Erie County Craft FreemasonryCompiled & edited by R.’.W.’. Gary L. Heinmiller

Director, Onondaga & Oswego Masonic Districts Historical Societies (OMDHS)www.omdhs.syracusemason.com

Nov 2009

http://library.niagara.edu/buffhist/2-27-38.pdf?url=/library/buffhist/2-27-38.pdf

1

View of Lake Erie and the Bay from Buffalo in 1816

History of the City of Buffalo and Erie County: History of Buffalo,” by Henry Perry Smith, Chapter XIV, page 351-411.http://books.google.com/books?id=9r0LAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA352&dq=%22zenas+barker%22#v=onepage&q=%22zenas%20barker%22&f=false

see also the same text by Bro. M(ichael). Pinner at: http://books.google.com/books?id=GTAZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA32&dq=%22Williamsville+Lodge+No.+344%22#v=onepage&q=%22Williamsville%20Lodge%20No.%20344%22&f=false the preface of which reads:

PREFACE.

THE compiler of this pamphlet, at the solicitation of the publishers and several members of the Fraternity undertook to furnish a chapter on "Freemasonry in Erie County" for the work recently published by D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, NY, entitled: "History of Erie County." Some idea may be formed of the labor connected with its preparation when it is stated that the record of a single Lodge in Buffalo, Hiram No. 105, consisting of about 6000 written folio pages, had to be examined. The quantity of material submitted by the other lodges, chapters, etc., lessened, however, with their respective ages. A large majority of the Bodies permitted the examination of their records with fraternal courtesy; the promises of some, however, remained unfulfilled; others declined to permit an inspection for reasons best known to themselves, while a few left a politely addressed request unnoticed. If under these circumstances, the report is in some particulars incomplete, the Fraternity will understand the reason thereof.

The early history of Freemasonry in Erie County, was involved in uncertainty, and depended entirely upon the scant oral traditions handed down to us through some of the older members of the craft. The compiler, and with him those brethren to whom he communicated the fact, rejoiced when, after a laborious search in the archives of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, he discovered the original petition presented to that Body for a dispensation to form a lodge, to be called "Western Star Lodge," in the village of New Amsterdam, now the City of Buffalo. The writer does not fully share the general belief that the minutes of that lodge, which would throw light over the early days of Masonry in Erie County, have been destroyed. The most interesting points only of the papers brought to light could be furnished, as the space assigned to the " Chapter on Freemasonry " was necessarily restricted by the publishers.

The promise made by the latter to reprint that Chapter separately for the use of the Fraternity they have handsomely fulfilled, of which the present pamphlet furnishes occular demonstration.

That a necessity existed for some records of Masonry in this County which would place them beyond the contingencies of conflagrations, etc., has long been manifest to every member of the Fraternity; it is placed in a much stronger light by the publication of these sheets. It is to be hoped that the outlines now furnished fill, although to a very limited extent, this long felt want, and that other and abler brethren will add to and complete the scanty material.

The writer is under obligations to a number of brethren who have placed at his disposal material in their possession, and their knowledge of events, without which the record now presented would have been still more incomplete.

M. PINNER.

BUFFALO, May, 1884.

-----

2

FREEMASONRY was transplanted into Erie county with the advent of the early settlers. It was in the year 1807, when New Amsterdam [later Buffalo] was but a small village, that a sufficient number of Masons had collected in the place who felt the necessity of founding for themselves a Masonic home.

Erie County Lodges, New YorkNo. Name Village Warrant Notes

Pre Morgan Lodges

239 Western Star New Amsterdam 24 Dec 1813 [Buffalo]; Forfeit 5 Jun 1835West Orb of Light Willink 1815 Petition referred, but no Warrant issued

294 Blazing Star Willink 31 Jun 1817342 Sardinia Sardinia 06 Mar 1822346 Concord Concord 08 Jun 1822356 Centre Clarence 06 Mar 1823 1st Petitioned 31 Jun 1814416 Livingston Boston 01 Jun 1825429 Amherst Amherst 01 Jun 1825 Forfeit 8 Jun 1832434 Hamburg(h) Union Store Hamburg(h) 01 Jun 1825

Porter Black Rock 12 Nov 1823 Dispensation date; never chartered442c Barton Black Rock 06 Jun 1825 Forfeit 1832

Post Morgan Lodges

105 Hiram Buffalo 05 Dec 1845143 Concordia Buffalo 13 Jun 1849 a German Lodge161 Erie Buffalo Jun 1850240 Washington Buffalo 11 Dec 1851247 Tonawanda Tonawanda Jun 1852255 Living Stone Colden 09 Jun 1852261 Evans Angola 15 Jun 1852 Previously of Evans Centre292 Parish Black Rock Jun 1853340 Modestia Buffalo Jun 1854344 Williamsville Williamsville 10 Jul 1854351 Springville Springville Jun 1855358 Queen City Buffalo Jun 1855441 Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks Buffalo Jun 1858498 De Molay Buffalo 09 Jun 1860514 Zion East Hamburg 20 Jun 1861527 Akron Arkron Jun 1863598 Alden Alden Jun 1866625 Fraternal Hamburg Jun 1867694 Blazing Star Aurora 07 Jun 1869699 Harmonie Buffalo 13 Jun 1870766 Occidental Black Rock Jun 1876788 Fortune North Collins Jun 1883823 Depew Depew 02 Jun 1897835 Highland Buffalo 28 Jun 1901842 Transportation Buffalo 30 May 1903 Date of Constitution846 Buffalo Buffalo 05 May 1904879 Charles W. Cushman Buffalo 05 May 1910887 Lackawanna Lackawana 03 May 1911899 Mystic Art Buffalo 08 May 1912911 Master Builder Kenmore 07 May 1914925 Tyrian Kenmore 06 May 1915

---------

Western Star Lodge No. 239

For Biographies pertaining to this Lodge see the end of this present work.

Freemasonry seems to have existed in Buffalo from the time of the founding of the village by permanent white settlers, about 1801. As early as 1807, when the village was still known as New Amsterdam and “consisted of

scarcely more than forty houses, mostly log,” it contained a sufficient number of Masons to warrant an effort being made to establish a Lodge.

First Petition: Dec 1807

Endorsed: Sep 1808, by Genesee Lodge (No. 130 or 138?), Hartford (Avon or Richmond?), Ontario, NY

Second Petition: 6 Jan 1812

3

Dispensation: 6 Feb 1812 to work in “New Amsterdam,” later Buffalo.

Warrant Granted: 7 Dec 1814

Warrant Dated: 24 Dec 1814

Warrant Forfeit: 5 Jun 1835

------

A petition was therefore drawn up, under date of December 1807, and forwarded to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, praying for a dispensation to form a Lodge to be named “Western Star,” and to be located in the village of New Amsterdam, in the town of Clarence, at the house of Brother Zenas Barker. This petition set forth that the petitioners were practically unable to attend a Lodge as the one nearest to them was located about sixty miles distant.

The petition was endorsed by Genesee Lodge, in the town of Hartford, in the county of Ontario, September, 1808.

Zenas Barker was to be the first Master of the lodge; Cyrenius Chapin,* S. W. and Frederick Miller, + J. W. In addition to these three names, the following were attached to the petition: —

Philo Andrews, Apollos Hitchcock,

Erastus Granger, ++ Joseph Landon,§

Benjamin Caryl Edmund Raymond,

Rowland Cotton and Benjamin Hodge. **

For unexplained reasons the effort to establish a lodge was not crowned with success. Five years later, however, the attempt was renewed. The second petition was dated New Amsterdam, January 6, 1812. The new lodge was to bear the same name and be located, as the document expresses it, "in the village of New Amsterdam, in the township of Buffaloe, at the house of Brother Joseph Landon." With the exception of Philo Andrews, Edmund Raymond and Rowland Cotton, the names of the signers of the former petition are also attached to the latter, and in addition thereto appear those of

Daniel Bristol, Heman B. Potter, Ralph M. Pomeroy,

Raphael Cook, James Beard, Asa Stanard,

Nehemiah Seelye, James Atkins and A[bel]. M[oore]. Grosvenor.

In the second petition the petitioners stated that there was no lodge within forty miles of their residence [in Batavia]. The petition bears the endorsement of Olive Branch Lodge, held at Batavia at that time; it is dated January 16, 1812, and is signed by Richard Smith, Master and I. Babcock, Secretary.

The illustrious DeWitt Clinton, who was Grand Master of the State of New York for fourteen years, (from 1806 to 1819 inclusive) granted a dispensation for the lodge January 31, 1812, endorsing his consent with the following words: —

-----

* Cyrenius Chapin, M. D., one of the earliest settlers and one of the most resolute defenders of Buffalo in the war with England. He was the leading spirit in capturing two vessels near Fort Erie, October 9, 1812.

+ Frederick Miller was the father of the late Captain William Miller, who was also a Mason, and grandfather of the late William F. Miller and Charles G. Miller.

++ Erastus Granger was the first postmaster and the first collector of customs in the collection district of Buffalo; he died December 21, 1826.

§ Joseph Landon kept a tavern on Exchange street, occupying a part of the site on which the Mansion House now stands.

** Benjamin Hodge was the uncle of Mr. William Hodge, still residing in Buffalo.

It is estimated that the number of inhabitants had at that time increased to about 1,600.

-----

"The Grand Secretary is requested to make out a dispensation on the above application for two years and to deliver it to Mr. Bassford."

It was issued February 6. On the same day the Grand Master granted authority to Brother Heman B. Potter to institute the lodge, which duty he performed March 10, 1812, by installing Brothers:

Zenas Barker, Master; Cyrenius Chapin, S. W.; Frederick Miller, J. W;

Abel M. Grosvenor, treasurer; Charles Townsend.f secretary;

Nehemiah Seelye, S. D. Daniel Bristol, J. D.;

Raphael Cook and Ralph M. Pomeroy, Stewards; Rowland Cotton, Tiler.

The petition to the Grand Lodge for a warrant is dated "Village of Buffalo, (late New Amsterdam), 15th day of June, 1813.” It is stated therein that several of the petitioners had sometime in the year 1810 applied for authority to hold a lodge in the village, and had enclosed the usual fee, but that unfortunately the letter and money miscarried and had not since been found ; that a dispensation had been granted by the Grand Master on the 6th of February, 1812; that since that time they had assembled at stated periods and conducted the business of Freemasons according to the best of their abilities, etc., and that they now wished to obtain a warrant; that the officers mentioned declining to serve a further term, the following names are proposed in their place:

Benjamin Caryl, Master; Heman B. Potter, Senior Warden;

4

Oliver Forward. Junior Warden.

The signers of the petition are Frederick Miller, Heman B. Potter, Joshua Lovejoy, Thomas Atkins, Joseph Hershey, Sylvester Clark.

Asa P. Harris, Nehemiah Seelye, Benjamin Hodge, Joseph Sill,Charles Townsend, J. Harrison,

Josiah Trowbridge, Oliver Forward, Benjamin Enos, Ralph M. Pomeroy, Cornelius Davenport, Z[enas]. W. Barker,

Joseph Landon, Willard Smith and Asa Coltrin.

The report accompanying the petition states that during the time the lodge had worked under a dispensation, it had conferred the three degrees of Masonry on the following persons:

Jonas Harrison, Oliver Forward, Thomas J. Atkins, Guy J. Atkins, Jonathan E. Chapman, Benjamin Enos, Joseph Hershey,

William Hodge, Sylvester Clark, Harvey G. Morse, Joshua Lovejoy, Orange Dean, Silas Hopkins, Phipps W. Hewitt,

Zenas W. Barker, Joseph Sill, John W. Macomb, Josiah Trowbridge, Adam Hayes, William Pomeroy, Talbot Chambers,

John W. Smoot, Rufus Spaulding, Ebenezer Hovey and Thomas B. Randolph.

The lodge conferred the third degree on Asa Coltrin, Charles Talmadge, and Robert G. Hite, they having received the preceding degrees in some other lodge.

Samuel Pratt, Jr., received the second and third degrees. For a very interesting Biography of Capt. Samuel Pratt & his son Samuel Pratt, Jr. reference “Sketch of the life of Samuel F[letcher]. Pratt with some account of the early history ...,” by William Pryor Letchworth, at:http://books.google.com/books?id=NQsuAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA69&lpg=PA69&dq=%22Benjamin+Hodge%22+%22buffalo%22&source=bl&ots=8LlT6A-4xh&sig=7SvhV5hC45tSivVzYlY3TwUJpc8&hl=en&ei=ZAv-SqjTKZTSlAfE04SKCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CBwQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=%22Benjamin%20Hodge%22%20%22buffalo%22&f=false

Biography - Samuel Fletcher PrattReprinted from Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, ed. by William Richard Cutter, 1912, Vol. I, p. 400

http://www.buffaloah.com/a/forestL/pratt_s/biog.html

Samuel Fletcher's grandparents: Captain Samuel and Esther (Wells) Pratt

Samuel Fletcher's parents: Samuel Pratt, Jr., eldest son of Captain Samuel and Esther (Wells) Pratt, was born at Westminster, Vermont, in 1787. He was seventeen years old when his father emigrated to Buffalo, but he did not immediately accompany the family, being then employed in a store at Townshend, Vermont. Here, in 1806, he married Sophia Fletcher, born in 1788, daughter of General Samuel Fletcher, of Townshend, a distinguished revolutionary soldier, legislator and judge. Samuel followed his father to Buffalo, in 1807, bringing his wife and infant son, Samuel F.

Samuel Fletcher's siblings:Lucius H. Sophia C. Pascal Paoli

Samuel Fletcher Pratt, born at Townshend, Vermont, May 28, 1807; was brought to Buffalo when an infant and educated in private schools here. When twelve years old he left school to join his father at St. Thomas, Canada, where he remained in the employ of Bigelow & Goodhoe until after his father's death. Returning to Buffalo he secured employment in the hardware store of George and Thaddeus Weed. He received eight dollars a month, of which he gave six dollars to his mother. In 1826, when only nineteen, he was taken into partnership. After various changes in the firm, Mr. Pratt, in 1836, bought the Weed interests. As Pratt & Company (1859 ad in the Buffalo Directory), this house became one of the most famous business establishments in Buffalo. He joined William P. Letchworth to form the firm of Pratt & Letchworth (1859 ad in the Buffalo Directory ) , for the manufacture of saddlery hardware, in 1848.

In 1844 he became the first president of the Buffalo Gaslight Company and continued to hold that position until his death in 1872. He was one of the founders of the Buffalo Female Academy (Buffalo Seminary) in 1851, serving as its first president and remaining on the board of trustees until his death. He was a very thorough and careful business man and very highly respected. While he refused several times to become a candidate for mayor, he consented in 1844 to serve as an alderman from the second ward. During the civil war he was treasurer of the citizens' committee of three. He joined the First Presbyterian Church when eighteen years old, and sang in its choir until a few years before his death.

He married, in 1835, Mary Jane Strong, of Paterson, New Jersey. He died April 27, 1872.

Shortly before his death he provided for the following public bequests:Buffalo General Hospital, $10,000 Buffalo Orphan Asylum, $10,000 Building fund of the Young Men's Christian Association, $10,000 Home for the Friendless, $5,000

5

In addition he gave $30,000 to found a professorship at Hamilton College.

Samuel Fletcher's Children:

Jeannie, b. 1841; m. 1860, William J. King, of Providence, RI; d. 24 Sep 1872, leaving three children. Helen, m. 27 Feb 1872, Frank Hamlin, of Buffalo; d. in Paris, 17 Jan 1873.

-----

The first and second degrees were conferred on Joseph Johnson and Asa P. Harris, and the first degree only on: Elisha Foster, Isaac Davis, John Beach,

Daniel Miller, Josiah Hovey, Jr., Robert W. Sever,

William C. Johnson, John McCall, and Christopher H. Tappan.

The following were admitted to membership:—Daniel McCleary, Erastus Granger,

Willard Smith, Elijah Doty,

Cornelius Davenport, and Charles Mudge.

------

* The Buffalo Gazette of that date gives it as a news item, that the officers of Western Star Lodge would be installed on the 10th.

\ The Charles Townsend mentioned as secretary was better known as Judge Townsend; he was a member of the old firm of Townsend & Coit.

| Oliver Forward was one of the foremost men of Buffalo in his time. He was a lawyer by profession, one of the Judges of Niagara county in 1817, collector of the port in 1817, member of the Assembly in 1819, etc., and afterwards State Senator.

------

The petition for a warrant was laid before the Grand Lodge December 7th, 1814, by the Grand Master, M. W. Brother DeWitt Clinton, who stated that he had been requested by the brethren who had on the 1st of March, 1809, and again on the 4th of March, 1812, applied for a warrant to hold a lodge by the name of Western Star Lodge, in the village of New Amsterdam in the town of Buffalo, (formerly Clarence) in the county of Niagara, to renew their application for a warrant and to pray that their dues under a dispensation, which they have for some time been working under, might be relinquished in consequence of the great losses the members have sustained by the destruction of that place by the enemy during the" present war (the burning of Buffalo by the British and Indians on 30 Dec 1813); upon which it was unanimously :—

"Resolved, That a warrant do issue to the said brethren and that all dues under the dispensation be relinquished."

The lodge received its warrant which was dated December 24, 1814, and was numbered "239" on the Grand Lodge register. Western Star Lodge, No. 239, was, therefore, the first Masonic Lodge of Buffalo and the county of Erie.

It is to be greatly regretted that all information in regard to this lodge subsequent to the time when it received its warrant is exceedingly limited. Its records were either lost or destroyed during the Anti-Masonic excitement, or fell a prey to the flames, November 15, 1832, with the building corner of Main and Seneca streets, in which the lodge held its communications. We are, therefore, forced, however unwillingly, to content ourselves with such items as we are able to gather from various sources. The following items are taken from the Gazette, formerly published in Buffalo:—

"September 9, 1812, Captain William Brown shot himself accidentally in a boat on Buffalo creek and was buried with Masonic honors."

This was probably the first Masonic funeral that had ever taken place in Erie county. April 21, 1814, the following advertisement appeared in the same paper:—

"Members of Western Star Lodge are requested to meet at the house of Brother Frederick Miller, Cold Springs, at noon on that day."

March 23, 1815, the Gazette publishes a notice that the officers of Western Star Lodge would be installed in the village of Buffalo.

-----

The petition of Blazing Star Lodge No. 294, to be held at Willink, was recommended by Western Star Lodge No. 239, February 5, 1817, at which time Daniel Bristol was its Master; John Mullett, Senior Warden ; and John E. Marshall,* Secretary.

In March, 1820, the Gazette reports that Western Star Lodge celebrated the anniversary of St. John and marched in procession from the lodge room to the court house.

February 25, 1826, the Gazette has an advertisement that Western Star Lodge was holding regular meetings. A July number of the Gazette for 1828 has a notice "that a lodge was holding its meetings at Black Rock." The lodge referred to was Barton Lodge No. 442, an account of which appears on another page.

The Masonic Record of May 31, 1828, (printed at Albany, NY) has a notice dated May 19, 1828, stating that Niagara Chapter and Western Star Lodge would celebrate St. John's day June 24th. The committee of arrangements consisted of Benjamin Caryl, Cyrenius Chapin, Bryant Burwell, E. D. Efner, Nathaniel Vosburgh and William Kelly.

June 21, 1826, the lodge petitioned the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer to permit the dedication of the new hall of Western Star Lodge. June 1, 1827, Western Star Lodge petitioned the Grand Lodge to remit its dues to that date, which was granted.

6

In 1822, Benjamin Caryl was master and John A. Lazell, secretary of Western Star Lodge, and in 1824 Jacob A. Barker filled the office of master.

