USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 28
USA > Vermont > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 28
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Lamoille Lodge, No. 6, Fairfax .- In the year 1806, on the 8th day of October, Rev. Jonathan Nye, then the grand chaplain, presented the petition of Zerah Willoby and others, praying a charter for a lodge to be located at Cambridge (then a part of Franklin county), and on the same date a charter was granted to Zerah Willoby, Simeon Lester, Elias Fassett, Eli Greene, Thaddeus Wherdock, Theophilus Blake, Phin- eas Page, Isaac Warner, James Farnsworth, Asa Stone and Isaac B. Farrar, Zerah Willoby being the first master The lodge was num- bered 25, and does not appear to have been represented in Grand Lodge in 1807 or 1808, but at that session a petition was presented " request- ing the liberty of surrendering up the charter for the present," which was granted, and in 1809 it is reported as " extinct."
In 1815 the Grand Lodge records show that a number of brethren from Fairfax presented a petition to revive Lamoille Lodge, which was granted, giving them the "liberty of holding their future communica- tions at Fairfax instead of Cambridge as given them in their charter," and the lodge was honored at that time by the appointment of one of its leading members, James Farnsworth, as grand sword bearer. Its members were prominent in the Grand Lodge until it suspended work on
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account of the anti-Masonic feeling, but as the records prior to 1846 were destroyed by fire it is impossible to give anything but a meager outline of its history prior to that time. It was one of the first lodges to join in the re-organization and was re-numbered 6. Since that time it has had a fairly prosperous growth, and is at present in good condition Membership, forty-three.
Past masters : Zerah Willoby, Joseph D. Farnsworth, Ira Farnsworth, Joseph Parmalee, S. B. Hunt, I. T. Parish, Myron Spear, L. C. Lee, E. S. Butler, Herbert Giddings, Luther B. Hunt, Edgar M. Strait, N. C. Dem- mic, and N. W. Reynolds.
Past grand officers : Joseph D. Farnsworth and James Farnsworth past grand senior wardens.
Missisquoi Lodge, No. 9, Richford .- In October, 1814, a charter was granted to certain brethren in the northeast part of the county, " con- stituting them a lodge in Berkshire, by the name of Missisquoi Lodge, No. 38." The charter members were Solomon Williams, jr., Solomon Benjamin, jr., Pennel Leavens, Edward Cook, Thomas Fuller, jr., Henry Marble, Dan Huse, Sam S. Butler, Robert Barber and Joseph Wheeler.
No higher compliment can be given to the early members of this lodge than to point to a history unmarred by the blank of suspension. While every other lodge in the county closed their doors for a longer or shorter period between 1830 and 1846, the Masons of Berkshire and vicinity continued to hold their meetings and work, and at the re-organ- ization they joined with other lodges and took rank as No. 9. For a score of years after the re-organization the lodge continued at East Berkshire, when Richford upon the one side and Enosburgh Falls upon the other outstripped the little hamlet, and in obedience to natural laws the members were divided, part going to a new lodge at Enosburgh, and the old lodge that had borne so proud a record for over half a century was removed to Richford, where it has since been located, growing and flourishing with that pleasant and enterprising village. Membership, sixty-seven.
Past masters : Solomon Williams, jr., Elihu M. Royce, Austin Fuller, Charles Gallup, Samuel S. Butler, Asa Wheeler, William S. Rublee, George Corliss, L. R. Parker, James H. Hamilton, Lyman H. Smith, George W. Gibson, O. W. Wright, Stephen G. Marvin and John S. Dailey.
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Seventy-six Lodge, No. 14, Swanton .- On the 12th day of Febru- ary, 1828, a dispensation was granted by M. W. Nathan B. Haswell Jor the formation of a lodge at Swanton, under the name of Seventy- six; the following names appear in the dispensation : Rev. Jonathan Berry, worshipful master; Cornelius Wood, senior warden ; George W. Foster, junior warden; Harvey Ingalls, James Fisk, Benjamin C. Web ster, H. B. Sanderson, James Platt, Z. B. Thomas, Abram Hollenbeck, Amherst Thayer, H. P. Cobb, Amasa Soule, Roswell Fisk, Benjamin Robinson, James Stearns, Daniel Wood, Nelson Bullard, Stephen Rob- inson, jr., Daniel Meigs, Ira Church, John Barney, Jesse Carpenter, Samuel Farrar and Rev. E. H. Dorman. On the 8th day of October of the same year a charter was granted, and the lodge was numbered sev- enty-two. Although it organized with a large membership, and started out under the most favorable circumstances, it was caught in the fanat- ical storm and forced to suspend three years thereafter.
