York Lodge 563 F & AM

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York Lodge History Note: This history was written on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of York Lodge. It was presented by Lawrence M. Looker, P.M.; however, the author is not known. It has been edited for clarity by William H. Hochstettler III, P.M. The first effort to establish a Masonic Lodge north of the railroad tracks in the City of Colunbus was made in the early eighteen eighties, or rather the first agitation looking to that end was about that time. The Masons living on the North Side recognized its necessity at that early day and also that time would make the necessity imperative. At that time Columbus Lodge No. 30, was in a very precarious condition, occupying a hall to itself and being barely able to keep up expenses, in fact a part of the time it was unable to do so. It was proposed by the Brethren, that enough of them unite by dimit to control the Lodge and vote to move North. This plan was canvassed for some time and action deferred from time to time until the opportunity passed, for new men took control of Columbus Lodge and new material came in full or vigor and an era of prosperity began for Columbus Lodge which has continued to this day, The same idea was revived some time after with reference to Humboldt Lodge No. 476, but met with little favor. The idea being that a fifth and entirely new Lodge was the only rational plan, For some unaccountable reason all effort ceased and the scheme for securing a new Lodge lay dormant for several years, in fact up to 1890, when it was again revived by several or the Brethren issuing a call to resident Masons on the North Side to meet over the Bank at the corner of North High Street and Fifth Avenue. Quite a number responded and a temporary organization was effected, and for the first time a petition for a dispensation was drawn up. Petitions were also sent to the four established Lodges asking for concurrent jurisdiction. Before the Lodges had had an opportunity of voting on the question, it was discovered that the papers were irregular in several particulars and all were recalled for correction. Owing to the absence of some of the Brethren who were most interested and other unavoidable reasons, nothing further was done until in February 1891, when another call was issued to meet at the same place and was responded to by a large number or Brethren. An organization was again effected, this time a permanent one, with Bro, Wm A. McDonald Chairman, and Bro, J.S. Hutson, Secretary. A committee on a Lodge room was appointed consisting of Bros D.P. Adams, J.F. Hatcher and Wm A. McDonald, and instructed to secure plans of a building which would be suitable for use by a lodge and receive propositions from property owners. At this meeting, (Feb.l6, 1891) it was decided to hold weekly meetings during the continuance of the organization. Nothing of consequence was accomplished at the weekly meetings until that of May 16, when the committee on Master reported the name of Bro, Samuel B. Cooke for the first Worshipful Master and the petition was made up asking to have Bro, Samuel B.Cooke, P.M, appointed first Master, Bro. D. P. Adams, first Senior Warden and Bro. John Rusk first Junior Warden in place or Bro. J.F.Hatcher, who had been selected before for Junior Warden and who asked to be excused. The dimits of the following brethren were attached to the petition: S.A.Supplee, Thos G.Neski, George Marshall, Sol Timmons, C.S. Wilson, J.H. Flectcher, M. Zartman and Chas A. Eckert, and the names of members of city Lodges were added as follows: John W.McMillen, J.F. Hatcher, D.P. Adams, Sam'l B. Cooke, John Ruskand, J.S. Hutson, The petition was presented first to Magnolia Lodge where it met with an adverse vote, whereupon another meeting was called to meet on June 20, 1891, to determine upon future action, It was decided to prepare a new petition and go before the local Lodges as before, as