HOREB CHAPTER ^no.3
ITS FIRST 150 YEARS

HOREB CHAPTER ^no.3, Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, that venerable old Chapter now located in Westerville, Ohio, was founded in the neighboring village of Worthington in 1815. On March 18, 1815, Alexander McCormick, the Deputy Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Maryland and the District of Columbia, issued his dispensation to one James Kilbourn and several others.

The following year the Grand Chapter of Ohio was formed in Worthington on October 24, 1816, by delegates from American Union Chapter of Marietta, Cincinnati Chapter of Cincinnati, and HOREB CHAPTER. The Convocation was held under the supervision of Thomas Smith Webb, the Deputy Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the United States. James Kilbourn, the Excellent High Priest of HOREB CHAPTER, was the presiding officer. Lincoln Goodale, another member of HOREB CHAPTER, acted as Grand Secretary.

The Charter for HOREB CHAPTER was handwritten with quill pen by Lincoln Goodale and contains the names of the following petitioners who are generally regarded as the founders of HOREB CHAPTER:

Various records also indicate that the following were members of HOREB CHAPTER at the time of the issuing of the Charter and certainly should be considered as Charter members:

It is interesting to note that although James Kilbourn presided at the meeting of the formation of the Grand Chapter, he did not serve as Grand High Priest. However, the next two High Priests of HOREB CHAPTER did serve at some time as Grand High Priest, namely: Chester Griswold, who was High Priest of HOREB CHAPTER in 1816, 1817, 1818 and 1821, and John Snow, who was High Priest of HOREB CHAPTER in 1819, 1820, 1822, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, and 1834.

Abram I. McDowell and Joseph S. Hughs, former members of HOREB CHAPTER, were elected Grand High Priest some time after their withdrawal from HOREB CHAPTER. Since this very early history, HOREB CHAPTER has been honored only one other time by the election of a Grand High Priest, that being one of the strong pillars of Masonry in modern times, Roscoe R. Walcutt.

The first set of minutes for HOREB CHAPTER which are still in existence are very interesting and are certainly worth setting out in full to indicate the order of business and the truly great names in Masonry and the early history of Central Ohio.

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Regular Chapter Dec. 18th, 1815

Present James Kilbourn,E.H.P.

Chester Griswold, King

Abner Lord, Scribe, P. T. Solomon Smith, Sec. P. P. Moses Byxbee, Pr. Soj. P.T. Henry Hyre, Capt. Host P. T. Nath. Potter, R. A. Capt. P. T.

Arory Buttles

Vernum Shaw Capt. Veils P.T.

Sol Smyth

A Marks Lodge opened in due form; there appearing no business on this step, this Lodge closed, and a Pass Masters Lodge opened. There appearing no business on this step the Lodge was closed, and a Most Excellent Masters Lodge opened. There appearing no business on this degree the Lodge closed, and a Royal Arch Chapter opened in due form. Comp. C. Griswold read and submitted a code of by-laws for the Government of this Chapter. The Eight, first sections were agreed to with amendment and the remaining five were also adopted provisionally and referred to a Comt. appointed to report there on at next Regular. Comps. Lord, Griswold & Byxbee were the Committee. Br. James H. Hills & Hector Kilbourn were proposed by Comps. Griswold & Lincoln Goodale by Comp. Lord for the four degrees. On motion: Resolved that Comps. Griswold. Buttles, Hyre & Shaw be a committee to procure the tools, implements and furniture necessary for this Chapter.

There appearing no further business, this Chapter was closed in peace and Harmony.

Solomon Smyth. S.P. T.

Transcribed from the original minutes by H. Kilbourn.

Peace and harmony continued to prevail for a few years and HOREB CHAPTER prospered. In 1820, the Temple in Worthington, now used by the Grand Lodge as a museum, was built by HOREB CHAPTER and New England Lodge. No.4.

However, shortly after the completion of the Worthington Temple, peace and harmony no longer seemed to be so much in evidence and the first of several splits and quarrels occurred. On January 10, 1824, HOREB CHAPTER voted favorably to recommend the formation of a new Chapter in Columbus, the Chapter which was to become0]11e Ohio Chapter No. 12. But after a year’s consideration, on January 8, 1825, the Chapter voted to reconsider and requested .the Grand Chapter to do so as well. It seems that of the twenty-five present at the January 10,1824, meeting, 13 lived in Columbus and desired to join the new Chapter. It also seems that these same members owed notes to the Chapter for the erection of the Temple in Worthington. The minutes indicate that it took several years of negotiating between the Chapters before all was peace and harmony again.

At about this same time, an event occurred in New York which was to shake HOREB CHAPTER, as well as all other Masonic organizations. to the foundations. This was the Morgan Affair which resulted in the anti-Masonic upheaval. Meetings were seldom held and then only in secret.

On at least three occasions during the period from 1830 to 1850 HOREB became dormant for periods of about 4 years each. However, in 1847, at the Grand Chapter Meeting in Columbus, a most dramatic event occurred.

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James Kilbourn, then 78 years of age, appeared at the meeting of his own accord and not as a representative of HOREB CHAPTER. His appearance had such a profound effect that within two weeks after his visit several former members of HOREB were summoned and the Chapter was re-organized. James Kilbourn died in 1850, but did live to see his Chapter revitalized and a general re-birth of activity in his beloved fraternity.

In light of the present location and occupation of the Grand Lodge Building in Worthington, we find the following excerpt from the minutes of 11'1ay 28, 1826:

"Resolved unanimously that this Chapter tender to the Grand Chapter & Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio the use of this Hall at any and all times when they may choose to occupy the same for their meetings free of expense to the Grand Chapter & Lodge. Voted that a Copy of the above be trans­ mitted by the Secretary of this Chapter to the committee appointed by the Grand Chapter & Gr. Lodge to select a site for a Masonic Hall."

Although there was not a great deal of activity in HOREB CHAPTER from 1850 to 1860, there were exalted three very prominent members who were to be the real pillars of strength in the years to come, to-wit: F. F. Tuller, James P. "Wright and Horace W. Wright.

