Big Rapids & area Masonic History

A little bit about Freemasonry, and the founding of Big Rapids & Ferris State University

1854, Zerah French and family, and George French, with his mother and sisters, moved to the area by Mitchell creek, they are considered the co-founders of Big Rapids.

1862, April - Charlie Gay, founded the Big Rapids Pioneer, he was editor and proprietor. It was the first newspaper in the county.

1865, February, Big Rapids Lodge 171, Free and Accepted Masons, was instituted - the first Lodge organized in the county.

• Charlie Gay was the 4^th recorded Mason in the newly formed Big Rapids Masonic lodge.
• George French became a Mason at the Big Rapids Lodge in July of 1865

1865, The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Big Rapids was the first church society organized in the county. It was organized by Wm. J. Aldrich, pastor.

• William. J. Aldrich became a Mason in the Big Rapids Masonic lodge on July 1866

1879, Ferris worked as superintendent of schools in Pittsfield, IL. He held this position for five years.

• Ferris was Initiated as a Mason on 4/10/1879, then passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft on 5/10/1879 at Friendship Masonic Lodge #0007 in Dixon, IL.

Brother Woodbridge Nathan Ferris

1884, Ferris moved his family to Big Rapids, MI with the intention of opening a private school.

In the summer of 1884, Ferris rented two rooms on the second floor of what was then called the Vandersluis Block on the northeast corner of North Michigan Avenue (present location of J.C. Penney Co) and Elm Street. On the first day, he enrolled fifteen young people. He then called it the Big Rapids Industrial School, Later in the fall, Ferris opened a night school which commanded the favorable attention of clerical workers. With enrolment reaching 100 students, and his accommodations becoming inadequate, he made arrangements for the third floor of the Northern National Bank Building on Michigan Avenue. The Masons had occupied this floor for several years and were getting ready to occupy the second and third floors of the Harwood Block (now Shooters Bar), just across the street. Ferris had a little difficulty in securing these rooms because the Big Rapids Masons did not believe that the Ferris Industrial School could long survive.

1886 the big storm damages the school, The good the storm did came in the support given to the Industrial School by the Big Rapids Pioneer, Charlie Gay, the editor, wrote a sympathetic editorial offering to start a collection, giving $5 seed money, to help Mr. Ferris restore the building. Ferris wrote a letter to the editor thanking him for his offer and thanking the citizens for their help in repairing the storm damage.

Note: The Big Rapids Pioneer newspaper was founded by Charlie Gay and was later said to be published by M.W. Barrows and edited by Charlie Gay and M.W. Barrows.

1891 -Ferris transferred his membership from the Illinois Masonic Lodge on 02/11/1891 then was made a Master Mason on 02/12/1891 at the Big Rapids F.& A. M. Masonic Lodge #171. He was already the 414^th man to join the Big Rapids Masonic Lodge.

1892 –The Democrats of the Ninth Congressional District nominated Ferris for Congress. He campaigned without enthusiasm, but he did have an opportunity to debate with the Big Rapids community's silver-tongued orator, the Hon. L.G. Palmer. Before an audience of hundreds, Mr. Ferris "out-orated" Palmer to such an extent that the Republican-oriented Big Rapids Pioneer wrote a favorable report of the debate. Ferris felt for the first time a kindredship for Big Rapids.

1896, Ferris hired Gerrit Masselink. Masselink was hired as the second in command and to teach mathematics.

Brother Gerrit Masselink

1900, Gerrit Masselink became a Master Mason of the Big Rapids Lodge #171.

1901, Ferris changed the name from Industrial school to Institute

1906, -Ahead of his time. His announcement of a new term beginning Oct. 29 contained a historical statement: "The Ferris Institute is thoroughly democratic -- that is to say, it is a school for all people regardless of race or station."

No requirements were demanded for admission except a willingness to work early and late. Hundreds of individuals from the various walks of life look back to the days spent at the Ferris Industrial. Every student electing as many studies as he could carry advanced as rapidly as his ability would permit.

"The only kind of student who receives special favors," the article said, "is the student who for any cause has gotten behind his age. He is intellectually hungry, and consequently is anxious to be fed. However backward, he is carefully and patiently looked after." (This was long before the advent of special education provisions.)

1908 - Yearbook Debuts

The first Ferris yearbook, known as Crimson and Gold, appeared in 1908 with Rollo Karshner as the editor.

• Rolla G. Karshner, Born in Big Rapids, MI - [Jun 6, 1888] Raised on (04/24/1911) Lansing #0033

1912 - Governor W.N. Ferris

W.N. Ferris was elected governor of Michigan on the Democratic ticket.

• 1913 Phelps F. Ferris, becomes a Mason at the Big Rapids Lodge #171

1920, When Ferris opens the first cafeteria, Ferris ordered all foodstuffs from Chicago. It came by freight car to Big Rapids. The city merchants were furious because Mr. Ferris had tried to save money and buy the things wholesale. But Mr. Ferris forgot to buy sugar. He went to the town merchants for this item, but none would sell him any because he hadn't bought anything else from them.

