History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 103

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196

USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 103

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received the degrees in 1822. These are the oldest two Masons living in Colum- bus, if not in Ohio, having been sixtytwo and sixtyeight years in the order, re- spectively. All the other members of Ohio Lodge, which became extinct fiftyfour years ago, have joined the army of silent ones.

From Mr. Gill we received the following reminiseences of Abram I. McDowell : He was by birth a Kentuekian and a stanch Republican. During General Me- Dowell's boyhood a French Prince turned up in Columbus and was employed to teach the French language to the boy, who afterwards accompanied his tutor to France. While there he was dazzled with the splendors of the court and became interested in looking up his own family tree and the coat of arms of the Me- Dowells. He wrote his father concerning them but received no reply. He sent a second letter of inquiry. His father then replied and for the coat of arms gave the drawing of a man suspended by the neck from a gallows. This is said to have completely satisfied the young man's curiosity and he lost interest in the study of heraldry.

In December. 1816, Ohio Lodge was transferred to Columbus, and occupied for a time the north room of the old briek building standing on the Capitol Square, then used as the State library. At one time the lodge appears, from the records, to have held its meetings in the rooms occupied by Bela Latham, in the Franklin House. For many years, indeed, until long after the removal of Mount Vernon Commandery from. Worthington to Columbus, " Masons' Hall " was located in the upper story of the Franklin Bank building, said to have occupied ground just south of the Neil House. Then they migrated to the southeast cor- ner of State and High streets, and thenee to the Johnson building, where they had quarters for many years. Columbus Lodge, for a term of years, met in the Mony- peny block, between Long and Spring streets. Finally all the Masonic bodies of Columbus have found a common home on East Town Street.

The color line was strongly drawn in the Masonic bodies of Ohio very early. In 1822 we find Ohio Lodge voted, " it is inexpedient at this time, or any other time, until we receive an expression from the Grand Lodge of Ohio, to admit persons of color to a seat in the lodge." During all this time the business of the lodge was transacted in the Entered Apprentice Degree, and it was not finally transferred to the Master Degree until late in the fifth decade of this century. Such was the custom in 1847, when Magnolia Lodge was constituted. The lodge room was not then necessarily devoted exelusively to Masonic uses, for we find Ohio Lodge offering its lodge room for use as a school room and for the accommodation of a church fair.

One hundred and four Master Masons were made in Ohio Lodge. There was prosperity from 1815 to 1826; then came the withering touch of anti- Masonic excitement, and in January, 1829, the work ceased. The organization was maintained by the election of officers from year to year. In 1832 four Masons were made. Four years longer annual elections were held, but in 1836 the lights went out and Ohio Lodge became extinet. During its organization eleven Wor- shipful Masters presided over its deliberations. . During these years the fees for the degrees were low and the struggles of the brethren to meet their obligations were at times painful. Here endeth the first lesson.

In 1841 William J. Reese, Grand Master of Ohio, issued a dispensation to form and open a new lodge in Columbus under the name of Columbus Lodge, No. -. William B. Hubbard was made first Master ; J. M. Milligan, first Senior Warden, and Robert Riordan, first Junior Warden. The Masons of the city of Columbus were assembled. The Grand Master, with the assistance of the Deputy Grand Master, William B. Thrall and J. W. Milligan, opened a lodge of Entered Apprentices, and the election of the following officers took place: John Green- wood was elected Treasurer; J. C. Broderick, Secretary ; J. Young, Senior Dea-

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con ; John Zeigler, Junior Deacon ; B. B. Brown, Tyler. This completed the organization and thus Columbus Lodge began its eareer. The first candidate for admission was Noah H. Swayne, afterwards a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

To Lancaster Lodge, we believe, belongs the distinetion of having maintained its organization during the time of Masonic depression. At least we find Lancas- ter Lodge on hand with a set of temperance resolutions for the edifieation of this new lodge soon after its birth. Lancaster wanted everyone petitioning for the degrees of Symbolic Masonry to take a pledge to forever abstain from the use of all intoxicating beverages. This was submitted to Columbus Lodge for its adop- tion. A committee reported it was an "innovation in the body of Masonry," a " new landmark," and the lodge did not adopt it. This was in the whirl and excitement of the Washingtonian temperance movement of fifty years ago. Men, then, as now, thought that reform was built on emotion and that human nature could be changed by a set of resolutions. That such a resolution as emanated from Lan- caster Lodge would "remove an ancient landmark," we can readily believe, when we find on the records of a lodge still existing in Franklin County a resolution that " the Tyler be ordered to procure one barrel of rum and two tin cups for the use of the Lodge."