Horace .. w. Wright, for whom the present Chapter in Worthington is named, although he did not become Grand High Priest, was perhaps the strongest Chapter Mason in Ohio for a period of over thirty years. He served as High Priest of HOREB CHAPTER during the discouraging Civil War years from 1861 through 1870 and during the almost disastrous years of the Cerneau Uprising from 1891 through 1893.

It would appear that in the early history of the Chapter, the officers were not burdened with all of the responsibilities of today. The minutes of January 3, 1860, reflect that funds were appropriated for the employment of a lecturer to instruct HOREB CHAPTER in capitular Masonry.

Although the minutes are not definite as to what Mason from Blendon Lodge in Westerville, Ohio, was to become the first member of HOREB CHAPTER NO.3, the name of F. A. Bull appears quite prominently. Brother Bull was the Senior Warden of Blendon Lodge at the time of its chartering and was to be its second Worshipful Master.

The Companions of 1870’s were little different from the Companions of

the 1860's. The minutes of January 2, 1874, reflect the following:

"The Chapter called from labor to refreshments below when Companions and invited guests repaired to refreshment hall where a bountiful repast was prepared and the company and Companions spent an hour or two in feasting and social glee."

It was in the latter 1870’s that we find the first indication of a possible Royal Arch Chapter in "Westerville, Ohio. The minutes of January 23, 1877, show the following:

"Camp. F. A. Bull made a statement to the effect that the Companions from Westerville would like to form a new Chapter at that place. After a friendly interchange of opinion on the subject, the Chapter called from labor to refreshment for the purpose of refreshments."

On February 27, 1877, Comps. F. A. Bull and Dr. Cople presented a petition for a dispensation empowering the opening of a Chapter of Royal

Arch Masons in Westerville, and requesting the consent of HOREB CHAPTER­ to do the same. Action on this petition was indefinitely postponed.

The decade from 1880 to 1890 was marked by great activity. Exaltations were many and attendance was large, being fired by the Cerneau Movement. The greatest>test upheaval in the history of HOREB CHAPTER came in 1891, when many of its members, who had become associated with the so-called "Cerneau Scottish Rite Masonry" renounced their allegiance to the Grand Chapter. This resulted in the Charter being arrested.

On October 3, 1891, twelve loyal Companions met at the home of Horace ·W. Wright in Worthington, Ohio, and under the authority of the Grand High Priest, proceeded to re-organize Horeb Chapter. The names of these twelve Companions are as follows:

'V. Y. Bartels G. W. Clark

L. Foster Ralph Osborne F. F. Tuller

J. A. Weinland

E. E. Beam

G. W. Foster W. W. Moses W.O.Rowe E. T. Vance H. W. Wright

Ten of these Companions were from Westerville and two from Worthington­ . Since the disloyal part of the Chapter seized the Temple in Worthington­ , it was not possible for the newly organized Chapter to do any work. For the next three years an annual election was held and the same officers elected each time. Upon the death of Horace ,V. Wright in 1893, HOREB found itself without a meeting place and its removal to Westerville took place on September 20, 1894.

The move to Westerville proved to be a good one. HOREB had six exaltations in 1894 .and twenty-one in 1895, thereby building its membership nearly to the point where it had been at the time of the dissolution. HOREB CHAPTER purchased a half interest in the old hall of Blendon Lodge.

In 1899 HOREB CHAPTER relinquished all its rights to the Temple at Worthington to New England Lodge in order to aid them in their legal efforts to recover the property. The recovery was finally made in 1907. This was the death blow to the disloyal faction which had set up Grand Offices of "Cerneau Masonry" in that building.

In 1909, thirteen of the members who had seceded were returned to the rolls by the Order of the Grand High Priest. This raised the number of the members of HOREB who had been restored to twenty-two. An attempt was then made to return the Chapter to ·Worthington, but since the mem­ membership was now largely from Westerville , the change was not permitted. In 1911 the jurisdiction of HOREB was changed to take in the territory surrounding its new home in Westerville.

After some extended negotiations with New England Lodge No.4 over various paraphernalia, the following notation of finality is found in the minutes of October 14,1912:

"The controversy over 'Old Horeb’ is now closed."

In 1915, HOREB CHAPTER celebrated its centennial under the leadership­ ship of D. C. Lawson, High Priest. A portion of the program was a history of HOREB CHAPTER given by 'N. ,V. Moses, who was one of the loyal members of HOREB during the Cerneau uprising and one of the petitioners to move the Chapter to Westerville, Ohio.

Although several Companions served in World War I, the annual return indicates that only one died in service, Companion C. K. Young.

During the "Roaring 20s" HOREB CHAPTER reached a new high in membership. In 1920, the year following World War I, Roscoe R. Walcutt, the High Priest, exalted thirty-one Royal Arch Masons,

During the year 1929, just before the "great depression" the Masons of Westerville took it upon themselves to build a new Temple. On June 10, 1929, HOREB CHAPTER voted to contribute $2,500.00 toward this construction. On December 12, 1932, the Grand Chapter of Ohio, at the invitation of Companion H. VY. Troop, Sr., High Priest, dedicated the new Chapter Apartments at the Temple located at 130 South State Street, Westerville, Ohio.

However, all was not complete peace and harmony in HOREB CHAP­ CHAPTER during the 1930 era. The annual return of 1932 shows 72 companions b~ing suspended for non-payment of dues. The depression in one year wiped out the efforts of many years of diligent work by the loyal Companions of HOREB CHAPTER.

Despite the big losses suffered by HOREB CHAPTER during the 1930’s, in some respects it reached its greatest glory. Companion Roscoe R. Walcutt was elected Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio and on September 24, 1934, 125 Companions met at HOREB CHAPTER for the purpose of honoring Most Excellent Companion Walcutt. The Grand High Priest was presented a gavel fashioned from a piece of black walnut from the John Snow house in Worthington, Ohio. John Snow was High Priest of HOREB CHAPTER in 1819 and served as Grand High Priest the same year.

One June 4, ,1935, Capitular Masonry in Westerville reached one of its greatest peaks. Companion Henry D. Wilson, Sr., High Priest, was inspected in the Most Excellent Master’s Degree with an attendance of 265 Companions, including 31 Grand Officers, among whom was Most Excellent Companion, W. T. O’Hara, General Grand High Priest, Royal Arch Masons of the United States of America, with 38 Chapters being represented.

