MOGMJRyland
JOHN FERGUSON RYLAND 1797-1873
Grand Master, 1849-1851
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Most Worshipful Brother John Ferguson Ryland appears to have received first official recognition in the Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication of 1826, when he was elected Junior Grand Warden. After a lapse of twenty-three years, in 1849, he was chosen Most Worshipful Grand Master and re-elected in 1850, serving two years. He was succeeded by Brother B. W. Grover.
Brother Ryland was born in Essex County, Virginia, November 2, 1797. His family removed to Madison County, Kentucky, eleven years after. He received his education in Forest Hill Academy, and was noted as one of the best classical scholars of his day. About 1820 he came to Missouri, settling in the town of Old Franklin, opened an office and began the practice of law. In 1831 he was appointed Judge of the Fifth Judicial District and held the office for over eighteen years, when he was transferred to the Supreme Court, which position he held nine years, becoming ineligible under the State Constitution by reason of attaining the age limit — sixty years. He served as Representative in the Legislature in 1866, where he was regarded the leader.
Brother Ryland undoubtedly became a Mason before leaving Kentucky. At all events, no data thereof can be ascertained with any degree of certainty. Neither can his Lodge affiliations be learned. However, old records show he was Excellent High Priest of an old Royal Arch Chapter in Howard County. The first mention of him in the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Missouri is in 1852, when he was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest. About the same date he received the Orders of Knighthood in St. Louis Commandery No. 1, and assisted in organizing De Molay Encampment — now Commandery — No. 3, in Lexington, Missouri. He was appointed Grand Standard Bearer in the Grand Commandery in 1863. His death occurred at his home in Lexington, Missouri, September 10, 1873, and was deeply lamented throughout the State.
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
John Ryland was born November 2, 1797 near the banks of the Rappahannock river in Virginia. Ryland's family moved to Kentucky and attended Foster Hill Academy under the great classical scholar, Samuel Wilson. He was noted for his knowledge of history and latin. While teaching school he studied law and after moving to Missouri "hung out his shingle" at Franklin. He was a circuit judge and rode the circuit on horseback.
John F Ryland was initiated in Franklin Union Lodge No 7 June 7, 1822 with Dr. Hardage Lane, the Grand Master serving as Master of the Lodge. Ryland served as Master of the Lodge in 1824, 1825 and 1826.
Judge Ryland was a great advocate of temperance and was active in the movement.
In twelve years of practice, Judge Ryland had risen to eminence at the bar and was appointed by Governor John Miller as Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. With the appointment he moved to Lexington and resided there until his death on September 10, 1873.
Although Lafayette Lodge No 32 in Lexington was organized and chartered in 1840 Judge Ryland remained unaffiliated until 1848.
In 1849 Judge Ryland was appointed to a twelve year term to the Missouri Supreme Court.
Grand Master Ryland decided that the power to authorize the making a Mason at sight can exist only in the Grand Lodge therefore a Grand Master has no inherent power to make a Mason at sight.
