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.
