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A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898. McDonald, Daniel, 1833–1916 
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Daniel McDonald
HISTORIAN OF THE GRAND LODGE.
PLYMOUTH, INDIANA, 1898.

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A HISTORY
OF
FREEMASONRY
IN
INDIANA
FROM 1806 TO 1898

_____________

BY

DANIEL MCDONALD


_____________

INDIANAPOLIS, IND.:
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE GRAND LODGE
1898

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Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1898,
BY DANIEL MCDONALD,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, for the Most Worshipful
Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free
and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana.

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TO THE TRUE AND LOYAL AFFILIATED MASTER MASONS
OF INDIANA THIS WORK, WITH ALL ITS IMPERFECTIONS AND
SHORTCOMINGS, IS FRATERNALLY DEDICATED BY

THE HISTORIAN.

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MASONIC TEMPLE, INDIANAPOLIS.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS.

__________

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INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

__________

  • Daniel McDonald, HistorianFrontispiece
  • Masonic Hall, MadisonBetween pages 6 and 7
  • Masonic Hall, Indianapolis, 1848-1875Between pages 6 and 7
  • Masonic Temple, Indianapolis, 1875-1898Between pages 6 and 7
  • Title Page and Members' Names Vincennes Lodge, 1809Between pages 26 and 27
  • Title Page and Members' Names Vincennes Lodge, 1818Between pages 26 and 27
  • Thomas Smith WebbBetween pages 172 and 173
  • Rob MorrisBetween pages 184 and 185
  • Battle of TippecanoeBetween pages 236 and 237
  • Joseph H. DaviessBetween pages 246 and 247

GRAND MASTERS.

  • Alexander A. MeekBetween pages 326 and 327
  • John TiptonBetween pages 326 and 327
  • John SheetsBetween pages 332 and 333
  • Jonathan JenningsBetween pages 332 and 333
  • Marsten G. ClarkBetween pages 334 and 335
  • Isaac HowkBetween pages 334 and 335
  • Elihu StoutBetween pages 336 and 337
  • Abel C. PepperBetween pages 336 and 337
  • Phillip MasonBetween pages 342 and 343
  • William SheetsBetween pages 342 and 343
  • Daniel KelsoBetween pages 344 and 345
  • James L. HoginBetween pages 344 and 345
  • Caleb B. SmithBetween pages 346 and 347
  • Isaac BartlettBetween pages 346 and 347
  • Johnson WattsBetween pages 350 and 351
  • Elizur DemingBetween pages 350 and 351
  • Alexander C. DowneyBetween pages 352 and 353
  • Henry C. LawrenceBetween pages 352 and 353
  • Solomon D. BaylessBetween pages 354 and 355
  • Thomas R. AustinBetween pages 354 and 355
  • John B. FravelBetween pages 358 and 359
  • William HackerBetween pages 358 and 359
  • Harvey G. HazelriggBetween pages 362 and 363
  • Martin H. RiceBetween pages 362 and 363
  • Christian FettaBetween pages 364 and 365
  • Lucien A. FooteBetween pages 364 and 365
  • Daniel McDonaldBetween pages 366 and 367
  • Frank S. DevolBetween pages 366 and 367
  • Andrew J. HayBetween pages 368 and 369
  • Robert Van ValzahBetween pages 368 and 369
  • Bellamy S. SuttonBetween pages 370 and 371
  • Calvin W. PratherBetween pages 370 and 371
  • Bruce CarrBetween pages 374 and 375
  • Albert P. CharlesBetween pages 374 and 375
  • Mortimer NyeBetween pages 376 and 377
  • Isaac P. LeydenBetween pages 376 and 377
  • Thomas B. LongBetween pages 378 and 379
  • Jacob J. ToddBetween pages 378 and 379
  • Nicholas R. RuckleBetween pages 382 and 383
  • Sidney W. DouglasBetween pages 382 and 383
  • Daniel NoyesBetween pages 384 and 385
  • Frank E. GavinBetween pages 384 and 385
  • Edward O'RourkeBetween pages 386 and 387
  • Simeon P. GillettBetween pages 386 and 387
  • Mason J. NiblackBetween pages 388 and 389
  • Simeon S. JohnsonBetween pages 388 and 389

GRAND SECRETARIES.