Returns of Western Star Lodge No. 239

Dates WM SW JW Secretary

Mar/Dec 1815 Benjamin Caryl Heman B. Potter Dan Bristol John E. Marshall1815/16 John E. Marshall1816/17 Dan Bristol John Mullett Elijah D. Efner John E. Marchall1816/18 Jonathan E. Chaplin1817/18 Charles G. Olmsted Jonas Harrison Jacob A. Barker Jonathan E. Chaplin1818/19 Cyrenius Chapin John Mullett Dan Bristol Sherman Wright1819/20 Dan Bristol John Mullett Dr. David S. Conkey Jacob A. Barker1820/21 Benjamin Caryl Elijah D. Efner Oliver Forward Jacob A. Barker1828/29 A. S. Dygert Darius Burton Benjamin Caryl Bryant Burwell

While none of the records of this Lodge have been preserved, the jewels were presented to Western Star Lodge by the Most Worshipful DeWitt Clinton, Grand Master, and are now the priceless treasure of Hiram Lodge No. 105 in Buffalo. They were presented to Hiram Lodge, at it formation in 1845, by Brother John W. Clark, M. D., to whose care they had been intrusted, with the exception of the Square and Compasses, which were supposed to have been lost. The two missing jewels were found some years after by a Brother from Buffalo while visiting a Lodge in Detroit, Michigan, and were subsequently restored to Hiram Lodge, thus making the original set complete.

---------

West Orb of Light Lodge

The next petition for a lodge to be held in Erie county came from the town of Willink (Aurora), then a part of Niagara county. The document is without date and is signed by John Carpenter, Seth Abbott, Calvin Clifford, John Strong, John Cole, Eames Merriam, Parmilee Allen and William Warren. The lodge was to be called "West Orb of Light." [Judge] Isaac Phelps. Jr., was to be its first Master, Benjamin Enos, S. W., and James S. Stevens, J. W. The

petition is recommended by Western Star Lodge No. 205, at their lodge room in Sheldon (Genesee county), January 20, 1815, of which Flitch [Fitch] Chipman was Master, Benjamin Potter, S. W., James Ward, J. W., and Chauncey Sadd, secretary. From the date of the endorsement it may be assumed that the petition originated during the latter part of 1814. The Grand Lodge referred the petition for this Lodge to the Grand Officers on December 6, 1815, but it never went into operation. From the date of the warrant the lodge would have ranked as the second in Erie county.

Blazing Star Lodge No. 294

The warrant for the Lodge "West Orb of Light," which was to have been located in the town of Willink, being for some reason abandoned after being granted, a new petition for a lodge to be located in that town, in the county of Niagara, (now Erie) was drawn up. It bears date, Willink, May 19, 1816, and recommends [Judge] Isaac Phelps, Jr., as its first Master; Hawxhurst Addington (Captain, 12th Regt. Cavalry; b. ca 1785; died 13 Feb 1870, aged 85 yrs;

m. Huldah Matilda Abbott), S. W.; and James M. Stevens, J. W. Among the signers of the petition appear Benjamin McKay, Henry B. Stevens, William A. Burt, William Warren, David Norton and Seth Abbott. Several of the names are identical with those attached to the petition for the lodge, "West Orb of Light." The petition was recommended by Western Star Lodge No. 239, February 5, 1817, at which time Daniel Bristol was its Master, John Mullett, S. W., and John E. Marshall, Secretary.

Blazing Star Lodge received the number 294, and its warrant was dated July 31, 1817. An endorsement on the petition, made by the Grand Secretary, explains why the warrant granted to the Lodge, "West Orb of Light ", was not taken out. It reads as follows:—

"This warrant was granted on a former petition on the 6th of December, 1816, but never taken out; $30 were then received by I. Wells, Esq., who has paid the same to me."

The petition referred to upon which the $30 fee was paid and endorsed as having been received, is without date. The lodge petitioned for was to be held in the town of Willink, in the county of Niagara, and be known as the Lodge, West Orb of Light.

Sardinia Lodge No. 342.—Was located in the town of Sardinia, county of Erie. The Grand Lodge granted a warrant for that lodge March 6, 1822. David Bigelow was its first Master; Elihu Rice [a native of Kent county, RI], S. W.; Silas Parker, J. W.; Bela H. Colegrove was Master of the Lodge in 1825. No other information of this lodge was attainable.

http://library.niagara.edu/buffhist/2-414-424.pdf

7

Concord Lodge No. 346.— The Brethren of the Town of Concord sent a request to Blazing Star Lodge No. 294 for a recommendation to form a new Lodge. This request was carried on foot by Brother Comfort Knapp, from Concord to Aurora.  Their petition was presented in Grand Lodge on June 7, 1822, and was granted their Charter on June 8, 1822.  Brother Comfort Knapp was installed as their first Worshipful Master, Brother Ira Hall, Senior Warden; and Brother Archibald Griffiths, Junior Warden.

http://www.conovergenealogy.com/ancestor-p/p128.htm

Comfort Knapp was the son of Amos Knapp and Miss Nelson. He was b. 12 Jun 1770 at Danbury, Fairfield, CT; m. Tirzah Gillett , daughter of Jacob Gillett and Deborah Monroe , on 15 Sep 1791. Comfort d. 18 Aug 1850 at Putnamville, Warren, PA, at age 80. He was buried at Thompson Hill Cemetery, Warren, PA. He left a will on 16 Nov1849; which was probated on 26 Jun 1851. He resided at New Lebanon, Columbia, NY, ca 1785. He was a cooper with his brother circa 1794, and resided at Broome Center, Schoharie, NY, ca 1794. He resided at Boston Hill, 25 miles south of Buffalo, Concord Twp., Erie, NY, in 1810. He bought from the Holland Land Company 100 acres for $250.00 described as NE part of lot 48, Township seven, range seven, Concord, Erie, NY on 29 Nov 1810 at Concord, NY. He resided at Northwest corner, Concord, Erie, NY, before 1 Jan 1815 and was a carpenter and joiner there ca 1820. He resided at Golden, Erie, NY, in 1841, and at Thompson Hill, Pine Grove (now Putnamville), Warren, PA, after 1841. at Pine Grove (now Putnamville), Warren County, Pennsylvania. Children of Comfort Knapp and Tirzah Gillett :

Noah Knapp    b. 24 Jun 1792, d. 25 Apr 1858 Tirzath Knapp    b. 02 Oct 1794, d. bet 25 Apr 1855 and 1858 Comfort Starr Knapp    b. 26 Jun 1797, d. 08 Nov 1875 Hiram Knapp    b. 24 Mar 1799, d. 14 Mar 1872 Lois Knapp    b. 05 Jun 1801, d. 16 Jun 1884 Elizabeth Knapp +    b. 16 May 1803, d. 18 Jun 1876 Deborah Knapp    b. 12 Sep 1805, d. 1891 Julia Knapp    b. 31 Dec 1807, d. 27 Apr 1875 Clarissa Knapp    b. 30 May 1810, d. 19 Nov 1871 Amos N. Knapp    b. 03 May 1812, d. 08 Jul 1812 or 1813 Hamilton Knapp    b. 03 May 1814, d. 20 Jun 1814 Mahalia Knapp    b. 30 Apr 1815, d. 18 May 1834 Annis Knapp +    b. 10 Mar 1818, d. 14 Jul 1880

Centre Lodge No. 356.—The petition for a dispensation to hold a Lodge at Clarence is dated 31 Jan 1814. Among the signers of the petition appear the names of Asa P. Harris, William K. Stewart and others, recommending Hon. Archibald S. Clark [d. 4 Dec 1821, age 43; U.S. Congressman] to be the first Master; Jonathan Hastings, S. W.; and James Baldwin, J. W. The petition was recommended by Olive Branch Lodge No. 215, at Batavia. By a misapprehension the Grand Secretary supposed that this petition had been superseded by the warrant issued to Western Star Lodge No. 239, 24 Dec 1814. Waiting patiently for an answer until 31 May 1817, the petitioners

despatched a letter of inquiry, the reply to which, stating the above mentioned supposition, was forwarded to them 9 Jun 1817, which, however, does not seem to have reached its destination. The petitioners were evidently models of patience and perseverance, for again they waited until 22 Oct 1822, when another effort was made by them to ascertain the fate of their petition. An answer to this letter, dated 1 Nov 1822, advising them to petition anew, finally reached them. On the new petition appeared the names of Benjamin Bevins, Elisha Baldwin, Rhodes Stranahan, Ovid Pinney and others. It was dated Clarence, 16 Nov 1822, and was recommended by Western Star Lodge No. 239, of which at that time Benjamin Caryl was Master, and John A. Lazell, Secretary.

The lodge, after a lapse of nearly nine years, was granted a warrant at the quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge, 6 Mar 1823, and was registered as Centre Lodge No. 356, to be located in the town of Clarence, in the county of Erie. Frederick Sheldon,

Master; Benjamin Bevins, Senior Warden; and Elisha Baldwin, Junior Warden. Amos Wright was Master of the lodge in 1825, representing it in the Grand Lodge.

Livingston Lodge, No. 416.—At the session of the Grand Lodge on the 1st of June, 1825, a warrant was granted to Comfort Knapp, Master; John Brooks, Senior Warden; and Hiram Knapp, Junior Warden, to hold a lodge in the town of Boston, county of Erie, by the name of Livingston Lodge, No. 416.

http://tyrianlodgebyketchum.com/masonic_stories_-_9

8

The Lodge would hold their meetings in the Town of Boston, in the County of Erie and was registered in the name of LIVINGSTON LODGE No. 416. The Lodge was constituted and the officers installed on 22 Dec 1845 by W∴John Wadsworth, Past Master  of Blazing Star Lodge No. 294, Town of Aurora. It has been suggested that the Lodge was named after MW Robert R. Livingston, Grand Master in 1785. As you may notice there was a close tie between LIVINGSTON LODGE No. 416 and Concord Lodge No. 346, because of father and son, but I discovered another interesting fact, while reading through some of the Lodge Histories of Erie County.

The story begins during the Anti-Masonic period, when all the Lodges in Erie County, including Concord Lodge No. 346 and LIVINGSTON LODGE No. 416 ceased their labors.  One of the members of Living Stone Lodge No. 255, attended a lecture, back in the early 1950's. He related that an elderly speaker said that his father had told him of attending lodge meetings, during the Anti-Masonic period at irregular intervals and at different meeting places each time, and in many cases they were held on moonlight nights, out of doors, on hill tops in Boston and Concord. Through the tireless efforts of men like these, Masonry survived, although they were brethren without a Chartered Lodge.

It is also interesting to note that many of the members of LIVINGSTON LODGE No. 416, including W.’. Comfort Knapp, their first Worshipful Master, were Charter Members of Living Stone Lodge No. 255.

http://www.conovergenealogy.com/ancestor-p/p128.htm#i825

Comfort Knapp was the son of Amos Knapp and (Unknown) Nelson , b. 12 Jun 1770 at Danbury, Fairfield, CT; d. 18 Aug 1850 at Putnamville, Warren, PA, age 80; bur. at Thompson Hill Cemetery, Warren, PA; m. Tirzah Gillett , daughter of Jacob Gillett and Deborah Monroe , on 15 Sep 1791. He resided at at New Lebanon, Columbia, NY, ca 1785. He was a cooper with his brother circa 1794. He resided at at Broome Center, Schoharie, NY, ca 1794. He resided at at Boston Hill, 25 miles south of Buffalo, Concord Twp., Erie, NY, in 1810. He purchased from the Holland Land Company 100 acres for $250.00 described as NE part of lot 48, Township seven, range seven, Concord, Erie, NY on 29 Nov 1810. He resided at at Northwest corner, Concord, Erie, NY, before 1 Jan 1815. He was a carpenter and joiner there ca 1820. He resided at at Golden, Erie, NY, in 1841, and at Thompson Hill, Pine Grove (now Putnamville), Warren, PA, after 1841. He left a will on 16 Nov 1849 at Pine Grove (now Putnamville), Warren, PA. Children of Comfort Knapp and Tirzah Gillett :

Noah Knapp    b. 24 Jun 1792, d. 25 Apr 1858 Tirzath Knapp    b. 02 Oct1794, d. bet 25 Apr 1855 and 1858 Comfort Starr Knapp b. 26 Jun 1797, d. 8 Nov 1875 Hiram Knapp    b. 24 Mar 1799, d. 14 Mar 1872 Lois Knapp    b. 05 Jun 1801, d. 16 Jun 1884 Elizabeth Knapp +    b. 16 May 1803, d. 18 Jun 1876 Deborah Knapp    b. 12 Sep 1805, d. 1891 Julia Knapp    b. 31 Dec 1807, d. 27 Apr 1875 Clarissa Knapp    b. 30 May 1810, d. 19 Nov 1871 Amos N. Knapp    b. 03 May 1812, d. 8 Jul 1812 or 1813 Hamilton Knapp    b. 03 May 1814, d. 20 Jun 1814 Mahalia Knapp    b. 30 Apr 1815, d. 18 May 1834 Annis Knapp +    b. 10 Mar 1818, d. 14 Jul 1880

Comfort’s father, Amos, the son of John Knapp, was born about 1740, at Danbury, CT, where he resided at the time of the burning of the town by the British. He was at that time drummer in the town militia, and was under arms just outside the village. Some of the soldiers drew water from his well and drank from a dish furnished them by his wife, but did not enter the house nor in any way disturb the family, and the Knapp dwelling was the only one left standing in that part of Danbury. Soon after the close of the war Amos Knap settled a few miles west of Lebanon Springs, New York, where he passed the remainder of his life. He married Miss Nelson, and they became the parents of ten sons and one daughter. All the sons were, like himself, of great muscular power and vitality, and most of them reached an advanced age.

Hiram Knapp was the son of Comfort Knapp and Tirzah Gillett , b. 24 Mar 1799 Broome Twp., Schoharie, NY d. 14 Mar 1872 at Lander, Farmington Twp, Warren, PA, age 72; bur. Foster Cemetery, Lander, Warren, PA; m1. Clarissa Barrett on 17 Mar 1822 at Boston, Erie, NY; m2. Mrs Mary Osborn North on 2 Sep 1840

Amherst Lodge, No. 429.—This lodge also received its warrant from Grand Lodge, 1 Jun 1825. The names entered in the warrant were Frederick S. Sheldon, Master; Job Beston, Senior Warden; and Ebenezer A. Lester, Junior Warden, who were authorized to hold a lodge in the town of Amherst, county of Erie, to be known as Amherst Lodge, No. 429.

Hamburg Union Store Lodge, No. 434.—This lodge also received a warrant at the sessions of the Grand Lodge, June 1, 1825. It was issued to Cushing Swift (m. Lucy Follett), Master; Edmund S. Stevens, Senior Warden; and Mason Young, Junior Warden, to hold a lodge in the town of Hamburg, county of Erie, by the name of Hamburg Union Store Lodge, No. 434.

Porter Lodge.—A petition for a dispensation to hold a lodge at Black Rock, to be known as Porter Lodge, and dated Black Rock, Erie, NY, 12 Nov 1823, is on file in the archives of the Grand Lodge. James L. Barton was to be its first Master; Nathaniel K. Olmstead, Senior Warden; and Nathaniel G. Reynolds, Junior Warden. The following names are attached to the petition:—Lewis G. Hoffman, William Burt, John D. Harty, Adam Gray, Ethan Allen and Donald Fraser. The petition is recommended by Western Star Lodge, No. 239, of Buffalo, on the 15th of November, 1823. The Grand Lodge seems to have taken no action on this petition. Comparing the date of this petition with that

of Barton Lodge, No. 442, at Black Rock, it will be seen that the petition of the latter antedates it about six months, while the endorsement of Western Star Lodge, No. 239, on the petition of Porter Lodge antedates that of Barton Lodge about the same length

9

of time. The name of James L. Barton for Master appears on both petitions, and a number of the names of the petitioners are identical.

Antecedent to the War of 1812, and down to the year 1825, the noted firm of Porter, Barton & Co., by a lease from the State of New York, of the portage around Niagara Falls by a seven miles wagon route, and boats on the river above, monopolized the carrying trade between Lewiston and Black Rock, thus forming the connecting link between Lakes Ontario and Erie. This firm was composed of Augustus Porter of Niagara Falls, Benjamin Barton of Lewiston, and Peter B. Porter of Black Rock. The late Sheldon Thompson—then settled, in the year 1815, at Black Rock; his brother, Harry Thompson, settled there in 1818; James L. Barton (son of Benjamin Barton), who came there from Lewiston in 1816.

Barton & Co., the creators of Black Rock as a port of trade. Mr. Charles D. Norton, in his paper on "The Old Black Rock Ferry," describes the business of "the Rock" as it was witnessed by one who came to the place in 1810: "A few batteaux were moving sluggishly up the stream, laden with salt. These constituted the commercial marine of the river, the principal business of which was the transportation of this commodity from Porter and Barton's dock, at old Fort Schlosser, to their warehouse at Black Rock, or their wharf under the lee of Bird Island, to be conveyed thence to Erie, then the principal commercial port on our lake. * * * Four or five vessels were engaged in this business on the river, each carrying from 125 to 150 barrels of salt, owned by Porter, Barton & Co.; their proprietors residing at Black Rock and Syracuse. When the wind was blowing down the lake, the vessels running from Black Rock to Erie were frequently wind-bound at the former place for a long time, and then there would grow an accumulation of five or six thousand barrels of salt, which were piled in tiers upon the shore of the river, under the bank, and remained stored in this way till they could be carried to Erie. 'The Black Rock' was a great salt exchange; and the witnesses upon whose statements I narrate these facts say that it was not a rare occurrence for the Rock to be covered with traders from Pittsburg, captains of vessels and boatmen, who met there to talk about business and interchange views. The Black Rock was a sort of commercial center for the salt merchants in those early days, and the old tavern was quite as distinguished along the frontier as the Fifth Avenue and the St. Nicholas are in our time."

Porter, Barton & Co., however, were carriers of other freight from the East than salt. In the Reminiscences of Mr. James L. Barton, son of one of the members of the firm, he tells of their connection with lines of transportation that reached to the Hudson, by way of Wood Creek and the Mohawk, from Oswego. They received merchandise brought by lake from Oswego, at Lewiston, conveying it thence to Black Rock, "where they had vessels to carry it over the lake." The short passage of vessels from Black Rock into the lake, against the swift current of the Niagara, could not be made with sails, and the office of the modern tug was performed for them by long trains of ox teams, eight to fourteen in number, which towed them by hawsers attached to the ship's masthead and buoyed to shore by a number of boats. It was a dexterous operation . . .

http://books.google.com/books?id=CsgBAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA99&dq=%22James+L.+Barton%22+%22black+rock%22#v=onepage&q=%22James%20L.%20Barton%22%20%22black%20rock%22&f=false page 41.

In some interesting reminiscences recorded not long before his death by Mr. James L. Barton, son of Benjamin Barton, of the early transportation firm of Porter, Barton & Co., he relates that in the spring of 1827 he came to Buffalo from Black Rock and formed a partnership with Judge Wilkeson in the forwarding business, which they carried on together for two years. The Judge then retired and Mr. Barton continued the business for a few years more. "While the partnership continued," wrote Mr. Barton, "and afterwards when I was alone, we had the agency of a large line of boats on the canal and vessels on the lake; yet so scarce was the western freight that it was difficult to get a full boat-load, although the boats were then of light tonnage. A few tons of freight was all that we could furnish each boat to carry to Albany. This they would take in and fill up at Rochester, which place, situated in the heart of the wheat-growing district of Western New York, furnished nearly all the down freight that passed on the canal. Thus we lived and struggled on until 1830."

Mr. James L. Barton, in his Reminiscences, relates an incident of his own experience which illustrates the intoxication of the time. He was the owner of two lots at Black Rock which cost him originally $250, but which he thought to be worth $3,000 in the fall of 1835. Early in 1836 he was absent from the city for a few weeks, and, on the morning after his return, he was met, as he walked down Main Street, by three men in succession who asked what he would take for his lots. To the first one he said $6,000; to the second $7,500; to the third one, "$20,000, ten per cent. down, the balance in four annual payments." "Say six annual payments and I will take it," said the latter; and the bargain was concluded before they parted, Mr. Barton receiving $2,000, with bond and mortgage for the remainder. The ultimate of the transaction he does not disclose.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Z_ugAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA153&dq=%22James+L.+Barton%22+%22Reminiscences%22&lr=#v=onepage&q=%22James%20L.%20Barton%22%20%22Reminiscences%22&f=false page 158-178.

