USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Zanesville > A concise history of La Fayette Lodge, No. 79, Free and Accepted Masons of Zanesville, Ohio : including a brief history of Freemasonry > Part 3
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In Testimony Whereof, We, the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens, by virtue of the high power and authority in us vested, have hereunto set our hands, and caused the seal of the GRAND LODGE to be affixed, at Columbus, this eleventh day of January, A. D. 1826.
SAMUEL WHEELER, M .:. W ... Grand Master;
RICHARD COLLINS, R .:. W ... Deputy Grand Master; STEPHEN FALES, R .. W ... Senior Grand Warden;
JOHN SATERTHWAITE, R .. W .. Junior Grand Warden. (Seal)
Attest, B. LATHAM, R .:. W .. Grand Secretary.
The first election of officers was held January 27, and officers chosen at this time were: Bro. Calvin Conant, Worshipful Mas- ter; Bro. John T. Fracker, Senior Warden; Bro. Simeon Wright, Junior Warden; Bro. Isaac Van Horne, Treasurer; Bro. John Elbertson, Secretary; Bro. John Hall, Senior Deacon; Bro. John W. Huntington, Junior Deacon, and Bro. William Twaddle, Steward and Tyler.
These officers were installed, April 26, by Bro. Joshua Downer. The records of the Lodge at this time are very in- complete, illegible, and contain many incongruous statements.
During the year a donation of one hundred dollars was made to the Grand Lodge for the purpose of erecting a building for their permanent meeting place, provided it be located in Zanes- ville.
Fourteen meetings were held during the year.
Bros. Peter Meeker, Asa R. Cassady, and Moses Lehew re- ceived the degrees, and John Elbertson, John Huntington, Simeon Wright, Joshua Downer, Joseph A. McConnell, and Solomon Bliss were admitted to membership.
The second election was held on December 15 and resulted
33
George C. Sedgwick
in the choice of officers as follows: Bro. George C. Sedgwick, Worshipful Master; Bro. John T. Fracker, Senior Warden; Bro. John Hall, Junior Warden; Bro. Isaac Van Horne, Treasurer; Bro. Gordius A. Hall, Secretary; Bro. Joseph A. McConnell, Senior Deacon; Bro. Asa R. Cassady, Junior Deacon, and Bro. William Twaddle, Steward and Tyler.
These officers were installed on December 28, by Bro. David Spangler as Grand Master, assisted by Bro. Robert Stewart as Deputy Grand Master.
1827 BRO. GEORGE C. SEDGWICK WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Brother Sedgwick was born in Calvert County, Maryland, November 3, 1785. He was a Baptist minister and, in 1820, left Winchester, Virginia, where he was then located, for a trip through the west. He stopped at Zanesville and finding a layman of the Baptist faith, held a service and delivered a sermon. He was much impressed by the advantages offered in this prosper- ous village and, after a sojourn through Kentucky and Indiana, returned here and established the First Baptist Church. Serv- ices were held for a time in the old courthouse and in private homes, but in 1823 a one-story brick church was erected on Sixth Street, near South Street. The Ohio Baptist State Con- vention was organized in this church in 1826 and the two suc- ceeding sessions were held there. Brother Sedgwick also edited and published a small Baptist newspaper, and for a time con- ducted a seminary for girls. On June 29, 1826, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza H. Dare, in Putnam, the ceremony being performed by his brother, Rev. William Sedgwick, and to this union seven children were born.
Brother Sedgwick was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Amity Lodge, August 6, 1824; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft August 18, 1824, and raised to the degree of Master Mason August 25, 1824. He affiliated with La Fayette Lodge, July 9, 1825, and served as Worshipful Master in 1827, without having previously served as a Warden. 2
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History of La Fayette Lodge
He died August 25, 1864, in the old Dare homestead, on Second Street, and was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery.
On January 26, the Lodge performed the last sad rites at the funeral of Bro. Calvin Conant, who was laid to rest in the old cemetery on Moxahala Avenue.
