Michael Z. Kreider was born in Huntington, Huntington County, Pennsylvania in November 1803. Owing to problems in the family, he was thrown upon the world and his own resources at an early age. When only fifteen years old, he, together with a younger brother, crossed the then almost insurmountable Allegheny Mountains on foot, seeking the home of a relative who resided in Seneca County Ohio, near what is now the town of Tiffin, Ohio.
While he learned all of the traits necessary to survive in the rude frontier country in which he found himself, his one burning ambition was to become a successful licensed physician. To the attainment of this object, he shaped all of his efforts. Overcoming almost insurmountable odds, a lack of time, money, books, social background, etc. Kreider pressed on finally (after considerable hard work) he passed his examination with distinction, and received his license to practice medicine.
Moving then to the town of Royalton in Fairfield County, he had soon established an extensive practice, at the same time gaining for himself the highest respect of the residents of that area. In 1832, he was elected representative of Fairfield County, in the General Assembly of the State of Ohio. In 1833, he was appointed clerk of the Court of Common pleas and thereupon moved to Lancaster, Ohio.
In the year 1842, he became a member of the Methodist-Episcopal Church at Lancaster, and in the succeeding year, was constituted a local preacher of that church, and ordained a Deacon in the year 1847.
Despite the demands of three professions, he found ample time for leisure, and by good management of that time, was able to enrich his mind, as well as enjoy frequent social events. He was known for his warm companionship and his love of fun. During the later years of his life, the requirements of his extremely active life necessitated much exposure to the elements and although gifted with a strong physical constitution, it began to show the effects of continued abuse. In July of 1853, while traveling in Northern Michigan, he suffered an attack of sunstroke, and soon thereafter diabetes began .to plague him. In March of 1854, a near fatal hemorrhage in his lungs ushered in his final year of pain and suffering.
M. W. Brother Kreider received his Masonic light in Lancaster Lodge No. 57 in 1831 with M. W. Brother Wm. J. Reese, presiding. He also received the various York Rite degrees in Lancaster and served Lancaster Lodge No. 57 as Senior Deacon in 1835 and Master in 1843. His active business and professional life, however, prevented him from serving more than one year in this capacity, since he was, during the same year, elected Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, which position he held for twelve years until his death. At the Grand Lodge session in 1846, he was elected Senior Grand Warden, having previously occupied the office of Grand Orator and Grand Marshal. He was elected M. W. Grand Master in 1847 and held this position for three consecutive years. During M. W. Brother Kreider’s term as Grand Master, Masonry was flourishing in Ohio, having emerged from the dark period of the mid-eighteen hundreds. His administration was long remembered for the efforts he made to correct the many irregularities, which had crept into the work throughout the State of Ohio.
Death came to M. W. Brother Michael Z. Kreider on July 20,1855. His body was interred in the Elmwood Cemetery, Section C, Row 25, Lancaster, Ohio.