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CHARLES GEAR: THE FOUNDER OF MASONRY IN THE WEST
by Silas J. Paul
Presented August 23, 1986

Colonel Charles Gear (1790-1851), who was outstanding in Freemasonry in the lead mining
areas of northwestern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin, was the leader in the formation and
early history of many Masonic Lodges.
Charles Gear was born 30 September 1790 in Middletown, Connecticut. Very little can be found
of his early life; however, we do know that he lived in Cleveland, Ohio for a time. There is no
record of his marriage, but William T. Gear, his oldest son was born there,
We next find the Gear family at Kashkashia, Illinois about 1805. Hezekiah H. Gear, an older
brother of Charles, located there and became a member of Western Star Lodge #107 under the
Grand Lodge of Missouri, It was during this period that Charles Gear and his family arrived
in Illinois. Both families (Hezekiah's and Charles') then settled at Alton, in Madison County,
Illinois.
It was there that Hezekiah and several other Master Masons petitioned the Grand Lodge
of Missouri, December 20, 1820for a charter; the Lodge to be named Olive Branch, which later
became Olive Branch #5 under the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1822.
Charles Gear petitioned Olive Branch Lodge on November 8, 1821. He was initiated December
13, 1821, passed on January 10, 1822 and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on
24 January 1822.His first office was when he was appointed Marshal on the 13 April 1822.(In
those days with the moving population many Lodges had as many as three elections a year.)
On May 9 Charles was elected Junior Warden and on September 12,1822 he was elected Senior
Warden.
.A Masonic Convention was held in Vandalia, Illinois in December of 1822 for the purpose
of forming the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Charles Gear was one of the representatives from Olive
Branch Lodge to that convention, The Grand Lodge of Illinois was formed and was to be located
at Vandalia,
Both Gear families (Hezekiah's and Charles') then moved to the Port of Galena, Illinois in
1823. The followingyear (1824) Charles Gear moved his family to Buncombe and lived on Meeker's
Bench, which was located about six miles north of Galena. This area is the very southwest corner
of what is now Lafayette County, on the Fever River. This river is the Fever River in Wisconsin
but when it enters Illinois it becomes the Galena River. The area where Gear built his home
was about two miles west of what is now New Diggings and a mile and half west of the Masonic
Cemetery. Charles Gear's family consisted of Hannah, his wife, and four children: William T.
(1816·1880), Oscar, Sophronia, and Angelica,
Brother Gear was well known in the area for his mining expertise, but he also was a member
of the militia of Iowa County. (Lafayette County was for many years a part of Iowa County).
Before his death he attained the rank of Colonel. His public life was as it should have been.
He served on the first jury in the area on 25 July 1827; also he was elected Judge for Centerville
Precinct. (That precinct was New Diggings, Benton and Shullsburg areas), He also served as
a circuit court juror and at the time of his death was Deputy Register of Lafayette County.
In the absence of his son, who was in California, he was serving full time.
Brother Charles Gear was an enthusiastic Mason and was undoubtedly the most instrumental
in organizing Strangers Union Lodge #14, the first Masonic Lodge in "The Mines," under
the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. This Lodge was the first Lodge north of Fulton
County and west of Lake Michigan. At the first meeting held 21 April 1827, Charles Gear was
Worshipful Master. Strangers Union Lodge F &AM gave up its charter in 1829; the reason
given was because of the anti-Masonic fanaticism then sweeping the country. Then in 1830Galena
Lodge U.D. began work on 17 of July and continued until 29 of July 1830when because of the
anti-Masonic hatred the Lodge ceased to exist and for eight years no Masonic organization existed
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in Galena. But those who had gathered around the altar of Freemasonry did not forget its
teachings. .
After the elapse of eight years and on 27 day of December 1838 Far West Lodge V.D. and
Lodge #29assembled with many of the brothers, who belonged to former Lodges, and formed
what was to become Far West Lodge #5. Charles Gear was elected Master in 1839,40,41,42,
43, and 44.
