Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1931-11-12
HIRAM McGRATH RECEIVES
5O-YEAR f. & A. NJ. JEWEi


Connelsville's honored citizens, Civil
war veteran, and for more than 81
years member of Corinthlan
Lodge No. Ill, F. & A. M, was pre-
sented with a 5O-year Masonic med
al Tuesday evening. Notwithstand'
ing that the day before Mr.. McGrath
celebrated the seth anniversary OF
his birth, he was present In the
lodge room to receive the medal
and made a splendid response. Mr..
McGrath has been member of the
Masonic lodge here, nearly 81
years, but at the time he reached
the half century period, he was not
able to come to the lodge room. He
asked that he not be presented the
jewel at his home-he wanted to
receive it at the lodge room. The
presentation was made by Atty p.
H. Tannehill of GAINESVILLE, Past
Master of Corinthian lodge, having
served as Master about 80 years
ago, at which time Mr.. McGrath
was most active in the work OF the
lodge. Mr.. Tannehill spoke of the
tender memories that came to him
as he entered Corinthian lodge
hall; recalling many of our prom
inent citizens who have passed on,
but he said "none of them impress
ed me more than Hiram McGrath,
evidence of whose handicraft, as
we'll as that of his brother Frank,
is SO much seen in the furniture
and fixtures of lodge room" Mr..
Tannehill expressed it as real
pleasure to honor his old Masonic
friend. He spoke of Mr.. McGrath's s
work in the lodge room, and OF his
desire at all times 20 do his work
well, and his outstanding ability as
a senior warden. Mr.. Tannehill
brought to Mr.. McGrath greetings
from Clarence o. Neal, one of the
most prominent Masons in the state,
and from other distinguished Ma.
sons.
Among those present to witness
the presentation was the honored
guests son Rev. C. S. McGrath of
Canal Fulton, and he responded to
Mr.. Tannehill's address. In most
eloquent terms he spoke of his i'm
pressions of his father as a Mason,
and that he saw in him a Masonic
consciousness which had SO much
to do with his life. Seldom has
there been delivered in Corinthian
1oI c,ci1 "a
address than that of Rev. McGrath
Mr.. McGrath followed his son,
speaking of the changes in the
world that have taken place in the
span of his life. He stated that dur
ing his lifetime the country has
been in five wars. He recited dates
and incidents of his life, which
showed that his mind now is as
keen as ever. He spoke at some
length of his experiences in the
Civil war. He said that it was his
pleasure to witness the inaugura
tiOn of Andrew Johnson as gov
ernor of Tennessee, and who later
became president of the United
States.
Mr.. McGrath's marked mechani.
cal skill and expert handicraft are
not confined to the interior of Cor
inthian lodge. There are but few
buildings in the business part of
Main street, in whose construction
he did not have some part, includ-
ing the remodeling of the court
house and of the town clock tower.
He served four terms as member of
the village council, and all of his
council associates are now deceas~
ed. While being the oldest member
of Corinthian lodge, he also can
rightfully claim the honor of hay
ing helped to make more of its
members, than any other person.
Following the presentation eX-
ercises, during a social period, Mr..
McCrath received the congratula-
tions and best wishes of those pres
ent