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History of DeMolay
A young man named Frank S. Land founded the Order of DeMolay in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1919. World War I was nearing its end, and America had suffered the loss of many men. During this time, Land became concerned with the problems of boys who had lost their fathers. He thought, "How lonely it must be for a boy not to have a man to talk with or a man to provide some type of inspiration and direction." Land decided there was a need for an organization where boys would have the opportunity to associate with other boys—a place where they could share common interests and learn responsibility and other skills that would benefit them throughout their lives. His ideal model for the organization included having business or professional men (Masons) take an interest in the young men, befriend them, advise them, and perhaps even provide them with employment opportunities. In March 1919, Land met with Louis Lower. Louis' father had died, leaving the young man without a father figure in his life. Land took the time to listen to Louis, learn about his dreams, and help him. He learned that others, like Louis, sought companionship, leadership, inspiration, and competition. Land asked Louis to invite some friends to a meeting. This original group included nine young men: Louis G. Lower, Ivan M. Bentley, Edmund Marshall, Gorman A. McBride, Jerome Jacobson, William W. Steinhilber, Elmer Dorsey, Clyde C. Stream, and Ralph Sewell. By the second meeting, there was a total of 31 young men present. They were excited about their new club! Next, the group needed its own identity and name. DeMolay was suggested after Land related a story of a man who was tortured and ultimately killed for refusing to reveal the location of his hidden brother Knights and their vast wealth to the evil king of France. That man was Jacques DeMolay, the last Grand Master of the medieval Knights Templar. Inspired, the boys decided to name their club the "Order of DeMolay." "Dad" Land, as he came to be called, provided the philosophy and principles to be embodied by the organization. As interest in DeMolay spread, Land answered many requests for information and authority to start chapters. Initiations and ceremonies took place in many locations. By the fall of 1920, Mother Chapter had developed activities for its members as well. These included an outstanding baseball team, a DeMolay marching unit, and a 100-piece band! Until his death on November 8, 1959, Frank S. Land worked tirelessly for the Order of DeMolay. He is remembered as a great man, a proud American, and a person who millions referred to simply as "Dad." Under his charismatic leadership, hundreds of devoted workers have aided in the creation and extension of the Order of DeMolay. Frank Land's life touched, and continues to impact, generation after generation of young men who are looking to better themselves by emulating the lessons and examples by which he himself lived Nebraska DeMolay
Dr. Zoro D. Clark, a prominent dentist in Omaha, Nebraska, is responsible for bringing DeMolay to the state of Nebraska. Dr. Clark's introduction to the organization came during a visit with his good friend Frank S. Land in Kansas City. Land had recently started a youth organization called DeMolay and he asked Dr. Clark to extend his stay in order to see what it was all about. Dr. Clark did so and was very impressed. So much so, in fact, that he wished his own two sons could join just such an organization in Omaha. After returning home, Dr. Clark worked diligently to bring DeMolay to Nebraska. His persistence came to fruition on May 8, 1920, when Omaha Chapter of the Order of DeMolay was instituted. "Dad" Frank S. Land, Founder of the Order of DeMolay, brought a degree team from Mother Chapter in Kansas City to initiate the 67 young men of Nebraska. Omaha Chapter has the distinction of being the world's second DeMolay chapter and is the parent organization for all chapters in Nebraska. At the request of Dr. Frederick Eiche of Lincoln, Omaha Chapter initiated 127 young men into the first class of candidates for Lincoln Chapter. In November 1920, Dr. Clark saw the third chapter in Nebraska instituted when 75 young men became DeMolays in Hastings. Today, DeMolay has 12 chapters in Nebraska with a current membership of more than 400. A History of Leadership in Nebraska The DeMolay International Hall of Fame was formed in 1937 by Dad Land to honor outstanding athletes of that time. In 1985, it was reorganized to include senior DeMolays in many fields of endeavor. The first class was inducted in 1986 and included Nebraskans Tom Osborne and E. P. Baruth.
Tom Osborne was a member of Hastings Chapter in Hastings, Nebraska. He played football in high school and at Hastings College. From 1972 until 1997, Osborne served as the head football coach for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers. Coach Osborne retired as the most winning active football coach in NCAA Division I-A. Prior to retiring, he led the Huskers to three national championships in 1994, 1995, and 1997. E. P. Baruth became a member of Hastings Chapter in 1925. After high school, he enrolled in Hastings College and became a member of track and field activities at the college. He ran in the early Drake Relays.
J. Robert Duncan is Chief Executive Officer of Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska. At his induction into the DeMolay Hall of Fame on June 16, 2001, Robert Duncan said, "I credit my family and business success to the values that I was taught—values that include respect for everyone, trusting others, and working as a team. Those values came from my parents, my school, and organizations such as DeMolay. I have always enjoyed and benefited from interaction with others-DeMolay was one of my first experiences in that regard. I would encourage all young people to listen and learn; your values are with you all of your life." Ronald W. Roskins was President of the University of Nebraska for many years. After leaving that position, he was appointed by President George Bush to head the U.S. Agency of International Development. When his term ended, he became President and Chief Executive Officer for Action International, Inc. Action International is a super think tank of 35 former heads of state from around the world. News From Lincoln Valley Scottish Rite November 8th, 2006 Frank Sherman Land This is the inscription on the
simple marker of his grave, level with the earth as are all other markers in the
cemetery, tells such a brief story. "It is the beginning." Let us take a moment and remember this great man who has touched millions of lives all over this world.
IN MEMORIAM Brother and Dad Walter Miller Dad Walter Miller's real love in Masonry was the Order of DeMolay. He became a member of J. Frank Foster Chapter, Chicago, in 1932, served as Master Councilor in 1935, and a member of the Advisory Council from 1935 to 1955. He received the Degree of Chevalier in 1938, the Advisor's Cross of Honor in 1942, and Legion of Honor in 1948. He remains Senior Member of the Chapter. He served in various Illinois State DeMolay offices until his move to Omaha. He was elected an Active Member of the International Supreme Council in 1959, and continued to hold that position after his move to Nebraska. In 1963, he organized the Nebraska DeMolay Foundation, the forerunner of the Nebraska Masonic Youth Foundation. In 2001, in Anaheim CA International DeMolay Supreme Council met for their annual meeting where at the Saturday evening banquet the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dad Miller. This was a wonderful surprise and well deserved for 20 years of service to DeMolay and the many years previously served in Illinois. For more about Dad Miller, go to the Scottish Rite Page on this website. The Grand Commandery of Nebraska is looking for a few good men to serve on the Sir Galahad Drill Team. Go to the Sir Galahad Drill Team on this website for further details. Alliance Chapter Crusade Chapter Dr. Frederick Eiche Chapter Dr. Frederick Eiche Chapter Order of DeMolay Website: http://66.34.107.143/defaultLodge.asp?pageID=1&lodgeID=194 Hastings Chapter Hermonie - McCracken Chapter Homestead Chapter Lewis M. Keene Chapter Lincoln Chapter North Platte Chapter Omaha Chapter Tri-County Chapter York Chapter Dr. Fredrick The Webmaster of Masonry Nebraska wishes to thank the Website DeMolay Nebraska for the following information. For further information contact the Website DeMolay Nebraska at www.nedemolay.org Contact Information For more information about Nebraska DeMolay chapters and
activities, contact:
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