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Greetings Brethren |
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A Little Information on The Riddle Lodge #315 |
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Gerald Goodballet 33rd Degree, Ralph Hoffman, Kenneth Prince and John (Jack) Pryor, all past masters of Riddle Lodge, continue to provide unparalleled guidance and inspiration to members of the Lodge. It should be noted that each of these living Riddle Lodge Masons have dedicated their lives to displaying speculative teaching and direction to our Lodge. Their many contributions to Riddle Lodge are legion and sincere and we as Masons and men are indebted to their kind service. Through the years, Masonry in East Liverpool has been blessed by the addition of many organizations connected with the Masonic fraternity. A brief outline of these groups follows:
East Liverpool Lodge No. 681, our sister lodge and with whom we work with complete harmony and jurisdiction, was chartered on October 19, 1922. Its first officers were: Robert H. Perry, W.M.; Robert Willis, S.W.: George b. William J.W.; Joseph M Blazer, Treas.,; James C. Springer, Secretary; Rev. William H. Clark, Chaplain; Ralph C. Vance, S.D.; Kent C. Willis, J.D.; Asher A Reeve, Tyler; H. Daniel Smith, S.S.; Charles A Price, J.S.; Joseph T. Croxall, Trustee; Harry C. Sterling Trustee. The first petition received by our sister lodge was Charles W. Hendershot, who remained an active member of the lodge until his passing. East Liverpool Chapter No. 100, Royal Arch Masons, had its inception in East Liverpool on October 12, 1867. The roster of its first officers is as follows: J. A. Riddle, H.P.; Thomas Croxall, King; John Mast, Sr., Scribe, William Vodrey, Capt. Of Host; David Smith, P.S.; L. R. Farmer, R.A.C.; Hugh Johnson, Third Veil; A. J. Pettie, Second Veil; M.J. Fouts, First Veil; R. R. Gardner, Treasurer, William Thompson, Secretary. Keramos Council No. 95, Royal and Select Masters was chartered on October 6, 1906 and continues to this day. Pilgrim Commandery No. 55, Knights Templar was chartered in 1895. This group of men who are dedicated to the Christian religion and the practice of the Christian virtues. Crystal Chapter no. 18, Order of the Eastern Star, which is made up in membership of Masons and ladies whose husband, father or brother have Masonic affiliation was instituted in December 1893. Its first Worthy Matron was Carrie B. Hill and its first Worthy Patron was Jacob Shenkel. The Social Order of the Beauceant, Assembly No. 71 is comprised of members of the wives of Sir Knights of the Commandery, was instituted on February 28, 1931. The roster of the officers installed on that date are: Mrs. Albert McLain, Pres: Mrs. Frank Flower, Oracle; Mrs. William Kress, First Vice President; Mrs. James Reese, Second Vice President; Mrs. Charles Kidd, Preceptress; Mrs. Herman Tagenhorst, Recorder; Mrs. Arthur Kemplar, Treasurer; Mrs. Howard Faulk, Marshal; Mrs. Edward Martin, Assistant Marshal; Mrs. Lee (Molly) Weikart, Chaplain; Mrs. Frank Harding, Organist; Mrs. Grant Smith, Standard Bearer; Mrs. Charles Zeder, Color Bearer; Mrs. William Beane, Mistress of the Wardrobe; Mrs. Samuel Bell, Daughter of the Household; Mrs. John Bowers, Inner Guard; Mrs. Daniel Nellis, Outer Guard.
The East Liverpool Scottish Rite Club, comparatively young in years, was begun in 1952 with the late Ill. Brother Henry Gruen, 33rd Degree as its first president. Its membership is composed of member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, principally of the Valley of Steubenville.
The East Liverpool Shrine Club has been in existence since the early 1920’s. It is one of the outlying clubs within the jurisdiction of Al Koran Temple at Cleveland, Ohio. One of its fondest memories is the sponsorship of a ceremonial held in East Liverpool in 1928 with Temples from Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Wheeling participating. Over 5000 nobles traveled to the city in special trains and by auto. The event featured a huge Shrine parade after which a trip across the “hot sands” was conducted at Virginia Gardens at Rock Springs Park with Imperial Potentate Frank C. Jones of Houston, Texas in attendance. Harding Chapter, Order of DeMolay, composed of boys within the ages of 14 though 21, had its inception in East Liverpool in 1923. After an auspicious start, interest in the organization seemed to die down and the charter was lifted. Under the sponsorship of East Liverpool Chapter No. 100 the charter was reactivated in October of 1958. A very active group of advisors at that time seemed to auger well for the success of that venture. Its first officers under the new set-up were: John Starkey, M.C.; Gary Hicks, S.C.; Marvin McKenzie, J.C.; David Hall, Treasurer; Ronny Prince, Scribe, John (Jack) Pryor, S.D.; Robert Beatty J.D.; Pat Cooper, S.S.; William Eason, J.S.; Craig Burbick, Sent.; David Smith, Chaplain; David North, Marshal; Robert Queen, Standard Bearer; David Irwin, Orator; Jerry Burke, Almoner; Caryle Buck, First Prec.; Dale Hoffman, Sec. Prec.; Jim Locke, Third Prec.; David Conley, Fourth Prec.; Lance Manypenny, Fifth Prec.; Jim Bennett, Sixth Prec., Charles Jennings, Seventh Prec.; Peter Mullen, Organist.
The most recent organization within the Temple is the organization known as the East Liverpool Bethel of Job’s Daughters. This group is an organization of young girls, ages 14 through 20, with relatives with Masonic affiliation. It was instituted on February 21, 1959 with public ceremonies held in the Memorial Auditorium. It is under the sponsorship of Crystal Chapter No. 18, Eastern Star. One other group which must be mentioned is the Masonic Temple company, A representative group from the several bodies. These men and women have charge of conducting the business affairs of the Temple and of seeing to the upkeep and welfare of the physical structure. This body has been in being since before moving into the present structure in 1912. A special appreciation must be given to past members of Riddle Lodge #315 who did the ground work of research into our Lodge’s history. These men are as follows: Frank B. Miller Harold Peterson J. Frank Flower Alvin A. Daniels Theodore Scheffer Alfred Boulton Alex Kidd |