In 1847, John W. Milligan, Nathaniel Merion, Harvey Fletcher, D. T. Wood- bury, James E. Donahoo, Benjamin F. Martin, Bela Latham, Harvey Bancroft and William Harrison, petitioned to the Grand Lodge for the establishment of a new Lodge under the title of Magnolia, Number 20. Columbus Lodge favored this enterprise and passed the following resolution : " Resolved, That we vouch for the moral and Masonic standing of said brethren as worthy Ancient and Accepted Free Masons, and recommend that the prayer of their petition be granted." In order that the new lodge might enter upon its labors at once, Columbus Lodge tendered them the use of their hall and properties. Lodge meetings were adjourned from day to day and often were not closed for months, showing that what are now deemed traditions of the order have, like other institutions, under- gone evolution in modern time. Visiting Masters or Past Masters were almost always invited to preside in the meetings of the lodge they visited. The object was two-told ; it was a complimentary distinction and it enabled the craft to improve by the adoption of new forms which pleased them. It must be kept in mind that the present code was not brought forth except as the result of years of comparison and observation.

In 1849, Asiatie cholera prevailed in Columbus. We find the following touch- ing note: "Owing to the prevalence of cholera throughout the country and this city, no meetings were held from the twelfth day of June to the eleventh of Sep- tember, 1849. Many a family cirele was made desolate by the ravages of the epi- demic. Several distinguished citizens of the city were its victims. Among the number was our lamented brother, Benjamin F. Gard, M. D., who nobly fell while engaged in the discharge of his professional duties. It may be regarded almost Providential that among the very numerons instances of mortality around us, Brother Gard, whose loss we deplore, was the only member of the Fraternity who fell a prey to the mysterious and dread destroyer, though none shrunk from their duty and some were eminently exposed." Two years later the brother who traced this eulogy upon his brother died of the same disease.

Members of Columbus Lodge visited Magnolia and voted on all applications for membership in the latter lodge, and Magnolia exercised similar privileges in Columbus Lodge. This custom continued for many years. But Masons are not free from human passions. A cloud no larger than a man's hand arose over this fair scene and grew until a storm came which rent their lodges asunder, embitter- ing the hearts of the brethren. We would omit this, but a history which deals

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with but one side of a question is not true to the purpose for which it should be written.

In the process of time, Magnolia Lodge, which had used the properties and hall of Columbus Lodge, had beeome its landlord The Master of Magnolia Lodge caused the arrest and imprisonment of the Secretary of Columbus Lodge for entering the hall of Magnolia Lodge for improper purposes between the stated meetings of Columbus Lodge. Columbus Lodge declared non-intercourse, and the Master of Magnolia Lodge preferred charges against Columbus Lodge for this act. The matter came to the notice of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. A plan of recon- ciliation, or plebiscite, was proposed and adopted, but before Magnolia Lodge carried out all of its provisions its charter was arrested for contumacy. This severe dis- cipline brought obedience and compliance with the order of the Grand Lodge. Peace was restored and for years has not been disturbed. This was long ago, as measured by the life of man, and most of the actors in this drama have passed away. Over their faults and foibles be the mantle of Masonic charity spread as we hope for a like meed for ourselves. Columbus Lodge for many years abode apart from the other Masonic bodies. Three or four years ago it returned to the common fold and entered upon a career of prosperity unknown before in its his- tory.

The life of Ohio and Columbus lodges covers threefourths of a century. The members thereof have been the builders of Columbus. Every enterprise in the city has felt their touch and known their care They have labored for that which made man better and have in the midst of their imperfections lightened the bur- dens of humanity. We claim this for them for they were good men, therefore good Masons. They erred, for they were human, but they have rendered the lot of many a sorrowing one easier to be borne and they have carried blessings to many darkened homes : they have borne one another's burdens. Forty Masters have presided in Ohio and Columbus Lodges.

Magnolia Lodge, Number 20 .- On the first day of June, 1847, a meeting of Masons was held looking to the establishment of a new Lodge in Columbus. The following preamble was offered by Brother James T. Donahoo and adopted by those present :

Whereas, Bela Latham, Benjamin F. Martin, Henry A. Field, John T. Donahoo, Nathan- iel Merion, Harvey Fletcher, Harvey Bancroft and William Harrison, all Ancient Free and Accepted Master Masons, the more effectually to encourage sobriety, suppress profanity, and diffuse the sublime principles of universal benevolence, and thereby carry out the genuine precepts of Free Masonry, have associated themselves together under the name, style and title of Magnolia Lodge, Number 20, under the authority and jurisdiction of the M. W. Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio ; they, therefore, for their future government, do make, ordain and adopt the following: [ Here follow the bylaws of the proposed Lodge.]

