USA > New York > Yates County > History of Yates County, N.Y. : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 24
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the season when pastures have become scant and lost much of their nu- trition from frosts, and also by compelling animals to subsist on coarse, dry, and unnutritious food during the winter. This can all be obviated by the use of silos and by securing the southern corn for seed. Double the amount from a given area can be produced and the cost of keeping can be greatly lessened ; and as the fodder corn may have double the value of a crop to husk, and requires less labor, it would be much more profitable for farmers of this county to purchase corn and other food from the west, which would increase the manure, and with a judicious use of commercial fertilizers they could compete with the West, as crops are more certain and local markets better in the East.
We have the best financial system and government in the world, and as the future success of farmers greatly depends on their stability it will be for the interest of every tiller of the soil to sustain them against agitators who are trying to array labor against capital. Capital has greatly aided agriculture by furnishing transportation for farm products, loaning money and furnishing it to pay for their products, and as every young man has opportunity to become a capitalist if he wishes to be, he ought to improve his opportunity and not envy those who have suc- ceeded more than he. Many of our millionairs were rocked in the cra- dle of poverty, and with a stable government the child of poverty today may be the capitalist of the next generation. But the changes de- manded by some of the agitators would greatly jeopardize his oppor- tunity. They demand money issued and loaned by the government at two per cent. on land. This would greatly increase the price of land, and those who have none could not be benefited by it and it would be more difficult to obtain. Interest should be regulated by supply and demand the same as other commodities. High rates of interest can be obviated with good credit and prosperity by industrious economy and sobriety.
FREEMASONRY.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
FREEMASONRY IN YATES COUNTY. 1
T HE rapid growth of this great western world has given us full grown institutions at a time when in other countries they would have been in their infancy. It is unnecessary for the historian to begin with an effort to unveil the origin of Freemasonry or to show its growth with the growth and progress of an early civilization, to trace its development through untold centuries. It is enough to say that wherever the hand of man has established a civilized community there is to be found Free- masonry as one of its chief corner stones. Yates County was no ex- ception. A few years after the hardy settler had cleared off a portion of the forest from the beautiful and fertile country lying between Penn Yan and Dresden a great highway was opened near the original east line of the Phelps and Gorham purchase, which, taking its name from this line, has ever since been known as the Pre-emption road. It ran from Geneva to the southern portion of this great tract and promised to become the great line of trade of all that beautiful country. At in- tervals of three or four miles along this highway were to be found tav- erns of a rude and primitive fashion. These taverns were built where neighborhood roads crossed the main highway and were gathering points for the neighbors as well as resting places for the traveler. The principal article of refreshment to be found at these resting places was the whisky of the country, which, owing to the cheapness of corn, ignor- ance of the adulteration of modern chemistry, and freedom from legal restraint, was within the reach of the poorest wayfarer. The proprie- tors of these taverns not infrequently kept small stocks of those goods most needed by neighboring settlers. Sometimes a wagonmaker or a blacksmith built his shop or set up his anvil at the same four corners, and soon the proprietor and perhaps a few of his neighbors began to think that their settlement was the beginning of a great city that would certainly grow up and surround their log cabins. At one of the most
1 By John N. Macomb, jr., of Branchport, N. Y.
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promising of these centers was the tavern of Thomas Lee, jr., which stood where the road from Dresden to Penn Yan joins the Pre emption road, now occupied by the handsome residence of Guy Shaw. All indications seemed to point to the growth of a prosperous town upon this site.
Prior to 1810 a few Masonic lodges had been established in the coun- try west of Utica. Some of the members of these lodges had found their way into the neighborhood of which we are writing, and in that year a "warrant of dispensation " was issued by the Grand Lodge author- izing a few of these brethren to organize a lodge and do all regular Ma- sonic work. The lodge was named Vernon, from the former name of the township, and its number on the Grand Lodge registry was 190. It was instituted on the 8th of May, 1810, by Parley Phillips, of Geneva. The names of the members of the lodge at its institution were : Dr. Joshua Lee, master ; Benjamin Shaw, senior warden ; Thomas Lee, jr., junior warden ; John Hobart, Robert Patterson, James Schofield, Reu ben Weed, Joseph Havens, Harry Smith, George C. Shattuck, and John Dow.
