Masons of Coles County, IL
Etna, Illinois
©2002, Transcribed by Kim Torp

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Volume II

History of Wabash Lodge No. 179,
A.F. & A. Masons


The Second Fifty Years
One Hundredth Anniversary
October 2, 1955
Organized May 23, 1854 - Chartered October 2, 1855

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Present Appearance of Wabash Lodge Hall (c. 1955)

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PREFACE

Having felt the need of a second volume of the history of Wabash Lodge No. 179 to commemorate the second half of the century of its existence, a meeting was held in February, 1955, at the Lodge Hall in Etna, and the following committee was appointed to collect data and pertinent information regarding this work: William Frank Payton, Loe Ellis, E. Thomas Allen, Otis Burcham, Ambrose Y. Hart Jr., Ernest Chamberlin, John L. Bell and Fred M. Campbell.

In Volume One, the history of the Lodge covered a period of fifty-one years, or from the time a dispensation was issued May 23, 1854. The Lodge worked under this dispensation until the first charter was issued on the afternoon of October 2, 1855, James L. Anderson being the Grand Master. So in beginning this second volume the activities of the Lodge must necessitate the period of time from October 2, 1905 to October 2, 1955. The information acquired for this book has been long and tedious and in some cases we have had to turn to other sources besides the Lodge records for this information.

While perusing these pages one may ask at first glance, is this really a history of the Lodge? It might seem that more is probably said concerning the growth and change in the community than the lodge. But what of the members? Are they and their families not an integral part of the community in which they live? So we feel as though these changes should not be left out, but should become a part of this book.

In determining what biographical sketches to write concerning the names on our roles, we have decided to include the Worshipful Masters and members of our Armed Forces, 50-year members, and District Deputies during this period of time. Many members of our Lodge would no doubt have very interesting biographies, but time and space will not allow us to include more.

In compiling this information we have had much help from other sources and the cooperation has been most gratifying, and we wish to here thank them for their help. We have tried to be as nearly correct as possible with the facts in this volume although we are but mortal man and to err is but human.

To the Worshipful Master, Wardens, and Brothers of Wabash Lodge No. 179:

Another 50 years have come and gone, and so we find a great many changes have taken place within our midst. We of the Committee find it a very difficult take to enumerate all these changes.

First, most of our brethren who were here 50 years ago have gone to their reward in the "Great Beyond." There being only five living who were members here at the Lodge at the close of the first 50 years. As we reach the centennial of our existence we will try to set forth a few of the many happenings and transformations that have taken place, and which may be of interest to this Lodge and the future generations which are to follow in our footsteps.

We are still meeting in the same building and have approximately the same furniture and charts as before, but outside our Lodge, up and down our countryside and Nation, have come the most drastic changes that could happen in the course of human events. As we entered the second half of the century, we looked about us and beheld a far different mode of transportation. A far speedier age from the lumbering ox carts and wagons of our forefathers to a new age of gasoline, namely the "horseless carriage," as they were first called -- or automobile. We have seen them transformed from a sort of crude form of conveyance to a highly mechanized speedy and comfortable form of transportation. As these new vehicles came into more common usage, the next great step forward was paved roads which now span the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Gulf to the Canadian border and beyond.

Our brethren who attended Lodge fifty years ago came mostly by buggy and on horseback, and when the wintry winds began to howl, and snow to beat upon the landscape, or the rains came, causing the earth to become a quagmire, they were still faithful and came on foot. And now 50 years later, we live in a so-called "Atomic Age" and with the powerful and speedy means of transportation we are able to attend Lodge with a minimum of effort, regardless of the weather, though living many miles away. But transportation is only one of a number of things which have changed our mode of living.

From the kerosene and gasoline lamps of the yesterdays, we now enjoy a most wonderful agent of power called electricity. Although used to some extent by our older members and within the cities, it has not until recently become the almost universal means of lighting and power, and no isolated spot is now without use of this useful agent. So if our brethren, who a century ago used the burning tapers as a symbol, could but return and see the three great lights illuminated by an unseen hand they would indeed feel as though they were at last receiving the fulfillment of their first desire for more light.

Another wonderful means of transportation developed during this age was the airplane of "flying machine," as it was first called. Could the author of that famous poem, "Darius Green and His Flying Machine," or the eager children who read the poem in their old school books now see to what extent the dream had been realized, they would, I am sure, be surprised and amazed at the results. As the airplane has now been built to such a high degree of efficiency, and with speed exceeding that of sound, the furthermost parts of the world have been brought together in close relationship within the space of a few hours.

