So, It Begins...

     Freemasonry has been around for centuries. Many know about the history of modern Freemasonry - the four lodges in England who came together at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern to form the Premier Grand Lodge in 1717, making it the first Grand Lodge in the world, alter becoming the United Grand Lodge of England.

     It wasn't until a little later in the 18th century that Freemasonry was brought to the Northwest, or Ohio, Territories. Thanks mostly to the American Revolution and men like Major Jonathan Hart, Rufus Putnam, and others who, due to the American Union Military Lodge, brought Masonry to the Ohio Valley. Major Jonathan Hart was serving as Worshipful Master of American Union in 1779. It was during this time that General Rufus Putnam was initiated into the same Lodge, in which, he received all three degrees.

     In 1786, Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper formed the Ohio Company of Associates with Winthrop Sargent as Secretary. Because of the idea that the Northwest Territory had great potential, the plan was for the Company to survey, and ultimately purchase, much of the region west of the Seven Ranges.

     Representative for the Ohio Company Reverend Manasseh Cutler worked with Treasury Secretary William Deur and President of Congress Arthur St. Clair on a negotiation for the purchase of the land they were planning on surveying. A deal was made for 1,500,000 acres of land and they were to pay $500,000 up front. A second payment of $500,000 was to be made once the Company had finished surveying the land.

     Originally known as Adelphia, General Putnam decided to establish the first settlement on the banks of the Ohio River. It wasn't long before its name was changed to Marietta. Rufus Putnam petitioned Major Jonathan Hart to reorganize the American Union Military Lodge as American Union No. 1 in Marietta. Worshipful Brother Hart agreed, and he became the Lodge's first Master with Rufus Putnam becoming the first Junior Warden in 1790. Putnam would ultimately serve as Worshipful Master of American Union Lodge No. 1 six times.

     Worshipful Brother Hart died in battle at St. Clair's Defeat at the Wabash on November 4, 1791. Ohio Freemasonry, and Ohio history, owes a great debt to this American hero and veteran. In honor of Worshipful Brother Hart's service and sacrifice, and that made by all men and women of the United States Military, the Grand Lodge of Ohio created the Major Jonathan Hart - Service to Country Award.

     In 1808, five years after Ohio became a state, the Grand Lodge of Ohio, formally recognized as the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio, was established. From January 4, 1808, to January 8, 1808, a convention was held at the statehouse in Chillicothe, Ohio. On January 7th, General Rufus Putnam was chosen as the first Most Worshipful Grand Master of the state of Ohio due to his nearly twenty years of active service to Masonry and being a leading citizen in the state. Once notified, Putnam declined because of poor health and age. Grand Lodge moved forward under the direction of the Deputy Grand Master with Rufus Putnam considered Grand Master of the state of Ohio.

     With the foundation of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Freemasonry spread rapidly throughout the state. Lodges were built in many of the new communities that were springing up, causing new traditions to form.

Born in the Midst of Struggle: Fighting for Freedom

     Little is known of how exactly Freemasonry made its way into the Salem, Ohio area. As we discussed previously, from recorded history we know how Masonry was brought to the Ohio Valley and the first Lodge, American Union No. 1, was chartered in Marietta, Ohio. But when it comes to the Salem area specifically, it can only be through speculation.

     As many who have studied the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the American Civil War will attest, Freemasonry played a large part in the daily role of American life. Few can dispute the impact Masonry had throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate soldiers would cross lines to help their Masonic brothers if they discovered one of them were sick or injured. There were times when brothers from both sides would come together to perform a Masonic funeral service for a deceased brother. Due to these accounts, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite erected the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial on the Gettysburg National Battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

     There were countless Freemasons, and their families, involved in helping runaway slaves escape to freedom, especially once the Underground Railroad was officially formed. Though, unfortunately, there were some Lodges that allowed racism to hinder their views of mankind when determining who was accepted into their Lodges. Thus, the reason for the formation of the Prince Hall Lodges. Despite this, there were far more who took the Masonic principles of equality, justice, freedom, truth and love to heart and expressed those tenants in reaching out to the oppressed.

