PALESTINE LODGE HISTORICAL FACTS & TRIVIA From November 1846 through August 2021 there has been 1591 Master Masons raised in Palestine Lodge No. 22 Under Dispensation and Palestine Lodge No. 31, A. F. & A. M. The first raised was George Washington Tuggle on Saturday, April 10, 1847 and the last raised to date was William Robert Eckert, #1591, on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Inclusive of this number, from Jan. 1, 2005 to Jan. 1, 2015 the Lodge raised 61 Master Masons. In addition to the raisings, the rolls of the lodge have been added to by 706 Master Masons affiliating from other lodges. The first affiliation was by Reuben A. Reeves on December 12, 1846 and the last to date was brother Lee Evans on September 6, 2016. WHILE NOT A MEMBER OF PALESTINE LODGE IT IS OF INTEREST TO MANY MASONS AS TO WHO HOLDS THE HONOR OF BEING THE LONGEST SERVING MASTER MASON IN THE STATE OF TEXAS? THAT TITLE WAS HELD BY BROTHER JAMES KENNER BIGGS SR. A MEMBER OF HILLCREST LODGE NO. 1318 IN DALLAS, AND WHO WAS BORN ON DECEMBER 5, 1902 AND AT HIS DEATH ON MAY 6, 2012 AT THE AGE OF 109 YEARS, HAD BEEN A MASTER MASON FOR 85 YEARS. PALESTINE LODGE'S OLDEST LIVED MASTER MASON WAS BROTHER WALTER LAROY BROUGHTON WHO DIED ON AUGUST 31, 2013 AT THE AGE OF 102 years. HE ALSO HOLDS THE STATE RECORD OF HAVING BEEN A FELLOWCRAFT MASON FOR 49 YEARS BEFORE ADVANCING TO THE 3RD DEGREE.  |
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