About the time of the first development of the airplane, human nature began to assert itself and, as it has happened from time immemorial, man began to quarrel with his neighbor, but now thousands of miles apart. War clouds began to gather on the horizon and the halcyon days of the preceding years were ended and war was declared across the sea.

We were immune from it for three years, but in 1917 war was declared on Germany, and our county became completely engulfed. Unlike wars of previous years which were fought miles away, this one was carried on thousands of miles away in a foreign country. As a result of diminishing world distances, we were drawn into it to help make the world a better place in which to live.

Later, other wars broke out. Namely, World War, the Second in 1940, and in the Conflict of Korea in 1950, and as in previous wars, Wabash Lodge No. 179 answered the call to the conflict and the names of the gallant soldiers, sailors and airmen are recorded in another part of this book. After arduous fighting and much bloodshed, we now lived in a so-called peaceful era, although world tension runs high in the Middle East, threatening the peace of many nations.

CHURCHES

No history would be complete without relating the changes that have come about regarding our churches and schools. Paradise Township, often spoken of in the previous history, still has two active churches, both of Methodist denomination, and Sunday School and Church services are carried on regularly each Sabbath, with very good attendance. One of the churches is the Zion Hill Methodist church, located one-half mile west of the village of Paradise. The other is the Etna Methodist church at Etna. The Dry Grove Church, formerly in the Dry Grove neighborhood about three miles northeast of Etna, was moved to the village of Trilla several years ago, where services are still conducted and the Lord's work goes forward in all of them.

SCHOOLS

The so-called "Little Red Schoolhouses," which were once a tradition, have been radically changed almost as much as any one thing. The little one-room rural schoolhouses which once dotted our countryside, have all but passed out of existence, there being but two places of learning now in the township -- one at Etna and the other at West Paradise, three-fourths of a mile west of the village of Paradise.

The former schoolhouses were either torn down or sold for private dwelling houses, and children who once trudged to the little one-room school through mud and slush, now await at the homes for the sleek school buses to pick them up and carry them in comfort to the place of learning prescribed for them; the older ones traveling as afar as Mattoon and Neoga to the higher grades of learning. This modern change of schooling is now known as consolidation.

Buttermilk School, which was located two miles east of Etna at the intersection of Route 45, was moved to Etna and joined to the school building already there, thus affording more accommodations to more pupils than ever before. The West Paradise School is now the only one remaining in its former location that is still used for school purposes.

RAILROADS

The Illinois Central Railroad still passes through Etna, but on a higher level, as the tracks were raised in 1923 to a height of about twenty-five feet with dirt taken from Magnet Hill, about three miles to the north. This hill, in former years, was a handicap to train crews of long freight trains, causing them many an hour of grief, as the longer trains had to be uncoupled and taken past the hill a half at a time. The railroad depot was moved away a few years ago, so now there are no passenger trains stopping in our little Village. But the diminishing number of "Iron Horses" still roar through at regular intervals and the sleek diesel-powered streamliners pass at 90 miles per hour speeds. The Lodge, as of old, is still interrupted unceremoniously by the din of trains thundering past.

DWELLING HOUSES

Most homes of our community are far different than a few decades ago. The modern conveniences, which are now used almost universally, are enjoyed in the most humble cottage as well as the finest mansion. The most amazing invention of our time has only been in use a very few years -- television. Something unheard of only a few years ago and jokingly referred to but not taken seriously, as something to be enjoyed in the far distant future. Now, thanks to ingenuity, it has become a reality and images and sound travel thousands of miles to an awaiting audience, even in color, to entertain and educate them in the remotest corners of the globe. And so, as one travels up and down our country, we see TV aerials on most of our dwellings.

Some of the other modern conveniences are air-conditioning, radio and refrigerations, to name but a few, and these are enjoyed by the common as well as the elite of the land.

WATERS, RIVERS, LAKES

A reservoir or lake was built in the township in 1907 to supply Mattoon with water for industrial use. This body of water, located north of the village of Paradise across the Little Wabash River, was first called Paradise Lake, but in 1931, the growth of the city of Mattoon necessitated building a new lake. This was to the south of the old one and renamed Lake Mattoon. A larger lake is now proposed to be built northwest of Neoga to furnish Mattoon and possibly Neoga with an increased supply of water caused by still more industries starting up.

