textfiles/magazines/STB/stb-1933-07.txt

SHORT TALK BULLETIN - Vol.XI  July, 1933   No.7

OUR MASONIC PRESIDENTS

by: Unknown

William L. Boyden, P.M., Librarian of the Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., 
S.J., a Masonic historian of tireless energy and scholarly ability, 
was author of that classic of the Craft, “Masonic Presidents, Vice 
Presidents, and signers of the Declaration of Independence” on which 
this Bulletin has drawn heavily.
Fifteen Presidents were members of the Fraternity:  
Buchanan, Ford, Garfield, Harding, Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Lyndon B. 
Johnson (A.E. only), McKinley, Monroe, Polk, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 
Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, Truman, and Washington.  Jefferson and 
Madison have often been claimed as Masons, but there is no acceptable 
evidence to prove that either was ever a Mason.
GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington, 1st President (1789-1797), has a Masonic history 
so rich a Short Talk Bulletin (Vol.10, No.2, February 1932) was 
necessary for a bare outline.  Washington was initiated, passed and 
raised in “The Lodge at Fredricksburg, Va.,” (now No.4 on the 
Virginia Register) on November 4, 1752, March 3, and August 4, 1753.  
He was made an honorary member of Alexandria Lodge No.39, June 24, 
1784.  When his Lodge gave up its Charter under the Provincial Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania to accept one from the Grand Lodge of Virginia 
and become No.22, April 28, 1788, Washington was named as Charter 
Worshipful Master, and was re-elected Master December 20, 1788.
He was made and Honorary Member of Holland Lodge No. 8, New York, 
1789.
His Masonic activities and visits were many; his letters to and about 
Lodges and Masons fills a volume.  He was the only President ever to 
be Master of his Lodge during his incumbency.
The cornerstone of the United States Capital was laid by Washington, 
with Masonic ceremonies, on September 18, 1793, at the request of 
Maryland’s Grand Master pro tem.
He died December 14, 1799, and was buried with full Masonic honors by 
Alexandria Lodge No.22, on December 18th.  The Lodge later changed 
its name to Alexandria Washington Lodge No.22.	
To his memory and fame the Masons of the United States are erecting 
the mightiest stone monument ever raised to honor any man.  Built 
without metal, to endure a long as granite shall last; this memorial 
stands on Shooter’s Hill, just outside the city of Alexandria, Va.
JAMES MONROE

James Monroe, 5th President (1817-1824), was born in Westmoreland 
County, Virginia April 28, 1752.
The original records of Williamsburg Lodge No.6, Williamsburg, Va., 
show (November 6,1775) that he was “recommended as a fit person to be 
admitted a member of this lodge and the motion recorded.  On November 
9, 1775, he was “preferred, received and balloted for; passed and 
accepted and entered an apprentice.:  The curious reader will note 
that he was not quite seventeen years and six months old at this 
time!
His dues were paid through October 1780, but no record shows as to 
when he was raised.  Tradition states that he received the Master’s 
Degree in a Military Lodge during the revolution, and also credits 
him membership in Kilwinning Cross Lodge No.2, Port Royal, Va.
Little is known of his Masonic life.  He visited Cumberland Lodge 
No.8, at a meeting especially called to receive him in Nashville, 
Tennessee, June 8, 1819.  He died in New York, July 4, 1831.



ANDREW JACKSON

Andrew Jackson, 7th President (1829-1836), born at Waxhaw Settlement, 
N.C., March 15, 1767, was unquestionably a Mason, but when and where 
he was raised is not certain.
At the first meeting of Tennessee Lodge No.2 (originally No.41, N.C.) 
March 24, 1800, in Love’s Tavern, Knoxville, Tennessee, Jackson was 
present as a member of Harmony Lodge No.1, Nashville, Tennessee 
(originally No. 29, N.C.).
Past Grand Master Comstock of Tennessee, noted historian, believes 
Jackson was made a Mason in Harmony Lodge No.1.
Federal Lodge No.1, Washington , D.C., elected him an Honorary Member 
January 4, 1839; Jackson Lodge No.1, Tallahassee, Florida, Elected 
him an Honorary Member sat some unknown date; the Grand Lodge of 
Florida elected him an Honorary Member January 15, 1833.
His chief claim to Masonic fame is that he is the only Grand Master 
to become President.  He was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge 
of Tennessee and served from October 7, 1822, to October 4, 1823.  In 
the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge (1822) he is credited with being a 
Past Master but no records substantiate the statement.
Past Grand Master Comstock also believes that Jackson was a Royal 
Arch Mason, receiving these degrees, as was the custom in early days, 
under the authority of the Blue Lodge Warrant.  He served the Grand 
Chapter of Tennessee as Deputy General Grand High Priest at its 
institution, April 3, 1826, but no record exists of his affiliation 
with any Chapter.
He acted as Senior Warden at the first meeting of Greenville Lodge 
No.3 (formerly No.43, N.C.), September 5, 1801; contributed thirty-
five dollars in 1818 to the erection of a Masonic Temple in 
Nashville; requested two Lodges to perform funeral services; 
introduced Lafayette to the Grand Lodge of Tennessee in 1825; while 
President, assisted Washington’s Mother Lodge to lay the cornerstone 
of a monument to Washington’s Mother at Fredricksburg, Va. (May 
6,1833); assisted in the Masonic laying of the cornerstone of Jackson 
City (across the river from Washington, D.C.) January 11, 1836; 
attended the Grand Lodge of Tennessee in 1839, and the same year 
visited Cumberland Chapter No.1 of Nashville, to assist in 
installation of officers.  He died at “The Hermitage” near Nashville, 
Tennessee, June 8, 1845.
JAMES KNOX POLK

