History of Weyer Lodge #541

Free & Accepted Masons

Demos, Ohio

A history of Weyer Lodge must begin with a reference to Moriah Lodge #105, which was organized October 20, 1940 in Jacobsburg, Ohio.  It was chartered in 1842.  Among the charter members and later its master was Dr. John A. Weyer.  The Lodge occupied quarters in the second story of a frame school house in Jacobsburg.  Several years after the Lodge was instituted Dr. Weyer moved to Powhatan Point located on the Ohio River.  Due to his prominence and influence as a mason, he is credited with being the man chiefly responsible for moving Moriah Lodge from Jacobsburg to Powhatan Point, Ohio in 1866.  This move was a great inconvenience to the members of the Moriah Lodge living in the Jacobsburg community and smaller towns around such as Centerville, Glencoe, and Key.  It necessitated many miles to be traveled to attend Lodge.  As a result a small number decided to establish a Lodge of Masons in Centerville, Ohio.  Tradition tells us that the first meeting to organize a Lodge in Centerville was held in the basement of the home of Dr. J. N. McMasters, who with others was a member of the Moriah Lodge.  After several preorganization meetings a petition was presented to J. M. Goodspeed, Grand Master of Masons in Ohio, for a dispensation to establish a Lodge in Centerville.  The petition was signed by the following persons:

Thomas J. Rowles

W. T. Minamyer

E. D. Scatterday

Samuel McMasters

A. C. Ramage

Joshua Pryor

D. J. Creamer

James Graham

William Gregg

Silas Hart

M. J. W. Glover

Dr. J. N. McMasters

Rev. C. H. Hollett

            The Lodge owes its existence to the untiring efforts of two fervent and zealous masons.  It was Dr. McMasters and Reverend Hollett who prepared the petition, obtained the consent and recommendations of the neighboring Lodges, drafted its by-laws, and handled the correspondence necessary to forming a new Lodge.  The Lodge was named after Dr. John Weyer, who as stated earlier was for many years master of Moriah Lodge, and most of the charter members of the new Lodge received their lessons in masonry from him.

            The first meeting under dispensation was held June 13, 1885 in a two story building owned by George Mayhugh on the main road through Centerville.  The second floor was remodeled and fitted for their use.  The rental charge was thirty-six dollars per year. 

            The first officers were:

                                    J. T. Rowles, W. M.

                                    W. A. Minamyer, S. W.

                                    E. D. Scatterday, J. W.

                                    M. J. W. Glover, Treas.

                                    Dr. J. N. McMasters, Sec’y

                                    Rev. C. M. Hollett, S. D.

                                    Silas Hart, Tyler

            The first stated meeting under dispensation was held June 27, 1885.  Under dispensation, the Lodge was known as Center Lodge, Centerville, Ohio.  Due to another Lodge being located in Centerville in Southwestern Ohio, the name was changed to Weyer Lodge #541 at a meeting held November 21, 1885.  The address was given as Demos, Ohio.  This name was given by the Postal Department for the town of Centerville in Belmont County.  The Post Office carried the name Demos until rural routes caused the discontinuation of the Post Office.

            The meeting dates were first Saturday night on or before the full moon, to provide moonlight for the brethren attending Lodge.  At the 76^th annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, held in Cincinnati, Ohio October 1885, a charter was granted bearing the names of the petitioners as named earlier in this report.  Stacker Williams, Grandmaster of Ohio Masons, appointed as his proxy, J. B. Ryan of Belmont Lodge #16 at St. Clairsville to convene the Grand Lodge of Ohio in Special Session and institute Weyer Lodge #541; to dedicate the hall and to install the officers which was done the evening of November 21, 1885.

            The first person raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason was George W. Pierson on December 19, 1885.  Weyer Lodge became prosperous and by the winter of 1888 had outgrown its quarters.  A committee was appointed by A. W. McMasters to select a suitable location for a new hall.  Upon the report and recommendation, it was decided to put a second story above the George Mayhugh storeroom.  Agreements were entered into a contract and were given to Clifford Brothers of Centerville to do the work.

