John G. Augustine
Past Master ~ Allen Lodge No. 276 & Perry Lodge No. 185
Secretary ~ Perry Lodge No. 185
Lodge Historian ~ Perry Lodge No. 185
High Priest ~ Salem Chapter No. 94 R.A.M.
Thrice Illustrious Master ~ Omega Council No. 44
Eminent Commander ~ Salem Commandery of Knights Templar No. 42
Grand Guard ~ Grand Council of High Priests of Ohio
Grand Guard ~ the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio
33rd Degree Mason ~ Lake Erie Consistory
Legacy of Service
Worshipful Brother Augustine was raised on July 21, 1876, in Wilmington Lodge No. 52. He served as Senior Warden for one year at Wilmington. He moved to Columbiana, Ohio where he joined Allen Lodge No. 276 where he served as Worshipful Master from 1881 to 1883. Later, he demitted from Allen and joined Perry Lodge No. 185 in Salem, Ohio. He also served as Secretary of Perry Lodge for 11 years. When Perry made the move from what was known as the Ira F. Brainard Block to the southeast corner of State Street and Lundy, W.B. Augustine served as Chairman of the Building Committee.
Augustine initially received his Royal Arch degrees in the Wilmington Chapter No. 63. He later demitted from there and joined Salem Chapter No. 94 R.A.M. where he served as High Priest in 1898 and as Secretary. For ten years he served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Omega Council No. 44, and later as Eminent Commander of Salem Commandery No. 42 for one year.
Beginning in 1911, he served as Grand Guard of the Grand Council of High Priests of Ohio and also as Grand Guard of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio starting in 1912. He continued these duties until some point after 1917.
He became a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Augustine joined the Lake Erie Consistory. In 1925 he was elected in Buffalo, New York to receive his 33rd Degree from the A.A.S.R. Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
One Hundred Years of Masonry
Worshipful Brother John Augustine was considered the first Lodge Historian of Perry Lodge No. 185. He was recognized as the first member to research and present a history of the Lodge. For the 100th Anniversary Celebration, he contributed to what was described as a beautiful, blue leather, 32-page anniversary booklet entitled One Hundred Years of Freemasonry. The booklet contained many historical facts about Salem Freemasonry. He also wrote a book about the Salem Masons entitled A History of Freemasonry in Salem, Ohio.
Among some of the other writings by W.B. Augustine were three of his poems entitled The Story We Should Tell, Masonic Friendship, and Masonic Vision. Augustine's poems are included at the end of his history of Salem Freemasonry. Nine pages of the book were devoted to Perry Lodge history. Pictures were included of the 73 Past Masters who served from 1850-1950 as well as pictures of the Lodge officers for 1950. A roster was included of all Perry Lodge's members at the time. The booklet ended with a photograph or Brother Perry McArtor, who had passed away in the previous year, and Most Worshipful Brother Pringle, Grand Master of Ohio.