USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 63
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On January 18, 1812, war was declared with Great Britain. This national disturbance interrupted the regular order of work in the lodge. The members of Hiram Lodge were ever patriotic to their country, as they were faithful to their Masonic order. On June 18, 1812, when the President of the United States called for volunteers to defend the land from British invasion, the members of Hiram Lodge, like other patriotic citizens, responded to the call, and under General Lewis Cass, the grand master of the Grand Lodge, they joined General Meigs, the commander. They bi- vouaced at Dayton, and started on their duty. Governor William Hull of Michigan had com- mand. Brother Elias Murray of Hiram Lodge was given his commission or diploma. and be- came chaplain of the regiment. All were under the command of General William Henry Harrison of the Territory of Indiana, Illinois and the Northwest. Through the dense forests, over unmade roads and across swollen
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streams, they assembled on the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers near Lake Erie, ready for action.
The patriotism of the members of old Hiram Lodge reflected glory and honor upon their order, from June, 1812, to April, 1813. Some returned to begin their life labor again; while others laid down their lives in the track- less forests, defending their country.
The first mention of Brother Sidney Moore, Sr., as a Mason was in 1817. He had been made a Mason in Wyndenham, Vermont, and affiliated with this lodge in 1818. He was the father of Sidney Moore. Jr., of whom we shall speak later.
In the early history of our country, indeed, much less than a hundred years ago, it was not thought a sin or disgrace to indulge freely in spirituous liquors. Whisky and other liquid refreshment were served in the parlor; over the counter ; at public meetings and social gatherings such as log-rollings, barn raising's, corn-huskings, etc. Liquors were freely used by ministers, doctors and lawyers. They were served at the lodges. Drunkenness was com- mon. A man was not called an habitual drunkard unless he was drunk one half the time. Be it to the honor and glory of Hiram Lodge that it was one of the first to take the stand for temperance. As early as 1820, the Grand Chapter resolved that in the future, no liquid refreshments of an intoxicating nature be made use of in this chapter, and that sub- ordinate chapters be earnestly requested to adopt similar resolutions.
In July, 1822. a chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, and a commandery of Knights Templar were formed at Worthington, Ohio, where many of the early pioneers were affil- iated. Hiram Lodge always took an active part in the work at that place.
As before referred to. Hiram Lodge in 1826 was partially paralyzed over the publications and illustrations of Masonry by one William Morgan, who lived in Batavia. New York. Hiram Lodge felt the shock and little business was done in the lodge for a long time: but it survived the shock and was not one of the forty-six that succinbed to the excitement.
During this depression, West Alexandria, of Preble County, thought it would adopt the name of "Hiram Lodge," believing that Hiram Lodge No. 18, had gone down under the public wave. Finding this untrue, it adopted the name "King Hiram Lodge, No. 88." and Hiram Lodge No. 18 held its own. The members of the lodge were connected with all of the interests of the town and county. There were blacksmiths, dyers, merchants, printers, and papermakers, etc. One particu- larly, Norman D. Perry, who was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1813, a paper-maker, came to Delaware and made paper by hand. He was made a Mason in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1839 and the same year came to Delaware to super- intend the erection and operation of the first paper mill in the county, projected by Williams & Howard at Stratford, Ohio, after which he became a partner and continued thus for many years. He died in Columbus in 1899.
Another prominent member of Hiram Lodge was George W. Sharp, who was born in York, Pennsylvania, in 1800. In 1821, he edited a paper in his native town. Ile came to Delaware in 1834, and bought the printing interests of Brother E. Griswold, and named the paper The Olentangy Gasette. At this time, one of the most learned and highly re- spected practical editors and printers, Hon. Abram Thompson, a relative of Sharp, was induced to come to Delaware and engage in the publication of the paper, which he after- ward owned, and re-named The Delaware Gazette, and edited until the time of his death. Brother Sharp was prominent in politics, and was a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion in 1850. He removed to Mt. Gilead, and died in 1854. His youngest son was educated at West Point, and is now a colonel in the U. S. Army.