On the 12th of June Timothy Stewart was the first initiate. Vernon Lodge held its meetings for some years in the house of Thomas Lee, jr. As the lodge grew in numbers and as funds increased a better room was needed, and directions were given for building and a committee was appointed to superintend the work. This work must have been carried on slowly, for although it was begun in the spring of 1815 it does not appear to have been finished for more than a year. August 6, 1816, it was " Voted that we receive no petitions in the lodge until the room is finished or made more safe for doing business." During this period and for some time after bills were presented to the lodge for labor and materials, amounting in all to about $600. One account dated January 8, 1817, was presented by Thomas Lee, jr., " for ma- terials of building the lodge-room, whisky, etc," amounting to $273.45, from which it would appear that they must have had an old-fashioned " raising." The lodge continued to occupy at Thomas Lee, jr.'s until February 9, 1819, when the first regular meeting was held at Asa Cole's on Head street in Penn Yan, west of Main street. A special meeting had been held there a month before, however, as we find in
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the minutes that on December 27, 1818, it was " voted that the instal- lation of officers elect be postponed on account of the severity of the weather until Thursday next, the 3 Ist inst , then to take place at Asa Cole's at Penn Yan."
On the 14th of November, 1820, the lodge resolved to move to a room over Cornelius Masten's office and on the 19th of August, 1823, the lodge removed to Smith M. Cole's on Head street, Penn Yan, a few rods east of Main street, where it continued to meet until it moved into the new building of M. F. Sheppard, August 23, 1825. The lodge had un- doubtedly met at times in its old home in the house of Thomas Lee, jr., after the first meetings were held in Penn Yan, and it was not until September 16, 1823, that it was "Voted that this lodge does hereby relinquish all claim or demand on the lodge-room in the house of Brother Thomas Lee, of whatsoever name or nature, and that Brother Thomas Lee does relinquish all dues from the lodge to him, (he hav- ing so agreed,) and that the moveable property of said lodge be given up to the lodge when called for." The Sheppard block, which stood on the west side of Main street just south of Head street, was burned December 6, 1826, and the lodge moved back to the room at Smith M. Cole's. The subject of a Masonic Hall to be built and owned by the lodge had frequently been considered and lots had been offered to the lodge. On the 9th of January, 1827, a committee was appointed to buy a lot to cost $50 and build a Masonic Hall upon it at a cost not to exceed $650. For this purpose a committee was "authorized to re- ceive the funds of this lodge from the hands of the treasurer to defray the expense of said building as far as the same will extend, and to circu- late a subscription among the fraternity to assist in said building with the understanding that moneys paid on said subscription be refunded as soon as funds come into the hands of this lodge." On the 25th of March, 1828, the lodge had evidently taken possession of the Masonic Hall; at that time the lower floor of the building was rented to Brother Hiram Nash, who was authorized to finish it at a cost of not more than $175 and to pay himself with the rent at $30 per annum.
By the end of the year 1830 the great tidal wave of anti-Masonry had swept over the country and Vernon Lodge was one of the wrecks left in its path. The records of the meetings show very few in attend - ance. On the 4th of December in that year it was
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" Resolved, That a committee be appointed to sell all the real and personal property of this lodge for the purpose of paying the debts of said lodge, and that the Master and Wardens are hereby authorized to execute a deed and such other papers as may be necessary to secure a title to the purchaser of said premises."
In the early history of Vernon Lodge we find that it prospered financially and very soon became a lender, the members borrowing the lodge funds in sums varying from $16 to $30. Charity, that greatest of all virtues, abounded. The records show many instances of relief being extented to the unfortunate. On September 7, 1813, it was " Voted that ten dollars be paid to Augustus, George, and Stephen Reketh to redeem our brothers in Algiers, in bondage," and on March I, 1814, " Brother Timothy Smith received of this lodge twenty dol- lars for the alleviation of his late misfortune, having his property burned and plundered by the British in taking Buffalo." As early as 1824 the subject of a Masonic Home was brought before the lodge. On September 20th of that year Rev. Brother Joshua Bradley visited the lodge and "delivered an address on the importance of forming a Masonic Association, submitting a plan of general association with power to loan, to buy a farm, and build an academy for Masons' orphan children, with a view to incorporation to disseminate correct Masonic information requesting representation of this lodge at a convention to be holden at Waterloo on the second Wednesday in October next."
