Our History
To the officers and brethern of Peerless Lodge #591 F & A.M. Crooksville, Ohio 43731
As a committee appointed to prepare a historical sketch of the lodge, with some gleaning of the past and we hope with a challange to the future, we dedicate our work to the brethern who dimitted from there home lodge, Doric #172 Deavertown, Ohio E.U. Tatman, W.H. French, C.A Deavers, S.B. Eveland, L.W. Mcfarland, J.E. Boring, Guy E. Crooks, S.H. Brown, Albert Aichele, C.W. Hammond, M.R. Cooper, William Burgeoon, David Bradshaw, J.J. Hull, E.D. Dozer and E.E Brannon.
On December 16, 1903 received word form O.J. Sperry, Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Ohio in regards to the charter, and started work for a year under dispensation. The following brethern were chosen to take charge, J.J. Hull, President, E.J. Dozer, Secretary and E.E Brannon Treasurer.
On the same day and by in accordance with the foregoing authority a Lodge of Master Masons was duly organized in a Lodge room located over The T.H. Brown Store located at 201 East Main Street, Crooksville, and in accordance with the petition above referred to Brother S.B. Eveland was constituted Worshipful Master, Brother Guy Crooks, Senior Warden and Brother E.J. Dozer Junior Warden.
The Lodge was named Peerless (Meaning: Without Equal, Unrivaled)
The number being 591.
From 1903-1920 Peerless Lodge struggled and built their early membership, there first lodge dues were $2.00 per year. The gas bill for the month of December 1903 was $0.20
Peerless Lodges First Worshipful Master S.B. Eveland passed away in July of 1907
In March of 1919 Brother Basil Grimes passed away,
Crooksville’s American Legion Post 222 was named for him.
The growth of pottery manufacturing and the expanision of coal mining was part of our early history. The members of Peerless Lodge were busy and while we do less now in these two businesses, the coal and pottery dust is still remembered. The old Interban to Zanesville is gone but the tipples (coal) and the shop whistles still linger in our memories.
The first work of Peerless Lodge was done on January 20, 1904 when The Entered Apprentice degree was conferred on four candiates, during the year the following men were initated and listed as charter members, H.O. Brown, J.E. Taylor, L.D. Stoneburner, T.N. Winters, E.L. Taylor, G.S. Driggs, Ed Vanatta, A.E. Smith, H.C. Bowers, S.L. Pitcock, G.W. Tritt, Z.W. Burley, H.S. Neff, W.H. Tritt, Thomas Opie, R.B. Ray, L.W. Springer, B.W. Martin, J.W. Quillen and H.T. Stotler
In 1907, S.H. Brown a local grocer was building a new store at 172 West Main Street and by agreement, Peerless Lodge built a third story at the cost of $1800.00, the lodge continued to hold meetings on the third floor until October 19, 1955 at that time the lodge was moved to the second floor.
Brother A.R. Vosper became a District Lecturer(Deputy Grand Master) 1920-21-22
On May 16, 1923 The Lodge voted to donate $100.00 to the Soldiers and Sailors memorial to be erected in The Crooksville Cemetery, This memorial is still in place today.
On September 7, 1927 at a stated meeting, Brother A.R. Vosper, by proxy of The Grand Lodge of Ohio dedicated the third floor lodge room in regular Grand Lodge ceremonies. Between the years 1932-1949 several sites were checked for a new temple, but in 1949, the first floor was purchased from Mr. Herbert Ruff. Peerless Lodge now owns the building and property where it is now located. The next few years the craft was busy with elections, installations, Past Master Nights, Father and Son banquets, 25-50 year pin presentations and their regular ritiual work.
During 1955 the lodge hall was moved from the third floor to the second floor, and is still used today.
In 1968, Brother Parker C. Ice P.D.D.G.M was elected for membership for his outstanding work that he has in the past for Peerless Lodge. Other Brothers that who received this honor were Bernard Newsome, Charles Eugene Lanning, RWB Michael Oliver, Al Kellar, Eugene Lyons, RWB Wayne Wooten, RWB George Finch, RWB William R. Campbell, RWB Dennis Kessler and RWB Ralph Crossen. Peerless Lodge is indeed indebted and greatful for all the help of each and every District Deputy who has befriended us and guided by their devotion and dedication to Peerless #591 and to Masorny overall.
Brother Alfred Cannon served as District Deputy Grand Master 1981-82-83.
During 1970 the third floor was completely remodeled into a dinning room for Mason’s and The Eastern Star Chapter
Brother Charles Denman was York Right Cross of Honor, the only know brother to gain this honor.
In 1970 Brother Reverend Lewis B. Matthews was crowned 33 degree Mason in The Ancient Scottish Rite Mason of North America, the first brother to receive this honor. In 1984 Brother Ted Coleman was crowned 33 degree Mason. Brother Ed Barringer was crowned 33 degree Mason 1n 1990, and Brother Delmar Newlon was crowned in 1993. Peerless Lodge held a banquet for each of these brothers to present their 33 degree jewels.
During 1989 plans were put into motion to remodel the first floor into a dining hall, this was completed in 1993, then 1995 it was decided to put the interior steps to the second floor, this was a major inprovment to our lodge.
New Lexington Lodge #250 by dispensation met at Peerless Lodge for inspection after their Lodge burned down
Peerless Lodge #591 continues to do the work of an active Masonic Lodge by conducting regular stated meetings, special meetings for degree work, and far to many emergent meetings to conduct funeral services for our deceased brothers, Peerless Lodge remits dues for all 50 year members and any brother in distress. Peerless holds family banquets to award and recognize members for there service to The Masonic family, and awards are given to non-Masons for service to the community. Peerless Lodge continues to support our community, county, and state by giving money to support The Ohio Masonic Home, Special Olympics, and an annual $500.00 scholarship named after Walter and Hazel Singer and donated by The Edward Gamble family.
By remembering those Brothers, who built well over the past 100 years, causing Peerless Lodge #591 to continue to function today. In memory to their fore site and leadership we must rededicate ourselves to no less effort. By doing things in the present to insure that Peerless #591 continues on for future generations.
This history was compiled by W.B. Delmar Newlon, Brother Mike Wintgens & Brother Samuel L. Zinn using the 1975 history by Brother Lester Vance, Brother William Strate, Brother Daniel Hoops, and Brother Walter Sidwell, all history was compiled form the Peerless Lodges #591 minutes books.