But Orra .O. Bishop, one of the teachers, saved the day. He went to a nearby sugar plant where many Ferris alumni worked. They came up with a truckload of sugar which Mr. Bishop hid under the stairway to the basement of "Old Main." The town merchants did not soon learn of this subterfuge.

• Orra O. Bishop, Became a Master Mason in 1911 at the Big Rapids Lodge #0171,

1922 – Ferris elected to the US senate from Michigan. He was the first Democrat to gain this office in Michigan since 1863.

1923 – Sells the Majority of his School Shares.

Before he went to Washington in 1923 to take his seat in the Senate, Mr. Ferris sold his school. Most of the stock went in equal amounts to vice president Gerrit Masselink and business manager Bert Travis.

On Jan. 11, 1923, there were 3,819 shares of stock in the Ferris Institute. Apportionment of shares at that annual meeting in 1923 was:

W.N. Ferris, 20 shares; a Master Mason from Big Rapids Lodge #171

Phelps F. Ferris, 90 shares; a Master Mason 4/17/1913 at the Big Rapids Lodge #171

Carleton G. Ferris, 110 shares;

Gerrit Masselink, 1,500 shares; a Master Mason from Big Rapids Lodge #171.

Mrs. Masselink, 250 shares;

Bert Travis, 1,500 shares;

Mrs. Travis, 250 shares;

E.M. Clark, 25 shares;

V.H. Hanchett, 64 shares;

Charles Carlisle, 10 shares.

Hanchett was the only non-Ferris associate to buy the stock.

Even though the Masselink and Travis investments amounted to $35,000, making them the principal stockholders, W.N. Ferris continued to act like the president

1928 -March 23^rd Ferris Dies; Gerrit Masselink became the second president

1928 -The Campus Mourns

Big Rapids Mayor William F. Jenkins ordered all business offices, both private and municipal, and all public and parochial schools to close at noon for the remainder of the day. Among the celebrities who were scheduled to come to Big Rapids for the funeral were Gov. Fred W. Green, Sen. William J. Borah, Sen. Smith W. Brookhart, and Congressman Roy 0. Woodruff.

• William F. Jenkins – Big Rapids Masonic Lodge #171
• Governor Fred Warren Green - Phoenix Masonic Lodge #13

Third President takes control

Masselink dies 4 months after Ferris, they decided against making the Vice President a President. Instead a committee was chosen to serve as advisory board for the school. Travis was to assume the management, assisted by Grover C. Baker, Emmanuel M. Clark, K.G. Merrill and E.J. Parr. Grover C. Baker, the registrar, had joined the faculty early in the 20's. His first assignment had been as a student recruiter. Emmanuel M. Clark, of whom it was said could give a succinct history of the world during a 10-minute talk, was a graduate of Oswego Normal School and thus the third person at the Institute to have exposure to the Pestalozzian concept. He was given the title of vice president on Masselink's death and for two occasions served as acting president in the interim years between 1930-40. He served the college for 40 years.

Grover C. Baker – Made a Mason on 12/14/1921 at the Big Rapids Lodge #171

Emmanuel M. Clark

Parr, Ernest J. - Big Rapids Lodge #171

K.G. Merrill

1926 - Fund raising drive

Approximately $100,000 in pledges was raised. The largest contribution came from W.K. Kellogg for $10,000. For the most part, though, the school had to content itself with receiving most of the contributions of $100 or less.

• W.K. Kellogg and his Brother John, both Masons from Battle Creek lodge.

1931 -The New Corporation

Things went from bad to worse at the Institute. The March 29, 1931, financial statement showed a deficit of $559.20 and an enrollment of only 578 students.

The year-end financial statement showed a deficit of $1,035.53. The total income acquired almost exclusively from tuition for that year -- Aug. 29, 1930 to Aug. 31, 1931 -- was $115,608.79. Salaries were $73,740.56, the largest expenditure item. Utilities for the year were $900.67.

On Aug. 25, 1931, the trustees decided to "sell" the stock in the school to a group of 39 Big Rapids businessmen who were to perpetuate the school as a non-profit, non-stock organization. Non-profit it was.

The 39 businessmen who took over the responsibility of keeping the school alive were:

Fred Benedict, Joseph R. Bennett, John Bergelin, Rupert F. Binney, Floyd H. Bouck, Roy S. Buck, Arthur J. Butler, Dr. J.B. Campbell, Ray M. Eichenberg, Vern Eldridge, Charles Fairman, George Fairman, Dr. Glen Grieve, Fred Hood, J.C. Jensen, J. Warren Jones, Willis C. Judson, A.J. Longwell, Dr. Donald Maclntyre, Theodore Martz, George Milner, Frank Morford, W.F. Nehmer, William P. Nisbett, Jr., Koe Reddinger, W.C. Taggart, James Taggart, B.O. Tippy, Dr. Thomas P. Treynor, William F. Turner, W.R. Van Auken, Jacob Van Dyke, E.A. Ward, Ray Waters, George Wright, Dr. Gordon Yeo, Edwin Young, James Young, and Dr. Arthur Zetterstedt. Each pledged $1,000 to cover the school's $40,000 debt; however, no one ever paid any money (except Frank Johnson who bought Mrs. Masselink's stock) during the 20 years that they were "underwriting" the school via the non-profit plan.

