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 28
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Brother McCandless stated that his father had been W. M. of the defunct Milnor Lodge, and that started the idea of procuring a new charter to resuscitate Milnor Lodge. We had a selfish feeling in wanting to get the old number of Milnor lodge back, as that would place us next to Lodge 45. But the positive rule of Grand Lodge was that any lodge losing its charter, the number should become obsolete. We were content to accept the present number, 287.
Thus Milnor Lodge, No. 287, was constituted April 18, 1854, with Brother Tindle as its first Worshipful Master, and he served through that first year. He remained in Mil- nor Lodge throughout the remainder of his life. On April 4, 1848, he joined Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, and was H. P. in 1851.
In the early days of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Pittsburgh, established in 1852, Brother Tindle was one of its main supporters.
Brother Tindle to the end of his long life continued to be earnestly interested in Masonic affairs. In the recital of the semi-centennial anniversary celebration, April 29, 1904, of Milnor Lodge, No. 287, is this tribute to this aged brother:
He was a leader among the Milnor brethren who organized St. John's Lodge, No. 219, and for five years served as W. M. of that lodge; and then again headed the men who brought the second Milnor into existence. His was the hard duty of guiding the new lodge through the first year of its existence. Well he laid the foundation stone. When he retired from office he lost none of his interest in the lodge, but up to his death in 1889, a period of 35 years, none was more constant in attendance or more zealous in his labors.
ALEXANDER McC. POLLOCK, 33°
For thirty-seven consecutive years Brother Alexander McC. Pollock was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Fund Society, having been elected December 27, 1854, and remaining on the Board until the day of his death which occurred June 20, 1892. No matter what changes in the membership of the Board the stockholders thought fit to make at their annual election through that
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long period, there never seemed to be a question as to whether Brother Pollock was to remain or not. He was always regularly re-elected. He and Brother James Herd- man were chosen trustees at the same meeting of the stock- holders. One month after he became a trustee he was made secretary of the Board, and, with the exception of two years, held that office through the remainder of his life. His was a remarkable record, not only in years, but also in service. Only when in the latter days of his life his health began to fail, did he allow anything to prevent the closest and most admirable attention to his duties as trustee. He was an efficient secretary and his work on the Board was always of the greatest benefit. Most assuredly then, was the tribute of his fellow trustees merited, a tribute embodied in the resolutions adopted by the Board at the time of his death. They were read, as follows at a meeting held July 5, 1892:
Died, June 20, 1892 .- It having pleased an all-wise Providence to call from labor our friend and brother, Dr. A. M. Pollock, who served as Trustee of this Society continuously from January, 1855, to June 20, 1892;
Resolved, That we recall his patient and unassuming efforts as Trustee. We remember his untiring fidelity to the many trusts im- posed upon him by the Masonic fraternity. We bear grateful witness to the judgment and courtesy with which he discharged his duties, and to the conscientious fidelity with which for more than thirty years he has watched over the interests committed to his care, as an officer of the Masonic Fund Society of Allegheny county.
Resolved, that as a small appreciation of his worth and work, and as an expression of sorrow for our loss, we offer the above, and direct that the resolutions be spread in full upon the minutes.
Brother Doctor Pollock was born in Pittsburgh January 7, 1820, and received his degree of M. D. in the Cincinnati Medical College in 1840. An appreciative and interesting sketch of the life of this estimable Mason has been written by our late Ill. Bro. George W. Guthrie, 33°, from which the following is taken:
Returning from Cincinnati to his native city, Brother Pollock immediately devoted himself to his profession and from that time until stricken down by death he ministered to the sick and suffering, with much learning, skill and tenderness as earned for him their un- dying gratitude and affection. His essays on professional subjects are historical in surgery and medicine. He was at different times president of the Medical Society of Pennsylvania, vice President of the American Medical Association and delegate to the International Medical Congress in 1876. He had no love for political life, but con-
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sented to represent his ward in the Select Council of the City of Pitts- burgh. On July 10, 1855, he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Dollar Savings bank and on January 17, 1859, he was chosen vice president of that institution, a position he held as long as he lived. The following memorial was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Bank at the time of his death:
"Loyal to his God and country, faithful and capable in the dis- charge of every duty, for which he was called, loving to his family, true to his friends and charitable to all. From the time of his elec- tion as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bank until over- taken by the disease from which he died, (a disease caused by in- juries received in the discharge of his professional duties), Dr. Pollock was active and served almost continuously as one of the committee. His life both public and private, was worthy of admiration and imitation."
