The Vidette-Messenger Centennial EditionThe 1936 special edition celebrating Porter County's centennial year . . . .
The following article has been transcribed from the August 18, 1936, issue of The Vidette-Messenger, published in Valparaiso, Indiana. This particular special edition focuses on Porter County's centennial celebration and contains a 94-page compendium of Porter County history up to that time.
Return to the index of articles from The Vidette-Messenger's Porter County Centennial special edition.
Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso,
Porter County, Indiana; August 18, 1936; Volume 10, Section 3, Page 14.
CHAPTER NO. 79 CHARTERED IN OCTOBER, 1870
In 1869 a
mere handful of Royal Arch Masons decided to organize a chapter in Valparaiso
and the grand chapter was petitioned for a charter. The chapter received its
dispensation from the Indiana Grand Chapter on November 8, 1869 and was
organized by William Hacker, past grand high priest, with the following
officers: John Eason, H. P.; M. L. McClelland, K.; Albert E. Letts, S.; T. H.
Gould, C. H.; R. C. Wadge, P. S.; Ferd Pleiz, R. A. C.; Joseph Steinfield, G. M.
3rd V.; William F. Mann, G. M. 2nd V.; L. C. Pomeroy, G. M. 1st V.; S. R.
Bryant, treasurer; Don A. Salyer, secretary; David Hughart, guard.
The charter is dated October 20, 1870, and is signed by H. G. Hazelrigg, who at
the time was grand high priest. Starting with a membership of less than two
dozen it reached a total membership of 354 in 1930.
Royal Arch Masonry is a branch of the "York Rite" and is the next step following
the Blue Lodge, or first three degrees of Masonry, and is composed of four
degrees and its symbolical color is red.
The leaders of Valparaiso Chapter No. 79, contain some of the most outstanding
men of this city and county. The present head of this body being George J.
Jungjohan, with probably one of the most efficient corps of officers in the
northern part of the state, resulting in a large amount of degree work, both at
the local Temple and in surrounding chapters.
Article transcribed by Steven R. Shook