B. F. Martin was appointed to arrange the necessary preliminaries for the organization. He subsequently reported that Columbus Lodge, Number 30, had by a unanimous vote granted their permission for the formation of a new Lodge in its jurisdiction.

On June 10, 1847, William B. Thrall, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, issued a dispensation for the formation of Magnolia Lodge, Number 20. In this instrument Bela Latham was appointed first Master ; B. F. Martin, first Senior Warden ; Henry A. Field, first Junior Warden. On the same day the lodge met under authority of the dispensation and completed the organization by electing J. W. Milligan, Treasurer ; Harvey Bancroft, Secretary ; Nathaniel Merion, Sen- ior Deaeon ; William Harrison, Junior Deacon, and J. W. Donahoo, Tyler. Wil- liam M. Savage was the first petitioner for the degrees in this lodge. He afterward

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was Worshipful Master six consecutive years, the longest term of office held by any Master of this lodge. Thomas Sparrow was next in service and held the office for four years. The charter was issued July 20, 1847. At a meeting of Magnolia Lodge, during this year, several Chippewa Indians arrived in Columbus on their way to Washington, D. C. They claimed to be Masons, and applied to Magnolia Lodge for recognition in this character. William B. Hubbard and Samuel Reed, both well known as " expert Masons," were a committee on behalf of Magnolia Lodge to examine into their qualifications. Their report shows what Masonic enthusiasts they were, and how readily they found the " lost jewels " when they sought them. This examination was conducted through an interpreter. The interest aroused in the committee was so great that they recommended that the examination should be conducted before the members of the lodge in committee of the whole. The lodge was called from " labor to refreshment." The Indians were admitted, and after further examination they were recognized as possessing certain mysteries which resembled Masonry. After a mutual interchange of sentiments the Indians withdrew. John Baptist Martell was the interpreter, and he was formally healed by Magnolia Lodge some time after. In his petition he sets forth his occupation as " Justice of the Peace and proprietor of a temperance house." Such a hostelry on an Indian reservation then, as now, would be a novelty. Magnolia Lodge granted him a diploma when he left the city.

In 1850, cholera interrupted the meetings of this lodge. The history of Mag- nolia Lodge was closely interwoven with that of Columbus Lodge during the first ten years of its existence, and much of this common lodge history has been told already. Magnolia Lodge has bad a prosperous eareer, and has today the largest member- ship of any Symbolie lodge in Ohio. Thirtyone Masters have presided in its Ori- ental chair. One of the martyred Presidents of the United States received the Symbolic Degrees of Masonry in Magnolia and Columbus Lodges. The record stands : " James A. Garfield received the E. A. Degree November 22, 1861, and the F. C. degree December 3, 1861, in Magnolia Lodge. The Master's degree was conferred upon him by Columbus Lodge, November 22, 1864."

Goodale Lodge, Number 372, was organized under a dispensation issued July 20, 1866. The following officers were named in this dispensation : James Wil- liams, W. M .; William S. Phares, S. W., Harry Tarbill, J. W .; D. G. Smith was appointed Treasurer ; A. B. Robinson, Seeretary ; W. A. Hershisher, S. D .; J. B. Romans, J. D .; W. R. Thrall, Tyler. The lodge was chartered October 17, 1866, and constituted by Grand Master Thomas Sparrow October 26, 1866. The char- ter members promulgated the following preamble to the by-laws :

Whereas, James Williams, Dolphin G. Smith, William S. Phares, Ashley B. Robinson, William A. Hershiser, John B. Romans, Edwin C. Beach, Charles A. Wiggins, Charles C. Walcutt, Albert G. Byers, Samuel Thompson, William Ewing, Otis B. Perkins, Isaac C. Aston, William R. Thrall, Moses P. Smith, Martin P. Ford, Harry Tarbill, Jacob B. Beauman, Wil- liam McDonald, Denman R. Kinsell, Stephen V. R. Carpenter and Jacob H. MeColm, Free and accepted Master Masons, the more effectually to diffuse the exalted principles of Broth- erly Love, Relief and Truth ; to encourage the more constant practice of the cardinal virtues -Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice - and to inculcate the genuine moral pre- cepts of Freemasonry, have associated themselves together under the name and title of Goodale Lodge, under the jurisdiction and authority of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and they do, therefore, adopt for their future guidance and government the following by-laws [etc.].

