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 20
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"Resolved, That a committee of six, of which the Worshipful Master should be one, be appointed to procure and present to Brother Rohrer a testimonial for his services, which was seconded and adopted. The Worshipful Master appointed Past Masters Henry Carpenter, George H. Rothermel, Joshua L. Lyte, Joel S. Eaby, John B. Warfel, with himself as the committee.
At the June meeting the testimonial procured in obedience to the resolution above, was presented to Past Master Brother Jeremiah Rohrer by the Worshipful Master Andrew H. Hershey, with the following address:
Brethren: At a stated meeting of this Lodge in January last, a resolution was adopted that a committee be appointed to procure a suitable testimonial for presentation to Past Master Brother Jeremiah Rohrer, in recognition of services rendered this Lodge, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The committee having performed its duties reports: The testimonial has been procured, suitably inscribed, and is now ready for presentation.
Brother Jeremiah Rohrer: as chairman of this committee, I have
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the honor of addressing you on this occasion. For some years there has been a growing feeling among many of the older members, that you should receive some recognition from the Lodge for the services you have rendered as Trustee. Some among us who have been initiated into this honorable fraternity within the past ten years, may have wondered what particular merit singled you out among others for this distinction. By referring to the History of Lodge No. 43, I find you were elected Trustee in 1883, and have been reelected annually to the present time. Shortly after your first election the agitation of a front entrance to our hall was revived. The privilege originally having been granted by City Councils in November, 1875, at which time I learn you had already prepared the plans for this improvement. The principal obstruction having been overcome, the work was began, and with the aid of your able assistants, the result, under your supervision and direction, was the magnificent stairway, which is the pride of the Lodge, and the admiration of every observing visitor. For a period the ordinary routine duties of the office devolved upon yourself and your col- leagues; the property was carefully looked after, kept in repair, and the investments safely and judiciously made. When in the fall of 1893, Lodge No. 43, through its Trustees, purchased the McConomy building adjoining on the west, your active mind at once began to devise plans for the improvement of the property for the profit of the Lodge and the enjoyments of its members. What was ac- complished, again under your direct supervision and instruction, we contemplate with pleasure. The interior of the old building has been transformed and changed to suit its various uses, while the banquet room is a thing of beauty. When we consider our surroundings at this time, we cannot fully appreciate the mental strain and physical labor required to accomplish the result. The work is done, and done to the satisfaction of the Lodge. To say you were the moving spirit, the master workman in the improve- ments, is no disparagement to your colleagues, and it is in recogni- tion of these valuable services, this labor of love, without expectation of fee or reward, on behalf of the committee and this Worshipful Lodge, I present this beautiful and valuable testimonial, trusting
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that in its reception and use you may derive as much pleasure as its presentation affords me, and after life's cares are ended it may be handed down from generation to generation a cherished heirloom from an honored ancestor.
Past Master Jeremiah Rohrer made the following reply:
Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren: In accepting this beautiful present, valuable as I know it is, but infinitely more precious to me because it is an evidence of your friendship and goodwill, I have thought it my duty to give a short history of the movements which have resulted in our securing the conveniences which we now enjoy.
Of course, I know that an excellent history of Lodge No. 43 has been published, but in that many minor details had to be omitted. My efforts will be to supplement that with a short statement of facts relating to the improvements in our building, and I trust these will not prove uninteresting to the Brethren.
In 1875, twenty years ago, Brother William D. Stauffer, then mayor of this city, stated in this Lodge that the city was about to partition off offices in the lower part of this building. That the old stairway, eight feet in width, which many years ago entered this room in the northeast corner, was very much in the way, and pre- vented the squaring of one of these rooms. He then moved that Lodge No. 43 permit the city to remove that stairway. I seconded that motion, but added the proviso that the city give Lodge No. 43 in exchange for the stairway, a five and one-half foot entrance on West King Street.
All old members will remember the inconvenience of the back entrance we then used. In winter we often had to walk over ice and snow, and were frequently obliged to go through the Market shed to get to our entrance door.
