USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 61
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During the early period of the organization of the lodge, meetings were held alternately at Urbana. Springfield and Dayton. The first meeting was held in the court house at Urbana on September 20. 1809. In that same year Hiram M. Curry was appointed worshipful master on a warrant em- powering the lodge to hold meetings alternately at Urbana and Springfield. In 1814 the inconvenience of the members meeting at Springfield prompted the surrender of the charter, and the present charter was issued in January, 1815.
A glimpse into the early history of the lodge reveals some interesting events. On November 15. 1815, the lodge passed the following resolution : "That all the members be a committee to examine into the conduct of each other. and to report to the lodge any unmasonic conduct that may come to their knowledge." Under this resolution, Brother Gunn was charged with intemperance and was cited to appear. On December 27. 1815, Harmony lodge reported to grand lodge four past masters, twenty-eight master masons, four fellow-crafts, and four entered apprentices-in all, forty members. In April. 1818, the county commissioners granted the lodge the privilege to use rooms in the new court house for its purposes, on condition that they were furnished in the same style as was the rest of the building. William Malone was buried with Masonic honors, August 18, 1818, and the funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Hitt in the Methodist church. On October 6, 1819. the lodge allowed Brother Meredith fifty cents for refresh- ments; however, the record is silent as to the kind. In 1824 David Davis was expelled for leaving his wife dependent upon the charity of the lodge. In that year the membership of the lodge numbered sixty.
In 1826 a man named William Morgan, of Batavia, New York, pub- lished a book in which he claimed to reveal the secrets of Masonry. Later in the year, it is said, he was abducted from Canandaigua, taken to Ft. Niagara, killed and his body sent over the falls. This deed was ascribed to the Masons and a wave of indignation swept over the country against the
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fraternity. It culminated in the formation of the Anti-Masonic party, which nominated William Wirt for president in the campaign of 1832. During the progress of this storm Harmony lodge thought it best to suspend from 1833 to 1838.
In March, 1838, the lodge was reorganized and thereafter held regular meetings. E. S. Morgan was worshipful master. The return of Harmony to the grand lodge for the year ending October 1, 1862, showed a total membership of ninety-two, and the return of October 1, 1876, showed one hundred and twenty-nine. Throughout the whole of its career the lodge has been favored with steady prosperity, and with that virtue which is so aptly expressed in its name. At present (1917) its total membership is two hundred and twenty-seven.
The names of the charter members of Harmony lodge are not obtain- able. On September 20, 1809, E. W. Pierce, Samuel Gibbs and David Gwynne were added to the membership, and during the winter of the same year the names of Bennett Taylor, B. W. Langly, Thomas Gwynee and Alex- ander McBeth were added. Joseph Vance, John Gunn, George Fithian, James Bishop and James Reed became Masons on April 11, 1811. On Jan- uary 14, 1815, John Hamilton, John Mendenhall and Joseph S. Carter were received.
The names of the past masters of the lodge from 1809 to 1917. those who are deceased being indicated with an asterisk, are here given: * George B. Tennery, 1809; * Henry M. Curry, 1810-1814; * Joseph Vance, 1815, term six months; * Samuel McCord, 1815, term six months ; * Edward Matthews, 1816, term six months; * F. H. Hopkins, 1816; * Henry Bacon, 1816; *Joseph Vance, 1817, term six months; * George Fithian, 1817, term six months; * James Cooley, 1818, term six months; * Abraham Colwell, 1818, term six months: * John Hill. 1819; * A. R. Colwell, 1820; * John Hill, 1821; *A. R. Colwell, 1822; * Obed Horr, 1823-25; * Ed. L. Morgan, 1827; * John H. James, 1828-1833.