In 1846, in some manner, the old Masonic carpet was lost: and the son of Brother E. Griswold painted one for the lodge. The lodge room at that time was fitted up over Brother Latimer's store, on the northwest corner of Sandusky and William Streets. Victor Gris- wold again painted a new carpet for the lodge room, and also scenes for the Chapter.
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The Griswold home was on the southwest corner of Sandusky and North Streets, now Central Avenue, where the Reid Block and the home of the late Dr. T. B. Williams now stands.
Hiram, together with the Grand Lodge, in 1849, discussed the question of establishing a school for orphans and indigent children of Masons. The trustees of the Worthington Female College made an offer of their build- ings to the Masons.
From 1827 to 1847, Hiram had many ups and downs. Its dormancy was deplorable and lamentable. In 1847, new life was injected into the members, and until 1850, all went well. About this time the attendance began growing small and irregular, and for a year or more, quarterly meetings were held. in- stead of monthly, in their rooms over Lati- mer's store, which were not entirely suited for lodge work. Owing to this fact, they held their meetings in the Court House. In 1851- 52, the lodge had much trouble with some of the members on account of their drinking hab- its and unmasonic conduct. Frequent admoni- tions and threatenings failed to change their habits, which led to the suspension of some, and the expulsion of others. Owing to the confused condition of the minutes during 1851-53, little can be given of the work of the lodge; but it was about this time that a com- mittee of Brothers Willey, Dr. E. H. Hyatt, Rhodes, Fry and Aigen, who were enthu- siastic temperance workers, was appointed to remonstrate with those who were addicted to drinking, and who were in the liquor business. Their work made an immediate and lasting impression for the cause of temperance. Some quit the liquor business and others reformed. Through this, the Grand Lodge issued its edict against intemperance and the liquor business.
It was about this time that Dr. Elisha H. Hyatt was a leader in a petition to establish a lodge at Bellepoint. It was called Equality Lodge, No. 242. Dr. Hyatt was a prominent physician, Mason, and master of the lodge at Bellepoint. Soon after, he left the medical profession, and hecame a Presbyterian minis- ter, and preached at Mt. Gilead. Subse-
quently he abandoned the ministerial, and re- turned to the medical profession. In 1853. the by-laws were amended to prohibit the using of profane language, as they said "the habit was grossly unmasonic and highly in- jurious to the individual and to the commun- ity." This action led to much discussion and bitter feeling, many taking the ground that it was not within the jurisdiction of the lodge to sustain this by-law. The by-law stood, not- withstanding, and the records of 1867 show that the Grand Lodge did adopt and sustain the by-law of old Hiram, the pioneer of sobri- ety and right living.
In 1853 the dispensation was given from the Grand Lodge to form a lodge at Belle- point. In five years it ( Equality Lodge) sur- rendered its charter, and became affiliated with Hiram.
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In 1852, the lodge room was changed to Templar hall on Sandusky Street, midway be- .tween Winter and William Streets, on the West Side. The building is now owned by M. Miller. The room was occupied by the Sons of Temperance.
The Standing Committee of the lodge to look for suitable rooms, was always on the outlook. and now it became necessary to make preparation for the chapter of the Royal Arch Masons. The Delaware Chapter, No: 54. Royal Arch Masons, was chartered October 15, 1855. In 1853, Brother Thomas Evans erected a large brick building on Sandusky Street, near the Delaware Run. The commit- tee from the chapter and from the lodge. to- gether with the Sons of Temperance, secured rooms in this large, new building of Brother Evans. Here the Masons remained for sev- eral years. During this year, Ezekial Dut- ton. a paper-maker, came to Delaware from Batavia, New York, where he had passed through the Morgan excitement with all of its horrible details. Dutton was one of the vic- tims of the anti-Masonic element. Many stories were given credence, and persecutions indulged in by the Morgan faction against Dutton from the time he left his home in New York, until he reached Delaware, where he found again many supporters of the Morgan
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element. Notwithstanding all the excitement which soon died out, the lodge prospered, and Dutton became a prominent Mason and an in- fluential citizen.
