Articles

Who Was George Allison Holland?

By George A. Turner

 

    Time sets limitations on everything, including our memory of Companions that came before. Often a lodge, chapter, council or commandery is named after a significant man to honor them for their work, sacrifice and or leadership. But what happens to their memory as time goes on and the subordinated body that bears their name and memory becomes defunct? Is that honored person lost to time or do others try to continue their legacy? Please allow me to introduce you to George Allison Holland.

    George Allison Holland, also known as G. Allison Holland, was born in Henry County, Kentucky on September 8, 1868, to William Allison and Eliza J. Holland. His early education was in public schools and later he attended Eminence College. Holland finished his education at the University of Louisville.  He was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in January 1895 and began practicing law. Later he also became a judge.

    While in Chattanooga, Tennessee, G. Allison Holland was initiated at Temple Lodge No. 430 in 1896. In 1899 Holland married Jean Gillespie of Chattanooga. He moved to Lexington, Kentucky and affiliated with Lexington Lodge No. 1 and York Rite Bodies.

    Brother and Companion Holland served as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, Kentucky Royal Arch Mason from 1909 to 1910. Most Excellent Companion Holland was not done. He served as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Kentucky Masons from 1925 to 1926. He also served as the Grand Secretary in the Grand Chapter and Grand Recorder in the Grand Council from 1917 to 1935. Companion Holland passed away on July 12, 1937.

    On September 12, 1925, a dispensation was given to Companions in Whitesburg, Kentucky to work under the name and style, Allison Holland Council U.D. The Council was granted a charter on October 19, 1926, and was then styled as Allison Holland Council No. 94. Allison Holland Council No. 94 was later moved to Hazard, Kentucky. Sadly, on February 1, 1982, Most Illustrious Grand Master, Sam C. Davenport officially arrested the charter of Allison Holland Council No. 94. 

    Today, I would suppose that very few Brothers or Companions in this Commonwealth would know as much about Past Grand Master and Past Grand High Priest, George Allison Holland as you do now. I ask you to reflect on the object of Masonic Search. Apply the lion, ox, man and the eagle to your research.

Fraternally Thine,

George A. Turner

Historical Research 

By George A. Turner

 

    Think back to the last time that you heard a presentation made about a historical subject. Did it interest you? What could have made it better? What questions did it answer for you? Did it leave you wanting to know more? If you have ever considered writing a historical paper for your fraternal body, this article may be of some use to you. In this article we will look at the two basic forms of historical evidence and where to find them.

    Historians and antiquarians study and write about history to help themselves and others to solve or understand current problems. Their work can also help us solve or understand future problems. In 1948, Brother Winston Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

    In historical research, we should not spend a lot of time and energy with questions that do not have an answer. Nor should we struggle to find solutions to a question of no real importance. Only you can determine what questions or problems that you are willing to try to find the answer to.

    The two basic forms of historical evidence are called primary and secondary. Primary sources can include the written words or verbal words of a participant or witness to the event that you are investigating. Primary sources can include newspaper accounts, diaries, minutes books and even letters. A primary source can also include official statements or transactions of an established organization such as our proceedings books. Yet another example of a primary source is The Kentucky Keystone publication.

    The vast majority of history books are written from secondary sources.  Secondary sources are books, articles and the like that are produced based from the findings of researchers using primary sources. The writers that produce secondary sources must consider the validity and the reliability of the primary sources that he is using. He must also consider the possible bias of the writer, witness or participant to the event.

    There is a third source called tertiary. Tertiary is a source that is derived from secondary sources.

    A brief list of fraternal primary sources include: Grand Lodge Proceedings books, Grand Chapter Proceedings books, Grand Council Proceedings books, Grand Commandery Proceedings books, minutes books of a subordinate body, official correspondence, edicts, official publications such as The Kentucky Keystone and Masonic Home Journal.

    Where can a researcher find assistance? The public library system is always a good resource. Recently I contacted the Spencer County public library for assistance while I was researching Mt. Eden Chapter #68. The librarians there were able to locate an old map of the Mt. Eden community that showed the exact location of the lodge and what lots they owned. 

    Local historical societies and museums can provide a wealth of information and are often overlooked. Sanborn Fire Insurance maps are a valuable tool and are free to view via The Library of Congress at https://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/sanborn/  .

    There are many other resources available to researchers and I certainly did not list them. Each topic that is researched may need a different resource to help piece the puzzle together. One source may lead you to another source. Keep notes on what you have found and where you got the information from because you will need to give credit and cite your sources. 

    When writing your presentation or article, consider how interesting it may be to the audience. Will your presentation resolve any questions or mysteries? Does it provide meaningful information? How could you make it better for the audience? 

The Editors of The Kentucky Keystone

By George A. Turner

 

    How much do you know The Kentucky Keystone? The editor of our newsletter/ magazine must fulfill multiple roles ranging from writing, editing, layout to sending out the issues to the readers. While doing all this, he must keep on schedule for publishing plus his other responsibilities. In that context, it would be fitting to recognize the Companions who have fulfilled that role and include some information about The Kentucky Keystone that few may know.