At that time the Trustees were Brothers Christian Widmyer, Past Master John McCalla and John Rees. Brother Widmyer being the most active and energetic in looking after the interest of the Lodge, I communicated with him, and together we called upon a number of councilmen, stating to each one that the authorities
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wanted Lodge No. 43 to vacate the old stairway, and also what Lodge No. 43 asked for in return for the concession. Past Master Brother William A. Wilson was then a member of Common Council, and he at my solicitation drew up a resolution authorizing the proposed exchange. It passed the Common Council with but one dissenting voice, and that was by John Evans, who also made a speech against it. I followed the clerk with the resolution to Select Council; then President Robert A. Evans ruled it out of order, but Brother Benjamin C. Kready, then a member of Select Council, also at my solicitation made a speech in favor of considering the matter, and the presiding officer finally ordered the yeas and nays. The only vote against the resolution was by Robert A. Evans, the President.
The following week Lodge No. 43 met. The action of Councils was reported, and the Trustees were instructed by the Lodge to build the stairway at once. Nothing was done however for some weeks. I then had an interview with Past Master Brother Wilson and Brother Kready, the result being that I drew a plan for the partition which, when in position would cut off from the west side of the market house five and one-half feet of space, to be used by us as an entrance to the Lodge-room, and I handed this plan to Brother Widmyer, at the same time urging him to proceed at once with the work.
Brother Widmyer without any delay employed Captain Elias McMellen to do the carpenter work, and it was arranged to have the job done early in the morning, as we wanted to have the work done without it exciting any special attention. I called about 6 a. m. and found the work nearly completed, and felt satisfied that by daybreak it would be finished. I left for Philadelphia at 8 a. m. to attend the meeting of Grand Lodge, that being the first Wednesday in December, and the following evening when I returned home was confounded with the information that our par- tition was laying out in the gutter.
No prayers that night!
The reason assigned for that unexpected change was that that part of the Market House was occupied by butchers, and our parti-
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tion interfered with three or four stalls which had been rented to them by the market committee, and consequently the committee was bound to protect the renters in their rights, for the year. Daniel Mclaughlin was then roofing the old market sheds, in the rear of the hall, and the market committee had him remove the partition.
Nothing was said for some time about the new entrance except in private, in fact very few knew what had been done, and undone, but those immediately interested. At the succeeding meeting of Lodge No. 43 the bill for putting up the partition was presented and paid, but not a word was said in public in relation to it.
Nine years later, in 1884, when I was serving my first year as Trustee of the Lodge, I met on West King Street Brother Charles W. Metzger, who said, "Well, what do you think of it?" I said, "What?" "Why next year, in 1885, we will celebrate our Centennial, and some of our members say they don't want to go up the back way, and that we must have a front stairway, even if we must run it through our storeroom." I answered, "That won't do, that would spoil our storeroom, and the armory above, and at best it would only be a hole in the wall, for no proper entrance could be made in that way."
I immediately called on Brother Hugh S. Gara and stated the situation, who agreed with me that the proposed plan for an en- trance would not do, and I then suggested that I call on Mayor D. P. Rosenmiller, and find out if the old resolution, previously passed by Councils, had been rescinded. I did this the same day. I also gave the Mayor a full history of what had been done and un- done in the matter.
Mayor Rosenmiller being an intimate friend of mine agreed to look it up, and said if it was all right he would give us his assistance. About that time I met Brother Joshua L. Lyte, then Senior Warden, and asked him to assist the Mayor in looking up the records. The result was that in a few days the mayor told me the resolution was still in force. He further said that he was ex-officio Chairman of the Property Committee, and that he would call them together, and then we should make our statement, and if the Committee 16
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would agree, the matter could be brought before Council the following Wednesday.
Brother Widmyer and myself then called personally on each member of the committee, and explained the matter so that there could be no doubt about their voting intelligently. When the Property Committee met, Brother Joshua L. Lyte and I appeared before them. I stated our case as best I could and we then with- drew. The mayor drew up a favorable report, the Property Com- mittee signed it, and it was reported to Councils with their recom- mendation. It was first brought up in Common Council, and it passed that body by a unanimous vote. In the Select Council there was but one vote against it, and that was by the president, Robert A. Evans, who said, "Now you have given away five thousand dollars worth of city property."