            Grand Master Leamder Burdick issued his proxy to Jesse R. Purnell of Ionick Lodge #438 in Bellaire, to dedicate the new hall.  On the evening of June 24, 1888, he convened the Grand Lodge in Special Session, assisted by brethren by Bellaire, Morristown, and Beallsville and performed the ceremonies of dedication in a very able and satisfactory manner.  It may be interesting to note here that the brethren from Bellaire had to travel by train from Bellaire to a point about four miles distance from Centerville.  This distance was covered by walking or riding in horse-drawn vehicles.  It would be necessary for them to stay overnight and return to Bellaire the same route the next day.  So that entailed some sacrifice on their part, which no doubt was gladly given.

            From the time the Lodge was instituted the brethren met for approximately 40 years on the Saturday night on or before the full moon.  During this time the brethren either walked to the Lodge or traveled horseback or buggy; some walking more than six miles in all kinds of weather.  When the automobile came into general use and better roads were built the meeting date was changed to the first Saturday night of the month.

            Members of Weyer Lodge living today (1972) well remember one brother who lived at Warnock, about five miles distance, who suffered from an injured leg which was greatly misshaped walking to the Lodge during the winter months.  The brethren really took their Masonry seriously those days.  They looked their petitioners over carefully as is evidenced by the fact that eight were rejected during one year during early days of the Lodge.

            The Lodge was prospered and continued to grow and it became necessary for the Lodge to seek larger quarters.  A church property located near the Lodge was offered for sale and the Lodge appointed a committee to purchase the property.  This deal was consummated October 24, 1912 for the amount of $342.50.  A building committee was appointed March 3, 1917 consisting of C. A. Strahl, W. G. Simpson, and E. T. Carle.  No contract was let for the construction of the building, but various tradesmen in the community and members of the Lodge erected the new building at a cost of approximately $3800.  The building is a two story frame construction approximately 30x70 in size.  The new building was dedicated October 4, 1919 by Brother H. H. Turner, representing the Grand Master.  A Grand Lodge was opened in Special Session for the ceremonies.  Brethren from Sister Lodges in the county attended the dedication.

            A highlight in the history of the Lodge was an event in 1935, commemorating the 50^th birthday of the Lodge, when Brother C. W. Ellenwood, then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, was the honored guest.  This meeting was especially meaningful as this was the first time since the Lodge was instituted that it was visited by a Grand Master.  Approximately 150 brethren were present to enjoy the festivities.  Brother W. G. Simpson was presented a 50 Year Membership Pin by the Grand Master in an impressive manner.  The Grand Master and his lady spent his night at the home of one of the brethren.  The following morning Friendship Lodge of Barnesville, Ohio entertained the Grand Master with a delicious ham and egg breakfast, which drew a big attendance.

            During the depression years in the 1930s, the membership in the Lodge was decreasing, dues were slow coming in and new petitions for membership were few.  To stimulate interest, three brethren agreed to donate a bushel of strawberries each, and others agreed to donate milk, cream, and shortcakes.  They invited all Masons and their sons or friends in the area to a free strawberry supper plus some good entertainment.  This meeting was a success and was repeated the following year; several petitions for membership were received and interest in the Lodge was stimulated.  These suppers have become an annual event and have grown to an attendance exceeding 250 persons on some occasions.  They are attended by Masons who come many miles.

            It may be of interest to note here that a chapter of Eastern Stars was organized during the early 1930s or the depression years.  It was not long before they began to make their influence felt, since they met in the same room as their Masonic brethren.  In the Lodge room, smoking was prohibited during the sessions.  That did not bother the brethren too much since most of them chewed tobacco and some of those who didn’t, soon learned.  Cuspidors were placed at the South, West, and the East gates of the Temple and others placed along the lines for convenience of the brethren.  Since there were no carpets on the floor to deaden sound, a well-aimed “squirt” or tobacco juice would produce a pleasant ringing sound to the delight of some of the brethren.

            It was not long after the Stars were using the Lodge room until the cuspidors began to disappear—none can be found today—strips of carpet began to appear on the floor and curtains on the windows.  In other words, the women—God Bless them—began to clean things up. 

            The brethren of the Lodge worked with the sisters of the Stars to improve the appearance of the Lodge room, dining room, kitchen, and the outside appearance of the building.  Today the Lodge floor is fully carpeted, newly renovated with an air conditioning and heating system, curtains are at the windows, an electric organ and piano are part of the furnishings, while on the first floor are inside washrooms and a modern kitchen.  The members of the Order of Easter Stars and their Masonic brethren are justly proud of the Lodge and its home.  This has been accomplished by teamwork, cooperation with one another, and an attitude of heart and mind to build a better Masonic Community.