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Charter
VALLEY LODGE NO.
511, F. & A. M.
IN THE NAME AND BY
THE AUTHORITY OF THE
GRAND LODGE OF
KENTUCKY.
TO ALL WHOM THIS MAY
COME, GREETINGS:
WHEREAS, it
has been duly
represented to the
Grand Lodge of
Kentucky, that a
competent number of
Brethren of the
Society of Ancient
York Free
and Accepted
Masons, residing
near Hussey's Mill
and its vicinity, in
the
county of Jefferson
and the State
of Kentucky, have
been working under a
Dispensation issued
to them under the
authority of
this Grand Lodge,
and their work and
proceedings as such
having been reported
and confirmed, they
pray that they be
granted a charter,
and authorized to
organize and
work as a regular
lodge, and it
appearing to be for
the benefit
of the Craft in
general as well
as for the aforesaid
Brethren, that their
prayer should be
granted:
THEREFORE,
KNOW YE, that we
the undersigned,
as Grand Officers of
the Grand Lodge of
Kentucky, by and
with the consent of
said Grand Lodge,
and in its name, do
hereby constitute
our trusty and well
beloved Brethren,
the worshipful
George W. Miles to
be the first Master,
Robert H.
Stonestreet, Senior
Warden, and John F.
Montgomery, Junior
Warden, together
with the Brethren
lately working under
said Dispensation,
and all such true
and lawful Brethren
as may be permitted
to associate with
them, a regularly
constituted Lodge of
Free and Accepted
Ancient York Masons,
near Hussey's Mill,
in the county of
Jefferson and State
aforesaid, to be
designated and known
by the name
and style of Valley
Lodge No.
511: Hereby
requiring and
enjoining all
regular Lodges to
hold, acknowledge,
and respect them as
such. And we do
hereby grant and
commit to
the Master, Wardens,
and Brethren
aforesaid full power
and authority to
receive Members,
Enter
Apprentices, pass
Fellow Crafts, raise
Master Masons, and
to perform all other
work of the
Craft, agreeably to
the ancient customs
and usage of ancient
York Free
Masons, and the
constitution,
ordinances, and
regulations of
the Grand
Lodge of Kentucky,
and no otherwise.
Also to choose a
Master, Wardens, and
other officers
yearly, on the
anniversary of Saint
John the Evangelist
and to exact from
their members
such fees as they
may judge necessary
for the support of
their said
Lodge, the relief of
their Brethren in
distress, and the
regular payment of
their annual
contributions to the
Grand Lodge. And we
do hereby require
and
command the Master,
Wardens, and
Brethren aforesaid,
and their
successors, to
record in their
books, along with
this present
Charter, their own
regulations and
by-laws, and their
whole acts and
proceedings, from
time to time, as
they may occur. And
also to correspond
with the Grand Lodge
whenever occasion
may require; to
attend the meetings
thereof regularly by
their representative
or deputy; and also
to pay respect and
obedience to all
such ordinances and
instructions as they
may from time to
time receive from
the Grand Lodge, or
from the Grand
Master thereof, for
the time being. And
lastly,
the Master, Wardens,
and Brethren
aforesaid, in behalf
of themselves and
their successors, do,
by accepting this
charter, solemnly
engage strictly to
conform to all and
each of the
foregoing
regulations and
commands, and at all
times to acknowledge
and recognize the
Grand Lodge of
Kentucky, and the
Grand
Master thereof, as
their superiors,
and as such to obey
them, or either of
them, in all things
pertaining to the
Craft.
Done at the Grand
Lodge at Louisville,
Ky. : IN TESTIMONY
WHEREOF, we, the Grand Officers thereof,
have signed our
names, and caused
the Seal of
said Grand Lodge to
be affixed, attested
by the Grand
Secretary, this 19th
day of October A.D.
1871, A.L. 5291
CHARLES WILLIAM
EGINTON,
Grand Master
E.B. JONES, Deputy
Grand Master
D.W. TURNER, Grand
Senior Warden
W.E. WOODRUFF, Grand
Junior Warden
J.M. McCORKLE, Grand
Secretary
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History Of Valley
Lodge No. 511, F&AM
1871-1971
Much of the history
preceding the
organization of
Valley Lodge has
been lost in the
sands of time. But
we do know that in
the early part of
the year 1871
several Masons
residing in the same
district felt a
strong need for the
formation of a lodge
of Free and Accepted
Masons in their
community. There was
no hall for them to
meet in, so they
gathered at the
residences of the
Masons involved.
When they felt they
were ready, they
petitioned the Grand
Lodge of the State
of Kentucky, asking
that dispensation be
granted to organize
a Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons in
their area. This
lodge would be known
as Valley Lodge U.
D. (Under
Dispensation), and
was recommended to
the Grand Lodge by
Falls City Lodge No.
