II B R.ARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 366.1 I461W v. 1 IlllflOiS KSSISBCM; SU2VEI HISTORICAL LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS EMBRACING A review of the Introduction, Development and Present Condition of all rites and degrees; together with Biographical Sketches of distinguished members of the Fraternity. EDITED BY GEORGE W. WARVELLE. VOL. I. CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1897. TO GEN. JOHN CORSON SMITH, P. G. M. OF CHICAGO, ILLS., IN FRATERNAL RECOGNITION OF HIS STERLING QUALITIES AS A MAN AND MASON, THIS WORK IS DEDICATED. THE EDITOR. 3U. I :t p? WHILE the various governing bodies of Freemasonry in the State of Illinois have, with commendable foresight, endeavored to preserve the early records and memo- rials of the craft within this jurisdiction, by means of reprints and compilations, yet no systematic effort has heretofore been made to collect and arrange, in one work, a general history of the introduction, growth and development of the fraternity within our terri- torial limits. To supply, in some measure, this seeming want, the present undertaking has been pr6jected by the publishers. The editor does not claim for his own work the dignity of a history and therefore terms it a "compend," the object being to present a summary of the vast stores of his- torical memoranda now scattered through several hundred volumes of printed "proceed- ings," many of which are extremely rare, and, to the ordinary reader, unattainable, as well as of such matters of general interest as are still preserved in the archives of grand and constituent bodies. A careful examination of original records has been made whenever practicable, and the most approved and authentic data in print have been con- sulted when manuscript records could not be found. Disputed or doubtful points have been verified and the utmost care has been taken to insure accuracy and reliability for ^all statements. As a matter of general interest, although not of a local character, the editor has .^presented brief historical and critical introductions to the several topics embraced in this ^ ^compendium, and it is hoped that to the average reader they will not prove unacceptable. ^The publishers have further supplemented the work of the editor by a series of biograph- ',1 ical sketches of distinguished members of the craft, living and dead. As the work is unintended to be a popular exposition of the subject, its scope has been so far extended as - to include a review of all recognized rites and concordant orders of Freemasonry, with : brief reference to allied societies, organized charities, and such bits of memorabilia as may still be found. In this connection the editor desires to express his sense of obligation to the many brethren who have aided him in the preparation of this work, and particularly to Gilbert W. Barnard, of Chicago, and J. H. C. Dill, of Bloomington, who so kindly placed at his 1311 578 IV PREFA CE. disposal the resources of their respective offices; to Dr. Joseph Robbins, of Cjuincy, for the use of rare records; to Dr. Edward S. Wyckoff, of Philadelphia, for the original char- ter and early records of Western Star Lodge; to General J. C. Smith, Daniel J. Avery, Esq., and D. A. Clithero, Esq., of Chicago, for valuable assistance; to Albert T. Hey, Esq., of Springfield, and Dr. F. C. Winslow, of Jacksonville, for aid in the preparation of several of the illustrations. Without the able assistance rendered by these gentlemen the editor feels that he could not have encompassed his subject even in the brief and imperfect manner in which he now presents it. The craft of Illinois have long given a kindly reception to all of the editor's Masonic writings, and he trusts this effort may meet and merit their approval. G. W. W. CHICAGO, April i 1897. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION 1 General sketch of the origin of Freemasonry. 1 The ancient manuscript charges 2 Organization of Grand Lodge of England. ... 5 Early Freemasonry in America 6 EARLY EXPLOITATION IN ILLINOIS 9 Grant of first dispensation to James Edgar. . 9 Grant of first charter to Western Star Lodge 10 Organization of early lodges 13 Convention to organize Grand Lodge 14 THE FIRST GRAND LODGE 14 Proceedings of sessions of Grand Lodge 15 Lodges under jurisdiction of Grand Lodge.. . 16 THE INTERREGNUM 17 Causes of the decline of Freemasonry 17 The Morgan excitement 18 The extinction of I llinois lodges 18 The reintroduction of Freemasonry 21 THE SECOND GRAND LODGE 23 Organization in 1840 24 Session of 1841 28 Session of 1842 29 Session of 1843 32 Session of 1844 35 Session of 1845 35 Session of 1846 41 Session of 1847 43 Session of 1848, 46 Session of 1849 46 Session of 1850, emergent 49 Session of 1850, annual 51 Session of 1851 51 Session of 1852 55 Session of 1853 56 Session of 1854 57 Session of 1855 58 Session of 1856 59 Session of 1857 59 Session of 1858 59 Session of 1859 61 Session of 1860 61 Session of 1861 61 Session of 1862 62 Session of 1863 65 Session of 1864 66 Session of 1865 67 Session of 1866 68 Session of 1867 67 Session of 1869 69 Session of 1870 72 Session of 1871 73 Session of 1872 78 Session of 1873 81 Session of 1874 83 Session of 1875 85 Session of 1876 86 Session of 1877 87 Session of 1878 88 Session of 1879 91 Session of 1880 91 Session of 1881 92 Session of 1883 94 Session of 1884 96 Session of 1885 98 Session of 1886 99 Session of 1887 102 Session of 1888 103 Session of 1889 104 Session of 1890 107 Session of 1891 107 Session of 1892 107 Session of 1893 107 Session of 1894 109 Session of 1895 109 THE ROUTINE OF GRAND LODGE Ill Grand Master's Address Ill Annual Oration 115 Committee work 118 Correspondence report 112 Communications 124 Officers and dignitaries .... 129 Succession of Grand Masters 130 Grand Treasurers 133 Grand Secretaries 134 Revenue and finances 136 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY OF GRAND LODGE... 143 Lectures and ceremonials 143 I. Esoteric.. . 143 VI CONTENTS. II. Exoteric 154 The ballot for degrees 158 Religious doctrine and dogma 162 Military lodges' 170 Corner-stone laying 178 Fees and dues 180 Transaction of business 181 Affiliation and dimission 182 Seal of Grand Lodge 187 Official nomenclature 188 Masonic burial 189 THE GRAND LODGE, CIVIL CORPORATION 191 Text of the incorporation act 193 THE CAPITULAR DEGREES 195 Introduction 195 Organization of General Grand Chapter 196 THE GRAND CHAPTER 198 Session of 1850 198 Session of 1851 199 Session of 1852 199 Session of 1853 199 Session of 1854 199 Session of 1855 200 Session of 1856 200 Session of 1857 200 Session of 1858 202 Session of 1859 203 Session of 1860 203 Session of 1861 203 Session of 1862 203 Session of 1863 204 Session of 1864-5 204 Session of 1866 204 Session of 1867 205 Session of 1868 205 Session of 1869 206 Session of 1870 206 Session of 1871 207 Session of 1872 208 Session of 1873 208 Session of 1874 208 Session of 1875-6 208 Session of 1877 208 Session of 1878 208 Session of 1879 209 Session of 1880 209 Session of 1881 209 Session of 1882 210 Session of 1883 210 Session of 1884 210 Session of 1885 212 Session of 1886 214 Session of 1887 215 Session of 1888.. . 215 Session of 1889 Session of 1890 Session of 1891 Session of 1892-4 Session of 1895 Grand Secretaries and Treasurers Committees of Grand Chapter Seal of Grand Chapter Actions with respect to education Military chapters _ _ Relation of Grand and General Grand Chap- ters History of the Black Hawk war Grand Chapter civil corporation ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD THE CRYPTIC DEGREES Introduction THE GRAND COUNCIL Session of 1852-4 Session of 1855 Session of 1856 Session of 1857 Session of 1858 Session of 1859-65 Session of 1866 Session of 1867 . . Session of 1868 Session of 1869 Session of 1870 Session of 1871 Session of 1872 Session of 1873 Session of 1874 Session of 1875 Session of 1876 Session of 1877. . : Sessions during merger Session of 1883 Session of 1884 Session of 1885 Session of 1886 Session of 1887 Session of 1888 Session of 1889 Session of 1890 Session of 1891 Session of 1892 Session of 1893 Session of 1894.. Session of 1895 Line officers of Grand Council Seal of Grand Council System of district supervision. Jewels of Grand Masters 215 216 216 216 216 219 219 220 221 223 223 225 226 228 232 232 236 236 238 238 238 239 239 240 240 240 240 241 241 242 242 243 243 244 245 247 249 249 250 250 251 252 252 252 252 253 253 253 253 253 254 255 256 CONTENTS. Vll Grand and General Grand Councils 257 THE CHIVALRIC ORDERS 263 Introduction 263 The Knights Templar 266 Templarism in America 269 Templarism in Illinois 272 THE GRAND COMMANDERY 275 Organization in 1857 . . 275 Session of 1858 276 Session of 1859 277 Session of 1860 278 Session of 1861 278 Session of 1862 279 Session of 1863 279 Session of 1864 280 Session of 1865 280 Session of 1866 281 Session of 1867 281 Session of 1868 282 Session of 1869 282 Session of 1870 285 Session of 1871 287 Session of 1872.. 288 Session of 1873 288 Session of 1874 288 Session of 1875 288 Session of 1876 289 Session of 1877 289 Session of 1878 289 Session of 1879 290 Session of 1880 290 Session of 1881 294 Session of 1882 294 Session of 1883 295 Session of 1894 296 Session of 1885 296 Session of 1886..... 297 Session of 1887 297 Session of 1888 297 Session of 1889 298 Session of 1890 303 Session of 1891 303 Session of 1892 303 Session of 1893 304 Session of 1894 304 Session of 1895 305 Line officers of Grand Commandery 305 Seal of Grand Commandery 306 Jewel of Grand Commanders 307 KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE . . 306 Historical introduction 306 THE GRAND IMPERIAL COUNCIL 313 Organization 313 Annual Sessions.. . 314 Seal of Imperial Council 317 AUXILIARY RITES AND SYSTEMS 318 Introduction 318 ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE 320 Introduction into Illinois 323 COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION 324 Session of 1869 324 Session of 1870 324 Session of 1871 324 Session of 1872 324 Session of 1873 325 Session of 1874 325 Session of 1875 325 Session of 1876 326 Session of 1877 326 Session of 1878 328 Session of 1879 328 Session of 1880 328 Session of 1881-2 328 Session of 1883 328 Session of 1884 329 Session of 1885 329 Session of 1887 330 Session of 1890-3 330 Session of 1893-6 330 College of "Thirty-Thirds" 331 Valley of Chicago 332 The Rite of Memphis 342 INCIDENTS AND EPISODES 348 Festivals of the Craft 349 In 1865 349 In 1866 351 Death of President Lincoln 354 The Syrian Resolutions 354 The Funeial 356 Douglas Monument Celebration 359 State House Corner Stone 364 King Kalakaua's visit to Oriental Lodge 367 Chicago Custom-house corner-stone 370 Dedication of Kilwinning Hall 374 Dedication of Oriental Hall . 377 Triennial Conclave of 1880 380 ORGANIZED CHARITIES 386 History of Grand Lodge action 386 Offers of the Macomb Lodge 392 The Knoxville Resolutions 396 Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home 405 Officers and Trustees 406 Organization and government 406 Beneficiaries 407 Maintenance 408 Officials of 411 Illinois Masonic Home for the Aged 412 MASONIC LITERATURE... 414 Vll! CONTENTS. Bibliographical Memoranda 416 Originals 416 Reprints 420 Masonic Libraries 421 The Masonic Muse 429 In Memoriam, N. T. Cassette 429 Freemasonry, M. Magill 430 High Noon, H. G. Perry 430 Ode, Jos, Robbins 431 Ode, A. W. Blakesley 432 The Masonic Press 432 SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS 435 Introduction 435 Masonic Veteran Association 437 The Acacia Club 441 MASONIC CEMETERIES... . 445 INDEX TO GENERAL HISTORY. Acacia Club, history of 441 Addresses, annual, of Crand Masters Ill Administrative policy of Grand Lodge 143 Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, history of 320 " " " introduced into Illinois 323 Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Grand Council of. 324 Anti-Masonic party, rise and fall 18,21 Atkins, A. R. H., elected Grand High Priest 208 Auxiliary Rites, history of 318 Avery, Daniel J., elected Grand Sovereign. 316 Avise, W. M., elected Grand Puissant 241 B Ballot, for degrees in lodge 158 Barclay, P. W., elected M. P. Grand Master 248 " " " elected Grand Commander 289 Barnard, G. W., elected Grand Sovereign 315 Blackshaw, Edward, elected M. P. Grand Master. 244 Blair, F. M., elected Grand Master 62 Blakesley, A. W., elected Grand High Priest 208 Blaney, J. V. Z., elected Grand High Priest 199 " " " " elected Grand Commander 275 Bodley Lodge, when chartered 21 Bond, Shadrach, Jr., first visitor 10 " " " elected Grand Master 14 Bowditch, Nathaniel, elected M. P. Grand Master 250 Bromfield, Wilbur F., elected Grand Puissant. . . . 243 Bromfield, W. F., elected Grand Commander .... 297 Browning, D. M., elected Grand Master 94 Buck, Ira A. W., elected Grand Master 61 " " " elected Grand High Priest 200 Burr, D. G., elected Grand Puissant 240 Burrill, John F., elected Grand Puissant. . : 243 Business of Grand Lodge, how transacted 181 By-Laws of Grand Lodge 175 Cape-Stones, origin of Grand Lodge ceremony for 156 Capitular degrees, history of 195 " " introduced into Illinois 197 Cemeteries, Masonic 445 Chapter, Grand, organization of 198 " " history of sessions of 199,216 " " succession of line officers of 219 seal of 220 " action respecting education 221 " " relations with General Grand Chapter 223,225 Chapter, Grand, lectures of 225 " " action concerning the symbolic degrees 211 Charter Oak, cross formed from 277 Charter of Apollo Encampment 273 " to Western Star Lodge, when granted. ... 10 " to Bodley Lodge, when granted 21 Chicago fire, charitable work connected with 74 Chivalric Orders, relations of, to Masonry 268 Civil Corporation of Grand Lodge 191 " text of incorporation act 193 Clarke, E. M. M., elected Grand High Priest. . . . 200 Clarke, H. C, elected Grand High Priest 208 " " elected Grand Commander 296 College of " Thirty-thirds" organized 331 Commandery, Grand, Organization of 275 Line Officers of 305 Seal of 306 Jewel of Grand Commanders of . . . 307 Communications of Grand Lodge of 1822 15 of Grand Lodge of 1840 124 annual cost of 127 when held 128 biennial, action respecting 129 Committee work, of Grand Lodge 118 CONTENTS. IX Committee work of Grand Chapter 219 Committees authorized to sit in advance of session 61 Conclave, triennial, of 1880 290 of 1889 298 of 1895 305 Congress, Masonic, at Chicago 107 Conservators' Association organized 62 Constitutions, of Freemasonry 174 " of Grand Lodge 175 Convention of Grand Masters at Chicago 103 Convention to organize Grand Lodge, 1822 14 Corner-stone, laying of 178 Correspondence report and reporters 122 Cottrell, J. O., elected Grand Sovereign 315 Crawford, M. C., elected Grand Master 107 Cryptic degrees, history of 232 " transferred to Grand Chapter. .. 245 " " action on in Grand Commandery 286 Curtiss, George W., elected Grand High Priest. . . 215 elected M. P. Grand Master. 249 D Ueering, George W., elected Grand Commander. 279 " elected Grand Puissant 239 Defalcation of Treasurer Dills 87 Glenn 88 of Secretary Burrill 92 Delancey, A. J., elected Grand High Priest 208 Deliberation, Council of 324 Destruction of Grand Secretary's office by fire ... 74 Dimission, action of Grand Lodge concerning. . . . 182 Dispensation to James Edgar, at Kaskaskia 9 " to Daniel Harrison, at Quincy.... 21 Douglas, celebration of monument to 359 Douglas, Stephen A., elected Grand Orator 27 Dustin, Daniel, elected Grand Commander. ..... 288 Dyas, J. E., elected Grand Commander 303 " elected Grand High Priest 215 Early Freemasonry in America 6 " in Illinois 9 Edgar, James, dispensation issued to 9 Education and charities, action concerning 45, 46 " action by Grand Chapter 221 Egan, W. M., elected Grand High Priest 204 elected Grand Commander 288 Elwood, J. G., elected Grand Commander 296 Elwood, N. D., elected Grand High Priest 202 England, rupture of relations with 99 Esoteric ceremonies of Grand Lodge 143 ' modern origin of 152 Exoteric ceremonies of Grand Lodge 154 Fees and Dues, Grand Lodge regulations con- cerning 180 Festivals of Masonry 349 First Lodge charters in Illinois 13 Fisher, Charles, elected Grand Puissant 239 Franklin Lodge, dispensation for 21 Freemasonry, origin of 1 " in Illinois 9 " causes of decline of 17 reintroduced in Illinois 21 French, J. J., elected M. P. Grand Master 245 " elected Grand Sovereign 313 Garfield, James A., action on the death of 94 Cassette, N. T., elected Grand Commander 298 Goddard, L. A., elected Grand Master 107 Gorin, J. R., elected Grand Commander 282 Grand Council, R & S. M., organization of 236 " surrenders control of degrees 245 succession of officers of 25^ seal of 254 " jewel of Grand Masters of 256 relations with General Grand Council 257 Grand Lodge of England, organization of 5 " " of Missouri organized 13 " " of Illinois organized 14 " " of Illinois, second, organized 23 " " of Recovery, when held 48,49 Grand Masters of Grand Lodge, succession of... . 130 Grand Secretaries of Grand Lodge 134 Grand Treasurers of Grand Lodge 133 Gurney, T. T., elected Grand Master 91 funeral of 101 " " elected Grand Commander 289 H Hall, H. M., elected Grand Commander 304 Hall, James, Grand Master, when 15 Halliwell manuscript, description of 2 Hamilton, Jno. D., elected Grand High Priest.... 209 Harmony Circular relating to Negroes 38 Harmony Lodge, dispensation for 22 Hawley, James A., elected Grand Commander.. . 288 " " elected Grand Master 81' elected Grand High Priest. ... 207 " " elected Grand Puissant 240 Hibbard, James H., elected Grand High Priest. . 201 " " elected Grand Puissant 237 Higgins, R, T., elected Grand High Priest 216 High Priesthood, Order of 228 " " organization of Council 229 CONTENTS. Holton, J. H., elected Grand High Priest 198 Holy Sepulchre, Order of 312 Home for the Aged, Masonic 412 Home, Orphans', Illinois Masonic 405 Hubbard, H. W., elected Grand High Priest 204 " " elected Grand Puissant 241 " " elected Grand Commander. . . . 288 Hunt, Josiah, elected Grand Commander 278 Hurlbut, V. L., elected Grand Commander 282 Huston, H. E., elected M. P. Grand Master 250 Hutchinson, J. W., elected Grand High Priest... 216 Incorporation of Grand Lodge 191 of Grand Chapter 226 Imperial Council, Grand, organization of 313 . " " " seal of 317 J Jackson, Andrew, observance of death of 38 Jerome, L. R., elected M. P. Grand Master. 245 " " elected Grand Sovereign 315 Jewel of Grand Master 78, 256 " of Grand Master, Cryptic Rite 256 " of Grand Commander 307 Jewel presented to D. C. Cregier 78 Jonas, Abraham, elected Grand Master 24 death of 66 Johnson, H. A., elected Grand Commander 278 K Kalakaua, King, visit to Oriental Lodge 367 Kaskaskia, establishment of Freemasonry in 9 Kilwinning Hall, dedication of 374 Knights Templar, history of 266 " " order introduced into America. 270 Knoxville Chapter, controversies concerning 201 Knoxville Resolutions on Orphans' Home 396 Krohn, Jacob, elected Grand High Priest 216 Ladd, Jno. A., elected Grand High Priest. 212 Landsdowne manuscript, description of 3 Lanphere, George C., elected Grand Commander 281 Lawrence Lodge, when chartered 13 Lectures and Ceremonials of Grand Lodge 143 Le Fevre, S. J., elected M. I. Grand Master 253 Legend of the Craft, of what consisting 3 Levanway, Wm. A., elected Grand Puissant 242 Libanus Lodge, when chartered 13 By-laws of 13 Libraries, Masonic 421 Library of Grand Lodge established 56 Lincoln, President, death of 354 Literature, Masonic 414 Lodges in Illinois prior to Grand Lodge 13 Lodges participating in organization of Grand Lodge in 1822 15 Lodges in obedience of Grand Lodge at time of dissolution 16 Lord, M. M., Elected M. I. Grand Master 253 Lounsbury, George E., Elected Grand High Priest 208 " elected Grand Puissant... 242 Lusk, Levi, elected Grand High Priest 199 elected Grand Puissant 238 M Mack, C. G., elected Grand Commander 304 Masonic burial, right of 189 Masonic Temple at Chicago, destruction of 287 Masonic trials, details of suppressed 91 Matheny, Charles W., elected Grand Puissant... 239 McKinlay, R. L., elected Grand Commander .... 290 McMurtry, James C., elected Grand High Priest . 208 Memphis, Rite of 342 Miles, James H., elected Grand High Priest 206 " elected Grand Puissant 240 elected Grand Sovereign 315 Military Chapters, created by Grand Chapter of Illinois 223 Military Lodges in 1826, traditions of 17 " Grand Lodge action concern- ing 44, 62, 170 Military Lodges, dispensations for 170, 174 Milligan, William L., elected Grand High Priest. 216 Miner, O. H., elected Grand High Priest 205 " elected Grand Puissant 239 Mitchell, William W., elected Grand High Priest 203 Montgomery, H. H., elected Grand Commander. . 304 Morgan affair, sketch of 17 " effects of, upon Illinois Freema- sonry 18 Morgan excitement, effect of 18 Morse, C. M., elected Grand Commander 290 Moulton, Geo. M., elected Grand Commander . . . 298 " elected Grand High Priest. ... 216 " " " elected M. I. Grand Master. . . 252 Mulliner, E. S., elected Grand Commander 297 Munger, C. E., elected Grand Commander 285 Munn, L. L., elected Grand Commande r 294 " " " elected Grand High Priest 204 " " " elected Grand Sovereign 314 N Nash, John F., elected Grand Commander 289 Nauvoo, institution of lodges at 30 Negroes, Harmony circular relating to 38 " action concerning in Grand Lodge. . .41, 52 CONTENTS. XI Norvell, John P., elected Grand High Priest 210 Noyes, M. J., elected Grand High Priest 199 O Officers of Grand Lodge 129 Official nomenclature of Grand Lodge 188 O'Neill, Jno., elected Grand High Priest 214 " " elected M. P. Grand Master 248 Orations, annual, and Grand Orators 115 Organization, of Grand Lodge of England 5 " of First Grand Lodge of Illinois. . . 14 of Second Grand Lodge 24 " of General Grand Chapter 196 of Grand Chapter 198 of Grand Council 236 of Grand Commandery 275 " of Grand Imperial Council 313 " of Council of Deliberation 324 Organized Charities, Grand Lodge action upon.. . 386 Oriental Hall, dedication of 377 Origin of Freemasonry, speculations upon 2 Orr, VVm. L., elected Grand High Priest 210 Pace, E. C, elected Grand High Priest 216 Pearson, John M., elected Grand Commander. . . 287 " " elected Grand Master 106 elected Grand High Priest. ... 206 " elected Grand Puissant 240 Pennsylvania R. A. M., denied admission to Illi- nois Chapters . 199 Prentice, N. F., elected Grand Commander 280 Press, Masonic 432 Q Querey, Charles, first initiate in Illinois. R 10 Ramsay, J. L., elected Grand Puissant 240 Ranney, H. C., elected Grand Commander 281 Rebold's History of Freemasonry condemned. . . 69 Red Cross of Constantine, Order of 309 " :' derivation of powers of 312 " Gr. Imp. Council of. . . 313 Re-establishment of Freemasonry in Illinois 21 Religious doctrines, Grand Lodge action on 162 " " as shown by early rituals. ... 168 Representative system, adoption of 61 Revenue and finances of Grand Lodge 136 Reynolds, Benn P., elected Grand Sovereign. . . . 315 Reynolds, H. G., elected Grand Secretary 135 Reynolds, H. G., elected Grand Master 69 Robbins, Joseph, elected Grand Master 87 Scott, Owen, elected Grand Master 110 Scott, Wm. H., elected Grand Master 92 S Seal of Grand Lodge 187 " of Grand Chapter 220 " of Grand Council 254 " of Grand Commandery 306 " of Grand Imperial Council 317 " of Veteran Association 436 Second Grand Lodge, organization of 23 Semi-centennial celebration of Grand Lodge 105 Shannon, Samuel, elected Grand High Priest. . . . 210 Smith, John C., elected Grand Commander 294 " " elected Grand Master 102 ' " elected Grand Sovereign 315 Smith, R. B., elected Grand Sovereign 314 Spring, S. O., elected Grand Commander 303 " " elected Grand High Priest 215 Statute of Laborers, effect of 4, 5 Stevens, Sylvester, elected Grand Puissant 239 Templarism, introduced into America 270 introduced into Illinois 272 Thomas, John R., elected Grand Master 97 Turner, William H., elected Grand Commander . 280 Turner, H., elected Grand Commander 295 Trimble, M. U., elected M. I. Grand Master 253 V Valley of Chicago, bodies in 332 Vandalia, Convention to form Grand Lodge, met at 14 Vaughan, S. O., elected Grand High Priest 209 W Waddle, S. W., elected Grand High Priest 209 War with Mexico, action concerning 43 War, Certificates issued by Secretary 65 Warren, W. B., elected Grand Master 131 elected Grand High Priest 198 Warvelle, Geo. W., elected M. I. Grand Master. . 252 " " elected Grand Sovereign .... 316 Watson, Louis, elected Grand High Priest 200 Webster, A. L., elected Grand Commander 305 Werner, A. M., elected M. I. Grand Master 253 Western Star Lodge, when organized 9 White, J. L., elected Grand Commander 297 Winslow, F. C., elected M. I. Grand Master 253 Xll CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS. Facsimile of Dispensation for the Western Star Lodge at Kaskaskia 8 Facsimile of Charter of Western Star Lodge at Kaskaskia 11 Facsimile of the Title-Page of the By-Laws of Li- banus Lodge 13 Facsimile of the Original Charter of Bodley Lodge 20 Old Masonic Hall at Springfield 22 Masonic Hall at Jacksonville 24 The "Grand East " of 1840 28 Facsimile of the Charter of the First Masonic Lodge at Chicago 33 Old State House at Springfield 53 Facsimile of War Certificate 64 Past Grand Master's Official Jewel 78 Facsimile of Certificate issued by Grand Lodge to Masonic Relief Committee 79 Semi-Centenmal Medal 105 Facsimile of the Petition of Stephen A. Douglas for Degrees in Masonry 114 Seal of the Grand Lodge of Illinois 187 Seal of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter 220 Official Seal of the Grand Council 254 Official Jewel of the Past Grand Master of the Grand Council 256 Original Charter of Apollo Encampment, No. 1, the first Chartered Encampment in the North- west 273 Patriarchal Cross 277 Masonic Temple at Chicago, Burned in 1871 287 Camp De Molay, etc., at Chicago in 1880 291 Seal of the Grand Commandery 306 Official Jewel of the Grand and Past Grand Com- manders 307 Seal of the Grand Imperial Council 317 Old Preceptory of Oriental Consistory, Chicago. . 340 Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home, Old Building. . . 407 Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home, Present Building 409 Seal of the Masonic Veterans' Association 436 Smith's Inn 438 Annual " Summons " to the Veterans 439 Masonic Monument at Springfield 444 CONTENTS. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Allan, Wm. R 694 Allen, C. E 479 Allen, Wm. M 507 Ansley, Robert 681 Ash, Eugene Harrison 778 Asmus, C. A 568 Asprooth, C. O 789 Atkinson, E. B 795 Atkinson, G. R 798 Ayres, J. C 623 15 Baddeley, C. H 654 Baddeley, T. J 656 Badenoch, J. J 457 Bailey, E. H 647 Baker, Henry 475 Baldwin, A. E 732 Ballantine, T. 1 731 Barnard, Gil. W 447 Barnes, Chas. T 609 Barton, F. H...., 674 Beatson, J. W 495 Beck, Wm. F 610 Becker, Benj. F 682 Becker, E. T.E 497 Beebe, Wm. L 506 Beers, John N 717- Bennett, John 515 Bennett, T. C 514 Bennett, Wm. J 526 Bentley, J. C 528 Berry, C. L 533 Berry, D. S 540 Berry, Rufus L 470 Black, J. N 553 Black, T.G 552 Blackshaw, E 634 Blakesley, Asa W 559 Blanchard, A. J 563 Blanchard, M. E 673 Bliss, Chas. L 562 Bliss, George J 768 Blosser, William H 771 Blossom, Edward W 779 Bolles, Edgar 569 Bolton, H. W 684 Booth, H. 791 Bovett, J. A 798 Bowditch, Nathaniel 455 Brand, Rudolph 699 Bresie, Wm. R 722 Bright, Geo. W 675 Buell, Frederick 607 Bundy, Wm. F 686 Burbank, W. M 620 Burkhalter, J. L 468 Bushnell, A. S 703 Caldwell, C. E 689 Calhoun, W. J 482 Calkins, J. H 715 Cary, Norman J 674 Cease, D. L 488 Chamberlain, D. J 491 Chandler, E. B 508 Chancy, Ralph 517 Clark, Wm. D 671 Clarkson, S. N 702 Cole, Johnson L 510 Cole, Wm.W 723 Collan.J.B.A 734 Connell, J. H 458 Conybear, N. G 737 Cook, T. M 744 Cornell, C. W 760 Correll, Herbert E 603 Cory, A. L 762 Cowan, A. W 786 Crabtree, John D 784 Crandall, E. A 638 Crary.C. W 611 Craske, Henry 579 Crawford, C. E 578 Croxon, F. T 461 Cummings, J. S 652 Currier, L. M 544 Curry, James A 718 Curtiss, IraR 628 D Daugherty, N. C 529 Davidson, H. B 583 Deem, S. V 680 Detrich, F. S 672 Derwent, Thomas J 782 De Tamble, Peter 791 Dick, E. C 577 Dille, J. B 585 Drake, C. T 551 Dunbar, C. H 743 Duncan, William L 769 Duncombe, H. S 754 Dunlap, Clement J 781 Edmonds, N. D 651 Edwards, J. Frank 777 Ellis, Newton 462 Ellwood, I. L 546 English, Charles L 662 English, J. T 660 Farmer, C. C 477 Farr, A. L 704 Farrand, R. S 478 Ferguson, C. H 486 Fessler, Wm. J 729 Figel, John 500 Fisher, H. V 532 Fithian, J. B 646 Foster, M. D 639 Fowler, B. F 571 Fowler, H. M 690 Fulmer, W.S 545 G Gallagher, P. W 472 Gillespie, David 668 Glass, D. H 531 Goll, Bruno H 601 Gollhardt, L 665 Graver, William 549 Graves, E. C 734 Gray, H. P 595 Green, A. M 761 Grimes, Wm. B 625 Gross, Lewis M 604 H Haigh, F. F 707 Hamilton, Hobart 472 Hamilton, John L 708 Hanna, J. R 485 Harpham, O. H 488 Harris, J. V 490 Hartley, Wm. R 630 Haskell, Wm. A 695 Haskins, S. F 749 Hatch, F. S 700 Hathaway, Annas 589 Haven, D. C 657 Hayner, J. E 643 Hegeman, C 511 Henderson, J. P 653 Henderson, N. H 575 Hester, W. W 608 Hey, A. T 720 Hollister, F:. E 756 Hoopes, J. L 765 XIV CONTENTS. Hoover, J. F 712 Hopkins, I. B 766 Houghton, E. W 773 Hovey, A. E 792 Hovey, Charles L 730 Hoyle, W. R., Jr 795 Huggans, D. E 717 Hughes, C. H 596 Hummel, J. M 469 J Jasper, Geo. F 518 enner, A. E 533 Johnson, C. Porter 619 Johnson, Lawrence C 774 Iohnson, R. M 567 ohnston, J. M 566 ohnston, J. R 790 ulian, S. T 799 K Kane, Charles P 560 Kelley, L. M.... 516 Kincaid, J. H 711 Kincaid, Lee 637 Kistler, Louis 554 Klepper, Jacob 535 Kline, H. J 748 Knight, Wm. M 581 Knollenberg, F. W 783 Knox, S. M 677 Kratz, E. A 713 Krone, N. L 702 Kuntz, P. J 542 Lafferty, Wm. J 467 Lahann, Reimer 515 Leeds, L. L 661 Leet, John M 617 Leland, K. W 728 Leonard, C. E 621 Leonard, J. Frank 727 Letourneau, R. A 708 Lindstrand, F. A 759 Little, John S 667 Lytle, J. P 543 M Maiden, Wm. J 719 Manvel, C. J 692 Markley, Aaron S 657 Marshall, Tom A 479 Mason, B. F 691 Mason, T. A 722 May, J. W 485 Mayo, Henry 693 McAllister, H. F 480 McCabe, John 505 McDannold, J. J 655 McFadden, G. C 612 McFeeley, Samuel 714 McHose, Geo. E 512 McKinney, J. G 627 Mead, H. W 557 Mellin, Swen J 780 Merrill, George A 780 Middlecoff, J. P 645 Miller, Andrew 781 Miller, D. L 786 Miller, H. L ,... 787 Mix, Ira J 492 Montgomery, 1. S 586 Moore, J. L .. 696 Moore, N. M 602 Moulton, George M 453 Moulton, J. T 450 Muirhead, Geo 655 Miiller, Adam 463 Mulliner, E. S 464 Musser, James 683 Myers, Louis M 793 N Nelson, Augustus 494 Nickel, David 728 Nickerson, D. W 557 Niles.John W 548 Nish, James 618 North, Charles D 564 Nortrup, H. R 583 O Olmsted, G. E 643 Olmsted, Wm. C 659 Orton, Isaac 581 Ortseifen, Adam 633 Oughton, John R 724 Oyler, P. H 691 Patten, L. H 481 Paulsen.Wm. A 636 Pearson, John M 635 Peasley, James 513 Peifer, Jacob 630 Penington, T. C 528 Pettibone, Amos 628 Piatt, H. D 625 Pierce, Jasper N 718 Pierce, R. H 521 Pierce, T. P 738 Pierce, Wm. T 746 Pirkey, John C 725 Place, E. H 763 Platt, James F 474 Pollock, Adam R 644 Pomy, H. G 796 Poulson, Wm. E 605 Powell, J. W 565 Purdy, W. G 615 Q Quinn, Henry 558 R Raible.J.H 711 Ragsdale, J. T. E 645 Ray, Joseph H 716 Reid, D. O 498 Rhodes, H. L 642 Rice, J. H 527 Richtmyer, A 736 Rigg, Frank M 752 Roach, J. B 763 Roberts, Peyton 769 Roberts, Wm. H 682 Robinson, J. F 789 Roper, George S 590 Rowand, B. H 701 Russ, Charles L 469 Salter, Allen 709 Sargent, F. P 473 Schmoldt, H. M 489 Schwing, Geo. H 499 Scott, Guy C 508 Sears, D. J 510 Sheets, J. M 676 Slingerland, G. H 536 Smiley, D. T 644 Smith, Charles George 748 Smith, Charles Gilbert 750 Smith, DeWitt C 753 Smith, Eli 764 Smith, George W 770 Smith, John 1 679 Smith, lohn S 570 SnyderiD. H 788 Soland, J. P. A. J. de 792 Somerville, Wm 572 Soule, Charles E 794 Spence, M. H 685 Spooner, E. E 797 Spring, S. 448 Stebler, Nicholas 591 Stevens, W. A 459 Strecker, G. D 686 Tebbetts, C. H 741 Terrell, E. D 476 Thomas, H. W 710 Thompson, Sylvester 522 Thompson, Wm. H., Jr 524 Todd, J. F 710 Trench, Richard R 772 Trimble, H. M 576 U Upp, H. H 541 V Virden, E. R 597 W Walshe, R. J 635 Warveile, Geo. W 446 Webb, V. H 667 Webster, A. L 658 CONTENTS. xv Wells, C.J 523 Welton, Frank G 525 Werner, A. M 648 Wheat, Fred 530 Whitbread, John 767 Whitmore, C. F 720 Wilderman, A. S 726 Wiggin, Charles 744 Wildey, W.H 760 Willis, M. W 564 Wilson, Thomas W 671 Winslow, Zeb. R 539 Wohlgemuth, H 640 Wolff, Ludwig 503 Woelfel, E. H. 698 Woelfel, G. L 696 Wolfe, I. S 713 Wood, N. E 459 Works, Chas. A 471 Wright, Geo. M 658 Young, E. D 745 Younger, J. P 751 Zinger, Louis 567 Ziegfeld, F 746 Zimmerman, R 766 PORTRAITS. Ayres, J. C 623 Badenoch, J. J 404 Ballantine, T. 1 731 Barnard, Gil. W 218 Blaney, J. V. Z 276 Bowditch. Nathaniel 252 Buck, Ira A. W 60 Caldwell, C. E 688 Calkins, J. H 715 Clark, W. D 670 Cole, J. L 511 Edmonds. N. D 650 Edwards, J. F 776 Ellwood, I. L 547 Goll, Bruno H 600 Gollhardt, L 664 Gray, H. P 594 Gross, L. M 605 Gurney, T. T 90 Haigh, F. F 706 Haskins, Seth F 749 Hathaway, Annas . . 588 Henderson, N. H 574 Hibbard, James H 237 Hurlbut, Vincent L 283 Jonas. Abraham 26 Kane, Charles P 561 Lafferty, Wm. J 466 Lindstrand, F. A 758 May, J. W 484 Mix, Ira J 493 Moore, J. L 697 Moulton, George M 299 Moulton, Joseph T 451 Munn, L. L 295 Myers, Louis M 793 Nickerson, D. W 556 Ortseifen, Adam 632 Penington, T. C 529 Pierce, R. H 520 Platt, J. F 475 Powell, J. W 565 Purdy, Warren G 614 Reynolds, H.G 70 Smith, John 1 679 Spring, Sylvester 302 Tebbetts, C. H 740 Warvelle, Geo. W. . .Frontispiece. Whitbread, John 767 Winslow, ZebR 538 Wolff, Ludwig 502 Wohlgemuth, Henry 641 A COMPENDIUM ...OF... FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. INTRODUCTION. exists to-day, in every habitable portion of the globe where civil and religious liberty prevails, an institution known as Freemason- ry, which, in its incep- tion, development and diffusion, may well be classed as one of the wonders of the world. Originating at some remote and unknown period, it has, without the help of church or state, survived all the mutations of time and the vicissitudes of fate, and, after centuries of active life, still continues to exhibit all the vigor of pristine youth. Yet, of the early history of this great and time-honored institution, although much has been written, but little can be said, based upon authentic data or ascer- tained facts. It was the policy of the men who guided the destinies of Freemasonry at, and for many years subsequent to, the revival of 1717, to envelope its origin with an air of mystery and to conceal, rather than make known, the facts immediately antecedent to that event. The early commentators and historians of the Craft, disregarding the means within their reach, all sought to in- vest it with a romantic glamour, by show- ing a descent from the learned and mystical societies of the ancient world, and a fabu- lous history was constructed to support the theories thus advanced. Its genealogy was traced, with ingenious details and lucid ex- planations, from the beginning of time, and imagination filled the gaps and bridged the chasms during the long ages that were sup- posed to have intervened. In a few in- stances some gifted seer, more wise than his fellows, with retrospective vision pierced the ever-deepening shadows of the past and revealed the actual time and place of its birth; others, less bold but equally imagina- tive, have been content with finding it al- ready in active life in the ancient mysteries of the far East; but, as a rule, the veracious historian has silenced cavil and carefully concealed his* own lack of knowledge by ascribing to it an origin which is "lost in the dim mists of antiquity." Freemasonry is, however, an ancient society, with a long and honorable record. When, where and how it originated is not known, but the consensus of opinion now seems to be that its present form is a de- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. velopment of the operative mediaeval guilds. Society in the tenth century was just emerg- ing from the lethargy, gloom and barbarism of the dark ages. Individual liberty, so long restrained, began to be asserted; the liberal arts, for ages preceding the sole property of the church and confined to monastic commu- nities, gave faint evidence of an existence among the people; and while the cloister still directed the hands of the workman it no longer held him in a tenacious grasp. In the eleventh century the spirit of prog- ress was still more manifest in the revival of commerce, the extension of manufactures, and the cultivation of handicrafts, and about this time occurred the organization of the guilds of artificers, which were afterward to play such important parts in the political drama. In the twelfth century these guilds had spread with marvelous rapidity over the greater part of Europe, embracing nearly every trade and occupation, and from that time until the present Freemasonry in some form has been a living, potential energy in the social life of the civilized world. To the progress of the Masons' guild upon the continent of Europe, it is unnecessary here to advert, as in time it seems to have be- come extinct; nor will space permit more than a passing allusion to its career in Eng- land, the birthplace of Speculative Masonry. From the best attainable sources of in- formation it would seem that the principles of the operative art were derived from France, and numerous examples of mediaeval architecture are still extant in various parts of Great Britain, which bear upon them the names of the French masters who di- rected the work. In England, as upon the continent, the early policy of the Craft was shaped by the church, under whose pro- tecting care it flourished and waxed strong, and the titles still employed in the nomen- clature of some of the officers of the lodge are directly attributable to the ecclesiastical supervision of that period. It is a matter of congratulation for us that in tracing our Masonic genealogy, and proving our descent from the English crafts- men, we are compelled to rely upon no doubtful theories or unsubstantial legends. Fortunately there exists authentic data in the shape of contemporaneous documentary evidence, upon which we may with confi- dence rely, and which fully confirms all our claims of ancient and honorable lineage. These documents, for the most part, consist of manuscript versions of what are known as the old charges, or the regulations for the government of the Craft, and of these there are some sixty copies, of undoubted antiquity, in existence. They are mainly deposited in the British Museum, the Grand Lodge of England, and in the archives of its constitu- ents, and may be seen by any person who may desire to investigate for himself the stability of our claims. The earliest docu- ment yet brought to light connected with the progress of Freemasonry in England is known as the Halliwell manuscript (Regius Poem), dating from the fourteenth century November, 1 388 and is supposed to have been made in obedience to an ordinance of Richard II., calling for returns from the guilds and crafts. It is in every respect a remarkable document and the most precious heritage that has come down to us. It is written on vellum, and its composition is in meter or a sort of rude verse. From inter- nal evidence it is supposed to be the work of a poet priest or monk of that day, a sup- position that is strengthened by the well- known facts of early ecclesiastical patron- age, and the probable dearth of clerical COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 8 attainments among the workmen of that period. Here, then, we have authentic evi- dence, 500 years old, of the existence of a Masons' guild at that time in full and vigor- ous life, and in these days of mushroom socie- ties with doubtful pedigrees, 500 years is not too short a period on which to predicate the term "ancient." The next in importance is known as the Coke manuscript, which, like the one just described, is contained within the archives of the British Museum. It is in a fine state of preservation and its original cover of wood still remains, together with the rough twine connecting the vellum sheets, apparently as it was sewed 400 years ago. Then there is what is known as the Landsdowne manuscript, dating from the sixteenth century, written upon three and one-half sheets of stout paper, and the parchment roll in the custody of the Grand Lodge of England, bearing date December 25, 1583. There are besides a large num- ber of other ancient documents, many of which bear evidence of being copied from others still older, all tending to indicate the existence of the society at a very early date. Our views and opinions with respect to the antiquity of the fraternity must, in a large measure, be shaped by these old manuscript constitutions. They are the only authentic memorials that have come down to us from the early Freemasons, and from the internal evidence which they afford much of our present knowledge is derived. These constitutions are all similar in gen- eral characteristics, and consist in the main of two parts, the first being a recital of legendary history, now called, for want of a better name, the "legend of the Craft," and the second consisting of what are popu- larly known as the "Ancient Charges," or the general regulations of the Craft. The majority of these interesting documents show signs of long and active use, and would seem to have been actually employed in the work of the pre-historic lodges and to have been read to candidates at the time of their initiation. They prove beyond a doubt that the society during the three hundred years which preceded the revival of 1717 was not an ordinary guild like the Livery companies or other strictly operative associations, but professed to teach, and bound its members to the practice of, a high morality, obligating them to be true men, not only in their relations to one another and those around them, but also in the observ- ance of their duties to God, the Church and the King. They contain much that unmis- takably stamps them as emanating from an operative society, however, and the conclu- sion now generally accepted is that they represent the transition period, when Ma- sonry was passing from a strictly operative to a purely speculative condition. The internal evidence so presented has itself been the subject of much speculation and widely differing opinion. Thus, those parts, which, by way of introduction to the charges, recite the so-called ' ' legend of the Craft," have been seized upon by the fiction writers as fully substantiating the traditions of our esoteric ceremonies, and to the casual observer this assertion may not seem altogther unfounded. The legend in question purports to be a history of the manner in which ' ' this worthy craft of Ma- sonry" was founded and afterward main- tained, commencing with the sons of Adam and continuing down to the times of the later Saxon Kings of England. But this "history," as will be seen on closer in- spection, does not purport to be that of a society or guild, but is rather a summary, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. and not a very accurate one at that, of the general course of the building art or geom- etry, and attempts to describe its vicissi- tudes in much the same manner as might be done in the case of music, astronomy, or any other of the liberal arts and sciences. In- deed, it is not claimed in these old chroni- cles that a formal institution of the Masonic guild was effected until the time of King Athelstan, who, at a traditionary assembly held at York in the tenth century, is said to have given them a charter, and at which time the charges and rules for the govern- ment of the Craft were formulated. Here then is the genesis of Masonry as revealed by its own writings; whether it be true or false, the writer does not assume to decide, but it can be confidently said that secular history verifies the time, if not the manner, of its institution. From the tenth to the fourteenth century it remained a working- man's guild, differing probably in no essen- tial feature, except as hereinbefore men- tioned, from the other Craft guilds of the period and with nothing of an esoteric character, so far as known, except its trade secrets. During all these years it left no sign, and for all of our information concerning it we are dependent on general history. In 1356 was enacted the first statute of La- borers, which forbade the congregation of artisans, who, it was alleged, were thereby incited to unjust and illegal demands, con- trary to the spirit of the English constitu- tion. At this time, then, must be dated the first change in the character of the guild, and the earliest written memorial which we possess, the Regius Poem (Halliwell MSS.), is ascribed to a period about forty years later. It was not until 1424, however, that effective measures were taken to sup- press trade organizations or assemblies of workmen, and from this period may be observed the speculative character and the growing tendency toward that system of symbolic philosophy which culminated in the formation of the Grand Lodge of 1717. There are those, and their learning and ability commands for them the highest re- spect for their opinions, who, while repudiat- ing the traditionary origin of the Craft, nev- ertheless contend that the old constitutions clearly point to the existence of a symbolic or speculative society at the earliest date from whence they assume to speak. Ac- cording to the theory of these savants it would seem that as early as the fourteenth century (the date of the oldest known manu- script) there was a guild or fraternity com- memorating the science, but without prac- ticing the art, of Masonry; that such guild was not composed of operative Masons; that the persons to whom the text of these manuscripts was recited were a society from whom all but the memory or tradition of its ancient trade had departed, and that cer- tain passages may be held to indicate rather the absorption of a Craft-legend by a social guild than a gradual transition from oper- ative to speculative Masonry by a craft or fraternity composed in the first instance of practical builders. It must be admitted that there is something very fascinating about this theory; but the view is not considered tenable by the majority of Masonic stu- dents, and finds its adherents mainly among those who seek to avoid the very evident plebeian birth of the institution. The ancient documents we have been considering have reference to Masonry as an artificers' guild only, and such it undoubt- edly continued to be until late in the six- teenth century. Prior to the year 1424 it was strictly an operative association, work- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ing privately with closed doors and sedu- lously guarding the secrets of the trade, and Scotch Masonry so continued long after it ceased in England. At this time, however, occurred a most remarkable circumstance that completely changed the character of the association as well as its future destinies. It would seem that the power and influence of the trades union were not unknown even in those days, and that our ancient operative brethren had arrived at a full understanding of its value; for we find that in this year, being the third year of Henry VI., an en- actment was had, called the Statute of La- borers, whereby Masons were no longer per- mitted to assemble as a body of operative workmen or to exercise their handicraft with guarded doors, nor were they permitted to fix the price of their labor or establish ordi- nances affecting apprentices. The object of the statute was to break up the guilds by denying to them the benefits of combina- tion, but, like many other attempts of sup- pression, the results were far different from the expectation, for, notwithstanding this prohibition, the society continued to exist as a benevolent and fraternal association, with its membership confined to workmen actually engaged in operative Masonry. But during the sixteenth century, while it still continued to be a trade society, its bene- fits and advantages were no longer confined to operative Masons, and workmen in other lines were received, until finally in the cen- tury following it became purely speculative, and men from every walk of life, including persons of rank, began to seek admission. During this period was engrafted upon it the system of mystical philosophy which has ever since formed one of its distinguishing characteristics, and about this time may properly be fixed the birth of modern Free- masonry as a "system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." The latter half of the seventeenth cen- tury was a period of turmoil and civil dis- sensions, and these, together with other causes, led to a partial disruption of the society, so that for several years it remained in a rather dormant condition. Many of the lodges practically disbanded, and but little activity seems to have been manifested until what is known as the revival of 1716 and the subsequent assembly of 1717, out of which sprang the Grand Lodge of England the mother of all Grand Lodges. As the enactment of the Statute of Labor- ers marked an epoch in the life of Masonry, so the revival of 171617 marked another, and no event in the history of the craft is more replete with stirring interest. It would seem, however, that no minutes of these early meetings were kept, or at least none have yet been found, for six years after this assembly; and the only information of the transactions which we possess is con- tained in the edition of "Anderson's Con- stitutions, " published soon after by authority of the Grand Lodge. From these we learn that King George I. entered London most magnificently September 20, 1717, and that after the rebellion was over, in 1716, the few London lodges thought fit to cement under a Grand Master as the center of union and harmony. Therefore, they and some of the old brethren met at the Apple-Tree tavern, and having put into the chair the oldest Master Mason present (being the Master of a lodge) they constituted them- selves into a Grand Lodge and resolved to hold the annual feast and assembly, and chose a Grand Master from among them- selves until they should have the honor of a noble brother at their head. Accordingly 6 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. on St. John's day, 1717, the annual assem- bly and feast was held at the Goose and Gridiron alehouse ; a list of candidates was proposed, and the brethren by a majority of hands elected ANTHONY SAYRE, gentleman, Grand Master. And so at the assembly of June 24, 1718, it is related that after dinner Brother SAYRE gathered the votes and pro- claimed GEORGE PAYNE, Esq., Grand Master. Thus matters progressed until 1720, when a noble seems to have been received, for at the assembly held on Lady day, 1721, John, duke of Montague, was named as Grand Master; and then, as the old records say, "they all expressed great joy at the happy prospect of being again patronized by noble grand masters as in the prosperous times of Freemasonry." From that time until the year 1738 everything passed smoothly; the craft prospered and all went well, but in this latter year occurred an event which may well be said to mark the third epoch in Masonry, being nothing more nor less than a schism. Now, if there is anything we Americans firmly believe, it is the doctrine of political unity. "United we stand, divided we fall," has long been a watchword, while " In union is strength" is a principle instilled into us almost with the very elements of our being; and yet, para- doxical as it may seem, no small degree of the popularity and success which has at- tended the fraternity, as well as its wide diffusion in all lands, is due to the fact that English Masonry was a divided house for seventy-five years; for it was not until the year 1813 that the rival factions came to- gether and formed the present United Grand Lodge of England. # * * There is indubitable evidence, now in existence, that Masonry was known, and, to some extent, practiced, in the American colonies as early as 1715, but the first war- rant of authority was not granted until 1 730, when DANIEL COXE, of New Jersey, received a deputation from the Grand Lodge of Eng- land as Provincial Grand Master. In 1733 a like deputation was issued to HENRY PRICE, of Boston. These deputations show that there were Masons and Masonic lodges in the colonies prior to 1 730. St. John's Lodge,, of Philadelphia, of which BENJAMIN FRANK- LIN was Master, was certainly in existence prior to the date of COXE'S deputation, and, although not created by charter, seems to have been recognized by him. After the "schism" in England, in 1738,, the work of planting lodges on American soil under the auspices of the rival Grand Lodges of England was vigorously prose- cuted, while the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, emulating the example of "colonial expansion" set by their English contemporaries, also entered the field as disseminators of Masonic light. This was the condition of Masonry in America at the time of the Revolution. With the independence of the colonies came also that of the Masonic fraternity, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts being the first to declare its independence, closely followed by Pennsylvania. It would seem that a Provincial Grand Lodge was estab- lished in Pennsylvania as early as 1733, and that, with varying fortunes, it continued to exist until 1786, when it declared its inde- pendence of the Grand Lodge of England and assumed the rights and attributes of a sovereign Grand Lodge. From that time until the present it maintained a continuous and uninterrupted existence, and from it came all the early Masonry of Illinois and the Northwest. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINQr '' ' " V v #y/ tf {< C f :.: ', *tKuJ 'Itfjrc.t wi 'ii-fi isfs? *"* ~ y . , , ?,',..... ':...-.,;>, .//,..-..... ' ' '- ^- ^--'^ vV' />* " f / /, rt 7f,-f.'vrt< ' j-- A ' //''/< .1 ..///''.:' Q.^ftt^i.xCc-f.S'^Ma^ifiSuuJt irrtf. e-li. ' 'tftfttstr'/e f"'/:-(- .*:- .-i <*-'-< ^ I 6 . ^fO^'w.'. ,, ^ A-: . . . r/.//-/^ ,;.v/^/^^^' A tsor ***-<- *. /.?' ' - VB\A ./w T >i f |U jfi- -/ L'* : ImHBHHHHHHBHHI^^i^H^HHHiHBHi^ Reduced fac-simile of dispensation for the institution of Western Star Lodge at Kaskaskia. (Repro- duced from the original in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, through the courtesy of Dr. EDWARD S. WYCKOFF, Philadelphia.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. EARLY EXPLOITATION. WHILE the fraternity of Free and Ac- cepted Masons had always been well represented among the hardy pioneers who braved the perils of the Western wilderness and participated in the early settlement of the Northwest Territory, yet it was not un- til the year 1805 that the first lodge was organized within the presents limits of the state of Illinois. This interesting event occurred at the old French town of Kaskas- kia, in the then Territory of Indiana. For many years this ancient city, founded, as nearly as can be ascertained, about the year 1673, enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest town in Illinois, or perhaps in the whole Western States, and as the cradle of Freemasonry in the Upper Mississippi Valley was entitled to a high degree of veneration. But time and death applies to cities, even as it does to men, and the old town, with its accumulated wealth of historic associa- tions, has long ceased to exist except in tra- dition. Of its former glories not a vestige now remains and for years the turgid waters of the Mississippi have flown over the spot that once marked its site. In the year 1805, however, Kaskaskia was a thriving and enterprising place, the metropolis, in fact, of the Western frontier. Among its population were a number who were bound by the "mystic tie," and on March gth of that year seven of these breth- ren addressed a letter to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, representing ' ' that from the growth of population many worthy and respectable brethren have settled, and many more will soon come to this country," and that the petitioners, ' 'from a sense of duty incumbent on them as Masons and as men, to promote their mutual happiness, the happiness of their neighbors, and as far as in their power lies, humanize society," de- sired a dispensation "authorizing them to hold a regular Lodge in the town of Kas- kaskia." In response to this petition ISRAEL ISRAEL, Esq. , Grand Master of Pennsylva- nia, under date of September 24, 1805, is- sued a dispensation to JAMES EDGAR, "a Past Master, Ancient York Mason," empow- ering him to " call to his assistance a suffi- cient number of known and approved Mas- ter Masons and open a Lodge at the town of Kaskaskia, and then and there initiate, pass and raise Freemasons according to the most ancient and honorable custom of the Craft in all ages and nations throughout the known world, and not contrarywise. " The dispensation to remain in force for six months. Thus was Freemasonry planted on the virgin soil of Illinois. The first meeting, under the dispensa- tion, was held on Saturday, December 14, 1805, when Brother EDGAR "called to his assistance" RUFUS EASTON, as Senior War- den, MICHAEL JONES, as Junior Warden, ROBERT ROBINSON, as Senior Deacon, AL- EXANDER ANDERSON, as Junior Deacon, and WILLIAM ARUNDEL, as Secretary, "all of whom he found on due trial to be Master Masons," and an "Entered Apprentice's 10 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. Lodge was opened in due form." It was then agreed that the new lodge should be known by the name of "Western Star." Regular meetings were thereafter had, petitions were received, referred and acted upon, and on February 3, 1806, one CHARLES QUEREY was duly initiated the first person to receive Masonic Light within the present territorial limits of the State. The Lodge worked under dispensation until March 24, 1806, when its authority expired by limitation. A petition was there- upon again addressed to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, praying for a warrant of constitution. This prayer was likewise granted by that body, and on June 2, 1806, a charter was issued whereby Western Star Lodge, of Kaskaskia, became No. 107 of its register. The Lodge was constituted by Bro. ROB- ERT ROBINSON, as proxy for the Grand Mas- ter of Pennsylvania, on September 13, 1806, with Bro. JAMES EDGAR as Worshipful Mas- ter, a "Past Masters' Lodge" being duly opened for that purpose. Bro. EDGAR then installed Bros. MICHAEL JONES and JAMES GILBREATH as his Wardens. The first visitor to the Lodge after con- stitution was " SHADRACH BOND, JR., of Temple Lodge, Baltimore, Maryland," who, on the same evening (Oct. 4), petitioned for affiliation. The first person initiated after constitution was " Captain JAMES MOORE, " who was admitted Nov. i. The first election under the charter was held Dec. 6, when Bro. EDGAR was re-elected. For ten years this "Western Star" diffused its mild radiance over the prairies of Illinois in solitude, for it was not until 1815 that a second lodge was chartered within the State. It held regular meetings, the record of which discloses a faithful attention to Masonic forms and precedents, and gen- erally continued to perform the works of Masonry in a proper and exemplary man- ner. On one occasion we find that a peti- tion for degrees ' ' was ordered returned on the ground of insufficient acquaintance with the petitioner;" on another, charges were preferred against a brother who had ab- sconded, "to the great injury of his cred- itors generally." So we find that, where a difference had arisen between some of the brethren, a committee was appointed to en- deavor to effect a reconciliation, and later on we find that the committee were success- ful. The festivals of the Sts. John seem to have been regularly observed by a proces- sion, an address and bv partaking of a din- ner, and, as the records sometimes say, ' ' other refreshments provided for the oc- casion." On Oct. 1 6, 1811, an emergent commu- nication was held for the funeral of Bro. ROBERT ROBINSON, when a " M. Masons' Lodge was opened in ample form and pro- ceeded to the place of interment, and after the usual solemnities returned and closed in harmony." This was probably the first Masonic funeral in the State. On Nov. i, 1817, Bro. JAMES EDGAR, one of the founders of the Lodge, passed away, and his remains were buried with Masonic honors. At the meeting of February 7, 1818, Bro. JONES, being "on his way to the East- ern States," was commissioned to procure jewels for the use of the Lodge, and in the execution of such commission was particu- larly cautioned ' ' to have regard to the funds of the Lodge." April 6, 1818, there is noted among the visitors Bro. EDMUND ROBERTS, whose rank is stated to be that of " Mark Master." a o? It %. F TO 9 CD c/) o 3 13 M. 3 5 _J - Eu S- g -I ~ 00 ^ ft | 3 " TO W S > u> y T? o z o-S ^ ^ -^ R. T3 D cr ^ - IT^SL-? f-f 1 !* r. ,' S. ->. f-^ , ' I? 5 ?*> r- ; i -v ' ! k' a ! I I I |g ffkl ,! ^ v *^ IM ':S% 3*fr. &, r> s K?t'^ \- : i| es L- 5- ^ f ." - s .-: , ' a > .jt>' irl^ ^rfiiHil LI rlt* A C : ? r f>! hjpf '^*-i ti" 4 - til ;. ?: '. ; $ > xl V V s , Cl "fl bg o S -|o _Ji- S3 2 S ? i i Rt ir. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOI r COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 13 On St. John's Day (June 24), 1818, the Lodge proceeded to the court-house and listened to an oration by Bro. JAMES M. DUNCAN, after which they repaired to the house of Bro. FOUKE and partook of dinner "and other refreshments." This is the first record of a public Masonic oration. In September, 1815, the second star was added to the Masonic constellation of the State through the institution of a lodge at Shawneetown by the Grand Master of Ken- tucky. In August of the succeeding year (1816) it received a charter as Lawrence Lodge, No. 34, Bro. M. W. FISHER being the first Master. Unfortunately but little can be said with reference to the history of this Lodge. It continued on the register of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky until 1 824, when it united with the first Grand Lodge of Illinois, but owing to the non-preserva- tion of its own records, and the destruction by fire of the records and archives of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, no further in- formation can be obtained concerning it. Nothing further was done toward establish- ing lodges for four years, when a dispensa- tion was issued by the Grand Master of Tennessee to sundry brethren residing at or near Edwardsville, and on October 6, 1819, they received a charter as Libanus Lodge, No. 29. A further dispensation was issued for the institution of a lodge at Belleville, June 28, 1820, which was surrendered the following year. During the year 1822 the Grand Lodge of Missouri, which had been organ- ized the year before, issued warrants for the formation of Olive Branch Lodge, at Alton; Vandalia Lodge, at Vandalia; Sangamo Lodge, at Springfield; Union Lodge, at Jonesboro, and Eden Lodge, at Covington. During the same year a dispensation was issued by the Grand Master of Indiana for Albion Lodge, at Albion. This was the situation at the time of the organization of the first Grand Lodge, in December, 1822. THE >. a 9. EDWARDSVILLE, ILLINOIS. " Siknce and Circumspection." T. J. M'GriRE, < Co. Printers, Edwardsfitte, Illinois. 1823. Fac-simile of Title Page of the By-Laws of Libanus Lodge. (From the original in the collection of the Editor.) The formation of a Grand Lodge in Missouri in 1821 served as a stimulus for the lodges of Illinois, although the question of the propriety of a Grand Lodge organi- zation had been discussed for a year pre- 14 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ceding. The initiative in this movement seems to have been taken by Libanus Lodge, at Edwardsville, during the fall of the year 1 820, and communications were by it ad- dressed to the- several lodges of the State suggesting that measures be taken for the formation of a Grand Lodge at Vandalia " during the sitting of the next General As- sembly." The suggestions seemed to have been renewed the year following and to have met the approval of a majority of the lodges, but it was not until the close of the year 1822 that the project took definite shape or tangible form. Of the history of the pioneer Grand Lodge but little can be written. Its pro- ceedings, in part at least, were printed, but only a few copies of isolated years are now known to be in existence, while the meager records and other documentary matters that survived the wreck of 1828 have been de- stroyed in the successive fires that have con- sumed the archives of the present Grand Lodge. But from authentic data it would seem that on December 9, 1822, a meeting of delegates was held at Vandalia, then the Capital of the State, at which eight lodges were represented. A constitution was adopted and by resolution it was declared that if a majority of the lodges should concur in the proceedings of the convention " then the Grand Lodge shall be considered as duly organized, and the Grand Master shall order the first meeting of the same at such time as he shall think proper." The convention, by ballot, then proceeded to elect officers, with the following result: SHADRACH BOND M. W. Grand Master. JOHN Y. SAWYER Gr. Sr. Warden. WM. M. ALEXANDER Gr. Jr. Warden. RICHARD I. McKiNNEY Gr. Secretary. JAMES O. WATTLES Gr. Treasurer. By the terms of the constitution the Grand Master was empowered to appoint his deputy, conforming in this respect to the old customs and constitutions, "and until the Grand Lodge should, by its By- Laws, otherwise provide," was also privi- leged to appoint all the lesser officers. Pending the ratification of the action of the delegates by their respective lodges, Vandalia Lodge was made the depositary and custodian of the constitution and the official records of the convention. THE FIRST GRAND LODGE. OF THE pioneer Grand Lodge we know but little. The destructive agencies of time have well nigh obliterated every trace of this ancient and interesting body, and even its traditions have passed away with the death of the older generation. It is much to be regretted that no steps were taken to preserve its memory at a time when such measures were practicable, and that Illinois alone, of all the Western jurisdictions, is un- able to present a reliable and connected his- tory of the Craft within its territorial limits. That the actions of the delegates to the Vandalia convention of December, 1822, were confirmed by a majority of the lodges, and the constitution framed at that time COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 15 adopted, is certain. So, too, it is known that a communication of the new Grand Lodge was held in December, 1823, at which time it would seem that a formal organiza- tion was effected and the officers elected by the convention were installed. But no record of this meeting can be found, nor is any known to exist. The meeting was held in the old State House at Vandalia, where also were kept the archives and records of the Grand Lodge. This building was soon afterward destroyed by fire and it is prob- able that in the conflagration were con- sumed all of the early memorials. Of the lodges that participated in the initial communication we can hazard only a conjecture. The lodges at Kaskaskia, Shaw- neetown and Edwardsville, the oldest in the State, had not at the time of the communi- cation of 1824 succeeded in severing their connection with the Grand Lodges by whom they were chartered, but as the first three numbers of the registry were allotted to them respectively, it is fair to presume that they were represented at the organization. The second annual communication was held at Vandalia, December 6, 1824, JAMES HALL, D. G. M. , presiding. The record of this meeting is little more than a brief epit- ome of routine business. The session, however, seems to have lasted five days and was supplemented by two adjourned ses- sions, the last of which occurred on January i, 1825. The lodges which had assisted in the formation of Grand Lodge and had neg- lected to surrender their old charters, were notified to do so within six months or be stricken from the roll; the D. G. M. was authorized ' ' and required to visit each and every lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge once in each year;" Vandalia Lodge, having "paid to Col. WILLIAM BERRY the sum of forty dollars as compen- sation for the loss of his sword destroyed by the conflagration of the State House," was exempted from payment of dues. The election resulted in the choice of Bro. JAMES HALL as Grand Master, who, with the other officers, received due invest- iture of office in a " Lodge of Past Masters. " This custom of installing officers in a " Lodge of Past Masters" was also followed by the second Grand Lodge of 1840, while record evidence of its employment in Grand Lodge may be found after the year 1850. Charters were granted for the constitu- tion of Palestine (No. 10) and Greene (No. 1 1 ) Lodges. Greene Lodge was located at Carrollton. The location of Palestine Lodge is not known, nor can any information be obtained concerning it beyond the mere statement that such lodge received a char- ter. It is thought, however, that it was located at Palestine, Crawford county. The returns show that eight lodges, in- cluding those chartered at this session, were at this time in the obedience of Grand Lodge, while the lodges at Kaskaskia, Shawneetown and Edwardsville were re- garded as constituents, although still under the jurisdiction of other Grand Lodges. Counting these latter, which subsequently came in, eleven lodges were borne on the registry. With the exception of the adjourned session of the communication of 1824, held on January i, 1825, no meeting of any kind seems to have been held during that year. A special communication was held at the State House, in the town of Vandalia, January 3, 1826, M. W. JAMES HALL pre- siding. Four lodges only were formally 16 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. represented, although visitors from other lodges seem to have been present. By resolution, the annual communica- tion not having been held at the time pro- vided, the by-laws were "dispensed with" and Grand Lodge proceeded to the election of officers, which resulted in the re-election of Bro. HALL as Grand Master. Where- upon "the Grand Lodge was dispensed with, and a lodge of Past Masters opened," when the grand officers were ' ' duly in- stalled." Eight lodges made returns to this com- munication. The reports do not seem to to have been in all respects satisfactory, however, and a number of lodges were delinquent in the important item of "dues." As a result Bro. HENRY H. SNOW was ap- pointed an agent of Grand Lodge with authority and instructions "to visit all the subordinate lodges, introduce a uniform mode of working, examine by-laws and pro- ceedings, settle the accounts of each with Grand Lodge, receive all balances due, and report to the next annual communica- tion. " Whether Bro. SNOW, who, by virtue of this commission, became the first Grand Lecturer in the State, actually performed these varied duties we do not know, as no record of the succeeding communications have come down to us. Charters were granted to Illion (No. 12) and Frontier (No. 1 3) Lodges, while a pe- tition " of brethren residing in and near the county of Pike" received favorable consid- eration. The records do not disclose that any charter was issued to these latter, but it is possible that such a lodge was char- tered under the distinctive name "La Fay- ette." It would seem that at this time there were fifteen lodges in the obedience of the Grand Lodge, as follows: Western Star, No. i, at Kaskaskia; Lawrence, No. 2, at Shawneetown; Libanus, No. 3, at Edwards- ville; Olive Branch, No. 4, at Upper Alton; Vandalia, No. 5, at Vandalia; Union, No. 6, at Jonesboro; Eden, No. 7, at Coving- ton; Hiram, No. 8, location unknown, but supposed to be at Brownsville; Albion, No. 9, at Albion; Palestine, No. 10, location unknown, but supposed to be in Crawford county; Greene, No. 11, at Carrollton; Illion, No. 12, location unknown, probably at Carlyle; Frontier, No. 13, at Lewiston; La Fayette, No. 14, location unknown, probably in Pike county; Sangamo, No. 15, at Springfield. Of these, Western Star Lodge was still a constituent of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, by whom its char- ter had practically been arrested for failure to make returns and pay dues. Late in the year 1825, all differences having been ad- justed, permission was granted to "Lodge 107" (Western Star) by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to surrender its warrant, retaining its jewels and other property, with permission to apply to the Grand Lodge of Illinois for a new charter. The official no- tice of this action does not seem to have been received by Western Star Lodge in time to render the permission available at the session of 1826, nor was it until Janu- ary 27, 1827, that any formal steps were taken to unite with Grand Lodge. Sanga- mo Lodge, at this time, was also suspended by the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Grand Lodge met again in annual com- munication on January 3, 1827, when GUY W. SMITH is supposed to have been elected Grand Master, but of this meeting no record is now believed to be in existence. The only known copy of the proceedings was destroyed in a fire which consumed the ar- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 17 chives of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. Six lodges were represented at this com- munication, and from the proceedings the Kentucky reviewer reported that the "state of Masonry presented the most flattering and encouraging prospects." But those pros- pects were never realized, and of the sub- sequent career of Grand Lodge we know nothing. That it met in 1828 is certain, as a charter was that year granted to Western Star Lodge, but beyond this bare announce- ment no statement relative to Grand Lodge or any of its constituents can be made. It is to be hoped that some zealous brother residing in the locality of some of the earlier lodges may yet discover and bring to light the long-lost records and other ancient me- morials of the Craft. It has been stated that as early as 1826 there were lodges at Fort Clark (Peoria), Fort Armstrong (Rock Island) and Fort Dearborn (Chicago), presumably in connec- tion with or attached to the garrisons sta- tioned at such points; but the writer has been unable to verify these statements or to discover the slightest foundation for same. There were military lodges in Michigan long prior to this date, but probably Detroit marked the western limit of warrants of this character. THE INTERREGNUM. CREEMASONRY, in the year 1826, was I~H 1 a widely diffused and popular institution. It had extended to all of the Western States and Territories, and numbered among its adherents all classes and conditions of men, including the highest dignitaries of church and State. Before it lay an almost illimit- able career of prosperity with nothing in sight to check its onward march or interfere with its well-earned reputation as an expos- itor of the moral and social virtues. Twenty- six Grand Lodges governed the Craft in as many jurisdictions within the United States, with one hundred and fifty thousand mem- bers in their obedience. The high charac- ter of the men who composed this sodality, the distinguished names that adorned its roll, as well as its unostentatious works in every field of charity and benevolence, had heretofore been sufficient to refute the calumnies of spite and ignorance and to silence the envenomed tongue of envy, malice and hate. But this year occurred a circumstance which was eagerly laid hold of by the enemies of the fraternity as a weapon of offense, and so effectually was it wielded that for a time Freemasonry suffered a par- tial eclipse. This circumstance is known in Masonic and political history as the ' ' Morgan affair, " and grew out of the disappearance from his home at Batavia, N. Y. , of a man named WILLIAM MORGAN. The authentic details of this "mysterious disappearance" have never been made known, notwithstanding the many "confessions," "true state- ments," "broken seals," etc., with which the public has been surfeited. Practically all that can be said, with any degree of his- torical accuracy, is, that on September 12, 18 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 1826, MORGAN disappeared. Prior to that time he had, as it is stated, been engaged in the preparation of a pretended "Exposi- tion of Masonry. " It was therefore charged that the Freemasons had removed him by foul means. To substantiate this charge not a scintilla of legal evidence has ever been -produced, but fictions were quite as serviceable to those who led the attack, and the public mind was soon inflamed by mendacious reports and virulent tirades against the Masonic institution. Upon the theory that MORGAN had, under false pretenses and against his will, been conveyed out of the country and finally put to death by drowning or other violent means, a political party was established, which for ten years continued to exercise a visible influence upon the elections of the nation. The opponents of Freemasonry, without regard to prior affiliations, all united in an effort for its disruption and overthrow, and, under the leadership of shrewd, unprincipled and dishonest politi- cians, it seemed for a time as though this purpose would be accomplished. With the history of the anti-Masonic movement, however, its rise, progress and ignominious ending, this work is not concerned save as it incidentally affected the craft in Illinois, and for the general details of the same the reader is referred to the numerous works extant upon that subject.* While the "storm," as it has been not inaptly termed, raged most fiercely in New York and adjacent States, its blighting effects were yet distinctly perceptible in the West. Particularly is this true after it had assumed a strictly political form. In 1827, the year succeeding the "outrage," Grand * See William Morgan; or Political Anti-Masonry, by Morris; N.Y.,1883. Masonry and Anti-Masonry, by Creitfh. The Broken Seal, by Greene. Letters on Masonry, by Adams. Lodge met as usual. Unfortunately we have no record of this communication, but it was in commenting upon same that the reviewer for the Grand Lodge of Kentucky expressed the opinion that "the state of Masonry presented the most flattering and encouraging prospects. " Of the annual com- munication of 1828 nothing is known save that it was held and that a charter was granted to Western Star Lodge. By 1829, however, the anti-Masonic movement had attained the dignity of a political party and before the consuming heat engendered by party strife lodges and Grand Lodges began to disintegrate and dissolve. The timid and the time-serving, unwilling or unable to resist the torrent of bitter invective poured upon the Craft, renounced their affiliations; in some instances lodges surren- dered their charters and ceased to exist; in others they passed into a condition of dor- mancy without action. The Grand Lodge of Missouri, sustained by a few loyal hearts and strong wills, maintained its organization and successfully resisted all attempts at dis- solution; but on the east bank of the Missis- sippi not one man seems to have been found with strength to bear the trial or encounter the ordeal. And so the pioneer Grand Lodge, that should have been our pride and glory, went down before the fiery storm of persecution, and with it also went all of its constituents, the last to surrender being the historic "Western Star." The period from 1829 to 1835 is a blank in the Masonic history of the jurisdiction. Notwithstanding his strenuous efforts, the writer has been unable to discover the slight- est symptom of Masonic life, and we are forced to the conclusion that, whatever may LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINO! .- < in, ...Ci .-(-" A / : ' ..... ' &JU--1 ,-, V x ' ^> /:: Ac-/...t. < .<- St.. ,.',.< ., O JS ^-' // />')r .> /\ .<_ j..V A.... . .^_ ''' t&fO* I ^. ,/ {f.,'t\J . '&~t] t . - / ..../ . /iV- I -^ , y* p / ,:u+*+y .*? ** ..^&~ '(-*-*<*. ^- "- ; Reduced fac-simile of the original Charter of Bodley Lodge, No. 1. (Reproduced through the courtesy of Dr. JOSEPH ROBBINS, Quincy.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 21 have been the state of the craft elsewhere, in Illinois the worst predictions of its ene- mies had been realized Freemasonry was dead. j: * * * The Anti-Masonic party reached the zenith of its power and influence in the year 1831. From State organizations it had grown to be a National body, and this year it ventured to try its strength in the political arena by placing in the field a Presidential ticket. The ticket received but seven votes in the electoral college, being the vote of the State of Vermont. The defeat was sig- nal and overwhelming. The "statesmen," who for power or pelf had espoused the cause, now deserted it for more promising fields; and the fanatics, unable to maintain the organization without the aid of the poli- ticians, saw with dismay the dissolving of their brightest dreams and the annihilation of their fondest hopes. By 1833 the party had practically ceased to exist and after that year we hear of it no more. Had the material which composed the early lodges been of the same sterling char- acter that marked the membership in the States immediately contiguous; had there been but a handful of earnest men who could not be moved by the clamor of the multitude, the mild effulgence of the "West- ern Star," though temporarily dimmed, would never have been extinguished, and the Grand Lodge, purified by the elimina- tion of its dross, might have again resumed its sway, stronger and better for the ordeal through which it had passed. It is certain that a number of the old lodges were in ex- istence as late as 1829, and though the storm had virtually passed by 1833, an interval of only four years, not one of them was resus- citated on the revival of Masonic interest. The first efforts looking toward the re- introduction of Freemasonry into Illinois, for the State had now become "unoccupied territory," were made by a number of breth- ren residing at Quincy. At a meeting held December 6, 1834, for the purpose of con- sidering the propriety of establishing a Ma- sonic lodge, it was decided that a petition for a dispensation be addressed to the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. This was done, but no action was taken thereon until the annual communication of such Grand Lodge in August of the year following. At this time a dispensation was issued to DANIEL HARRI- SON and sixteen others for a lodge to be held at Quincy, 111., to be styled Bodley Lodge, and H. H. SNOW was deputized to institute same. The first meeting was held October '9- ^35, and stated communications were held regularly thereafter. The year follow- ing (1836) a charter was duly issued to it as No. 97 of the registry of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. From that time until the present it has maintained a continuous and uninterrupted existence. Upon the organi- zation of Grand Lodge it became No. i , of the registry, and in all matters pertaining to the general welfare of the craft within the jurisdiction it has ever exerted a marked in- fluence and borne an important part. The second lodge to be established after the revival was located at Alton. On Au- gust 25, 1836, ALEXANDER HART and seven others petitioned the Grand Lodge of Mis- souri for the establishment of a lodge at Alton to be named "Franklin." The dis- pensation was issued, but for some reason the officers named did not qualify, and accord- ingly a new petition was sent April 19, 1837, and a new dispensation issued May loth of that year. This Lodge, however, does not seem to have thrived. It did not partici- 22 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. pate in the formation of Grand Lodge, and in 1 840 seems to have been under censure for failure to make returns. In 1842 the Lodge was removed to Upper Alton, and in 1 844 became a constituent of Grand Lodge as No. 25. In 1837 dispensations were issued by the Grand Lodge of Missouri for a lodge at Jacksonville to be called "Harmony," and by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky for a lodge at Equality (Gallatin County) to be called "Equality." The petition for Harmony Lodge contains a number of familiar names, among them those of WILLIAM B. WARREN and ALEX. DUNLAP. The dispensation, al- though granted in 1837, does not seem to have been received until November 30, 1838. It became No. 24 of the registry of Missouri. Equality Lodge became No. 102, of the registry of Kentucky. To this latter Lodge belongs the honor of being the first Masonic body to perform the ceremony of laying a corner-stone within the State of Illinois. This interesting event occurred February 23, 1838, when Bro. A. B. DAKE, W. M., assisted by the Lodge, ' ' laid the corner- stone of the public work" at Shawneetown, "in due and ancient form." Equality Lodge participated in the formation of Grand Lodge and was assigned No. 2 on the reg- istry, but did not become a constituent until 1843. In 1838 a dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri for the forma- tion of Temperance Lodge at Vandalia. In 1839 the Grand Lodge of Missouri issued dispensations for the institution of Far West Lodge, at Galena; Springfield Lodge, at Springfield; Mount Moriah Lodge, at Hillsboro, and Columbus Lodge, at Columbus. Thus it will be seen that at the close of the year 1839 there were nine lodges, chartered or under dispensa- tion, at work within the State. Of the petitioners for these lodges a few were The old Masonic Hall at Springfield. (From a sketch in the collection of Albert T. Hey, Esq., Springfield). The building was of brick. The Masonic Hall occupied the upper story and the only entrance to same was through the store room on the first floor. former members of some of the old Illinois lodges, but the larger number hailed from without the jurisdiction and the fa- miliar names shown in the records of the first Grand Lodge only a few years before are wholly wanting. With the revival of interest and the multiplication of lodges came the natural desire for local self-government. As early as May i, 1837, Bodley Lodge passed a reso- lution for the appointment of a committee ' ' to ascertain how many Lodges in this State are organized, preparatory to organizing a Grand Lodge of Illinois, to be held in the town of Quincy. " But nothing came of this resolution, as at that time Bodley Lodge was the only organization in the State under charter, while only two others (Franklin and Equality) existed under dis- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 28 pensation. The initiative in the matter of a Grand Lodge seems to have been taken by Harmony Lodge, of Jacksonville. In June, 1839, this Lodge addressed a letter to the different lodges of the State with refer- ence to the formation of a Grand Lodge, and suggested that the several lodges send delegates to a convention to be held at Jacksonville on December 27 of that year. The project was favorably received by the lodges, and the convention, as suggested, was held, but the time selected was not conducive to a general attendance. The propriety of forming a Grand Lodge was discussed by those present, and, as many of the lodges not represented sent letters of approval, it was unanimously decided that a Grand Lodge should be formed. The preliminary measures, in view of the small number in attendance, were postponed until "the first Monday of April next," when art- other convention was to be held at the same place, "when," as one of the reports of the convention reads,* "it is expected the lodges generally will be represented,, the place for the permanent location of the Grand Lodge will be selected, the officers elected, and the Grand Lodge finally con- stituted." * Report of delegates made to Springfield Lodge. THE SECOND GRAND LODGE. 1840. WITH the close of the year 1839 came the end of the interregnum. The storm of fanaticism, having spent its fury, had passed away, and, though a few lingering clouds of malice and hate might still be faintly discerned upon the political horizon, public sentiment had undergone a marked change with respect to the objects, purposes and practical workings of the Masonic insti- tution. In the neighboring States of Missouri and Kentucky, as well as other localities in the West, Grand Lodges were in successful operation, while from other parts of the country came continued assurances of in- creasing prosperity. Inspired by the favor- able outlook, the craft in Illinois began to formulate plans looking toward the organi- zation of a Grand Lodge. As we have seen, an informal convention, with this end in view, was held at the town of Jacksonville on December 27, 1839, and an agreement was reached for an organization meeting on the first Monday of April following. But whether because of the meager attendance on that occasion, or for some other reason,, not now apparent, a second "convocation" composed of delegates from " several" of the lodges of the State, was held at the same place on January 20, 1840, at which time it was Resolved, That it is expedient and proper that a Grand Lodge for the State of Illinois be established upon principles consistent with, and subordinate to, the general regulations and ancient constitutions of Freemasonry; and that Brothers W. B. WARREN and W. S. VANCE, of Jacksonville, and J. ADAMS and M^ HELM, of Springfield, be a committee to correspond with the several lodges in the State, and ask their co- operation and assistance, and request their attendance by representative or proxy, at a convention to be holden at Jacksonville, on the 6th day of April, A. D. 1840, A. L. 5840, for the purpose of discussing the pro- 24 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. -priely of establishing a Grand Lodge for the State of Illinois, and determining the best place for locating the same. As the result of such resolution, and in pursuance of the correspondence thereby authorized, a convention was held at Jack- sonville on April 6, 1849, at which repre- sentatives were present from Bodley, Spring- field, Columbus, Far West, Harmony and Equality Lodges. The Masonic Hall at Jacksonville, in which Grand Lodge organized. (From a photograph in the collec- tion of Bro. HALLOWELI,, Jacksonville). This was regarded as the finest building in the city at the time. It is still standing, and, except that it has been modern- ized by the introduction of large window panes find other accessories, presents much the same external appearance now as in 1840. The Masonic Hall was .located in the third story. n i; A lodge of Master Masons was opened, and, after the object of the meeting had been considered and discussed, it was unanimously Resolved, That the several subordinate Lodges of Ancient Freemasonry in the State of Illinois here as- sembled, represented by delegates and proxies prop- erly authorized, consider it as a matter of right and as conducive to the general benefit of Masonry, that a Grand Lodge be established in the State of Illinois, and that they now proceed to establish, organize and locate the same accordingly, to be known and desig- nated by the name of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. A constitution was then adopted, and, after several ballots, the location of the Grand Lodge was decided in favor of Jack- sonville. Then followed the election of officers, which resulted as follows : M. W. ABRAHAM JONAS G. M. R. W. JAMES ADAMS D. G. M. W. W. S. VANCE G. S. W. H. RODGERS G. J. W. W. B. WARREN G. Sec. A. DUNLAP G. Treas. The Grand Lodge then took a recess until April 28th. Bro. JONAS, the Grand Master-elect, was not present at the session of April 6th, and presumably the recess was taken to secure his attendance, but the record shows that when Grand Lodge was again called to labor, on April 28th, he was still absent. This circumstance, however, was not permitted to impede the organiza- tion of Grand Lodge, for we find that, ' ' on motion, all but Past Masters having retired, a convocation of Past Masters was declared open, and the M. W. Grand Master was in- stalled by proxy, and the grand honors paid him agreeably to ancient form and usage." The order of precedence of lodges was then established whereby Bodley Lodge became No. i, of the new registry; Equal- ,ity,-No. 2; Harmony, No. 3; Springfield, No. 4 ; Far West, No. 5 ; and Columbus, No. 6. In addition to these lodges there were also active bodies at Vandalia, Hills- boro, and Alton, but why they did not par- ticipate in the movement is not known. Of ABRAHAM JONAS, ESQ., First Grand Master of Masons of Illinois. (From a photograph in the collection of Dr. JOSEPH ROBBINS, Quincy.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. the six lodges that thus combined to form the present Grand Lodge, four are still in existence and bear the numbers originally assigned to them. Far West Lodge, for some reason, declined to accept a charter at the time, and did not become a constitu- ent until 1846. After 1849 it ceased to make returns, and in 1852 its charter was forfeited for non-compliance with the rules. Columbus Lodge surrendered its charter and became extinct in 1845-6. It would seem that at the organization meeting of January aoth there were pres- ent but thirteen persons, including eight representatives from the six lodges that participated in the formation of Grand Lodge. At the annual communication of 1895, the date of this writing, over one thousand persons were present, as officers, representatives, committeemen or visitors. The first annual communication, or, as it is styled in the old records, ' 'convoca- tion," of the Grand Lodge after its organ- ization, was held at Jacksonville on October 20 of the same year (.1840), with M. W. Bro. JONAS presiding and four lodges repre- sented. The record is meager in respect to details. Apparently, in those days, the Grand Master delivered no " address " at the opening of Grand Lodge, nor does this feature seem to have become established until eight or ten years afterward. A peti- tion for dispensation was received from several brethren at Peoria, but was not granted owing to non-compliance with By- Laws. This was the first petition received. No charters were granted at this session. At the election Bro. JONAS was again chosen Grand Master and Bro. WM. B. WARREN Grand Secretary. Bro. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS was elected as Grand Orator, and, on motion, it was Resolved, That brothers HELM, DUNLAP and JONES be appointed a committee to inform Brother DOUGLAS of his election, and inform him that an oration on the principles of Masonry will be expected of him on the second day of our next Grand Annual Convocation. But while Bro. DOUGLAS was the first Grand Orator, it does not appear that he ever qualified or performed the duties of this office. As appears by the record, "All but Past Masters having retired, a convocation of Past Masters was declared. The M. W. ABRAHAM JONAS, Grand Master-elect, was introduced and installed according to ancient form and usage. The convocation of Past Masters was dissolved, and the Grand Lodge stood open to the Masters' degree, when" the remaining officers were installed and "received the congratulations of the brethren." The total membership reported to the Grand Lodge at this session was ninety- seven. Its financial condition is not shown, but it is known that only through the gen- erosity of one of its officers (Bro. JAMES ADAMS) it was enabled to meet its pecuniary obligations. During the year 1 840 Temperance Lodge, at Vandalia, Mount Moriah Lodge, at Hillsboro, and Franklin Lodge, at Alton, continued under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, while a dispensation was issued from the same source, on October 10, for Clinton Lodge, at the town of Carlyle. Dispensations were also issued by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky for lodges at Dixon and Ottawa. As Far West Lodge at Galena, although it participated in the organization, still continued its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Missouri, it will be seen that at the close of the first official year of the Grand Lodge there were seven lodges within 28 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. its territory that did not owe it fealty, and it was not until several years after that all of the lodges holding foreign charters finally came within its obedience. The " Grand East " of 1840. (From a photograph in the collection of Bro. HALLOWELL, Jacksonville.) This chair was occupied by the first Grand Master and other presiding officers of the Grand Bodies formed in Jacksonville. It was and is now the prop- erty of Harmony Lodge, No. 3. 1841. The second annual communication of the Grand Lodge was held at Jacksonville, Oct. 4, 1841, M. W. Bro. JONAS presiding, with representatives from four chartered lodges and one lodge under dispensation. The Grand Lodge was opened "according to ancient form and usage " and at once proceeded to consider A petition from Juliet Lodge, Juliet, Illinois, pray- ing a Charter. A petition from Brother SAMUEL H. GILBERT, and others, residing at Chicago, praying a dispensa- tion recommended by Juliet Lodge. A petition from Friendship Lodge, Dixon, Illinois, praying a Charter. It would seem also that during the recess Grand Lodge the Grand Master had granted a dispensation to Bro. GEO. A. PAT- TERSON and others for a lodge at Decatur, to be called Macon Lodge, and to Bro. LUTHER WOODWARD and others for a lodge at Peru, to be called St. John's Lodge. Ma- con made a return to this session and re- ceived a charter as No. 8. Friendship Lodge, which had been organized the pre- ceding year by dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, was also granted a charter and became No. 7 of the registry. Charters were also directed to issue to the petitioners at Chicago and "Juliet" on compliance with Grand Lodge By-laws. The committee appointed at the last communication to inform the Grand Orator of his election reported that they had per- formed that duty, but in consequence of Bro. DOUGLAS not being able to attend they had selected Bro. J. A. McDoucALL, who would deliver an address at the Rev. Mr. TODD'S church "the next day." The Grand Marshal was directed to ' ' make all necessary arrangements for the procession, " and on the succeeding afternoon the oration was duly delivered. The feature thus in- augurated has been observed with com- mendable regularity during the entire exist- ence of Grand Lodge. A cash account is shown at this session whereby it appears that the revenue of the Grand Lodge for the year was $124.00. The election again resulted in the choice of Bro. JONAS for Grand Master, and, as on previous years, he was ' ' introduced and in- stalled" in a convocation of Past Masters. Apparently, however, this was the last time the ceremony was employed in Grand Lodge. * * * The history of Freemasonry in Illinois, from this point, is mainly a rehearsal of the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 29 transactions of the Grand Lodge. As this ancient fraternity has for its primary object the cultivation of the moral and social vir- tues, and concerns itself only with the arts of peace, the historian can recount no thrill- ing episodes; and as it eschews all secular questions of a political or religious nature it cannot figure as a factor in any of the public movements which involve either church or state. Therefore the ordinary elements which enter into historical compo- sitions are here utterly lacking. Yet the course of Illinois Freemasonry, from its in- troduction until the present time, is not de- void of interest either to the initiated or the profane, for even the simple record of an organization that dates "from a time when the memory of man runneth not to the con- trary; " that with no cohesive bond stronger than the impulse of human affection has yet withstood all the mutations of time; that after centuries of active life shows no dimi- nution of pristine vigor, is worthy the perusal of every student of sociology, every friend of rational liberty and human progress. Since the date of its organization in 1840 the Grand Lodge of Illinois has met annu- ally and has published the record of its transactions. These consist of statements of the routine business of the communica- tions. The names of the officers elected to conduct its affairs; the committees to whom have been intrusted the consideration of the special matters of each communication; the reports of the officers and committees; the financial statements of its treasurers; the specific methods of the disbursements of its funds; the roll of its constituent members; the subordinate lodges, and the records of the creation of new lodges by dispensation and charter. To the student all of these matters are not without interest, but to the general reader they are, in the main, of no special value. Inasmuch as those desiring details may resort to the original sources of information, and as all of the transactions are now fairly accessible to every inquirer, it does not seem profitable, for the purposes of this work, to attempt either a reproduc- tion of the records or even an epitome of the proceedings of the annual communications. But in order to preserve the chronological continuity of our review a brief allusion will be made to each year and the salient fea- tures of the annual sessions will be selected for special mention. After this, so far as the limits of space will permit, such topics of general interest as may seem desirable will be taken up and considered. The indulgent reader will further ob- serve that this work does not purport to be a history. It is simply a "compend," brought together under great pressure both of time and space. The "history" of Fre- masonry in Illinois is yet to be written, and when the auspicious time shall come for the accomplishment of that great work, some abler pen than that of the writer will engage the theme. 1842. The third annual communication of Grand Lodge was held at Jacksonville Octo- ber 3, 1842, Bro. JONAS presiding as Grand Master, and representatives present from five chartered lodges and one lodge U. D. During this year Masonry had evidently become more popular in the State, for the Grand Master reported the granting of seven dispensations. A charter was issued to Rushville Lodge, at Rushville, as No. 9, and Bro. LEVI LUSK was allowed to take his seat as its representative. At this session the germ of the now pop- ular "correspondence committee" was 30 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. evolved in the adoption of the following resolution: Resolved, That a Committee on Foreign Relations shall be appointed, to whom shall be referred all cor- respondence between this Grand Lodge and other Grand Lodges, and all communications from abroad. And Bros. LUSK and DUNLAP became the first committee. The election resulted in the choice of Bro. MEREDITH HELM as Grand Master. The precedents of former years, however, were not followed, for instead of a " convo- cation of Past Masters" conducting the in- stallation, we find that the "Grand Lodge then repaired to the Rev. Mr. TODD'S church, under the conduct of the Grand Marshal; when the Grand Officers - elect were severally installed by the M. W. P. G. M. JONAS. A very eloquent and appro- priate sermon was then delivered by the M. W. G. Chaplain, after which the Grand Lodge returned to the Grand Hall." This was the first public installation of Grand Officers, and the precedent thus set was followed for many years. As previously stated, there were within the State at this time a number of lodges chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, whose fealty Grand Lodge had been unable to obtain. An effort was now made to se- cure these lodges by the adoption of the following: WHEREAS, It has been represented to this Grand Lodge that there are several subordinate lodges in this State working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri; and, whereas, this Grand Lodge is in a state of infancy, whilst the Grand Lodge of Mis- souri is in a state of affluence, and not doubting her willingness to extend the hand of friendship and assist- ance to her sister Grand Lodge; and believing, more- over, that it would be conducive to the interests of Ma- sonry that the Grand Lodge of each State should gov- ern and control the Masonic family within its bounds; therefore, Resolved, That Bro. Grand Secretary be requested to visit the Grand Lodge of Missouri at its next Annual Communication, and request said Grand Lodge (as the Grand Lodge of Kentucky has done) to dissolve the connection existing between themselves and the sub-' ordinate lodges in the State of Illinois; and, further, to tender to said Grand Lodge the best wishes of this Grand Lodge for her Masonic success, and our desire for an interchange of those social relations which have characterized our fraternity for so many ages. The committee on "Foreign Communi- cations" made its report, which derives its chief interest at this time as a subject for comparison with present productions of correspondence committees. The entire report was as follows : The Committee on Foreign Communications ask leave to report that they have examined the proceed- ings of the following named Grand Lodges, viz.: The Grand Lodges of Kentucky, for the year 1841; Mis- souri, 1840 and 1841; Indiana, 1841; North Carolina, 1840; Mississippi, 1842, and also a Masonic Calendar of the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, contain-' ing a list of the Grand Officers of the lodges subordi-- nate thereto, and also a constitution of said Grand Lodge. These are all the communications that have been received from Grand Lodges. Your committee have not been able to find any- thing therein that requires the immediate action of this Grand Lodge, or of general interest, except the action of some of the Grand Lodges above named upon the proceedings of a Masonic convention, holden in Baltimore in March, 1842, which your committee have had under consideration, and after mature delibera- tion have been unable to bring themselves to any defi- nite conclusion as to the course that this Grand Lodge ought to pursue, and therefore recommend that the proceedings of said convention be read in open lodges,. During the recess of Grand Lodge the Grand Master had issued a dispensation to sundry brethren at Nauvoo. This town was then rapidly achieving notoriety as the earthly abiding place of the "saints" of the "latter day," a community afterward widely known as "Mormons." The lodge commenced work March 15, 1842, and con- tinued until August iith following, when its operations were suspended by an edict of the Grand Master. During this brief in- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 31 terval its returns show that it had initiated 286 candidates, or more than six times as many as all of the lodges in Illinois com- bined during the entire Masonic year. The suspension was caused by a complaint from Bodley Lodge, at Quincy, that the lodge at Nauvoo was being conducted in " a manner un-Masonic and highly dangerous to our be- loved institution." The matter came be- fore Grand Lodge at this session, but if any formal charges were presented the record fails to disclose same. The Committee on Returns of Lodges, to whom the matter seems to have been referred, reported that it had examined the returns, together with " the papers and correspondence " referred to it, and further: Your committee regret that the original records of the work of said lodge have not been sent up, as required by the M. W. G. Master in his order sus- pending the labor of said lodge. But from the report, as well as the transcript of the proceedings of the lodge exhibited, the work appears to conform to the requirements of this Grand Lodge. It appears, however, from documentary and other evidence before the committee that there is some rea- son to fear that the intention and ancient landmarks of our institution have been departed from, to an inex- cusable extent. The facts in the case, however, your committee are of the opinion can only be satisfactorily ascertained by a careful inspection of the original records, and thorough investigation of the whole pro- ceedings. Such a course your committee believe is due as well to the brethren of Nauvoo Lodge as to this Grand Lodge, and the craft generally; and should our fears prove groundless, as the committee still hope they will, none will be more benefited by the investi- gation than the lodge under consideration; but should they in any considerable degree be realized the sooner the facts are ascertained the better. In view of the circumstances it was then, Resolved, That a special committee be appointed, whose duty it shall be to repair to Nauvoo forthwith, and examine the original minutes of Nauvoo Lodge, and diligently inquire into any irregularity or miscon- duct alleged to have been committed by said Lodge, and to examine persons and papers connected with the subject, and report the facts to the M. W. Grand Master; and if he shall deem them of such character as to justify such a course, he shall either direct the injunction, suspending the work of said Lodge, to be continued until the next regular communication, or direct the dispensation granted by Grand Master JONAS to be continued, and the Lodge be permitted to work under the same until the next Grand Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge; and that said committee be allowed a reasonable compensation for their expenses. The committee was appointed, per- formed its task, and reported to the Grand Master immediately after the Grand Lodge session. It would seem, however, that the general odium which was then commencing to attach itself to the people of Nauvoo, or with greater strictness to that portion there- of which was embraced within the commun- ion of the new sect (Mormons), had to some extent colored the accusations made against the lodge, for the committee, "after a care- ful and laborious examination of both per- sons and papers, " found that " the principal charges which had been made against the lodge were groundless, and without proof to sustain them."* It found that the lodge was guilty of an irregularity in permitting a ballot for more than one applicant at a time, and on one occasion had received an appli- cant "of at least doubtful character on promise of reformation;" but this seems to have been the extent of the derelictions; wherefore the committee recommended that the dispensation be continued until the next annual communication of Grand Lodge. The Grand Master (Bro. HELM) thereupon approved of the recommendation, lifted his edict of suspension, and then, presumably to show that he entertained no ill feeling for the "saints," issued his dispensations for the institution of two new lodges in the al- ready well-tilled territory. But the " Mor- * Very extravagant reports seem to have been circulated, among others that women were being initiated. 82 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. mon question " was by no means settled, as the events of the next ensuing year dem- onstrated. 1843. The annual communication of 1843 was held at the town of Jacksonville, M. W. Bro. MEREDITH HELM presiding, and rep- resentatives present from seventeen lodges. The Grand Master at this session inaugu- rated the practice of presenting a written address, and in a well-considered ' ' mes- sage " briefly recounted his official acts. Among other things it appears that he had granted dispensations for a lodge at Chi- cago and at Milwaukee, Wis. , and the lodges thus instituted were the first to be established in each of those now metropoli- tan cities. At this session was also introduced the custom of electing a Grand Lecturer, the choice, in this instance, falling upon Bro. LEVI LUSK, who was further directed to confer with certain representatives of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and be by them "thoroughly instructed" in the lectures and work adopted by the ' ' late Baltimore National Convention." For a number of years the finances of the Grand Lodge seem to have been in a very uncertain condition. A Treasurer's report was presented at this session, the first to appear in the proceedings since or- ganization, by which it appears there was then in the treasury the sum of $28.25 in "good money, " and $240 in depreciated " State Bank paper " and "St. Louis scrip. " The Grand Secretary was instructed to purchase " a library of ancient authority " for the use of Grand Lodge. The " Mormon question " was the prin- cipal topic of interest at this session. It will be remembered that the Grand Master, on the recommendation of the committee of investigation, had dissolved the injunc- tion suspending the work of Nauvoo Lodge, and during the recess of Grand Lodge had issued dispensations for two additional lodges at the same place. The developments of the year, however, had led to much discus- sion, both within and without the jurisdic- tion, and many Masons of eminence had strongly protested against the propriety of permitting a Masonic lodge to exist at Nau- voo. The matter came before Grand Lodge on report of the Committee on Returns of Lodges, and it appearing that all of the Nauvoo bodies had been guilty of irregulari- ties; and, two of them refusing to present the record of their work, it was Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Grand Lodge, it is inexpedient and prejudicial to the interests of Free Masonry to longer sustain a lodge in Nauvoo, and for the disrespect and contempt that Nauvoo Lodge and Helm Lodge have shown in refusing to present the records of their work to this Grand Lodge. Regained, That their dispensations be and they are hereby revoked and charters refused. Resolved, That for irregular work and disregard of the resolutions and instructions of this Grand Lodge, the dispensations of Keokuk Lodge and Nye Lodge are hereby revoked and charters refused. Nauvoo, Helm and Nye Lodges were lo- lated at Nauvoo; the lodge at Keokuk seems to have been of the same character. But this did not end the matter, as will be seen. The election resulted in the choice of Bro. ALEX. DUNLAP, of Jacksonville, as Grand Master, with Bro. WARREN still con- tinuing as Secretary. At the close of this year there were twenty-three lodges borne upon the roll of Grand Lodge and six others in its territorial jurisdiction which owed fealty to the Grand Lodge of Missouri. a L Is. 'ar sr a n w - 8, ? n n t) i P H- 1 00 If I! i! I ^SoS v V'- iUH'lit tl H II li i B V n 4 n M Z M F P M 2! O M 56 ^ COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 35 1844. The annual communication for 1 844 was held Oct. 7, at the town of Jacksonville, with M. W. Bro. ALEXANDER DUNLAP pre- siding and the representatives of ten lodges present. The session was uneventful and the busi- ness mainly routine. Four new lodges were chartered. The ' ' Masonic College of Mis- souri " was endorsed and a committee ap- pointed ' ' to see what further action, if any, shall be taken by the Grand Lodge of this State for the purpose of advancing the cause of and facilitating the means of ac- quiring an education." This was the first attempt to give practical expression to the great Masonic tenets of philanthropy and benevolence through organized effort. The Grand Secretary was instructed to purchase for the use of Grand Lodge a set of jewels and collars " not to cost exceeding $100. " Constituent lodges were recommended to transact all their business " in a lodge of Master Masons. " The Nauvoo matters still continued to exert a disturbing influence both in Grand Lodge and among the Craft, and at this ses- sion resulted in the following: WHERUAS, The M. W. Grand Lodge of Illinois, at their last Communication, thought proper to with- draw from Nauvoo, Helm and Nye Lodges the dis- pensation which had been granted them, for gross un-Masonic conduct; and whereas, the M. W. Grand Master did, during vacation, send a special messenger to Nauvoo and demand the dispensation aforesaid, which demand was treated with contempt, and not only a positive refusal given by said Lodge, but a determination expressed to continue their work; Resolved, By this Grand Lodge, that all fellowship with said Lodges, and the members thereof, be with- drawn, and the association of Masons working these lodges are hereby declared clandestine, and all the members hailing therefrom suspended from all the privileges of Masonry within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge; and that our sister Grand Lodges be requested to deny them the same privileges. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to address a circular on the subject to all the Grand Lodges in correspondence with this Grand Lodge, and request the same to be published in all the Masonic periodicals. With this action ceases all further men- tion of the matter in the records of Grand Lodge. For the subsequent career of the Mormon population of Nauvoo the reader is referred to general history, but in this connection it may be noted that the mem- bership of these clandestine bodies com- prised a large number of men whose names have since acquired much notoriety as lead- ers in the Mormon movement. What the bodies did after excommunication is not known, but it is known that the promoters of the new sect erected within their own society an elaborate ceremonial of ' ' endow- ment, " to which the late BRIGHAM YOUNG was wont to refer as "Celestial Masonry." At this session LEVI LUSK, of Rushville, was elected Grand Master, and WM. B. WARREN re-elected Grand Secretary. 1845. The sixth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held, as in previous years, at the town of Jacksonville, with M. W. Bro. LEVI LUSK presiding. Six new lodges received charters, and a dispensation issued for a lodge at Quincy "to work in the German language." This lodge was subsequently constituted as Her- man Lodge, No. 39, and was the first lodge privileged to use other than the English language in its esoteric ritual. The attention of Grand Lodge at this session was largely occupied with numerous resolutions which effected in many instances startling changes and innovations. The greater portion of these resolutions ema- nated from one man, Rev. Bro. W. F. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. WALKER, of Chicago. Bro. WALKER ap- peared at the opening of Grand Lodge as the proxy of the S. W. of Joliet Lodge, but during the continuance of the session and upon the granting of a charter to Oriental Lodge, No. 33, of which he was the W. M., he took his seat as the representative of same. His strong and commanding indi- viduality soon asserted itself, and in a short time his thought dominated the action of the body. At the election he was chosen Grand Master and was duly installed as such, but, except as he may have occupied the chair at this session, never presided over the Grand Lodge. During the ensuing year he was a prominent figure in the Masonic economy of the jurisdiction, but soon after removed from the State, and never there- after appears to have taken any part in the acts or deliberations of the Craft of Illi- nois. But very little is known of his career, yet in the early days of Illinois Masonry it is certain that he was a most enthusiastic, earnest and zealous worker. He was at this time the rector of St. James' Episcopal Church, of Chicago, and is described by those who knew him as " a profound scholar, an eloquent preacher, a learned Mason, and a warm-hearted, sympathetic man." Not- withstanding his evident impulsive and er- ratic nature, as shown by his recorded acts during this year, there is abundant evidence in the records of Grand Lodge to justify the foregoing encomium; and the very fact of his elevation to the highest office in the gift of the Craft, upon the only occasion of his visit to Grand Lodge, as well as the appar- ent ease with which he imposed his views upon that body, are, in themselves, com- plete testimonials of his high character and commanding influence at that time. It has been said that sorrow and misfortune blight- ed his warm heart and led him to seek solace in those habits that, while they dulled the pain, beclouded the once bright intellect; but at this distant day we remember only the kind, impulsive man, and see in the record only the imperious and learned, though erratic. Mason. By resolution it was decided that a sin- gle ballot should suffice for all three degrees, the question of advancement to be deter- mined solely by proficiency; that all lodges should hold their elections annually instead of semi-annually; that the three degrees should not be conferred for a less sum than $15.00, except upon an "acknowledged minister of the gospel," in which event the fee might be remitted. Bro. WALKER presented the report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, a voluminous document which the record says was read in Grand Lodge. In many respects this document is the most remark- able ever presented to Grand Lodge. It abounds in the erratic vagaries which so dis- tinguished its writer, yet candor compels the statement that it bears the stamp of marked ability, and in many respects it far more perfectly fulfills the true office of a correspondence report than some of the more pretentious efforts of later years. Its distinguishing feature, however, was a series of deductions drawn by the committee and offered to Grand Lodge in thirteen resolu- tions, all of which were adopted. Of these the most important were: I. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge is clearly of the opinion that a distinct avowal of a belief in the divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures should be required of everyone who is admitted to the privileges of Masonry; and that a denial of the same is an offense against the institution calling for exemplary discipline. II. Resulted, That in the opinion of this Grand Lodge, when the deformity of a candidate for initia- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. tion is not such as to prevent him from acquiring an honest livelihood, being instructed in the arts and mysteries of Masonry, and working in his Craft, his admission will not be an infringement upon the " land- marks," but will be perfectly consistent with the spirit and " speculative " character of the institution. V. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge approves of the formation of a General Grand Lodge, and invites the co-operation of her sister Grand Lodges, by the appointment of delegates, to meet in convention for the purpose of reporting to the various Grand Lodges a constitution for the government of a General Grand Lodge, so soon as the same may be approved by a majority of the Grand Lodges; and that all former resolutions regarding any convention or conventions of Masons be and the same are hereby repealed. VI. Resolved, That the several lodges within this jurisdiction be and are hereby instructed to transact all business in a Lodge of Masters, except the work and lectures appertaining to the first aud second de- grees respectively. VII. Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand Lodge that every Master Mason has the inherent right to vote on the admission of all candidates to our order; and that the lodges under this jurisdiction be and are hereby instructed to govern themselves in ac- cordance therewith by, at all times, allowing all Master Masons who may be present to vote on the reception of candidates; and that an unanimous ballot in favor of an applicant shall be necessary to his admission. X. Retolred, That this Grand Lodge deems it inexpedient, at the present time, to adopt the so-called " Representative system." XI. Resolved, That, within this jurisdiction, an expulsion or suspension, by an Encampment or Chap- ter, shall be deemed to carry with it an expulsion or suspension, as the case may be, from the Masonic Institution, unless its decision be repealed by the tribunal passing the sentence. The other resolutions were of the same general character, one of them providing that in case of rejection the candidate should not be again balloted for until the expiration of twelve months, and not then "unless there be present all who were present at the first balloting, ' ' or permission therefor be obtained from the Grand Master. It seems almost incredible that such laws as the 7th and gth of the foregoing should ever have received the sanction of Grand Lodge; and the only explanation that can be advanced is that Bro. WALKER hypnotized the members. When the Grand Lodge was organized the town of Jacksonville was selected as the place of meeting in annual communication, and this fact was made definite by a by-law. From the first this selection was hotly con- tested by the representatives of other towns and at every annual communication the question of location seems to have been raised. But by reason of local jealousies no town thus far had been able to prevail over Jacksonville. A way out was finally discovered by making Grand Lodge ambu- latory, and at this session an amendment was effected which provided: That the next regular communication of the Grand Lodge shall be held at Peoria, and thereafter its com- munications shall be held at such place in the State as the Grand Lodge may designate. * * * The year 1845 was * ne sixth since the establishment of the Grand Lodge. During this period the State had made wonderful strides and Masonry, reflecting the civil or- der and well-being of society, had kept pace with it. At the close of the year there were thirty-seven lodges in the obedience of Grand Lodge, representing all parts of the State, with a total membership, so far as shown by the returns, of 619. As a rule the lodges held but one stated communication each month at or immediately preceding the full moon. In the cities this ancient time of meeting was beginning to be displaced by stated days, fixed with reference to the cal- endar, but it was long before the old custom fell into disuse; and until very recent years it was the rule of Grand Lodge to publish, for the use of its constituents, a table of "full moons" for the year. During this year occurred the death of 38 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ANDREW JACKSON, an event which seems to have been very generally noticed by the lodges throughout the State. Memorial meetings, "days of sorrow" and "funeral processions" were had in many localities, and in several instances resolutions were passed directing the wearing of a badge of mourning for "our well-beloved and lately deceased brother, ANDREW JACKSON." The Masonic sensation of the year was occasioned by Harmony Lodge, of Jackson- ville, in a manifesto'issued to the lodges of the State with respect to the ' ' color ques- tion." Prior to this time the question never seems to have been mooted, although the subject was beginning to exercise a marked influence upon the political life and thought of the people. It would seem that in some way intelli- gence had reached Harmony Lodge that the Chicago lodges were practicing "abolition" precepts. As a result at a meeting held December i, 1845, the following preamble and resolutions were presented and two days later adopted: WHEREAS, It has been represented to us by a brother in whom all confidence can be placed, that a Negro is admitted to all the privileges of our Frater- nity in the lodges at Chicago : and, WHEREAS, we are informed that the lodge in Chicago over which the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge presides as Mas- ter, has now before it for action petitions from two or more Negroes ; and, WHEREAS, we have learned that the M. W. G. M. of the G. L. of Illinois is urgent in favor of the admission of Negroes into our ancient and honorable fraternity ; therefore, Resolved, That it is with deep and unfeigned re- gret that we have learned these facts, and that we deem it our imperative duty to remonstrate in the strongest terms against this innovation on the rules, regulations and obligations of the fraternity. Resolred, That we cannot recognize any individ- ual of the African race as being "free born," inasmuch as they are by the constitution and laws of our coun- try denied the rights and privileges of citizens; neither can we extend to them the hand of fellowship and brotherly love, believing that in so acting we would not only be doing violence to our feelings of self- respect, but that we would be trampling upon one of the landmarks of our institution. Resolved, That the course pursued by the M. W. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in this matter, is, in our opinion, unworthy of the high office to which he has been promoted, and if persisted in will inevit- ably tend to the destruction not only of the harmony of the Grand Lodge of this state, but will be destruc- tive of the institution itself; and that unless he desists from the effort to introduce Negroes into the institu- tion, we must, as members of the Grand Lodge, sol- emnly protest against his conduct, as being derogatory to, and unbecoming, the presiding officer of any lodge much more so as the Grand Master of the State. Resolved, That we deem it highly derogatory to the institution for a Blue Lodge even to receive a petition from an individual not recognized by the con- stitution and laws of our country as a "freeman;" much more so to entertain and act upon it ; and if such course is persisted in, we shall deem it our im- perative duty to disconnect our lodge from said lodge, as well as the Grand Lodge which will permit one of its subordinate lodges to so act. Resolved, That if Negroes are admitted into any lodge at Chicago, or other place under the jurisdiction of our Grand Lodge, we shall, at the next regular meeting of our lodge after learning said fact, tender our charter to the Grand Lodge, and thus dissolve our connection with such un-Masonic conduct. Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be forwarded to each lodge in this State, with the request that they take immediate action thereon, and inform us thereof; and that a copy be sent to the Grand Mas- ter, that he may see the estimation in which his efforts are held by a part of the fraternity; and, also, that a copy be forwarded to the Grand Lodges of Missouri and Kentucky. A copy of the foregoing was sent to all of the lodges in the jurisdiction, .provoking a spirited, and not always fraternal, discus- sion and the issuance of a number of coun- ter manifestoes. In several instances lodges took immediate action without inquiry as to the truth of the facts alleged, and by reso- lution denounced the Grand Master, the Chicago lodges, and all others who might sanction "an act so degrading and highly injurious to Masonry." Following the lead of Harmony Lodge, the lodges at Decatur, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 39 Peru, Vandalia, Belleville, Waterloo, Ma- comb and other places passed highly con- demnatory resolutions, in some cases se- verely censuring the Grand Master and calling upon him to resign his office. St. Clair Lodge (Belleville) issued a circular re- questing a convention of delegates to meet at Peoria on the first Thursday in April, 1846, " to determine what course it would be most proper to pursue so that we may be purged from this great evil, and again hold a place in the affections of the Masonic bosom." Friendship Lodge (Dixon), War- ren Lodge (Shawneetown), and probably some others, endorsed the call, while Ma- comb Lodge advocated the surrender of charters. In some localities a kindlier feel- ing was manifested in the resolutions passed. Cass Lodge (Beardstown) and Pekin Lodge were conspicuous in this respect. As a rule, none of the lodges paused to investigate the truth or falsity of the charges. In St. Clair Lodge a motion to inquire of the Grand Master whether any foundation existed for the charges was carried and then reconsid- ered and lost. In Springfield Lodge cooler heads and wiser counsels prevailed, and this lodge was almost the only one in the State that was not subsequently compelled to pass a resolution admitting its own wrong. In this lodge, upon the receipt of the Harmony circular, a committee was at once appointed to investigate the reliability of the "worthy brother" who had made the representations to Harmony Lodge, as well as the truth of his statements. The result demonstrated that the " worthy brother " had drawn to some extent on his imagination, and that Harmony Lodge had been a trifle prema- ture. Accordingly a circular was issued by Springfield Lodge, addressed to all the lodges of the jurisdiction and to the Grand Lodges of neighboring States, deprecating the course pursued by Harmony Lodge in the issuance of its manifesto and the action of St. Clair Lodge in calling a convention. The effect of this circular in cooling the heated passions of the Craft seems to have been most marked. The principal agency in restoring peace, however, was the action of the accused parties the Grand Master and the Chicago lodges. Upon the receipt of the Harmony circu- lar a convention of the Chicago lodges was held to consider same. A committee was appointed to prepare a reply, and subse- quently reported as follows: The committee on behalf of the Masons, members of the several lodges in Chicago, to whom was referred the circular of Harmony Lodge, No. 3, at Jacksonville, Illinois, respectfully report: that, having carefully in- vestigated the matters to which the communication of said lodge relates, they will proceed to answer them specifically, in the order therein set forth. 1. It is thus stated in the preamble: "WHEREAS, it has been represented to us, by a brother in whom all confidence can be placed, that a Negro is admitted to all the privileges of our fraternity in the lodges in Chicago." If this be intended as a specific charge against the lodges of this city, we submit the following facts in re- lation thereto. A. B. Lewis, a well-bred Mulatto man, musician by profession, reputedly of Cherokee aborig- inal blood maternally, and paternally of African blood, now, and for a year or two past, a resident of Chicago, is undoubtedly the individual alluded to. Hailing, as a Master Mason, from within the jurisdic- tion of another Grand Lodge, whose diploma, duly signed, he exhibited, he has been admitted a few times, as a visitor, to the lodges in this city; but he is not a member of either. That this individual, then, half In- dian and half Negro, has visited the lodges in Chicago and has been admitted to the privileges of a vittiting brother, is true; that he is an undoubted Brother Mason, a modest, worthy man, and "of good report," is equally true. And how his exclusion from any lodge where he might apply and exhibit his creden- tials, would comport with the respect due to the Grand Lodge whose diploma he presented here, one of the most intelligent and respectable bodies of Masons in the U. S., is a question left for Harmony Lodge, and 40 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. others adopting her action, to answer, should the brother in question seek admission among them. 2. The preamble continues as follows: "And WHEREAS, we are informed that the lodge in Chicago over which the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge pre- sides, as Master, has now before it for action petitions from two or more Negroes." To this we reply, that the lodge over which the Grand Master was for a season Master, never received a petition from any Negro or Negroes; but that Apollo Lodge, No. 32, of this city (whose records your com- mittee have been permitted to examine), over which the M. W. G. Master may have occasionally presided, as over other lodges, but of which he never was Mas- ter, did, at a regular communication on the 2d of May last, W. M. W.M. STUART presiding, receive and refer the petitions of two men, residents of this city, by name JOHNSON and DAVIDSON, trade barbers, of mixed Anglo Saxon and African blood, though the proportion of African blood is evidently small, reputed "freeborn," certainly of good report, and one or both entitled to vote by the laws of this State. On the 5th of May aforesaid, at a special meeting of said lodge, a resolution was adopted, instructing the committee on said petitions not to report until after the next meeting of the Grand Lodge in October then following; in order, as was stated, previously to pro- cure an expression of the Grand Lodge on the subject. On the 21st of November following, at a regular communication of said lodge, W. M. WM. STUART, presiding, as appears by the records, the committee on said petitions reported favorably; but, it having been made known to the lodge, by its delegate to the Grand Lodge, that he had not obtained an expression from the Grand Lodge on the subject, a resolution was unanimously adopted, in substance, allowing the peti- tioners to withdraw their petition. This was the final action of Apollo Lodge in relation to this matter; and however anomalous and singular it may be deemed, evidently arose, in the opinion of your committee, from a true Masonic desire to respect the feelings and scruples of a portion of the members of the fraternity, and to continue that harmony which is the strength and beauty of our institution. However this action may be viewed, it is still the action of Apollo Lodge only, and from the responsibilities in which it may in- volve her, your committee believe that she will not wish to shrink. 3. The preamble still continues as follows: "And WHEREAS, we have learned that the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the G. L. of Illinois is urgent in favor of the admission of Negroes into our ancient and hon- orable fraternity." Inasmuch as the conduct of the M. W. G. Master of the State only is herein complained of, your com- mittee, desirous of allowing him to speak for himself on a matter which especially concerns him, addressed to him a note, which, with his answer, promptly com- municated, is here inserted: " CHICAGO, January 26, 1846. " REV. W. F. WALKER, M. W. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois. "DEAR BROTHER: " The undersigned, a committee on behalf of the Masons, members of the several lodges in Chicago, to whom has been referred a communication from Har- mony Lodge, No. 3, Jacksonville, Illinois, which com- munication, by resolution of said lodge, was directed to be sent also to you, respectfully ask of you an answer to the 3d charge in the preamble of the said communication, implicating you as being ' urgent in favor of the admission of Negroes into our ancient and honorable fraternity.' Fraternally yours, " M. L. KNAPP (and eight others)." " CHICAGO, January 26, 1846. " DEAR BRETHREN: " The communication from Harmony Lodge, No. 3, referred to in your note of this morning, has been received by me, but I have given to it no reply, for the reason that it invites none. I have supposed that, in so far as it concerns the several lodges in this city, it would receive attention; and that, when I should be asked for information respecting the matters contained in it touching myself, it would be quite time for me to furnish the same. "Your inquiry presents an opportunity for me to reply to the 3d charge, which has regard to myself ex- clusively; what I should be bound to reply to the others, is known to yourselves, for therein we are associated. " I say, then, in brief, and without the fear of con- tradiction, that I have never, either in any one of your lodges, or in any other, either urged, recommended, or said one word, ' in favor of the admission of Negroes into our ancient and honorable Fraternity.' The charge regards overt acts to which no man or Mason can testify concerning me. I deny them unqualifiedly, and so the truthfulness of the charge. That I have conversed with brethren some half dozen times, per- haps, upon the great principles suggested by your ques- tion, is admitted; but such conversations have usually been with the one view rather of eliciting than of ex- pressing opinions. What are my opinions on the sub- ject will doubtless in due time be made known. I certainly shall not shrink from any responsibility that may be involved, either in expressing or maintaining them; but their communication, at present, would be COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 41 beside your inquiry, and appears not now to be called for. " Trusting that in the treatment of this whole matter you will suffer the 'law of kindness' to prevail, and at no time forget the moral lessons inculcated by the level, the plumb and the trowel, " I am, Dear Brethren, " With assurances of Fraternal regard, " Your friend and brother, "W. F. WALKER, " Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of tlie " State of Illinois." "To M. L. KNAPP.and others, members of committee. In relation to this last matter, your committee would remark that the propriety or impropriety, the right or wrong, of admitting Negroes'- into our ancient and honorable institution, has never been discussed in any lodge in Chicago; nor do they feel themselves called upon to discuss the subject in this communica- tion'; but in relation to a question of such magnitude the time, manner and responsibilities of its discussion they cordially adopt the views expressed by our M. W. Grand Master in his communication above given. Your committee have thus endeavored, candidly and Masonically, to submit their views on the several matters presented to their consideration; but they can- not conclude, without expressing their deep regret that any lodge of Free and Accepted Masons should have pursued the course adopted by Harmony Lodge, and others following her action, of so departing from the rules of right, established even by judicial tribu- nals, as to try to condemn a sister lodge, and brethren of the same great family, whose distinguishing tenets are brotherly love and truth, on hearsay charges and ex-parte testimony, without the ordinary formality or courtesy of allowing the accused to appear and answer before a rendition of judgment. The un-Masonic precipitancy of action, the spirit and bearing of Harmony Lodge in relation to this un- fortunate matter, call forth our unqualified disappro- bation, and at the same time our brotherly regret. We love our institution; we cherish its principles; we ad- mire, and would forever preserve, the beautiful har- mony of its proportions. We have no railing accusa- tion to bring against any portion of our great family. Wherever, under the broad canopy of. Heaven, a just and upright Mason is to be found, we would hail him as a brother, and would receive from him a reciprocal regard. We would ever seek, in the accents of brotherly love, to be admonished of our errors, and, in such a spirit, impart, as we would receive, that good counsel which most surely leads to reformation. Your committee, therefore, recommend the adop- tion of the following resolution: Resolved, That this report be presented to the sev- eral lodges in this city for their action, and that, with a copy of such action appended, it be transmitted to the M. W. Grand Master, to the several lodges in the State, and to each Grand Lodge in the United States, soliciting action and answer. All which is most respectfully submitted. M. L. KNAPP (and eight others), Committee. The foregoing report was adopted by all the Chicago lodges, and copies of the same transmitted to every lodge in the jurisdiction. In addition thereto the Grand Master (Bro. WALKER) issued a lengthy encyclical calcu- lated to remove whatever wrong impres- sions might have been produced by the Harmony circular. The result was that many perhaps a majority of the lodges which had passed condemnatory resolutions publicly acknowledged their wrong and de- plored their hasty and premature concur- rence in the action of Harmony Lodge. The excitement then subsided and the crisis which the hot-headed had well nigh brought upon the Craft was happily averted. But the matter was not suffered to lie dormant. The admitted facts were regarded by many as just cause for affirmative action, and at the next session of Grand Lodge prompt and decisive measures were taken to pre- vent any recurrence of same in the future. 1846, Pursuant to resolution the seventh an- nual communication of Grand Lodge was held at Peoria, October 5, 1846. The Grand Master (Bro. WALKER) being pre- vented from attending by sickness in his family, Bro. NELSON D. MORSE (Dep. G. M.) occupied the East. The "color" question, which, during the recess of Grand Lodge, had formed the subject of much discussion, again came up in the report of a special committee. After 42 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. an extended review of the situation the com- mittee fully exculpated the Grand Master, and by resolution the Grand Lodge attested the " utmost confidence " in him, "believ- ing him to be a true brother at heart, alone actuated by a desire to advance the pros- perity of the Craft." But with respect to the Chicago lodges the committee said: Your committee beg leave to state that the Chicago lodges, as appears from their own circular, as set forth in the printed proceedings of the Grand Lodge, have occu- pied a very unwarrantable position, viz.: In admitting negroes or mulattoes into any of the rights and immu- nities of Masonry, and in receiving petitions from reputed negroes for admission; and therefore, although Harmony Lodge was misinformed in relation to the M. W. Grand Master (so far as we have data to found our conclusions upon), yet it appears from the circular of the Chicago lodges that Harmony Lodge did not materially err in relation to the aforesaid Chicago lodges. How the Chicago lodges consider themselves free from unqualified censure, after having made a report acknowledging the admission of a negro as a "visitor," and after having received a petition for mem- bership from a negro, and that petition favorably reported on by a committee of the lodge, your com- mittee are at a loss to determine. It is evident, as appears from the report of the committee of the Chicago lodges, as set forth in printed proceedings of the Grand Lodge, that Apollo Lodge would have ad- mitted a negro to membership, but for the want of an expression favorable thereto by the Grand Lodge of Illinois an expression which your committee believe never could have been obtained. In the report of the committee of the Chicago lodges, the committee seem to argue strongly in favor of the rights of negroes to admission, basing their views upon the oft repeated declaration, that whoever is in possession of our universal language is entitled to admission into our halls throughout the habitable globe. Although at first view it would seem that it was the design of Masonry to admit all who were morally worthy from among every nation and tongue under heaven, yet if we reflect closely, we will discover that many objections interpose : First, our paramount obligations to the state, doing nothing in our fraternal capacity that would tend to create social discord and disrupt the political relations of the Confederate States; aware, as we must be, that certain institutions are recognized in one portion of our political Union which are not in others ; knowing also that it is our duty as good Masons to advance the peace and happiness of the government under which we live, which if we do not brings censure, merited censure, upon our time- honored institution. The second objection, which has a paramount claim, is that negroes, from the position they hold among us, resulting from the law of custom, as well as from legislative enactments, are disquali- fied. Their relation is such that the most favored among them in our land cannot enter the inner court and there take upon them the high responsibilities of our institution, with a view of mutual reciprocity in the discharge of all our obligations. The act presup- poses the equality in every respect of the contracting parties. It does not presume that we should place ourselves in a position to discharge the imperious duties of our Craft toward those who are socially and civilly disqualified to fulfill their part of the obligation. The Author of all has placed a distinguishing mark upon them, clearly indicating that there was a distinctiveness to be kept up ; and it is repul- sive to the finest feelings of the heart, to think that between them and us there can be a mutual reci- procity of all social privileges. And why then intro- duce them into our inner temple, where the closest connections are inculcated and solemnized? Other objections might be urged, but your committee deem the above hints sufficient. Your committee will not say that the time will never come when the negro may with safety be admitted to our rights ; but the signs of the times do not indicate that the period has yet arrived, and it would be worse than folly to antici- pate the period. The sentiments of the committee were evidently shared by Grand Lodge, as the following resolution was then proposed and unanimously adopted : Resolved, That this Grand Lodge is unqualifiedly opposed to the admission of negroes or mulattoes into lodges under her jurisdiction. This settled the matter for the time be- ing, but the question was destined to receive further attention as time rolled on. During the recess of Grand Lodge the lodges read with astonishment the resolu- tions adopted at the session of 1845, and Bodley, No. i, which in those days seems to have been the most active in all matters pertaining to the general welfare of the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 43 Craft, passed a series of resolutions de- manding the repeal of the most obnoxious forms. The protest of Bodley Lodge was received and referred to a committee, which reported that the offending resolutions of Grand Lodge ' ' were adopted hastily and without sufficient caution," and that their "operation should be suspended until an expression of the opinion of the subordinate lodges can be had thereon." In which opinion Grand Lodge concurred and the matter went over. It would seem that Grand Lodge had now grown beyond the original ideas . in- volved in a mere " general assembly of the Craft," and desired to perpetuate its exist- ence by a legislative charter of incorpora- tion. Accordingly it was Resolved, That a committee be appointed to apply to the next General Assembly of the State of Illinois for a charter of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois, giving to it a legal existence; And a committee was appointed to inter- view the Legislature for that purpose. The Committee on Correspondence rec- ommended " that the practice pursued by some of the Grand Lodges, to-wit, that of having a Standing Committee on Foreign Correspondence, whose duty it is to exam- ine, during recess, such documents, with a view of reporting at the next communica- tion thereafter, be adopted by this Grand Lodge, feeling assured that it will much facilitate the labors of the committee, and expedite the transaction of business." The recommendation was adopted, and Bros. LUSK, ANDERSON and DAVIS were appointed as such committee. The record of 1847 says the report which this committee pre- sented was read, but from this time the practice of presenting the report seems to be the general rule, the matter of reading being left to the individual. The election resulted in the choice of NELSON D. MORSE as Grand Master, and Quincy was selected as the place for hold- ing the next session. During this year occurred the war with Mexico, an event which finds frequent men- tion in the minutes of many of the constit- uent lodges in the remission of fees, confer- ring of degrees out of time, etc. , upon those who had "volunteered for the Mexican War." The then newly organized Grand Lodge of Wisconsin having crossed the line and constituted lodges of its obedience at Galena and Elizabeth, a clash seemed imminent, but through wise, diplomatic measures a rupture of fraternal relations was averted and the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin induced to withdraw all claims to jurisdiction in any part of the territory of Illinois. 1847. The eighth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held at Quincy, Oct. 4, 1847, M. W. NELSON D. MORSE presiding. From the time of its establishment Grand Lodge had experienced considerable diffi- culty in procuring an actual representation from its constituents. At this session, while the record shows that nineteen lodges were represented, yet in a large number of in- stances the persons so accredited are desig- nated as ' ' proxy, " and several of the proxies did not even belong to the lodges they as- sumed to represent. Evidently something 44 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. was required to be done to remedy the evil of absenteeism; so it was accordingly Regained, That it is the sense of this Grand Lodge that we are deficient in representatives from subordi- nate lodges, and that too great a number of those represented are by proxy. Resolved, That to secure the very desirable object of a full representation from subordinate lodges, such representation should be from members of such sub- ordinate lodges themselves; in view thereof, the atten- tion of the committee to revise the constitution be called in that direction, and they be instructed to make provisions for raising a fund, to be denominated the Representative fund. This seems to have been the first action looking to the remuneration of members, and is the precursor of that now very popu- lar feature of our economy known as "mile- age and per-diem." The war with Mexico was at this time attracting many of the Craft of Illinois. It had long been customary with the Mother Grand Lodge of England to grant army warrants, authorizing the constituting of lodges which follow the particular regiment to which they are attached. Grand Lodge was at this session asked to exercise this ancient prerogative by the following peti- tion: To the Most Worshipful Grand Master of t/ie State of Illinois: Your petitioners, GEORGE C. LANPHERE, GEORGE W. PALMER, JOHN H. MITCHELL, DANIEL T. DEN- MAN, WYATT B. STAFF, EZEKIEL KENT and JAMES TOWNSLEY, would respectfully represent that they are all Ancienl, Free and Accepted Masons, and belong to a company of mounted volunteers received into the service of the United States, and known as Company B; that they are about to depart for Vera Cruz, in Mexico, to operate against the enemy there; that they are desirous of being authorized by dispensation to work under the authority of said Grand Lodge, and do respectfully recommend GEORGE C. LANPHERE to be Worshipful Master, GEORGE W. PALMER to be Senior Warden, and JOHN H. MITCHELL to be Junior War- den; and they will as in duty bound ever pray, &c. Signed by the Petitioners. [Vouched for and recommended by Hiram Lodge, No. 26.1 The petition was referred to a select committee, which reported that it was inex- pedient to grant the prayer. The next day, however, the subject matter again came be- fore Grand Lodge, and the result was the adoption of the following: Rewired, That the Most Worshipful Grand Mas- ter be authorized to grant dispensations for traveling lodges attached to the Illinois regiments in Mexico, to work in the territory thereof, to any brethren qualified, who may be engaged in the service of the United States in that country; provided they shall not initiate, pass or raise any persons but residents of the State of Illinois; that such lodges shall in all cases comply with the requisitions of the constitution and by-laws of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and shall return such dispen- sations at the expiration of their term of service. It does not appear, however, that any action was ever taken under this resolution. It will be remembered that at the ses- sion of 1846 the famous resolutions of 1845 were considered by Grand Lodge, but ac- tion was deferred until an "expression of opinion " could be obtained from the con- stituent lodges. A number did express themselves, and all in condemnatory terms; wherefore it was Resolved, That those resolutions are not regarded by this body as the resolutions of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Strange as it may now appear, the reso- lutions were not without effect during the period that had elapsed since their adoption, and a member of La 'Fayette Lodge, No. 1 8, Chicago, was actually expelled by Grand Master WALKER, without charges or trial, for the reason that he had been expelled COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 45 from Apollo Encampment of Knights Tem- lars. Such sentence was declared by Grand Lodge to be illegal and the brother re-in- stated. A dispensation was issued for a lodge at Nauvoo, it appearing that "none of the ob- jections exist now to granting such dispen- sation which might have been urged here- tofore. " The resolution of 1845 permitting one ballot for the three degrees was rescinded, being ' ' an innovation in the usages of Ma- sonry, " and it was ordered that "subordi- nate lodges be required to ballot for candi- dates in every degree." As the rule of 1845 is now the law of the jurisdiction, it will be seen that upon some questions of " usage" the opinions of Grand Lodge are not very stable. From its inception the subject of prac- tical benevolence and education upon some organized basis had been discussed in Grand Lodge, but not until this session had the ideas taken a very strong hold upon the members. Stimulated, however, by the action of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, which had just decided upon the erection of a Masonic College, the brethren of Illinois now felt that they were equal to something, yet as to just what that something should be they were not altogether clear. As a "feeler" Bro. ABRAHAM JONAS offered the following preamble and resolution: The Grand Lodge of Illinois, having survived and outlived the dangers and perils of childhood, and having taken its station in the bright constellation forming the Masonic family of the United States, it becomes its duty to carry out as far as practicable those principles of charity and benevolence which more particularly are placed under its immediate notice and control, and to show to the world that we intend to practice those great objects which we say govern and influence us in our operations; and the time having now arrived for some action on the part of the Grand Lodge in regard to the future disposition of its resources, therefore Resolved, That a committee be appointed, whose duty it shall be during the recess of the Grand Lodge, to obtain all the information in its power as to the most appropriate manner of employing the resources of the Grand Lodge, and prepare and report some plan for the action of the Grand Lodge at its next Annual Communication. Which, on motion, was adopted, and Bros. JONAS, HOLTON and KETCHAM appointed as such committee. Apparently the project was further dis- cussed with a view to definite results, for the next day Bro. J. C. KETCHAM offered the following: 1. Resolved, That charity, benevolence and inter- est make it the duty of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois to provide for the maintenance and education of the destitute orphans, male and female, of deceased brother Master Masons, and of such others as the Grand Lodge may direct. 2. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge will forthwith proceed to adopt suitable measures to obtain from the Craft and the public such pecuniary aid as may be requisite for the accomplishment of the object afore- said. 3. Retained, That the Most Worshipful Grand Master appoint a committee of three to solicit dona- tions of money and property, to be applied to the es- tablishment and endowment of the institution afore- said. 4. Resolved, That a committee of three be ap- pointed, with instructions to digest and arrange the necessary plans for such academy of learning. 5. Resolved, That the institution aforesaid, when organized, shall forever remain under and subject to the control of this Grand Lodge, and shall be con- ducted in strict accordance with the principles, cus- toms and constitutions of Ancient Free Masonry. Which resolutions were also adopted and the same committee appointed thereunder. But notwithstanding that Grand Lodge so clearly and unequivocally declared its own COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. duty in the first of the foregoing resolutions, and notwithstanding that afterward it ac- cumulated vast sums, only to be dissipated and lost by those to whom they had been entrusted, it was not until nearly forty years later that an "institution" "to provide for the maintenance and education of the des- titute orphans of deceased brother Master Masons" became an accomplished fact, and then only through the zeal and industry of individual brethren. For its maintenance the Grand Lodge has done comparatively nothing. The election resulted in the choice of Bro. WILLIAM LAVELY, of Springfield, as Grand Master, who was duly installed pub- licly, with the usual comcomitants of a pro- cession, an oration, etc., in the Methodist Church of Quincy. Alton was selected as the next place of meeting. 1848. Grand Lodge met in ninth annual com- munication at the city of Alton, October 2, 1848, with M. W. WILLIAM LAVELY presid- ing. The business of the session was mainly routine, and, like that of its predecessors, very unsystematic. The efficiency of the modern "committee " was but little under- stood during the early years of Grand Lodge, and much of the business now trans- acted in committee came before the session for action. Bro. LAVELY was re-elected Grand Master, and the inevitable "public installation " followed. The hall of Frank- lin Lodge, No. 25, was publicly dedicated, being the first occasion of this kind in which Grand Lodge seems to have engaged. Chicago was selected for the place of the next annual communication. The Committee on Education made a report, which, on motion, was laid upon the table, where apparently it still remains. A new committee was appointed with instruc- tions " That they report a plan for three schools, one to be located at the place of holding the Supreme Courts of the State in each grand division, or some other more suitable places; said plan to be prepared with reference to economy and the greatest amount of use- fulness, and the teaching of such elementary branches only as are necessary to an English education." An annual assessment of fifty cents per capita was levied upon all members of sub- ordinate lodges to be used for the purposes of education; but it does not appear that this assessment was ever enforced or that any money was collected under same. The year 1 848 was one of unusual ac- tivity throughout the jurisdiction. The old lodges generally were prosperous, while fourteen new lodges were instituted under dispensation. Masonry had fully recovered from the blighting influences of twenty years before, and was rapidly becoming "popu- lar." The tide of immigration then setting into the state was building up cities, laying out farms and giving impetus to local indus- tries, and with the development of the ma- terial energies of the commonwealth had come a corresponding growth in the Masonic Institution. 1849.' The tenth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held at Chicago, October i, 1849, M. W. WILLIAM LAVELY presiding. The action of Grand Lodge with respect to the education of orphans had by this time COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 47 been very fully discussed in the constituent lodges and by the Craft. While the general sentiment met with unanimous approval, yet with respect to the methods to be employed there was a wide diversity of opinion. Me- morials, offers and protests were presented, all tending to destroy unity of action or singleness of purpose. Macomb Lodge of- fered to donate a building and grounds pro- vided the institution should be located at Macomb. Franklin Lodge (Upper Alton) presented a memorial against the project, deeming it ' ' unwise to devote our energies and our funds to the building up of a college within this jurisdiction and under the con- trol of this Grand Lodge" and suggesting that each lodge should ' ' establish schools in their own neighborhood to be controlled entirely by said lodge." Piasa Lodge en- dorsed the memorial of Franklin Lodge; Mt. Vernon Lodge favored a school in ' ' each grand division of the state " with a distribu- tion to same of all funds on hand each year after paying Grand Lodge expenses; Ori- ental Lodge resolved that the establishment of a Masonic school was a necessity, and urged Grand Lodge to take action in regard to same. The other lodges of the state were equally divided. In this juncture the committee on education reported: That in their opinion, it is inexpedient and im- politic in an eminent degree, for the Grand Lodge of Illinois, at this time, to build, establish, endow, or support any distinctive and specific literary institu- tion whatever that to do so would in a great meas- ure prevent the amiable object intended ; and cannot be otherwise than an unequal and inefficient distribu- tion of the munificence of your most worshipful body. Then followed a long list of reasons for the committee's conclusions and a sugges- tion; That instead of erecting and establishing district schools as aforesaid, the subordinate lodges under this jurisdiction be recommended by this Grand Lodge to educate, in convenient schools in which the English branches are taught, all the children within proper ages, of indigent and deceased brother Masons whose individual means are not adequate to attain the same, and who reside within their said subordinate jurisdic- tion. Each lodge to report under its seal, to each an- nual communication of the Grand Lodge, the number of children so educated within the year, together with the time of their tuition; and that the regular charity fund annually received in the Grand Lodge, not oth- erwise necessarily appropriated, be distributed to the said lodges, educating children aforesaid, in due and correct proportion the amount to each lodge to be determined by the aggregate and individual time of tuition to the said children so educated during the Masonic year just then closed. The report was adopted and then to settle the matter it was Resolved, That all moneys collected from subor- dinate lodges and non-affiliated Masons within their jurisdiction for educational purposes be returned to said subordinate lodges, and by them appropriated to purposes of education within their respective jurisdic- tions. Which proceedings practically ended all further consideration of the project. It will be perceived that while the item of support or maintenance was involved in the project, yet the essence of the proposi- tion was educational. The proposed insti- tution was not so much a " Home " for in- digent orphans as a school or college for their education; and in almost all presenta- tions of the subject the benefits of the pro- posed institution were to be shared by those who might be willing to pay for same. This was a favorite topic in Masonic circles dur- ing the '403. At that time the educational systems of the states were in their infancy. The " free school " was in many localities unknown; in others it existed only in a crude 48 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. and undeveloped state, and private institu- tions furnished the greater part of the edu- cational facilities of the period. In 1841 the Grand Lodge of Missouri inaugurated the Masonic educational idea by the estab- lishment of a college at the city of Lexing- ton in that state. Other Grand Lodges, following the lead thus set, organized col- leges within their respective jurisdictions; and by the year 1850 there were at least six such institutions in actual operation. At the time we are now considering, the Mis- souri College was in a highly prosperous condition, and its effect upon the Craft of Illinois was quite marked. But that the Grand Lodge acted wisely in declining to entej upon the project has been abundantly demonstrated by the sub- sequent experience of all the Masonic col- leges established at or about this time. The proper management of a college presents too many complications for a body like a Grand Lodge to successfully meet and ad- just, and the consequence has been that all of these institutions have either ceased to exist or passed from Grand Lodge control. Bro. WILLIAM C. HOBBS was elected Grand Master, and Shawneetown was se- lected as the place for holding the next an- nual communication. The Masonic student and bibliophilist seeks in vain for the original printed pro- ceedings of the Grand Lodge for 1849. They do not exist. On the loth day of February, 1850, a fire occurred at the city of Peoria which destroyed the office of the Grand Secretary, and all of the books, papers and records of the Grand Lodge, including the manuscript copy of the pro- ceedings of the annual communication of 1849. To remedy this loss as far as possi- ble the Grand Master convened the Grand Lodge at the city of Springfield, on April 8, 1850, for the purpose of collecting and re- establishing, so far as practicable, the minutes, enactments and records thus de- stroyed. At this communication a com- mittee on Restoration of Records reported back to Grand Lodge a statement purport- ing to be the records and proceedings of the October session of 1849, so far as the committee could, with any degree of cer- tainty, arrive at same which said report was adopted. The year 1849, like its immediate pred- ecessor, was a period of great Masonic ac- tivity. Sixteen dispensations were issued for the formation of new lodges, two of which, however, were for "traveling lodges " in the Territory of California. The recent gold discoveries on the Pacific coast had produced a large exodus from Illinois, and among the "argonauts " were many of the ancient Craft. They desired, amid the hardships and privations of pioneer life, to feel the sympathetic bond of fraternity the "mystic tie" that united them to their brethren in their old home, and the Grand Master, disregarding conventional usage as well as positive law, issued to them dispensations for lodges of indeterminate location, to continue in force until the re- turn of the respective Masters named therein, unless sooner revoked by Grand Lodge. The restored records of 1 849 do not show that any action was had with respect to COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 49 these nomadic lodges, nor do their names appear among the list of lodges U. D. in published returns of 1850. The Grand Lodge had now been in suc- cessful operation for ten years. The six lodges which participated in its organiza- tion had expanded to seventy-four, and the ninety-seven members shown by the first returns had increased to several thousands (exact figures are wanting). 1850. EMERGENT COMMUNICATION. The Grand Lodge signalized the opening of the second decade of its existence by two communications. The first was a spe- cial or emergent communication held at the city of Springfield on April 8, 1850, pursu- ant to a proclamation of the Grand Master (Bro. WM. C. HOBBS) for the purpose of restoring and establishing the records of the annual communication of 1849. These records, as has been shown, were destroyed by fire on the loth day of February of this year, together with all the books and papers of Grand Lodge. The meeting was fairly attended, and in addition to restoring the records, which formed the primary object of the assembly, considerable business was transacted, including the settlement of the then much mooted question of the estab- lishment of a General Grand Lodge for the United States. The project for a general supervisory power in Masonry had been agitated for many years. As early as 1780 a conven- tion held at Morristown, N. J., had declared in its favor and in succeeding years renewed efforts had from time to time been made to secure a realization of the project. After a period of dormancy the subject was again presented to the Craft by the Grand Lodge of Maryland, which, at its semi-annual com- munication in May, 1845, issued a request to the Grand Lodges of the country to send delegates to a convention to be held at Baltimore on September 27, 1847, for the purpose of framing a Constitution for a Gen- eral Grand Lodge. The matter was submitted to Grand Lodge, by its correspondence committee, at its annual session of 1845, and so favorably was it received that the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That this Grand Lodge approves of the formation of a General Grand Lodge, and invites the co-operation of her sister Grand Lodges, by the ap- pointment of delegates to meet in convention for the purpose of reporting to the various Grand Lodges, a constitution for the government of a General Grand Lodge, so soon as the same may be approved by a majority of the Grand Lodges; and that all former resolutions regarding any convention or conventions of Masons be and the same are hereby repealed. But no delegates were appointed under this resolution, and while the convention met at the time and place designated Illi- nois was not represented. At the annual communication of 1846 the matter does not seem to have been alluded to and received only passing mention in the report of the correspondence committee at the commun- ication of 1847. At the session of 1848, however, the project was again taken up by the correspondence committee, who warmly advocated the measure and urged Grand Lodge to take some action in respect to same. In response thereto the following resolution was offered: Resolved, That this Grand Lodge approve of and accept the Constitution adopted by the convention 50 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. which assembled at Baltimore in September, 1847, for the formation of a Supreme Grand Lodge. By request of the mover (Bro. S. H. DAVIS) the resolution was laid on the table until the next day, but he being called sud- denly away next morning, no further action was had on the same at this session. The restored records of 1 849 do not dis- close any references to the subject, and thus matter stood at the opening of the emer- gent communication of April, 1850. Among the objects contemplated for action at this session, as set forth in the summons convening the Grand Lodge, was: 4th. To take such action as you may determine in relation to the organization of a General Grand Lodge for the United States of North America. It would seem that the subject had been freely canvassed among the brethren and that a wide diversity of opinion was preva- lent. The committee to whom the matter had been referred, through its chairman, Bro. WM. B. WARREN, reported as follows: The committee on the General Grand Lodge beg leave to make the following report and recommend its adoption: It is the opinion of your committee that the organ- ization of a General Grand Lodge is the surest and best means for the attainment of that unity, uniformity, and brotherly feeling which has heretofore and should always characterize the Masonic family; there- fore, be it Resolved, That this Grand Lodge approve the principle and will cordially co-operate with her sister Grand Lodges, in the formation of a General Grand Lodge; also, Resolved, That the M. W. G. Master be appointed a delegate to attend the convention for the organization of said General Grand Lodge, or appoint a proxy to do so. But Grand Lodge was not prepared to surrender its sovereignty or become reduced to a mere provincial assembly. The reso- lutions met with strenuous opposition and as a compromise measure Bro. J. V. Z. BLANEY moved the following: Resolved, That the Grand Lodge approve of, and are willing to take part in, a convention composed of delegates from the Grand Lodges of the several States of the United States, to take into consideration the ex- pediency of the formation of a General Grand Lodge for the United States, and to frame a Constitution and By-Laws tor such Grand Lodge; provided, that this Grand Lodge shall not be committed to anything which shall bring it under jurisdiction of such General Grand Body until action can be had upon the proceedings of such convention, and only then by a vote of the Grand Lodge, submitting itself to such jurisdiction. But Grand Lodge was not prepared for this measure, and after much discussion and other dilatory motions, Bro. Z. P. CABANIS offered the following: Resrlved, That the Grand Lodge take no further action at this time in relation to the formation of a Supreme General Grand Lodge of the United States. Which was carried, 21 voting for the motion and 1 5 against it. The restoration of the records of 1849 formed the only other business of impor- tance transacted. The occasion seems to have partaken some of a festal character; the Governor and other officers of State were invited to attend; the Masonic bodies of Springfield tendered a dinner; a proces- sion was had through the main street; a public address was delivered by Bro. JAMES MATHENY, and Grand Lodge closed ' ' in due form and harmony." This communication has been frequently alluded to as the "Grand Lodge of Recovery." COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 51 1850. ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. The eleventh annual communication was held at Shawneetown, October 7, 1850, with M. \V. WILLIAM C. HOBBS presiding. The business of the session was mainly routine and of temporary interest only. By resolution the Grand Master was authorized to divide the State into three districts and ap- point a Grand Lecturer for each; Lecturers were further to hold conferences and ' ' agree upon the work and lectures. " But evidently the educational movement was not to stop here, for it was further Resolved, That a Committee of Instruction, to con- sist of five, be appointed at each Grand Communica- tion of this Grand Lodge, simultaneously with the Standing Committees whose duty shall be to hold reg- ular meetings on each day of the said session, during such hours as may be established by the Grand Lodge to rehearse and teach the work and lecturers of the three degrees, under the jurisdiction of this body. The Grand Lecturer or Grand Lecturers, if any, shall be ex-offico members of this committee. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge shall arrange its own sittings at each session in such a manner as not to conflict with the hours appointed for the sittings of the Committee of Instruction. The question of location had, from the start, been warmly debated in Grand Lodge. At nearly every session some particular lo- cality had urged its claims as a suitable place for permanent location, but thus far no site had been selected. At this session the matter came up under a resolution offered at the last communication, and, finally, after six ballots had been taken, the city of Springfield received a majority of the votes, and was chosen as the place at which all future communications should be held. At the election for officers Bro. C. G. Y. TAYLOR, of Belleville, was chosen Grand Master. He was duly installed and entered upon the discharge of the duties of the office, but died prior to the reassembling of Grand Lodge. * * * The year 1850 seems to have been even more prosperous than its predecessors. The only adverse incident was the destruction of the records in the early part of the year, a circumstance that the Masonic student of to-day must deeply deplore. Eighteen new lodges were instituted by dispensation and at the time of the annual communication ninety-six working lodges acknowledged the authority of the Grand Lodge. 1851. The twelfth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held at Springfield Oct. 6, 1851. C. G. Y. TAYLOR, elected Grand Master at the last session, having died dur- ing the recess, the East was occupied by THOS. J. PICKETT. The subject of a General Grand Lodge again came up, but was postponed until the following year. However, the project was dead and received no further consideration. The attendance at Grand Lodge had visibly improved with each succeeding year, and at this session thirty-five lodges were represented. It was felt, however, that some measures should be employed to se- cure a larger attendance and more direct representation from the constituent lodges. The lodges in the vicinity of the location of Grand Lodge usually were well represented, while those lying remote therefrom were frequently unable or unwilling to bear the 52 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. expense of a delegate. These conditions led to the passage of the following: Resolved, That a special committee of five be ap- pointed to take into consideration the subject of a Grand Representative Fund, and that said committee report at this session upon the expediency or inexpe- diency of its establishment by this Grand Lodge; and, if in their opinion it be expedient, to report a plan in detail for its establishment. The committee was appointed and after consultation duly reported the following recommendations : That the Grand Officers, and one recognized rep- resentative from each Lodge under this jurisdiction, be allowed five cents per mile, going and returning, for every mile necessarily traveled from his place of residence, and one dollar per day for each day's act- ual attendance at the Grand Lodge. That a committee on mileage and per-diem be ap- pointed at each session of the Grand Lodge, whose duty it shall be to ascertain the distance necessarily traveled by each officer and representative entitled to mileage and per-diem, and report the same to the Grand Lodge. That the Grand Secretary be authorized to draw on the Grand Treasurer in favor of the officers of the Grand Lodge, and representatives aforesaid, entitled to the same, for the amount of their mileage and per-diem. Upon a call of the lodges the recom- mendations were adopted, and from this time on we hear no complaints about slim attendance. This session also witnessed a revival of the "color" question. It will be remem- bered that in 1845 the jurisdiction became convulsed over the alleged acts of the then Grand Master and the Chicago lodges, respecting the Masonic status of negroes. It would seem that the " Chicago lodges," or certain of them, had again become derelict in this particular, and the matter came before the Grand Lodge for action. The subject was referred to a committee, which found that A mulatto, or negro, hailing from Cincinnati, ap- plied for admission into Oriental Lodge, No. 33. He presented certificates of his having visited lodges in Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin and Ohio, and a copy of the constitution and by-laws of his lodge, enclosed with the constitution and by-laws, representing them as deriving their authority from the North American Grand Lodge. The Master of Oriental Lodge appointed a com- mittee to examine the applicant, and after such exam- ination he was admitted as a visitor into said lodge. By resolution in 1846 Grand Lodge had placed itself on record as "unqualifiedly opposed " to the admission of negroes or mulattoes into lodges under its jurisdiction. As this "expression of opinion" was not mandatory in form, it was not altogether clear that Oriental Lodge had been guilty of a positive act of disobedience; but that no further doubt upon the question might remain, Grand Lodge adopted the following: Resolved, That all subordinate lodges under this jurisdiction be instructed to admit no negro or mulatto as visitor or otherwise, under any circumstances what- ever. Resolved, That if any lodge under this jurisdiction hereafter violate this expressed will of this Grand Lodge, it shall be the duty of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of this State at once to arrest their charter. This remained a standing resolution for several years, and was then incorporated into the by-laws. A number of efforts were at different times made to repeal it, but it was not until 1870 that this was finally ac- complished, and then only by a close vote and upon a stubborn contest. That the sentiment is still held by a large majority of the Craft is beyond doubt, and many who voted for the repeal did so only because of The old State House at Springfield, in which many of the earlier communications of Grand Lodge were held. (From a photograph in the collection of ALBERT T. HF.Y, Esq., Springfield.) LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HUNOtS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 55 the apparent incongruity of the law when compared with fundamental precepts. Dur- ing the existence of the law it was strictly obeyed by all the lodges of the jurisdiction, and even since its repeal there have been no cases known to the writer where the ob- noxious race has been admitted. Public sentiment, however, has undergone a marked change since 1851. Political and social con- ditions have materially altered, and the ne- gro, no longer a slave, has been accorded the same status of citizenship as was then held by the white man. As our laws now stand, there is no discrimination with re- spect to race or color. The applicant must undergo the test of the ballot; if he passes he may be received regardless of the hue of his complexion or color of his skin. If he applies as a visitor, and produces proper avouchment, he may be admitted. Any person declining to sit with him, and hav- ing the right to object, may still exclude him by objection; but all of these matters apply with the same force to all classes and conditions of men. The World's Fair brought to Chicago a cosmopolitan aggregation of Masons, many of whom wore a dark skin. These, how- ever, were mainly from the far East, and, though the majority of these brethren ap- peared somewhat "tanned," they claimed a common descent as members of the old Indu-Aryan race. In the year 1875 one DAVID KALAKAUA, being on a visit to the city of Chicago, was admitted to Oriental Lodge as a visitor, witnessed the work, and enjoyed Masonic intercourse with the brethren. Bro. KALA- KAUA, for it seems he was fully entitled to this appellation, was not a Caucasian, but he was the king of a semi-civilized tribe inhab- iting certain islands in the Pacific Ocean. Possibly the fact that he was a king may have contributed to the cordiality of his re- ception, and possibly if instead of the king one of his swarthy subjects had presented himself the old edict, notwithstanding its repeal, might have been found to be an in- superable obstacle to his admission. Then, too, KALAKAUA was not, strictly speaking, a "negro," and Grand Lodge did not legis- late against " persons of color." Lodges were forbidden to employ trav- eling lecturers, or to permit such persons to lecture, while to secure uniformity of work a committee of three was appointed "to devise some system of general instruction." THOMAS J. PICKETT was elected Grand Master, and the installation, as usual, was in public. 1852. Grand Lodge met in annual communica- tion at Springfield on October 4, 1852, M. W. THOMAS J. PICKETT presiding. During the decade immediately preced- ing Grand Lodge had been gradually per- fecting the details of organization. The crude methods of its early years were con- stantly being supplanted by improved de- vices looking toward economy of time and a more orderly and systematic disposition of business. With its growth came a corre- sponding increase in the matters presented for consideration, and as a result the demo- cratic simplicity which marked the earlier communications was giving way to modern legislative precedents. Standing commit- tees were now doing much of the work which formerly occupied the attention of the whole body, yet, up to this year, all questions concerning the laws, rules and regulations were deliberated upon in open 56 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. session. At this communication a Com- mittee on Masonic Jurisprudence was added to the list and Bros. WM. C. HOBBS, JOHN D. CATON and J. V. Z. BLANEY, became the first committee. It has always been a source of just pride on the part of the Craft that so illustrious a personage as GEORGE WASHINGTON should have shared the common name and assumed the common vows. Hence, it is but nat- ural that every event connected with his Masonic life should possess an interesting significance. And Grand Lodge was not in- sensible to this feeling; for it was Resolved, That this Grand Lodge recommend to all subordinate lodges under its jurisdiction that they celebrate in an appropriate manner, on the 4th day of November, 1852, the ONE HUNDREDTH Anni- versary of the reception of the illustrious WASH- INGTON into the Masonic Fraternity. As to how generally this recommenda- tion was observed or followed by the con- stituent lodges the historian cannot say. The election resulted in the choice of Bro. ELI B. AMES for Grand Master, who, as on previous occasions, was publicly in- stalled, the ceremony being conducted in the Hall of Representatives, "which was brilliantly lighted for the occasion. " The general subject of a " Library" has at different times been discussed in all of the governing bodies of the State, and a number of abortive efforts have been made with this end in view. In many jurisdic- tions magnificent collections have been made which now stand as monuments to the men whose zeal inspired and whose labor accom- plished the undertaking. But with the ex- ception of the "Acacia Library," to be hereafter noticed, Illinois is entirely desti- tute in this particular. However, in 1852 this seems to have been a live topic, and on motion of Bro. HOBBS it was Resolved, That the sum of thirty dollars be appro- priated, to be used by the Grand Master and Grand Secretary in the purchase of standard Masonic works for the use of the Grand Master and the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence, and to form the commence- ment of a Masonic Library. This was the beginning of what at one time bade fair to be an important and valu- able library of Masonic literature. Under the energetic efforts of the Grand Secretary, Bro. HARMAN G. REYNOLDS, the matter was kept before Grand Lodge, as will be seen, and had not untoward circumstances inter- vened, the jurisdiction of Illinois, like that of Iowa and several other States, might to-day be the proud possessor of a priceless collection of Masonic books. 1853- The fourteenth annual communication was held at Springfield October 3, 1853, M. W. ELI B. AMES presiding. There were at this time one hundred and eleven lodges on the roll, of which number eighty-six were represented in Grand Lodge. At the time of its organization Grand Lodge provided for a " Grand Charity Fund " to be raised by a small per-capita tax upon the members of all lodges, and in this man- ner a considerable amount was realized, some portion of which was devoted to char- itable purposes. But with an increased assessment to pay for " mileage and per- diem " this was felt to be burdensome, and the tax (five cents) was repealed. The charity fund then amounted to $2,275.65. Of this sum $1,000 was transferred to gen- eral account ' ' for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the ensuing year," and after this inroad the "Grand Charity Fund" COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 57 melts away and soon disappears from the financial economy of Grand Lodge. The following extract from the record is instructive, as showing a further new use for " charity funds " as well as an explana- tion of the apparent evaporation of this item on the Grand Lodge ledger: "R. W. Bro. E. HIBBARD offered the following for adoption: WHEREAS, It has been represented to this Grand Lodge that there is a large unproductive surplus fund in this Grand Lodge, known as the Grand Charity Fund; and WHEREAS, It has been represented to this body that the brethren of Springfield, as a joint stock com- pany, are now erecting a large and commodious build- ing, to be composed of store-rooms, a large concert hall, and Masonic hall, of sufficient size to accommo- date this Grand Lodge; and WHEREAS, In the opinion of this Grand Lodge it would be a safe and profitable investment of said fund; therefore be it Resolved, That this Grand Lodge subscribe to twenty shares in said joint stock company the price of each share being twenty-five dollars amounting in all to five hundred dollars. Resolved, That the interest of this fund shall be appropriated annually to the purchase of a Masonic Library for the use of this Grand Lodge. " W. Bro. STEBBINS moved to amend the first resolution by adding: Protded, This proposition meets the concurrence of a majority of the subordinate lodges. "Bro. WILSON moved to amend the amendment by inserting before it: And, also, that this Grand Lodge will subscribe to twenty shares in the Masonic Temple at Chicago. "On motion of Bro. BLAKESLEY, the amendments were laid on the table. " W. Bro. STEBBINS moved to lay the preamble and resolutions on the table, which was decided in the negative. " W. Bro. KINMAN offered the following as a substitute for the preamble and reso- lutions: Resolved, That the Grand Treasurer be authorized to lend the money known as the Grand Charity Fund upon good security. "W. Bro. PAYNE moved to amend the substitute by adding: And that the proceeds be paid into the Grand Lodge Fund. " On motion, the substitute and amend- ments thereto were laid on the table. " R. W. Bro. Grand Junior Warden offered the following as a substitute: Resolved, That the Grand Charity Fund be dis- solved, and that the amount on hand be distributed among the lodges subordinate to the Grand Lodge, for charitable purposes. "Which was laid on the table. " On motion of W. Bro. WOOLSTEIN, Ordered, That the main question be now put. "The question was then taken by yeas and nays, and resulted as follows: Yeas 132. Nays 75. ' ' So the question was decided in the af- firmative. " The library question was further dis- cussed and on motion of Bro. HOBBS it was Resolved, That it is imperatively necessary that this Grand Lodge should have a Library, and that the Grand Master and Grand Secretary be authorized to purchase for the immediate use of this Grand Lodge, the best printed authorities on Masonic Law and Usage; and further, that one hundred dollars be ap- propriated for that purpose. WILLIAM B. WARREN was chosen Grand Master. 1854. The fifteenth annual communication was held in the "New Masonic Hall " at Spring- field, October 2, 1854, Bro. JAMES L. AN- 58 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. DERSON, D. G. M., presiding. Bro. WILL- IAM B. WARREN, G. M. , was detained at his home by illness and did not attend this ses- sion. The transactions were of a routine char- acter and of temporary interest only. JAMES L. ANDERSON was elected Grand Master. During this year occurred the deaths of two of the Past Grand Masters, ALEXANDER DUNLAP and NELSON D. MORSE. Bro. DUN- LAP was one of the originators of Grand Lodge. It was in his room at Jacksonville, and in his presence, that the first written documents looking toward the organization of Grand Lodge were framed, and it was practically through the efforts of himself and Bro. WARREN that the convention for organization was brought about. Bro. DUNLAP departed this life at Jack- sonville on the loth of November, 1853, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. He was born in Eayette County, Kentucky. In the war of 1812 he volunteered as a private, and was taken prisoner at Dudley's defeat, in which battle he distinguished himself in protecting the wounded from the scalping knife of the savage, and would have paid the^ penalty with his own life if he had not been recognized as a Mason by the British officer. He was afterward in the battle of the Thames, and for honorable conduct on that occasion was made Captain in the United States Army. He served through the Creek war, and for some time was a member of Gen. JACKSON'S military family. He was present and saw the execution of ARBUTHNOT and AMBRISTER. He was appointed Major in the United States Army by President Polk; served with Gen. SCOTT in Mexico, and was present and assisted in the reducing of Vera Cruz; and was in several other engagements during the war. As early as the year 1841 he removed to Jacksonville, and was elected Sheriff of Morgan County on several occasions. At the organization of the Grand Lodge he was elected Grand Treasurer; at the subsequent session of 1840 and 1841 he was elected Grand Senior Warden; in 1842 he was elected Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Master in 1843. Bro. N. D. MORSE was a very devoted Mason. He made his first appearance in Grand Lodge as Master of Hiram Lodge, U. D., in 1844; and as Bro. DUNLAP left the Grand Master's chair Bro. MORSE was inducted into the office of Junior Grand War- den. In 1845 he was elected Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Master in 1846. He was not only a devoted Mason, but an ex- ceedingly intelligent and able one, a good man, and for fourteen years his chair in the councils of the fraternity was seldom va- cant. 1855. Sixteenth annual communication at Springfield, Oct. i, 1855, M. W. JAMES L. ANDERSON presiding. One hundred and forty-six lodges were at this time under charter, with thirty more under dispensa- tion, making an aggregate of one hundred and seventy-six lodges under the jurisdiction of Grand Lodge. A number of donations to the library were received, which resulted in the ap- pointment of a Library Committee and a Librarian. The Chicago Lodges invited Grand Lodge to hold the next annual communication "in :OMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 59 the new Masonic Temple" at that city. The invitation was declined. Bro. WILLIAM B. HERRICK was elected Grand Master. Proceedings routine. 1856. Seventeenth annual communication at Springfield, Oct. 6, 1856, M. W. WILLIAM B. HERRICK, presiding. Since 1854 the sessions had been held in the "new Masonic Hall," at which place the present assembly convened. This year witnessed the last of the "Grand Charity Fund," for on motion of Bro. BUCK it was Resolved, That the Grand Charity Fund and Grand Representative Fund be merged in the Grand Lodge Fund, and that all orders be drawn upon the Grand Lodge Fund. Transactions routine and of temporary interest only. Bro. JAMES H. HIBBARD was elected Grand Master. 1857. Eighteenth annual communication at Springfield, October 6, 1857, M. W. JAMES H. HIBBARD presiding. By resolution the Grand Secretary was instructed to open correspondence with the commission established at Paris by the Uni- versal Masonic Congress and solicit an ex- change of proceedings; "side degrees" were declared ' ' pernicious in their general effect, " and the conferring of same in lodge rooms was prohibited. Subordinate lodges punish- ing by reprimand, suspension or expulsion any member who should be found guilty of the "inordinate use of intoxicating drinks, great profanity, gambling or quarreling" were assured of the support of the Grand Lodge. Bro. HARRISON DILLS was elected Grand Master, and, contrary to usual custom, was privately installed. * * * On the mortuary roll this year appears the name of WM. A. DICKEY, for many years the standard authority of the esoteric ritual in all of the Masonic bodies of the jurisdiction. Bro. DICKEY at one time held the position of Junior Grand W'arden, but it was to his ritualistic knowledge that he owed his fame. Unfortunately Grand Lodge paid but little attention to obituary matters during its earlier years, and has therefore failed to preserve any biographical data re- specting either the life or Masonic labors of this estimable man. Among other deaths was that of Bro. Z. P. CABANIS, who, though never an offi- cer, was an active and zealous laborer in Grand Lodge. 1858. Nineteenth annual communication was held at Springfield, October 5, 1858, M. W. HARRISON DILLS presiding. Grand Lodge, at this session, endorsed the effort "now being made by the ladies and Free Masons of the United States to purchase the last resting place of our be- loved WASHINGTON, as a noble measure alike due to his patriotic services and his Masonic virtues, " and appropriated one hun- dred dollars to the cause. It further placed itself on record as being ' ' utterly opposed to all attempts to abridge or limit the right- ful powers and privileges of the American Grand Lodges, and to all schemes to divest them of any part of their sovereignty by creating any permanent national organiza- tion;" but, as a conference of delegates had been proposed by the Grand Lodge of Maine 60 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. to be held in Chicago the following year, and as several Grand Lodges had responded in a fraternal manner, it was further Resolved, That the six highest Grand officers in this State be appointed delegates to said conference, with strict instructions to oppose any National Masonic organization, and with like instructions not to commit this Grand Lodge to any such undertaking until ex- pressly authorized to do so. An effort was also made looking to the appointment of a historian to collect and arrange the material for a ' ' complete his- tory of Masonry in the Territory and State from the organization of the first Lodge therein. " This action led to the subsequent appointment of JOHN C. REYNOLDS to per- form the work. Bro. REYNOLDS produced a volume of much merit, but unfortunately confined his labors mainly to an abstract of the meager record of the proceedings of Grand Lodge and a few of its constituents. Much valuable matter relating to early days, which lay wholly in tradition, was therefore disregarded, and, as the persons from whom this information might have been obtained have long since passed away, it is doubtful whether all of the salient features of our early history will ever become known. A committee of " five brethren, of in- fluence and standing among railroad men," was appointed to secure reduced rates of fare. This was the commencement of the present committee on transportation. By this time Grand Lodge had com- menced to have ambitions. Two hundred and eighty-three lodges, with an aggregate membership of ten thousand, brought it ample revenue, while the rapid increase of population in the State presaged well for future extensions. Already the hall at Springfield had become insufficient for pres- ent needs and incapable of holding the num- ber of representatives which annually as- sembled, with any degree of convenience. Hence it was thought by many that Grand Lodge should provide itself with a suitable and permanent home. The suggestions in this respect made by the Grand Master were favorably considered, and finally a com- IRA A. W. BUCK, Seventeenth Grand Master of Masons of Illinois. (From a lithograph by Shober in the collection of the Editor.) mittee was appointed to confer with a like committee from the Grand Chapter, and with instructions to report upon the pro- priety of purchasing a lot and erecting a temple, and to prepare and submit plans for the same. The Grand Lodge, at this COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 61 writing, is five times as strong, numeri- cally, as it was in 1858, but it still meets in rented rooms and the " permanent home " is still among the hopes and aspirations for the future. IRA A. W. BUCK was elected Grand Master. 1859. The twentieth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held at Springfield, Octo- ber 4, 1859, M. W. IRA A. W. BUCK pre- siding. The business of the session was of a strictly routine character and of temporary interest only. Bro. BUCK was re-elected Grand Master. i860. The twenty-first annual communication of Grand Lodge was held, pursuant to the by-laws, at "Grand Lodge Hall," in the city of Springfield, October 2, 1860, M. W. IRA A. W. BUCK presiding. The principal event of this session was the adoption of the ' ' representative sys- tem. " This system, which has now been in operation in this jurisdiction for thirty- seven years, was inaugurated by the Grand Lodge of New York some time during the " forties, " and at once became popular. It was first brought to the attention of Grand Lodge by JAMES L. ANDERSON, G. M., at the session of 1855, and was by him recom- mended for favorable consideration; but no action was taken. In 1859 Bro. BUCK again presented the matter, but with like results. At this session Bro. BUCK renewed his for- mer recommendation and urged Grand Lodge to take official cognizance of the subject. The result was a concurrence in the recom- mendation by the committee to whom same had been referred, and the passage of the following: Resolved, That the M. \V. Grand Master be and is hereby authorized and empowered for and in behalf of this Grand Lodge to appoint a representative to each sister Grand Lodge, from such of the distinguished lights in Masonry as he may select from the member- ship of the jurisdiction to which they may be accred- ited, as the representative of this Grand Lodge. The practice has since been uniformly followed in this jurisdiction. Of late years the subject has frequently engaged the at- tention of Masonic writers, and the question of the abolition of the custom has been seriously considered. The general impres- sion seems to be that, aside from the sim- ple expression of amity involved in the ap- pointment, the practice is conducive to no useful end and fulfills no practical purpose. Among the visitors at this session was Bro. ROBERT MORRIS, of Kentucky. Brc. MORRIS at this time was actively engaged in the promulgation of what was termed the "Webb-Preston" system of lectures. A motion to grant him the use of the Grand Lodge hall for an exposition of same failed to pass, but the subject was not suffered to drop, and during the years immediately en- suing it became a burning question in this jurisdiction. Heretofore all committees had met dur- ing the session, but with the increase in membership had come a corresponding in- crease in the work sent to committees. To meet these changed conditions the standing committees were now authorized to sit in advance of the annual communication, and this practice has ever since been retained. Bro. BUCK was re-elected Grand Master. 1861. Annual communication at Springfield, October i, 1861, M. W. IRA A. W. BUCK presiding. Since the last session of Grand Lodge 62 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. the country had become convulsed by the throes of civil war. In many jurisdictions " the situation " was the subject of much discussion, and often legislation, but in Illi- nois it was felt that the matter had assumed too vast proportions to warrant any inter- ference on the part of the fraternity. The records disclose but slight reference to the then all-absorbing questions of the day, nor do the memorials and other communica- tions respecting same, sent out by some of the Grand Lodges, seem to have been pre- sented or considered. The effect of the war is plainly visible in the small number of dispensations for new lodges, while its existence is further manifest by a dispensation for a ' ' military lodge, " to be named ' ' Dubois. " This lodge, the first of its kind to be created, was con- fined to the jurisdiction of the Seventh Regi- ment Illinois Volunteers. The dispensation was issued to Lieut. E. W. TRUE and oth- ers, to expire at the disbanding of the Regi- ment. During the year a secret and systematic effort was made throughout the jurisdiction to secure the representatives to Grand Lodge through the operation of a society known as the " Conservators' Association," the object being to supplant the old work, which, with slight variations, had been the standard from 1 846, by a new system of lectures de- vised by ROB. MORRIS, and promulgated under the name "Webb-Preston." The matter came before Grand Lodge at this session, but, as the full extent of the move- ment was not then known, nothing more was done than to pass a precautionary meas- ure, giving the Grand Master plenary pow- ers with respect to the appointment of Grand Lecturers and the supervision of their labors. F. M. BLAIR, of Paris, was elected Grand Master. * * * Among the distinguished dead of the year was WILLIAM C. HOBBS. He attended Grand Lodge at the session of 1 847 and was appointed Senior Grand Deacon, although he had then been raised but a few months. The year following he was Senior Deacon of his lodge (Bloomington No. 43), and represented it in Grand Lodge when he was elected Junior Grand Warden. In 1849 he became Master of his lodge and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. It is safe to say that his case is without a parallel in this jurisdiction and probably in all others. During his term of office occurred the dis- astrous Peoria fire, which resulted in the emergent communication (Grand Lodge of Recovery) in April, 1850. Bro. HOBBS was the only Grand Master who ever exercised the prerogative of calling Grand Lodge in special or emergent communication. He has been described as a polished gentle- man, whose hand and heart was ever open to the appeal of the distressed. A monu- ment was erected to his memory by Grand Lodge and the local bodies at Bloomington. This year also died Stephen A. Douglas, "The People's Tribune," an event that was duly noticed and commemorated by Grand Lodge. 1862. Annual communication at Springfield, Oct. 7, M. W. F. M. BLAIR presiding. The business of the session was mainly routine and of temporary interest only. The Grand Master reported the issuance of dis- pensations for four military lodges, to be located in the Ninth and Sixtieth (Inf.) Regi- ments, the Sixth Cavalry and Second Artil- ery, respectively. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS I;-'- MASONIC WAR CERTIFICATE. fo nil fvtt anil ^in-pled 'ittnocnri to ifhotu thi f . m;ui come. \\ i -i !:". ;> :--i VI. CiKKICTi: ' '//, , . -^Mfc. < --W. ..*** ^ /y. .'r.ett, 'itii'rl i, j^f. < /Lt ^ rr C (iatfel 'H^fant/ a i, ' G7&-eJ s and u />a/fl>ial to the / lt, j//ni/tar/iii ttiir/ r/< K.I "in l/fij- / / / X / *j / . // '/ / / ret, < - ,', en ii-hatniM ito ">tVulir.n -at //(ace tlif fi-ititnt vt oajual- . . c/"' **, f; ' nufilatn K: / / / // / y- / ' rt>/'/ fir>i'f)n fftfvtt -i f !(>?.> aocolatftafu, n tifi Ji'.,, M* ZS /L HARM AN G. REYNOLDS, /fiaix Vtnt/til//. p Se Reduced fac-simiie of Masonic War Certificate issued to Illinois Masons serving in the army. (From the original in the collection of Gen. J. C. Smith, Chicago.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 65 It will be remembered that during the Mexican war, Grand Lodge, by resolution, sanctioned the creation of lodges of this character and at a later date had permitted the Grand Master to issue a warrant for a "traveling lodge" in California. There were, therefore, ample precedents for the action of the Grand Masters in this respect during the Civil war. In England this course had been pursued for many years, and still continues. In other American States the practice had also been followed to some extent, so that it would seem that Grand Lodge was at least justified in per- mitting the establishment of movable lodges attached to Illinois regiments in the service of the United States. But the results were eminently unsatisfactory. In many cases the military lodges greatly abused the priv- ileges granted and instead of confining their operations to the particular regiments to which they were attached, or, at most, to Illinois troops exclusively, they made Masons indiscriminately from soldiers and citizens of other States, both loyal and disloyal, with very little regard for the kind of material used. At the close of the war this led to unpleasant complications with the Grand Lodges of the other States; and it is safe to predict, in view of past experience, that no traveling lodge, to operate within a regular foreign jurisdiction, will ever be again insti- tuted under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. The question of "work "and "lectures" still continued to be a disturbing element, and the premonitions of a coming storm are faintly discernible in the transactions. The episode of the session was the re- nunciation by the persons composing same, of the "Conservators' Association." The list comprises the names of sixty-two of the most ardent Masons then within the juris- diction, not a few of whom have since be- come eminent in the councils of the Craft. But this was not sufficient to close the ques- tion of "work" and the events of the suc- ceeding year produced conditions which brought Grand Lodge nearer to a schism than it has ever been at any other period of its existence. F. M. BLAIR was re-elected Grand Master. 1863. The annual communication was held at Springfield, October 6, M. W. F. M. BLAIR presiding. Soon after the opening of hostilities in the Civil war the Grand Secretary, either upon his own motion or the suggestion of others, prepared and issued to Master Ma- sons of the obedience of the Grand Lodge and then serving in the army, a ' ' war cer- tificate," as a sort of traveling credential and Grand Lodge voucher of Masonic stand- ing. A similar certificate was also prepared and issued to the sons of Master Masons. In the latter case it was intended to limit them to such persons as were under age, or who had not been of age long enough to avail themselves of the benefits of Masonry. Of the value of these certificates the writer is unable to state. They never seem to have been formally sanctioned by Grand Lodge, but were issued by the Grand Secre- tary as late as 1865. From the report made to Grand Lodge at this session it would seem that 1,371 such certificates had been issued to Master Masons and 386 to Master Masons' sons. The year was one of turmoil and con- fusion in the jurisdiction. The Grand Mas- ter, though not a member ofjthe Conserva- tors' Association, seems nevertheless to have COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. become thoroughly imbued with its essential ideas, and, under the plenary authority con- ferred upon him the year before, had been propagating the "Morris work" with con- siderable zeal and assiduity. In justifica- tion the Grand Master contended that he was promulgating the true " Webb work, " taught by JOHN BARNEY, "as he originally received it," and before it had been cor- rupted by ' ' innovations attempted to be palmed off upon the Craft by the Baltimore convention. " Of the sincerity of the Grand Master there seems to have been no ques- tion, but inasmuch as the " Baltimore "work " had practically become a standard, ; or at least that version of it taught by BARNEY, JACKSON and DICKEY, his actions, of neces- sity, engendered strife and contention. His principal opponent was the Grand Secretary, HARMAN G. REYNOLDS, who, un- der the direction of Bro. ABRAHAM JONAS, and other of the Past Grand Masters, car- ried on a vigorous offensive and defensive warfare. Not only was this warfare carried on within the lines of Masonry, but appeals to the civil courts were made on both sides, as well as' an effort to procure the passage of a bill by. the Legislature restricting the powers of the Grand Master. A strong and, to some. extent bitter, party feeling was thus engendered; and when Grand Lodge met in annual communication each side was present in force prepared for a final struggle for supremacy. The result was a complete triumph for the Grand Secretary and those allied with him. THOMAS J. TURNER, the candidate of the " Baltimore-Barney-work " party, was elected Grand Master by a large majority, and the Grand Secretary was re-elected by a vote which completely vindicated his course. The ultimate result was the com- plete extinction of the Conservators' Asso- ciation and the establishment, by the authori- tative declaration of Grand Lodge, of the work as taught by BARNEY, LUCE, JACKSON and DICKEY as the standard rituals of the jurisdiction. 1864. Annual communication at Springfield, October 4, 1864, M. W. THOMAS J. TURNER presiding. The bitterness engendered by the incidents of preceding years seems to have been effaced and the utmost harmony marked the deliberations. The business was routine in character and of temporary interest only. The con- vening of lodges on the "Sabbath Day" (presumably Sunday was intended), except as "a Lodge of Sorrow," was prohibited. THOMAS J. TURNER was re-elected Grand Master. # * * On June 8, 1864, our worthy Brother ABRAHAM JONAS, the first Grand Master of Masons in Illinois (present regime), was called from earthly labors to everlasting re- freshment, aged nearly 63 years. Grand Lodge has preserved no adequate memorial of its first Grand Master, but it would seem that he received Masonic Light in Ohio; that he subsequently rose to distinction in Kentucky, of which jurisdiction he became Grand Master, and upon his removal to Illi- nois during the early '303 at once interested himself in the reintroduction of Masonry. Upon the organization of Grand Lodge he was unanimously chosen Grand Master and by successive re-elections continued to serve for three years. Until the time of his death he was an earnest, zealous and .faithful worker and upon all questions of Masonic policy or internal economy was always pro- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 67 nounced and fearless in the opinions which he considered right. In religion Bro. JONAS was a Jew, a faith he consistently observed all his life and in the full assurance of which he died. His amiable character, genial qualities and Ma- sonic virtues endeared him to the fraternity, and his sterling attributes as a citizen pro- cured for him the respect and esteem of the community. 1865. Annual communication at Springfield, October 3, 1865, M. W. THOMAS J. TURNER presiding. The Grand Master suggested that the time had arrived when Grand Lodge should ' ' take steps to found and establish a school fpr the educatioH of the children of deceased and indigent Masons, and an asylum for aged, decrepit and decayed Masons." It would seem that with a membership of more than twenty thousand, embracing much of the wealth and enterprise of the State, the Grand Master's plea for "one distinctively Masonic charitable institution " was well- timed; but the committee on Grand Mas- ter's address thought otherwise, and Grand Lodge concurred. Bro. TURNER passed to the " great beyond " with his wish ungrati- fied, but the sentiments he so nobly ex- pressed have lived among those who came after him. Illinois may point with pardon- able pride to more than "one distinctively Masonic charitable institution;" and not only is there an actual establishment for the " education of the children of deceased and indigent Masons," but the "asylum for aged, decrepit and decayed Masons " has passed the stage of theoretical discussion and is fast becoming a practical reality. The session was harmonious and un- eventful. The last relic of the "late un- pleasantness" was obliterated by the repeal of the resolutions of 1864 relative to the Conservators' Association. The most important action, perhaps, was the amending of the By-laws, whereby the location of the Grand Lodge was removed from Springfield to Chicago. H. P. H~ BROMWELL was elected Grand Master. The year 1865 marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Grand Lodge. During this brief interval the increase in numbers, wealth and influence is unprece- dented in the annals of Masonry. The tide of immigration had steadily flowed into the State; its broad prairies became fertile farms; populous cities arose at the junctions and termini of the avenues of commerce; manufactories flourished; and as the State became populous and great, Freemasonry, reflecting the best elements of civil society, advanced with giant strides. At the annual communication of this year there were four hundred and thirty-two lodges at work within the jurisdiction, with an aggregate membership of upward of twenty thousand. The days of large lodges had not yet arrived, however, and member- ship was more evenly distributed than at present. The Chicago lodges, then as now, excelled in point of numbers. Ori- ental (33) had 278 members, and for this reason led the van. Cleveland Lodge (211) had 266 members, while Kilwinning Lodge (311) had 2 1 6. These were the three strong- est lodges in the State. Peoria Lodge (15) followed with a total of 168; Alpha Lodge (155, Galesburg) 147; Macon Lodge (8, Decatur) 146, while nineteen other lodges had memberships varying at different totals below that last named down to 106, which 68 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. seems to have been the limit reached by Dewftt Lodge (84, Clinton). It would seem, therefore, that of the 432 lodges then exist- ing under charter or dispensation, only twen- ty-five had a membership exceeding one hundred, while the general average seems to have been forty-six. During this year two of the pillars of Illinois Masonry were removed by death. WM. B. WARREN, who virtually inspired the movement which led to the organization of Grand Lodge, expired at his home in Jacksonville in April, and JAMES L. ANDER- SON died on August 3Oth. Both had attained the highest honors of the Craft and served with distinction as Grand Master. So, too, many of the older names now are missed in the record of the annual communications. Age and disease were thinning the ranks of the veterans. On the other hand, we meet with names that subsequently became con- spicuous in the annals. D. C. CREGIER, JAMES A. HAWLEY, JOSEPH ROBBINS, JOHN M. PEARSON, and other "young men "were commencing to attest their strength and lay the foundations for future honors. A. W. BLAKESLEY, CHARLES FISHER, J. R. GORIN, and others still in the ranks, had for some time been active in the work, but the ma- jority of the names which figure in the an- nual sessions at the time under review be- long to men who have either retired, moved from the jurisdiction or passed into the beyond. 1866. The annual communication of 1866, pursuant to the By-laws, was held at the city of Chicago, October 2, 1866, M. W. H. P. H. BROMWELL presiding. Whether the air of the "Garden City" failed to agree with the representatives, or whether it was considered better economy to meet at Springfield, the writer is unable to state; but, at all events, one session in Chicago fully satisfied a majority of the members, and the By-laws were again changed by making Springfield the place of permanent location of Grand Lodge. The business of the session was wholly routine. Bro. J. R. GORIN was elected Grand Master. This year witnessed the decease of three distinguished craftsmen of the jurisdiction, MEREDITH HELM, WM. B. HERRECK and JAMES H. HIBBARD, all of whom had been honored by the highest office within the gift of the fraternity. 1867. Annual communication at Springfield, October i, 1867, M. W. JEROME R. GORIN presiding. With the growth of Grand Lodge the duties devolving upon the Grand Master had each year become more numerous and ex- acting. A partial relief had been afforded by the creation of a Board of Overseers in 1865, but this measure was now found to be inadequate to meet the wants of a large and continually increasing jurisdiction. As a result the system of Overseers was abolished and twelve District Deputy Grand Masters were provided to assist the Grand Master in the discharge of his duties. This system had then for some time been in vogue in several States, and had been found to answer the desired end. It was adopted in Illinois as a measure of expediency and was to con- tinue for one year only, but the good results which have attended its operation has caused it to be retained ever since. The question of "work" was again pre- sented and provision made for the appoint- ment of a committee to "revise" the work COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 69 and report such revision to Grand Lodge for approval. Masters and Wardens, while in Grand Lodge, were ordered to wear the jewels of their respective offices. A marked feature of the session was an effort at literary censorship on the part of Grand Lodge. During the year preceding a translation of REBOLD'S "General His- tory of Freemasonry in Europe " was placed upon the market. The book did not meet the approval of the Grand Secretary, Bro. H. G. REYNOLDS, who conceived for it a violent dislike. He therefore caused the matter to come before Grand Lodge, and the book was sent to the Correspondence Committee for review. At this session, the committee, through Bro. BROMWELL, pre- sented a special report condemning the work; whereupon the volume was declared to be heretical and placed upon the index expurgatorius. It is needless to say that the free advertising thus given largely in- creased its sales in this jurisdiction. The mirage of a Grand Lodge Hall again appeared before the vision of the represent- atives, resulting in many suggestions, and finally in the appointment of a committee to prepare a plan to be submitted at the next session. Grand Lodge still meets in rented rooms. Bro. J. R. GORIN was re-elected Grand Master. 1868. Annual communication at Springfield, Oct. 6, 1868, M. W. J. R. GORIN presiding. The business of the session was mainly routine. The committee on Grand Lodge Hall reported a plan of taxation for the pur- pose of providing the necessary funds for the project, and several amendments to the By-Laws were offered looking to that end. It would seem, however, that, despite the alluring enticement of a "Temple" the representatives were not prepared to assume any additional burdens this year, for the amendments were all rejected and the Hall project was laid on the table until the next annual communication. In the meantime a committee was appointed ' ' to take into con- sideration the most feasible method for the permanent location of Grand Lodge and for the erection of a Masonic Temple." The committee on "Esoteric and Ex- oteric Work " reported their inability to com- plete their labors, and were granted further time. From this it would seem that the "standard work" was subject to some al- teration and that the alleged vice of ritual "tinkering" is not altogether confined to the " superior grades ." Bro. H. G. REYNOLDS, who for eighteen years had filled the office of Secretary, de- clined further service as such officer, where- upon he was elected Grand Master. Prob- ably no man ever wielded more influence in a Grand Lodge than Bro. REYNOLDS. Dur- ing the entire period of his connection with the Freemasonry of Illinois his views, opin- ions, whims and caprices furnished the basis of much official action. He is, with- out exception, the most picturesque figure in the history of Grand Lodge; and the im- partial observer, notwithstanding his vaga- ries and many idiosyncrasies, must concede his great ability. He was an untiring worker, with strong combative tendencies, and in the many encounters which he sus- tained he seldom failed to secure the victory. 1869. The twenty-ninth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held in the Hall of the House of Representatives, at Springfield, 70 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. October 5, 1869, M. W. HARMAN G. REY- NOLDS presiding. The address of the Grand Master is an able yet characteristic document, more vol- uminous than any produced by his prede- cessors, and more prolix in statement. He HARMAX G. REYNOLDS, Twenty-second Grand Master of Masons of Illinois. (From a photograph in the collection of ALBERT T. HEY, Esq., Springfield.) reports having made "more than one thou- sand decisions, interdicts, decrees and or- ders," and appends thirty-two sample de- cisions. Among others we find the follow- ing: "A Master-elect cannot be lawfully installed until he is invested with the secrets of the chair." To the young Mason of to-day this sounds decidedly archaic, yet as a matter of fact it continued to be the settled practice of Illi- nois until within verv recent years, and in the first book of ceremonials a provision for same will be found. An interesting question is raised by a par- agraph of the address relative to work and lectures. The Grand Master, after referring to the introduction of the Barney lectures in 1845, and their subsequent transmission to WM. A. DICKEY, says: " I learned the entire lectures from Bro. DICKEY, in 1848, at Rock Island. In January, 1863, the Grand Lodge of Michigan appointed a committee on work, before whom, in April following, by invitation from them, I compared the entire work and lectures, in- cluding the opening and closing ceremonies, and they were found to be identical with those taught to Bro. FENTON. In 1865 I visited the Grand Lodge of Wis- consin, and in open session compared the lectures with Bro. M. L. YOUNGS, Grand Lecturer, and they were found to be identical, ' All of which tends to lend color to the state- ment so often made by many of the older Masons that the work of Illinois has not been transmitted as it was received. The writer has visited Masonic lodges in Wis- consin on many occasions during the last twenty years, and has had the pleasure of witnessing exemplifications by Bro. YOUNGS. If, in 1865, Bro. REYNOLDS compared his BARNEY lectures with Bro. YOUNGS' lectures (also claimed to be BARNEY'S) and found them to be identical, and if the lectures so compared were those taught by BARNEY and DICKEY and officially endorsed by Grand Lodge in 1845 and subsequent years, then the present lectures are not the same. Some one (or many) has changed them, and from a careful comparison of Bro. YOUNGS' lec- tures with the present standard of Illinois, the writer is much inclined to believe the YOUNGS lectures more nearly conform to the BARNEY work. Of course, Illinois has a right to change, modify or substitute; but when we are told that the present verbiage of our ritual dates back to 1845, and then COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 71 are offered proofs to substantiate the state- ment, \ve naturally want the proofs to cor- respond with the allegations. The committee on Work, appointed in 1867 and carried over 1868, now reported that they had "revised" the work and were prepared to exemplify same. This was done at the evening session, when Mr. CHARLES J. HENSTON, having been duly elected by Springfield Lodge, No. 4, was duly prepared, introduced and initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason. Presumably this was all right, for Grand Lodge said so; but it will be difficult for any, except a "liberal constructionist," to square that work by the landmarks, laws and O. B. 's of Masonry. The work having now been "revised," a Board of Examiners was created to examine all applicants for commissions as Grand Lecturers, and with instructions to nomi- nate none who were not thoroughly con- versant with the work of the State. The project of a Grand Lodge hall was again presented in an elaborate report from the committee appointed at the last session. The committee suggested an issue of bonds to the amount of $500,000, running twenty years; that a suitable site be purchased in the city of Chicago, and that a structure be erected from which a revenue might be derived through rentals for secular purposes; whereupon it was Restored, That a committee of five be appointed to select a suitable site in the City of Chicago, on which to build a " Temple" or building for the Grand Lodge, and procure a refvual of said site until all the lodges in the State can be made acquainted with said selection, and have received a printed copy of the report just made; and when a majority of such lodges shall have sanctioned such selection, the committee shall be hereby empowered to complete such purchase or lease, and proceed in the usual way to make an offer for the same. To enable the committee to act, they were further empowered to petition the General Assembly for such amendments to the act of incorporation as might be deemed expedient. Whether Grand Lodge felt that in sum- marily abandoning Chicago after one ses- sion it had acted inconsiderately, or whether the friends of the Garden City had rallied to its support, the writer does not know; but at all events the By-Laws were again changed and Chicago was named as the place of permanent location. The Grand Orient of France having recognized "a self-constituted organization calling itself the Supreme Council of the A. & A. S. Rite of the State of Louisiana, claiming jurisdiction over the symbolic degrees," all Masonic intercourse was inter- dicted with said Grand Orient "until it shall acknowledge the full and exclusive sovereignty of the Grand Lodge of Louisi- ana. " As a further expression of the views of Grand Lodge upon this subject, it was Resulted, That this Grand Lodge hereby interdict all recognition of all persons claiming to hail from lodges within the bounds of the United States, or of British America, unless such lodges are directly sub- ordinate to the Grand Lodges in correspondence with this Grand Body, in the State, Territory, Dominion or District from whence they hail. And the line of policy thus laid down has ever since been rigorously maintained. A most decided innovation, so far as American Freemasonry is concerned, was offered by Bro. GEO. C. LANPHERE, who proposed a number of constitutional amend- ments having for their object the creation of a number of District Grand Lodges. While this plan seems to work admirably in the British Islands, where it has been in vogue for many years, no American Grand Lodge has ever ventured upon the experiment. 72 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. The proposition seems to have been induced by the constantly increasing numbers of the representatives, the great expense which attended the holding of annual sessions and the long distance which many of the mem- bers were required to travel. The matter was referred to the committee on jurispru- dence and went over for a year. HARMAN G. REYNOLDS was re-elected Grand Master. Past Grand Master F. M. BLAIR died this year. He seems to have made his first appearance in Grand Lodge in 1856 as the representative of Prairie Lodge. No. 77, at which time he was elected Junior Grand Warden. He remained continuously in office until 1861, when he was elected Grand Master, serving for two years. At the time of his death he was engaged in the publish- ing business at Indianapolis, Ind. He has been described as " a courteous brother, a good companion, and an amiable man." Like many others of its ancient worthies, Grand Lodge has preserved no memorial of Bro. BLAIR, and but little now seems to be known concerning him. 1870. The Grand Lodge held its thirtieth an- nual communication in Farwell Hall at the city of Chicago, October 4, 1870, M. W. HARMAN G. REYNOLDS presiding. This was the third session held at Chicago, the first being in 1849, at which time forty lodges were represented; the second was in 1866, when the representatives concluded that Springfield was the preferable place, and Grand Lodge moved back to its old home. But this time the change was permanent, and ever since the annual communications have been held in the metropolis. The Grand Master's address, like that of the year preceding, was voluminous in mat- ter and minutely explicit in detail. One of the features of the year seems to have been the number of corner-stone layings. All requests of this character seem to have met a ready response, and the list includes a Female Seminary, a Manufactory and a Poor House. The catholicity of the be- stowal of the Grand Master's favors induced Bro. A. B. RUSSELL to offer the following resolution: Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand Lodge that the practice of laying the corner stones of private institutions, such as Rolling Mills, Female Seminaries, etc., with Masonic ceremonies, should be discontinued. But the chair held that the resolution was an infringement of the prerogatives of the Grand Master, and ruled it out of order. At this session was first extended the now familiar "Board of Trade" invitation, which, with commendable regularity, has been proffered annually ever since. It will be remembered that at the session of 1869 the committee appointed to con- sider some plan for the permanent location of Grand Lodge and the erection of a Ma- sonic Temple made a report, which was ap- proved by Grand Lodge, and a committee of five was appointed To select a suitable site in the city of Chicago, on which to build a " Temple," or building for the Grand Lodge, and procure a refusal for said site until all the lodges in the State can be made acquainted with such selection, and have received a printed copy of the report just made; and when a majority of such lodges shall have sanctioned such selection, the com- mittee shall be empowered to complete such purchase or lease, and proceed in the usual way to make an offer for the same. This committee consisted of Bros. \VrLEY M. EGAN, THOS. J. TURNER, JNO. M. PEAR- SON and WM. H. TURNER. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 73 The committee held several meetings, and finally selected a site in a commanding business location in the city of Chicago. To secure the property, however, a large sum was required to be advanced as a for- feit, and other sums, beyond the power of the committee to raise, were required to be paid at short intervals. Thus the commit- tee found themselves embarrassed with terms with which it was impossible to comply. No means had been provided them, nor any made by which they could be raised. They had no authority to borrow, and even if they had been authorized to borrow, the act of incorporation restricted them to one thou- sand dollars. Under the terms of the reso- lution the refusal would have to await the action of the lodges, and until their sanc- tion had been obtained no purchase could be made. It will be seen, therefore, that the resolution under which the committee were compelled to act effectually blocked all progress. All of which the committee reported back to Grand Lodge, and were thereupon discharged from further consid- eration of the subject, and so ended the Temple fiasco. The site considered by the committee was held at $180,000, a large sum, it is true, but had Grand Lodge se- cured same the profit, at this time, would have amounted to over a million dollars in the enhanced value of the property. Bro. LANPHERE'S plan of District Grand Lodges, proposed at the last annual com- munication, was rejected. Bro. D. C. CREGIER was elected Grand Master. 1871. Annual communication at Chicago Oc- tober 3, 1871. M. W. DEWITTC. CREGIER presiding. The address of the Grand Master, like everything which emanates from the pen of this distinguished Craftsman, is an able and interesting document. He renewed the suggestion for a Masonic Temple, but Grand Lodge apparently had disposed of that proj- ect and refused to consider same. As a matter of fact the yearly rentals paid by Grand Lodge since 1871 would, of them- selves, be sufficient to have paid for a build- ing of no mean proportions. An interesting question was submitted by Bro. W. B. SPAIN, of Jerusalem Temple Lodge, No. 90 (Aurora), as follows: I most respectfully beg to submit the following for your decision: In the By-Laws of the subordinate Lodges there is a section which requires each member to pay a certain sum as yearly dues. Of those mem- bers there are Ministers who are in arrears for dues for a number of years. They are notified by the Sec- retary that their dues must be paid, they fail to comply with said notice, charges are then preferred for non- payment of dues. A copy of the charges accompany- ing the notice to appear at a certain time for trial, the accused appears and acknowledges the correctness of the Secretary's books, and that he has never paid any dues, but claims that Ministers are exempt from dues in accordance with Ancient Masonic- Law or usage. He does not come to ask charity of the Lodge or the remittance of his dues, but is going to test the matter on Masonic principles, as set forth in the document which accompanied the report of the Committee. The matter is then submitted to the Lodge, a vote is taken and the accused is found Not Guilty. Now, is there such a law in existence, or has there ever been, which exempts Ministers from the payment of dues, if not, is the decision of the Lodge valid in this case? The question was referred to the Com- mittee on Jurisprudence, who reported as follows: Rev. S. T. ALLEN, a member of Jerusalem Tem- ple Lodge, No. 90, claimed exemption for non-pay- ment of dues upon the ground that by usage, and practically in law, clergymen are exempt from the payment of dues. Your Committee are of the opinion that the usage is a mere matter of comity, in no sense binding, and that no clergyman can claim exemption 74 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. from the payment of dues, unless by authority of ex- press law. Bro. JOSEPH ROBBINS presented one of his inimitable "Correspondence Reports," replete with information on the many sub- jects which then engrossed the Masonic world, and which secured for him the com- mendation and thanks of Grand Lodge. The business of the session was routine and mainly of temporary interest. Bro. D. C. CREGIER was re-elected Grand Master. On February 23 of this year, the office of the Grand Secretary and the archives of the Grand Lodge at Springfield were again destroyed by fire. Several attempts had been made to have the property of Grand Lodge insured, but the most valuable por- tions were of such a character that agents would make no rate upon them. Among the archives thus destroyed were a large number of old records, including those of Western Star Lodge, of Kaskaskia, the Grand Lodge Library, then commencing to assume fair proportions, and a quantity of valuable manuscripts relating to the early history of Freemasonry within the State. On October 9, but a few days after the annual communication of Grand Lodge, oc- curred the great conflagration of modern times the " Chicago Fire." Many of the Craft were left homeless and destitute; Ma- sonic halls, with all of their treasures and accumulations, were swept away; sorrow and desolation sat upon the ashes of the once proud city. But not for long did these conditions prevail. The hand of fraternal sympathy was speedily extended from every quarter of the globe, and money, supplies and cheering assurances poured in. As soon as circumstances would permit, Bro. D. C. CREGIER called together a number of the brethren and a Board of Relief was organized with the following officers and members: OFFICERS: M. W. B.C. CREGIER, Grand Master, President; R. W. H. F. HOLCOMB, 141, Vice-President; R. W. W. M. EGAN, 211, Treasurer; HARRY DUVALL, 271, Re- cording Secretary; ED. J. HILL, 211, Cor- responding Secretary; JAMES MORISON, Su- perintendent. MEMBERS : W. T. T. GURNEY, 211; W. D. J. AVERY, 41 1 ; W. JOHN FELDKAMP, 557; W. E. POWELL, M. D., 33; W. D. H. KIL- MORE, 209; W. A. M. THOMSON, 311; W. GEO. R. MCCLELLEN, 141 ; W. C. J. FRANKS, 410; W. J. H. MILES, 211; W. JOHN SUT- TON, 310; W. J. E. CHURCH, 160; I. W. CONGDON, 526. For eight months this Board continued in active service. By February i, 1872, more than suffi- cient money had been received to meet all demands of a legitimate character. In con- sequence a special report communicating this fact and other information, was issued and sent to every contributing lodge in this and other States, and was also published in several Masonic journals. Notwithstanding this a number of contributions were subse- quently received, principally from lodges in Illinois, amounting to several hundred dol- lars. The total amount received in cash was 83,089 06 The value of goods donated was 7,545 44 Making a grand total of cash and sup- plies received from all sources of ninety thousand six hundred and thirty four dol- lars and fifty cents, including the premium on contributions made in gold, and interests on deposits, amounting to $844.14, which, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 75 through the efforts of Bro. EGAN, the Treas- urer, was allowed by a bank in -New York. This munificent sum was contributed by the following Masonic and other bodies, viz. : From eight Grand Lodges 16,385 25 " Six hundred and ninety-six Lodges. . 58,772 74 " 1 Grand Council R. & S. M 200 00 " 2 Councils, do 11875 " Thirty-six Chapters R. A. M 1,086 00 " The Craft of twenty-eight cities 9,436 68 " Two Eastern Star Chapters 289 60 " One Masonic Quartette Club 25 00 " Thirty-three individuals 1,778 30 " Ten parties unknown 422 58 " R. R. Companies in transportation.. 2,035 85 Total 890,634 50 Truly, an imperishable monument to Masonry; an unequivocal testimonial to the sincerity and worth of Masonic charity; a grand object lesson of the practical exem- plification of Masonic tenets. The disbursements from this fund were as follows: For relief of brethren and their families, in- cluding expenses due to disbursements.35,502 04 Divided among city lodges 25,412 00 For establishment of a permanent Masonic Board of Relief 6,500 00 Returned to lodges which sent more than one donation 2,205 89 Returned to Grand Charity Fund of those jurisdictions which sent 8400 and up- ward 18,109 64 Returned to particular lodges which do- nated 8400 and upward 1,510 36 Reserved for printing report and expense incident to mailing and auditing com- mission 1,39457 890,634 50 As to the manner in which these dis- bursements were made and the purposes subserved, the following resume, from the address of Grand Master CKEGIER to the Grand Lodge at its annual communication in 1872, will sufficiently indicate: During the early days of the relief organization we did not forget that a hard winter was at hand; nor did we know the extent of want that might exist, or the means that would be available for relieving it; hence the members of the Board deemed it prudent to husband the fund then in hand and carefully ap- ply it in accordance with the instructions of the do- nors, viz.: to those who were sufferers by the fire and in actual need. Many applications were made by brethren, and their relatives, to be set up in business. The aggre- gate amount sought for this purpose would alone reach three times the whole amount received. These applications were of necessity declined. As the season advanced the applicants for relief gradually decreased. In view of this fact it was deemed best, in order to save expense, to close the labors of the Board and transfer the care of the needy to the several lodges. Our lodges, at the time, were in no condition to assume this responsibility. Eighteen of them had lost their halls, paraphernalia, etc., and in several cases their funds, with little or no insurance, and that little extremely uncertain; while most of the members were embarrassed in like manner. The question of what was right and proper in the prem- ises involved considerable thought. However, it was finally resolved to allot to each " Burned out Lodge" from six to twelve dollars per capita, accord- ing to their respective resident membership at the time of the fire, as determined by the Grand Lodge records. Those lodges which were not burned out had members who were sufferers by the fire the lodge, as such, having lost nothing warranted a dis- tinction; and it was determined to allow about one-half per capita upon same basis of calculation. All the lodges were required, as a condition to receiv- ing the amount allotted to them, to amend their By- Laws establishing a Charity Fund, to the credit of which the money should be placed; and I am happy to say that the lodges promptly acquiesced in this commendable course, and it can now be said thanks to the generous donors that every lodge in Chicago has a fund held in trust for that for which it was intended, viz.: charity. The establishment of a permanent Board of Masonic Relief was a matter which the brethren en- gaged in this work deemed highly proper and neces- sary, in order that brethren from abroad, in need, might find that assistance which our lodges at pres- ent are unable to render; hence an amount was set apart for that purpose, none of which is to be devoted to the assistance of resident brethren. 76 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. This Board of Relief is now fully organized, with officers and members whose hearts are in the good work. Most of the lodges in the city are represented, and have signified their willingness to contribute toward sustaining the organization to the extent of their ability; so that when our worthy brethren from abroad come to Chicago, should they be in need, they will find willing hearts and ready hands to do unto them as others have done unto us. The Board remained in existence for several years, but finally, through the refusal of some of the city lodges to contribute to its funds, was dissolved. There were a number of lodges which sent two, three and four donations; we returned to each one half of the amount sent. The Board, as agents or servants of the donors, having accomplished the work of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, helping the weary wanderer on his way, assisting the lodges and providing for the sojourner, believed it included all that was intended to be done. But, notwithstanding this, there was a surplus, which, unless it was allowed to flow beyond what was deemed its legitimate channels, naturally belongs to those who intrusted it to our hands to be " disbursed as we might deem best." The question as to the proper disposition of this surplus was freely dis- cussed. It was urged that the money, having been sent here, should be retained for some purpose. It was suggested that it be devoted to the founding of a Masonic Asylum, or be invested in real estate as a site for a " Masonic Temple" both worthy objects; but these and other similar propositions met with but little favor from those in charge of the fund; for surely the Masons of Illinois will never consent to lay the foundations of their Asylums and Temples with the superabundant gifts of a beloved brother- hood whose only aim was to lighten the burdens created by an awful calamity. It was therefore de- termined to return the surplus from whence it came. To return this to the several lodges would be quite impracticable; besides the sums would be too insig- nificant to warrant the labor and expense. Hence the proportion due the several lodges in the various jurisdictions was aggregated, making in some cases a handsome amount, which was returned to the re- spective Grand Lodges for the benefit of their Char- ity Funds. Of the amounts thus returned, $3,028 was sent to the Grand Lodge of Illinois, as the representative of the contributing lodges of the jurisdiction, and the sum became the nucleus of a second " Grand Charity Fund. " At this time there were upward of six hun- dred lodges in the State, of which number two hundred and twenty-two sent donations of money or supplies which aggregated $15.897-85- In order that all acts and proceedings connected with relief matters might be in- vestigated and reported upon by persons en- tirely free from partiality, the Grand Master invited M. W. SAMUEL C. PERKINS, Grand Master of Pennsylvania, M. W. CHAS. F. STANSBURY, Grand Master of the District of Columbia, and M. W. OZIAS P. WATERS, Grand Master of Iowa, to visit Chicago, and act as a commission for that purpose; and, after a thorough and critical investigation of the whole matter, to give to the world their opinion of the justness and correctness of the same. These distinguished Masons complied with the request, and after a thorough and careful examination presented to all whom it might concern, the following REPORT. Tit the Contributors of the Masonic Relief Fund for the Sufferers by the Chicago Fire: CHICAGO, September, 5872. The undersigned, having been honored by the Grand Master of Masons of Illinois, with a request to act as a commission to examine and report upon the accounts and proceedings of the Masonic Board of Relief, charged with administering the funds contrib- uted by the Masonic Fraternity of this and other countries for the benefit of the sufferers by the great Chicago Fire of 1871, have performed the duty assigned them; and it should be fully understood at the outset that this duty has been requested of the undersigned, through the voluntary act of the Board of Relief, prompted by a high sense of delicacy and honor, and not from any feeling or intimation on the part of the donors that any investigation was required. The undersigned met at the Masonic Temple, in COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 77 Chicago, September 18 and 19, 1872. Grand Master SAMUEL C. PERKINS, of Pennsylvania, acting as Pres- ident of the Commission, and Worshipful Brother CHARLES H. KINGSTON, of Pennsylvania, as Secre- tary. They proceeded to make a careful examination of all the books, papers and vouchers of the Board of Re- lief, and of the system adopted by them for the cus- tody and administration of the fund, and for the preservation of a record of their proceedings under the important trust confided to them. All the books, papers and vouchers of the Board, and of its officers and committees, were submitted to the undersigned, together with the final report of the management of the fund, which exhibit in detail all the statistics necessary to show the very thorough and exact manner in which this important trust has been administered. Keeping in view the fact that this fund was con- tributed specifically for the relief of Master Masons and their families who were sufferers by the great fire, the Board of Relief from the outset adopted the prin- ciple of satisfying themselves, personally, that each applicant relieved came within the provisions of the trust; was worthy and in actual need of the aid granted. So far as practicable the applicants were furnished with such articles of immediate necessity for their household and personal wants as their needs required, and the Board, by the liberality of the merchants with whom they dealt, and of the railroad companies over whose roads transportation of applicants relieved was needed, were enabled to obtain supplies and trans- portation at greatly reduced cost. Only a small amount was disbursed in direct appropriations of money. The Board did not regard the fund as in- tended to make good mere pecuniary losses by the fire, or in any sense an insurance fund; but as contributed for the temporary relief of the immediate and pressing necessities of direct sufferers by the fire. Among the large number of applicants it was too much to expect that no case of attempted fraud and imposition would occur. But a careful personal exam- ination of the records of the Board, and of their de- tailed action in individual cases, satisfied the under- signed that the greatest diligence had been exercised in their investigation; while at the same time no un- necessary formalities were permitted to exist to pre- vent relief being afforded promptly. All money received for the fund was paid over to the Treasurer, and by him deposited to the credit of a separate account in bank and paid out by checks upon orders drawn by the President and attested by the Sec- retary of the Board. The immediate disbursements were made by the Secretary, under the supervision of the executive committee, and a full and detailed report was pre- sented at each monthly meeting of the Board, exam- ined and vouched for by a sub-committee, and ap- proved by the Board. The books of the Secretary and Treasurer were examined and compared with the vouchers by the undersigned and found to be correct in every particular, and kept with a degree of accu- racy and fullness of detail which cannot be too highly recommended. It was the earnestly expressed wish of all the offi- cers and members of the Board, with the majority of whom we had the pleasure of meeting, that the under- signed would make their investigation and review thorough and searching, to the last detail; and such has been our endeavor ; and this report is the result of a full and minute personal examination, influenced solely by a desire to arrive at the truth, and to declare our conclusions to the fraternity at large as the con- victions of our minds, under a due sense, as well of the obligations of the respective offices which it is our honor to hold in the Craft as of the special trust de- volved upon us in this particular regard. The entire amount of cash dona- tions received was 83,089 06 In addition to which supplies of goods were sent valued at 7,545 44 Making a total of 90,634 50 Of this amount there has been dis- bursed, in the relief of appli- cants, allotments to Chicago Lodges, the expenses of the Board, and a donation to Chi- cago Masonic Board of Relief, as set forth in detail in the re- port which is to be printed. . . .67,414 04 There has been returned to the donors a surplus of 21,825 89 And there has been retained to meet the expenses of printing the report and this commission 1,394 57 90,634 50 The orders drawn upon the Treasurer had not all been presented at the date of this report, nor had all the checks drawn by him been presented to the bank for payment ; but the undersigned are satisfied that the moneys are on hand and in the bank, to the credit of his account, as Treasurer of the Board, to meet the outstanding orders and checks, on presenta- tion. The undersigned find that a careful, exact and clear record has been kept of every transaction ; that the money received and disbursed is accurately ac- 78 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. counted for, and that the disbursements are supported by vouchers, which present, in minutest detail, the ex- act history of every charity bestowed, and allow every transaction to be reviewed in all its attendant circum- stances. Every precaution which prudence could suggest has been taken to secure the faithful applica- tion of the fund to the beneficiaries for whom it was designed by the donors. The detailed report prepared for publication by the Board was submitted to and carefully examined and approved by the undersigned. It would be impossible to speak too highly of the character of the record which has been preserved of transactions so multifarious and minute, and the un- dersigned would do injustice to the impression made upon them by this examination, should they fail to express their unqualified approbation of the manner in which the Board have administered the trust con- fided to them by the Fraternity. Respectfully and Fraternally submitted by SAM'L C. PERKINS, Grand Master of Pennsylvania. CHAS. F. STANSBURY, Grand Master District of Columbia. O. P. WATERS, Grand Master of Masonn in Iowa. CHAS. H. KINGSTON, Secretary. 1872. The thirty-second annual communica- tion of the Grand Lodge was held in Mc- Vicker's Theater, in the city of Chicago, October i, 1872, M. W. DEWITT C. CREGIER presiding. The address of the Grand Master re- counts the calamity of the year preceding, the spontaneous outburst of Masonic charity which that event occasioned, the formation of the Relief Board and its disbursements, and other events connected with the sub- ject, to which the writer is indebted for much of the matter presented in the last section. In addition to the extraordinary duties occasioned by the fire his report shows that he had accomplished a vast deal of routine work; and so well had these varied duties been performed that Grand Lodge voted to him a beautiful testimonial in the shape of a Past Grand Master's jewel. Past Grand Master's Official Jewel, Grand Lodge of Illinois. (From the original in the possession of Hon. D. C. CREGIER, Chicago.) Bro. CREGIER enjoys the distinction of being the first and only Grand Master to receive n 'ILL .DI. lllbflYilS, //, '..,,./ '*,/,/, ,//'r/t>//r/ r UUr.lll.ftm- //. r/*tii// Xv//yi ,,' ,.'/,..--, ,/ff/ir.i, divill i.tfir^ui <>.-'. 8iiiliiib. ,...'. lnud1inWu. itJfliumiT IV .\i mit ..Vlll.iln>uMi.t.l!eiuinu lto - aiHiii'tc (iflvttt'v -;-,..-;. ttuti i'Mil"-..v -/. ** /*"* '#'/**/<' ft *rtt , ' '"/ ^ - - - : ,/,.'.,,/' /. ., ' .i,r/t/. trStf/rJHiiyft/ *'/! mStm#i.i/rtir"f '/" /" ' ' ' //iftfii .;'. .,II//J,SH /#>S~ , >.''/AinT/irJiiiHfi//6fdi>/yatM'rtirr/e6rjn #tr,/t/ J-. /.'// /r,i'/y H*,6t.,6"S */ t/if ,#, *y.,,,,,.t ,',, .*./., wjr.,:' s*tt*./* //., f, / ,u*i / ,*. r atf/ titf/ri niiTH SHU! '? 'f /Ifl/H/HII'l t an,/ <'/!<iftrf . 1/1 . .*'// ' A itmnfijHmt / 1./ v//0*tAtiitAutiiiUf'< ,,'' it '.'( tntf/ >miNuri a, te&^A //n,iitr6,f/,taS/mj' /tiuJrrri mt,i,,t:tr'fi , . - . ... - ,.'/ It, lit:' ' ' i . fr fltf /ir'fMi/it ' aSu,*** H,#*J/./e//>ti*ffrrM~ . , //,. /., . . . ... .. :l,,,/fytl, ,,,,., /.,:.', ,.,/:/., I,, H/r I ^B "'-ilk ' ^fc ; ^'-' - 'V ( ' t/ Reduced fac-simile of certificate issued by Grand Lodge to Masonic Relief Committee ot 1871. (From an original in the collection of GIL. W. BARNARD, Chicago.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEirASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 81 this unequivocal mark of appreciative es- teem from Grand Lodge. The jewel is of gold, richly studded with diamonds, and is valued at $1,000. The committee on Grand Master's ad- dress endorsed the report of the commission which examined the work of the Relief Board, and approved the manner in which such Board had executed its trust; expressed its appreciation of the magnificent response which the fraternity throughout the world had made to Chicago's sign of distress, and recommended the adoption of the following resolutions: 1st. Resolved, That this Grand Lodge gratefully recognizesthe grand beneficence exhibited by the Craft throughout the world, to their brothers in distress, that we will ever cherish in our hearts and engrave upon imperishable tablets the memories of this divine charity. 2d. Resolved, That to Most Worshipful Grand Master DEWITT C. CREGIER, President, Brethren H. F. HOLCO.MB, Vice President, WILEY M. EGAN, Treasurer, HARRY DUVALL, Recording Secretary, ED. J. HILL, Corresponding Secretary, JAMES MORRISON, Superintendent, and T. T. GURNEY, D. J. AVERY, JOHN FELDKAMP, E. POWELL, D. KILMORE, A. M. THOMPSON, E. RONAYNE, GEO. R. MCCLELLAN, C. J. FRANKS, JAMES H. MILES, JOHN SUTTON, J. E. CHURCH, and I. W. CONGDON, members of the Board of Masonic Relief ot Chicago, the grateful thanks of this Grand Lodge are eminently due for their self-sac- rificing labors in relieving the necessities of our broth- ers in distress, and the wisdom, prudence and zeal dis- played by them in the discharge of their sacred trust. 3d. Resolved, That in grateful recognition of the eminent services rendered by the " Masonic Board of Relief of Chicago," this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge cause the report of the commission, consisting of Most Worshipful SAMUEL C. PERKINS, Grand Master of Pennsylvania, Most Worshipful CHARLES F. STANSBURY, Grand Master of District of Columbia, Most Worshipful O. P. WATERS, Grand Master of Masons in Iowa, and Worshipful Brother CHARLES H. KINGSTON, together with the second and third of these resolutions, to be handsomely engrossed, framed and presented to each member of said Board of Masonic Relief. All of which were adopted. A certifi- 5 cate embodying the foregoing was accord- ingly made and a copy presented to each of the persons named. A reduced facsimile of this document will be found upon the op- posite page. Bro. A. W. BLAKESLEY offered a radical amendment to the Constitution, involving the beneficial features of co-operative life insurance, but Grand Lodge, wisely, would have none of it. Bro. JAMES A. HAWLEY was elected Grand Master. 1873- The thirty-second annual communica- tion of Grand Lodge was held in McCor- mick's Hall, at the city of Chicago, October 7, 1873, M. W. JAMES A. HAWLEY pre- siding. At this time yellow fever was epidemic in a number of Southern States, and the first business transacted was the passage of the following resolutions : Resolved, That the Masonic Fraternity of the State of Illinois, in Grand Lodge assembled, tender to the people generally, and to our brethren in particu- lar, of the cities of Shreveport and Memphis, expres- sions of profound sympathy in their present hour of distress, due to the epidemic now raging in their midst. Resolved, That our M. W. Grand Master be, and is hereby, authorized to notify the M. W., the Grand Master of Masons in Louisiana, to draw upon this Grand Lodge for the sum of three hundred dollars (300), to be applied to the relief of our brethren, their widows and orphans, resident at Shreveport, who may be in distress. Resolved, That our M. W. Grand Master be authorized to, in the same manner, tender to the Grand Master of Tennessee the sum of two hundred dollars ($200), to be devoted to the relief of our breth- ren, their widows and orphans, resident in the city of Memphis, who may be sufferers by the present epidemic. A new code of By-Laws was adopted, substantially the one now in use; five hun- dred dollars was appropriated for the relief 82 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. of Bro. HARMAN G. REYNOLDS; a resolution was passed authorizing the reprinting of the proceedings from 1840 to 1860, inclusive; while in the following, offered by Bro. J. R. GORIN, we hear an echo of the long forgot- ten "Grand Charity Fund:" WHEREAS, Up to the year 1853 this Grand Lodge had on hand the sum of $5,500, or thereabouts, Grand Charity Fund, collected from the Lodges in this Grand Jurisdiction, who paid it to the Grand Lodge, believing that it would be held sacred for the purposes for which it was paid into the Grand Treasury; and WHEREAS, By resolution the Grand Lodge bor- rowed this fund at different times and applied the same to the payment of the mileage and per-diem of members and for other purposes; therefore, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Grand Master, whose duty it shall be to ascer- tain the amount of said Charity Fund so loaned to this Grand Lodge, and the time when loaned, and re- port to the Grand Lodge, at its next Annual Grand Communication, the amount due the Grand Charity Fund. The resolution was adopted. Bro. JAMES A. HAWLEY was re-elected Grand Master. In addition to the plague which scourged the Southern cities at this time, and to relieve which Grand Lodge at the communication of 1873 contributed the sum of $500, a new affliction had visited this portion of our country, and disasters of a most appalling nature had followed in quick succession. From the address of M. W. Bro. HAWLEY, we learn that in the month of May next succeeding he received a circular letter from the Grand Secretary of Louisiana, portray- ing the deep distress and suffering existing among the Masonic fraternity of a large portion of that State, brought on by a con- tinued series of reverses and afflictions, fol- lowed by fearful floods that inundated whole parishes, driving the inhabitants from their homes and leaving them in a penniless con- dition. Accordingly he issued a circular letter to the several Lodges of this State, asking contributions for their relief; and with the consent and advice of the Com- mittee on Charity, drew upon the Grand Lodge Charity Fund, in their behalf, to the amount of five hundred dollars. Unfor- tunately his letter to the lodges, although issued immediately on receipt of the Grand Secretary's communication, did not reach them until after the stated meetings in June, and as in many of the Lodges the stated meetings of July and August are lightly at- tended or altogether omitted, the response to this call was not as general as it would otherwise have been. Notwithstanding this, however, the lodges of this State contrib- uted the sum of $2,071.20 prior to the i 5th of August, at which time information was received from the M. W. the Grand Master of Louisiana that "the noble benevolence of the Masonic fraternity and the prompti- tude with which their offerings were laid at once upon the altar of our Common Broth- hood had relieved the sufferings and averted the gloomy result that for a time stared them in the face," and further, "that the Masons of Louisiana, more especially those whose necessities were so quickly relieved, will ever bear in grateful remembrance the timely assistance and the hearty good will and expressions of sympathy and brotherly love that accompanied the gifts in their hour of want and distress." Of the 674 lodges of the State 147 con- tributed to this laudable charity in sums varying from $2 to $100, making a total as above stated, of $2,071.20, which, with the sum of $500 contributed by Grand Lodge, made a grand total of $2,571.20. The only other event of moment occur- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 83 ring after the session of Grand Lodge was the laying of the corner-stone of the new Government building at Chicago, on June 24, 1874. Notwithstanding that this cere- mony was attended with more pageantry than any similar occasion in the history of Grand Lodge, it is important mainly from the determined efforts of "our friends, the enemy," to prevent it, and the complete triumph of the fraternity. 