Elwood Lodge No. 919 A.F. & A.M. 350 N. Midland Ave., Joliet, Illinois 60435
Chartered October 12, 1910 Stated Meeting: 1st Thursday
Chartered October 12, 1910 Stated Meeting: 1st Thursday
The Archives
Elwood Lodge No. 919 A.F. & A.M. was officially chartered October 12, 1910. Accordingly, we will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary this year.
To begin our journey to learn more about our lodge's history, our secretary and unofficial historian unearthed some impressive documents ...
Elwood Lodge No. 919 A.F. & A.M. was officially chartered October 12, 1910. Accordingly, we will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary this year.
To begin our journey to learn more about our lodge's history, our secretary and unofficial historian unearthed some impressive documents ...
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The Archives Our Lodge History
| History of Elwood Lodge No. 919 A.F. & A.M. Instituted Under Dispensation on November 19, 1908 Chartered on October 12, 1910 Constituted as a Lodge on November 9, 1910 |
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all contents copyright 2010 Elwood Lodge No. 919 A.F. & A.M.
The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of any masonic lodge, Grand Lodge, or recognized masonic body.
Page last updated: October 22, 2011.
The opinions expressed on this webpage represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of any masonic lodge, Grand Lodge, or recognized masonic body.
Page last updated: October 22, 2011.
The following history was found in the archives of the lodge, which covers a
period of some twelve years before our lodge's constitution in October of
1910. While the author does not provide his name, from the context it
appears that it was written by Worshipful Brother George J.W. Eib PM who
served as our lodge’s first Secretary. It also appears that this was compiled
sometime in December of 1910, just one month after the constitution of
Elwood Lodge No 919.
period of some twelve years before our lodge's constitution in October of
1910. While the author does not provide his name, from the context it
appears that it was written by Worshipful Brother George J.W. Eib PM who
served as our lodge’s first Secretary. It also appears that this was compiled
sometime in December of 1910, just one month after the constitution of
Elwood Lodge No 919.
“Worshipful Master and brethren since this lodge has been granted a charter and received its number my thoughts have wondered back over a
period of time covering some twelve years or more and which time seems to have been necessary to accomplish the object then in view by one
of the present members of Elwood Lodge No 919 and of which lodge I will endeavor to give a historical account, which I will divide into three
periods of time: Imaginary, Perspective, Under Dispensation.
The imaginary period was the weaker period of time although the longest, being weaker from lack of support having been passed through by the
writer alone, living a long distance form the lodge of which I was a member, I early in my Masonic life became aware of the fact that in my own
home community among those whom I had always known, who had been tried and found worthy so to speak, who were located so far from a
Masonic lodge that they seldom face Masonry a thought, there was a field for a Masonic lodge, for Masonic work, and Masonic influence, far
superior to that adjacent to the lodge of which I was then a member. Upon this conviction me imagination began working. At that time I could
imagine a lodge located in Elwood situated due East and West with some of the brethren present whom I now see seated in this lodge. I then
began to bring my imagination to a realization, being prompted by a sincere wish to be serviceable to my fellow creatures I very innocently
explained t the brethren in my lodge, my desire to start a lodge in Elwood, but to my surprise (to pt it mildly) not one of them approved of any such
thing and the high esteem in which I had previously bee held by my brethren began to wan and later to dwindle into insignificance. But I still
cherished the hope and desire to see a Masonic lodge working in Elwood.
In 1902, I laid the matter before Brother John B Fithian who being familiar with the geographical location of Elwood and knowing the people I and
around it immediately agreed with me that my position was right and was willing to render any assistance in his power to accomplish the object
in view. This cheered me on to greater activity, I provided a rig to take Brother Fithian to the instillation of officers that winter, who have the lodge a
talk on this subject explaining why (for the good of masonry) there should be a lodge in Elwood.
I then had four petitions type written to present to the four nearest lodges asking for jurisdiction for a lodge at Elwood but upon becoming more
familiar with Masonic law as to what was required to start a new lodge I found the time had not yet come so the petitions were not presented and
I concluded to wait which was not a hard task for me as I had become used to waiting. I waited until the summer of 1904 when Elwood Lodge
passed from the imaginary to the prospective period.