376, F.&A.M., of
Louisville,
Kentucky.
Much credit is due
to several devoted
Masons who were very
prominent in
organizing Valley
Lodge. They were
Brothers George W.
Miles, Robert H.
Stonestreet, and
Lyns Dodge.
The dispensation was
granted by the Most
Worshipful Charles
Eginton, Grand
Master of the Grand
Lodge of Kentucky,
and at 4: 00 in the
afternoon on the
23rd day of August,
1871, in the house
of Brother Ben J.
Kendall located near
Hussey's Mill in
Orell, Ky., Valley
Lodge was formally
organized. Brother
W. E. Woodruff,
Grand Junior Warden
of the Grand Lodge
of Kentucky, serving
under a commission
of proxy for the
Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of
Kentucky, and
assisted by Brother
J. M. McCorkle,
Grand Secretary of
the Grand Lodge of
Kentucky, appointed
these men to serve
as the first
officers of Valley
Lodge: George W.
Miles - Master,
Robert H.
Stonestreet - Senior
Warden, and John F.
Montgomery-Junior
Warden.
The following
brethren were
present at this
historic meeting:
Brothers R. C.
Mathews, Samuel
Hillman, A. C.
Hodges, H. S.
Burkhart, C. L.
Martin, J.
F. Davidson, H. M.
Hirshfield, G. W.
Miles, R. H.
Stonestreet, J. F.
Montgomery, Rev.
D.Spurrier, L.
Dodge, Richard
Stinson, Ben J.
Kendall, and J. T.
Monroe.
The first officers
of Valley Lodge
were:
George W.
Miles---.----
------------------
Master
Robert H.
Stonestreet
------------ Senior
Warden
John F. Montgomery
--------------
Junior Warden
Lyns Dodge
----------------------------
Treasurer
Rev. Dennis Spurrier
.
-------------------
Secretary
Ben J. Kendall
--------------------
Senior Deacon
J. F. Monroe
------------------
Steward and Tyler
The following
business was
transacted at that
first and most
memorable meeting:
FEES: Fees for the
degrees were $25.00
with $10.00 to
accompany the
petition, $5.00
before the F.C., and
$10.00 on or before
the M.M.
DUES: Dues were
$5.00 a year,
payable $1.25 each
quarter.
NEW BUSINESS: "A
committee was
appointed to procure
a piece of suitable
ground on which to
erect a lodge room
or to take steps to
procure a deed to
make arrangements to
build." "Lodge
closed at 5 1/2 O'Clock
P.M."
The first few
meetings were held
at Brother Ben J.
Kendall's house near
Hussey's Mill in
Orell, Ky. The craft
continued to meet
there until such
time as the ground
was purchased and a
lodge hall was
erected. Although
they had no official
hall to meet in, our
brothers continued
with Masonic
activity as usual.
At their second
official meeting as
Valley Lodge U.D.
held. on September
4, 1871, the
petitions of George
W. Archer, John
Brown Alexander, and
Oliver William
Fisher were
presented to the
craft and on the
second day of
October, 1871, were
elected to take the
Entered Apprentice
Degree. Oliver
Fisher later asked
to withdraw his
petition and the
lodge voted to
return his fee, thus
leaving George W.
Archer and John
Brown Alexander as
the first two men to
petition for
initiation into
Valley Lodge.
By the third meeting
of the newly formed
lodge the building
committee had
procured a plot of
ground to erect
their lodge hall
upon. They had
already proceeded
with preliminary
plans for the
building itself and
announced that the
foundation of the
lodge would be 24' x
40'.After having
accepted the
committee's report,
the brothers set
forth the salaries
of the Secretary and
the Tyler. The
Secretary would be
paid 50c per meeting
plus his dues and
the Tyler would
receive $1.00 per
meeting plus his
dues. Meetings were
held on the first
and third Mondays of
the month.
On October 19, 1871,
Valley Lodge was
granted a Charter by
the Grand Lodge of
the State of
Kentucky, to be
known as Valley
Lodge No. 511,
F.&A.M. Brother W.
E. Woodruff, Grand
Junior Warden of the
Grand Lodge of the
State of Kentucky
and serving as proxy
for the Grand Master
of the Grand Lodge
of the State of
Kentucky, installed
the officers. After
the installation,
the proxy of the
Grand Master
proclaimed that
Valley Lodge No.
511, F.&A.M., to be
legally constituted
and the officers
thereof duly
installed.
Valleys first Lodge
Room was erected
near Hussey's Mill
in Orell, Ky. On
March 5, 1872, this
Lodge Room was
dedicated by Brother
W. E. Woodruff,
Grand Junior Warden
of the Grand Lodge
of the State of
Kentucky.