He was initiated in Lodge 45 in Pittsburgh on June 24, 1846, and was raised September 11 of the same year. He served at different times as treasurer, junior warden and master of his lodge. As D. D. Grand Master for Allegheny county, having been appointed at the beginning of the year 1861 and serving until the end of 1877, he made a record for energetic and effective action that is worthy of emulation.
In his address to the Grand Lodge at the Grand Com- munication, December, 1865, R. W. Grand Master Lucius H. Scott said, describing a visitation in July of that year to Pittsburgh :
We spent the Sabbath at Altoona, and left on Monday for Pitts- burgh. On our arrival at the railroad station we were met by Bro- ther Herdman and other brethren, with carriages to convey us to our lodgings. In Pittsburgh proper there are six lodges, in Allegheny City three, and in Birmingham one, making in the aggregate, ten lodges. They have a noble Masonic Hall in which all the lodges con- gregate. They are all under the direction of D. D. Grand Master Brother Doctor Pollock, and from all we saw of their work and gen- eral Masonic conduct, they would compare favorably with any the lodges in the jurisdiction.
Brother Pollock became a member of Zerubbabel Chap- ter, No. 162, January 16, 1849, and was High Priest in 1854 and in 1855 was appointed D. D. Grand Master for the coun- ties of Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence, Armstrong, Fayette and Washington. He was knighted in Pittsburgh Com- mandery, No. 1, K. T., August 9, 1867. He received the de- grees of the A. A. S. Rite and on May 18, 1865, was honored with the honorary grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector Gen- eral by the Supreme Council. He was one of those named in the dispensations authorizing the opening of a Chapter of Rose Croix and a Consistory of Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret in Pittsburgh and was a charter member of Rose Croix and Pennsylvania Sovereign Consistory. He was
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at different dates Sen. Gr. Warden H. of Tyre; D. Gr. Master and T. P .; Gr. Master of Gourgas Lodge of Perfection, and G. H. P., D. G. M. and M. E. S: P: Gr: Master of Pennsyl- vania Council Princes of Jerusalem.
GETER CROSBY SHIDLE, 33°
Geter Crosby Shidle, 33°, the son of Brother James Shidle, was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society at a meeting of the stockholders held December 27, 1882, and was thereafter regularly re- elected to the end of his life in 1889. He thus succeeded his father, James Shidle, as one of the seven trustees and was at this time engaged in the business of wall paper manufacturer and dealer, a business which the elder Shidle had established many years before. At the time of election to the Board of Trustees Brother Geter C. Shidle was a di- rector in the Dollar Savings Bank of Pittsburgh and was connected with other financial institutions.
He was born in Pittsburgh September 14, 1831, and at an early age became associated with his father in business. In a sketch of his life, published at the time of his death, the Pittsburgh "Post" of date of June 12, 1889, said:
Geter Shidle is dead. The telegram which bore the sad news from Atlantic City yesterday brought sorrow to many hearts, for it announced that a long and useful life had ended. This announce- ment, however, was not entirely unexpected, for Mr. Shidle had been ailing for weeks past. Death resulted from a general breaking down in health. Mr. Shidle was hard, active and earnest worker and was known among business men for his uprightness and strict in- tegrity. He was identified with a number of business concerns. He helped organize the Masonic bank in 1870 and had been its president since 1886. He was also a director in the Dollar Savings bank and the Union Insurance Company. The deceased was one term in the Pennsylvania legislature.
