Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 20

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194


USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 20


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121


The present church officers are: Elders, Chas. F. Blood, John C. Stowell, George R. Williams, J. T. Newman, Arthur B. Brooks, Ed- ward P. Gilbert, Uri Clark; deacons, Wm. J. Storms, Oliver L. Dean, Geo. S. Rankin, Francis M. Bush; trustees, Elias Treman, Geo. R. Williams, C. D. Stowell, Thos. G. Miller, C. F. Blood, A. H. Esty. Jared T. Newman is Sunday school superintendent.


The old church building was torn down in 1853 and the present building erected, and preparations are now in progress for the building of a modern and beautiful church edifice.


It is said that Methodist preaching was hcard in the house of one of the pioneers, John McDowell, in June, 1793, the minister being William Colbert, who was on his way from Niagara to Ithaca and Wilkesbarre. His report to the Conference led Bishop Asbury to form that immense region into a circuit and appoint James Smith preacher; this was called Seneca Circuit, and Valentine Cook was presiding elder. Others who were connected with the early ministrations here were Alward White, John Brodhead, Cornelius Mars and Thornton Fleming. A revival occurred in 1794, under Mr. Brodhead, and a class of eighteen persons was formed. After several changes in the boundaries of the circuits in this section, and a period from about 1800 to near 1817 in which the class was disbanded, a Methodist society was founded largely through the efforts of David Ayres, who began business as a merchant in the year last named; he was from New York city. Meetings were begun in the fall in the loft where the Presbyterians had previously met, with Rev. James Kelsey, grandfather of Geo. W. Apgar, the present post-


193


CITY OF ITHACA.


master of Ithaca, as preacher, and at a meeting held in the school house a society was organized composed of the following persons: David Ayres and his wife, William Dummer, Anson Titus and his wife, Elizabeth Sydney, Maria Wright and Mary Barber. In 1818 Rev. George Harman took the charge, and was succeeded in the following year by Rev. George Densmore, under whose pastorate a church build- ing was begun and finished in 1820, at a cost of $5,000. The lot was donated by Mr. De Witt for the purpose at the northwest corner of Aurora and Mill streets. The building had a modest tower in which was placed the first church bell in Ithaca. The building was completed only by the most persistent work on the part of Mr. Ayres and others. William R. Collins, Archer Green and Jesse Merritt were the building committee, and Ira Tillotson did the work. Rev. Elias Bowen suc- ceeded Mr. Densmore, and then came Revs. Fitch Reed and Dana Fox on the circuit. In 1823 the preachers on the Ithaca and Caroline cir- cuit were Loring Grant and Wm. W. Rundell. Benjamin Sabin took the church in 1826 and brought it out of some internal troubles that had afflicted it, and increased the membership from ninety-six to three hundred and forty-nine in one year. A separate society was organized in 1851 which drew many from the older church, but it continued to prosper and in 1866 was forced to build larger for accommodation of the congregations. In that year they built on the same site the present brick edifice, which has cost, with the parsonage, more than $25,000. In 1891-2 the Gee Memorial Chapel has been added to the church in memory of Mrs. Gee, at a cost of $3,000, and in the latter year a new system of ventilation was put in and the church was renovated, fres- coed, and the interior made substantially new, at a cost of about $2,000. The present pastor of the church is Rev. C. E. Mogg, who came in October, 1890, succeeding Rev. G. W. Chandler; both of these pastor- ates have been remarkably successful, and the society is now one of the most prosperous in the interior of the State and numbers 677 members, with a Sunday school having an average attendance of about 365. Officers of the church are as follows: Presiding elder, E. J. Hermans, Elmira; member of Annual Conference, Hiram Gee; local preachers, W. N. Tobie, Prof. H. S. Jacoby, C. G. Shaw, S. E. Hunt; superin- tendent of Sunday school, Ellsworth D. Wright; stewards, Prof. G. S. Moler, W. B. Georgia, Prof. F. D. Boynton, H. N. Hodson, F. W. Treman, M. M. Dayton, Prof. H. S. Jacoby, R. C. Osborn, I. J. Ma- comber, D. N. Van Hoesen, H. J. Jones; trustees, T. J. McElheny,


25


194


LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.


