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 3
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tiring and devoted Brother Samuel Mckinley as their depu- ty they could look into the future with confidence.
But a period of six years was to elapse from the date of the great fire before the Pittsburgh Masons should find themselves finally established in a Masonic Hall, owned by themselves, and commodious enough for their numerical growth and fully representative of the ancient renown of their great brotherhood. They had rented after the fire, as has been stated, the third story of the building at Wood and Third streets, and they proceeded to fit up the place properly. Then certain of their leaders began to develop plans for the erection of a large Masonic Hall. They re- called that Washington and his generals, and private sol- diers, too, had during the wild days of the Revolution sat as Masons in humble dignity in a crude little structure built in the forests near West Point. But in the form and fit- tings of even that frail structure were embodied at least some remembrances of the glorious Temple on Mount Moriah and the ceremonies of the venerable Fraternity had always marked all their work in the war lodge. For it has ever been a principle, and wherever possible a practice, to provide for the Order a visible habitation, in which the genius of the architect and the skill of the artisan should unite to give expression to the beauty, the teachings and the dignity of our ancient institution. To the outside world a Masonic Hall or Temple has a meaning in accordance with its architectural charm and impressiveness. But to the Mason his Hall or Temple is itself a symbol; and therefore, so far as their means will allow, the Masons of any com- munity have an honorable ambition to possess a building which shall typify the imposing edifice of King Solomon and express the dignity and high influence of the fraterni- ty.
Such reflections came to the minds of that intelligent and striking group of Pittsburgh Masons who assumed the responsible positions of overseers of the future work, when the catastrophe of the year 1845 brought the brethren face to face with the necessity of providing largely and proper- ly for the future of the local brotherhood. They decided to erect a commodious Masonic building and to create an
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organization of a special kind. From these conceptions came into being the "Masonic Fund Society for the County of Allegheny." To their fine ideals they united practical and methodical plans. They had a great task before them. But they were men of the right stamp.
The first seven Trustees of the Society of Allegheny comprised a group of Pittsburgh citizens notably well qual- ified to initiate and carry through the big and fine work of providing a new Masonic Hall and also of uniting the in- fluences of modern progress with the high aims of Masonic teachings. James W. Hailman was a leader in the great iron industry and later a power in the financial world. Samuel Mckinley was a much esteemed citizen and prom- inent as a paint merchant and contracting painter. William W. Wilson was a leading jeweler and much concerned in methods for municipal improvements. James S. Hoon was experienced as a banker and in financial investments. George W. Layng was a lawyer of ability and active in civic affairs. Alexander McCammon was favorably known first as a merchant and later as an alderman, and John Sar- gent was prominent in business circles.
Behind these men and zealously supporting them in their great Masonic undertakings, was another group of brethren, ardent promoters of Masonic advancement. They numbered among them Judge Charles Shaler and Judge Wilson McCandless, men of strong intellect and influence; Thomas Davage, a prominent manufacturer who had seen much of the world as a sailor in his younger years; James S. Herdman, of large experience as a merchant and later as a banker. And there were also Brothers Alexander Tin- dle, Col. William Phillips, John Birmingham, Alexander Spear and others, all men and Masons in high esteem as leading and useful citizens. Considering the importance and difficulty of the work these brethren had set out to accomplish, the financial cost of the undertaking, the then comparatively numerical weakness of the Pittsburgh Fra- ternity, and the inevitable differences of opinion that would naturally develop, the question, How did they begin ? comes at once to the front. And that is not an easy question to answer satisfactorily in detail, for the reason that there
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remain almost no official records or other sources of infor- mation to guide us, prior to the first meeting of the first Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society. Practically nothing is to be learned as to the development of the Society from the minutes of Lodge meetings of those days. It is true, that in some of these meetings desultory propositions look- ing to the erection of a Masonic Hall were put forth. But in the lodges nothing further in that respect was ever reached. We must therefore accept the conclusion that the brethren who inaugurated and perfected the formation of the Masonic Fund Society, whose notable existence has ex- tended over an interrupted period of more than seventy-five years, discussed the details, formulated their plans and adopted ways and means wherever they could get together to solve the problems. Doubtless most of the preliminary work was arranged and provided for in their offices and places of business. And this was not the labor of months; for they had talked about their plans, formulated their mode of operation and arranged for financial backing years before they had evolved a practical and complete design.
