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Toronto County Lodge Return of 1934

The year 1934 marked the Centennial Celebrations of the City of Toronto. The Orange Order was still the largest and most dynamic fraternal association in the city, and its numbers gave a leg-up to those members who sought public office. This social networking permeated the political, social and economic life of the city. The result being that most political and administrative functions of City Hall were still in the hands of lodge members, up to and including the incumbent mayor of the day, William J. Stewart (a member of Ulster Black Watch No.675). The Annual Return revealed the following:

The incoming office holders for 1935 were:

The elder statesmen among active Past County Masters were Fred Dane (1905 – 06) and Joseph E. Thompson (1907 – 08). Both Thompson and Mayor Stewart later served as the speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

District Lodges

There were four district lodges indicated in the 1934 return, being as follows:

Of the 94 lodges reporting the average membership per lodge was just under 80, and 21 lodges had membership of 100 or more men.

Nassau No.4, Toronto’s oldest lodge reported a sizeable return after 103 years in existence as did the newest member of the County; Garibaldi No.3115, who received their warrant on March 17th, 1930.

Submitted by John Wells – County Secretary – November 14th, 2009

Source: The Annual Return of the County Orange Lodge of Toronto, dated Dec.31st, 1934.