George Livermorc, F. J. Enz, B. F. Taber, H. B. Wright, A. C. White, George W. Frost.


STATE STREET METHODIST CHURCH .- What was then known as the Seneca Street Methodist church was organized February 3, 1851, with the following trustees: Henry H. Moore, Benjamin Taber, Daniel F. Hugg, Charles S. Miles, and Joseph C. Burritt. The corner stone of a wood church was laid July 30, 1851, the site being on the corner of Seneca and Plain streets, and the dedication occurred November 26 following, when only the basement of the building was furnished. The structure was completed in the following summer. This building suf- ficed for the congregation for about twenty-five years, when the corner stonc of the handsome brick edifice on State street was laid August 29, 1878. Rev. W. H. Giles is the present pastor, beginning in October, 1893. The trustees are Alexander Minturn, Henry S. White, George E. Buck, James Osburn, John S. T. Beardsley, Abram Van Order, R. E. Gager. The superintendent of the Sunday school is Prof. H. S. Goodsell.


FREE METHODIST CHURCH .- This society was organized in 1871, the first pastor being Rev. Benjamin Winget. The church edifice was erected in 1872 at an expense of $3,000. The church has been prosper- ous and now has a membership of thirty. The present pastor is Rev. Charles Balch.


The Zion Methodist Episcopal church was organized about 1825 and has continued in prosperity since. In 1834-35 their meetings were held at the house of Rev. Mr. Johnson, their pastor. They afterwards built their church on Wheat street, which was used until they built their present meeting house. The present pastor is Rev. H. J. Callis.


The Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Society (colored) is an offshoot from the society just mentioned and was organized in 1857. They built a church on North Albany street, and the present pastor is Rev. Mr. Irwin.


ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- This church was organized in 1822 at a meeting held in the Methodist Chapel on the 8th of April. Mis- sionary work had been done in Ithaca prior to that time by Rev. Dr. Babcock and "Father Nash." In the latter part of 1822 and in 1823 the society used the west room of the academy, where Rev. Samuel Phinney preached as the first regular rector. He was succeeded after one year by Rev. Ezekiel Geer, who served until 1828, the society


195


CITY OF ITHACA.


growing encouragingly. Meanwhile, in 1824 a lot on the corner of Buffalo and Cayuga streets was purchased and there the first house of worship was erected, and opened for worship on Christmas eve of that year. The structure was of brick, but very plain. During the ministry of Rev. Ralph Williston, who succeeded Mr. Geer, the church was en- larged. In 1831 Rev. Dr. Carder came to the church and remained three years. Mr. Geer then returned for two years and was succeeded by Rev. F. T. Todrig, who remained only a short time. After an interval of two years, during which services were irregular, Rev. Dr. Judd in 1838 assumed the pastorate, and remaincd until 1842. Rcv. Dr. Walker was then called and faithfully served the church for twenty-three years. In 1844 the church was enlarged and changed, and in the following year the ladies of the congregation purchased a parsonage. In 1860 the old church was demolished and the present edifice erected on the site. Dr. Walker resigned in 1865, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. A. Hitchcock, as acting rector. He was succeeded in 1866 by Rev. J. W. Payne, and the pastors since then have been Revs. Jarvis Spaulding, Pliny B. Morgan, George P. Hibbard, Amos Beach, S. H. Synnott. The principal officers of the church are: Wardens, L. L. Treman, H. V. Bostwick; vestrymen, S. G. Williams, Dr. George W. Melotte, D. W. Burdick, F. J. Whiton, S. B. Turner, C. B. Brown, George W. Apgar. Within the past two years the church edifice has been enlarged by adding about sixtcen feet in length and practically rebuilding the interior. A new brick Parish House was built on a lot purchased next south of the church, at a cost of $9,000, in 1891. A parsonage with a very large lot attached, situated on East Buffalo street, was purchased, and is now occupied.


