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 29
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Resolved, that Lodge 45 return a vote of thanks to Past Master William Noble for his zealous and untiring interest in the affairs of this lodge during the past year, and for the able manner in which he has conducted its affairs.
When the body of Brother Brigadier General Conrad F. Jackson, who was a member of Lodge 45 and who was
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killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, was brought to Pittsburgh for interment, Brother Noble was one of the committee appointed to arrange for Masonic services at the funeral. In June, 1870, he made the trip to Europe, his appreciative fellow Masons giving him a cheer- ful send-off.
This much esteemed brother died November 4, 1874, at his home in Pittsburgh, aged 67 years. His funeral was in charge of Lodge 45, and the minutes of that Body of November 4, 1874, give the following particulars :
The R. W. Master stated that the lodge had been called to- gether to make arrangements to attend the funeral of Bro. P. M. Wm. Noble, who died this morning. After an expression of opinion by the members and visiting brethren, it was resolved, that the pall bearers go in carriages and convey the body to St. Mary's Episcopal church, the brethren to form in procession and meet at the Suspen- sion bridge, and proceed to the church. The W. M. then appointed the following pall bearers: Brothers P. M. John Fox, James Herd- man, John Davage, James Shidle, P. M. S. B. Cooper, Joseph Eich- baum, George Glass and William Scott.
The funeral, which was largely attended, was held November 5. In the resolutions of condolence adopted by Lodge 45 is this deserved tribute:
That in this dispensation we bow submissively to the will of our Supreme Master. Resolved, that in the death of Bro. P. M. William Noble, Lodge No. 45 has lost one of her oldest members and most zealous supporters; one who was ever ready to practice the noble principles of Freemasonry in the world at large, as well as in the lodge.
WILLIAM B. ENGLISH
When Brother William B. English, still remembered as one of the leading book publishers in Pittsburgh in early days, was elected a Trustee of the Masonic Fund Society, December 30, 1850, the new Masonic Hall on Fifth street, (there were no "avenues" in those days), was being com- pleted, and the Board of Trustees were needing money. The purchase of the ground and the erection of the building was a big undertaking for the comparatively small Masonic
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Fraternity in Pittsburgh at that period. Judge Charles Shaler was a member of the Board at the time, and in December, 1851, he and Brother English were designated as a committee to obtain a loan for the Board to the amount of $5,000. The loan was later secured, and the money, with the various amounts advanced from time to time by Bro- ther James W. Hailman, who being a Trustee, had become the financier of the Board, put the Masonic Fund Society on a safe foundation. Brother English was made the chair- man of the First Relief Committee appointed by the Trus- tees of the Masonic Fund Society, December 29, 1851. The other members were Judge Charles Shaler and James Shidle. They have, as is the Masonic custom, left no records of their charitable work, but here and there in the minutes of the Board of Trustees are intimations of material aid being given to the needy.
Brother English served three years on the Board of Trustees, during 1851-52-53. He was a member of Frank- lin Lodge, No. 221. At the first stated meeting of this lodge, October 15, 1846, he was chosen temporary secre- tary, and at the same meeting was elected treasurer of that Body, serving that office during 1846-47 and 1852 and 1853. He was a charter member of Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, at the meeting at which it was constituted, December 14, 1846, was chosen treasurer and served through the follow- ing year. He was a highly respected citizen and was prominent in business and church circles. He was a mem- ber of the publishing firm of A. H. English & Co., who printed and issued numerous standard school books of that period. He died September 16, 1865, and was buried two days later from his home at No. 147 Penn avenue, Pitts- burgh.
ALEXANDER SPEER
Brother Alexander Speer was for many years promi- nent in manufacturing and commercial circles in Pittsburgh. He served but one year on the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society, being elected December 27, 1851, and
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continuing on the Board through 1852. He could not, on account of his business affairs, give sufficient time to the work of the Board of Trustees. He was at the time in the firm of Hall & Speer, they having on Duquesne Way in Pittsburgh one of the largest plow manufacturing plants in the United States.