Most Excellent Companion Walcutt was again honored by Capitular Masonry by being elected General Grand Secretary of the General Grand Chapter. On April 2, 1941, 115 Companions gathered in the halls of HOREB CHAPTER to witness the installation of Most Excellent Companion Walcutt. Companion Walcutt served in this capacity for 20 years until his death in 1961.

In 1948, HOREB CHAPTER was among the founding chapters of the Ohio Chapter of Research. Most Excellent Companion Walcutt was instru­ mental in the founding of this Chapter of Research and served as its High

Priest until his death. .

During the World War II years of the 1940’s, many Companions from HOREB CHAPTER served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Following the war, a great upsurge in Capitular Masonry took place and in 1949, the Annual Return shows 33 exaltations. This was, perhaps, the largest class of candidates in the history of HOREB CHAPTER.

On September 28, 1953, a Resolution was presented to the Chapter to establish "The HOREB CHAPTER SESQUICENTENNIAL FUND" and each year thereafter a committee has been functioning for the purpose of making the necessary preparations for this observance.

This old and venerable Chapter, like ancient Damascus, has withstood the vicissitudes incident to the ravages of worldwide wars and rebellions within its own ranks, and will continue so to do until time shall be no more.

MEMBERSHIP

Acheson, 'iYilbur H. Albery, Ralph H. Aleshire, Charles 1\1. Allen, Don

Allen, James P.

Allen, Robert C.

Allen, Thomas G, Allton, 1\1OlTis E. Andrus, Stanley 1\1, Am, Robert E,

Bailey, James E.

Bailey, Walter R, Baker, Otis K,

Bancroft, Thomas V. Barnhard, James V. Barton, Cloice R. Basham, James B. Beachler, Frederick L. Bennett, John R. Benton, Frederick R. Best, John E.

Bibler, Emmet L Birchern, William E. Blauch, Doyle

Boren, Ralph E. Bowers, Elsworth V. Boyd, Walter K. Bradley, Paul G. Breece, Marvin H. Buell, Harry M. Bumgarner, Curtis A. Burris, Leander C. Cahill, William H. Caris, jeptha C.

Carr, Herman W. Carrick, James H. Casto, Aubrey E. Chandler, Charles Cheek, Gale Cherrington, Marion L. Clapham, Leslie D. Clark, James D. Clauser, Herbert C. Cole, William E. Comstock, Roy

Conant, Donald P. Cooper, Charles H. Cornell, Merriss Corwin, Gerald E. Courtright, A. Monroe Curry, Charles D. Dague, Thomas E. Davis, Clifford

Davis, Frank 'V. Davison, Matthew

Day, Burns E.

DeLong, Clyde C. DeNune, Clarence L. Detwiler, Donald O. DeWolfe, Blaine Dickenson, Harry A. Doyle, Richard E. Driscoll, Rendall C. Durham, Robert I.

Dustin, John w. Edwards, Will H. Elliott, Howard W. Ellis, Russell

Ellis, Thomas Esselstyn, Albert J. Evans, John W_ Feazel, Earl G.

Fields, Richard H. Fisher, Homer R. Fitez, George R. Fletch, Eddie J. Fletcher, Archibald E. Foltz, Glenn H.

Foltz, Marion E.

Ford, Robert E. Foulk, Charles E. Fravel, Charles H. Frazier, Lloyd H. Freeman, Harold N. Frye, Sanders A. Fulwider, Paul Gallagan, Donald J. Gerhart, Louis H. Gifford, Ray W. Gohn, George R. Gorsuch, Arthur J. Gould, Burton E. Gould, Edward H. Gould, Jackson J. Graham, Charles R. Gray, James L.

Green, Marion A. Greenwalt, James C. Gl-iffith, Carl R. Hamilton, Cecil Hamilton, John R. Harrington, Carl S. Hartsook, Jesse M. Harward, Stanley O. Hedgecock, Robah F. Hedrick, Ira L.

Heitz, George C. Henry, Clyde E. Henry, Eugene O. Henthorne, Lester R. Hervey, Raphael S. Hilbert, Flynt G. HilI, Frank E.

Hill, James E.

Hin, Harry A. Holdren, Hazard C. Hough, George S. Howard, John G. Hughes, Robert W. Huhn, O. Roger Hutcheson, Francis J. 1h1e, Laurence M. Jacober, Jack L. James, David V. Jarnagan, John F. Jarnagan, Richard H. Jennings, James E. Johnson, Charles F.

Johnson, Harry C. Johnson, Ronald L. Joyce, Robert L. Kahler, Karl 1\1. Kaufman, Gust

Kelling, Fred H. Kennedy, Earl F_ Kilgore, Harry H. Kiner, Rodney R.

King, Robert

Kinsell, Jesse E.

Knight, Robert R. Kullmann, Louis W. Lamneck, Philip W. Lamneck, Robert S. Lane, Jack W.

Leah, Gordon F.

Levi, Ralph W. Lightner, Charles B. Lindsay, Charles B. Linnabary, Frank C. Mann, Neil T. Margarum, Ralph E. Martin, Royal F. MeCIan-en, Howard McCloy, James H. McCorkle, William R. McGee, Richard E. McMains, Albert R. McVay, Forest O. McVay, Maurice R. Meier, Carper J. Miller, Donald P. Miller, Herbert S. Miller, Millard J. Miller, Paul L.

Miller, Wade S. Moody, Tom

Moore, Benjamin F. Moreland, Kenneth 'iV'. Morris, Millard R. Mullins, Marvin Nicewarner, Clyde W. Non-is, Alan E. Northrup, Charles S. Nourse, John H. Owens, Marshall R. Pace, Carl M., JT. Parsons, Vincent N. Patrick, C. M.

Penley, Gerald H. Perfect, Neil E.

PIau!, Fred L.

Pottenger, Francis M., Jr. Powers, Samuel, Jr. Quackenbush, Louis L. Ramey, Lawrence A. Raver, Virgil L.

Redding, Walter E. Reese, Ellsworth E. Reynolds, Charles "V_ Riehle, John A.

Rike, Richard D. Robbins, Richard L.