The prospective period began when the first petitions from the vicinity of Elwood, from time to time the prospects grew brighter, other petitions
were presented from time to time until some fifteen brothers from the vicinity of Elwood had been raided to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason,
all desirous of having a lodge in Elwood and here is where the main work began and I want to say here that only a few of the members of this
lodge realize the efforts put forth and the time and money spent by some of the members of this lodge to make it possible for us at this time to
enjoy all the rights and privileges of a lodge located in Elwood.
Up to this time I have refrained from mentioning names, but here I will mention two brethren; to whom this lodge owes a debt of gratitude which
they can never repay, I refer to Brothers James C Beattie and Bruce T Harley. During the time we were working in the prospective period we had
free access to there bank and grain offices for a meeting place, we burned their coal, burned their lights, messed their floor and no doubt spit on
them. They also at different time served us with refreshments at the office and even in their home and through the untiring efforts of Brother
Harley in imparting the Masonic knowledge which at his own expense he had gained at Masonic school and otherwise, to the rest of us we
became quite proficient in the catechism and work of a blue lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction. Still we were not ready to make a start because we
did not have a man who could confer the three degrees in full as Masonic law prescribes.
Again Brother Harley was called upon to prepare to be Master of the new lodge to be which he volunteered to do. This preparation required a lot
of time, hard work, and quite an expense on his part to accomplish. This being done we were ready to petition the adjourning lodges for
jurisdiction, which was done and the prayer of the several petitions were granted, our next step was to dig down in our pockets for the $100
necessary t accompany our petition to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation which was done very willingly by the brethren and the petition sent to
the Grand Lodge.
The prayer of this petition being granted our prospects seemed very bright and at that time our Masonic future appeared to us like the beginning
of an endless day of cloudless skies and sunshine. Thus on November 19, 1908 Elwood Lodge UD was instituted with nineteen of the most
energetic and enthusiastic members to be found anywhere and passed from the prospective period to the Under Dispensation period.”
Here I wish to interject a little bit of history on the institution of Elwood Lodge on November 19, 1908 as well as a short history of that period in or
lodges life as Bother Eib dose not detail the period very deeply.
Elwood Lodge was instituted Thursday Evening November 19, 1908 by a dispensation signed by Brother Alexander H Bell; The Most Worshipful
Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois; signed in Carlinville, Illinois on
the Second day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred Eight. The brothers signing the petition therefore assembled
in the hall to be occupied by such lodge in Elwood, Will Country, Illinois at 8 o’clock on Thursday evening, November 19, 1908 in accordance with
notification issued by Brother John B Fithian Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th District of Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons of the state of Illinois. Said hall being the hall in the village owned by the Blatt Brothers as a lodge building had not been acquired.
Right Worshipful Brother Fithian duly opened Elwood Lodge UD and declared it instituted handing said dispensation over to Worshipful Brother
Bruce T Harley PM being named in the dispensation as the first Master of the new lodge, Brother George N Blatt being named as the first Senior
Warden, and Brother James C Beattie as the first Junior Warden. Worshipful Brother Harley appointed the following brothers to fill the officers,
not being named in the dispensation, of the lodge Brother Elry G Spangler as Treasure, Worshipful Brother George JW Eib PM as Secretary,
Brother Henry G Williams as Chaplain, Brother George E Gurney as Senior Deacon, Brother Daniel N Blatt as Junior Deacon, Brother George H
Bridge as Senior Steward, Brother Arno J Gurney as Marshall, and Brother Henry Bradley as Tyler.
Right Worshipful Brother Fithian then delivered the charges of institution as prescribed in the ancient usages after which the lodge was closed in
due form to meet on Thursday Evening December 3, 1908 at which time Misters Alfred H Blatt and Fabius Orlando Morse became the first two
petitions to be received in Elwood Lodge UD. Brother Alfred Blatt became the first Brother to be elected, initiated, passed, and raised in Elwood
Lodge UD being raised on February 2, 1909 making him the first Brother from Elwood Lodge UD.