Brother Speer was born in Allegheny county, Pa., June 25, 1808, his father, Othinel Speer, being a carpenter. At the age of 17 years his son was apprenticed to the trade of wagon and plow making. When he had completed his ap- prenticeship he started out into the world to make his for- tune, his capital at that time being exactly $10. He jour- neyed down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and finally located at Nachez Miss., where he worked at his trade for two years. Then he started in as a trader on the rivers, beginning with a sturdy flat boat, and selling tools and im- plements, mostly of Pittsburgh make. For fifteen years, with, as he used to say, "more downs than ups," he went through this lively experience, those being the days of Mark Twain on the Mississippi. In 1845 he associated himself with Samuel Hall, who had invented a plow, and that was the beginning of Brother Speer's subsequent great success The two men established in Pittsburgh the widely known Globe Plow Works, where they manufactured plows and other farming implements. In 1852 Mr. Hall died and Brother Speer continued the business alone, under the firm name of Hall & Speer until 1873. During the latter part of his life he was interested in various important concerns. He was president of the Pittsburgh Forge & Iron Co., and for ten years prior to his death was manager of the Allegheny Bridge Co. and a director in the First National bank of Pittsburgh. He was also one of the founders of the Alle- gheey Telescope Association in 1859, organized for the pur- pose of purchasing a great telescope and other equipment for the Observatory of the University of Pittsburgh, a great department rendered notable by the late Dr. John A. Brashear.
Brother Speer was not conspicuous in Masonic affairs, but was deeply devoted to the Order. He joined St. John's Lodge, No. 219 in 1850, and in the same year became a
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member of Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, R. A. M., and was knighted in Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1, February 11, 1851.
At the time of his death, May 10, 1876, he was one of the leading citizens of Pittsburgh and had reached the age of 68 years. One of his intimate friends, writing of him said:
Alexander Speer was a man we all loved and respected for his geniality and his helpfulness to others. At his office on Penn ave- nue, at the corner of Cecil alley, a number of the early business men used to meet regularly and discuss matters of interest in the busi- ness and social circles of the town. They never had any formal or- ganization, but this coterie of business men came to be known as "The Mutual," and they continued to have great "meetings" until his death. He was a man of splendid physique, tall and commanding, with a strong, handsome face.
CYRUS ORLANDO LOOMIS
No records show that Brother Cyrus Orlando Loomis was particularly prominent in Masonic work, but the fact that he was one of the members of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society indicates that he stood high in the estimation of his brethren and that he took a great in- terest in the progress of the Craft. He was elected a trus- tee at a stockholders meeting December 27, 1853, and served through the succeeding year. He was an attorney in Pitts- burgh, having been admitted to the Bar there January 2, 1844, and was solicitor for the city of Pittsburgh in 1847-48.
He was a member of Washington Lodge, No. 253, and on February 21, 1853, was knighted in Pittsburgh Com- mandery, No. 1. He became a member of Zerubbabel Chap- ter, No. 162, November 4, 1851. About 1858 he removed to Coldwater, Michigan. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted and served first as Captain of Battery A, First Regiment of Michigan Light Artillery. He was in numerous battles, was promoted to the rank of Colonel and on June 20, 1865, was brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers for gallant and meritorious conduct. His health was under-
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mined by exposures during the war and he died in Wash- ington, D. C., September 4, 1872.
In January, 1865, Brother Loomis, then still a colonel, paid a visit to Pittsburgh, and while there was the recipient of a fine gift from his friends, as related in the following account taken from the Pittsburgh "Gazette," of date of January 31, 1865:
Col. C. O. Loomis, a distinguished officer who has earned a national reputation by his gallantry and efficiency in the artillery service, recently spent a brief furlough among his numerous friends in this city, and has returned to the Front to report to General Thomas. So quiet and unassuming have been the movements of the colonel here, that the public generally were not aware of his presence. His old friends, however, paid due attention to him and showed their sincere appreciation of his services by presenting him with a magnificent light artillery sabre, gotten up at an expense of $650. The blade is made of thorough Damascus steel, while the scabbard is of silver, and the hilt engraved as follows: "C. O. Loomis, Colonel First Michigan Light Artillery." The name of the numerous battles in which the colonel has participated are inscribed on the scabbard. It will be remembered that Colonel Loomis was Chief of Artillery under Generals Rosecrans and Thomas at the battles of Stone River, Chicamauga and Nashville, and rendered gallant service.
