USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > History of Chandler Lodge No. 227 : Free & Accepted Masons of Reading, Pennsylvania from 1848 to 1948 > Part 4
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His funeral was marked by unusual solemnities. One hundred Sir Knights of DeMolay Commandery, under the command of Past Eminent Commander Jesse Orr, and accompanied by the Citizens' Band, and by many representatives of Reading Commandery, Chand- ler and other Blue Lodges, assembled at the asylum at Fifth and Franklin Streets, and travelled in a special train to Pottsville, where they were received by Constantine Commandery. The assembled Masons marched in parade to Palo Alto, the home of their deceased brother, and thence to Mt. Laurel Cemetery. The long procession was headed by Pulaski Lodge No. 216 of Pottsville, immediately fol- lowed by Chandler Lodge. The nodding plumes of the Knights, their elegant accoutrements and exquisite marching, and the solemn cere- monies at the grave deeply impressed the spectators, who thickly lined the route of the procession.
WILLIAM H. STRICKLAND
William Hurst Strickland was born in Philadelphia in 1815 and came to Reading in 1846. He served in various capacities with the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Com- pany over a period of 25 years, and was gen- eral train dispatcher at Seventh and Chestnut Streets for a number of years. He also served as assistant superintendent of the Lebanon Valley branch.
He was secretary and treasurer of the Reading Library for many years, and was the possessor of a fine private library and an excellent collection of paint- ings by Devlin, Benade and other artists. Mr. Strickland was very
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well known in this community and held in high esteem. He was an active member of Christ Cathedral.
Brother Strickland was made a Mason in Union Lodge No. 108 and became a member of Chandler Lodge June 8, 1848. He was the first non-charter member of Chandler Lodge. He served as secretary in 1849 and as Worshipful Master in 1854. He was also active in other Masonic bodies, serving as first High Priest in Excelsior Chap- ter No. 237 in 1871-72, and as Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Pennsylvania in 1865. He served as Eminent Commander of DeMolay No. 9 in 1858. Brother Strickland died December 21, 1891, and was buried in Charles Evans Cemetery.
A. JORDAN SWARTZ
Andrew Jordan Swartz was born in 1825. He was admitted to the Bar of Berks County in 1848. Reading honored him in 1857 by electing him Mayor on the Democratic ticket, when only 32 years of age. In 1859, he was appointed to a clerkship in the Treasury De- partment at Washington, D. C., and later pro- moted to Second Auditor of the Treasury. Brother Swartz died on July 26, 1865, in Washington, D. C.
Brother Swartz's career in Masonry, un- timely ended by death was short but extraordinarily brilliant. He was made a Mason in Chandler Lodge on February 27, 1850. He served as Secretary in 1851 and again in 1856. In 1855 he became Worshipful Master of his Lodge. In the same year, he became the second Eminent Commander of DeMolay Commandery No. 9. He was District Deputy Grand Master of Berks District in 1858, 1859 and 1860, and became, in 1859, the second Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania.
His mortal remains are buried in Charles Evans Cemetery,
HENRY D. LOWE
Henry D. Lowe was a machinist by trade and resided on Chest- nut Street below Fifth. He later resided in Philadelphia and Lam- bertville, N. J.
Brother Lowe was made a Mason in Chandler Lodge on June
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22, 1848 and served as Worshipful Master in 1856. He was a meni- ber of Reading Royal Arch Chapter No. 152 and served as M. E. High Priest, and of DeMolay Commandery No. 9 and served as Eminent Commander in 1859. His Masonic affiliation ceased in 1868. He died at Lambertville, N. J., March 27, 1888 and was buried in Charles Evans Cemetery.