EARLY REMINISCENCES OF BUFFALO AND VICINITY.READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY, MARCH 19, 1866.

BY JAMES L. BARTON(Died 6 Oct 1869)

To all well-informed persons it is known that the revolutionary war was closed in 1783. By the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the Independent States of America, it was agreed that the territory extending from the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, at a point where it intersects the St. Lawrence river, thence through the middle of the river and great lakes to the Lake of the Woods, far beyond Lake Superior, should belong to the United States. The line of division was only generally marked out and indicated in the treaty. Its precise locality was surveyed and marked off, after the war of 1812, by commissioners representing each government, during the years from 1818 to 1825.

Notwithstanding the fact that this treaty conceded the right to us to occupy the country, and an equal right to navigate the lakes and rivers, the British government retained armed possession until 1796, thirteen years after peace had been concluded. They had garrisons at Oswego, Niagara, Lewiston, Schlosser, Fort Miami on the Maumee river, ten miles inland from where the city of Toledo now stands, and at Detroit. The use of the great lakes was entirely prohibited to us; and a strong disposition was manifested to deter

10

people from exploring the country, or approaching the Niagara frontier. To make this as disagreeable and unsafe as possible to travelers or explorers, the commanding officer at Fort Niagara gave directions to the Indians, then very numerous and much under the influence of the British government, that if they found any strange white men traveling over the country, they were to be considered British deserters, and were to be arrested and brought to the Fort, unless they could show the commander's pass, which was a large wax impression on a card, and which was distributed among the Indians.

The military retention of the country bordering on the great lakes, as well as that of the lakes themselves, was not as injurious to the people of this state as to those of Ohio. Here it gave little annoyance. There were but few people in these parts, and they had no business to do on the lakes. The highest compliment the descendants of the early pioneers into Western New York can pay to the memory of their forefathers, grows out of what I am now going to relate.

All the predatory incursions of the British and Indians during the war of the Revolution, that laid waste the valley of the Mohawk, Minnisink in Orange county, and Wyoming in Pennsylvania, were concocted at and started from Fort Niagara. These incursions were broken up and forever terminated by General Sullivan's expedition in 1779. The only great battle fought by Sullivan against the Indians assisted by their English friends, many of whom were in the battle, was at Newtown, now Elmira. The Indians and their allies were defeated, and, never attempted to face Sullivan in battle again, but retired further west. Sullivan pursued them, destroying their towns, apple-trees, and almost every thing that could sustain human life, as far as the Genesee river, on both sides of which he laid everything waste for several miles. The winter following was very cold, and much snow fell; large numbers of deer perished in the woods, and many Indians died of starvation and cold.

In eight or ten years after the expedition of Sullivan, the whites, in considerable numbers, began coming into the country. The Indians, still smarting from the punishment inflicted upon them by Sullivan, and being much the most numerous, were very suspicious of the white intruders, and were ready to take revenge if a proper occasion offered. The high-toned character which the early pioneers brought with them, their frank, honest and upright conduct in all their transactions with the Indians, soon impressed the minds of the Indians with the belief that the whites came amongst them as friends and not as enemies. And so harmoniously have they lived together that not a shot has been fired in battle or anger between the whites and Indians, since 1779. The mention of these facts is a monument to the memory of those noble men, the early pioneers; and their descendants may well be proud of them. How sadly different it was in Ohio, I will now tell you.

The retention of the military posts around the great lakes, one of which was several miles inland in Ohio, kept up a bitter and angry feeling between the early white settlers of that state and the Indians, who were largely under the malign influence of British agents, which was frequently manifested in the entrance of the white settlements by small Indian parties, burning buildings and committing many murders. The whites were a different class of men from those who first settled Western NewYork. Instead of cultivating good feelings, they retaliated whenever an occasion offered; and thought the killing of an Indian of no more consequence than that of a wild turkey, or a deer. Thus matters continued to grow worse until the Indians determined to drive the whites south of the Ohio river. This brought out a considerable military force under the command of Colonel Crawford, who had a fight with the Indians near Tyamoctee creek, about thirty-five miles south of Lower Sandusky. Crawford was defeated, many of his men killed, himself carried prisoner to an Indian town on the Tyamoctee, a few miles west of the place where the fight took place, where he was burned at the stake. Another and larger expedition was organized and took the field under the command of General Hamer. He was also defeated in a fight with the Indians, within one hundred miles north of Cincinnati. This called out a still larger but badly organized force, under command of General St. Clair. His army was surprised and dreadfully defeated by the Indians, on the morning of November 4th, 1791, near where Hamer had met the same fate. A large number of men were killed and wounded, and a complete rout took place. Many distinguished officers fell on that occasion, amongst others the celebrated Colonel Butler.

Early in the spring of 1794, a formidable expedition, under the command of the celebrated General Wayne, was organized and started from Cincinnati, then called Fort Washington, to chastise the Indians wherever they could be found. This expedition cautiously pushed forward through the woods, taking the route, or nearly so, of St. Clair. On reaching the battlefield of the latter with the Indians, Wayne erected a fort, to which he gave the name of Fort Recovery. From this place the army entered the unbroken wilderness, marching with great caution, and giving the Indians no opportunity to attack with the hope of success. The Indians kept retiring as Wayne advanced. After a toilsome march through the wilderness, the army reached the mouth of the Auglaise river, where it unites with the Maumee. Here Wayne built a military work, and called it Fort Defiance. Resting and refreshing his men after their laborious march through the woods, Wayne prepared to descend the Maumee river in pursuit of the Indians. Using the river to transport, in canoes and boats prepared for the purpose, such supplies as he needed, the army marched down on the west side of the river, and gave protection to the boats.

On approaching within three or four miles of Fort Miami, one of the British military posts, he found the Indians, more than two thousand in number, strongly posted in a wooded place, their left resting on the river, and their right protected by thick and high grass, which grew luxuriantly on the river bottom. On finding his enemy, Wayne halted, arranged his men, and made up his mind for serious work. His orders were for his infantry to enter the wood, give one fire, and then push on with the bayonet to rouse the Indians from their cover behind the fallen timber; and as soon as they were all brought into sight, his cavalry was to dash in. On the approach of Wayne, the Indians received him with a heavy fire from behind logs and trees, where they were concealed. Wayne's orders were fully carried out; and so furious was his attack, that the Indians could not stand it; and after losing many, they broke and fled, and gathered around the British fort. Wayne delayed not a moment in pursuing them, and when he had approached within a short distance of the fort, he sent a courier to Colonel Hamilton, the commandant, informing him that he, Wayne, was in hot pursuit of his enemy, whom he had just defeated; that the commander of the fort must not admit them within it, nor furnish them with anything; and that if he did, he should consider him as a common enemy, and attack the fort. Colonel Hamilton replied in a high tone, deprecating the serious consequences that might follow the assaulting a fort of His Majesty King George. Wayne gave him distinctly to understand, that any assistance he rendered the Indians would be at his peril. Colonel Hamilton thought discretion the better part of valor, and left the Indians to their fate. All hope of contending any longer was lost, and their only resource for arms and ammunition being cut off, they craved mercy and gave up. Wayne granted this upon condition that the various tribes engaged in the war against him should, the next spring, send representatives to meet commissioners on the part of the United States, at such place as the government should determine, for the purpose of making a general treaty of peace.

11

This meeting took place at Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, adjoining the State of Indiana. A general treaty of peace was made between the contracting parties, since which time Ohio has been quite free from Indian disturbances.

The Indians ceded to the United States six miles square at Lower Sandusky (now Fremont); six miles square at Fort Wayne on the Wabash river; six miles square at Chicago, and the island of Michilimackinac. At Sandusky, Fort Wayne and Chicago, the government erected stockades, or slight forts, and storehouses within them, from which places there were annually distributed cloth, tobacco, pipes, wampum, shot-guns, powder and shot, vermilion, beads, and numerous other articles stipulated in the treaty as annuities. Judge Samuel Tupper, who afterwards became a resident of this city, was the United States agent when I first went to Lower Sandusky in 1811.

Several young officers serving with General Wayne became afterwards distinguished as military men and civilians. President Harrison, General Hugh Brady, General Covington, who was killed in battle in Canada in the fall of 1813, on the St. Lawrence river, and Captain Robert Lee, the first Collector of the Customs District of Niagara, were all sub-Lieutenants under Wayne. General Solomon Van Rensselaer, who was Captain of a horse company, and was shot through the body in the battle, was for several years Postmaster at Albany, and represented that district one or two terms in Congress. Brigadier General James Wilkinson was the second in command under Wayne, and subsequently the Commander-in-chief of the Northern Army, in 1813. With all these gentlemen I had the honor of a personal acquaintance and with some of them a very familiar one.

During the year 1794, Chief Justice Jay was sent to England to represent to that government the absolute necessity and propriety on their part, of fully executing the treaty of 1783, by giving up the forts and withdrawing their troops from our rightful territory, which they had so long unjustly withheld from us, and giving us free access to, and the use of the lakes. Our minister accomplished his object, and the treaty then made is known as Jay's treaty.

Notwithstanding this new treaty, two more years passed before we obtained full possession of our rights on land and water. On the fourth of July, 1796, as I have been told by some of those who were present on the occasion, Fort Niagara was given up, and the troops withdrawn, as well as those at Lewiston and Schlosser. On the eleventh of July, Captain Moses Porter, with sixty-five men from Fort Miami, on the Maumee, took possession of Detroit.

During all the above time, and up to 1806, the communication between New York and the western country was in small bateaux or boats, called "Schenectady boats." These were propelled by poles up the Mohawk river, wagoned with their contents around the short portage at Little Falls, and the longer one between Mohawk and Wood creek (until the Inland Lock Navigation Company constructed canals and locks at these points, which was between 1792 and 1797), and taken down this creek into Oneida lake, and through that lake and river to Three River Point, where the Oneida unites with the Seneca river. These two form the Oswego river. Another portage had to be passed at Oswego Falls, and the river was then used to Oswego, on the bank of Lake Ontario. Here the property was unladen from the boats and put into vessels for Lewiston or Queenstown. The property and supplies required for the troops at Schlosser and Lewiston, were landed at the latter place. All for Detroit and other western places was landed at Queenstown, and wagoned around the portage to Chippewa. Here it was laden into boats and carried to Fort Erie, from whence it was distributed in vessels to the several places to which it was destined.

In 1790, the first United States census was taken. The territory extending from the eastern line of Steuben county, adjoining Pennsylvania, to the eastern line of Wayne county, resting on Lake Ontario, and westward to Lake Erie, was one county, Ontario, now subdivided into fourteen counties. Ontario Co. encompassed the entire 1802 map, when split off from Mongomery Co. in 1789.

The entire white population then amounted to 105 families, containing 1,081, located as follows:

12

Vill

age

Fam

ilies

Per

sons

Vill

age

Fam

ilies

Per

sons

Painted Post 10 59 Victor 4 20Milo 11 65 Richmond 1 2Benton 3 25 Mendon 2 10Seneca 10 60 Pittsford 8 28Geneva 8 55 Brighton 4 20Phelps 2 11 Lima 4 23Middlesex 7 38 Rush 9 56North Gorham 6 14 Henrietta 1 8E. Farmington 2 4 Sparta 1 5W. Farminton 2 4 Geneseo 8 34Canandaigua 18 106 Erwin 11 59West Palmyra 4 14 Canisteo 10 50South Bristol 4 20 Wayne 1 9North Bristol 3 13 Avon 10 66W. Bloomfield 7 26 Caledonia 10 44E. Bloomfield 11 65 Indian Lands,

Leicester4 17

Total 105 1081

The first American vessel that was permitted to float on these great lakes was constructed at Erie, Pennsylvania, and came out in 1797. It was called the Washington, and was afterwards drawn over the portage from Chippewa to Queenstown. In her first attempt to navigate Lake Ontario she foundered, and all on board were lost. She never was seen or heard of after passing the mouth of the river.

It will be noticed that thus far the name of Buffalo has not been mentioned. For simply this reason, there was no Buffalo. There was a Buffalo creek and a Buffalo Indian reservation. It was well known to early travelers, that on the bank of this creek, not far from Lake Erie, were a few log buildings, where rum, silver trinkets, beads and other small articles were sold to the Indians. This trade was small; the great mart for Indian trade was at British Niagara. Here was the headquarters of the Indian Department, from which the subsidies given and sold to the Indians, were distributed.

We now approach more directly the early history of Buffalo. In 1803, our late worthy, useful, and much respected citizen, Doctor Cyrenius Chapin, then a young physician in pursuit of a place in which to locate himself, came, with his wife, to this place. The village not being surveyed, he could not obtain a lot. He crossed over to Fort Frie, where a number of troops were stationed, and a good many civilians were settled along the river. There he found good practice and remained two years.

In 1804, Joseph Ellicott surveyed out the village plot of Buffalo. In 1805, Doctor Chapin left Fort Erie, came to Buffalo and purchased the lot on the corner of Main and Swan streets, extending through to Pearl street, upon which he lived until his death, in 1838, and which is now occupied by one of his worthy descendants.

Whether the fact was known to Congress, that the spot upon which the great city of Buffalo was to be built, was surveyed and laid out into lots, does not appear. If it was, they did not give the name of Buffalo to the customs district which extends from the Niagara Kails to the Pennsylvania state line, where it joins the District of Erie, but gave it the name of "Buffaloe Creek District." This statute was passed on the fifth of March, 1805. Although the ground was surveyed where a great city was to be built, there were then as yet no materials of which to build one. Buffalo was then very much in the condition of the man who had a beautiful mill-site on his farm, but had no water.

The State of New York owned a strip of land, one mile wide, lying along the bank of the Niagara river, from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, called the "Mile Strip." In 1803 and 1804 this land was surveyed according to the following directions of the Surveyor-General:

One mile square was to be left at the mouth of the river where Fort Niagara was situated, for garrison purposes. The survey was to commence one mile from Lake Ontario, and lay out the whole strip into farm lots, averaging one hundred and sixty to one hundred and seventy-five acres each, taking into consideration the windings of the river, except at the following places: At Lewiston, a village plot one mile square was to he laid out. Here was the lower end of the portage around the falls, where the State owned a storehouse and dock. The upper end of the portage was on what was known as the Steadman farm. This farm was to be left intact; also the two-mile square below and adjoining the Scajaquadda creek, known as the Jones and Parrish tracts—on part of the latter of which, the Parrish tract, North Buffalo is built. After crossing the creek, four more lots were to be laid out. Then one hundred acres above and adjoining these lots were to be surveyed, and called the "Kerry Lot." The triangle formed by a line running from JL point where the south line of the ferry lot struck the mile line, to the river, not far from the present water-works, was to be reserved for military purposes, should it become necessary. The residue of the Mile Strip extending to the village of Buffalo, was to be surveyed into a village plot and called Black Rock. This was afterwards more generally known as Upper Black Rock.

In 1805, all the surveyed land, farm and village lots, were put up by the Surveyor-General for public sale at Albany. Notice was also given that the docks and warehouses at Lewiston and Schlosser, with the Steadman farm at the latter place, would be leased by the State to any responsible party or parties, who would take them for the least number of years, maintain and keep up the storehouses and docks, and at the termination of the lease surrender all the improvements to the State. At the time of the sale, Augustus and

13

Peter B. Porter, my father Benjamin Barton, and my uncle Joseph Annin, who surveyed the Mile Strip, attended for the purpose of purchasing lands along the river, and bidding for the lease. In a conversation among themselves, and finding out each other's views and purposes, they agreed to form a partnership under the name of Porter, Barton & Co., and to bid for the portage lease, and also to make large purchases of lands. They succeeded in obtaining the lease for thirteen years, and purchased the land around the falls, and many other farm and village lots.

The four farm lots, containing over seven hundred acres, lying on the south side of Scajaquadda creek, were purchased by these four gentlemen and the Rev. John McDonald, of Albany, father-in-law of Archibald Mclntyre, many years Comptroller of the State, and John McLean, of Orange county, for a long time Commissary-General. In 1811, they had these lots surveyed into a village plot by Apollos Stephens, and called it Black Rock. To distinguish it from the state village of Black Rock, it was better known subsequently as Lower Black Rock.

In the fall of 1805, Augustus Porter came out from Canandaigua and built a saw-mill at the Falls. He removed with his family, in the spring of 1806, to Fort Schlosser, and lived four or five years in the old English mess-house. That summer my father came out (he did not remove his family to Lewiston until the spring of 1807), and assisted in erecting a large gristmill at the Falls. As it was a large frame and difficult to raise, and as men were scarce, the commandant at Fort Niagara permitted some of the soldiers at the fort to go up and assist in putting up the frame. The same year, Porter, Barton & Co. commenced the transportation business over the portage, boating up the river to Black Rock; and provided themselves with vessels to carry property on the lakes. This was the beginning of the first regular and connected line of transportation on the American side, that ever did business on these great waters. They were connected with Jonathan Walton & Co., of Schenectady, who sent the property in boats up the Mohawk river, down Wood creek and other waters to Oswego; Matthew McNair carried it over Lake Ontario; Porter, Barton & Co. took it from Lewiston to Black Rock, where they had vessels to carry it over the lakes. I went into my father's warehouse in 1807, to make out way-bills, or slips, for the teams carrying salt and other property across the portage; and you now see in my person the man who was earlier engaged in the commerce of these lakes than any other man now living.

Before the war of 1812, Porter, Barton & Co. built a large pier and placed upon it a structure sufficiently large to store all property requiring it, immediately below Bird Island, above the rapids in the Niagara river. Here all the property brought from Schlosser in boats was landed, and here the vessels used to stop and anchor in deep and still water, and discharge and take in freight. After the war, they descended the river and came to the docks below the rapids. When they were ready to go on to the lake, if the wind was not strong enough to take them up with their sails, cattle and horses were used to haul them up. This was known as the "horn breeze," in contradistinction to the "ash" or oar breeze, and the natural wind.

In the winter of 1812-13, five of the vessels composing part of Commodore Perry's fleet were fitted for war vessels out of merchantmen, in Scajaquadda creek. In June, 1813, after Col. Preston with some troops had taken possession of the opposite side of the river and the enemy's batteries, these vessels came out of the creek into the river, and after waiting two or three days, were favored with a sufficiently strong wind, sailed up the rapids, and joined Perry at Erie.

In 1815, Porter, Barton & Co. built a warehouse at Black Rock, nearly opposite the present Queen City Mills. It has since been removed, and is now used as a barn and stables.

In March, 1816, the forwarding and commission house of Sill, Thompson & Co., of which I was a member, took possession, and occupied it until March, 1821. It furnished ample storage for all the property requiring to be put under shelter, going to, or coming from the West, during that time. It would hardly afford sufficient storage room for the business of the present day! The whole business of a season then, did not equal in value or quantity, what is now done in a single day on our docks, during the busy season of the year. To give you an idea how large the business we were doing then appeared to the public, we were called a "monopoly" and an "overgrown monopoly," not satisfied with doing all the commercial business, but trying to control the politics of the county and district.

In 1808, the County of Niagara was set off from Genesee, and comprised the territory of the present counties of Erie and Niagara. Buffalo was made the county seat, which gave it a little help forward, by increasing its trade and population. The regular terms of the courts brought in a good many persons, not only from different parts of the county, but from other counties, who had business in the courts. Court week was a big week, and was always welcomed by the citizens, for the large trade it brought into the village.

In June, 1812, the war with Great Britain commenced. The gathering of troops on this frontier, and the expenditure of public money during that year, gave a wonderful spur to the hopes and exertions of the citizens, and the village presented a lively business appearance. In the high exulting feelings of its citizens, Buffalo was already a great city. It had overcome its worst difficulties, and nothing could stop its onward progress.

