiar to the Craft to-day.
Following the revival of 1717, other Grand Lodges sprang up
I6
History of La Fayette Lodge
in England and Scotland, until at one time there were four rival Grand Lodges all claiming exclusive jurisdiction.
The most important of these rival Grand Lodges were the Ancient (Antient) or Atholl Masons (so called from the Duke of Atholl, who for a number of years was Grand Master), and the Moderns, which title was given by the Ancients to the ad- herents of the first Grand Lodge, which had been formed at the Goose and Gridiron tavern, and designated themselves as the Grand Lodge, Free Masons, of England.
The Ancients were a number of Irish Masons who established themselves in England and organized the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of England, in 1751. From this last Grand Lodge all the existing Lodges in the United States have received their authority and, likewise, their name.
The rivalry between these two Grand Jurisdictions existed for more than a century. The principal contention was in the ritualis- tic work, the Ancients accusing the Moderns of having introduced innovations which changed the old landmarks of Masonry.
The code of government for the Ancients was embodied in a book of constitutions, entitled, "Ahiman Rezon," written by Laurence Dermott in 1756, while the Moderns adhered strictly to Anderson's Constitutions. This rivalry existed to a moderate degree in the American colonies, some Lodges having received their authority from one, and some from the other of these Grand Lodges. The consolidation of the two Grand Lodges of South Carolina, in 1817, permanently settled the question in this country, all Lodges of Moderns having ceased to exist.
In 1813 the three existing Grand Lodges of England con- solidated under the leadership of the Duke of Sussex, who was elected and proclaimed Grand Master.
It is impossible to give the exact date that Speculative Ma- sonry was introduced into the United States, both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania claiming priority.
In 1730, Daniel Cox was appointed Provincial Grand Master of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with power to constitute Lodges; but, from reliable authority, we learn that as early as 1720 a Lodge held meetings in King's Chapel, Boston, Massachusetts. Following the introduction of Speculative
I7
Introductory
Masonry into the Operative Lodges of England, they rapidly increased in membership, power, and influence, and many men of wealth and prominence, including the nobility and members of the royal family itself, sought admission to its portals. It was but a matter of time until the Speculative entirely dominated the Operative element of the Fraternity, the whole undergoing a complete transformation. But as the Order increased in wealth and prestige, its enemies assailed it on every side as a disseminator of vicious and pernicious doctrines. It was a time when secret societies of every description, especially the Freemasons, were regarded with distrust and suspicion. In consequence of pre- tended exposures written by the Abbe Barruel, Samuel Pritchard, Prof. Robison, and others, the Order and rites of Freemasonry were considered contemptible, and crimes and calumnies beyond description were heaped upon its innocent head.
One hundred and eight years had elapsed from the time of "The Revival" until the organization of La Fayette Lodge; yet, we find that Freemasonry was still in an incipient state.
The brilliant achievements of such eminent Freemasons as Washington, Franklin, La Fayette, Revere, Warren, Putnam, and hundreds of others, who participated in the war for inde- pendence had added lustre to the Fraternity, and the world at large was beginning to view it with respect, if not with admira- tion, when disaster almost overtook it in the disappearance of William Morgan.
Morgan was a native of Culpepper County, Virginia, and by trade a stone mason. In 1821, he abandoned his trade, removed to Batavia, New York, and opened a brewery. In a short time the brewery was destroyed by fire, and he was reduced to com- parative poverty. He was a Freemason, and after removing to Batavia became a Royal Arch Mason, but, owing to his dissolute habits, was expelled. In 1826, the members of the Craft be- came highly incensed over the knowledge that Morgan was preparing an exposé on Masonry. Several attempts were made by unknown persons to destroy the shop where the book was being printed, and he was twice imprisoned for debt. He disappeared on September 19, 1826, and was never again seen. It is evident, from the various accounts of this episode, that Morgan was not
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History of La Fayette Lodge
possessed of sufficient intelligence to write a book of this kind, but was ably assisted by the enemies of the Fraternity, who profited by his disappearance. The disappearance of William Morgan was heralded throughout the length and breadth of the land, and brought upon the Fraternity the most bigotrous per- · secution. Public feeling became very strong, and many Masons, fearing for their lives and property, renounced their membership. This unfortunate incident proved almost a death blow to the organization throughout the country. The Lodges being small in number, many permanently ceased operations, while the re- maining number assembled infrequently, under conditions of ut- most secrecy.