THE FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF ITHACA .- This society was orig- inated in the autumn of 1865 by Rev. William H. Fish, then of Cort- land, in concurrence with Rev. Charles Lowe, secretary of the Ameri- can Unitarian Association, and Rev. Samuel J. May, of Syracuse. Judge Alfred Wells was one of its first officers and took, perhaps, the most active interest in its inauguration. The first services were held in the village hall on the 15th of October of that year, Rev. Samuel J. May officiating, and regularly continued services by different ministers were held there, until the first Sunday in February, 1866, when they moved into the Cornell Library Hall, then newly finished, which they occupied most of the time until May, 1873. Rev. E. C. Guild was installed its first pastor, October 16, 1866, remaining two years. Rev. J. C. Zachos


196


LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.


was pastor for one year. Rev. Dr. R. P. Stebbins preached November 7, 1869, was called to the pastorate, and remained until September 30, 1877. His administration was remarkably successful. In 1871 a lot was purchased on the north side of Buffalo street, a little east from Aurora street, and a building erected, which was first occupied May ?, 1873. The first cost of this building including lot was $13,500. Revs. Henry C. Badger, Alfred E. Goodnough, John W. Day, and J. F. Dut- ton were pastors until 1891. In the fall of that year Rev. John M. Scott became its pastor; under him the society gathered new life. In February, 1893, its building was destroyed by fire; efforts were im- mediately begun to raise funds for a new building, when, to their sur- prise and delight, so many expressions of sympathy and good-will, and so many and substantial offers to help in the rebuilding were freely given, that the trustees decided to select a more desirable site and build a handsome stone church that would be suited to their wants for many years to come. They secured what seemed the best possible location, the corner of Aurora and Buffalo streets, have their building nearly finished, and hope to dedicate it in April free from debt. This beauti- ful structure is an ornament to our city, and in every way worthy of its architect, W. H. Miller, and its builder, W. H. Perry, and of the small society that undertook the large expense. The present officers are Prof. George C. Caldwell, Prof. J. E. Oliver, Prof. C. L. Crandall, William H. Perry, William M. Smith, Charles H. White, trustees; C. C. Platt, treasurer; George Small, secretary.


THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH .- This church had its origin in the Spencer church, now of West Danby, when twenty-five members joined on the 25th of September, 1821, in forming a "Conference by the name of the Baptist Conference of Danby." This conference was recognized as an independent church on the 13th of November, 1821, by a council composed of the Second Ulysses, the Dryden, the Spencer and the Third Ulysses churches. Meetings were held at first in school houses and private houses. Elder Chester Coburn served as pastor until July, 1825, and was succeeded by Elder Caleb Nelson, who con- tinued to October, 1826. The organization was then transferred to Ithaca and became "The First Baptist Church of Christ of Ithaca." The first meeting here was held in the court house on Wednesday, Oc- tober 18, 1826. O. C. Comstock was the pastor for about a year. Elder John Sears became pastor May 10, 1827, and on the 28th of that month a meeting was held and the church organization perfected under


197


CITY OF ITHACA.


the statute by the name of "The Trustees of the First Baptist Church in Ithaca;" nine trustees were elected. The first church building was erected of brick at a cost of about $7,000 on the site of the present church, and was first occupied in March, 1831. The following pastors have served this church: Elder Scars retired in 1831; N. N. Whiting, James R. Burdick, Calvin Philleo, C. G. Carpenter, S. S. Parr, David Bellamy, Jirah D. Cole, H. L. Grose, Aaron Jackson, F. Glenville, William Cormack, J. M. Harris, J. N. Folwell, C. J. Shrimpton, C. A. Harris, Hermon F. Titus.


On the 11th of January, 1854, the church was destroyed by fire, and on the site was erected an edifice costing about $10,000, which was demolished to make room for the present stone cdifice, costing about $35,000, finished in 1892.


The present church officers are as follows: Rev. R. T. Jones, pastor ; deacons: Theophilus Drake, M. P. Ellison, John Northrop, Charles F. Rappleye, E. M. Latta; church clerk, Miss Helen M. Elliott; trustees : Prof. James Law, J. J. Trench, E. M. Latta, J. B. Lang, John North- rop, O. R. Stanford.


THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH .- This society was or- ganized April 2, 1830, by Rev. John H. Schermerhorn, and was com- posed chiefly of persons who had been dismissed at their own request from the Presbyterian Society, of whom there were thirty-one. Daniel Bishop, Isaac Carpenter, Augustus Sherrill, were chosen elders, and Levi Kirkham and Daniel Pratt, deacons. Rev. Alexander M. Mann, D.D., was appointed missionary by the Board of Missions, and began his services in June, 1830; he was made regular pastor December 11, 1830, and resigned in 1837. The first meetings were held in the acad- emy, but the church building was erccted in 1830-31 on the corner of Seneca and Geneva streets. Various changes have been made since in the interior of the building. On the 30th of April, 1873, the organiza tion was changed after some legal controversy to "The First Congre- gational Church of Ithaca." Rev. Dr. Strong, and, after, Rev. C. M. Tyler, were called to the pastorate.


The articles of faith werc adopted October 1, 1874. The pastor, Rev. C. M. Tyler, was installed by a council of Congregational churches November 18, 1874. On October 22, 1878, the number of active mem- bers was 144, and of families 95. The present constitution was adopted March, 1880, and the new church edifice, which cost thirty thousand dollars, was built in 1883 and 1884. A notable cvent was on April 4,


198


LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.


1885, when forty persons were admitted to membership at one com- munion. In 1890 Rev. C. M. Tyler, D.D., was called to the professor- ship of the History of Religions in Cornell University, his chair being founded by the munificence of Mr. Henry W. Sage, who is a regular worshiper in the Congregational church, and who has already given to the university over $1,300,000. After nineteen years of pastor service in Ithaca, Dr. Tyler sent in his letter of resignation September 2, 1891. In the mean time the church had called the Rev. W. F. Blackman from the Congregational churchof Naugatuck, Conn. Mr. Blackman's letter of acceptance is dated August 28, 1891. He began his labors by preach- ing, September 20, and was installed by council December 1, 1891.


One of his former parishioners at Naugatuck having founded a pro- fessorship of Christian Sociology in Yale Divinity School, and having nominated his former pastor as occupant of the chair, Mr. Blackman resigned his pastorate in Ithaca and ceased his labors in June, 1893, re- pairing to Europe for a ycar's study, preparatory to entering upon his new duties.


The present pastor of the church is the Rev. William Elliot Griffis, D.D., well known as the author of several works upon Japan, in which country he was in the educational service of the Japanese government, introducing the American public school system. Graduated from Rut- ger's College, New Brunswick, N.J., in the class of 1869. Mr. Griffis, after traveling in Europe and completing one year's theological study at New Brunswick, spent four years in the Mikado's Empire; returning he was graduated from Union Theological Seminary in the class of 1877, and was settled as pastor of the First Reformed church at Sche- nectady from 1877 to 1886, and in Boston as pastor of the Shawmut Con- gregational church from 1886 to 1893. He was called to the Congre- gational church of Ithaca May 22, 1893, and began his labors July 1. The church is at the present time in a high state of prosperity.


In 1884 the old church became insufficient for the needs of the society and the present edifice was erected. Elders: Pliny Hall, Samuel D. Sawyer, George F. Beardsley, Marcus Lyon. Deacons: John J. Glenzer, John L. Morris, Orange P. Hyde, Henry A. St. John; church clerk, George F. Beardsley; church treasurer, Samuel D. Sawyer.


Trustees of the Corporation: Samuel H. Winton, John L. Morris, William N. Noble, Henry B. Lord, George H. Northrup, Charles W. Gay, John J. Glenzer, William A. Church, Henry A. St. John; secre- tary of corporation, George H. Northrup; treasurer of corporation, William A. Church.


199


CITY OF ITHACA.


CATHOLIC CHURCH .- The first Roman Catholics came to Ithaca about 1830, and soon afterward they began having religious services in a private dwelling. Their first church organization was effected under the pastoral charge of Rev. Mr. Gilbride, and a small church building was erected on Geneva street. During the incumbency of Rev. Ber- nard McCool the present church was erected. In 1884 a parsonage was built at a cost of $5,000. The society is now under charge of Rev. Father Alfred J. Evans.