FISH HATCHERY

A fish hatchery was built at the northeast corner of the first lake in 1909 by the Department of Conservation to enable them to help replace the various bodies of water throughout the state with fish.

OIL AND GAS ACTIVITY

Within the last few years a new industry has invaded our midst. Oil wells, pumping their "Black Gold" as it has been nicknamed, have slowly crept from several miles to the north to within a short distance of Etna. Like a pebble dropped in a placid lake, its ripples have spread for a radius of probably twenty miles, with the center near Mattoon.

There are several gas and oil pipelines running beneath the surface of the earth near Etna, from the Texas oil fields and elsewhere, supplying the need of an ever-changing world around us. As one travels through the darkness of night, flares from the wells are seen as are the pumps which toil steadily at their unending task of removing the Black Gold from Mother Earth, placed there by an unseen hand, awaiting man's discovery.

OUR I.O.O.F. NEIGHBORS

At the time the railroad was undergoing changes our neighboring lodge, across the tracks to the west, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, decided to move their lodge building along side Wabash Lodge No. 179, the move taking place in 1923. We now dwell peacefully side by side with them and as neighborliness was practiced by our forefathers many years ago, we also carry on this same friendship by borrowing chairs, cooking utensils, etc., from them when an inadequate supply of our own fails to meet the requirements needed for an overflowing crowd at our Lodge. They have done likewise under similar conditions, and down through the years peace and harmony have prevailed between the two lodges.

As the storms and fair weather alike beat down on these two buildings standing peacefully side by side, I am sure the All-Seeing Eye looks down from above with assenting favor.

DISTRICTS OF WABASH LODGE NO 179

There were no District Deputy Grand Masters appointed until the year 1867. At that time Wabash Lodge No. 179 was placed in the Eighth District. Later on the State was divided into districts several times and the different ones into which Wabash No. 179 has been placed up to the present time are as follows: 8th, 17th, 18th, 22nd, 38th, 81st and 78th.

MASONIC HOME AT SULLIVAN
<PICTURE>

LODGE ENLARGED AND REMODELED IN 1913

In 1913, in keeping with its growth, it was decided to enlarge the Lodge room by removing partitions, etc., which was done in due time, thus providing working space to carry on the activities of the work. Electric lights were installed in 1914.

With the ever increasing population of our country, Lodges have sprung up, and now the State has 975 in number.
Our neighbor Lodges are:
To the East -- Muddy Point No. 396, Trilla; Lerna No. 788.
To the North -- Mattoon No. 260
To the West -- Miles Hart No. 595, Gays; Windsor No. 322
To the South -- Neoga No. 279

50-YEAR EMBLEMS

In 1953 and 1954 several members of our Lodge had earned the 50-year Badge of Merit, and with fitting ceremonies were presented to the following brethren: E. Tom Allen and Ernest Chamberlin, in 1953, and Harry Hendrix, J.L. Bell and Hayes Montgomery, in 1954.

MASTERS OF WABASH LODGE
1905 - 1955

Born Sept. 29, 1913. Entered Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor. Married Sylvia Skaggs May 6, 1940. Has one child, Richard Joe. Given a medical discharge Dec. 11, 1942, on account of lung ailment. After leaving Navy, he took employment with the Hayes Freight Lines. Deceased Dec. 24, 1943.

THEODORE E. FULLER

Born July 27, 1917. Married Mildred Hines Aug. 28, 1938. Has two children, Michael and Barry. Occupation, route salesman and manager for Coca-Cola co. Affiliated with Zion Hill Methodist Church. Resides on Route 2, Mattoon. Entered U.S. Navy, Aug. 19, 1943. Served as radio technician aboard U.S.S. Nicholas, a destroyer with 3rd and 7th Fleets, in Asiatic Theatre. Honorably discharged Dec. 16, 1945.

DONALD LEROY GLOVER

Born Aug. 26, 1917, near Mattoon. Started working at Naval Ordnance in January, 1943. Served in World War II from Sept. 1944 through Jan. 1947. Served in Communications in Germany. Married Miss Marjorie Abel. they have three sons, Jackie, Jimmy and Donnie. Lives in Noblesville, Ind., and is a floor supervisor.

MILES DONALD HART

Born Dec. 21, 1919. Married Jean Lawyer in 1947. Entered Great Lakes Training Center Mar. 17, 1943. Attended engineering schools at Chicago and Richmond, Va. Served on LST No. 828. Promoted to Machinist 1st Class on ammunition ship in Pacific. Served in the Philippines, Japan, Okinawa. Twice wounded in Okinawa; received Group Citation. Honorably discharged in Japan, Jan. 16, 1946. Church affiliation, Presbyterian, Mattoon. Engineer for New York Central. Resides in Mattoon.

