Penns Grove-Excelsior Lodge #54: Masons In History

("The Manassa Mauler") (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983) was an Americanboxer who held the world heavyweight title from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first million dollar gate. He is listed #10 on The Ring's list of all-time heavyweights and #7 among its Top 100 Greatest Punchers. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Actor. He is best remembered for his role of ‘Alfalfa' in the "Our Gang" series of comedies. His trademark off-key singing and straightened stuck-up hair endeared him to a generation of viewers. Born in Paris, Illinois, he was selected to play the role of ‘Alfalfa' in the "Our Gang" comedies, which began in 1935 with "Beginner's Luck" and ended in 1940 with "The Big Premier." Off-screen, he had the image of a problem child, playing pranks on his fellow child actors, and much was made in the press of his having fights with the other child actors. During World War II, he continued to make movies, including "Henry and Dizzy" (1942), "There's One Born Every Minute" (1942), "Rosie the Riveter" (1944), and "The Great Mike" (1944). After World War II, he played in "The Gas House Kids" (1946), and other Gas House Kids sequel movies. He played the young man that opens the floor, uncovering the pool, at the dance in "It's a Wonderful Life". In the 1950s, he had numerous brushes with the law, and two marriages that broke up, followed by appearances in a series of forgettable movies and bit parts, often unaccredited. He had some success as a hunting guide and as a professional dog breeder (the dog on his grave marker refers to this profession), and some of the larger Hollywood stars were his clientele, including Jimmy Stewart and Roy Rogers. In 1959, he died at age 31 from a gunshot wound by an acquaintance during an argument over $50 owed to him. A judge later ruled his death as "justifiable homicide."

James "Jim" Bowie (April 10, 1796 – March 6, 1836), a 19th-century American pioneer and soldier, played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution, culminating in his death at the Battle of the Alamo. Countless stories of him as a fighter and frontiersman, both real and fictitious, have made him a legendary figure in Texas history and a folk hero of American culture.

Born in Kentucky, Bowie spent most of his life in Louisiana, where he was raised and later worked as a land speculator. His rise to fame began in 1827 on reports of the Sandbar Fight. What began as a duel between two other men deteriorated into a melee in which Bowie, having been shot and stabbed, killed the sheriff of Rapides Parish with a large knife. This, and other stories of Bowie's prowess with the knife, led to the widespread popularity of the Bowie knife.

Bowie's reputation was cemented by his role in the Texas Revolution. After moving to Texas in 1830, Bowie became a Mexican citizen and married the daughter of the vice governor of the province. His fame in Texas grew following his failed expedition to find the lost San Saba mine, during which his small party repelled an attack by a large Indian raiding party. At the outbreak of the Texas Revolution, Bowie joined the Texas militia, leading forces at the Battle of Concepción and the Grass Fight. In January 1836, he arrived at the Alamo, where he commanded the volunteer forces until an illness left him bedridden. Bowie died with the other Alamo defenders on March 6. Despite conflicting accounts of the manner of his death, the "most popular, and probably the most accurate"^[1] accounts maintain that he died in his bed after emptying his pistols into several Mexican soldiers.

Paul Revere

These opening lines of Longfellow's poem, and the thrilling story which follows, have fascinated us for many years. History has recorded the details of the famous ride, and the incidents connected with it; but Masons know little about Paul Revere that arouses enthusiasm. It is my purpose tonight to bring out the important facts regarding him and to show the setting which brings our patriot brother closer to us.

The forefathers of Paul Revere were Huguenots, that brave sect of French Protestants who for many years defied Rome and the King of France. The Huguenots maintained their identity and churches in spite of edicts and persecutions. In 1540, six of their villages were completely destroyed and the inhabitants driven out, ravaged and murdered at the behest of the King. On August 24, 1572, the Huguenots were the victims of one of the most despicable massacres that ever took place - the Massacre of St. Bartholomew - in which more than six thousand of them were sought out in Paris and murdered in a human hunt lasting three days. The waters of the seine ran red with blood; the bodies of the victims were so numerous that the current was unable to carry them away; and for many miles the banks of the river were covered with their remains. When the news of the massacre reached Rome a three day's celebration was ordered by the ecclesiastical authorities. King Charles of France, who, together with his mother, had been influenced by Church leaders to order the massacre, was congratulated on the service thus performed for the Holy Roman Church.

The persecutions to which the Huguenots were subjected caused more than four hundred thousand French to leave the country and settle elsewhere. Among those who fled was Simon de Revoire, who moved to the Island of Guernsey in the English Channel. Simon's brother Isaac, being a man with a large family, stayed on in a remote part of France, later sending one of his sons, Apollo de Revoire, to his Uncle Simon, at the age of thirteen. After a time his uncle sent the Nephew to Boston, where he was apprenticed to a Goldsmith. Here he learned the secrets of the trade, and after a visit to Guernsey, he returned to America with the intention of making this country his home. His first step was to change his name to ne more easily pronounced by his english speaking neighbors, and he was henceforth known as Mr. Paul Revere.

Establishing himself in business as a gold and silversmith, Revere married Miss Deborah Hitchborn in 1729. Twelve children were born of this union. The Paul Revere we are discussing tonight was the third of these, born January 8, 1735.

We learn that Revere received his education at the famous old "North Grammar School" kept by Master John Tileson, who taught school in Boston for eighty years. He was especially famed for his skill in penmanship. Doubtless we have here the foundation for one of Revere's later activities - engraved lettering.