In 1813, the troops were, in a great measure, removed from Buffalo and operated in Canada. The impetus given to trade the year before continued, and hopes and confidence were high. But the year closed most disastrously upon the village and its citizens. A large British force, accompanied by many Canadian and Western Indians, crossed the Niagara river in December and laid waste the entire frontier from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. Buffalo was sacked and plundered, several of its citizens killed, and finally fire was applied, and all the buildings, except two or three, were consumed. This was on the thirtieth and thirty-first of December, 1813. Here was swift destruction to all high hopes and fancied greatness. The citizens were compelled to flee, many half-clothed, from the murderous tomahawk of the Indian, while the pathway of their escape was lighted by the blaze of their own dwellings. In one hour's time, the hard earnings and savings of years were taken from them, and many were left with nothing but their naked hands and good health with which to provide for the wants of their families. The enemy retired to Canada immediately after the destruction had been committed. A very severe winter followed the destruction of Buffalo, which caused much distress to many of its people who had lost their all, and were compelled to seek shelter and food as best they could.

In the spring of 1814 the people began to return, and a few plain buildings were constructed. The army came into Buffalo the first week of April, and brought a large trade to the place; but, as is always the case, it was followed by a caravan of traders almost as numerous as the troops, who more than divided this trade with the citizens. Soon were to be seen board shanties, erected where

14

the First Presbyterian church and St. Paul's cathedral now stand, and along Pearl and Main streets. The village was literally one of shanties, and every thing had a lively and busy appearance.

The army remained in Buffalo until the second of July at night, when it crossed into Canada. Many of those who for trading purposes followed the army into Buffalo, left it when the troops did—some to follow them, and some to the places from whence they came,—and the citizens, who had by this time generally returned, were left more to themselves. Trade flourished. The wants of the army required large supplies, some of which the country around could furnish, and others were brought by land from Albany, and other parts of the state. The large sums of money paid to the soldiers, who scattered it freely, made money plenty, and all felt well, because they had plenty to do, and got high prices. Buffalo was now certainly mounting upwards, and nothing could retard her progress. Her people were jubilant, and talked largely of seeing it in twenty years the largest city in the state west of New York.

The war was closed by a treaty of peace, concluded by the agents of the contending parties, at Ghent, in December, 1814, and subsequently ratified by both governments. The news of the signing of the treaty did not reach Buffalo until about the seventeenth of February, 1815, and at the same time we got intelligence of General Jackson's great victory in the battle of New Orleans, fought on the eighth of January. All military operations on this frontier ceased, the army was removed from here as fast as it could be done, and the last soldier left the place in May or June. With them went the hosts of adventurers that always follow in the track of an army.

The citizens were again thrown upon their own resources, trade was limited, provisions scarce and very high, the great flow of money had ceased, and it was becoming hard work for many to get along. Many had gotten into debt while money was very plenty, and others had not sufficiently recovered from their losses consequent upon the entire destruction of the village a year and a half before. This condition of things continued for four or five years. The village, if it increased, increased so slowly that the change was scarcely perceptible, and the buildings erected were of an unpretending kind. Even as late as 1820, the population of Buffalo numbered but two thousand and ninety-three. Buffalo had as yet no water commerce. Although it was a port of entry by law, it was not so in fact, for no vessel could get into the harbor. The merchandise brought by teams from Albany destined westward, after its arrival here, was taken to Black Rock to be shipped across the lake.

On the first of November, 1821, the steamboat Walk-in-theWater, built in 1818, at Black Rock, was driven ashore by a storm and wrecked on the beach, about a mile above the lighthouse. During the ensuing winter a new boat called the Superior, was built on the bank of Buffalo creek above Main street. This was the first vessel, certainly of any size, built in Buffalo. Although some slight work had been done the year before, to open the channel at the mouth of the creek, the sand bars partially removed, and the water deepened so as to admit small craft to enter, it was not yet in a condition to admit vessels of a large draft of water. On this account the owners and builders of the Superior hesitated about building the boat here, fearing she could not get into the lake. They were assured that there would be no difficulty: that the spring freshet would clear the channel; and further, that a guarantee would be given by responsible citizens to pay one hundred dollars for every day the boat was detained on this account after she was ready to go on the lake.

When the boat was nearly ready, much anxiety began to be felt about her passing out of the creek. This called forth the energy of the citizens. They assembled daily in large numbers —merchants, lawyers and laborers alike; and those who could not work sent refreshments,—with teams, scrapers, shovels and other necessary tools, and labored most industriously to remove so much of the bar as to permit the new steamboat to get out and return into the harbor. Success was vital to the village, and its people put forth their best energies to accomplish it. The boat got out after meeting with some obstruction by touching the bar; but by carrying out an anchor ahead, and taking a turn of the cable around the shaft of the engine, and both working together, she got into the lake. After making a few miles run, to try the working of the engine, she returned with less difficulty. The obstructions at the mouth of the creek were steadily worked at until a passage was made sufficiently large and deep to admit her going in and out, and she afterwards continued to run from this place.

As the canal was approaching its western termination, the question whether it should stop at Black Rock or be continued to Buffalo, became a matter of great discussion. Black Rock then had all the American commerce on the lakes. Buffalo had comparatively none. I then lived at Black Rock; and, as all my property and hopes were there, I, with the rest of our citizens, thought we had a right to retain this commerce if we could. A violent and bitter controversy arose between the two places. Buffalo for a while had the advantage, having two newspapers; but we soon set one up at Black Rock, and much abuse, misrepresentation, and violent invective passed between them.

In 1822, at a meeting of the canal commissioners, they decided to give us at Black Rock an opportunity of testing, by experiment, whether a wooden pier filled with stone, placed in the swiftest part of the rapids of the river, would stand the current, and the rushing down of the ice from the lake when it broke up in the spring. We eagerly accepted the proposition, and went to work that summer, and did put down what was known as the "Experiment Pier," in a very exposed position. When the ice in the lake broke up in the spring and came rusliing down the river, day after day many citizens of Black Rock and others from Buffalo could be found perched on the high bank of the river, the former watching intensely the fate of their experiment, and hoping it would stand, while the latter were anxious to see it swept away. The pier passed the trial in safety, and this decided the canal commissioners to construct a harbor at Black Rock. This decision brought the two villages quite on a level. Buffalo had the most people; we at Black Rock had the control of the lake commerce, and our numbers were increasing daily. As an evidence of this, I will mention that the late Captain Sheldon Thompson, his brother Harry and myself purchased in 1823, from the Holland Land Company, one hundred and thirty-three and one-third feet on the creek, where General Reed's elevator now stands, for about one hundred and seventy dollars. In after years this ground was sold for forty thousand dollars.

In 1825, the population of Buffalo was two thousand six hundred. After all these struggles and trials, the opening of the Grand Erie Canal connecting the great lakes of the West with the Atlantic ocean was completed, and put courage into the hearts of the people. Joy and gladness were to be seen in the countenances of all. Notwithstanding, the struggle to live and move ahead was still to continue. The opening of the canal was a most marked era in the history of Buffalo. It laid the foundation of a great city; but the materials for building it were not in existence. The great West was comparatively an unbroken wilderness, and although commerce was considerably increased by the canal, it was yet quite limited, and for a short time divided with Black Rock.

15

In May, 1826, the pier forming the harbor at that place, constructed without proper care, gave way near where the ferry now is, and forever blasted the prospects of making that locality a harbor for a large commercial business.

In the spring of 1827, I left Black Rock, came to Buffalo, and-formed a partnership with the late Judge Samuel Wilkeson, in the forwarding business. The Judge had been amongst the foremost in the controversy between Buffalo and Black Rock, and although many hard things had been said about him in our paper, he remembered with unkindly feelings nothing that occurred in the season of anger and strife. He had a mind of large grasp, quick perception, indomitable energy; never sparing time or money so long as a possibility existed of accomplishing any great object he undertook. He may emphatically be numbered with the leading minds that laid the foundation of this city. The partnership lasted two years. The Judge said to me: "This is a poor business, not furnishing sufficient support for two families; I am not acquainted with the business, and you have been in it all your life; I will retire; you take the warehouse and dock, pay me two hundred and fifty dollars a year rent, and go on for yourself." I told him I would take the warehouse if he would paint it. He did so, and I continued the business alone until the end of the year 1835, at the same rent. While the partnership continued, and afterwards when I was alone, we had the agency of a large line of boats on the canal, and vessels on the lake; yet so scarce was western freight that it was difficult to get a full boat-load, although the boats were then of light tonnage. A few tons of freight was all that we could furnish each boat to carry to Albany. This they would take in, and fill up at Rochester; which place, situated in the heart of the wheat-growing district of Western New York, furnished nearly all the down freight that passed on the canal. Thus we lived and struggled on until 1830. Our population had increased largely, and numbered that year 6031.

In the fall of 1831, I received from Cleveland one thousand bushels of wheat, which was sold to Bird & McPherson, and ground into flour at their mill at Black Rock Dam. The next winter I made an arrangement with the late Colonel Ira A. Blossom, the resident agent of the Holland Land Company, to furnish storage for all the wheat the settlers should bring in, towards payment on their land contracts with the Company. The whole amount did not exceed three thousand bushels.

On the second of April, 1821, the present County of Erie was set off from Niagara county. In 1832, the village of Buffalo was incorporated as a city. The same year, the Ohio canal, connecting Lake Erie with the Ohio river, was completed, which gave us a little more business. In 1833, emigrants from the older portions of our country and from Europe began to pour into Illinois, and some into Wisconsin. This gave a large increase in canal and lake business up, but there was little or no increase in down freight. Northern Ohio was then the only portion of the great West that had any surplus agricultural products to send to an eastern market. A large portion of this surplus was sent to Illinois and Wisconsin, and consumed by the large number of emigrants then flowing into those states. The continually-increasing numbers of emigrants required provisions to be imported into, instead of exported from, the far West, for several years. So small was the lake commerce in down freight, that all the flour, wheat and corn received at this port, and shipped on the canal in 1835 for an eastern market, was equivalent to only 543,815 bushels of grain. Since then, there has been received and sent forward, through the same channel and by railroad, more than 60 millions of bushels of grain in a single season.

In 1833, a little stir commenced in land operations, which increased the next year, and in 1835 became a perfect fever, and swallowed up almost everything else. Nearly every person who had any enterprise, got rich from buying and selling land; using little money in these transactions, but paying and receiving in pay, bonds and mortgages to an illimitable amount. The city was now rapidly increasing in numbers and wealth, and no one had the remotest idea that anything could happen to interrupt our constant progress onward to the state of a great city. All great danger was passed. We were now so strong in numbers—our population having increased in 1835 to 15,661—and had become so wealthy, that any set-back to our progress was an idea that was inconceivable, and considered by many ridiculous. For about half the year 1836, the land fever raged more violently than at any former period, and larger fortunes were made in a single day in paper obligations, than at any time previous.

A single instance will suffice to show how rapidly land was bought and sold at that time. In 1815, I purchased at Black Rock, for two hundred and fifty dollars, two lots—one, two thirds of an acre, lying between Niagara street and the river; the other, a five-acre lot, about half a mile distant. In the fall of 1835, land in that village rose to very high prices, and I began to think my lots worth three thousand dollars. I left the city early in February, and did not return until the twentieth day of April. The next morning, in walking down Main street, a man met me opposite Townsend Hall, who inquired what I would take for my two lots. I replied, "Six thousand dollars." We parted. Continuing on down street, soon another asked me the same question. I replied in the language of that day, "I can't now give you a price, having just given another a refusal of these lots until twelve o'clock, to-morrow, for seven thousand five hundred dollars. He immediately replied, ''l will take them if the other does not." I passed on a little further, when I was hailed by a man on the opposite side of the street, who came running over to me, inquiring, "Will you sell your land, and what are your terms and price?" I replied, "Twenty thousand dollars; ten per cent, down, the balance in four annual payments, with interest." He quickly replied, saying, "Say six annual payments, and I will take it." I assented, walked into an office, received my two thousand dollars, and next day gave a deed and took a bond and mortgage for the balance. Thus in going along the street about fourteen rods, I raised my price fourteen thousand dollars, and then sold.

In 1837, a great mercantile revulsion took place. The banks suspended, individuals failed, securities, supposed to be based on sound bottom, proved worthless; and from a supposed wealthy condition we were dashed suddenly to comparative poverty. Our most industrious, enterprising and useful business citizens found themselves bound down by mountains of obligations, which they had assumed in times of speculation, that no mortal exertions of theirs could clear them from. Those who held these obligations were as badly, if not worse, off than those who owed them. They could realize nothing from them, and the change that suddenly-acquired wealth always brings about in the style and manner of living—creating endless wants and desires that continually grow, as the means of gratifying them are to be found—made it difficult for many to realize and get along under their changed condition. The false pride engendered, and the prospects of their children, no longer expectant heirs of large fortunes, were alike scattered to the winds, and several years of their after-life was spent in grumbling over their losses.

In 1840, our population had increased to 18,213. The products of the West now began to come forward in larger volume, and prices ruled very low; but the increase of business again revived hopes, and industry and economy were strictly applied.

In 1842, the national bankrupt law came to our relief, and removed an immense weight of worthless obligations, that bore down and crippled the exertions of a large number of useful citizens. No sooner were they set at liberty than they applied their energies with

16

renewed industry to legitimate business; and soon a change for the better was seen and felt again in Buffalo. The city continued to prosper, increasing in numbers; business and real wealth. In 1845, our population had increased to 29,733; and the receipts of produce from the West that year were equivalent to fifteen million bushels of grain. In 1850, our population had reached in numbers 42,261. In 1855, after our corporation limits had been enlarged, and the villages of Black Rock and the Plains brought within it, our numbers were increased to 74,414. In 1860, this had reached 81,129. By the state census of 1865, our population was 94,502.

I have not deemed it necessary to say much in detail about the city since 1845. That seemed to me the turning-point. From that time we have been steadily and safely moving onward and upward, and there is no apprehension felt or expressed, that we shall ever again be driven and tossed about as we have been, by any fortuitous circumstance that might arise.

Heretofore, we have built our hopes of success and greatness on our commercial advantages, which have done everything for us; and I trust no exertions will be wanting to continue and increase this important branch of business to our city. As our population and solid wealth has increased, labor has become more abundant, and we now have large manufactories of various and profitable kinds which, working together with our commercial business, furnish employment for a very large number of persons during the whole year.

In tracing, as I have attempted to do, something of the early history of Buffalo, I have shown that our city is not a very ancient one; that in its early beginning, and for many years afterwards, great difficulties and embarrassments had to be met and overcome; and that its present prosperous condition is not alone the work of the early settlers. They laid the foundation; they planted and watered the seeds of our great commerce at an early day, from which we have derived so much benefit; but they have been greatly aided in pushing on this work by those who are annually coming among us. It now remains with those who will soon take our places, to see that Buffalo shall never again retrograde or stand still, for want of energy on their part to keep up her march onward.

I have said much about the early Indian difficulties in Ohio. It may not at first strike you how much Buffalo was interested in them. Without the settlement and prosperity of the West, Buffalo could never grow; and the West this day would present a very different condition of things, if the Grand Erie Canal had never been constructed. Thus we are, and must always continue to be, commercially and financially connected. I trust that no circumstance will arise that shall ever break up or seriously impair the mutual interest and understanding of both sections, that now so happily exist.

With your permission, I will vary the monotony of my extended remarks, by relating an anecdote about the celebrated Red Jacket. All who were acquainted with Red Jacket know that he understood and spoke but few words of English. He had an interpreter, called Major Jack Berry; a stout-built, fat Indian, with long, black hair, which he kept tied, cue-fashion, and which, with his face, was well greased; a perfect shadow of Jacket, and who, following him everywhere, was the medium of communication between Jacket and the white people. On a certain occasion they called at David Rees' blacksmith shop, which stood on the site of the present Post Office building, and Jacket, through his interpreter, gave Rees very particular instructions how he wished a tomahawk made. Rees said he understood what he wanted, and would make it for him. In due time Jacket and the Major called upon Rees, who presented the instrument he had made. It did not fully meet the wishes of Jacket, and he again, through the Major, more fully explained how he wanted it made. Rees again undertook the job. After a while Jacket called again. Rees presented him his new work, which Jacket found great fault with, telling Rees that, in attempting a second time to execute his order, he had made a worse blunder than at first—that he was a stupid fellow —that he did not understand, nor know how to execute, an order when given to him-—that he would not trouble him with another description of what he wanted made, but would bring him a pattern, and he might try to make something like it. Jacket brought the pattern, and Rees took it without saying a word, and promised to have the tomahawk done at a certain time. Jacket called at the time stated, and Rees handed him the pattern and the copy he had made. The instant Jacket took them in his hand, he saw he was sold; he had forgotten to make an eye in the pattern, and Rees had made an exact copy. He threw them down indignantly, and uttering the exclamation, "Ugh!" left the shop without saying another word.

Within the last two months I have made many enquiries, and taken much pains to ascertain as correctly as I possibly could, who are now living that resided in Buffalo or on the immediate frontier, before the war* of 1812, and who now reside here. Without doubt, this list is defective; there may be some names left off that should be on it, but they cannot be many. The following is the list which I have made:

Levi Allen, Mr. Orlando Allen, Dan Bristol and wife, Cyrenius C. Bristol. Mrs. Benjamin Bidwell, John Bidwell, Mrs. Mary P. Burt, James L. Barton, Joseph A. Barton, Lester Brace and wife, Mrs. Aurelia Bemis, Robert H. Best, George Cotton, Elizabeth Cotton, Mary Cotton, Lester H. Cotton,

Benjamin C. Caryl, Mrs. Sally Davison, Elijah D. Efner, Mrs. Esther P. Fox, Hiram Griffin, Harmon Griffin, Mrs. Abby Heacock, Mrs. Mary Harris, Mrs. William Hodge, Sr., Miss Sarah Hodge, Philander Hodge, Valorus Hodge, Benjamin Hodge, William Hodge, Jr., Mrs. Sabriija Howes Mrs. Elizabeth Jones,

Mrs. Sally Judson, Jesse Ketchum,Mrs. S. Kibbe,Mrs. John Lay,Mrs. Mary Lord, Henry Lovejoy, Frederick Miller, Mrs. Samuel H. Macy, Mrs. Jane McDonald, Mrs. Lydia Pomeroy, Mrs. Doctor Pratt, Alanson Palmer, Samuel Pratt, Lucius H. Pratt, Henry Roop, Mrs. Lewis Stevens,

Mrs. Pamelia Sidway, Mrs. A. M. C. Smith, Mrs. M. B. Sherwood, Mrs. O. G. Steele, James Sloan, Lucius Storrs and wife, Le Grand St. John, Thomas J. Smith, Luman Smith, Harry Thompson, Mrs. Louisa M. Weed, Mrs. Doctor Warner, Mrs. E. Wnlden, William .Wells, Mrs. Foster Young, William F. Young.

Here is a little company of 67 persons; all that are left of the earliest settlers of Buffalo. They are living witnesses of the waste that time makes with the human family. They yet linger amongst us, but are almost lost sight of among the tens of thousands who now throng our busy streets. Many of these persons are very aged, and it cannot be expected they will remain much longer. All of them are well advanced in life. Soon they will all disappear, and you will behold them no more. It is to be hoped, when the departure of the last surviving one takes place, it will be with more happy reflections than befell the lot of the noble Indian who, after his family had

17

been butchered by Colonel Cresop, and the friends and companions of his early days had all gone to the "happy huntingground," in contemplating his desolate and broken-hearted condition, exclaimed with his dying breath,—"WHO IS LEFT TO MOURN FOR LOGAN?"