1874. Annual communication at Chicago, Oct. 6, 1874, M. \V. JAMES A. HAWLEY presiding. The address of the Grand Master recites the Louisiana flood sufferings and the action taken by himself and constituent lodges; the circumstances attending the laying of the corner-stone of the Government building at Chicago, and his efforts to enforce the ob- servance of the "standard work." The corner-stone of the Custom House and Post Office at Chicago was laid with the ceremonies of the Craft on June 24, preced- ing the session of Grand Lodge. As this was an event of much importance at the time, owing to the strong pressure brought to bear upon the officers of Government to suppress same and thus discourage " Masonic favor- itism," the following excerpta from the an- nual address of M. W. Bro. HAWLEY may prove interesting : It was an occasion of universal interest, not only to the Craft of this and adjoining States, but also to the public at large, especially to the citizens of Chi- cago, which was made manifest by their .presence in numbers unsurpassed by any similar event of our time. In view of the national character of the building, the magnitude and completeness of the arrangements on the part of the United States officials, as well as the Craft of this city, I may be pardoned for adverting to the event somewhat more fully than is customary in an official report. Especially is this proper since the op- portunity was seized upon by the enemies of Freema- sonry, and, to a great extent, by the press of this city, to misrepresent the action and intentions of the Masonic Fraternity, thereby creating in the minds of those out- side the Institution an unwarrantable prejudice towards a society that never seeks, in any manner, to foist its an- cient and universally-respected ceremonies before the public, unless especially invited to do so; but, notwith- standing this well-known characteristic of our society, the misrepresentations were carried to such an extent that many, even of the Craft, were led to believe that the dignity and honor of our ancient Institution had been, or would be, compromised by yielding to the im- portunities of a few fanatical bigots, who may be well- informed on other subjects, but whose ignorance and misconception of the design and claims of Free- masonry is entitled to pity; yet, in the face of this, they have the effrontery to assume the role of the three men of Hooley street, and represent themselves as "we, the people," by anticipating the occasion by a year to display their venom, by forwarding to the authorities at Washington remonstrances against the Masons be- ing permitted to perform these ceremonies. Notwith- standing this action, the National Government, through its proper officers, without any solicitation on the part of the Masonic Fraternity, formally invited the Grand Master of Masons in this State to lay the corner-stone of this national edifice, thereby recognizing the an- tiquity of our Masonic Institution, perpetuating the customs pertaining thereto, and acknowledging the appropriateness of its ceremonies. This invitation was accepted in the same courteous spirit in which it was given; and I desire to bear testimony to the fact that the Masonic Fraternity, throughout the entire affair, were treated with the utmost consideration and respect by the representatives of the National Govern- ment, and that they did not, at any time or in any man- ner, interfere with or seek to make any change in the ceremonies of the occasion as prepared by M. W. Bro. CREGIER, who represented the Grand Master in arranging the same. Neither was this programme thus prepared changed in any particular, except so far as to invite that distinguished gentleman and jurist, Hon. HENRY W. BLODGETT, Judge of the United States Court, to represent the National Government, and take such part in the ceremonies as the Grand Master assigned, and originally intended should have been performed by the President of the United States. This somewhat lengthy statement is not intended as a reply to those fanatical busy-bodies who have sought to make themselves conspicuous, but to correct any misapprehensions the Masons of this and other Grand Jurisdictions have touching the same, and to show you that the dignity and honor of our noble Institution, represented in the State of Illinois, are as unsullied as when the invitation, politely and considerately ten- 84 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. dered by the United States authorities, was accepted by your Grand Master. Bro. J. R. GORIN, from the committee appointed to investigate the Grand Charity Fund, submitted the following report, which was adopted: The undersigned, a committee appointed by the Grand Master of the last Grand Annual Communica- tion of this Grand Lodge, to ascertain the amount of money borrowed by the Grand Lodge of the Grand Charity Fund, etc., would submit the following as the result of our investigations: We find that in the year 1847, the amount of the Grand Charity Fund in the hands of the Grand Treasurer amounted to. ...$ 131 35 In the years 1848 and 1849 no report of the amount of Grand Charity Fund wasmade. In the year 1850 the balance on hand, as re- ported, was 1,058 65 In the year 1852 the balance on hand, as re- ported, was 1,745 15 In the year 1853 the balance on hand, as re- ported, was 1,881 65 In the year 1854 the balance on hand, as re- ported, was 356 70 In the year 1855 the balance on hand, as re- ported, was 231 70 The records of the Grand Lodge show that in 1852 there was transferred from this Fund to the Grand Lodge Fund 500 00 And in the year 1853 1,000 00 It appears, also, that at the same Communication of the Grand Lodge the sum of $500.00, out of this fund, was invested in stock of the Masonic Hall, in Springfield. At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in 1856, a resolution was adopted, by which the Grand Charity Fund was merged into thd Grand Lodge Fund, and the balance in the hands of the Grand Treasurer of said fund, to-wit, 8231.70, was by him transferred to the Grand Lodge Fund; since which time there has been no Grand Charity Fund, until the year 1872, when M. W. Bro. U. C. CREGIER paid over to the Grand Secretary the sum of 3,028.00, which amount was ordered by the Grand Lodge to be set apart as a Grand Charity Fund. There now re- mains of that amount in the hands of the Grand Treasurer, as will appear by his report, the sum of $1,328.00. A careful and critical examination of the pro- ceedings cf the Grand Lodge shows that the largest amount of Grand Charity Funds in the hands of the Grand Treasurer at any one time, was in 1853, amount- ing to 2,265.00. During the period mentioned above, to-wit, between the years 1856 and 1872, no separate accounts have been kept of Charity Funds received or disbursed. The orders drawn for charitable purposes during these sixteen years do not, in every instance, show upon their face the object for which the money was appropriated; yet we find that during this period the Grand Lodge disbursed for charitable purposes a sum of money more than equal to the amount which the Grand Lodge appropriated of this fund for pur- poses other than charity. We are, therefore, clearly of the opinion, after a careful investigation of the sub- ject, that this Grand Lodge has paid out in the way of charity an amount which warrants us in saying that the Grand Lodge has fully discharged the debt to the Grand Charity Fund. This settled the Charity Fund for all time. The practice, so prevalent in many juris- dictions, of presenting testimonials to retir- ing officers, has never obtained in the Grand Lodge of Illinois. An exception was made in the case of M. W. Bro. CREGIER, in rec- ognition of extraordinary services rendered during the period succeeding the Chicago Fire, but, as a rule, no other or further testi- monial is given to any retiring Grand Mas- ter than the vote of thanks of Grand Lodge. Lesser dignitaries do not receive even that. An effort was made in 1861 to recognize the services of M. W. Bro. BUCK, then retiring from a three-years term of service, by add- ing to the resolution providing for the usual "vote of thanks" a recommendation for the presentation of a Past Grand Master's Jewel. On motion of Bro. WM. McMuRTRY the report was amended by striking out the recommendation for a jewel, and in that form adopted. Since that time, except in the case of Bro. CREGIER, nothing has been said about jewels. Whether Bro. McMuR- TRY, having thought the matter over for thirteen years, had reached a different con- clusion from that formerly held, or desired COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 85 to "square" himself with the Past Grand Masters, is not known; but at all events he now came forward to make amends for the past by offering the following resolution: Resolved, That there be purchased and presented to the Past and Present Grand Masters of this Grand Lodge, Collars, Jewels and Aprons, such as are worn by the Grand Officers. The resolution was referred to a prac- tical and unsympathetic Finance Commit- tee, who apparently had imbibed Bro. Mc- MURTKY'S views of thirteen years before, as they reported back the following: Your committee have had under consideration the resolution looking to the purchase and presentation to our Present and Past Grand Masters of appropriate regalia and jewels, and without disparagement of the true respect due our exalted brethren, your commit- tee, in view of the reduction in the receipts of this Grand Lodge the past year, are constrained to recom- mend the rejection of the proposition as a useless ex- penditure of the revenues of the Grand Lodge and a bad precedent; And Grand Lodge concurred. The Committee on " Restoration of Rec- ords" presented a report showing that a reprint of Grand Lodge proceedings, from 1840 to 1860, had been made, as per in- structions. A resolution to move the Grand Secre- tary's office to Chicago was presented, but failed to pass. Bro. GEO. E. LOUNSBURY was elected Grand Master. 1875. The thirty-sixth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held at Chicago, Octo- ber 5, 1875, M. W. GEO. E. LOUNSBURY, presiding. Bro. CHAS. F. STANSBURY, of the Dis- trict of Columbia, agent of the Washington Monument Association, was introduced and laid before Grand Lodge the objects and purposes of that Association. A committee was appointed to consider the matter and in due time recommended action as follows: Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be, and is hereby, appropriated for the use of the Na- tional Monument Society, on the conditions by which said society voluntarily restricts itself in receiving sub- scriptions, which sum shall include the cost of a me- morial stone to be selected by this Grand Lodge. Resohed, That the Grand Lodge recommends to its constituent lodges, that they contribute as liberally as their means will permit, to the fund proposed to be raised for the purpose herein indicated, both as an at- testation of the patriotism which burns in the hearts of all true Masons, and as a tribute of affectionate regard for the memory of the man whom freedom and history have forever enshrined among the heroes of humanity. The resolutions were adopted. The corner stone of this remarkable monument was laid in 1848 and for some years thereafter the work was prosecuted with vigor. After a while it languished and finally ceased. For twenty years immedi- ately preceding, no work of any kind had been done, but the then approaching cen- tennial of American Independence aroused public sentiment and hastened the comple- tion of the enterprise. While the fraternity are not wholly entitled to the credit for this they may yet take no small share of same, as well as of every other undertaking of a public character designed to honor the name and memory of the immortal WASHINGTON. On motion of Bro. GIL W. BARNARD, it was, Retained, That the Committee on Installation service be instructed to report to this Grand Lodge a suitable form of Masonic regalia and jewel for District Deputy Grand Masters. No report with respect to this matter seems to have been presented until the an- nual communication of 1877, when Bro. D. C. CREGIER submitted a design for jewels for D. D. G. M. 's, which was adopted. But 86 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. as Grand Lodge has never made any pro- vision for procuring such jewels and as none of the incumbents have ever seen fit to pro- cure same for themselves, it has not been given to this generation to know what they look like. The growth of Masonry in the jurisdic- tion, the constant accretion of new lodges, the vast number of representatives present each year, rendering the transaction of busi- ness often very difficult, as well as the great expense entailed by the annual communica- tion, had frequently been the subject of discussion. A proposal by Bro. LANPHERE to adopt the English method of District Grand Lodges was presented to the session of 1 869, but failed to receive favorable con- sideration. The same plan was now again proposed by Bro. F. M. PICKETT, who offered the following resolutions, the con- sideration of which was postponed until the next annual communication: WHEREAS, The numberof membersof thisM. W. Grand Lodge has become so great that it is too un- wieldy for legislative purposes; and WHEREAS, The annual expenses of the same for mileage and per-diem has become so great as to have become a subject of considerable complaint among the body of the Craft; and WHEREAS, Some remedy for these growing evils should be devised at as early a day as possible; there- fore, Resolved, That a committee of five, to be selected by the M. W. Grand Master, be appointed to devise a method for the organization of District Grand Lodges in the several Masonic Districts of this Grand Juris- diction, and for the future composition of this M. W. Grand Lodge by representation from such District Grand Lodges. Resolved, That the said committee report the re- sult of their deliberations to the next annual commu- nication of this M. W. Grand Lodge, in the form of amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws, and that the said amendments then take the usual course. At the succeeding annual communication of 1876 the foregoing resolutions were called up, whereupon it was moved, and carried, that the consideration of same be indefinitely postponed. About this time commenced an era of financial disasters. Heretofore Grand Lodge had experienced but few difficulties with respect to its money or property. The former it generally contrived to spend about as rapidly as it was received, the latter was so meagre in quantity, and comparatively valueless in character, that its care created no concern. By this time, however, the annual receipts were becoming large and the grand totals made no insignificant figure. The Treasurer, Bro. HARRISON DILLS, was not present at this communication and the Finance Committee were unable to arrive at any correct conclusion with respect to his accounts; but as the representatives had implicit confidence in his integrity he was again elected to the position which he had occupied for many years. In the meantime a committee was appointed to settle his accounts and Bro. A. A. GLENN was made Treasurer pro tern. Bro. LOUNSBURY was re-elected Grand Master. 1876. At the annual communication of this year R. W. JOSEPH ROBBINS occupied the East in the absence of the Grand Master, GEO. E. LOUNSBURY, whom failing health had driven into exile beneath milder skies. Bro. LOUNSBURY had continued to perform his duties until the latter part of July, when his health became so much impaired that he was obliged to relinquish them, and acting under the imperative orders of his physician he left the jurisdiction and sought relief in the mountain regions of Colorado. But from this quest he never returned. Bro. CREGIER, from the Committee on COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 87 Ceremonials, submitted a report cover- ing forms for Instituting and Constituting Lodges, Installation of Officers, and such other rituals as are usually classed under the head of "ancient ceremonies; " and on motion the report was adopted and the rit- uals declared to be the authorized ceremo- nials of Grand Lodge. Prior to this time there had been no authorized ceremonies for those parts of the ancient work that are, or may be, performed in public. The com- pilations of MOORE, MACKEY, SICKLES and others were in general use. Grand Lodge, many years before, had recommended MOORE'S "Trestle Board" as a proper com- pilation for the use of the lodges, but this had gradually been supplanted by more modern works. By the adoption of this report Grand Lodge now had a complete and well-arranged " Ahiman Rezon " of its own, and to Bro. CREGIER, who arranged the ritual, much credit is due for the very satisfactory manner in which the editorial work was performed. The Grand Treasurer made no report this year and Bro. GLENN continued to act, and at the election was regularly chosen to fill the office. Bro. JOSEPH ROBBINS was elected Grand Master. 1877. The thirty-eighth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held at Chicago, Octo- ber 2, 1877, with M. W. JOSEPH ROBBINS presiding. The business was routine and of tem- porary interest. The amount due Grand Lodge from its late Treasurer, Bro. DILLS, was found to be $6,177.59. For this sum a note was executed due in two years and secured by a trust deed of real estate in the city of Quincy. The security, however, was en- cumbered by a prior mortgage for $6,000, and when this first mortgage came to be foreclosed some years later it was found that there was virtually no equity worth preserving. The defalcation, therefore, be- came a total loss. But while the Grand Treasurer was to some degree culpable in mingling the funds of Grand Lodge with his own and thus subjecting same to any losses he might sustain in his business transac- tions, yet no imputation of dishonesty has ever attached to his name. The affair was regarded as one of misfortune only, and Grand Lodge not only forgave the debt but in his indigent old age generously provided him with an annual pension in recognition of his long service. Apparently the representatives were not altogether satisfied with McCoRMiCK's Hall, where for a number of years the annual ses- sions had been held; for on motion of Bro. G. M. HAYNES it was Resolved, That the proper officers be requested to procure, if possible, a more comfortable and suitable room for the next regular communication of this Grand Lodge. Whether it was found impossible to com- ply with this request, or whether the place was deemed "comfortable and suitable," the writer is unable to say; but at all events Grand Lodge continued to meet in McCoR- MICK'S Hall for several years afterward. Bro. JOSEPH ROBBINS was re-elected Grand Master. Bro. LEVI LUSK died July 25, 1877, at the ripe age of 82 years. For more than two generations he was a worker in Masonry, and during his long and active life filled the offices of Grand Lecturer, Grand Secretary, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Grand Master, and many other important positions in the Grand Lodge of Illinois. During the month of June of this year a disastrous fire occurred at St. John, N. B. The brethren of Chicago, with the recol- lections of 1871 still fresh in their memories, raised and forwarded the sum of $1,179, and the Grand Master drew upon the Charity Fund for the further sum of $250. 1878. The annual communication of 1878 was held at Chicago October i, M. W. JOSEPH ROBBINS in the East. The year 1877-8 developed another un- pleasant surprise in the defalcation of the Grand Treasurer, Bro. A. A. GLENN, who had succeeded the unfortunate HARRISON DILLS. From the address of the Grand Master we learn that Bro. GLENN had been engaged in the banking business at Mt. Sterling and that investigation disclosed the fact that the moneys of Grand Lodge had not been deposited as trust funds, but had been used by the Treasurer in com- mon with his private moneys; that the business of Bro. GLENN was extended in the community in which he lived, and that among those crippled by his failure were the chief sureties on his official bond. Hence it was not expected that Grand Lodge would realize much out of the failure, an expecta- tion that was afterward fully established as a fact. But this default' as in the case of Bro. DILLS, was viewed with the utmost leniency by Grand Lodge. Bro. GLENN lost all that he possessed, possibly through faults of his own, but still through misfor- tune. His total indebtedness to Grand Lodge amounted, after all payments of dividends from his estate had been made, to about $10,000. To secure this he assigned a life insurance policy, from which something may some time be realized, for at this writing Bro. GLENN is still living. Of his honesty and integrity there has never been any question, and the craft generally have never entertained for him any other feelings than those of fraternal affection. As in the case of Bro. DILLS, all of his failings have been condoned. But the end was not yet. Still another default was to be made before the general health of the finances should be restored. During this year yellow fever was again epidemic in several of the Southern States, and appeals for relief were made by the Masonic and civil authorities of the infected jurisdictions. The response was immediate and bountiful. The fraternity of Chicago organized a Relief Committee, which col- lected and remitted the sum of $1,733-75, which was sent direct; in addition thereto and in response to a circular of the Grand Master, the lodges of the State, including those of Chicago, forwarded to the Grand Treasurer the further sum of $3,886.37, and from private sources the fund further swelled until it reached a grand aggregate of $6,0 1 4. 12. All of this money was sent in suitable sums to the various points most in need of same, but mainly to Mississippi and Tennessee. Up to this time it had been the practice of Grand Lodge to publish in the abstract of its transactions, the full reports of its Griev- ance Committees, including the names of parties, the charges, and frequently a sum- mary of the evidence. The impropriety of this practice had long been evident, partic- ularly in those cases where the accused was acquitted. At this session Bro. JAMES A. THEODORE TUTHILL GURNEY, 3S, Twenty-seventh Grand Master of Masons of the State of Illinois. (From a photograph in the collection of GIL. W. BARNARD, Chicago.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 91 HAWLEY, from the Committee on Jurispru- dence, presented the report of said Commit- tee, in part, as follows: By the provisions of Section 5, Article 1, Part 3, Grand Lodge By-Laws, no lodge in this grand juris- diction is permitted to publish in any manner the de- tails or result of any trial; and while this law is not to govern the action of the Grand Lodge, your committee are of the opinion that we should be as consistent as circumstances will permit, and that the Grand Lodge should not go further in giving publicity to the affairs of Masonry than may be deemed necessary to accom- plish the end sought. Your committed therefore recom- mend that hereafter no printed document emanating from this Grand Lodge should contain the names of brethren who may have been disciplined by lodges; nor any of the details of charges, specifications or pro- ceedings of the trial. It seems to your committee to answer all the requirements of the case, to preserve the full reports made to the Grand Lodge for future reference, and that an abstract thereof be furnished by the Grand Secretary to the parties interested therein, or who may desire the same. And after careful delib- eration, your committee are unanimous in the opinion that our practice in this regard should be changed, and therefore submit the following as an amendment to the By-Laws, viz., to add to Section 13, Article 6, as follows: Provided, That none of the details of Masonic trials, emanating from the Committee on Appeals and Grievances, that of petitions, or others, whereby the name of the accused or the offense charged, shall be published in the printed proceedings; but that the Grand Secretary shall number such cases, giving name and number of lodge, and the final action of the Grand Lodge had thereon. The proposed amendment was duly sec- onded and at the succeeding communication in 1879 was formally adopted and made a part of the By-Laws. Since then the pres- ent method of presenting only the number of the case and the action had thereon has prevailed. Bro. THEODORE T. GURNEY was elected Grand Master. 1879. The fortieth annual communication was held at Chicago October 7, 1879, with M. W. THEODORE T. GURNEY presiding. The business of this session was purely routine. At the preceding communication of 1878 a resolution was passed calling for a detailed report of the receipts and expenditures of the ten years then last past. The Finance Committee reported that the destruction of records and change of Grand Officers, each having a different system of making reports, prevented a concise classification; but that, From such records as were accessible for the ten years ending with 1877, we find the receipts from all sources to have been $278,851.37. The expenditures during the same period were approximately as follows: Mileage and per-diem $138,026 65 Printing 14,782 41 Special Orders 84,104 07 Salaries and Fees ,. . . . 22,806 46 To balance 19,131 78 Total 8278,851 37 We find that for several years the printing and salary and fees orders were classed as special orders; hence those items do not include all which properly belong to them. The balance arises from deficiencies of previous Grand Treasurers, not necessary here to refer to. The figures are not without interest to- day, and a perusal of this brief report, cov- ering a perioG of only ten years, at a time when the rever- ;s were far less than at present, affords '.erious food for reflection to the thinking nd. " Bro. T. 1 GURNEY was re-elected Grand Master. 1880. The annual communication of 1880 was held October 5, in Central Music Hall, at the city of Chicago, M. W. THEODORE T. GURNEY presiding. It would seem, there- fore, that the long-deferred request of Grand Lodge was complied with, and that the "proper officers" had "procured a more comfortable and suitable room " than Mc- Cormick's Hall. With only a few excep- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. tions Grand Lodge has continued to meet in this commodious hall ever since. The abstract of the proceedings discloses nothing of special import not mentioned under other heads. Bro. WM. H. SCOTT was elected Grand M aster. 1881. The forty-second annual communication of Grand Lodge was held at Chicago, Octo- ber 4, 1 88 1, with M. W. WILLIAM H. SCOTT in the East. The Grand Master announced that on the first of September preceding he had ac- cepted the resignation of the Grand Secre- tary, JOHN F. BURRILL, and appointed the Dep. Gr. Secy., Bro. FRANK HUDSON, Jr. , to fill the office until the election of a suc- cessor. The Dep. Gr. Secy, reported to Grand Lodge that he deemed "it due to the Grand Lodge, as well as to Bro. BUR- RILL, to state that upon assuming the office of Grand Secretary by the appointment of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, on the first of September last, the books and papers were found in excellent shape, and Bro. BURRILL turned over all the moneys belong- ing to the Grand Lodge, as shown by his books. In fact, had it not been for Bro. BURRILL'S methodical and business-like way of conducting the Grand Secretary's office, it would have been impossible for any one to have taken up the work and carried it forward through the busiest month of the year with anything like success." The Finance Committee examined the accounts of both officers, found them appar- ently correct, and they were duly approved by Grand Lodge. And here ended, appar- ently, a most innocent and prosaic transac- tion. As a matter of fact, however, this simple and ordinary-looking affair contained the germs of the greatest scandal Grand Lodge has ever known; and, coming as it did, upon the heels of prior defalcations, produced a marked and injurious effect upon the entire fraternity. In order that a connected view may be had of this "celebrated case," the events of the next succeeding years will be here grouped, and then the unpleasant subject will be dismissed from our consideration. At this communication Bro. L. L. MUNN was elected Grand Secretary and at once entered upon the discharge of his duties. Upon examination he discovered what ap- peared to be a discrepancy in the statements and accounts of the former Grand Secretary, which he duly reported to the Grand Master (Bro. SCOTT), who thereupon requested the Finance Committee to make a thorough ex- amination. This was done and resulted in a report showing a gross shortage in the accounts. Thereupon the Grand Master authorized Bro. JNO. C. SMITH, chairman of the committee, " to take such legal steps as are necessary to bring the defaulter to justice at as small an expense to the Grand Lodge " as the exigencies of the case would permit. The defalcation seems to have been con- summated by failure to enter accounts in the books and by an adroit system of inserting items in the printed proceedings after the accounts had been passed by the Finance Committee. The peculations covered sev- eral years, and briefly stated were as follows: Not found in cash book or printed proceedings 3,871 75 Injected into proceedings, not in cash book 3,871 75 In 1878, amount of . .$ 533 50 In 1879, amount of 2,99500 In 1880, amount of 4,101 75 In 1881, amount of 113 25 Total deficiency 7,743 50 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 93 It was apparent that the defalcation was the result of deliberate intention, and there- fore active steps were at once taken to ap- prehend the culprit. Immediately after his resignation he had left the State, and for some time his whereabouts were unknown. It was finally ascertained that he was in Minnesota, whereupon Bro. SMITH, under the authority of the Grand Master, procured a requisition upon the civic authorities of Minnesota for the extradition of the fugi- tive. The requisition was duly honored by the Governor of Minnesota, who issued his warrant for the arrest of BURRILL, who was apprehended at Minneapolis and brought back to the city of Springfield, where he waived examination and was held in bonds of $10,000. At the communication of 1882 BURRILL appeared before Grand Lodge and in what seemed an ingenuous speech de- fended himself against the accusation. His words and manner won for him much sym- pathy. An attempt was made to procure a suspension of the criminal proceedings with- out success, and he returned to Springfield to await developments. Soon after the close of the session of 1882 the grand jury of Sangamon county found three indictments against him for "embezzlement of the funds of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Free and Accepted Masons, for the years 1879, 1880 and 1 88 1," the statute of limitation saving him from an indictment for the de- falcation of the year 1878. He was admit- ted to bail in the sum of $3,500, to appear for trial at the succeeding term of the San- gamon County Circuit Court. A change of venue was asked for by BURRILL from San- gamon County, the place in which he had resided for twenty-five or more years, and in which the office of Grand Secretary had been located, assigning as the reason there- for that the people of Sangamon County were prejudiced against him, and that he could not have a fair trial in said county. The Court allowed the motion, and the venue was changed to the adjoining county of Macoupin. The Committee on Finance immediately entered into a correspondence with the sev- eral lodges, the dues of which had been paid to and personally appropriated by BUR- RILL, to learn what evidence they could fur- nish that would aid in his conviction. The request for information was generally re- sponded to, but a number of lodges, appar- ently fearing that the request was but a plan to again collect the sums once paid by them to BURRILL, refused to comply. Suf- ficient evidence was obtained, however, and at the February term, 1883, of the Macou- pin Circuit Court, a trial was had before Judge WELCH and a jury. The trial was had upon the indictment charging the em- bezzlement of funds in 1880, and occupied eleven days, beginning on March 1 3th. Upon submitting the case to the jury the prosecution was required to elect the defal- cation of a particular year for which they asked a conviction, and the year 1879 was selected. The jury returned a verdict of guilty; found the value of the funds embez- zled to be $2,892, and fixed the defendant's punishment at five years in the penitentiary. A motion for a new trial was overruled, the prisoner was sentenced, and, in due time, conveyed to the Chester penitentiary, where he served his term. The total cost of the prosecution was $2,926.35, making the en- tire loss to Grand Lodge, including defalca- tion, $10,669.85. We may now resume our broken narra- tive of the events of 1881. 94 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. For the second time in its history the Nation beheld the appalling spectacle of the death of a President by the hand of an as- sassin. While the demise of the immortal LINCOLN in 1865 was appropriately observed, yet the action of Grand Lodge at that time was more in the nature of an association of loyal and law-abiding citizens paying a just tribute of respect to the memory of a late ruler. But JAMES A. GARFIELD was a Ma- son as well as a President; and while it was fitting that Grand Lodge, in pursuance of its time-honored landmarks enjoining respect for the civil magistrates and obedience to constituted authority, should place on record some recognition of the sad event which had deprived the country of its Chief Mag- istrate, it was especially fitting that it should so do when, in addition, the person holding that exalted office was a member of our great fraternity. Accordingly, a memorial was prepared, presented and adopted by Grand Lodge, while in the constituent lodges of the jurisdiction, by public or private ex- ercises, the memory of the deceased was further honored and fraternally observed. An appeal from the Grand Lodge of Michigan, asking relief for the sufferers from desolating fires in the Northeastern part of that State, was responded to by a donation of $1,000 and a recommendation to the lodges to contribute for the same pur- pose. The use of Masonic symbols in commer- cial matters or as adjuncts to advertising devices, was condemned. Bro. WM. H. SCOTT was re-elected Grand Master. 1882. Forty-third annual communication at Chicago, Oct. 3, 1882, M. W. WM. H. SCOTT presiding. The business of the session was mainly routine and of no special interest at this time. The BURRILL matter was the promi- nent feature. Bro. DANIEL M. BROWNING was elected Grand Master. 1883. Annual communication at Chicago, Oct. 2, 1883, M. W. DANIEL M. BROWNING pre- siding. During the early part of this year the "spring freshets" caused great destruction of property and much suffering in the south- ern portion of the State and many were left in a destitute condition. To assist in the relief of these unfortunate persons an appeal was made to the fraternity of the State, and as a result $4,354.98 was received and dis- tributed. Shawneetown was the base of operations and the work was conducted mainly under the direction of Bro. W. J. ELWELL as Chairman of the Masonic Flood Relief Committee. The prompt and liberal responses to this appeal formed a gratifying exhibition of the zeal and fidelity of the Craft in this jurisdiction. About this time commenced the "high- degree " difficulties which in several jurisdic- tions have produced much trouble and not a little un-Masonic disputation. The ques- tion grew out of the efforts of sundry breth- ren in several of the Eastern States to organ- ize bodies claiming legitimate descent as branches of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, a claim which was disputed or denied by the organizations then in the occupancy of the entire territory of the United States and known respectively as the Supreme Councils for the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions. The controversy, in some localities, was transferred from the high- degree bodies, where it properly belonged, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 95 to the symbolic lodges, and drastic measures were resorted to for the purpose of crushing out the "spurious" organizations. Fortu- nately, the good sense and cool heads of the leaders have been sufficient to keep the mat- ter out of Grand Lodge and we have been spared the humiliating spectacles presented in a number of jurisdictions. For some reason many of the Grand Lodges which were induced to interfere felt disinclined to approach the subject openly or to direct a fulmination against the real object of attack. As a foil they selected the long-exploded and practically extinct Rite of Memphis, and with an exhibition of valor that would have cheered the heart of Sir JOHN FALSTAFF they proceeded to de- molish this "man in buckram." The initi- ative was taken by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1882, which, by an amend- ment to its constitution, attempted to define what organizations are ' ' regular and duly constituted Masonic bodies." This defini- tion branded as un-Masonic all organizations not expressly named, and prohibited the Master Masons of its obedience from affiliat- ing with any organization called Masonic and not included in its list of "regulars," under penalty of expulsion. The action of Massachusetts was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence, which, through its chairman, Bro. JOSEPH ROBBINS, reported as follows : Notwithstanding each Grand Lodge is sovereign and independent within its own territory, yet, possess- ing, as they do, a common system, derived from a common source, so intimately are they bound together that no one of them can be indifferent to the action of any other touching the fundamental principles of the Institution. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts having taken occasion to define Masonry anew, we are compelled to re-examine the basis upon which that definition rests. The result of that re-examination is to strengthen our convictions that the Grand Lodge cannot, without losing sight of its obligation to sustain the law of the Ancient Charges, subscribe to any definition of Ma- sonry that will include within the category of Masonic bodies those organizations whose only claim to be considered as such rests in the fact that those who or- ganized them were already Masons. The conclusion, then, at which we arrive, so far as it applies to the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and its terri- torial jurisdiction, is that, like Massachusetts, we recog- nize no degrees in Masonry except those conferred under the regulations of the various States and Terri- tories of the United States, and the governments throughout the world, viz., the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason; and that as we cannot admit as beirg regular and duly constituted Masonic bodies any save those organized for the practice of these recognized degrees, we can find no basis anywhere for the assumption, on the part of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, to interfere with the operations of the various associations of Craftsmen enumerated in the Massachusetts amendment, and known also to exist within this jurisdiction, or with any other similar bodies which, like them, do not assume control over any portion of the Masonry of the lodge. And Grand Lodge confirmed the views of the committee, which it made its own by the adoption of the report. It will be hard for the most intense friend of the " superior grades, " whether legitimate or illegitimate, genuine or spuri- ous, to find any fault with the logic of the foregoing, or the simple and dignified lan- guage in which the statements are couched; and, in the main, the conduct of Grand Lodge has been shaped and directed by this declaration of principles with respect to all of the phases which the Scottish Rite con- troversy has since assumed. But notwithstanding this statement, sufficient in itself for all the exigencies that might be presented, the leaders were not satisfied. They wanted gore. How they found it the transactions of the succeeding year must show. The questions of expense, taxation, econ- omy in administration, etc. , have always COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. been live topics in Grand Lodge, and not infrequently has some intrepid reformer arisen with a panacea for existing ills. The propositions have usually received respectful consideration, but rarely have the sugges- tions been regarded with favor. This year the reformer was Bro. L. B. BOSWELL, seconded by the representatives of twelve lodges, who presented the following : In the opinion of the undersigned representatives to this Grand Lodge, the time has arrived when the question of taxation of constituent lodges for the main- tenance of annual meetings of this Grand Lodge should be fully considered, in view of the fact that many lodges of the State can ill afford to stand a yearly tax, as required by the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, and also from the large sums annually ex- pended in mileage and per-diem, which otherwise might remain in the hands of the constituent lodges, to aid in defraying other requisite expenses. We believe the question is one that should be fully and impartially considered by a select committee, with a view of finding some sure and safe way out of the evils which surround the matter, and devise someway by which the business of this Grand Lodge can be properly and well conducted, at a less annual expense to the constituent lodges of this State than at present, either by changing the time of meetings of this body from annual to biennial, the reduction of per capita tax, a change in manner of representation, or such other means as the wisdom of the committee may rec- ommend. With the above in view, and desiring that the sub- ject may be considered and brought before this Grand Lodge for discussion and action, be it Resolved, That a committee of five members or rep- resentatives to this Grand Lodge be appointed to take under advisement the entire subject, and report to this Grand Lodge at their next Annual Communication, to be held in October, 1884, the result of their deliber- ations, with such necessary legislation as may be requi- site to meet the ends in view, for the further action of this Grand Lodge. The resolution was adopted and a com- mittee appointed to grapple with the prob- lem. Bro. D. M. BROWNING was re-elected Grand Master. 1884. The forty-fifth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held in Farwell Hall, at Chicago, October 7, 1884, M. W. DANIEL M. BROWNING presiding. In the spring of this year there was a repetition of the freshet disasters of the year preceding. The waters from the Ohio River reached an unprecedented height, flooding large districts, in the southern part of the State and occasioning much damage and distress. An appeal for relief was sent to the Craft, which produced a response ex- ceeding even the liberal contributions of the year preceding, and at this session the re- ports of the officers showed that $5,524.40 had been received from the lodges of the jurisdiction. Truly a commendable exhibit. It will be remembered that at the ses- sion of 1883 the " Massachusetts departure" of defining what were and what were not Masonic bodies, was presented to Grand Lodge and rejected. This action was strict- ly in keeping with the declared conservative policy of the jurisdiction. But, apparently, the leaders desired something upon which to try their weapons. The Scottish Rite imbroglio was not practicable, but the os- tensible cause of Massachusetts' action was still available, and would seem to have been eagerly seized upon by those interested. There was, at this time, a peddler of pinchbeck Masonry living at Boston, who claimed to control the long-defunct corpse of an institution once known as the " Egyp- tian Rite of Memphis;" but even this seems to have been a spurious and not the genuine corpse. There was also at New York a gentleman, for those who knew him seem to unite in giving him this character, who claimed to possess, as of right, the genuine COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 97 article. It is not denied that the "Rite" was dead beyond resurrection. The Grand Master reported that it had been reported to him that there was an or- ganization with the foregoing name ' ' and other organizations of a like character," which were claiming the right to organize "Blue Lodges" (whatever these maybe), and that he had referred the matter to the Committee on Correspondence for an inves- tigation and report. It was not contended that there had been any invasion, or any danger of same. A correspondence with the proprietors of the respective claims pro- duced sufficient to show that neither party had ever chartered symbolic lodges, but that each claimed "to have the same right as that possessed by the Scottish and other Rites of Masonry to work the first three de- grees in unoccupied territory. " Thereupon Grand Lodge made the following declara- tion of principles: First. That persons cannot be made Masons ex- cept by the act of a regular lodge, working under the jurisdiction and by the authority of a Grand Lodge duly constituted by the representatives of lodges of Free and Accepted or Craft Masons. Second. That every association of Masons, of whatever name or degree, other than that of the three degrees of Craft Masonry heretofore described, that assumes the right to congregate, initiate, pass and raise persons to the several degrees of said Craft or Symbolic Masonry, is clandestine, and is hereby so pronounced and declared. And in pursuance of such declaration forth- with proceeded to anathernize the "Egyp- tian Masonic Rite of Memphis," and to place under the ban of excommunication all persons found adhering thereto. Inas- much as this shadow of a Rite, for it was utterly without substance, was not other- wise affected by this action of Grand Lodge than to obtain a little cheap notoriety and gratuitous advertising, the object of all of the foregoing is not wholly apparent. It has been intimated that the committee was really gunning for very different game, and that while their shot was directed toward a dead institution it was expected to hit a very live one. As to this the writer is unable to furnish any information, and must leave his readers to draw their own conclusions. Voluminous majority and minority re- ports were made by the Committee on Re- trenchment appointed at the session of 1883. The majority, through Bro. ROB- BINS, reported against any change in the mode of representation; against biennial sessions; against the abolition of mileage and per-diem, but recommended a revision of the mileage rate; favored the cessation of Schools of Instruction at the expense of Grand Lodge; the reduction of salary of Grand Master. The minority, through Bro. BOSWELL, reported in favor of reduction of mileage rate to six cents; that per-diem rate be raised to $3.00; that no mileage or per diem be allowed to District Deputies; that standing committees be selected from the representatives; that stated communications be held biennally; that salaries of Grand officers be reduced. Consideration was de- ferred for one year. Bro. JOHN R. THOMAS was elected Grand Master. * * * On March 5, of this year, occurred the death of Bro. JOHN P. FERNS, who for fif- teen years preceding had performed the du- ties of Grand Tyler. It has been said that he was at this time ' ' the best known Mason in Illinois, and knew more Masons than any other person in the jurisdiction." On July 28, JAMES C. LUCKEY, a Past Junior Grand Warden and for many years a regular attendant of Grand Lodge, passed to 98 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. his rest. At his home in Polo, he was held in the highest esteem and not less than a thousand people followed his remains to the grave. For a number of years he wrote the necrological reports of Grand Lodge, all of which evince high scholarly attainments and a refined and cultivated mind. 1885. The forty-sixth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held in the Armory of " Battery D," at the city of Chicago, Octo- ber 6, 1885, M. W. JOHN R. THOMAS pre- siding. Bro. THOMAS, having been elected to Congress, spent but little of his term with- in the jurisdiction, and the duties of the office of Grand Master devolved upon Bro. ALEX. T. DARRAH. The address of the act- ing Grand Master deals mainly with the routine of his office, but one paragraph de- serves more than passing attention. Dur- ing this year the long-mooted project of an Orphan Asylum became a reality. This was accomplished, however, on lines external to the Grand Lodge, and, in many respects, as a private enterprise. A number of brethren at Chicago, imbued with the idea that the time had arrived for the inauguration of such a charity, upon their own motion, pro- cured a charter of incorporation from the State, and without waiting for official sanc- tion or endorsement, at once proceeded to collect funds and arrange for the purchase of property. When Grand Lodge met the association had made considerable prog- ress, and the result of their labors may be seen in the large and commodious buildings which now stand at the intersection of Car- roll avenue and Sheldon street in the city of Chicago. To this great work, then in its incipient stages, the Grand Master called attention in the following language: The question of a Home for the orphans of de- ceased brethren has been under consideration at dif- ferent times for a number of years, but it is only dur- ing the past year that the subject has assumed a tan- gible form. On the llth of March last, the " Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home " was incorporated under the laws of the State. The subject is now fully before the Craft and commands the attention of every mem- ber. While there may be well-grounded differences of opinion as to methods, yet the object to be obtained is one that must commend itself to every thinking Ma- son. This is clearly set forth in the articles of organi- zation: "To provide and maintain, at or near the city of Chicago, a home for the nurture and intellectual, moral and physical culture of indigent children of de- ceased Freemasons of the State of Illinois; and a tem- porary shelter and asylum for sick or indigent widows of such deceased Freemasons." Inasmuch as the ex- pense of the erection and maintenance of the Home is to be met entirely by voluntary contributions, and no Masonic organization other than the Home itself is to be burdened by a permanent debt, I felt it to be my duty, May 8th, in a circular letter, to call the attention of the Craft to the claims of the " Orphans' Home." I feel sure that if the brethren respond as liberally as the merits of the object demand, there can be no ques- tion as to the result. And now, after forty years, the dream of Bro. ABRAHAM JONAS, the first Grand Master, came true. The committee on Grand Master's ad- dress made no allusion to the subject, and whether Grand Lodge was pleased or dis- pleased, the records do not show, but the enterprise failed to receive even the poor and inexpensive boon of official recognition or approval. A full history of the move- ment will be found in another part of this work. The matter of "retrenchment," pend- ing at the close of the last session, was called up, and the recommendations of the majority report concurred in. For several years immediately preced- ing the matter of sumptuary legislation had COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY JN ILLINOIS. occupied the attention of a number of juris- dictions. In Illinois the question seems to have been avoided in Grand Lodge, and the sentiment of the leaders seemed to be that any discussion of same was inexpedient. At this session Bro. JNO. B. FITHIAN forced the issue by presenting the following amend- ment to the By-Laws: Amend Section 1, Article 2, Part Third, of the Grand Lodge By-Laws by adding the following: " The sale of intoxicating liquors to be used as a bev- erage shall be considered an act tending to impair the good name of Masonry within the meaning of this sec- tion." The amendment was duly seconded and went over for one year under the rules. Bro. ALEX. T. DARRAH was elected Grand Master. A number of well known craftsmen en- tered into rest this year. Among others, HIRAM W. HuBBARD,for many years a famil- iar form in all departments of Masonry, died at his home in Centralia, January 20, aged sixty-five years. He served Grand Lodge as Grand Lecturer and in other ca- pacities, while in other Masonic bodies he at- tained the highest honors. ARNOLD R. ROBINSON, of Springfield, was another of the veterans mustered out. Bro. ROBINSON made his appearance in Grand Lodge in 1846, when he filled the office of Grant Pursuivant. In 1851 he became Grand Tyler, a position he continued to oc- cupy until 1862, a period of eleven years. 1886. The forty-seventh annual communica- tion was held at Chicago, October 5, 1886, with M. W. ALEX. T. DARRAH presiding. This year, like so many of its immediate e predecessors, brought an appeal for relief for brethren of foreign jurisdictions. A dis- astrous conflagration at Galveston, Tex., rendered homeless and destitute many mem- bers of the craft and the munificent sum of $1,914. 36 was contributed by the constituent lodges in response to a circular from the Grand Master. At Charleston, S. C. , an earthquake had wrought great devastation and occasioned much suffering; $200 was sent to the Relief Committee from the funds of Grand Lodge. The feature of the year was the rupture of the long-standing relations of amity and correspondence with the Mother Grand Lodge of England. This grew out of con- ditions existing in the Province of Quebec, Canada. It seems that some years before a portion of the lodges of that province met and organized a Grand Lodge which was duly recognized as a lawful governing body by the Grand Lodge of Illinois. A number of lodges holding charters from regular Grand Lodges in Great Britain, for reasons which to them seemed good, declined to partici- pate in the formation of the new Grand Lodge or to afterwards enter the union. The lodges in question were chartered long before the Grand Lodge of Quebec was created; and while it is certainly desirable that a Grand Lodge should control the ter- ritory which it claims as lying within its jurisdiction, it is yet difficult to under- stand how the doctrine of coercion can be applied to lodges which ante-date its own existence. However, this was just what Quebec attempted. The Grand Lodge of Illinois, in order to assist its Canadian neighbor in subjugating the territory it claimed, at the session of 1885, upon the motion of Bro. D. C. CREGIER, adopted the following: 100 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. " WHEREAS, The M. W. Grand Lodge of Quebec, A. F. & A. M., in the Dominion of Canada, is a lawfully organized Grand Body, and is, and has been, recog- nized as such for the past fifteen years, by sixty-three Grand Lodges on this Continent and in Europe; and " WHEREAS, The unquestioned legitimacy of the existence of the said Grand Lodge of Quebec, and the almost universal recognition thereof by the ex- tension of fraternal fellowship by her peers through- out the Masonic world, clearly vests the said Grand Lodge with all the rights and prerogatives of an inde- pendent sovereign governing Masonic body, which in- clude the fundamental right of full and exclusive juris- diction over all and every the constituent lodges of Free and Accepted Masons located within her clearly denned territory; and " WHERKAS, Under and by virtue of these condi- tions, the M. W. Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois was among the first to welcome the Grand Lodge of Quebec among the sisterhood of Grand Lodges, and to extend to her the hand of fraternal fellowship and friendship; and "WHEREAS, Authentic information has come to the official notice of this Grand Lodge that the well settled principle of Grand Lodge sovereignty, sanc- tioned by time and usage, has, in the case of the Grand Lodge of Quebec, been, and is now being, ignored, by the existence of certain Masonic lodges within her territorial jurisdiction who do not recognize the authority of the Grand Lodge of Quebec, but hold allegiance to and are working under the authority of a foreign Grand Lodge, thus setting at defiance the sovereign rights and authority of the only Masonic governing body of the Province; therefore, " Be it Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, jealous of her own independence and sovereign powers within her prescribed limits, will not only maintain and defend these rights for herself, but has and will at all times record her voice and vote against a violation of them by others. "Revolted, That while this Grand Lodge regrets the action of the recusant lodges in usurping the law- fully occupied territory of the Grand Lodge of Quebec, we venture the hope that said lodges will transfer their allegiance to the only source of Masonic power within the Province in which they are located, and that the M. W. Grand Lodge claiming their allegiance will take such action that the unity and harmony so essen- tial to true fraternity may be fully established. Be it further " Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois regards all lodges in the Province of Quebec holding allegiance to any Grand Lodge other than the recognized Grand Lodge of that Province, as illegal and irregular, and that all lodges and brethren under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois are charged not to hold Masonic intercourse with such illegal or irregular lodges, or any member thereof. " Resolred, That the M. W. Grand Master of the State of Illinois be requested to issue his edict, in con- formity herewith, to the lodges and brethren of this obedience." Accordingly the Grand Master issued an edict prohibiting all intercourse with the lodges of Quebec in the allegiance of any foreign Grand Lodge and denying to the members of such lodges all Masonic rights within this jurisdiction. This action, coming to the notice of the Grand Lodge of England, was by that body deemed an unfriendly act, and inasmuch as Masonic recognition was denied to its regu- larly chartered constituents it was felt that relations of correspondence should no longer continue. In pursuance thereof the patent of Bro. JOHN M. PALMER, its representative near the Grand Lodge of Illinois, was can- celled and his authority withdrawn, while Bro. BRACKSTONE BAKER, our representa- tive near the Grand Lodge of England, re- signed his appointment. As to the merits of the controversy, the writer must allow his readers to judge. It may be said, however, that when the Grand Lodge of Illinois was formed a number of the lodges in the State did not participate; that such non-participating lodges were not then branded as either " illegal " or "irreg- ular," nor did the Grand Lodge attempt the doubtful expedient of non-intercourse. Time would have done for Quebec what it did for Illinois. It may be stated further that "exclusive territorial sovereignty" is not an ancient nor yet a universal Masonic doc- trine, and that it is strictly an outgrowth of American ideas. Of course we can do what COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONKT IN ILLINOIS. 101 we please within our own borders, and if we choose to say the regularly chartered lodges of England are ' ' illegal and irregu- lar, " why they are, and that settles it. The rupture was not healed for a number of years, but at this writing all differences are happily settled. It will be remembered that Bro. FITH- IAN, at the session of 1885, asked for an ex- pression of Grand Lodge on the question as to whether "the sale of intoxicating liquors to be used as a beverage shall be considered an act tending to impair the good name of Masonry." Evidently Grand Lodge thought not, for his proposed amendment was lost. It may be interesting to note in this connection that our neighbors " on the other side of the river" think otherwise, and that Missouri refuses affiliation to all so employed. At the same time it is well to remember that there is nothing in the land- marks or customary law of Masonry to war- rant such a course. No discrimination has ever been made with respect to employ- ment, and whatever the civil law regards as legitimate must be so considered in Mason- ry. As previously remarked, however, we are supreme within our own dominions and the law is what we say it is. The Grand Master reported the receipt of an invitation to dedicate the building of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home, and requested Grand Lodge to accompany him. Accordingly, the next day (Thursday, Oct. 7), accompanied by the Grand Officers and many of the representatives, under an es- cort of the Chivalric Orders and the Chi- cago Lodges, the Grand Master repaired to the building which the Trustees of the new Charity had purchased, located in the city of Chicago, and solemnly consecrated same to the purposes of universal benevolence, charity and fraternal affection, according to the old customs. Bro. DARRAH was re-elected Grand Master. * * * Within a few days after the close of the annual session Grand Lodge was re-con- vened in an emergent communication at the West Side Masonic Temple, the occasion being the funeral of the late THEODORE T. GURNEY. Of this good and amiable man the Grand Master well said: "No one stood higher in the estimation of the craft than he. No one enjoyed the confidence, respect and esteem of his brethren to a greater degree. No one had labored more earnestly and zealously in the interests of the craft. No one was entitled to a greater reward." And so, like a dead prince, was he borne to his grave, the Grand Lodge, for the first time in its history, lending its act- ive participation in a Masonic burial. From the record we learn that the Grand Master directed the Grand Marshal to form the Grand Lodge in procession, which be- ing done, they proceeded to the main hall, where Cleveland Lodge, No. 211, was opened on the third degree of Masonry. Upon the arrival of Grand Lodge, the of- ficers of Cleveland Lodge vacated their sta- tions and places, which were assumed by the Grand Officers, when the Worshipful Master of Cleveland Lodge, of which our deceased brother was a member, invited the M. W. Grand Master to take charge of and conduct the funeral ceremonies. The pro- cession was formed under the direction of the Grand Marshal, and was joined by mem- bers of nearly every lodge, and other bodies of Masons, in the city. Cleveland Lodge, with the active and honorary pall-bearers, proceeded to the de- 102 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ceased brother's home, and conveyed the remains to the First Congregational Church, where the services were conducted by the pastor. The great edifice was crowded, the large audience including the officers of the Grand Lodge, a large number of Masons from the various Masonic bodies of which deceased was a member, city officers, prom- inent citizens, friends and relatives. At the conclusion of the church services the procession formed on Washington Boule- vard, headed by a platoon of fifty members of the police force, and a platoon of fifty members of the fire department, under com- mand of officers of those departments. Next came Oriental Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, as an escort to Apollo Commandery, No. i, and St. Bernard Com- mandery, No. 35, Knights Templar. Fol- lowing came Cleveland Lodge, No. 211, F. and A. M., with representatives from nearly every lodge in the city and near vicinity; also Washington Chapter, No. 43, Royal Arch Masons. The procession moved west on Washing- ton Boulevard to Ashland Avenue, thence north to Kinzie Street, where a special train on the C. & N. W. Railroad was in waiting. The day was well advanced upon reaching Rose Hill Cemetery. The remains of the deceased brother were temporarily placed in the receiving vault, at the portals of which, in the presence of a large concourse of people, the usual Masonic services were performed, M. W. A. T. DARRAH, Grand Master, officiating, assisted by the Grand Officers, W. Bro. T. G. MORRIS, Master of Cleveland Lodge, with its officers and mem- bers, and the Craft generally. 1887. The forty-eighth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held in Central Music Hall, Chicago, Oct. 4, 1887, M. W. ALEX. T. DARRAH presiding. All of the subse- quent annual communications have been held in the building in which this session convened. In view of the fact that the President of the United States was visiting Chicago at this time Grand Lodge called off during the day-time of two days ' ' in order that the representatives might have an opportunity to witness the reception to the Chief Exec- utive of the Nation." The gentleman in question was Mr. CLEVELAND. The Grand Master reported the promul- gation of a German ritual for the use of lodges working in that language. The trans- lation was made by Bro. WM. E. GINTHER, and this, in itself, is a guaranty that the work was well done; yet as much of the En- glish idiom is practically untranslatable into German it looks as though the old bugbear of "uniformity" may again return to vex us. Grand Lodge approved the act and so it can no longer be said that all of the constituent lodges are conforming to the standard work. Another donation of $200 was made to the Charleston, S. C. , Relief Fund. Bro. JOHN C. SMITH was elected Grand Master. The necrology of the year includes among other distinguished names that of IRA A. W. BUCK, who served the Craft as Grand Master during the years 1858, 1859 and 1 860, being the only person ever elected for three successive years to that exalted office. It has been said of him that "he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his brethren to a degree that few may hope to COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 103 surpass." He was a member of Jerusalem Temple Lodge, No. 90, at Aurora, by whom his remains were committed to the earth with the funeral ceremonies of the Craft. One of the important events of the year was a Masonic Convention which met in Chicago, June 22, and continued in session for three days. The convention was called by the Grand Masters of Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa and Indian Territory " for the purpose of consultation and advice on subjects of general interest to the Craft." The gathering was pre-eminently a "select affair," as only present and past Grand Masters were invited, but the attendance was meagre and confined mainly to the Western States. Prior to the convention the project called forth a number of pro- tests from the Masonic press which saw, or affected to see, a disguised effort on the part of the promoters to lay the foundation for a National Grand Lodge. Happily, however, no harm came from the session. The Most Worshipful Brethren assembled, "consulted and advised" for three days, and then adjourned without day. Presum- ably the meeting resulted in some latent good even though nothing was visible on the surface. 1888. Forty-ninth annual communication at Chicago, Octobers, 1888, M. W. JOHN C. SMITH presiding. It would seem that a short time before a resident of Chicago, while on a visit to Scotland, was received into the fraternity by a Scottish lodge. The Illinois lodge within whose jurisdiction he then lived, complained of this invasion of its rights to Grand Master, who in turn laid the case before Grand Lodge and by it was directed ' ' to lay our grievance before the Grand Master of Scotland." This delicate task Bro. SMITH essayed to perform. The Grand Lodge of Scotland duly considered the case and decided to continue its ancient prerogative of making Masons of whomso- ever it saw fit, and so politely informed our Grand Master. The Grand Master urbane- ly asked that some reason be given for the denial of our request, that Scottish lodges refrain from receiving citizens of Illinois, but the Grand Lodge of Scotland having no reason to give very wisely maintained a discreet silence. Thus ended another "in- ternational episode." The Grand Master called attention to a circumstance that has since been the sub- ject of much comment. Although the fig- ures are twelve years old they are not with- out interest at this time, as the same condi- tions still prevail. The Grand Master said: I do not believe it to be the policy of this Grand Lodge to plant lodges at every cross-roads and village, particularly when there can be no possibility of such lodge ever having a membership the Grand Lodge dues of which will pay mileage and .per-diem of its Master; and yet thishas been done in the past, and too often, as the records show. I therefore think it wise to call a halt, and present a few facts for considera- tion of Grand Lodge. On reference to table of Grand Secretary, Pro- ceedings 1884, it will be found that there were at that date 168 lodges paying a less amount to Grand Lodge for annual dues than paid by Grand Lodge for mile- age and per-diem to the representatives of said lodges. The account stands thus: Paid representatives 168 lodges $5,088.30 Received Grand Lodge dues 168 lodges 3,679.25 Net loss on 168 lodges $1,409.05 But Grand Lodge declined to make any change. During the early part of this year a de- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASON RT IN ILLINOIS. structive cyclone visited the city of Mt. Vernon, in this State. Upon investigation it was found that many of the craft had suf- fered from the disaster and the usual ap- peal was made to the lodges. In response the sum of $1,669.55 was contributed and placed in the hands of Bro. WALTER WAT- SON, W. M. of Mt. Vernon Lodge, for dis- tribution. It would seem, however, that much had already been done by the craft and general public before the fund arrived. As a consequence only $565 of the fund was used, the balance being returned to the Grand Treasurer. Inasmuch as the fund had been collected to relieve the poor and helpless, Grand Lodge decided that it should not be diverted from its original purpose, and the balance was accordingly turned over to the Trustees of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home. A donation of $125 was also made to the Masonic Relief Committee of Florida in aid of the sufferers from yellow fever. With respect to the diplomatic service, of which so much has been said and written of recent years, the Grand Master made the following suggestion: There is a growing interest in having well-known and zealous brothers as Representatives near the Grand Lodge of such bodies as are recognized by this Grand Lodge, and the subject is becoming of such im- portance as to call for a change in the term of ap- pointment. There are appointments to this Grand Lodge of brethren who have not met with Grand Lodge for twenty years, some not now in membership, others who are dead, and a few who have left the jur- isdiction or are entirely unknown to Grand Lodge. It is fair to presume that the appointments from this Grand Lodge are as unsatisfactory. In view of these facts, I recommend the adoption of a law making the appointments from this Grand Lodge good for three years from date of commission, new commission to issue the coming Masonic year. The suggestion found favor, and the term of office was fixed at five years. Grand Master also suggested a grade of honorary membership, to be conferred on distin- guished Masons of other jurisdictions, but Grand Lodge said no. Bro. JOHN C. SMITH was re-elected Grand Master. 1889. An emergent communication . of Grand Lodge was convened at the Masonic Hall in the city of Bloomington on September 6, 1889, the occasion being the funeral of the late ALEXANDER T. DARRAH. The services were conducted by Grand Master SMITH, assisted by the officers of Grand Lodge and the Masonic bodies of Bloomington. The fiftieth annual communication was held at Chicago, October i, M. W. JNO. C. SMITH presiding. This being the semi- centennial meeting a number of interesting features had been provided. A special choir rendered an original "semi-centennial hymn " written for the occasion by Bro. H. G. PERRY; Bro. D. C. CREGIER, in his civil capacity as mayor of Chicago, extended the freedom of the city, and Bro. Jos. ROB- BINS, on behalf of the representatives, re- sponded. Among the visitors were the Grand Masters of Pennsylvania, the original source of Illinois' Freemasonry, and the neighboring States of Indiana and Iowa. Bro. ELI S. PARKER, the Seneca Indian, a Past Grand Orator, and a number of the "ancient brethren " then domiciled in for- eign jurisdictions, were also present. In commemoration of the event Grand Lodge caused a bronze medal to be struck which COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 105 has already become a rare and prized memento. This session witnessed the final dissem- ination of Masonry in every county in the Medal struck to commemorate the semi-centen- nial anniversary of the founding of Grand Lodge. The medal is of bronze, suspended by a blue ribbon, and is worn upon the coat when used as a decoration. State. For some reason Calhoun county, during the entire fifty years of Grand Lodge existence, had never received "Masonic light " and it remained for Grand Master SMITH to dispel this darkness and complete the circuit by instituting a lodge at the town of Hardin in July of this year. This year also witnessed another of the characteristic outpourings of generosity by the craft of this jurisdiction. In the early summer the community was shocked by a great disaster in Pennsylvania resulting from the bursting of a dam in the Cone- maugh Valley and the inundation of the neighboring city of Johnstown. An appeal was made to the constituent lodges, which responded with the magnificent sum of $4,855.91. One of the features of this session was the placing of the cape-stone of the im- posing structure known as the Auditorium. For an occasion of this kind Grand Lodge had provided no ceremony, but the Grand Master was not be deterred by so trivial a matter as that, and the writer was commis- sioned to produce a ritual. This duty he performed, and at high twelve of Wednes- day, October 2, the Grand Lodge, escorted by the constituent lodges of Chicago and the various local commanderies of Knights Templar, proceeded to the building, and in the presence of a vast concourse of people duly celebrated the cape-stone "according to the old customs of Free and Accepted Masons." Of this ceremony more will be said in another portion of the work. At five o'clock in the afternoon the members of the fraternity and their families gathered at the armory of the Second Regiment, I. N. G., where Bro. GEORGE C. LORIMEK delivered, in his own masterly manner, an eloquent oration on 106 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. " Masonry and the Dignity of Labor." After the oration the company passed into the adjacent building of Battery "D," where a sumptuous' banquet had been pro- vided. When the viands had been duly discussed a "feast of reason" was inaugu- rated and at its conclusion the guests in- dulged in such interchange of greetings as the waning hours permitted. Bro. JOHN M. PEARSON was elected Grand Master. The semi-centennial of Grand Lodge marks an epoch in its history and affords a convenient point from which to re- view its course during the fifty years which had intervened since the first meeting in Jacksonville in 1840. At the formation of Grand Lodge Masonry throughout the coun- try was just commencing to recover from the violent shock it received from the anti- Masonic agitation of 1827-33 ar >d the polit- ical action resulting therefrom. There were, at this time (1840), but 637 lodges in the United States, with an aggregate mem- bership of 21,072. Thus it will be seen that in Illinois, at the time of its semi-cen- tennial celebration, there were a larger number of constituent lodges than existed in the entire country at the time Grand Lodge was organized, while the member- ship in its obedience was double that of all the Grand Lodges combined in 1 840. Grand Lodge was organized nominally by six lodges, practically by five, and had under its obedience at that time i 57 Masons. From 1840 to 1850 its progress was slow; for when the first decade had rolled round it had but sixty-eight lodges, returning an aggregate membership of 1,797. From 1850 to 1860 its growth was rapid yet healthy. The pride of bigotry and the power of prejudice were no longer able to stay its onward course, and with the devel- opment of the State and enlightenment of its citizens Masonry kept even pace. The returns at this period show 320 chartered lodges, with a total of 12,052 members. From 1860 to 1870 there was a marked stimulus in the growth of Masonry through- out the world, and in the United States this growth was without precedent. Illinois felt the effect of this movement equally with other jurisdictions, and notwithstanding the depressing influence of the civil war during the first half of the decade the year 1870 closed with a grand total of 606 constituent lodges, having 33,996 members. The suc- ceeding ten years show only a slow yet sub- stantial growth. During the larger portion of the time, following the panic of 1873, the depressed commercial conditions of the na- tion were visibly apparent in the condition of the craft, and the returns of 1880 show but 691 lodges and a total membership of 36,374 Master Masons. This, however, seems to have been the high-water mark of the semi- centenary period. During the nine years ensuing there was a general settlement to a firmer and more substantial basis. The number of lodges decreased and while, in a few instances, this may have indicated a falling off in Masonic interest, yet in the main such decrease occurred through the consolidation of weak lodges. The returns of 1889 showed a total of 68 1 lodges, with a membership of 41,479. Thus, while there was a decrease in the number of lodges there was also an increase of about 14 per cent in membership, all of which denoted only con- ditions of health, as the succeeding years abundantly proved. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 107 It may be interesting also to note the condition of American Masonry generally during the same period. As already stated, when Grand Lodge was organized there were in this country a total of 637 lodges, in twenty-two jurisdictions, with a total membership of 21,072. When Grand Lodge met in 1889 there was a total of 10,088 lodges, in forty-eight jurisdictions, with a grand aggregate of 609,463 members. Evi- dently the augurs of 1830 had failed to read the omens aright, for their prophecies had certainly failed. 1890. Fifty-first annual communication at Chi- cago, October 7, M. W. JOHN M. PEARSON presiding. The session was uneventful. The re- turns and reports showed continued pros- perity, while the general harmony and con- cord among the lodges obviated the neces- sity for special legislation. An echo of the semi-centennial celebration was heard in the report of the auditing committee, which showed that $2,989.05 had been expended for that event; but, as the sale of tickets to the banquet and of commemorative medals amounted to $2,615.50, Grand Lodge was only called upon to contribute $373.55. A small sum, surely, for so great an occasion. Bro. JNO. M. PEARSON was re-elected Grand Master. 1891. Fifty-second annual communication at Chicago, October 6, 1891, M. W. JOHN M. PEARSON presiding. The returns showed material improve- ment throughout the jurisdiction and a greater increase in numbers than for several years. The building and furnishing of many comfortable and convenient homes for the lodges was a conspicuous feature. The reports of the Deputies all evinced the prevalence of peace and harmony. The business of the session was strictly routine. Bro. MONROE C. CRAWFORD was elected Grand Master. 1892. Fifty-third annual communication at Chi- cago, Oct. 4, 1892, M. W. MONROE C. CRAWFORD presiding. The year was one of great activity throughout the State. The commercial world was then enjoying an unprecedented stimulus in all its departments, and, as is usual during such periods, the influence on Freemasonry was marked. A "Masonic Congress," to be held at some time during the Columbian Exposition in the year 1893, having been proposed by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, Grand Lodge directed that suitable provision be made to meet the " obligations of hospitality " which the occasion might create. Bro. MONROE C. CRAWFORD was re- elected Grand Master. 1893. The fifty-fourth annual communication of Grand Lodge was held in Central Music Hall, at Chicago, Octobers, 1893. M. W. MONROE C. CRAWFORD presiding. The proceedings were routine. Bro. LEROY A. GODDARD was elected Grand Master. The principal event of the year was the " Masonic Congress," which was held at Chicago, August I4th to I7th inclusive. 108 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. This grew out of the action of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky at its annual communi- cation in 1891. At that time the following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. and A. M., is in favor of joining with other Grand Jurisdictions of the United States and other nations in holding a Fraternal Congress, in the city of Chicago, 111., at some time during the continuance of the World's Fair. Jlesolred, That it is the sense of this Grand Lodge that said Fraternal Congress should not be held with a view to the formation of a General Grand Body, but for the interchange of fraternal sentiments conserving the general interests of Masonry throughout the world, and especially looking to a greater uniformity in the modes of recognition, and the fundamental feat- ures which characterize our system the world over. Resolved, That in order to carry out the foregoing resolutions, the present Grand Master appoint five delegates who shall act in co-operation with other jurisdictions desirous of joining in the proposition, and if said congress shall be held, said delegates shall represent this Grand Lodge in the same. The project was presented to the vari- ous Grand Lodges of the United States and Canada and by a large number was favora- bly received, all, or nearly all, coupling it with a disclaimer of any purpose to form or to tolerate the formation of a General Grand Lodge, and all concurring either ex- pressedly or impliedly in the date suggested by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, to wit, the month of August, 1893. The proposition came before the Grand Lodge of Illinois at its annual communica- tion in 1892 through the recommendations of the Grand Master (Bro. CRAWFORD) and was referred to a committee for considera- tion. Having satisfied themselves that the project concealed no sinister design for the formation of a General Grand body the committee reported back, that Constrained alike by the obligations of hospitality and by its favorable disposition towards such a con- gress, so long as it involves no purpose to form a Gen- eral Grand Lodge, or to bind in any way the Grand Lodges represented therein, the Grand Lodge of Illi- nois will welcome most cordially the representatives of all Grand Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons with which it may be in fraternal correspondence, to the jurisdiction proposed to be honored by their presence, and will gladly unite with them, through its own rep- resentatives, in all deliberations tending to strengthen the ties of fellowship and to reach a more general con- sensus upon all subjects tending to cause friction be- tween sovereign and independent Grand Bodies. In furtherance of this purpose, your committee recommends that the Grand Lodge concur in the date suggested by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky for the meeting of the proposed congress. Your committee further recommends that the Grand Lodge of Illinois be represented in the pro- posed Congress by six delegates, consisting of the Grand Master and five others to be appointed by him. Your committee further recommends that the Grand Master appoint an executive committee of five from among the resident Masons of Chicago, to make the necessary arrangements for the accommodation of the congress and to answer inquiries relating thereto, with power to appoint sub-committees if required, and to make such provision for the entertainment of the members of the Congress as may, in their judgment, suitably reflect the appreciation of the Masons of Illi- nois of the privilege of counting as their guests the ac- credited delegates of the Grand Lodges with which we are in fraternal correspondence. And finally your committee recommends that the sum of five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be appropriated to defray the ex- penses of the committee. In all of which Grand Lodge concurred. In pursuance thereof the delegates were se- lected and the committee appointed. The preceptory of Oriental Consistory was se- cured for a place of deliberation and the delegates were told to come. Accordingly on August 14, 1893, dele- gates from thirty-four jurisdictions duly assembled and effected an organization, with Bro. M. C. CRAWFORD as President and Bro. POWER, of Mississippi, as Secretary. The convention lasted four days, and during COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 109 some, at least, of this time, was actually in session. A few ancient saws were refiled and a few foregone "conclusions" were reached, and the "Congress" adjourned sine die. As a matter of fact a majority of the delegates came for a good time and they obtained it. If they did not it was through no fault of the local committee. Chicago, at that time, was having a grand holiday. The attractions were numerous, and to the extensive stock provided for the general public the executive committee added a few special features for the exclu- sive benefit of the Congress. The Acacia Club tendered to the delegates a reception at their palatial Club House, No. 105 Ash- land Boulevard, on the evening of the sec- ond day, and the refreshments, music, en- tertainment and speeches of the occasion will certainly be distinctly remembered by the participants when the "conclusions" of the convention shall have become vague and indistinct. A Tally-Ho Coach ride over the boulevards and through the public parks, concluding with a dinner at the Washington'Park Club House, consumed the following day. On Thursday evening the delegates occupied the choicest seats at the Auditorium and witnessed the great spec- tacular drama "America," the leading at- traction of the city aside from the World's Fair. It was an era of good feeling and good fellowship, and in this particular the Con- gress was a pronounced success. The busi- ness of the session was comparatively with- out either special meaning or definite results. Having no power to bind its constituents by legislation, its "conclusions" were ad- visory merely; and inasmuch as its con- clusions settled no mooted questions, the real value of the meeting must be sought in its social and fraternal features. However, the five thousand dollars was well expended in the discharge of the ' ' ob- ligations of hospitality" and the delegates returned to their homes well satisfied with their four days' sojourn in Chicago. 1894. Fifty-fifth annual communication at Chi- cago, October 2, 1894, M. W. LEROY A. GODDARD presiding. The year 1 894 witnessed a serious finan- cial depression throughout the country, yet in Masonry its effects were hardly visible and the period was one of much interest and activity. Bro. L. A. GODDARD was re-elected Grand Master. 1895- Fifty-sixth annual communication at Chicago, Oct. i, 1895, M. W. LEROY A. GODDARD presiding. On the first day of the session Grand Lodge "called off," and with a numerous escort proceeded to the town of De Kalb, and there laid, with the ancient ceremonies of the craft, the corner-stone of a new pub- lic building, devoted to the cause of educa- tion and known as the Northern Illinois State Normal School. The expense of this trip to Grand Lodge (not including expense of representatives or escort) was $301.20. Evidently the representatives thought the bill too high for the privilege, for by resolu- tion it was decided ' ' that hereafter no bills of expense for laying of corner stones or dedication of halls shall be allowed by this Grand Lodge except for the personal ex- penses incurred by the Grand Master in the exercise of his prerogative." 110 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. The use of the "Masonic name" was forbidden to all business enterprises or as part of a title by any corporation, company or association. Bro. OWEN SCOTT was elected Grand Master. With the annual communication of 1 895 Grand Lodge closed the fifty-fifth year of its existence. It had in its obedience 50,- 727 Master Masons. It possessed gross assets amounting to the sum of $83,747. 17. It had no outstanding liabilities. In nu- merical standing it ranked second among the Grand Lodges of the United States, yielding precedence only to the great State of New York. A comparison of these fig- ures with its condition and standing in the year 1840 makes an interesting study. Of the little band which participated in the for- mation of the body in 1840 but one was liv- ing, Bro. HARRISON DILLS, while the great majority of those who were active during the early years had likewise passed into the great beyond. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Ill THE ROUTINE OF GRAND LODGE. AT ITS organization the Grand Lodge adopted a form for the orderly trans- action of its business and since that time the procedure then established, with such changes and additions as its growing wants demanded, has been steadily adhered to. This routine constitutes the bulk of its transactions and from it mainly are drawn the materials which go to make up the his- tory of the craft. To recite the details of this routine would be practically to furnish a copy of the proceedings, and even a skill- ful abstract of same would possess but little value or interest for the average reader, however much it might appeal to the stu- dent. There are, however, incidents con- nected with the routine of the sessions worthy of notice, while the growth and de- velopment of the craft can only be properly ascertained by reference thereto. It is pro- posed, in the following paragraphs, to glance at a few of the regular heads of Grand Lodge business and to exhibit some of the phases which at different periods have char- acterized them. GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS. In all of the governing bodies of Masonry it is now a custom of almost imperative ob- ligation for the presiding officer to open the business of the session with an address to the representatives. This address usually consists of a report of his "stewardship," or a recital of his official acts during the re- cess, together with such recommendations for legislation as in his judgment may be necessary or expedient. Practically this is all that a Grand Master is expected to do; but the temptation is strong to introduce extraneous matters and as a consequence we frequently find much space devoted to expositions of morals, dogma, law, theology, history, ethics, and occasionally allusions to less elevating themes. The entire subject of the addresses of Grand Masters seems to be American in its inception and development and the out- growth of comparatively recent years. In the early stages of Grand Lodge it seems to have been unknown. Bro. ABRAHAM JONAS, the first Grand Master, although a vigorous and forceful writer, never made a formal address at any of the three sessions over which he presided. At the session of 1842 he read a list of the dispensations he had granted, but this was simply a bare an- nouncement. His successor, Bro. MERE- DITH HELM, was the first to present a care- fully prepared report. At the session of 1843 this talented Brother presented what he termed a "message," consisting of a brief but well framed paper, which was evi- dently inspired by the customs and pro- cedure of civil legislative assemblies. As Grand Lodge had never before received a "message," or other formal communica- tion, from its executive, the brethren seem 112 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. to have been at a loss to know just how to dispose of it. Accordingly it was ' ' laid on the table," and after due deliberation was taken up and referred to the Committee on Foreign Communications. The next Grand Master, Bro. ALEX- ANDER DUNLAP, evidently regarded "mes- sages " in the light of innovations, for he made no address beyond the simple an- nouncement of the grant of his dispensa- tions. Bro. LEVI LUSK, his successor, made a formal written report of his dispensations and decisions, but the report was very- brief, occupying less than a page and a half of the printed proceedings. The decisions were referred to a special committee for consideration. This was the first instance of reference of this kind and the " select committees " which for some years after- wards continued to be appointed were the precursors of the present Committee on Grand Master's' address. Bro. WILLIAM WALKER (1846) never opened Grand Lodge, and hence made no address, but did send a voluminous paper, which, after being edited by a committee of Grand Lodge, and having certain parts expunged, was published in the proceedings. Bro. WILLIAM LAVELY (1848) was the first Grand Master to deliver a formal ad- dress on the lines now usually observed, and since his time it has been customary for all of his successors to address Grand Lodge at length. For many years the addresses were referred to select committees, which passed upon all of the questions presented and reported their conclusions to the ses- sion. But when the exigencies of business began to call for more time and labor than the committees were able to bestow, new committees were created, and finally the principal duty of the committee on Grand Master's address became to separate the topics and assign same to other committees for special consideration. Until the accession of Bro. HARMAN G. REYNOLDS in 1868, the addresses were com- paratively brief, and devoted mainly to a statement of important official acts with occasional recommendations for legislative action. Bro. REYNOLDS, however, while conforming to the precedents set by his predecessors, reported not only the gist of his important official acts but all the minor details; and to these he added a resume of the usual routine work of the Grand Mas- ter, with observations and suggestions of his own. The pace thus set has been gen- erally followed by his successors, and the annual address has become, in size at least, a formidable document. Many of the annual addresses, particu- larly of recent years, are papers of great merit, and contain much food for thought. A few, and their number is limited, are but tedious recitals of petty routine acts, de- tailed with a nauseating degree of particu- larity and exactitude. As a rule, however, the Grand Masters of the jurisdiction of Illinois have been men of marked ability and their "state papers" compare favorably with the best of other jurisdictions. Particularly is this true of such men as GURNEY, ROBBINS, CREGIER, PEARSON, SMITH or CRAWFORD. Indeed, all of the later incumbents of the office have risen to the importance of the occasion and Grand Lodge may well be proud of its galaxy of Past Grand Masters. Originally the annual address was a mere matter of option or volition on the part of the Grand Master, but for man}' years it has been a prescribed duty, the By- Laws providing that he " shall present, at LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS -^'' &; QfK//s3&G$K; *^ sfa ^r s~*v &- Fac-simile of the petition of Hon. Stephen A. Douglas for the degrees in Masonry. (From the original, through the courtesy of Albert T. Hey, Esq., Springfield.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 115 each Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, a written report, setting forth such of his official acts and decisions during the year as he may deem proper; also, report- ing the general condition-of Masonry within the jurisdiction, and recommending such legislation as he may deem necessary or ex- pedient for the welfare of the fraternity." ANNUAL ORATION. In all of the continental systems of Freemasonry there is an officer of the lodge styled the Orator, whose duty consists in explaining to the candidate after initiation, the mysteries and symbolism of the degree to which he has been admitted. The office has never been recognized in England or by the American Grand Lodges which claim descent from English ancestry, but for many years it has been customary to elect or appoint some competent brother to de- liver an address or oration at the annual grand communication. The person dis- charging this duty is called the Grand Ora- tor and the office is considered one of su- perior dignity, entitling the incumbent, equally with the Grand Wardens, to the appellation of Right Worshipful. The office has always been maintained by the Grand Lodge of Illinois and the an- nual oration forms one of the most pleasing features of the stated communications. At the second communication of Grand Lodge, on October 20, 1840, Bro. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS was elected Grand Orator, be- ing the first person selected for the office, and a committee was thereupon appointed to inform him of the fact and to notify him that "an oration on the principles of Ma- sonry " would be expected of him on the second day of the next Grand Communica- tion. But Bro. DOUGLAS never discharged any of the duties of the office. At the com- munication of 1841, Bro. DOUGLAS being unable to attend, the committee secured Bro. J. A. McDoucALL, who delivered the first address at ' ' the Rev. Mr. TODD'S church " in Jacksonville, in the presence of Grand Lodge and such of the general public as chose to attend. Bro. McDouGALL was a man of marked ability and his ora- tion will compare favorably with the best of later periods. Bro. J. H. MATHENY, of Springfield, was the second Grand Orator, but, like Bro. DOUGLAS, performed no service during his term. For this dereliction, however, he subsequently atoned and on several occa- sions delivered characteristic addresses. The third incumbent, Bro. H. S. COOLY, of Quincy, delivered an "eloquent and ap- propriate address " in 1843, which has not been preserved. Bro. R. El SMITH, of Quincy, was Grand Orator in 1 844 and de- livered ' ' a very able and interesting address upon the early history of our order and the duties of its members." In fact this has been the stock theme of all Grand Orators from the foundation of the office until the present time, and the writer, as a member of the guild of "P. G. O. 's, " is himself guilty of the same act. Unfortunately the address has not been preserved. Bro. WM. STUART, of Chicago, was Grand Orator in 1845; but there was no oration. In 1846 Bro. MATH- ENY " delivered an oration on the subject of Free Masonry " at the public installation of the officers. The oration of 1847 was de- livered by Bro. ABRAHAM JONAS. The ad- dress has been preserved and does credit to the head and heart of the first Grand Mas- ter. In this address we find the germ of all the organized Masonic charities of the juris- 116 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. diction, and of this branch of Masonic "work" Bro. JONAS may fairly be called ' ' the forerunner." In 1848 Bro. E. R. ROE, of Shawnee- town, was Grand Orator and delivered a fine composition. In 1849 GEO. DAVIS, of Chicago, officiated and traced the line of Masonic descent, as so many have done be- fore and since, from the building of King Solomon's Temple, if not beyond. If there was an oration in 1850 the records do not disclose the fact. At the session of 1851 we learn from the record that after the elec- tion Grand Lodge was "called from labor to refreshment, and preceded by the Spring- field brass band, and the officers and mem- bers of Central Lodge, No. 7 1 , and Spring- field, No. 4, formed in procession, under the direction of Bro. I. R. MILLER, Acting Grand Marshal, and proceeded to the Bap- tist Meeting House, when, after a fervent prayer by Bro. HOWARD, and appropriate music, the newly elected and appointed of- ficers were installed in a very happy manner by Past Grand Master LAVELY. A very ap- propriate and suitable oration was then de- livered by R. W. Brother LINDSAY, Grand Orator, after which the Grand Body, pre- ceded as before, returned to their hall and called from refreshment to labor, and the M. W. Grand Master was saluted in ample form." The installation of 1852 was held in the Hall of Representatives at Springfield, on which occasion Bro. THOS. J. PICKETT "pronounced a very chaste, eloquent and elaborate oration, which was listened to with marked attention and silence by the audience." At the installation of 1853 Bro. THOS. SHIRLEY, of Chicago, delivered an oration which, it is said, "was listened to with marked satisfaction and admiration by the audience, and which won for the speaker the highest commendation of the craft and the audience." At the session of 1854 the oration was delivered by Bro. CHAS. E. DODGE; of 1855 by Bro. JAMESH. MATH- ENY; of 1856 by Bro. HOSMER A. JOHNSON. In 1857, by resolution, a public installation was "dispensed with," whereupon, at the request of the Grand Orator (Bro. MATHENY), " the oration was also dispensed with." In 1858 the installation was private and hence there was no oration. Grand Lodge had not yet arrived at that period of intellectual development when the oration was delivered for the benefit of Masons and not for the general public. The installation of 1859 was public and Bro. ABRAHAM JONAS deliv- ered the customary oration. In 1 860 Bro. S. A. HURLBUT was the Grand Orator. The installation of 1861 was conducted within the tiled recesses of Grand Lodge, and from this time forward we hear no more of processions, brass bands, or other ques- tionable devices to draw the attention of the multitude to a ceremony that concerns them not at all. Evidently Grand Lodge was be- coming cognizant of the fact that public no- toriety and the gratification of the idle curi- osity of the profane were not necessary elements of substantial growth. The ex- ample of Grand Lodge, in this respect, might with propriety be adopted by some of its constituents who still insist on admitting non-Masons to a participation in their cere- monies. This session was also character- ized by another notable departure from for- mer methods. Heretofore the oration had been delivered as a feature of a public exhi- bition, and in every instance when the an- nual installation had not been performed in public the feature had been omitted. This year, for the first time, Grand Lodge in its COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 117 organized capacity listened to an oration in- tended only for itself. The Orator was Bro. H. P. H. BROMWELL, and the oration, which has been preserved, was a beautiful rhetorical gem. Unfortunately the prece- dent set by this communication was not fol- lowed in all succeeding years; but the ex- ample was not without good effect. The ora- tion of 1862 was delivered by Bro. BROM- WELL. There was neither orator nor oration in 1863, but in 1864 Bro. BROMWELL again delivered one of his characteristic addresses. In 1865 the longing for a little public display overcame the judgment of Grand Lodge and it was ' ' ordered, that the installation ceremonies take place in public;" and so the grand officers were installed ' ' in the pres- ence of a large audience of ladies and gen- tlemen;" and as an oration was a necessary concomitant of the public show, " Bro. M. W. WILLIS delivered an able oration." The installation of 1866 was public and again Bro. M. W. WILLIS "delivered an oration of great merit, and with unusual eloquence and power. ' ' Unfortunately none of Bro. WILLIS' orations have been pre- served. This was the last time that Grand Lodge made a public exhibition of its in- stallation ceremony. The Grand Orator of 1867 was Bro. JAMES I. DAVIDSON. At the session of 1868 Bro. NEWTON BATEMAN delivered an ora- tion ' ' replete with elegance, power and striking thought." The address was or- dered to be printed with the proceedings, but this does not seem to have been done. The oration of 1869 was delivered by Bro. JOSEPH ROBBINS, and none better was ever listened to by Grand Lodge. The address is preserved in the proceedings, and will well repay perusal at this time. Bro. BROMWELL was again the orator in 1870, 7 and, like all his previous efforts, the address was a good one. There were no orations in 1871-2-3-4-5. During several of these years no Grand Orator was appointed and in others the ap- pointment was merely perfunctory, no duties being required or expected from the ap- pointee. Indeed it almost seemed that the ancient practice was about to be relegated to oblivion with the other relics of forgot- ten days. But in 1876 the custom was re- vived and Bro. McCoRMiCK was the orator of the occasion. In 1877 Bro. R. S. DEMENT delivered an excellent address. Bro. ALFRED SAMPLE followed in 1878 with a well prepared essay on " Masonic Vitality." In 1879, however, the order of a few years previous was restored and the oration was passed. This was also the case in 1880. In 1 88 1 Bro. W. H. WILLIAMSON delivered an oration "which was listened to with marked attention by the members present," but same has not been preserved in the record. In 1882 Bro. OWEN SCOTT de- livered an excellent address on " Masonry its Ritualism, its Realities, its Results;" and this had to suffice for three years, for there were no orations in 1883-4. In 1885 Bro. W. S. HOOPER delivered a thoughtful and scholarly address on ' ' Masonic Symbol- ism," and in 1886 Bro. ISAAC CLEMENTS presented a carefully prepared dissertation on Masonic History, albeit a trifle imagina- tive. Bro. HOOPER was the orator of 1887, his theme being a review of Masonic His- tory, but, like the address of Bro. CLEMENTS the year preceding, it dealt largely in fancy and unverified traditions. But notwith- standing these defects the addresses were fine productions and well calculated to pro- duce thought and further investigation on the part of the auditors. 118 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. In 1888 Bro. GEORGE C. LORIMER de- livered an instructive and edifying address on "Wisdom, Strength and Beauty; or, the Pillars of Masonry," and the year fol- lowing the same gifted speaker was the ora- tor, his theme being, " Masonry and the Dignity of Labor." This was the semi-cen- tennial year and Bro. LORIMER'S address was made an "attraction," being delivered not as a part of the regular exercises of Grand Lodge nor within its tyling, but at a public hall to which the " members of the fraternity and their families" had been in- vited. At the session of 1890 Bro. A. T. WOLFF delivered an admirable address on "The Character and Duty of Masonry," and at the session of 1891 the writer of this article offered a few thoughts upon the sub- ject of "Masonic Antiquity." In 1891 there was no oration, and in 1 893 the writer was again the orator, his theme being a discus- sion of some of the authentic phases of " Pre-historic Freemasonry." The orator of 1894-5 was B ro - JOHN C. BLACK, who at each annual session delivered, in his own inimitable manner, an eloquent and in- structive essay, the therne for 1 894 being "Masonry's Part in Establishing Liberty and Order, "and in 1895 the "Future of Freemasonry." The orations which at different times have been delivered before Grand Lodge would, if collected, form a most instructive and entertaining volume. Grand Lodge has made an effort to rescue its early history from oblivion by a reprint of the record of the first ten years of its existence. Except as an educational factor the pecuniary out- lay for this action cannot be justified, and now that it has entered upon its work of education it might profitably continue same by a reprint of the addresses from 1841 un- til the present time. COMMITTEE WORK. During the early years of Grand Lodge committees were few in number and gener- ally inconsequential in character. The busi- ness of the annual session was easily trans- acted in open lodge, and on all questions coming before the body the utmost freedom of inquiry and discussion was permitted. Only a few matters of routine were ever sent to committee, while the comparatively small volume of the work rendered a refer- ence in most cases unnecessary. At the annual communication of 1840 provision was made for a distribution of routine work by a by-law authorizing the appointment, by the Grand Master, of the following standing committees, viz. : A Committee on Returns and Work of Lodges To consist of three members, to whom shall be referred all the returns and work of subordinate Lodges, and whose duty it shall be to examine the same and report to this Grand Lodge. A Committee on Petitions and Qrietanees To con- sist of three members, to whom shall be referred all appeals to this Grand Lodge, and all petitions for new Lodges. A Committee on Finance and Accounts To con- sist of three members, whose duty shall be to examine and report on all accounts to them referred, and ex- amine and report on the financial condition of the Grand Lodge; and A Committee to Examine Visiting Brethren To consist of two members. For many years no other standing com- mittees were provided for or appointed, and for any emergency which arose a special or, as it was called, " select " committee was created. It has frequently been asserted by Ma- sonic "parliamentarians" that a Masonic Lodge or Grand Lodge cannot resolve itself COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 119 into a Committee of the Whole. There is no authority for this statement other than the ipse dixit of the aforesaid ' ' parliament- arians " or as they may have been able to impress their peculiar views upon their re- spective Grand Lodges by resolution or by- law. It has further been asserted, in sup- port of the proposition, that Grand Lodge cannot force the Grand Master from the chair; but when Grand Lodge goes into session as a committee it is the same as any other committee composed only of a fraction of its members. The argument of the op- posers of such a procedure is therefore without point. It would seem, however, that in the early days of Grand Lodge these fine distinctions of unlearned lawyers were not known and that the recognized usages of deliberative bodies for the expeditious transaction of business were all employed. Hence we find, at the session of 1841, that, On motion of Brother DILLS, the report of the Committee on Returns and Work of Lodges was taken up in Committee of the Whole, Brother J. T. JONES, P. M., in the Chair. The Grand Lodge having spent some time in Committee of the Whole, on motion, the committee rose and reported progress; And this procedure was employed on a num- ber of subsequent occasions. At the session of 1842 we find the germ of our present Committee on Correspond- ence in the adoption of the following reso- lution: Itesolred, That a Committee of Foreign Relations shall be appointed to whom shall be referred all cor- respondence between this Grand Lodge and other Grand Lodges, and all communications from abroad; which, on motion, was adopted. This made the fifth standing committee. It was first called the Committee on Foreign Communications and subsequently on For- eign Correspondence. Its duties seem to have been very light for many years, and most of the matters which are now gener- ally referred to this committee were consid- ered by Grand Lodge in open session. By 1844 considerable Masonic interest had been created throughout the State and at each session of Grand Lodge there were a number of returns of dispensations for new lodges granted by the Grand Master during recess. Heretofore these matters had been referred to the Committee on Returns and Work, but it was now felt that the labor was becoming too onerous. This led to th' establishment of the sixth committee am on motion of Bro. W. B. WARREN it wa Resolved, That hereafter, on the first day of each Grand Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge the Grand Master appoint a Committee on Work and Return of Lodges Under Dispensation. The old committee now became known as the Committee on Returns and Work of Chartered Lodges. At the session of 1 846 the correspond- ence committee reported, " that in their estimation, the day or two allotted to the Committee on Foreign Correspondence dur- ing the session of the Grand Lodge is ut- terly insufficient to enable them to bestow that judicious consideration upon the vari- ous measures of interest affecting the pros- perity of our Order that their importance most imperiously demands." And there- upon the committee recommended, "that the practice pursued by some of the Grand Lodges, to wit, that of having a Standing Committee on Foreign Correspondence, whose duty it is to examine, during recess, such documents, with a view of reporting at the next communication thereafter, be 120 COMPENDIUir OF FREEMASONRY JN ILLINOIS. adopted by this Grand Lodge, feeling as- sured that it will much facilitate the labors of the committee, and expedite the transac- tion of business." Grand Lodge concurred in the recom- mendation, and thenceforward the work of this committee was performed during the recess. No further additions to the Committees were made until 1852. All matters of an ordinary routine character which were not referred to "select" committees were con- sidered by Grand Lodge in session. By 1852 the number and complexity of the questions presented, particularly with ref- erence to the acts and decisions of the Grand Masters, rendered this primitive cus- tom no longer practicable; and in order to meet these changed conditions it was Resolved, That a Committee on Masonic Jurispru- dence be appointed at each session of the Grand Lodge. At the annual communication of 1853 a Committee on Credentials was appointed, apparently for the first time, and the rec- ords show a report from same. It would seem that in the earlier years the repre- sentatives reported directly to the Grand Secretary and the attendance was made up from his books and memoranda. Probably the old method would have still been fol- lowed were it not that the representatives had arrived at the conclusion that they were entitled to compensation for attending the sessions, and in pursuance thereof had es- tablished a rate of mileage and per-diem. This not only necessitated more accurate reports of attendance than had been kept by the Secretary, but also called into exist- ence a further new Committee on Mileage and Per Diem. Prior to 1860 but little was done with respect to obituary notices. The Grand Master usually made a brief necrological report as a part of his annual address, and in some instances a select committee would formulate and present resolutions of respect and condolence. About 1860 the present practice was inaugurated, and since that time the report of the Committee on Obitu- aries has been a regular feature of the routine of Grand Lodge. At the session of 1858 a new code of By-Laws was adopted which made several important changes in the methods of the distribution of work to committees. For nearly twenty years the Committee on Peti- tions and Grievances had managed to per- form all of the work devolving upon it under both heads, but with the rapid multi- plication of lodges and the large numerical increase the duties had become very oner- ous. The necessity of a division of the labor was recognized and as a result a new committee on Appeals and Grievances was instituted. The old committee now took cognizance only of petitions for new lodges, for restoration, and such other matters as they might receive by special reference, all of the cases of appeals from the action of constituent lodges going to the new com- mittee. But even this increase of commit- tees and division of labor was not sufficient to meet the demands, while the committee men complained that in the discharge of their duties their time was so fully occupied that they were virtually precluded from at- tendance on Grand Lodge. To afford relief the session of 1860 enacted the following: Repaired, That the Committee on Appeals and Grievances, on Mileage and Per Diem, on Lodges Under Dispensation, and on Chartered Lodges, be made Standing Committees of this Grand Lodge, and COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 121 that they meet on the Monday before the Grand Lodge sits; and that said committees commence their respec- tive sessions at 9 o'clock A. M., and that all persons interested be required to attend before said commit- tee on said day. Since 1860 the Grand Master, his De- puty, the Wardens, the Secretary and the Treasurer have constituted a standing com- mittee on Charity. A General Committee "whose duty it shall be to report upon all unfinished busi- ness and upon such other matters as shall be referred to them " has been among the provisions of the By-Laws for many years but apparently has never been employed to any appreciable extent. In 1872 the work of Grand Lodge was further systematized and expedited by the creation of an Auditing Committee designed as a relief to the Committee on Finance and in addition to act as a check on un- authorized expenditure. The measure pro- vided for A committee, to consist of three members, whose duty it shall be to convene at such place as they may determine, on the 15th day of December, March, June and September, respectively, of each Masonic year, for the purpose of examining and auditing all bills or other demands against the Grand Lodge of Illinois which may at such times be presented to them; and if for any cause the committee fail to meet at the times herein specified, the Chairman is hereby authorized to call a meeting at another day. Said committee shall not entertain or audit any bill or other demand not fully authorized by the Grand Lodge, nor unless properly signed by the Grand Mas- ter and the Grand Secretary. The Grand Secretary shall notify all persons to whom the Grand Lodge may become indebted for supplies or other service of what- soever kind, of the day of payment, and shall present his order to said Auditing Committee on or before the dates herein specified. The Grand Treasurer will pay no moneys during vacation from the treasury of the Grand Lodge upon any orders unless signed by said Auditing Committee, or a majority of them as herein provided. The duties of said Auditing Committee shall com- mence immediately after the closing of the Grand Lodge each year, and cease on and after the 20th day of September, each year. Said committee shall make a full and detailed report of their labors during the year, specifying for what and to whom moneys have been paid. To the foregoing committees there has been added a Committee on Transportation or as it is usually termed on Railroads, its duties being to facilitate the procuring of reduced rates, upon the railroads and trans- portation lines, for brethren attending the annual sessions. For a number of years these duties have been acceptably performed by Bro. WM. JENKINS. The Grand Lodge of Illinois has grown to such vast proportions that its business, if undertaken by the body in annual session, would probably require weeks instead of days to accomplish. But with the well or- dered system of committees which is now in operation there is but little friction, no confusion, and no waste of time. All mat- ters of importance, susceptible of such treat- ment, are considered in committee in ad- vance of the session. All of the routine business involving the finances, the returns of lodges, and matters of like character have been duly digested and arranged in such a way that summaries and general statements maybe seen at a glance, and, not- withstanding the extent of the operations and the comparative magnitude of the in- terests involved, everything is accomplished within the three days allotted with more ease and better results then when Grand Lodge was one tenth its present size. The value to be attached to a good working committee can hardly be overesti- mated and as the jurisdiction increases nu- merically, as it certainly will, business will become still more systematized and the 122 COMPENDIUM Of FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. practical work of investigation, comparison, inquiry, computation and all other matters requiring reference for their proper ascer- tainment or presentation will be thrown into committee. It is in this way the work of all great legislative assemblies is trans- acted and Grand Lodge is only the legisla- tive assembly of the craft. CORRESPONDENCE REPORT. The Report on Correspondence, now so important a feature of the proceedings of all of the Grand Bodies, is essentially the outgrowth and development of American ideas, and is employed only in America. It is also a product of comparatively recent years. No provision was made, at the organiza- tion of Grand Lodge, for a Committee on Correspondence but at the session of 1842, on motion of Bro. HELM, it was Resolved, That a Committee on Foreign Relations shall be appointed, to whom shall be referred all cor- respondence between this Grand Lodge and other Grand Lodges, and all communications from abroad. Under this resolution Bros. LEVI LUSK and ALEXANDER DUNLAP became the first Committee. This committee made its re- port at the same session to the effect, that it had examined the proceedings of six juris- dictions but had "not been able to find anything therein that requires the immediate attention of this Grand Lodge, or of general interest." The report covers half a page of the printed proceedings. The commit- tee of 1 843 consisted of Bro. WM. B. WAR- REN, who made a general report which in the printed proceedings occupies one page. The report of 1844 was prepared by Bros. WARREN and LUSK, and was practically the first report worthy of the name that was presented to Grand Lodge. It covers six- teen pages of the printed abstract of the proceedings and, despite its brevity, com- pares favorably with the best work of sub- sequent years. It was read in open lodge "for the information of the brethren" and was then "approved and adopted." The report of 1845 is unique in many re- spects. It was prepared by Bro. WM. F. WALKER, a zealous and industrious Mason, but lacking stability of mind as well as Ma- sonic learning. In many respects it is one of the best written and most able reports presented to Grand Lodge, but wild and er- ratic in its statements and conclusions. It covers forty-one pages of the printed jour- nal and concludes with thirteen resolutions, several of which are of a most radical char- acter and to which reference has been made in the chronological review. The report was " accepted and concurred in." About this time the Committee began to be known as the Committee on Foreign Correspond- ence instead of Foreign Communications, a name which it has ever since retained. The committee of 1846 consisted of Bros. LUSK, MATHENY and LUCE, but one page of the journal sufficed for their report. The committee of 1847 consisted of Bros. LUSK, ANDERSONand DAVIS. Their re- port is an elaborate and carefully prepared paper in which, for the first time, the Com- mittee separately review each jurisdiction. The minutes of the communication of 1848 do not show the appointment of a committee, but Bro. S. H. DAVIS presented a well written report. The restored records of 1849 do not show any Correspondence report, though it would seem that a com- mittee was appointed for that purpose. At the communication of 1850 a report was presented by Bros. PICKETT, LINDSAY and COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 123 REYNOLDS. In 1851 the report was pre- pared by Bro. W. LAVELY; in 1852 by Bro. LINDSAY; in 1853 by Bro. MATHENY; in 1854 by Bro. PICKETT; in 1855 by Bro. BIRD; in 1856-7-8 by Bro. H. G. REY- NOLDS; in 1859 by Bro. LAVELY. Up to this time it would seem that these reports were read in Grand Lodge, although the increas- ing length would in some cases almost preclude this view. As Bro. REYNOLDS' reports were always accompanied or supple- mented by a series of resolutions the read- ing of a portion of the report was necessary to a correct understanding of the resolu- tions. With respect to Bro. LAVELY'S re- port we find it was ' 'read in part, and or- dered printed in the proceedings." The report of 1860-1 was by Bro. REY- NOLDS; that of 1862 by Bro. HIBBARD; of 1863 by Bro. BLAKESLEY; of 1864 by Bro. BATEMAN; of 1865 by Bro. MATHENY. Prior to 1860 the reports were inserted in the body of the proceedings at the point at which they were presented and read. After that year we sometimes find them inserted among the appendices. Bro. MATHENY'S report (1865) was the practical forerunner of our present encyclopaedic reviews. Its extreme length precluded its being read in open lodge, but it does not appear by the minutes of the session that it was even pre- sented. From this time forward the re- ports are found among the appendices. No report was presented at the session of 1866. This was a year of retrenchment. A report was presented in 1867 by Bro. MATHENY. In 1868 there was no report. The report of 1869 was prepared by Bro. JOSEPH ROBBINS, the first of the many that have emanated from his gifted pen. This report marked a distinct departure from its predecessors, both in the method of treatment and the volume of excerpta and comment. As to the worth of these exhaustive reports opinions differ. If the primary object is to disseminate information it is doubtful whether such object is at- tained. Experience has abundantly demon- strated that but few care to avail themselves of the labors of the committee. The re- port of 1870 was prepared by Bro. WM. ROUNSEVILLE. It was compiled on the plan of the earlier reports and occupies but twenty-five pages of the printed abstract. The report of 1871 was again prepared by Bro. JOSEPH ROBBINS, as were also those of 1872-3-4-5. Beginning with 1871 the fic- tion of an aggregate committee was aban- doned. For many years the reports had been prepared by the chairman of the com- mittee who alone, as a rule, was entitled to whatever credit might be due for the work. Since this latter date a sole committee only has been appointed. Bro. ROBBINS was succeeded by Bro. THEODORE T. GURNEY, who prepared the reports for the years 1876-8. Bro. GUR- NEY at once took front rank in the ' ' Re- portorial Guild," and his productions have never been surpassed in any jurisdiction. In 1879 Bro. ROBBINS resumed the quill, which he retained the year following. The report of 1881 was prepared by Bro. JOHN WASHINGTON BROWN. This report is unique. It occupies nearly five hundred pages of fine type, making, in itself, a book of no mean proportions, and cost Grand Lodge $2,241- .92. As the entire appropriation for print- ing for the year, including the journal of proceedings, was only $2,000, it will be perceived that this item alone exceeds that sum by $241.92, leaving the cost of the journal to be met by a further appropria- tion. Now, while Reports on Correspond- 124 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ence are good things in their way, and the reporter in this case had undoubtedly striven to make his better than all his predecessors, yet Grand Lodge was of opinion that there might be too much even of a good thing. Accordingly, it was Resolved, That the Committee on Masonic Cor- respondence be instructed to limit his report to two hundred and fifty pages of the volume of proceedings of this Grand Lodge. The report of 1882 was prepared by Bro. BROWN, who then gave way to Bro. GURNEY, and during the years 1883-5 the reports were from his keen, incisive pen. The report of 1 886 was mainly written by Bro. GURNEY, but finished by Bro. ROBBINS. This was Bro. GURNEY'S last work in Ma- sonry and in the words of his literary exe- cutor we may say ' ' that in his own person and .work the high standard of Masonic character which he demanded of others has been fully realized." Bro. DANIEL M. BROWNING prepared the report of 1887. In 1888 Bro. ROBBINS again mounted the tripod and has prepared all of the succeeding reports. With respect to the scope of his work opinions greatly differ, but in one thing all are agreed that in point of ability, thoughtfulness and scholarly treatment the reports have never been excelled. COMMUNICATIONS. That which we now call Grand Lodge was originally termed the " General Assem- bly " of the craft, and the meetings were held annually. During the early years in Illinois Grand Lodge was not convened more frequently than once a year in what is described in the old minutes as the ' ' An- nual Grand Communication." The first and every succeeding Constitution has pro- vided for the holding of the annual commu- nication ' ' at such time and at such place as may be designated in the by-laws;" but the right of the Grand Master to convene the Grand Lodge in special communication in case of emergency has always been recog- nized. It is a noticeable fact, however, that during the nearly sixty years of its existence this right never seems to have been exer- cised but once. This occurred in April, 1850, when the session known as the " Grand Lodge of Recovery" was held at Springfield for the purpose of restoring the lost records of 1 849 and for the transaction of other specified business. What are known as "Occasional" grand communica- tions may be convened by the Grand Mas- ter or his deputy, for the purpose of consti- tuting lodges, dedicating halls, laying cor- ner-stones, celebrating cape-stones, or other ceremonies requiring the aid of a Grand Lodge, and these communications are of frequent occurrence every year. It may appear a trifle strange to some, and the writer must confess it is not altogether clear to him, how Grand Lodge can hold a com- munication to which its constituents, the Masters and Wardens of the lodges, have not been summoned or even invited to at- tend; yet all of the " Occasionals " are of this character. They seem to have grown out of the ancient personal prerogative of the Grand Master to constitute lodges, ded- icate halls, etc. , and to summon to his as- sistance such persons as he might desire; yet it requires some stretch of the imagina- tion to transform the Grand Master and his suite into a Grand Lodge. The organization meeting and first six annual communications were held at the " Grand Masonic Hall " in the town of Jacksonville. From the beginning Spring- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 125 field was a strong competitor for the honor of permanent location, and at the first an- nual communication in 1840 a motion was introduced to change the place of meeting from Jacksonville to Springfield. This mo- tion was renewed at the session of 1841 and again in 1842. At the session of 1843 an effort was made to amend the By-Laws so that Grand Lodge " at each annual communication shall fix the place of holding its next annual communication," but without success. At the session of 1844 a motion was again presented to change the place of meeting to Springfield, but other localities were now becoming ambitious and Quincy entered the lists as a competitor. This in- spired the brethren from Peoria and Alton, and when Grand Lodge adjourned this year four amendments looking to a change of location were pending. The communication of 1845 was tne last held by Grand Lodge in the historic city of its birth, for at this session a com- promise was effected between the rival as- pirants for location and it was Besolved, That " the next regular communication of the Grand Lodge shall beheld at Peoria, and there- after its communications shall be held at such place in the State as the Grand Lodge may designate." The annual communication of 1846 was held at Peoria, that of 1847 at Quincy, and that of 1 848 at Alton. Chicago was now beginning to make itself manifest. The two lodges of that place sent an urgent in- vitation to hold the next communication at that city and Grand Lodge assented, so the annual of 1849 was held at Chicago. But Springfield's day, though long de- ferred, had come at last. On the loth day of February, 1850, a fire occurred in the city of Peoria, which destroyed the office of the Grand Secretary, and all the books, pa- pers and records of Grand Lodge, including the manuscript proceedings of the last An- nual Communication. To remedy the loss as far as possible, the Most Worshipful Grand Master convened the Grand Lodge in the city of Springfield, on Monday, the 8th day of April following, and so, after ten years of waiting, watching and contending, Springfield had a session of Grand Lodge. An emergent session, it is true, but still a session, and the brethren of Springfield at once proceeded to make it pleasant for the delegates. A committee was appointed to invite " our brethren " the Governor, Secre- tary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, "and any other officers of the State who are Ma- sons " to attend the session. The Masonic bodies of the city tendered to the officers and members of Grand Lodge ' ' a dinner at such time during the session as it might be convenient for them to attend." And when the time came there was a procession, or, as we term it in these degenerate days, a parade, and an oration at the Presbyterian Church, and then "a sumptuous dinner " at the City Hotel, and the representatives felt that after all Springfield was not a bad place to go to. The session of 1849, however, had fixed upon Shawneetown as the next place of meeting, and in accordance therewith the annual communication of 1850 was held at that place. At this session it was resolved to locate Grand Lodge permanently. Six ballots were taken and Jacksonville, Peoria, Springfield and Alton struggled for the honor. But the representatives retained a vivid recollection of the April meeting at Springfield, of the conveniences of the 126 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Supreme Court Room in which the session had been held, of the savory dinner at the City Hotel, of Bro. MATHENY'S honeyed re- marks, and so Springfield received a major- ity of the votes and was chosen as the place for the permanent location of Grand Lodge. The annual communication of 1851 was therefore held at Springfield and for four- teen years next succeeding the regular an- nual meetings were held at that city. For a time all went well, but by 1854 murmurs of discontent became audible. Some of the brethren were sighing for a change of lo- cation and their sentiments were voiced by Bro. STEPHEN PALMER, who offered the fol- lowing: Owing to the numerous public gatherings held at Springfield at the time of the session of this Grand Lodge, and the advantage taken thereof by the differ- ent landlords of the place to extort from the members exorbitant bills of fare; therefore, Resolved, That the sittings of this Grand Lodge be removed to Alton. Bro. ELI B. AMES came forward as the champion of Chicago with a resolution changing the By-Laws in favor of that city. The proposed amendments were laid over and in 1855 were defeated. At the session of- 1 85 5 the following communication was received: The undersigned, representatives in the Grand Lodge of Illinois, from the several Lodges in Chicago, being desirous of an opportunitv of welcoming the of- ficers and members of this Grand Lodge to their city, do respectfully invite the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois to hold their next Grand Annual Communica- tion at Chicago, and offer the free use of their rooms in the New Masonic Temple of our city, for that pur- pose. The invitation was referred to a com- mittee, which, through its chairman, Bro. LAVELY, submitted the following: Resohed, That the Grand Lodge accept the invi- tation of our Chicago brethren to hold the next Grand Communication in their hall in Chicago, and enjoy their tendered hospitalities; provided, that the mileage and per-diem allowance of members be counted the same as if the session were held in Springfield. But the Grand Master (Bro. ANDERSON) ruled that the resolution was not in order and the matter was dropped. In 1863, during the controversies over the "conservator movement," an attempt was made to convene Grand Lodge in emergent communication at Chicago. A summons was issued for a meeting on August 1 1 th of that year and a large number of the representatives responded, but it does not appear that any formal com- munication was held. At the session of 1864 the old motion to substitute Chicago for Springfield was pre- sented and laid over for one year. At the session of 1865 it was taken up and decided in the affirmative. Accordingly, the session of 1866 was held in Chicago. But the sceptre had by no means passed from Spring- field, for at the session of 1865, when the amendment was adopted, a resolution was introduced to restore the old arrangement. This resolution came up for action at the communication of 1 866 and passed, so that when the session of 1867 was held the rep- resentatives assembled at Springfield, as they had done for many years prior thereto. The annual communications continued to be held at the capital during the years 1868-9, when the By-Laws were again amended and Chicago was fixed upon as the place of permanent location. The thirtieth annual communication (1870) was therefore held at Chicago and for the past twenty- seven years all stated meetings have been held at that city. From time to time spo- radic attempts have been made to secure the location at some other point but always COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 127 without success, and from present indica- tions the metropolis will long continue to enjoy its present distinction. There is, however, no substantial reason for holding the annual communications in Chicago. It is not central, neither are its facilities for holding a convention any better than those of Springfield or Peoria. As a great railway terminal it is easily accessible from all parts of the State, but the city of Peoria now claims equal advantages in this respect. It is a further well known fact that the attractions of a great city have a tendency to draw the representatives away from the sessions and to interfere with busi- ness. There is, too, a certain propriety in holding the annual sessions at the seat of government and Springfield seems the log- ical point for permanent location. The annual communications are very expensive affairs. This fact has long been recognized and from time to time efforts have been made to curtail the cost by vari- ous devices. The principal item is the mileage rate. Biennial sessions would re- duce this one-half, but Grand Lodge has said that it does not care to retrench in this manner. The next feasible project would be a location at some point that could be reached at the minimum of expense. As Chicago lies at the extreme north end of the State and Cairo at the other, neither place is desirable if economy is to be studied. Evidently some point should be selected that will coincide with the center of Ma- sonic population, transportation facilities being considered. Where this would be the writer cannot state, and some industrious and statistical inclined brother must do the craft the service of making the computation. We are not without data, however, on which to form some conclusions. At the annual communication of 1869 the Grand Secretary was instructed to prepare a state- ment "showing the difference in the amount of mileage to be paid by this Grand Lodge, from each working subordinate Lodge to the cities of Chicago and Spring- field, or any city to which it may be pro- posed to change the place of meeting." In response to such instruction the Grand Sec- retary (Bro. MINER) did prepare and pre- sent to the session of 1870 the following statement: The amount necessary to pay mileage at the es- tablished rate, for a representative from each Lodge, to Springfield is $ 8,593 30 To Chicago (2,590 50 more) is 11,183 80 To Decatur (178 90 less) is 8,414 40 To Peoria ($351 00 more) is 8,944 30 To Cairo ($8,797 80 more) is 17,391 10 It will of course be understood that these figures are approximate only at this time, but while the membership throughout the State has increased and new lodges have been established, yet probably the ratios have not materially changed. If such is the case then of the four cities named De- catur would be the cheapest place in which Grand Lodge could convene, and sessions held there would result in a saving of several thousands of dollars each year. The difference between Decatur and Peoria is so slight, comparatively speaking, as to be scarcely worth considering, while the trans- portation facilities are largely in favor of Peoria. From the strictly pecuniary stand- point therefore, the annual communication should be held either at Springfield, Deca- tur, Peoria, or some interior city similarly situated. The hall rent in Chicago is al- 128 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ways high, $400 to $500 for the session, while committee accommodations are in proportion. The annual communications of Grand Lodge have always been held during the month of October. Frequent attempts have been made to change the time to other parts of the year. At the session of 1845 an effort was made to have the meeting held in June; in 1850 a like effort was made to hold same in May, and in 1855 an- other attempt was made to substitute June for October. In 1856 a resolution was offered fixing the time of the an- nual communication in November, and in 1859 a similar resolution making the time September, and so, from time to time, at- tempts have been made to fix upon some other month. In many instances good reasons for such change have been advanced, but the general opinion always seems to have been that the month of October is a more convenient time than any other period of the year. The other Masonic bodies, fol- lowing the example of the Grand Lodge, have also fixed the time for their annual sessions in October, and this month has now come to be regarded as the supreme season of the year in the Masonic calendar. So firmly has this conviction become estab- lished that for many years no attempts have been made to alter same, and it is doubtful if any change will be made during this gen- eration at least. The subject of biennial sessions has several times been mooted in Grand Lodge but never with success. The question seems to have been first presented at the annual communication of 1862 in a resolution of- fered by Bro. ARMSTRONG, which failed to receive any consideration by Grand Lodge. At the seession of 1883 the question again came before the body, in connection with other matters looking toward a re- trenchment in the administration of the finances. A resolution was presented by the representatives of thirteen constituent lodges, which recited, inter alia, that, " In the opinion of the undersigned representa- tives of Grand Lodge, the time has arrived when the question of taxation of constituent lodges for the maintenance of annual meetings of this Grand Lodge should be fully considered, in view of the fact that many lodges in the State can ill-afford to stand a yearly tax as required by the by-laws of this Grand Lodge, and also in the large sums annually expended in mileage and per-diem, which might otherwise re- main in the hands of constituent lodges, to aid in de- fraying other requisite expenses. We believe the question is one which should be fully and impartially considered by a select committee, with a view to finding some sure and safe way out of the evils which surround the matter, and devise some way by which the business of this Grand Lodge can be prop- erly and well conducted at a less annual expense to the constituent lodges of this State than at present, either by changing the time of meetings of this Body from annual to biennial, the reduction of the per- capita tax, a change in the' manner of representation, or such other means as the wisdom of the committee may recommend. The resolution was referred to a com- mittee consisting of Bros. ROBBINS, CREGIER, KROHN, PACE and BOSWELL, and at the an- nual communication of 1884 this committee presented voluminous majority and minority reports. The majority report, presented by Bro. ROBBINS, after discussing the ques- tion of a change in the manner of represent- ation and reporting adversely to same as involving a " revolutionizing of the institu- tion " and the exercise of a power ' ' of which we are not lawfully possessed," then pro- ceeds as follows: COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 129 The proposition to change the communications of the Grand Lodge from annual to biennial, though not involving, like the one just considered, the structure and therefore the identity of the Institution, does in- volve questions fundamental in their character. The right of the Craft annually to assemble and choose its own rulers antedates the General Regulations, and is coeval with the Grand Lodge itself. The guaranty of the right of appeal by the fundamental law did not and does not contemplate the tardy justice of a review of the case of a wronged brother by a Grand Lodge sitting once in two, or five, or ten years, but the speedy justice of review by a Grand Lodge meeting annually. Beyond these considerations, others of a minor character, but in themselves weighty, forbid a depart- ure from the ancient usage. The Grand Lodge of Illi- nois shares with many other Grand Lodges the re- sponsibility of preserving the Masonry which is the common heritage of all ; shares with them the necessity of frequent fraternal correspondence as the only cor- rective of the natural tendency to provincial narrow- ness which comes of isolation; and shares with them the duty of making timely protest against any depart- ure which threatens the integrity of their common trust. Quite apart from these considerations, but by no means the least of the reasons which urge frequent meetings of the Grand Lodge, is the importance of the opportunities afforded by such meetings for the cultivation of that fellowship which is the essential element of Masonry. Taken together they are, in the opinion of the committee, conclusive against enter- taining a proposition to abolish the annual communi- cation. The report of the majority was adopted, and, notwithstanding that the expenses of the annual communications at that time were $29,000, Grand Lodge evidently con- sidered that the benefits were worth the sum they cost. Since then no attempts have been made to change the number or character of the annual sessions. The matter of District Grand Lodges has twice been considered, together with necessary changes in the an- nual communication, but these propositions never seem to have been taken seriously. OFFICERS AND DIGNITARIES. At the present time the roster of Grand Lodge presents a formidable array of officers and dignitaries of various kinds. At the organization, however, this list was very brief and comprised only the Grand Master and his Deputy, the Grand Wardens and Deacons, a Secretary and Treasurer, a Chaplain, a Marshal and a Tyler, who also performed the duties of Steward. To these were added, in 1841, a Grand Orator, a Deputy Grand Secretary, two Grand Stewards, a Sword Bearer and a Pursuivant. At the annual communication of 1843 the list was further extended by the election of a Grand Lecturer, but this does not seem to have ever been a constitutional office. The Constitution of 1856 added a new officer in the person of a Grand Standard Bearer, but since that time the list has re- mained unchanged. The records at various times show the presence of "assistant" of- ficers to the Secretary and Tyler, as well as one or more Grand Lecturers, but these offices were filled by appointment under ex- press or implied powers and the incum- bents were not considered as a part of the regular official "staff." The system of Grand Representatives had several times been considered by Grand Lodge and rejected, but in 1 860 the Grand Master (Bro. BUCK) reported that, It having become the custom with many of the Grand Lodges to appoint representatives to their sis- ter Grand Lodges, for the purpose of cultivating with each other a more intimate correspondence, &c., and having been solicited by several to appoint such rep- resentatives, I have not felt at liberty to comply with such request until this Grand Lodge shall have sanc- tioned it. It strikes me that this system of representa- tion will do away with the reasons claimed by the friends of a general Grand Body. If we can be instru- mental in binding the cords of brotherly love more 130 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. strongly among our sister Grand Lodges, I, for one, bid it God speed. I received, in the month of July, from the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Louisiana, a diploma, accrediting me as their representative near the Grand Lodge of Illinois, which papers are here- with submitted. It would be very gratifying to me to be able to reciprocate this favor by appointing the brother whom he recommends as our representa- tive near the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. I hope you will take early action upon this matter, and relieve your presiding officer from the embarrassment attend- ing it. Evidently Grand Lodge had changed its mind, or else it was desirous of relieving the "embarrassment" of Bro. BUCK, for the committee on address reported that they " heartily concur in his recommendation of the appointment of representatives to sister Grand Lodges as a means of increasing brotherly and fraternal correspondence, and the diffusion of Masonic light," and in the absence of any by-law authorizing the Grand Master to make such appointment, they offered a resolution conferring upon him plenary powers in the matter. The resolu- tion was adopted; the appointments made, and from thence hitherto the " Representa- tives of other Grand Lodges " have ap- peared among the lists of dignitaries in the published proceedings. At the session of 1 867 the Grand Master (Bro. GORIN) stated that the jurisdiction had become too large to be successfully con- trolled by one man, and suggested a di- vision into districts under the supervision of a Deputy. The suggestion was reported upon favorably by the Committee on Ad- dress, and as a result twelve District Dep- uty Grand Masters were appointed whose duty it was " to assist the Grand Master in the discharge of his duties." This measure introduced another class of dignitaries, and since 1 867 they have been accorded a po- sition as officials of Grand Lodge and ap- pear as such in the printed abstract of the proceedings. SUCCESSION OF GRAND MASTERS. I. ABRAHAM JONAS, of Columbus, the first Grand Master of the present Grand Lodge, was chosen at the organization meet- ing in April, 1840; was re-elected at the an- nual communication in October of the same year, and again in October, 1841, serving practically a period of three years. Under his wise and able leadership the foundation of our present greatness was established. Bro. JONAS was a lawyer of marked ability and had previously served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. II. MEREDITH HELM, of Springfield, was elected in 1842, serving one year. During his term occurred the suppression of the Mormon lodges at Nauvoo. Bro. HELM was long a physician of eminence at Spring- field, and was made a Mason in Maryland. III. ALEXANDER DUNLAP, of Jackson- ville, was elected in 1843, serving one year. He was Grand Treasurer in 1 840, S. G. Warden in 1841 and Deputy in 1842. Bro. DUNLAP was a Major in the United States Army and at this time was em- ployed by the Government as surveyor and suprintendent of improvement in the Illi- nois river. IV. LEVI LUSK, of Rushville, was elect- ed in 1 844, serving one year. Prior to his election he had been Deputy Grand Master, and on his retirement as Grand Master he became Grand Secretary, a position he re- tained for two years. V. WILLIAM F. WALKER, of Chicago, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 131 became Grand Master in 1845, serving one year. His term was marked with consid- erable contention growing out of the pecu- liar views of the Grand Master on a variety of subjects. During this year occurred the disturbances over the "color question." Bro. WALKER was a priest of the Protestant Episcopal Church, an erratic yet brilliant and estimable man. VI. NELSON D. MORSE, of Henderson, was elected in 1846, serving one year. He was a hard-working mechanic at the time of his election, but has been described as a most impressive workman and as decided and courteous a gentleman as ever presided in the Oriental Chair. VII. WILLIAM LAVELY, of Springfield, was elected in 1847, and again in 1848, serving two years. He was the first to compel a proper recognition of our terri- torial jurisdiction, and all his acts were marked by judgment and ability. VIII. WILLIAM C. HOBBS, of Bloom- ington, succeeded to the Grand Mastership in 1 849, and served one year. He was the originator of the Grand Lodge Library, and an earnest advocate of the dissemination of Masonic intelligence. IX. CHRISTOPHER G. Y. TAYLOR, of Belleville, was elected in October, 1850. On July 25, 1851, he visited Belvidere to adjust a difficulty which had arisen in the lodge at that place, and which was deemed by him of sufficient importance to demand his presence. During the journey he con- tracted a disease from which he died imme- diately upon his return home. X. THOMAS J. PICKETT, of Peoria, be- ing Deputy Grand Master, succeeded Bro. TAYLOR for the unexpired term, and at the session of 1851 was elected Grand Master. Bro. PICKETT was engaged in the printing business, and at this time was widely known as the editor of the Peoria Republican. XI. ELI B. AMES, of Hennepin, was elected in 1852, and served one year. He was a lawyer by profession. XII. WILLIAM B. WARREN, of Jack- sonville, was elected in 1853. Bro. WAR- REN was the first Grand Secretary, a posi- tion he retained until 1845. By profession he was a physician. XIII. JAMES L. ANDERSON, of Rush- ville, succeeded to the Grand East in 1854, and served one year. He has been de- scribed as "thoroughly Spartan and a dan- gerous antagonist." XIV. WILLIAM B. HERRICK, of Chicago, became Grand Master in 1855, and served one year. He was a physician by profes- sion. XV. JAMES H. HIBBARD, of Alton, was elected in 1856. He served one year and is said to have been the youngest man ever elected to this responsible position, being, at the time, about twenty-eight years of age. He was a merchant by occupation (bookseller). XVI. HARRISON DILLS, of Cjuincy, was elected in 1857, and served one year. In 1863 he became Grand Treasurer, a position he continued to fill for many years. XVII. IRA A. W. BUCK, of Aurora, was elected in 1858, re-elected in 1859, and again elected in 1 860, thus serving a longer term than any other Grand Master. By profession he was a physician. XVIII. F. M. BLAIR, of Paris, was elected in 1861 and again in 1862, serving two years. During his term occurred the memorable " Conservator " affair, the Grand Master being supposed to favor the move- ment. XIX. THOMAS J. TURNER, of Freeport, 132 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. was elected in 1863 and again in 1864, serving two years. XX. H. P. H. BROMWELL, of Charles- ton, was elected in 1865 and served one year. Bro. BROMWELL was by profession a lawyer. XXI. JEROME R. GORIN, of Decatur, was elected in 1866 and again in 1867 two years. Bro. GORIN'S administration was one of marked ability. He is a banker by occupation. XXII. HARMAN G. REYNOLDS, of Spring- field, was elected in 1868 and again in 1869, serving two years. Bro. REYNOLDS was originally a lawyer, but for many years had served as Grand Secretary of the Masonic bodies of Illinois. He filled a larger place in the history of Freemasonry in Illinois and exercised a greater influence than any other one man known to the craft. XXIII. DE WITT C. CREGIER, of Chi- cago, was elected in 1870 and again in 1871, serving two years. During his second term occurred the great " Chicago Fire," where- in he displayed, in a masterly manner, his great ability as an executive and organizer. By profession a civil engineer. XXIV. JAMES A. HAWLEY, of Dixon, was elected in 1872 and re-elected in 1873, serving two years. Bro. HAWLEY has been prominent in civil life as a promoter and manager of public works. XXV. GEORGE E. LOUNSBURY, of Cairo, elected in 1874 and again in 1875, serving two years. XXVI. JOSEPH ROBBINS, of Quincy, elected in 1876 and re-elected in 1877, serv- ing two years. Bro. ROBBINS is widely known as a Masonic scholar and writer. By profession he is a physician. XXVII. THEODORE T. GURNEY, of Chi- cago, elected 1878, re-elected 1879, serving two years. Bro. GURNEY achieved an enviable reputation as a writer. By pro- fession he was a broker. XXVIII. WILLIAM H. SCOTT, of Salem, elected 1880, re-elected 1881, serving two years. Bro. SCOTT was a clergyman. XXIX. DANIEL M. BROWNING, of Ben- ton, elected 1882 and re-elected in 1883, serving two years. Bro. BROWNING is a lawyer. XXX. JOHN R. THOMAS, of Metropolis, elected in 1884, and served one year. By profession a lawyer. XXXI. ALEX. T. DARRAH, of Blooming- ton, elected in 1885 and re-elected in 1886. As Deputy Grand Master he has also per- formed most of the work of the Grand Mas- tership during the year 1884, the installed Grand Master having left the State. Vir- tually, therefore, he may be said to have served three years. His administration was marked by an increased interest in the standard work, which he caused to be sedu- lously cultivated. By profession he was a physician. XXXII. JOHN C. SMITH, of Chicago, elected in 1887 and re-elected in 1888, serv- ing two years. During his administration occurred the " semi-centennial celebration" of Grand Lodge. Bro. SMITH has filled many public positions of honor and trust and at the time of his election and since has been living retired. XXXIII. JOHN M. PEARSON, of Godfrey, was elected in 1 889 and again in 1 890, serv- ing two years. Bro. PEARSON is a farmer. XXXIV. MONROE C. CRAWFORD, of Jonesboro, was elected in 1891 and re- elected in 1892. By profession a lawyer. XXXV. LEROY A. GODDARD, of Chi- cago, was elected in 1893 and re-elected in 1 894, serving two years. By profession he is a banker. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 133 XXXVI. OWEN SCOTT, of Bloomington, was elected in 1895 and at this writing is still in office. Bro. SCOTT is a journalist. Of the thirty-six persons who at differ- ent times have occupied the distinguished position of Grand Master, but fourteen are now known to be living, and of these the majority are well advanced in years. Of many of the deceased officers the writer is able to learn but little, as Grand Lodge has kept no memorials until recent years. It would seem that a compilation of the biog- raphies of the "ancient worthies," to be duly preserved in the archives, is greatly needed, and no more meritorious an enter- prise could be projected. GRAND TREASURERS. The first person to hold the position of Grand Treasurer was Bro. ALEXANDER DUN- LAP, of Jacksonville, who, at the organiza- tion of Grand Lodge, was elected to that office. If Bro. DUNLAP ever held any money, the records fail to disclose the fact; and, inasmuch as the treasury was empty at the time of his election, the bills having been paid by Bro. JAMES ADAMS, it is fair to assume that the reason he never sub- mitted an account or made a report was be- cause he had no account and nothing upon which to report. It would seem also that Bro. DUNLAP'S treasurership was simply perfunctory, for at the stated communica- tion in October, 1840, Bro. P. COFFMAN, of Jacksonville, was elected Treasurer, a posi- tion he continued to hold for several years. Bro. COFFMAN did manage to get hold of a little money during his term, but most of the cash seems to have been handled by the Secretary, who received the money and paid a majority of the bills. Thus at the session 8 of 1840 the Secretary seems to have dis- bursed all of the money and the report of the Finance Committee was tersely made in the following words: The undersigned, one of the Committee of Fin- ance, begs leave to report that he has examined the account of the Grand Secretary and finds it correct and supported by the proper vouchers. C. LUDLUM. Compare this report with that of the same committee to the communication of 1895. At the session of 1841 Bro. COFF- MAN made his first report in the words fol- lowing: As Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, I would respectfully report that there is in my hands one hundred and twenty-four dollars. All of which is respectfully submitted. P. COFFMAN, G. Tr. The Grand Secretary was absent at this communication and the funds reported were those brought up by the representatives for lodge dues. A further instructive compari- son may be made with the report of the Treasurer in 1895, showing upwards of $83,000 in the treasury after the payment of all expenses. Bro. COFFMAN continued to hold the purse at least so much of it as the Grand Secretary would permit, until 1845, when JAMES L. ANDERSON, of Rush- ville, was elected Treasurer. Bro. ANDER- SON was Treasurer for two years, or until 1847, when he was succeeded by WILLIAM McMuRTRY, of Henderson. The adminis- tration of the early finances of Grand Lodge were very loose and unsatisfactory, but Bro. McMuRTRY seems to have made an accepta- ble officer, as he continued in the position for the fifteen years then next ensuing. At the session of 1862 Bro. J. R. MACK, of Nunda, was elected. Bro. MACK held the funds for one year. At the communica- 134 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. tion of 1863 Grand Lodge, for the first and only time in its history, was divided on party lines. The fight^for it merits no milder a term was bitter and the palm of suprem- acy was hotly contested. Two " tickets " were in the field and Bro. MACK happened to be on the losing ticket. His opponent, Bro. HARRISON DILLS, of Quincy. was the choice of Grand Lodge. When the con- tending factions had adjusted their differ- ences Bro. DILLS met with no opposition and continued to be re-elected each year until 1876. At this time unfortunate busi- ness ventures swept away his fortune and with it the trust moneys of Grand Lodge. The account will be found elsewhere. Bro. DILLS was succeeded in 1876 by Bro. ARCHIBALD A. GLENN, of Mount Ster- ling. Bro. GLENN continued to discharge the duties of the office fora little over a year, when he, too, succumbed to adverse fate, and in his own ruin involved the loss of the funds of the Grand Lodge. This occurred in November, 1877, and thereupon the Grand Master (Bro. ROBBINS) appointed Bro. O. H. MINER, of Springfield, as Grand Treasurer pro tern. At the session of 1878 Bro. MINER was duly elected to the office, which he held for the two years following. At the session of 1880 Bro. WILEY M. EGAN, of Chicago, was elected Grand Treasurer, and has held the office continuously since that time. Bro. EGAN is a model Treas- urer, and by keeping Grand Lodge funds as a trust and separate from his own funds has placed them in a position where they can- not be affected by any reverses of his own. His fidelity and integrity are beyond ques- tion, and so long as he shall live and hold the office the brethren may rest secure in the absolute safety of all moneys committed to his hands. GRAND SECRETARIES. Beyond a doubt the most important of- fice in the administration of the affairs of Grand Lodge is that of Grand Secretary. While inferior in dignity to that of Grand Master it is the equal if not the superior of that office in nearly every other particular, and the indirect power wielded by the in- cumbent of the office is little less than that of the presiding officer. As a rule Grand Lodge has been fortunate in the selection of its clerical officers, and in only one instance has the great trust necessarily reposed been abused. At the formation of Grand Lodge Bro. WILLIAM B. WARREN, of Jacksonville, was chosen for the office of Grand Secretary, a position which he continued to fill until 1845, when he was succeeded by Bro. LEVI LUSK, of Rushville. Bro. LUSK was Secre- tary for two years, giving way in 1 847 to Bro. WM. MITCHELL, of Peoria. Bro. MITCHELL was re-elected in 1848 and again in 1849, but died during his third term of office and ten days after the adjournment of Grand Lodge. Upon his death the Grand Master (Bro. HOBBS) appointed Bro. THOS. J. PICKETT, of Peoria, to fill the vacancy. Bro. PICKETT was a printer and had the contract for the printing of the Grand Lodge proceedings of 1849. To facilitate his work, as well as for his personal conven- ience, Bro. PICKETT removed the archives of Grand Lodge to the building occupied by him as a printing-office. On Feb. 10, 1850, and before the completion of the work of printing the transactions, the build- ing was destroyed by fire and in the confla- gration were consumed the manuscript min- utes of the annual communication of 1849, together with all the books, papers, and COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 135 records of Grand Lodge. This was the first of several catastrophes of a like nature, and the beginning of the difficulties which the future historiographer would have to en- counter. Bro. PICKETT promptly surren- dered his office it was all he had to sur- render and Bro. WM. LAVELY became Secretary "pro (em. " At the ' ' Grand Lodge of Recovery," held in April, 1850, Bro. WM. B. WARREN was again elected Grand Secretary, and at the stated communication in October of the same year was re-elected to the position. At the session of 1851 Bro. WARREN was unavoidably absent on account of severe illness. Among the representatives present was HARMAN G. REYNOLDS, of Knoxville. Bro. REYNOLDS was appointed Secretary pro tern. , and at the election was chosen as the permanent officer. For seventeen years then succeeding, or until 1868, Bro. REY- NOLDS was annually elected Grand Secretary and finally relinquished the office only to become Grand Master. No other one man has ever filled so large a space in the his- tory of Illinois Freemasonry, nor has any one ever wielded so great a power. The estimates of his character vary greatly, ac- cording to the point of view, but it must be conceded that he brought to the office of Grand Secretary the first application of or- derly and business-like methods, and that his administration of the affairs was charac- terized by signal ability. When Bro. REYNOLDS laid down the pen to assume the sceptre, which occurred at the annual communication of 1868, he was succeeded by Bro. ORLIN H. MINER, of Springfield. Bro. MINER continued to per- form the duties of the office until 1873, when he was succeeded by- one JOHN F. BURRILL, of the same place. During Bro. MINER'S incumbency, to wit, on Feb. 22, 1871, the building in which was located the Secretary's office at Springfield was de- stroyed by fire, and thus, for the second time, Grand Lodge lost its entire archives, books and records, together with many doc- uments of great value, which can never be replaced. BURRILL was secretary until 1 88 1. One month prior to the annual com- munication of that year he resigned his office and left the jurisdiction, his assistant, Bro. FRANK HUDSON, JR., being appointed by the Grand Master (Bro. SCOTT) to perform the official duties until the assembling of Grand Lodge. A cursory examination of the books revealed no discrepancies, and it was not until his successor had made an investiga- tion that it was discovered that BURRILL was a defaulter to a large amount. Of his pursuit, conviction and punishment, a full account is given in the chronological review. At the annual communication of 1881 Bro. LOYAL L. MUNN, of Freeport, was chosen Grand Secretary, a position he con- tinued to fill with marked ability until 1893 a period of twelve years. During Bro. MUNN'S incumbency Grand Lodge had grown to gigantic proportions, exacting from its chief clerical officer the highest degree of business ability in the proper administration of its affairs. All of the varied and frequently onerous duties were performed by Bro. MUNN to the full satis- faction of the Craft, a,nd upon his retire- ment Grand Lodge expressed its appre- ciation of the zeal, industry and fidelity displayed by him during his twelve years of service by a resolution spread upon the records. Bro. MUNN was succeeded in 1893 by Bro. J. H. C. DILL, of Bloomington, the present incumbent. Bro. DILL has ex- 186 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. hibited the same sterling qualities which characterized his predecessor, and in the administration of the affairs of the office has given general satisfaction. Frequent changes in the Secretary's office are not desirable, and from present indications Bro. DILL is likely to enjoy a term of office equal to any of his predecessors and to re- sign same only of his own volition. REVENUE AND FINANCES. When Grand Lodge perfected its organ- ization in 1840 it elected, among its other officers, a Treasurer, but there was nothing in its treasury, and, had it not been for the kindness of one of the organizers, would have been without means to defray the expenses of its first sessions. Like many young men commencing life, the new Grand Lodge started out on borrowed capital and burdened by debt. By the terms of the first Constitution, adopted in 1841, Grand Lodge had power To require from the several lodges under their jurisdiction such annual dues as they may deem necessary, to be appropriated for the benefit of the Craft. To demand such fees as may be deemed just and reasonable, upon granting charters constituting new lodges. In pursuance of such Constitutional power the following By-Laws were enacted: Sec. 7. For every letter, or warrant of dispensa- tion for the formation of a new lodge, there shall be paid into the Grand Treasury the sum of fifteen dol- lars; and for every Charter or Constitution, the sum of five dollars, and the further sum of two dollars in ad- dition to be paid to the Grand Secretary which said sums, respectively, shall be paid before the delivery of the warrant, or Charter. And in all cases where the seal of the Grand Lodge is required to be affixed, there shall be paid, by the applicant, to the Grand Secretary, the sum of two dollars. Sec. 8. Every lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge shall pay into the Grand Treasury the sum of twenty-five cents annually, for each member thereof, as a charity fund, and a further sum of fifty cents, annually, for each member belonging to their lodge at the time of making their returns to the Grand Annual Communication; 1'ronided, that no lodge shall pay a less sum than five dollars, exclusive of the con- tribution for charity. And the Master and Wardens, or representatives of any lodge, shall not take their seats in the Grand Lodge until all their dues are paid, and the Treasurer's receipt therefor be produced; and in case of the neglect or refusal of any lodge to pay the same at or before the next communication thereafter, unless reasonable excuse be offered, such lodge shall be stricken off the books of the Grand Lodge, and their warrant or charter considered null and void; but, on proper application to the Grand Lodge, making due returns, and paying off dues, they may be restored to their former rank and privileges, if the Grand Lodge shall judge proper. For a number of years all the revenues of the Grand Lodge were derived from the sources and collected in the manner above indicated, except that in 1845 the per-capita tax was reduced from fifty to twenty-five cents. At the second annual communication re- turns were made and dues paid by four lodges. These, together with fees for dis- pensations and charters, produced a gross sum of $124.00, and this was the amount reported by the Treasurer to that commu- nication. At the annual communication of 1842 the revenues had considerably increased in volume, but deteriorated in character, the larger portion being in the depreciated cur- rency of the time. From the report of the finance committee we find the financial con- dition to have been as follows: In the hands of G. T. (State Bank paper) $ 28 25 G. S. . 290 00 Total State Bank paper 8318 25 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 137 Also in hands Grand Secretary, (par funds). ._$ 43 00 (gold) 27 50 " " " " (specie) 14 50 Total amount of par funds $ 85 00 Liabilities of Grand Lodge to be met: A balance due from said lodge to J. Adams of . $109 00 Supposed expenses of printing minutes of Grand Lodge 80 00 Services of the Grand Secretary during com- munication 20 00 Services of sexton of church 1 00 To cash paid out for trimming lamps, oil and candles by Tyler 2 Services of Tyler for tyling Grand Lodge. , 4 00 Total amount of liabilities $166 Evidently " State Bank paper" was not regarded as very safe to keep on hand, for by resolution it was decided that " the Grand Secretary and Treasurer be allowed the priv- ilege and required, if possible, to loan all the State Bank paper for one or more years at its face, with or without interest, to good men and approved security;" and to prevent the further accumulation of this undesirable form of the "circulating me- dium" it was also Resolved, That hereafter the Grand Lodge will only receive from the subordinate lodges par funds for all monies paid to the Grand Lodge. The early financial methods of Grand Lodge were very confusing and can hardly be understood at this time. Bro. P. COFF- MAN was Treasurer and Bro. WM. B. WAR- REN was Secretary. Both received money and paid bills. The loose manner of con- ducting the treasury soon produced inextri- cable confusion, and, though repeated at- tempts were subsequently made to obtain an orderly statement of the finances from the beginning, such attempts always re- sulted in failure. The finance report of 1843 showed total receipts in the hands of the two officers above named of $424.65. Of this about $40.00 was "good money;" the balance was in "State Bank paper," "St. Louis scrip" and other varieties of " wildcat " currency. No accounts are shown in the proceed- ings of 1844; but from the report of the Finance Committee it would seem that there was then in the hands of the Secretary and Treasurer a total of $609.93. The Treas- urer was permitted to use the funds remain- ing, after appropriations, as a compensation for his services. An inquiry also revealed the fact that there was a balance of $181.68 in the Grand Charity Fund. In 1845 the Grand Treasurer made a report covering his receipts and disbursements from 1841, which showed that the entire sum received by him during the period of his official in- cumbency amounted to only $849.91, the balance of the money having been disbursed or held by the Grand Secretary. At this juncture a change was made in the financial officers, Bro. JAMES L. ANDERSON becoming Treasurer and Bro. LEVI LUSK Secretary. The reports of 1846 show the revenues for this year to have been $587.00. At the session of 1 847 the first attempts were made to increase the revenue by pro- viding for additional taxation, the rrioneys so derived to be used in paying mileage to representatives; but no action was had. The revenue for the year seems to have been $627.94. The Finance Committee, who were instructed to examine the ac- counts of Grand Lodge from its organiza- tion, reported their inability to so do, giving as a reason, among others, ' ' the lapse of time, the frequent change of officers, and the present confused condition of the books and papers of said lodge for the several first 188 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. years of its existence. " Bro. WM. McMuR- TRY had now succeeded Bro. ANDERSON as Grand Treasurer and continued to hold the office until 1862; Bro. WILLIAM MITCHELL was Grand Secretary. The revenues for the year 1848 were $927.00, while the treasury balance showed $1,527.87. Of this amount $693.60 was in the Grand Charity Fund. The restored records of 1849 disclose but little with re- spect to the finances. Bro. W. B. WARREN was again Grand Secretary. The revenue for 1850 appears to have been $1,248.60. The disbursements for the year were $435.- 24. A balance of $1,266.65 i s shown in the Charity Fund. The principal disburse- ments at this time were for printing and salaries of officers, the latter being very modest. At the session of 1851 a decided change was made with respect to revenue. There- tofore the representatives had paid their own expenses. In most instances these disbursements were refunded by the lodges represented, but it frequently happened that motives of economy would preclude this outlay and as a result many lodges re- mained unrepresented. This led to the adoption of the following: . Resolved, That a special committee of five be ap- pointed to take into consideration the subject of a Grand Representative Fund, and that said committee report at this session upon the expediency or inexpe- diency of its establishment by this Grand Lodge; and, if in their opinion it be expedient, to report a plan in detail for its establishment. A committee was appointed to consider the matter and in due time reported back as follows: Your committee to whom was referred the subject of a Grand Representative Fund, beg leave respectful- ly to report, that in their opinion the small number of Subordinate Lodges represented in the Grand Lodge, is in consequence of their remoteness, and their ina- bility to bear the expenses of a representative to the Grand Lodge. Every member of this Grand Lodge must admit the importance of having a large majority of the lodges represented, so that an edict or resolu- tion that is to be made obligatory on the whole may not be passed by a small majority. If the Grand Lodge is to be permanently located near the center of the State, many of the smaller lodges in the extremes of the jurisdiction will be un- able, while those in the immediate vicinity can easily send their representatives. Your committee think there should be an equality in the matter, and would therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolutions: Resolved, That the Grand Officers, and one recog- nized representative from each lodge under this juris- diction, be allowed five cents per mile, going and re- turning, for every mile necessarily traveled from his place of residence, and one dollar per day for each day's actual attendance at Grand Lodge. Resolved, That a committee on mileage and per- diem be appointed at each session of the Grand Lodge, whose duty it shall be to ascertain the distance neces- sarily traveled by. each officer and representative en- titled to mileage and per-diem, and report the same to the Grand Lodge. Besotted, That the Grand Secretary be authorized to draw on the Grand Treasurer in favor of the officers of the Grand Lodge, and representatives aforesaid, en- titled to the same, for the amount of their mileage and per-diem. The report was accepted, and upon a call of the 'lodges on each resolution they were adopted. To defray the ' ' extra- ordinary expenses " of the session $500 was "borrowed " from: the Grand Charity Fund, it .never went. back. . Amendments to the By-Laws were then offered to meet the re- quirements of the resolutions. At the session of 1852 the amendments offered at the last session came up for ac- tion, when it was resolved to amend Sec. 8 of the By- Laws so as to read : "Every Lodge under this jurisdiction shall pay into the Grand Treasury the sum of five cents an- nually for each member, as a Grand Charity Fund," and also the further amendment that each Lodge COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 139 shall pay for each member annually the sum of twenty cents as a Grand Representative Fund. An attempt was made to abolish the Grand Charity Fund, but the consideration of the question was indefinitely postponed. However, the entering wedge was in and the postponement simply delayed for a time the inevitable. At the session of 1853 the By-Laws were again amended by the adoption of the fol- lowing resolution: Resolved, To amend Section 8 of the By-Laws so as to strike out the words " five cents as a Grand Char- ity Fund," and also the words " twenty cents as a Grand Representative Fund," and insert "thirty-five cents as a Grand Representative Fund." The taxation, however, had not been suf- ficient to meet the demands, as will be seen from the following report of the Finance Committee made at this session: The Committee on Finance and Accounts, to whom was referred the accounts of the Grand Treasurer, would report that they find at the time of the last re- port there was in his hands the sum of 81,001.27 of Grand Lodge funds, and that there was also on hand at the same time the sum of $2,275.65 of Grand Char- ity funds; that he has received from the Grand Secre- tary since said time the sum of $1,000.76 of Grand Lodge funds, and also the sum of $256 of Grand Char- ity funds, and also the sum of $557.50 of Representa- tive funds, making in all the sum of 84,533.68. That he has paid out during the year the sum of 81,099.20 to Representatives to the last Annual Commu- nication, and also the sum of 8664, as per the order of the last Grand Lodge, out of the Grand Lodge fund; and also the sum of $650 of Grand Charity Fund, for all of which he has produced to your committee the proper vouchers; that by direction of the Grand Lodge he borrowed from the Grand Charity Fund the sum of 8500, which was placed to the credit of the Grand Lodge funds; and that there is now in the hands of the Grand Treasurer the sum of $738.83 of Grand Lodge funds, and also the sum of 8557.50 of Representative fund, and also the sum of $1,881.65 of Grand Charity Fund making in all in his hands the sum of 83,177.98. Your committee are of the opinion that when the Representatives in attendance at this Communication are paid, all the funds in the hands of the Grand Treas- urer, with the exception of the Grand Charity Fund, will be exhausted. They would, therefore, recommend that the Grand Treasurer be authorized to place $1,000 of the Grand Charity Fund to the credit of the Grand Lodge funds, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the ensuing year. i In 1854 the per-capita tax was increased to forty-five cents, but even this increase, together with fees for dispensations and charters and the final absorption of the Grand Charity Fund, was insufficient to meet all of the expenses. During some years the mileage account was scaled 25 per cent, so as to come within the compass of the treas- ury. Accordingly in 1858 the tax was fur- ther increased to seventy-five cents. The year 1860 marked the twentieth of Grand Lodge's existence and forms a con- venient point for comparison with both former and later years. The finance report this year showed receipts from dues, char- ter and dispensation fees, $9,735'.O4; but this was not sufficient to meet the fixed charges and expenses, and a recommendation was made to still further raise the rate of taxa- tion, as will be seen from the following ex- cerpt from the Finance Committee's report: Your committee feel it their duty to call the atten- tion of the Grand Lodge to the fact that the disburse- ments made to meet the expenses of past year exceed the entire receipts of the Grand Lodge by the sum of $747.32, and that there are some fifty-four new lodges recently chartered, whose representative expenses will greatly add to the necessary expenditures of the en- suing year, and that unless some method is devised for increasing the revenue of the Grand Lodge, our means will be totally inadequate to meet our constantly swelling expenses, and the Grand Treasury will be- come bankrupt. In view of the facts too painfully ap- parent from the examination of the accounts of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer, and to meet the exigency of the case, your committee would rec- ommend an increase of the Grand Lodge dues to one dollar. 140 COMPENDIUM OF FREBMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. But Grand Lodge refused to concur and so the old rate remained. One reason of this deficit was, that in many instances the representatives drew out a larger sum for attendance than was actually con- tributed by the lodges which they repre- sented. It was contended that this prac- tice tended to encourage the unnecessary multiplying of lodges and was an injustice to the lodges which were thus taxed with the expense. The matter came before the body on suggestions made by the Grand Master (Bro. BUCK) and was referred to the Committee on Mileage and Per Diem, which returned a divided report. The majority reported adversely to any change and Grand Lodge concurred. The year 1861 seems to have been an unusually stringent time with respect to revenue. The disturbed conditions of so- ciety incident to the opening of the Civil war, the depreciated currency of the period, and the great events then transpiring which engrossed the attention of the nation, all seem to have had a marked influence upon the affairs of Grand Lodge. The re- port of the Finance Committee showed a decrease in available funds and a corre- sponding increase in apparent expenses. Whereupon Bro. ANDERSON offered the fol- lowing: Resolved, That in view of the greatly increased and still increasing expenditures of this Grand Lodge, without a corresponding increase of its income, the Committee on Finance be instructed to devise, and report at this communication, some system by which the expenses of this Grand Lodge shall be very materially diminished. The resolution was referred to a select committee of five Past Grand Masters, with leave to report at the next communication. In the meantime bills were reduced, print- ing curtailed, and a resolution passed re- quiring the payment of Grand Lodge taxes in gold or silver. The reason for this was that there were in circulation at this time vast quantities of "wildcat" bank notes which passed as money, but subject to dis- counts, varying from ten to forty per cent. , and which, if received at par, would subject the treasury to large losses. Before the next annual session, however, the Govern- ment had commenced the issue of United States Treasury notes, and though these notes were not on par with gold they be- came the currency of the period and were received as a legal tender in the discharge of all private debts. The resolution was therefore repealed at the session of 1862. At this session was also adopted an amend- ment to the By-Laws requiring every lodge to pay at least ten dollars as annual dues. The committee on "ways and means" made no report; possibly the recuperation of the finances obviated same, as the re- turns this year showed a marked increase over the year preceding. From this period until the present Grand Lodge has had a career of prosperity and for a number of years past has been accu- mulating a fund which now almost exceeds its charter powers that is, if Grand Lodge is a civil corporation of the State and not a voluntary association under the ancient laws and landmarks. Its treasury has been raided three times, resulting in large pecu- niary losses, but the effects of same have long since ceased to be visible. For more than thirty-five years there has been no ma- terial change in the methods of taxation, the manner of assessment or the formula of collection. Its receipts are beyond its needs, even with the liberal salaries and appropri- ations which now prevail, and the question COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 141 of reduction in the per-capita tax may now with propriety be discussed. The revenue of Grand Lodge is derived from fees for dispensations; to form new lodges ($100); to ballot or confer Entered Apprentice degree in less than lawful time ($20) ; for advancement in less than lawful time ($5); for any other purpose ($2); from fees for affixing seal of Grand Lodge to diplomas ($i); from an annual per-capita tax of seventy-five cents, levied upon all affiliated Master Masons in the jurisdiction, which is assessed, collected and returned by the constituent lodges and from lodges un- der dispensation. In addition, although not classed as a source of revenue in the By-Laws, Grand Lodge is in receipt of an income from its investments in interest- bearing securities; and a few small items may sometimes be found arising from the sale of its published proceedings and other printed matter. In the year 1895, the date of this writ- ing, the receipts of Grand Lodge from all of the sources above referred to, was upward of $40,000, made up of the following items: Dues from Chartered Lodges $38,154 00 Dues from Lodges U. D 87 00 Special dispensations 140 00 Dispensations for Lodges U. D 500 00 Grand Lodge By-laws, sold 18 25 Books of ceremonies, sold 18 00 Grand Lodge proceedings, sold 7 00 Interest on securities 1,561 95 Total 40,486 20 The funds of Grand Lodge are divided into General, Contingent and Charity. The first consists of all moneys received except those belonging to, or intended for, the Charity fund. The second is a fund taken annually from the general fund and of such amount as may be necessary to meet the current expenses during recess. The third consists of moneys specially donated or set apart for charity and such as may accrue from the effects of defunct lodges. During the year 1895 this fund was augmented $312.44 through the following items: Cash from defunct lodges 8 75 19 Defunct Lodge Jewels, sold 3 50 Dues from defunct lodges 157 75 Certifying diplomas 76 00 Total $312 44 At this date (1895) there is in the gen- eral fund a cash balance of $41,928 and 4- per-cent bonds to the amount of $40, 500, par value. In the Charity Fund there is a cash balance of $1,318.26, or a total credit balance of $88,337.47. Compare these fig- ures with the deficit with which Grand Lodge started when it borrowed enough money from Bro. JAMES ADAMS to pay the expenses of its first communication. The fiscal year of the Grand Lodge com- mences on July ist, and ends on June 3Oth, of each year. Formerly the disbursements were con- ducted in a very loose and often improper manner; but for many years no proposition contemplating the appropriation or expen- diture of money from the general fund has been permitted to come before Grand Lodge for action before same has been considered and reported upon by some proper com- mittee. From the organization of Grand Lodge the Grand Secretary has received some amount annually as a pecuniary compensation for labors performed, and for many years the Grand Master has drawn a salary; but up to 1873 these officers were paid by virtue of 142 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. recommendations contained in the annual addresses of the Grand Masters or the report of the Finance Committees. Some years these recommendations would be made and in others not, but the officers interested, relying on the force and power of precedent, continued to draw their respective salaries. In 1871 the Grand Master (Bro. CREGIER), finding that no allowance had been provided by law and no appropriations made by Grand Lodge, refused to draw the customary salary or sign any orders on the Treasury for pay- ments to the Grand Secretary. This led to the enactment of laws specifying the salaries or compensation of Grand officers, and the maximum allowance for other fixed and constant expenditures, with provisions for the payment of same. By these laws, passed in 1873, the salary of the Grand Master was fixed at $1,500.00 per annum, and that of the Grand Secretary at $2, 500.00 for the same period, both salaries payable in monthly installments. These sums have continued to be the respective emoluments of these officers. During the earlier years of Grand Lodge the Treasurer received no compensation, but was permitted to use the funds. As the revenues were meager and the amount remaining in the treasury after the payment of appropriations insignificant, the conces- sion was of no value. At the session of 1858 the Treasurer was allowed 2 per cent, commission for disbursing the funds, and this or some allowance of a like nature has generally been adopted by most of the Masonic bodies of the State since that time. In 1874 the Grand Lodge provided a salary for its Grand Treasurer in lieu of the com- missions theretofore paid, and since then he has received the sum of $400 per annum in full compensation for all services. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 148 ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY. UNDER this head have been grouped a few matters culled from the general history of Grand Lodge which seem to be of more than temporary interest. They rep- resent the policy of the fraternity in this jurisdiction on a variety of subjects; and by adopting the topical method of treatment it is believed better ideas will be afforded of their growth and development than if pre- sented disconnectedly in the chronological review. LECTURES AND CEREMONIALS. I. ESOTERIC. The esoteric ceremonials of Freemasonry, familiarly known as ' ' the work, " are usually denominated " lectures;" and by this term they have generally been alluded to for the last one hundred and fifty years. Formerly this term was applied more particularly to the catechetical instruction appended to the degrees, but for many years it has been employed to denote the actual esoteric cere- monies as well, and in that sense now has a well-defined signification. It would seem that prior to the revival of 1717 expositions of symbolism were not practiced. There were no degrees, as that term is now understood, and the lectures consisted of a very brief series of charges and covenants supplemented by a legendary recital of the origin of Masonry. In 1720 the Grand Lodge of England authorized the use of a system of lectures arranged by ANDERSON and DESAGULIERS. These are known as the ANDERSON lectures, and rec- ognize three degrees, ' ' parts " or " points. " They remained in use, with variations, until 1732, when, in response to a growing de- mand for something better, one MARTIN CLARE was commissioned by Grand Lodge to prepare a system of lectures which should be ' ' adapted to the existing state of the Order, without infringing on the ancient landmarks." The CLARE lectures greatly amplified those of ANDERSON, and also in- troduced a number of wholly new matters. About 1740 CLARE'S lectures were revised and " improved " by one THOMAS MANING- HAM, and this arrangement remained in vogue until about 1770, when THOMAS DUNCKERLY, by authority of Grand Lodge, compiled a new system, amplifying the work of his predecessors, and, like them, intro- ducing a number of innovations. DUNCK- ERLY'S lectures, although a vast improve- ment upon all prior systems, only remained in use for a few years, when they were su- perseded by the brilliant work of WILLIAM HUTCHINSON. The HUTCHINSON lectures seem to have been perfected about 1775, and introduced, for the first time, a scien- tific element into the Masonic curriculum. But contemporaneously with HUTCHINSON there appeared another brilliant ritual- maker, and in a very few years the work of WILLIAM PRESTON had taken the place of 144 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. all others. PRESTON made an entire rear- rangement of the lectures, giving to them a shape and purpose they had not theretofore possessed.* In addition to the foregoing, upon the so-called schism which occurred in England in 1739, resulting in the forma- tion of a rival Grand Lodge, one LAWRENCE DERMOTT, the controlling spirit of the "An- cient" or schismatic Grand Lodge, promul- gated a system of lectures based upon those of ANDERSON and CLARE. When, in 1813, the English Grand Lodges came together and, fused into the present United Grand Lodge of England, a compromise between the two systems then in use was effected, the result being what is known as the HEM- MING lectures. Prior to the establishment of American Grand Lodges on an independent basis, the rituals used in this country were those promulgated by one or the other of the rival English Grand Lodges, or by the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland, for all of these bodies had chartered lodges in the "colonies." Added to this were the variations introduced by the "lecturers" who, in those early days, were the oracles of esoteric liturgies. This was the con- dition of the Masonic ritual in America toward the close of the eighteenth century. But about 1795 an American ritualistic star appeared upon the Masonic horizon, in the person of THOMAS SMITH WEBB, who compiled a system of lectures which at once received the approval of the craft and has now survived for more than one hun- dred years with comparatively little change. WEBB'S system was based upon that of PRESTON, and much of the substance of the *The reader desirous of pursuing this interesting subject with respect to details is referred to HUTCHINSON'S Spirit of Masonry and PRESTON'S Illustrations of Maionry, of which many editions have been published. Prestonian lectures was incorporated ver- batim; but generally the system was more condensed, while the divisions, and many minor particulars, differed materially from any arrangement then known. The WEBB lectures have been to some extent changed, modified, amplified and "improved" by succeeding lecturers and ritual compilers, notably by JEREMY L. CROSS. At the time of the establishment of the present Grand Lodge of Illinois the esotery of American Masonry was in bad shape. The craft was just recovering from the po- litical shock of the ten or twelve years im- mediately preceding. In Illinois this shock seems to have been unusually severe and the work of rehabilitation was therefore more than ordinarily arduous. In a major- ity of cases among the first things to receive attention in a newly organized grand body are the lectures, to the end that a uniform- ity of ritual may be observed throughout the jurisdiction. But at this time the primary object was the re-establishment of Freema- sonry upon the old foundations, and this so fully occupied the time and attention of the fathers that Grand Lodge did nothing, with respect to the lectures, for several years. The first impetus was imparted by the action of the Baltimore Convention in 1843. This was a gathering of earnest and distin- guished Masons from all parts of the coun- try who met in Baltimore in that year to deliberate upon the then disorganized con- dition of the craft and to remedy, if possible, the confusion which existed by determining " upon a uniform mode of work " through- out the Union. After mature deliberation a system of lectures was agreed upon and their adoption recommended to the Grand Lodges of the country. The ' ' Baltimore work," as it was usually called, was intend- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 145 ed to be a restoration of the English lect- ures as modified by WEBB, and is the basis of the authorized lectures in nearly all of the States. At the annual communication of 1843 Grand Master HELM directed the attention of the Grand Lodge to the proceedings of the Baltimore Convention and recommended the appointment of a Grand Lecturer, 1 ' whose duty it shall be, as soon after this convocation as may be, to proceed, at the expense of this Grand Lodge, to St. Louis, to confer with the delegates from Missouri to the Baltimore Convention, to become thoroughly instructed by them in the lec- tures and work, as adopted by said conven- tion, and to report the same to this Grand Lodge at its next Annual Convocation for their approval or rejection." The recommendation was adopted and Bro. LEVI LUSK was elected Grand Lec- turer in pursuance of same. At the session of 1844, Bro. LUSK reported: " That in obedience to a resolution adopted at the last Grand Annual Communication, he proceeded to St. Louis, where he found Bros. CARNEGA and FOSTER, delegates from the Grand Lodge of Missouri, to the National Convention at Baltimore; and from them he obtained the lectures as adopted by said Convention, and is now ready to report at any time to suit the con- venience of the Grand Lodge." Bro. LUSK was then requested to exem- plify the lectures before Harmony Lodge that evening. Presumably this was done, as on the day following a resolution was of- fered "that the report on work of our Grand Lecturer be received and recommended to the subordinate lodges as their guide;" but whether the resolution passed or not the record does not say. During this year (1844) Bro. JOHN BAR- NEY came to Illinois, bringing with him a system of lectures which, it is said, he re- ceived from HENRY FOWLE, a contemporary of WEBB, and which, it is further said, was practically the same as the " Baltimore work." Bro. BARNEY acted as instructor to the lodges at Chicago during the winter of 1844-5, an d at the annual communica- tion of Grand Lodge in 1845 Bros. WALKER and STUART, the W. M.'s of two Chicago lodges, were invited by Grand Lodge ' ' to rehearse the lectures of the first three degrees in Masonry." It would seem they did rehearse the lectures on the first and second degrees, "time not permitting a re- cital of that of the third," whereupon the lectures were "commended by the M. W. Grand Master, and unanimously approved by the Grand Lodge." Here we have the first action looking toward the adoption of a standard, and the work so "approved" we find was the " Barney lectures." Bro. BARNEY was then appointed Grand Lecturer, and the " work," as taught by him at that time and by him communicated to his suc- cessors in office, has ever since, as it is claimed, been the authorized esoteric cere- monial of the jurisdiction. Bro. BARNEY was succeeded by CARDING JACKSON, and he in turn by WILLIAM A. DICKEY, who for many years was regarded as supreme authority on Masonic rituals. During DICKEY'S time the lectures were commonly known as the " Dickey work," but it seems that at all times the system expounded by him was that introduced by BARNEY. At the annual communication of 1853 the lectures of the three degrees were ex- emplified before Grand Lodge by DICKEY and six others, to whom the work had been committed, and again in 1855 a like com- mittee, under the presidency of DICKEY, again rehearsed the ritual of the third 146 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. degree. The subject of "uniformity of work " was at this time beginning to be recognized as a question of paramount im- portance. The large influx of immigration had brought with it brethren from every State in the Union, many of whom were strongly prepossessed with the ideas received in the jurisdictions of their late residence, and for this reason the question was one of much difficulty. As an important auxiliary in the labor of producing uniformity, MOORE'S " Masonic Trestle Board"* was approved by Grand Lodge and recommended to the subordinate lodges for use in conferring degrees. As a further aid SHEARER'S "Master's Carpet" was recommended. This latter has been gen- erally used by the lodges of this jurisdiction for many years and still continues to find favor. It was from the "delineations" on this carpet that the writer received his first instructions in the lectures of Freemasonry, and from which he, in after years, en- deavored to instruct those who offered themselves as apprentices to our art. Bro. DICKEY was succeeded by J. J. HUNTLEY, a son-in-law and pupil of CARD- ING JACKSON. At the session of 1857 Bro. HUNTLEY exemplified the first degree be- fore Springfield Lodge, but while the fact is noted in the proceedings of Grand Lodge no action seems to have been taken by that body. It would also seem that at this ses- sion Bro. HUNTLEY "illustrated several portions of the work " before Grand Lodge. *This work was originally prepared and published under the authority of the United States Masonic Convention, held at Balti- more, Md., in 1843, and was designed to secure uniformity of work in the Lodges throughout the country. It received the approval, and was adopted by a large majority of the Grand Lodges then in existence. It was subsequently enlarged to double its original size, and made to include the work of the Chapters, Councils and Encampments; and, so enlarged, was the most complete and per- fect Masonic Manual ever presented to the Fraternity. It has passed through more than thirty editions and still continues, not- withstanding the multiplicity of similar works, to maintain its original popularity. Presumably such exemplifications were ap- proved, but the record is silent on this point. The early methods with respect to Grand Lecturers were crude. There was no cus- todian of the work and the lecturers were changed with astonishing frequency. Some years there would be only one, in other years a number, and all of equal dignity and authority. Nor does it appear that Grand Lodge, during the first twenty-five years of its existence, made any formal adoption of any particular system of lectures. In a few cases exemplifications received an ' ' ap- proval;" and, while it may, with propriety, be contended that such "approval" was equivalent to formal adoption, yet even of the work thus approved there appears to have been much question within a very few years thereafter. The work of the author- ized lecturers does not seem to have always been the same, and no systematic method was employed. As late as the year 1851 we find Grand Lodge passing the following: Resolved, That in order to secure uniformity in work throughout the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, a committee of three be appointed by the M. W. Grand Master to devise some system of general in- struction, whereby so desirable an object can be at- tained, and report at the next Annual Communication. The committee was appointed but never seem to have reported! Undoubtedly one prolific source of con- fusion was the employment of itinerant lec- turers. Another was the assertion of per- sonal views by affiliated members of local lodges but hailing originally from foreign jurisdictions. The latter could in various ways be reached, the former were of course exempt from discipline. This led to the passage, at the session of 1851, of the fol- lowing: COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 147 Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand Lodge that Subordinate Lodges under this jurisdiction should not employ traveling Lecturers appointed by Grand Lodges of other States, or those claiming to be ap- pointed by any authority except by the M. W. Grand Master of this State, nor to permit them to lecture in their lodges. This remained a standing resolution until 1858, when it was incorporated in the By- La ws. But while Grand Lodge had never, by formal adoption, placed the seal of authori- ty on any particular system of lectures, it does seem that an arrangement had at least been sanctioned and that this arrangement was the one which at length acquired the name of " Dickey work;" further, that the so-called Dickey work was substantially the same as that taught by BARNEY, and that by the year 1860 this work had become well established and was of general observance throughout the jurisdiction. About this time Bro. ROB. MORRIS, of Kentucky, had perfected a new ritual which was claimed by him to be the original and literal Webb lectures, with "a few correc- tions by reference to the older manuscripts," and to which he applied the name ' ' Webb- Preston work. " To assist in the dissemi- nation of this ritual he had also contrived a system of "nemonics, " and, to secure much needed aid in its introduction had organ- ized a secret society called the ' ' Conserva- tors of Symbolic Masonry." In 1859, on the occasion of the National Masonic Con- vention at Chicago, he visited that city and opened a " Lodge of Instruction," at which a number of Illinois Masons, on his invita- tion, were present. At the annual com- munication of Grand Lodge in 1860 Bro. MORRIS was present as a visitor. He was received with the honors due him as a Past Grand Master of Kentucky, but a motion made in his behalf to grant him the use of the hall for the purpose of a lecture upon the ritual was laid on the table. It would seem, however, that he had made a number of converts to his cause, for on the day following it was proposed to amend the section of the By-Laws relating to itinerant lecturers by adding: " And the work known as the WEBB-PRESTON work, promulgated by Bro. SAMUEL WILLSON and PHILIP C. TUCKER, of Vermont, and Bro. ROB. MORRIS, of Kentucky, is hereby recognized as the original and only work of this jurisdiction, and this Grand Lodge hereby affirms it in every particular as binding upon its subordinate Lodges." Under the rules the matter was laid over for one year, when it was rejected. In the meantime Bro. MORRIS had been active in the propagation of his ' ' Conserva- tors' Association" and the dissemination of his lectures. He had succeeded in enlist- ing a number of active and influential work- ers throughout the State, and there was a strong desire evinced on the part of many to supplant the old and somewhat crude lectures of BARNEY and DICKEY by the more finished work of MORRIS. The writer has in his possession a complete copy of the MORRIS, or, as they were called, "WEBB- PRESTON," lectures, and candor compels the statement that they contain much that appeals to the educated Freemason. During the years 1860-1 the Grand Master, Bro. BUCK, spent much time and effort in attempting to stem the tide of in- novation which then seemed to be setting in. In order to harmonize the work a meet- ing of the Grand Lecturers was held at Springfield in June, 1861, and on the 24th of the same month a circular was sent to the lodges directing conformity to the teach- ing of the lecturers and the due observance 148 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. of the laws and regulations respecting the work and the mode of dissemination. At the annual communication of 1861 the Grand Master recommended the division of the State into districts with a competent lecturer in charge of each and the appoint- ment of one Grand Lecturer for the State at large, with authority to regulate and direct the methods of the others, the formation of such districts and the appointment of lect- urers to be left to the discretion of the Grand Master, all of which was concurred in by resolution of Grand Lodge. Had Bro. BUCK continued to wield the gavel this plan would probably have sufficed to extinguish the movement, then gaining daily momentum, for the introduction of the Morris system of lectures. At this communication, however, Bro. F. M. BLAIR succeeded to the East, and while it does not seem that he was ever connected with the Conservators' Association it does appear that he was strongly predisposed in favor of the method of work which that society was endeavoring to establish. The Grand Master, under the resolution, apportioned the State into seventeen districts, with a lecturer for each, and appointed the Grand Secretary, Bro. H. G. REYNOLDS, Lecturer for the State at large. Of the district lect- urers a considerable number are shown to have been Conservators, but the rock on which the Grand Master split was Bro. REYNOLDS. A decided friction then ensued between the Grand Master and Grand Sec- retary, resulting in the deposition of the lat- ter as Grand Lecturer at Large and the rev- ocation of his powers. No legislation on the subject of work was had at this session, the matter being left, as before, wholly in the hands of the Grand Master. The sen- timent against the Conservators had gained such strength, however, that a crisis was im- minent ; and to avoid this the members of the Conservators' Association came forward and made a voluntary renunciation of the organi- zation. In doing this they denied all idea of violating or evading any edict of Grand Lodge, believing the purposes of the Asso- ciation to be strictly Masonic; but to heal dissension and promote harmony they with- drew from the Association, which they then declared to be dissolved. The letter of re- nunciation was signed by sixty-two persons, than whom none stood higher in the es- timation of the craft and three of whom have since been called to fill the honor- able station of Grand Master. As to the sincerity and honesty of purpose of these brethren there is not room for the shadow of a doubt, and yet the year immediately succeeding was the most perilous of any in the history of Grand Lodge, and never, be- fore or since, has it verged so closely upon a schism. Bro. BLAIR was re-elected Grand Master at the communication of 1862 and the old fight was renewed with acrimonious vigor. The craft were now fairly divided upon two lines, the one led by the Grand Master, the other by the Grand Secretary, and the casus belli was the work. The annual communication of 1863 wit- nessed the culmination of the strife in the final struggle for supremacy. The result was the complete overthrow of the adher- ents of the Grand Master, and now, for the first time, Grand Lodge makes an authori- tative declaration as to what shall constitute its standard lectures. After condemning the acts of the Conservators, which was de- clared to be "a corrupt and clandestine or- ganization," and interdicting all connection COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 149 therewith by "any Mason in this jurisdic- tion, " it was Resolved, That the old established work of this Grand Lodge, as ordered to be taught by the Grand Lodge, and as taught by Grand Lecturers JOHN BARNEY, JAMES H. LUCE, CARDING JACKSON and WILLIAM A. DICKEY, is affirmed as the regularly es- tablished work of this Grand Lodge, and all other forms of work and lectures are hereby prohibited." Having in possession notes or keys of the work was declared an offense which should subject the offender to expulsion. THOMAS J. TURNER was elected Grand Master at this session, and during the year he devoted much attention to the restoration of the old work. Bro. JEROME R. GORIN, of Decatur, was appointed Grand Lecturer at Large, he having received the work direct from BAR- NEY, and the lectures as taught by him were ordered to be used in the constituent lodges. A large proportion of the lodges exhibited their respect and fealty by at once resuming the old work; a few gave no sign, but re- mained sullenly quiet, and few assumed a position of antagonism and open hostility. All such latter lodges were given until May 15, 1864, to return to their allegiance and comply with the requirements of Grand Lodge, and by the time of the annual ses- sion of that year the animosities of the past seem to have been practically buried and harmony restored throughout the jurisdic- tion. During the year 1864 the Grand Master (Bro. TURNER) made a new assignment of Grand Lecturers, appointing as such Bros. M. D. CHAMBERLIN, of Freeport; THOS. J. WADE, of Ottawa; J. R. GORIN, of Deca- tur; LEWIS KEYON, of Peoria; DANIEL G. BURR, of Paris; and A. L. VIRDEN, of Vir- den. To these were subsequently added Bros. CHARLES FISHER, RODNEY ASHLEY and THOMAS J. PRICKETT. Bro. CHAMBER- LIN was named as the standard authority for the work, and until the time of his death, in 1895, ne continued to be regarded as a final arbiter upon all disputed questions. Imme- diately preceding the annual communication of 1865 a Lodge of Instruction was opened by Bro. CHAMBERLIN at Springfield, which remained in session for one week, and which was largely attended by brethren from all parts of the State. This meeting was the precursor of the present "Schools" of In- struction which have proved very popular and have been productive of much good. At the annual communication of 1865 the exclusive power of appointing and con- trolling Grand Lecturers, which for several years prior thereto had been vested in the Grand Master, was revoked and a commis- sion was created, consisting of three Past Masters, who were styled ' ' Overseers of the Work." Said "Overseers" were given "full charge of the ritual and work of lodges, as approved by Grand Lodge, under the supervision of the Grand Master; and the decision of a majority" was to be final on all subjects connected therewith, and binding upon all Masons and lodges in the jurisdiction. Any person desiring to lecture was first required to procure a certificate of proficiency from the Overseers, and there- upon he might be commissioned by the Grand Master ' ' upon his pledge to teach the work approved by said ' Overseers of the Work ' and none other. " The first board of Overseers consisted of M. D. CHAMBERLIN, THOS. J. WADE and THOS. J. PRICKETT. The system of Overseers was continued until 1867, when, upon the suggestion of the Grand Master (Bro. GORIN), that the jurisdiction had become too large to be suc- cessfully controlled by one man, the Board 150 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. of Overseers was abolished and the State divided into districts in charge of Deputy Grand Masters. These Deputies had no special duties denned, but were "to act under such regulations as the Grand Master may prescribe." It would seem also that the question of uniformity of work was still far from settled. The lack of uniformity was attributed, to some extent, to the indiscriminate use of monitorial aids, and to remedy this the Grand Master suggested the preparation of a manual. The committee to whom the matter was referred reported back: Your committee, fully appreciating the necessity of having a uniform work within this jurisdiction in order that harmony may prevail, would recommend that a committee be appointed by the M. W. Grand Master, in accordance with his suggestions, to pre- pare a manual or trestle-board for the use of the lodges of this State; such manual to be printed and furnished to the several lodges of this State at cost, or as nearly at cost as possible. And your committee further recommend that a committee of seven mem- bers of this Grand Lodge be appointed by the M. W. Grand Master to revise the work of this jurisdiction; such work, when so revised, to be reported to and ex- emplified before this Grand Lodge at its next annual communication; and when so reported and exempli- fied, if found by this Grand Lodge to be correct, that the same should be adopted and put in form to be perpetuated by this Grand Lodge. We make this recommendation cheerfully, and with the hope that it may be accepted and adopted by this Grand Lodge, for the reason that after submitting the idea to a large number of the members of this Grand Lodge, we are assured that all controversy as to a correct work will thereby be forever ended; And Grand Lodge concurred in the report. It will be observed that this report in- volved some radical ideas, viz. : that the work, if approved, should be "put in form to be perpetuated by this Grand Lodge." Of course there is but one way to perpetuate a ritual. At the same time there is but one way to create a standard. Grand Lodge was beginning to realize this fact. At the session of 1868 the committee re- ported progress and was given further time. At the session of 1869 the Grand Master (H. G. REYNOLDS) stated that an impression had gone forth that Grand Lodge had aban- doned its work. This, he said, was not true; but how the "impression" gained currency he does not say; that to "place the matter beyond cavil " he had appointed a committee of Lecturers on discrepancies, himself acting as umpire, and that they were prepared to submit their labors. The Committee on Work reported to this session that "they have carefully considered the subject matter before them, have revised the work, and are prepared to exemplify same at the pleasure of Grand Lodge." A subsequent rehearsal was had under the auspices of the Committee, and the first degree was conferred in Grand Lodge upon an actual candidate, the first and only time such an event has occurred. The remain- ing degrees were less realistically presented. The result is not stated, but presumably the work was approved, and to guard against its corruption and unauthorized dissemina- tion it was Resolved, That a Board of four Examiners, to be nominated by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, and confirmed by the Grand Lodge, be appointed, who, with the Grand Master, shall critically examine all applicants for commission as Grand Lecturers, and appoint none who are not thoroughly conversant with the work of this State. Resolved, That it shall be the duty of said exam- iners to hold a meeting immediately after each session of the Grand Lodge, for the examination of Lecturers; that at the first session they shall in some proper manner cast lots for terms of office, which shall be for one, two, three and four years; that at the next and succeeding annual sessions of the Grand Lodge the Grand Master shall likewise nominate some fit per- sons to fill the vacancies then occurring, who shall hold their office for four years; And in pursuance of same MILO D. CHAM- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 151 BERLIN, CHARLES FISHER, THOMAS J. PRICKETT and GIL. W. BARNARD were ap- pointed to constitute such Board. During the month of March, 1870, a Lodge of Instruction was held at Odin, which attracted a large attendance from neighboring lodges. On the following month this was repeated at Galesburg. The good results which seemed to have been at- tained by these meetings led to a recom- mendation to the annual communication of that year that they be continued and held in other localities. At this session also a new constitution was presented, which was subse- quently adopted, in which it was made the duty of the Grand Master to ' ' provide for thorough instruction in the work and lect- ures already established by this Grand Lodge." In pursuance of this constitutional pro- vision, which, it will be perceived, alludes to a form of work "already established," the successive Grand Masters have contin- ued the appointment of ' ' Grand Examiners " and the employment of sub-lecturers recom- mended by them. During the years 1871-2 no schools were held; but the Board of Ex- aminers, Brethren CHAMBERLIN, IDE, COOK and PRICKETT, visited lodges whenever called upon. From this time until 1881 schools were held intermittently. Since 1881 they have been held annually. Since 1872 the work has been mainly in the custody of Bro. CHAMBERLIN or Bro. EDWARD COOK. As to the relative worth of the Schools the reader must judge. There can be no doubt as to the positive good they have ac- complished in producing a uniformity of rit- ual throughout the jurisdiction and of the interest they have created among erstwhile apathetic craftsmen. The question has usually arisen on the expense of their main- tenance. During 1877-8 no schools were held and the Grand Master (Bro. ROBBINS) thus assigned his reasons therefor: No Schools of Instruction have been held by the Grand Examiners during the year, as I could see no warrant in equity for requiring or permitting it at the expense of the Grand Lodge, whereby the lodges who have perfected themselves in the work at their expense are further taxed for the benefit of those who make no effort for proficiency. Nor is it in my judgment either just or desirable that anything which tends to keep an authoritative knowledge of the work within a close corporation should be encouraged. Such a knowledge is the birthright of every lodge and every Mason; and while retaining, in the exercise of my constitutional authority, the Board of Examiners as a standard of reference, and for assistance in determining the competency of those desiring to teach, I do not favor a course that shall tend to give the Board what I am sure none of its members desire a monopoly of teaching. I have, therefore, in response to inquiries on the subject, uniformly said that I should be glad, on the recommendation of any one of its members in each case, to give authority to teach, to a sufficient number of competent brethren to place a correct knowledge of the work within easy and economical reach of every portion of the jurisdiction. The views of the Grand Master were adopted by Grand Lodge. In 1879 no school was held, the Grand Master (Bro. GURNEY) adopting, to some extent, the views of his predecessor. In 1 880 a session was held at Bement. In 1 88 1 four sessions were held at different localities and since then the prac- tice has been generally observed. At the session of 1885- a wave of re- trenchment swept over Grand Lodge and a recommendation to discontinue the schools at the expense of the body was adopted; but the provision for their maintenance being constitutional the Grand Master of 1886 (Bro. DARRAH) ordered them to be held at Mt. Vernon, Paris, Bloomington, Bushnell and Chicago, a three-days session being held at each place. In 1888 the Grand Master (Bro. SMITH) 152 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. inaugurated a new departure in the manner of holding schools, which in his annual ad- dress he reported as follows: During the past Masonic year Schools of Instruc- tion have been held at Rock Island, Cairo, Carthage, Carmi, Danville, Taylorville, Peoria, Belleville and Chicago, to each of which I gave one or more days. In the appointment of Grand Lecturers I had in view the selection of efficient and correct workers, each of whom would be competent to preside over a School of Instruction, though alone. Having secured such brethren and constituted them a Board of Ex- aminers, I divided the Board and increased the num- ber of schools from the customary number of five to nine, assigning two members to one set of schools and three to the other, bringing full Board to closing school at Chicago. The wisdom of this new departure was questioned at the time, but it has proven a success. In 1887 five schools were held, with a representation of 255 lodges and attendance of 991 members of lodges, while in the schools of 1888 there were 519 lodges represented and an attendance of 2,051 members of lodges. You will observe that while there were not twice the number of schools held in 1888 that there have been in former years, the lodges represented and members in attendance were more than double those of the past year and nearly equal to twice that of any former year. Thus it will be seen that there is a remarkable in- crease in the interest taken in these schools, and an ardent desire manifested by the brethren throughout the State to perfect themselves in the standard work of their own jurisdiction. Your attention is called to a more interesting and no less important fact, and that is the expense to Grand Lodge of these Schools of Instruction. In 1887 the cost of five schools was $1,105.28, while the cost for nine schools for 1888 was 1,001.10, a less sum than in any former year. Referring now to my previous re- marks on reduction of Grand Lodge dues and saving in expenses of this Board, I would under no circum- stances have more than five schools in one year; would again divide the Board, and thus save one-half the sum heretofore paid Grand Examiners. The extreme points in this State were covered by schools of last year, and I am therefore confident that expenses of the Board can hereafter be kept within six hundred dollars, and thus save annually a sum of five hundred dollars to Grand Lodge. The earnest friend and advocate of a dissemina- tion of ritualistic knowledge through means of a Board of Grand Lecturers, I am more the friend of the Crafts- men who have to pay the bills of this Board, particu- larly of the many who can never participate in this in- struction. The distinguished members whom the Craft have delighted to honor, and whose labors in the Masonic field have shed a lustre upon the works of Freemasonry throughout the land, have not been made in Schools of Instruction. They have been lovers of the art, devotees of the science, and believers in the brotherhood of man. There can be no argument founded on reason or justice, why forty thousand Craftsmen should be called upon to pay for that in which they cannot participate, and these Grand Lec- tures ought to be paid by those who employ them. During 1888 an impetus was given to ritualistic work by the formation of what was known as the " Standard Team. " This consisted in nothing more than an associa- tion of zealous and proficient workers led by Bro. JAMES JOHN, of Chicago, who with Bros. F. S. BELDEN, D. F. FLANNERY, H. McCALL and others, visited lodges when- ever invited and gave full exemplifications of the authorized ritual. Their work was performed without expense to lodge or Grand Lodge, and resulted in much indirect, as well as direct, benefit, by stimulating lodge offi- cers to emulate their example. The question of ritual may be regarded as settled, if not "for all time," certainly for this generation; and while the Masons of Illinois may not have the identical article that King SOLOMON handed over to the keep- ing of his successors, they have at least a substitute which answers all practical pur- poses. * # * Much of the contention which has arisen, both in Illinois and elsewhere, over the ex- ploitation of the esoteric rituals, has been caused by a false idea of the " sacredness " of the liturgies of the degrees. This sanctity was founded upon the supposed fact that the degrees were very ancient and that the ceremonials connected with same had been handed down ' ' through a chosen few, un- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 153 changed by time and uncontrolled by preju- dice " until they had reached the present possessors, and that, of course, they were bound to transmit same to their successors in the same "scrupulous purity" in which they had been received. But this con- ception is radically false. As has been shown by Bro. W. J. HUGHAN, the English Masonic archaeologist, that, while there were Apprentices, Fellow-Crafts and Master Masons hundreds of years ago, yet there were no Masonic degrees in existence until the beginning of the last century, namely, A. D. 1717, or thereabouts. What existed before then were Masonic grades, the Ap- prentices, Fellows and Masters being all on a level as regards secrets, for in a number of old lodges it was the law that so many Apprentices had to be present at the due admission of Masters and Fellows. Hence, there were three grades of members, not three degrees, with special ceremonies and secrets for each degree. What the secret word was among the lodges before A. D. 1717 we do not know, nor what their secrets or ceremonies exactly were. The first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world was the Grand Lodge of England, formed in 1717, and no Masonic "Grand Master" existed before then. The pseudo- Masonic historians of the last century, to fill up their books, were not particular as to facts, but dealt largely in fictions, interpola- tions and alterations. This is now abund- antly proved by the labors of the Masonic historians and critics of the last twenty-five years. Previous to 1 860 Freemasons, gen- erally speaking, believed the ceremonies and secrets of the then Craft degrees had existed for hundreds or thousands of years, the majority dating from the building of Solomon's temple. It was difficult to prove this on documentary evidence, but the ex- cuse was ever ready that the old documents were lost! It so happens, however, that modern research has discovered many of these old records, and old Masonic charges; and the old lodge minutes, written long be- fore, and up to A. D. 1717, prove that up to that date modern Freemasonry and our system of degrees did not exist. The oldest Masonic minute of the third degree in the world yet discovered is dated 1725. The Kilwinning Lodge, styled by some the "Mother" Lodge of Scotland, seems to have had no Master's degree until 1737, and then it got impregnated with the new Freemasonry from England. There was no Grand Lodge or Grand Master in Scotland until 1736, when the former was formed- after a visit from some London brethren and the latter was elected then. In Kelso the Lodge first heard of the Master's degree in 1754. The Lodge of Edinburgh, Mary's Chapel, No. i, has minutes going back to 1 598, but these go to prove that there were no Masonic degrees prior to 1717. The three degrees of Craft Masonry are, there- fore, now about one hundred and seventy- seven years old possibly three years or so younger, especially the Third Degree. From 1720 until the present, Masonic degrees have been evolving from crude to finished forms, and the process is by no means at an end. They have changed in Illinois within the memory of men yet liv- ing. It is well enough to have uniformity; indeed this is very desirable; it is highly proper to have a standard, and to maintain it; but there has been much silly twaddle indulged in with respect to "work" and many false ideas propagated in connection therewith by the authorized instructors of the craft. 154 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. II. EXOTERIC. The ancient exoteric ceremonies of the craft have been practiced in this juris- diction since the time of the formation of the first lodges. There are records of corner-stone layings which antedate Grand Lodge, while the Grand Masters of that body have ever continued to exercise this right as one of their immemorial preroga- tives. For many years, however, there was no established formulary, and the published works of other jurisdictions or the ' ' mon- itors, " "charts," "guides," etc., of the professional lecturers, were used indis- criminately. MOORE'S " Trestle Board " was recommended to the lodges in 1855, and until the adoption of the standard liturgies continued to be used; but in later years it became displaced to a large extent by the compilations of MACKEY, MACOY, SICKLES and other ritualistic expounders. The office for the burial of the dead, as well as the ceremonial for the laying of cor- ner-stones, from their nature, have always been exoteric. The installation of officers, and particularly of Masters, was formerly considered a strictly private and to some extent esoteric ceremony. The early in- stallations of the Grand Master were invar- iably private and performed only in a lodge of Past Masters. In a comparatively short time this rule became relaxed ; all semblance of privacy was abolished, and the Grand officers were inducted into office in some large and commodious apartment to which the general public were invited as specta- tors. This practice prevailed in Grand Lodge for many years. Following the ex- ample set by Grand Lodge, the constituent lodges soon commenced to hold " public in- stallations;" and this practice, condemned by no small number of thoughtful Masons as pernicious, still continues to be observed in many parts of the jurisdiction. The constitution or dedication of lodges, essen- tially a private and in some respects an eso- teric ceremony, is now almost invariably performed with open doors. The only jus- tification for the public performance of the ceremonies of constitution and installation seems to lie in the fact that Grand Lodge has published authorized rituals which may be seen and read by any person. Mason or profane; but with equal propriety the gen- eral public might be invited to witness por- tions of the esotery of the lodge, which is likewise published and may be read by any person so disposed. A distinction should be drawn between the private and the pub- lic ceremonials of the craft; and the mere fact that such ceremonials, for the greater convenience of those interested, has been committed to print should not be the de- termining factor. The act of induction into office is termed installation. It is fundamental that before the officers of a lodge can legally discharge the functions of their respective offices they must be formally installed by the Grand Master or by some person by him deputized for that purpose. From motives of con- venience a plenary authority is vested in all Past Masters to perform the ceremony. The ceremony of installation has been employed from a very early period, and is found in the first edition of Anderson's Con- stitutions as a part of the formulary for " Constituting a New Lodge. " It is thought to have been invented by DESAGULIERS, one of the early Wardens of the Mother Grand Lodge of England. The early method, and COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONKT IN ILLINOIS. 155 one which is still pursued to some extent, was for the Grand Master to install the new Master, who then proceeded to install his Wardens and other officers. The form of service used during the early years of Grand Lodge is not known, but presumably it was an adaptation of the forms then in use in the older jurisdictions. But, whatever it may have been, there came a time when it was no longer acceptable to the representa- tives, and at the session of 1858 Bro. HOBBS was appointed a committee to prepare a suitable installation ceremony for the offi- cers of Grand Lodge. This duty he per- formed acceptably to the brethren, for at the session of 1859 he reported back a form of ceremony which was duly approved and adopted. This was the first of the exoteric ceremonials to be compiled under the direc- tion of Grand Lodge. At the annual communication of 1867 the Grand Master (Bro. J. R. GORIN) suggested that one of the wants of Grand Lodge was an entire harmony in the work of the lodges, and to this end there was need of a book containing not only a monitorial rendering of the degrees, but also the forms and cere- monials used on special occasions. Where- fore he recommended the appointment of a committee to prepare such a book, contend- ing that Grand Lodge possessed workmen sufficiently skilled to produce its own man- ual, and that it should no longer be depend- ent on others to supply its needs. The committee on Address endorsed the recom- mendation and Grand Lodge concurred in the report. Accordingly a committee was appointed on Arrangement of Esoteric and Exoteric Work. At the annual communica- tion of 1868 the committee reported their inability to complete their labors and re- quested further time, which was granted. At the session of 1 869 further time was allowed, and at the succeeding session of 1870 they reported back a form of Constitu- tion and By-Laws and asked time to make a further report. But this effort seemed to have exhausted their energies, for we find no further reports from this committee; nor was it until 1874, and after an entire change in the personnel of the committee, that a code of By-Laws was finally evolved that met the requirements of the representatives. In the meantime the lodges remained in the same position in which Bro. GORIN had found them in 1867. The need of an authoritive "manual" was felt, however, and this want Grand Lodge was at last to supply. At the annual communication of 1876 the committee reported back a form of cer- emonials to be observed in constituting a new lodge, installation of officers, dedica- tion of Masonic halls, and laying the corner- stone of public buildings. While the cere- monies possess a distinctive character they do not materially depart from the ancient forms laid down in the standard Masonic text-books. The main object of the com- mittee was to give in a practical form more full and minute instructions than was fur- nished in the text-books, for the purpose of aiding those called upon to officiate in the ceremonies indicated. In the arrangement the committee drew from the corresponding ceremonies in use in Massachusetts, Ohio and Missouri, and so the exoteric, like the esoteric, work of the jurisdiction is peculiar- ly its own and differs from all others. At the same time the work was well done. The ritual will compare favorably with the best, while the instructions given in connec- 156 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. tion therewith are superior to anything theretofore published; and, being the result of an extended personal experience of the committee, are eminently practical and helpful in their nature. The credit for the work is largely due to Bro. D. C. CKEGIER, whose genius inspired same, and to the dis- criminating judgment and correct task of Bros. JOHN M. PEARSON and EDWARD COOK. The report was received and adopted and the form declared to be the authorized ceremonials of Grand Lodge. In 1889 they were subjected to a slight revision and an additional ceremonial for the celebration of cape-stones added. The second edition of the Manual con- tains a ceremony not found in the first edition, nor is same included in the public ceremonials of the "monitors," "charts," etc. It is a form for the Celebration of Cape-Stones. The history of this cere- monial, which appears to be peculiar to the Grand Lodge of Illinois, is not without interest. In the year 1890 there was completed at the City of Chicago the largest and most magnificent building that has yet been erected and devoted to the muses. It is known as the Auditorium. It was intended by the projectors of the enterprise that its corner stone should be laid by the Masonic fraternity with the ceremonies of the Craft; but the President of the United States be- ing about to visit the city it was deemed advisable to tender this honor to him; which was accordingly done. But prior to the arrival of the President a strike occurred among the workmen, and "non-union" men were employed in the place of those who went out. The local party managers, fearing that any participation by the Pres- ident in an enterprise upon which "scab" labor was employed would be detrimental to party interests, requested that the President be excused from the duty, and, as a consequence, the stone was laid by the regular workmen and without ceremony of any kind. But when the building was completed the managers felt that some demonstration by the Freemasons should be made, and accordingly they called on Bro. J. C. SMITH, then the Grand Master of Illinois, to secure his assistance for this purpose. The only thing that suggested itself was the leveling of the Cape-stone. But the Grand Lodge of Illinois had no ritual for such an event among its " ancient ceremonies," nor could any precedent for such a course be found in our annals. Yet this did not deter the Grand Master, who rose to the occasion and decided to furnish both the ritual and the precedent in the creation and perform- ance of a ceremony in keeping with the event. To the writer was assigned the task of preparing a ritual, which was approved by the Grand Master; and the Grand Lodge, at its annual communication of that year, proceeded to the Auditorium and did level the cape-stone in the crude manner the writer had prescribed, and afterward adopt- ed such method as a part of the public cere- monies of the jurisdiction. For the part taken by the Grand Master and the writer there has been much adverse criticism, particularly by the ritualists; and it has been asserted that we have been in- strumental in introducing a new and inap- propriate ceremony, which belongs, if any- where, to the Chapters of Royal Arch Ma- sons. To fully answer these criticisms, as well as to demonstrate their falsity, would COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 157 require greater space than the limits of this work will permit; but a few brief allusions will suffice to show that there has been no innovation; that the authorized ceremony for the Celebration of Cape-stones is but a continuation of the old customs of the Free- masons, practiced from time immemorial, and that it rightfully pertains to craft lodges and not to any other branch, division or rite which is or claims to be Masonic. The ancient ceremonies of the craft which relate to public buildings are derived wholly from the operative Masons and have no connection, directly or indirectly, with our legendary history or symbolism. In the erection of the monumental piles which adorn the ancient cities of Europe, and which it is undisputed were the work of our Masonic ancestors, there were two impor- tant periods; the beginning and the ending; the corner-stone and the cape-stone. Both were attended with more or less ceremony and both were marked as festival periods by the craft. If we appeal only to the customs of the operative workmen we shall find ample prec- edent for a ceremony of completion. But this practice was by no means ignored or for- gotten, when Masonry ceased to be operative and had become purely speculative. It still continued to be observed by the craft lodges and the infrequency of its use, as compared with the ceremony of "foot," or corner- stones, was due only to the difficulties which intervened by reason of the altitude of build- ings and the inaccessible nature of the posi- tions in which the cape-stones were placed. In spite of these difficulties, however, the custom was not suffered to fall into utter dis- use, either in England or America; and while there have doubtless been many occasions when no record was made or kept we still have enough preserved to show that it was duly observed. To recount all of the instances is out of question in this article, but the inquiring student will find an interesting reference in the second edition of Anderson's Constitu- tions (published in 1 738) to one of the build- ings erected at the University of Oxford and concerning which it is said that ' ' the crafts- men, having celebrated the cape-stone, it was opened with an elegant oration by Dr. SOUTH. " It will thus be seen that this was a recognized craft ceremony more than one hundred years before the Grand Lodge of Illinois had an existence, while the distin- guished Masonic antiquary, Bro. G. W. SPETH, of London, writes that the ceremony is still regarded as one of the regular ob- servances of the craft in England and has often been employed in modern times. In our own country there are a number of well authenticated instances where a ceremony of this kind has been employed. Thus, in the New York Journal or General Advertiser of August 8, 1771, there appears the following: " We learn from Albany that on the 25th of June last, the body of Freemasons of the lodge formed at Johnstown assembled there and marched in due order to the New Church which Sir William Johnson is erecting at that place, when they levelled the cap- stone with the usual ceremonies, and afterwards re- turned to the Tavern in that town, where they and several other gentlemen partook of a handsome enter- tainment that was provided for the occasion, and con- cluded the day with that decency and cheerfulness becoming their order." Particular attention is directed to the passage in italics, as indicative of a recog- nized ceremony of some kind at that early day. The cape-stone of the new buildings of William and Mary College was celebra- ted many years ago by the Grand Lodge of 158 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Virginia, the ritual for same being prepared by the distinguished Mason, Bro. JOHN DOVE. At a later day the cape-stone of the Clay monument at New Orleans was duly celebrated by the Grand Lodge of Louisi- ana. Thus it will be seen that Illinois has ample precedent for her latest public cere- monial. THE BALLOT FOR DEGREES. A survey of the legislation of Grand Lodge, from its organization until the pres- ent time, presents a bewildering maze of contradictions, anomalies and inconsisten- cies. The early leaders, in many instan- ces, however great may have been their zeal, were but little versed in the science of Masonic jurisprudence; and the individual opinion, fancy or caprice of the person or persons who for the time being may have held the ascendency in the councils of the craft was usually made the basis for its laws. As the successive lawgivers appeared upon the scene the actions of their prede- cessors were annulled or set aside, and so we find an infinite variety of laws on many subjects and not a few of which are in di- rect contradiction to each other. Among the many subjects which at dif- ferent times have engaged the attention of the Solons is that of the ballot for degrees. The trend of sentiment among the jurists and commentators of the country always seems to have been that one ballot should suffice for admission to the fraternity and that Apprentices and Fellow-crafts should not be denied advancement without charges and trial. At the organization of Grand Lodge, however, the matter does not seem to have been considered, as no allusion is made to the subject either in the Constitu- tion or By-Laws. The first official expression in regard to same occurred in 1845, when the Grand Master (LEVI LUSK), in response to the question as to whether a Fellow-craft who had been rejected upon his application for advancement could apply to another lodge or should be required to wait twelve months before making another application in the lodge of his rejection, answered as follows: " That a rejection upon a ballot for a degree did not amount to a suspension or expulsion from the Lodge, nor did it divest the applicant of the rights, privileges or benefits of the degree or degrees which he might have taken; that if he was rejected for want of skill, whenever he perfected himself in the degree or degrees he had taken, he had a right to demand and receive a higher degree, unless there were other ob- jections; in that case, the objection should be embodied in the form of charges, to which he should be required to answer." It will thus be seen that at this time some, at least, of the lodges were requiring a ballot for each degree; but that such practice was not general is shown by the action of Grand Lodge. The committee, to whom the matter was referred, reported back that ' ' the views of the Grand Master were strictly Masonic and just " and sus- tained the decision. Grand Lodge not only concurred in the report, but to further settle the question, it was Resolved, That the privileges of our institution are embraced in the three degrees of Entered Apprentice- ship, Fellow-craft, and Master Mason, to which a single ballot in favor of a candidate fully entitles him; and the last two of which he may receive, when quali- fied by suitable proficiency, unless, by apostacy from duty after the degree last taken, he be proved un- worthy. This seems to have been the first legisla- tion upon the subject. That the resolution of Grand Lodge reflected the prevailing opinion of the country is evident on refer- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 159 ence to the laws and usages of the other Grand Lodges of that time. At the annual communication in 1846 the matter again came before Grand Lodge, in a protest sent up by Bodley Lodge, No. i, which asked that the rule be rescinded and a ballot be had on every degree. The protest was referred to a committee, which, among other' things, reported: In relation to the resolution, inserted on page 173 of the printed proceedings of the last Grand Lodge, your committee would also observe, that they are of the opinion that a general compliance therewith is calculated to be more injurious than beneficial to the fraternity. It appears to us that danger is far more likely to arise from the inconsiderate admission of improper persons into the Masonic family than from the exclusion of such as may be truly worthy. It seldom if ever happens that every member of a lodge is present when a candidate is balloted for; and it is very possible that the only one in possession of rea- sons sufficient for the rejection of the applicant, may be absent when his petition is acted upon. It is, con- sequently, very proper, whenever such is the case, that the brother who would have opposed his recep- tion in the first instance, had he been present, should be allowed another opportunity for the purpose, and to have his objections removed, if not well founded, or the farther advancement of the candidate arrested, should it appear, upon mature deliberation, that he is un- worthy of the privilege he seeks to obtain. Besides, it may be received as a sound maxim, that no one, who has been once admitted within the portals of the lodge and initiated as an Entered Apprentice, will, on slight grounds, be refused farther light; or, that one who has been admitted to the First and Second Degrees will be rejected on his application for the Third except from an imperative sense of duty to the Masonic Institution. Your committee, therefore, can see no necessity for the resolution in question, and respectfully recommend its repeal. But Grand Lodge was not ready for summary action, and therefore adopted a temporizing policy. The matters submit- ted to the committee involved several other resolutions passed at the session of 1845, and which were considered as of too grave a character to be rescinded without further and more mature deliberation; hence it was lteolred, That the operation * * * of the resolution on page 173, of the published proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the Stale of Illinois, held at Jacksonville, in the year 1845, be and hereby is suspended until the opinion of the subordinate lodges be obtained; and that said opinion be requested to be sent in at the next regular communication of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Whether the " opinion of the subordi- nate lodges" was obtained on this question the records do not show; but at the annual communication of 1847 the Committee on Unfinished Business made a report concern- ing the matter stating that " in their opinion the resolution of Bodley Lodge is called for by this innovation on the usages of Mason- ry;" and thereupon it was liesolred, That the resolution in Grand Lodge pro- ceedings of 1845 (p. 173 of printed minutes) be re- scinded and that subordinate lodges be required to ballot for candidates in every degree. But the question was far from settled, notwithstanding the apparent peremptory declaration of the resolution. From that time until 1850 the subject was not con- sidered in Grand Lodge, but in this lat- ter year it was again presented by the Grand Master (WM. C. HOBBS) in his address at the annual communication. It would seem that many contradictory opinions were enter- tained, by the members of the constituent lodges, respecting the meaning and import of the resolution of 1847, an d such opinions had led to frequent requests to the Grand Master for its interpretation. Therefore he laid the resolution before the session with the suggestion that it be either rescinded or explained by another resolution, ' ' so that the true meaning and intention of it may be definitely understood." The ambiguity of the resolution seemed to exist with respect to the character of the ballot to be taken, or, as the Grand Master stated it, "the question 160 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS, has invariably been, whether the ballot for the Second and Third degrees was intended to decide upon the Masonic proficiency, or upon the moral eligibility of the candidate. " In the latter event the Grand Master consid- ered ' ' this construction of usage dangerous- ly erroneous and eminently un-Masonic, " being clearly of the opinion that one ballot entitled the candidate to the three degrees. Thus it will be seen how the " great lights" of Grand Lodge have ever disagreed on vital points. The arguments of Bro. HOBBS in support of his position are logical and sound; and, as they so nearly coincide with those always held by the writer, a portion of same are reproduced in extenso. Bro. HOBBS said: When a man petitions a lodge in the first instance, he states, " that having long entertained a favorable opinion of your ancient institution, he is desirous, if found worthy, of being admitted a member thereof." He'does not specifically petition to become an Entered Apprentice alone, but to become a member of the fra- ternity. He knows little or nothing about the differ- ent degrees; his object is to become entitled to the rights, lights and privileges of the order. His petition is referred to a committee, whose duty it is to carefully inquire into the moral, physical and intellectual capa- bilities of the applicant to decide upon his eligibility to receive, not only the Entered Apprentice's degree, but all the degrees within the jurisdiction of the lodge he petitions. Should the report of the committee be favorable and the ballot clear in the first instance, the privileges of the three degrees are guaranteed to him, should his future conduct and improvement warrant his advance- ment. When an applicant is received it is tacitly under- stood by every member, that full and rigid examina- tion has, or should have, been made, respecting his moral character and his other necessary qualifications to become a Mason, otherwise the appointment of a committee of investigation is silly and unnecessary. According to the laws and usages of Masonry through- out its extent, an interdict is placed upon the reception of a candidate by ballot in a less time than one lunar month after his petition is referred; this is to give time for full investigation. No such interdict prevails respecting the time for conferring the Second and Third degrees, nor is it necessary. You will remember that the only question touching eligibility, which is legally propounded upon the admission of a candidate into either of the degrees after the first, is, " Has he made suitable proficiency to warrant his request for advance- ment?" For it will also be remembered that after having received the First degree he is no longer a petitioner for Masonry, but only for Masonic advance- ment he is already introduced within the veil of Masonic mystery he no longer belongs to the ranks of the uninitiated. After receiving the first degree, he is no longer responsible to Masonic discipline for any offense, committed previous to his initiation, unless it be for an offense committed in the preliminary parts of the ceremony. At the time he stands as a just and upright Mason, he receives absolution for all ante- cedent offenses full, clear and irrevocable absolution so far as Masonry has right, power or control over him. Such being the case he then begins to learn and receive those first instructions whereon to build his future moral and Masonic edifice. Should an Entered Apprentice or Fellow-craft be guilty of un-Masonic conduct, after his initiation, no one will deny the right of dealing with him agreeably to the laws and usages of the order. He is liable to reproof, suspension, or even expulsion, as the wisdom and justice of his peers may determine. But if no charge for offense committed since he entered upon the ground floor can be sustained against him, the only question which can properly arise upon his application for advancement, is upon his suitable pro- ficiency or Masonic knowledge in the previous degrees. As this application is not made by a new, written petition, which, by any law, must be referred to a committee of investigation, the lodge may decide upon his proficiency as it may determine or as the by-laws of the individual lodge may set forth. But Grand Lodge was not in accord with the views of the Grand Master, or at least not with that part of them which looked toward a rescission of the resolution of 1847, and, acting upon his suggestion, that same should be explained in case of its re- tention, adopted the following: Resolved, That the standing resolution which re- quires a unanimous ballot for each of the three de- grees should be understood literally, and that it should be the same in each and unanimous in all, upon the moral, intellectual and Masonic qualifications of the applicant. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 161 The resolution was practically re-af- firmed in 1854 and continued to be the law of the jurisdiction until 1858. But Bro. HOBBS was not satisfied with the decision of Grand Lodge upon this point, and at the session of 1856 he again brought the matter before the body for consideration by the presentation of the following: Resolved, That one ballot, if clear, on the petition of a candidate for admission into the Masonic Order, entitles him to the three degrees of Entered Appren- tice, Fellow-craft and Master Mason that after his initiation the only question to arise upon his applica- tion for advancement will be upon his Masonic pro- ficiencyrecognizing, as this Grand Lodge does, that an Entered Apprentice or Fellow-craft can be disci- plined for offenses against Masonry, as well as a Master Mason Masonic proficiency to be determined in the manner specified by the By-Laws of the Lodge. The resolution was referred to the com- mittee on jurisprudence with instructions to report at the following communication. At the session of 1847 the committee reported adversely to Bro. HOBBS and recommended the rejection of the resolution. The report was adopted. It would seem, however, that the one- ballot advocates were not to be deterred by a few failures, and their efforts were now directed in a new channel. A revision of the By-Laws was then in progress, under the personal direction of Bro. WM. B. HERRICK. How it was accomplished the writer is un- able to state; but at the succeeding annual communication, in 1858, a new code was adopted, and Section 5 thereof provided that One ballot on a petition to be made a Mason, if clear, entitles the applicant to the three degrees of symbolic Masonry. In 1859 the triune-ballot leaders rallied their forces for an attempt to repeal this law. The Grand Master (Bro. BUCK) gave impetus to the movement by stating that while he had favored the change made the previous year, yet it did not answer the pur- pose intended. Bro. WM. LAVELY proposed as a substitute the following: The ballot shall be spread for each degree, and shall be unanimous. Bro. HODGE also submitted an amend- ment as follows: That Section 51 of the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge be, and the same is, hereby repealed; and that resolution 33 of Grand Lodge of 1854 be inserted in lieu thereof. Both amendments went over for one year. In 1860 there were a large number of amendments pending, and for convenience of action they were numbered and printed. The amendments of Sec. 51 were placed to- gether, that of Bro. LAVELY having prece- dence. When the question was put on this proposed amendment it was adopted by a large majority; and as this was a substitute for the old section it was supposed, of course, that Bro. HODGE'S amendment would fail. But Grand Lodge was in one of its not in- frequent complacent moods at this session, and inclined to grant almost anything that might be asked. Accordingly, when the vote on the second amendment was taken it passed with quite as much unanimity as the other, and as they were both proposed as substitutes, and both covered the ground, they were both incorporated into one section as follows: SECTION 49. The ballot shall be spread for each degree and shall be unanimous. A unanimous ballot for each of the three degrees should be understood literally, and should be the same in each, and unani- mous in all, upon the moral, intellectual and Masonic qualifications of the applicant. 