USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster > History of Lodge no. 43, F. & A. M. : being the records of the first century of its existence > Part 14
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The Franklin Institute failing in their payments of the pur - chase money, the Chestnut street property was reconveyed to the Grand Lodge in 1841, and rented out for exhibitions, amuse- ments, &c.
In the early part of 1852, a movement was made looking to the sale of the property, and the matter was made a special order of business for the meeting of Grand Lodge in May. Notice of this meeting and the business to be transacted being received by Lodge No. 43, it was resolved that all the members of the Lodge who were members of the Grand Lodge be directed to attend said meeting, and that the Lodge pay each member attending, the sum of five dollars.
At the meeting of the Grand Lodge in May the question of the sale of the Chestnut Street Temple, after discussion, was post- poned. The different Lodges throughout the State appointed Committees of Conference. Bros. Albright, Boughter and West- haeffer were the committee appointed by No. 43.
It was finally determined not to sell the property, but to take down the building, and erect on the site a suitable Temple to be dedicated exclusively to Masonic purposes.
The corner-stone of this Temple was laid November 21, 1853, and in it was placed a list of officers and members of every Lodge
154
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
in the district .* It was dedicated September 26, 1855, and it was used for Masonic purposes until after the dedication of the Broad Street Temple in 1873. It was used for various purposes for nine years afterwards, and was sold to Wm. M. Singerly, Esq., in 1882.
At the stated meeting of December 8, 1852, the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year : Charles M. Howell, W. M .; H. L. Zahm, S. W .; Charles W. Cooper, J. W .; H. W. Hess, Treasurer ; J. M. Westhaeffer, Sec- retary, and Robert Moderwell, F. H. Carpenter and J. J. Keller, Trustees.
During the year twenty-six members were initiated, four ad- mitted, three withdrew and one died.
In May, 1853, the Lodge donated $20 to Fredricksburg Lodge No. 4, Virginia, towards the erection of a monument to the mem- ory of our illustrious Bro. Gen. George Washington.
At this same meeting it was resolved, "that each brother sup- ply himself with a pair of white gloves, as no brother is properly clothed unless so attired." This was the beginning of the wear- ing of gloves by the members at meetings, a custom which has been more strictly observed in Lodge No. 43 than perhaps any other Lodge in the jurisdiction.
At the September meeting, $50 was donated for the relief of the distress caused by an epidemic of cholera at New Orleans.
Bro. Capt. John Steel, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, whose residence was at the Hermitage, this county, was an occasional visitor to the Lodge, and was re- spected, honored and loved by all who knew him. His death was announced to the Lodge by W. M. Charles M. Howell, at the November meeting, and a committee consisting of Bros. H. L. Zahm, Henry Baumgardner and S. P. Spencer was appointed to draft suitable resolutions. The Lodge was draped in mourn- ing for six months as a tribute of respect to his memory, and the Lodge attended his funeral.
The election for officers at the December meeting resulted as follows ; Bros. Charles W. Cooper, W. M .; Seth P. Spencer, S.
* A printed list of the officers and members of Lodge No. 43 being included.
155
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
W .; Elam D. Hurst, J. W .; Charles M. Howell, Treasurer ; J. M. Westhaeffer, Secretary, and F. H. Carpenter, Henry Baum- gardner and Horace Rathvon, Trustees.
At this meeting Bros. John Barr, Jacob M. Strickler, Daniel Herr, Peter A. Kimbry, C. S. Kaufman and John Eckert with- drew for the purpose of instituting a new Lodge in Columbia. Their application to the Grand Lodge for a charter was recom- mended by Lodge No. 43, and their warrant was dated December 19, 1853, under the name of Columbia Lodge, No. 286.
During the year twenty-four members were initiated, one ad- mitted and nine withdrew.
At this time the investments of the Lodge had increased to the sum of $900, and the year closed with a balance of $250.29 in the hands of the Treasurer due the Lodge.
During the summer of 1854 the burial lots in the Lancaster Cemetery, the property of the Lodge, were enclosed by a sub- stantial iron fence at an expense of $260.
James Hutchinson, Esq., R. W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, accompanied by his grand officers, paid the Lodge an official visitation on the evening of November S, I854.
At the December meeting the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year : Charles M. Howell, W. M. ; E. D. Hurst, S. W .; John McCalla, J. W. ; H. L. Zahm, Treasurer ; J. M. Westhaeffer, Secretary, and Horace Rathvon, Henry Baumgardner and Christian Gast, Trustees.
During the year twenty members were initiated, one admitted, two withdrew, and three died.