To somewhat
exemplify what life
was like one hundred
years ago in a
country lodge like
Valley No. 511, let
us examine a couple
of motions that were
voted upon and
accepted during the
year 1873.For
example: January 4,
1873, much
discussion centered
around changing the
nights that lodge
would meet on. The
nights had already
been changed from
the first and third
Monday to the first
and third Saturday
nights. Now there
was a motion on the
floor that would
change the meetings
from the first and
third Saturdays of
the month to the
Saturday on or
preceding the Full
Moon. The motion
carried. Today this
would seem rather
absurd to most of
us. But to our
brothers some one
hundred years ago,
it was a serious
matter, for the moon
provided them with
enough light that
they could easily
see the dirt roads
on which they made
their, way to and
from lodge-on
horseback, the
speediest and most
economical mode of
transportation of
the day. And on July
5, 1873, the lodge
voted to spend $2.40
and purchase one
half dozen spittoons
and enough tin to go
around the flues.
The lodge was more
or less prosperous
from its inception
until December 27,
1876, growing
financially and
adding steadily to
its roll of
membership. It was
1875 before the
first blackball was
thrown. Beginning
with the year 1877
very little was done
for the next four
years, the Lodge
being in a more or
less dormant state.
Yet history was
still being made
when on September
18, 1880, George W.
Miles became the
first life member of
Valley Lodge No.
511.
At the election in
December, 1880, a
live set of officers
were placed in the
chairs and the Lodge
took on a new
life. James A.
Sanders, the Master,
with the aid of A.
P. Steel, Ellis
Mitchell, and
several other
prominent members of
Miles Lodge,
rejuvenated Valley
Lodge, bringing in
new members and
adding materially to
the treasury. After
reading the minutes
of Valley Lodge for
this period it is
easy to see how
proud these men were
of their
accomplishments,
especially when in
1882 the old oil
lamps were taken out
and lighting
installed with the
purchase of two
chandeliers. This
good work continued
in fine fashion
until December 27,
1892.We have very
little information
regarding the
affairs of Valley
Lodge from the years
18921904, due to a
fire which destroyed
several years'
records. As much as
can be ascertained
from the small
amount of
information that we
do have leads us to
believe that most of
these years were
times of hardship
for Valley Lodge,
both financially and
materially. In the
fall of 1904 Valley
Lodge No. 511 met
for the first time
in 16 months.
It seemed to have
been customary for
Masters to succeed
themselves for
several
years. Whether this
was due to lack of
material, or to the
confidence and love
of the Craft for the
Master, is difficult
to decide. We find
such men as George
W. Miles (lst
lifetime member),
Robert H.
Stone street (wrote
the lst By-Laws),
Ben J. Kendall
(wrote the lst
By-Laws), John F.
Montgomery (wrote
the lst By-Laws),
John B. Alexander (lst
petitioner), and
James A. Sanders
serving the lodge in
the most efficient
manner during their
several long terms.
One of the most
prominent and active
members of Valley
Lodge No. 511 was
Dr. S. S., Foss,
having served as
Master during the
years 1906, 1907,
1908.During his
second term as
Master of Valley, on
October 16, 1907,
the Eastern Star was
chartered, with
Dudley C. Blanton,
Worthy Matron,
Dixie J. Burnett,
Worthy Patron, and
Mary E. Carter as
Associate Matron. Dr.
Foss took an
unusually
active part from the
time of his
initiation, filled
the subordinate
offices creditably,
and while Junior
Warden acted as
Master during the
illness of the
Master, Brother J.
B. Alexander.
At this same time
Valley Lodge No. 511
was going through a
period of
depression, but with
the zeal and
fidelity of Doctor
Foss, who was
elected Master of
Valley Lodge No. 511
on December 27,
1905, and assisted
by several Past
Masters and
enthusiastic Masons
of Louisville,
Valley Lodge was
pulled out of a pit
and placed in a
flourishing
condition. Among
those who aided Dr.
Foss in restoring
Valley Lodge were
Past Master John W.
Cowles, of
Louisville Lodge No.
400; J. H. Shrader,
George L. Pope, and
J. P. Downs of
Shibboleth Lodge No.
750; William
Frohmiller of
Excelsior Lodge No.
258; Ike T. Woodson
of Daylight Lodge
No. 760; Mock of
Abraham Lodge No. 8;
Cockrell of Robinson
Lodge No. 266;
Charles Gipe-Tyler;
J. T. Adams-Grand
Senior Warden; and
Past Master
D. W. Gray.
To see just how
deplorable the
conditions were at
this time is
contained in a
letter written to
Valley Lodge by Dr.
S. S. Foss. This
letter is contained
in the minutes of
Valley Lodge No. 511
and is recorded from
the meeting of
December 26, 1908. It
is written below
exactly as it
appears in the
records.
"TO THE MEMBERS OF
VALLEY LODGE NO.511,
F.&A.M.