162 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. This law remained in force until 1874, when a new code of By-Laws was adopted, Sec. 3, Art. XIV., of which provided: The ballot shall be had upon all petititions for in- itiation, whether the report thereon is favorable or un- favorable (unless it shall appear as provided in Sec- tion 8, of the last preceding article, that the Lodge has no jurisdiction), and shall be upon the moral, mental and physical qualifications of the applicant. The bal- lot upon petition for membership, or for advancement, is taken upon the moral, mental, and may include the Masonic, qualifications of the candidate; or the test of his Masonic proficiency may be decided by the Mas- ter; Prodded, That the vote to elect to any degree or to membership, srjall be unanimous in each and all. This left the matter to some extent enigmatical, but at the session of 1875 this section was amended as follows: Strike out from Section Three (3) of the same article, all after the word " applicant "and insert the words, " The vote to elect to the degrees, or to mem- bership, must be unanimous; but the test of the Masonic proficiency of a candidate for advancement may be decided by the Master, or by a majority vote of the members present." Thus the old rule was restored, and one ballot again sufficed for all the degrees. And that such is the " old rule " cannot be gainsaid by any one who will give to the subject a little thoughtful consideration and study. It is, and always has been, the rule of the Mother Grand Lodge of Eng- land, and in the oldest Grand Lodges of the United States, notably those of Massa- chusetts and Pennsylvania, there never has been a deviation from the same. By the General Regulations of 1721 the power to advance candidates does not seem to have been vested in the lodges, and Apprentices were "admitted Masters and Fellow Craft" only in Grand Lodge, "unless by dis- pensation." The degrees seem to have been honorary distinctions conferred by the superior body, and the ballot, if any was required, was taken only upon the admis- sion of the candidate as an Entered Ap- prentice. When in later days the system was changed so as to permit the ' ' par- ticular" lodges, as they were called, to con- fer all three degrees, the rule remained the same and the only ballot required was for initiation. An Apprentice has a right to advancement upon displaying suitable pro- ficiency. The rule of one ballot for the three de- grees has remained unchanged since 1875, and it is not likely that a return will be made to the former method, during this generation at least. RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE AND DOGMA. It has long been the proud boast of Free- masonry that it imposes no sectarian tests or dogmatic creeds upon those who apply for admission to its fold, and that within its portals all men, however diverse may be their religious convictions or beliefs, may meet and fraternize upon a common ground. It is to the rigid observance of this tenet that the institution owes much of its present strength, and it is only by its constant prac- tice that the claims of universality can be maintained. Under the benign influence of religious toleration it has become possible to unite ' ' men of every country, sect, and opin- ion" and to ' 'conciliate true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance." No better illus- tration of this principle can be furnished than that afforded by the Chicago Lodges during the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, when Masons from all parts of the world, and representing almost every shade of religious belief, met around the common altar and without in any manner abating one iota of their respective creeds yet found a COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 163 common bond of unity in "that religion in which all men agree." It has been laid down by the fathers aforetime that Masonry recognizes the great fundamental principles of all true religion, faith in God and obe- dience to the moral law, but leaves each one to entertain his own peculiar views ' ' by whatever denominations or persuasions they may be distinguished." So they are "good men and true, or men of honor and hones- ty," as says the first of the ancient charges, it matters little whether they have been baptized, or circumcised, or neither; whether they worship God after the manner of the Christian, the Jew, the Mohammedan or the Buddhist. So long as they venerate the Deity and obey the moral law no inquiry can be made with respect to their particular creed or sect. The first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois was a Jew. Throughout his long and useful life he remained stead- fast to his religious convictions and died in the faith of his fathers. Yet the records of Grand Lodge, no less than the concurrent testimony of those who knew him in life, show that he was "a good man and true " and a man "of honor and honesty." No name stands higher on the scroll than that of ABRAHAM JONAS. At least two of his successors were ministers of the Christian Church. Of others it is known that they made no professions of faith, but neverthe- less they also were "good men and true " and justly merited the sacred name of "brother." But not infrequently the zeal of some good brother overcomes or clouds his judg- ment. The impatient Jew chafes under the invocation of the God of the Christian. The fervent Christian sees no sanctity in a prayer that is not offered through a medi- ator. The cardinal principle of toleration is forgotten; the ancient charges are disre- garded; a house becomes divided against it- self and falls. Such was the fate of the first lodge chartered in Chicago. Well may we say with the Psalmist, "Behold, how pleasant and how good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Fortunately the jurisdiction of Illinois has been but little vexed with questions of a religious character, and upon the few oc- casions when such questions have been pre- sented the cool heads and wise judgment of the leaders have been sufficient to close all extended discussion thereon. The question first came before Grand Lodge at the session of 1845, when, upon the motion of Bro. W. F. WALKER, it was Resolved, That this Grand Lodge is clearly of the opinion that a distinct avowal of a belief in the divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures should be required of every one who is admitted to the privileges of Ma- sonry; and that a denial of the same is an offense against the Institution, calling for exemplary dis- cipline. Bro. WALKER was an Episcopal clergy- man, at that time living in Chicago. He was a man of strong individuality, and easily succeeded in impressing his views upon Grand Lodge. There was no particular occasion for the declaration at this time, but Bro. WALKER thought that Grand Lodge should, "by formal action, place herself unequivocally upon this high but truly Ma- sonic ground." At this session (1845) Bro. WALKER was elevated to the East, and in pursuance of his prerogative he revised the ' ' usual con- stitutional questions, "and notified the lodges that thereafter there should be propounded to, and affirmatively answered by, the can- didate, previous to his initiation, the follow- ing interrogatory: 164 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASON RT IN ILLINOIS. II. Do you, upon your honor, before these gen- tlemen, distinctly avow your belief in the divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures? This interrogatory, he contended, was rendered necessary by the resolution above quoted. But the lodges did not take kindly to the new regulation, and Bodley Lodge, at the communication of 1846, presented a protest. The protest was referred to a committee, which in due time reported as follows: The select committee to which have been re- ferred certain resolutions from Bodley Lodge, No. 1, having had the same under consideration, respectfully beg leave to report: That the said resolutions em- brace matters of the highest importance to the Masonic Fraternity, and in relation to which widely different opinions are doubtless honestly entertained by worthy members of the Craft. This is believed to be more particularly the case with the first resolution, inserted on page 222 of the published proceedings of the last annual communication of this Grand Lodge, the repeal of which is earnestly urged by Bodley Lodge, No. 1. With unaffected diffidence in their ability to arrive at a just and truly Masonic conclusion upon the momentous question submitted to them, and with due deference to the high authority from which the resolution objected to emanates, your committee humbly state that, in their judgment, the said resolu- tion was adopted hastily, and without sufficient caution, and that the good of the Masonic Institution requires that its operation should be suspended until an expression of the opinion of the subordinate lodges can be had thereon. We heartily believe the Bible to be the first Great Light of Masonry; and that it is, and should be, the constant guide of the Christian Mason; yet, being aware that at the period of the institution of the Order by King Solomon, only a small portion of the Holy Scriptures was in existence, and that Masonry Is designed to be universal in the extension of its benefits, and to embrace within its ample bosom all, whether Jews or Gentiles, Christians or Pagans, who avow " a steadfast belief in the existence and perfections of Deity," we are unwilling to close the door against those whom our first and Most Illustrious Grand Master would have admitted, by imposing a test which would exclude from the lodge every person not a professor of Christianity. According to our un- derstanding of ancient landmarks, the imposition of such a test might be a dangerous innovation upon the well-established principles of Masonry one that may sever the mystic tie which binds together all the Craftsmen, wheresoever scattered over the surface of the globe, and confine to a comparatively small por- tion of the human family benefits obviously designed for the whole race. It is not unreasonable to suppose that if "a distinct avowal of a belief in the Divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures" including, of course, the New as well as the Old Testament be deemed indispensable to admission to the privileges of Masonry, and, as a necessary consequence, operate to the exclusion of the descendants of the original founders and patrons of the Order, it may hereafter be found practicable to introduce other tests, requiring "a belief" in one of the numerous creeds into which the Christian world is now divided, and rejecting all others. Whereupon the committee recommended that the operation of the resolution be sus- pended "until the opinion of the subordi- nate lodges be obtained." At the succeed- ing communication (1847), on motion of Bro. J. L. ANDERSON, it was decided that the resolution (with others offered by Bro. WALKER) was "not adopted, if adopted at all, in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution and By-Laws of this Grand Lodge;" and therefore it was Resolved, That those resolutions are not regarded by this body as the resolutions of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. This practically closed the question for many years, for it was not until 1887 that the subject again assumed any importance. At the session of 1854 the question was presented by Bro. ELIJAH HAINES, who offered the following, which was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence: WHEREAS, It has been represented to this Grand Lodge that a brother of Union Lodge, No. 78, has de- clared that he will oppose the admission of any person making application for the mysteries of Masonry who does not first distinctly avow to the lodge his belief in the Divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures; there- fore Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Grand Lodge, such requirement on the part of any Mason is un-Ma- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 165 sonic and contrary to the fundamental lawof Masonry; and that no person, in making application to a lodge for the mysteries of Masonry, should be interrogated as to his religious belief, further than his belief in a Supreme Being. But the committee evaded the question by reporting back all matters referred to them and recommending that same be re- ferred to the committee to be appointed for the year, with instructions to report at the next communication which was agreed to. The new committee were apparently equal- ly averse to considering the resolution, for it made no report on same at the session of 1855, notwithstanding Bro. HAINES was present and participated in the deliberations, being then Junior Grand Warden. Nor does it seem that the matter was thereafter alluded to by any person, from which it may be inferred that the subject was regarded as " delicate grpund " and a theme to be avoided. At the annual communication of 1887 occurred the episode known as the Vienna Lodge Case. The Grand Master (Bro. DARRAH) in his annual address reported as follows: June 5th I received a communication from a mem- ber of this lodge inquiring whether " Charges could be sustained against a Mason who disbelieves the Bible, and who does not believe in the God of the same?" I assured the brother that charges should be sustained against such brother and he promptly expelled. I subsequently learned that a number of the mem- bers of Vienna Lodge belonged to a society which dis- believed the Bible and denied the existence of the God of the same. The president of the society, Bro. JOHN S. CRUM, some time previous published anaddress, which had been delivered on the subject of the Bible and the God of the Bible, but which bore for a title the startling words, " Believe or Be Damned." In this he takes great delight in making light of the Book of Books, as well as of the God of our fathers. I need only quote one sentence from his address: " I therefore pronounce the first sentence in this old Jewish book a falsehood." The sentence to which 10 reference is had, as will be remembered, is a part of our ritual, from the " Great Light in Masonry," and has reference to our Supreme Grand Master. This is- a sample of the address. The doctrine of this atheis- tic society has crept into the lodge, and unless speed- ily checked must affect the welfare and reputation of the Fraternity very seriously in the community where it is located. Bro. CRUM was placed on trial, at which R. W. Bro. JAMES A. ROSE presided, and although found guilty on one specification the lodge refused to fix a penalty. This being reported to me, I immediately suspended the functions of the lodge. Pending the trial, Bro. CRUM preferred charges against W. Bro. H. L. ARNOLD, Master of the lodge, for permitting a sectarian question to be presented to the lodge for consideration. These were at once dis- missed, with the assurance to Bro. CRUM that, in my opinion, any Mason holding such views as his ought never to see the inside of a Masonic lodge. In reply to this he requested me to submit the case, fairly, to the Grand Lodge. This I have done, and urgently re- quest that it receive that attention its merits demand. The matter was referred to the Commit- tee on Jurisprudence, consisting of Bros. Jos. ROBBINS, D. C. CREGIER, JAMES A. HAWLEY, JOHN R. THOMAS and C. H. PAT- TON, which committee, after mature consid- eration, reported back as follows: The subject brought up by the trial of a member of Vienna Lodge, No. 150, on charges growing out of his alleged theological opinions, and the bringing of counter charges by the accused against the Master of the lodge for permitting sectarian matter to be pre- sented to the lodge for consideration, imposes upon your committee a delicate duty, not only because the subject is one which always lies very near the preju- dices and passions of men, but because of the difficul- ty of discussing it without oversteppinghere in the law- making body itself the bounds which the law, made here in consonance with the fundamental law of Ma- sonry, sets up for the constituent lodges and forbids them to pass. For these reasons it seems to your com- mittee that the law in a general way may be profitably considered before passing to the case which has arisen under it, or in spite of it; and because the time allotted to the committee is too brief for the preparation of a fresh presentation of the subject, it quotes here from the proceedings of the Grand Lodge in a former year a presentation which then received the approval of the Grand Lodge and which now reflects the opinions 166 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. of your committee relative to the law and the line of Masonic duty touching the very basis of Masonic union. " In entering upon this inquiry our manifest duty is to consult first the Ancient Law the landmark by whose prescriptions every Masonic body and every in- dividual Mason is alike bound to square their Masonic action. The first of the Old Charges, 'Concerning God and Religion,' says: ' But though, in ancient times Masons were charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree, leaving their particular opinions to themselves; that is, to be good men and true, or men of honour and honesty, by whatever denomination or persuasion they may be dis- tinguished; whereby Masonry becomes the centre of union, and the means of conciliating true friendship among those who must have remained at a .perpetual distance.' " Under this same charge Atheists are excluded from Masonry, the warrant for such exclusion being found in the following: "A Mason is obliged by his tenure to obey the moral law; and if he rightly understands the art he will never be a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious liber- tine." Atheists being excluded, what is, then, "that relig- ion in which all men agree?" Manifestly it is the be- lief in a Supreme Being, the initial point and one great inclusive idea of all religions the only one common to all. From this one common point of theological agree- ment diverge the paths which lead to the countless divisions and subdivisions, ethnic and denominational, of the religious world. As the only possible centre of union, the only possible means of conciliating true friendship among those who must otherwise have re- mained at a perpetual distance, the landmark utterly refrains from indicating which, if any, of these diverg- ing paths leads backward to the Supreme. Holding in common to the great fact of the exist- ence of God, all Masons must stand upon the level of a perfect equality whenever and wherever assembled as such. As a man, Masonry leaves each one free to his own theological interpretation; but this freedom confers no license to enforce or engraft his interpreta- tion upon the Institution. The moment a brother assumes that the Supreme can be approached only through some one name be that name Brahma, Jesus, Buddha or Allah that mo- ment he enters upon theological definition and inter- pretation, the very root of sectarianism, which, with its twin evil, political partisanship, Masonry seeks above all others to exclude. Our Grand Lodge, mindful of its obligations to the landmark, has by statute prohibited the introduction of either upon any Masonic occasion; and no one who will pause to reflect upon the essential nature of a brotherhood claiming to be universal can doubt the wisdom of its actions. In the case before us a strongly sectarian address, published in pamphlet form by the accused, was made the basis of a charge against him of committing a Ma- sonic offence, and also constituted the sole evidence put in upon his trial to substantiate the charge. One of the specifications involved the charge of Atheism, a disbelief in God, and the others, three or four in num- ber, were various ways of stating in substance that he was guilty of denying the divine authenticity of the Bible, of ridiculing that book, of declaring that some portions of it were false, or of speaking contemptuously of it. Upon the trial the accused was found not guilty of the specification of Atheism, and not guilty of all the rest of the specifications save one, and that one was one lorm of specifying that he had cast ridicule and contempt upon the Bible. Failing to agree upon any punishment for the specification upon which he was convicted, the presiding District Deputy immediately closed thft lodge, and the Grand Master immediately suspended the charter. Meanwhile the accused pre- ferred charges against the Master for permitting a sec- tarian question to be presented to the lodge for con- sideration, which charges were curtly dismissed by the Grand Master. The section under which the charge was brought against the Master is to be found in Arti- cle II, Part Third, defining Masonic offences. It is the third section and reads as follows: "The Master of any lodge shall not permit any charges or specifications, or any other subject matter either written or oral, involving questions of a political or sectarian character, to be read in, or in any manner presented to the lodge." Language could not make plainer the prohibition aimed at precisely the character of matter introduced in this case, and which was first disobeyed by the Master and afterwards ignored by the Grand Master. To your committee it seems impossible to deny that in permitting the introduction of the sectarian pamphlet, and also of some if not all the specifica- tions, the Master very squarely disobeyed the unmis- takable letter of the law. But your committee finds on referring to the Grand Master's report that in per- mitting this matter to be introduced he was acting under such advice from the Grand Master as he might well be excused for considering an order, or at least a direction; and from the statements of the Master in COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASON!?!' IN ILLINOIS. 167 its presence it was impressed with the belief that he would not intentionally defy the laws of the Grand Lodge, and that he might safely be again intrusted with the custody of the charter of Vienna Lodge. The acquittal of the accused of the charge of Atheism shows that there was nothing that could afford the least shadow of excuse for defying the plain letter of the law, and therefore no possible excuse for now insisting that the lodge should inflict punishment pursuant to a verdict found in a trial void on its face because held in violation of law. On the other hand there is nothing to be gained in inflicting punishment upon those who have broken the law, at all comparable to the mischief of continued agitation of a question so dangerous to the peace of the Fraternity, one which, as the Grand Lodge long ago foresaw, can bear only the bitter fruits of strife, alienation and discord. Your committee therefore recommends that the whole proceeding be regarded in fact, as well as in law, void ab initio, leaving all parties enjoying the same status as before the mischievous proceeding was begun. Grand Lodge concurred in the recom- mendation; and for the second, and, it is hoped, the last time, the question was closed upon this highly dangerous subject. The action of Grand Lodge did not es- cape criticism either at home or abroad. It is certain, however, that the disposal of the case in the manner indicated was an act of wisdom on the part of the repre- sentatives, while the reasoning of the com- mittee, cool, temperate and yet convincing, is a correct exposition of long settled Masonic law. As to how far a Mason may go in his de- nunciation or ridicule of the faith or relig- ious teachings of others without entrenching upon Masonic rules, it is difficult to say. No true man, and certainly no true Mason, will ever ridicule or asperse another's belief, be it what it may. Neither, on the other hand, will he ever say to his neighbor, " I have the one true faith," or "I am holier than thou." No true Mason will ever cast contumely or throw ridicule upon that ven- erable book known as the Holy Bible, how- ever much he may disbelieve its statements. Nor will he ever speak slightingly or con- temptuously of the sacred books of other religions the Koran of the Mohammedan, the Vedas of the Hindu, or any other writ- ing that men accept as expositions of divine wisdom, however much he may disbelieve them. Freemasonry in its broad catholicity now encompasses all religions, and in the oriental lodges it is no uncommon thing to find many diverse religionists who yet pro- fess the unity of Masonry. The religious opinions of all of these brethren must be respected, and a failure to render such re- spect is a violation of obligation. At the same time we must recognize the right of all men to " liberty of conscience," and as a part of such liberty the privilege of discussing creeds, religions and forms of worship. All that can be said is that such discussions should be conducted dispassion- ately, respectfully and honestly. CRUM may have failed in this respect, but so have count- less others who have died in the very odor of sanctity. Whatever our own views ma}' be with respect to the "gentle Master of Nazareth," we have no right to taunt our Mohammedan brother by allusions to the "false prophet." Yet were our lodges to commence to discipline its members for every utterance of this kind, where would be the end ? The members of schools of re- ligious thought would at once separate from the main body; schism would certainly fol- low, and in a little time Freemasonry, like the Christian Church, would be split into innumerable contending sects, and then, 168 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. from its own weakness, fall to pieces and dissolve. God save the Fraternity ! But while toleration is a cardinal prin- ciple of the fraternity, yet this does not mean that a Mason may not have decided opinions upon all subjects, scientific, polit- ical, religious; nor that he may not freely, openly and forcibly express same; it does mean, however, that he shall accord to others the same rights he claims for him- self, and he is not to esteem less his broth- er who is equally honest and decided in opinions which are directly opposed to his own. This probably is the essence of the Masonic doctrine of toleration. Thus in the earliest known manuscript (Regius Poem) we find the following written late in the I4th century (1388): Plures Cnnttituciones. " That whose wol conne thys Craft and come to a state He most love wel God, and holy churche algate." " ars quatour coronatorum. " Suche mawmetys he hade yn hys dawe, To tume the pepul from Crystus lawe, But they were stedefast in Cryste's lay And to here craft, withouten may So hedede that tyme other also, Of dyvers craftes inony mo. Through hye grace of Crist yn heven He commensed yn the Syens seven. The general subject of this section brings up a number of interesting historical and ethical questions. It is indeed true that Freemasonry is broadly tolerant in the matter of religious belief, and that this very principle of toleration is cited as a landmark an unchanging and unchangeable funda- mental law. If by "landmark" is meant an immemorial law, then the jurists are mistaken. If by that term they mean a rule of universal application, then they are again mistaken, for the principle of toleration is not two hundred years old and is not of uni- versal observance. It is undeniable that early English Free- masonry the Freemasonry from which we trace our descent was Christian, and so also was its correlated branches upon the continent. All of the old Gothic constitu- tions recognize Christianity. From a com- pilation made a few years ago by Bro. WM. J. HUGHAN the following selections are made as illustrations of the point presented. " And when thou herest the belle rynge To that holy sakerynge Knele ze most, both zynge and olde And bothe yor hondes fayr upholde And say thenne yn this manere Fayr and softe, without bere ' Jhesu Lord, welcome thou be, Yn forme of bred, as y the se'. Now, Jhesu, for thyn holy name Schulde me from synne and schame.' " Certainly nothing could have been more distinctively Christian than the prayer which concludes the foregoing excerpta, and the same MS. abounds in sentences of a like character. The next oldest (Add MS. No. 23, '98, British Museum), late in the fif- teenth century, has the following: " but be- hoveth hem fyrst prncypally to God and holy church & all halowis and his mastr. and his felowes as his aine brotheryn." The Harleian, Sloane, and Lansdowne MSS. in the British Museum, containing the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 169 old charges of the I /th century, commence with an invocation to the ' ' Holy and un- divided Trinity " much as follows : "The myght of the Father of Heaven With ye wisdome of the glorious Son Through the goodness of the Holy Ghost Yt be three in one God, &c. Be with us att our beginning And give us grace so to govern us in our living Yt we may come to His bliss That ne'er shall have ending." It would seem that in Scotland the same conditions prevailed, and in many of the old lodges of that country, particularly in the Kilwinning branch of the fraternity, the Christian character is said to be still re- tained. That Scottish Masonry was Chris- tian in the last century and for many years prior thereto is proved by the records still extant. Thus D. MURRY LYON (of Edin- burgh) says that the Eglinton MS. "held the Wardens of lodges answerable to the Presbytery for all offensis committed by the ' maissons subject to the ludgis ' over which they were placed; and to the Deacon and Warden of Kilwinning was it ' given ' to put forth of their societie and cumpany all persoins disobedient ather ta the Kirk, Craft, Counsall,' &c." This MS. is dated 1 599. He further says that in the archives of the Mother Lodge Kilwinning there is a MS. of about 1670 which "clearly shows the Roman Catholic faith to have been that of the Craftsmen to whom the Mason oath was administered prior to the Reformation." HUGHAN says that even after 1716 and for the greater part of the century, Free- masonry was Christian in its character and ceremonies. It is well known that until 1 7 54 the only prayers used in the lodge were those of the church, and that at this time was introduced the first Masonic prayer. The Constitutions of 1723 are accepted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois as the fun- damental bases of Masonic law. These pur- port to have been extracted from the ' ' an- cient records of Lodges beyond sea, and of those of England, Scotland and Ireland." It is, however, a well established fact that the charges were in reality compiled by Dr. ANDERSON from various English documents, but, as HUGHAN says, " in such a free man- ner that in many respects in their new garb they are quite the opposite of the originals. " But while the Constitutions of 1723 only required an adherence to that form of relig- ion " in which all men agree," it would seem that all of the craft were not disposed to be as liberal as Dr. ANDERSON, and as a con- sequence Christianity continued to find ex- pression in various ways, and particularly was this noticeable in the prayers. While the Master was left to his own discretion in this matter, and might introduce extempo- raneous prayers, yet the book of common prayer was practically the text-book of the lodge. Thus matters continued until 1754, when Dr. MANNINGHAM drew up the follow- ing prayer to be used at the initiation of candidates, and laid it -before the Grand Lodge at London for its sanction. That body immediately adopted it; and the Doc- tor personally introduced it into the metro- politan lodges; " by whom, " says Bro. OLI- VER, "it was gratefully received." This prayer, says the same learned brother, was used in the lodges until the time of PRESTON, "who altered without improving it." It was published in the " Freemason's Pocket Companion," in 1754, and is as follows: " Most Holy and Gracious Lord God, thou Archi- tect of heaven and earth, who art the giver of all good 170 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. gifts and graces! and hath promised that when two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt be in the midst of them; in thy name we assemble and meet together, most humbly beseeching thee to bless us in all our undertakings, to give us thy Holy Spirit, to enlighten our minds with wisdom and understand- ing; that we may know and serve thee aright, that all our doings may tend to thy glory and the salvation of our souls. And we beseech thee, O Lord God, to bless this our present undertaking, and to grant that this our brother may dedicate his life to thy service, and be a true and faithful brother amongst us. Endue him with divine wisdom, that he may, with the secrets of Masonry, be able to unfold the mysteries of godli- ness and Christianity. This we humbly beg, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen." It will be observed that the tone of the foregoing prayer is distinctly Christian, and it would seem that it continued to be em- ployed until 1772, at which time PRESTON introduced the present form. Presumably if this prayer were to be used in the lodges of Illinois to-day it would be regarded as a rank violation of the ancient law and land- marks, and its employment would subject the offending Master to discipline; but it comes from the same source as all of the rest of the Masonry of the jurisdiction. The writer has not appended these ex- cepta with a view to creating any controversy in regard to the rulings and action of Grand Lodge in the matter of Vienna Lodge. With the decision in that case he is in har- mony and the final action he believes cor- rect ; but when we are appealing to the past or relying on the old precedents, it may not be unprofitable to sometimes go back and see what the old precedents really are. MILITARY LODGES. Movable or traveling lodges, attached to regiments or troops of the army, have long been established features of English Freemasonry. Originally such lodges seem to have been very loosely conducted, but for many years they have been subject to strict laws and regulations. No warrant is now granted without the consent of the commanding officer of the regiment, bat- talion, or company, to which the lodge is to be attached; nor is such lodge permitted, under any pretence, to initiate any sojourner, or any inhabitant of any place at which its members may be stationed, nor any person who does not at the time belong to the mil- itary profession, nor any military person below the rank of a corporal. During the Revolutionary struggle lodges of this character are known to have existed in both the British and Continental lines, and in the late Civil war military lodges were frequently met with on either side. Among the Northern jurisdictions which is- sued dispensations for the establishment of movable military lodges was Illinois. The subject of military lodges was first brought to the attention of Grand Lodge during the Mexican war. At the annual communication of 1847 the Grand Master, Bro. NELSON D. MORSE, reported to the session that On the 15th of August last, I received a petition from GEO. C. LANPHERE and six other brethren, belonging to a company of mounted volunteers for the war in Mexico, praying for a dispensation empowering them to work as a lodge. The annual communkation being so near at hand, I did not think proper to grant them a dispensation. The petition I herewith submit marked C. The petition was as follows: To the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the State of Illinois: Your petitioners, GEORGE C. LANPHERE, GEO. W. PALMER, JOHN H. MITCHELL, DANIEL T. DEN- MAN, WYATT B. STAPP, EZEKIEL KENT and JAMES TOWNSLEY, would respectfully represent that they are all Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and belong to COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 171 a company of mounted volunteers received into the service of the United States, and known as Company B; that they are about to depart for Vera Cruz, in Mexico, to operate against the enemy there; that they are desirous of being authorized by dispensation to work under the authority of said Grand Lodge, and do respectfully recommend GEORGE C. LANPHERE to be Worshipful Master, GEORGE W. PALMER to be Senior Warden, and JOHN H. MITCHELL to be Junior War- den; and they will, as in duty bound, ever pray, &c. GEORGE C. LANPHERE, GEORGE W. PALMER, JOHN H. MITCHELL, EZEKIEL KENT, JR., D. T. DENMAN, WYATT B. STAFF, JAMES TOWNSLEY. [ Vouched for and recommended by Hiram Lodge t No. 26.} On motion of Brother ANDERSON, the re- port and accompanying papers were re- ferred to a select committee, consisting of Brethren JONAS, DAVIS and TAYLOR, who in due time reported back adversely to the prayer of the petitioners and recommended the passage of the following: Resolved, That it is inexpedient to grant the prayer of Bro. LANPHERE and others, praying for a dispensa- tion to a company of mounted volunteers. Brother CABANIS moved to amend the resolution by striking out all after the word Resolved and inserting, That the M. W. Grand Master be instructed to issue a dispensation for a traveling- lodge in Mexico, according to the application of Brother LANPHERE and others, Which, on motion of Brother JONAS, was laid on the table, and the report and reso- lutions adopted. But Bro. CABANIS was not satisfied with this disposition of the matter, and the next day, presumably after a canvass of the mem- bers, he renewed the attack by presenting the following resolution and moving its adoption : Resolved, That the Most Worshipful Grand Mas- ter be authorized to grant dispensations for traveling lodges attached to the Illinois regiments in Mexico, to work in the territory thereof, to any brethren qualified, who may be engaged in the service of the United States in that country; provided they shall not initiate, pass or raise, any persons but residents of the State of Illinois; that such lodges shall in all cases comply with the requisitions of the constitution and by-laws of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and shall return such dispensations at the expiration of their term of service. The ayes and noes being called upon the adoption of the resolution, it was decided in the affirmative : ayes 17, noes 11. It does not appear from the record, however, that this resolution was ever acted upon, or that any dispensations were in fact issued during the period of the Mexican war. But the authority for such lodges was now established and at a later period Grand Masters were not slow to avail themselves of it. In 1849 the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia caused a large exodus of ' ' fortune hunters " from this State, and among those who thus sought to win wealth in the new el dorado were many of the Craft. It is difficult to understand how these brethren could with advantage pursue the esoteric works of Masonry in a quest of this kind, or upon what authority a Grand Master could issue his dispensation for a migratory lodge which, unlike a military lodge, had abso- lutely no connection with any place, or any organization that might give to it the stability of place; yet at the annual communication of 1849 the Grand Master (Bro. WM. LAVELY) reported, among other dispensa- tions, the following: 7th. To Bro. N. D. MORSE as Master, Bro. ALEX- ANDER EWING as Senior Warden, Bro. L. D. MONT- GOMERY as Junior Warden, and other brethren, to form and open a Traveling Lodge, in the Territory of California, by the name of Pacific Lodge. 172 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 8th. To Hro. JOHN R. CRANDALL as Master, Bro. A. O. GARRETT as Senior Warden, Bro. J. W. MOF- FITT as Junior Warden, and other brethren, to form and open a Traveling Lodge, in the Territory of Cali- fornia, by the name of Lavely Lodge. In explanation of this action the Grand Master further said : In granting the dispensations to the two lodges in California, as the petitioners could not designate any particular place in the territory where they might re- main while there, I gave them authority to open their lodge and hold their meetings at any place where they might sojourn, where no G. Lodge was established. And in view of the great distance they would be from us, and the impossibility of their being enabled to make returns ot their work, &c., to our present com- munication, as required in ordinary cases, the dispen- sations were so granted asto continue in full force un- til the return of the respective Masters named therein, unless sooner revoked by the Grand Lodge. This act may be considered as an assumption of power on my part, as in ordinary cases it is understood that the Grand Master cannot in the recess of the Grand Lodge, grant a dispensation fora new lodge to extend beyond the next annual communication. But all the circumstances in connection with these two lodges and their destination, seemed to justify some deviation from the general rule, and as the dispensations were entrusted to such brethren and members of our Grand Lodge as P. G. M. MORSE and P. D. G. M. CRAN- DALL, I could not hesitate in drafting their dispensa- tion to give them such powers as the emergency of their cases actually required, being well assured that the trust would not be abused in their hands, wherever their lots might be cast. It is with you, however, to ratify or annul my proceedings in the matter, and take such further action as may seem right and proper, as to the continuation of those two lodges. Unfortunately we have no knowledge as to what action, if any, was taken upon this report by Grand Lodge. The original rec- ords of this communication were destroyed by fire prior to publication, and the restored records fail to show any disposition of the matter, either by way of ratification or dis- afnrmance. The dispensation for Lavely Lodge was returned at the annual com- munication of 1852. Of the other nothing is known. Probably this would have been the last instance of dispensations for movable lodges had not the Civil war intervened. The tendency of Grand Lodge for many years had been toward conservatism in matters of this kind, and this is now its settled policy. But the political ferment, occasioned by the opening of hostilities in 1861, was not with- out its effect upon the craft, and patriotic impulse was permitted in many cases to overpower discreet judgment. In every branch of the service the fraternity was well represented. The ardent Mason desired to bring with him, even amidst the turmoil of war, the peaceful influences of the brother- hood that had been so instrumental in shap- ing his life and character in his northern home; the boon seemed but a slight con- cession to him who was ready, if need be, to lay his life upon the altar of his country, and in this jurisdiction it was seldom de- nied. The first dispensation for a military lodge was issued by Grand Master BUCK on May 25, 1 86 1, when, upon the petition of Lieut. E. W. TRUE, Col. JOHN COOK, and others, duly recommended by Mattoon Lodge, No. 260, a warrant was granted for a mov- able lodge named " Dub'ois," confined to the jurisdiction of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteers, to expire with the dis- banding of the regiment. A code of special rules and regulations was also prepared for the use of said lodge by the Grand Secre- tary. The matter was duly reported to the annual communication of 1861, but the record does not disclose any action with respect to same. During the year 18612 dispensations COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 173 were granted by Grand Master F. M. BLAIR as follows: To Bro. W. D. CRAIG and others to form and open a Military Lodge in the Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, by the name of Dick Oglesby Lodge. To Bro. ALBION F. TAYLOR and others to form and open a Military Lodge in the Fortieth Illinois Regiment, by the name of Egyptian Military Lodge. To Bro. JOHN N. NIGLAS and others to form and open a Military Lodge in the Sixth Cavalry Regiment Illinois Volunteers, by the name of Governor Yates Military Lodge. To Bro. EDWIN H. SMITH and others to form and open a Military Lodge in the Second Artillery Regiment Illinois Volunteers, by the name of Halleck Military Lodge. To Bro. SILAS C. TOLER and others to form and open a Military Lodge in the Sixtieth Illinois Regi- ment, by the name of Douglas Military Lodge. These dispensations were reported to the annual communication of 1862, with the recommendation that the same be con- tinued; but it does not appear that any ac- tion was had thereon. During the year 1862-3 dispensations were issued by Grand Master BLAIR, To Bro. JOSEPH POGUE and others to form a lodge in the Sixty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, to be named Justice Military Lodge. This dispensation was returned to the annual communication of 1871, and so far as known is the only dispensation which found its way back to Grand Lodge. To Bro. W. W. JACKSON and others for a lodge in the Sixteenth Army Corps, to be named Metamora Lodge. To Bro. STEDMAN HATCH and others to form a lodge in the Sixteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, to be named the Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Regi- ment Lodge. To Bro. W. S. POST and others, for a lodge in the Eighty-first Regiment Illinois Volunteers, to be named Union Lodge. To Bro. GEORGE BROAD and others for a lodge in the Forty-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteers, to be named William A. Thrush Military Lodge. To Bro. D. D. IRONS and others for a lodge in the Eighty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, to be named Wallace Military Lodge. The committee on Lodges U. D. recom- mended at the annual communication of 1863 that the dispensations of Gov. Yates, Halleck, Metamora and D'Arcy Military Lodges be continued, they having made re- turns and paid dues. Of D'Arcy Lodge the writer is unable to furnish any information, but from a perusal of the record believes this to be an error of the committee. It seems a dispensation was issued for a regu- lar lodge to be located at Jerseyville and to be named De Arcy. During the year 1863-4 dispensations were granted by Grand Master THOMAS J. TURNER for Washington Military Lodge in the One Hundred and Second Regiment Illinois Infantry. Fuller Military Lodge in the Thirty-ninth Regi- ment Illinois Infantry. Illinois Military Lodge in the Second Regiment Illinois Cavalry. Smith D. Atkins Military Lodge in the Ninety- second Regiment Illinois Infantry. No other information concerning these dispensations has been preserved. At the annual communication of 1 864 the only military lodge that made returns or paid dues was Halleck. No dispensations were granted during the year 1864-5, nor have any dispensa- tions been issued for movable lodges since that time. The authority for this extraordinary ex- ercise of the dispensing power will be hard to find. Unless it shall be conceded that the Grand Master possesses same as an " in- herent right "or " immemorial prerogative, " we shall be forced to the conclusion that all of the dispensations issued during the years 18614 were void, and, as a necessary corollary, that all acts performed under them were without legal effect. Certain it 174 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. is that the Constitutional requirements could not have been complied with in the issuance of these dispensations, and, as a general proposition of law, applicable to every in- stitution created by or existing under a con- stitution, that which violates or contravenes the organic law is void and neither courts nor legislatures can give to same any valid- ity or legal effect. There is little or nothing in the records by which we may arrive at any adequate con- ception of the powers granted to the mili- tary lodges or the extent of their jurisdic- tion. Presumably such jurisdiction was limited to the particular regiment to which the lodge was attached or at most did not extend beyond persons actually engaged in the military service of the United States and who hailed from Illinois. If such were the facts it would seem that many of the mili- tary lodges greatly abused their privileges and in some instances even brought reproach upon the fraternity. Very little regard seems to have been had respecting the material received, and not only were the de- grees conferred indiscriminately upon sol- diers and civilians, both of Illinois and other States, but not infrequently candidates were admitted whose habits and mode of life ut- terly disqualified them from becoming Ma- sons. At the close of the war and the disband- ment of the army, a number of perplexing questions were raised with respect to the status of Masons made in military lodges and the rights that should be accorded them. In some jurisdictions the work was repudi- ated, it being contended that such persons, not having been made in " regular lodges," had no claim on the Masonic character. In a large number of instances the lodges dis- solved under the strain of the long marches and fierce hostilities that marked the last year of the war, leaving the surviving mem- bers with no dimits or other documentary evidence whereby they might be able to prove their Masonic standing. Yet the great majority of those who survived the conflict naturally sought affiliation on re- turning to their homes. The matter came before Grand Lodge at the annual communication of 1865, upon the recommendation of the Grand Master (THOS. J. TURNER), that some method be devised for the affiliation of army-made Masons and the advancement of those who should be so disposed. As a partial solu- tion of the question, it was Resolved, That all Masons made in military lodges under dispensation from this Grand Lodge should, upon the best evidence that can be procured of that fact, be acknowledged and received as such, and, if found worthy, should become members of subordi- nate lodges where they reside, and be advanced if in- complete. That our sister Grand Lodges are fraternally re- quested to take into their charge such Masons within their jurisdiction as have been made under these dis- pensations, and, if found worthy, to incorporate them into the fraternity where they may reside. As a rule the work of the military lodges has been discredited, both in Illinois and in other jurisdictions, and notwithstanding the resolutions above shown the ' ' best evi- dence" has generally been of such a charac- ter as to preclude all recognition of the per- son offering same. CONSTITUTIONS AND BY-LAWS. The basis of all Masonic law and gov- ernment is found in what are known as the Gothic Constitutions, or the Ancient Charges and Regulations of Freemasonry. The COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 175 term "ancient landmarks" is in common use, and the words are frequently employed in a very vague and general sort of a way as a last and convincing argument, but no two persons seem to agree as to what they consist of. There are, in fact, no such things as "landmarks;" and the term, to- gether with all of the matters that may be correlated under it, may be regarded as ex- pressing mere abstractions which rest on no other authority than individual opinion. That which we now call the Ancient Charges, and to which all references are made for expositions of fundamental law, consists of a compilation made by JAMES ANDERSON under authority of the Grand Lodge of England in the years 1721-3. At the communication of the Premier Grand Lodge, held September 29, 1721, it is said " that the members, finding great fault with all the copies of the old Gothic Constitutions, Bro. JAMES ANDERSON, A. M., was ordered to digest them in a new and better method. " At the session of December 27, 1721, Bro. ANDERSON made a report of his work, which was received and ' ' fourteen learned broth- ers " were appointed to examine same. At the session of March 25, 1722, the com- mittee reported that "they had perused Brother ANDERSON'S manuscript, and, after some amendments, had approved of same," whereupon the report was adopted and ordered to be printed for the use of the lodges. At the session of January 17, 1723, Bro. ANDERSON "produced the new book of Constitutions in print, which was again approved, as was also the addition of the ancient manner of constituting a lodge." These charges are a compilation and digest of the old constitutions theretofore in use and purport to have been ' ' extracted from the Ancient Records of Lodges beyond Sea, and of those in England, Scotland and Ireland," and were "appointed to be read at the making of new brethren, or when the Master shall order it." They are generally regarded as "landmarks," and therefore not subject to alteration or change. They have never been touched by the Grand- Lodge of England, beyond a few slight verbal changes, and are now generally re- ceived as the universal and unchangeable law of Freemasonry. The General Regulations were first com- piled by GEORGE PAYNE, while Grand Master of England, in the year 1720. They purport to be an exposition of the ancient customary law and immemorial usages of the Fraternity, and were formally adopted by the Premier Grand Lodge in December, 1721. When ANDERSON completed his work the General Regulations were added, and the book published in 1723 contained all of the written law of the craft up to that time. Unlike the Ancient Charges, the Regulations are subject to change, modification or repeal. The Charges repre- sent the fundamental principles of Masonry, which are immutable; the Regulations are merely governmental rules, which must of necessity change to meet the varying ex- igencies of life and the conditions produced by time and circumstance. When the Grand Lodge of Illinois was organized in April, 1840, the convention adopted a written constitution and by-laws. This Constitution consisted simply of a few brief paragraphs declaratory of the juris- diction claimed and a general definition of the powers of Grand Lodge and its officers. Yet, simple as it was, it remained 176 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. unchanged for many years, and, supple- mented by the ancient charges and regula- lations, was found sufficient for every ex- igency that arose. The by-laws which accompanied this constitution were equally brief, but with the first annual communication, in October of the same year they were adopted, the work of amendment was commenced and nearly every annual session since that time has witnessed some attempt at change or alteration. The first constitution fills but two pages of the printed proceedings; it recites who shall compose Grand Lodge; the official title of the body; the officers; the conduct of elections and method of voting, and a brief and general enumeration of sovereign powers. At the annual communication of 1845 Bro. McNEiL offered the following pre- amble and resolution, which were read and adopted: WHEREAS, The Constitution and By-Laws of this Grand Lodge are in many respects imperfect; and, whereas, various resolutions have from time to time been passed, recognizing many of the most important principles of our ancient and honorable order, which should be preserved by being engrafted regularly in the Constitution; therefore, Resolved, That our Most Worshipful Grand Mas- ter elect be a committee to prepare and revise the Constitution and By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, and report at our next Annual Grand Communication. The M W. Grand Master "elect" was Bro. W. F. WALKER, a man of very pro- nounced ideas upon many subjects but la- mentably ignorant on some points of Ma- sonic law and usage. It would seem that he endeavored to comply with the resolu- tion, but beyond a few changes in the by- laws conforming to later amendments and a codification of the "resolutions in force" nothing further was done. Bro. WALKER never attended Grand Lodge again and made no formal report. By the terms of the Constitution no al- teration was permitted until the proposed change had been submitted to the lodges, and no amendment could become effective unless two-thirds of the lodges concurred in same. At the session of 1845 Bro. LAVELY offered an amendment striking out this clause. At the session of 1846 the matter was laid over with instructions to the lodges not reporting to take action thereon, and a committee was again appointed to "revise and amend" the Constitution and By-Laws. This committee reported progress to the communication of 1 847 and were given fur- ther time. The amendment of Bro. LAVE- LY seems to have been dropped, as no men- tion is made of any action having been taken thereon by the lodges. The clause in ques- tion has always formed a part of the Con- stitution and is still in force. At the session of 1848 the committee reported a new form of Constitution, which consisted mainly in amplification of the Constitution of 1840. The instrument was twice presented to the lodges for affirmance or rejection, but failed to receive the requi- site two-thirds vote, and at the session of 1851 was declared rejected. Nothing further was done until the ses- sion of 1853, when H. G. REYNOLDS offered for the consideration of Grand Lodge the draft of a new Constitution. The matter was referred to the Committee on Jurispru- dence, which reported back That they have carefully examined the Constitu- tion prepared and presented for adoption by the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, H. G. REYNOLDS, Esq., and lament that they feel compelled to report said document back to the Grand Lodge, and ask to be ex- cused from the further consideration of the same. The document is an exceedingly able one, abounding in COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 177 much valuable Masonic Law, and evincing on the part of our Right Worshipful Grand Secretary a most laudable industry and zeal for the benefit of the Craft. Some important errors, in the opinion of your committee, are embraced in the proposed Constitu- tion; but the chief and controlling objection to the doc- ument, in the minds of your committee, is its extreme, and we think, vitally objectionable length. It is sin- gularly voluminous. Your committee beg leave to recommend that the Ancient Constitution of Masonry, known as " Ander- son's Constitution," be printed in the proceedings of this session; this, with the present Constitution, will, in the opinion of your committee, be in all respects suffi- cient, and more readily understood than the docu- ment referred to us. It was contended by Bro. REYNOLDS that the document presented by him followed in a general way the Constitution and General Regulations of New York, and it would seem that it was not as voluminous as the present organic act. For the next two years the old Constitution remained, sup- plemented by the old Charges and Regula- tions. At the session of 1855 Bro. W. B. HER- RICK offered the following: Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, whose duty it shall be to revise the present Constitution and By-Laws, define the order of business, and rec- ommend the adoption of such resolutions as in their judgment would seem most appropriate for the gov- ernment of this Grand Lodge and its subordinates. The motion prevailed and Bros. HER- RICK, BIRD and REYNOLDS were appointed such committee. Bro. HERRICK at this ses- sion became Grand Master. It is said that Bro. BIRD never attended a meeting of the committee and that Bro. REYNOLDS had no voice in same; that the entire draft was the work of Bro. HERRICK, and that, only after much unsuccessful effort on the part of Bro. REYNOLDS to procure certain changes, it was finally consented to by him for the purpose of bringing the matter in shape before Grand Lodge. When presented at the ses- sion of 1856 Bro. BIRD dissented to the re- port, but it was received and made a special order. The document was criticised with much severity in some quarters, was con- siderably amended, but finally received the necessary two-thirds vote of the lodges and became a law. Thus, after fifteen years of service and repeated onslaughts, the first Constitution was at length superseded. The By-Laws which accompanied the Constitu- tion were referred to the Committee on Juris- prudence, but they were subject to so much discussion, both in Grand Lodge and com- mittee, that it was not until 1858 that they finally secured adoption. The Constitution of 1856, like that of 1840, was very brief, and occupies but two pages in the printed report of proceedings. It consists simply of a statement of whom Grand Lodge is composed; its official title; officers, their duties and powers; method of voting and a declaration of sovereign powers. The instrument is a model of brevity and apparently answered all practical purposes. The By-Laws are quite voluminous, as com- pared with former codes, although not as long or verbose as those in present use. In 1867 the Grand Master (Bro. GORIN) suggested a revision of the Constitution and By-Laws, for the reason that the old laws had become "entirely inadequate or in- appropriate to our wants at the present time," and asserted that in view of "our immense extent and diversified wants, an entire revision is indispensable." Grand Lodge concurred in the suggestions, and a committee was appointed to fill the hiatus in our laws. This committee, of which Bro. W. M. EGAN was chairman, evidently found the subject one of difficulty, for it was not until 1870 that a report was presented, 178 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. and then only of the proposed Constitution, the By-Laws being reserved for further con- sideration. The Constitution was presented in the usual manner, ratified by a vote of two-thirds of the lodges, and formally pro- mulgated at the session of 1871. Con- siderable progress had been made on the By-Laws and Regulations, but the work was all destroyed in the fire which consumed the archives of Grand Lodge in 1871, after which the committee never came together again. At the annual communication of 1872 a committee, consisting of D. C. CREGIER, JNO. M. PEARSON, A. W. ADAMS, GEORGE O. IDE and EDWARD COOK, was appointed to ' ' draft a code of By-Laws conforming to the Constitution," and at the ensuing com- munication of 1873 the committee reported back such a draft. This code was arranged on an entirely different system from former enactments, and is the substantial basis of the present By-Laws. It was divided into three parts, the first relating to Grand Lodge, the second to constituent lodges, and the third to the exercise of disciplinary and penal powers. In their report accom- panying the draft the committee say: While the matter submitted may appear prolix, compared with the code now in force, your committee think it will he found not only as concise as the nature of the subjects will admit, but as much so as the wants and interests of this large jurisdiction will justify, to insure consistent and uniform government in both the Grand and constituent lodges. Your committee have betn somewhat embarrassed in their work by the tenor of the Grand Lodge Con- stitution, but have carefully framed the present code in strict accordance with that instrument. It has been their aim, also, to retain in the new code all that is fundamental in that now in force; the substance of the old By-Laws, with their amendments, is incorpo- rated in the new draft, and no attempt has been made to depart from the regulations which have hitherto governed in this jurisdiction; but, on the contrary, your committee have simply sought to elaborate and systematize a code of laws, to take the place of those which, through frequent alterations, have become un- suited to the present demands of the fraternity, both by reason of their ambiguity and their want of sys- tematic arrangement, from which causes more or less confusion has arisen among lodges and brethren. The draft was taken up, discussed, amended, partly adopted, and finally was "referred back to the committee for cor- rection of grammatical and typographical errors." At the session of 1874 the By- Laws as amended were formally adopted. The code has since been subjected to a num- ber of amendments of specific parts, but otherwise remains as adopted. The credit for the work is largely due to Bro. D. C. CREGIER, particularly with reference to form and arrangement. While the present code is deficient in several respects, particularly in the exposi- tion of the penal jurisdiction, it is yet a great advance upon all preceding compila- tions, and with the amendments that time and experience shall suggest will doubtless long remain as the authoritative statement of the general regulations of the craft in this jurisdiction. CORNER-STONE LAYING. From the annual reports of the Grand Masters it would seem that for the past twenty-five years the active participation of the craft has been invited in the construc- tion of nearly every public edifice of mo- ment that has been erected within the State. The long list includes the Capitol at Spring- field, the Government buildings at Chicago, and other cities, State and private institu- tions of learning, a majority of all the coun- ty court-houses erected within that period, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 179 together with a vast number of churches and semi-public buildings. The first corner-stone celebration in this State, of which we have any record, occurred during the year 1838, when Equal- ity Lodge, then working under a charter from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, per- formed this ceremony upon "the public work" at Shawneetown "in due and ancient form." After the formation of Grand Lodge it does not appear that the services of the craft were required in the adjustment of corner-stones for a number of years. It does not follow, however, that the cere- mony was not performed simply because the records make no mention of same, for not only are the records of early transactions very meager but in most cases the Grand Masters did not report the minutiae of their official actions during recess as is now the case. Indeed, until the accession of Bro. H. G. REYNOLDS, this procedure was never attempted, and it is only since his time (1868) that corner-stone layings find much mention in the official reports. It is not unlikely that during the time of the early Grand Masters their services for this purpose were not in frequent demand. Society during the " forties " was not in all respects as favorably disposed toward Free- masonry as at present, and the returns for that decade show that the growth of the craft was slow and comparatively small. Until as late as 1860 a virulent anti-Ma- sonic prejudice was apparent; nor was it until about this time that the institution be- gan to exhibit the great strength which has since characterized it. But from this pe- riod we may perceive a constantly growing public appreciation of the dignity conferred upon a building by reason of its corner-stone having been laid by the Masonic Fraternity. Occasionally this preference calls forth an indignant protest from our good friends of the National "Christian" Association and similar organizations, and the public ear is besieged by their plaintive wails concerning "Masonic favoritism." This was notice- ably the case in 1874, when the Grand Lodge was invited by the civic authorities to lay the corner-stone of the Custom House at Chicago. Every effort was brought to bear to induce a rescission of the invitation, but without success; and the stone was laid under circumstances of more than ordinary grandeur and impressiveness. By the regulations of Grand Lodge this ceremony can be performed only by the Grand Master in person or by some person specially deputized in writing by him, as- sisted by the officers of an ' ' occasional Grand Lodge " (whatever this may be), and such of the craft "as may be invited" or may choose to attend, " either as lodges or as individual brethren." Nor can any cor- ner-stone be laid with the ceremonies of the craft except those of " acknowledged public structures " or buildings which are to be used for Masonic purposes; and then only upon special request of the ' ' proper author- ities. " During the incumbency of Grand Master REYNOLDS this regulation was liber- ally construed by him and ' ' no reasonable offer was refused." As a consequence he reported to the session of 1 868 a long and varied list of edifices upon which he had performed the labor of laying the corner- stone. This included not only churches and other buildings of a semi-public character but also a ladies' seminary, a rolling mill and a county poor-house. A resolution was offered expressive of the sense of Grand Lodge as to what was and what was not an 180 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASON RT IN ILLINOIS. " acknowledged public structure," a partici- pation in the erection of which would com- port with the dignity of Grand Lodge; but the Grand Master held this to be an infringe- ment of his prerogatives and ruled the reso- lution out of order. It may be that occasionally the exercise of this prerogative may be open to criticism, but as a rule the ceremony is only performed under such circumstances as reflect honor upon craft; and while the regulation, "ac- knowledged public structure," may be a lit- tle vague and indefinite, yet if we look to the ancient precedents we shall find that much latitude has always been allowed in its construction. FEES AND DUES. It seems to have been an established custom in Masonry as far back as authentic history extends, for candidates to pay a fee or "make an offering," at the time of their initiation. This practice had always been followed in this country and was in vogue at the time of the establishment of Grand Lodge. Nothing seems to have been done or said with respect to fees when the first Con- stitution and accompanying By-Laws were adopted, the whole matter being left in the discretion of the subordinate lodges. At the commuication of 1842, however, Bro. S. H. DAVIS offered the following amend- ment to the By-Laws, which was received and laid over for one year: Each subordinate lodge shall have authority to fix its own fees for conferring the three degrees, and for membership; but no lodge shall charge a less sum than twenty dollars nor more than thirty, for the former, and not less than two nor more than five for the latter; pro- vided, that no charge of membership shall be made against those who have received the three degrees in the lodge. In 1843 the proposed amendment was called up for action, when it was proposed to amend same by striking out the word " twenty "and inserting the word " fifteen," and by striking out the word " thirty." The Grand Master ruled the amendment to the amendment out of order, and on appeal from such decision was sustained by Grand Lodge, whereupon "the amendment was laid over for the present. " Here the matter ended, for the amendment does not seem to have been called up at any subsequent communication. At the session of 1845 Bro. WM. STUART offered the following, which was adopted: Resolved, That no Lodge under this jurisdiction shall initiate any candidate for a less sum than seven dollars; or pass to the degree of Fellow-craft for a less sum than three dollars; or raise to the sublime degree of Master Mason for a less sum than five dol- lars; and the three degrees shall in no case be con- ferred upon any one for a less sum than fifteen dol- lars. Provided, That any Lodge may confer the degrees without fees upon any acknowledged minister of the gospel; and in no case shall a degree be con- ferred by any Lodge upon a credit; but the fees must be actually paid at or before the time of admission to any degree. This resolution seems to have remained in force until the adoption of the Code of By- Laws of 1858. By this Code the min- imum fee for the degrees was fixed at fifteen dollars, but the proviso in favor of " any acknowledged minister of the gospel " was omitted. This remained unchanged until 1867, at which time the By- Laws were amended by raising the minimum fee to twenty-five dollars. The By-Laws adopted in 1874 confirmed this figure and per- emptorily forbade the conferring of the de- grees upon any person as a gratuity, the sections in question being as follows: COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 181 No Lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge shall be permitted to confer the three degrees upon any person for a less sum than twenty-five dol- lars; and the apportionment of such sum to the de- grees, respectively, shall be regulated by the By-Laws of each lodge. No Lodge shall confer any degree or admit to mem- bership until the prescribed fee shall have been paid to the proper officer; nor shall any written or verbal promise to pay the same be received in lieu thereof, nor any portion of the fee remitted, either directly or indirectly. This is still the law of the jurisdiction, except that in the city of Chicago the min- imum fee is fifty dollars. Ordinarily this would be void as "class" legislation, but Grand Lodge is a law unto itself. Grand Lodge has never legislated upon the subject of dues otherwise than to pro- hibit the Lodges of its obedience from levy- ing any special taxes or assessments upon their members or imposing pecuniary obli- gations other than those provided in the By-Laws. As the Grand Lodge per-capita tax is seventy-five cents, the lowest sum demanded for dues is generally $1.50, while in many lodges, particularly those located in Chicago, the sum of five dollars is col- lected. TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS. It is beyond question that in ' ' ancient times," meaning thereby the early years of lodge organization under warrant, there was practically but one degree practiced in the lodge; and that was the Entered Appren- tice. The " Master's part" came later and was conferred only in Grand Lodge. When the lodge finally obtained jurisdiction of both Fellow-craft and Master it does not seem that there was any " opening up " or "clos- ing down" as a preliminary for the confer- ring of these degrees, but candidates were passed and raised in the presence of the Ap- prentices. The lodge, when once opened, 11 was open for all purposes. It was a lodge of Masons, and not of any particlar degree or grade of Masons. As the degrees evolved from the simple to the complex this early characteristic of lodge unity, though some- what modified, was not essentially changed. It is true that in time the Apprentices were excluded from a participation in the passing of a Fellow-craft, and the Fellow-crafts, in like "manner, from the raising of a Master ; but the essence of the lodge was the first degree, in which every member had a voice and vote. All business was transacted while the lodge stood open on the first de- gree, and a "Fellow-crafts' Lodge" was never opened except for the purpose of a passing. This was the invariable practice of the early Illinois lodges. All elections of officers were conducted by Apprentices, or with the lodge at labor on that degree. All of the early lodges, as appears by their records, were instituted and consecrated while open in the first degree. The records of the pioneer Grand Lodge do not disclose on what degree the business was transacted, except the installing of offi- cers and qualifying of Masters, which was done in a "Lodge of Past Masters;" but it would seem at this time (1823) there was some diversity of usage, for by resolution it was recommended to the subordinate lodges ' ' to transact the ordinary business of the lodge in an Entered Apprentices' Lodge, and to receive and act upon all petitions for membership, or any degree in Masonry, in a Masters' Lodge only." At the time of the formation of the pres- ent Grand Lodge it was still customary for the lodges to transact business in the first degree. About this time, however, a move- ment set in to abrogate the ancient rule and transfer all business to the third degree. 182 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. In Illinois there was no uniformity in this respect, but at the annual communication of 1844 it was Resolred, That the Grand Lodge of Illinois would recommend to the lodges under their jurisdiction to do all their business in a Lodge of Master Masons, except conferring the First and Second Degrees. While this became a standing resolution it will be seen that it purports to be advis- ory merely. Lodges were ' ' recommended " to transact their business in the third degree, but, by inference, they might continue to follow the old rule. At the annual commu- nication of 1845 a resolution upon this sub- ject was introduced by the Correspondence Committee, and with a batch of thirteen others received approval. The resolution provided That the several lodges within this jurisdiction be and are hereby instructed to transact all business in a Lodge of Masters, except the work and lectures ap- pertaining of necessity to the first and second degrees respectively, which may, and must be, attended to in a Lodge of E. A. or F. C., as the case may be. At a subsequent session Grand Lodge decided that the entire batch was never prop- erly passed and hence of no binding effect. Thus matters remained until 1848, when the original standing resolution was amended by adding the words, "and the trial of E. A.'s and F. C. 's for delinquencies," so that the resolution then read as follows : Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Illinois would recommend to the lodges under her jurisdiction to do all their business in a Lodge of Master Masons, except conferring the first and second degrees, and the trial of E. A.'s and F. C.'s for delinquencies. While the resolution still continued to be a recommendation and not a command, it would seem that the recommendation had been followed and that the practice therein enjoined had become general. At the com- munication of 1852 an effort was made to restore in some measure the old order of affairs by the introduction of the following: liesolred, That resolution No. 27 of this Grand Lodge, under the head of Resolutions, adopted at sun- dry times, and now in force, be so amended as to per- mit, and this Grand Lodge does now declare, that the ballotings for the several degre_es shall be held in the several lodges whilst working on the degree in which the same is about to be conferred, and that at all ballotings for initiation Entered Apprentices shall have a vote; and on the application to pass, Fellow-crafts shall be permitted to vote; and that all business pertaining to the several degrees be done in the Lodges whilst work- ing on such degrees. The resolution provoked a spirited dis- cussion, but the final result was an indefi- nite postponement, and the question does not seem to have been ever taken up or further considered. The standing resolution remained as the only expression of Grand Lodge upon the subject until 1858, when a new code of By- Laws was adopted. By a "general regula- tion" all resolutions in force were repealed, and in lieu of the resolution in question a by-law was adopted which "required" all subordinate lodges "to do all their business in a Lodge of Master Masons, except the conferring of the First and Second degrees and the trial of Entered Apprentices and Fel- low-crafts. " This provision has been substan- tially re-enacted in the later codes, and is, in effect, the present law of the jurisdiction. AFFILIATION AND DIMISSION. The third clause of the Ancient Charges says that " every brother ought to belong to a lodge and to be subject to its by-laws and the general regulations," while the Gen- eral Regulations provided that no brother should withdraw his membership from a COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 183 lodge except to unite in the formation of a new lodge or on his removal to the juris- diction of another lodge, and then only by virtue of a dispensation. Hence it is con- tended that, notwithstanding the use of the word "ought," the fundamental laws of Masonry require that every Mason should be an affiliate or member of a particular lodge. In other words', while the Ancient Charge is not in the form of a command an imperative direction it does prescribe, in unequivocal language, a Mason's duty, and that which a Mason should do requires no command. The subject of non-affiliation has long been a vexed as well as a vexatious ques- tion in this and many other jurisdictions. As early as 1842 it occupied the attention of Grand Lodge and called forth a remon- strance in the passage of the following reso- lution: Resolved, As the opinion of this Grand Lodge, that it is contrary to and inconsistent with the ancient usages and precepts of our order to withdraw from a subordinate Lodge, without some good cause, or to re- side in the neighborhood of a subordinate Lodge with- out becoming a member thereof. But the simple expression of its "opin- ion " by Grand Lodge was not sufficient to check the evil. At the session of 1845 Bro. Louis WATSON, of Bodley Lodge, proposed a cure by the application of a drastic remedy. He proposed to throw the responsibility upon the lodges and to compel action on their part as a matter of self-defense. Ac- cordingly he offered the following resolu- tions, which, under the rules, were laid upon the table until the ensuing annual communication : Resolved, That the two following sections be ad- ded to the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge: 1. Each subordinate Lodge shall report to the Grand Lodge, at each Annual Communication, all Master Masons that may be under its jurisdiction, and are not members of any Lodge, and shall pay dues for the same. 2. Each subordinate Lodge shall collect of all Mas- ter Masons that may be under its jurisdiction, and are not members of any lodge, the dues its By-Laws re- quire of its members, and shall, at its discretion, sus- pend from Masonic privileges all such as neglect or refuse to pay the same; provided, that where two or more Lodges exist, in the same city or county, the old- est lodge shall have jurisdiction. At the session of 1846 the proposed amendments came up for action, but Grand Lodge was not prepared to adopt such heroic treatment, and so the amendments failed to pass. The matter was incident- ally touched upon at the session of 1848, in connection with the projects for educational charities then being discussed, but without definite results. At the annual communication of 1850 the Grand Master (Bro. HOBBS) called the attention of Grand Lodge to the general subject of non-affiliation and dimits in the following language: I most respectfully invite your attention to the subject of Masonic dimits. It is the prevalent usage of lodges to grant a dimit to any brother desiring one, who is clear from charges and clear of the books, even though the brother dimitting has no intention to re- move from the jurisdiction of the lodge, or to become attached thereby to another lodge. This usage is eminently wrong, in my opinion, and detrimental to the prosperity and good of the fraternity. This practice greatly encourages and augments the number of non-affiliated Masons a race of Ma- sons perfectly inexplicable to me, and who occupy a most unnatural and unprofitable position in the Order. From its being known, as it frequently is, that these non-affiliated brethren were formerly attached mem- bers, their present position conveys to the uninitiated world the erroneous idea that they discovered in the institution principles repulsive to their feelings, and usages and customs incompatible with their opinions of right and propriety. And yet this cannot be the case Masonry " to be known is to be admired," and can never be otherwise than popular and pleasing to the enlightened and the good. 184 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. I hold the opinion that no honest and good Mason, at heart, will desire to live non-affiliated, unless im- pelled so to do by some extraordinary and imperative cause beyond his control a cause which in the course of human events does not often exist. Many limits are asked for and obtained, during moments of tem- porary excitement most frequently produced by im- aginary wrongs, and which, if allowed to subside by the wear of a little time, would be forgotten and for. given. When dimits are thus impulsively obtained, a false pride too frequently prevents a re-affiliation. There are men, no doubt, who join our order with the positive hope and expectation of finding the "PHILOS- OPHER'S STONE." They expect to become invested with supernatural knowledge, or with necromantic power. Nothing short of becoming wizards, or of be- ing continually excited by a complicated machinery or mummery, equal to the false but bewitchingly mysti- cal worship of olden times, when Oracles and Gods were almost as numerous as the stars of our present firmament, could satisfy the rapacious marvelousness of such beings, and upon not being thus gratified they dimit. Benevolence should indicate the duty of keeping such men within the protection of our embrace. They unquestionably need some guardian to guide and di- rect their steps, and to restrain their desires within due and reasonable bounds. Some, no doubt, request and obtain dimits, im- pelled by motives of parsimony and penuriousness alone, to avoid the payment of the small dues exacted by the lodges. It is natural that such should with- draw. No SOULLESS man can be a Mason. Others dimit, from feeling of absolute inertia, and nothing else they are too lazy to do their duty. Scarcely a lodge within this jurisdiction can be found which has not within its immediate vicinage a number of these backsliders and unfruitful half-broth- ers, a band who hang upon the skirts of the army deriving in times of danger its positive protection and this, too, without adding an atom to its strength or a beam to its glory. I most earnestly commend the careful consideration of this subject to your wisdom and decision. Some plan should unquestionably be adopted to stay this evil, and if possible to remedy the inconvenience and wrong inflicted upon the order. Difficulties will present themselves in the accomplish- ment of this task, but I think they will be only such as may be easily overcome or properly provided for. In your deliberations upon this subject, your justice will doubtless suggest the propriety of making pro- vision for superannuated and diseased Masons, and such as live too remote from lodges to enable them to attend. The Committee on Grand Master's Ad- dress reported that they had " taken that very able and valuable paper into careful consideration," but evidently they regarded the foregoing extract as a simple exhibition of rhetorical effervescence, as they further reported that in their opinion the standing resolution of 1842, which was then in force, was a sufficient regulation on the subject of dimits; and Grand Lodge accepted the report. But the question was not con- sidered as decided by some of the repre- sentatives, and to bring it to a narrower issue Bro J. H. HIBBARD offered the follow- ing, which was received and laid over for one year : Resolved, That all non-affiliated Master Masons who refuse to contribute to the support of the institu- tion, unless prevented by disability, do, by so doing, forfeit all the rights, privileges and benefits of the Order. But nothing came of this resolution and the matter apparently dropped out of sight for a number of years. The By-Laws of 1858 practically re-enacted the resolution of 1842. In 1865 it was again presented to Grand Lodge under peculiar circumstances. At the session of 1864 Bro. DUNHAM offered the following resolution : Resolved, That a member of any subordinate lodge in this jurisdiction, having paid his dues and being free from charges, shall be entitled to a demit, Which was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence and laid over for one year. To the craftsman of to-day, who recognizes in the resolution the prevailing law in nearly every jurisdiction and particularly that of Illinois, the introduction of such a measure seems superfluous; but in 1864 the assertion of the absolute right of dimission was considered rank heresy. The COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 185 old regulations were still generally observed in this jurisdiction, and the By-Laws pro- vided that "It is contrary to and incon- sistent with the ancient usages and pre- cepts of the order, to withdraw from a subordinate Lodge, or to reside in the neigh- borhood of a subordinate Lodge without becoming a member thereof." With this by-law before them the committee doubted the power of a lodge to grant a dimit ex- cept for the purpose of permitting the ap- plicant to join some other lodge or assist in the formation of a new one; they also doubted the right of a brother to demand a dimit simply to remain in a state of non- affiliation, all of which was strictly in ac- cord with the General Regulations of 1722. On the other hand the committee could not deny "the power and duty of a subordinate Lodge to grant a dimit when demanded by a brother in good standing at the time " in other words, that a man could not be compelled to remain in the Masonic com- munion if he desired to withdraw, and this the By-Laws also recognized. To recon- cile both opinions, as well as the apparent conflict of the laws, they recommended the passage of Bro. DUNHAM'S resolution, but added thereto the following proviso: Provided, That any brother who does not unite with some other lodge, as well as all non-affiliated brethren, shall not be entitled to any of the benefits of Masonry, such as the burial service, uniting in Ma- sonic celebrations, laying corner-stones, visiting lodges, &c. Nor shall they or their families have any claim upon the Fraternity for pecuniary aid until such time as they shall renew their affiliation. This, it is said, was the great question of the session. It was discussed with un- usual energy and the whole field of dimits, non-affiliation, obligation and duty was thoroughly canvassed with the final result that no agreement could be reached and the whole subject was laid on the table. At the evening session it was called up, dis- cussed anew, and referred back to the com- mittee. Action was deferred until the next communication. If any action was taken at the annual communication of 1866 the records do not disclose the fact. As a result of the deliberations of the session of 1865 Bro. H. G. REYNOLDS drew the following deductions, which he pub- lished in the current number of the Masonic Trowel, viz. : 1. That a Mason has no right to remain in a state of voluntary non-affiliation. 2. That no lodge should directly or indirectly af- ford any facilities to a brother to do wrong. 3. That no lodge can lawfully grant dimits except to unite with another lodge or to assist in the forma- tion of a new one. And these deductions he regarded as the settled law and policy of the jurisdiction. But despite the long standing resolution of 1842 the foregoing deductions can hardly be said to have ever been the "settled law," and certainly were never the settled policy of this State, for dimits have always been granted as a matter of course and usually without question. The ancient records of many of the lodges abundantly prove this statement. At the session of 1874 Grand Lodge adopted a new and elaborate code of By- Laws, by which the right of dimission was expressly recognized; but as an offset the substance of the rejected proviso of 1865 was also incorporated and non-affiliates were explicitly denied Masonic rights. The right to dimit, however, while expressly recog- nized, was not absolute, but rested to a large extent in the discretion of the continuing members of the lodge, the law providing that " if the applicant's dues are paid, and 186 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. there are no charges against him, a dimit may be granted by the vote of a majority of the members present." By this code the resolution of 1842 was substantially reaffirmed, and as a penalty for willful non-compliance with its spirit it was further provided as follows: Voluntary non-affiliated Masons shall not be per- mitted to take part in any of the ceremonies of the Lodge, nor shall they, of right, be entitled to any of the privileges or benefits of Masonry, such as Masonic burial, uniting in Masonic processions or celebrations; nor shall they or their families have any claim upon the fraternity for pecuniary aid in cases of misfortune or distress: Provided, That nothing herein shall be construed to deprive a Lodge, or any member thereof, of the right to render to a non-affiliated Mason aid and assistance, Masonic burial or any fraternal courtesy (except the privileges of the Lodge) they may deem just and proper. This latter clause has remained unal- tered and constitutes a part of the written law of Masonry in this jurisdiction to this day. As before observed, the By-Laws of 1 874 left it discretionary with the lodge to grant or withhold a dimit. At the session of 1 877 this discretion was withdrawn, and for the first time in its history the full and abso- lute right of dimission was conceded by Grand Lodge. The By-Law in question was amended so as to read that in all cases when the applicant had discharged all in- debtedness to the lodge, or, as the old rec- ords say, "was clear of the books," and was not under charges of any kind, ' ' a dimit shall be granted and a record made thereof. " Such is the present law of the jurisdiction. The only restriction upon this right is that the application must lie over one stated communication, this delay being required " for the protection of the good name of the lodge." Grand Lodge has retained and still asserts the ancient prerogative of disciplinary su- pervision over non-affiliated Masons within its jurisdiction, and such persons, for any violation of moral or Masonic law, may be cited to appear before any lodge in whose jurisdiction they may reside. The subject of non-affiliation has been a burning question at some time in every Grand Lodge on this continent. Many different views and opinions have been ad- vanced concerning it. Some contend that it should be an offense to be visited by severe punishment; others contend that Masonry existed before lodges and that lodge dues were not introduced until very recent times hence a modern innovation. These represent the extreme views, with many varying shades of opinion between. As an example, showing how it has been regarded in the jurisdiction, the following from the pen of the late THEODORE T. GURNEY is submitted. The excerpt is from the report on Foreign Correspondence, made to the Grand Lodge in 1876. Bro. GURNEY in this extract undertakes " to state as near as possible the ground occupied by our Grand Lodge." He says : It is of no consequence to us what was the practice of " Operative Masonry." Speculative Masonry can- not have an organic existence without financial sup- port; and for this reason we find it fundamenta 1 that the applicant for degrees, if accepted, pays to the Lodge a stipulated sum, and thereafter an annual amount which experience has determined is necessary to carry on the work. Every initiate perfectly under- stands this; and further, obligates himself to support the regulations which govern the organization. This pledge covers the whole ground of these relations to the Fraternity, and is just as obligatory as any other part of his obligation. He is not to cheat, wrong or defraud. Every member of a Lodge has a perfect un- derstanding of all this. He has voluntarily assumed those obligations, and is not ignorant of the fact that when he neglects or refuses to pay his dues, without a reasonable apology, he violates a solemn pledge, and thus wrongs the Fraternity. On these points we can- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 187 not discover any legitimate ground for controversy. If, then, we are correct, what should be the status of the non-affiliate? We say, emphatically, that when a a member of a Lodge voluntarily ignores a contract into which he entered of his own free will, the Lodge cannot, and maintain one particle of self-respect, decline to recognize the departure. The only thing it can do is to let him off from every claim with which a faithful compliance with all his obligations invested him. We are treating of facts and not theories. In do- ing this we are forced to say things that are not palat- able. We do not believe in the doctrine of reserved rights, that a Mason can trample with impunity upon one vital feature of the organization and still claim a right which inheres from another. Masonry must be taken as a whole. We have no right to select from it that which is simply comment, and reject that which enjoins and expects from us sacrifices for its main- tenance; when we do this, we commit an offence which demands the infliction of a penalty. We are forced to these conclusions from a long and varied experience in all the branches of Masonry. We make the assertion without fear of successful con- tradiction, that ninety per cent, of non-affiliates are not in sympathy with the Fraternity. Curiosity in some, avarice in others, and in the majority a combination of both, prompted them to knock at the door of lodges. A few weeks of intercourse with the brethren satisfied the first, and in the second place assured them that Masonry was not an insurance association for their benefit, but, on the contrary, that any favors from the brethren would only accrue from a well ordered life and faithful devotion to their obligations. These dimit, or as is law in some jurisdictions, allow them- selves to be "stricken from the roll." It is true that a small percentage of non-affiliates dimit for reasons which they believe to be sufficient. For these we en- tertain the warmest sympathy, and for this reason we are of opinion First. That a non-affiliate has no claims upon the Fraternity. Second. That Grand Lodges should allow con- stituent bodies to be the judges of what fraternal courtesies should be extended to non-affiliates, either in life or death. Third. That a dimit should be granted upon ap- plication in writing, stating reasons therefor. If the applicant declined to furnish such reasons, the dimit should state the fact. THE SEAL. When Grand Lodge was organized it had no seal, nor any money with which to purchase one. However, the propriety, if not the necessity, of some method of au- thenticating its official acts was recognized, and the Grand Secretary was authorized to procure a seal. This he did not do, but in lieu thereof purchased a cheap stock wood cut, upon which the engraver had distrib- uted a miscellaneous assortment of Mason- ic emblems and symbols. For several years this substitute was made to do the duty of a seal, and the charters were attested under the hands of the Grand Masters and the "seal of Masonry. " An example may be seen in the charter of La Fayette Lodge, of Seal of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, A. F. & A.M. (From the original, through the courtesy of J. H. C. Dill, Grand Secretary.) which a fac-simile is presented on page 34. In due time, however, this crude method was dispensed with and a regular seal pro- vided. It does not seem that the design was ever authorized by any specific enact- ment or provision, or that any report of same was made to Grand Lodge, or any ap- proval expressed by that body. Like the present act of incorporation it grew out of the caprice of some Grand Secretary, and by long use and acquiescence has become legalized by prescription. It is probable that the combination of emblems on the 188 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. early wood cut suggested the present ar- rangement of same on the seal. The practice of appending a copy of the seal to the printed journal seems to have been inaugurated by Grand Master CREGIER in 1870, and since that time it has been fol- lowed by all of his successors. OFFICIAL NOMENCLATURE. The convention which organized Grand Lodge met as the representatives of ' ' the several subordinate Lodges of Ancient Free- masonry in the State of Illinois," and "as a matter of right " established a governing body " to be known and designated as the Grand Lodge of Illinois." The first con- stitution provided that the organization should be styled and known by the name of ' ' The Grand Lodge of Illinois of Free and Accepted Masons." After 1845 the word "ancient" was employed by the Grand Secretary in writing up the minutes, and by the Constitution of 1856 the official style became "Grand Lodge of Illinois, of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons." This style was retained in the Constitution of 1871. All of the constituent lodges have been chartered as lodges of "Ancient Free and Accepted Masons," and the craft generally throughout the jurisdiction is designated by that name. Grand Lodge was incorporated by the General Assembly in 1847 as the " Grand Lodge of Illinois of Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons" and by this title it main- tained an existence as a civil corporation until 1855. In this latter year an amendatory act was passed which eliminated the word "Ancient" from the title, leaving the name the same as that provided by the then exist- ing Constitution. It does not seem that Grand Lodge ever authorized this amenda- tory act or the elimination of the word "Ancient" from the corporate name, nor that the said amendatory act was ever form- ally or expressly approved and accepted. There is not the slightest allusion to same in the printed proceedings of the years im- mediately preceding and following the pas- sage of same, nor was it until a number of years afterward that the fact was even no- ticed by any person officially connected with Grand Lodge. The work of emendation is now attributed to HARMAN G. REYNOLDS, who was Grand Secretary at the time, but with what degree of truth the writer is un- able to say. There is no doubt that the Masonic and civil name of Grand Lodge should agree, and it is certain that from 1847 to 1855 they were different. Presum- ably Bro. REYNOLDS, if he was the person responsible for the Amendatory Act, took this view of the matter; and in securing the corporate change merely made the civil charter conform to that which for fifteen years had been the declared official name of the body. In 1856, however, just one year after the passage of the Amendatory Act, Grand Lodge adopted a new Constitution, in which the official style of the body was made to conform to the corporate name in the Act of 1847, i. e., Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, thereby again creating a difference in the methods of appellation. Hence, it will be seen that for a period of one year only the civil corporate entity and the craft assembly had the same name. But Grand Lodge has never paid much attention to the civil side of its organization, and, notwith- standing the change of name was known, it continued to style itself as a Lodge of An- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 189 cient Free and Accepted Masons, and to charter subordinate lodges by the same nomenclature. Upon the revision of the Constitution in 1871 the name remained as before, and so continues at this writing. During the BURRILL trial this point was sharply brought out as a part of the techni- cal defense of the accused. It was shown, however, that Grand Lodge had indirectly recognized the Act of 1855, and so the al- leged "departure" was overruled. From 1845 until 1874 the Grand Secre- taries in writing up the journal invariably used the present constitutional title. This is true of Bro. REYNOLDS and of Bro. MINER, his successor, while all petitions, re- ports of committees, and other matters pre- sented for action or consideration were in- variably addressed to the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. When J. F. BURRILL became Secretary he used the constitutional name for several years, but in 1875 changed to the name of the civil corporation, a style he continued to use un- til 1880, and then returned to the constitu- tional form. His successor, Bro. L. L. MUNN, at first employed the constitutional name, but after the BURRILL trial he aban- doned same and employed the civil title in- stead, and by this name Grand Lodge has since been officially described and addressed. It will therefore be seen that the sub- ject is still involved in obscurity and con- fusion. Grand Lodge, in the most solemn manner in which it can speak, declares that its name is ' ' Ancient Free and Accepted Masons," while the State is equally positive that its name is ' ' Free and Accepted Masons." What the true name is the writer does not assume to decide. MASONIC BURIAL. Not the least among the ancient cere- monies of the craft is the beautiful and im- pressive funeral service, or office for the dead. Even to the profane this ceremony is more than ordinarily interesting, while to the craftsman it is fraught with a deep significance. Like many other of the ceremonies of Freemasonry, neither the time nor place of its origin can be indicated, yet, like the celebration of corner-stones, it is in all probability a survival of one of the customs of the ancient operative society. Prior to the Reformation the craftsmen were the favored children of the church, whose offices and ministrations were always em- ployed on all proper occasions. It is easy to imagine the evolution of the modern ceremony from its primitive form as a funeral conducted by the Benedictine monks and thence through successive stages until, finally, in the eighteenth century, the services of clerics were finally dispensed with and the brethren performed the office with no extraneous aid. This, however, is merely a surmise. There is no direct evi- dence upon which to found a theory, and we must look back into the ever-deepening obscurity of the past with no other assist- ance than is afforded by the meagre side- lights of history. But we are justified in believing that the service is no modern in- vention, however much it may be in adapta- tion, and that it is a veritable survival of the " ancient ceremonies of the craft." None of the ancient Gothic Constitu- tions make any allusion to the subject, nor does it find mention in ANDERSON'S compila- tion of 1723 or the revision of 1738. It is known to have been in use in 1742, as a 190 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. caricature published in that year represent- ed, among other things, a Masonic funeral procession. It finds its first official mention in the year 1754, when a regulation was adopted by the Grand Lodge of England prohibiting the members of its obedience from attend- ing a funeral or other procession attired in Masonic clothing except by dispensation. When PRESTON wrote (1772), the service was evidently an established feature con- trolled and regulated by customary law, for Grand Lodge made no regulations with ref- erence to same until after the union in 1813. PRESTON lays down the rule, since universally accepted as of controlling efficacy, that "No Mason can be interred with the formalities of the Order unless it be at his own special request, communicated to the Master of the Lodge of which he died a member, foreign- ers and sojourners excepted, nor unless he has been advanced to the Third Degree of Masonry;" and from these restrictions the ancient law made no exceptions. Hence, Fellow-crafts and Apprentices were not en- titled to Masonic burial. This part of the rule has been retained in all parts of the world, yet if we are correct in the theory that the ceremony is a survival and adapta- tion of one of the ancient ceremonies of the operative guild, or even of the early specu- lative lodges, then it seems clear this inhibi- tion is an innovation on the old rules. The Grand Lodge of Illinois has no by- law or general regulation upon this subject, but in the Book of Ceremonials, officially adopted as the standard of the exoteric rit- tuals of the jurisdiction, the substance of the old Prestonian rules are reaffirmed and stated in the " General Instructions and Re- quirements, "with such modifications as time and circumstance may have introduced. The right of Masonic burial belongs to every Master Mason in good standing at the time of his decease. Only once does this principle seem to have been denied in this jurisdiction. In 1870 the Grand Master (Bro. REYNOLDS), reflecting the spirit of the old law which refused Christian burial to one who had taken his own life, decided that " It is unlawful to give a suicide Masonic burial, unless the evidence of insanity is clear." The decision was referred to the Com- mittee on Jurisprudence, who refused to sustain this illiberal view and reported back as follows: Your committee are of opinion that the right of Masonic burial is the right of every affiliated Master Mason in good standing at the time of his death, with- out regard to the cause of his death or condition of his mind at the time of death; And Grand Lodge concurred in the report. It must be said, however, in justice to Bro. REYNOLDS, that while the committee's report reflects the humane and charitable spirit of Masonry, yet the Grand Master was technically correct. With all his vagaries Bro. REYNOLDS was probably the best in- formed Mason in the State at the time, and his decision was in consonance with the generally received interpretation of Masonic law. In 1866 the National Free-mason, one of the then leading journals of the craft, in answering the question, "Should Ma- sonry honor a suicide?" said: Masonic burial, in the full acceptation of the term, cannot be bestowed upon a brother committing sui- cide if in his right mind; but committing it in a fit of insanity it is a misfortune and no crime. Such should receive the attention of brethren. This was the prevailing law at that time. But suicides were seldom denied the right of Masonic sepulture, as in such cases it was generally held that the act was com- mitted " in a fit of mental aberration." COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 191 THE GRAND LODGE. CIVIL CORPORATION. THE Grand Lodge of Illinois has a dual existence and personality. Primarily it is a "general assembly of the craft," composed of the representatives of its con- stituent lodges according to immemorial custom. In this capacity it has its own or- ganic act or constitution, framed by the lodges, under which its practical government is administered. This constitution the con- stituents may alter and change at their own pleasure, agreeably to their own rules, and in all matters of legislation arising in Grand Lodge it forms the fundamental or basic law. But Grand Lodge is also a body politic, under a charter of constitution granted by the State of Illinois. The wisdom of this dual existence has often been doubted, while its real utility has never become ap- parent. The Grand Lodge of England, after nearly two centuries of active life, still retains its primitive character of an un- incorporated association. The first movement toward incorpora- tion was made at the annual communication of 1846, when Bro. J. H. MATHENY offered the following resolution : Resolved, That a committee be appointed to apply to the next General Assembly of the State of Illinois, for a charter for the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois, giving to it a legal existence. The resolution was adopted, and a com- mittee, consisting of Bros. MATHENY, LAVELY and ROBINSON, was appointed to procure the desired legislation. The records do not show that this committee ever made any formal report to Grand Lodge, yet it must be assumed that a verbal report of some kind was made, for at the session of 1847, on motion of Bro. ANDERSON, it was Resolved, That a committee be appointed to ex- amine the charter granted by the Legislature of Illi- nois to this Grand Lodge, and ascertain whether or not any action of this Grand Lodge will be necessary at this time under its provisions. Whereupon Bros. MITCHELL, ANDERSON and DAVIS were appointed that committee. The next day this committee reported as follows : The committee appointed to examine the charter granted by the Legislature of the State of Illinois in- corporating this Grand Lodge, would respectfully recommend that the three trustees provided by the said act to be appointed, be now elected by ballot, as other officers of this Grand Lodge; and the com- mittee would also recommend that hereafter all notes, bonds and other instruments for the payment of money or performance of duties, be made payable to the Grand Lodge of Illinois of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, that being the incorporate name of this Grand Lodge. On motion the report was laid on the table, and, so far as is disclosed by the rec- ords, was not again taken up. At a later stage of the session Grand Lodge went into the election of three trustees ' ' as provided for in the charter," and Bros. BAILHACHE, 192 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. HAPPY and DAVIS were elected. It was then Resolved, That the Most Worshipful Grand Mas- ter be authorized, if necessary, to require the attention of the trustees to such business as he may think proper, and which may come within their jurisdiction during the ensuing year, unless otherwise provided by the Grand Lodge. No other or further acts of acceptance or approval appear of record. At the ses- sion of 1848 the same trustees were re- elected, and then the whole matter drops out of sight, no action of this kind being taken after this year. Apparently Grand Lodge got on as well without a charter as with it. At the session of the General Assembly held in 1855 an amendatory act was passed, changing the name of the corporation and otherwise altering and apparently abolish- ing several of the provisions of the original act. By what authority or under whose di- rection this amendatory act was procured, the writer is unable to ascertain. It does not appear that Grand Lodge ever granted any express authority to any person to pro- cure such additional legislation, or that any report of same was ever made after the amendatory act had been passed. Neither does it appear, except inferentially, that Grand Lodge ever accepted the amended act, and practically it failed to exercise any overt acts under it until nearly thirty years afterward. By the first act of incorporation Grand Lodge was made a body politic and cor- porate under the name ' ' Grand Lodge of Illinois of Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons." It styled itself in its Masonic Con- stitution, "Grand Lodge of Illinois Free and Accepted Masons," and by the latter description chartered all of its subordinates. The same name was carried upon its cor- porate seal and for years this was the title by which it was known. It is said that the word "Ancient" was highly distasteful to the Grand Secretary, H. G. REYNOLDS, and that to eliminate, so far as he could, the ob- noxious word he caused the amendatory act to be adopted. By the amendment the of- ficial name became " Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois Free and Accepted Ma- sons;" and this is now its title. Whether tradition is correct in ascribing this act to Bro. REYNOLDS the writer is un- able to say; but, as lending confirmation to the story, it may be said that when Grand Chapter was incorporated in 1853 Bro. REYNOLDS was the committee which pro- cured the passage of the act. Among other provisions of this latter act was one which required a copy of the proceedings of Grand Chapter, together with a list of the officers, its subordinate chapters and their members to be filed annually with the Secretary of State. Bro. REYNOLDS was the Secretary of Grand Chapter as well as Grand Lodge. In the amendatory act of 1855 there is a "rider" amending the act of incorporation of Grand Chapter by repealing this pro- vision. The act of incorporation of Grand Chapter is supposed to have been drawn by Bro. REYNOLDS, and the amendatory act of 1855 closely follows same in structure and phraseology. All of these facts strongly tend to verify the tradition that REYNOLDS, of his own motion, and in the exercise of his own caprice, caused the amendatory act of 1855 to be introduced and passed. As this is the act of present incorporation its main provisions are here reproduced. It was published with the proceedings in 1872, on the occasion of the publication of the proposed new By-Laws, but never since, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 193 except as a part of the "Book of Constitu- tions." The text of the Act is as follows: AN ACT TO AMEND AN ACT ENTITLED " AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS." SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand War- dens, Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer for the time being, and their successors in office, of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, together with the Masters and War- dens of the several Lodges subordinate to said Grand Lodge, while holding said offices, shall be and the same are hereby declared to be a body politic and cor- porate, by the name, style and description of " The Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois Free and Ac- cepted Masons." SEC. 2. The said corporation, by the name and style aforesaid, shall have full power to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, prosecute and defend in all manner of actions at law or in equity, in all places where legal or equitable proceedings are had. The said corporation shall have power to make such Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations for its own government, and the management of its concerns and government of its subordinates, as shall be deemed advisable, and to alter or amend the same at pleasure: Provided, That such Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations shall not conflict with the Constitution and Laws of this State and of the United States. SEC. 3. The said corporation, by the name and style aforesaid, shall be capable in law of purchasing, holding and conveying real and personal estate for the benefit of said corporation, to create a charity and ed- ucational fund, a representative fund, a library fund and a Grand Lodge fund, and for no other use or ben- efits whatever: Provided, That said corporation shall not at any one time hold personal or mixed property to an amount exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, nor real estate to an amount exceeding two thousand acres of land. SEC. 4. That said corporation shall have power to loan money belonging to the same, and take prom- issory notes or other evidences of debt for the money so loaned or any property sold, which may be recov- ered in their corporate name aforesaid, in all courts or places where judicial proceedings are had. SEC. 5. The said corporation is also authorized to borrow money in sums not exceeding one thousand dollars at any one time, and at a rate of interest not exceeding ten per cent, per annum. SEC. 6. In the management of its business con- cerns, said corporation is hereby authorized to appoint such agents, officers and attorneys for that purpose as from time to time may be deemed proper. SEC. 7. Each subordinate Lodge under the juris- diction of the aforesaid Grand Lodge, now in existence or which may hereafter be chartered by the same, is also hereby declared to be a body politic and corporate by and under the name, style and number set forth in their respective charters, and by such designation they may respectively sue and be sued, plead and be im- pleaded, prosecute and defend against all suits arising in law or chancery, in all the courts of this State. The said subordinate lodges, respectively, shall be capable in law of purchasing or receiving, by purchase, gift or otherwise, and of selling and conveying, real and per- sonal estate for the benefit of said subordinate Lodges respectively: Provided, That neither of said Lodges shall at any one time hold real estate exceeding in value thirty thousand dollars. SEC. 8. So far as applicable, the provisions of sections four, five and six of this act shall be applica- ble to each of said subordinate Lodges. SEC. 9. In case any subordinate Lodge under the jurisdiction of said Grand Lodge shall cease to exist, or forfeit its charter, then all the estate, real and per- sonal, together with all the records, books, papers, vouchers, furniture, jewels, seals and fixtures belong- ing to such lodge, shall immediately vest in said Grand Lodge; and all personal property, books, records, pa- pers, vouchers, jewels, seals, furniture, deeds, money, evidences of debt, leases or mortgages belonging to said lodge so forfeiting its charter or ceasing to exist, shall be delivered over by its last Secretary or Treas- urer of the same, or other persons having custody of them, to the proper officer or agent of said Grand Lodge, on demand, and on failing to do so, each and every member of such delinquent Lodge shall be liable to said Grand Lodge in an action of debt for the full value of the same. Sec. 10 is the usual formula that the act shall be a public act, to be liberally construed by courts for the benefit of the corporation; Sec. n is the "rider" repeal- ing a part of the Act of 1853 incorporating Grand Chapter; Sec. 12 is the usual repeal- ing clause of inconsistent acts; and Sec. 13 provides for its immediate effect. Presumably Grand Lodge exists and transacts its business under this charter. If 194 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. so, then it is not a sovereign body, but, like any other corporation, is amenable to the laws governing and controlling creations of the State. Fortunately we have never been subjected to either the indignities or no- toriety which several of the imitative socie- ties holding like civil charters have exper- ienced in controversies growing out of in- ternal difficulties, and it is to be hoped that in the years to come our civil life may be as peaceful and harmonious as it ever has been in the past. THE CAPITULAR DEGREES. INTRODUCTION. r)OSSIBLY the most profound of all the 1 mysteries of Masonry is the origin of its legendary histories and esoteric litur- gies, that truly wonderful system of moral symbolism and allegorical teaching which we now denominate degrees. We know but little concerning them prior to the last half of the last century, and much of the knowledge that has come down to us from that period is, at best, but fragmentary tra- dition. The Masonic romancer has indeed essayed to depict in glowing colors the scenes and incidents that have marked the course of Masonry from primeval man to the present time, but under the piercing light of critical inquiry his pictures have dis- solved like frost before the morning sun. The legend of the Craft, as preserved in the ancient charges, is probably the only authentic information we now possess which antedates the beginning of the year 1700, and this but faintly outlines a very few of the many symbolic allegories that vitalize the esoteric rituals of the Masonry of to- day. Nor have these remarks special reference to the high grades only; they ap- ply to all alike, for the system of specu- lative Freemasonry, as now practiced, con- templates a progressive expansion of but one thought, and that is the sanctity and preservation of the Holy and Ineffable Name. Toward this pivotal principle gravitate all the degrees of Masonry of all rites and systems, and to the elucidation of the mysteries which encompass the subject are they all devoted. Inseparably con- nected by continuity of thought and design they bear internal evidence of a common origin, and from the meagre historical data now at our command we are led to infer that they assumed their present shape about the middle of the last century. At the time of the revival, in 1717, there is every reason to believe that there existed no degrees, as that term is now em- ployed, and that the esoteric ceremonials were of the most simple and informal char- acter. The symbolism was crude and un- developed and the philosophical teachings scarcely more than a suggestion. The fifty years that next ensued were marked by a restless and ever increasing activity. The schism of 1738 produced a keen rivalry that soon begat competition. The Scottish lodges abandoning their operative character entered the speculative field; Ireland did the same; and soon five grand lodges strug- gled for supremacy in the British Islands. Then it was that the simple legends that formed the basis of the early ceremonial were eagerly seized upon by the enthusiast, the visionary and not infrequently by the schemer. Allegory and symbol pieced out the fragmentary traditions of the Ancient Craft, and imagination furnished historical data where the facts were wanting. Be- 196 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. yond the seas rites and systems arose like the exhalations of magic, and the fundamental ideas of primitive Masonry were expanded to the last stage of attenuation through the extended scale of degrees which in many cases were adopted. These years may well be called the period of the Masonic renais- sance. A new impulse was imparted to the fraternity by the development and expan- sion of its old legends; an impulse that in many cases was made to serve the purposes of the charlatan and trickster, but in the end was productive of the highest good, and from the confused and ill-digested mass that marked this epoch have been evolved the great rites that now dominate the Ma- sonic world. With the exception of the three pri- mary degrees of the Symbolic Lodge no de- gree in Masonry is so well known or widely diffused as that of the Royal Arch. When, where or how it originated is not definitely known, but the favorite theory of the stu- dents is, that it was fabricated by one LAW- RENCE DERMOTT at or about the time of the so-called schism of the fraternity in Eng- land. This latter event occurred in the year 1738, and the first mention of the Royal Arch, so far as known, was in the year 1740. It was employed as an adjunct by both of the rival Grand Lodges of Eng- land and by them was introduced into the American Colonies, where it continued to be practiced in connection with craft lodges, the lodge warrant serving as a full author- ity for its conference upon candidates. Until the latter part of the eighteenth cen- tury its government was that of the lodge, but about 1 790 a separation commenced to take place. The convocations in which it was conferred were called Chapters, and certain detached degrees as well as new fabrications were about this time added to and included in the chapter jurisdiction. This was largely accomplished through the labors of THOMAS SMITH WEBB, who may with propriety be styled the founder of the American Masonic system. From the fact that the Royal Arch and its subsidiary de- grees are conferred in bodies called Chap- ters they have now come to be generally styled the Capitular Degrees. Prior to 1 797 the Capitular degrees, in this country, were in a confused and ofttimes chaotic state. With no recognized form of government and no organic connection with each other, the few scattered chapters were without influence or power, and the Masters' Lodges continued to exercise their ancient prerogative of conferring the Royal Arch degree at their pleasure. But in October of this year, at the instigation of WEBB, a con- vention of "committees" from chapters at Boston, Newburyport and Albany met at Boston and addressed a circular to all of the chapters within the States of New Hamp- shire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Con- necticut, Vermont and New York, inviting them to send delegates to a convention to be held at the city of Hartford, Connecti- cut, the year following, for the purpose of organizing a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and establishing a constitution for the government and regulation of all chap- ters ' ' that now are or may hereafter be erected within the said States. " The con- vention was held, as proposed, on January 24, 1798, and an organization effected under the name ' ' Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the Northern States of America." In 1799 the word "General" was prefixed to the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 197 title of the body, and in 1 806, on the ex- tension of its territorial jurisdiction, the old title was abolished and in lieu thereof was adopted the name " General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the United States of America," which name it still retains. From this body has emanated nearly all of the State Grand Chapters and all of the Royal Arch Masonry of the West, including that of Illinois. With the re-establishment of the Grand Lodge in 1840 came also a desire for the cultivation of the Capitular degrees. Prior to this time the only bodies within the State were those of the Symbolic Lodge, and "high Masonry " of every description was practically unknown. On July 19, 1841, the first chapter of Royal Arch Masons was organized at the city of Spring- field, by virtue of a dispensation from M. E. Comp. JOSEPH K. STAPLETON, the Dep. Gen. Grand High Priest, and on Sept. 1 7th following, at the triennial session of the General Grand Chapter, a charter was issued to same. Springfield Chapter re- mained in full possession of the entire State until July 2, 1844, when a dispensa- tion was issued to WM. F. WALKER and others for the formation of a chapter at Chicago. The printed abstract of the transactions of the General Grand Chapter do not show that any charter was granted in pursuance of this dispensation, yet it would seem that on Sept. 12, 1844, at the regular triennial session of that year, a charter did issue for a chapter at Chicago to be known as La Fayette, No. 2. At the succeeding triennial convocation held in 1 847 charters were granted for chapters to be known as Jacksonville, No. 3, Horeb, No. 4 (Henderson), Quincy, No. 5, and Shawneetown, No. 6. These were all of the charters granted by the General Grand Chapter for chapters within this State. 12 198 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. THE GRAND CHAPTER. 1850. ON April 9, 1850, in pursuance of a call issued by William B. Warren, a con- vention of representatives from all of the chartered chapters in the State, except Shawneetown, No. 6, assembled at the city of Springfield to concert measures for the formation of a Grand Chapter. The meet- ing was held under the authority of WILLIS STEWART of Louisville, Ky., G. G. K. of the General Grand Chapter, and the action was approved by that body at its triennial session in September of the same year. Comp. WARREN was called to the chair and Comp. E. R. ROE was chosen secre- tary. It was then resolved that the con- vention do "now proceed to form a Grand Chapter for the State of Illinois," and the organization was completed by the election of the following officers : W. B. WARREN, Jacksonville . . . . G. H. P. J. H. HOLTON, Quincy D. G. H. P. J. V. Z. BLANEY, Chicago G. K. PETER SWEAT, Peoria G. S. MASON BRAYMAN, Springfield G. Secy. THOS. H. CAMPBELL, Springfield. .G. Treas. W. S. HURST, Jacksonville G. M. t By resolution Shawneetown Chapter, upon signifying its assent to the proceed- ings, was permitted to come into Grand Chapter on equal terms with the other chapters; the By-Laws of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, with slight modifications, were adopted provisionally, and the matter of a constitution was deferred until the regular annual convocation. From the day of the convention until the present time Grand Chapter has met regularly in annual con- vocation. During the entire period it has enjoyed a career of uninterrupted prosperity and continuity, and the original six chapters that participated in the organization have been . augmented by lawful increase until, at this writing, one hundred and eighty-six are borne upon the roll. The regular annual convocation was held at Alton in October of the same year (1850), with WM. B. WARREN presiding and the representatives of four chapters present. The first dispensation for a chapter under the new organization was issued to Comp. WACKERLEE, and others, at Meredosia, Morgan county, but in- asmuch as the General Grand Chapter, at the time of the formation of Grand Chapter, .had dispensations in force in several local- ities in the State, the chapters so under dispensation were permitted to come in and receive a priority of number on the registry. The chapters availing themselves of this privilege were Peoria, No. 7, Howard, No. 8 (Upper Alton), Stapleton, No. 9 (Rushville), Union, No. 10 (Barry). Meredosia Chap- ter, therefore, although the first to be cre- ated by Grand Chapter, became No. 1 1, of the registry. J. H. HOLTON was chosen Grand High COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 199 Priest, and J. L. ANDERSON, Grand Secre- tary. Jacksonville was selected as the place of permanent location. 1851. The convocation of 1851 was held at Jacksonville. The provisional constitution was continued in force for another year; the project of a representative fund was considered, and all chapters in the juris- diction were ordered not to confer the de- grees of Royal and Select Master. J. V. Z. BLANEY was elected G. H. P., and HARMAN G. REYNOLDS, Grand Secretary a position he continued to occupy for many years afterwards. 1852. At the convocation of 1852, held as be- fore, at Jacksonville, neither one of the first three officers was present. A perma- nent constitution was adopted; a committee was appointed to procure a Charter of In- corporation from the State; a resolution was passed opposing the project, then be- ing agitated, of the dissolution of the Gen- eral Grand Chapter, and the order prohibit- ing the conferring of the degrees of Royal and Select Masters by the chapters of its obedience was reaffirmed. LEVI LUSK was elected G. H. P. By the terms of the Constitution, adopted at this session, the official name of Grand Chapter became " The Grand Royal Arch Chapter, of the State of Illinois." 1853. The convocation of 1853 was held at Jacksonville, M. E. LEVI LUSK, presiding. By resolution R. A. Masons hailing from Pennsylvania were denied the privilege of visitation in any chapter in the jurisdiction. The reason for this singular action is not apparent in the record and the act itself was the subject of much unfavorable com- ment in other jurisdictions. It would seem that the question originally arose in La Fayette Chapter at Chicago, where a companion hailing from Pennsylvania was denied admission by the High Priest on the ground that the work of Pennsylvania was essentially different from the work of the General Grand Chapter. An appeal was taken to the Grand High Priest, who sus- tained the decision. This in turn was ap- proved by the Committee on Jurisprudence, with the result above indicated. For sev- eral years the leading spirits in Grand Chapter endeavored to defend their illib- eral position by specious reasoning, until finally the force of popular sentiment com- pelled a repeal of the obnoxious resolution. The "Act of Incorporation" was ap- proved, and from thence hitherto the Grand Chapter has preserved its dual existence, acting both under its own Masonic consti- tution and that emanating from the State. Comp. M. J. NOYES, of Pittsfield, was elected G. H. P. The Act of Incorporation provided the same name for the aggregate body as the Constitution, to-wit: "The Grand Royal Arch Chapter, of the State of Illinois." It is a somewhat noticeable fact that neither the words "Mason "nor "Masonry" any- where occur in the Act. 1854. The convocation of 1854 was held at Jacksonville, with M. E. MICHAEL J. NOYES presiding. The proceedings were mainly routine. A committee of seven was ap- pointed "to revise the mode of conferring the Past Master's degree," and "to report and exemplify the work as soon as possible. " 200 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. After wrestling with the subject for twenty- four hours the committee reported that they "had been unable to agree on any mode," and recommended the appointment of a committee of one who should ' ' perfect him- self in the work and report at the next Grand Convocation." Comp. LEVI LUSK was selected as such committee. Just why the " higher" bodies, with far less revenue than Grand Lodge, should so excel the latter in the matter of charitable disbursements is among the unsolved prob- lems. A comparison of records, however, unmistakably discloses the fact. At this session (1854), with about $500 in the treasury, after making the usual appropria- tions, Grand Chapter gave $100 to relieve the necessities of the widow of a worthy Past Grand Master, and donated the sum of $50 annually toward the education of two of the orphan children of deceased com- panions. This generous policy still char- acterizes the body, as its liberal annual appropriations to the organized Masonic charities of the State abundantly testify. Comp. Louis WATSON, of Quincy, was elected G. H. P. 1855. On September 27, 1855, the annual con- vocation was held at the Masonic Hall in Jacksonville, M. E. Louis WATSON presid- ing. Comp. LUSK, appointed at the convoca- tion of 1854 as a committee to prepare a report on the mode of conferring the Past Master's degree, submitted a verbal report, "which was unanimously adopted and recommended as a proper mode of work to be adopted by the subordinate chapters." There are still chapters in this jurisdiction that possibly might profit by the report. Why was it not preserved ? The Grand Lodge, having recently taken measures for the establishment of a library, Grand Chapter offered to co-operate and bear part of the expense. Accordingly $50 was appropriated for such purpose. Comp. IRA A. W. BUCK, of Aurora, was elected G. H. P. 1856. The annual convocation of 1856 was held at Jacksonville, M. E. IRA A. W. BUCK presiding. Business routine and of tempo- rary interest only. By the terms of the Constitution the lo- cation of Grand Chapter was fixed at Jack- sonville until the year 1856. This period having expired an amendment to the Con- stitution became necessary. Accordingly such amendment was made by providing for an annual convocation " at the place of, and three days before, the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge." - Thus the Grand Chapter became ambulatory and dependent upon the actions of another body. Inasmuch as Grand Chapter paid mileage and per-diem to representatives, the necessity of the move is not fully apparent; and while it was sought to be justified at the time on the score of convenience, yet this is shown by subsequent events to be untrue. However, for a num- ber of years this custom prevailed, all of the bodies meeting at the same place and about the same time. Comp. EDWARD M. M. CLARKE, of Rush- ville, was elected G. H. P. 1857. The annual convocation of 1857 was held at Springfield, and immediately pre- ceding the session of Grand Lodge. The COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 201 embargo against the Grand Chapter of Penn- sylvania was raised, Grand Chapter having vindicated to its own satisfaction its "in- herent and inalienable right to admit or ex- clude visitors" in its own discretion, and Royal Arch Masons from Pennsylvania were permitted ' ' to visit upon the same terms as others, hailing from any sister jurisdiction." Another appropriation was made for the library, and the perusal of Masonic publica- tions was recommended "as a means of disseminating Masonic intelligence." The election resulted in the choice of JAMES H. HIBBARD as G. H. P., and he, to- gether with the remaining officers, was in- stalled by the retiring G. H. P. (Comp. CLARKE) "with ease and elegance, and in an impressive manner. " The death of the beloved companion, WM. A. DICKEY, was duly commemorated. The only incident to disturb the serenity of the session was caused by the presenta- tion of a petition from Comp. J. W. SPALD- I-NG and others praying for the erection of a new chapter at Galesburg. The committee to which same was referred found that the usual application for a recommendation from the nearest chapter, in this caseHoreb, No. 4, at Knoxville, was denied by such neighboring chapter, ' ' upon pecuniary con- siderations alone," and recommended the granting of the prayer. Comp. H. G. REY- NOLDS, the Grand Secretary, raised the ques- tion of jurisdiction of Grand Chapter over the subject, as a point of order. The G. H. P. , Comp. CLARKE, held the point well taken and decided that Grand Chapter had no jurisdiction over the matter, under Sec. 7, Art. II, of the General Grand Chapter Constitution. That the reader may judge for himself as to the correctness of this rul- ing the section in question is here given, viz. : SEC. 7. No dispensation or charter for the insti- tution of a new chapter of Royal Arch Masons shall be granted except upon the petition of nine regular Royal Arch Masons, which petition shall be accom- panied with a certificate from the chapter nearest to the place where the new chapter is intended to be opened, vouching for the moral character and Masonic abilities of the petitioners, and recommending that a dispensation or charter be granted them. Thereupon Comp. SPALDING and twenty- seven others entered of record a protest and memorial, urging that the section only ap- plied to those cases where the General Grand Chapter was exercising original and exclu- sive jurisdiction in States or Territories where no Grand Chapter existed; that same did not apply to State jurisdictions in the obedience of State Grand Chapters; where- fore they appealed from the decision of the M. E. Grand High Priest to the Grand Chapter. This produced a counter protest from Comp. REYNOLDS and the officers of Horeb Chapter, and was in turn followed by a second " memorial" by Comp. SPALD- ING. The result was that the whole matter was referred to the Grand High Priest (Comp. HIBBARD), with power to act. Acting under this power, Comp. HIBBARD visited Galesburg and Knoxville (the towns are only five miles apart) and endeavored to effect a compromise alike honorable to both parties. In this he was signally unsuccess- ful. It would seem that by Horeb Chapter he was treated with much indignity; and when, in the exercise of his powers, original and delegated, he granted a dispensation for Galesburg Chapter, the companions of Ho- reb Chapter issued an incendiary and dis- loyal manifesto addressed to all of the chap- ters of the jurisdiction. 202 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 1858. This was the situation when Grand Chap- ter met in its annual convocation in 1858. The Grand High Priest presented a report of his actions in the premises, as well as of the action of Horeb Chapter and certain of its officers and members. The Grand Chap- ter sustained Comp. HIBBARD, censured Horeb Chapter, and appointed a committee to "recommend what action is necessary on the part of this Grand Chapter to sustain its dignity in the person of its chief officer." In the meantime Horeb Chapter, by its officers, presented a petition asking for an annulment of the dispensation to Gales- burg Chapter and denying intentional dis- respect towards Grand Chapter, "al- though they claimed and exercised the right of commenting upon the official acts of the Grand High Priest, and condemning those acts when they deemed them contrary to Masonic law, and subversive of the rights and privileges of Horeb Chapter." But Grand Chapter thought otherwise, for it confirmed the dispensation and granted a charter to Galesburg Chapter; required " full and ample retractions and apologies" to Comp. HIBBARD from certain of the offi- cers of Horeb Chapter, under pain of sus- pension, and directed the incoming G. H. P. to call "a full convocation of said Horeb Chapter at such a time as may suit his con- venience and require that a suitable apology be made to this Grand Body and to M. E. Comp. HIBBARD, for the insults and in- dignities aforesaid," and in case of a refusal to make such apologies the Grand High Priest was instructed to suspend the charter until the next annual meeting. At the meeting of 1858 Comp. NELSON D. ELWOOD was elected G. H. P., a posi- tion to which he was twice re-elected and which he continued to occupy until the day of his death in 1861. Comp. ELWOOD, who is described as having been a man of most gentle and agree- able manner, proceeded to pour oil on the troubled waters of Knox county Masonry. He visited Knoxville; called a meeting of Horeb Chapter; presented the mandate of Grand Chapter, and in every way sought to close the breach that had been opened. But Horeb Chapter had made up its mind in ad- vance as to what it should do in this event, and now reiterated all that it had said and refused to recede from what it had done. As a result the charter was arrested, and at the session of 1859 all of the rights and privileges of the chapter were declared for- feited to Grand Chapter; the members in attendance at the meeting called by the G. H. P. and voting to sustain the contuma- cious position then taken were suspended, and the members remaining loyal to Grand Chapter were accorded certificates of good standing to have the force and effect of dimits. So ended one of the most painful episodes in the history of Grand Chapter. But the baneful root from whence sprang all this trouble has never been eradicated, either in this or the other branches of Ma- sonry, and "pecuniary considerations only " still interfere with the interest and conven- ience of many brethren in many localities. If a Masonic body cannot support itself in any given locality without a "protective tariff," it is time for such institutions to close. The only object of a recommenda- tion from the nearest body is, or should be, to advise the Grand body of the moral and Masonic character of the petitioners. The question as to the propriety of a charter should be the sole prerogative of the Grand COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 203 body. But, as a matter of fact, the primal sin of Horeb Chapter has many times since been repeated and recommendations with- held for no other reason than that the grant of a charter to the petitioners might reduce the revenues of the body so refusing. 1859. The General Grand Chapter met in Chi- cago in 1859, but the event does not seem to have been particularly noticed by Grand Chapter; nor does it appear that any official welcome was tendered to the distinguished visitors. This, however, was simply an over- sight, and the Grand High Priest (Comp. ELWOOD), on his own responsibility, main- tained the honor and reputation for hospi- tality of the Grand Chapter of Illinois. The definition of the clothing of a Royal Arch Mason as made by the General Grand Chapter was adopted; the constituent chap- ters were prohibited from conferring the de- grees on non-affiliates, and another appro- priation was made for the library. 1860. At the eleventh annual convocation, held at Springfield, Sept. 28, 1860, Comp. WM. W. MITCHELL, D. G. H. P., presided, a domestic affliction detaining the G. H. P. (Comp. ELWOOD) at his home; and while the Grand Chapter evinced its affection for its absent chief by re-electing him to the East, yet he was destined never again to preside in that body. Before another year had rolled around Comp. ELWOOD was gath- ered unto his fathers. The session presents no features of more than temporary interest. 1861. At the convocation of 1861, held at Springfield, the chair was occupied by Comp. WM. W. MITCHELL, D. G. H. P., who paid a tribute of sorrow and respect to the mem- ory of the late Comp. ELWOOD. The Civil war was then the paramount theme with all men, but the Acting G. H. P. decided that the matter had " become too formidable for us to meddle with it as a Society," and that the "discussion of the subject would embar- rass us and be liable to misapprehension and misconstruction;" and Grand Chapter wisely concurred. For the benefit of some of the latter-day representatives it may be here stated that the regular hour for convening was eight o'clock A. M. ; and if the record is to be taken as importing verity the officers and repre- sentatives were always in their places at that time. The accounts disclosed the fact that, either through insufficient revenue or over appropriation, the funds had fallen short, and that after the necessary allowances there would be a deficiency. The mileage and per-diem rate was then scaled twenty per cent, and a corresponding reduction made in other "incidental expenses." Comp. WM. W*. MITCHELL was elected G. H. P. 1862. At the convocation of 1862 Comp. MITCH- ELL was absent from the State, and Comp. A. W. BLAKESLEY occupied the East of the Sanctuary. The only subject of moment was the still depleted condition of the treas- ury. To remedy this $500 was raised by a loan, and a repetition of the heroic meas- ures of the year preceding with respect to mileage and per-diem was had, the final re- sult being the repeal of the law granting same. The printing of the proceedings was deferred until better times. 204 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Comp. JAMES H. HIBBARD was elected G. H. P. 1863. The convocation of 1 863 opened brighter than its immediate predecessors. Several dispensations for new chapters had been issued, including one military chapter; and a petition for a further military chapter to be attached to Gen. GRIERSON'S Cavalry Division was presented and the prayer de- nied. It would seem that "substitutes" were permitted in those days, as a resolution pro- hibiting chapters from exalting less than " three genuine candidates at one and the same time" failed of passage. The election resulted in the selection of Comp. H. W. HUBBARD as G. H. P. 1864-5. The year 1864 did not vary much from its immediate predecessors. The business of Grand Chapter was meager and strictly routine. The finances were so far recovered as to permit the payment of mileage and per-diem. Comp. WILEY M. EGAN was elected G. H. P. The year 1865 exhibited a decided ad- vance when the Grand Chapter assembled in its sixteenth annual convocation at Spring- field. The war was now over and with a general resumption of the arts of peace came a corresponding increase of Masonic in- terest. The number of dispensations for new chapters greatly exceeded that of any former, year in the history of Grand Chap- ter and throughout the jurisdiction there was evidence of a healthy growth of Royal Arch Masonry. The business of the session was brief. The restored finances permitted the contin- uance of the payment of mileage and per- diem, and from the surplus an appropriation of one hundred dollars was made for the Lincoln Monument Association, a like sum to the Douglas Monument Association, and a like sum for the relief of Comp. A. G. MACKEY, of South Carolina, " in considera- tion of his faithfulness to his Masonic obli- gations, his contributions, personal atten- tion, medical services, and cordial sympathy in behalf of sick, wounded, and destitute Masons from Illinois, while prisoners at Charleston and beyond the reach of their brethren, relatives and friends." On motion of Comp. J. M. BAILEY, a special committee was appointed to prepare an appropriate burial service for the use of Royal Arch Masons, with instructions to re- port at the next annual. The committee did not report at the next annual, however, nor at any succeeding annual. Presumably Grand Chapter became convinced that a funeral service for a chapter was as unneces- sary as it was unwise; that the simple yet beautiful ceremony for the interment of a Master Mason, where all distinctions of rank are abolished and all meet on the level, was all-sufficient for every need. At all events no report seems to have been called for and none was made. Comp. L. L. MUNN was elected G. H. P. 1866. The year 1 866 was one of great prosper- ity. The number of exaltations greatly ex- ceeded those of any previous year, while dispensations were issued for the creation of seventeen new chapters. The returns showed that a very large number of chap- ters were employing "substitutes," where- upon such practice was declared irregular and by resolution the conferring of the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 205 Royal Arch Degree "on less than three ac- tual candidates at a time" was expressly forbidden. Comp. O. H. MINER was elected G. H. P. 1867. The year 1867 was marked by a healthy growth both in membership and new chap- ters, eleven dispensations having been issued for the latter. Up to this time no "work" had ever been formally adopted as the authorized lectures of Grand Chapter. The work then in use throughout the jurisdiction was sub- stantially that prepared by a committee of the General Grand Chapter in 1859, but this work had never received the formal sanction even of the body for which it had been prepared. To secure a uniformity of ritual and substantial conformity to a stand- ard, a committee, consisting of Comps. HUBBARD, MUNN, EcAN, MINER and PEAR- SON, was appointed " to determine the work of this Grand Chapter and prepare a man- ual of constitutions, laws, forms and cere- monies, for the use and guidance of the Chapters under its jurisdiction." The returns this year disclosed the fact that certain chapters had omitted the P. M. degree in the advancement of candidates, conferring the M. E. immediately after that of M. M. It was presumed this had been done only in cases where the candidate was already an actual Past Master, for at this time no Master could assume the chair of a symbolic lodge until he had been invested with the P. M. degree; but Grand Chapter decided to make the matter sure and by resolution all candidates were required to receive the P. M. degree before advance- ment to the M. E. About this time there was much dissat- isfaction throughout the country with respect to the General Grand Chapter. The mat- ter came before Grand Chapter in a series of resolutions looking toward a release of allegiance and a severance of relations with the former body, but no action was taken. Two hundred dollars was donated to relieve an old and infirm brother. Chapters em- ploying "substitutes" were again warned to desist, under penalty of forfeiture of charter. Comp. G. W. LININGER was elected G. H. P. 1868. The increase and general prosperity of the year 1868 was in advance of all prior years. Seventeen new chapters were or- ganized under dispensation. The Committee on "Work" submitted a report, which was adopted; and the lect- ures which were reported at that time are those now in use. Two weeks were devoted to the preparation of the report by the com- mittee, during which time they examined " almost" every system of work then prac- ticed in the State and of several other jur- isdictions, the merits of which were dis- cussed and considered. The result of their labors is our present lectures, but whether the same "will stand the test for all time" remains to be seen. Of the zeal, learning and ability of the committee there can be no question, and of the three members who are still with us time has only deepened our respect; yet it is just among the possibili- ties that the system which they reported may be susceptible of improvement. The experience of two hundred years in the man- ufacture of rituals is not favorable to any system standing the test of twenty-five years, much less " for all time." Subordinate Chapters were by resolu- 206 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. tion directed to "purge themselves of in- temperance and profanity," under penalty of arrest of charter; candidates were " re- quired " to pass an examination in open chapter before being advanced; petitioners were required to state whether they had ever before petitioned for the degrees; and the Grand Treasurer was directed to invest the surplus, $4,000, in Government bonds. How far these requirements have all been carried out those familiar with this branch of Masonry can tell. Thirty dollars was made the minimum sum for the degrees. Comp. JAMES H. MILES was elected G. H. P. 1869. The annual convocation of 1 869 was held at Springfield. The year had been peace- ful and fairly prosperous. The new work having been promulgated the office of Grand Lecturer was left vacant as being, in the opinion of the G. H. P. " an unnecessary and expensive appendage," and that, "the published work being in the hands of the several High Priests throughout the juris- diction," they would thus be enabled "to constitute themselves lecturers of their own Chapters, if they desired so to do." Ap- parently Grand Chapter held the same views, but only those who, like the writer, have spent long and weary hours pondering over that masterpiece of " Choctaw " composition known as the ' ' History of the Black-Hawk War," are in position to state how thor- oughly a High Priest may be his own lect- urer after a perusal of that document. If the "old residents of the Military Reserva- tion" had designed their work as a new and refined instrument of torture they could not have succeeded better. About this time Grand Chapter com- menced the practice, which it has since ob- served, of giving to each of its presiding officers on his retirement an official jewel, the first to receive the honor of this decora- tion being the authors of the " History of the Black-Hawk War." After an unsuc- cessful search for a jewel indicative of past rank in Grand Chapter, the ordinary insignia of a P. H. P. of a Chapter was selected, to which was added a mitre, as a mark of in- creased honor. This was formally adopted as the official jewel of the jurisdiction. Comp. JOHN M. PEARSON was elected G. H. P. Grand Chapter had now been in exist- ence twenty years. At the time of its or- ganization Freemasonry was just beginning to resume its old time popularity; the " higher degrees" were commencing to at- tract notice, and the old prejudice was dy- ing out. The State was emerging from its pioneer condition and the people were emu- lous of the manners and customs of the Eastern States. All the conditions, there- fore, were favorable to rapid and healthy growth. The few obstacles which inter- vened during the early years were soon overcome, and at the completion of its sec- ond decade Grand Chapter found itself in affluent circumstances with a large and con- stantly increasing list of constituents. There were at this time 1 38 chapters working un- der charter, with an aggregate membership of 7,581 Royal Arch Masons. The treasury showed a cash balance of $12,234.23, of which upwards of $4,000 was invested in Government bonds. 1870. The twenty-first annual convocation was held at Chicago, Oct. 7, 1870, and since COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 207 then the annual session has been held each year in the same city. Notwithstanding that the published work was in the hands of the High Priests of constituent chapters, it was still deemed necessary to have some "skilled workman " act as instructor, for we find Grand Chapter adopting the fol- lowing: Resolved, That the M. E. Grand High Priest ap- point a Grand Inspector of the work in this jurisdic- tion for the ensuing year, with instructions to proceed from Chapter to Chapter, and correct errors in phrase- ology, the manner of communicating lectures, and to see that the mode of working be uniform in all the Chapters; for which service he shall be paid the sum of twelve hundred dollars, and his expenses shall be paid by the Grand Chapter. It does not seem, however, that this resolution was acted upon, or that such "Inspector" was appointed. About this time there was again much dissatisfaction with the methods, operation and practical workings of the General Grand Chapter. Several States, exclusive of those which seceded from the National Union, had during the decade preceding withdrawn their allegiance, and Illinois now seemed ready to join the disaffected sisterhood. A motion to withdraw from the alliance was presented, but failed to pass. The sentiment, how- ever, was favorable to a dissolution of the General Grand, and in pursuance thereof the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That the Representatives of this M. E. Grand Chapter to the M. E. General Grand Chapter of the United States be instructed to advocate and vote for the dissolution of the same. From the time of its organization until this year Grand Chapter had been a satellite of Grand Lodge, meeting immediately be- fore or after that body and always at the same place. The time consumed by the two bodies, as well as those which also met in conjunction with them, was greater than many of the representatives cared to devote to the purpose. It was also thought that a more complete disassociation would be ben- eficial to both bodies in many ways; accord- ingly it was decided to hold the annual con- vocation toward the end of the month instead of the beginning, as had been the custom theretofore, and the "first Thursday after the fourth Tuesday in October" was the day selected. This provision has ever since continued in force. Comp. AUGUSTUS A. MURRAV was elected G. H. P. 1871. The convocation of 1871 presents noth- ing of special permanent interest. The rep- resentatives to the General Grand Chapter disregarded their instructions when they at- tended that body and became convinced that it was a good thing to keep same intact; to all of which Grand Chapter assented. Comp. JAMES A. HAWLEY was elected G. H. P. Immediately after the close of the an- nual session occurred the famous "Chicago Fire." To relieve the distress occasioned by that event the G. H. P. (Comp. HAWLEY) called upon the craft to bring forward their offerings and at the same time appointed a committee, consisting of Comps. W. M. EGAN, JAMES H. MILES and R. H. Foss, to receive and disburse the contributions sent in. The report of this committee showed total receipts of $3,404.30. The money, or such of it as was deemed necessary, was employed in the assistance of worthy Royal Arch Masons. 208 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 1872. The convocation of 1872 was the first held under the rule providing for a later date than had previously been the custom. The transactions were routine and of temporary importance only; $500 was ap- propriated "to purchase suitable jewels and regalia." At the convocation of 1871 a committee on lectures was appointed, but with no specific definition of duties disclosed of record. Evidently the committee found nothing to do, for at this session it pre- sented the following report and was dis- charged : Your Committee on Lectures, appointed at the last Convocation, have given the subject such con- sideration as their opportunities would allow, and respectfully report that they find the subject one fraught with many difficulties, and that in their opinion, with the work now promulgated in this juris- diction, and the monitors published by Eminent Com- panions, there really exists no pressing need of any system of lectures more than we now have, and recommend no action in the case, and asked to be dis- charged from any further consideration of the subject. Comp. A. W. BLAKESLEY was elected G. H. P. 1873- The year 1873 found the chapters in a prosperous and healthy condition, but nothing transpired to engage the historian's pen and the year closed in peace. The proceedings of the annual convocation were strictly routine. Comp. GEO. E. LOUNSBURY was elected G. H. P. 1874. The convocation of 1874 marked the twenty-fifth year of the organized existence of Grand Chapter. During this period it had grown from feeble infancy to lusty youth, with no set-backs or other incidents to mar its symmetrical development. Peace and prosperity had been its attendants, and as a result the returns showed 152 active chapters, with a total membership of 10,430. Wm. A. J. DELANCEY was elected G. H. P. 1875-6. The convocation of 1875 presented noth- ing of special interest at this time. HAS- WEL C. CLARKE was elected G. H. P. He was succeeded at the convocation of 1876 by ARTHUR R. H. ATKINS. 1877. At the convocation of 1877 Grand Chap- ter was again confronted with a deficit. For several years in fact the expenses had exceeded the receipts and a reduction in taxation had brought the income to a point where it failed to meet expenses. To rem- edy this condition of affairs the per-capita tax was increased and a loan of $1,500 ne- gotiated to tide over until the next harvest. A proposition to charter chapters to work in the German language was considered and rejected. The present division of the juris- diction into districts was made and assigned to the Grand officers. During this year occurred the famous "merger" of the Council degrees. This consisted practically of a dispensation from the Grand Council to the constituent chap- ters of the Grand Chapter to organize coun- cils and confer the degrees. As this episode forms a part of the history of the Grand Council the subject will be deferred until that body is reached. JAMES C. MCMURTRY was elected G. H. P. 1878. The only special feature of the convoca- tion of 1878 was the legislation necessary to COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 209 carry out in a constitutional manner the conferring of the Council degrees under the authority of Grand Chapter. JOHN D. HAMILTON was elected G. H. P. 1879. The year 1879 was one of peace and ap- parently of prosperity. The proceedings were strictly routine. SAMUEL W. WADDLE was elected G. H. P. 1880. The reports of the officers at the session of 1880 displayed a gratifying condition of harmony throughout the jurisdiction, with no cause of grievance of a sufficiently seri- ous character to require the attention of Grand Chapter. Comps. L. R. JEROME and HENRY G. PERRY were admitted to "hon- orary " membership. The former has since passed "beyond the vails," the latter is still with us, venerable with years and long service. The question of ' ' hon- orary " membership in a representative body is one which must be left to the jur- ists of the craft to determine; but these companions, the only ones ever thus hon- ored, were received in pursuance of a law of the body. At all events Grand Chapter was not without precedent, for Grand Lodge upon one occasion had done the same thing. A resolution was introduced to discon- tinue the practice of granting testimonial jewels to retiring officers, and on being put to passage was adopted; but before the ses- sion closed the representatives relented, re- pealed the resolution, and presented to Comp. WADDLE on retirement the usual testimonial of "a beautiful Past Grand High Priest's Jewel." At this session was inaugurated the initial legislation giving to the G. H. P. a salary which was fixed at $100. The sum has since been increased to $400; but, in view of the time and labor now demanded from the presiding officer, even this sum is scarcely adequate. SILAS O. VAUGHANwas elected G. H. P. The question as to the value or expedi- ency of Cryptic consolidation was now again being discussed. The plan had not worked as well as was anticipated, nor had it been adopted in many parts of the coun- try. During this year a new element of strength had been added to the Council by the formation of a league of Grand Councils known as the General Grand Council, and pressure was being brought to bear upon the merging Grand Chapters to discontinue their further protectorate over the Cryptic degrees. The principal reason advanced by the promoters of the merger movement was, its economy in obviating the expense of maintaining the Cryptic organization in councils and Grand Coun- cils; but while this may have been an im- portant factor of the movement in the State where it originated it was hardly worthy of serious consideration in Illinois. Nor had the plan worked well merely from the "preservative" point of view, for the degrees, having no very responsible man- agement, were becoming lost sight of in the chapters, and so the leaders began to suggest the propriety of a return to the old ways. 1881. The convocation of 1881 found the gen- eral condition of Capitular Masonry through- out the State more vigorous and healthy than at any time since the organization of Grand Chapter. There were now 171 constituent chapters on the rolls and the majority seemed to be doing well. The 210 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. present rule limiting the commissions of Grand Representatives near other Grand Chapters to three years from date of issue was established. The matter of relinquishment of con- trol of the Council degrees was presented, and it was: Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed by this Grand Chapter to confer with a like Committee from the Grand Council as to the best disposition to be made of the Council degrees, and that they report to this Grand Chapter at the next Annual Convocation. Comp. JOHN P. NORVELL was elected G. H. P. 1882. At the convocation of 1882 a communi- cation was received from the Grand Coun- cil asking Grand Chapter to take such steps as it might deem necessary to re-commit the degrees of Royal and Select Master to their original custody. At the same time the special committee raised by the resolution of 1 88 1 reported back that they had care- fully considered the matter referred to them in conference with a like committee ap- pointed by the Grand Council; that it was the earnest desire of the Grand Council to again resume control of the degrees, and in furtherance of such desire the committee recommended the repeal of such parts of the Constitution as should leave it in the same condition as it was in the year 1877. The practical effect of the proposed amendment would be to eliminate all reference to the Council degrees. The committee further recommend the adoption of the following resolution: Resolved, That on and after January 1st, 1853, the Chapters of this jurisdiction cease to confer the Coun- cil degrees, and that the Grand Council be requested to take such action in reference thereto as they may deem proper, and that the Grand High Priest issue his edict to that effect. The report was referred to the Commit- tee on Jurisprudence, which approved the recommendations of the special committee, and Grand Chapter concurred. A resolution was offered by Comp. E. C. PACE directed to the Committee on Jurisprudence and inquiring by what author- ity the esoteric work of the lodge is used by the chapters; but the committee, after cog- itating upon the matter for a year decided that the subject was so inseparably connect- ed with the "legends of the misty past" that they could throw no light upon it. Comp. SAMUEL SHANNON was elected G. H. P. 1883. The session of 1883 presents nothing of importance. The last links that bound the Council degrees were severed and WILLIAM L. ORR was elected G. H. P. 1884. At the convocation of 1884 the G. H. P. (Comp. ORR) recommended, "That this Grand Chapter select a competent Companion to prepare a history of this Grand Chapter, from the date of its organization to the present time. I deem it a matter of necessity and great importance, as many of those who were conversant with the organiza- tion and early history of this body have passed away, and ere long all will be gone. It will be of great value and benefit to the present and coming generations of the Royal Craft that this history be compiled." It is much to be regretted that the rec- ommendation did not meet the concurrence of Grand Chapter. The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Ma- sons of England was extending its "colonial possessions " just about this time, and it seems chartered lodges within the territor- ial jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Quebec. For this alleged invasion the G. H. P. was directed to issue his edict in- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 211 terdicting all fraternal communication with the Grand Mark Lodge of England until Quebec should signify that the difficulty had been adjusted. Presumably this was all right. Indeed, as Grand Chapter had said it, then it must be all right; but as a matter of fact the Mark Lodges, controlled by the Grand Mark Lodge of England, are about as little related to American Capitular Ma- sonry as are the chapters of that Scottish exotic known as Royal Ark Mariners. If identity of degree lectures, ceremonies, etc. is to form the basis of jurisdictional rights and not mere similiarity or even identity of names, then the Grand Mark Lodge of England might plant bodies of its obedience in Illinois without in any way in- vading the jurisdiction. The Mark degree of the American system, beautiful and im- pressive though it may be, is not the old Mark degree so long preserved and worked in the North England and Scottish lodges. As in religion the worshiper too often forgets the thing symbolized and worships merely the symbol, so in Masonry the form too often hides the substance, and men pay reverence to the letter and ignore the spirit. Upon several occasions this fact has become unpleasantly manifest in Illi- nois. An impression prevails in certain of the Masonic circles that Masonry consists of degrees and a governmental hierarchy of some kind. The extremists confine these degrees to three in number, the govern- ment and superintendence of which is vested in the Symbolic Lodge. But with these views the writer cannot agree; for, if his conception is right, Masonry does not con- sist of degrees at all. Degrees are but con- venient subdivisions of the general subject which may be compressed into one degree or expanded into one hundred. But, then, others think differently, as they have a per- fect right to do, and not infrequently these persons are men of brilliant minds and strong aggressive intellects. The late Comp. T. T. GURNEY was one, and at this session (1884) he discussed his views in the report on Correspondence, asserting that the Royal Arch Chapter was not a ' ' duly constituted Masonic body." Thereupon Comp. WM. E. GINTHER offered the fol- lowing: Resohed, That all that part of the Report of the Committee on Correspondence, expressing the opinion that our Masonry is not legitimate, and that the Chapter is not regularand duly constituted, be and is hereby emphatically rejected, Which after debate was made a special order for a later hour. This brought up the subject broached by Comp. PACE two years before with reference to the use of the esotery of the lodge in chapter cere- monials, and Comp. D. C. CREGIER pre- sented the following, which was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence: WHEREAS, This Grand Chapter is the only source of authority and exercises exclusive jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to Capitular Masonry in the State of Illinois; and WHEREAS, This declaration includes the posses- sion of, exclusive authority over, and control and cus- tody of, all and every one of the esoteric and exoteric ceremonies and rituals pertaining to the several de- grees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch; and WHEREAS, These claims are essential to and con- sistent with the sovereign powers and dignity of this Grand Chapter, as well as to other bodies of Masons; therefore, Resolved, That the M. E. Grand Chapter of the State of Illinois hereby interdicts the use or practice of any of the esoteric ceremonies or rituals, pertaining to any of the degrees over which it has jurisdiction, by any companion of its obedience, in any Masonic body or organization of Masons, other than this Grand Chap- ter or the constituent chapters under its jurisdiction; and be it further 212 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Resolved, That the use or practice of any esoteric ceremony or ritual pertaining to any Masonic body or organization of Masons, or of any degree or degrees of Masonry, other than that of M. M., P. M., M. E. M. and R. A., are hereby interdicted in this Grand Chap- ter and in every constituent chapter under its jurisdic- tion; and be it further Kesohed, That any companion violating any of the mandates herein specified shall be subject to discipline therefor. The committee, having duly considered the matter, found it too heavy to carry, and therefore gracefully deposited same in this manner: Your Committee on Jurisprudence, to whom were referred the preamble and resolutions offered by ex- Companions CREGIER and GINTHER respectively, fraternally report that at the last Convocation of this Grand Body, your committee reported on a resolution offered by Ex-Comp. PACE, which resolution involved the same questions, in part, as are involved in the resolution now under consideration; that an intelligent report would involve an investigation amongst the legends and history of the Craft, which would, in all probability, force the committee to the conclusion that they could throw no light on the subject. Your com- mittee feel, however, that the time has now arrived when the controversies growing out of the discussion of the subject matter of these resolutions must be met and definitely decided. We are of the opinion that, to give perfect and entire satisfaction to the Royal Craft in this Grand Jurisdiction, the decision, whatever it may be, shall be reached only after a careful, thorough and exhaustive consideration of the subject in all its bearings, not only as to the merits of the case, but also as to its effect on Capitular and Ancient Craft Masonry, and, recognizing the amount of labor and research necessary to arrive at a clear and satisfactory understanding, we recommend that the whole subject be referred to a committee of five members of this Grand Chapter, with instructions to report at the next annual Grand Convocation. When the hour for the special order ar- rived it precipitated a lengthy debate, until finally Comp. PEARSON offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Re&ohed, That the resolutions of Comp. WILLIAM E. GINTHER, together with the subject matter of the Report on Correspondence, be referred to the Special Committee, already raised, who have under considera- tion the resolutions of Comp. 1). C. CREGIER, to report at the next annual convocation; and that in the mean- time the Report on Correspondence be printed with the proceedings of this Convocation. Comp. JOHN A. LADD was elected G. H. P. 1885. The convocation of 1885 presents little of permanent interest aside from the dispo- sition of the special matters raised by the correspondence report of the year preceding and the resolutions which same called forth. The special committee held sessions during the recess, at which it seems the parties specially interested were present, and after a full and careful consideration of the ques- tions involved, the investigation and com- parison of authorities and a free discussion of all controverted points, formulated its conclusions in the premises. At the session of 1885 these conclusions were presented, through its chairman, JOHN M. PEARSON, as follows: The degree of R. A. M. has no existence in Ma- sonic history prior to the " revival " of A. D. 1717. If conferred at ail prior to this, it probably was received as the conclusion of the Master's degree. Shortly after this date, however, we find historic mention of it about the middle of the last century it appears to have been authorized by the Grand Lodge of England and in 1813 duly recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England. Since this last date all Grand Lodges have ac- quiesced in the relationship and some have specially endorsed it in terms. On the other hand, no Grand Lodge has ever taken offense at, or endeavored to cut off the relationship, or imposed any restrictions rela- tive thereto. Surely the weight of all the history we have, is al- most entirely in favor of maintaining the present friendly connection. The committee wishes to add a few words rela- tive to the propriety of the present position occupied by this Grand Chapter. Freemasonry is defined by some of our best schol- ars as " a progressive moral science." illustrating COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 213 moral truths by familiar symbols, Your committee believes that to this " progressive " idea we owe much of our success, and power. The foundation of all lies in the first three de- grees, just as the foundation of mathematics lies in its definitions and the four fundamental rules; yet no one will claim that the science of mathematics is concluded by these first rules, while all allow that no operation can be performed without their use. So with the chapter and symbolic lodge. In all the years no oc- casion of offense has arisen. The lodge has not felt that it was wronged and the chapter has not abused its privileges. Your committee believes that both have benefited thereby. The general "consensus" of the craft agrees with this. It would be difficult to find a R. A. M. upon whom the chapter degrees were duly conferred, who does not at once confess and believe that there is an " intimate connection " between ancient craft Masonry and the H. R. A. and the Master Masons of the whole country universally believe this. If there be an ex- ception it is not among our younger men who appear generally to be contented but only among those, fond of technicalities and speculations, which, in the opin- ion of your committee, would result in damage to our whole Masonic fabric. This leads to the consideration of what evils would naturally follow if the resolutions presented by Comp. CREGIER should be adopted and enforced. All branches of the order would lose the benefit of the idea of " progression " mentioned before. There would be no further search for more light, none could be given. The tale would be told, at the start. Each branch of our order must stand alone and so further lose the force of association that to most of us is very dear. Time, in all probability, would lessen and finally dissolve even the semblance of connection. Our system of work must be reorganized all traces of kindly reference to Ancient Craft Masonry must be effaced. This, to be sure, would not impair the work of the symbolic lodge, but it would sorely lessen the force and beauty of our beautiful ritual. Furthermore, this matter of " work " and " uni- formity of work "is conceded (very generally) to be under the control of the General Grand Chapter of the United States of America, and to their outline of plan our very complete ritual now conforms, any radical change would conflict with this almost universal cus- tom and put all R. A. Masons in our State " without the pale," as regards other Grand Chapters. In short, the committee sees no good reason why the above resolutions, as offered by Comp. D. C. CRE- GIER, should be adopted, and therefore respectfully 13 reports back the same, with the recommendation "that they do not pass." We respectfully report back the resolution offered by E. Comp. GINTHER, with a substitute therefor, and recommend that the substitute do pass, to-wit: Resolved, That in the opinion of this Grand Chap- ter there exists an intimate connection between An- cient Craft Masonry and the august degree of the Holy Royal Arch; that we do not endorse any expres- sion, or implication, or influence, by any member, or officer, of this Grand body, that seems to deny the Masonic character of our order; that we will, by alt honorable means, strive to maintain and perpetuate the present intimate, friendly and mutually profitable relations that have always existed and now exist be- tween the M. W. Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of the State of Illinois and this Grand R. A. Chapter. On motion the report was received, adopted and the recommendations concurred in. This practically closed the question of the severance of Symbolic and Capitular Masonry, and for ten years past but little has been heard upon the subject. Occa- sionally some zealous brother ventures to suggest that the Royal Arch is not a Masonic degree, and the few extremists still contend that all true Masonry is confined to the Masters' Lodge, but by the majority of the craft this is now regarded as a heresy. The true doctrine, as it appears to the writer, is correctly stated by the committee.* At the time the affair produced a ripple of excitement in Royal Arch circles, which, extended from Maine to California. All *Discussing the nature and relation of the Royal Arch degree,, the learned Dr. Mackey says: "As an independent degree-, given under a distinct jurisdiction and furnished with a separate- but appropriate ritual, it is undoubtedly a modern degree, of comparatively recent establishment; but as a complement of the Master Mason's order, as supplying the deficiency of that degree in Masonic symbolism, it is. and of course must be, as old as the organization of which it forms so important and so necessary a part. The third degree is a symbolic memorial of events which took place at the first temple. The Royal Arch is equally a symbolic memorial of events that occurred at the second, and as the one would be incomplete without the other, we have every reason to suppose that each was adopted at the earliest period of: the modern organization of Freemasonry as a memorial system. Indeed they must go together. The Royal Arch is the cape-stone of the Masonic edifice, but the third degree is its foundation, and without the presence of b"th the building would be incomplete. The Royal Arch is absolutely necessary to the perfection of the- Master's degree as a science of symbolism, and the latter cannot be understood without the developments of the former. They are the first and second volumes of a continuous history, and. the absence of either would mutilate the work." 214 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. eyes were turned on Illinois, and the out- come of the "revolutionary" movement was anxiously awaited. The result was re- ceived with satisfaction on all sides. As an indication of how the movement was re- garded elsewhere the subjoined excerpt from the pen of J. H. DRUMMOND, of Maine, one of the highest Masonic author- ities in the country, may not be out of place or without interest: While the particular portions of the report to which reference is made are not indicated, we pre- sume that they are the portions which sustain the resolutions introduced by Comp. CREGIER. These resolutions are the logical result of the heresy origin- ated by Comp. GURNEY, that Chapters, Councils and Commanderies, as now constituted, are not Masonic bodies. The argument is, " These bodies are not Masonic bodies, and therefore can not rightfully use Masonic rituals." He and Comp. CREGIER have reversed the argument and the conclusion; the fact is, they do use, and rightfully, Masonic rituals, and, therefore, are Masonic bodies. The position that Chapters, Councils and Com- manderies are merely organizations composed of Ma- sons, and thus on a level with Masonic Relief Associa- tions, Veteran Associations, and the like, is directly in conflict with the history of the Institution from its earliest organization. We regard the attempt to de- prive Chapters of their Masonic character, and the right to use Masonic rituals, precisely as we would an attempt to confiscate their property, or to deprive them of any other thing to which they have a right equal to that of the lodge. We hold, and history shows, that the Chapter has the same right to use por- tions of the lodge work as the lodge has, and it would be no more presumptuous for the Chapter to forbid the lodge to use them, than it would be for the lodge to forbid the Chapter to use them. The same remark applies as between the Chapter and Commandery. The action of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in fixing a limit to the use of rituals, has been very sharply criticised, but the proposed action of Illinois goes in- finitely further. The criticisms of Illinois, however, have been consistent with her proposed action. The chapter was organized as a continuation of blue Masonry, and the Council and Commandery were organized as continuations of Capitular Masonry. The fundamental idea of each was that it, 'and the degrees upon which it was founded, are one system, each por- tion, however, governing its own degrees. None save a Master Mason could be a Royal Arch Mason; as a necessity, he must prove himself in open Chapter to be a Master Mason; as a consequence, the Chapter must know the essential qualifications of a Master Mason, and itself teach them to those of its members who may have forgotten them. The Chapter was organized as a Masonic body, using certain portions of the ritual of the lodge, one of its main objects being to give more light upon matters taught in the lodge. This was per- fectly well known in the lodge, which not only acqui- esced, but admitted the claims of the Chapter; more than this, it surrendered portions of two of its degrees to become two degrees of the Chapter. From the beginning the Lodge and Chapter have walked side by side upon this foundation, the Lodge recognizing the Chapter as a Masonic body, and entitled to use its rituals in ac- cordance with the common system and the Chapter recognizing the exclusive power of the Lodge over its own members, and the Lodge itself as the foundation of the Chapter. The same is true of the relations be- tween the Chapter and the Commandery. It may be true that the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Illi- nois have never expressly committed themselves to this doctrine (although we have no doubt they both have), it was the fundamental law of the craft when they were formed, and it is as binding on them as upon all other Masons. We regard the resolutions as revolutionary, and if they are adopted, and the Chapters forbidden to re- quire or use the fundamental tests of eligibility of can- didates, we do not perceive how the Chapters under her obedience can be regarded as regular Chapters of Royal Arch Masons. JOHN O'NEILL was elected G. H. P. 1886. The convocation of 1886 was unevent- ful. Peace and harmony prevailed while the returns showed that the Royal Craft throughout the jurisdiction was in a pros- perous and nourishing condition. The business transacted was mainly of a routine character. The old proposition of a "his- tory" was still in abeyance, but the G. H. P. (Comp. O'NEILL) offered a valuable con- tribution thereto in the shape of a number of carefully prepared statistical tables. The work is not only a monument to the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 215 zeal and industry of the G. H. P. but a lasting benefit to the craft generally and the Masonic student in particular. GEO. W. CURTISS was elected G. H. P. 1887. The year 1887 witnessed no interruption to the peace and harmony which had long characterized the internal affairs of the juris- diction or the relations of Grand Chapter with foreign bodies. The reports of the officers showed that the year, while not one of great activity, had been productive of sound and healthy growth. At the convocation of 1884 Comp. J. R. WILKINS introduced a resolution relative to the keeping of a " lodge book of marks " by the constituent chapters, which was not acted upon. A year later the G. H. P. (Comp. LADD) again directed attention to the subject, resulting in its reference to a special committee, but without results. At the convocation of 1886 a further resolution relating to same was introduced, as was also an amendment to the By-Laws, and at this session (1887) Comp. CURTISS once more called upon Grand Chapter to take some action thereon. Being thus pushed the representatives finally gave the matter serious consideration and on motion of Comp. THOMAS AUSTIN the following was adopted as a standing resolution: Resolved, That each subordinate chapter in this Grand Jurisdiction forthwith provide itself with a "Book of Marks," which shall be in the lodge whenever the Mark Master Degree is conferred; that its use be ex- plained to every candidate upon his advancement and the request made that he choose a " Mark " and record the same therein, either then, or previous to receiving the Royal Arch Degree. Resolved, That all Royal Arch Masons members of chapters in this jurisdiction, who have not already- adopted and recorded " Marks" be requested to do so at once.* Comp. P. W. BARCLAY was elected G. H. P. 1888. At the session of 1888 the G. H. P. re- ported the condition of the Royal Craft as not only peaceful and harmonious but pros- perous, beyond his- most sanguine expecta- tions. The business of the session was rou- tine and of temporary interest only. As usual the grievance committee had no com- plaint to hear or wrongs to redress. Comp. SYLVESTER O. SPRING was elect- ed G. H. P. 1889. The convocation of 1889 marked the fortieth year of the organized existence of Grand Chapter and found the craft enjoy- ing the same fraternal relations as had characterized same for so many years pre- ceding. If the historian is unable to find any stirring incidents he at least may notice a kind act, the donating of $ 1,000 to the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home. This, however, was only one of the many bene- factions of a similar nature which this truly fraternal body has bestowed upon the same beneficiary. Comp. JOSEPH E. DYAS was elected G. H. P. *The Mark, whose peculiar use is practically exemplified in the fourth degree, is the appropriate jewel of a Mark Master. It is generally made of gold or silver, usually of the former metal, but may be of stone, and must be in the form of a keystone. On the obverse or front surface the device or " mark" selected by the owner must be engraved, within a circle composed of the fol- lowing letters: H. T. W. S. S. T. K. S. On the reverse or poster- ior surface the name of the owner, the name of his chapter, and the date of his advancement, may be inscribed, although this is not absolutely necessary. The "mark" consists of the device and surrounding inscription on the obverse. It is not requisite that the device or mark should be of a strictly Masonic character, although Masonic emblems are fre- quently selected in preference to other subjects. As soon as adopted it should be drawn or described in a book kept by the chapter for that purpose, and it is then said to be " recorded in the Book of Marks," after which time it can never be changed by the possessor for any other, or altered in the slightest degree, but remains as his " mark " to the day of his death. 216 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 1890. The convocation of 1890 differed in no material respect from those of its immediate predecessors. The reports and returns showed a degree of health, activity and general prosperity never before attained in the history of Grand Chapter. Comp. E. C. PACE was elected G. H. P. 1891. The only question of moment before the convocation of 1891 was the oft-mooted sub- ject of "substitutes." Much pressure was exerted to repeal the old regulation, but Grand Chapter, in view of past experience and present conditions, concluded that it was inexpedient to make any changes. Comp. JACOB KROHN was elected Grand High Priest. 1892-4. The session of 1 892 was strictly routine. Comp. RICHARD T. HIGGINS was elected G. H. P. The session of 1893 resulted in the choice of J. W. HUTCHINSON as High Priest, and at the session of 1894 WILLIAM L. MILLIGAN was elected to that dignity. 1895. The session of 1895 marked the forty- sixth annual convocation of Grand Chapter. The proceedings were of a routine charac- ter, and Comp. GEO. M. MOULTON was elected G. H. P. The returns show that at the time of this convocation there were 186 active chapters in the jurisdiction, hav- ing a total membership of 16,414; that of the charters issued since the date of organi- zation, twenty-five had been forfeited or surrendered; and that the craft was increas- ing throughout the State at the rate of about 500 a year. The reports of the financial officers disclosed that Grand Chapter had invested in corporate bonds the sum of $7,000; that there was then in the treasury an additional cash balance of $12,653.21, and that the income of the body from all sources was upward of $10,000 per annum. The general condition of the " Royal Craft " was fully up to the standard of former years, while the prospects for the future were never more bright. It may be said, and with much truth, that the foregoing brief and imperfect digest affords but a poor synopsis of the trans- actions of a large and influential body of Masons during a long period of years. But the limitations of time and space preclude a more exhaustive treatment. Nor is it in- tended that these sketches should be more than brief notices of the salient features of the years under review. To attempt more would be to transcend the limits imposed by the scope of this work; and possibly an ab- stract of the proceedings, with their multi- tudinous details of petty acts of routine busi- ness, would lack the interest for the general reader which it is the desire of the writer to retain. To the student, or those who may desire to prosecute some special inquiry, the printed reports are all accessible. It will be perceived, from the foregoing digest, that Grand Chapter has changed its presiding officer every year. This line of action is based to some extent upon the theory that every companion competent to discharge the duties of government in a con- stituent chapter is qualified to assume the grave responsibilities of Grand High Priest, but more, perhaps, on the theory that the office is one of honor and that he who has LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILL ' 33. Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter, Grand Council and Grand Commandery of Illinois, and the Bodies of the A. A. S. R., at Chicago. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 219 once been installed can receive no greater or additional honor by subsequent re- election. The plan has worked well and Grand Chapter has been fortunate in its selection of a long line of able, zealous and learned men to fill the chief office within its gift. The succession of Grand High Priests has been preserved in the digest, to which the reader is referred. At the organization meeting in 1850 MA- SON BRAYMAN was elected Grand Secretary. He was not present at the first annual con- vocation held in October of the same year, and the name of JAMES L. ANDERSON ap- pears as Secretary. At the election of that year Comp. ANDERSON was chosen Secre- tary, but he does not appear to have been present at the following annual convocation of 1851, and his duties were performed pro tern, by JOHN S. ROBERTS. At the election of this year Comp. H. G. REYNOLDS was chosen to fill the station, and for eighteen years in succession received a re-election. For much of this time his dominating influ- ence is apparent in Grand Chapter legisla- tion and administrative policy. At the annual convocation of 1869 Comp. JAMES H. MILES was elected Secre- tary and each succeeding year until 1878 was re-elected, thus making a period of in- cumbency of about ten years. In 1879 Comp. GIL. W. BARNARD was elected and has since continued to perform the duties of the office. It will be seen, therefore, that during its entire career Grand Chapter has had practically but three Secretaries. Each of the persons who have filled the office was eminently qualified. Of the present incumbent, Comp. BARNARD, but little need be said, as he is, without doubt, the best known Mason in the State of Illinois. His administration of the office has been a model in every particular, and it is sincerely to be hoped that he may be spared for many years to adorn the posi- tions he has long occupied and acceptably filled. The Treasurer of the organization meet- ing was THOS. H. CAMPBELL, but he, like Comp. BRAYMAN, did not attend the first annual convocation in October, 1850. At this session Comp. ELIAS HIBBARD was elected Treasurer, and in 1851 was re-elect- ed. He did not attend the session of 1852, when WM. S. HURST was elected in his stead. Comp. HURST served one year and in 1853 was succeeded by Comp. JAMES H. HIBBARD. At the next election, in 1854, Comp. WILLIAM McMuRTRY became Treas- urer, a position he retained until 1862, when he was succeeded by JAMES R. MACK. In 1 864 Comp. MACK gave way to Comp. HAR- RISON DILLS, who remained the custodian of the funds until 1875. At the convoca- tion of 1875 Comp. A. A. GLENN succeeded and remained in the office until 1878. He was succeeded by Comp. ORLIN H. MINER, who held the office until 1880, since which time the present incumbent, Comp. W. M. EGAN, has been continuously elected to re- ceive the trust. It will thus be seen that Grand Chapter has had a comparatively large number of Treasurers. Two of these officers, Comps. DILLS and GLENN, retired through stress of circumstances and pecun- iary failures in their own business, but as Grand Chapter had but little funds in those days no loss was entailed. The committees of Grand Chapter re- semble those of Grand Lodge and the com- mittee work is performed in much the same manner. There is, however, a noticeable 220 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. difference in some of the reports. Thus it rarely happens that the grievance committee has any work to perform, and many sessions have passed with the pleas- ing statement that no matters have been referred to or considered by them. Matters of charity are usually considered by the body, and so of a number of subjects that in Grand Lodge always go to committees in the first instance. For many years the "pay roll," or account of mileage and per- diem, was prepared and presented by the Secretary as part of his official duties, and it is only recently that this subject has been referred to a committee. The two principal committees are those on Jurisprudence and Accounts. The latter is both the Finance and Auditing committee of Grand Chapter, and is, perhaps, the most important of all the committees. The organization meeting of Grand Chapter in 1850 was held at Springfield. The first annual convocation held in Octo- ber of the same year occurred at Alton. In 1851 the sessions were held at Jacksonville and this continued to be the place of meet- ing until 1856. In 1857 the convocation was held at Springfield, and each succeeding convocation until 1865 was held at that place. In 1866 the convocation was held at Chicago. In 1867-8-9 at Springfield. In 1870 the session was held at Chicago, where all subsequent meetings have been convened. For many years Grand Chapter regulated the time and place of its annual convoca- tions by the actions of Grand Lodge. At first the sessions were held immediately prior to the annual communication of Grand Lodge, and this continued to be the rule until 1 86 1, when the Friday succeeding the meeting of that body was substituted. This continued to be the time of meeting until 1870, when it was decided that the business of the session could be more advantageously transacted if an interval were allowed to elapse between the meetings of Grand Chap- ter and Grand Lodge. Accordingly the " first Thursday after the fourth Tuesday in October" was selected as the day for the annual convocation, and all subsequent meetings have been held at that time. Like the other Masonic bodies of the State, and agreeably to ancient usage, Grand Seal of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois. (Reproduced through the courtesy of GIL. W. BARNARD, Grand Secretary.) Chapter authenticates its official acts under its great seal. At the convocation of 1850 the Grand Secretary was instructed to pro- cure a seal for the use of Grand Chapter,, and in connection with the Grand High Priest was authorized to ' ' select a suitable device for the same." This duty was ap- parently duly performed, but aside from the act of authorization Grand Chapter has never given any further attention to the matter. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 221 The design selected by the committee is simple and chaste, the distinctive feature consisting of the symbol. For this part of the device the committee selected the inter- laced triangles, Masonically known as the sign of the Macrocosm, or Seal of Solomon. In all works of charity and fraternal be- nevolence the Grand Chapter of Illinois has ever been prominent. Upon all occasions of public calamities, whether by fire, flood, or famine, it has freely and cheerfully re- sponded. To the aged and indigent of its own household it has ever given with an open hand, while for many years the organ- ized Masonic charities of the jurisdiction have been the recipients of its generous bounty. Scarcely a session has elapsed since the date of its organization that has not witnessed some manifestation of philan- thropic endeavor. In all of this may be seen a true appreciation of the sublime pre- cepts and lessons of the system and a sub- stantial evidence that the lessons have not been without effect. Royal Arch Masonry is essentially an embodiment of high morality. This has always been recognized and proclaimed by the Grand Chapter of Illinois, and while no sumptuary laws have ever been enacted, the observance and practice of the cardinal virtues of Masonry has frequently been enjoined upon the Craft in its obedience. This has not only been done by the ap- proval of the actions and rsports of its officers and committees, but also by positive resolutions passed by the body. Thus, at the session of 1856, it was Resolved, That the cardinal virtues of Fortitude, Prudence and Justice are dependent on the mainte- nance of the cardinal virtue of Temperance; that every intemperate man is liable to lose that fortitude which might never forsake him in his hours of sobriety; nor can any such man be either prudent or just. Resolved, That the Subordinate Chapters are hereby strongly urged to root out the evil of intemper- ance from among them, and to exercise a wholesome, prompt and efficient discipline upon the subject. These resolutions were given the force of general regulations and remained as the expressed sentiment of the body for over thirty years. In 1868 Grand Chapter again spoke in unequivocal language respecting the vice of intemperance. The subject was presented to the session by the G. H. P. (Comp. LININGER), who, after a statement of facts, urged Grand Chapter to take some decisive action "to the end that we do not retrograde, that we may show to the world without that while we are willing to throw about the foibles of a brother the broad man- tle of charity, yet are we so governed by im- mutable principles that wickedness and ex- cess will ever receive our hearty rebuke. " The Committee on Address endorsed the Grand High Priest's views, and Grand Chap- ter concurred by the passage of the following: Resolved, That each Subordinate Chapter within the jurisdiction of this Grand Chapter shall purge itself of intemperance and profanity; and that it be the duty of this Grand Chapter to arrest the Charter of any Chapter failing to comply with this resolution. This also became a standing resolution. When the first permanent constitution was adopted in 1852 a code of By-Laws was framed to accompany same, and among the other standing committees therein pro- vided was one on Education. At the same session Comp. H. G. REYNOLDS moved 222 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. That the Grand Lodge of Illinois, A. F. and A. Masons, be requested to appoint a Special Committee to confer with the Committee on Education of this Grand Chapter, and devise ways and means to raise a fund for the education of the children of indigent and deceased Masons in this State. The motion prevailed and Comp. REY- NOLDS was appointed to make the request. Grand Lodge met on the Monday following the passage of this resolution, but it does not appear from the record that the request was preferred. The standing committee, ap- pointed at this session, consisted of Comps. M. J. NOYES, W. H. TURNER and A. W. BLAKESI,EY; and while the record of Grand Lodge does not disclose any action by that body it would yet seem that a conference was had, for at the convocation of 1853 this committee reported back as follows: The undersigned, Committee on Education, ap- pointed at the last annual convocation of your Grand Body, having attended to the duties of their said ap- pointment, and having, in pursuance of the intima- tions given them, conferred with the committee on the same subject, appointed by the Most Worshipful, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, of Illi- nois, beg leave respectfully to report: That in our opinion it is inexpedient for the Grand Bodies afore- said to take any present action for the establishment of an Institution or Institutions of learning, to be un- der the guardianship and control of said bodies, or either of them ; believing that the local Masonic bodies will generally, if not always, be able to extend to the destitute orphan children of our deceased brethren, such assistance in regard to Education, as their several circumstances may require. No further reports seem to have been received from this committee until 1856, when Comp. NOYES submitted the follow- ing, which was adopted: The undersigned, two of the Committee on Edu- cation, appointed at the last annual convocation of your Grand body, beg leave respectfully to report: That they have had but little opportunity to con- sult upon the subject committed to them; Comp. HAY- DEN, not being present, has not been consulted. The undersigned, having considered the subject, think that the limited means of this Grand Body pre- cludes the practicability of its undertaking, at present, to establish any school or institution of learning, al- though we trust and believe that this most E. G. Body, with each and all of its members and subordinates, fully appreciates the importance of general education as the only safeguard of the civil institutions of our beloved country, the best means of advancing the in- terests of the rising generation, and of securing a suc- cession to Masonry; and we hope at some future period (not far distant) this M. E. G. Body may be enabled to unite with the M. Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois in the establishment of an institution of learning that shall prove an honor to said Grand Bodies, and redound to the greatest good of generations to come. All of which is respectfully submitted. M. J. NOYES. ERASTUS TORREY. October 3d, 5856. At the convocation of 1857 the commit- tee again reported that the conditions were not favorable for the establishment of any institution of learning. In 1859 a report of similar tenor was presented, and for several years thereafter perfunctory reports were occasionally made until finally the commit- tee was abolished. Without the co-opera- tion of Grand Lodge it was felt that noth- ing could be accomplished, and although Grand Chapter kept the educational project alive long after it had ceased to be discussed in Grand Lodge the changed conditions of civil society resulting in the establishment of common schools finally caused its aban- donment. In the charitable movements afterwards inaugurated looking toward the nurture and education of Masonic orphans, Grand Chap- ter has always evinced the deepest solicitude and interest, and by generous contributions has fully sustained its old-time prestige in this line of Masonic work. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 223 As we have seen, Grand Lodge, on sev- eral occasions, has permitted the creation of movable lodges. The majority of these nomadic lodges resulted from the Civil war and were attached to Illinois regiments in the service of the United States. Fortunately the movement was mainly confined to Craft lodges, and the only dis- pensation for the organization of a movable chapter was granted by JAMES H. HIBBARD, G. H. P., during the year 1863. The war- rant was issued to Comps. SILAS O. VAUGHAN, A. D. CLARK, L. J. W. UNDERHILL and others, and authorized them to form and open a chapter at Columbus, Ky. , to be called "Asboth Military Chapter." It would seem that this chapter was attached to the Second Regiment Artillery; yet the dispensation, as appears from the report of the Grand High Priest, authorized the opening of a chapter at a definite location within the jurisdiction of a Grand Chapter with which the Grand Chapter of Illinois was on terms of amity and in fraternal correspondence. Whether this act was justified by the then condition of the coun- try must be left for the jurist to decide. This dispensation empowered the chapter to work " until the close of the war" unless sooner revoked. The chapter remained at Columbus until the winter of 1863-4, when it was removed to Vicksburg, holding its convocations in the Masonic Temple of that city. At the end of the war the dispensa- tion was returned and the record of the proceedings thereunder is now among the archives of Grand Chapter. While it may be that the institution of Masonic bodies to follow the armies was of questionable legality, as well as doubtful expediency, yet there can be no question as to the beneficent influence which Masonry itself exercised over the combatants during the sanguinary struggle. The many acts of kindness and fraternity exhibited by the brethren in either army, on the field, in the hospital and in the prison, all show that even in the midst of war's alarms the teach- ings of the lodge and the sacredness of obligations were not forgotten, and many a man owes personal comfort, liberty and life itself to the fact that his captor was bound to him by the "mystic tie." The Grand Chapter of Illinois is a con- stituent of the body known as the General Grand Chapter, and all Royal Arch Masons of its obedience are required as a condition of exaltation, to vow allegiance thereto. As there are other " General Grand " bodies which are not recognized in this State a word of explanation may not be out of place. The system of Royal Arch Masonry practiced in Illinois, and in all of the juris- dictions within the General Grand Chapter constituency, is essentially American in rit- ualistic expression and arrangement of de- grees. It is now generally conceded to be the work of THOMAS SMITH WEBB, and to have had its origin about the year 1798. Prior to this time there were but few chap- ters, and such as perchance did exist worked under the sanction of a Master's warrant or by self-constituted authority. There was a chapter of the latter description in New York prior to 1796, called "Washington," which claimed and exercised the right to work the R. A. degree independent of the Master's Lodge, and to grant charters of constitution. Of this body but little is known. In 1796 a convention of "com- 224 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. mitteemen " was held which passed a reso- lution requesting Washington Chapter not to issue charters for a chapter except upon the recommendation of the nearest chap- ter; so there must have been chapters in those days. But the systems of these chap- ters were very dissimilar. Some used the Irish ritual Royal Arch of Dublin, a ritual very much like our own; some employed the English Royal Arch of Dermott, or other English adaptations. Some conferred only the Royal Arch, others had one or two subsidiary degrees. Out of this chaos WEBB compiled a system of his own. The Mark degree was a "modification" of an existing ritual; the Past was simply an installation service retained because all of the systems agreed upon the fundamental point that the Royal Arch could only be conferred upon one who had "regularly passed the chair;" the Most Excellent seems to have been a pure invention and has no prototype in any of the systems theretofore practiced. There was a degree bearing the name " Excellent" in the old English Royal Arch system, and it is not unlikely that WEBB, desiring that his own scale should resemble in nomencla- ture the English rituals, applied the old name to a new creation of his own, he be- ing ignorant of the English ritual. This theory is supported by the fact that he did practically the same thing in his arrange- ment of the degrees of the Commandery, giving the name "Red Cross" to an ar- rangement of his own simply because the chivalric orders in England comprised only the degrees of Red Cross and The Temple. At all events, a new system was pre- pared, and that system was given to the organization which in 1798 was instituted under the name ' ' Grand Royal Arch Chap- ter of the Northern States of America," and which by 1806 had become the "General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the United States of America." The sys- tem was then the property of that body and it alone had the right to say how, when and to whom it should be communicated. It alone had the right to disseminate it or to prescribe rules for its government. The General Grand Chapter, therefore, is the fountain from whence all of the WEBB Ma- sonry of the Royal Arch flows; and while, in 1859, the body saw fit to surrender a large measure of its powers, resulting in virtual emasculation, it nevertheless is still the pos- sessor of the original and ultimate title to the system. In Virginia, Pennsylvania and Texas the Grand Chapters are independent, yet the work of the two former, save as they may have "absorbed" it, is not the WEBB system; and while the latter does work the standard ritual, it does so only upon the same authority as he who, having borrowed my coat, now claims it for his own and con- tinues to wear it. Texas was originally a constituent, but "drew out." Undoubtedly every Grand Chapter has the inalienable right to withdraw from the General Grand whenever it may desire and refuse longer to recognize its governing authority; but no Grand Chapter has a right to withdraw and take with it the Royal Arch system, which is the property of the parent body. Therefore, Illinois is, and will undoubt- edly remain, a constituent of the General Grand Chapter, and certainly so long as it continues to use its system it cannot, in common fairness and honesty, do otherwise. There was a time when Illinois desired a separation, when it instructed its delegates to procure such on honorable terms; and it is possible that time and circumstances may again produce such a feeling; but should COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 225 the separation ever come, then we should surrender our ritual to the power from whom we derived same, and secure the right to use some other. The " History of the Black Hawk War" is a compromise. The "residents of the Military Reservation " were probably as well qualified to perform the task of com- piling the history as any that could have been selected, and that their work was faithfully and conscientiously performed no one acquainted with the men will for a moment doubt. But it is not the standard ritual of the General Grand Chapter. The authors think it is better, and possibly it is, but it is not the original Webb lectures. However, the venerable historians of that sanguinary war may derive some satisfac- tion from the fact that the standard ritual of the General Grand Chapter is not the original work of WEBB, but, like their own production, a melange, contributed by a number of equally talented and versatile ritualists. In other words the lectures of the chap- ter, equally with those of the lodge, are subject to the mutations of time and ca- price of men. WEBB changed and altered them in his own lifetime. His successors have done the same; and, while the lectures we now use are substantially the same as they were one hundred years ago, some very salient features have been eliminated and a few less noticeable matters added. It will be seen, therefore, that, while the only real bond between the Grand Chap- ter of Illinois and the General Grand Chap- ter lies in the fact that we are using the General Grand's system, our lectures are not the ones promulgated by that body; and we have the further seeming anomaly that, with all of the Grand Chapters of the Union, save three, under the direct supervision of a general central body, scarcely any two juris- dictions work in all respects alike. This arose primarily from the fact that while the General Grand did control and disseminate a system, it did not, until many years had elapsed, i promulgate a ritual; and while all of its constituents were supposed to use the Webb lectures it is easy to perceive how the lectures, left to the caprice of the lec- turers, might become debased upon the one hand and improved upon the other. After a particular school of lectures had become popular in a locality it became difficult to displace them. Hence the numerous varia- tions. The connection which subsists between the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois and the General Grand Chapter, has ever been of the most fragile character. To the majority of the craft the General Grand is little more than a vague abstraction. They know that it exists, and that, in a general way, they are in its obedience; but that is about all. The provisional constitution under which Grand Chapter was organized makes no mention whatever of the General Grand, and does assert a complete independence, the opening lines being, ' ' This Grand Chap- ter has the sole government and superin- tendence of the several Royal Arch Chap- ters, and Lodges of Mark, Past, and Most Excellent Master Masons, within the State of Illinois; with authority to settle all con- troversies; * * * to prescribe laws and regulations for their government; to review, confirm or annul their decisions. " All of the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. other provisions are equally emphatic in the assertion of sovereign powers. The By- Laws which accompanied this Constitution recognized the General Grand, but only in a perfunctory sort of a way. It must not be understood, however, that in all this there was any intentional dis- respect to the parent body or any desire to disregard any claims which that body might lawfully possess or assert. Grand Chapter was organized under the direct auspices of the General Grand; Article 2 of the Consti- tution of the G. G. C., with slight varia- tions, was in fact its provisional constitution, and under this it continued to act until 1852, when a '.' permanent " constitution was adopted. The permanent Constitution expressly recognized the G. G. C. by providing a dec- laration of fealty or allegiance to be made by " each Grand officer previous to entering upon the duties of his office." The same requirement was prescribed for the officers of subordinate chapters at the time of in- stallation, while the esoteric ceremonies have always imposed this upon every can- didate at the time of exaltation. From time to time murmurs of discon- tent have been heard against the G. G. C. About the time of organization of Grand Chapter these evidences of dissatisfaction were rife, and a large number of State Grand Chapters were seriously considering the project either of a dissolution of the G. G. C. or a withdrawal from its communion. Illinois, having but lately left the maternal fold, was influenced by this fact, and at the convocation of 1852 placed on record its views in a resolution which declared That this Grand Chapter is in favor of the contin- uance of the General Grand Chapter, and will strenu- ously oppose its dissolution. By the year 1870, however, Grand Chap- ter seems to have experienced a decided change of heart. The G. G. C. was no longer considered a necessity, and as hardly a luxury of capitular life. The extremists advocated withdrawal, but the conservative element, which was in the majority, effected a compromise by the introduction and pas- sage of a resolution instructing the repre- sentatives to advocate and vote for a disso- lution of the body. As a matter of fact, the representatives did neither, for they seem to have been "waited upon "when they made their appearance and completely converted. By making all Past Grand High Priests permanent members the G. G. C. has done much to perpetuate its own exist- ence; and while the tie which unites the constituent Grand Chapters is but a slight one, yet the mild and inoffensive course of the body has practically silenced cavil. For many years there have been no suggestions for a dissolution. The Grand Chapter, like the Grand Lodge, is a civil corporation as well as a voluntary association, and like the Grand Lodge it pays but little attention to the charter from the State and performs all its work under a constitution of its own devis- ing and which it changes at pleasure. The permanent constitution of Grand Chapter was not adopted until 1852, but immediately thereafter, on motion of Comp. L. LUSK, it was Resolved, That Comps. REYNOLDS, WARREN and LAVELY be appointed a committee to apply to the Legislature of this State for a Charter of Incorporation COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 227 of this Grand Chapter, and Chapters subordinate to this Grand Chapter. At the session of 1853 the committee re- ported the performance of this duty and submitted the Act of Incorporation, which was approved. The Act of Incorporation was passed by the General Assembly in February, 1853, and has been in force from that time. The civil corporation is composed of the same persons which constitute the Masonic body and is called "The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois. " Whether the body which meets annually at Chicago is this civil corporation or whether same is a voluntary organization existing in conform- ity to ancient Masonic usage the writer does not decide. Certain it is, however, that in the deliberations of that body the charter is never alluded to and the body claims and exercises, as of right, sovereign powers, prerogatives and attributes based upon the fundamental principles of Ma- sonry. The civil corporation possesses the usual delegated powers; may sue and be sued, prosecute and defend, in all manner of ac- tions at law or in equity; may make rules and regulations for its own government; may purchase and hold real estate; may maintain funds for charity and educational purposes, but for no other uses or benefits whatever ; shall not at any one time hold personal or mixed property to an amount exceeding $50,000, nor real estate to an amount exceeding 1,000 acres of land; may loan its money and take evidences of debt; may borrow money in sums not exceeding $500 at any one time, and may appoint all proper officers, agents and attorneys for the management of its business that it may deem proper. Sec. 8 of the Act further provides as follows: Each Subordinate Chapter under the jurisdiction of the aforesaid Grand Royal Arch Chapter, now in existence, or which may hereafter be Chartered by the same, is also hereby declared to be a body politic and corporate, by and under the name, style and number set forth in their respective Charters; and by such designation they may respectively sue, and be sued, plead, and be impleaded, defend, and be defended against, in all suits arising in law or chancery, in all the Courts of this State, and by said respective names and numbers. The said Subordinate Chapters respect- ively, shall be capable in law of purchasing or receiv- ing, by purchase, gift, or otherwise, and of selling and conveying, real and personal estate, for the benefit of said Subordinate Chapters respectively: Provided, That neither of said Subordinate Chapters shall, at any one time, possess more than five hundred acres of land, or hold real estate exceeding in value Twenty- Five Thousand dollars each. So far as applicable the provisions re- lating to Grand Chapter are also applica- ble to each of the subordinate chapters. The following is the provision relating to dissolution of chapters: In case any Subordinate Chapter under the juris- diction of said Grand Royal Arch Chapter, should cease to exist, or forfeit its Charter, then all the estate, real and personal, together with all the records, books, papers, vouchers, furniture, jewels, seals and fixtures belonging to such Chapter, shall immediately vest in the said Grand Royal Arch Chapter; and all personal property, the books, records, papers, vouchers, jewels, seals, furniture, deeds, moneys, evidences of debt, leases or mortgages, belonging to said Chapter so forfeiting its Charter, or ceasing to exist, shall be delivered over by the last Secretary or Treasurer of the same, to the proper officer or agent of said Grand Royal Arch Chapter, on demand; and on failing to do so, each and every member of such delinquent Chapter shall be individually liable to said Grand Royal Arch Chapter, in an action of debt, for the full value of the same. As originally passed the Act required 228 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. Grand Chapter to annually file with the Secretary of State a printed copy of its proceedings, list of officers and of its subordinate chapters, together with a list of their officers and members; but this re- quirement was subsequently repealed by a rider annexed to amendatory act of 1855 in- corporating Grand Lodge. It will be observed that the charter pro- vides for individual liability in case of dis- solution of subordinate chapters. There were many objections urged against same at the time, but as the years roll by and no one has yet been mulcted it has lost its early terrors. But the clause is there just the same. ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD. AMONG the many degrees, orders and dignities which have obtained recogni- tion or secured adoption in the jurisdiction of Illinois, is the auxiliary capitular grade of High Priesthood; but when, where or how it originated is not definitely known. It is con- ferred, as an honorarium, upon the High Priests of Royal Arch Chapters, and since the organization of Grand Chapter has been wholly under the auspices and control of that body. The degree finds its first mention in the second edition of WEBB'S Monitor, published in 1802, under the head, "Observations on the Order of High Priests;" and the general opinion of Masonic scholars is that it origi- nated about that time and emanated from WEBB himself. It is not known outside of America. It was probably formulated by the Committee on Constitutional Revision of the General Grand Chapter in 1 799, as this committee reported back a form for the installation of High Priests, which provided, at a certain point in the ceremonies, for the exclusion of all who were not High Priests; and ' ' after the performance of other neces- sary ceremonies, not proper to be written," the excluded persons were to be permitted to return. It is surmised that the " other necessary ceremonies, not proper to be written," were the present ceremonials of consecration and anointing to the Priest- hood. WEBB was a member of the com- mittee and the controlling spirit of the Gen- eral Grand Chapter at that time. But while the original idea seems to have been that the consecration, even though performed in private, should be an integral part of the installation of High Priests, and indeed so remained, in theory at least, until 1853, when the section relat- ing to same was repealed, yet in practice it soon became a separate ceremonial; and CROSS in his Masonic Chart, as early as 1826, had so arranged it. Since this time, if not before, it has been entirely discon- nected with the ceremony of installation. * * * The first mention of the conferring of the Order of High Priesthood, in this juris- diction, is found in the proceedings of the Grand Chapter for the year 1851. On the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 229 evening of Friday, Oct. 3, 1851, at the town of Jacksonville, a Council of High Priests was opened with Comp. J. V. Z. BLANEY as President, and six persons, High Priests of their respective Chapters, "were introduced, duly consecrated, and admitted to the Order in solemn form." The Com- panions, the first to receive this honor with- in the State, were M. J. NOYES, of Barry; CHARLES HOWARD, of Upper Alton; Louis WATSON, of Quincy; WILLIAM S. HURST, of Jacksonville; JOHN JEWELL, of Peoria, and DANIEL C. McNEiL, of Cambridge. It does not seem that any further con- ventions were held until 1853, or if such were held no record of the same has been preserved. In this year, however, a coun- cil was opened and the order conferred on three candidates. Sept. 28, 1854, seven High Priests, ' ' being possessed of the req- uisite qualifications," were "severally re- ceived and admitted to the Order of High Priesthood, with solemn ceremonies. " After which, on motion of Comp. SHIRLEY, it was Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to consider upon the propriety of forming a Council of High Priests, and if deemed advisable, to prepare a Constitution and By-Laws and report at the next meet- ing of the Grand Chapter. On Sept. 7, 1855, the Convention again met, with Comp. LEVI LUSK as President. Nine candidates were admitted. A Consti- tution was then adopted, and the Associa- tion, under the name and style, "Grand Council of High Priests of the State of Illi- nois, " became a permanent organization. From 1855 until the present time (1895) the Council has met regularly each year with the annual convocation of Grand Chap- ter, and during this period there have been "admitted, anointed, consecrated and set apart unto the Order of High Priesthood " a total of 1,119 persons, which, together with those received in the temporary councils prior to organization, makes a grand total of 1,135 Companions consecrated to the "sacerdotal office" in Illinois. The control and direction of the affairs of the council is vested in a President, Vice President, Recorder, who is also custodian of the funds, Master of Ceremonies and such other officers as are required in the rendition of the traditional ceremonies. By the unwritten laws of the Council the office of Tyler is always filled by the immediate Past Grand High Priest, Comp. W. L. MILLIGAN being the last person to occupy the station at the time of writing this re- view. The first President under the Constitu- tion was the venerable LEVI LUSK, who served until 1861. He was succeeded by M. J. NOYES, who continued to serve until the time of his death, in 1867, when the present incumbent, LOYAL L. MUNN, was elected. It will thus be seen that the or- ganization has had but three presiding offi- cers during the entire period of its existence; and as Comp. MUNN bids fair to remain with us for many years, it will probably be long ere the list is extended. While the Council has for many years collected an "honorarium" from the nov- ices, the sum has been small and designed only to cover the actual expenses of the session. No money is kept in the treasury over night, and after the disbursements in- cidental to the session have been made the balance remaining is devoted to some work of charity or benevolence. At the convocation of 1895 a new feat- ure was introduced. Immediately upon the adjournment of the Council the companions repaired to the Sherman House, where they 230 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. partook of a dinner and listened to the edi- fying addresses of Comps. MUNN, SMITH, MlLLIGAN, GODDARD, MONTGOMERY and others. A pleasing incident of this gather- ing was the presence of Comp. R. C. CA- BEEN, the oldest anointed High Priest in Illinois, he having been consecrated to the Priesthood in 1854, one year before the or- ganization of the Council. The address de- livered upon this occasion by Comp. J. C. SMITH is replete with much curious and val- uable information. The occasion was graced by the attendance of many of the old Patri- archs, among whom were A. W. BLAKES- LEY, anointed 1857; JNO. M. PEARSON and SILAS O. VAUGHAN, of the vintage of 1859; J. R. GORIN, 1861; and W. M. EGAN, 1862. It has now come to be regarded as practically a matter of obligation for a High Priest to present himself for consecration at the earliest practicable moment after his election or installation. MACKEY says, " It is the duty of every companion, as soon after his election to the office of High Priest as is consistent with his personal convenience, to apply for admission to the Order of High Priesthood, that he may be fully qualified properly to govern his chap- ter;" and the monitors generally reiterate this statement. As a matter of fact, however, no duty of this character rests upon a High Priest elect, nor does the investiture impart any special qualifications. The General Grand Chap- ter, at its convocation in 1853, passed upon the question in the adoption of the follow- ing: Resolved, That while, in deference to the long es- tablished usages of Royal Arch Masonry in this coun- try, it is recommended that every newly elected High Priest should, as soon as it is convenient, receive the order of High Priesthood; his anointment as such is not necessary to his installation, or to the full and en- tire discharge of all his powers and duties as the pre- siding officer of his Chapter. 2 Nor is there any historical or legal prec- edent for the conferring of the degree in a regularly organized Council of High Priests. While the Grand Council of Illinois is ven- erable with years, and as such is entitled to our respect, yet its organization rests on no firmer a foundation than general consent. MACKEY says, "The order should not be conferred when a less number than three duly qualified High Priests are present;" and further, that "the High Priest of every regular Royal Arch Chapter, having himself been duly qualified, can confer the order, under the preceding limitation as to num- ber. " He intimates, however, that it is desirable, when circumstances will permit, that it should be conferred by the Grand High Priest or some person deputized by him for the purpose. The early conventions of High Priests in this jurisdiction were of a temporary char- acter, organized for the purpose of the hour and dissolved as soon as the objects of the convention had been accomplished. Since 1855 the order has been controlled by the ' ' Grand Council of High Priests of the State of Illinois," a permanent, constitutional or- ganization, and under the rules of comity which now prevail in all of the recognized Masonic bodies, such organization must be regarded as having full and exclusive domi- nation over same. Grand Chapter has never made a ruling with respect to the Grand Council of High Priests, though it has continued to recognize the body from its establishment, while the General Grand Chapter, at its session in 1853, decided COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS, 231 "that it is not within the province or the control of this General Grand Chapter, or of any State Grand Chapter, to define the duties or powers of a Council of High Priests." The symbolic design of this degree, as expounded by MACKEY, appears to be to present to the candidate the bond of brotherly love which should unite those who, -having been elevated to the highest station by their companions, are thus engaged in one common task of preserving the landmarks of the order unimpaired, and in protecting, by their high authority, the in- tegrity and honor of the institution. Thus,, separated from the general mass of laborers- in the field of Masonry, and consecrated to a sacred mission as teachers of its glorious truths, those who sit in the tabernacle as the representatives of the ancient high priesthood, are, by the impressive cere- monies of this degree, reminded of the intimate friendship and fellowship which should exist between all those who have been honored with this distinguished privi- lege. 14 THE CRYPTIC DEGREES. INTRODUCTION. AMONG the many systems of Exalted Masonic Symbolism now practiced in the United States, none have received a more general recognition or hearty accept- ance than the beautiful allegory known as the Rite of the Secret Vault. Yet, like the great mass of our traditions, degrees and ceremonial observances, its origin is un- known, and its early history, for the most part, consists merely of legends that are in- capable of verification and, in some in- stances, unworthy of belief. Its funda- mental principles may, indeed, be traced to the English Masonry of the revival, but there is no evidence that the degrees, as such, were ever known or practiced outside of our own country prior to the commence- ment of the present century, and the pre- ponderating opinion of Masonic archaeol- ogists now is that they are the works of the early American ritualists. The statement has been freely advanced, by no inconsiderable number of brethren who have heretofore written upon this theme, that all of the council degrees were derived primarily from the Scottish Rite and that they are of French or German origin. An analysis of the sources of in- formation must, however, leave a doubt in the mind of every candid and unbiased man, and to this is added the further fact that they bear neither legendary affinity or chronological sequence to any of the con- tinental Royal Arch Systems, past or pres- ent, or to that now employed in the A. A. S. R. The degree of Select Master can be made to synchronize with the I4th degree of the latter rite, while the scene of action in both degrees is identical, to wit: the S. V. ; but the action itself is entirely dissimi- lar and the circumstance of location im- plies nothing more than to indicate a re- mote common ancestry for both degrees. It is not improbable that the early forms of all of the council degrees may have been conceived in France as elaborations of the English Royal Arch, and that when the Rite of Perfection was established they were discarded as inapplicable to the Royal Arch system which was developed in that rite, or, it may be, that they existed, if at all, only as incidents in the then crude and unformed English Royal Arch legend, and that they were segregated therefrom and given distinctive names in pursuance of that mania for multiplication of degrees which so strongly characterized French Masonry during the last century. The evi- dence of their continental origin is, how- ever, extremely doubtful, resting mainly COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 233 upon vague and uncertain hearsay and the unsupported declarations of those whose interest it was to secure and retain their control, while all the presumptions are violently opposed to such a theory. As to their development on American soil there is much diversity of opinion, while the too positive utterances of interested historians, in which fancy and fable have been interwoven with the strands of truth, have still further tended to complicate the question and confuse the searcher after facts. It is generally conceded, however, that both the Royal and Select degrees, and possibly the Super-Excellent, were, at or near the commencement of the present cen- tury, "side" or detached degrees floating in the Masonic nebulae of the time, in much the same manner as the Royal Arch had been a few years preceding. They seem, originally, to have had no connection with each other and first became known through entirely different instrumentalities in widely separated parts of the country. They were conferred with little or no show of author- ity by individual communication, and when finally erected into organized assemblies or Councils, were, for a number of years, con- ducted as separate and distinct bodies. Whatever may have been the origin of the degrees it may be said that the history of Cryptic Masonry, as a coherent and con- nected system, commences with the year 1818, and that it owes its present existence to the zeal or cupidity, or both combined, of JEREMY L. CROSS. It has been clearly established that CROSS received the degree of Select Mason from PHILIP P. ECKLE, at Baltimore, in May, 1817, and thereupon actively entered into the work of its dissemi- nation; that early in 1818 he, in some man- ner, became " possessed" of the degree of Royal Master Mason, which, prior to that time, had been mainly controlled by THOMAS LOWNDS and his associates, and that he then conceived the project of uniting the two and forming a new system, to which he gave the name of Royal and Select Masters. The exact time when this was consummat- ed has never been definitely ascertained, but it was probably at some period between May and August of the year 1818. It does not seem, however, that the plan was fully perfected until the year following. From this period, then, may be dated the commencement of the Cryptic Rite and its existence as an organized branch of Free- masonry. But in order to obtain a more intelligent conception of the development and progress of the Cryptic degrees during the years which have intervened since CROSS first gave them publicity, it will be necessary to in- dulge in a brief retrospect of the high de- grees, generally, during the same period, and to institute a few comparisons between the United States and other countries where they are practiced. The original purport of all "high de- grees" was superior knowlege; the posses- sion of some part of the mysterious arcana unknown by or denied to the great mass of the initiated. As a necessary corollary, membership was limited in point of num- bers, and the exclusive character thus im- parted formed one of the earliest and strong- est incentives for their acquisition. This was the general condition of high-grade Ma- sonry in the United States at the time CROSS entered upon his Cryptic mission, and which so continued for many years, and this, prac- tically, is its special characteristic in Eng- land and Continental Europe at the present time. It was not expected that the multi- 284 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. tude would either desire or appreciate ihe more profound philosophy of the high de- grees, nor was it intended that they should participate in the ultimate secrets, and in all countries, except our own, this policy has never been departed from. During those early years many initiates failed even to at- tain the Master's degree, while the number who were admitted to the mysteries of the Royal Arch were few indeed. In the chiv- alric orders the same rule prevailed. The Knights Templar was then, as now, the popular branch of these orders, but as they appealed at that time only to the intellectual and religious element of the Craft, their numbers were ever of the most limited char- acter. If we may judge from the published transactions of the first thirty years of the present century, it would seem that in point of numbers and influence the Cryptic Rite equaled, if, indeed, it did not exceed, that of the Order of the Temple, and this was its' comparative standing when, in 1826, the blight of Morganism fell upon the Masonic world. From 1 830 to 1 840 the high degrees, generally, were in a dormant condition. From 1840 to 1850 there was a period of convalescence, but it was not until 1860 that full recovery was effected. About this time the A. A. S. R. commenced to relax its theretofore exclusive character by the crea- tion of working bodies; two years later the Grand Encampment gave impetus to Tem- plarism by discarding the ancient badge of a Mason the apron which, prior to that time, had always been worn, and adopting a showy uniform and the mimicry of mili- tary usages. The council, which, in the general awakening, had measurably kept pace with other organisations, then com- menced to suffer by comparison, yet at all times its numbers have been fairly in propor- tion to the number of Master Masons in the country, and gauged by the standards which prevail elsewhere, and to which allusion has just been made, its growth, though not large, has yet been eminently satisfactory and in keeping with its traditions and de- clared exclusive character. Before and during the experimental stages of constitutional organization the "superior grades" were handled mainly by itinerant lecturers and degree peddlers, as an article of merchandise, for the benefit of the ambitious and the credulous. Men pur- chased what was offered with little or no inquiry as to the seller's title or right to convey, while manufactured pedigrees and forged deeds were generally sufficient to sat- isfy those who perchance might demand an inspection of the muniments. Therefore, like most of the other "high degrees" prac- ticed in the United States those of the Cryp- tic Curriculum will not bear severe critical investigation in tracing the derivation of the authority by which they are conferred. While there are legitimate and recognized sources from which they flow, yet the chan- nels of transmission, in many cases, are either unknown or unconnected with the original fountain. The records of a number of jurisdictions show that in many instances Councils were established on no other au- thority than such as they assumed for them- selves or the equally doubtful powers of some self-constituted ' ' deputy " or " agent, " while the degrees, in numberless instances, were "conferred" individually by simple oral communication and without any pre- tense of authority or semblance of right other than that which accompanies mere possession. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 285 Aside from a few unauthenticated in- stances of communication by certain of the " Inspectors General," the primary dissem- ination of the degrees, in organized bodies, and under constitutional authority, must be conceded to WILMANS and ECKLE at Bal- timore, and LOWNDS at New York, the former controlling the Select, the latter the Royal degree. The Baltimore body, if indeed it can be called a body, never seems to have developed into a permanent organization, but rested rather in the ca- price of the " chiefs " who controlled, or as- sumed to control, the degree of Select Ma- son. By these men temporary councils were organized whenever it was deemed ex- pedient and the degree was conferred upon persons of their own selection. During the entire period of its exploitation by WIL- MANS, ECKLE and MILES, commencing at about 1795 and ending with the assumption of jurisdiction by the Grand Chapter of Maryland in 1824, it does not seem that any body, bearing any similitude to those then or subsequently established to control or confer the other degrees of Masonry, was ever organized. There was indeed a vague and ill-defined something known as the 'Grand Council over which ECKLE was sup- posed to preside as " Grand Puissant," but this body never materialized sufficiently to afford a good view, and from all that -we can now learn it would seem that ECKLE, as Grand Puissant, held and conferred the degree in a sort of proprietary right. LOWNDS, on the other hand, subjected his degree of Royal Master Mason to con- stitutional authority by the organization, in 1810, of a permanent body for its control and diffusion, and this body, which has suc- cessfully withstood all the destructive in- fluences of time, is still in existence as Co- lumbian Council, No. i, of New York. From these two bodies, mediately or im- mediately, is derived the Cryptic system in- stituted by CROSS in 1818, and promulgated by him and his "deputies," as well as ap- propriated and imitated by others who came after him. For a number of years CROSS was very active in establishing councils and conferring degrees. The common report says that he found the business very lucrative, and as none of his charter fees ever found their way to his reputed principal, the "Grand Council of the Select" at Baltimore, there is much reason to believe that these rumors were not altogether unfounded. Finding the growing demand beyond his power to supply without aid, he deputized one CUSH- MAN to assist him in the work and a number of councils were organized by his lieutenant. Rival peddlers afterward appeared upon the scene, the most active of whom was JOHN BARKER, who worked as an " agent" of the " Supreme Council of the United States," and by virtue of the "high power" in him vested by the ' ' Grand Constitutions of the Thirty-third degree," sold CROSS' lectures and organized councils. The combined ef- forts of these organizers, together with oth- ers of lesser note, soon had the effect of producing a very thorough and wide-spread diffusion. Cryptic Masonry became popu- lar; it was cheap and at the same time ' ' way up," and had nothing interfered to stop its onward march we may reasonably assume that it would in time have developed the full beauty of its still latent symbolism and have become one of the great Masonic expositors of the world. But being an exotic, it was acutely sensitive to every depressing influ- ence, and when, by 1830, the fires of fanati- 236 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. cism had been fanned to their fiercest heat, nearly every council in the country had ceased its labors and passed into a condition of dormancy. For a period of ten years, or from 1830 to 1840, the Cryptic page is al- most a blank. Then came a slow awaking, but in many localities dormancy had passed into death, and so complete was the extinc- tion that even the memory of Councils and Grand Councils was lost until in after years the student, groping amid the debris of long forgotten days, discovered and brought to light the old records and other evidences of former life. From 1840 to 1850 may be, termed the period of the revival, and from this latter date until the present time the rite has made substantial progress, but with periods of depression that can be better ex- plained in connection with other topics em- braced in the chronological review. THE GRAND COUNCIL. 1852-4. THE degrees of the Cryptic Rite were in- troduced into the State of Illinois from Kentucky in 1852. The first council char- tered within the present jurisdiction was located at Knoxville and was known as Illi- nois Council, No. 15, of the registry of the Grand Council of Kentucky. During the year 1853 a further charter was granted by the same authority to Alton Council, at Alton, and the Grand Puissant was in- structed to issue a charter to Springfield Council, at Springfield, upon the receipt of its returns, which it seems had miscarried in the mails. Under the impression that such charter had been granted to Springfield Council, a call for a convention was issued by Illinois Council, and on September 29, 1853, pur- suant to such call, delegates from Illinois and Alton Councils met at Mason's Hall, in the city of Jacksonville, for the purpose of establishing an independent government for Cryptic Masonry in this commonwealth. From the records we learn that N. D. MORSE, JAMES PRICE, WM. McMuRTRY, CYRUS C. PALMER, ROBERT KEITH and JACOB BREWER appeared as the delegates from Illinois Council, and JAMES H. HIBBARD and WM. H. TURNER from Alton Council. The con- vention organized by electing NELSON D. MORSE President, and HARMAN G. REY- NOLDS Secretary, and a committee was ap- pointed to draft and report a constitution. On the day following the convention again assembled and JAMES H. MATHENY, CHARLES W. CHATTERTON, JAMES L. ANDERSON and A. R. ROBINSON appeared as delegates from Springfield Council. The Committee on Organization reported back a form of Con- stitution and General Regulations for the government of the Grand Council, which were unanimously adopted, and thereupon the convention dissolved. Immediately after such dissolution a Council of Royal and Select Masters was opened, with JAMES H. HIBBARD as Thrice Illustrious Master and the other official sta- tions filled by men whose names have long been historic in the Masonic annals of Illi- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 237 nois. By a formal resolution the body then declared itself to be a Grand Council, and at the election which followed Comp. HIB- BARD became the first "Grand Puissant." The first sovereign act of the new Grand Council was to introduce and " heal " a number of companions who had received the degrees under the authority of Royal Arch chapters. The next step was to re- ceive and act upon the petitions of three Royal Arch Masons who ' ' were duly elected, and the degrees conferred upon them by and with the consent of the members of Illinois Council present." Now, whether this means that Illinois Council or Grand Coun- cil conferred the degrees the record leaves in doubt; but it would seem that Grand Council performed the work, and, presuma- bly, took the fees, as the record says, "fees paid." At this juncture occurred another singular proceeding, for Grand Council "called off" to meet at Springfield the next day and the record discloses that it was actually called to labor in that city on the evening following. At this adjourned ses- sion the order of precedence was established and Illinois Council was registered as No. i, Springfield as No. 2, and Alton as No. 3. Then, by way of diversion, Grand Council performed a little more work for Illinois Council and the assembly closed. But it would seem that the companions who thus assumed to create a new govern- ing body were a trifle premature, and while their convention had been held ' ' under the impression derived from a reliable source " that charters had been granted to Alton and Springfield Councils, yet, as a matter of fact, the charter of Springfield Council, owing to reasons before mentioned, was not actually issued until February, 1854. When this fact became known a new call was made and a second convention was held at Springfield on March 10, 1854, at which delegates were present from all three of the chartered councils of the State. The con- stitution of September 30, 1853, was re- adopted, and the convention dissolved. A JAMES H. HIBBARD. First Grand Master of the Grand Council, R. & S. M. of Illinois. (From an engraving by RITCHIE in the collection of the editor.) council was then opened, with WILLIAM A. DICKEY as T. I. M., and after a solemn declaration that the delegates present do 233 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. now form a Grand Council for Illinois, the "elections, resolutions, orders and pro- ceedings" of the meeting at Jacksonville on September 30, and the adjourned meeting at Springfield on October i, 1853, were adopted as the acts ' ' of this Grand Coun- cil" and "in all respects legalized and con- firmed." But nothing was said specifically of the companions who were "healed" at the former meeting. Indeed, the Grand Council seems to have entirely changed its attitude toward all such companions, for it was now resolved that all Royal Arch Masons receiving the Cryptic degrees in Chapters, after September, 1851, should be treated as clandestine and in no event should be healed or admitted to councils in any other than the " regular manner." A "grand convocation" was held at Jacksonville on September 2j of the same year (1854), with JAMES H. HIBBARD pre- siding, and representatives present from the three constituent councils. It would seem that the first official act of the Grand Puissant was to grant a dispensation to J. V. Z. BLANEY and others to form a coun- cil at Chicago, and at this assembly dispen- sations were also issued for councils at Jacksonville and Rushville. JAMES H. HIB- BARD was re-elected Grand Puissant. At this time the Grand Council had in its obedience three councils under charter and three more under dispensation, with a total membership, as disclosed by the re- turns, of ninety-nine. 1855. A "Grand Annual Convocation" was held at Jacksonville in September, 1855, at which seven councils were represented in- cluding those chartered at this session. The seventh council was located at Muscatine, Iowa, and the venerable T. S. PARVIN, of that State, was its first T. I. G. M. A fur- ther dispensation -was also issued for the formation of a Council at Iowa City, Iowa, and the Grand High Priest of Iowa was given plenary authority to heal all irregular- ly made R. and S. Masters, who had taken the degrees in Chapters previous to the ac- tion of General and State Grand Chapters upon the subject, "as he might meet with during his official visits to the several chap- ters in the State." . A committee was ap- pointed to exemplify the "work," and it was resolved that thereafter no candidates should receive the degrees in Grand Coun- cil unless he had previously been proposed and balloted for in the council having juris- diction over him, and then only for the ben- efit of such council. As to the propriety of any Grand body conferring degrees there can be no question, while the legality of such work is open to doubt. Fortunately Illinois has advanced beyond this stage, but the practice is still pursued in a number of jurisdictions in this country and not even as guardedly as was the case during the early years of our own Grand Council. At this session Comp. LEVI LUSK was elected Grand Puissant. 1856. The convocation of 1856 was held at Jacksonville. A charter was granted for a third Iowa Council at Dubuque, and thus was laid the foundation of the Grand Coun- cil of Iowa. EDWARD M. M. CLARKE was elected Grand Puissant. 1857. As the Grand Council has been to some extent a ward of the Grand Chapter, so its annual assemblies have always been held at the same time and place as the annual con- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 239 vocation of that body. The session of 1857 was therefore held at Springfield. A charter was granted for a council at St. Louis, Mo. , with the late ANTHONY O'SULLIVAN as the first T. I. G. M., and this council was one of the germs of the present Grand Council of Missouri. The all-absorbing topic of "uniformity of work" was at this time beginning to be mooted in Grand Council, and the subordi- nate councils were instructed to adopt the work as taught by the late WM. A. DICKEY. The election resulted in the choice of J. V. Z. BLANEY as Grand Puissant, but as Comp. BLANEY was not present he was installed by" proxy. 1858. The convocation of 1858 was held at Springfield. As Comp. BLANEY had never been installed except by proxy, so he was destined never to preside in Grand Council, for owing to other engagements he was unable to be present at this session. SYL- VESTER STEVENS occupied the East at open- ing and was subsequently elected Grand Puissant. The position of the Grand Council of Illinois with reference to the body now known as the General Grand Council has been the subject of much comment both at home and abroad. But in adhering to a policy of sturdy independence the Cryptic Masons of Illinois are but pursuing a line of conduct laid down by the fathers of the Rite in this jurisdiction. The subject of a Gen- eral Grand Council occupied the attention of the councils of the country long anterior to the actual formation of a body bearing that name, and in 1858 the Grand Council of Illinois declared its opinion of the meas- ure and indicated its future policy as follows: Resolved, That this Grand Council is opposed to the formation of a General Grand Council. 1859-65. At the convocation of 1859, which was held at Springfield, Comp. STEVENS was not present, and CHAS. W. MATHENY acted as Grand Puissant, a position he soon after assumed by election. At the session of 1860 GEO. W. DEERING succeeded to the East. A brief installation service was adopted at this session, the first attempt at exoteric ceremonials made by Grand Coun- cil. During the years 1861-5, or the period covered by the Civil war, Grand Council was in a "languishing" condition. But little was done in the way of extension and many of the chartered councils exhibited a lamentable degree of apathy. The reports of the annual convocations are very meagre and the business transacted was of a strictly routine character. At the session of 1861 Comp. GEO. W. DEERING was elected Grand Puissant, but declined to serve, the first and only instance of the kind on record in this jurisdiction, whereupon Comp. CHARLES FISHER was elected to the office, and at the annual of 1862 he was re-elected. The election of 1863 resulted in the choice of O. H. MINER. During this year two new councils were chartered in Missouri, and in May following (1864) these councils met and organized the present Grand Council of Missouri, thus making the second Grand Council born of the Grand Council of Illi- nois. At the convocation of 1864 eight coun- cils made returns and paid dues, while the combined membership amounted to only 249. Of the remaining councils some were sleeping, some were dead. There were at this time, however, seven councils under dispensation, and the outlook was far from 240 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. unfavorable. Comp. J. L. RAMSAY was elected Grand Puissant. With the close of hostilities came a re- vival in Masonic interest, and of this the Cryptic Rite received a portion. Thirteen councils made returns to the convocation of 1865. JAMES H. MILES was elected Grand Puissant. 1866. The year 1866 was a "record breaker." Under the vigorous administration of Comp. MILES a great advance was made. Twelve new councils were opened under dispensa- tion and seventeen chartered councils made returns to the session. The treasury showed funds aggregating $766.89, the largest amount it had ever contained, and for the first time mileage and per-diem was paid to the representatives. Comp. JAMES A. HAWLEY was elected Grand Puissant. 1867. .The year 1867, while not as favorable as the one preceding, showed good results in many directions. Twenty-seven councils made returns, and a number of dispensa- tions were issued. The forms for dedica- tions and installations as laid down in MACK- EY'S " Manual of the Council " were adopted for use in the jurisdiction. DANIEL G. BURR was elected Grand Puissant. 1868. The tide of prosperity still continued to rise, and the year 1868 witnessed four new councils inaugurated, while twenty-nine chartered councils made returns. The ag- gregate membership of the jurisdiction had grown to 1,132, and a total revenue of $924. 50 had been collected. The subject of work, which heretofore seems to have received but little attention, now commenced to be discussed. The ritual taught by H. W. HUBBARD and known as the " Connecti- cut work," was considered more desirable than any other of the numerous brands then in use, as it embraced all of the lectures as taught by BARNEY and DICKEY. The sub- ject came before Grand Council on the sug- gestion of the Grand Puissant, who was authorized to commission a Grand Lecturer " and with him determine the work to be adopted for all councils in this jurisdiction." JOHN M. PEARSON was elected Grand Puis- sant. 1869. The annual assembly of 1 869 showed no diminution in Cryptic interest. Several new councils were chartered and thirty-two old councils made returns. A new ritual, compiled by H. W. HUBBARD, was pre- sented and formally adopted as the stand- ard of the jurisdiction. The "Super-Excellent" degree was at this time commencing to attract consider- able attention in Cryptic circles. It was not officially known, however, in this juris- diction, and the Grand Puissant recom- mended that such steps be taken as would enable Grand Council "to act understand- ingly" at its next assembly. The Com- mittee on Address endorsed the recom- mendation and further recommended that a committee be appointed to obtain from the Grand Council of Connecticut "a dispensa- tion authorizing and empowering the said committee to confer the said degree upon the members of this Grand Council, at its next annual Grand Assembly." But little was known concerning the degree at this time. It was not in general use, al- though several jurisdictions had formally adopted it as a part of their regular scale, and by many old and well-informed Masons COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 241 it was considered to be "a recent concoc- tion of some fertile Masonic brain." Such, however, was not the case, for compara- tively recent discoveries have disclosed the fact that it was conferred in Columbian Council, of New York, as early as 1817. But Illinois wanted all that there was. It wanted the Super-Excellent, and it got it. WM. M. AVISE was elected Grand Puis- sant. 1870. The year 1870 was one of continued prosperity. The report of the Grand Puis- sant showed seven new councils instituted and fifty chartered councils made returns. The Super-Excellent degree had been im- ported from Connecticut by Comp. SYLVES- TER STEVENS with a plenary authority to confer it upon all R. & S. M. 's in the State "until the Grand Council of Illinois shall adopt said degree, and make the same one of the constitutional degrees of the said jurisdiction." Under this dispensation the Grand Puissant received the degree with which he expressed himself as "much pleased," and further asserted his belief that if adopted by Grand Council and "properly worked," it would "tend ma- terially toward promoting the prosperity of Cryptic Masonry in this jurisdiction." If Comp. AVISE could have seen Comp. BOW- DITCH, of Aurora, leading the van of the victorious Chaldean army he would have gone into raptures. At all events Grand Council was entirely satisfied with the Con- necticut version, and to show its apprecia- tion it was Resolved, That this Grand Council adopt the degree of Super-Excellent Master, and authorize the Councils, working under charters and dispensations issued by it, to confer it as the third degree in the Council work. The matter of the recognition of the Cryptic degrees by the Order of Knights Templar had several times been discussed, but at this session it received a careful and serious consideration. The active members of Grand Council were all Knights of influ- ence and standing, and it was thought that a proper presentation of the subject would be productive of favorable results; accord- ingly it was Rexolred, That a Committee of five, of which the Grand Puissant shall be Chairman, be appointed to present before the Grand Commandery of Illinois the subject of a recognition of the Council degrees. Resolved, That should the Grand Commandery of Illinois recognize the degrees conferred in the Coun- cils of the State as a pre-requisite to the reception of the Order of Knighthood, the subordinate Councils of this jurisdiction are empowered to confer the Council degrees upon all Knights Templar residing in their several jurisdictions, without fee, either for Grand Council or subordinate. And so Grand Council thus commenced its fruitless task of attempting to attain the unattainable. At this session (1870) the Constitution was amended by adding to the list of officers the present office of Grand Conductor, and Comp. EDWARD BLACKSHAW, of Urbana, became by election the first incumbent. HIRAM W. HUBBARD was elected Grand Puissant. 1871. The nineteenth annual assembly was held October 5, 1871. In February of this year a fire occurred in the building occupied by the Grand Recorder at Springfield, which resulted in the total loss of the records and archives of Grand Council. No special ac- tion has ever been taken looking toward the restoration of the records, and the only an- nals of Grand Council now in existence are the few scattered reports of proceedings in 242 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. the hands of individuals or deposited in libraries. Many of the earlier years are practically unattainable, and it is to be hoped that Grand Council may be induced to undertake a reprint of its earlier transac- tions. During the year the Grand Puissant (Comp. HUBBARD) devoted his energies to the introduction of the Super-Excellent de- gree, and with such success that every council was provided with an opportunity of availing itself of the work. The subject of "prerequisition" was again presented and discussed, but the rec- ords do not show that any action was had. WILLIAM A. LEVANWAY was elected Grand Puissant. 1872. The twentieth annual assembly, held in Chicago, October 23, 1872, found the Rite in a fairly prosperous condition. There were now nearly sixty councils in the juris- diction and each year witnessed additions to the number. The Grand Commandery, while in sympathy with the Rite, had as yet done little in the way of unifying the Amer- ican System of Freemasonry by any meas- ures tending toward a recognition of the Council degrees, and the opinion in that body seemed to be that the solution of the question was in the sole province of the Grand Encampment. The subject contin- ued to be discussed in Grand Council and for several years afterwards was pressed upon Grand Commandery whenever oc- casion offered. The precedence and order of degrees was established and councils were directed to confer same in the following order: First, Royal Master; second, Super-Excellent Master; third, Select Master. Just what induced this arrangement is not known, but as the S. E. had been adopted as a regular degree and as the S. M. had always been the ultimate degree in this jurisdiction, it is probable that the new degree was sandwiched between the two old ones be- cause there appeared no other position in which it could be placed. During this year a "National Conven- tion" of R. & S. M.'s was held at New York for the purpose of advisory action with ref- erence to the names, number and order of degrees, the nomenclature of bodies and officers and uniformity of ritual. Illinois was not officially represented, but the con- clusions and recommendations of the Con- vention found a ready assent in this jurisdic- tion, and were instrumental in shaping much of its subsequent legislation. GEO. E. LOUNSBURY was elected Grand Puissant. IS/3- The session of 1873 was uneventful, yet the year seemed to be one of progress. The Grand Puissant reported having attended the adjourned session of the National Con- vention at New York, and recommended to Grand Council the appointment of a com- mittee to consider the matters discussed and report at the next annual assembly. The subject of official degrees never seems to have been much mooted in this jurisdiction. While there is considerable reason for the existence of the Order of High Priesthood, in view of its ostensible sacerdotal character, there are no very good arguments that can be advanced for the creation of a separate degree for Thrice Illustrious Masters. The idea was doubt- less suggested by the analogy of the degree of Past Master, but this, properly speaking, is not so much a degree as an official dignity, and formerly it consisted of nothing more. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 243 It would seem, however, that, inspired by the actions of other jurisdictions, a " Coun- cil of Past Thrice Illustrious Masters" had been organized under the auspices of Grand Council, and on motion of Comp. N. T. P. ROBERTSON it was Resolved, That it is the desire of this Grand Coun- cil that the degree of Past Thrice Illustrious Grand Master be recognized as a legal and official degree (that riiay be conferred upon those lawfully entitled thereto), under the patronage of this Grand Council, and under the management of the Council of Past Thrice Illustrious Masters now organized. But this seems to have been the highest stage of development the project attained. If the Council ever met, adopted a ritual or conferred degrees, the records do not dis- close the fact, nor has the writer, during over twenty years of active experience in this branch of Masonry, ever heard of the organization. JOHN F. BURRILL was elected Grand Puissant. 1874. The assembly of 1874 presents but little worthy of note. The Grand Puissant rec- ommended the adoption of the ' ' Convention work," an exemplification of which was made before Grand Council by the officers of Siloam Council, No. 53; but no action was had. The " National Convention" which met in adjourned session the year before, had again adjourned, to meet in New Orleans in December of this year. The prolongation of the life of this body, as well as the char- acter of some of the resolutions submitted, raised the impression that the movement covered an attempt to form a General Grand Council; wherefore, that the position of Illinois might not be misunderstood, Grand Council for the second time placed upon record by a formal resolution its oppo- sition to the establishment of a General Grand Council. WILBUR F. BROMFIELD was elected Grand Puissant. 