HISTORY OF THE ORIENT OF MICHIGAN

THE BEGINNING

JAMES FRANCIS RICKARDS : (1904-1911)

He may well be credited for establishing a Consistory in the Mid-West. Almost single handedly sought out interested individuals in Michigan, and once obtaining the required number of 30, he petitioned the United Supreme Council in Philadelphia, who authorized a Charters to be issued, thus Wolverine Consistory was born. The first officers were MWGM Robert C. Barnes, Commander-in-Chief; Alex J. White, 1 st Lt. Commander; Henry C. Clark, 2 nd Lt. Commander; J.W. Topp, M.W. and P. Master; Alex J. White, P.K. Sr. Warden; Samuel A. Bledsoe, P.K. Jr. Warden; Thaddeus D. Warsaw, T.P.G. Master; Alex J. White, H. of T. Deputy G.M.; John Artis, Sr. Warden; John Henry, Jr. Warden; and J. Francis Rickards, the Grand Secretary and Keeper of the seal and Archives.

At that time also, Sublime Prince Rickards was elected to receive the Thirty-third Degree and he was subsequently crowned an Active member of the United Supreme Council and appointed as the first Deputy for Michigan and the surrounding States which included Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

The records indicate that Ill. Rickards while serving as Deputy, organized Consistories in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, Ohio, during 1909 he organized their Council of Deliberation and it held its first meeting in Massillon, Ohio, on August 14, 1910. Ill. William T. Boyd was appointed as the first Deputy in and for the Orient of Ohio.

While serving as Deputy Ill Rickards was also elected to the office of First Lieutenant Grand Commander, which office he held until the death of Sovereign Grand Commander Robert H. Hucless on October 8, 1911. He ascended to the office of Sovereign Grand Commander and served until his death on October 9, 1921.

A wreath was placed on his grave in May 1996 when the United Supreme Council met in Detroit by Sovereign Grand Commander Samuel Brogdon, Jr. and Delegation.

JOHN J. EVANS: (1911-1914)

Ill. John J. Evans of Battle Creek, having served the Jurisdiction of Michigan on three separate occasions as its 4 th , (1874-1875) and 8 th , (1886-1887) and 12 th , (1895-1899) Most Worshipful Grand Master he then became the second Deputy of our Orient on February 23, 1911 when appointed by Sovereign Grand Commander J. Francis Rickards.

August 1913 Report of Sovereign Grand Commander Rickards

Grand Commander Rickards "traveled to Ypsilanti to confer the Scottish Degrees for several brethren from the Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti area for the purpose of establishing Washtenaw Union Consistory # 30 and co-ordinate Bodies". The first Officers were: George W. Gauch, Commander-in-Chief; William Evans, 1 st Lt. Commander; Archibald Ware, 2 nd Lt. Commander; Samuel Armstrong, M.W. and P. Master; Norman H. Stark, P.K. Sr. Warden; Warren Mattingly, P.K. Jr. Warden; Rutherford B. Zebbs, T.P. G. Master; William Sherman, H. of T. Deputy G. M.; David S. Harris, Sr. Warden; Theron William Kersey, Jr. Warden.

John J. Evans was born in Cherokee county, Georgia, March 13, 1840 and died September 2, 1915; he was a successful barber, owning a seven chair shop. His frugality enabled him to be the owner of several parcels of real estate and a manufacturing business all of which ranked him among the wealthiest men of our Race in the Middle West.

THADDEUS D. WARSAW: (1914-1918)

Sovereign Grand Commander J. Francis Rickards appointed Ill. Thaddeus David Warsaw Deputy for Michigan in 1914.

Report of Sovereign Grand Commander Rickards

August 20, 1917, Sovereign Grand Commander Rickards, "went to Ypsilanti and met with the Consistory to discuss their failure to pay Supreme Council taxes of thirty dollars, and in order that they might not feel that we were money mad, we gave them thirty days more time to pay, but up to this time not one cent has been paid, nor has any officer written one word to me concerning the same". Note: The money was not paid and the charter was arrested

The minutes of the 1918 executive session indicate owing to failing health and advanced years, Ill Warsaw asked to be relieved of active prosecution of the work and recommended that Ill Samuel W. Franklin be crowned active 33º of the United Supreme Council. This action was approved. The Sovereign Grand Commander presented the name of Ill Thaddeus David Warsaw for the most honorable preferment of Deputy Emeritus.

SAMUEL W. FRANKLIN : (1918-1926)

Sovereign Grand Commander J. Francis Rickards appointed Ill. Samuel W. Franklin Deputy for Michigan in 1918.

Before his death, Sovereign Grand Commander Rickards made plans with the Deputy for Michigan, Ill. Samuel W. Franklin, and many others for the organization of Peninsular Consistory #44 which was constituted on May 10, 1920, to serve Lansing and other communities. The first Officers were: Thomas McComas, Commander-in-Chief; Hesper Jackson, 1 st Lt. Commander; Frederick Wilson, 2 nd Lt. Commander;

CHARLES A. CAMPBELL: (1926-1928)

May 11, 1926, Sovereign Grand Commander Sumner A. Furniss appointed Ill. Charles A. Campbell, Deputy for the State of Michigan.