On the 5th day of January, 1847, a dispensation was issued by M. W. Philip C. Tucker, grand master, authorizing the lodge to resume work, and giving it rank as No. 14. Its first meeting was held in the Bullard hall, then standing upon the site now occupied by W. H. Blake, 2d; after the first meeting it occupied the Ira Church hall until about 1851. From that time until 1868 the lodge room was over the James Platt store ; later, over A. D. Smith's store until destroyed by fire February 9, 1877 ; from that time it was in the Blake block until April, 1890, and is now pleasantly located in the third story of the Dorman block, where it has one of the best appointed and furnished halls in the state.
The lodge has always been noted for its strength and stability, and has furnished some of the ablest officers in the grand bodies of the state. Among the prominent men whose names are found upon its roll may be mentioned James Fisk, at one time United States senator ; Abram Hol- lenbeck, father of our venerable past grand secretary ; Dr. George M. Hall, grand master of the Grand Lodge of Vermont for three years; and Colonel A. B. Jewett, who held the office of grand commander of the Grand Commandery. Membership, 106.
Past masters : Jonathan Berry, James Platt, Ira Church, A. D. Story, George M. Hall, D. J. Morrill, N. A. Lasell, A. B. Jewett, Ralph O. Sturtevant, R. D. Marvin, S. S. Morey, F. W. Baxter, George W. Squier, C. H. Stone, Charles C. Gilmore, and B. C. Sheldon.
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Past grand officers : George M. Hall, past grand master ; Rigney D. Marvin, past grand junior deacon.
Haswell Lodge, No. 39, Sheldon .- In 1819 M. M. Chamberlin, Cyrus Keith, John S. Gallup and others petitioned the Grand Lodge to estab- lish a subordinate lodge at Sheldon, but were refused ; in 1828 the peti- tion was renewed, and on the 8th day of October, the same year, a char- ter was granted, the lodge taking the name of Liberty, No. 73. It soon suspended work, and when, after the re-organization, the brethren of Sheldon applied for recognition they seem to have preferred to name their lodge for an honored past grand master, whose labors in behalf of Masonry in this state are without a parallel, rather than resurrect old Liberty, and on the 15th day of January, 1857, a charter was granted to Henry Carlisle, Charles Gallup, Edward Trudeau, Seth Sturges, Na- thaniel Wait, Joseph Bowdish, Samuel White, W. W. Wright, A. K. Nichols, H. C. Nichols, A. E. Searles, N. Y. Gallup, Jehial Hull, H. G. Hubbell, Joseph Fairbanks, D. G. Horton, George Willard, William White, J. C. McGowan, A. L. Nichols, and D. Wright. For many years the lodge was prosperous, but the formation of lodges in adjoining towns was a serious draft upon its membership and tended to cripple it; fortu- nately its present prospects are brighter than for some years. Member- ship, twenty- four.
Past masters : Charles M. Gallup, Henry Carlisle, Chandler R. Haw- ley, John A. Fitch, Charles P. Hogan, Samuel B. H. Stufflebean, and Herbert J. Sturgess.
Eagle Lodge, No. 67, East Fairfield .- At the communication of the Grand Lodge in 1864 a petition was presented for a dispensation to form a new lodge at Bakersfield. The same was referred to the committee on dispensations and charters, who reported favorably, and their report was adopted. Pursuant to said vote Grand Master Englesby issued a dispensation on the 15th day of January, 1865, to Eagle Lodge, and on January 13, 1865, the lodge was chartered and numbered 67. The char- ter members were Merritt Barnes, Henry J. Armington, C. S. Barnes, C. T. Maynard, H. B. Woodward, Daniel C. Isham, A. C. Ayers, L. E. Armington, J. S. Wheeler, L. M. Wilson, and others. Its early growth was healthy, but with railroad facilities at East Fairfield the lodge was naturally attracted there and it changed its location with the consent of
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the Grand Lodge in 1878. Since that time it has maintained itself in a creditable manner, and is in a healthy condition. Membership, forty- nine.