At this time the rights of the Lodge to title in the Hall prop- erty were questioned by members of City Councils. The Lodge employed counsel, who examined into the matter, and reported that the Lodge's title was good, but that the original agreement between the borough authorities and the Lodge had never been recorded. The agreement was then recorded, and a clear title was vested in the Lodge.
CHAPTER VIII.
1855-1865.
"THE eighth decade of the Lodge's existence opened with the Lodge enjoying a degree of prosperity far exceeding any- thing it had ever before experienced. The active membership numbered 124, and in addition to the properties, furniture, re- galia, etc., the Lodge had $900 invested in bonds, and a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of $528.69.
Several notes held by the Lodge against members had for a number of years been carried by the Treasurer as cash. At the stated meeting of February 14, 1855, on motion, the W. M. drew his warrant for the amounts, and the notes were destroyed.
Mountain Lodge, No. 281, of Altoona, in the early part of this year met with the misfortune of having their hall burned down, and applied to the various Lodges throughout the juris- diction for aid in rebuilding the same. At the March meeting of the Lodge a donation of $25 was voted them for that purpose. At the September meeting $50 was donated for the relief of the Portsmouth and Norfolk sufferers.
On September 26th the new Masonic Temple, Chestnut street, Philadelphia, was dedicated with impressive Masonic ceremonies. Lodge No. 43 participated, having 75 members in line in the procession.
At the December meeting the following officers were elected for the ensuing Masonic year : Bros. John McCalla, W. M. ; J. J. Sprenger, S. W. ; Charles F. Shreiner, J. W. ; H. L. Zahm, Treasurer; J. M. Westhaeffer, Secretary, and Wm. A. Morton, John Lippincott, and Wm. M. Gormley, Trustees.
There were eighteen initiations and one withdrawal from membership during the year.
On St. John's day, December 27th, the Right Worshipful Grand Master appointed P. M. Bro. Charles M. Howell, D. D. G. M. for this Masonic district.
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
At the stated meeting of January 9, 1856, $50 was donated to the Union Dorcas Society.
At the March meeting the W. M. stated that Bro. Herman Baugh had presented to the Lodge a cane made of wood taken from the Old Masonic Temple at Philadelphia, which was to be used by the W. M's. of the Lodge, each handing it down to his successor. Bro. John Herr also presented to the Lodge a pic- ture of the New Masonic Temple on Chestnut Street, Philadel- phia.
On June 25th, a special meeting was called for the purpose of considering the propriety of purchasing a lot of ground adjoin- ing the Lodge building on the West. This lot had formerly been an open street called Union Court, but Market Street hav- ing been opened to West King Street there was no longer any use for this street and it was proposed by the City Councils to sell the same. The W. M. stated he had deemed it a case of emergency, and had appointed a committee consisting of Bros. Wm. Aug. Atlee, Charles M. Howell and J. B. Amweg to con- fer with Messrs. Peter McConomy and Watson Miller in relation to the purchase of the same, they having in conjunction with Dr. Thomas Elmaker, agreed to purchase it along with the two pro- perties to the west of it, from the City. Bro. Wm. Aug. Atlee presented the report of the committee in which they stated Messrs. McConomy and Miller would permit the Lodge to become the purchaser of this portion of the property ; they also presented the advantages the Lodge would derive from such pur- chase as well as the injury which might arise from a failure to purchase it.
On motion the following Resolution was adopted.
Resolved, That three Brethren be appointed, who together with the W. M. and Trustees, shall constitute a committee to purchase sixteen feet of ground adjoining our present Lodge Room on the west, and shall proceed to erect thereon, a plain substantial three story brick building, the first story to be a Store Room and the second and third stories adapted for Lodge pur- poses.
The W. M. appointed Bros. Chas. M. Howell, J. H. Barnes and Jno. L. Atlee, Jr., as said committee.
This joint committee purchased the property from the city for
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M. 1
the sum of $2685.31, paying $Ico purchase money, the balance it being agreed should be paid in annual installments.
On October 2d, the corner-stone of the new building was laid with appropriate Masonic ceremonies. Bro. P. M. Chas. M. Howell presented the corner-stone, Bros. J. J. Sprenger and J. M. Westhaeffer (then associated together in the book and stationery business), presented the Bible, and Bro. Treasurer, H. L. Zahm, presented the vessels which were placed in the corner-stone.
In the alterations to the Lodge building, the entrance back of the old post-office was abandoned and a new entrance made at the north-east corner of the new building fronting on Market Square. The partitions between the Lodge room and the long entry running along the north side of the hall, and between the Lodge room and the two small ante-rooms were removed, mak- ing the Lodge room its present size, and the third story of the new building was divided into a Tyler's and two preparing rooms-the second story of the new building (now the Armory) being a banquet-room. The walls were papered, and new chan- deliers, carpets and furniture purchased.
