The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-01-11
b. F. PERRY, JR.

much careful research. It's delivery
was listened to with much interest
and attention. From the address the
following facts are taken:
The Ohio Masonic grand lodge
was organized at Chillcothe in Jan
uary, 1909. On the second day of
the grand communication. che I'd
day of January of that year, it was
voted to grant dispensation for the
erection of Mt. Zion lodge, No.,
and on the 30th day of January,
1909, d dispensation was issued to
Mt. Zion lodge, No. z, but an order
it. At the communication of the
grand lodge in January of the next
year, at Chillicothes it was again
voted to issue the dispensation,
which was accordingly signed on the
Sth day of January, 1910. The lodge
was instituted in Clinton. There are
no records to show in what building
the first melting were held, but in
1912 the lodge moved into Smiths
brick house, between the Frederick
town and Mansfield roads, which
as the residence of the late Uriah
Walker The lodge occupied part of
the attic of this house.
January 8, 1912, at the communi-
cation of the grand lodge, it was
ordered that the grand secretary rel
number the lodges under the juris-
diction of the grand lodge. begin
ming with No. 2, and at the grand
lodge communication in 1913 Mt.
Zion lodge No. 8, was first mention
ed, Ichabod Nye being the delegate.
The number Z was used in the rec
ords of the lodge until Oct. 20, 1914,
after which the number was used.
The charter or warrant was lost in
1916, and reward of $500 was
offered for its recovery. The officers
jewels purchased in 1913 are still
preserved in the archives of the
lodge.
In 1915 permission was asked to
move the lodge to Mt. Vernon, the
grand master issuing proclamation
granting the request March Z, 1917.
The first melting in Mt. Vernon was
held in the court house on the pub
lie square April s, 1917. On che
4th of September, 1918, committee
was appointed to superintend the
erection of joint school house and
lodge room The township trustees
built the first story and the lodge
the second, ac cost of $187.83 ".
This building was on North Null
berry street, and was demolished in
1880 to make room for the residence
of former Mayor w. B. Brown, ST.,
who is the oldest living member of
the lodge. He was initiated Dec.
27, 1854, passed Jan. 5, 1855, and
raised Feb. Is, 1855.
The lodge moved into this new
building June 23, 1918. The grand
lodge in 1924 confirmed Mt. Zion's
charter, and ordered that the lodge
should take rank and precedence
from Jan. 8, 1910.
Mt. Zion in 1887 moved into the
Huntsberry block on S. Main street
now known as the McDermott block.
The lodge was incorporated in Feb
ruary, 1S47, by special act of the
legislature, and its corporate seal
was adopted Dec. 27, 1850. The
semi-centennial of the lodge was cell
ebrated June 90, 1860, by Masonic
festival In Trimble's grove at the
north end of Main street. The cabi
net organ now preserved as a relic
was purchased in May, 1856, at a
cost of $140.
In 1872 the lodge moved into the
upper room of what is now known
as the First National bank building,
then owned by Hon. c, Delano. The
Mt. Vernon Masonic Temple Co. was
organized in February, 1888, the
/, present temple was dedicated April
81, 1892, and the first regular COM
munication of the lodge in its pre-
sent quarters was held May 10,
1892.
/ VIM. B. Melish's Address
The next address on the program
, was to have been delivered by Past
Grand Master William B. Melish of
Cincinnati, but he was detained at
home on account of Illness in his
family, but at the request of the
committee he sent his address which
: was read by Prof. George f. Weda
: Of Kenyon college. 1t was beauti-
; full address and concluded with the
Il