At last in the latter part of the year 1847 they let it be known that they had sufficiently worked out their plans and their mode of procedure for the purchase of land, the creation of a guiding financial organization and the erection of a Masonic Hall. The matter was presented to and dis- cussed in the various Masonic bodies in Pittsburgh, and the proposition was accepted and enthusiastically supported to the end by the brethren generally.
Then having gone that far and having received that strong fraternal endorsement, the promoters of the great enterprise secured, through the district deputy, a Convo- cation of the brethren. This assemblage convened in the Hall at Wood and Third streets, and it assembled on a not- able date-Christmas Day, December 25, 1847. Four Lodges then existed in the city of Pittsburgh, in addition to an Encampment, (as the Commandery was known in those days), a Chapter and a Council. These Bodies were Lodge 45, St. John's Lodge, No. 219; Franklin Lodge, No. 221; Allegheny Lodge, No. 223; Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1;
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Zerubbabel Chapter, No. 162, R. A. M .; and Mt. Moriah Chapter, R. and S. Masons.
This Convocation of December 25, 1847, is of great historical interest. It not only marked the beginning of the immense strides Masonry has made in Allegheny county, but it was also the first practical expression, in a general assembly of local Masons, of that fine sentiment of solidar- ity and unified action which has ever since so splendidly characterized the Masonic Fraternity of Pittsburgh. And because of its great value historically, we could well wish that we had an extended report of its proceedings. But there is no such report extant. Fortunately, however, we have an official record which while all too brief, still pro- vides sufficient data to show what was done. Brother William W. Wilson, who was then a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 221, but who represented the Chapter in the Convocation, was chosen as its secretary, and Brother Wil- liam Porter, who had long been a member of Lodge 45, was made presiding officer. This first record, which in the old Minute Book of the Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society is unsigned, but was doubtless placed there by Secretary Porter, is in exactly the following words and form:
Pittsburgh, Decem 25, 1847.
Agreeably to a call the craft assembled in convocation in the lodge room. Bro. William Porter was called to the chair and Bro. W. W. Wilson Secry.
Bro. S. Mckinley stated the object of the meeting to be the con- sideration of purchasing a lot of ground and the erection thereon of a Masonic Hall.
On motion a committee of seven of the brethren (one from each of the Masonic bodies now in existence) was appointed viz.
From the encampment Bro Alex McCammon
From the chapter Bro S. Mckinley
From the council
Bro W. W. Wilson
From Lodge No. 45
Bro James S. Hoon
From Lodge No. 219
Bro Geo. W. Layng
From Lodge No. 221
Bro James W. Hailman
From Lodge No. 223 Bro John Sargent
On motion it was resolved that the Convocation adjourn until January 1st. 1848 in order to give time to the Committee to prepare a report.
Adjourned.
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In the first month of the following year, 1848, the Masonic Fund Society for the County of Allegheny came into actual and permanent existence. This was a very im- portant period in the history of Masonry in Pennsylvania. Having by this time run its course, the dire effects of the anti-masonic furore were disappearing rapidly, and the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons in the Keystone State was fast recovering its former prosperity. Lodges which had ceased to work were again open for labor; new lodges were constituted, and the work as well as the fi- nances of subordinate lodges and of the Grand Lodge again flourished, and thus the foundation for our present prosper- ity was happily and permanently laid. For the growing city of Pittsburgh it was a time of progress and rejuvena- tion. The city was recovering in a remarkable manner from the disasters of the conflagration of 1845. It will not, we think, be amiss to give here some glimpses into the status of the community as furnished by records of those days. In that interesting little volume printed by Isaac Harris in the year 1847, entitled, "Harris's General Business Direc- tory for the Cities of Pittsburgh & Allegheny, with En- virons," we read the following:
We have lived in Pittsburgh near half a century. When we came first to it, a little boy about ten years of age, the population was scarcely a thousand, and not a real good brick house in it. We now estimate it in the two cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, and the boroughs and townships immediately around within a circle of about five miles, at full, if not more, than one hundred thousand of a popu- lation, which we believe our next census will more than sustain .*** When we came to Pittsburgh, it had but one small log church, where a clergyman preached to a very small congregation; and also a small place at the old Fort, at the Point, in a room in a brew house, built of old Fort Pitt Brick, where a few zealous Methodist people met to worship. The citizens of Pittsburgh are now a church-going people, and they have in the two cities and towns around in a circle of about five miles, upwards of one hundred good churches, and as many Sab- bath schools, and about 125 clergymen.
