237 Minutes

First Recorded Minutes | 22 Nov 1920

"The Lodge was opened on the Third Degree of Masonry in due form at eight o'clock. 

"Brothers from Vancouver Lodge, also Woodland, including Brother Ryan, from Vancouver, representing The Grand Lodge of Washington, authorizing and empowering the institution of Ridgefield Lodge, U.D.; also presenting the Dispensation from the Grand Lodge to Ridgefield Lodge, U.D.

"The bylaws were read by order of the Worshipful Master and a motion being in order they were carried, and adopted."  

This new Lodge of Freemasons then read five Petitions that first night (men aged 30, 40, 49, 50, and 65; a carpenter, a sugar mill worker, and three farmers).

"The evening closed with refreshment served by Ridgefield Lodge, U.D. to the visiting brethren, and various talks were made by the members of the different lodges for the good of Ridgefield Lodge, and Masonry in general." [Sec. Fred Herbert]

First Three Entered Apprentice Degrees | Dec 1920 & Jan 1921

On December 11th 1920, "It being desired by some of the members present that the lodge rehearse the work in the first degree, by order of the W.M. the lodge was called from labour to refreshment, and a lodge of E.A.'s opened."

On December 20th 1920, "A committee was appointed by the Worshipful Master to attend to the procuring of the necessary refreshments for Monday evening the 27th, inst., at which time it is intended to confer the Entered Apprentice Degree."  What refreshments were indeed procurred can only be speculated upon as the National Prohibition Act had now been in effect for two years, prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages across the United States.

On December 27th 1920, Mr. Isaac Hughes and Mr. William Lamb "were initiated in Due and Ancient Form," becoming Ridgefield Lodge's very first Entered Apprentices.  (William Lamb would serve as Worshipful Master of this Lodge for the Year 1933.)

Those two men were followed by three more: the next week, on January 3rd 1921, the first degree was conferred upon James B. Pearson, Enoch Danielson, and Elmer Wilson. At this meeting, "Motion in order, duly carried that owing to the fact that Brother Iles being coversant with the various degree work connected with our order, that he be requested to aid and assist the officers of the lodge in conferring the Degrees, and thus facilitate and promote efficiency in all the various details, in such manner that proficiency will be maintained and the Lodge benefit thereby." Being made a Mason in 1915, this Walter Iles (a dentist hailing from Peninsular Lodge, No. 95, in Everett, Wash.) would petition Ridgefield Lodge one year later, on January 9th 1922, and serve as Worshipful Master of this Lodge for the Year 1938.

Following those three, four more men joined Ridgefield Lodge the next week: on January 10th 1921, the first degree was conferred upon Hans J. Bratlie, John L. Bratlie, Harry Stubbs, and Joseph Burns. (Harry Stubbs would serve this Lodge as its second Secretary in 1922 (after Fred Herbert 1920-1921), and as Worshipful Master for the Year 1928.) 

Each night, "The Lodge of E.A.'s was then closed [at the conclusion of the EA degree], and the Lodge was called from refreshment to labour on the Third Degree."