After the election of officers in 1854, the worshipful master. E. Griswold, and the senior warden, Hon. H. M. Carper, with the members of the lodge, became dissatisfied with the quarters the lodge occupied, and looked out for a new room. Mr. Benjamin Powers, in 1855, erected a three-story brick building, midway between Winter and William Streets, on the east side of Sandusky Street, known as Oak Hall. They secured rooms here in the third story for the lodge and the chapter work on account of the good ventilation. In June. 1855, the lodge moved into its new quarters. For fifteen years the lodge occupied these rooms, when they moved into the rooms of the Reynolds and Frank block, in 1870, which had been specially fitted up for lodge and chapter work. Oak Hall was afterwards oc- cupied by the new order, Knights of Pythias. In 1855, the lodge began to celebrate the fes- tival of St. John the Baptist, other lodges par- ticipating. In 1857, owing to causes unknown, Equality Lodge at Bellepoint, was permitted to locate at Millville, now Warrensburg ; but after more or less dissatisfaction, it was moved back to Bellepoint in a short time. As before stated, in . 1853 it surrendered its char- ter, jewels, books and furniture to Hiram Lodge, and went out of existence.
After thirteen years' occupancy of this home, many of the older members failed to at- tend meetings, owing to the two long stair- ways to the lodge room. A committee was ap- pointed to meet the directors of the First Na- tional Bank, who had made a proposition to fit up lodge rooms over the bank on the second Hoor. The rooms were satisfactory, and the lodge moved in 1883, and remained there 1111- til 1892, when it moved into the beautiful and commodious $30.000 Temple built and pre- sented by Mr. Sidney Moore.
One of the best known, most energitic. well posted and beloved Masons was Prof. W. O. Semans, who was secretary of the lodge, chapter and council continuously for ten years.
He was born in Defiance, Ohio, August 23. 1835, and graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1857. He was made a master Mason in 1858. In 1862 he was elected pro- fessor of chemistry in his alma mater. He affiliated with Hiram Lodge, August 11, 1864, joined the chapter in 1860 at Leavenworth, Kansas, and the council in 1869, and was made a Knight Templar in Mt. Vernon Com- mandery No. 1, Columbus, in 1868, and acted as secretary for Hiram lodge, chapter and council from 1882 until 1892. when he was succeeded by his son, William M. Semans, who has filled this important position to the present time.
Hiram Lodge has had many distinguished members-Bishop Harris, and Bishop W. F. McDowell of the Methodist Church, Hon. William R. Warnock, and others. The last member to be spoken of whose name will go down through all generations, whose memory will be cherished, not only by the present gen- eration, but by those following after who will enjoy the beautiful Masonic home and Tem- ple so generously and wisely provided for the Masonic fraternity, is Mr. Sidney Moore, Jr. This quiet, unassuming and unostentatious, yet powerful brother, was born in Delaware, Ohio, December 16, 1821. He was the eldest son of Sidney and Phoeba Mann Moore. He attended the select school of his aunt, Sophia Moore Gaston, in the upper story of the Welch Building, on the west side of Franklin Street, between William and Winter, immediately south of the Hospital grounds ; and the school of Mrs. Murray on the west side of Sandusky Street, between William and Winter Streets, after which he was sent to the academy on Hill Street, now University Avenue, which has long since passed away. This bright and exemplary son worked in his father's office, that of county auditor, for several years. Oc- tober 12, 1845, he entered the Delaware County Bank as bookkeeper and clerk. To perfect himself for the labors before him, he took a special course in banking in Columbus, Ohio. In 1851, he was elected cashier of the bank in Marion, Ohio. In 1852. after his marriage he was called to Indianapolis, Indiana, to take the
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position of cashier of the Central Bank of that city. In 1854. he was elected, and accepted the cashiership of the Delaware County Bank, where he had opened the books in 1845.