By this time Brother Gear was well known not only for his mining expertise in the lead mining
areas of Northwest Illinois and Southwest Wisconsin, but was the Masonic leader, whohelped
to start other Lodges. In the fall of 1842, Brother Benjamin T. Kavanaugh, later to be the first
Grand Master of Masons in Wisconsin, was appointed by the Rock River Conference of the
M.E. church to the Platteville District. Soon after his arrival he sought out Brother Gear and
from the records of Melody Lodge #65 (now #21 we find how Brother Gear assisted Brother
Kavanaugh.
"A preliminary hearing having in contemplation the formation of a Masonic Lodge, was held
at the home of John Beavans, in the town of Platteville, in the month of January, A.D. 1843.
There were ten Brothers present and a visiting Brother, Charles Gear, from Far West Lodge,
at Galena, Illinois. After consideration it was determined to establish a Lodge, provided a sufficient
sum of money could be raised to pay for a dispensation. The Brethren contributed for
this purpose twenty dollars. The petition was prepared and forwarded to Far West Lodge at
Galena, for its recommendation, and from there was forwarded by Brother Gear, of Far West
Lodge, to the Grand Secretary of Missouri." The dispensation was granted by the M.W. Deputy
Grand Master of Missouri on the 10th day of January 1843. The charter was granted on 31 of
October 1843.
Brother Charles Gear was no doubt very helpful in the early days of the Lodges, in what is
nowWisconsin; Lodges at Mineral Point, Hazel Green, Potosi, Platteville and Shullsburg. Shortly
after the formation of the Wisconsin Grand Lodge, Bro. Gear took a demit from Far West Lodge
and he with others formed Olive Branch Lodge at New Diggings. Brother Gear became Worshipful
Master of the Lodge under dispensation in 1844 and on Friday the 10th of January 1845,
it was granted its charter as Lodge Number 6. Brother Gear served as its Master until his death. ,
Brother Gear continued to be of assistance to all of the Lodges in the area, helping to put on
the degrees, with ritual, and was called upon many times to hold a Masonic Funeral or Memorial
Service.
The first mention of Brother Charles Gear in our Grand Lodge proceedings was Thursday,
January 13, 1848, in the report of R.W. Grand Lecturer Dwight F. Lawton. I am copying a
paragraph from that report.
"Olive Branch Lodge, No.6, at New Diggings.
This Lodge is in a healthy and prosperous condition. The business of the Lodge is well conducted
- peace and harmony prevail. The minutes correctly kept, which is no more than might
be expected while such an able and distinguished Brother presides over its councils. He is indeed,
as has been truly said, ("the Apostle of Masonry in this western world.") In days gone
by, this veteran of our Order traveled through these western wilds, even on foot, when Lodges
were few and far between, not only to diffuse light and information to the uninformed Brother,
but to bring peace and consolation to the weary sojourner."
On 17th of January Brother John Waters tendered his resignation as Grand Junior Warden,
which was accepted. The name of Charles Gear was then put in nomination to fill the vacancy
and a ballot was taken, the tellers reported the whole number of votes to be twenty two, and
that Charles Gear had received a constitutional majority, where upon M.W. Grand Master A.D.
Smith then installed R.W. Charles Gear, as Grand Junior Warden, by his proxy Robert G. Ward.
Because of the great distances to be traveled, the Grand Lodge had two Grand Lecturers.
At the sixth annual Grand Communication held in Milwaukee on the 13th of December 1848,
the report of Brother John Waters, Grand Lecturer was received and that portion of it that
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pertained to Olive Branch Lodge #6,mention our much esteemed and worthy Brother Gear being
Master. He did not attend the meeting that year in Milwaukee.
