John Willoughby
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
It's one of the oldest fraternities in Madison County and among the largest groups of men in the world. The current closure due to COVID-19 does not exclude the fact that these men continue to live the morals and character of a true and upright freemason, daily; standing for God, country and family.
Over multiple centuries, freemasonry has grown into a brotherhood comprised of four million men striving to be better and helping others do the same. Among those men are over 40 members in Greenville whose fellow mason, Zachary Cone, wants to support their small community as much as possible.
Greenville Masonic Lodge No. 28 remains one of two masonic lodges in Madison County, operating just miles west of their sister lodge, Madison Masonic Lodge No. 11. The local Greenville organization became chartered through the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida on Jan. 22, 1903, and the lodge has previously served as a school house, city hall and a chapter room for the Order of the Eastern Star, a masonic appendant body for women: wives, sisters, daughters, etc. of masons).
The Cone family is not new to masonry, as father, Calvin; and late grandfather, Fountain, preceded Zachary in lodge business. Fountain Cone was serving as the worshipful master (or the lodge president) of the lodge in 1954, the year Calvin Cone was born. In the mid-70s, Calvin followed in his father's footsteps and became a mason at the Greenville lodge, later taking the honorable position of District Deputy Grand Master over District 7, among other district chair positions.
In 2011, Zachary became a freemason at Perry Masonic Lodge No. 123, in Perry, Fla. Carrying on the family tradition since then, he has served as Worshipful Master of the Perry and Greenville lodges, District Deputy Grand Master and District Instructor.
This year, the Greenville group of freemasons made their presence known in the community by doing what they do best – serving. Greenville Elementary School has felt the kindness from the local lodge after a number of supplies and an in-tact American Flag was donated to the faculty and staff. And though lodge meetings are in a holding pattern at the directive of Grand Master John Westerman III, Cone remains hopeful the lodge can be responsible for feeding hospitals, first responders and supporting other community organizations to the best of their ability.
Greenville Masonic Lodge No. 28, like all lodges around the world, may freely accept good men who meet certain requirements after asking to join. No mason can ask a non-mason to join, hence the term "free and accepted mason." Additionally, freemasonry is not a religion, nor is its purpose to substitute or take a man away from his religious beliefs and duties. However, it is a requirement that a man have a belief in a deity, whatever it may be.
Freemasonry has been a fraternal home for many Madison County residents, including A.D. Reams and Edwin "Booze" Browning Sr. A who's who in American History, John Wayne, Mark Twain, Colonel Harland Sanders and 14 United States Presidents, have also shared the unique title of being a "brother." If you are interested in becoming a freemason, the Cone family welcomes you to visit Greenville Masonic Lodge No. 28 once COVID-19 passes. Visit www.beafloridamason.com for more information regarding the fraternity or to print out your petition to join.