The election for officers at the December meeting resulted as follows : Bros. J. J. Sprenger, W. M .; Chas. F. Shreiner, S. W .; J. L. Atlee, Jr., J. W .; H. L. Zahm, Treas .; J. M. Westhaeffer, Sec., and David Reese, Wm. A. Morton, and Jno. Lippincott, Trustees.
During the year, sixteen members were initiated, one admitted, five withdrew, and five died.
At the stated meeting of May 13, 1857, the building com- mittee presented the following report :
The Committee appointed by this Lodge on the 25th of June last, to carry out its wishes in regard to the purchase of a lot of ground from the City of Lancaster, and the erection thereon of a substantial brick building, for Lodge and other purposes, beg leave to report :
That they have attended to the duties assigned them, to the best of their ability. The lot, embracing 16 feet front on West King St., by 40 feet deep, and immediately adjoining this Hall on the West, has been purchased from the City, for the sum of $2,685.31, to be paid in annual installments with interest. The first installment to be paid on the Ist of April, 1857.
159
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
A contract was entered into with Bro. J. W. Jack, to erect the building, according to certain specifications, for the sum of $1,866, to be paid upon the completion of the work.
The corner-stone was laid at high twelve on the 2d of October, 1856, with Masonic ceremonies, by the officers and members, assisted by the Right Worshipful D. D. G. M. of Lancaster Masonic District ; and thanks to the Great Architect above, the building was carried on to completion without accident or any- thing calculated to interrupt the good feelings which prevailed among the workmen.
Your Committee, with a view to expedite the work, and pre- vent if possible the interruption of the regular Masonic business of the Lodge, employed Bro. John Hogendobler to make the necessary alterations in the old Hall ; such was the nature of the work, that we were unable to contract for it. Bro. H. was therefore allowed so much per day, for each hand employed, amounting in all to $485.79. Notwithstanding the utmost exer- tions of the Committee to hasten forward the work, they were subjected to many vexatious delays, which placed its completion much beyond the time originally calculated upon. Yet it is gratifying to know that the business of the Lodge met with no serious interruption. At the regular stated communication in August last, the Lodge appointed three additional members to the Committee for the purpose of procuring suitable furniture. This division of labor was found to work well. A number of the Committee were convenient to the Hall, and could be easily brought together to suit emergencies, which frequently arose in the progress of the work.
The following presents an accurate exhibit of the receipts and expenditures connected with the entire improvement :
City of Lancaster. Dr.
Cr.
1856.
Aug. 12. To Cash . . $100.00
1857.
April I. Ist Install-
ment · 861.77
Interest on Prin-
cipal 99.52
Balance due City 1723.54
1857 April 1. Interest on same
to date . . 99.52
$2,784.83
$2,784.83
$1866 00
Bro. J. W. Jack as per contract . do Extra Work 135 00
$2001 00
1856.
Aug. 12, By lot of ground 16 ft. front on West King St. adjoining present Hall $2,685.31
I60
HISTORY OF LODGE NO 43, F. & A. M.
Brother Jno. Hogendobler for work in Hall . $485 70
Bro. Chas. M. Howell, Cash paid to Sundry persons for Materials & Labor . · $3699 03
Recª from various sources. 2992 24
Bal. due Bro. Howell . $706 79
To Farmers Bank, Lancaster, Note. .
$2000 00
" Geo. M. Steinman & Co . 266 35
" Bro. Christ" Widmyer . . 561 50
" Sener & Sons "per Hogendobler 147 00
" Bro. John Herr 505 60
" Wm H. Coryl Philada 559 75
" Cornelius & Baker Philada 192 00
" S. B. Fullerton Philada 185 00
" Marshbank & McConkey. 31 80
" Shenk & Long . 63 05
" Sener & Sons "per Jack 116 30
" Carmargo Manuf. Co. 300 00
" Chas M. Howell Balance. 706 79
" Balance due City. 1723 54
$7358 68
Amt. paid by Lodge . . I393 0I
Total Expenditures for Ground & Improvements . $8751 69 .
It now remains for the Lodge to devise some plan for the liquidation of this debt; several have been suggested to the com- mittee, but the one which meets with most favor is the issuing of $100 certificates, bearing 6 per cent interest ; in this way the Lodge will relieve itself, without the necessity of resorting to a permanent loan.
Your Committee therefore recommend that printed certificates, or coupon bonds be issued by the Lodge with its seal affixed, which will render them as safe and profitable an investment as need be desired, our whole property being pledged for their re- demption.
