This object is the ring of a high ranking Freemason, which would be owned by my great grandpa on my father's side, Jess L. Smith. This ring was to show the rank of  leader of this Freemason lodge, also known as a Past Master. It's story remains a little convoluted due to the naturally more cloistered nature of the freemasons, and how very little my great-grandfather spoke of it while it was still in his ownership. What I do know, comes from the parts of his history that he did inform my grandfather about. With his high rank, he was shown to be a great leader for the community as many of the leaders of his town of Bloomington Indiana found him as a close peer. While he mostly spent his time in the business of his steakhouse, he was known to help with charitable activities such as open dinners supporting hospitals, scholarships, and other forms of aid for the people of Monroe County where he lived. The story of this ring connects to  the definition of being American with our strong sense of community and coming together, especially in the 1950s in the era of rebuilding and becoming more prosperous as a whole. disconnect to the theme of opportunity in us history, as my great-grandfather Jess L. Smith became a great leader in his community coming from his average beginnings in 1909 in Indiana.
 

– SM

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more