It was at this time that the lodge decided to suspend, but it resumed activities in 1838. From then until the present it has had an unbroken line of past masters, who are: * Ed. L. Morgan, 1838; * William Hunt, 1839- 1842; * William Mosgrove, 1843-1844; * Ed. L. Morgan, 1845; * F. M. Wright. 1846-1847; * William Hunt, 1848; * William F. Mosgrove, 1849- 1854; * D. M. Fisher, 1857-1858; * William B. Moore, 1859; * D. M. Fisher, 1860-1861; * John Russell, 1862; * Jacob C. Jones, 1863-1865; * Alexander F. Vance, Sr., 1866; * John T. Zombro, 1867-1871 ; * Samuel M. Rock, 1872;
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Josephus S. Parker, 1873-1874; * Michael Galligher, 1875; * Ferdinand F. Stone, 1876; * Joseph C. Brand, Jr., 1877; Alexander F. Vance, Jr., 1878; Richard S. Pearce, 1879-1880; * Samuel M. Rock, 1881; Edwin Hagenbuch, 1882-1883; * John C. Butcher, 1884; James Tappen, 1885; * A. C. Deuel, 1886; Shepard B. Grove, 1887; George F. Fidler, 1888-1889; William M. Black, 1890; John F. Schiedt. 1891; William McK. Vance, 1892-1893; *Marcus H. Crane, 1894; George W. Hitt, 1895; * Samuel M. Taylor, 1896; Frederick E. Phelps, 1897; Henry A. Church, 1898; Edgar M. Crane, 1899; E. M. S. Houston, 1900; John F. Brand, 1901; R. E. Humphreys, 1902; Pearl L. Clark, 1903; George McConnell, 1904; C. R. Hazard, 1905; W. W. Rock, 1906; John A. Banta, Jr., 1907; H. G. Butcher, 1908; C. F. Downey, 1909; H. C. Happersett, 1910; A. E. McConkey, 1911 ; C. E. Russell, 1912; L. G. Pennock, 1913; G. H. McCracken, 1914; J. W. Ambrose, 1915; C. A. Coon, 1916.
For the year 1917 Harmony lodge has the following officers: Charles V. Oder, worshipful master; George W. Kizer, senior warden; Joseph C. Neer. junior warden; Harry D. Baker, treasurer; Harry C. Happersett, secretary ; Lowell C. Bodey, senior deacon; W. Ross Neese, junior deacon; Lloyd R. Reed, senior steward: Frank C. Bowers, junior steward; Rev. James H. Denney, chaplain; H. B. Conyers, captain of craft; R. Earl Hum- phreys, voting trustee; John Roth, tyler.
CHAMPAIGN LODGE NO. 525, URBANA.
Champaign lodge No. 525, Free and Accepted Masons, Urbana, is another strong organization of the Masonic fraternity in Champaign county. The charter was conferred upon it on October 18, 1882, and the following were the charter members: Ferdinand F. Stone, Edward Thomas, Charles Jamison, T. H. Beal, Rev. James Murray, C. D. Allis, Louis D. Johnson, R. C. Hoar, Henry C. Houston, James B. Hitt, Walter K. Patrick, Omar Gibbon, James M. Colwell, and Joseph Chamberlain. The first officers of the lodge were the following: Ferdinand F. Stone, worshipful master ; Edward Thomas, senior warden; Charles Jamison; junior warden; Joseph Chamberlain, treasurer ; Henry C. Houston, secretary; Omar Gibbon, senior deacon; C. D. Allis, junior deacon; W. Wood, tyler. Since the time of its organization the lodge has enjoyed a wholesome prosperity until its mem- bership now numbers one hundred ninety-seven.
The following are the names of the past masters, those now deceased being indicated by an asterisk: * Ferdinand F. Stone, 1882-83; Charles T.
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Jameison, 1884-85; James B. Hitt, 1886; Louis D. Johnson, 1887; * Henry C. Houston, 1888-89; Arthur L. Harriot, 1890; Charles A. Harmstead, 1891 ; *G. Judd Williams, 1892; Clarence B. Heiserman, 1893-94; E. Edwood Cheney, 1895-96; William T. Wear, 1897-98; George W. Cramer, 1899; Marion R. Talbot, 1900; Horace M. Crow, 1901; Thomas T. Brand, Jr., 1902-03; John S. Merrill, 1904; Henry M. Pearce, 1905; Edward W. Hold- ing, 1906; Harry B. Williams, 1907; Harry A. Dunham, 1908; G. Walker Hitt. 1909; Charles H. Duncan, 1910-11; Nelson M. Rhodes, 1912; Walter A. Arrowsmith, 1913; James G. Wallace, 1914; Mark C. Houston, 1915; George S. Middleton, 1916.
