USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster > History of Lodge no. 43, F. and A.M., 1785-1910, with biographical sketches of charter members, past masters and present officers, together with a complete list of members of the lodge > Part 17
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
At the stated meeting of August 1I, 1869, Bro. P. M. Samuel H. Reynolds, on behalf of Bro. S. S. Strachan, presented to the Lodge a set of wooden Masonic emblems or working tools. Bro. Strachan's letter, accompanying the gift, was as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. C., AUG. 7, 1869. To the W. M., Wardens & Brethren of Lodge No. 43, A. Y. M.
BRETHREN: For a long time I have had under consideration the best method of expressing my profound respect for your Lodge, for your complete and generous extension of Masonic honors to your deceased brother, my father, some years ago.
The selection of a fit emblem of recognition of those services has delayed the tribute till now.
Please accept with my heartfelt wishes for your prosperity, the Masonic emblems herewith. They are made from cedar, inlaid with rare woods, all from the vicinity of our immortal brother's (George Washington's) tomb at Mount Vernon, Virginia; and were cut and brought here by myself.
The cedar forming the bulk of the memento is from a limb over- hanging Brother Washington's first tomb.
Fraternally yours, S. S. STRACHAN.
After the reading of this letter, Bro. P. M. Charles M. Howell offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That Lodge No. 43 A. Y. M. accept with much pleasure the beautiful Masonic emblems presented by Bro. S. S. Strachan, and the Secretary be directed to convey to Bro. Strachan the thanks of Lodge No. 43, with the fraternal regards of all the brethren.
Resolved, That a suitable frame be placed around the Masonic emblems, and that Bro. P. M. Reynolds be requested to prepare a suitable inscription to be placed on the frame.
The beautiful emblems and relics are among the most valued of our possessions, and have a conspicuous place upon one of the walls of the Lodge rooms.
Among the charities of the year was a donation of $20 to Prince Edwards Lodge, Va.
The election for officers in December resulted as follows: Bro. Adam Z. Ringwalt, W. M .; Bro. Geo. K. Reed, S. W .; Bro. Wm. A. Wilson, J. W .; and the other officers all reelected.
During the year fourteen members were initiated, three with- drew, and nine died.
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At the stated meeting of January 10, 1870, a petition was pre- sented asking the approval of Lodge No. 43, to an application to the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge, for a warrant to constitute a new Lodge in this City. This petition not being in proper form, no action was had upon it. Considerable opposition to the move- ment was at this time apparent among the brethren, and a resolution was adopted declaring it "detrimental to the dignity, good order and peace of the Fraternity" to have another Lodge in this City. The brethren interested in the formation of the new Lodge now resorted to a petition to be signed by individual members, whose signatures were solicited outside the Lodge meetings. A resolution strongly condemning this procedure was adopted at the February meeting. The opposition was, however, gradually overcome, and at the stated meeting of May IIth, Bros. P. M. Henry Baum- gardner, P. M. Wm. A. Morton, Samuel F. Rathvon, Edward Welchans, J. Fred. Sener, Wm. Z. Sener, H. R. Fahnestock and John A. Shultz withdrew from the Lodge, and a petition bearing their signatures, praying the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge to grant a Warrant to Constitute a new Lodge in Lancaster, being read, was on motion recommended to the favorable consideration of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge. As a result thereof, Lamberton Lodge No. 476, was duly warranted June Ist, and duly constituted June 23, 1870.
The office of Treasurer becoming vacant by the withdrawal of Bro. P. M. Baumgardner, Bro. Charles A. Heinitsh was elected to fill the vacancy, and Bro. P. M. John McCalla was elected to fill the vacancy in the Board of Trustees caused by Bro. Heinitsh's election as Treasurer.
The report of the Trustees at the close of the year showed that the investments of the Lodge amounted to $7200.
At the December meeting, Bro. George K. Reed, was elected W. M .; Bro. Wm. A. Wilson, S. W .; Bro. Jere. Rohrer, J. W., and the other officers all reelected for the ensuing year.
During the year thirteen members were initiated, two admitted, sixteen withdrew, and three died.
At the stated meeting of March 8, 1871, a number of Brethren
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withdrew their membership in the Lodge for the purpose of forming a new Lodge at Safe Harbor. At the April meeting their application was recommended to the favorable consideration of the R. W. Grand Lodge. A charter was granted them on June 7th, under the name and number of Charles M. Howell Lodge, No. 496.