COL. WILLIAM PHILLIPS, 32°
Brother William Phillips who was when he died in 1874 one of the most prominent citizens of Pittsburgh, had been elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society at a stockholders' meeting, December 27, 1857, and upon the death of President James W. Hailman was chosen President of the Board on July 17, 1860. He filled that office to the end of his days, serving as a member 17 years and as presiding officer 14 years. He paid great at- tention to the affairs of the Board and his experience as a man of large business matters made his aid particularly valuable to his fellow trustees. He was never conspicuously active in the Masonic Bodies, but was deeply devoted to the fraternity. He was a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 219, receiving the third degree March 9, 1848, two years after the lodge was constituted. He was also one of the early
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members of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Pittsburgh, having received the degrees in 1856.
As a citizen of Pittsburgh Col. Phillips was a man of prominence and influence. His grand parents had been people of good position in the North of Ireland, and their son, the father of our late brother, was educated for and entered the ministry of the Episcopal church. Later he re- moved with his wife to America, establishing a home within a few miles of Pittsburgh, where Col. Phillips was born. Early in life he learned the trade of glass making in the es- tablishment of Page & Bakewell in Birmingham, then a suburb of Pittsburgh; and later became a member of the firm of Whitehead, Ihmsen & Phillips, glass manufacturers. A few years later he and his brother engaged in the busi- ness for themselves under the firm name of R. B. & W. Phillips. Later he entered the iron business, being associ- ated with James E. Brown, of Kittanning, Pa., and others as owners of a rolling mill. In 1862 he retired from the manufacturing field, and being at that time a director in the Allegheny Valley Railroad Company, was made its president. He engaged later in other extensive railroad developments, and for 20 consecutive years represented the Second ward in the Pittsburgh City Councils. He was a member of various industrial corporations and an incorpor- ator and director of the Iron City National bank, the Free- hold bank, the People's Insurance Company, and the Safe Deposit Company, of which he was president at the time of his death. It has been said of him that "he was a genial, whole-souled gentleman, and although plain and outspoken was always careful of the feelings of others; and his uniform good humor, appreciation of a joke and a capital faculty of telling stories, made him a most pleasant com- panion."
He died April 14, 1874, at his residence, No. 177 Third avenue, Pittsburgh, and the entire city gave evidence of the general sorrow. A proclamation was issued by the Mayor, asking a suspension of business and the tolling of church bells during the funeral, which took place on Thursday, April 16. Resolutions of respect were passed by the various departments of the municipality and by financial, commer-
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cial, church and educational organizations. Public buildings were draped in mourning and the body lay in state in Municipal Hall. The interment took place in the Allegheny cemetery and in the long funeral procession were the trus- tees of the Masonic Fund Society and a large representation of the Masonic Fraternity, under the marshalship of Bro- ther Joseph Eichbaum, later Grand Master of Pennsylvania Masons. The pall bearers from the Masonic Craft, who walked from the house to the cemetery by the side of the hearse, were the following brethren, all intimate friends of Col. Phillips : William Noble, Lodge No. 45; Samuel Harper, St. John's Lodge, No. 219; William G. McCandless, Franklin Lodge, No. 221; George W. Backofen, Solomon Lodge, No. 231; George Glass, Washington Lodge, No. 253; Stephen C. McCandless, Milnor Lodge, No. 287; D. W. C. Carroll, Pitts- burgh Lodge, No. 484; Benjamin Darlington, McCandless Lodge, No. 390; Charles C. Baer, Dallas Lodge, No. 508; Alfred Slack, Mckinley Lodge, No. 318; William Stewart, Allegheny Lodge, No. 233; and Joseph Lautner, Jefferson Lodge, No. 288. From a newspaper description of the services at the grave the following is taken:
The casket was borne from the hearse by members of the Ma- sonic Order, and carried through the ranks and laid over the grave bars. Rev. Dr. Page proceeded with the impressive burial service of the Protestant Episcopal Church. At the close of this part of the ceremonies the remainder of the service was conducted in accordance with the touching ritual of the Masonic Order. Mr. George T. Oliver officiated as Worshipful Master, and was assisted in the devo- tional exercises by the Rev. McGuire, of the M. E. Church, and Rev. French, late rector of St. John's. As the Masonic burial services were proceeded with, a lambskin apron, emblem of purity, was put upon the lowered coffin and the sprigs of evergreen were cast into the grave by the members of the Order. Ill. Brother Thomas Davage concluded the Masonic services by the peculiar and impressive ceremony prescribed by the Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, the breth- ren crossing hands over the grave as they repeated the ritual. This ceremony has been used but three or four times in this city. This scene was exceedingly touching and awed into deeper solemnity all who witnessed the ceremony.