Conspicuous and successful as was Brother Shidle's civic and business career, his zeal and activity as a member of the Masonic Order brought him even more prominence. Endowed with those engaging qualities which create and
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hold confidences and sincere friendships, he found in Mason- ry the principles and teachings which fitted so well into his own sterling character. He was indeed a true exemplar of Masonry whether in the lodge or in the world outside. His Masonic life began in Milnor Lodge, No. 287, having been raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on August 31, 1854, a few months after that lodge was constituted. In 1863 he was elected W. M. of the lodge, and in 1864 was chosen secretary, an office which he filled continuously until 1888. December 27, 1880, he was appointed D. D. Grand Master and held that office until the close of the year 1888. He was therefore District Deputy at the time of the destruction of the Masonic Hall on Fifth avenue, August 12, 1887. As District Deputy, Brother Shidle took a leading part in the imposing ceremonies with which the corner stone of the Freemasons Hall was laid on September 11, 1888. But he did not live to witness the dedication of the structure, his death taking place only two weeks prior to that event. It is, however, a satisfaction to know that it was in this new hall that this illustrious Mason performed his last Masonic ritualistic work. Lodge 45 had been given permission to hold a meeting in the new structure before the dedication. This session was held on Wednesday even- ing, April 3, 1889, and was of unusual interest. There was a regular program of speeches and music and the three degrees were conferred. The Second Degree was conferred by D. D. Grand Master Shidle, and it is recalled today by some of those who were present at that memorable gather- ing that later in the evening when Brother Shidle was call- ed upon to speak, he expressed his regret that he had while conferring the second degree inadvertently supplied a word which is not in the ritual. Probably not one of the 284 brothers present had noticed the small error. But it was characteristic of the fairness and honesty which governed his mind as well as his heart that he could not permit those fellow Masons to believe that he had done perfect work, when he had not, even though the fault were of no signifi- cance. That was the last work done in a lodge by this illustrious brother, whose memory will long be cherished by Pennsylvania Masons.
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For some weeks prior to his death his health began to fail seriously, and he went to Atlantic City with the hope of restoration, or at least some improvement. But he gradually grew weaker and on June 11, 1889, he died in that city, with his sorrowing family at his bedside. The body was brought to Pittsburgh for burial, which took place June 14 in the Allegheny Cemetery. Masonic services were performed at the grave by Milnor Lodge, No. 287, of which the deceased was a member. The funeral cortege was very large, and the pall bearers, all intimate friends and Masonic brethren of Brother Shidle were: Brothers Joseph Eich- baum, of St. John's Lodge, No. 287, and the then R. W. Grand Master of the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania; Lee S. Smith, of Franklin Lodge, No. 221; Charles C. Baer, of Milnor Lodge, No. 287 and a member of the Board of Trus- tees of the Masonic Fund Society; J. Lilond Lytle, of St. John's Lodge, No. 219; William B. Lupton, of Milnor Lodge, No. 287 and a member of the Board of Trustees, and Stephen C. McCandless, of Milnor Lodge No. 287 and also a member of the Board of Trustees.
It has been well said that the Masonic offices to which Brother Geter C. Shidle was called during his Masonic career were almost without number. The following is a summary of his Masonic affiliations:
Made a Mason in Milnor Lodge, No. 287, August 31, 1854, being the first candidate raised to the third degree in that Body. Royal Arch Mason in Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, July 17, 1859; Mount Moriah Council, December 15, 1860; knighted in Pittsburgh Com- mandery, No. 1, May 13, 1862; Scottish Rite degrees up to the 32° in the Pennsylvania Consistory in 1866, and was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33º, at New York, September 18, 1875, and was made an active 33°, at Boston September 19, 1882. The various offices he held were: W. M. of Milnor Lodge, No. 287 in 1864; High Priest of Zerubbabel Chapter in 1864; E. C. of Pittsburgh Com- mandery No. 1 in 1867; T. P. G. M. of Mount Moriah Council in 1866; D. D. Grand High Priest from 1871 to 1882; R. E. Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania in 1872; M.P. Grand Master of the Grand Council of Pennsylvania in 1877; G. W. of the Grand Encampment of the United States in 1878; D. D. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania from the beginning of the year 1880 until his death. In the Consistory he was M. W. and Past Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix from 1871 to 1879.