During the year improvements were made in the matter of furniture-a new clock was purchased, chairs were substituted for settees, and all were upholstered in blue rep. Among the charities of the year was a donation of $300 to the sufferers from the Chicago fire, which generous act called forth from the venerable Grand Secretary, Bro. John Thomson, the following expressive approval: " Bully for Lodge No. 43 in regard to Chicago."
During the year twenty-six members were initiated, fourteen withdrew, and four died.
The following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing Ma- sonic year: Wm. A. Wilson, W. M .; Jeremiah Rohrer, S. W .; B. Frank Breneman, J. W., and the other officers were all reelected.
At the stated meeting of May 8, 1872, Bros. Samuel Slokom, Edwin Garrett, H. S. Kerns, John D. Harrar, Wm. H. Sproul, Joseph D. Pownall and George Pownall withdrew for the purpose of forming a new Lodge at Christiana. A resolution praying the Grand Lodge to grant their request was adopted. The charter of Colerain Lodge No. 417 was transferred to them.
The accommodations for the Lodge and other bodies meeting in the hall proving insufficient, the third-story of the McConomy property, adjoining the Lodge rooms on the west, was rented in November, and a door-way opened into the same.
Among the charities of this year was a donation of $50 to the relief of the sufferers from the Somerset fire.
At the December meeting, the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year: Jeremiah Rohrer, W. M .; B. Frank Breneman, S. W .; James B. Strine, J. W .; and the other officers were all reelected.
During the year eleven members were initiated, two admitted, five withdrew, and four died. The investments of the Lodge at the end of the year amounted to $10,600.
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The dedication of the new Masonic Temple, Broad Street, Phila- delphia, took place on September 26, 1873, and was participated in by a large body of Masons from this and other jurisdictions. The officers and members of Lodge No. 43, accompanied by the City Corent Band, left the City on the morning of the 26th, arriving in time to participate in the parade. The Lodge paraded 130 mem- bers, and was assigned the position of the left of the third division.
During the year seven members were initiated, one admitted, five withdrew, and two died.
The annual election in December resulted in the following breth- ren being chosen officers for the ensuing year: B. Frank Breneman, W. M .; John B. Warfel, S. W .; George R. Welchans, J. W .; and the other officers all reelected.
The year 1874 was uneventful; eight members were initiated, four withdrew, and five died.
The following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing year, at the December meeting: John B. Warfel, W. M .; Geo. R. Wel- chans, S. W .; James P. Wickersham, J. W .; and the other officers all reëlected.
At this meeting the annual appropriation to the charity com- mittee was increased to $600. The investments of the Lodge at the end of the year amounted to $12,600.
CHAPTER X.
1875-1885.
T HE last decade of the century found the Lodge in the enjoy- ment of the highest degree of prosperity, usefulness and im- portance.
During the year 1875, the question of making improvements to the hall was agitated. In November consent of City Councils was obtained to erect a stairway to the hall in the west end of the Market House on West King Street. Plans and specifications were drawn and the work begun, but the enemies of the measure persuaded the property committee of Councils to tear the same down, which was done at night. The Lodge being unwilling to enter into a controversy on the subject, took no further steps in the matter at that time.
There were eight initiations, ten were admitted, one withdrew, and six died during the year.
The following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing year at the December meeting: George R. Welchans, W. M .; James P. Wickersham, S. W .; Henry P. Eichler, J. W .; and the other officers all reëlected.
The year 1876 was uneventful. New clothing for the officers and new working tools were purchased. Eight members were initiated, one admitted, three withdrew, and three died.
The annual election in December, resulted as follows: Bros. James P. Wickersham, W. M .; H. P. Eichler, S. W .; Wm. O. Marshall, J. W .; and the other officers all reelected.
At the stated meeting held May 9, 1877, eleven members with- drew for the purpose of establishing a new Lodge in Mount Joy. A resolution was adopted recommending to the favorable considera-
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tion of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge, their application for a charter.
A warrant was granted them on June 6th, under the name and number of Casiphia Lodge, No. 551.
During the year 1877, five members were initiated, fifteen with- drew, four died, and one was expelled.
At the December meeting the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing year: Henry P. Eichler, W. M .; Wm. O. Marshall, S. W .; John Hull, J. W .; Chas. A. Heinitsh, Treasurer; H. S. Gara, Secretary, and Chr. Widmyer, Jno. Rees and John B. Warfel, Trustees.
