USA > New York > Otsego County > History of Otsego County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73
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At this meeting Elijah Holt, E-q .. Timothy Morse, Esq., TI mas Whiticar, and Ansehn Williams applied for the I nye, and were subsequently initiated. During this year ""s four members were added by initiation, and four others ': affiliation. Among these new members appear the names
of citizens distinguished in the annals of Otsego County, viz., Dr. Joseph White, Joseph Tunnicliff, Gen. Jacob Morris, James Averill, Paschall Franchot, Richard Cary, Erastus Root, and others.
In July preparations were made to move the lodge from the house of Wor. Bro. Phinney, and in August the meet- ing was held in the lodge-chamber in the house of Bro. Huntington, southwest corner of Second and West streets (now Main and Pioneer). On the occasion of the festival of St. John the Evangelist (Dee. 27), the day was ob- served with suitable ceremonies by the craft. A discourse was delivered by Rev. Bro. Camp, of Canaan, Columbia county. Bro. IInntington spread the table of refreshments, around which some sixty or seventy brethren assembled, besides several distinguished visitors, among whom was the Rev. Dr. Nott. In the following year (1797) twenty- eight members were added by initiation, and one by athilla- tion, among whom we find the names of Samuel Crafts, F. Herrick, and others. During this year a contract was inade for a building for the use of the craft. A lot was selected on the northeast corner of West and Front streets, and. pursuant to a resolution of the lodge, " Masonie Hall"' was raised on Saturday, June 24, that day being the festival of St. John the Baptist. Tradition relates that " uot a loud word was spoken upon the ground on this interesting occa- sion, nor a metal tool used."*
At the annual communication -- Dec. 5, 1797-it was resolved to celebrate the festival of St. John the Evangelist, and dedicate the hall on the same day. "The ceremonies on this occasion were performed in a most satisfactory man- ner. In his usual happy style, Wor. Bro. Phinney com- posed a dedication song for the occasion."
In the next year, 1798, fifteen new members were added to the lodge, which we find working prosperously and bar- moniously. There are occasionally causes for Masonic dis- cipline, such as suspension or expulsion for intemperance and other unmasonic conduct. On June 4, at a stated meeting, a committee was appointed to wait on his honor, Judge Cooper, and return him the thanks of Otsego lodge for the donation of the lot on which the Masonic bal stands.
The year 1799 shows a condition of prosperity in the lodge, and a goodly addition to its membership. At the stated meeting held on Jan. 7, 1800, the death of our worthy and illustrious brother, General George Washing- ton, was duly announced by Wor. Bro. Phinney. when, after reading and adopting certain resolutions passed by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of New York on this mournful occasion, it was unanimously
Resolved, That the members of this lodge wear mourning for the term of six months as a tribute of respect for the memory of their illustrious aud well-beloved brother, General George Washington, who left this terrestrial for the Celestial Lodge December 14, JUDO lucis 5792.
Fifty-live years later (in 1852) it is recorded in the back of thin- utes that while relaying the foun lation of Masouie hall a pla. . eupper, 10 by 5 inches, was found, with this inseription engrave 1 thereon : " Anno Lucia MDCCXOVH., die Juni XXIV. Hier . it erastata fait a membris Otago Intomoram Societatis. E. P. M. ... rotu ritui Filiorum Lucix.
Non nobis solum nati sumu Sed partiu Patrio partim Amici."
* By Frederick A. Gotlo.
278
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Resolred, That the lodgo-room be clothed in mourning during the term aforesaid.
And whereas, The Congress of the United States have, by resolu- tion, "commended to the poople of the United States to assemble on tho twenty-second day of February next, in such numbers and man- Der as may be convenient, publicly to testify their grief for the death of General George Washington by suitable eulogies, orations, and discourses, or by public prayers," therefore,
Resolved, That the members of this lodge be notified to assemble at the lodge-room on the twenty-second day of February next at 12 o'clock w., for the purpose so recommended, and that Bro. Eli Par- sons be requested to deliver an oration before this lodgo on the solemn occasion.
According to appointment the lodge was held on Febru- ary 22, there being a large attendance of the brethren, and Bro. Parsons delivered an eloquent oration suitably adapted to the occasion.
The minutes of the lodge record harmonious work for a series of years. Every year the brethren celebrate the fes- tival of one of their patron saints, on which occasion it was their custom to walk in Masonic procession to one of the churches, preceded by a band of music, and after listening to an appropriate discourse by a reverend brother, return to the lodge-room. The remainder of the day would be spent in convivial enjoyment, indulging iu "the feast of reason and the flow of soul."
