Tuesday, September 9, 2014

The First Wayfarers Worshipful

Dr. George F. Tyson

The first Worshipful Master of Wayfarers Lodge was Dr. George F. Tyson of 845 Chicago Ave, Evanston Illinois.  Dr. Tyson was a prominent North Shore resident and a published author.  He was married to Ms. Lulu Woodman of Janesville Wisconsin.  According to the Lake Shore News (Wilmette, IL) on 01 January, 1914,

As the culmination of a pretty romance which started when Miss Lulu Woodman, a nurse of Janesville, Wisconsin, was called by Dr. George F. Tyson of Evanston about a year ago to nurse a case. Dr. Tyson and Miss Woodman were married at the latter's home in Janesville, Christmas eve. They will reside in Evanston.

Different versions are given of the physician nurse romance. Some claim that because of Mrs. Tyson's beauty, it was a case of love at first sight and that it took but a short time for the spark o flove to be fanned into a flame of considerable proportions. Others declare that the courtship between the two ripened into a love match when the well-known physician began to note the many charming qualities of Miss Woodman. At any rate they were married Christmas eve and after a short trip will return to Evanston to reside.

Dr. Tyson met his bride just about a year ago when he called her from Chicago to take charge of Raymond Bristow, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Bristow, 1138 Sherman avenue, who was suffering with a serious illness. Due to the tender care given by Miss Woodman, the Bristow child recovered. Then she nursed several cases for Dr. Tyson.  

According to the Chicago Daily Tribune, 21 November 1922, Dr. Tyson was affiliated with St. Francis Hospital in Evanston and was a noteworthy surgeon and specialist in certain diseases, including Small Pox.  (Homeopathic Recorder Vol. 18, 1903). 

Dr. Tyson was well travelled for the time and was credited as travelling to Europe, including Scotland (JAMA, V62 Part 2, 1913) (Illinois Medical Journal V24, 1913)

Not much more could be found about the first Worshipful Master of Wayfarers Lodge, but considering this was 98 years ago, he must have been a rather prominent figure to have this much information in various archives.  I was not able to find an image or photograph.  His last known address of 845 Chicago Avenue is now an open field at the corner of Main and Chicago. 

In February of 1916, Dr. Tyson was elected as the chairman of the committee to establish a new Lodge in Evanston, Illinois and later became its first Worshipful Master.   

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