Arthur F. Hess, the twenty-third Master of Broad Ripple Lodge, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, April 14, 1884. His early educational training was acquired in the public schools of his native city, and he completed the courses of the grade, and high schools and was graduated from the latter. Taking up the study of medicine in the medical department of the Indiana State University he was graduated therefrom in 1905 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and entered at once upon the practice of his profession at Indianapolis. Doctor Hess took up post graduate work in different institutions and won distinction in his special branches. He specialized in Genito-Urinary and Venereal diseases, and later in Electro-Therapy.

June 8, 1905 he was married to Miss Grace G. Hallwork of Zanesville, Ohio and to this marriage two children were born, Elizabeth C., and Martha Jane. In 1927, on account of ill health, he took up his residence in Lewisville, Indiana and was engaged in general practice until the time of his death.

Brother Hess was Initiated May 14, 1920; Passed, May 21, 1920; Raised May 28, 1920 and was subsequently advanced through all the bodies of the York Rite and was a member and an officer of the Sahara Grotto. He was a member of the Baptist church and was active in the Presbyterian and Methodist churches at Lewisville. He served Broad Ripple Lodge as its Worshipful Master during the year 1926.

January 22, 1929 the messenger of death silently rapped at the door of his home, with this message. “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the gates of the Lord”, and just as quietly, he entered his happy home “The Haven of Eternal rest, the life which will never end”.

He was buried with full Masonic honors at Crown Hill cemetery, with Brother G. Albert Lehman officiating, this being Brother Hess’s last request.

Lodge Events of 1926

Early in the year, the ladies of the Auxiliary of Broad Ripple Chapter O.E.S., who have always shown a decided interest in our welfare, contributed the sum of $100.00 to our relief fund.

The remuneration paid the Secretary was changed from the basis of $100.00 per year to a per capita basis of fifty cents per member.

The Building Committee was authorized to employ an architect to develop tentative plans for increasing the building size to secure additional floor space both for the Lodge and for rental purposes. This program was later decided as inadvisable and the plan dropped.

At the Stated meeting on March 5, a motion to amend the by-laws was approved. This motion provided that the Lodge should designate from time to time a depository or depositories for Lodge Funds. Heretofore this matter had been left to the discretion of the Treasurer.

On October 1, the Trustees were ordered to purchase the wall clock which was subsequently placed over the Senior Warden’s chair.

On December 26, following an extended illness, our beloved Past Master and Secretary, Brother David W. Goldrick entered the Land of Eternal Rest and was buried with the Honors of the Fraternity.

The following members received the degrees:

Daniel David Goldrick David H. White Guido Elmer Schloot
Ralph L. Cross Chas. A. Dannenberg James E. Nichols, Jr.
Chas. M. Orr Fred M. Turner Solomon C. Bodner
John R. Miller Hubert S. Morrison Richard F. Taylor
Frank H. Rick

These brothers were admitted by affiliation:

Hubert L. Corke Paul C. Pratt