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.  

(http://history.wilmettelibrary.info/1420925/data )

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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The beginning of a Lodge in 1916

A new Lodge in Evanston

In February of 1916, a number of Masons got together to start a new Lodge in Evanston.  The Lodge was yet to be named, but the work was set in motion to make their dream a reality.  The record book was opened and their work was written.  The first minutes as printed in the records are as follows:

Evanston, Illinois

February 5, 1916

On February 5^th, 1916, the following Masons met at the Masonic Hall, 810 Davis Street, Evanston, Illinois.

Brothers              Geo. F. Baker

                                Wm. Balhatchet

                                Wm. D. Barnes

                                H. E. Bent

                                E. J. Brown

                                W. A. Carauagh

                                Carl M. Cooley

A.      W. Copeland

Chas. W. Davidson

E. D. DeMoe

Wm. D. Dickson

A.      G. Fraser

E. G. Gross

Wm. P. Gunthorp

A.      W. Hoffman

D. R. Hopkins

Marvin C. Hull

Chas. C. Kanin

Brothers              E. H. Merchant

                                S. A. Poe

                                T. S. Roberts

                                Lester Soule

C.  K. Thomson

Geo. F. Tyson

T. J. Williams

Meeting called to order by Brother Tyson

Motion made and seconded that Brother Tyson be made temporary chairman.  Motion carried

Motion made and seconded that Brother Cooley be made temporary secretary.  Motion carried

Motion made and seconded that meeting be held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.  Motion Carried.

Motion made and seconded that a committee of three be appointed by the chairman to consider a name and report on same at the next meeting.  Motion carried. 

Brother Geo. F. Baker, Wm. P. Gunthorp and Chas. C. Kamin selected by chairman to act as this committee.

Motion made and seconded that a committee of three be appointed by the chairman to suggest officers and report at the next meeting.  Motion carried

Committee appointed was Brothers T. J. Williams, S. A. Poe and D. R. Hopkins. 

Motion made and seconded to appoint a committee to secure more members.  Carried.

Chairman appointed all present as active members of this committee. 

Motion made to rescind motion making meeting nights the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.  Motion seconded.  Motion carried.

Motion made and seconded to make the first and third Wednesdays of each month, meeting nights.  Motion Carried

On advice of the Grand Lodge Committee, each brother present gave his experience in Lodge work as follows:

Brother                     Bent                      held no office

                                Thomson             Chaplain

                                Balhatchet          Deacon

                                Brown                   No active work

Brother                    Hull                        No active work

                                Merchant            Floor work

                                Gunthorp            No active work

                                Hopkins                No Active work

                                Copeland             No active work

                                Dickson                Instruction

                                Carauagh             No active work

                                Poe                        Stewart and assisted in team work

                                DeMoe                 No active work

                                Davidson             No active work

                                Baker                    Wardens & Secretary

                                Kamin                   No active work

                                Barnes                  Floor work

                                Hoffman              Master

                                Soule                     Junior Warden & Team work

                                Fraser                   No Active work

                                Gross                   Wardens             

                                Roberts                No active work

                                Williams               No active work

Motion made and seconded to extend a note of thanks to the Grand Lodge Committee.  Motion carried

A call for volunteers to attend school of instruction on Wednesday night, the following Brothers responded, Baker, Balhatchet, Brown, Carauagh, Copeland, Davidson, Fraser, Gross, Hull, Kanin and Soule.

Motion made and seconded to adjourn until Wednesday, February 16^th, 1916.  Motion Carried.

Meeting Adjourned.