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 9
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After quoting Rule 79, the Grand Master further stated:
"That this Grand Lodge is committed to the doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction, and guards her rights with zealous care. She would be unjust if she did not accord to other governing Masonic Bodies the same rights, with reference to their Sub- ordinates that she claims for herself. Now, as to other Masonic Bodies (exclusive of the Chapter, Council, and Commandery), this rule was given substantially in its present shape in 1875, at which time there were in existence in this State Bodies classed as Masonic under the name of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, on the roll of the Supreme Council of the Northern Ma- sonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America." "As Bodies of that Rite, they were then and had been since 1853 the sole occupants of this territory, and for this time in different parts
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History of La Fayette Lodge
of the State had occupied halls jointly with our Lodges; this, too, with the full knowledge of the Grand Lodge, hundreds of her members, including Grand Masters and other Grand Officers, having received the degrees in those Bodies, and in halls thus jointly occupied." "In deciding the case, then, I applied the same rule that I applied in the case of the Chapter, Council, and Commandery, and held that, as the Grand Lodge had for many years permitted a joint occupancy of her halls by Lodges with Bodies subordinate to one Masonic power, I could not commit her to the power of granting a like privilege to a rival of that power, and hence that Rule 79 of our Code barred Lodges in this Jurisdiction from occupying halls jointly with such rival, and issued my orders to the Lodges throughout the State to that effect."
The action taken by the Grand Master met with the ap- proval of the Committee on Jurisprudence, and received a like endorsement from the Grand Lodge.
In his Annual Address to the Grand Lodge the following year (1887), M .. W .:. Bro. S. Stacker Williams made the follow- ing announcement regarding the decisions made by him during the year:
Inquiries have been made by a large number of Brethren as to the legality of certain Bodies in this Jurisdiction claiming to be Masonic, which go under the name of Cerneau Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. A reference to my de- cision, made last year and approved by the Grand Lodge, has, in most cases, been a sufficient answer. But a more specific an- swer has been requested by some who are members of such Bodies, and who desire a direct answer to the question, "Are they regu- lar and legal or irregular and illegal"? To such the answer has been as definite as could be desired, viz .: that they are irregular, illegal, and unmasonic, and ought not to be countenanced or recognized in any manner by Brethren under obedience to this Grand Lodge.
The Committee on Jurisprudence having moved the adop- tion of this and all other decisions made by the Grand Master, an amendment was offered by Bro. Stoddard, of Columbus:
"To recommit to the Committee on Jurisprudence the fourth decision of the Grand Master, and recommend that this Grand Body take no action in regard to the contending Scottish Rites."
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Action by Grand Lodge
A point of order was then called, which was overruled by the Grand Master, and an appeal being made to the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master was sustained. Bro. J. L'H. Long, of Newark, then took the floor and urged the adoption of the amendment, but owing to the lateness of the hour, further action was post- poned until the following day.
On the following morning the Stoddard amendment was debated, pro and con, by members of the Grand Lodge, its prin- cipal supporters being Brothers Stoddard and Long. A yea and nay vote was taken of all members present, resulting in 230 being in favor of the adoption of the amendment, and 544 against it. The representatives of La Fayette Lodge voted against the Stoddard amendment.
Early in 1888, the Grand Secretary mailed to each Subordi- nate Lodge a pamphlet, entitled, "Important Action of the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio." "Published and Distributed by Order of the Grand Master." This pamphlet was headed, "As to Grand Lodge Sovereignty," and was largely composed of two speeches made by R .. W .. Bro. Allen Andrews, Grand Orator, before the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The pamphlet stated :
"That at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, held at Cleveland, Ohio, 1886, and at Dayton, Ohio, in 1887, de- cisive action was taken on the vital question of Masonic Sov- ereignty." "The integrity of our Order and the power of the Grand Lodge to decide what is and what is not Masonry, was questioned. The right and power of the Grand Lodge to protect itself against fraudulent Bodies claiming to be Masonic was also denied."
Quoting from another page:
"This is not the question of merit between the regular and "Cerneau" Scottish Rite Masons. It does not involve the origin, antiquity, legitimacy, regularity, or supremacy of either organization." "It is not a mere question of superiority in birth, rite, ceremony, influence, power, or numbers between these Bodies. As Master Masons we are not interested in the slightest degree in any controversy that may prevail over these points. Still, however, this is a question of great moment to us-it is a question of Masonic Sovereignty."