Young Paul Revere followed in his father's footsteps as a Gold and Silversmith. Specimens of his work are still treasured to this day in some old New England families, and give ample evidence of his artistic skill. Inspired by long experience in embellishing the articles manufactured by him, Revere undertook the art of engraving on copper, with marked success. Books of the 17th and 18th centuries show that this was a popular form of illustrating. Many of Revere's pictures were political caricatures and cartoons; and among the best of his works is an engraving depicting the Boston Massacre, which was extensively copied in Europe. He also designed bookplates, and in later years furnished the engravings from which Masonic certificates were made.

The outbreak of the French and Indian Wars in 1756 prompted him to enlist in the British Colonial service. Commissioned a second lieutenant of artillery by Governor Sterling, he participated in the expedition against Crown Point under the command of General John Winslow. Here he received the military training which enabled him to give excellent service in later years as major, lieutenant- colonel, and colonel of artillery in the armed forces of Massachusetts.

Upon his return from military service, Revere was married in 1757 to Miss Sarah Orne of Boston. Seven children were born of this union. After sixteen years of wedded life, the faithful wife died, leaving Revere a widower at 38 with a large family on his hands, a business to look after and political events engrossing his attention. To quote Revere, he found his household "In sore need of a Mother," and within a short time after the death of his first wife and infant child, he married Miss Rachel Walker, ten years his junior. Eight children were added to the six of his first marriage.

Dan Beard was a painter, illustrator, and founder of the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. He formed "The Society of the Sons of Daniel Boone" which developed into "The Boy Pioneers" in 1905, which then became the Boy Scouts of America after he heard about the work of Baden Powell. His writings on the group appeared in Recreation, a magazine that he edited.

He was the Boy Scouts of America’s first National Commissioner and Chairman of the Court of Honor and was the author of 21 books on outdoor living and survival skills

Griffith O. Ellis (1869/11/19 - 1948/02/04), co-founder and editor of American Boy, was Raised April 11, 1911 in Oriental Lodge No. 240.

Born Ermes Effron Borgnino in Hamden, Connecticut, Borgnine's career—with appearances in over one hundred feature films and three television series— began with his acting debut on Broadway playing a male nurse in "Harvey". His film career took off in 1953 when he was cast in the role of Sgt. "Fatso" Judson in From Here to Eternity (1953). Generally cast as a villain, he played against type in 1955 as Marty Piletti, a shy and sensitive butcher, in Marty (1955), winning an Academy Award for Best Actor. Between 1962 and 1966 he played Lt. Commander Quinton McHale in the popular TV series McHale's Navy. In 1984 he returned to television as Dominic Santini in the action series Airwolf, and in 1995 he was cast in the comedy "The Single Guy (1995) as doorman Manny Cordoba.

When not acting, he actively supports numerous charities and speaks tirelessly at benefits throughout the country. He has periodically performed as the "Grand Clown" for The Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since the 1970s. An active freemason, Borgnine was also the Honorary Chairman of a programme to support the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center in Richmond.

American businessman, and founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant franchise, Harland David Sanders started the business in 1952 and sold it in 1964, although he remained their corporate spokesman until his death. Governor Ruby Laffoon made him a Kentucky Colonel in 1935 in recognition of his contributions to the state’s cuisine. And in 1939, his establishment was first listed in Duncan Hines' "Adventures in Good Eating."

Initiated: April 6, 1917
Demitted: February 27, 1920
Lodge No. 651 (Indiana), Henryville, Indiana
Passed: 1919
Raised: 1919
Courtesy to 651 (Indiana) by Clark 40 (Indiana)
Affiliated: October 27, 1953
Demitted: April 13, 1976
Hugh Harris Lodge No. 938, Corbin, Whitley County, Kentucky

THEODORE ROOSEVELT - PRESIDENT AND MASON

By W:.Patrick Bellotti, Past Master Meridian Lodge 691

THEODORE ROOSEVELT (1858-1919)
Twenty-sixth President (1901-1909)

Theodore Roosevelt is known as one of the greatest American Presidents this country has known. He was primarily known as a great conservationist and started the National Park System. He did renovations to the White House and imprinted a “can-do” attitude which helped the population face the challenges of the new 20th Century.

Among all these things, Theodore Roosevelt was also an active Mason who exemplified the spirit and brotherhood of Masonry while serving as President. He believed in Masonry until his death.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT’S MASONIC RECORD

Brother Theodore Roosevelt was initiated: January 2, 1901, Matinecock Lodge No. 806, Oyster Bay, New York. Brother and President Roosevelt visited the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (in its present home, the Masonic Temple at One North Broad Street) on November 5, 1902, for the Celebration of the Sesqui-Centennial of Brother George Washington's Initiation into Freemasonry. Governor of New York, 1899-1901. Brother and President Roosevelt issued an Executive Order, dated, October 17, 1901 changing the name of the "Executive Mansion" to the "White House".

Theodore Roosevelt, said in 1902, "One of the things that attracted me so greatly to Masonry . . . was that it really did live up to what we, as a government, are pledged to -- of treating each man on his merits as a Man"

The following is an excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt’s obituary which was published upon his death. His obituary further validated his love and commitment to Masonry.

“Colonel Roosevelt was a member of the local lodge of Masons, and never failed to keep up his interest in it. He had made a habit for many years of visiting Masonic lodges wherever he went, as a member of the Oyster Bay lodge, and, returning, to tell his brother Masons here of his visits. He found Masonic lodges when he was in Africa at Nairobi, and in South America he found a lodge on the Asuncion River. The Masons here knew from Colonel Roosevelt of the doings of Masonic lodges in all parts of the world. The members of the local lodge suggested a Masonic funeral yesterday, but this was dropped when the wishes of the family became known.”

While a member of Matinecock Lodge, Theodore Roosevelt resided and raised his family in a beautiful home there which he called Sagamore Hill. I recommend that any Mason take the tour of this beautiful home which is brimming with historical significance. Today this residence is run by the National Park Service which gives public tours.