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Roberts, James F. Robertson, Joseph C. Robins, Ralph N. Ross, Thurston, H. Roush, George E. Rownd, James H. Ruckman, Paul T. Rutter, Joseph L. Satterfield, Edgar K. Schaub, Charles Schear, Edward W. E. Schultz, Arthur L. Schutte, Harry A., Jr. Scott, John W.

Seagle, John C. Seidler, Gerald C. Shackson, Lucious L. Shaw, Clarence C. Shaw, Rhoderick R. Shelley, Walter K. Shull, Rollie E.

Shull, Wilbur L. Shumaker, Don C. Skeens, Robert M. Slack, William K. Smeal, David D. Smith, Howard S.

Smith, John A.

Sours, Gene

Sparks, Robert W. Steffens, William L. Stelzer, Carl F.

Stelzer, John F., Jr. Stelzer, James E. Stelzer, Raymond H. Stelzer, William E. Stockdale, Charles M. Stockton, Charles L. Stockwell, Robert W. Stucker, John P. Swickard, Orville C. Talbott, Willard P. Taylor, Robert R. Taylor, Samuel W., Jr. Thomas, Guy W. Tolbert, Clifton B. Troop, Horace W., JI. Troop, Horace W., Sr. Vermilya, James H. Walker, Edwin A. Ward, Harry H., Jr. Watterman, Arthur W. Weimer, Kenneth F. Welch, Robert L.

Whipps, Harold M. White, Harry W., Jr. Whitehead, Lester E. Wildman, Francis M. Wilke, Carl A.

Wilke, Donald K. Wilke, Edward L. Wilke, Herbert P. Wilke, Walter H. Williams, Frederick T. Williamson, John Wilson, Henry D., Jr. '<\Tilson, Henry D., Sr. Wilson, John R. Windom, Ross E. :Wolfe, Derrill E. "Volfe, IVa,ne E. Worley, Fred I.

wren, Harry V. Wright, Mei'rill W. Writesel. William G. Wurm, Paul :If. ' Yank, Clarence H. Yank, Richard Zeallear, Frederick J. Zezech, John S, Zschach, Raymond E.

---_ ... _----

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Preface

In the Spring of 1994 I was preparing notes for a talk I was to giv.e to my Allied Masonic Degrees Council, Frank H. Nicklaus No.20S, in Columbus and thought a talk wfthvisuals would be interesting if it included history with Masonic background and something that the ladies would enjoy in the way of color and period homes so as to keep everyones attention.

Because of my insurance travels I have been in many historical buildings in Worthington and being a member of New England Lodge No.4 since 1962 I worked to put together an overview of the early history of Worthington and its Masonic tie-in. With that in mind I set out to collect many details from the Lodge, Grand Lodge and various libraries and from the Worthington Historical Society. Information was collected and assembled. Then I found a publication that was a photo-essay of Historic buildings in Worthington that I incorporated into my talk to complete the package. Much of the material comes from this published book called "Worthington Landmarks' by Robert and Jennie McCormick who did substantial background research of the community.

Please note: I don’t live in Worthington now, nor do I have any family connection with the community other than in Masonry or Eastern Star. The research was done with the assistance of the Worthington Historical Society and a few slides taken by Brother Dan Smith of New England Lodge and I want to thank him for his assistance in preparing slides of historical photographs for the presentation.

With that, lets begin this historical sketch.

This could actually be called the history of James Kilbourne, the founder of Worthington.

Roger L. Wilson May 27, 1995

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Colonial Worthington and Masonic History

Roger L. Wilson

New England Lodge No.4, F&AM

Historic Worthington! Its location was selected and planned before the settlers left New England in 1803. Rev. James Kilbourne was instrumental in gathering many friends who wanted more freedom to worship in the church and to have the opportunity to grow and prosper in the new wilderness. In May 1802, Rev. Kilbourne and seven others formed the Scioto Land Company. Membership was limited to 40 families who would put their money together to buy a large tract of land in the west. He and Nathan Little set out in July 1802 from Connecticut to look for land in Ohio. They had met with Col. Thomas Worthington in Chillicothe. He had suggested an area north of Franklinton, which is now Columbus,as a possible site. Upon returning to Connecticut, the 40 families joined the Scioto Company with each family putting up $500 to make a total of $20,000. This was sufficient to buy 16,000 acres at $1.25 an acre "upon and near the Whetstone River", now the Olentangy River. This area is now Sharon Township and the city of Worthington. Rev. Kilbourne made a drawing, or "plat", of the land and the Company began to plan their settlement. This plat had 160 lots of about an acre each. Each owner of a town lot could have a country lot of about 100 acres to farm. Even the church and school were to have a town lot and an "out-lot" where crops could be raised for their support.

In the spring of 1803, Rev. Kilbourne set out again for Ohio, going by way of New York and Philadelphia, where he paid Dr. Stanberry and General Dayton for the land. He established the settlement with 12 crude log cabins and work began as he returned to Connecticut to bring he families to Ohio in September 1803. After the winter of 1803, the building of houses began with Rev. Kilbourne building the first brick home on the square. The surveying of the land was completed on August 11th. Many homes were built similar to those in New England. These settlers named their town Worthington o=in honor of Ohio’s newest Senator, Thomas Worthington.

In the western part of the vast farm land, currently west of the Olentangy River and north of Route 161 in the Plesenton subdivision, are prehistoric earthworks, made by either Adena or Hopewell Indians. These were known to the early settlers. They didn’t farm the mounds but did allow grazing on them. The mounds were surveyed in 1840 by Charles Whittlesey, a geologist and surveyor for the State. One particular mound has been deeded to the Worthington Historical Society. The first archaeological excavation of this mound was made in 1866 with items such as fragments of pottery, decayed wood and remains of two skeletons being found. This was probably a burial and/or ceremonial ground that grew

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over a period of time. This is visible evidence that Worthington was populated centuries before by a well organized community whose life contained significant spiritual aspects.

The Public Square in Worthington was the center of community government, education, religion and commerce. These planned four acres were where many public events were held as well in the beginning. The first community well was here as well as the temporary cabins. Preceding the War of 1812, it was the drilling grounds for the militia and large community celebrations. Animals grazed here also. A road was cut through the square in 1865. In 1863 sixty-two trees were planted in the square to honor the pioneer spirit of the founders who used the original trees there to build their town. The square was completely renovated by 1990 and is now called the "Village Green."