The officers for 1917 are: David H. Moore, worshipful master; John H. E. Dimond, senior warden; C. Davis Brown, junior warden; James G. Wallace, treasurer; Leander Marmon, secretary; George J. Koehle, senior deacon; William F. Butler, junior deacon; Samuel W. Carey, tyler; Thomas T. Brand, Jr., chaplain ; Marion B. Owen, senior steward; D. Ross War- nock, junior steward; Doral H. Offenbacher, captain of craft; Augustus M. Glessner, Jr., voting trustee.
URBANA CHAPTER NO. 34, ROYAL ARCH MASONS.
Another Masonic organization, of Urbana, which has been in existence three score and ten years, is Urbana Chapter No. 34, Royal Arch Masons. This chapter was organized on October 16, 1847, and has been active throughout its long career. The membership at this time is two hundred and thirty-nine, of whom one member, Edwin Hagenbuch, is grand secre- tary of the Ohio Royal Arch Masons.
The names of the past high priests follow, those now deceased being indicated with an asterisk: * Harvey Vinal. 1847; * William Moore, 1848- 55; * D. M. Fisher, 1856-57; Maskell E. Morgan, 1858-60; * Simeon E. Morgan, 1861-63; * Sampson P. Talbot, 1863-65; * Simeon E. Morgan, 1866- 67: * Lafayette F. VanCleve, 1868; * Sampson P. Talbot, 1869; Maskell E. Morgan, 1870; * Samuel Chance, 1871-73; * Michael Gallagher, 1874; * Jose- phus S. Parker, 1875-76; William Snook, 1877; * Royal J. Winder, 1878; *Samuel Chance, 1879-80; * John C. Butcher, 1881; * Alexander F. Vance, Sr., 1882; * John M. Watson, 1883; Alexander F. Vance, Jr., 1884-85; * Jo- sephus S. Parker, 1886; Edwin Hagenbuch, 1887; Richard S. Pearce, 1888; Shepard B. Grove, 1889; * George M. Hodges, 1890; Thomas H. Busey, 1891-92; William M. Black, 1893-94; William McK. Vance, 1895; Fred- erick E. Phelps, 1896; E. Erwood Cheney, 1897-98; Horace M. Crow, 1899-
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1900; Walter R. Talbot, 1901; Henry A. Church, 1902; John S. Merrill, 1903-04: Marion R. Talbot, 1905 : William R. Wilson, 1906; Pearl R. Clark, 1907; Harry C. Happersett. 1908; William B. Griswold, 1909; William Warren Rock, 1910: Charles F. Downey, 1911 ; John A. Banta, 1912; George Walker Hitt, 1913; Joseph C. Neer. 1914-15: Philip J. Schneider, 1916.
For 1917 the officers are: Hugh P. Creighton, high priest; Albert C. Neff, king; Perry H. Boisen, scribe; Irwin W. McRoberts, captain of the host ; William B. Griswold. principal sojourner : Lowell C. Bodey, royal arch captain ; Arthur K. Brown, grand master of third veil; Lawrence H. Nor- ton, grand master of second veil; Frank C. Bowers, grand master of first veil: Harry D. Baker, treasurer; Horace M. Crow, secretary; John Roth, guard; Frank M. Conyers, voting trustee.
URBANA COUNCIL NO. 59, ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS.
Cryptic masonry has a representative in Urbana; Urbana Council No. 59. Royal and Select Masters. The council's charter is dated September 28, 1871. The present membership is one hundred and eighty.
