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 26
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He had charge of the Pennsylvania Educational exhibit at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876. The degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by Lafayette College. He died in this city March 25, 1891.
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He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 January 10, 1866, was elected Junior Warden in 1874, Senior Warden in 1875, and Wor- shipful Master in 1876.
He was also a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, and of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
HENRY P. EICHLER.
[W. M., 1877 to 1878.]
HENRY P. EICHLER was born at Lititz, Pa., March 11, 1842. He was educated at the Lititz schools and Academy. He learned the trade of baker, which business he followed in Lancaster, and afterwards in Cincinnati, O. He was also engaged in the whole- sale produce business in Philadelphia for some time. For a number of years he had been carrying on the trade of baking in this city. He withdrew from the Lodge June 10, 1885.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 October 12, 1870, was elected Junior Warden in 1875, Senior Warden in 1876, and Worship- ful Master in 1877.
He was also a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, and of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T.
WILLIAM O. MARSHALL.
[W. M., 1878 to 1879.]
WILLIAM O. MARSHALL was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 12, 1840. He came to Lancaster with his parents in 1844, was educated at the common schools of Lancaster, and attended Franklin and Marshall College three years.
He learned the trade of printing, which business he followed seven years. For thirty-six years he had been engaged in the boot and shoe business. He was a member of Common Councils for two years, and for the past thirty-seven years he has been a member of the Lancaster School Board, of which body he has been Treasurer for twenty-one years, and is now serving as its President. He is now retired from active business.
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He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43, November 10, 1864, was elected Junior Warden in 1876, Senior Warden in 1877, and Worshipful Master in 1878. He served as one of the Trustees of the Lodge for 13 years, and is its Representive to the Grand Lodge since 1902.
He is a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, a member and P. T. I. G. M. of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. and S. M., a member and Past Commander of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T.
JOHN HULL. [W. M., 1879 to 1880.]
JOHN HULL was born in Lancaster, Pa., March 4, 1835. He received his education in the public schools of Lancaster and at the Lititz Academy. He first worked at stone cutting one year, then served an apprenticeship at cigar-making. In 1866 he opened a retail cigar and tobacco store on West King Street, above Prince Street, which business he conducted for sixteen years. He then disposed of his retail business and began the manufacture and wholesaling of cigars. He is now engaged in the manufacturing of cigars.
He served nine months in Company E, 122d Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, in the War of the Rebellion, and in 1863 was in Company I, 50th Regiment, for the emergency. In 1876 he was elected to Common Councils.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43, April 8, 1868, was elected Junior Warden in 1877, Senior Warden in 1878, and Worshipful Master in 1879. He also served as Tyler for some years.
He is a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, a Past T. I. G. M. of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. and S. M., a member of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T., and a Past T. P. G. M. of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
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ELIPHALET ORAM LYTE.
[W. M., 1880 to 1881.]
PROF. E. O. LYTE was born near Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster Co., Pa., June 29, 1842. He worked in his father's nursery during his early years, attending the common schools each winter until he enlisted in the army. He served about three years as soldier and officer in the war of the Rebellion, being wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville. After the war, he taught a public school one or two years, and then attended the State Normal School at Millers- ville, Pa. He graduated at that school in 1868 in the Elementary Course, and later in the Scientific Course, receiving the degree of B. S. in 1876 and two years later the degree of M. S. He received the degree of Master of Arts from Franklin and Marshall College in 1878 and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1887. He has been a member of the Faculty of the Millersville Normal School since 1868, and was Professor of Pedagogics and Grammar in that institution for many years. He was elected Principal of the school in 1887, and has served in this important position since that time. In addition to his duties as teacher and principal, he has written a series of books on the English language, a history of the State Normal Schools of the United States, published by the U. S. Gov- ernment, a work on Bookkeeping, seven or eight music books, articles for educational journals, etc., and has for several years delivered a large number of lectures annually, before teachers' institutes and other educational bodies, in this and other States. He was chairman of the committee of awards of the elementary group of the department of education at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904, and chairman of the department of education, and a member of the Superior Jury of Awards of this exposition. He is a life member of the Pennsylvania State Educational Associa- tion and of the National Education Association, and was president of the State Educational Association in 1891 and of the National Education Association in 1899. He is a member of the National Council of Education, American Academy of Political and Social Science, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Military Order of the
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Loyal Legion, G. A. R., A. of P., Sons of the Revolution, and other bodies. He was a member of the Hamilton Club, Lancaster, for several years, resigning on account of ill health. He is a member of the University Club, Philadelphia, and of the United Service Club (Army and Navy) of the same city. A number of important positions have been offered to him since he was principal of the normal school, among them the chancellorship of a university, but he has preferred to remain at Millersville, where he has seen the "plant" grow in value from $82,346, when Dr. Wickersham re- signed from the principalship, to $670,739.03 in August, 1910.