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/ILWHITES/2002-07/1027784574

Bent-Wilson History of Whiteside Co., IL. 1877

NATHANIEL G. REYNOLDS was born in Hancock, Berkshire, MA, in 1794, and removed to Prophetstown, Whiteside Co., IL, in 1835 [about 120 dues west of Chicago]. From a biography of his life, written several years before his death, we gather the following facts: In 1796, his parents moved to St, Armands, Lower Canada, where they remained until 1809, when they returned to Massachusetts. Soon afterwards Mr. Reynolds was indentured to Deacon Levi Clarke, of Lanesborough, MA, to learn the business of tanning, and making shoes. In 1812 he was drafted in the State Militia, but as Gov. Strong refused to place the Militia under United States officers, he enlisted in 1813 as Sergeant in the 40th Regiment, and served during the war, being honorably discharged at Boston, in 1815. In 1816, he went to Genesee county, NY, and took a sawmill on shares, where he sawed lumber for a shop and tan vats, and commenced work at his trade. He also superintended the opening of the road from Warsaw to Buffalo, through a dense wilderness. In 1820 he moved to Black Rock, near Buffalo, and built the second tannery in the latter place, conducting it for five years, and then disposed of it to good advantage and went to Aurora, Erie, NY. He remained at Aurora, working at his trade, erecting buildings, and selling goods, until October, 1835, when he started for the then far West. The balance of the biography we give in his own language, as it relates more particularly to his life while a resident of Whiteside county, and to incidents similar to those experienced by many of the old settlers. He says, "I came with my family, consisting of my wife and five children, from Buffalo to Detroit by water, and from thence to Chicago by team over roads as bad as one could possibly want to see. From Chicago to Rock river my road was an Indian trail, and for the last forty-four miles before reaching Prophetstown, I crossed the prairie without a road, and not a house in sight, my only guide being the one tree.

The weather was inclement, and crossing the sloughs very difficult. In most cases we had to swim the streams, but we finally reached a cabin near my destination, where we were made happy with refreshments, and a fire, and had a good night's rest on the soft side of a hewn plank. Three days afterwards I returned for the wagons which I was compelled to leave at a slough; camped out during the night, and returned the next day all right. This was in November, and the cold had increased, with a fair prospect of winter setting in. Here I was with five horses, one yoke of oxen, and seven dollars in cash, but no hay, grain, or provisions, except what we had in the wagons, nearer than seventy miles, and no roads or bridges on the way. Knoxville was the Egypt for us, it being the nearest point where provisions could be obtained, and for that land of [promise] I started with my teams, one of my neighbour acting as pilot. We swam Green river, Edwards river, Big and Little Page creeks, and arrived safe, but on account of high water could not return with any load until the water fell. We were weather bound for thirteen days. In that time I exchanged one span of horses for such things as I wanted. In the mean time ten men with teams, on the same errand as ourselves, joined us, their company being very acceptable. We loaded up and started, making quite a respectable caravan.

It was eighteen miles to the first house or cabin. We crossed the two creeks without difficulty, although the weather was excessively cold. Edwards river had so fallen in consequence of the freeze that we thought we could ford it, but the banks were so steep and frozen that one pair of horses or oxen could not hold our loads down nor draw them up on the other side, so we coupled six yoke of oxen together and made fast to the hind axle with sufficient length of chain, and thus eased the load down into the stream. Then we took the cattle across, and drew the loads up the other bank. In that way we succeeded in getting all our loads across safely, except mine. In raising the bank with it, and when about half way up, the cattle broke the chain, and my wagon ran back and upset the load into the river. We soon righted the wagon, and I jumped into the river and collected my load, which was principally in barrels. I offered a good price for help, but the parties refused, and advised me to let the load go down stream, as I would get my death by such exposure, but I could not spare the articles. I floated them to the shore, put a chain around them, and run a pole through, when those on the bank, with my help in the rear, pulled them up, and loaded them again, when we went on. It was three and a half hours from the time I went into the water before I reached a fire and what is somewhat remarkable, I did not freeze in any part, while every one on the bank were frozen, some of them badly. We succeeded, however, in getting along after that, but had often to put all the teams forward of one wagon.

When we came to Green river we had to unload, and take our stuff over in a trough, or canoe; swim our teams, and fasten a rope to our wagons, and pull them over as a seine is hauled. Then we had good going on the prairie, as the sloughs were all frozen solid. We arrived home well and hearty, having been absent twenty one days in going seventy-five miles and back. I found thirteen out of nineteen in our cabin down with the measles, with no doctor within thirty miles, but all lived and got smart soon. Troubles did not come singly, for in a day or two I broke my wagon tire, and had to load it in another wagon and take it to Naperville, a distance of one hundred miles, to be mended, and get my horses shod, it being the nearest shop I could get to without swimming. It happened well enough, as I got a good price for bringing a load back from Chicago.

There was a heavy emigration that winter, and in the spring of 1836 provision were scarce; and commanded a high price, flour from $16.50 to $20, per barrel; pork 18 3/4 cents per Ib. or $32 per barrel. In 1837, I was chosen President of the Rock River Land Claim Association, and the Society no doubt prevented a number of law suits, and claim fights. In the fall I was elected Justice of the Peace. At the organization of the County of Whiteside, in 1839, I was elected one of the County Commissioners, and in 1840 was appointed Deputy Marshal, and took the census of the county, the Marshal stating that my returns were the most correct of any Deputy in the district. In 1842 I was elected Justice of the Peace, and in 1847 appointed Colonel of the 103d Regiment Illinois Militia, and commissioned by Gov. French. In 1849, was elected Judge of the County Court of Whiteside, and Justice of the Peace in Prophetstown for four years, and in 1853 I was again elected Judge of the County Court for the term of four years.

So much for the offices. I am now, and have been for several years, a thorough going Temperance man. I have said in the fore part of this brief sketch, that I moved to Rock river in November, 1835. I omitted to mention that I came out here in June, and made a claim. There were only three cabins then within a distance of a hundred miles I drew up a petition for a post office, to be called Prophetstown Post office, and got four residents and three travelers to sign it. I then went back for my family with as much speed as possible, fearing some one would come and "jump" my claim, as it was called. I have also said that provisions were high, but as

18

soon as I began to have a surplus everything was on the decline. Still I kept on breaking and improving for five years, until I had one hundred and thirty acres under cultivation, and considerable stock. Since I have been in Illinois I have been engaged in agriculture and in the improvement of horses, cattle, and hogs, which will long be remembered by the inhabitants of Whiteside county, some of whom know that I came here poor. I have had rather an uphill road to travel, yet I have plenty of this world's goods to make me and mine comfortable to the end of life."

Mr. Reynolds moved to Sterling about the year 1860, and died there 21 Jan 1865. He was married 13 Jul 1819, to Miss Phebe B. Brace. The children all live in Prophetstown, and are: P. Bates, who married Miss Polly Smith, and after her death married Miss Elizabeth May; Orpha, wife of Edward S. Gage; Amanda, wife of Edson Smith; Linus, who married Miss Sarah Conner; Clark, who married Miss Amanda Conner. The three brothers are engaged in the occupation of farming, are enterprising, thorough men, and stand high in the community. P. Bates has filled various town offices-has been township Treasurer for a number of years, for the last two years Supervisor of Prophetstown, and is Chairman of the present Board of Supervisors of Whiteside county, a position which he ably fills.

Barton Lodge No. 442, Black Rock.—The petition for a dispensation to form this lodge bears date, Black Rock, May 5, 1823, and recommends James L. Barton [see above] to be its first Master; Nathaniel G. Reynolds [see above], S. W., and James McKnight, J. W. The names of the petitioners were L. G. Hoffman, John D. Harty, Ethan Allen, Henry Hanson, Henry Potter, Sheldon Thompson, James Tisdale, D. S. Davison and Nathaniel Fills. The petition was recommended by Western Star Lodge No. 239, Buffalo, May 5, 1824, Jacob A. Barker, Master. A dispensation was issued October 16, 1824, and the Grand Lodge at its session of June 6, 1825, ordered a warrant

to issue to Barton Lodge No. 442. Brother Robert McPherson became secretary, and Sheldon Thompson, treasurer of the lodge.

With our well-paved, gas-lighted streets, street railroads, etc., the reason advanced for the petition cannot well be appreciated by the present generation. The petition states that the object in petitioning for a lodge, while one was held at Buffalo, was as follows:—

" We have in this village and vicinity about twenty-five Master Masons ; the major part of them are men of families, and we have the only alternative of either traveling a considerable part of the year on a bad road, at unseasonable hours to our great inconvenience, or be deprived the pleasure of participating in full communion with our brethren."

The endorsement of Western Star Lodge attached to the petition of Barton Lodge intimates, but does not fully explain the reason why no action was taken by the Grand Lodge on the petition of Porter Lodge, of which mention is made under that head. The following sentence is contained in the recommendation of Western Star Lodge for the lodge at Black Rock, to be called " Barton Lodge, and that all former recommendations for a lodge at that place be recalled." The first candidate initiated in Barton Lodge was Samuel Everett, farmer, December 22, 1824. In the list of those initiated are also found Benjamin Bidwell, ship carpenter, December 22, 1824; Levi Allen, tavern keeper, February 21, 1826; Daniel Lockwood, lawyer, May 23, 1826; George McKnight, merchant's clerk, May 23, 1826; William T. Pratt, silversmith, May 23, 1826; Abner Cutler, cabinet maker, May 30, 1826. James L. Barton, after whom the lodge was named, was its master for 1825; Roger Jones for 1826, and John D. Harty for 1827, '28 and '29; beyond the last named year, during which Brother George McKnight was secretary, our information does not extend. The lodge succumbed to the anti-masonic blast which swept over the western part of the State of New York, and was not revived again.

http://localhistory.morrisville.edu/sites/unitinfo/bidwell.html Daniel Davidson Bidwell - from the Buffalo Daily Courier, 21 October 1864:DEATH OF BRIG. GEN. D. D. BIDWELL.The telegraph despatches which came to us yesterday afternoon, laden with victory to our arms under the gallant Sheridan, also brought the sad intelligence of the death of Brigadier General Daniel D. Bidwell of this city. A terrific battle was fought at Cedar Creek on Wednesday, the 19th instant, between the forces of Gen. Sheridan and General Longstreet, resulting in a splendid triumph to the Union forces, but alas: in the death of a soldier and an officer whom the people of Buffalo had learned to love him for his earnestness in his country's cause, and for the sublime courage he had displayed on many a bloody field. With the joyful notes of victory came blended the harsher ones which spoke of a terrible sacrifice in the loss of General Daniel D. Bidwell, one of Buffalo's ablest and bravest representatives in the Union Army; and need it be wondered that our people considered the vic tory almost too dearly won? More than a passing tribute is due to the lamented dead, and we feel how utterly incompetent we are to do justice, in a brief sketch, to the memory of one whose military career has been so glorious. Brigadier General Daniel D. Bidwell, was the son of Benjamin Bidwell, Esq., for many years the leading ship-builder in this city, and was born in the village of Black Rock.

Colonel Bidwell went home on leave of absence as his father, Benjamin Bidwell, was very ill. He died 21 Dec 1862. Benjamin Bidwell was the pioneer shipbuilder of Buffalo. As his son was now participating in the Civil War, the father had participated in the War of 1812, his home being burned by the British after the ill-fated Battle of Black Rock, December 30, 1813, in which battle Benjamin Bidwell served as a volunteer in the American army. Three generations of the family fought in America's wars; the grandfather, John Bidwell, participated in the Revolutionary War, being present in the campaign about New York in 1776, and also in the campaign at Saratoga in 1777 at which Burgoyne surrendered.

The Life of General Daniel Davidson Bidwell, Compiled by FREDERICK DAVID BIDWELL, Albany, New York http://www.archive.org/stream/lifeofgeneraldan00bidw/lifeofgeneraldan00bidw_djvu.txt General Daniel Davidson Bidwell came of Puritan ancestry, his direct ancestor having been John Bidwell, one of the pioneers of the Hartford Colony. In the old graveyard of the First Congregational Church of Hartford, Connecticut, now called the Center Cemetery or Ancient Burying Ground is a monument to the founders of the colony which contains one hundred and one names. The first name upon the monument is that of the Reverend Thomas Hooker, who in 1636 led the little party over one hundred miles thru a trackless wilderness from Newtown, now Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the banks of the Connecticut, where the settlement of Hartford was

19

made. In bold inscription upon the north face of this monument appears the name of John Bidwell as one of the founders of the colony.

John Bidwell had a tan yard on an island in what is now Bushnell Park in Hartford. His house lot was on the east side of Trumbull street, near Pearl, in that city in 1640. With Joseph Bull he built a saw mill on Saw Mill River, now Herkanum River in 1669. They were granted 240' acres in the next commons for timber for their mill in 1671. He shared with three others in a tract of 270 acres in the distribution of 1666 probably lying along Burnside avenue, once Bidwell's lane.

Hartford was a dual community and had maintained its unity under a virtual treaty by which the north side and the south side inhabitants shared in equally in its government. In 1669 the Second Church of Hartford was organized, most of its founders being south side inhabitants. John Bidwell and his wife, Sarah Wilcox, were among the original members of this Second Church.

Descending to the fifth generation we reach John Bidwell, the grandfather of General Bidwell. He was born at Chatham, Connecticut, December 28, 1750. In the Revolutionary War he served in the campaign around New York in August, September and October as a sergeant in the 23d Regiment of Connecticut Militia and participated in the battles of Long Island and White Plains. The next year he participated in the two battles of Saratoga, being orderly sergeant in Captain Blake's company of Colonel Thaddeus Cook's regiment.

Then until the close of the war he was Assistant Commissary under Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth of Hartford, who was one of the State's Commissaries appointed to supply all necessary stores and provisions for the troops.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Chatham, Connecticut, November 14, 1780, John Bidwell, Samuel Taylor and Gideon Arnold were chosen to receive the salt provided by the State for the Town of Chatham and also to receive the provision as it was brought in and to inspect and procure the cask and put up the same.

The same day John Bidwell, Samuel Taylor and Gideon Arnold were chosen to collect the assessment on the inhabitants and the tax on the non-residents.

It was voted on January 8, 1781, to raise a rate of one penny and a half penny on the pound to be paid in flour and corn agreeable to an act of General Assembly in order to supply the State soldiers. The persons chosen to receive and collect the said rate were John Bidwell, Samuel Taylor and Jared Parmelee.

On July 5, 1781, John Bidwell, Gideon Arnold and Enoch Smith, Jr., were chosen receivers of provision and clothing.

After the Revolutionary War he moved to Kinderhook in New York State and purchased a farm of 240 acres where he died in 1825.

Benjamin Bidwell

The ninth child of John Bidwell was Benjamin Bidwell, born at Chatham, Connecticut, May 7, 1790. In the ship yard of his brother-in-law, Asa Stannard, at Hudson, New York, he learned the trade of shipbuilder. Porter, Barton and Company were developing the Niagara Frontier and in 1808 they contracted with Asa Stannard to come to Lewiston on the Niagara river and build a vessel for them. A second vessel was built, and then Asa Stannard, with Benjamin Bidwell as a partner, established a ship yard at Black Rock.

It was in the ship yard of Stannard and Bidwell at Black Rock that Henry Eckford sent by the Government to superintend the preparation of five vessels for the fleet of Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, had the work performed. Out from the ship yard of Stannard and Bidwell at Black Rock on June 6, 1813, Captain Perry sailed with the Caledonia, Somers, Amelia, Ohio, and Contractor, his flotilla being loaded with naval stores. He reached Erie, Pennsylvania, thirteen days later. Benjamin Bidwell went to Erie and assisted in building the brigs Lawrence and Niagara.

"As a gunner in Lieutenant John Seeley's company of artillery consisting of twenty-five men, Benjamin Bidwell participated in the ill-fated battle of Black Rock on December 30, 1813.

Mrs. Jonathan Sidway's ''Recollections of the Burning of Buffalo during the War of 1812" among other things says:

''Not long after father's return from Fort George (her father was Gamaliel Saint John), say three or four days, Colonel Preston sent a special messenger requesting him to come over to Fort Erie. On going over to Fort Erie he learned that Colonel Preston wanted to know where the ferry boats were. After much counciling as to ways and means by which the military supplies could be got across the river, he was requested by Colonel Preston to go and hunt up the ferry boat and see that it was made available for that purpose.

"He engaged to do so. On coming back to this side of the Niagara River he found that one Orange Dean had some special grants from the State authorities giving him control over the ferry, but that in consequence of the war he had, for a time at least, abandoned his rights, and had taken his boat down to Scajaquada Creek and sunk it.

"Father went down to the creek and calling on Benjamin Bidwell, a young man living near that creek, engaged him as a ship carpenter to help in repairing the boat in the event of its being found. It was found deep in the mud, and seriously broken, but the bottom was found to be sound. Benjamin Bidwell was the chief worker in making the necessary repairs, in which he was more or less assisted in various ways by others, among whom was my brother, Elijah."

Captain Augustus Walker's paper ''From Early Days on the Lakes," says: "The schooner, Erie, was built by Stannard and Bidwell in 1816 and was owned by Sill, Thompson and Company, and Captain M. T. Miller commanded her the first and second seasons.

At that time she was considered a fine model, having a large amount of dead-rise to her floor. She was acknowledged by all to be the fastest sailor upon the lakes, especially in beating to windward. The schooner, Eed Jacket, was built by Stannard and Bidwell at Black Rock in 1820. She was the last sail craft built by them, steamboats now having come into use upon the lakes."

20

Stannard and Bidwell with all the carpenters in their employ were engaged in the construction of the first steamboat launched upon the lakes, The-Walk-in-the-Water [see below *], which was built at Black Rock in 1818.

In 1821 Asa Stannard retired from the firm, chapter 194 of the State session laws of that year having leased the ferry and ferry lot at Black Rock for a period of five years at an annual rental of $100. Stannard 's sons followed the water and became captains of lake steamers. The shipbuilding firm now became Bidwell and Davidson and with the opening of the Erie Canal the ship yard was moved from Black Rock to Buffalo. After the death of Davidson the firm was Bidwell and Banta. Larned's "History of Buffalo," says: "The old ship yard of Bidwell and Banta was a busy and important place for several decades. The first screw propellor that was built on these lake shores went into the water from its ways; and it launched some of the grandest passenger steamers of half a century ago."

When the Buffalo Board of Trade was organized in 1845 Benjamin Bidwell was one of the original members. His death occurred December 21, 1862.

The mother of General Bidwell was quite a remarkable woman. Her name was Jane Harvey and she was born in Vermont August 1, 1791. She came to Black Rock in 1810 and she married Benjamin Bidwell July 25, 1811.

To stimulate Union sentiment in Buffalo during the Civil War Mrs. Jane Harvey Bidwell and thirty-seven ladies of Buffalo who were resident in Black Rock or Buffalo during the War of 1812 presented on July 4, 1861 to Ex-President Millard Fillmore as captain of the Union Continentals, a beautiful flag, the staff of which was composed of eighteen pieces of wood of various sorts native to America, typifying the eighteen states which constituted the Federal Union in 1812.

In 1906 tlie Buffalo Historical Society in Volume IX published ''Pioneer Reminiscences by Mrs. Jonathan Sidway, Mrs. Martha Saint John Skinner, Mrs. Jane Harvey Bidwell, William Hedge and others who bore a part in the strenuous days of Buffalo's infancy." The introduction states that these papers were written many years ago and deposited with the Buffalo Historical Society. At that time the society was not able to undertake their publication; but the wise forethought which saw to it that these papers were penned before it was too late, now enables us to help till in the printed record of Buffalo 's early days, especially of the crucial days of the War of 1812.

Mrs. Bidwell's paper was entitled "In the Midst of Alarms; Experiences of Black Rock and Buffalo Families under the fire of the Enemy in the War of 1812," and was dated February 22, 1864, It is given herewith:

''About the fore part of October 1812 we were alarmed by the British tiring across the Niagara River, tho nothing serious occurred until our own men crossed and cut out the two vessels then stationed off Fort Erie, which caused great excitement. While trying to bring them across one of them got away and floated down the river, landing on the out side of Squaw Island, where she grounded, and the British burned her. The other vessel our men brought over safe and landed her in Scajaquada Creek. While Major Cuyler was giving orders to his men to get ropes from a storehouse to tow her down, a cannon ball took his head off, as he sat on his horse. This caused a still greater alarm, and the inhabitants one and all sought safe places of refuge.

''My husband, Benjamin Bidwell, came home at sunrise, and requested me to go with him to his sister's, Mrs. Stannard's, who lived across a small run near by, not more than one hundred feet distant. As the cellar to her house was barricaded, we thought it a safe retreat; but while we were going to Mrs. Stannard's a cannon ball passed us, the concussion of which threw down a little girl I was leading by the hand, but no injury was done her. My child being sick, I was obliged to carry him in my arms.

