ADMINISTRATION OF ARTHUR JACKSON
Arthur Jackson, the second Master of Broad Ripple Lodge was the eldest son of Thomas and Miranda Jackson. He was born September 9, 1866 on the Serepta Foley farm on the river road. When but a small boy, his parents moved to his mother’s old home on the Range Line Road, now 431, just north of Nora where he lived until the time of his death, August 17, 1918.
He received his common school education in No. 10 school which stood east of Nora on the George Kerr farm.
About this time, while assisting his father in the felling of a tree, he met with a serious injury and was never able to do heavy manual labor afterward. This accident charged the whole course of his life as he then began preparation to become a teacher.
Arthur entered Union High in Westfield and completed his High School course there.
His first teaching position was the Barr school in Blackford County, a short distance south of Hartford City where he lived with an uncle.
After this, he taught for a number of years in Washington Township in both common and high school. At intervals during this time, he sought to further his own education by attending school during his vacations and at times taking a year off. In 1906, he graduated from Indiana University receiving the A. B. Degree.
After graduation, he taught in the high schools of Walkerton and Fortville in this state. In 1909 he obtained the principalship of Broad Ripple High School, but in December, he had to undergo a severe operation from which he never quite fully recovered and which caused him to retire from the teaching profession. He then took up general insurance work in which occupation he continued until the time of his death.
He was a past Noble Grand of Broad Ripple Lodge No. 548, I.O.O.F., a member of Floral Rebekah Lodge and of the Knights of Pythias.
Arthur Jackson was elected to membership in Millersville Masonic Lodge at their stated meeting in March 1901, initiated as an Entered Apprentice, April 3rd, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, May 2nd, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, June 1st, 1901. He demitted from Millersville Lodge on May 24th, 1902 and became one of the charter members of Broad Ripple Lodge.
He was appointed Senior Warden of Broad Ripple Lodge by the Most Worthy Grand Master and elected Worshipful Master, December 4, 1903.
Lodge Events of 1904
The formative period having passed, the Lodge continued to carry on the work that had so well been started. In order that its properties might be managed to best advantage, a Board of Trustees consisting of three members was elected on January 1st, of 1904.
It was in this year, that the deed to the land which had been given the Lodge, was recorded and. made a matter of official record. Pictures of our beloved donors were secured and hung in the Lodge room. These still adorn our walls and to our knowledge the picture of Mrs. Mustard is the only one of a woman hanging in a Masonic Lodge room.
On August 28, Brother Mustard passed on to the Supreme Lodge above, there to receive his reward for a well-spent life.
The minutes record that John B. Hessong, who later served as Worshipful Master, was elected to fill the unexpired secretarial term of Brother S. B. Plasket who had previously resigned.
During the year the following members were added to the roster:
By conferring the degrees:
George Carter | John B. Hessong | Henry C. Gresh |
Wm. D. Haverstick | Isaac O. White | Otto Martin |
Emsley W. Johnson | John W. Dawson | J. Henry Burckes |
Raleigh Bowen | W. T. DeVor | Wilbur T. Wright |
Jay Stephen Malloy |
By affiliation:
A. Newton Beaver |