  • James F. D. LanierBetween pages 408 and 409
  • Charles FisherBetween pages 412 and 413
  • Francis KingBetween pages 412 and 413
  • William H. SmytheBetween pages 414 and 415
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MASONIC HALL, MADISON,


Where Grand Lodge was Organized, January 12, 1818.

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MASONIC HALL INDIANAPOLIS, 1848 TO 1875.

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BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION.


___________

FOUR years ago, at the solicitation of the editor of the Masonic Advocate, the writer began the preparation of some sketches of a historical character for publication in that magazine. The sketches were so well received by the brethren throughout the State, that, at the meeting of the Grand Lodge the year following— 1895— Grand Master Frank E. Gaven brought the subject of the preparation of a history of Freemasonry in Indiana before the Grand Lodge, and urged that action be taken looking to that end. The Grand Lodge concurred in the suggestion, and authorized the appointment of a committee of three for the purpose indicated. The committee was appointed, consisting of Daniel McDonald, Thomas B. Long and William E. English, the writer being named as chairman. Subsequently the committee met and decided to divide the work into three divisions. The history of Ancient Craft Masonry was assigned to the writer; the history of the Grand Chapter, Council and Order of High Priesthood to Thomas B. Long, and the history of the Knights Templar and Scottish Rite to William E. English. The work proceeded on this line during the remainder of the year.

At the meeting of the Grand Lodge in May, 1896, the committee made a full report, stating the plan of the work decided upon, which was approved by the Grand Lodge. A small appropriation to prosecute the work was made, but nothing was provided for what had already been done. As an acceptance of any part of the appropriation would have necessitated the delivery to the Grand Lodge of the manuscript already prepared, without the assurance of any further appropriation, the writer declined to accept any portion of it, and, wishing to leave the Grand Lodge untrammeled page: 8[View Page 8] in the prosecution of the work, resigned from the committee, thus leaving a vacancy to be filled by the appointment of some brother qualified to continue the work on the lines marked out in the report of the committee. After due consideration, the then Grand Master, Simeon P. Gillett, declined to fill the vacancy, deeming it advisable to leave the further consideration of the matter to the Grand Lodge at its next annual meeting. In the meantime the writer continued the work on his own account, employing all his spare time during the year that followed.

At the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge in May, 1897, Grand Master Gillett made a report explaining the situation, urging the Grand Lodge to arrange for the completion and publication of the work, which was practically agreed to.

This brief outline is presented here to show the reader some of the difficulties the writer has had to contend with in the preparation of the matter contained in the following pages.

The articles originally prepared for and published in the Masonic Advocate, so far as applicable, have been revised and are incorporated herein.

As will be seen by a perusal of the following pages, the author has confined himself entirely to "Ancient Craft Masonry," believing that a history of the "Higher Degrees," as they are called, should be embraced in separate volumes. Notwithstanding every effort has been made to obtain all the facts and correct data in regard to every subject considered, it will not be strange if critical readers detect numerous errors of omission and commission.

In the incipiency of the work no starting point of much value was found. A few imperfect sketches, prepared by Brother Elizar Deming just prior to his death, which were published in the Masonic Advocate at the time they were written, was all the data had in the beginning of the preparation and arrangement of the work. The remainder of the facts was obtained from search through the records of lodges, from replies to hundreds of letters of inquiry, and from a diligent search through the printed proceedings of page: 9[View Page 9] the Grand Lodge during the eighty years of its existence. Every leaf has been turned, and every page carefully read, that nothing of importance might escape notice.

The work is aimed to contain everything of importance worthy of preservation that has occurred within the jurisdiction since the dawn of Masonry in the Territory in 1807. Nothing has been purposely omitted because of any unpleasant features connected with it. The object has been to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." While it might have been desirable to omit some occurrences in a few cases, yet the history that fails to contain the whole truth, be it good or bad, favorable or unfavorable to the parties concerned, cannot be relied on, and the purpose for which it may have been written will not have been accomplished. As the lawyers delight to quote, "Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus!"— False in one thing, false in all!

Without further ado, this work, with all its shortcomings, is submitted to the true and loyal Masons of Indiana, with the hope that they will cover with the broad mantle of Masonic charity whatever they may find amiss.

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