The names of the past thrice-illustrious masters, the deceased being indicated with an asterisk, follow: Maskell E. Morgan, 1871-73: Alexander F. Vance, Jr., 1874: William A. Snook, 1875-76; William A. Stewart, 1877- 79: William A. S. 1880; * John M. Watson, 1881 ; Charles T. Jamieson, 1882-83: * Michael Gallagher, 1884-85; Charles T. Jamieson, 1886-91 ; Shepard B. Grove, 1892-94; Richard S. Pearce, 1895-96: Edwin Hagen- buch, 1897-99; Horace M. Crow, 1900-04: E. Erwood Cheney, 1905 ; Marion R. Talbot, 1906; Thomas Heap, 1907-08: William L. Guard, 1909; William B. Griswold, 1910; George Walker Hitt, 1911; Clarence A. Coon, 1912; William F. Ring, 1913: Walter C. Gifford, 1914: John H. E. Dimond. 1915; Walter R. Talbot, 1916.
The following are the officers for 1917: Albert C. Neff, thrice-illus- trious master ; Ernest V. McNicol, deputy thrice-illustrious master; Philip J. Schneider, principal conductor of the work; Raymond H. Smith, captain of the guard; Lowell C. Bodey, conductor of the council: John Mayse, stew- ard; Harry D. Baker, treasurer; Horace M. Crow. recorder ; John Roth, sen- tinel: William R. Wilson, voting trustee.
RAPER COMMANDERY NO. 19, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
The charter was conferred upon Raper Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar, of Urbana, October 15, 1869. The following were the charter
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members: Justice S. Wilson, Jacob M. Gardner, Maskell E. Morgan, John C. Baker, David Raudebaugh, Andrew J. Stone, David H. Hovey, John Rus- sell, Jacob Pence, Parker Bryan, Samuel B. Talbot, Thomas Chance, Isaac Johnson, Adam Mosgrove, and James Mosgrove. The first officers of the commander were: Justice S. Wilson, eminent commander; J. M. Gardner, generalissimo; M. E. Morgan, captain general; John Russell, prelate; David Raudebaugh, senior warden: John C. Baker, junior warden; Thomas Chance, treasurer : S. P. Talbot, recorder; Parker Bryan, warder.
The growth of the commandery since its organization shows that chiv- alric Masonry has not been ngelected in Urbana, for the members at this time number two hundred and eighty-nine; they are, however, not all resi- dents of Urbana.
The names of the past eminent commanders follow. A single asterisk indicates the deceased, and a double one, the demitted: * Justice S. Wilson, 1869-1874: Alexander F. Vance. 1875-1877; ** David W. Todd, 1878; Maskell E. Morgan, 1879; * William Lawrence, 1880; * Royal J. Winder, 1881-1883; Charles T. Jamieson. 1884-1885; George W. Hitt, 1886-1887; Edwin Hagenbuch, 1888-1889; Shepard D. Grove, 1890-1891 : George W. Hitt, 1892; * John C. Butcher. 1893: Richard S. Pearce, 1894-1895; William McK. Vance, 1896-1897; E. Erwood Cheney, 1898: * Joseph Colton, 1899; Charles A. Harmstead, 1900-1901 ; John M. Brodrick, 1902; John F. Brand, 1903: Robert E. Humphreys, 1904; Henry A. Church, 1905; John S. Mer- rill, 1906; * Anson Howard, 1907: William L. Guard, 1908; William R. Wil- son, 1909: Frank M. Conyers, 1910; Edward W. Holding, 1911; William B. Griswold, 1912: John A. Banta, 1913; Clinton E. Russell, 1914;'Charles F. Downey, 1915: George H. McCracken, 1916.
The officers for 1917 are: Henry M. Pearce, eminent commander ; James P. Coe, generalissimo; Edwin W. Holding, captain general; George W. Hitt, prelate : Walter C. Gifford, senior warden ; J. Carr Robinson, junior warden: A. F. Vance, Jr .. treasurer ; Frank M. Conyers, recorder; Charles V. Oder. standard bearer : Joseph C. Neer, sword bearer; William E. Marsh, warder ; Edwin Hagenbuch, voting trustee: John Roth, sentinel.
SCOTTISH RITE ( CHAMPAIGN COUNTY THIRTY-SECOND DEGREE CLUB. )
Urbana and Champaign county have numerous Masons who have ad- vanced far into the mysteries of the fraternity. These members have been organized into the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Champaign County Thirty-second Degree Club, at Urbana.
