USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > The history of the Masonic fund society for the county of Allegheny from the year 1847 to 1923; with biographical sketches of deceased members of the Board of trustees By Hiram Schock. > Part 11
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It will, of course, be understood that Brother Hailman, in negotiating these and other loans, upon his personal notes and endorsements, was doing so in accordance with the terms of the mortgage and bond held by him against the Masonic property on Fifth avenue, as arranged between him and the Board of Trustees in April, 1851. It will also be ob- served that in all these financial transactions he acted with the knowledge of the Trustees and always secured their formal confirmation of his acts.
In consequence of the death of Secretary Alexander
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Reinhart on June 6, 1854, Brother William W. Wilson was chosen his successor by the Board of Trustees on June 12. Brother Reinhart, who was an alderman in the Fourth ward of the city of Pittsburgh, was 44 years old at the time of his demise, which resulted from an accident. He was driving along the street in Pittsburg in a buggy and was thrown violently from the vehicle to the ground, by the sudden trning of the horse. Taken to his home, it was thought after an examination of his injuries, that they were not of a serious nature. During several days after the accident he attended to the affairs of his office. But on the 6th of June he died suddenly at his residence. A meeting of the Board of Trustees held October 4 was devoted to paying deserved tributes to the memory of Brother Reinhart and Brother Samuel Mckinley, who was killed in a railroad accident on August 23, less than three months after the demise of Brother Reinhart. Brother Mckinley's death was particu- larly tragic and sad. He was an earnest member and worker in the Methodist church, and had gone on August 22 to attend a camp meeting held by that denomination at a place known as Hillside Station, and the next day instead of wait- ing for a passenger train he rode with the engineer on an engine drawing a freight train. Within a short distance of Altoona, Pa., the engine struck an obstruction and was thrown from the track, turning completely over. Brother Mckinley was caught beneath the engine and was instantly killed. His death was a great blow to the Masons and to his large number of friends and acquaintances. He had labored so long and with such grand results for the good of the Craft, and had become so conspicuous as one of its leaders in Western Pennsylvania, that expressions of sincere sor- row came alike from individual Masons, from Masonic Bod- ies and from the Grand Lodge.
While the Trustees and brethren generally deeply mourned the death of these two notable Masons, they could feel at the close of the year 1854 that Masonry was making great advances in Pittsburgh. The lodges and the other Bodies were fast growing in numbers and the Masonic Fund Society was on a sound basis. The new Hall was not only becoming self-sustaining, but also the Craft in Pittsburg
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had become an important factor in the social development of the community. The stockholders showed their satisfaction with the achievements of the Board of Trustees by their willingness to retain the entire seven for the year 1855, but Brothers Shaler and Wilson were not candidates for re- election, and in their stead two other well known and effi- cient members of the Order were chosen. One was Brother James Herdman, whose subsequent career was especially notable as a member of the Board of Trustees, as a member for more than twenty years of the Financial Committee of the Grand Lodge and as a conspicuous Pittsburg banker. He had belonged to the first Milnor Lodge, which ceased to exist in 1837, and in 1851 joined Lodge 45, and later demit- ting from that Body, he became in 1854 a charter member of the present Milnor Lodge, No. 287. At the time of his entry into the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund So- ciety he was engaged in the hardware and saddlery busi- ness. The other new trustee elected with him for the year 1855 was Dr. Alexander McK. Pollock, of Lodge 45, a leader in Masonic affairs and one of the most popular physicians in Pittsburgh.
At the first session of the Board in 1885 held January 1, Brother Hailman was again chosen president, Hoon treas- urer and Pollock secretary. The minutes of the meetings during this year are notable for the number of the Society's financial transactions. Various loans had to be met and ad- ditional improvements were made on the new building. As has been mentioned, the trustees in July, 1853, had decided to issue no more stock. But this decision was reconsidered at a meeting held January 2, 1885, which was attended by Brothers Hailman, Herdman, Shidle, Tindle, Hoon and Pol- lock. A resolution was adopted as follows:
On motion, resolved that the Board authorize the issue of Four Thousand dollars new stock, of which all sums purchased under one hundred dollars must be paid in cash; One hundred dollars and up- wards, one-third cash, one-third in sixty days and the balance in four months.