The death of this eminent brother called forth eulogies
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from many sources. A few of them can here be mentioned. Brother Clifford P. McCalla, then R. W. Grand Master of Pennsylvania Masons, in an address at the Grand Communi- cation held December, 1889, said:
Brother Geter C. Shidle served with universal acceptability as District Deputy Grand Master for Allegheny county from 1880 until the period of his death. Brother Shidle in his life and character assembled a rare combination of virtues and abilities. He was genial, unselfish, modest, untiring in labor, perfectly skilled in the work and also in Masonic law. Every Freemason was his friend, every lodge was his home. His presence was a benediction. Long will the memory of his cheerful greeting, his cordial hand-clasp, his feeling words and his Masonic wisdom be treasured not only by the brethren of Pittsburgh, but by very many throughout this entire Jurisdiction.
Referring to Brother Shidle's value to the Order, Ill. Companion James S. Barber, M. E. Grand High Priest, H. R. A. Chapter of Pennsylvania, said:
It would be impossible for me to fully set forth the irreparable loss the Masonic fraternity of this jurisdiction, and especially of Pittsburgh and vicinity, have sustained in the death of Comp. Shidle. He was D. D. Grand High Priest from 1872 to 1882, inclusive. He was a complete master of the Masonic ritual in every degree and fully qualified to perform every duty that could be required of him.
As Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania Brother Shidle had been conspicuous for his ability and his services, and in a Memoriam expressive of their regard for him that Body paid the following tribute:
In the death of Sir Shidle the Order loses one of its brightest stars. Few persons have ever served the Craft so long and faithfully, and yet he never showed any signs of flagging in his zeal. He never seemed to tire or weary in the work, and when a request was made for this service he never said no, if it were possible for him to comply.
In the large and elegant Reception room of the Scot- tish Rite Bodies in the present Masonic Temple at Pitts- burgh stands a statue, of pure parian marble, of this eminent and revered brother Mason. This fine work of art, which first adorned the Reception room in Freemasons Hall on Fifth avenue, Pittsburgh, is a tribute to the worth and services of Brother Shidle by the Masons of Western Pennsylvania. Soon after his death it was decided by the
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brethren to provide a memorial in the shape of a statue, which should be paid for by voluntary subscriptions. A large sum was raised and a Memorial Commission appointed, consisting of Brothers Joseph Eichbaum, chairman; Lee S. Smith, secretary; William B. Lupton, Charles C. Baer, Charles S. Mckean, Thomas J. Hudson and Charles W. Batcheler. A cast for the statue was made in Cleveland, Ohio, and the work of carving the figure was executed in Italy, the material being parian marble. The pedestal was the gift of Milnor Lodge, No. 287, being formally presented by the lodge to the Memorial Commission. The statue and pedestal were then, with fitting ceremonies, presented to the Masonic Fund Society by the late Brother James W. Brown, 33°, at that time D. D. Grand Master and later R. W. Grand Master. The gift was received on behalf of the Masonic Fund Society by Brother Charles C. Baer, then President of the Board of Trustees. At this ceremony the statue was unveiled by Brothers Joseph Eichbaum and Lee S. Smith.
Brother Shidle's memory is further signally perpetu- ated in the name of Geter C. Shidle Lodge, No. 650, con- stituted February 16, 1907, at Pittsburgh by the late Bro- ther G. W. Guthrie, 33°, at that time R. W. Senior Grand Warden, he having been empowered to organize the lodge by dispensation granted by R. W. Grand Master George W. Kendrick.
ALEXANDER G. REINHART
In the summer of 1854 the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society lost by death two esteemed and use- ful members. One was brother Samuel Mckinley, always to be remembered as a conspicuous and untiring worker for Masonry. The other was Brother Alexander G. Reinhart, less prominent, but an efficient and devoted member of the Craft and a man of many friends and of much popularity. The death of these brethren were caused by accidents. Bro-
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ther Mckinley, as has been related elsewhere, was instantly killed in a railroad accident near Altoona, Pa. Brother Rein- hart died from the effects of an accident in Pittsburgh. While driving along a street he was thrown from his buggy and sustained injuries that caused his death a few days later, at the age of 44 years.
He took his seat as a member of the Board of Trustees January 3, 1853, and at this meeting was chosen secretary of the Board, a position he was filling at the date of his death. The minutes which he has left on record are notable for their precision and importance, and show that he was a regular attendant at the sessions of the trustees. He was at that time an alderman of the Fourth ward, Pittsburgh, and was doing much business as a scrivner. His office was at No. 45 St. Clair street, now Federal street.