At the stated meeting of April 10, 1878, Bro. P. M. Geo. K. Reed presented the Lodge with an engraving of the new Masonic Temple, Broad Street, Philadelphia, which on motion was accepted, and the thanks of the Lodge tendered Bro. Reed for the present.
Among the charities extended by the Lodge during this year was a donation of $50 towards the relief of the yellow-fever suf- ferers in the southern portion of our country.
The election for officers in December resulted as follows: Bros. Wm. O. Marshall, W. M .; John Hull, S. W .; Eliphalet Oram Lyte, J. W., and the other officers all reelected.
During the year seven members were initiated, two admitted, five withdrew and one died.
At the stated meeting of January 8, 1879, the By-laws of the Lodge were revised and amended, the result being the By-laws now in use by the Lodge.
At the stated meeting held June 9th, a motion was offered to erect an additional story on the Lodge building. The considera- tion of the subject was postponed to a special meeting held June 23d, when it was resolved not to erect the additional story, but in place thereof it was resolved to improve the interior of the hall.
The ceiling of the Lodge room was beautifully frescoed, its side walls, as well as the walls of the ante-rooms and stairways, were papered, the wood work was painted, a new carpet was placed on the floor, new chandeliers, new stoves, and a new organ were pur- chased, and all the Lodge furniture was repaired, the entire improve-
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ments costing about $3,500, and when complete making the Lodge room one of the handsomest in the State.
On the evening of Friday, October 3d, the work being finished, a reception was given by the Lodge to its members, their families and friends. An address of welcome was delivered by W. M. Bro. Wm. O. Marshall, which was followed by addresses by D. D. G. M. Bro. Henry Baumgardner and P. M. Bro. B. Frank Breneman. The exercises were interspersed with vocal and instrumental music, and all present partook of the hospitalities of the Lodge in the banquet room.
Fully 1500 people participated in this reception. The following evening the hall was opened to the public and was visited by 5000 people.
Rear Admiral William Reynolds, a Master Mason, late a member of Lodge No. 325, Gibraltar, died at Washington, D. C., November 5th, 1879. Previous to his death he expressed the wish to be buried by Lodge No. 43. His remains arrived in this city on the evening of the 7th, and were at once conveyed to Masonic Hall, where they lay in state until the following morning (Saturday, November 8th), when a special meeting of the Lodge was held for the purpose of carrying out the request of our deceased brother. The Lodge was opened at nine and one half o'clock, the business transacted and the Lodge closed, after which the friends of the deceased were admitted and the beautiful and impressive Lodge services for the dead were observed, after which the Brethren, accompanied by the relatives and friends of the deceased, proceeded to the Lancaster Cemetery, where the remains were interred with the usual Masonic ceremonies.
R. W. Grand Master Michael Nisbet, Esq., accompanied by his grand officers, honored the Lodge with a grand visitation on the evening of November 12th.
At the December meeting the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year: John Hull, W. M .; Eliphalet Oram Lyte, S. W .; Joel S. Eaby, J. W., and the other officers all reëlected.
During the year six members were initiated, two admitted, five withdrew, and three died.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
At the stated meeting held January 14, 1880, a committee con- sisting of Bros. P. M. Charles M. Howell, P. M. Wm. O. Marshall and H. S. Gara, were appointed to select a suitable testimonial for presentation to Bro. Charles A. Heinitsh, Treasurer.
The committee selected a massive and very elegant silver ice pitcher, which they had appropriately engraved. Bro. P. M. Charles M. Howell, on behalf of the Lodge, in his usual able and impressive manner, presented the gift to Bro. Heinitsh at the stated meeting of the Lodge on February IIth, and Bro. Heinitsh in accepting the gift responded in feeling terms.
On Thursday morning, April 8, 1880, a special meeting of the Lodge was held for the purpose of attending the funeral of Bro. General James L. Reynolds, late a member of Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 226, of Lebanon, Pa. Bro. Reynolds was present at the funeral services held in the Lodge Room over the remains of his brother, Bro. Admiral Wm. Reynolds, and was deeply impressed with their beauty and solemnity, being moved to remark, that that was the manner in which he wished to be buried when he died. He subsequently made the request that in the event of his death he desired to be buried by Lodge No. 43, and from their Hall. His body lay in state in the Lodge Room, and the Lodge funeral services were observed in full, a Committee from Mount Lebanon Lodge and the relatives and friends of the deceased being present. The remains were interred in Lancaster Cemetery with the usual Ma- sonic ceremonies.
