Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around 5 million, with around 480,000 in England, Scotland and Ireland alone, and just under two million in the United States. The various forms all share moral and metaphysical ideals, which include, in most cases, a constitutional declaration of belief in a Supreme Being.
The fraternity is administratively organized into Grand Lodges (or sometimes Orients), each of which governs its own jurisdiction, which consists of subordinate (or constituent) Lodges. Grand Lodges recognize each other through a process of landmarks and regularity. There are also appendant bodies, which are organizations related to the main branch of Freemasonry, but with their own independent administration.
Freemasonry uses the metaphors of operative stonemasons' tools and implements, against the allegorical backdrop of the building of King Solomon's Temple, to convey what has been described by both Masons and critics as "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."
The Grand Lodge of Ohio issued a disposition on October 24, 1844 this is the birthday of our beloved Trowel Lodge.
During the Civil War General John Morgan a Confederate Leader and his troops made their way through southern Ohio and as they passed through Jackson, his men spent two days having a good time. They broke into the Masonic Hall, took the regalia out of the lodge and disported it on the streets. General Morgan noticed that a private soldier was carrying a sword. He asked the man where he got it. The soldier replied, “From the Masonic Hall”, General Morgan then commanded, “Take that sword back to the hall at once.” Likewise, he ordered everything to be restored that had been taken away and it was done. Everything was returned except for a broken window. The Grand Lodge offered to reimburse Trowel Lodge for the damage done, but their kind offer was declined. We still in fact have the sword; the Tyler uses it at every meeting.
Our present officers were installed on December 04, 2008 for the upcoming 2008-2009 year. They are Mark A. Brohard Worshipful Master, Dale Exline -Senior Warden, John C. Gay-Junior Warden, WB Greg A. Hogue-Treasurer and appointed Lodge Education Officer, WRB Herold D. Meade-Secretary, Nathaniel G. Moore-Senior Deacon, Brian T. Thompson-Junior Deacon, WB David S Stevenson-Tyler, WB Kenneth B. Lorbach-3 year Trustee, Samuel S. Stevenson 1 Year Trustee, Paul S. Beatty-Chaplain, William Evans-Senior Steward, Brian S. Sickles-Junior Steward.
Our Officers from last year were installed on November 29th, 2007 where Most Worshipful Grand Master Ronald L. Winnett was present and installed the officers for the upcoming 2007-2008 year. They are Worshipful Master- David S. Stevenson, Senior Warden-Mark A. Brohard, Brad Burnside-Junior Warden, WB Greg A. Hogue-Treasurer and appointed Lodge Education Officer, WRB Herold D. Meade-Secretary, John C. Gay-Senior Deacon, Nathaniel G. Moore-Junior Deacon, WB David S Stevenson-Tyler, WB Kenneth B. Lorbach-3 year Trustee, Paul S. Beatty-Chaplain, Michael Shephard-Senior Steward, John Young-Junior Steward.