The festivals of the two Saints John seem to have been observed from the first, either at home or with some sister lodge. On June 24, 1824, Vernon Lodge laid the corner-stone of the First Presbyterian Church in Penn Yan. The minutes of that date read. " It being the anniver- sary of S. John the Baptist Brother A. Woodworth attended as marshal, formed in procession marched to music, were joined by the Grand Lodge, received the ladies in form, marched to the site of the First Presbyterian Church in the village of Penn Yan, attended the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the edifice in Masonic form by the Rev. Mr. Lansing as grand chaplain and Dr. Joshua Lee as grand master, were favored with Masonic discourse by the Rev. Mr. Pomeroy, marched in procession to a bower, and entertainment prepared by Brother Smith M. Cole; after refreshment returned to the lodge-room."
On St. John's day, 1826,- an invitation was received from Union Lodge, No. 372, at Prattsburgh, to join in the celebration of the festival.
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Consent was given to the organization of Reading Lodge (now Dundee Lodge, No. 123) on April 22, 1823, and to Italy Morning Star Lodge on February 21, 1826.
Disputes sometimes arose between brethren. These were brought before the lodge instead of being taken into court and were usually set- tled by a committee appointed by the lodge. A difficult case having arisen between Thomas Lee, jr., and Avery Smith, it was, as usual, re- ferred to a committee, but the committee failed to make peace between the brethren and the matter was referred to the lodge as a committee of the whole and all members within eleven miles were summoned to at- tend this meeting. Harmony was finally restored. In those days of sparse settlement some of the members lived at considerable distances from the lodge. They were usually compensated for this disadvantage, as we find on February 9, 1819: " Voted, that Brother J. Schofield be exonerated from paying his quarterly dues to this date in consequence of his residing at an extreme distance from the lodge." Occasionally some of the brethren, although beginning well and coming to the lodge " of good report," became backsliders and were subjected to discipline. This usually consisted of suspension for a definite period. One brother was suspended for six months for anti- Masonic conduct. As this action bears date August 17, 1818, his offence could have had nothing to do with those enemies of Freemasonry who found a "good enough Mor- gan until after election." A committee appointed to investigate charges against a brother reported " that he was guilty of defrauding brethren - and of other degrading and anti- Masonic conduct, and that he is irre- claimable." He was expelled. A committee was appointed to " ad- monish " a brother " for immoral conduct," against whom charges had been preferred. The committee reported at the next meeting "that they had talked with him and that he had promised a reformation, and yet, instead of reforming, the committee reported that they have since seen him frequently intoxicated." He was summoned to attend the next meeting, but he failed to do so, and a committee was appointed "to watch over his conduct." He was finally suspended for a short time and the committee was continued. Several reports of an unfavorable nature were made and at last he was expelled. Two brothers were ex- pelled and it was voted that their expulsion be published in the Geneva Palladium. This action was, however, afterward rescinded.
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
While the new lodge- room was being built at Thomas Lee's the lodge was short of funds; an account was rendered for work and the stewards were ordered to " tax the members that attend sixpence a night so far back as will discharge the same." This plan of taxing those who at- tended was afterward given up. It was a good deal like the minister who scolds the thin congregation in stormy weather for the shortcom- ings of the " rainy day Christians."
In those early days traveling was difficult and expensive and the lodges were less frequently represented in the Grand Lodge than has been the custom during the past fifty years. The only notice of Vernon Lodge having been represented in Grand Lodge was in 1826. Brother Cornelius Masten was appointed to represent Vernon Lodge at that meeting and he was directed " to hail the Grand Lodge of the State of New York called the 'Country Grand Lodge,' of which Stephen Van Rensselaer is grand master." The unfortunate division which made two Grand Lodges in the State for a period of four years was happily healed the next year; but it is worthy of note that the rural lodges were a unit in their resistance to the aggression of the city Grand Lodge, and were finally successful in their demand for a just recognition. Upon his return Brother Masten presented an account against the lodge of $20 for Grand Lodge dues, evidently for several years past, and $65.25 for his expenses in attending Grand Lodge-all of which was paid.
Many of the members of Vernon Lodge were prominent in the build- ing up of Yates County and their names come down to us as among the historical landmarks of Penn Yan and its vicinity. Of all those brethren only one remains with us who was made a Mason in Vernon Lodge- Brother Russell R. Fargo, now living in Pulteney, N. Y. He was made a Mason on January 17, 1826. He was supervisor of Milo in 1846 and county clerk in 1847-49. The masters of Vernon Lodge were Dr. Joshua Lee, Benjamin Shaw, Thomas Lee, jr., John Powell, Dr. An- drew F. Oliver, Cornelius Masten, Samuel Lawrence, and Ebenezer Brown.