The rent from the room will pay our Grand Lodge dues, so that all our income from work, and members dues will be devoted to the liquidation of the debt.
The Committee have insured the property to the amount of $1500, but would now recommend an increase on this amount.
The first floor & cellar of new building has been leased to Dr. Thos. Ellmaker, for the full term of five years, from last Ist of April, at an annual rent of $300.
Your Committee believed that they have conscientiously dis-
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
charged their duty in this matter to the Lodge, and all others concerned, and in conclusion would suggest that the Lodge adopt such measures as they may deem most effective in relation to the safe keeping of this property.
To preserve this beautiful furniture, it must frequently pass through the cleaning process, and this with indelicate hand ; to affect this, the committee would recommend the employment of a suitable woman, who under the supervision of the Tyler, would be able to keep everything in proper order.
Respectfully submitted, Signed, J. MCCALLA, Chairman.
On motion the report was received, and the Committee dis- charged.
The following resolution was then adopted.
Resolved, that Lodge No. 43 A. Y. M. issue coupon bonds of one hundred dollars each, interest payable semi annually, at 6 per cent. per annum, for the whole debt of the Lodge, and that D. D. G. M. C. M. Howell be empowered to procure said bonds without delay, and that said bonds be signed by the W. M. & Secretary.
The bonds were prepared in accordance with the above resolu- tion, and during the first year twenty-seven were disposed of, as follows :
Charles M. Howell. I | John Haar I
Godfried M. Zahm
I Emanuel Shober I
Christ. Widmyer
2
J. H. Carmany I
Tobias H. Miller
3
C. C. Ihling I
Geo. M. Steinman I
J. B. Kaufman
I
Chas. F. Rengier
I
H. Rathvon
I
Chas. A. Heinitsh
I John Rees
I
H. R. Fahnestock
I
John McCalla .
I
Robert Loag I
H. Baumgardner I John Herr 4
C. H. Breneman
2
During this year the creditors of the Lodge were reduced to three, as follows :
Farmers' Bank of Lancaster
$1700 00
Lancaster City .
1223 54
Charles M. Howell. .
570 51
$3494 05
To which must be added 27 bonds (@ 100
2700 00
Making the total debt at this time . $6194 05
II
162
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
This amount deducted from $7358.68, the amount of the debt as reported by the committee, shows a reduction of $1164.63 in one year. From this amount, however, must be deducted the accrued interest on the debt, viz. : $236.92, which leaves a net reduction of $927.71. Ten more of the coupon bonds were then disposed of to the Brethren, and the amount applied to the pay- ment of the claims of Bro. Charles M. Howell and the City of Lancaster. These bonds were disposed of as follows : George Lutz I, G. M. Zahm 6, G. M. Kline 1, Horace Rathvon I, and W. H. Gorrecht I. The Lodge was fairly launched in its era of prosperity. These bonds were all redeemed and the entire debt of the Lodge canceled by the close of the year 1865.
At a special meeting held November 24, 1857, W. M. Bro. J. J. Sprenger presented to the Lodge on behalf of Bro. D. D. G. M. Charles M. Howell a framed lithograph of Peter William- son, Esq., R. W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania, also two smooth ashlers. The thanks of the Lodge were tendered Bro. Howell for these presents, which are still in the possession of the Lodge.
This special meeting being called for the purpose, the R. W. Grand Master Peter Williamson, Esq., accompanied by his Grand Officers, honored the Lodge with his presence. The report of the R. W. Grand Secretary spoke in terms of the highest praise of the doings of the Lodge and it was remarkable for the absence of a single adverse criticism.
At the December meeting the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year : Elam D. Hurst, W. M. ; Henry Baumgardner, S. W .; John L. Atlee, Jr., J. W. ; H. L. Zahm, Treasurer; J. M. Westhaeffer, Secretary, and David Reese, Charles E. Wentz and Christian Widmyer, Trustees.
During the year 1857 thirty-one members were initiated, two admitted, and three withdrew.
At the stated meeting of March 10th, 1858, a donation of $100 was received from P. M. Bro. James Buchanan, and at this same meeting he was elected an honorary member, and granted a certificate.
The election for officers at the December meeting resulted as follows : Bros. Henry Baumgardner, W. M. ; John L. Atlee, Jr.,
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
S. W .; George M. Kline, J. W. ; H. L. Zahm, Treasurer ; J. M. Westhaeffer, Secretary, and Christian Widmyer, Charles E. Wentz and David Reese, Trustees.
Twenty-seven members were initiated, three withdrew and one died during the year 1858.