Mr. Moore's first wife died in 1855, and in 1865. he was married to Mrs. Sarah Ann Cun- ningham Bierce. In June. 1883 .. he became president of the Delaware Countly National Bank, which position he held until the re-or- ganization of the bank into the Delaware Na- tional Bank in January, 1905, when he was elected president, and served in that capacity until the time of his death in May. 1907. He was often called upon to fill many important positions, such as member of the School Board, etc. Mr. Moore became a member of the Delaware chapter in 1856 and the council at Columbus, Ohio, in 1867, and Commandery of Knights Templar at Marion. Ohio, in 1857. On October 12, 1867, he received the degrees from the fourth to the thirty-second of the Scottish Rite, at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1886. he became S. G. and I. C .. and a number of times served as presiding officer of the lodge. chapter, council and commandery; and the grand junior warden of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. In 1886 he received the remarkable dis- tinction of having conferred upon him the last degree of Masonry, the thirty-third de- gree.
In A. L. 5892 ( 1892) Brother Sidney Moore built and presented to the Masons of Hiram Lodge the elegant and commodious Masonic Temple, his extreme modesty forbid- ing the use of his name in connection with the Temple ( which now should be added ). Ile died in May. 1907, leaving his aged wife. Sarah Cunningham Moore, and stepson, Ar- thur Bierce, and one brother. William E. Moore, who with his brother enjoyed all the privileges of Masonry to the thirty-second de- gree. to mourn his loss. His funeral was con- ducted by all of the Masonic bodies, Knights Templar, and several thirty-third Degree Ma- sons who officiated.
Hiram Lodge has (1908) 340 members. There are fifty Knights Templar, twenty-six members of the Delaware Club Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. and eleven living members of
the thirty-second Degree Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite. Northern Masonic juris- diction of the United States-W. C. Denni- son. W. F. Dodge. S. W. Fowler, E. F. Gwinn, J. W. Heimberger, W. E. Moore, J. W. Rosenthal, D. F. Rust, William M. Se- mans, J. Leo Sperling, George H. Watkins.
CAPITULAR MASONRY.
Delaware Chapter. No. 54. R. A. M., was chartered October 15, 1855. Its stated con- ventions are held in Moore's Masonic Hall on Thursday evenings on or before the full of the moon. The present officers ( 1908) are : Com- panion William A. Greiner, M. E. H. P. ; Companion W. F. Dodge. E. king: Compan- ion Paul R. Hickok. E. scribe : Companion W. E. Moore, C. of H .: Companion Orrie S. Smith, Prin. Soj .: Companion Harry L. Clark. R. A. C .: Companion Dewitt H. Leas. G. M. 3rd V .: Companion J. W. Heimberger. G. M. 2nd. V. : Companion Charles Justice, G. M. ist. V .: Companion Rhea T. Graff, treas. ; Companion William M. Semans, secretary : Companion Louis Thorman, guard: Compan- ion Edward Y. Mason, organist : Companions C. W. Wiles. C. H. Watkins, C. W. Dennison. Finance Committee.
CRYPTIC MASONRY.
Delaware Council, No. 54. Royal and Se- lect Masters, was chartered first October 12, 1867. and held regular meetings for many years. But in 1887, through indifference, lack of attendance and other causes. the charter was surrendered. In October. 1890, through the influence of Brother Sidney Moore, new life and new blood were infused into the coun- cil, and it was reorganized (29th) as No. 84. Y. D. 2900. The petitioners for the reorgani- zation were Sidney Moore. W. A. Greiner. W. E. Moore, J. Leo Sperling. W. M. Semans, Geo. W. Simpson. W. O. Semans, S. W. Fow- ler. W. Il. Hague: E. E. Hyatt, J. B. Tag- gert. R. G. Lybrand, James M. Crawford, B. F. Frank. W. M. Morrison. C. H. McElroy. A. J. Coomer. J. G. Rosenthal, R. M. Reed,
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F. T. Evans, W. F. Dodge, Charles Cronkel- ton.