THOMAS B. HARVEY

Born at Mattoon, Mar. 19, 1897. Married Zola Hamilton, Aug. 12, 1921. Spent early part of his life on farms near Lerna. Became member of the Mattoon Fire Dept., in 1917. Served one year in U.S. Army during World War I. Returned to Fire Dept., 1919 and worked one year. Returned again in 1929 with total of almost 24 years service. Retired as Captain July 1, 1952, because of asthmatic condition. In member of Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey reside in Sunnyslope, Arizona.

WAYNE T. HENDRIX

Born Nov. 22, 1922, near Paradise. Married Carol Ewing Aug. 23, 1942. They have two children, Marilyn and Paul. His occupation is that of farmer. Affiliated with Methodist Church at Paradise. Resides on Route 2, Charleston, Ill. Entered service Jan. 22, 1943, Scott Field, Ill. Basic training in Wyoming. Stationed Camp Cooke, Calif. Served overseas from Feb. 11, 1944 to Dec. 17, 1945 in European Theater with Co. L., 101st Inf. Discharged Jan. 5, 1946 Camp Grant, Ill.

ROLAND HILL

Born Jan. 11, 1915 at Stilger, Okla. Married to Helen Bell in 1943. They have three children, Madelin, Rita and Ronnie. Entered Service July 8, 1941, in U.S. Veterinary Corps. Served in France with the 237th General Hospital. Discharged Nov. 7, 1945. Occupation has been that of grain elevator operator. Resides on Route 2, Mattoon.

WALTER C. MAJOR

Born Oct. 16, 1911, near Etna. Married to Irene Garlish; three children, Frederick, John and Joyce. Began training with 6th Armored Field Art. Div., Apr. 3, 1942. Overseas, Aug. 21, 1943. Has Service Stripe, Four Overseas Bars, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal. Returned home Nov. 19, 1945. Employed at Caterpillar co., Peoria. Resides at Farmington. Member Presbyterian Church. 32nd degree Mason.

WILLIAM MAJOR, JR.

Born near Mattoon, son of William and Pearl Major. Spent 4 ½ years in World War II, three years of it in the Aleutians. Was a sergeant in the Quartermaster Corps. Won two Bronze Stars and Pacific Campaign ribbons. Married, has three children, Judith, Mary Margaret and William III. Mr. and Mrs. Major now reside in Ontario, Calif. He is employed by an aircraft factory.

EDWARD LINDSEY MONTGOMERY

Born Sept. 15, 1894 at Etna where he grew to manhood. Enlisted in the U.S. Army in World War I, in 1918, and served in France. After his army service, he was engaged in construction work until 1952, when he was in an accident which permanently disabled him from further work. He was never married, and at present is in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Quincy.

WM. F. PAYTON, JR.

Born near Paradise, Aug. 27, 1920. Graduate Neoga High School, 1938. Inducted into Medical Corps, 35th Div., July 30, 1942, at Peoria. Returned to civilian life as a Pfc., May 1943, with honorable medical discharge. Married Miss Ruby Jennings June 30, 1946. Have two children, Wesley Norman and Sharon Jean. Member of Zion Hill Methodist Church. Occupation has been that of farmer. Has been employed at Young Radiator Plant, Mattoon since 1950. Resides on Route 2, Mattoon.

DONALD ROSE

Born April 16, 1927. Married Wanda Watson in 1946. Entered Navy in March, 1945. Served aboard a Destroyer Escort with the 7th Fleet in the Pacific Theatre. Discharged in July, 1946. He is employed as a high school teacher and resides at Dwight, Illinois.

RALPH SANDERS

Born June 1, 1902. Married Feb. 10, 1926 to Caroline Uphoff. They have two children, Deloris and Joy. Owns and operates a service station and resides in Phoenix, Ariz. Served in A.S.T.S. Detachment for three years at Rantoul, Ill. A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

RALPH SHORES

Enlisted in Naval Reserve Force at Great Lakes Training Station June 5, 1918, as a musician 2nd class. Served aboard the following ships: R.W. Philadelphia, U.S. Naval Base, Cardiff, Wales, and the U.S.S. Imperator. Released from active duty June 4, 1919. Honorably discharged Sept. 30, 1921. Now deceased.