     Salem, Ohio became one of the many stopping points along the Railroad with multiple "stations" throughout the town such as the John Street House where people such as John Brown have stayed. (The Salem Historical Society does a trolley tour to the various houses that were on the Underground Railroad.)

    Edwin Coppock, who was born outside of Winona (just south of Salem) and is buried in Hope Cemetery on N. Lincoln Ave. in Salem, joined up with John Brown while in his twenties. He participated in John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry on October 16, 1859. He was tried for murder, treason and instigating a slave insurrection and was hung in Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia) on December 16, 1859. His uncle, Joshua Coppock, recovered the body and brought it to Salem in a rough, wooden coffin (which is now at the Ohio History Museum). It is said that approximately two to three thousand people attended Edwin's burial service at Hope Cemetery.

     Salem, Ohio was a strict Quaker community, now known as the Friends, as were many of the surrounding communities of the area and was founded in 1806 almost centered between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. From its beginning, the town had been fiercely anti-slavery. The town was officially incorporated as a city in 1830.

     In 1845, a strong abolitionist newspaper entitled The Anti-Slavery Bugle began getting published in New Lisbon, Ohio (now Lisbon). After about five issues, the paper relocated to Salem where it remained until in closed in 1861. The paper's moto was "No Union with Slaveholders".

     The town held annual Anti-Slavery Fairs. Traditionally, these consisted of both black and white women who would bring homemade crafts, food, etc. and sell them for the cause of abolition. Men would contribute to these fairs as well. It was a cultural leap towards bringing blacks and whites together.

     In 1849 a group of Quakers separated from the mainstream to form the Progressive Friends movement. Their intention was so they could more freely support abolitionists and women's rights. The local school board at the time was composed almost entirely of abolitionists and women's rights supporters.

     On April 19th and 20th of 1850, the first of two women's rights conventions in Ohio that year was held in Salem. They met at the Second Batist Church and the Quaker Meeting House. Approximately five hundred people attended the event. The second convention was held in Akron, Ohio where Sojourner Truth gave one of the most famous speeches in American history, Ain't I A Woman?"

     It was into this environment of extreme change that Freemasonry began to slowly find a foothold in Salem, Ohio.

1850-1860: A New Lodge Brings A New Era In Salem

John G. Augustine

     Worshipful Brother John G. Augustine was the first Lodge Historian of Perry Lodge No. 185. He did most of the research for the first 100 years of the Lodge and compiled two small books for the 100 Year Anniversary of Perry Lodge - One Hundred Years of Freemasonry and History of Freemasonry in Salem, Ohio. The quoted passages are taken from W.B. Augustine's books.

     "On the third floor of the Gee building on Main Street (now State Street) on October 1, 1850, citizens of Salem witnessed the birth of Free Masonry in the city. Local Masonic traditions has it that preliminary work was started in the summer of 1850 when eight Master Masons and members of different Masonic lodges in Salem and surrounding territory met together.

     After several meeting a petition was sent in to the grand lodge of Ohio for the rights and privileges of organizing a local Masonic lodge. On October 1, Deputy Grand Master Fordyce M. Keith issued a dispensation to Philip Fetzer, William Schmick, Allen Coulson, J.S. Thoman, Ephraim Greiner, David K. Bertolette, John Morrison and Emmor T. Weaver to constitute a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons to be known as Perry lodge, F. and A.M.

     Shortly afterwards the grand lodge meeting in Cincinnati granted the charter under the name of Perry Lodge No. 185, and named Emmor T. Weaver worshipful master, John Morrison senior warden, and David K. Bartolette junior warden."

     According to an article taken from the Salem News written on October 9, 1950, just before the 100th Anniversary celebration at Perry Lodge: "Perry lodge had its beginning in the summer of 1850, historical records, compiled by the late John G. Augustine, reveal. Eight Master Masons living in Salem and vicinity held their first get-together for preliminary work and organization in a room on a second floor of a building on a lot near the corner of what is now S. Ellsworth and E. State directly south of where the Dunlop Tire Store is located.

