Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1897 — The Oldest Mason. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Oldest Mason.

Neenah, Wis., disputes with Joliet, IIL, the possession of the “oldest mason.” William H. Stevens, of Joliet, joined the fraternity in 185 G. Captain J. N. Stone, editor of the daily and weekly Times, published in Neenah, was admitted to membership in 1854, two years prior to the admission of Joliet’s oldest mason. At that time

General Lewis Cass sat in lodge with him and assisted in the ceremonies. Captain Stone was secretary of Romeo Lodge in 185 G, of Manitowoc Lodge in 1858, and of Kane Lodge, Neenah, in 18G4. When he put his demit into Kane Lodge it had just twelve members, but now numbers 115 brethren. Mr. Stone is probably the oldest mason In Wisconsin. Joliet’s oldest member of the oldest secret society in the world is, like Captain Stone, an active worker in the newspaper field, being the editor of the Weekly Record. Whether association with freemasonry or the easy life which attaches to newspaper wbrk contributes to longevity and the capacity for continued usefulness In old age is a question for scientists to solve.—Chicago Times-Herald.

CAPTTIN J. N. STONE.