JAMES MILLHOLLAND
James Millholland was born in Baltimore, Md., October, IS12. He was given a private school education, and at an early age was ap- prenticed as machinist. As such, he aided in the construction of the first railway locomo- tive built in the United States, the invention of Peter Cooper, and manufactured for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co. He also as- sisted in the construction of many other his- toric locomotives and therefore was identified with the construction of the locomotive from its earliest history in this country. Later, he moved to New York, where he helped to make the machinery for America's first steam- boats. In 1848, he moved to Reading as engineer of machinery for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. Here he produced many inventions, notably a patent fire grate for locomotives, now generally used throughout the country. In 1860, he accepted the presidency of the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the Consolidated Coal Company. In 1870 he returned to Reading, where he organized the banking firm of Hoff and Millholland. He became a partner in the Leesport Iron Company, a member of the board of directors of the Reading Library Company, and of the Charles Evans Cemetery Company. He was highly esteemed for his strong char- acter, outstanding ability, and just relations with his fellow men. He was a Republican candidate for Congress in the Berks District in 1872 but was defeated by Hiester Clymer.
James Millholland was made a Mason in Chandler Lodge June 3, 1850 and served as Worshipful Master in 1857. He was also Past High Priest of Reading Chapter No. 152, R.A.M., and First Eminent Commander of DeMolay Commandery No. 9, K.T., in 1854. He died August 17, 1875, and is buried in Charles Evans Cemetery.
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CHAPTER II 1858-1868
The second decade of Chandler's life was a stormy one, or at least, an eventful one. The Civil War occurred, taking Officers and Members of the Lodge into military service, creating a problem, and for a while, a war-induced prosperity. The Lodge rooms were burned out in a fire, and plans were made for the construction and ownership of meeting quarters for all Masonic bodies in the city of Reading.
Under the mastership of Brother Joseph A. McLean, the new quarters of the Lodge were occupied in Brother Housum's new building at Fourth and Penn Streets on February 1, 1859, when there was a reported membership of 155. Lodge sessions continued during the Civil War, with a slightly reduced number of initiations and some difficulty in filling stations in the Lodge because of the enlistment of so many of the Lodge officers in the Volunteer Army of the United States. By November 5, 1861, there were 24 members in the Army.
In April, 1858, the new D. D. Grand Master, Brother A. Jordan Swartz, notified the Lodge of the death of the R. W. Grand Master, I. K. Mitchell, and directed that the Lodge Room be placed in mourn- ing for 90 days.
In June, the Committee on Cemetery Lot was authorized to purchase a lot of 1500 square feet in Charles Evans Cemetery at five cents a foot, a total expenditure of $75, and in July the first inter- ment was made, being the body of Brother Henry A. Goff, which had lain in Brother Daniel Housum's vault for three years and three months. A few days later, the body of Brother Philip B. Housum was brought to Reading for burial, his death having occurred in San Diego, Cuba. The Lodge attended special services for Brother Housum in the Franklin Street Lutheran Church, and directed the Secretary to open correspondence with the most convenient Lodge in Cuba, to find out details concerning the death of Brother Housum. Further authority was given a Committee to build a new Masonic Hall, or if inexpedient, to rent another Lodge Room. This resulted in renting the new Lodge Room, especially constructed by Brother Housum in his hotel property on the Southeast corner of Fourth and Penn Streets.
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At the Stated Meeting December 7, 1858, the following Breth- ren were elected to office: Joseph A. McLean, Worshipful Master ; George W. Durell, Senior Warden ; Emanuel Rauch, Junior Warden ; Henry A. Lantz, Secretary; William McFarlan, Treasurer; David E. Stout, J. Millholland and John E. Arthur, Trustees.
The new Lodge Room was occupied February 1, 1859.
The salary of the Secretary was raised to Fifty dollars per year, but at a subsequent meeting, the Worshipful Master declared the proceedings out of order, null and void, and of no effect, and the Secretary promptly tendered his resignation.
At the Stated Meeting in May Brother Thomas M. Richards was elected Secretary.