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This club has forty-eight members whose names follow. Two of this number are thirty-third degree Masons, and their names are indicated by an asterisk: Linden C. Barlow, Urbana: James I. Blose, Urbana; John F. Brand, Urbana : William E. Brown, Urbana ; Emil Buhrer, Urbana ; John E. Bucher, Urbana: Ora M. Clark, Cable; George W. Cramer, Urbana; John J. Culbertson, Mechanicsburg : Homer G. Curless, Urbana ; William J. Demp- ster. Urbana ; John H. E. Dimond, Urbana ; Frank C. Gaumer, Urbana; Edwin Hagenbuch, Urbana; Harry C. Happersett, Urbana ; Edward W. Holding, Ur- bana; James R. Hughes, Urbana : John B. Hollis, Christiansburg: Louis C. Jahn, Urbana; Charles F. Johnson, Urbana : Charles F. Keller, Mechanics- burg : James W. Magruder, Mechanicsburg ; Clitus H. Marvin, Urbana; John Kirby Mayse. Urbana; George McConnell, Urbana ; George H. McCracken, Urbana ; Cyrus Miller, Urbana; Jesse H. McCulley, North Lewisburg ; Oram A. Nincehelser, Mechanicsburg; Frederick Owen, Mechanicsburg; John W. Patrick, Urbana; S. McFarland Pence, Urbana: Henry L. Penn, Urbana; George H. Printz, St. Paris; William H. Reeser, Urbana ; Clinton E. Russell, Urbana : A. M. Smiley, Urbana : George W. Stadler, Urbana ; James Swisher, Urbana : Joseph E. Thomas, Urbana: Sherman Thompson, Urbana; J. C. Thompson. North Lewisburg: * Alexander F. Vance, Jr., Urbana; James G. Wallace, Urbana ; William R. Warnock, Urbana; Horace E. Wilgus, Christ- iansburg ; William R. Wilson, Urbana : Frank C. Wilson, Urbana.
ANCIENT ARABIC ORDER OF NOBLES OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE.
Social Masonry is again furthered in this county by the Champaign County Club of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Urbana. Most of these hold their membership at Dayton.
The membership of the organization, composed of local "Shriners," in 1917, numbers sixty-seven, as follows : Linden C. Barlow, Urbana ; Peter H. Berry, St. Paris; Arthur F. Bible, Urbana ; James I. Blose, Urbana ; Lowell C. Bodey, Urbana; T. T. Brand, Jr., Urbana; J. Harry Brown, Urbana; W. E. Brown, Urbana: H. G. Butcher, Urbana; C. W. Cartmell, Urbana; Ora M. Clark, Cable ; William N. Couffer, Urbana : Claude C. Craig, Urbana ; George W. Cramer, Urbana: John J. Culbertson, Mechanicsburg ; Clinton M. Diver, Urbana; Frank C. Gaumer. Urbana : A. M. Glessner, Jr., Urbana ; G. Burton Guthrie, Urbana ; Edwin Hagenbuch, Urbana; Charles E. Hanna, Urbana; H. A. Harenburg, Urbana; Loren L. Harner, Urbana; George W. Hitt, Urbana; Joseph W. Hitt, Urbana ; E. W. Holding. Urbana ; James R. Hughes, Urbana ; Daniel J. Hull, Urbana; H. B. Hull, Urbana; R. E. Humphreys, Urbana ;
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Calvin R. Hunter, Mechanicsburg : Lewis C. Jahn, Urbana; Charles F. John- son, Urbana: Edwin W. Johnson, Mechanicsburg: Charles F. Keller, Mechanicsburg; W. E. Kidder, Urbana; Robert W. Kirby, Urbana; Chester Kohler, Urbana : C. H. Marvin, Urbana ; George McConnell, Urbana ; George H. McCracken, Urbana; Roger H. Murphey, Urbana; C. W. Murphey, Xenia, Joseph Murphey, Urbana: Joseph C. Neer, Urbana; William W. Osborne, Mechanicsburg: Frederic Owen, Mechanicsburg; John W. Patrick, Urbana ; Paul W. Pence, Urbana ; S. M. Pence, Urbana; John Poorman, St. Paris: W. H. Reeser, Urbana; Allen E. Robinson, Urbana; J. Carr Robin- son, Urbana; Evans M. Rock, Urbana; W. Warren Rock, Urbana; Clinton F .. Russell. Urbana; Harry M. Saxbe, Urbana; A. M. Smiley, Urbana; William W. Steward, Urbana; Joseph E. Thomas, Urbana ; John C. Thomp- son, North Lewisburg: Lee H. Todd, Urbana; James A. Weidman, West Liberty; Frank C. Wilson, Urbana; William R. Wilson, Urbana; Frank A. Zimmer, Urbana.
