Douglas O. Brenneman was born on January 5, 1942 in Ashtabula, Ohio. He is the son of Charles H. and Charlotte M. (Archibald) Brenneman. He attended Jefferson High School where he graduated in 1960. He is a graduate of the National Hardwood Lumber School in Memphis, Tennessee. He is a 35-year employee, current owner and President of Brenneman Lumber Company in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
M. W. Brother Brenneman was married to the former Patricia Toppin of Dorset, Ohio on October 28, 1961, they are the parents of three children; Charles R., Jennifer Miller, and Douglas J. all of Mt. Vernon, Ohio and the proud grandparents of six grandchildren. He and his wife are both members of the Gay Street United Methodist Church where he has served as Chairman of Finance, Trustees and Lay Personnel. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Mt. Vernon and previously served on the Board of Directors.
M. W. Brother Brenneman is a member and past chairman of the Ohio Forestry Association and a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, Appalachian Hardwood Lumber Association, the Hardwood Manufacturers Association, N.H.L.A. Lumberman’s Club and the Penn York Lumberman’s Club. At the present time he serves on the board of the following organizations: the Salvation Army and Y. M. C. A. of Mt. Vernon, the Ohio Masonic Home and the P. Dean Gerber Scholarship Foundation.
M. W. Brother Brenneman also serves on the Presidents Community Council of the Mt. Vernon Nazarene College. He is a recipient of the Stephen W. Zelkowitz Community Service Award and the Mt. Vernon-Knox County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the year Award, both in 1997.
M.W. Brother Brenneman was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Mt. Zion Lodge No.9 on January 20, 1971 where he served as the Worshipful Master in 1976. He is a past president of the 19th Masonic District and served as District Deputy Grand Master in 1987, 1988 and 1989.
In the Scottish Rite, he is a member of the Valley of Columbus, and on September 23, 1997 at Grand Rapids, Michigan he was nominated and elected to receive the 33rd Degree. He was Coroneted a 33rd Degree Honorary Member of the Supreme Council in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 29, 1998. He is also a member of the Aladdin Temple Shrine, Baldwin Shrine Club, Utica Shrine Club; Kam Ram Grotto; Heart of Ohio Council No. 258, Allied Masonic Degrees; Clinton Chapter No. 26, Royal Arch Masons; Kinsman Council No. 76, Royal and Select Masons; Clinton Commandery No.5, Knights Templar; and Knox Chapter No. 236, O.E.S.
He received the Honorary Legion of Honor from the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, on September 13, 1997 in Cleveland, Ohio.
M. W. Brother Brenneman was appointed Grand Tyler by Most Worshipful Brother P. Dean Gerber in 1991. In 1993 he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon by Most Worshipful Brother Thomas D. Zahler and was subsequently appointed Grand Marshal and Grand Orator. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1995, Senior Grand Warden in 1996 and Deputy Grand Master in 1997. On October 17, 1998 he was installed Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio.
M. W. Brenneman resides in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.