SECRET SOCIETIES.


Fidelity Lodge F. & A. M. No. 51 was first organized in Trumans- burgh, Tompkins county, N. Y., June 24, 1818, as Fidelity 309, charter dated June 8, 1818. Henry Taylor, Master, and Edward B. Ely, Zach- ariah P. Smeed, Horace Osborne, Elijah H. Goodwin, Almon Wake- man, Luther Foote, Daniel Starkweather and Peter Hager constituted the charter members. Henry Taylor was the first Master.


The lodge prospered until 1827, to the time of the anti-Masonic trouble, when it was dangerous to meet, and gradually dwindled to twelve members.


In July, 1828, the lodge room was broken into and the jewels stolen, and have never been recovered. During this trouble the change of number was made from 309 to 51.


In 1846 the lodge was removed to Ithaca and meetings were held on the third floor of the building first west of the Culver Block. They afterwards moved to the old Coffee House Block, and from there to Odd Fellows Hall, and in 1871 moved to the Masonic Block, and January 1, 1893, removed to their present quarters in the Savings Bank Building. The present membership is 217, and officers are: Frank H. Romer, M .; Henry L. Peters, S. W .; C. C. Garrett, J. W .; A. L. Niver, C. A. Hart, C. J. Rumsey, trustees; W. B. Georgia, sec .; H. L. Estabrook, treas. ; John Rife, S. D .; George S. Tarbell, J. D .; Geo. Lattemore, S. M. C .; Clarence W. Peirce, J. M. C .; Lucius Mastin, Tiler.


Eagle Chapter R. A. M., No. 58, was organized February 6, 1812; charter granted to Lewis Beers, Archer Green and E. Champlin, and prospered until 1829. From 1830 to 1850 no records are found. The chapter was reorganized May 29, 1850, with Wait T. Huntington, High Priest; Jacob McCormick, King, and Caleb B. Drake, Scribe. The membership now is 204. Present officers: H. L. Peters, High Priest ;


200


LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.


John Barnard, King; John Rife, Scribe; A. W. Force, See .; L. G. Todd, Treas.


St. Augustinc Commandery No. 38, dispensation granted December 6, 1866, was organized October 2, 1867. The eharter members were J. B. Chaffee, Samuel L. Vosburg, Wm. Andrus, James Quigg, Geo. E. Terry, J. M. Kimball, Miner Culver, Frank J. Enz, Philip J. Part- enheimer. First Commander, J. B. Chaffee; first Generalissimo, S. L. Vosburg; first Captain General, P. J. Partenheimer; no Prelate; S. W., Alfred Brooks; J.W., Dewitt J. Apgar; Treas., James M. Heggie; Re- corder, Marcus Lyon; Standard Bearer, Wallaee W. Barden; Sword Bearer, Joseph M. Lyon; Warder, J. M. Kimball; Captain Guard, J. R. Wortman.


Offieers for 1893: Charles C. Garrett, Commander; Henry L. Peters, Generalissimo; James A. Mckinney, Captain General; George W. Mclotte, Prelate; Frank E. Howe, Senior Warden; John Barnard, Junior Warden; Charles G. Hoyt, Treasurer; Albert W. Force, Re- corder; Jaeob Peters, Standard Bearer; Jesse W. Stephens, Sword Bearer; Cary B. Fish, Warder; John H. Henry, Thad. S. Thompson, George S. Tarbell, Guards; Charles E. Whitloek, Organist; Lucius Mastin, Sentinel. Trustees: Leroy G. Todd, Collingwood B. Brown, Oliver L. Dean. Past Commanders: Mareus Lyon, Jerome B. Teed, George H. Northrup, Frank J. Enz, Ralph C. Christianee, Charles M. Benjamin, Albert W. Force, George W. Melotte, Charles F. Blood.


The present membership of the commandery is 214.