On December 5, 1859, the following Brethren were elected to serve during the ensuing Masonic year : George W. Durell, Worship- ful Master; E. J. Rauch, Senior Warden; John Quimby, Junior Warden; William McFarlan, Treasurer ; Thomas M. Richards, Sec- retary, and the Trustees were reelected.
At the meeting in January, a list was drawn up at the Secretary's desk, for the members to sign their names and evenings they would be able to sit up with Brother William McFarlan, who was ill. The list was filled up for the week.
At the Stated Meeting March 6, 1860, a resolution was passed ordering the Past Masters to wear the Regalia presented to them when in the Lodge room.
At the annual election held December 4, 1860, the following officers were elected : Brothers E. J. Rauch, Worshipful Master ; J. Quimby, Senior Warden; F. Till, Junior Warden; J. A. McLean, Treasurer ; T. M. Richards, Secretary ; J. Millholland, W. VonNeida and J. Mulligan, Trustees.
At the Stated Meeting on February 5, 1861, Brother P. M. S. E. Ancona presented to the Lodge his certificate of appointment as D. D. Grand Master for this district.
At the Stated Meeting of November 5, 1861, Brother P. M. S. E. Ancona offered the following resolutions: "Resolved; That this Lodge regards with satisfaction the loyalty and patriotism of its members who have done honor alike to themselves, the craft and their country by their prompt enlistment in the Army of the Union for its support and preservation.
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"Resolved : As a mark of appreciation and approval the Lodge dues for the year and so long as they may continue in the service of their country be and are hereby remitted to the following Brothers, worthy members of this Lodge who have held and are now holding the honorable positions named in the Volunteer Army of the United States :
Alexander, George W. (Colonel)
Arthur, John E. (Captain)
Bertolette, Jonathan C .- M.D.
Diehl, William W. (Captain)-P.M.
Drenkle, Amos
Durell, George W. (Captain)-P.M.
Faust, Adam (Lieutenant)
Griffith, David A. (Captain)
Hamilton, Samuel
Hoffeditz, John C. A. (Captain)
Kinsey, Gideon S. (Lieutenant)
Knoske, Edward C.
Knox, William M., M.D. (Captain)
McCarter, James M. (Colonel)
*McLean, Joseph A. (Lieutenant Colonel)-P.M. and Treasurer Myers, Henry R. (Captain) Quimby, John (Chaplain)
Rauch, Emanuel J. (Lieutenant)-P.M.
Rhoads, Darius G. (Lieutenant)
Richards, Thomas W. (Lieutenant)-Secretary
Ritter, F. S. Sands, William A. (Lieutenant )
Seiders, Jeremiah Seltzer, J. W., M.D. Souders, John W.
*Made the supreme sacrifice.
Unfortunately the minutes do not contain a list of those mem- bers of Chandler Lodge who subsequently joined the armed forces during the remaining years of warfare. The records show, however, that the following members participated in the great conflict :
Bickel, Anthony Boyer, Franklin Boone, Jeremiah H. Boyer, Jerome L.
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Bratt, Benjamin R.
Lewis, William R. Linderman, John F.
Deem, Thomas
Diehl, Joseph V.
Mass, Edmond A.
Ermentrout, Benjamin F. Fritz, Charles
Meredith, John Miller, George W.
Gentzler, James H.
Morris, John L.
Hoffman, George W.
Reifsnyder, William
Hughes, George W.
Richards, Henry J.
Kerper, Henry
Robeson, Samuel
Kinsey, Thomas P.
Strickland, William H.
Knabb, Jacob
Till, Franklin
Lambert, Theodore A.
Zacharias, Daniel S.
The above list undoubtedly is incomplete, and also does not include the names of the many who gained membership after the end of the war.