Doctor Lyte was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 on April 12, 1871. He was elected Junior Warden in December, 1878, Senior Warden in December, 1879, and Worshipful Master in December, 1880.
He is a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, a member of Goodwin Council No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., a member and Past Commander of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T., a member of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, 14°, Harrisburg Council of Princes of Jerusalem, 16°, Harrisburg Chapter of Rose Croix, 18°, and was Illustrious Commander-in-Chief of Harrisburg Consistory, 32º, A. A. S. R., for three years. He was also Ills. Grand Engineer and Architect of Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation for several terms.
At the meeting of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America, held at Detroit, Michigan, in 1884, he was elected to the 33°, that of Sovereign Grand Inspector-General, and he received this degree at the meeting of the Supreme Council in Boston the following year, being the first native Lancaster countian upon whom this honor was conferred.
JOEL S. EABY. [W. M., 1881 to 1882.]
JOEL S. EABY was born in Upper Leacock township, Lancaster Co., Pa., February 20, 1838. He was educated at the public schools and at the State Normal School, Millersville. In 1855 and 1856, he
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taught school in Lebanon County, then in Lancaster County, until 1872, when he came to Lancaster City and was employed as clerk in the office of the Inquirer Printing and Publishing Company, which position he filled until 1875, when he became Manager of the Conestoga Cork Works, and served as such until the destruction of those works by fire in 1882. In March of this same year, he, in company with Dr. Wm. Compton and Mr. John Holman, organized the Phoenix Cork Works of this city, which business was continued for a number of years. Later he engaged in the Real Estate and Insurance business, and is now an Alderman of the city of Lancaster.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 September II, 1872, was elected Junior Warden in 1879, Senior Warden in 1880, and Worshipful Master in 1881. Was elected Treasurer of the Lodge on the death of Brother Charles A. Heinitsh in 1898, and has been reelected annually since.
He is a member and Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43; served as D. D. G. H. P. for six years, as Representative to the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania for four years, and as Treasurer since December, 1898. He is a member and T. I. G. M. of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R. S. E. & S. M., serving as District Deputy Grand Master for six years; Representative to the Grand Council since 1894; elected and served as R. P. G. Master of the Grand Council of R., S. E. & S. M. of Pennsylvania in 1894, and as R. P. G. Treasurer since 1899, and also as Treasurer of Goodwin Council since December, 1898. He is a member and Past Commander of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T., and its Treasurer since April, 1899. A member and T. P. G. M. of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, and its Treasurer since 1905; a member of Harrisburg Consistory, 32°, and created a Sovereign Grand Inspector-General, 33°, in 1887, A. A. S. R.
GEORGE A. MARSHALL. [W. M., 1882 to 1883.]
GEORGE A. MARSHALL was born in Lancaster, Pa., July 7, 1849. He was educated in the common schools of Lancaster. He was
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employed in Steinman & Co.'s hardware store until 1873, when, in partnership with Mr. Albert Rengier, he embarked in the same business on South Queen Street, under the firm name of Marshall and Rengier, which was continued for many years. He now lives retired in this city.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 May 11, 1870; was elected Junior Warden in 1880, Senior Warden in 1881 ; and Worship- ful Master in 1882.
He is also a member and Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, a member of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R. & S. M., and a member and Past Commander of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T.
JAMES B. STRINE. [W. M., 1883 to 1884.]
JAMES B. STRINE was born in Lancaster, Pa., November 24, 1837. He was educated in the common schools of Lancaster. He learned the trade of printing, and had been employed at the Intelligencer printing office for many years, and afterwards in the book depart- ment of The New Era Printing Company until his retirement. He was a member of the Lancaster Fencibles, and served with them in the three months' service at the breaking out of the Rebellion, being attached to the Ist Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
He died at his residence in this city January 29, 1902, and was buried with Masonic honors.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 on November 21, 1867. He was elected Junior Warden in 1872, and at the election for officers in December, 1873, declined advancement. He was again elected Junior Warden in 1881, was elected Senior Warden in 1882, and Worshipful Master in 1883.
He was a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, Past T. I. G. M. of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., Past Eminent Commander of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T,. and Past T. P. G. M. of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
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JOSHUA LOUIS LYTE.
[W. M., 1884 to 1885.]