"When we arrived at our sister's, we concluded the woods would be a safe place, accordingly we direct our journey thither, where we met with many of our acquaintances, among others, Mrs. Sill, and Mrs. Seeley, with their families. Mrs. Sill went to her home for provisions and cooking utensils. After we had kindled a fire and had the breakfast nearly ready, another cannon ball took possession of it, scattering it all over the woods; whereupon we thought best to scatter ourselves and not wait for the enemy's balls to do it.

"Mr. Bidwell went back to Mr. Stannard's barn, harnessed the horses, hitched them to the wagon, returned to the woods, took all the children and such as could not walk in the wagon; and leaving the rest to follow, we went out to Cold Springs and stopped with Mr. Hodge, where we succeeded in getting our breakfast after four o 'clock P. M. After tarrying with Mr. Hodge one night and two days, we returned to our homes.

"Some two or three weeks after this, a party of soldiers and sailors crossed the river, spiked the cannon and burned the barracks just opposite our house. A house belonging to Mr. Douglas they made their quarters, where they kept their prisoners and their dead and wounded, and brought Lieutenant King to a house across the road from our house, where he remained until his death from wounds. While he was there I did his cooking.

''We were next disturbed on Sunday, the 15th of July, when the alarm was given that the red-coats had crossed the river and were marching on Black Rock, taking our men prisoners as they went along. Colonel Bisshopp commanding the expedition of the red-coats, came to me, wishing to enter a grocery owned by Mr. Williams, which had been left in my possession, under the plea of wishing to buy tea and tobacco. As there was none, he found a cask of goods that was to be sent to Fort George. Being anxious to see the contents he took his sword and commenced ripping it open. While doing so the trumpet sounded and he left for the battlefield. Where the house afterwards built by General Porter now stands. Colonel Bisshopp was shot from his horse. They took him to the beach, placed him in a boat to carry him across the river, and he died.

''The next day, Monday, we left our home and went to the Plains, stopping with Mr. Atkins one week, when we again returned to our homes, where we remained until Lewiston was burned. Being again alarmed, we went to Mr. Curtiss' place on the Plains and stayed about ten days. In the meantime the government had possession of our homes for quarters.

"We did not return again until after the burning of Black Rock and Buffalo. Our house being burned with the rest; we went from Mr. Curtiss' to Harris' tavern, beyond Eleven-mile Creek. From there we went to Spooner's tavern, where we found a great many from Buffalo, the Wells and Johnson families and others. From there we started for Kinderhook on the Hudson River. "We did not return until the next August.

21

"In the following November we rebuilt part of our house. During a great part of the time Mr. Bidwell was engaged in building the fleet at Sacketts Harbor and Erie; and at the burning of Black Rock and Buffalo he was one of the volunteers who started from Cold Springs to try and protect Black Rock and Buffalo, and drive the red-coats back. At the time Colonel Bisshopp was shot Mr. Bidwell and Mr. Stannard were engaged in making oars for the government. ' '

Mrs. Bidwell was seventy-three years of age when the above was written. She died March 4, 1875.

The Walk-in-the-Water

Walk-in the-Water, the first steamboat on Lake Erie, with a view of Detroit in 1821.It brought Detroit to within two days journey of Buffalo, New York.

The original drawing was made by Major Washington Whistler, father of the famous painter.The large house at the extreme left was the residence of Grand Master Lewis Cass, Governor of Michigan, 1813-31.

The house above the bow of the ship belonged to Joseph Campau, a member of Zion Lodge,and the owner of the property on Jefferson leased to Monroe Chapter No. 1, R.A.M.,

upon which the Chapter built Detroit’s first Masonic Temple.

http://www.kelleysislandhistorical.org/island_ships/walk_in_the_water.htm

Her gross tonnage was 338 tons. Her length was 135 feet. The width over the guardrails was 32 feet. The width of the beam was 8 feet and 6 inches. She was the first steamer on Lake Erie. She was built in 1818 at Black Rock, near Buffalo and served on the upper lakes. She was owned by the Lake Erie Steamboat Company, and ran from Buffalo to Detroit, making stops at Cleveland and Erie. She was wrecked near Point Algino, about 12 miles from Buffalo, on November 1, 1821.

The WALK-IN-THE-WATER was the first steamboat on Lake Erie. She was built as a passenger and freight carrier in 1918, near Buffalo, New York. She was for service on the upper lakes. She was owned by the Lake Erie Steamboat Company. She ran from Buffalo to Detroit, making stops at Cleveland and Erie.

The steamer was a cross between a steamer and a sailing craft. She carried two high masts and was fitted with a square-rigged foresail. Her new-fangled smoke stack stood between the masts amidship. Two large paddle boxes, which housed her paddle

22

wheels, were placed exactly amidship and protruded clumsily from her deck. She was about one hundred fifty feet in overall length, with a thirty-foot beam, and had an eight-foot depth. Her gross tonnage was three hundred thirty-eight tons. Her bow was as high as her stern, which was similar to the sailing ships of that time. She proudly displayed on her bow a carved figurehead of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.

Her passenger quarters were all below deck. The women's cabins were partitioned in the forward part of the boat. The men's quarters followed. Next was the small dining room, and last the tiny smoking room, which was connected to the baggage room.

Since the steam whistle had not yet been invented, the WALK-IN-THE-WATER proudly displayed a small cannon mounted on her forward deck. This was used to signal the ships intentions. It was always fired just before she docked to inform the people of the port of her arrival. A farewell shot was customarily fired upon her departure.

The name WALK-IN-THE-WATER was given to her by the Indians. She was launched in May and started on her voyage on August 23, 1818. The power to get her up the fast current of the Niagara River was almost impossible. There was 20 pair of oxen used to help her travel from Buffalo to Lake Erie. She carried twenty-nine passengers. The fare was $8.00 to Erie, $15.00 to Cleveland, and $24.00 to Detroit. After making her stops, the WALK-IN-THE-WATER arrived at Detroit on the morning on August 26, 1818. She was the first steamboat to sail on Lake Erie, Huron, and Michigan. She was the third steamboat on the Great Lakes.

She continued to run between Buffalo and Detroit for the rest of the year and throughout 1819. In June of 1820, she made a trip from Detroit through Lake Huron to Mackinac Island. She landed with some passengers and a detachment of U.S. soldiers. In August of 1820, she again went to Mackinac and from there proceeded to Green Bay on Lake Michigan. It was the first pleasure cruise in history by a steamboat.

Busy throughout the season of 1821, the WALK-IN-THE-WATER left Buffalo for Cleveland in the afternoon of October 31, 1821, with some passengers and freight. That evening a typical gale blew up. The WALK-IN-THE-WATER began to leak. She turned back for Buffalo, unable to make much headway against the storm. One of the anchor ropes broke and the WALK-IN-THE-WATER began to drag on the anchor. She grounded on the beach south of the Buffalo harbor entrance. All of the people were safely shown to shore. Later, when the weather had subsided, it was possible to salvage her furniture, equipment and machinery.

Her engine was put into the SUPERIOR in 1822. The SUPERIOR replaced the WALK-IN-THE-WATER.

Excerpts from an article by Captain Hamilton. Courtesy of Rutherford B. Hayes Memorial Library.

Patent of Abner Cutler for a roll-up deskIn 1881, Abner Cutler, of Buffalo, NY, and presumably a relative of Fred H. Cutler, was awarded the earliest patent we have found for a true roll-top desk (although the patent did not use the term "roll-top"). Abner Cutler filed the application for this patent in 1880. 

This is the earliest evidence we found for a desk that looks like the roll-top desks were widely used for the next several decades.

http://books.google.com/books?id=b4pGAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA141&lpg=PA141&dq=%22Abner+Cutler%22&source=bl&ots=la0P1rlsgD&sig=bw8y5OlFcCzDwsyx6QAdrqAHkXg&hl=en&ei=nAEAS4zCLsOAnQeyzMEk&sa=X&oi=book_r

esult&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBYQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=%22Abner%20Cutler%22&f=false page 141.

ABNER CUTLER (Josoph,5 Joseph,4 Isaac,3 James,2 James1) was born at Paris, Oneida, NY, in 1802. He was the sixth child of Joseph Cutler and Dothea Judd. His boyhood was spent on the farm. When sixteen years old he was apprenticed to Silas Sikes, a cabinet maker of Clinton, NY, where he worked three years. He then found employment in New York city with Thomas Constantino. Here he soon learned what was known of cabinet-making at that time. He next worked in Chittenango, Madison, NY. In 1824 Mr. Cutler started out to make his own way in the world. Making the acquaintance of a Mr. Stearns of Mendon, Monroe County, they formed a co-partnership, and in September they established themselves at Black Hock, three miles below Buffalo, on the Niagara River, as cabinet makers, and were soon in the market with "fall-leaf" tables of their own manufacture. Here he remained five years. It was now evident that Black Rock was soon to be the suburb, Buffalo the city and center of business, to which place he removed in 1829, and opened a cabinet shop on Main street, between Swan and South Division streets.

About this time the use of machinery, which consisted of circular and jig saws and turning lathe, was introduced into his shop. He is credited with starting the first boring machine on record, which was in 1829; this consisted of a bit fitted into the end of the mandrel of his circular saw. The power for the purpose of driving this machinery was obtained from a wheel seven feet in diameter, turned by a crank by a blind man. This method soon yielded to horse power, the horse making a circuit and drawing a long sweep pole. Thus we see him sixty years ago, while now at the age of eighty-six we find him at the head of an extensive establishment which comprises one factory one hundred and sixty-five by one hundred feet, another two hundred by one hundred and thirty-two, and a ware-room two hundred and fifty by one hundred feet, covering nearly an acre, containing all the modern machinery known to the trade. One of his specialties is the ingenious and complicated desk, which, covered by half a dozen patents, is so favorably known all over the country, as the most perfect of its kind yet made. It would be difficult to add anything to heighten the contrasts afforded by the lifetime of this single individual. He married, July 21, 1828, Lydia, daughter of Adam Grey of Little Falls, NY. Children:

23

i. MARIA m. Thomas Bassett; res. in Chicago, ii. JOHN, d. aged three and one-half years. iii. ABNER, d. aged nine months.iv. GRACE, m. O. A. Bogue; res. in Chicago, v. AGNES, b. 1839; d. 1857. vi. FRED HUDSON, b. July 22, 1843, in Buffalo, N. Y.vii. KATIE, b. 1848; d. 1865.

------

The lodges were progressing under favorable conditions. On their rolls of membership were registered a large number of highly respectable and intelligent citizens. This growth increased the jealousy and enmity of the anti-Masons. The sudden disappearance, therefore, of the notorious William Morgan on the 12th of September, 1826, who was reported to have been drowned by the Masons in the Niagara river, led to hostile demonstrations. Unfortunately for the Masonic fraternity, nothing definite could be discovered of the fate of this individual. The adversaries of Masonry under control of designing leaders, were not slow in making use of the rumor of his murder to fan the spark into a flame. Anti-Masonry swept over the land like a whirlwind, shaking the institution to its foundation. Manipulated by skillful but unscrupulous politicians, the anti-Masonic faction increased in strength and power and forced many lodges to discontinue their labors. The Masonic fraternity was subjected to every variety of indignity and persecution, and many weak-kneed members were forced to renounce their membership. The progress of Masonry received a check throughout the United States, and it was only in the year 1843, that the anti-Masonic party lost its political power. Anti-Masonry died, but Masonry survived. All efforts to drag it into the dust and to cast suspicion upon its aims, were in vain. It has spread and developed and in the course of time has essentially aided civilization. Founded upon an indelible necessity of human nature, it has and is fulfilling its high mission. It educates the members to practice love and charity, imbues them with moral courage, with a devotion to truth, and enjoins upon them a faithful performance of duty. It offers consolation to the afflicted, restores the erring to the path of virtue, dries the tears of widows and orphans, and creates many institutions for beneficent purposes. An institution resting upon such principles can only receive a temporary check from prejudice and ignorance.

Among the lodges who had ceased their labors during the anti-Masonic ascendency, were those of Erie county. The revival of Masonry imparted new life to its adherents here also and once more were they permitted to gather around the altars which they had been forced to abandon. The old members, with undiminished love for the institution in their hearts, again met in council. A petition to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York for a dispensation to form a new lodge, was circulated in Buffalo in November, 1844, and eagerly signed. The thirty two brethren, true and trusty, who attached their signatures to the document were:

Levi Allen, Benjamin H. Austin, Henry B. Myer, Selah Barnard, Benjamin Bidwell, Orman Butler, Joseph A. Cameron, Merlin Camp,

George Case, Nehemiah Case, Abner Cutler, Joseph Dorr Solomon Drullard, Elijah D. Ef[f]ner, James Forristall, Horatio G. Gates,

Christian Heistend, Miles Jones, John McPherson, Thomas Muller, Isaac W. Newkirk, Charles S. Pierce, Stephen Powers, Charles Radcliffe,

Nelson Randall, Robert Russell, David C. Sough, Daniel M. Seaver, Darius Smith. Cornelius A. Waldron, John A. Weimer, Thomas J. Winslow,

Of these good men and true Nehemiah Case, Abner Cutler and Levi Allen are still living at a good old age, honored by all Masons as well as by their friends and neighbors.

The Grand Lodge granted a dispensation on the 31st of January, 1845, for the formation of Hiram Lodge; it was received with joy by the brethren who had been called together to meet on Friday, February 14, 1845. Brother H. B. Myer, who had been named Master of the lodge, presided on the occasion. At the first meeting of the lodge under dispensation, February 28, 1845, petition for membership was presented from Brother Horatio Warren, who subsequently filled the office of Master of Washington Lodge No. 240. At the same time petitions for initiation were received from Ebenezer B. Putress and John W. Davock. At the communication of the lodge March 7, 1845, the Master, Brother H. B. Myer, reported that Brother Dr. Clark had placed in his hands the jewels of the old lodge (Western Star Lodge No. 239) excepting the square and compass. The latter having been lost, it was ordered that new ones be procured in their place. Some years after that a Brother from Buffalo, visiting a lodge in Detroit, found the two long lost jewels in that city. They were returned to Hiram Lodge as will hereafter appear. The dispensation, which expired by limitation with the session of the Grand Lodge in June, was extended by the Grand Master to October 20, 1845. At the communication of the lodge December 19, 1845, the Master announced that the warrant from the Grand Lodge had been received. It is dated December 5, 1845. The lodge is registered on the rolls of the Grand Lodge as Hiram Lodge No. 105.

Hiram Lodge No. 105. — At the communication of the lodge 26 Dec 1845, the following brethren were elected its officers:—Henry B. Myer, Master; Nelson Randall, S. W.; Charles S. Pierce, J. W.; Robert Russell, treasurer; Stephen Powers secretary. On the 1st of January, 1846, the lodge was constituted and its officers installed by the following brethren, who acted as Grand officers: - Brother Asher Torrance, P. M., of Lockport Lodge No. 73, as G. M., assisted by Brothers Peter P. Murphv, of the same place, as G. M.; W. E. Cooper, Lockport Lodge No. 73, as S. G. W.; B. H. Fletcher, as J. G. W.; Charles French, Hiram Lodge No. 105, as Grand Treasurer; G. Dennison, of the

same lodge as G. C.; W. Harrison of Lockport Lodge No. 73, as S. G. D.; A. H. Eastman, of the same lodge, as J. G. D., and A. Brush, of the same lodge, as G. T. In addition to the elected officers, the following appointed officers were duly installed :—Brother Carlos Cobb, S. D.; James McCredie, J. D.; Miles Jones and Charles Pickering, S.; and James A. Forristall, T. The lodge held its meetings on the fourth floor of the building now known as No. 219 Main street. Some of the paper with which the walls of the room were decorated (imitation marble blocks and columns) may still be seen in its place at the present time. The owner of the building seems to have been a Mr. Dart. The lodge adopted a resolution May 1, 1846, notifying him that it would continue to occupy the room for another year, if properly repaired. The annual rent paid was $75. Brother E. S. Barnum, of Utica, was appointed proxy to

24

represent the lodge at the June session of the Grand Lodge in 1846. As the membership of the lodge increased, it became evident that more extensive quarters were required and on 23 Oct 1846, a resolution was adopted to rent the room on the third floor of Brother Case's building, on the corner of Exchange and Washington streets, at $150.00 per annum. At the communication of the lodge, May 21, 1847, a resolution was adopted that the building committee, together with the tiler, take charge of the removal of the furniture and fixtures of the lodge to the new lodge room. The expense of moving and the preparation of the new hall had entailed a heavy outlay on the young lodge and that, together with frequent calls for charity, kept its finances at a low ebb. At a communication of the lodge August 4, 1848, Brothers James Wenz, Ehrman and others requested the lodge to recommend their petition to the Grand Lodge to give its approval to the formation of a German Lodge in Buffalo, with which the lodge readily complied. Buffalo Chapter No 71, of Royal Arch Masons had become the successor of Niagara Chapter No. 71, which had succumbed to the force of circumstances. It became a tenant of the new hall under Hiram Lodge in 1848.

The spirit of Masonry reviving throughout the western part of the State of New York, a request was presented to the lodge October 22, 1848, from Brother Budlong and others, for a recommendation of their, petition to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, for a dispensation to form Mount Moriah Lodge, at Jamestown, NY. The assent was readily given:

The brethren above spoken of, who had petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to establish a German Lodge, were successful in their application. The members of Hiram Lodge rejoiced with them in their success and adopted a resolution on the 10th of November, 1848, congratulating the new sister lodge, Concordia, on the auspicious event and expressing its good wishes for its welfare and prosperity. Concordia Lodge also became an occupant of the new hall. The two lodges jointly celebrated St. John's day on the 27th of December, 1848, by a supper at Brother Dorsheimer's (Mansion House.')

On the 29th of December, 1848, Brother Nelson Randall, Master, publicly installed the officers elect for the ensuing year, in the lodge room, which was witnessed by a large and highly respectable audience. Brother Horatio Gates delivered an able address on the occasion, which was well received.

On the 27th of April, 1849, Hiram Lodge adopted a resolution to celebrate the approaching St. John's day publicly, provided Concordia Lodge and Buffalo Chapter approve of the same. Both gave their assent readily; but the 24th day of June falling upon Sunday, the celebration occurred on the 25th.

The following address casting some light upon Masonic affairs at that time, was issued by the fraternity soon after Concordia Lodge and Buffalo Chapter* had approved the resolution:—

"The members of the Masonic fraternity composing Buffalo Chapter, No. 71, Hiram Lodge, No. 105, and Concordia Lodge, believing the time has now come when the interest of our beloved institution would thereby be best promoted, have resolved to celebrate the next anniversary of our ancient Brother, St. John the Baptist, and have, from their respective bodies, appointed the undersigned a committee of arrangements, to carry such resolutions into effect; with instructions to invite our brethren at a distance to participate with us in the honors of the day. Committee of Buffalo Chapter, No. 71, C. H. Dibble, N. Case, M. Jones, G. W. Allen, B. H. Austin, H. W. Rogers, P. Dorsheimer. Committee of Hiram Lodge, No. 105, C. S. Pierce, F. S. Wheeler, B. Welch, Jr., B. Bidwell, C. Cobb, J. McCredie, C. Pickering. Committee of Concordia Lodge, U. D., J. Wenz, P. Ehrman, J. Weil, F. Atwicker, F. A. Georger, G. Black, В. Weimar.

"This being the first public demonstration in this section, for many years, it is desirable that the procession should be numerous and imposing; so that the unenlightened may see and know that Masonry was ‘not dead but sleeping.' * * * We rejoice in being able to say that the prejudices which once existed against our order here have nearly passed away, giving good reasons to hope that they will soon be numbered among the things that were.

"The 24th of June being Sunday, the celebration will be on Monday, the 25th. The procession will form precisely at ю o'clock, at Masonic Hall, on the corner of Washington and Exchange streets, and proceed thence to one of the churches of the city, where an oration will be delivered and other appropriate exercises will take place according to ancient usage.