1. Fred Benedict INITIATED (03/16/1910) Big Rapids #0171,

2. John Bergelin Big Rapids #0171, MI DIED (04/30/1950)

3. WM Rupert F. Binney INITIATED (12/26/1913) Big Rapids #017 DIED (05/04/1957)

4. Floyd H. Bouck Big Rapids #0171, Big Rapids, MI DIED (08/05/1955)

5. Roy S. Buck, Big Rapids #0171, Big Rapids, MI DIED (12/31/1971)

6. DR.Arthur B. Campbell Birth INITIATED (12/24/1903) Big Rapids #0171,

7. Vern Eldridge Dates unknown

8. Charles Fairman, Traverse City Lodge #222

9. George Fairman. Big Rapids #171

10. Dr. Glen Grieve, Big Rapids 171, Manton 347 & Ottawa 122

11. Frederick Hood, Big Rapids 171

12. J.C. Jensen, Grand Rapids 34

13. J. Warren Jones, INITIATED (01/19/1921) Big Rapids #0171

14. Willis C. Judson , Big Rapids 171

15. George Milner , Big Rapids 171

16. Frank Morford,

17. W.F. Nehmer, St. Charles 313

18. Koe Reddinger, Big Rapids 171

19. Jacob Vandyk, Birth [Mar 13, 1894] INITIATED (03/08/1921Big Rapids #0171,

20. E.A. Ward, INITIATED (12/07/1917) Muskegon, MI) DIED (07/17/1983)

21. Edwin Young, Birth Info: Big Rapids, MI - [Aug 18, 1891], INITIATED (05/19/1920)

22. James Young, Birth Info: Cheboygan, MI - [Nov 24, 1900] INITIATED (01/05/1928)

The 39 businessmen, who called themselves the Board of Incorporators, elected to have the Institute controlled by a board of trustees consisting of:

Arthur J. Butler,

William C. Taggart,

Floyd H. Bouck, Big Rapids #171

George F. Fairman, Big Rapids #171

Roy Buck, Big Rapids #171

Willis C. Judson, Big Rapids #171

Ray H. Waters,

James B. Campbell, M.D.

William F. Turner.

Turner was named chairman of the Board, with Buck as vice-chairman and Butler as secretary and treasurer. Four out of the nine trustees were Freemasons.

The trustees chose as the administrators of the school's affairs E.M. Clark, chairman; Dean E.J. Parr, business manager; (Big Rapids Lodge 171) and Dean Karl G. Merrill, secretary. As chairman, Dr. Clark was acting president of the school. By this time Travis had been relieved of his duties as secretary-treasurer and had returned to full-time teaching.

Bills accumulated, deficits grew, and the Institute kept afloat by robbing Peter to pay Paul and by discounting the bills as much as the incorporators could get away with.

Transfer of Status to Michigan

In 1948 Governor G Mennen Williams was elected governor of Michigan. Starr was judge of the Western Michigan District Federal Court. Williams took office Jan. 1, 1949, and on Jan. 28, 1949, Ferris Institute was offered to the state.

• Governor G. Mennen Williams became a Master Mason from the Lotus #0549, Detroit, MI on March 24^th, 1950.

Within a few days Gov. Williams had picked members of the study committee which was to be headed by Alexander G. Ruthven, president of the University of Michigan.

The 15 members of the committee were: Lee M. Thurston, Superintendent of Public Instruction; State Senators Colin L. Smith, Big Rapids; Elmer R. Porter, Blissfield, and Don VanderWerp, Fremont; Representatives John P. Espie, Eagle; Harold Hungerford, Lansing, and Robert D. Davison, Hersey. Also Chief Justice Edward M. Sharpe of the State Supreme Court; State Controller Robert F. Steadman; President Charles L. Anspach of Central Michigan College; A.G. Buchman of Iron Mountain; Nate S. Shapero of Detroit; Bert A. Robinson of Marlette, who was president of the State Pharmaceutical Association; Lewie H. Hull of Lansing; Elwood M. Brake, Ionia County Superintendent of Schools; and O.K. Grettenberger of Okemos, who was a member of the State Board of Pharmacy.

6 members where Masons

• Elmer R. Porter
• John P. Espie
• Harold Hungerford
• Nate S. Shapero
• Elwood M. Brake
• O.K. Grettenberger, Born 1908, Initiated(05/15/1930 Okemos #0252, DIED (01/31/1990)