Thus the brethren of our ancient Craft, with unusual ceremonies, laid to rest the remains of a notable citizen and Mason ; and the Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society voiced the general sentiment of esteem and appreciation of his
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work and life, when they said in the resolutions of respect adopted at a meeting held May 6, 1874:
Resolved, That in the death of Col. William Phillips, Masonry has lost one of its most zealous votaries, this Society one of its most intelligent and valued members, and the community one of its ablest, most distinguished and useful citizens.
GEORGE GLASS, 32°
Brother George Glass became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society December 28, 1874, and until his death in 1889, took an earnest and efficient part in the promotion of its interests. He labored zealously in forwarding the work of constructing the new Masonic Hall on Fifth avenue, which was dedicated in the last year of his life. He was a popular and esteemed Ma- son. During all his life he was in Pittsburgh a baker and conducted for many years an extensive business on Wylie avenue. He was born in Bainbridge, County Down, Ireland, June 24, 1828. His advent into Masonry in Ireland is of particular interest, he having become a Master Mason in accordance with an ancient Masonic procedure in Ireland, at the early age of 19 years. His entry into the Craft has been thus described by one of his Pittsburgh friends:
Although his father was a Freemason and an active member of the fraternity, the son received no encouragement to present himself as a candidate for the mysteries. Yet we find that in February, 1848, he was made a Master Mason in Union Band Lodge, No. 336, at Banbridge, Ireland. He thus received the reward, as was the Masonic custom in his native country, for having performed the duties attached to his birthright. For in Ireland, the son of a Master Mason has a peculiar heritage of duty and privilege. He is Ma- sonically termed a "Lewis," and as such it is his duty to support the sinking powers and failing strength of his father; or, as is expressed in Ireland, "to bear the burden and heat of the day," that his parents may rest in their old age, thus rendering the evening of their lives peaceful and happy. Having performed this duty, it was his privi- lege "to be made a Mason before any other person, however dignified by birth, rank or riches." His duty was well done, and he was re- warded by being raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason at the age of nineteen years.
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Brother Glass came to the United States in 1849, estab- lishing his residence in Pittsburgh, where he learned the trade of baker, and later set up in that business for himself. Becoming a member of Washington Lodge, No. 253 in 1853, he served as W. M. in 1858-59 and again occupied that station in 1864 and 1865. He was treasurer of the Lodge in 1859, and with the exception of the two intervening years, when he was W. M., filled the office of treasurer until his death. He was also for many years one of the trustes of Washington Lodge and its representative in Grand Lodge. November 22, 1860, he was made a Royal Arch Mason in Duquesne Chapter, No. 193, and at once became greatly interested in that branch of Masonry. He filled the station of H. P. in 1866-67; was elected treasurer of his Chapter in 1875 and served in that capacity for the remainder of his life. He was a member of Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1, whose members always claimed him as "a valiant knight and gentle frater." He received the Orders in their Asylum March 11, 1864, and was chosen E. C. in March, 1870, and elected treasurer in March, 1875, continuing to be the cus- todian of the funds until his death. He was made a Royal Select Mason in Mt. Moriah Council, No. 2, October 5, 1861; filled the office of D. I. Grand Master in 1881-82 and was T. I. Grand Master in 1885. His connection with the An- cient and Accepted Scottish Rite dates from the annual re- union in April, 1866. In 1878 the Scottish Rite Bodies selected him as their Grand Hospitallar and Almoner, and he held that important place at the time of his demise. He was a charter member of the Masonic Veterans Association of Western Pennsylvania and its first elected President.