     Chartered Oct. 15, 1850, the lodge had eight members - Emmor T. Weaver, John Morrison, David K. Bertolett, Ephraim Greiner, Philip Fetzer, William Schmick, Allen Coulson and J.S. Thoman. Mr. Weaver was the first worshipful master and Messrs Morrison and Bertolett, the first senior and junior wardens, respectively."

     It was decided by the eight aforementioned brothers, after several meetings, that they would petition Most Worshipful Brother William B. Hubbard, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Ohio. Their request was for a dispensation allowing them to organize and conduct a Lodge of Master Masons in Salem, Ohio. The Deputy Grand Master issued this dispensation under the name of Perry Lodge Free and Accepted Masons as mentioned previously. The Lodge's charter was granted by the Committee on Charters and Dispensations on October 15, 1850, while the Grand Lodge was in session in Cincinnati, Ohio. In doing so, they were now granted full power and authority to assemble as a legal Lodge and to initiate, pass and raise good and true men.

     The Lodge's first official meeting place was on the third floor of a brick building located on the north side of E. State Street downtown Salem (which is no longer standing). It was just east of the old City Hall at the corner of Main Street (now State Street) and Chesnut. Known then as the Gee Building, the address was 21 Main Street.

     The first officers' jewels for Perry Lodge No. 185 were crafted by Worshipful Brother Emmor T. Weaver. He was a silversmith who practiced his craft in Pennsylvania before coming to Salem, Ohio. The jewels were made of silver and were used in the Lodge for many years, but "gave way to something thought to be more up to date" as stated by W.B. Augustine. As of the dedication of the current Salem Masonic Temple in 1923, Augustine had said the jewels were still in the possession of the Lodge, "held in the archives as a memorial. At this writing the original Master's jewel is the only one actually available and will be used on this occasion as one of the Three Great Lights."

     Unfortunately, many of the records from the first four years of the Lodge were not available when W.B. Augustine was compiling the founding history of Perry Lodge, though we do have petitions and minutes from those first years. He did recall that the first member to join the Lodge was Henry Ambler on December 16, 1850. He also wrote that the very first initiate of Perry was Mr. J.C. Entriken who received his Entered Apprentice Degree on December 21, 1850.

     The first record of disharmony within the Lodge was in 1853 when the election was held for the following year. Worshipful Brother David K. Bertolett was elected as the new Master of Perry Lodge. W.B. Emmor T. Weaver, the outgoing Master, was disappointed about losing the election, and apparently thought Bertolett wasn't worthy enough to serve as Master of the Lodge. Weaver refused to leave his position and allow Bertolett to be installed as the new Master. When the members of the Lodge found out about the situation, they had Worshipful Brother William M. Prentice, a Past Master of Western Star No. 21 (now in Boardman, Ohio), install David K. Bertolett as Master and all the newly elected officers for the ensuing year. It was said that the differences between Weaver and Bertolett were quickly resolved. The brothers soon forgot their differences and harmony again prevailed within their ranks.

     It seemed as if the membership at Perry grew rather slowly. In the Secretary's Report for 1860, there were only thirty-seven Master Masons in good standing within the Lodge. It wasn't for lack of trying. Degree work was consistently being done on new candidates. According to the records, new members were being added to the Lodge on a regular basis. During 1854 alone, twenty-three new initiates had been brought through. The low membership was low due to deaths, withdrawals, etc.

     In 1855, W.B. Emmor T. Weaver was again elected to serve as Master of Perry. Later that same year, twenty members of Perry Lodge No. 185 withdrew with the intent of establishing Allen Lodge No. 276 in Columbiana, Ohio. Two of these men were founding members of Perry - Philip Fetzer and David Bertolett. Bertolett served as the first Worshipful Master of Allen Lodge No. 276 in Columbiana.

John G. Augustine shared the following story:

A short time previous to the death of Brother Emmor T. Weaver, our first Worshipful Master,

he was visited by the then Presiding Master, Brother Jacob Ambler.

Approaching Brother Weaver, they extended their hands and gave the Master Mason's grip.

Brother Weaver, in his weak condition said:

'God bless out Lodge. Tell the boys my hope is for their peace and prosperity."