JOSHUA L. LYTE was born in Smoketown, East Lampeter town- ship, Lancaster county, Pa., on September 21, 1851. He worked in his father's nursery in early life, and received his education in the common schools; and, when seventeen years of age, he came to Lancaster to learn the printing trade at the Inquirer office, now the Wickersham Printing Company. In 1874, he was employed at the Lancaster Examiner office, having for a number of years held the position of Business Manager. He was appointed a Notary Public in 1875, and reappointed from time to time until his death. In 1871, he became a member of the Union S. F. & F. H. Co. No. I, and was an active fireman up to the time of the disbanding of the volunteer fire department, in 1882, at which time he was Vice- President, and has since been elected President of the Company. After severing his connection with the Examiner office, he embarked in the job printing business which he continued for some years. He also held the position of Stamp Clerk for the Underwriters Association of the Middle Division for this territory for some years. He died in this city on December 9, 1907.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 February 12, 1879, was elected Junior Warden in 1882, Senior Warden in 1883, and Wor- shipful Master in 1884. On the death of Brother Hugh S. Gara he was elected Secretary of the Lodge, which position he occupied until compelled to resign owing to ill health. He was Representa- tive to the Masonic Home for several years, and a member of the Library Committee of the Grand Lodge. While serving in this position he supervised the publication of the earlier volumes of the Reprints of the Minutes of the Grand Lodge.
He was a member and Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, and also its Secretary; a member and Past T. I. G. M. of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., and its Secretary; served as R. P. G. Master of the Grand Council of R., S. E. & S. M. of Pennsylvania, and R. P. G. Secretary of the Grand Council for a number of years; a member and Past Commander of Lancaster
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Commandery, No. 13, K. T., and its Secretary, and also served as Division Commander for a number of years; a member and T. P. G. M. of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, 14°; Harrisburg Council of Princes of Jerusalem, 16°, Harrisburg Chapter of Rose Croix, 18°, Harrisburg Consistory, 32°, A. A. S. R., in all of which bodies he has held important official positions.
At the meeting of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America, held in Boston in 1885, he was elected to the 33°, that of Sovereign Grand Inspector-General and received the degree at the next annual meeting, 1886.
CHARLES A. HEINITSH.
[Treasurer.]
CHARLES A. HEINITSH was the second son of John F. Heinitsh, deceased. He was born in Lancaster, Pa., July 21, 1822. He was educated in the private schools of Lancaster, at the Lititz Academy, and at the Preparatory Department of the Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Pa. In 1838, he began as a clerk in his father's drug store. In 1841, he was taken into partnership with his father, and in 1849, became sole proprietor of the establishment. He has thus been upwards of sixty years identified with the drug business and with one house, which has always conducted a large and important business, and which is distinguished as having been in existence over one hundred and twenty-five years, and been handed down to the fourth generation.
He was one of the founders of the Lancaster County Pharma- ceutical Association in 1882, and was its first President. He was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association in 1878, and was its first President, and was reelected at its second meeting. He was third Vice-President of the American Pharma- ceutical Association, and in 1882 was elected President.
He was also Vice-President and Treasurer of the Union Fire Company for many years, and was a member of the Lancaster School Board for several years.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 February II, 1852. He
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was elected Treasurer of the Lodge in June, 1870, and had faithfully fulfilled the important duties of this office for twenty-eight years, until the time of his death, which occurred on the 29th of December, 1898.
He was also Treasurer of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, Treasurer of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., Treasurer of Lan- caster Commandery, No. 13, K. T., until his death and a member of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R., of which body he was also Treasurer from its organization until 1874.
HUGH S. GARA.
[Secretary.]
HUGH S. GARA was born in East Lampeter township, Lancaster County, Pa., March 28, 1819. He received his education at the public schools of the township. He first engaged in mercantile business in the store of James Whitehill, in Strasburg borough; then with David Shirk, in same place; then came to Lancaster and was employed with Geo. B. Markley, who kept store on East King Street above Duke Street.
He was then for three years employed as Manager of Boon & Cockley's foundry. He was next, in partnership with David Cock- ley, engaged in the mercantile business on East King Street, after- wards sole proprietor.
In 1850 he became engaged in the insurance business, in which he continued to the time of his death.
He was Prison Inspector of Lancaster County for nine years, and has been a Notary Public for many years. He was a member of the Lancaster School Board for six years, and its Secretary for five years. He was for two years Secretary of the Board of Trade, and has been President of the Union Building Association for ten years. He has been a Trustee of the Presbyterian Church for thirty years, and President of the Board for nine years.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 February 12, 1862, was elected Secretary in 1864, and for thirty-one years has faithfully and ably fulfilled the difficult and important duties of his office.
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He was also Secretary of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, Recorder of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., and Recorder of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T. He was also a member of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R., and was its Secretary for a number of years.
He died as Secretary of the above Masonic Bodies March 9, 1896, and was buried with Masonic honors from his residence on East King Street.
JOHN REES.
[Trustee.]
JOHN REES was born in Lancaster, Pa., March 3, 1819. He learned the trade of machinist, and afterwards worked at his trade for ten years with Pennel & Lenhart. He was for five years an engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad, while it was under State control.
About the year 1848, he commenced the wholesale oyster business, which he has continued to the time of his death.