During the year the degrees were conferred upon Bros. David B. Irwin, Elijah Hinman, and Gerardus Wynkoop, and Bro. Jacob Fisher was admitted to membership.
The third election was held September 7 and resulted in the election of Bro. John T. Fracker as Worshipful Master; Bro. John Hall, Senior Warden; Bro. Asa R. Cassady, Junior Warden; Bro. Isaac Van Horne, Treasurer; Bro. Gordius A. Hall, Secre- tary; Bro. Moses Lehew, Senior Deacon; Bro. Peter Meeker, Junior Deacon, and Bro. William Twaddle, Steward and Tyler.
1828 BRO. JOHN TILESTON FRACKER WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Brother Fracker was born at Boston, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 29, 1785. He was one of the earliest machinists in Zanes- ville. In 1826, in partnership with Bro. William Blocksom, he erected a foundry in Fountain Alley, between Seventh Street and Underwood Street, from which he withdrew in 1833. The firm of John T. Fracker & Son opened a small foundry at the southwest corner of Sixth Street and Locust Alley, for the manu- facture of small castings. This business was conducted under various names until 1870.
Brother Fracker received the Masonic degrees before coming to this city. He affiliated with Amity Lodge, June 12, 1818, and served that Lodge as Junior Warden, 1819, and Secretary in 1820. He affiliated with La Fayette Lodge, July 1, 1825, being our first member, and served as Junior Deacon, 1825; Senior Warden, 1826 and 1827; Worshipful Master, 1828-29- 30 and 1831.
He died July 23, 1853, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
On January 3 the officers were installed by Bro. Joshua
35
The Senate Chamber
Downer, assisted by Bro. Robert Richmond. Sixteen Brethren were present on this occasion.
Two members of the Lodge were honored by the Grand Lodge this year. Bro. Joshua Downer served as Deputy Grand Master, pro tem, and Bro. George C. Sedgwick was appointed Grand Chaplain.
In the spring of 1808 the question of removing the capital to Zanesville was thoroughly agitated, and every effort was put forth by the Muskingum delegation in the General As- sembly, assisted by John McIntire and other prominent citizens, to bring this about, representing that the county would furnish suitable buildings for the Legislature and State officers. In preparation of this event, the first courthouse was erected in 1809. The seat of government was located in this city from October 1, 1810, to May 1, 1812, the House of Representatives using the first floor of the courthouse, while the second floor was occupied by the Senate. After the removal of the capital to Columbus, the second floor, better known as the "Senate Chamber," was rented to various organizations. This room was used by all of the Masonic Bodies at different times, prior to the erection of the temple at the corner of Fourth and Market Streets.
On January 4, 1828, the Lodge secured the "Senate Chamber" for their future meeting place.
During the year the degrees were conferred upon Bros. Isaac Springer, Zadoc Hall, William B. Cassady, and John G. Hilton. On December 26, the fourth election was held and Bro. John T. Fracker was again elected Worshipful Master. Other officers were: Bro. John Hall, Senior Warden; Bro. Asa R. Cassady, Junior Warden; Bro. Isaac Van Horne, Treasurer; Bro. Isaac Springer, Secretary; Bro. Peter Meeker, Senior Deacon; Bro. Elijah Hinman, Junior Deacon, and Bro. John G. Hilton, Steward and Tyler.
1829
BRO. JOHN TILESTON FRACKER WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The officers were installed on New Year's Day by Bro. Joshua Downer as the M .. W .. Grand Master, assisted by Bro. Daniel Converse as R .. W .. Deputy Grand Master.
36
History of La Fayette Lodge
La Fayette Lodge was again honored by the Grand Lodge in the selection of Bro. Joshua Downer as R .. W .. Deputy Grand Master, and Bro. John T. Fracker as R .. W .. Grand Treasurer.
No degrees were conferred during the year. Fourteen meet- ings were held, all of which were in the Entered Apprentice degree.