Dear Brethren:
Sadly I retire as
Master after
having served this
lodge the last four
years. I beg leave to
make this report on
my
stewardship. Sometime
during the fall of
1904 Brother
George Kelley and
I were lamenting on
the deplorable
condition of Valley Lodge. There had
not been a meeting
for 16 months and I
told him that if the
lodge would elect me
to to the office
of Senior Warden I
would try with the
assistance of the
brothers to see what
could be done to get
the lodge in a
prosperous
condition. How well
we succeeded, the
following
will show. Nineteen
members reported
from Valley Lodge to
the Grand Lodge on
August 31,
1904. September 27, 1904, there were
present Brothers
Past Master R. H. Stonestreet, L. A.
McCullough, George
B. Kelley, and
myself. Brother Past
Master Stonestreet
was elected Master,
S. S. Foss as Senior
Warden, George
B. Kelley-Junior
Warden, and L. A.
McCullough--Secretary. Owing
to sickness Brother
Stonestreet was
never
installed. Brother Al
Kempner, Past Master
of Lewis Lodge
installed the
other officers. Owing
to the continued
sickness of Brother
Worshipful Master J.
B. Alexander, he had
not been able to
attend the lodge
for 16 months. There
was no one else who
could try to open
a lodge of Master
Masons. We did not
have a meeting
during that time,
nor had there been
but 3 meetings held
in 3 years and 8
months. The lodge room was in
a bad state
of repair, the roof
leaked, the
plastering was off
of the large part of
the ceiling and
walls, 17 window
lites had been
broken, no carpet on
the floor, and very
little
paraphernalia.
The first business
transacted was to
notify all members
in arrears of
dues. They must
either pay up or be
suspended. Four
failed to do so and
were suspended, that
left only 15
members. According to
the Grand Lodge
report of that year
there were only 22
lodges who had a
like or less number
and 465 that had a
greater number. 31st
day August, 1905,
Valley reported to
Grand Lodge
28 members. 31st day
August, 1906,
56 members. 31st day
August, 1907, 78
members. 31st day
August, 1908, 90 members. There are
only 81 lodges that
reported more than
90 members at that
date, 422lodges smaller
than Valley. Thus
Valley Lodge in 3
years and 8 months
had passed 400
lodges. Four
years ago the lodge
was over $100.00 in
debt. At this time,
we have received
from all sources
$2,361.06. We have
paid all debts,
furnished our lodge
room with all
necessary
paraphernalia,
furniture,
carpet, stove, lights,
dishes, etc. To
all necessary calls
$1,742.18.
We now
have $618.88 in our
treasury. In the four
years I have been
present 91 regular
meetings
and 15 called
meetings. I have been
absent 4 regular
meetings and 3
called meetings and
during this time
the lodge failed to
meet at 5 regular
communications. The
reason I was
absent was due to
the duty to my
church and
professional
duties. I wish to
call your special
attention to the
kind and generous
aid that has been
extended to us by
the brethren of a
number of Louisville
lodges. Without this,
we would never have
been able to
accomplish what we
have."
In 1913 Past Master
Foss demitted from
Valley Lodge,
leaving it one of
the most prosperous
and active lodges in
Kentucky. He had
brought the
membership from 15
to 90 during his
term of office. He
demitted to aid in
the organizing of
Plumb Lodge U. D.,
later named Plumb
Lodge No. 862,
F.&A.M. After
serving as Master of
Plumb Lodge for the
years 1913 and 1914,
he then demitted
back to Valley Lodge
on January 22, 1915,
and served in the
capacity of
Secretary for the
years 1915, 1916,
1917, 1918, 1919,
and 1920.
Valley Lodge
continued prospering
and increasing their
membership to such
an extent that it
found itself in a
position necessary
to enlarge its
hall. On October 18,
1921, Valley Lodge
celebrated its 50th
anniversary. At this
time there were 209
members on the rolls
as compared to 10 at
that date 50 years
prior. The members
decided to build a
new Lodge Hall,
erecting it as a
monument to the
Craft. In 1924 a lot
was purchased in
what was then
Johnstown, Ky., (the
present Valley
Station, Ky.), and
the present lodge
hall was erected. The
funds for this
project were
borrowed from the
Masonic Widows and
Orphans' Home. The
resolution read as
follow:
"Resolved, that
Valley Lodge No.
511,
F.&A.M., at stated
meeting Feb. 21,
1925, authorize its
Master and Secretary
to have drawn and
signed in
favor of Masonic
Widows & Orphans'
Home and Infirmary,
Inc., Louisville,
Ky., a mortgage
for $2,500.00 against
lodge lot and new
hall at Johnstown,
Ky. (under
construction). Payable
$500.00 5th, 6th,
7th, 8th, 9th year
respectfully,
interest payable
semiannually from
date of note
at 6,Olo per annum."
The cornerstone was
laid in 1924 by the
Most Worshipful Al. E.