Past masters : Merritt Barnes, D. C. Isham, Milton R. Tyler, George D. Stevens, H. H. Scott, Harmon D. Warren, George W. Burleson, Ezra B. Sturgess, Isaac N. Chase, and Isaac B Hull ..
Frontier Lodge, No. 74, Franklin .- On the IIth day of January, 1866, Frontier Lodge, No. 74, was chartered, with the following members : Maynard E. Felton, James Randall, Sidney P. Gates, Rodney C. Gates, Henry D. French, William Randall, H. F. Wright, Oakley Pomeroy, O. F. Fish, E. L. Hibbard, E. C. Wilson, H. L. Ford, A. Goddard and B. M. Sowles.
Maynard E. Felton was its first master, and as a country lodge it has prospered financially and numerically, and stands to-day as one of the strongest lodges in the county. Membership, sixty.
Past masters : Maynard E. Felton, James Randall, Edwin R. Bell, John Webster, Harrison L. Ford and Charles H. Bell.
Lincoln Lodge, No. 78, Enosburgh Falls .- In 1866 it became evident that old Missisquoi must be divided, one lodge going to Richford and the other to Enosburgh Falls; with this object in view the brethren made an equal division of their property, and the old lodge recommended the granting of a dispensation to the new one, which was issued in 1867, and the lodge was regularly chartered by the name of Lincoln Lodge, No. 78, on the IIth day of June, 1868. The first officers were Salmon Stebbins, worshipful master; D. B. Stetson, senior warden; William H. McAllister, junior warden ; Ralph Stebbins, treasurer ; G. W. Sprague, secretary ; John Lawrence, senior deacon ; Alvin House, junior deacon ; Henry House and M. B. Bessey, stewards; and E. W. Noble, tyler. As this was the natural offspring of Missisquoi it partook of the spirit which enabled the mother lodge to maintain herself when so many were clos- ing their doors, and the new lodge opened with an enthusiasm that insured success. Free Masonry in this stirring and pushing village has been marked by the same life and vigor, its leading members being the leading men of the town. Membership, fifty-two.
Past masters : Salmon Stebbins, John G. Jenne, Birney J Kendall, Daniel C. Isham, Arthur J. Darrah, Nathan A. Gilbert, Allen H. Man- ley and William H. McAllister.
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Englesby Lodge, No. 84, St. Albans .- From 1860 to 1870 the growth of St. Albans was rapid owing to the location of railroad shops and offices in that village. Many prominent men connected with the road were Masons, affiliated with the lodges in the places whence they came, and the result was the formation of a new lodge. On the 3d day of June, 1868, a charter was granted to John W. Hobart, R. Camp, J. D. F. Barker, A. Kent, M. W. Bailey, David B Clark, Eugene Putnam, A. F. Cool, J. C. Crampton, H. P. Aldrich, Abner Forbes, W. E. Campfield, Samuel Williams, J. W. Taylor, J. M. Seavey, S. K. Goldsmith, M. W. Beardsley, C. T. Hobart, H. K. Cobb, Warren Gibbs, Charles Rollo, George L. Stone and J. S. Walker, authorizing Englesby Lodge, No. 84, to work as a Masonic lodge. It was duly constituted by Past Grand Master Park Davis, then grand junior warden, the July following, and joined the other Masonic bodies in the occupancy of the hall on the site of the Union block, and with them shared the misfortunes of the fire a year later. Since that time it has occupied the halls in Wheeler and Brainerd blocks, with the other Masonic bodies.