At the fifth election, on December 11, Bro. John T. Fracker was elected Worshipful Master; Bro. Zadoc Hall, Senior Warden; Bro. Peter Meeker, Junior Warden; Bro. John Hall, Treasurer; Bro. Asa R. Cassady, Secretary; Bro. Isaac Springer, Senior Deacon; Bro. Jacob Fisher, Junior Deacon, and Bro. John G. Hilton, Steward and Tyler.
These officers were installed on December 31 by Bro. Dudley W. Rhodes as M .. W .. Grand Master, assisted by Bro. Josiah S. Copeland as R .. W .. Deputy Grand Master.
1830 BRO. JOHN TILESTON FRACKER WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The plans of our present public library system were laid in 1830, when a number of our prominent citizens met and or- ganized the Atheneum Reading Society. A contract was let for a two-story building, which was to be erected on a site to the east and immediately adjoining that of the old courthouse. This building was constructed at a cost of $3,500, and its loca- tion is now covered by the east wing of the present courthouse. An invitation having been received from John Wilson and Asa R. Cassady, Undertakers, and Charles G. Wilson and William Blocksom, members of the Building Committee, the corner- stone of the Atheneum was laid, April 13, by the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, with impressive ceremonies. At three o'clock a Lodge of Entered Apprentices was opened by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, composed of the following local Brethren: Bro. David Spangler as M .. W .. Grand Master; Bro. Robert Stewart as R .. W .. Senior Grand Warden; Bro. Joshua C. Hook as R .:. W .. Junior Grand Warden; Bro. James Caldwell as R .:. W .:. Grand Treasurer; Bro. Adam Peters as R .. W ...
37
Laying First Cornerstone
Grand Secretary; Bro. William Berkshire as W. Senior Grand Deacon; Bro. Gerardus Wynkoop as W. Junior Grand Deacon, and Bro. William Twaddle as Grand Steward and Tyler.
The degree of Master Mason was conferred upon six Brethren during this year, and one was admitted to membership.
The sixth election was held December 3, and the officers elected were: Bro. John T. Fracker, Worshipful Master; Bro. Isaac Springer, Senior Warden; Bro. John W. Hilton, Junior Warden; Bro. John Hall, Treasurer; Bro. William Silcott, Sec- retary; Bro. William Pringle, Senior Deacon; Bro. Hezekiah B. Allison, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Joseph A. McConnell, Steward and Tyler. The Secretary entirely overlooked the installation of these officers, as no mention of it is made in the minutes.
On December 27 the Lodge joined in a Masonic celebration of the festival of St. John the Evangelist by attending divine services at the Associated Reformed Methodist Church: They later dined at the Kirker and Mulvaney Hotel, after which they returned to the Lodge room, where an address was made by Bro. David Spangler.
1831 BRO. JOHN T. FRACKER WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The Lodge held twenty-three meetings during the year, and were represented in the Grand Lodge by Bro. George James, who was honored with the office of Junior Grand Deacon. During this year the degree of Master Mason was conferred upon four new Brethren and the Entered Apprentice upon three others.
The seventh election was held on December 23, and Bro. Asa R. Cassady was elected Worshipful Master. The other officers were: Bro. John Hall, Senior Warden; Bro. John G. Hilton, Junior Warden; Bro. Gerardus Wynkoop, Treasurer; Bro. William Silcott, Secretary; Bro. John T. Fracker, Senior Deacon; Bro. Hezekiah B. Allison, Junior Deacon, and Bro. William B. Cassady, Steward and Tyler.
These officers were installed December 27, but no mention was made of the installing officers.
38
History of La Fayette Lodge
1832 BRO. ASA R. CASSADY WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Bro. Cassady was born in Fairfax County, Virginia, near Richmond, about the beginning of the last century. He came to Zanesville while still a lad, and became one of the earliest undertakers in the city, being associated in business with John Wilson. He was particularly noted for his business acumen, and displayed untiring energy in conducting the numerous enter- prises in which he was at various times engaged. Besides con- ducting an undertaking parlor and furniture store, he owned a flour mill on Sixth Street, near Howard, and was interested in many business projects during his life.