Various items of interest appearing in the minutes bear witness to the war-psychology and the war-economy then obtaining through- out the nation. For example: in May, 1861, an order was drawn upon the Treasurer for Fifty Dollars for "Union Guards"; in De- cember, 1863, "The W. M. stated that the widow of our deceased Brother J. A. McLean had applied to the Lodge through him asking for a loan of $500.00 which she wished to refund to the Lodge as soon as she should receive the back pay and pension due her hus- band at the time of his death". The Lodge donated money and food, setting aside the question of the loan. The Lodge also remitted the dues of all Brethren in the Volunteer Army of the U. S.
At the annual election on December 3, 1861, the following offi- cers were elected : Brothers J. Mulligan, Worshipful Master ; F. Till, Senior Warden; W. C. Wheeler, Junior Warden ; George W. Miller, Treasurer ; Thomas M. Richards, Secretary; W. G. VonNeida, B. Clemenson and W. S. Ritter, Trustees.
A Special Meeting was called on March 22, 1862, to Enter, Pass and Raise by dispensation Jonathan C. Bertolette, a Physician in the Army.
On April 7, the Worshipful Master stated that, being of the opinion that our warrant was burned with the Lodge Hall furniture and regalia, he applied to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to
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continue meetings until he could apply for a new one, at the next quarterly communication ; which dispensation was granted, but after it was received, the old warrant was found, although somewhat dis- figured. A committee was appointed to see about procuring a suitable Lodge Room.
At the Stated Meeting in the Odd Fellows Hall on October 6, 1862, the Committee on Brother Joseph A. McLean, P.M., reported that there was no doubt of his death, informed the Brethren of the circumstances, and appropriate resolutions were drafted.
The following Brethren were elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year on December 2, 1862 : F. Till, Worshipful Master ; W. C. Wheeler, Senior Warden; C. S. Stamm, Junior Warden; W. G. VonNeida, Treasurer; Charles S. Fritz, Secretary ; E. J. Rauch, J. T. Jackson and H. D. Lowe, Trustees.
At the Stated Meeting on February 3, 1863, the Committee on Joseph A. McLean reported they were unable to recover the body.
There was a tremendous demand for relief for widows, children, burials, etc., at this period.
At the Stated Meeting on December 1, 1863, the following offi- cers were elected to serve during the ensuing Masonic Year : Brothers E. J. Rauch, Worshipful Master; H. A. Tyson, Senior Warden; E. F. Keever, Junior Warden ; W. G. VonNeida, Treasurer ; C. L. Fritz, Secretary ; H. D. Lowe, J. Mulligan and A. Hooker, Trustees.
The Lodge debated whether, because of the War, to celebrate St. John's Day or not. It was settled by the adoption of a motion by Past Master James Mulligan "that we celebrate the day by a supper and that the sum of $50.00 be appropriated for wine, and a Committee appointed to make the necessary arrangements."
January 5, 1864, William Y. Lyon's name was announced as a visitor, but the Worshipful Master objected to his entering the Lodge, stating that he did not think him a suitable person. Some discussion took place as to the right of the Worshipful Master to keep him out of the Lodge. The Worshipful Master put it to a vote of the Lodge whether he should be admitted or not, which vote was almost unanimous for his non-admittance, there being only two votes in favor of said William Y. "Bully" Lyon.
In October, 1864, we read "A communication from the members of George Washington Lodge, No. 143, Chambersburg, (whose prop-
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erty was destroyed by the late Rebel raid) asking for relief was read, when upon motion duly seconded, and carried by vote of the Lodge, a donation of $100.00 was granted, and that the Worshipful Master be a Committee to deliver the same". At this same meeting, an offi- cial Visitation of the R. W. G. M. and his Officers was made, when they were received with the accustomed honors. The closeness of the War, something that we of today have never experienced, is also reflected in this item, dated November 2, 1864: "Arrangements were made to celebrate St. John's Day and a sum of $50.00 appropriated for wine. The Worshipful Master stated that there was in the Lodge Room a Brother who had lately escaped from the rebel Army, who was in distress, having scarcely enough clothing to cover his naked- ness. When upon motion duly seconded and carried it was ordered that a suit of clothing be purchased for him". The following year, after the collapse of the Confederate cause, prices on the necessities had so increased, that the Landlady applied to the Lodge for more rent, stating that she had to pay $72.00 more for fuel and light. The Lodge ordered a donation of $30.00 to her, as its proper proportion.