GEORGE SHRIVER

Born Sept. 2, 1917. Married Jane Easter, Dec. 24, 1938. They have seven children, Anna May, Glen Robert, Mary Lee, George Jr., Holly Eugene, Rex Lyn and Linda Diane. He entered military service in the infantry in July, 1945. Discharged Nov. 5, 1945. For the past twelve years has been employed by the Kuehne Mfg. Co., Mattoon, as a truck driver. Resides at Mattoon.

JACOB DEWEY SOUTH

Entered military service as a private, Co. 10, S.A.T.E., Oct. 8, 1918. Discharged Dec. 21, 1918. Attended University of Illinois. Married Opal Lawrence. Occupation has been that of farmer. Resides on a farm near Etna.

DONALD WATSON

Born May 31, 1924. Married Dotty Erickson Sept. 11, 1948. They have two children, Donny Gene and Sharon Kay. Affiliated with the Methodist Church. Entered service Jan. 22, 1943, in Co. B., 319th Inf., in the 80th Div., under General Patton's 3d Army. received Purple Heart in line of combat duty at Kastel, Germany. Discharged Feb. 16, 1946. Now employed by South Utility Light Co. Resides at Williams Court, Mattoon.

A
Abel, W.C. -- Admitted June 23, 1899. Deceased
Abel, Joseph - Raised Jan. 15, 1886. Deceased
Allen, E. Thomas - Raised Oct. 2, 1903. 50-year Member
Apperson, A.G. - Raised June 15, 1883. Dimitted March 7, 1921. Deceased
Akers, J.B. - Raised Feb. 17, 1904. Not now a member.

B
Bartlett, James J. - Raised May 31, 1901. Deceased
Brant, A.M. - Raised July 5, 1902. Deceased
Bell, John L. - Raised Oct. 21, 1904. 50-Year Member
Blandford, George E. - Raised Dec. 20, 1902. Died Feb. 9, 1917

C
Campbell, Wm. L. - Raised Jan. 4, 1901. Died Jan. 29, 1927
Chamberlin, Ernest - Raised Oct. 30, 1903. 50-year Member
Cavins, Joseph - Raised Sept 9, 1864. Deceased Apr. 28, 1917
Champion, J.R. - Raised Oct. 9, 1900. Deceased
Carlyle, Robert - Admitted May 30, 1890. Deceased
Crabtree, James - Raised May 9, 1884. Deceased

D
Deckard, J.P. - Raised Sept. 2, 1881. Deceased May 13, 1916
Deckard, Wm. M. - Raised Jan. 4, 1901. Died Jan. 13, 1927

F
Figenbaum, Henry - Raised Sept. 7, 1900. Died July 15, 1921
Figenbaum, harry - Raised Oct. 2, 1903. Not a member
Ferguson, Thomas - Raised Oct. 16, 1903. Died July 9, 1945

G
Goar, Joseph F. - Raised Apr. 5, 1861. Deceased
Gardner, Harry - Raised May 6, 1887. Deceased Jan. 27, 1920
Green, A.L. - Raised Nov. 12, 1875 Deceased

H
Hart, H.C. - Admitted June 23, 1899. Deceased Nov. 28, 1929
Hart, M.C. - Raised Feb. 7, 1902. Deceased July 26, 1950
Hamblin, B.D. - Raised July 12, 1889. Died Jan. 10, 1916
Henley, John L. - Raised Feb 8, 1904. Deceased Apr. 2, 1949
Hendrix, Harry - Raised april 29, 1904. 50-year Member
Holland, A.M. - Raised Oct. 20, 1882. Deceased

L
Lawson, B.H. - Raised Oct. 3, 1873. Deceased Mar. 17, 1920
Lawson, J.F. Jr. - Raised Feb. 9, 1901. Deceased

M
Matthews, Harvey - Raised Oct. 5, 1880. Deceased Apr. 7, 1935
Mayhew, Calvin - Raised Aug. 1866. Deceased
Major, S.S. - Raised May 25, 1877. Deceased Feb 21, 1915
Montgomery, Hayes - Raised Jan. 3, 1903. 50 year Member
Montgomery, Albert - Raised Oct. 8, 1875. Died Nov. 3, 1921

P
Payton, Wm. J. - Raised Dec. 30, 1881. Deceased June 14, 1925
Payton, Edward O. - Raised Oct. 21, 1904. Deceased