Emmor T. Weaver continued to serve Freemasonry faithfully, and heartily,

until he passed away on October 1, 1860 with full Masonic honors.

Jacob A. Ambler

     Jacob Ambler served as Worshipful Master of Perry Lodge No. 185 from 1856-1859 and returned to the East again in 1889.

     On top of the twenty that left to form Allen Lodge, several others left Perry as well to join Lodges in the area that were being organized, one of which was New Lisbon Lodge No. 65 in Lisbon, Ohio. In 1841 New Lisbon Lodge gave up their charter but then reorganized in 1859. Grand Lodge allowed them to keep their original number.

     Originally, the Lodge had set in their By-Laws that their Stated Meetings would be on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. After some time, it was decided that the meeting would be changed to the Wednesday on, or before, the full moon. This continued to be the case for many years until it was changed again. This time it was changed to the first Wednesday of the month, which still continues to this day. Despite the fact that the Lodge has regular Stated Meetings, from what was read in Brother Augustine's accounts and in many Lodge minutes from later years, Perry Lodge frequently held additional meetings throughout the month. The brethren were consistently busy with degree work and activities inside and outside the Lodge. This truly shows the love the brethren of Perry shared for both Masonry and each other.

Various Locations of Perry Lodge No. 185

1866-1922: Expanding into the Salem Masons

     The time had come for a new space. There had to be enough room for the incoming Salem Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, who had previously gained their charter from the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio.

     It was in 1863 when Perry Lodge moved from their first location, at the Gee Building near City Hall, to what was referred to as the Trimble Block at the northeast corner of Main Street (now State Street) and Chesnut Street (now N. Broadway and current location of Salem Fitness Club as of 2024). Salem Chapter No. 94 Royal Arch Masons was established at this location on October 13, 1866. Charles A Garrigues, Shubael Avery, Thomas E. Vickers, James Boone, George W. Gibbs, Milton Smith, James Davis and John C. Harwood were all founding members of the Chapter.

     Perry Lodge and Chapter remained at this location for some years before moving again (unknown year) to the third floor of a building on the northwest corner of Main Street and Lundy (current location of Raymond's Ice Cream Parlor as of 2024), which was known as the C.H. Betts Building. It wasn't long before both bodies outgrew the current space and decided to move once again. This time to the northwest corner of Main and Ellsworth (current location of EuroGyro as of 2024) known as the Anderson Block. According to John Augustine, the Lodge rooms at the Anderson Block were the pride of the Salem Masons and were often referred to as the finest and best equipped Masonic lodge rooms within many miles of Salem.

     After a number of members in the Salem Chapter R.A.M received their orders of knighthood in nearby Commanderies, they wanted to organize a local Commandery of Knights Templar. The problem being the current building they were in was not large enough to accommodate a third body. So, in approximately 1879, the Salem Masons moved to the Ira F. Brainard Block at the southwest corner of Main and Lundy (now locally owned shops as of 2024). Robert V. Hampson served as the first Eminent Commander of Salem Commandery No. 42 from 1886-1889.

     They stayed at this location for approximately twenty years before moving across the street to the southeast corner of Main and Lundy (now empty as of 2024). At one time, J.C. Penny's occupied the store front on the first floor. On St. John Day of 1889, the new Lodge rooms were dedicated by Most Worshipful Grand Master Nelson Williams in an elaborate, public display. About 160 Knight Templars from the area - including Youngstown, Canton, Wooster, Massillon and more - took part in the dedication. Over 200 Masons from Perry Lodge and other local Lodges attended the ceremony. The city of Salem was decorated with flags and banners for the occasion. A procession of Masons paraded through the city towards the new Temple.  The original officers' jewels were worn by the officers of Perry Lodge. The events of the day were of such that the Salem Masons remained very proud. You can still find the inscription MASONIC on the front of the building above the third floor windows.

     John Augustine said, "The next body organized in Salem was Omega Council No. 44, Royal and Select Masters. This was formerly known as Alliance Council and was formed under dispensation granted Dec. 22,1866 with the charter being granted on Oct. 12, 1867. On June 27, 1893, dispensation was granted for conferring of degrees in Salem and on that date a regular meeting of Alliance Council was held in Salem.