James Knox Polk, 11th President (1845-1849), was born in Mecklenburg 
County, N.C. November, 1795.  He was initiated in Columbia Lodge No. 
31, Columbia, Tennessee, June 5, Passed August 7, and raised 
September 4, 1820.  In October he was he was elected Junior Deacon, 
and Junior Warden December 3, 1821, but there is no record of his 
having been Master.  In 1825 he received the Royal Arch Degree in 
Lafayette Chapter No. 4, Columbia, Tennessee.  June 24, 1840, he 
attended the feast of St. John the Baptist celebrated by Columbia 
Lodge No.8 and Hiram Lodge No.7 at Nashville, and marched with them 
in procession to a church for Divine Services.  May 1,1847, he 
assisted in the Masonic laying of the cornerstone of the Smithsonian 
Institute, Washington, D.C.  He died at Nashville, Tennessee, June 
15, 1849.
JAMES BUCHANAN

James Buchanan, 15th President (1857-1861), was born near 
Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1791.  When twenty-three years 
of age he petitioned Lodge No.43 (the lodge had no name) of 
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was elected and initiated December 11, 
1816, and both passed and raised on January 24, 1817.
He was elected Junior Warden December 13, 1920; Master December 23, 
1822, and was installed March 12, 1823.  He was appointed First 
District Deputy Grand Master for Lancaster, Lebonon and York 
Counties, December 27, 1823.
May 20, 1826, he was exalted in Royal Arch Chapter No.43 (also no 
name) of Lancaster.  Thirty-two years later he was made a Life Member 
by his Lodge.  He delivered the address in the Masonic dedication of 
the statue of Washington, Washington Circle, Washington, D.C., 
February 22, 1860.  He died June 1, 1868, and was buried Masonically 
by his Lodge.
ANDREW JOHNSON

Andrew Johnson, 17th President (1865-1868), was born at Raleigh, 
N.C., December 29, 1808.  He received the degrees in Greenville Lodge 
No.119 at Greenville, Tennessee in 1851; is supposed to have been a 
Chapter Mason but the name of the Chapter and date of exaltation are 
unknown; was Knighted in Nashville Commandery No.1, Nashville, 
Tennessee, July 26, 1859, and, the First President to become a 
Scottish Rite Mason, received those degrees in the White House June 
20, 1867, from Benjamin B. French, 33 Deg. and A.T.C. Pierson, 33 
Deg., both active members of the Supreme Council, S.J.
He participated in five cornerstone layings; the monument to Bro. 
Stephen a Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, September 6, 1866; Masonic 
Temple, Baltimore, Maryland, November 20, 1866; Masonic Temple 
Boston, Massachusetts, June 24, 1867; National Cemetery, Antietam, 
Maryland, October 17, 1867; and Masonic Temple, Washington, D.C., May 
20, 1868.  To attend this ceremony he gave leave to all Masons in 
government service, and President Johnson marched on foot in the 
parade as a Master Mason.
At the cornerstone laying of the Baltimore Temple some one suggested 
that a chair be brought to the reviewing platform for him.  Brother 
Johnson refused it, saying: “We all meet on the level.”
He died July 31, 1875, and was buried with full Masonic Honors by 
Greenville Lodge No.119, R.W.G. C. Connor, Deputy Grand Master of 
Tennessee conducting the services in the presence of four Lodges and 
Coeur de Lion Commandery No.9 of Knoxville, which performed the 
Templar service.
JAMES ABRAM GARFIELD

