H. S. Kissell Lodge No. 674

In the year 1921, no Masonic Lodge in Ohio had ever been named for a living person. This, however, proved to be no deterrence to the founders who proceeded to select their choice of a man of considerable stature and prominence in the communtiy who would be in their minds an excellent example of masonic virtues. Such a man was Harry S. Kissell, of German stock with roots in Moravian, Pennsylvania, born in 1875. Here was a man graduated from Springfield public schools and also a graduate of Wittenberg College with the Class of 1896.

He had started out as a young newspaper reporter, read law for two years, and then entered the real estate business with his father in 1899. Married two years later to Olive Troupe, they had two children, Roger and Mary Lu, the daughter later becoming the wife of Howard Noonan who later became well known in Springfield business and social circles.

Success in the real estate field came rapidly to brother Kissell who took to his chosen career field with enthusiasm and vision, helping to establish the National Association of Real Estate Boards, and in 1914 through his corporate ventures, developed the Ridgewood Subdivisions in north Springfield which became nationally known as a model of development of residential living. He helped found the Ohio Association of Real Estate Boards, the Springfield Real Estate Board, the Rotary Club of Sprinfield in 1914 of which he became its second president. Active in Covenant Presbyterian Church, he also entered Anthony Lodge No. 455, Free and Accepted Masons and in 1902-1903 served the lodge as Master, was appointed as the District Lecturer of the Ninth Masonic District during the period of 1903-1906, was appointed to the grand line and was elected Grand Master of Masons in Ohio in 1910, at the age of 35 becoming one of the youngest Grand Masters of Ohio. In 1913, brother Kissell was crowned an honorary 33 degree mason in the Scottish Rite, and was active with the York Rite, a shriner, and a member of the Jesters. He was a director of the American Trust and Savings Bank which he helped to found, and later the First National Bank. He helped to form the first Springfield Community Fund, later to be known as the United Appeals Fund and continued as a director of that organization for many years. Active with the Ohio Society for Crippled Children, he was deeply and quietly involved in crippled children's work and other philanthropic pursuits.

At first brother Kissell declined the honor of having a lodge named after himself but then reluctantly consented thereto. Although he resisted invitations to demit and become a member of the new lodge, he attended frequently lodge occasions and was elected an honarary member of H. S. Kissell Lodge in December of 1921. In 1931 he was appointed treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and re-elected yearly until his death in 1946 from a heart attack. He deeply appreciated the honor accorded to him and proved to be an excellent mentor and friend of the lodge. He was one of the City of Springfield all time greats and a highly esteemed citizen. He was a most appropriate honoree and an exemplar of the highest masonic virtues.