R
Rains, Jacob - Raised Apr. 8, 1881. Deceased

V
Vanderen, S.S. - Raised Jan. 25, 1862.
Vandeventer, James - Raised Nov. 19, 1897. Deceased

W
Woolery, H.W. - Admitted Sept. 2, 1866. Deceased
Wooldridge, J.F. - Raised Aug. 8, 1862. Died Sept. 30, 1916
Williams, james H. - Raised Aug. 8, 1862. Deceased
Wilson, Frank E. - Raised Jan. 31, 1902. Died Nov. 20, 1950
Walden, William A. - Raised Feb. 8, 1884. Died Apr. 11, 1923
Wilson, N.P. 0 Raised Apr. 8, 1904. Died Feb. 14, 1927

A
Allen, James Henry - Raised Oct. 18, 1907
Andres, T.K. - Raised Jan. 18, 1947'
Andrews, Warren - Raised Apr. 3, 1936

B
Bariether, F. Wayne - Raised May 19, 1955
Bartlett, George E. - Raised May 7, 1947
Bell, William H. - Raised Feb. 8, 1952
Benefiel, Cecil - Raised Aug. 5, 1927
Bolin, Alvin - Raised July 12, 1927
Brining, Lewis - Raised June 14, 1927
Bresee, Byrd E. - Raised June 14, 1927
Burcham, Otis T. - Raised Mar. 1, 1944

C
Campbell, Charles L. - Raised Feb. 14, 1919
Campbell, frank H. - Raised June 30, 1915. Died 1935
Campbell, Fred M. - Raised Oct. 7, 1927
Carlyle, Alan K. - Raised June 6, 1953
Carlyle, Fonrose F. - Raised Mar. 28, 1907. Died July 29, 1914
Carlyle, Earl - Raised Aug. 26, 1927. Died Dec. 8, 1937
Carter, noble J. - Raised Mar. 27, 1947
Cather, Robert Montgomery - Raised Apr. 17, 1942
Cather, Thomas - Raised Aug. 28, 1928
Chamberlin, Frank W. - Raise Aug. 27, 1909. Dimitted Feb. 3, 1931
Champion, W. Harold - Raised June 28, 1912. Died Dec. 3, 1950
Clark, Ed - Raised July 7, 1939
Clemons, C.F. - Raised June 26, 1948
Crawford, James Monroe - Raised Jan. 16, 1916
Crawford, John L. - Raised Nov. 7, 1919
Curry, Clyde Mervin - Affiliated Apr. 20, 1924
Curry, S. Jeff - Raised Oct. 25, 1912. Not now a member

D
Deckard, Ward T. - Raised July 7, 1913. Demitted Sept 20, 1920
Dunn, Delbert - Raised June 16, 1955
Dyer, Jack H. - Raised May 16, 1953

E
Easter, George Wesley - Raised Aug. 28, 1953
Easter, Raymond Dale - Raised Aug. 28, 1953
Easter, Simpson - Raised Sept. 12, 1924. Died Dec. 13, 1942
Eaton, James Edward - Affiliated Feb. 25, 1954
Ellis, Loe - Raised June 2, 1951
Emig, Hardie - Raised Aug. 24, 1928. Not now a member


F
Ferguson, Fred G. - Raised May 20, 1921
Fuller, John S. - Raised Jan. 22, 1948
Fuller, Richard Samuel - Raised Feb. 19, 1943. Died Dec. 24, 1943
Fuller, Theodore - Raised Jan. 24, 1948


G
Glover, Roy - Raised Feb. 4, 1944
Glover Donald Leroy - Raised Apr. 2, 1944. Dimitted Jan. 2, 1953
Gray, Charles Edward - Raised Apr. 2, 1920

H
Hart, Ambrose Sr. - Raised Feb. 9, 1939
Hart, Ambrose Jr. - Raised May 5, 1939
Hart, Arthur D. - Raised July 21, 1922
Hart, John Miles - Raised Dec. 29, 1922
Hart, Miles Donald - Raised Mar. 1, 1946
Hart, Otis S. - Raised April 18, 1913
Harvey, Thomas Berteen - Raised Sept. 27, 1927
Haskett, George F. - Raised Dec. 26, 1939. Dimitted Mar. 17, 1944
Henderson, Rufus V. - Raised Nov. 27, 1954
Hendrix, Tommy - Raised July 6, 1928
Hendrix, Wayne T. - Raised Mar. 24, 1951
Hill, Roland R. - Raised June 7, 1955
Highland, Mark - Raised Mar. 24, 1951
Hines, John Samuel - Raised May 3, 1929
Hovious, Armour - Raised Sept. 10, 1954

