Gleason's Order of the Eastern Star

Gleason Chapter No. 408, Order of the Eastern Star, had its beginning on December 9, 1947 when thirty-two member, who had previously been initiated by the McKenzie Chapter No. 145, O. E. S., met in the Masonic Lodge Hall at Gleason for the purpose of organizing a chapter in Gleason. At this meeting officers were elected and installed to serve the Chapter under dispensations and for the ensuing year.

Mrs. Leone Terrell and James Harold were the first Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron.

On March 16, 1948, Grand Chapter issues us an official Charter granting us the right and privilege to work regularly as a chartered Chapter to be known and identified as Gleason Chapter No. 408.

The Chapter now has 75 members. Mrs. Fay Hicks is Worthy Matron and Marvin Simmons is Worthy Patron (1987)

History of the Gleason Masonic Lodge #330 F. & A.M.

The City of Gleason was first named Oakwood. The original petition for the lodge was written September 5, 1866, and recommended that Brother Joseph D. McGlothlin be the first Worshipful Master; Brother A. M. Smith, Senior Warden; and Brother Issac Witt, Junior Warden. The petition was sighed by D. A. Brummitt, R. G. McSpedden, W. P. M. Bobbitt, Robert Crews, B. Taylor, William Brummitt, J. L. McGlothlin, A. M. Smith, and Issac Wott.

The Lodge was to be in Oakwood, County of Weakley, and to be named Oakwood. A dispensation was issued December 6, 1866, and the charter issued October 6, 1867, by Grand Master Joseph M. Anderson. The name of the

Lodge was changed to Gleason Lodge #330 in 1890.

For many years the Lodge met in the  Carl Parks building on the second floor, and on March 4, 1955 we moved into our present building with thirty-three members present.

Going back about eighty-one years, we find in the minutes of Gleason Lodge #330  F. & A. M. that the Lodge met on December 27, 1905 for the purpose of installing the Lodge officers for the ensuing year. The officers were as follows:

C. J. Hoggard, Worshipful Master

Ishaem Griffin, Senior Deacon

H. A. Myrick, Senior Warden

C. M Foster, Junior Deacon

C. W. Trevathan, Junior Warden

J.  F. McGlochein, Tyler

J.  C. Ammons, Secretary

P.  S. McMahon, Stewart

A. M. Dunlap, Treasurer

     O. Johnson, Stewart

Brother V. A. Trevathan installed the officers

Another interesting item from the minutes of the Lodge seventy-nine years ago, January 25, 1907, were the expenses allowed for various items. The Janitor's fees for one full year was $1.90 and rent for the Lodge Hall for one full year was $18.00.

Ward Simms #552 consolidated with Gleason #330 in 1975.

Masters of the Lodge since 1906 are as follows:

[Compiled by E. L. Lemonds, Secretary Gleason Lodge #330, F. & A. M., 1986]

The history of the Gleason community provided in Oakwood-Gleason: A Look Back provides an account of Gleason's history up through the time the book was originally published. As some 20 years have now passed since its publication, Gleason Online is providing a "History Update" feature, for each section of the book, for those wishing to add important historical information relevant to the Gleason community. Contributions can be submitted via E-mail attachment by clicking on the "Website Visitor Comments" graphic, provided above.