On motion, the President appointed James Herdman, A. Tindle and Thos. Davage a committee to solicit subscriptions for stock in ac- cordance with the foregoing resolution.
It may be safely assumed that in this action the keen
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minds of Brothers Herdman and Hailman were dominating factors. They were men of large affairs, and at this very period were completing, in conjunction with other leading citizens, the formation of a banking establishment, which is now so well known as the Dollar Savings Bank. This bank was, in fact, founded in this year of 1855, and among its charter members were such Masons as Hailman, Herdman, Tindle, Hoon and Shidle, all trustees of the Masonic Fund Society. Later Brother Herdman became president of the bank and retained that office until his death in 1894. From the fact that he was designated as chairman of the com- mittee to solicit subscriptions for the new issue of Masonic Hall stock and from subsequent developments, it is evident that he took upon himself to a large extent the responsibili- ty of securing funds for the Society, thus in a measure re- lieving Brother Hailman, who had done so much in that line in the past. The Board tackled promptly the financial ques- tions that arose with the year 1855. At a meeting held January 18 President Hailman announced that a note of $500 was due the next day, and that the meeting had been called to provide means for its payment. On motion, the note was "ordered to be paid and that the secretary be ordered to collect all the available rents for that purpose." As a matter of fact, this period of 1855 became one of the most trying times for the Board from a financial stand- point. The treasury was drained. It was drained to such an extent that a special meeting was called February 21, "to devise means to raise money to pay gas and insurance bills." Several of the Masonic Bodies occupying the new building were delinquent to an uncomfortable extent in the way of rent and were asking reductions in rentals. Noting the splendid standing in our day of the Scottish Rite bodies in the Valley of Pittsburgh, we can sympathize with the breth- ren amidst the difficulties encountered in those times, when we read in the minutes of a meeting of the Board of Trus- tees held in February that, "it was resolved, that the bill against the Lodge of Perfection amounting to one hundred & seventy dollars, be reduced to eighty dollars." In order to get a further insight into the financial problems of that
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period let us note the following entries in the minutes of a session of the trustees held in February:
On motion, resolved that the Trustees pay the expenses of Mr. Baum to Economy for the purpose of endeavoring to negotiate a loan for the Masonic Fund Society.
On motion, it was resolved that St. John's Lodge, No. 219, be permitted to reduce their last subscriptions for one hundred shares of stock to whatever amount it will be necessary to make the whole amount of stock eighteen hundred dollars.
A proposition was received from Pittsburgh Encampment, No. 1, asking such a modification of their lease as would allow them to pay ten dollars for every meeting held, instead of the present arrange- ment. The petition of the Encampment as above stated was accepted, provided all arrearages be paid to the 1st of April, and then the rent paid regularly every quarter.
Perhaps indeed, this situation may have caused worry in the minds of some of the brethren, and as we read those records of that period one can easily get the impression that the Masonic Fund Society, which had gone along through four years of big achievements, was tottering financially. But subsequent developments show that it was but a tem- porary trouble. Masons of the high standing and influence of Hailman, Herdman, Shidle, Tindle, Hoon and Pollock, who were on the Board of Trustees that year, were not the kind of men to let a great and cherished Masonic project, now blossoming out to a signal triumph, fail for the lack of some thousands of dollars. They could command large financial resources. And they commanded them.
The weak state of his health and later his duties as D. D. D. Grand Master of the Fifth district, to which position he was appointed in December, 1855, necessitated a lessen- ing of the labors of Brother Hailman as a member of the Board of Trustees, and early in 1855 he gave place to Bro- ther Herdman as the active director of the financial affairs of the Society. The latter brother then set himself to the task of securing needed funds. The first step taken is indi- cated in the following record of a trustee meeting held May 9, at which Brother Davage, in the absence of President Hailman, acted as president, pro tem .:
On motion duly made, it was resolved that James Herdman is hereby authorized to negotiate a loan of five thousand dollars for the use of the Masonic Fund Society, to be paid back to whom borrowed from by the Trustees of Masonic Fund Society as follows: Two
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thousand dollars in one year; two thousand dollars in two years and one thousand dollars in three years, with interest payable semi- annually.