Orton, Grand Master
of the Grand Lodge
of Kentucky, with
Jesse C. Hardy,
Master of Valley
Lodge No. 511,
presiding. The
members of the
committee were
Brothers A. M.
Kelley-Past Master
Valley 511, G. F.
Miller,
G. W. Gagel, W. F.
Hardy, and C. A.
Terry.
Once again we draw
upon one of those
sad moments
in Masonic history
where the records
are incomplete and
there are no minutes
to rely on. The
minutes for the
years 1911-1942 were
destroyed in a fire
along with those
covering the years
1892-1904.We do know
that Valley Lodge
continued to grow
and prosper as they
had in the years
preceding
these. Although,
during the
Depression years,
Valley had their
problems, as did the
vast majority of
Masonic Lodges
throughout the
country. Then with
the outbreak of
World War II in the
early forties, we
find reflected in
the minutes the tone
and anxiety of the
day, not only for
Valley Lodge and its
members, but for all
of America as well.
In 1945, the kitchen
was added to the
lodge hall and the
first fans were
installed to cool
the building. On June
6, 1946, Valley's
chapter of Rainbow
Girls were chartered
with Elizabeth Cliff
as their first
advisor. Pete Cliff,
her husband, was
very instrumental in
the formation of
this chapter. During
this same year
Valley Lodge granted
permission to a
number of brothers
to organize a
Masonic lodge in
Fairdale, Ky.
An amusing anecdote
appears in the
minutes during the
latter part of the
year 1946.It seems
that there had been
a small problem with
the working tools of
the lodge they kept
disappearing. As was
recorded in the
minutes of Valley
Lodge No. 511:
"The Master really
'Bombed Out' the
members for the
disappearance of
the working
tools. The
Master directed
Brother Secretary to
buy a truckload of
each type and
prefer charges against
any person caught
walking out of the
Lodge Hall with any
of the tools on
him."The Master's
"Bombing Out" must
have been effective
because as the
Secretary reported
several meetings
later: "There hasn't
been the first
working tool found
missing since the
Master's bombing out
session."
Valley Lodge No. 511
celebrated its 75th
anniversary on
October 19,
1946. There were 209
members on the
books, including
officers and
trustees, and they
had $1,250.00 in the Treasury. The meeting
opened at 7:30 p.m.
with the newly
formed Assembly of
Rainbow Girls
providing the
entertainment. Highlights
of the evening were
a short talk by the
Master of Valley
Lodge, Brother T. T.
Cliff; a brief
history of the 75
year span by Brother
Clarance R.
Blandford, Junior
Past Master of
Valley Lodge No.
511; presentation of
25-year buttons by
Junior Past Grand
Master Brother
Charles Johnson; and
the keynote address
being delivered by
Brother Charles
Johnson, Junior Past
Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of the
State of Kentucky.
In November of 1947,
Valley Lodge's
DeMolay was
conceived from a
motion on the floor
of the lodge, and on
the first day of
December the Chapter
was organized. Our
DeMolay received
their charter on
March 7, 1949.
The decade of
1950-1960 was both a
sad and a happy one
for the members of
Valley Lodge No.
511.The early years
began with the
outbreak of the
Korean War, a small
war compared to that
of our previous
World Wars, but yet
still a war in which
the lives of many of
America's young men
were called upon to
defend, and to die
for their country.
As
a result of this
war, Valley's
DeMolay Chapter
folded, not to be
re-organized until
1963.In August,
1963, Valley Lodge
511 was host Lodge
to the annual
meeting for District
No. 16 of the Grand
Lodge. The meeting
was held in the
Western High School
Gymnasium with over
800 Masons in
attendance. This was
the largest meeting
in Grand Lodge
history and Brother
Roy Clifford Wilder,
Past Master of
Valley Lodge in 1959
was then serving in
the capacity of
District Deputy
Grand Master for the
Grand Lodge of the
State of Kentucky.
Those responsible
for the
re-organization of
the DeMolay Chapter
in 1963 were
Brothers R. Cliff
Wilder, Past Master
of Valley Lodge and
the present Grand
Master of the Grand
Lodge of the State
of Kentucky; Plenge
"Neb" Rosenberger, a
Past Master of
Valley Lodge; and
Walter Sipes, also a
Past Master of
Valley Lodge. Gene
Snawder was Chairman
of the Board, and
the
Advisory Council consisted
of Brothers R. Cliff
Wilder, William H.
Miller, John
Sturgeon, Walter
Sipes, Jim Rowe,
Conrad Decker,
Edward Adams, Plenge
Rosenberger, Ray
Robards, Ray
Watkins, Bob Frank,
Ed Heady, and Jack
Farley.
The latter half of
the decade brought
happiness and
prosperity to our
country and to
Valley Lodge. Some of
the highlights of
these years were as
follows:
* By the year 1955 a
membership of
approximately
450.