     At a regular meeting of the regular assembly Nov. 23,1893, a motion was made that the Alliance Council be moved to Salem. The vote carried, and the grand master approved this action and permitted the changing of the name from Alliance to Omega Council retaining the No. 44. This action was approved by the Grand Council on Sept. 18, 1894. R.V. Hampson was the first illustrious master serving Omega Council 1892, 1893 and 1894."

     On February 11, 1911, William E. Lynn and his wife held a meeting at their home on McKinley Avenue to begin the work of establishing a Salem chapter for Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Lynn's wife was chosen to preside over the chapter and Mrs. Wilson was selected as Secretary. On March 3, 1911, the first officers of the new Chapter were installed into their positions. Salem Chapter No. 334 Order of the Eastern Stars' charter was granted on October 25, 1911.

     The first, and what would become a historic and annual night for the Lodge, would happen on November 13, 1912. The Master Mason Degree was performed that night. Every member who took part in the degree work was a Paster Master of Perry Lodge, except three - twenty-three Past Masters total. Worshipful Brother Lewis H. Kirkbride presided in the East as Master. The evening later became known as Past Master's Night and became an annual event of the Lodge for a number of years.

     Perry Lodge No. 185, Salem Chapter No. 94 R.AM., Omega Council No. 44 R.S.M., Salem Commandery of Knight Templars No. 42 and Salem Chapter No. 334 O.E.S. all remained at the Masonic Temple at the southeast corner of State Street and Lundy until the new site of the current Salem Masonic Temple was completed.

Presentations to and from Perry Lodge No. 185

Three Ivory Gavels

     While at our fifth location at the Ira F. Brainard Block (SW Corner of Main and Lundy), on March 18, 1882, Perry Lodge received a visit from approximately 100 brothers from Dallas Lodge No. 508 (now Dallas Lodge No. 231) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The brothers had come to watch Perry Lodge put on a Master Mason Degree. During the degree, Most Worshipful Brother Keifer, Grand Master of Ohio, delivered the Master Mason Charge to the candidate. Before closing the meeting, Brother H.S. Floyd presented to Perry Lodge three ivory gavels as a gift from Dallas Lodge No. 508. The three ivory gavels were used by the Master and Wardens of Perry until 1923 when they were retired. They now rest in a display case at the current Salem Masonic Temple. as a reminder of the friendship shown by the brethren of Dallas Lodge.

Holy Bible Presented to Dallas Lodge

     On June 8, 1882, an invitation was received from Dallas Lodge No. 508 for the brethren from Perry Lodge and Salem Chapter No. 94 to attend a Master Mason Degree on St. John Day June 24, 1882. Our brethren gladly accepted the invitation and travelled to Pittsburg, PA where they were met at Union Depot by a warm reception committee and escorted to the Lodge. At the end of the degree work, Brother Robert Hole, representing Perry Lodge and Salem Chapter No. 94, presented Dallas Lodge with a Holy Bible as a token of their deep respect. The Bible was then open to Psalm 83 and laid on the Lodge's altar.

Large Altar Bible

     Another very special item given to Perry Lodge, though the date of the gift is not recorded, is the large Holy Bible that was presented to the Lodge by Brothers Thomas J. Walton and Henry C. Hawley. The Bible was used on the Lodge's altar and remained there for years, being used until sometime past 1918. It is unknown what has happened to that particular Bible.

Stone Gavel Given to Perry Lodge

     On June 1, 1910, Brother William C. Boyle and his wife presented a beautiful stone gavel to Perry Lodge which was brought from the site of King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.

Olive Wood Gavel Given to Perry Lodge

     On August 3, 1914, Brother D.A. Wilhelm and his wife presented a lovely gavel made of olive wood from Jerusalem to the Lodge, which is still displayed at the Salem Masonic Temple.

Albert Mackey's Encyclopedia

     Upon his retirement, Worshipful Brother Charles B. Hunt, Past Master of Perry Lodge No. 185, presented two copies of Albert Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry to the Lodge, which Perry Lodge still has to this day.