He was Postmaster of Zanesville from April 1, 1840, to February 3, 1841; Sheriff of Muskingum County from 1833 to 1837, and Mayor of Zanesville from 1867 to 1869.
Brother Cassady was equally active in Masonic circles and proved very skillful in administering the affairs of the Lodge during the trying years of the anti-Masonic persecution. He was initiated in this Lodge October 20, 1826; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft November 27, 1826, and raised to the degree of Master Mason December 15, 1826.
He served the Lodge as Junior Deacon, 1827; Secretary, 1828 and 1830; Junior Warden, 1828 and 1829; Senior Warden, 1840, and Worshipful Master, 1832, 1833, 1836, and 1837. He later dimitted from the Lodge and affiliated with Lodge of Amity, No. 5, March 26, 1858.
He died September 11, 1872, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
During this year the anti-Masonic feeling which pervaded the New England and eastern States began to make itself felt in Zanesville. Only twelve meetings were held and only two new Brethren were raised.
The eighth election was held December 14, and the officers selected were: Bro. Asa R. Cassady, Worshipful Master; Bro. Joseph A. McConnell, Senior Warden; Bro. William B. Cas- sady, Junior Warden; Bro. Gerardus Wynkoop, Treasurer; Bro.
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John Hall Elected Master
William Silcott, Secretary; Bro. John Hall, Senior Deacon; Bro. John Shafer, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Hezekiah B. Allison, Steward and Tyler.
These officers were installed on December 21 by Bro. Dudley W. Rhodes, acting as the M .. W .. Grand Master, assisted by Bro. Daniel Converse as R .. W .. Deputy Grand Master.
1833 BRO. ASA R. CASSADY WORSHIPFUL MASTER
No business of importance was transacted during the year. Thirteen meetings were held and three received the Master Mason degree.
The ninth election was held December 9, and Bro. John Hall was elected Worshipful Master. Other officers were: Bro. Joseph A. McConnell, Senior Warden; Bro. Hezekiah B. Al- lison, Junior Warden; Bro. Gerardus Wynkoop, Treasurer; Bro. William Silcott, Secretary; Bro. Joseph Sharp, Senior Dea- con; Bro. William L. Hutchison, Junior Deacon, and Bro. John White, Steward and Tyler.
1834 BRO. JOHN HALL WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The installation of officers was held January 2, 1834, the ceremonies of installation being performed by Bro. Daniel Con- verse, assisted by Bro. John Hall.
In response to a report made by the Auditing Committee, February 5, relative to alleged discrepancies in the books of the Secretary and Treasurer, the Senior Warden was authorized to take over the books of the Secretary and record all meetings to date.
No degrees were conferred during the year. Twelve meetings were held and all in the Entered Apprentice degree.
On December 19, the tenth election was held. The newly elected officers consisted of Bro. John Hall, Worshipful Master; Bro. Joseph A. McConnell, Senior Warden; Bro. Hezekiah B. Allison, Junior Warden; Bro. Gerardus Wynkoop, Treasurer;
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History of La Fayette Lodge
Bro. William Silcott, Secretary; Bro. William Pringle, Senior Deacon; Bro. William L. Hutchison, Junior Deacon, and Bro. John White, Steward and Tyler.
1835 BRO. JOHN HALL WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The installation was held on New Year's Day, and the officers were installed by Bro. Dudley W. Rhodes, of Amity Lodge, assisted by Bro. Joseph McConnell.
The anti-Masonic fever was at its peak in Zanesville: only six meetings were held during the year and none from May 18 to December 11, when the eleventh election of officers was held. The new officers were: Bro. Asa R. Cassady, Worshipful Master; Bro. John Hall, Senior Warden; Bro. Joseph Sharp, Junior Warden; Bro. Gerardus Wynkoop, Treasurer; Bro. Joseph A. McConnell, Secretary; Bro. William L. Hutchison, Senior Deacon; Bro. William Pringle, Junior Deacon, and Bro. John White, Steward and Tyler.