A note of interest Illustrious Campbell served the Jurisdiction of Michigan on two occasions as its Most Worshipful Grand Master the 18 th (1917-1919) and the 21 st (1928-1932)

R. W. J. JEFFREY: (1928-1954)

March 25 th , 1917, Michigan Council of Deliberation, Ill Samuel W. Franklin nominated Sublime Prince R.W.J. Jeffrey as a candidate for the 33 rd degree. There being no other nominations one unanimous vote of the Council of Deliberation was cast.

May 11, 1928, Sovereign Grand Commander Sumner A. Furniss appointed Ill. R.W.J. Jeffrey, Deputy for the State of Michigan.

The idea for a 3 rd Consistory in Michigan was first revealed in 1948 by members of Peninsular Consistory #44 living in the Saginaw and Flint area. After many disappointing set­backs, on August 17, 1949, the Ill R.W. J. Jeffrey, Deputy for Michigan, consented to grant their petition for the organization of a Consistory in the thumb district of Flint, Michigan. The first officers were: Memory Allen Wright, Commander-in-Chief; Arnold Artis, 1 st Lt. Commander; Herbert S. Whilby, 2 nd Lt. Commander; James Lott, M.W. and P. Master; Herbert W. Haines, P.K. Sr. Warden; Archie Parks, P.K. Jr. Warden; James M. Davis, T.P. G. Master; George W. Evans, H. of T. Deputy G. M.; Wrex A. Weaver, Sr., Sr. Warden; Richard Moore, Jr. Warden.

The petition for a new Consistory in the Valley of Saginaw, Michigan, was presented to the Supreme Council in annual session at Philadelphia on May 15, 1950, however, the charter for Saginaw Valley Consistory # 71 was not granted unti1 the annual session on May 14, 1951.

HOMER E. GAINES : (1954-1982)

Crowned an Active member of the United Supreme Council in 1949 and became the seventh Deputy for the Orient of Michigan in 1954, and in addition Illustrious Brother Gaines went on to become Michigan's 30 th Most Worshipful Grand Master (1957-1958).

During his tenure in office three Assemblies Order of the Golden Circle were chartered and they are: Charity Assembly No. 38, Detroit Michigan; Faith Assembly No. 63, Lansing, Michigan; and Light of Hope Assembly No. 64 in Flint, Michigan:

•  Charity Assembly No. 38 , Order of the Golden Circle had its inception in January, 1966, as the Vollington Bristol Club, in Detroit, Michigan. It operated for three and one half months in club form with the following officers: Mrs. Margaret Alexander, President; Mrs. Zena Perkins, Vice President; Mrs. Lillian Gaines, Treasurer; Mrs. Lucille Davidson, Financial secretary; Mrs. Gwendolyn Darnell, Recording secretary.

On April 16, 1966, Charity Assembly No. 38 was organized. The initiation of 57 members was conducted by "La-Paz" Assembly No. 36, Valley of Toledo, by permission of Deputy Guy R. Taylor of Ohio, with the approval of the Sovereign Grand Commander, Illustrious Leland D. French. The officers were elected and installed. The first officers of Charity Assembly No. 38 were: Margaret Alexander, Loyal Lady Ruler; Zena Perkins, Loyal Lady Associate Ruler; Mary Finley, Loyal Lady Guide

•  Faith Assembly #63 began with a dispensation granted to Ill. Homer E. Gaines, 33 o , on December 24, 1973 to organize a group of women to encompass the southern region of the State of Michigan. Ill. James Gibson, 33 o , was given the task to organize this group of ladies to be located outside the Metropolitan Detroit area. This area ranges from the west side of the State of Michigan and north to Lansing. Their members came from Niles, Cassopolis, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, Jackson, and Ann Arbor. On July 11, 1975, Faith Assembly #63 was granted its charter with the following ladies elected into office: First Officers: Thadiuse Jermany, Loyal Lady Ruler; Ruth Vassar, Loyal Lady Associate Ruler; Mamie Robinson, Loyal Lady Guide;

•  Light of Hope # 64 : On October 27,1974, twelve ladies met with Commander-In-Chief, Al Harden and Past Commander-In-Chief, William Vaughn at Oman Grenadier Club to explore the possibility of forming an Order of the Golden Circle, Auxiliary to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, in the City of Flint.

Under the direction of Loyal Lady Thadieus Germany of Faith Assembly and Illustrious James L. Gibson of Peninsular Consistory # 44, the Ladies were enthusiastic about forming a Golden Circle. Illustrious Deputy Homer E. Gaines instructed them to work as a Club, to prove sincerity and to show that interest was more than temporary. Hope Assembly operated eleven months in club form, with twenty six members, under the leadership of the following officers; Mrs. Gail Freeman, President; Mrs. Clothilde Dansby, Vice President; Mrs. Dorothy Maxwell, Treasurer; Mrs. Jerry Earley, Secretary; Mrs. Doris Moore, Asst. Secretary;.