1875. The proceedings of the year 1875 indi- cate a diminution of Cryptic interest and mark the commencement of the only period of genuine "depression" which the Rite has ever experienced in this jurisdiction. No new councils were instituted this year, a circumstance of no consequence in itself but which, at the time, was regarded as a most unfavorable omen. The Grand Puissant renewed the recom- mendation of his predecessor that some ac- tion be taken in regard to the ' ' convention work," and suggested its adoption. Grand Council assented, but before the close of the session reconsidered its action and so for another year nothing was done in this respect. In the meantime the councils used such work as they saw fit. Councils were given permission to confer the Super- Excellent by obligation only. The titles of the presiding officers were revised by Constitutional amendment, whereby the Grand Puissant became Most Puissant Grand Master, and the office of Deputy was sub- jected to a corresponding change. This nomenclature coincided with that used by the Grand Councils immediately contiguous. The system of titles in use in Illinois was derived from Kentucky and conformed in most respects with those employed in the oldest known rituals. Iowa and Missouri, both daughters of Illinois, had long before discarded the traditional titles received from their parent at the time of their birth, and the Grand Council of Illinois, unwilling longer to stand by the old ways, now took a. 244 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. place in the march of " progress " by aban- doning the names which for twenty-three years had designated its chief officers. The subject of Commandery recognition was the live topic of the session. The hopes of future existence seemed to hang upon this slender thread, and finally, as a result of the discussion, Comp. J. R. GORIN presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were, on motion, re- ceived and adopted, viz. : WHEREAS, It is evident to every member of this Grand Council that the existence of Cryptic Masonry is jeopardized, and, unless some proper action be ta- ken, this Grand Council and all its subordinates may be numbered among the things that were; therefore, Rexoh-ed, That a committee of three be appointed by the Thrice 111. Grand Puissant, whose duty it shall be to prepare a memorial to the Grand Commandery of Illinois, asking that body to make a regulation which shall provide that the Orders of Knighthood shall not be conferred upon any one who has not pre- viously received the degrees conferred in the Council. Resolved, further, That said committee send a copy of said memorial to each subordinate Commandery under the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Illinois, asking their concurrence therein. The committee was appointed, the me- morial prepared, presented to Grand Com- mandery and by it fraternally received and respectfully referred to WM. SEWALL GARD- NER, the then Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, who politely informed Grand Commandery that under no circumstances could it make the council degrees, which he courteously referred to as "rubbish," a pre- requisite for the Knightly Orders, and Grand Commandery, being itself but a subordinate, could, under the circumstances, do nothing more than deny the prayer of the Grand Council's petition. And thus ended the effort. The action of Grand Commandery will be found in the chronological review of that body. When we learn that Grand Council at this time had forty-two active councils in its obedience, the solicitude of the compan- ions seems a trifle unwarranted and can be accounted for only on the theory that to them success meant great numerical acces- sions, and prosperity, large treasury bal- ances. As a matter of fact, neither of these elements is necessary to the success of any Masonic body. EDWARD BLACKSHAW was elected M. P. Grand Master. 1876. At the assembly of 1876 forty councils made returns and paid dues, yet the gen- eral tone of the proceedings would indicate that matters generally were in a bad condi- tion. But one panacea was prescribed, and that was " prerequisition." Upon the ap- proaching triennial conclave of the Grand Encampment all hopes were centered. The Grand Master (Comp. BLACKSHAW) reported a dispensation for a new council; recom- mended that the Super-Excellent degree be stricken from the regular scale and made an honorarium; and suggested that the true remedy for the alleged evils under which the Rite seemed to labor was in the develop- ment of the latent symbolism of the degrees, and not in vain efforts to impress them upon unwilling candidates for other distinctions. Grand Council refused to eliminate the Super-Excellent, but changed the scale so that it should come last. The committee on memorial to Grand Commandery reported that the memorial had been received and referred. Comp. P. W. BARCLAY was appointed a committee ' ' to represent the memorial in the Grand Encampment of the United States," and was empowered ' ' to propose a plan or ba- sis" upon which action might be had by COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 245 that body, the Grand Council pledging itself " to carry out and fulfill the terms of such plan or basis as may be agreed upon by said committee." Comp. L. R. JEROME was elected M. P. Grand Master. 1877. The year 1877 witnessed a crisis in the affairs of Grand Council. For several years succeeding the panic of 1873 the commerce of the country was in a depressed condition, resulting in much financial stringency. These conditions were felt in all branches of Masonry, but more particularly in the council. In the opinion of many the coun- cil required aid, and while they cast about to discover some source from which such aid might be derived it never occurred to the majority that possibly the best plan would be to help themselves. The dele- gation appointed to memorialize the Grand Encampment met with a decided rebuff at the hands of that body, the memorial being rejected without debate. Nothing there- fore could be longer hoped for in that direc- tion. Now looking at the situation from this distance it does not seem that affairs were in very desperate straits or that there was any occasion for much despondency, yet when the news reached Illinois that the Grand Encampment had refused to enter- tain our memorial the consensus of opinion seemed to be that it was useless to longer continue the organization of the Rite. The views of Illinois were undoubtedly influenced, and to large degree shaped, by the sentiment then prevailing in many of the States. For some time previous there- to several of the weaker jurisdictions had been sending forth plaintive wails, and as a last resource had concluded to transfer the control of the degrees to the chapters. In Mississippi this had just been done; and, impressed with the feeling that the "Mis- sissippi plan " would be generally followed throughout the country, the M. P. Grand Master (Comp. JEROME) recommended to the annual assembly that a committee be appointed to meet a like committee from Grand Chapter to arrange the details of a transfer of authority over the degrees. To this arrangement Grand Council consented with apparently but one dissenting voice (Comp. BLACKSHAW). The routine business of the Grand Coun- cil was then transacted, and Comp. J. J. FRENCH was elected M. P. Grand Master. Grand Council then called off until after the close of Grand Chapter, for the purpose of receiving and acting upon the report of the conference committee. The conference committee on the part of Grand Council consisted of Comps. JNO. M. PEARSON, H. W. HUBBARD, T. T. GURNEY, A. A. GLENN and P. W. BARCLAY. This committee duly prepared and pre- sented to Grand Chapter a memorial on the matter of jurisdiction and control of the council degrees, representing that in order to avoid the labor incident to two separate organizations, and at the same time provide for the safe keeping and proper dissemination of the degrees, it was advis- able that some plan of consolidation be ac- complished, and praying the appointment of a conference committee on the part of Grand Chapter. This memorial was referred by Grand Chapter to a special committee, who after a meeting with the Council committee re- ported back to Grand Chapter That there was no constitutional objection to a union of the R. and S. Masters' degrees with those conferred in the Royal Arch Chapters, and that said 246 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. union is practicable; and your committee are of the opinion that the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters should take the preparatory steps to bring about said union; and would further recommend that if said Grand Council shall so amend their constitu- tion at their present Grand Assembly as to be enabled to agree to said union, that the M. E. High Priest of this Grand Chapter be. and is hereby, authorized and requested to appoint a commission, whose duty it shall be to prepare and submit to him a full and detailed plan for the consummation of such union, and to put the same in full operation. This action having been reported to Grand Council by its conference committee, the constitution was amended by striking out such parts thereof as conflicted with the authority which it was proposed should be delegated, and then, on motion of Comp. T. T. GURNEY, it was Resolved, That this Grand Council surrender to the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons of Illi- nois, all constitutional right to confer, or authorize the conferring, the degrees of Royal and Select Mas- ters; and Rewired, That the action of this Grand Council in amending the Constitution aforesaid, shall be null and void, if, within two years from this date, the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois shall fail to adopt the degrees of this body as a part of the Ritual and Work of Capitular Masonry. On motion of Comp. JOHN M. PEARSON it was Resolved, That a select committee of three be ap- pointed to confer with a like committee from the Grand Chapter, and perfect the arrangements sug- gested in the report of the Committee on Consolida- tion. Resolved, That the M. P. Grand Master of this Grand Council be, and is hereby, requested to issue his edict to the Subordinate Councils, and the mem- bers thereof, ordering obedience, and conformity to the terms of said arrangement. Notwithstanding that Grand Council by its constitutional amendments had virtually destroyed its power over the degrees, yet as the final act of the session it was unanimously resolved that the degree of Super-Excellent Master "be stricken out of the Council degrees as now recognized by this Grand Council." Thereupon Grand Council adjourned until its next annual as- sembly. As soon after adjournment as conven- ience would permit the committees of Grand Chapter and Grand Council met, adjusted whatever matters of difference there might be, and agreed upon a basis for future ac- tion. The result of their deliberations was then communicated to the presiding officers of both bodies in the following report and concordat : To the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois, and the Most Puis- sant Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the State of Illinois: WHEREAS, The Grand Council of Royal and Se- lect Masters of the State of Illinois, at its Grand An- nual Assembly, held at Chicago, Friday, October 26th, 1877, unanimously adopted the following, to-wit: "Resolved, That this Grand Council surrender to the Grand Chapter of the State of Illinois all constitu- tional right to confer, or authorize the conferring, the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master;" THEREFORE, The undersigned, committees ap- pointed by authority of the Grand Chapter of the State of Illinois, and by the authority of the Grand Council of the State of Illinois, respectively, to pre- pare a detailed plan for the perpetuation of the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master, by and under the authority of the Grand Chapter, submit the following: I. That the degrees of Royal and Select Master be accepted by the Grand Chapter, and shall be here- after conferred as follows: Each Royal Arch Chapter shall open a Council of Royal and Select Masters, and confer the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master subsequent to the degree of Royal Arch Mason. The officers of the Chapter to hold corresponding rank in the Council. II. All Royal Arch Masons, at the date of the consummation of this plan, shall be entitled to receive the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master with- out fee. III. All permanent members and present Grand Officers of the Grand Council shall be admitted to the Grand Chapter as honorary members. IV. That the officers of all Chapters in this juris- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 247 diction shall qualify themselves in the work of con- ferring the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master as soon as possible. V. That the Most Excellent Grand High Priest, being custodian of the work and ritual of all degrees conferred under the authority of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois, shall, as soon as practicable, take the necessary steps to carry out the foregoing plan. Fraternally submitted, JOHN M. PEARSON, THEODORE T. GURNEY, HENRY G. PERRY, Committee of Grand Council. WILEY M. EGAN, ARTHUR R. H. ATKINS, HIRAM W. HUBBARD, Committee of Grand Chapter. The terms and provisions of the con- cordat were then duly published and pro- mulgated throughout the jurisdiction in a joint encyclical signed by the Grand High Priest and the M. P. Grand Master, and the transfer became effective. It will be observed that there was no consolidation. There was, properly speak- ing, no "merger," although the period then succeeding was so termed. Grand Council simply authorized the constituents of Grand Chapter to confer the degrees, and the right thus delegated was practically a dispensa- tion to open councils and receive candidates. Hence all persons received in such Chapter- Councils, having been admitted to the de- grees under and by authority of Grand Council, are in all respects regularly and fully entitled to cryptic recognition. It will fur- ther be observed that there was no dissolu- tion. Grand Council still retained its or- ganized existence, and during the period of chapter exploitation continued to hold its annual assemblies, elect officers, and per- form other acts of routine business. Nor did any of its constituent councils change their legal condition. No charters were 15 surrendered or avoided. It was simply a period of inaction. No dues were collected, no Grand Council tax was paid. The councils remained as they were, ready to resume their active duties whenever the word should be given. Undoubtedly had the plan of " mer- ger" produced the results intended this temporary dormancy would, in time, have become death, even though no formal de- cree of ouster and dissolution was pro- nounced; but at this time the measure was regarded as wholly experimental, and for this reason Grand Council retained its au- tonomy and preserved its constituents in the like condition. While the adoption of this plan may have been a justifiable measure in some jurisdictions, the writer feels that in Illinois it was indefensible. The proceedings of 1877 show that thirty-five councils made re- turns; that seven councils had failed to make returns that year which were not theretofore in arrears, and that only eight councils were behind for two years, certainly not such a showing as to induce a settled belief that there was ' ' no tangible method of saving the Cryptic degrees from the dark waters of oblivion, but to follow the action of the Grand Councils of Mississippi and North Carolina, and relegate them to the jurisdic- tion of the Grand Chapter." Yet this was the conclusion of the Grand Master, and the committee which considered his ad- dress endorsed the conclusion. The fault, if fault there was, lay wholly with the offi- cers. Apathy in the leaders will certainly produce the like condition in the following. * * * The five years that followed were very much like a captivity. Grand Chapter did what it could; it amended its constitution so as to legalize the conferring of the Cryptic 248 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. degrees in councils appendant to its constit- uent chapters; it provided a revised ritual; it could do no more. It could not compel its constituents to confer the degrees, or if it could it did not, and the constituents, adapting themselves to the situation, con- ferred them when they felt like it, which was not often. Grand Council held its annual assemblies as usual. That of 1878 showed that some of the councils had held meetings for the transaction of routine business. The Grand Master reported the appointment of a num- ber of representatives and several compan- ions presented their own credentials of ap- pointment. PHILANDER W. BARCLAY was elected M. P. Grand Master. At the as- sembly of 1879 Comp. JOHN O'NEILL was elected Grand Master. The assembly of 1880 was a very informal meeting. The Grand Master (Comp. O'NEILL) was not present, and Comp. JNO. M. PEARSON pre- sided. It does not appear that any assem- bly was held in 1881, and therefore Comp. O'NEILL held over. By the year 1880 a majority of the Grand Councils and Grand Chapters who had for- merly thought that the separation of the two systems was not only unnecessary but operated as well to the detriment of both, had begun to revise their opinions. The dangers resulting from the multiplication of Grand bodies was found to be far less of an evil than was first supposed, while the fic- tion of the preservation of the degrees by capitular supervision had been abundantly demonstrated. Thenceforward there was a growing disposition on the part of both chapters and councils to terminate the ar- rangement. In our own State this was easily effected, as the Grand Council had never abandoned its organization nor had any of its constituents surrendered their charters. A simple agreement to dissolve the compact by the Grand Chapter and Council and the issuance of an edict by the Grand Council to its constituents were the only steps necessary. At the assembly of 1 882 the sentiment in favor of a resumption of its delegated pow- ers by Grand Council crystallized into a resolution, expressive of the sense of the body that it was "expedient to resume con- trol of the degrees of Royal and Select Masters." A special committee was ap- pointed to consider same and to confer with a similar committee on the part of Grand Chapter, which in due time reported that " after a full expression of opinion among themselves, and with the members of the committee appointed by the Grand R. A. Chapter of Illinois, for the same purpose, they believed that the interests of both Capitular and Cryptic Masonry would be best promoted by the mutual abrogation of the Treaty made in 1877 between the said two Grand Bodies." Whereupon it was Resolved, That the Grand Recorder be and is here- by instructed to memorialize the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois upon said subject and ask them to take such steps as they may find necessary, to re-com- mit the care of and the conferring of the degrees of Royal and Select Masters to the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Illinois. A recess was then taken until after the session of Grand Chapter. As will be seen by reference to the pro- ceedings of Grand Chapter for 1882, the control of the degrees were willingly re- linquished by that body and the chapters of its obedience debarred from further ex- ploiting same. The Constitution was amended so as to eliminate all references to the Cryptic degrees and Grand Council COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 249 was again at liberty to exercise its ancient prerogatives and constitutional rights. Two days afterward (Oct. 27) Grand Council was called on and the following ac- tion taken: Kesolved, That upon the issuance of an edict by the M. E. Grand High Priest of the Grand R. A. Chapter of Illinois, returning to this Grand Council the authority conferred in them to authorize the con- ferring of the Council degrees, and the issuance of an order by the Most Puissant Grand Master to the Subordinate Councils of this State to resume work, al) Royal and Select Masters made under the authority heretofore recited, be and are hereby declared regular non-affiliated Royal and Select Masters, entitled to all the rights and benefits of such. And to enable companions greeted in chap- ter-councils to avail themselves of the benefit of the degrees, it was further ordered that a certificate of the fact, under the seal of the chapter to which the council was ap- pendant, should be considered equivalent to a dimit and be accepted as such by all coun- cils in the jurisdiction. Comp. JNO. O'NEILL was re-elected M. P. Grand Master. The terms of the "surrender," by Grand Chapter, provided that the final relinquish- ment should take effect January i, 1883, and Grand Council was requested to take such action in reference thereto as it might deem proper. Accordingly the M. P. Grand Master issued an edict directed to the Thrice Illustrious Masters, officers and companions of the jurisdiction, notifying them of the facts and granting a plenary dispensa- tion to the councils to open, elect officers and proceed to work under the rules and regulations of Grand Council as formerly in force. The response was highly gratifying. Over twenty councils gave immediate notice that they had resumed work, while a large number sent expressions of their approval. All were satisfied of the inutility of the "Mississippi plan," and all rejoiced that the years of the captivity had come to an end. 1883. The thirty-first annual assembly was held at Chicago, October 24, 1883, Comp. JNO. O'NEiLLpresiding. Twenty-one coun- cils were represented. Four new councils were chartered. The constitution as it ex- isted prior to the 26th day of October, 1877, was restored and Grand Council quiet- ly settled back into the old grooves in which it had so long moved previous to the "mer- ger." GEO. W. CURTISS was elected M. P. Grand Master. It was hardly to be expected that mat- ters would move as easily after the rude displacement occasioned by the merger as before that event. A number of councils had become so "dormant" that more than a mere edict was required to awaken them, while a few had actually passed into the sleep of death. By the vigorous efforts of the officers who have been called to the East since the " resumption " many of these dead councils have actually been resuscitat- ed, and where this was not possible new councils, sometimes bearing the old names and numbers, have been planted in their stead. 1884. The assembly of 1884 was attended by the representatives of twenty-one councils, while the reports show that twenty-five councils made returns. The ritual promul- gated by the Grand Chapter, virtually the "Convention work," was reaffirmed and adopted as the standard of the jurisdiction. 250 COMPENDIUM OF FREBMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. HARVEY E. HUSTON was elected M. P. Grand Master. 1885. The year 1885 marks the final resump- tion of its powers by Grand Council and a full return to the old ways. Under the faithful and efficient supervision of 111. Comp. HUSTON the "waste places" com- menced to blossom; new councils were in- stituted, old councils were revived, cryptic interest was awakened and bright prospects opened in the future. Through a misconception on the part of some of the officers, with respect to the treaty of 1877 and the action had thereun- der, it was thought necessary to "heal" companions made under the warrant of chapter-councils. This illusion, though soon dispelled, afforded an opportunity for much adverse criticism as to the character of the R. & S. M.'s made during the mer- ger, and for several years succeeding Grand Council sustained a sharp contention with a number of jurisdictions. Its chief op- ponent was the then newly formed General Grand Council. This organization is a league, formed in 1880 by sixteen of the State Grand Councils, which asserts sover- eign jurisdiction over the United States. The Grand Council of Illinois has never deemed it expedient to unite in this league, although frequently expressing fraternal feelings toward same; hor has it ever ac- knowledged its claim of supremacy as a governing body. At this session proxies "to heal" were given to all presiding offi- cers of councils, and it was not until some time afterwards that it was discovered that the work of the chapters required no "healing," as it possessed no infirmities. A new constitution was adopted at this assembly, which produced several impor- tant changes. The office of " Grand Thrice Illustrious," which for thirty-three years had been a standing enigma, was abolished. So, too, the word " Puissant," which, as a por- tion of the presiding officer's title, had been associated with Cryptic Masonry from its birth, was eliminated, the word "Illustri- ous" being substituted. Comp. HARVEY E. HUSTON was r^-elected M. I. Grand Master. 1886. The year 1886 was one of comparative quiet. The preparations for the triennial parade of the Commanderies at St. Louis had absorbed much of the energy of the cryptic workers, and, as is usually the case in tri- ennial years, cryptic matters remained quiet until the periodic fever had subsided. At the annual assembly a measure was introduced looking toward a change in the qualifications of candidates by opening the councils to Master Masons. The measure went over for a year and was then rejected. A revised ritual was adopted (the one now in use), based upon the convention work as modified by that of Ohio. It ap- pearing that some jurisdictions were dis- posed to deny Cryptic character to such of the companions in the obedience of Grand Council as were greeted during the merger, it was felt that some assertion of protection was required; hence the Grand Master was authorized to issue an edict of non-inter- course between all councils and companions of any jurisdiction which might be guilty of the offence. ' Happily, no occasion ever arose for the exercise of the authority. Comp. NATHANIEL BOWDITCH was elected M. I. Grand Master. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 251 1887. The assembly of 1887 evinced an in- creasing interest in cryptic matters through- out the State. The energetic and well di- rected efforts of Comp. BOWDITCH had re- sulted in the resuscitation of a large num- ber of dormant councils and several dis- pensations for new ones. Many of the old "wheel horses" who had vociferously pro- claimed the extinction of Cryptic Masonry a few years before now began to institute inquiries as to why their predictions had failed. A few of the "old-timers" came back and resumed the harness, but the con- trol and direction had passed into new hands and the set purpose of these com- panions was to demonstrate that the Cryptic Rite possessed within itself the elements of stability, permanency and strength. The main feature of historic importance at this assembly was the action had with respect to the then hostile attitude and ut- terances of the General Grand Council. One of the earliest acts of that body was to brand as spurious and clandestine the work of the chapter councils. By a resolution it had said: That all Royal Arch Masons who have received the degrees of Royal and Select Master by the author- ity, directly or indirectly, of Chapters or Grand Chap- ters of Royal Arch Masons shall be and are regarded as clandestinely made Royal and Select Masters, who cannot, in any manner, be recognized or admitted into any lawful Council of Royal and Select Masters. While an edict of the General Grand Master had stated: The General Grand Council has determined that none can be recognized as Royal and Select Masters who are not made in a regular council; an appeal has been made, on the score of Masonic courtesy, for the recognition of those made in Chapters, but they can no more be recognized than Royal Arch Masons, made in a Masters' Lodge, can be. It is settled, so that it is not even a matter for discussion, that the General Grand Council and its constituents cannot now or hereafter recognize as regular Royal and Select Masters any of those made under the " Mississippi plan; " it is a matter of principle, and not a question of courtesy. The effect of this edict in jurisdictions which, like Illinois, had but lately discon- tinued the merger experiment, was extreme- ly pernicious, and many persons greeted in chapter councils were thereby deterred from affiliating or giving to cryptic matters any further attention. As all of the work of the chapter councils of this State was done by the express authority of Grand Council and in strict conformity to its rituals, the action of the G. G. C. in arbitrarily declaring this work irregular was resented as an invasion of the sovereign prerogatives and attributes of Grand Council. The matter was pre- sented to Grand Council by the Grand Mas- ter (BOWDITCH), with a recommendation that Grand Council take the initiative in the formation of an association among the independent Grand Councils for the resist- ance of the encroachments of the G. G. C. and the defense of Grand Council sover- eignty. The question was submitted to a committee which reported back a ' ' declara- tion and protest, " which on motion was adopted, and the committee instructed to embody same in a circular to be transmitted to all of the Grand Councils of the United States. Whatever may be thought of the action of Grand Council in this respect, it certainly had one good result: It opened the eyes of the G. G. C. constituents and induced a wholesome respect for the Grand Council of Illinois; for at the next succeed- ing triennial assembly the G. G. C. repealed the obnoxious measures and left the status of R. and S. Masters to be determined by the Grand Councils of the States. 252 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Comp. BOVVDITCH was re-elected M. I. Grand Master. NATHANIEL BOWDITCH. Past M. I. Grand Master of the Grand Council, K. & S. M., of Illinois. 1888. At the assembly of 1888 the address of the Grand Master disclosed "a healthy, hopeful condition prevailing in the jurisdic- tion." As "an additional laborer to strengthen and uphold the hands of the Grand Master," that functionary was re- quested to appoint some qualified compan- ion as Grand Lecturer. As Comp. BOW- DITCH retired from the East at this session the appointment fell upon him and the prec- edent thus established has been continued ever since. Comp. GEO. M. MOULTON was elected M. I. Grand Master. 1889. The assembly of 1889 was uneventful. The reports showed, however, that the Cryptic Rite was stronger in Illinois than ever before, a condition that had resulted mainly from the intelligent, well-directed and persistent efforts of the companions who had controlled its councils and guided its energies since the resumption. Comp. WM. K. FORSYTH was elected M. I. Grand Master. 1890. The year 1890 offers nothing for special historic mention. The reports from the constituent councils exhibit a gratifying in- crease in membership. The "dead wood " was cleaned out by the forfeiture and sur- render of a number of charters of "dor- mant " councils, and several new organiza- tions were added to the roll.' Comp. GEO. W. WARVELLE was elected M. I. Grand Master. 1891. The principal event of the year 1891 was the inauguration of the mass conven- tions which have since proved so popular as well as beneficial. The initial convention was held at Decatur, on September isth, of this year, and was in all essential par- ticulars a brilliant success. The occa- sion brought together a large number of earnest and enthusiastic workers from all parts of the jurisdiction, and the time was profitably spent in discussions of economic questions, the exemplification of the ritual and instruction in matters concerning which the manual furnishes no information. The objects and purposes of the convention commended themselves to Grand Council, and the incoming Grand Master was author- ized to establish a convention of like char- acter at such time and place as he might determine. The practice has been contin- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 253 ued by succeeding Grand Masters and has now almost come to be regarded as one of the established customs of the jurisdiction. The subject of a union with General Grand Council came before the session on the report of a special committee raised to consider the question, and for the third time in its history Grand Council placed upon record its disinclination to engage in "en- tangling alliances " of this character. Comp. SAMUEL J. LE FEVRE was elected M. I. Grand Master. 1892. The session of 1892 demonstrated that the Rite was still making substantial prog- ress. Grand Council denned and estab- lished a jewel for its Past Grand Masters, and since then has followed the custom of presenting to each retiring officer a testi- monial of this character. Comp. MARSHALL U. TRIMBLE was elected M. I. Grand Master. 1893. During 1893 the condition of the coun- cils was that of continued improvement. Not only were there a number of new coun- cils instituted, but the returns to the annual assembly indicated greater activity than formerly in many of the old councils. The minimum fee for the degrees was fixed at ten dollars. Comp. F. C. WINSLOW was elected M. I. Grand Master. 1894. Notwithstanding the general financial depression which marked the year 1 894, the Rite in Illinois exhibited a healthy growth. The treasury now showed annual balances larger than at any time in the history of Grand Council, and for the first time in many years a " per-diem " was paid to its committees and representatives. This feat- ure has been continued ever since, and is, perhaps, the best commentary that can be offered upon the general health of the insti- tution. Comp. A. M. WERNER was elected M. I. Grand Master. 1895. With the year 1895 Grand Council closed the forty-third year of its existence. At its first assemblies at Jacksonville in 1853-4, three councils were represented. At the assembly of 1895 the representa- tives of forty-one councils were reported as present by the Committee on Credentials. At the date of organization the combined membership of the three original councils was only fifty-two, and the largest council in the jurisdiction (Illinois, No. i, of Knox- ville) returned only twenty-eight members. In 1895 the aggregate membership of the State was 2,659. No financial statements appear in the proceedings until the year 1856, when it would seem that the income for the year was $121. 50, and that after the payment of orders there was a balance in the treasury of $117.31. In 1895 the income for the year was $1,128.25, while the treasury bal- ance was $2,226.73. It is true these fig- ures sink into insignificance when compared with the income and assets of some of the other bodies, yet they are of far more than ordinary interest when read in the light of past events. Comp. M. M. LORD was elected M. I. Grand Master. * * * As a rule Grand Council has changed its 254 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY JN ILLINOIS. presiding officer every year, following in this respect the examples set by most of the other Grand bodies. Where this rule has been departed from it has been to secure the services of some zealous brother during a period of depression or of peril. This was noticeably the case after the resumption when Companions HUSTON and BOWDITCH were each re-elected to a second term. Of the men who have occupied the East, taken as a whole, Grand Council may well feel proud, for with few exceptions they have been Masons of eminence and men of high social standing in the community. The first Grand Recorder was Comp. HARMAN G. REYNOLDS, who was present and assisted in the organization. Comp. REYNOLDS continued to perform the duties of the office until 1868, when, by reason of his e'evation to the dignity of Grand Mas- ter of the Grand Lodge, he resigned the po- sition and his mantle fell upon his son, JOHN C. REYNOLDS. The latter was Recorder for the years 1 868-9-70, or three years in all. He was not present at the assembly of 1871, nor does he ever seem to have appeared in Grand Council after the year 1870. At the assembly of 1871 Comp. JAMES H. MILES was elected Recorder, and by successive re-elections continued to occupy the office until 1877, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent Comp. GIL. W. BARNARD. Thus in the near- ly half a century of life Grand Council has had but four recording officers. Indeed it may with propriety be said to have had but three, as Comp. JOHN C. REYNOLDS was practically but a proxy for his father. The first Treasurer was Comp. WILLIAM McMuRTRY, who also served in the same ca- pacity during the early years of Grand Lodge. Comp. McMuRTRY was Treasurer until 1862, when he was succeeded by JAMES R. MACK. In 1864 Comp. MACK was suc- ceeded by Comp. CHARLES FISHER, who continued to carry the purse until 1888, when he resigned and Comp. JOHN C. SMITH, the present Treasurer, was elected. At the organization the venerable LEVI LUSK was elected Grand Chaplain, and this office he continued to occupy until 1869, with the exception of one year (1861), when WM. LAVELY officiated. In 1870 Comp. DAVID B. BUNN was elected, and in 1871 Comp. LUSK was reinstated. In 1872 Comp. HENRY G. PERRY was elected, and by suc- cessive re-elections has since continued to acceptably perform the duties connected with the office. At the reorganization meeting in March, 1854, the Grand Puissant was authorized to procure a seal for the use of Grand Coun- cil and at the "Grand Convocation" in Sep- tember of the same year Comp. HIBBARD reported that he had performed that duty. No instructions seem to have been given to the Grand Puissant with respect to the de- vice to be employed, nor does Grand Council seem to have taken any action on Official Seal of the Grand Council, Royal and Se- lect Masters of Illinois. (From the original, through the courtesy of GIL. W. BARNARD, Grand Recorder.) COMPENDIUM! OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 255 the report further than to audit and pay the bill incurred in procuring the seal. We may reasonably infer, therefore, that the seal of the Grand Council, like that of most of the Masonic bodies of the State, repre- sents the personal ideas of the person pro- curing same, and that to the good taste and judgment of Comp. JAMES H. HIBBARD are we indebted for the present die. The device upon the seal, the trowel enclosed within the equilateral triangle, is the ancient jewel of a Royal and Select Master, while the inscription beneath it re- fers to the date of institution, viz. : Year of the Deposit, 2854 (1854 V. E.). With the resumption in 1883 was adopted the present system of district supervision. This plan was first suggested by Comp. WM. A. LEVANWAY, while Grand Puissant, in 1872. No attention was paid to the recommendation at the time, and no action looking toward such a course was had until 1877, when Comp. J. J. FRENCH succeeded in securing the passage of the following resolutions: Resolved, That it is expedient and proper, con- sidering the lack of uniformity, not only in the work and ritual, but also in the necessary paraphernalia for working, to divide the State into nine districts, and to appoint three zealous, efficient and faithful Companions as District Deputies (or Giblimites), of the nine dis- tricts (or Arches) three to each district, whose duties and prerogatives shall be similar to those of Deputies of the Grand Lodge, and they shall co-operate with the Grand Master in the diffusion and exemplifying of the work, and see that each Council has the necessary furniture for working. Resolved, That to accomplish this end the Grand Master shall have power to divide the State into nine Districts and appoint three Deputies (or Giblimites) to each Arch or District. But Grand Council, at that time, had fully made up its mind that it was not com- petent to transact its own business, or for that matter to longer remain in the Masonic field, and the resolutions were received and adopted more as a compliment to Comp. FRENCH, who at this session was elected Grand Master, than with any view to their utility or practical use. Before the assem- bly closed the degrees had been formally transferred to Grand Chapter, and hence there was no longer a necessity or even a right for the inspection provided for. When Grand Council resumed its old authority in 1883 one of the first acts of the Grand Master was to divide the State into six districts, which he assigned to the offi- cers of Grand Council for supervision and inspection. The following year his succes- sor (Comp. CURTISS) made a division of five districts. The precedents thus set were followed by Comp. HUSTON, who divided the jurisdiction into eight districts and as- signed suitable persons to the supervision of same. In 1886 Comp. HUSTON again divid- ed the State into nine ' ' arches, " and this di- vision and nomenclature has been retained by all of his successors. There is nothing in the laws or regula- tions of Grand Council which expressly re- quires this subdivision, nor, if we except the resolution of 1877, any direct authority for same; but the precedent set by former Grand Masters, as well as the practical benefits resulting from the practice, has seemed to warrant its continuance, and the districting of the jurisdiction by the incom- ing Grand Master now follows as a matter of course. Unlike the Lodge and Chapter, there are no long standing regulations of a uni- form character with respect to official 256 COMPENDIUM Of FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. jewels, and as a consequence there is con- siderable dissimilarity in many jurisdictions. When MACKEY prepared his manual he em- bodied what seemed to be the prevailing usage in a majority of the States, and Official Jewel of Past Grand Master of the Grand Council R. & S. M., of Illinois. (Reproduced through the courtesy of GIL. \V. BAKNARD, Grand Recorder). his suggestions have since been generally adopted. But neither CROSS, MACKEY, CHASE nor any other writer ever made any prescription or definition of a jewel of past rank. In this jurisdiction the want of such a decoration for many years was not seri- ously felt, for the revenues of Grand Coun- cil had always been so meagre that no testi- monials could be given to its retiring officers. But when the quickening in- fluences of the "resumption" com- menced to show a treasury balance it was deemed eminently proper that the Grand Masters, whose labors had con- tributed to this end, should be suita- bly recognized, and the first person to be honored by the decoration of past rank was Comp. NATHANIEL BOW- DITCH. No formal action was taken with respect to a design until the assembly of 1892, when the Committee on Con- dition of the Rite reported that, after diligent search, they were unable to find that Grand Council had ever made any official definition of a Past Grand Master's jewel, and to supply such deficiency they recommended the fol- lowing: The official jewel of a Past Grand Master of this Grand Council shall consist of a repre- sentation of nine arches in perspective, covering a " mosaic pavement" of alternate black and white squares. In the inmost recess is suspended a triangular plate having engraved thereon the sacred yod. On the keystone of the first arch is engraved a trowel. The whole design to be suspended or enclosed within a circlet having incrusted upon its outer surface a wreath of laurel and upon its upper part the word " Illi- nois." The circlet to be suspended by a gros- grained ribbon of royal purple fastened to a horizontal bar and pin. On the outer surface of bar three triangles with a dot in each angle, representing the illumination of the S. V. The jewel to be of gold with appropriate enamels, and all substantially as set forth in the design herewith sub- mitted and made a part of this report. No other or- namentation of any kind shall be permitted, nor shall COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 257 said jewel be set with any precious stones, and any companion entitled of right to wear this decoration who shall make any variation in said design, or pro- cure any ornamentation other than as above set forth, shall thereby forfeit his right to wear such jewel at any of the sessions of this Grand Council or in any of the councils of its obedience. The report was received and the recom- mendations formally adopted. The jewel thus adopted is as beautiful in its composi- tion as it is significant in symbolic meaning, and has since received the formal approval and adoption of several other jurisdictions. The first meeting of Grand Council was called a "convocation," and this term con- tinued to be employed as a designation of the annual sessions until the year 1866, when the present name of " assembly " was adopted. The first constitution in 1853 was very inartificially framed, and did not, in terms, declare the official name of the body. The constitution commenced as follows: "There shall be a Grand Council of Royal and Se- lect Masters for the State of Illinois, which shall be held as hereinafter directed and shall consist of," etc. The term " Cryptic Rite " has for a num- ber of years been employed as a distin- guishing name for the series of degrees con- trolled by the Council, and the name " Cryptic Masons " has a number of times been suggested as a proper appellation for those who have received such degrees. It is contended in support of this suggestion that the title "Royal and Select Master" is inexpressive of Masonic character and has been retained only by reason of the strong conservative spirit which prevades all branch- es of Masonry and opposes all measures of an innovatory character. At this writing no Grand Council has ventured to make the change, although the subject has several times been broached in this jurisdiction. At the second Mass Convention, held at Urbana in 1892, after a very full and free discussion, it was Resolved, That this Convention recommend to the Grand Council the propriety of changing its official name so that it shall read " Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of Illinois." At the ensuing annual assembly in 1892 the matter was presented to Grand Council upon the motion of Comp. F. C. WINSLOW, who offered the following amendment to the constitution: That this body be henceforth known as the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of Illinois. The proposed amendment was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence, which reported back as follows: V Your Committee on Jurisprudence, to whom was referred the resolution offered by 111. Comp. F. C. WINSLOW, respectfully report, that the necessary infor- mation upon which an intelligent report can be based is not at hand, andthat it therefore recommends that the further consideration of this resolution be post- poned until the next Annual Assembly. It does not seem, however, that the question has been further considered in Grand Council. As will be seen by reference to the chronological review, Grand Council has always opposed the formation of a general or central governing body, or any other form of organization that would in any way involve the surrender of any of its sovereign prerogatives. The project had often been mooted, but it was not until 1880 that a General Grand Council was actually created. 253 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. At this time the degrees, in -Illinois, were under the protectorate of Grand Chapter. Two years later Grand Council resumed control, but the hostile attitude of the new General Grand Council precluded a union even had the inclination been present. When the General Grand finally receded from its first position the old sentiment had become so strong that all overtures were re- jected and this policy has since been main- tained. The General Grand Council is a prod- uct of very recent years, and none of the arguments which support either the right of existence or claim of fealty in the case of the General Grand Chapter are applicable. Its history, as well as the antecedent cir- cumstances, may be briefly summarized as follows : It is beyond question that the original forms of the cryptic degrees were not pre- served as they came from the hands of their founders, and that in their dissemination by the self-appointed chiefs who controlled them they soon assumed a bewildering va- riety of phases in the method of organiza- tion, order of arrangement and ritualistic expression. As time wore on these features became more pronounced. In some juris- dictions the scale was increased by adding the Super-Excellent degree; in some it was expressly rejected, and in others it was un- known. There was no uniformity in the order of conferring the two recognized de- grees. In some States the Select was the first of the series, in others the last, and while the general principles which give dis- tinctive character to the rite were probably the same in all jurisdictions, yet in many there was a commingling of legend and in- cident. The salient features of one degree were often transferred to the other and that which to us would seem to be inseparably connected with the Select was not infre- quently to be found in the Royal degree and vice versa. In the names, titles and num- ber of the officers there was also a great diversity, while in the smaller details the same conditions prevailed in a still more aggravated form. Added to all this was the unsettled and vexed question of the right of capitular domination, which ever since the organization of the first councils had con- tinued to assert itself. Out of these facts grew these assemblies, which are popularly known as National Conventions. It was generally conceded that the con- dition of affairs as just related, called for some action calculated to secure substantial uniformity in the number, arrangement and ritual of the degrees as well as in the organ- ization of the bodies, both grand and con- stituent; and as early as 1848 Comp. A. G. MACKEY proposed that a convention be held to make an amicable settlement of the dis- puted questions involved in the conflict of jurisdiction between Councils and Chapters and to determine upon a uniform method of conferring the degrees. An attempt was made to have this convention held at Boston in 1850 during the convocation of the Gen- eral Grand Chapter; but it does not appear that sufficient interest in the subject could be created at that time to insure an attendance, and no call was issued. With this ex- ception, however, no one seemed prepared with a remedy, and so matters remained until 1867. At this time measures were initiated looking toward a solution of the difficulty by a suggestion that at the tri- ennial session of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar to be held in the city of St. Louis the following year, the Grand Councils should insure the attendance of COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 259 some of their best workmen for mutual con- sultation and interchange of ideas. The project was favorably received and the Grand Council of Maine formally crys- tallized the suggestion by making it a resolu- tion addressed to the other Grand Councils of the country. It is further worthy of note in this connection that the resolution, in ex- press and unmistakable terms, disclaimed ' ' any intention or desire of forming or seek- ing to form, a General Grand Council of the United States," yet this was the germ from whence the present General Grand Council was evolved. But nothing practical came of .this resolution, as the proposed conven- tion did not materialize and the ' ' best work- men, " if present at St. Louis, probably found more congenial employment in other avenues of labor. The project was kept alive, however, and four years later, through the joint efforts of the Grand Councils of Maine and Massachusstts, a convention was held at the city of New York at which four- teen Grand jurisdictions were represented, Illinois among the number. The business of this convention was devoted mainly to a revision of nomenclature and the arrange- ment and order of the degrees. The results were highly gratifying to all concerned, but owing to differences of opinion in reference to some of the matters presented, to settle which would require more time than the convention could command, it was deemed advisable to remit same to a committee upon which members of Grand Councils not represented should also be appointed. This necessarily involved an adjourned session, and so the convention took a recess for one year. The convention met, pursuant to ad- journment, at the same place in June, 1873, Illinois being again represented. But little of a practical nature was accomplished at this meeting, other than to confirm the ac- tions of the year previous, and after the ap- pointment of a committee to memorialize the Grand Encampment on the subject of "prerequisition," the convention again ad- journed to meet in New Orleans the next year. On November 31, 1874, the convention again assembled at New Orleans, but the only question of moment which was pre- sented was the propriety of the immediate organization of a General Grand Body. A committee was appointed to prepare a pro- visional constitution, which was to be sub- mitted to the Grand Councils for approval, but notwithstanding the committee seem to have reported back such an instrument no action was taken upon it. Pending the re- port it was resolved that the ' ' present offi- cers " be continued, and when the constitu- tion should have been ratified by two-thirds of the Grand Councils they should call a meeting for the organization of the new body. The convention then adjourned to meet at Buffalo three years later. The convention did meet, as per adjournment, August 20, 1877, but the session was de- void of interest. Nothing seems to have been done with respect to the main questions presented to the New Orleans meeting three years previous, and the provisional constitu- tion was not even alluded to. After pass- ing the usual resolution to again memoral- ize the Grand Encampment, the convention adjourned without day but subject to the call of the President. There can be no doubt but that, had it not been for a subsequent remarkable con- vulsion of the Cryptic world, the premoni- tory symptoms of which were then visible, this would have been the last session of the Convention, and the project of a General 260 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Grand Council would never have advanced to any higher stage of development than it assumed at the New Orleans meeting. The practical work of the Convention was fully accomplished at its sessions in New York, in 1872-3. These assemblies seem to have been of the highest importance, and were productive of incalculable benefit. In them was done all that was originally contem- plated, and to the men who promoted and conducted them the Craft are under a lasting debt of gratitude. But all that fol- lowed was barren. With no well defined policy, the Convention extended, or at- tempted to extend, its own existence by adjournments. Its "delegates" were not usually the same at its different sessions, and few, if any, who attended were accred- ited as such. It succeeded in dragging its slow length over a period of ten years, and finally, by an act, the full legality of which is not without question, culminated in the formation of a General Supervisory Body of doubtful utility and powers. To understand the motives which actuated the founders of the General Grand Council, as well as the incentives to such action, it will be neces- sary to hastily review the works which were transpiring in the Crypt during the period covered by the Convention's sessions, and particularly of the movement now known in Cryptic history as the "Mississippi Plan.'' Through a variety of causes, real and fanciful, Cryptic Masonry, for a number of years succeeding the close of the Civil war, was in that condition generally described as ' ' languishing. ' ' Having no showy uniforms or military gewgaws to attract the heedless, its growth, as compared with the chivalric orders, was slow; the aspirants for enroll- ment as imitation soldiers passed it by with scorn, and those who had entered it simply through a desire to possess " high degrees " began to forsake it for its more brilliant ri- val, then rapidly rising to the flood-tide of its popularity. It had nothing to offer but " Masonry," and that is what a vast multi- tude of " Masons" have very little use for. Those who remained mistook this process of purification for dissolution, and because they erroneously supposed that our success lay in numerical accessions and our pros- perity in treasury balances, they became despondent, and out of their blind despair evolved the Mississippi Plan. This con- sisted simply of a surrender of the degrees to the Royal Arch Chapter, and while the project had often been discussed and, indeed, practically effected in Virginia under a mis- take of fact, yet, as Mississippi was the first to adopt it as a measure of expediency, it has generally been alluded to as a line of policy peculiar to that jurisdiction. The effect of the action of Mississippi was immediately discernible in the other States, and a spirited contest ensued. In many localities the preponderating senti- ment favored its adoption, and this led to what is now known as "the Merger." It is difficult at this time, for those who have entered the S. V. since the abandon- ment of the "Mississippi plan" to fully comprehend the motives which induced its adoption and even of those of us who were present and participated in the work can find but little justification or excuse for the extraordinary course which was then pur- sued. The writer speaks now only for Illinois. Whatever conditions may have prevailed elsewhere he does not know, and possibly in other jurisdictions the "merger" may have been more defensible than with us. But, however this may be, the action of Mississippi seemed to be infectious and was COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 261 speedily followed in Arkansas, Iowa, Ken- tucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin and our own juris- diction, while measures looking ultimate- ly to the same end were inaugurated in Cal- ifornia and Missouri. Scarcely any two of the merging juris- dictions adopted in all respects the same procedure, although the ultimate object to be attained was everywhere the same, but, as a general similitude pervaded all of the methods employed, the plan pursued in Illi- nois, a detailed account of which is fur- nished in the chronological review, will, per- haps, furnish a fair idea of the salient feat- tures of the movement as it existed in other States. Without questioning the motives of those who advised or aided the consummation of the Mississippi plan, it may nevertheless be said that its influence was pernicious. Its logical effect was the disintegration of the Cryptic system and the reduction of the lit- urgies of the Council to the position of mere "side degrees" of the Chapter. In this jurisdiction they certainly assumed that po- sition. In many chapters they were never conferred; in others only at infrequent in- tervals. In some of the " merging " juris- dictions they were almost lost sight of, and had the movement attained such force as to carry all of the States it is fair to presume that, like all other side degrees, they would in time have fallen into complete disuse and finally have been lost. But fortunately the project met with vigorous opposition in many States, which had a reassuring effect upon some of the weaker jurisdictions, while to still further stem the tide a new factor was evolved known as the General Grand Council. As has been stated, when the Conven- tion which met at Buffalo, in 1877, con- cluded its apparently purposeless session, it adjourned to meet at the call of the chair- man. Very soon thereafter the Grand Council of Mississippi surrendered its de- grees and dissolved its organization. Other States rapidly followed the precedent estab- lished by Mississippi, while still others held the project under serious consideration. This was the condition of affairs at the be- ginning of the year 1880, when the Grand Council of Minnesota formally requested the Chairman, Bro. J. H. DKUMMOND, to call a meeting of the Convention. In response thereto, a call was issued for a meeting to be held at Detroit, August 2 3, 1880, for the purpose of consultation and advisory action, and pursuant to such call, a meeting was held, in which eighteen Grand Councils are said to have been represented. A protest against any usurpation of Cryptic preroga- tives by the General Grand Chapter or any of its constituents was adopted, and all per- sons receiving their degrees under such auspices were declared to be clandestine. The advisability of forming a Genera,! Grand Council was then affirmed; a constitution was adopted and provisional officers elected, all to be subject to the approval of and rati- fication by the Grand Councils of the coun- try, " or of a majority of them." The Con- vention then adjourned, subject to the call of the Provisional Grand Master. On March i, 1881, a proclamation was issued by the Provisional Grand Master (Bro. DRUMMOND), reciting a ratification of the Constitution by nine Grand Councils, and declaring the new organization regularly formed and duly existing " as the governing body of the Rite in the United States." Since then it has continued to assert a mild, and, in many respects, innocuous existence. 262 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. It meets regularly every three years and elects officers. It also publishes its pro- ceedings, which consist mainly of the record of such elections. While it accomplishes but little in the way of tangible results, it does not seem that it is productive of any very serious harm, and were it not that it assumes to be " the governing body of the Rite in the United States, " there would be little room to find any fault with either its organization or methods. The existence of General Grand bodies has always been a question of doubtful ex- pediency. In their essential features they are in derogation of old laws and usages, while their practical usefulness is certainly not apparent to the casual observer. In the case of the chapter the fact that the general body was the precursor if not the parent of all the State Grand bodies, ex- cept Virginia and Pennsylvania, gives to it a certain stability that attaches to many in- stitutions that have outlived their usefulness or outgrown the purpose of their original establishment. But with respect to the General Grand Council no such considera- tions apply. Its original expressed purpose was only that of a defensive league, and now that the conditions which created it no longer exist it is difficult to discover a good reason for its continuance. Since the abandonment of the " merger " craze the Rite in this jurisdiction has en- joyed an era of marked and apparently in- creasing prosperity. Nearly all of the old councils as they existed prior to that event have resumed labor, while many new ones have been constituted. The beauty of its liturgies and the sublimity of its lessons commend it to all thoughtful Masons, and its place, as an exponent of the higher mysteries of the craft, now seems to be forever assured. In a few localities it has been almost to- tally eclipsed by its showy competitor, the commandery, and in a few others maintains only a semblance of vitality; but where Masonry is loved and esteemed for itself and not for whatever facilities it may afford as a means of ingress to other bodies, it is thriving. It has compelled recognition as an integral part of the speculative science of Freemasonry as practiced in the York Rite, and has assumed a strength of po- sition which it never before possessed. That it will ever attain the popularity of the chivalric orders may well be doubted, but the indications are that it will continue to increase in influence and numbers, and that its symbolism, philosophy and teach- ings will continue to command the respect and attention of the Masonic world. The higher developments of science, whether of physics or metaphysics, is, ever has been, and will ever continue to be, the exclusive property of the few, the select, and in the realm of Masonry the conditions are not changed. THE CHIVALRIC ORDERS. INTRODUCTION. IT will hardly be contended that the vari- ous knightly orders which are superim- posed upon the body of Masonry are any part of that ancient institution. It is true that we often hear the terms "Templar Masonry" and "Masonic Knighthood," and that some of these orders have even incor- porated the word "Masonic" in their official titles, but the former are mere col- loquialisms and the latter usurpations. It is also true that in some instances portions of the esotery of the ancient craft have been incorporated in the rituals of these orders and that in every case no postulant will be received except through the portals of the symbolic lodge; yet this, at best, is but a slender connection and insufficient in itself to establish a title to the name " Ma- sonic." On the other hand, these organizations, widely divergent as they may appear, are the direct offspring of the Masonic Fra- ternity. Notwithstanding their legendary histories they seem to have grown out of the ancient craft and to have never had an existence separate from it. In a number of instances, notably the Constantinian Order of the Red Cross and the orders con- trolled by the chiefs of the Scottish Rite, the liturgies are but continuations and ex- pansions of the thoughts and teachings of the craft degrees. Like the lodge and 16 chapter, their genesis is involved in much obscurity and covered by a veil of fancy and fable, but in every instance they may be traced by authentic data to the lat- ter half of the eighteenth century. From the earliest date they appear wholly under Masonic auspices and seem to have been created for the purpose of preserving and cultivating the Christian sentiments of Free- masonry after that institution had become strictly cosmopolitan in character. It would seem that during the last cen- tury there was known and practiced in Eng- land, in connection with Freemasonry, a system known as the ' ' seven steps of chiv- alry. " When the era of constitutional au- thority commenced the several "steps'" were divided among and appropriated by the Grand Encampment of Knights Tem- plar, which took the Orders of the Temple and Malta; the Grand Conclave, R. C. .which took the Order of the Red Cross and the subsidiary Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and St. John; and later the Supreme Council, A. A. S. R. , which assumed control of the Rose Croix and Kadosh. This apportion- ment has been generally observed both in England and its colonies, dependent or in- dependent. In the United States this is still the rule of distribution, except that there is the apparent anomaly of two Red Cross Orders. The old Order of the Red 264 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Cross is still controlled by the Grand Con- claves of the Order, but attached to the commanderies of Knights Templar there is a subsidiary degree known as Red Cross. This latter degree has no connection what- ever with knighthood or chivalry, and is the invention of THOMAS S. WEBB, the fab- ricator of the American Templar system. It is not known or practiced outside of the United States. The chivalric degrees of the Scottish Rite system have no distinct- ive or separate organization, but are con- ferred in course in the bodies of that Rite. When the rival Grand Lodges of Eng- land came together in the memorable Grand Lodge of Reconciliation, held in 1813, they made a definition of Masonry, which they held was comprised within the three sym- bolic degrees of the Lodge and the Holy Royal Arch. There were other degrees then known and practiced, but they were not recognized as legitimate component parts of the Masonic system. But while the United Grand Lodge thus circumscribed the area of actual Freema- sonry, it nevertheless recognized the exis- tence of the Chivalric Orders, and this recognition resulted in the famous permis- sive clause, which was inserted in the "Arti- cles of Union" in the following words: " But this article is not intended to prevent any Lodge or Chapter from holding a meet- ing in any of the degrees of the Orders of Chivalry, according to the Constitutions of the said Orders. " The only organized Chivalric Orders existing in England at the time of the union were the Knights Tem- plar and Knights of the Red Cross (Con- stantinian) : consequently the foregoing per- missive clause applies solely to the two bodies and their appendant orders. In discussing this subject a writer in a late number of the London Freemason says: "The connection of Freemasonry with chivalry may be interpreted in more than one sense. Even those matter-of-fact thinkers who resolutely deny that any of the present Masonic chivalric degrees are derived, however remotely, from the ancient orders, will admit that an ideal affinity, a kinship of noble aims, unites the modern Masonic ' institutions ' with the heroic confraternities of the past. To a romantic ear there is a fascination in the very word ' knight,' and with the adjective ' knightly' we are wont to associate everything that is good and true and honorable. To succor the weak, to defend the oppressed, to do battle for the faith, for one's country or one's friends, such was the glorious pro- gramme of the knights of old, and more especially of those who devoted themselves to the rescue of the Holy Land from the destroying hands of the infidels. ' ' Of the chivalric orders we have in England only two, with their auxiliary or subsidiary degrees, and both are expressly tolerated, if not recognized, by the Articles of Union between the two Grand Lodges in 1813. We mean the Knights of the Temple, with the appendant Order of Mal- ta, and the Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, with the comple- mentary Order of the Holy Sepulchre. As it is our intention to give a full account of these chivalric degrees upon a future occa- sion, we do not purpose entering into partic- ulars now; but it may be said that all these orders, so far as Masonry is concerned, are, if COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 265 not universal, at least peculiarly English in their genius and character. They are not the offspring of the Masonic adventurers of the eighteenth, or earlier part of the nine- teenth, centuries they were not hatched in the fertile brains of a CAGLIOSTRO, a SCHRCE- DER, or a ZINZENDORF. The Grand Mas- ters of the Craft, or other eminent brethren holding high office under the Grand Lodge of England, have for many years presided over, or patronized the mysteries of, those orders; and this fact in itself bespeaks for them the kindly feeling and respect of all true Masons. " Chivalry is but the helmet which com- pletes the panoply of the Masonic soldier; without it he is none the less a soldier, but with it he can go forth into the battle of life with greater confidence and animated by a a surer hope. The only argument which can be used against the Knightly Orders is that they are essentially Christian in their inception and scope. This is true, and it arises from circumstances which are now in- separably interwoven with the world's his- tory, and which, therefore, cannot be an- nulled. "All the memories of the past cling to that central idea the triumph of the cross; and those brethren who now, in a greatly altered state of human affairs, choose to commemorate the deeds of old, must adhere to the pact formerly sealed in blood, amidst the din of arms and the shout of victory. Fortunately we have no sentimental griev- ances upon this point among the Freema- sons of England; no member of the ancient faith of Israel feels himself an outcast be- cause Knights Templar exist, or because the Red Cross banner is being unfurled day after day throughout the length and breadth of the land. "Orders of Chivalry have their advan- tages, inasmuch as they cultivate and pre- serve that nice sense of honor, that delicate perception of the true and the beautiful, which is the attribute of all noble minds. While Freemasonry teaches justice, benev- olence and good-will, chivalry exhorts us to the practice of self-denial and courtesy in every relation of life. ' ' There can be no doubt that the Masonic Orders of Chivalry now flourishing in Eng- land preserve the essential characteristics of the ancient knightly fraternities, and we need not, perhaps, pry too archseologically into their precise origin. It is at least cer- tain that several English royal princes, in- cluding two who were afterwards kings, took a leading part in the organizations of both the Red Cross and the Templar de- grees; and as the Constantinian Order has now been so firmly re-established in Eng- land, let us hope that the two great bodies of chivalry will forever distinguish them- selves amongst Masons by the exercise of those rare but invaluable qualities which ought to be the peculiar characteristics of Christian Knight Masons." 266 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. IT is asserted thai modern Templarism had its origin in the Ancient Order of the Temple, founded at Jerusalem in the begin- ning of the twelfth century, but to support this assertion no direct evidence is offered that will stand the test of critical historical inquiry. The objects of the ancient order were the defense of the Holy Sepulchre and the protection of Christian Pilgrims against the Saracens and Turks. It was a prevailing belief in Europe toward the end of the tenth century that the "thousand years "men- tioned in the Book of Revelations were about to be fulfilled, and that Christ was soon to make his second appearance in Pal- estine to judge the world. Piety and su- perstition combined impelled the faithful to make pilgrimages to the Holy Sepulchre, and this form of devotion soon became epi- demic among all classes of the population. Out of these circumstances grew the mili- tary orders of the East, beginning, in the first instance, with a small number of Ben- edictine Monks, who resided in the monas- teries at Jerusalem and who were mainly employed as nurses in the hospitals attached to their religious houses. The principal of these sodalities was composed of Friars at- tached to the hospital and chapel dedicated to ST. JOHN ELEEMON (the compassionate), and from this circumstance they became known as Knights of the Order of St. John; but as deeds of charity were at first their only duty, they were frequently called Knights Hospitallers. So wide had extended the fame of the Order of St. John, and so popular had it become, that in 1 1 18, shortly after the con- quest of Jerusalem, a new order was cre- ated, designed for strictly military purposes. Nine noble gentlemen (knights), headed by HUGH DE PAYENS and GODFREY DE ST. AL- DEMAR, entered into a compact to devote their lives and service as an escort to pil- grims from the coast to the Holy Shrine. They were entirely destitute, and were sup- ported mainly by the charity of the Hospi- tallers, whose example they followed by taking the same vows and adopting a dis- tinctive habit. They called themselves the "Poor Fellow Soldiers of Jesus Christ," and to commemorate their poverty their earliest seal depicted two knights riding upon one horse. The legend is that DE PAYENS and ST. ALDEMAR had but one horse between them. They chose the Blessed Vir- gin for their patron saint and followed the rule of ST. AUGUSTINE. A residence was assigned to them adjacent to the Church of the Virgin, within the original area of Solo- mon's Temple, and being thus located they came to be called Templars. In course of time the Order became very popular and spread throughout every coun- try in Europe, where it was allowed many privileges. It had houses and castles in every land, and its members enjoyed im- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 267 munities not possessed by any other order. But with the termination of the crusades its day of usefulness as a military body was over, while its enormous wealth and wide fame incited feelings of avarice and envy which eventually led to its annihilation. After an active existence of nearly two hundred years the order finally came to an end, through the treachery of Philip the Fair, of France, and his facile tool, the weak and unscrupulous pope, CLEMENT V. In the year 1312 the order was formally dissolved by a papal bull, and two years later its last Grand Master, JACQUES DE MOLAI, was publicly burnt at the stake in Paris. The order was dissolved in England by an act of Parliament in the i Jth year of the reign of EDWARD II, and its possessions transferred to the Order of St. John of Jeru- salem, or Knights Hospitallers. Subse- quently, in the 32d year of the reign of HENRY VIII, their possessions were trans- ferred to the king.* * * * From the researches of Dr. ARNOLD it ap- pears that the Templars were divided into three classes, viz. : knights, squires, and servitors, to which were added, in 1172, some spiritual members, who served as priests, chaplains, and clerks. All wore the badge of the Order a linen girdle. The clerical members had white, and the servitors gray gowns. The knights wore, besides their armor, simple white cloaks, adorned with octangular blood-red crosses, to signify that they were to shed their blood in the service of the Faith. From the class *One of the privileges possessed by the English Templars was, that their lands should be free of tithes, and these privileges still adhere to these lands; so that a farm, being what is termed "Templar land," is still exempt from the imposition of tithes, if it is occupied by the owner; an exemption which ceases when the farm is worked under a lease. of the Knights the officers were chosen by the assembled chapters. They consisted of : first, Marshals and Bannerets, the leaders in war; second, Drapiers, the in- spectors of wardrobes; third, Priors, the superiors of single preceptories; fourth, Abbots, Commanders, and Grand Priors, rulers over provinces; and fifth, the Grand Commander, who was the chief of the whole Order. He had the rank of prince, and was considered the equal of the sovereigns of Europe. Being entirely independent of all secu- lar authority, and nearly so of all ecclesias- tical, the order exercised an absolute juris- diction over all the affairs of its own mem- bers. Uniting thus the privileges of a religi- ous order with great military power, and always prepared for service by sea or land, it could use its possessions to more advantage than other corporations, and also make con- quests on its own account. The principal part of its possessions was in France; most of the knights were also French, and the Grand Master was usually of that nation. In 1 244 the Order possessed goods, baili- wicks, commanderies, priories, and precep- tories, independent of the jurisdiction of the sovereigns of the countries in which they were situated. After the expulsion of the Templars from the Holy Land, they fixed their chief seat in Cyprus. There the Grand Master re- sided with a select body of knights, officers, and brethren, who exercised themselves by sea against the Saracens. So powerful at length became the Or- der that its alliance and support were eager- ly solicited by many Christian nations, when they went to war with each other. In the quarrels between Philip the Fair and Pope Boniface VIII, the Templars en- 268 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. gaged for the Pope against the king. In consequence of this, Clement V, Philip's friend, under the pretext of a consultation for a new crusade, summoned, in 1 306, the Grand Master Molai with sixty knights, to France. After their arrival, these and all the other knights present were suddenly ar- rested by the king's soldiers. This occurred on October 1 3, 1307. Philip seized upon the estates of the Order, removed his court into the temple the residence of the Grand Master in Paris, and ordered the trial of the knights to be commenced without delay, by his confessor, William of Paris, inquisitor and Archbishop of Sens. He endeavored, however, to justify this arbitrary procedure by the horrible crimes and heresies of which the Order had been accused. Historical records represent the accusers as some expelled Templars, who calumniated the Order at the instigation of its enemies. The charge of apostacy from the faith could not be substantiated. The other allegations, such as that they worshipped the devil, practiced sorcery, adored the idol called Baphomets, contemned the sacrament, neglected confession and practiced unnatural vices, were, according to the general opin- ion of historians down to the present day, malicious misrepresentations or absurd calumnies. A gold box of relics, which the Templars used to kiss, according to the custom of the Catholics, was what gave origin to the story of the Baphomet; and because, in an age previous to the general reception of the doctrine of transubstantia- tion, they practiced the ancient manner of celebrating the mass, viz. , without the ele- vation of the host: this was called contempt of the sacrament; their confessing exclu- sively to their own clerical members was the ground of the charge, that they received absolution from their own temporal supe- riors; and the fraternal bond by which they were united gave rise to the imputa- tion of unnatural practices. In those times of general persecution against heretics, every one whose ruin was resolved upon, and who could not be attacked in any other way, was accused of heresy. Accordingly Philip, being deter- mined, before any inquisition took place, to destroy the Order, for whose wealth he thirsted, the inquisitors employed, who were entirely devoted to him, and for the greater part Dominicans, enemies of the Order, used these means to excite public opinion against them. By means of tortures, confessions of crimes which had never been committed were extorted from the prisoners. Overcome by long captivity and torment, many Templars confessed whatever their inquisitors wished, since a persevering denial of the crimes with which they were charged was punished with death. Clement V at first opposed this arbitrary treatment of an Order which was amenable only to the church; but Philip soon pre- vailed on him to join in its suppression. Two cardinals were sent to take part in the examinations at Paris, and other clergymen were united to the courts of inquisition in the provinces, in order to impart a more legal appearance to the procedure. Though little was, in fact, proved against the Templars, the Archbishop of Sens dared, in 1310, to burn alive fifty-four knights who had denied every crime of which they were accused. In other dioceses of France these victims of tyranny and avarice were treated in a similar way. The other provinces of Europe were also exhorted by the pope to persecute the Templars. Charles of Sicily and Provence imitated the example of Philip, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 269 and shared the booty with the pope. In England, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Ger- many the Templars were arrested, but almost universally acquitted. The inquisi- tions at Salamanca and Mentz also resulted in the justification of the Order. Never- theless the pope, at the council of Vienna, in Dauphiny, solemnly abolished the Order by a bull of March 2, A. D. 1312, not in the legal way, but by papal authority per provisionis potius quam condemnationis viain. The members of the Order were, according to this bull, to be punished with mildness when they confessed the crimes imputed to them; but those who persevered in denying them were to be condemned to death. Among the latter were the Grand Master Molai and Guido, the Grand Prior of Normandy, who were burned alive at Paris, March 13, 1314, after they had cited Philip and Clement to appear before the judgment-seat of God within a year and a day. The pope died, in fact, April 19, in the same year, and the king November 29. The estates of the Order were conferred by the council of Vienna upon the Knights of St. John, and its treasury, in money and precious stones, was assigned for a new cru- sade. But in France the greatest part fell to the crown, and the pope kept considera- ble sums for himself. In Spain and Portu- gal some new military orders were founded and endowed with the estates of the Tem- plars. In other countries the Knights of St. John acquired the rich inheritance of their rivals. The Templars maintained themselves longest in Germany, where they were treated with mildness and justice. At Strelitz some were found as late as 1319. Such was the unhappy destiny of this great and powerful fraternity, whose valor, devotion and achievements form so brilliant a page in the book of mediaeval history. The Ancient Order of the Temple was essentially a military body. There is no authentic evidence to show that it ever pos- sessed or practiced a secret ritual or em- ployed any services or ceremonials other than those of the church. The ceremony of reception for the military novitiate, from all that can be learned, did not materially differ from the usual chivalric forms of knightly investiture, and the vows, obliga- tions, rules and precepts were much the same as those of the other orders of the period. It requires a strong imagination to find any connection between the ancient order and the modern institution that now exists under the same name. There are, how- ever, a number of learned and accomplished writers who have demonstrated this fact to their own satisfaction, and presumably that of others, and to the works of these writers the reader is referred for details. The bet- ter opinion would seem to be that there is no connection between the ancient and modern orders, and that the latter are not intended as a continuation in the direct line of descent from the old Orders of Chivalry, but rather that they are adaptations of the characteristics of the old orders. The Templarism of America is an out- growth, if not a succession, of the English Orders of Chivalry. It is said that in June, 1791, the Knights Templar of England, being prompted by the flourishing state of 270 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. symbolic Masonry, under the system which was inaugurated in 1717, when the first Grand Lodge was organized, and the first Grand Master appointed, and being animated with the desire of reviving the ancient and justly celebrated Chivalric and Religious Orders of Knighthood, which had existed for so many years, assembled in London, and organized the first Grand Encampment; that thereupon they elected Sir THOMAS DUNCKERLEY Grand Master of the Order.un- der the patronage of his Royal Highness, EDWARD, Prince of Wales, and afterward Duke of Kent, and on the 24th of June of the same year, a grand Conclave was held, by which the ancient statutes of the Order were revived, re-enacted and approved. The Encampments known at that time were located at London, Bath, Bristol, York and Salisbury, said to have existed from time immemorial, and to the general organization thus formed is traced the foundation of our present system of Templary. The first Encampment organized under authority of this Grand Encampment of which we have any knowledge, was the Cross of Christ Encampment, of Ports- mouth, England, chartered in 1791, and confirmed under the Grand Mastership of Sir THOMAS DUNCKERLEY. There is some conflict as well as confu- sion of authority with respect to the intro- duction of Templarism into what are now the United States. It would seem that the chivalric orders were originally conferred under the sanction of a Master's warrant or as an adjunct to a chapter of Royal Arch Masons, for we find in the well-preserved records of St. Andrews Chapter, of Boston, under date of Aug. 28, 1769, that WILLIAM DAVIS was accepted and " made by receiv- ing the four steps, that of an Excellent, Super Excellent, Royal Arch and Knight Templar. " Not one, however, of these de- grees were in all respects the same as those now conferred in this country under the same names. The instances of the confer- ring of the degree of Knight Templar are rare until within the last decade of the eighteenth century. About this time the In- spectors General of the Rite of Perfection began a lively trade in "high degrees" of every description, and among the wares car- ried by these urbane and accommodating gentlemen was that of Knight Templar. A singular fact in connection therewith is that nearly all of the " Inspectors " were Jews. The Grand Encampment of England was established in 1791, and the early en- campments of this country seem to have been formed within a few years thereafter, but with no authority from that body. Some claimed under the vague authority which in those days was believed to be vested in the lodge; others were instituted by virtue of a claim of inherent right, under old usage, in three knights, hailing from three different encampments, to open and form a commandery for the despatch of business; but the great majority were self- constituted bodies, organized without any claim of authority. As a rule the early bodies were of a highly ephemeral character. They met, transacted such business as was presented, and disbanded. In very few cases has any record been preserved, and tradition supplies the place of authentic data. From data collected by the late JOSEPH K. WHEELER we find that, aside from the sporadic exhibitions of the lodges, chapters, etc. , the first record of the introduction of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 271 Templarism into this country locates it in Pennsylvania as early as 1794, and that in 1797 a Grand Encampment was formed by four Encampments: Philadelphia, No. i ; Philadelphia, No. 2; Harrisburg, No. 3, and Carlisle, No. 4; but the history of this Grand Body, as well as that of the Encampments engaged in its formation, is vague and un- satisfactory. It is evident that this Grand Encampment never exercised its author- ity to any great extent, if at all, as no charters were issued by it, and no record of its officers or meetings can be obtained, and no evidence is presented to show that it ever afterward held any meetings, and an- other Grand Encampment was organized in 1814. These four early Encampments ceased to exist after 1824, and to St. John's Encampment is traced the connecting link that binds the early history of Templarism with the present. This latter body was char- tered by the Grand Encampment of the United States, June 8, 1819, and is the Num- ber One of to-day, the oldest Command- ery of Knights Templar in Pennsylvania. The second Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania was organized in 1814, on the 1 5th of February, with jurisdiction over Pennsylvania and such encampments in other States as should agree to come under its control, and the following Templar bodies were represented: Philadelphia, No. i (which had consolidated with Philadel- phia, No. 2); Pittsburg, No. 2; Rising Sun, No. i, of New York; Washington, No. i, of Delaware; and Baltimore, No. i, of Mary- land. This Grand Body was dissolved by its own action, June 10, 1824, when Tem- plarism in Pennsylvania was again without an organized head within its jurisdiction. The earliest record of Rising Sun En- campment of New York is 1808, at which time a Grand Master was elected. It claims to have existed prior to that date, but no reliable evidence is submitted to establish facts with certainty. The earliest notice of a possible organization is December 30, 1799, when a request was published in a New York paper, for Knights Templars to assemble and join in the funeral procession of Brother GEORGE WASHINGTON. It is not at all improbable that it may have had meetings by virtue of its inherent right, but, so far as is known, the evidence is tradi- tionary. It received its first Charter of Recognition from the Second Grand En- campment of Pennsylvania, and afterward assumed the name of Columbia, and is rec- ognized as the Number One of New York, the oldest Commandery in the jurisdiction. The Commandery at Wilmington, Dela- ware received its first Charter of Recognition, from the Second Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania, and the earliest evidences of any meeting held prior to that time is in 1812, when the first Knight was created. It subsequently changed its name to St. John's Commandery, No. i, and holds its present authority from the Grand Encampment of the United States. Encampment No. i, of Baltimore, Mary- land, received its first Charter of Recognition from the Second Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania in 1814, and claims to have conferred the Orders of Knighthood as early as 1790. This claim, however, is not sup- ported except by traditionary evidence. It is now known as Maryland Commandery, No. i, and is the oldest Templar Body in Maryland. St. John's Encampment, of Providence, Rhode Island, held its first meeting August 23, 1802, and its records are preserved from that time to the present. It does not under- 272 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. take to claim by what authority it was estab- lished, but was one of the three bodies rep- resented at the organization of the Grand En- campment of Massachusetts and Rhode Isl- and, May 6, 1805. The other two were Bos- ton Encampment, of Boston, and one in New- buryport. St. John's is recognized as the pioneer of Templarism in that jurisdiction, and is designated as the first on the roll. It received its first Charter from the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island on the first Monday in October, 1805, being the seventh of the month. Boston Encampment received its first Charter from the same authority, March 3, 1 806, and previous to that time it was known as Boston Encampment, Knights of the Red Cross. Newburyport Encampment was char- tered by the Grand Encampment of Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island, May 12, 1808. Washington Commandery, No. i, of Connecticut, claims, and apparently with much right, to be the oldest Commandery or organized body of Knights Templar existing in the United States. It was organized in July, 1796, at Colchester, Conn., by virtue of the inherent right delegated to Knights Templars by ancient usage, and is shown to have conferred degrees and transacted other business. It met twice in 1798 and again in 1799, without warrant, but in June, 1801, it received a charter from the Grand En- campment of England, and in 1819 came under the jurisdiction of the Grand En- campment of the United States. It is there- fore the first commandery chartered in this country and the only one that ever received a charter from the Grand Encampment of England. The supreme authority of Templar Knighthood in the United States is known as the Grand Encampment, a body which had its origin in a general convention held at the city of New York June 20, 1816. At this meeting eight encampments are said to have been represented and a constitution was adopted creating a central governing body under the title of " General Grand Encampment of Knights Templar and the appendant Orders for the United States of America." All of the Templarism of the country is subordinate to and under the dominion of this body, and from it nearly all of the authority for the practice of Templar rites has emanated. From 1816 until 1826 there was a slow but steady growth of the order throughout the country. Between 1826 and 1832 it was practically dormant, although the or- ganization was kept up and Grand Encamp- ment held regular meetings. Since 1835 its growth has been uninterrupted. At the triennial conclave of 1862 Grand Encamp- ment adopted a showy semi-military uniform, the effect of which was to greatly stimulate all of the bodies of its obedience, and since then the growth has been remarkably rapid. All of the Templarism of Illinois is derived primarily from the Grand Encamp- ment. The first encampment organized in this or any adjoining State or Territory was lo- cated at Chicago and was created by virtue of a dispensation from the Dep. Grand Master of the General Grand Encampment, May 15, 1845. Some time during the early part of this year Rev. WM. F. WALKER, JOHN R. CASE, WM. STUART and others, residing at Chicago, presented to the Gen- The General Grand Encampment of Knight Templars of the United States of America, To WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, GREETING: WHEREAS, HERETOFORE, TO-WIT: On the fifteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-five, a Dispensation was granted to certain Sir Knights to open and hold an ENCAMPMENT OF KNIGHT TEMPLARS, and the appendant Orders, in the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook, and the State of Illinois, by the name of APOLLO EN- CAMPMENT No. 1 ; AND WHEREAS, Application has been made to this GENERAL GRAND ENCAMPMENT for a perpetual CHARTER OR WARRANT to enable them to continue in all the rights and privileges of a regularly constituted Encampment, and a copy of their By-Laws, and of the minutes of their proceedings, having been submitted for our inspection and approval, and no cause adverse to the granting of prayer of said applicants to us appearing: Now KNOW YE, THAT WE, THE GENERAL GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, reposing special confidence and trust in the fidelity, zeal and Masonic ability of the Officers and members of the said Encampment, and for the purpose of diffusing the benefits of the Order and promoting the happiness of man, by virtue of the power in us vested, DO, BY THESE PRESENTS, recognize said ENCAMPMENT as regularly constituted and established under the jurisdiction of this General Grand Encampment, with full and adequate powers to confer the several degrees of KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSS, KNIGHT TEMPLARS, and KNIGHTS OF MALTA, upon such person or persons possessing the required qualifications, as they may think proper. And we do also recognize the present officers and members of said Encampment, with continuance of the said powers and privileges, to them and their successors forever. PROVIDED, NEVERTHELESS, That the said Officers and members, and their successors, pay due respect to our said General Grand Encampment, and to the Constitution and edicts thereof, and in no way remove the ancient Land-marks of our Order, otherwise this Charter, and all things therein contained, to be void and of no effect. Given at the city of Columbus, in the State of Ohio, this seventeenth (17th) day of Sep- tember, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, and of our Order seven hundred and twenty-nine. By order of the General Grand Encampment. :. CHARLES GILMAN, G. G. Recorder. Typographic reproduction of the original charter of Apollo Encampment, No. 1, the first chartered Encampment in the Northwest. 274 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. eral Grand Encampment a petition reciting, ' ' That the establishment of an Encampment of Knight Templars and the appendant Or- ders, in the city of Chicago, will greatly subserve the honor, usefulness and interests of the institution of Freemasonry," and there "being no Grand or Subordinate En- campment in the State of Illinois, nor in any adjoining State or Territory, * * * solicit a Warrant of Dispensation or Char- ter, instituting them an Encampment of Knight Templars, * * * by the name of Apollo Encampment, Number One, Chi- cago, Illinois, with Sir WILLIAM FREDERICK WALKER as Grand Commander, Sir JOHN ROMAN CASE as Generalissimo, and Sir WILLIAM STUART, Captain General." The prayer was granted, and a dispensa- tion was issued by Jos. K. STAPLETON, D. G. M., on May 5, 1845. Ten days later it arrived at Chicago, and ' ' Apollo Encampment, No. I," was duly formed and opened. At the triennial session next succeeding, which occurred in 1847, the dispensation was ap- proved and a charter passed the seal of Grand Encampment. For six years Apollo Encampment continued to be the only or- ganized exponent of Templarism in Illinois, but on March 25, 1853, the Grand Master, W. B. HUBBARD, granted a dispensation for the organization of a second encampment, to be located at Alton, under the name "Belvidere." It is not known what were the motives that prompted the selection of the peculiar name given to the first com- mandery by its promoters, but we can see how the organizers of the second may have been influenced in the choice they made.* At the triennial session of the Grand Apollo Belvedere is the name given to a celebrated statue of antiquity which is generally regarded among artists as the embodiment of the highest ideal of manly beauty. It is supposed to represent the god Apollo in the moment of his victory over the Python, but numerous other explanations have been suggested. The figure (upwards of seven feet in height) is naked, but a cloak fastened round the neck hangs gracefully over the extended left arm; the expression of the face is one of calm and godlike tri- Encampment held in 1856 a charter was granted to Peoria Encampment, at Peoria. During this year a dispensation was issued to Centre Encampment at Decatur, and in June of the year following (1857) Freeport Encampment was organized at Freeport. This was the situation in the month of Oc- tober, 1857, when the present Grand Com- mandery was organized. The first conclave within the State was held by Apollo Commandery May 20, 1845, at the old Masonic Hall in what was known as the Loomis Building, corner of Clark and Water streets, Chicago, at which time the Order of the Red Cross was conferred on PHILIP P. ROBINSON and six others, and on May 23 following Comp. ROBINSON was created and dubbed a Knight Templar, be- ing the first person to receive knightly in- vestiture in the jurisdiction. Of the commanderies chartered by the Grand Encampment all but one are still extant. Apollo, Belvedere and Peoria united to form the Grand Commandery. Free- port Commandery was instituted in June of the same year (1857) in which Grand Com- mandery was formed, but not being under charter did not participate, nor was it until 1859 that it finally received a charter. In 1856 a warrant was granted for the institu- tion of Centre Encampment at Decatur; the warrant was subsequently several times ex- tended until in 1860 a dispensation was issued to take its place and the new organ- ization thus created was called Beaumanoir Commandery. This latter is in fact but a continuation of the first organization, and since its constitution has been a constit- uent of Grand Commandery. uitiph, mixed with '* beautiful disdain." This great work of art was discovered in 1503 amid the rums of the ancient Annum and purchased by Pope Julius II, who placed it in the Belvedere of the Vatican, whence the name it bears. The date of its execution is with probability referred to the reign of Nero, but the name of the artist is a matter of mere conjecture. The left hand and the right fore-arm, wanting in the statue as discovered, were restored by Angelo da Montorsoli, a pupil of Michael Angelo. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 275 THE GRAND COMMANDERY. FROM the records we learn that pursuant to a call of the several commanderies of the State, a convention was held at the city of Chicago, October 27, 1857, for the purpose of forming a Grand Commandery of Knights Templar for the State of Illinois. The convention was held in pursuance of an edict by the Grand Master of the Grand En- campment of the United States authorizing and empowering the then existing comman- deries to " meet at such time and place as they may agree upon and form a State Grand Commandery subordinate to the Grand En- campment." A commandery of Knights Templar was opened, with Sir HOSMER A. JOHNSON pre- siding; the objects of the meeting were stated, and, upon the motion of Sir WILL- IAM H. TURNER, it was Resolved, That we now proceed to the formation of a Grand Commandery of Knights Templar for the State of Illinois. A committee was appointed to draft a Constitution, which duly reported back a form which was discussed and finally adopt- ed. By the provisions of the Constitution the body was styled ' ' Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Illinois," and it claimed as of right the government " of all councils of Knights of the Red Cross and commanderies of Knights Templar within its jurisdiction." It will be observed that the Constitution makes no mention of Knights of Malta in its statement of juris- diction nor does the name occur in any other part of the document. The convention then proceeded to the election of officers, which resulted as fol- lows: Sir JAMES V. Z. BLANEY, G. C. Sir CLARK B. STEBBINS, D. G. C. Sir BENJAMIN F. BARRY, G. G. Sir HOSMER A. JOHNSON, G. C. G. Sir REUBEN TAYLOR, G. P. Sir ROBERT H. Foss, G. T. Sir WILLIAM H. TURNER, G. R. Sir HENRY L. GAINES, G. S. W. Sir DEWITT C. MARTIN, G. J. W. Sir JOSIAH HUNT, G. S. B. Sir ISAAC UNDERHILL, G. S. B. Sir CHAS. R. STARKWEATHER, G. W. Sir EZRA J. HIGGINS, G. C. G. The officers were duly installed and Grand Commandery entered at once upon its career. From that time until the pres- ent it has maintained a continuous and un- interrupted existence. It has met in annual session each year and the reports of its pro- ceedings have been printed. Its growth, though slow at times, has been steady and healthy. It is at present in a prosperous and nourishing condition, with every pros- pect of a long and vigorous life. In sketching the career of Grand Com- mandery, and incidentally of the Order of the Temple, the historian finds himself much hampered by the fact that this san- guinary-appearing body is in fact composed of the most peaceful of men; that their swords have never been drawn, except on parade, and that the most serious encoun- 276 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ters in which they have been engaged have occurred in some onslaught upon the ban- quet table. A perusal of the published proceedings discloses the fact that much of their time, and no little of their best thought, have been bestowed upon the cut, color and texture of their garments and the manner in which they might best engage the public eye when appearing as a body upon the public thoroughfares. In other words, ' ' uniforms " and ' ' drill " have been live and engrossing topics from the beginning, and apparently the subject is far from exhausted. In the matter of charity the knights have done well, and in the contemplation of their good works we can overlook their little fail- ings in the way of millinery. So, too, the cultivation of the social virtues has been greatly augmented by the work of the com- mandery, and in many other ways has the cause of human brotherhood been advanced by the existence of the " chivalric orders." 1858. The second annual conclave of the Grand Commandery was held at Alton, October 26, 1858, with Sir J. V. Z. BLANEY pre- siding. About this time much dissatisfaction had been created in many jurisdictions by the action of the Grand Encampment of the United States in the adoption of a new con- stitution. It was urged that this instru- ment arrogated to that body powers and prerogatives not before assumed and sub- ordinated to a lower grade than before the State Grand Commanderies; that its exist- ence was no longer necessary to the growth or stability of the order and that it should therefore be dissolved. Some jurisdictions even went so far as to pass ordinances of secession while many were outspoken in their denunciation. But Illinois, having but lately been evolved from the parent body, was strong in its allegiance and placed upon record its declaration that the Grand Encampment was "superior in all matters of legislation and final in all questions of jurisprudence." JAMKS V. Z. BLANEY. First Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Illinois, K. T. (From an engraving in the col- lection of the Editor.) Possibly the fact that the Grand En- campment was to convene in triennial ses- sion at Chicago, the year following, may not have been without influence with Grand Commandery at this time and to some ex- tent have contributed to its professions of loyalty. At all events it was decided that the event should not pass without appro- priate recognition; therefore it was COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 277 Resohed, That the respective Commanderies in Illinois be requested to appoint one of their number to act as a committee with the first four Grand Offi- cers of this Grand body, to receive, welcome, and en- PATRIARCHAL CROSS. Made from wood of the Charter Oak and worn by the Grand Commanders of Illinois as an official Jewel until 1880. (From the original in the archives of Grand Commandery.) tertain the members of the Grand Encampment of the United States, in September next; and that they contribute such sums, to aid in that matter, as their Treasuries will justify. Resolved, That the R. E. Grand Commander be authorized to use any moneys which may come into his hands, or which may remain unappropriated in the Grand Treasury, at his discretion, to be used on said occasion, if necessary. The Grand Commandery, unlike the other Grand Bodies of Illinois, started with means of its own and at its second conclave had a full-fledged mileage and per-diem re- port with abundant cash in the treasury to meet its requirements. The subject of "costume" formed a part of the burden of the Grand Command- er's address, as it has done that of many of his successors; the matter was referred to a committee for future report. At this session a Mr. STEWART, of Hart- ford, Connecticut, presented to Grand Com- mandery a piece of the veritable Charter Oak. The relic was received with thanks, fashioned into a passion cross, mounted with gold, and for the twenty years next en- suring was worn by the Grand Commander as an official jewel. 1859. The first special conclave of Grand Commandery was held in the Masonic Temple, Chicago, September 12, 1859, the special occasion being the triennial con- clave of the Grand Encampment and inci- dentally the consideration of a few commit- tee reports on the subject of constitutional and statutory construction. The committee on "Costumes and Jewels" reported as follows: The Committee appointed at the last Annual Conclave on Costumes and Jewels, being fully of the opinion that it would be inexpedient to change the costume that is now generally adopted in this jurisdic- tion, would recommend that the costume, or equip- 278 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ment, of a Knight Templar in this jurisdiction shall be as follows : Cross Hilt Straight Sword. Sash from Left Shoulder to Right Side. Apron. Gauntlets. Cocked Hat. And that the style of jewels that are laid down in " Moore's Masonic Trestle Board " be adopted as the jewels of all Subordinate Commanderies. Evidently this was not regarded as very explicit, as the report was laid on the table until the annual conclave with instructions to the committee to continue and report more fully, But little business was trans- acted and the report of the committee on constitutions does not seem to have been sufficiently important to be reduced to writ- ing. The third annual conclave was held at Peoria, October 25, 1859, J. V. Z. BLANEY, presiding. Five commanderies were repre- sented, being all of the constituent bodies then existing. The form of burial service adopted by the Grand Encampment was ordered to be used by the subordinate commanderies of the jurisdiction. Probably no act so sharply accentuates the fact that Templarism and Masonry have little in common as the adop- tion of this funeral ritual.* Its effect has not been good and too many men, in the gratification of personal vanity and the love of garish display, have forgotten that they were Master Masons. The Grand Commander referred to the Triennial Conclave just closed as an epoch *The Templar burial service originated in the Grand Com- mandery of New York. Its adoption created dissatisfaction in some quarters as being an invasion of the immemorial rights which pertain to the Master's degree, and in consequence the Grand Commandery of New York felt it necessary to prepare a defence of the service. The substance of the defence was that a Master Mason's Lodge had no claim upon the body of a departed brother; that a Mason has a right, if he so desires, to have a Christian burial and should not be compelled to take Masonic rites instead. But granting all this it is difficult to perceive why the burial rites of the Christian Church are not all-sufficient for him who has no desire lor a Masonic interment. Such service was good enough for the knights of old; why not now? in the Templar history of the State, and the report of the committee on entertainment showed that $653.00 had been raised and expended on that occasion. An interesting comparison may be made with the figures of a similar occasion twenty years afterward. Grand Commander further reported that Grand Encampment had again delivered it- self of a formula for ' ' costumes and jewels, " and that this important matter was prob- ably settled "for all time;" the committee raised on that subject reported back a tran- script of the regulation, and the report was accepted. This uniform comprised "a white sur-coat or tunic, made without sleeves, worn over a black coat and reach- ing down to the knees;" also a " white me- rino cloak worn on the left shoulder." It will thus be perceived how nearly the ques- tion became settled " for all time ." Sir JOSIAH HUNT was elected G. C. 1860. The fourth annual conclave was held at Chicago, October 23, 1860, Sir JOSIAH HUNT, G. C., presiding and six command- eries represented, The subject of "cos- tume " (it had not yet advanced ' to the present stage of "uniforms") again en- gaged the attention of the body, as did also its twin subject "tactics " (since known as " drill "), and a system prepared by Sir W. W. MITCHELL was adopted. A testimonial of silver plate was pre- sented to Sir J. V. Z. BLANEY. Sir Hos- MER A. JOHNSON was elected Grand Com- mander. 1861. At the fifth annual conclave, held Octo- ber 22, 1 86 1, nine commanderies were rep- resented. The returns show substantial progress. A strong effort was to still fur- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 279 ther widen the gap between Ancient Craft Masonry and the Chivalric Orders by the presentation of the following resolution: Resolred, That the suspension from a Lodge or Chapter for non-payment of dues, of one who is a Knight Templar, does not affect his standing or Knightly privileges in a Commandery of Knights Templar. The resolution was defeated by a narrow majority. Charters for three new com- manderies were granted, and Sir H. A. JOHNSON was re-elected Grand Commander. 1862. The transactions of the conclave of 1862 were brief and strictly routine. Measures were instituted looking toward a change in the official nomenclature of the laws in other words to change the titles " Constitu- tion" and "By-laws, "to " Statutes " and " Regulations," and this eventually became the names by which those documents are respectively known. GEORGE W. DEERING was elected Grand Commander. 1863. The year 1863 was quiet in Templar circles. The nation was then in the throes of civil war and the presence of military operations left but little room for the mim- icry of same by the Templar host. No dispensations for new commanderies were granted this year, although the returns showed a considerable increase in the ac- cessions over those of the year preceding and indicated that the orders were rapidly growing in favor among the craft. The subject of "tactics" and "drill" was again uppermost, and MITCHELL'S sys- tem, which was found "to correspond in all its essentials with the drill as practiced in Apollo Commandery as far back as 1854," was adopted. 17 At the session of the Grand Encamp- ment held at New York the year preceding (1862) a resolution was adopted requiring all State Grand Commanderies to cause the. Order of Malta to be conferred with separate- ceremonies according to a ritual furnished by the Grand Master. The constitution of Grand Commandery, following that of the Grand Encampment, provided only for two- orders, viz. : Red Cross and Knight Tem- plar. The matter of the new order was re- luctantly presented by the Grand Commander and Grand Commandery proceeded to its consideration. Sir P. A. ARMSTRONG from the Committee on Correspondence reported concerning it as follows: By the Constitution of the Grand Encampment of the United States, Art. 2, Sec. 2, of General Regula- tions (see page 94 of same proceedings) the Order of Knights of Malta is ignored, and no mention made of it. The Article is very plain. " The rule of succession in conferring the Orders of Knighthood shall be as follows: 1. Knight of the Red Cross. 2. Knight Templar." Shall we support the Constitution and violate the Edict of the Grand Encampment, or obey the Edict and violate the Constitution? Your committee are de- cidedly of the opinion that our obligations to obey the Constitution are paramount. We therefore recommend obedience to the latter without comment upon the im- propriety of a written ritual being promulgated by the parent body, or the lameness of said ritual. In con- clusion, let us enter our solemn protest against hasty legislation and wild, reckless innovation. While the committee on address had this to say: In regard to so much as relates to the action of the Grand Encampment establishing the Order of Knights of Malta, your Committee look upon this ac- tion of the parent body as another evidence of hasty legislation, and in direct violation of Constitutional Law, unless intended as a side degree. And so, Grand Commandery having made- up its mind that it did not require any Malta,, it was 280 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Itesolved, That in the opinion of this Grand Com- -mandery, the Grand Encampment in attempting to establish tKe Order of Knights of Malta, as a separate Order, have inadvertently overlooked Art. 2, of Sec. 2, of their General Regulations. Yet this was the same Grand Command- ery that in 1858 had placed upon record its positive declaration that the Grand En- campment was ' ' superior in all matters of legislation and final in all questions of juris- prudence. " The Grand Commander was authorized to appoint an " Inspector General, when in his opinion it shall be proper to do so, whose duty it shall be, when called upon by any Commandery, or when ordered to do so by the Grand Commander, to inspect the drill, opening and closing ceremonies, and work of Commanderies, and give instruction in the same." W. W. MITCHELL was ap- pointed to the office. WM. H. TURNER was elected Grand Commander. 1864. The eighth annual conclave was held October 25, 1864, with twelve command- cries represented. An installation ritual was adopted, practically the same as the one now in use. The Grand Encampment at its session of 1862 adopted a new uni- form which superseded the one prescribed three years before. It was hinted that fur- ther changes were to be made at the next session, in 1865, conforming still further to military standards. The news was received with consternation, as Illinois had already been put to great trouble and expense by reason of the numerous and rapid changes made during the few preceding years. Many of the Knights had equipped themselves in the uniform of 1859, which was now de- clared obsolete and the prospect of further changes was highly displeasing: wherefore it was Resolved, That our representatives to the Grand Encampment be instructed to vote against any fur- ther changes in the uniform of a Knight Templar, and against any change in the style and title of officers. The action of Illinois with respect to the obnoxious order of Malta had been freely and in some quarters severely criti- cised. Indeed, some writers did not hesi- tate to pronounce it an act of open rebel- lion. Wherefore, in view of the fact that a majority of the Grand Commanderies had adopted the new ritual, it was proposed that the action of 1864 be rescinded, and the ritual promulgated throughout the juris- diction. But Grand Commandery was not quite ready to make a confession of error, either of judgment or legal knowledge, so the proposal was sent to committee and went over for a year. MITCHELL'S Tactics were again endorsed and Commanderies "earnestly and cour- teously urged " to "assiduously study and practice the system therein taught." Apollo Commandery tendered to Grand Commandery a "magnificent and tasteful banquet," which quite captured the repre- sentatives, who, by resolution, profusely expressed their appreciation of the "noble hospitality, admirable arrangements and cordial greetings" extended by the local body. NATHAN F. PRENTICE was elected Grand Commander. 1865. The ninth annual conclave was held Oc- tober 24, 1865, with the representatives of thirteen Commanderies in attendance. The Gi^nd Commander reported that at no time during its existence had Grand COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 281 Commandery been in so prosperous a con- dition. The cloud of war had passed away and with the return of peace came renewed activities i all departments of Masonry. In this awakening the chivalric orders kept measurable pace. Four new commanderies were instituted and the returns showed large gains in all of the old ones. HENRY C. RANNEY was elected Grand Commander. 1866. The tenth annual conclave was held Oc- tober 23, 1866, with fifteen commanderies represented. After four years of considera- tion Grand Commandery concluded to con- form to the edicts of the Grand Encamp- ment with reference to the number and succession of the orders, and by constitu- tional amendment the Knight of Malta was made a regular grade to be conferred after that of the Temple. Grand Commandery closed the first dec- ade of its career with seventeen comman- deries under charter and five under dispen- sation, with a total membership of 978. The treasury disclosed a healthy condition of the finances with a cash balance of $2,- 086.95. GEORGE C. LANPHERE was elected Grand Commander. 1867. Eleventh annual conclave October 22, 1867: nineteen commanderies represented. The never failing subjects of tactics, drill, costumes and uniforms again came to the front. MITCHELL'S system was now con- demned as "defective and incomplete." The Grand Commander reminded the Knights that " there is an outside world, to whose opinions we must pay some respect;" hence the commanderies should have a " more thorough practical knowledge of tac- tics and drill. " Indeed, in the sixties this was a cardinal article of faith; and while osten- tatious display and the mimicry of military usages is not as conspicuous as during the days immediately succeeding the war, there yet remain no inconsiderable number who firmly believe that the magnum opus of Tem- plarism is perfection in drill. How it was regarded in 1 867 may be gathered from the following excerpt from the address of the Grand Commander (Sir G. C. LANPHERE): To the public we are known only as a military body; we are soldiers or nothing; "Aut Cwsar, aut nullus." Now, soldiers without discipline are simply ridiculous. There must be a knowledge of the sword exercise, and of the evolutions peculiar to the order; and a prompt, correct, soldierly bearing in their exe- cution, otherwise we shall do the Order discredit when- ever we appear in public. We must not forget that a great change in the knowledge of military matters has taken place in our country in the last few years. Al- most every other young man we meet, from long serv- ice in the army, has become a critic of such matters, and will not be slow to expose our ignorance. The matter was referred to a committee, which duly reported same back as follows: Your Committee, to whom was referred the sub- ject of Tactics and Drill, respectfully beg leave to re- port that they have considered the subject as fully as circumstances will permit. They have examined sev- eral of the various works extant, and while those works contain general rules that are commendable they are at the same time deficient in detail. Your Committee are fully impressed with the necessity of a more complete system upon this subject than has yet come to their knowledge, a work that will approximate to the present system of military tactics and drill, as far as the same may be applicable to the various ceremo- nies of our Order. Considering the short time allowed this Committee, they are unable to present such a sys- tem for the consideration of this Grand Conclave. We therefore recommend that the whole subject mat- ter be referred to a Committee of three, with instruc- tions to prepare a full and complete system of Tac- tics and Drill; and, when completed, to make report to the R. E. Grand Commander, and, if approved, to be promulgated by him for the government of the Subordinate Commanderies of the State of Illinois. 282 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. And so the question was disposed of for the time. VINCENT L. HURLBUT was elected Grand Commander. 1868. Twelfth annual conclave, October 27, 1868: twenty-six commanderies represented. The Grand Commander (Sir V. L. HURL- BUT) reported the promulgation of the new regulations for "tactics and drill" which he deemed sufficient to meet ' ' any and every emergency;" recommended the ap- pointment of a committee to "indicate what the true ritual is" and that provision be made for the election of a " Grand Ex- pert " with authority to visit the command- eries and to " instruct the officers and mem- bers in the true work and in the tactics and drill." He also suggested the propriety "of setting apart a day for the annual parade and general review of the Commanderies of the State." The tactics above referred to are what are now known as MYERS' Tactics, and which have been used in this jurisdiction for many years. They are largely the work of the late CHARLES H. BROWER, but having been published by E. B. MYERS, have generally passed under his name. The title of the book is "The Templars' Manual;" it has passed through several editions and is de- servedly held in high esteem. Grand Commandery endorsed most of the Grand Commander's suggestions; provided for the appointment of a committee "on work;"' authorized the annual appointment of an "Inspector General;" adopted the tactics and directed that the commanderies conform thereto; concurred in the opinion that the annual parade "would be of great benefit in many respects ," but that it was not expedient at that time to adopt a regu- lation providing for same. Sir J. R. GORIN was elected Grand Com- mander. 1869. Thirteenth annual conclave, October 26, i86g: twenty-seven commanderies repre- sented. The Grand Commander announced the completion of the new ritual and recom- mended its adoption. He further stated That much complaint is made (and justly, too, I think) that it is not made a necessary qualification, be- fore receiving the Orders of Knighthood, that the can- didates should first have received the Council De- grees. So long as that branch of Masonry remains a separate and distinct body, making it requisite before entering its portals that the candidate must have re- ceived all of the intermediate Degrees, from Entered Apprentice to and including the Royal Arch, it does seem tome that it is desirable, if not absolutely neces- sary, that the Grand Commandery should require of every one seeking admission into our Asylum, that they come fully qualified, by having taken all of the preceding Degrees, from Entered Apprentice to Royal and Select Master. I suggest that this subject be referred to a special committee for consideration and report. The committee on address endorsed the recommendation for reference and added to the Grand Commander's remarks the fol- lowing: While on the subject of this recommendation of the Right Eminent Grand Commander, they beg leave to say that there appears to them much propri- ety in making these degrees a prerequisite to admis- sion into our Orders. Cryptic Masonry is a part and parcel of Ancient Craft Masonry. Without it Mason- ry is incomplete; with it, our ancient institution is rounded off into one consistent, harmonious whole. Masonry, which may be said to be founded in natural religion, forms a basis of our superstructure; while the chivalric orders of Knighthood, constituting the apex, had their origin and receive their life from the benign influences of revealed religion, which is the voice of Infinite Wisdom and Mercy speaking to fallen man. How manifestly proper, then, that the foundation, VINCENT L. HURLBUT, 33 Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, K. T., of the United States; Past Grand Commander of the Grand Comman- dery, K. T., of Illinois. (From an engraving in the collection of the EDITOR.) LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOn COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 285 Masonry, should be complete and perfect before we attempt to erect thereon the beautiful temple of Chris- tian Knighthood. By resolution the subject was referred to a special committee to report at the next annual. The ritual as presented by the commit- tee raised for that purpose was adopted; Grand Representatives from other jurisdic- tions were accorded the rank and prece- dence of Grand Captains General. Sir CHARLES E. MUNGER was elected Grand Commander. 1870. The fourteenth annual conclave was held October 25, 1870. Thirty-three command- cries represented. The Grand Commander called attention to the subject of an annual parade and review; and the Committee on Address, "appreciating the importance of the suggestion," recommended that a day be set apart for that purpose. The report was received "and the recommendations adopted." The subject of uniforms was still an engrossing topic. It was found that a "diversity of opinion" existed with re- spect to the details of the regulation cos- tume prescribed by the Grand Encampment, and that as a consequence " the uniforms of the Commanderies in this State vary in many important particulars." To correct this great evil a committee was appointed to report a uniform "which shall conform to that adopted by the Grand Encampment. ' ' This duty the Committee performed, appar- ently to the satisfaction of Grand Command- ery, but to the casual observer there was still much room for "diversity of opinion" with respect to a coat made of ' ' black cloth, cut military style. " Having thus settled upon a uniform the following action was had: For the dignity and respect of the Knightly Order, and courtesy to this Grand Commandery, be it Resolved, That all representatives to the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Illinois, be, and are, hereby requested to appear at its future Conclaves equipped, at least in the undress uniform of a Knight Templar. It seems, however, that the uniform, while conforming to regulation, was not in all respects to the liking of the Knights, for it was further Resolved, That the representatives of this Grand Commandery to the next session of the Grand En- campment of the United States, be requested to urge the propriety of abandoning the baldric as a part of a Knight's Templar uniform. And strange as it may seem, there has always been a strong objection to this, the only distinctively knightly insignia now worn by the Knights Templar of this country. The baldric or cordon was never worn by any but Knights. All of the other equip- ments the belt, sword, lance, mace, etc. were worn and used even by the common soldiers, the men-at-arms. The baldric of the Knights Templar is not a sword belt but a survival of the old cordon, and while the knightly fraternities of England and Europe have long since discarded the sword, as well as every other appearance of mili- tary equipment, the cordon or baldric has been retained, and upon all occasions of cere- mony, or in social functions where the knightly character is pertinent, is invariably worn in connection with the badges or cogniz- ance of the particular order of which the knight may be a member. In the edict of 1862 the word "baldric" does not appear, and that which we now call by such name is alluded to as a "scarf," thus clearly import- ing the character intended. Just about this time the members of the Cryptic degrees were urging upon the Chiv- 286 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. alric Orders the propriety of a unification of the American system of Freemasonry by making the degrees of Royal and Select Mas- ters a prerequisite for the Orders of Knight- hood. The true Templars were not averse to this, the men who spoke and wrote of the order as " Templar Masonry;" but the men who saw in Templarism nothing but the glitter to whom the Templar's sword was strictly a carnal weapon with no sym- bolic significance opposed the project stren- uously. In the Grand Commandery the Council had generally been regarded favora- bly, for the leaders, with but few exceptions, had all "wrought their regular hours in the Secret Vault." It will be remembered that the subject came before Grand Comman- dery at its session in 1869, when it was re- ferred to a committee who reported to this conclave as follows: Your committee raised by a resolution reported by the Committee on Doings of Grand Officers in 1869, to take into consideration the suggestion of P. G. Commander GORIN, made at the last annual Conclave, relating to the Council Degrees would report: That they have had the matter under considera- tion. We find, by reference to the proceedings of the Grand Encampment of 1856, that M. E. WILLIAM B. HUBBARD, at the time Grand Master, disapproved of the action of the Grand Commandery of Connecticut, in requiring the Council Degrees as a prerequisite of the Orders of Knighthood. Your committee find that the decision was re- ferred to the Committee on Jurisprudence; by them reported upon, and the report laid over for considera- tion at the triennial session of 1859, in which latter year no action was had thereon no allusion thereto being made. That the Grand Commandery of Connecticut deemed the decision inoperative and void, not being approved by the Grand Encampment, is apparent, from the fact that the Grand Commandery of Con- necticut refused, and still refuses, to rescind its action, and the Grand Encampment has not, as yet, after a lapse of fourteen years, called them to account there- for. Your Committee are eminently impressed with the wisdom of the suggestion of Past Grand Commander GORIN, tending, as it will, if carried out, to unite, in one strong, unbroken chain, the whole system of American Masonry. But inasmuch as doubts seem to oppress the minds of some of this Grand Com- mandery, we submit the following resolutions: Resolved, That the R. E. Grand Commander be requested to enter into correspondence with the M. E. Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of the United States, as to the right of this Grand Com- mandery to adopt a regulation requiring the posses- sion of the Council Degrees as a prerequisite to the conferring of the Orders of Knighthood. Resolved, That, in the event of the decision of the M. E. Grand Master, that the Grand Commandery has such right, the R. E. Grand Commander be, and is, hereby authorized to submit the question as to the requirement of said degrees to each Chartered Com- mandery, for its vote thereon. On motion the report was received and the resolutions adopted. In pursuance of the resolutions the Grand Commander made due inquiry of the Grand Master, WM. S. GARDNER, who promptly replied that Grand Commandery had no right ' ' to adopt a reg- ulation requiring the possession of the Coun- cil degrees as a prerequisite to the confer- ring of the Orders of Knighthood," and ex- pressing his opinion that if our system con- sisted of the three degrees of "Blue Ma- sonry, the Royal Arch and Order of the Temple," it would be much better, and that he would " much prefer to see the Order of the Temple brought nearer to the fountain head of pure Masonry than to have it sepa- rated further from it by the interposition of still more rubbish." This last paragraph will bear considerable study. His suc- cessor in office, J. Q. A. FELLOWS, was even more emphatic and suggested that the Royal Arch be disregarded and the candi- dates taken direct from the lodge. Why not direct from the public? That would certainly give a wider field. However, the Grand Master's letter settled the matter, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 237 and while the present "rubbish" will prob- ably remain, no more will be interposed to impede the steps of the aspirant for knightly honors. No direct action was taken with respect to the "annual parade and review," but the matter was left with the "first five officers, with power to act." Sir JOHN M. PEARSON was elected Grand Commander. 1871. The fifteenth annual conclave was held at Chicago, October 24., 1871, with the rep- resentatives of thirty-five Commanderies in attendance. At this time the city was a scene of ruin and desolation, the "great fire " having occurred but a few days previ- ous thereto. The prompt action of the craft had practically removed the necessity for any action on the part of Grand Com- mandery, yet a committee was appointed to take such measures as their judgment might suggest. One thousand dollars was placed in the hands of the Grand Commander to be used as a relief fund, while a like sum was donated to Apollo Commandery and one-half that amount to St. Bernard Com- mandery, "to assist them in providing and fitting up new homes." Among the structures destroyed was the "Masonic Temple," on Dearborn street, where, for the fourteen years preceding, Grand Commandery had held its annual ses- sions and in which was stored much of the archives. The regulation providing that foreign representatives should take rank in Grand Commandery as Grand Captains General was repealed, and by resolution all repre- sentatives of Grand Commandery near other grand bodies were given the rank of Past Grand Generalissimo. The matter of an " annual parade and review," which was left with the grand of- ficers at the last conclave, was by them deemed inexpedient and in consequence the same was by the Grand Commander post- poned. In this action Grand Commandery concurred; and while some attempts in this Masonic Temple at Chicago, destroyed in the great conflagration of 1871. This building was located on Dearborn street between Washington and Randolph streets. (From an old engraving in the collection of the Editor.) line have at different times been made in the way of "camps," the " annual parade " is still a thing of the future. Yet this was for many years a pet measure with no in- considerable number of the members of Grand Commandery, and was urged with all 288 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. the persistency and enthusiasm of the pro- moters of a village volunteer fire company. Fortunately the host of imitative organiza- tions that have followed in the wake of the Commandery, by their ostentatious displays of the borrowed plumage of knighthood, have dampened the ardor of the erstwhile paraders and the growing sentiment seems to be against public exhibitions of a military nature. Sir WILEY M. EGAN was elected Grand Commander. 1872. Sixteenth annual conclave, October 22, 1872. Thirty-six commanderies rep- resented. Hitherto official visitations for inspection had been performed by an officer known as Inspector-General. The growth in member- ship and the multiplication of commanderies now rendered necessary additional officers if the work was to be continued with any degree of effectiveness. It was felt, how- ever, that the responsibilities connected with the supervision of the jurisdiction rested upon the Grand officers and should be divided between them by some system of apportionment. This led to the passage of the following: Revolted, That the Grand Commander subdivide the jurisdiction of Illinois into nine districts for visita- tion, and assign each district as may be most conveni- ent, to the following Grand Officers, viz.: Grand Com- mander, Deputy Grand Commander, Grand General- issimo, Grand Captain-General, Grand Senior Warden, Grand Junior Warden, Grand Standard Bearer, Grand Sword Bearer and Grand Warder; and that they be required to visit every Commandery in the district as- signed them at least once during the year, and report such official visitation, in writing, to the Grand Com- mandery, when next assembled in Annual Conclave. In the first apportionment the Grand Commander took an assignment the same as the other officers, but this was discontinued after a few years. The work of supervision, inspection and official visitation has been continued ever since and is regarded as ma- terially contributing to the success and sta- bility of the Order in this State. Sir DANIEL DUSTIN was elected Grand Commander. 1873- The seventeenth annual conclave was held October 28, 1873. Forty command- deries represented. The proceedings were routine and of temporary interest only. A resolution was introduced looking toward a redistricting of the State with an officer in charge, "to be known as ' aid-de-camp ' to the Grand Commander," who should ex- ercise the powers of an inspecting officer. The resolution went over for a year and finally dropped out of sight. By resolution all representatives were required "to ap- pear at future conclaves equipped in the dress of a Knight Templar." Sir JAMES A. HAWI.EY was elected Grand Commander. 1874. Eighteenth annual conclave October 27, 1874. Forty-two commanderies represented. Notwithstanding the business depression, which at this time exerted a strong unfa- vorable influence upon Masonry in general throughout the country, the affairs of Grand Commandery were in good shape and the order seemed to be in a flourishing condition. Nothing of historic importance was presented at the annual session. Sir H. W. HUBBARD was elected Grand Com- mander. 1875. . Nineteenth annual conclave October 26, 1875. Forty-four commanderies repre- sented. A resolution was introduced pro- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 289 viding that "Grand Commandery go into camp for two days" and that " the Com- manderies of this State be ordered to at- tend." The committee to whom the reso- lution was referred reported " that in consequence of the stringency in financial matters " the proposed camp was inexpedi- ent, and so the matter ended for the time. A communication was received from the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania invit- ing the Grand Commandery of Illinois to participate in a "reunion of Knights Tem- plar, in commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of American independence," to be held in Philadelphia the year following. The invitation was accepted. Sir THEO- DORE T. GURNEY was elected Grand Com- mander. 1876. Twentieth annual conclave October 24, 1876. Forty-seven commanderies repre- sented. The salient feature of this session seems to have been the discovery that the jurisdiction was overstocked with comman- deries. The matter was referred to a special committee with instructions to re- port at the next session. A memorial was presented from the Grand Council R. & S. M., requesting Grand Commandery to take such action as might be deemed proper with reference to the Cryptic degrees. As this subject had frequently been canvassed before and Grand Commandery virtually enjoined from taking any positive action, there was nothing that could be done except to manifest good will; therefore it was Resolved, That the Representatives of this Grand Commandery to the Grand Encampment of the United States be requested to use all reasonable efforts, at the next session of that Grand Body, to make the Cryptic degrees a prerequisite to the Orders of Knighthood. At the session in question Grand En- campment refused to consider the matter. P. W. BARCLAY was elected Grand Com- mander. 1877. Twenty-first annual conclave, October 23, 1877. Forty-eight commanderies rep- resented. The committee appointed at the last an- nual conclave to take into consideration the "apparent overplus of commanderies, as compared with the material to be drawn from," reported that they had grappled with the subject but were unable to offer any prac- tical suggestions; and the situation remains to-day much as it was at that time. There is, however, one very simple and yet highly effective remedy. It maybe "heroic," but it would certainly accomplish all that Grand Commandery desired abolish the uniform. A form of procedure for the trial of offences was presented and laid over for a year, when it was adopted. This code, which is still in use, is a substantial reproduction of that formulated by the Grand Com- mandery of Kentucky. The Committee on Equipments presented a detailed report on uniforms, but no action seems to have been taken. Sir JOHN F. NASH was elected Grand Commander. 1878. Twenty-second annual conclave, Octo- ber 22, 1878. Forty-eight commanderies represented. The principal feature of the year was the precedent established by the Grand Commander of the Templar observance of Easter Sunday, and the custom thus inaugu- rated has been regularly continued ever since. The time of the session was largely oc- 290 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. copied in considering an amended code of Statutes and Regulations and a new installa- tion ritual. The proceedings were routine. Sir ROBERT L. McKiNLAY was elected Grand Commander. 1879. Twenty-third annual conclave, October 28, 1879. Fifty commanderies represented. The Grand Encampment had selected Chicago as its place of meeting in 1880, and much of the business of the session was devoted to a consideration of matters relat- ting to that event. The commanderies of Chicago had already made elaborate prepa- rations and appointed a general committee to perfect the details of entertainment. This committee reported its work and plans to Grand Commandery, which approved same and directed that the committee be continued under its auspices. The " old, old story" about "tactics and drill " was again presented, and now " GRANT'S Tactics" were adopted as the standard. A new code of Statutes and Regulations the same as had been under discussion for some years was adopted. Sir CHARLES M. MORSE was elected Grand Commander. 1880. The twenty-first Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment was held at the city of Chicago August 17, 1880. The oc- casion marked the second visit of that august body, the first having occurred in 1859. For many months prior to the event elaborate preparations had been in progress, under the direction of the Triennial Com- mittee raised by the three commanderies then stationed at Chicago, and during the week of the session the city presented a gala appearance never since equaled. From data received by the committee it was esti- mated that about fifteen thousand Templars would be in attendance; but as the day drew near these figures commenced to swell and finally, under the influence of low competi- tive rates for transportation, fully twice the estimated number appeared upon the scene. In many instances the Knights were accom- panied by ladies, while large numbers of per- sons unconnected with the order gravitated to the city, attracted by the pageantry of the occasion. The railroad companies as- serted that in the two days preceding the opening of the session they brought one hundred and twenty-one thousand strangers to Chicago, while by conservative estimate the population of the city was increased two hundred thousand during the triennial week. The sudden injection of so large and unex- pected a number necessarily produced some confusion, inconvenience and probably some disappointment, yet all things considered the gathering was a conspicuous success, eclipsing all former occasions, and never since equaled. Upon the "Lake Front" there was pitched a military camp, under the immedi- ate charge of Grand Commandery, called ' Camp De Molay. " Immediately adjacent thereto was a pavilion, erected for the occa- sion, in which the sessions of the Grand En- campment were held. The week was filled with a round of en- , tertainments, a grand ' ' Templar Ball " (in August with the mercury cavorting amid the nineties) ; a grand (everything was "grand" that week) competitive Templar Drill; concerts, lake excursions, fire-works, theatre parties, complimentary breakfasts, dinners, and suppers, while individual hos- o >> g o" M o > B hj fil o 5 i- 4 k H So ^ St o g w S H B M O fe! ^HlPffeA LK > ,, <-,'' / LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 293 pitality was lavishly extended on every hand. The Grand Parade was probably the most brilliant display of modern times, and will live in the memory of every person who witnessed it as long as life itself shall last. Of the incidents connected with that memorable week, the camp, the drills, the grand "dansante," the grand parade, the banners, music, sunlight, the great masses of people, the moving throngs, "an" I should live a thousand years, I never could forget it. " And so it seems it appeared to others, for the Grand Commander of Michigan (Sir W. B. WILSON), thus reported to his Grand Commandery at the Conclave follow- ing: To say the grand pageant presented by the fifteen thousand Sir Knights with their long line of white waving plumes, and their bright swords glittering in the sunlight; the column estimated to extend seven miles in length, by section and platoon formations, consuming several hours in passing the Grand (review- ing) Stand; each Commandery followed by its suc- ceeding one, and, like the ocean waves, growing broader and grander with every pulsation of the mighty deep, would be a tame description. It was grandly sublime to a degree that words can hardly ex- press, and to be fully appreciated must have been witnessed, and even then no earthly vision could com- pass it; and, with perhaps one or two exceptions, no city in the Union save Chicago could have presented such a spectacle; its central position, its massive net- work of railroads, the enterprise and liberty of its citi- zens, all contributed to the outpouring of the people from all sections of our country, that commingling to- gether as a mighty avalanche swept down and through the great thoroughfares of that peerless inland city, through which the Knightly pageant passed, present- ing as a whole a demonstration never perhaps equaled in this or any other land. It is much to be regretted that Grand Commandery has not deemed this great event of sufficient importance to warrant an authoritative report giving a detailed history of what transpired. The reader will look for same in vain in the published transac- tions, for, beyond a few copies of unintelli- ble orders, a few columns of figures, and a few pages of personal excuses and explana- tions of why something was not done, the greatest event in the history of Templarism in Illinois passes unnoticed. The total cost of this "grand demon- stration" was $93,182.87. Of this great sum $ i , 990 was paid for theatres and hall en- tertainment; $1,222 went to the steamboats for lake excursions; it took $4,717 to pay the bills for the competitive drill; the camp cost $33,394.95; the decorations footed up $14,994, while "miscellaneous contracts" consumed $20, 242.68. Of course "head- quarters" cost something always does and $3,704.90 was taken to square that ac- count, while an additional $2,657 was P a id for "construction." To offset these items the committee received $20,374 from the camp, leaving a net deficit of about $13,- OOO; from admissions to drill (no charge was made to Templars), $1,413. What remained was raised by voluntary subscrip- tion among the Knights and the business men of Chicago. The members of the three Chicago commanderies voluntarily contributed $31,046 for the purposes of en- tertainment, or an average of more than thirty-one dollars for each resident member and as much per capita as it cost a majority of those who visited Chicago. This was considered a noble and chivalrous act on the part of those Knights, and so it was; but what proportion of this great sum would this valiant and magnanimous order have raised in the same time for the help- less and distressed? This, however, is only another way of putting the same old ques- tion that thoughtful Knights ask every three years; that more than one Grand Comman- 294 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. der of Illinois has asked after the triennial junket was over. Are the results commen- surate with the cost? Grand Commandery held a special con- clave in 1880, being the second time in its history. The occasion was entirely of a ceremonial character, and was called in pur- suance of an order from the Grand Master for the purpose of installing Sir CLINTON LOCKE, " D. D. ," as Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment. The conclave was held in Chicago May 19, and the ceremony was duly performed by the Grand Commander (Sir CHARLES M. MORSE) as proxy for the Grand Master. As Sir Kt. LOCKE had resigned his position of Prelate of the Grand Commandery to accept the greater dignity in the Grand Encamp- ment, a vacancy occurred. The Knights were not permitted to cast their lots, how- ever, for the Grand Commander at once filled the vacancy by appointment, and Sir FREEMAN D. RICKERSON was duly installed therein. Twenty-fourth annual conclave, Octo- ber 26, 1880. Forty-nine commanderies represented. The year was eventful in many respects. The returns show a larger numerical in- crease than ever before, a desire to par- ticipate in the pleasures of the meeting of the Grand Encampment having stimulated many to seek admission. Much of the time of the session was de- voted to the consideration of matters grow- out of the late "triennial." Of course " tactics and drill " received its usual atten- tion and the Templar Manual, having been revised and improved by the publisher, SIR E. B. MYERS, was now considered as pos- sessing "great advantages" over GRANT'S Tactics. Accordingly the latter work was discarded and MYERS' Tactics again adopted as the standard of the jurisdiction. SIR JOHN C. SMITH was elected Grand Commander. 1881. Twenty-fifth annual conclave, October 25, 1 88 1. Fifty commanderies represented. The business of the session was routine. Although just recovering from the fatigues of 1880, preparations were inaugurated for a repetition of same at San Francisco in 1883. Commanderies were directed to file a copy of their respective ' ' coats of arms. " Suita- ble notice was taken of the death of SIR JAMES A. GARFIELD, twentieth President of the United States, and an engrossed copy of the resolutions adopted was ordered to be forwarded to the family of deceased. This was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of Grand Commandery, and affords a convenient point for compari- son and review. The returns show that from three commanderies, which in 1857 united to form the governing body, the ju- risdiction had grown to fifty chartered com- manderies, with an aggregate membership of over five thousand Knights. The treas- urer reported a cash balance of nearly five thousand dollars after the payment of all outstanding orders, and the report of the inspecting officers show that peace, pros- perity and harmony prevailed throughout the State. Sir LOYAL L. MUNN was elected Grand Commander. 1882. Twenty-sixth annual conclave, October 24, 1882. Fifty-one commanderies repre- sented. The year seems to have been one of un- usual activity and prosperity throughout the entire jurisdiction. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 295 Commanderies were authorized to ap- point an additional officer to be known as "Drill Marshal," but the next day the authority, on reconsideration, was revoked. The system of uniforms set forth in ' ' MYERS' Tactics " was condemned as inconsistent with the regulations of Grand Commandery. A specific "order of business" was adopted. An appropriation of $1,500.00 was made to permit the four Grand officers representing LOYAL LEVI MUNN..33 Past Grand Commander of Knights Templar in Illi- nois, Past Grand High Priest, Past Grand Sov- ereign, Etc. the body ' ' to maintain the dignity of the Grand Commandery at the Triennial Con- clave of the Grand Encampment in San Francisco in 1883." The "giving of public exhibitions of Templar Drill for gate money" by any Commandery was " emphatically dis- approved," while all commanderies were "absolutely prohibited fro~n giving a com- petitive drill with armed bodies of men, not Knights Templar." Sir HENRY TURNER was elected Grand Commander. 1883. Twenty-seventh annual conclave, Octo- ber 23, 1883. Fifty-three commanderies represented. For a number of years it had been the custom of the Grand Commanders to issue a plenary dispensation to the subordinate commanderies to appear in Templar char- acter for a religious observance of Easter Sunday or Ascension Day. The custom had by this time become firmly established, and the Grand Commander recommended that hereafter the day be set apart for Tem- plar observance as of course, and that no dispensations be required therefor. The recommendation met the approval of the Jurisprudence Committee, who reported back the following: Resoived, That Commanderies in this Jurisdiction are hereby authorized to celebrate Easter or Ascension Day, as may be most convenient to them, without special Dispensation; and that such celebration shall be held in the Asylum as far as practicable. And Grand Commandery adopted the re- port. For many years the overwhelming im- portance of the value of military evolutions had been urged upon the commanderies. Drill, tactics, and uniform had consumed no inconsiderable part of the time of the annual sessions. Public displays, parades, and processions had further intensified the military spirit, and from the year 1880 there had been a marked disposition among the younger element of many commanderies to conduct the respective bodies largely on the basis of a militia company. But the elderly men, the "non-combatants," and to some 296 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. extent the ritualists did not always take kindly to drills, or, on the other hand, drills, in many instances, did not take kindly to them. The natural result was a separa- tion and the formation within the com- mandery of what became known as "drill corps." Not infrequently the drill corps dictated the policy of the commandery, in- fluenced its legislation and usually elected its officers. But while this secondary or- ganization now became the subject of dis- trust, and frequently of condemnation, it was yet the natural and logical outgrowth of the military sentiment which for twenty- five years Grand Commandery had sedu- lously nursed and cultivated. However, it was felt that the time had come to call a halt; therefore it was Resolved, That the formation of any separate or- ganization, whether incorporated or otherwise, within the membership of any subordinate Commandery in this Jurisdiction, is contrary to the best interests of our Order, and merits the condemnation of this Grand Commandery. A constitutional amendment was offered, changing the time of the annual conclave from October to January, and laid over for one year. Sir JAMES G. ELWOOD was elected Grand Commander. 1884. Twenty-eighth annual conclave, Octo- ber 28, 1884. Fifty-four commanderies rep- resented. The year was characterized by no strik- ing event and the numerical increase was less than in many former years. An "In- stallation Service " for the use of subordi- nate commanderies was adopted. A ritual of " Malta " in two forms was promulgated, leaving the choice optional with the com- manderies. A committee on ritual was ap- pointed with instructions to report at the next conclave "any amendments, correc- tions or alterations in the inner work of the Order." The amendment to change the time of holding the Grand Conclave was lost. SIR HASWELL C. CLARKE was elected Grand Commander. 1885. Twenty-ninth annual conclave, October 27, 1885. Fifty -seven commanderies rep- resented. The ritual committee reported that Grand Encampment was engaged in prepar- ing new rituals and therefore action on last year's suggestion was deferred. The repre- sentatives of Grand Commandery to the forthcoming session of Grand Encampment were instructed " faithfully to attend every session of the said Conclave, to the exclusion of all other engagements, and earnestly labor to dispatch the proper business that may come before them, to the end that the Grand Encampment, whose reputation is dear to us, and to which we are bound by solemn vows, may not suffer through their neg- lect;" which would seem to imply that the representatives sometimes had "other en- gagements " during the triennial sessions. The Committee on Ritual presented a re- port defining the costume of a Knight Tem- plar, which was intended as ' ' explanatory of certain details " not minutely described by the law of the Grand Encampment, but which the committee thought was "neces- sary to a proper understanding of what the Statute on Uniforms really means." The re- port was received and conditionally adopted by the following resolution: Resolved That the " UNIFORM " as reported by the Committee on Kitual be adopted, as the construction COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 297 placed on it by this Grand Commandery, to go into effect December 1st, 1886, provided the Grand En- campment at its next conclave does not amend, ex- plain or annul, the present statute on Uniform. SIR J. L. WHITE was elected Grand Commander. 1886. Thirtieth annual conclave, October 26, 1886. Fifty coinmanderies represented. This being a " triennial year" the acces- sions were numerous, but we are assured by the Grand Commander that they were of "the very best material." Grand Encampment after wrestling for years with the subject of costume had finally relegated all authority over the whole matter of "uniform" back to the several Grand Commanderies, retaining to itself only an authority over "insignia." As a conse- quence the Committee on Ritual presented a new code of regulations on the " Uniform of a Knight Templar," which was duly adopted and promulgated in lieu of the code presented at the session of 1885. The code is very explicit and is the one now governing this much mooted and long dis- cussed subject. The standing regulation requiring the wearing of the Templar uniform during the session of Grand Commandery was re- pealed, inasmuch as the functions of the session were "purely legislative and judi- cial, " and in place thereof it was provided "That no uniform, other than the official jewels or insignia of office of the officers of this Grand Com- mandery, shall be deemed necessary or advisable while sitting in Annual Conclave." Notwithstanding that numerous com- mittees had made numerous reports on the subject of "tactics," and Grand Command- ery had several times adopted a standard, the topic was still open to amendment. Ap- parently the Templar Manual had grown into disfavor, for a committee was again ap- pointed to present at the next annual con- clave ' ' a suitable system of Tactics and Drill " for the use of the commanderies. Sir WILBUR F. BROMFIELD was elected Grand Commander. 1887. Thirty-first annual conclave, October 25, 1887. Fifty-seven commanderies rep- resented. A revised ritual was adopted, as a "short ceremonial" for opening and closing Grand Commandery. The Committee on Tactics reported progress and were given permission to report to the Grand Commander during recess. In the event of a favorable report upon a system then in course of preparation the Grand Commander was empowered to promulgate same for the use of the com- manderies. A compromise uniform was agreed upon to be worn during the sessions of the body'and this costume is still in use. Sir E. S. MULLINER was elected Grand Commander. 1888. Thirty-second annual conclave, October 23, 1888. Fifty-six commanderies repre- sented. The Grand Commander announced that pursuant to the authority conferred at the last annual conclave he had approved and officially promulgated a system of tactics arranged by Sir H. G. PURINTON, and Grand Commandery concurred therein. By this act the old sysiem known as ' ' MYERS' Tac- tics " was displaced. The Purinton system is that now employed. The Grand Com- mander also directed the attention of the body to the next triennial conclave of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Grand Encampment and recommended that a sufficient appropriation be made to pro- vide suitable headquarters at Washington " and for the expenses of this Grand Com- mandery upon a scale commensurate with her dignity." Accordingly $2,500.00 was set apart to hold up the "dignity" of the jurisdiction during the conclave. The new ritual adopted at the last ses- sion of Grand Encampment was now in use throughout the State and was giving very general dissatisfaction, wherefore the rep- resentatives were instructed to use their ef- forts to procure a revision of same. This was done and later the present ceremonial was evolved. Sir NORMAN T. CASSETTE was elected Grand Commander. 1889. Thirty-third annual conclave, October 22, 1889. Fifty-four commanderies repre- sented. At the preceding annual conclave the Grand Commander reintroduced the old subject of annual encampments, which for some years had been quiescent, in the fol- lowing words: " I would earnestly recommend in view of the ob- vious necessity existing for improvement in the school of the Templar and field tactics, that provision be made by this Grand Commandery either for a general Tem- plar Encampment at some central point, or four dis- trict encampments to be held in the northern, southern, eastern and western portions of the State, thereby making it convenient for all the Sir Knights in this Grand Jurisdiction to avail themselves of better op- portunities for drill under proficient tacticians; these encampments to be held annually in one of the sum- mer months." No action was taken at the time, as the then approaching triennial parade was ab- sorbing the energies of the jurisdiction. This event having passed, the matter was again presented at this session, resulting in the adoption of the following: Resolved, That the R. E. Grand Commander be authorized to divide the State into districts as he may think proper and provide for district encampments, or a general encampment for the whole State, to be held annually at such places as in his judgment may seem best. The business was routine. Sir GEO. M. MOULTON was elected Grand Commander. This was " triennial year," the meeting of Grand Encampment being held at the National Capital. Grand Commandery, attended by its satellite commanderies, was there, "dispensing hospitality" at its headquarters while fourteen hundred of its Knights contributed to the pageant. In this grand parade the jurisdiction appeared as a battalion divided into four brigades, a formation unlike any of the other divisions and which, in the language of Grand Com- mander CASSETTE, " elicited vociferous ap- plause from Compeers and congregated throngs as they marched by them." The Washington Post, in noticing the event, said: " The Eighth Division was composed entirely of Knights from the State of Illinois, and they made an imposing show. If not the largest delegation from any particular State, it was near it, for there were 1,400 men in line, whose white plumes waved in per- fect unison to the rhythmic music of bands, and whose regulation and methodical step showed the nucleus for the formation of an army, although their present mission was only to add to the pomp and glitter of the moving pageantry. And right royally they did their duty, and although the noise of the bands was often swallowed up in the greater volume of shouts and other demonstrations of approval which greeted them it did not disturb the symmetry of their lines. They bore their Knightly honors like soldiers, and followed the Cross of their Order in an unbroken column from <7 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOr LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS u t LS* Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery , K. T. ; Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter; Past Grand Sovereign, of the Grand Imperial Council, R. C., of the State of Illinois. COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 303 one end of the route to the other," * * * and altogether " Completed one of the finest looking and well equipped divisions of the procession." Another incident of the "pilgrimage" was a memorial service at Mt. Vernon in- augurated and carried out by the Templars of Illinois. The service was intended as a tribute to the memory of the immortal WASHINGTON and consisted of a series of responsive readings from American history and an address by Rev. G. C. LORIMER. It was performed at the tomb of the dead patriot and has been described as "one of the most impressive events of the entire week." The exact significance of the dem- onstration is not wholly apparent either from the " service " employed or the state- ments of the projectors. WASHINGTON was not a Knight Templar and the cere- mony employed did not purport to be of a Masonic character; however, it did no harm, while its influences were all for good. 1890. Thirty-fourth annual conclave, October 28, 1890. Fifty-six commanderies repre- sented. The business of the session was routine and mainly of temporary interest. A spir- ited discussion was precipitated by Sir H. W. RANNEY with respect to the propri- ety of wearing "Shrine" badges, which re- sulted in the passage of a resolution forbid- ding any Templar within the jurisdiction to wear any "jewel, insignia, badge or uni- form " other than those pertaining to the recognized Masonic and Chivalric bodies while wearing his Templar uniform or while attending conclaves of Templars. A committee was appointed to secure "hotel quarters" at the next triennial. The principal feature of the year was 18 the Templar encampments provided for at the preceding conclave. Of these two were held, one at Rockford and one at Havana. While the number in attendance was not as- large as was anticipated, yet the results were reported as eminently satisfactory. Sir J. E. DYAS was elected Grand Com- mander. 1891. Thirty-fifth annual conclave, October 29, 1891. Fifty-eight commanderies repre- sented. By resolution Commanderies were for- bidden to be named after a living person. A committee was appointed to prepare ' ' a ritual for the use of Commanderies on East- er and Ascension Days." Sir S. O. SPRING was elected Grand Commander. 1892. Thirty-sixth annual conclave, October 25, 1892. Fifty-six commanderies repre- sented. Grand Encampment having finally adopt- ed an "approved" ritual for reception to the Orders, the same became the official lit- urgy of the jurisdiction. The committee on ritual for Easter service reported back a form, which was received. Although this ritual has not been formally adopted it has yet received the approval of Grand Com- mandery. A sufficient number was printed, "in a convenient form for use," and Subor- dinate Commanderies were, by resolution, " permitted to use the same at their discre- tion." This action comes very near mak- ing the Knights Templar a sect. The An- cient Templars, though strictly a religious body, had no religious service of their own but attended upon the ministrations of the church through its own ordained priests. The service in question is paraphrased from 304 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. the Book of Common Prayer of the Anglican Church with a few " improvements " on the ancient rubric. It is distinctly a form of re- ligious worship, including a confession of faith, conducted by a "prelate" not neces- sarily or usually in Holy Orders in other words not a clergyman and is recommended to be celebrated in the asylums of the Com- manderies. Of the necessity for such a pro- ceeding probably its most ardent supporter will not contend, as all of the Commander- ies of the jurisdiction are located in the im- mediate proximity of Christian Churches to which, like his ancient prototype, the pious Templar can always repair. Of its pro- priety individual opinions will of course dif- fer, yet it is difficult to perceive why, on the two great festivals of Easter and Ascen- sion, the church, established by our Blessed Lord, is not only ample for every exigency but exclusive of all other agencies. If the service formed any part of the ceremony of reception or even of esoteric observance, the case would be somewhat different; but it purports to be, and is, a public service wholly unconnected with the private cere- monies of the order. The ritual furnished by Grand Encamp- ment is remarkable in one particular, if in none other. It introduces a new confession of Christian faith. This august body has had the temerity to do that which no coun- cil, synod, presbytery, conference, or other authoritative gathering of religious denomi- nation or sect has ever dared to do it has revised the Apostles' Creed. Upon what grounds of justification Grand Encampment proceeded the writer is unable to say. The use of the ceremonial containing this revis- ion is made obligatory, but probably there will still be found a few who may still cling to the old article. This was a triennial year and the con- clave was held at Denver, Colorado. Illi- nois was there in large numbers and com- posed the eighth division in the grand pa- rade, being the only jurisdiction, except Colorado, to constitute a division by itself. Twenty-seven commanderies were present. Sir CHARLES G. MACK was elected Grand Commander. 1893. Thirty-seventh annual conclave, October 24, 1893. Fifty-seven commanderies rep- resented. There was no "Templar encampment" this year and the project has not since met with much favor. Two thousand dollars of "surplus funds" was invested in interest- bearing securities. Five hundred dollars was appropriated for the Illinois Masonic Or- phans' Home. Of the two the latter invest- ment will bring the largest returns. Ffteen hundred dollars was appropriated for dis- trict encampments. Sir HARVEY M. HALL was elected Grand Commander. 1894. Thirty-eighth annual conclave, October 23, 1894. Sixty-one commanderies repre- sented. Two encampments were held this year, but the attendance, owing to unfavorable conditions, was not large. Five hundred dollars was appropriated to the Orphans' Home. Fifteen hundred dollars was ap- propriated to defray the expenses of Grand Commandery at Boston during the triennial meeting in August, 1895. M. E. Sir HUGH McCuRDY, Grand Master of the Grand En- campment, was formally received and wel- comed. Sir H. H. MONTGOMERY was elected Grand Commander. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 305 1895. Thirty-ninth annual conclave, October 22, 1895. Sixty-three commanderies rep- resented. An amendment proposing an addition to the uniform of a knight was received and laid over. This was triennial year. The Grand Encampment was held at Boston, and Illi- nois was numerously present. The com- manderies from this jurisdiction constituted the tenth division in the grand parade. The formation of the division was that of a brig- ade consisting of two regiments of six bat- talions each. In speaking of the parade the Grand Commander reported as follows: The day could hardly have been more suitable for the occasion cloudy, but no rain. In pursuance of the orders of R. E. Sir SAMUEL C. LAWRENCE, Grand Marshal, the Illinois Division (the 10th) promptly at 9 o'clock formed on the south side of Commonwealth avenue, with right resting on Exeter street. Then be- gan the greatest labor of the day, the waiting. Hour after hour passed by before the 9th Division uncov- ered, the solid phalanx of the first Division steadily moving in the meantime. After 1 o'clock our Division for the first time received the command to move, not only dozens, but hundreds, having dropped out of ranks from exhaustion. Notwithstanding all this, Illi- nois made a highly creditable showing, the report of the Chief of Staff hereto appended showing over 1,000 in line. In this connection it is but just to say that Illi- nois was grossly imposed upon, -in that no tickets for reserved seats for ladies could possibly be obtained, although persistent efforts were made to obtain them. Aside from this, and the further fact that we were badly victimized in the matter of horses, Illinois could not complain. The well-known" shell game " is a vir- tue compared with the trick the Boston jockey played in furnishing our horses. A comparison of the foregoing, with some of the remarks made in 1880 by some of the gentlemen who visited Chicago at that time, is not without interest. Sir AUGUSTUS L. WEBSTER was elected Grand Commander. * * * With.the year 1895 Grand Commandery was thirty-eight years old. From its origi- nal constituency of three commanderies it had grown to sixty-five, with an aggregate membership, as disclosed by the returns, of 9>355- The financial exhibits were equally gratifying. The total receipts for the year were $7,949-75, while the treasurer's state- ment showed a net cash balance of upwards of $6,000. It will be seen that Grand Command- ery, .like Grand Chapter and Council, has generally followed the practice of yearly changes in the person of its commanding officer. In every instance the persons so elected have been men of high moral character and good social position; for while the Masons of Illinois, unlike their English brethren, are debarred the privilege of choosing " a noble brother" to rule over them, they yet appreciate the value of social standing; and though none of their rulers may be able to display the blazonry of ar- morial bearings yet to all of them has been given a patent of the higher nobility a noble, chivalrous, manhood. During its entire existence Grand Com- mandery has had but two Treasurers. At the organization ROBERT H. Foss, of Chi- cago, was elected as the custodian of the funds and at each succeeding assembly he was re-elected until his declination to longer serve at the annual conclave of 1878. Upon the resignation of Sir Kt. Foss, he was succeeded by JOHN H. WITBECK, who has filled the office continually from that time until the present. Both of these illustrious Knights were eminently fitted for the duties 306 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. of the office and both have been conspic- uous examples of official integrity. The recording officer of the organization convention was WILLIAM H. TURNER, of Alton, who subsequently became the first Recorder and so continued to act until 1860. At the conclave of 1 860 GEO. W. DEERING, of Chicago, was elected; but he retained the office only until the year following, when he was succeeded by HENRY C. RANNEY, of Chicago. Sir Kt. RANNEY was successively elected each year until 1865, when he be- came Grand Commander, and the succession of the Secretariat fell upon JAMES H. MILES. Sir Kt. MILES was in many re- spects a most efficient officer and remained in the duties of the station until 1877, when impaired health induced him to decline a further re-election. At the conclave of 1877, when the lots were cast they fell upon the present incumbent, Sir GILBERT W. BARNARD, and at each election thereafter he was unanimously chosen to succeed him- self. Probably no Mason in the United States is more widely or favorably known than Bro. BARNARD. For many years he has served most faithfully and efficiently as the clerical officer of the Grand Chapter, Grand Council and Grand Commandery, and while advancing years have left their impress upon him it is yet the hope and prayer of every true Knight in the jurisdic- tion of Illinois that he may long be spared in the fulfilment of the duties he under- stands so thoroughly and performs so well. It will remain for other hands to pre- pare and present through this work the biography of this distinguished Mason, but the editor cannot forego this opportunity of adding his own modest tribute of fraternal esteem and regard. A close and intimate ac- quaintanceship of over twenty years author- izes the statement that no man has done more for the Masonry of Illinois than GIL- BERT W. BARNARD, and no one is more de- serving of honor from the craft. The use- fulness of a good man in any position of Masonic trust cannot be measured by any pecuniary standard of remuneration; the moral influence which Bro. BARNARD has exercised, the counsel, the advice, the prac- tical aid he has extended to two generations of young Masons, his efforts in the dissem- ination of Masonic Light and Education, can never be compensated by money; and it is only in the esteem and affection in which he is held by all who know him that he must look for and receive his reward. It does not seem that Grand Command- ery has ever formally adopted a seal, not- withstanding it has been using that impor- tant element of authentication from the time of its organization. At the first con- clave the Grand Commander was instructed to procure " the necessary blanks for Dis- pensations and Charters," and was author- Seal of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templars of the State of Illinois. (From the original, through the courtesy of GIL. W. BARNARD, Grand Recorder.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 307 ized ' ' to disburse such funds as might be necessary for expenses," his vouchers to be received by the Recorder "as so much cash." Under this authority Sir J. V. Z. BLANEY seems to have proceeded in the procuring of a seal, as the sum paid for same formed one of the items in the bill which he subsequently rendered. So far as known the device employed on the seal is the result of the correct taste and excellent judgment of the eminent knight who pro- cured same. It is an adaptation of the last seal of the old order. The lamb of the ancient seal has been retained, but in the place of the banner there has been substi- tuted the official cognizance of the Grand Commandery of Illinois. The square is of course significant of the Masonic connection. When the first Grand Commander, Sir J. V. Z. BLANEY, retired from the duties of the office to which he had thrice been elected, Grand Commandery, in token of its appreciation of the efficient manner in which those duties had been performed, voted to him a testimonial consisting of a service of silver. When his successor resigned the sceptre a like effort was made; but the com- mittee appointed to procure same reported that during the year there had been no funds in the possession of the Grand Treas- urer subject to their disposal, and therefore they had been unable to take any action in regard to same. But after a time, as num- bers increased, there was ample for this purpose, and so, for many years, it has been the custom of Grand Commandery to present to its retiring Commander a richly fashioned jewel indicative of his rank. The official jewel of a Grand Comman- der is the Patriarchal Cross, or an upright with two transverse bars. It derives its name from the fact that it is always borne before a Patriarch in the public processions and religious ceremonies of the church; and Official Jewel of Grand and Past Grand Commanders of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of Illinois. (From an original, through the courtesy of R. M. JOHNSON & SON, Manufacturers, Chi- cago, 111.) the circumstance that it is crossed twice is a symbol denoting that the work of redemp- tion wrought upon the cross at Calvary ex- tended both to the Jews and the Gentiles. 808 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. By the terms of the first code of By-laws the annual conclaves of Grand Commandery were to be held on the fourth Tuesday of October in each year, and notwithstanding repeated attempts to fix upon some other time or season this clause has never been changed. It was further provided in the original articles, that the conclave of 1858 should be held at Alton, that of 1859 at Peoria, and that thereafter the location should be permanent at the city of Chicago. These conditions were duly complied with, and commencing with the annual sess^n of 1860 all annual conclaves have been held at the latter place. Like the sessions of the other Grand bodies no very logical reason can be ad- vanced why Grand Commandery should meet in one corner of the State and not at or near its geographical centre. The capi- tal would naturally suggest itself as a suita- ble point, and such location would undoubt- edly result in a very material saving in the expense of the meetings. The Grand Commandery, although sub- ordinate to the Grand Encampment, is nevertheless a body politic and corporate under the laws of the State of Illinois and exists independently of any rights it may hold from the Grand Encampment. It was formally chartered by the General As- sembly of the State by an Act approved March 7, 1867, under the name and style, 1 ' The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Illinois." Under this name it possesses the usual corporate attributes and in addition the right, now very much restricted, to hold personal prop- erty to the extent of $100,000, as well as to lend money and take securities therefor. Its borrowing power is limited to $1,000. Each commandery under its jurisdiction is also a corporate entity with an ample dele- gation of powers. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 309 KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE. WHATEVER may have been the origi- nal purport of Freemasonry, it is undeniable that at the present time its es- sence consists in the adoration of the un- speakable perfection of Deity. The crude symbolism of its earlier years, developed by time and circumstance, has expanded into numerous degrees and rites, but the primal impulse which gives shape and direc- tion to all degrees and all rites which are, or claim to be, Masonic, is a reverence for the Holy and Ineffable Name. The WORD, ' ' without whom was not anything made that was made," is the foundation upon which the entire superstructure of Masonry rests; the pivot around which the whole system revolves; and all bodies, societies and sodalities, erected by proper authority, which have for their object the contempla- tion of the mysteries which surround the Divine Logos are, in every just sense of the term, Masonic, while all which lack this essential element, irrespective of what they may be called, are not. But it is also beyond dispute that true Masonry is universal; exacting no dogmatic tests, imposing no sectarian doctrine, and requiring no confession of religious belief other than that " in which all men agree." Hence it would seem that any association of Masons which excludes from its com- munion the followers of any school of re- ligious thought that recognizes the funda- mental tenets of Masonry, or which con- fines it's membership to the adherents of a particular form of .theological belief, by such acts virtually denies its own claim to affiliation with the ancient craft. In a re- stricted sense this is undoubtedly true, and to the extent that the Red Cross Order is not of universal application, it is not Ma- sonic as that term is now generally under- stood. But a recurrence to the old charges and early history of the Institution conclu- sively shows that the Masonry through which we derive our descent was, at one time, es- sentially Christian in character, and that, in the process of its evolution, it eventually be- comes cosmopolitan. Yet its early and origi- nal symbolism, while it ceased to be taught in the popular assemblies, has nevertheless been preserved by small and exclusive coter- ies under various names and titles, and in the high degrees of many systems may still be learned by the diligent searcher after Light. The question, however, is of little moment after all, for Masonry itself is but a means to an end; and even though we may admit the absolute truth of the proposition that true Masonry is universal, yet where a society is composed wholly of Masons, en- gaged only in the practice of the works of Masonry, we do no serious violence to words and at most commit but a technical offence when we designate it as " Masonic." The knowledge of God, of his essences and attributes, is the Light which Masonry discloses to its novitiates and for which, in the succession of its degrees, they con- stantly seek. The quest for the recovery of 810 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. the Word is but the continual search for Di- vine Truth, that perfect light whose efful- gence shall illumine our souls and enable us to see with unobstructed vision not only the here but the hereafter. But it is not given to the finite to know the infinite, nor to comprehend the emanations of Deity. At best. Divine Truth can be but half revealed and dimly discerned through the mists that intervene. Masonry recognizes this limita- tion and founds all its instruction upon it. In the Constantinian Orders the allego- ries and primary symbolism of the Lodge and Chapter are retained unchanged, but with new interpretations and more recondite meanings. The True Word, for which our ancient brethren sought, is recovered, and is itself the Light which shone in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. All of the ceremonies are designed to illustrate this phase of the symbols, and the precepts and lessons are drawn wholly from the teachings of the Master of Nazareth. Only those who are willing to follow in the foot- steps of the Divine Master can, with propriety, assume the obligations, and for this reason, although no specific definition of the aspir- ant's religious views are required, those only will be accepted who can subscribe to a general belief in the Christian religion as set forth in the New Testament. In their essential characteristics the Orders may be said to constitute a beautiful system of Christian Masonry, and to furnish a most impressive allegorical sequel to the history of the craft degrees. In their de- velopment the neophyte gazes for the last time upon the fragmentary forms and types of the Mosaic dispensation; upon the ruins of the ancient temple he sees arise the New Tabernacle of Divine Truth, whose exist- ence human power shall not be able to ef- fect, and whose duration shall be for an eternity of ages; the confusion of the Old Covenant is made clear in the New Law, and he learns that the mysteries of the craft are in reality but the mysteries of religion. His long initiation of toil ended, he lays down the implements of labor and rises to a higher sphere of usefulness and duty; neither is there longer any Temple, because the light of the Lord is universally diffused and the world has become one Holy House of His wisdom. But while the Constantinian Orders are essentially Christian, they involve no sacri- fice of personal beliefs, and compel adher- ence to no formulated creed. They do not assume to prescribe articles of faith or to usurp the province of the church, neither do they attempt to fetter the mind with the shackles of sectarian prejudice or denomina- tional bias. That perfect right of freedom of conscience, so essential to every man who would obtain just conceptions of Deity, is accorded to all, and the only doctrines inculcated are those of the Gentle Master himself "the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world/' Historically considered the Order of the Red Cross of Constantino commemorates the first elevation of Christianity from the position of a despised and proscribed heresy to that of a legally recognized and honored religion. Christianity had indeed existed for more than three centuries before the leg- endary institution of the Order, but always under the ban of restrictive laws and proc- lamations, more or less rigidly enforced, according to the caprice of those intrusted with their administration, and it was not until Constantine won the battle which gave him supreme control over the Western Empire that it acquired an established place COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 811 among the religions of the world. To pre- serve the memory of the event which ren- dered possible this great change, as well as testify in the most marked manner his sense of the Divine aid which had given him the victory, the ancient traditions assert that in the year A. D. 313 he established this Or- der of Knighthood, prescribed its insignia and committed to its keeping the Labarum, or sacred banner, behind which his legions ever after marched to victory. As all degrees and orders in Freemason- ry are more or less based upon legends, the truth of which cannot be demonstrated, so it is not pretended that the Constantine Or- ders rest upon any stronger or more relia- ble foundation; yet it is certain that they have existed for many years and find men- tion in Masonic nomenclature as early as 1736. From the ancient traditions we learn that the Order of the Red Cross was found- ed by Constantine the Great, October 28, A. D. 313, as a memorial of the divine mira- cle which effected his conversion to the Christian faith, and also as a reward for the valor of certain of his soldiers. It is relat- ed that on the day previous to his ever memorable battle with Maxentius, as Con- stantine was seated at his tent door reflect- ing upon the dangers of the approaching expedition and sensible of his own incapac- ity to succeed without divine assistance, he offered up a prayer for divine inspiration and wisdom to choose the right path to be pur- sued. As he turned his face toward the set- ting sun there suddenly appeared in the heav- ens a pillar of light of the shape of a cross, surmounted with the inscription, " In hoc signo vinces," In this sign conquer. So extraordinary an appearance created the ut- most astonishment in the mind of the Em- peror and his whole army. The Pagans deemed it a most inauspicious omen, but Constantine, being reassured by the visions of the night, on the morrow made a public avowal of his faith in the God of the Chris- tians. He caused a royal standard to be constructed in imitation of that which he had seen in his vision, and commanded it to be carried before him as an ensign of vic- tory and divine protection, while the con- secrated emblem was conspicuously dis- played upon his own person and that of his soldiers. After the memorable battle, which was fought at Saxa Rubra, a small village about nine miles from Rome, the Emperor sent for the chiefs of the Christian legion, and in presence of his other officers constituted them into an Order of Knight- hood with the celestial cross as an ensignia, and, on the return of peace, became him- self the Sovereign Patron thereof. These Christian warriors were then selected to compose the body guard of Constantine and the command of same was confided to Eusebius, bishop of Nicomedia, who was thus considered the second officer of the Order. After the death of Constantine and the division of the empire, the Order is said to have flourished under his successors, MAR- CIAN and LEO, but afterward declined until the year 1190, when it was revived by the Emperor MICHAEL ANGELUS COMNENUS on a scale of increased splendor. From this time down to 1699 the Grand Mastership was vested in the Comnenian family, who were considered the lineal descendants of CONSTANTINE. At this latter period the dignity was vested in one ANDREW ANGELUS COMNENUS, titular prince of Macedonia, who pretended to assign his hereditary rights to FRANCIS FARNESE, the reigning Duke of Parma. The Grand Crosses of the Order, 312 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. one of whom was the Abbe GIUSTINIANI, continued, however, to exercise their un- doubted privilege of conferring the Red Cross upon worthy men; and it is to this learned Abbe, who was long attached to the Venetian Embassy in London, that the ex- istence of the Order in England is attributed. The members of the English branch during the last century were men of high social position and of eminence in the Masonic Fraternity, but, like the Knights Templar, we are unable to say positively when the Order was restricted to Freemasons. It is presumed that this regulation was made about 1788, as from this date it appears wholly under Masonic auspices. In 1796 the Grand Master of the Templars was also the head of the Red Cross Order. In 1804 it was vested in WALTER RODWELL WRIGHT, a most distinguished Mason, to whom is attributed the form of the present rituals. In 1 808 a constitutional govern- ment was effected, and the present Imperial Council of England established. There is a continuous record still in existence from 1788. The Order of the Holy Sepulchre is said to have been instituted A. D. 326, by St. Helena, the mother of Constantine, in com- memoration of her discoveries in the Holy Land. It was instituted with the sanction of Constantine, and confirmed by the Pon- tiff, Marcellinus. The Knights were selected from the Order of the Red Cross, and the original investments were made at Jerusa- lem, the knightly vows being made while kneeling at the sacred tomb. The two or- ders have always been intimately connected, and since 1 190 under the same government. The history of the Holy Sepulchre since that period is therefore identical with that of the Red Cross. In 1813 H. R. H., the Duke of Sussex, became the Grand Master of the united Or- ders for the term of his natural life, and continued to exercise the dignity until his decease in 1843. The Order remained in a languishing condition from this time until 1865, when the Imperial Council was re- vived and the present organization adopted. Faith, Unity and Zeal are the princi- ples upon which this chivalric fraternity is founded. A reverential belief in the New Covenant, the blessings of fraternal union, and the advantages of zeal in a good cause, are impressed upon the minds of its aspirants, who are taught to reflect not only upon the mysteries of Life, but on the solemn secrets of the Hereafter. In this respect the Order may well claim kinship with the noble in- stitution of Freemasonry, from which its members are chosen, and with which they consider it their duty as well as their privi- lege to continue allied. The Orders in the United States are in direct succession from the Grand Imperial Council of England. In the year 1869 the Earl of Bective, Grand Sovereign of Eng- land, commissioned the eminent Mason, Sir W. J. B. McLEOD MOORE, as Intendent General for the Dominion of Canada, and in February, 1870, further authorized him to introduce the Orders into the United States. Through the recommendation of Fra. MOORE a commission was issued to Sir ALFRED CREIGH, of Pennsylvania, as Inten- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 313 dent General for the United States, with authority to establish conclaves. On De- cember 15, 1871, the grades and orders were conferred upon Sir JONATHAN J. FRENCH, of Chicago, in Orient Conclave at Bloomsburg, Pa. , and directly thereafter he was commissioned a Divisional Inspector General with authority to introduce the Or- ders into Illinois and other States. Fra. FRENCH, who was a zealous and industrious worker in every field of Masonry, at once proceeded to execute his powers by establishing conclaves at Chicago, Augusta, Freeport, Dixon, Cairo and Fairbury. In due time charters were issued by the Grand Imperial Council of England to all of these bodies, and by August, 1872, it was deemed expedient to sever relations with the mother Grand Council and establish a governing body for the jurisdiction of Illinois. GRAND IMPERIAL COUNCIL. IN accordance with a resolution adopted by each of the chartered conclaves, and pursuant to a call issued by Sir J. J. FRENCH, Intendent General for the State, delegates from the six conclaves met at the city of Chicago, August 30, 1872, to take such measures as were necessary for the organi- zation of a Grand Imperial Council for the State of Illinois. The convention was organized by the election of Sir JAMES H. MILES as Presi- dent and WESLEY H. MANIER as Secretary. A copy of the dispensation of the Grand Sovereign of England, authorizing the for- mation of Independent Grand Councils, was read, and on motion the following resolution was adopted: Resohed, That this Convention, representing a majority of the Conclaves hailing from the Grand Council of England, now exercising jurisdiction in the State of Illinois, having taken into mature and careful consideration the present state of our Order in Illinois, do proceed forthwith to the organization and perma- nent establishment of a Grand Council in and for the said State of Illinois. An election was then held which resulted in the choice of the following officers: JONATHAN J. FRENCH M. I. G. S, LOYAL L. MUNN M. E. G. V. JAMES C. BERTHOLF. ... .V. I. G. S. G. NATHANIEL T. P. ROBERTSON, V. I. G.J.G. ERASTUS N. TUCKER I. G. T. JAMES H. MILES. I. G. R. Sir GIL. W. BARNARD, from the Com- mittee on Constitution, reported a form of Constitution, Statutes and Regulations, modeled upon and closely following the statutes of the Grand Imperial Council of England, and on motion same were adopted. The precedence of Conclaves was then established, whereby St. John's, of Chi- cago, became No. i , Accolade, of Augus- ta, No. 2, Freeport, No. 3, Kadosh, of Cairo, No. 4, Rose Croix, of Dixon, No. 5, and Orient, of Fairbury, No. 6, of the reg- istry of the new Grand Council. Of these six conclaves, St. John's, of Chicago, is the only one now in existence. The early pre- requisites for admission were all calculated 814 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. to retard growth, and even after these had been abolished, and the old English rule substituted, it was found that but few cared to avail themselves of the privilege of mem- bership. The early conclaves soon neglected to make returns and pay dues, and, though several new conclaves were afterwards added, the basis upon which the work of exploitation was conducted was not calcu- lated to insure permanence in its results. The premier conclaves were carried upon the rolls for a number of years in conformity to the ancient regulation which permitted these Knights to retain a charter and con- duct a conclave. In 1894 the charter of the conclaves at Augusta, Freeport, Cairo, Dixonand Fairbury were declared forfeited, and the conclaves extinct. This action left St. John's, of Chicago, the only premier conclave inaugurated under English charter in the state. The second annual assembly of the Grand Imperial Council was held at Chicago, Oc- tober 27, 1873, with five conclaves repre- sented. In addition to the insignia and regalia provided by the Grand Imperial Council of England, a semi-military uniform was adopted, but fortunately same has never been employed, and the strong tendency of the present conclaves is against all forms of military costume or usage. The use of uni- forms in the chivalric orders is strictly American in origin and obtains in no other country than the United States. Sir J. J. FRENCH was re-elected Grand Sovereign, but was not installed until No- vember 1 1 , when a special assembly was held for that purpose. The third annual assembly was held Oc- tober 26, 1874. The proceedings were rou- tine. Sir L. L. MUNN was elected Grand Sovereign. The fourth annual conclave was held October 25, 1875. The proceedings were routine. The Divisional Inspector General reported that he had conferred the degrees on "His majesty, KING DAVID KALAKAUA, " during his visit to Chicago in January pre- ceding. An "Installation Service," for the use of Grand Council, was adopted. This was an American innovation in official no- menclature, as this service, as appears by the English rituals, is called "Investiture of Office. " In the English chivalric systems knights are "installed" when they are re- ceived into a body, while office-bearers are " invested " when they are inducted into office. Sir R. B. SMITH was elected Grand Sovereign. The fifth annual conclave was held Octo- ber 23, 1876. Three conclaves represent- ed. The Grand Sovereign reported the formation of a " Sovereign Grand Council," but no action was taken in regard to same. This body consisted of a very loosely con- nected league between the Grand Councils of the States. It lasted but a few years and then expired. A body bearing the same title now claims to exercise sovereign pow- ers over the entire United States, but it has been repudiated as spurious by all of the State Grand Councils. The reports indicated a " languishing " condition of the orders. Sir R. B. SMITH was re-elected Grand Sovereign. A special assembly was held February 13, 1877, for the purpose of amending the constitution. The English regulations with respect to qualifications of candidates were adopted. The sixth annual assembly was held Oc- tober 22, 1877. During this year a spasm COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 315 of activity was manifested. New conclaves were instituted at Paw Paw, Sullivan, Greenfield and Chicago, but, like those in- stituted under English charters, each of these conclaves has passed out of existence. Sir JAMES H. MILES was elected Grand Sovereign. The seventh annual conclave was held October 2 1, 1878. But little, if any, ad- vancement was made during the year. Most of the subordinate conclaves seemed to be in a dormant condition. There was no money in the treasury. The prospect was far from alluring. An abortive effort was made to fix the sta- tus of the Grand Cross of the Order, and by Constitutional amendment the Grand Im- perial Council asserted jurisdiction over it. As to this right there can be no doubt; but the right has never been exercised, and the dignity, by a sort of tacit consent, has been suffered to remain under the control of a National body called the Chapter of the Grand Cross. Sir JOHN C. SMITH was elected Grand Sovereign. The eighth annual assembly was held October 27, 1879. A conclave was char- tered at Beardstown, which is now extinct. During this year occurred the death of Sir J. J. FRENCH, the founder of the Orders in Illinois. His death was appropriately no- ticed by the Grand Imperial Council and a tribute rendered to his memory. A com- mittee was appointed to "revise the rit- ual;" fortunately the committee never re- ported. The ritual of the Constantinian Orders is the only English ritual now prac- ticed in this country, as the Orders are themselves the only ones now in existence in which the rituals are the same in all parts of the world. The present form dates from about 1812, and is the work of the eminent English Mason, Sir WALTER ROD- WELL WRIGHT. Sir GILBERT W. BARNARD was elected Grand Sovereign. The ninth annual assembly was held October 25, 1880. The year was unevent- ful and the proceedings routine. Sir SYL- VESTER O. SPRING was elected Grand Sov- ereign. The tenth annual assembly was held October 24, 1881. Sir JAMES O. COTTRELL was elected Grand Sovereign. There were no assemblies held during the years 1882-86. Four conclaves had paid dues to the assembly of 1881, and while the prospect was not altogether prom- ising a little energy might at least have " kept up appearances. " The Grand Sov- ereign having died in office, LEVI R. JEROME succeeded to the throne by virtue of his office of Viceroy. An assembly was held October 24, 1 887, which in the records is classed as the fif- teenth. Sir LEVI R. JEROME was elected Grand Sovereign. After this followed another period of dormancy. The age and infirmities of the Grand Sovereign prevented any active ef- forts on his part, and no one seemed dis- posed to act as coadjutor. Fra. JEROME, like his immediate predecessor, died in office, and the succession devolved.upon his Viceroy, BENN P. REYNOLDS, who ascended the throne in 1893. No assemblies were held during the years 1888-1892, but on July n, 1893, the Imperial Council convened in its twen- tieth annual conclave, with M. I. Sir BENN P. REYNOLDS on the throne. The Grand Sovereign announced the death of his prede- cessor, and that, owing to unavoidable de- lays, the session for 1892 was not held at the stated time. This meeting, therefore, 816 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. was properly the 1 892 assembly. During the recess a new conclave had been insti- tuted at Champaign, and a charter was granted to it under the distinctive name, Saxa Rubra. Sir GIL. W. BARNARD having declined a re-election as Grand Recorder, the thanks of the body were unanimously tendered to him for his long and active service, and the zeal he had ever displayed in the interests of the order. Sir GEO. W. WARVELLE was elected Grand Sovereign. The twenty-first annual assembly was held October 5, 1893. The transactions were routine. The prospects, however, were all good and a better tone was appar- ent than for many years preceding. An in- vitation was received from St. John's Con- clave to attend a banquet at the Union League Club in the evening. Sir GEO. W. WARVELLE was re-elected Grand Sovereign. The twenty-second annual assembly was held October 9, 1894. Two conclaves rep- resented. The charters of all defunct and dormant conclaves were forfeited and all connection with the Sovereign Grand Coun- cil was severed. The finances seemed in good condition and the utmost harmony prevailed. An invitation from St. John's Conclave to participate in a banquet at the Briggs House was received and accepted. Sir GEO. W. WARVELLE was re-elected Grand Sovereign. Twenty-third annual assembly, October 25, 1895. Three conclaves represented. The Grand Sovereign reported the in- stitution of a new conclave at Peoria, under the distinctive name St. Helena. The numerical increase, while not large, was eminently satisfactory, and the foreign rela- tions continued to be of a most amicable character. Control was assumed over the "Order of Holy Wisdom " as constituting a part of the ancient ceremonials of the Red Cross Order and to prevent its unauthorized exploitation by modern imitative societies. The anniversary of the battle of Saxa Rubra (October 28) was adopted as a festi- val, and a plenary dispensation granted to all conclaves to observe same by either a public or private celebration. An invitation from St. John's Conclave to attend a banquet of the Union League Club was " accepted with thanks." Sir GEO. W. WARVELLE was re-elected Grand Sovereign. Twenty-fourth annual assembly October 30, 1896. The year was uneventful and the depressed commercial condition of the country had operated to prevent any efforts at extension. Three active conclaves were carried upon the roll, with an aggregate membership of one hundred and ten Knights Companions. The treasury was in good condition and the utmost harmony and good will pervaded the entire Order. Sir DANIEL J. AVERY was elected Grand Sovereign. * * * In 1872, a short time after the organiza- tion of the Grand Imperial Council, its juris- diction was invaded by the Grand Imperial Council of England, which chartered a con- clave in Chicago as No. 81 of its registry. The conclave was instituted through the efforts of Sir JNO. D. M. CARR, who became its Sovereign and continued to preside over it until his death. Many efforts were made to effect a transfer of the allegiance of this conclave, but without success, and it was COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 817 not until 1 893 that it finally became merged into St. John's Conclave. There is no record of any formal adop- tion of a seal by the Grand Imperial Coun- cil, although it would seem that such an ar- ticle was in use from the time of organiza- tion. It is supposed that the present seal was designed by Sir J. J. FRENCH, the first Grand Sovereign, and that the device is of his selection. Seal of the Grand Imperial Council, Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, for the State of Illinois. (From the original, through the courtesy of H. W. STANNARD, Grand Recorder.) The device is the ancient cognizance of the Order, consisting of a Greek cross, upon the arms of which are displayed sixteen stars, resting upon a double-headed eagle and surmounted by an imperial crown. While the Constantinian Orders are sim- ilar in general characteristics to the other Orders of Chivalry, yet for a number of years their exploitation has been conducted upon very different lines. No attempt has been made to popularize them or to secure a wide dissemination. On the other hand a decidedly conservative spirit has prevailed in the Imperial Council, and the institution of new conclaves has rather been discour- aged. Inasmuch as the Orders are Eng- lish in origin and immediate derivation, it has been thought advisable to follow the English precedents and to cultivate them rather as exponents of chivalric virtues than as mere ritualistic expressions of the Chris- tianized forms of Freemasonry. Hence but little time is devoted to " the work," or the exemplification of the degrees, while much attention is paid to the social and fraternal features. Following the " immemorial cus- tom" of the Order the assemblies of the Conclaves are usually held at a public house or club when the members dine to- gether. Following the repast, and while the Knights are still seated at table, the ordinary business of the Conclave is trans- acted. This being done the meeting re- solves itself into a seminar, where papers are read and discussed, addresses made, and such other forms of intellectual recrea- tion indulged in as the managers may have provided or the inclination of the members may suggest. At all of the meetings the Knights appear in full evening dress, and in all other details the distinguishing features which characterize the Orders in the mother country are preserved. It would seem that among the many rites, branches and auxil- iary grades now erected upon the founda- tion of Symbolic Masonry there is need for one that shall be wholly devoted to the in- tellectual phases of the institution, and this want the Order of the Red Cross assumes to supply. AUXILIARY RITES AND SYSTEMS, INTRODUCTION. TV TOTWITHSTANDING the tales of the 1 i romancers, it seems beyond dispute that Freemasonry, as originally practiced, consisted practically of but one degree, if indeed the simple organization of the early craft can be called a degree. There were, it is true, divisions and distinctions among the workmen, the Fellows and Masters, but these were "ranks," not "degrees" as that term is now understood. In time these ranks were erected into degrees, in much the same manner as the rank of Past Master was in later years converted into a degree. As the process of evolution con- tinued the degrees changed from the simple to the complex, and when they were trans- planted to foreign soil a process of differ- entiation set in which has continued to this day. On the continent of Europe the primi- tive conceptions of British Masonry were greatly expanded and numerous systems were created with extended scales of de- grees. In common parlance these systems are called "rites," and it is said that not less than sixty-two rites have at different times and places made their appearance. The majority have had but an ephemeral existence. Not a few, however, attained fair proportions, and for a time exercised considerable influence; but in Masonry, as in the physical world, the rule of the survival of the fittest applies, and at present proba- bly not over half a dozen systems are known or practiced. During the early years of the present century degree-founding and ritual-making was a thriving industry in the United States. From the ruins of foreign importations, more particularly of the old French system known as the Rite of Perfection, was evolved a scheme of Masonic instruction in thirty-three degrees which eventually ac- quired the name Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. After passing through many vicissi- tudes it finally became firmly established in nearly every land and for many years has exercised a powerful influence on the Masonic life and thought of Illinois. In later times importations of foreign exotics have been made, but as a rule their propagation has not been successful, and in recent years Grand Lodges have still further tended to depress the industry by denying Masonic character to the institutions thus established and prohibiting affiliations therewith by Masons in their obedience. During the '6os a rival to the Scottish Rite made its appearance in this country and succeeded in effecting an entrance into Illinois. This system, known as the Egyp- tian Rite of Memphis, attained for a brief COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 319 period quite a popularity, and not a few well-known and influential men gave it their adhesion. It lived but a short time, however, and in many States, Illinois among the number, has been solemnly anathematized by the Grand Lodge and its adherents declared heretic and excom- municate. Of the many other forms of Masonic abstractions which from time to time have appeared, Illinois seems to be free. Occa- sionally some enterprising peddler happens along and attempts to display his wares, but in most cases inquiry develops the fact that the goods are spurious and the peddler an impostor. At the present writing the agents of a so-called " Roumanian Rite "are said to be doing a thriving business with the simple and credulous at Chicago; but as the promoters of the "Rite " are not rec- ognized as Masons, no attention is paid to same by the Masonic authorities. Until the State shall recognize the Masonic name as a species of legitimate property and by proper legislation protect same in those to whom of right it belongs, so long will char- latans prey upon the community and fatten- upon the gains they shall receive from their victims. In a number of jurisdictions the Grand Lodge, representing the sovereign power of Symbolic Masonry and proceeding upon: the theory that it has an inherent right to say what organizations shall build upon its. foundation, has extended a quasi-recognition to certain bodies which it has thereby clothed with a Masonic character. Unfor- tunately this recognition has not been given to certain degrees, orders, or rites, but to specific organizations which assume to con- trol same. This proceeding was inaugu- rated by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1882, and has been followed in a number of States. In the State of Illinois the Grand Lodge has wisely refused to interfere ex- cept in one instance, the details of which will be found in the chronological review of that body. 19 .320 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE. A NUMBER of theories have been ad- vanced by the Masonic historians with reference to the origin of the series of de- grees now generally known as the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. The following is given by the late CHARLES T. MCCLENACHAN as the more reliable and probable account; but many of his statements are not capable of verification and by many they have been denied. This, however, is the history which the majority of those who have writ- ten upon the subject accept as correct and which is endorsed by the Supreme Councils of the Rite in this country. Bro. MCCLENACHAN says that at or about the period of the Masonic revival and excitement in the early part of the eight- eenth century, there was felt a desire for a deeper research into the arcana of Free- masonry, and a thorough examination of the esoteric doctrines of the order. The more ardent and brilliant minds of Europe, deter- mining to explore the Kabala, and enticed by so ennobling a study, resolved to estab- lish a superior grade of Masonry, for the ex- clusive propagation of the mysteries as yet so little known to them, embracing the His- torical, Philosophical and Chivalric. With this purpose in view, attempts were made to establish separate and distinct organiza- tions, wherein these sublime truths might be revealed and cultivated. Nearly all these projects were ephemeral and were outlived by their projectors, while the "Rite of Perfection," the germ of the or- ganization of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite based upon the pure princi- ples of Masonry and the elucidation of the occult mysteries, containing twenty-five de- grees gradually approached development. Some authorities assert that this Rite of Perfection as an organization was founded in 1753, while others insist that in 1758 certain Masons, styling themselves "Sov- ereign Princes and Grand Officers of the Grand and Sovereign Lodge of St. John of Jerusalem," founded at Paris a body called "The Council of Emperors of the East and West." This council has been ordinarily known as the Rite of Perfection, and accord- ing to THORY, RAGON, LEVEQUE, VIDAL, FERANDIE, CLAVEL and others, consisted of twenty-five degrees; in 1759 it established a Council of Princes of the Royal Secret at Bordeaux, and from this period began to ex- tend itself. By the year 1761, the Lodges, Councils, Chapters and Consistories of the Rite had in- creased and extended throughout the conti- nent of Europe; on the 27th of August of that year, STEPHEN MORIN was commis- sioned Inspector-General for the New World by the Grand Consistory of Princes of the Royal Secret, convened at Paris, under the presidency of CHAILLON DE JOINVILLE, Substitute-General of the Order. When MORIN arrived in America, in accordance with the powers vested by his patent, he COMPENDIUM OF FREBMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 321 appointed MOSES M. HAYS a Deputy In- spector-General, with the authority to ap- point others. HAYS appointed ISAAC DA COSTA Deputy Inspector-General for the State of South Carolina. After the death of DA COSTA, JOSEPH MYERS was appointed his successor. On the 25th of October, 1762, the Grand Masonic Constitutions were finally ratified in Berlin, Prussia, and proclaimed throughout the world for the government of all Lodges, Councils, Chapters, Colleges, and Consistories of the Ancient and Accept- ed Scottish Rite over the surface of the two hemispheres. In the same year they were transmitted to Inspector-General STEPHEN MORIN, who accepted them. Deputy Inspector-General HAYS ap- pointed SOLOMON BUSH Deputy Inspector- General for Pennsylvania, and BAREND M. SPITZER for Georgia, which appointments were confirmed by a council of Inspectors convened in Philadelphia on the 1 5th of June, 1781. On the istof-May, 1786, the Constitutions of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General of the thirty-third and last degree, are alleged to have been granted at Berlin, Prussia. No Supreme Councils of Sovereign Grand In- spectors-General were established anywhere in the world till after this date; previously, Deputy Inspectors-General were charged with the powers and duties now vested in such Supreme Councils and the grand bodies under them. In the new constitution this high power was conferred on a Supreme Council, of nine brethren in each nation, who possessed all the Masonic prerogatives in their own district, while two Supreme Councils were provided for in the United States of America with equal powers in their respective jurisdictions. The first Supreme Council ever estab- lished under the new constitution of 1786, was that at Charleston, whose jurisdiction extended, constitutionally, over the whole of the United States, until they constituted the Northern Supreme Council. Then the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions were geographically defined. On the 3 ist of May, 1801, the Supreme Council of the thirty-third degree for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, was opened with the high honors of Masonry, by Brothers JOHN MITCHELL and FREDERICK DALCHO, Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General ; and in the course of the year the whole number of Grand Inspectors- General was completed agreeably to the Grand Constitutions. The other members of this council were EMANUEL DE LA MOTTA, DR. J. AULD, DR. JAMES MOULTRIE, ABRA- HAM ALEXANDER, M. C. LIVY, THOMAS B. BOWEN, and J. DE LIEBAU. The bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite located in Illinois are subor- dinate to the Supreme Council of the North- ern Jurisdiction of the United States. The following sketch of the position of that au- thority is from the pen of Bro. E. T. CAR- SON, of Ohio, a learned and zealous laborer in all departments of the Masonic field. Bro. CARSON says: The first Lodge of Perfection and Council of Princes of Jerusalem in America was established in Al- bany, New York, in 1768. A Lodge of Perfection was organized in Philadelphia in 1781, and in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1783. Bodies of the " Sublime De- grees "were also established in New York City and New Orleans late in the last century and early in the beginning of the present century. We have no record, printed or written, giving any account of our present system of thirty-three degrees, until the appearance of the celebrated circular issued 322 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. at Charleston, South Carolina, by DALCHO, AULD, DE LA MOTTA, MITCHEL and ALEXANDER, bearing date December 4, 1802. The Southern Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General of the thirty-third degree was organized and opened in Charleston, South Carolina, on the 31st of May, 1801. In 1807, JOSEPH CERNEAU formed a consistory in the city of New York. Whether he was legally au- thorized to do this we will not stop to inquire. He and his followers claimed that it was regular, and they dated the beginning of their Supreme Council as of 1807. In 1813 EMANUEL DE LA MOTTA, acting un- der authority from the Supreme Council at Charles- ton, South Carolina, organized a Supreme Council in the city of New York. This body took the name of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America, the CEKNEAU body having assumed the name of " Supreme Council for the United States of America, its Territories and Depend- encies." War began between the CEKNEAU and the DE LA MOTTA bodies at once. The two organizations went on with more or less success for a time, but with continued warfare between them. Both bodies be- came dormant, or at least were not heard of for long intervals, at different times down to about 1850. Then, with the revival of Masonry which took place about that time, when the anti-Masonic storm had passed, both bodies began to make more or less stir in the Masonic world, each claiming to be the only legal Scottish Rite organization in the North. In I860 a schism took place in the Northern Supreme Council, of which EDWARD A. RAYMOND was the Grand Com- mander. It is not necessary for the present purpose to go into details as to the causes that led to this schism; it is sufficient for the present sketch to say that RAYMOND was declared deposed from his office of Grand Commander, and the members elected KILLIAN H. VAN RENSSELAER as Grand Commander, pro- claiming their organization to be the lawful Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. It continued to meet regularly, charter bodies, &c. RAYMOND also continued to act as Grand Com- mander of another organization, composed of mem- bers who followed him. This body also claimed to be the only lawful Northern Supreme Council. Then there were three Supreme Councils in the Northern Jurisdiction, EDMOND B. HAYS as Grand Commander of the CERNEAU body, RAYMOND of another, and VAN RENSSELAER of a third. All three of these bodies were in fierce conflict with each other. In 1863, the old CERNEAU-HAYS or New York body, and the RAY- MOND-ROBINSON or Boston body were, by mutual agreement, consolidated into one Supreme Council, the CERNEAUS fully recognizing and condoning any al- leged irregularity of the RAYMOND-ROBINSON mem- bers, and rice versa, each body recognizing the mem- bers that had been created by the other. Then there were but two Supreme Councils in the Northern Jur- isdiction HAYS at the head of one, and VAN RENS- SELAER at the head of the other, each claiming to be the only legal Scottish Rite organization in the North- ern Jurisdiction. A fierce war raged between these two bodies down to May 16, 1867, when wise counsels prevailed and the two Councils were, by mutual agree- ment, consolidated into one Supreme Council, under the name of the Supreme Council Sovereign Grand In- spectors General of the Thirty-third Degree for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America. Each of the contracting parties agreed to accept the members of the other as regular Scottish Rite Masons, with all the rights, titles and dignities they had acquired in either rite, all the past was to be bygone, Cerneauism, Gorgasism, or RAYMOND and VAN RENS- SELAER, were swallowed up and forever buried by the union, and there was forever thereafter to be but one Supreme Council in the Northern Masonic Jurisdic- tion of the United States. The only test that was re- quired from either side to be fully entitled to member- ship was to take the oath of fealty or allegiance to the united body. All congratulated themselves that here- after peace was to reign nmong the brethren. FOLGER in his history says: " When the two bodies came together, the Sovereign Grand Comman- ders of both bodies 'resigned, together with all the re- spective officers of each body, thus dissolving both the HAYS-CERNEAU and the RAYMONO Councils, each Sovereign Grand Inspector-General retaining his sta- tus as such." From this date, May 16, 1867, down to Septem- ber 21, 1881, there was peace in Scottish Rite Masonry. When the union took place there were upwards of one hundred subordinate bodies on the register of the HAYS-CERNEAU Supreme Council, with about an equal number on that of the VAN RENSSELAER Supreme Council, with very nearly an equal membership in each; both sides accepted the union in good faith, all subordinates joining in the union. On September 21, 1881, a little coterie of men in the city of New York set up a body which they called the CERNEAU Supreme Council, with one HOPKINS THOMPSON as Grand Commander and one ROBERT B. FOLGER as Grand Secretary. They claimed that they had been deceived by the union in 1867; that the CERNEAU Supreme Council never went into it, setting up that in June, 1866, the CERNEAU Supreme Council held a meeting in New York, at which a committee was appointed for the purpose of receiving any propo- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 323 sition which might be made to adjust differences, etc., the committee to report at the next annual meeting. The time of meeting was changed from June to October in each year, therefore it followed there was no meeting in October, 1866. ROBINSON, the M. P. G. Commander, called an extraordinary session to meet in Boston, December 13, 1867. FOLGER, refer- ring to the June session, says: "Thus closed proba- bly one of the largest and most harmonious assem- blages of Ineffable and Sublime Masons ever con- vened within the walls of a council chamber." There were twenty-two members present at this meeting, and there were twenty-five present at the December meeting in Boston. ROBINSON, with the approbation and concurrence of the members present, reorgan- ized the Supreme Council, their object being to secure the recognition of foreign Supreme Councils, it hav- ing been claimed that there was some imaginary or real irregularity in the organization as it then stood. All those present accepted the change, and no one ever spoke a word of protest against it until Septem- ber, 1881, when HOPKINS THOMPSON and ROBERT B. FOLGER hoisted the standard of treason and pre- tended to organize a new Supreme Council. Both these men had taken the oath of loyalty to the United Supreme Council in 1867. FOLGER says the CERNEAUS were not represented at the meeting in Boston. The truth is that of the twenty-two members who were present in New York in June, fifteen attended the meeting in Boston. * * There was about an equal number of the CERNEAU members and the RAYMOND-BOSTON members who participated in the Boston meeting. The present CERNEAU-HOPKINS THO.MPSON- FOLGER combination say they were waiting from June, 1866, to September 21,1881, for that meeting, which they say they expected to be held in October, 1867. During that long period fifteen years they never held a meeting, and not one of them ever said or wrote a word against the action of ROBINSON at the December meeting of 1866, or the Grand Union in May, 1867. * * * As no bodies of the Rite other than those in the allegiance of the Supreme Council, N. M. J., exist in Illinois, a portion of Bro. CARSON'S article has no application to present conditions. In neighboring States, particularly in Iowa, the controversy has entered the Grand Lodge, causing much trouble and annoyance. It would seem that the Rite was intro- duced into the State of Illinois by the insti- tution of co-ordinate bodies at Chicago, in the year 1856, although abortive attempts had been made prior to that time. Of the early history of these bodies a full account will be found in the sketch prepared by Bro. GIL. W. BARNARD. It was not until ten years later, however, that an active interest became manifest or that the Rite commenced to assume the importance it has since at- tained. About the close of the Civil war Masonry, in all its branches, received a great impetus, and at this period we may date the begin- ning of general interest in Scottish Rite Ma- sonry throughout the country. This was due in some measure to the efforts of the rival bodies which then asserted exclusive jurisdiction in the Northern States. This rivalry resulted in the institution of two sets of bodies at Chicago, each professing a dif- ferent allegiance, and to the establishment of Consistories and co-ordinate bodies at Springfield, Waukegan, Yates City, DeKalb, Monmouth and Princeton. It will readily be understood that the bodies located in the smaller cities above named could not thrive. In some cases they were antagonized by the Commanderies of Knights Templar, notably so at Springfield, and in every case the con- ditions were not adapted to growth or even life. As a result all of the Consistories so established either died or were translated. The charters of the bodies at Springfield, Monmouth and Princeton were ultimately revoked. The Waukegan bodies were trans- ferred to Quincy, where they still are, the De Kalb bodies to Freeport and the Yates City bodies to Peoria. The effect of trans- lation in each case was beneficial. The Freeport bodies at once commenced work 824 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. and a large and wealthy Consistory resulted. Peoria followed next and for years the Con- sistory of that place has flourished. At Quincy the affairs of the Rite were very apathetic for years, but recently a new vigor seems to have been infused and the bodies are doing well. After the union of the rival Supreme Councils in 1867 provision was made for the establishment of State bodies of a semi- supervisory character called Councils of Deliberation. They are held under the presidency of the Deputy of the Supreme Council for the district in which they are located and practically have no legislative powers. They are considered by the Su- preme Council as advisory bodies merely. Since the year 1869 a Council of Delibera- tion has met regularly in the district of Illi- nois. It is attended by the Active and Honorary "thirty-thirds" of the district and the officers of the various co-ordinate bodies. The sessions are brief and the transactions inconsequential. The follow- ing is a summary. COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION. 1869. THE first session of the Council of Delib- eration was held, in pursuance of Art. 25 of the Constitution of the Supreme Council, at the city of Chicago, April 7, 1869; 111. WALTER A. STEVENS, Deputy, presiding. The business was unimportant. 1870. Second annual session, May 3, 1870; WALTER A. STEVENS presiding. Resolutions were adopted requesting the Supreme Council to reduce and simplify the titles of all bodies of the Rite. It does not seem, however, that this was ever done. 1871. A special session of the Council of De- liberation was held January 27, 1871; VIN- CENT L. HURLBUT presiding. The object of the conference was to de- vise plans for the consolidation of the Chi- cago bodies, concerning which a detailed statement will be found in Bro. BARNARD'S sketch of the Valley of Chicago. A subse- quent meeting was held on February 3d for the purpose of perfecting the plan of union. The third annual session was held June 22, 1871; VINCENT L. HURLBUT presiding. Among the visitors was Bro. ALBERT PIKE, Grand Commander of the Southern Su- preme Council. The present standing com- mittees were established, and resolutions were passed recommending a change in the names of the Yates City, Waukegan and De Kalb bodies so as to conform to their changed locations at Peoria, Quincy and Freeport. 1872. Fourth annual session, June 28, 1872; VINCENT L. HURLBUT presiding. The Deputy reported that upwards of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 325 $3,000 had been received from the Scottish Rite bodies of the country as contributions toward the funds for the relief of sufferers by the late Chicago fire (conflagration of 1871); whereupon the Council adopted a res- olution expressive of its profound gratitude. A petition by the chiefs of the bodies at Springfield was presented representing their inability to longer continue said bodies and praying that steps be taken to revoke the charters of same. HENRY C. RANNEY, thirty-third degree, presented the following resolution, which, on motion, was adopted: Resolved, As the sense of this Council of Delibera- tion, that it would be very desirable for the re-estab- lishment of the Sov. Grand Consistory for the North- ern Masonic Jurisdiction of the U. S., and the Deputy and active members of this district be requested to confer with the representatives from Ohio, and use their efforts to bring about that end, and restore the ancient prerogative of this body. But the Supreme Council had no use for Grand Consistories and the ancient body was not revived. 1873- Fifth annual session, June 26, 1873; VINCENT L. HURLBUT presiding. The pro- ceedings were routine. The 111. Deputy announced that other duties prevented him from further continuing in office. CHARLES H. BROWER, thirty-third degree, presented a resolution providing for an ' ' essay or lecture appertaining to the object, intent and working of the various degrees," at each session of the Council, " thereby the better to enable its officers to understand and carry out the precepts and principles of high-grade Ma- sonry. " The resolution was adopted and Bro. BROWER was appointed ' ' Essayist of the Illinois Council of Deliberation," with instructions to prepare an essay for delivery at the next annual session. This duty was performed as per order, but since then nothing has ever been done under the reso- lution. 1874. The sixth annual session was held at .Chicago May 28, 1874; HOSMER A. JOHN- SON presiding. A communication was received from Quincy Consistory, notifying the body that it was the purpose of Quincy Consistory to- " withdraw from the organization of the Illi- nois Council of Deliberation." The com- munication was referred to a committee, which reported back that it was not within the province of the Council to recognize the action of Quincy Consistory as valid or of any effect, and that the Council had no power to absolve any of the Bodies of the Rite from any allegiance imposed by the Supreme Council. Quincy Consistory is still a component part of the Council of De- liberation. The principal event of the year was the revocation by the Supreme Council of the charters of Carson Consistory and the other bodies located at Springfield. 1875. Seventh annual session, at Chicago, May 20, 1875; HOSMER A. JOHNSON presiding. The bestowal of the honorarium of the thirty-third degree has always been a source of much contention and often of much dis- satisfaction in this district. About this time it seems to have been much discussed, and at this session THEODORE T. GURNEY, thir- ty-third degree, presented the following pre- amble and resolutions, which on motion of L. R. JEROME, thirty-second degree, were received and adopted. 326 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. WHEREAS, We sincerely believe that our Su- preme Council is at all times in harmony with the ef- forts of its subordinates in promoting the welfare of our Rite; and, WHEREAS, We are of the opinion that consulta- tions with their subordinates in matters of local im- portance will be productive of great good, and strengthen our love for, and allegiance to, the Supreme Council; and, WHEREAS, We have been led to believe that in the thirty-third-degree grade it was the purpose of that body to study the highest interests of the Rite by granting this important distinction only to such breth- ren who have been of signal service to Masonry; and particularly to those who have'zealously labored to ex- tend the influence of our Rite; therefore Resohed, By this Council of Deliberation, that we respectfully pray the Supreme Council of this jurisdiction that no further additions be made to its honorary membership from this district unless sub- stantial proof be presented to that body that the ele- vation of the applicant will be in the interests of the Rite. Resolved, That we further pray that the Supreme Council adopt some method of determining a brother's eligibility for such distinction that shall secure the ob- jects sought for by the foregoing. Resohed, That the 111. Deputy of this district be fraternally requested to present this action to the Su- preme Council. Evidently the Council was chafing under restraint this year, for a further memorial was presented with respect to the trial of offenders. It seems that certain "33ds" had denied the right of the Consistory to discipline them; wherefore the following was adopted: Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Council of Deliberation that the subordinate bodies of the Rite, Consistories, Chapters, Councils or Lodges should be authorized to try any of their members, of whatever grade, for immoral conduct, or any offense against the Statutes, Regulations of the Rite, or the By-Laws of the bodies of which they are members. Both resolutions were then committed to the Deputy for transmission. During this year the charters of the bodies located at Monmouth were revoked by the Supreme Council, it appearing that the conditions were unfavorable to a pros- perous and healthy existence. 1876. The eighth annual session was held at Freeport, April 27, 1876; HOSMER A. JOHN- SON presiding. The Deputy reported the presentation to the Supreme Council of the resolutions passed the year preceding, and the action of that body, which was to the effect that " Inspectors-General shall be amenable to the Supreme Council only." Commenting upon this the 111. Deputy said: I beg leave, in this connection, to call your atten- tion to the radical difference between the organic law of this Rite and that of the York Rite. In the one the source of power is from above, from the represent- ative of Frederick. In theothereach individual lodge is a sovereign, and the superior bodies are made up of representatives, and have such powers as are dele- gated to them. In my judgment Grand Lodges even are not an exception to this idea. The two systems can not be brought to the same methods of government or of action without destroying the fundamental idea of one or the other. I do not see any probability of good from any effort to combine them. State Consis- tories, even our Councils of Deliberation, are, to some extent, the embodiment of such an effort, but it is dis- tinctly understood that the Supreme Council is su- preme, that this word is not simply a useless prefix, retained to gratify an amour propre, but that it indi- cates quite a different idea from the word "grand " as applied to the representative or so-called superior bodies of the York Rite. The resolutions relative to the confer- ring of the thirty-third degree were referred to a committee of the Supreme Council, which, it seems, made a report but no recommendation on the subject, "reserving it for more mature deliberation." 1877. Ninth annual session, at Chicago, May 10, 1877. In the absence of the Deputy, COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 327 GILBERT W. BARNARD presided as Com- mander in Chief. The salient feature of this session was the presentation of a memorial from Orient- al Consistory as follows: ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE, VALLEY OF CHICAGO, April 26, 1877. The Members of Oriental Consistory, S.'. P.'. R.'. S.'. Thirty-second Degree, of the Valley of Chicago, sitting in regular Assembly, this 26th day of April, 1877, entertaining a profound interest in the welfare of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemason- ry, and humbly declaring as the earnest of this repre- sentation our devotion to the Supreme Powers thereof, and heartily desiring to place such Powers in active sympathy and co-operation with the primary elements of their strength and perpetuity, and believing that this desirable consummation cannot be attained with- out fraternal concessions of rights and prerogatives which are at the basis of every organization resting in the immutable principles of our Masonic professions; and further believing that our useful existence in the interests of humanity is dependent upon an acquies- cence in the advanced thought which recognizes the dignity and importance of the laborers that furnish the elementary strength and security to ail beneficent and fraternal associations, and also believing that our Supreme Authorities are not adverse to giving atten- tion to respectful presentation of the settled convic- tions of their subordinates; therefore, Resolved, That the present system of taxing Subordinate Bodies of the Rite, in the absence of the most remote representation in the law-making powers thereof, is a perpetual menace to their prosperity and our unrestrained devotion to its interests. Resolved, That we earnestly pray our Supreme Council that such changes may be perfected in its Or- ganic law as will secure to the Bodies of its obedience equitable representation in the legislative powers of the Rite. Resolved, That should our Supreme Powers deem such concessions incompatible with the welfare of the Rite, that all dues or other taxation now being imposed upon its Subordinate Bodies be abolished. Resolved, That a copy of these presents be fur- nished for the consideration of our Sister Bodies of this State, and that a further copy be presented to our next Council of Deliberation by the Illinois Comman- der-in-Chief of this Consistory. Attest: JAMES A. T. BIRD, 32", [Seal.] Grand Secretary. On motion of JAMES A. HAWLEY, thir- ty-third degree, the Memorial was received, and on motion of THEODORE T. GURNEY, thirty-third degree, adopted. On motion of THEODORE T. GURNEY, thirty-third degree, the Grand Secretary was directed to furnish ihe 111. . Dep- uty with a copy of said Memorial, inform- ing him that they were adopted by this Council of Deliberation, and that he be re- quested to present the same to the Supreme Council for its consideration. The Memorial was presented but the Supreme Council took no other action thereon than to grant permission to the memorialists to withdraw same. While the Consistory, like the Com- mandery, is a semi-military organization, and as such affects a semi-military uniform and the employment of military equipments, yet, owing to the number and exalted char- acter of the degrees comprised in its cur- riculum, the military features have usually been kept in strict subordination to those of the liturgy. But some years previous Ori- ental Consistory had adopted a uniform, practically that now in use, and by general consent this had been adopted by neighbor- ing bodies and finally received the approval of the Supreme Council. At this tim^ it would seem there was a movement looking toward its alteration and this induced the Council to pass the following: WHEREAS, This Council of Deliberation believ- ing that the high character of this Rite will be more fully sustained, and its usefulness better promoted, by retaining the present uniform, in which appropriate- ness, durability and richness are combined in a desir- able manner: therefore, Resoked, That our Illustrious Deputy, together with all the active members from Illinois of the Su- preme Council, are most respectfully requested to use their influence that no change be made in the present 328 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. uniform of a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, thirty-second degree. 1878. Tenth annual session, at Chicago, May 22, 1878; HOSMER A. JOHNSON presiding. The Deputy reported the presentation of the memorial of Oriental Consistory and the action of the Supreme Council thereon, which was, in effect, that "the A. and A. Rite, in its highest organization, is not in any sense a representative body;" that "its authority is not derived from, nor does it depend for existence upon, its subordinates, " and that "there is in its organization a rad- ical and distinctive characteristic, by which it is separated from the York Rite, and that it is not possible, under present conditions, to accomplish in any essential respect a change in the fundamental laws." 1879. Eleventh annual session June 19, 1879; HOSMER A. JOHNSON presiding. The returns showed that at Chicago and Freeport the bodies were active, at Peoria they were dormant and at Princeton dead, with but faint evidences of life at Quincy. On motion of JNO. O'NEILL, thirty-third degree, it was Voted, That the 111. Deputy be requested to pre- sent to the Supreme Council the request of this Coun- cil of Deliberation that it furnish the several bodies of this Jurisdiction with a burial service. Fortunately the Supreme Council has never complied with the request, and it is sincerely to be hoped never will. 1880. Twelfth annual session, July i, 1880; HOSMER A. JOHNSON presiding. The 111. Deputy having suggested the propriety of the adoption of some rule rela- tive to territorial jurisdiction the purpose of which should be to prevent the monopoly of a district by a dormant body, it was Resolred, That all Bodies of the Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite, which are now or may hereafter be established in the State of Illinois, shall have ex- clusive jurisdiction within a radius of fifty miles, over all eligible persons who may apply for admission. Provided, that any Body of the Rite exercising such jurisdictional powers which shall fail to formally con- fer the grades of said Body on at least three appli- cants during the year, or shall fail to make report of their doings as required by law, shall forfeit the rights of exclusive jurisdiction over the limits aforesaid. Resolved, That the Bodies of the Rite, in Illinois, shall have concurrent Masonic Jurisdiction over all territory within the State not otherwise herein pre- scribed and provided for; and this is still the law in the district of Illinois. 1881-2. There was no meeting in 1881. A ses- sion was held May 25, 1882, which on the record is called the fourteenth. HOSMER A. JOHNSON presided. From the report of the Deputy we learn that in the bodies at Chicago a high degree of perfection had been attained; that Peoria and Freeport were actively at work, and that ' ' even Quincy had expressed a deter- mination to shake off the sleep of years and wake to rightousness of life." Bro. JOHNSON announced that advancing years, uncertain health, and the accumula- tion of professional duties rendered it im- possible for him to longer continue his official relations or position, which announcement was received with sorrow by the Council and a " testimonial address" was voted to him. 1883. Fifteenth annual session, June 21, 1883; HENRY H. POND presiding as special Dep- uty. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 329 The Deputy reported activity in the bodies at Chicago, Freeport and Peoria and a corresponding apathy at Princeton and Quincy. The Deputy further alluded to a subject which has often been discussed in Scottish Rite circles with apparently no results, viz.: the right of nomination for the honorarium. Speaking upon this subject, he said: Your Deputy observes that in many States within our jurisdiction there exists in the State Council of De- liberation, among the other regularly appointed com- mittees by the Deputy, a Committee on nominations for the Honorary thirty-third degree; and firmly believ- ing that the duly accredited Representatives to the State Council are brethren best fitted to judge, who should be elevated to this high official grade, I would at this time fraternally recommend that such a com- mittee be formed in this Council for the purpose of se- lecting names for this grade, such choice to be ap- proved by this Council and presented to the active members of this State for their fraternal endorsement in the Supreme Council. The Committee on Business recommend- ed the adoption of the suggestion, and on motion of HENRY C. RANNEY it was Resolved, That a committee of five be raised to nominate and report, to an adjourned meeting of the Council, names for the thirty-third degree, and that the same committee present a plan for the manner of electing them. A committee was accordingly raised which duly reported back the names of five persons as suitable candidates for the honor and recommended that the election be by secret ballot. A ballot was thereupon held and the names recommended by the com- mittee received the unanimous approval of the Council. So far as the record discloses this was the only time this method was ever attempted, and it was possible at this time only from the fact that certain differences among the active members of the Supreme Council prevented concerted action among themselves. All of the nominees of the Council were subsequently accepted and crowned by the Supreme Council. As previously remarked there was a "disagreement " at this time among certain of the "actives," and as a result, upon the resignation of Bro. JOHNSON, as Deputy for the District, an "honorary" was appointed to fill his place. This produced some dis- satisfaction, and the Council, "while ex- pressing the warmest esteem for the Special Deputy, 111. HENRY H. POND," neverthe- less adopted the following: Resolved, That this Council of Deliberation re- spectfully protests against the appointment of any Honorary Member as Deputy for this District, and courteously urge upon the Supreme Council the ne- cessity of promptly filling up our quota of Active Mem- bership as proposed by action of the Supreme Council at its last session. The Supreme Council listened to the plaint and at its next ensuing session 111. JOHN C. SMITH was crowned an active mem- ber and made the Deputy for the district, a position he has ever since retained and ac- ceptably filled. 1884. Sixteenth session, June 19, 1884, JOHN C. SMITH presiding. The meetings were changed from an- nual to triennial. The revocation of the charters of the Princeton bodies was rec- ommended. The other bodies within the State appeared active. 1885. Seventeenth session, August 13, 1885; JOHN C. SMITH presiding. Peace and har- mony prevailed throughout the district. HENRY C. RANNEY, thirty-third de- gree, presented a draft of a "trial code," 380 COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. which on motion was adopted. This code preserves and intensifies all the objectiona- ble features of the code prepared by Grand Lodge, and a more iniquitous form of pro- ceeding could hardly have been devised. The "trial" is to be conducted on the principle of the Star Chamber, behind closed doors and before a commission of three who hear the testimony, pronounce sentence and apparently act as inquisitors well. The code provides that the commis- sioners "shall not allow themselves to be hampered or embarrassed by legal prece- dents," and in the exercise of their own dis- cretion, "after they have questioned him (the accused) and heard the prosecution, may decline to take further evidence, and make their finding and verdict according- ly." The accused shall have the right to challenge one of the commissioners, but no more; and when the vacancy is filled by appointment no further challenge shall be permitted. " It shall be sufficient to charge 'un-Masonic conduct ' to cover any offense or violation of law." Presumably the brethren who framed this code knew what they were doing, but it was just such a procedure that led to Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, and other consti- tutional measures that finally culminated in the Constitution of the United States. It is not altogether clear to the common mind why the matured wisdom and experience of the civil law does not furnish a safe and sat- isfactory precedent for Masonic trials. It is notorious, however, that the latter are, in a majority of cases, but mere travesties of legal forms, and not infrequently they are positive denials of justice. The less Ma- sonry resorts to these doubtful expedients of discipline the better it will be for the craft in general, as well as those immedi- ately concerned. It is rare that a griev- ance committee cannot settle all differences between individuals, or that the body itself, in an informal and fraternal manner, cannot properly discipline its members for any in- fraction of its laws or derogation of its dig- nity. The principal event of the year was the revocation of the charters of the Princeton bodies. 1887. Eighteenth session, held June 23, 1887; JOHN C. SMITH presiding. Business routine and unimportant. 1890-3. Nineteenth session, June 12, 1890; WAL- TER A. STEVENS presiding, in the absence of the Deputy. The Deputy, 111. JOHN C. SMITH, being detained by a severe illness, his address was presented by the acting Commander in Chief. The Deputy reported all of the bodies of the district actively at work and that the utmost harmony prevailed. 1893-6. Twentieth session, June 20, 1893; JOHN C. SMITH, presiding. The Deputy reported the preceding three years as being fraught with peace and of un- exampled prosperity to all of the bodies of the Rite in Illinois. There is little in the record of this body to engage the pen of the historian. Hav- ing practically no legislative powers, its sessions are brief and in the main unevent- ful. All matters involving questions of ad- ministrative policy are disposed of in the Supreme Council. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 831 The presiding officer of the body, styled Commander in Chief, is the Deputy of the Grand Commander of the Supreme Council and holds his office by appointment from that functionary. The remaining officers are elected and the highest dignity that can be acquired by the members is that of First Lieutenant. The following illustrious breth- ren have, at the several dates set opposite their respective names, been invested with the dignity of the office: HOSMER A. JOHNSON 1871-1872 THEODORE T. GURNEY 1873 LEVI R. JEROME 1 874 JAMES S. McCALL 1875 GILBERT W. BARNARD 1876 JAMES A. HAWLEY 1 877 DEWITT C. CREGIER 1 878 JOHN C. SMITH 1 879 EDWARD C. WARNER 1 880 WILLIAM H. TURNER 1882 JAMES BANNISTER 1883 E. L. CRONKRITE 1 884- 1887 C. F. HITCHCOCK 1887-1890 ALEXANDER MCLEAN 1 890-1893 LOYAL L. MUNN 1893-1896 At the organization of the Council in 1869 Bro. WARREN G. PURDY acted as Sec- retary, but at the next ensuing session Bro. GILBERT R. SMITH was selected and contin- ued to discharge the duties of the office un- til his death, which occurred in 1 879. During the years 1879-80 JAMES H. MILES filled the office. At the session of 1882 Bro. GILBERT W. BARNARD was selected, and from thence hitherto he has continued to act in such capacity. In the year 1880 an organization of "honorary thirty-thirds" was effected. The primary object of the organization seems to have been to regulate the conduct of the "actives." The call for the organization meeting recited that in order to "have an opportunity for interchange of opinions" as well as for the advancement of the fraternal principles of the grade, an association was desirable, and those interested were invited to attend a meeting to be held March 19, 1880. In pursuance of this call, WILLIAM H. TURNER, HENRY C. RANNEY, CHARLES H. BROWER, EUGENE B. MYERS, HENRY H. POND, GIL. W. BARNARD, AMOS PETTIBONE, ALFRED RUSSELL, EDGAR P. TOBEY, HAS- WELL C. CLARKE and JAMES B. BRADWELL assembled and organized by the selection of 111. GIL. W. BARNARD as Chairman, and 111. AMOS PETTIBONE as Secretary. The subject of the call was freely discussed, and it was resolved to form an association whose members should be the Honorary Sov. Grand Inspectors-General resident in Illi- nois. A committee was appointed, con- sisting of WILLIAM H. TURNER, H. C. RAN- NEY, C. H. BROWER, H. H. POND and JAMES B. BRADWELL, who were instructed to pre- pare a form of organization to be presented at a meeting to be held April 13. At the meeting held Tuesday, April 13, 1880, the following declaration was adopted as the basis of organization: The Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General of the thirty-third and last degree of A. A. S. R., honorary members of the Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdic- tion of the United States of America, desirous of be- 332 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ing more closely united in the strong bonds of broth- erly love and affection, and also advancing the lofty liberal Christian principles of our order, do hereby form ourselves into an association, to be styled the Illi- nois College of Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General. A brief code of by-laws was then adopted for the government of the association. The College maintained an active existence for several years and then lapsed into a condition of "innocuous desuetude," in which condition it still remains. VALLEY OF CHICAGO. BY GIL. W. BARNARD. NO recorded evidence has been discov- ered relating to the organization of the A. A. Rite in this Valley prior to that which is found in the Proceedings of the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdic- tion, for the year 1846, when the Grand Commander was authorized to issue a char- ter for an Ineffable Lodge of Perfection to Brothers W. F. WALKER, WM. STUART, CHAS. R. STARKWEATHER, JOHN R. CASE, WM. L. BROWN, and SAMUEL HOARD, of Chicago, and at that time well known, highly esteemed citizens of the young Gar- den City. Beyond the fact that this char- ter was authorized, no records can be found as to whether or not the Lodge was ever constituted or entered upon its work. The next authentic record, chronologic- ally, that we have of the early days of the Rite in this Valley, is to be found in the re- port of KILLIAN H. VAN RENNSEL^R, thirty- third degree, who reported to the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States, in May, 1857, that he had visited Chicago in July, 1856, by order of the Sov. Grand Commander, and, being as- sisted by 111. Prince CHAS. R. STARKWEATHER, thirty-second degree, he had duly initiated, elevated, and proclaimed the requisite num- ber of worthy brethren to be Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, thirty-second degree; and further, that he had fully organized and constituted them in Lodge, Council, Chap- ter, and Consistory of Ineffable Sublime super-degrees and orders of Freemasonry, with 111. Prince CHARLES R. STARK- WEATHER, thirty-second degree, as Grand Commander-in-Chief. The 111. Brother VAN RENNSEL^R further reported that the bodies in Chicago were in possession of the necessary and appropriate robes, aprons and jewels, also suitable furniture for conferring the several grades and orders, equal if not superior to any other body in the two Jurisdictions. Thus it will be seen that, even at this early date, nearly forty years ago, the A. A. Rite, as exemplified in the Valley of Chicago, occupied a creditable position and received honorable mention, in, at hat time, the far distant limits of the Northern Jurisdiction. May 14, 1857, charters were granted by the Supreme Council to Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge of Perfection, Illinois Council of Princes of Jerusalem, Gourgas Chapter COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 333 of Rose Croix, H-R-D-M, and Occidental Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S. , thirty- second degree. The above named bodies continued to flourish in the quiet and unostentatious manner customary to high-grade Masonic bodies of that time, and, under charge of such well known and distinguished members of the Rite as JAMES V. Z. BLANEY, WILEY M. EGAN, ROBERT H. Foss, VINCENT L. HURLBUT, HOSMER A. JOHNSON, JAMES H. MILES, HENRY C. RANNEY, CHARLES R. STARKWEATHER, ENOCH B. STEVENS, OTIS H. TIFFANY, and WM. H. TURNER among its ACTIVE membership, which, by law, was limited to thirty-two members, had in the year 1865 attained a membership of eighty- two Active, Emeritus and Honorary mem- bers. The By-Laws provided that, of the Act- ive members at least twenty-seven should be residents of the City of Chicago. As many honorary, or affiliated members might be admitted as might be deemed expedient, but they had only a right to a seat and voice in the Consistory, not being permitted to vote or hold office. All applicants, in those times, were elected by viva-rocc vote and any Active member had the right to make such remarks on the occasion as he might see proper. As was the rule in all Masonic bodies of those days, the hour for meeting was, during the winter months, at 7 o'clock, and in the summer at 7:30. Among the Emer- itus and Honorary members at that time we find the names of many who have been distinguished in the various branches of the Order, notable among them are: PERRY A. ARMSTRONG, GEO. W. DEERING, H. STANLEY GOODWIN, WM. B. HERRICK, CLINTON LOCKE, LOYAL L. MUNN, MICHAEL J. NOYES, HARMAN G. REYNOLDS and PIT- KIN C. WRIGHT. After the close of the war of the Re- bellion in 1865, the bodies here, as else- where, revived and began to rapidly in- crease, and the reunions and conventions for reception of postulants were distin- guished as very notable occasions in the history of Masonic affairs of the times. Usually under the immediate supervision of that able, famous and superior ritualist and Masonic workman, Illustrious Brother KILLIAN H. VAN RENSSEL.ER, thirty-third degree, they afforded much enjoyment for the members and great pleasure and satis- faction to the Candidates. So much so was this the case that it is hard to make the older brethren who received the degree at the hands of Brother VAN RENSSEL^ER and his efficient assistants (RANNEY, EGAN, BROWER, JOHNSON, BLANEY, E. B. STEV- ENS etal.) believe that we have improved upon their work. Unfortunately all the records of these bodies were destroyed in the great fire of 1871 and the memory of the older members is all we have to furnish matter for this sketch. So far as it can be ascertained, the orig- inal members, admitted by Bro. VAN RENS- SEL.ER at the time of the organization in 1856, were: J. V. Z. BLANEY, GEORGE W. DEERING, JAMES E. DALLIBA, ROBERT H. Foss, WM. B. HERRICK, E. J. HIGGINS, HOSMER A. JOHNSON, WM. W. MITCHELL, HARMAN G. REYNOLDS, HENRY C. RANNEY, REUBEN TAYLOR and CHARLES R. STARK- WEATHER, the latter having received the degrees at a previous date. Of these, two are living, viz., JAMES E. DALLIBA and HENRY C. RANNEY, but neither is a member of the Chicago bodies. 