Our History
From the early records of Freemasonry in Maryland we learn that there was a Lodge chartered at Reisterstown in 1798, named Temple, No. 26, but of which little is known.
INSTITUTION OF IONIC LODGE
One hundred years ago a Dispensation from the office of the Master of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Maryland signed by Grand John Coates, empowered and authorized Brothers Samuel W. Starr, J. Norris, John Whiteford, William F. Weller, William P. Cole, Rev. George Zimmerman, Andrew Banks, Rev. A. Y. Berger, John M. Wheeler, L.A.J.Lamotte and George McK. Teal, residing in Baltimore County to assemble a legal Lodge:
“Whereas said Petitioners have been recommended to me as: Iv Masons, in Good standing by the Master, Wardens and other members Door to Virtue Lodge No. 46 under this jurisdiction” and “reposing confidence in the recommendation Aforesaid and in the Masonic integrity, ability of the petitioners,” to “Form and open a Lodge, after the manner of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and therein to make Freemasons according to the ancient custom and not otherwise.” Brother Samuel W. Starr was appointed to be the First Master Brother J. Cloud Norris was appointed to be the First Senior Warden, Brother John Whiteford was appointed to be the First Junior Warden This Dispensation was given under the hand of Grand Master Coates and the seal of the Grand Lodge of Maryland on the 23rd day of February AL 5869, A.D. 1869 and attested by Jacob H. Medairy, Grand Secretary.
HISTORY OF IONIC LODGE NO. 145A.F. & A.M.
The brief treatment accorded the excerpts selected for the following chronicle should not be accepted as a full and complete study of the entire history of the Lodge. Rather, they have been chosen in hopes they may shed some light on days gone by. The first meeting was held in the meeting room of the Henry Clay Lodge, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in their hall on March 9th, 1869. W.M. Starr appointed:
Brother William F. Weller-Secretary
Brother George M. Zimmerman-Treasurer
Brother Andrew Banks-Senior Deacon
Brother A. J. Lamotte-Junior Deacon
Brother William P. Cole-Tyler
The By-Laws of Doric Lodge No. 124 were adopted for the government of this Lodge while it was under Dispensation. Brothers Banks and Weller were
appointed as Committee to procure “Jewels, Working Tools and Furniture” for the Lodge.
The first two petitions were received from Mr. William A. Slade, aged 37 years, of Woodensburg, a merchant and from Dr. Issac N. Dickson, aged 49 years, of Reisterstown, a physician. The sum of 30.00 was received from each petitioner. At the second meeting held in the Odd Fellows Hall on Tuesday, March 23rd
1869 regular business was conducted and Mr. W. A. Slade and Dr. 1. N. Dickson was severally introduced and initiated Entered Apprentices. The phrase “IONIC LODGE” was mentioned for the first time in the minutes of this meeting. A letter of thanks was rendered to Door to Virtue Lodge for recommending that this Ionic Lodge be formed.
At the April 13th and April 27th meetings regular business only was noted, but on Thursday, April 29th Brothers Slade and Dickson were raised to the Master Mason degree. Again at the May 4th meeting regular business only noted but in the May 25th meeting, for the first time No. 145 appeared in the heading of the minutes.
The Charter of Ionic Lodge is dated May 10, 1869. During the meeting of July 27th, 1869, a motion was made and passed to “Dedicate this Lodge and its Officers” on August 2nd, 1869 and so on a “Special” meeting on that date the Lodge was Constituted and the Officers installed by Brother James W. Bowers, proxy for the Grand Master. 1_’he usual lectures were given and a supper was held after the meeting at the City Hotel in Reisterstown.
Officers installed were:
Samuel W. Starr …………………………………Worshipful Master
J.Cloud Norris ……………………………………… Senior Warden
John M. Whiteford………………………………… Junior Warden
Andrew Banks ………………………………………..Senior Deacon
Issac N. Dickson ……………………………………..Junior Deacon
William F. Weller …………………………………………. Secretary
William A. Slade ……………………………………………Treasurer
William P. Cole …………………………………………………..Tyler
The Lodge was instructed in all three degrees by the Grand Lecturer. Regular business only was noted at both meetings in August.
At the regular meeting on Tuesday, September 14th, 1869 a motion was made to “take up the By-Laws and read Section by Section.” This was done and all were adopted except. Article .3 Section 1 which was laid over for further consideration. The first audit committee was formed at this time to investigate the accounts of the Lodge and report their findings at the next meeting. This committee was composed of Brothers Banks, Dickson and Wilson.
During the 16th meeting of Ionic Lodge held on Tuesday, September 28, 1869 a petition from Brother C. W. Semmes was received for further advancement in Masonry. He had received the Entered Apprentice degree in Dove Lodge No.51 at Richmond, Virginia. The Worshipful Master was instructed by the Grand Secretary to fill Section 3 Article 1 in the By-Laws.
The first visiting Past Grand Master, Brother D. C. Godwin of Temple Lodge No.9 of Milford, Delaware, was present at the meeting held on October 12, 1869. The By-Laws of Ionic Lodge in full form were adopted.