New By-Laws were approved and ordered printed at the meet- ing in November.
At the annual election on December 6, 1864, the following Breth- ren were elected : Henry A. Tyson, Worshipful Master ; T. M. Rich- ards, Senior Warden; J. C. A. Hoffeditz, Junior Warden; W. G. VonNeida, Treasurer ; C. L. Fritz, Secretary ; Lewis Heilman, J. B. Maxton and C. Hoffeditz, Trustees.
Very little of historical interest is recorded in the minutes of 1865.
The Annual Banquet in December 1865, held at Mr. Behm's Mansion House, was the occasion for the following bill, submitted and ordered paid :
2 baskets Champagne $60.00 Expressage on do .50
Corkage 12.00
100 Segars 7.00
50 Masonic Songs 5.00
Tickets for Supper 1.25
2 Complimentary tickets 6.00
$91.75
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The annual election of officers on December 5, 1865, resulted in the following Brethren being elected: H. A. Tyson, Worshipful Master; T. A. Richards, Senior Warden ; J. C. A. Hoffeditz, Junior Warden; W. G. VonNeida, Treasurer ; Jerome L. Boyer, Secretary ; Lewis Heilman, Frank Dundore and H. F. Rhodes, Trustees.
At times, Chandler Lodge did its work in German, for those candidates who were not at ease with the English language, but the increasing German immigration which began about 1848 had brought in so many people from Germany that a demand arose for a German- speaking Lodge. Accordingly, these members were permitted to with- draw from Lodge No. 227: John George Ziegler, Henry Reager, Adam Heilman, Frederick Schneider, Conrad Kessler, Arnold Mellert and John Fos. Becker, and the Lodge officially recommended the granting of a warrant to the new Lodge. On June 5, 1866, $100.00 was voted to Teutonia Lodge, No. 367, to help in defraying the expenses of its institution. A footnote to the minutes of 1866 ob- serves that the attendance was very good during this period, 50 to 75 being the usual number.
At the Stated Meeting on December 4, 1866, a motion was made to have the cost of St. John's Day supper paid out of the Lodge funds and that no money be appropriated for wine. The motion was lost. A motion made to appropriate $75.00 for wine was car- ried, 19 yeas and 7 nays.
The following officers were elected : Brothers J. C. A. Hoffeditz, Worshipful Master; C. A. Saylor, Senior Warden; J. B. Maxton, Junior Warden; W. G. VonNeida, Treasurer ; H. A. Tyson, Secre- tary ; B. F. Boyer, W. S. Ritter and W. W. Diehl, Trustees.
The chief interest during the years 1867 and 1868 was the old problem of finding suitable quarters for a meeting room. The Shalter and Arnold properties on Penn Street, between Fourth and Fifth Streets, were considered, but abandoned when the price was raised during the negotiations. The Daniel Housum property was obtained by a Masonic Hall Association, representing all the Masonic bodies, each sharing the rental, of $600.00 per year. Of this amount, Lodges No. 62 and No. 227 paid $175.00. An offer from the Estate of Brother Daniel Housum to sell to the Association the furniture in the Lodge room for $500.00 was accepted and the list so purchased follows :
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17 spring sofas
4 master's chairs
3 arm chairs
7 windsor chairs
2 stoves in ante-room
I restaurant stove in Lodge room
5 pedestals, Master, Wardens, Secretary
I oil cloth table
22 spittoons
I settee in ante-room Looking glass and 3 engrav- ings
2 hatracks in ante-room
2 tables in ante-room
3 gas posts
At the Stated Meeting in November 1867, a member of Chand- ler Lodge applied for pecuniary relief, and was promptly refused on the ground that "Masonic Charity was never meant to support idle- ness or dissipation", nor for a brother "who had not made every honourable effort to make an honest living", nor for "one in good health and in possession of all his faculties unimpaired". The same member was expelled in 1868 for appropriating $25.00, a fee for initiation, to his own use. Thus, a "Black Sheep" was uncovered in the family.
