Charlie Edward Nolan - Architect & Mason

The Following was taken from page 64 of One Hundred days of Masonry In Midland. by Sam E. Hilburn, P.G.M.. I tells of Charlie's time as the Worshipful Master of the Midland, Texas Masonic Lodge. 1936-1936: David M. Ellis was Worshipful Master of the Lodge this Masonic year. He became a Master Mason January 12, 1928 in Midland Lodge. Known as "Doc" to everyone, he was a chiropractor with an active practice in Midland from 1924 to 1947 when he retired from the profession, he was active in all the York Rite bodies, qualifying himself for membership York Cross of Honor. At the beginning of the 1935-1936 year, the report of the auditing commit-e indicated a balance of $1,374.74 in the General Fund and $388.06 in the Charity Fund. The committee commented on the condition of the Lodge as follows: "We congratulate the Lodge on its excellent financial condition, not so much on the cash balances, but because of the fact that all property, furniture and fixtures are paid for, and there are no notes or bills payable." As we look back, we must agree with the committee. Times had been hard, and the country was just recovering from the hardships of a great depression, Many Lodges ceased to exist during the early thirties because members couldn't afford to pay their dues. But the pionner spirit and rugged individualism continued to live on in the hearts of Midland Masons. They were proud men, content to sustain themselves by their own abilities, and asking nothing of anyone or anything. At the Stated Meeting of January 23,1936, a letter from Marvin K. Jones : Chicago was read advising the Lodge that he had in his possession a banquet napkin of Midland Lodge with the date of Friday, June 24, 1887, and ;king if the Lodge was interested in having it. The Lodge, of course was interested and informed Mr. Jones of that interest. After being informed by Goodner Driver that the napkin had been received by the Lodge, the author finally located it in "the rubbish of the Temple." It is a cherished souvenir of the first banquet held by the Lodge, and which has been described in earlier ages of this history. It is assumed that the above mentioned Marvin Jones was a descendent of an early member, which accounted for the fact that the napkin was in his possession. Membership at the end of the 1935-1936 year again dropped — a decrease of seven to 190. Suspensions for N.P.D. and demissions again more than offset the gains. 1936-1937: The new Worshipful Master was Charles E. Nolan who received his Master's Degree May 27, 1929. His occupation was that of Architect. The Lodge this year observed its 50th anniversary. One-hundred thirty four (134) Masons attended a special meeting on December 16,1936 for this purpose. Past Grand Master Guinn Williams made the principal address on le subject. "Service to Our Fellowman." Two Master's Degrees were also conferred on this occasion, in addition to a banquet held in the lower room of the building. One of the degrees was conferred by J.H. Knowles, introduced by the Master of Ceremonies as "The Old War Horse." The meeting started at 4:30 P.M. and ended at 10:30 P.M. The oldest member of the Lodge, Bro. John Tolbert, was introduced and given special recognition. He as raised December 3,1887 and had been a member of Midland Lodge nee that time. He served as Tiler 1894-95 and Junior Warden 1895-96. On this occasion he was seventy-eight years of age. He died at the age of eighty and was buried in Midland. Thirty-two Lodges and six Grand Jurisdictions were represented at this fifty-year anniversary observance. Charlie both raised the membership reversing the previous downward trend and held the 50th Anniversary.