It was named for Hon. Leverett B Englesby, an able and earnest Mason, grand master at the time the charter was granted, and with a list of zealous members standing high in the community its success was assured from the first. While it is one of the younger lodges it has always stood in the front rank in this jurisdiction, and has sent out into the great West not only some of the brightest Masons, but the best railroad men in the country ; its records, complete from organization, are models of neatness, and its members are a credit to any com- munity. Membership, ninety-eight.
Past masters : Samuel Williams, George L. Stone, James Halloway, R. McDougall, Thomas S. Miller, William H. Hunt, Homer E. Bentley, W. Tracy Smith, E. D. Nash.
Past grand lodge officer: James Halloway, past grand senior deacon.
Oriental Lodge, No. 88, Montgomery .- In 1868 Oriental Lodge, No. 88, was chartered and located at Montgomery ; its first officers were John S. Tupper, worshipful master ; George H. Fuller, senior warden ; Aaron Gates, junior warden; Silas E. Farnsworth, treasurer; A. S. Samson, secretary ; William Dwyer and David Domina, stewards ; and Joseph M. Foster, tyler. Located, as it was, in a small town with lodges
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on two sides, and a mountain barrier upon the others, its material was limited, and the removal of members rendered a suspension advisable. In 1888 it surrendered its charter, and is now extinct.
Past masters : John S. Tupper, A. W. Rublee, S. E. Farnsworth, William Dwyer, Aaron Gates and O. N. Kelton.
Champlain Chapter, No. 1, St. Albans .- On the 23d day of Septem- ber, 1805, Cephas Smith, jr., issued a dispensation to Seth Pomeroy, Car- ter Hickok, Asaph Chandler, Simeon Lester, Benjamin Chandler, Reuben Evarts, Abel Allis, Solomon Benjamin, jr., and Zerah Willoby, to form and open a chapter of Royal Arch Masons at St. Albans, to be known as Champlain Chapter. A charter was granted March 1I, 1806, and it was numbered two upon the Grand Chapter register. This chapter was the only one in Northern Vermont prior to 1828, and its growth and prosperity were not excelled by any in the state. It suspended labor in December, 1832, and resumed under dispensation from M. E. Nathan B. Haswell, grand high priest, August 20, 1849. In October of the same year the Grand Chapter of Vermont convened at St. Albans. The original charter was destroyed by fire, and a duplicate was issued June 19, 1850.
As early as 1815 we find the chapter securing the services of Jere- miah L Cross as " lecture master," and in 1820 John Barney, the cele- brated Masonic instructor, was its teacher. Since the re-organization Champlain Chapter has ranked as No. I, and it is not claiming too much to say that it has held that position in every sense of the term; no brighter or abler members of the capitular craft have ever graced the roll of a chapter in this state. A perusal of the old records discloses many pleasing incidents connected with its history ; it seems to have been an accommodating body, for on April 23, 1850, we find that "the chapter was opened, and on account of the 'court people' wanting the hall, adjourned."
Under date of October 19, 1864, a day never to be forgotten by resi- dents of St. Albans at that time, on account of the Rebel raid, we find the following in the familiar hand and graphic style of Judge Bridges, who was secretary of the chapter: "Being about to confer the degree of Past Master upon Brother Wilcox, when Satan, the Prince of Devils, commenced a raid upon the banks in St. Albans (money being the root
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of all evil), and robbed them of many thousand dollars. About twenty of the infernal imps of the lower regions, cut and covered with impunity, killed Mr. Morrison, a worthy citizen, wounded others, stole horses and robbed the citizens, which created a great excitement in our quiet vil- lage for a half hour, until the troops of his Satanic majesty had departed, which was the reason for not conferring the degree upon our worthy brother, J. M. Wilcox."
Among the many distinguished members who have " gone before " we may mention Rev. Jonathan Nye, General John Nason, Col. Heman Greene, Hon. Augustus Young, Hon. William Bridges, Hon. Orlando Stevens, Hon. L. L. Dutcher, Dr. George M. Hall, General George J. Stannard, (the typical volunteer soldier who received his degrees in Champlain Chapter just a year before his brilliant and decisive move- ment at Gettysburg,) and Thomas S. Miller, one of the best Masonic workers in the state. Membership, 127.