URBANA MASONIC CLUB.
At the time the new Masonic temple on North Main street was dedi- cated the Urbana Masonic Club was organized. This valuable organization extends to its members many beneficial and enjoyable social privileges. The club has had a flourishing existence as is denoted by its large membership. which now ( 1917) numbers two hundred and ninety-nine.
The members of the club committee are: Edward W. Holding, presi- dent; Dr. Harry G. Butcher, vice-president; J. Harry Brown, treasurer ; Robert C. Pearce, secretary ; John H. Seigle; Dr. Henry M. Pearce; George S. Middleton. In the house committee are: Dr. Harry G. Butcher, John H. Seigle and Dr. Henry M. Pearce. The beautiful Masonic temple adjoin- ing the county jail was completed in 1915 at a cost of seventy-five thousand dollars. There is not a city in the state the size of Urbana with as fine a lodge home.
CLINTON LODGE NO. 113.
Clinton Lodge No. 113, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized at Mechanicsburg on October 24. 1843. The charter members were the follow- ing: Obed Horr. Franklin Boone, John Owen, A. L. Mann, E. Morgan, Andrew Staley. A. Cheney, John Hancock. Jesse S. Bales, Jacob Rogers and C. A. Horr. The first officers of the lodge included the following: Obed Horr. worshipful master : Franklin Boone, senior warden; John Owen, junior warden ; Calvin A. Horr, secretary ; Andrew Staley, treasurer ; Abner Cheney,
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senior deacon; Azro L. Mann, junior deacon: Edward Morgan, tyler; Jacob Rogers and A. L. Mann, stewards. The present officers consist of the fol- lowing: Clifford W. Osborn, worshipful master: Chester Skillman, senior warden; Charles A. Wood, junior warden; T. E. Burnham, secretary; W. W. Osborn, treasurer; Robert A. Burnham, senior deacon; Elvin H. Thorpe, junior deacon ; Will Romine, tyler ; H. E. Dickey, and W. A. Rebert, stewards.
The agitation for a home began several years before anything definite was accomplished. In February, 1908, the splendid site on which the temple now stands, was purchased and the work on the temple began. The corner- stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on Sunday, August 16. 1908, and the result of the labors of the various committees of the lodge is the beautiful temple that was dedicated to Masonic purposes on March 18, 1909. The cost of the edifice was approximately twenty thousand dollars.
Mechanicsburg Chapter No. 168, Royal Arch Masons, was first organ- ized under the name of Goshen Chapter No. 64. The chapter was organ- ized on June 13. 1900 and was granted a charter in October, 1901, with the following charter members: J. C. Baker, Charles Phellis, C. E. Demand, S. C. Gundy. C. R. Hunter, C. N. Mitchell, W. W. Millice, P. B. Owen, W. J. Romine, J. S. Shepherd, T. E. Shepherd, J. E. Wenner, T. F. Baker, W. H. Dotson, H. M. Fudger, C. W. Guy, T. J. Lewis, W. A. Morgan, W. B. Moore, W. W. Osborn, D. Radebaugh, T. E. Shepherd, William Saxbe, F. W. Wenner. P. J. Burnham, E. Bumgardner, G. Farrington, G. W. Hupp, J. M. Maddox, Thomas Morgan, O. A. Nincehelser. Fred Owen, C. W. Rade- baugh, M. M. Snodgrass, C. J. Stuckey and D. O. Williams.