At the seventh Grand Lodge session held in the city of Platteville, December 12,1849. Brother
Charles Gear was proxy for Grand SeniorWarden A. Hyatt Smith. In the Grand Masters message
of that year it states that Grand Lecturer Worshipful Brother John Waters, had moved from
the state and that M.W. William R. Smith, Grand Master had appointed R.W. Brother Charles
Gear, late Junior Grand Warden, to be Grand Lecturer. Olive Branch Lodge #6 was represented
that year by Charles Gear, W.M., O.C. Lockhart, S.W., and James H. Ernest, proxy for J.W.
On Friday, 14th December the election of officers was held and Brother Charles Gear was
again elected Junior Grand Warden for the ensuing year.
At the Eighth Grand Lodge Communication held at Janesville the eleventh day of December
1850, Charles Gear attended and was on the dispensation committee. At this Communication
a number of Brothers, who were going to California made application to Grand Master William
R. Smith for a charter to form Lafayette Lodge #29 to be located in California. These Brethren
were to surrender the charter as soon as they might be able with others to form a Grand Lodge
in California. The Grand Master issued the charter dated 20 April 1850 at which time he issued
a power to R.W. Charles Gear, Junior Grand Warden to call to his assistance a sufficient number
of worthy Brethren, and in due and ancient form, to proceed and open the Grand Lodge and
install the Officers of the new Lodge. On the 24th April 1850 Brother Gear installed Jeffery
F. Halsey as Worshipful Master, James Hill as Senior Warden and John S. Franklin as Junior
Warden. On the 19th of April 1850 the Grand Lodge of California was formed. In his report
to the Grand Lodge Grand Master Smith thanked Brother Gear and stated that he hoped the
Brethren of Lafayette Lodge #29 would turn in their charter and join the Grand Lodge of
California.
Brother Charles Gear passed away in Shullsburg, Wisconsin on 8th December 1851. in the
minutes of Amicitia Lodge #25V.D. dated 11 December 1851, a resolution of sorrow was passed
and ordered written and delivered to the widow and her children. The following obituary was
copied from the Galena Gazette, dated 25 December 1851.
On the 8th December, we received a telegraphic dispatch, announcing the death of Charles
Gear, Esq. of Lafayette County. Since that time we have received the following obituary notice
- Mineral Point Tribune.
Colonel Gear was one among the oldest settlers and miners of Galena and the neighboring
mineral region of Fever River and its branches. For many years past he has lived in that part
of old Iowa County known as New Diggings; about two miles below the village, on the bank
of the Fever River. At the time of death he was acting as Deputy Register of Lafayette County,
in the absence of his son, who had been elected Register and is now absent in California. The
Colonel was living in Shullsburg at the time of his death. Colonel Gear was a man known to
the whole community in the mining region of upper Illinois and in southwestern Wisconsin as
a man of honor and integrity. His straight forward of purpose and of action, and kindness of
heart and benevolence of feeling and conduct, justly endeared him to all by whom he was known
and amongest whom he lived. For many years he was appointed and elected as Justice of Peace
in a very populous district, and a few very few involved were the appeals from his judgement.
His judicial career has given evidence that he literally was a peace maker and upright Judge.
Some years since he had taken command of the militia of the County of Iowa, when Lafayette
also belonged to Iowa County. Col. Gear may be termed one of the Fathers of Masonry in the
West. For fifteen years past he has been Master of Lodges at Galena and New Diggings, and
he has held the high stations of Grand Junior Warden and Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge
of Wisconsin. We understand that the Brethren of the Order buried the deceased with all the
Masonic Honors due so worthy a companion. Colonel Gear was a native of Connecticut and
was 61 years of age at the time of his death. He leaves a large family and brother and sisters
in this state and in Iowa, to mourn the loss of a kind relative, a sincere friend and worthy man.
Also found in the daily Morning Jeffersonian dated 11 Dec. 1851 at Shullsburg, Lafayette
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Co. Wisconsin, on 8thinst., Charles Gear, Esq., aged 61 years.
It is our painful duty to record the death of another old citizen of the mining district. Mr.