Past high priests : Seth Pomeroy, Rev. Jonathan Nye, Carter Hickok, Benjamin Chandler, Zerah Willoby, Joseph D. Farnsworth, Asahel Langworthey, John Nason, Jonathan Berry, Luther B. Hunt, Augustus Young, D. R. Bogue, George M. Hall, Thomas H, Campbell, Heman Greene, George F. Houghton, Seth R. Day, Park Davis, George H. Kittredge, James Halloway, Alfred A. Hall, G. N. Williston, Thomas S. Miller, E. J. Chamberlain, S. Story, jr., Charles A. Converse, George Cassidy, and George W. Burleson.
Past grand officers : Thomas H. Campbell and Alfred A. Hall, past grand high priests ; Jonathan Nye and Carter Hickok, past grand kings ; Joseph D. Farnsworth, John Nason and James Halloway, past grand scribes; Park Davis, a former member of the chapter, grand high priest of South Dakota.
Lafayette Chapter, No. 4, Enosburgh Falls .- At the annual convoca- tion of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons held at Rutland, June 18, 1828, a petition for a dispensation or charter was presented, signed by Austin Fuller and ten others, residents of Berkshire and vicinity, praying that a chapter might be established at that place, to be known as Lafayette Chapter. On the same day a favorable report was made by the committee to whom it was referred, and Franklin Mark Lodge, that had been in existence for several years at Enosburgh, was permit-
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ted to surrender its charter, and transfer its furniture, funds, and jewels to the new chapter. Amherst Willoughby was appointed first high priest; William Barber, king; and Thomas Fuller, scribe. A charter was issued under date June 28, 1828, and it was numbered 15. In 1830 it was represented in Grand Chapter and reported as the preceding year's work twenty-one exaltations. It was represented at the annual and two special grand convocations of the Grand Chapter in 1831, and its delegates took part in the important action by which the Grand Chapter refused to accept the majority committee report, favoring a dissolution of the Grand Chapter, on the ground of public sentiment demanding it, and sustained Companion Philip C. Tucker in his minority report and bold assertion that "to such claims no freeman can submit - they in- volve a dictation of opinion, and an attempt to control the judgment of men, at which in this free government every man ought to revolt." At the re-organization, July 18, 1849, it was represented and it was as- signed to rank as No. 4. The chapter was in a flourishing condition at East Berkshire for years, but drifted naturally to the larger business center, and has since been established at Enosburgh Falls. Membership twenty-one.
Past high priests: Amherst Willoughby, Samuel S. Butler, W. S. Rublee, R. Stebbins, E. L. Hibbard, Salmon Stebbins, John G. Jenne, A. M. Gladden, and A. R. Bell. Past grand officer : Samuel S. Butler, past deputy grand high priest.
Franklin Mark Lodge, No. 12, Enosburgh .- As early as 1819 certain Mark Master Masons made report from Enosburgh to the Grand Chap- ter, under the name of Franklin Mark Lodge. The same year a charter was granted, and the lodge continued to work until merged in Lafay- ette Chapter, in 1828.
Lamoille Mark Lodge, No. 15, Fairfax .- In 1823 a charter was granted to Luther B. Hunt, and others, establishing Lamoille Mark Lodge, No. 15, at Fairfax. The following year it reported twenty as " advanced," but as it does not appear to have been represented in Grand Chapter thereafter it undoubtedly merged in Champlain Chapter at St. Albans.
Columbus Council, No. 1, St. Albans .- Columbus Council existed and was associated with Champlain Chapter prior to the formation of the
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Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters in 1854. At the organiza- tion Companion Thomas Campbell, a worthy member of Columbus Council, was made grand steward. It has been prosperous at times, but has never received the attention that the other Masonic bodies in St. Al- bans have. Membership, forty-nine. Past thrice illustrious masters : George M. Hall, Heman Greene, F. S. McFarland, James Halloway, G. N. Williston, Alfred A. Hall, and George W. Burleson. Past grand officer : F. S. McFarland, past most illustrious grand master.