The anchor of the old Worthington commercial district was the Kilbourne Commercial Building built in 1808. It is the oldest surviving building in Worthington and is the oldest commercial building in Ohio still standing on its original site that has been in continuous commercial use. It now houses a gift shop and a pottery shop at 679-681 High street. It was completely renovated in 1979 with large frame commercial additions added to the west.

North of town is another very old large brick building that is named the Buttles-Johnson House. The original section was built in 1811 with the front addition being added in 1819. More on the Orange Johnson later.

Current home at 25 Fox Lane on the west end of South Street was a boarding house for single men working for the Worthington Manufacturing Company in 1814. This business enterprise began with James Kilbourne’s retail store on High Street but was later enlarged to include the manufacture of woolen cloth, leather goods, blacksmithing, pot and pearl ash and other services and goods. 52 acres were acquired by the company that included the sawmill on the river as the manufacturing site. Several brick buildings were constructed with the boarding house being assumed as the first. The venture failed in 1822 due to the banking crisis of 1819. In 1861, this area was known as Camp Lyon. It was a mustering area for Civil War troops. A period map of this area shows the sawmill on the river and the boarding house on South Street. Based on the street names on this map, it appears a freemason was responsible for establishing their identity.

Located at 41 W. New England Avenue is the Snow House. It was erected in 1815-16 for Asa Gillet who operated a tannery in conjunction with the Worthington Manufacturing Company. Lots 113,114 and 115 were owned by James Kilbourne in May 1817. Three months later, these 3 lots with Lot 116 were sold to John Snow for $1800. This house is now occupied by the Worthington Inn which renovated it in 1985 to suites of rooms. John Snow was merchant from Rhode Island trained as a jeweler. He never

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practiced that trade in Worthington. John Snow is remembered as the Master who had the Masonic Temple built in 1820. More on that later.

In 1818, James Kilbourne built a house on the west side of the Village Green for his step-daughter, Susan Barnes, when she married Demas Adams. This Federal Architecture horne of five-bay facade with fours rooms down and four up was a large horne for that period in Worthington. This house was renovated in 1952 and is located at 721 High Street.

Located at 12 E. Stafford Avenue is the Buttles-Phinney-Brown house built in 1818 by the village brick layer, Arora Burtles. It had large tall windows facing the main street which could be used as entrances by the owner if he desired. This was typical in 19 century houses so a business and residence could be in the same building. In 1839 Sidney Brown purchased this property. He had a shop for making and repairing barrels at the rear of the house. He is best remembered however for the grocery he operated in the building north of his horne on High street. The Buttles-Phinney-Brown house is used as offices

now.

Across from the Masonic Temple is the Ripley House at 623 High Street. It was built in 1818-19 and was the boyhood home of Confederate General Roswell S. Ripley. The records showing for whom it was built were destroyed in the 1879 Franklin County courthouse fire, but its origins are clearly tied to the Worthington Manufacturing Company. Chester Griswold of Cooperstown, NY, carne to Worthington in 1814 to take charge of the tanning, shoe and boot business. He affiliated with New England Lodge No.4, and was Master 1814-1818. He served as Grand Master in 1818 and as Grand High Priest RAM in 1817- 18. Griswold lost much of his investment in the manufacturing company and left town disillusioned. Christopher Ripley purchased the home in 1823 for $1250.25. Roswell S. Ripley was born here on March 14, 1823. Christopher Ripley was an active member of New England Lodge in the early 1820’s. When Ripley returned to New York in 1827, merchant George R. Snow bought the home. The building now has several additions and houses offices.

The Masonic Museum at 634 High Street was originally constructed in 1820 for New England Lodge No.4, Horeb Chapter No.3, RAM, and the Mt. Vernon Encampment of Knights Templar No.1. Thirteen members of the Scioto Company were master masons, and New England Lodge No.4 was originally

chartered as No.48 through the Grand Lodge of Connecticut on October 19, 1803. James Kilbourne was the first master of the lodge and was its representative to the meeting in January 1809 when the Ohio Grand Lodge was constituted at Chillicothe by lodges from Marietta, Cincinnati, Warren, Worthington, Chillicothe and Zanesville.

James Kilbourne served as master until 1812. He was followed by Chester Griswold, Dr. James H.

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Hills and Arora Buttles. John Snow was master from 1817 to 1821, the critical period when the lodge decided to build its own building.

Members of Horeb Royal Arch Chapter NO.3 were installed at Worthington in 1816 with James Kilbourne as the first high priest. The Mt. Vernon Encampment of Knights Templar No.1 was constituted and established at Worthington in 1818 with John Snow as the first commander. John Snow served as Grand High Priest in 1818-19.

Many famous and active masons assisted these bodies in the early years. The most famous was Thomas Smith Webb, a noted ritualist of his time. He had moved to Worthington and affiliated with New England Lodge No.4. in 1817. He died in Cleveland in early 1819 on a return trip from the east coast.

Prior to the construction of the lodge, masonic meetings had been held in buildings owned by various members of the lodge. Meetings were believed to have been held in Ezra Griswold’s Hall on the square and in John Snow’s home.

On June 3,1820, a committee of Lodge No.4 composed of John Snow, Chester Griswold, Dr. Daniel Upson and Chester Phinney awarded a contract (which is still in the lodge archives) for Arora Buttles to construct a building. This was to be a brick structure 24 feet wide, 54 feet long and 22 feet high. It was to be completed in four months. Buttles was to receive eight dollars for every 1000 brick laid, and four dollars from every perch of stone. The lodge provided the sleepers, joists and window and door frames needed by Buttles. It is theorized that the brick was fired on the grounds and that the timber needed was cut from the lot. The building was completed on time according to the local newspapers. The original lodge was converted to the Masonic Museum, in May 1955 when this property was ceded to the Grand Lodge of Ohio for its Grand Lodge offices which were built next to the original lodge and include the new compatible lodge hall. New England Lodge NO.4 meets in the new building for life. If the Grand Lodge ever vacates the property, it will revert back to New England Lodge.