The following brethren were at the December meeting elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year: Eliphalet Oram Lyte, W. M .; Joel S. Eaby, S. W .; George A. Marshall, J. W., and the other officers all reelected.
During the year 1880 but two members were initiated, the smallest number of initiations in any one year for thirty-eight years, two withdrew, and three died.
On September 19, 1881, our lamented Bro. Hon. James A. Gar- field, President of the United States, died at Long Branch. Many buildings throughout the country were draped in mourning in respect to his memory. The Lodge had the exterior of its Hall tastefully
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and elaborately draped for thirty days. An extensive and destruc- tive fire having occurred in the State of Michigan, entailing great suffering upon its people, and aid having been solicited from all parts of the country, the Lodge donated the goods used for the above purpose, and $25 in money towards their relief.
In November of this year the Lodge purchased eight additional burial lots in the Lancaster Cemetery.
The annual election for officers held December 14, 1881, resulted as follows: Bros. Joel S. Eaby, W. M .; George A. Marshall, S. W .; James B. Strine, J. W., and the other officers all reelected.
During the year five members were initiated, and one died.
The Sesqui-Centennial Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania was observed with appropriate ceremonies in the Grand Lodge room of the Masonic Temple, Broad and Filbert streets, Philadelphia, and in the American Academy of Music, and by a grand street parade on St. John's day, June 24th, 1882. Lodge No. 43 having resolved to participate in the celebration, the officers and members of the Lodge to the number of one hundred and accompanied by a band of music, embarked on the morning of the 24th, and participated in the ceremonies and parade.
On November 17th, a special meeting being called for the pur- pose, R. W. Grand Master Samuel B. Dick, Esq., accompanied by his grand officers, honored the Lodge with an official visitation.
At the stated meeting in December, the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year: George A. Marshall, W. M .; James B. Strine, S. W .; Joshua L. Lyte, J. W .; and the other officers all reelected.
During the year thirteen members were initiated, one withdrew and two died.
At the stated meeting October 10, 1883, Bro. P. M. Charles M. Howell stated that there was now an opportunity to make a decided improvement in our Lodge building by uniting with the city authori- ties in a proposed remodeling of the same. On motion a committee of five members was appointed to confer with the property com- mittee of Councils in the proposed alterations. A proposition was made to Councils to tear down the entire structure, the Lodge at
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its own expense to erect a new building on the site of the old, the title to rest in the Lodge, and the city to receive a perpetual lease for the use of such apartments as is necessary for the accommodation of the city officials. Councils failing to accept the proposition or to propose any acceptable substitute, the whole matter was dropped.
The annual election for officers held December 12, 1883, resulted as follows: Bros. James B. Strine, W. M .; Joshua L. Lyte, S. W .; John C. Carter, J. W .; C. A. Heinitsh, Treasurer; H. S. Gara, Secretary, and C. Widmyer, John Rees, and Jere. Rohrer, Trus- tees.
During the year 1883 seven members were initiated, two admitted, and one withdrew.
At the stated meeting held May 10, 1884, the Trustees reported that they had been making an earnest effort to obtain an entrance to the Lodge rooms from West King Street, and that they had succeeded in obtaining the consent of Select and Common Councils. The following is a copy of the proceedings furnished the Trustees by Clerk of Select Councils.
LANCASTER, SEPTEMBER 5, 1884.
To the Trustees of Lodge No. 43, A. Y. M.
GENTLEMEN: The following communication was presented to Select Councils on Wednesday evening, September 3, 1884, by the Property Committee, and passed, Common Council concurring in the action of Select Council.
In November, 1875, Councils passed a resolution giving permis- sion to Lodge No. 43, A. Y. M. to erect at their own expense, a stairway and entrance from West King Street to their Lodge room, the said Lodge giving up their right to an entrance and stairway in the rear of the room formerly occupied by the U. S. Post Office. The said stairway to be 572 feet wide, and constructed as indicated in an accompanying draft.
Application has been made to your Property Committee now to make this stairway, and your Committee consented to the making of the same in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing resolution. Provided, Lodge No. 43 can get the consent of the tenant occupying the restaurant in the old Market House, without in any way affecting the lease between the City and said tenant.
GEO. B. KELLER, Clerk of Select Council.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
The Trustees reported they had obtained the consent of the tenant of the restaurant to proceed with the work, they having paid him the sum of thirty dollars, and he having signed a contract permitting them the free use and right of ingress and egress for the purpose of erecting the stairway and permitting the removal of the window and awning in front of the building.
