OUR FIRST WORSHIPFUL MASTER: ELI O. ACKERMAN
Eli O. Ackerman: Founding Father of Neoacacia Lodge
Eli O. Ackerman could well be considered the founding father of Neoacacia Lodge. At the turn of the 20th century, no one was more committed to promoting Freemasonry or more determined to establish a new lodge in North Columbus than he was.
Born on February 23, 1862, to John and Louvilla Ackerman, Eli grew up on the family farm less than half a mile west of North Columbus. He had two older brothers, Monroe and Fremont. The road along the southern boundary of the farm--Ackerman Road—was later named after the Ackerman family
After graduating from high school, Eli enrolled at the newly founded Ohio State University, which opened in 1876. He graduated in 1884 with a degree in Civil Engineering, completing his thesis on Railroad Engineering. While at OSU, he also excelled in military science, earning a gold medal as the "best drilled man"—a reflection of the discipline and precision that would later define his Masonic career.
In 1885, just one year after graduation, Eli joined New England Lodge #4 in Worthington. That same year, he also became a member of Horeb Chapter #3 and joined the Scottish Rite, demonstrating his early dedication to the Masonic Fraternity.
A Career in Engineering and Masonry
In the late 1880s, Eli’s life took an adventurous turn. With the mining industry booming in Western Montana, there was a growing demand for railroads to serve the silver and copper mines. Seizing the opportunity to advance his career, Eli moved to Philipsburg, Montana, where he worked for several years as a railroad engineer.
Despite the distance from Ohio, his passion for Freemasonry remained strong. While in Montana, he helped establish a new chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, serving as the first High Priest of Mountain Chapter in 1889 and 1890.
Following the death of his father in December 1890, Eli returned to Columbus to help care for his mother and manage the family farm on Ackerman Road, where he would live for the remainder of his life.
In June 1891, he married Carrie S. Shattuck. The couple had two children: Louise, born in 1895, and Harold, born in 1901.
Upon his return, Eli resumed his engineering career, working for the Columbus Railway and Light Company. He played a key role in designing and overseeing the installation of many streetcar lines throughout Columbus in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
Masonic Challenges and Leadership
Eli’s Masonic journey was not without obstacles. In 1891, he was expelled from the Fraternity due to his involvement in the Cerneau conflict, a divisive period within Freemasonry that affected his lodge, New England #4. However, he applied for reinstatement and was readmitted in 1895. Demonstrating resilience and leadership, he quickly rose through the ranks and was elected Master of New England Lodge in 1900.
Around the same time, he began promoting Freemasonry in the North Columbus area. In 1898, he helped form the Acacia Club, a Masonic social organization that fostered camaraderie among Masons and their families. Eli envisioned that a new lodge could be established in the area—and that vision was realized in 1906 with the founding of Neoacacia Lodge #595.
Acknowledging his leadership and dedication, he was elected the lodge’s first Master, serving in 1906 and 1907, and later as Secretary from 1909 to 1911. He also held the role of Marshal for the annual St. John’s Day Parade, proudly leading his brethren from the lodge to local churches for the observance.
Eli continued his involvement in the broader Masonic community, becoming a charter member of York Chapter #200, York Council #115, and Columbus Commandery #69. His reputation as one of the most respected Masons in Columbus was firmly established.
Legacy and Final Years
Among his many contributions, Eli considered the founding of Neoacacia Lodge his crowning achievement. His address to the lodge in 1915 (referenced in lodge minutes) stands as a heartfelt testament to his enduring commitment to Freemasonry. At one point, he even offered a portion of his property on Ackerman Road for the construction of a new lodge building. However, the location was deemed impractical due to limited transportation access at the time.
Outside of Freemasonry, Eli was a dedicated member of Northminster Presbyterian Church and served as a trustee of Union Cemetery.
Eli O. Ackerman passed away on September 28, 1944, at the age of 82. His body lay in state at York Temple, where funeral services were conducted under the auspices of the Knights Templar. He was laid to rest at Union Cemetery, with arrangements handled by P. E. Rutherford Funeral Home.
