Samos Chapter Order of Pythagorans Akron, Ohio

The Order of Pythagorans was founded and introduced to Prince Hall Masonry by Past Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful James A. Revaleon, in Boston, Massachusetts, 1936. The Order was organized in the State of Ohio through the aggressive efforts of Grand Master Charles F. Casterman, on April, 11 1946.

The purpose of the Organization was to provide a club for boys, emphasizing programs for their Education. Social, Vocational, Physical and Moral development.

The Order was named after Pythagoras (591 B.C. - 50c B.C.), a noted Greek Philosopher and Mathematician, who traveled extensively throughout Egypt, Chaldea and Asia. Pythagoras was a contemporary with many of the Hebrew Prophets and Leaders. Because of his fortitude and constancy, he was initiated into the mysteries of Hebrew and Egyptian learning's. On his return to Samos, his home country, Pythagoras established a school, whereby he taught the mystical powers of Numbers, along with their relationship with Life and the Universe.

Though Pythagoras was proficient in many things, he regarded himself merely as a "Seeker after Knowledge", and not it's possessor; which may be interpreted as the Beginning of Wisdom.

Prince Hall Masonry, like the people during the time of Pythagoras, has accepted his philosophies as a way of teaching "... their children the Art of Good Citizenship".

The programs of the order have been diversified to meet the needs and interest of it's members. It's aim is to develop better Son's and Men. Since the Order has been brought to Ohio, it has been changed at various intervals.

Four years after it's inception, in 1949, the Grand Council President, Odie Smith, reorganized the Grand Council and reactived several of the Chapters.

It was during the administration of Grand Council President, John W. Payne, that the most significant changes were effected. The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, upon the request of it's Grand Advisory Council, officially severed it's relationship with the Supreme Council of the Order of Pythagorans, in Boston. It further declared teh Grand Council sovereign. The Ohio Grand Council was then charted by the State of Ohio as such. A new constitution, ritual and administrative program was set forth by Council president, John W. Payne, Vice President James Horn and Recording Secretary, Carl V. Hawkins. Sources of supplies were then obtained. The Grand Council of Virginia, which was set up by Ohio, was concerned by the lack of cooperation from the Supreme Council, and met with Ohio in 1954, to discuss a reorganization of the same, or a formation of a National Council of Masonic Youth Groups.

James Horn succeeded John W. Payne. It was during this administration that supplies and equipment were procured, and the Grand Council, assisted by Grand Master Counselor James Berkley, renewed it's membership drive.

In 1956, James Day, as Grand Council President, effected a more concrete program for the join, annual session with the Girls Assembly, and assigned Carl V. Hawkings the task of revising the ritual, and to work with him on a revision of the constitution. Both were approved by Grand Council at the beginning of James Horn's second term of office.

It was during this time that much renewed interest was shown in the Order by the Lodges, as the Grand Council, (through the Director of Youth Activities), kept them informed of their progress and appealed for their support. As old Chapters were reactivated, it found that many former Companions had become members of the sponsoring Lodges. Some were even working as Pythagoran Advisors.

Today, the proud legacy, tradition and trail blazing motives of the Order of the Pythagorans continues in the Chapters, Hearts and Minds of the hundreds of companions throughout the Great State of Ohio.