This transaction was negotiated in the following man- ner: The mortgage of the Masonic property which had been made to Brother Hailman in May, 1851, was "satisfied in full," as shown by the records in the Allegheny county court house, on May 11, 1855. On the same day a similar mort- gage to the amount of $5,000 was made on the same proper- ty to Brother James Herdman, and was recorded. There is no record in the minutes of the Board of Trustees of this mortgage. But it was a satisfactory arrangement to all, and five years later, as the court records show, it too was also "satisfied in full." The $5,000 which Brother Herdman was to secure, was promptly obtained, as we see by this record of a meeting held June 6:
Mr. Herdman, who was appointed at the last special meeting to negotiate a loan for the Masonic Fund Society, reported that he had succeeded in obtaining the amount required on the terms dictated by the Society. His report was received, and he was discharged from further action in the matter.
At this same session "interest to the amount of $403.95 due the Philadelphia stockholders to the first of May, 1855," was ordered to be paid.
At a meeting on July 3 of that year Brother James S. Hoon presented his written resignation as treasurer of the Society, an office which he had filled since its incorporation in 1850. At the same session Brother Herdman was chosen as his successor. There appears no reasons on the minutes for Treasurer Hoon's retirement from that position, but it is explained by the election of Brother Herdman to the of- fice. The latter was now a man of extensive business and financial relations, and it was doubtless the opinion of the Board of Trustees, shared, we may well believe, by Brother Hoon himself, that it would be of much advantage to the Society to have as its treasurer a trustee whose qualifica- tions and experience would carry successfully the Society through any future troubles over funds. Another resigna- tion came at the meeting held August 8, when Brother Pollock, being in poor health, asked to be relieved of the duties of the office of secretary. But his resignation was
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not accepted, and he continued in the position until the end of the year. In the meantime, Brother Hailman, having learned that he was to be appointed D. D. Grand Master in the following December, handed in his resignation as Presi- dent of the Board of Trustees, which is noted in the minutes in these words:
A communication from the President, Mr. Hailman, was read, tendering his resignation as President of the Board, which was read and accepted, and the secretary ordered, by unanimous vote of the Board, to tender to Mr. Hailman their regret at parting with him as a member, and expressing their high appreciation of his valuable services to the Society, in the able manner in which he conducted its affairs; and for the urbane and courteous manner in which he filled the office of Chairman.
The above record seems to allow the inference that Brother Hailman was resigning both as President and as a member of the Board. He did not resign from the Board. The use of the word "member" in the record is an error. His retirement from the office of president was due to the fact that he was then travelling for his health in Europe, and was in fact across the ocean when the resignation was ac- cepted. He had been first chosen president of the Board in December, 1849, and had held the office continually ever since.