384 COMPENDIUM Of FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Most of them were remarkable men, and the names of several of them have been re- nowned in the pages of Masonic history in this and other jurisdictions. As time rolled on the Grand Consistory of Illinois was organized by authority re- ceived from the Supreme Council at New York, with WALTER A. STEVENS, thirty- third degree, as Grand Commander-in-Chief. November 10, 1866, this Illustrious Prince, at the present time one of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General in this State, granted his letters of dispensation to Chicago Lodge of Perfection, No. i. There were afterward formed Chicago Council Princes of Jerusa- lem, Cceur de Leon Chapter of Rose Croix H-R-D-M, and Chicago Consistory, thirty- second degree, S. P. R. S. These organizations under the direction of such active workers as HENRY S. AUS- TIN, A. C. MILLARD, J. WARD ELLIS, and JOHN D. M. CARR, aided by Brothers WAL- TER A. STEVENS, JAMES B. BRADWELL, WARREN G. PURDY, DAVID R. CREGO, GEO. H. LAFLIN, EDWARD GOODALE and others, at once gave a new impetus to the Rite. They adopted a new plan for carrying on the work, that of meeting every week and conferring one or more of the degrees at each meeting. This plan proved so suc- cessful that it has been continued in vogue to the present time. The Consistory body also adopted the custom of uniforming the members and paraded upon all proper occa- sions. This practice placed the Rite im- mediately before the Masonic public, and in contrast with other uniformed Knightly bodies of Masonic character. This action at first provoked considerable criticism and much opposition, but after twenty-five years' continuance I cannot see that it has done much, if any, harm; and to those familiar with the affairs of the Consistory in Chi- cago there is the best evidence that it has proved a benefit in many ways. The writer was one of its strongest opponents in the start, but is of the opinion now that in large cities like ours a uniformed Consis- tory has its proper place for usefulness among the bodies of the high grades. Both sets of bodies in this Valley con- tinued to prosper, as did the others through- out the State, and in 1870 there were in Illi- nois eight sets of bodies of the Rite, with a membership of 836, being at that time the largest number reported in any State under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council. In 1869 the Supreme Council adopted the following: Resolved, That the Supreme Council hereby rec- ommends to the Consistories of the various States un- der its jurisdiction, as far as practicable, to consolidate their Bodies into one; and where it is desirable that more than one Consistory should exist, they should be as far removed from each other as practicable. The question of consolidation had re- ceived considerable attention and study on the part of those who were interested in the future welfare and prosperity of the Rite, before the above mentioned action of the Supreme Council. This was specially the case in this city, where a considerable feel- ing of animosity had sprung up between the members of the two Consistories, one of which was conferring the degrees on Knights Templar only and the other continued to adhere to the old plan of only requiring the candidate to be a M. M. To such an ex- tent had this feeling grown that it seemed to many of us to endanger the peace, har- mony and future growth of the Rite in this Valley. This event was finally consummated at COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 335 a meeting of the Illinois Council of Delib- eration, held January 27, 1871, at which were present the officers of the rival Con- sistories and co-ordinate bodies, with VIN- CENT L. HURLBUT, thirty-third degree, Deputy for Illinois, in the chair. From the record it appears that the 111. Deputy stated the object of the meeting to be the "devising of some equitable plan to con- solidate the several bodies of the A. & A. Rite in this city with perfect harmony and fraternal feeling;" and for the purpose of establishing a basis upon which to accom- plish same it was Resolved, That the presiding officers of the four Bodies working under the authority of Occidental and Chicago Consistories of the A. & A. Rite in the Valley of Chicago, together with 111. Bro. VINCENT L. HURL- BUT, thirty-third degree, Deputy for Illinois, be a committee to propose terms of union between the sev- eral Bodies, who shall report at a future called meet- ing of this Council, the thirty-thirds and heads of the several Bodies of the Rite; and if the terms prove sat- isfactory, the deputy of the district shall request the presiding officers to call meetings of the members of their respective Bodies to act upon the proposition then submitted. For the purpose of furthering a plan of consolidation, it was further Resolved, That a Sub-Committee be appointed to perfect a plan of consolidation, and report at a fu- ture called meeting of the Council. By and with the consent of the whole, and by nominations from each Body, the following were elected as such Sub-Com- mittee: REUBEN CLEVELAND and GILBERT W. BARNARD, on the part of Chicago Con- sistory, and HENRY C. RANNEY and THEO- DORE T. GURNEY, on the part of Occidental Consistory. At an adjourned meeting of the Council held Friday, February 3, 1871, the Sub- Committee by its Chairman, HENRY C. RAN- NEY, then presented the following report: 20 Your Sub-Committee on the state of the A. & A. Rite in this city (Chicago), are unanimously agreed that there should be but one body of each Rite in Chicago. The Constitution of the Supreme Council facilitates this change. It appears desirable that there should be but one Consistory in this city, and that a union of the two now in existence should be made immediately; and this not only applies to the Consistory, but to the Chapter, Council and Lodge, Subordinate and Co-ordinate, to and with the same. It is not considered proper or necessary that both bodies should give up their charters, and we have arrived at the conclusion that this union can be best served in the interest of the Rite, by the younger bodies consolidating with the older. Your committee would recommend that a com- mittee be appointed from each Consistory, or other Body, of the rank thirty-second degree, which commit- tee shall proceed to formulate a plan of union, and in case they disagree shall refer all points of disagree- ment to one, or not exceeding three arbiters, of the rank of thirty-third degree, in or out of this district, who shall decide the terms of consolidation on the subject when such disagreement has risen. Your committee would, therefore, report the fol- lowing resolutions: Resolved, That it is for the best interests of the A. & A. Rite that the Consistories, Chapters, Councils and Lodges in this city be consolidated, and prompt and decided action be taken to insure a vigorous union of these several bodies, thereby placing the Rite in this city on a firmer and uncompromising foundation; Resolved, That this committee, realizing the strength which will accrue to the A. & A. Rite, and the greater unity of feeling and interest in its pros- perity which must result from the union of all these bodies, earnestly request the deputy of the district to call duly notified meetings of the respective bodies, and lay before them the subject of union; Resulved, That it is expedient for any of the bodies of the same grade to unite without awaiting the union of the bodies of any other grade; Resolved, That among the terms of union, should be the agreement that each and every body should pay its own liabilities, if it has any; that all the mem- bers of the Body or Bodies surrendering its charter or charters (such members being in good standing) shall be admitted into the surviving body without fee; that the Honorary Members and Past Officers shall retain their present position, rank, title and honors; that the regalia, paraphernalia and properties of the bodies shall become the property of the surviving Body, and that immediately after the union the officers of the 386 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. surviving Body or Bodies shall resign, and the Com- mittee of Conference be requested to nominate a list of officers to be elected by the consolidated Body or Bodies; Revolted, That it is essential to the prosperity of the A. & A. Rite, that there should be but one Consis- tory, Chapter, Council and Lodge in this city, and the Committee heartily recommend the union of Chicago Consistory with Oriental Consistory, Cceur De Leon Sovereign Chapter with Gourgas Chapter, Chicago Council with Illinois Council, Chicago Lodge with Van Rennselaer Lodge, and that on the union of these re- spective Bodies' an application be made immediately to the Supreme Council for a change of the name of Occidental Consistory to Oriental Consistory, and Illi- nois Council to Chicago Council. On motion of 111. T. T. GURNEY, the report of the Sub-Committee was received, and the preamble and resolutions acted upon seriatim. On motion of 111. G. R. SMITH, thirty- third degree, the preamble and resolutions as submitted were taken up for final action and adopted. 111. J. D. M. CARR having arrived dur- ing the vote on Resolution No. 4, and the matter of business before the Council being stated to him, he recorded his negative vote on the Resolution No. 4, also upon Resolu- tions Nos. i, 2 and 3, passed before his ar- rival. 111. Bro. WALTER A. STEVENS then presented the following, which was adopted: Revolted, That should a majority of each of the A. & A. Rite Bodies vote to unite, that each and every member of each, who may not wish to become a mem- ber of the Consolidated Body or Bodies who may be in good and regular standing, may be permitted to dimit from the respective Body or Bodies to which they may belong, after the vote of union has passed. On motion of 111. T. T. GURNEY, the Council adjourned, subject to the call of the 111. Deputy V. L. HURLBUT, thirty-third degree, when the matter, in his judgment, is deemed necessary. In accordance with the request of the Council of Deliberation meetings of the vari- ous co-ordinate bodies were held to take action upon the proposed consolidation, and committees were appointed for mutual con- ference respecting the terms of union. At a meeting of the conference committees of the Lodges of Perfection, held March 9, 1871, the following preamble and resolu- tions were adopted: Whereas, The Council of Deliberation of the A. & A. Rite, held in Chicago, February 3, 1871, recom- mended a union of the Bodies Subordinate and Co-or- dinate with the same; and Whereas, The recommendations of the Council have been adopted by a majority of Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge of Perfection, at a regular notified meet- ing; and Whereas, Chicago Grand Lodge of Perfection has also adopted the recommendations of the aforesaid Council, and by their action agree to surrender their Charter to the 111. Deputy of the District; and Whereas, Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge of Perfec- tion, in accordance with the recommendations of said Council, hereby agree to receive all Grand Elect, Per- fect and Sublime Masons into its membership (if in good standing in their Sister Lodge) without fee or other obstructions; therefore, Resohed, That each of the Lodges of Perfection here represented, pay their own liabilities. Resohed, That 111. Brothers THEODORE T. GUR- NEY, thirty-second degree, and REUBEN CLEVELAND, thirty-second degree, are hereby appointed a Commit- tee, to attend to all financial matters of Van Rensse- laer and Chicago Lodges of Perfection after the union, with full power to settle the same. Resolved, That the Chicago Grand Lodge of Per- fection shall surrender to Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge of Perfection all its funds, regalia, parapher- nalia, and other property of which it may be possessed, and that the funds and property of both bodies then stand in a position of property belonging to all the members of Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge of Perfec- tion, as the surviving body. Resolved, That all Past Officers and Honorary Members of Chicago Grand Lodge of Perfection shall retain all their rights, rank, titles and privileges in the body to which they unite themselves, and be classed as Past Officers or Honorary Members, as the case may be, in Van Rensselasr Grand Lodge of Per- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 337 fection, the register of their standing being deter- mined by the time to which they were elected to such honorary dignity on their retirement from office. liesoh-ed, That on the call of the 111. Deputy of the District, the officers and members of the two Lodges of Perfection shall meet in their respective halls, and complete such business as may properly come before them, and that the Thrice Potent Grand Master of Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge of Perfection, shall notify the Thrice Potent Grand Master of Chi- cago Grand Lodge of Perfection, that he is in readi- ness to receive and welcome them into membership on report of the 111. Deputy that the charter of said last named Lodge of Perfection has been duly surren- dered to him. Resolved, That immediately after the aforesaid union, the officers of both Bodies shall resign, and with the consent of the III. Deputy, the united Body, to be known and recognized as Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge of Perfection, shall proceed to fill the vacancies and to complete the business for which they were raised. The Committee on Conference recom- mend that the Thrice Potent Grand Master be elected from Chicago Grand Lodge of Perfection, and the balance of the officers alternately from the two bodies; Which was duly reported to and con- firmed by the respective bodies interested. Similar committees were appointed by Oc- cidental and Chicago Consistories and the bodies co-ordinate therewith, and substan- tially the same reports were submitted to all of said bodies and adopted by them. Thereupon the 111. Deputy issued a General Order convening the bodies in joint session for the purpose of consummating the union. In accordance with the General Order both Lodges of Perfection met on Friday evening, March 24, at their respect- ive halls. Chicago Grand Lodge of Perfec- tion having complied with the terms of un- ion, and surrendered its charter to the 111. Deputy of the Supreme Council for Illinois, a full list of names of members of Chicago Grand Lodge of Perfection was presented and read, and were received in full member- ship of Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge of Per- fection and there entered upon its rolls. The officers of Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge of Perfection, in accordance with the terms of union, resigned their several stations. The 111. Deputy of the Supreme Council for Illinois took the East, when the officers (who had been duly elected and chosen as per terms of Conference Committee) were presented for installation. The 111. Deputy for Illinois, assisted by 111. Bro. HENRY C. RANNEY, thirty-third degree, as Grand Mar- shal, and 111. Bro. GILBERT R. SMITH, thirty- third degree, proceeded to install the of- ficers.* The same procedure was observed in the other intermediate bodies, and on Thursday evening, April 27, 1871, both Consistories met for the purpose of consolidation. Chi- cago Consistory having complied with the terms of union and surrendered its Charter to the 111. Deputy of the Supreme Council for Illinois, then presented a full list of the names of its members, which was read and the individuals received in full membership in Occidental Consistory, their names being recorded and entered upon its rolls. In ab- sence of the 111. Deputy, 111. Bro. HOSMER A. JOHNSON took the East and after pre- senting his credentials as the proxy of the 111. Deputy, proceeded to carry out the terms of the union as agreed upon by the conference committee. Therefore, in ac- cordance with such terms the officers of Occidental Consistory resigned their several stations, when the 111. Deputy ordered a new election of officers, when it was found that the following officers were unanimously elected: HENRY C. RANNEY. . . Commander-in-Ghief. WARREN G. PURDY ist Lieut. Com. *Bro. GIL. W. BARNARD became the first T. P. Grand Master of the consolidated body. EDITOR. 838 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. FRED A; WHEELER 2d Lieut. Com. EDWARD J. HILL Gr. M. of State. JAMES H. MILES Gr. Chancellor. JACOB B. SLIGHTER Gr. Secretary. EUGENE B. MYERS Gr. Treasurer. EVERETT ST. JOHN Gr. Ar. and Eng. HORATIO N. HURLBUT.. ..Gr. Hospitaller. HENRY H. POND Gr. M. of C. TRACY T. OVIATT .... Gr. Standard Bearer. JOSEPH GALLAGHER . . . . G. Capt. of Guard. LOCKWOOD K. OSBORNE Gr. Sentinel. 111. HOSMER A. JOHNSON, thirty-third de- gree, acting for the 111. Deputy of the Supreme Council for Illinois, and assisted by 111. GILBERT R. SMITH, thirty-third degree,, and CHARLES H. BROWER, thirty- third degree, regularly installed the officers- elect of Occidental Consistory. 111. Bro. JOHNSON, in behalf of the Dep- uty of the District, congratulated the Breth- ren upon the accomplishment of the work of consolidation. The theory of Masonic Unity, he said, was thus in fact realized. Whatever differences may have heretofore existed in thought or feeling; whatever dis- crepancy in work or usage, would, under the influence of brotherly love and common interests, entirely disappear. He trusted that henceforth, among them all, there would be found only that generous rivalry of who can best work and best agree. Time, that heals so many wounds, that ob- literates so many scars, that ought to bring such added strength and such increased wisdom, would do for them what it had done for others. He urged the Brethren, leaving those things that are behind, to press forward until all hoped-for good, pursued with un- faltering faith, should become matter of glad fruition; while "Charity, fairest and favorite maid of light," shall guide us through this troublesome world to that peaceful Asylum for which the labors of time should constitute a preparation. Very naturally, the consolidation of the Bodies in this valley did not entirely allay the feelings existing among the members; and the opportunity afforded by the terms of agreement, that, any one not desiring to become a member of the united bodies, might be dimitted, was taken advantage of by a large number and was the cause of reduc- ing the membership very materially. This did not, however, retard the good results anticipated by those who had been urgent in promoting the union, for the new officers continued the custom already adopted in the "Chicago Bodies" (holding meetings each week), and a rapid development of the beauties of the degrees was at once begun and were continued with the best possible prospects for the future, when we were sud- denly assailed by that fearful calamity, the great fire of October 9, 1871. Then all was chaos and everything was swept away, apartments, paraphernalia, charters, books, relics and uniforms of the Princes. Of the great loss that befell our city in 1871, and in which these bodies suf- 1 fered alike with all others situated in the "burnt district," I can find no better way to sum it up than to turn to the report of our active and energetic Deputy, 111. Bro. VIN- CENT L. HURLBUT, which he made to the Council of Deliberation in 1872, as follows: But this terrible visitation by fire, which rendered so many of our brethren homeless and penniless; which destroyed the halls and paraphernalia of the several bodies of our Rite in this city, was not wholly a ca- lamity; it had its blessed compensations. Sad, indeed, if we have not learned some useful lessons in passing through such an ordeal. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 841 In speaking for myself I am sure I speak for all the brethren who reside in this city, when I gratefully recognize the chastening hand which has wounded only to heal; to arouse a manlier courage; to unfold neglected energy; to moderate and chasten ambition; to rebuke improvidence and recklessness; to develop a prudent care and a wise precaution. Nor is this all or the best of the blessings that have ripened in the footsteps of trials. It was worth more than any material rule can measure to see so vast a flame kindled upon the neglected altars of a common brotherhood. The great fire did something more and better than to sweep away our wealth and the fairest work of our hands. It burned up whole mountains of the dross of worldly selfishness; it melted the icy barriers that divide sects and parties; it dissolved all jealousies and envyings, and hatreds, and left the unperverted soul free to assert its holiest tendencies and pour out a generous tide of Godlike charities. God, who made a way for the lightning of the thunder, sent his quickest servant of His will to tell to the dwellers of all the land from ocean to ocean, and other millions across the seas, the story of our peril and our need, and every trembling wire bore back the messages of a world's unbounded sympathy, and every whitening sail and every panting, fiery steed hastened to bring a world's unstinted measure of relief. I will now quote from the Historical Cir- cular prepared by 111. GEO. M. MOULTON in 1884. "After the consolidation, the bodies had continued to occupy the handsome and spa- cious apartments in the old Masonic Tem- ple at Nos. 83, 85 and 87 Dearborn Street, until the disastrous event mentioned above. For a brief period after this disaster, the bodies found a home at the corner of Twenty-third street and Cottage Grove avenue. Subsequently they occupied the Masonic apartments in the West Chicago Masonic Temple, until the completion of the American Express Building, of which imposing structure the upper stories were devoted to Masonic purposes and leased to Apollo Commandery, No. i, Knights Temp- lar. Arrangements were effected with this latter body whereby the Scottish Rite bodies occupied in connection with the Com- mandery their elegant asylum and apart- ments. Here they continued to work and flourish, each day and year adding to the glory and popularity of the Rite, under the able leadership and command of 111. Prince T. T. GURNEY, thirty-third degree, 111. Prince GIL. W. BARNARD, thirty-third de- gree, 111. Prince JOHN O'NEILL, thirty-third degree, and 111. Prince HENRY H. POND, thirty-third degree, our present Commander- in-Chief. ' ' During these successive years of pros- perity, the Consistory, embracing as it does in its membership almost all of the mem- bers of the co-ordinate bodies, has partici- pated in numerous pleasant pilgrimages, re- unions and fraternal gatherings, and has at various times been highly honored." The following is his description of the old preceptory at 76 Monroe street: "Entering in the main Preceptory hall, which is forty feet wide and sixty feet in length, no sound is heard from the advanc- ing footfall, for it is deadened in the luxu- rious depths of a rich velvet carpet, brightly radiant with cheerful color and harmonious design. A glance around the hall presents new beauties in profusion. On all sides can be seen the artistic wedded to the useful. In the East the eye rests upon the dais formed by the deep proscenium of the grand stage, furnished with comfortable official chairs. The grand stage in the background, thirty-five feet wide, extending back twenty- five feet, furnished with new scenery and properties, and all the paraphernalia for displaying panoramic scenes, with a hand- some illustrated drop curtain and rich drapery in front. 342 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. " In the West the chief ornament is the grand organ towering to the height of some sixteen feet, and handsomely decorated. On both sides of the hall and at the west end, a balcony extends, with ornamental balustrade, and carrying a double tier of folding opera chairs. Similar chairs are also used by the members upon the main floor. "The walls are relieved in their ex- panse by ornamental pilasters, forming panels, in each of which are special designs emblematic of the Masonic grades and or- ders. At the top of the walls groined niches are formed in the cornice, each of which also contains an illustration emblem- atic of Scottish Rite Masonry, or alluding to the chivalric times of yore. Prominent among the decorations are four views, each of which portrays some particular charac- teristic allusion to one of the four co-ordi- nate bodies of the A. A. Rite. The ceiling is also paneled, and has been treated in an effective manner, not only architecturally but artistically. The double vaulted dome under the glittering circle of gas jets, thir- ty-five feet above the observer, is resplend- ent with color and design. The pilgrim and the warrior the Christian Knight and the Saracen are portrayed in vivid and striking attitudes. Wherever the eye may turn, it rests upon some Masonic symbol embowered in the delicate tracery of the artist's fancy." In 1893 the bodies vacated these quar- ters for the spacious apartments now occu- pied in the Masonic Temple. THE RITE OF MEMPHIS. AMONG the many pseudo-Masonic rites and systems which at different times have obtained recognition in the United States none perhaps, during the brief period of its ascendency, attracted more attention than the one bearing the high-sounding yet euphonious title of "Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis." The "Rite" pur- ported to be a continuation of the mysteries of antiquity, and, it is said, was introduced into Europe by a priest of Alexandria in the year 1814. It is claimed a lodge was formed at Montauban, France, in 1815, under the auspices of several French noble- men; that during the year following it sus- pended labor and confided its archives to the care of one Bro. MARCONIS DE NEGRE, its Grand Hierophant; and that MARCONIS remained in possession of same until 1839, when he re-established the works of the Rite at Paris. It is now the accepted belief of Masonic students that the system was invented by MARCONIS himself and was first given pub- blicity in the year 1839. As originally framed it possessed a scale of ninety de- grees, which in time was extended to ninety- six, culled from other existing or extinct rites, or invented by its founder. For many years it was denied recognition in France, but in 1862, by a virtual surrender of all its rights and prerogatives, it was COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 343 finally admitted among those systems which acknowledge obedience to the Grand Orient. It does not seem that after this event it continued to find any practical expression in France and is now regarded, in that coun- try merely as an abandoned relic or Ma- sonic curiosity. It is claimed, and the claim is undoubt- edly well founded, that the Rite was intro- duced into the United States by MARCONIS himself, as early as 1856; but it received no general recognition until 1862. At this time one HARRY J. SEYMOUR visited France and obtained from MARCONIS a plenary au- thority for its government and propagation in the Western hemisphere. In the winter of 1866-7, SEYMOUR visited Illinois in the interest of his "Sovereign Sanctuary" and through the assistance of WILLIAM ROUNSE- VILLE, then an active and influential crafts- man, succeeded in establishing a number of bodies, at Peoria, Pekin, and other places in the immediate neighborhood. This work seems to have been finished about June, 1 867, and in July SEYMOUR changed his field of operations to Chicago. Here he suc- ceeded in interesting such men as D. C. CREGIER, D. A. CASHMAN, GIL. W. BARNARD, JAS. E. CHURCH, GEO. B. CARPENTER, W. F. HOLCOMB, and others equally as well known, and by fall a full set of Chapters, Senates and Councils was in full blast, un- folding to the inquiring Chicagoan the an- cient mysteries of Memphis. In his work of dissemination SEYMOUR employed as his lieutenant one CALVIN C. BURT; but about the time of the establish- ment of the Illinois bodies BURT and his employer had a disagreement, the result of which was to start BURT in business as a vender of degrees on his own responsibility. It would seem that about this time SEY- MOUR and his associates, the "Sublime Magi " of the Rite, arrived at the conclu- sion that it was for the best interests of all concerned that the degrees should be ' ' con- densed " and that the scale should corre- spond in number with that of the Scottish Rite. This was accordingly done. But when the news reached Illinois it would seem that some of the brethren, particu- larly those of BURT'S creation, were loth to commute their plethora of degrees for a less number, whereupon BURT, realizing that the opportunity of his life had arrived, at once seized the reins of authority, and, with the assistance of sundry well-known Chi- cago Masons, erected upon the "ruins" of SEYMOUR'S "Ancient and Primitive" Rite, now reduced to thirty-three degrees, a brand- new combination, to which was given the name "Egyptian Masonic Rite of Mem- phis. " The convention for the organization of this new rite was held June 17, 1867. By resolution it recited the fact that SEYMOUR had "abjured, renounced and abrogated the Rite of Memphis, ninety-six-degrees," and "adopted the thirty-third-degree rite; and that there is not now, either in this country or in France, any persons working the ninety-six-degree Rite;" whereupon, "as the entire representatives and representa- tion of the Rite of Memphis in America," they declared themselves " a sovereign grand body for this continent of the Rite of Memphis, of ninety-six degrees. " A con- stitution was adopted wherein the new body was declared to be the ' ' Sovereign Sanct- uary of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Mem- phis for America, containing ninety-six de- grees, which it is not in the power of any body of men or Masons to alter, abridge, condense or interpolate to any less number 344 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. of degrees. " CALVIN C. BURT was then made Grand Master of the rite for life, with the exclusive right to peddle degrees and sell rituals and to keep the fees accru- ing from same as and for his private emolu- ment. Soon after this four subordinate bodies of the new rite were established at Chicago, but whether any other localities were thus favored the writer has been unable to as- certain. It seems almost incredible, at this time, that such men as SEYMOUR and BURT should have been able to enlist as active co-workers the men whose names figure in the rosters of the bodies or the printed matter which was issued. Particularly is this true of BURT, for among his following may be found the names of Dr. J. ADAMS ALLEN, T. T. GURNEY, CHAS. H. BROWER, C. E. LEONARD, B. F. PATRICK, H. N. HURLBUT, H. W. BlGELOW, REUBEN CLEVELAND, O. W. BARRETT, and a num- ber of others equally well known as earnest and devoted Masons. It can be said, how- ever, that whatever may have been the de- lusion that induced these illustrious breth- ren to follow in the train of these twin charlatans, it was soon dispelled. The career of the bodies at Peoria and vicinity apparently ended as soon as commenced. In Chicago matters of a local nature, grow- ing out of the rivalry existing between the two Scottish Rite Consistories then located there, had the effect of slightly prolonging life. BURT'S "Sovereign Sanctuary " met in February, 1868, and the names of a large number of well-known Masons figure in the list of those in attendance. About this time, however, ugly rumors concerning BURT'S past life were rife; the empirical character of the man as well as the utter worthlessness of his degrees were becoming manifest, and the brethren who, but a few short months before, were gratefully receiv- ing "high honors " at his hands, now has- tened to desert him. In March a number of his dignitaries publicly renounced their allegiance and published the following card: CHICAGO, March 28th, 1868. The undersigned, having entered into the organiza- tion of a body in this city known as the "Rite of Mem- phis," under the impression that it was a legitimate rite in Masonry, subsequent investigation has convinced us that it is not a Masonic rite; consequently it becomes our duty to, and we do hereby, renounce all affiliation or association with it; that we now deprecate and pro- test against the unwarranted and unauthorized use of our several names to induce others to join the same. H. N. HURLBUT, H. W. BIGELOW, L. K. OSBORN, SAM E. UNDERHILL, E. B. MYERS, W. F. WENT- WORTH, C. E. HYDE, D. C. HILL, E. H. KEEN, JNO. MIDDLETON, THOS. D. SNYDER, A. M. HITCHCOCK, B. F. PATRICK, T. T. GURNEY, C. H. BREWER, D. R. DYCHE, R. E. STOREY, D. A. STARRETT, WM. G. SWAN, IRA S. YOUNGLOVE, ALSO E. CLARK, GEO. MCELWAIN, R. J. MORSE, F. H. NICHOLS, E. V. ROD- DIN, WM. T. HANCOCK, H. R. CABEREY, JNO. W. CLYDE, LYMAN W. ROUSE, J. ADAMS ALLEN, M. N FULLER, G. L. SMITH. In May, DR. J. ADAMS ALLEN, his lieu- tenant, surrendered his office and member- ship in the following open letter: CHICAGO, May 8, 1868. lion. C. C. Burt, Ninety-first Degree: DEAR SIR I beg leave hereby to resign the Deputy Grand Mastership of the Rite of Memphis. My reasons for doing so are briefly these: 1. The necessity for preservation of Masonic harmony, which, by continued organized action of those connected with the rite, is seriously imperiled. 2. My conviction that, under present auspices, it is utterly impossible for the rite to gain a recognized existence in this city or surrounding territory. 3. The impossibility of any good result from its establishment, even if successfully accomplished. 4. Personal inability to perform the duties which the office of D. G. M. from its nature demands. Personally, I have received from you that kindness which I shall never cease to be grateful for, and I have to this hour defended you from all attacks from what- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 345 ever quarter. I have no further Masonic ambition to be gratified, but I have an intense and abiding anxiety to retain my old and constant Masonic friends, att of whom discountenance the formation of any new Ma- sonic organization. I am tired of strife. I want to be at peace. I had rather withdraw from all of Masonry than to be longer exposed to all the bickering, misrepresenta- tion and malevolence which my present position in- volves. Violation of Masonic confidence seems to be the rule in the highest degrees, of which I have just been informed of a striking instance. I shall not specify, but leave this single statement just where it is in the shadow. It remains only for me to add that.while I have no doubt of the validity of the degrees of the Rite of Memphis which you confer, there is no longer any " Sovereign Sanctuary " in Chicago or elsewhere in this country, at least having an existence recognizable by any Masonic body. Such an organization had a right to exist, perhaps had a temporary, evanescent existence, but the stern truth is, it no longer has a be- ing, and here, at least, not to be galvanized into even a semblance of vitality. It is useless to protract the struggle, " the logic of events " is stronger than hu- man will. With sincerest wishes for your personal happiness and prosperity, I remain, Very respectfully yours, J. ADAMS ALLEN. In spite of these reverses, the "Sov- ereign Sanctuary " seems to have met again in June of the same year; but this was the end, so far as Illinois is concerned. BURT soon after removed to Michigan, carrying with him the "Sovereign Sanctuary" and the " Grand Mastership ad ritam," where for many years he continued to be a thorn in the side of the brethren who had given him countenance and elevated him to offi- cial dignity. At this writing he resides in Detroit, and although long ago expelled from all the rights and privileges of Ma- sonry he still clings to his Grand Master- ship ad I'itain and offers for sale, to an}' who may feel disposed to purchase, degrees, diplomas and charters of the ' ' Ancient Egyp- tian Masonic Rite of Memphis," under the authority of the "Sovereign Sanctuary," founded at Chicago, June 17, 1867. It does not appear that BURT ever had any authority, other than as an assistant to SEYMOUR; and his actions at Chicago, in erecting a Sovereign Sanctuary as well as his control of the degrees, was a pure as- sumption. Some time afterwards, when BURT had fallen under the ban of the Masonic au- thorities in Michigan, one DARIUS WILSON, of Boston, a former pupil, took up the mantle of his discarded chief and as- sumed control of the Rite. Presumably he is still in the enjoyment of the Grand Mas- tership, ad vitam. Of the legitimate branch of the Rite it would seem that SEYMOUR subsequently transferred all of his right, including his powers under the original patent from MAR- CONIS, to one ALEXANDER MOTT, a physician of some eminence in New York. MOTT thereupon assumed the purple and made strenuous efforts to propagate the system, but the discordant elements of the Scottish Rite having united, the field was no longer open, and as a consequence the few bodies he established soon dissolved. For many years this Rite has virtually been extinct. WILSON, like BURT, for a time made a show at peddling the degrees to such indi- viduals as could be induced to purchase, but these efforts soon ceased. It is doubtful whether the Masonic world would have ever heard of this exotic after its decline in the '6os had it not been for the Scottish Rite controversies which commenced in 1881 and continued with more or less violence and virulence for the succeeding fifteen years. In 1882 the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts adopted an amend- 346 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ment to its constitution which read as fol- lows: Whereas, this Grand Lodge recognizes no degrees in Masonry except those conferred under the regula- tions of the Grand Lodges of the several States and Territories of the United States and the Governments throughout the world; and whereas, it admits the fol- lowing named organizations to be regular and duly constituted bodies, namely: The General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States; the Grand Royal Arch Chapters of the several States and Territories of the United States, and the Royal Arch Chapters and other bodies under their jurisdiction; the General Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the United States; the Grand Councils of Royal and Select Masters of the several States and Territories of the United States, and the Councils under their jurisdiction; the Grand Encampment of the United States; the Grand Com- manderies of the several States and Territories of the United States, and the Commanderies under their jurisdiction; the Supreme Councils of the Ancientand Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions of the L T nited States, of which HENRY L. PALMER and ALBERT PIKE are M. P. Sov. Grand Commanders respectively, and the various bodies un- der their jurisdiction. Now, therefore, it is hereby declared that any Ma- son who is admitted, in this jurisdiction, into any other Orders as Masonic, whether called the Rite of Mem- phis or by any other name, is acting un-Masonically, and for such conduct shall be liable to be expelled from all the rights and privileges of Masonry, and shall be ineligible to membership or office in this Grand Lodge. The Rite of Memphis, at that time, was practically extinct, although WILSON was doing a small retail business at the city of Boston. The enactment was really aimed at those bodies claiming to be branches of the Scottish Rite which failed to bring them- selves within the definition of the second paragraph. In Illinois the definition was denied, the policy of Grand Lodge being to avoid entanglements in factional quarrels outside of its own cognizance or jurisdiction. At the annual communication of 1884, how- ever, the Grand Master (Bro. BROWNING), in his annual address, said: It having been reported to me that an organization called the " Egyptian Rite of Memphis," and other organizations of a like character, were claiming the right to organize " Blue Lodges," I referred the mat- ter to the Committee on Foreign Correspondence for an investigation and report. The committee, in this instance, was Bro. T. T. GURNEY, a former officer of BURT'S Sovereign Sanctuary at Chicago. A correspondence between Bro. GURNEY and WILSON, and Bro. D. C. CREGIER (a former officer of SEYMOUR'S bodies at Chi- cago) and Bro. MOTT, resulted in the estab- lishment of the following facts: That both MOTT and WILSON claimed for their re- spective bodies " the same right as that possessed by the Scottish and other Rites of Masonry to work the first three degrees in unoccupied territory." The committee reported back these facts, together with its own observations thereon, and recom- mended the passage of the following: Resolved, That the said " Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis," and the said "Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis ," and all other associations of persons of whatever degree or name (other than lodges of Free and Accepted, Symbolic or Craft Masons, and the Grand Lodges duly constituted by the representa- tives of such lodges), that shall arrogate to themselves the authority, under any circumstances or conditions, to confer the degrees of Symbolic or Craft Masonry, to-wit: Entered Apprentice, Fellow-craft and Master Mason; or whose charters, constitutions, laws, edicts or decrees shall assume, or permit the powers organized under them to assume, the authority to constitute lodges, or bodies of any other name, for the conferring the said three degrees of Symbolic or Craft Masonry, are clandestine bodies within the meaning of the fun- damental law of Masonry; and with their constituents, dependents and individual members are clearly within the scope of the inhibitions of Section 2, Article X, of the Constitution of this Grand Lodge; and all the Masons within the jurisdiction of the said Grand Lodge of Illinois are hereby warned that any Masonic COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 347 intercourse with the aforesaid "Egyptian Masonic And SO ended the Egyptian Rite of Rite of Memphis, "of which Bro. DARIUS WILSON is Memphis in Illinois. If Grand Lodge had -Grand Master," or the "Ancient and Primitive Rite nQ othef motiye than ^ ,, ression " of of Memphis, of which Bro. ALEXANDER B. MOTT ., is "Grand Master," their members and constituent this Rite h ls P osslble that the same end bodies, or with any other association or persons assum- might have been attained by dignified si- ing to have any authority, powers or privileges in lence. We often behold the spectacle of Ancient Craft Masonry, not derived from this Grand t h e living ass kicking the dead lion, but here Lodge, within the State of Illinois, will subject them h extraordinary sight of the living to the penalty attaching to a violation of their Masonic * covenants. lion kicking the poor dead ass. INCIDENTS AND EPISODES. INTRODUCTION. IT can hardly be expected that a society like the Masonic Fraternity will ever fur- nish anything for the pen of the chronicler of a startling or sensational character. With the affairs of the community in which it is located it takes no direct part, and its influ- ence is only felt in some reflex manner as its members engage in matters of public con- cern. It follows, therefore, that the "inci- dents and episodes " which mark the career of the fraternity must not only be of a peace- ful, but, to a large extent, of a private char- acter, so private, indeed, that to the ordi- nary reader they are wholly without inter- est. Yet from the foundation of the craft until the present incidents worthy of men- tion have occurred; and these incidents, though they may lack the dignity of epics, are never without some special value from the historical point of view. It has been said that "industrious per- sons, by an exact and scrupulous diligence and observation, out of the monuments, names, words, proverbs, traditions, private records and evidences, fragments of stories, passages of books that concern not story, and the like, do save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time;" and these remarks seem peculiarly appropriate to this work. Particularly will they apply to the topics which the writer has brought together under the present heading, for of truth they are "traditions, fragments of stories, and the like " which he has endeavored to "save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time." The dearth of accessible data will ac- count for the non-appearance of many inci- dents that should have found a place in a compilation of this character; and it is to be hoped, should this work ever attain a second edition, that many other "episodes" will have been "recovered somewhat from the deluge of time. " All the topics which follow are possessed of a general interest and present pictures of incidents which, at the time of their happening, were justly re- garded as epochs. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 849 FESTIVALS OF THE CRAFT. observance of feast days, or festi- 1 vals, is a custom of great antiquity dating from some remote period far beyond the dawn of authentic history. When the Christian fathers commenced their great work of propagating the gospel they found the heathen nations celebrating the festi- vals of their gods, and that these celebra- tions were powerful factors in the religious life and thought of the people. For the purpose of diverting their minds from the old religions and of inducing the converts to more readily accept the new teachings, the pious missionaries instituted new feasts of a Christian character to replace the old. Particularly was this true with respect to the old feast days of the Julian calendar, and the periods formerly observed at the entrance of the sun into the several signs of the zodiac were given a new significance and dedicated to the Virgin, the apostles and the saints. The Masonry of the operative medieval guilds was guided and directed by the Church. The protection of the saints was invoked on behalf of the craft and for their labors, and from very early times St. JOHN has been the patron. There is some con- fusion in the old records as to the particular person intended by this name, and the earliest rituals after the revival would seem to indicate that St. JOHN, of Jerusalem, or the Almoner, was the one to whom the ancient dedication of lodges was made. However that may be, St. JOHN the fore- runner, or Baptist, soon came to be re- garded as the Patron Saint of Masonry, and in later times the Evangelist has been added as a " parallel." The "high festival" of Masonry has always been held at the time of the sum- mer solstice, or the 24th of June, and in the calendar this day is sacred to St. JOHN the Baptist. With the termination of hostilities in 1865 the craft, no less than society at large, experienced feelings of profound satisfac- tion. It was a time of general thanksgiv- ing by all classes that the dark clouds of war had passed away; that the fratricidal strife was over, and that men might again cultivate the arts of peace. There was no particular reason, however, for any special public observance of these facts by the fra- ternity, and the critically disposed will un- doubtedly be able to see some impropriety in such an attempt; but when all the cir- cumstances are considered it must be con- ceded that a little thanksgiving and merry- making could do no harm, and that if an occasion for same ever existed it was then. At least so thought the acting Grand Mas- ter, for Bro. BROMWELL, the Grand Master, was then absent from the jurisdiction. Im- pressed with this idea, Bro. GORIN issued the following proclamation: 350 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. OFFICE OF THE GRAND MASTER, ) DECATUR, ILL., April 24th, 1866. ) To the Conitituent Lodges of the State of Illinois: Gratitude to Almighty God, whom we regard as the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and by whose blessing peace has been restored throughout our bor- ders, would seem to call on us, as members of the mystic tie, for some public expression of our sense of obligation. No class of men has felt more deeply the evils of civil war, nor obeyed more promptly the call of their country to put down rebellion against the govern- ment than Masons; neither has any been better repre- sented in proportion to numbers. In this, as in all similar rebellions, there has been, doubtless, difference of opinion, and in some cases alienation of feeling, among the Craft. Greatly de- siring the most perfect harmony throughout the Ma- sonic world, and in this grand jurisdiction particu- larly, I would recommend to all lodges in this State the observance of the 24th day of June next (the anni- versary of St. John the Baptist) as a festival. And I would further suggest that from five to fif- teen lodges meet at some central point to be agreed upon, and join heartily in an " old-time " celebration, that the cement of Brotherly Love may be liberally spread, and " union, one and inseparable," be thereby secured throughout the State. Truly and fraternally, J. R. GORIN, Acting Grand Master. It is not to be denied that St. John's Day, in June, is a most appropriate occa- sion for a Masonic celebration, either of the "old-time" or any other species. It is well, however, in laying out work of this kind, to consult the calendar. This Bro. GORIN evidently failed to do, for it .so hap- pened that June 24, 1866, came on Sunday. A very large portion of the community, and of the craft as well, have a decided antipathy to "old-time " celebrations on this day; and while it may be said that ' ' the better the day the better the deed," yet in deference to public sentiment the lodges generally dis- regarded the letter of the Grand Master's proclamation, but observed its spirit by holding the festival on the 23d. The day was generally observed through- out the jurisdiction. At Carlinville the brethren of Mt. Nebo Lodge, No. 76, laid the corner-stone of a High School building, the ceremonies being conducted by Bro. A. L. VIRDEN as Grand Master, Rev. D. W. DRESSER officiating as Grand Chaplain. At Decatur, where Bro. GORIN resided, they had a genuine "old-timer," including a pro- cession, an oration and a grand dinner at the State Fair Grounds. About five thou- sand people were in attendance, and every- thing passed off in good shape. At Elgin a similar "old-time" was had, under the auspices of the local bodies, with delega- tions present from the counties of Kane, Du Page, Boone, DeKalb, McHenry and Cook. Apollo Commandery, of Chicago, was present in force, and 1,500 Masons are said to have been in attendance. At Olney there was the oration, the dinner and other concomitants. The brethren at Lee Centre, Amboy, Melugen's Grove, Rochelle, Frank- lin Grove, Oregon and Grand Detour, met with the brethren at Dixon, had a fine pro- cession under the direction of Bro. JAMES A. HAWLEY, and were addressed by P. G. Master T. J. TURNER. Delegations from Murray ville, Lynnville, Manchester, Concord, Waverly, Petersburg, and other places, met the brethren at Jack- sonville, and under the lead of Major MC- LEAN proceeded to the Fair Grounds, where prayer was offered by Rev. J. G. WHITE, and an eloquent oration was delivered by Rev. Mr. DAVIDSON, and then came a pic- nic dinner. The Freemasons of Galesburg and vicin- ity had a rousing celebration at Caledonia Hall, in that city. Thirty-six lodges, chap- ters and commanderies were represented. Galesburg Commandery performed escort duty, and Rev. J. C. RYBOLT delivered an COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 351 oration. The dinner was provided by the ladies of the Baptist Church, and was served in Dunn's Hall. The brethren at Kankakee, under the guidance of Bro. ASHLEY, laid aside their working tools for a season and enjoyed a rich treat in two able speeches, from C. C. POMEROY, of Chicago, and Rev. J. M. WHITE- HEAD, of Kankakee. A good dinner followed, and general satisfaction prevailed. Cele- brations of a similar character were held at Clinton, La Salle, Vermont, Danville, Kings- ton and many other places. Never, before or since, has St. John's Day been so gener- ally and heartily observed within the juris- diction of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. In 1866 Bro. GORIN succeeded to the East of the Grand Lodge. Inspired by the events of the preceding year, he suggested the propriety of another general observance. It is true, there was no such motive as prompted his first proclamation, but he found one equally as good in the events which had transpired within our own jurisdic- tion. It will be remembered that during the years 1862-4 the labors of the craft had been very much disturbed by the introduc- tion, or attempted introduction, of a new system of " work," and that in consequence rival parties had been formed within the Grand Lodge, which at one time threatened its disruption. By wise counsels and mutual forbearance the danger was happily averted, and upon the accession of Bro. GORIN har- mony had been again restored. In address- ing Grand Lodge at the annual communica- tion of 1866, Bro. GORIN said: As the voice of harmony conies to us from every jurisdiction, while in our own a signal degree of con- cord has taken the place of former divisions and dis- turbances, I venture to suggest, respectfully, but earn- estly, to this Grand Lodge, that a day of special cele- bration in honor of reconciliation and harmony be pro- claimed throughout this jurisdiction, to be observed by the Grand Lodge and all subordinate Lodges gath- ered together by districts, according to convenience with appropriate ceremonies. The Committee on Address concurred in the sentiment and recommended that a day be set apart " on which to commemor- rate the reconciliation produced and pros- perity and harmony existing in the Frater- nity throughout the State," and suggested that June 24th be designated as such day, ' ' and that same be celebrated with appro- priate Masonic ceremonies." The report was adopted. In pursuance of this action of the Grand Lodge, Bro. GORIN issued the following proclamation: The 24th day of June, the anniversary of our pa- tron, St. John the Baptist, is recommended by the Grand Lodge to be observed by the entire Craft in Illinois, by celebrating the day "with appropriate Masonic ceremonies," in commemoration of the re- conciliation and harmony prevailing through our en- tire borders. Let this expression of our Grand Lodge be fully observed. To this end, I enjoin upon all brethren, so far as they can consistently, to refrain from all secular labor on that day, to meet and rejoice, exchange fraternal greetings, bind stronger the cords of enduring love; to avoid all words or cause of offense, and to meet and part with joy, gladness, and thankfulness. Where it is convenient for several lodges to meet, I advise that to be done. And let the old men, the women, and children, and the young people join. The mode of celebrating is left to yourselves. Religious observ- ances, joyous festivity, processions, speeches, orations or song, are each, any, or all, in order. Let the poor and neglected be remembered let the sorrowing be comforted let deeds be done that you may remem- ber with pleasure and pride. Let it be a day that shall be recorded in the annals of your lodges let the events be such that your children shall speak of them with enthusiasm in their old age. If it be inconvenient for any lodge to celebrate abroad, or with any other lodge, then let them cele- 352 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. brate at home. And may the Grand Architect of the Universe approve and smile upon all your doings. JEROME R. GORIN, G. M. DECATUR, June 1, A. L. 5867. This comes nearer being a proclamation for a "general thanksgiving" than anything that has ever emanated from a Grand Mas- ter. It would seem that the proclamation was generally observed, but not to the same extent as that of the year preceding. The lodges at Lincoln, Waynesville, Mt. Pu- laski, Atlanta and Elkhart, met at Lincoln, where a celebration was held; this included procession, a dinner, and an eloquent ora- tion by Bro. JOHN M. PALMER. The fra- ternity of Cairo and vicinity lower Egypt laid the corner-stone of a new school-house, after which came a dinner and an oration by Rev. Bro. SCOTT. At Knoxville a num- ber of lodges came together and had a "good time." The principal celebration seems to have been at Ottawa. From the "Trowel" and Peoria papers we learn that the arrange- ments were different from the usual routine. Every Mason's house was marked by some emblem, and the inmates vied with each other in bestowing hospitality. Gateways, corners of streets, public buildings, had a square, compasses, circle, blazing star, trowel, triangle, or some Masonic emblem, wrought in evergreen, while the entire city was tastefully decorated with wreaths and banners. At one corner of the public square stood a broken column; by it, a beautiful girl, daughter of a distinguished citizen of Ottawa, representing a beautiful virgin, and behind her stood a gray-haired old man, representing Time, counting the young woman's hair. Good nature, good order, and perfect harmony abounded. Every marshal was a sworn policeman, and disorder was next to impossible. Ottawa Commandery, under direction of E. Sir GEO. W. LININGER, per- formed escort duty. The commandery at Peoria, E. Sir WILLIAM ROUNSEVILLE, Commander, and at Joliet, E. Sir GEORGE R. MACGREGOR Commander, were out in force. The chapters and lodges at Ottawa and in the neighboring towns were present in large numbers. After the trains were all in, the multi- tude were fed at Masonic Hall with every- thing that could be got for love or money. More than a thousand feasted at the hall, and hundreds dined at the houses of the brethren. The tables were waited on by fair and beautiful ladies. After the dinner, the procession was formed and proceeded to the grounds set apart for the exercises, where an oration was delivered by Rev. O. H. TIFFANY. The following was the order of exer- cises : 1. Invocation by Rev. Sir CHAS. A. GILBERT. 2. Vocal music. 3. Music by the Great Western Light. Guard Band. 4. Address of welcome by Bro. AVERY. 5. Vocal music. 6. Music by Joliet Band. j. Oration. 8. Music by the Peru Masonic Band. A correspondent of a Peoria paper con- cludes his letter as follows : " The oration was one of the most finished productions of the kind to which we ever listened. Masonry was considered in its influence upon the family, the Church, and the State, and each of these points was well and thoroughly elaborated, and it was very clearly shown that the Institution was COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 353 inimical to neither, but that it was a helper and aid to all. A scathing rebuke was given to a professor who has for the last twenty- five years been railing against secret socie- ties. At various times the satisfaction felt by the audience was expressed by applause, and we heard but one expression in regard to the effort, and that was of unqualified approbation. The exercises over in the grove, the pro- cession was again formed and moved to the City Hall, when it was dismissed. Many of the guests were invited home with the members resident in Ottawa, and the re- mainder were furnished with supper in the Court House, as the guests of Ottawa Masons, by the ladies of the Episcopal Church of that city; but whether at the Court House or in private dwellings, the fare was spoken of as being excellent, and given with that free-hearted liberality that is the best condiment on such occasions. In the evening the Great Western Band gave a concert, which was a grand affair and extensively patronized, and the whole performance was closed by the younger portion by a social soiree at Washington Hall. The people of Ottawa have cause to be proud of their success. It was such in every particular." From the " items " in the Masonic press of this period we find that on this day the brethren of Olney Lodge had an installa- tion, Bro. H. HAYWARD officiating as Grand Master. A dinner followed in a beautiful grove near by, in which the wives and daugh- ters joined. Addresses were delivered by Rev. H. E. THOMAS, Hon. A. KITCHELL, and Rev. Bro. GREEN, and then followed and old-fashioned social time. The brethren of Iroquois county assem- bled in force at Watseka, and listened to an 21 instructive and pleasing address by Bro. J. H. RHEA. The brethren and citizens pro- vided a picnic dinner, and the occasion was a joyous and happy one. The Master of the lodge, Bro. ROFF, presided. At Quincy an open-air celebration was held in the beautiful grove at Watson's Spring, near the city, under the auspices of the fraternity, and which was participated in by many of the brethren from lodges throughout Adams and the adjoining coun- ties. A large delegation was present from the cities of Lagrange and Canton, Missouri, accompanied by ladies. After the exercises came a basket dinner, and later dancing, concluding with a ball at the Quincy House in the evening. The programme comprised the usual routine of such occasions, but a notable feature was the singing of an original hymn composed by Bro. Jos. ROBBINS. While many know this accomplished brother as a trenchant and vigorous writer, particu- larly on Masonic polemics, but few are aware that he has ever cultivated the muses. The editor therefore takes pleasure in transferring to these pages the following: ORIGINAL HYMN. BY W. BRO. JOSEPH ROBBINS. Tune, Hamburg. Beneath Thy temple's bending dome, We meet, O, Architect Divine! Grand emblem of that brooding care, Which makes these human temples thine. Father, as we our altar rear Within the over-arching wood, Oh do Thou raise in every heart, An altar to the True and Good. Its incense be the love we bear To every earth-born child of Thine; Fan with Thy breathing love to flame The spark of brotherhood divine. 354 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Safe resting on Thy mighty arm, Guide us through all these earthly ways; And grant us in Thy heavenly Lodge To join in never-ending praise. It may be further noted as an extenu- ating circumstance that in 1867 Bro. ROB- BINS was quite a young man. The annual observance of St. John's Day seems to have been followed for sev- eral years afterward, but by 1870 the cus- tom seems to have fallen into disuse, and now it is only on rare occasions and in iso- lated instances that we hear of it. THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. A BRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the /Y United States, was shot by an assas- sin at the National Capital, on the evening of April 14, 1865, and died on the morning of the day following. The President was not a Mason; yet no class of men in this country more deeply or universally sympa- thized with their fellow-citizens in this great common affliction than the members of the Masonic Fraternity. They everywhere united with the masses of the people in the public manifestations of sorrow and respect which the virtue and patriotism of the de- ceased called forth, and in their own assem- blies their sympathies and sentiments were eloquently embodied in memorial tributes and resolutions. Particularly was this true in Illinois, for Mr. LINCOLN was one of our own citizens; a man who, by merit alone, had risen from poverty and obscurity to the highest office within the gift of the people; and Illinois loved and honored him. As the funeral cortege passed along from Washington to Springfield and hun- dreds of organizations, military, civic, and otherwise, turned out to pay their tribute of respect to the Nation's dead, it is beyond dispute that the Masonic Fraternity, both as regards numbers, general appearance and demeanor, were not the least imposing, as the lay press of many cities have, with- out exception, testified. At Chicago, the remains were received with the respect, sorrow, and affection becoming to the great Illinois metropolis. Nothing was omitted nothing left undone. It was estimated that not less than 250,000 were in the proces- sion and along the streets, upon the build- ings, or in positions to catch a glimpse of the hearse as it slowly moved on to the heart of the great city. The Masons turned out in force and received the body, with their symbols and emblems. The cere- monies were all of the most appropriate character, and reflected the highest credit upon the authorities and the people, and upon men of every party, society, and sect. At Springfield the Grand Lodge was convened in occasional communication to attend the interment, while Masons of all grades from all parts of the State joined in the procession that followed the remains to the grave. THE TYRIAN RESOLUTIONS. When the news of the assassination COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 355 reached Springfield it produced results that were but the counterpart of what transpired in other parts of the State. On the Monday following, Tyrian Lodge, No. 333, met and adopted the following preamble and reso- lutions: IN TYRIAN LODGE, No. 333, A. F. & A. M., / SPRINGFIELD, ILL., April 17, A.D. 1865, A.L.5865. \ The first thought of a Mason should be, as his duty is, to trust in God. This thought leads the true Mason to desire His aid and guidance. From this comes Faith; and then follows Hope, inciting to action. Trust and Hope inspire confidence in government and respect for law. The true Mason never despairs; whatever may be his fortune, his faith remains. The tragical and barbarous assassination of Presi- dent LINCOLN, our National head and representative, is well calculated to try our faith, to shake our hope, and prostrate our spirit. Governments are ordained of God, and are the ministers of His will. The administrators of govern- ment may change, but the government remains. All good Masons are peaceable subjects to the powers that be, and never suffer themselves to be con- cerned in plots and conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation, to behave undutifully to the lawful authorities, or countenance a brother in his re- bellion, though he may be pitied as an unhappy man. Masonry has flourished in these United States, with but rare exceptions at short intervals, as it has never flourished elsewhere since the days of Solomon and Hiram. Masonry has flourished under the protection of our Government, and Masons have supported, upheld, and maintained the Government. Washington found- ed the nation; Jefferson drew its declaration of princi- ples, and Jackson brought its second war of independ- ence to a successful termination. The blood of Masons and patriots shed upon the battle-fields of this Republic has cemented our Gov- ernment with bonds and cords which no human arm can sever. One whom we all loved, in the glory of his man- hood, and in the zenith of his fame, has been cruelly and murderously slain! But shall we despair? Shall we cease to hope? Shall we basely cower and shrink and skulk because the assassin is at work; because the murderer seeks our life; because traitors seek to over- throw our Government? Never, no, never before God! Let our faith be firmer and our hope brighter; for, as we trust in God, so we hope by His favor to make a just and imperishable Government. The members of Tyrian Lodge, No. 333, A. F. & A. M., in regular communication convened, with mem- bers of Springfield Lodge, No. 4, Central Lodge, No. 71, and other worthy visiting brethren, deem this a suitable occasion to express their opinions as Masons and citizens in this momentous crisis; therefore, Resolved, That as the immediate friends and neighbors of our late beloved and now revered Presi- dent LINCOLN, we deeply and sorrowfully deplore his death. Resolved, That the scrupulous honor and honesty of President LINCOLN in all his private relations, his faithfulness and kindness as a husband and father, his fairness and ability as a lawyer, his wisdom and public spirit as a citizen, and his patient, humane and honest career as a magistrate and statesman, furnish examples worthy of all praise and imitation. Resolved, That we sincerely condole with the be- reaved widow and fatherless children in their terrible and irreparable loss. Resolved, That the decision of President LIN- COLN to postpone his application for the honors of Masonry, lest his motives should be misconstrued, is in the highest degree honorable to his memory. Resolved, That the murderer of President LIN- COLN, and the assassin of Secretary SEWARD, should be hunted with unceasing vigilance and vigor until found, and be brought to trial, judgment and punish- ment. Resolved, That Masons should in all cases be subject to the law, abide by the law, be ready to assist in enforcing it, and should never connive at, tolerate or encourage disrespect for law, or any disobedience or infraction of it; for Masons hold themselves sub- ject to rules; and the law of God, and of the land, should in all cases be the paramount rule of action. Resolved, That we have an unshaken faith in the principles of free government; and while we tolerate the utmost freedom of opinion and choice, we hold it to be our duty, and we hereby solemnly pledge our- selves to stand by the Government in all its lawful measures to preserve its vigor and maintain its in- tegrity. Resolred, That a copy of this preamble and these resolutions be forwarded to every lodge in this State. with a request that the same be concurred in, and that the action of each lodge be communicated to the Grand Secretary. Resolred, That the editor of the Masonic Trowel, 866 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. and of the several papers published in this State, be requested to publish this preamble and these reso- lutions. O. H. MINER, W. M. H. G. REYNOLDS, JESSE K. DUBOIS, J. R. TYSON, T. R. KING, PIERSON ROLL, Committee. JOHN C. REYNOLDS, Secretary. A copy of these resolutions was trans- mitted to every lodge in the jurisdiction, and from the immediate and hearty response which they elicited they may fairly be said to have represented the feelings and sentiments of the entire fraternity. In almost every lodge they were either "unanimously adopted," " heartily concurred in," or "ap- proved and endorsed," while in not a few chapters and other Masonic bodies they were adopted "as the sense and feeling" of the body. Possibly the general sentiment could not be better expressed than by the return of Freebourg Lodge, No. 418 " That the country and cause of human liberty and good government have sustained a great loss in the death of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, and that the murderers are enemies alike to Masonry, manhood, our country and God." THE FUNERAL. History has preserved the record of the progress of the funeral car which bore the remains of the dead President from the scene of his tragic death to their final resting place at his old home; but of the part sustained by the Masonic Fraternity in this sad pa- geant but little has been said. Yet no class of our citizens was more conspicuous than the ancient craft, and here, as elsewhere, it gave a most unequivocal public demon- stration of one of its fundamental traits of character loyalty. From the columns of the Masonic Trowel we glean the following facts concerning the action of the fraternity before and at the interment. At the time of the assassination it would seem that the Grand Master (Bro. TURNER) was absent from the jurisdiction, being then in Washington. With some difficulty his whereabouts was at length ascertained and a request was forwarded for a dispensation to the craft to appear as lodges and in Ma- sonic clothing. To this request he tele- graphed the Grand Secretary as follows: "The Free Masons of Illinois will attend the fu- neral of the late President A. LINCOLN clothed as Masons. THOMAS J. TURNER." This statement was sent by wire to all parts of the State. On the Friday following (April 28) Bro. BROMWELL, D. G. M., arrived in Spring- field, and, in the absence of the Grand Master, assumed direction of affairs, the first step being the issuance of the following proclamation: TO THE GLORY OF THE GRAND ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE. FROM THE EAST OF THE GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS. To all Masters, Wardens and Brethren of the State of Illinois, Health, Union and Peace: BRETHREN: The funeral of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, late President of the United States, gives occasion to all citizens, particularly to those of Illinois, to ex- press, by the most solemn public demonstrations, their own grief and that of the Nation. Stricken down by an assassination, which for wickedness and brutality has had no parallel since the days of Cain, the noble-hearted and merciful Chief Magistrate of our Nation, at the hour when the sun of his glory was at its meridian height, and just before completing the glorious work of his life, is left a lifeless corpse, to be cared for by all who loved him and his country. As the principles of free government, and the laws of the land, no less than the precepts of true re- ligion, are part of Ancient Craft Masonry, this is a COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 357 most fitting time and occasion for all true Masons to remember the honor of the country, the dignity of the craft, and the duty of good men, by assembling in full regalia, according to rank and degree, to take part in the funeral ceremonies. Accordingly, in absence of the Most Worthy Grand Master, I hereby convoke a general meeting of the Craft in Grand Lodge, at Masonic Hall, in Springfield, on Thursday, May 4th, 5865, to attend the funeral of the late President, at which time and place all Masons, of every degree, are invited to be present. "The will of God is accomplished." So mote it be. H. P. H. BROMWELL, Acting Grand Master. In response, a large number of the craft from every part of the State repaired to Springfield to participate in the obsequies. What followed cannot better be told than in the language of Bro. REYNOLDS. He says : "The three lodges, chapter and council of this city immediately appropriated the sum of one hundred dollars each (being five hundred dollars) to provide such shelter and food for the weary and hungry Mason as propriety and necessity might justify. It proved, in the hands of Bro. HICKOX and the several committees, to be both timely and sufficient. Bro. BROMWELL devoted all his time and energies to the work before us. He assisted Bro. GEORGE F. WRIGHT, the chairman of the committee on catafalque, canopy, decorations, etc., by his mechanical genius and handy taste and application, and, like ST. PAUL, labored day and night with his hands. He also assisted us materially by his counsel and labor in preparing for the last sad rites. "On Wednesday morning, Mays, the State House and inclosure, under the gene- ral direction of Bro. WRIGHT the canopy and interior arrangements of the Represent- ative Hall and rotunda under his special di- rection, the catafalque under the direction of Col. A. SCHWARTZ, the exterior decora- rations of the State House and grounds un- der the direction of Bro. E. E. MYERS, were completed and ready to receive the honored remains of the illustrious dead. " A large platform had been erected on the west side and in the center of the hall. The catafalque was placed upon this, with the head to the west, with steps leading to the northeast corner of the platform, so that in passing around the head of the cof- fin the beholder had a full side and head view without stopping, and, passing around had a last side glimpse while about to de- scend the steps at the southeast corner. Over the whole were the following mottoes: On the south side of WASHINGTON'S por- trait, 'WASHINGTON the Father;' on the north side, ' LINCOLN the Savior;' on the circle of the gallery on the east side of the hall, and extending from the north to the south end, ' Sooner Than Surrender These Principles I Would be Assassinated on the Spot.' "At nine o'clock, May 3, a large con- course had gathered together at the Chi- cago & Alton Depot. Soon the train ar- rived. Delegations from Chicago and other cities, Governors, dignitaries, foreign repre- sentatives, came forward and were decor- ously formed in lines. The beautiful car containing the remains stopped on the south line of Jefferson street, and the bearers, amid the weeping and tears of the people, such as we never witnessed before, amid profound silence, interrupted only by audi- ble sobbings here and there, deposited the body in the hearse, and with mournful, touching music, the body was conveyed to the Representatives Hall and placed upon the catafalque, with a Major General at the head and another at the foot, and a line of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. double guards leading from the north gate to the body, and another from the body to the south gate. In the evening we went with our children to see him. Then we saw only Mr. LINCOLN. We were unsatisfied. In the morning early we looked at him again. Silence reigned. WASHINGTON seemed to look upon his son. The dead seemed to be resting peacefully where he had so often convulsed his hearers by his drollness and wit, where he had enchanted them by his eloquence, where he had sub- dued them to tears by his pathos and ten- derness. We went from that presence a better man. From ten o'clock in the morn- ing of May 3, thousands thronged that guarded passway to the scene of death. It is estimated that not less than 75,000 viewed his remains, while nearly as many came too late for admittance, and the placid, pleasant and well-known features were closed from mortal vision." Acting Grand Master BROMWELL opened an Emergent Grand Lodge or General As- sembly of Masons in the first degree, as follows : H. P. H. BROMWELL, as Grand Master. A. J. VAN DEREN, Grand Master, Colo- rado. J. R. GORIN (8), Dep. Gr. Master, p. t. E. F. BABCOCK, Sen. Gr. Warden. N. W. HUNTLEY, Jun. Gr. Warden. B. F. BRISTOW (3), Gr. Treasurer, p. t. J. J. COOK (333), Gr. Secretary, p. t. Rev. A. BOWERS (344), Gr. Chaplain, p. t. H. C. DAWSON, Gr. Sen. Deacon, p. t. WILLIAM NASH (40), Gr. Jun. Deacon, p. t. WM. F. ELKIN, Jr. (71), Grand Stew- ard. D. H. PORTER (no), Grand Steward, p. t. H. C. SHOCKLEY (8), Grand Marshal, p. t. JOSEPH GAGE (312), Gr. Standard Bear- er, p. t. DANIEL WADSWORTH (354), Gr. Sword Bearer, p. t. S. H. CLASPILL (333), Grand Tyler, p. t. Comp. L. L. MUNN, D. G. High Priest of the Grand Chapter, being present, im- provised and clothed a Grand Chapter on the spot, as follows: L. L. MUNN, as Grand High Priest. T. D. SEWELL (62), Dep. Gr. H. Priest, p. t. W. R. PHILIPS (16), Gr. King, p. t. W. H. TAYLOR (59), Grand Scribe, p. t. F. P. ROSE (i), Grand Capt. Host, p. t. D. M. VAN DEREN (i), Grand Chap., p. t. J. A. BROWN (50), Grand Treas., p. t. R. K. HAWLEY (i), Gr. Sec., p. t. L. T. HEWINS, , G. P. Soj., p. t. WM. ELSTUN (44), G. R. A. Capt., p. t. JOHN QUINLAN (21), G. M. 3d V., p. t. L. W. FAULKNER (50), G. M. 2d V., p. t. R. M. EPSTEIN (50), G. M. ist V., p. t. A. D. WYSONG (59), G. Steward, p. t. JAMES MANN (8), G. Tyler, p. t. The fraternity was formed as follows: Elwood Commandery, No. 6, and guests, in full dress, to the number of about forty, under the command of Past Commander DORWIN, assisted by Capt. GEO. W. HILL, of the Regular Army. The Templars were the most attractive feature of the proces- sion, and were just numerous enough to manoeuvre well and perform escort duty. Then followed: Grand Tyler, with drawn sword. Stewards with white rods. Tylers of Lodges. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 359 Entered Apprentices, eight abreast. Fellow Crafts, eight abreast. Master Masons, eight abreast. Junior and Senior Deacons of Lodges. Secretaries and Treasurers of Lodges. Junior Wardens of Lodges. Senior Wardens of Lodges. Past Masters of Lodges. Royal Arch Masons. The Grand Chapter, formed as above. Senior and Junior Grand Deacons. Grand Sword and Standard Bearers. Grand Marshal. Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary. Past Grand Senior and Junior Wardens. Past Deputy Grand Masters. Dep. Gr. Master and Grand Chaplain. Grand Masters. Stewards with white rods. This portion of the procession numbered between four and five hundred, and com- posed section one of the Seventh Division of the main column. This section was under the immediate command of Grand Lecturer FISHER, as- sisted by Bro. THOS. C. JEWEL, as aid, and Bro. WM. H. BROADWELL, of Jacksonville; JOHN W. CAMPION, of Lincoln; JOHN M. PEARSON, of Alton; E. BERGMAN, WILLIAM F. ELKIN, and C. H. PHILBRICK, of Spring- field, as Assistant Marshals. It constituted the right of the Division. Of course, there were no Masonic cere- monies of any kind, the demonstration being simply an overt manifestation of sympathy by a loyal and patriotic brotherhood, and for the exercises of the grave the reader is referred to general history. DOUGLAS MONUMENT CELEBRATION. ONE of the events in the history of the craft in Illinois which, in the opinion of the editor, is worthy of commemorative notice in a work of this character, is the ceremony which attended the laying of the corner-stone of the monument erected by the Commonwealth of Illinois in honor of STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS. The site chosen was near his old home at Cottage Grove in the city of Chicago and immediately over- looking Lake Michigan. The Grand Lodge was invited by the civic authorities to offi- ciate, and the time fixed upon was May, 1 866. It was found that this date was too early and the celebration was postponed until July 4, but it was not until Septem- ber 6, 1866, that the ceremony was actu- ally performed. The following account is taken from the Masonic Trowel of date September 15, 1866, and was written by the editor, Bro. HARMAN G. REYNOLDS : " No such display of eminent abilities, worth, distinction, and force, has ever graced the proud metropolitan home, the Empire State of the Mississippi Valley, and the giant Northwest, like that which oc- curred at the laying of the corner-stone of the monument to the memory of the orator, magistrate, and Freemason the most he- roic and renowned statesman of the age 860 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS. If our space and the character of our journal would per- mit, we would give up all our columns as a tribute to the worth of our first Grand Orator, but we must content ourself with a brief outline of events, and the Masonic portion of the ceremonies." Large preparations were made and num- erous invitations given. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS. ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United States; W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State; GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy; Gov. RANDALL, Post Master General; ULYS- SES S. GRANT, General; Admiral FARRAGUT, Major General MEADE, Major General Ros- SEAU, HENRY L. PALMER, Grand Master of Templars; A. B. ALDEN, Grand Commander of Templars, Wisconsin; SALATHIEL COFFIN- BERRY; Grand Master of Michigan; M. L. YOUNGS, Grand Master of Wisconsin; THOMAS J. PICKETT, Past Grand Master; L. L. MUNN, Grand High Priest of Illinois; D. H. WRIGHT, Grand High Priest of Wiscon- sin; and O. H. MINER, D. G. H. Priest. On the 6th of September, the Grand Lodge convened at the Mercantile Associa- tion Rooms, and was constituted as follows: H. P. H. BROMWELL, M. W. Grand Master. J. R. GORIN, R. W. D. G. M. N. W. HUNTLEY, R. W. J. G. W. CHARLES FISHER, R. W. J. G. W. M. J. NOYES, R. W. G. Treas. H. G. REYNOLDS, R. W. G. Sec. Rev. O. H. TIFFANY, D. D., R. W. G. Chap. Rev. M. W. WILLIS, R. W. G. Orator. Rev. A. GROSS, W. Grand Pur. S. B. BUGGER, W. G. St. B. M. D. CHAMBERLAIN, W. G. Sw. B. D. C. CREGIER, W. G. Mar. JAMES LOWE, W. S. G. D. RODNEY ASHLEY, W. J. G. D. JOHN W. BURNETT, and PAUL B. RING, G. Stewards. J. P. FERNS, G. Tyler. OFFICERS OF THE DAY. His Honor, Mayor RICE, President; DANIEL A. GAGE, Chief Marshal; Gen. A. C. DUCAT, Grand Marshal Masonic Divis- ion; D. C. CREGIER, Grand Marshal Grand Lodge. The preparations, programmes, and ar- rangements were most ample, and the Com- mittee of Arrangements, C. R. STARK- WEATHER, Chairman, with the Chief Mar- shal and others, had taken every possible pains to have everything in complete order and harmony. About nine o'clock the pro- cession began to form, the Masonic Fra- ternity forming the first division on the right. COMMANDERIES AND CHIEFS. HENRY C. RANNEY, Grand Commander. Peoria, J. H. THOMPSON. Joliet, EDMUND WILCOX. Sycamore, DANIEL DUSTIN. Dixon, JAMES A. HAWLEY. Crusader, Rockford, W. D. E. ANDRUS. Peru Masonic Band. Chicago, W. M. EGAN. Michigan, of Detroit, T. H. ARMSTRONG, 73 Knights. Wisconsin, of Milwaukee, A. V. H. CAR- PENTER, 165 Knights. Janesville, ERASTUS LEWIS, 30 Knights. Embracing in all 374, in full costume, and followed by the Garden City Band. At this point the Craft not appearing as lodges were formed as follows: COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 361 Worshipful Masters. Senior Wardens. Junior Wardens Treasurers. Secretaries. Senior Deacons. Junior Deacons. Tylers. LODGES AND MASTERS. Oriental, No. 33, J. W. CLYDE, Acting. Garden City, No. 141, EDWARD ADDY. W. B. Warren, No. 209, IRA S. YOUNG- LOVE. Blaney, No. 271, D. C. CREGIER. Blair, No. 393, W. D. STEVENS. Friendship, No. 7, E. B. BAKER, Acting. Monmouth, No. 37, A. H. SWAIN. Occidental, No. 40, W. S. EASTON. Mt. Joliet, No. 42, URI OSGOOD. Unity, No. 48, A. H. BARRY. Lacon, No. 61, O. J. CUTLER. Euclid, No. 65, J. J. HUNT. Rockton, No. 74, D. WHITNEY. Vitruvius, No. 81. M. MITCHELL. Mitchell, No. 85, S. M. CARTER. Sycamore, No. 1 34, E. ELL WOOD. Horicon, No. 244, JOHN COMSTOCK. Channahon, No. 262, THOMAS WILLARD. Jo Daviess, No. 278, A. ROBBINS. Forreston, No. 418, T. J. HEWETT. We have not the means at hand to say that all the above are actual Masters: such as are not, represented them. Then came the North-Western Band. At this point came the Elwood Com- mandery, of Springfield, A. J. DUNNING, Commander, as escort of Springfield Lodge, No. 4, JOHN L. DAVIS, Master. This is the lodge in which the lamented DOUGLAS first joined the brethren of the mystic tie, having been raised in 1840. Borne at the head of this lodge, which occupied the place of honor on account of its having numbered amongst its mem- bers that great brother, DOUGLAS, was a banner, plain and simple, of white bound with blue, and inscribed on one side the words : DOUGLAS, RAISED IN Springfield Lodge, No. 4. And on the other the following appro- priate and Masonic language, referring to Douglas as a brother of the Craft, and as a man and a member of the great brother- hood of the world: ' ' He ivas our brother, the fearless leader, and the ornament of his age. After his labors were done he lay down to rest, fear- ing no evil' for he knew in whom he trusted and that he should rise up in the morning refreshed and approved. His virtues are enshrined in the hearts of his brethren' so let their praises illumine and become his perpetual memorial.'" This banner was prepared by Prof. GEORGE F. WRIGHT, gubernatorial artist, and the inscriptions were all designed by him. After Springfield Lodge followed the oldest and most numerous commandery in the West, Apollo, No. i, of Chicago, com- manded by B. F. PATRICK, assisted by V. L. HURLBUT as G., and CHARLES L. BROWER, Capt. Gen. This fine body of men acted as escort to the Grand Lodge. The remain- der of the procession will be found described in the secular papers. 362 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. Arriving upon the ground, the platform over the base of the monument and near the grave of the lamented DOUGLAS, was occupied by the Presidential party, the Grand Lodge, the two interesting sons and the sister of the immortal dead. The Grand Lodge ceremonies were as follows: After the President and invited guests had ascended the platform the ceremonies of the occasion were commenced. Some little time was occupied in the arrangement and disposition of the company, and when all was in readiness Mayor RICE proceeded to the front of the platform and said: OPENING REMARKS BY MAYOR RICE. Your Excellency, Fellow-citizens of the United States of America: We have assembled here to-day to record our appreciation of the life and services of an able and faithful statesman. Under yon slight cover- ing lies the dust of STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS. That his burial place may be known in generations yet to come, we propose to mark the spot with an en- dearing mark of our remembrance and our affection; and that we may do so, the State of Illinois, his adopted mother, hath opened her bosom and given forth the material of strength and beauty to aid us in this proper work. Here, on this spot, selected by himself for his home, will we raise a shaft that shall speak to future ages our gratitude and our remembrance of a life de- voted to the cause of our common country, and we will indulge the hope that each morning sun, for centuries yet to come, when it shall awaken to life and great- ness, yon vast and beauteous American sea, shall gild with his blessed beams the pile to be erected here, and cast a halo of protection around this spot made sacred by the dust of an American statesman. [Applause.] First, in the order of exercises to-day, will be the laying of the corner-stone, by the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, under the direction of the Grand Master of the State of Illiois. REMARKS OF THE GRAND MASTER. The Grand Master, BROMWELL, followed, with the following remarks, during which the corner-stone was raised and held above its place: Fellow-citizens, Masters, Wardens, and Brethren: Through the great courtesy of the association having in charge the erection of this structure, we are as- sembled to-day, on their invitation, to assist in laying the corner-stone according to our ancient usages. This work we enter upon with cordial earnestness not only as citizens desiring to honor the memory of one of the most distinguished statesmen of our coun- try, but as brothers of that ancient Craft whose grand masters have settled the foundations and set up the cap-stones, according to certain ancient and significant observances, of temples, palaces and monuments in all ages, in every land, though more especially as brothers of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, who have long been proud to preserve, in the rolls of the most distinguished names of our Fraternity, that of our illustrious late brother, STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, Past Grand Orator, and for many years, until his death, a prominent and active member of our Grand Lodge, and companion of onr holy royal arch. But of his deeds and virtues I will not speak, for that grateful task and the high honor to represent the sentiments of regard for him which swell the hearts of these accumulated thousands, has been justly reserved for a distinguished orator of the State of his boyhood, whose eloquence will recall, in your presence, that an- cient spirit which flamed upon your souls in the mas- terly oratory of our departed brother. Yet I will speak, so far as to acknowledge that this Fraternity have received this day, from the orator of the occasion, a mark of courtesy for which I can make no adequate return, nor indeed any, except to assure him of the cordial remembrance of the 25,000 Masons in the State of Illinois. Now, may the enterprise and liberality of those who have undertaken this work be so crowned with suc- cess that this monument may rise to bear the chiseled form of DOUGLAS in the sight of the voyagers upon these great inland seas of the Northwest, as long as starlight and sunbeam shall love to dance upon their crested billows! Ages, and ages upon ages, may the patriot and statesman and lover of American institu- tions come on holy pilgrimage to the soil of Illinois' marked, as it will be, by two such monuments to her distinguished sons as already the magnates of the Na- tion have twice done, to bow over the ashes which were once the form of their Master. But as the ancient craft faithfully teaches, that no important undertaking should be begun without first invoking the blessing of the Grand Architect of the Universe and Lord of all; therefore, I request all of you now here assembled, to join with the Grand Lodge COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 363 and the Grand Chaplain, in humble invocation to the throne of Divine Grace. Brother Chaplain, perform your duty. PRAYER BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN. Almighty Father, we invoke thy blessings upon us, and upon the people of our land. We give thee heartfelt thanks for the good example of thy servants who have finished their course, and do now rest from their labors; and for the ability thou hast given us to labor to reproduce their good deeds. We place this corner-stone steadfast and sure on which to raise a monumental tribute to honor our illustrious brother. May the lesson of his life be read aright by us, and all those who shall come after us. May his virtues be held in future remembrance, and his noble deeds be imitated to the latest generation. May this column arise till, crowned with beauty, it shall record the honor and glory of a great life, and be the proud mon- ument of an affectionate and grateful people. May this work be completed without hurt or accident to any person; and may all our lives be dedicated to thee, and our abilities used for thy glory, so that when all earthly things shall pass away, and these blocks of stone decay, and the very elements shall melt with fervent heat, our souls may dwell with thee forever- more. Amen and amen. Response: So mote it be. Grand Chaplain: Amen. The Grand Master The right worshipful Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge will now proceed to deposit in the cavity in the corner-stone the coins and other mementoes there to be placed, first reading the list of the articles to be deposited. The Grand Treasurer then read the list of articles laid in the stone, embracing coins, speeches of DOUGLAS, public docu- ments, etc. THE LAYING OF THE STONE. The Grand Treasurer then placed in the stone the articles prepared for that pur- pose, and while guns were fired from a ves- sel on the lake, and solemn strains of music were played by a band, the stone was low- ered gradually into its place. The Grand Master was then presented with the working tools; when, handing the square to his deputy, he said: Brother Deputy Grand Master: You will apply the square to the stone, to see that the workmen have performed their duty. The Deputy Grand Master, after apply- ing the square, responded: Most Worshipful Grand Master I find the work- men have performed their duty. I have examined the stone and found it true and square. The Grand Master then said : Right Worshipful O rand Senior Warden: You will apply the implements of your office to the stone, and see if it is true and level. After performing this service the Senior Warden replied : Most Worshipful Grand Master I have applied the level to the stone and I find it true and level. The workmen have faithfully performed their duty. The Grand Master then said : Right Worshipfuljunior Grand Warden: You will apply the plumb to the stone, and see if the workmen have performed their duty. Having proved the stone, the Junior Warden replied : Most Worshipful Grand Master I have applied the plumb to the stone and find it is true and plumb. The workmen have discharged their duty. The Deputy Grand Master then pre- sented the Grand Master with the vessel of corn who scattered it upon the stone. The Senior Grand Warden then pre- sented him with a cup of wine, which he poured upon the stone. The Junior Grand Warden then pre- sented him with a vessel of oil, which he poured upon the stone, saying : May the Grand Architect of the Universe bless the inhabitants of this place, and provide them, with all the necessaries, comforts, and conveniences of life, 364 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. and all with the corn of nourishment, the wine of re- freshment, and the oil of joy, and may he assist in the erection of this monument, and protect the workmen against accident, and long preserve this monument from decay. Amen. Response So mote it be. The Grand Master Amen. CONCLUSION OF THE CEREMONY. The Grand Master, after striking the stone three times with his hiram, said : The Masonic ceremonies should here conclude with an appropriate ode; but that will be omitted. I beg leave, however, to congratulate those present, and particularly the Craft, upon the fact that no less a per- sonage than the President of the United States, and many other distinguished heads of departments (the President himself being, as I am informed and believe, a member of this ancient Craft), have been present, honoring and participating in the ceremonies of this occasion. [Applause.] A beautiful prayer was then offered by Rev. W. H. MILBURN, followed by an elo- quent oration from Major General Dix, and remarks by President JOHNSON and Secretary SEWARD. The Grand Lodge and Templars then retired to a large building near by, and partook of refreshments, furnished in abundance and good order by Apollo Com- mandery. The Grand Lodge returned under their escort to the association rooms, when the following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That the cordial thanks of this Grand Lodge be tendered to Bro. C. R. STARKWEATHER and the Committee of Arrangements for the facilities and accommodations provided for the use of the Grand Lodge. Resoleed, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be tendered to Em. Sir B. F. PATRICK, and the Knights of Apollo Commandery, No. 1, for their courtesy shown in performing escort duty and for the refreshments provided for our use. After some eloquent remarks by Grand Master COFFINBERRY and Grand Master PICKETT, the Grand Lodge closed. The number of Knights already enumer- ated with those of Apollo and Elwood Com- manderies exceeded five hundred, and were all in uniform costume. General DUCAT estimates the whole number in the Masonic procession at upwards of 3,500. The num- ber of people who witnessed the ceremonies must have numbered from 25,000 to 50,000. THE STATE-HOUSE CORNER-STONE. BY the year 1868 the State of Illinois had outgrown the quarters which for many years had been occupied by the General As- sembly and the officers of State. A new building, massive in its proportions and beau- tiful in architectural details, had been de- signed for the purposes of a Capitol, and the Commissioners of the building, realizing the importance of the occasion, extended to to the Grand Master (Bro. GORIN) an invi- tation to lay the corner-stone with the an- cient ceremonies of the Craft. The invita- tion was accepted and by direction of the Grand Master all Masonic bodies throughout the State were requested to participate. Preparations were made by the bodies of Springfield for a large attendance and a gala time. The Trowel thus describes the oc- casion: "At an early hour the city was full. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 365 The Grand Lodge convened and opened at nine o'clock at the State House, the Temp- lars at Elwood Hall, and the Craft in gene- ral at Masonic Hall. Chicago Commandery was received and entertained by Elwood Commandery, and the Ellsworth Zouaves, of Chicago, by the Springfield Zouaves, at their respective halls. "At twelve o'clock the procession be- gan to form, consisting of the Grand Lodge about four hundred strong, and the Grand Chapter, under the charge of WILEY M. EGAN, Grand Marshal. "The escort duty was performed by Chicago and Elwood Commanderies, with delegations from several others. Their beautiful costumes elicited universal admira- tion, and they were full two hundred in number. The Master Masons formed with Springfield Lodge, No. 4, in the usual dress, and were estimated at over one thousand. Gen. COOK had charge of the Masonic Fra- ternity, while Capt. JOHN S. BRADFORD, in beautiful uniform, commanded the line as Chief Marshal. Having arrived at the stand, the Grand Marshal proclaimed silence, the Grand Master briefly addressed the audience, prayer was offered by the Grand Chaplain, and the band discoursed good music. The Grand Treasurer announced that he had made a deposit in the stone, and the list of articles was read by the Grand Secretary. "The Grand Master then announced that it was his will and pleasure that the corner- stone be now laid, which was proclaimed to the Masons. "The Grand Master then said: ' " R. W. Breth. Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, you will proceed with me to the stone and assist in laying the same.' "They descended, the Grand Sword Bearer and Grand Marshal preceding ; fol- lowing them, the Deputy Grand Master, Se- nior and Junior Grand Wardens, then the Grand Master, followed by the Grand Senior and Junior Deacons. ' ' The Deputy Grand Master bore the square, the Senior Grand Warden the level, the Junior Grand Warden the plumb, the Senior Grand Deacon the trowel, and the Junior Grand Deacon the gavel. "The Grand Master then spread the cement, and the stone was lowered to its bed. "The corner-stone is an immense block from the Hamilton quarries, eight feet long, four feet wide, and three feet thick, very handsomely dressed, and bearing the follow- ing inscriptions: Erected under an act of the General Assem- bly, approved February 25, i86j. COMMISSIONERS. JACOB BUNN, President. JOHN W. SMITH. JAMES C. ROBINSON. JAMES H. BEVERIDGE. PHILLIP WADSWORTH. WILLIAM L. HAMBLETON. WILLIAM L. VANDEVEER. J. C. WEBBER, Secretary. JOHN C. COCHRANE, Architect and Su- perintendent. WILLIAM D. CLARK, Assistant Superin- tendent. STATE OFFICERS. RICHARD J. OGLESBY, Governor. WILLIAM BROSS, Lieutenant Governor. SHARON TYNDALE, Secretary of State. ORLIN H. MINER, Auditor. GEORGE W. SMITH, Treasurer. 366 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ROBERT G. INGERSOLL, Attorney Gen- eral. NEWTON BATEMAN, Superintendent Pub- lic Instruction. Laid by the Masonic Fraternity, A. D. 1868, A. L. 5S68, Jerome R. Oorin, If. W. G. M. ' ' The time of lowering the stone was divided into three parts, representing the three degrees of Masonry; the first an- nounced by one gun from the artillery, sec- ond by two guns, third by three guns; the band meanwhile playing 'Auld Lang Syne.' ' ' The stone having reached its proper position, it was, by order of the Grand Master, tried with the plumb, the level and the square, and the Grand Master then said: " 'This corner-stone has been tested by the proper instruments of Masonry; I find that the craftsmen have skillfully and faithfully performed their duty; therefore, I pronounce this, the corner-stone of the new State House, tried, true and trusty, plumb, level and square, and as such it is approved; the craftsmen have faithfully performed the duties assigned them.' "Then, the officers resuming their proper positions, the Grand Master pro- claimed as follows; " ' I, JEROME R. GORIN, Grand Master of Masons of the State of Illinois, declare this stone plumb, level and square, and, being so, duly laid according to the ancient usages, customs and landmarks of Free- masonry; and may the Grand Architect of Heaven and Earth bless the work here begun, and make it memorable to the last generations.' ' ' After music, the Grand Master then proceeded, according to the ancient usages of Masonry, to pour the vessels of corn and wine and oil, emblems each respectively of plenty, refreshment and joy, upon the stone, and concluded by saying: "'May the All-bounteous Author of Nature, the Supreme and ever-living God, bless the inhabitants of this place with all the necessaries, comforts and con- veniences of life, assist in the erection and completion of this building, protect the workmen against every accident, and long preserve from decay the structure which will here arise. And may He grant to us, in needful supply, the corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil of joy.' 1 ' The Grand Master then presented Mr. J. C. COCHRANE, the architect, and W. D. CLARK, the superintendent of the work, with the designs upon the trestle-board and the tools of the workmen. "The Grand Marshal then faced the audience and said: "'Take notice, that the M. W. Bro. JEROME R. GORIN, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, has this day, at this place, laid the corner-stone of the new State House. " Wisdom, Strength, Beauty, and Fraternity." ' The procession then proceeded to the Springfield Skating Rink, corner of Walnut and Market streets, where a magnificent banquet had been arranged by the Messrs. LELAND. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 367 KING KALAKAUA'S VISIT TO ORIENTAL LODGE. IT will be remembered that on several oc- casions the craft of the State have been much wrought up over the actions of Oriental Lodge in the admission of visitors not of the Caucasian race. The second derelic- tion in this respect led to the enactment of the celebrated laws prohibiting the admis- sion of negroes to any of the lodges within the jurisdiction, as visitors or otherwise. By 1875, however, public opinion had under- gone a marked change with respect to the color question, and though negroes are never seen within the lodges, this exclusion is no longer based upon the fact of color, but rests wholly upon the fact of legiti- macy. A negro, hailing from a lodge rec- ognized as regular by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, would now have exactly the same right of visitation as a Caucasian. And that this right may be exercised without objection was evidenced in the case of DAVID KALAKAUA, of Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, who. on January 15, 1875, was the honored guest of Oriental Lodge, of Chi- cago. It has been urged that this royal gentleman was not a negro, but a Malay; yet if the episode had occurred a few years earlier it is doubtful whether Harmony Lodge would have made any fine racial dis- tinctions, or that the other lodges which endorsed the Harmony circular would have been inclined to have seen any great differ- ence between an African and a South Sea Islander. As remarked in another place, the fact that the visitor was a reigning mon- arch may have had something to do with the cordiality of his reception, and the ignoring of the manifest difference in the color of the skins of the respective hosts and guests. However, the incident was not without much significance, and it certainly demonstrated the pleasing fact that the old prejudice of race is on the wane. The Voice of Masonry of February, 1875, contains the following account of the visit and the reception accorded to the royal visitor: " It is granted to few men to be the oc- casion of a scene so impressive as that which transpired in the Hall of Oriental Lodge, on the eve of the I 5th of January: a scene not simply attractive to the out- ward senses, but also to the thoughtful Mason, fruitful in illustrations of the teach- ings of Masonry, and of deep significance. A man who had laid aside what little of worldly goods he possessed, and could boast of no insignia other than that plain white badge, more honorable than any royal or- der no qualification than that of being ' a man, of good report ' had come to take the last solemn step which was to usher him into the oldest and grandest brotherhood on earth; and another, on whom a people had lavished the highest of worldly honors, had laid them aside and come to meet his newly- made brother on the level of the chequered floor. Under no other circumstances could royalty, consistently with worldly policy and social usage, have thus publicly ac- 368 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. knowledged the equality of a common hu- manity, or openly manifested any interest in the welfare of a mere fellow citizen. For these two men, utter strangers, meeting each other for the first time from the ex- tremes of widely-distant lands, widely-dif- fering race and language, and as widely- differing paths in life, had this scene been prepared. " Both the place and the witnesses were worthy of the scene. Seldom had there been gathered together, within a similar compass, so many well-known representa- tives of the professional and commercial classes of a great city, equally well known and honored as distinguished Masons. To take such men by the hand, to view the ample dimensions and fine proportions of the hall, its graceful Oriental design, and rich, but harmonious decorations, and to listen to sweet strains of music and words of fraternal welcome, was an exemplifica- tion of the three senses ' most esteemed by Masons,' which neither King nor candidate could have failed to appreciate. "When KALAKAUA ascended the throne as King of the Hawaiians, he resolved, with the sagacity of a progressive mind, to travel into other countries and acquaint himself with their customs, institutions and forms of government, the better to enable himself to govern his own people and otherwise perform his duties in life. In a worldly sense, he has received his wages in the in- formation and experience which he has ac- quired, and the homage accorded him. Masonically, he has visited lodges on his way, improved himself in Masonry, assisted in the work, and received his wages in the enjoyment of fraternal intercourse and fra- ternal welcome, and an entertainment with- out a parallel in his experience. "In carrying out his plans, the King naturally selected the United States for his first tour, and after journeying from the Pacific to the Atlantic, returned homeward by way of Chicago. The royal party con- sisted of the King, two of his Governors, and suite; also Commander WHITING and Lieutenant TOTTEN, of the United States Navy, appointed by our Government as his escort. "The King is a member of Progress of Oceanica Lodge in Honolulu, and several of those who accompany him are Masons. ' ' During their stay in New York, Boston and Washington, they visited the leading lodges, and, in the first named city, saw the Third degree conferred in the presence of the officers of the Grand Lodge of New York. Our Eastern brethren strongly urged them to visit Oriental Lodge during their sojourn in Chicago, and, accordingly, on the day of their arrival here, the King com- municated his desire to do so to its officers. Fortunately, their regular communication was close at hand, and work on the Third degree, for which that lodge has a special celebrity, was on the programme; so they were enabled to tender the party an invita- tion, and also to make the occasion interest- ing to them. Invitations were also sent out to the Fraternity, but to a limited number only, to prevent over-crowding the hall; the news, however, spread quickly, and the re- sult was an unexpected rush which rendered it imperatively necessary to close the doors at an early hour. Those in the hall numbered over four hundred, and nearly as many more filled up the ample staircases and corridors, unable to gain admittance, but did not de- sert their posts until long after they had witnessed the arrival of the royal party. "At 8 p. m., the lodge having been COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 369 opened, a committee was sent to the Grand Pacific Hotel, consisting of Bros. W. C. HUNT, GEORGE CASSETTE and NEWTON LULL, to escort the illustrious visitor to the hall. The party was formally received in the elegant reception parlor by another committee, consisting of Bros. H. A. JOHN- SON, W. A. STEVENS and A. G. BURLEY, who conducted them into the lodge, where they were received by Bro. EDWIN POWELL, W. M., on behalf of the lodge, and by Bro. D. C. CREGIER, P. G. M., on behalf of the Masons of Illinois. Bro. CREGIER spoke as follows: " King and Brother: The delicate, though pleasing duty of bidding you welcome among your fellow- craftsmen of Chicago having been assigned to me, I avail myself of the moment to say that the present oc- casion is at once imposing and instructive, as it fur- nishes not only a striking tribute to the claims of our venerable Institution, but is significant of the con- sequence of Freemasonry. " The history of our ancient Society records that 'the greatest and best of men in all ages have never deemed it derogatory to their dignity to level them- selves with the Fraternity and patronize their assem- blies.' Even monarchs have, for a season, exchanged the sceptre for the trowel, that they might ' behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell to- gether in unity! ' To-night it is the privilege of this large assembly to realize in a measure the truth of Masonic history, for among those of exalted station who have evinced their respect and appreciation of Freemasonry, will stand the name KALAKAUA, King of the Sandwich Islands, whose presence here at this time is a graceful recognition of the majesty of that mystic tie which extends, not only from the sunny isles of the far-off Pacific to the broad prairies of the West, but throughout the civilized world. " We regret that our Grand Master is not present in person to bid you welcome in the name of the forty thousand craftsmen over whom he presides, but believ- ing that we shall truly give voice to his sentiments, I have the honor, under the auspices of Oriental Lodge of Chicago, to extend its Masonic hospitalities and to bid you and your suite a thrice hearty and fraternal welcome, in the name of the Freemasons of the State of Illinois. ' ' The visitors were then seated in the 22 East, and the officers of the Lodge pro- ceeded to confer the Third degree on Bro. JOHN A. LYNDON, a Fellow Craft, with their usual impressive ceremonies, which are distinguished by the introduction of appro- priate scenery, picturesque costumes, cal- cium lights, and an abundance of music. The last solemn scene of all is indescribably beautiful, the room being darkened up to a certain point, with only faint specks, or stars, of light visible in the long rows of pendant burners, when suddenly a flood of calcium light is thrown upon the scene, changing in color until it ends in a rich crimson. The organ was presided over by Bro. W. H. CUTLER, assisted by Bro. JOHN A. FARWELL and a quartet choir, consisting of Bros. COFFIN, BOWEN, PHILLIPS and COULSTON; and there was no stint of choice music. The chanting of the exquisite pas- sage from Ecclesiastes and the very im- pressive delivery of the prayer may be men- tioned as among the finest features of the ceremony. "To the observant Mason, however, nothing was more striking than the correct- ness and smoothness of the work, and, above all, the perfect dignity and decorum of all the proceedings, which, as a natural result, extended to the spectators as well as the active participants. On these points, it is understood, Oriental Lodge takes special pains to set a goodly example, and she may justly be proud of her success. " At the conclusion, the King arose and made a few highly complimentary remarks, followed in a similar strain by Governor DOMINIS and Lieutenant TOTTEN, the latter bringing down the house with a general in- vitation to meet him in his lodge at Hong Kong. Then followed a loud call for the Hon. JOHN WENTWORTH, the well-known 370 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ex-Mayor and ex-Mernber of Congress, whose gigantic proportions, so familiar with the oldest and youngest Chicagoan, speedily towered above the assemblage. In his di- rect, homely way, ' Long John ' drew some forcible lessons from the events of the eve- ning for the benefit of the younger Masons present. The next speaker was Bro. D. C. CREGIER, who is a rare master of the art of impromptu speaking, and the great study which he has given to Masonry enabled him to do full justice, on this occasion, to his reputation. The Rev. Dr. THOMAS, pastor of the First Methodist church, was next called for, and treated his audience to some very entertaining reminiscences of his Ma sonic career. Bro. T. T. GURNEY was called for and very happily responded. Dr. H. A. JOHNSON, one of the leading physi- cians of Chicago, completed the list of speakers, and he brought into play very effectively the culture which is a necessary and distinguishing feature of the medical profession. "The King and his party then returned to the Grand Pacific Hotel, where they aft- erwards entertained the officers of the lodge in a most hospitable manner, and thus ended one of the most memorable events in the annals of Masonry in Illinois." CHICAGO CUSTOM-HOUSE CORNER-STONE. MENTION has been made in the chrono- logical review of Grand Lodge of the laying of the corner-stone of the Govern- ment Building at Chicago in the year 1874. The occasion was one of more than ordi- nary interest from the fact that the participa- tion of the Fraternity was bitterly contested by the anti-Masonic element of the State, and every effort was resorted to for the pur- pose of securing a recall of the invitation. But notwithstanding that a number of "eminent citizens" and "Christian gentle- men " exhausted every artifice known to the anti-Masonic ilk, the officials remained ob- durate and the stone was laid with the usual ceremonies, on June 24, 1874. The Voice of Masonry, to which the writer is indebted for the data of this sketch, in speaking of the affair, said: ' ' Nothing that could add to the attrac- tiveness of the' celebration was overlooked or neglected by the respective committees who had charge of the preliminaries. Ex- cepting its warmth, the day was auspicious and at an early hour thousands of people crowded the streets and avenues and watched the movements of the organizations that were to compose the procession." Soon after ten o'clock the procession, consisting of Federal, State, County, and municipal officers, the employees of the Customs and Postal departments of the Government, Military, Masonic Fraternity and other civic organizations, moved through several of the principal thoroughfares to the place of rendezvous at the northeast corner of Dearborn and Adams streets; but it was not until one o'clock that the ceremonies were commenced. The display, was one of the finest ever witnessed in Chicago and for COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 371 an occassion of this kind probably the larg- est in point of numbers that has ever oc- curred. The anti-Masonic element were out in force and large placards, borne aloft on poles and containing expressions derogatory to the fraternity, were carried after the pre- cession. When the Masonic portion of the pro- cession finally reached the building the of- ficers of the Grand Lodge who were to ac- tively participate in theceremoniestook their stations around the stone, Grand Master HAWLEY and Deputy Grand Master LOUNS- BURY in the East, Senior Grand Warden ROBBINS in the West, and Junior Grand Warden DELANCEY in the South. " The corner-stone itself was a simple- looking affair. It weighed a little over five tons, and a couple of iron shafts were placed in the upper surface, to allow the hooks of the derrick to grapple with the immense weight and lift it into position. The engineer, in order to accomplish this task, put on a pressure of sixty pounds of steam, which raised the mass like a feather. Previous to its elevation three tall candles were laid upon it, and Mr. EDGAR SANDERS strewed it with a wealth of beautiful flowers, so that it looked like a conqueror crowned with the laurels of victory and the roses of love. Beyond this there was nothing of the romantic in the appearance of the now historic boulder." The principal architect, J. C. RANKIN, Esq., stepped toward Grand Master HAW- LEY and said: " ' Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Illinois, in behalf of the National Treasury Depart- ment and in the name of the President of the United States of America, I now request you to lay the cor- ner-stone of the building to be erected on this spot in accordance with the formalities of your ancient and honorable institution.' The Grand Master replied: " ' From time immemorial it has been the custom of the Fraternity of Freemasons, when invited to do so, to lay with ancient ceremonies the corner-stones of buildings erected for the worship of God, for public charity, or for the purposes of administering justice and free government. By invitation of the United States authorities, I am here on behalf of the Free and Accepted Masons, and on the part of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, to lay with ancient ceremonies this stone, and thereby to attest our patriotism and our respect for the National Government. We will accordingly proceed in conformity with one of the cardinal virtues of our Order, which teaches us that in all our works, great or small, begun and finished, we should seek the aid and favor of Almighty God. It is our first duty, then, to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe upon the work in which we are about to engage. I therefore command the utmost silence, and call upon all to unite with our Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace.' The Grand Chaplain, Rev. J. E. FOR- RESTER, offered an appropriate prayer. The Apollo Musical Club then chanted the following invocation, composed for the occasion by WILLIAM H. CUTTER: "Great God Eternal! bow Thine ear unto us. And hear, we pray, our supplications to Thee; Grant unto us Thine aid and smiles to bless us. Thine be the glory. " Great God Majestic! may Thy power be given That we Thy will may do, and thus be blessed; May we our work thus do in fear and reverence. Thine be the glory. "Great God Eternal! may Thy benediction Rest o'er our labors, and foundations laid Be firm and true, that Thou accept it from us. Thine be the glory. The Grand Master then reminded the Grand Treasurer that it had ever been the custom on occasions like the present to de- posit within a cavity of the corner-stone of an edifice certain memorials of the period at which it was erected, so that, if the lapse of ages, the fury of the elements or the slow but certain ravages of time, should lay bare its foundation, an enduring record 372 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. might be found by succeeding generations, to bear testimony to the energy, industry and culture of the time. This duty, how- ever, had been performed and two men placed across the opening in the stone a heavy copper casket. Whereupon the Grand Master requested the Grand Secre- tary to read, for the information of the as- sembled multitude, the record of the con- tents of the casket. This the Grand Sec- retary did as follows: "1. A memorial plate of pure native copper, in- scribed with the names of the principal United States, State and municipal officers present, or who signified their intention to be present on the occasion. A parch- ment roll, inscribed with the names of the principal officers of the organizations taking part in the cere- monies. 2. Declaration of Independence, Constitu- tion of the United States, Acts of Congress making appropriations for the purchase of the site and the erection of the building. 3. Constitution of the State of Illinois, map of the State of Illinois, list of the State Officers, engraving of the New State House. 4. List of county officers. 5. Picture of the proposed building. 6. Proceedings, for 1873, of Grand Lodge of Masons, Illinois; Grand Chapter of Masons, Illi- nois; Crand Council of Masons, Illinois; Grand Com- mandery of Masons, Illinois; General Grand Chapter of Masons, U. S. A.; General Grand Encampment of Masons, U. S. A.; Supreme Council. 7. Proceedings of the Grand Lodge and Encampment of Odd Fellows; Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias. 8. Directory of Chicago; History of Chicago; account of first Post-of- fice in Chicago; map of Chicago, 1874; map of Chica- go, 1820; proceedings of the Board of Public Works, Education, Police, Parks, Board of Trade, Relief Com- mittee, Comptroller's Report. 9. Copy of the Pro- gramme, and all papers connected with the ceremo- nies of laying the corner-stone; daily papers of Chi- cago; list of organizations attending ceremonies. Copies United States bonds, all denominations, un- signed; United States Treasury Notes, all denomina- tions, unsigned; United States gold, silver, and copper coinage. " Grand Master Right Worshipful Grand Treas- urer, you will now deposit the casket in the cavity be- neath the corner-stone (this was done), and may the Great Architect of the Universe, in His wisdom, grant that ages upon ages shall pass away ere it again be seen of men. While Bro. HAWLEY was all right in his sentiment, yet it seems that he was all wrong in his prayer, for the rich alluvial soil of Chicago refused to bear the burden which the Government architect heaped upon it. As a consequence the building settled; large fissures appeared in its walls; its floors and ceilings became uneven and finally the great work was condemned. At this writing not a vestige of the old build- ing remains and a new structure of light construction will soon occupy its site. What became of the casket in the corner- stone the writer cannot state, but he is quite certain that ' succeeding generations'' will never learn from that depository the par- ticular degree of ' energy, industry and culture ' which prevailed in the State of Illinois, A. D. 1874. Mr. RANKIN then delivered the work- ing tools to the Grand Master, who retained the trowel, presenting the square to the Deputy Grand Master, the level to the Sen- ior Grand Warden and the plumb to the Junior Grand Warden, saying to them: "Right Worshipful Brethren, you will receive the implements of your office. With your assistance and that of the Craft, I will now proceed to lay the corner- stone of this edifice according to the customs of our Fraternity. The spaces between the box and stone were filled with cement, and the box was covered with the same material. Grand Master HAWLEY, addressing Judge BLODGETT: "On behalf of the Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois, I invite your Honor, as one of the Judges of the United States Courts, to assist in these ceremonies by spreading a portion of the cement. Judge BLODGETT came down from his seat and, taking a trowel, spread some mor- tar on the corner of the base-stone. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 373 This done, the Grand Master ordered the Grand Marshal to direct the craftsmen to lower the stone. While it was lowering the Apollo Club sang an original ode com- posed for the occasion. When the stone was in place the grand honors were given, amid a salvo of artillery, and the Deputy Grand Master and Wardens proceeded to test the work with the implements of the craft. Then followed the consecration in the usual form. At the close of the consecration ceremony the Grand Master, addressing the Govern- ment architect (Mr. RANKIN), said: " Worthy Sir: Having thus, as Grand Mas- ter of Masons, laid this corner-stone, I now deliver these implements of operative Masonry into your hands with the fullest confidence that by your skill and taste, aided by faithful craftsmen, a fabric will arise which will add new lustre to our city and nation May there be no envy, discord, or confusion among the workmen. May the important duties confided to you be performed, not only to the satisfaction of those who have intrusted you with their fulfillment, but in such a manner as shall secure the approbation of your own conscience, and redound to the honor of our country. Mr. RANKIN took the implements and replied: " On behalf of the citizens of Chicago, Most Worshipful Grand Master, I have the honor of pre- senting you with this trowel (handing it to him) as a memento of this occasion. And to you (Deputy Grand Warden) the square, and you (Senior Grand Warden) the level, and you (Junior Grand Warden) the plumb, also as mementoes. The Grand Master delivered the fol- lowing oration : "Gentlemen Representing the National Treasury Department, Fellow Citizens, and Brethren : I have the honor to report that in compliance with the re- quest of the United States authorities, the corner- stone of the new Custom House and Postoffice build- ing, here to be erected, has been laid with the ancient ceremonies of the Craft. With this announcement my duties would very properly end. But it will not be deemed inappropriate that we should, for a brief moment, recall the remembrance of the terrible event that occasioned the immediate necessity of laying these foundations and of erecting thereon the edifice this day so auspiciously begun. Scarcely three years have elapsed since what apparently was the most enduring portion of this fair city was laid in waste a blackened mass, except that of crumbling stones and broken columns to mark the place where had been magnificent palaces, fitting and costly merchan- dise, and beautiful temples consecrated to the worship of the ever-living God. Yet to-day we behold with amazement another and more marvelous city arisen, phoenix-like, from the ashes of the first. "Such evidences of success and prosperity as we see around us speak volumes for the wonderful energy and perseverance of the citizens of this metropolis. Stricken, but not subdued, they only bent before the storm, and, by their indomitable pluck, achieved, amid seeming disaster, greater results than ever be- fore in developing the commercial interests of our whole Northwest. Such a display of energy and en- terprise challenges our admiration, and we cannot lose the opportunity to commend the prompt action of our National Government in realizing their zeal and making such generous provisions for the wants and necessities of this people; and to us, my brethren, it is also a very appropriate and pleasing reflection that amid the scene of desolation and ruin that spread its darkened wings over the city, the Masonic Fraternity, true to its principles of brotherly love and relief, were among the first to respond to the cry of distress, and that Masonic charity did much in those dark and try- ing hours towards alleviating the suffering and distress of the poor and the unfortunate. The socie'y which I have the honor to represent congratulates our hon- ored President and his Administration upon the har- mony and prosperity everywhere prevailing through- out our country, and prays that our National Govern- ment may be left free to devote its power and energy to the advancement of the cause of civilization. " To our own noble State, represented here by His Excellency, the Governor, we all pay homage. We also congratulate the city of Chicago, so adequately represented here to-day by His Honor, the Mayor, and the municipal authorities, upon the untiring energy of her people, her great commercial prosperity, and upon the commencement of this important structure, the completion of which will add not only to the con- venience of her citizens, but also the grandeur and glory of the city. "It is seldom that our Fraternity appears in public. 874 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Freemasonry shuns notoriety. Its mission lies in an- other direction. But when the Government, under whose protection we live, requests our assistance in the performance of a peaceful and honorable duty, we may with propriety leave our quiet retreats, perform our work, and once more return to the seclusion of our lodges. We may have no more monuments of stone to rear, yet the Fraternity, which exists wherever are found the civilized haunts of man, will march on in its mission of rearing higher, broader, and deeper its great living principle of charity which shall endure longer than stone or brick. " We have this day laid the corner-stone of a house which we pray God may deserve to prosper by be- coming a place of concourse for good men, and pro- moting harmony and brotherly love throughout the land until time shall be no more. " In conclusion, permit me to express my appecia- tion of that hospitality and courtesy so characteristic of this great city, which has been extended to the Fraternity over which I have the honor to preside. "The Grand Marshal then proclaimed the stone duly laid according to the old customs of the Freemasons; three guns were fired; the Apollo Club sang 'America,' and the benediction by the Grand Chaplain closed the ceremony." DEDICATION OF KILWINNING HALL. DURING the early years of Illinois Free- masonry, and before the craft had at- tained the wealth and influence it has now long enjoyed, the dedication of a lodge hall was a matter of considerable moment. The erection of large and commodious buildings, not only in the cities but in the rural dis- tricts as well, has rendered these occasions comparatively common affairs; yet the fol- lowing account of the dedication of Kilwin- ning Hall, Chicago, cannot but be of in- terest to many of the " old-timers " and is worthy of preservation in this ' ' compen- dium." The account is taken from an issue of the Chicago Tribune of the date of the occurrence (1864). At the time of its erection the hall was generally conceded to be "the finest Ma- sonic lodge-room West of New York City." It was located on North Dearborn street (now Dearborn avenue), between Kinzie and North Water street, and was thus de- scribed by the reporter: ' ' The first room entered by the visitor at the top of the stairs is that of the Tyler of the Lodge, which is plainly furnished. Next comes the reception room, wherein is placed the registry and a marble lavatory. Passing through this apartment into the ' preparation ' room, where candidates for initiation into the mysteries of the ancient order undergo the necessary examination and preparation, the visitor who may have the ' open sesame ' enters the principal hall. He stands at the door for a minute till his eyes become accustomed to the beauties of the room; in front, in the East, stands the chair of the Worshipful Master on a dais, and placed under a handsomely carved oak canopy, with the mystical letter ' G ' stand- ing out prominently. On each side of the Worshipful Master's chair, and also on the dais, are the chairs for Past Masters and the desks for the Secretary and Treasurer. In the West is placed the chair of the Senior Warden, and in the South that of the Junior COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 375 Warden. All three are of beautifully carved polished oak, covered with blue plush. On the north side of the hall is a finely-toned chamber organ, while in the center is a neat altar, octagonal in shape, with a handsomely bound Bible on the top, the gift of Mr. W. H. SHUFELDT, a member of the lodge. " The floor is covered with a magnificent Brussels carpet, costing over seven hundred dollars. The sofas and settees are like the chairs of the officers, covered with blue plush. The gasaliers are in branches of three, and are composed of sheaves of wheat, taste- fully gilt, with cupids supporting the plumb, square and level. Underneath are terres- trial globes, with the sun, moon and stars on a blue field, pendant from which is the com- pass and square in burnished gold. "The entire hall is in the Gothic style of architecture. The fresco work has been finely executed by JEVNE & ALMINI. The combination of colors is very fine. Blue, of course, predominates, but all is har- mony, and there is nothing to offend the eye of even the most critical. The entire furnishing of the hall was made under the superintendence of FRANK G. GREENE, Worshipful Master, and GEO. W. WOOD, Senior Warden, and reflects the greatest amount of credit on their taste." The same reporter thus describes the ceremony of dedication : ' ' The members of the Grand Lodge of the State, wearing their handsome collars and aprons of purple, trimmed with silver lace, entered the hall by the west door, headed by the Most Worshipful Grand Mas- ter of Illinois, THOMAS J. TURNER, shortly after three o'clock. They were accompanied by the principal officers of ' Kilwinning, ' who wore their beautiful regalia. The members of the lodge wore the plain lamb- skin, and with the invited guests occupied seats in the body of the hall. ' ' The procession of the Grand officers was formed at the entrance and marched around the altar, in the center of the room, nine times, while J. S. BELDEN performed a voluntary on the organ. The Grand Mas- ter having taken his seat in the East, sup- ported right and left by the orator of the day, Rev. S. RUSSELL JONES, and the Grand Chaplain, P. B. RING, the Senior Warden in the West and the Junior Warden in the South, an ode was sung by a most efficient choir. "The Grand Architect, GEORGE H. GIBSON, then advanced towards the chair of the Grand Master. He stated that, since the building was completed, he had now to return the tools which had been en- trusted to him when the foundation was laid. He then placed the plumb, square, level, and trowel on the pedestal. " The Grand Master said that the skill and fidelity displayed by the Grand Archi- tect had secured the entire approbation of the Grand Lodge, and the building was a monument of the taste and liberality of its founders. "Another ode having been sung by the choir, the Grand Master proceeded to ded- icate the Lodge room according to the an- cient ceremonies of Masonry. "The procession was again formed, and marched around the altar, halting when the Grand Master had reached the East. A verse from the Masonic anthem was sung, and the Grand Master, with the usual ceremonies, poured out the corn, wine and oil, and dedicated the hall in the name of the Great Jehovah to Freemasonry, in the name of St. John to virtue, and in the 376 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. name of the whole Fraternity to universal benevolence, terminating with grand hon- ors. ' ' The Grand Chaplain offered up an ap- propriate prayer, in which he craved the blessing of the Great Architect on the un- dertaking; at the termination of which the brethren responded, 'So mote it be. ' " After the singing of an anthem, Rev. S. RUSSELL JONES delivered an interesting and instructive address on the duties and ob- ligations of Freemasons, which was listened to with profound attention. He concluded as follows: " ' Brethren of Kilwinning Lodge: Your achievements are worthy of congratulations to-day. During your four years of exist- ence you have added one hundred and for- ty-two names to your roll, most of whom have participated with you in erecting this most beautiful, costly, and magnificent hall the finest west of the city of New York. Five thousand dollars you have this day dedicated to the noble work of Masonry and all works of benevolence and love. God speed you in your noble work, and we im- plore you, as your gorgeous Lodge room outshines all in the city, so let your virtues shine. " ' Let shining charity adorn your zeal, The noblest impulse generous minds can feel.'" But this hall, like its prototype. King Solomon's Temple, did not long retain its pristine glories. A fire which occurred soon after partially destroyed the edifice and tem- porarily interfered with the meeting of the Lodge. The "ravages of fate," however, were soon overcome and the restored rooms once more occupied. The following men- tion is cut from the Chicago Times. 1 ' Kilwinning Lodge, No. 3 1 1 , of Free and Accepted Masons, the Masonic brethren will recollect, was partially burned down last spring. It had then one of the most beau- tiful lodge rooms in the city a lodge room of which its frequenters might well be proud. But Kilwinning Lodge is a progressive one, and quickly determinined to make their mis- fortune an opportunity of creating a still more beautiful hall. "The chief improvement in, or rather addition to, the restored hall, which is situ- ated on the west side of North Dearborn street, between North Water and Kinzie streets, is a beautiful octagonal Gothic dome sixteen feet in diameter and ten feet in height ; the total height of the summit of the ceil- ing above the floor being twenty-eight feet. The dome is paneled off, each section con- taining a panel having a ground of blue, spangled with golden stars. The whole dome, when brilliantly lighted up, has the appearance of an immense octagonal win- dow with the stars shining through it from out their bed of blue. In the apex of the dome is a magnificent reflector, which dis- tributes a brilliant light over the whole room. Around the bottom of the dome ex- tends a rich Gothic cornice, decorated with Gothic ornaments and tracery; oak ribs di- vide the several compartments of the dome. The ceiling of the room is divided into panels of different shapes, and decorated with Gothic spandrils. Encircling the ceil- ing is a rich Gothic cornice supported by frescoed columns, between which are panels ornamented with Gothic tracery. Over the different stations, in the east, south and west, have been erected elaborate Gothic canopies, in the shape of Gothic arches. From each of these canopies rise pinnacles, while from the gables of the canopies rise Gothic finials. In the rear of each of the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 377 stations is a richly finished fresco. The size of the room is thirty-eight feet in width by fifty-eight in length, the height being eighteen feet. The style in which the room has been finished is the decorated Gothic. The restoration and improvement of Kil- winning Hall including only the interior have cost over six thousand dollars." The lodge continued to occupy these rooms until 1871, when they were again ravaged by fire, and this time totally con- sumed. The site was then abandoned. DEDICATION OF ORIENTAL HALL. IF Kilwinning Hall was the finest in the State at the time of its erection (1864), the palm was soon after wrested from it by the still more beautiful and spacious apart- ments known as Oriental Hall, which was dedicated on July 25, 1867. These rooms were not only the finest in the State but compared favorably with the best lodge halls in the country, as the subjoined extract from the Chicago Tribune goes to show: "The Oriental building, on La Salle street, opposite the Chamber of Com- merce, is in itself one of the finest speci- mens of street architecture to be found in the city, and, for a business building, is the most complete and substantial of any yet finished. The offices are all large and well lighted, and the stairways and halls spacious, light and airy. The building is complete, with all modern conveniences. " In this splendid building is located the hall, or lodge room, of Oriental Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M., which has just been finished in the Oriental style of architecture, and a degree of success has been obtained, n the peculiar fitness and harmony of its combination, seldom realized before. ' 'The lodge room occupies the fourth floor of the building. The blue-lodge room proper is seventy-four by forty-two feet in the clear and twenty-nine feet high to the crown of the canopies of the ceiling. On the same floor there are two ante-rooms, a Tyler's room, with closets, and a furnace room, and a large reception parlor, fifteen by twenty-four feet. The apartments on this floor occupy a space of forty-six by one hundred and twenty feet. "Above, on the upper floor, there are five good-sized ante-rooms, all well lighted and ventilated. The various rooms devot- ed to the lodge are entirely separate from the offices of the building, and are reached by an independent stairway from the main hall. ' ' The approach to the lodge-room is from the west, and the splendor of the ori- ental style is at once seen to be well carried out, even in the smallest detail of mechan- ical work or color. The room is divided longitudinally into five sections, with a large stained-glass window in each space on the north side and one on the south, together with appropriate panels corresponding in size with the windows, filling the blanks on the same side. On the north and south sides are two platforms for sofas. From the upper platform there is a continuous 878 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. wainscoting all around the room, which is divided into sections, as before mentioned, by moulded pedestals, capped with heavy surbase moulding. From these pedestals rise gracefully-proportioned octagonal col- umns with foliated capitals, from which spring large pendentive arched brackets resting upon rich wall corbels that support the main arched ribs which cross the room and intersect with arches running longitudi- nally, dividing the ceiling into arched cano- pies, three in width and five in length. These canopies are slightly curved; in the center of each is placed a large globe light with Argand burner and a powerful plated re- flector above. These canopies are of a sky- blue tint, with stars of various sizes sur- rounding the globe lights, producing a chaste and beautiful effect at once novel and appro- priate. The moulded ribs and arches from the canopies or panels are very neatly orna- mented with rosettes and vines, shaded in colors and relieved with gold. At the in- tersection of the ribs and brackets there are richly carved and gilded pendents or drops. The columns supporting the main brackets are in imitation of lapis lazuli, with golden foliated caps, and bases and corbels of bro- cated marble. The wainscoting is various dark and light veined marbles. The east end is finished with a rich and elaborate arch and alcove recess, in front of which is a dais four steps high. On each side of the alcove there are two richly carved and gilded columns, and a doorway opening into the front ante-rooms. Between these doors and the alcove there are two niches, in which are placed statues of Atlas. The west room is similar in finish, excepting that in the alcove is placed the organ, the case of which is designed in keeping with the general style of the room, and is finished in blue and gold. There is also another alcove on the south side, corresponding in general with those at the ends of the room. In the crown of the arches of these alcoves there are placed stained-glass panels, illuminated by gas burners, the one in the east having the sym- bolic ' G ' and the ' Rising Sun ;' that in the south the 'Midday Sun,' and the ' Setting Sun' in the west. In the center of the room the altar is placed, supported by the 'lesser lights' forming the triangle; and high above, in the center of the canopy, the ' All-Seeing Eye ' is represented on one of the globes. The ' Pillars of the Porch ' are beautiful in design and original in treat- ment, the lily leaves, net-work, and pome- granate being faithfully rendered in the carving of the 'chapiters.' "The furniture of the rooms, all of which harmonizes well in design and color, was made from the original designs of the architect. The system of lighting used furnishes a beautiful and soft light, and keeps the heat and smell of the gas from the room. The ventilation is obtained from a succession of flues on the walls on each side of the room, with openings near the floor, and carried out above the roof." The Chicago Republican furnishes the following condensed account of the dedica- tion: Last night the new hall of Oriental Lodge of the Free and Accepted Order of Masons was dedicated. At 9 o'clock the hall was filled by those invited, and the dedication exercises opened, the W. M. of the lodge, J. W. CLYDE, pre- siding. The officers of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois entered, taking their appro- priate places. The following are the of- ficers: COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 879 M. W., JEROME R. GORIN, Grand Mas- ter. R. W. , M. D. CHAMBERLAIN, Act. Dep. G. M. R. W., G. S. BARSTOW, Act. S. G. W. R. W. , IRA S. YOUNGLOVE, Act. J. G. W. R. W., G. W. BARNARD, Act. G. Treas. R. W. , GEORGE ADAMS, Act. G. Sec. R. W., J. ADAMS ALLEN, Act. G. Or- ator. R. W., J. BILLINGS, Act. G. Chaplain. R. W., JOHN S. JENNINGS, Act. S. G. D. R. W., W. A. STEVENS, Act. J. G. D. R. W., RANDALL, Act. S. G. Steward. R. W., H. N. HURLBUT, Act. J. G. Steward. R. W., J. P. FERNS, G. Tyler. A hymn was sung. The M. W. requested of the Grand Master that the Grand Lodge of Illinois dedicate the hall agreeable to the usages and forms of Masonry. Mr. BOYINGTON, the architect, an- nounced that he had completed the work assigned to him, and returned the imple- ments. The dedicatory prayer was offered by the Grand Chaplain. " Glory be to God on high, On earth peace, good will toward men," was chanted. The officers of the Grand Lodge took their places for the purpose of dedicating the Lodge to Masonry, virtue and universal benevolence. The vessels of corn, wine and oil were severally presented to the Grand Master, and with each the hall was solemnly dedi- cated. A hymn was sung and a solemn invoca- tion pronounced by the Grand Chaplain. ' 'The Lord is gracious, And his mercy endureth forever," was chanted. Benediction was pronounced by the Grand Chaplain. This beautiful building was destroyed in the great fire of 1 87 1 . A new building, with a lodge hall arranged in much the same manner as the first, was soon after erected on the old site and the new Oriental Hall continued to be used for Masonic purposes until 1893, when the imperious demands of commerce terminated the Masonic occu- pancy. The new Oriental Hall was, be- yond a doubt, the finest room that has ever been used for Masonic purposes in this or any other adjoining states. In size, beauty, and the elegance of its appointments it was the superior of anything now in use, and may well be held in green remembrance by all who have been privileged to inspect it. 380 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. THE TRIENNIAL CONCLAVE OF 1880. THERE have been few episodes in the history of Templarism in Illinois more striking in their general features than the triennial conclave of the Grand Encamp- ment of the United States, held at the city of Chicago, in the month of August, 1880. Preparations for the great event were com- menced more than two years prior to its happening, and a "Triennial Committee," consisting of five members from each pf the three Chicago Commanderies, was organ- ized on April 12, 1878, for the purpose of perfecting arrangements for the entertain- ment of the vast throng which it was ex- pected would be in attendance. This com- mittee, which had the practical direction and supervision of all the details connected with the occasion, was in continuous serv- ice for twenty-eight months; to it must be accorded much of the credit for the success- ful parts of the great pageant, and to it also must be assigned the mistakes which resulted in so much discomfort and personal inconvenience. But while the mistakes of the committee were many, yet it must be admitted that the affair, viewed from an im- partial standpoint, stands, in many respects, unrivaled in the annals of Templarism ; and though other cities have since vied with Chicago in this particular, it has hardly been equaled and certainly never excelled. The General Triennial Committee held twenty-four meetings in the twenty-eight months of its existence, while the Execu- tive Sub-Committee, of which Sir NORMAN T. CASSETTE was Chairman, was almost in constant session from June, 1879, until the close of the Conclave; and for months the chairman gave his whole time. The duties of this Executive Committee were princi- pally supervisory ones, and consisted in carrying out the plans of the Triennial Committee through the various Sub-Com- mittees which they had appointed, in strict accord with the rules made and adopted by them for that purpose; and the truth of history demands that it should be stated that the Executive Committee, with rare unanimity, and as prudently and carefully as possible, endeavored to execute what- ever tasks the Triennial Committee imposed upon them to the best of their ability. It was expected that the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars would be suf- ficient to defray the expenses of the occasion, and, as the event would be to some extent a civic affair, it was de- cided to receive subscriptions from citizens as well as Templars. In the matter of rais- ing this great sum of money the committee had no intention of going to the citizens for subscriptions until it should have been demonstrated beyond dispute that the Templars of Chicago were not trying to act the leech upon their generosity by expecting that they would give the whole of the seventy-five thousand dollars first asked ; and hence it was deemed but just and prudent to first commence solic- iting subscriptions from the Templars COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 381 themselves, the Committee feeling confi- dent that they would individually, from their private means, enable the three Com- manderies to which they belonged to pay into the hands of the Treasurer, NELSON LUDINGTON, twenty-five thousand dollars, or one-third part of the required amount, which would be twenty-five dollars per capita for all Templars resident of Chicago. By June 9, 1880, the full amount of twenty-five thousand dollars had been paid in by the Commanderies, and by subsequent donations the full amount realized became equal to more than thirty-one dollars a man for every resident member. At length the long expected period ar- rived, and from August isth to iQth, 1880, Chicago enjoyed one of the most memor- able holidays in its history. From the " Voice of Masonry " of September, 1880, we condense the following account of the great pageant: The formal exercises of the week com- menced on Sunday, August I 5th, by attend- ance on divine service at Grace Episcopal church, Very Eminent Sir CLINTON LOCKE officiating. This was participated in by the local commanderies and the early arrivals. On Monday, the i6th, Beauseant Comman- dery, of Baltimore, tendered a complimen- tary breakfast to the Grand Master, Sir VINCENT L. HURLBUT, and the officers and members of the Grand Encampment at the Palmer House. In the evening of the same day there were three " receptions," at three of the large halls of the city, to which all of the visiting knights were invited. At Central Music Hall a picked orches- tra under the direction of HANS BALATKA discoursed an excellent programme of class- ical music. Sir LESTER L. BOND presided and several introduced Hon. CARTER H. HAR- RISON, Mayor of Chicago, who tendered to the visitors, in his inimitable style, the free- dom of the city. Hon. SHELBY M. CUL- LOM, Governor of Illinois, extended a wel- come in the name of the State, while Sir T. T. GURNEY, Grand Master of Illinois, spoke in behalf of the Masonic fraternity, and Sir D. C. CREGIER, for the Triennial Committee. The second reception was held at Far- well Hall, which was beautifully and appro- priately decorated for the occasion. The musical programme was rendered by BACH'S celebrated orchestra, of Milwaukee. Hon. JOHN WENTWORTH, representing the Mayor of Chicago, delivered the address of wel- come. Hon. LEONARD SWETT, represent- ing the Governor of Illinois, spoke in behalf of the State, while Sir JOSEPH ROBBINS, on behalf of the Grand Lodge, extended to the guests the greetings of the Craft. The third reception was given at Mc- Cormick Hall. Sir GILBERT W. BARNARD presided and BRAND'S orchestra, of Cincin- nati, furnished delightful music. Hon. FRANCIS ADAMS, representing the Mayor, tendered to the guests the freedom of the city; Hon. ANDREW SHUMAN, representing the Governor, spake for the State, and Sir HENRY C. RANNEY, on behalf of the Grand Master, extended the welcome of the Craft. Sir JOHN A. CRAWFORD, for the Triennial Committee, delivered an interesting and ap- propriate address. The three receptions were all well attended and apparently thoroughly enjoyed. They manifested the spirit of the people of Chi- cago and of Illinois toward their guests and will be long remembered by those who par- ticipated. The decorations, both public and pri- vate, in character and cost, far exceeded 382 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. anything that has ever been attempted in the city, either before or since. The deco- rative work of the Triennial Committee was performed under the direction of a sub- committee, of which Sir H. H. POND was chairman. For months the committee were at work, and the result of their labors was a wondrous display of artistic beauty. This was particularly true of the lavish decora- tions at the Exposition Building; the various halls in which the receptions were held; the asylums of the Commanderies; the Grand Encampment Building, and the tri- umphal arches on the streets. The citi- zens vied with the knights and hundreds of business houses were resplendent in gay decorations. In every direction were seen the banners, insignia and cognizances of the Templars intermingled with streamers, gar- lands, paintings and heraldic devices, and never before or since has Chicago presented the gala appearance that met the eye of the observer on the morning of the i/th. The influx of visitors was not only beyond precedent, but wholly beyond expectation. The entire business district was soon con- gested and even standing room became a luxury. Along the line of march of the great procession the populace were packed almost to suffocation, yet, except for the intense heat of the day, all seemed to de- rive much pleasure and satisfaction. The parade was tardy in moving, the depressing conditions interfering some with the order of arrangements. Finally the lines were formed and the greatest civic demonstration of modern times passed in review before the Grand Master and the as- sembled multitude. The parade was divid- ed into three grand divisions and twenty subdivisions, the last or twentieth subdivi- sion containing the Grand Master and other dignitaries. The twentieth subdivision was the first to move, as the review was to take place at the crossing of Wabash avenue and Twelfth street. The Commander, with his aids, and Oriental Commandery, No. 12, of Cleveland, Ohio, had the right of the line. Then came the Grand Master and two of his personal staff. They were seated in an elegant open barouche, which was drawn by six span of horses, led by a single white horse. A black and a white horse formed each span, and each horse had harness matching his color. Following the Grand Master was the remainder of the division. The column moved from the Grand Pacific Hotel north on Clark street to Adams, thence east to Wabash avenue, where it passed under the memorial arch, observing, at the same time, the customary tribute to the memory of the deceased. Thence it proceeded to the review stand. Along the route the Grand Master was recognized by generous applause, and the Cleveland Com- mandery elicited cheers for their excellent marching. Many of the people along the line thought this division was the procession proper, and found fault with its brevity, but they soon discovered their mistake. On ar- riving at the review stand the Grand Mas- ter ascended the platform attended by his officers, the civil magistrates, governor, mayor, etc. , and invited guests. The Grand Master's personal staff drew up in line in front of the stand, the showy uni- forms of the Knights and the gay trappings of their steeds glittering in the blaze of sun- light. The two reviewing stands the east and west were similar in shape, construction and decoration, and were connected by arches formed of heavy iron rods extending across Wabash avenue on the north and COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 383 south sides of Twelfth street. The two stands and the two arches thus formed the sides of a quadrilateral. The stands ex- tended across Twelfth street at its intersec- tion with Wabash avenue but without im- peding travel before and after the pro- cession. On the stands a profusion of dec- orations met the eye evergreens, crosses, mottoes, rosettes, in black, purple and white, shields and banners, in endless va- riety of form and color. The two arches, like the two stands, presented a similar ap- pearance. They were trimmed with black, white and purple fringe, and from the cen- ter of each was suspended a shield, bearing the letters X. P., with smaller shields on each side. Each corner of each arch was marked by a purple cross, and each corner of each stand by a Maltese cross of bright red. The Wabash avenue sides of the stands were trimmed in the prevailing pur- ple hue, from which the famous legend In Hoc Signo Vinces, worked in white let- ters, stood out most prominently. Two large red crosses adorned the main stand, one next the north end and the other near the center, just south of the point where the Grand Master stood to review the pro- cession. The massing of so many colors was almost bewildering to the ordinary gazer, but there was a harmony about the whole which, to the Knights at least, was at once beautiful and significant. Almost simultaneously with the start of the twentieth division for the review stand, the first grand division of the procession be- gan the movement southward on Wabash avenue. From that moment, with only brief halts, for upwards of three hours the forward step continued. The appearance of the line, from first to last, was superb, and manifestations of appreciation were in- numerable. Eighty-five bands discoursed music, and a much larger number of com- manderies kept step to the martial airs, or at least tried to do so. In numbers, appearance and smoothness of movement, the procession was a success, and, to the many thousand who witnessed it while it was intact and en route, it gave intense satisfaction. But the heat played havoc with its outcome. Under its in- fluence many commanderies left the line and threw it into confusion. And thus it came that many of the people who saw the break-up, and many more who saw not even that much, pronounced the whole pageant a failure. Provision was made for excursions on the lake each day during the Conclave, and the afternoon succeeding the parade was devoted to them, to drives about the city, and to resting and toning up. Singular as it may appear, the excursions were not patronized as liberally as was expected, and at no time was any boat unable to carry all that wished to go on it. On the evening of the ijth there was a " grand musicale et dansante," or, in the vernacular, a concert and dance, at the Exposition Building, which proved a great attraction. The demand for tickets seemed to be beyond the power of supply. All of the visitors and half the residents of Chi- cago were anxious to gain admission and could see no reason why they should not. Every possible plan of obtaining tickets was adopted. If the effort was not suc- cessful in one way, another was immediate- ly devised, and so persistently was this kept up that the committee had to yield to it or face "a storm of indignation." In this way more tickets were issued than should have been, if the comfort of those admitted was COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. to be the sole consideration. In conse- quence, the throng in attendance was im- mense, and standing room was at a premi- um. Under the circumstances, promenad- ing was all that could be engaged in, and the intense heat made even that a discom- fort. The result was, that thousands de- parted early, to the great satisfaction of thousands who were seeking admission. Thus the tide of egress and ingress was kept at full height for hours, and, thereby, a large share of intense curiosity was grati- fied that otherwise would have been disap- pointed. The programme was not fully carried out. It consisted of music, speeches, etc. But two speeches were delivered. The music was good, and, after midnight, the Terpsichorean exercises were quite attract- ive. The decorations were grand, and see- ing them and the great concourse of people was ample compensation for all the discom- fort of the time. The chief event of the 1 8th was the competitive prize drill at the Jockey Club Park. The attendance was large but the pleasure of the occasion was marred by the intense heat of the day. Indeed, it seemed as though the sun had a spite against the drill, as it appeared to have against the procession, and was exerting its utmost power in creating discomfort. The prom- ised grand concert by the bands attending the conclave did not come off. All of the competing comrnanderies were late in their arrivals, and, in consequence, thousands of the guests left the grounds before the drill was completed. The entertainment provided for the evening of the i8th consisted of concerts at Central Music, Farwell and McCormick Halls, and theatrical performances at Mc- Vicker's, Haverly's and Hooley's theaters. At each place an excellent performance was given, but for some reason the attendance was small. The great feature of the eve- ning was a display of fire-works on the lake front, which was witnessed by an immense throng of people. The display opened with a gorgeous illumination, effected by the simultaneous ignition of a large number of lime and calcium lights, and of a quantity of blue and red fire. As these began to fade away a great mass of rockets was sent up. These, as they reached the summit of their flight, burst into a shower of rubies, pearls, emeralds and diamonds, which sank grace- fully, suddenly changing into a flight of ser- pents as they neared the earth. The first set piece was then ignited. It was en- titled, "Welcome to the Templars of the World," and when the people read those words as they were displayed in letters of amber, inclosed in a framework of gold and emerald twenty feet in length by sixteen in in height, they indorsed the sentiment by a mighty cheer, the tugboats and everything which possessed a steam whistle aiding in increasing its volume. Then came a bom- bardment of the sky. The scene thus cre- ated was grand. Next a den of fiery ser- pents flew up into the air with a mad, wild rush, and so the display was kept up for nearly an hour, when the great pageant finally ended in smoke and flame. Viewed from any side it was a grand affair, and had the date selected been but a month later it would have yielded a far greater degree of enjoyment than it did. That the efforts of the knights and people of Chicago were appreciated by those who knew the magnitude of the under- taking is beyond doubt, and the Grand En- campment formally placed upon record its. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 385 own estimate of the occasion in the passage of the following: WHEREAS, It is justly proper that this Grand En- campment should place on record its appreciation of the knightly and hospitable welcome it has received during its session in this city; therefore, Resolved, That the thanks of the Grand Encamp- ment of the United States are hereby tendered to Right Eminent Sir CHARLES M. MORSE, Grand Com- mander of Illinois; to Apollo, Chicago and St. Bern- ard Commanderies, of Chicago; to the "Triennial Committee," to whom the entire charge of the recep- tion of visiting Knights was committed, and to the ex- ecutive head of said committee, Eminent Sir NORMAN T. CASSETTE, for the knightly welcome tendered this Grand Body, and for their efforts to make the Twenty- first Triennial Conclave the grandest and most impos- ing gathering of Knights Templars that ever took place on this continent; Resolved, That the thanks of this Grand Body are hereby tendered to the public press of this city for courteous treatment while here ; Resolved, That we also tender our acknowledg- ments to His Excellency, the Governor of Illinois; His Honor, the Mayor of Chicago, and the citizens at large, for the many warm evidences of their sympa- thy with this Order, and their cordial welcome to this State. While it is true that there was some personal inconvenience experienced during the triennial week, it is also true that there were many compensating pleasures. The heat had much to do with the discomfort, but for that Chicago was not responsible; nor did it select the time of gathering. Calculations based on the advanced demands for accommodations led to preparations for the entertainment of one hundred thousand people, but in fact double that number came, among them whole commanderies with their attendant friends, and all without a note of warning. Yet no one was compelled to sleep on the sidewalk and no one went hungry. A distinguished observer, Sir J. W. SIMONS, in commenting upon it said : "Upon the whole, the affair must be put on record as the grandest showing the Order has ever made, and Chicago may take to herself the pleasant reflection that a similar event could not have been accomplished in any other city in the world." 23 ORGANIZED CHARITIES. INTRODUCTION. IN the year 1876 the Craft of Illinois were considering the project of the establish- ment, under Grand Lodge auspices, of an asylum or "home" for indigent orphans. In mentioning the subject in his annual ad- dress of that year the Grand Master (Bro. ROBBINS) said: I deem it my duty to say that the history of public Masonic charities in this country does not inspire m e with confidence in the success of such an undertaking under the Grand Lodge management, even using the word success in its narrowest, its material aspect. More than this, I do not share the feeling that the ab- sence of such an institution is a reproach to the Craft in any jurisdiction. On the contrary, I repeat what I have elsewhere said, that the true mission of Masonry is a silent one, leavening, all unseen, with its softening and restraining influences, the community in which it exists. An improved state of society is a nobler mon- ument to its influence and power than piles of marble; and to touch the springs of benevolence in the indi- vidual heart, of more importance than the foundation of costly public charities. The observations of the Grand Master are reproduced in this connection as ex- pressive of the views of no inconsiderable portion of the Craft. In many the senti- ments are sincere and the persons profess- ing them, notwithstanding that the "mis- sion of Masonry is a silent one," are yet conspicuous for their good works. On the other hand, in many, very many, the pro- fession is a convenient sham; a cover for a sordid and selfish nature. No field of phil- anthropic effort is in practice worked si- lently or secretly, whatever may be the theories. A good example counts for much in these days, and many a man has been moved to generous acts simply through the persuasive force of the acts of others. Neither is the " true mission of Masonry a silent one," for all its teachings and pre- cepts inculcate open acts of charity. So, too, the long and uniform practice of the Craft has been in this direction; and if it is "no reproach" to the Fraternity that it has no charitable institutions it certainly is not a matter for laudation. Illinois has always been proud of its pure, unmixed ancestry; of its descent from the Mother Grand Lodge of England, and the ancient laws and customs of the Frater- nity in England are the fundamental bases upon which our own Grand Lodge rests. But if we turn to our English brethren for precept, or precedent, or example, we find that organized charity is a conspicuous form of the practice of Masonic tenets. Fifty-two years prior to the organization of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, our English brethren laid the foundation of their oldest charity, the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls, and for more than one hundred years it has uninterruptedly continued its great COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 887 and good work the mental, moral and physical training of the indigent female children of deceased Freemasons. Ten years later, in 1798, was founded its coun- terpart, the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, which still exists, and pursues its original purpose of maintaining and educat- ing male children. Both of these institutions were established under the auspices of Grand Lodge, the former having been founded by the "Moderns," or the premier Grand Lodge, and the latter by the "An- cients, "or " schismatics. " Upon the Union, in 1813, both institutions were taken under the wing of the United Grand Lodge, and for years have been the pride of English Masons. In 1842-9 was completed a trin- ity of charities by the establishment of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for the Aged. The Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scot- land likewise maintain similar charities. We therefore find abundant precedent in our "ancestral line" for the exercise of our philanthropic inclinations in the founding and endowment of great charitable institu- tions. Are we any better than our fathers? Neither can it be said at this time that "the history of public Masonic charities in this country" is not of a nature to "inspire confidence in the success of such undertak- ings under Grand Lodge management," whatever may have been the case in 1876. At that time there were but few institutions of this character, and the opinions of the Grand Master were largely predicated upon the careers of a few educational institutions which came into existence prior to the civil war and which were mainly located in the Southern States. In that section of our country public education was not conducted on the broad and liberal basis that character- ized the Northern or Free States, and many opportunities were presented for the found- ing of schools and colleges by societies and sects. These opportunities were taken ad- vantage of in several localities by the Ma- sonic Fraternity and during the ' ' palmy days" of ante-bellum times were conducted with signal success, not, however, as chari- ties but as class schools. When the exi- gencies which produced them had ceased to exist the schools passed under the control of other hands or ceased to exist. Since 1876 the sentiment that Masonry means something more than a few dried ritu- alistic husks has been steadily gaining ground in this country. The conspicuous examples set by the Mother Grand Lodge have in- spired a spirit of emulation, and as a result we find that two-thirds of all the jurisdictions in America now possess, or have under way, institutions for the care of the indigent orphan and aged craftsman, and the tend- ency is toward the expansion rather than the contraction of this field of true Masonic " work." In many, in fact, a majority, of the jurisdictions, these institutions are under the direct control and management of the Grand Lodges or of boards made up from the Masonic bodies of the State, and with- out exception all of the institutions so con- ducted seem to be doing well. In a few States, as in our own, they are conducted on lines external to the Grand Lodge, but in harmony therewith. In a few of the States, these charities are not in as good condition as could be wished. This has re- sulted mainly through over ambition at the start. Buildings have been erected in ad- vance of actual needs and large debts con- tracted therefor. It is impossible to secure the co-operation of all, or even the larger part, of the Masons of any jurisdiction 388 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. where the charity is purely voluntary, and, as a consequence, the promoters of the en- terprise find themselves, in some cases, car- rying a load beyond their power to bear. Fortunately for us in Illinois, our charities have been conservatively managed. No costly buildings have been erected and no heavy debts contracted, and while but a very small number of the craft have indi- vidually contributed toward the maintenance of the institutions, they have yet found enough devoted friends to supply all legiti- mate wants, and at no time have they suf- fered. * * * But while organized charities are now popular, and, in the main, well supported, yet it took years of toil and agitation to accom- plish this result. Not that Masons were un- charitable, for it is beyond dispute that the craft has always responded to the cry of suffering, destitution and want ; but for some reason, while our duty to the widow and orphan, as well as to indigent age, has always been admitted, every form of organ- ized effort has been resisted. The princi- pal opposition seemed to come from those who feared that simple duty, resting for its performance entirely in the volition of the individual, might become a burden and a matter of obligation. In other words, that instead of contributions to be given or with- held at will, the benefaction might become compulsory a tax. And so strongly does this sentiment seem to have been engrafted that even as late as the year 1865 there was not a single Masonic asylum for age or infancy in all America. At the organization of Grand Lodge the beneficient characteristics of Freemasonrv were present in the minds, and dominated the actions, of those who framed its Consti- tution and By-Baws ; for while provision was made for the collection of a revenue to meet the ordinary expenses of the adminis- tration of its government a further provis- ion was made for the purposes of charity. By section 8, of the first code, adopted in 1841, every lodge in the jurisdiction was required to "pay into the Grand Treasury the sum of twenty-five cents annually, for each member thereof, as a charity fund, " and by section 13 of same the Grand Master, Wardens, Secretary and Treasurer, for the time beine, were constituted a , standing committee for the distribution of such fund. The early finances of Grand Lodge are not intelligible at this time, and indeed seem to have been involved in much confu- sion and uncertainty for a number of years. The charity fund, while apparently regularly collected, was not kept distinct from the other funds, and in 1845 the matter came before the body, on the recommendation of the Finance Committee that a separate ac- count be kept of these moneys. At the session of 1846 the same condition pre- vailed, and the recommendation was re- newed. At the session of 1847 a spirited protest was received from Bodley Lodge, No. i (Quincy), with respect to the manner in which Grand Lodge finances were con- ducted. At this session, for the first time, the amount in the charity fund was ascer- tained and segregated from the other moneys of Grand Lodge. The amount, as found by the finance committee, was one hundred and thirty-one dollars and thirty-five cents. This fund was maintained for a number of years and at length attained quite large proportions; but whether there was but little COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 389 destitution in the State, or whatever may have been the reason, the calls upon it were comparatively few and the amounts dis- bursed small. When the system of "mile- age and per-diem" was adopted the general fund was not sufficient to meet the expense, while a double tax for representatives and for charity was felt to be a grievous burden. Accordingly the "Grand Charity Fund" was abolished and the money on hand, be- longing to that account, was covered into the treasury for the general and ordinary uses of Grand Lodge. But even during the existence of the Grand Charity Fund many of the represen- tatives felt that it was not a sufficient ex- pression of the fundamental tenets of Free- masonry; that the duties and obligations of Masons involved more than the creation and maintenance of lodges and Grand Lodges, and the simple continuation of an ancient lineage. The cause of education was an absorbing topic in Masonic circles during the "forties" and had been frequently broached in Grand Lodge. The neighbor- ing jurisdiction of Missouri, as early as 1845, na d inaugurated measures for the erection of a " Masonic College," and Illi- nois frequently turned its wistful gaze across the river and sighed for a participa- tion in its neighbor's educational work. Nothing, however, came of this; but at the session of 1847 Bro. ABRAHAM JONAS, P. G. M., in delivering the annual oration, brought the matter before the Grand Lodge in the following language: I draw the attention of the Grand Master to an- other object, altogether worthy of its immediate action, and confined in its benefits principally to its own members and the orphan children of departed Masons. I speak of the cause of education. Our brethren of other States are fast awakening to effective action on this interesting subject, and the erection of colleges, seminaries and schools, under their active aid and patronage, gives ample promise that Freema- sonry, taking its position among the great and wise insti- tutions of this free country, is about to accomplish one of the great ends originally designed by its ancient and illustrious founders. In the eloquent language of a distinguished brother in a sister State, it can be safe- ly said: "May we not look forward with confidence to the day when the activity of our order in this nation will annually collect and disburse in this great work more than half a million of money, and when we shall support the most munificent charity of our country in the yearly education of thousands of the destitute and helpless orphans of the land? We have been too long forgetful of our high destiny have too long slept upon our post whilst our brethren of the old world have given wings to their charity; have erected their asylums for the halt, the lame and the blind; have conferred the boon of education upon the desti- tute child of every departed brother, and have be- come the welcome messengers of joy and gladness to the desolate and friendless of our order. Day is dawning upon us from the east, and we, too, have shaken off our slumbers and have determined to be- come competitors of our brethren of other lands in this active love and chanty." This is not the proper place or occasion to discuss the plan or to propose the system to be adopted. My desire is to arouse you from your lethargy, and draw your attention to such action as will cause our institu- tion to be admired and respected by the liberal, the intelligent, and the good. I think I hear many of my brethren exclaim, "This is premature: the means and resources of the Grand Lodge are not sufficient to carry out such views, however just they may be: await a time, and delay for a season." Such may be the cold, prudent language of Caution; and I would not urge extravagant or too hasty action. But I desire to see a beginning, however small. Rome was not built in a day; and seven years ago this Grand Lodge was with- out a dollar of its own. The time, it is supposed, has arrived for taking the initiatory steps; and, although much cannot be done, yet a beginning can be had. Let the Grand Lodge appropriate a portion of its means and resources on some well considered and ap- proved plan; the subordinate lodges will be prepared to follow and aid in the good work, by its approval and patronage; and when prepared to act, if the Grand Lodge will make an appeal, in the proper lan- guage and in the right spirit, to the thousands of breth- ren in the State who are not contributing members of lodges, and ask of them only for small annual contri- butions of one dollar each to sustain the cause of Ma- sonic education or benevolence, my life on it, the call 390 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. will be cheerfully responded to. Then, with these united means, the annual revenue of thousands may be obtained; and all that then will be required will be prudence and judgment in expending the same. How far the words of Bro. JONAS may have impressed the representatives we do not know; but they certainly were not un- productive of results, for they inspired Bro. J. C. KETCHAM to offer the following: 1. Revolted, That charity, benevolence and in- terest make it the duty of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois to provide for the maintenance and education of the destitute orphans, male and female, of deceased Brother Master Masons, and of such others as the Grand Lodge may direct. 2. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge will forthwith proceed to adopt suitable measures to obtain from the Craft and the public such pecuniary aid as may be requisite for the accomplishment of the object afore- said. 3. Resolved, That the Most Worshipful Grand Master appoint a committee of three to solicit dona- tions of money and property, to be applied to the endowment of the institution aforesaid. 4. Resolved, That a committee of three be ap- pointed, with instructions to digest and arrange the necessary plans for such academy of learning. 5. Resolved, That the institution aforesaid, when organized, shall forever remain under and subject to the control of this Grand Lodge, and shall be con- ducted in strict accordance with the principles, cus- toms and constitutions of Ancient Free-Masonry. The resolutions were adopted and Bros. KETCHAM, JONAS, and HOLTON were ap- pointed a committee to prepare a plan. This is practically the nearest approach the Grand Lodge has ever made toward the creation of an organized charity. The printed proceedings apprised the craft of the action which had been taken, and it would seem that a lively interest was at once manifested. At the session of 1848, Grand Master LAVELY, in his annual address, said: The action of the Grand Lodge at its last commu- nication on the subject of education, manifesting a de- termination to take some decisive steps at once toward commencing and establishing an institution for the maintenance and education of destitute orphans, male and female, of deceased brother Master Masons in our State, has met with a most hearty response from the lodges and brethren generally, and has had a most salutary effect in waking up the whole brother- hood in our State to a sense of their duty and the great necessity of immediate action in the premises. Some brethren and lodges, with a truly Masonic liberality, are already tendering their donations without any solicitation, to facilitate the matter; and some lodges becoming impatient to dispense their charities toward the orphans of their deceased brethren unwilling to wait until all the plans for a more enlarged system of usefulness in this way shall be adopted and carried into successful operation by the Grand Lodge are hunting up the little destitute ones of their deceased brethren in their neighborhood, and sending them to school at the expense of the lodge. The time has fully arrived in the history of Ma- sonry within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, when all are becoming satisfied of the imperative necessity of not only speaking and writing, but acting promptly on this all-important subject; and from what I have seen and heard within the last year, I am fully satisfied that the friends of education can no longer be amused or pacified by glowing and able reports upon the subject, but they imperatively demand such action at this communication on your part as shall convince them and the community at large that we, as Masons, sincerely desire and will use every exertion to dispel the moral darkness which might otherwise shroud the minds of the children of misfortune. The spirit of the times and the genius of Masonry call upon us to act now, and act efficiently, to ameliorate the condition of suffering humanity, and elevate the orphans of our deceased brethren to their proper sta- tion in society, and make them happy and useful mem- bers thereof. Aside from the solemn obligations rest- ing upon us as Masons, self-interest, that predomi- nant incentive to action in human nature, should at least prompt the most of us to use every exertion and contribute liberally of our substance towards this de- sirable object, as we are more or less personally inter- ested in the matter, having children that we wish, above all other things, to be brought up in the way in which they should go, and be intelligent and useful members of society, not knowing how soon death may separate us from them, and they may be thrown upon the cold charities of the world. But notwithstanding the urgent recom- mendations of the Grand Master nothing COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 391 was accomplished at this session. Bro. KETCHAM, on behalf of the committee, pre- sented a report, which was laid upon the table, where it still remains. Bodley Lodge also sent in two suggestions. But viewed from the standpoint of to-day neither the committee's report nor the suggestions of Bodley Lodge seem to meet, in all particu- lars, the requirements of the case. It must be remembered that at the period under re- view public education had not attained the position in our political and social economy which it holds to-day. The "common school" was still to come. Hence in all of their calculations the committee lost sight of the fact that the proposed enterprise should be a pure charity and allowed the commercial spirit to influence their deliber- ations. In other words, while provision was made for the gratuitous maintenance and education of indigent children, yet as against the expense thus incurred a com- pensatory income from paying students was always figured. In view of then existing conditions this was not an improbable factor in the cost of maintaining such an institu- tion. The committee said: The committee appointed on the subject of edu- cation at the last communication of this Grand Lodge, having solicited an expression of opinion thereon from the different subordinate lodges, would state that they find various opinions entertained by different lodges in relation to it some believing that an attempt to es- tablish a Grand Lodge school at the present time would be premature, the financial condition of the Grand Lodge not justifying it; while others believe this to be the most proper time, not doubting that a school can be established that will subserve our present wants with the means at our command, if not already in our possession. In the importance of an institution of learning, conducted under the control of this Grand Lodge, all are agreed. * * * * * Your committee are of the opinion that a high school, or college, established by this Grand Lodge, would be uncalled for, and that a good academy is all that is necessary. An establishment of this kind, properly organized and conducted, would answer all the purposes desired by this Grand Lodge, and would afford ample advant- ages to an enterprising student in attaining a good English education. To arrange a correct and prudent plan for the es- tablishment and conduct of such a school, would re- quire much scholastic experience; but your committee are of opinion that a safe trial for a male school might be made with the following: Let the Grand Lodge purchase a farm situated at some point contiguous to its place of meeting, contain- ing not less than 150 nor more than 200 acres, the cost of which will be from $2,000 to $2,500, with good dwell- ings. Begin by having one large family house for the reception of family boarders. Employ a respectable man, with a family, to take charge of the entire con- cern, and act as steward. Let it be his business to di- rect the management of the farm so that it shall sus- tain the school. Begin with a plain school-house, sufficient to ac- commodate fifty scholars, which will cost from three to five hundred dollars. Employ at first a young man as a teacher, who will board in the family and take charge of the school, who can be engaged at a salary of three hundred dollars per annum, includi n g n j s board. The school to be at first devoted entirely to English studies. For commencing an establishment of this kind an outlay of $2,500 will be necessary at the beginning. The yearly expenses will be as follows : For steward and family $400 00 For teacher 300 00 For family stores 500 00 For stationery, etc 100 00 Showing an annual expenditure of 1,300 00 Against this it is fair to conclude that there may be realized as follows : Say, for hay produced on fifty acres of ground, 100 tons, which, in case the establishment is properly located, will be worth $4.00 per ton 400 00 For fruit produced on the premises. . . . 100 00 For paying students 300 00 $800 00 From which deduct expenses tor field labor, etc., one man the entire year, and another six months in the year. . 225 00 Leaving. $575 00 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Which against the annual expenses of 81,300 leaves 8725 to be raised by the Grand Lodge. Your committee are persuaded that a school es- stablished on this plan, and prudently conducted, would, in a few years, support itself. Important im- provements may be put in progress from the begin- ning, in the laying out of grounds, planting of trees, etc., for more extended operations. The committee also offered suggestions for a female school modeled on the same plan. The suggestion of Bodley Lodge was as follows ; Resolved, That in the opinion of this lodge, the Grand Lodge should, at its next annual communica- tion, divide the State into three educational districts, and divide annually among them the surplus fund on hand, and annually accruing, of said Grand Lodge, to be used in the maintenance and support of an insti- tution of learning within each district ; which said institutions of learning shall be under the control of the several lodges composing each district respect- ively, and shall be first open to the admission of the children of Masons ; and which said fund shall not be disbursed to any such district until the Masons resid- ing within the same, or the Masons in conjunction with others, shall have established and put in opera- tion such institution of learning within the same. The record does not disclose the senti- ment of Grand Lodge with respect to any of the suggestions offered. Presumably, however, they did not commend themselves to the representatives, as we find that on the second day of the session Bro. KETCHAM offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Committee on Education ap- pointed at the last annual communication be dis- charged, and a new committee appointed on the same subject, with the same instructions, and to whom all matters now in the hands of the present committee be referred. Bro. ROE offered the following amend- ment to the resolution: And that they report a plan for three schools, one to be located at the place of holding the Supreme Court of the State in each grand division, or some other more suitable places; said plan to be prepared with reference to economy and the greatest amount of usefulness, and the teaching of such elementary branches only as are necessary to an English educa- tion. Which amendment was accepted by the mover, and the resolution was adopted. Whereupon it was Ordered, That the committee referred to in the above resolution consist of Bros. KETCHAM, HOLTON, GEORGE DAVIS, ROE and HOBBS. No other or further action was taken at this session, and the matter went over until the next year. In the meantime the sub- ject continued to be discussed among the constituent lodges with many varying shades of opinion. Macomb Lodge came forward with the offer of a building and grounds, and in or- der to secure the location of the future in- stitution addressed to each lodge in the State the following circular: WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge of the State of Illi- nois did, at their last annual communication, resolve forthwith to proceed to adopt suitable measures to ob- tain from the craft, and the public, such pecuniary aid as may be requisite for the establishment and endow- ment of an institution of learning in the State of Illi- nois, for the education of destitute orphans male and female of deceased Brother Master Masons, and such others as the Grand Lodge may direct; which institu- tion is to remain forever under the control and man- agement of said Grand Lodge, and conducted upon the principles, customs and constitutions of Ancient Freemasonry; and WHEREAS, In furtherance of said object, said Grand Lodge did appoint a committee to receive do- nations in money and property, and digest and arrange a plan for the accomplishment of the object aforesaid; and WHEREAS, This lodge, being desirous to aid and assist in carrying on so desirable an object, have pur- chased the building and ground owned and heretofore occupied as "McDonough College," being four acres of land, on a high eminence adjoining the town of Macomb, on which is erected a good, substantial, two- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 893 story brick house, sixty feet in length and forty in breadth arranged in suitable rooms for college pur- poses, and originally designed to form a part of a com- modious college edifice, Macomb being an inland town is comparatively free from the vices and immoral- ities of large commercial places and river towns, which, connected with its healthy location, renders it in our humble opinion, one of the most desirable situ- ations in Illinois for such an institution. Therefore, be it Resolved, That we will donate to the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, the said land and building, on the condition that said Grand Lodge will permanently locate said institution of learning at Macomb, Illinois, to which the sons of the citizens of the county and town may be sent as pay pupils. Resolved, That should the Grand Lodge accept the aforesaid property upon the foregoing conditions, we will, without delay, proceed to repair said build- ing in a good, substantial manner, without cost or charge to the Grand Lodge. Be it further Resolved, That we earnestly request the aid, as- sistance and co-operation of all our sister lodges in the State, in obtaining the location of said institution of learning at Macomb, in pursuance to the foregoing propositions; and request that each of said lodges fully investigate the claims of this place to such location; and to take the necessary action thereon before the next annnal communication of the Grand Lodge; and we also request each of said lodges to suggest to us any plan they may deem most expedient for the ac- complishment of so great and laudable an undertak- ing as the establishment and endowment of such an institution. At the annual communication of Grand Lodge in 1849, a formal tender of the prop- erty was made by Macomb Lodge on the conditions and terms proposed in the circu- lar. At the same session a memorial was received from Franklin Lodge (Upper Al- ton), in which it was said: At the present time we think it would be unwise to devote our energies and our funds to the building up of a college within the jurisdiction and under con- trol of this Grand Lodge, for the following reasons, to wit: 1st. A very large amount of funds will be neces- sary to build up and endow a respectable college; and then a large annual expenditure will be absolutely re- quired to gather up from all parts of the State, and sustain at the institution, the indigent children of Mas- ter Masons. 2d. The Grand Lodge of Missouri has already established a college at a convenient distance, and we believe that that institution will meet all the calls fora Masonic Collegiate Education in Illinois, Iowa, Mich- igan, Wisconsin, and other Western States. 3d. Our means are, and for years to come, will be altogether inadequate to the undertaking, without assessing heavier taxes upon the craft than they are able or willing to pay. Many other reasons could be given, but we deem the foregoing sufficient for the present occasion. It may be said that the M. W. Grand Lodge does not contemplate, or wish to build up a college at pres- ent, that the attention of the brethren for the last two or three years has been more particularly directed to district schools of a high order, in preference to a col- lege. But the same objection can be made to bear with almost equal force against such institutions, as against a college; they are almost equally beyond the reach of that class which we profess to wish to educate. There is this difference in their favor: instead of one favored spot in the State, we should have two or three. We believe that a common-school education is the thing desired; and that common schools, and they only, can accomplish the object at which we aim. To us, therefore, it seems a more judicious and wise plan, for each subordinate lodge to establish com- mon schools in their own neighborhood, and to be controlled entirely by said lodge. The foregoing excerpta tend to show the variety and shades of opinion which the original resolution called out. The primary idea seems to have been that of education; the more practical part the care, nurture, maintenance and moral education of the proposed beneficiaries was in most cases wholly lost sight of; and the further fact that the institution should be a charity, was generally obscured in the calculations of revenue to be derived from paying pupils and the extension of the benefits of the school to any person disposed to avail him- self of it for a consideration. That such a measure should fail of success will occasion no surprise. We are prepared, therefore, 394 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. for the report which the committee made to this session. Bro. HOBBS presented the report of the committee as follows: The Committee on Education, approved at the last communication of this Grand Lodge, ask leave most respectfully to report that in their opinion, it is inexpedient and impolitic in an eminent degree, for the Grand Lodge of Illinois, at this time, to build, establish, endow, or support, any distinctive, any spe- cific literary institution whatever; that to do so would, in a great measure, prevent the amiable object in- tended, and cannot be otherwise than an unequal and inefficient distribution of the munificence of your most worshipful body. Your committee will yield to none in their earnest and deep solicitude to have the children of indigent and deceased brother Masons properly educated and supported; consequently, nothing but a sense of im- perative duty would impel them to report against any project intended to facilitate in the least this noble object. They beg, most respectfully, to present some few of the considerations which have induced their opinion : The fund now in the treasury of this Grand Lodge, liable to such expenditure, is utterly insuffi- cient to erect and permanently endow any respectable institution of learning; nor is it safe, or consistent with the prudence and caution taught in the precepts and principles of our order, to legislate in this matter upon the faith and dependency of any fund expected hereafter to accrue, and applicable to this use, by any legitimate action of this body. Such being the case, they are led to doubt either the justice or policy of our engaging in any enterprise which we, at this time, are unable to make absolutely independent of all future exigency, and which through our premature and in- cautious action may entail upon our successors an op- pressive and harassing burthen to be sustained by them against their better judgment, by the enaction of oppressive dues, or which will subject them to the humiliating mortification of suppressing a creation, so plausible on its exterior, and probably so laudable and excellent in the eyes of the unreflecting world. Such institutions, if established, must mainly de- pend upon Masons for their support. But little help from paying scholars without the boundaries of the Fraternity can be relied on. For prejudice will be arrayed, in all its panoply, to oppose any institution begotten and attempted to be sustained by any secret association. In the most of cases, the ordinary dues of a Ma- son, together with his usual and necessary expendi- tures for benevolent purposes, are full as much as he can bear without injury to himself or family; an in- creased demand on his pecuniary abilities, except emergencies to be remedied in no other way, will un- questionably redound to the injury of the Order. The conducting and sustaining of such schools would be the source of warm and zealous legislation in the Grand Lodge. This certainly is not to be de- nied. The peace, harmony and continuity of any deliberative and law-enacting body will be greatly secured by avoiding as much as possible complicated and exciting subjects of legislation; and though Free- masonry, from its laws and usages, is less liable than any other human institution to feuds and acrimony amongst its members, yet wisdom and prudence de- mand, even in this, that every avenue that might lead to disruption should be carefully and strongly guarded. Should the Grand Lodge determine to engage in the enterprise of establishing schools, it would be found necessary to multiply their number greatly be- yond the highest proposition, as yet made, to suit the convenience of the various parts of this jurisdiction. Otherwise a large majority of the subordinate lodges could not prudently avail themselves of the benevo- lence intended; for if one school only is established in each Supreme Judicial District, as the resolution of last session suggested, the lodges in the remote parts of the district, from a motive of economy, would be prevented from attending the school. The cost of equipping and sending scholars such a distance would be infinitely greater than the tuition would amount to in sufficiently good schools at home, at home! where the guardian care of those intimately entrusted in their welfare by the most endearing ties of friendship and of love will be thrown around them, to protect and as- sist them along the slippery and delusive paths of childhood and of youth to rear them up and estab- lish them as respectable citizens in the community, a credit to themselves and an honor to the Fraternity. It may reasonably be expected, therefore, that the lodges so distant as to render such schools unavailable to them will feel disinclined to pay extra dues to sus- tain them especially such lodges as have children to educate and protect at home. Admitting that such schools might be the wants of the Fraternity, a fear may be entertained that from a want of wise and prudent superintendents, or from some mal-administration in the management, they may become a reproach to the Order. Such things have been in apparently well established institutions, and may be apprehended in these; for the uninitiated will fix upon them a scrutinizing eye ready to censure and denounce the least deviation from the strictest conventional rule willing to catch at the minutest ac- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 395 cidental obliquity as a pretext to defame and vilify our venerable institution. The establishment of such schools, moreover, would be naturally liable to the charge of ostentatious display for effect. The building up of public monu- ments to point out to the world Masonic Charity is op- posed, in every feature, to true and unadulterated Ma- sonic principle and precept. Masonic charity is hum- ble, secret and unpretending. " It vaunteth not itself is not puffed up." It diffuses itself noiselessly throughout the world, bringing JOY to the broken- hearted, and life and hope to the disconsolate. From these and many other considerations, which will doubtless present themselves to the Grand Lodge, it would seem that by such establishments we have much to lose and but little, if any, to gain. Your committee beg leave to suggest, that instead of erecting and establishing district schools as afore- said, the subordinate lodges under this jurisdiction be recommended by this Grand Lodge to educate, in convenient schools in which the English branches are taught, all the children within proper ages, of in- digent and deceased brother Masons whose individual means are not adequate to attain the same, and who reside within their said subordinate jurisdiction. Each lodge to report under its seal, to each annual commu- nication of the Grand Lodge, the number of children so educated within a year, together with the time of their tuition ; and that the regular charity fund annu- ally received in the Grand Lodge, not otherwise neces- sarily appropriated, be distributed to the said lodges, educating children as aforesaid, in due and correct proportion the amount of each lodge to be deter- mined by the aggregate and individual time of tuition to the said children so educated during the Masonic year just then closed. The committee further recommend that our non- affiliated brethren be called upon by the several lodges in whose jurisdiction they reside, to contribute not less than one dollar annually to this interesting and lauda- ble enterprise, to be expended by the lodge so collect- ing for purposes of education. The report was received and adopted, and by resolution all moneys collected for educational purposes were ordered to be returned to the donors. Thus ended the first attempt to establish within this jurisdiction an institution "for the main- tenance and education of the destitute orphans of deceased Brother Master Ma- sons. " The project seems to have origi- nated with Bro. ABRAHAM JONAS, and does credit alike to the head and heart of that distinguished craftsman. It is not known whether Bro. KETCHAM drew the resolutions which he presented or the subsequent re- port of the first committee, but inasmuch as he was a member of the second commit- tee and signed its report, and as such re- port was diametrically opposed to that of the first committee, there is much reason to suppose that Bro. JONAS was himself the author of the resolutions as well as the re- port of the first committee. After the failure of Grand Lodge to accept the first com- mittee's report in 1848, Bro. JONAS seems to have withdrawn from the matter alto- gether. Inasmuch as the resistless logic of subsequent events has demonstrated the cor- rectness' of the position of the originators of the resolutions, as well as the fallacy of much of the argument of the second com- mittee, it seems desirable at this time that full credit should be given to whomsoever it may be due, and all of the indications point to ABRAHAM JONAS. During the fifteen years which ensued the subject of organized charity remained practically in abeyance. At the annual communication of 1865 the Grand Master, Bro. THOMAS J. TURNER, recommended to Grand Lodge ' ' that steps be taken to found and establish a school for the education of the children of deceased and indigent Ma- sons, and an asylum for aged, decrepid and decayed Masons," calling attention to the fact that while the jurisdiction embraced a membership of more than twenty thousand, comprising ' ' much of the wealth and enter- prise of the State, yet we have not one dis- tinctively Masonic charitable institution." He further maintained, and the assertion remains good to-day, that ' ' the necessities 396 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. of brother Masons, their widows and or- phans, and the honor of the craft, alike de- mand that some tangible, permanent pro- vision be made for such objects of Masonic charity." But the committee to whom the address was referred thought otherwise, and Grand Lodge concurred. Two years later, however, an interest was excited by the action of Knoxville Lodge, No. 66, which, after due considera- tion, addressed to the fraternity the follow- ing letter: To the Masonic Fraternity of Illinois, Greeting: The undersigned having been apppointed a com- mittee of Knoxville Lodge, No. 66, A. F. and A. M., to prepare an address to the several lodges in the State upon a subject that has engaged the attention of said lodge, would most respectfully and fraternally solicit your attention to the subject matter of this communi- cation, hoping it will commend itself to you, although but inadequately presented. The question, so frequently asked, whether the Masonic Fraternity is doing all that its wealth and in- fluence would naturally lead its members to expect, took form in the following resolution, adopted by our lodge, to wit: "That a committee of three be appointed by the Master to inquire whether it would be expedient for the Masonic Fraternity of Illinois to establish a col- legiate institution, having for its chief object the gra- tuitous education of orphans of Masons and children of indigent Masons, and, if in their opinion expedient, then to report a definite plan of procedure for pro- curing the necessary funds, and for putting into opera- tion such an institution." As expressing our own views, we adopt a portion of the report of the committee appointed by virtue of said resolution, as follows: "That, in the judgment of our committee, a por- tion of the revenues of the Fraternity might, with pro- priety, be set apart for the establishment of some kind of an institution wherein the class of persons named in the resolution might receive aid of a permanent character, under circumstances which would neither impose a sense of dependence nor a feeling that they were the recipients of charity under the usual ac- ceptation of that term. It seems not less the dictate of common justice than of enlightened prudence, that the large revenues of the Order should, in part at least, be so invested that the descendants of its mem- bers may receive a positive, unequivocal benefit there- from. Upon inquiry as to the best disposition of the lodge funds to secure these objects, none seem to promise a more certain accomplishment of the desired result than the establishment of a school as contem- plated by the resolution. " While a hospital or asylum for indigent and dis- abled Masons, their widows and orphans, commends itself to our sympathies and sense of justice, yet the benefits of such an institution, as applied to individ- uals, are confined mostly to the life-time of such indi- viduals, and would require for their support a renewal of appropriations annually, through all time. On the other hand, the instruction in the various departments of science and morals which would be imparted by a well conducted collegiate institution benefits not only the immediate recipient, but diffuses benefits and blessings upon every individual with whom he comes in contact, or who is reached by the emanations of his mind. They also descend through all time, in increasing volume and force. It, therefore, seems to your committee that the appropriation of funds to the establishment of such a school by the Masonic Fraternity would be such an appropriation as promises more good, both directly and indirectly, than any other. " The fraternity in Illinois embraces a vast amount of talent and wealth and consequent influence, and it is perhaps safe to say that no other association in existence enlists more fully the good will, affection, and permanent, abiding regard of its membership. It seems to your committee that this talent, wealth and influence ought to be made available in such a man- ner as would more fully than now confer the benefits of our ancient order upon the wives and children of its members. " In reference to the feasibility of the plan, the following considerations are presented: There are at least four hundred lodges in the State in active, vigor- ous operation, having an average annual revenue of not less than three hundred dollars, with an average annual expenditure not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars, leaving an annual surplus of fifty dollars, or twenty thousand dollars for the whole State. Near- ly or quite all lodges have a fund on hand averaging several hundred dollars; so that each lodge might easily appropriate from such fund, to an object which should commend itself as worthy.at least one hundred dollars, or forty thousand dollars for the whole State. This would give sixty thousand dollars in one year, a sum sufficient to erect a collegiate building costing forty thousand dollars, a boarding-house costing ten thousand dollars, and still leave ten thousand dollars for the purchase of furniture and apparatus. Having COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 397 accomplished so much, it seems safe to presume that the lodges would appropriate at least seventy-five dollars the next year, or thirty thousand dollars for the State, an amount sufficient to put the school in active operation. " A first-class school having been established it would, of course, receive the patronage of Masons generally, and of others, to such an extent that the revenues thus derived would defray a large portion of its current expenses. Hence, future appropriations by lodges and donations by brethren who might desire to connect their names with the institution by the en- dowment of professorships or otherwise, thus leaving a worthy legacy to their posterity and at the same time gratifying a commendable personal pride, could be applied to increasing the extent and usefulness of the institution, or to its endowment. " When it is remembered that the number of lodges in the State is considerably more than four hundred, and that it is probable that other bodies of Masons, as Chapters, Councils, and Commanderies, would co-operate in this work, your committee feel a good degree of assurance that their estimates and ex- pectations are not unreasonable. * * * "And, finally, the committee feel assured that the matter, if properly presented, will commend itself to the fraternity and elicit a favorable response will be the means of utilizing the funds of the fraternity more fully than at present will ultimately result in the es- tablishment of a school which will be a tangible evi- dence to the world of the beneficent influence of Masonry will provide the means of relieving a dis- tressed brother and of contributing aid to his orphans, and will be worthy the ancient order, and stand a per- petual, living monument, in which every member will feel a just pride, and in whose benefits he will feel that he is entitled, through his children, to partici- pate." In addition to the considerations thus presented, we could call the attention to the now universally ad- mitted fact that the safety of the State, the perpetuity of liberal institutions, the progress of liberty among the nations, and the enlightened vigor of the church, depend upon the moral and intellectual culture of the people. The pure and exalted teachings of Masonry meet a more ready reception and make a more abiding impression upon cultured than upon uncultured minds. These controlling interests all combine to enforce the duty of making the most liberal provisions for the education of the youth of our State and coun. try. We do not forget that the State has made large and judicious provisions for common schools, nor that the different religious denominations have established schools of higher order; but we cannot be blind to the fact that these higher schools are not sufficient in num- ber to meet the demands of the people; neither are they open to any but those who are provided with means to defray the heavy expenses necessarily attendant up- on their course of study. By the action contemplated it is proposed to provide means of instruction in branches more advanced than those taught in the common schools for the orphans of Masons who are themselves unprovided with means, and the children of worthy Ma- sons in indigent circumstances, under such restrictions as maybe found expedient and necessary, thereby en- abling them to earn master's wages, exert a master's influence, and do a master's work in the world, instead of remaining ignorant, inefficient, and incapable of doing work above the capacity of laborers in the quar- ries. The establishment and maintenance of a school as proposed, by funds contributed by the whole fra- ternity, in the benefits of which each member has a right to partake, will relieve those gratuitously edu- cated there from that feeling of dependence and deg- radation which ordinarily attends the reception of charity, however skillfully disguised. All the details of the enterprise may, very prop- erly, be left in the hands of the Grand Lodge. Brethren, if the suggestions of this paper meet your approbation, and if the subject matter commends itself as worthy and practicable, may we not hope they will receive your serious attention, and that you will make your conclusions known in such manner as may seem to you best? We would respectfully sug- gest that if your representatives to the Grand Lodge were authorized to give expression to the views of your lodge, it would be of advantage. To us it seems a matter of very great importance, fraught with possi- bilities of good almost incalculable, and a work in harmony with the spirit of Masonry, and in no wise contravening the interests of our ancient and beloved order. In behalf of Knoinlle Lodge, No. 66, we sub- scribe ourselves, respectfully and fraternally yours, A. W. MARTIN, P. H. SANFORD, SAM. L. CHARLES, Committee. It will be perceived that the old project of a college was still the paramount idea with those of the craft who were actively interesting themselves in the work. That this would fail of accomplishment was a foregone conclusion; but Knoxville Lodge, having entered the lists, continued boldly 398 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. unto the end. At the session of Grand Lodge held in 1869, Bro. MARTIN, one of the signers of the circular letter, presented the following: To the Moit Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois, A. F. & A. M.: Knoxville Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. Masons, be- lieving that the numerical and financial strength and the social influence of the Masonic Fraternity in Illi- nois, warrant the organization of a systematic plan for the relief of the widows and orphans of Master Ma- sons; and believing that plan best which will most effectively place them beyond the need of aid; and that the education of such orphans by the Fraternity would afford immediate relief to the widow, and would aid the orphan to means of self-support, offers the fol- lowing resolutions: Resolved, 1st, That this Grand Lodge recognizes the propriety of the establishment and maintenance of an Educational Institution by the Masonic Fraternity of Illinois, having for its primary object the gratuitous education of the orphans of indigent Masons. Resolved, 2d, That this Grand Lodge deems the establishment of such an institution to be in accord- ance with the spirit and teachings of Masonry, and a proper manifestation thereof. Resolved, 3d, That a committee of three be ap- pointed by the Grand Master with instructions to re- port, at the next annual session of this Grand Lodge, a definite plan for the organization of such an institu- tion, and for securing the requisite funds for its estab- lishment and endowment. Which was received and referred to a special committee consisting of A. L. KNAPP, A. W. MARTIN and LEWIS KEYON. At the session of 1870 Bro. MARTIN re- ported that by reason of the non-attendance of his colleagues nothing had been done in the premises, and requested the appoint- ment of a new committee to whom the matter should be referred. The Grand Master accordingly substituted Bros. JNO. C. BAGBY and A. T. DARRAH in lieu of Bros. KNAPP and KEYON. Bro. BAGBY, from this committee, submitted the following major- ity report: Your committee, to whom was referred the Pream- ble and Resolutions found on page 118 of the pub- lished proceedings of this Grand Lodge for 1869, would report: That they have had the matter under considera- tion, and after mature deliberation, and in view of the ample provision now made by law for the gratuitous education of all the children of this State under our common-school system, your committee feel con- strained to recommend that the further consideration of said resolution be indefinitely postponed. All of which is respectfully submitted, JOHN C. BAGBY, A. T. DARRAH. Bro. MARTIN, from the same commit- tee, dissented from the report in words as follows: "The undersigned cannot concur in the foregoing report, but does not deem it expedient to occupy the time of the Grand Lodge by presenting a minority report. A. W. MARTIN." And thus ended the second concerted effort to establish an institution "having for its primary object the gratuitous educa- tion of the orphans of indigent Masons. " It is a circumstance worthy of mention that Bro. DARRAH, one of the signers of the ad- verse majority report, not only lived to see the establishment of an Orphans' Home, but as Grand Master actually officiated at its dedication. But while Grand Lodge had for the second time declined to foster a charity of this character, the ardor of the brethren who believed this to be a legitimate func- tion of Masonic life did not abate. The project continued to be discussed and the feeling grew strong that, in the fullness of time, the long cherished hope of asylums for the indigent orphan and aged craftsman would become a reality in Illinois. It was not until the annual communica- tion of 1874 that the subject was again pre- sented to Grand Lodge, when Bro. W. H. SCOTT offered the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted: COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 399 WHEREAS, Kentucky has established a Masonic Widows and Orphans' Home, which is working ad- mirably; we, the Masons of Illinois, conceive it to be a duty we owe to our deceased brethren to make pro- vision for their orphan children, and for the purpose of systematizing our charities, recommend the organi- zation of a similar Home at some suitable place in the State; therefore, Be it Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Illinois take such steps as in her wisdom she may think best for the establishment of a Masonic Widows and Or- phans' Home, and to this end would request that a committee of five be appointed to inquire into the same, and report at our next Annual Communication. It will be perceived that the general tenor of the foregoing resolution differed materially from the prior resolutions on this subject. Nothing is said about educa- tion; and the primary object is not a school or educational institution, but a home, an asylum for the care, nurture and mainte- nance of the orphan, with the matter of edu- cation simply incidental to the general plan. The committee appointed in pursuance of the resolutions consisted of W. H. SCOTT, SAMUEL SHANNON, D. J. AVERY, JOHN WOODS and ROWLEY PAGE. For some reason Bro. SHANNON did not serve, but at the annual communication in 1875 the remaing members of the committee submitted the following report, the consid- eration of which was made the special or- der for eleven o'clock on the day following: Your committee appointed at the last annual com- munication, charged with the important duty of in- quiring into the expediency of the establishing of a " Masonic Widows and Orphans' Home," at some suitable place within this Grand Jurisdiction, as con- templated in the resolution adopted at your last Grand Communication, and set forth on page 77, Grand Lodge proceedings, have the honor to report that, in obedience to the instructions of the resolutions re- ferred to, we have given the subject due consideration, and herewith submit to you the following report : Your committee are of the opinion that the "Or- phans' Home," of Kentucky, under the supervision of the Grand Lodge of that State, is working admira- bly. The Grand Master of that State talks eloquently and confidently of the " Widows and Orphans' Home and Infirmary," whose permanent success he recognizes as fixed; and to place it beyond doubt the Grand Lodge generously bestowed upon it a large sum to make it a beacon light to the craft of other States. Your committee therefore considers the enterprise both practicable and laudable, and every way worthy to engage the hands and hearts, and to elicit the pray- ers and sympathies of not only every Mason, but every lover of humanity, as we know it will of the ladies, if established upon a proper basis. Under this head, your committee beg leave to state that the matter of raising funds was canvassed, and a member of your committee presented the claims of the contemplated Home to Metropolis Lodge, No. 91, which responded nobly by appointing the necessary committees, com- posed of men of warm, philanthropic hearts., who en- tered upon their duties with energy and perseverance, and, as a result of their labors of love, at a Masonic fair held in their lodge room, they netted five hundred and thirty-five dollars, and now hold it subject to the order of the Grand Lodge or its proper committee on "Orphans' Home." Your committee have likewise had under consid- eration the character and utility of said Home. We have arrived at the conclusion that its legitimate ob- ject is the systematizing of our charities, and making proper provision for the training of the orphan chil- dren of our deceased brethren to a knowledge of virtue and happiness, as well as to habits of industry and economy. Your committee are apprised of the fact that thousands of dollars are annually contributed by benevolent individuals for the immediate relief of the suffering poor; and, under existing circumstances, it is the best that can be done to mitigate the suffer- ings and soothe the sorrows of the distressed; but was the sum thus distributed systematically applied, under a system of salutary rules and laws, how much more efficient and extensive would be the relief afforded and the good accomplished. Let us exemplify our meaning by supposing that fifty dollars is given to a poor family to purchase fuel, clothing and the necessaries of life for the winter. When spring arrives the family are not only as desti- tute of means as at the commencement of winter, but no intellectual or moral instructions have been given to the children no new stimulus to exertion or habits of industry have been inculcated. Let the children of the same family be placed in a suitable home, under the control of competent teachers, and governed by wholesome laws, and the fifty dollars will go far to 400 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. support the children, and what is of more consequence, they are so instructed that, at an early age, habits of industry will be acquired, self-respect and commend- able pride will be engendered, and not only will they be able to maintain themselves, and if need be, con- tribute to the comfort of an aged mother, but they be- come lifted up from degradation to a fair respect- ability, and form, ever after, useful members of society. There is strength and influence in concert of action and unity of purpose. What must after ages think of us, with our unpre- cedented growth our present wealth and boundless in- fluenceliving at such a time and in a country with such boasted freedom and inimitable laws, with all her rapid march in the knowledge of sciences and the principles of virtue and morality, with all her vast do- main, we say, with all our boundless resources what must future and enlightened ages say of us, as Ma- sons, if we fail to make a proper provision for the or- phans of our deceased brethren? Your committee are profoundly of opinion that in order to carry out this beneficent and laudable object, it will require unity of feeling and concert of action upon the part of all good and true men united for the ac- complishment of a common object. It is eminently true that whatever in the world's history has been the object to be gained, if the mission on which they have set forth ever was accomplished, it was simply because the men laboring for its completion have labored, as in the building of King Solomon's Temple, in harmony together. For the purpose, therefore, of establishing this worthy system of organized charity in this Grand Ju- risdiction, your committee would recommend for the consideration and adoption of this Grand Lodge the following: Resolved, That the proposed Widows and Or- phans' Home be established, owned, governed and controlled by the M. W. Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois. Resulted, That a committee of five be appointed to present the claims of the Home to the brethren throughout the State, urging Lodges and individual members to make liberal contributions for its estab- lishment and maintenance; said committee to keep a full and complete record of amounts donated, and the names of donors; all moneys to be forwarded to the Grand Secretary as fast as collected to be by him placed in the Treasury of the M. W. Grand Lodge as a Charity and Educational Fund, to be expended only for the objects for which they were contributed. Resolved, That the committebe empowered to call for, receive and consider propositions for the location of the Home; would further recommend that after pro- positions for the location of said Home shall have been received by the committee, the Grand Master be authorized in his discretion to direct said committee to visit such locations, as in his judgment may be advis- able, to examine with reference to location, and to draw upon said Charity and Educational Fund to pay the necessary expenses incurred by said committe in so doing. Resolved, That they be further empowered to re- ceive plans, specifications and estimates for the neces- sary buildings; and that all of their acts and doings be reported to this Grand Lodge at its next annual com- munication, together with such recommendations as said committee may deem advisable. Finally, Your committee would recommend, in order to bring this important charity home to the brethren, that a competent brother in each district be appointed by the Grand Master, whose duty it shall be to co-operate with the committee in presenting the claims of said Home to the lodges of their respective districts, urging their co-operation and liberal support; and that they report the result of their labors to the chairman of said committee, on or before the first of September next. The next day, the hour for the special order having arrived, Bro. SCOTT called up the report of the committee, whereupon M. W. Bro. CREGIER moved that the fur- ther consideration of the report be post- poned until the next annual communication, and that the report be printed in the pro- ceedings, in order that subordinate lodges might have time to consider the matter and properly instruct their delegates. Bro. CREGIER'S motion prevailed, and the matter was laid over. As to how far the subject was inquired into by the constituent lodges the writer has no knowledge; yet it would seem that considerable opposition was developed from the fact that the establishment of the in- stitution involved a capitation tax for its maintenance. Indeed, this, so far as can be now ascertained, was the material factor in the rejection of every plan for an organ- ized charity that had been presented to Grand Lodge. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 401 At the session of 1876 the sentiment seemed unfavorable. The Grand Master (Bro. ROBBINS), in his annual address, ad- vised against it and the committee to whom same was referred endorsed the Grand Master's disapproval. It is but just to these brethren to say, however, that while the project itself was not favorably consid- ered by them, their opposition was mainly directed to the fact of its institution under the auspices of Grand Lodge, and in this particular the writer is inclined to agree with them. While in other States similar institutions under Grand Lodge manage- ment may be successful, this, in itself, is no criterion upon which to predicate results in Illinois; and the experience of the institu- tions of this State now conducted under private management is sufficiently gratify- ing to warrant the conclusion that an as- sumption of their government by Grand Lodge would not materially improve their condition. For some reason, possibly for that just indicated, Bro. SCOTT did not press the question at this session, but instead offered a substitute for the report of the committee the year preceding, and moved that it be laid over for one year, and be published in the proceedings. Bro. L. L. MUNN moved to amend by referring it to the subordinate lodges; that the lodges be instructed to act upon it at their stated meetings in December, and re- port their action to the Grand Secretary. The amendment prevailed, and it was so ordered. The following is the substitute: Be it Resolved by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, A. F. & A. M., in. Arin.mil Communication Assembled: 1st. That we regard the establishment and main- tenance of a home for worthy indigent Master Masons 24 and for the widows and orphans of M.isons as a high privilege and a sacred duty; and th.it we hereby pledge the hearty sympathy and the substantial aid of the Grand Lodge and its constituent lodges, to found and support an enterprise so commendable, so fully in accord with the spirit of Freemasonry, and so essen- tially a tangible exemplification of CHARITY, the chief corner-stone of our institution. 2d. That said HOME shall be under the manage- ment of a Board of Trustees, consisting of eleven Master Masons, members of constituent lodges, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Illinois five of whom shall be ex offieio, viz.: The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden, Junior Grand Warden and Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge during their term of office, and the remaining six members of said Board to be elected by the Grand Lodge at this annual communication. The said six members of said Board of Trustees shall, as soon as practicable after their election, divide themselves by lot into three classes of two each; one class to hold office one year, another two years, and the other three years; and there shall be elected by the Grand Lodge, annually, subsequent to the first election, two mem- bers of said Board to hold office three years; but neither of the ex-officio members of said Board of Trustees shall be eligible to any office in said Board. 3d. That the Grand Lodge hereby appropriates the sum of five thousand dollars to said Home, to be paid to the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, upon the organization of such body as herein provided. 4th. That the Grand Lodge, pursuant to its Con- stitution, hereby levies additional dues on the con- stituent lodges of three dollars for each initiation, and twenty-five cents per annum for each member of said constituent lodges, as a building fund, and for the maintenance of said Home said moneys to be remit- ted to the Grand Secretary with the annual returns of each lodge, and to be paid over by the Grand Secre- tary to the Treasurer of said Board on or before the first day of November of each year, and any neglect or failure on the part of any lodge to pay over to the Grand Secretary the moneys as herein required, shall subject such delinquent lodge to the same penalty as is prescribed in Grand Lodge By-Laws for a failure to pay annual dues. 5th. That said Board of Trustees shall be gov- erned by a code of by-laws, and shall make such rules and regulations as they may deem proper, sub- ject, however, to the approval and direction of the Grand Lodge in regular Grand Communication. 6th. That said Board of Trustees shall make a full, detailed report of all their doings at each annual communication of the Grand Lodge, and that no site 402 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS: shall be selected, plans adopted, nor money expended, except by concurrent vote of a majority of all the Trustees; but for the transaction of general business a majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. 7th. That the Board of Trustees shall have power to solicit and receive donations and contribu- tions for the Home, and all contributions or donations of five hundred dollars or over from any person shall entitle the donor to an Honorary Membership in the Board of Trustees, and a suitable certificate thereof, with the privilege of meeting with the Board and par- ticipating in debate upon any questions, but shall not entitle such donor to vote upon any question before the Board. 8th. That in case of death, removal or other dis- ability, Masonic or otherwise, of a member of the Board, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Grand Master such appointee to serve until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge, when the unex- pired term shall be filled by election. A failure on the part of any Trustee, who had been duly notified, to attend two consecutive meetings of the Board of Trustees, regularly called unless de- tained by sickness or other unavoidable cause, shall be sufficient ground for his removal by the Grand Master. 9th. That the proper Masonic authorities shall, at all times, when called upon by the Board of Trustees, enforce the law made for the objects herein provided, and shall otherwise aid in carrying out the instructions of the Grand Lodge, which may from time to time be made for the Home. 10th. That the site for the Home for the purpose herein referred to, shall be a farm of not less than eighty (80) nor more than one hundred and sixty (160) acres of land; the title to which shall be vested in the Grand Lodge of Illinois, A. F. & A. M. llth. That the Trusteesare hereby instructed not to make any contracts, or make any expenditure of money, beyond that necessary for a proper organiza- tion of the Board until they shall have in their treas- ury at least twenty thousand dollars. 12th. That in selecting a site for the Home, re- gard shall be had to healthfulness and accessibility, in preference to the amount that any city or village will donate for its location, and that no bid for the site of the Home shall be considered from any city or town which shall not previously have been designated by the Board of Trustees as a suitable part of the State for the Home. 13th. That the Board of Trustees shall be entitled to the payment of traveling or other necessary ex- penses, while in the actual discharge of duties con- nected with, or in behalf of the Home when directed to these duties by the Board but shall not be entitled to, or be paid any per diem, or any other salary what- soever: Provided, that the duly elected Secretary of the Board of Trustees may be paid for his services such an amount as may be fixed by the Board. The Treasurer and Secretary of the Board shall give bonds for such sums as the Trustees may determine upon. The committee, as will be seen, had ex- panded the original plan of an orphan asy- lum by uniting to it a measure for the re- lief of "worthy indigent Master Masons." Aside from the statements published in the proceedings the question was not speci- fically submitted to the constituent lodges, although it seems the Grand Secretary called attention to it in his quarterly circu- lar of December i , of that year. The re- sult was that only a fraction of the lodges took any action with respect to same. There was, at this time, 693 chartered lodges, of which number only 162 voted upon the project. Of this number 46 voted in favor of the proposition and 116 voted against it. Inasmuch as a majority of the lodges voting decided adversely to the measure it was deemed lost. The Grand Master (Bro. ROBBINS), in his address be- fore Grand Lodge in 1877, noted this dis- posal of the question "with satisfaction" and expressed the opinion that the embark- ation in such enterprises by Grand Lodges is ' ' not only a departure from their legiti- mate functions, but is offering a premium for future discord and perplexity." The ex- perience of those jurisdictions which have as- sumed these fraternal offices of benevolence and philanthropy do not bear out the rather pessimistic views of the Grand Master, but the Committee on Address gave them their "hearty concurrence" and emphatically disapproved ' ' the propriety of the Grand Lodge undertaking to build and maintain a LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 405 Home for the Widows and Orphans of De- ceased Masons, or any similar enterprise," and Grand Lodge concurred in the report. This closed the question in Grand Lodge and it has never since been re- opened. The "Orphans' Home " and the "Home for the Aged " have to some extent been realized, but on lines external to that body. ILLINOIS MASONIC ORPHANS' HOME. TO the numerous visits of Illinois Masons to Louisville, Kentucky, and the op- portunities there afforded for the inspection of the great charity which the Masons of that jurisdiction have established, may probably be attributed the movement which resulted in the founding of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home. The pilgrims re- turning from Kentucky brought back glow- ing accounts of what had been accomplished in that State, and this soon begot a spirit of generous emulation. The friends of the movement endeavored to procure the active interest and co-operation of Grand Lodge, but without success; and therefore, not- withstanding the favor with which the proj- ect was regarded, nothing was produced in the way of tangible results. Seeing this, several brethren residing at Chicago resolved to afford a nucleus around which the sentiment might gather, and to that end, rather than again attempt the uncertainty of an appeal to Grand Lodge, they procured from the State a charter of incorporation. Their action was imme- diately and heartily endorsed by the craft at Chicago, and a meeting for ratifica- tion and confirmation was called for April 17, 1885, at the armory of Apollo Commandery, No. I, K. T. The night was stormy and inclement, yet the large armory hall was filled with a most har- monious and enthusiastic assemblage of prominent and representative Masons from different parts of the State. A large num- ber of letters, many containing remittances, were received from those whom distance, health or business engagements prevented from being present, and all contained the warmest wishes for the success of the un- dertaking and assurances of the writers' hearty co-operation. At this meeting the action of the incor- porators was unqualifiedly endorsed, and all present pledged themselves to aid and encourage the enterprise; subscription lists were opened; membership rolls com- menced; and plans for the future prosecu- tion of the work announced. A genuine Masonic "revival" seemed to be in prog- ress, and one good brother, overcome by the spontaneous bursts of feeling he had witnessed, proposed, on adjourning, to close with the Doxology, a proposition that all concurred in, and it is safe to say that grand old tune never was sung with more fervent spirit or hearty good-will than on that occa- sion. On April 20, 1885, a formal organization meeting was held at the parlors of St. Bern- ard Commandery, No. 35, K. T., at which a code of by-laws was adopted, and the organ- 406 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ization completed by the election of the fol- lowing OFFICERS: GEORGE M. MOULTON President. HENRY TURNER Vice-President. GIL. W. BARNARD Secretary. WILEY M. EAGAN Treasurer. GEORGE W. WARVELLE .... Counsel. TRUSTEES. HENSON ROBINSON, S. T. GUNDERSON, CHAS. A. MOSES, GEO. W. WARVELLE, D. H. McDANELD, JNO. J. BADENOCH, HERSCHELW. DRYER, GORHAM B. COFFIN, GEO. M. MOULTON, JNO. A. CRAWFORD, THOS. E. MILLER, HENRY TURNER. BOARD OF VISITATION. NORMAN T. CASSETTE, WALTER A. STEVENS, P. W. BARCLAY, LOYAL L. MUNN, JAS. G. ELWOOD, W. W. MILLIGAN. The objects and purposes of this Associa- tion cannot be better set forth than in the words of the articles of organization: "To provide and maintain, at or near the city of Chicago, a Home for the nurture, and in- tellectual, moral and physical culture of in- digent children of deceased Freemasons of the State of Illinois; and a temporary shelter and asylum for sick or indigent widows of such deceased Freemasons. " To encompass this most praiseworthy end is the only ob- ject of this Association, and towards the accomplishment of same all its efforts have been directed. ORGANIZATION. The Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home is duly organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, and is a body corporate, with all its attendant rights, pow- ers and privileges. It has power to make and enforce contracts in relation to its legiti- mate business, and is capable of taking, purchasing and holding real and personal estate for the purposes of its organization, and of making laws and rules for its own government. GOVERNMENT. By the articles of organization the man- agement of the affairs of the Association is vested in a Board of twelve Trustees, but these Trustees act only as the business agents of the Association. The primary control of all funds and property remains with the members. The Trustees, while they are granted a wide discretion, without which they would be seriously hampered in the prosecution of their work, are still strictly amenable to the Association for all official acts, and a carefully devised system of official reports has been sufficient to keep the Association fully apprised of all their actions. An advisory board, called the "Committee of Visitation," still further serves as a check upon all the agents and officers of the Association, preventing abuses upon the part of any of the executive offi- cers or derelictions by the Trustees. GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. The first and most pressing want of the Association was a suitable building for the purposes of the institution. This was at length supplied by the purchase of an old mansion situated at the intersection of Shel- don street and Carroll avenue, in what had once been the ultra-fashionable quarter oi the West Division of the city of Chicago. The place was known as the ' ' Hayes Man- sion," having been built by the late S. S. HAYES. It is one of the largest buildings in the city erected for the purpose of a pri- vate residence and in many respects was COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 407 admirably adapted for the uses of an orphan- age. The large and handsome building is surrounded by ample grounds, the premises having a frontage of 203 feet on Carroll avenue, with a depth of 165 feet on Sheldon street. Through a variety of circumstances the Trustees were so fortunate as to secure this valuable property for the comparatively low Original Building the Masonic Orphans' Home, situated on the northwest corner of Carroll Avenue and Sheldon Street, Chicago. (Repro- duced through the courtesy of the, Wm. Johnston Printing Co., Chicago.) these conditions were met. A loan was negotiated to realize so much of the re- quired amount as was lacking; the purchase money was paid; the repairs made; the ' house furnished; and at the regular annual communication of Grand Lodge held in the year 1887 the building was duly consecrated to the work of benevolence, philanthrophy and charity. BENEFICIARIES. During the fraction of the year of its opening one beneficiary was admitted. The year following five or six more were received, and so during each suc- ceeding year the number has constantly been aug- mented until at the time of the twelfth annual re- port of the Trustees (De- cember 31, 1896), there were sixty-four inmates. During the years of its ex- istence many of the chil- dren have grown to ma- turity and sought other homes. The writer has no data from which to make accurate state- ments, but, from his gen- eral knowledge of the in- stitution for the past ten years, it is safe to say sum of fifteen thousand dollars. At the time of the purchase the house had been for a long time untenanted, and as a conse- quence had greatly deteriorated. It was found, therefore, that five thousand dollars would be required for needed repairs, while the modest furnishing necessitated a further outlay of two thousand dollars. But all of that as many children have been received, cared for and discharged as are now shel- tered within its walls. In some instances the children have been withdrawn by relatives, but a large number, after receiving a good common-school education, have gone into the world to engage in life's battles for themselves. In every instance the subse- 408 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. quent reports of their careers which have reached the Trustees are of the most grati- fying character, and should be a source of just pride to every Mason in Illinois who has in any way contributed toward the erection and maintenance of this most noble charity. MAINTENANCE. The Home is supported wholly by the voluntary offerings of the Craft. Thus far it has never suffered, and the Trustees are firm in their conviction that it never will. The main sources of income are from the annual charity ball of the Knights Temp- lars of Cook county and the annual picnic of the associated Masonic Lodges of Cook county. The Grand Chapter has been a regular and generous donor; the Grand Commandery has also contributed on several occasions, and but lately the Grand Lodge contributed the munificent sum of five thousand dollars to assist in the erection of the new building. About two hundred individuals contrib- uted one dollar a year as ' ' active members, " and about one-half of that number have made contributions of fifty dollars, which confers upon them the privileges of life member- ship. From the lodges throughout the State come a series of small annual contri- butions. It is a curious fact in this connec- tion, however, that some "of the lodges contribute money while others contribute orphans only. It seems almost incredi- ble that a Masonic lodge should seek to avoid the responsibility of directly caring for its deceased members' orphan children without at least offering to contribute some- thing toward their support. The books of this institution show, however, that there are lodges in Illinois who have sent as many as three children to the Home, in one case without even a change of raiment, that have never contributed one dollar toward the sup- port of the institution, nor have any of their members. On the other hand there are a number of lodges whose contributions have ever been large and generous, and who, thus far, have sent no beneficiaries. Thus the "equilibrium" is maintained! With increased experience and better methods resulting therefrom, the cost of maintenance of the inmates has steadily decreased until at the present time the aver- age annual cost of maintaining each child is seventy-one dollars and sixty-nine cents. This includes an abundance of good and wholesome food, clothing, education, and medical attendance in case of sickness. NEW BUILDING. The house became too small for the family several years ago, and finally, in 1894, the Trustees were compelled to fur- nish greater accommodations. This was accomplished by the erection of a new building on the Sheldon street front of the lot. The total cost of this building was twenty thousand dollars, while three thousand dollars more was required for the furnisli- ings. At the same time an expenditure of two thousand dollars was made upon the old building. For this entire sum the Home is indebted to the generosity of the craft. It came freely in answer to the appeal, and the needed improvements were all made without incurring a dollar of mort- gage debt. The new building will furnish ample accommodation for the present family, and is sufficient to meet all the de- mands for many years to come. It is con- structed in the most thorough manner, with a due regard to health and sanitary con- ditions, and, while admirably serving the ILLINOIS MASONIC ORPHANS HOME, CHICAGO, ILL. Showing the new building. (Reproduced through the courtesy of the Win. Johnston Printing Company, Chicago.) LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY JN ILLINOIS. 411 immediate purpose for which it was built, can be used to advantage for manufacturing purposes should the neighborhood, as now seems likely, eventually be devoted to those uses. A conservative estimate of the value of the property places it at seventy-five thou- sand dollars. It is now in excellent con- dition and repair, and the institution is not one cent in debt. Certainly a good show- ing for twelve years of labor and a standing answer to all the objections that for so many years were wont to be urged. OFFICIALS. In 1889 Bro. GEO. M. MOULTON re- signed the Presidency and was succeeded by Bro. JOHN J. BADENOCH, who, by successive re-elections, has continued to discharge the duties of the office since that time. Under Bro. BADENOCH'S careful administration the institution has made substantial prog- ress and attained its present position. The first Superintendent was Bro. E. N. EDWARDS, but after a year of service Bro. EDWARDS gave way to Bro. and Mrs. JOHN G. STEBBINS as Superintendent and Matron respectively. In the capacity of Matron Mrs. STEBBINS has proved a most capable official, and as home is no home "without a mother" much of the success which has attended the practical working of the insti- tution is justly attributable to her well- directed efforts. The first Secretary was Bro. GIL. W. BARNARD, who was succeeded by Bro. O. W. BARRETT, and he by Bro. C. S. GUR- NEY, the present efficient incumbent. At the organization Bro. WILEY M. EGAN be- came Treasurer, a position he continued to occupy until within a few years, when fail- ing health compelled a retirement. He was succeeded by Bro. JOHN C. SMITH, the present Treasurer. Of the original promoters and Trustees, the following have been continuously and are now upon the official board, viz. : GEO. M. MOULTON, JOHN J. BADENOCH, THOMAS E. MILLER, GORHAM B. COFFIN and GEO. W. WARVELLE. At the present time the following, in addition to those just mentioned, constitute the Board of Trus- tees, viz. : WM. H. GRAY, Louis W. FRAMHEIN, ALBERT M. EDDY, JOHN WOOD- MAN, LUDWIG WOLFF, HENRY McCALL, and WILLIAM JOHNSTON. Bro. E. C. SWEET is, and for many years past has been, the regular house phy- sician. 412 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ILLINOIS MASONIC HOME FOR THE AGED. AT the twenty-fifth annual communica- tion of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, held at Springfield, October 3, 1865, M. W. THOMAS J. TURNER, then the Grand Master, recommended that steps be taken to found an asylum for aged, decrepit and decayed Masons, pointing out that notwithstanding there were upwards of twenty thousand affil- iated Masons within the jurisdiction, em- bracing much of the wealth and enterprise of the State, yet there was not one distinct- ively Masonic charitable institution. The suggestion did not meet with favor and the project was dropped, and it was not until thirty years had elapsed and the craft had increased to upwards of fifty thousand that the subject again became an engrossing topic. At a banquet given by Oriental Consis- tory, of Chicago, in November, 1896, while the brethren, some five hundred in number, were discussing their after-dinner cigars, the subject was presented by the Commander-in- Chief and urged upon the thoughtful consid- eration of those present, not as an abstract measure of philanthropic effort merely but as a pressing necessity from actual condi- tions then existing. The response was unan- imous and enthusiastic. It was then re- solved that thereafter, whatever may have been the circumstances attending loss of property or means of livelihood, no Free- mason in the jurisdiction of Illinois should be compelled to end his days as a public charge in the common poor-house or fill a pauper's grave in the potter's field. A com- mittee was selected to perfect an organiza- tion to carry out the sentiments of the gath- ering and fifteen hundred dollars was sub- scribed as the nucleus of a fund in further- ance of the enterprise. The committee met and deliberated, and as a result an incorporation was pro- cured for an association, to be styled "Illinois Masonic Home for the Aged," which should have for its object the estab- lishment of an asylum for aged and indigent Freemasons and their dependent relatives wives, and, in proper cases, widows. An appeal has been made to the craft with gratifying results, and from present indications this new charity will be as suc- cessful as its worthy predecessor, the Orphans' Home. And so, after many years, Bro. TURNER'S recommendation has been acted upon; the "aged, decrepit and decayed Mason " will find a fraternal shel- ter, and no longer can it be said that the Masons, with all their ' ' wealth and enter- prise," have "not one distinctly Masonic charitable institution." As in the case of the Orphans' Home, this last charity rests on a private founda- tion; and, in view of the reluctance which the Grand Lodge has ever evinced in lend- ing its sanction to enterprises of this char- acter, it is perhaps better that it should be so. But as the great heart of the craft has always beat responsive to every effort of this kind, there is no reason to doubt that COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 418 the institution will be well supported by voluntary gifts and contributions. The organization of this charity has been effected upon broad and catholic lines. It is governed by a board of twenty-four trustees, of which number six are ex officio, being the presiding officers of the principal governing bodies of Freemasonry and its concordant Orders. Eighteen are elected by the members at the annual meetings. Efforts will be made to secure a competent endowment by the creation of a permanent fund, the income only of which will be used for the ordinary purposes of the insti- tution. The location has not at this writ- ing been determined upon, but the Trustees desire to secure some salubrious spot where sufficient land can be had to furnish partial sustenance as well as a healthy employment for the beneficiaries. Of necessity, there- fore, it can not be well located in a city. The present organization is as follows: President, GEO. W. WARVELLE; Vice- Presidents, AMOS PETTIBONE, WILLIAM L. MILLIGAN; Treasurer, LEROY A. GODDARD; Secretary, FRANLIN HULBURD. Board of Trustees: Ex officio OWEN SCOTT, M. W. G. M. ; EDWARD COOK, R. W. D. G. M. ; F. C. WINSLOW, M. E. G. H. P. ; E. C. PACE, R. E. G. C. ; GEO. M. GROSS, M. I. G. M. ; JOHN C. SMITH, 111. C. in C. Elective Term expires February, 1898: R. D. LAWRENCE, ADAM ORTSEI- FEN, J. B. McFATRICH, C. R. MATSON, JOHN H. WITBECK, JAMES R. HAWLEY. Term expires February, 1899: JULIUS R. KLINE, E. L. STOKER, A. M. THOMSON, HENRY BAKER, P. W. BARCLAY, R. M. JOHNSON. Term expires February, 1900: AMOS PET- TIBONE, GIL. W. BARNARD, THOS. E. MIL- LER, S. O. SPRING, WM. L. MILLIGAN, GEO. W. WARVELLE. The project has received the endorse- ment of a large number of the craft, and a substantial sum has already been accumu- lated as the nucleus of the permanent fund. There is no question as to its final realiza- tion. ft vM \u MASONIC LITERATURE. INTRODUCTION. I NCREDIBLE as it may at first appear, 1 yet there are few subjects which have produced so vast a literature as Freemasonry. The writings are of all classes, but the larger portion have been devoted to exposi- tions of history, philosophy, symbolism, jurisprudence, and liturgical matters. Po- lemics and controversial writings, both by Masons, anti-Masons and the indifferent profane, cover a large field; while poetry and the belles-lettres have not been alto- gether neglected. To this great mass the Masons of Illinois have made some notable contributions. While the jurisdiction has produced no great authors it has developed a number of vigorous and trenchant writers whose productions have been received with the greatest respect by the Masonic world. The majority of these men are best known through their annual contributions to the Masonic bodies in what are known as the correspondence reports, though many have attained an enviable fame through the col- umns of the Masonic press. Among the earlier writers may be found WILLIAM ROUNSEVILLE, a man of wide and varied learning and whose contributions to the Masonic Trowel were among the feat- ures of that journal. H. P. H. BROMWELL was another who deserves honorable men- tion. Specimens of his best work may be found in his orations preserved in the pro- ceedings of Grand Lodge and in the col- umns of many Masonic periodicals. HAR- MAN G. REYNOLDS, who for many years published the Trowel, while not a learned man or a polished writer, was yet able to secure a larger indorsement for his views than any man whom the jurisdiction has yet produced. Of more recent writers the palm will probably be awarded to JOSEPH ROBBINS, who has succeeded in securing for his views and opinions a respectful consideration in all parts of the world. But while Bro. ROBBINS is widely known as a vigorous polemical writer, he is equally at home in the history and jurisprudence of Masonry, and on rare occasions has even been known to cultivate the muses. The late T. T. GURNEY'S writings are perhaps as good as any that have appeared in the line of Ma- sonic criticism and polemics. JOHN W. BROWN, editor of the Voice of Masonry, has for a number of years been distinguished as a Masonic writer of ability. During late years JOHN C. SMITH has made many con- tributions to our literature, and by reason of his wide acquaintance in this and other lands is undoubtedly in touch with a larger and wider range of readers than any other Illinois writer. WILLIAM E. GINTHER has COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 415 made a profound study of Masonic symbol- ism, resulting in a series of remarkable ar- ticles in the Masonic periodical press. In the ranks of the "correspondence " writers JOHN M. PEARSON has made a decided mark, and the same was equally true of the late LEVI R. JEROME. As a general "all-round " writer and authority upon all Masonic sub- jects few men are better known than GIL- BERT W. BARNARD; while OWEN SCOTT, DANIEL J. AVERY, GEO. M. MOULTON, L. L. MUNN, HENRY G. PERRY, BENN P. REY- NOLDS and NORMAN T. CASSETTE have all furnished evidence of their ability to wield the pen. In the future we may look for excellence in DELMER D. DARRAH, editor of the Illi- nois Freemason, THOMAS I. BALLENTINE, and others, who have only lately turned their attention toward the Masonic field. It is not intended that the foregoing should be a list of the Masonic literati of Illinois. It simply comprises names which suggest themselves to the rnind of the editor at the moment of writing. There are others equally able, and the foregoing specific men- tion is not in disparagement of those others whose names at this writing have escaped the editor's mental grasp. But while Illinois has been fairly prolific in writers, it has furnished but little of a permanent nature to the literature of the craft. The profound and scholarly pro- ductions of the correspondence reporters are read by only a few, and the reports, after a cursory perusal, are thrown aside as of no further use. Nor do the columns of the press serve much better to perpetuate the thoughts of the writers. The ephemeral pamphlet, in which form many of our best writers have presented their views, is soon lost and its contents forgotten; and so, if our writers are to secure and maintain liter- ary prestige some more substantial form must be adopted. It would seem that the large sums annually expended in this juris- diction for correspondence reports might be more profitably employed than at present, and that the positive waste of mental effort which these productions entail might be turned to some practical advantage in the enlightment and education of the craft. Although designed primarily for the promo- tion and diffusion of Masonic knowledge, it is generally conceded that they do not effect the purpose, and when the purpose fails it is difficult to perceive any very sub- stantial reason for the continuance of the practice. 