Brother Reinhart was one of the earliest members of St. John's Lodge, No. 219, and was its W. M. during the year 1849. February 16, 1847, he became a member of Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, of which he was secretary that year and Scribe in 1852. He went no higher as an officer in that Body. Highly esteemed as a citizen and as a Mason, his death was mourned by a wide circle of friends. Making note of his death, the Pittsburgh "Post" of date of June 7, 1854, says :
We were pained to learn last evening that A. G. Reinhart, Esq., an alderman of the Fourth ward, had died suddenly in consequence of injuries sustained by being thrown out of a buggy. He was about and attending to business for some days after he was injured, not considering the injury serious. We have known Esquire Reinhart for several years and esteemed him highly, as an excellent business man and public officer; a good and valuable citizen, and a steadfast and warm-hearted friend. Such, we are sure, will be the testimony of all who enjoyed his acquaintance. He leaves a much respected family and a large circle of friends to mourn his sudden demise.
At their meeting, October 4, 1854, the Board of Trus- tees adopted memorial resolutions, the introduction to which reads as follows: "Agreeably to the request of the Board of Trustees, the secretary hereby performs the sad duty of recording the deaths of our beloved brethren and fellow trustees, A. G. Reinhart and Samuel Mckinley." Of Brother Reinhart the resolutions say :
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Brother Reinhart died in the meridian of life, in the vigor and stirring activities of manhood. As a man he was intelligent and zealous; as a citizen, respected and elevated to the responsible and honorable office of alderman; as a husband, father and friend, be- loved by all thus related to him. He was cut down suddenly, and we fondly believe that his spirit is now in the peaceful and glorious realms of our Grand Master Eternal in the Heavens.
FERDINAND E. VOLTZ
As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society Brother Ferdinand E. Voltz served a little over four months. He was elected at a stockholders meet- ing held December 27, 1876, and attended the first session of the Board in the following January, and, as the minutes of the Board's meeting show, was taking a deep interest in the affairs of the Society. But his useful life was cut short by sudden death on May 14, 1876, when he had reached the age of 53 years. He had long been associated with the civic and political life of Pittsburgh and had been mayor of the city during the year 1854. Later he had filled the office of Collector of Internal Revenue from 1866 to 1869. At the date of his death he was treasurer of the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company.
Brother Voltz was a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 221, and was its W. M. during the year 1852. He was also a member of Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162. He was very popular among his many acquaintances and was greatly esteemed as an active Mason. The Pittsburgh "Post" paid this tribute at the time of his demise: "He was an upright, honorable gentleman, of large experience and a thorough business man. He had many excellent social qualities which made him hosts of friends and endeared him to them."
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WILLIAM NOBLE
For seventeen consecutive years Brother William Noble was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ma- sonic Fund Society. However, when the stockholders start- ed to put him the Board it required, at first, a good deal of effort to keep him there. He was first elected a trustee December 27, 1849; but at the next meeting of the trustees he resigned. Then at a special session of the stockholders, May 16, 1850, he was again chosen, but on the 23rd of the following July he again resigned. At that time Brother Noble was engaged in building up his upholstery business, which later he conducted under the firm name of Wm. Noble & Son, and as the Board of Trustees were putting in nearly 24 hours a day in strengthening the Masonic Fund Society and erecting the Hall on Fifth avenue, Pittsburgh, Brother Noble felt that just then he could not give the necessary time to Masonic affairs. Finally at a stockholders meeting, in December, 1856, he was once more elected as a trustee, and he remained continuously on the Board until the close of the year 1875, dying a few months later.
He was a man of high character, much popularity and fine business ability, and during his long incumbency as a trustee was ever active in the work of the Board and eager and effective in promoting the interests of the Order in general.
He was made a Freemason in Lodge 45 December 4, 1847, and joined Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, April 4, 1847. He was knighted in Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1, May 10, 1848, and was elected E. M. January 1, 1857. He served as W. M. of Lodge 45 during the years 1854 and 1857. When his first term as W. M. had expired the lodge unani- mously adopted the following:
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