About The Tournament
Registration
The Course
Our Cause
About Our Lodge
Directions
Contact Us
Our Lodge
Our History goes back to the man whose name we bear J. Simpson Africa. He was well known in Bucks county, where he frequently visited and read papers before the Historical Society. Born September 15, 1822, his grandfather, Michael Africa, was one
of the pioneers of Huntington Pennsylvania. He eventually became a surveyor and civil engineer and in 1853 was elected County Surveyor. In 1858-59 he was chosen one of the Clerks of the State of Pennsylvania, and in 1859 was elected to represent his native county in the Legislature. After serving as a member of the town council and the school board of Huntington, Mr. Africa in 1874 was elected burgess of the town. When the Department of Internal Affairs was created by the new Constitution of 1873 the late General McCandless, of Philadelphia, was chosen its first Secretary. He appointed Mr. Africa Deputy Secretary. The entire labor organizing this new department of the State Government devolved upon him. In 1878 he was nominated as the Democratic candidate for Secretary of Internal Affairs, but was defeated. He was Supervisor of the Census of the Seventh Pennsylvania District in 1880. In 1882 he was elected Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania on the Democratic ticket. After the conclusion of his term he was elected president of the Union Trust Company of Philadelphia, which position he held at his death. In 1883 he wrote the "History of Huntington and Blair Counties." He was a member of Standing Stone Conclave Improved Order of Hentasophs, past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Masons from 1891 to 1892, and first President of the Huntingdon Fire Company. Our namesake died Wednesday August 16,1900.
Today, J. Simpson Africa's legacy of dedication to community and public service lives on through the body of the Masonic Lodge named in his honor. Members of J. Simpson Africa have a enthusiastic commitment to the enrichment and development of the communities in which they reside. The lodge has taken on several initatives in the past years to give back to the community with the same spirit and zest Brother Africa posessed, including the local D.A.R.E. organization, local AED programs, American Red Cross Run for The Red Marathon, and volunteered at many homeless shelter kitchens.