Cornerstone Laying

     On October 1, 1896, the Salem Masons received the high honor of laying the cornerstone for the High School on Fourth Street in Salem. Most Worshipful Brother Carroll Clapp, Past Grand Master of Ohio, presided over the ceremony. Commanderies from Canton, Massillon and Youngstown attended the event. The procession included more than 300 Masons.

1923: A Warm Celebration

     It wasn't until December 23, 1909, that any actual attempt was made towards the building of a new Masonic Temple in Salem. Until now, they had simply moved into locations that would suit their needs. It was at this point that the trustees of Omega Council No. 44 were instructed to deposit $500 into the bank. This amount would become known as the Salem Masonic Temple Fund. But even with an official. start and some support of the other Masonic bodies in the building, very little progress was made in raising the money needed to begin the process.

     On June 26, 1913, Mrs. Mary Casselberry succeeded her husband, Brother William Casselberry, in death. She was a member of the Salem Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. In her will she left the four Masonic bodies $35,000 in property. This was the monetary support they needed to get the new building project off the ground. Unfortunately, due to World War I, they were again delayed.

     At Perry Lodge's Stated Meeting on July 7, 1920, it was decided that a committee should be formed in order to raise funds to build the new Temple. As a result, permits for the Salem Masonic Temple were not granted until February 2, 1921.

Soldiers World War I Memorial Building

         The original site wanted for the Temple was on the south side of State Street (then McKinley Ave.), just west of the Salem Public Library. The properties were exchanged, and that lot became the current site of the Soldiers World War I Memorial Building. So, the current site, at the northwest corner of State and Vine.

Chosen Location for the New Temple

     The Architects - Thayer & Johnson of New Castle, PA and Cleveland - were finally set to work. The excavation project began March 22, 1922, at what was formerly the Casselberry Estate. The excavating was done by Heller Bros. Co. of Youngstown for a contracted price of $105,000. The cornerstone ceremony was held on Sunday May 7, 1922. The cornerstone was laid by Most Worshipful Brother Benjamin Franklin Perry, Jr., Past Grand Master of Ohio.

When Masons of Salem laid the cornerstone Sunday afternoon of what is to become a beautiful brick temple,

the solemnity of their public ceremony left a profound impression on the large audience that assembled -

an audience as complex in its makeup as any that ever gather for a public ceremony.

It was a tribute not only to Masonry but to the spirit of the occasion,

the spirit of a new day in which a whole community glorifies the work of any institution

that seeks to build men and whose principles of right living stand as an undying

memorial to the progress of a Christian people.

The city shares with this fraternal organization the honor of having erected a beautiful monument.

~

The Salem News, New Masonic Temple

The Salem Masonic Temple

     On June 6, 2023, Perry Lodge No. 185 held their first official meeting in the new Salem Masonic Temple with Worshipful Master Arthur I. Justice presiding the East.

     A formal dedication was held Wednesday June 27, 1923, during a special session called by Grand Lodge. According to the local news, approximately 2,000 Masons and their families were present for the dedication that day representing 160 various Lodges. It was a scene that will go down as the most memorable in the fraternal history of Salem (The Salem News June 28, 1923). A souvenir booklet was printed for the occasion, which the Salem Masonic Temple still has copies of today.

     The Temple was open to the public throughout the day to view. There were lively social events as well. A parade consisting of Knight Templars in full regalia (from Salem, Alliance and East Liverpool), about 200 Blue Lodge Masons (from Perry Lodge, Alliance, East Liverpool, New Lisbon Lodge, Hanoverton Lodge, East Palestine Lodge, Leetonia Lodge, Allen Lodge, Sebring Lodge and Youngstown), the Quaker City Band, the Alliance City Band and the Presbyterian Band of Lisbon made their way through the city of Salem while people lined the streets watching the celebration. What is now State Street was roped off from 12:30 pm to 5 pm by the Salem Police Department and the Boy Scouts of America helped with traffic control throughout town.

