It’s not just for the Marines, ya know.
The Masons have been seeking good men, here in Garrettsville and around the world, for quite some time now, and doing pretty well at it, as a matter of fact.
The Masonic Lodge–the Free and Arch Masons, along with affiliated groups such as the Shriners and the Knights Templar, have been derived from social organizations for men from early times in Europe, originally with connections to the building trades and workers in stone (masons) who were fundamental in building the cities and towns from Medieval times onward. This, in addition to the building of King Solomon’s temple in Biblical times. Many different narratives of the origin of the fraternal organization we see today exist but the American manifestation of the Masonic movement is derived from its establishment in England–Oliver Cromwell was a member, for example. The group had a reputation for being opposed to oppression by royalty and was frequently persecuted–until their skills were needed for building palaces and other imposing edifices. In America, this mind-set was not so unpopular and numerous early movers and shakers were members; Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were both members, as were other individuals important in the political scene of their time. They were not always welcomed on the public stage, likely because of the confidential nature of their proceedings and rituals, indeed, at one time there existed an Anti-Mason political party which presented candidates for public office solely on the platform of being opposed to Masons in general. Nonetheless, Masonic lodges were to be found across the United States from the 1700’s onward.
Garrettsville Lodge No.246 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons was organized in December of 1853 and chartered on October 19, 1854. They have had a presence in the village and the community since that time. Their earliest meeting hall was located in a building approximately where the Speedway station is today, at the corner of Main (then called Silver St.) and North St. In 1860, the building burned down, consuming the Lodge Library, furniture, paraphernalia, all records and six dollars in cash. The organization moved temporarily to Park Ave. (two different sides of the street), but nearly one year from the date of the fire, the Lodge moved to a new location on Main Street. Historical note : “December 22, 1863 the Lodge decided that the hour for meetings should be as follows–the first meeting in each month commence at early candle light, the second at one P.M.” In 1873 there was a grand celebration and dedication of the new Lodge quarters on Main Street, with visitors from far and wide–ceremony conducted by Grand Master Woodruff of Cleveland, Ohio. After the ceremonies, the crowd adjourned to the Buckeye Hall across the street where a “grand supper” and music awaited, followed by “dancing and social converse” into the night (by candlelight, presumably). The bill for all this came to $2451.20, give or take. At one time, the Garrettsville Lodge was nationally- renowned for its excellence in ceremonial/degree work, even traveling to other states to perform the ceremonies. In 1888 a fire threatened destruction once again but the local fire department saved the day, and was duly thanked for its efforts. By 1890, the Lodge had installed electric lights! A Grand Lodge report of 1890 remarked “How does it happen that so many good men and true live in one place?”
And so it goes.
Hon. J.A. Garfield honored the Garrettsville Lodge with a visit in September, 1865 and in December of the same year was admitted as a member, later elected Chaplain. In addition to a President of the United States, the Garrettsville Lodge claimed as members, the Crane brothers, Frederick, C.M and Arthur, notable for their local business in maple syrup (later, Life Savers), and Huber King, a nationally well-known artist.
The search goes on, through generations of family, through the newly–introduced, through tradition, through new thought. “A few good men” are always welcome. Consider :
What Masonry Means
“Out of all that I hear and see, Day by day I am building me;
I alone have the right to choose What to reject and what to use. Nobody’s workmanship but mine, Can keep the structure true and fine, strong or feeble–false or true–
I build myself by the deeds I do.”
They are still looking.