So far as the minutes of the Society show the trustees went ahead in a successful manner advancing the interests of the Craft in Pittsburgh. But according to the develop- ments in the stockholders' annual meeting, December 27, 1855, to elect trustees for the ensuing twelve months, there was dissatisfaction to some extent, as is indicated by the meager records left of that session by Brother Pollock who was secretary of the stockholders' session. We find that but three of the Board were re-elected, these being Brothers Hailman, Davage and Shidle. Brothers Herdman, Hoon, Pol- lock and Tindle were defeated. Very little information is ob- tainable as to the cause for the failure to re-elect these ex- cellent servants of the Masonic Fund Society. But there seems to have got abroad a wrong and exaggerated opinion of the then management of the Society's financial affairs, and perhaps the well known dominating personality of Bro- ther Herdman had something to do with his defeat and some
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of those who stood by him. There was a tie vote between Brothers Hoon and John Birmingham, who was a candidate at this stockholders' meeting, and at a second meeting held January 29, the latter was elected a trustee. Thus the new Board for the year 1856 comprised Brothers Charles Shaler, who seems to have been regularly chosen whenever his pro- fessional duties allowed him the time; William W. Wilson, who had been a trustee a part of the year 1854; John Bir- mingham, long prominent as a member of the Craft, and Alexander Culbertson, of Franklin Lodge, No. 221. The Board organized December 31, 1855, by again choosing Brother Hailman president, despite his absence in Europe, and Shaler was elected president pro tem. For Secretary, Wilson was elected and Culbertson was given the office of treasurer. However, whatever differences and preferences may have prevailed, among the stockholders, the trustees started in the new year with fraternal unity. The first meet- ing was held January 1, and the only business noted in the minutes is that the secretary was directed "to have the Con- cert and refreshment room cleaned and put in proper order for the Military Ball on the 8th January." This event proved to be a big social affair and was given considerable space in the newspapers. At the next session Secretary Wilson was made renting agent for the building, "to keep the same in order," and to receive a commission of 5 per cent. on the collections. The following is also recorded :
After considerable conversation on the condition of the books of this Society, Resolved, that the Secretary be authorized to purchase such blank books as is required by the By-Laws and as may be best adapted to exhibit the accounts and affairs of the Masonic Fund So- ciety in a clear and intelligent form, and open said books, or have it done, in the best manner.
Much of the time of the trustees during the early part of the year 1856 was taken up with making important alter- ations in the Masonic building, and there are a number of dates on which the only record is, "No quorum present." The concert room was repainted and attention given to other parts of the edifice. On March 4 Brother Samuel B. Cooper, who had been janitor of the Masonic Hall since its opening, resigned, and Brother G. W. Bracey, of Lodge 45, was elected "to take charge of the building as janitor for the annual
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salary of two hundred and fifty dollars." The extent of the changes made in the building may be gauged by the follow- ing from the minutes of a meeting held August 7, 1856:
A bill of Jno. Chambers for alterations of 1st story, etc., am't'g to $2518.75 was presented. On motion, the bill was accepted and or- dered to be settled agreeably to contract; provided, a reduction of forty dollars be made for the cast iron pillars to support girders, which has been charged in Anderson's bill to the Board.
But just at that date there was no ready cash available with which to pay Mr. Chambers, and the secretary was "instructed to draw up and have signed the following notes in settlement of above bill." Whereupon three notes were made out, each for $625, "to run six, nine and twelve months." On October 23 two plumbing bills were presented aggregating $461.44, and the total of the taxes on the Fifth avenue property for the year 1855 was shown to be $422.45.
The stockholders met in annual session December 1, when an important financial problem was decided, as the record shows :
The secretary asked for information on the following point, viz: Shall interest be credited upon certificates of stock issued for divi- dends ? After considerable discussion and much diversity of opinion, the following motion, duly seconded, was adopted, viz: That interest be credited to all stock fully paid, from date of full payment to the first day of Nov'r, 1856, at 6 pr ct. pr. annum; and the original stock, together with the dividends, shall draw interest from that date, & certificates be thus issued for principal and interest.
On motion, resolved that the Board of Trustees after this year, shall allow the Secretary of the Board such a percentage on the col- lections or revenue of the building as shall not exceed one hundred dollars per annum.
The only change made in the membership of the Board for the year 1857 was the retirement of James Shidle and the election in his place of William Noble, who had served as trustee during a short period in 1850. But the financial situation was a bit bothersome. At a meeting January 15 a bill came in "for lumber for elevating the rear seats in Con- cert hall, amt'g to $228.69." There was no money on hand with which to pay it, and this additional information is given :
President stated that two notes in favor of J. B. Chambers, late contractor, for materials, would be due on 21st inst., & there would not be funds in treasury sufficient to pay said notes. It was
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ordered that they be renewed for such amt., as we would be unable to pay.
