In Memoriam

ILL. John G. Jones 33 (IL)
1895 - 1914

John G. Jones was born on September 18, 1849 in Ithaca, New York, in the County of Tompkins. At seven years of age, his family relocated to Chicago Illinois.

Later, Jones studied law under W. W. O’Brien, who was a famous criminal lawyer in the state of Illinois. On March 24, 1881, the Supreme Court of Illinois admitted Jones to the Illinois State Bar. Afterwards, he was elected State Representative of the 5th District of Cook County Illinois.

Originally, John G. Jones was a member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M., of the State of Illinois. He was initiated, passed, and raised in John Jones Lodge No. 7. This lodge was named after his uncle, John Jones. John G. Jones served as Master of this Lodge and was elected Grand Secretary in 1873 and 1874 and served as such until he was elected Deputy Grand Master in 1875. He was not re-elected afterwards but became very active in Scottish Rite Masonry in 1876. He was instrumental in 1877 for organizing of the Congress of Grand Lodges in Chicago.

On Nov.15, 1887, a special session of the United Supreme Council was held in Chicago, IL. The ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd having already had the degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite conferred upon him and having been appointed Deputy for the states of Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas and California conferred the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite degree on the ILL. F.C. Revelle 33rd of Washington, DC. The ILL. Thornton A. Jackson, 33rd assisted at that session.

On October 7, 1889 at the regular session of the United Supreme Council held in Washington D.C., the ILL. Thornton A. Jackson, 33rd of Washington D.C. was elected the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander (MPSGC) and the ILL. John G. Jones 33rd of Chicago, IL was elected to Lieutenant Grand Commander. The MPSGC, ILL. Thornton A. Jackson, 33rd appointed the ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relation for the United Supreme Council. In 1893, John G. Jones had the Mystic Shrine Order conferred upon him by Noble R. Pasha at the World fair in the City of Chicago. After receiving his charter to establish and organized temples, the ILL. John G. Jones established and organized the Imperial Grand Council of the Ancient Arabic Order Noble of the Mystic Shrine of North and South America. He then went on to establish Palestine Temple, which became the first temple of the Mystic Shrine for Blacks. Following this, the ILL. John G. Jones also established and organized the Supreme Grand Court, Ancient Arabic Order of Daughters of Sphinx in 1895.

On October 17, 1895 at the Annual Session of the United Supreme Council held in Washington D.C. there were only five consistories holding their charters belonging to the United Supreme Council. The work of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons throughout the United States had largely become dormant in this country. In addition, the members of the United Supreme Council were desirous of reviving the Order and establishing many consistories in various parts of the United States. They concluded that the best plan was to elect new Supreme Officers and put at the head of the United Supreme Council an active, progressive and intelligent mason. The election was held on 17th of October 1895, in Washington, D.C. at the Masonic Hall on Virginia St. After all ballots were cast the results revealed that the ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd of Chicago, IL, had received sixteen (16) votes out of twenty-two (22) votes cast. The ILL. John G. Jones 33rd was elected Sovereign Grand Commander of The United Supreme Council.

After the session, the ILL. J.K. Roy, 33rd wrote to the ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd a letter stating that Thornton A. Jackson 33rd, R.H. Gleaves, 33rd, F.C. Revelle, 33rd and two others had held a meeting at the home of one of the members on Pennsylvania Ave. and agreed to organize another Supreme Council. On November 7, 1895, a special session of the United Supreme Council was held at the Odd Fellows Hall at Washington D.C. to consider the charges that were issued against the ILL. Thornton A. Jackson, 33rd, ILL James O. Bamfield. 33rd, ILL. R. H. Gleaves, 33rd, ILL F.C. Revelle, 33rd, and ILL. W. Watts, 33rd of Washington D.C. charging them with insubordination, treachery and disloyalty. The ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd stated that since the Annual session, a conspiracy had been formed between four to five brother who were member of the United Supreme Council. During the special session, each of these brothers were expelled and the special session was closed since all business and transactions had been completed on October 5,1895 in the city of Washington, DC.

The expelled members of the United Supreme Council went on to reorganize the United Supreme Council of Northern and Southern Jurisdiction Prince Hall affiliated AASR Masons and Thornton A. Jackson retaliated by suspending ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd and any member that would associate with him from the Grand Lodge of Illinois. The actions of both man cause great harm to black Masonry but the ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd was later reinstated and elected a member for life.

The ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd went on to establish and organize the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Mason, the General Grand Encampment of the Knights Templar, and the General Grand Masonic Congress (of Grand Lodges) A.F. & A.M. of the U.S.A. and Canada.

In 1897, ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd organized the MW St John Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of IL and served as its’ Grand Master.

In 1901, he established and organized The Supreme Grand Chapter of O.E.S. at Buffalo, New York.

In 1912, ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd pilgrimage to The World Masonic Congress at Luxemburg, Switzerland along with members of the United Supreme Council and Affiliated Departments of the General Grand Masonic Congress.

On June 7, 1914, ILL. John G. Jones 33rd died in Chicago, IL. An unveiling of a Monument to Illustrious John G. Jones, 33rd was done in the City of Chicago, on July 20, 1920.

On July 21, 2002, at Oakwood Cemetery in Chicago, IL, the General Grand Masonic Congress and Cognate Branches of Freemasonry dedicated the John G. Jones Memorial Wall in the Memory of the ILL. John G. Jones, 33rd.

Dealing with the challenges of today requires problem-solvers who bring different perspectives and are willing to take risks. The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. Established in 1869, we’re an organization driven by men like John G. Jones with progressive ideas, bold actions, and a strong foundation of support. Contact us to learn more and get involved.