It appears that at a regular meeting, on Jan. 4, 1806, this lodge voted to recommend Brother Joseph White for Master, Brother Peter Magher for Senior Warden, and Brother Elijah Holl for Junior Warden of a lodge to be established at Cherry Valley, and to be knowu by the name of Triuity lodge.
On July 13, 1813, a number of brethren attended the funeral of Right Worshipful Brother Elihu Phinney. On returuing to the lodge it was voted, " that as a testimony of respect for the memory of our brother and principal founder of this lodge,-Elihu Phinney, Esq.,-that this lodge be clothed with mouruing for the term of three mouths from this date."
The lodge continued in a steady prosperous course, its nicetings well attended, and its councils harmonious. Death had been unsparing here, as elsewhere, and the minutes record many occasions when a departed brother had been laid in his final resting-place with Masonic ceremonies, and the customary resolutions of regret and eulogy were passed on these occasions. The charter members had nearly all been summoned by the Grand Architect to the Celestial lodge above. One of the last, Brother James Fitch, whose name appears in the warrant as Junior Warden, died in March, 1822. He was borne to the grave by his younger brethren, and his remains interred with due Masonic honors.
The time now approaches when the prosperous career of the lodge will receive a severe check, when partisan fanati- cism and ignorance will be arrayed against our beloved in- stitution, and Masons are to suffer persecution and ostra- cism. Many of the weaker brethren apostatized from our order, and became conspicuous among its persecutors. Old Otsego lodge, like many of her sisters, came near being shipwrecked by the violent waves of persecution, but thanks to a noble few, who manfully adhered to their duty and stood by their posts, she weathered the storm, and finally came out of the conflict triumphaut, although sadly
exhausted and depleted in numbers. It is but justice in the honored few who stood by their beloved institution and their dear old lodge in the dark days of adversary that their names should appear on record, as an exam .... of firmness and fortitude to their younger brethren, remind- ing them of that debt of gratitude they owe to those who stemmed the tide of persecution, hatred, and inalice of the anti-Masonic period. After the lapse of half a century their names are honored and recalled with reverence and gratitude by their successors. And foremost among thi- noble band was the then Worshipful Master, E. B. Crandal. William Nichols, Kent Jarvis, Ariel Thayer, Seth Double- day, Jr., William Wilson, Chas. Thurston, William Temple. William Lewis, Harvey Luce, Abner Graves, and a few others. Two out of this number are yet spared to us. an-l these venerable brethren (one of them in his eighty-seventh year, the other a few years his junior) retain undiminished their old love for the institution of Freemasonry, and are occasionally present at the regular meetings of the lodge.
The following is recorded by Worshipful Brother E. B .- Crandall : " Towards the close of the year 1826, some few of the members of the lodge, becoming somewhat restive under the proscription of political anti-Masonry, appeared in a body and uotified the Worshipful Master that at the approaching regular meeting of the lodge it was their in- tention to move the lodge to surrender its warrant, as a step towards appeasing public opinion and allaying the political excitement then everywhere raging in the State. The Worshipful Master replied that he did not consider it a favored question, and he should refuse to entertain it before the lodge unless all its members were previously notified of the intention, and so long as he remained the depositary of the warrant, and was sustained by the con- stitutional number of Masons ; or, in other words, uuless all its members unite iu the proposed movement, he would never consent to surrender the warrant for such purpose. He further observed that if they concurred he would notify the meeting to be held at an early hour, and then inform- ally consider what might be done under the then existing state of public feeling, and whatever might be determined on by the brethren assembled, short of a surrender, etc., he, for one, would cheerfully observe. Accordingly, it was afterwards informally agreed that as an experiment this lodge would cease from its labors, keep its property in- sured, and standing good in grand lodge, and meet only for the purpose of closing its unfinished business and of organization, by the annual election of officers, or otherwise, as circumstances might specially require."
The following is recorded in the minutes in 1837 : " On the 19th day of August departed this life Brother Ezra Eaton, aged eighty-seven years. So remarkable was our venerable brother for his punctual attendance that he was elected twenty-nine times to the office of Tyler of the lodge. The brethren attended his funeral at his late residence in Middlefield, and assisted in the performance of the core- monies at the grave."
He was the last of the charter-members. It will be ob- served that he filled the office of Tyler at the first meetit : of the lodge, as described in this sketch.