*The installation of
a new heating system
in the lodge hall.
*Valley Trowel Club
had their first fish
fry.
*A very large
increase in the
property evaluation
of the lodge.
*For the year 1958,
Valley's Degree Team
raised 38 brothers
to the sublime
degree of a Master
Mason.
*A new sign was
erected in front of
the Lodge Hall.
*The Trowel Club of
Valley Lodge
initiated an Apron
Program as an added
incentive to
encourage the
brothers to take an
active part in the
degree work.
The decade of the
sixties was a period
of rapid growth
for the "country
lodge" in Valley
Station, Ky. It
ushered in an era of
rapid change, as
well as an era of
growth and
prosperity. Valley
Lodge No. 511 became
even further known
for her excellent
degree teams, and
their willingness to
travel, aid, and
assist their sister
lodges when called
upon. Many tangible
assets were added to
Valley Lodge during
this decade. Some of
which were: the
purchasing of steam
tables for the
kitchen, creation of
a prep room,
remodeling the
restrooms, the
additions of a side
entrance to the
fellowship hall and
closets in the front
lobby, centrally
air-conditioning the
lodge (the Trowel
Club members sold
candy bars to
finance this
project), and each
new member upon
receiving his Master
Mason Degree being
presented with a
personal copy of the
Kentucky Monitor
compliments of
Valley Trowel Club.
In 1967 Valley Lodge
had 1,336 members
and visitors to sign
the register, not
including funerals,
for an average of
51.4 per meeting.
December 27, 1967,
Valley Lodge went on
record as favoring
and supporting
Brother Past Master
Roy Clifford Wilder,
Grand Marshal of the
Grand Lodge of the
State of Kentucky,
for Grand Junior
Warden of the Grand
Lodge of the State
of Kentucky for the
year 1968.A
committee was
appointed to send
out letters and
assist in any other
manner to promote
the record of Past
Master Wilder.
There were 29 called
and stated
communications
during 1968.During
this same year at
Valley Lodge No. 511
the Entered
Apprentice Degree
was conferred 10
times, the Fellow
Craft Degree 7
times, and the
Master Mason Degree
8 times. The records
show that the Master
Mason Degree was
conferred on 24
brothers, 13 Master
Masons were admitted
by transfer, 1 was
admitted for dual
membership, and 1
was reinstated for a
total of 39.Two of
the very special
events of the year
were a reception for
Brother R. Cliff
Wilder, who was
being installed as
the Right Worshipful
Grand Junior Warden
of the Grand Lodge
of the State of
Kentucky, and an
exchange trip to
confer the Master
Mason Degree with
Fred M. Gross Lodge
in Westwood, Ky.
This has become an
annual event for
both lodges today.
During this same
year Valley Lodge's
Degree Team
conferred the Master
Mason Degree in 13
other lodges, some
of which were out in
the state, and
raised 51 brothers
to the sublime
degree of a Master
Mason.
Valley Lodge saw the
Entered Apprentice
Degree conferred 9
times on 39
candidates, the
Fellow Craft Degree
9 times on 34
brothers, and the
Master Mason Degree
conferred 8 times on
30 brothers during
the year
1969.Fourteen
members were
accepted by
affiliation and two
by dual membership
for a total of
46.The Degree Team
conferred the Master
Mason Degree for
sister lodges 12
times on 34 brothers
in 1969.An exchange
trip with Hanselmann
Lodge No. 208 in
Cincinnati, Ohio, to
confer the Master
Mason Degree was
made. The fellowship
among the brethren
of these two lodges
was so dear that
both lodges agreed
to make this an
annual event in
their respective
lodges.
In 1970 Valley's
Degree Team
conferred the Master
Mason Degree 24
times - 8 times in
their own lodge and
16 in sister lodges
in Kentucky and
other Grand
Jurisdictions. They
raised a total of 57
Master Masons (24
for Valley Lodge and
33 for their sister
lodges). Three
brothers were
reinstated and six
demitted to other
lodges. There were
also 9 beloved
brothers who were
called home to the
Grand Lodge on high
during the year
1970.
One century has now
gone by since that
small group of
dedicated Masons
became known as, and
were chartered,
Valley Lodge No.
511, Free and
Accepted Masons. From
the day of October
19, 1871, when there
were only 10 members
and $8.30 in the
treasury, to October
18, 1971, Valley
Lodge No. 511 has
grown to a
membership of 687
members and now has
$15,000.00 in the
treasury.
There have been
times of hardship
and strife as well
as times of growth
and prosperity. The
memories of those
many men, both
living and dead,
whose hearts were
instilled with the
very basic tenets of
American Freemasonry
and whose endless
efforts, sacrifices,
and deeds have made
Valley Lodge No.
511, F.&A.M., as "A
house built upon
solid rock", shall
never be forgotten.