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History of La Fayette Lodge
Quoting from another page:
"The mercenary peddlers of cheap degrees have invaded the territory of Ohio, and set up these 'Cerneau' Societies; they claim to be Masonic-regular and legitimate Masonry-and are beguiling many good men."
The Cerneau Masons did not take well to this idea of "Grand Lodge Sovereignty," as expounded by Brother Andrews; and, while they made the three Symbolic degrees of legitimate Ma- sonry a prerequisite to their own Rite, they took the position that the "Cerneau Rite" was not a Masonic Body, but merely a Body of Masons. In retaliation for the action of the Grand Lodge, a twenty-four-page circular was issued by order of the "Cerneau Council," which, in turn, was mailed to all Lodges in the State. In this circular, entitled, "A Reply," the author endeavored to refute the statements made by Brother Andrews, and ridiculed the action taken by the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
A meeting of the Sovereign Grand Consistory, Orient of Ohio (Cerneau), was held at Columbus, November 14, 1888, and as a result of it a four-page leaflet was mailed to all Cerneau Masons, stating :
"That being assured by lawyers that the Grand Lodge has exceeded its authority, as above mentioned, and rendered itself subject to the jurisdiction of the civil courts."
It was, therefore, resolved:
"That expulsion on account of membership in this Con- sistory, or any Bodies subordinate thereto, shall not affect his standing as a member of any of the Bodies of this Rite."
Resolved, That it is the sense of this Consistory that active work should be carried on in every valley of this Rite and Juris- diction of Ohio; and we renew our pledge of January 11, 1888, "to promote the interests of this Rite and, by lawful efforts, increase its membership and enlarge its influence."
Resolved, That to obtain a more speedy final decision of the legal rights of our members as Master Masons, proceedings in quo warranto and by injunction be at once commenced, and trials had as soon as possible; and that a Committee be ap- pointed, consisting of three members in the Valley of Columbus and one member each in the other Valleys of Ohio, to institute and have charge of such litigation wherever instituted.
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Action by Grand Master
The seriousness of the situation can be readily comprehended from the following statements of M .. W .. Bro. S. Stacker Wil- liams, Grand Master, made to the Grand Lodge at their Annual Communication of 1888, in which he said:
"The Grand Lodge at its last session said in plain words that certain organizations claiming to be Masonic were irregular, illegal, and unmasonic. It also warned the Craft in this Juris- diction not to countenance or recognize them in any manner; and that the Brethren throughout the State might know what the Grand Lodge did, it ordered, by unanimous vote, that this information be furnished each Lodge on our roll, prior to its annual meeting, and to be read thereat. To carry this order into effect I had printed in circular form the action of the Grand Lodge, and mailed a copy to every Lodge in the State. The order of the Grand Lodge was that it be furnished, 'prior to their annual meetings,' with instructions to read it at those meetings.
"The clear intent of the order was that the circular letter be read to the Brethren before the election of officers, and in nearly every case this was done, as certificates received by me show. I heard of a couple of cases where the election and all other business was over, and just before the Lodge was closed, when many of the Brethren had retired, it was read. In one or two cases the officers were elected and installed, and the circular read afterwards."
The object of the Grand Lodge in furnishing Lodges with this information in time to be read previous to the election of officers was clear enough. The Grand Lodge, in the plainest manner, admonished the Brethren that they ought not to em- barrass a Brother or a Lodge by electing one to office who could not, with a clear conscience and without a suspicion of Masonic perjury, take the customary vow administered before installa- tion. That the above view was generally accepted there can be no doubt, and not only by those who did not belong to the inter- dicted organizations, but by those who did. I note a few facts. A number of the Brethren, who were members of those organiza- tions, were elected to office in their Lodges; and feeling that while they retained such membership, they were disqualified from serving in the face of the action of the Grand Lodge, fraternally asked their respective Lodges to excuse them. Others, upon
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History of La Fayette Lodge
their election to Lodge offices, renounced their allegiance to the interdicted Bodies, renewed their vows to their Lodges and to this Grand Lodge, and were installed. I firmly believe that nothing of an unpleasant character would have occurred had it not been for the emissaries or agents of the interdicted Bodies, aided by a few others, who prefer strife to harmony.
These mischief-makers were busy, from the very day the Grand Lodge closed, in instructing their members to secure, if possible, the principal offices in their Lodges, and also instructing them to demand installation. They further instructed them, that in the event they were refused installation, to immediately withdraw from the Lodge room, and report to their Body; and every member was requested, and every representative was required, to be present at a meeting on a given day, when, as the circular said, "action can be taken to provide all Masons with a Masonic home."