The lodge continued to meet but once a year, for the
Calvin Graves
279
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Ation of officers, and thus maintain its organization, as aimed upon in 1826. Occasionally they initiated a candi- date, calling it unfinished business, and other members were aMed by affiliation. The records were kept during this period by Worthy Brother E. B. Crandal, who was for many years secretary, and to whom the lodge is largely indebted for the careful preservation of its archives and documents. His record tells us that for uear twenty years the lodge had not done regular Masonie work ; that although in the year 1535 an attempt was made to revive its stated meetings, a rote to that effeet being passed by a small majority, yet " the opposition was so strong, and so earnest, it seemed as if the time had not arrived, and the resolution was suffered to pass by inoperative."
In 1845 a strong desire was manifested by the brethren to resume labor, but time and the tide of emigration had so reduced the number of members residing within a reason- able distance that it was difficult at times to get together a sufficient number for the election of officers. At the election, Dec. 9, 1845, the desire among the remaining few to resume work, and revive the lodge into activity, was strongly manifested, and it was
Resolred, That when this lodge closes, it shall stand closed till the next St. John's day ( Dce. 27), at two o'clock p.M., at which time shall be installed the officers elect, and that our brother Chaplain be re- quested to deliver a discourse on the occasion.
The officers were duly installed on the day appointed, but Brother Potter, the Chaplain, being abroad at the time, the discourse failed.
During the year 1846 the regular meetings of the lodge were punetually attended, but the members were aware that their condition was one of irregularity, they not having paid any dues to, or held any communication with, the grand lodge for a number of years, and, as a consequence, their warrant had become forfeitable; but such also was the condition of most other lodges in this jurisdiction, and it was expected that the grand lodge, on being appealed to, and " the true state of our situation laid before it, would hail our renovation with rapture, and again fold us in its fraternal embraces."
During the year 1847, 16 new members were added by initiation and 11 by affiliation. Among the former were Brothers James L. Fox aud Eliab P. Byram, both of whom became Masters of the lodge for a number of years, and to whom the lodge is largely indebted for its subsequent pros- purity.
At the annual communication of the grand lodge of the State of New York, in 1848, the matter of Otsego lodge was referred to a committee who reported that, " in view of the facts in the ease presented, and in consideration of most of its members as men of moral worth and integrity, your committee would respectfully offer the following resolution :
" Rewolred, That a new warrant be granted to Otsego lodge, No. 40, in continuation of the old warrant, on payment of the constitutional fre : that Ariel Thayer be named therein as Master, James L. Fox, Senior Warden, and Eliab P. Byram, Junior Warden; and, under the peculiar ciremastances of the case, said lodge is also allowed to trtain its old warrant, with an endorsement therein, written on its face, that a new warrant hus been issued in continuation thereof."&
By the new warrant Otsego lodge became No. 138. Her true numerical rank in the list of lodges in the State is No. 13, which we are prepared to prove by argument and record. These, however, would not be interesting in this place. The officers named in the new warrant were in- stalled, and the lodge was once more launehed on the sea of prosperity and usefulness, which has continued to the present day.
The following is a list of Masters of Otsego lodge, from its foundation to the present time (1877) : Elihu Phinney, three years, to 1798; Richard Edwards, two years, to 1800; Elihu Phinney, one year, to 1801 ; Joshua Dewey, three years, to 1804; Elijah H. Metcalf, three years, to 1807 ; William Sprague, three years, to 1810; Benjamin Wight, one year, to 1811; Chester Griswold, one year, to 1812; William Sprague, one year, to 1813; Roger Haskell, one year, to 1814; Samuel Starkweather, two years, to 1816 ; William Nichols, two years, to 1818; Ambrose L. Jordan, one year, to 1819; Harvey Luee, one year, to 1820; Edward B. Crandall, two years, to 1822; Harvey Luee, one year, to 1823; Edward B. Crandall, one year, to 1824; Ariel Thayer, one year, to 1825 ; Edward B. Crandall, one year, to 1826; Ariel Thayer, nine years, to 1835; Chas. Thurston, two years, to 1837 ; Joseph White, one year, to 1883; Ariel Thayer, one year, to 1839 ; Charles Thurston, six years, to 1845; Ariel Thayer, two years, to 1847; James Hyde, one year, to 1848; James L. Fox, four years, to 1852; Eliab P. Byram, three years, to 1855; Ariel Thayer, one year, to 1856 ; Eliab P. Byram, three years, to 1859 ; Delos L. Birge, one year, to 1860 ; Eliab P. Byram, two years, to 1862, Rufus C. Doubleday, one year, to 1863; Chas. W. Tomlinson, three years, to 1866; James A. Lynes, two years, to 1868; Frederick A. Goffe, two years, to 1870 ; Nelson Beach, one year, to 1871 ; Seth J. Temple, two years, to 1873; Frederick A. Goffe, two years, to 1875 ; Lyman H. Hills, one year, to 1876; Frederick A. Goffe, one year, to 1877.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CALVIN GRAVES,
son of Abner and Mary Graves, was born in Walpole, N. H., Sept. 11, 1794. In the same year his father left the comforts and convenienees of his New England home, and with his family emigrated to Otsego County, then consid- ered an ontpost of civilization. At that time Rochester was a swamp and Syracuse a " sult lick." There were but a few rude structures on the site of the present flourishing city of Utica, and Buffalo had not yet received its first permanent white settler. Otsego County was a wilderness, and the red man still wandered through the adjacent forest. This was the state of the country when Abner Graves raised the standard of home in Cooperstown. Ile was. however, well qualified to endure the hardships incident to pioneer life. He died, at the close of an active and useful career, at the advanced age of ninety years.