Brother P. M. William H. Strickland, in behalf of the Brethren, presented a magnificent gold case American watch to Brother P. M. Henry A. Tyson as a token of regard and esteem.
The following Brethren were elected to office December 3, 1867 : Charles A. Saylor, Worshipful Master; John B. Maxton, Senior Warden; George W. Grant, Junior Warden; William G. VonNeida, Treasurer ; Henry A. Tyson, Secretary ; W. W. Diehl, C. S. Bickley and W. S. Ritter, Trustees.
The second decade of Chandler's history closed in a day of con- siderable Masonic prosperity, as shown by (a) 130 members present at the Annual Banquet ; (b) Chandler Assistance at the founding of Vaux Lodge, No. 406, at Hamburg, and (c) A proposition to estab- lish a new Lodge in Reading, to be known as St. John's Lodge. This last proposal was delayed by Chandler until certain objections were met, and did not become an actuality until Chandler had entered its third decade.
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FOURTH MEETING PLACE (1858-1872)
American House
The fourth hall was located on the fourth floor of the "Ameri- can House", on the southwest corner of Penn Square and Fourth Street. It occupied the entire floor of the rear building, and was in dimensions, 40 by 70 feet. The entrance was made by a stairway toward the rear of the building on Fourth Street. At the extreme end of the fourth floor, a number of small rooms were arranged, and a door led from a vestibule into the Lodge room adjoining the station of the Senior Warden. The station of the Worshipful Mas- ter was at the north end of the room. The stations had the customary elevation on raised platforms, but were without ornament or decora- tion of any kind. The walls and ceilings were handsomely frescoed in panels, with the emblems of the fraternity painted on the several corners. Two rows of cushioned settees were placed along both sides, on elevated platforms, with a single row of common arm chairs be- fore them on the floor. There were no paintings or pictures on the walls. The windows were hung with brown colored blinds. The
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room was lighted by gas, a large and heavy twelve-light chandelier having been suspended from the centre of the ceiling.
On March 23, 1862, a fire occurred in one of the rooms at the South end of the building. The bodies that met there were Lodge No. 62, Chandler, No. 227; Reading Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M., and DeMolay Commandery, No. 9, K. T., and the fire resulted in a great loss of regalia, books and property. The loss to Brother Hou- sum was $12,000, and to the several lodges as follows: Lodge No. 62, $300; Lodge No. 227, $500; Chapter No. 152, $6,000, and De- Molay Commandery, No. 9, $850. The origin of the fire was un- known. It started in one of the ante-rooms of the Masonic Hall, where the paraphernalia was kept, and from thence it spread over the hall with such rapidity that those earliest on the spot were unable to save any property of the Lodges. Fortunately, Chandler did not suffer the loss of her books.
(History Lodge No. 62)
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WILLIAM W. DIEHL
Captain William W. Diehl was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1820, and came to Berks County at an early age. He conducted a store at Oley Line Hotel and later a billiard saloon on Penn Street, near Sixth (now McCrory's), in the City of Reading. He became Clerk of the Orphans' Court of Berks County in 1851. Captain Diehl served his country gallantly in both the Mexican and Civil Wars. In the Mexican War, he was a first sergeant, and in the Civil War he en- listed as a captain in the 50th Pennsylvania Regiment of Volunteers. Upon his return, he was sent to Gordon, Penna., to superintend car- penter construction work for the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company and subsequently he was employed in the pattern shop of the company in Reading.
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