It was about the time of the distribution of this rebellious circular that the newspapers teemed with accounts of a forth- coming "Independent Grand Lodge," naming the towns whence the material would be furnished.
At this Communication of the Grand Lodge, the following resolution was presented by Bro. Charles T. Lewis:
"WHEREAS, This Grand Lodge, at its Annual Communica- tion in October, 1887, declared the Bodies calling themselves 'The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, its Territories and Dependencies,' and commonly called the 'Cerneau Rite,' to be 'irregular, illegal, and unmasonic,' and that they 'ought not to be countenanced or recognized in any manner by Brethren under obedience to this Grand Lodge;' and,
"WHEREAS, Brethren subordinate to the authority of this Grand Lodge are still selling and conferring the Cerneau and other degrees, pronounced to be irregular, to Master Masons in this Jurisdiction, and are thereby violating the laws of this Grand Body; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That any Mason subordinate to the authority of this Grand Lodge, who shall hereafter take, or receive, or communicate, or be present at, or assist anyone to take or apply
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Effect of Cerneau Masonry
for said degrees, or any of them, shall be subject, after due trial under the Code, to expulsion from all the rights and privileges of Masonry."
This resolution was adopted by the Grand Lodge by a large majority. At this same session, the Grand Lodge ordered the charters of Bucyrus Lodge, No. 139, and Crawford Lodge, No. 443, of Bucyrus; and Ahiman Lodge, No. 492, of Newark, ar- rested and their names stricken from the roll.
In 1888, a third circular was mailed by the Cerneaus, to the Subordinate Lodges of Ohio, containing a portion of the Annual Address of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, H. H. Ingersoll (Cerneau), made before his Grand Lodge, re- garding the appointment of a Grand Representative from the Grand Lodge of Tennessee to and near the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
The "bone of contention" in this case was in the recommenda- tion of Bro. James W. Iredell, Jr., by the Grand Master of Ohio, for the appointment above mentioned, which failed to meet with the approval of the Grand Master of Tennessee.
Considerable space would be required to give a more de- tailed account of the discord which prevailed in a large number of the Masonic Bodies of Ohio, as a result of the introduction of Cerneau Masonry. Suffice to say that practically every Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery in the larger towns was divided into two factions, each endeavoring, with might and main, to lend victory to the cause they espoused. This era of turmoil was experienced in some of our own Masonic Bodies, es- pecially in Cyprus Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, where rebellion existed to such an extent as to cause the revoca- tion of its charter.
Our own Lodge was particularly fortunate throughout the entire affair, only a small minority of our membership being in sympathy with the insurgents. In the list of nine members ex- pelled for disloyalty to the Grand Lodge, all but with few excep- tions repented of their actions, and were restored to member- ship.
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History of La Fayette Lodge
1890
BRO. ABRAHAM E. ALLMAN WORSHIPFUL MASTER
On January 2, a public installation of officers was held, the ceremonies being performed by Bro. John Hartmeyer, assisted by Bro. Ike M. Robinson, of Chandlersville. The ceremonies were followed by a banquet.
On June 24, a celebration was held by the Lodge at Gant Park, in honor of the birth of St. John the Baptist.
On August 25, the funeral ceremonies of Bro. Benjamin F. Urban, a former officer, were conducted by the Lodge in con- junction with the Scottish Rite Masons. The services were held at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, and burial was made in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Twenty-four meetings were held during the year, seven re- ceived the degree of Master Mason, and four were admitted to membership. The names of ninety-seven members were returned to the Grand Lodge.
On December 4, the sixty-sixth annual election was held and Bro. William H. Bolin was elected Worshipful Master. Other officers were: Bro. John L. Mercer, Senior Warden; Bro. Will T. Lewis, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Samuel R. Moore, Secretary; Bro. Michael Liston, Senior Deacon; Bro. W. Marshall Lane, Junior Deacon, and Bro. George K. Harris, Tyler.
The Master-elect appointed Bro. Willard F. Crozier Senior Steward; Bro. Charles W. Truesdell, Junior Steward; Bro. H. D. Comer, Organist, and Bro. T. C. Reed, Chaplain.
1891 BRO. WILLIAM HARVEY BOLIN WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Brother Bolin was born September 26, 1851, in Hopewell Township, Muskingum County, Ohio. His youth and early manhood were spent in attending the township schools, and working upon the farm. In 1880 he came to this city, where he
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William Harvey Bolin
has since been engaged in farming and merchandising, with the exception of four years-from 1888 to 1892, during which time he was Sheriff of Muskingum County. On November 24, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Emaline Smith, and to this union were born the following children : Gershom M., Fred H., Barton T., Emma L., and Helen M. Bolin.
