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History

Gaston G. Allen Biographical Information

Gaston G. Allen was born at Leroy, New York (Genesee County) in 1822.  When he was ten years of age, he came to Cleveland and soon after began serving his time as an apprentice and journeyman ship's carpenter, in which trade he was actively engaged until 1893.  He was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Cleveland City Lodge #15 on May 4, 1847, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on June 8, 1847, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on June 15, 1847.  [The foregoing facts were obtained from the minutes of Bigelow Lodge #243 F. & A. M. for September, 1853.]

Bigelow Lodge #243 was the first Masonic Lodge on the west side of Cleveland.  Gaston G. Allen became affiliated with Bigelow Lodge #243 on September 24, 1853 while it was under dispensation.  He was one of the organizers of that Lodge and served as Worshipful Master pro-tem in that year.  He was elected the first Worshipful Master in 1854 and re-elected in 1855, 1857, 1858, 1860, 1862, 1863 and 1865, which indicates how this great Mason was loved and respected by his brethren.  He made the first set of jewels of that Lodge from pewter as well as the aprons and the rug before the altar.  He served his country through the Civil War.

He died on February 20, 1908, at the age of eighty-six years.  Services were conducted by Bigelow Lodge and several sister Lodges with the body lying in state at Bigelow Lodge.  At the time of his death he was the oldest Master Mason in the city and perhaps in the state.  He is buried in Monroe Street Cemetery off of West 25th Street, and the members of Bigelow Lodge erected a monument to mark his grave.  The fact that Gaston G. Allen Lodge #629 was named for him provides a living memorial to this venerable and beloved Mason.

See also:
Early History of Clifton-Gaston Allen Lodge
Early History of Clifton Lodge
Early History of Gaston G. Allen Lodge
Charter Members of Clifton Lodge
Charter Members of Gaston G. Allen Lodge
History of The Fellowcraft Jewel
History of The Ship's Wheel