He served two terms as a member of the Common Councils of Lancaster. He helped to organize the Jackson Rifles, a military company of Lancaster, and was Second Lieutenant of the Company, when at the breaking out of the Rebellion they enlisted and were attached to the Ist Regiment, Penna. Volunteers. After they had been in service but twenty-one days, he received a severe injury of the leg, by accident, and was discharged for physical disability. He served as sutler of Col. Hambright's 79th Regiment during its entire campaign.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 January 14, 1852. He was elected a Trustee of the Lodge, December, 1859, and had been annually reëlected until 1888, making a continuous service of over twenty-seven years. He was also a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T., of which latter body he also held the office of Trustee, and of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
He died in this city November 21, 1887.
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CHRISTIAN WIDMYER.
[Trustee.]
CHRISTIAN WIDMYER was born near Black Forest, Wurtemburg (then in Austria), on March 31, 1807. He attended school until his fourteenth year, when he was apprenticed to the trade of cabinet making in Vienna. In 1830, he came to America and settled in Lancaster, working at his trade for three years, when he moved to Philadelphia, and there also worked at his trade two years. He then returned to Lancaster, and was employed at his trade with John F. Shroder. He afterwards became a partner with Mr. Shroder, and finally became sole proprietor. He carried on the business until 1871, when he retired from active business.
He was a member of Common Councils, a member of the Board of Trustees of Woodward Hill Cemetery, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Children's Home of Lancaster.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 May 9, 1838, was passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Mason in June following, when owing to the anti-Masonic excitement he discontinued connection with the Lodge until 1853, when he was readmitted and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. He was elected a Trustee of Lodge No. 43 in December, 1857, and had been annually reelected to 1892, a term of service of nearly thirty-five years.
He was a member and a Trustee of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, a member and a Trustee of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T., and a member of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M.
He died in this city November, 1895, and was buried from his home, corner East King and Duke Streets, with Masonic honors.
JOHN C. CARTER. [W. M., 1885 to 1886.]
JOHN C. CARTER was born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1856, and edu- cated in its public schools. At the age of sixteen years he became a clerk in the banking house of Reed & Henderson, then located on the east side of North Duke Street, opposite the Court House, which position he held for ten years, after which he filled the
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position of receiving teller for three years at the Farmers National Bank of Lancaster. He was then elected at its organization, and filled the position of cashier of the Northern National Bank for some years; he is now and has been for the past 22 years cashier of the Fulton National Bank of Lancaster. Mr. Carter has been active in the business affairs of this city. He has been a member of the City School Board for 10 years, and has served on a number of its most important committees.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 November 14, 1877, was elected Junior Warden in December, 1883; Senior Warden in December, 1884, and Worshipful Master in December, 1885.
He is also a member, Trustee and Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43; a member of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. and S. M., and of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T.
GEORGE B. WILLSON.
[W. M., 1886 to 1887, 1887 to 1888.]
GEORGE B. WILLSON is the son of Bro. George Willson, decd., a former much esteemed member of Lodge No. 43, who was its Treasurer in 1848, and a member of the first Board of Trustees of the Lodge. He was born in Lancaster, Pa., on April 4, 1855, received a common school education and learned the trade of coach trimming, which trade he followed for four or five years. He then became bookkeeper and cashier in the establishment of Flinn & Breneman. In 1881 he purchased Mr. Breneman's interest in the business, the firm becoming Flinn & Willson. In 1883, owing to failing health, he was obliged to discontinue the business, selling his interest back to Mr. Breneman, from whom he purchased it, and took a trip South, spending the winter in Florida. In the spring of 1884, he returned to Lancaster much benefitted in health, and in June, 1884, purchased Wheatland, formerly the residence of President Brother Buchanan, where he still resides. He has been the leader in the real-estate improvement of the west end, in which he is a large land owner; also active in the development of electrical interests in the county, and of the Pennsylvania Power
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Company at Minqua, on the Susquehanna, and other business enterprises. He was one of the principal factors in securing the magnificent site for the Masonic Home of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at Elizabethtown, giving his time and valuable knowledge of real-estate values unstinted and unremu- nerated in securing this most desirable plot of ground, proving titles securing releases, and making final settlements with the former owners. In addition to his various financial and real-estate in- terests he is devoting much of his time to the personal management of the Masonic Home Grounds.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 October 9, 1873, elected Junior Warden in December, 1884, Senior Warden in December, 1885, and Worshipful Master in December, 1886, and in December, 1887, occupying the station in the East for two years, in accordance with the law at that time requiring the Worshipful Master to serve two years to become a member of the R. W. Grand Lodge. He has also been a member of the Board of Trustees since 1900.
He is a member and Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43; a member and P. T. I. G. M. of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. and S. M .; a member and Past Eminent Commander of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T., and a member of Lan- caster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
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