'Ihe-GrandRoyal Arch Chapter of Ohio was formed in the living room of John Snow’shouse.in1816.

It is presumed that the Grand Council R&SM of Ohio was also formed in the same room since the Grand Chapter was holding its convocation at the same time, even though John Snow’s name doesn’t appear in the records. Incidentally, according to the local newspaper, in 1930, 100 years after the founding of the

Grand Council in Worthington, an anniversary service was held on the front steps of the lodge building, following which everyone moved to the York Country Club north of town for a barbecue and band concert It was reported that nearly 1,000 Masons attended the Council event in 1930.

The lodge went through a period in the 1890’s that separated the lodge into factions that led to a decade of litigation about who was the rightful owner of the lodge property. This was resolved in September

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1907.

This picture shows the Ohio Central Normal School in a wood engraving that was formerly the Worthington Female Seminary located on the present site of the Worthington Methodist Church just south of the Masonic Temple. The one and a half story frame cottage building on the right was constructed about 1820 for the principal period. It was moved to 38 Short Street behind the Post Office, in the year 1962.

Episcopalians dominated the Scioto Company and in 1804 St. John’s Church was formed, the first Episcopal Society in Ohio. James Kilbourne, an ordained deacon, was selected as the first moderator, with Ezra Griswold as clerk. The cemetery on the church lot preceded the church building by more than two decades. The first burial there was that of Abner Pinney, a Scioto Company member who died November 23, 1804, shortly after arriving from Connecticut. The cemetery served the community over the years until the last burial on August 7, 1882. A columbarium wall for cremated remains was built along the north and east boundaries in 1978.

Early Episcopal services were conducted in a log schoolhouse on the northeast quadrant of the public square and then in the Worthington Academy. Rev. Philander Chase, who later became Episcopal Bishop for Ohio, was the first ordained priest to serve as minister of this congregation. He accepted this position in 1817. Chase’s five-year tenure with St. John’s was controversial as he had serious conflicts with James Kilbourne. Both men had powerful egos, and each saw himself as the unquestioned authority of the community. In 1822, Rev. Chase left Worthington and later founded Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. (Note, he was a Freemason and a member of New England Lodge.) In the late 1820’s, the congregation began planning their first church building. The first service in this church was held January 23, 1831. The current bell tower was built in 1930 is a replica of the original tower. Major remolding took place in 1917 that extended the chancel to the east. A white marble altar was added and a center aisle was made

at this same time.

Vernacular construction dominated pioneer towns. The brick house at 36 W. South Street with no particular architectural distinction but considerable quaint character, is typical. It is worthy of note because of its long association with the Lewis family. Elias Lewis, the builder and original owner of this

property, was a boy of ten when his father Jedediah brought the family to Worthington in 1806 and assumed operation of the sawmill on the river. When Jedediah died the following year, Elias served as a construction helper and learned the brick laying and plastering skills. Lewis specialized in chimney’s and this house, constructed in 1834 for his own family, is one of the few residences he is known to have built. The foundation was made with bricks unlike the others in town which were made with field stones.

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The western addition was added in 1857 after his second marriage.

Worthington’s only hotel can trace its heritage into the 19th century. It is this elegantly restored victorian inn pictured here. The oldest portion of this property is the northeast section as seen in this early photo. It was built as a residence for the Cowles family, a prominent man in town, who served the area in various community offices one being the postmaster in which position he served until his death in 1842. In 1854, William Bishop operated this property as a hotel. Those who followed continued to use it as such until 1889. After a fire on the property at the turn of the century, a third floor ballroom was added, and it was operated as the Central Hotel. In 1936, extensive renovations were made, and it was renamed the New England Inn. In 1952 it was the Old Worthington Inn. The Worthington Inn over the years has grown in both size and heritage. In 1983 it was acquired and again renovated by new owners at a cost of $3.5 million.

This home at 108 W New England was originally a very modest four room structure that was constructed in 1834 and sold to Henry Turk in 1856. Henry and Dolly Turk had become the first African­ American family to own a home in Worthington. Turk families continued to live here until 1895 when their daughter Amanda moved to Springfield.

Classic Federal styling is evident in this residence at 72 E North Street, which has housed several interesting families. It is historically significant for the anti-slavery activities of its owner, Ansel Mattoon, and as the home of Rev Thomas Woodrow, grandfather of President Woodrow Wilson. This brick residence was moved in 1932 from the southeast corner of High and North Streets to 72 E North Street. Originally built in 1837-38, it served as a station on the "underground railway. II Later additions complemented the original Federal residence.

Double galleried homes were most popular in the southern United States and would have certainly been known to early Worthington merchants, who regularly traveling to Natchez and New Orleans. This residence at 700 Hartford St is one of the best preserved examples of 19th century braced frame construction in Worthington. It was built in 1837.

The old Episcopal Rectory at 50 W. New England Ave. is the present headquarters of the Worthington Historical Society. It is significant to the community as the first rectory built by the congregation of St. John’s Episcopal Church. The rectory was completed in 1845, after much delay, and was south of the church, facing the public square. In 1924 it was moved to Hartford Street as a rental, then to W. New England in 1978, where it was renovated and restored to its classical Revival style. The interior walnut woodwork and cherry staircase with other interior additions illustrate the quality of native lumber and the craftsmanship of the local 19th century carpenters.

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This is the oldest public building in Worthington. It located is at 67 E Granville Rd. and was built in 1856. It has served as the Worthington Town Hall. Originally it was built as a school. In 1870 the Sharon Township Trustees occupied the lower half and Ark Lodge No.270, LO.O.F., bought and owned the second floor. In 1975 the building was purchased by the Episcopal Church for church related programs.

Although this property has been honored as the Sharon Memorial Hall since World War II, it should be recognized as the elegant residence which for three generations served Horace W. Wright, his family and their descendents. This property, located at 137 E Granville Rd. was in Worthington’s first sub­ division. This picture depicts the Victorian lifestyle in 1880. Horace Wright’s father, Potter Wright, came to Worthington in 1815 to set up machinery for a cotton mill which never materialized but he became very successful in manufacturing carding and spinning machinery. Horace W. Wright briefly attended Kenyon College and worked for his father until the latter’s death in 1855. Horace Wright operated a sawmill east of Morning Street on the north side of Granville Rd. and also owned considerable farmland. The home was built in 1861 and the Wright's had five children, three of whom died in one week in November, 1876, of diphtheria.