Brother Bolin was initiated an Entered Apprentice in La Fayette Lodge July 16, 1885; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft August 20, 1885, and raised to the degree of Master Mason October 15, 1885.
He served the Lodge as Senior Steward, 1887; Senior Deacon, 1886; Senior Warden, 1889 and 1890, and Worshipful Master, 1891.
Brother Bolin is now the oldest living Past Master of the Lodge, and resides at 361 West Main Street.
These officers were installed on New Year's Day by Bro. Abraham E. Allman, assisted by Bro. Jacob Diehl.
On June 4, a notice was received from the Grand Secretary, that New England Lodge, No. 4, of Worthington, had seceded from the Grand Lodge, a majority of its members being affiliated with the Cerneau Scottish Rite.
On August 6, permission was granted to a number of Brethren residing in Roseville for the organization of a Lodge of Masons at that place to be known as Roseville Lodge, No. 566. Nine- teen meetings were held during 1891, and seven were raised to the degree of Master Mason. The annual return showed a member- ship of one hundred.
The sixty-seventh election was held December 3, and re- sulted in the choice of the following officers: Bro. Abraham E. Allman, Worshipful Master; Bro. John L. Mercer, Senior Warden; Bro. Will T. Lewis, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Samuel R. Moore, Secretary; Bro. Charles H. Hoopes, Senior Deacon; Bro. W. Marshall Lane, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Samuel Linton, Tyler.
The appointed officers were: Bro. W. F. Crozier, Senior Steward; Bro. Joseph B. Phillips, Junior Steward; Bro. H. D. Comer, Organist, and Bro. Loren L. Magee, Chaplain.
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History of La Fayette Lodge
On December 16, Bro. Samuel Linton, the Tyler-elect, died, and a special dispensation was secured for the election of his successor.
1892 BRO. ABRAHAM E. ALLMAN WORSHIPFUL MASTER
On January 7, Bro. J. A. Filler was elected Tyler, and the officers were then installed by Bro. William H. Bolin, assisted by Bro. John Hartmeyer.
Fourteen meetings were held during the year, while the an- nual return showed a loss of three members. The Master Mason degree was conferred but twice.
On December 1, the sixty-eighth election was held, and Bro. John L. Mercer was elected Worshipful Master. The other officers were: Bro. Will T. Lewis, Senior Warden; Bro. W. Marshall Lane, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Samuel R. Moore, Secretary; Bro. C. H. Sebaugh, Senior Deacon; Bro. J. Parker Bolin, Junior Deacon, and Bro. J. A. Filler, Tyler.
The appointive officers were: Bro. Jacob Diehl, Senior Steward; Bro. Edward F. Grimsley, Junior Steward; Bro. H. D. Comer, Organist; Bro. Loren L. Magee, Chaplain, and Bro. John L. Mercer and Bro. John P. Ford, Trustees.
1893 BRO. JOHN L. MERCER WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Brother Mercer was born March 30, 1852, in Wayne Town- ship, Muskingum County, Ohio. He remained upon the home farm until twenty-three years of age, attending the township schools and later teaching school. He came to Zanesville in 1875, and launched in the grocery business, continuing in this until 1898, when he removed to Trinway and entered the con- tracting business. He served as Councilman of Zanesville and also Commissioner of Muskingum County. On October 9, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Warne, of Chandlers- ville, and to this union were born the following children: Ethel,
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John L. Mercer
Rose, Mary A., James L., and Pearl E. Mercer. His first wife died June 2, 1894, and two years later he was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Swope, of Trinway, who still survives.
Bro. Mercer was initiated an Entered Apprentice in La Fayette Lodge May 3, 1873; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft June 9, 1873, and raised to the degree of Master Mason July 17, 1873. He served the Lodge as Senior Warden, 1891 and 1892, and Worshipful Master, 1893, 1894, and 1896.
He was a member of Zanesville Chapter, No. 9, Royal Arch Masons, receiving the Mark Master degree May 2, 1892; Past Master, May 2, 1892; Most Excellent Master, June 6, 1892, and Royal Arch, August 12, 1892.
He received the chivalric degrees in Cyrene Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, receiving the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross May 24, 1893, and the Orders of the Temple and Malta, June 20, 1893.