After 1830 Freemasonry in Penn Yan remained in a dormant con- dition for fifteen years, during which time a number of brethren moved into the village, which had made a very encouraging growth. After the storm of anti- Masonry had spent its force, and those who promoted
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it had received all the political rewards that seemed likely to come from making it a political issue, it naturally died out, and Western New York, always ready for the excitement of some new delusion, turned its at- tention to Millerism and other like sensations.
In 1845 certain brethren in Penn Yan applied for and received a dis- pensation for a lodge to be named Penn Yan Lodge. It held its first meeting August 12, 1845. Its officers were Samuel L. Bigelow, mas- ter, and Elijah Higby and Elisha H. Huntington, wardens. Clement W. Bennett was one of its early initiates. He shortly afterward moved to Washington, D. C., where he received many of the higher degrees and orders of Masonry. He was at one time commander of Washington Commandery, No. I, of that city, and was present in its ranks at the laying of the corner stone of the Washington Monument in 1849 and again in 1885 at the dedication of that stupendous edifice, and the only member of that commandery thus present on both occasions. Penn Yan Lodge does not seem to have been successful, for after a few months existence it ceased, leaving very little to mark its brief career. A new dispensation was issued to Samuel L. Bigelow as master and Hiram Depew and Elisha H. Huntington as wardens, authorizing them to organize, Milo Lodge, No. 108.
The first meeting of this lodge was held on April 15, 1846. On June 6th following a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, and from that time to the present the history of Freemasonry in Yates County has been simply the quiet record of successful and prosperous existence. Milo Lodge met for a short time in the old Masonic Hall on Court street, but soon arranged to occupy Odd Fellows Hall, which has been its home ever since. December 23, 1852, Milo Lodge gave con- sent to the organization of Seneca Lake Lodge, No. 308, at Dresden. The members of Milo Lodge have ever been earnest and enthusiastic in all Masonic work and several of them have attained to the higher honors of Freemasonry, six of them having received the thirty- third degree. It is said that it is the only lodge in the State that has been represented in the chief offices of the four grand bodies of Freemasonry, severally by four of its members. These are Hon. John L. Lewis, who was grand master of the Grand Lodge of New York from 1856 to 1860 ; Darius A. Ogden, grand high priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter
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from 1863 to 1865 ; John N. Macomb, jr., grand master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters from 1889 to 1891 ; and Charles G. Judd, grand commander of the Grand Commandery, Knights Temp- lar, from 1858 to 1860. A short sketch of these brethren will appear after the history of each of the bodies with which they were more prom- inently identified. It is worthy of remark in this place that Judge Lewis, besides holding the position of grand master, as above stated, was grand high priest of New York from 1852 to 1855, and general grand high priest of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States from 1865 to 1868. He was also sovereign grand com- mander of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors- Gen- eral of the Thirty-third degree of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
Hon. John L. Lewis was born July 17, 1813, in Torrey, Yates County, N. Y. After receiving an excellent education under the direction of his father, who was one of the pioneer school teachers of Yates County, he came to Penn Yan. He was for a year clerk in the postoffice ; after that he devoted himself to the study of law, part of the time in the office of Henry A. Wisner and afterward in that of William M. Oliver. He was admitted to practice in the State and United States Courts, and was dis- trict attorney of Yates County from 1839 to 1847, and county judge and surrogate from 1851 to 1855. He was Regent of the University from February 7, 1871, to the time of his death. He was a member of the four subordinate Masonic bodies in Penn Yan and the presiding officer of each of them, besides holding many other positions in them of great importance and responsibility. It was, however, in his con- nection with the Grand Lodge and Grand and General Grand Chapters that his great reputation was made as a wise and accomplished Mason. The history of those bodies for many years is his history. It was through his firm and consistent course, tempered with kindness and courtesy, that the two great unions between contending Grand Lodges were brought about, and in effecting these results he won for himself the enviable character of peacemaker. He was an easy and fluent speaker, thoroughly conversant with the history and principles of Freemasonry, always prepared to interest and to instruct. As a Ma- sonic writer his reputation was world wide, and while occupying the po-
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sition of general grand high priest he was appealed to by companions upon the other side of the Atlantic for true Masonic light. He died in Penn Yan on the IIth of June, 1889, full of years and honors.