Delaware Council, No. 84. Royal and Se- lect Masters, chartered October 9, 1900. Offi- cers for 1908 are: Companion John W. Heimberger, T. I. M .; Companion W. F. Dodge. D. I. M. ; Companion Henry T. Main, Prin. C. of W .; Companion N. Percy Starr, treas. : Companion William M1. Semans, re- corder : Companion Dewitt H. Leas, Capt. of G: Companion George H. Watkins, Con. of C .; Companion Albert F. Elkins, steward ; Companion Louis Thorman, sentinel. Finance Committee-Companions R. J. Cox. R. R. Heikes, G. J. G. Rosenthal. Stated assemblies are held in Moore's Masonic Temple on the third Monday of every month. There are about 120 members.
Hiram Lodge has a membership of 340; Delaware Chapter Royal Arch Masons, 141 ; Delaware Council, 120.
The Grand Chapter of Royal and Select Masters of the State of Ohio, was organized at Worthington, June 6, Y. D. 2850. A. D., 1830.
OSTRANDER LODGE, NO. 594, F. & A. M.
On November 23. 1905. a dispensation was granted to thirteen members who petitioned to work. J. A. Swinehart was worshipful mas- ter, and the other petitioners were B. H. Rit- tenhouse. William Harris, V. B. Weller, M. D., H. H. Liggett, W. F. Evans, O. P. Bird, C. H. Blymer. W. A. Shepard, A. D. Wells. K. K. Kalb, Milton Leggett and 11. W. Rit- tenhouse. During the year, thirteen new members were initiated. and on November 5 .. 1906, the lodge was instituted in due form by H. S. Kissell, with the following officers : Charles Bynner, W. M .: O. P. Bird, S. W .; K. K. Kalb. J. W. The present officers are : O. P. Bird, W. M .: K. K. Kalb. S. W .: Dr. V. B. Weller. J. W. At present the lodge has thirty-five members.
SUNBURY LODGE.
In November, 1817, a number of Masons from Berkshire and the eastern part of the
county, asked permission of Hiram Lodge for recommendation to the grand master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio for a dispensation to form a new lodge at Sunbury. It was granted. and the new lodge became Charity Lodge, No. 53. It was taken to Zoar, now Galena. in 1826. Just when they surrendered their charter is not known. It continued until the anti-Masonic agitation during the Morgan ex- citement, when it was compelled to surrender its charter to the Grand Lodge. The fires were kept burning on the altars by a few of the faithful members of the order. On October 21, 1868, the Grand Lodge granted a new dis- pensation and gave them a new charter for Sparrow Lodge, No. 400. F. & A. M. The charter members were E. R. Hempstead, A. J. Utley, C. Patrick. James P. Decker, Amos Utley, Elijah Carney, J. P. Crawford. J. W. Foot, C. Wilcox, Almon Stark, J. P. Bard- well, James Lampman, Nathan Dustan and Nathan Wells. Sparrow Lodge of Sunbury has enjoyed a useful and brilliant career from the beginning, and its membership extends over all of the eastern part of the county. The present officers are: E. M. Perfect, W. M .: J. W. Furry, S. W. : A. D. Strasnider. J. W. : J. W. Longwell, treasurer; J. H. Gerhardt, secretary : O. F. Elling, S. D .; Maselot Wil- cox, J. D .; C. M. Shicker, chaplain: C. O. Armstrong, S. S .: H. H. Loar. J. S .; C. H. Wilson, pianist; James Cockrell. tyler. The trustees are C. O. Armstrong, C. D. Van Houten, C. F. Beaver.
ORDER OF EASTERN STAR, F. & A. M., SUNBURY.
The lodge of the Order of Eastern Star. F. & A. M .. Sunbury, Ohio, was instituted October 11, 1894, with the following mem- bers: Emma Gerhardt. Dr. J. H. Gerhardt, Anna Blakely, T. F. Blakely, Abbie A. Kim- ball, Otis H. Kimball, Annabell Ramsey. N. Ramsey, Amy Burrer. A. J. Burrer, Mattie L. Crego, Charles F. Crego, Alida Roferts, W. P. Roferts, Medora Longwell, J. P. Long- well. Anna Price, I. M. Price. Delila Perfect. Leroy Perfect. Daisy Wheaton. C. M. Whea- ton. Elrisa Smith, Marshall Smith. Mary S. Williams, Frank Williams. This is the only
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order of the Eastern Star in the county. It is a strong organization, and is doing good work.