The first elected officers were : W. S. Phares, W. M., A. B. Robinson, S. W .; C. C. Walcutt, J. W .; D. G. Smith, Treasurer ; Theo. P. Gordon, Secretary ; W. R. Thrall, S. D .; John B. Romans, J. D .; Edward West, Tyler. The first candi- date to receive the degrees in Goodale Lodge was Theodore P. Gordon, since the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge, and active in business and Masonic affairs in Columbus. The lodge was named Goodale in honor of Lincoln Goodale, long prominent in the Grand Lodge of Ohio, having been Treasurer for twenty years,

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a charter member of Ohio Lodge, and a benefactor in many ways of the city of Columbus. He was made a Mason in New England Lodge, at Worthington, in 1808, and was living in Columbus when this Lodge was constituted in 1866. He died in 1868, at the age of 86 years. Lodges, like persons, must become hoary- headed before they can have much of a history. Their life must exceed that of those who formed them, and many of the charter members of Goodale still live and are active in affairs. The lodge is prosperous and is now steadily increas- ing. It has been ruled by twentyfive Masters and has a membership of about 200.

Humboldt Lodge. Number 476. was organized under the authority of a dispensation which was issued by Grand Master A. H. Battin, August, 1873. Under this instrument O. A. B. Senter was W. M. ; J. H Heitman, S. W .; Louis Kahn, J. W .; Conrad Born, Jr., J. D. ; Charles T. Pfaff, Treasurer ; E. Kiesc- wetter, Secretary ; C. H. Lindenberg, S. D .: H. Schwartz, Tyler. A charter was issued to the following brethren as charter members, October 22, 1873 : O. A. B. Senter. J. H. Heitman, Louis Kahn, Charles Heide, Henry Siebert, Charles H. Lindenberg. C. T. Pfaff, Conrad Born, Jr., H. Harmon, Jacob Goodman, John C. Fraas, T. J. Kramer, Henry Schwarz, Emil Keisewetter. P. E. Blesch, Charles T. Kampman, N. Gundersheimer, Joseph Gundersheimer. L. P. Hoster, J. S. Sorgen, Louis Hoster, Louis Heinmiller, Ernst J. W. Schueller.

At the first election under the charter the officers above mentioned were re- elected. The first initiates were Henry Lindenberg and J. A. Kremer. There is now a membership of 54, and the following Masters have occupied the oriental chair : 1. O. A. B. Senter: 2, J. H. Heitman ; 3. J. Kremer: 4, G. Blesch ; 5, E. P. Blesch ; 6, Charles H. Lindenburg: 7. W. F. Kemmler: 8, J. Braun ; 9. Julius A. Kremer : 10. Julius A. Kremer.

Capitular Masonry .- A dispensation was granted to Ohio Chapter, Number Twelve, November 27, 1824, and from a report made to the Grand Chapter held January 12. 1825. we learn that the following companions were the officers: Bela Latham, High Priest: Daniel Turney. King: Joel Buttles, Scribe : A. J. Mc- Dowell, Principal Sojourner: James Robinson, R. A. Captain ; John Warner, Master of Third Veil ; Caleb Houston, Master of Second Veil ; A. Benfield, Master of First Veil ; L. Goodale, Treasurer ; Joseph Leiby, Secretary : B. F. Wiley, Tyler. Besides the officers, there were four members : A. Shaughnessey, William T. Snow. Henry Brown, Robert Russell, the last two having been the first two exalted in Ohio Chapter. At the meeting of the Grand Chapter in 1826, Ohio Chapter was continued under dispensation, with an admonition from the grand body to strictly observe the constitution and regulations relative to the admission of members. Horeb, of Worthington, had complained of the com- panions of Ohio for invading its jurisdiction.

Ohio Chapter in 1826 reported twelve exaltations. In January, 1827, a charter was granted to Ohio Chapter November 12, and the membership had risen to thirtysix. In 1828 the membership had fallen to twenty, half having left on account of the anti-Masonic storm, and the membership remained the same for 1829. In 1837, of the whole number of chapters (twenty) in Ohio. but five were represented at the Grand Chapter, and Ohio Chapter was one which did not answer at the roll-call ; nor is Ohio Chapter again mentioned as having an exis- tence until, in October, 1841, permission was granted by the Grand Chapter for Ohio Chapter, November 12, to resume their Masonic labors under their charter. The old charter having been lost or mislaid, the Grand Secretary was authorized to issue a new one. The following are the names on this instrument as charter members: Bela Latham, John A. Bryan, John Greenwood. P. H. Olmsted, Joseph Leiby, William B. Hubbard, William B. Van Hook, J. W. Milligan, Robert Russell, Lincoln Goodale. Bela Latham was the first High Priest under the new

AF, Eminger,

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charter, as he had been under the old. P. H. Olmsted was King, John A. Bryan, Scribe; Charles R. Sherman was Grand High Priest when the first, and O. M. Spencer when the second charter was issued.