"Your attendance is hereby cordially and earnestly solicited, either in a body or individually. It is expected that chapters and lodges will bring their jewels, and brothers their regalia.

"Respectfully and fraternally yours,"O. H. DIBBLE, (P. H. P.) Chairman."JAMES McCREDIE, Secretary."

Besides the members of the lodges and the chapters a large number of visiting brethren were present. The procession proceeded, according to arrangement, to the Universalist Church on Washington street, where, after appropriate services, the Rev. Brother Dolphus Skinner, from Oneida county, delivered the address in the presence of a large audience.

At the communication of Hiram Lodge, June 1, 1849, a resolution was adopted recommending to the Grand Lodge of the State the petition of Brother Isaac Bloss and others for the revival of the charter of Hanover Lodge at Forestville, Chautauqua county.

We are indebted for a copy of this address, to that ardent veteran Mason, Brother James McCredie. and we take pleasure in acknowledging that he has placed us under obligations for much other valuable information.

On the 15th of June, 1849, Brother Randall, Master, informed the lodge that the Grand Lodge had remitted one-half of the Grand Lodge dues for the past year, amounting to fifty-six dollars.

On the 21st of December, 1849, the resolution was adopted, "That this lodge recommend the petition of Brothers N. Randall, C. Cobb and others to the Grand Lodge for a new lodge to be held in this city, to be called Erie Lodge."

On the 31st of January, 1851, the lodge appointed Brother Dibble a delegate to attend a meeting of delegates to be held in Albany, NY, February 7th, for the purpose of discussing the propriety of building an asylum for indigent Masons, their widows and orphans. And again, on the 3d of May of the same year, the same subject being again before the lodge and its members desiring to testify

25

their desire to carry out practically the greatest and noblest principle of the institution—charity— adopted the resolution, " That our representative W. Brother Benjamin H. Austin, be instructed to attend the convention of delegates to be held in the city of New York June 3d next, for the purpose of erecting a Masonic Asylum, and to support the object intended as far as he may think proper."

On a preceding page of this sketch, it is stated that at the communication of the lodge, March 7, 1845, the jewels of the old lodge (Western Star No. 239) had been presented to Hiram Lodge, except the square and compass, which were missing, but subsequently found in Detroit. The fact coming to the knowledge of the lodge, the preamble and resolutions were offered and adopted June 2, 1852:—

WHEREAS, We have long cherished as inestimable tokens of remembrance of a distinguished and worthy brother of our order, the Hon. DeWitt Clinton, the jewels presented by him to Western Star Lodge No. 239, now the property of this lodge; and,

WHEREAS, We have learned with the greatest pleasure that of those jewels, the compass and square, which have for a long time been missing, are now in the possession of Lodge No. _____, at Detroit, Mich. Therefore,

Resolved, That the brethren of Lodge No. ___, at Detroit, be respectfully asked to deliver to the compass and square of Western Star Lodge No. 239, of New York, for Hiram Lodge No. 105, of New York.

Resolved, That we will regard a compliance with the request contained in the foregoing resolution, as a token of the high consideration which the Freemasons have for their brethren.

Resolved, That the secretary of this lodge be directed to send a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions to the secretary of Lodge, No. ____, at Detroit, Mich."

The square and compass were surrendered by the lodge at Detroit to Hiram Lodge, in whose possession the whole of the jewels have remained ever since. They had a very narrow escape from being destroyed at the fire in December, 1882, of which mention will be made hereafter. The square, which still remains discolored from smoke, was shown us a short time ago. It has the following inscription: "Presented by the M. W. Grand Master DeWitt Clinton, to Western Star Lodge No. 239." They are priceless jewels.

Hiram Lodge received an invitation from the building committee of the German Evangelical Church at Lower Black Rock, to participate in laying the corner-stone of said church, on Thursday, August 26, 1852, which was accepted.

At the communication of February 25, 1853, a petition to the Grand Lodge for a new lodge was presented, requesting the recommendation of Hiram Lodge. The lodge was to be known as Parish Lodge, and to be located at Black Rock. The following were the names of the brethren attached to the petition: Brothers Levi Love, Stephen W. Howell, L. P. Dayton, John Rudy, John H. VanBenthusen, Reuben Justin, Alexander McCloud, Hiram B. Lusk and William P. Sheldon. Hiram Lodge recommended the petition.

At the suggestion of Erie Lodge No. 161, a committee was appointed at the meeting of March 4, 1853, to take in consideration the propriety and feasibility of erecting a Masonic Temple in the city of Buffalo.

A number of influential members of the fraternity throughout the State, deeming it desirable that the Grand Lodge of the State of New York should be divided. Hiram Lodge adopted a resolution August 191 1853, to attend by delegation a convention to be held at Rochester, September 2, to consider the propriety of carrying out the proposition.

The rapid increase of the German population of the city and the favor with which Freemasonry was viewed as its principles became better known and understood by the intelligent classes, brought a large number of applications for admission to the lodges. A second German Lodge became a necessity, and brother James Wenz, in connection with other German Masons, petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation for a new lodge, which was endorsed by Hiram Lodge at its communication of May 12, 1854.

The officers elect of Hiram Lodge for the year 1855, were publicly installed in American Hall, which was filled on the occasion to its utmost capacity. The applications for charity became more frequent and the lodges of Buffalo found it necessary to establish in self-protection, a central Board for that purpose, to which all applications were to be referred. On the 22d ol July, 1855, Hiram Lodge appointed a committee to act in conjunction with like committees for that purpose, from Erie, Washington, Queen City and Ancient Landmarks Lodges, who agreed upon "Articles of Association of the Masonic Board of Relief of the City of Buffalo." The first representatives of Hiram Lodge in the Board were Past Masters James H. Barton and William F. Rogers. The necessary funds for charitable purposes were supplied by an assessment of twelve per cent, on the receipts of the lodges who were associated in the Board. Hiram Lodge, as well as the rest of the Masonic Lodges, Chapters and Commanderies, were invited by the proper authorities to participate in the laying of the corner-stone of the State Arsenal, on Batavia street (now Broadway), in Buffalo. The ceremony was performed by the Grand Lodge on the 5th of May, 1858.

A number of brethren desirous of forming a new lodge, to be called DeMolay Lodge, petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation. Hiram Lodge recommended the petition to the favorable consideration of the Grand Lodge, at its communication of January 20, 1860.

The lodge rooms heretofore occupied by a majority of the Masonic bodies of Buffalo, on the corner of Washington and Exchange streets,, having ceased to be convenient for their accommodation, it was determined to move to more suitable quarters. The upper floor of the building on the corner of Main and Swan streets, known as Townsend Hall, was selected and rented from its owners at an annual rent of $400, and suitably fitted up and furnished by the lodges who had heretofore met at the corner of Washington and Exchange streets.

It was on the 1st of August, 1861, that Hiram Lodge held its first communication in the new hall, which was properly dedicated to the use of Masonry, by the Grand Master of the State, M. W. Brother Finlay M. King, on the 27th of December, of the same year.

On the 22d of January, 1864, Hiram Lodge received a communication from the president and secretary of the great Central Fair which was to be held in Buffalo on the 22d of February, for the benefit of the sick and wounded of the army and navy, to which the

26

lodge responded on the 5th of February by a donation of $200.

On the 2d of August, 1864, the lodge adopted a resolution to participate in the laying of the corner-stone of the First Universalist Church, in Buffalo, and on the 2d of September, resolved to appropriate $5 of the amount received with each petition for degrees and membership, for the hall and asylum fund.

The lodge deposited the remains of Brother Daniel D. Bidwell, with masonic ceremonies, on the 30th of October, 1864. Brother Bidwell had during the Civil War attained the rank of Brigadier-General in the volunteer army of the United States, and died a hero's death at the battle of Cedar Creek, West Virginia.

Bidwell, Daniel D., Brig. General, Hiram, 105Age, 42 years. 49th Inf Vols; Enrolled, 1 Aug 1801, at Buffalo, lo serve three years; mustered in as colonel. 21 Oct 1861; mustered out, 18 Aug 1864; appointed brigadier general; commissioned colonel, 20 Jan 1862, with rank from 18 Sep 1861,

Daniel Davidson Bidwell (August 12, 1819 – October 19, 1864) was a civic leader in Buffalo, NY, before the outbreak of the American Civil War. He enlisted early in the war and then was appointed colonel of a regiment of infantry. He was promoted to general in command of a brigade in early 1864, leading it until he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Daniel Bidwell was born on August 12, 1819, in Buffalo (Black Rock), New York, heir to the lucrative commercial interests of Benjamin Bidwell, who founded Buffalo's Banta & Bidwell Shipbuilding Company. He was raised in the city and educated in local schools. He was involved in militia and police affairs before the war. After the outbreak of war, Daniel Bidwell joined the 65th New York Infantry as a private but was promoted to the rank of captain. He then was involved in organizing the 74th New York Infantry. Bidwell next was appointed colonel of the 49th New York Infantry on August 1, 1861.

As regimental commander, he served in the Peninsula Campaign in the Second Division, VI Corps, Army of the Potomac. Bidwell apparently was not present at the Battle of South Mountain or the Battle of Antietam. In 1863, when VI Corps, under Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, crossed the Rappahannock River during the campaign culminating in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Bidwell’s

regiment served in the brigade of Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Neill in the Second Division, VI corps, now under Brig. Gen. Albion Howe. The 49th New York distinguished itself by fending off probing attacks launched by Confederate MG Jubal Early as Neill's brigade approached Fredericksburg, Virginia. Bidwell thereafter was involved in the Second Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Salem Church. On the morning of May 4, 1863, Bidwell's regiment, with artillery support, fended off an attack by the 48th Virginia Regiment from the brigade of Brig. Gen. William "Extra Billy" Smith. The New Yorkers reported capturing 200 prisoners and the colors of that regiment. The 49th New York suffered ‘only’ 35 casualties in these actions. Bidwell continued in regimental command at the Battle of Gettysburg, where he served under General Neill on the far right flank of the Army.

When the Army of the Potomac was reorganized for Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign, Bidwell retained his command under General Neill, but they had a new division commander, Brig. Gen. George Getty. When Getty was wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, Neill became acting division commander. Bidwell took over command of Neill’s brigade. The brigade had been detached from second division and sent to serve under Brig. Gen. Horatio Wright on the right flank of the Army. On May 6, Bidwell took part in an unsuccessful assault on the Confederate lines. Later in the day, when Confederate Brig. Gen. John B. Gordon attacked the exposed right flank of VI Corps, Bidwell's command was the third brigade from the right, with the commands of Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour and Brig. Gen. Alexander Shaler beyond it. Gordon's attack routed the brigades of Shaler and Seymour. Bidwell turned his brigade to face the Confederate advance and a portion of Seymour's brigade rallied on his line. This stand stopped Gordon's advance.

Bidwell led his brigade at the Battle of Spotsylvania, the Battle of Cold Harbor, and the earliest stage of the Siege of Petersburg. Colonel Bidwell was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on August 11, 1864.

Service in the Shenandoah Valley

Bidwell was present at the earliest stages of the Siege of Petersburg. Thereafter, he served in Washington, D.C., and the Shenandoah Valley. When Jubal Early moved on the capital following his ousting of Maj. Gen. David Hunter from the Valley, he crossed into Maryland. After winning the Battle of Monocacy, Early moved on Washington. He had been delayed just long enough for units of VI Corps to reach the capital. Bidwell’s brigade arrived just as the Confederates were advancing on Fort Stevens, one of the key forts on the perimeter of Washington. At a crucial stage of the Battle of Fort Stevens Bidwell's brigade moved out and pushed back Early’s troops. Bidwell’s command lost about one quarter of its numbers, about 250 of 1,000, in this action.[4]

27

Colonial Circle Statue of Gen. Bidwell, Buffalo, New York

Bidwell next was in the field under the command of Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan. Maj. Gen. Horatio Wright commanded VI Corps in the new Army of the Shenandoah, and Getty had resumed command of second division. Bidwell led his brigade at the Battle of Opequon, otherwise known as the Third Battle of Winchester, and the Battle of Fisher's Hill. At the Battle of Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864, much of the Army of the Shenandoah was ousted from its encampments by a surprise Confederate attack. VI corps was the last infantry command left contesting the enemy advance by 7:00 AM. When first and third divisions were forced to retreat, Getty's second division became the rear guard of the Union infantry force. Bidwell's brigade held the left flank of Getty's division with the 1st Vermont Brigade in the center and Col J. M. Warner's brigade on on the right. This line held despite continued Confederate attacks and then artillery fire. General Bidwell was mortally wounded by a Confederate shell while commanding his brigade. Getty eventually had to withdraw to the line from which Sheridan, who had ridden in from Winchester, Virginia launched his successful counterattack. Lt. Col. Windsor B. French of the 77th New York Infantry commanded Bidwell's brigade after he was struck down. General Bidwell was buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo.

Reference also The Life of General Daniel Davidson Bidwell, by Frederick David Bidwell. ca 1915. 223 pages, a copy of which may be read at: http://www.archive.org/stream/lifeofgeneraldan00bidw/lifeofgeneraldan00bidw_djvu.txt. A copy of this is on file in the disk archives of the OMDHS.-------

With the destruction by fire of the American Hotel and adjoining buildings in Buffalo on the 25th of January, 1865, two Masonic halls fell a prey to the devastating element, making a number of lodges homeless. Hiram Lodge immediately determined to offer to one of the lodges the temporary use of their hall for every alternate Friday, the regular nights of its meeting being on Friday of each week. A resolution was adopted at the same time to confer with the other Masonic bodies to take in consideration the feasibility of erecting a Masonic Hall for the use of the lodges in this city. The lodge at once subscribed $1,500 to the capital stock of the Masonic Hall Association. The other lodges and individual masons responded liberally to the call and the amount subscribed reached the handsome sum of $30,000. Unfortunately, however, the unsettled state of the financial affairs of the country interfered with the carrying out of the project and the plan was reluctantly abandoned.

The lodge accepted the invitation extended by the trustees of Forest Lawn Cemetery to assist in the laying of a memorial stone September 26, 1866, and on the 8th of August, 1867, lent its aid in laying the cornerstone of the State Normal School at Fredonia, N. Y.; participated in laying the corner-stone for the State Normal School in Buffalo, April 15, 1869, and of the monument of the Firemen's Benevolent Association in Forest Lawn Cemetery, July 23, 1869; of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, July 13, 1871 ; of the City and County Hall, June 24, 1872; of the asylum for the insane, September 18, 1872 ; of the Soldier's monument, Forest Lawn, October 21, 1880, and of the corner-stone of the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument, in LaFayette Square, July 4, 1882.

The petition of Brothers Kiene, Juengling, Breitweiser and others in November, 1869, to the Grand Lodge to grant a dispensation for a third German lodge in this city, met the approval of Hiram Lodge. No event of importance has occurred in the lodge for a number of years. In 1671-72, it contributed liberally to the hall and asylum fund and when in 1873, the financial crisis by which the country was overtaken compelled the Grand Lodge of the State to raise $100,000, Hiram Lodge advanced $500 towards it.

On the 10th of December, 1875, Hiram Lodge joined the Masonic Association formed for the purpose of leasing the fourth floor of Miller & Greiner's building, on the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets at the yearly rent of $1,500. The hall was fitted up in magnificent style. Hiram Lodge held its last communication in the old hall, corner of Main and Swan streets, on the 12th of March, 1876, and its first communication in the new hall, northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets, on the 24lh of June of the same year, it being St. John's day, and set apart for the dedication of the new Masonic Temple. The first regular communication of the lodge in the new hall took place July 14, 1876.

Brother Charles H. Rathbune, Master of Hiram Lodge, died July 28, 1879. Hiram Lodge, joined by a large number of members from other lodges in this city, escorted by Lake Erie and Hugh de Payens Commanderies, accompanied the remains to Forest Lawn, where they were deposited according to ancient Masonic rite.

28

The last meeting of Hiram Lodge in the new Masonic Hall was held Decembers, 1882. For six years had the lodges prospered in the new hall, and nothing had occurred to disturb their peace and harmony, when once more the devastating element deprived them of their Masonic home. On the evening of December 21, 1882, the upper part in which the lodge rooms were situated, were destroyed by fire. Fortunately Hiram Lodge saved its records, although somewhat damaged by water. Its next communication was held January 12, 1883, M. W., Brother Flagler, Grand Master, having granted a dispensation to the lodge who formerly met at the hall corner of Washington and North Division streets, to hold their communications in the hall of the lodge of the Ancient Landmarks, corner of Main and Court streets. The lodge having also been prevented from electing its officers at the time prescribed by the statutes of the Grand Lodge, was authorized to elect and install them on the 12th of January, 1883.

At the date of this publication, the hall having been fully restored and furnished anew, the lodge has resumed its communications in its former quarters. The following is a list of the Masters who have presided over Hiram Lodge:

H. B. Meyers, 1845-46; Nelson Randall, 1847-48; Charles S. Pierce, 1849, Benjamin H. Austin, 1850-52; James H. Barton, 1853-57, 60-61; G. A. Scroggs, 1855; J. K. Tyler, 1858;

Riley Hayford, 1859; Andrew S. Mason, 1862-63 & 68; Hawley Klein, 1864-65 & 82; Henry Waters, 1866; Chillion M. Farrar, 1867; Henry Smith, 1869-70 & 73; William F. Rogers, 1871 & 81;

Theodore C. Knight, 1872; Solomon Taylor, 1874; George L. Remington, 1875-76; John Masters, Jr., 1877-78; Charles H. Rathbun, 1879; Burrall Spencer, Jr., 1880; William J. Donaldson, 1883.

On the 1st of May 1883, the lodge numbered two hundred and seventy-six members.

1905 Grand Lodge Proceedings:

HIRAM LODGE, NO. 105, BUFFALO. N. Y. WARRANT: The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated December 5. 1845. MINUTES: Not intact. There were several Lodges in existence and working in the Counties of Erie and Niagara when that whirlwind of persecution against everything Masonic and bitter hatred against all who were known to be in any way or manner connected with these Lodges came sweeping over the western part of the State of New York, carrying dismay and consternation to the brethren of these Lodges; so terrific was its blighting influence that in a short time not a Lodge was to be found in these counties. For a number of years little, if anything, was done toward reviving any of the old Lodges or any effort made to organize a new Lodge. When the reign of terror had subsided and the bitterness of persecution had exhausted itself a number of these brethren who had been members of the old Lodges, together with others who had settled in Buffalo, consulted together and decided to organize a new Lodge. A meeting was held, and in November, 1844, a petition signed by the following was sent to the Grand Lodge praying for a Dispensation:

Henry B. Myer. Merlin Camp. James Forrestall. Selah Barnard. Thomas J. Winslow. Horatio C. Gates. Charles S. Pierce. John A. Weimer. Abner Cutter. Miles Jones. Charles Radcliffe. Joseph A. Cameron. Elijnh D. Effuer. John McPherson. Levi Allen. Nelson Randall. Benjamin H. Austin. Nehemiah Case. Benjamin Bidwell. Daniel M. Seaver. Stephen Powers. Solomon Drullard. Darius Smith. Thomas Miller. Orman Butler. Christian Halstead. George Case. Isaac W. Newkirk. Robert Russell. David C. Sough. Cornelius A. Waldron. Joseph Dorr.

The name selected for the new Lodge was Hiram, and the officers chosen were: HENRY B. MYER, Master; SELAH BARNARD, Senior Warden, and SOLOMON DRULLARD, Junior Warden.

On January 31, 1845, a Dispensation was granted, which expired by limitation in June, but was extended to October 20, 1845. The first meeting after the Dispensation was issued was held on February 14, 1845. The first election for officers under the charter was held December 20, 1845, when HENRY B. MYER was elected Master; NELSON RANDALL, Senior Warden; CHARLES S. PIERCE, Junior Warden; RORERT RUSSELL, Treasurer, and STEPHEN POWERS, Secretary.