416 COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. THE past twenty-five years has witnessed a high degree of intellectual activity in the Masonic world, one of the marked features of which has been the formation of libraries devoted exclusively to Freema- sonry and cognate subjects. No insignifi- cant part of these collections is composed of the printed transactions of Masonic bodies and replica of important documents. Dur- ing the early years of governmental organ- ization these matters were regarded as of temporary interest only, and so lightly do they seem to have been esteemed that in many instances they were voluntarily de- stroyed as soon as they had accomplished the temporary purposes for which they were issued. As a result of this wanton destruc- tion the historian of to-day frequently finds himself bereft of the necessary material from which to collate facts or present con- clusions, and the student is compelled to resort to conjecture and surmise in pursuing his investigations in the field of Masonic sociology. For the benefit of those who may be engaged in Masonic bibliographic work, or who may desire to pursue in de- tail the study of Illinois Masonic history, the following brief compilation is presented in the hope that it may furnish a substan- tial aid in showing what is and what is not available. I. ORIGINALS. The premier Grand Lodge was organ- ized provisionally December 9, 1822. The transactions of the convention were not printed. The first annual communication was held December, 1823. If the proceedings were printed that fact is not known to the writer, but inasmuch as the records were very soon thereafter destroyed by a fire which consumed the State House wherein they were kept, it is fair to presume that no record of any kind has been preserved. The second annual communication was held December 6, 1824. The proceedings were printed. No session was held in 1825. A special communication was held Janu- ary 3, 1826, and the annual in December of the same year. The proceedings were printed. It is quite certain that a meeting of some kind was held in 1827, and it is thought the record of same was printed, but no copy thereof is known to be in existence. Of the manuscript records not the slight- est vestige remains. Of the known printed transactions not a single copy can be found within the State, and only two or three copies of isolated years are preserved in the libraries of foreign jurisdictions. The ex- tinction is almost complete. The Grand Lodge can render no more valuable service to posterity than by causing a complete compilation to be made of all existing docu- mentary evidence relating to the early lodges and the premier Grand Lodge. The present Grand Lodge was organized COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 417 April 28, 1840. It has met regularly ever since and its transactions have been printed every year with but one exception. The record of the annual communication of 1 849 was destroyed by fire before publication. This record was restored, as far as practica- ble, at a special communication held for that purpose in April, 1850. Hence, there are two pamphlets for 1850 and none for 1849. The original proceedings from 1 840 to 1860 are now very rare, and command high prices whenever found in the market. As an evidence of their scarcity it may be stated that even Grand Lodge does not possess a full set, the missing volumes being supplied by "type-written" copies. The early edi- tions were always small, 350 copies being about the maximum number, and after the usual distributions had been made very few remained in the hands of the Grand Secre- tary. At the annual communication of 1 848 Bro. PETER SWEAT presented the following statement: On examining the number of printed reports of the transactions and proceedings of this Grand Lodge since its organization, it is found that there are only seven copies of the proceedings of 1840, one copy of 1841, two copies of 1842, thirty copies of 1843, no copies of 1844, 200 copies of 1845, sixty-three copies of 1846, and seventy copies of 1847; that no written record can be found of the proceedings of any year, and that in case of the loss of the printed copies, which are all loose and in pamphlet form, there would be nothing left to show the former actings and doings of the Grand Lodge. As a result of this statement the Grand Secretary was instructed to complete the files and have four copies of each year bound up for the use of Grand Lodge. It would seem that these instructions were complied with; but as all of the archives have since been twice destroyed by fire none of the copies so procured are probably now in ex- istence. Original proceedings from 1860 to 1870 are frequently met with, although the sup- ply is scant and the series is regarded by the collectors as rare. From 1870 until the present time the proceedings may easily be procured, and Grand Lodge has on hand a number of duplicates. Grand Lodge has published two editions of its ceremonials. The first was published in 1877 and is entitled "Ceremonials com- piled for use of lodges working under juris- diction of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois, embracing the ceremonies of Installation of Grand Officers, Institut- ing Lodges under Dispensation, Consti- tuting Lodges under Charter, Installation of Officers, Dedicating Masonic Lodge Halls, Laying Corner-Stones of Public Edifices, and Funeral Service." The imprint is Spring- field, Illinois. The book is octavo and com- prises ninety-seven pages. A second edition was published in 1893, and bears substanti- ally the same title except that it purports to be compiled for the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois word "Ancient" omitted. It in- cludes all of the former ceremonials, and in addition the ceremony of ' ' Placing of Cape- stones," with an appendix consisting of an alternative for the exhortation at funerals and the procedure to be followed in visita- tions, official or otherwise. The book is an octavo of 1 12 pages. The imprint is Free- port, Illinois. The first edition is now com- paratively scarce. The second edition is easily attainable. A number of editions of the Constitu- tions have been published. If the first Constitution (1840) was published in pam- 418 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. phlet form and separate from the proceed- ings, that fact is not known to the writer. The Grand Chapter was organized in 1850 and has held meetings annually ever since. The proceedings for each year have been printed and complete sets are attaina- ble. The earlier years are rare, however, and good specimens command a large price. The writer has succeeded in making three entire sets, and collectors having the series incomplete need not despair. Grand Chapter has also published its constitutions in separate pamphlet several times, but such publications are merely ex- cerpta from the printed transactions, and persons having the complete record will also have copies of all separate publications. In addition to the foregoing Grand Chap- ter has published, or rather privately print- ed, a neat brochure on the History of the Black Hawk War. This, however, is only loaned to such as may need it, and is issued only on the personal receipt of the bor- rower; hence it is not attainable by collect- ors. A small manual of monitorial instruc- tions has also been published, and may be procured by any person properly applying for same. The proceedings of the Council of High Priests are published only in connection with those of the Grand Chapter and under the same cover. The Grand Council was organized in 1853. Its proceedings were published an- nually until 1877, when the "merger" occurred. The proceedings of 1878, 1879, 1880 and 1882 are published with the pro- ceedings of Grand Chapter. There does not seem to have been any meeting in 1 88 1 . From 1883 until the present time the pro- ceedings have been regularly printed. Com- plete sets are rare, as several of the early years are wanting. It is possible, however, to fill sets, as the writer has succeeded in bringing together two, and with the reprints, hereafter mentioned, complete sets may be obtained except the year 1881, for which no record seems to have been preserved. Origi- nals of the year 1 870 are practically unattain- able, as the entire edition, with the excep- tion of a very few copies, was destroyed by fire before distribution. The proceedings of this year were republished the year follow- ing and bound in the same pamphlet as those for the year 1871. For all practical purposes it may be regarded as an original. Grand Council has also published a man- ual or Council Monitor, but this is issued only to the T. I. M.'s of councils or the Grand Officers. The book is designed as an aid to the work, and while not in any proper sense of an esoteric character is not for sale nor subject to general distribution. Limited editions of the addresses deliv- ered by the writer before the Mass Conven- tions have also been published in pamphlet form. These editions have now become comparatively scarce, although a small num- ber of some issues yet remain in the ar- chives. Grand Commandery was organized Oc- tober 27, 1857, and has held annual and special sessions each year since that time. The proceedings have been regularly pub- lished, but originals prior to the year 1870 are not to be had. Complete sets are com- mon, however, as the missing years have all been reprinted. In addition to reports of its transactions Grand Commandery has also issued an historical work entitled, " His- tory of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Illinois, from Oc- tober 27, A. D. 1857, to October 25, A. D. 1 88 1." This history, however, is devoted COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 419 mainly to sketches of the different Com- manderies and of the distinguished members of the order during the period embraced in the review. It was compiled under the editorial supervision of GIL. W. BARNARD, JAMES G. ELWOOD and H. C. CLARKE, and reflects much credit upon the editors. The Grand Imperial Council of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine was organized in 1872, and with some interrup- tions it has met annually ever since. The proceedings for the years 1872-1876 were published annually. For the years 1877 to 1887 inclusive the transactions are con- tained in one pamphlet published in 1887. No meetings were held during the years 1882-86, nor from 1888 to 1892. Since 1893 the Imperial Council has met annually and the proceedings have been regularly published each year. All of the proceed- ings may be obtained with comparatively little difficulty. In addition to its transactions the Grand Imperial Council has published a number of brochures of an historical, legal and polem- ical nature. In most instances these papers will also be found appended to the printed reports of the transactions. The Council of Deliberation, A. A. S- R. , was organized in 1 869 and has held meetings regularly ever since. Until 1885 the sessions were annual; since that time they have been held triennially. The pro- ceedings for 1869 were published in an eight-page pamphlet without cover. The pro- ceedings for 1870 were not published and are preserved, if at all, in the manuscript archives of the Supreme Council. A brief reference to same, showing the salient feat- ures, is embodied in the report made by the Committee on Councils of Deliberation to the Supreme Council in 1870. The pro- ceedings of the session of 1871 were not pub- lished by the Council, but a full transcript of same may be found among the appendices to the transactions of the Supreme Council for that year. The proceedings of the ses- sion of 1872, as well as of each succeeding session, have been published by the Council and are all attainable. The pamphlets for the years 1869 and 1873 seem to be scarce, as are also those of a number of years prior to 1880. There was no meeting in 1881, and the proceedings for the years 1880-82 are printed in one pamphlet. A reprint of the proceedings of 1 869 was made by B. D. BABCOCK, of Cleveland, Ohio, of which a number are in the hands of collectors. Full sets of the years for which pamphlets have been issued are attainable and same may be made up with comparatively little difficulty. The Illinois College of "Thirty-thirds" published a small pamphlet, containing the record of organization and by-laws, in 1 880. Copies of this pamphlet have become rare. If the "Sovereign Sanctuary" of the Rite of Memphis ever published anything concerning its transactions while domiciled in Illinois the writer is not aware of the fact, and no matter of this kind has ever been brought to his attention. What purports to be an abstract of the transactions was pub- lished at Detroit, Michigan, a few years ago by CALVIN C. BURT, in connection with a history of the Rite. Inasmuch as the copy was " edited" by BURT prior to publication it can not be regarded as altogether trust- worthy, although it undoubtedly presents a fair synopsis of much that was actually done by the gentlemen who reveled in degrees up among the nineties. The Trustees of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home have published a report showing the condition of that institution 420 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. every year since its organization. The first is a small pamphlet, i8mo., published in 1885. The second is a I2rno., and the remaining years are octavo. The reports for the years 1885-7 are now rare and can only be procured with difficulty. In addi- tion there is a small pamphlet giving the order of exercises at the dedication. The Masonic Veteran Association has also published annual reports, but the earlier years are rare. II. REPRINTS. To supply, in some measure the defi- ciencies occasioned by the loss of the origi- nal proceedings, Grand Lodge at different times has caused compilations and reprints to be made. The first was prepared in 1 868 by JOHN C. REYNOLDS, and is styled, " His- tory of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Illinois, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, from the organization of the first lodge within the present limits of the State, up to and includ- ing 1850." The work consists mainly of an abstract of the documents placed in the hands of the historian, and while it is inval- uable for this reason, many of said docu- uments having since been destroyed, it is unfortunate that no side lights were thrown upon them by recitals of contemporary events or statements by persons then living, relative to the incidents of early history. This volume has long been rare, as the larger part of the edition was consumed by fire a short time after publication. In 1874 a " Reprint of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons of the State of Illinois, from A. D. 184010 A. D. 1860, " was issued under the supervision of a committee consisting of ASA W. BLAKESLEY, HARRISON DILLS and EDWARD S. MULLINER. This reprint does not purport to be anything more than an abstract. It furnishes a fair and tolerably correct outline of the transactions within the period specified, but to the historian, the student, or even the chance reader, it is very unsatisfactory. Many important re- ports, including all of the correspondence reports, the orations, and similar features, which the committee class as "extraneous matter," are entirely excluded, as are also the appendices of returns, lists of lodges, forms, etc. In many cases unwarrantable liberties have been taken and many impor- tant resolutions, etc., have been omitted. In 1892, pursuant to resolution of Grand Lodge, a volume was issued entitled ' ' Re- print of the proceedings of the Grand Grand Lodge of Illinois, from its Organiza- tion in 1840 to 1850 Inclusive." This vol- ume is an exact reproduction of the printed transactions issued during the period named, and for all practical purposes may be taken as original. This reprint was made under the supervision of L. L. MUNN, Grand Secretary, and reflects the highest degree of credit on the editor. The proceedings of 1840-41 have also been reprinted by R. H. THOMAS, of Port Chester, New York. This reprint is a ver- batim copy. The proceedings of 1 849 were ' ' repro- duced" at the special communication of April, 1850, known as the "Grand Lodge of Recovery," and are contained in the pro- ceedings of that session. They may be classed as a reprint, although not partaking strictly of that character. With the exception of the proceedings for 1850, which were reprinted with those of 1851, Grand Chapter has never reprinted any of its proceedings. The proceedings of Grand Council for COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 421 the year 1853 were reprinted the following year with the proceedings of 1854. With this exception none of the proceedings have been reprinted by the authority of the body. As previously stated the abstract of the minutes for the years 1878, 1879, 1880 and 1882 were printed in connection with those of Grand Chapter. A reprint of these years was made by the Masonic Col- lectors' Association in 1896, and collectors may now secure complete sets. The early years of Grand Commandery are practically unattainable in the original. In 1 867 a verbatim reprint of the years 1857 to 1860, inclusive, was issued. The great fire at Chicago in 1871 swept away all of the archives of the Grand Recorder's office, including duplicates .of the transac- tions for all years prior to that time. This resulted in a reprint of all proceedings from 1 86 1 to 1869 inclusive. The reprint is a faithful reproduction of the originals. With these two reprints collectors will experience no trouble in forming a complete set of the transactions. The transactions of the Council of De- liberation for the year 1869 have been re- produced in almost axact fac-simile by B. D. BABCOCK, of Cleveland, Ohio. MASONIC LIBRARIES. IT has been said that in literature the pres- ent may be termed the ' age of libra- ries. " Never before, perhaps, has the spe- cializing of literary collections had so great an impetus as at present, and certainly never before has that form of specialization which forms the caption to this article received so much attention or created so high a degree of interest. But few of the Grand Lodges of the country are now unprovided with some sort of a collection to which resort may be had by its officers and committees for information on mooted points, while in many jurisdictions these collections have as- sumed the form of complete and well ar- ranged libraries worthy of being classed with the great specialty libraries of the world. The great jurisdiction of Illinois, the second in numerical strength in the United States, and with assets in the treasury of its 25 Grand Lodge, aggregating at this writing one hundred thousand dollars, is one of the few which does not possess a library nor .even the semblance of one. And yet, when Grand Lodge was struggling in the throes of poverty and overcoming the rem- nants of prejudice left by the anti-Masonic excitement of 1830, the cause of education was a live and engrossing theme that fre- quently engaged the attention of the repre- sentatives. The annual oration is one of the survivals of the educational methods of early days; the report on correspondence is the later development of another. But un- fortunately, for we cannot regard it in any other light, there seems to have been for many years a marked division of sentiment in Grand Lodge with respect to this field of endeavor. On the one side have been the advocates of liberal views with respect to 422 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. the purport or mission of Freemasonry, on other the "strict constructionists " who have combatted all attempts to introduce features or economical measures for which an express precedent could not be found in Anderson's Constitutions. As a rule these latter have been enabled to impress upon Grand Lodge their own views and to secure the adoption of their own opinions, and, as a consequence, Illinois is in many particulars a century behind her more ad- vanced sisters. In other words, while the world is about to enter upon the enlight- ened progress of the twentieth century the " conservatism " of Illinois still chains her, in many respects, to the dead thought of the eighteenth century. A reverence for old laws is often commendable, but there is such a thing as too blind adherence to an- tiquated customs. The first suggestion of a book collection on the part of the Grand Lodge occurred at the session of 1842, when " Bro. KIRK- PATRIC, of Scott county," presented to that body a copy of the Masonic Minstrel, which Grand Lodge ' ' accepted with pleas- ure," and so informed Bro. KIRKPATRIC. At the same session the Secretary was au- thorized to subscribe for one copy of the Masonic Mirror. At the session of 1843 The Freemason's Magazine, of Boston, was recommended to the lodges as " in a very high degree advancing the principles of the order and the skill and knowledge of the craft;" and as the writer has in his possession a file of that venerable period- ical he can at least say the statements of fact were correct, whatever may be thought of the propriety of thus advancing an in- dividual enterprise. But Grand Lodge was little concerned with conventionalities in those days. At this session the Grand Sec- retary was further instructed ' ' to purchase a library of ancient authority for the use of this R. W. Grand Lodge." What, if any- thing, was done under these instructions, does not appear. Indeed it would seem that for ten years next ensuing no steps were taken in this direction. At the ses- sion of 1852 the need of "more light" is shown by the passage of the following: Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be authorized to subscribe for three copies of MOORE'S Magazine, of Boston, three copies of the Signet, and three copies of the Mirror and Keystone, for use of the Grand Master, Grand Secretary and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence. The year following (1853), the first de- cisive step was taken looking toward the formation of a library, when, on motion of Bro. HOBBS, it was Resolved, That it is imperatively necessary that this Grand Lodge should have a Library, and that the Grand Master and Grand Secretary be authorized to purchase for the immediate use of this Grand Lodge the best printed authorities on Masonic Law and Usage, and further, that one hundred dollars be appropriated for that purpose; and that the beneficent influences of Ma- sonic knowledge might not be restricted to the officers it was further Resohed, That each Lodge in this jurisdiction be advised to subscribe annually for one copy of MOORE'S Magazine, of Boston. The question of the propriety of this last resolution must be decided by the reader for himself, but it is safe to say that if the advice was acted upon by the subor- dinate lodges the Masons of that day and generation were in advance of the present. At the session of 1854 a few "donations " were received, and at the succeeding session of 1855 Bro. NATHANIEL COFFIN presented COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 42 a number of valuable standard works. The agent of Bro. ROB. MORRIS was also on hand to display the merits of the "Univer- sal Masonic Library," and so well did Grand Lodge regard them that it not only subscribed for two sets for its own use, but recommended all of its constituents to do the same. The subject of library now be- came an engrossing topic. In the neigh- boring State of Iowa the Grand Lodge had brought together a large and valuable col- lection, which was beginning to attract considerable notice. The great jurisdic- tions of the East all had libraries of no mean proportions, and Illinois, with its rapidly growing constituency, was becoming emu- lous to stand among the leaders. Therefore it was Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Grand Master at this Grand Communication to be a Committee on Grand Lodge Library, and that the sum of fifty dollars be and is hereby appropriated and placed at the disposal of said committee, in add- ing to the Library of the Grand Lodge, at the discre- tion of said committee, and who are instructed to act in concert with a like committee of the Grand Chapter, for the purpose of forming a Library for the joint use of both Grand Bodies, and make report at the next Grand Annual Communication. Under this resolution a committee, con- sisting of Bros. W. C. HOBBS, T. J. PICK- ETT, and W. B. WARREN, was appointed, and the library became a fixed fact. At the session of 1856 the committee reported that as no funds had been placed in their hands wherewith to purchase books, that no purchases had been made; that in their opinion a sufficient sum had not been appropriated to make the purchase impor- tant, and suggested that the further sum of one hundred dollars be appropriated for the purpose, in all of which Grand Lodge con- curred. It was also discovered that a library, to be useful, must so it was further Resolved, That a Librarian for this Grand Lodge shall be appointed annually by the Grand Master, whose duty it shall be to have the charge of the Grand Lodge Library, and who shall have the Library at each and every session of the Grand Lodge for the use of the same. Under this resolution Bro. W. C. HOBBS became the first Librarian. It will be ob- served, however, that the Librarian was to be appointed annually, a provision that in it- self carried the seeds of destruction to any col- lection Grand Lodge might be able to bring to- gether. The Grand Secretary was instructed ' ' to gather together the books belonging to the library of this Grand Lodge, and trans- mit them to the Librarian. " At the session of 1848 an appropriation of two hundred dollars was made "for the use of library," with a further provision for rent of room for same in connection with the other officers of Grand Lodge. During this period the Grand Chapter was also actively at work creating a library to be used in connection with the collection of Grand Lodge. The two collections, however, were kept sepa- rately, though under the charge of the same person, and were separately catalogued. Of the Grand Lodge Library not a vestige is now known to exist, while the remnants of the Grand Chapter Library are now scattered over various parts of the State. But little is known of the Grand Lodge Library for several years succeeding its establishment. A committee was regularly appointed each year, but no reports were made and event- ually the collection seems to have passed under the control of the Grand Secretary, Bro. H. G. REYNOLDS. The By-Laws adopted in 1858 provided for a committee on Library ' to consist of 424 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. three members, of which the Librarian shall be one, to examine, select and purchase books, charts, magazines, and such other documents and articles as may seem proper, to procure the binding of such proceedings, works and documents as they may judge expedient; to draw orders for the payment of the same, in amount not to exceed in the aggregate the sum of one hundred dollars in any one year, unless by the special order of the Grand Lodge ; and to report all their doings and the condition of the Library an- nually to the Grand Lodge. " This provision remained in the By-Laws for many years, but was practically a dead letter. No committees were appointed nor were any reports made, except as here- after noted. When the present By-Laws were adopted the provision was eliminated. In 1862 Bro. REYNOLDS appended to the proceedings a catalogue of the Library, the only one, so far as known, that has ever been published. This catologue showed a small collection of the proceedings of the Grand Lodges of other American jurisdic- tions; a few bound volumes of magazines; a set of MORRIS' Universal Masonic Library; one copy of MACKEY'S Jurisprudence and a number of pamphlets, addresses, circulars, etc. No report accompanied same, nor is any explanation made as to what had be- come of the books of "ancient authority " for which Grand Lodge had made appropri- ations, or of the valuable books donated by individuals in former years. Notwithstand- ing that the collection was valued in the catalogue at $1,028.75, it is difficult to understand how the appraisement was made; and even of this sum the larger part seems to be made up of Illinois proceedings of current years at one dollar per volume. Altogether the exhibit is very unsatisfactory, and possibly it would have been just as well if the catalogue had never been pub- lished. The books remained in the posses- sion of Bro. REYNOLDS and his successor in office until 1871, when the Grand Secre- tary's office, together with the archives of Grand Lodge, including its library, was de- stroyed by fire. Since that time no system- atic effort has been made to form a library, and by reason of the difficulties which now intervene it is doubtful whether this genera- tion will see any attempt in that direction. The present Grand Lodge By-Laws pro- vide for a Librarian whose duties are denned as follows: 1. To take charge of the Library, and have such volumes present, at any session of the Grand Lodge, as may be required for the use of the grand officers, committees or members. 2. To take a receipt for every volume delivered, and in case of a failure to duly return the same; to re- quire of the Lodge, of which the delinquent is a mem- ber, payment in double the amount of the value of such volume, to be collected with the annual dues of such lodge. 3. To select, and with the consent and approval of the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens and Grand Treasurer, purchase such books, charts, magazines, and other documents as may be deemed necessary and proper; and procure the binding of such volumes and documents as maybe deemed ex- pedient; Provided, the expense of such purchase and binding shall not exceed the sum of one hundred dollars in any one year, unless special appropriation shall be made therefor by the Grand Lodge. 4. To appoint, when necessary, a Deputy Libra- rian, to serve during the annual session only. The Grand Secretary acts as Librarian. The regulation is merely perfunctory, as Grand Lodge has made no effort to acquire a library since the destruction of its first collection in 1871. As much of the intellectual portion of the lodge naturally gravitates to and be- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 425 comes merged in the Chapter, it is not sur- prising that Grand Chapter should have early directed its efforts toward the creation of a library. Indeed the inspiration of the Grand Lodge Library seems to have come from Royal Arch Masons, and at the same session (1855) that Grand Lodge decided upon the establishment of this important educational feature of its economy, the Grand Chapter evinced its willingness to co- operate by the following action: Comp. ANDERSON offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were re- ferred to the Committee on Accounts: WHEREAS, This Grand Chapter having deeply felt the want of a well-selected Masonic Library to which its members may refer and the Grand Lodge of Illinois having taken steps to supply this deficiency: therefore Resolved, That this Grand Chapter will cheerfully co-operate with the Grand Lodge in the accomplish- ment of an object so much to be desired; and will will- ingly share its appropriate part of the expense. Resolved, That fifty dollars be, and the same is, hereby appropriated, to establish, in connection with the Grand Lodge of Illinois, a Masonic Library, which order shall be drawn on the order of M. E. Grand High Priest in favor of a committee having the sub- ject in charge. The committee, in due time, reported back as follows: The committee have also had the resolutions of Comp. ANDERSON under consideration in regard to a Masonic Library, and cheerfully recommend the adop- tion of the resolutions; and that the sum of fifty dol- lars be appropriated for that purpose as contemplated in the last resolution; and Grand Chapter adopted the report. As a further evidence of its desire to ad- vance the cause of Masonic education, on motion of Comp. NOYES, the following was adopted: WHEREAS, The diffusion of unadulterated Ma- sonic light is vital to the very existence of Masonry; and WHEREAS, the cost and scarcity of reliable Ma- sonic literature has, heretofore, been a bar to the ac- quisition of the best works upon the subject; and WHEREAS, a plan is now offered to the Masonic Fraternity, whereby " the works of all the best authors on Masonry" may be secured in the most substantial, elegant, yet cheap form; therefore Resolved, That the Universal Masonic Library, published by Bro. ROB. MORRIS, is hereby com- mended to the favorable consideration of the subordi- nate chapters and individual companions under the jurisdiction of this Grand Chapter and they are earnestly advised to avail themselves of an early op- portunity to secure a set of that excellent work, as the best means of promoting the best interests of the Craft. The books in question had a large sale in this jurisdiction, and for a number of years constituted the bulk of all the works on Freemasonry in general circulation. When Bro. GIL. W. BARNARD was in- stalled as Secretary of the Grand Chapter and Recorder of the Grand Commandery he found that whatever collections those bodies had formerly possessed had been dissipated and lost. For a number of years he has been at work in an effort to supply the lost files of proceedings of sister Grand Bodies, and in this way has brought together a very creditable collec- tion of Masonic transactions. These have been suitably bound and are now on the shelves in the Secretariat of the Grand Chapter and Commandery. Bro. BARNARD has not endeavored to make a general col- lection, but has confined himself to those matters most necessary for the information and guidance of the bodies he represents. * * * In a few of the older lodges there will be found a bookcase with a set of MORRIS' Universal Masonic Library, a part of the files of the Illinois Grand Bodies, and a few 426 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. monitors and works on Masonic jurispru- dence. These are mainly the relics of the spasm of education which convulsed the jurisdiction during the "fifties," and re- sulted from the recommendations of Grand Lodge upon the subject of libraries and act- ive work of the agents of Bro. MORRIS' publications. As a rule lodge libraries have not been successful, either in this or other jurisdictions. A well-kept library implies a librarian, and a librarian to be successful must be a book-worm who works con amore and possesses in addition a faculty for earn- est and persistent begging. The best ex- ample of a Masonic library to be found in this country is that maintained by the Grand Lodge of Iowa, and its accomplished librarian, Bro. T. S. PARVIN, possesses in a marked degree the qualities above named. Without such a man to direct and manage it, no Masonic library will ever attain much success or become an active instrument of education. About 1880 St. Bernard Commandery, K. T. , of Chicago, commenced the work of building a library under the name "Chicago Masonic Library Association." The guid- ing spirit of the enterprise was its Librarian, Bro. JOHN O. DICKERSON, who, as long as health and strength remained, gave to it much labor, time and thought. The As- sociation succeeded, mainly through the efforts of Bro. DICKERSON, in bringing together a good collection of proceedings and a few choice works of a general nature. When Bro. DICKERSON'S physical condition at length precluded his further attention, the work ceased, and after his death the collection was merged into the Acacia Library. The private collectors of the State have been few. The writer possesses a modest shelf of Masonic books as a part of his general library, but in 1 890 he surrendered the results of many years' work in this field to form the foundation, or nucleus, of the Acacia Library. The late Bro. HOSMER A. JOHNSON, of Chicago, was probably the largest collector of Masonic literature in the State during his lifetime. Bro. VIN- CENT L. HURLBUT also possessed a large r\umber of valuable works. The greater part of the collections of these worthies are now preserved in the Acacia Library. At the present time Bro. JOHN C. SMITH has probably the largest private collection in the State, while Bros. D. J. AVERY, E. B. GOULD, H. G. PURINTON and JOHN MC- LAREN have collections which comprise many rare and valuable works. But while the number of private collect ors is comparatively small there is a percep- tible movement in this direction. Men are devoting more time than formerly to the study of Freemasonry. They are discov- ering that beneath the husk of ritualism there is a rich kernel; that Masonic archae- ology presents a fascinating field for ex- ploration; that the philosophy and symbol- ism of Masonry are its real secrets, and that these secrets can only be discovered by patient, laborious and well-directed ef- fort. As a consequence the charlatan is being displaced by the scholar; new ave- nues of investigation have been opened; books are being multiplied and "light" in broad effulgent beams is being shed upon the path, both of adept and neophyte. * * * The only collection of Masonic litera- ture now within the State worthy of being COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 427 termed a library is that owned by Oriental Consistory, of Chicago, and known as the "Acacia Library." This collection was commenced in 1890 by a social Masonic or- ganization known as the Acacia Club. Dur- ing the five years of the club's existence, by dint of much labor and the- expenditure of considerable money, a fine start was made; and when, in 1895, the collection was made over to Oriental Consistory, it was conceded to be the largest and most valuable library of its kind in the west, with the single ex- ception of that of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. Since its acquisition by the Consistory it has received a number of extensive additions by donation, while all new works upon Free- masonry and its "kindred sciences" are promptly purchased as soon as published. This library is intended, as all libraries should be, as an educational agent. It covers not only the field of Masonry proper but all cognate subjects. As has been well said by the late ALBERT PIKE, " a few rudi- mental lessons in architecture; a few uni- versally admitted maxims of morality; a few unimportant traditions, whose real meaning is unknown or misunderstood, will no longer satisfy the earnest inquirer after Masonic truths;" and to afford the means of research and investigation, to promote, stimulate and encourage thought, a well-selected library is indispensable. Whether the duty of pro- viding this means rests upon Grand Lodge or any of the constituent bodies, the writer does not assume to decide; but it may be said in passing that not a few of the con- temporaries of Grand Lodge have answered the question in the affirmative. A discussion upon books and book col- lections naturally leads to the subject of reading. It is a notorious fact that the greater portion of the craft is very poorly informed concerning its fundamentals, and this applies as well to those who presumably have attained a high degree of illumination i. e., K. T. 's and thirty-second degrees, as to the humble possessors of the ' ' Mas- ter's part. " The writer has frequently been asked to specify books or indicate sources of reading, but can recommend nothing better than the suggestions of Bro. G. W. SPETH, Secretary of the Lodge Quatuor Coronato- rum, of London, England. Bro. SPETH divides the reading portion of the fraternity into three classes: i. Masons of scant leisure and small means, who would fain content themselves with a good general idea to be acquired from one book only. 2. Those of more leisure, who would wish to be placed in a position to come to independent conclusions, and yet to accomplish their purpose without too heavy a drag on their resources. 3. Those to whom neither money nor time is of great consequence, or whose interest in the subject enables them to sacrifice some other pleasures in order to attain the de- sired end. To each of these sections GOULD'S "History of Freemasonry" is strongly recommended, or certain portions treating on the general outlines of Free- masonry, Traditions and History. A short course of reading is advised on the nature of Guild-life in the Middle Ages, and the Statutes of the Realm, so far as they refer to artisans and laborers. ' ' Secret Rites and Mysteries, " "The Manuscript Consti- tutions, or Old Charges," from which may be learned the legend of the Craft and laws of the Society, advance the student a fur- ther stage. History of the Craft in Eng- land, Scotland, Ireland, Germ any, France 428 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. and America; ethics, dogma and duties of Freemasonry; and the symbolism of Free- masonry, including a knowledge of both universal and comparative symbology, to- gether with Masonic jurisprudence, when fairly mastered, may complete a very sys- tematic course of reading. But one sub- ject more is required, namely, Ritual and Ceremonial, ancient and modern, in which efficiency may be partly gained through a Lodge of Instruction. This, in brief, is the curriculum formulated by Bro. SPETH, to which he adds a list of text-books which would greatly assist the student in the pur- suit of Masonic knowledge. The only draw- back to the sketch is that it does not so well apply to the case of the one-book student as to the other classes enumerated. Certainly, there is always " GOULD " for him to rely on, but unabridged " GOULD " is a formidable undertaking to the man of lim- ited time and few opportunities for study. A full selection of books in all of the above courses may be found in the library of Oriental Consistory o Chicago. The library is open each evening for consultation and use of books, under the charge of Bro. ARCHIE McLELLAN, and those living in or near the city need no longer ' ' sit in dark- ness. " As a preliminary to any course of read- ing the late J. W. SIMONS recommends that the student should first render himself thoroughly familiar with the ritual, not, as too many do, to make that the end and aim of his Masonic life, but as necessary to en- able him to understand very much in the works of Masonic authors that would oth- erwise be a dead letter to him. When he has accomplished this preliminary task and sets out to explore the vast field thus opened to him, he will find his attention directed to the Holy Scriptures, especially the books of the Old Testament, which in many cases he will better understand by the aid of one or more judicious commentators. A gen- eral survey of the manners and customs, and particularly the religious observances of antiquity, will naturally follow, and for this purpose Bro. SIMONS recommends the works of MACKEY, OLIVER and others. The "Outlines of Speculative Masonry," by SALEM TOWN, he thinks should be care- fully studied. OLIVER'S "Landmarks," with its notes and references, will furnish a field of research in which the studious mind may fairly revel. PRESTON'S "Illustra- tions of Masonry" should be consulted. The heavy work thus indicated may be oc- casionally lightened by such works as ' 'The Revelations of a Square," by OLIVER, "Rationale and Ethics," by ARNOLD, and others of that nature. A vast fund of infor- mation will be found in the two volumes of the "American Quarterly Review of Free- masonry," published a few years since in New York, and occasional copies of which may still be had. At least one of the Ma- sonic magazines should be subscribed for and attentively read, and thus, Bro. SIMONS thinks, the student will have his cravings for knowledge satisfied. It must be remembered, however, that the works of OLIVER, and even of MACKEY, are now much discredited in some Masonic literary circles and by Masonic scholars of high standing, yet no one can read these worthies without experiencing both pleas- ure and profit; and in order that the student may be able to arrive at independent con- clusions, it is quite as necessary that he should be conversant with the writings of OLIVER as with those of GOULD, HUGHAN, and other latter-day authors. COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 429 THE MASONIC MUSE. A DILIGENT study of the liberal arts is enjoined upon every craftsman at the close of his apprenticeship. Among the "arts" so recommended to him for cultivation is rhetoric, and presumably under this general head may be included the gentle art of poesy. At all events no inconsiderable number of the gentlemen who at different times have attained fame as poets have been of the Masonic craft, and upon many occasions have they tuned their lyres to sound its praises. But the environment of the citizens of Illinois has not heretofore been conducive to the de- velopment of the poetic instinct, and the conditions under which society has had to labor have rather discouraged any efforts of this kind. What wealth and leisure with its attendant refinements may do for us in the future remains to be seen. But, nothwithstanding the apparent hindrances of pioneer life in a commercial age and country, some of the "divine af- flatus " seems to have descended upon a few of the craft, and our literature is the richer by their contributions. It is well known that the late NORMAN T. CASSETTE was a poet of no mean ability, and a number of his effusions on Masonic and other sub- jects have been preserved. The limits of this work preclude any extensive collections, however meritorious; but the following is a good sample of his general style. The poem was written for a memorial meeting of Oriental Consistory. IN MEMORIAM. BY NORMAN T. CASSETTE. Alas! When all is said which we can say, Above the pallid, cold, and silent clay, When throbbing, sobbing dirge and funeral song Their force have spent upon the mourning throng, When tone, as well, from speaker's voice has sped, Naught then is left but memories of our dead. Hush! Hear the wheels' loud rumble in the street, The din of business and fast-stirring feet; No thought is there, 'midst traffic's hardened strife, Of Death's fell work, with finite hope and life. Since man has lived to think, and toil, and die, Some hope he's sought on which he might rely. With hands outstreched, in potent voice of prayer, He has invoked an answer everywhere. Seraphic visions fill his mind at times, And music sounds as if from far-off climes. The roar then from the earth comes rushing in To draw his thoughts from God to earth's foul din; And hence the sons of Egypt sought to find Some solace for the worried, wearied mind. So, for their dead a sleeping place they made In vaulted crypt, hid under earth's deep shade. Above each crypt a Mastaba was found, Where oft the beat of saddened hearts would sound. Around, above, and on the walls was spread A record of the deeds of all their dead. The rumble in the noisy street goes on: They heed it not, in Death's still Parthenon; And kneeling down they spake then of the soul In halo clothed, far off, from earth so cold. We do not need to write upon the walls The deeds of these our dead. Where falls A shadow on the floor, or roof above, Is record made, a silhouette of love; And deep within our hearts we seem to feel A spirit cause, to make us pause and kneel. 430 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Then let the wheels roll on, out in the street; But let us oft in this our chapel meet, And here review the memories of the dead, Then silently retire, with noiseless tread. A well-known Masonic poet during the '703 was Rev. M. MAGILL, of Marseilles. This talented brother wrote a number of poems of decided merit, but probably noth- ing better than the one which has been se- lected for this article. The poem was writ- ten in 1875 an d is fairly illustrative of his general style. FREEMASONRY. Lines written after being present at a Masonic Festival. "The Brethren Property Clothed." REV. M. MAGILL. Hail, Masonry! Hail, noble art sublime! Long may thy sons with purest lustre shine! May thy sacred principles of old Be evermore retained, with firm hold. Thy laws are good, thy precepts just and wise, Thy secret teachings sanctioned in the skies; In every clime, where human kind hath been, Thy pure benevolence may be seen. Thy charity extends to earth's fair bounds, Thy praise throughout the universe resounds, The widow's cry, the orphan's bitter tear, Has ever found thee ready to give cheer. Thy sons, wide-spread, are found in ev'ry land, A firm, united, faithful, trusty band; Though clime or color mark them far apart, Yet when they meet together, have one heart. Hail, Masonry! I love thy sons to see Stand forth in ancient costume true and free; I love to see thy banners wide unfurled; I long to see thee spread throughout the world. The wise, the good, and great of every land Are proud to have a place and with us stand; They prize the honor Masonry confers, And pity each who ignorantly errs. Let growling bigots spend their bitter spleen, And"Anti's" rave and fret from morn till e'en; Their futile hate is labor spentin vain; Free Masonry will live, and favor gain. Probably none of our local poets are better known than Rev. HENRY G. PERRY. For many years he has been a contributor to the columns of the Masonic press and has written upon a large variety of subjects. In poems he has been prolific, and his muse still continues to labor whenever occasion requires. The poem selected is, in the opinion of many, one of his best. HIGH NOON. REV. HENRY G. PERRY, M. A. There was no sound of ax or hammer there. High noon! In full meridian splendor shone The sun upon the spot where knelt in prayer The builder. O Holy, Holy, Holy One, Of all in heaven and earth, thy servant bless, Who dares his supplications thus to thee address. Without thy help our doings all distraught: Sufficiency of thee alone be sought! Now at thy altar, GOD of grace, impart That knowledge to endue the heart And mind of him who asks of Thee Thy presence with him in this work to be. Favor those, also, LORD, whose labors tend Completion of Thy Temple to effect! Strength, Zeal and Will, afford the V el low-craft. So lend Such prayed-for light the workmen, till at length The cohorts of the loved of GOD all stand Before Thee with the Master in Thy courts, Whose canopy the heavens are, who planned The fane we seek to frame Thy hand supports. His petitions proffered, and Hiram passed From Altar-step to Trestleboard, designs Anew to trace. He ponders, turns at last, As if some spell mysterious binds Him to the sacred spot. Again he prays: O, thou Omnipotent, who know'st the heart Of all; from whom no secret thought stays Hid, without Thy blessing let me not depart. To Thee, Thou Majesty divine, do I Re-dedicate myself, body and soul. O, Sovereign Architect, my humble cry For strength and succor heed! The goal Of man's ambition here below is small, His best designs to thine compared, as naught. In time all human fashions fail and fall, Of earthly error full, with weakness fraught. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 431 Ills seem to multiply about my head. Within, my heart grows heavy. Broods around Oppressively an atmosphere of dread, Freighted as if with sanguinary sound, As if the Mall-Stroke of Mortality, Upon the unexpectant front of life, Expelled its spark into eternity, In the event of some unequal strife. FATHER OF GOOD, whate'er the hour betide, Of weal or woe, myself I now commit To Thee, in this Thy place, where none beside Thyself with me communes. Were it the pit Of nether Hell, alone I cling to Thee. Thou art my all. Be it the golden gate Of Heaven high, blest immortality, Thou my Salvation art, JEHOVAH great. And then in solemn shadow still of woe His cares cast on the bosom of his GOD The Master, royal-robed, with motion slow, Slept forth, and from the face of Trestleboard Erased the tracings old. His massive brow Contracts with deep'ning thought. The busy brain Begins to formulate the beauteous. How This can he but that so shapely seize again Of pillar here, arch there, niche, scroll or base. Make best appear? Graver in hand, he waits The figures harmonized to fix and trace Them when, in the unguarded temple gates, Intrusive footsteps fall, Ill-boding whispers call; And then good Hiram knew That presage but too true, He had, when, at " high-noon," he knelt in prayer, Himself and all to GOD consigning there. In that quick passage fated, from the calm And sanctuary scene of solitude, To violence, malign, the GREAT I AM Who, for his own, through fire and flood To blood, sustained the servants of his Will, I AM, and that I AM, with Hiram, proved his GOD. Thy will be done! GOD and my right! Men kill The body not the soul. Of Life, the LORD; Of Death, sole Arbiter. " Vengeance is mine," HE doth declare, " I will repay!" Meet we Before Him all, we must. Judgment condign Be rendered then! His WORD 'twixt ye and me. And, the Grand Master, done to death, fell there, His mute lips turned to Heaven, in final prayer. Of the poetical powers of JOSEPH ROB- BINS, an example has been given in a pre- ceding chapter. Bro. ROBBINS' muse is de- cidedly of the solemn or religious order, or at least all of the lucubrations which the editor has seen seem to partake of that char- acter. The poem selected was composed for the exercises attending the dedication of the Masonic Hall at Quincy in 1868. It will thus be seen that both of the specimens presented were written during the '6os, and while our brother was comparatively a young man. Whether he has continued this form of intellectual diversion of late the editor is unable to say. But here is the poem: ODE. t BY JOSEPH ROBBINS. Owning thy watchful care, And in thy reverent fear, Great God, we come; And while we here confess Our own unworthiness, Do thou this temple bless; Make it thy home! While here thy children meet, And in communion sweet Before thee bend, Shape thou our ways aright; O, keep them in thy sight; Be thou their constant light, Father and friend. Here may the blocks we raise Be fashioned to thy praise True Masonry! May wisdom here preside, Beauty and strength abide, The glorious three allied With Charity. To temperance keep us true; With fortitude endue; Oh, make us free! Let prudence guide our feet, 432 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Justice have here her seat; Make all oar hearts to beat In harmony. And when in coming years We bow in sorrowing tears O'er death's last choice, Grant then sweet hope to cheer, The faith that knows no fear, The quickened ear to hear The still, small voice, Which says, " Thy Father's word Hath loosed the silver cord, Though dread the vale; His smile shall make it bright With his own heavenly light, And Judah's Lion's might Shall still prevail." Upon the same occasion at which the foregoing ode of Bro. ROBBINS was em- ployed it appears that another ode was sung which emanated from the pen of A. W. BLAKESLEY. It is not generally known that Bro. BLAKESLEY ever cultivated poetry, but if the ode in question is a fair sample of the author's powers, it is sin- cerely to be hoped that he may be pre- vailed upon to do more in the same line. The following is the poem: DEDICATION ODE. BY A. W. BLAKESLEY. All honors to the Master pay, Who bade our holy temple rise; While here we journey on our way, Our thanks shall reach to furthest skies. (Dedication to FREEMASONRY.) We hail our holy patron's name, Whose bright example guides us still; His highest honors we proclaim, While grateful thanks our temple fill. (Dedication to VIRTUE.) While thus we seek, in pure desire, Immortal bliss in realms above, Our hearts shall kindle at the fire Whose light is universal love. (Dedication to UNIVERSAL BENEVOLENCE.) It must not be supposed that the fore- going is a list of all the Masonic poets or a summary of all the Masonic poetry which the jurisdiction has produced; but it is a fair exposition of the spirit of the Masonic muse. Original poems for special occa- sions are frequently prepared, and many other craftsmen than those named are en- titled to seats on our Parnassus. THE MASONIC PRESS. FOR many years we have had a Masonic periodical press, and to its influence no small degree of the prevalent general knowl- edge and information concerning the craft must be attributed. It is a lamentable fact, however, that the Masonic press has never been properly supported by the craft. To some extent this may be attributed to the method of conduct of the particular journal that may fail of support; yet, with so many diverse views as to what a Masonic perodical should contain, how it should be conducted, and to whom it should cater, it is not sur- prising that but few editors have succeeded in presenting a journal that has been accept- able to all classes. Dr. McMuRDY, himself the conductor of a very interesting and ably edited Masonic newspaper, has well said: "The subscrip- tion price alone is not an equivalent for a publication devoted to the interests of Free- masonry. It is as great a necessity for Free- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 433 masons to have a press to disseminate light and information as exists in any other in- stitution. It is, therefore, obligatory on the part of the Craft to contribute not only to its material support but to render it a vehicle worthy of the Fraternity whose prin- ciples it advocates. Freemasonry presup- poses its membership enlightened and lib- eral, cheerfully and gladly availing them- selves of every opportunity for information, and particularly through its own press. "A Masonic periodical has no government or municipal patronage. It must depend upon the members of the Order for its sup- port. Hence it is the duty of every Free- mason to use his influence to increase the circulation of Masonic publications, and thereby disseminate Masonic light and knowledge." The earliest Masonic journal in the west was called The Ashlar, and was first published at Detroit, by ALLYN WESTON. Vols. Ill and IV purport to be published at Chicago and Detroit by CHARLES SCOTT. In 1860 it became a Chicago enterprise, with GEORGE A. FITCH as publisher, and the late J. ADAMS ALLEN as editor. Only seven numbers seem to have been issued under this arrangement, when the publication ceased. It would seem that a publication styled the Masonic Trestle Board was issued at Chicago by J. J. CLARKSON, in 1857. If so, copies of same have now become very rare, as the editor is unable to find a single speci- men in any of the libraries. No further in- formation can be furnished regarding it. The Voice of Masonry, the oldest and largest magazine devoted to Freemasonry now published in this country, was started at Chicago by ROB. MORRIS, in April, 1862. Prior thereto Bro. MORRIS had published a semi-folio sheet under the same name at Louisville, Kentucky, and his Chicago en- terprise is claimed by his successors as a continuation of the Louisville venture. The new magazine was started as a monthly and continued to be issued until February, 1863, when it went the way of all Bro. MORRIS' journalistic efforts it suspended. In November of the same year publication was resumed by J. C. W. BAILEY, and since then it has been issued regularly. It was originally published as an exclusively Ma- sonic magazine, but the words ' ' and Family Visitor" were afterwards added to the title, while the contents embraced articles of a general and non-Masonic character. For a number of years last past it has been pub- lished by JOHN W. BROWN, who has suc- ceeded in placing it in the lead of all the Masonic magazines published in this country. In 1862 HARMAN G. REYNOLDS com- menced the publication, at Springfield, of a sixteen-page quarto under the name The Masonic Trowel. The publication was continued under varying degrees of fortune until 1874, when it succumbed to fate and was discontinued. During several of the years of its existence it attained a large circulation, being the only Masonic news- paper then published in the West. But with the establishment of other journals in the neighboring States it gradually declined and finally became " merged " in the Free- mason, of St. Louis. In 1866 SOL. D. BAYLESS and JOSEPH BILLINGS brought to Chicago a monthly octavo magazine called the Mystic Star, which for about two years preceding had been published by them at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Publication was continued until September, 1873, when it ceased. The Illinois Freemason is the name of a 434 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. periodical commenced by OWEN SCOTT, at Bloomington, in 1885, and which has been published regularly ever since. In 1891 the paper passed into the ownership of DELMER D. DARRAH, by whom it is now published. It is an eight-page quarto and is published monthly. Under Bro. DAR- RAH'S management it has attained a large circulation and a commanding influence. In 1891 a sixteen-page quarto was started at Chicago by JAMES M. DETRICK, called the American Mason. It was issued weekly and was the first and only attempt to float a weekly Masonic journal in the State. The enterprise did not prove profit- able, and in 1893 it was discontinued. This completes the list of Illinois pub- lications so far as same are known to the editor. It is undeniable that all of them have materially contributed to the growth and development of Freemasonry in Illinois. It is to be hoped that as culture and knowl- edge increase in the jurisdiction a better ap- preciation of the Masonic periodical press will be exhibited, and a more generous sup- port extended to these worthy enterprises. SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS. INTRODUCTION. IN England, and upon the continent, Freemasonry is essentially a social in- stitution. In the United States it is fre- quently quite the reverse. Not only do the European nations cultivate the social feat- ures in the lodge proper, but also in side organizations closely connected therewith, and of these many examples now exist in England. It is an unwelcome, but never- theless noticeable fact, as has been an- nounced by such leaders of Masonic thought as J. H. DRUMMOND, of Maine, "that the bonds of fraternity among the Craft are not as strong as they once were," and one potent reason for this he attributes to "the failure of members to cultivate intimacy with each other." Speaking of the ancient customs, he says: ' ' The ritual and old usage contemplate that the objects of lodge meetings are something more than to transact business and do work. In former times, refresh- ments were practically as necessary to hold- ing a lodge as the presence of the charter. Excesses unworthy of Masons resulted and we went to the other extreme. As I now see it (for I confess that it has taken years to make me see it), this departure from ancient usage was a perilous mistake, and I believe it would benefit Masonry to revive it now. " In commenting upon this state- ment our own Bro. ROBBINS has said: "This supports the conclusion to which our study as well as our observation and experience long ago brought us, that the real strength and enduring quality of Masonry lies in the fact that it aims at and satisfies the craving for human fellowship; equal, trusting, un- restrained fellowship for its own sake, shorn as far as possible of all mercenary and self- ish considerations. " Another feature of trans-Atlantic Free- masonry is the attention now devoted to the intellectual development of the craft; the study of the history, philosophy and symbolism of the institution, and usually the social and the intellectual are made to minister to each other in the same organi- zation. The policy of the Grand Lodge of Illi- nois and the other governing bodies does not permit of the creation of bodies of their obedience for purely social or even educa- tional purposes, and for this reason all such organizations must be upon an independent basis. Of these we have had a number. The greater part have been of an ephemeral character, created for some special time or purpose, and when such purpose had been fulfilled the organization was dissolved. The majority of these associations have been located in Chicago, with memberships 436 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ofttimes extended to the State at large, while several have been established in other cities. Probably the two organizations which have attracted the widest attention are the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois and the Acacia Club of Chicago, both of which are still in existence. The distinctive ob- jects of both associations are mainly of a social character. The former is restricted to Masons of twenty-one years' standing, the latter admits all Master Masons. Among the later organizations is the Associ- ation of Past Commanders of Illinois, or- ganized in the year 1896, which meets monthly at Chicago, and which has thus far been quite successful as a social factor. Attempts have been made to organize asso- ciations of Past Masters, and past High Priests, similar to those which now exist in New York, but thus far such attempts have not been successful. Of the semi-literary social societies, so many examples of which may be found in Great Britain, we have none; nor can the type be said to exist anywhere in this coun- try. The nearest approach seems to have been made at Boston, where a chapter of the Rosicrucian Society seems to be doing good work on these lines. As the craft of Illinois gains in age and stability, undoubt- edly the demand for such organizations will come. The idea of Veteran Associations seems to have originated in Connecticut, with ROBERT C. NARAMORE, and to have been confined to the members of King Hiram Lodge, of Birmingham. The first meeting was held June 17, 1871, and this date may be taken as the starting point of this now popular branch of Masonic life. The sec- ond association was started by DANIEL SICKLES at New York, January 25, 1872, and to this brother may justly be accorded the credit of primary organization on the present lines, as the idea of the original promoter does not seem to have extended beyond a special meeting of the lodge. In the same year (1872) a third association was formed in Ohio, and since that time the movement has become popular in a major- ity of the states. This new phase of Ma- sonic intercourse seems to have found favor in the eyes of our English brethren, and lately associations have been instituted in various parts of Great Britain. Probably the best known, and certainly the most popular of the Veteran Associa- tions is that established in Illinois, of which D. C. CREGIER was the first president and over which Gen. JOHN C. SMITH has for a number of years last past held sway. VETERANS ILLINOIS Seal of 'the Masonic Veteran Association of Illi- nois. (Reproduced through the courtesy of GIL. W. BARNARD, Secretary.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 437 THE MASONIC VETERAN ASSOCIATION. BY DANIEL J. AVERY. ON the 26th day of December, 1885, a circular letter bearing the signatures of M. W. Bro. DEWITT C. CREGIER, M. W. Bro. THEODORE T. GURNEY, R. W. Bro. GIL. W. BARNARD, R. W. BRO. WALTER A. STEVENS and W. Bro. GEO. K. HAZLITT, from which we extract the following: The question suggests itself, Can we do anything to perpetuate the principles of the old institution or contribute to the welfare of its older members ? There are scores of craftsmen yet living who, through many years of zeal, loyalty and constancy, have done much towards the growth and prosperity of Freemasonry in Illinois and elsewhere men who have never wearied in their appreciation of the true prin- ciples of the ancient institution, but many whose age and whose labors in the vineyard of Masonry, although entitling them to rest from the active duties of the Lodge, should not deprive them from that social inter- course with their contemporaries, which is one of the most agreeable features of the Lodge; was 'mailed to a number of the older Masons of Illinois, inviting them to meet at Oriental Hall, No. 122 La Salle street, Chicago, on Wednesday evening, January I3th, 1886, to consider the propriety of forming an organ- ization in Chicago, to be called the ' ' Ma- sonic Veteran Association of Illinois." At the time and place named in the notice nearly one hundred Masons who had labored in the temple more than twenty-one years assembled, proceeded to organize, and ap- pointed a committee on regulations. The committee reported at subsequent meetings held during the year, and a code was in due 26 time adopted, in which the name and ob- jects of the Association were clearly denned; time fixed for stated meetings, as well as that of the first annual reunion; defining the officers and their duties and the qualifi- cations of members, which was " No per- son can become a member of this Associa- tion until twenty-one years after his initia- tion, nor unless he be a Master Mason in good standing." At the first annual reunion and banquet of the Association, which was given at the rooms of the Iroquois Club, thirty-five mem- bers were present, and it was then declared that the "first year's existence of the Asso- ciation has been such as to warrant its future success." M. W. Bro. Gen. JOHN C. SMITH, P. G. M. of Masons of Illinois, was elected Venerable Chief, and Veteran R. W. Bro. GIL. W. BARNARD re-elected as Secretary. More than one hundred names of veterans appeared on the roll of members. The second annual reunion was held at the residence of the Venerable Chief, 65 Sibley street, Chicago, at which the vet- erans were entertained by the Venerable Chief, his worthy wife and family, in such manner as those only who have partici- pated in the hospitality of ' Smith's Inn, 65 Sibley Road," can fully appreciate. At this meeting were present as distinguished guests, Bro. CHARLES C. P. HUNT, a Master Mason of more than sixty-six years' 438 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY JN ILLINOIS. standing, and Major General JOHN E. SMITH, of the regular army, a charter mem- ber of Far West Lodge (Galena), Decem- ber 27, 1838, afterwards No. 23 on the reg- ister of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Letters regretting their inability to be present, at the same time expressing their warm fraternal regard for the Association, MOND, and other distinguished Masons from nearly every Grand Jurisdiction in the United States. The roll of membership showed a satis- factory increase in numbers, and as the hour approached for separation and the guests clasped the hand of the Venerable Chief and Mrs. SMITH before parting, each "SMITH'S .INN," The home of Gen. J. C. SMITH, where the annual gatherings of the Veterans are held. (Reproduced through the courtesy of the Rogers & Smith Co., Chicago.) were read from honorary members Breth- ren ALBERT PIKE, E. T. CARSON, JOHN FRIZZELL, H. B. GRANT, WILLIAM B. ISAACS, T. S. PARVIN, JOSIAH H. DRUM- heart beat in unison to the one thought the Masonic Veteran Association was a grand success, and the Venerable Chief was the crown prince of entertainers. manzb altcL VENERABLE BROTHER: V/'OU are desired -to meet the Veteran Freemasons' Antient Society, congregated in Twelfth Annual Assembly, at Smith's Inn, Sibley Road 65, ^ j^ Chicago, JOHN CORSON SMITH, & Venerable Chief. Wednesday, 27 October, A. L. 5897, At early candle light. ANNUAL "SUMMONS" TO THE VETERANS. The border Is a reproduction of an Ancient Lodge Summons used in England during the last century. 440 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Venerable Bro. JOHN CORSON SMITH has been elected his own successor as Ven- erable Chief at each succeeding annual re- union; annually has entertained the vet- erans and their wives at the "Inn, "and each reunion has surpassed all others in interest and pleasure afforded the mem- bers. Masons from every quarter of the world where civilization exists have been received and entertained at the annual meetings of the Association, which numbers among its honorary membership distinguished Praters of Europe, Asia, Egypt, Canada, and most of the States of the Union. The roll of the latter begins with H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, M. W. Grand Master of England. The annual reports of the Association, written, edited and published by the Ven- erable Chief, are among the rarest gems of Masonic literature and are most highly praised by the Masonic student; and as the October sky indicates the approach of frost and snow, the veterans look forward to the annual reunion with anticipations of frater- nal greetings, the warm grasp of hand and the smile of true brotherly love and affec- tion, which has characterized their lives for so many years. Truly the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois has realized the fond- est hopes of those who brought it into ex- istence. Veteran Brother R. W. GIL. W. BAR- NARD still wields the pen as Secretary. Probably one of the most interesting episodes connected with the work of the Association was the address to Queen Vic- toria on the occasion of the recent "jubi- lee," which marked the sixtieth year of her reign. The following excerpt is from the London Freemason of August 4, 1897. A MASONIC ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY FROM THE U. S. A. "The following letter to H. R. H. the Prince of Wales and congratulatory address to her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen were sent by post and express on June 7, 1897. "The address is in I4th century medie- val illuminated text on the finest vellum, and bound in choice seal skin of 'garter blue.' On the back, in letters cut out of solid gold, is the name 'VICTORIA.' CHICAGO, June 1, 1897. H. R. H. ALBERT EDWARD PRINCE OF WALES: M. W. Sir and Brother: On behalf of the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois, United States of America, which is honored with your membership, I forward by express, a con- gratulatory address to her Most Gracious Majesty, on the attainment of her 60 years' reign on the throne of Great Britain and Ireland, &c. We kindly ask that you, on our behalf, will pre- sent this token of our love and respect for so noble a woman, to your loved mother, the Queen. Sincerely and fraternally, JOHN CORSON SMITH, Past Grand Master of Illinois, &r., &r,., and Ktpresent- atwe of Orand Lodge of England, Venerable Chief. " The unique address reads: June 20, 1837. June 20, 1897. To Her Most Gracious Majesty, VICTORIA, QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AND EM- PRESS OF INDIA: The members of the Masonic Veteran Asssocia- tion of Illinois, United States of America, most heart- ily join their brethren " wherever they be, on land or sea," and the people of all civilized nations around the globe, in congratulating your Majesty upon having at- tained the longest reign of any King or Queen who ever sat upon the throne of Great Britain and Ireland. We thank our Heavenly Father, the Grand Archi- tect of the Universe, for having, in His great good- ness, spared your life to witness the most wonderful sixty years of progress in the world's history. No like period has seen so much progress in moral and relig- ious thought, in effective effort for the freedom of mankind, in the advancement in industrial pursuits, in the development of the liberal arts and mechanics, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 441 the uplifting of humanity, and the promotion of the general welfare of the people everywhere. In all of this you have by constant effort, example and encour- agement, borne a conspicuous pan. Wishing to your Most Gracious Majesty continued years of usefulness and happiness, we ask your kindly acceptance of this tribute from the Veteran Freema- sons of Illinois, United States of America, representa- tives of that Ancient Craft whose Patroness you have so long been, and of which your honored father, the Duke of Kent, and your son, His Royal Highness, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, have been and are such distinguished members. JOHN CORSON SMITH, Veteran Chief. "The following reply has graciously been sent by her Majesty to our indefatiga- ble brother, Gen. J. C. SMITH. ' ' Its warm appreciation of the good wishes from the Veterans of Illinois leaves nothing to be desired, so that communica- tion is certain to be widely read and treas- ured by the brethren concerned, as well as highly valued by the Craft in America. WINDSOR CASTLE, 12th July, 1897. Dear Sir: I am commanded to convey to you and to the members of the Masonic Veteran Lodge of Illinois, the sincere thanks of the Queen for the kind expressions of congratulation and good will contained in the address which was forwarded by you through H. R. H., the Prince of Wales, for submission to her Majesty. I am also commanded to thank you for the photo- graph of yourself which was enclosed with the ad- dress. I am, dear sir, Yours very faithfully, ARTHUR BIGGE. Gen. J. C. SMITH, 65 Sibley street, Chicago, U. S. A. THE ACACIA CLUB. BY D. A. CLITHERO. THE most pretentious organization in- tended as a social adjunct to Free- masonry was effected in the year 1890 by the formation of a coterie known as the Acacia Club, of Chicago. The proj- ect grew out of the desire of a number of brethren to extend the fellowship of Ma- sonry into avenues not reached by the Lodges. It was thought that the time had arrived when an organization for social and intellectual pleasure on the lines of Masonry might be successfully conducted, and that if some ' center of union " could be provided a flourishing society similar to those of Eng- land could be maintained. Imbued with this idea a charter was pro- cured for the incorporation of the " Acacia Club of the City of Chicago," having for its object "the promotion of social inter- course among its members, the establish- ment of a library and the maintenance of a suitable club house." The membership was restricted to Master Masons in good standing. The projectors met, organized, and elected the following officers: GEO. W. WARVELLE, President; A. H. JOHNSTON, ist Vice-President; LEONARD C. RIGGS, 2d Vice-President; HENRY BAKER, Treasurer; C. S. GURNEY, Secretary; and a Board of Directors, which included Bros. HUGH MASON, GORHAM B. COFFIN, AMOS PETTIBONE, ROBT. M. JOHNSON, J. B. OVER- MEYER, C. B. SAMSON, D. J. AVERY, G. W. BLANCHARD. 442 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. A large and finely appointed Club House was opened at No. 105 Ashland Boulevard, and for the five years following the club dis- pensed its hospitality and performed the functions for which it was organized. One of the first steps taken after organ- ization was the establishment of a library. As a nucleus the President donated his own large and valuable collection of Masonic books. To this, generous contributions were made by brethren at home and abroad and large accessions of rare works were pro- cured by purchase. In a comparatively short time the Club found itself the possessor of one of the largest and most valuable Masonic libraries in the world and which has ever continued to be a just source of pride to the members. During the year 1893, the period of the World's Fair, the resources of the Club were taxed to the uttermost by the demands of fraternal hospitality in the entertainment of the many foreign visitors at that time so- journing in Chicago. This led to the un- avoidable contraction of debts, and when the commercial depression came it was deemed inexpedient to longer continue the maintenance of a house. Accordingly in 1895 the furniture and fittings were sold, the library transferred to the custody of Oriental Consistory, and the Club was con- tinued on an inexpensive basis and as a sim- ple fraternal association. The experience of the Club demonstrates that the time has not yet arrived for the creation of auxiliary social organizations which involve an outlay of time or money; that the average Mason cares little for social communion on a strictly Masonic basis; and that another decade or two must pass before the craft in this portion of the world will have either inclination or leisure for the cul- tivation of the intellectual and literary phases of Freemasonry. That such a time will come, however, there is no doubt, and with the agencies now at work we may con- fidently assert that the next twenty-five years will witness quite as much of an in- tellectual Masonic revival in Illinois as the past twenty-five years have produced in England. Bro. WARVELLE was succeeded in the presidency of the Club by Bro. L. C. RIGGS, followed respectively by Breth. WILLIAM JOHNSTON, Gen. JOHN C. SMITH, and D. W. ARNOLD, the present incumbent. Breth. C. S. GURNEY, EDGAR LAWTON and J. E. HENRIQUES have each served as Sec- retary. The notable social functions were a re- ception tendered to the Grand Master, Bro. JOHN M. PEARSON, in 1890; a reception to the "Volunteers" who came forward with offerings of their own bodies to relieve the sufferings of the lamented J. O. DICKERSON, which occurred the year following; a re- ception to the "delegates" to the Fra- ternal Congress in 1893; informal "at- homes" to the lodges of Cook county and other Masonic bodies. During the last two years of the club-house occupancy Friday afternoon and evening was set apart as "ladies' day," and the house was opened to the families, relatives and friends of the members. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS MASONIC MONUMENT IN OAK RIDGE CEMETERY, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. (From a Photograph in the Collection of Albert T. Hey, Esq., Springfield.) COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 445 MASONIC CEMETERIES. TO bury the dead is a Masonic duty, and to provide a proper place of sepulture is practically a matter of obligation. This doctrine has always been recognized in the jurisdiction of Illinois and faithfully carried out in practice. While statistics are not available, yet it may be said that but few of the lodges of the State located in cities or centres of population are unprovided with burial plats for the indigent of their own immediate family or the sojourner. In most cases these plats are located in public cem- eteries, but there are instances of burial- grounds owned and controlled exclusively by the fraternity. At quite an early day the craft at Peoria acquired land for this purpose, and it was in this cemetery that the remains of the late JOHN BARNEY were deposited. At Chi- cago Masonic plats may be found in all of the public cemeteries, but the larger number are located at the beautiful spot known as Rose Hill. When this cemetery was estab- lished a large reservation was made for the use of the city lodges and denominated the "Masonic Section." A few years ago an effort was made by Covenant Lodge, No. 526, for a general scheme of uniform im- provement, including a suitable monument to be erected in the center of the section; and while a majority of the lodges interested were in favor of the movement, yet, as entire unanimity could not be secured, the project failed of accomplishment. Since then nothing further has been attempted, and the section is not in all respects as cred- itable in appearance as befits the great brotherhood who own it. The craft at Springfield have set a com- mendable example in this respect. In the beautiful Oak Ridge Cemetery, noted among other things as being the resting place of the remains of the immortal LINCOLN, they have provided a spacious plat known as "Masonic Burial Place." On Sunday, May 31, 1896, there was formally unveiled upon the spot a modest yet strikingly significant monument, of which an illustration is here- with given. The design explains itself. The monument was dedicated with simple ceremonies by the combined lodges of the city, and in token of affectionate remem- brance flowers were strewn over the graves of the departed brethren. While Masonry is unobstrusive and rears to itself no monuments of bronze or stone, it may yet honor the memory of its deceased worthies, and such remembrance, with great propriety, may assume the form of a funeral monument. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. GEORGE W. WARVELLE, one of the prominent jurists and attorneys of Chi- cago, and one of the best known Masons in the state of Illinois, is a native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, born May 3, 1852, of mixed English and Irish ancestry; received an aca- demical education in the schools of his native city, and at the age of nineteen years entered the office of the late Hon. O. S. Head, of Kenosha, and commenced the study of law. The succeeding seven years he spent in preparatory study at his home, and at Chicago, and in 1876 was admitted to practice by the courts of Wisconsin; and ever since that time he has devoted his time and energies to his profession, succeeding in building up a large and remunerative practice. In 1881, realizing that his abil- ities demanded a larger field of work, he re- moved to the city of Chicago, where he has since resided. While engaging in general practice he has given special attention to the law of real estate, and has appeared as counsel in a number of celebrated real- estate cases. Developing in early life a high degree of literary taste and ability, he has naturally taken much pleasure in giving these facul- ties considerable scope. Among his other published works may be mentioned a trea- tise on "Abstracts of Title" (Chicago, 1883), which has had a large sale and has passed to a second edition; a treatise on the law of " Vendor and Purchaser" (Chicago, 1890); and later an elementary work for the use of students on "The Principles of Real Property." The last mentioned work has been received with special favor by legal educators and is now used as a text-book in many of the leading law schools of the coun- try. Mr. Warvelle has also been connected, as contributor and otherwise, with the staff of several of the leading law journals. In recognition of his abilities in the line of authorship, etc., he has received from sev- eral collegiate institutions the honorary de- gree of Doctor of Laws (LL. D.). In 1896 he received the appointment of Dean of the Chicago Law School, a position which he still holds. In 1877 Mr. Warvelle united his desti- nies with those of Miss Lydia Bangs, of Kenosht , Wisconsin, and they now have five children. In respect to the fraternal orders there are many interesting details to relate, but only the main outline is given here. Mr. Warvelle was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry in Covenant Lodge, No. 526, in Chicago, in February, 1875, and since then, by successive gradation, has advanced through all the bodies of the York and Scottish Rites, rounding out his Masonic career in 1888 when he was crowned with the thirty-third and last degree by the Su- preme Council A. A. S. R. for the North- ern Jurisdiction. He has been honored with many official stations by the Craft, being elected the presiding officer in all of the bodies of both the York and Scottish Rites, as well as in a number of the Grand Bodies of the State. He has acquired an extended reputation as a writer on Masonic history and jurisprudence, having made a number of valuable contributions to the Masonic press on these subjects, which are deservedly held in high esteem. He has one of the largest and finest private libraries in the city, in all departments of literature, and in addition has made a collection of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 447 Masonic works which is larger and more valuable than any other in this or any of the adjoining States, with but one excep- tion. This latter library embraces upwards of five thousand titles, and is under the control and auspices of the Oriental Con- sistory. Mr. Warvelle has also been active in the charitable work of the fraternity. Was one of the founders, and for the past thir- teen years a trustee, of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home, and he is President of the Illinois Masonic Home for the Aged. He has thoroughly eschewed " politics " and refused all offers of political preferment; but he is a fluent and easy speaker, thor- oughly posted on whatever he undertakes to treat in public, and consequently his serv- ices as an orator and after-dinner speaker are constantly in demand. A portrait of Mr. Warvelle appears as the frontispiece to this volume. WORDSWORTH BAR- NARD, one of the most prominent citizens of Chicago, was born in Palmyra, New York, June i, 1834. The same year his father, a farmer by occupation, moved to the new lands of Michigan, during the great exodus from the Empire state to that fertile peninsula. On a farm in Jackson county Gilbert was reared to the age of fif- teen, when, possessing only such education as he had obtained at the common school, he started for Chicago. Taking passage on the steamer Detroit, of the old Eber B. Ward line from New Buffalo, the terminus of the Michigan Central Railroad, he ar- rived in Chicago March 31, 1849. Nine- teen days before his arrival here, a great flood occurred which carried away all the bridges over the Chicago river, and caused a vast amount of destruction generally. The river and its banks therefore presented a wild scene, and young Barnard viewed it with curiosity. He even thinks yet that it would be impossible to equal that calamity, at least in some of its features, in the accounts of any similar event anywhere in this coun- try. The particulars of it have not faded from the memories of those who witnessed it; and long afterward every old event at or near Chicago was referred to as having oc- curred "before the flood," or "after the flood," as the case might be, as we now speak of events "before" or "after the war," or "the fire." Mr. Barnard soon found employment, in the store of Deacon John C. Williams, and after a year in that place he changed to the warehouse of Deming & Richmond. (It was Mr. Richmond, of this firm, whose schooner some years later carried the first cargo of grain from Chicago to Liverpool.) In 1 846 the first place in the city for the sale of newspapers and periodicals was established by W. W. Danenhower, and in 1852 Mr. Barnard became his chief clerk. This place, for what was then a novel busi- ness, was at 123 Lake street, in a small room in the "Saloon" building. It was a good place, as the United States and the state courts held their sessions in that building; and, as stationery was added to the stock in trade, the concern caught the trade of the lawyers. A number of lawyers from the country towns and elsewhere fre- quently made a convenience of desk and counter in this little salesroom, and there prepared or amended their papers for pres- entation in court. Among these lawyers was Abraham Lincoln, who was of the same politics as Danenhower, and who made himself perfectly at home there. Mr. Bar- nard came in time to be on familiar terms with the future great man, and he has laughed at more than one joke that was cut for his benefit alone. He continued in the news and stationery business as long as Danenhower owned it, and as his employer was both a fireman and a member of a military company, he easily drifted into the same diversions. He began with running the hose-cart of fire- engine No. i, whose house was at the foot of Dearborn street. Next he ran with Hook and Ladder Company No. i. At the burning of the Sauganash hotel in 1851, a dispute arose between the different fire companies that attained the nature of a 448 COMPENDIUM OF FREBMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. hand-to-hand fight; and Mr. Barnard shows to this day a scar on his scalp which re- sulted from a wound he received in the encounter. In 1854 the Hope Hose Com- pany, No. 2, was reorganized, and he was elected secretary; and never since then has he been out of a secretaryship of some so- ciety or other. Said he, recently: " I seemed naturally to fall into the secretary- ship of about everything I became con- nected with. I cannot account for it ex- cept by referring to the fact that I was such a poor penman, and otherwise entirely un- fitted for the post ! " The early newspa- pers speak of Hope Hose Company as be- ing the best company in the west. Its car- riage, called the "gold carriage," took the first prize at the world's fair in 1851 at the Crystal Palace at London. Mr. Barnard continued with the company until 1859, and the next year the company sold this car- riage to a company in Milwaukee. The National Guard of Chicago was organized in 1854, and Mr. Barnard, being a member of Company B, was elected a corporal, and he served in that capacity until the company disbanded, some time after the "beer riots " during the mayoral term of Dr. Boone. In that affray Mr. Barnard served as special officer, and he helped to carry Officer Hunt, who was wounded, off the field, which was the space around the court-house. Long before the war Mr. Barnard became interested in politics and aided in organizing a young men's Democratic club, designed to assist in carrying on partisan work in Chicago. Senator Douglas obtained for him a position as a clerk in the postoffice, which position he retained under a new postmas- ter after all the other friends of Douglas in that office had been discharged as the result of a quarrel among politicians, and he was even advanced to the head of the general delivery. In order, however, to be free in 1 860 to devote all his time to the political interests of Douglas, he resigned his position in the postoffice, and was sent on many a secret errand in various parts of the state. In 1 86 1 he returned to his former busi- ness of selling books, newspapers and sta- tionery, under John McNally. In 1864 he purchased an interest in a manufacturing concern, and under the firm name of Swain & Barnard it was run successfully for a time, but finally succumbed. Now it was that he found, in quite a different sphere from the mercantile, his true vocation, namely, that of labor in the great field of Freemasonry. He was made a Master Mason December 7, 1864, in Garden City Lodge. The next night he was appointed Junior Steward, and ever since then he has been in some office or other in the Masonic fraternity. During the years 1866-7 he was Master of his lodge, and for several years he was District Deputy Grand Master. He was given the Royal Arch degree October 2, 1862, in Corinthian Chapter, No. 69; received the cryptic de- grees in Siloam Council, No. 53, March 25, 1872, and the Knight Templar degree May 13, 1870, in St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35. The next year he received the thirty- third degree of the Scottish Rite, having re- ceived the thirty-second in 1868. He was a member of the first board of examiners of the Grand Lodge for five years, Grand Lect- urer of the Grand Lodge for eight years, and has been Secretary or Recorder of nearly all side issues that were termed Masonic. He has received over three hundred degrees known to the fraternity. He is Past High Priest of Corinthian Chapter, No. 69; Past Eminent Commander of St. Bernard Com- mandery, No. 35, Knights Templar; Past Commander-in-Chief of Oriental Consistory; Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter; Grand Recorder of the Grand Council and of the Grand Commandery; and Grand Sec- retary of the Council of Deliberation, S. P. R. S. , and various other Masonic bodies in Illinois. A portrait of Mr. Barnard appears on page 217 of this volume. SYLVESTER OMER SPRING. The history of Masonry in Illinois would be incomplete without extended mention of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 449 Mr. Spring, the popular proprietor of The Hotel Fey, at Peoria. He is widely and prominently known in Masonic circles, having been closely identified with the order for a quarter of a century, during which time he has been most zealous and active in promoting its interests. He has been hon- ored with many of the highest offices within the gift of the society, and is a worthy ex- emplar of the beautiful and sublime teach- ings which form its fundamental structure. It has been said that Masonry is grand because it is old ; but Masonry is old be- cause it is grand. It has withstood the ravages of time and the revolutions of ages and the unrelenting crusades directed against it, because it is founded upon a philosophic basis. It is that imperial institution which carries lessons of true honor and manhood, devotion to the welfare of woman, loyalty to truth; it is that permanent institution whose example has called into being almost every other benevolent order extant; it is that imperishable institution which takes by the hand the brother who has fallen in the battle of life, that kindly raises him to his feet again, that gently brushes from his brow the dust of defeat and encourages him to go forth again to the conflict with re- newed strength and a firmer determination to accomplish something in life; it is that noble institution which in the silent watches, unobserved, carries joy and gladness to the lonely and desolate of earth; it is that im- movable institution which by its tenets and cardinal virtues draws unbidden to her sanctum sanctorum the high, the low, the rich, the poor, and numbers them all alike, its own plighted sons and workmen; it is that imperious institution which by its sub- lime principles, unswerving faith and noble deeds challenges the admiration of the world. Such is Masonry; and it is the followers of its banner that has made it so. Ma- sonry is but the form; its members are the spirit and the life. Mr. Spring, who has been one of the most important factors in the growth and advancement of Masonry in Illinois, became a member of Cass Lodge, No. 23, of Beards- town, Illinois, December 10, 1872, and was afterward elected Worshipful Master. Later he was dimitted and joined Temple Lodge, No. 46, of Peoria. He was exalted to the august degree of the Holy Royal Arch in Clark Chapter, No. 29, of Beardstown, February 8, 1873; was dimitted and joined Peoria Chapter, No. 7, and served as its High Priest. He has attained to eminent distinction in the work of the chapter, be- came Representative to the Grand Chapter, and was elected Grand Master of the First Veil in the Grand Chapter of Illinois in 1880. From that time he was gradually promoted each year until 1889, when he was elected to the office of Grand High Priest. He took the council degrees in a Royal Arch chapter in February, 1875, but is now affiliated with Peoria Council, No. i i, in which he has served as Thrice Illus- trious Master. He now occupies the posi- tion of Deputy Grand Master in the Grand Council. He was constituted, created and dubbed a Knight Templar in Hospitaler Commandery, No. 31, of Jacksonville, Illi- nois, September 23, 1873, but is now one of the followers of the beauseant in Peoria Commandery, No. 3, and was honored by the knights of that organization, who chose him as their Eminent Commander in 1885 and 1886. In 1892 he was elected Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Illinois. He received the grades and orders in Scottish Rite Masonry in Peoria Consistory October 11, 1888, and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. At present he is Commander-in-Chief of Peoria Consistory. From 1893 to 1896 he was T. P. G. Master of Central City Lodge of Perfection, and is now second Lieutenant Commander, Illinois Council of Delibera- tion. He was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, thirty-third degree, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, September '9. '893. In 1880 he presided as Grand Sovereign of the Grand Imperial Council of Illinois, Red Cross, Knights of Constantine, and was created a Knight of the Grand 450 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Cross October 25, 1895. He was largely instrumental in organizing Mohammed Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Peoria, and became its first Illustrious Potentate. He is at present holding the position of Grand Representa- tive of the Grand Chapters, R. A. M., of Minnesota and Louisiana near the Grand Chapter of Illinois; Grand Representative of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Connecticut near the Grand Council of Illinois; Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Oregon near the Grand Commandery of Illinois; and Grand Representative of the Grand Imperial Council, Red Cross, Knights of Constantine, Canada, near the Grand Imperial Council, Illinois. His great love for Masonry, and the fact that he became a member of the order so early in life, have enabled him to become a very active worker in the Masonic vine- yard in the most responsible positions, and accordingly has been honored with the high- est offices within the gift of his brethren. Mr. Spring is a native of Pittsfield, Illi- nois, his birth having occurred on the 3oth of January, 1850. His educational privi- leges were limited, for at the age of thirteen he left the school-room to learn the lessons of practical life in the more difficult school of experience. He was employed as a salesman in different mercantile establish- ments until 1870, when he embarked in the hotel business in Beardstown, an enterprise that he conducted until 1880. He then re- moved to Peoria, where he became inter- ested in the wholesale grocery business, con- tinuing operations in that line until 1895, when he again engaged in hotel-keeping, as proprietor of the popular hostelry known as the Hotel Fey. This is one of the most thoroughly equipped hotels in the state out- side of Chicago, its furnishings and con- veniences being all modern, and its patron- age is extensive. On the 28th of November, 1878, Mr. Spring was united in marriage with Miss Anna F. Arenz, of Beardstown, Illinois, and they have had two children, one of whom. Marie L. , is a recent graduate of the high school of Peoria. Mr. Spring is a member of the Congre- gational church. He was one of the found- ers of the Creve Coeur Club, of which he filled the office of president for two terms. He was also prominent in the military cir- cles of the state, becoming a member of the Illinois National Guard in its early history and holding a commission as first lieutenant and quartermaster of the Seventh Regiment during the years 1877-8. He has also been interested in municipal affairs, representing the second ward of Peoria in the city coun- cil in 1894-5. A close student of the polit- ical issues and problems of the time, he is thoroughly informed on the topics of the day. He is now representing the fourteenth congressional district as a member of the Republican state central committee. A portrait of Mr. Spring appears on page 299 of this volume. JOSEPH T. MOULTON, deceased, was for many years an honored and worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, whose existence antedates any other organization of that character and which has included in its membership many thousands of the best men of all ages. His life was in harmony with its principles and he had the highest regard of his Masonic brethren. He was made a Mason in Kilwinning Lodge, No. 311, of Chicago, and afterward affiliated with Landmark Lodge, No. 422. He received the Royal Arch degrees in Cor- inthian Chapter, No. 69, June i, 1864, and was subsequently dimitted, joining Fair- view Chapter, No. 61. While a member of Corinthian Chapter, he occupied the sta- tion of King during the years 1 866, 1 867 and 1868, and served as High Priest during 1869. He was greeted a Royal and Select Master in Siloam Council, afterward was di- mitted to Chicago Council, No. 4, and was knighted in Chicago Commandery, No. 19, but dimitted and afterward affiliated with Apollo Commandery, No. i. He received LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 453 the ineffable degrees of the Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite in Oriental Consistory, of Chicago, and was thus connected with many branches of the fraternity, which is based upon morality, charity and brotherly kindness. Mr. Moulton was one of the worthy sons that the Granite State furnished to Chicago. He was born in Guilford, New Hampshire, on the 27th of August, 1826, and when two years of age was taken by his parents to Thornton, New Hampshire, where the greater part of his minority was passed. He was reared on a farm, aiding in the labors of the fields through the summer months and until after the crops were harvested in the autumn, when he would enter the pub- lic schools near by. He acquired a good education, which business experience and the practical duties of life largely supple- mented. When a young man of nineteen he de- termined to give his attention to some other pursuit than that of agriculture, and went to Waltham, Massachusetts, where he was employed in the Waltham Bleachery for a time. Subsequently he learned the car- penter's trade, to which he ever afterward devoted his energies. He mastered the business in every detail, and made such continued progress in that line that he be- came one of the most prominent contractors throughout the entire west. Becoming cog- nizant of the larger opportunities for busi- ness successes afforded by the new and rap- idly developing west, he came to Chicago on the 8th of November, 1853, a young man of twenty-eight years. Here he em- barked in business on his own account as a millwright and contractor; he also labored for some time in perfecting plans for the construction of grain elevators, and then be- gan building according to his own original specifications. He soon achieved an excel- lent reputation in that line, and therefore the volume of his business steadily and rap- idly increased until it had assumed extensive proportions. His business career was a successful one, owing to his energy, indus- try, good management and sound judgment, and he thereby accumulated a handsome property. Nearly all of the large grain el- evators in the country, and more especially throughout the west the great grain-grow- ing region were erected by the firm of J. T. Moulton & Son, and the name of the company became famous wherever there are extensive grain interests. Of later years Mr. Moulton largely retired from the active management of the business, and enjoyed the quiet retirement of home life and a well- merited rest from commercial cares and duties. While in Waltham, Massachusetts, Mr. Moulton married Miss Sarah Patch, of that city. His widow and three children sur- vive: George M.,- William A. and Lizzie E., wife of L. D. Kneeland. GEORGE MAYHEW MOULTON, the eldest son and for many years his father's associate in business, was born in Readsboro, Ver- mont, March 15, 1851, and was brought by his parents to Chicago in 1853, since which time he has been a resident of this city. He entered the public schools and was grad- uated in the high school at the age of sev- enteen, with the class of 1868. He then began business with his father, and as time passed thoroughly mastered every detail connected with the erection of the large grain elevators which were the specialty of the company. He also learned the carpen- ter's trade. In January, 1870, he went with his father to Duluth and aided in the construction of the first grain elevator built in that section of the country. His duties were those of secretary to the vice-presi- dent and general manager of the company, and as general clerk of the work. When the Duluth elevator was completed he en- gaged with the owners to operate it for a year, but before that period expired he was transferred to Stillwater to superin- tend the erection of an elevator at that point. From that time down to the pres- ent he has been interested in the erection of almost every large grain elevator in the country. The business of the company swelled to mammoth proportions, its repu- tation extended from the Atlantic to the 454 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. Pacific and it was soon without a peer in this special line of architectural work. George M. Moulton is a man of varied re- sources and his efforts have been by no means limited to one line of industrial inter- ests. In 1877 he entered into partnership with George H. Johnson for the manufac- ture and application of fireproof materials for buildings, and in 1880 the business was organized and incorporated under the name of the Ottawa Tile Company, with an ex- tensive plant in Ottawa, Illinois. This en- terprise was followed by an almost phenom- enal success, until the company now owns and controls the largest clay-manufacturing establishment in the world. Its interests are now conducted under the name of the Pioneer Fire-Proof Construction Company, and from the organization down to the pres- ent time Mr. Moulton has been its president and leading stockholder. He was also one of the stockholders in the World's Colum- bian Exposition, and stands among the foremost business men of Chicago, whose avenues of commerce, extending in all di- rections, largely control the trade of the country. Mr. Moulton was married March 12, 1873, in Burlington, Iowa, to Anna Flor- ence Garland. They have two children: Edith May, who was born in Winona, Minnesota, and Arthur Garland, who was born in Chicago. In 1886 Mr. Moulton was commissioned a major in the Second Regiment, Illinois National Guards. He resigned his commis- sion in January, 1890, retiring when Col. H. A. Wheeler at whose solicitation he entered the service retired from the com- mand of the regiment. While in commis- sion he served in the two-weeks campaign at the Union Stock Yards during the noted labor riots in the fall of 1886, and was with his regiment at all of its encampments and wherever it was called upon for duty. In February, 1894, Col. Moulton, then a staff officer attached to the First Brigade, I. N. G., was unanimously elected colonel of the Second Infantry, I. N. G. , the largest regi- ment in this state and which is still under the command of Col. Moulton. With his regiment he participated in the campaign of July and August, 1894, in the suppression of the railroad riots of that year in the vi- cinity of Chicago. He is a member of the Union League Club, Chicago Athletic Asso- ciation, Miltona Club, Sons of Vermont and the Chicago Art Institute. Mr. Moulton is an enthusiastic Mason and has taken the following degrees in Masonry: He was raised a Master Mason in Covenant Lodge, No. 526, F. & A. M. , February 26, 1875; exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Corinthian Chapter, No. 69, May 17, 1 875; greeted Select Master in Siloam Council, No. 53, August 7, 1875; created a Knight Templar in St. Bernard Command- ery, No. 35, September i, 1875; created S. P. R. S. , thirty-second degree, in Orient- al Consistory, A. A. S. R., June 4, 1880. He was crowned as Sovereign Grand In- spector General, thirty-third degree, A. A. S. R. , for the Northern Jurisdiction, U. S. A., September 20, 1887; was created Knight of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, Knight of St. John of Palestine, and Guar- dian Knight of the Holy Sepulchre in the Grand Council of the State of Illinois, Oc- tober 25, 1875. He also holds a member- ship in Queen Esther Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and Medinah Temple A. A. O. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Nor has he been an idle member of these various bodies. On the contrary he has been an almost constant, faithful and efficient office- bearer, serving with fidelity in many of the humbler official positions and with distinc- tion in many of the most important in the gift of Masonry. Among the positions he has filled are the following: In lodge, Senior Deacon, 1877, Junior Warden, 1878 and 1890, Senior Warden in 1891, and Master in 1892; in chapter, King, 1884 and 1885, and High Priest, 1886, receiving order of High Priest- hood October, 1886; in council, Thrice Illustrious Master, 1884; in commandery, Captain General, 1877, Generalissimo, 1878, and Emminent Commander, 1883; in Chi- cago Council, Princes of Jerusalem, six- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY JN ILLINOIS. 455 teenth degree, A. A. S. R. , Sovereign Prince Grand Master, 1 884 and 1 885 ; in Consistory, S. P. R. S., thirty-second degree, A. A. S. R. , Second Lieutenant Commander, 1885, 1886 and 1887, and First Lieutenant Commander until January, 1 890, when he became the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief; in Illinois Grand Council of Deliberation of A. A. S. R. , Grand Standard Bearer for three years from 1885, Minister of State and Grand Orator, 1890-2, and Second Lieutenant Commander, 1 893-5 ; m Grand Lodge, Junior Grand Warden, 1895 and 1896; in Grand Chapter R. A. M., Grand Master First Veil in 1887, Grand Master Second Veil, 1888, Grand Royal Arch Cap- tain, 1889, Grand Principal Sojourner, 1890, Grand Captain of the Host, 1891, Grand Scribe, 1892, Grand King, 1893, Deputy Grand High Priest, 1894, and Grand High Priest, 1895; in Grand Council R. & S. M., Grand Conductor, 1886, Deputy Grand Master, 1887-8, Grand Master, "1889; in Grand Commandery, K. T. , Grand Sword Bearer, 1885, Grand Standard Bearer, 1886, Grand Captain General, 1887, Grand Gen- eralissimo, 1888, Deputy Grand Commander, 1889, and Grand Commander, 1890. At Washington, in 1889, he was appointed Grand Standard Bearer of the Grand En- campment, K. T. , U. S. A., for the term ending August, 1892; elected Senior Warden at Denver for term ending August, 1895, an d a t Boston was elected Grand Cap- tain General for term ending August, 1898. He is a stockholder in the Masonic Fra- ternity Temple Association of Chicago, and the Masonic Temple Association of Joliet, Illinois. In 1884 he became one of the in- corporators of the Knights Templar & Masons' Life Indemnity Company, a frater- nal co-operative company, of which he was vice-president until 1890, when he suc- ceeded the late Dr. J. Adams Allen, as president. Managed with ability, this company has now twenty-two million dol- lars of insurance in force and has enjoyed a steady growth that is a source of pride to Mr. Moulton. In 1885 he became one of the incorporators of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home, and was elected president of the association, filling that office until 1 890, when he retired voluntarily, remaining, however, in the board of trustees. During the presidency of Mr. Moulton the associa- tion acquired a property which is valued at fifty thousand dollars and is practically free from debt. The home is in practical oper- ation and is a delightful protection to a con- siderable number of dependent Masonic orphans. A portrait of Mr. George M. Moulton appears on page 297 of this volume. I ATHANIEL BOWDITCH was born October 6, 1845, at Salem, Massachu- setts, and is a descendant of the old colo- nial family of that name. His early life was passed in the peaceful pursuits of agri- culture and assisting his father, a noted contractor and builder, at Leicester, Wor- cester county, that state. He acquired his education in the common schools of the state and at the age of eighteen was grad- uated with honors at the Leicester high school. Possessing the mechanical proclivi- ties which have so distinguished the Bow- ditch family, he then turned his attention to the acquisition of the trade of machinist, a pursuit in which he soon became profi- cient, and which he afterward followed for a time with much success. His first active efforts in life were made in the city of Bos- ton, where he remained until 1867, when, feeling that the west exhibited a broader field for the development of his inclination and abilities, he removed to the state of Illinois, locating at first in the city of Au- rora and thence removing to Batavia, where he remained for two years. From the lat- ter place he again went to Aurora, where he has since continually resided. In 1874 he became connected with the safe business as salesman and mechanical expert, which vocation he has successfully followed ever since, being at the present time the general traveling agent of the Mosler Safe & Lock Company, of Hamilton, Ohio. As a busi- 456 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ness man he enjoys a most enviable reputa- tion for uprightness and fair dealing, while his fame as an ingenious and skillful me- chanic in all matters pertaining to safes, locks and combinations extends to every part of the state, and frequently calls for the exercise of his peculiar talents and ability. In Masonry Mr. Bowditch has long oc- cupied a high and influential position. He was made a Master Mason in Batavia Lodge, No. 404, September 4, 1868; was exalted to the Royal Arch in Fox River Chapter, No. 14, October 29, 1868; greeted a Select Master in Sycamore Council, No. 36, Sep- tember 27, 1869; and created a Knight Templar in Aurora Commandery, No. 22, April 21, 1876. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite he received the grade of Sub- lime Prince of the Royal Secret, thirty-sec- ond degree, in Princeton Consistory, April 22, 1874, but at the present time is an affiliate of Oriental Consistory, of Chicago. He was also one of the nine companions who organized Aurora Council, No. 45, in 1869, and was its first Deputy Illustrious Master, since which time he has served it for many years as Thrice Illustrious Master, and of which office he is the present incumbent. He is a Past High Priest of Fox River Chap- ter, No. 14, R. A. M. , and has served two years as Eminent Commander of Aurora Commandery, No. 22, K. T. In the Adopt- ive Rite he has taken a decided interest and is Past Worthy Patron of Rising Sun Chapter, No. 5 1 , Order of the Eastern Star, and is also a member of the Masonic Veter- ans' Association of Illinois. In all that relates to Freemasonry Mr. Bowditch has ever been zealous and active, and not only have his services been called into requisition as presiding officer of the various bodies of the city in which he re- sides, but in the grand bodies of the state his ability has been equally recognized. In 1884, upon the organization of the Grand Council of Illinois, R. & S. M., he was elected to the office of Grand Thrice Illus- trious, and when, in the following year, that office was abolished by the adoption of the new constitution, was elected Grand Captain of the Guard. In October, 1886, he was elected to the office of Most Illus- trious Grand Master, a position which he filled with such signal ability that on the re- assembling of the Grand Council in the fol- lowing year he was re-elected to the same office. Upon the expiration of his second term he was appointed to the office of Grand Lecturer, an appointment which has been confirmed by all successive Grand Masters for the past ten years. It is gen- erally conceded that during the trying period which marked the reorganization of this Grand Council, the services rendered by Mr. Bowditch did more to augment its prosper- ity and place it upon a solid foundation than that of any other person. The cryptic rite having thus engaged his attention, his ear- nest endeavors have never flagged, and it is not an exaggeration to say that he is regarded as the foremost exponent of the rite as practiced in Illinois to-day. In its allied branch of capitular Masonry he is also an active worker, and at the present time is Grand Scribe of the Grand Royal Arch Chap- ter of the state of Illinois. He is also one of the Grand officers of the Grand Imperial Council, Knights of the Red Cross of Con- stantine, of the state of Illinois; Grand Rep- resentative of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Oregon, near the Grand Chapter of Illi- nois; Grand Representative of the Grand Councils of Royal and Select Masters of the states of Colorado and Vermont, near the Grand Council of Illinois. Socially Mr. Bowditch is a courteous and affable gentleman, the center of a large circle of warm and admiring friends. He was married in 1870 to Miss Sarah Thomp- son, and one daughter is growing up to do the honors of his home. In personal ap- pearance he is rather above the medium height, and of commanding presence; is easy and fluent in conversation, and brings to whatever task he may have to perform the strength of an indomitable will and a never tiring zeal. A portrait of Mr. Bowditch appears on page 252 of this volume. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 457 JOHN JOSEPH BADENOCH. While Chicago has many citizens who are prom- inent in trade circles and have a wide acquaintance in the line of their business interests, there is but a small proportion of her citizens who are known throughout the metropolis to her varied residents; but so active has Mr. Badenoch been in commer- cial, political, charitable and social circles and in all affairs concerning the city's prog- ress and improvement, moral and material, that few indeed of Chicago's residents do not know him. Nothwithstanding all this he has always been a quiet and unassuming man, not demonstrative, but such is his true worth and merit that he has the highest esteem and utmost trust and respect of all. Mr. Badenoch was born at Boat Asch- ogle, Scotland, on the ipth of April, 1851, and coming to America during his early childhood, when but five years of age, he acquired his education in the public schools of New York city. He arrived in Chicago on the 8th of April, 1866, and for seven years thereafter was employed as a travel- ing salesman by a wholesale jewelry house. In 1873 he severed his connection with that firm and in August of the same year em- barked in business on his own account in the grain trade, at 109 West Washington street. His place of business being de- stroyed by fire July 12, 1894, he removed to Nos. 44 and 46 South Desplaines street. At this time he extended his business by securing the large grain elevator at Rockwell and Madison streets and began the business of clipping and grinding grain for Eastern shipment. He has since carried on opera- tions at these points and now controls a large share of the grain trade of the city. He is also president of the Englewood Elec- tric Light Company. Close application, untiring industry, keen sagacity and enter- prise are the chief characteristics of his busi- ness career, and above all his transactions have been conducted along the strictest lines of commercial ethics. Republicanism has been promoted through his advocacy and support, and his political record is one over which there falls 27 no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He has long supported the Republican party and labored for its success. On that ticket he was elected to represent the eleventh ward of the city in the council for the term of 1887 and 1888. For two years, from 1 890 to 1893, he was a member of the board of education; in 1893-4 was a member of the board of election commissioners and was president of that board in 1894-5. Prob- ably the public service that has brought him most conspicuously before the people was that of superintendent of police. He filled that position from the spring of 1895 to the spring of 1897, under the administration of Mayor Swift, and his record was one which reflected the greatest credit upon his sup- porters and constituents. He not only saved to the police department the sum of one thousand dollars daily, but also suc- ceeded in elevating the moral tone of the city by closing many of its most notorious haunts of vice. His service was in every way commendable and for his official acts he is deserving the gratitude of every fair- minded citizen. Mr. Badenoch is a member and trustee of the Second Baptist church. He is a man of unostentatious and varied liberality, giv- ing freely and constantly to objects of char- itable interest. He was president of the Illinois St. Andrew's Society in 1894, 1895 and 1 896, a member of the board of trus- tees of the W'orking Woman's Home Asso- ciation, and in a quiet manner but with bounteous hand gives to many worthy indi- viduals who have reason to bless him for his timely assistance in their hour of need. In accord with his liberal and generous spirit is his affiliation with the Masonic fra- ternity, which rests upon the fundamental principle of mutual helpfulness. He be- longs to Garden City Lodge, No. 141, A. F. & A. M., has taken the capitular degrees in York Chapter, R. A. M., and has served therein as Captain of the Host. He took the degrees of cryptic Masonry and was greeted a Royal & Select Master in York Council, No. 148; was constituted, created and dubbed a Sir Knight in St Bernard COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS Commandery, No. 35; has filled the office of Eminent Commander, and in Oriental Consistory attained the thirty-second de- gree of the Scottish Rite and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. He is a Noble of Medinah Temple, Ancient Ara- bic Order of the Mystic Shrine, was one of the founders of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home, has served as trustee since its or- ganization and for the past five years has been president. He was made an honorary member of DeMolay Commandery, K. T. , of Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Badenoch was married on the I2th of January, 1874, to Miss Clemence Ward, and they have six children, namely: Joseph W., John J., Edward C. , Annie L. , David A. and Ernest W. In addition to their pleasant home in the city, they have a beau- tiful summer home on the banks of Brown's Lake, Wisconsin. A symmetrically devel- oped man, in whose life business, politics and social interests have claimed their just attention, Mr. Badenoch finds his chief en- joyment in the midst of his family, and to know the best side of his nature one must know him in his home. A portrait of Mr. Badenoch is given in this volume on page 404. JAMES H. CONNELL, county judge, Aledo. Freemasonry is honored by the devotion of such men as the subject of this brief biographical mention, who takes just "pride " in the systematic exactness of the Masonic ritual and regulations, and the lofty significance of its symbols and legends. Judge Connell was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Aledo Lodge, No. 252, May 21, 1878, since which time he has been a valued member in good standing, enjoying the high esteem and con- fidence of the fraternity. While a great admirer of the tenets of the order and an ardent student of its history, symbols and teachings, he however declines official dis- tinction. He was born at Toronto, Canada, No- vember 5, 1844, while his parents were on their way from Scotland to the United States. His parents, William and Isabella (Leshman) Connell, were both natives of Scotland, he of Glasgow and she of Perth. They were married in their native land, and after they had two children they emigrated to the United States. After spending two years in Buffalo, New York, they came on to Sycamore, Illinois, where Mr. Connell was engaged in the hardware business. After the discovery of gold in California he went thither, but unfortunately was drowned while engaged in constructing a dam across the American river. Thus his wife and five children were bereft of a husband and father, and they were for a long time in suspense as to what had befallen them. His wife lived to be seventy-six years of age, and but three of the family are now living. Judge Connell, the third child, was but five years of age when his father died. He re- ceived his education in the public schools at Sycamore, and a business training at a com- mercial school in Chicago. In 1864, when he became old enough to be received into the army, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and remained faithfully in the service until the close of the war. The field of his military operations was in Ken- tucky and Tennessee, relieving the veterans who joined Sherman and marched to the sea. In the summer of 1865 he was hon- orably discharged. He then read law at Aledo, was admit- ted to the bar in 1868, opened out in prac- tice in this city, and met with satisfactory success. For three terms he was master in chancery. In 1886 he was elected county judge, served a term of four years, was re- elected in 1890 and again in 1894; and he is therefore now serving in the third year of his third term. In his political principles he has always been a Republican. In his earlier life he rendered valuable campaign service to his party, but while he is acting as judge he naturally keeps aloof from active political work. As a lawyer his ability is considered COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 459 very fine, and his execution of the duties of the judgeship gives entire satisfaction. June 8, 1870, he was united in matri- mony with Miss Lallie Arthur, a native of Ohio and the daughter of Colonel John Ar- thur, of the United States regular army, who served as such in the Mexican war. Mrs. Connell is a member of the Congrega- tional church. The Judge and his wife have a delightful home in Aledo, and are very much beloyed by hosts of friends. ME. WOOD, M. D., who is success- fully engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Chicago, is also a worthy repre- sentative of the Masonic fraternity of the city with which he has been identified since 1876, having been made a member in Ori- ental Lodge, No. 33. He took the Royal Arch degrees in Lafayette Chapter, No. 2, in 1880, and in 1892 became a member of Palestine Council, Royal & Select Masters. Two years later he was knighted in Apollo Commandery, and with all these various branches is still affiliated. Dr. Wood is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Tioga county, New York, on the 1 3th of Decem- ber, 1852. His parents were Ephraim and Lucy (Elliott) Wood, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylva- Our subject was reared in New York ma. city, acquired his education in its schools, and won the degree of A. M. from Colum- bia College. Having determined to enter upon the practice of medicine as a life-work he prepared himself for that calling in the College of Physicians & Surgeons of New York, where he was graduated with the class of 1872. For four years he remained in the east, and in 1876 came to Chicago, where he has since made his home. Doing everything in his power to perfect himself in the science of medicine, he has been a close student through all the years of his practice and has carried his researches far and wide into the realm of medical knowl- edge. He was graduated at the Bennett Medical College in 1878, and in 1890 at the Rush Medical College. He organized the Chicago Medical & Surgical Institute, loca- ted at 617 LaSalle avenue, of which he has since been the controlling spirit, and in the line of his profession has won a most envia- ble and justly merited reputation, his large patronage indicating his ability and skill. He is continually progressive in his work and gaining new inspiration from the faith- ful performance of each day's duties. The Doctor was married in 1890, the lady of his choice being Miss Olive Henline, of Ohio. In manner he is a pleasant, genial gentleman, courteous and kindly, and has won many friends among his pro- fessional brethren, who esteem him for his ability, as well as among those of the Ma- sonic fraternity, who hold him in the high- est regard on account of his sterling worth. In politics he is a Republican. WALTER AUGUSTUS STEVENS, M . D . , Chicago, was born in Richmond , Ontario county, New York, on the igth of April, 1830. He is still strong in body and mind, and actively engaged in dental prac- tice. Although of the old school he has kept abreast with all modern improvements. He mastered the working details of his pro- fession before there were any institutions in the west, and only two or three in the east that were authorized to grant the degree of D. D. S. He received his degree of M. D. from Rush Medical College on February 15, 1887. As to his ancestors it may be stated that his grandfather, Jesse Stevens, was a patri- otic son of Massachusetts during the Revo- lutionary war; and when the selectmen of the town of Chelmsford called for fifteen men for nine months' service, he was one of the first to enlist and hold himself in readi- ness for service whenever occasion should demand. In the spring of 1781 he went to Concord, Massachusetts, and there joined a company which was ordered to Peekskill, New York, where he was detached and de- tailed to guard the cattle held as provisions for the Continental army. This was an 400 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. humble duty, but he performed it well, since he was not discharged from the serv- ice until more than a month after Cornwal- lis had surrendered. In fact, at the time of the surrender, he was within two days' march of both the American and the British armies. Dr. Stevens' parents, Walter and Lucy (Osgood) Stevens, were brought to western New York as children, when that section of the country was considered as the outskirts of civilization. The very day that the sub- ject of this sketch was thirteen years old his father was buried, leaving a large farm and a family of seven children. The elder brother dying the following year, responsi- bilities were thrown upon his shoulders which were beyond his years; yet, guided by the councils of an honored mother, he stood bravely at his post of duty until his younger sisters and brothers had received their education and were prepared to as- sume their share of the burden. Dr. Stevens' early education was acquired in the district schools of his native county, in the Palmyra high school and at the Gene- see Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York. While obtaining his higher educa- tion the bent of his mind was indicated in the nature of his favorite studies, which were anatomy, physiology and mathemat- ics. In the last mentioned he even took private lessons from Professor Dascom Green, who was subsequently connected for many years with the Polytechnical Institute, of Troy, New York. In fact, although an agriculturist by accident of birth, his taste was by no means of that nature, as he de- cidedly exhibited an inclination toward both medicine and civil engineering at a very early age. For several years after leaving school, however, circumstances compelled him to work upon the farm, the winters be- ing more congenially passed in the pursuit of his favorite studies. In 1857 he came west and obtained em- ployment on a railroad then being con- structed in eastern Missouri, which after- ward became a section of the St. Louis & Iron Mountain line. During the succeeding' four years he was engaged in railroad work, bridgebuilding, piling, filling, etc. He took no active part in politics, yet his views in favor of the perpetuity and exaltation of the Union became known. Most of the time his headquarters were at Bird's Point and Charleston, Mississippi county, and for a short time, during Buchanan's administra- tion, in 1859, he was postmaster at the former locality, on the Mississippi river op- posite Cairo. During the latter portion of his sojourn in Missouri, as a stanch Union- ist and "Northern" man, he found himself the object of much disagreeable attention. In those days the Knights of the Golden Circle, a Democratic anti-Union organiza- tion, were quite as prominent in the politics of Missouri as they were in Illinois; and Dr. Stevens, in common with other Union men, received a fierce notice to "quit" that sec- tion of the country. This notice he has preserved as a personal memento and a his- toric curiosity. It is written in rather a feminine hand, on common note paper, and was entrusted to the care of one "Irish Tim," an honest old fellow, who brought it to Mr. Stevens. Dr. Stevens, however, did not leave that locality for four months after- ward, neither did he ' hang at high noon " of that momentous day mentioned in the notice. In July, that year, he permanently located in Chicago. Previous to this time he had studied dentistry in private; and when he settled in this city he entered the the office of Dr. Honsinger, then one of the leading local practitioners, and commenced systematic mastery of his profession. Two years afterward he commenced practice by himself; and now, for a third of a century, with few interruptions, he has thus been act- ively engaged. During this entire period he has labored and lived on the South Side, and by his industry, cordiality and skill has become not only prosperous but has also at- tained a high social position, as well as pro- fessional. Since its organization Dr. Stev- ens has been a member of the Chicago Dental Society, and president of the state organization for a term of one year, May, 1895, to May, 1896. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 461 On the 2d of September, 1862, the year previous to the commencement of his long practice, Dr. Stevens was married to Elea- nora V. Richards, of Lenox, Massachusetts, and they have two children living. Gene- vieve I., their daughter, is a young lady of fine education, being not only a graduate of the high school but also a student, at pres- ent of the Chicago University, having pre- viously had the benefit of eighteen months of European travel and culture. Wirt A. is a stalwart boy of seventeen and a pupil of the South Division high school. Aside from his professional and domes- tic life, there is nothing into which Dr. Stevens has entered with more zest, and in which his heart is more wrapt, than in the work and pleasure connected with the Ma- sonic order. Not only is he one of the old- est members in the west, but he is also one of the most prominent, and none are more honored. He first joined Union Lodge, No. 45, of Lima. New York, which never closed its doors during the anti-Masonic ag- itation of 1826. He became a charter mem- ber of Blair Lodge, No. 393, when it was organized in 1864, and served as its Master for two years. For three years he was High Priest of Chicago Chapter, No. 127, R. A. M., and was Commander of Apollo Com- mandery. No. i, Knights Templar, for one term. During a portion of July and August, 1883, the Commandery made a pilgrimage to Europe. The party, consisting of about one hundred and twenty Knights and ladies, with friends besides, embarked for Liver- pool on the magnificent steamer, City of Rome. Four itineraries were marked out for the tourists, embracing London, Paris, Holland, Belgium, the Rhine, Switzerland and Scotland. At the head of the com- mandery was Eminent Sir Norman T. Cas- sette, Dr. Stevens as Generalissimo being second in authority. The trip was one con- tinuous ovation, perhaps the most impres- sive and enjoyable occasion being the recep- tion accorded the commandery by the Knights of the historic city of York, Eng- land. This included not only a visit to the ancient wall and other antiquities, as well as the famous minster, but also an exempli- fication of the English ritual, and a levee given by the Lord Mayor of York. On this occasion the Generalissimo delivered an ad- dress, which was highly applauded and afterward extensively circulated in printed form. Besides having been Commander of Apollo Commandery, Dr. Stevens served as Commander-in- Chief of the Grand Consis- tory of the State of Illinois, A. A. S. R., until 1867, when all grand consistories in the Northern Masonic jurisdiction were dis- continued. Also, for eleven years, he was District Deputy Grand Master of the First District of Illinois, A. F. & A. M. He is an active member of the Supreme Council, S. G. I. G., of the Northern Masonic Juris- diction, thirty-third degree; has been Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, and holds a similar position for the Grand Lodge of New York, the Grand Chapter of Nebraska, R. A. M., and the Grand Commandery of North Dakota. Dr. Stevens is a man of convictions and thorough principles, and he is a gentleman so eminently sociable and genial that he never advances his opinions in a manner that gives offence. He is also domestic, in the best sense of the term, is open in word and deed, and no man stands higher in the honest, unassuming practice of his profes- sion. TjVREDERICK T. CROXON, purchasing Jr agent at the Union Stock Yards, is one of Chicago's well-known citizens who has attained a high and merited reputation in Masonic circles as one of the valued mem- bers of the fraternity. He was made a Mason in Pleiades Lodge, No. 478, in 1866, and for almost a third of a century has faithfully followed the teachings and prac- ticed the principles of the society. At length he was dimitted from Pleiades Lodge and became a member of Home Lodge, No. 508, and a member of Mizpah Lodge, No. 768, on its organization. He was one of the leading promoters of this society, took 462 COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. a very active part in its formation and served as its first Junior Warden. He subse- quently became Worshipful Master and ac- ceptably acted in that capacity for two years. He is now a life member of Mizpah Lodge. He received the Royal Arch degrees in Chicago Chapter, No. 127, and became a Royal & Select Master in Siloam Council. He was knighted in Apollo Commandery, No. I, in 1873, and is a life member of the same. In 1876 he took the Scottish Rite degrees up to and including the thirty-sec- ond in Oriental Consistory, and is also one of the life members of that body. He is very devoted to all the branches of Ma- sonry, to its works and teachings, and has done all in his power to inculcate its princi- ples among men. He has manifested in his own life the spirit of the fraternity and is highly esteemed as a worthy and accept- able member of the craft. The record of Mr. Croxon is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way upward to a position of honor and responsiblity. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and his systematic and straightforward business methods have gained him the support and confidence of many, while his native talents and acquired ability are the stepping-stones on which he has mounted, rising from a lowly station to one of prominence in com- mercial circles. Mr. Croxon is a native of England, his birth having occurred in the city of London in 1835. He was reared there until twelve years of age, when with his parents he crossed the broad Atlantic to America and with the family located in Buffalo, New York, in 1847. Five years later he went to Boston, Massachusetts. He had previously learned the printing business and was em- ployed by P. T. Barnum during the Jenny Lind tour, having entire charge of the dis- tribution of programs and of other duties in connection with the advertising department. In 1856 he came to Chicago and accepted a position as clerk in the Dearborn House, then a popular hotel. He afterward went to the Centralia House, where he served in the same capacity, and when the Union Stock Yards were established in 1866 he became an employee therein and has since continued his connection therewith. For the past four years he has held the very re- sponsible position of purchasing agent. In 1856 Mr. Croxon was united in mar- riage to Miss Augusta Bryant, of Dorches- ter, Massachusetts, a member of the cele- brated Bryant family of which the great poet, William Cullen Bryant, was a mem- ber. He is a man of sterling worth, who by his own labors has achieved an enviable success and has won the high regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. HON. NEWTON ELLIS, mayor of Canton, Illinois, and engaged in a real- estate and insurance business, is a gentle- man whose high standing in the business, political and fraternal circles of this city is well known, and whose history is of special interest in this connection. Mr. Ellis was born near Canton, in Can- ton township, Fulton county, Illinois. De- cember 21, 1843, and was reared to farm life. He was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1882, when he left the farm and moved into Canton, where he has since re- sided and given his attention to a real-estate and insurance business. When the Civil war broke out Mr. Ellis was yet in his 'teens, but young as he was he was fired with a spirit of patriotism and was eager to join the ranks. In the second year of the war he enlisted his services for three months and fell into line with the Sixty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and when that time had expired he re-enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Third Illi- nois Regiment, the fortunes of . which he shared for three years, until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and returned home with a record of which he has every reason to be proud. Since his removal to Canton Mr. Ellis has been a prominent factor in promoting the best interests of this city. He served COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 463 in the city council as alderman one year, and is now serving his second term as mayor of the city, having been elected to this office in 1889 and again in 1896. It is, however, of his affiliation with the Masonic fraternity that we wish here to speak more especially. Mr. Ellis made ap- plication for initiation in Fairview Lodge, No. 350, was duly elected, initiated, passed and raised, and some time later was di- mitted from that lodge and placed his mem- bership in Canton Lodge, No. 734, with which he has since affiliated, and in which he is filling the office of Treasurer, having occupied this chair since 1891. Previous to his election to this office he served as Junior Warden. He received the degrees which made him a Royal Arch Mason in Canton Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M., and in this body also filled the Treasurer's station, having been elected to the office in Decem- ber, 1895. About the same time he was also elected Treasurer in the council, and thus is at present Treasurer of these three Masonic bodies. He was made a Royal and Select Mason in Canton Council, No. 23, in December, 1895. DAM MULLER, one of the most high- J&^. ly esteemed citizens of Freeport, has been identified with the Masonic fraternity for the long period of thirty-one years, having become a member of Evergreen Lodge, F. & A. M., on the 2Oth of Feb- ruary, 1865. He has since been one of its worthy representatives, and among his Ma- sonic brethren has made many friends. The record of his life will therefore prove of in- terest to them, as well as to the general public, and it is with pleasure we present his sketch to our readers. Mr. Mliller was born in Germany on the 1 3th of March, 1826, and is a son of Louis and Barbara Muller, who were also natives of the same country. Emigrating to Amer- ica they made their way to Freeport, in 1850, and in this locality the father pur- chased and operated a farm, becoming an industrious and respected citizen of the land of his adoption. His wife died at the age of fifty-nine years, while he was called to the home beyond at the advanced age of eighty years. They had four children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Adam Mailer acquired his early educa- tion in the fatherland and there learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1848 he emigrated to the United States and has since been de- pendent entirely upon his own resources, so that the success he has achieved is the re- ward of his own labors. He landed in New York, a young man of twenty-two years, poor, but industrious and ambitious. He worked at first for only six dollars per month, but his energy and perseverance soon brought him a better compensation, and he was given twelve dollars and later nineteen dollars per month. In 1851 he came to Freeport and entered the employ of Mr. Stoskopf, the father of the Hon. Michael Stoskopf, of this city. In the win- ter the hours of work were from five o'clock in the morning until nine at night, which would seem an unbearable hardship to a young man of the present generation. His next service was in the employ of the North- western Railway Company, with which he remained for five years, receiving a dollar and seventy-five cents per day. When that period had elapsed he established a black- smith shop of his own, and until his fiftieth year the blows of the hammer on his anvil might be heard for six days in the week, in- dicating the industry and steady application of the man, qualities which have been im- portant factors in his prosperity. At length, when his own honest toil had brought to him a comfortable competency, he laid aside the implements of labor and is now living a retired life, enjoying the rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He owns a fine farm near Freeport and has two residences in the city. The first one, of moderate pretensions, and built ac- cording to his means at that time, was his home for thirty-eight years, but recently he has erected a beautiful and commodious home and "moved out of the old house into the new," where he is now spending the 464 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. evening of an honorable life with the lady who has so long been his faithful compan- ion on life's journey. Mr. Muller was happily married, in Free- port, in 1854, to Miss Catherine Dilley, also a native of Germany, and they became parents of eight children, three of whom are now living, namely: Augusta, wife of William Burkhart; Amelia, who is living at home, caring for her parents in their declin- ing years; and Adam J., who is engaged in the drug business in Chicago. On matters of national importance Mr. Muller has always voted the Democratic ticket, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, he supports the man whom he thinks best qualified regardless of party affiliations. He is one of the many respected German citizens who have come to America to make for themselves a home and secure a competence, and by persistent efforts his hopes have been realized. His friends and they are many wish for him many years to come in which to enjoy the fruits of his labor. DWARD STARR MULLINER, of Quincy, is one of the high-degree Ma- sons of Illinois. Symbolic of the ties of brotherhood and all the duties and obliga- tions which that relationship involves are the teachings of Masonry. All cluster around this central idea: benevolence, mutual aid, forbearance, loyalty and charity are but the outgrowth of brotherly conduct. Race or country, creed, wealth and political opinion are disregarded in this universality, this as- sociation as a human family, and who can advance a nobler idea ? It forms the basis of all religion, of all ethical relations, and is the foundation of all advancement in civilization. Its work is carried forward by fifty thousand Masons in Illinois, prominent among whom is Mr. Mulliner. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Ma- son in Tyrian Lodge, No. 333, F. & A. M., of Springfield, Illinois, and exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Springfield Chapter, No. i, of the same city. He passed the circle of cryptic Ma- sonry and was greeted a Royal and Select Master of Springfield Council, after which he was constituted, created and dubbed a Sir Knight in Elwood Commandery, of Springfield. He passed the grades and or- ders of the Scottish Rite in Quincy and at- tained the thirty-second degree in Quincy Consistory, whereupon he was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. His present affiliation is with Quincy Lodge, No. 296, A. F. & A. M. ; Quincy Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M. ; Quincy Council, R. & S. M. ; El Aksa Commandery, No. 55, K. T. ; and Quincy Consistory, S. P. R. S. Mr. Mulliner has been highly honored with official preferment in the various organ- izations with which he has been connected. He was Secretary and Junior Warden of Tyrian Lodge; Secretary, Junior Warden and Worshipful Master of Quincy Lodge; King and Scribe of Quincy Chapter; Re- corder, Junior Warden, Senior Warden and Eminent Commander of Beauseant Com- mandery, No. 1 1 ; Grand Secretary, First and Second Lieutenant of Quincy Consis- tory; and Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templars of Illinois. He is also an honorary member of the Supreme Council, thirty-third degree, An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Ma- sonic Jurisdiction, and District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-first Masonic District of Illinois for 1895 and 1896. Having made a close and thorough study of the teachings of Masonry and being deeply imbued with its lofty principles, Mr. Mulliner has taken a very active and important part in its work and has the high regard of his Masonic brethren throughout the state. His record therefore cannot fail to prove of interest in this volume. Not only has he gained distinction in social circles but is also a leading factor in the industrial life of Quincy, and is accounted one of the foremost business men of the city. He was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, on the 26th of June, 1839. His father, Marcus N. Mulliner, was born on the Hud- son, near Newburg, New York, in 1811, LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 467 and after attaining manhood married Miss Clarissa Starr, also a native of the Empire state. She became the mother of a daugh- ter and son and died when the latter, the subject of this sketch, was only six weeks old. His father was a school-teacher and died in Springfield, Illinois, in the fifty-fifth year of his age. Edward S. Mulliner, now the only sur- vivor of the family, was educated in the Baptist college at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and in the Illinois State University. In the year 1861 he was employed in the quartermaster's department at Camp But- ler. Later he engaged in the drug busi- ness in Springfield, and subsequently con- ducted a hardware and house-furnishing- goods store there. In 1868 he removed to Quincy and has since been successfully en- gaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, conducting an extensive establish- ment. In 1 88 1 he organized the Mulliner Box & Planing Company, of which he was elected treasurer, secretary and superintend- ent. He has built up a considerable enter- prise and has a large patronage extending over a wide territory. In 1865, in Springfield, Illinois, Mr. Mulliner married Miss Silvia Conklin, a na- tive of Jackson county, Michigan, and a daughter of Philander C. Conklin, of Michi- gan. Their union has been blessed with two children, Walter E. and Maud S. : the daugh- ter is at home, and the son is his father's bookkeeper and is a Master Mason. He re- cently married Miss Edna Philbrick, and both have a large circle of friends in Quincy, where their entire lives have been passed. Mr. Mulliner and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a stanch Republican, has served as a mem- ber of the board of supervisors and for a number of years was a member of the school board of Quincy. He is a man of superior business and executive ability and has won a splendid success in the field of industrial activity. Enterprise and unflagging indus- try have formed the keynote of his prosper- ity and have placed him in a comfortable position. WILLIAM J. LAFFERTY. Among those who have won the well-mer- ited respect of the Masonic fraternity of Chicago through earnest regard for the principles of the order, as well as by the exemplification of its teachings in his own life, stands the subject of this review, a thirty-second-degree Mason and a worthy representative of the society. He was made a Mason in South Park Lodge, No. 662, in 1888, and subsequently became one of the organizers of Woodlawn Park Lodge, No. 841, in 1894. He has held the posi- tion of Worshipful Master in the latter since the dispensation was granted in 1895, and the growth and upbuilding of the lodge is due in no small degree to his efforts in its behalf. He was exalted a Royal Arch Ma- son in Fairview Chapter, No. 161, in 1888, and the same year was knighted in Apollo Commandery, No. i. In 1892 he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite in Oriental Consistory, and thus has advanced to a high position in the ancient and honorable order which ranks second to none among all the civic organizations of the world. His allegiance to its principles has been unwavering, and his loyalty to its precepts has made him numbered among the faithful adherents of the order to whom the substantial growth and high standing of Masonry is due. Mr. Lafferty was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, on the 1 9th of January, 1852, and is a son of William L. Lafferty, a na- tive of Delaware, who removed to Browns- ville, Pennsylvania, in 1829, and practiced medicine there until 1866. He then re- turned to the state of his nativity, where he continued to make his home until his life's labors were ended in 1886. He was a skilled physician and prominent in his pro- fession. He was also a leader in Masonic circles and was honored with many offices, including that of District Deputy Grand Master of Pennsylvania. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel W. Mar- shall, was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Lafferty, whose name introduces 468 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. the initial paragraph of this biographical notice, was reared in the Keystone state, and entered upon his business career in a mercantile establishment, being thus trained to the methods of commercial life and the ethics which control the world of trade. In 1879 he came to Chicago, where he has since lived and is now connected with the extensive business of A. A. Devore & Son, one of the leading merchant tailoring estab- lishments in the city. In 1 874 Mr. Lafferty was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Belle, daughter of A. A. Devore, and a native of Brownsville, Penn- sylvania. They have one child, Charles C. Mr. Lafferty is a man of domestic tastes and finds his greatest happiness in his home with his little family and his friends. He is genial in manner, kindly in disposition, and possesses that innate courtesy and re- finement which everywhere marks the true gentleman, and these elements of his char- acter add to his success in business life as well as insure his cordial reception in social circles. JAMES LOUIS BURKHALTER. As the radiant morning sun dispels the gloom and darkness of the night, so Masonry, by its purity of purpose, causes to disappear from the lives of its followers the blackness of sin and selfishness. The clear light of truth illumines the character of each individual as he draws closer and closer to the high ideal that marks the path of Masonry; each symbolic emblem of this ancient and mystic order pointing to still better and nobler things. No one denies the beneficent influence of the order on mankind, and civilization acknowledges to it a debt which can never be repaid. Its power increases with the passing years as its membership is continually enlarged, and a vast army now follow the banners of Ma- sonry in Illinois. Among Galesburg's citi- zens who are prominently identified with the fraternity is Mr. Burkhalter, the well-known president of the Farmers & Mechanics' bank of that place. He became an Entered Ap- prentice in Fairview Lodge, No. 350, about 1 86 1 or '2, and the Fellow-craft and Mas- ter Mason's degrees in Maquon Lodge, No. 530, in 1866 or '7. With the latter he has since affiliated and has been honored with the offices of Worshipful Master and Dis- trict Deputy Grand Master. He was ex- alted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Eureka Chapter, No. 98, of Yates City, but afterward was dimitted. About 1876 he was created and dubbed a Sir Knight in Galesburg Commandery, No. 8, and has since been a worthy follower of the beauseant, faithfully observing the vows of Knighthood. He served as Eminent Com- mander and never allowed maneuvering ambition to hamper him in carrying to its fullest limit that divine principle which un- derlies true Templarism, ' ' recognizing the suffering man as thy neighbor though he live at the farthest pole." About 1885 he re- ceived the ineffable degrees of the Lodge of Perfection and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Peoria Con- sistory of the Scottish Rite. Mr. Burkhalter is a native of Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, born April 15, 1835. He came to Illinois in 1856, and during the war he joined the gallant sol- diers who went forth in defense of the Union. As captain of Company F, Eighty- sixth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, he served as inspector general, on staff duty, with the western army, went with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea, and then participated in the campaign through the Carolinas and Virginia, being honorably discharged at the close of the war. In af- fairs of local office he has faithfully served his country, discharging with promptness and fidelity the duties of town clerk, super- visor and police magistrate. He was also treasurer of Knox county for eleven years, and was a faithful custodian of the public funds. In business circles he is also widely and favorably known, and for fourteen years has occupied the presidency of the Farmers and Mechanics' bank. He is a capable finan- cier and has won for the institution of which he is the head the confidence and support of many patrons. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 469 JULIUS M. HUMMEL, who through a period of nineteen consecutive years has never faltered in his loyalty to the teachings of Masonry or failed to meet any obligation imposed by the society, first viewed the ancient landmarks of the order when received as an Entered Apprentice of Meteor Lodge, of Sandwich, Illinois, in 1878. He passed the Fellow-craft and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Ma- son, then proceeded to further acquaint himself with the teachings and symbolic truths of capitular Masonry by becoming a companion of Sandwich Chapter, R. A. M. He received the grades and orders of chiv- alric Masonry in Aurora Commandery, No. 22, in 1879, and was dubbed and created a Sir Knight. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and with all these bodies has continuously affiliated since his initiation therein. Their lessons of truth, loyalty, honor and benevolence are exemplified in his career, and he wears worthily the honored name of Mason, which signifies universal brotherhood and mutual helpfulness. Mr. Hummel . is a native of De Kalb county, Illinois, born on the i ith of Jan- uary, 1841. His parents, Peter F. and Bathsheba A. (Easterbrook) Hummel, lived on a farm and he early became familiar with the life and labors thereof. He spent his boyhood in working in the fields, play- ing in the wilds and in attending the little district school of the neighborhood, where he became familiar with the elementary branches of learning. He remained an in- mate of his parental home until he had attained to man's estate, and then began farming on his own account. In 1867 he came to Sandwich and embarked in mer- chandising, which he has since continued with marked success. He has built up a business that amounts to eighty thousand dollars in sales in the retail department annually, and in connection with this he does a large wholesale business. His build- ing is thirty-three by one hundred and twelve feet, four stories in height, and he carries a very large and carefully selected stock of general merchandise, thus being able to meet the varied wants and demands of his many patrons. His business is con- ducted strictly along the lines of commer- cial ethics, and his honorable dealing has won the confidence of the public and the good will of all with whom he has come in contact. He stands foremost among the merchants of Sandwich, and his store is the leader in the line of merchandising here. On the ist of September, 1861, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hummel and Miss Martha A. Coleman, a native of Michigan. They had five children, viz.: Addie and Jennie, both deceased; Frank, wife of A. H. Cox, of Chicago; lona, de- ceased wife of S. A. Forbes, of Yorkville, Illinois; and Harry, of Sandwich. The mother of these children died in 1878, and Mr. Hummel was again married January i, 1880, his second union being with Lilian F. Gregory, of Michigan. They have seven children: Howard, Ivan, Gladys, Waldo (de- ceased), John, Lucile and Irene. The fam- ily are members of the Congregational church, and their home is the scene of many pleasant social functions. Mr. Hum- mel is a Republican in politics, having never wavered in the support of that party since casting his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln. He has been honored by his fellow townsmen with local office, serving as mayor of the city for two terms and as president of the school board for six years. He was president of the Cemetery Associa- tion for five years, of the Sandwich Fair Association for five years, and belongs to the Independent Order of Mutual Aid. He takes a deep and abiding interest in all movements calculated to promote the gen- eral welfare, and has been an important factor in the public prosperity. /PV\HARLES L. RUSS, is a worthy and ac- \Jj ceptable member of the Masonic order, having been made a Mason in Home Lodge, No. 508, in 1885. The following year he took the Royal Arch degrees in Chicago Chapter, No. 127, and in 1891 was knight- 470 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. ed in Apollo Commandery, No. I. He re- ceived the ineffable degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Oriental Con- sistory in 1887, joined the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in 1888, his membership be- ing in Medinah Temple, and in 1893 joined the Red Cross of Constantine. Such, in brief, is his Masonic record. He has al- ways been active in the order, deeply interested in its growth, and is well worthy of representation among its valued mem- bers in Illinois. Mr. Russ is a native of New Hampshire, his birth having occurred in Manchester on the 22d of January, 1856. He came to this city when a youth, and for thirty years has been a resident of Chicago. He en- tered upon his business career in his father's undertaking establishment, and has devoted his entire life to this calling. His father, Alamando B. Russ, is a life member of Home Lodge, No. 508, A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M. ; is a member of Apollo Commandery, No. i, K. T. ; belongs to Palestine Council, No. 66, R. & S. M., and is a member of Oriental Consistory. He was born in Vermont March i, 1829, and resided there until sixteen years of age. He came to Chicago in 1865, and estab- lished the undertaking business, which he is still conducting under the firm name of A. B. Russ & Company, his son, whose name introduces this review, being his partner. Charles L. Russ was united in marriage in 1884 to Miss Jennie Pierson, a native of Chicago, and they have one daughter, Bes- sie R. Mr. and Mrs. Russ are both mem- bers of Miriam Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. lUFUS LECOMPTE BERRY, propri- FJL etor of a music store in Springfield, Illinois, and a gentleman well known in Masonic circles, was born March 18, 1855, in the Athens of America, Boston, Massachu- setts, and in that city passed his early life. There he had the best of educational ad- vantages. After attending the grammar school for a few years he attended the Bos- ton Latin School, preparatory to a college course; but after four years in that school he decided upon a commercial career, and in 1870 became a student in the Boston high school, where he pursued a course of study adapted to the needs of practical busi- ness. In 1873 he entered the piano manu- factory of his father in Boston, and under competent instructors applied himself closely to learning all the branches and mastering the details of the wonderful mechanism of the piano. During that period the square piano was evolving into the less cumbersome upright. In 1878 he was admitted into partnership with his father, under the firm name of James B. Berry & Son, and ap- plied himself all the more closely to busi- ness until 1880, when, on account of fail- ing health, he was compelled to seek the milder climate of the south. After a so- journ of two years in the sunny south he came north and located in the "Sucker" state at Springfield, but subsequently re- moved to Chicago. A year later, however, in 1885, he 'returned to Springfield and opened a music store there, which he has since conducted, and wherein he has been fairly prosperous. Mr. Berry was married in 1887 to Miss Marie C. Lingg, of Boston, and they have one child, Marguerite Ruth, born in Spring- field, June, 1890. Mr. Berry has always taken a commend- able interest in public affairs. During his residence in Boston he held several political offices and was an active member of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. His Masonic history covers about four- teen years. He petitioned for the degrees of the blue lodge in Springfield Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M., September 4, 1882; was elected October 2, initiated December 13, and was passed and raised the following year, the degree of Fellow-craft being con- ferred upon him January 3, and that of Master Mason February 8. In 1885 he served his lodge as organist, in 1886 as Junior Warden, 1887-8 as Senior Warden, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 471 and 1889 and 1890 as Worshipful Master. The four degrees of York Chapter, No. 148, R. A. M., were given him in 1884, on the evenings of February 14, February 21, April 3 and April 10. From this chapter he was dimitted in August, 1889, and has since affiliated with Springfield Chapter, No. i, R. A. M. He is also a Royal and Select Master and a Knight Templar, and in both the council and commandery has filled official positions. In 1894 he was elected Eminent Commander of Elwood Commandery, No. 6, K. T. , and command- ed that well organized commandery on its pilgrimage to Boston in 1895. M JnL honorable distinction of being the only thirty-third-degree Mason in Rockford, and one of the few in the entire state who have attained to that rank. His devotion to Masonry is most marked, and his advo- cacy of its principles and his fidelity to its teaching make him one of its most valued members. He has rounded its circle since his first connection with the fraternity in 1875. It was in that year he was initiated into the mysteries of the blue lodge at Ot- tawa, and since that time he has progressed through various degrees to the highest that may be won. He received the ineffable degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scot- tish Rite in Freeport Consistory, and in 1889 reached the goal which lies before every brother of the craft. He has been a Ma- sonic student, thoroughly understands the purpose of Masonry, and lives up to its requirements, putting into practice in his every-day contact with men those time- honored principles which are the basic ele- ment of the society. Not only in the line of this great and exalted fraternity has Mr. Works attained marked distinction and pres- prestige, for in professional life he also made for himself an honored name and won a place among the foremost lawyers of this section of state. He was born in Guilford, Winnebago county, Illinois, on the 4th of May, 1848, and is of English descent, his ancestors being numbered among the early settlers of New England. His father, Charles Works, was born in New Hampshire in 1815 and emigrated to Illinois in 1835. He spent one year in Ottawa, and in 1836 came to Rockford, where he improved a farm. He gave his political support to the Repub- lican party, was a member of the Presby- terian church, and was a most highly-re- spected citizen. In his early manhood he married Miss Jeanette Sanford, who de- parted this life in 1863, leaving one son, who was killed at the battle of Vicksburg. Mr. Works, of this review, is the eldest child of the second marriage. He was edu- cated in Rockford, graduating at the high school with the class of 1868, after which he entered Beloit College, where he was graduated in 1873. In the fall of 1873 he received an appointment as deputy clerk of the Supreme Court, at Ottawa, Illinois, serving for two years, during which time he read law. In 1875 ne was selected as su- perintendent of the city schools of La Salle, Illinois, which position he filled acceptably for two years, during which time he read law with Duncan & O'Connor. In 1875 he resigned his position in the city schools of La Salle to accept the position of deputy circuit clerk of La Salle county, and to com- plete his law studies, which he did in con- nection with the law office of Hon. E. F. Bull, being admitted to the bar in 1878. He then spent a year in the Indian service on the Missouri river, and in 1879 entered upon the practice of law at Rockford, where he has acquired a large and lucrative patronage. He continued alone in business until 1892, when he entered into partner- ship with Mr. Hyer, and the firm of Works & Hyer is now regarded as one of the most prominent and successful in this section of the state. In 1880 Mr. Works was elected state's attorney, was twice renominated and re-elected without opposition, and served in all for twelve years, conducting the business of his office in a manner most creditable to himself and satisfactory to the public. He is a most able jurist, having a comprehen- 472 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. sive knowledge of the law and a power of reasoning that makes him a formidable ad- versary at the bar. In 1892 he was elected and served as a member of the state board of equalization, and in 1896 was renomi- nated and re-elected for that honorable place without opposition. He is attorney for and a director of the Forest City Insurance Company, also the Insurance Company of the State of Illinois, and has acquired a most enviable reputation as a citizen and lawyer. In his political adherency Mr. Works is a stalwart Republican, who warmly advo- cates the principles and policy of his party and takes an active interest in its affairs. His labors in its behalf have been very ben- eficial, and as a campaign orator he has worked very effectively for Republicanism, being a brilliant, entertaining, instructive and logical speaker. In 1888 he served as a delegate to the national convention of his party. Aside from his connection with Masonry, he is also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In November, 1880, Mr. Works mar- ried Miss Eva Enoch, a native of Guilford, Winnebago county, Illinois, and a daughter of Abraham I. Enoch, one of the very first settlers of that county. They now have three daughters and one son, all born in Rockford, namely: Marion S., Mabel J., Helen C. and Charles Enoch. They have a beautiful home, which was erected by Mr. Works. Their friends throughout the com- munity are many. WILLIAM GALLAGHER, a J[ prominent lawyer of Canton, Illinois, and state's attorney for Fulton county, is a gentleman who has long been interested in Masonry and whose identity with this an- cient order is as honorable as it is enduring. Mr. Gallagher was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in Cuba Lodge, No. 534; in due time was initiated, passed and raised, and soon was honored by his brother Masons with official position in the lodge. He served for several years as Worshipful Mas- ter of Cuba Lodge, and while occupying that office represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the state. His present affiliation is with Canton Lodge, No. 734. Also he is a member of Canton Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M. He was knighted in Damascus Com- mandery at Havana, Illinois, and received the degrees of Mohammed Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Peoria, in both of which he main- tains membership. He is familiar with the workings of these various branches, puts their principles into every-day practice in his business life, and is devoted to this ancient and honored fraternity which stands first among the secret societies of the world. Mr. Gallagher is of Irish parentage, though born in England. He was born in the city of Liverpool, July I, 1852; early in life came to America; was admitted to the bar in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1875, an & since 1876 has been engaged in the practice of law at Canton, where he has attained high standing in the legal profession. He was state's attorney for Fulton county, Illinois, from 1880 to 1884, and his present term of office has extended from 1892 to 1896. MOBART HAMILTON, civil engineer, Petersburg, Illinois, has been a loyal and appreciative Mason for forty years and has lived a life in harmony with the teach- ings of Freemasonry. At Knoxville, Illinois, in the spring of 1856, Mr. Hamilton petitioned for admission to Knoxville Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. M. , and was duly elected to receive the degrees, and was initiated, passed and raised in June and July of that year. He was dimitted from Knoxville Lodge, and since January 15, 1859, has affiliated with Clinton Lodge, No. 19, of Petersburg. In the lodge he has filled all the offices except that of Wor- shipful Master. The chapter degrees were conferred upon him by Horeb Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M., in September, 1856, at Knox- ville. Later he dimitted, and became a char- ter member of DeWitt Chapter, of Peters- burg, which was instituted October 9, 1868, and of which he was first High Priest, serving COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 473 as such a number of years and filling the office continuously since 1887. He received the council degrees in Knoxville, in Illinois Council, No. i, from which he now holds a dimit, there being no council organization in Petersburg. He was knighted in De Molay Commandery at Muscatine, Iowa, in February, 1857, from which he was dimitted and in 1875 became a charter member of St. Aldemar Commandery, No. 47, K. T. , of Petersburg. He was first Commander of St. Aldemar, filled the office for three successive terms and has since been honored by election to it. As an officer in these various bodies he has always been prompt, earnest and efficient, rendering his part of the work in a manner most impressive and reflecting credit both upon himself and the order. Mr. Hamilton is a native of the " Green Mountain state. " He was born in Jericho, Chittenden county, Vermont, June 26, 1831, and resided in that state until 1853, that year completing a classical course in the University of Vermont at Burlington. In 1853, seeking a home and fortune in the West, he came to Illinois and located at Knoxville, where, as already stated, his Masonic history began. Soon after reach- ing Illinois he accepted a position on the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, as engineer, and in various capacities was connected with that road for three years. His next location was at Jacksonville, where he was division engineer on the Tonica & Pittsburg Railroad, now a part of the Chicago & Alton, and in that capacity came to Peters- burg in 1857. He remained with the com- pany here one year. From 1858 to 1863 he edited the Menard Index. In 1863 he enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Second Illinois Regiment, with which he served as regimental quartermaster until 1865, when the war closed. Returning to Menard county, he was that year elected county clerk, which office he filled until 1869. Since then he has been engaged in general engineer work, making a specialty of drainage engineering, doing much work of this character in Mason, Tazewell and ad- joining counties. Also he has done similar work in Indiana and Iowa. Mr. Hamilton was married in Oneida county, New York, in 1860, to Miss Clara McDougall, a native of that county, and they have six children living, all in Illinois. F (.RANK P. SARGENT, best known as Grand Master of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, is also a Mason of high degree and enthusiastic in the work of this Order. He has been a resident of Peoria, Illinois, since 1894. Mr. Sargent's connection with this great system of Wisdom, Truth and Beauty, Free- masonry, had its beginning ten years ago in Euclid Lodge, No. 573, Terre Haute, In- diana. That same year, 1886, he was ex- alted in Terre Haute Chapter, and subse- quently he received the Knight Templar degrees in Terre Haute Commandery. The Consistory degrees and those of the Shrine he also took in Indiana, in 1889. He filled the offices of Senior Warden and Senior Deacon in Euclid Lodge and received high commendation for the impressive manner in which he performed his work as such. Referring briefly to Mr. Sargent's birth and early history, we state that he was born in Vermont, November 18, 1851, passed his youth in the Green Mountain State, and when a young man started out as a photog- rapher. He learned the photographic art in New Hampshire and pursued it for a time in Massachusetts. At the latter place fail- ing health compelled him to sever his con- nection with this business, and from Mas- sachusetts he went out to Arizona and en- listed in the United States Cavalry, in which he rendered prompt and gallant service and from which he was honorably discharged in 1880, after having assisted in putting down the depredations of the warlike Apaches. Immediately after receiving his discharge from the army he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railway Company, at Tucson, Arizona. His first position in the service of this company was as engine wiper. In three months he was a fireman 474 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. on a construction engine, in six he was firing on the road, and in twelve he was a mem- ber of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire- men. He was initiated into this order in an improvised lodge room in a coal bin in Tucson, and shortly afterward became financier of the local lodge, a position in which he first showed the ability for execu- tive duties which has enabled him to fill the chair of Grand Master with such success. In 1882 he attended the national convention at Terre Haute. The next year at Denver he was made the vice Grand Master, and in 1885 hewas inducted into the Grand Master's office, of which he is now the incumbent. Five hundred and twenty-three lodges look to him as their head. More than twenty- four thousand members support him unan- imously with their good judgment and ap- preciation. He is in the prime of life and the good works he has accomplisned are but a presage of the future. JAMES FREDERICK PLATT, one of the leading members of the Masonic frater- nity in Sterling, comes from " merrie England," and allying his interests with tho se of the city which is still his home he has been an important factor in her public affairs for many years. The material wel- fare of the city has been promoted through his activity in business circles and he has ever given a generous support to all meas- ures or enterprises calculated to advance the public good. Mr. Platt was born on the 2Oth of Oc- tober, 1837, acquired his education in his native land and studied architectural design- ing there. Having arrived at years of ma- turity he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Bottomley Wrigley, also a native of England. To them was born a son, John W. , and with his wife and child Mr. Platt sailed for America in 1868, to join the other members of the -family who had preceded him. For two years he made his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then con- tinued his westward journey to Illinois, lo- cating in Sterling. Here in 1870 he aided in the organization of the Sterling Manufac- turing Company and has since been promi- nently identified with the industry as its vice-president and manager. They manu- facture agricultural implements and are now doing an extensive business. He is a man of resolute purpose and carries forward to completion whatever can be accom- plished through persistent and honorable effort. His son is now associated with him in this business as the secretary of the company. The energies of James F. Platt have not been confined alone to one enterprise, but many industries of the city have re- ceived the benefit of his wise direction and unfaltering energy. He early became con- nected with the Sterling Hydraulic Com- pany, which improved the immense water power at this point, was its first secretary and has been secretary and treasurer con- tinuously since. His reputation as an ar- chitect also became known, and he was called upon to design many of the fine busi- ness blocks and beautiful residences of the city. His own residence is one of the most commodious and tasteful residences in the city, which is occupied by his family and is noted for its warm-hearted hospitality. Viewed from a financial standpoint the life of Mr. Platt has been a success, and more than that he has won the highest rep- utation for business integrity and honor. Over his life record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens in a remarkable degree and the social side of his nature has also won him many warm friendships. Both Mr. and Mrs. Platt are consistent members of the Congregational church and take a very active part in its work and upbuilding. He has served as church treasurer for a number of years and is now a member of the building committee, which has in charge the erection of a new house of worship. In politics he is a stanch Republican, has served as alderman of the city for six years and has exerted his power as an officer in behalf of progressive inter- ests and improvements, giving his support to COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 475 all measures designed to promote the growth and prosperity of the city. He was active in the establishment of the library of Ster- ling and has manifested his warm friendship for the educational interests by his efficient service as a member of the high-school board. It will readily be imagined that one who is faithful to all the duties of business and of social life would be true to the vows of Masonry, and that Mr. Platt is one of the most consistent Masons of Sterling is almost a self-evident fact. For twelve years he has been identified with the society whose all-embracing creed is the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He was made a Mason in Rock River Lodge, No. 612, on the 1 3th of June, 1884, and was exalted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason on the 24th of September of that year in Sterling Chapter, No. 57. The or- 28 der of knighthood was conferred upon him in Sterling Commandery, March i, 1885, and from his earliest connection with the fraternity he has most faithfully observed its teachings and the obligations which are imposed upon the brethren. In all these organizations his son is associated with him; together they guard the ancient ' ' land- marks, " adhere to the principles of the chapter and follow the beauseant of the commandery. The son became an Entered Apprentice in Rock River Lodge in 1890^ passed the Fellow-craft degree and was made a Master Mason on the i ith of April. He took the capitular degrees in Sterling Chapter, becoming a Royal Arch Mason on the ist of October, and was knighted in Sterling Commandery on the 9th of Decem- ber. His progress through the various branches was rapid; but few members of the craft in this city are more thoroughly in- formed on the ritual and tenets of Masonry than he. Both father and son have been honored by their Masonic brethren by elec- tion to various offices. The former is one of the trustees of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and for many years High Priest of the chapter, and is now Scribe in the chapter; while the son is Principal So- journer in the chapter and Eminent Com- mander of the commandery. James F. and John W. Platt are gentle- men of the highest probity of character, and in the history of Masonry in Illinois well deserve honorable mention. TENRY BAKER. Among Chicago's ^|L well-known representatives of the Ma- sonic fraternity is numbered this gentleman, whose close identification with the frater- nity in its various branches has gained him a wide acquaintance among its members, while his life a faithful exponent of the honorable and benevolent principles which underlie the honor commends him to their confidence and highest regard. His standing is shown by his official connection, he serv- ing as the Treasurer of Chicago Comman- dery, Washington Chapter, Oriental Con- 476 COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. sistory, Rose Croix and the Princes, and also of the Medinah Temple of the Shrine. Mr. Baker is a native of Cornwall, Eng- land, born January 21, 1843. When a child of nine years he came with his parents to this country, locating in Chicago in 1852. In the common schools he acquired his pre- liminary education and later entered Hatha- way College, where he continued his studies for one year. His business career began as an employee of the firm of Chapin, Marsh & Foss, lumber dealers, then doing business at the corner of Canal and Van Buren streets. From 1860 until 1867 he was employed on a farm in Du Page coun- ty, Illinois, and in 1868 he embarked in the coal business in Chicago as a member of the firm of Baker Brothers, which is still doing business. This is recognized as one of the old and reliable firms of the city in the -coal trade, and their well-directed efforts and straightforward dealing have brought to them a liberal patronage. Mr. Baker is numbered among Chicago's early settlers, having been a resident of the city for forty-five years, within which time he has witnessed its marvelous growth from a place of fifty thousand until it has become the metropolis of the west and the feared rival of New York, containing almost two millions of inhabitants. In politics he is a Republican. For several years he was a member of the La Salle and the Acacia Clubs, but his chief interest in societies centers in Masonry. He was made a Mason in 1872, in William B. Warren Lodge, No. 209, F. & A. M. , and became a member of Washington Chapter in 1873, also of the Chicago Commandery, K. T. , the same year. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason, has passed through all the different bodies of Masonry and is one of the most esteemed members of the order, while in its interests he is an untiring worker. DWARD DORSEY TERRELL, one of Havana's representative Masons who has attained to the Knight Templar degrees, \vas initiated in Havana Lodge, No. 88, and in due time raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, after which he was advanced to the degree of capitular Masonry on Octo- ber 22, 1884, in Havana Chapter, No. 86, R. A. M., and was constituted a Sir Knight in Damascus Commandery, No. 42, K. T. , and has served in the latter body with en- ergy, efficiency and circumspection. He re- tains his membership in all the above men- tioned bodies, and is regarded with the high- est tokens of esteem by his fratres. He is thoroughly familiar with the ritual, possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the laws and usages of Masonry, and it is his earnest en- deavor to abide by the tenets of the order. A native of Somerset, New Jersey, where he was born August 16, 1836, he is a son of Squire and Rebecca (Kirkpatrick) Terrell, who attained the venerable ages of seventy- five and sixty-three years respectively. Of the nine children born to them, five still sur- vive. Edward D. received his early mental training in the public schools of his native state, after leaving which he learned the carpenter's trade. Coming to Illinois in 1856, he spent fifteen years following the vocation of farming, and then moved to Easton, Mason county, where he embarked in the mercantile business, following the same there for twenty-three years. He was widely known as the pioneer merchant of that town, erecting the first store in the place and acquiring considerable reputation as a business man. The politics of Mr. Terrell being Democratic, as was that of his ancestors, and being well qualified, he was elected to the office of county clerk, an office he has filled with ability and to the credit of himself and his party, his long ex- perience in the county giving him a thorough knowledge of its affairs, thus enabling him to perform the duties of his position with ease. Mr. Terrell and his daughters are mem- bers of Hesperia Chapter, No. 137, Order of the Eastern Star, and he and his family are well and favorably known throughout the county in which he has lived so long and with the mercantile interests of which he has been so closely identified. Mr. Ter- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 477 rell is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, having become a member of Mohammed Temple, at Peoria, Illinois, on November 21, 1893. CHARLES C. FARMER is one of the most prominent and honored represent- atives of civic societies in Illinois. For forty-four years he has been connected with the Masonic fraternity and has never wa- vered in his allegiance to its time-honored principles, of the brotherhood of man, mu- tual helpfulness, mutual forbearance and mutual charity. In 1853 he was initiated as an Entered Apprentice, passed the Fel- low-craft degree and was raised to the sub- lime degree of Master Mason in Strict Ob- servance Lodge, No. 833, at Hamilton, Canada West. In 1854 he was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason and has been very active and earnest in the work of the craft. For three years he served as Worshipful Master of Cyrus Lodge, No. 1 88, of Mount Carroll, and under his able guidance the lodge passed through an era of growth and prosperity which advanced it far on the road to success. In the Modern Woodmen of America he has attained dis- tinctive honors which have made him known to the members of the order throughout the entire country, and of his connection there- with we will write later on. Mr. Farmer was born in Peterboro, Madison county, New York, and is de- scended from New England ancestry from whom he has inherited in a marked degree the industry, enterprise, sagacity and ster- ling integrity for which the people of that section of the country were noted. His fa- ther died when he was only four years of age, leaving the widowed mother with little means to support her children. Thus it was that Mr. Farmer learned to know what poverty meant; but his surroundings devel- oped the self-reliance and force of character of the lad and when only twelve years of age he started out in life for himself. All that he has and all that he is, he has achieved with the initial capital of a good head, a willing disposition and habits of in- dustry. He inherited only the knowledge and memory of an honest parentage and went out into the great world, seemingly inadequately equipped to push his way through the crowding and ofttimes selfish life that surrounded him; but with the dauntless pluck that has served him so well in his career he pushed forward, defying all discouragements, and won. It could have been prophesied at the beginning that he would win, for such boys and men never fail. Always willing to work, never dis- posed to idle away his time, he found em- ployment, and from 1852 to 1857 was en- gaged in the construction of the Great Western Railway from Niagara Falls to Windsor, being appointed to the responsible position of paymaster and accountant. He afterward determined to fit himself for pro- fessional life and studiously devoted his leisure time to perfecting his somewhat neglected education, and after several years of self-denial and study he succeeded in equipping himself for the practice of den- tistry. He followed that business with suc- cess until 1880, when he decided to devote his attention to a more active outdoor occu- pation and became an insurance agent. He mastered this, as a science, with the same studious attention that he had given to this other work and for twelve years was the representative of several insurance compan- ies, gaining in this time a thorough knowl- edge of the intricacies of the various life- insurance plans. It was but a short step from this to his service in Woodcraft. He became a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America in 1883 and has since been one of its most zealous adherents. He realized that life would be much easier to widows and their children if some plans could be made through an organized society for their provision after the death of the husband and father. This lesson he had learned from his own hard boyhood. Espousing therefore the cause of Woodcraft and believing its system the most equitable and perfect of all insurance measures he eagerly began his labors for its promotion and reception throughout the 478 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. country. He was one of the first to advo- cate its extension over the entire world. His confidence in its grand principles has never faltered, and his loyalty combined with his ripe experience in insurance circles resulted in his election to the office of chairman of the hoard of managers of Mod- ern Woodmen of America, which position he held until 1890. He was then elected chairman of the Board of Sovereign Man- agers of an order known as the Woodmen of the World, with headquarters at Omaha, Nebraska, which position he now holds, although a member of both orders mentioned. His efforts have been the most potent fac- tor in promoting the cause of the orders in the state. Mr. Farmer is known as one of the most conscientious and reliable citizens in north- ern Illinois; as a man he commands the confidence and respect of all; he is ever courteous and genial, is easily approached and is of most pleasing personality. fclCHARD S. FARRAND, the present JfJt. county judge of Lee county, residing in Dixon, has been a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity since 1874, and occupies an eminent place in its ranks. He is a most loyal adherent of this order, which wages its warfare against selfishness and other spiritual evils, and defends the citadel wherein are enshrined mutual forbearance, mutual helpfulness and brotherly love. Like the fragrance of the rose, its influence permeates the lives of those who become its followers, and the sorrows and burdens of life are lessened as the "Brother" ex- tends his sympathy and assistance to him who is less fortunate. Judge Farrand gives to the society an intelligent, earnest and active support, regarding it as one of the strongest influences in advancing civili- zation and moral teaching. In 1874 he was made a Master Mason in Brooklyn Lodge, of Lee county, with which he is still affiliated, and in which he has held the office of Junior Warden. In 1891 he received the degree of Nachusa Chapter, and was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason on the 4th of May, while in the fall of the same year he joined Dixon Commandery, No. 21, being created a Sir Knight on the 1 3th of October. The Judge is a native of Indiana, his birth occurring in Allen county on the ist of October, 1852. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, his ancestors having emigrated to this country in 1740. His father, Richard S. Farrand, was born in Oneida county, New York, and was married there to Miss Delilah Cook. In 1842 they emigrated to Indiana, and were among the first settlers to locate near where the city of Fort Wayne now stands. They were brave pioneers and honest and industrious farming people who had the respect of all who knew them. The mother died in the sixty-eighth year of her age, and the father passed away when seventy-four years of age. Judge Farrand was the youngest of their family of seven children, five of whom are yet living. He obtained his lit- erary education in the public schools of Lee county, and having determined to make the practice of law his life work, be- came a student in the office of A. C. Bard- well, a well-known attorney. He was ad- mitted to the bar on the 1 5th of February, 1880, and at once began practice. He had been an active member of the bar for only two years when, in 1882, he was elected county judge of Lee county, in which ca- pacity he has since served. His name oc- cupies a conspicuous place on the roll of those who have conferred honor and dig- nity upon the legal profession of north- western Illinois. He has great versatility, and his knowledge of law is broad and ac- curate. He is an upright judge, who ad- ministers justice with an impartial hand, weighing carefully the evidence and basing his decision upon the law applicable to the points presented. He is a clear, forceful and fluent speaker, whose meaning is un- mistakable. There is no straining after effect, but a precision and clearness in his statement and an acuteness and strength in his argument which bespeak a mind COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 479 trained in the severest school of investiga- tion, and to which the closest reasoning is habitual and easy. On the 3Oth of January, 1873, Judge Farrand was united in marriage to Miss Catherine J. Marsh, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Harry Marsh, of the Hoosier state, now a highly respected citizen of Lee county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Farrand had two children, but only one son is living, Ernest W. Their home is one of the fine residences in the city of Dixon erected by the Judge and its gracious hospitality is one of its chief charms. The Judge and his wife move in high society circles where in- telligence and true worth are accepted as passports and throughout the community are held in the highest regard. The Judge has always given his political support to the Republican party, and on that ticket was elected mayor of Dixon in 1885, serving most acceptably as the chief executive of the city in whose welfare and progress he is deeply interested. He has also rendered to his party valuable service, his earnest, logical and convincing addresses being of material benefit to the cause which he advocates. He is a member of the An- cient Order of United Workmen, the Mo- dern Woodmen of America and the Forum, and has a wide acquaintance throughout Dixon and this section of the state. He is a man of fine physique, well liked by all, his integrity and honor in all the relations of life are above question, and his circle of warm friends is extensive. CHESTER EPHRAIM ALLEN, a cap- italist of Galesburg, Illinois, and a gentleman well known in this part of the state, has for twenty years had for his motto, " Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth." He was made a Master Mason in Alpha Lodge, No. 155, in 1876, being initiated March 24, passed April 14, and raised April 23, and still affiliates with this lodge, hav- ing passed all its chairs, filling each with his usual and becoming dignity. He was elected Junior W'arden in 1876; Senior Warden in 1877; Worshipful Master from 1878 to 1 88 1 inclusive; Treasurer from 1885 to 1888 inclusive; and Worshipful Master again in 1889, '90 and '91. Every year for twenty years, with one exception, he has been an attendant at the Grand Lodge. June 6, 1892, he was commissioned Deputy Grand Lecturer; was District Deputy in 1893 and '94; and in October, 1895, was appointed Junior Grand Deacon, which office he is now filling. Nor has his in- terest in Masonry stopped with the blue lodge. He is a member in good standing of the chapter, council and commandery, all at Galesburg, and of Mohammed Tem- ple, Mystic Shrine, of Peoria, having taken this last named degree April 12, 1895. In his chapter he has served as King and rep- resented the chapter in the Grand Chapter one year. Mr. Allen is a native of Galesburg, has passed the whole of his life here, and is regarded as one of its most wealthy and influential men. He was born February 8, 1846. From time to time he has filled various positions of prominence and trust and is at this writing one of the aldermen of the city. During the war, when a boy of seven- teen, he entered the Union ranks and spent five and a half months in the army. TOM A. MARSHALL, a prominent busi- ness man of Keithsburg and its pres- ent mayor, was initiated into the sublime mysteries of Masonry in the year 1888, re- ceiving the degree of Entered Apprentice August 23, Fellow-craft November 23, and Master Mason November 30. The chapter degrees he received in Illinois Chapter, No. 17, at Keithsburg, in 1888-89. and the Royal Arch degree January 2, 1889; and soon afterward he was created a Sir Knight, in Galesburg Commandery. He is also a member of Medinah Temple, at Chicago, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Marshall is a native of the city in which he is now holding the highest office. He was born May 26, 1856, and is the son 480 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT 7N ILLINOIS. of Dr. E. L. Marshall, a native of Kentucky, an intelligent and faithful Mason and one of the prominent pioneer physicians of the county of Mercer, he having come here as early as 1838. He was a descendant of the noted family of his name that has done so great honor to the prestige of Virginia and Kentucky. He was married at Keiths- burg to Miss Sarah McBride, who was one of the first settlers of the county. He died in 1895, in the seventieth year of his age. His wife survives, being now in her sixty- fifth year. She is a devout member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Marshall, of this sketch, the only child, was educated at the Iowa Wesleyan University and was for a number of years in the drug business in Keithsburg. Being a man of vigorous intellect and enterpris- ing spirit, he has always taken a deep in- terest in the city's welfare, in respect to both commercial prosperity and moral re- finement. He was one of the organizers of the Keithsburg Electric Light and Power Company, and has been its president ever since its organization. He and Mr. E. L. Tobie built the "Marshall & Tobie " long- distance telephone, extending several hun- dred miles and connecting with the long- distance telephone system of the state. Recently he purchased the interest of his partner, and he is now the sole proprietor. In company with Will S. Cabeen, his brother-in-law, he has erected the opera- house block, and besides his interest in the institutions mentioned he owns a large amount of residence property and real estate in the city. , Of residences he owns about thirty-three. He is indeed the most active and progressive business man in the city. In his political views he has been a life- long Democrat. Was elected to the thirty- sixth general assembly of Illinois. With all his numerous business enterprises, he has found time to indulge in his favorite sport, the "chase," hunting in the wilds of America, especially in British Columbia and other parts of Canada, in Mexico and the Glorieta mountains. In his large office in Keithsburg he has many trophies of his unerring aim, and large quantities of curios which he has collected in his travels. Among these is a large display of firearms, from those of the crudest style of four hun- dred years ago to the most modern of re- cent times. The guns alone which he uses in his noted trap-shooting contests cost eleven hundred dollars. Speaking of these contests, it is in place to note that he won the championship of the United States at Galesburg in 1896, when he defeated Dr. Carver, scoring ninety-seven to ninety-eight out of a possible one hundred. At the Grand American handicap shoot, held in New York March 23-24, 1897, Mr. Mar- shall captured the title of champion live- bird shot of the world, having defeated one hundred and thirty-six contestants for the honors at that time. He has many medals and prizes which he has won in the won- derful tournaments of trap-shooting. In 1 88 1 Mr. Marshall was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Cabeen, of Keithsburg, a daughter of T. B. Cabeen, Esq., and a highly-esteemed member of the Presbyterian church. They have one child, named Maud. Mr. and Mrs. Mar- shall have a delightful home in their native city, and are most highly honored in so- ciety as intelligent and benevolent citizens. TARRY FOSTER MCALLISTER needs no introduction to the people of Oquawka and Henderson county, for few men in that section of the state are more widely and none more favorably known. He has the distinction of being the oldest circuit clerk in the state in years of contin- uous service, and is thus a familiar figure in legal circles. His active interest in Masonry has also made him well known in fraternity circles, and as a worthy member of Oquawka Lodge, No. 123, A. F. & A. M. , we present him to our readers. He was received as an Entered Apprentice in 1886, passed the Fellow-craft degree and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason the same year. He has been called COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 481 upon to fill several offices in the organiza- tion, including that of Worshipful Master; and not only in the lodge room is he active in advancing the work of the order but in the private walks of life also exemplifies its teachings and follows its precepts. Mr. McAllister was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 2/th of April, 1840. His grandfather, Archibald McAllister, was a native of Scot- land and during his boyhood emigrated to Pennsylvania. He had adhered to the Covenanter church in his native land, and after coming to America joined the Presby- terian church. He served his adopted coun- try in the war of 1812 and was a worthy citizen who completed his three-score years and ten in the country of his adop- tion. His son, James McAllister, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and mar- ried Miss Christina Baker, a native of his town and a descendant of one of the old families of the Keystone state. They had seven chil- dren, three of whom are now living. The father died in the forty-fifth year of his age. He was a man of intelligence and in- tegrity who held for years the office of clerk of the orphans' court of his county. His wife lived to be seventy-five years of age and died in Oquawka in 1884. Harry F. McAllister is the youngest of their surviving children. He was educated in Greensburg and in New Alexandria, Penn- sylvania, and came to Illinois in 1854, when but fourteen years of age. He has since been dependent upon his own resources and has relied upon a dauntless energy and reso- lute purpose to win success. No two qual- ities are more essential to a prosperous career, and thus he has worked his way upward to a place among the substantial citizens of the community wherein he makes his home. For three years after his arrival in Illinois he was employed as clerk in a store in Rock Island, after which he entered the recorder's office and was engaged in making abstracts. He performed this same service in Rock Island, Milwaukee and Wau- kesha, Wisconsin, and in Woodstock and Henderson county, Illinois. In 1861 he entered the office of circuit clerk in the capacity of deputy, and thus served until 1868, when he was elected circuit clerk. For almost thirty years he has filled that position, and no higher testimonial of his fidelity to duty could be given than the statement of his long service. It at once indicates his fidelity and promptness in the discharge of his duties, his entire official career being above question. He is system- atic, reliable and accurate, and his famili- arity with the business of the courts is at- tested by the exactness of his records. In manner he is ever courteous and genial, and is therefore an obliging official. He has also held the office of township treasurer for thirty years, to which he was appointed by the .board of trustees in 1873, and every two years thereafter. In connection with his official duties Mr. McAllister is a member of the board of trus- tees, and was one of the organizers of the Oquawka Opera House Company, which erected a very fine opera house that would be a credit to a much larger city than Oquawka. This fine auditorium enables the manager to secure an excellent line of attractions in the line of dramatic, musical and lecture entertainments, and is therefore much prized by the citizens. In 1866 Mr. McAllister was united in marriage to Miss Esther Root, of Williams- ville, New York, and in Henderson county they have a large circle of friends and acquaintances. LEWIS HENRY PATTEN, clerk of the circuit court of Henry county and president of the Farmers' National Bank at Cambridge, is a Sir Knight Templar. He was made a Mason in July, 1860, in Cambridge Lodge, No. 49, in which he has since filled nearly all the offices, and is a very active and efficient worker in that noble order. For several terms he has been Past Master, and has had the honor of conferring degrees upon a considerable number of good Masons; and he is now Secretary of that lodge. He received the 482 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. Royal Arch degrees in Mount Zion Chapter, No. 12. This chapter was after- word removed to Geneseo, and still later its charter was surrendered. Mr. Patten was made a Sir Knight Templar in Everts Commandery, No. 18, at Rock Island, in which body he still retains his membership. He enjoys the high esteem and confidence of his brethren in the order. He was born in Meredith, New Hamp- shire, August 16, 1834, of Scotch-Irish an- cestry. His first American progenitors emigrated to this country long previous to the Revolution, and were active partici- pants in early colonial history and in the Revolution itself. Zaccheus Patten, the father of Lewis Henry, was born in Bed- ford, New Hampshire, married Miss Achsah McAllister, was a successful merchant in the east for many years, came to Cam- bridge when eighty years of age, and con- tinued his residence here until the time of his death, which occurred in his ninety- fourth year. His wife departed this life in her eightieth year. Mr. Patten, of this sketch, is the only survivor of their three children. He was educated in Manchester, New Hampshire, learned the printer's trade, and during the Civil war published the Chronicle here in Cambridge, sustaining the Union cause with zeal and ability. Subsequently he received the appointment of deputy circuit clerk and served in that capacity six years, then was elected to that position, and has now served in that office for twenty-five years, all this time ably, efficiently and satisfactorily. In business ventures also has he pros- pered. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' National Bank of Cambridge, was one of its first directors and has been its president for several years. WILLIAM JAMES CALHOUN, one of the brilliant members of the legal profession in Danville, holds an honored position in fraternal circles, and is united to his fellow Masons by the strongest bonds of friendship. His membership began in November, 1875, in Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, of which he was elected Worship- ful Master for the year 1881. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, on April 10, 1876, and was created a Sir Knight in Athelstan Commandery, No. 45, on March 9, 1877, serving as its Eminent Commander in 1886. His work in the order has always been performed in a cheerful, hearty manner, and he is ever ready to do all in his power to advance the interests of his lodge. Mr. Calhoun was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1848, where he attended the public schools and later entered Poland Union Seminary, at Poland, Mahoning county, Ohio. In 1869 he moved to Danville, where he decided to adopt the law as his calling in life, spent some time in its study, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He at once commenced the practice of his profession, in which he has attained to a high degree of success. In politics Mr. Calhoun is associated with the Republican party. He was elected to the lower house of the Illinois general assembly in 1882, serving one term, and was chosen state's attorney of Vermilion county in 1884, holding that office for four years, since which time he has retired from active political life. At the age of sixteen he offered his services in the defense of the Union, and enlisted at Cleveland, Ohio, as a private in Company B, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the Atlanta campaign. He was mustered out and honorably discharged at Camp Chase in December, 1865. Socially Mr. Calhoun is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Our brother was united in marriage, in Danville, in December, 1875, to Miss Alice Harmon, and two daughters have been born to them, Marian and Corinne. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun have a pleasant home, where they are ever ready to entertain their many friends. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 485 PROFESSOR JOHN WESLEY MAY.- In the rank of the Masons of Illinois none are more worthy of mention in a vol- ume of this character than Professor May, who for almost thirty years has been a zealous and earnest member of the frater- nity. Thoroughly understanding the pur- pose of Masonry and the obligations it imposes upon the brotherhood in all its bearings, he has lived up to its full require- ments, and his life exemplifies its humani- tarian teachings and the principles which have been an important factor in the world's morality for almost thirty centuries. Professor May became a member of the order in Caro, Michigan, in October, 1868, where he received the degree of Master Mason in Mount Moriah Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in Fairview Chapter, No. 161, in Chicago, Illinois, June 13, 1878. Dur- ing the autumn of the latter year he re- ceived the degrees of the Council of Royal and Select Masters, the degrees of the Order of the Eastern Star, and September 27, 1879, was knighted in Apollo Com- mandery, No. i, Knights Templar, of Chi- cago. He was Worshipful Master of Mystic Star Lodge, No. 758, A. F. & A. M., of Chicago, during 1878-79-80; Most Excel- lent High Priest of Delta Chapter, No. 191, Royal Arch Masons, of Chicago, during 1884-5, an d Eminent Commander of Apollo Commandery during 1893. From 1878 to 1894, inclusive, he held some Masonic of- fice, a period of fifteen years, and is now (1896) an active member of Mystic Star Lodge, No. 758; of Fairview Chapter, No. 161, and of Apollo Commandery, No. i, Knights Templar, all of Chicago. In the last mentioned he has held all the of- fices. He was the first to confer the Order of Knights Templar in the new Masonic Temple of Chicago, and has been very active and prominent in that branch of Masonry. Professor May was born on the 22d of August, 1846, in Alexandria, Jefferson county, New York. His parents, John and Margery (La Rue) May, were both natives of the province of Ontario, Canada. He was reared in New York, acquiring his early education in the public schools, and later was graduated at the Alexandria Academy, in New York state. In December, 1863, the family moved to Michigan, and in 1869 Professor May came to Chicago and en- gaged for a time in mercantile pursuits as only a means, however, for preparing him- self for the educational profession. His tastes and talents seem to fit him for this calling, and in 1873 after thorough study, he was graduated at the Cook County Nor- mal School. Immediately afterward he commenced teaching and for twenty-two years has successfully followed that profes- sion in this vicinity. He has for a number of years been connected with the Beale school as its superintendent, giving the highest satisfaction and placing the school on a par with the best in the city. His ability as an educator is most marked. Highly educated himself, he is enabled to impart to others most clearly and accurately the knowledge he has acquired, and his reputation is certainly richly merited. Professor May was united in marriage, in June, 1875, to Miss Amanda Orr, who was born at Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan. He has always been a Republican in national politics, because he believes the principles of that party are the best for the prosperity and preservation of the govern- ment. JOHN ROBERT HANNA is a Knight Templar Mason residing in Geneseo, and is a worthy follower of the order which numbers its members in almost every land and clime. The object and purpose of Masonry is the same everywhere; and every member however much he may differ in language or nationality, sectarian attachment or political preference has the same rights and duties, and is in thorough unity with every Freemason throughout the world. No other mere moral organization possesses the power of 486 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. which Masonry can boast; none other can effect as much as that craft in disseminating sunshine and dispelling gloom. Meddling not with politics, interfering not with the affairs of church or state, it has not suffered the instability of other human institutions, and its power is more potent to-day than ever. Mr. Hanna is one of its prominent followers in Geneseo, and since his initia- tion into Stewart Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M., in 1885, he has been one of its active 'workers. He served as Junior Warden two terms, as Junior Deacon two terms, and is now serving his third term as Senior Deacon. He took the Royal Arch degrees in Barrett Chapter, No. 18, of Rock Island, in 1893, and still affiliates with that society. He is also a Sir Knight, having taken the chivalric degrees in Everts Commandery, No. 1 8, also of Rock Island. Since 1895 he has held a membership in Kaaba Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Davenport. Mr. Hanna is a native of Henry county, Illinois, born on the loth of February, 1854. His father, Peter Hanna, was born in Ohio, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Miss Mary Jane Cherry, also a native of the Buckeye state, and for a half century they have been worthy residents of Henry county. After a long and useful career as a farmer the father laid aside all active business cares and with his wife is now living a retired life in Geneseo, aged respectively sixty-one and sixty-three years. They are acceptable members of the Meth- odist church, and in politics the father has been a Republican since the organization of the party. Mr. Hanna, of this review, is the second of their family of six children. He was reared on the old homestead farm, acquired his education in the public schools, and when he entered upon his business career devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. For a few years he followed that calling, but for the past fourteen years has been a mem- ber of the Geneseo police force, recognized as a prompt and reliable officer. Mr. Hanna married Miss Sarah Eliza- beth Morrow, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Isaac Morrow. They have become the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living, as follows: John Otis, Daisy Pearl, Elizabeth, Bud, Emery C., Freddie Ransom and Hobart. Mr. Hanna and his wife are faithful members of tbe Methodist church. He has been a life- long and ardent Republican, and is a worthy citizen who has the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen and the brethren of the craft. CHARLES H. FERGUSON has for a \^) quarter of a century been a member of the most ancient of the fraternal organiza- tions the Masonic order and warmly ad- vocates its exalted principles and follows closely the teachings of the society. He took the elementary degrees in Auburn Lodge, No. 431, of Auburn, New York, in 1870, and was exalted to the sublime degree of a Royal Arch Mason in Fairview Chapter of Chicago, and was made a Knight Temp- lar in Apollo Commandery, No. i, in 1879. He has been especially active in the last named and for two years served as its Treas- urer. He was also Treasurer of the Trien- nial Committee of the Chicago Battalion of the Washington Conclave of 1 889, and his standing is high in the ranks of the Knights Templar. In addition to the Masonic fra- ternity Mr. Ferguson is a valued member of various other social organizations, including Thomas Post, No. 5, G. A. R., the Veter- ans' Club, St. Andrew's Society, Caledonia Society, the Sons of New York, the Union League Club and the Calumet Club, and is also a life member of the Second Regiment, Illinois National Guards. Thus is Mr. Fer- guson prominently connected with many of the most important social and fraternal or- ganizations in the city and has a wide circle of friends among the membership of the various societies. A native of the Empire state, Mr. Fer- guson was born in the city of Oswego on the 1 3th of August, 1846. He left school COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 487 when thirteen years of age to learn the dry- goods business in Auburn, New York, and three years later he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he secured a position in a wholesale crockery establishment. He remained there until 1861, when he felt that his duty to his country outweighed every other consideration, and he laid aside all the cares of civil life to become one of the loyal defenders of the Union. His serv- ice, which continued until the cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace, was with Company C, Thirty-ninth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers. When the war was over Mr. Ferguson entered the service of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, but in 1870 returned to Auburn, New York, where he accepted a position as solicitor under Albert W. Lawton, agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of New York. At the same time he did clerical work in the office of L. C. Mann & Com- pany, who were among the oldest fire-in- surance agents in the state of New York, and thus became acquainted with all de- partments of the business, in both the house and the field. This proved an excellent preparation for his future labors. His apti- tude for the business, his mastery of all matters connected with it and his enterprise and faithfulness to all things entrusted to his care secured him promotion to the posi- tion of general western agent at Auburn for the Oswego & Onondaga Fire Insurance Company. In 1876, however, he resumed his connection with the life-insurance busi- ness and determined to make it his life work. In that year Mr. Ferguson came to Chicago to take charge of the office at this point of the New York Mutual Life Insur- ance Company, his duties being those of the cashiership, while at odd moments he also acted as solicitor. On the withdrawal of John W. Meeker, five years later, Mr. Ferguson was made cashier in charge of the Chicago agency, and in that position acquitted himself so creditably that in 1883 he was made local agent. In 1886 he formed a partnership with F. H. Winston, managing agent for Cook county, which continued for three years, when Mr. Win- ston withdrew. In June, 1887, he was appointed general agent for the state of Illinois, and since serving in that capacity he has achieved phenomenal success. Thus was given into his charge one of the most extensive business interests in the west. The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York stands among the most promi- nent financial institutions of the world, it having larger cash assets than any other single company, its writings approximating one million dollars per year. Therefore, to manage the affairs of the Chicago agency of such a corporation requires a man of superior ability, tact, industry and integ- rity, and the company felt that these re- quirements were all possessed by Mr. Fer- guson. The magnificent results which have followed his labors are largely due to his uniform courtesy and his consideration for his agents and solicitors, as well as for the public in general. He is always ready to assist and encourage the industrious until they reach success, and he has the highest respect and the devoted loyalty of those who work under him. He is a man of keen foresight, sound judgment, indomita- ble energy and perseverance, and owes his success not to a fortunate combination of circumstances or to the influence of wealthy friends, but to his own earnest labors and the exercise of those powers with which he was endowed by -nature and those that he has acquired. His advancement has been continuous and substantial, and to-day he occupies a prominent place among Chi- cago's leading business men. In June, 1889, in Saratoga, New York, Mr. Fergu- son was awarded the general agents' prize a beautiful silver bowl for good man- agement and success. In 1892 he served as president of the Life Underwriters' As- sociation of Chicago, and in 1894 was president of the National Life Underwriters' Association of the United States. Mr. Ferguson was married to Miss Sarah L. Miller, of Auburn, New York, 488 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. whose death occurred in December, 1885. They had four children: George Miller, James Lamed, Charles H., and Jessie May, deceased. Mr. Ferguson is widely known and rich in personal friends. His high character, his genuine worth, and his fidelity to principle have won him the respect of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact. With him friendship is inviolable, and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed. Thus he stands in an eminent place in business and social circles, and will rise still higher by the aid of those substantial qualities which have already gained him a conspicuous place in the Gar- den City of the west. OSCAR HOLLIDAY HARPHAM, a hard- ware merchant of Havana, Illinois, has long been a prominent factor in the busi- ness circles of this city, and for twenty years has been active in Masonry. He was made a Master Mason in Havana Lodge, No. 88, August 29, 1867, of which his father, Dr. Edwin B. Harpham, was an honored member. The chapter degrees were conferred upon our subject by Havana Chapter, No. 86, in 1871. He was also made a Royal and Select Master in Havana Council, and in 1871 he was knighted by Peoria Commandery, No. 3. The follow- ing year, 1872, he took a dimit from Peoria Commandery and placed his name on the list of charter members of Damascus Com- mandery, No. 42, with which he still affili- ates, he being one of the two now living whose names are on the charter list. In the lodge, chapter and Commandery he has filled all the official stations except that of Prelate in the chapter, and Principal So- journer in the commandery, bringing en- thusiasm and dignity to the various chairs he has filled, and performing his work in a manner most impressive. Also Mr. Harp- ham is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was made a Shriner by Medinah Temple, of Chicago, in 1891, and since 1894 has affiliated with Mohammed Temple, of Peoria. Havana, Illinois, is his native place, and here he has spent his whole life. He was born January 5, 1845. On attaining his majority in 1866, he became interested in the drug business with his father, and ran a drug store for a year or two, turning from that in 1 867 to the hardware business, in which he has since been successfully en- gaged. Aside from this business he has various other interests. He has been active in the Chautauqua work at Havana, and has been chairman of the committee on tents and cots. Also he has large landed interests in Fulton and Mason counties, owning no less than a thousand acres in the county of Fulton. Mr. Harpham was married June 24, 1867, to Miss Rosa Grund, and their happy union has been blessed in the birth of four children three sons and a daughter. In conclusion, we state that Mr. Harp- ham is a war veteran, having rendered service during the troublous days of the '6os as a member of Company I, One Hun- dred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and came out of the army with the rank of corporal; and, like most veterans of that sanguinary war, he takes pleasure now in his G. A. R. associations, maintaining mem- bership in J. Q. A. Jones Post, No. 526, of which he has served as commander, and of which for years he has been adjutant. Also he is a member of the Masonic Veteran Association. DANIEL LEROY CEASE, of Peoria, is ' a Mason of high degree, whose con- nection with the order dates from 1889. On the 6th of September that year he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Delaware Lodge, No. 52, A. F. & A. M. , of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and in the same city the degrees of capitular Masonry were conferred upon him in Eagle Chapter, No. 30, in which he was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason on the i 5th of May, 1890. He received the grades and orders of chivalric Masonry in Galesburg Commandery, No. 8, K. T. , COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 489 on the 2Oth of May, 1894, and attained the degrees of St. Helena Temple, Knights of Constantine, in Peoria, Illinois, August 12, 1896. He crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of Mohammed Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, December 10, 1895; was admitted into Peoria Consistory at Peoria, S. P. R. S. , thirty-second degree, April 15, 1897. He is an interested and active member of the fraternity. Mr. Cease was born near Phillipsburg, New Jersey, March 25, 1864, and during his early childhood accompanied his par- ents to that city, where he pursued his edu- cation in the public and private schools. On the completion of an English and classical course he was graduated at the public schools in 1881. Anxious to enter business life, he then secured a position in the shops of the New Jersey Central Rail- road. Soon afterward he was transferred to the freight office and later was given a position in the office of the car accountant. Owing to a reduction in the office force he accepted a position as brakeman, and in 1883 entered the transportation service in that capacity. He served in the various positions of brakeman, switchman, con- ductor, yardmaster and dispatcher until December, 1891, when he resigned to ac- cept editorial charge of the Railroad Train- men's Journal, published in Peoria. Mr. Cease is one of the pioneers of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, being a charter member of Lodge No. 2, and one of the first district corresponding secre- taries of the order. He represented his lodge at the first annual convention held in Oneonta, New York, in October, 1884, and was there elected to a position on the board of grand trustees, which he accept- ably filled for four years, retiring in 1888. He has been an earnest advocate of la- bor interests for a number of years, and following out his theory that the true solu- tion of the evils that surround labor must be eliminated by organization and educa- tion, followed by conservative and peace- ful action, he has given his thought to this purpose. The Journal which he edits is the official organ of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and in his hands has developed into a leader of opinion and it stands with the foremost of the publica- tions advocating organized labor principles. His ability as a writer is of a high order and in his editorials he meets every issue squarely, taking no uncertain ground on any question. Whatever cause is sup- ported by his pen, his advocacy will ever be found to be tempered with reason and fairness and a due consideration for the views and rights of others. TENRY MARTIN SCHMOLDT, a well- .IFjL. known and popular member of the Masonic fraternity, to which he has proved a worthy and valued accession, received his initial degrees in Cass Lodge, No. 23, F. &. A. M., on May 13, 1886, and rapidly acquired the fundamental principles of the order as contained in the symbols of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow-craft and Mas- ter Mason degrees, which represent the germs of all Freemasonry. He was ex- alted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Clarke Chapter, No. 29, on Sep- tember 12, 1895, and was constituted and dubbed a Sir Knight in Rushville Com- mandery, No. 56, in 1897. He has ever been a loyal friend and a zealous and devoted brother, giving to the craft a large share of his time and talent. Mr. Schmoldt was born in Cass county, Illinois, on September 19, 1856, and is a son of Robert and Johanna (Blohn) Schmoldt, the former of whom was a native of Hanover, Germany, and a descendant of a family of prominent landholders of that country. He emigrated to the United States and located in Beardstown in July, 1853, where he became affiliated with Cass Lodge, No. 23, and during the rest of his life was one of its most worthy and faith- ful members. His occupation was that of a merchant, combined with the manufact- ure of lumber, and he was a citizen of the highest integrity of character, respected 490 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. and esteemed by all who knew him. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Schmoldt four are living, our subject being the eldest of the family. His early mental discipline was received in the public schools of Beardstown, which he subsequently sup- plemented by a course in the St. Louis Business College and the De Pauw Uni- versity, at Greencastle, Indiana. Upon finishing his education he became associated with his father in the mercantile and lum- ber business until 1890, when the latter retired from active life and a partnership was formed by our subject and his brother Adolph, under the firm name of Schmoldt Brothers, who are now extensive dealers in lumber, sawmill products and coopers' materials, which they manufacture for the wholesale and retail trade, and they handle besides large quantities of ice. They have, by industry, perseverance and honest busi- ness principles, built up an extensive and prosperous trade, and are regarded as rep- resentative citizens of Beardstown. Among the other enterprises with which Mr. Schmoldt is connected, it may be stat- ed that he is a stockholder and president of the First State Bank of Beardstown, and officiates in the same capacity with the Building and Loan Association, both of which, by their business influence, have been instrumental in increasing the growth and prosperity of the city. Brother Schmoldt is not only a liberal, energetic and progressive citizen, but he has been equally active as a member of the Repub- lican party, and as such has taken a deep interest in public as well as mercantile af- fairs of his town. He has served in the council, and has been chosen mayor of the city six times, in which position he has proved himself to be a public officer of un- doubted ability and integrity, discharging his duties in a manner eminently satisfac- tory to his party and fellow citizens. On May 12, 1881, our subject was mar- ried to Miss Lena Ehrhardt, of Beards- town, and a daughter of Dr. Frederick Ehrhardt, a prominent physician of the countv. The issue of this union has been one child, whom they have named Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Schmoldt occupy one of the beautiful homes of Beardstown, where they dispense a cordial hospitality to their many friends. Our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has passed all the chairs of that body and is a member of the Grand Lodge. He has a most prepossessing personality, a genial nature and a generous heart, which ster- ling qualities serve to attract the good will and kind consideration of all with whom he comes in contact, and his many well wishers heartily rejoice in his well earned prosperity. YfOSEPH VINTON HARRIS, M. D., of I Canton, Illinois, is a gentleman of high rank in Masonic circles in this state, and his life has been so ordered that he justly merits the esteem in which he is held. Dr. Harris dates his connection with Masonry from the year 1878. He was elected to receive the degrees in Canton Lodge in the spring of that year, was initi- ated March 19, passed April 9, and raised April 23. He still affiliates with the lodge of this place and has filled various official positions therein, serving as Worshipful Master in 1881, 1882 and 1892, during which years he was a representative to the Grand Lodge of Illinois and since then has attended that body as a visitor. He is also identfied with the chapter and council at Canton, having received the R. A. M. de- grees in Canton Chapter, No. 68, March 21, 1879, and the R. and S. M. degrees in Can- ton Council, No. 23, November 10, 1879, and having filled the office of High Priest in the former. He was made a Knight Templar in Damascus Commandery, of Havana, Illinois, December 28, 1881, and now affiliates with Peoria Commandery, No. 3. Also he has entered the Scottish Rite at Peoria, of which he is an honored member, and at Peoria maintains member- ship in Mohammed Temple, Mystic Shrine. Since 1 892 he has been assistant Deputy Grand Master for the Twelfth District, em- COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 491 bracing the counties of Fulton, McDonough and Schuyler. He dedicated the lodge at Macomb, Illinois, in October, 1884, that same year performed the same ceremony at the dedication of the Vermont lodge, and in 1896 instituted the lodge at London Mills. Dr. Harris, like many of the leading men throughout this country, looks to the state of Ohio as his native place. He was born near Beallsville, October 22, 1839, spent his early life in that state, and had just passed his majority when the Civil war cloud gathered and burst upon the country. True to the patriotic impulses within him, he enlisted for service in the Union ranks in 1 86 1 and went out as a member of Com- pany H, Sixty-fifth Ohio Regiment, Sher- man's brigade, and was attached to the medical staff during the three years and a half he served in the army. At the close of the war in 1865 he was married and lo- cated in Canton, Illinois, where he en- gaged in the practice of medicine as an un- dergraduate, and where he has since con- tinued to reside, having built up a large and lucrative practice and having won and retained the high esteem of a large circle of friends. Not long after locating here he entered Rush Medical College, where he pursued a course and graduated in 1871. Indeed, he has always been a student and takes a pride in keeping posted in the line of his profession and up with the times in every respect, and to his studious habits and his love for the beautiful and the true may be attributed his advancement and high position in Masonry. Such is an epitome of the life of this well-known and honored man. D ANIEL J. CHAMBERLAIN. The exalted principles and sublime truths which underlie the great and time-honored craft with which ihis compilation has to do can not fail to appeal to any one who has oppreciation of all that is good and true in the complex economies of life and in the re- lations which bring each man into touch with his fellow man. Among the loyal and de- voted members of the Masonic order in the city of Elgin, Illinois, there is perhaps not ane to whom reference may be more appro- priately made in this connection than to him whose name initiates this paragraph, a man who has been long and conspicuously identified with the business interests of the community, one whose life has been so or- dered as to gain to him an abiding con- fidence and respect, and one whose intel- lectuality is broad, and views of that cosmo- politan character ever begotten of extended travel and intelligent study of men and af- fairs. Mr. Chamberlain's identification with Freemasonry dates back to December 28, 1872, when he became an Entered Appren- tice in Esoteric Lodge, No. 159, A. F. & A. M., at Ellsworth, Hancock county, Maine. Within the succeeding year he passed the capitular degrees in the chapter at Ellsworth, while he became a Royal and Select Master in the council at Elgin upon taking up his residence in that city, having been dimitted from Cryptic Council, No. 46. In 1882 the chivalric degrees were conferred upon Mr. Chamberlain in Bethel Commandery, No. 36, at Elgin, while on the 2gth of June, 1893, he gained the dis- tinction of becoming a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in the valley of Chicago. Mr. Chamberlain's present affiliations are with Monitor Lodge, No. 522, in which he has passed the vari- ous chairs to ultimately fill the office of Senior Warden; with L. L. Munn Chapter, of which he has served as Treasurer since 1884; with Cryptic Council, No. 46, in which he served in the distinguished office of Thrice Illustrious Master; while of Bethel Commandery, Knights Templar, he was the incumbent as Eminent Commander in 1886-7. He is a life member of the Ma- sonic Orphans' Home Society, of Chicago; is a member of the Masonic Veterans' As- sociation; and of Elgin Chapter, No. 212, Order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Chamberlain also is a member. Having 492 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS made a successful pilgrimage across the sands of the desert, Mr. Chamberlain se- cured an entrance to Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Chicago, and is a Noble of the same. That he has main- tained a signal interest in the work of Ma- sonry and that he has been active in the same is evident from the honors which have been conferred upon him, both by continued advancement and the holding of official preferment. Daniel J. Chamberlain was born in Madison, New Hampshire, on the igth of August, 1844, the son of Alvah and Han- nah (Jackson) Chamberlain. His mother died when he was about three years of age, and when he had attained the age of twelve he was also deprived by death of a father's care and guidance. It is easy to conjec- ture that the orphan lad began the battle for life under adverse circumstances, since he was thus early thrown largely upon his own resources. His educational discipline was received in the common schools, and though his opportunities were very limited, he profited duly by such as were afforded, and in later years continued to devote his atention to well-directed reading and study, until he stands to-day as a man of distinctive culture and broad information, the privileges which he has secured through his own efforts having effectively supple- mented the meagre ones of his early youth. He has attained a richly-merited success in temporal affairs; has not permitted his mental horizon to narrow down to an ap- preciation of mere money-getting; but while he has been the artificer of his own fortunes he has not been unmindful of the duties imposed by superior success, and has been ever animated by a broad human- itarian spirit. As a boy, he found em- ployment in a retail clothing store at Hud- son, Massachusetts, where he remained three years, after which he went to Boston and entered the wholesale clothing estab- lishment of Whitten, Burdett & Young, in whose employ he continued about thirteen years, and then, in 1876, came to Elgin, Illinois, and engaged in the clothing busi- ness upon his own responsibility, having since continued the enterprise consecutive- ly, over a period of more than twenty years. His success has come as the legiti- mate result of well-directed effort and hon- orable business methods, and to-day he stands firm in the confidence and high re- gard of the community where he has so long lived and labored. On the 1 5th of June, 1874, Mr. Cham- berlain was united in marriage to Miss Lesie L. Chamberlain, a native of Ells- worth, Maine, and a woman of gracious re- finement. She is at the present time pres- ident of the Woman's Club, of Elgin, a communicant of the Episcopal church, and lends a willing aid to parish and general church work. In his political adherency Mr. Cham- berlain is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Century Club and is prominent in both the business and social circles of the city. Mr. Chamberlain has traveled exten- sively both in the United States and in foreign lands, and his fund of information in regard to the sights and scenes most prominent in history is extremely wide and exact. In 1890 he accompanied Temple Commandery, Knights Templar, of Albany, New York, in their tour of the European continent, and in 1895 he organized a party for a cruise to the Mediterranean, person- ally conducting the same. " Chamberlain's Crusaders " made the attractive pilgrimage on the American (Red Star) line steamer, Friesland, which had been specially char- tered for that purpose. The itinerary in- cluded the visitation of Bermuda, Italy, Greece, northern Africa, Turkey, the Holy Land, etc., and was most successfully ac- complished, Mr. Chamberlain's manage- ment having been signally efficient in every minute detail which could possibly conserve the pleasure and comfort of his party. IRA J. MIX, Chicago. Through industry and efforts directed with marked intelli- gence and discrimination, the subject of this COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 493 review has attained to a pronounced meas- ure of success in temporal affairs and is recognized as one of the able and representa- tive business men of the western metropolis, while his relations with the Masonic frater- nity are such as redound to his credit and honor. In the year 1882 Mr. Mix was inducted into this ancient and noble order, being then initiated as a member of Dearborn Lodge, No. 310, A. F. & A. M. His inter- est in the work and his personal popularity among the confreres of his lodge was shown by his election, in 1890, to the office of Senior Deacon, and his subsequent rise in official preferment may be briefly noted as follows: Junior Warden, 1891; Senior Warden, 1892; and Worshipful Master in 1893. He is identified with Lafayette Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M. ; with Chevalier Bayard Commandery, No. 52, K. T. ; and Oriental Consistory, S. P. R. S., having thus advanced to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and being Grand Hospitaler of the consistory. He has also ' ' crossed the desert," and arrayed himself with the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Medinah Temple. Mr. Mix has other fraternal connections, being a member of Mayflower Lodge, No. 468, Knights of Pythias, and of the Royal Ar- canum and Royal League, while in a more purely social way he is identified with the Sheridan Club. It is worthy of particular note that Mr. Mix is president of the Masonic Home Temple Association, treasurer and director of the Continental Masonic Accident Association and Master of Ex- chequer of Mayflower Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. We now turn more particularly to the biographical phases of our subject's career. Ira J. Mix is a native son of the city of Chi- cago, and here he has passed his entire life, advancing through his own efforts to a posi- tion of prominence in business circles. The date of his birth was October 30, 1856, and his educational discipline was secured in the Scammon and Skinner schools, on the West 29 Side. After having received a liberal com- mon-school education, he manifested his self-reliant and independent spirit by setting forth to earn his own livelihood, though even before this he had not been idle, as is evident from the fact that when he was but twelve years of age he entered the employ of P. A. Newton, a milk dealer, in whose service he remained until he had attained the age of eighteen years, attending school through the day and working nights and mornings for his board. The young man thoroughly familiarized himself with the de- tails of the business, and leaving the employ of Mr. Newton at the age noted, he engaged in the same line of enterprise upon his own responsibility, his initial operations being conducted upon a very modest scale. He secured a horse and wagon and began sup- plying milk to patrons on the South Side 494 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. of the city, driving the conveyance himself and disposing of about thirty gallons of milk per day. He was careful and conscientious in his endeavors, and his business rapidly extended its confines as the public became cognizant of the excellent service rendered. He now operates twenty-five milk wagons, by which he caters to a representative pat- ronage, and he has augmented his enterprise by engaging extensively in the creamery business, owning and conducting a creamery at Seward, and another at Genoa, Illinois. In this connection it may be stated that he utilizes the products of about six thousand gallons of milk daily, a fact which gives evi- dence of the magnitude of the industry, which supplies immense amounts of cream and butter of the highest excellence. Mr. Mix is also the owner of the Ira J. Mix Transfer Company, in whose opera- tions about forty two-horse teams are de- manded. He has been eminently success- ful in his business undertakings and his un- wavering honor and integrity have gained to him public confidence and respect. The record of accomplishment is one in which he may well take pride, for he has attained this prominence and success entirely through his own efforts, advancing steadily and con- secutively from the point where, as a boy of twelve years, he first became identified with business life. Mr. Mix is a director in the Thirty-first Street Building and Loan Asso- ciation. The city headquarters of his ex- tensive enterprise are located at Nos. 129- 133 Thirtieth street. In politics our subject renders a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, to the forwarding of whose interests he has lent an active and substantial aid, though he has never acceded to the importunities of his party friends to accept a candidacy for po- litical office, believing that his business af- fairs demanded his entire attention. The marriage of Mr. Mix was solemnized in 1877, when he was united to Miss Ellen Clancey, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota. Their children are five in number, namely: MaryE., Noretta, Evaline, Ira J., Jr., and Florence. UGUSTUS NELSON. Sweden has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left their native land to enter the business circles of this country with its more pro- gressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among this number is Mr. Nelson, who at the age of twenty sought a home "in the land of the free," wishing to enter fields of labor where he might give full scope to his am- bition and industry his dominant qualities. He found the opportunity he sought in the freedom and appreciation of the growing western portion of the country, and though born across the sea he is a thorough Amer- ican in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career' is identified with the prosperous city of Rockford, where in his thirty years' residence he has acquired for- tune, and where he is an honored and re- spected citizen. Augustus Nelson was born in Sweden, October 13, 1834, a son of Neils Peter and Mary Olson, also natives of Sweden. They were honest farming people and in their re- ligious belief were Lutherans. In their family were three sons and a daughter. Mr. Nelson was educated in his native land and in 1854 crossed the Atlantic to America, arriving in Chicago on the 3d of September. He was unacquainted with the English language and had no capital save a strong heart and willing hands. His intel- ligence soon enabled him to master the language and to acquire a knowledge of the customs and manners of the people, their methods of business and plans of procedure. Willing to accept any position that would yield him an honest living, he first became a waiter in a hotel. Later he hired to go to Michigan for the purpose of engaging in white-fish and trout fishing in that region, but after three months, owing to the many perils which attended this work, he returned to Chicago. These exposures and hardships endured during the fishing trip undermined his health and his illness exhausted his means, but kind friends took him in COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 49 and their loving care restored him to strength. When he had recovered he en- gaged in cutting wood by the cord in In- diana and later in grading track for a new railroad that was then being builded. Sub- sequently he hauled wood and ties, after which, believing that he might make more rapid advancement on the road to fortune by means of some trade, he learned that of carriage and wagon making. For a year and a half he was thus engaged in Aurora and in Joliet, Illinois, and then came to Rockford, which has since been the scene of his business efforts. He has at various times been employed by Peter Sames, Mr. Skinner, Clark & Utter and James Taylor. Being a proficient workman, diligent and steady, he was enabled to command good wages for his services and received as high as seventy dollars per month. Saving his earning he was at length enabled to engage in business on his own account, and from that time prosperity has attended his efforts. In 1862 Mr. Nelson erected his first res- idence, and it is still his home, although it has since been greatly enlarged and im- proved, until now it is one of the better residences in the city. In the fall of 1864, when the demand for soldiers became very great, Mr. Nelson entered the government service, and was stationed at Nashville, where he was engaged in repairing wagons and building warehouses and barracks. He was stationed there at the time of the engagement with the rebel general, Hurd. On the 7th of April, 1865, he returned home and embarked in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, in connection with Thomas Sully, but not long afterward Mr. Sully was elected city marshal, and Mr. Sharer became Mr. Nelson's partner, the relationship between them being maintained for about five years. In March, 1870, Mr. Nelson engaged in the clothing business as a member of the firm of Erlander, John- son & Company. They conducted a suc- cessful business for seven years, at the end of which time the stock was divided into three equal parts and the partners cast lots for the same. Mr. Nelson afterward con- tinued in the clothing business alone for eighteen years, dealing in all kinds of men's clothing and furnishing goods, hats and caps. On the I5th of February, 1896, he sold out, and, investing his capital in Rock- ford real estate, is now managing his property. In 1857 Mr. Nelson was happily mar- ried to Miss Christina M. Peterson, a native of Sweden, and they became parents of seven children, four of whom are now liv- ing. Otilia died at the age of a year and a half; George Alfred died at the age of six years; and Frank died in the twenty- first year of his age. He had just com- pleted a course in Beloit College, and was a young man of much promise. The sur- viving members of the family are Alice May; Ada Theodora, wife of Fred W. Blake, of Minneapolis; Dalla, wife of N. J. Velinder, of Sweden; and Carl Albin, who for the past seven years has served as clerk in the Rockford National Bank. Mrs. Nelson de- parted this life on the i6th of May, 1895. For thirty-eight years Mr. and Mrs. Nel- son had traveled life's journey together, and theirs was a most happy married life. In the home she was a devoted wife and a tender mother, and her loss is most deeply felt. The family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Nelson's identification with the Masonic fraternity dates from 1885, when he was made a member of the order in Rockford Lodge, No. 102, F. & A. M. Since becoming an American citizen he has supported the Republican party, and is a worthy and loyal citizen. JOHN WILSON BEATSON, who has been associated with the administration of the county and city government of Winnebago county and the city of Rock- ford, and is now serving as alderman, has taken a deep interest in all that pertains to the public welfare and the upbuilding of the community, and has done all in his power to promote public progress. He is 490 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. therefore one of the valued residents of this section of the state, esteemed alike by young and old, rich and poor. He was born in Scotland on the 2Oth of April, 1840, a son of William and Elizabeth (Wilson) Beatson, both natives of Scotland and be- longing to old families of that country. In 1843 they emigrated to the United States, bringing with them the three children, our subject being at the time only three years of age. After spending six years in New York the family came west to Winnebago county, Illinois, and the father, securing a tract of land which was wild and unculti- vated, began its improvement and made his home thereon until the close of his life. He was an honest and industrious farmer whose sterling worth commanded the re- spect of all, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian church. His death occurred in 1883, when he had reached the age of seventy-two _years. His wife passed away June 6, 1896. Mr. Beatson, the subject of this review, was the second of the family of eight chil- dren, seven of whom are yet living. He was educated in the public schools of Win- nebago county, working on the farm through the summer and pursuing his studies in the winter season. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak, attracted by the discovery of gold, and after engaging in mining for a short time, returned to his home in Illinois. Hardly had the smoke from Fort Sumter guns cleared away or their echoes ceased to reverberate, when Mr. Beatson offered his services to the government in response to President Lincoln's first call for troops to crush the rebellion in its infancy. He enlisted April 18, 1861, as a member of Company D, Eleventh Illinois Infantry, in which he served until the close of his term at Cairo and Bird's Point. He then re- enlisted in Company D, Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, was mustered in as ser- geant, and participated in the battles of Stone River and Missionary Ridge and in the entire Atlanta campaign, in which the Union soldiers did such valiant service, covering themselves with glory. From Atlanta they returned to the west and were in the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. At the engagement of Missionary Ridge he was wounded in the breast and in the foot, but notwithstanding he was offered a furlough he preferred to remain with his command and share the fortunes of the boys in blue until the close of the struggle. He soon recovered and re- sumed active duty. After the battle of Stone River he was promoted to the rank of sec- ond lieutenant, after the battle of Mission- ary Ridge was made first lieutenant and with that rank commanded the company for two years. He continued at the front, following the stars and stripes on many a battle-field, and always faithfully perform- ing his duties until after the close of the war, when he received an honorable dis- charge, and was mustered out on the loth of June, 1865. Mr. Beatson at once returned to his home and resumed the peaceful, quiet vocation of a farmer. In 1882, however, he retired from farm life and came to Rockford, where he has since maintained his residence. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln and since that time he has been a stalwart Republican, warmly espousing the principles of his party. For six and a half years he served as a member of the police force of Rockford, and in 1889 was elected treasurer of Winnebago county, which he served faithfully and efficiently for four years. In the.spring of 1895 he was elected alderman of Rockford, and is now serving in that position, doing all in his power to advance the prosperity and upbuilding of the city of his adoption. Mr. Beatson was married on the I4th of December, 1865, to Miss Jane E. Van Alstine, a native of New York, and they have four children, namely: Rosella; Daisy, now the wife of James W. Millar; Harriett and Margaret. Mr. Beatson was made a Mason in 1889, joining Star in the East Lodge, No. 166, A. F. & A. M., of Rockford. He has since taken the Royal Arch degrees in Winnebago Chapter, No. 24, R. A. M., and was COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 497 knighted in Crusade Commandery, No. 17, K. T. He is now Junior Warden of his lodge. He is a good worker in the order, and is also a consistent member of the Order of the Eastern Star and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is deeply interested in the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he holds membership, and in which he has served as Senior Vice Commander of Post No. i, of Rockford. He was a delegate to the national encamp- ment in Louisville in 1895, and there headed the procession. He is a pleasant, genial, courteous gentleman, thoroughly reliable at all times and in all places, and the con- fidence and trust reposed in him have never been betrayed. EGBERT TEN EYCK BECKER, of Mount Carroll, Illinois, is a citizen and Mason widely and favorably known. His connection with the Masonic fraternity dates back to 1860, at which time he was made a Master Mason in Cyrus Lodge, No. 1 88, being entered January 3, passed February 4, and raised April 3. He was soon afterward elected Secretary of his lodge, in which position he faithfully served until he enlisted as a volunteer in the Union army in 1862. After the war he filled nearly all the offices of his lodge and was its Worshipful Master for a num- ber of years. He joined Winnebago Chap- ter, No. 90, in 1862, in Rockford, the chapter degrees being conferred upon him by dispensation in four consecutive eve- nings in the early part of the month of Oc- tober. In 1883 he was made a Sir Knight in Freeport Commandery, No. 7; and when Long Commandery, No. 60, was in- stituted he was one of its charter members and had the honor of being made its first Commander, after which he was elected to that high office three terms in succession. At the close of his last term as Eminent Commander he was elected Prelate, an office he has filled up to the present time. In 1883 he also joined Freeport Consistory and has received all the degrees up to and including the thirty-second. In 1887 he received the appointment of Deputy Grand Master of his district, and in that capacity served until 1892, visiting many lodges in Whiteside, Jo Daviess'and Carroll coun- ties and doing much satisfactory work. He has been a member of the Masonic Veteran Association for a number of years and meets with that honorable body of the state annually. Brother Becker was born in LeRays- ville, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1833. His father, David Becker, was a native of Schoharie county, New York, and a descendant of the Holland Dutch, who were early settlers of that state. He married Miss Fanny Benham, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and in 1843 they came west to Illinois and settled on Rock Creek, nine miles southeast of Mount Car- roll, their nearest neighbor then being six miles distant. Here he developed a tract of land, lived the life of a respected and successful farmer, and died at the ripe old age of seventy-five years, his death result- ing from a rupture of the heart. He left seven children. The subject of our sketch is the eldest of this number and was ten years of age when they came to Illinois, where he grew to manhood and has since lived. For some time he worked for his board and attended school at Elkhorn, later went to the Hanover School, and in 1854-5 was a student at what is now called the Lombard University. At the time the war broke out he and his brother were working hard to pay for the home farm which they had purchased and for which they were eleven thousand dollars in debt; but the demands of the country were far greater than those of business, and in Au- gust, 1862, we find him enlisting in Com- pany I, Ninety-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served mostly with the Army of the Cumberland, fought at Chick- amauga, and was in all the struggle throughout the Atlanta campaign. A por- tion of the time his regiment was mounted and attached to Wilder's brigade of 498 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. mounted infantry, and with Kilpatrick's cavalry saw much active service. He was almost constantly in active service from the time he entered the army until the close of the war, served as captain of his company the whole period, and came home at the close of the conflict with the record of a gallant soldier. Shortly after his return from the army Mr. Becker took up the study of law. Pre- vious to the war he had served as town clerk and justice of the peace, and after- ward he had the honor of being elected clerk of the county court of his county, in which capacity he served twelve years. Since his retirement from office he has de- voted his time exclusively to the practice of law. Politically, he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party. December 27, 1868, Mr. Becker was happily united in marriage with Miss Sarah Catherine Bosworth, a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, whose life has since been blended with his and who still presides over his home. They have had four chil- dren, all of whom have passed away. Mr. Becker still owns the old farm five miles from Mount Carroll, and he also owns a nice residence in the city, where he is pleasantly situated and enjoying the comforts of life. Like most Union veterans, he is a G. A. R. man. He helped to organize the G. A. R. post at Mount Carroll, has filled its various offices and is now its highly esteemed Post Com- mander. DAVID OGLE REID is one of the old- est members of the Masonic fraternity in Moline, old in the duration of his con- nection with the society. He is a worthy exponent of its principles and a faithful follower of the order which is now every- where known as a benefactor of the race. Its flag proudly floats in the breeze of every clime, as a beacon to the pilgrims on life's rough journey, and a welcome guide to the tempest-driven mariner across the troubled waves of human woe to its calm haven of rest. It exists in response to the cravings of the soul for a domain of brotherhood, a fraternity wherein congenial companion- ship and mutual offices of kindness and re- gard would soften the asperities of life and remove the evils of prejudice, bigotry and intolerance. An order that teaches the higher ideal of life, that gives man a new faith in virtue, charity and love, assuredly deserves a considerate study by all those who are interested in the welfare of the human race. As the means to an end it has become one of the most powerful weapons in the warfare upon selfishness, vice and the host of evils that beset man at every step of his earthly career. For almost forty years Mr. Reid has affiliated with this society and moulded his life in harmony with its principles and teaching. He joined the blue lodge as an Entered Apprentice in Fort Armstrong Lodge, of Rock Island, passed the Fellow-craft de- gree and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Later Fort Armstrong Lodge was consolidated with Trio Lodge, No. 57. During the war he was at the front, and after his return he assisted in the organization of Rock Island Lodge, be- coming one of its charter members, while for three years he was honored by election to the office of Worshipful Master. On coming to Moline he was dimitted to Doric Lodge, No. 319. He is thoroughly familiar with the working of the order and is active in the advancement of its principles. He understands fully the obligations which rest upon every true Mason and to the best of his ability meets these. A native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Reid was born on the ist of June, 1834, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, Robert F. Reid, was born in Ire- land, obtained his education in his native land, and after reaching man's estate be- came a member of the Masonic fraternity. He passed beyond the blue lodge, being exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason and dubbed and created a Sir Knight. Emigrating to the United States, he located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 499 and affiliated with the order in that city. He married Miss Sarah Ogle, who was born in Pennsylvania and removed to Indianap- olis, Indiana, where the father died in the forty-third year of his age, leaving a widow and five children, four sons and a daughter. They were members of the Methodist church and people of the highest respect- ability. Four of the children still survive. David O. Reid, the eldest son, was edu- cated in the public schools of the two capi- tals, Harrisburg and Indianapolis. Soon after the beginning of hostilities between the north and south in the great Civil war he responded to the call of the Union for aid, and in the summer of 1861 was en- rolled as a volunteer. He fought with the Army of the Tennessee, and on the expira- tion of his first term re-enlisted, remaining with his command until July, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He was first in battle at the time of the capture of Fort Henry and from that time on was in active service until the surrender of Johnston's army, at Raleigh, North Carolina. He participated in the glorious engagements of the Atlanta campaign, and at the siege of Vicksburg was shot in the right knee and captured, but was soon paroled and lay in the hospital until exchanged. He was with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea, and participated in the grand review of the victorious army in Washington, when the defenders of the nation marched through the streets of the capital city amid the shouts of a rejoicing multitude. Mr. Reid entered the service as a private, but his gallant conduct and meritorious service won him promotion from time to time until he became captain of his company. With an honorable war record Captain Reid returned to his home in Rock Island and engaged in the hardware business, which he has made his life work. For the past twenty-seven years he has carried on a store in Moline at his present location, and is now the senior member of the well known firm of Reid & Witter. His life has been an industrious and useful one, and his energy and resolute purpose has won him success in business, while his honorable dealing has gained him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has had any practical relations. In 1 86 1 Mr. Reid was united in mar- riage to Miss A. L. Webster, and they be- came the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are yet living. Mrs. Reid is a valued member of the Methodist church, and the Captain and his wife both have the esteem of many friends. They rank high in social circles and receive a warm wel- come in the homes where true worth is re- ceived as the passport into good society. He is also an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, with which he has been identified since its organization, and is the oldest post commander in Rock Isl- and county. As was but natural, Mr. Reid became a Republican on the organization of the party and has never wavered in his allegiance to the "grand old party," which has ever supported the cause of the country, pro- tected its industries, advanced its welfare and maintained its institutions against all opposition abroad and infidelity at home. He is now thoroughly in favor of free sil- ver, which he believes was the original money standard of the country. His ca- reer demonstrates what can be accom- plished through determined and honorable effort; his career is that of one who is true to duty in every walk of life; and Moline numbers him among her representative and valued citizens, while the Masonic frater- nity claims him as one of its most consist- ent and loyal members. QEORGE HENRY SCHWING, for twenty years a fervent and conscien- tious member of the fraternity which seeks to develop the better side of man and ele- vate the standard of morality throughout the world and reduce humanity to an un- selfish condition of equality and brotherly love, was made a Master Mason in Effing- ham Lodge, No. 149, atEffingham, Illinois, on September 7, 1877, the degrees being 500 COMPENDIUM OF FRBBMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. conferred by our worthy brother, Owen Scott, who is now Grand Master of the state. Mr. Schwing was dimitted from the parent body and became affiliated with Havana Lodge, No. 88, on July 7, 1890, receiving the degrees of capitular Masonry in Havana Chapter, No. 86, R. A. M., on December 15, 1890, and on May 5, 1892, he was constituted a Sir Knight in Damas- cus Commandery, No. 42. He is now an active and worthy member of all the bodies in Havana, has served the blue lodge as its Senior Warden, and is now capably filling the office of Worshipful Master. In the chapter he has been Royal Arch Captain, at the present time occupying the chair of Captain of the Host for the third time, and in the commandery he has been Standard Bearer and Sword Bearer, but has been obliged to decline higher honors on ac- count of pressing business. He takes a great delight in Masonry, believes in and loves its teachings, and earnestly endeavors to square his life and acts by the twenty- four-inch gauge. Born in Evansville, Indiana, on Octo- ber 21, 1853, Mr. Schwing descends from Swiss ancestors, who were early settlers in this country, locating in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. His parents were Joseph P. and Eliza (Hart) Schwing, the latter of whom was a descendant of Gov- ernor Thomas, of Maryland, an eminent member of the Masonic fraternity, and a niece of Attorney-General Linder. In her religious faith she was a member of the Presbyterian church, her husband being a Methodist. When our subject was four years old his father died, leaving a wife and two sons, and Mr. Schwing recalls with tender gratitude the watchful care with which his mother guided the youthful footsteps of her fatherless children. Our subject spent a portion of his time with an uncle, until, at the age of thirteen, he determined to secure employment and assist in his own support, so he went to work at farming, earning what he could, which was little more than food and clothes, and for five years he followed that voca- tion, subsequently becoming connected with the American Express Company, where he remained for one year, and then accepted a position with the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad, where for a quarter of a cen- tury he has rendered most efficient and faithful service in its behalf, and for the past nine years has been express and bag- gage agent on the run between Havana and Champaign, in which capacity he has served with consummate ability and to the eminent satisfaction of the road's officials. In politics Mr. Schwing is a stanch Repub- lican, and adheres to the religious faith of his mother, being a member of the Pres- byterian church. He is an enthusiastic "f rater" and is satisfied with Masonry above everything else, taking a delight in the work of the different bodies and par- ticularly in that of the blue lodge and Eastern Star, in which he is quite proficient. He possesses a social disposition and a gen- erous nature, and has a host of friends both in and out of Masonic circles. JOHN FIGEL, of the Columbia Rubber Company, 161 Lake street, is one of the most prominent members of the Ma- sonic fraternity in Chicago, and as a token of the high esteem in which he is held by his brethren in the local bodies with which he is affiliated he has been honored with many offices of importance, which he has filled with credit to him- self and to the eminent satisfaction of his fellow Masons. Mr. Figel was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Richmond Lodge, No. 66, of New York, and exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Tyrian Chapter, No. 66, New York. Mr. Figel dimitted from Rich- mond Lodge and Tyrian Chapter and be- came affiliated with Dearborn Lodge, No. 310, and LaFayette Chapter, No. 2, of Chi- cago. He is now Past High Priest of La Fayette Chapter. In this city he was was made a Royal and Select Master in Palestine Council, in which he became Thrice Illustrious Master; was created a LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS, 503 Sir Knight in Chevalier Bayard Command- ery, No. 52, holding in that body the office of Eminent Commander, and received the ineffable degrees in Oriental Consistory, Scottish Rite. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, in Medinah Temple, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He has always taken a deep interest in the fra- ternity, is well known in Masonic circles, and has been faithful to every trust com- mitted to his care. Mr. Figel was born on Staten Island, New York, January 29, 1852, and his edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of New York and Fort Leavenworth, Kan- sas. After leaving school he began the study of civil engineering, which profession he followed for a number of years. He was in the service of the United States army for seven years and received promo- tions through the various ranks until reach- ing that of first lieutenant. He had enlist- ed as civil engineer and his duties took him all over the country. He resigned his commission and returned to Chicago, and secured a position as general salesman for the Columbia Rubber Company, with which he has been connected for the past eleven years. He is an intelligent, ener- getic gentleman, a Mason in excellent standing, and a consistent member of the Episcopal church. LUDWIG WOLFF, Chicago. One can- not attain to leadership in any chosen calling without becoming a familiar figure in the eyes of the public, and as one of the city's leading manufacturers Mr. Wolff needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. His has been a life of sig- nal usefulness; one that has never failed to keep in touch with deep human interests; one whose ideals have ever been of a high character, and one which may be taken as a standing exemplification of those noble principles which are the basic elements of that time-honored fraternity with which this compilation has to do. His life mani- fests the virtues of industry and has not undervalued the worth of conscientious toil. He has wrested success from the hand of what men are too prone to call ad- verse circumstances, has secured a practical business education and has disciplined his mind in the every-day affairs of life. His interest in the Masonic order was awakened in his early youth by an incident which made upon his mind a lasting impression. From the time he first became familiar with the work of the fraternity, his zeal has increased, and as he has advanced step by step, seeing new beauty and sublimity in its truths and symbolic teachings, he has supported its cause with an earnestness that knows no wavering. The memories of our childhood days often are the most lasting, and an incident in the boyhood of Mr. Wolff left upon his mind an impression never to be effaced and on which has borne fruit in a long and hon- orable connection with the Masonic frater- nity. He was one day passing along the street in his native town when a procession of children went by. In reply to his in- quiry as to who they were he was told that they were Masons' orphans and that they were cared for by the Masonic fraternity. Bright and happy looking were the children, surrounded by tender care and attention, and the noble principles of the fraternity which thus cared for the homeless little ones of its members, traced upon mem- mory's wall a picture ineffaceable. He of- ten thought of those children and pondered long over the teachings and practices of the order, resolving that if he was ever a man he would seek admission to the society whose beliefs and practices were of such practical benefit. This resolution of his boyhood was carried into effect about 1860, when he joined William B. Warren Lodge, No. 209, A. F. & A. M. , of Chicago. He was exalted to the sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason in Corinthian Chapter, and is a charter member of York Chapter. He is a life member of Apollo Commandery, No. i , K. T. ; has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Oriental Con- sistory, and is a Noble of the Ancient Ara- 504 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. bic Order of the Mystic Shrine, his mem- bership being in Medinah Temple. For the past two years he has been vice-president of the Masonic Orphans' Home, in which he takes a deep interest, contributing liber- ally to its support. He has a keen appre- ciation of the obligations which rest upon every true Mason, and these he fully meets. His ethical relations with his fellow men are founded upon the teachings of Masonry, which recognize the fact of universal broth- erhood and which make helpfulness the watchword of their lives. Ludwig Wolff was born in Mecklenburg- Schwerin, Germany, on the iith of March, 1836, the eldest child of John and Chris- tina (Sievert) Wolff. In accordance with the laws of his native land he attended the public schools between the ages of six and fourteen years, and was then apprenticed to a coppersmith, with whom he served for four years, during which time he also at- tended the night sessions of the mechanical school. In 1854 the family left the Father- land and sailed for the new world, taking passage at Hamburg for Hull, England, whence they crossed the Atlantic to New York. The ship was heavily laden with passengers and when Asiatic cholera broke out among them over four hundred were stricken with the disease and died! This included the mother and two brothers of Mr. Wolff. The father and other children, with heavy hearts, wended their way to Chicago, where a few days later Mr. Wolff and another son fell victims to the dread disease. Ludwig was the eldest of the five survivors of the family and upon him fell the heavy task of providing for the support of the others. He was only eight- een years of age, but with a courage and determination far beyond his years he man- fully lifted the heavy burden thus imposed upon him. He secured work at nine shil- lings per day and thus supported the younger members of the family. He after- ward found homes for his brothers and sis- ters, in which they remained until able to care for themselves. Winter came on and with it a great depression in almost all lines of business. As he could not secure work at his trade or find other employment in the city, Ludwig Wolff then went to Ma- coupin county, Illinois, where he accepted a situation on the farm of James Anderson, working for the small compensation of two dollars per month and his board. In the spring, however, he returned to Chicago, where he worked for three months at his trade in the service of others. On the expiration of that period Mr. Wolff entered into partnership with Ter- rence Maguire, and established a plumbing and general coppersmith business in a small room at the rear of No. 75 Lake street, where they remained for eleven years. At first it was somewhat difficult to build up a trade, but with determined purpose they worked on, and by honorable dealing and skill in their line they won the public confi- dence and paved the way for future suc- cesses. During the Civil war there was a large increase in the distilling and brewing business, and in consequence an enlarged demand for copper vessels, from the sale of which they realized a handsome profit. In 1866 their trade had so grown that they were forced to seek more commodious quarters and they erected a four-story build- ing, ninety feet deep, at Nos. 109 and 1 1 1 West Lake street. Soon afterward Mr. Wolff purchased his partner's interest and began the manufacture of brass and copper- plumbers' supplies; to this he gradually added marble supplies, and subsequently es- tablished a foundry which he increased in capacity and facilities until he was engaged in the manufacture of all the materials used by plumbers. Thus was inaugurated the L. Wolff Manufacturing Company, owners of one of the most extensive manufacturing plants in Chicago. Their works are located at West Lake and Jefferson streets and cover almost an entire block, while the. plant, including the iron foundry and boiler, enameling and galvanizing shops on Carroll and Hoyne avenues, covers two hundred and fifty by four hundred and seventy feet of. ground. Mr. Wolff holds membership in the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 505 Mencken Club, and is a man of social, genial nature, quick to recognize worth and merit in others. He has worked his way upward to a very prominent position in business circles. For years he devoted his entire time and concentrated all his ener- gies toward the supervision of the active details of his business, and his was the heart to resolve, the understanding to di- rect and the hand to execute all its various transactions. Thoroughly reliable the pub- lic soon gave him its confidence, which was followed by its patronage, and to-day he ranks among the most substantial citizens of Chicago, to which position he has at- tained by his own efforts. The Masonic order in Chicago is glad to number him among its members and he is indeed a worthy rep- resentative of the fraternity which through so many centuries has been one of the most potent influences for good in the history of civilization. JOHN McCABE. It was under some- what unusual circumstances that the brother whose name appears at the head of this review received his initial degrees in the order of Freemasonry. A gallant Union soldier in the war of the Rebellion, he was brought to his home in Macomb, Illinois, suffering from a wound received while bravely fighting for the old flag, and while convalescing a special dispensation was ob- tained for him and the first three degrees in the blue lodge were conferred upon him in four days while he was yet on crutches. He became affiliated with Rushville Lodge, No. 9, on January 26, 1869, and for the past twenty years has been its faithful and efficient Treasurer, a record of unswerving fidelity that speaks for itself and which is surpassed by few of his f rat res in the state. On October 10, 1881, he was exalted to the august degrees of chivalric Masonry in Rushville Chapter, No. 184, and has held the Treasuryship in that body for the past ten years. He was constituted a Sir Knight in Rushville Commandery, No. 56, on April 17, 1882, in which he is the present incumbent of the Treasurer's chair. In fact, he has for decades been the custodian of moneys in all bodies of Rushville, his in- tegrity of character and his vigilance and prudence inspiring the greatest respect and confidence in his brother Masons. Born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on March 11, 1828, he is of Scotch-Irish de- scent, his father, John McCabe, having emigrated from Ireland when a young man to the above mentioned county, where he was married to Miss Mary Hevel. He was a soldier in the Union army and died while serving his adopted country, his wife sur- viving him until attaining her eighty-fourth year. They were adherents of the Method- ist church, and possessed a high standard of character, admired and loved by all who knew them. Of their nine children three are still living. Mr. McCabe was educated in the public schools of Ohio and Indiana, coming to Illinois in 1847, and here learned the brick business, in which he was engaged when the urgent call of President Lincoln for volunteers to assist in quelling the Re- bellion stirred the patriotic fires in his soul and in June, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-fourth Illinois Infantry, which formed a part of the Army of the Cumber- land under the command of Generals Rose- crans and Thomas, and participated in the battles of Stone River and Chickamauga. In the latter engagement our subject re- ceived a gunshot wound in the ankle, dis- abling him for a period of sixty days, with- out, however, quenching his enthusiasm, for upon recovering he rejoined his regi- ment and took part in Sherman's great At- lanta campaign, in which the Union forces were employed continuously marching and fighting for one hundred and forty victori- ous days. Following the capture of At- lanta the command was sent in pursuit of General Hood, engaging in battle at Nash- ville, where it was stationed when the glori- ous news of General Lee's surrender, mark- ing the close of hostilities, was flashed over the wire, bringing gladness to the hearts of many weary heroes. After being mustered out in July, 1865, 506 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Mr. McCabe returned to his home in Ma- comb, and in the following spring came to Rushville, where he established himself in the tile and brick business, with which he has since been successfully identified. He has acquired a large and prosperous trade and has an extensive plant, supplied with all the necessary appliances pertaining to the manufacturing of an excellent quality of tile and brick. Mr. McCabe is a char- ter member of the Illinois Tile and Brick- makers' Association, was its treasurer for seventeen years, and at a late convention of that body held in Springfield he read a paper on making brick for fifty years, which was published in full in a number of trade papers in that city. On March 6, 1 850, was consummated the marriage of Mr. McCabe and Miss Mary Clark, and of the six children resultant from this union the following three survive: James, who is associated with his father as partner; Andy Arthur and Howard C., the latter of whom has attained to the degree of Sir Knight in the Masonic fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. McCabe are members of the Methodist church, of which they are zeal- ous and faithful adherents. He has held the office of steward of that body for thirty years. During the the whole of his busy life our subject has ever held closely to the principles of Christianity, and as a business man, a soldier, and a Mason, he has always been conscientious ii the performance of what he considered his duty to himself and his fellow men. Personally, he is a man of generous impulses, a genial disposition, and possesses a kindly consideration for all man- kind, in consequence of which he enjoys the high esteem of his numerous friends, with whom he has been so long associated. WILLIAM LUMIS BEEBE, now de- ceased, was one of Freeport's most esteemed and prominent citizens, was a thirty-second-degree Mason and a zealous member of the order, with which his con- nection dated from 1864. He joined Moses R. Thompson Lodge, but after a time this was consolidated with Excelsior Lodge, with which his membership was then placed. He advanced rapidly in the order through the various branches of the York and Scot- tish Rites until he became a thirty-second- degree Mason. Conforming his life to the teaching of the fraternity, living up to its requirements, putting the philosophy of its practical workings into daily use in his con- tact with his fellow men, he may well be recognized as one of the most acceptable members of the society, and in a work de- voted to the Masonic history of Illinois he well deserves honorable mention. In busi- ness life his career was also one well worthy of emulation. The strongest characters are those who have to battle with adversity, obstacles and hardship, and who work their way upward by overcoming these and using them as stepping-stones to something higher. Such was the career of Mr. Beebe. A native of New York, he was born in Seneca county, on the line of Wayne county, in 1812. His ancestors were early settlers of Vermont, and his grandfather served as a drummer boy in the war of the Revolution, leading and inspiring the regi- ment by the roll of that drum which, like many others, sounded the death knell to British rule in the colonies. His father, Allen Beebe, was born in the Green Mount- ain state and was a well-to-do farmer. When a young man he removed to Massa- chusetts and was married there to Miss Susan Harrington, a native of that state. In 1838 he removed with his family to Illinois, where he secured a tract of land and improved a farm, making his home thereon until his death, which occurred at the advanced age of ninety-two years. His wife had passed away some years previously. They were members of the Methodist church and most highly-respected citizens. Our subject was the fourth in order of birth in their family of seven children, only two, however, now living. He acquired his early education in a primitive school- house, sitting on a slab bench; but practi- cal experience became to him a valuable teacher and made him a well informed man. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 507 He began life on his own account as a farmer. He was married in Ontario county, New York, to Miss Sally Ann Tripp, and eight children were born to them in the east, but three died while the family were still living in New York. By team Mr. Beebe removed from Seneca county, New York, to Wash- tenaw county, Michigan, then a com- paratively undeveloped region, and two years later came to Illinois, where his father had preceded him. He took up land and worked early and late to develop it into a rich and productive farm. He was one of the first and most extensive breeders of Durham cattle in Stephenson county, and received from the Illinois State Agri- cultural Society a premium for having the second best farm in the entire state, while some thought he was entitled to first pre- mium. After spending twenty-two years upon this property and bringing it to the highly improved condition indicated, he sold it for forty dollars per acre, receiving therefrom twenty-five thousand dollars the reward of his earnest labor. On sell- ing his farm in 1863 he came to Freeport and purchased a farm of two hundred acres, adjoining the city, which continued to be his place of abode until 1890, when he sold out for sixty-five dollars per acre. He then retired from active business life and erected a commodious brick residence in Freeport, which was his home until his death. Two children were added to the family in Illinois, and five of the number are yet living, namely: Irvin, a successful farmer of Iowa; Nancy Emeline, wife of Charles Menzie, of Belojt, Wisconsin; Milton Bourne, Philip Sales and Frank. The last two are in business in Freeport. Mrs. Beebe departed this life in 1890. She was a faithful and devoted wife and mother and had many warm friends. In 1893 Mr. Beebe married Miss Eunice Laura Coulter, of Illinois, a lady of much refinement. Mr. Beebe was reared as a Democrat and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, but the slavery question became the domi- nant issue before the people, and, opposed to that institution of the south, he joined the party to prevent its further extension, voting for John C. Fremont, and was ever afterward a stanch Republican. His life was always upright, true and honorable, his business efforts were crowned with success, and he was surrounded by many friends. His health at length failing, he went to Smyrna, Virginia, for his health, but died there April 5, 1897, and he was buried at Freeport, Illinois, Sunday, April 11, fol- lowing, under the honors of the Knight Templars, among whom he had so long so- journed as an exemplary member. His loss is mourned by a very large community. HON. WILLIAM M. ALLEN, mayor of the city of Peoria, Illinois, and a contractor and builder of this place, is a man far above the average in business abil- ity and one whose special line of occupa- tion and high mentality enable him the more fully to appreciate the beauties as set forth in Masonry, he having for years been an active and enthusiastic Mason, Royal Arch Mason, Royal and Select Master, Knight Templar and a member of the Scottish Rite, and maintains a membership in Peoria Lodge, No. 15, Peoria Chapter, No. 7, Peoria Council, No. 7, Peoria Com- mandery, No. 3, and Peoria Consistory. Mr. Allen was born October 21, 1854, and is therefore in the prime of manhood. Early in life he made a reputation as a con- tractor and builder, and to-day there are found in various towns and cities many monuments to his skill as a builder, promi- nent among the buildings erected by him being the following: The Normal Univer- sity at Carbondale, Illinois; the high-school building at Monmouth, Illinois; the fire- proof buildings at Havana, this state; and the Brooklyn Cooperage Works at New Orleans. In Peoria he was the contractor and builder of the Woolner block, Niagara building, First Presbyterian church, Wool- ner distillery, starch house, and two of the engine houses. 508 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Of a progressive and public-spirited nature, ever ready to promote the best in- terests of the city and to give his support to whatever he deems for its welfare, he is appreciated by his fellow citizens for his sterling worth, and has been honored by them with official preference. Twice he was elected and served as alderman; was on the park board one term, and in 1895 was elected to the responsible position he now fills, that of mayor of Peoria, the duties of which he is performing with his usual fidel- ity and to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. Mr. Allen is a member of the Protest- ant Episcopal church. VUY CHARLES SCOTT, a prominent attorney and the present mayor of Aledo, is a Sir Knight Templar. The uni- versal Masonic temple, the great social structure, is built of select material, as all good structures are. Hence its beauty and durability. Mr. Scott, who is a member of this great body, walks in the light of ge- ometry under the All-seeing Eye, squares his life by the golden rule, cements the bonds of brotherhood by the trowel of kind regard, and circumscribes his life generally by the compasses of integrity. He was made a Mason in Aledo Lodge, No. 252, in the winter of 1887-8, and has served as Secretary and Junior Warden of his lodge. He is also a member of Cyrus Chapter, No. 112, of Aledo, having re- ceived the Royal Arch degrees in Septem- ber, 1896, and he was advanced to the rank of Sir Knight in Everts Commandery, No. 1 8, at Rock Island, on the 22d and 23d of February, 1897. Mr. Scott is a native of the state of Illinois, born in Henderson county, on the 1 4th of August, 1863, and is of Scotch an- cestry who emigrated to America previous to the Revolution, in which notable strug- gle two of his ancestors, Samuel and Hugh Scott, participated. His father, Samuel Scott, was a native of Fountain county, In- diana, and emigrated to Illinois in 1858, locating at Keithsburg, where for many years he was a successful farmer and a worthy member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 1 1 3 ; he is one of the oldest members of that body now living. He married Miss Sarah E. Wilson, and they had eight chil- dren, of whom five are living. They are consistent members of the Methodist church. Mr. Guy C. Scott, their eldest child, was educated at Knox College, at Galesburg. this state, studied law in the office of Bas- sett & Wharton, and admitted to practice in August, 1886, since which time he has been successfully engaged in the pursuit of his chosen profession. He is now a mem- ber of the firm of Scott & Cook. In his political principles Mr. Scott is a lifelong Democrat, and even active in the interests of his party. He has been chairman of the Democratic county central committee for a number of years; was a delegate to the Democratic national convention which nominated Grover Cleveland for the pres- idency of the United States in 1892; has served his city as its municipal clerk; and in 1895 received from his fellow citizens the honor of being elected the mayor of Aledo. Mr. Scott is a live business man and takes withal a deep interest in public affairs and in the prosperity of the commu- nity in which his lot is cast. As mayor he is giving general satisfaction. June 11, 1891, Mr. Scott was happily united in matrimony with Miss Jessie Irvin, a native of the city of Aledo, and a daugh- ter of Dr. George Irvin, of the same place. This marriage has been blessed by the birth of a daughter, named Kathrine. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Presbyterian church. The family have one of the beau- tiful and commodious homes of the city, and are highly esteemed by hosts of friends. E DWARD BRUCE CHANDLER, a Knight Templar Mason of Chicago, whose connection with the fraternity in this city covers a period of almost twenty years, first became a member of the order in 1877, being made a Mason in Home COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 509 Lodge, No. 508. The same year he was raised to the Royal Arch degree in Chicago Chapter, No. 127, R. A. M. He was knighted in Apollo Commandery, No. i, and now belongs to Chevalier Bayard Commandery, No. 52, while still holding membership in the chapter and blue lodge with which he first united. In the latter he has served as Junior Warden and in the Commandery he has filled the offices of Junior Warden, Captain General, General- issimo and Eminent Commander and is now Past Eminent Commander, He also be- longs to the Medinah Temple of the Mys- tic Shrine. Since his earliest identifica- tion with the society he has been one of its earnest and loyal members, devoted to its welfare and deeply interested in its up- building. He has been especially active in the work of the commandery and his stand- ing in that branch of Masonry is indicated by the many times he has been honored by office. His fidelity to the fundamental principles of the order is indicated by his upright life, characterized by the utmost justice to others, a justice that is often tempered by mercy, by his benevolence and kindliness. Those essential elements in the life of every respected man have won him the sincere regard of his brethren of the craft and of those outside the frater- nity. There is much in the business life of Mr. Chandler that is of interest, for his history is a story of accomplishments through per- severance and labor. Those who gain em- inence in any profession must win it by merit; it must come as a reward of earnest toil and diligence. Wisdom cannot be purchased, and he who masters any science until he is recognized as an authority on the subject has given to his work hours of patient and persistent study. It is this which has given Mr. Chandler prominence as an electrician and made him an able ex- ponent of that most elusive but powerful force, electricity. A native of the Empire state, he was born in Hartford, Washington county, New York, on the 3Oth of January, 1838, was ed- ucated in the University of Michigan, grad- uating with the class of 1858, and after leav- ing college he took up telegraphy in the of- fice of the superintendent of the Illinois & Mississippi Telegraph Company, afterward known as the Caton lines. In January, 1859, he came to Chicago and remained in the offices here long enough to learn how to handle the instrument skillfully. He then secured a position with the Rock Island Railroad Company, being stationed at Bu- reau Junction and receiving a salary of thirty dollars per month. Subsequently he was transferred to Rock Island and later was stationed at Peru, Illinois. He then spent a year in the superintendent's office of the Illinois Central at Amboy, and was cashier and operator in the Rock Island Railroad office for two years. His next promotion made him manager of the Ca- ton line at the office in Springfield, Illinois, a position which he filled during the period of the Civil war, when he received many im- portant messages relating to government affairs, including a number from President Lincoln and the famous dispatch from Gen- eral Burnside ordering the suppression of the Chicago Times, an order that attracted attention throughout the entire country and came near precipitating a riot in the city of Chicago. On leaving Springfield Mr. Chandler spent a year in the office of the general superintendent of the Illinois Central Rail- road at Chicago, and on the 1 5th of April, 1865, was appointed superintendent of the Chicago fire alarm telegraph service. On the ist of May, 1876, he resigned that position and since then has been the representative, as general western agent, of the Gamewell Fire-Alarm Telegraph Company, which is known throughout the United States. He has also been president of the Police Tele- phone Company since its organization in 1882 and was treasurer of the American Electrical Society during its existence. Socially Mr. Chandler is connected with the Beta Theta Pi, one of the leading col- lege fraternities. He is well known through- out the United States as an electrician, and 510 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. his business career reflects credit-upon his ability, for, dependent upon his own re- sources, he has worked his way steadily up- ward to a prominent position in the electric- al world. In politics he is an adherent of Democratic principles. DAVID JOHNSON SEARS, Eminent Commander of Everts Commandery, No. 1 8, K. T., has been a Mason for a period of fourteen years, the most of which time he has been actively identified with the work of the order. It was early in the year 1883 that he sought admission to Trio Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M., of Rock Island; was duly accepted and received the degrees, which were conferred upon him as follows: Entered Apprentice, April 5 ; Fellow-craft, May 31; and Master Mason, October 3. He has passed most of the chairs in the blue lodge, and in 1895 served as Worship- ful Master, that year being one of great prosperity to the lodge, owing to his deep interest and efficiency. During his term as presiding officer he had the honor of conferring the degrees no less than forty- six times. He became a member of Bar- rett Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M., in 1885, and was soon afterward honored with offi- cial position in the same. For three years he was High Priest. In 1887 he was made a Sir Knight in Everts Commandery, No. 1 8, K. T. , and also in this high branch of Masonry has from year to year been shown official preference, having served success- ively in the offices of Warder, Junior War- den, Captain General, Generalissimo and Eminent Commander, he at this writing being the incumbent of the last-named office. The whole of his Masonic work has been characterized by promptness, earnest- ness and loyal devotion to the great prin- ciples of the order, and in his every-day life he has striven to live up to the high standard as set forth in Masonry. Mr. Sears is of Ohio birth. He was ushered into life in that state March 9, 1848, and comes of English ancestors who landed in this country with the Pilgrims. William Sears, his father, was born in Mer- cer, Pennsylvania; and his mother, nee Mary Henry, was also a native of the Key- stone state, she being of Scotch origin. The former is still living, now a resident of Arkansas and seventy-six years of age; the latter passed away at the age of sixty-nine years. In religious faith they were strong Presbyterians. To them were born seven sons and two daughters, and with one ex- ception all are still living. The subject of our sketch was the second in order of birth. He was educated in his native state, learned the carpenter's trade when young and worked at that trade in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan; and since 1880 has been a resi- dent of Rock Island, Illinois, having come here that year to accept a position with the Rock Island Lumber Company, with which he is still connected, now being superin- tendent of the company's sash, door and blind factory. Mr. Sears is a man of family. He was united in marriage in 1873 with Miss Naomi Everett, a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and to them have been given seven chil- dren, five of whom are living. W. E., the eldest, is now a student in the Illinois State University. The others. Myrtle A., Roy A., Barton E. and Lyman A., are attend- ing school in Rock Island. The whole family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Sears is a mem- ber of the official board of the church. His political affiliations are with the Repub- lican party. He takes a commendable in- terest in all public matters, and especially in the educational affairs of his town is he interested. He has served three years as a member of the city school board. In conclusion we state that Mr. Sears is not only a Mason of high rank, but also is a member in good standing of the I. O. O. F. JOHNSON L. COLE, of Peoria, Illinois, although comparatively a young Mason, is one who has made rapid advancement in the order, and is earnest and enthusiastic COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 511 in regard to its workings. His Masonic history dates from 1894, when he received the degrees of the blue lodge. The follow- ing year he was initiated into the mysteries of the chapter, commandery and consistory, all in Peoria, and that same year he be- came a member of the Mystic Shrine, Mo- hammed Temple, of this place. He has served as Royal Arch Captain and at this writing is Captain General of the Com- mandery. Mr. Cole is a native of Massachusetts, born in Cheshire, January 19, 1834, but J. L. COLE. has lived in Peoria, Illinois, since his infancy, having been brought here by his parents, March 13, 1836. His whole life has been closely devoted to business pursuits. His father a business man here for a number of years, Mr. Cole grew up in his father's store and early became familiar with the various details of mercantile life. Book- keeping especially seemed to be his "forte." For thirty years he has been a bookkeeper in this city, twenty years of 30 that time in the employ of one man, S. H. Thompson, a wholesale grocer. After the death of Mr. Thompson, Mr. Cole was made executor of his estate and settled up the business. For the past fifteen years he has been in what is now known as the Commercial National Bank, and is a stock- holder in that institution, also having larga holdings in real estate in and about the city of Peoria. CORNELIUS HEGEMAN is one of the \^) prominent citizens of Lanark, Illinois, and one of the leading members of the Masonic fraternity of that town. His identity with Freemasonry had its begin- ning in the early part of 1874, when Lanark Lodge, No. 423, F. & A. M., elected him to receive its degrees. He was initiated February 19, passed March 14, and raised March 19; and the following year he was a candidate for the degrees of the chapter at Lanark, which were conferred upon him as follows: Mark Master and Past Master, January 26; Most Excellent Master, Feb- ruary 16; and Royal Arch, February 23. Later he was knighted by Freeport Com- mandery. At the organization of Long Commandery at Mt. Carroll his name was on its list of charter members, and with it he has ever since affiliated. He is also a member of Freeport Valley Consistory, in which he received the degrees up to and including the thirty-second. Thus has he climbed the Masonic ladder to the higher rounds and with each enlargement of his horizon has become more and more appre- ciative of the truths and beautiful lessons as set forth by this ancient and honored order. At various times he has filled offi- cial positions in the lodge and chapter, having served as King of the latter. Mr. Hegeman claims the Empire state as the one of his nativity. He was born in Saratoga county. New York, February II, 1831, and traces his ancestry back to Holland, to the year 1602. The descent on one side of the family comes in a direct line from King William II of Holland. 512 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. Anneke Jans was one of the forefathers of our subject, and the Webers, Browers and Palmers were related to the family, as also is the wife of the well-known Chauncey Uepew. Mr. Hegeman's great-grandfather, Robert Denike Palmer, was born June 3, 1745, and his wife was before her marriage Miss Rosanah Brower. Grandfather Adrian Hegeman was born in New York in 1766; was married in 1784 to Miss Bathsheba Palmer, and to them, July 23, 1798, was born a son, Peter Hegeman, who became the father of our subject. Peter Hegeman was by trade a tanner and shoemaker, and he also carried on agricultural pursuits on his farm. He was married January 18, 1824, to Miss Sarah Johnson, who bore him five children, of whom Cornelius is the only survivor. Cornelius Hegeman was reared on his father's farm, and had no other educational advantages than those of the district schools, and when he started out in life on his own account it was as a farmer. He came to Carroll county, Illinois, in 1848. Since that date he has been a resident of Carroll county, has all these years been more or less interested in agricultural pursuits, and has acquired some property, now being the owner of two good farms in the vicinity of Lanark and having his own pleasant home, where he has resided for the past twenty years. He is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Lanark. Mr. Hegeman was married September 24, 1857, to Miss Fannie Thompson, a native of Pennsylvania, who came in early life with her father, Richard Allison Thomp- son, and family, to Illinois, where she was reared. Mr. Thompson was one of the prominent early settlers of the state. In his political views Mr. Hegeman accords with the Republican party. He has held various township offices, for fifteen years serving as one of the township com- missioners; he is the present mayor of his city; and in every relation of life, both public and private, has been a man of the strictest integrity, worthy of the confidence' and esteem which he enjoys. GEORGE EPHRAIM McHOSE, ex- mayor of Havana and president of the Havana Building & Loan Association, has for thirty-five years been a zealous, enthusiastic member of the Masonic fra- ternity, having taken his initial degrees in S. Ward Lodge, No. 62, at Marine City, Michigan, in 1862, from which he was dimitted upon coming to this city and be- came affiliated with Havana Lodge, No. 88, in 1878, since which time he has been an active and valued brother. He was Junior Warden of his lodge, served most ably as its Worshipful Master, and then, as is the usual custom, he was elected Ty- ler and held that office for a term. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Havana Chapter, No. 86, on June 23, 1882, and in that body filled the offices of Royal Arch Captain and High Priest, occupying the latter position two terms and giving a faithful, intelligent and creditable administration. In April, 1890, he was constituted a Sir Knight in Damascus Commandery, No. 42, and by his knightly conduct and strict adherence to the spirit of the order he has won the sincere regard of. his fellow Masons, who appreciate his earnest labors. Mr. McHose is a native of Detroit, Michigan, where his birth took place on January 17, 1840, his ancestors being Scotch-Irish, some of whom were early settlers of the state of Pennsylvania. His father, Abraham McHose, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and married Miss Catherine Mundinger, a native of Germany, who came to America when eleven years old, and of the seven children born to them five still survive. The death of Mr. McHose occurred in his forty-fourth year, his wife dying at the age of thirty- two. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Detroit, Michigan, and had just attained his majority when war was declared between the north and the south. He entered the service of his coun- try as a ship carpenter in the quartermas- ter's department of the navy yards, where he was appointed foreman, and was thus COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 513 employed until the close of hostilities, when he purchased two steamboats from the government, which he ran on the Illi- nois river for a number of years in con- junction with a few canal-boats, and has since then built a great many row-boats, which he rents out to pleasure and fishing parties. Politically considered, Mr. McHose has been a stanch Democrat from the time he first had the privilege of casting a ballot, and, possessing a public-spirited nature, he has taken an active interest in the upbuild- ing of his home city and in 1887 was elected a member of the common council, where he was enabled to accomplish a great deal of good in municipal matters. He was subsequently chosen by his fellow citizens to the honorable office of mayor, serving two years in that capacity, and then, after an interval of a similar length of time, was again elected and served another term, and again was re-elected, making a record of six years in the chair, during which period he conducted the affairs of the city in a capable, business-like manner, giving one of the best administrations the city has ever had. He was one of the organizers of the Building & Loan Association, becoming one of its stockholders, and in 1897 was elected its president. This association has been one of the city's most successful en- terprises and has resulted in advancing the building interests of Havana and in insti- gating a number of improvements, thus proving an invaluable accession to the town. It was during Mr. McHose's term of office as mayor that the city hall was planned and the erection of that edifice commenced. Our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Mutual Aid and was its president for some time, and in many other enterprises of a public nature having for their object the welfare and in- crease in the prosperity of Havana he has been closely connected as a represent- ative citizen and richly merits the respect and admiration in which he is held by his fellow townsmen. In 1 863 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McHose and Miss Mahala Jane Dillon, and of this union a daughter and son were born, the former dying in her twenty-third year. Mrs. McHose departed this life in 1880. JAMES OSGOOD PEASLEY, who has received all the degrees in both the Scottish and York rites, is regarded as one of the efficient and worthy members of the fraternity in Macomb, where he has greatly contributed to the prosperity of the local bodies. His initial degrees were ob- tained in La Harpe Lodge, No. 195, at La Harpe, Illinois, in 1886, from which he was dimitted and became affiliated with Macomb Lodge, No. 17, on January 6, 1888, and quickly mastering the ritual was soon an active participant in its labors, filling nearly all the offices in a manner that reflected credit upon both himself and the lodge. On January 17, 1891, he was ex- alted to the august degree of chivalric Ma- sonry in Morse Chapter, No. 19, R. A. M., and served as its Captain of the Host and Most Excellent High Priest, giving emi- nent satisfaction in both these capacities. He was created a Sir Knight in Almoner Commandery, No. 32, at Augusta, Illinois, later becoming a charter member of Ma- comb Commandery, No. 61, and under its dispensation was appointed Senior Warden, an office which he adequately filled until 1896. In 1891 the ineffable degrees of the Scottish Rite were conferred upon Mr. Peasley and he was declared a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, Valley of Chicago. After ac- complishing a successful pilgrimage across the sands of the desert he was accepted as a noble of the Mystic Shrine, his member- ship being in Medinah Temple, at Chicago. Our brother is thoroughly versed in all mat- ters pertaining to Masonry, takes a delight in the order and its work, and possesses the confidence and fraternal regard of his confreres. A native of the state of Illinois, Mr. 514 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Peasley's birth occurred in Henderson county, on July 24, 1864, he being one of six children born to James F. and Sarah J. (Tarleton) Peasley, who are a highly es- teemed couple and early settlers of Hen- derson county, where they at present re- side. The subject of this review obtained his education at an academy in Iowa and the La Harpe Seminary, subsequently tak- ing a business course in the Burlington Business College, and then became con- nected with the Bank of Macomb, of which he is the present cashier. In this respon- sible position he has served faithfully since 1886, gaining for himself an enviable repu- tation as a man of fidelity, integrity and ability, whose every effort has been devoted to the advancement of his employers' in- terests. In political matters Mr. Peasley has al- ways been an ardent advocate of Republic- an principles, and now holds the office of city treasurer. In conjunction with a part- ner he has made several additions to Ma- comb and has been a valuable factor in promoting its prosperity and growth. As a citizen and Mason Mr. Peasley enjoys the consideration of all who know him. Mr. Peasley was united in marriage to Miss Martha H. Twyman in 1887. She was born in Macomb and is a daughter of Iver- son L. Twyman, also of this city. Mrs. Peasley is a member of the Christian church, to which they are liberal contrib- utors. T'HEODORICK CARTER BENNETT, clerk of the circuit court of Menard county, Illinois, is a native of Petersburg, this county, born April 18, 1838, and has passed nearly the whole of his life here, ex- cepting only his absence when at college and ten years he spent in the south. He is a son of Richard E. and Maria (Carter) Bennett, both natives of Halifax county, Virginia, and representatives of prominent families of the " Old Dominion." . Mr. Bennett prepared himself for col- lege in the schools of Petersburg and then entered Asbury University, now De Pauw University, of Greencastle, Indiana, where he was a student from 1851 to 1854, and on completing his college course went to Texas. There he accepted a position as deputy in the office of the district clerk, in Fayette county, where he served efficiently several years. In November, 1865, he was made deputy in the office of the clerk of Menard county, Illinois, and served as such from that date till December, 1872, when he was elected to the office. He has been re-elected to the office at every election since then and is now serving his twenty- fourth year as its incumbent. His seven successive nominations by the Democratic convention have been without any opposi- tion whatever. His long term of office work has been characterized by prompt- ness, exactness and order, and his genial and obliging manner has brought him into favor with the large number of people with whom he has naturally come in contact. In November, 1868, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Jen- kins, a native of Mifflin county, Pennsyl- vania, where their marriage was consum- mated. They have three children living, namely: William J., David L. and Bertha. Mr. Bennett is a Mason. His people have been Masons for several generations, and naturally he early formed favorable impressions of this ancient order. In 1868 he sought admission to Clinton Lodge, No. 19, of Petersburg, was duly elected to re- ceive its degrees and was initiated into its mysteries May 2. July 10 he received the degree of Fellow-craft, and was made a Master Mason August 8. From time to time he was honored with official position in the lodge: in 1873 was tendered its high- est office, and filled the executive chair, as he had the others, with most becoming dignity and earnestness. February 17, 1873, he was exalted in DeWitt Chapter, No. 119, R. A. M., and nearly all the time since then has filled the station of Principal Sojourner in the chapter. Also he is a member of St. Aldemar Commandery, No. 47, of Petersburg, and has been accorded COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 516 its highest official position, an honor most fittingly bestowed. With a deep love for Masonry "and its work and an ability to perform' acceptably its official work, he has been, and is a potent force in Masonic circles. HON. REIMER LAHANN, mayor of the city of Monmouth, Illinois, and for a number of years at the head of an industry which is an important factor in the indus- trial supremacy of this place, has a Masonic history which covers a number of years. Mr. Lahann was created a Master Mason in Trinity Lodge, No. 561, and since No- vember 2, 1886, has affiliated with Mon- mouth Lodge, No. 37, in which he has filled a number of offices, including those of Treas- urer and Worshipful Master, having filled the executive chair in 1889 and 1890. July 3, 1876, he was exalted in Warren Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M., of Monmouth, in which he has for twenty years been a member in good standing and where he has been the incumbent of the offices of King, Scribe and Treasurer. He was made a Royal and Se- lect Master and a Knight Templar at Gales- burg, the commandery degrees having been conferred upon him March 6, 1885, and the mysteries of the Mystic Shrine were made known to him by Medinah Temple, of Chi- cago. His present shrine affiliation is with Mohammed Temple, of Peoria. Reverting to the nativity and business career of Mr. Lahann, we find him to be a native of Holstein, Germany, born October 8, 1842; and by occupation a cigar manu- facturer. He left the old country in 1861, landing on American soil May 9, and locat- ing first in Troy, New York. In the spring of 1866 he came west to Illinois, stopping in Quincy for a brief period and in Novem- ber coming to Monmouth, where he has since maintained his home and enjoyed a marked degree of prosperity. In Troy, New York, he learned the trade of cigar- making, and after coming to Monmouth established himself in business, in a small way, and from time to time has increased his business until now his factory, which is well known as Maple City Cigar Factory, No. 22, furnishes employment to no less than a hundred men. The factory is a building sixty by ninety-two feet in dimen- sions, and his two warehouses are, one sixteen by seventy-five feet, and the other twelve by sixteen feet. Mr. Lahann has always shown himself to be public-spirited and enterprising and interested in all that he believed was in- tended to advance the welfare of his city, and official honors have been fittingly be- stowed upon him. For years he was a member of the school board of Monmouth. In 1895 he was elected mayor of the city, is now the incumbent of that office and is giving to it his best service. As an official, a citizen, a business man and a Mason, he is justly entitled to the high esteem in which he is held. JOHN BENNETT, who is rightly termed the father of Masonry in Petersburg, Illinois, was born at Poplar Mount, Virginia, December 21, 1805, and was descended from a prominent and highly re- spected family of that state. He emigrated to Illinois in 1835 and settled near Roches- ter in Sangamon county, whence the fol- lowing year he removed to Petersburg, Menard county, where the rest of his life was passed and where he died. He was the most zealous Mason who ever lived in this part of the state, and as such his Ma- sonic history is of specific importance in this compendium. In part it is as follows: John Bennett was made a Master Mason in Hiram Lodge, No. 96, A. F. & A. M., at Halifax Court House, Halifax county, Virginia, in March, 1827, and there in the summer of that same year received the de- gree which made him a Royal Arch Mason. The higher degrees of Masonry were con- ferred upon him some years after he be- came a resident of Illinois. In 1842 he was one of the seven Masons who procured a dispensation to form a lodge at Peters- burg, which became known as Clinton 516 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. Lodge, No. 19, and of which he was made the first Worshipful Master, a position he filled for a long term of years, extending from 1842 to 1879. He in all probability conferred the degrees upon more men and did more to upbuild and uphold Masonry than any Mason who ever lived in Peters- burg. In the Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M. , of Illinois, he was for many years a promi- nent figure. He served as Grand Junior and Senior Deacon, was on various im- portant committees, and for six years was District Deputy Grand Master. In 1854 he received the council degrees at Springfield, Illinois, and in 1874 was one of the charter members of St. Aldemar Commandery, of Petersburg. A man of broad views, firm convictions and sterling integrity, and with unbounded devotion to the great Masonic order, his character stands out as a noble one, the in- fluence of which will long be felt in the town where he lived and labored. His sons and grandsons, and, in fact, most of the male representatives of the Bennett family are ardent Masons. Tf EVERETT. M. KELLEY. The order jL^i of Freemasonry is eminently conserv- ative, and is antagonistic to whatever would needlessly overturn existing institutions. It advocates no party policy, nor is it the adherent of any particular form of govern- ment, yet during the centuries that have passed it has been a potent agency in ad- vancing the welfare of the people. Al- though not a religious society its principles are such as to imbue its members with a sincere and lasting respect for the Bible, and its precepts have for their foundation the glorious truths that are to be found in that holy work. All Christians may not be Masons, but all Masons are Christians in spirit, for no man can be admitted to the craft unless he is a believer in a living God, the father of man. Leverett M. Kelley has been a Mason for over thirty years, during which time he has faithfully observed the tenets of the brotherhood. In 1866 Mr. Kelley was initiated into the order, and after passing the degrees of En- tered Apprentice and Fellow-craft was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, in Hampshire Lodge, Kane county, his pres- ent affiliation being with Monitor Lodge, of Elgin. In 1869 he was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Fox River Chapter, of St. Charles, was made a Royal and Select Master in Cupie Council, No. 46, and was created a Sir Knight in Bethel Commandery, No. 36, in 1870, serving in this body as Generalissimo for two terms. He has always been an active and enthusiastic Mason, and faithful and painstaking in the discharge of his duties, giving thereto the best energies of his nature. Mr. Kelley was born in Schenectady, New York, September 28, 1841, and is the son of John and Eliza ( Mansfield ) Kelley. When he was four years old his parents . moved to Kane county, Illinois, where his primary education was obtained in the dis- trict schools, which was supplemented by a course in the Elgin Academy and Beloit College. It was while attending the latter that the Civil war broke out, and, becoming imbued with a desire to aid in the defense of the Union, he offered his services and was enlisted as a private in August, 1861, in Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, which was attached to the department of the Cumberland. He was promoted through the several ranks of non-commissioned officers until attaining that of captain, in which capacity he served to the close of the war. Among the battles in which he participated were those of Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone Riv- er, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. At the expiration of his term of service he re-enlisted in his regiment and was shortly after captured while performing his duty as a skirmisher at Kenesaw mountain. He did not remain long in captivity, however, but , succeeded in making his escape, and, upon rejoining his regiment, was granted a fur- lough, on which he returned home. When COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 517 his leave of absence had expired he went back to service and took part in the At- lanta campaign against General Hood, after which he went with his regiment to Nashville, Columbia, Spring Hill, back to Nashville, and finally to New Orleans, where it was detailed for guard duty at the headquarters of General Sheridan. He was honorably discharged in October, 1865, and returned to Kane county, taking up the vocation of school-teaching one winter, and then engaged in farming. In 1868 Mr. Kelley was elected sheriff of the county, serving one term, and in 1874 was again called upon to fill the same office, which he did with credit to himself and honor to his party. Subsequently he became connected with the drug business, in which he was engaged for ten years. Under President Hayes' administration Mr. Kelley was appointed Indian agent, hold- ing that office for two years. In 1884 he was a delegate to the Republican national . convention, and during President Harri- son's term of office he held a position in the pension bureau. In April, 1897, he was appointed deputy commissioner of pensions by President McKinley, a position which he now holds. Socially, Mr. Kelley is a member of Veteran Post, No. 49, Grand Army of the Republic, the Loyal Legion, the Army and Navy Club, of Washington, District of Co- lumbia, and is a charter member of the Country Club. In 1866 Mr. Kelley was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma G. Pingree, and they have three children, Gertrude, Charles and Grace. Mrs. Kelley's demise occurred in 1882. In 1884 Mr. Kelley was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Fanny E. Bradford. She is an estimable woman and a member of the Episcopal church. Her husband is a member of the Univer- salist church. In political matters Mr. Kelley is an uncompromising Republican, and has always served his party in a loyal and praiseworthy manner. His record during the war was that of a gallant sol- dier, every ready to perform the duties that were assigned to him. His many ex- cellent qualities as both a man and a Mason have obtained for him the high regard of his numerous friends. ALPH CHANEY. Through sixty years J3l_ this gentleman has been a resident of Illinois, and for thirty-one years his history has been interwoven with that of Rockford. When he came to this city he not only iden- tified himself with its business interests, but also became an element in the social circles as a member of the Masonic fraternity. He had been made a Mason in Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois, in 1860, and on removing to Winnebago county dimitted in order to become a member of Rockford Lodge, No. 1 02, F. & A. M., in the work of which he has since taken an active part. He is now Senior Steward of the lodge, and is active in support of all its interests. As a business man Mr. Chancy has gained marked prestige among the citizens of Rockford, overcoming all difficulties arid obstacles in his path by determined effort, and working his way steadily upward by energy, enterprise and perseverance. He was born in Harrison county, West Virginia, on the 22d of February, 1822, and is of French descent. His father, Samuel Chaney, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and was for many years a mail contractor, carrying mails through Virginia on horseback from 1822 until 1827. He took contracts for the delivery of mail along various routes, and had many men and horses in his service. He died of yellow fever in the thirty-eighth year of his age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Annie Davis, was a native of New Jersey. She reared her large fam- ily of eleven children, and although they were often in limited circumstances, she cared for them with wonderful devotion, and trained them to habits of industry and honesty, so that they became respected men and women. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a most faithful and devoted Christian mother. She departed this life in the sixty-sixth year of 518 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS her age, and her sons and daughters mourned the loss of one whose place could never be supplied. Only three of the children are now living, and of this number Ralph Chancy is the eldest. When a child of seven years Mr. Chancy, of this review, went with his mother and her family to Ohio, in which state he at- tended the public schools, thereby acquir- ing a practical education. In 1836 he re- moved to Galena, Illinois, where two of his brothers had already gone to enter the employ of an uncle. Later he went to Ogle county, where he entered land from the government and developed a farm upon which he made his home for twenty-seven years. His characteristic energy and in- dustry were soon manifest in the improved condition of the farm, for the wild prairie was transformed into richly cultivated fields and many substantial buildings were erected. After following farming for a quarter of a century he sold his property for fourteen thousand dollars. Mr. Chancy then came to Rockford, and with the exception of a short period, has been almost continuously connected with its business interests. In 1865 he erected a livery stable on Madison street, but soon sold out and embarked in the dry- goods business in Oak Hall, on East State street, successfully conducting his store for three years. He then again sold and es- tablished a boot and shoe store, which he conducted until his removal to Dakota. For three years he made his home upon the frontier of the northwest, developing a farm, which he then sold and returned to Rockford. He has given his attention to many enterprises, and in all has won a measure of success, while the aggregate re- sult of his labors now enables him to lay aside all business cares and rest in the en- joyment of his well earned competence. Mr. Chaney was happily married in March, 1847, to Miss Mary C. Currier, a native of Massachusetts, and their union was blessed with five children, four of , whom are living. The mother departed this life on the jth of April, 1883, making desolate the happy home where she had presided as a loving wife and tender and affectionate mother. She was a most ac- ceptable member of the Baptist church and her death came as a heavy loss to church and friends as well as to her immediate family. The children are: Sarah, who is now keeping house for her father; Henry; Frederick, who has for twenty years been a trusted employee in the wholesale house of Marshall Field & Company, of Chicago; B. ]., who is assistant cashier in the Third National Bank of Rockford; and Evalyn, who became the wife of Edward H. Greg- ory and died in the twenty-eighth year of her age, leaving a little daughter. In early life Mr. Chaney was a supporter of the Whig party, but joined the Repub- lican party on its organization, and has since been one of its stalwart advocates. For two terms he served in the city coun- cil and has always given an intelligent and hearty support to all matters calculated to prove of public benefit. /GEORGE FRAZIER JASPER. Time %^f can never demolish the structures erected by the brotherhood of Freemasons, moral structures that have been built in the material world and upon which is founded the great and noble object of free- ing mortal man from evil bondage and placing him upon a higher plane where all is love, friendship and unselfishness. For nearly thirty years Mr. Jasper has worked with the craft in this undertaking, and the labor performed by him has met with a just reward in the everlasting esteem and veneration of his fellow Masons. Mr. Jasper became an Entered Appren- tice in Quincy Lodge, No. 296, April 23, 1 869, passed June 1 1 , and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason De- cember 3. He has served as Treasurer of his lodge for twenty-one years, in a most capable, praiseworthy manner. February 22, 1870, he was exalted as a Royal Arch Mason in Quincy Chapter, No. 5, in which he has been Master of the Veil for a num- LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 521 ber of terms; received the degrees of Royal and Select Masters in Quincy Council, No. 15; was created a Sir Knight in Beauseant Commandery, No. 11, December 31, 1880, and was its Treasurer for several terms. He obtained a dimit and is now affiliated with El Aksa Commandery, No. 55, of which he was elected Recorder; and he has at- tained the Scottish Rite degrees in the fol- lowing bodies: Fourteenth degree in Quincy Grand Lodge of Perfection, sixteenth de- gree in Quincy Council of Princes of Jeru- salem, eighteenth degree in Quincy Chap- ter of Rose Croix, De H. R. D. M., and the thirty-second degree in Quincy Con- sistory, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, the latter being conferred upon him Febru- ary 25, 1887. In the consistory he has been equally active and valuable. The birth of Mr. Jasper occurred at Quincy on April2i, 1849, his parents being Kentuckians, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His father, Thomas Jasper, was born in Ken- tucky in 1812 and came to Illinois at an early day, locating at Quincy, where he re- mained until his death, in 1880, at sixty- eight years of age. His wife was formerly Miss Mary Ann Frazier, a daughter of George Frazier, a native of Kentucky who likewise became a pioneer of Quincy. The death of Mrs. Jasper took place in 1869. The father was an active and worthy mem- ber of Bodley Lodge, No. i, and attained the degree of Knight Templar. He was prominently engaged in merchandising, and both he and his wife were most favorably regarded by the citizens of Quincy. They had seven children, of whom but three sur- vive. Our subject was the eldest and re- ceived his elementary education in the city of his nativity, which was supplemented by two years spent in the schools of Germany. In his youth he became associated with the First National Bank of Quincy as a mes- senger boy, since which time he has passed through the various grades of promotion until reaching the responsible position of teller, which he has successfully and ably filled for the past twenty-eight years, and has proved himself to be a trustworthy, thoroughly posted banker and a popular business man. In 1873 Brother Jasper was married to Miss L. S. Lomelino, the issue of this union being the following fourchildren: Thomas, manager of the electric-light station at Flagstaff, Arizona; George F., Jr., is a bookkeeper in the First National Bank; H. W. and Kate are living at home. Mrs. Jasper died in 1883, and four years later our subject married Miss Mary Slack, a daughter of Charles C. Slack, of Quincy, and they have one child, Ruth. In their religious faith they are Episcopalians, and are popular residents of the Gem City. Mr. Jasper is one of the organizers of the Quincy Building & Homestead Association, of which he is treasurer, owns the Jasper Grain Elevator, and is largely engaged in the grain business. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. As a man and a Mason he is the embodi- ment of all that is honorable, just and true. ICHARD H. PIERCE. Longfellow wrote: "We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done." If this golden sentence of the New England poet were universally applied, many a man who is now looking down with haughty stare upon the noble toilers on land and sea, sneering at the cut of a neighbor's coat or the humble- ness of his dwelling, would be voluntarily doing penance in sackcloth and ashes, at the end of which he would handle a spade, or with pen in hand burn the midnight oil in his study, to endeavor to widen the bounds of liberty or to accelerate the material and spiritual progress of his race. A bright ex- ample of one of the world's workers is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He has risen to an eminent posi- tion in his chosen calling, has solved many of the mysteries of electrical power and is to-day one of the leading electrical engineers in the entire country. In the great competi- tive struggle of life, when each man must enter the field and fight his way to the front, 522 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. or else be overtaken by disaster of circum- stances or place, there is ever particular interest attaching to the life of one who has turned the tide of success, has sur- mounted the obstacles and has shown his ability to cope with others in their rush for the coveted goal. Mr. Pierce, as an example of this class, has won an honorable place in the business world. He is a native of Rhode Island, born near Woonsocket, on the 2Oth of No- vember, 1860. He was reared in Hopkin- ton, Massachusetts, and in the public schools of that place acquired his primary education. He had the benefit of a college course in Yale University, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in the class of 1882. He subsequent- ly matriculated in the Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1885. The following year he came to Chicago, and since 1886 has devoted his time and atten- tion to electrical engineering. In 1894 the firm of Pierce & Richardson, consulting and designing engineers, was formed, and their business has become extensive and impor- tant. Not content with mediocrity in any way Mr. Pierce has done all in his power to perfect himself in his chosen vocation and has few equals in his line. His high stand- ing is shown by the fact that he was chosen as the chief electricial engineer of the World's Columbian Exposition, and had en- tire charge of everything pertaining to elec- trical apparatus except the arrangements of the electrical exhibits. Great credit is cer- tainly due him, and the beautiful and per- fect results accomplished indicate in no un- certain manner his superior skill. Mr. Pierce was married in 1891, the lady of his choice being Miss Cornie de Zenq Morrow, a native of Green Bay, Wis- consin. They now have one son. Their home, located in the beautiful suburb of River Forest, is noted for its charming hos- pitality. Mr. Pierce is a man of broad culture an'd wide general information, and the knowl- edge that he has acquired from education and reading enriches and adorns his conver- sation, for it has become a part of the man, not a garb to be assumed on occasions. He is a valued member of the American Insti- tute of Electrical Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of the British Institution of Electrical Engineers. He has but recently identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, but is a valued ac- quisition of the order. It was in 1896 that he took the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow-craft and Master Mason, in Harlem Lodge, No. 540, and he is deeply interested in the work of the craft and closely follows its teachings. He is also a member of the Technical Club and the Sons of the Revo- lution. D R. SYLVESTER THOMPSON, a well- known physician and representative citizen of Galva, and one of the most promi- nent and popular members of the Masonic fraternity, became affiliated with that order in 1879, when he was initiated in Blandins- ville Lodge, No. 233, in which he was an active and worthy brother and was for many terms its Master, besides having the honor conferred upon him of being appointed Deputy Grand Lecturer. In 1893 the Doc- tor was dimitted from this lodge to become a member of Galva Lodge, No. 243, with which he has since been associated. In 1897 ne was elected to the office of Wor- shipful Master, and is now filling that chair in a most capable and acceptable manner. In 1887 Dr. Thompson was exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason at LaHarpe, Hancock county, Illinois, and was created a Sir Knight in Macomb Commandery in 1892. He is an enthusiastic, loyal Mason, ever ready to perform any duty in the craft that may be assigned to him and faithful to every trust committed to his care. Dr. Thompson was born in Hancock county, Illinois, March 27, 1845, and comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his great-great- grandfather, John Thompson, having emi- grated to this country, settling in North Carolina. The grandfather was born in COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 523 North Carolina, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and lived to the advanced age of eighty years. The Doctor's father, Nathan- iel Thompson, was a native of Salem, North Carolina, where his birth occurred in 1813, his family being prominent as planters and agriculturists in the state. In 1844 he mar- ried Miss Rebecca S. Spangler, and they moved to Illinois, where he followed the occupation of farming. During the last twenty-three years of his life he was en- gaged in the hardware business. His first wife, who was the mother of Dr. Thomp- son, departed this life at the early age of twenty-seven years, and Mr. Thompson was again married. The Doctor was the eldest of the first family, and was educated in Abingdon College. He subsequently took up the study of medicine and attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical Col- lege, at which he was graduated in 1869. Later he entered Missouri Medical College and received his diploma from that institu- tion in 1873. For the past five years he has followed his profession in Galva and has succeeded in building up a large and lucra- tive practice. In 1879 Dr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Olive A. Alexander, a native of Missouri, who comes of Scotch ancestry. Four sons and a daughter have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Thompson, as follows: Nathaniel N. , Robert M., JohnS., David O. and Susie. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Methodist church and is held in high regard by her many friends. The Doctor has given close attention to his profession, in which he has acquired an en- viable reputation, his sterling qualities, not only as a physician but also as a man and a Mason, gaining for him the respect and good will of all whom he meets. He does a general practice, but takes a special interest in surgery, in which he is very proficient. The Doctor is genial and kind-hearted and is always ready and willing to go to the re- lief of the suffering, giving equal aid to the rich and the poor. Dr. Thompson is a member of the Henry County Medical So- ciety, and of the American Medical Society. CYRUS JAMES WELLS, an active worker in the order of Masonry, has been connected therewith for the past eleven years, having become a member of the fraternity in 1885, when he joined Lanark Lodge, of Carroll county, Illinois. To a broad-minded, progressive man the principles of this fraternity strongly appeal; its advocacy of democracy, its brotherly feeling and its benevolence are qualities which awaken his admiration and elicit his support; and as a representative of this class of citizens, Mr. Wells cannot but be a loyal and devoted member of the society. He also took the Chapter degrees in Car- roll county and in Freeport became a Knight Templar. From his first identifica- tion with Masonry he has been an intelli- gent and active worker in its interests, and has served in various official capacities, being at the present time (1896) Past Mas- ter of Excelsior Lodge, of Freeport, High Priest of the Chapter, and Junior Warden of the Consistory. He has taken all the degrees in both the York and Scottish Rites up to and including the thirty -second and occupies a foremost place in the fra- ternity in Illinois. Mr. Wells is also distinctively one of the leading business men of the city of Freeport, and has by his enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a ma- terial way to the commercial advancement of the city, and is regarded as a represent- ative citizen in the fullest sense of the term. Of keen discernment, he has in the course of an honorable career been most successful in the business enterprises with which he has been concerned, and is well deserving of consideration in this connec- tion. He is now engaged in real-estate dealing and is the owner of extensive prop- erty interests in Freeport. A native son of Stephenson county, he was born on the 2d of September, 1853. His ancestors were early settlers in north- ern New York, and his father, Jesse Wells, was born in that state, in 1800. He mar- ried a Miss Bennett and emigrated to Illi- nois in 1843, making the trip by wagon. 524 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. They settled on a farm in Stephenson county, and Mr. Wells purchased sixteen hundred acres of land. He was a promi- nent factor in the development of the county, and his name is inseparably con- nected with its history. By his first mar- riage there were five children. His wife died soon after coming to this state, and in 1848 he married Miss Lovina Event, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had six children. His death occurred in 1893, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, having survived his second wife four years. Cyrus J. Wells, of this review, was the second child of the second marriage. He was educated in the Rockford high school, and when he had attained his majority em- barked in the mercantile business in Free- port, carrying on business along that line for five years. He then disposed of his store and for a number of years traveled in the interests of a Chicago firm, but later en- gaged in the real-estate business in Free- port. This venture has proved to him a profitable one, and he is now handling his own property and doing a general real- estate business. He is one of the best in- formed men on real-estate values in this section of the state, and his thorough reli- ability has won him a liberal patronage. In the same year in which Mr. Wells was made a Mason there occurred another important event in his life his marriage to Miss Abigail Kline, a native of Freeport and a cultured and intelligent lady well known in the city. They now have one son, Chester C. Their pleasant home is a favorite resort with many friends, and in the circles of society in which they move they occupy an enviable position. Such in brief is a record of the life of one of the worthy members of the Masonic fraternity, who is widely known as an honored adher- ent of the craft. H. THOMPSON, JR. The natural instincts of humanity appeal to a condition of common interest in which charity, unselfishness and the brotherhood of man form the basic principles. It is consistent with the laws of God that man should be at peace with his fellow beings, and there is nothing which will demonstrate this assertion with more clearness than an insight into the work carried on within the lodges of Freemasonry. There everything is made plain, and the truths once instilled in the soul of man can be eradicated only by death. There is perhaps no more earnest mem- ber of the craft in Chicago than William H. Thompson, who has for several years been closely connected with the local lodges, in which he has filled many offices with honor and ability. He was initiated in Colum- bia Lodge, No. 98, in Columbia county. New York, from which he was dimitted to become affiliated with Mizpah Lodge, No. 768, of Chicago, in which his worth was recognized by his being appointed to the offices of Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon and Senior Warden. He received the august degrees in Chicago Chapter, in which he has passed all the chairs, was made a Royal and Select Mason in Temple Council, was created a Knight Templar in Chevalier Bayard Commandery, No. 52, and passed several of the chairs of that body, and re- ceived the ineffable degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, Scottish Rite. Mr. Thompson is a mem- ber of the Masonic Veteran Association and a life member of the Masonic Widows and Orphans' Home. He made a successful pilgrimpge across the desert and became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Medinah Temple. He early became imbued with the beauties of Freemasonry, and at the age of twenty-one he took his first degree in the blue lodge, since which time he has been an active and enthusiastic Mason. On July 4, 1842, Mr. Thompson was born in the city of Valalie, Columbia county, New York, and obtained his education in the public schools of that place. Most of his youth was spent on a farm, and there he became thoroughly familiar with live stock, which knowledge he put to practical use later in life. In December, 1872, he COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 525 came to Chicago, when that city was just recovering from the sad havoc caused by the great conflagration of 1871, and embarked in the live-stock business, which he has followed from that time on, his headquar- ters being at the stock-yards. He has been president of the Live Stock Exchange since 1887, and has held the same office in the National Live Stock Exchange since 1889. In politics Mr. Thompson is a Demo- crat, and was elected president of the Town of Lake board the year in which it was annexed to the city of Chicago, and was appointed by Mayor Cregier a member of the school board, on which he served for three years. He has always been a public- spirited citizen, possesses a philanthropic disposition, and is ever ready to give his assistance to all worthy charitable move- ments. His long experience and extensive knowledge as a stockman have made him well known all over the United States, his duties as buyer for G. H. Hammond & Company bringing him in contact with all the prominent cattle dealers. Mr. Thompson was married at Pitts- field, Massachusetts, in 1867, to Miss Jane Churchill, and of this union two daughters have been born. Socially he is a member of the Iroquois Club, in which his genial nature has gained him much popularity. F GRAVES WELTON. Among JT 1 the members of the Masonic fraternity in Cambridge, Illinois, there is none who holds a more prominent and honored posi- tion in the order than the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this review. He is a representative Freemason and a Templar. In 1867 he received the Master Mason degree in Sherman Lodge, No. 535, while under dispensation at Berlin, Mercer county, since removed to Orion, Henry county. When the lodge was constituted he was installed as one of the officers, but in the same year he sold out his business in that city and moved to Cambridge, where he became affiliated with Cambridge Lodge, No. 49, and has since been one of its most useful members. He has been Worshipful Master of the body for a number of years, and is now serving in that capacity, to his own credit and the fullest satisfaction of the brethren, who say that he has done more for the order than any other mem- ber, which is saying a good deal, as the lodge has a number of excellent Masons. In 1877 Mr. Welton was appointed to the office of District Deputy Grand Master and filled that position up to October, 1896. He has faithfully and assiduously looked after the best interests of the fraternity in his district, which includes the counties of Rock Island, Henry and Mercer. He re- ceived the chapter degrees and was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Mount Zion Chap- ter, which was first located at Cambridge, and removed to Geneseo during the war and later surrendered its charter, and Mr. Welton is now under a certificate from the Grand Chapter. In 1870 he was created a Sir Knight in Everts Commandery, No. 18, at Rock Island, and is very highly spoken of by the Sir Knights of his commandery. He is also a member of the Mystic Shriners in Kaaba Temple, of Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Welton was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, April 14, 1843, and is a de- scendant of John and Mary (Upson) Wel- ton, who were born in England. They emigrated to New England in 1667, and in 1669 settled at Waterbury, Connecticut, their genealogy being as follows: Richard, Eliakim, Richard (the second), Noah, Miles and Albert, the last mentioned of whom was the father of Frank G. All of these members of the family were natives and residents of Connecticut. Albert Welton married Miss Susan A. Bidwell, who was born in Ohio, also of English ancestry, the members being early settlers in this coun- try. In 1851 Mr. Welton moved to Illi- nois, bringing with him his wife and two children, the subject of this sketch and his sister Mary. They located on a farm, which the father conducted for a number of years, and then removed to Nebraska, where he and his wife still reside, at the venerable ages of seventy-six and seventy- 526 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. four respectively. Five children were born to this worthy couple, only two of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Welton are mem- bers of the Episcopal church and are highly esteemed in their community. Mr. Welton was eight years old when he came to Illinois, where he attended the public schools and pursued his studies un- til the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted as a private in Company B, Forty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was first sent to Missouri under the com- mand of General Fremont. Afterward it participated with the fleet in the capture of Island No. 10. The regiment then went to Pittsburg Landing and subsequently took part in the siege and capture of Corinth and the battle of Farmington, after which it was sent to Alabama and from there to Nashville. It was next attached to Gen- eral Rosecrans' command and fought in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain, and later was sent to the relief of Burnside in east Tennessee and participated in the pursuit of General Longstreet to Bull's Gap, Virginia. Mr. Welton re-enlisted in eastern Tennessee, and with his regiment was furloughed for thirty days, after which they were engaged in the Atlanta campaign and participated in the battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Res- aca, Adairsville and New Hope Church, where he was severely wounded, receiving three minie balls in his left leg and one in the right knee, the latter causing the ampu- tation of '-the leg, which was removed on the field of battle May 29, 1864. He was removed to the hospital, where he remained until the following March, when he was discharged and returned home. He per- formed gallant and honorable service for three years, and although maimed for life has with noble fortitude borne the sacri- fices he has made for the sake of his coun- try. After returning to Cambridge he at- tended Wheaton College for a year, taking a business course with his other studies. In 1866 he engaged in the drug business in Mercer county, but his wounds became so troublesome that he was compelled to re- tire, and for a year was entirely unfit for active work. At the end of that time he received a clerkship in the circuit clerk's office, and in 1869 was elected to the po- sition of county clerk, which he has since continued to fill with much ability and to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of Henry county, giving the strictest attention to the many duties of the office. Mr. Welton was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Cambridge, and has been its vice-president from its first inception. The bank is one of the princi- pal financial institutions of the county, en- joying a large patronage and a most pros- perous and flourishing condition. On April 30, 1866, Mr. Welton was happily married to Miss Ella M. Clark, a native of Rockford, Illinois, and of this union eight children have been born, six of whom are still living. Albert D. has for eight years been connected with a bank in Greenwood, Nebraska, of which he is a clerk and one of its directors. Clarence is employed in his father's office; Kate C. be- came the wife of B. M. Smith, and Mabel E. , Susan B. . and Tom, the younger chil- dren, are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Welton have a delightful residence, where they are always glad to entertain their many friends. Mr. Welton is a member of A. A. Dunn Post, No. 436, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, takes a deep interest in all its workings, and has been its commander for a number of terms. He and his family enjoy the es- teem and respect of their fellow citizens. WILLIAM JENKINS BENNETT, ab- stracter, of Petersburg, Illinois, is a native of Illinois and the city in which he lives. He bears a name that has long been intimately connected with Masonry, the Bennetts for generation after genera- tion having been honored members of the Masonic fraternity. He is a son of Theodore C. Bennett, circuit clerk of Menard county, and a grand nephew of John Bennett, the father of Masonry in Petersburg, honorable mention of both of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 527 whom will be found elsewhere in this vol- ume. William Jenkins Bennett was born Au- gust 7, 1869, and was educated in the schools of his native town. In 1885 he en- tered his father's office as deputy circuit clerk, where he served until 1890. With the assistance of his father he made a set of abstract books of this county, and since 1890 has devoted his time principally to the abstract business. His Masonic history dates from the day he became of age. He celebrated his ma- jority by petitioning for admission to Clin- ton Lodge, No. 19, of Petersburg. This was August 7, 1890. He was elected Sep- tember 15, initiated October 20, passed November 17, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason December 15. December 27, 1890, he was elected Secre- tary of the lodge, and served as such until December 27, 1893, when he was elected Senior Warden. After filling the Senior Warden's chair two years he was honored by election to the office of Worshipful Master, which position he is now ably fill- ing. The chapter degrees were conferred upon him by Dewitt Chapter, No. 119, R. A. M., of Petersburg, the date of his ex- altation being June 2, 1893. Mr. Bennett's brother, David L. , is also a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 19, having been made a Master Mason on the evening of June 6, 1895, and the work being impressively rendered by our subject. JOHN H. RICE, a prominent Sir Knight in the city of Quincy, has been an act- ive and worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, and as such we take pleasure in herewith presenting his record. After receiving the degrees of Entered Appren- tice and Fellow-craft, Dr. Rice was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, in Mendon Lodge, No. 499, in 1883; and in the same year was exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in Mendon Chapter, No. 157. In his blue lodge he filled vari- ous offices, serving as Senior \Varden sev- eral terms, and in the chapter was also an efficient worker, holding several chairs up to and including that of High Priest, dis- patching the duties of that important and honorable position during three terms. He came to Quincy in 1893 and at once affili- ated with Quincy Lodge, No. 296, in which he is now Senior Warden. He was ad- mitted to membership in Quincy Chapter, February 25, 1896, and was created a Sir Knight in El Aksa Commandery, No. 55, February 2, 1888. He has been Senior Warden of the latter body, and is serving his second term in the important office of Captain General. He is a talented and capable Mason, and is a credit to himself and an honor to the order. Dr. Rice was born in Adams county, Illinois, near the village of Payson, 'on April 13, 1856, and descended from an old Kentucky family, his grandfather, Jesse Rice, coming from that state with his fam- ily and locating in Adams county in 1834, where he died at the venerable age of four- score years. William Rice, father of our subject, was born in Kentucky and when a boy accompanied his parents to Illinois. He was reared and educated in Adams county and was there united in marriage to Miss Martha Staker, after which he carried on farming until his death, which took place in his forty-eighth year. He is survived by his wife and five children, the former of whom has attained her sixtieth year. All of the sons have adopted professions, two of them being dentists and two of them physicians. The immediate subject of this sketch is the eldest of the family and re- ceived his medical education in the Cincin- nati Medical College, at which he was gradu- ated in 1878. He then took a post-gradu- ate course at the Missouri Medical College, receiving his diploma from that institution in 1883, since which time he has constantly been in general practice. In 1893 he estab- lished his elegant and commodious office in the Wells building, and since locating there he has acquired a large and lucrative prac- tice. The Doctor makes a specialty of the diseases of women and has attained an en- 528 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS viable reputation as a successful practi- tioner. He was married in 1877 to Miss Mary St. Clair, a native of Mechanicsburg, Illi- nois, and they have one daughter, Edith, a bright and charming young lady. Dr. Rice is affiliated with the Democratic party, but is not a politician in any sense of the word. He is liberal in his ideas, thoroughly versed in all the details of his profession, and richly deserves the high esteem in which he is held by his many friends. JUNO CLIFFORD BENTLEY, a prom- inent attorney of Henderson county, is a member of Oquawka Lodge, No. 123, in which he received the degree of En- tered Apprentice December 15, 1896, that of Fellow-craft January 12, 1897, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Ma- son February 16, 1897. Mr. Bentley is a man of ability, is highly pleased with the order, and will unquestionably become one of the brightest and most enthusiastic Ma- sons in Oquawka and prove a great acces- sion to the local lodge. Mr. Bentley was born in Arcade, Wy- oming county, New York, November 6, 1859, his parents being Gideon and Emma H. (McClenthen) Bentley, the former of whom was born in Onondaga county, New York. They are of English and Scotch ancestry respectfully. In their religious faith they are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Bentley was for many years an active Mason and for several terms was Worshipful Master of his lodge. He was a farmer of prominence, holding various offices of trust and honor and enjoying the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends. The demise of Mrs. Bentley oc- curred in 1880, at the age of forty-seven years. Three sons and a daughter survive her, one of the former, O. H. Bentley, re- siding in Wichita, Kansas, where he is a well known lawyer and a thirty-second-de- gree Mason. , The subject of this review is the young- est of the sons, and was reared on his father's farm. His early education was acquired in the public schools, supple- mented by a course at the academy, at which he graduated in 1877. Being de- sirous of adopting the legal profession he began to read law in the office of A. J. Knight, at Arcade, and with his brother, O. H. Bentley, at Wichita, Kansas. He was admitted to the bar in 1882, and com- menced to practice in Wichita, where he remained until 1895, when he came to Oquawka, and, opening a law office here, established a practice that has been steadily increasing and is to-day in a flourishing condition. He is a well-read, genial gentle- man, has one of the most attractive offices in the city, and by his many sterling qual- ities of character has gained a large num- ber of friends. In his political views, Mr. Bentley is allied to the Republican party and was an energetic participant in the campaign which resulted in the election of William McKinley to the presidency. He delivered a large number of effective speeches and rendered his party valuable service. The marriage of Mr. Bentley to Miss Alice Thomas was celebrated in 1887. She was born in Henderson county, and is a daughter of James M. Thomas, a well- known pioneer of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley have three children, Clifford Roy, Juno Ralph, and a baby boy whom they have named McKinley. C. PENINGTON has ever JO. been loyal to public and private inter- est, to his country in her hour of peril, to his duties of citizenship, and is a zealous member of the Masonic fraternity. His identification with this order covers a period of nearly thirty years, for he joined the blue lodge, in Wilmington, Illinois, in 1868. In Wilmington Chapter, in 1869, he took the Royal Arch degrees and became connected with the Royal & Select Masters of Temple Council. He was knighted in Apollo Com- mandery, No. i , of Chicago, and is now serving as its Treasurer. On the 23d of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 529 August, 1878, he became a member of the Oriental Consistory of the Scottish Rite, and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, be- longing to Medinah Temple. He is widely known in Masonic circles and has many warm friends in the brotherhood. Mr. Penington is a native of Delaware, his birth having occurred in Wilmington, on the 1 4th of September, 1844. His par- ents, William R. and Mary J. (Clark) Pen- ington, came to Illinois in the year 1860, when our subject was a youth of sixteen years. He was reared to mercantile life T. C. PENINGTON, and in 1872 became connected with the Chicago City Railway, while for fourteen years he has held the office of treasurer of the same. In this day of great commercial activity, of extensive undertakings in all lines of business, one of the most important things to be considered is means of transit. Rapid transference of men from their homes to places of business is an absolute neces- sity, for time is valuable. The enterprise of a city is largely judged by its means of 31 transit; and in promoting the city's interests along this line Mr. Penington has been an important factor. Progressive, he is not only up with the times, but is a leader in the work of improvement, and has been active through more than a decade in in- troducing into Chicago many improvements in city transit. Such an enterprise adds to the public prosperity as well as to individual wealth; and the man who can successfully control and operate an extensive industry of this character becomes a valued factor to the community with which he is connected. He was elected secretary and treasurer of the American Street Railway Association at Montreal in October, 1895, and re-elected at St. Louis, in October, 1896. During the late war Mr. Penington proved his' loyalty to the Union by faithful service in the northern army. He enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, later joined the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry and subse- quently became a member of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry. He served for three years and eleven months, one of the brave soldier boys, for he was not yet seventeen when he entered the army, who deserve the thanks and praise of a grateful nation. He was married in 1876 to Miss Emma C. Vannata, a native of New Jersey. MEWTON CHARLES DAUGHERTY. An eminent divine has said, "A Mason's lodge is a school of piety; the principal emblems are the teachers." Un- der the influence of this school and these teachers has the subject of our sketch, Professor Newton C. Daugherty, himself a prominent educator, passed over twen- ty-five years of. his life. His identity with this ancient and honored order dates from 1870, when he was made a Master Mason at Morris, Illinois, in Cedar Lodge, No. 76. The chapter degrees he took at the same place the following year; in 1875 was made a Knight Templar at Dixon, Illinois; in 1 890 was successfully conducted through the mysteries of Peoria Consistory; in 1892 received the degrees of the council at Pe- 580 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. oria; and in 1895 was made a Knight of Constantine. He has filled successively all the chairs in the blue lodge and chap- ter, and has served as Prelate of the com- mandery and Most Wise of the consistory. His official position in the subordinate lodge entitled him several times to mem- bership in the Grand Lodge of the state, which he attended and where his presence and influence were felt for the good of the order. Professor Daugherty has been a teacher all his life and is one of the leading edu- cators of his day. He is a native of Penn- sylvania, born January 10, 1849, and since 1869 has been a resident of Illinois. His education was received in the east, at Westtown (Pennsylvania) College, Prince- ton and the Pennsylvania Normal, of all of which institutions he is a graduate. On coming to Illinois, in 1869, he accepted a position in the schools of Morris, where he taught until 1877, when he came to Peoria and took charge of the schools at this place, a position he has since held. Dur- ing the long period he has been connected with the Peoria schools he has labored un- tiringly and effectively for their interests, and it is due to his progressive and efficient efforts that the schools here have reached and maintained their present high standard of excellence. Professor Daugherty has for years been an honored member of the National Teach- ers' Association of the United States, and in 1896 was president of this distinguished body of educators, presiding with his char- acteristic earnestness and dignity and by his very presence inspiring every member with an impulse to greater usefulness and a higher and better life. F \ZRAH. BAILEY. The enduring qual- ity of the institution of Freemasonry lies in the fact that it aims at and satisfies the craving for human fellowship, equal, trusting, unrestrained fellowship for its own sake, deprived, as far as possible, of all mercenary and selfish considerations. Ezra H. Bailey, of Streator, Illinois, has been a Mason for a number of years, and has always demonstrated his interest in the order by promoting its cause in every way possible. He was made a Master Mason in Streator Lodge, No. 607, of which he was elected Treasurer, was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Streator Chapter and received the order of knighthood in Ottawa Commandery, No. 10. Milford, Massachusetts, is the birthplace of Mr. Bailey, he having been born in that city December 25, 1853, and there received his education in the public schools.- He then began his start in life by working in a boot and shoe factory in Massachusetts, re- maining there until 1874, when he came to Streator and entered the office of Colonel Ralph Plumb. After a short stay there he accepted a position with the Streator Coal Company, with which he remained until it went out of business, and was then con- nected with the Luther & Tyler Coal & Coke Company until 1887, when he entered the Streator National Bank as cashier. In 1 890 he transferred his associations to the City National Bank and two years later, upon being offered greater inducements by the Union National Bank, he accepted, and was installed as cashier in that institution, in which capacity he is at present employed. Mr. Bailey's career has been rather an un- (548 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. usual one, as he has been cashier of every bank in Streator, changing from one to the other without any ill feeling on the part of the officers, all of whom are among his best friends. Mr. Bailey has been remarkably suc- cessful. Beginning, as he did, at the bot- tom, he has by perseverance, industry and integrity of character, worked himself up to his present responsible position in life. As a cashier he performs the duties assigned to him in the most praiseworthy manner, and his probity and strict adherence to a high standard of principles inspires the greatest confidence in his employers. For a num- ber of years he occupied the office of town- ship treasurer, which controls the school funds, and still holds the office. Mr. Bailey was married in 1879 to Miss Laurette Benson, whose death occurred in 1883. In 1885 he was again united in mar- riage, his second wife being Miss Gertrude Canfield, and one daughter, Edith L. , has been born to them. Mrs. Bailey is a mem- ber of the Order of the Eastern Star. In 1895 Mr. Bailey attended the triennial con- clave at Boston, with his commandery. He has a charming home in Streator, and both he and his wife are popular members of society. M. WERNER, agent for the Amer- fi. ican and Adams Express Companies at Decatur, is a zealous and active worker in the interests of the various branches of Masonry, with which organization he has been identified since March 2, 1867. The three degrees of the blue lodge were con- ferred upon him in De Witt Lodge, of Clinton, Illinois, and later he was dimitted to Macon Lodge, No. 8, of Decatur, in which he has served as Senior Warden. On the 25th of April, 1870, he was exalted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason in Goodbrake Chapter, from which he transferred his membership to Macon Chap- ter, No. 21. He has held the office of High Priest and Representative to the Grand Chapter. He passed the circle and was greeted a Royal and Select Master of Decatur Council, No. 16, wherein he has been honored with official preferment as Thrice Illustrious Master and as a Repre- sentative Grand Master of the Grand Council. He took the vows of knighthood in Beaumanoir Commandery, No. 9, has since been a faithful follower of the beause- ant and has served as Senior Warden. He attended the conclaves in St. Louis, Den- ver and Washington, and is an exemplary Mason, whose high purpose has resulted from the lofty teachings of the order. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Werner was born in Shippenburg, on the 6th of November, 1836, and began his education in its public schools. When about fourteen years of age he left the Keystone state and removed to Eaton, Ohio, where he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Eaton Democrat, serving a full apprenticeship. In 1 86 1 he took up his residence in Clinton, Illinois, where for a short time he was con- nected with the newspaper business, after which he was engaged in a marble-cutting establishment. In 1869 he accepted a po- sition as agent for the American Express Company, and in 1874 was transferred to Decatur, where he has since remained. In June, 1894, he was made joint agent for the American and Adams Express Com- panies, which position he still holds. His long continuation with the American Com- pany well indicates an unswerving fidelity to duty and unyielding faithfulness to every trust committed to his care. He well merits the confidence reposed in him, for nowhere along the line could be found a more trustworthy agent. Mr. Werner has been twice married. He wedded Miss E. B. Borders, of Clinton, Illinois, and after her death was joined in wedlock to Mrs. B. C. Nebinger, of Lewis- berry, Pennsylvania. He has one child, William J., a resident of Tacoma, Wash- ington. In politics Mr. Werner is independent, and in his religious views he is a Methodist. He has a wide acquaintance throughout Decatur and vicinity, and ranks high in all LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 651 circles. His manner is ever courteous and attentive, and his high personal worth has won him many friends. fELSON D. EDMONDS, D. D. S. JLlL Men of marked ability, forceful char- acter and culture leave their impress upon the world written in such indelible char- acters that time is powerless to obliterate their memory or sweep it from the minds of men. Their acts live long after they have passed away, and the force of their example spurs others to emulation. In the eminent position which Dr. Edmonds oc- cupies as superintendent of the College of Dental Surgeons, he exerts upon the young men of this country an influence the strength of which cannot be measured. He certainly needs no introduction to the public, for he stands on a commanding height in the field of dental science and di- rects the study and investigation of hun- dreds of students who are preparing to en- ter one of the most useful of the profes- sions to which man can devote his ener- gies. His profound learning, his broad and comprehensive understanding of den- tistry, his original investigation and his discoveries of some of the most important truths relating to dental science have made him foremost among the professors in this line throughout the country. Dr. Edmonds is still a young man and the future undoubtedly holds in store for him still greater successes and higher honors than he has already won. He was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, near To- ronto, July 15, 1853, and spent the first nine years of his life at that place, after which he accompanied his parents on their removal to the United States. Through the following ten years he remained upon a farm in Illinois, aiding in the labors of field and meadow and performing such work as usually falls to the lot of farmer lads. But this work did not accord with his tastes and after careful consideration he determined to prepare for the practice of dentistry. His studies were prosecuted in the Phila- delphia Dental College, where he was grad- uated in 1878; and in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery he graduated in the class of 1889. He then entered upon the practi- cal work of his profession for which nature seemed to have especially adapted him, and met with splendid success. His ability soon secured to him a liberal patronage, which constantly increased as the years passed by until his business was very large and lucra- tive. Wishing, however, to still further perfect himself in his chosen calling, in 1888 he matriculated in the Chicago Col- lege of Dental Surgery, and soon after his graduation in 1889, he was appointed sup- erintendent of that institution and has since occupied that responsible and prominent position. The growth of this institution during the past seven years is unparalleled in the history of dental institutions in America. The enrollments of the school are now over five hundred students, who, drawn hither by the high reputation of the college, enjoy the excellent advantages hereafforded and go forth carrying with them into their professional life the reliable methods and teachings of the school. Graduates from this institution are now practicing their pro- fession in many foreign countries. Dr. Edmonds is a man of keen discern- ment, with an analytical mind fond of re- search, and a thorough student. These qualities have therefore been essential ele- ments in his success. He is continually thinking out along new and original lines, pondering the problems of dental science and gaining the knowledge which some be- lieve comes almost intuitively to one, but in reality is the outgrowth of long and careful study, and logical deductions from known facts. Prominent in professional circles, Dr. Edmonds nevertheless finds great en- joyment in the home circle, and some of his pleasantest hours are passed by his own fireside in the company of his wife and little daughter. He was married in 1892 to Mrs. Laura Virginia Farren, a native of Cincin- nati, but a resident of Chicago at the time of their marriage. They have one child, Ethel. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. Dr. Edmonds is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, and has attained to a high degree in the order. He was received as an Entered Apprentice into Hebron Lodge, Indiana, in 1876, and was therein raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, but was afterward dimitted to Lake Lodge, No. 1 57, of Crown Point, Indiana, of which he is Past Master. He was ex- alted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason in Lincoln Chapter, of Crown Point, in 1879, and passed the circle and was greeted a Royal and Select Master of Crown Point Council. He was constituted, cre- ated and dubbed a Sir Knight in Valparaiso Commandery, No. 28, in 1880, and is now affiliated with St. Bernard Commandery, of Chicago. Having taken all the degrees of ancient-craft, capitular, cryptic and chival- ric Masonry, he received the grades and orders of the Scottish Rite, and was pro- claimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, of Chicago, in 1896. He is also a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, his membership being in Medinah Temple. Dr. Edmonds embraces every opportunity to extend the principles of Masonry among his fellow men, and warmly advocates its teachings concerning brotherhood and benef- icence. JOHN S. CUMMINGS, engaged in real estate and insurance at Huntley, Mc- Henry county, is a zealous and intelli- gent veteran in Masonry, deserving mention in this work, having been so long a faithful member of the order. He was initiated into the Masonic mysteries in 1859, at Huntley, Illinois, in Grafton Lodge, No. 328, A. F. & A. M., and since his location at Huntley he has been a member of Hunt- ley Lodge, of which he has been Worship- ful Master for eight years. Mr. Cummings is a native of the Empire state, born at Truxton, Cortland county, New York, January 22, 1830. His father, whose name was G. C. Cummings, was a native of the same state, born in Herkimer county, of Scotch ancestry. (The name was originally spelled Comins.) Mr. G. C. Cummings married Eleanor Wheeler, the mother of the subject of this sketch. She was born in Connecticut and was of Eng- lish ancestry. They had fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, of whom only five are now living. This family moved to Illinois in 1838, settling four miles east of Huntley, at which time they were pioneers here, before the land was placed in market by the government. The parents both died in this county, the father at the age of seventy-four and the mother when ninety-one years of age. Mr. John S. Cummings, who was eight years of age when brought to the west, grew up here on a pioneer farm, inured to the monotonous work and tedious life char- acteristic of the time. He supplemented his common-school education by attendance at Elgin Academy, and such was his ad- vancement in learning, and such his intel- lectual power and personal dignity that at the early age of nineteen years he became a teacher. In 1852 he went to California, overland, being four months on the trip to that state, where he was engaged in team- ing, carrying freight and mining for five years. In 1857 he returned to McHenry county. During the war of the Rebellion he ex- hibited his patriotism in a heroic manner, by enlisting for service in the field in de- fense of his government. He served as a member of the Seventh Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. This was the very first regi- ment sent out by Illinois to suppress the great insurrection. Among the principal engagements in which he participated may be mentioned the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Farming- ton and Corinth. In October, 1863, he was mustered out, after having served faith- fully as a defender of the Union. He next engaged in farming for a time, and then in mercantile business, which lat- ter he continued for three years, since which time he has given his attention to real es- tate and insurance. He owns a consider- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 053 able amount of property, both in town and country, and some of this is in Sac county, Iowa. Mr. Cummings has been active in every good and worthy cause, interested in the welfare of his town and county, and is a popular citizen. In politics he is an active and prominent Republican. In 1859 he served as a member of the county board of supervisors, and has held said office many times since; he has also been coroner for the county. He was in 1859 united in matrimony with Miss Elizabeth Baldwin, a native of New York, and a daughter of Eli Baldwin. She is an intelligent and refined lady, com- ing of a good family. Mr. and Mrs. Cum- mings have one son, named Fred Sherman, who is a resident of Chicago. He is a grad- uate of the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, is now a practicing physician, thirty- six years old, and has been twice married. His first wife was Allie, nee Torry, a lovely young woman who died in 1893. To them one child was born, John Earl, who lived but four months. In 1895 he married Miss Jennie Van Sickle, a beautiful and highly accomplished young lady. His present ad- dress is 780 Fulton street, Chicago, Illinois. The following story, in poetic form, shows that the subject of the foregoing sketch has the soul and sympathies of a true poet: THE OLD MAN'S STORY. The milestone that numbers my three score and ten, The years by the Scriptures allotted to men, That landmark I've passed on time's rolling sea, Replete with sweet memories that are dear unto me. The friends of my noon-life are nearly all gone; My years quickly pass as I journey along; And yet so intensely to life do I cling That I share uncomplaining the sorrows they bring. And now with my cane tottering down life's decline, I often contemplate the years of my prime, [knew, When life seemed most fair with the friends that I And hopes bright and golden were spread to my view. My counsels were sought in those days that are gone; My presence was welcomed at feasting and song; In things of importance I always did share, And few circles complete unless I was there. But age's lengthened shadow has darkened the scene, And hopes unrequited have come o'er my dream; But what seems most sad as the end draweth nigh, That the world rates me less as my years multiply. Yes, I am old, and my life nearly done, But life seems as sweet as when I was young; The day seems as fair and my friends seem as dear. And the songs of the birds are as sweet to my ear. The spring with its blossoms and verdure of green, I hail with delight as in youth's fairest dream; The soft, gentle zephyr, with its measure of joy, Is as sweet to my cheeks as when I was a boy. I look out on nature as in days of my youth, And my soul is enraptured with its beauty and truth; Its unexplained problems, its music unsung, Are as dear to my heart as when I was young. My cheeks may be furrowed, my locks may be gray, My step be uncertain, and cheerless my way, My form may be bent by the years that are told, But my spirit of manhood will never grow old. J. S. CUMMINGS. JP. HENDERSON, M. D. There is no organization of a social nature in the world that can do more to elevate hu- manity to God than the Masonic fraternity. Its influence reaches out into every recess on the face of the globe, and its teachings are impressed upon hearts in every country that has a claim to intelligence. In Chi- cago it has a large following, and one of the brothers who has evinced a great deal of interest in the workings of the order is Dr. J. P. Henderson, a successful and well- known physician and surgeon of this city. The Doctor was initiated in Salem Lodge, No. 21, at Salem, Indiana, from which he was dimitted to become affiliated with Cov- enant Lodge, No. 526, and has since been a loyal and energetic member of that body. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows, in the latter having taken all the degrees and filled all the principal offices in the subordinate and encampment lodges. He is a member of the Grand Lodge and Encampment of the state of Indiana. Dr. Henderson was born in Salem, In- diana, August 19, 1863, his early mental training being received in the public schools of that city and Eikosi Academy, being graduated at the latter institution with the 654 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. honors of his class. Stimulated by a de- sire to follow the medical profession, he studied under the guidance of his father, Dr. H. D. Henderson, and S. W. Duff, and then served as an attendant in the Cincin- nati Hospital for two years. He subse- quently took up a course of lectures in the Miami Medical College, of Cincinnati, at which he was graduated with honors in 1885. He at once began practicing at Sa- lem, but shortly after was appointed rail- road surgeon of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago road, and moved to this city. For almost three years he was house phy- sician of the Richelieu hotel, and since then has held the same position in the Leland hotel. He has built up a large and lucra- tive practice, and is one of the progressive, energetic young physicians of Chicago. His office is located in the Marshall Field build- ing. The Doctor is a member of the Ameri- can Medical Association, with which he has been associated for more than ten years; the Indiana State Medical Society; the Chicago Medical Society; the Mississippi Valley Medical Association; the National Association of Railway Surgeons; and has been president of the Illinois State Institute of Physicians and Surgeons for the past five years. His many excellent qualities are readily recognized by his fellow practition- ers, and he is held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact. In October, 1887, Dr. Henderson was united in marriage to Miss Lena Belknap, of Salem, Indiana. They reside on the south side and possess a large number of warm personal friends. CHARLES H. BADDELEY ranks among the foremost business men of Cham- paign, and his interests have not alone brought to him a handsome remuneration, but have also been the means of promoting the prosperity of the city with which he is identified. The pioneers of a country, the founders of a business, the originators of any undertaking that will promote the ma- terial welfare or advance the educational, social and moral influence of a community, deserve the gratitude of humanity. Of this class of men Mr. Baddeley is a representa- tive, and his well-spent life should serve as a source of encouragement to others. A native of Champaign, he is well known to her citizens and his uniform honesty and courtesy have won him the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He was born on the 1 3th of December, 1859, and acquired his education in the public schools. Later he went to LeRoy, Illinois, where for a time he was employed by the Barnum & Keenan Milling Company, after which he accepted a clerkship in a dry-goods house. In 1882 he returned to Champaign and entered into partnership with William Dodson, opening a small grocery, but the business grew rapidly and in 1890 Mr. Baddeley purchased his partner's interest and has since con- tinued alone, adding other lines. His store now occupies three large rooms, and is one of the largest, best appointed and most popular establishments in Champaign. He also owns a grocery and meat market in the adjoining town of Urbana, this being one of the finest markets in Central Illinois. Mr. Baddeley has been remarkably successful in his business, which desirable result is due to his great enterprise and tact. He car- ries forward to completion whatever he un- dertakes undeterred by any obstacle that perseverance and honest purpose can over- come. Studying the public taste he knows how to buy to please his patrons, and has built up a most extensive and profitable trade. Mr. Baddeley is a director of the Cham- paign Building and Loan Association, and his identification with many enterprises of the city has materially advanced its prog- ress and welfare. He was three years secretary of the Champaign Agricultural Society. His political support is given to the "gold" Democracy. Of the Masonic fraternity he is a valued member and is a loyal supporter of the order, although his business to some extent prevents him from COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 655 taking an active part in the work of the lodge room. He was initiated as an En- tered Apprentice in LeRoy Lodge, No. 221, of LeRoy, Illinois, passed the Fellow-craft and was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in 1882. Later, however, he dimitted to Western Star Lodge, No. 240, of Champaign, in which he still retains his membership. He was exalted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason in Champaign Lodge, No. 50, and has served as Master of the Veil. He was knighted in Urbana Commandery, No. 16, belongs to the Knights of the Red Cross of Constan- tine, and in their organization has filled the offices of Viceroy and Junior General. His brethren of the fraternity hold him in high regard, and in his fulfillment of the obliga- tions and duties which rest upon him as a member of the fraternity he has proved himself an exemplary Mason. Mr. Baddeley has made good use of his opportunities, he has prospered from year to year, and has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts displays an aptitude for success- ful management. He has not permitted the accumulation of a fortune to affect in any way his actions toward those less suc- cessful than he, and has always a cheerful word and pleasant smile for all with whom he comes in contact. rrON. JOHN j. MCDANNOLD, of the JflL prominent law firm of McDannold & Phelps, with office rooms in the Ashland building, Chicago, is a gentleman whose high standing and prominent connection with the Masonic fraternity make it of spe- cific importance that his name be given a place in this volume. His life briefly re- viewed is as follows: John J. McDannold was born in Brown county, Illinois, August 29, 1851, and was educated primarily in the common and pri- vate schools of his native place, his educa- tion being completed by a course in the Iowa University, in the law department of which institution he graduated in 1874. That same year he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Mt. Sterling, Illinois, where he continued his residence until 1 894. There in 1886 he was elected county judge of Brown county, was re-elected in 1890, and filled the office until 1892, when he resigned. At this time he was elected to the Fifty- third congress, from the Twelfth district, and served a term of two years, refusing to be a candidate for re-election. While in congress he made a most worthy record. He was a member of the committee on pen- sions and as such did much to prevent fraud- ulent pensions; wrote a number of reports on the subject, some of which were adopted by the house. He came to Chicago in 1894 and formed a partnership with Hon. C. Porter Johnson, in November of that year. On the 1st day of January, 1897, he formed a partnership with the Hon. Delos P. Phelps, assistant treasurer of the United States, the firm name being McDannold & Phelps. Mr. McDannold has for a number of years been an active and influential Mason. He received the degrees of ancient-craft Masonry in Hardin Lodge, No. 44, at Mt. Sterling. Also he has been initiated into the mysteries of the chapter and command- ery, he having been knighted by Delta Com- mandery, No. 48, K. T. He is also a mem- ber of the Iroquois Club. Mr. McDannold was married in 1876 to Miss Cora Harris, a native of Illinois, and they have two children, Malcolm and Helen. GEORGE MUIRHEAD is one of the most efficient and active workers of the Masonic fraternity in Chicago, and well de- serves mention among the eminent repre- sentatives of the order in this city. Life fails to attain its highest purposes and ex- ercise its noblest functions unless it is uni- versal and coherent. The present era in the world's history demonstrates the truth of all the old proverbs that in union there is strength. It is in the helpful relation of 656 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. our time a sympathetic union with the sur- rounding current of thought, feeling and purpose that we can best realize the worth of our own individuality. This truth, known and understood centuries ago by those who were followers of Masonic banners, has been the underlying power of the ancient and honorable fraternity, and the combined ef- forts of its thousands of followers have formed a potentiality for good in the civil- ization of the race and a power which has withstood the most bitter attacks of bigotry, slander and narrow-minded prejudice. Mr. Muirhead has been very active in the work of the society in Englewood. He was made a Mason in Wayne Lodge, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1858, became a charter member of Pleiades Lodge, No. 478, of Chicago, but was afterward dimitted and became one of the organizers and charter members of Englewood Lodge, No. 690, A. F. & A. M. He also became a charter member of Englewood Chapter, No. 176, in 1876. He has taken the council degrees of Royal. Select and Super-Excellent Mas- ter, and was constituted, created and dubbed a Sir Knight in Apollo Commandery, No. I, from which he was dimitted to be- come one of the organizers and a charter member of Englewood Commander}'. In 1867 he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Oriental Consistory, and is one of its life members. He has served as Worshipful Master in the blue lodge, and has held the office of the veils in the chapter and also offices in the com- mandery. Mr. Muirhead was born in Scotland, in May, 1834, and when seventeen years of age bade adieu to the country of his birth, preparatory to seeking a home in the new world. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States, he located in Niagara Falls, New York, whence he went to Rochester, New York. He was afterward a resident of Fort Wayne for more than a year, and in 1855 came to Chicago, where he has since made his home. He learned the trade of mechanic- al engineer in Scotland and has since fol- lowed that vocation. In his business he has won success and has gained a compe- tence that is well deserved. In 1853, at Niagara Falls, Mr. Muir- head was united in marriage to Miss Isa- bella Purda, a native of Scotland, and they have had seven children, but only one is now living, Hattie, wife of John Hough. Mrs. Muirhead is a member of the First Presbyterian church and Mr. Muirhead is serving as one of its trustees. During the Civil war he served on detached duty at his trade. He has been honored with a num- ber of official duties of honor and trust, having served the town of Lake as assessor, supervisor, treasurer and water commis- sioner. He belongs to the Harvard Club, and is a public-spirited and progressive citi- zen who manifests a deep interest in the welfare of his section of the city and does all in his power for its substantial improve- ment. THOMAS JOSIAH BADDELEY, a well-known merchant of Champaign, is now serving as Worshipful Master of Western Star Lodge, No. 240, A. F. & A. M. He became a member of the fraternity in 1876, being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in LeRoy Lodge, No. 221, of LeRoy, Illinois. He has been most active and zealous in the work, guarding most carefully the ancient landmarks and putting into practice in every-day life the lessons of brotherhood, kindness and char- ity, which form the basis of the society. He has passed all the chairs in the blue lodge and his record as an officer is irre- proachable. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Champaign Chapter, No. 50, and has therein served as Master of the Third Veil. His zeal for and devotion to Masonry is one of the strong elements of his purposeful life and his principles have ever governed his conduct toward his fellow men. He is a Masonic student, understanding fully the mission of Masonry and the obligations it imposes upon the brotherhood in all its bearing, and COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 657 best of all lives up to their full require- ments. Mr. Baddeley is one of Champaign's na- tive sons, born on the 8th of October, 1885. The public schools afforded him his educa- tional privileges, and his early business ex- perience was in the line of mercantile pur- suits. This training determined him to de- vote his life to such a calling, and for twenty-eight years he has been connected with the commercial interests of his native city. His progress in the business world has been steady and assured. He is a man of strong purpose, of keen discrimination, of careful management, and by the exercise of these powers he has achieved in business a success which he well merits. On the 2Oth of November, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Baddeley and Miss Jennie Reed, a native of Illinois. They have three sons, John W. , Roy S. and Charles H., Jr. The parents are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and do all in their power to advance its inter- ests. Mr. Baddeley has spent his entire life in this vicinity and has a wide acquaint- ance. The character of his well-spent life is indicated by the fact that among his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood and are therefore familiar with his history. |WIGHT C. HAVEN, a young attorney of Joliet, prominent became a member of the fraternity in 1888, and since that time has devoted his intervals from business greatly to the interests of the or- der. His zeal and enthusiasm have not gone unrewarded, for he has been honored with several offices in the local bodies with which he affiliated. He was initiated in Matteson Lodge, No. 175, and served as its Junior and Senior Warden; was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Joliet Chapter, No. 27, and was elected its King; and re- ceived the degrees of chivalric Masonry in Joliet Commandery, No. 4, Knights Temp- lar, in which he held the chair of Warder. Mr. Haven quickly acquired the ritual in the blue lodge and passed through all the foregoing bodies in the same year. In 1889 he accompanied his commandery to Wash- ington, where the triennial conclave was held that year. Mr. Haven was born in New Lenox, Illinois, May 10, 1863, and after passing through the public schools entered the Uni- versity of Illinois at Champaign, at which he was graduated in 1883. He then took up the study of law at Joliet, Illinois, and in 1886 was admitted to the bar before the supreme court at Mt. Vernon, and imme- diately thereafter began the practice of his profession. He subsequently become asso- ciated with Captain C. A. Hill, the firm be- ing known as Hill & Haven, and afterward Hill, Haven & Hill. They have built up a very lucrative business, and are among the most successful lawyers in the county. Mr. Haven is a young man of brilliant mental accomplishments, energetic and progressive, and there is every indication that he has a splendid future before him. He is also a member of the Illinois Commandery of the Loyal Legion. He was also for many years connected with the Illinois National Guard, having been captain and adjutant of the Third Infantry, I. N. G. , for four or five years. He attends the Epis- copalian church. Some years since Mr. Haven was united in marriage to Miss Mary Robinson, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 11 ARON S. MARKLEY, a Mason who JML has been conspicuous for the fidelity and industry that has characterized his re- lations with the blue lodge and other bodies of the craft, was initiated in Montgomery Lodge, at Crawfordsville, Indiana; was ex- alted to the Holy Royal Arch degree in Crawfordsville Chapter; received the de- grees of Royal and Select Masters in Craw- fordsville Council; was knighted in Craw- fordsville Commandery, and attained the ineffable degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory on No- vember 12, 1886. Upon his removal to Danville Mr. Markley became affiliated with 658 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, Danville Council, No. 37, and Athelstan Commandery, No. 45, of which body he served as Eminent Com- mander in 1893. He is also a member of the Chicago Orphans' Home Association and the Knights of Pythias. The birth of Mr. Markley occurred in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Novem- ber 25, 1850, his parents being Christian and Sarah (Schwan) Markley. When eleven years old his parents died, and when thirteen years old he went to live with an uncle near. Crawfordsville, in Montgomery county, In- diana, remaining with him for three years. At sixteen years of age he returned to Penn- sylvania and started to learn the carpen- ter's trade in a sash and door factory at North Wales, that state. He served an apprenticeship for three years, from 1866 to 1869, and then again moved to Mont- gomery county, Indiana, where he followed his trade and shortly after engaged with the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Rail- road, now a part of the Big Four system, in building bridges, holding the position of fore- man for eleven years. In 1881 Mr. Markley came to Danville and accepted the post of superintendent of bridges and buildings for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, which he is now filling in an eminently sat- isfactory manner. Mr. Markley was married near Clare- mont, Indiana, June 28, 1877, to Miss Helen E. Warfel, of Marion county, Indiana. Three children have been the issue of this union, Mabel I., Howard N. and Edith W. Mr. and Mrs. Markley are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Danville, Illinois, and are highly respected members of Danville society. GEORGE M. WRIGHT, a young man of enterprise and ability and a public- spirited citizen of Danville, is a Mason in good standing who has been active in ad- vancing the interests of the local bodies. The primary degrees were conferred upon him in Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, on March 7, 1893; he was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, on April 17, 1893; received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Danville Coun- cil, No. 37; and was constituted a Sir Knight in Athelstan Commandery, No. 45, on March 3, 1894, in which body he was elected Junior Warden in 1896. A worthy brother and a zealous worker, he is an honor to the craft of which he is a member. Danville is Mr. Wright's native city, he having been born here May 4, 1870, the son of M. M. and Annie (Robinson) Wright. His education was begun in the public schools of Danville and completed at the Peekskill Military Academy, at Peekskill, New York, which he attended for two years. After leaving school he became associated with his father in the milling business, and has successfully followed that vocation to the present time. He is an energetic, pro- gressive young man, possesses an upright character, a genial disposition, and is an ac- quisition to Danville society. He served as a private in Battery A, Illinois National Guards, for three years, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and casts his vote for the Republican party. Mr. Wright was married in Crawfords- ville, Indiana, January 16, 1894, to Miss Isabelle Allen. He and his wife are regular attendants of the Presbyterian church. UGUSTUS LIVINGSTON WEB- jftfl STER, one of the most prominent and well-known Masons in Danville, has for over thirty years been devoted to the best interests of the craft, his membership dating from July 2, 1863, when he became a Master Mason in Evergreen Lodge, No. 222, at Conneaut, Ohio. He obtained a dimit and is now affiliated with Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, of Danville. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, in 1875; re- ceived the degrees of Royal and Select Masters in Danville Council, No. 37; was constituted a Sir Knight in Athelstan Com- mandery, No. 45, in which he was Eminent COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 659 Commander in 1882, 1883 and 1887, and Right Eminent Grand Commander from October, 1895, to October, 1896; and has attained the ineffable degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret November 24, 1882, in Oriental Consistory, Valley of Chi- cago. Mr. and Mrs. Webster were formerly members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is now a member of the Chicago Or- phans' Home Association. Mr. Webster was born February 17, 1842, at Conneaut, Ohio, his parents being Daniel N. and Emrna (Wallingford) Web- ster. He received an academic education in his native city and at the age of seven- teen went to New York city, and there se- cured employment in a silk house, with which he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war, when the firm failed and our subject returned to his Ohio home. He obtained a position as clerk in a mercantile establishment, continuing there until twenty years old, when he embarked in business for himself and conducted it until the spring of 1866, when he came to Illinois, located at Aurora and opened a hardware store. In 1867 he came to Danville, and has since made this city his home. The first twelve years of his residence here he followed the hardware business. In 1879 he, with Rob- ert Coddington, established a wholesale grocery house, and the firm continued for five years, Mr. Webster withdrawing at the end of that period and starting a wholesale grocery business of his own under the name of A. L. Webster & Company, of which he has had the entire charge, and has succeeded in building up a large and nourishing trade. The building in which he is located is a large three-story structure, supplied with all modern conveniences. He is one of Dan- ville's enterprising merchants who has the best interests of his city and county at heart. On September 30, 1862, Mr. Webster and Miss Eliza E. Innis were united in mar- riage, and of this union four daughters have been born: Emma H. ; Catherine M. ; Clara, who is now Mrs. J. D. Kemble, of Hamilton, Ohio; and Helen E., now Mrs. 38 C. H. Straw, of London, England. Mr. Webster is a member of the Knights of Honor. WILLIAM C. OLMSTED. Time is not when the Masonic order has not figured as the conservator of the sound principles of brotherhood and the common heritage of man, and its influence is far reaching and beneficent to an extent not superficially evident to an extent little understood by those who discredit or scoff at the intrinsic aims by which, as a body, it is animated. Among those members of the fraternity who have gained an intimate appreciation of its true value, and who have contributed their quota toward bearing its standard high aloft, is he whose name initiates this review. Mr. Olmsted's iden- tification with Masonry dates back to May 20, 1887, when he became an Entered Ap- prentice in Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M., at Danville, the city of his home. Duly advancing to the distinction of a Master Mason, he passed the degrees in Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M. ; Danville Council, No. 37, R. & S-. M. ; and Athelstan Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar, having received the knightly honors on the 3ist of May, 1888. His in- terest in fraternal matters is not confined to Masonry, for he is also prominently identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, and the Ben Hur Fraternal Society, being a member of the Danville organizations of these different bodies. In the auxiliary brunch of Masonry, the Order of the Eastern Star, he also holds membership, as does Mrs. Olmsted. William C. Olmsted was born at Catlin, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the I3th of October, 1861, the son of A. G. and E. A. (Wright) Olmsted, concerning whom spe- cific mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The subject of this review re- ceived his educational discipline in the dis- trict schools, having been reared on a farm,. 660 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. where he remained until he had attained the age of fifteen years, when he came to Danville and secured a clerical position in the general-merchandise establishment op- erated by the Consolidated Coal Company. He continued with this concern for a term of years, winning consecutive advancement through his fidelity and marked business ability, having acted as manager of the store for a term of four years. In 1 893 he engaged in business upon his own responsi- bility, opening a finely equipped undertak- ing establishment in Danville. He has since devoted his attention to this enterprise, which is distinctively the leading one of the sort in the city. For five years Mr. Olm- sted was a member of Battery A, of the Illinois National Guard, in whose affairs he maintained a lively interest until business matters placed such inexorable demands upon his time and attention as to necessi- tate his withdrawal from the military. In his political faith he holds to the tenets of the " normal," or sound-money wing of the Democratic party. January 28, 1886, Mr. Olmsted was unit- ed in marriage to Miss Eva E. Beck, who was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana. They have two children: Lola E. and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted are members of the Presbyterian church, and they enjoy an un- mistakable popularity in the social circles of the city of their home. JOHN T. ENGLISH. The name which is borne by this well-known business man of the city of Danville, is one which has been most conspicuously and honorably identified with the annals of the city and those of the state for a period of nearly half a century; and in touching briefly upon the careers of those representative members who have maintained the prestige of the Masonic order in Danville there is a peculiar element of consistency in according consid- eration to Mr. English, who is a native son of the city with whose business affairs he is now so prominently concerned. John T. English was born in Danville, on the 2Oth of November. 1857, being the son of Joseph G. and Mary (Hicks) English, whose children were seven in number, two being now deceased. The mother's death occurred in 1864, but the venerable father is still living, being one of the ablest finan- ciers in the state of Illinois and one of its oldest bankers, if not the very oldest. He has been identified with the banking busi- ness in Danville since 1856, and has been the president of the First National Bank, one of the first in the state, from the time of its organization, in 1863, until the pres- ent day. His residence in Danville dates back to the year 1853, and no man has been more intimately identified with its upbuild- ing, material activities and higher develop- ment than has he. The immediate subject of this review received his preliminary educational dis- cipline in the public schools of Danville, supplementing the same by a course of study in the Wesleyan University at Bloom- ington, upon the completion of which he matriculated in the Wesleyan Law School at Bloomington, where he graduated in the year 1882. For a brief interval thereafter Mr. English was engaged in the practice of his profession in Danville, and while his prestige in his profession was practically assured, expediency and incidental circum- stances deflected him from the same into mercantile pursuits, in which he has at- tained gratifying success, having shown a distinct capacity for the conduct of business affairs of great scope and importance. In 1888 he became a member of the whole- sale grocery firm of Payton, Palmer & English, whose business is now one of the most extensive in the line conducted in any Illinois city outside of Chicago. Danville is recognized as an eligible location for wholesale trade, and the territory tributary to the same in a normal way is fully cov- ered by the firm of which Mr. English is a member, while the continuous expansion of the enterprise shows that correct methods and effective service are brought to bear. Mr. English is recognized as one of the pro- gressive and public-spirited business men of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 661 the city, and has been called upon to serve as a member of its board of aldermen. In his political adherency he accords an un- swerving allegiance to the Republican party. On the 2d of March, 1887, the time- honored fraternity of Ancient Free & Ac- cepted Masons gained an Entered Apprentice in the person of John T. English, who then became a member of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, of Danville. In April following he passed the Royal Arch degrees in Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, while he is also identified with Danville Council, No. 37, R. & S. M., in which he has served as Principal Con- ductor. On the 2Qth of September, 1887, the order of knighthood was conferred upon Mr. English in Athelstan Commandery, No. 45, Knights Templar, and in his com- mandery he has held all the offices except Eminent Commander, and at present is Generalissimo. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine, holding his membership in Medinah Temple. He maintains a lively interest in Masonic affairs, and a more con- sistent and loyal member of the fraternity could scarcely be found. Mr. English is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In religious matters he lends his support in particular to the Methodist Epis- copal church, upon whose services he is a regular attendant. LUCIAN LAV ASA LEEDS, M. D., Past Eminent Commander of Constantine Commandery, of Lincoln, Illinois, is one of the oldest Masons in that city and one of its most faithful. Kindly and generous by na- ture, when the exalted purposes and high aims of Masonry and Templar teaching were unfolded to him he embraced the en- dearing fellowship of the order in all its branches with the ardor and devotion of a true knightly soul. His affiliation with the fraternity dates from October, 1854, when he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Mount Pulaski Lodge, No. 87. In 1856 he was dimitted to become a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 210, and has since been one of its most active and zealous workers. He has held all of its of- fices and for three terms has served as Worshipful Master. In all other branches of the craft he has been alike honored by his faithfulness to Masonic principles, and no one is better informed on the purposes and objects of the lodge than he. In 1875 he was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Lincoln Chapter, No. 147, is one of its most loyal companions and has served as King, Scribe and High Priest. He was constituted, created and dubbed a Sir Knight in Mount Pulaski Com- mandery, No. 39, in 1878, and became a charter member of Constantine Command- ery, No. 51, in which he has filled all the offices from that of Captain-General to Eminent Commander, serving in the latter position in 1880. He received the grades and order of Scottish Rite Masonry and at- tained the thirty-second degree in Oriental Consistory, Valley of Chicago, whereupon he was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. He is also a member of Medinah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Chicago. To the Doctor belongs the credit of having organized the chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star at Lincoln, which is now in a very flourishing condition. He served as its first Worthy Patron and has done much to promote its growth. He has frequently been a delegate to the different grand bodies of the order and is widely known throughout Illinois as one of the most worthy members of the fraternity in the state. The life record of Dr. Leeds cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers, as he is so widely and favorably known among his Masonic brethren. He was born in Batavia, Clermont county, Ohio, on the 23d of April, 1831, descend- ing from English ancestors who at an early day in American history located in New Jersey. His grandfather, Josiah Leeds, and his father. Peter Leeds, emigrated to Ohio in 1800. The latter, a practicing physician, came to Illinois in 1^36 and died 602 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. in March, 1887, at the age of eighty-four years. He married Miss Jane Harding, a native of New Jersey, and they had six children, but only two are now living, The Doctor and one sister. The mother lived to be eighty-six years of age and died in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was long a member. Dr. Leeds attended the schools of his native town and acquired his professional education in Rush Medical College, where he was graduated with honor in the class of 1856. He had previously opened an office and entered upon the practice in Lin- coln, and after his graduation returned to this place, where he has practiced contin- uously for the past forty-three years. He is a man of great courage, unyielding con- victions and tireless energy in his beloved profession of medicine. To the cry of the afflicted his ear is ever open, his skillful eye and hand ever ready to relieve; and the poor and needy have always found in him a helper. No labor is too arduous, no detail too trivial, no sacrifice too great for him when life and death hang in the bal- ance, and his reward is often only the con- sciousness of duty well done, for he never stops to question the ability of the patient to meet his obligations. He has thus won the gratitude of many, and no one is held in higher regard throughout the county than he. A success financially, that is well de- served, has also come to him, and he has made judicious investments in farming land and in town property. He also owns con- siderable stock in the People's Bank, of Tobias, Nebraska, of which he was one of the organizers. His attention, however, has been chiefly devoted to his profession, and he is a member of several medical so- cieties, including the state and national medical societies and the Brainard District Medical Society, which covers a territory of five counties. He was one of its organizers and served as its first president. The Doctor was married in 1852 to Miss Susan Shoup, who died fifteen months later, leaving a daughter, Sarah A., now the wife of Edward Spellman, superintendent of the Logan county poor farm. In 1856 the Doc- tor was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Willson, and they have had three. daughters: Anna M., Myrtle Jane and Hannah Eliza- beth. The last named is now the wife of E. C. Randolph. Mrs. Leeds died in 1884, since which time the two other daughters have managed the household affairs for their father in their pleasant and comfortable home in Lincoln. In his political views Dr. Leeds has been a life-long Democrat, has served for six years as alderman of his city, and for a number of years was a member of the board of education. He is public-spirited and takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of Lincoln. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has passed all the chairs in both branches and has been its representative to the Grand Lodge. His life has been a busy, useful and honorable one through a period of sixty-six years, and all who know him en- tertain for him the highest regard. CHARLES L. ENGLISH, vice-pres- ident of the First National Bank of Danville, has been a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity since 1868, having been raised to the sublime degree of Master Ma- son in Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38. On the 29th of January, 1869, he was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, and passed the circle of cryptic Masonry in Danville Council, wherein he was greeted a Select Master. On the 1 5th of October, 1874, the Knight Templar degree was conferred upon him in Athelstan Commandery, No. 45, and with all these bodies he is still affil- iated. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He has been honored with a number of offices, having served as Treasurer of the lodge for several years, while in the chapter he held all the minor offices, and in the council was Thrice Illus- trious Master for about fifteen years. In the commandery he served as Eminent LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS / COMPENDIUM OF FRBEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 665 Commander during the second and third years of its existence. Mr. English is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Perry ville, July 15, 1846. In 1854 he was brought by his parents to Danville, where he was reared. He obtained his preliminary education in the common schools and later spent two years as a student in Asbury University. Before he was eighteen years of age he joined the boys in blue of Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war as a loyal defender of the Union. His early business experience included book- keeping in a bank, contracting for railroad supplies and dealing in grain. In 1868 he entered upon his connection with the First National Bank in the capacity of book- keeper, and was promoted from time to time until, in 1883, he was elected vice- president of the institution, in which ca- pacity he has since served, taking an active part in its management and contributing not a little to its success by reason of his safe business policy, his keen discrimination, his untiring energy and his honorable meth- ods. Mr. English served for three years as a member of the board of education in Dan- ville and is deeply interested in the welfare of the city in which he has made his home for forty-three years. He established a home of his own here in 1883, at which date he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. O'Hara, of Anderson, Indiana. They now have two children, Benjamin C. and Daniel J. LIBORIUS GOLLHARDT. A fact of ' which due recognition is not usually accorded in connection with the commer- cial history of the wonderful metropolis of the west is that to no foreign element is it indebted for its present prestige in so large a measure as to those who have had their nativity in or trace their lineage to the great empire of Germany. Among those who left the fatherland to identify them- selves with American life and institutions, who have made their way to the front in connection with the material industries of the nation, and who are a credit alike to the land of their birth and to that of their adoption, is Liborius Gollhardt, secretary and treasurer of the Tosetti Brewing Com- pany. His has been a life of consecutive en- deavor, in his labor there has been a marked continuity of purpose, he has or- dered his affairs upon the highest plane of integrity and honor, has achieved success and is known as one of the able and repre- sentative business men of the Garden City. Mr. Gollhardt has been a resident of the United States for more than two score years, and his identification with the time- honored institution of Freemasonry covers a period of more than a quarter of a cen- tury. In the great crafthood he has at- tained those grades and orders which stand in distinctive evidence of his sterling worth of character and his appreciation of the ex- alted principles which have animated and perpetuated Freemasonry from the remote past. In the year 1870 Mr. Gollhardt be- came an Entered Apprentice in Waldeck Lodge, No. 674, A. F. & A. M., of Chicago, and in this body he passed the Fellow-craft degree and had the distinction of being the first to be raised therein to the sublime de- gree of Master Mason. His personal popu- larity, his signal fidelity to Masonic pre- cepts, and his recognized ability, were such as to entail his being called upon to serve in various official capacities. For five years he was Worshipful Master of Wal- deck Lodge, and his devotion, zeal and un- varying interest made his administration of this exalted office one of distinction. In 1886 he dimitted from this lodge and as- sisted in the organization of Constantine Lodge, No. 783, of which he is one of the charter members. Mr. Gollhardt received the capitular degrees in Chicago Chapter, No. 127, in which he was exalted to the Royal Arch in the year 1878, and with which he still maintains his affiliation. His advance- ment in the grades of the Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite was marked by the 666 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. same earnest interest which he had mani- fested from the time when there was first revealed to him the "light" by which Masons work, and as early as the year 1879 he had been created a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, in Oriental Consis- tory. In private and social life he is the synonym of his Masonic professions, thus commanding respect and confidence of the fraternity and the esteem of all who know him in other departments of life. Liborius Gollhardt is a native of the province of Saxony, Germany, where he was born on the 1 5th day of January, 1831, the son of Michael and Katharine Gollhardt. He received his educational discipline in the excellent schools of the fatherland, after which he turned his at- tention to the practical affairs of life, serv- ing an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, to which he devoted his attention until 1853, when he determined to try his fortunes in the new world. He emi-. grated to the United States in the year mentioned, his arrival in Chicago dating back to 1853. Here he became connected with building interests, conducting his op- erations with such ability and discrimina- tion that his success was not only logical but consecutive. In 1886 he associated himself with his son-in-law, Ernst Tosetti, in the founding of the Ernst Tosetti Brew- ing Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer. The output of the great brew- eries of the company now reaches an an- nual aggregate of more than one hundred thousand barrels of beer, a fact which stands as effectual voucher for the superior- ity of the product. The plant of the com- pany is one of the finest in the city, being located at Fortieth and Butler streets, the company owning the entire block extend- ing between Fortieth and Forty-first streets. Branch establishments are main- tained in Iowa, Missouri and Indiana, the business of the great enterprise ramifying throughout a wide area of country. In this connection it is but consistent to refer briefly to a notable secondary enter- prise which has brought the Tosetti Brew- ing Company into high repute. In 1895 they opened, at 104-6 Madison street, Chi- cago, what has been appropriately pro- nounced "the most superb eating and drinking palace in the world." This is the Tosetti, the finest restaurant and cafe to be found, not only in the Union, but un- doubtedly in any quarter of the globe. It is a place to which Chicago people refer with pride, as a specimen of that magnificent spirit of enterprise which has made the western metropolis what it is. The entire cost of the building as completed was fully one hundred and twenty-five thousand dol- lars, and the splendor of the interior al- most baffles description. The Tosetti is a magnificent art-creation in detail and as a composite whole, and while it is impossible in this work to enter into any minutiae in regard to this popular resort, it may not be out of place to quote from the Chicago Tribune's description of one portion of the Tosetti, as affording an idea of the beauty of the full scheme : ' ' The crowning triumph of the whole establishment from an artistic standpoint is the Gobelin room, or ladies' parlor. This room is designed in the rich- est rococo style of the eighteenth century (Louis XIV), and is a jewel-case of art. The highest attainments in architecture, painting and sculpture are here combined, forming an ensemble rare and exquisite in its perfect beauty. The ceiling is deco- rated with rich rococo ornamental work in high relief, forming the border for a most fascinating circular oil painting, thirty feet in diameter, representing the wedding of Louis XIV with Marie Antoinette, in the balconies of a big dome of the castle in Versailles. The artistic perspective of the architecture also deserves especial mention. The walls are decorated with five finely- executed gobelins representing the ideal life of the aristocratic society of the eight- eenth century. These paintings convey an accurate idea of the real French gobelins. These gobelins are surrounded by elegant rococo sculpture work representing cupids holding electric lights, doves and flowers in harmonizing soft colors, richly gilded. In COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 667 the east wall of this room are two niches with mirrors in gilded frames, between which is a small dome with a group repre- senting Vanity. This group is one of the most artistic works to be found in Chicago. " In 1855 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gollhardt to Miss Lottie Trautvetter, who also is a native of Saxony, Germany. They are the parents of two daughters: Anna, who is the wife of Ernst Tosetti; and Lottie, wife of Richard Wagner. In politics Mr. Gollhardt is an earnest adher- ent of the Republican party, having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln. As an example of what may be ac- complished by perseverance, energy, appli- cation and honesty of purpose, the career of Mr. Gollhardt is well worthy of admira- tion and emulation. VICTOR HUGO WEBB, rector of the Episcopal church at Monmouth, Illi- nois, has for twelve years occupied this po- sition and recently enlarged his powers to " benefit mankind and honor God " by iden- tifying himself with the great Masonic body and its auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Webb was made a Master Mason in 1893 in Monmouth Lodge, No. 37, receiving the Entered Apprentice degree on the eve- ning of March 16, the Fellow-craft June 20, and the Master Mason June 26. Not long afterward he was exalted in Warren Chap- ter, No. 30, R. A. M. ; and in both the lodge and chapter he has been honored by appointment from the executive chair to the position of Chaplain, a station in which his dignity and earnestness lend additional im- pressiveness to the beautiful ceremony. Also he is Chaplain in the Order of the Eastern Star, the Monmouth Chapter find- ing in him a link that has indeed added brightness and strength to its "golden chain." Mr. Webb was born in Hamilton, Madi- son county, New York, May 20, 1851, came west in early life and was educated for the ministry in Illinois. For some time he was a layman of the Episcopal church at Mon- mouth. In connection with Mr. E. I. Camm he built the church at this place, and for eleven years he has been its rector. When a young man Mr. Webb was a member of the New York state militia and subsequently of the Illinois militia, in which he had training that gave him an erectness and soldierly bearing that he still retains. Personally, he is a most genial and com- panionable gentleman, loved by the people of his church and also those of the social organizations to which he belongs. JOHN SCRIPPS LITTLE. Humanizing and equalizing in its tendencies, promot- ing liberty and justice, and a reverent assistant of pure and undefiled religion, the fraternity of Freemasons is deserving of the highest consideration at the hands of every intelligent human being on the face of the earth. Its supporters are legion and no- where will be found more faithful adherents to its tenets and precepts than in the city of Rushville, where the subject of this review resides and where he renders able assistance to the local bodies of which he is a menv ber. Brother Little was made a Master Mason in Rushville Lodge, No. 9, on the 23d of November; was exalted to the au- gust degree of Royal Arch Mason in Rush- ville Chapter, No. 184, on April 26, 1895; and was constituted a Sir Knight in Rush- ville Commandery, No. 56, on January 14, 1896. In the commandery he has ad- equately filled the offices of Standard Bearer and Generalissimo, the latter of which he is holding at the present time, and is taking an active and helpful interest in all that pertains to the prosperity of the local bodies. Mr. Little was born in Rushville, Feb- ruary 23, 1864, and is the son of George Little, a native of Columbia, Pennsylvania, who came to this city in 1836, where he became a most successful business man and an important factor in the growth and pros- perity of the place, erecting several of its business blocks and other public buildings, among them being the Masonic Hall, an 668 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT 7N ILLINOIS. architectural triumph that is an honor to the city and to its builder, which is so ar- ranged as to be adapted to the use of all the Masonic bodies in Rushville. Mr. Lit- tle conducted the largest department store in town until 1865, when he established the First National Bank, of which the subject of this review later became cashier. The bank, now succeeded by the " Bank of Rush- ville," has a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars, with a surplus of twenty-three thou- sand dollars, and its stock is owned by men of the highest character in the county. In 1851 Mr. Little was married to Miss Lydia Scripps, a daughter of George H. Scripps, who was likewise one of the pio- neer settlers of the county, and they had three children, our subject, Grace L. and Virginia E. Mr. Little was an active mem- ber and a liberal supporter of the First Methodist Episcopal church and was one of its pillars. His death occurred in 1896, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, and such was the influence of his character and habits that his demise was felt:to have oc- casioned an irreparable loss to the county of which he had so long been a valued citizen. , Brother Little was reared in the city of his nativity, attending the public schools and eventually entering the First National Bank in the responsible capacity of cashier. To his efforts and unremitting labor of the past sixteen years is largely due the success and prosperity of the concern, and that his services have been appreciated is evidenced by the high regard in which he is held by his business associates. Mr. Little is a man of social disposition, liberal views and upright character, and governs his life by the tenets of the fraternity. In politics he is a stanch Republican, being an ardent ad- herent of the principles of that party. ,V\VID GILLESPIE, clerk of the county court, Lincoln, Illinois, belongs to that large class of intelligent and respected citizens of this country who date their birth on the Emerald Isle. He has, however, been a resident of the United States for over forty years and is in thorough harmony with America and her institutions. For a num- ber of years he has been identified with Ma- sonry. At Lincoln he has taken all of the degrees up to and including those of the commandery, and is a member in good standing in Logan Lodge, No. 210, F. & A. M. ; Lincoln Chapter, No. 147, R. A. M. ; Lincoln Council, R. & S. M. ; and Constan- tine Commandery, No. 51, K. T. , and with all except the council has for years been of- ficially connected. In the lodge he served as Senior Deacon, Senior Warden and Wor- shipful Master, and while filling the execu- tive chair represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the state. In the chapter he has filled the stations of Captain of Host and High Priest, and in the commandery those of Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Captain- General and Eminent Commander, and while the incumbent of the last named of- fice was a representative to the Grand En- campment; and while Mr. Gillespie is loyal to his fraternity, he does not, like many, believe that it takes the place of church and church duties. He is a Presbyterian, ear- nest and consistent in his Christian life. Mr. Gillespie was born in county Mon- aghan, Ireland, October 7, 1833, and June 2, 1855, landed in America, coming direct to Illinois, within the borders of which state he has since made his home. Until the fall of 1856 he worked on a farm in Carroll county. From there he went to Madison county, where he was one year employed in a flouring-mill, and we next find him at Greenville, Bond county, clerking in a store, remaining there six and a half years. Since March 10, 1864, he has been a resi- dent of Lincoln, Logan county. Until February, 1870, he was engaged in the dry- goods business and from that year till 1895 dealt in both dry goods and groceries. At the November election of 1894 he was hon- ored with the office of clerk of the county court of Logan county, which position he is now ably filling. Mr. Gillespie was married in Lincoln April 6, 1869, to Miss Matilda Parker, a native of Morgan county, Illinois, and they LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 671 have had four children, three sons and a daughter. The daughter, Imogene, died November 12, 1875; and the sons, Joseph, Hiram and David, Jr., are all living. T'HOMAS W. WILSON, county re- corder of Sangamon county, Illinois, became a Master Mason in 1884 and for twelve years has had an honored standing in Masonic circles and practiced in his every-day life the principles and teachings of Masonry. Mr. Wilson is a native of Sangamon county. He was born in the town of Clear Lake, January 7, 1856; was reared on a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1892. In 1894 he was elected to the office of county recorder, on the Democratic ticket, and came from Clear Lake to Springfield to assume the duties of this position. Previous to his election to the office of county recorder, Mr. Wilson served as supervisor of Clear Lake town- ship and as chairman of the board of super- visors of Sangamon county. His financial interests are at Riverton and vicinity, while his home is in Springfield. Returning to Mr. Wilson's Masonic his- tory, we find that the degrees of blue Ma- sonry were conferred upon him by Dawson Lodge, No. 556, in 1884, and a few years later he was one of the prime movers in the organization of a lodge at Riverton, name- ly: Riverton Lodge, No. 786, which was instituted in 1888 and of which he was made first Worshipful Master, an office he filled two successive years. The chapter degrees he took in Sangamon Chapter, No. 124, at Dawson, and the mysteries of the council and commandery were revealed to him in Springfield, in Springfield Council No. i, and Elwood Commandery, No. 6. In 1890 he was made Deputy Grand Lecturer by appointment from the Grand Lodge of the state of Illinois, and has since filled that office. He has served several years as a member of the committee on chartered lodges in the Grand Lodge of Illinois. WILLIAM DANA CLARK. Onward and upward has ever been the watch- cry of Masonry; through the fast-flying cen- turies it has kept pace with the universal progress, and has developed a system of moral teaching that has been a light to the pathway of thousands. Advocating the most beautiful sentiments, supporting the most practical benevolences, advancing ever the true and the good, it has been an essen- tial element in the world's progress toward a higher, nobler life; its influence is im- measurable as eternity, and its work as continuous. It is an important public duty to honor one who, by his blameless and honorable life and straightforward career reflects credit upon all organizations with which he is connected, and to perpetuate his memory as far as possible. Mr. Clark is a representative of this class of citizens and is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity in Chicago. Through many years he has been connected with the fraternity, having become acquainted with the esoteric doctrines in Port Byron, Illi- nois, when, as an Entered Apprentice, he joined Philo Lodge, No. 436. Having passed the Fellow-craft degree, he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, was called to office in that organization and is now Past Master. After his removal to Chicago he affiliated with Landmark Lodge, No. 422, in which he has retained member- ship since 1878. He has served as Senior Warden and Treasurer and is a most ac- ceptable representative of the society. On the 1 2th of December, 1877, he was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Fairview Chapter, No. 161, and of Tem- ple Council, No. 69. Royal and Select Masters, he is a charter member. On the 29th of June, 1878, he was knighted in Apollo Commandery, No. i , and in the Scottish Rite he has advanced to the thirty-second degree, receiving the Ineffa- ble degrees of Perfection in Oriental Con- sistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, on the loth of October, 1884. Neither has the social department of Masonry been neglected by Mr. Clark, who since April 67-> COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 25, 1885, has been a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, his membership being in Medinah Temple. His fidelity to Masonry, its principles and teaching, is exceptional and should incite others to like service, and the branches of the fraternity with which he is connected claim him as a valued member. Mr. Clark is a son of the old Granite state, born in New Boston, on the igth of December, 1831. To farm life he was reared, spending his time largely in field and meadow until twenty years of age, when he left the parental roof to enter busi- ness life for himself. In 1850 he removed to Massachusetts, where he resided until 1 86 1, engaged in the pursuits to which he was reared. At the beginning of the war, however, he entered the government serv- ice and for five years was paymaster's clerk in the army, being stationed for three years in Washington, two years in New Orleans and five months in New York. In 1866 he came to the west, his destination being Rock Island, Illinois. Near that city he purchased a farm and for eight years suc- cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. On the expiration of that period he came to Chicago, arriving in the city in April, 1875. In June he embarked in the grocery busi- ness, which he has since followed with ex- cellent success. He has enlarged his facil- ities to meet the constantly growing de- mand of his trade and now carries an ex- tensive stock of carefully selected goods and enjoys a splendid trade. He has a complete store and market, at 3915, 3917 and 3919 Cottage Grove avenue. The drug store is at 3915. He does a business of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars per annum. Mr. Clark is a man of stern integrity and honesty of purpose, who despises all unworthy or questionable methods, to secure success in any undertaking or for any purpose, or to promote his own ad- vancement in any direction. He has won respect by a well-spent life; he has gained success by methods above question; he has secured many friends by his sterling worth. Mr. Clark is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, of the Conti- nental Guards, of the order of the Sons of New Hampshire, the Congregational Club, of Chicago, and a charter member of the Oakland Club. He is also a member of Plymouth Congregational church. In 1854 was celebrated the marriage which united the destinies of Mr. Clark and Miss Mary B. Snell, of Ludlow, Vermont. They have two daughters, Mary E. L. , wife of Judson A. Root; and Nancy Jo- sephine. FREDERICK S. DETRICH, of Alton, has almost rounded the circle of Ma- sonry, having taken the various degrees of the York Rite and thirty-two of the Scot- tish Rite. He is well known among Ma- sons in Illinois and has the respect of his brethren of the craft, for he is true and faithful to Masonic teachings and exempli- fies in his life its honorable principles. As an Entered Apprentice he was received into Hope Lodge, No. 162, A. F. & A. M., of Sparta, Illinois, and having passed the Fel- low-craft degree was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in December. 1 868. Later he was dimitted to Piasa Lodge, of Alton, and of that organization served as Secretary three years. He is connected with capitular Masonry as a member of Alton Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M., and was also Secretary in that body for five years. He passed the circle in Alton Council, No. 3, and was greeted a Royal and Select Master, while later, in 1883, he was honored by his brethren by being chosen Recorder, a position he still occupies. In Belvidere Commandery, No. 2, he was created and dubbed a Sir Knight, and there served as Recorder from 1886 to 1897. He attended the Triennial Conclave in St. Louis in 1886 and is a worthy follower of the beauseant. Having received the grades and orders of the Scottish Rite he was proclaimed a Sub- lime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, of Chicago, and in Moolah Temple, of St. Louis, Missouri, he became COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 073 a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine. Born in Sparta, Illinois, on the ist of February, 1847, Mr. Detrich was educated in the public schools, and after attaining to man's estate was employed in the United States revenue service for seven years at Alton. He then resigned from the revenue service, and for one year was engaged in business at St. Louis, Missouri. At the expiration of the year he returned to Alton, and, on the ist of January, 1876, embarked there in the drug business, which he suc- cessfully followed until 1896. He then sold, and has since lived retired, enjoying a well-earned rest. He is a man of excel- lent business and executive ability, and by the exercise of his native and acquired powers steadily worked his way upward. His energy and enterprise secured to him a large trade, and he conducted for many years one of the best drug stores in Alton. Thus, by perseverance and! industry he ac- quired a handsome competence, which now enables him to live retired. Mr. Detrich some years since lost his wife, but has one child, a daughter, Mrs. Clara L. McDonough, of St. Louis. In politics he is a Republican, and during the legislative session of 1 869 served as one of the enrolling and engrossing clerks of the house. He is a man of pleasant, affable manner, of genial nature and gentlemanly deportment who easily wins friends wherever he goes, and in Masonic and social circles he is a valued factor. MILTON E. BLANCH ARD, M. D., a well-known physician and surgeon, is one whose diligence and zeal in behalf of the order make him one of the most worthy and honored representatives of Masonry in Marseilles. In 1874 he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Reming- ton Lodge, No. 351, of Remington, In- diana, and has been a faithful member of this basic branch of the society, whose symbolic color of "blue" 'is indicative of the expansive dome of the heavens, which teaches universality, and that friendship, morality and brotherly love should be as continuous as the blue vault of heaven itself. His membership is now in Marseilles Lodge, No. 417, to which he was admitted June 24, 1882, and in this organization he has served as Worshipful Master. He was ex- alted to the august degree of the Holy Royal Arch in Shabbona Chapter, No. 37, in 1883, and therein has been honored with the office of High Priest. He passed the circle of Oriental Council, No. 63, Royal & Select Masters, and on the 9th of July, 1886, was knighted in Ottawa Command- ery. No. 10, of Ottawa, Illinois. He re- ceived the ineffable degrees of the Scottish Rite in Oriental Consistory, of Chicago, and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret on the 23d of April, 1895. He is active in the work of these various branches of Masonry and has an irreproach- able record as an officer. He has attended the triennial conclaves at Denver, St. Louis and Boston with his Commandery, and has a wide acquaintance in Masonic circles, while by his brethren of the craft he is held in the highest regard. Mr. Blanchard is one of Illinois' native sons, born in La Salle county, on the 3Oth day of September, 1852. His literary edu- cation was acquired in the public schools and he began reading medicine in his youth, from which time he has been deeply inter- ested in the science. Resolving to make its practice his life work, he was later grad- uated in the Cincinnati Medical College, January 22, 1878, and still further per- fected himself by pursuing a course in Rush Medical College, of Chicago, where he was graduated May 23, 1894. He began the practice of his profession in Norway, Illi- nois, and in June, 1880, located in Mar- seilles, where he has since built up an ex- tensive and lucrative business. He has in- formed himself thoroughly on many lines of the medical science, and his ability is rec- ognized by the public which grants him a liberal patronage. He is a member of the La Salle County Medical Association and the Illinois State Medical Society. He is 674 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. surgeon of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, which position he has held for the past seven years. He served as coroner of La Salle county for four years and has been a member of the board of education of Marseilles. He man- ifests a deep and commendable interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the com- munity and withholds his support from no movement which tends to the public good. In 1874 the Doctor was united in mar- riage to Miss Ella M. Bartlett, and they have four children, namely: Florence, who is now a student in the Art Institute, of Chicago; Vivian, who is a teacher in the public schools; Alfa and John, at home. The Doctor's father was a charter member of Marseilles Lodge and served as its first Junior Warden. MORMAN J. CARY. To say that the world has attained to anything ap- proaching a degree of ideality regarding hu- man happiness would be a statement which the most enthusiastic optimist could hardly bring himself to make; but in so far as it is possible for an organization of men who have the welfare of their fellow creatures at heart to do so, vice and wickedness in their worst forms have been reduced to a minimum and the crusade against evil and selfishness is being waged more strongly than ever before by their greatest enemy, the Masonic fra- ternity. The city of Utica, Illinois, has a flourishing membership, and no one has ob- tained greater distinction in the local bodies than Norman J. Gary, who has filled a num- ber of offices with credit to himself and honor to the craft. He was initiated in Acacia Lodge, No. 67, at LaSalle, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1890, subsequently being elected Worship- ful Master of the lodge. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Peru Chapter, No. 60, of which he was Royal Arch Captain; received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Oriental Council, No. 63, and was made Conductor of Peru Council, No. 12; was created a Sir Knight in St. John Commandery, No. 26, holding the chair of Eminent Commander, to which he was elected in 1896, and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, Scottish Rite. Mr. Gary takes more than ordinary interest in the craft, is thoroughly familiar with all its tenets, and as a Sir Knight accompanied the commandery to the triennial conclaves held in Denver in 1892 and in Boston in 1895. In his other social affairs he is a member of the Ancient Arabic Order, being a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, in Medinah Temple, and also of the Order of the East- ern Star. Mr. Gary was born in La Salle, Illinois, June 2, 1855, and was reared and educated in the public schools of Chicago, later at- tending Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College. For two years he was employed in the office of a cement company, and in 1879 came to Utica and accepted a posi- tion with the Utica Hydraulic Cement Com- pany, of which he is now secretary and treasurer. He is also cashier of Clark's Bank, of Utica, and in both of these posi- tions he has made an honorable record for efficient and faithful service. By persever- ance, industry and application he has risen from the ranks to his present place of prominence, and is most favorably regarded by all who know him. The marriage of Mr. Gary to MissManda M. Collins was consummated March 24, 1885, and of this union two sons have been born. Politically the subject of this re- view is a stanch Republican and a firm sup- porter of the principles of his party. F *RANK H. BARTON. The light that is diffused by the order of Freema- sonry is gradually spreading throughout the universe, and its glow will soon be felt in the hearts of many who are but beginning to realize the aims and object of the insti- tution. Ever consistent in its work, logical in its reasoning and conscientious in its en- deavors, its star is ever in the ascendant, and the time will come when its glories will COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 675 be revealed in all their effulgent splendor to a waiting world. Frank H. Barton is a valued member of the fraternity, receiving his first three degrees in Western Star Lodge, No. 240, at Champaign, Illinois, in which he was elected to the office of Junior Deacon. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degrees in Champaign Chapter, No. 50, and occupied the Secretary's chair for one term, attained the degrees of Royal and Select Masters in Urbana Council, No. 19, and was created a Knight Templar in Urbana Commandery, No. 16, and a Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine. Mr. Barton is also affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star, holding the office of Past Worthy Patron of Vesper Chapter, No. 128. In all his associations he has proved himself to be a brother worthy of the con- sideration and regard of his fellow Masons. Mr. Barton was born in Brookville, In- diana, July 19, 1 86 1, at which place he was reared and received his education in the public schools. Later he followed teach- ing as a vocation for three years, and was then employed in office work for a while. In 1891 he came to Champaign and accepted the position of secretary of the Empire Cordage Company, manufacturers of all kinds of twines, ropes, etc. The plant was destroyed by fire in October, 1895, and Mr. Barton went to Rome, Georgia, where he embarked in the cotton-tie business for several months, returning home in time to vote for William McKinley. He formed a partnership with Charles H. Baddeley and opened a grocery and meat market in Urbana, in December, 1896, and it can be said, with all due credit to Messrs. Baddeley & Barton, that they have the finest, neatest and best appointed store in the state, not even excepting Chicago. They carry on a prosperous business, and by their courteous manners, strict integrity and honorable methods have succeeded in building up a large and lucrative trade. All the staple articles are kept constantly on hand, and all the delicacies of the season are always at the command of their patrons. In his social affiliations Mr. Barton is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is a Past Grand and a Past Chief Patri- arch in the Encampment; the Improved Order of Red Men and the Home Forum. Mr. Barton and Miss Mary F. McClung, of Connersville, Indiana, were united in marriage in 1881, and they are the parents of six children, who are still living. They have a pleasant home, which is ever open to their large circle of friends. GEORGE W. BRIGHT. Masonry will continue to flourish until time is no more. Her honored rites and symbols have secured a hold upon the people that will endure until the end of mortality and her members will increase and multiply year by year as her divine truths are more clearly perceived by those now outside her tem- ples. In Illinois alone there are thousands to-day observing the vows taken in the blue lodge, and thus are unconsciously advanc- ing the cause to which they are allied. Mr. Bright is one of the oldest and best known Masons in the state and has faith- fully followed the tenets of the order for over forty years. He has taken a great pride in the craft; and in the early days when the fraternity was yet in its infancy here he traveled over most of Illinois, help- ing with the work and advancing its welfare to the best of his ability. He was a mem- ber of Central Commandery, which was formed at Decatur before there was any Grand Commandery in the state. Two other bodies were then in existence, Apollo and Belvidere, and Central Commandery should have been No. 3, but its proceed- ings were said to have been illegal and it was kept on probation for a while. Mr. Bright received the first three de- grees in Macon Lodge, No. 8, in 1855, and held the chair of Worshipful Master in that body. He was exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in Macon Chapter, No. 2 1 , in 1 856 and served one term as its High Priest; was made a Royal and Select Mas- ter in Decatur Council, and was created a 67tt COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Knight Templar in Belvidere Commandery, No. 2, at Alton, Illinois, in 1856, in which he has held the office of Eminent Com- mander, and has been its Prelate for over thirty years. Mr. Bright is a member of the Masonic Veteran Association, and has in his possession the old chair that the first Master of Macon Lodge used, over forty years ago. The birth of Mr. Bright occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1832, and there he obtained his education in the public schools, upon leaving which he began his business career in a dry-goods store, where he remained for some time. He came to Decatur in 1854, and pursued the same occupation here, continuing in it for ten or twelve years. He was then ap- pointed assistant postmaster, which position he retained for eight years. In 1 876 he became associated with the Decatur Na- tional Bank, and has been connected with that institution ever since, in the capacity of cashier and assistant cashier, fulfilling the duties of those positions in a manner that reflects credit upon himself, and to the en- tire satisfaction of the officials, who have the utmost confidence in his integrity and efficiency. Mr. Bright was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Krone in 1856, and both he and his wife are consistent adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church, contributing liberally to its support. Politically Mr. Bright is a stanch Republican, and a firm advocate of the party's principles. JACKSON M. SHEETS, one of the most prominent Masons in Edgar county, has been an honored member of the order for over thirty years, during which time he has creditably occupied numerous chairs in the bodies with which he has been affiliated, and is one of the most thoroughly informed brothers on Masonic history in the state. His connection with the fraternity dates from 1 864, when he was initiated in Paris Lodge, No. 268, and he has since held various offices in that lodge; he received the Royal Arch degrees in Edgar Chapter, No. 32, in 1865, and was chosen its High Priest; was made a Royal and Select Master in Young Council, No. 9; and was a charter member of Palestine Commandery, No. 27, which was organized in 1867, and of which he is the present Eminent Commander. In October, 1867, Mr. Sheets represented this commandery under dispensation, and went to Chicago to receive its charter. He has always been zealous in lodge work, and is to-day regarded as one of the most valua- ble brothers in Paris. Mr. Sheets was born near his home city, in Edgar county, Illinois, October 6, 1841, and is the son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Henning) Sheets, both of whom were na- tives of Virginia, the father being a member of one of the oldest families of that state, who came to Illinois in 1836. The boy- hood days of our subject were spent upon the farm, attending the district schools when the opportunity to do so presented itself, until, at the age of sixteen, he came to Paris and engaged in the art preserva- tive, etc. In 1 86 1, answering his country's call to arms for the purpose of defending the Union, Mr. Sheets enlisted in the Twenty-first Illi- nois Infantry, under the command of U. S. Grant, and served for two and a half years. He was wounded at Stone river by a ball weighing one and a half ounces, which passed entirely through his body. He still has this bullet, which he has preserved as a souve- nir of the occasion. In this battle his regi- ment entered the engagement with six hun- dred and sixty-six men, of whom but three hundred and eighty-three survived. Mr. Sheets remained in the south until the close of the war, and early in 1865 was appointed military state agent for Illinois with the rank of colonel. He took a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and subse- quently returned to this city, where for twenty years he has been editor and pub- lisher of the Paris Republican, one of the leading papers of Edgar county. In his po- litical affiliations Mr. Sheets is a stanch Re- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 677 publican, and has held various city and township offices, and has been postmaster, serving in the latter capacity under General Grant's administration. He was presiden- tial elector on the Republican ticket in 1880 and voted for Garfield and Arthur in the electoral college at Springfield, in De- cember of that year. He is a member of Uriskell Post, No. 209, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was commander, and is the present presiding officer of Home Fo- rum, No. 159. Mr. Sheets was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Clark, a daughter of Daniel Clark and a native of Ohio. They have one child, Bessie by name. Our subject has been associated with the Methodist Episcopal church for the past thirty years, and with his wife and daughter is one of its earnest supporters. SAMUEL MILES KNOX, ex-judge of the county court of Bureau county, is a distinguished citizen of Princeton who has for over forty years been identified with the ancient fraternity that for centuries has ex- erted such a wide influence for good in the civilization of mankind. He was made a Mason in Bureau Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M. , of Princeton, in 1856, from which he was dimitted to Wyanet Lodge, in the same county, and for a number of years took an active part in the work of the lat- ter, holding various offices in the same. On the 8th of May, 1862, the Royal Arch degrees were conferred upon him in Prince- ton Chapter, No. 28, R. A. M., and in that branch was equally active, holding all the offices up to the highest, and declining that only as his business called him from the city too often to discharge its duties faith- fully and well. On the 2d of September, 1865, he was greeted a Royal and Select Master in Orient Council, No. 8, Princeton; and on the igth of November, 1866, was created a Sir Knight in Temple Command- ery, No. 20, also of Princeton. In these two bodies he has filled all the offices with the exception of the highest, which he was forced to decline on account of his business. Mr. Knox received the consistory de- grees up to and including the thirty-second in Princeton prior to making a trip to Eu- rope, and was one of the prime movers in organizing the Princeton Valley Consistory, the charter of which has since been sur- rendered. With others, he appealed and was elected a member of Oriental Valley Consistory, of Chicago, to which he now belongs. In his practical life he manifests the spirit of the fraternity and exemplifies its honorable teachings in his upright career. The subject of this sketch is a native of Juniata county, Pennsylvania, born Novem- ber 11, 1826, tracing his ancestry back to Scotland and to the noted religious re- former, John Knox, while on his mother's side the Paulings were members of the So- ciety of Friends, who came to the new world with William Penn and settled in Pennsylvania. Some of his ancestors were active participants in the Revolutionary war, by reason of which he is a member of the Patriotic Sons of the American Revolu- tion. Samuel Pauling, his maternal grand- father, served over four years in the colo- nial army in Colonel Moses Hazen's regi- ment, known as "Congress' Own." Hugh Knox, his paternal grandfather, was for many years a resident of Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he died, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. The members of the family of Knoxes have principally been farmers by occupation and Presbyterians in religious belief. The father of Judge Knox, who bore the historical family name of John Knox, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylva- nia, and married Miss Eunice Pauling, also a native of that state, where they continued to reside until 1848, when they emigrated to Bureau county, Illinois, becoming the owners of a valuable farm in that section. They finally died in Princeton, both in the year 1858, Mrs. Knox in July and Mr. Knox in November following. In his native state the latter had served as collector and justice of the peace for many years. In the family 678 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN JLL1NO1S. were five sons and five daughters, of whom two sons and four daughters are still living. Of this family Samuel M. Knox, the sixth in order of birth, was educated in Tuscarora Academy, and when a young man engaged in teaching for two or three terms during the winter seasons, in order to earn the means for defraying his expenses in attend- ing schools during the summer seasons. Having a desire to enter the medical pro- fession, he studied for two years with that end in view, but, on account of lack of means to complete his course at college, he temporarily abandoned it. Seeking employ- ment with the view of replenishing his purse, he was for three years engaged in various localities in selling a German history of the United States, in which he was successful, lending his money as fast as he accumulated it to some responsible farmer in Bureau county, and when he desired to resume his medical studies he was persuaded to take payment in corn at twenty-five cents a. bushel. When ready to ship his corn a difficulty arose in the way of securing cars, and he concluded that the best way out of the trouble would be to go to Chicago, pur- chase a couple of car-loads of lumber for the Pond Creek station on the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad, and unloading fill with grain for shipment back to Chicago. This he did, making a fair profit on both the lumber and the corn, and he concluded to make this a regular business at that sta- tion. In a short time, however, he removed to Wyanet, continuing in the same business and in general merchandising. He also was appointed postmaster there, the first to fill that position at Wyanet, and while there, also, he was elected and served four years as justice of the peace. In 1 857 he commenced reading law, un- der the instructions of Charles Barry, hav- ing given up the idea of becoming a physi- cian. A j ear or two later he sold out his business in Wyanet, and in 1861 removed to Princeton and read law under the precep- torship of Milton T. Peters, until he was admitted to the bar in the fall of the same year. That year also he was elected county judge, and served a term of four years, giving entire satisfaction. The year pre- vious he was the Democratic candidate for the legislature, when his party was in the minority. In 1867-8, in company with J. I. Taylor, he made an extended tour of Europe. He continued in the practice of law until 1876, though for about four years he had devoted but little attention to it, having in 1870 commenced dealing in real estate, in connection with the land department of various railroads. For a time he was with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, later with the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston, and in 1873 he became con- nected with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Burlington & Missouri River land department, operating principally in Illinois and Indiana, selling lands owned by these companies in Iowa and Nebraska. In the settlement of these states Judge Knox was instrumental in locating many thou- sands of permanent settlers. His plan was to take people out on excursion trains to show them the land, selling at a reasonable price, on long time and low interest, and crediting the amount of the railroad fare on the purchase made; and it is said that he disposed of more land in those western states for these railroads than any other of the twenty agencies. From 1875 to 1880 the sales of his office averaged about twenty thousand acres per month, some months running up to fifty thousand acres. Some land in Iowa which he sold for five to twenty dollars an acre is now worth forty to sixty dollars an acre. He himself acquired large landed interests there. From 1880 to 1895 he was agent for the Union Pacific lands, and now he is again with the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Company. In his political views Judge Knox has been a lifelong Democrat, is strongly in favor of the double standard of currency, and had the honor of being a delegate to the national silver convention which nomi- nated William J. Bryan for president of the United States. He is a gentleman of broad COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN 1LLINOJS. 679 general information, liberal in his views and acts upon his convictions. He is one of the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of Princeton, where he has a host of warm friends. His life affords an exam- ple of what can be accomplished by deter- mination. Coming to Bureau county a poor medical student, without means to complete his course, he commenced work in a calling despised by some but really as honorable as any, and continuing persever- ingly he has attained a signal success. On the last day of December, 1854, Mr. Knox was happily married to Miss Hannah H. Weaver, a native of Allen- town, Pennsylvania, the ceremony of union taking place at Wyanet. Her parents, Obadiah and Elizabeth (Heimbach) Weav- er, emigrated from Allentown to Bureau county, Illinois in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Knox have had two sons and three daugh- ters, of whom four are still living, name- ly: Anson H., a farmer near Sheffield, this county; Mary K., wife of Justus M. Stephens, of Princeton; Ada L. , a resident of Highland Park, near Chicago; and Sam- uel F. , a practicing attorney living at the same place. Mr. Knox has provided his children with excellent educational ad- vantages, both his daughters having finished their studies at Dresden and Paris, where they perfected themselves in the cultured languages. He has just reason to be proud of his children. The wife of his youth is still spared to him, and in their declining years they are surrounded by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who esteem them highly for their sterling worth. JOHN I. SMITH, M. D. The duties of a physician bring him into contact with every phase of life, and he has need of every assistance which can give him a closer insight into human nature, or a helping hand in relieving the suffering of which he must be the witness. To the various fra- ternal orders is the physician indebted for the care of his patients which otherwise could not, in many instances, be obtained. 30 The Masonic order inculcates principles of charity, humanity and brotherly love which its members are bound to carry out, and to their honor be it said they seldom fail in their duty to their brethren. Many a sor- rowing home has been made glad by their ministrations, and the pathway of the toil- ing widow made smoother by the timely succor from the lodge to which her husband belonged. Among the well-known and popular Ma- sons residing in Shannon, Illinois, no one holds a more honored position in the hearts*. of his fellow citizens than does Dr. John I.. Smith. He entered the ranks of Masonic brotherhood in 1873, when he became a member of Shannon Lodge, No. 490, and a Royal Arch Mason in Lanark Chapter, receiv- ing his degrees as follows: Most Worshipful Master, May 13; Most Excellent Master,. September 20; Royal Arch, September 30. Dr. Smith was born in Canada, June 29, 1843, of English parents. His father, John Smith, was also born in Canada, where he met and married Miss Margaret Black- burn, a native of the same place. After 680 COA4PEND1UM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. their marriage they came to Illinois and settled in Stephenson county, when the subject of this sketch was two and a half years old. The senior Mr. Smith was born in 1802, and upon attaining his majority he entered the ministry, preaching the doc- trines of Wesleyanism. He was a man of great oratorical powers, and was one of the most devoted and energetic exponents of the gospel in northern Illinois. He went from town to town, held meetings, and by his untiring efforts accomplished a great deal of good, succeeding in converting a large num- ber of people. He departed this life in 1 879, at the age of seventy -seven years. Mrs. Smith was born in 1809, and died in 1859, leaving seven sons and two daughters, all of whom with the exception of one are still living. Dr. Smith, the seventh child, after fin- ishing his studies in the public schools, entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, at which he graduated in i873>he also at- tended Fulton College. Soon after gradu- ating he began the practice of his profession in Shannon, where for over twenty-three years, through sunshine and rain, he has administered to the wants of the sick and the suffering. His efforts have been most successful, and he has acquired the reputa- tion of being an excellent physician, in whom his patients have unlimited confi- dence. During the great fire of 1871 he was in Chicago, where he held the position of assistant demonstrator of anatomy with Professor Parks in the college, and lost his collection of books and everything else that he possessed. In 1862 when the president of the United States called for volunteers to as- sist in suppressing the great insurrection, Dr. Smith answered the call and enlisted as a private in Company G, Ninety-second Illinois Mounted Volunteer Infantry, and served under Kilpatrick in the Army of the Cumberland. He was an active participant in most of the engagements in which his regiment took part. On August 30, 1 864, while on a skirmish south of Atlanta, on the Flint river, he received a gunshot wound in the elbow, causing a stiffness in that arm from which he never recovered. He was laid up for eight months, and when conva- lescing did duty at the hospital in Mound City, Illinois. In June, 1877, Dr. Smith was married to Miss Wealthy Ann Tabor, a native of Ohio. She is a member of the Baptist church, a prominent worker in the cause of temperance and holds the position of super- intendent of the Sunday-school. Dr. and Mrs. Smith have no children of their own, but have adopted Edith, a daughter of Judge Leffingwell. She is now thirteen years old, and is a very bright and interest- ing young miss, in whom the Doctor and his wife take much delight. In politics Dr. Smith is a stanch Repub- lican, and has served two terms as alder- man of his town. He is now the oldest practicing physician of Shannon, and is highly spoken of as a thoroughly reliable man in every respect. SCHOBAL VAIL DEEM, cashier of the First National Bank of Galva, at Galva, Illinois, became interested in Masonry some fourteen years ago, and his connection with the Masonic order has been one of progres- sion, he having advanced through its various degrees until he has attained high rank. He was initiated in Galva Lodge, No. 243, January 3, 1882, passed to the Fellow- craft degree January 18, and was made a Master Mason February 1 3. He still affili- ates with this lodge, and has served two years as its Junior Warden. Also he main- tains a membership in Kewanee Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M. ; Galesburg Commandery, No. 8, K. T. ; and Mohammed Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Peoria. Mr. Deem was born on a farm near Tampico, Ohio, August i, 1849, and in his native state spent the first seven years of his life, then being brought west to Gene- seo, Henry county, Illinois, where he lived till 1862, since which time his home has been at Galva. His attention has been di- vided between farming, stock-raising, mer- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 681 cantile pursuits and banking, and his career has been a successful one. In 1887 he was one of the incorporators of the Farmers and Merchants' National Bank at Galva, now the First National Bank, and in 1893 be- came its cashier, which position he holds at present. He has been a stockholder in the bank ever since it was organized. He is one of the stockholders and directors in the Hayes Pump & Planter Company, the Mul- ford Heater Company and the Gas Com- pany. Public-spirited, interested in the welfare of his town, county and country in general, Mr. Deem has at different times been called upon to fill numerous important official po- sitions. He served four years as a member of the city council of Galva. Through his earn- est efforts he secured the water-works for the city during his term of office. He is a member of the congressional central com- mittee of the Tenth district, and has at various times served on other prominent committees, both county and state. He is an ardent Republican, and in religion he was raised a Methodist, for which church he still retains the highest regard. It is re- ported that no worthy Mason ever turned away from him empty-handed. He is mar- ried and has one son and one daughter. (OBERT ANSLEY. The most learned J3L enemies cannot point to the time when Freemasonry or some institution like it did not exist, thus giving it a pre-eminence which the history of other institutions af- fords no parallel. Just when and where it first originated is not definitely known, but there can be little doubt that in an age be- fore the birth of history, in the valleys and on the highest mountain tops, its mystic rites were practiced. It has witnessed the rise and fall of many of the once powerful kingdoms of the earth, and has seen nations perish and lost in the oblivion of the past centuries; but despite the havoc of time and the constant changes that are ever occurring in the minds of men the order has corne down to us of the present day with its creed of universal brotherhood, its signs and sym- bols and its significant ceremonies, intact and unimpaired. During those periods when the world was enveloped in paganism and inhuman tortures composed a part of religious rites, the light of Freemasonry gleamed through the darkness and shed its rays upon the retina of the blind and grop- ing people. In its steady progress its scope has been enlarged, its influence for good greatly increased and its precepts more thoroughly understood, until to-day it has attained to a high state of perfection and includes in its membership some of the most prominent men of the times. In the United States alone there are more than seven hundred thousand Free and Accepted Masons, and Illinois possesses seven hun- dred lodges, with more than fifty thousand members. In Chicago the fraternity is supported by a large number of adherents, who do everything in their power to promote its in- terests and maintain the high standard to which the local lodges have aspired. In the suburbs the bodies have developed rapidly, owing to the enthusiasm and industry of the brothers who compose them. Robert Ansley, whose name heads this review, has been a zealous and faithful Ma- son, who by his daily life demonstrates how fully he understands the precepts and teachings of the society. After receiving the degrees of Entered Apprentice and Fel- low-craft in the blue lodge, he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Englewood Lodge, No. 690, in 1891; was exalted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason, and created a Sir Knight in the same year; was made a Royal and Se- lect Master in Englewood Council in 1893; and became a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Englewood Consistory in 1893. He is at present affiliated with the Engle- wood Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, the Imperial Council and the Oriental Con- sistory. In his connection with the broth- erhood he has been faithful to every trust committed to his care. Mr. Ansley was born in Linden, Iowa 632 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. county, Wisconsin, February 6, 1850, and after receiving a common-school education in his home city he came to Chicago, at the age of nineteen, and began a business ca- reer which resulted in placing him among the foremost ranks of Chicago's successful citizens. Gifted with an energetic nature, a keen, analyzing mind and a strength of purpose that would not be daunted by those impediments that obstruct the pathway of every self-made man, he has steadily pro- gressed toward the goal aimed at, and to- day holds the responsible position of busi- ness manager of the Chicago Times Herald, in which his natural abilities are given a wide scope. In 1874 Mr. Ansley was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucena B. Morse, and they have one son, named William. Socially he is a member of the Harvard, Chicago Ath- letic and Union League Clubs, and posses- ses the high regard of a large circle of friends. ()ENJAMIN F. BECKER. Each year sees new accessions to the ranks of the Masonic fraternity, and they come from among the best class of citizens,- men of substantial worth who in the business world command the confidence of all with whom they are brought in contact, while in social circles their many excellent qualities gain them an extended friendship. Of this class Mr. Becker is a representative. He was among those who passed the threshold of Masonry in 1895, being initiated as an En- tered Apprentice in Home Lodge, No. 508. Therein he also passed the Fellow-craft de- gree and was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. In 1896 Mr. Becker received ten of the Scottish Rite degrees in Van Rensselaer Lodge of Perfection, then took the degrees of Chicago Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and Gourgas Sovereign Chap- ter of Rose Croix and attained the thirty- second degree in Oriental Consistory, where- in he was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. Mr. Becker has spent his entire -life in Chicago, being one of the native sons of the city. He was born on the 2Oth of No- vember, 1 869, and when he had reached the proper age entered school, acquiring there a good practical education. At length he laid aside his textbooks in order to learn the more difficult lessons in the school of experience, and became interested in the manufacture of trunks, traveling bags, etc., to which industry he has since devoted his energies. He has met with good success and is well known in the line of his trade. FTLLIAM H. ROBERTS. It is a M'lt question to-day as to whether the world is more given over to sin than it was centuries ago, when ignorance resulted in inhuman tortures and vice ran rampant throughout the universe. Has the open wickedness of those days been, replaced by a more refined corruption, all the more potent from its very refinement, or are the influences for good gradually overcoming the desire for evil deeds and instilling in the minds of the people a craving for something better, something nobler to make life more bearable and existence a trifle sweeter? If such is the case, there can be but little doubt that the grand institution of Free- masonry has been instrumental in bringing about the much longed for reform and starting on its triumphal march the move- ment that will in time bring about the existence of a brotherhood of man and a fraternal intercourse that will have for its foundation the principles of love, charity and truth. This has been the aim of the order for hundreds of years; and when at last it has achieved its ends, all the bitter- ness will have been extracted from life, leaving but the sweetness of eternal friend- ship and a state of existence that shall at least border on the ideal. Such a con- summation is devoutly to be wished for, and every encouragement should be ren- dered an organization of men who spend their lives in spreading the divine truths that are drawn from the holy bible. One of the prominent and industrious COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 683 Masons of Chicago is William H. Roberts, who has attained the Knights Templar de- gree and who has been conspicuous in the workings of the local bodies of which he has been a consistent member. He was made*a Master Mason in Covenant Lodge, No. 526, and at present is affiliated with Tracy Lodge, No. 810, of which he was Master. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Corinthian Chapter, No. 69, was made a Royal and Select Master in Chicago Council, No. 4, and was created a Sir Knight in Englewood Commandery, No. 59. He has since dimitted from the chap- ter and council. Mr. Roberts has always been faithful to the tenets of the fraternity, is an enthusiastic Mason and possesses the high regard of his brethren in the fra- ternity. The birth of Mr. Roberts occurred July 1 1, 1856, at Joliet, Illinois, where his early mental training was received in the public schools. In the spring of 1873 he came to Chicago and attended the Englewood high school, at which he was graduated with honors. He then started out on his busi- ness career and secured a position with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, remaining in their employ twelve years. In the spring of 1890 Mr. Roberts engaged in his present business of real-estate loans, in which, as a result of perseverance, industry and a strict adherence to a high standard of principles, he has met with more than ordinary success. The subject of this review was united in marriage to Miss D. A. McDonald, of Chi- cago, and by this union three children have been born: Helen H., Jessie M. and Wesley K. In social matters Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are both members of Tracy Chap- ter, No. 189, Order of the Eastern Star, in which they are very popular. JAMES MUSSER. Thirty years ago the brother whose name initiates this review took the vows of allegiance in the blue lodge, thereby declaring his intentions of entering the lists in a crusade against vice and of offering his assistance in uplifting humanity, encouraging virtue and creating a condition of unselfish ambitions and uni- versal brotherly love. That he has faith- fully followed the precepts and teachings of the order is evidenced by his daily life, and that he has been energetic in the workings of the fraternity may be shown by this brief record of his Masonic career. In 1868 Mr. Musser was made a Master Mason in M. R. Thompson Lodge, No. 381, at Freeport, Illinois, which in 1890 became consolidated with Excelsior Lodge, No. 97; but he dimitted from the latter in order to assist in organizing Orangeville Lodge, No. 687, becoming one of its charter members, and since then he has been one of the help- ful, diligent brothers of that body, filling all the offices, including that of Worshipful Master. He acquired the ritual thoroughly, thus becoming competent to assume any duties that may be required of him by his " f raters. " He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Freeport Chapter in 1872, was constituted a Sir Knight in Freeport Commandery, No. 7, in 1876, and in 1881 attained the Scottish Rite degrees in the lodge of perfection and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Freeport Consistory, Valley of Freeport. Upon accomplishing a suc- cessful pilgrimage across the sands of the desert he became a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine in Me- dinah Temple, and is a charter member of Tebala Temple, the former of Chicago and the latter of Rockford. As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic he has been commander of his post ever since its organization. Faithful to every trust re- posed in him, possessing a kindly consider- ation for all with whom he comes in con- tact, and zealous in his labors to advance the interests of the fraternity, Mr. Musser retains the merited personal regard in which he has ever been held by the brotherhood. Mr. Musser is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having taken place at Penn Hall, Center county, on January 17, 1843, an d is 5*4 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. the descendant of an old Pennsylvania fam- ily of German-Scotch ancestry, both of his parents, Jonas and Maria (Durst) Musser, being also born in Pennsylvania. He was next to the youngest of a family of twelve children, eight of whom survive, and when twelve years old his father died. In 1857 our subject came to Orangeville, Illinois, and secured employment at the rate of fifty cents a day, assisting to clear the town site on which it was later laid out, until the be- ginning of the Civil war, when, on Septem- ber 10, 1 86 1, he enlisted in Company A, Forth-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which served with the Army of the Tennes- see under General Grant while he was in the west; and our subject took part in the battle of Fort Donelson and in all the other engagements with his company. In Janu- uary, 1864, the entire regiment re-enlisted and was given a furlough of thirty days, after which it was sent south under the command of General Canby, Mr. Musser . continuing in service until February 20, 1866. All throughout the conflict he took an active part with his regiment, was never relieved a day on account of illness, was never wounded throughout the campaign, and received no promotion. Upon being honorably discharged from his long and faithful service in behalf of his country Mr. Musser returned to Orange- ville, and on the ist of September, 1867, he engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he has since continued with gratifying suc- cess, and now conducts the largest business in general merchandise in his home city, where he has erected a commodious brick building called the Big Store, besides which he has two other buildings, used for storage and reserve stock. In 1881 he added to his other . business that of banking, and commands the patronage not only of Orangeville but also of the surrounding counties, his sterling integrity of character and high moral principles inspiring with confidence all who know him. A liberal, progressive, honorable man, his record is one of which he may well be proud, and his successful career, resulting from appli- cation, perseverance and industry, one that he richly merits. A Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Musser has attended many of the state conventions for the past twenty years, and for the last eighteen years he has held the position of county supervisor. He is a rep- resentative citizen, active in every public enterprise which he thinks will be beneficial to his town and result in the greatest good to the community in which he resides, and he possesses to an eminent degree the re- spect and good will of his fellow men. In 1871 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Musser, when he was united to Miss Kate E. Zimmerman, a native of Center county, the following children being the issue: Herbert A., Mabel E., Royston D. , Marc C. and Clive Newcomb. ffORACE WILBER BOLTON, better known as the Rev. Dr. Bolton, preacher, lecturer and author, of Chicago, forms one of the links in the great Masonic chain, and is an ornament to the order. He was initiated, passed and raised to the degree of Master Mason by William Warren Lodge, No. 209, A. F. & A. M ; was exalted a Royal Arch Mason by Corinthian Chapter, R. A. M. ; was knighted by St. Ber- nard Commandery, K. T. ; and by Chicago Consistory was made a Mason of the thirty- second degree. With all of these organi- zations he still affiliates with the exception of William Warren Lodge, having dimitted from it and joined Dearborn Lodge, where his membership remains. Immediately fol- lowing his reception into Dearborn Lodge he was chosen and installed its Chaplain. He is an honorary member of Apollo Com- mandery. In response to an invitation from the Knights Templar of Chicago, Dr. Bolton delivered an Easter sermon in 1896, which was highly appreciated by his brother Knights, and which won him the following expression of thanks: " In accordance with a unanimous vote passed by Apollo, Chevalier Bayard and Montjoie Commanderies of Knights Temp- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 685 lars, of Chicago, Illinois, we, the Eminent Commanders of said Commanderies, were instructed and do hereby extend our sincere thanks to Sir Knight Rev. H. W. Bolton for the impressive and instructive sermon delivered to us on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1896. As Christian Knights our faith was strengthened by his eloquent exposition of the beauties of Christianity and we were inspired with renewed vigor to press for- ward and manfully fight our way to that Asylum above, where we shall ' be permitted to enjoy the blessed companionship of saints and angels in the realms of life and light eternal. ' ' ' F. F. HAIGH, " E. C. A folio Commandery. "JOHN FlGEL, " E. C. Chevalier Bayard Commandery. " H. C. THOMPSON, ' ' E. C. Montjoie Commandery. 'CHICAGO, April 5, 1896." Dr. Bolton is also identified with nu- merous other fraternal organizations and is prominent therein. He was elected Chap- lain of the Patriarchs Militant, with the rank of Major General, of I. O. O. F., is Chaplain of the Second Regiment, Illinois National Guards, with rank of captain; stands at the head of the United Boys' Bri- gades of America; is a member of the G. A. R. and the Royal Arcanum. Dr. Bolton is a native of Maine. He was born in Orrington, a small hamlet, in the year 1839, the son of poor but highly respected parents, and in his youth, while working hard to obtain an education and to aid in the support of others in the family younger than himself, learned those lessons of self-sacrifice, perseverance and pluck which have helped him to meet manfully and overcome the many obstacles which have presented themselves in his pathway. In 1854 he was apprenticed to the trade of lumberman, at which occupation he worked until the outbreak of the Civil war. He en- tered the army in 1 862 and was on active duty till the close of the war, when he was hon- orably discharged, and immediately there- after began to prepare himself for the work of the ministry. In the spring of 1866, while pursuing his studies, he was given a circuit of forty miles in Aroostook county, Maine, where he labored faithfully as a Methodist " circuit rider. " Four years later he was ordained deacon by Bishop D. W. Clarke, in the city of Bangor, and two years later, elder, by Bishop E. R. Ames, at Dexter, Maine. After serving six terms of from one to three years, he was trans- ferred to Boston, where he filled a promi- nent pulpit six years, and whence he was transferred to Chicago. For ten years he has occupied leading pulpits in this city. He received the degree of D. D. and also that of LL. D. from Grant's Memorial Uni- versity, Tennessee. As a lecturer Dr. Bolton has a wide pop- ularity, has been greeted by large audiences in many of the towns and cities throughout the country, and never fails to please. Among his most popular lectures are "What to Shoot and How to Hit," "What of the Hour?" "Hernando Estevan," and "The Bicycle." Also as a writer he is popular. 'He is the author of "Home and Social Life," "Fallen Heroes, " "Patriot- ism" and "Cry of the Soul." He is one of the most gentle and kindly of men. yet positive in his convictions, and hence fear- less in denouncing all manner of evil. The measure of his influence for good is untold. MILTON HANEY SPENCE, editor and proprietor of the Elmwood Ga- zette, Elmwood, Illinois, is a bright young business man full of push and enterprise, and, like many young men wishing to get a right start in life, has identified himself with the great brotherhood of Masons. In this he had an example set by his honored father, W. M. Spence, who was one of the oldest Masons of Farmington Lodge, No. 192. For a period of twenty- seven years the elder Mr. Spence "Tiled" his lodge, always prompt and faithful at his post, and was the incumbent of this office at the time of his death in August, 1895, when, his life 686 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. work ended, he was "presented by the All- sufficient Conductor at the great throne of the Almighty and Eternal Master of the heavenly lodge above." At his funeral both the Masons and the Odd Fellows offi- ciated. Milton H. Spence was made a Mason in Elmwood Lodge, No. 363, in 1893, receiving the Entered Apprentice de- gree July 1 8, the Fellow-craft September 26, and the Master Mason October 17. The Royal Arch degrees were conferred upon him by Eureka Chapter, No. 91, Yates City, and he was made a Knight Templar in Peoria Commandery, No. 3, in November, 1894, while the degrees of the Shrine were given him by Mohammed Temple, of Peoria, December 9, 1895; ar >d in all of these bodies he maintains a mem- bership and a deep interest. At this writ- ing he is Worshipful Master of his lodge. Mr. Spence is a native of Fulton county, Illinois, born April 26, 1860, and from his third year was reared in Farmington, that county. In 1876 he entered the office of the Farmington News to learn the trade of printer, and worked there for three years. The next three years he was employed on the Lewistown Democrat, and from Lewistown he came, in 1882, to Elmwood, at that time purchasing the Elmwood Gazette, which he has since owned and edited and which un- der his able management is a decided suc- cess, Republican in politics and bright and newsy. GEORGE D. STRECKER is a Mason who takes an unusual interest in the craft, and who is an earnest and enthusias- tic worker in the lodge. He received the primary degrees in D. C. Cregier Lodge, No. 643, in 1892, of which he was elected Senior Warden in 1897. The duties per- taining to that office he has dispatched in such a way as to gain him the highest praise of his brethren. Mr. Strecker was born in Chicago, May 22, 1866, and here attained his education in the public schools. He then entered upon his business career as salesman for Burley & Company, dealers in china, glass and queensware, where he has performed faith- ful service for the last ten years. He is a young man of upright character, strict in- tegrity and a genial disposition. On March 3, 1897, Mr. Strecker was united in marriage to Miss Lydia M. Clark, of Chicago. TLLIAM F. BUNDY, of Centralia, was made a Mason in Centralia Lodge, No. 20 1, A. F. & A. M., February i, 1890. In the following year he took the chapter degrees and became a member of Centralia Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M. In June of this year, 1897, he was knighted in Cyrene Commandery, No. 23, K. T. He served as Worshipful Master of his lodge for two years and is at this writing com- pleting his second year as High Priest of his chapter. Wisely has he chosen the field of Masonry as a fruitful one for inves- tigation and study, for here there is sure re- ward. The subject of this sketch is a native of Illinois, born in Marion county, June 8, 1858. His father, the Rev. Isaac Bundy, and his mother, Amanda M., are both also natives of this county, his father having been born here in 1828 and his mother in 1832. John Bundy, his grandfather, was one of the earliest settlers of Marion county, having located there in 1817, emigrating from North Carolina by way of Tennessee. Mr. Bundy's father is still living, and is noted for his sterling honesty and patriotic devotion to his country. He served as a soldier in the Mexican war and in the war of the Rebellion, devoting almost five years of his life to the service of his country. His father is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, but has not for several years been engaged in active work. The mother of the subject of this sketch is also still living and is a daughter of the Rev. James I. Richardson, now deceased, who was one of the pioneer Methodist preachers of southern Illinois. "Uncle Jimmy," as he was popularly called, was a unique char- LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 689 acter. While being intensely religious he was not one of those who was in any way averse to asserting his rights, when infringed upon, by the usual argument resorted to in those days, physical force. .Many are the stories told of his forceful manner of rebuking evil-doers. There are few of those characters left. He took a prominent part in politics in an early day, and was at one time a member of the Illi- nois legislature. He was a great aboli- tionist and furnished asylum to many a fugitive slave on his way to freedom. Mr. Bundy was educated at the South- ern Illinois Normal University, at Carbon- dale, and studied law in the office of W. & E. L. Stoker, at Centralia. After being admitted to the bar he opened an office in Centralia, in 1887, where he has since given his entire time and undivided attention to the practice of his profession. He has be- come a successful practitioner, having been interested in the most important litigation in the courts of his county, and is one of the leading members of the bar of southern Illinois. In politics he is a Republican, and while taking an active interest in polit- ical affairs does not seek office. In 1890 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. McNally, daughter of James J. McNally, who, in his lifetime, was an active and prominent member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. Three children have been born to them: Donald M. , Dorothy E. and Sarah Pauline. CHARLES E. CALDWELL, M. D., one ^^ of the most worthy representatives of the medical profession in Chicago, has been identified with the Masonic fraternity for a period of almost a quarter of a century, and his identification therewith has been as hon- orable as it has been long. His life shows forth the true spirit of Masonry and is the exponent of those principles which, through all the ages since the founding of the order, have awakened the admiration and com- manded the respect of all people. Dr. Caldwell joined the society in 1872, being initiated into its mysteries in San Jose, Illinois. He was exalted to the sub- lime degree of Royal Arch Mason in Chi- cago Chapter and was chosen a member of the Royal and Select Knights. In 1882 he was knighted in Apollo Commandery, No. i, and attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Oriental Consistory the same year. He is also a Noble of the Mys- tic Shrine, holding his membership in Me- dinah Temple, and with all these branches of Masonry is still affiliated. He under- stands fully the true purpose of the frater- nity with all its exalted principles and lives up to the full requirements of the order, which is an able supplement of his profes- sional duties. The kindliness and charity which Masonry inculcates makes him the better physician, and, added to his exten- sive knowledge of the science of medicine, has won him prestige as a successful practi- tioner. Dr. Caldwell is one of the native sons of Illinois, born in Scott county on the 24th of March, 1851. His parents, Brice and Mary C. (Thompson) Caldwell, were both natives of Ireland and came to America in early life. Their first home was in New York but for more than half a century they were residents of Illinois and spent their last days in New Holland, Logan county. Both had attained to about the age of seventy-six when called to their final rest. At his parents' home in the state of his nativity Dr. Caldwell passed the days of his boyhood and youth, spending much of his time in the public schools, to which he is in- debted for his early educational advantages. Becoming interested in the science of medi- cine and its application to the needs of suf- fering humanity, he determined to engage in its practice as a life work, and as a prep- aration entered Rush Medical College, of Chicago, in 1873. He pursued a thorough and systematic course of study, covering four years, and was graduated in the spring of 1877. He was at that time awarded the honor of being made one of the internes of Cook County Hospital, where he con- tinued until 1879, when he established 690 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. an office at the corner of State and Thirty- ninth streets and has since been located there. He has built up a good business, and his continued research and study of medical literature and his careful attention to his patients have made him very suc- cessful. In 1885 was consummated the marriage of Dr. Caldwell and Miss Kittie Eigemann, of Chicago, daughter of Christian Eige- mann, one of the pioneers of the Garden City. Their family now numbers four sons, as follows: Christian Brice, Charles Edwin, Reginald Alexander and Millet Benton. Always honorable, Dr. Caldwell is wel- comed in professional, Masonic and social circles, and his genial manner, his innate courtesy and his kindly disposition have won him a host of friends, the number of which is limited only by the circle of his acquaintances. The place he has won in the medical profession is accorded him in recognition of his skill and ability, and the place- which he occupies in the social world attests his nobleness of character and the possession of those upright qualities which, the world over, command respect and esteem. His life has been one of contin- ued progress. With high and laudable am- bitions he has eagerly availed himself of every opportunity to reach their level, and his motto has ever been " Excelsior." MENRY M. FOWLER, M. D., a promi- nent physician and druggist of Scales Mound, Illinois, is a Sir Knight Templar, and his Masonic record is one which worth- ily exemplifies the precepts and principles of the craft. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Apple River Lodge, No. 544, in 1872, and having thus crossed the threshold and witnessed the beauties of the structure, he advanced far- ther into the realms of historic truth through his affiliation with Galena Chapter, in which he was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason, and also took the cryp- tic degrees and was greeted a Select Mas- ter. In 1873 he was created a Sir Knight in Galena Commandery, No. 40, of Galena, Illinois, and from the time of his earliest association with the order he has been a practical worker in its interest, laboring earnestly for its growth and for the inculca- tion of its principles among men. Dr. Fowler was born in Steuben county, New York, on the 1st of November, 1833, and comes of a family which for eleven generations has been identified with Ameri- can interests. He is the son of Dr. Will- iam B. Fowler, a lifelong physician, and a brother of Dr. B. F. Fowler, of Galena, Illinois, a prominent Mason. The subject of this review, after obtaining a good edu- cation in the public schools, determined to follow the medical profession, and took a preparatory course of reading under the di- ; rection of his father. Later he was gradu- ated in the medical department of the Mich- igan State University, at Ann Arbor, with the class of 1 864, and at once came to Scales Mound, where he opened an office and has since engaged in practice with gratifying success. Two years later he opened his drug store and to the two business interests has devoted his energies with untiring per- severance. His ability and skill in both lines have secured to him a liberal patron- age, and his success is certainly well de- served. In 1 856 -Dr. Fowler married Miss Char- ity A. Arbor, a native of Livingston county, New York, and to them were born five children, of whom two are yet living, Julia E. and Annie. The former is now the wife of Rev. James T. Knuckey, a Methodist minister now living in Nebraska, while the latter is the wife of William A. Knuckey, of Iowa, cousin of her sister's husband. The Doctor and his wife attend the Methodist church and contribute to its support. He has been a lifelong Repub- lican in his political views and served as postmaster of the town for seventeen years, when he refused to longer continue in that position. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of Scales Mound and withholds his support from no measure calculated to advance the educa- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 691 tional, moral, social or material welfare. As a physician he has been very successful, and has attained a high reputation as a skilled member of the profession. Through- out the town he enjoys the highest esteem, for he has long filled a useful and honorable place in its midst. BF. MASON, of Paxton, Illinois, is one of the most prominent and widely known veteran Masons in the state, dating his membership back to 1864. He has held nearly all the offices in the bodies to which he belongs, and as Grand Master of the Third Veil he served as Grand Pursuivant in the Grand Lodge. His relations with his brothers in the lodge have always been of a most cordial character, and he is every- where regarded with admiration and respect by his confreres. Mr. Mason was initiated in Pulaski Lodge, No. 415, at Pulaski, New York : ,'&nd was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1864; was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Ford Chapter, No. 113, in 1869; was created a Sir Knight in Urbana Commandery, at Urbana, Illinois, 'in the same year; and attained the ineffable de- gree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, in Oriental Consistory, Scottish Rite. His present affiliations are with Paxton Lodge, No. 416, of which he was Worshipful Mas- ter for nine consecutive years, and repre- sented it hi the Grand Lodge; Ford Chap- ter, R. A. M., being the High Priest of that body; Gibson Council, R. & S. M., in which he has held the office of Thrice Illustrious; and Mount Olivet Commandery, K. T. , of which he was Eminent Commander and served on the Grand Master's staff. Mr. Mason has ever been faithful and true to every principle of the craft, and has guard- ed jealously every trust committed to his care. Our subject was born in Orwell, Os- wego county, Nfew York, June 15, 1827, and is a son of B. F; and Mary (Porter) Mason, both of whom were natives of New York state. They were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daugh- ters, of which Mr. Mason was the youngest. The latter was reared and educated in Os- wego county, and was there engaged in the blacksmith trade for several years. At the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services and enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained for two years. He re-enlisted in Company G, Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry, with the rank of ser- geant, and was later promoted to that of quartermaster. His regiment was attached to the First Brigade, First Division, Army of the Potomac, under General Sheridan, during which time he saw a great deal of active service. In 1869 Mr. Mason came to Paxton and again took up his trade of blacksmithing, in which he continued until the fall of 1886, when he was elected sheriff of Ford county, and served four years. In 1 894 he was re-elected to the same office; and it is commonly admitted that he has made one of the most efficient and popular sheriffs the county has ever had. Faithful to the tfttst imposed in him, cool and cou- rageotts in the face of danger, his conduct while in office has won for him the confi- dence of his fellow citizens in Paxton and throughout the county. Mr. Mason was married in the state of New York in 1851, to Miss Eliza Jane Van- Derhoff. an excellent woman who comes of good old Dutch stock. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mason, Mary, Nora and Harry. He is a charter member of Paxton Post, No. 387, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he held the position of first officer of the day for five years. Al- though over seventy years old, Mr. Mason bears his years lightly, is of a frank and genial disposition, and is one of the most favorably known in Ford county. PHILIP H. OYLER, M. D., of Mount Pulaski, is a thoroughgoing Mason who deserves a place in a volume of this character, for the nature of the institution of Freemasonry itself is such that its best 692 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. representatives should be honored in all proper ways for the wise choice they have made for their social relations. These re- lations include all the beneficent work in which the Masonic order is engaged, as well as the fraternal helps and recreations inci- dental to co-operation. Dr. Oyler received the primary degrees in Mount Pulaski Lodge, No. 87, A. F. & A. M., in 1885; the capitular degrees in Mount Pulaski Chapter, -No. i2i,R. A. M., the same year; the chivalric degrees in Mount Pulaski Commandery, No. 39, K. T. , in 1886, and the cryptic degrees in Clinton Council, R. & S. M. , in 1 89 1 . Twice he has been Worshipful Master of the blue lodge, High Priest of the chapter three years, Principal Conductor of Work in Mount Pulaski Council, No. 84, and Eminent Com- mander of the commandery for three years. These facts prove that the Doctor is fully interested in Masonic work, and has made great advancement in the same, and has been honored by his brethren, who hold him in high esteem. He was born at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1846, a son of George and Sarah (Hickman) Oyler. In the summer of 1862, when a boy of fifteen, he offered his services at Washington city to the gov- ernment, and thence on served in many capacities in lieu of the soldier, accepting all the hardships and privations of the en- listed men, including the trying places of teamster and forage master. Thus from 1862 to 1865, first with the Army of the Potomac; second, with Grant to within six- teen miles of Richmond; and thirdly, in the Shenandoah valley. At the time President Lincoln was assassinated he was in Frederick City, Maryland, on his way to . Washington city, when in 1865 he received an honorable discharge from the govern- ment. For most of this service he received from thirty-five to forty-two dollars per month. For the want of means to continue the study of medicine, in the year 1867 the Doctor engaged, at Indianapolis, Indiana, in the manufacture of the Sarven patent buggy wheel, by which he accumulated three thousand dollars, and then resumed the study of medicine, in connection with the drug trade. In 1878 he graduated at the Louisville Medical College in Kentucky, and came to Mount Pulaski, where he has built up a large practice, amounting to about four thousand dollars a year. He has been a student all his life, and is thoroughly equipped in his chosen profes- sion. He has one of the best offices and sanctums in this part of the state, modern in all its furnishings and arrangements. In 1868 he was happily united in matri- mony with Miss Sarah J. Westover, and they are now blessed with three children, namely: Harry S., a graduate of the State University, of the class of 1896; Bessie Lee, and May Irene. In his political preferences Dr. Oyler is a Republican, taking an intelligent view of the issues of the day. Also, he is well posted on reform movements, as well as the history of his craft and of the world generally. CHARLES JOSEPH MANVEL. The \^) founders of the grand organization of Freemasonry perhaps never realized the breadth and extent which their original ideas would assume, nor the important po- sition such a society would hold throughout the universe. Honored indeed would be the man or men who should raise such a monument to posterity, and the name or names would ever be revered by the gener- ations that have profited by the existence of an order that has for its object the lifting up of mankind by the noble teachings in- corporated in the principles of the Masonic fraternity, of which Mr. Manvel is a promi- nent and popular member. After passing the two degrees of Entered Apprentice and Fellow-craft, he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Union Lodge, No. 28, at Union City, Michigan; was ex- alted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Temple Chapter, No. 21, Cold- water, same state, and was made a mem- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 693 ber of Palestine Council, R. & S. M. , Chi- cago, Illinois, was knighted in Jacob's Commandery, No. 10, K. T. , at Coldwater, and is at present affiliated with the Cheva- lier Bayard Commandery, in which he holds the office of Sentinel. Mr. Manvel is at present a member of Lakeside Lodge, No. 739, in which he was Worshipful Master in 1884 and 1885, and he was also a knight of St. Bernard Commandery, K. T. , from which he was dimitted in order that he might give his assistance in organizing Chevalier Bayard Commander}', No. 52, of which he has since been an active mem- ber. He is Tyler of six different bodies of Freemasonry, and is a member and Worthy Patron of Miriam Chapter, No. i, Order of the Eastern Star. Ever since becoming associated with the Masonic fraternity Mr. Manvel has taken more than an ordinary interest in the workings of the order and has given much of his time and attention in la- boring for the bodies with which he is con- nected. That this labor of love has not been in vain is shown by the respect and veneration in which he is held by his brother Masons. Mr. Manvel is a native of the state of New York, born in Genesee county, Octo- ber 2, 1838. He received his education in the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary, of Alexander, New York, at which he was graduated in 1858. He then entered a commercial life at Coldwater and Union City, Michigan, where he remained for a few years, and then, desiring to widen his field of work, he came to Chicago and secured a position with the Davis Sewing Machine Company, of which for eighteen years he was manager, and during which time he gave entire satisfaction to his employers, by his close attention to his work and his capacity for doing a large amount of business. Subsequently the fascinations of politics appealed to Mr. Manvel and he became in- terested in local political matters, his sym- pathies being with the Republican party. For two years he was custodian of the county buildings, and served two years as deputy sheriff under James Gilbert. In 1895 he was appointed to the position of deputy clerk of the circuit court at Chicago, which position he holds at this writing. The field of politics is a large one, and Mr. Manvel's many friends will look forward to seeing him achieve something more than local fame, and the probabilities are that he will not disappoint them. In 1866 Mr. Manvel was married to Miss Elzada Meader, of Coldwater, Michi- gan, and three children have been born in their family. rENRY MAYO, one of the most promi- nent citizens of Ottawa, whose leader- ship in politics and professional circles is widely acknowledged, is also numbered among the valued members of the various Masonic societies of the city. He belongs to Occidental Lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., and was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason, his membership being in Shabbona Chapter, No. 37. He passed the circle of Ottawa Council, Royal and Select Masters, and is a Sir Knight of Ot- tawa Commandery, No. 10. He also be- longs to Mary E. Chapter, No. 76, Order of the Eastern Star, of which he was the first Worthy Patron. He is especially act- ive and prominent in the Commandery and has served as Eminent Commander and Generalissimo. He has attended nearly all of the conclaves and in 1895 to k tne Ottawa Commandery to the conclave in Boston, having one hundred and sixty in his party, and as Eminent Commander marched at the head of sixty faithful knights in the brilliant procession, which passed through the streets of that city. He most faithfully observes the vows of knighthood and is indeed a worthy follower of the beauseant. A native, of Tompkins county. New York, Mr. Mayo was born July 28, 1836, and ac- quired his early education in the public schools of that county, after which he con- tinued his studies in Hillsdale College, Michigan. Mr. Mayo settled in Ottawa in 1854, 694 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. and with the exception of 1858 and 1859, when he was in college, has continuously resided in that city x At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was principal of one of the ward schools of Ottawa, which position he resigned to enlist in Company I, Eleventh Illinois Infantry. After his term of enlist- ment expired he was re-appointed principal of one of the ward schools of said city, which position he filled until January i, 1866. In the meantime he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1865. Since January, 1866, he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. He has been engaged in much of the important litigation of his county. In 1872 he was elected state's attorney, which office he filled for eight years. He was appointed by the board of supervisors county attorney for the county of La Salle in 1869, and was successively re-appointed to that position for thirteen years. He has been honored with many official positions of the city and county, and no one has done more for the substantial development and improvement of Ottawa than Mr. Mayo. For several years he has been a member of the board of library trustees of the public library, and was largely instrumental in making that institution a most creditable addition to the educational facilities of the city. For the past seven years he has served as supervisor of South Ottawa town- ship. He is one of the most influential and prominent men in Republican ranks in Ot- tawa, and has zealously supported that party since 1860, when he went upon the platform in advocacy of the election of Abraham Lincoln. He was chairman of the Republican county central committee for six years; has been a member of the Republican state central committee; and in 1888 was a delegate to the national Repub- lican convention in Chicago. He continues his relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army Post of Ottawa. In daily life and action he is ever genial and affable, and in the highest and best sense of the term he is es- sentially a gentleman, having the highest respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact. Mr. Mayo was married in 1862 to Miss Isabelle M. Kistler, and they have six chil- dren. WILLIAM R. ALLAN needs no intro- duction to the citizens of Morris and to the traveling public who visit that city, for as the popular proprietor of the Corson House he has formed a wide ac- quaintance. His pleasant, genial manner has gained him many friends, and in Ma- sonic circles he is recognized as a valued member of the order. When, in 1878, he was on a visit to his old home in Scotland, he petitioned Kilwinning Lodge, No. 10, A. F. & A. M., of Ualkeith, and received the ancient-craft degrees. A year later he obtained a dimit from that lodge and joined Cedar Lodge, No. 124, A. F. & A. M., at Morris, Illinois. His connection with capitular Masonry dates from the time when he was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Orient Chapter, No. 31. He received the grades and orders of Templar Masonry in Blaney Comrnandery, No.. 5, and was pro- claimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, wherein he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. As a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, he crossed the sands of the desert, and is now affiliated with the members of Medinah Temple. He belongs to Laurel Chapter, No. 145, Order of the Eastern Star, and in all the various branches of Masonry is deeply and actively interested, his zeal prompting him to do all in his power for the advancement of the cause of the frater- nity and the promulgation of its principles. Mr. Allan comes from Scotland, the land which gave to Masonry one of its im- portant branches. He was born in Newton Grange, county Edinburg, June 16, 1848, and in the public schools obtained his edu- cation. In 1870, when twenty-two years of age, he sailed for the United States, landing in New York, whence he came di- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 965 rect to Morris, Illinois, where he had a brother living. He worked in the mines for about two years and afterwards was employed in various ways until embarking in the hotel business in 1888, as proprietor of the Corson House, of which he has since been the host. He has made this one of the most popular hostelries in this section of the state. It is equipped with the most modern improvements and accessories, and Mr. Allan's evident desire to please his cus- tomers has gained him a very liberal pat- ronage. In manner he is very social, genial and courteous and wins friendship from all with whom he comes in contact. On the 22d of September, 1875, Mr. Allan was united in marriage to Miss Janet B. Patrick, a native of Maryland and of Scotch parentage. They have five chil- dren, Thomas A. N., David A., William R., Lillie J. and Roy C. Mrs. Allan is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and is now serving as Conductress in Lau- rel Chapter. In connection with his Ma- sonic relations Mr. Allan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is now Past Chancellor. He has never sought political honors, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success. He came to this country empty- handed but with a resolute spirit and cour- age to attempt any work that might come to him. His industry, perseverance and energy have overcome all the difficulties and obstacles of his earlier years, and by the exercise of his excellent business abil- ity he has achieved a success of which he is indeed worthy. WILLIAM ABRAHAM HASKELL, the well-known physician and sur- geon of Alton, is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity who was made a Master Mason in Piasa Lodge, No. 27, and held the office of Worshipful Master in that body; was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Alton Chapter, No. 8, of which he was High Priest; re- ceived the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Alton Council, No. 3, and was elected to the chair of Thrice Illustrious Master; and was made a Sir Knight in Bel- videre Commandery, No. 2, serving as its Eminent Commander for several years. In 1880 and 1886 the Doctor took the com- mandery to the triennial conclave. He is a zealous brother and is ever ready to per- form the duties assigned to him to the best of his ability. Dr. Haskell was born in Hillsboro, Illi- nois, June 22, 1845, ar) d after passing through the public-school course of his na- tive city he attended Harvard University, at which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1866. He took a post-graduate course in medicine and re- ceived his diploma in 1869, after which he began to practice in Edwardsville, remain- ing there about a year and then moving to Alton, where he has since resided, and has succeeded in establishing a large and re- munerative business. He is employed as surgeon for the C. C. C. & St. L. R. R., C. P. & St. L. R. R., the Alton Electric road, and for St. Joseph's Hospital. The Doctor was a member of the state board of health from 1880 to 1892, holding the office of president during the last six years, after which he resigned. He also is a member of the American Medical Association, the Public Health Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the Madison County Medical Society. He is a director in the Alton Savings Bank, is Commodore of the Illinois Yacht Club, and is a member of the Harvard Club, of Chicago, and was vice- president of the Harvard Medical Alumni Association, of Boston, when it was first organized. He holds the office of medical examiner for the New York Life and the Mutual Life, of New York city, the Mutual Life of Newark, New Jersey, the Connecti- cut Mutual, the ^Etna, Manhattan, the Northwestern, of Milwaukee, the North- western Masonic Aid Association, of Chi- cago; and the Fidelity Mutual Life Asso- ciation, the Netherland, and the John Hancock, of Hartford, Connecticut. C9(5 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS The Doctor was married in 1877 to Miss Florence E. Hayner, and of this union three children have been born. Our sub- ject has made an exhaustive study of medi- cine and surgery during the twenty-seven years he has been in practice, and that he is competent and reliable is evidenced by the confidence placed in him by the above mentioned associations. In his home city he has acquired an enviable reputation as a physician of ability, and is popular in both Masonic and social circles. QEORGE L. WOELFEL, secretary and treasurer of the Woelfel Leather Com- pany, of Morris, has been affiliated with Masonry for only four years but is now one of the active and influential members of the society in his native city. He was initiated in 1893 as an Entered Apprentice of Cedar Lodge, No. 124, and has been honored with the offices of Junior Warden and Senior Deacon. He was exalted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason in Orient Chapter, No. 31, and took the vows of knighthood in Blaney Commandery, No. 5. He gives his earnest support to the fra- ternity whose beneficent purpose has been such an important factor in civilization. Its charity has served to ameliorate many human ills, and its sympathy has made easier the rough path of many a traveler on the highway of life. Developing the best elements in man's nature, Freemasonry naturally draws to it the support of the most worthy and respected citizens, and its membership in Illinois includes the sub- stantial representatives of the Prairie state. Mr. Woelfel has spent the greater part of his life in Morris, where he was born on the 1 1 th of July, 1864. He was educated in the public schools, and for two years was employed in a Chicago office. On the ex- piration of that period he returned to Mor- ris and entered his father's office. Since that time he has been interested in the ex- tensive leather business, and on the incor- poration in 1894 was made secretary and treasurer. The name of Woelfel in this section of Illinois is synonymous with the best business ability, and the well-known secretary has fully sustained the reputation made by his father. He is a man of de- termined purpose who carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes. Mr. Woelfel is now serving as alderman of Morris and lends his influence and sup- port to the promotion of the best municipal interests. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and enjoys the warm re- gard of his brethren of that fraternity. He was married in 1895 to Miss Isabelle Brown, and their pleasant home is the cen- ter of a cultured society circle. Mr. Woel- fel is yet in the noontime of life, but has long since forced his way through the ranks of the many and become one of the success- ful few, a man honored and respected, whose greatest pride is an honest con- sciousness of a good name, and whose love of home and friends he enjoys as a valuable heritage. JONATHAN LEAVITT MOORE, a prom- inent and influential citizen of Polo, Illinois, and for half a century a resi- dent of this state, enjoys high standing in Masonic circles and is deserving of more than a passing notice on the pages of this volume. Mr. Moore's Masonic history had its be- ginning in 1874, when Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 187, of Polo, conferred upon him its degrees, the Entered Apprentice being given January 15, Fellow-craft January 26, and Master Mason February 19. He joined Tyrian Chapter, No. 61, of Polo, in 1877,, his passing the various degrees being as follows: Mark Master, January 29; Past Master, February 19; Most Excellent Master, March 26; and the Royal Arch, April 9. He is also a member of Dixon Commandery, No. 21, having been made a Sir Knight November 19, 1878. In the chapter he filled the office of King two terms, and now has the honor of serving his fourth term as High Priest. The work of the order COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 697 has all these years received his earnest and enthusiastic attention, "brotherly love, relief and truth " have been prominent fac- tors in his inake-up, and he has by his every-day action proved himself a worthy member of this the greatest of all civic so- cieties, the Masonic fraternity. Also he is identified with the Masonic Veteran As- sociation of Chicago, the order of High Priesthood and the Lutheran church. Stead- fast in his Christian life, zealous and active in the church, he is all the more fitted for performing effective and appreciative lodge work. Mr. Moore is a native of the Granite state, born at Acworth, Sullivan county, New Hampshire, March 8, 1827, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. Great-great-grand- father Moore was killed at the massacre of Glencoe, Scotland, and his wife escaped by 40 hiding in a malt kiln, and the family es- caped to Ireland. John Moore, the pro- genitor of the American branch of the fam- ily, came to this country at an early day and settled in New Hampshire. He was one of the founders of the town of London- derry. Grandfather Samuel Moore served all through the war of the Revolution as a patriot, doing his part in helping to bring about independence, after the war lived to a good old age, being eighty-seven at the time of his death. Our subject's father, John Moore, was born in New Hampshire and was there married to Miss Mahata- bell Foster, a native of that state. He was a wheelwright and farmer by occupa- tion, and died of fever, at the age of thirty- seven years. His wife lived to be eighty- five. Their household of faith was that of the Congregationalists. In their family of six children, Jonathaii L. was the second born. He was seven years of age when his father died, was reared to farm life and in his youth attended school in Franklin county. At eighteen he came to Chicago, where he clerked in a store two years, and from there, in 1847, came to Ogle county and located a quarter section of land, which he still owns. Here by honest industry and perseverance he got a start, and from time to time added to his original holdings until his landed estate now comprises five hundred acres, a most valuable property. In the year 1851 Mr. Moore was happily married to Miss Stata M. Hawks, a native of Deerfield, Massachusetts, with whose life his was blended until death called her away in 1894, at the age of sixty-three years. Her life was adorned by many virtues and none knew her but to love her. Politically, Mr. Moore was in his younjf manhood a Whig, but when Fort Sumter was fired upon he joined the ranks of the Republican party and has since been stanch in its support. In many ways he has showed himself to be a generous and public-spirited man. He has rendered most efficient serv- ice as school trustee, road commissioner and township clerk, at present 'being the 698 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. incumbent of the last named office. He has for thirty years been a director of the Ex- change National Bank. He was one of the organizers of the Polo Library, is a director of the same, and has done much to advance the interests of the enterprise which has been highly beneficial to the city. Also he is a member of the Cemetery Association and at this writing is its president. He was also vice-president eight years of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture from the sixth district. Thus in many ways is his name linked with the history of the town. As an honorable and upright citizen, a Mason and a Christian gentleman, he is worthy of the high esteem which is accorded him. '\DGAR H. WOELFEL. It is much J// to achieve success through unaided personal effort; it is more to achieve it worthily and to establish a business which not only secures prosperity to the founder but also adds to the general welfare and progress. This Mr. Woelfel has done. He ranks among the prominent business men of his locality, where his industrial interests have proved an important factor in the up- building of Morris. His career has been a remarkable one, and what he is to-day he owes solely to himself. His record is clean and highly creditable, and he is exceedingly popular with all classes; for in all the rela- tions of life he is courteous, just and kindly. Mr. Woelfel is a native of Ottawa, Illi- nois, born on the 28th of October, 1 862. His public-school course was supplemented by study in Bryant & Stratton's Business Col- lege, of Chicago, after which he entered upon his business career in the office of his father, who was then conducting a small -establishment for the manufacture of leather, the nucleus of the present exten- sive business of which Edgar H. Woelfel is now the head. The enterprise and hopeful -energy of the young man being added to the experience and mature judgment of the elder produced a strong combination which at once had its effect on the business. Their trade constantly grew until it had as- sumed extensive proportions, and facilities were constantly enlarged in order to meet the growing demand for their products. In 1894 the business was incorporated under the name of the Woelfel Leather Company, with our subject as vice-president and gen- eral manager. He served in that capacity until succeeding to the presidency on his father's death. This company has a large plant and furnishes employment to one hundred and seventy-five men. Its prod- ucts are sold throughout the country, and the excellent quality of the goods manufactured and the thorough reliability of the stock- holders have gained to the company a most enviable reputation. In connection with the plant in Morris they have also a branch store in Boston, Massachusetts, whereby the trade with eastern markets is facilitated. Mr. Woelfel has secured his success along familiar lines. His energy, careful man- agement and keen discrimination are the important elements which have led to his prosperity, and his efforts have ever been conducted according to the old maxims of honesty and fair dealing. Mr. Woelfel is a progressive, public-spir- ited citizen, deeply interested in the welfare of his adopted city, and has done much to add to its progress and improvement. He has served as a member of the city council, but business has largely interfered with any inclination he may have had to promote the welfare of Morris through official channels. He is a valued member of the Masonic fra- ternity, his interest therein being awakened through his father, who was a prominent member of the fraternity. Mr. Woelfel joined the order as an Entered Apprentice of Cedar Lodge, No. 124, passed the Fel- low-craft and was raised to the sublime de- gree of a Master Mason. He was exalted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason in Orient Chapter, No. 31, in which he has served as Master of the Veil, and in Blaney Commandery, No. 5, was constituted, created and dubbed a Sir Knight. He has been especially prominent in the work of the commandery and has served as Captain- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 699 General and Generalissimo. He also be- longs to Laurel Chapter, No. 145, Order of the Eastern Star. He accompanied the New Albany Commandery on a tour to Europe, traveling all over the continent and visiting the many points of historic in- terest and of renown. He also attended the Triennial Conclave in Washington, D. C., and is widely known among the Sir Knights. BUDOLPH BRAND. The German element is one which has found many representatives in the new world, and is one that has ever been found foremost in giving impetus to the march of progress, in retaining a clear mental grasp and in di- recting material affairs along safe and con- servative lines. America owes much to the German stock, and has honored and been honored by noble men and women of this extraction, while the type has stood repre- sentative of the most absolute American spirit and as the upholder of our national institutions. The subject of this review has proved himself to have a rare capacity for affairs of great breadth and importance, has at- tained a distinctive prestige in connection with the industrial activities of the great western metropolis, and has so ordered his life as to gain and retain the respect and confidence of his fellow men. Not alone has his ability been such as to enable him to guide his business affairs to a magnificent success, but his integrity has been as un- bending as his individuality has been reliant and resourceful. Such are the men who have given Chicago her great prestige and such are the men whom the time-honored crafthood of Freemasonry welcomes and honors, knowing well that thus the exalted principles and lofty teachings of the order will be held inviolate and given a greater practical value and efficiency as touching the world in general. Rudolph Brand, who stands at the head of one of the great industrial enterprises of Chicago being president of the United States Brewing Company and vice-president of the National Brewers' Association has been identified with the Masonic order for nearly a score of years, having become an Entered Apprentice in Germania Lodge, No. 182, A. F. & A. M., of Chicago, in the year 1881, and having duly received in the same body the Fellow-craft and Master Ma- son's degrees. Within the succeeding year he advanced to the capitular grades, being exalted to the Royal Arch in Lincoln Park Chapter, No. 611. His interest in the noble fraternity was cumulative and sincere, as is evident when is taken into consideration the fact that within the year 1882 he has received the various grades and orders of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and has gained the distinction of the thirty-second degree, being proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, in the Valley of Chicago. His distinct manhood and his manifest integrity of pur- pose in all the relations of life have gained to him a marked popularity in the Masonic fraternity, for he has been true as a man and as a Mason. It is but consistent to accord in this con- nection an epitome of the private and busi- ness career of the representative citizen whose Masonic record has already been touched upon. Rudolph Brand is a native of the German empire, his birth having occurred in Odernheim, on the loth of April, 1851. His educational discipline was received in the excellent schools of his native province, while the sturdy self- reliance so typical of the German people soon led him to become identified with the practical affairs of life. He was alert and ambitious and had a distinct prescience of the wider opportunities for individual accom- plishments offered in America, and thus, in 1868, as a youth of seventeen years, he left the loved fatherland and emigrated to the United States, soon making his way to Chicago, with whose progress and business life he was destined to become so conspicu- ously identified. He has been a resident of the Garden City for more than a quarter of a century, a period of unprecedented 700 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. growth and one in which have been recorded many of the most important chapters in the history of the great city at the head of Lake Michigan. His business career has been such as to redound to his honor and credit as well as the city which he has chosen as his home and field of successful endeavor. Mr. Brand became concerned in the brewing business as a youth, and his expe- rience has been exact and thorough in this line of industry, his knowledge compre- hending every detail and process and mak- ing him an authority as to methods and results. His mature judgment and strong executive ability were recognized at the time of the organization of the United States Brewing Company in 1889, and he was chosen president of the great corpora- tion, whose business represents the consoli- dation of six of the largest breweries in Chicago. His administration of the affairs of the company has been one of excep- tional wisdom, and the pronounced success attained has been in a large measure due to his well directed efforts and his sagacious counsel. As a man of capacity and unswerving honor, Mr. Brand has been called upon to serve in positions of public trust and re- sponsibility, and, has shown the same fidel- ity and scrupulous care which have con- served his success in business life. He served as city treasurer of Chicago from 1 88 1 to 1883, and as a member of the board of education from 1884 to 1887. In politics Mr. Brand is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and while never a seeker for official preferment he has not withheld a ready and effective support to the cause. On the I 5th of May, 1875, was solem- nized the marriage of Mr. Brand to Miss Clara Uhlich, who was born in Blue Island, Illinois. They are the parents of three children Hedwig, Philip R. and Alfred. As a man of progressive ideas and thorough public spirit and one whose life has been ordered upon a high plane of rectitude and honest endeavor, Mr. Brand has impressed his individuality upon the city of Chicago, and is to be known as one of her represent- ative business men. FAYETTE SMITH HATCH, one of the oldest and most prominent and zealous members of the craft in the state, at pres- ent residing in the city of Kankakee, dates his association with the order back to forty- two years ago, in which time he has held most of the offices in the bodies to which he belongs, giving faithful, conscientious serv- ice and proving himself to be a loyal broth- er, true to the vows of the blue lodge taken so long ago, and still active in the work of the fraternity. Mr. Hatch received his ini- tial degrees in Geneva Lodge, No. 1 39, at Geneva, Illinois, on September 20, 1855, and after perfecting himself in the ritual he was advanced to the degrees of capitular Masonry, in Fox River Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M., on November 25, 1856, while re- siding in the town of Sugar Grove, Kane county; and after removing to Kankakee was, on October 25, 1876, made a Royal and Select Master in Siloam Council, No. 53, and received the order of knighthood in Joliet Commandery, No. 4, K. T., on November 27, 1867. He attained to the ineffable degrees of the Scottish Rite in Oriental Consistory, Valley of Chicago, and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret on October 7, 1875. Upon moving to Kankakee Mr. Hatch was dimit- ted from the foregoing York bodies and be- came affiliated with Kankakee Lodge, No. 389, Kankakee Chapter, No. 78, and was a charter member of Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 33, K. T. In the blue lodge his serv- ices were of such a nature that his brothers elected him Worshipful Master, which office he has held eight years, five of which were successive from 1892, and he represented the Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Mas- ter in the sixteenth Masonic district for seven successive years from 1885. He was Ex- cellent High Priest of his chapter repeated- ly, serving in that capacity with a degree of fidelity and efficiency that won for him the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 701 highest praise of his fratrcs, and as Em- inent Commander of his comrnandery he performed the duties of that office with en- ergy, abililty, and greatly to his own credit and to the honor of the order. In filling the various offices to which he has been called Mr. Hatch discharged the duties per- taining thereto with discrimination and un- swerving faithfulness, giving to his work the best energies of which his nature is capa- ble. At this present writing he is both Worshipful Master of his lodge and High Priest of his chapter. Chenango county, New York, is where the birth of Mr. Hatch occurred, on Octo- ber 9, 1832. He obtained his early educa- tion in the district schools and Sherburne Academy until October 7, 1846, when he came to Kane county, Illinois, and contin- ued his mental training in the Elgin high school and Beloit College. The early part of his manhood was spent as an agricultur- ist in tilling the soil, relinquishing that vo- cation to embark in business as a dealer in household furniture. After moving to Kan- kakee in 1866, he became interested in politics. As a Republican he cast his vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, was superin- tendent of the Kankakee county schools for four years, and has held the office of deputy treasurer of Kankakee county for the last six years, as such giving universal satisfaction to his party and to the public. At the outbreakof the Civil war he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Forty- first Illinois Infantry, and for meritorious conduct was promoted to the rank of ser- geant. As both a man and a Mason his many sterling qualities of mind and charac- ter commend him to the highest considera- tion and esteem of his many friends. iETHUEL HAINES ROWAND, who has been conspicuous for his devotion to the precepts and tenets of Freemasonry, was made a Master Mason in Barry Lodge, No. 34, in 1895, in which he has served as Secretary, and in the same year was ex- alted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason, in Barry Chapter, No. 88. He is also a prominent member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, has passed all the chairs in both branches of the order, and represented his lodge in the Grand En- campment of the state. He is a loyal and true Mason and merits the high opinion of his brothers. Mr. Rowand was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in August, 1844, and is the son of Josiah S. Rowand, a native of Had- donfield, New Jersey, where he was born April 25, 1813. He has the distinction of being the oldest druggist in the state, sixty- one years of his long and honorable career having been devoted to that business. He established his first drug-store in Barry in 1856, and since that time has enjoyed the fullest confidence of the people throughout the county in which he is so widely and favorably known. The handsome brick building in which the firm of J. S. Rowand & Son is now located was erected in 1876. The venerable founder of the pharmaceuti- cal business in Barry is a devout member of the Baptist church, a stanch Republican, and possesses the sincere regard of all the citizens in the county with which he has been so closely identified for over half a century. The subject of this review came to Barry with his parents while in his infancy and received his education in the public schools of this city. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company B, Sixty-eighth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He re-enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment, and discharged the duties of a soldier in a loyal and courageous manner. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to Barry and became associated with his father in the drug business and has since attained prosperity and affluence, and is one of the leading and public-spirited citizens of the place. In politics Mr. Rowand is a Repub- lican and takes an active interest in the af- fairs of his party, especially as they con- cern the welfare of his home city. He is a most efficient member of the city council 702 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. and does everything in his power to pro- mote the good of the community. In 1866 Brother Rowand was united in marriage to Miss Lottie G. Gray, the daugh- ter of Thomas Gray, of Barry. One child was born to them, Maie, who is now the wife of Lieutenant John T. Nance, of the Sixth United States Cavalry. In 1891 oc- curred the death of Mrs. Rowand, and in 1893 our subject married his present wife, who was formerly Mrs. Ella McClain. They have a charming home, where they frequently entertain their many friends. SAMUEL N. CLARKSON. The moral laws of the universe are based upon that greatest literary work that ever ema- nated from the inspired brain of mortal man, the Holy Bible, and the tenets of Freemasonry have for their foundation the same origin. While not religious in the strictest sense of the word, its symbols, its precepts and the truths it teaches to all man- kind are derived from the scriptures, and no one who is not a believer in a Supreme Being is eligible to membership within the temple. As the brother advances in the order and drinks from the cup of knowledge held to his lips, he appreciates with in- creasing consciousness the beauties of the lessons taught him, and is thrilled with a joy hitherto unknown. For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Clarkson has been a faithful and consistent member of the craft, receiv- ing his first three degrees in Athole Lodge, No. 384, at Kirkintilloch, Scotland, Novem- ber 7, 1874, from which he was dimitted on coming to this country, and is now affiliated with Covenant Lodge, No. 526, of Chicago, which he entered April 27, 1888. He was exalted to a Royal Arch Mason in Corinth- ian Chapter, No. 69, and attained knight- hood in St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35. On April 17, 1894, Mr. Clarkson was con- stituted a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Medinah Temple. The subject of this review is a native of Stirlingshire, Scotland, where he was born June 7, 1851. The early years of his life were passed in that country, and there he acquired such an education as was afforded by the public schools. In 1873 he came to the United States, but after a short stay went back to Scotland, remaining there until 1 88 1, when he returned to America and located in Albany, New York. In 1884 he moved to Chicago and embarked in the wholesale and retail jewelry business, which he has since carried on successfully, his excellent business habits, his integrity and high order of principles gaining him the confidence and good will of all who know him. He is at present located in the Colum- bus Memorial Building. L. KRONE. Masonry contains the J11|L essence of all moral teaching. The fraternity had its organization in remote regions of the past and in a spirit in ad- vance of the times embodied the best teach- ings that had then been given to the world. As the years have passed in their noiseless march to eternity, it has added to the basic principles the best truths extracted from an enlightened civilization, and in its creed of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man it embraces all the duties and obli- gations of life. Its membership, constant- ly increasing, includes the best citizenship of America, and among the prominent men of Decatur whose names are found on its rolls is Mr. Krone. He was made a Master Mason in Macon Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M., and has served as its Secretary. He was exalted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason in Macon Chapter, No. 21, and has manifested that zeal which is sym- bolized by its prevailing color of red. His diligence, noted by his companions, led to their selection of him for official honors and he served the chapter as Secretary and High Priest; was also chosen as its rep- resentative to the Grand Chapter. He passed the circle of Royal and Select Masters in Decatur Council, No. 16, where- in he has held the offices of Thrice Illus- trious Master and Recorder, and has also represented it in the Grand Council. The COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 70S secrets of chivalric Masonry were revealed to him when he was constituted, dubbed and created a Sir Knight in Beaumanoir Commandery, No. 9. He has rilled the of- fice of Recorder in the commandery and has been the representative in the Grand Commandery. He is a member of Chapter No. ill, Order of the Eastern Star, and has been very active in all the bodies of which he is a member. Mr. Krone is one of the worthy citizens that the Keystone state has furnished to Illinois. He was born in York county, on the I4th of March, 1833, and was brought to Decatur in 1839, when this city had a population of only two hundred, and peo- ple had to journey hither by stage or pri- vate conveyance, for there were no rail- roads. Mr. Krone was educated in the public schools and entered upon his busi- ness career as an employee in a carding mill, the first of its kind in this section of the state. In 1852 he secured a clerkship in a drug store and was thus employed until 1894, when he embarked in business on his own account. For forty-six years he has been connected with the drug trade of this city, and is one of the most prominent busi- ness men of Decatur, enjoying the confi- dence and good will of the public in an un- usual degree. In 1854 Mr. Krone was united in mar- riage to Miss E. J. Frederick, and has one living son, Charles O. His political sup- port is given the Republican party, and from 1862 until 1869 inclusive he served as city treasurer. Not to know Mr. Krone in Decatur is to argue one's self unknown. Probably no merchant of the city has been longer iden- tified with its interests, or has witnessed more of its growth and development. He has ever borne his part in the work of prog- ress and has ever manifested a deep and sincere interest in the welfare of the city which has been his home from early child- hood. He never wavers in support of any cause which he believes to be right, and his public career and his private life are alike above reproach. LLEN S. BUSHNELL, a successful -H^L business man of Paxton, Illinois, is well advanced in the science, literature,, history, morals and arts of that great fraternity, the Masonic. Masonry, by its- very name as well as by its nature, relates to building, building up, and not to tearing- down. Every person naturally desires to- "look before he leaps," to see what build- ing he is going into before he leaves the one he has, to fully understand the newly pro- posed system before he abandons the one he already maintains. It is, therefore, in great part due to this feature of " building; up " that Freemasonry has taken such a strong hold upon the intellectual class of men. When one is fairly housed in the new domicile, his attachment to the pecu- liarities of the old unconsciously leaves him, and he is satisfied, without inquiring about the exact intellectual processes by which he lost his old prejudices. In the great structure erected by the Masonic fraternity, Mr. Bushnell has been an effective participant. He received the first three degrees of the order in Paxton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in 1884, and in the same year, such was his advancement in the study of the complex system, he at- tained the Royal Arch degrees, in Ford Chapter, and the chivalric degrees in Mount Olivet Commandery, No. 38, at Paxton, when he was constituted, created and dubbed a Sir Knight Templar. The cryptic degrees of the Royal and Select Masters he received in Gibson Council, No. 72, in 1886; and even the Scottish Rite degrees have been conferred upon him. Of alt these bodies he still holds his affiliation. Of the blue lodge he has been Worshipful Master, of the chapter he has served as King, and of the commandery he has been Eminent Comnvinder four terms. Thus, Mr. Bushnell can be relied upon as an ap- preciative brother and a Mason of the high- est integrity. Mr. Bushnell was born in Lisbon, Ken- dall county, Illinois, December 8, 1855, a son of Sherrill Bushnell, a native of the state of New York, who became one of the 704 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. first settlers of Lisbon during the fourth dec- ade of this century. He married Adaline McEwen, of Oneida, New York. Allen S., the only son, was reared here in Illinois, receiving a good business education. He has spent three years in Colorado for the benefit of his health, and for three years he was engaged in the grain business at Elliott, this state; but at length, his father being the president of the First National Bank at Paxton, he was given the position .of cashier of that institution. This bank is a solid, reliable financial institution. Mr. Bushnell is a successful business man, well known for his integrity, etc. ; and this fact has been manifestly recognized by his fel- low citizens, who have elected him three times to the office of city treasurer, the responsibilities of which position he dis- charged to the satisfaction- of the public. He is a gentleman of pleasing address, frank, genial and sincere. On the Jth of April, 1881, he was united in matrimony, at Sandwich, Illinois, with Miss Carrie M. Hills, of that place, a lady of a good family and highly cultured. Her father, Hubert S. Hills, deceased, was for a time engaged in banking at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell have five children, Winifred, Howard Elaine, Horace Leland, Ethel May and Florence Emily. LBERT LAWRENCE FARR, M. I)., jPf a prominent physician of Chicago, is a member of the Masonic fraternity who has evinced considerable interest in the order, giving to it his personal attention and taking an active part in all its work- ings. Dr. Farr received his blue-lodge de- grees in Kilwinning Lodge, No. 311, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in the same body. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Lincoln Park Commandery, No. 177, and was knighted in St. Bernard Command- ery, No. 35. He was a charter member and one of the original seven Masons who organized Lincoln Park Commandery, in which he held the office of Recorder for two years. In March, 1896, he was di- mitted and again became affiliated with St. Bernard Commandery. Dr. Farr has al- ways been an enthusiastic, industrious Ma- son, ever ready to perform any duties in the craft that may be assigned to him and faithful to every trust committed to his care. Dr. Farr is a native of Peacham, Ver- mont, where he was born April 6, 1849, ar >d is the son of Dr. Ashel Farr. Upon mov- ing to Kenosha, Wisconsin, he entered the public schools, through which he passed, and then attended the high school and later the Lake Forest Military Academy. After completing a course in that institution he read medicine with his father for a time and then attended lectures at the Chicago Medical College, subsequently entering Rush Medical College, at which he was graduated in 1 879. Dr. Farr has virtually followed his profession in Chicago ever since receiving his diploma, and has suc- ceeded in attaining an enviable reputation as a physician of more than usual ability. He has been medical examiner for the Home Life Insurance Company, of New York, for fourteen years, the Northwestern Masonic Life Insurance Company, of Chi- cago, and has held a similar position in several other companies in this city. The Doctor is an intelligent, well-read man, thoroughly versed in everything pertaining to his profession, and commands the respect of his fellow practitioners. He is ever ready to devote his time and medical knowl- edge to the cause of humanity, and to an- swer the call of duty, from whatever quar- ter it may come. He is a member of the National Union, and was the first president of Lincoln Park Council. Dr. Farr was in 1872 united in marriage to Miss Flora A. Myers, of Bennington, Vermont, and of this union two children have been born: Albert M., arising young dentist of Chicago, and Jessie L. The Doctor has a large general practice, and is universally liked for his personal traits as well as respected for his medical skill. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS U ' COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 707 FREDERICK FRALEY HAIGH. - There are few, indeed, in Chicago whose rise in Masonry has been more rapid and who have been more highly honored by the lodges with which they are connected than the gentleman whose name initiates this review. His devotion to the funda- mental truths of the fraternity, its means and its methods is such that he is ranked among the most able and esteemed repre- sentatives of the order in this city, and he is certainly deserving of mention in con- nection with the history of Masonry in Illinois. He was made a Mason in Landmark Lodge, No. 422, F. & A. M., March 11, 1892, and was exalted to the sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason in Fairview Chapter, No. 161, on the 7th of April following, while on the 3ist of May of the same year he was knighted in Apollo Commandery, No. i, K. T. He has filled all the posi- tions from that of Guard to Eminent Com- mander in the Commandery, to which he was elected in December, 1895. His rapid promotion is without precedent in the his- tory of Apollo Commandery, he having risen to the highest position therein in the brief space of three and a half years, which honor is well deserving and came as a recog- nition of his great interest in the work and careful, painstaking preparation for the places he filled. He is a most zealous, earnest member, giving an intelligent sup- port to the fraternity, and his own interest is an inspiration to others. Mr. Haigh is a native of the neighbor- ing state of Indiana, his birth having oc- curred on a farm near Lafayette, April 23, 1846. The family is of English lineage, and the grandfather, Abraham Haigh, a native of England, was the first of the name to seek a home in America. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States he took up his residence in Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. Job Haigh, the father, was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1803, and died near Lafayette, Indiana, in 1849. He married Sarah W. Fraley, also a native of Highland county. Her death occurred at Battle Ground, Indiana, in 1872, at the age of sixty-seven years. On his father's farm Frederick F. Haigh remained until seventeen years of age and early became familiar with the labors and duties that fall to the lot of the agricultur- ist. His elementary education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a course of study in the Battle Ground Collegiate Institute, and soon after he en- tered upon his business career. Tiring of the monotony of farm life and wishing to 'enter the broader fields of merchandising with its varied opportunities, he established a store in Battle Ground, conducting the same for about six years He then re- moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he was engaged in the cigar business for two years, after which he secured a position with J. R. McCarthy & Company as traveling sales- man, serving in that position for four years. In 1 879 he came to Chicago and has since been identified with the commercial inter- ests of the metropolis of the west. He studied closely the methods followed by re- liable business houses, thus becoming fitted for the responsible position which he now holds with the house of Sweet, Dempster & Company, of Chicago, wholesale dealers in hats and caps, and is one of their most trusted and efficient representatives. He is well and favorably known to the trade and is able to command a considerable pat- ronage by reason of his courteous, affable manner, which wins him many friends. He is a typical business man of this progress- ive, advancing city, and has the respect and confidence of all his business asso- ciates. Mr. Haigh was married on the 25th of October, 1871, to Miss Eva L. Colton, a daughter of Colonel C. W. Colton, of Lafayette, Indiana. They now have a family of four children, namely: Raymond C. , George W., Ethel M. and Mildred. In politics Mr. Haigh is an uncompromising Republican, who stanchly advocates the principles of the party that stands for reciprocity, protection and sound money. His close study of the issues and questions 708 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. of the day has made his exposition most forceful and his advocacy most effective. During the campaign of 1896 he served as treasurer of the original McKinley Com- mercial Club, No. i, of Chicago, which numbered more than twenty-five thousand members. DR. ROBERT A. LETOURNEAU, in- ' terne, Mercy Hospital, Chicago, is a young man of much professional ability, and one whose identity with the time-honored institution of Freemasonry brings him into notice at this place. Dr. Letourneau was. initiated, passed and raised in Home Lodge, No. 508, F. & A. M., in 1891; was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in LaFayette Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M., in 1892; received the degrees of Royal and Select Master from Palestine Council, No. 66, and was knighted by Chevalier Bayard Commandery, No. 52, K. T., all of Chicago, and with all of which he at present affiliates. From the beginning of his connection with this order the Doctor has taken an active interest therein. He has served as Senior Steward of the lodge, and in the commandery as Warden, Senior Warden and Captain-General. A native of Kankakee, Illinois, Dr. Le- tourneau was born February 9, 1862, and in his native town had the advantage of a college education, residing there until 1881, when he came to Chicago. Here he learned the drug business and on the West Side opened a drug store, which he conducted a few years, then selling out. Next he was manager for D. R. Dyche & Company, druggists at the corner of Randolph and State streets, and afterward occupied the same position with the firm of Bodemann & Conrad, corner of State and Jackson streets, studying medicine in the meantime and attending the Northwestern University, in the medical department of which he graduated in 1895. The same year of his graduation he entered Mercy Hospital as interne, a position he filled most acceptably until December i, 1896. He is a scholarly gentleman, well equipped for the line of profession he has entered, and will doubtless make his mark in the ranks of this honored calling. He is a member of the Chicago Medical Society. Dr. Letourneau is now located at 34 East Monroe street, is attend- ing physician to the Provident Hospital Dispensary, and assistant demonstrator of anatomy in the Northwestern University Medical School. As his name indicates, Dr. Letourneau is of French origin, his father, the Hon. George R. Letourneau, having been born in France and having come to America and settled in Chicago when quite young. Here he was for a time associated with Dr. Hen- rotin's father in the hotel business. He was state senator from the sixteenth district for one term, and has held all the county offices of Kankakee county. JOHN L. HAMILTON, JR., one of the substantial citizens and a prominent banker and business man of Hoopeston, is a Mason who has merited the gratitude of his brothers by his industry in lodge work and the capable manner in which he has filled many offices of importance, giving to them both his time and the best energies of his nature. He was made a Master Ma- son in Watseka Lodge, No. 446, in 1883, and was elected its Senior Warden and served as its Worshipful Master; he was ex- alted to the Holy Royal Arch degrees, in Watseka Chapter, in the same year, and occupied the office of Master of the Second Veil in that body; received the cryptic de- grees in Kankakee Council, R. & S. M. ; was knighted in Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 33, at Kankakee, in 1885; and attained the ineffable degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, Scot- tish Rite. He has also journeyed success- fully across the sands of the desert and be- come a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Me- dinah Temple. He was elected Master of Starr Lodge, No. 709, at Hoopeston, and served during the year 1896. Mr. Hamilton was born in Macoupin COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 709 county, Illinois, May 8, 1862, passing his boyhood's days upon a farm, and receiving his education in the high schools of Wat- seka, Illinois, and the commercial school of Keokuk, Iowa. He was for seven years deputy county treasurer of Iroquois coun- ty, and held the office of deputy county clerk for one year. He assisted in the or- ganization of the Citizens' Bank, at Wat- seka, and was connected with that institu- tion until 1889, when he came to Hoope- ston and here established the bank of Hamilton & Cunningham, who succeeded the firm of Burnell, Hamilton & Morgan, bankers. It is a solid concern, and is one of the flourishing enterprises of the city of Hoopeston. He is a member of the ex- ecutive council of Illinois State Bankers' Association and has served on many of its important committees. Mr. Hamilton served as alderman of his ward from May, 1895, to May, 1897, and he is always ready to support any measure that has for its ob- ject the welfare of the community and the advancement of the city's interests. He was elected mayor of the city of Hoopes- ton in April, 1897, defeating his opponent by three to one and he is now serving as mayor. The marriage of Mr. Hamilton to Miss Mary A. Hall was celebrated in February, 1892, and of this union two children, Law- rence Hall and Donald, have been the issue. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are popular members of society and possess the high regard of a host of friends. LLEN SALTER, M. D., an active and L zealous member of the fraternity in all its grades, has, by his genial disposition, Masonic knowledge and brotherly deport- ment, won the respect and confidence of his brethren everywhere; and as the high aims of Masonry and Templar teachings were unfolded to him he embraced the en- during fellowship of the order with the de- votion and enthusiasm of a true knightly soul. After receiving the two preliminary degrees in the blue lodge the Doctor was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, in Lena Lodge, No. 174, in 1885, advanced to the degrees of capitular Ma- sonry and exalted to the august degree of Holy Royal Arch in Lena Chapter, No. 112, in 1886; and he was constituted a Sir Knight in Freeport Commandery, No. 7, in 1895. He attained the Scottish Rite de- grees in the ineffable lodge of perfection and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Freeport Consistory, Valley of Freeport, in 1896. He is con- nected with the social branch of Freema- sonry, being a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and having made a success- ful pilgrimage across the sands of the desert he was made a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, in Tebala Temple, at Rockford, Illinois. Dr. Salter was born in the state of Mich- igan on April 23, 1864, and is a son of the late Dr. S. C. Salter, who for twenty years was engaged in the active practice of his profession in Lena, Illinois. Upon com- pleting his literary education the subject of this review decided to adopt the calling of medicine, and with this end in view he began to read with his father and then attended the College of Physicians and Sur- geons at Chicago, at which he was grad- uated in 1893, and since that date he has devoted his time to the vocation of his choice in the town where the major portion of his life has been spent. He has a fine office, containing a large, well chosen libra- brary of over two thousand volumes, and furnished with all the latest improvements pertaining to his profession. He is in the enjoyment of an extensive lucrative prac- tice. He is a member of the Stephenson County Medical Society, the State Medical Society of Illinois and other medical associa- tions. Although comparatively young in years, he is old in experience and knowl- edge, and the intelligent disposition of the cases entrusted to him tends to increase the already great amount of confidence held in him by all who seek his services. In his political faith Dr. Salter is a Republican, a member of the Marquette Club, of Chi- 710 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. cago, and is a credit alike to his profession, the fraternity, and to the community in which he resides. JF. TODD, M. D. , a prominent medical practitioner of Chicago, has been con- nected with Masonry since 1864, in which year he joined the blue lodge in Wyanet, Illinois. In 1871 he took the Royal Arch degrees in the chapter at Kewanee, Illinois, but from these two branches is now di- mitted. In Galesburg, Illinois, in 1876, he was made a Knight Templar, and since 1 892 has been a member of Chevalier Bayard Commandery, of Chicago. He is promi- nently identified with the commandery, al- though his business is so extensive that it will not permit him to take an active part in the work. The Doctor is one of the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in La- fayette February 3, 1841. His education was acquired in the public schools of that town and when a boy he did considerable work on a farm, earning his own livelihood in this way. At the age of twenty he took up the study of medicine and entered Belle- vue Hospital Medical College of New York city, where he was graduated in the spring of 1863. Returning to Illinois he located in Wyanet, where he successfully engaged in practice for four years, when in 1867 he removed to Kewanee, Illinois, where he remained until 1874. During his residence there he served for five years as a member of the board of education. Removing from Kewanee to Galva, Illinois, he was num- bered among its able practitioners until 1882, and was a valued and honored citi- zen of the town. He served as president of the town council for one term and was also president of the board of education for three years. In 1882 he came to Chicago, where he has built up an extensive and lu- crative practice. He is a member of the Chicago Medical Society, the State Medi- cal Society and the American Medical As- sociation. His standing in the profession is enviable, for he occupies a place in the fr6nt ranks of the medical fraternity in this city. Dr. Todd was surgeon of the Fourth Regiment National Guards in 1875, and later was surgeon of the Second Regiment of Chicago. He was examining surgeon for pensions in Chicago during President Cleveland's first administration, from 1885 to 1889, was county physician in Cook county in 1890, and city physician under Mayor Harrison's administration. In 1888 he was the candidate for congress from the first district of Illinois, but was defeated with the remainder of the ticket. He is well known in the region of his old home, and in Chicago, where his ability as a med- ical practitioner and his sterling worth as a man have gained him high standing with the profession and with the public. !EV. HIRAM W. THOMAS, pastor of JI2L the People's church, Chicago, is a gentleman of scholarly attainments, and one greatly beloved in this city, where he has long lived and labored. Shortly after he entered the ministry he identified him- self with the great Masonic order, from time to time made advancement in the same until he had received all the degrees from that of the Entered Apprentice up to and including the thirty-second of the Scot- tish Rite, and for nearly forty years he has been an interested and appreciative Mason, much of the time a working member. It was in 1858, at Marshall, Iowa, that the mysteries of ancient-craft Masonry were made known to him, and in 1864, at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the Royal Arch degrees were conferred upon him. He was made a Knight Templar by St. Bernard Command- ery and received the Scottish Rite degrees in Oriental Consistory, with both of which he has since affiliated, and in the former of which he served as Prelate under Dr. Carr. His membership in the blue lodge is now and has for some years been with Thomas J. Turner Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he has long served as Chaplain ; and two years COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. 711 he served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Mr. Thomas is a Virginian by birth and a descendant of ancestors long resident of the "Old Dominion." He was born in Hampshire county, West Virginia, April 29, 1832, and in 1855 came west, locating in Iowa. He was educated at Berlin Sem- inary; privately under the able instruction of the Rev. Dr. Charles Elliott, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and took his degree at As- bury (now De Pauw) University, Green- castle, Indiana. He entered the ministry in 1852, and from that date to the present time has devoted his life to pastoral work, Chi- cago being the field of his labors since 1869. Here success has crowned his efforts, and he ranks to-day as one of the brightest scholars and most popular ministers of this city. He has been chaplain of the First Regiment, I. N. G., for fifteen years. Such is an epitome of the life of one of Chicago's popular ministers, and a Mason of high degree. JOHN HENRY KINCAID has for over twenty-five years been a sincere mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, during which time he has been faithful to the precepts of the order, and is well versed in its laws and usages. He was initiated in Greenview Lodge, No. 653, on July 4, 1871, passed July 20, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on July 27; he was exalted in De Witt Chapter, No. 119, at Petersburg, taking the degrees as follows: Past Master, January i ; Most Excellent Master, January i 5 ; Royal Arch, January 24, 1876; was created a Sir Knight in St. Aldernar Commandery, No. 47, at Peters- burg, in 1885, and attained the ineffable degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Peoria Consistory on November 15, 1892. On May 25, 1894, he became a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, his membership being in Mohammed Temple, Peoria. In 1895, 9^ and '97 Mr. Kincaid served as King in his commandery. On July 9, 1848, Mr. Kincaid was born on the farm which is now his home and which is situated three and a half miles north of Athens, Illinois. Here he is ex- tensively engaged in raising stock, making a specialty of a high-class breed of horses for track, carriage and road purposes, and among his possessions is the famous stud, Guy Corbitt. The farm, which is called Indian Point Stock Farm, has an area of six hundred and six acres, is in an excellent state of ctiltivation, the out-buildings are all supplied with the latest and best im- provements, and during Mr. Kincaid's four- teen years' management everything has been reduced to a well-ordered system. He is one of the best judges of horses in the state and is an authority on all matters per- taining to the equine world. John Kennedy Kincaid, the father of our subject, was one of the early settlers of Menard county, where he became prom- inent as an energetic and progressive agri- culturist. In 1878 Mr. Kincaid was married to Miss Ella Culver, who was born in the vicinity of Athens, and they have two chil- dren, namely: James Earle and John Kennedy. In his religious faith our subject is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is one of the ruling elders. JULIUS H. RAIBLE has long been a prominent figure in society circles. His identification with Masonry began in 1872, when he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Erwin Lodge, No. 315, A. F. & A. M., of Alton. He has been very active and zealous in its work, and by his ardor has greatly advanced its cause. For several terms he served as Worshipful Master, and under his adminis- tration the lodge prospered and grew. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Alton Chapter, No. 8, in which he has served as Captain of the Host, passed the circle in Alton Council, No. 3, and was afterward elected its Treasurer. He was knighted in Belvidere Command- 7J2 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. ery, No. 2, has served as Sword Bearer, and went with the Commandery to Boston and Chicago to attend the conclaves in those cities. He has a wide circle of friends in Masonic ranks. He is also a member of the Masonic Veteran Association in Chi- cago. Mr. Raible is also one of the distin- guished Odd Fellows of the state and served as the Forty-sixth Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Illinois. He be- came a member of the order December 16, 1872, by initiation in Germania Lodge, No. 2, of Alton, and has since been appointed and elected to various offices therein, twice serving as Noble Grand and for ten years as Treasurer. On the i6th of May, 1873, he was exalted to the Royal Purple degree in Wildey Encampment, No. i ; received the degree of Rebekah in Lily Lodge, No. 63, Daughters of Rebekah, November 19, 1894, and was Chief Patriarch of his en- campment in 1875. Entering the Grand Encampment at the session of 1885, he soon became known as an earnest, active worker. He was appointed Grand Marshal in 1891, elected Grand Junior Warden in 1892, Grand Senior Warden in 1893, Grand High Priest in 1894 and Grand Patriarch in 1895. At the Grand Lodge session of 1896 he was appointed a member of the board of trustees for the establishment and erec- tion of the "Illinois Old Folks' Home," I. O. O. F., which institution is now located at Mattoon. Mr. Raible was born in Rottweil, Wurt- emberg, Germany, April 12, 1845, and re- sided in that place until he had attained his majority. Having acquired a good educa- tion in the public schools, he then entered a mercantile house, where he soon gained an excellent knowledge of business meth- ods. In October, 1866, he sailed for Amer- ica, and took up his residence in St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained until January, 1872, when he removed to Alton. Here he has since made his home, engaging in business as a wholesale liquor merchant. He has served as alderman of the city and as city auditor, and takes an active part in many enterprises that have for their object the substantial improvement and material welfare of Alton. D JAMES FRAZIER HOOVER, a prominent dentist of Washington, Illi- nois, is a gentleman who has been identi- fied with the Masonic order for a period of thirty-two years and in whose life has been illustrated many of the teachings as set forth in this ancient and honored fraternity. Some of the salient points in his life history as gleaned for publication are herewith pre- sented. James Frazier Hoover was born in St. Clairsville, Belmont county, Ohio, March 15, 1838, and in the "Buckeye state" passed his youthful days up to 1855. That year he came to Illinois, settling first at Peoria, where he made his home until 1863, and since that date has been a resi- dent of Washington. He studied dentistry in Peoria, in the office of Dr. Charles Greenlief, under whose instructions he worked diligently for two years. Then he was for two years engaged in practice in Peoria, and since 1863 has had an office in Washington and enjoyed a successful practice here, in this time acquiring a comfortable competency. He has always manifested a deep interest in the affairs of the town, served nine years on its board of education, and is recognized as one of the most generous and public-spirited men. Dr. Hoover was married in Washington, Illinois, January 30, 1864, to Miss Emma S. Couch, a native of Peoria, this state, and they have three children, May E., Abbie E. and Edna E. It was January 6, 1864, that Dr. Hoover was made a Master Mason, Taylor Lodge, No. 98, of Washington, performing the work. In that lodge he filled all the offices from Tyler up to Worshipful Master and occupied the executive chair for six or seven years. He was made a Royal Arch Mason in Tazewell Chapter, No. 97, in 1866; started in at the lowest official position and filled successively all the chairs of the chap- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 713 ter, occupying that of High Priest two years. Tazewell Chapter having become extinct some years ago, he was in 1890 in- strumental in organizing Washington Chap- ter, No. 199, which was instituted Decem- ber 30, and of which he was first High Priest. The council degrees were conferred upon him at the same time he received the degrees of the chapter, and he has served as Thrice Illustrious ever since the organi- zation of Washington Council, No. 77, Oc- tober i, 1891. He was knighted by Peoria Commandery, No. 3, K. T. , and was made a member of Mohammed Temple, Mystic Shrine, in 1894. Also both he and his wife are identified with the Order of the Eastern Star, their names being on the list of char- ter members of Washington Chapter, No. 115, which was instituted in 1889, and of which they served as first Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron, each filling office two years. Throughout his Masonic life Dr. Hoover has seldom been absent from the meetings of the various bodies with which he affiliates, has been an earnest and active worker in the same, and has so shaped his life that he has been worthy of the many honors bestowed upon him by his brother Masons. JOHN S. WOLFE, one of the prominent attorneys of Champaign, Illinois, has been a member of the Masonic frater- nity for a great many years, during which time he has faithfully adhered to the pre- cepts of the order and has proved himself a worthy and consistent brother. He was initiated and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Western Star Lodge, No. 240, of which he was Worshipful Mas- ter; was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Champaign Chapter, No. 50; received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in the council: and was cre- ated a Sir Knight in Urbana Commandery, No. 1 6. Mr. Wolfe is a member of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, and holds the office of Puissant Commander in the council. He is one of the venerable Masons of the state and is admired and re- spected in all the bodies with which he is affiliated. Mr. Wolfe was born in Morgan county, Illinois, September 21, 1833, and remained on the home farm until twenty-four years old, obtaining in the meantime such educa- tion as was afforded by the district schools of his native county. Following the bent of his early youth he entered the law office of Palmer & Putnam, of Carlinville, Illinois, with whom he studied until January 8, 1858, at which time he was admitted to the bar. On May i, 1861, he moved to Cham- paign and began the practice of his profes- sion in this city. In 1864 our subject en- listed in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for ninety days' service, and was shortly after made colonel of the regiment, with which he remained for about six months, being stationed dur- ing that time in the state of Missouri. He subsequently returned to Champaign and has since devoted his time and attention to legal practice. He is a brilliant lawyer and one of the lights of the profession in this section of the state, throughout which he has acquired considerable reputation. Colonel Wolfe has been the local attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad Company for nearly twenty-five years. Politically the Colonel's sympathies are with the Democratic party. In his social relations he is an enthusiastic and honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 1 DWIN AUGUSTUS KRATZ. Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth, " is an axiom that is closely followed in the spirit by the Masonic frater- nity. Silent energy, systematically applied, is more potent in its effects than blatant diligence, expounded with all the vocifer- ous power of which its promulgators are capable. In Champaign the order is stead- ily gaining force, and her membership is being increased by the best citizens in the place, among whom is Dr. Kratz. He was raised to the Master Mason's degree in 714 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Western Star Lodge, No. 240, of which he was Worshipful Master for nine years, and represented it in the Grand Lodge as Grand Sword Bearer and Grand Steward. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Champaign Chapter, No. 50, and was for six years High Priest of that body; was made a Royal and Select Master of Ur- bana Council, No. 19, and created a Sir Krflght in Urbana Commandery, No. 16, but dimitted from both of those bodies; and attained the ineffable degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Peoria Con- sistory, Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constan- tine, of which he was one of the organizers in Champaign, and was elected Second Officer Vice Roy. He has been very prominent in this body, as well as in the blue lodge, and is one of the best posted in the work of these bodies of all in this section of the state. Dr. Kratz was born in Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1844, and obtained his primary education in the public schools of his native village and the Carversville Normal Institute. He settled in Cham- paign, Illinois, in February, 1867, and, tak- ing up the study of medicine, he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in March, 1869, after which he returned to Champaign and began the practice of his profession. He was examining surgeon in the pension department for twenty-one years. In August, 1864, the Doctor enlisted at Philadelphia in Company A, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the conflict. On March 29, 1865, he was severely- wounded at Gravelly Run, by a gunshot through the chest and both arms, which disabled him for life. He was taken from the battlefield to Washington, and was con- fined in the hospital until July 13, 1865, when he was discharged from service and returned to Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania. Politically the Doctor is a stanch Re- publican and has served his party in many positions of trust and responsibility. In 1 88 1 he was elected city clerk of Cham- paign, which office he held for four years, was elected supervisor in 1884, and in 1893 was appointed to the same position to fill a vacancy. He is now director and secretary of the public library board. In November, 1894, Dr. Kratz was elected treasurer of Champaign county and is now serving his third year in that capacity. He has proven an admirable officer, trustworthy and capa- ble, and commands the respect and admira- tion of his many friends, and possesses the entire confidence of the people. He is a popular and honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. SAMUEL McFEELEY, whose connec- tion with Masonry has been of material benefit to the different branches of the order in Streator, has since 1866 been identified with the fraternity, when he took the En- tered Apprentice degree in Mount Horeb Lodge, of Wpburn, Massachusetts, passed the Fellow-craft and was raised to the sub- lime degree of Master Mason. He after- ward was dimitted to Topeka Lodge, at Topeka, Kansas; then assisted in instituting Eldorado Lodge, at Eldorado, same state, from which he was dimitted to Streator Lodge, No. 607, of which he has served as Worshipful Master. In capitular Masonry his connection is with Streator Chapter, No. 1 68, and he has been honored by his companions by election to the office of High Priest. He also belongs to Streator Coun- cil, Royal and Select Masters, and was created and dubbed a Sir Knight in Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, of Ottawa, Illinois. He is well known in the fraternity and has been especially active in the work of the lodge and the chapter. He also belongs to Streator Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and his virtues as a man and a Mason are of the highest order and worthy of imita- tion. Mr. McFeeley first opened his eyes to the light of day in Woburn, Massachusetts, his natal day being May 23, 1843. Having COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 715 acquired a practical English education in the schools of Woburn, he turned his at- tention to the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some years in the east. When the tocsin of war was sounded, however, he laid down his tools and shouldered the rifle, going to the front in 1 862 as a member of Company K, Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He participated in all the engagements of the Army of the Potomac, was once slightly wounded and for a short time was held by the enemy as a prisoner of war. He now belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is com- mander of the post in Streator. When hostilities between the north and the south were ended Mr. McFeeley re- turned to his home in the old Bay state, where he followed carpentering until 1867, when he went to Kansas, where he was en- gaged in contracting for some years. In 1873 he came to Streator, followed carpen- tering in the employ of others for a period and then began contracting on his own ac- count. He did a good business, which he carried on until 1 880, when he accepted the position of manager for the Ames Lumber Company, with which he was connected in that capacity until 1891, when a stock com- pany was formed, with Mr. McFeeley as vice-president and manager. His pro- nounced business ability, his capable man- agement and his enterprise have been the means of securing to the company an ex- tensive patronage and their reputation for reliability has enabled them to reti in the support of patrons whose business is once gained. Mr. McFeeley was married in 1871, while living in Kansas, to Miss Mary Close, and in the best homes of Streator this worthy couple are welcome guests. HON. JAMES HERVEY CALKINS, a prominent manufacturer of Galesburg, Illinois, is a gentleman who has passed the meridian of life and who is ripe in business experience and Masonic lore. His busi- ness career has been a long and prosperous 41 one and for nearly forty years he has been associated with the great brotherhood of Masons. Mr. Calkins is a native of Wyoming county, New York, born March i, 1828, and for many years has been a resident of Illi- nois. His Masonic history had its begin- ning in Ames Lodge, No. 42, in December, 1858, when he was initiated into its first degree. In January of the following year he entered the craft and the next month was made a Master Mason. His present lodge affiliation is with Alpha, No. 155. The degrees which made him a Royal Arch Mason were conferred upon him in Gales- burg Chapter, No. 46, on the evenings of May 4, June I, June 8 and June 24, 1875, and three years later, on August 6 and Oc- tober 13, 1878, he was made a Royal and Select Master in Galesburg Council, No. 14. The sublime teachings of the chivalric de- grees were made known to him in Gales- burg Commandery, No. 8, on December -7, 1875, and January 10, 1876, and in the Scottish Rite he has advanced to the four- teenth degree. He affiliates with the chap- 716 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ter, council and commandery at Galesburg and the Scottish Rite at Peoria. In all these bodies, except the last named, he has filled important official po- sitions, always performing his duty with the utmost fidelity and dignity and winning the commendation of his brother Masons. In his blue lodge he was Treasurer seven years, Secretary two years, and twenty-four years trustee of the Masonic Hall Company. In the chapter he served two years as Scribe and for eight years represented the chapter as trustee in the Masonic Hall Company, also serving a like number of years as trus- tee in this company for the commandery, and for eighteen years he was Recorder in the commandery. In the council he filled the office of Treasurer. Also he was a di- rector of the Illinois Masonic Benevolent Society from July I, 1874, to January i, 1875, and was a member of the finance or executive committee during the whole time Mr. Calkins has also been honored with official position outside the Masonic order. He was justice of the peace for the city of Galesburg eight years, and was mayor of the city one term, in these posi- tions as elsewhere performing prompt and faithful service, giving general satisfaction. In the Independent Order of Mutual Aid (a state insurance company) he served four- teen years as chairman of the Grand Lodge Finance Committee. Religiously, he was educated in the Congregational faith. TrOSEPH H. RAY has made an enviable ;; record as a loyal and devoted adherent of Masonic principles. Since 1882 he has been a member of the order, having in that year been raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Wilmington Lodge, No. 208, A. F. & A. M. Having taken the three preliminary degrees of capitular Masonry he was exalted to the august de- gree of a Royal Arch Mason in Wilmington Chapter, No. 142, in which he has since served as Principal Sojourner. He took the vows of knighthood and has since been a worthy follower of the beauseant of Joliet Commandery, No. 4. He also crossed the sands of the desert as a Noble of the An- cient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, and maintains his membership in Medinah Temple, of Chicago. Mr. Ray is a successful, leading and in- fluential business man of Wilmington and a representative of one of the pioneer fami- lies. His father located there about 1838 and took an active part in the development and upbuilding of the town. In 1849, at- tracted by the discovery of gold on the Pa- cific coast, he made his way to California, but later returned to Wilmington and for some years was a leading merchant here. Our subject was born in the city which is now his home, May 17, 1859, and obtained his education in the schools of Wilmington and Naperville, graduating in the latter city in 1876. For a year he engaged in con- tracting in Kansas City, Missouri, and for ten years carried on the stock business in Wilmington. In 1890, however, he em- barked in the lumber business and now has a large lumber-yard at Wilmington, where he carries in stock all kinds of building ma- terials and in addition also deals in coal. He also has branch yards at Custer Park and Ritchie, Illinois. His trade is exten- sive, and he is recognized as an enterpris- ing, energetic and honorable man who well deserves the success that has crowned his efforts. Mr. Ray is deeply interested in politics and is well informed on all the political problems which separate the two political parties. Believing the tenets of Republic- anism best calculated to promote the na- tion's welfare, he gives that party his sup- port and on that ticket has been elected to the offices of supervisor and alderman of the town of Wilmington. He is a recog- nized leader in local politics and for sev- eral years has been chairman of the town central committee of his party. In addi- tion to his other business interests he is now a stockholder and director in the Wil- mington Electric Light and Power Com- pany. A man of resolute purpose, untiring energy and keen discrimination, he carries COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 717 forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and has been an important factor in the business life of his native city. JOHN NATHAN BEERS. There is some- thing sublime in the thought that there are in this world men who are devoting their lives to the moral education of their fellow beings, who are precipitating a force into the earth's atmosphere that cannot but be felt, and which will in time shake the very foundations of vice, demolish the evils of crime and malice, and erect amid the ruins a temple wherein all shall worship at the altar of love, peace and happiness. Illi- nois contains her share of these noble men, and among those who have won a high place in the brotherhood is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Mr. Beers took the first three degrees of the order in Western Star Lodge, No. 240, at Champaign, Illinois, was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Champaign Chapter, No. 40, of which body he was Steward, received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Urbana Coun- cil, No. 19, and was created a Sir Knightin Urbana Commandery, No. 16, in which he held the offices of Captain-General and Generalissimo. He is also a member of Vesper Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Beers has conscientiously observed the precepts of the craft, and has been particu- larly active in the commandery. The birth of Mr. Beers occurred Octo- ber 24, 1849, in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, and there received his education in the common schools, after which he began his business career in a retail cutlery store, where he remained for five years. He was then employed in a fancy grocery and dry- goods store in Indianapolis and Mahomet, coming to Champaign in 1889, where he became engaged in the real-estate and loan business, under the firm name of Rayburn & Beers. Mr. Rayburn retiring in 1890, Mr. Beers continued the business alone until 1891, when Mr. Davidson was ad- mitted and the business was conducted under the firm name of Beers & Davidson, which continued for six years, when Mr. Davidson retired. Mr. Beers purchased his interest and since February, 1897, has con- tinued alone. He has one of the best offices in the state and does a prosperous and ever increasing business. He is one of Cham- paign's well-to-do citizens, honored for his upright character, and the possessor of a large number of friends. He is secretary and superintendent of the Urbana and Champaign water works, and secretary of the Champaign county agricultural board. The marriage of Mr. Beers and Miss Izora Nebeker was consummated January 13, 1875, and of this union two children are living. D E. HUGGANS. The seeds of Ma- sonic truths having once been sown in a community, the fruit springs up in lux- uriant profusion and is spread broadcast throughout the land, refreshing the mental and moral nature of mankind and bringing a sense of keen relish to the jaded faculties of our fellow men. One of the most en- thusiastic members of the craft in Streator, Illinois, is D. E. Huggans, who was ini- tiated in Streator Lodge, No. 607, July 12, 1887, and served as its Secretary for two years, and later as its Junior Warden. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Streator Chapter, No. 168, in which order he served as Secretary, Scribe and King; received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Streator Council, No. 73, and was created a Knight Templar in Ottawa Commandery, No. 10. He is also a mem- ber of Streator Chapter, No. 301, Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Huggans was born in New York city April 12, 1853, and came to La Salle county, Illinois, in 1857 with his parents, who settled one and a half miles north of Streator, and are both still respected resi- dents of La Salle county. Mr. Huggans received a common-school education, and at the age of fifteen entered the coal mines 318 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. near Streator as an employee and remained there until twenty-two years of age, when he began to learn the profession of station- ary engineering. He remained in that ca- pacity for nine years in the employ of the Vermilion Coal Company, and on August 12, 1886, he entered the employment of the Streator Aqueduct Company as an en- gineer and gave such evidence of energy and efficiency that in July, 1891, he was promoted to the position of superintendent, which he held until, in July, 1893, he was made vice-president and manager of the company, which office he has since filled in an efficient and satisfactory manner. In his political affiliations Mr. Huggans is a stanch Republican, has been a member of the board of education for three years, and is now serving his second term as county commissioner. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. The marriage of Mr. Huggans to Miss Margaret E. Jenkins was celebrated in i 877, and of this union one son, Ralph, has been born. Our subject and his wife have a pleasant home in Streator, where they are ever ready to welcome their many friends. JAMES A. CURRY, D. D. S., of Streator, is a worthy examplar of Masonry and a faithful follower of the ancient fraternity, which through many centuries has taught its followers the all-embracing creed of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He began the study of its symbolic truths in 1891, when he was received as an Entered Apprentice of Streator Lodge, No. 607. Passing the Fellow-craft and being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, he has since been diligent in the work of the order and is now Worshipful Master of the blue lodge. He was exalted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason in Streator Chapter, No. 168, and assumed the vows of knighthood in Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, of Ottawa, Illinois. He also belongs to Streator Chapter, No. 173, Order of the Eastern Star, of which both he and his wife are charter members, while Mrs. Curry served as its first Worthy Matron. Dr. Curry is not only numbered among the leading Masons of Streator but is also regarded as one of its most prominent citi- zens in other walks of life. He was born in Washington count}', Pennsylvania, in September, 1865, and obtained his early education in the public schools of this state, completing his literary course in the high school of Streator, after which he pursued a business course in the Streator Commer- cial College. He served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade in the Streator Novelty Works and was afterward employed in the Industrial Machine Works, but pre- ferring professional life he prepared for the practice of dentistry in the Chicago Dental College, where he was graduated in 1889. On the loth of April of the same year he opened an office in Streator and has now a large and lucrative practice. His well-ap- pointed office is supplied with the latest and best improved dental appliances and his methods are not surpassed in the pro- fession. His thorough and accurate knowl- edge of the science of dentistry has secured him the confidence of the public and his business is constantly increasing. On the 1 8th of July, 1891, Dr. Curry was united in marriage to Miss Nelle Egbert, and they have two interesting children, Hazel Leah and Milton Lewis, aged respectively three and one years. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and faithfully perform their part in all benevolent work. The Doctor is also a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America and the Order of Red Men, and in professional and social circles is alike honored. JASPER N. PIERCE, whose devotion to the cause of Freemasonry and whose unfaltering zeal and industry have gained for him the highest encomiums of praise from his f raters, had the degree of Master Mason conferred upon him in Watseka Lodge, No. 446, in 1880, and in 1896 was elected its Worshipful Master; he was ex- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 719 alted to the Royal Arch degrees in Wat- seka Chapter, No. 114, in which he has held the chair of High Priest for the past four years; received the degrees of Royal and Select Masters in Watseka Council, of which he is a charter member, in 1888, and in 1896 held the office of Thrice Illustrious Master, and is now Conductor of the Work; and was created a Sir Knight in Mary Com- mandery, No. 67, in February, 1896, serv- ing as its Junior Warden for that year. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, in Royal Chapter, No. 217, of which Mrs. Pierce is now serving her third term as Worthy Matron. Mr. Pierce was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, April 6, 1850, and is the son of David and Louisa (Webster) Pierce, the latter of whom has lived in this count} 1 since 1830. Our subject was reared on the farm and has spent the major portion of his life on the old homestead, engaged in cultivating the soil and raising live stock. This vocation he followed until 1890, when he came to Watseka and embarked in the lumber and coal business, in which he has met with more than usual success. He is a substan- tial, enterprising citizen of Watseka, firm in character, honest in principle, and pos- sesses the good will and high esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. The marriage of Mr. Pierce to Miss Francila Hill was celebrated in 1873. She was born in the state of Pennsylvania and was brought to this county when three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of five children, two of whom, Charles and Jessie, still survive. Mrs. Pierce is a devout member of the Method- ist church. In his political relations Mr. Pierce is a stanch adherent of the Repub- lican party. Both he and his wife enjoy the regard of a large circle of friends. x F^ILLIAM j. MAIDEN, of Chicago, Jtlt' has rounded the circle of Masonry, passing from the degree of Entered Appren- tice to the highest degree of the order. His thorough understanding of the sym- bolic truths has led him to give to the fra- ternity a loyal support, and he is a worthy exemplar of the ancient and beneficent soci- ety which contains in its brief but compre- hensive creed, the fatherhood of God and 'the brotherhood of man, the essence of all the moral teaching whereby humanity has advanced on the highway of civiliza- tion. Truth is eternal and the noble prin- ciples of this order cannot therefore be de- stroyed. Promoting kindlier and closer relations between the brothers of this large human family, its followers have carried forward the work of charity and mutual helpfulness upon which the society rests and have accomplished for the world a good that can never be estimated. Mr. Maiden dates his affiliation with this order from May 25, 1892, when he ioined York Lodge, No. 563, A. F. & A. M., of Columbus, Ohio. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason Novem- ber 5, 1892, in Temple Chapter, No. 155, and on January 13, 1893, learned the se- crets of the sacred vault in Columbus Coun- cil, No. 8, of which he is a life member. He took the vows of knighthood March 9, 1893, in Mount Vernon Commandery, No. i, also of Columbus, and advanced through the various degrees of the Scottish Rite until he had attained the thirty-second and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, of Chi- cago. His present affiliation is with Gar- field Lodge, No. 686, York Chapter, No. 148, Columbus Council and St. Bernard Commandery. He crossed the sands of the desert in Aladdin Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Columbus, Ohio, and on his removal to this city was dimitted to Medinah Temple. He is a member of St. Bernard Drill Corps of the commandery, and participated in the drill at Boston in 1895. Mr. Maiden is a native of Aurora, Illi- nois, born April 30, 1857. He obtained his education in the public schools of that city, and Jennings Seminary, and since en- tering upon his business career has been engaged in corporation work. 720 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. LBERT THOMAS HEY, the popular J&L florist at No. 82 i South Second street, Springfield, Illinois, is one of the bright Masons of this city, well posted in the rit- ualistic work of Masonry and a faithful practitioner of its teachings. A brief resume of his life gives the following facts: Albert Thomas Hey is an Englishman by birth and comes of a family of florists. He was born December 20, 1861; learned his business in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, and remained there until he at- tained his majority. At twenty-one he made the voyage to America, landing first in Canada and a short time afterward com- ing to the United States and locating at Springfield, Illinois, the date of his arrival here being 1883. His special adaptation for the work in which he is engaged, his love for flowers and plants, and his long experience in the business, combine to make his services as a florist valuable. Mr. Hey's Masonic history had its begin- ning in 1890. That year he was created a Master Mason by Springfield Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M., and in it has filled all the offices from that of Junior Deacon up to Worshipful Master, to which latter office he was elected in 1895 and in 1896, and in which he is now serving. The chapter de- grees were conferred upon him in 1891. In this body he has filled the chairs of Mas- ter of the Third Veil, Principal Sojourner, Captain of Host, Scribe and High Priest, at this writing being the incumbent of the last named office. The council degrees also were given him in 1891. In the council he is now Principal Conductor and District Deputy of the Seventeenth Arch. He was knighted in 1892, and in the commandery he has officiated as Tyler and Junior and Senior Wardens. He has familiarized him- self with the ritualistic work of these bod- ies, renders it in a manner most earnest and impressive, and is able to confer any degree in the York Rite. Also he is a mem- ber of the Mystic Shrine, Mohammed Tem- ple, of Peoria, through the mysteries of which he was conducted in November, 1895; and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, that popular auxiliary of Masonry instituted for the wives, daughters, mothers, widows and sisters of Master Masons. They took the degrees of this order in Flower City Chapter, of Springfield, and later, when a move was made to organize another chapter, to be known as Lalla Rookh, they were instru- mental in advancing the measure and their names are on its list of charter members. Mrs. Hey was the first and is the present Worthy Matron of Lalla Rookh Chapter, and Mr. Hey was its first Chaplain and is the present Secretary. Mr. Hey was married in 1886 to Miss Mary A. Davies, a native of Wales but reared from early childhood in this country. They have four children, William A. J., Louis E. , Albert Davis and Gwenllean Louise. In their religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Hey are Episcopalians. CHARLES FREDRICK WHITMORE, \J) compiler of abstracts of titles, Kanka- kee, Illinois, comes from a line of ancestry which can be traced back for a number of generations, in this country and beyond the Atlantic, and which throughout its history has been distinguished for sterling worth. As a representative of an old and honored family, as a citizen of enterprise and high standing, and as a Mason well advanced in the order, he forms a fit subject for bio- graphical review in this work. Looking first to his connection with Freemasonry, we find that Mr. Whitmore was created a Master Mason twenty years ago, February 6, 1877, by Kankakee Lodge, No. 389, F. & A. M. ; and that time after time he was honored with official position in the same, still retaining his membership therein and having the rank of Past Master. On April 14 of the same year in which he received the degrees of blue Masonry he was exalted a Royal Arch Mason by Kan- kakee Chapter, No. 78, R. A. M., and in the chapter has officiated as High Priest. He was made a Royal and Select Master at COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 721 Kankakee, June 27, 1878, and a few days previous to that, June 21, 1877, was knighted by Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 33, K. T. , of Kankakee. As in his lodge, so in the commandery has he filled the highest official position, that of Eminent Com- mander. And such has been his life that he has never by word or deed cast a reflection upon this honored and ancient order with which he has been so closely identified, but rather has been an ornament to it, illustrat- ing in his every-day action its noble and manly principles. Mr. Whitmore was born in Calais, Maine, October 4, 1852, son of Joseph and Eliza- beth (O'Brien) Whitmore, with whom he removed from that state to Detroit, Michi- gan, in 1854, where he was reared and re- ceived a common-school education. Joseph Whitmore was born in Portland, Maine, and died in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of sixty-nine years, and his wife, born in Calais, Maine, died in Detroit, at the age of seventy-two. They were .the parents of eight children, four of whom are yet living. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Joseph and Elizabeth (Martin) Whitmore, were both natives of Maine, the former born in Portland and the latter near that city; he was killed in the war of 1812, she surviving him a number of years and dying in 1862. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Whitmore were Robert and Jennie (McClellan) O'Brien, the former born in Nova Scotia in 1781. and died in Halifax in 1851; the latter born on Long Island in December, 1779, died at Calais, Maine, in 1846. The date of their marriage was 1798. Joseph and Elizabeth D. O'Brien, the great-grandparents of our subject, were natives respectively of Ireland and Scot- land, and came to America in early life, where they passed their lives and died. At the age of seventeen Charles F. Whitmore left home to make his own way in the world, and whatever of success he has attained is due to his own unaided ef- forts. He spent one year in Minnesota and came thence to Kankakee, Illinois, where he has since resided and where he has de- voted his attention to banking and to an ab- stract business. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and, politically, he harmonizes with the Republican party. He served one term on the city council, and is president of the Second Ward Republican Club. He was a member of the Illinois National Guards from June 4, 1 886, to July 15, 1889; was commissioned as orderly sergeant, sec- ond lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain, by prompt and faithful service meriting the promotion he received. For four years he was captain of an independent company known as the Review Guards. He has been secretary of Mound Grove Cemetery Asso- ciation ever since its organization in 1882. In connection with Mr. Whitmore's Masonic history it should be further stated that he is identified with that popular aux- iliary of Masonry known as the Order of the Eastern Star, being a charter member of the chapter at Kankakee and having served one year as its Worthy Patron. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Whitmore was married December 24, 1877, in Kankakee, Illinois, to Miss Alice J. Griffith, a native of Danby, Ver- mont, and they have three children, two of whom are living, Charles Frederick, Jr., and Georgia Griffith. Mrs. Whitmore was a teacher for twelve years previous to her marriage. She was reared in Aurora, Illinois, and educated in the high school of that place, and for pro- ficiency in the high school was awarded a Normal scholarship. Her parents, Seth and Mary H. (Andrus) Griffith, were born at Danby, Vermont, the former March 24, 1813, the latter November 29, 1823. Mr. Griffith was for many years engaged in the marble business, and died in Aurora, Illi- nois, in 1896. Mrs. Griffith is still a resi- dent of that place. The paternal grand- parents of Mrs. Whitmore, Thomas and Phoebe (Sherman) Griffith, also were natives of Danby, he having been born in 1770, and died in 1829, the dates of her birth and death being 1773 and 1862. Her ma- ternal grandparents were John and Miranda 1-2-2 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. (Morrison) Andrus. He was born in Danby, Vermont, in 1/95, and died in 1855, while she was a native of New York, born in Kingsburg in 1801, and died in 1889. Mrs. Whitmore's great-grandparents were all New England people. T* A. MASON, president of the Joliet National Bank, has been a valued member of the Masonic fraternity for over a quarter of a century. Although he has been a constant and faithful attendant dur- ing that time, he has never sought official honors, being content to serve the order as a worker in the ranks. Mr. Mason was in- itiated in Matteson Lodge, No. 175, in 1871; was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Joliet Chapter, No. 27, and was created a Sir Knight in Joliet Comrnandery, No. 4, in 1872. Mr. Mason demonstrates by his daily acts how well he understands the tenets of the society, and is held in warm esteem by the brothers of the bodies with which he is affiliated. Mr. Mason's native city is New Hart- ford, New York, where he was born in 1 846. His early education was received in the public schools of that place, and later he attended the schools of Utica. In 1866 he came west to Chicago and accepted a posi- tion with the Chicago & Alton Railroad for a few months as assistant pilot, having charge of trains to Brighton Park, where the train dispatcher took them. He subse- quently returned east and was engaged in the wrapping-paper, printers' stock, blank- book and stationery business at Utica for two years. In 1870 he came to Joliet and embarked in the lumber business, in which he continued until 1888. In March, 1891, Mr. Mason assisted in organizing the Joliet National Bank, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, and of which he was made president, fulfilling the duties of that office up to the present time with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his brother officers. In his political faith Mr. Mason is a Republican and has represented his party from the fourth ward in the city council for one term, was assistant supervisor for the same length of time, and now holds the office of school inspector of the city. Mr. Mason is one of Joliet's substantial and pro- gressive citizens and stands high in busi- ness and social, as well as in Masonic, circles. WILLIAM R. BRESIE. Illinois is the home of some of the most prom- inent and enthusiastic members of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and throughout her cities and towns the lodges are in a most flourish- ing condition. Thi.~> is especially true of Decatur, where an abiding interest in the craft has continued unabated for several years. One of the loyal brothers who has figured conspicuously in the local bodies of the order here is he whose name heads this review. Mr. Bresie has been an active Mason and is well known in the fraternity and as well in other social circles of his home city. Mr. Bresie was initiated in Rubicon Lodge, No. 237, at Toledo, Ohio, from which he was dimitted to become affiliated with Macon Lodge, No. 8. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Macon Chap- ter, No. 21, and served as its King; re- ceived the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Decatur Council, No. 16, in which he has held the chair of Thrice Illustrious Master; and was created a Sir Knight in Beaumanoir Cornmandery, No. 9, and was elected Eminent Commander in 1895. He also holds a membership in Chapter No. 51, Order of the Eastern Star, at Tecum- seh, Michigan. In his relations with his brothers Mr. Bresie has been all that a Ma- son should be, has filled the offices entrusted to him with honor and efficiency, and stands high in the opinion of his f raters. The birth of Mr. Bresie took place at Birdsall, Allegany county, New York, October 18, 1842. His education was ac- quired in the Danville public schools, the Hornellsville graded school, and the Buffalo high school, being graduated at the latter COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS.. 723 in 1860. He then moved to Cleveland and assisted his father in conducting the latter's farm near that city until February, 1864, when he entered the service of the United States Express Company, as messenger, his route being between Cleveland and San- dusk}', Ohio. A year later he was given a clerkship in the Toledo office, and in 1866 was appointed route agent. In 1879 he at- tracted the attention of general superin- tendent Kip, by the excellence of his work, and was shortly after promoted to the office of superintendent, with headquarters at Springfield, Illinois. He filled that posi- tion until 1881, when he was offered and accepted the assistant superintendency of the Pacific Express Company, which had extended its lines east of the Mississippi, absorbing most of that territory, and was assigned to headquarters at St. Louis. In 1883 he was moved to Decatur and placed in charge of his present territory, which comprises about two thousand and five hun- dred miles of railroad and four hundred offices. In 1893 he was made superintend- ent in charge of the same lines. Mr. Bresie, while a strict disciplinarian, pos- sesses an amiability of temperament that has endeared him to all his employees. He is equally popular with the business public and in social circles. These characteristics, combined with his thorough knowledge of the express business, have made him one of the company's most valued officers. Mr. Bresie was married in 1870 at Toledo, Ohio, to Miss Mary Kitchen, and they occupy a pleasant home in the resi- dence portion of Decatur. Politically Mr. Bresie is a stanch supporter of the Repub- lican party. On the paternal side of his family he comes of French ancestry. WILLIAM WALLACE COLE is one of the prominent citizens of Gene- seo who is identified with the Masonic fra- ternity. He was initiated into the esoteric doctrines of the order September 2\, 1894, as an Entered Apprentice of Stewart Lodge, No. 92, passed the Fellow-craft degree on the 5th of October, and on the I2th of the same month was raised to the sublime de- gree of Master Mason. In the spring of 1895 the Royal Arch degrees were con- ferred upon him in Barrett Chapter, No. 1 8, in Rock Island, and within a short time he was created a Knight Templar in Everts Commandery, No. 18, of Rock Island. A Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, his membership is in Kaaba Temple, of Davenport. Of all these organ- izations he is a worthy and acceptable member and is a true follower of the doc- trines of the fraternity, which declare that all the brethren are upon a level, which opens wide its doors to all nations and ad- mits of no rank except the priority of merit, while its only aristocracy is the nobility of virtue. Mr. Cole was born in Portland town- ship, . Whiteside county, Illinois, on the 26th of June, 1846. His ancestors were early settlers of Rhode Island, whence rep- resentatives of the family removed to New York. With the early history of the coun- try they were identified and to the war of the Revolution and the war of 1812 they furnished faithful defenders of our country. Harry Cole, the father of our subject, was a soldier of the Union army and faithfully followed the old flag as it led the troops which went forth to protect the Republic that his ancestors had aided in establishing. He was born in New York and married Miss Margaretta Ward, a native of Wisconsin. They removed to Portland township, White- side county, Illinois, in 1844, and the father remained there until the discovery of gold in California, when with ox teams he crossed the plains to the Pacific slope, where he engaged in mining for a time, with varying success. Returning to his family he followed farming until the tocsin of war sounded, when he tendered his services to his coun- try and participated in many important en- gagements with the Army of the Tennessee. In the gallant charge which the Union sol- diers made at Missionary Ridge he was wounded, and after three years of faithful service returned home. He resided in Gen- 724 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. eseo from the time of the war until his death, which occurred in 1867, at the age of forty-eight years. His wife died a few years later, at the age of forty-seven. They were people of the highest respectability, and Mr. Cole was a most patriotic citizen with a love of liberty permeating his entire na- ture. His political support was given the Republican party. His four children one son and three daughters are all living. Mr. Cole, of this review, attended the public schools, but at the age of twelve years began to earn his own living and worked on a farm for three dollars per month. As the years went by and he was able to do more work his wages were increased to twenty-five dollars per month. In 1864, when but eighteen years of age, he also joined the "boys in blue," was assigned to duty with Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and served in Kentucky and Tennessee. After the close of the war Mr. Cole at- tended school in the winter and followed farming in the summer months. He also continued his education in Hillsdale Col- lege, in Michigan, and after completing the four-years course in eight terms, he was graduated, in 1875. He then began read- ing law, and since that time he has devoted his energies to a number of business ven- tures with excellent success. In 1877 Mr. Cole married Miss Carrie E. Weston, a native of Wisconsin, by whom he has two children, Eva M. and Marion S. Since his marriage he has been en- gaged in farming and in buying and selling stock, and as a result of his capable man- agement he has steadily prospered until he has become one of the large land-owners of his county, having several valuable farms which he now rents. He has been a life- long Republican, casting his first presiden- tial vote for General Grant, and has been an efficient and active worker in the presi- dential campaigns. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens by election to several offices, has served as alderman for several terms, was mayor of the city and for five years was a member of the board of county supervisors. He has also rendered his party effective service as a member of the Republican town central committee and has always used his aid and influence on behalf of the best interests of Geneseo. One of the most prominent and progressive resi- dents of the place, he is widely known and has the high regard of all. JOHN R. OUGHTON, one of the most prominent representatives of Freema- sonry in Dwight and a faithful follower of the teachings and principles of the an- cient order, was made a member of the fra- ternity in Livingston Lodge, No. 371, A. F. & A. M., of Dwight, and has since been active and influential in its work. The symbols of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow- craft and Master Mason contain the germs and are the foundation of all Freemasonry; the lodge with its prevailing tincture of blue indicates universality which is a reminder to every initiate that friendship, morality and brotherly love should be as extensive as the blue vault above him; and its work is per- meated by the most humanitarian prin- ciples, for without regard to creed or poli- tics or nationality the hand of aid is freely extended to those in need of assistance. Mr. Oughton has devoted to the lodge a large share of his time and talent and his brethren, appreciating his capable efforts, have honored him with the office of Wor- shipful Master. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Odell Chapter, but his identification with capitular Masonry is now through Wilmington Chap- ter, No. 142. He was constituted a Knight of the Red Cross and dubbed and created a Sir Knight in Blaney Commandery, No. 5, but has since been dimitted to Joliet Com- mandery, No. 4. In the Scottish Rite he has advanced to the thirty-second degree and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, of Chi- cago. He belongs to Medinah Temple, An- cient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mys- tic Shrine, and through his connection with this organization and the Consistory he has COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. become well known in Masonic circles of Chicago as well as in Dwight, Wilmington and Jt)liet. He is a close and conscientious student of the teachings and ethics of Ma- sonry, is a most efficient, enthusiastic worker, and, being a man of much more than average ability, he brings to his work a high degree of intelligence. John R. Oughton has had a career which has shown him to be possessed of versatile talent, great business ability and an in- domitable spirit of perseverance. In this age of the world, when human intellect is developed at its best, and intelligent mind and throbbing enterprise surge with seem- ingly wild impetuosity through all the av- enues of life, none but the well-balanced, alert and energetic can hope to achieve even moderate prominence. Mediocrity is doomed whenever it enters the fierce com- petitions of life, but Mr. Oughton has rea- son to feel satisfaction with his business career, which ably demonstrates the results that may be attained with determined and honorable purpose, laudable ambition and unflagging industry. Born in county Tipperary, Ireland, in 1857, he obtained his education in the pub- lic schools and a private academy of his native land, and when sixteen years of age sailed for the United States. He landed at New York, made his way to Chicago and in the metropolis of the state secured employment in a West Side drug store. Later he accepted a position in the whole- sale drug house of Lord, Stoughtenburg & Company, with which he remained for two years, after which he spent some time on the road as a traveling salesman. In 1879 he located in Dwight and became connected with the Leslie E. Keeley Company. He was one of its organizers in 1880, and since that time has been vice-president of the company. The history of their enterprise is too well known to need further mention here, for through the years the work philanthropic in character has been car- ried on most successfully. In 1880 Mr. Oughton was married and now has two sons, James H. and JohnR. In politics he is a Republican and gives an intelligent passing interest to the questions of the day, but has never aspired to politic- al honors. In private and social life he is the synonym of his Masonic professions, thus commanding the respect and love of the fraternity and the confidence of all who know him in other departments of life. JOHN C. PIRKEY, of Streator, is one of the well-known Masons of LaSalle coun- ty, Illinois, and not a little of the high character of the craft in the city where he lives is the effect of his influence. His ardor in behalf of the fraternity never flags, his zeal is constant and his labors earnest. He is therefore deserving of praise and cheering commendation. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice of Streator Lodge, No. 607, passed to the degree of Fellow- craft and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. In Rutland Chapter, No. 112, he was exalted to the august de- gree of Royal Arch Mason and later was dimitted from that chapter and admitted a member of Streator Chapter, No. 168, with which he now labors for the advancement of capitular Masonry. He passed the circle in Streator Council, No. 73, Royal and Se- lect Masters, was created and dubbed a Sir Knight in Ottawa Commandery, No. 10, and received the grades and orders of the Scottish Rite in Oriental Consistory, where- in he attained the thirty-second degree and was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. He became a member of Medinah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is a mem- ber of Streator Chapter, No. 301, Order of the Eastern Star, in which he now, 1897, is the Worthy Patron. So fully has he met the obligations resting upon Masons and so ably performed all his duties that he has been honored with various offices by his brethren, having served as Junior Warden in the Lodge, High Priest in the Chapter and Thrice Illustrious Master in the Council, and therefore been the Representative to the Grand Chapter and Grand Council; is 72(5 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. also a member of the Masonic Veterans' Association. In his every-day life he prac- tices the teachings of these time-honored institutions. In addition to his association with Masonry he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Or- der of Red Men. Mr. Pirkey was born in Keezletown, Vir- ginia, on the 2 ist of February, 1847, ar >d obtained his education in Strasburg Acad- emy. He worked on a farm for a short time and then learned operative masonry, becoming a successful contractor. He lo- cated in Streator in 1869 and erected a number of the best buildings in this city. His business enterprises were successful and he carried on operations as a contractor until 1884, when he turned his attention to the insurance business, which he has since followed. In 1864 Mr. Pirkey was drafted for the army and served in Company G, Twenty- third Virginia Cavalry, in the Shenandoah valley. His political support is given the Republican party, and religiously he is a member of the Christian church. In 1871 he was married to Miss Rebecca S. Varner, of Wellington, Missouri, and they have four children. Mr. and Mrs. Pirkey have a wide acquaintance in Streator and their friends throughout the community are many. 4LONZO ST. CLAIR WILDERMAN, who has been quite active in the Ma- sonic fraternity, and who has held nearly all the offices in the bodies of which he is a member, and whose connection with the order covers a period of thirty years, was made a Master Mason in Freeburg Lodge, No. 418, on August 13, 1867, at Freeburg, Illinois; was exalted to the august degree of the Holy Royal Arch in Belleville Chap- ter, No. 106, in June, 1869; received the degrees of Royal and Select Masters in Belleville Council, No. 67, in April, 1879, and was constituted a Sir Knight in Tan- cred Commandery, No. 50, in June, 1879. He was dimitted from Freeburg Lodge to become affiliated with St. Clair Lodge, No. 24, of which he was elected Worshipful Master; in the chapter he served as Excel- lent High Priest, was Thrice Illustrious Master of his council, and held the chair of Eminent Commander in his commandery. In the many positions of trust filled by Brother Wilderrnan he has discharged the duties incumbent upon him with intelli- gence and zeal, and his career in the order has been distinguished by fidelity and prac- tical ability. He attended the triennial conclave held in Chicago in August, 1880, and the one held at St. Louis in Septem- ber, 1886. An industrious, enthusiastic brother, he has ever had the best interests of his lodge at heart, and well deserves the respect and esteem extended to him by his Fellow-craftsmen. The birth of Judge Wilderrnan occurred in St. Clair county, Illinois, on December I, 1839, receiving his preliminary mental discipline in the public schools. Possessing a predilection for the bar he took up the study of law in 1 864 and by industry and earnest application he was, within two years, able to take the examination, and on November 9, 1866, he was admitted to practice by the supreme court of Illinois, and in January, 1891, he was accorded a similar privilege by the United States supreme court. In May, 1868, the Judge located at Belleville, Illinois, opened an office, and entered upon the duties of his profession, and such was his aptitude, his energy and his mental acumen that in a short time he had secured a firm footing in his home city, and became known as a law- yer of more than ordinary ability, possess- ing to an unusual degree the requisite qualifications which go to make the success- ful practitioner. Politically Judge Wilderman is an inde- pendent voter, reserving the right to cast his ballot for the man whom he considers most worthy of official preferment, irre- spective of party lines. He has been closely identified with the politics of Illinois nearly a quarter of a century, and in 1877 he was elected to the state legislature, in COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 727 which honorable body he served with intel- ligence and distinction. He was subse- quently appointed master in chancery and later was chosen to occupy the bench in the circuit court, of which office he is the present incumbent. He is a man of wide research, keen discrimination and sound judgment, grasping the points of a case with remarkable rapidity, and his unprejudiced decisions and impartiality have won for him the highest admiration and profound respect from the public as well as political parties of all faiths. Judge Wilderman was united in marriage September 5, 1871, at Decatur, Illinois, to Miss Amanda J. Affleck, of Decatur, Illi- nois, and four daughters have been born to them. The Judge and his wife have a pleasant home in Belleville, where they live in the enjoyment of happy domestic ties and the warm regard of their many friends. J FRANK LEONARD, who occupies the responsible position of cashier of the First National Bank at Kankakee, Illi- nois, has long been a resident of this city and his name is closely linked with its his- tory. Nearly thirty years ago he identified himself with the various Masonic bodies in Kankakee, made himself familiar with their ritualistic work, and became a prominent factor in promoting their interests. Either as a Mason, a business man or a citizen his life history is worthy of record. It is there- fore gratifying to the publishers of this work to chronicle his name with those of other leading Masons of Illinois. Mr. Leonard took his first step in Ma- sonry in 1868, when he petitioned for the degrees of Kankakee Lodge, No. 389, F. & A. M. He was duly elected, initiated, passed and raised, becoming a Master Ma- son on the 3d of March of that year. In this organization he filled various official positions up to and including that of Worshipful Master, and with such dignity and faithfulness did he serve in the execu- tive chair that he won the high commenda- tion of his brother Masons. He is still a loyal member of this lodge. The follow- ing year, 1869, on the i8th of October, Mr. Leonard was exalted to the high rank of Royal Arch Mason, Kankakee Chapter, No. 78, conferring the degrees upon him. Through all these years he has also retained his membership in the chapter, and is now Past High Priest of the same. Shortly after his exaltation in the chapter he re- ceived at Paxton, Illinois, the degrees of Royal and Select Master. From this or- ganization, however, he was dimitted. Continuing his progress in Masonry he was, March 29, 1870, knighted by Ivanhoe Com- mandery, No. 33, K. T. , at Kankakee, and from that date to the present time has been one of its most honored Sir Knights, year after year for eleven consecutive years being elected and serving as its Eminent Commander. In the Masonic hall it has been his pride and ambition to bring the work up to a high standard of perfection, and in his every-day life he has sought to live up to the time-honored principles of Masonry; and that this has been accom- plished is evinced by the fact that those who have known him longest and best es- teem him most highly. Mr. Leonard is a native of the ' Green Mountain state." He was born in Ben- nington, Vermont, September 16, 1847, and was reared in his New England home, receiving his education in the public schools. His life was spent on a farm until he was nineteen. Then he started out in the world to make his own way and at different times and places has been variously employed. Landing in Kankakee when a young man, he has here worked his way up to his pres- ent condition of prominence and influence. Many positions of prominence and trust have been filled by him, all with the strict- est fidelity and in a manner that has been to his credit. He has for years been inter- ested in the Kankakee Building & Loan So- ciety, and president of the same. For sev- eral years he was a member of the city council and in 1893-4 was honored by elec- tion to the city's chief executive office, and 728 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. as mayor of Kankakee he performed faith- ful service. In 1878-9 he was clerk in the Illinois senate. For twelve years he was clerk of the circuit court. He has been connected with railroading and other enter- prises, and since October 17, 1894, has oc- cupied his present position as cashier of the First National Bank of Kankakee. Thus briefly is outlined the life history of a loyal Mason, an active, enterprising business man, and a citizen who stands in high favor with his fellow men. BAVID NICKEL. The principles in- volved in Freemasonry are not those that would naturally attract the vicious or evil-minded; therefore the ranks of the or- der are conspicuously free from that class of humanity. On the contrary, within its circles are to be found men with clear minds, who are banded together for the purpose of eradicating, as much as it is in the bounds of possibility so to do, the wickedness that invades every class of soci- ety and to elevate and purify the existence of mankind. Mr. Nickel, whose name heads this sketch, has been a consistent and honored member of the craft for nearly a quarter of a century, during which period he has labored earnestly in the bodies with which he is associated, and has been re- warded with n;any positions of trust and importance. Brother Nickel was made a Master Mason in Kenosha Lodge, No. 47, at Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August, 1873, and was dimitted from that body to become affiliated with Cedar Lodge, No. 124, of which he was Worshipful Master. He was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Orient Chapter, No. 31, and was elected to the chair of High Priest; received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Joliet Coun- cil, No. 182, and was created a Sir Knight in Blaney Commandery, No. 5, in which he has filled the chair of Eminent Com- mander. Mr. Nickel is also a member of the Masonic social organization known as the Ancient Arabic Order, being a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Medinah Temple; and he is also connected with Laurel Chapter, No. 145, Order of the Eastern Star. The birth of Mr. Nickel occurred in Mercer, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 28, 185 1 ; shortly afterward he moved with his parents to Wisconsin, where his education was acquired in the cities of Ke- nosha and Horicon. After leaving school he learned the molder's trade, which he fol- lowed for about twelve years at Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Morris, Illinois. In the latter city he secured employment with the Coleman Hardware Company as a molder; and, by perseverance, energy, and faithful services performed in the interest of his employers, he has gradually worked his way up, until now he occupies the respon- sible positions of secretary and vice-presi- dent. The concern is a large one, usually employing about one hundred and fifty men, and is at the present time in a most prosperous and flourishing condition. Mr. Nickel is also a stockholder, and in his of- ficial capacity as vice-president has full charge of the business affairs of the com- pany. Politically Mr. Nickel is a stanch Re- publican, has held a seat in the common council of Morris, and is at present a mem- ber of the board of health. He has many friends throughout this section, and in Chi- cago, both in political and Masonic circles, all of whom hold him in high esteem. The marriage of Mr. Nickel and Miss Julia McFarland was celebrated December 27, 1876. Mrs. Nickel is a member of the Presbyterian church and active in Sunday- school work. Mr. and Mrs. Nickel have a pleasant home, are very popular, and are prominent members of Morris society. ^IMBALL WHITE LELAND. Utica has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who come after them, but have also been of important service to their city through various avenues of usefulness. Among this COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 729 number is Dr. Leland, who is devoting his life to one of the most noble callings to which one may direct his energies. He is also a prominent Mason, and there is an element of peculiar consistency in the fact that he represents both the Masonic and medical fraternities, for they have in com- mon the element of helpfulness and the alleviation of human suffering. The kind- hearted physician is the better practitioner for being a member of the Masonic order and learning therein the beautiful truths of universal brotherhood and the necessity for mutual forbearance and mutual assist- ance. Dr. Leland is a Knight Templar Mason, holding membership in Occidental Lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., Peru Chap- ter, No. 60, R. A. M., and St. John's Com- mandery, No. 26, K. T. He is an active and interested worker in these various soci- eties and was honored by his companions in capitular Masonry by being chosen King, while the Sir Knights three times elected him their Prelate. Professional duties, however, have prevented him from accepting other offices, but in his practice he exemplifies the true spirit of the frater- nity. In connection with his other social relations our subject is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a valued member of the Modern Woodmen Camp of Utica. He belongs to the Bap- tist church and is now serving as one of its deacons. The Doctor was born in Ottawa, Illi- nois, on the 4th of November, 1857, pur- sued his education in the high school of that city, and later won the degree of Bachelor of Science in the State Normal. Determining to fit himself for the medical profession he matriculated in the Bennett Medical College, of Chicago, where he was graduated in 1879. Unable to content himself with mediocrity, he has put forth every effort to perfect himself in his chosen calling and added to his broad and compre- hensive knowledge of the science by a course in the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, where he was graduated in 1892. He is also a registered pharmacist, and in 1879 was graduated at the College of Oph- thalmology and Otology. Dr. Leland located in Utica in 1879 and soon built up a good practice, which has steadily increased. He has ever been a close student of his profession, and his thorough investigation, combined with ex- cellent ability to put his knowledge into practical use, classes him among the fore- most physicians in this section of the state. He is a member of both the La Salle County and the Illinois State Medical Soci- eties, and served as health officer of Utica for a number of years. In 1883 the Doctor was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary L. Crosiar, who died in 1891, leaving one son, Pardon K. WILLIAM J. FESSLER, of Belvi- dere, dates his active association with Masonry from 1888, in which year he was made a Mason in Belvidere Lodge, No. 60. He took the initiatory steps as an Entered Apprentice on the 2ist day of May, was raised to the Fellow-craft degree on the 26th of June, and was created a Master Mason on the 23d of July. After four years' connection with the blue lodge he was exalted to the sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason in Kishwaukee Chapter, No. 90. He received the Mark Master de- gree January 20, the Past Master Febru- ary 3, the Most Excellent Master Febru- ary 17, and the Royal Arch on the 29th of the same month. He is a worthy and acceptable member of the order and well deserves representation among those fol- lowers of the Masonic ensign whose lives reflect dignity and honor upon the order. Mr. Fessler is one of the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred on the west side in Chicago, August 12, 1865. His father, Michael Fessler, was a native of Germany, and in that country was reared and educated. After arriving at years o maturity he married Miss Christina Rohr, also a native of the fatherland. In 1850 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, accompanied by his wife and the child who 780 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS was born to them in Germany. Michael Fessler is now living a retired life in Chi- cago, at the age of seventy years, and is a worthy member of Amity Lodge, No. 472, A. F. & A. M. His wife departed this life in the fifty-eighth year of her age. William Fessler is one of a family of six children. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, and when eight- een years of age began railroading, enter- ing the employ of the Chicago & North- western Railroad Company. On attaining his majority he was promoted to the posi- tion of locomotive fireman, and in that capacity has since served, one of the most able, competent and reliable men on the road. There is no corporation or organiza- tion in the country that demands more faithful service on the part of its employees than the railroad companies, and the long continued service of Mr. Fessler for the Northwestern road therefore strongly attests his fidelity to duty and the confidence re- posed in him. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and is a member of the Evangelical church. In 1888 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Lovejoy, a native of Cherry Valley, Illinois, and a daughter of Samuel Lovejoy, of that place. They are widely and favorably known in this locality, and have the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. They have a nice home in Belvidere, and the household is brightened by the presence of three children, Lou L. , Frank William and Harold Earl. CHARLES L. HOVEY, one of the most \^1 prominent Masons in the city of Deca- tur, Illinois, has devoted a great deal of time and money to the workings of the or- der, and was largely instrumental in putting Macon Lodge in its present prosperous condition. He was chairman of the ad- visory board which selected the location of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home at Macon, and held the office of Deputy Grand Lecturer for three years. Mr. Hovey was initiated and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Normal Lodge, No. 673, at Normal, Illinois, from which he was dimitted to become af- filiated with Bloomington Lodge, No. 43, in which he served as Senior Deacon and also Senior Warden; and he was dimitted from this lodge to join Macon Lodge, No. 8, of Decatur, of which he was Worshipful Master, and was its representative in the Grand Lodge for three years. He was ex- alted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Bloomington Chapter, and is now a member of Macon Chapter, No. 2 I , being honored with the office of High Priest in that body. He was made a Royal and Select Master in Healing Council, was transferred to Decatur Council, No. 1 6, serv- ing as its Conductor; and was created a Sir Knight in DeMolay Commandery, No. 24, of Bloomington, and was elected as its Warder. From this commandery he was dimitted to join Beaumanoir Commandery, No. 9, of Decatur, of which he was elected Recorder. Mr. Hovey is a member of De- catur Chapter, No. 1 1 1, Order of the East- ern Star, and was the Worthy Grand Patron in 1896. The birth of our subject took place in the village of Darlington, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, November 15, 1851, his ear- ly education being acquired in a log school-house, which was the only facilities afforded for mental training in those days in that district. He was sent to Normal University, at Normal, Illinois, to complete his studies, but, his father having in the meantime met with financial reverses, he was obliged to leave the college before fin- ishing the course and secure work to sustain the family. He obtained a position as clerk in a boot and shoe store in Bloomington, and held a similar post in Normal for a few years. He was then appointed deputy post- master of the latter city, in which capacity he served for six years. In 1876 he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, in the minor position of truck- man, but by perseverance and a strict at- tention to his duties he attracted the notice COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 731 of his superiors, and was gradually advanced to higher positions, until, on January I, 1882, he was made freight agent of the De- catur office, which he has filled ever since with credit to himself and to the entire sat- isfaction of the company. Mr. Hovey is practically a self-made man, and has attained his present status in life by personal merit, supported by a strong determination to make a place for himself in the world. Politically he is a stanch Republican and an earnest advocate of the principles set forth in the platform of that party. Personally he has many sterling qualities of character, and is regarded with esteem by all who know him. THOMAS INGLIS BALLANTINE.- The history of Masonry in Illinois would be incomplete without specific men- tion of this gentleman, whom his fellow members of the craft have seen fit to honor with high official preferment in the second city of the commonwealth. He is now Worshipful Master of Temple Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., of Peoria. serving his second year in that position. He is a mod- est, unassuming man, entirely free from ostentation; and, while he disclaims credit for his efforts in behalf of the noble and ancient fraternity, the records show that his labors in its behalf have been most effective and his work is appreciated by his brethren, who entertain for him the highest regard both as a man and a Mason. It was on the ist of August, 1888, that as an Entered Apprentice he became iden- tified with Temple Lodge; on the 2gth of the same month he passed the Fellow- craft degree and on the 22nd of Septem- ber was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. From the time when he began the study of those truths of univer- sality and beneficence upon which the order rests, he has been deeply interested in the work and has given his aid and influence to its furtherance. The appreciation of his services by his brethren was made visibly manifest in 1896 by his election to the office 43 of Worshipful Master, and during that year forty new members were received into full fellowship in the lodge. Again in 1 897 he was elected to that position and is now serving for the second term. He took the degrees of capitular Masonry in Peoria Chapter, No. 7, being exalted to the august degree of a Royal Arch Mason June 18, 1891, while in 1895 he held the office of High Prii st. He passed the circle of cryp- tic Masonry and was greeted a Royal and Select Master in Peoria Council, No. i i, of which he is now, 1897, serving as Thrice Illustrious Master. In Peoria Command- ery. No. 3, he was constituted, created and dubbed a Sir Knight, and in Peoria Consis- tory attained the thirty-second degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, January 28, 1889, being thereon proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. He is now Deputy Master in the Lodge of Per- fection, Junior Warden in the Council, Master of Ceremonies in the Chapter of Rose Croix, and Second Lieutenant Com- mander in the Consistory. He is also a member of Mohammed Temple, Ancient COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is now serving as Potentate. He is a member of St. Helena Conclave, Knights of Constantine, is one of its representatives in the College of Viceroys, and is a mem- ber of the Order of High Priesthood. In 1895, through the courtesy of the illustrious Mason, General John C. Smith, he was elected a member of the Outer Circle of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2,076, of London, England. Mr. Ballantine comes of Masonic stock, as his father and his maternal grandfather were both representatives of the fraternity. He was born on the 24th of May, 1854, of Scotch parents. His father was a master mariner and for years commodore of the Allan line of trans-Atlantic steamers. His mother was a granddaughter of Andrew Walker, bishop of^Edinburg and primus of Scotland. Her father was made a Mason in St. Brice Lodge, Kirkaldy, Fifeshire, Scotland, over a century ago. Mr. Ballan- tine obtained his education on both sides of the Atlantic. He inherited from his father a roving disposition and has been some- thing of a cosmopolite. He has lived in both England and Scotland, in Ontario and the lower provinces of Canada, in Omaha and Crete, Nebraska; Davenport and Coun- cil Bluffs, Iowa; and New York city. At length he came to Peoria and has since en- gaged in journalistic work. For the past fourteen years he has been city editor of the Peoria Journal, and is an able, forceful and terse writer. In his youth Mr. Ballantine was con- firmed in the Episcopal church, but is not now actively affiliated with any church or- ganization. He was married October 30, 1887, by the rector of the Episcopal church, of Peoria, to Miss Minnie M. Bennett, daughter of Charles and Susan Bennett, na- tives of England. Her father served in the Civil war, was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and held membership in Temple Lodge, No. 46, A. F. &. A. M. Her mother also went south when the war broke out and served in the hospital corps as an army nurse. Mrs. Ballantine has been president of Bryner Woman's Relief Corps and Worthy Matron of Central City Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, of Peoria. RISTIDES EDWIN BALDWIN, M. D., LL. B., D. D. S. Pertinently it might be said that there exists a singularly close bond of sympathy connecting the pro- fession of medicine with the fraternity of Freemasonry, for there is a certain degree of humanitarianism underlying both that resolves itself into a unification of objects, thereby creating an amalgamation of ideas that must necessarily accrue to the benefit of suffering humanity. Therefore, he who adopts that noble profession, medicine, as his life work, devoting his time, talent and intellectual endowments to the alleviation of the mental and physical anguish of his fellowmen, is more thoroughly equipped for the prosecution of his laudable purpose if he has possessed himself of the light that emanates from the temple of Freemasonry, shedding its beneficiary beams upon all who desire to enter the consecrated portals. Dr. Baldwin is identified with both the York and Scottish Rites, his connection with the former encompassing a period of fifteen years, and with the latter thirteen years. He was initiated, passed and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in St. Mark's Lodge, No. 63, at Woodstock, Illi- nois, in 1882, and subsequently, in 1884, he attained the degrees in the ineffable Lodge of Perfection, and has conferred upon him the thirty-second degree in Oriental Consistory, wherein he was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. The Doctor is thoroughly imbued with the beau- ties contained in the principles of the craft, and the blue lodge may always rely with implicit confidence upon his co-operation and assistance in any enterprise it may henceforth undertake, and his fidelity has gained him the good will and high regard of all his fratres. Dr. A. E. Baldwin is a native son of Illi- nois, his birth having occurred at Green- wood, McHenry county, on the 5th of COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 783 February, 1852, and there he passed the first sixteen years of his life, performing the duties incident to farm life, while he spent his leisure time in availing himself of the opportunities for study, receiving his literary educational discipline in the dis- trict schools. Such was his ability and ap- plication that he became competent to teach school, and, beginning to teach before he attained the age of seventeen, he fol- lowed the vocation of an educator in Mc- Henry county for a period of four years keeping up advanced study during this whole period. Then he was chosen prin- cipal of the schools at Genoa Junction, Wisconsin, and there remained for another four years, during most of which period his spare time from school duties was spent in the study of medicine. Having early formed a determination to devote his life to the study and practice of medicine and surgery, at the successful conclusion of his school work, though offered a position in one of the normal schools of the state, now devoted his whole energy to fitting himself for his life work. Accordingly he matriculated in Rush Med- ical College, now the medical department of the Lake Forest University, and was graduated at that institution with the class of '78. Desiring to enter at once upon the active practice of his calling, Dr. Baldwin located at Toulon, Illinois, and there con- tinued very successfully for three years, at the end of that time disposing of his prac- tice and property there, he moving to Woodstock, Illinois, where he remained one year building up a very large and suc- cessful practice, and then traveled for the greater part of a year in the interest of his wife's health. Upon concluding his jour- neyings he settled in Chicago and entered upon a two-years course of study in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, then called the Chicago Infirmary Dental Col- lege, now a department of the Lake Forest University, and he has the distinction of being the first to matriculate and one of the first class of two to graduate in that de- partment, since which occasion he has fol- lowed the profession of dental surgery, meeting with the success that is merited by distinguished ability and acquired knowl- edge, combined with the qualifications nec- essary to obtain prestige in that line of en- terprise. Aside from his dental practice, the Doctor, being a great reader and stu- dent in scientific matters, has devoted his leisure hours during the years 1890-4 to the study of law, and in 1894 he was grad- uated at the Chicago College of Law after a two-years course in the college; after that he took a post-graduate course of one year, at the end of which time he was granted the degree of Bachelor of Laws by Lake Forest University. This college is also a department of the Lake Forest Uni- versity, and thus he obtained the honor of being a graduate of and receiving degrees from three out of four of the professional schools of that educational institution, which is without parallel in the city of Chi- cago, if not in the United States. Dr. Baldwin's career contains in it many lessons, demonstrating the fact, as it does, that under many disadvantageous circumstances and disheartening conditions success may be secured if he who strives for it is fortified by a laudable ambition, courage, perseverance and integrity, plus a certain amount of business acumen and honesty of purpose. The skillful manner in which Dr. Baldwin executes all work en- trusted to his care and the honorable meth- ods always followed by him in all his deal- ings, have gained for him a liberal patron- age and the respect and confidence of every one with whom he has business acquaint- ance. The Doctor is a member of the Chicago Dental Society, Chicago Medical Society, a fellow of the Chicago Academy of Medi- cine, American Medical Association and one of the business committee of the latter. The marriage of Dr. Baldwin was sol- emnized on the 8th of May, 1878, when he was united to Miss Lois A. Freeman, a na- tive of Genoa Junction. They have two daughters, Alice E. and Helen L. 734 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. JB. A. COLL AN, of Champaign, is one of the most prominent Masons of Illi- nois, and is known throughout the state for his unfaltering devotion to the craft. Drawing its inspiration from the highest truths and noblest purposes of past ages, Masonry was established at an early day and down through the centuries it has added to its fundamental teachings and practices the lessons of good which have been promulgated from time to time. Its creed, though brief, embraces man's whole duty toward a Creator and toward his fel- low man; and its followers, shaping their lives according to its teachings, have proved an important element in the uplifting of the human race and in the advancement of civ- il ixation. Mr. Collan is one of the most promi- nent Masons in Champaign, and with the exception of the last of the Scottish Rite, has taken every degree of the order. He is a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 240, A. F. & A. M., and has been honored with the office of Worshipful Master. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Champaign Chapter, No. 50, and has served as King. He passed the circle and was greeted a Royal Master of Urbana Council, No. 19, was constituted, created and dubbed a Sir Knight in Urbana Commandery, No. 16, in which he has served as Warden, and took the ineffable degree of the lodge of perfection in Peoria Consistory, wherein he was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. He is an active Knight of the Grand Cross Su- preme Chapter, one of the few in the state, and is also a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, Saxa Rubra Conclave, No. 2, in which he has held the office of Sovereign. He is a member of Vesper Chapter, No. 128, Order of the Eastern Star, and is the Worthy Patron at the time of this writing (1897). Such has been his connection with the different branches of Masonry; but this indicates little of his faithful performance of Masonic duties, his fidelity to the teach- ings of lodge and chapter, his loyalty to the vows of knighthood and his exemplification of "Princely" conduct. He meets his fel- low men in the fraternal relation of broth- erhood and his sterling worth has won him the regard of the fraternity wherever he is known. Mr. Collan was born in Champaign, Illinois, April 6, 1858, and obtained his edu- cation in the public schools, after which he learned the cigar-makers' trade, which he has since followed. For many years he has been engaged in business on his own account, and has met with success in his undertaking. He manufactures and whole- sales a number of excellent brands of cigars, which find a ready sale on the market, and his patronage comes from a wide territory. His trade is now extensive, and he is reap- ing the reward which comes from honorable dealing, courteous treatment and persever- ance, guided by sound judgment. He is a man of broad capability and has not con- fined his energies alone to one line. In addition to his cigar-manufacturing he now serves as vice-president and treasurer of the Twin City Building & Loan Association. Mr. Collan is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Republican party, and for ten years served as a member of the Republic- an county central committee. He has been a member of the board of supervisors of the county and a member of the city council of Champaign for several years. In his offi- cial capacity he has exercised his preroga- tives to the best advantage of the commu- nity, supporting all measures calculated to prove of public benefit, and has thereby materially promoted the welfare of Cham- paign. On all political questions he is well and accurately informed, and is likewise a man of broad general information. MERY CALVIN GRAVES. In what- ever part of the world intelligence is to be found, the spirit of Freemasonry flourishes, permeating the ranks of all na- tions and shedding the light of its princi- ples on all conditions of men who have within their hearts the germ of love for the Supreme Being and their fellow-men. COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 735 Where the precepts of this order are con- scientiously followed, the standard of mor- ality has reached its highest apex, exalted above the mire of sin and human selfish- ness. The membership in Illinois contains thousands of men who are daily striving to do all in their power, by example as well as by theory, to advance the cause of this, the most humanitarian of all societies. One of these who has been conspicuous for the good work he has performed in his home lodge, is Emery C. Graves, one of the prominent lawyers of Geneseo, Illinois. Mr. Graves became an Entered Appren- tice in Stewart Lodge, No. 92, on April 12, passed the Fellow-craft degree April 27, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason May 7, all in 1889. In this lodge he has occupied various offices, the duties of which he performed greatly to his own credit and to the satisfaction of his brother Masons. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Barrett Chapter, No. 18, at Rock Island, and soon after was created a Sir Knight in Everts Commandery, No. 18, Knights Tem- plar, also at Rock Island. Besides his af- filiations with these bodies, Mr. Graves is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Kaaba Tem- ple, at Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Graves was born at Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county, New York, January 1 9> '853, an d is the son of Calvin S. and Martha (Kingsley) Graves. His ancestors were of Irish and Scotch origin, who emi- grated to this country in the early colonial days, the great - grandfather, Jedediah Graves, being a participant in the war of the Revolution. Ora Graves, the grand- father, was born in the state of New York, as was also the father, the latter's birth oc- curring in Herkimer, Herkimer county, June 28, 1824. After his marriage to Miss Kingsley they moved to Illinois, in 1853, where he engaged in the drug business, which he carried on most successfully, but is now retired from active life, at the age of seventy-two, and with his good wife, whose years number three-score and nine, and the two children, is enjoying the golden age of a well-spent life. He was at one time an old-line Whig, but became a Re- publican upon the formation of that party, and, being a man of ability, was chosen to fill various township and county offices. His wife is a devout adherent of the Meth- odist faith. Mr. Graves, of this sketch, the second child in order of birth, received his early education in the public schools of Geneseo, which he later supplemented by a course in the law department of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he was grad- uated in 1874. Since that time he has fol- lowed his profession in Geneseo, and has succeeded in acquiring a large and remunera- tive practice, and in obtaining the reputa- tion of a brilliant and thoroughly reliable lawyer. In politics he is an uncompromis- ing Republican, and has served the interests of the city several terms in the capacity of mayor. As such he has become prominent as an " anti-saloon " man, advocating a high license as the most satisfactory method, next to prohibition, of curtailing and sup- pressing the traffic in intoxicating liquors. As a member of the bar he is possessed of undoubted ability, and for the past eleven years has held the office of state's attorney. Mr. Graves has a wife and daughter. His wife, Lulu M. (nee Godfrey), is a worthy member of the Congregational church, a leader in society and a constant joy to the home circle. His daughter, May Flora, now an accomplished young lady of seven- teen years, has already made for herself an enviable reputation as a musician which is not confined to Geneseo, and is as well and favorably known as any young lady of her age in the community. Mr. Graves has just completed one of the finest residences in the city, where he and his wife and daughter are always glad to receive the many friends which they possess, both in and out of the fraternity. WILLIAM JAMES CALHOUN, one of the brilliant members of the legal profession in Danville, holds an honored position in fraternal circles, and is united 736 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. to his fellow Masons by the strongest bonds of friendship. His membership began in November, 1875, in Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, of which he was elected Worship- ful Master for the year 1881. He was ex- alted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, on April 10, 1876, and was created a Sir Knight in Athelstan Commandery, No. 45. on March 9, 1877, serving as its Eminent Commander in 1886. His work in the order has always been performed in a cheer- ful, hearty manner, and he is ever ready to do all in his power to advance the interests of his lodge. Mr. Calhoun was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1848, where he attended the public schools and later en- tered Poland Union Seminary, at Poland, Mahoning county, Ohio. In 1869 he moved to Danville, where he decided to adopt the law as his calling in life, spent some time in its study, and was admitted to the bar in 1 874. He at once commenced the practice of his profession, in which he has attained to a high degree of success. In politics Mr. Calhoun is associated with the Republican party. He was elected to the lower house of the Illinois general assembly in 1882, serving one term, and was chosen state's attorney of Vermilion county in 1884, holding that office for four years, since which time he has retired from active political life. At the age of sixteen he offered his services in the defense of the Union, and enlisted at Cleveland, Ohio, as a private in Company B, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the Atlanta campaign. He was mustered out and honorably discharged at Camp Chase in December, 1865. Socially Mr. Calhoun is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Our brother was united in marriage, in Danville, December, 1875, to Miss Alice Harmon, and two daughters have been born to them. Marian and Corinne. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun have a pleasant home, where they are ever ready to entertain their many friends. LONZO RICHTMYER, of Sterling, J&^_ has advanced to the Knight Templar degree in Masonry, and for four years has been identified with the fraternity as one of its most able representatives in this city. His fidelity to the obligations it imposes and his observance of the ethics and teach- ings of Masonry have won him the high es- teem of his brethren of the craft and justly entitle him to representation in this volume, whose province it is to set forth the history of the order in Illinois, accompanied by the lives of those who have been faithful fol- lowers of its standard and have added honor and dignity to the term Mason. In 1892 Mr. Richtmyer took the degrees of Entered Apprentice and Fellow-craft in Rock River Lodge, No. 612, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on the 8th of July. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Sterling Chapter, No. 57, on the 3d of De- cember, 1892, and is a most loyal Compan- ion. On the ist of May, 1894, he was created a Sir Knight in Sterling Command- ery, No. 57, and although he has never been active as an office holder he is a worthy exemplar of the principles of that order whose ancient origin gives it a fame and pre-eminence to which the history of other institutions affords no parallel. In business circles in Sterling Mr. Richt- myer has attained to an eminent position and is now prominently connected with the Rock Falls Manufacturing Company. There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which is universally accorded him in Sterling, but through his connection with the city his has been an unblemished character. With him success in life has been reached by his sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every manly principle. He has never swerved from the path of duty and his energy and enterprise have overcome all obstacles. Mr. Richtmyer was born at Cobleskill, New York, on the 2ist of May, 1846, and is of German descent, his ancestors locating in the Hudson valley at a very early day. It was in 1681 that William Richtmyer, the COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 737 progenitor of the family in the United States, crossed the Atlantic to the new world and took up his residence in Scho- harie county, New York, where he entered a large tract of land from the government. The great-grandfather of our subject was a captain in the Continental army and served throughout the war of the Revolution in defense of the rights of the colonists. The grandfather, then a young man, carried the mail during those perilous times and on one occasion his hat was pierced by the bullet from the gun of a " red-coat." Philip Richtmyer, the father of Alonzo, was born on the old homestead in New York, and having arrived at years of maturity married Miss Elizabeth Loucks, who was also de- scended from one of the old families of New York, of German origin. Her ancestors were also numbered among the heroes of the patriot army. Philip Richtmyer was for many years engaged in the manufacture of carriages and died in 1890, at the age of eighty-four years. The mother departed this life six weeks later and was also eighty- four years of age at the time of her demise. They had long since passed the fiftieth an- niversary of their wedding day. They reared three children, two of whom are still living. Alonzo Richtmyer was the youngest of the family and in his native state he spent his early boyhood days, while the public schools afforded him his educational priv- ileges. When a young man of twenty-one he came to Illinois and stopped at Gales- burg, in 1870 went to Morrison, and in 1 879 located in Rock Falls, where he be- came connected with the Rock Falls Manu- facturing Company. A year later the busi- ness was removed to Sterling, where they have built up an extensive trade. They manufacture burial cases and hearses and have one of the largest industrial interests not only in this city but also in the north- western part of the state. Their business has assumed gigantic proportions and they ship their goods to all parts of the United States. In 1870 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Richtmyer and Miss Ella C. Kelmer, who also was a native of the town in which her husband's birth occurred. They have three children, Verna E., Percy L. and Robert Romeyn. They have a delightful home, its chief charm being the gracious hospitality which they extend to their many friends. They occupy a high position in- social circles and are esteemed residents of Sterling. In politics Mr. Richtmyer is an inde- dependent Democrat and is now serving his second term as a member of the city coun- cil of Sterling. He takes a deep interest in the welfare and growth of the city and lends his influence and support to the fur- therance of all measures calculated to prove of public benefit. riCHOLAS G. CONYBEAR, a Knight Templar Mason and one whose con- nection with the fraternity has been honor- able and faithful, was made a member of the order in Apollo Lodge, F. & A. M., in 1890. He was raised to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Chicago Chapter in 1891, in 1893 was knighted in Apollo Com- mandery, No. i, and since 1895 has been numbered among the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Medinah Temple. In the blue lodge he served as Worshipful Master in 1895, and in the various branches of Ma- sonry with which he is identified he is true and loyal to the teachings and adheres closely to those principles upon which the ancient order was founded so many centu- ries ago and which have awakened the ad- miration and respect and elicited the sup- port of all people. Mr. Conybear is a native of Plymouth. England, his birth having occurred on the 24th of May, 1867. He was only four years of age when brought to this country by his parents, the family locating in Chi- cago, where he was reared to manhood. To the public-school system of the city he is indebted for the education he obtained, and when he entered upon his business ca- reer he obtained employment in a provision COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. store, with which line of merchandising he has since been connected. He has made a thorough study of the business, and his aptitude and thorough reliability have won him promotion. He is now serving as a salesman for the firm of T. J. Lipton & Company and has proven himself the right man for the place, being wide-awake, ener- getic, industrious and obliging. In 1888 was consummated the marriage of Mr. Conybear and Miss Augusta Sisse- man, a lady of German descent. They now have two children Wilborn G. and Frederick Nicholas. Both our subject and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, Forestville Chapter, and are highly esteemed in the lodge. THOMAS POWELL PIERCE. The deep truths of Freemasonry have gone into the hearts and lives of the good and great among every civilized people un- der the sun, and the implements of the fraternity are rendered subliihe'an'd glorious in their symbolism of man's duty to man in society. They stimulate higher thoughts and nobler ambitions, and stand for the all- embracing creed,- the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. For over thirty years Mr. Pierce has been a zealous, faithful member of the craft, filling many positions in his lodge with honor and credit. He was initiated and became an Entered Apprentice in Wethersfield Lodge (now Kewanee), No. 159, March 12, 1862, pass- ing the Fellow-craft degree May 20, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason September 9. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Kewanee Chapter, No. 47, in 1865, of which he became Mark Master May 10, Past Master and Most Eminent Master May 17. In the same year he was created a Knight in Temple Commandery, No. 20, Knights Templar, at Princeton. Mr. Pierce is also a member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the state of Illinois, and en- joys the esteem of the members of the fraternity. Illinois is the native state of Mr. Pierce, he having been born in Kane county, Octo- ber 3, 1838. He is of Welsh ancestry, his father, Thomas Pierce, coming from Wales in 1817 when but a young man and locating in Utica, New York. In that city he was married to Miss Ruth Powell, and then came west, finally settling in Illinois, where he took up a section of government land, improved it, and became one of the pioneer farmers of the state, attaining an influential and successful position in life. When the world's exposition was held in London, England, Mr. Pierce was chosen as a dele- gate to represent the state of Illinois. He became a member of the Masonic fraternity in New York previous to coming west. In religious matters he was an adherent of the Congregational church. He attained the venerable age of seventy-two years and passed away in 1872, his wife surviving him until 1894, when she, too, passed away to the better land. They were a worthy cou- ple and were greatly respected by all who knew them. Four children were born to them, three of whom are yet living. Mr. Pierce came to Kewanee in 1859 and engaged in the hardware business with one of his brothers, becoming one of the prominent and successful men of the town. He eventually retired from that vocation and was succeeded by his son, W. T. Pierce, who is now carrying on in a capable man- ner the business his father established and continued in for so many years. In 1881 Mr. Pierce became interested in banking, and in 1882 organized the Union National Bank of Kewanee, of which he was elected president, an office that he has since con- tinued to fill in a most satisfactory man- ner. The bank was organized with a cap- ital of fifty thousand dollars, which a little later was increased to seventy-five thou- sand. Its officers are: President, Thomas P. Pierce; vice-president, W. H. Lyman; cashier, H. L. Kellog; assistant cashier, John Green; and from the very first the bank has done a successful business, and is one of the most prosperous and popular in- stitutions of its kind in the county. Mr. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 741 Pierce has been a prominent factor in sev- eral other enterprising companies which have greatly contributed to the growth and the present flourishing condition of the town, among them being the Kewanee Boiler Company, the Western Tube Company, the Kewanee Coal Company, all of which employ a large number of workmen and have been most potent in building up the interests of Kewanee. Mr. Pierce was married in 1864 to Miss Charlotte M. Talcott, a native of White Pigeon, Michigan, and two children were born to them, one of whom died in infancy. The other is W. T. Pierce, alluded to be- fore in this review, who is a promising young business man of great energy and force of character. Socially he is a mem- ber of the Knights Templar. In politics Mr. Pierce is a Republican, but has never had any aspirations for hold- ing office, although for twelve years he has served on the Illinois state board of equali- zation. He is a thoroughly reliable man, conscientious in all his business dealings, and his sterling qualities as .a Mason have won for him the respect and regard of his many friends. CHARLES H. TEBBETTS, Chicago.- In the great competitive struggle of life, when each must enter the field and fight his way to the front or else be over- taken by disaster of time or place, there is ever particular interest attaching to the life of one who has turned the tide of success, has surmounted obstacles and has shown his ability to cope with others in their rush for the coveted goal. The subject of this review has been identified with commercial interests in the city of Chicago for more than a quarter of a century, and by his own well-directed efforts has advanced continu- ously until he now occupies a position of no little prominence in the industrial life of the western metropolis. He rendered valiant and loyal service in the upholding of the Union arms in the late war of the Rebellion, and in the city which has been his home for so many years he is honored alike as a veteran defender of the nation's honor and as a man whose business career has been one beyond reproach. Among others whose names are recorded in this work as con- nected with the noble fraternal order of Freemasonry his must certainly be given place. Charles Henry Tebbetts is a native of the classic old city of Boston, Massachusetts, where he was born on the 3Oth of Novem- ber, 1 840, being the son of Charles and Olive Tebbetts, both natives of Maine. Charles Tebbetts was for many years en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, and when his son, the immediate subject of this sketch, was a lad of twelve years, the family re- moved to the west and took up their abode on a farm in Lake county, Illinois. The venerable father is still living, is retired from active labors, and retains his residence at Lawrence, this state. The preliminary educational discipline of our subject was secured in the district schools in the vicinity of his rural home, and he continued his studies until he had attained the age of eighteen years, and devoting his attention to the cultivation of the paternal acres until he had attained his majority. A young man of vigorous con- stitution and active intellect, his entire being was roused with patriotism when the thundering of rebel guns against Fort Sum- ter announced the nation's peril from foes within her borders, and in August, 1861, Mr. Tebbetts enlisted for service as a mem- ber of Company F, Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry, known as the Fremont Rifles, General White commanding and General John C. Black as major. Proceeding with his regiment to the front he remained in active service for more than three years, being connected with what was designated as the army of the frontier and participating in the conflicts at Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and in numerous other skirmishes through the southwest. He was present at the surrender of Vicks- burg, whence he went south to New Or- leans and Brownsville, Texas. After a serv- 742 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT 7N ILLINOIS. ice that redounded to his credit and pa- triotism Mr. Tebbetts was finally mustered out, at Chicago, on the 2ist of September, 1864. His military career thus ended he once more turned his attention to the occu- pations of peace, going to Cairo, Illinois, where he was engaged in business for a pe- riod of two years. Desiring a broader field of operations Mr. Tebbetts returned, in 1867, to Chicago, where he accepted a position as bookkeeper for the American Clock Company, in which incumbency he was retained until the great fire of 1871, when the business was swept away by this ever-memorable conflagration. Mr. Tebbetts' condition as the result of this disaster was deplorable, and such as to have daunted the stoutest heart, for he emerged without a dollar in the world and without sufficient clothing to provide for the tem- porary needs of himself and his wife. The two were fortunate in having friends who provided for their necessities in the hour of their great extremity, and after the city began the work of rehabilitation Mr. Teb- betts bravely faced the situation and pre- pared to start anew in the effort to retrieve his fortunes. In the month of March, 1873, he en- tered into a partnership association with D. F. Garland for the conduct of a grocery business, the enterprise having its original headquarters in the old Baptist church building at the corner of Eighteenth street and Wabash avenue, where the firm main- tained a stall in the general market. Pros- perity attended their efforts and they con- tinued operations at the location noted un- til the rats had practically undermined the foundations of the old structure occupied. On the site at this time was erected a sub- stantial four-story brick building, and Teb- betts & Garland took possession of the cor- ner store, 68 x 1 20 feet in dimensions, plac- ing therein a large and select stock of goods in their line and catering to a constantly increasing trade, induced by their correct business methods and careful attention to the demands of patrons. After having con- ducted business at this one location for a period of twenty-two years the firm finally, on the ist of May, 1895, moved to their present and attractive quarters, 2111-17 Michigan avenue, where they have ample accommodations for their extensive and representative business, which has been extended to the inclusion of a wholesale department in connection with the retail operations. The building occupied is of modern design and is 75x110 feet in dimen- sions. Mr. Tebbetts has been deservedly suc- cessful in all his business transactions, is well known in the city and enjoys an un- mistakable popularity, being possessed of a most genial and companionable nature and thereby gaining the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact in a business or social way. The copartnership formed so many years ago has remained unchanged, the relations of the two interested princi- pals having ever been most pleasant and harmonious. As touching his connection with the Ma- sonic order it may be noted that Mr. Teb- betts was initiated into its mysteries in 1883, becoming a member of Dearborn Lodge, No. 310. Since that time he has advanced through the various branches un- til he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, being identified with the Oriental Consistory. Mr. Tebbetts has never been an aspirant for official prefer- ment in the fraternity, but maintains a most lively interest in all its affairs. In his mili- tary affiliations Mr. Tebbetts is prominently identified with the Grand Army of the Re- public. In the latter he holds membership in George H. Thomas Post, No. 5, which is especially notable as being the largest post of the order in the world. During the World's Fair year our subject had the distin- guished honor of being the commander of this post, his election to this office standing in evidence of his hearty interest in Grand Army affairs and of his marked popularity among the comrades of the post. A rather amusing episode in connection with Com- mander Tebbetts' appearance in the parade at the national encampment of the Grand COMPENDIUM Of FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 743 Army at Detroit, in 1891, is rather felici- tously narrated in the appending verses, from the pen of J. A. Stansbury, also a member of Thomas Post. Mr. Tebbetts is also a member and at the head of Central Council, No. 36, Royal League, a fraternal insurance company. The marriage of Mr. Tebbetts was con- summated in January, 1868, when he was united to Miss Carrie W. Wheeler, a native of Penn Yan, New York, and a descendant of the well-known Spencer family. Mr. and Mrs. Tebbetts are members of Imman- ual Baptist church. In his political adherency Mr. Tebbetts renders a stanch allegiance to the Repub- lican party and its principles, having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln. He has had no inclination to seek political preferment, but has preferred to devote his undivided attention to his busi- ness affairs. COMRADE TEBBETTS AT DETROIT. August, 1891. BY J. A. STANSBURY, POST 5, CHICAGO. Oh! Were you at Detroit? If you were I know you saw it, When the line moved down the crowded street; I refer to Comrade Tebbetts, And his grand equine exhibit, And the tableaux there presented so complete. When the hour to march drew nigh, A compassion-laden sigh Did our Comrade draw for " vets " who had to walk; As he passed along the street, With the "boys" he chanced to meet, He could hardly condescend to stop and talk. Everything in shape of horse, Had been long engaged, ot course, And our Comrade had neglected to provide; But they told him at the stable, N T o doubt they would be able To supply him with a beast that he could ride. Once inside the stable door, He beheld upon the floor The charger that would lead the tramping host; Then he heard a long-drawn sigh, When he caught the drooping eye Of the an-e-mile that leaned against a post. Hitherto that bony frame Had been unknown to fame; Hereafter 'twill be known both near and far, For it gained a reputation 'Mong the "boys " that saved the nation And the thousands who respect the G. A. R. " What means this long delay?" Said the veteran stooped and gray, As he lay in sweet repose upon the grass; Just then the martialed rank Fell back on either flank To let the snow-white horse and rider pass. Did you hear that deafening cheer As the marching Posts appear, With the starry flag and banners to the breeze? They cheer the living flag, Also Tebbetts and his nag, Until they shake the leaves upon the trees. From the ridge-pole of that hoss No rider could be tossed, No babe was more secure within its crib; 'Neath that regulation tile, Beamed a Sol-Smith-Russell smile, As he interlocked his knees between the ribs! Little Phil's immortal ride Is referred to oft with pride, And proud the nation is of that exploit; But it now falls in the shade, When comparison is made With Tebbetts' and his tableaux in Detroit. C.HARLES H. DUNBAR, a well-known citizen of Elgin, who has become con- spicuous among the brotherhood for the interest exhibited by him in the work of the fraternity, was admitted to Monitor Lodge, No. 552, in October, 1895; raised to the Royal Arch Mason degree in L. L. Munn Chapter; created a Sir Knight in Bethel Commandery, No. 36; and received the ineffable degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, Scottish, in 1896. He made a successful pilgrimage across the sands of the desert and became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Medinah Temple. Mr. Dunbar was born June 11, 1869, in in the city of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the public schools of that place being the foundation of his mental training. He later attended the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated in 1891, and then entered Cornell University, at which he was graduated in 1892, taking a scientific 744 COMPENDIUM OF FREBMASONRT JN ILLINOIS. course at both institutions. Our subject is a son of George S. Dunbar, who was en- gaged in the gas business for a number of years, during which time his son was asso- ciated with him. Charles H. subsequently embarked in this vocation, first taking charge of a plant at Pittsfield, Massachu- setts, and one in New Rochelle, New York. In 1894 he came to Elgin and was ap- appointed manager of the American Gas Company, in which capacity he is now serving, besides holding the office of in- spector for the same company at Philadel- phia. Mr. Dunbar is a wide-awake, pro- gressive young man who has attained to his present responsible position by perse- verance, honesty of purpose, and an in- tegrity of character that commands the greatest confidence in those with whom he is associated. Politically he is a stanch Republican. CHARLES WIGGIN, one of the veteran Masons of Quincy, is an industrious and zealous brother whose long connection with the fraternity has won for him an honored distinction in the local lodge. He took the initiatory degrees in Luce Lodge, No. 439, but when that body surrendered its charter he was dimitted to Quincy Lodge, No. 296, being elected to membership April 4, 1890. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Quincy Chapter, No. 5, June 24, 1884, and was constituted a Sir Knight Templar in Beauseant Commandery, No. 11, on May 1 6, 1888. He has always been faithful to the vows taken in the blue lodge, and is re- garded as a high-minded, exemplary expo- nent of the principles of Freemasonry. Mr. Wiggin was born in Montgomery county, near Dayton, Ohio, November 13, 1842, and comes of Irish ancestry. His grandfather, Andrew Wiggin, and his fa- ther, John Wiggin, were both natives of the Emerald Isle, the former emigrating to America with his family at an early day. They were Presbyterians in their religious belief, and were honest, industrious people. John Wiggin was reared in the Buckeye state, and there married Miss Esther Dillie, who came originally from New Jersey. The latter part of their lives was -spent on a farm near Dayton, where he followed the voca- tion of agriculture and milling. He was a member of the fraternity, attaining the de- gree of Knights Templar, and died at the age of seventy-two years, his wife passing away at the age of four score. Only three of their children survive, Charles Wiggin being the second child in order of birth. He was educated in the public schools of Dayton and the Commercial College, leav- ing the latter that he might serve his coun- try in defending the Union. He enlisted, in 1862, in the Sixteenth Division, and was assigned to the work of building bridges for the army between Louisville, Nashville and Chattanooga, but the hardship and exposure incident to this labor proved too severe a strain on his constitution, and after eighteen months' service he applied for and received an honorable discharge on account of disa- bility. He returned home, where, upon partially recovering his health, he assisted his father in the mill for a number of years. In 1882 Mr. Wiggin was married to Miss Lizzie A. Hart, who also was born in Ohio, and he and his wife removed to Kan- sas City, Missouri, subsequently coming to Quincy, where for some years our subject was engaged in the ice business. In 1 879 he accepted the position of yard-master for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, in which capacity he has served for the past eighteen years with credit, ability and faithfulness. In politics he invariably casts his vote for the Democratic ticket. He is a gentleman sincere in his friendship, honest in principles, generous in disposition, and enjoys the confidence and good will of all who know him. T \HOMAS M. COOK, a faithful and con- sistent member of the Masonic frater- nity residing at Beardstown, has for over twelve years followed the precepts and ten- ets of the order and is one of the highly appreciated brothers in the local lodge with COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 745 which he is affiliated. He was elected an Entered Apprentice and raised to the sub- lime degree of Master Mason in Cass Lodge, No. 23, on December 23, 1885, was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Clarke Chapter, No. 29, on March 9, 1 886, and the same year received the or- ders of knighthood in Rushville Command- ery, No. 56, K. T. , having all the degrees of the three bodies conferred upon him in the unusually short period of six months. He has not felt it consistent with his duty to accept office on account of his frequent absence, although he attends the meetings as frequently as possible, has thoroughly in- formed himself on the ritual, and is fully competent to fill with credit and ability any chair pro tcm. The subject of this review was born in Atlanta, Logan county, Illinois, on August 27, 1859, and is a son of John and Phcebe Ellen (Jeffords) Cook, who were married in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1855. The former was a native of Queenstown, Ireland, and came to America when a youth, in 1837. In answer to President Lincoln's call for volunteers to assist in quelling the Rebel- lion, Mr. Cook enlisted at Atlanta, August i, 1862, in Company E, James Cristie, captain, in the One Hundred and Sixth Illi- nois Infantry, Robert B. Latham, colonel, and lost his life July 31, 1863, while brave- ly defending the flag of his adopted country, leaving to mourn their loss a wife and three children, the latter being John, Mary and Thomas M. His widow still survives, at the age of sixty-three, and is a faithful member of the Christian church. Our sub- ject was but a child when bereft of his fa- ther, and was reared and received his edu- cation in Bloomington, Illinois, until arriv- ing at the age of fifteen years, when a de- sire to make his own way in the world took possession of him and he engaged in the railroad business, serving for four years as brakeman on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, two years as freight conductor on the same road, two years as assistant general yard- master of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway at Hannibal, Missouri, two years as freight conductor of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul road, for thirteen years in the employment of the Burlington as freight conductor and one year as assistant train master, and for the past seven years he has been passenger conductor on that line, his run being between St. Louis and Rock Island; and by his genial nature, gen- erous disposition, and strict integrity he has become one of the most popular employees on the road, and has won the high esteem of its officials. On May 8, 1889, Mr. Cook was married to Miss Cora Mathers, of Mercer county, Illinois, and this union has been blessed with two daughters, Josephine and Mar- garet. Mf. and Mrs. Cook have a delight- ful home and are the recipients of many kindly sentiments from their many friends. They are both valued members of, and liberal contributors to, the Methodist Epis- copal church. LIJAH DUNHAM YOUNG, the well- \l] known decorator and dealer in wall- paper, paints and artists' supplies, and one of Quincy's native sons, was elected an Entered Apprentice of Quincy Lodge, No. 296, on May 26, 1886, passed June 18, and received the sublime degree of Master Mason June 28, of the same year. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Quincy Chapter, No. 5, July 3, [ 886, and is a member of Quincy Grand Lodge of Perfection, fourteenth degree, Quincy Council of Princes of Jerusalem, Quincy Chapter of the Rose Croix, eight- eenth degree, De H. R. D. M., and on January 19, 1887, attained the thirty-second degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Quincy Consistory. Mr. Young has been a loyal member of the order and has done everything in his power to pro- mote its welfare. Mr. Young is a descendant of two of the oldest and most noted families in Ken- tucky, the Boones and the Birds. Our subject was reared and educated in Quincy and there learned the profession of civil 740 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. engineering, his duties being mainly con- nected with railroads. In 1875 he and his brother, John B. Young, purchased the business in which they are now engaged, which was established in 1857, and have built up a large and successful trade, being the leading exponents of their line in the city. They have a branch house in Wichita, Kansas, of which John B. is the manager, while our subject is in charge of the Quincy house. The Wichita branch was estab- lished in 1885. Both of the gentlemen are men of ability, liberal and honorable in their methods, and the two houses are in a flourishing and prosperous condition. In 1891 Mr. Young was happily married to Miss Delia Buckley, also a native of Ouincy, and they are both highly esteemed residents of that city. In politics Mr. Young is an independent Democrat, but devotes all his time and energy to his busi- ness interests, and enjoys the confidence and good will of the citizens of Quincy, as well as his brothers in the fraternity. WILLIAM TALCOTT PIERCE. One of the young men who have become prominent in Masonic circles in Kewanee, Illinois, is the gentleman whose name heads this review. He was initiated in Kewanee Lodge, No. 1 59, on December 10, 1891, passed December 13, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Ma- son on March 3, 1892. He has served his lodge in the capacity of Junior Deacon, and is one of its useful and acceptable members. He was exalted to a Royal Arch Mason in Kewanee Chapter, receiving the degrees as follows: Mark Master, January 12, Past Master and Most Excellent Master, January 1 6, and Royal Arch, September 18, 1894. In the same year he was created a Sir Knight in Temple Commandery, No. 20, at Princeton. Kewanee is the native town of Mr. Pierce, he being born here July 24, 1870, and is the son of Sir Knight Thomas Powell Pierce, whose history appears in this work and to which the reader is referred for further particulars. His primary education was acquired in the public schools of Ke- wanee, and later he attended the North- western University at Chicago, after leaving which he went to Europe, visited the con- tinent, and spent six months in seeing the wonders of the old world. He subsequently returned home and became one of the pro- prietors of the hardware business which his father had established and conducted for many years. On March 28, 1893, he was married to Miss Therese Cronau, a native of Kewanee and a daughter of Peter Cronau, of that city. They have one son, Thomas Cronau Pierce. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are con- sistent members of the Congregational church, and are liberal contributors to its support and active participants in its work. They have a delightful home in the city, and enjoy the high regard of all who know them. BR. F. ZIEGFELD, president of the Chicago Musical College, has been af- filiated with the Masonic fraternity since 1 864. He was raised to the sublime de- gree of Master Mason in Accordia Lodge, No. 277. and for two years served as its Worshipful Master. He was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in La Fayette Chapter, No. 2, and took the vows of knighthood in Chevalier Bayard Commandery, No. 52. He has also re- ceived the grades and orders of the Scot- tish Rite and attained the thirty-second degree of the Oriental Consistory, wherein he was proclaimed a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. He is also a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, his membership being in Medinah Temple. While Dr. Ziegfeld has a wide acquaint- ance among the Masonic fraternity of Chi- cago, he has a reputation in musical circles that extends beyond the bounds of this republic. He stands as one of the most prominent representatives of the divine art in America, and to him more than to any one else is due the advancement of musical COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 747 interests and study which has marked the western metropolis through the past quar- ter of a century. He has made this city a musical center unsurpassed in advantages by the older cities on the Atlantic coast, for he was in reality the pioneer in college instruction in music here and developed the possibilities in that line. Dr. Ziegfeld was born in Jever in the grand duchy of Oldenburg, Germany. His. father, who occupied a position of honor at the ducal court, was a passionate lover of music, and the son inherited the same ad- miration for the art. When six years of age he began the study of the piano, to which he devoted himself with enthusiasm under the training of the best teachers, and with such excellent success that at the early age of ten he played with great credit to himself and his instructors. At the age of fifteen he visited America, but shortly afterward returned to Leipsic, where he continued his studies at the old Leipsic Conservatory, under such renowned masters as Moscheles, Plaidy, Papperitz, Wenzel, Richter. David and others. After his grad- uation he was offered the directorship of the Musical Conservatory of Russia, but declined the honor, having decided to make America the field of his labors. He accord- ingly once more came to the new world, located in Chicago, and in 1 867 founded the Chicago Academy of Music, now the Chicago Musical College. For more than thirty years he has been a central figure in the development of musical interests in America, and his prominence in this art has won recognition among the masters abroad. The governments of Europe have honored him for his successes in this direction, and from the Academy of Letters and Art, of Florence, Italy, he received a diploma and gold medal in September, 1894. Among all his decorations, however, there is none more highly prized than the beautiful dia- mond-studded cross inscribed "To Dr. F. Ziegfeld, from the citizens of Chicago," presented to him at the twenty-fifth anni- versary of the founding of the college, Feb- ruary 23, 1892. He has continued at the head of the college from the beginning, and as its patronage has grown has called to his assistance an able corps of instructors. Other musical colleges have been estab- lished in the city, but the Chicago Musical College has ever stood first in merit and in the regard of the public. From this col- lege have gone forth its graduates through the length and breadth of the land, carry- ing with them the inspiration which they have gained from the college president and his able corps of assistants to their various homes, and thus established new musical centers, where the influence of his knowl- edge and interpretation of music continues to be felt. Some years ago, on the com- pletion of Central Music Hall, Dr. Ziegfeld secured commodious quarters in that build- ing, which has since been the home of the college. At the time of the convening of the Peace Jubilee in Boston, Massachusetts, the Doctor was chosen to go to Europe to engage artists for that occasion, and his choice of attractions proved his great per- sonal influence with the world's leading ar- tists. He brought with him Frau Peschka- Leutner, Franz Abt, Franz Bendel, Strauss, Emperor William's Cornet Quartette, and fhe most famous military bands of the country, and to his labors and discrimina- tion the success of the Jubilee was largely due. The Doctor has always maintained intimate relations with the European musi- cians, visits Europe annually, and has en- joyed extensive correspondence with the most celebrated artists. During the World's Columbian Exposition, he was appointed one of the judges of awards in the musical exhibit, and was chosen chairman of the committee. In conclusion it is proper to mention that in politics Dr. Ziegfeld is a stanch Re- publican, always ready with his purse and influence to do service to his party. He has been offered time and time again the nomination of the most prominent offices in public life, but always declined the honor. His military record in the Illinois National Guard is one of which he may be justly 748 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. proud. For many years he was inspector of rifle practice and later assistant inspector- general, and colonel commanding the Sec- ond Infantry. Dr. Ziegfeld's name appears on the veteran roll of the state of Illinois. CHARLES G. SMITH, As to Illinois belongs the honor of giving precedence to but one state in the Union as to the ag- gregate number of members in its body as a whole, so has it been recruited from that class of citizenship which gives distinctive honor to a great fraternity which ever hon- ors its devotees. He whose name initiates this paragraph is one of the younger of Chicago's Masonic representatives, and his interest in the great crafthood is one of vital nature, while his advancement in the order has been continuous and apprecia- tive. On the 3d of July, 1894, Mr. Smith became an Entered Apprentice in Engle- wood Lodge, No. 690, A. F. & A. M., in which he duly passed the Fellow-craft de-' gree and was raised Master Mason. De- cember 4, 1894, he passed his initial capit- ular degrees in Englewood Chapter, No. 176, where he was exalted to the Royal Arch. Within the succeeding year he was greeted Select Master in Im- perial Council, No. 85, R. & S. M. , while the chivalric honors became his on the 22d of January, 1895, when he was created a Knight Templar in Englewood Commandery, No. 59. In each of these bodies he has not been an idle member, but constant in his appreciation and faithful to the great principles of the order. At the last election of his chapter he was chosen King of the same, in which office he will serve during the year 1897. On the 26th of February, 1897, Mr. Smith essayed the devious pilgrimage across the sands of the desert and gained his reward in being ad- mitted to Medinah Temple of the Ancient Accepted Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Charles George Smith is a native of the Wolverine state, having been born at Dowagiac, Michigan, on the 3 1st of May, 1866. He received a common-school edu- cation, having removed with his parents, Charles A. and Margaret M. Smith, to Chi- cago, in i 870. His initial association with business affairs was as an errand boy in the employ of George E. Cole & Company, stationers, of Chicago, and he remained in the employ of this concern for a period of eleven years, having consecutively advanced to positions of increasing responsibility, and having been during the last six years of his service the manager of their manufacturing department. In 1892 he engaged in busi- ness upon his own responsibility, associat- ing himself with William T. Robinson in the establishing of a printing business, un- der the firm name of Robinson & Smith. The enterprise has been managed with such discrimination and the work turned out has been of such excellent character that the firm have been very successful, their estab- lishment taking rank among the leading concerns in the commercial-printing line in the city, their location being at 340-342 Dearborn street. On the 1 7th of October, 1889, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Lot- tie Peltzer, of Chicago, and they are the parents of one daughter, Margaret, who was born August 26, 1891. Mr. Smith is identified with the National Union and the Independent Order of Foresters of America. HOWARD J. KLINE. To one who understands the principles of Masonry it is no matter of surprise that the members of this order are always to be found among the best citizens of our country. To be a good Mason a man must be a believer in the Divine Ruler, honest and upright in his daily life, generous and sympathetic, and ever ready to look after the interests of his fellow men. Howard J. Kline, whose name heads this sketch, is a prominent wholesale dealer in and manufacturer of cigars at Mount Car- roll. He is a Sir Knight Templar and a valued member of the Masonic fraternity. He was made a Mason in Cyrus Lodge, No. COMPENDIUM OF FREBMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 749 188, at Mount Carroll, in 1887. He was entered November 29, passed December 20, and was raised on January 3, 1888. In 1891 he took the chapter degree as a mem- ber of Lanark Chapter, No. 1 39, at Lan- ark, and in 1 892 was ' ' Sir-Knighted " in the Long Commandery, No. 60, at Mount Car- roll. He is a member of Chapter No. 170, O. E. S., filling the office of Sentinel with pleasure and ability ever since its organiza- tion. He has been Tyler of his blue lodge for rive years, Sentinel of the commandery for four years, and is at present filling that office in all three of those lodges. Mr. Kline is a native of Allentown, Le- high county, Pennsylvania, where he was born January i, 1858, of German ancestors. He was educated in his native town, at- tending the public schools and receiving all the instruction afforded by that institution. For the past twenty-three years he has been in the cigar business, and for fourteen years has been a manufacturer of cigars. His long experience in that line has naturally made him an expert in such matters, and he has given a large part of his time to the production of several choice brands, among which may be mentioned the following: Town Talk, The Hill City, Glen View, Mount Carroll, Hose Team and State Cham- pion. For 85 and 86, Cuban Perfectos, Flor de Milano, Cuban Girl, Improved Sweeper. These brands are all well known to smokers of good cigars, and Mr. Kline has a large trade for them throughout the northwestern portion of the state. On September 6, 1883, Mr. Kline was united in marriage to Miss Eustina A. Tice, a native of Polo, Illinois, and three chil- dren have blessed their union, namely: Os- car S., Lloyd A. and Ward T. Besides his other lodges, Mr. Kline is a charter member of the Order of the East- ern Star, a member of the order of Modern Woodmen and a charter member of the Knights of the Globe. In politics he is a Republican. He is well spoken of by his brother Masons as a good member of the order, a reliable busi- ness man and an upright citizen. 43 SETH FENN HASKINS, general ticket ) agent for the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway Company and for the eleven roads running into the station at Peoria. and all for sleeping-car lines here, is a man promi- nent in both business and fraternal circles, and is rightly entitled to the high esteem in which he is held by all with whom he is in any way associated. Mr. Haskins' connection with the Ma- sonic order is one of significance by reason of the high official position he has held and now holds in its various bodies. He was made a Master Mason May 14, 1888, in V Peoria Lodge, No. i 5 ; received the Royal Arch degree in Peoria Chapter, No. 7, June 21, 1888; and July 20, 1888, had the Knight Templar degrees conferred upon him in Peoria Commander}-, No. 3; and in April. 1890, received the degrees of the Consis- tory in Peoria. In all these he takes an enthusiastic interest and has been honored by the brotherhood by election to important official position. He was Warden, Cap- tain-General and Eminent Commander in 1892-3, and in this latter official capacity 750 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY JN ILLINOIS. went with the Knights Templar to Denver. In 1 8945 he was Captain of Guards. Mr. Haskins became prominently identified with and was a charter member of St. Helena Conclave, No. 3, Red Cross Knights of Constantine, and he has held offices therein continuously since its organization. He occupies the honorary position of a Past Sovereign, and is one of its most esteemed members. He is now Master of Ceremonies in the lodge of perfection, and for three years has been Sovereign Prince Grand Master of Peoria Council, Princes of Jeru- salem. In 1893 Medinah Shrine, of Chi- cago, came to Peoria and conferred its sub- lime degrees upon a number of Masons of this place, Mr. Haskins being among the number; and when Mohammed Temple was instituted, October 17, 1893, he became one of its charter members and its Chief Roban. December 1 1 , 1 894, he was elected Potentate, which responsible position he rilled with his usual and becoming dignity one year. Mr. Haskins was born in South Canaan, Connecticut, June 12, 1844, and made that place his home until August, 1862, when his youthful ambition and his spirit of pa- triotism led him to leave home and go out as a soldier in the Union army. He en- listed as a private in Company F, Nine- teenth Connecticut Infantry, which regi- ment a year later was transferred to the heavy artillery, becoming the Connecticut Second Heavy Artillery, the fortunes of which he shared until he was wounded at Sailor's creek, April 6, 1865. The follow- ing June, at Annapolis Hospital, he was honorably discharged, having been a cor- poral at the time he was wounded and coming out of the army with that rank. At the close of his army service Mr. Haskins was employed as conductor on what was then known as the Housatonic Railroad, now the New York, New Haven & Hartford,. in which capacity he was occupied until June, 1868, at that time re- signing in order to take a position on the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, with headquarters at St. Joseph, where he remained until 1881. That year he severed his connection with railroading and engaged in the coffee and spice busi- ness in Council Bluffs. His business career in this line, however, was of short duration, for in November, 1882, he sold out and ac- cepted the position of ticket-seller under Edwin Gale, ticket agent. August 4, 1884, he was appointed ticket agent, and since the 3 ist of that same month he has occu- pied his present position, that of general ticket agent. February 17, 1896, he met with a serious accident, slipping and break- ing his ankle-bone, from the effects of which he was disabled for several months. Mr. Haskins was married August 8, 1871, to Miss Eliza Haldman Jacobs, a na- tive of Hamburg, Iowa, and they have one child living, Harry Seymour, and one son and one daughter deceased. CHARLES GILBERT SMITH, who has a well-established plumbing and heating business at Dixon, Illinois, and who is ranked with the prosperous citizens of this place, is a Mason of high degree and one whose fraternal standing entitles him to personal consideration on the pages of this book. Mr. Smith has been identified with the Masonic order since 1869. That year he was initiated, passed and raised by Friend- ship Lodge, No. 7, of Dixon. He joined Nachusa Chapter, No. 56, in 1874, the Royal Arch degree being conferred upon him by that body on the I ith of May, and ten years later, in 1884, he was made a member of Dixon Commandery, No. 21, being knighted March 25. In all these Masonic bodies he has been active and efficient. In the blue lodge he has been an almost constant worker, having filled nearly all its offices and now having the rank of Past Master, he having been the in- cumbent of the executive office in 1894. In the chapter he has been Principal So- journer, Scribe and King, and now has the honor of being its High Priest. In the Commandery also has he been honored with COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 751 official position. He has served as Warder and Captain-General and is now officiating as Eminent Commander. Also Mr. Smith has received the degrees of High Priesthood. From the beginning of his connection with Masonry he has given it his earnest atten- tion, ever striving to live up to its high teachings, and by his every-day life show- ing that he is a Mason in action as well as in name. Mr. Smith is a native of the Empire state, born in Schoharie county, New York, April 4, 1847, and comes of sterling New England stock. Nathan T. Smith, his father, was born in the state of Con- necticut and was married there to Miss Ann Eliza Becker. Shortly after their marriage they settled in New York, where they continued to reside until 1851, the time of his death. The same year the widow with her family of eight children, of whom Charles G. is the youngest, left the old home in the east for one on the Wis- consin frontier, Winnebago county being their destination. They lived in Winne- bago county, Wisconsin, until 1862, when they came to D xon, Illinois, and here the subject of our sketch has since had his abiding place. His early educational ad- vantages were limited to those of the pub- lic schools. He learned the trade of miller and millwright in his young manhood, be- gan business for himself without means, and by his industry and good management worked his way up to the position he now occupies among the leading business men of this prosperous city. In 1893 he turned his attention from milling to plumbing and heating, in which occupation he is now successfully engaged. In 1870 Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Miss Susan McKenney, a native of Dixon and a daughter of Mr. Frederick C. McKenney, one of the earliest settlers of the town and to whom belongs the distinc- tion of having built the first house in Dixon. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children, Fred McKenney and Earl Becker. Their home, which he planned and built, is one of the pleasant residences of Dixon. Unlike many men who are devoted to lodge work, Mr. Smith is also a stanch churchman. He and his family are identi- fied with the Methodist Episcopal church, in almost every department of which he is an active and zealous worker. At this writing he is district and church steward and Sabbath-school superintendent. Po- litically, he is in harmony with the Repub- lican party and the principles advocated by it. HON. JAMES P. YOUNGER. It is pleasing indulgence to write the biog- raphy of a man who has been so promi- nently identified with the material activities of Illinois as has James P. Younger, who stands conspicuously forward as one of the leading business men of Freeport. This nation has brought forth many heroes, statesmen, financiers and brilliant men in all spheres of endeavor. Its annals teem with the records of good lives and noble deeds. Most of our noblest and best men are self-made, and among the histories of the prominent individuals of this class that of Mr. Younger deserves a high place by reason of his broad sympathies, sterling honor and abiding public spirit. He is a man of such well defined and remarkable traits of character that in his seven years of business activity in Freeport he has left the impress of his versatile ability upon many of its leading enterprises; and the name of this gentleman, wherever known, passes current as a synonym for all that is upright and honorable. To-day, with the reign of city government in hand and through his power as mayor of the city, he is promoting the interests of Freeport in a way that will result to her permanent good, and his ad- ministration will in future years be spoken of as one that greatly advanced the welfare of this thriving Illinois city. Mr. Younger is a native of Lombard, Cook county, Illinois, born November 20, 1858, a son of Alexander and Catherine (Farhen) Younger, the former born in Scot- land, the latter in Ireland. In 1854 the parents came to Chicago and the father 752 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONKT IN ILLINOIS was employed by a railroad company until his death, which occurred in 1862, when he was only thirty-three years of age. The mother carefully reared her children two sons and a daughter. Freeport's present efficient mayor was only four years of age at the time of his father's death. He attended the public schools and at an early age began to earn his own living, securing employment in a machine shop, with the intention of learn- ing the business; but a year later he was induced to go to work in a butter and cheese factory owned by John Newman, where he remained for several years, acquiring a thor- ough knowledge of the whole business of converting milk into first-quality butter and cheese. He then decided to embark in the business on his own account and leased a factory in Stephenson county, where, with experience, enterprise and industry for his capital, he began a business which has steadily increased until it has assumed gi- gantic proportions and the industry has be- come one of the most important in this section of the state. He began operations in 1885, and the following year he pur- chased the factory and soon afterward erected a second. From that time forward he has met with eminent success and his business has grown to such an extent that he is now operating twelve factories, the output of which is about one hundred and fifty thousand pounds of "gilt-edged" but- ter per month, -that finds a ready sale in Cincinnati, Pittsburg, New Orleans and other cities of the south. The phenomenal success of the undertaking has resulted from natural causes. The resolute purpose, en- ergetic efforts, capable management and honorable dealings of the proprietor have been followed by their legitimate result, a business that is comprehensive in its scope, a success that has made him one of the wealthy citizens of the community. This industry has provided a ready-cash market for the milk, has brought large sums of money into the county and in this way has been of material benefit to the localities in which the factories are operated. The enterprise of Mr. Younger, how- ever, is not confined to this one line. He is a man of broad capabilities and has in- terested himself in other enterprises, in- cluding the manufacture of the Johnson Self Feeder and Thresher and the Quint's Feeder and Thresher, and is also connected with a commission house in Chicago. In 1889 Mr. Younger established his residence in Freeport and has since made this city the headquarters of his operations, and has become thoroughly interested in the growth and development of Freeport. As a result he is one of its most popular citizens, and in April, 1895, was chosen its mayor, an office which he is now very ca- pably filling. Some excellent improve- ments are now being made in the streets of Freeport, and his administration is marked by progressiveness and substantial improve- ment, such as will greatly benefit the city for years to come. His social relations connect him only with the Masonic frater- nity, and in January, 1896, he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. In his home he is ever considerate and thought- ful of the welfare and happiness of his wife and children, and delights to extend the courtesies of his board to his many friends. He was married June 22, 1884, to Miss Ella Maher, a native of New York, and they now have three children, Leo, Earl and Dillie. Mr. and Mrs. Younger are members of the Catholic church. His high standing in business, political and social circles well entitles him to honorable men- tion among those who are worthy exponents of Masonry. FRANK M. RIGG, a Sir Knight Templar and a public-spirited citizen of Ouincy, had the primary degrees in the order con- ferred upon him in Lambert Lodge, No. 659, becoming an Entered Apprentice Sep- tember 6, 1887, passed September 20, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Ma- son September 22. He received the capitu- lar degrees in Quincy Chapter, No. 5, R A. M., March 4, 1893, and in 1896 was COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 753 created a Sir Knight in Beauseant Com- mandery, No. 55. He is also a member of Mohammed Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Peoria, Illinois. He has been a gener- ous, faithful member of the craft, and merits the esteem in which he is held by his fellow Masons. He is well versed in Masonic laws and usages, and is ever ready to perform any duties that may be required of him. Mr. Rigg is a native son of the state of Illinois, having been born in Mt. Sterling, Brown county, February 8, 1862. His ancestors, who were English, were early settlers in New York state, whence they moved to Kentucky, where the father of our subject, J. N. Rigg, was born. He came to Illinois and was one of the pioneer resi- dents of Camden, where he was for many years a prosperous merchant and a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Miss Emily J. Watts, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and they have had five children, two daughters and three sons. All of the latter are affiliated with the craft, one of them having attained to the degree of Knight Templar. Mr. Rigg has retired from active life, at the age of seventy-two, and with his estimable wife, whose years number three-score and four, is enjoying the peace and contentment that an honest, upright career always brings. Both of them have been life-long pillars of the Baptist church. Our subject is the youngest of the sons and received his primary education in the public schools of his native city, which was supplemented by a course in the Gem City Business College, at which he was gradu- ated in 1882. He shortly afterward ac- cepted the position of local agent for the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company at Colfax, Illinois, and in 1885 came to Quincy as its general manager. His district has been enlarged and now includes central and northern Illinois and a part of Missouri and Iowa. His offices are located in the Wells building. Mr. Rigg is kept busy traveling over his territory, looking after the local agencies of his company, and has become an able, efficient and faithful employee, discharging his duties in an eminently satis- factory manner and inspiring confidence in all his business associates. In 1883 Brother Rigg was married to Miss Grace Franklin, of Lexington, Illi- nois, and of this union two sons have been the issue, George R. and Howell. Mr. and Mrs. Rigg are members of the Christian church and contribute liberally to its sup- port. In politics he is a Democrat, but is not a politician and has never sought office. He has erected one of the charming resi- dences of Quincy, where he and ' Mrs. Rigg entertain their many friends with a cordial hospitality. D,E WITT CLINTON SMITH. The _ 'opposition to secret societies, which is very strong in some localities and among certain religious sects, must have its origin in either ignorance or prejudice, confirmed perhaps by the unworthy conduct of some members of the various fraternities. While it is impossible to preserve these organiza- tions free of objectionable representatives, it must be conceded for Masonry that every precaution is taken to prevent the entrance into its ranks of men who do not uphold its teachings of pure living and right thinking; and it is an undeniable fact that if its mem- bers fulfill their vows and order their lives in its line of work, they will prove better citizens, better husbands and fathers and better Christians. Captain Smith, the present efficient High Priest of Savanna Chapter, No. 200, was made a Mason in Racine Lodge, No. 1 8, at Racine, Wisconsin, in the winter of 1865-6. He dimitted from this and was elected a member of Mississippi Lodge, No. 385, at Savanna, on December 2, 1887, of which he is a Past Worshipful Master, hav- ing served three terms in that most honor- able office, and is now the Senior Warden of the lodge. He is one of its most profi- cient workers and holds a high place in the esteem of its members. Captain Smith is one of the charter 754 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. members of Savanna Chapter, No. 200, the charter of which bears date October 30, 1891. His chapter degree was conferred at Lanark in 1874. On the organization of Savanna Chapter he was appointed Scribe, and at the expiration of the term was elected to the office, in which he continued to serve until 1893. In that year he was elected its King, and in 1896 was made High Priest, being now in his third term. He understands the ritual thoroughly, and has proved himself both worthy and capa- ble in every capacity in which he has served the fraternity. He has had the de- gree of High Priesthood conferred upon him as well as the council degrees and is held in high esteem by the brethren. Captain Smith is a native of West- brook, Middlesex county, Connecticut, where he was born March 4, 1833. His first American ancestors were of English birth and were among the early settlers of Connecticut. His paternal great-grand- father served in the colonial army in the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather, Lorenzo Smith, was a soldier in the war of 1812. His father, Enos Smith, was also born in Westbrook, and married Miss Sarah Kirtland, a native of Connecticut. By oc- cupation he was a builder and contractor, and lived to the ripe old age of eighty-four years, while his wife reached the age of eighty-one. They were consistent mem- bers of the Congregational church and were honored as reliable and useful citizens. Of their family of ten children several are now living, the subject of this sketch being the seventh in order of birth. Captain Smith was educated in West- brook, and from his twenty-first year has spent the greater part of his life as a sea- faring man, during which time he has seen service on the ocean, the great lakes and the Mississippi river. During the palmy days of traffic on the last named, which then was the principal highway of com- merce and travel in the south and west, he was for many years a captain of one of the large steamboats which were a prominent feature on the "Father of Waters" and which have been made historic through the writings of Mark Twain and others. Since retiring from steamboating the Captain has been engaged in the insurance business, and represents some of the largest and best companies in the country, among them being the Hartford, the Detroit Fire & Marine, the Phoenix of London and oth- ers. He has a fine reputation as a business man, being thoroughly reliable and upright in his dealings, with an extensive knowledge of human nature and a happy method of dealing with all classes of men. In politics he has been a faithful mem- ber of the Republican party ever since its organization, and has been elected police justice of Savanna for five terms, filling that responsible position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow citizens. In 1857 Captain Smith married Miss Sarah J. Pruyn, a native of Canada. They have three children, Mary L. ; Gertrude G., who is a teacher in the Chicago Athen- aeum; and Lela L. The family occupy a pleasant home and enjoy the esteem of all who know them. H WERBERT S. DUNCOMBE. Illinois has assuredly furnished its full quota of eminent men to the nation. Its states- men have been important factors in shaping the policy of the country; its warriors share in the honors which the world accords its greatest generals; its merchants have a con- trolling influence on much of the commerce of the Union, and in its professional ranks are found some of the brightest minds in the country. The history of Chicago's bar contains the record of many men of marked ability men who, possessing the innate qualities of a successful legal practitioner, have so exercised their talents as to gain a marked prestige among the representative American lawyers. Although young in years Mr. Duncombe has attained a pre- cedence >in the line of his profession that would be creditable to one whose practice at the bar had extended over a period of thrice the duration that has his. He has COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 755 had to do with much important litigation and has gained recognition as an authority on corporation law, to which he has de- voted special attention and on account of which his services have been retained by many leading corporations, not only of Chi- cago, but of the Union. The influence of Masonic principles and teachings upon those identified with the order have been more potent in the insuring of honorable and successful careers in the practical affairs of life than is generally re- alized. For centuries has the great institu- tion of Freemasonry been perfecting a system of moral education for the upbuild- ing of human character. Through her system of symbolic and allegoric instruction she has been the Gamaliel at whose feet have sat the wisest and best of earth. That the subject of this review has not failed to appreciate the nobility of the time-honored fraternity is shown in his identification with various bodies of the order in Chicago and in the lively interest which he maintains in the affairs of the same. The Masonic ritual, precepts and principles have aided him ma- terially in attaining success in life and is directly responsible for the same. In No- vember, 1892, he became a Master Mason in William B. Warren Lodge, No. 209, in which he later served as Steward, receiving a dimit from this body and becoming a member of Harlem Lodge, No. 540. In the spring of 1893 Mr. Buncombe passed the Royal Arch degrees in Washington Chapter, No. 43, while the order of knight- hood was conferred upon him, in 1894, by Columbia Commandery, No. 63, Knights Templar, from which he withdrew, in Sep- tember, 1 896, to become a member of Siloam Commandery, No. 54. Mr. Dun- combe is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum, the Chicago Athletic Association, and the Oak Park and Mencken Clubs, his popularity in fraternal, social and professional circles being un- mistakable. Herbert Sydney Duncombe was born in Simcoe, Norfolk county, Ontario, Canada, in August, 1870, being the son of David T. and Emily (Powell) Duncombe. When he was ten years of age, in 1880, he came with his parents to Chicago, where the father engaged in the practice of his profes- sion, that of the law, to which he still de- votes his attention. Our subject attended the public schools of this city, after which he began the reading of law, prosecuting his preliminary studies in the line while providing for his own maintenance through newspaper work, to which he devoted his attention from noon to midnight for a con- siderable time. That his ambition was not one of passive order is evident when we consider the difficulties which thus encom- passed him and which he successfully over- came. He attended night school and finally became a student in the Chicago College of Law, where he graduated in 1891, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the Northwestern University and securing ad- mission to the bar in the same year. He at once entered upon the active practice of his profession in Chicago, and the fact that success attended his efforts from the start is all that is needed as voucher for his ability and honorable methods, for in so populous a community, where competition is natur- ally as active in professional as in commer- cial lines, recognition in the former can be gained only through exceptional talent and indefatigable perseverance and in- dustry. Before the expiration of the year which recorded his admission to the bar Mr. Dun- combe was made assistant attorney for the Produce Exchange, and his services were so faithful and effective that he has since been appointed general counsel for the exchange. He has also been retained as counsel and attorney for a great number of the leading produce concerns of the Union, and is also counsel for a number of important refriger- ating concerns. He has made a specialty of corporation law, has had much to do with the establishing of the exact code of chattel-mortgage laws in Illinois, and in his specific field has defended successfully many important damage suits, his knowledge of fundamental law and of the application of 756 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. precedents combining with his alert percep- tive faculties and comprehensive grasp of details, to make him a strong advocate as veil as a counsel upon whose judgment re- liance may safely be placed. In his political adherency Mr. Dun- combe renders a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, lending his influence in the support of its cause, but not seeking the honors or emoluments of political office. In religion he is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. In 1885 Mr. Duncombe enlisted as a private in the Sec- ond Regiment of the Illinois National Guards, in which he was advanced to the position of sergeant, then to that of cor- poral, and finally, in 1887, was promoted to the office of lieutenant. He was in active service with his regiment during the Stock Yards riots of 1893. In 1893 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Duncombe to Miss Alice B. Price, the daughter of William F. Price, of Chiqago. They have a most attractive home in Oak Park, one of Chicago's most; .beautiful suburbs, and here is dispensed 'a' refined and gracious hospitality to their large cir- cle of friends. Their children are Mary Vir- ginia and Herbert S., Jr. EDWARD EVERETT HOLLISTER, / the present Eminent Commander of Beauseant Commandery, No. i, Knights Templar, of Quincy, although one of the younger brothers of the fraternity in this portion of the state, is a talented, enthusi- astic and accomplished Mason. He is a member of Herman Lodge, No. 39, taking the degree of Entered Apprentice in Sep- tember, 1888, Fellow- craft on January 20, 1891, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason May 5, 1891. He at once became an active member, rapidly acquired the ritual, and held all the offices in the body up to and including that of Worship- ful Master. Mr. Hollister was exalted to the Royal Arch degree in Quincy Chapter, No. 5, on November 24, 1891, and was made a Royal and Select Master on Sep- tember 29, 1892, in Quincy Council, No. 15, in which he was the first Deputy Mas- ter, after which he served as Captain of the Guard for one year, and was then elect- ed its Thrice Illustrious Master, and is ful- filling the duties of that office at the pres- ent time. On November 28, 1892, he was created a Sir Knight in Beauseant Com- mandery, No. II, was elected Junior War- den and Generalissimo, and in 1897 was honored with the chair of Eminent Com- mander. He has received the degrees in the ineffable lodge of perfection, Scottish Rite, up to and including the thirty-second, which he attained March 18, 1893, in the Valley of Quincy Consistory, and has held office in all the bodies of that order. Brother Hollister is also Worthy Patron of Grace Whipple Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. His Masonic record is an excellent one and he stands high in the es- teem of his brother Masons. The birth of Mr. Hollister took place in Felicity, Ohio, August 13, 1860. His ancestors were English, who emigrated from old to New England and settled in Glaston- bury, Connecticut, in 1642, the progenitor of the family in America being John Hollis- ter. He took an active part in the earl}' history of the country and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather of our subject, Jesse W., participated in the war 1812, for which service he was presented with a land grant by the govern- ment. His son, Richard Hollister, was born in Kentucky, and while yet a boy moved to Ohio and located in Clermont county, where he was one of the pioneer settlers, and was there married to Miss Su- san Hoover, a resident of that part of the state. Mr. Hollister first came to Illinois in 1858, and shortly afterward returned to Ohio, but came back to this state in 1865 and took up his abode in Bloomington, where he has since continued to live, being now in his seventy-third year. His excellent wife also survives and does not seem to be burdened with her sixty-eight years. They are both devout members and regular at- tendants of the Methodist church. LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 759 They had seven children four sons and three daughters, Mr. Hollister, of this sketch, being the second in order of birth. He was educated in the Bloomington pub- lic schools and the Normal University. At an early age he learned the milling trade, which he continued to follow, and for the past ten years he has been the superintend- ent of the Taylor Brothers' Flour Mills at Ouincy, which have a capacity of two thou- sand barrels a day. On April 17, 1888, Mr. Hollister cele- brated his marriage to Miss Bessie Ger- trude Hull, of DeWitl county, Illinois, and the daughter of William Hull. Two chil- dren have been born to them, Edward E. and Gladdys Marguerite. Mrs. Hollister is an active member of Grace Whipple Chap- ter, Order of the Eastern Star, of which she was at one time Treasurer and now holds the office of Ada. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican. Both he and his wife have many friends, by whom they are highly esteemed. F - A. LINDSTRAND. Chicago, thecos- JT' mopolitan city of the west, embraces representatives from all nationalities, but no land has furnished better citizens to America than Sweden. Of the native sons of that country who have become identified with Masonry is the gentleman whose name introduces this brief biographical outline, and who is one of the prominent Swedish members of the order. He was made a Mason in Home Lodge, in 1878, and in 1880 took the Royal Arch degrees in Chi- cago Chapter, No. 127. During the same year he was made a Knight Templar in Apollo Commandery, No. i, and in 1888 became a Noble of the Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Lindstrand is a native of Sweden, born on the 24th of March, 1847, was reared and educated in his native country, and remained a citizen there until 1870. In 1871 he determined to try his fortune in the more favorable land of America. Bid- ding adieu to friends and country, he crossed the Atlantic, and immediately after reach- ing the .shores of the United States he started for Chicago, where he has since re- sided. He was only thirteen years of age when he entered upon his business career, serving an apprenticeship to a jeweler. For seventeen years he was connected with that line of enterprise in this country, having worked for nine years at the trade in the old country. A short time after arriving in Chicago he established a store, which he success- fully conducted until 1888, when he sold out that he-might enter the broader field of journalism. He purchased an interest in the newspaper The Swedish-American, and has since become the principal owner and the editor-in-chief. America owes much of her progress and advancement to a position foremost among the nations of the world to her newspapers, and in no line has the inci- dental broadening out of the sphere of use- fulness been more marked than in this same line of journalism. Mr. Lindstrand is a man of broad men- tal grasp and notable business sagacity. He has done much to mold public opinion among his countrymen, and his influence has ever been on the side of right and order, advancing the true principles of American liberty and justice. The paper is published as an independent Republican journal, and he is perfectly fearless in advocating those interests or measures which he believes to be calculated to advance the city's welfare in educational, moral or material lines. The success of the paper under his manage- ment may be indicated by the fact that its subscription has increased from thirty-five hundred to thirty-five thousand during the eight years in which he has been a member of the company. In 1 88 1 Mr. Lindstrand was united in marriage with Miss Selma Lindstrom, a na- tive of Sweden who came to Chicago when eight years of age. Her father, Neils Lindstrom, died in 1885, and was buried by the Apollo Commandery, No. I, K. T., of which he was a member. Mrs. Lind- strand is a member of Forestville Chapter, 760 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. Order of the Eastern Star, and has served as its treasurer for the past two years. Mr. and Mrs. Lindstrand have one daughter, who is named Hildur. CHARLES W. CORNELL is a brother who has but recently taken the vows of crafthood, bwt who is an earnest and pains- taking member and will no doubt prove .a valuable acquisition to the order. He quickly comprehended the purpose of the ritual and has since molded his life so as to conform with its objects and aims. Mr. Cornell attained the degree of Master Ma- son in Monitor Lodge, No. 522, in January, 1896; was exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in L. L. Munn Chapter, No. 96; and was created a Sir Knight in Bethel Commandery, No. 36, in the same year. He holds membership in the social branch of Masonry, being a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, in Medinah Temple. Mr. Cornell was born in Elgin March 23, 1858, and is the son of E. K. W. and Matilda (Padelford) Cornell. He pursued his studies in the city of his nativity, grad- uating at the public schools, which he left to engage in the furniture business. In 1 880 he became associated with Wood & Sherwin, dealers in butter and cheese, and continued with them for seven years, at the expiration of that time being appointed sec- retary of the Creamery Package Manufact- uring Company, of Chicago. He remained with this company until 1893, when he and his brother started in business for themselves under the firm name of Cornell Brothers. Being men of progress and enterprise, they have met with deserved success, and now conduct six creameries, located at Huntley, Illinois, and other points. They manu- facture a first-class line of goods and have built up a large and thriving trade. Politically Mr. Cornell affiliates with the Republican party and served as alderman of the first ward for two years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Globe, the Royal Arcanum, and the Century Club. The marriage of Mr. Cornell and Miss Kittie J. Brown was celebrated October 15, 1884. After nine years of united happiness Mrs. Cornell departed this life November 1 8, 1893, mourned by her husband and two sons, Charles W., Jr., and Frank B. Mr. Cornell is a liberal supporter of the Baptist church. He is a man of exalted principles, and as a citizen and a Mason is highly es- teemed by all who know him. WILLIAM HENRY WILDEY. The following tribute to Masonry is paid by an old English writer: " Masonry gives real and intrinsic excellency to man and renders him fit for the duties of society. It strengthens the mind against the storms of life, paves the way to peace and promotes domestic happiness; it ameliorates the temper and improves the understanding; it is company in solitude and gives vivacity and variety and energy to social con- versation; in youth it governs the pas- sions and employs usefully our most act- ive faculties; and in age, when sick- ness, imbecility and disease have benumbed the corporeal frame and rendered the union of soul and body almost intolerable, it yields a fund of comfort and satisfaction." Every man will testify to the truth of the fore- going; and in the lives of those whose sketches are given in this volume the benef- icent effects of Masonic influence will read- ily be discerned. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a citizen of prominence in Mount Carroll and holds a high position in the Masonic fraternity. He was initiated in the order in 1867 and has attained the thirty-second degree. He was entered March 2, passed April 2, and raised May 14. In his blue lodge he has held the of- fices of Junior Warden, Senior Warden and Senior Deacon. He is a member of Lan- ark Chapter, No. 179, and was made a Sir Knight in Freeport Commandery, No. 7. He is also a charter member of Long Com- mandery at Mount Carroll, and has the honor of having been made its first Captain- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 7(51 General. In 1890 Mr. Wildey joined Free- port Valley Consistory, in which he has passed all the degrees up to and including the thirty-second. He belongs to the " Shriners, " being a member of Tebala Temple at Rockford. Mr. Wildey was born in Buffalo, New York, April 18, 1839, and comes of old Mo- hawk-Dutch ancestors. They were among the pioneers of the state of New York, and were active participants in its early history. The godfather of Mr. Wildey, David Shultes, was at the battle of Buffalo when that city was burned by the Indians. His father, Griffin Wildey, was born in Spring- ville, Erie county, New York, and was mar- ried to Miss Emily Shultes. Their lives were spent in useful action, and they were active workers in the Universalist faith. He lived to the ripe age of ninety-four years, and his wife died at the age of fifty- three. Their family consisted of six sons, of whom Mr. Wildey is the youngest and the only survivor. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of Buffalo, after which he began his business career as a clerk in a boot and shoe store. In 1855 he moved to Chicago, where he engaged in the grocery business, continuing in that un- til 1861, when, on April 18, he enlisted as a volunteer in Company A, Nineteenth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. He served in the Fourteenth Army Corps, in the Army of the Cumberland, and was wounded in the battle of Stone river, where his arm was broken by a musket ball. He was con- fined to the hospital for seven weeks and then rejoined his company, with which he took part in the battle of Nashville and in thirty-six minor engagements. After ren- dering his country most gallant service for four years and nine months he returned to Mount Carroll. Entering as a private he was mustered out as a captain and brevetted a major. He arrived at Mount Carroll in February, 1 866, and opened a grocery store, in which business he has continued for thirty years, during that time meeting with marked success. In 1867 Mr. Wildey was married to Miss Emily Vale, a young lady of English ex- traction. Four children were born to them, three daughters and one son, namely: Mary, Alice, Edith and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Wildey are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and she is a member of the Episcopal church. They have one of the finest homes in the town, where they are pleasantly situated and where it is hoped they will enjoy a long and delightful evening of a useful and well-spent life. In the affairs of Mount Carroll Mr. Wildey has always taken an active interest and has done much for its improvement and prosperity. He is one of the organizers of the Electric Light Improvement Company, of which he is the president. He is a director of the Flouring Mill Company and presi- dent of the Miller Stove Polish Company. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has served his city as alderman and the township as its supervisor. He is an hon- ored member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, and has made such a record in life as to command the respect and commenda- tion of his fellow citizens. LBERT MERRITT GREEN, a prom- ^IL inent druggist of Mount Carroll, was made a Master Mason in Cyrus Lodge, No. 1 88, A. F. & A. M., at Mount Carroll, in 1872, having been entered March 21 and passed and raised July 16. He received the chapter degrees in Lanark Chapter in 1882, was made a Sir Knight in Long Com- mandery, No. 60, in 1889, and in 1894 joined Freeport Valley Consistory, where he received all the degrees up to and includ- ing that of the thirty-second. During the nearly twenty-five years he has been a Ma- son he has been a devoted member of the order, has taken its teachings to heart and exemplified in his every-day life many of the Masonic principles. Mr. Green is a native of Michigan, born in Branch county, December 20, 1 849, and is descended from English ancestors. Will- iam Green, his father, was born in New- castle, Pennsylvania, and when a young 762 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. man came west and settled in Branch coun- ty, Michigan, where he subsequently mar- ried Miss Meranda Hopkins. He is still living and is now seventy-six years of age. She passed away at the early age of thirty- four years, leaving a family of seven chil- dren, of whom three sons and a daughter still survive. The mother was a devoted Christian, a member of the Church of God, as is also the venerable father. When the subject of our sketch was a year old the Green family left Michigan and sought a home in Illinois, selecting a location in Jo Daviess county and locating on a tract of government land, which the father devel- oped into a fine farm and where for years he carried on farming and stock-raising. On this farm Albert M. was reared. He was educated in the Mount Carroll Semi- nary. He taught school for a time when a young man, then clerked in a store, and in 1 880 engaged in the drug business on his own account, a business in which he has been successful ever since, now having the oldest drug establishment in Mount Carroll. Also he is agent for the United States Ex- press Company. Mr. Green is a man of family. He was married to Miss Margaret Nelson, Novem- ber 14, 1877, and after nineteen years of happy wedded life she was in 1892 called to her last home, leaving him and five chil- dren, daughters, to mourn the loss of a de- voted wife and loving mother. Mr. Green and his daughters have one of the most pleasant homes in the city. Politically he is a Democrat, and since he has resided at Mount Carroll has taken a deep interest in public affairs, especially those of an educational nature. As a school official he has been active and influential, rendering much valuable service in advanc- ing school interests. Also he has served three terms as an alderman of the city. LPHONSO LORAIN CORY, M. D., one of the successful and able mem- bers of the medical fraternity of Chicago, is also a prominent and valued representa- tive of Masonry. In October, 1876, he be- came connected with the fraternity, his name being placed on the roll of Engle- wood Lodge, No. 690, A. F. & A. M. Two years later he became a charter member of Mystic Star Lodge, No. 758, and in 1883 he served as its Worshipful Master. He was raised to the rank of Royal Arch Ma- son in Englewood Chapter in March, 1882, and in 1884 was instrumental in the organ- ization of Delta Chapter, of which he be- came a charter member, while in 1887 he was honored with the office of High Priest therein. He took the council degrees of Royal and Select Masters in LaFayette Chapter in October, 1882, later affiliating with Temple Council, No. 65, and in 1885 and 1886 served as Thrice Illustrious Mas- ter. His connection with the Commandery dates from June, 1893, when he was knight- ed in Calumet Commandery, but since 1895 his affiliation has been with Apollo Commandery. On the 26th of April, 1895, he was made a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. Dr. Cory is a native of Michigan, born in Adrian, September 26, 1851. His par- ents, Vincent P. and Alzina (Weightman) Cor}', were both natives of New York, whence they removed to the Wolverine state at an early day. The Doctor was reared in his native city and is indebted to its public schools for his literary education. In 1867 he began the study of medicine, in 1869 became a resident of Chicago, and in 1871 was graduated at the Bennett Medical College. He has ever been a close student of the science of medicine, and in order to further perfect himself in his chosen calling he took a special course in Rush Medical College, graduating in 1892. In a compar- ison of the relative value to mankind of the various professions and pursuits to which men devote their time and energies, it is widely recognized that none is more im- portant than the medical profession. The most cherished possession of man life often depends upon the skill or ignorance of the physician, and the man who receives the patronage of the public is the one whose ability commands the public confi- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 763 dence. The large business which Dr. Cory is now enjoying indicates his high standing in the profession, and gives him a place in the ranks of Chicago's leading practitioners. Dr. Cory was the first physician whose office was destroyed by fire during the great conflagration which swept over the city in October, 1871, he having at that time an office on Canal street, between Polk and Ewing streets. In 1881 he became health commissioner of the town of Lake, serving until 1884. He was the originator of the health organization and surgeon of the Lake Shore road in 1872-3. In October of the latter year he resigned, but was re-appointed in July, 1886, and has since held that posi- tion. He occupies a position on the staff of the Englewood Union Hospital in the department of gynecology, and both as a physician and surgeon has won a reputation that is indeed enviable. In 1872 Dr. Cory married Miss Pauline R. Carpenter, a native of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. They have two children: Ed- win V., a graduate of the medical depart- ment of the Northwestern University, and Ella A. \UGENE HARRISON PLACE, a thirty- second-degree Mason, is conducting pleasant and profitable dental parlors in Freeport, and is a most able and efficient representative of his chosen profession. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, Septem- ber 1 6, 1866, and is a son of William H. Place, who was born in the state of Penn- sylvania in 1832. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Eliza C. Lowe, and in 1877 emigrated with his family to Ereeport, Illi- nois. The Doctor is the second of their three children. He was a lad of eleven years when he came to this city and to its public schools he is indebted for his literary edu- cational privileges He took up the study of dentistry in the office of Kingsley & Mills, well-known dentists of this city, in 1 88 1, with whom he remained until 1886, when he entered the University of Pennsyl- vania, where he graduated in 1888, and in 1889 he opened an office of his own in Freeport. He has since done a successful business and his patronage is constantly in- creasing. He is careful and painstaking in his work and keeps fully abreast with the times in all improvements and inventions. He has a large suite of rooms, thoroughly equipped with the latest appliances for per- fecting the work of his profession, and his skill and ability have gained him a reputa- tion which many an older practitioner might well envy. In 1892 Dr. Place was united in mar- riage to Miss Ruth Wentz, a native of Leb- anon, Pennsylvania, and they now have two interesting little daughters, Jean Ruth and Marie Louisa. In the same year of his marriage Dr. Place became connected with the Masonic fraternity, becoming an Entered Apprentice in June, and on the 2 Mason, of Chicago, whose connection with the fraternity dates from 1884, joined Landmark Lodge in that year. In 1885 he was exalted to the sublime degree of a Royal Arch Mason in Fairview Chapter and also became a Royal and Select Master in Temple Council. He was knighted in Apollo Commandery in 1885 and attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Oriental Consistory. The life record of Mr. Hovey is as fol- lows: He was born in Waterford, Vermont, November 22, 1830, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth there. He learned the carriage-maker's trade and has since given his attention to some line of mechan- ical work. He has always been a close student of his business and has mastered everything in connection therewith. In 1852 he went to California, where he worked at his trade and became foreman of one of the largest carriage-making establishments on the Pacific coast. In 1862 he accepted the position of chief engineer of a railroad, and in 1875 constructed the cable road in COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 793 San Francisco. He had for some time studied closely into the question of street railroads, and as the result of his investiga- tion and thought had perfected several in- ventions. The cable company in San Fran- cisco was the first to adopt his invention of using a lever for a grip on cable lines in- stead of a screw, now so generally adopted throughout the country, and he took out six of the patents now used in cable sys- tems. He remained in California until 1881, when he came to Chicago and has since been prominently identified with the busi- ness interests of the city. He superin- tended the construction of the South Side cable lines of Chicago and also the erection of the power houses, and many of his pat- ents are in use on these lines. There is no country on the globe that can compete with America in her methods of transit, and Mr. Hovey has done much to promote interests in this line and has an acknowledged lead- ership in connection with locomotion by cable power. He is a practical mechanic and his rare talent, combined with a thor- ough understanding of the laws of mechan- ics, has enabled him to not only benefit himself by his inventions but also give to his fellow men a work of practical utility. He now has the satisfaction of seeing many of his inventions in every-day use and cer- tainly is deserving of great credit for what he has accomplished in this direction. Mr. Hovey was married in 1865, the lady of his choice being Miss Evaline M. Green, a native of Waterford, Vermont. LOUIS M. MYERS, of the firm of Myers Brothers, dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, is a business man of high standing and one of the prominent Masons of Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Myers was born in Athens, Menard county, Illinois, September 4, 1861, and in that town spent the first four years of his life. Then in 1865 the fam ly removed to Springfield, where he grew to manhood and where he has since made his home. He is a graduate of the high school of this city with the class of 1877, and of Chickering Institute, Cincinnati, with the class of 1879. Immediately after complet- ing his commercial course in Cincinnati he returned to Springfield and directed his en- ergies in a business channel. In 1 886 he succeeded Mr. S. Rosenwald in the clothing business, in which he has since been en- gaged and in which he has met with marked success, having started out with small capi- tal and worked his way up to the front ranks of leading business men of the city. The success of the firm of Myers Brothers is due to their honorable and upright busi- ness methods, their uniform courtesy to all and their desire and earnest efforts to please. These methods have gained for them the patronage of a large number of the most substantial people in the city and surround- ing country and placed the firm on a sound business footing. In 1888 Mr. Myers was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry and became a link in that chain of brotherly love which extends around the world and which has been strengthened by his connection with 794 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. it. He was made a Master Mason in Spring- field Lodge, No. 4, was soon honored with official position in the same and in 1894 was promoted to the executive chair, the office of Worshipful Master being worthily filled by him. He is also identified with Springfield Chapter, No. t, and Peoria Con- sistory. In 1894 he served as Grand Ora- tor of the Consistory, giving dignity and honor to the office and acquitting himself most creditably. Also he is a member of Mohammed Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Peoria. Mr. Myers is not the only member of the family who has endeavored to square his life by the strict justice and universal charity taught by the Masonic order. His father before him, Morris Myers, was an enthu- siastic and devoted Mason, a member of Central Lodge, No. "I, of Springfield, and affiliated with the same up to the time of his death, September 14, 1873, when he was called to the heavenly lodge above; and a brother of our subject, Julius M. Myers, is a member of Springfield Lodge, No. 4, its degrees having been conferred upon him by his brother, Louis M. CHARLES E. SOULE, one of Quincy's \J; popular Masons, who is well versed in the laws and history of the order and ever ready and willing to discharge any duties that may be entrusted to him, was elected an Entered Apprentice in Lambert Lodge, No. 659, August 14, 1893, passed Novem- ber 23, and was raised to the sublime de- gree of Master Mason on December 27. He was exalted to the Royal Arch in capitular Masonry in Quincy Chapter, R. A. M., on March 13, 1894, in which he was elected and served two years as Royal Arch Captain. On August 3 1 he received the degrees of Royal and Select Masters in Quincy Coun- cil, No. 5; was constituted a Sir Knight in Beauseant Commandery, No. II, May 19, 1894; attained the ineffable degrees of the Scottish Rite; and January 31, 1896, be- came a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, in Quincy Consistory, in which he holds the office of Sovereign Prince Grand Master of Princes of Jerusalem. On August 14, 1896, he made a successful pilgrimage across the sands of the desert and became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, his membership being in Moolah Temple. He is an enthusiastic Ma- son and has filled temporarily many of the offices in the local bodies. Mr. Soule was born in Oxford county, Maine, on November 6, 1854, and traces his ancestry back to General Soule, who emigrated from old England in the May- flower, landed at Plymouth Rock, and thus became one of the ever-to-be-revered ex- ponents of universal freedom in America. He and his posterity have been active in the early history of the country, and partic- ipated in the Indian wars, the Revolution, and the war of the Rebellion, in the latter of which Ezra Soule, father of our subject, served as captain. The latter gentleman married Miss Ann Weaver, a native of Maine and a descendant of the Lovejoys, of that state, and who was of English ex- traction. Mr. and Mrs. Soule moved to Missouri in 1867, where he became promi- nently identified with agricultural pursuits, and is at this writing in his seventy-sixth year. His wife passed away in 1868, at the age of thirty-four. The subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth of three children. His mental training was conducted in a private school in Missouri under the preceptorship of Professor Griggs, after which he engaged in railroading. He has been superintend- ent of the following lin.es: The Missouri Pacific, Wabash, and the Quincy, Omaha, & Kansas City, and he is also engaged in the manufacture of egg crates, having a factory at Quincy, the firm name being known as Dusain & Soule. On September 22, 1880, Mr. Soule was married to Miss Lucy Becker, of Quincy, and of this union three children have been the issue, Elmer F., Charles E. and Livo- nia R. Mr. and Mrs. Soule are valued members of Alpha Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, in which she has filled vari- ous offices with credit and ability. In po- COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 795 litical affairs he is a stanch Republican. He possesses more than ordinary qualifica- tions as a business man, and ranks high in the estimation of his fellow citizens. \DMUND BARTLETT ATKINSON.- For a quarter of a century this gen- tleman has been a faithful and enthusiastic member of the noble institution of Free- masonry, and has shown by his daily life and acts that he is thoroughly familiar with the tenets of the society and the precepts that have been instrumental in making it the most powerful social organization in the world. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason, his initiation in Doric Lodge, No. 319, having taken place in 1872. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, and in the following year was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Bartlett Chapter, No. 18, at Rock Island. He was created a Sir Knight in Everts Commandery, No. 18, at Rock Island, re- ceiving the degrees on April 28 and May 5, 1879, and in 1890 he received the ineffable degrees of the Scottish Rite and was made a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental Consistory, Valley of Chicago, up to and including the thirty-second. He was also made a Royal and Select Master in Rock Island Council, and became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Kaaba Tem- ple, at Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Atkinson is an intelligent and zealous man and is ever ready to do all in his power to advance the interests of the order. Mr. Atkinson was born in Methuen, Massachusetts, December 25, 1848, his an- cestors being of English stock, who came from Surrey in 1640. On the maternal side the family emigrated to America and were of Norman origin, the male members accompanying William the Conqueror. They were prominent among the early set- tlers of Newburyport. The paternal grand- father, Amos Atkinson, was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war and rendered this country valiant service in the great struggle of the colonies for independence. The grandfather, William Atkinson, was born in Newburyport and engaged in business in the town of Halten. His son Amos was also a native of Newburyport and was edu- cated in Dartmouth College, at which he graduated in 1837. He married Miss Cath- arine Bartlett, and they became the parents of two children. Dr. Atkinson was a prom- inent physician of Newburyport and a man of fine mental and personal attainments, who acquired a large practice in his native city, but who unfortunately sacrificed his health to the demands of his profession and succumbed at the early age of thirty-seven years. Edmund Atkinson received his education in the public schools of Methuen, after which he spent several years in traveling through America and Europe, and engaged in various business pursuits, subsequently becoming connected with the Deere Manu- facturing Company, which has a world-wide reputation as being one of the largest man- ufacturers of agriculture implements in the world. Mr. Atkinson is an ardent admirer of Masonry and endeavors to conduct his life according to the sublime tenets of the fraternity, and enjoys the esteem and con- fidence of his brothers wherever he is known. WILLIAM ROLFE HOYLE, JR., a manufacturer of tools, Galesburg, Illinois, has for nearly forty years been a resident of this city and has long maintained a standing in the Masonic fraternity, his identity with this ancient order dating from a time shortly after he reached his majority. The degrees which made him a Master Mason were conferred upon him in Alpha Lodge, No. 155, in the year 1864; Entered Apprentice on the evening of October 28; Fellow-craft, November 18; and Master Mason, December 9. He was dimitted from this lodge in 1879, and in 1880 joined Vesper Lodge, No. 584, with which he has since affiliated. In Alpha Lodge he served as Junior Deacon in 1865, Senior Warden in 1866, '68 and '69, and Worshipful Mas- 796 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. ter in 1870 and '71, and he filled the office of Worshipful Master in Vesper Lodge from 1 880 to 1885 inclusive, and again in 1890. While Senior Warden and Worshipful Master he represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and on one or two other occasions was a representative to the Grand Lodge. The chapter degrees were given him in Galesburg Chapter, No. 46, and he became a Royal Arch Mason Janu- ary 2, 1878. He still affiliates with this body. In it he served as Royal Arch Cap- tain, Principal Sojourner, Captain of Hosts, and since 1887, with the exception of the year 1894, has filled the office of High Priest. Seven times has he represented his chapter in the Grand Chapter, R. A. M., of Illinois. Also he is a Royal and Select Master, having been created as such in Galesburg Council; and here, too, has he been honored with high official position. He was Thrice Illustrious in the council in 1891, '92 and '95, and the first two years represented it in the Grand Council. He was Marshal in the Grand Council in 1891, Grand Conductor in 1892, and Grand Cap- tain of Guards in 1893. From 1886 to 1889 inclusive he was District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illi- nois. These brief statements of the various and high official honors bestowed upon him prove conclusively his popularity in Ma- sonic circles; and, more- than honoring him officially, his lodge and chapter have man- ifested their appreciation of his service by tendering him beautiful and substantial gifts. Vesper Lodge presented him a handsome watch, and Galesburg Chapter in 1893 gave him a fine cornet, both of which are highly prized by him. Mr. Hoyle is a native of New Haven, Connecticut, born August 11, 1842, and from there in 1857 came direct to Gales- burg, Illinois, where he has since resided, and where for a number of years he has been engaged in the manufacture of miners' tools, stone-cutter's tools and mill-picks, doing a prosperous business. Mr. Hoyle is a musician himself and has a musical family, he and his two sons and two daughters forming what is known as the Hoyle Family Orchestra, their serv- ices being in demand for concerts, recep- tions, balls, etc. Miss Daisy Hoyle plays the first violin; Mr. E. R. Hoyle, flute and piccolo; Mr. W. G. Hoyle, clarionet; Mr. W. R. Hoyle, Jr., cornet; and Miss Nettie E. Hoyle, piano. H ERMAN G. POMY is one of the J^H younger representatives of Masonry in Chicago, but is actively interested in the society, zealously supporting it on all op- portune occasions. He was made a Master Mason in Germania Lodge, No. 182 (of which his father was Worshipful Master for six years) in 1893, and the following year was raised to the Royal Arch degree in Lin- coln Park Chapter. He also became a Knight Templar of Apollo Comrnandery, No. I, in 1894, and in 1895 was made a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, his member- ship being in Medinah Temple. Mr. Pomy is one of the native sons of Chicago, his birth having occurred in this city on the 25th of September, 1867. His father, Herman Pomy, is a native of Ger- many, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Anna ( Kuebler), was born in Switz- erland, "the beautiful land of the Alps." The son was reared in his parents' home and acquired his literary education in the common schools, after which he took up the study of pharmacy and was graduated therein in 1 886. For five years he was then engaged in the drug business, after which he joined his father in the bottling business, with which he was connected until 1892. In that year he took charge of the fine cafe in the Schiller building and has so conducted it as to make it one of the best establishments of the kind in the city. He is now enjoying the patronage of a large and select class. He possesses excellent execu- tive ability and his sagacity, foresight and systematic methods are bringing to him prosperity. He is yet a young man, and possessing the qualifications necessary to COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. 797 success we predict for him a prosperous career. In 1892 Mr. Pomy was united in mar- riage to Miss Harriet Droney, a native of Chicago, and they have one son, Herman John. Mr. Pomy holds membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a man of fine personal appearance, of pleasant, courteous manner and genial dis- position. He is already ranked among the prominent business men of the city, and has a host of warm friends in Chicago. \DWARD EUGENE SPOONER. - Both the blue lodge and chapter of Belvidere, Illinois, have a worthy exponent of Masonry in the gentleman whose name graces this biographical res tune, Mr. Ed- ward Eugene Spooner. Mr. Spooner was created a Master Mason in Horicon Lodge, No. 244, A. F. & A. M., in 1888, and in 1890 was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Rochelle Chapter, No. 158, R. A. M. In 1894, upon his re- moval to Belvidere, he was dimitted from the lodge and chapter which had initiated him and placed his membership with Bel- videre Lodge, No. 60, and Kishwaukee Chapter, No. 90, with which he now affili- ates. In both these branches of Masonry he has from the first manifested a deep in- terest. In 1889 he was elected Junior Warden of the lodge, which position he filled acceptably for two terms, and in 1895 he was in the chapter elected to the ex- alted office of King, and at this writing is serving his second term as such. Reverting now to the birth and ances- tral history of Mr. Spooner, we find that he was ushered into life at Bangor, Maine, October 27, 1851, a descendant of English ancestors who landed in America and set- tled at Plymouth during the earliest history of that place. Many representatives of the family still reside in Massachusetts and Maine and occupy a place among the best and most prominent people of New Eng- land. Mr. Spooner's father, Daniel B. Spooner, was born in Bath, Maine, and re- sided in the Pine Tree state until 1857, when he came to Illinois, bringing with him his wife and two sons. Her maiden name was Amelia Harlow, and she, too, was de- scended from one of the early and highly- respected families of New England, her grandfather, Sylvanus Harlow, having fought as a colonial soldier during the Revolution. Arrived in Illinois, Mr. Spooner settled with his family in Ogle county, and there, some years later, his wife died, in the for- tieth year of her age. Subsequently he married again and reared a second family. He served his country well as a Union sol- dier during the days of civil strife, was a stanch Republican, and in every sense of the word was a man of sterling integrity. Death came suddenly to him in 1882, when, in the sixtieth year of his age, he was killed by lightning. Turning again to his son, Edward E., the immediate subject of this review, it is found that he was reared and educated at Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois, in early life showing a taste for engineering, to a mastery of which he devoted much time and study. He followed engineering for a number of years. For nine years he ran the water-works at Rochelle. In 1891, on the 8th of June, he came to Belvidere, and became the builder and manager of the Belvidere water-works, and still has charge of the plant. Mr. Spooner was married -in 1872 to Miss Viola Gilbert, whose untimely death occurred only a short time after their mar- riage, and in 1876 he wedded Miss Minnie Dimick, his present companion, a native of Massachusetts. They have children as fol- lows: Viola, Eli Earl, Annie May and Charles Eugene. In connection with Mr. Spooner's Ma- sonic history, it should be further stated that he "and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star at Belvidere, and of this organization he is a Past Worthy Patron. He is also an I. O. O. F. , an A. O. U. W., a Knight of the Globe, and a member of the Woodmen of the World. In the Daughters of Rebekah Mrs. Spooner ? ( J8 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS has for several years been prominent and active, now being a Past Grand. They are stanch members of the Presbyterian church, and politically, he harmonizes with the Republican party. VEORGE R. ATKINSON is one of the most worthy representatives of Ma- sonry in Illinois, and this work would be incomplete without the record of his life. He became a member of the fraternity on the 1 8th of October, 1865, and was raised to the sublime degree of a Royal Arch Ma- son on the last of April, 1881. The follow- ing month he was knighted in Crusader Commandery, and on the 28th of May of the same year he attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and has the dis- tinction of being the father of the order in Rockford, having taken the degrees of this branch of Masonry in Medinah Temple of Chicago before any of his brethren in Rock- ford had become connected therewith. He was instrumental in the organization of Tebala Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Rockford, and was its first Poten- tate and has had the honor of being made the representative of the Rockford Temple at the Supreme Council in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Atkinson is deeply interested in Ma- sonry, of which he has been a close student, fully understands its purposes and lives up to its requirements, his life being an ex- ponent of the teachings of the order, while to practical test he puts its principles in his every-day walk of life. George R. Atkinson is a native of Cocker- mouth, Cumberland county, England, born September 19, 1835, and is a representative of an old English family that was promi- nently connected with the manufacture of woolen goods in that county. Our subject received his education in the public schools of his native land and there learned the merchant-tailoring trade, which he has made his life occupation. He came to the United States in 1858 and worked at his trade for two years, then learned cutting, and has since done considerable business in the latter line. His long experience and his progression had made him an expert and artist'c cutter, and during his thirty-six years' connection with the business he has gained a reputation and secured a patron- age that makes him now the leading mer- chant tailor of Rockford. His well-ap- pointed establishment, capable corps of assistants and the fine line of goods which he carries has brought to him an excellent trade, and he is regarded as one of the leading representatives of the commercial interests of the city. Since coming to Rockford Mr. Atkinson has been identified with the work of progress and improvement in the city, and has erected here three elegant residences, the last one built being now the home of his family. He was happily married in Boston, on the ist of January, 1863, to Miss Julia A. Harper, a native of the state of Maine and a daughter of Colonel J. C. Harper, of the Pine Tree state. They had two children, but unfortunately have lost both. In his political association Mr. Atkinson is a Republican. He supported the Demo- cratic party until 1894, when becoming dis- satisfied with its policy he joined the ranks of the political organization with which he is now affiliated. He has never sought or cared for office, but, as every true American citizen should do, feels an interest in the questions and issues of the day and through his ballot attempts to advance the nation's welfare. He is a man of sterling worth, of great strength of character, and is very pop- ular with a large circle of friends. JA. BOVETT, M. D. C., who is suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of vet- erinary surgery in Chicago, is a worthy and acceptable member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and has won distinctive perferment therein. He was made a Mason in Home Lodge, No. 508, in 1894, and after passing the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow- craft and Master Mason, he took those of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS. 799 Master and Royal Arch in Chicago Chapter, No. 127. The following year, 1895, the order of Knighthood was conferred upon him by Apollo Commandery, No. i, K. T., and he has since been a loyal Templar, fol- lowing the beauseant in its noble mission among men. The same year he became identified with the organization established for the promotion of social relations among the adherents of Masonry and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, his membership being in Medinah Temple. He is a close and con- scientious student of the teachings and ethics of Masonry and with a loyal devotion follows its principles and precepts. Dr. Bovett is one of the younger repre- sentatives of the business interests of Chi- cago. He was born in this city, on the 4th of October, 1872, and has spent his entire life here. The public schools afforded him the early educational privileges which he en- joyed, and he afterward pursued his studies in the Notre Dame University, of Indiana, and subsequently in Cornell University, where he took a special course of study. Having determined to engage in the prac- tice of veterinary surgery as a life work he entered the Chicago Veterinary College, where he was graduated with the class of 1893. He has since engaged in practice in Chicago, and his skill and ability in his calling has won him a liberal and lucrative patronage. The Doctor was happily married in 1894, to Miss Nettie Maud Barker, a native of Chicago. He is a man of pleasant, genial manner, courteous and affable, and has many friends in the city of his nativity. STEPHEN THOMAS JULIAN. The two most strongly marked characteris- tics of both the east and the west are com- bined in the residents of the upper Mississ- ippi valley. The enterprise which over- leaps all obstacles and makes possible almost any undertaking in the latter district is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors, and the combination is one of peculiar force and power. It has been the means of placing this section of the country on a par with the older east, at the same time producing a reliability and certainty in business affairs which is often lacking in the west. This happy combina- tion of characteristics is possessed by Mr. Julian, who has spent his entire life in the central portion of the republic. He was born in Mineral Point, Wiscon- sin, on the 7th of October, 1849, a son of Stephen Thomas and Christie (Roberts) Julian, both natives of England and de- scendants of an old Cornish family. In 1845, soon after their marriage, they bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, taking up their residence in Mineral Point. Soon after the birth of their only child the father started for Cali- fornia, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope. With the hope that he might secure a fortune for his little fam- ily in that Eldorado of the west, he made his way over the long and perilous journey to the western frontier and in his operations met with fair success; but he was never destined to see the fulfillment of his cher- ished hopes. In 1851, by mining in the Grass Valley region, he was killed by In- dians, leaving his wife and little son with little property. Some years afterward the widow married a Mr. Coville and is now living in Rockford, at the ripe old age of seventy-seven years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Julian were Episcopalians in their religious faith. Their son, whose name introduces this sketch, acquired his education in Illinois, and at the age of sixteen years started out to make his own way in life. He resided in Rockton for a number of years and was married there in 1874 to Miss May Hart, a native of Illinois. Their union has been a very happy one and their home has been blessed with six children, all born in Rock- ford, namely: Alexander, Lula, William, Lena, Walter and Stephen. Mrs. Julian is a devoted member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and a most estimable lady. Mr. Julian has for some time been con- 800 COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRT IN ILLINOIS. nected with the Rockford fire department. For five years he was captain of station No. i, and was then promoted to assistant fire marshal, in which capacity he has since ac- ceptably served. He has done all in his power to effect the fire-protection system of Rockford and his study of methods and ways to fight this destroying element has made his service very effective. In politics he is a Republican. Socially he is connected with the fraternity whose history, as told in the lives of its representatives, forms the subject matter of this volume. He took the degrees of the blue lodge in 1883, becoming a Master Mason on the 6th of July, in Rockton Lodge, No. 74. He was afterward exalted to the sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason in Rockton Chapter, No. 90. He has since dimitted from the former and is now affiliated with Rockford Lodge, No. 1 02, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a con- sistent and acceptable member. --/,...: HISTORICAL ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA A COMPENDIUM OF FREEMASONRY IN ILLINOIS