On January 19th, 1859, one the most active and useful mem- bers of Lodge No.43, and one of the brightest ornaments in Free- masonry in this district was lost to the Lodge on earth by the death of Bro. P. M. Robert Moderwell.
At the stated meeting of February 9th, Bro. P. M. John Mc- Calla offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :
WHEREAS, It has pleased the Almighty Architect of the Uni- verse, in the wise dispensation of his Providence, to remove from the scene of his earthly labors, our well-beloved Brother P. M. Robert Moderwell, therefore
Resolved, That we deeply lament the loss sustained by Lodge No. 43, by the bereaved family of our Brother, and the com- munity at large ; we bow in humble submission to the Divine Mandate, in the hopeful assurance that what is our loss, is his gain.
Resolved, That in the death of Bro. Moderwell, Masonry has lost one of its brightest ornaments ; one, who in prosperity and adversity alike, exhibited the able, unflinching, and conscientious champion of its time-honored tenets.
Resolved, That to the afflicted family of our deceased Brother, we tender our heartfelt sympathies, commending them to the Great Disposer of events, from whence alone cometh our aid, for that consolation which earth can neither give nor take away.
Resolved, That the Secretary be directed to convey a copy of these resolutions, attested by the proper officer, to the family of our deceased Brother.
Brothers Wm. E. Loke and Jacob Neff having died about the same time, the Lodge room was draped in mourning for three months in memory of these departed brethren.
At the stated meeting of May 11th, a donation of $20 was made to Miss Catharine Yeates, subscription to the Mount Ver- non Association.
Previous to the meeting of June 9, 1859, the Charity Com- mittee were not entrusted with any of the funds of the Lodge, it being the custom for the W. M. or the Committee to render
164
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
any aid in an emergency, and then present the account to the Lodge for approval ; or, the Lodge having considered an applica- tion, the Committee would act under the instructions received from the Lodge. At this meeting, it was resolved to place a sum of money to the credit of the Charity Committee, from time to time, as circumstances required. This custom was continued until 1864, when the present system of appropriating for that purpose a fixed sum per annum was instituted.
The election for officers in December resulted as follows : Bros. John L. Atlee, Jr., W. M .; George M. Kline, S. W .; Wm. Aug. Atlee, J. W .; H. L. Zahm, Treas .; J. M. Westhaeffer, Sec., and Christ. Widmyer, John Rees, and Chas. A. Heinitsh, Trustees.
Seventeen members were initiated, two withdrew, and three died during this year.
During the year 1860 the debt of the Lodge was reduced $701.64, notwithstanding repairs, purchases of new regalia, numerous acts of charity, and a donation to Western Star Lodge No. 2, of Nebraska City, towards rebuilding their hall, which had been destroyed by fire.
The annual election in December resulted as follows: Bros. George M. Kline, W. M .; Wm. Aug. Atlee, S. W .; Henry Car- penter, J. W .; H. L. Zahm, Treas .; J. M. Westhaeffer, Sec .; and Christ. Widmyer, John Rees, and Chas. A. Heinitsh, Trustees.
During the year thirty-three members were initiated, one ad- mitted, five withdrew and three died.
At the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, the Lodge dem- onstrated its patriotism by raising a U. S. flag on the hall. A committee was appointed to procure the flag and make all the necessary arrangements.
At a special meeting, called for the purpose on April 22d, which was attended by ninety-three members, the ceremonies were performed. The brethren assembled around the altar, the Past Masters in the centre, when all took the oath of allegiance, after which the flag was raised. A collection was then lifted, which amounted to $69.87, which was applied to paying for the flag, and the balance remaining was distributed among the fam- ilies of brethren who had left for the war.
165
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
At this meeting Bro. D. W. Patterson received the three de- grees by dispensation, he having enlisted a military company for service. On motion, the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That the initiation fee of Bro. D. W. Patterson ($25) be donated by the Lodge to the military Company which is commanded by him, to be appropriated as he may desire.
At the meeting of May 8, 1861, on motion of Bro. P. M. Jno. L. Atlee, Jr., the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That the dues, due and accruing, during the breth- ren's absence in the war, be remitted, and a certificate be for- warded and charged to the Lodge.
This resolution was rescinded October 14, 1863.
During the year 1861 the debt of the Lodge was reduced $198.36, and twelve members were initiated.
The following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing year at the December meeting: Wm. Aug. Atlee, W. M .; Henry Carpenter, S. W .; F. S. Albright, J. W .; H. L. Zahm, Treasurer, J. M. Westhaeffer, Secretary, and the Trustees all reelected.
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