M. W. B. John W. Barkley

John W. Barkley was born on September 2, 1889 in Braceville, Ohio. He attended a one-room district school in Braceville for eight years and graduated from Warren High School. He received a Bachelor's degree from Allegheny College and he attended Harvard University Law School for a year and received a degree of LLB from the former Western Reserve University Law School.

During the years from 1917 to 1926 he was connected with the Business Department of the Cleveland Board of Education. Since 1939, he had been a member of the law firm of Squires, Sanders, and Dempsey. A member of the American, Ohio State, Cuyahoga County, and Cleveland Bar Associations. John W. Barkley served as Mayor of the City of Shaker Heights from 1950 to 1955.

John W. Barkley was made a Master Mason in Newton Falls Lodge #462, Newton Falls, Ohio on August 21, 1911. In 1920, he became a charter member as well as the first Chaplain of Laurel Lodge #657. In 1927, he served as Master of Laurel Lodge. He was a Royal Arch Mason in Windermere Chapter, a Royal and Select Master in Woodward Council and a Knight Templar in Heights Commandery #76. In total, he was a 75 year Mason.

He became a member of each of the bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Cleveland. He became an honorary Member of the Supreme Council, 33o in 1952. He was an active member of the Supreme Council, 33o in 1953. At the time of his death, he was an Emeritus Member of the Supreme Council, 33 .

Additionally, he was a member of Royal Order of Scotland; St. Benedict Conclave #34, Red Cross of Constantine, Cleveland; Al Koran Temple, AAONMS, Cleveland, Al Sirat Grotto, MOVPER, Cleveland; Cleveland Forest #70, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Cleveland; Cleveland Court #14, Royal Order of Jesters; and Laurel Chapter #487, Order of the Eastern Star. He was privileged to hold Honorary Membership in nearly 100 subordinate lodges.

In 1943, he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master by M.W. Bro. Alpheus A Stephens, serving in that capacity for three years. In 1949, he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon by M.W. Bro. William R. Pringle, and after serving in the line until 1956, was elected and installed in Cincinnati as Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Ohio in October 1956.

After a lengthy and distinguished Masonic career, MWB John W Barkley, entered the Celestial Lodge on September 27, 1986.