May the brethren of
today take this
heritage, and as
they walk down the
pathways of tomorrow
continue to the
progress being made
today, and make
Valley Lodge No.
511, F.&A.M., the
same source of pride
in the future that
it has been in the
past. |
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At 4 O'clock on
Saturday afternoon
January 16, 1904 a
large crowd
assembled in the new
Temple located on
Chestnut Street
between 3rd and 4th,
to see Daylight
Lodge U.D. set to
work. All the lodges
in the city, some
from the Interior
and several from
Indiana were
represented and the
spacious hall was
comfortably filled.
Grand Master Owen D.
Thomas, of Lebanon,
was present and was
received with the
honors befitting his
rank.
A lodge of Master
Masons was opened by
the Grand Master
with the following
temporary officers:
Charles A.
Sommervillle, Sr.
Warden; H.R.
Kendall, Jr. Warden;
S. A. Lederman, Sr.
Deacon; Z.T.
Randolph, Jr.
Deacon; Charles A.
Dailey, Secretary;
and Joseph T.
Davidson, Tyler. The
invocation at the
opening of the lodge
was delivered by the
Rev. Dr. E. L.
Powell.
Past Master J.T.
Funk was invited to
act as Marshall and
thereupon the
following officers
were installed in
ample form: Isaac T.
Woodson Jr., Master,
David W. Gray, Sr.
Warden; Barman
Hoeppner, Jr.
Warden; Ernest W.
Sprague, Sr. Deacon;
J. L. Lisle, Jr.
Deacon; C. Henry
Stege and J.O.
Dolfinger, Stewards;
Stephen D. Smith,
Secretary; John A.
Gray, Treasurer; W.B.
Gossett, Tyler.
Before
relinquishing
control of the
gavel, Grand Master
Thomas Installed
Capt. H.B. Grant as
Grand Secretary of
the Grand Lodge.
At the close of
the installation
ceremonies the Grand
Master delivered a
brief address in
which he spoke
earnestly of the
duties incumbent
upon all true Masons
as imposed by their
obligation not
merely to assist
their brethren in
need but also to
whisper words of
warning and to aid
in the reformation
of such as have gone
astray.
When Worshipful
Master Woodson took
the gavel he called
upon Bishop Dudley
to offer prayer,
which he did in a
feeling manner. He
then requested Sr.
Warden Gray to
explain the object
of the new lodge,
which he did in a
very satisfactory
way. He spoke of the
number of persons
who cannot attend
night meetings for
various reasons.
Some are obliged
to work, others live
out of the city so
far that they cannot
conveniently come in
or stay in and other
reasons influence
some. Past Master
J.T. Funk followed
along the same lines
and in addition,
mentioned the
interesting fact
that the fine Bible
upon the altar was a
gift to the lodge
from the wife of
Worshipful Master
Bro. Funk expressed
gratification at the
encouragement given
the new lodge and
returned thanks to
all for the
courtesies and
favors and to the
brethren in
attendance for their
presence.
Three petitions
for initiation were
received and
referred. The next
stated meeting of
the lodge was fixed
for January 30,
1904. A number of
Committee a were
appointed to draft
By-Laws, arrange for
permanent quarters,
etc.
The regular
business being
ended, there were
other addresses by
Bishop Dudley, Dr.
Powell, H.B. Grant
and Charles A.
Sommerville. As the
time was limited the
addresses were
brief, but very much
to the point. The
opening meeting of
Daylight Lodge was
unanimously voted to
be a great success
and it is the
general impression
that it fills a want
that is felt by many
residents of the
city and suburbs.
Daylight Lodge #760
F&AM was then
chartered on October
18th, 1904. The
Lodge has occupied
several buildings in
it's history, and
met last at
The Valley Masonic
Building on the 2nd
Saturday of every
month. On June 27th,
2018, Daylight Lodge
#760 F&AM
consolidated with
Valley Lodge #511
F&AM and the
consolidated Lodge
was renamed
Valley-Daylight
Lodge #511 Free and
Accepted Masons.
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Biography of our First Master
Bro. Isaac T. Woodson, Jr. |
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Date of Birth-
December 16, 1872 in Woodsonville, KY.
1897- Received Blue Lodge degrees in Louisville Lodge #400
1898- Steward Louisville Lodge #400
1899- Jr. Deacon Louisville Lodge #400
1900- Sr. Deacon Louisville Lodge #400
1903- Demitted Louisville Lodge #400 December 7, 1903
1904- Installed as Master of Daylight Lodge U. D. in January
1904 later chartered on October 18th 1904 as Daylight Lodge
#760
Isaac T. Woodson Jr. was President of the Woodson and Kratch
Monument Co., which is still on East Broadway next to the
Railroad overpass.