The officers at the time of organization included the following: C. W. Radebaugh, high priest ; P. B. Owen, king; O. A. Nincehelser, scribe; J. M. Maddox. captain of host ; William Dotson, principal sojourner ; F. W. Wen- ner, royal arch captain: C. E. Demand, third veil; W. W. Osborn, second veil; Charles Phellis, first veil; T. F. Baker, secretary; D. O. Williams. treasurer; D. Hewitt, guard. The officers for 1917 are as follow: Will W. Millice. high priest ; O. A. Nincehelser, king; T. J. Davis, scribe; S. A. Burnham, captain of the host: J. W. Magruled, principal sojourner; H. H. Darling, royal arch captain : B. B. Kennedy, third veil; C. W. Oshorn, second veil ; S. D. Horr, first veil; T. E. Burnham, secretary ; W. W. Osborn, treas- urer ; Will J. Romine, guard.
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PHAROS LODGE NO. 355.
Pharos Lodge No. 355, Free and Accepted Masons, at St. Paris, was granted a charter on November 25, 1865, with the following charter mem- bers: John E. Finnemore, Samuel T. McMorran, E. R. Northcutt, R. Taylor, B. F. Baker, William Marshall, Jacob McMorran, John Schlonaker, Joseph Comer, D. R. Barley, John J. Musson, Hiram H. Long, Joseph P. Northcutt, E. H. Furrow, W. F. Furrow and Jacob J. Furrow. The first- officers were the following: John E. Finnemore, worshipful master; Samuel T. McMorran, senior warden ; E. R. Northcutt, junior warden; E. H. Fur- row. treasurer; Hiram H. Long, secretary; John J. Musson, senior deacon; W. F. Furrow, junior deacon : Joseph Comer, tyler ; John Slonaker and Jacob J. Furrow, stewards. Ever since its inception Pharos lodge has been one of the strongest Masonic lodges in the county and today is active in maintaining and perpetuating the principles of Masonry.
BLAZING STAR LODGE NO. 268.
Blazing Star Lodge No. 268, Free and Accepted Masons, at North Lewisburg, was granted a dispensation and the first meeting was held on July 16, 1855. The dispensation was granted to William Inskeep, B. F. Wright, George Morse, G. W. House, Eason Johnson, H. D. Gowey and H. S. Amy. The first officers elected. November 5, 1855, were the follow- ing: William Inskeep, worshipful master, B. F. Wright, senior warden; George Morse, junior warden: J. S. W. House, treasurer ; C. B. Winder, secretary ; John A. Gunn, senior deacon; H. D. Gowey, junior deacon; H. S. Amy, tyler. A' charter was granted by the grand lodge of Ohio to the charter members: William Inskeep, B. F. Wright, George Morse, Caleb Winder, John House, John Marshall, H. D. Gowey, Hollis S. Amy, Amos Williams, E. Johnson and Silas Igou. The charter is dated July 9, 1855. The officers of the lodge at the present time consist of the following: Jess McCully, worshipful master: A. M. Glendening, senior warden; C. O. Taylor, junior warden; J. C. Thompson, treasurer; M. C. Gowey, secretary; J. K. Judy, senior deacon; E. R. Huber, junior deacon: J. W. Horn, chaplain; G. L. Freeman, tyler. The present membership is ninety-five. The lodge owns its own hall, located on the third floor of the city building.
Star Chapter No. 126. Royal Arch Masons, at North Lewisburg, was granted a warrant on November 28, 1870. The warrant was granted to:
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CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
W. H. Wagstaff, Amos Underwood, J. Miles, D. W. Harris, L. M. Crary, Charles Hill, Edward O. Miller, Shepherd Clark, William McAdams, Marion Gutheridge, W. H. Crary, Levi D. Warner and William Austin. A charter was granted by the lodge on September 26, 1871, and W. H. Wagstaff was installed as first high priest; Amos Underwood, king; James Miles, scribe; J. C. Butcher, captain of the host; L. M. Crary, principal sojourner ; Charles Hill, royal arch captain; Edward O. Miller, master of the third veil; S. Clark, master of the second veil; William McAdams, master of the first veil; M. Gutheridge, secretary ; L. D. Warner, treasurer; D. A. Millice, guard.
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