At this meeting the free use of the hall was given "for a concert for the benefit of the Passavant Infirmary on next Monday evening." Then on May 26 came up again for con- sideration the troublesome Chambers notes, and after vari- ous plans for securing the necessary funds had been sug- gested, Brother John Birmingham proposed that he would obtain the money "on note of the Board, maturing October 5, provided the quarterly rents due in October be ordered by the Board to be reserved to meet said note." This proposi- tion was accepted, Brother Birmingham endorsed a note for $581.25, and at the same meeting extensions of other finan- cial obligations were arranged. It must be admitted that this period was another precarious one from a financial standpoint for the Board of Trustees. The minutes of the meetings frankly show that there were very perplexing troubles. On June 2 the trustees notified Treasurer Cul- bertson to present "a statement of the finances" at the next session, and on June 9 it became necessary to empower the president to negotiate additional notes to the extent of over $1,000. Former Janitor S. B. Cooper presented a statement of arrearages due on his salary to the amount of $325. It could not be paid. At this meeting, June 9, this resolution was adopted:
On motion, resolved that the Treasurer be instructed to pay out no money hereafter, except on an order signed by the President and countersigned by the Secretary, in accordance with the By-Laws.
There was no meeting of the trustees after June 9 un- til October 13, when matters came to a climax, as is shown by these minutes :
On motion, Bro. A. Culbertson was deposed from the office of Treasurer of this Board, for neglect of duty.
On motion, Bro. Birmingham was elected Treasurer, and author- ized to procure the books and papers from the late treasurer.
Another unpleasant result of this unfortunate situation was that the Board was compelled to pass the regular annual dividend, as shown by the minutes of a meeting November 3, 1856:
The subject of declaring a dividend being under consideration, Resolved, that we consider it inexpedient at the present to declare a
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dividend, and refer the further consideration thereof to the stock- holders at their annual meeting in December.
The stockholders met December 27, and Brother Wil- liam W. Wilson, who was secretary of the session, has left this record :
Bro. J. W. Hailman, President of the Board of Trustees, presen- ted the Annual Report, which was, on motion, accepted and 300 copies ordered to be printed for the use of the stockholders.
On motion, resolved that the Treasurer be required hereafter to give security to the amt. of $1,000-dollars-for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office.
Resolved, that the Trustees for the ensuing year be instructed to have the third story and hall & stairway thoroughly renovated, in a requisite amt., not exceeding $1,000, agreeably to the recommendation of the President in the Annual Report just read.
A proposition to purchase a safe, "in which to keep the Society's records and papers," was also brought up at this meeting of the stockholders, but action thereon was post- poned, "on account of the low state of our funds at present." The stockholders then made a big change in the membership of the Board for the year 1858. They retained Brothers Hailman, Davage and Noble, and they brought back into the Board three experienced former Trustees, Brothers Herd- man, Shidle and Pollock. The one entirely new member elected was Col. William Phillips, at that period an extensive glass manufacturer and later very prominent in railroad affairs. It was again a Board of strong men, and they promptly elected Brother Herdman treasurer, and again chose Hailman for president and Pollock for secretary. These brothers immediately set about the task of putting the So- ciety again into a sound financial condition. They passed a resolution, January 5, 1858, appointing a "committee of two (who shall not be members of the Board), to examine the books of the Masonic Fund Society and report the result of the examination to the Trustees;" and in accordance with the resolution adopted December of the preceding year, "the treasurer, Mr. Herdman, deposited with the President a bond for one thousand dollars." It was also decided to go ahead and make repairs to the building at a cost not exceed- ing $1,000. Then sufficient money to meet obligations ap- peared as if by magic, so that all bills presented at subse-
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quent meetings were promptly ordered to be paid. Adver- tisements were inserted in the local and New York city newspapers, as had been done several years before, proclaim- ing the desirability of the auditorium of the Hall as a popu- lar place for lectures and entertainments. In June the con- gregation of the Second Presbyterian Church, then erecting a new edifice for themselves, rented the hall for some time, using it in Sunday afternoons. An offer was received to lease the concert room for billiard room purposes, but at a meeting held July 6, it was, as the minutes set forth, "on motion of Brother Herdman, duly seconded, unanimously resolved, that we will not rent the concert room for a bil- liard saloon, for any price nor to any person." However, the proposition was referred to the stockholders who held a special meeting July 20, and at this gathering this action was taken:
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