Eli O. Ackerman could well be considered the founding father of Neoacacia Lodge. At the turn of the 20th century, no one was more committed to promoting Freemasonry or more determined to establish a new lodge in North Columbus than he was.
Born on February 23, 1862, to John and Louvilla Ackerman, Eli grew up on the family farm less than half a mile west of North Columbus. He had two older brothers, Monroe and Fremont. The road along the southern boundary of the farm--Ackerman Road—was later named after the Ackerman family
After graduating from high school, Eli enrolled at the newly founded Ohio State University, which opened in 1876. He graduated in 1884 with a degree in Civil Engineering, completing his thesis on Railroad Engineering. While at OSU, he also excelled in military science, earning a gold medal as the "best drilled man"—a reflection of the discipline and precision that would later define his Masonic career.
In 1885, just one year after graduation, Eli joined New England Lodge #4 in Worthington. That same year, he also became a member of Horeb Chapter #3 and joined the Scottish Rite, demonstrating his early dedication to the Masonic Fraternity.
A Career in Engineering and Masonry
In the late 1880s, Eli’s life took an adventurous turn. With the mining industry booming in Western Montana, there was a growing demand for railroads to serve the silver and copper mines. Seizing the opportunity to advance his career, Eli moved to Philipsburg, Montana, where he worked for several years as a railroad engineer.
Despite the distance from Ohio, his passion for Freemasonry remained strong. While in Montana, he helped establish a new chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, serving as the first High Priest of Mountain Chapter in 1889 and 1890.
Following the death of his father in December 1890, Eli returned to Columbus to help care for his mother and manage the family farm on Ackerman Road, where he would live for the remainder of his life.
In June 1891, he married Carrie S. Shattuck. The couple had two children: Louise, born in 1895, and Harold, born in 1901.
Upon his return, Eli resumed his engineering career, working for the Columbus Railway and Light Company. He played a key role in designing and overseeing the installation of many streetcar lines throughout Columbus in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
Masonic Challenges and Leadership
Eli’s Masonic journey was not without obstacles. In 1891, he was expelled from the Fraternity due to his involvement in the Cerneau conflict, a divisive period within Freemasonry that affected his lodge, New England #4. However, he applied for reinstatement and was readmitted in 1895. Demonstrating resilience and leadership, he quickly rose through the ranks and was elected Master of New England Lodge in 1900.
Around the same time, he began promoting Freemasonry in the North Columbus area. In 1898, he helped form the Acacia Club, a Masonic social organization that fostered camaraderie among Masons and their families. Eli envisioned that a new lodge could be established in the area—and that vision was realized in 1906 with the founding of Neoacacia Lodge #595.
Acknowledging his leadership and dedication, he was elected the lodge’s first Master, serving in 1906 and 1907, and later as Secretary from 1909 to 1911. He also held the role of Marshal for the annual St. John’s Day Parade, proudly leading his brethren from the lodge to local churches for the observance.
Eli continued his involvement in the broader Masonic community, becoming a charter member of York Chapter #200, York Council #115, and Columbus Commandery #69. His reputation as one of the most respected Masons in Columbus was firmly established.
Legacy and Final Years
Among his many contributions, Eli considered the founding of Neoacacia Lodge his crowning achievement. His address to the lodge in 1915 (referenced in lodge minutes) stands as a heartfelt testament to his enduring commitment to Freemasonry. At one point, he even offered a portion of his property on Ackerman Road for the construction of a new lodge building. However, the location was deemed impractical due to limited transportation access at the time.
Outside of Freemasonry, Eli was a dedicated member of Northminster Presbyterian Church and served as a trustee of Union Cemetery.
Eli O. Ackerman passed away on September 28, 1944, at the age of 82. His body lay in state at York Temple, where funeral services were conducted under the auspices of the Knights Templar. He was laid to rest at Union Cemetery, with arrangements handled by P. E. Rutherford Funeral Home.