Dundee Lodge, No. 123, was organized as Reading Lodge in 1823, and was located in Eddytown about two miles from Dundee. Its first master was Dr. Hosea Palmer. Samuel Kress was the first initiate and succeeded Dr. Palmer as master. In common with nearly every lodge in Western New York it went down during the evil days of anti- Masonry. Probably no meetings were held after 1830. In 1847 it was again chartered and since then has enjoyed a fair share of the pros- perity that has attended upon Free Masonry in this progressive age. In the second organization Dr. Hosea Palmer again became master and held that position for some time. He was succeeded by John T. An- drews and Edgar Hoagland. In 1860 the Masonic Hall was destroyed by fire and the furniture and records were burned. In 1861 the lodge took possession of the rooms it now occupies. Dundee Lodge has prospered financially and was the first lodge in Yates County to pay off its quota of the hall and asylum fund. It is now out of debt. The fol- lowing have been masters of Dundee Lodge since 1860: Dr. E. W. Rogers, Dr. J. A. Chapman, Dr. J. H. Shaw, James Spence, Uriah Hair, Darius W. Perry, M. M. Rollinson, Myers T. Webb, Joseph Gibbs, G. Anson Beam, Luther M. Hair, H. V. L. Jones, Theodore M. Horton, Charles Goble, and Edward M. Sawyer.
Seneca Lake Lodge, No. 308, Dresden, was organized under charter June II, 1853. Orrin W. Giles was the first master and Ambrose H. Condit and Caleb J. Legg were wardens. The organization of this lodge came after all excitement in our county had passed away, either connected with the early settlement of the country or its growth and progress, or that connected with the anti-Masonic strife, and its history contains nothing of the startling nature that we look for in an earlier time. One of its members, Brother E. A. Hotchkiss, moved to the West and became grand high priest of the Grand Chapter of Minnesota. The following brethren have been masters of this lodge : Orrin W. Giles, Ambrose H. Condit, Aaron R. McLean, George W. Brundage, William Van Norman, Aaron M. Davis, William D. Trimmer, Lewis B. Dun- ning, Edwin L. Swarthout, William Brown, Amos A. Norman, John Thompson, and Judson V. Brown.
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Rushville Lodge, No. 377, was organized in 1854 in the prosperous village of the same name. It has partaken of the prosperity of that favored portion of our county, and like some other ambitious lodges has owned its own home and has been a landlord, as there are two stores under the lodge hall. Its growth has not been great, but it has kept upon its membership roll the names of many of the substantial men of the neighborhood.
Penn Yan Chapter, No. 100, of Royal Arch Masons is the only body of Capitular Masonry in Yates County. It was organized August 31, 1825, by Companion Richard L. Smith, of Auburn, assisted by a num - ber of companions from abroad. A Masonic address was delivered by the Rev. D. McDonald, of Geneva. The charter bears date February 3, 1825, and the officers named therein are John Powell, high priest; Cor- nelius Masten, king; and Henry Bradley, scribe. Penn Yan Chapter and Vernon Lodge made an agreement at once for renting Mechanics Hall in the new M. F. Sheppard block, heretofore mentioned. Each body was to pay half the rent, which amounted to $30 per annum. The chapter was well supplied with regalia, furniture, etc., and very wisely carried an insurance for $300 upon it. When this building was burned in December of the next year the insurance money which it re- ceived paid its debts and left it with a small sum on hand. The chap- ter had a successful existence during the few years that remained before the gathering of the clouds before the storm of anti-Masonry warned the members of danger. In addition to the eighteen charter members there were added as neophytes eighteen and by affiliation eight, mak- ing a total membership of forty-four, reduced somewhat by withdraw- als. John Powell held the chief office until December, 1826, when Cornelius Masten was elected high priest. He was succeeded the next year by Dr. A. F. Oliver. The minutes show but one meeting in 1828 and none after that. A dispensation for a rivival of the chapter was issued July 4, 1846. The chapter was re-organized September 10th of that year. The chapter was consecrated and the officers were installed by Thomas Maxwell, high priest of Geneva Chapter, No. 36. In the revival the old charter was restored to the chapter. The new officers were Dr. Andrew F. Oliver, high priest ; John Powell, king; and Cor- nelius Masten, scribe. The chapter found a new home in Odd Fel -
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