A short time afterwards Mayor Rosenmiller handed me a copy of the resolution, signed by the clerk of Select Council, and with the great seal of the City attached.
Lodge No. 43 met the following week. The Trustees reported the action of Councils in the matter, and by a unanimous vote the report was received and adopted, and the Trustees were instructed to at once build the entrance and stairway on West King Street. While the vote was being taken, it occurred to me there might be some additional personal work to do, and I asked that Brother Joshua L. Lyte and Past Master Brother William O. Marshall be appointed to assist in the matter.
When the plans were ready an obstacle not anticipated presented itself. The restaurant in the cellar was occupied by a man who had a lease for one year. The largest window in the basement would have to be torn out and a brick wall extending several feet in the cellar would have to be put up to support the marble sills. How to obtain the privilege to do this was a troublesome question. Brother Widmyer and myself visited the restaurant and ate oysters a number of times, our special object being to get well acquainted with the proprietor. Finally, one day I said to him, "The Masons are going to run a stairway up here, and that window must be torn out and a brick wall six feet long must be put up inside." "Oh," said
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the man, "that will darken the windows and take up my room." I said, "A great many people will go up that stairway every week, and if you manage properly you ought to be able to get the good will of these people and thus increase your business, for these people are good eaters, besides we will be willing to pay you for the damage you sustain, and we will agree to have the work finished and your room in complete order in a day." He said, "How much will you give me?" I said, "Ten dollars." "That's too little," he replied, and after a great deal of parleying I agreed to pay him thirty dollars, and obtained his consent to go on with the work. You can be assured there was no delay in consummating that agree- ment. I paid him the money at once, and in twenty-four hours the entire work was completed.
I then for the first time felt that we were masters of the situation, and it was well that we paid him thus speedily, for a few days after- wards the keeper of the restaurant expressed great dissatisfaction that he had compromised so cheaply, for he had been told that the Masons were rich, and that he could have gotten a great deal more money if he had only demanded it. I answered that I thought he was fairly paid for the inconvenience. Whether he ever profited by the Masons entering by the new entrance I never ascertained.
The other work was then commenced. The front wall was torn out, the marble and brick work put up and completed, and when that was done I think I was at least one of the happiest men in Lancaster.
We had a constant fear during the progress of the work that Robert A. Evans would have an injunction issued, or do something to retard us, as he was very much opposed to our undertaking, but when the front entrance was completed we felt the danger was over.
The stairway was of course finished in due time. Past Master Brother Charles M. Howell furnished the marble work, C. S. Eris- man put up the wood work, and Brother George W. Brown did the varnishing and finishing.
To obtain the concession from City Councils the first time and again nine years later, the second time from a new mayor and all new councilmen except Robert A. Evans, and then the necessary
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permission from the restaurant keeper, required more effort, per- severance and possibly strategy, than all the rest of the work combined.
We could not build a stairway until we had the right-of-way. In fact, all the things combined made the anxiety and responsibility upon me very great, and I felt it more than I can now explain or express.
The entrance and stairway was completed in every particular several months before our Centennial Celebration, which took place in April, 1885.
In January, 1894, Lodge No. 43, on motion of Past Master Brother Henry Carpenter, directed the Trustees to remodel the McConomy property, which the Lodge acquired in the fall of 1893, and to put in steam or any other heat except stoves, throughout the building. The work of 1894 you are all familiar with. In addition to an elegant entrance on West King Street, you now have a fine banquet room, convenient kitchen, elevator, closets, etc. A large armory, electric light, and a fine hot water heating plant which did the work so satisfactorily last winter. All gained in the past ten years.
In conclusion, let me say that this year's work was the most annoying and exasperating I have ever had to do, principally be- cause every part of the building was blocked up with closets, chests, book-cases, tables and chairs, and there seemed to be no place to put them. But the work is done, and I hope to the satisfaction of all.
Now, Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren, whatever ser- vice I have ever done for Lodge No. 43, I did with pleasure, and with my own free will, and without expectation of fee or reward.