Picking back up with the writing of Worshipful Brother Eib who goes on to lament a little on the Under Dispensation period of Elwood Lodge. “The
Under Dispensation period was very busy and interesting. From November 19, 1908 to November 9, 1910 there were eighteen initiations,
eighteen passings, and seventeen raisings and we all know that the degree work in Elwood Lodge UD was equal to any and excelled by none
and this no doubt was the cause of our failure to receive a charter at the annual session of the Grand Lodge held in October 1909, we paid to
much attention to the work and not enough to the records which did not conform to the ideas of the committee to which they were referred and we
were destined to wait another year, which although embarrassing and discouraging at the time, I believe it will prove beneficial to this lodge in
the future as it prompted us to be more careful with our records.
The minutes of the various meetings during the last year under dispensation were written four times: first in the lodge at time of meeting, second
in my hoe before being read in open lodge then rewritten after corrections had been made and fourth by RWDDGM John B Fithian to whom every
member of this lodge should have the most sincere deepest feelings of gratitude as he has spared no time or effort to do everything in his
powers to help us accomplish our objective.
As to the officers of Elwood Lodge UD they are entitled to the very highest tribute of praise. They have worked faithfully and diligently. No doubt
many time they would much rather have been at home with their families or some other place but they sacrificed everything for the good of
masonry and this lodge in particular, some of whom did not miss a meeting during the two years of dispensation, every one of which is not only
proficient in the duties and work pertaining to his office but is wholly prepared to fill the office for which they are in line of promotion.
Thus with the officers and members proficient in the work and a perfect record the crowning success of our efforts was reached on November 9,
1910 when a special session of the Grand Lodge was held in Elwood and Elwood Lodge No 919 was constituted and at last after all these
years of hoping, working, and waiting Elwood Lodge is a reality and working under a well merited charter from the Grand Lodge of the state of
Illinois.” This concludes the historical portion of the address presented by WB George JW Eib PM of Channahon Lodge No 262 located in
Channahon, Illinois and a member of Elwood Lodge No 919 from its institution that was given in the lodge on December 15, 1910 at its first
annual meeting. His insight into the early history of our lodge is telling of the dedication that the first members of our lodge showed in there
endeavored to see that a lodge be constituted in Elwood, Illinois. However the charter period of the lodge history being too young for WB Eib, I
(WB Danny L Gaddis Jr. a Past Master and the current Secretary) will now take over from where WB Eib leaves off.
Elwood Lodge was officially charted at the Grand Lodge session on October 12, 1910 in the city of Chicago, Illinois and was officially constituted
as a regular lodge as said before by Brother John B Fithian the Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th District by special proxy
of the Grand Master on November 9, 1910. After the constitution ceremony RWB Fithian proceeded to install Elwood Lodge’s first officers under
its new charter which were also the officers who had served the lodge while under dispensation which are as follows:
The lodge originally met in a hall owned by the Blatt Brothers, the location of which is now unknown.
period of time covering some twelve years or more and which time seems to have been necessary to accomplish the object then in view by one
of the present members of Elwood Lodge No 919 and of which lodge I will endeavor to give a historical account, which I will divide into three
periods of time: Imaginary, Perspective, Under Dispensation.
The imaginary period was the weaker period of time although the longest, being weaker from lack of support having been passed through by the
writer alone, living a long distance form the lodge of which I was a member, I early in my Masonic life became aware of the fact that in my own
home community among those whom I had always known, who had been tried and found worthy so to speak, who were located so far from a
Masonic lodge that they seldom face Masonry a thought, there was a field for a Masonic lodge, for Masonic work, and Masonic influence, far
superior to that adjacent to the lodge of which I was then a member. Upon this conviction me imagination began working. At that time I could
imagine a lodge located in Elwood situated due East and West with some of the brethren present whom I now see seated in this lodge. I then
began to bring my imagination to a realization, being prompted by a sincere wish to be serviceable to my fellow creatures I very innocently
explained t the brethren in my lodge, my desire to start a lodge in Elwood, but to my surprise (to pt it mildly) not one of them approved of any such
thing and the high esteem in which I had previously bee held by my brethren began to wan and later to dwindle into insignificance. But I still
cherished the hope and desire to see a Masonic lodge working in Elwood.
