In the early spring of 1859, a number
of Master Masons in Clay County, Indiana got together and made plans for
application to the Grand Lodge of Indiana. They held a meeting on
the 25th of May 1859, to organize a Masonic Lodge in Brazil. On that
date a special dispensation was granted by Grand Master Soloman D. Bayless
of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Ancient
York Masons of the State of Indiana. Which with the consent of the
Indiana Grand Lodge , following an application for the same by a number
of Free and Accepted York Rite Masons residing in this district and
desirous of associating together. A Dispensation was written up by Francis
King, who was Grand Secretary upon the presentation of the application.
The Grand Master appointed the following
officers to sever under dispensation were as Worshipful Master was
James Oliver age 30. He had severed in the U.S. Army during the War
with Mexico as a volunteer in Clay Counties Co. D, 2nd Regiment of Indiana.
Later he operated a Printing Shop and published a Newspaper and was also
a school teacher for a time. As Senior Warden Asa C. Thomas age 38
a plasterer by trade. As Junior Warden was Ezra Olds age 44, whom was the
owner of a coal strip mine and rolling mill on Otter Creek. The coal was
stripped by horse and oxen and then after being processed sent to the market
in Indianapolis by the old Terre Haute & Richmond Railroad. He served
during the Civil War in the Union army as a Captain in Clay Counties Company
F of the 10th Regiment and Company B of 133rd Indiana Infantry under General
George McClellan's command. General McClellan also a Freemason. Later after
mustering out brother Olds commanded a group of 300 men known as the Brazil
Guard trained to repel a possible attack by Morgans Raiders of Brazil.
The first meetings were held in
the old Odd Fellows Hall on the Main St.,upstairs of what is now Bell Building
on National Ave.(U.S. 40) Other fraternal bodies joined
with Lodge 264 ,now the space now was to small as the memberships grew.
So Brazil Lodge No. 264 started meeting in the hall of the old upstairs
of what was then the A.B. Cooper clothing Store. Lighting was achieved
by oil lamps and candles. If you wanted to get there you walked or rode
your horse in those times. In 1882 a contract was approved to purchase
1/3 rd interest in the 3rd floor of the Shannon,Fast, and Sowers building
being erected on the Southwest corner of Main and Center Streets. Main
Street is now called National Ave. and is the same as U.S.40 which runs
through the heart of the City of Brazil. The other two thirds interest
being held by Centennial Lodge #541 whom received its Charter in
July 12th 1877 and Chapter #59 of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society
of Free and Accepted Ancient York Rite Masons.
A dedication of this place was held on June 15, 1869 with the
Grand Master of Indiana being the guest speaker in conjunction with a large
public festival.
The first petitions Under
Dispensation were received June 14,1859 from Curtis L. Laughlin and
James W. Mortimer. Both were elected and raised to Maser Masons on Sept.
6, 1859. Every petition at that time had to be voted on to be elected to
pass to the next degree. Today, if your petition is voted upon with favor
that vote is for membership, not any degrees. In other words, you had to be
voted on three times before you could become a Master Mason. As well as a
vote for membership. This practice was stopped in Indiana Lodges about 1880.
When our Lodge Brazil
No.264 was granted and issued it's Charter on 30th May 1860 by the
Grand Master Of Indiana A.C. Downey: attested by Francis King, Grand Secretary,
and signed by Deputy Grand Master Mahlen D. Morrison , Senior Grand Warden
W. N. Daughty and Junior Grand Warden John B. Fravel, naming Brazil Lodge
U.D. ,Brazil Lodge 264, F. & A. M. which has existed continuously
since.
The first meeting
after the Charter, was held by 264 F. & A. M. on June 12th 1860,
at which meeting the following officers were elected : The Worshipful Master
John M. Oliver was was also Worshipful Master Under Dispensation. D. C.
Stunkard as Senior Warden. Brother Stunkard was born in Ohio in 1824 and
had moved to Clay County at age 15 He had owned and operated a hotel in
Brazil and well as doing some farming, owned a lumber mill and stave factory
and other merchant businesses. In 1860 he had been appointed Deputy U.S.
Marshall to supervise the taking of the Census of Clay County, Indiana.
He ran for the State Legislator later in 1864. He was killed in 1871 by
a freak accidental shooting. He also had severed in the 153rd Indiana Regiment
during the War with Mexico and also a Lieutenant during the Civil War.
James W. Mortimer who was raised under dispensation was elected Junior
Warden, a painter by trade. As Treasurer, Isaac M. Compton who was
born in 1832. He was a former clerk of D. C. Stunkard and in 1860 he opened
his own grocery store. He served in Civil War as a 1st Lieutenant in Co.
