06/15/2026
On June 16th, 1916, Fraternal Lodge No. 37 met on a Friday evening at the Masonic Hall in McDonough. Recorded as present were:
J.E. Hooten WM
Asa Lemon, SW
John Haisten, JW
Bailor Smith, SD
W. Peace, JD
JH Bowden and B. Bankston, Stewards
JH Bowden, Secβy
JR Smith, Tyler
A motion was introduced and carried, instructing the Finance Committee to pay rent monthly and quarterly as per contract.
A motion was introduced and carried that the Treasurer be instructed to pay Pettibone for Bibles, charts, and stands at once.
The Master's lodge was called from labor to refreshment, and a lodge of Fellowcraft Masons was opened when brother HG Turner was examined in this degree. The examination was a satisfactory one. The lodge was closed, and the Master's lodge was called from refreshment to labor. Then Brother HG Turner was brought forth and raised to the sublime degree of master mason.
There being no further business, the Lodge was closed in due form.
These are the minutes from the regular communication of Fraternal Lodge No. 37 from June 16th, 1916. Over a hundred years ago. Note the names that are ever-present in the community: Hooten, Lemon, Haisten, Bowden, Smith, and even the newly raised Brother Turner. These Brothers helped to build McDonough, and each of them has a street/road named after them. They paved the way for us to have this Lodge and for this Lodge to be great! WE owe a debt of gratitude to them.
Note how Brother Bowden filled the roles of Steward and Secretary. That is an interesting way to get the seats filled!!