    The very first editor of The Kentucky Keystone was Companion Ken Berkley. Ken was a member of Linsey Chapter No. 69. Companion Berkley served as editor from 1989 until his death in October 2006. The first mention of The Kentucky Keystone by name was in 1992, Grand Chapter proceedings book. In the 2006, Grand Chapter proceedings book, Ken gave his Kentucky Keystone committee report that stated in part, “This Capitular year completes 17 “Keystone” years.”

    After Companion Ken Berkely’s death, the publication lay dormant until Don Powell, Most Excellent Grand High Priest (2008-2009) appointed Companion Wendell Curtis to be the editor. Wendell served as the editor from 2008 to 2010. In 2012, Wendell served as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Kentucky Royal Arch Masons.

    The third editor of The Kentucky Keystone was Companion Michael Grigsby of Somerset Chapter No. 25. Michael served from 2010 to 2014.

    The fourth editor was Companion Ron Ledford. Ron served as the editor for one Capitular year: 2014 to 2015. In 2015 Ron was elected to serve as the Right Excellent Grand Captain of the Host. Ron served as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest from 2018 to 2019. Ron’s election to Grand Captain of the Host brought the editor’s job back to Michael Grigsby.

    Michael Grigsby became the fifth editor in 2015, and he remained at that post until 2019. Companion Grigsby is, so far, the only person to be editor two different times.

    As of 2019, the current and sixth editor of The Kentucky Keystone is Randall Partin. Randall is also a Past Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Kentucky (2017-2018). Excellent Companion Partin also serves as the Grand Chapter Secretary, and Grand Recorder for the Grand Council and Grand Commandery.

    The Kentucky Keystone is a publication of the Grand Chapter of Kentucky Royal Arch Masons and published content relevant to all York Rite Masons. Historically, the budget for the publication has been and still is $250.00 per year. It was originally published as a simple two-page (one sheet of paper) newsletter. It was then mailed out via the United States Postal Service. As the years rolled on, it became an electronic newsletter with multiple pages (sometimes 30 plus pages) with great quality graphics, articles and pertinent information. Our Webmaster Greg Raque, Past Grand High Priest (2022-2023), also provides links on our website to the current and past issues of The Kentucky Keystone.

    Now, you can proudly say that you now know more about The Kentucky Keystone and its history. The next time your Chapter, Council or Commandery, celebrates an event, milestone or plans a York Rite festival, consider submitting an article or pictures about it to the Grand Secretary for publication. If you are interested in writing an article related to the York Rite of Freemasonry, I have no doubt that Randall would be happy to consider them for publication.

Of Royal Arch Chapters 

By George Turner

 

    Royal Arch Masons meet in chapters but, we also confer three of our four degrees in lodges. Much has been written about the degree of the Royal Arch. No doubt, many have read or been told that the Royal Arch degree is the epitome of Masonic symbolism. The Royal Arch degree is the completion of the whole system of Freemasonry that began in your symbolic lodge.

     The Mark Master degree is conferred in a Mark Master lodge. The Mark Master degree takes place during the building of King Solomon’s temple. More specifically, it is framed in the Fellow Crafts’ workshop where the value of one’s own work, truth and charity are exemplified. It is in this degree that we learn what our wages are and how to receive them. The Mark Master degree also instructs us about the virtues that surround the keystone when the stone that was rejected becomes the head of the corner.

     The degree of virtual Past Master was a lodge degree that was originally conferred in the symbolic lodges. While in the symbolic lodges, this degree was conferred on those who had been seated in the Oriental Chair. As a degree in the Royal Arch, the lessons taught are immense. He who wants to govern others, must first learn to obey and how to govern himself. The duties of the Oriental Chair are numerous but are imperative to reach the August Degree of Royal Arch Mason.

     The Most Excellent Master degree picks up where the Master Mason degree stops. In the Most Excellent Master degree, we learn about the completion of King Solomon's temple as well as its dedication. Those Craftsmen who labored at the building and dedication of the temple were given the blessing of the Lord. King Solomon, in gratitude for the craftsmen, received and acknowledged them as Most Excellent Masters and empowered them to travel and receive Masters’ wages. King Solomon also charged them with the responsibility of sharing Masonic Light to the lesser informed Brothers.

     Royal Arch Masons meet in chapter form and not in a lodge. The reason for this can be found in the story of the ruins of King Solomon’s Temple and at the building of the second temple. After the death of King Solomon, the first temple was destroyed and the Israelites were made captives and carried away to Babylon. The Israelites were freed by King Cyrus after seventy years in Babylon and were allowed to return to Jerusalem. There, they began to rebuild King Solomon’s Temple. During the rebuilding process, they made some very important discoveries including recovering the Lost Word. The Royal Arch Degree is the completion of the journey you began in your symbolic lodge, some say the most incredible story in the whole system of freemasonry. 

     As a Master Mason you have completed the three Symbolic Degrees. Now is the time to seek more light and learn about the importance of the four Chapter Degrees called Capitular Masonry. Then continue on to the two Council Degrees or Cryptic Masonry. You will finish your journey in the York Rite with the three Orders of the Knights Templar. Every Mason should learn the lessons of Chivalric Masonry. 

    Further information on the York Rite in Kentucky and a petition for membership can be found by visiting our website at www.yorkriteky.org . Membership information can also be obtained by speaking with any Companion or Sir Knight.