During the split in the New England Lodge in the 1890’s, many meetings were held in the Horace W.

Wright home by those who were the true owners of the lodge. At the time Horace W. Wright was serving as Master of the Lodge and also high priest of Horeb Chapter No.3. Following his death in 1894, Brother F.F. Tuller became the Master of New England No.4. A few years prior to the passing of H. W. Wright, several members wanted to move the Royal Arch Chapter to Westerville. Upon his death, action was taken, necessary petition was made, and the Chapter was moved September 20, 1894. The Chapter became part owner of the third story of the former Brinkman Pharmacy building on State St. in Westerville. The third story was added by Blendon Lodge in 1875 for $1,500. The Lodge and Chapter moved into the current Masonic Temple in Westerville in December 1932. Both bodies are still active in this temple.

A new Royal Arch Chapter was formed and instituted again in Worthington in the year 1924. It was Horace W. Wright No.226 in honor of the valuable service he provided to New England Lodge and Horeb Chapter during the dark says of conflict. The Chapter continues to flourish in Worthington with

PGHP Lawrence E. Johnson being the only honorary member ever granted membership to the Chapter.

The Worthington Historical Society failed in it's attempt to purchase the old Griswold Inn on the Square where a bank now stands, but directed it's attention to the purchase and restoration of the Orange Johnson House at 956 High Street, just two blocks north of the Village Green on the east side of the street. The Society had learned in January, 1962, that the property would be sold to settle the Helen

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DeVore estate. Through money making projects and other donations the Society was able to purchase the home separately from the other acreage. The home was purchased for $22,500 and planning began for its restoration. By 1969, the first part of the renovation was accomplished in the east wing, built in 1812, and the balance of the renewal was completed in October, 1972, followed by a formal dedication. The section facing High Street was built in 1819 using typical elegant Federal style. A two story house with windows arranged symmetrically around the front entrance was usual early American treatment that was carried from the eastern seaboard houses of the colonies into the Northwest Territory. The previous owner, Miss Helen DeVore, was instrumental in the 1940’s in saving the home from condemnation when she fought the State of Ohio, in its attempt to rewiden High Street. She agreed to settle out of court with a lesser right-of-way which preserved one of Ohio’s fine pioneer dwellings.

Arora Buttles built the original east section six room house on 35 acres of farm land and then sold it to James Allen of Connecticut. Buttles never lived in it. In 1816, Orange Johnson purchased it for $1,500. Orange Johnson was a hornsmith who specialized in making combs. He was associated with Kilbourne’s Worthington Manufacturing Company. Johnson prospered as a comb maker but made most of his money by investing in real estate and other business enterprises. He was paymaster for the militia and superintendent for the construction of the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike that went past his front door. By 1850 his farm had enlarged to 97 acres and after living on this site for 46 years, moved to Columbus. Miles Pinney and others owned and lived in it for the next century.

This restored home portrays the pioneer lifestyle of early Worthington when cooking was done at the fireplace with a large iron crane. It also shows the comparative affluence of a successful Worthington businessman’s home during the second quarter of the 19th century.

There were numerous historic properties in Worthington that did not survive, but have been replaced with modern structures. Examples of this are the old Worthington 1875 model school and the 1893 high school that was replaced with the Kilbourne School on the north side of Granville St.

We can be thankful to James Kilbourne and the early pioneers who established the city with its church, school and masonic lodge named after their New England heritage. After 190 years, the community as well as the lodge continues to thrive through the efforts of many. Worthington continues to show the traditions brought by the early pioneers from the Connecticut towns of Granby, Simsbury, Barkemsted, Farmington, Berlin, and Southington and from Blanford, Massachusetts.

Although Worthington is filled with modern buildings, such as these, it still has the excellent qualifications of a small town left by early the settlers and is working on the traditions and heritage to make this community a great place to live. ***

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References 1. Worthington Landmarks, Robert and Jennie McCormick

2. History of Royal Arch Freemasonry in Ohio, Selby and Walker

3. A history of New England Lodge No.4, Edward L. Dumaree, Grand Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, 1961.

4. Worthington: New England in the Wilderness, Worthington Historical Society

5. From the Beginning, The Worthington Historical Society.

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with Putman, Oliver and the Greenes as Royal Arch Masons along with Johnathan Heart, American Union Chapter was instituted on June 18, 1792. The first minutes of American Union Chapter states that the chapter, under the sanction of American Union Lodge, met and conferred the fourth through seventh steps of Masonry on several candidates'. Thus Capitular Masonry in the Northwest Territory officially planted its seed and therefore commenced to flourish up to the present time. However, in later years, between 1810 through 1816, there emerged a strife that tore through American Union Lodge in opposition to the Grand Lodge of Ohio. American Union Chapter working within the Lodge also suffered the same fate. Dark years were to pass over this American Union -Grand Lodge dispute until January 15, 1816 when the Brethren of American Union responded vigorously to the edict of the Grand Lodge and finally came into the fold as a regular and duly constituted Lodge receiving all the rights and benefits of its sister jurisdiction Lodges.

The town of Cincinnati centered about Fort Washington was settled a few months after the settlement of Marietta. One of the officers of the fort was Lt. Edward Miller who was also a Freemason in Washington’s army. He received the Royal Arch Degree in Independent Royal Arch Lodge No.8 in New York. Not to be outdorie by the Masons in Marietta, those in cincinnati sent a petition to the Grand Lodge of New Jersey to work as a regular Lodge and received a charter dated September 8, 1791: as Nova

CaesareaLodge. Coincidentally, many of these Masons also possessed the Royal Arch Degree. The desire to form a chapter of Royal Arch Masons materialized on November 6, 1799. At their first meeting,. the Mark Master and Past Master Degree was conferred by those from the Marietta chapter since many of those in Cincinnati did not possess the proficiency to confer the Royal Arch Degrees. On December 11, their second meeting, the same candidates received the Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch Degrees. Thus, a second chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the Northwest Territory was acting under a symbolic lodge as Nova Caesarea Lodge so capitular Masonry is firmly planted in the southeastern Ohio Territory.

