Returning to our
chronological postings and the years shortly after the close of the Civil War
we find that the lodge was fortunate to have the service of John Perry Norvell. He would serve as Master of Olive Branch
Lodge 38 for 12 years between 1871 and 1889.
Gilbert Haven Stephens had this to say about Norvell, “No history of the
lodge would be complete without relating some of the life of John P. Norvell,
probably the most enthusiastic Mason who ever lived in Danville if we measure
his untiring work and his unselfish devotion to the institution. He was master 12 years, was well beloved by
all the members, as well as by the community at large.
This is attested
by the fact that he was several times elected to the best paying and most
responsible job in this community, that of assessor and collector,
notwithstanding that he was of a political party which was outnumbered two to
one by the opposition. He served as
alderman and was postmaster during Grover Cleveland’s administration. Norvell was a clean, whole-souled gentleman
of the old type with a heart big enough to take in the whole world if necessary. He was truly one of God’s noblemen and put
into his life and actions those principles which he learned in his Masonic
lodge. Under his guidance, the
fundamentals of Masonry in this city were felt in every avenue and strata of
life and became a real power for good in the hearts of men. This was shown by the report to the Grand
Lodge at the close of Norvell’s term when the lodge showed a membership of
nearly 200.”
Norvell was also
very likely the first 33 º Scottish Rite Mason from Olive Branch Lodge 38, the City of Danville,
and Vermilion County. He and his wife, Adah
Margaret Terry Norvell, would have five children—only two of whom would
live into adulthood. He and his wife are
buried in Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville.
The following eulogy was printed in The
Proceedings of the Supreme Council A.A.S.R. for the NMJ 1894.
JOHN PERRY NORVELL,
33º. Born in Trumbull County, New York,
November 7th, 1839; died in Chicago, Ill., December 14th, 1893. Grand Inspector - General John P. NORVELL, 33°, was made a Master Mason in Olive Branch Lodge, No.
38, March 8th, 1869; a Royal Arch Mason in Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, September,
1871; Royal and Select Master in Danville Council, No. 45, December, 1871, and
a Knight Templar in Athelstane Commandery, No. 45, K. : . T.: December, 1874, all of the city
of Danville, III. and held membership in the same to the end. Our illustrious brother received the degrees
of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite up to and including the Thirty-second
degree in Oriental Consistory S. : . P. : . R. : . S. : . , 32°, in the Valley
of Chicago, and was made an Honorary Member, Thirty-third degree, of this
Supreme Council at the Chicago session, held September 14th, 1886 . Our worthy brother was a Past Master, Past
High Priest, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, Past Commander, Past Grand Orator
of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons of Illinois, and Past Grand Standard Bearer of the Grand
Commandery, Knights Templar, of Illinois. In the war of 1861-5 frater NORVELL
served for three years as Quartermaster’s Sergeant and one year as
Quartermaster of the 54th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In religion he was an Episcopalian and in
politics a staunch Democrat. An earnest
and constant worker in all his Masonic bodies, he was no less so as a citizen
and a public official, having the confidence of the people among whom he lived.
For fourteen years he was engaged in
making an abstract of titles to lands in Vermilion County and no more complete
or correct set of abstracts are to be found in any of the counties of the State. A
lawyer by profession, he gave up that line of pursuit for public duties,
engaging in fire insurance, and was for years the collector of the city of Danville
and Vermilion Township. During the first
term of President Cleveland, Bro. NORVELL was the Postmaster of Danville, leaving there on the
completion of his term for the city of Pittsburgh, Pa. , from which, after a
residence of a year or two, by reason of ill health, he removed to Chicago,
where he died. Bro. NORVELL was a great
sufferer for months before his death by reason of a paralytic stroke, but
loving hands cared for him and a devoted wife did all in her power to ease and
comfort him. His remains were conveyed
to Danville, Ill. where they were buried
by the fraters he had served so well and who loved him as they did a brother
and companion.