James Abram Garfield, 20th President (1881), was born in Orange, 
Ohio, November 19, 1831.  He was initiated November 19, 1861, in 
Magnolia Lodge No.20, Columbus, Ohio.  Passed two weeks later, he 
waited almost three years (due to military service) for his raising, 
November 22, 1864, in Columbus Lodge No.30, Columbus, Ohio, by 
request of his mother Lodge.
He dimitted August 1, 1865, and joined Garrettsville Lodge No.246, 
Garrettsville, Ohio, October 10, 1866, serving as Chaplain in 1868 
and 69.  On May 4, 1869, he became a Charter Member of Pentalpha 
Lodge No.23, D.C..  In Washington he was exalted in Columbia Chapter 
No.1, April 18, 1866; received the Templar degrees, May 18, 1866, in 
Columbia Commandery No.2, and the 14th degree, Scottish Rite, January 
2, 1872.  The degrees from the 6th to the 13th were communicated to 
him by Albert Pike, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Rite for the 
Southern Jurisdiction.
Hanselmann Commandery No.16, Cincinnati, Ohio, made him an Honorary 
Member July 19, 1881; after he was assassinated on July 2.  He died 
September 19, 1881.  Columbia Commandery No.2, D.C., escorted his 
remains to Cleveland, where he was buried in the presence of a large 
number of Cementers and other Masonic Bodies.
WILLIAM McKINLEY

William McKinley, t President (1897-1901), was born at Niles, Ohio, 
January 29, 1843.  He was made a Mason in Hiram Lodge No.21, of 
Winchester, Virginia.  Prior to being elected and initiated May 1st, 
passed May 2nd, and raised May 3 rd, 1865; as a Lieutenant he was 
making a round in a hospital for Confederate wounded.  Noticing that 
the regimental surgeon distributed gifts of tobacco and money to 
certain patients, he was told that these particular wounded 
Southerners were brother Masons.  McKinley then expressed his desire 
to become a member of the Fraternity that promoted such sentiments 
between opposing armies.
He dimitted the same day he was raised, affiliating with Canton Lodge 
No.60, of Canton, Ohio, August 21, 1867, Only to become a Charter 
member on June 2, 1869, of Eagle Lodge No.431, of the same city, 
which afterwards changed its name to William McKinley Lodge No.431.
He received the Royal Arch Degree in Canton Chapter No.84, December 
28, 1883; was made a Knight Templar in Canton Commandery No.38, 
December 23, 1884; elected a Life Member of Washington Comandry No.1, 
D.C. December 23, 1896, and became an Honorary Member of the Illinois 
Masonic Veteran Association, October 26, 1898.
His Masonic activities include reviewing a parade of Knights Templar 
from the White House, May 6, 1897; a visit to his Mother Lodge in 
Winchester, Virginia, May 19, 1899; participation in the Masonic 
centennial observance of the death of George Washington, December 14, 
1899; again reviewing a Knights Templar parade from the White House, 
October 11, 1900, and attending a reception of California Commandery 
No.1, in San Francisco, May 22, 1901.  He dies in Buffalo, N.Y. 
September 14, 1901, following his assassination September 6,1901.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President (1901-1909), was born in New York 
City, October 27, 1858.   He was initiated January 2nd, passed March 
27th and raised April 24, 1901, in Matinecock Lodge No.806, Oyster 
Bay, New York.  Pentalpha Lodge No. 23, D.C., made him an Honorary 
Member April 4, 1904, as did the Illinois Masonic Veterans 
Association in 1903.
Roosevelt’s interest in the Fraternity was often expressed and his 
visits to Lodges were not only in this country, also abroad.  
November 5, 1902, he attended the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania 
celebration of Washington’s initiation in Philadelphia; in 
Washington, D.C., February 21, 1903, he honored the Masonic 
ceremonies of laying the cornerstone of the army War College with his 
presence; May 26, 1903, he broke ground for a Masonic Temple at 
Spokane, Washington; April 14, 1906, he attended the Masonic 
cornerstone laying of the House of Representative’s Building in 
Washington, D.C., where he delivered the address, presenting a bound 
copy of it to the Grand Master, inscribed: 
“To Walter A. Brown, Esq., Grand Master of Masons, from Brother 
Theodore Roosevelt,” and June 8, 1907, he wore Masonic Regalia and 
delivered an address at the laying of the cornerstone of the New 
Masonic Temple, Washington, D.C.  He died in Oyster Bay New York, 
January 6, 1919.
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT

William Howard Taft, 27th President (1909-1913), was born in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, September 15,1857.  Unique among Masonic 
Presidents, he was made a Mason “at sight,” at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
February 18, 1909, in an Emergent Lodge called together for the 
purpose.  At five O’clock in the afternoon Grand Mast Charles S 
Hoskinson personally administered the obligations and esoteric 
instructions.  That evening Taft witnessed the Master’s degree 
conferred by Kilwinning Lodge No.356, of Cincinnati, which elected 
him to membership April 14, 1909.
Crescent Lodge No.25, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, elected him an Honorary 
Member June 5, 1918.  On April 22, 1909, he visited Temple-Noyes 
Lodge No.32, at Washington, D.C., of which his close friend and aide, 
Major Archie Butt, was a member and for whom, after the Titanic 
disaster, Temple-Noyes Lodge held an elaborate Memorial Service which 
Brother Taft attended as one of the Chief Mourners.  He visited the 
famous American Union Lodge No.1, at Marietta, Ohio, June 15, 1910; 
Alexan-dria Washington Lodge No.22, on Washington’s birthday, 1911; 
May 9th of the same year he posed for a picture in Washington’s 
Masonic regalia at the White House; May 13th he visited St John’s 
Lodge No.1, Newark, N.J., to help celebrate its 150th anniversary; on 
December 27, 1914, he addressed the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and 
on June 5, 1918, he spoke to Crescent Lodge No.25 of Cedar Rapids, 
Iowa.  He dies March 8, 1930.
WARREN GAMALIEL HARDING

Warren Gamaliel Harding, 29th President (1921--1923), was born in 
Morrow County, Ohio, November 2, 1865.  His interest in the Order was 
of his mature years.  He was initiated in Marion Lodge No.70, Marion, 
Ohio, June 28,1901, when thirty-six years of age, but was not passed 
until August 13, 1920, nineteen years later.  He was raised August 
27, 1920.
His three years as a Master Mason were short but crowded.  Albert 
Pike Lodge No.36, Washington, D.C., made him an Honorary Member and 
presented him with a Gold Membership Card at the White House May 4, 
1921; Marion Chapter No.62, Marion, Ohio, exalted him January 13, 
1921; Marion Council No.22, elected him to the Cryptic Rite but he 
died before receiving it; March 1, 1921, Marion Commandery No.36, 
conferred upon him the Red Cross, Malta and Temple Degrees; 
January 5, 1921, he received the Scottish Rite Degrees from the 4th 
through 32nd in Columbus, Ohio.  The Supreme Council of the Northern 
Jurisdiction elected him to receive the 33 deg. September 22, 1921.  
The degree was to be given him a year later, but he could not attend 
on account of Mrs.  Harding’s illness.  He died before the session of 
1923.  Aladdin Temple of the Shrine, Columbus, Ohio, created him a 
Noble (the first President to receive the Red Fez) January 7, 1921; 
Almas Temple, Washington, D.C. elected him an Honorary Member March 
21, 1921; the Imperial Council of the Shrine elected him an Honorary 
Member June 1923; Kallipolis Grotto, Washington, D.C. made him a 
Prophet at the White House May 11,1921, presenting him with a Gold 
Life Membership Card; 
Evergreen Forest No.49, Milford, Delaware, made him a Tall Cedar, 
June 9, 1923, and Washington Chapter No. 3, National Sojourners, 
presented him with a Gold Badge of Membership at the White House, May 
28, 1923.
By letters and personal conversations, he evidenced much interest in 
his new relationships.  He had agreed to review the Ascension Day 
Parade of Knights Templar in Washington, D.C. in 1921, but weather 
prevented it.  May 9,1921, he reviewed a parade of Shriners and in 
the evening made an address at a ceremonial of Almas Temple, 
Washington, D.C.  In 1923 he visited the Scottish Rite Bodies in St. 
Augustine, Florida; June 5, of the same year he delivered an address 
before the Imperial Council of the Shrine, Washington, D.C.; later, 
wearing his Fez, he reviewed the parade, declaring it:”  “The 
greatest spectacle I ever witnessed.:  In July, 1923, he officiated 
at the laying of the cornerstone for the Masonic Temple of Ketchikan 
Lodge No. 159, Alaska.
He died in San Francisco, California, August 2, 1923; and after 
laying in state in the National Capital, was buried in Marion, Ohio, 
August 10th.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President (1933-1945, was born at 
Hyde Park, New York, January 30, 1882.  He was initiated in Holland 
Lodge No.8, New York City, October 10th, passed November 14th and 
raised November 28, 1911.  He received the Scottish Rite degrees in 
Albany, New York, February 28, 1929.  He was a member of the Grotto 
(Poughkeepsie, New York) and Tall Cedars (Warwick, New York.  He was 
“Right Worshipful”  having been accredited the representative of the 
Grand Lodge of Georgia near the Grand Lodge of New York September 22, 
1930.
Stansbury Lodge No.24, Washington, D.C. made him an Honorary Member 
November 21, 1919, when he officiated at the Masonic laying of the 
cornerstone of its Temple.
He attended Architect Lodge No.519, of New York City, February 
17,1933, where he raised his son Elliott to the Sublime Degree and 
made an address in which he stressed the importance of Masonic 
principles to this Nation, and his faith in the Americanism of the 
Ancient Craft,
He died at Warm Spring, Georgia, April 12, 1945, and was buried at 
Hyde Park, New York.
HARRY S. TRUMAN