He died October 23, 1923, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
The officers were installed on January 5 by Bro. John Hart- meyer, assisted by Bro. Jacob Diehl.
On March 7, the Lodge conducted the funeral services of Bro. Homer C. Waterman, a former Secretary, the remains being interred in Woodlawn Cemetery.
On June 15, Bro. Ike M. Robinson, of Chandlersville, in- spected the Lodge and instructed the officers in the work of the newly revised Ritual.
Twenty meetings were held during this year, seven were raised to the Master Mason degree, and four were admitted to membership. The Lodge now had a membership of one hundred and two.
The sixty-ninth election was held December 7, and Bro. John L. Mercer was re-elected Worshipful Master. Other officers elected were: Bro. J. Parker Bolin, Senior Warden; Bro. W. Marshall Lane, Junior Warden; John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Samuel R. Moore, Secretary; Bro .. Edward F. Grimsley, Senior Deacon; Bro. John N. Hamilton, Junior Deacon, and Bro. J. A. Filler, Tyler.
The following officers were appointed by the Master-elect:
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History of La Fayette Lodge
Bro. J. B. Griswold, Senior Steward; Bro. C. H. Wines, Junior Steward; Bro. E. C. Bolin, Organist, and Bro. Loren L. Magee, Chaplain.
1894 BRO. JOHN L. MERCER WORSHIPFUL MASTER
A public installation of officers was held on January 4, and one hundred and eighty people enjoyed the program and the banquet, which followed it. The installing officers were Bro. John R. Stonesipher, of Amity Lodge, and Bro. William H. Bolin.
On March 20, the Lodge conducted the funeral of Bro. J. A. Filler, the Tyler, whose remains were buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
Twenty-four meetings were held during the year 1894, and eight were raised to the degree of Master Mason. The member- ship had increased to one hundred and seven.
On December 6, the seventieth election was held, resulting in the election of the following officers: Bro. J. Parker Bolin, Worshipful Master; Bro. Edward F. Grimsley, Senior Warden; Bro. J. E. McNeal, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Samuel R. Moore, Secretary; Bro. W. H. Fluke, Senior Deacon; Bro. C. H. Wines, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Jacob Diehl, Tyler.
Bro. U. W. McGee was appointed Senior Steward; Bro. C. H. Heckman, Junior Steward; Bro. E. C. Bolin, Organist, and Bro. Loren L. Magee, Chaplain.
1895
BRO. JOHN PARKER BOLIN WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Brother Bolin was born in Hopewell Township, Muskingum County, Ohio, February 25, 1863. He received his education in the schoolhouse of District No. 4, Hopewell Township, coming to Zanesville while still a young man. He was a traveling sales- man for the W. W. Harper Wholesale Grocery Company for many years, later becoming the junior partner in the mer- chandising firm of Fowler-Bolin Company. In 1924, he removed
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John Parker Bolin
to Cleveland, where he engaged in business with his son, con- tinuing in this until his death.
On February 25, 1885, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sibald, of Newark, Ohio, and to this union two children were born-Glen O. and Ruth Bolin.
Brother Bolin was initiated an Entered Apprentice in La Fayette Lodge July 19, 1888; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft August 9, 1888, and raised to the degree of Master Mason September 17, 1888.
He served the Lodge as Senior Steward, 1890; Senior Warden, 1894, and Worshipful Master, 1895.
He died at Cleveland, September 19, 1925, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, this city.
A public installation of officers was held on January 3, Bro. John L. Mercer being the installing officer, assisted by Bro. William H. Bolin as Marshal. The ceremonies were followed by a banquet.
On August 1, Zanesville Chapter, No. 52, Order of Eastern Star, was granted permission to meet in the Lodge room.
Fifteen meetings were held this year, and two received the degree of Master Mason. The Lodge again showed a loss of membership, with one hundred and two names upon the roll.
On December 5, the seventy-first election was held and Bro. John L. Mercer was selected to serve a third term as Worshipful Master. Other officers elected were: Bro. Edward F. Grimsley, Senior Warden; Bro. Charles N. Bainter, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Samuel R. Moore, Secretary; Bro. Charles H. Sebaugh, Senior Deacon; Bro. J. T. Hanrahan, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Jacob Diehl, Tyler.
Bro. Edwin E. Power was appointed Senior Steward; Bro. Charles W. Truesdell, Junior Steward; Bro. E. C. Bolin, Or- ganist, and Bro. Loren L. Magee, Chaplain.
1896 BRO. JOHN L. MERCER WORSHIPFUL MASTER
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