G of the 78th Indiana Infantry, by 1866 he had enter in legal profession
and was admitted to the bar. As a elected politician whom later in 1879
was the author of House Bill #7 which provided for pure air ,protection
of pay and banking of Coal Miners. He was Grand Protector of Knights and
Ladies of Honor. As Secretary, Edward S. Hussey age 46 a Bookkeeper
by trade. As Senior Deacon, Asa C. Thomas whom served
as same while Under Dispensation. Jacob B. Wilson age 27 a brickmaker was
elected Junior Deacon. Ezra Olds whom was Junior Warden while 264
was Under Dispensation was elected Tyler. The officers were installed by
Worshipful Master Oliver, H.T. Ash the Deputy Grand Master, assisted by
Brother John Osbun of Clay Lodge #85 of Bowling Green, Indiana. The Lodge
had 19 members in its first year. One interesting note; records indicate
that January 1866, the Treasurer was instructed to send a dressed hog,
one barrel of flour, and a load of coal to the widow of an expelled member
and charge the same to the Lodge.
Plains were formed to build
a new Temple for all three owners to use. The plans for the present Temple
on Walnut Street were drawn up by the Architect R.A. Bradley at a
cost of $25,000 to build the Temple. The option on the present site of
the Masonic Temple on Walnut Street obtained in in 1905, for $4,000.00
by a committee from Brazil Lodge 264; Centennial Lodge 541 and the Brazil
Chapter 59, each to pay one-third the cost. A residence was on the premises,
occupied by the owners A.C. Campell and wife, Sarah. The lot was 66.4 by
120 feet . Later the barn and house that were on the premises were torn
down to make room for the Temple's construction. While the Temple was being built the
Lodges returned to the Odd Fellows Hall until the Masonic Temple was ready
to move into. Some construction was performed in 1906 so that the Temple's
corner stone was laid March 19, 1907 . Which was laid in a manner
pleasing to all and in accordance with the Ancient usage's of the Craft.
George Hadley was the Contractor and completed the building in Nov. of
1908. The Temple was dedicated on June 24, 1910 on St. John's day.
Indiana Grand Officers present at the
dedication was the acting Grand Master and also Grand Senior Warden
Charles Mikels SGM ,PGM and a number of other acting Grand
Officers. As well as the officers and brothers of 264 and 541 and
the York Rite Chapter 59. Many came there in a great parade from
the Railroad Station.
Meeting The Grand Officers at the depot was the Brazil Concert
Band. Who lead the Parade to the new Temple formed in the shape of a Knights
Templar Cross. Followed by the Brazil Commandery, which was formed from
the Greencastle and Terre Haute Commandries in the finest grand regalia.
Members of other Commandries also took part. Officers and brethren
from Lodge 264 and Lodge 541 and Chapter 59. About 150 Masons from within
Clay and near by Counties followed. Bringing up the end of the procession
were the Grand Officers riding in automobiles. The day was one of
torrid heat so many more Masons were at the dedication than in the parade;
more than 400 Freemasons awaited them at the Temple. As approaching rain
made the later day much more pleasant. The addresses during the dedication
were given by S.G.W. Mikels, Senator Ralph Moss and Brazil Mayor Roy L.
Shattuck.
The merchants of Brazil decorated
their store fronts, as the city was in gala attire for the day. What
a sight the parade up Walnut St. must have been! After the Dedication of
the Temple a Fellow Craft Degree was given by No. 264 and A dinner was
served by the Eastern Star. Then Master Masons Degree was given by the
Past Masters of 264 and 541. All then return to the banquet room
for refreshments.
It is interesting
to see how Masonry has advance in this community from the beginning.. Just
to the East of the City members of this Lodge expressed a desire to form
a Lodge in Knightsville. And petitioned this Lodge November 30th
,1869, signed by 16 members living near Knightsville. With a favorable
reply they applied to the Grand Lodge for Dispensation which was granted
a short time afterwards. From this Lodge Brazil Chapter 59 was formed in
1867. Brazil Council #40 was charted on Oct. 21st, 1874. On May 12 1877
Centennial Lodge No. 541 was granted its charter. Brother Hussey
a Past Master of 264 and brother Mortimer where instrumental
in the forming of Lodge 541. Chiefly the original membership of Lodge 264
had a problem with to many members to seat.
For the membership of No. 264 had grown by huge numbers.
On April 12th of 1886, Brazil Chapter of O.E.S. No. 80 was granted its
charter. Brazil Commandery of the Knights Templar No. 47 was granted
a charter May 12, 1904. The DeMolay Chapter sponsored by Brazil Chapter
No.59 were given their charter March 16th 1926 and Job's Daughters on May
9, 1942. All of these originating from the beginning of Freemasonry in
Brazil.
Additionally we also note
that for the first few years Lodge 264 held stated meeting on the first
Tuesday preceding the first full moon. The stated meetings are now held
on the second Tuesday reguardless of the full moon.
We of Brazil No. 264 feel
that our members both past and present have, and continue to have,
a beneficial influence within the community while seeking and practicing
the principles of the Fraternity.The Lodge now meets in the Knightsville
Indiana Lodge Hall just north of Highway 40 in BRazil at the Lodge Hall
shared by Knightsville, Carbon Lodges and Brazil #264 .