Extensive building operations were going on, especial- ly in the large area devastated by the great fire. A local newspaper of June, 1847, proudly declares :
Those who do not extend their jaunts beyond the original four wards of the city, can form no idea of the number of buildings which
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are in the progress of erection. In some of the new wards there are whole blocks of fine buildings going up. There is an ordinance in force prohibiting the erection of wooden buildings, and consequently when our citizens conclude to build, they put up well arranged and substantial brick houses .:
Another local chronicle of date of October 6, 1847, gives this information under the caption, "The Burnt District:"
There have been erected between Smithfield and Grant streets and Diamond alley and Fourth street 24 dwelling houses, stores, etc .; between Third and Fourth streets and Smithfield and Grant streets 33 buildings; between Second and Third streets and Smithfield and Grant streets 84, with several now constructing; between First and Second streets and Smithfield and Grant, 31 and several building; be- tween Water and First and Smithfield and Grant streets 34. Most of the above buildings are much larger and better than those de- stroyed by the great fire.
Real estate values were rising vigorously, too. As to that feature, a local newspaper of August, 1847, has this to say :
Almost three years ago nearly one-half of the most wealthy and business portion of our city was but a heap of ruins. She has arisen, as by magic, from ashes and flames, and is now in the full tide of prosperity. Notwithstanding our energies were crippled by this great calamity, the value of real estate has been steadily on the increase.
But the chief advancement which marked the city's speedy and brilliant progress was the opening into Western Pennsylvania of the first steam railway lines. Within the limits of the city the means of transportation were such as we in our day might loftily describe as crude. Horses then, of course, drew all the vehicles, and the convenient miser- ies of street car service were still unknown. Our early worthy builders of Pittsburgh travelled in those times, if they wanted to go some distance into the country, in big rumbling omnibusses. It was then, for instance, quite a long journey to Lawrenceville or to Manchester, separate villages now lost within the populous districts of the city. So carrying our minds sympathetically back to those more simple days, we can read with genuine appreciation this announcement in a newspaper of August, 1847:
Messrs. M. & J. Bridenthal have obtained one of the largest class of eight horse omnibusses, which is to be placed upon the route from Penn and Liberty streets to the borough of Lawrenceville. It
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passed through our streets on Tuesday evening, well filled with ladies, and a band of music on the top.
But most prolific of great and quick progress was the beginning, and finally the total, displacement of canal trans- portation by the new steam railway lines. Already almost a quarter of a century had passed since the historic little railroad was opened between Lancaster and Philadelphia, in the realization of which that celebrated Mason and phi- lanthropist, Stephen Girard, had taken so great a part. To the worthy folk of Eastern Pennsylvania it had been in those days a fearsome thing to see the small locomotive dragging along its queerly built cars at the awful speed of twelve miles an hour, without a stop, except to halt now and then to load up more fire wood for the puffiing engine. But by the time the railroads got into Allegheny county the novelty had a good deal worn off and much faster speed was common. In June, 1846, a contract was let for the con- struction of the first twenty miles of railroad west of Har- risburg, and in the same year a section of fifteen miles was completed east of Pittsburgh. By the year 1850 the road had reached Hollidaysburg, where a junction was made with the "portage" over the Alleghanies, and thence by canal to Pittsburgh. Always the great range of the Alle- ghany mountains had been a mighty barrier to travel and traffic between the East and the West of Pennsylvania; and it was not until February, 1854, that a railroad extended continuously from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.
