MOGMXRyland
XENOPHON RYLAND 1844-1920
Grand Master, 1876-1877
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Note: This biography was written when Brother Ryland was still alive. He died in 1920 and is buried in Macpelah Cemetery in Lexington, Missouri.
Most Worshipful Brother Xenophon Rvland appeared in the Grand Lodge in 1868 as Senior Warden of his Lodge; in 1869 and 1870 as Master of Lafayette Lodge No. 32, at Lexington, Missouri. At the Annual Communication of 1873 he was elected Junior Grand Warden, and the following year Deputy Grand Master, and re-elected in 1875. In 1876 he was chosen Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, serving one year. Was succeeded by Brother Thomas C. Ready.
Brother Rvland was born near Lexington, Missouri, June 1, 1844. His father, John F. Ryland, was Grand Master in 1849 and 1850. Xenophon was made a Mason in Lafayette Lodge No. 32 at Lexington, soon after reaching the required age. He served as Master in 1869 and 1870. He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master and District Lecturer, and served for a number of years, visiting and holding Lodges of Instruction in every Lodge in his district. He mastered both the Ritual of Lodge and Chapter.
He was exalted in Lexington Royal Arch Chapter No. 10 at Lexington, Missouri, March 22, 1868, and served as Excellent High Priest. In the Grand Chapter he was elected Deputy Grand High Priest in 1872, and Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1873. He received the Orders of Knighthood in De Molay Commandery No. 3 at Lexington.
When only a youth he entered the Union army, and was captured as a private when Col. Mulligan surrendered to General Sterling Price at Lexington. He was afterwards First Lieutenant in the 71st Enrolled Militia, then but eighteen years of age. He chose the law as a profession, and was licensed to practice in all the courts when but nineteen years of age. He served as Presidential Elector in 1880. In 1882 he was first appointed, and afterwards twice elected, Probate Judge.
In 1890, at the earnest call of his denomination, the Southern Presbyterian Church of Missouri, he engaged in evangelistic work, and on the 10th of November, 1892, having been previously elected by the Synod of Missouri State Evangelist, he was fully ordained for the Ministry, and from that time has wholly devoted himself to the great work; hence his absence from Masonic councils in the last few years. He still resides at Lexington, Missouri.
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Xenophon Ryland was the son of Past Grand Master and Judge of the Missouri Supreme Court John F. Ryland (GM 1873). He was born June 1, 1844. At the age of 19 he took up the practice of law practicing in all the courts of the State. In 1882 he was appointed Probate Judge in Lafayette County.
"Xenophon of Athens was a ancient Greek Historian, soldier, mercenary and a student of Socrates." Brother Ryland received his Masonic Degrees in Lafayette Lodge No 32, Lexington Mo. being raised to the degree of Master Mason July 9, 1866. Ryland was elected Master of Lafayette Lodge in 1869, 1870, 1878 and when Lafayette Lodge consolidated with Lexington Lodge No 149 he served as Master in 1889 and 1891. He was DDGM of the 39th District from 1870-1873
He first attended Grand Lodge in 1868 representing Lafayette Lodge and was elected Grand Master in 1876. He was appointed Grand Orator in 1878.
He became a Royal Arch Mason in Lexington Chapter No 10 March 26, 1868 serving as High Priest in 1871 and 1872. In 1875 he served as Grand High Priest.
He died in his home in Higginsville, Mo., October 1, 1920. His remains are buried in Machpelah Cemetery, Lexington Missouri with Masonic serviced provided by the Grand Lodge.
- Find A Grave page, including a detailed biography.
