Sometime before October 1869 thirteen Master Masons in good standing petitioned the Grand Lodge of Masons in Ohio for a Dispensation of the Grand Lodge authorizing the organization of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Bellaire, Ohio, under the name of �Ionic� Lodge.

This Dispensation was granted by the Grand Master at the Grand Lodge Communication on 21 October 1869. Most Worshipful Brother, A.H.Newcomb, in the Dispensation, appointed Benjamin R. Cowen to be the first Master of Ionic Lodge. On 11 November 1869, the first meeting of Ionic Lodge (under dispensation) was held during which the first set of by laws were adopted.

The reason for Ionic Lodge being formed is unknown. The thirteen petitioners were all members of Belle Air Lodge #267 and apparently acted with the full consent and blessing of Belle Air Lodge. Our Lodge first met in the Lodge room leased by Belle Air Lodge, where the present High School now stands, for the annual rental of $40.00.

At the stated meeting (UD) on 25 November 1869, the first petitions for membership were submitted by four candidates. They were voted up on 23 December 1869, and, with the ballot being clear on two of the four, Mr.M.D. Reasoner and Mr. Fred Strong, (who were apparently waiting outside) were initiated as Entered Apprentices in Ionic Lodge. Brother Reasoner was also the first Master Mason to be raised in our Lodge, on 24 February 1870.

For some reason, the first Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Benjamin Cowen, attended only one meeting out of 21 stated and specials during his year.

At the Grand Lodge Communication at Springfield on 18 October 1870 our charter was granted. On 10 November 1870, Worshipful Brother Joel Strahl of Belle Air Lodge #267, who had been appointed by the Grand Master to act in his absence, along with other line officers selected from Belle Air Lodge proceeded to constitute Ionic Lodge, and install the new officers, Brother James Smith as Worshipful Master.

The first mention of lectures was on 17 May 1873. �Special Communication this date was held for the purpose of delivering the E. A. Lecture to Brothers Dixon and Berry, and catechetical excercises of the Lodge.�

On 9 December 1874, the first Masonic funeral services by our Lodge was held for Brother S. J. Alexander. As was the custom in those days, Lodge was opened in the Lodge room. The Brethren then proceeding to the home of the late Brother and from there to the grave site. Following the services, the Brethren returned to Bellaire where Lodge was closed.

A joint committee from our Lodge and Belle Air Lodge was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for attendence on 24 June 1876 at Marietta Lodge #1�s Cenntennial celebration. There is no mention later if anyone attended.

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