Like many of the prominent and successful business men of to-day, Calvin Graves, the subject of this memoir,
· Transactions G. L., 1848, p. 55.
280
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
received the rudiments of his education at the district school. He was a faithful attendant at the school early taught in this village by Oliver Cory; and although the educational advantages of those early days were meagre, still he sneceeded well in his studies, and subsequently en- tered the Cooperstown academy, where he pursued his studies with diligence and attention, and succeeded in acquiring an education that well qualified him for his sub- sequent successful business career.
At the age of fifteen years he eommeneed business with his father, and during the War of 1812 they had charge of the commissary depot, and furnished the troops from this county with rations.
In 1820 he united in marriage with Fanny Carlisle, a native of Walpole, N. H., born in December, 1795. They have three children living,-two daughters and one son, --- viz. : Harriette M. Wilson, resides in Cooperstown ; she has two sons, Frank B. and George B. Wilson, merchants, in the city of Detroit. The other daughter married Hon. George Green, and resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have seven children living, Calvin G., George, William, Elizabeth, Robert, Franeis, and Woodward. Judge Green is a prominent business man, and at one time was president of five different railroads. He is now largely interested in railroads in the west and southwest. John C. Graves married Mary L. Keyes, and resides in Cooperstown. They have one child, Fanny G., wife of Lionel H. Cooke, M.D., a practicing physician in the city of Cleveland, Ohio.
Calvin Graves has been largely engaged in mereantile business, real-estate transactions, ete., and has ever been closely identified with the interests of the village. He was a member of the first board of directors of the old Otsego County bank, and upon the organization of the First National bank was chosen its president.
Mr. Graves is a self-made man. Early in life he learned that the way leading to sueeess was no royal road, but was open to strong hands and willing hearts.
" Honor and fame from no condition rise ; Act well your part, there all the honor lies."
He early established methodical business habits, and his energy and perseverance, coupled with integrity of eharae- ter worthy of emulation, has rendered his life a success. Politieally, he is a Republican, and has labored earnestly to advance the interests of that party. He manifests an interest in religious matters, and his long and active business career has ever been characterized by a consistent Christian spirit. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Although now past the Seriptural age of threeseore and ten, and somewhat infirm in body, he retains his mental faculties in a remarkable degree, and vividly relates seenes and incidents of " ye olden time." He is one of Coopers- town's most highly-esteemed and venerable citizens, and may the remaining years of his earthly pilgrimage be passed peacefully, and when the insatiate archer, Death, summons him away, may he go
WILLIAM HOLT AVERELL
was born in Cooperstown, N. Y., in 1794, seven years after his father came to the town of Otsego. He receiv ..! a thorough education, and graduated at Union college. H .: subsequently studied law, and was admitted to practice. He did not long continue actively engaged in his profes- sion, owing to the fact that, on the death of his father, le found his time fully oeenpied with the management of his business and estate. Mr. Averell continued to reside in Cooperstown until his death, which oeeurred in Augu-t. 1873. His ancestors were mainly of English origin, and were among the early settlers of this country. He had some French blood in his veins, and inherited many of the characteristics and distinguishing features of that people. His grandfather served for a short time in the army of the Revolution.