The officers were installed December 31 by Bro. Daniel Applegate, assisted by Bro. Robert Stewart.
1836 BRO. ASA R. CASSADY WORSHIPFUL MASTER
During this second administration of Bro. Cassady, the Lodge experienced a very prosperous year despite the feeling of animosity that assailed the Institution on every side.
Early in the spring, the Lodge moved from the "Senate Chamber" to Masons' Hall. Fourteen meetings were held during the year and five Brethren received the Master Mason degree, while the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees were conferred upon one other.
The minutes of March 4 mention the fact that the charter had been framed at a cost of one dollar and sixty-eight cents.
No record was made of the election or installation of the officers for 1837, but from subsequent records we learn that the
4I
Early By-laws
officers were composed of: Bro. Asa R. Cassady, Worshipful Master; Bro. John Hall, Senior Warden; Bro. William B. Cas- sady, Junior Warden; Bro. Gerardus Wynkoop, Treasurer; Bro. Joseph A. McConnell, Secretary; Bro. Lemuel Page, Senior Deacon; Bro. William Pringle, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Thomas Whitt, Steward and Tyler.
1837 BRO. ASA R. CASSADY WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The thirteenth year in the history of the Lodge was the most prosperous of any up to this time, and was fittingly celebrated by the addition of thirteen new Master Masons. Foremost in the list are the names of Bro. Cornelius Moore and Bro. Thomas Launder, each of whom later served as Master and wielded a potent influence in the affairs of the Lodge for many years. Bro. Launder was actively identified in the organization of the Lodge at Dresden, and on July 21 was permitted to withdraw his membership for that purpose.
The Lodge held twenty-four meetings during the year and on October 30 secured Masons' Hall for another year at a rental of thirty dollars.
La Fayette Lodge was further honored by the Grand Lodge of Ohio in the selection of Bro. Cornelius Moore as Grand Orator.
One important event which occurred during this year was the revision of the By-laws, of which no record had been made in the minutes up to this time. These early By-laws throw con- siderable light upon the many peculiar habits and customs then in vogue, and began with the following preamble:
The Grand Architect, whose divine wisdom resolved to form the world, and reduce a wild chaos to a fair, regular, and perma- nent system, not only traced out the whole plan of the universe, but gave life and being, form and figure, to every part of what had been before a wide, indigested, and immovable heap of matter. Who said, "Let there be light and there was light," the dull, heavy, and terrain parts of matter obeyed the Almighty fiat, and were immediately ranged in form and order. We, therefore,
42
History of La Fayette Lodge
the members of La Fayette Lodge, No. 79, Free and Accepted Masons, held by charter from the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge for the State of Ohio, granted and dated on the eleventh day of January, A. L. 5826, in order to promote the benevolent pur- poses for which our Society was first founded, to pay homage and adoration to the Divine Being; for the purposes of dis- seminating Brotherly Love, Relief, and Charity; to point out the precepts and give energy to the practice of morality, religion, and all the social virtues; to preserve the dignity and harmony of this Lodge, and the more firmly maintain inviolate those duties which the bond of affection and Brotherly Love prescribes; in addition to the general rules and "Ancient Landmarks" of Masonry, do make known, and confirm, the following articles as a constitutional code for the government of ourselves and our successors.
Those By-laws were composed of fourteen articles, each of which was subdivided into numerous sections, concluding with Pleyel's Hymn and a form of petition, almost identical with the form now in use.