Harry S. Truman, 33rd President (1945-1953).  For the second time in 
the 169 year history of the United States of America, a Past Grand 
Master of Masons was elevated to the office of President.  Harry S. 
Truman became the 33rd Chief Executive, Thursday, April 12, 1945, 
when he was sworn in by Chief Justice Harlan Stone, two and a half 
hours after the untimely death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
He was born May 8, 1884, a LaMar, Barton County, Missouri.
He was made a Mason in Belton Lodge No.450, of Missouri, March 9, 
1909, and served as Junior Warden in 1910.  In 1911, he organized 
Grandview Lodge No.618 and served as its first Worshipful Master.  
Later, he was its Secretary, and again, in 1917, its Master.
From 1925 to 1930, he served the Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand 
Master and District Deputy Grand Lecturer, and in 1930 was appointed 
Grand Pursuivant, and progressed regularly until his elevation as 
Grand Master in 1940.
On November 15, 1919, he was exalted in Orient Chapter No.102, Kansas 
City, Missouri; greeted in Shekinah Council No.24, Kansas City, 
Missouri, December 8, 1919; Knighted by Palestine Commandery No.17, 
of Independence, Missouri, June 15,1923, receiving the 32 deg in 
Western Missouri Consistery, Kansas City, Missouri.  On November 21, 
1941, he received from Grand Commander Melvin M. Johnson, 33 deg, of 
the Northern Supreme Council, the Gourgas Medal for distinguished 
service to Masonry.  Humanity and Country.
In 1945, he was crowned a 33 deg by the Supreme Council, Southern 
Jurisdiction.
LYNDON B. JOHNSON

Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President, was born on August 27, 1908, on a 
farm near Stonewall, Texas.  He was sworn in as the Chief Executive 
on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated 
in Dallas, Texas.  A year later, running against the Republican 
nominee, Senator and Brother Barry Goldwater of Arizona, he won a 
landslide victory, to serve as President for the four-year term, 
January, 1965; January ,1969.  He declined to run for re-election in 
1968.
On October 30, 1937, he was initiated an Entered Apprentice in 
Johnson City, Texas.  He never advanced.  A week after his initiation 
he won an election for Representative in Congress and began a very 
busy political career in Washington which lasted until his retirement 
from the Presidency in January of 1969.
The opinion among Masons is divided as to whether he should be 
regarded as a Masonic President, since he never achieved the status 
of Master Mason.  Masonic law in Texas declares that “Entered 
Apprentices and Fellowcrafts are Masons,” although denied certain 
rights and privileges, Lyndon B. Johnson was accepted and initiated 
in a Masonic Lodge, and at that time was addressed as “Brother.”
GERALD RUDOLPH FORD, JR.

Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr., 38th President, was born in Omaha, 
Nebraska, on July 14, 1913, but has lived most of his life in Grand 
Rapids, Michigan.  He represented the 5th Michigan district in 
Congress from 1948 till 1973, when he was appointed Vice President by 
President Richard M. Nixon.  When Nixon was forced to resign, Brother 
Ford became President on August 9, 1974.
With three brothers, he was initiated into Masonry in Malta Lodge 
No.465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 30, 1949.  Columbia 
Lodge No.3 of the District of Columbia conferred the Fellowcraft and 
Master Mason degrees as a courtesy to Malta Lodge No.465.  He became 
a Master Mason on May 18, 1951.  He became a member of the Scottish 
Rite in the Valley of Grand Rapids, A.A.S.R., Northern Jurisdiction, 
in 1957, and was coronetted an Honorary 33 deg S.G.I.G. in 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 26, 1962.  He is also a 
Shriner, Saladin Temple, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and an Honorary 
Member of DeMolay Legion of Honor.