Larissa Masonic Lodge|
No history of the Smyrl
family would be complete without a discussion of The
Masonic Lodge since most of the Smyrl men born before 1900 were
Masons.
The Larissa Masonic Lodge No 57, was begun
in 1849, a charter of the Royal Arch Masons, and was charted in
1852 as Lodge # 22; this was later transferred to Jacksonville
(Cherokee County, History). The Lodge played an active role
in the history of Larissa. The Lodge is the only building from
the Larissa town site still standing 2003. It is located
across the road from where county road 3411 intersects county
road 3405.
James Dunlap Smyrl moved to Larissa in 1869/70 and affiliated with the
lodge there. While residing in Larissa he served as Worshipful
Master of the Lodge.
Other descendants of James Dunlap Smyrl who are Masons include:
- Herbert Bone Smyrl of Roswell,
New Mexico, son of J. D, Smyrl, Worshipful Master of
the Roswell Lodge.
- Herbert Bell Smyrl, grandson of
James Dunlap Smyrl, 32nd degree Mason, affiliated with the
Jacksonville, Lodge.
- James Earnest Smyrl of Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Offices include:
Worshipful Master of Petroleum Lodge #474 in Tulsa (1991), Excellent
High Priest of Tulsa #52 of Royal Arch Masons, Illustrious Master of
Tulsa council #22 of Cryptic Masons, Emminent Commander of Trinity
Commandery #20 Knights Templar of Tulsa, Sovereign Master of McMillan
Council #20 Allied Masonic Degrees of Tulsa, President of District 12
Masonic Association, and currently am the Right Excellent Grand Scribe
of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Oklahoma. I hold the titles
of KCCH (Knight Commander of the Cross of Honor-Scottish Rite), KYCH
(Knight of York Cross of Honor-York Rite) and KTCH (Knight Templar Cross
of Honor). Last year I served as Chancellor Commander of Silver Plume
Lodge #182 Knights of Pythias.
At the time of his death, James
Dunlap Smyrl resided in Jacksonville and was affiliated with the lodge
there.
|
