WASHINGTON LODGE #17 HAMILTON OHIO!
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Worshipful & Honorable William B. Vanhook

Worshipful & Honorable Brother William B. VanHook, Soldier, Ohio Penitentiary Warden, Former speaker of the House, Former Mayor of Hamilton, Ohio and the 20th Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge #17
William VanHook was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1795. He moved from Cincinnati to Hamilton in the year 1818, where he continued to reside until his death, which took place in 1871. About 1818 he and the late James B. Thomas along with his Masonic brother Joseph Hough went from Hamilton to New Orleans on a flat-boat, where they remained for several months, working together at the carpenter business. Mr. Van Hook, Joseph Hough and the late Colonel Ball, of Trenton, walked ail the way back to Hamilton.
He was shortly afterwards married to Julia Ann Stephens, who survived him, and who died in June. 1882.
Mr. Van Hook was a man of more than ordinary merit, and filled with ability offices of public trust. For several years he was a member of the Ohio Legislature; was speaker of the House of Representatives, and was warden of the Ohio penitentiary. President of the city council of Hamilton. During the late rebellion he was deputy
provost marshal of the Third Congressional District. In politics he was always an unwavering and ardent Democrat, but during the war of the Rebellion acted with the Union party. For more than half a century he was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. He served a Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge #17 a total of three times. He died at his home in Hamilton, Ohio. Worshipful Brother VanHook still has a street named in his honor in south Hamilton Lindenwald area “VanHook Avenue” Worshipful Brother VanHook is buried in Greenwood Cemetery
Worshipful Brother William B. VanHook Final Resting Place

Location

Situated on the main Hamilton Ohio corridor, The Hamilton Masonic Temple is home to the oldest Masonic lodge in Butler County.  Founded in 1811 and fully chartered in 1812, the history of Washington Lodge traces its heritage to the very founding of Hamilton and Butler County.

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