Lafayette Council, No. 7, East Berkshire .- Like Columbus Council, Lafayette, No. 7, had an existence prior to the formation of the grand body. As long as the Masonic organizations remained at East Berk- shire it had a healthy growth, but with the removal of the other bodies it lost its life, and finally surrendered its charter in 1873. Past thrice illustrious masters : Anson Hull, Samuel S. Butler, and Ralph Stebbins.
Lafayette Commandery, No. 3, St. Albans .- Lafayette Commandery was chartered by the Grand Encampment (now Commandery) of Ver- mont, September 15, 1829, and located at East Berkshire. Its charter members were Samuel S. Butler, John S. Webster, Isaac Hull, Amherst Willoughby, Dan H. Benjamin, E. Willington, jr., John Nason, David Colburn, and D. L. Farnham, names familiar to the student of Masonic history in this state. As might be expected from its location and mem- bers, it did not suspend its labors, and its charter was endorsed by the Grand Encampment of the United States in August, 1850. In 1868 itremoved to Swanton, where it remained until 1879, when it was located at St Albans, and now has a membership of seventy-four. It has been highly honored by the Grand Commandery, Samuel S. Butler having been grand commander in 1851 and 1852; George M. Hall in 1865, 1865 and 1867; Albert B. Jewett in 1876; and Alfred A. Hall in. 1883 and 1884. Rigney D. Marvin was deputy grand commander in 1881, and at the present time George W. Squier is grand captain general. John S. Webster, one of the charter members, subsequently took a discharge, affiliating with Burlington Commandery, No. 2, and while a member of that commandery held the office of grand commander.
Past commanders : Samuel S. Butler, 1829 to 1852; William S. Rublee, 1853 to 1866; George M. Hall, 1867 to 1872; Albert Jewett, 1873 to 1876; Myron W. Bailey, 1877 ; Alfred A. Hall, 1878 to 1880;
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Thomas S. Miller, 1881 to 1883, 1887, 1889; George W. Squier, 1884, 1886; John H. Mimms, 1888.
GRAND ISLE COUNTY.
Columbus Lodge, No. 11, Alburgh .- At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge in 1797 a petition signed by Joseph Allen, William Goodrich, and others, praying that a lodge might be established at Alburgh, was presented and for some reason, not appearing in the record, was dismissed. In 1819 the brethren of Alburgh seem to have been more fortunate, for on October 25th of that year a charter was granted to Joseph Sewall, Ira Hill, William Sowles, Peter McMillen, Stephen Pettis, Taber Sewall, James Badger, Samuel Mott, Lewis Sowles, Thomas Marvin, Philip Loop, Nicholas Waggoner, Ezra Pike, Henry Denio, Consider Hammond, Artemas Goodnow, and Samuel Rosevelt, authorizing them to work under the name of Columbus Lodge, No. 50. The members of the lodge were prominent men in the county, and being zealous Masons it had a steady growth until about 1828, when it suspended and did not resume its labors again until 1848. Under the re-organization it was numbered II. Hon. Ira Hill and Rev. Thomas Marvin died at the advanced ages of ninety-seven, and at the dates of their decease were among the oldest Masons in the country. Hon. Lewis Sowles, Hon. Ezra Pike and Hon. William Sowles were prominent and influential men in their time. The early meetings of the lodge were held in the stone house on the west shore, about one-half mile from the station. In 1866 it removed to its present quarters over the town hall, where the members have commodious and well furnished rooms, the property of the lodge. Membership, forty-six.
Past masters : Ira Hill, Danford Mott, M. T. Mott, Lafayette Sowles, Henry L. Sowles, Charles M. Clark, Herbert S. Mott, Herbert C. Phelps, Halsey H. Adams and Fred L. Ladue. Grand officer: Halsey H. Adams, grand sword bearer.
Isle of Patmos Lodge, No. 17, South Hero .- The Masons of the southern part of the county seem to have been as unfortunate as their brethren in Alburgh in gaining a charter. In 1799 a petition was pre- sented to the Grand Lodge, praying that a lodge might be established at Middle Hero (now Grand Isle). It was referred to a committee, but no report is found and no charter was granted. In 1807 the petition
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