James Kilbourne is the one person who is credited in the founding both the village of Worthington and the organizing of a lodge of Freemasonry in that area. Before he left Connecticut for Ohio in 1803 he carried a charter for a lodge from the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, dated October 19, 1803, which was given the name of New England Lodge No.48.

Kilbourne was a very active and diverse person serving not only the clergy, but was a scholar, businessman and active in politics. It was while in this last capacity serving in Washington City as a Congressman, that he made acquaintances with members of the Grand Chapter of Maryland and the District of Columbia. There is no record of his receiving the Holy Royal Arch, however, the Deputy Grand High Priest of Maryland issued a dispensation on March 8, 1815 authorizing him arid other Companions in Worthington to work as Royal Arch Masons. The first recorded minutes of Horeb Chapter are listed on December 18, 1815. The name Horeb was contrived by Kilbourne and was adopted unanimously on May 15, 1816. Horeb Chapter became immediately active as it conferred fifteen candidates up through January 27, 1816. Thomas smith Webb, Founder of the American Rite, who was at that time Deputy General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the united states of America, was already preparing to settle in Worthington. It is through his untiring efforts that he most likely influenced the other chapters in the Ohio Territory to meet in Worthington to form the Grand Chapter of Ohio.

Freemasonry in Chillicothe commences with scioto Lodge which was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on September 10, 1805. There became immense interest on the part of the Freemasons

in Chillicothe to receive more light in the Fraternity. Seven of these Masons received their capitular Degrees in American Union Chapter. Although there was capitular fever in scioto Lodge there does not seem to be any effort on their part to organize a chapter of Royal Arch Masons until the General Grand Scribe issued a warrant to Washington Chapter dated September 20, 1815. The newly founded chapter did not use their warrant for almost a year. However, their minutes fully indicated· that "Washington" was not to be the name of their chapter but instead "Chillicothe." Chillicothe did not play so important a partin the forming of the

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Grand Chapter of Ohio as delegate, Henry Brush, attended only the closing sessions. Moreover, the early Grand Chapter minutes indicate that Chillicothe worked only as a Mark Lodge but the name "Chillicothe Chapter" does appears in the Grand Chapter proceedings on September 19, 1818.

These three Chapters, American Union, cincinnati and Horeb, were operating regularly, as they were, as companions of the -Royal Arch and the only situation that was lacking was an effort to organize themselves to bring the chapters under one grand head. Thus now the groundwork of chapters operating within the connecting Lodges were now ready to form a Grand Chapter when the situation warranted itself.

The date for instituting such a Body occurred when Davis Embree, High Priest of cincinnati Chapter, conjured up a resolution in his chapter that would make it expedient for the different chapters of this state to send delegates to meet in worthington on Monday, October 21st with a list of their members. It further resolved that the circular being sent would be signed by the High Priest, King and Scribe and forwarded to the Chapters of Marietta, Chillicothe and Worthington. The circular being sent indicated that Thomas smith Webb, Deputy Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the united states of America, was expected to be in Worthington on October 21st and that it would be in keeping to hold a convention.

The circular was signed by Davis Embree, High Priest, Griffin Yeatman, King and D. Brown, Scribe, Pro Temp.

Delegates from Marietta, cincinnati and Worthington convened on October 21st. Minutes of Horeb Chapter confirmed that the sole purpose was in fact to organize a Grand Chapter and two resolutions listed indicate that:

1) "RESOLVED That this chapter of R.A. Masons do approve of the propiety of forming a G.R.A. Chapter for the state of Ohio"; and

2) "RESOLVED That 4 delegates be appointed to meet in convention for the purposes expressed in the above resolution and to transact any business which may appear necessary."

However, Webb, being detained in Lexington, Kentucky, did not appear at the time directed but this did not deter the delegates to forge ahead the following day to meet again in concert to form a Grand Chapter. It was during this meeting, October 22nd, that the delegates resolved unanimously "that it is right and expedient to establish a G. Royal Arch Chapter in the state of Ohio." An election was held on the 24th with Samuel Holt of Marietta as Grand High Priest; Chester Griswold of worthington as Grand King; and Davis Embree of Cincinnati as Grand Scribe. Thus on October 24, 1816 at 7 O’Clock in the evening the Grand Chapter of ohio was

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officiaily in business.

The Grand Chapter began to flourish and many newly exhalted companions began to form new chapters. As with many enterprises that are born, flourish and expand into other ent~rprises as well as fall into pitfalls of internal as well as external forces, Royal Arch Masonry along with the Symbolic Lodges did not escape the ravages of outside interference. Two great strifes struck

the Fraternity in the 1820s and the 1880s. The unfortunate Morgan Affair of the 1820s, which did not have much of an effect west of the Mississippi River, did cause a tremendous decline in membership. This was also the rise of the Anti-Masonic Party.

The "Cerneau Affair of the 1880s, which had a more devastating effect extending from coast to coast, reached its zenith during the later part of the 1880s and finally drifted essentially into oblivion in the middle of the 1890s. But as those of the faithful who remained in the Fraternity persevered to keep their Brotherhood alive, the storms finally passed over and normalcy returned and the Symbolic Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters enjoyed peace and harmony at last.

Capitular Masonry in Ohio reached nearly 81,000 companions in 1928. Although there has been a decline in membership, the enthu­ siasm of the Companions has been renewed and some Chapters are now experiencing growth,' others maintaining their membership while others are still declining.

When we look back to the days when our ancestors had a great vision of spreading the Fraternity west of the Alleghenies and beyond, it was well within their thinking that the Fraternity they loved so well and lived by its divine rules, were looking to those who followed them that they would also embark on impossible tasks against innumerable odds and that, they too, would be able to persevere against the outside forces opposed to Freemasonry.

As we celebrate this year as the 175th Anniversary of our great Grand Chapter, we should all make new proclamations to ourselves for renewed dedication and enthusiasm and forward to a promising future in the Twenty-First Century.

Richard D. Snow,PHP Hoarce W. wright No.226 Worthington, Ohio October 22, 1991

file: Papers Vol I:gc-hist.91a

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