In 1902, I laid the matter before Brother John B Fithian who being familiar with the geographical location of Elwood and knowing the people I and
around it immediately agreed with me that my position was right and was willing to render any assistance in his power to accomplish the object
in view. This cheered me on to greater activity, I provided a rig to take Brother Fithian to the instillation of officers that winter, who have the lodge a
talk on this subject explaining why (for the good of masonry) there should be a lodge in Elwood.
I then had four petitions type written to present to the four nearest lodges asking for jurisdiction for a lodge at Elwood but upon becoming more
familiar with Masonic law as to what was required to start a new lodge I found the time had not yet come so the petitions were not presented and
I concluded to wait which was not a hard task for me as I had become used to waiting. I waited until the summer of 1904 when Elwood Lodge
passed from the imaginary to the prospective period.
The prospective period began when the first petitions from the vicinity of Elwood, from time to time the prospects grew brighter, other petitions
were presented from time to time until some fifteen brothers from the vicinity of Elwood had been raided to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason,
all desirous of having a lodge in Elwood and here is where the main work began and I want to say here that only a few of the members of this
lodge realize the efforts put forth and the time and money spent by some of the members of this lodge to make it possible for us at this time to
enjoy all the rights and privileges of a lodge located in Elwood.
Up to this time I have refrained from mentioning names, but here I will mention two brethren; to whom this lodge owes a debt of gratitude which
they can never repay, I refer to Brothers James C Beattie and Bruce T Harley. During the time we were working in the prospective period we had
free access to there bank and grain offices for a meeting place, we burned their coal, burned their lights, messed their floor and no doubt spit on
them. They also at different time served us with refreshments at the office and even in their home and through the untiring efforts of Brother
Harley in imparting the Masonic knowledge which at his own expense he had gained at Masonic school and otherwise, to the rest of us we
became quite proficient in the catechism and work of a blue lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction. Still we were not ready to make a start because we
did not have a man who could confer the three degrees in full as Masonic law prescribes.
Again Brother Harley was called upon to prepare to be Master of the new lodge to be which he volunteered to do. This preparation required a lot
of time, hard work, and quite an expense on his part to accomplish. This being done we were ready to petition the adjourning lodges for
jurisdiction, which was done and the prayer of the several petitions were granted, our next step was to dig down in our pockets for the $100
necessary t accompany our petition to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation which was done very willingly by the brethren and the petition sent to
the Grand Lodge.
The prayer of this petition being granted our prospects seemed very bright and at that time our Masonic future appeared to us like the beginning
of an endless day of cloudless skies and sunshine. Thus on November 19, 1908 Elwood Lodge UD was instituted with nineteen of the most
energetic and enthusiastic members to be found anywhere and passed from the prospective period to the Under Dispensation period.”
Here I wish to interject a little bit of history on the institution of Elwood Lodge on November 19, 1908 as well as a short history of that period in or
lodges life as Bother Eib dose not detail the period very deeply.
Elwood Lodge was instituted Thursday Evening November 19, 1908 by a dispensation signed by Brother Alexander H Bell; The Most Worshipful
Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois; signed in Carlinville, Illinois on
the Second day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred Eight. The brothers signing the petition therefore assembled
in the hall to be occupied by such lodge in Elwood, Will Country, Illinois at 8 o’clock on Thursday evening, November 19, 1908 in accordance with
notification issued by Brother John B Fithian Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th District of Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons of the state of Illinois. Said hall being the hall in the village owned by the Blatt Brothers as a lodge building had not been acquired.