On September 14, 1975, twenty six members of Light of Hope Club were initiated by Charity Assembly #38, at the Masonic Hall, 3500 McDougal Street, Detroit Michigan. Warrant of Dispensation was granted and Illustrious Deputy Homer E. Gaines held the election and installation of officers. Gail Freeman, Loyal Lady ruler; Gerarldine Watkins, Loyal Lady Associate Ruler; Lula Holley, Loyal Lady Guide;.

During his reign as Deputy, he was named Deputy of the Year in 1976 and in 1986 and he also received the Supreme Council Gold Medal of Achievement Award. After serving the Office of Deputy for 28 years, he was elected to Trustee for the United Supreme Council, a title he held until his death.

WENDOLYNE C. TERRELLE: (1982-1992)

On July 4th, 1982, Deputy, Homer E. Gaines received permission from Sovereign Grand Commander Russell S. Gideon to organize the State Grand Assembly in the State of Michigan. Accordingly, at the Bay Valley Hotel and Conference Center, Bay City, in July, 1982 the MICHIGAN STATE GRAND ASSEMBLY was organized.

As the Deputy S.G.I.G. Homer E. Gaines was ill at the time of the first meeting, election of officers and subsequent installation of officers, he asked Sovereign Grand Inspector Wendolyne C. Terrelle to conduct the meeting for him. His request was successfully executed. The following is the first elected officers of The State Grand Assembly were Loyal Lady Margaret Alexander, Grand Loyal Lady Ruler: Loyal Lady Gail Freeman, Grand Loyal Lady Associate Ruler; Loyal Lady Lillian Gaines, Grand Loyal Lady Priestess; Loyal Lady Zena Perkins, Grand Loyal Lady Guide.

Grand Loyal Lady Ruler Alexander died while in office and in her memory a scholarship was created for deserving young ladies by the Grand Assembly. Each year every member of each assembly contributes a minimum of $ 10 to the scholarship fund.

The Commanders of the Rite was organized on May 8, 1982 with Ill. George Chadwell, 33° of Wolverine Con­sistory No 6 as the First President.

In 1988, Ill Terrelle and Ill Algie S. Oldham, Jr. Deputy for Indiana created an initiation fellowship day between Henry Rogan # 25 and David Leary # 6, Lodges of Perfection in which various degrees are presented annually in alternate Orients. The brotherly love and friendships developed by this event has continued to grow over the years.

Ill Terrelle served the United Supreme Council as the Master of Ceremonies

WESLEY A. JONES: (1992- 2007)

June 16, 1992, Sovereign Grand Commander Samuel Brogdon, Jr. appointed Wesley A. Jones to become the ninth Deputy for Michigan.

Forty-three members of Peninsular Consistory living on the Western side of the State assessed themselves $ 100 each and then requested the Deputy to petition the United Supreme Council to issue a charter to Homer E. Gaines Consistory # 112. The Charter was issued May 31, 1993 with the following Officers: Clemuel W. Dobbins, Commander-in-Chief; Morris Shanks, 1 st Lt. Commander; Michael B. Johnson, Sr. 2 nd Lt. Commander; John L. Caldwell, M.W. and P. Master; James Word, P.K. Sr. Warden; Fred S. McFerren, P.K. Jr. Warden; James E. Peterson, T.P. G. Master; L.T. Buchanan, Jr., H. of T. Deputy G. M.; James C. Means, Sr. Warden; Mack C. Pimpleton, Jr. Warden.

A Scholarship Foundation was created in 1992 offering three University/College scholarships named after Illustrious Sirs Booker T. Alexander, Homer E. Gaines and Wendolyne C. Terrelle. These scholarships continue until the student graduates. Each year the Michigan Council of Deliberation Scholarship Foundation provides over $ 10,000 in educational grants to deserving students. Also one Trade School scholarship named the Marc Stepp award is offered to a student with a desire to learn a trade. In addition to the donations received from the membership, as a fund raising event The Foundation sponsors a golf outing, which attracts major corporate support and well over 100 participants each year.

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We have had nine deputies to serve the Orient of Michigan since it was originated in 1904. Five of them have also served the jurisdiction as its Most Worshipful Grand Master, The Honorable John J. Evans, The Honorable Charles A. Campbell, The Honorable Homer E. Gaines, The Honorable Wendolyne C. Terrelle and our present Deputy, The Honorable Wesley A. Jones

We have had two Sovereign Grand Commanders to serve the United Supreme Council from the State of Michigan: S.G.I.G. J. Francis Rickards (1911-1921) and S.G.I.G. Booker T. Alexander (1984-1992). Ill Alexander also served Michigan as its 33 rd Grand Master.