Mr. Averell never held any public office except that of bank commissioner, to which he was appointed in 1841 by the governor and senate. The duties of this office were discharged with marked fidelity and intelligence. ITis polit- ieal eonvietions and opinions were of the most pronounced character ; and for the greater part of his aetive political life-contending in the minority-he was a valuable and influential man, and was recognized as a leading mind by the most prominent Whigs of the State during the exist- enee of that party. Mr. Averell ouce or twice accepted a nomination for congress against great odds and with no expectation of election.
He was one of the original directors of the Otsego County bank, organized in 1830; he always remained a member of the board, and was several years its president. He continued in the First National bank as director and principal share- holder.
Intellectually, Mr. Averell had no superiors in this county and few in the State. His brain was large, his perceptive faculties aeute, his mind active, and his memory excellent. He had a keen sense of humor; and his aequaintanee with men and history made him a most interesting companion for young and old. He was of the " old school," and held his views and opinions with firmness and tenacity ; but he never harbored a grudge or cherished animosity. To the poor he was a constant benefactor ; and when a man en- joyed his confidence he was his friend for life.
His interest in his native village was unflagging; but with the prodigality and extravagance of the times, So especially marked after the inflation attending a paper cur- reney, he was ever at war.
He was an Episcopalian, and long a vestryman in Christ ehureli in this village.
The friends who knew Mr. Averell well for many years will long remember him for his many excellent deeds, kindly traits of character, his great courtesy, his warm heart, his hospitality, aud his usefulness.
EDWARD CLARK.
The subject of this sketch was born at Athens, Greene county, N. Y., Dec. 19. 1$11. His father, Nathan Clark, who was a successful manufacturer, is still living and in good health, at the advanced age of nearly ninety-one years.
" Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, Aud lies down to pleasant dreams."
22
Eduro
rand Clark. -
281
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
his mother, who was the youngest of a family of twelve Caisson, was the daughter of John Nichols, of Waterbury, Con's, and he was of the same family as Richard Nichols, Commander of the expeditionary force by which the city of New York was taken from the Dutch.
Yh- earliest school instruction which Mr. Clark can recollect was received from a Mr. Bosworth, a placid old bachelor, who knit his own stockings, and had a talent for Teaching very small children. The rudiments of Latin were married under the instruction of E. King, Esq., who then Kopf an academy at Hudson. Mr. King was one of the earliest graduates of Williams college, and belonged to the meclis as William Cullen Bryant. Subsequently, and when the boy was about twelve years of age, he was trans- Save's to the academy at Lenox, Mass., then under the di- Ation of John Hotchkin, a very thorough and successful ww her. He remained at Lenox about four years, and had Laden into him in the usual way a reasonable amount of Lastin and Greek, with other learning more or less useful. While there he acquired a taste for indiscriminate reading. 1 small library of about five hundred volumes belonged to be academy. The boy read every volume, and it was for- tanate that the selection of books was not a bad one.
Perhaps the greatest advantage derived from this aca- & tnic course by this boy came in a way and through cir- raustances not at all defensible. When young Clark first wefit to Lenox he had never been absent for any consider- the period from home, and had been accustomed to be in- Julyd by an admiring mother and aunts in every imagin- alle way. The abrupt change from home-life to the rough «jeriences of a publie school was not at all agreeable. It was not his habit, at that time, to submit quietly to any- thing disagreeable. Therefore, one day not long after entering the school, he departed from Lenox without the { quality of giving any one notice of his going, and took En course, ou foot and alone, for home, which he reached estely and in good time. He was received there very affec- ! nately by his mother, but the sterner father quietly re- parked, " Edward, you can take your supper and go to bed. T .- morrow I shall take you back to school." The next day, malingly, he was taken back to Lenox. And this same ¡ rogramme, during a period of about one year, was repeated : wer and over again, the disobedient hardihood of the boy bing corrected by the patient persistence of the father. Fully, in consequence of new boys joining the school, who were pleasant companions, and perhaps a greater fa- alliarity with things which had at first been unpleasant, the .y Wweame reconciled to the school and its teachers, and !! .. terrible feeling of home-sickness was overcome. The le in ficial result of the struggle before hinted at was this : when it began the boy was of slight, delicate frame, and aunet sickly in constitution ; when it ended his muscles " re like steel, and he was a trained athlete. He could, : I several times did as a matter of choice, walk, without ": ; ping and without refreshment, the entire distance from I tox to Hudson, thirty miles, and was not fatigued at the "A of the walk.
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