Sam N. Regenstrief

Self-made millionaire Sam N. Regenstrief, Warren Lodge 15, Connorsville, Indiana, made his fortune in manufacturing and was known as the "Dishwasher King."  He used his wealth to found Indianapolis' Regenstrief Institute, which developed the Regenstrief Medical Records system.  Despite his wealth, philanthropy and notoriety, Brother Sam never knew his own birthdate.  He was born in Bucharest, Romania and his birth records were lost.  He celebrated two approximate dates as birthdays, one in June, one in November, having heard conflicting stories from relatives about the time of year he was born.  He was, however, certain about one birthdate - October 28, 1948, his Masonic birthday.

(I am using the date of his raising as his Masonic birthday. Some jurisdictions and individuals use the date of a Brother's initiation as his Masonic Birthday, but traditionally, most use the date of the Third Degree.  For the record, brother Sam was initiated September 9, and received his Fellowcraft Degree, October 21, 1948).

William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft was a member of Kilwinning Lodge 365, Cincinnati, Ohio.  He was the 27th President of the United States (1909-1913) and served as Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court (1921-1930) making him the only person ever to serve in the highest positions of both the executive and judicial branches of our government.

A Mother's Pleas That Changed History

As a teenager, Brother George Washington joined the British Navy.  His mother had recently lost her husband and had another son serving as a British seaman, a dangerous profession at best.  She begged young George to change his mind until he finally relented and resigned.  Had Brother Washington ignored his mother's pleas, the man who became General of the Armies in the American Revolution, the first President and the Father of His Country would have fought for the other side!

The Versatile Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930), best known as the Author of the Sherlock Holmes Series, was raised in Phoenix Lodge #257, Hampsire. In addition to writing the books about the famous sleuth, Doyle was a physician, author of many books and short stories on other subjects, a spiritualist and a sportsman. He was an early proponent of a tunnel connecting England and France, metal helmets for combat soldiers, and inflatable life-preservers for sailors. In 1894, on a US visit, he introduced Rudyard Kipling to golf, with confused locals wondering what the pair was up to as they played. And amazingly, he also introduced cross country skiing to the Swiss!

James K. Polk

Brother James K. Polk, 11th president of the United States, Columbia Lodge 31, Columbia, Tennessee, left office on March 4, 1849 and died June 15, 1849, just 103 days later.  He had the shortest retirement of any US President and was also the youngest President to die in retirement.

Wild Bill Hickok's Chair?

This chair comes from Amazonia Lodge in northwest Missouri, near the Kansas Border.  Amazonia 320 received its charter in 1890 and consolidated with Savannah 71 in 1907. Although the fact that James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was a Mason is in doubt, local lore says he often attended meetings at Amazonia.  The chair is on display at the Masonic Museum in Columbia, Missouri.

Lindberg's Gavel

After his historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Charles Lindbergh gave this gavel to his Masonic Lodge, Keystone Lodge #243, St. Louis.  The gavel is made from the wood propeller of Lindbergh's famous plane, "The Spirit of St. Louis," and is now on display in the Masonic Museum in Columbia, Missouri.

Vincil Flag

Cosmos Lodge 282 claims to be the first Masonic Lodge west of the Mississippi regularly to display the American Flag at meetings.  In 1896, it began displaying this 44-star flag, when former Missouri Grand Master John D. Vincil (1868-1869) presented it to the Lodge.  The flag is on display at the Masonic Museum in Columbia, Missouri.

The Ring That Saved A Life

Legend has it that Brother John Hobert owed his life to this Masonic ring.  Brother Hobert, a Union soldier, was captured during the Civil War and imprisoned at the notorious Confederate prison at Andersonville.  A Brother Mason noticed his ring.  As a result, Brother Hobert was released and sent back home to Iowa.  Brother Hobert gave the ring to a Lodge Brother who, in turn, left it to Oney Kirby, his son and Brother Mason.  The ring is on display at the Masonic Museum in Columbia, Missouri.

For Every Boy Who's On The Level...

Found in an antique store in Creve Coeur, Missouri.  "For Every Boy Who's on the Level There's A Girl Who's on the Square," published in 1920, words and music by Harry Pease, Ed. G. Nelson and Gilbert Dodge.  Cover art by E. H. Pfeiffer.

Royal Arch Gunnison

On June 24, 1873, Brother Christopher B. Gunnison attended a York Rite Chapter meeting.  He returned home to find his pregnant wife had given birth unexpectedly.  Since the baby was born while Christopher was at a Chapter Meeting, he suggested naming him "Royal Arch." Royal Arch Gunnison (1873-1918) grew up to become a federal judge in Alaska and, yes, a Royal Arch Mason.

His son, Royal Arch Gunnison, Jr., (1911-1946) became a radio war correspondent who died in an RAF plane crash in Hong Kong, but no records exist indicating he was a Mason.

George Rogers Clark

George Rogers Clark (1752-1818) was the highest ranking military officer on the western frontier in the American Revolution.  He was also the brother of famed Freemason William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark expedition).  A Freemason, George Rogers Clark's Lodge is unknown, but Abraham Lodge 8, Louisville conducted his Masonic funeral.  In 1809, at age 57, Brother Clark suffered a stroke and fell into a fireplace, burining his leg so badly it required amputation. When Dr. Richard Ferguson, Master of Abraham Lodge, performed the amputation, the only anesthetic Brother Clark received  was music from a fife and drum corps playing in the background.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was a member of Lodge Zur neugekroentin, Hoffnung (new crowned hope).  Renowned as a musical genius and composer of pieces with Masonic themes, Mozart was a child prodigy who composed his first published works at the age of seven.  In 1770, at the age of 14, he heard Gregorio Allegri's "Miserere" a single time, went home and wrote the entire piece down from memory!

Andrew Johnson's Impeachment

It's a well-known fact Brother Andrew Johnson, Greeneville Lodge 119, Greeneville, Tennessee, is one of only two presidents to be impeached. Lesser known is the fact that Johnson's main antagonist in the impeachment was fervent anti-Mason Thaddeus Stevens, who was driven to act by President Johnson's dedication to the Craft.

Andrew Johnson's Burial

Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), 17th President of the United States, Greeneville Lodge 119, Greeneville, TN, was buried with his body wrapped in an American Flag and a copy of the US constitution beneath his head.

The Battle of San Jacinto

The battle of the Alamo was a losing but inspirational part of the Texas war of independence.  Heroic Freemasons William B. Travis, James Bowie, Davy Crockett and others lost their lives in the bloody fight, which lasted 12 grueling days.  Forty-six days later at the Battle of San Jacinto, led by Brother Sam Houston, the Texans routed the Mexican army and won independence in a mere 18 minutes!