The stated meetings were held on Friday evenings, suc- ceeding each full moon, and the opening hour was seven o'clock, from March to August inclusive, and six o'clock during the re- maining months. The By-laws further provided: that the Lodge should be opened within fifteen minutes after the time specified, if sufficient number of the Brethren were present, and in the absence of the Master and Wardens, the Lodge could be opened by a Past Master or even a Master Mason. At the Annual Communication, which was the one succeeding the full moon in November, officers were elected for the ensuing year. In the election of officers, should there be no majority on the first ballot, the two having the highest number of votes were considered in nomination, and the remainder of the con- testants eliminated.
The only qualification requisite for the office of Worshipful Master was the attainment of the degree of Master Mason at least six months previous to the date of election.
The officers could be installed at any time prior to the festival of St. John the Evangelist.
The Master was endowed with practically the same powers
43
Early By-laws
and prerogatives as at the present time, except that his decisions could be reversed by two-thirds of the members present. In the list of committees, provided in the By-laws, were those of Vigilance and Charity.
The Vigilance Committee investigated the character of each person petitioning the Lodge, either for degrees or affiliation; acted as a mediator in the adjustment of any differences arising among the Brethren, and, when necessary, preferred charges for misconduct.
The Committee on Charity had equal powers with the Master in making charitable donations, and the minutes of al- most every meeting contain one or more names of indigent Masons, or the widows and orphans of Masons, who had received material assistance from the Lodge.
The Secretary received as salary seventy-five cents for each initiation; and for the writing of diplomas he received one dollar for parchment or satin, and fifty cents for paper. His duties were the same then as now, except that the membership was small and the Lodge met less frequently.
The Tyler received as remuneration for his services at each meeting the sum of seventy-five cents; for notifying members and tiling for emergency meetings he received one dollar, and this amount was charged to the person for whose benefit the meeting was called. Until 1887, the duties of Tyler and Stew- ard were performed by the same brother, and among the manifold duties of this dual office were those of keeping all furniture and paraphernalia in good order, cleaning the Lodge room, securing light and fuel, and providing the refreshments on meeting nights. He was the only member of the Lodge that was exempt from dues.
Besides the Stated Communications, which were held monthly, meetings could be called at the pleasure of the Wor- shipful Master, and any meeting could be adjourned until some future date by a majority vote of the members present.
All petitions for degrees were required to be in writing and recommended by two Master Masons, only one of whom was required to be a member of the Lodge. The By-laws further specified : that a petition for degrees must be accompanied by
44
History of La Fayette Lodge
three dollars, which, if the candidate was accepted, should be considered a part of the initiation fee, but if the candidate was accepted and did not appear to receive the degree within three months thereafter, the three dollars should be forfeited by the Lodge, unless he could show good cause for this failure, when duly notified.
Petitions were required to lie over from one Stated Communi- cation until the next, unless considered by the Lodge to be a case of emergency, or when the candidate was generally known to be a man of virtuous principles, untainted integrity and honor. When such circumstances were combined in the same person, his petition might be considered sooner, provided that three- fourths of the members present agreed thereto. The fee for the degrees was fifteen dollars, divided into three parts-ten dollars for the Entered Apprentice, two dollars for the Fellow Craft, and three dollars for the Master Mason degree.
In balloting upon petitions, three ballots could be taken, pro- vided that the ballot contained one or more negative votes on the two preceding ones.
One section of the By-laws provided: that every Antient Mason applying to become a member of the Lodge must present his petition in writing, and which must lie over until the next stated meeting, and after satisfying the Lodge that he was under no Masonic censure and sustained a good moral character, a ballot would be taken and, if clear, he became a member of the Lodge upon payment of one dollar.
The dues amounted to two dollars a year, payable semi- annually at the meetings immediately preceding the festivals of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.
Unaffiliated Masons were permitted free visitation to the Lodge for one time only, and for each subsequent visit were as- sessed the sum of twelve and one-half cents. These non-con- tributing Masons, as they were referred to in the early days, were much in evidence and one of the worst evils incident to that period. The popular belief, "that once a Mason always a Mason," prevailed, and the feeble growth of the Lodge for the first forty years can be attributed to this parsimonious custom, which was annually condemned by the Grand Lodge.
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