     During the closed portion of the Masonic dedication, while the brethren were in the Lodge room, their wives were entertained at the State Street Theater (now the Salem Community Theater). The Elks Lodge allowed the Salem Masons to use their reception hall to host the large delegations that came with the dignitaries. The women of O.E.S. prepared food for approximately 400 people. The Elks also allowed the use of their private dining room for the purpose of entertaining the Grand Lodge officers that evening. At 7 pm that night, a concert was performed by the Quaker City Band as well as other performances.

     Worshipful Master of Perry Lodge No. 185 Arthur I. Justice turned the Lodge over to Most Worshipful Brother Frank Sheldon Harmon, Past Grand Master of Ohio, who conducted the dedication ceremony and was assisted by acting members of Grand Lodge. Congressman Frank Murphy from Steubenville, Ohio - who was also the Deputy Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Ohio - served as the Orator for the ceremony.

1925: A Sister Lodge is Formed

     Worshipful Brother John Augustine was a member of Perry Lodge and a Past Master of Allen Lodge in Columbiana. He called a meeting of Perry Lodge No. 185 on August 5, 1925. It was at this meeting that he stated the intent of forming a second Lodge, a "city lodge", that would also meet in the Salem Masonic Temple.

     The Grand Lodge of Ohio, under Most Worshipful Brother James B. Ruhl, granted a dispensation on August 10, 1925. Salem City Lodge was consecrated on October 21st and the Lodge's charter was received on October 22, 1925.

     And, so, Salem City Lodge No. 698 was established with Worshipful Brother John G. Augustine as the first Master.

1926: A Year In Review

     Since Perry Lodge's founding in 1850, it was discovered that Perry was, in fact, a very active Lodge. From Lodge activities such as dances, dinners and welcoming visiting brethren and dignitaries to hosting community events such as musical events, picnics, open houses for the general public to come in and see the Temple and more. Perry Lodge and the Salem Masons made sure they maintained a continued public presence. Perhaps this is why throughout much of the late 19th, and a large part of the 20th, century the Masons in Salem were able to gain, and keep, the respect of the citizens of the city.

     Throughout the long history of the Freemasons, the fraternity has been known to support many charities and community organizations. And in the case of Perry Lodge No. 185, there has been no exception. Even with all the activities and events that the Lodge and the Salem Masonic Temple had either hosted or participated in leading up to 1926, it would seem as if there was a renewed excitement following the Lodge's 75th Anniversary.

     To start the year off, on February 11, 1926, Perry Lodge hosted an Entered Apprentice Degree for a new candidate at the Lodge. They year also began with the Salem Masons hosting the Spring League of the bowling tournament at the bowling alley in the Salem Masonic Temple (the Winter League was held here in the Winter of 1925).

     February 9th and 10th, Alliance Masonic Club, in conjunction with the Salem Masonic Club, presented a comedy at the Salem High School auditorium entitled Are You A Mason? The first of a series of five dances was held by the Salem Masons at the Temple on February 16th. On February 17, 1926, Perry Lodge also hosted a dance at the Salem Masonic Temple. Cave's Orchestra from Sharon, PA presented the music for the night. Approximately 75 couples attended that evening representing areas like Cleveland, Youngstown, Alliance, Lisbon, Sebring, Leetonia and Columbiana.

     The second of the series of dances was held at the Temple on March 4th. A Fellowcraft Degree was done by Perry Lodge om March 12th. On Friday March 19th they hosted the third in the series of dances that were being held at the Temple.

     The fourth in this dance series was held on Thursday April 2nd. Approximately 60 couples attended that night. Finley's Melody Band provided the music for the evening. On Monday April 12th, the officers of Perry Lodge went to Lisbon Lodge to present a Master Mason Degree. A novelty dance was held at the Temple on Friday April 16th, the last of the series of five dances. Perry Lodge No. 185 had their Annual Inspection on Friday April 23rd.

     The Lodge performed a Master Mason Degree at the Salem Masonic Temple on Friday May 28th.

     This is just the beginning of the 1926 Year for Perry Lodge and the Salem Masons. These were obviously men who loved the Masons and their community.