Brother Woodson received his Scottish Rite Degrees in
November 1922. He became a Knight Commander of the Court of
Honor in 1925. He received his 33rd Degree in 1929 and the
Grand Cross in October 1935.
He served as Grand Master of the Grand Consistory of
Kentucky A.A.S.R. from the late 1920's until his death in
1939. Brother Woodson also was Grand Master during the
building of the Scottish Rite Temple and oversaw it's
construction from 1930 to 1931.
A memorial service was held for him on January 1, 1940 under
the direction of Brother John Henry Cowles 33 Degree,
Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council 33 Degree
A.A.S.R. |
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Bro. Richard Priest Dietzman
33°
(PLEASE CLICK ON EACH IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW FULL SIZE) |
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Past Master- Daylight Lodge
#760 F&AM
Past Grand Master- Grand Consistory of Kentucky A.A.S.R.,
1922-1924
Past Grand Master- Grand Lodge of Kentucky F&AM, 1933-1934 |
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Biography of Bro. William J.
Netherton, P.M., P.P
Master of Daylight Lodge #760 F&AM in 1937 |
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and Potentate of Kosair
Shrine in 1951 |
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Illustrious
William J. Netherton,
P.P., was an avid
Mason. He was active
in many Masonic
organizations and
reached the pinnacle
of success in most
of them. He was a
gentleman's
gentleman and,
although being a
tough taskmaster, a
thorough scholar of
Masonry, and a good
businessman, he was
always on the side
of progress and
doing what was right
to improve the
fraternity. And he
was a wonderful
friend to all who
knew him.
William Jefferson
Netherton was born
in the Worthington
community in
Northeast Jefferson
County on March 2,
1898. He loved to
tell the story of
driving cattle from
Worthington to the
Bourbon Stockyards.
That entailed a long
journey down Highway
22, which in those
days was a dirt
road, but still took
the meandering path
the paved highway
follows today.
"Bill," as best
known to his
friends, was a 1917
Louisville Male High
School graduate. The
University of
Kentucky claimed him
for two years, until
he was inducted into
the armed forces,
serving until the
Armistice of World
War I. He left
college and his
beloved Sigma Nu
fraternity to enter
the real estate
department of The
Louisville Trust
Company (now part of
Bank One). He
remained with the
company until 1930
when he formed the
Kesselring-Netherton
Company, realtors
and mortgage
brokers. The firm
was quite
successful.
Bill's Masonic
career was almost
legendary. He
received his Entered
Apprentice Degree in
Pewee Valley Lodge
No. 829 in March
1919, and was raised
in November of the
same year. In 1934
he demitted to
Daylight Lodge No.
760, and served as
its Master in 1937.
He was exalted a
Royal Arch Mason on
May 17, 1926 in King
Solomon Chapter No.
5 and was elected
High Priest in
August 1931. The
Cryptic Rites were
conferred on him in
Louisville Council
No. 4 on May 27.
1926 and he was
elevated to the
office Illustrious
Master in 1933. In
February 1934, he
was dubbed and
created a Knight
Templar in
Louisville-DeMolay
Commandery No. 12,
and was Commander in
1941.
Illustrious Brother
Netherton was also
active in the
Louisville Scottish
Rite Bodies and
Kosair Shrine
Temple. He became a
32° Scottish Rite
Mason in May 1938.
He was coroneted a
33° Mason on October
18, 1973. He crossed
the hot sands of the
Shrine in the Spring
of 1938, and served
as Potentate of
Kosair Shrine Temple
in 1951.
In 1945, Bill was
initiated in
Shrewsbury Priory
No. 4, Knights of
the York Cross of
Honor, then demitted
in order to found
Kentucky Priory No.
25, being its first
Eminent Prior in
1945. At the 119th
Annual Assembly of
the Grand Council of
Kentucky, Royal and
Select Masters, he
was advanced to the
office of Most
Illustrious Grand
Master.
One of his most
prestigious honors
was that of serving
the Red Cross of
Constantine locally
as Sovereign in
1950, then enduring
the long path to
become Grand
Sovereign of the
nationwide
organization in
1973. He was honored
with the title of
Knight Grand Cross
in the Red Cross of
Constantine.
Just a little
thing that shows
Bill's devotion to
Masonry was that
annually he
conducted York Rite
Christmas services
in the basement of
his home.
When he became
Potentate of Kosair
Shrine Temple, he
said, "Let each of
us highly resolve
that for the year
1951 we will do
everything possible
to promote the
interests of our
Temple, and further,
that we will do all
that is becoming to
men and Masons, so
that in the end we
may truly deserve
the right to be
called Shriners and
Brothers."
Illustrious Brother
Bill Netherton
portrayed during his
lifetime, in a very
large degree, the
kindly, helpful and
dependable
characteristics
which made one proud
to have called him
Brother, Noble and
Friend. His days
were long, happy,
friendly and
productive. He
passed away
September 8. 1984. |
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