This magnificent present I accept and will appreciate, not so much for its intrinsic value, though I know that is considerable, but more because I shall always regard and keep it as a token of good feeling and fellowship from the Lodge I love so well.
Past Master Brother John B. Warfel followed in some interesting remarks, in which he supplemented many incidents in Past Master Brother Rohrer's work as a Trustee.
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The testimonial presented to Past Master Brother Rohrer con- sisted of a beautiful Gorham sterling silver set costing $259.50, suitably engraved, and contained in a handsome chest.
Resolutions were passed to secure the portraits of all the Past Masters of Lodge No. 43 possible, have them framed, and placed upon the walls of the banquet room. This was the beginning of our interesting picture gallery.
During the year there were nine members initiated, one reinstated, one resigned and three suspended.
At the meeting in December the following officers were elected: Brothers John W. Lansinger, W. M .; J. Frederick Fisher, S. W .: C. Walter Kendig, J. W., and the other officers reelected.
At the March meeting of 1896, a communication was read from the Secretary, Brother Hugh S. Gara, stating that he was ill, and could not appear for installation, and two days before the meeting at which this letter was read he had died. Brother Gara was first elected Secretary of this Lodge in 1864, and served as such con- tinuously to the time of his death, a period of thirty-one years. Brother Gara was an intelligent, courteous gentleman, a careful secretary, and a safe advisor to the Worshipful Master, as his long service in the important position he held fully qualified him to that important service. He was buried from his home on East King Street, and the beautiful Masonic service was performed at his grave.
Owing to the death of Brother Gara, Past Master Brother Joshua L. Lyte was elected Secretary for the remainder of the year.
The organ used in our services was purchased this year, and the old one presented to St. Stephen's Lutheran Church of this city.
The photograph cabinet to contain the photographs of the mem- bers was also purchased this year and placed in the banquet room.
During the year nine members were initiated, one admitted, one reinstated, two resigned, four suspended and five died.
At the December meeting the following officers were elected: Brothers J. Frederick Fisher, W. M .; David E. Long, S. W .; Robert W. Groezinger, J. W., and the other officers reelected.
In 1897 an amendment to the By-Laws was adopted exonerating
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all members from paying further Lodge dues, who had continuously paid dues for fifty years.
A silver trowel, suitably engraved, was presented to Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 226, Lebanon, Pa., as a testimonial for the fraternal action in performing the burial service on the occasion of the funeral of one of the members of our Lodge.
During the year seven were initiated, one admitted, two resigned and eight died.
At the December meeting the following officers were elected: Brothers David E. Long, W. M .; Robert W. Groezinger, S. W .; Albert D. Pinkham, J. W., and the other officers reelected.
Owing to the installation of electric light throughout the entire building at the remodeling of the McConomy property, the gas fixtures were dispensed with; two of the chandeliers were presented on behalf of the Lodge to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, and one to Emanuel Lutheran Church.
On May II, 1898, Lodge No. 43 was honored wih a Grand Visitation by the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Brother William J. Kelly, accompanied by the Grand Officers. The report of the Grand Secretary shows a number of lapses in the minutes of the Lodge, ending in a very complimentary manner, to both the secre- tary and the Lodge.
Past Master Brother Charles M. Howell was presented with the fifty-year jewel at the December meeting.
On the twenty-ninth day of December, 1898, Brother Charles A. Heinitsh, Treasurer of the Lodge for twenty-eight consecutive years, passed to the life beyond. Brother Heinitsh was a prominent member for many years; a genial, affable gentleman, a druggist by profession, occupying the store on East King Street, near Chris- tian, where together with his father and grandfather they carried on the business since 1780.
During the year nine members were initiated, one admitted, one reinstated, five suspended, and two died.
The election for officers at the December meeting resulted as follows: Brothers Robert Groezinger, W. M .; Albert D. Pinkham, S. W .; William D. Weaver, J. W., and the other officers reelected,
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with the exception of the Representative to the Grand Lodge, Brother Henry Carpenter being elected to that office.