Temple Chapter, Number 155, R. A. M., was organized under dispensation of J. L. H. Long, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, May 5, 1886, with C. S. Ammel first High Priest, D. N. Kinsman first King, and Edwin Morrell first Seribe. A charter was issued October 8, 1886, to the following charter mem- bers : C. S. Ammel, Edwin Morrell, John P. McCune, W. H. Darrah, Henry C. Will, William C. Orr, William 'M. Muchmore, Joseph W. Weil, and D. N. Kinsman. This body has now about one hundred and fifty members. The following com- panions have graced the oriental chair : C. S. Ammel, Edwin Morrell, William H. Dorrab, John P. MeCune, Wheeler C. Wikoff, Josiah Medbery, M. D.

Columbus Council, Number Eight, Royal and Select Masters, was instituted by letter of dispensation, issued by William B. Thrall, Puissant Grand Master of the State of Ohio, on (Saint John's Day) the twentyseventh day of December, 1841, 2841, A. .. Dep. . . to companions Bela Latham, Leonard Humphrey, John W. Milligan, G. M. Herancourt, James Cross, Isaac Davis, R. Buckbee, John R. Barney, William Y. Emmett, John Bartram and James T. Donahoo, authorizing them to assemble on the same day in the city of Columbus, and organize a coun- eil, to be called Columbus Council, Number -, of Royal and Select Masters. The letter of dispensation, under which they acted, appointed companions Bela Latham, T. I. G. Master; Leonard Humphrey, Dep. I G. Master: John W. Milligan, P. C. of Work. The charter was dated at Lancaster, October 21, 1842, dating back to December 27, 1841, and signed by the following Grand Officers : William J. Reese, Puissant Grand Master : G. D. Hine, Dep. Ill. Grand Master : C. F. Hanselmann, Dep. Ill. Grand Master: A. J. Sanford. Gr. P. C. of Work. Attest James D. Caldwell, Gr. Recorder. The membership is about 300.

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America .- Henry Howe says in his history " That William J. Reese, of Lancaster, was the first Scottish Rite Mason in Ohio." Where he got his degrees we do not now know, but probably in Philadelphia, for there his family lived. This rite was introduced into Ohio in 1851. That year Killian H. Van Rensselaer, 33º, Deputy for the Supreme Council for Pennsylvania and Ohio, under authority from Edward A. Raymond, M. P. G. Commander, organ- ized Adoniram Lodge of Perfection and Ohio Council of Princes of Jerusalem, at Columbus. This body of Masons met in rooms over McDonald's & Steube's grocery on South High Street. Among the members of these bodies we may mention William B. Hubbard. 33º, Thomas Lowe and Henry Fields, who are now dead. B. F. Martin is the only living member so far as we can learn. In 1852 the lodge was destroyed by fire and the work ceased.

On December 17, 1852, George loadly, Jr., subsequently Governor of Ohio ; Absalom Death, John Conn, John H. Gerrard, George R. Cramer, Charles Brown and Enoch T. Carson, all of Cincinnati, Ohio, received the grades from fourth to sixteenth, inclusive, in Columbus, at the hands of Killian H. Van Rensselaer. From this time there was no work done in the Scottish Rite Degrees in Colum- bus, until Enoch Grand Lodge of Perfection was organized, under dispensation granted by Henry L. Palmer, 33º, M. P. G. Commander of the Northern Ma- sonic Jurisdiction of the U. S. A., William B. Hubbard, 33º, of Columbus, assisted in the organization of Ohio Consistory, December 27, 1853. Enoch Grand Lodge of Perfection was organized May 25, 1877. William Cunningham, 33º, was the first T. P. G. M. under the dispensation. At the first meeting, May 25, 1877, a class of twentytwo applied for the grades conferred in Enoch Lodge. M. J. Mack, 33º, the T. P. G. Master of Gibulum Lodge of Perfection, presided, and E. T. Carson, 33º, then as now Deputy for the Supreme Council of

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Ohio, acted as the Master of Ceremonies. Other brethren were present from Cincinnati and assisted. Among them was William B. Melish, 33º, later Grand Commander of Ohio. The charter of Enoch Grand Lodge was issued March 19, 1877. The following were the charter members : William M. Cunningham, W. A. llershiser, David Jones, William E. Moore, B. F. Rees. C. S. Ammel, H. O'Kane, George F. Wheeler, J. M. Stuart, Sidney Moore, Frank Pitman, L. S. Dungan, B. F. Martin, T. B. Ashbury, H. W. Wright, J. B. Potter.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 103

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1196

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196