Then, by the year 1847 another tremendous advance in human progress had been made. Electricity was carrying with immeasurable speed messages over the wires in all directions. In 1847 an annual message of a President of the United States had been for the first time transmitted entire by telegraph from Washington to Pittsburgh. Sure- ly that was an achievement to create astonishment. A Pittsburgh newspaper of December 22, 1847, makes the following announcement, embellished and emphasized by numerous exclamation points :
Pittsburgh and St. Louis are now connected by the Telegraph Wire! The longest line in the world through our City, viz: From Washington City to St. Louis, a distance of about 1,000 miles! Think
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of such a ponderous document as the President's Message travelling such a distance in almost no time !
This year of 1847, in which the successful start was made for organization of the Masonic Fund Society and the erection of the first large Masonic building in Pittsburgh, is also notable as being the period of the permanent intro- duction into Pennsylvania of Templar Masonry by the Gen- eral Grand Encampment of the United States. The pres- ent Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States was formed in 1816, with power to establish Com- manderies in any State in which there was no Grand En- campment. The suspension of the early Grand Encamp- ment in Pennsylvania in 1824 had opened up that State to the General Grand Body, and on May 13, 1847, a dispensa- tion was granted for Pittsburgh Commandery, No. 1. In this notable achievement, of large Masonic interest, five of the early trustees of the Masonic Fund Society were direct- ly concerned. They were, Brothers McCammon, Mckinley, Hoon, Wilson and Reinhart. It will not, in view of that fact, be amiss, we think, to insert here the official record of this historical event. The M. E. Sir William B. Hubbard, Captain-General of the General Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, in his report to the General Grand Body at a meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in September, 1847, has the following :
"On the 13th of May last I received an application from Sir Knights Alexander McCammon, William W. Wilson, James S. Hoon, Samuel Mckinley, Charles W. Ricketson, John Y. C. Bell, John McTierman, George R. White, Rev. George S. Holmes and Francis Bailey at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, praying for authority to estab- lish in the city of Pittsburgh, an Encampment subordinate to the General Grand Encampment of the United States, which application was accompanied by a copy from the records of Wheeling Encamp- ment at Wheeling, and vouching for the moral and Masonic qualifica- tions of the several applicants; and having full confidence in the opinion and judgment of our Illustrious Knights composing the En- campment at Wheeling, and also confiding in the thus avouched high character of the Sir Knights of Pittsburgh, immediately on the receipt of the usual fee required by our Constitution, I made out and issued to them my Warrant of Dispensation authorizing the estab- lishment at Pittsburgh of a Council of Red Cross Knights and an Encampment, as prayed for in their petition. From the information
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I have received, I entertain the belief that this Encampment will be found well worthy of the high honors confided to it.
Among the first officers chosen for this Encampment, as it was then designated, were Brothers McCammon, E. C .; Wilson, G .; Hoon, C. G .; McKinley, P .; and Reinhart, R .; all of whom later were Trustees of the Masonic Fund Society.
Describing the encouraging condition of Free Masonry in Pittsburgh in 1847, Brother Alexander McCammon said in a communication printed in Moore's Freemason's Maga- zine for July of that year :
"On the 21st. ult. M. E. Wm. P. Wilson, proxy of Wm. B. Hub- bard, Gen. Gr. Com. of the G. G. E. of the United States, organized Pittsburgh Encampment, No. 1, and installed the officers. We have now five Masonic Bodies in this city, all in a flattering state of pros- perity. This speaks well for the zeal of the brethren. Three years ago we had but one lodge, composed of thirteen members, all told.
Thus it came about that amidst those days of great advances in the progress of the Keystone State, the Masonic Order in Pittsburgh signalized its importance and displayed its own material growth by the creation of a notable and highly useful organization, under the care and guidance of which was begun and completed the construction of the most imposing Masonic edifice outside of the city of Phila- delphia at that period.