" Hobasco," a Hebrew word, meaning when translated "a hiding plaec in the rocks," or "a seeret place in the mountains." Hobaseo Lodge, No. 716, F. & A. M., was organized under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, and its first meeting was held in Odd Fellows Hall (the Hibbard Bloek) on the corner of State and Cayuga streets in Ithaea, N. Y., on the 19th day of October, 1871. The officers present at its opening were as follows: Hon. Mills Van Valkenburg, W. M .; William Andrus, S. W .; D. P. Sharp, J. W .; James Quigg, J. D .; N. J. Roe, Seey., A. O. Shaw, of Fidelity Lodge No. 51, Tiler; Bro. S. L. Vosburg.


A charter was granted to the lodge, dated June 8, 1872, with the following named officers: Hon. Mills Van Valkenburg, W. M .; William Andrus, S. W .; Alfred Brooks, J. W .; who with the following named Masons eonstituted the eharter members, Philip J. Partenheimer, Den-


1


У. Р. Натржи


1


201


CITY OF ITHACA.


nis P. Sharp, Samuel L. Vosburg, James Quigg, N. J. Roe and A. M. Baker.


The first meeting held under and by virtue of the charter was on June 27, 1872, in Masonic Hall, Masonic Block, N. Tioga street, the following named officers and brethren being present: Hon. Mills Van Valkenburg, W. M .; William Andrus, S. W .; Dennis P. Sharp, acting J. W. ; Albert W. Force, S. D .; James Quigg, J. D .; N. J. Roe, S. M. of C .; A. D. Luce, J. M. of C .; Geo. C. Mowry, Secy .; A. O. Shaw, Tiler; W. W. Barden, Treas. ; Bro. S. L. Vosburg.


The Hon. Mills Van Valkenburg continued as W. M. of the lodge until the date of his death, which occurred September 21, 1873. His memory is ever green in the hearts of all his brethren for his genial, kind disposition, his masterly ability as a presiding officer, his great love and fidelity to the craft, his noble, pure and virtuous character as a man and citizen, and his uprightness and high executive ability as a public officer.


Bro. Perry G. Ellsworth filled the vacancy caused by the untimely death of the beloved and much lamented brother officer, and in Decem- ber, 1873, he was elected master of the lodge, filling the position with great credit to himself and the brethren until December, 1874, when he was succeeded by the election of Bro. Merritt King, who continued in office until December, 1877. He was succeeded by Bro. Wm. A. Church, who in December, 1879, was succeeded by the election of Bro. A. W. Force, who continued n office until December, 1882, when he was succeeded by the election of Bro. Geo. B. Davis. Bro. Davis held the office until he was succeeded by the election of Bro. Horace M. Hibbard in December, 1884, who, in December, 1888, was succeeded by the election Bro. J. A. Mortimore. In December, 1889, Bro. E. M. Ellis was elected master, and continued in office until December, 1893, a term of four years, and was succeeded by the election of Bro. Frank E. Howe the present incumbent.


Bro. O. P. Hyde, the present secretary of the lodge, joined in Sep- tember, 1872, by affiliation from Groton Lodge No. 492, and was acting secretary until the following December, when he was duly elected to the office, continuing as such for eight successive years. In December, 1880, he was succeeded by the election of Bro. A. R. Ward, who eon- tinued until December, 1881, when Bro. Wm. F. Major was elected, serving until December, 1883, and was succeeded by Bro. George J. Dixon, who continued until December, 1887, at which time Bro. O. P. 26


202


LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.


Hyde was again elected and has served ever since up to the present time, making his term of service more than fourteen years as secretary of the lodge.


The names of the present officers of the lodge are as follows: Frank E. Howe, W. M .; P. M. Elias M. Ellis, S. W .; Walter O. Kerr, J. W .; O. H. Fernback, S. D .; C. E. Moore, J. D .; Otis O. Clark, S. M. of C .; --- - J. M. of C .; James A. Mckinney, Treas .; O. P. Hyde, Secy .; E. C. Tichenor, Organist; L. Mastin, of Fidelity Lodge No. 51, Tiler.


The present membership of the lodge numbers 138, and its meetings are now held in the Masonic Rooms on the third floor of the new Sav- ings Bank building, corner of Tioga and Seneca streets, to which new quarters it, with the other Masonic bodies, removed in January, 1893.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.