The death of Brother Glass took place on August 18, 1889, at his home in Pittsburgh, and the news was received with real sorrow by all who knew him. In his report read at the meeting of the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation in Philadelphia, December 3, 1889, Ills. Commander-in-Chief James I. Buchanan said:
Ills. Brother George Glass had been for many years our Hos- pitaller; full of gentleness, he "considered" the poor as well as he bestowed our alms upon them. In his quiet, unostentatious way, he filled his calling, and for many days will be missed from the place in
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the church which he loved and to which he was devoted; from the Fraternity, which he served and which loved him, and from the city in which he was respected. "Tis ever wrong to say a good man dies."
The following tribute is from the memorial adopted ae his death by Duquesne Chapter, No. 193:
He has been identified with the Chapter throughout the memory of all living Companions, and this loving memory carries us back to innumerable incidents where his great love for Masonry, his high conception of the objects of the Order, and his manly tenderness in all cases of distress, his quiet, dignified and pure disposition has such a hold upon our hearts that we do feel that no one in all this world can ever take his place.
CHARLES CHRISTIAN BAER, 33°
The Masonic career of Brother Charles Christian Baer, who was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society from January, 1877, until his death in 1894, was most remarkable for its wide and important affiliations. When his useful life ended March 28, 1894, it was said of him that he had "served the whole Masonic fraternity." He was elected a member of the Board of Trustees at a stockholders meeting December 27, 1876, and was elected president of the Board in 1892, filling that office at the time of his demise.
Brother Baer was born May 17, 1840, at Robbstown, now West Newton, in Westmoreland county, Pa., and at an early age his family removed to Pittsburgh. He was made a Master Mason in Milnor Lodge, No. 287, at Pittsburgh; a Royal Arch Mason September 4, 1866 in Zerubbabel Chap- ter, No. 162; a Royal and Select Master February 7, 1867, in Mt. Moriah Council, No. 2; a Knight Templar February 12, 1867, in Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1, and the Scot- tish Rite degrees at Pittsburgh in April, 1866. He was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector-General and Honorary member of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspec- tors-General of the Third-third and last degree at Provi-
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dence, R. I., September 20, 1887. On the constitution of Dallas Lodge, No. 508, June 25, 1872, he became a charter member and was installed W. M. In Zerubbabel Chapter he was High Priest in 1876; and in 1877 was T. I. G. M. of Mt. Moriah Council. On the constitution of Tancred Com- mandery, No. 48, K. T., June 17, 1873, he became a charter member and was installed its first S. W .; he served as Cap- tain General in 1874, Generalissimo in 1875, Eminent Com- mander in 1876 and treasurer from 1879 to 1892.
He was elected M. E. Sov. Pr. Grand Master of Pennsyl- vania Council, Princes of Jerusalem, in the Valley of Pitts- burgh, on January 14, 1882, and was reelected regularly for thirteen years, and at his death he held that office. He served the Grand Council of Pennsylvania, R. and S. M., as R. P. Grand Principal Conductor of Work in 1889; R. P. Ill. Grand Master in 1890; R. P. Dep. Grand Master in 1891, and M. P. Grand Master in 1892.
In the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, K. T., he was G. J. W. in 1888; Gr. S. W. in 1889; Gr. Captain Gen- eral in 1890; G. Generalissimo in 1891; G. D. Gr. Com- mander in 1892, and R. E. Grand Commander in 1893 until his earthly career ended. From 1875 to his death he served as secretary of the "Masonic Consolidated Charity Fund" and was president for a term of the Masonic Veterans Association of Western Pennsylvania.
Brother James I. Buchanan, 33º, to whom we are in- debted for the details of this sketch of the life of Brother Baer, has written the following:
Practically his whole career was spent in Pittsburgh. Here he was educated, trained in business as an errand boy in a store on Fifth avenue and subsequently assumed entire control of the busi- ness, which he removed to Wood street. While greatly blessed with prosperity the commendation of his associates and the approval of a clear conscience, it was always apparent that his greatest source of joy for twenty-nine years was in the companionship and devotion of a loving wife, who was always part of his thought in relation to every end he sought.
On Saturday, March 31, 1894, his loving fraters "made his grave," and bore his body to it, escorted by the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, under command of R. E. Irving P. Wanger, Deputy and Acting Grand Commander, accompanied by the five Commanderies of the Division and the Ill. Commander-in-Chief of Pennsylvania
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