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The Order of DeMolay was founded in 1919, in Kansas City,
Missouri, by a young man named Frank S. Land. Land was a community leader who, at the age
of 28, already had a successful business career as a restaurateur behind him.
The main event
that lead to the founding of the DeMolay movement was World War I. This was a time when
the nation was caught up with a passion and desire to bring democracy to the world. When
the United States joined in the fight against German power, every resource of men and
materials was poured into the war effort. America suffered not only the loss of its men
who had fallen in battle, but on the homefront as well. A positive response to this
critical situation came about with the development of many charitable organizations. Frank
S. Land was selected to act as the director of the Masonic Relief and Employment Bureau of
the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. This charity would come to help hundreds and hundreds of
families.
Near the end of
the war, Land became concerned with the problems of boys who had lost their fathers. He
thought "how lonely it must be for a boy not to have a man to talk with, or a man to
provide some type of inspiration and direction." Frank decided there was a need for
an organization where boys would have the opportunity to associate with other boys, a
place they could share common interests, learn responsibility and other skills that would
benefit them throughout their lives. His ideal model for this organization included having
business or professional men, Masons, taking interest in the young people, being a friend
to them, advising them, and perhaps even providing them with employment opportunities.
In March, 1919,
Land met with young Louis Lower. Louis' father had died, leaving the young man without a
father figure in his life. Land took the time to listen to Louis, learn about his dreams,
and to help him. He learned that others, like Louis, sought companionship, leadership,
inspiration and competition. He asked Louis to invite some friends to a meeting, the
original group of nine DeMolays: Louis G. Lower, Ivan M. Bentley, Edmund Marshall, Gorman
A. McBride, Jerome Jacobson, William W. Steinhilber, Elmer Dorsey, Clyde C. Stream, and
Ralph Sewell. At the second meeting, there was a total of 31 young men present. They were
excited about their new club!
The group needed
its own identity and its own name. After Dad Land related the story of Jacques DeMolay,
the group decided to name itself for this historical figure connected with Masonry.
Dad Land, as he
came to be called, provided the philosophy and principles to be embodied. As interest in
DeMolay spread, Land answered many requests for information and authority to start
chapters. Initiations and ceremonies took place in all locations. By the fall of 1920,
Mother Chapter had developed activities for its members as well. These included an
outstanding baseball team, a DeMolay marching unit, and even a 100-piece band!
By the end of
1921, Dad Land realized he had to devote full time to this new organization and become a
full time DeMolay employee. As DeMolay chapters grew in numbers and strength, the
organization as a whole grew in prestige. With this greater prestige, interest developed
in the Masonic fraternity. Official recognition and approval by Masonic groups began
giving their seal of approval to foster DeMolay in their states. Many distinguished
organizations endorsed DeMolay including the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons,
Grand Lodges, Knights Templar, etc.
A devoted
champion of Freemasonry and of its teachings, Land would become a figure of international
prominence within Masonry, eventually becoming Imperial Potentate of the Shrine of North
America. He counted among his friends U.S. Congressmen, state governors, movie and radio
stars, military leaders, leaders of industry, Presidents of the U.S. and a veritable
legion of young men in their teens.
Dad Land worked
tirelessly for the Order of DeMolay until his death on November 8, 1959. Hundreds of other
devoted workers aided in the creation and extension of the Order of DeMolay, but looked to
one man for guidance. Frank S. Land was the charismatic leader of the Order. Frank S. Land
was truly a great man, a proud American, and a person who came to be known by millions,
simply as "Dad". Frank Land's life touched, and continues to impact generation
after generation of young people, young men looking to better themselves by emulating the
lessons and examples by which he himself lived. |
