Arizona republican., 1917-02-23
PIONEER MASON IN PHOENIX TO
 BE \ SHR|NER

George Washington Hance. forty seven years Mason, celebrated the birthday Of the father of his country. by becoming a Shriner. Mir Hance in his seventieth year joined the mys- tic order in Phoenix last evening There was not a Shriner in the city yesterday afternoon who showed more interest in the happenings of the day than did this veteran of the Civil war about to he initiated into the order.
 IL is understood that Mir Hance first became interested in Masonry during the Civil war when he noted how the deadly enemies on the battle field meet as prisoner and guard. There was certain something in the grip that had a meaning He meant 10 find out and proceeded to do so
 lie became a Mason in 1869 in Ari- zona. In 1865 q charter was granted for the Aztlan Lodge TT L. D. under the Jurisdiction of California and four years later the Grand Lodge AztIan l.. the mother lodge of Masonry. was es- tablished in Prescott.
 MT. Hance, who looks fully 30 years younger than he says he is. talked of those old days when seen al his apart ment at the Adams His memory for dates is remarkable and every phase 
 timed to the year, month and day.
 q was born in Tennessee. October [. lS46 and enlisted in the United States Army in '62 and served continuously for five years, one month and seven teen days. In '67 l was wagon mas ter in the service of the government on the plains of Kansas and Colorado and Hon. J. w Sullivan, now mem Der of the legislature, drove a team for n.. The following year he drove a team on the Navajo expedition when the Navajo Indians were removed from the reservations at old Ft. Sum ner. New Mexico, to Ft. Defiance in this state. After our discharge we came to this country together
 MT. Hance unused for a time and then he looked up with a peculiar kind of twinkle in his eye
 T wish you hadn't come around here to bother me- he said, I'm not in- clined to advertise
 But MT. Nance is too genial not to be willing to talk and after a time he took up another thread of the old days.
 Did you know that we organized the republican party in this state in August, 1880. Clark Churchill was the president: former governor John J. Gosper. vice president w. c. Bash ford, treasurer and l was the secre- tary. There were 172 members of the organization. While the party was al- ways in the minority, we always held few offices until the second admin istration of Cleveland aud then-"He shrugged his shoulders Tive no time to tell the history of those days, but l want you to know that I took the 1 United States census in Arizona foui distinct times" he said with pride 1 MT. Hance has also held various ! county offices in Yavapai and is dear of the faculty of notaries public in Ar izona He received his first appoint ment from Governor A. P. K Stafford in February, 1871. and has served con tinuously. His present term will not expire until 1920.
 The pioneer has one hobby and
 wealthy stockman that he is, he is able to carry it out for the benefit oi
 nieces and nephews in various part. of the country. He believes in edu. cation. Many students enrolled in tn, l Northern Arizona normal school ar, the beneficiaries of this mans gener osity.
 MT. Hance has three daughters ant
 a son. Mrs. J. F. Ketcherside of Yu
 ma, Mrs. J. J. Reddick of Hunting
 ton. Calf. Miss Eva Hance and liar
 yey Hance. His niece. Miss Gladly