J
Janes, Oscar - Raised Nov. 4, 1927

L
Landsaw, Charles Nelson - Raised May 20, 1927
Love, Frank - Raised Apr. 21, 1933

M
Major, Walter C. - Raised Apr. 26, 1940. Dimitted Aug. 1, 1947
Major, William S. Sr. - Raised June 25, 1916
Major, William S. Jr.- Raised Apr. 26, 1940
Madison, H.A. - Admitted Mar. 26, 1926. Dimitted Nov. 15, 1928
McMillin, James E. - Raised Sept 25, 1948
Montgomery, Ed - Raised Feb. 14, 1930

N
Noe, Joe O. - Raised July 3, 1936. Dimitted Jan. 21, 1955

O
Orr, Golden Earl - Raised Jan. 6, 1950

P
Payton, William F. Sr. - Raised Sept. 18, 1916
Payton, William F. Jr. - Raised Sept 5, 1944
Pennell, George E. - Raised May 6, 1912. Dimitted May 13, 1927
Peters, Robert Allison - Raised Oct. 22, 1940
Price, William Harold - Raised Mar. 22, 1944

R
Rose, Donald E.
Roy, Oscar Allen - Affiliated May 17, 1929
Russell, Lawrence W. - Raised Apr. 16, 1912. Dimitted Nov. 1, 1941

S
Selock, Orval - Raised Jan. 24, 1948. Died April 8, 1955
Sanders, Ralph Rollon - Raised Apr. 7, 1924
Salladay, Roscoe Brown - Raised Jan. 25, 1918. Dimitted Oct. 12, 1925
Scott, Owen - Raised Mar. 27, 1914. Not now a member
Shores, Otis Richard - Raised June 9, 1916. Died Nov. 19, 1953
Shores, Ralph Raymond - Raised Dec. 28, 1916. Dimitted Nov. 3, 1931
Shriver, George W. - Raised Dec. 9, 1944
South, Jacob Dewey - Raised Feb. 16, 1945

T
Tewell, Donald Francis - Raised May 18, 1945

U
Uphoff, Henry Sr. - Raised Dec. 6, 1940. Died Jan. 30, 1954
Uphoff, Henry Jr. - Raised Aug. 20, 1955

V
Vandeventer, Dorsey - Raised May 3, 1929

W
Waggoner, Philip A. - Affiliated april, 1950
Walden, James W. - Raised Dec. 20, 1912
Watson, Donald J. - Raised Jan. 24, 1948
Watson, Ewart Sawyer - Raised Feb. 21, 1941
Watson, Jack A. - Affiliated Apr. 26, 1946
Wheeler, Elmo Wilbert - Raised May 31, 1927. Not now a member
Wilson, George LaRue - Raised Apr. 23, 1926
Wilson, George Worth - Raised Nov. 3, 1927
Wilson, Ralph - Raised Aug. 9, 1927
Wilson, F. Leroy - Raised Apr. 1, 1905. Demitted May 6, 1925

Y
Young, John R. - Affiliated Sept. 14, 1914. Died Oct. 27, 1927

Present Membership List

A
Allen, James Henry
Allen, E. Thomas
Andres, T.K.
Andrews, Warren

B
Bartlett, George E.
Bell, John L.
Bell, William H.
Bolin, Alvin
Brining, Lewis
Benefiel, Cecil
Burcham, Otis T.
Bariether, F. Wayne

C
Clark, Ed
Chamberlin, Ernest
Campbell, Charles L.
Campbell, Fred M.
Cather, Thomas
Cather, Robert M.
Carter, J. Noble
Clemons, C.F.
Carlyle, Alan K.
Curry, C. Mervin
Crawford, John L.

D
Dyer, Jack H.
Dunn, Delbert

E
Ellis, Loe
Easter, George Wesley
Easter, Raymond Dale
Eaton, James Edward

F.
Ferguson, Fred G.
Fuller, John S.
Fuller, Theodore E.

G
Gray, C. Edward
Glover, Roy
hart, Miles Donald
Hart, Otis S.
Hart, Arthur
Hart, John M.
Hart, Ambrose Sr.
Hart, Ambrose Jr.
Harvey Berteen
Hendrix, Harry
Hendrix, Tommy
Hendrix, Wayne
Hines, John Samuel
Highland, mark
Hovious, Armour
Henderson, Rufus V.
Hill, Roland

J
Janes, Oscar

L
Landsaw, C. Nelson
Love, Frank

M
Major, William S.
Major, William S. Jr.
McMillen, James E.
Montgomery, Hayes
Montgomery, Edward

O
Orr, Golden Earl

P
Payton, William F. Sr.
Payton, William F. Jr.
Price, William Harold
Peters, Robert Allen

R
Rose, Donald C.
Roy, Oscar

S
Sanders, Ralph R.
Schriver, George W.
South, Jacob Dewey

T
Tewell, Donald

U
Uphoff, Henry Jr.