Owing to the death of Brother Charles A. Heinitsh, a dispensation for the election of a Treasurer to fill the vacancy was granted by the Right Worshipful Grand Master, which resulted in the election of Past Master Brother Joel S. Eaby.
In 1899 Lodge No. 43 presented a silver trowel to Masters Lodge, No. 244, Knoxville, Tenn., in token of the appreciation of this Lodge in performing the Masonic Funeral Service over the remains of Brother William Grau, one of our members.
During the year there were eight initiations, one admitted, two resigned, and ten died.
At the December meeting the following officers were elected: Brothers Albert D. Pinkham, W. M .; William D. Weaver, S. W; William H. Keller, J. W., and the reelection of the other officers, with the exception that Past Master Brother George B. Willson was elected one of the trustees in place of Past Master Brother William O. Marshall.
CHAPTER XIII.
1900-1910.
T HE decade beginning with 1900 shows continued activity and interest in the various functions of Lodge No. 43. It was never in better condition numerically, the membership being of high character, and its financial condition satisfactory-being en- tirely free of debt and a handsome balance invested.
New By-Laws conforming to the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge were adopted.
One hundred dollars of the Lodge funds were appropriated to the sufferers of the great storm of wind and tide in Texas.
During the year there were eight initiated and ten deaths.
The following persons were elected at the December meeting to serve as its officers: Brothers William D. Weaver, W. M .; William H. Keller, S. W .; Frank H. Rudy, J. W., and the other officers reelected.
At the meeting of February 13, 1901, a resolution was adopted that on the death of a member of the Lodge, the Secretary set apart a page in the Minute Book suitably inscribed as a memorial to his memory.
After the assassination of the President, Brother William McKin- ley, the Masonic Hall was tastefully draped in mourning as a mark of respect to his memory.
There were ten initiated, one admitted and seven died during the year.
The election of officers at the December meeting resulted as follows: Brothers William H. Keller, W. M .; Frank H. Rudy, S. W .; Charles L. Marshall, J. W .; and the other officers reelected with the exception that Past Master Brother William O. Marshall was
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elected Representative to the Grand Lodge in place of Past Master Henry Carpenter.
On the evening of November 7, 1902, a Special Joint Meeting of Lodge No. 43 and Lamberton Lodge, No. 476, was held by permission and direction of the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Brother Edgar A. Tennis, for the purpose of celebrating the ses- quicentennial anniversary of the initiation into Free Masonry of Brother George Washington. On this occasion there were present 164 members of Lodge No. 43, 118 members of Lamberton Lodge, No. 476, and 35 visitors. The meeting was a decided success, com- plete harmony prevailed, and the exercises and addresses were most pleasing, eloquent and instructive. The order of exercises was as follows:
I. OPENING OF THE LODGE. Brother WILLIAM H. KELLER, W. M. of Lodge No. 43.
2. PRAYER. Past Master Brother WILLIAM H. SCHAUM, Chaplain of Lamberton Lodge, No. 476.
3. MUSIC .- Old Hundred.
By the Brethren.
4. READING FROM EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA, SHOWING ITS CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH BROTHER WASHINGTON.
Past Master Brothers J. FREDERICK FISHER, Acting Secretary of Lodge No. 43.
Past Master Brother WILLIAM L. MARSHALL, Secretary of Lamberton Lodge, No. 476.
5. MUSIC .- Instrumental.
6. ADDRESS .- Washington as a Citizen.
Past Master Brother JOHN E. SNYDER, Lamberton Lodge, No. 476.
7. MUSIC .- "The President's March."
By the Brethren.
8. ADDRESS .- Washington as a Free Mason.
Rev. and Brother JOSEPH H. DUBBS, D. D., of Lodge No. 43.
9. MUSIC .- America. By the Brethren.
IO. CLOSING OF THE LODGE.
Brother SYDNEY Z. EVANS, Worshipful Master of Lam- berton Lodge, No. 476.
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After the close of the Lodge the members and visitors proceeded to the Woolworth Building, corner of North Queen and Grant Streets, where a banquet had been prepared as a fitting close to the cele- bration.
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