On motion it was unanimously agreed that the Trustees and Bros. S. W. Joshua L. Lyte, and P. M. Wm. O. Marshall be constituted a building committee to have the stairway erected at once.
The work was begun the latter part of September, 1884, and was finished the beginning of February, 1885. The work completed cost about $2300, and is one of the most substantial, convenient and handsome entrances and stairways to any hall in the State.
At the stated meeting of the Lodge held December 10, 1884, the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year: Joshua L. Lyte, W. M .; John C. Carter, S. W .; Geo. B. Willson, J. W .; Chas. A. Heinitsh, Treasurer; H. S. Gara, Secre- tary; and Christ. Widmyer, John Rees and Jeremiah Rohrer, Trus- tees.
During the year 1884, seven members were initiated, one ad- mitted, three withdrew, and four died.
In the year 1885, previous to the Centennial celebration, four members were initiated.
During the one hundred years of the existence of the Lodge, 1089 members have been initiated and 108 admitted to membership, making a grand total of 1197 members.
The records, which for a number of years were imperfectly kept, show the following figures: 369 withdrew, 25I stand suspended, 25 were placed in good Masonic standing, 23 were made by dis- pensation, never becoming members, 12 were expelled, and 165 died. The membership of the Lodge on April 21st, 1885, was 269. These figures leave 83 of the members unaccounted for, the majority of whom doubtless died while members in good standing.
During the century of its existence, 75 members of the Lodge occupied the Oriental Chair in the East. 34 of these 75 are living at the present time, 29 of whom are still members of the Lodge in
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good standing, the remaining five having withdrawn. Eight of them, viz .: Bros. Jeremiah Mosher, George H. Whitaker, Ebenezer Wright, Henry Keffer, Thomas Jeffries, Robert Moderwell, Charles M. Howell and Henry Baumgardner were each at two different times elected to that responsible position, while Bro. Jacob Car- penter was three different times, and Bro. William Kirkpatrick was six different times so elected.
The oldest living Past Master of the Lodge is Bro. J. Henry Brown, who was Worshipful Master from St. John's day, 1844, to 1845. He withdrew from the Lodge in 1849, and was admitted a member of Philadelphia Lodge No. 72, where he still holds mem- bership.
The oldest living member of the Lodge is Bro. Christian Gast, who was made a Mason on January 10, 1838.
Since the creation of the office of District Deputy Grand Master, this Masonic district has been presided over by fifteen distinguished brethren in that capacity. They were the following:
Bro. James Buchanan. December 1823 to 1825.
Bro. George B. Porter 1825 to 1830.
Bro. Samuel Humes
1830 to 1832.
Bro. Nathaniel W. Sample, Jr 1832 to 1837.
Bro. Thomas Jeffries 1837 to 1839.
Bro. Robert Moderwell. 1839 to 1848.
Bro. Geo. B. Kerfoot
1848 to 1851.
Bro. J. B. Kaufman
1851 to 1852.
Bro. Jacob Albright.
1852 to 1854.
Bro. Chas. W. Cooper.
1854 to 1855.
Bro. Charles M. Howell
1855 to 1874.
Bro. Fitz James Evans
1874 to 1875.
Bro. Henry Baumgardner 1875 to 1880.
Bro. B. Frank Breneman
1880 to 1882.
Bro. Wm. A. Morton
1882 to 1886.
Bro. Sample was a member of Philanthropic Lodge No. 104, and Bro. Evans, of York Lodge, No. 266. The remaining thirteen were all Past Masters of Lodge, No. 43, two of them, however, Bros. Baumgardner and our present worthy and efficient District Deputy, Bro. Morton, are members of Lamberton Lodge, No. 476,
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they having withdrawn from Lodge No 43, for the purpose of joining in the formation of No. 476.
The season of prosperity which set in for the Lodge in the latter third, continued to the end of the century; when an inventory of her possessions presents the following:
Value of Clothing, Lodge Furniture, etc. $3,000 00
" Real Estate about. 15,000 00
Investments (Bonds and Mortgages) 16,000 00
Total . $34,000 00
Thus we find Lodge No. 43 enters upon the second century of her existence with a membership of 269, a wealth of $34,000; and, after a chequered and interesting history, occupies a position, for usefulness and importance, second to none under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
1785 - 1885 ODGE Nº43
LANCASTER P A.L. 5885
The Centennial Anniversary
flodge No 43, Free and Accepted Masons of lancaster, Pa. will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 20" A.L. 585. You are fraternally invited to be present :
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