V
Vandeventer, Dorsey

W
Walden, James W.
Wilson, G. Worth
Wilson, George L.
Wilson, Ralph
Watson, Ewart S.
Watson, Jack A.
Waggoner, Philip A.
Watson, Donald

District Deputies

WILLIAM E. OLMSTEAD
Born November 9, 1901. Made a Master Mason in Toledo Lodge No. 834, in 1924. Served as Master of Toledo Lodge in 1928; also served as secretary of that Lodge for several years. Brother Olmstead was appointed District Deputy Grand Master in October, 1954. He resides at Toledo, and is the present District Deputy.


HARRY GRAFTON
Born near Janesville, Illinois, December 25, 1906. Raised March 5, 1928, in Palestine Lodge No. 849, Palestine, Illinois. Worshipful Master of Lerna Lodge No. 788, Lerna, 1939. Commissioned Grand Lecturer, 1939. Installed Worshipful Senior Grand Deacon of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois in October, 1955. Honorary member of Charleston Lodge No. 35, Wabash Lodge No. 179, Mattoon Lodge No. 260, and Muddy Point Lodge No. 396. Served four years and seven months in World War II, attaining the rank of Captain, Corps of Engineers. Resides at Lerna.


CLONE CUMMINS
Born February 23, 1893, in Jasper County. Member of Hazel Dell Lodge No. 580. Raised March 27, 1934. Served as Master in 1938, 1939 and 1946. Married Christine Kibler, January 4, 1916. They have two children, Clarence and Pauline. Affiliated with Methodist church. Occupation has been that of rural mail carrier for 41 years. Now retired. Member of all lodge bodies, a 32nd Degree Mason, also member of Shriners, the O.E.S. and White Shrine. Resides at Yale, Illinois.

GEORGE THEODORE LOVINS
Born in Toledo, Illinois, July 8, 1905. Made a Mason in Toledo Lodge No. 834, April 4, 1930. Served as Master in 1937. Commissioned a Grand Lecturer in 1937. Served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 78th District in 1944 and 1945. Dimitted from Toledo Lodge and is affiliated with Jerseyville Lodge No. 394. Resides in Jerseyville. Also member of Consistory, Valley of Danville, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.

An open house meeting of Wabash Lodge No. 179 was held at Etna late in the fall of 1955 to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the Lodge. A banquet was served to about 150 members of the Lodge and their families and visitors.

A short program followed with several speakers participating. Brother Harry Grafton of Lerna made the keynote address. Brother William Lovins and Brother William Olmstead of Toledo also made short talks.

A pleasant and enjoyable time was had by all present on this occasion.

FINIS

And so my brethren, we finish the task allotted to us and close the pages of the record of the activities of Wabash Lodge No. 179. We are sure we have left untouched many of the happenings and works of this Lodge which may have been of interest to you. But as the Scriptures tell us, "All the happenings are not herein recorded, but may be found elsewhere." So perhaps our future contemporaries may pick up the threads of our loosely woven fabric and carry on from there.

We, therefore, respectfully submit our report to you of the Wabash Lodge No. 179, and hope that we may have fulfilled our responsibility to some degree at least.

Signed Committee:

W. Frank Payton
Loe Ellis
E. Tom Allen
Otis T. Burcham
A.Y. Hart Jr.
Ernest Chamberlin
J. Lawrence Bell
Fred M. Campbell

As we travel down that long, long road,
And earthly cares are won,
We trust that God's all-seeing eye
Will watch and say well done.

May younger hands take up the torch,
And carry it on high,
While older ones sit back and cheer
As His banner marches by.

We look forward to that Heavenly Home,
That Mansion in the skies,
Where peace and harmony shall prevail,
In that place called Paradise.

God grant our work be all well done,
Till we find that peaceful rest.
And may he say again to us
Enter in, to the joys of the blest.