Gear came to Galena in 1821; and during the thirty years that have transpired, he has made
no enemy - a tribute, honorably to the memory of any man. He was universally attended especially
by the Masons, who bestowed upon his remains all the honors of the Order to which
he belonged, and to which he was a bright ornament.
From the Grand Master's message of June 9, 1852 I have taken that portion that relates to
Brother Charles Gear. (M.W. A.D. Smith).
"When we recollect that Masonry was here, and what she is now, we have abundant reason
to be thankful to the Supreme Architect of the universe, who holds in his hands the destinies
of the nations, and who controls all the elements which influence the advancement and elevation
of mankind."
"In connection with this subject, I cannot fail to recur to those who were first most active
in planting the institution of Masonry among us. In looking around the room, I see most of
that number here among us. But not all, one who was one of our early Senior Grand Wardens,
was some years since called to the Grand Lodge on High; Our R.W. P.G. S. Warden Thomas
P. Burnett. Yet, again, has death entered our Grand Lodge, and taken from us our late respected
and beloved P.J.G. Warden, Brother Charles Gear. He died as he lived - a Mason. At a very
early day, he acted as the "Apostle of Masonry in the Northwest" - with a singular devotion
to our institution, he deemed no sacrifice too great, and no labor too arduous, which promised
any good to Freemasonry. Time after time, alone and on foot, has he travelled mile after mile,
through pathless forests and over trackless prairies, to carry the lamp of Freemasonry into the
wilderness, and to diffuse light and information among the Brethren, But his labors are over.
He rests from his toils, the tomb has closed over his mortal remains, but his memory is still
revered, and ever will be revered while Masonry has a votary in Wisconsin."
"Does the cassia bloom at the head of his grave? If not, shall we not plant it there? Shall
not some fitting memorial be raised to evince the grateful remembrance of those who now enjoy
the fruits of his labors? I would suggest the propriety of an appropriation by this Grand Lodge
for the purpose of erecting a suitable monument over his grave, that all may see, that he who
lives for our Order, lives not for himself, but for all his fellows."
The following day, so much of the Grand Master's message that pertained to the deceased
Grand Senior Warden and Junior Grand Warden were referred to a select committee made up
of Bros. Wm. Dennis, 'Erastus Lewis and James Ernest. The committee presented a resolution
to erect monuments at both graves, Gear's and Burnett's. The resolution passed and a committee
was appointed to see that the resolution was carried out.
From R.D. Pulford's report as Grand Lecturer to the Grand Lodge that year. That portion
pertaining to Olive Branch Lodge #6. Quote, "I have visited several times during the past year,
and met with much kindness and hospitality from the Brethren; their meetings are well attended
and a great interest is taken in the work. My first visit was to pay the last token of respect
to the remains of their Worshipful Master, our late Worthy Grand Junior Warden, Charles Gear,
the founder of Masonry in the West, and the most zealous member in our ranks. His remains
were followed to the grave by the Brethren of Amicitia and Olive Branch Lodges; he was interred
in the Masonic Cemetery at New Diggings, which was consecrated by himself, for Masonic
purposes."
In closing this paper I would like to add two statements. The Brothers of Olive Branch Lodge
#6 erected the first lodge building in Wisconsin and on 12 November 1850 Brother Robert H.
Champion gave one and one-half acres for the use of Olive Branch Lodge #6 as a cemetery. This
cemetery is the only Masonic cemetery in Wisconsin.
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,.,.. -......
REFERENCES
History of Masonry in Illinois 1805·1850 by John C. Reynolds - W.M. Tyrian
Lodge 333, Deputy Gr. Secretary
Freemasonry in Wisconsin 1823·1852 by Grand Lodge Trustees - 1878
Minutes of Melody Lodge #2
Minutes of Mineral Point Lodge #1
History of Jo Davis County, Illinois - 1878
History of Iowa County, Wisconsin - 1881
History of Lafayette County, Wisconsin - 1881
Galena Gazette, dated 25 December - 1851.
Mineral Point Tribune, dated 8 December - 1851.