Right Worshipful Brother Fithian duly opened Elwood Lodge UD and declared it instituted handing said dispensation over to Worshipful Brother
Bruce T Harley PM being named in the dispensation as the first Master of the new lodge, Brother George N Blatt being named as the first Senior
Warden, and Brother James C Beattie as the first Junior Warden. Worshipful Brother Harley appointed the following brothers to fill the officers,
not being named in the dispensation, of the lodge Brother Elry G Spangler as Treasure, Worshipful Brother George JW Eib PM as Secretary,
Brother Henry G Williams as Chaplain, Brother George E Gurney as Senior Deacon, Brother Daniel N Blatt as Junior Deacon, Brother George H
Bridge as Senior Steward, Brother Arno J Gurney as Marshall, and Brother Henry Bradley as Tyler.
Right Worshipful Brother Fithian then delivered the charges of institution as prescribed in the ancient usages after which the lodge was closed in
due form to meet on Thursday Evening December 3, 1908 at which time Misters Alfred H Blatt and Fabius Orlando Morse became the first two
petitions to be received in Elwood Lodge UD. Brother Alfred Blatt became the first Brother to be elected, initiated, passed, and raised in Elwood
Lodge UD being raised on February 2, 1909 making him the first Brother from Elwood Lodge UD.
Picking back up with the writing of Worshipful Brother Eib who goes on to lament a little on the Under Dispensation period of Elwood Lodge. “The
Under Dispensation period was very busy and interesting. From November 19, 1908 to November 9, 1910 there were eighteen initiations,
eighteen passings, and seventeen raisings and we all know that the degree work in Elwood Lodge UD was equal to any and excelled by none
and this no doubt was the cause of our failure to receive a charter at the annual session of the Grand Lodge held in October 1909, we paid to
much attention to the work and not enough to the records which did not conform to the ideas of the committee to which they were referred and we
were destined to wait another year, which although embarrassing and discouraging at the time, I believe it will prove beneficial to this lodge in
the future as it prompted us to be more careful with our records.
The minutes of the various meetings during the last year under dispensation were written four times: first in the lodge at time of meeting, second
in my hoe before being read in open lodge then rewritten after corrections had been made and fourth by RWDDGM John B Fithian to whom every
member of this lodge should have the most sincere deepest feelings of gratitude as he has spared no time or effort to do everything in his
powers to help us accomplish our objective.
As to the officers of Elwood Lodge UD they are entitled to the very highest tribute of praise. They have worked faithfully and diligently. No doubt
many time they would much rather have been at home with their families or some other place but they sacrificed everything for the good of
masonry and this lodge in particular, some of whom did not miss a meeting during the two years of dispensation, every one of which is not only
proficient in the duties and work pertaining to his office but is wholly prepared to fill the office for which they are in line of promotion.
Thus with the officers and members proficient in the work and a perfect record the crowning success of our efforts was reached on November 9,
1910 when a special session of the Grand Lodge was held in Elwood and Elwood Lodge No 919 was constituted and at last after all these
years of hoping, working, and waiting Elwood Lodge is a reality and working under a well merited charter from the Grand Lodge of the state of
Illinois.” This concludes the historical portion of the address presented by WB George JW Eib PM of Channahon Lodge No 262 located in
Channahon, Illinois and a member of Elwood Lodge No 919 from its institution that was given in the lodge on December 15, 1910 at its first
annual meeting. His insight into the early history of our lodge is telling of the dedication that the first members of our lodge showed in there
endeavored to see that a lodge be constituted in Elwood, Illinois. However the charter period of the lodge history being too young for WB Eib, I
(WB Danny L Gaddis Jr. a Past Master and the current Secretary) will now take over from where WB Eib leaves off.
Elwood Lodge was officially charted at the Grand Lodge session on October 12, 1910 in the city of Chicago, Illinois and was officially constituted
as a regular lodge as said before by Brother John B Fithian the Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th District by special proxy
of the Grand Master on November 9, 1910. After the constitution ceremony RWB Fithian proceeded to install Elwood Lodge’s first officers under
its new charter which were also the officers who had served the lodge while under dispensation which are as follows:
The lodge originally met in a hall owned by the Blatt Brothers, the location of which is now unknown.
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