As has been shown by the first record in the original Minute Book of the Masonic Fund Society's Trustees, a committee of seven was appointed at the Convocation held in Masonic Hall December 25, 1847 and directed to report at the next meeting, January 1, 1848, on "the propriety of purchasing a lot of ground and the erection thereon of a Masonic Hall." To make such a report would not be a dif- ficult matter for that committee. It had been selected from the very group of prominent Masons who had for months past been working out the plans. Therefore, when the second Convocation was called to order on the first day of January, 1848, they had ready a full and specifically de- tailed paper to present. At this meeting, which was also held in the Hall at Wood and Third streets, Brother William Porter again presided and Brother William W. Wilson again acted as secretary. Brother George W. Layng, who
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was Chairman of the Committee of Seven, presented the report to the brethren. It was carefully considered and to some extent modified. This important paper has happily been preserved in full on the minutes of the Convocation and is as follows :
Pittsburgh, January 1, 1848.
Pursuant to adjournment, the Convocation met in the lodge room, Bro. William Porter in the chair; Bro. W. W. Wilson secry.
The committee through Bro. Geo. W. Layng, made a report which, after having been considered and amended, was adopted as follows:
The undersigned committee to whom was referred the consider- ation of a mode for raising a fund for the purchase of a Lot and the erection thereon of a Masonic Hall in the City of Pittsburgh, re- spectfully report :-
That they have given to the subject that consideration which its importance demands, and submit the following as the result of their deliberations :
First. That seven persons shall be elected Trustees for the pur- pose of procuring subscriptions from such of the Masonic fraternity as may choose to contribute, in order to raise a fund for the pur- chase of a lot of ground and the erection thereon of a suitable hall for the meetings of the brethren.
Second. That for the well ordering and conducting said election, the Masonic lodges now in existence in this City shall each nominate two persons, one of whom shall be elected to represent that body on the Board of Trustees.
Third: The election of the trustees shall be by ballot and shall be held in the lodge room, in the city of Pittsburgh, on the first day of January, 1948, and on the 27th day of December in every year there- after, (unless the Same shall fall upon the Sabbath, when it shall be on the 28th) ; each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, the judges of said election to be chosen by a majority of the stockholders that may be present in said convocation. The trustees so elected shall assemble at such time as may suit their convenience; not later than ten days succeeding their election, and choose one of their number President, and another Secretary. They shall continue in office one year, (except those who may be elected for the present year, who shall serve only until the 27th December next), and until others are chosen and organized; and in case of the death, resignation or refusal to act, of the President or any trustee, the members of the different lodges in convention assembled may elect others to supply such vacancies, in such manner as is provided in the Second and this third Article.
Fourth. Every brother subscribing in his own name or in the name of any other person shall have such name inscribed in a book, to be prepared for that purpose, with the amount of such subscrip-
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tion and the date on which payment thereof may have been made. Said stock shall be paid in three annual payments, viz: on the first day of May in each and every year.
Fifth. The price of each share of stock shall be five dollars. When two thousand shares shall be subscribed, the books shall be closed. Provided that the said trustees may receive subscriptions at any time until the whole amount shall be subscribed. Provided also, that the different lodges, chapters, encampments, councils, &c, shall contribute their annual surplus as a gratuity for the benefit of the Hall.
Sixth. After the erection and completion of the Hall, the Trus- tees for the time-being shall procure certificates for the shares of stock in said Hall and shall deliver one certificate signed by the Pres- ident and countersigned by the Secretary, to each person for each share of stock by him so subscribed and paid, bearing an interest not more than six per cent per annum. The stock shall be trans- ferrable, but before it pass by such transfer, it shall be offered to the board of trustees, who shall be entitled to a refusal thereof.
Seventh. The Stockholders shall assemble in the lodge room on the first Monday in January, 1849, and on the same day in every year thereafter, when a Statement of the business and accounts of the trustees shall be exhibited, at which meeting the stockholders present, or a majority of them, shall make such rules and regulations relative to the holding of stock, and such other matters as may be brought before them, as they may deem advisable.
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