WHITE SULPHUR LODGE, F. & A. M.
White Sulphur Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 10 (colored), of Delaware, Ohio, was instituted June 24. 1867, at the session of the Grand Lodge held at Nenia, Ohio. The warrant was issued at this meeting, June 20-22, in- clusive. The lodge first met in the Springer Block, corner of Sandusky and University Avenue, now known as the Albert Block. Of- ficers were elected and installed by Brother William T. Boyd, grand master (proxy) who is now in the employ of the C., C., C. & I. R. R. Co., as train baggagemaster. The lodge now meets in old Templar Hall, now known as the Miller Block. The following were offi- cers and charter members : J. J. William- son, W. M. (dead) : Thomas Mendenhall, S. W. (dead) : B. Alston: J. W. (dead) ; F. D. Merrit, treasurer (dead) ; B. F. Thomas, sec- retary: R. Stewart, S. D .: G. B. Lewis, tyler. (dead ). Thomas A. Jackson, William Al- ford. M. A. Taylor, G. Grenere. G. B. Cox- som, all dead. were charter members. The present officers and members are: Horace Wheeler. W. M .: W. A. Jackson, S. W .; Gus Tyson, J. W .; Thomas Kemper, treasurer ; B. F. Thomas, secretary; William Wheeler, S. D. ; Walter B. Moore. J. D .: James Fields, S. S. : Joseph North. J. S. : Henry Fleming, tyler. Members-William W. Wilson, H. C. Clay. Ilarry Clay, J. W. Jones, Herbert H. Cha- bious. Allen C. Alford, Oscar B. White, Sandy Merchant, Harrison Judy, J. T. Hurley. John WV. Boyer. J. W. Balden.
ASIILEY LODGE, F. & A. M.
Ashley Lodge. No. 407, F. & A. M., was instituted February 17, 1868, through the in- fluence of Brother Sidney Moore, of Dela- ware, who was made worshipful master. J. F. Doty was made senior warden: F. B. Morri- son, J. W. The following were charter mem- bers: James P. Clark, John W. Hoff. W. E. Palmer, W. W. Stratton, S. A. Coomer, J.
B. Richardson, E. M. Conklin, John Gield, J. L. May and Henry Sutton. The charter was granted October 19, 1868. The order has been very popular in the community and has 121 active members. In 1904 the lodge erect- ed a temple on the corner of High and Frank- lin Streets at a cost of $5,000. The lower floor is used by the Farmer's Saving Bank Company, the upper floor by the Masons. The following are the present officers ( 1908) : W. M. Shoemaker, W. M .: John A. Conner, S. W .: Burton Olds, J. W. : F. E. Whipple, treas- urer; Frank W. Sharp, secretary; Ray Hick- son, S. D .; T. C. McGonnigle, J. D .: R. P. Welch, tyler.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
This order was founded during the war of the Rebellion, 1861-65, at which time the les- son of love and friendship was well nigh for- gotten. Like the ancient story of the friends, Damon and Pythias at Syracuse, Sicily, the soldiers and citizens came together as one in the close tie of brotherhood. Many will ask the question "Who founded the order?" In 1886, the Supreme Lodge was held in the city of Philadelphia. At this meeting the supreme representative. Foxwell, of the District of Co- lumbia, presented a memorial picture of Justus H. Rathbone to the order, declaring the origi- nal of the picture to be the true founder.
It was in 1857, while engaged in clerking and teaching at Eagle Harbor, on the Eagle River on Lake Superior, that Rathbone be- came greatly impressed with the remarkable and wonderful story of Damon and Pythias. and their infinite love and friendship for each other; the influence of this friendship upon the tyrant Dionysius, and the willing sacrifice of the brave Sicilian who would die for his friend, which so impressed Dionysius that he spared his life. Rathbone determined to in- duce men to follow the example so pure, gen- erous and holy, set by these true, devoted friends. and immediately organized this or- der.
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