Anti-Masonry advanced to such a state of intolerance and hatred that, on September 11, 1830, the United States Anti- Masonic convention, composed of one hundred and eleven dele- gates from eleven States of the Northern and New England group, assembled in the city of Philadelphia. This convention adopted a platform with the avowed intention of exterminating Freemasonry, and nominated candidates for President and Vice- President. This party was discredited, however, at the follow- ing election, receiving but seven electoral votes, being the entire vote of Vermont.
This was the status of the institution a century ago, when that small but intrepid band of Freemasons met at Mason's Hall and laid the preliminary plans for the organization of La Fayette Lodge.
From subsequent events, we can readily see that our early Brethren could hardly have selected a more unpropitious time for the institution of a new Lodge. Amity Lodge was chartered in 1805, and at this time, after an existence of twenty years, had a membership of less than forty, and until four years previous to this time had been destitute of a permanent Lodge room, meeting in taverns and private homes. At that time Zanesville and Springfield (Putnam) were rival towns, and of the two it would seem that Springfield was the more enterprising. Amity Lodge held meetings for several years, both in Zanesville and Spring- field, as their early By-laws provided, and it was the duty of the Tyler to notify the Brethren of the time and place of each meeting.
CHAPTER II INSTITUTION
A N EXHAUSTIVE research into the few available sources of supply has elicited scant information regarding the circumstances leading up to the institution of our Lodge. A perusal of the minutes of Amity Lodge evinces the fact that a lack of harmony had prevailed in this Lodge for several years prior to this time. A written proposition was presented to that Lodge by certain of its members on November 24, 1820, who agreed to withdraw and form a new Lodge, providing that Amity would recommend them to the Grand Lodge, pay the charter fee, and give them joint ownership in the new Lodge room. In speaking of this audacious request, the record states "that the paper was thrown out of the Lodge," but from reliable informa- tion we learn that this paper was still on file a few years ago, with the signatures torn off. Refreshments were very much in favor in the early days, and the principal form of refreshment being whiskey, it was only natural for certain of the Brethren to experience difficulty in governing the appetite. It is said "that Billy Twaddle and his big brown jug were certain signs that the Lodge would meet that night," and seldom failed to bring out a good attendance. On occasions the Brethren imbibed a little too freely, which caused many disputes, some of which led to per- manent enmity. Next to the conferring of degrees, the principal order of business was trying one another for unmasonic conduct and, in consequence, the Lodge was divided into two or more factions. The minutes of Amity Lodge for the meeting held April 29, 1825, supplies us with the information that at that meeting a request was read by Bro. George James in which he asked that permission be granted to himself and others to form a new Lodge in Zanesville, and that a recommendation to this effect be made to the Grand Lodge of Ohio, which request was granted by the unanimous vote of the members present. Brother James was never a member of Amity Lodge, nor are any of the
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History of La Fayette Lodge
subsequent members of La Fayette Lodge mentioned in the meager attendance at this meeting, which renders the result of this ballot very remarkable. It is possible that several meet- ings were held prior to the receipt of the dispensation, but if so, no record was made of these transactions. The first recorded meeting was held in Masons' Hall, which was the third floor of the old Zanesville Academy, located on Market Street, next to Potter Alley. This old structure was completed in 1821 and is still standing. The first two floors were the property of the county and were used as schoolrooms for many years, while the third floor was the joint property of Amity Lodge and the Chapter Masons.
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