The Lodge was duly constituted and the officers installed on January 1, 1846, by R.'. W.'. ASHER TORRANCE, assisted by R.'. W.'. PETER P. MURPHY, R.'. W.'. W. E. COOPER and others, all of Lockport Lodge, No. 73. Soon after the Lodge was constituted there developed among the members a desire to scrutinize and study the laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge, as the following resolution, adopted March 10, 1846, clearly indicates:

"Resolved — That a committee of three be appointed to examine the Constitution of the Grand Lodge and report to the Lodge whether there be anything, in their opinion, in the said Constitution which this Lodge could protest against."

As no further action was taken by the Lodge concerning this subject, the presumption is that the committee failed to discover anything of sufficient importance to "protest against."

29

In order that the brethren might become well informed upon Masonic subjects, the services of Bro. J. S. WEED of Saratoga, NY, was secured to deliver a series of lectures before the Lodge upon Ancient Freemasonry. At one time it was the custom of the Lodge to elect a representative to attend the communications of the Grand Lodge. On February 5, 1847, BRO. JOSEPH FOWLER, of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, of New York City, was elected, but his authority was revoked on August 10, 1849. The following excerpt from the minutes fully explains the cause:

"Resolved — That Hiram Lodge, No. 105, cannot recognize the existence of any body of Masons who place themselves distinct and independent of the Grand Lodge of the State, and as St. John's Lodge, No. 1, of New York now declare themselves independent and others have formed themselves into a body which we must deem clandestine. "Therefore we hereby revoke the authority heretofore given to BRO. JOSEPH FOWLER to represent this Lodge in the Grand Lodge."

In conjunction with Concordia Lodge, No. 143, and Buffalo Chapter R. A. M., No. 71, the Festival of St. John was publicly celebrated on June 25, 1849. As this was one of the first occasions when the Masons of Buffalo appeared upon the public streets since the Morgan persecution, it aroused much interest. The address issued by the Fraternity calling attention to the matter contained the following:

"This being the first public demonstration in this section for many years, it is desirable that the procession should be numerous and imposing: so that the unenlightened may see and know that Masonry was not dead but sleeping. . . . We rejoice in being able to say that the prejudices which once existed against our Order here have nearly passed away, giving good reason to hope that they will soon be numbered among the things that were.

"The 24th of June being Sunday, the celebration will be on Monday, the 25th. The procession will form precisely at 10 o'clock in Masonic Hall, on the corner of Washington and Exchange Streets, and proceed thence to one of the churches of the city, where an oration will be delivered and other appropriate exercises will take place according to ancient usage." The services were held in the Universalist Church.

Hiram Lodge has always evinced an active interest in enterprises seeking to aid the indigent Mason or relieving the widows and orphans of such; it has also quickly responded to all calls of a charitable nature. It was represented in 1851 at meetings in Albany and New York held for the purpose of considering the project of building an Asylum for Masons. On April 16, 1847, a communication was received from a Masonic Lodge at Zanesville, Ohio, stating that it had forwarded one hundred barrels of flour to relieve the distressed Masons in Ireland, and requesting the Lodge to forward the same to New York. A committee was appointed and the request was complied with. In 1864 the sum of $200 was donated for the sick and wounded in the army and navy. In 1873 $500 was contributed toward the erection of the Masonic Hall in New York City. In 1878 a donation of $50 was made toward relieving the sufferers from fever in one of the Southern States.

The jewels used by the Lodge have an interesting history. In December, 1807, a petition was sent to the Grand Lodge praying for a Dispensation to hold a Lodge at New Amsterdam (now Buffalo) and to be named Western Star Lodge. The petitioners stated that the nearest Lodge was sixty miles distant. For some unknown cause this effort failed, and on January 6, 1812, another petition was forwarded to the Grand Lodge. The petitioners stated that the Lodge was to be located in "The village of New Amsterdam, Township of Buffaloe, at the house of BRO. JOSEPH LANDON." Hon. DEWITT CLINTON at the time was Grand Master. He manifested a deep interest in the project, and promptly endorsed the following upon the petition: "The Grand Secretary is requested to make out a Dispensation on the above application for two years and to deliver it to Mr. Bassford." The Dispensation was issued January 31, 1812, and a charter was granted December 24, 1814, to Western Star Lodge, No. 239. Shortly after the Lodge was warranted it was presented with a set of jewels, each jewel bearing the following inscription:

"Presented by the M.'. W.'. Grand Master of Masons, DEWITT CLINTON, to Western Star Lodge, No. 239."

When the Lodge surrendered its charter these jewels were placed in the custody of Dr. JOHN W. CLARK, and when Hiram Lodge was organized he delivered them to the Lodge at a meeting held on March 7, 1845, with the exception of the square and compasses, which could not be found. In 1852 a brother of Hiram Lodge visited n Lodge in Detroit. Mich, and discovered upon the altar of that Lodge the missing jewels. Steps were at once taken to recover the long lost jewels, and as soon as the Detroit Lodge was appraised of the facts connected with them it at once delivered them to Hiram Lodge. The relics are highly prized by the Lodge.

A public installation of the officers took place on December 29, 1848. The fiftieth anniversary of the Lodge was held December 5, 1895. The ceremonies were conducted in the Masonic Temple, which was kindly placed at the disposal of the Lodge by the Masonic Hall Association. Addresses were delivered by R.'. W.’. WILLIAM A. SUTHERLAND, Deputy Grand Master, and W.'. JOSEPH FOWLER. Upon the following evening a reception was given for the ladies in the same place, the festivities concluding with a supper. The first meetings of the Lodge were held at 219 Main Street, where it remained until June 4, 1847, when it moved to the corner of Exchange and Washington Streets, remaining here until August 16, 1801, when it moved to the corner of Main and Swan Streets. This was its home until July 14, 1876, when it again moved, this time to the corner of North Division and Washington Streets. On December 21, 1882, its quarters were damaged by fire, and it was not until September 14, 1883, that its rooms could be again occupied. While the building was undergoing repairs the Lodge met in the rooms of the Lodge of Ancient Landmarks No. 441, on the corner of Court and Main Streets. On March 15, 1887, the Lodge once more suffered, in the total destruction by fire of the building it occupied. These fires occasioned considerable loss to the Lodge, and while the minute books were rescued, they are in a badly damaged

30

condition, and some parts of the contents are illegible. After the second fire the Lodge found quarters in the Austin building on the corner of Franklin and West Eagle Streets, where it remained until the completion of the Masonic Temple, into which it moved on January 8, 1892. and it still occupies the same quarters. The Lodge has frequently participated ill ceremonies of a public character and has assisted in laying corner-stones of public and religious edifices. On August 26, 1852, the corner-stone of the German Evangelical Church, Black Rock, Buffalo was laid. May 5, 1858, the corner-stone of the New York Stale arsenal. Buffalo, was laid. August 2. 1864, the corner-stone of the Universalist Church. Buffalo, was laid. September 26, 1866, a memorial tablet in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, was laid. August 8. 1867, the corner-stone of the State Normal School. Fredonia. NY, was laid. April 15, 1869, the corner-stone of the State Normal School, Buffalo, was laid. July 23. 1869, a monument of the Firemen's Benevolent Association, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, was dedicated. July 13, 1871, the corner-stone of the Asbury M. E. Church, Buffalo, was laid. June 24. 1872, the corner-stone of the City and County Hall, Buffalo. was laid.October 21, 1880, the corner-stone of the Soldier's Monument, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, was laid. July 4, 1882, the corner-stone of the Soldier's and Sailor's Monument, Lafayette Square, Buffalo, was laid. July 4, 1885, the corner-stone of the 74th Regiment Armory, Virginia St., Buffalo, was laid. July 26, 1890, the corner-stone of the Masonic Temple, Niagara St., Buffalo, was laid; on 20 Jan 1892, it was dedicated. June 19, 1897, the corner-stone of the U. S. Post Office Building, Buffalo, was laid. July 4, 1898, the corner-stone of the 74th Regiment Armory, Connecticut Street, Buffalo, was laid. May 30, 1903, the corner-stone of the 65th Regiment Armory, Buffalo, was laid.

The Lodge was present and took an active part in each of the foregoing ceremonies.

MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.

Benjamin H. Austin, District Attorney.Augustus T. Budd. Captain U. S. Vols.Albert L. Beyer, Assessor. Daniel D. Bidwell, Brigadier-General U. S. Army.George W. Clinton, Judge Supreme Court.William S. Bull, Brigadier-General NYSNG; Superintendant of Police. Earl G. Danser, M.D., Medical Examiner. Peter C. Doyle, Brigadier-General NYSNG, Captain US Vols.Abram Durr. Alderman. Charles W. Fuller. Superintendent of PoorJoseph Fowler, M.D., Police Surgeon. Eugene W. Harrington, Deputy City Comptroller. Daniel O'Grady, Deputy Excise Commissioner. Frederick Kendall, Grade Crossing Superintendent

John Kenney, Coroner. Erastus C. Knight, State Comptroller and Mayor.William P. Koehler, Supervisor. Gustavus A. Scroggs, Brigadier-General NY Militia.Peter W. Van Peyma. M.D., School Examiner.William Palmer, Asst. City Attorney.William F. Rogers, Major-General NYSNG, Colonel US. Vols., Mayor and Member of Congress.Fred O. Murray, County Treasurer. John A. Pettit, M.D., Asst. Health Commissioner.Nelson Randall, Major-General N. Y. S. Militia.George L. Remington, County Clerk, Captain US Vols. Frank W. Standart, Assemblyman. Joseph L. Whittet, Assemblyman.

BUDD, AUGUSTUS. - Age, 20 years. 2nd Mounted Rifles (Buffalo, NY); Date and place of enrollment not stated; mustered in as first lieutenant, Co. D, January 27, 1864, to serve three years; as captain, to date November 3, 1864; mustered out with company, August 10, 1865, at Petersburg, Va.; commissioned first lieutenant, March 29, 1864, with rank from January 19, 1864; captain, August 22, 1864, with rank from August 10, 1864, vice Wells, not mustered.

BULL, WILLLIAM S. - Age, 20 years. 49th NY Vols; Enrolled at Buffalo, to serve three years, and mustered in as second lieutenant, Company E, March 25, 1862; as first lieutenant and adjutant, October 4, 1862; discharged, April 8, 1863. Commissioned second lieutenant, March 24, 1862, with rank from March 24, 1862, vice Alexander Cain, resigned; first lieutenant and adjutant, December 27, 1862, with rank from October 4, 1862, vice George Holden Selkirk, promoted; subsequent service, first lieutenant, Twelfth New York Battery.

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/civilwar/George%20L.%20Reminton.htm South Kansas Tribune, Wednesday, April 17, 1895

In the death of George L. Remington at the age of 67 years, which occurred April 12th, our city loses one of her very best citizens.  A gentleman of high christian character, who was always cheerful and helpful, and it was always his pleasure to do duty whatever that was. He served his country faithfully in the great civil war, enlisting early in 1861, he was elected Captain of the Twenty-first New York volunteers and served at the front until in 1864 when ill health compelled his resignation. The following year he was married to his now bereaved wife. He engaged in the wholesale tobacco business in Buffalo, New York, and subsequently was elected register of deeds in that county. Later with his family he removed to Saginaw, Mich., where he was in the lumber trade until 1882, when he located in this city. For a time he was engaged in the cattle business, but in 1885 connected himself with the First National Bank of this place, and has served a bookkeeper, vice-president, and for five years has been its cashier. As a business man he was honest, prompt, and always reliable, and his associates always found him a man of excellent judgment and of unswerving fidelity. He has served the city as Member of the Board of Education and for years he has been its president, and none have proved more faithful, or to have a more unflagging interest in the educational affairs of the city. In religion he was of the Presbyterian faith, and he honored the professions he made, by a life void of offense. He was superintendent of  its Sabbath school, a leading official member, and often when the pastor would be absence Col. Remington was called on to officiate, and to read a

31

sermon, and in the last general assembly of the church he was selected to represent the Neosho Presbytery as its lay delegate. He was gifted in oratory and has often been called on as a public speaker, and always did credit to himself and his subject. In his fraternal relations he was a member of McPherson Post No. 4, G. A. R.; of the Modern Woodmen, and of the several Masonic fraternities, having passed the chairs with honor. The funeral on Sunday, was at his home; and was in charge of the Knights of Templar, attended by the Master Masons and the Modern Woodmen. Sermon by his pastor, the Rev. G. W. Bean, assisted by Chaplain Rev. J. W. Wright. (From History of Montgomery County, Kansas, By Its Own People, published by L. Wallace Duncan, Iola, Kansas, 1903, pgs. 682-684)

GEORGE L. REMINGTON. During the comparatively brief period of twelve years that he was permitted to mingle with and be one of the citizens of Montgomery county, the late subject of this record, George L. Remington, lived a life conspicuous for its relation to men and affairs, for its usefulness to be civil and social institutions and conspicuous for its purity and dignity as exemplified in his daily walk. Few men exhibit such strong and genuine elements of character and win the unbounded confidence of a community in so few years, as did he, and his death, April 11th, 1895, was mourned as a public loss.

Born in Lancaster, near Buffalo, New York, Mary 24, 1832, he was a son of Rev. James Remington, a noted Presbyterian minister of western New York, and for eighteen years pastor of the congregation of Lancaster. Though he had given up regular work very late in life Rev. Remington died in 1889 at over ninety years of age, still in the harness, as it were, and doing the work of the Master. He married Caroline Evans, who died in the seventies, being the mother of three sons and two daughters, namely: Rev. Charles, of Buffalo, New York, the only survivor of the family; George L., of this memoir; James, who died about 1880 and passed his life chiefly in the milling business; Mary, who died unmarried about 1875, and Jennie, who was for many years a deputy in the office of the Clerk of Erie county, New York, and died in 1891.

The education of George L. Remington was acquired in what we now term the common schools and in Gambler College, Ohio. On leaving college he entered the Union army as a private, joining company “C”, 21st New York Vol. Inf.  He rose by successive promotions, viz: to First Sergeant, and August 7, 1861, was commissioned 1st Lieut., and Capt., Dec. 12, 1861. He succeeded Capt. Washburn who was killed at Second Bull Run in August, 1862. His regiment formed a part of the Army of the Potomac and he participated in all the engagements of that famous and splendid army and was discharged in 1864, resigning and leaving the service on account of failing health.  September 14, 1865, he married Alice Pomeroy, a daughter of Robert Pomeroy, a banker and one of the old settlers of Buffalo, New York. Mr. Pomeroy married Elizabeth Rogers, daughter of a Baptist clergyman, and died in 1856 at sixty years old. He resided in Buffalo when the British burned that city during the war of 1812 and he and his mother were the last to leave the destroyed city. Mrs. Remington is the fourth of nine children in her parents’ family, five of whom are yet living.

Mr. Remington was in the service of the government in the commissary department of the army at Nashville, Tennessee, for near one year, immediately succeeding the end of the war, and on returning north engaged in the wholesale tobacco business in Buffalo.  Subsequently he was elected Register of Deeds for Erie county, New York, and some time after the close of his official career he moved his family out to Saginaw, Michigan, where he embarked in the lumber and salt business and conducted the same successfully till some time in the year 1882, when he disposed of his Michigan interests and became a resident of Independence, Kansas. As a citizen of Saginaw he ingratiated himself into the love and esteem of his compeers and was favored with public trusts.  He was a member of the Board of Education, where he rendered valuable service, and was an active and faithful worker in his religious denomination.

For about two years after coming to Montgomery county, Capt. Remington was engaged in the cattle business. In 1885, he was invited to become cashier of the First National Bank of Independence. He filed the position ‘till his death and in it demonstrated a peculiar fitness and adaptation to the place. He was always courteous, sincere and reliable, prompt in fulfilling his obligations and faithful in serving the constituents of the bank.

As a citizen of Independence, Capt. Remington took a prominent part in all its affairs. His ability and integrity were at once recognized and he accepted the public trusts that were imposed on him with an eye single to the public good. He demonstrated his unflagging interest in public education by long and faithful service on the school board. He was President of that body for some years and many were the ideas he advanced for the improvement of the facilities and methods of education.  He was a leading member of the Presbyterian church and, in the absence of the pastor, was frequently designated to read a sermon and to comment on the character, good works and teachings of the Sabbath School and the beneficent works of a good man were felt in this field, also.  In his capacity as a teacher and leader his work was most effective. He was a ready and pleasing talker, and was a storehouse of information on popular subjects and, in 1894, was chosen by the Presbytery of Neosho to be a delegate to the General Assembly at Saratoga, New York. He was a member of McPherson Post G. A. R., was a Modern Woodman and a Knight Templar Mason, by whose direction and under whose auspices his funeral was held. In politics he was a Republican

Capt. And Mrs. Remington’s family comprised three children, namely: Jennie P., wife of Will P. Lyon, of Independence; Allen A., who married Lizzie B. Marshall and is a merchant of Bristow, Ind. Ty., and George F., who died Sept. 18, 1899, at twenty-three years of age.

Contributed by Mrs. Maryann Johnson a Civil war researcher and a volunteer in the Kansas Room of the

Independence Public Library, Independence, Kansas.

http://www.buffalonian.com/history/industry/mayors/Rogers.htmWilliam Findlay Rogers was born in Forks Township, near Easton, PA, on 1 M 1820, the son of General Thomas J. Rogers. Rogers moved to Philadelphia early in life, studying at a select Quaker school for five years. His father was a newspaper publisher, and Rogers learned much about the printing industry. When his father died when William was 12 years old, he was forced to abandon his education and find a job. He returned to Easton where he secured his first job as a "printer's devil" in the office of the Easton Whig as a printer's apprentice, soon after mastering the art of typesetting. After two years he went back to Philadelphia, where he was employed by the Philadelphia Enquirer.

32

In 1840, when he was 20 years old, he established a newspaper in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, successfully operating it until 1846. It was at this time that Rogers moved to Buffalo and found a job at the Courier, "where he was known as one of the best printers, and the most rapid compositors." He was soon foreman in the office, and held that position for two years.

In 1847, soon after arriving in Buffalo, Rogers became involved with the State militia, becoming a member of Company D, 65th Regiment, of which he was Fourth Sergeant, promoted to First Sergeant in 1848. In July 1849 he was commissioned Second Lieutenant; in December 1850 he was made First Lieutenant; and in June 1851, Adjutant of the 65th Regiment. In December 1853 Rogers was made Captain of Company B and, in July 1854, Captain of Company C, 74th Regiment, which he held until the outbreak of the Civil War

Around 1848 Rogers was called to take charge of the mechanical department of a political newspaper associated with the "barnburner" faction of the Democratic party. The newspaper was called the Buffalo Republic, with Rogers acting as business manager in association with several other men. The paper was not financially successful, and was later merged with another paper thus becoming the Times-Republic. He was then involved in the formation of the first Sunday newspaper ever published in Buffalo, the Weekly Bulletin. The public was not ready for a Sunday paper yet, and the Bulletin folded. Rogers returned to his foreman position at the Courier and remained there until the outbreak of the war. In 1858 Rogers was elected a member of the Council at the University at Buffalo Medical School.

When the call for 30,000 men was made by President Lincoln, Rogers immediately volunteered. While in Elmira, NY in May 1861, awaiting orders, he was made Colonel of the 21st New York volunteers, or "Rogers' Rangers" as they were called. He prepared his command and reported to Washington in June 1861. He was ordered to take his regiment to Fort Runyon, where he was placed in command of the post. It was here that his force was connected with General Wadsworth and went to Arlington Heights and Upton Hill, where they were on duty until March 1862. At this time they joined the army as they advanced upon the enemy.

During this time General Stonewall Jackson made a raid upon the troops and Colonel Rogers' command was sent to cut off the advance of rebel troops, which was successfully performed. He was officially commended for his performance. After this, his regiment was transferred to General Pope's campaign, where they fought directly with General Lee's troops, involved in the second battle at Bull Run. Unfortunately, Rogers' troops didn't fare well during this battle, emerging "with honor and banner untarnished, but with fearfully thinned ranks."

Colonel Rogers was placed in command of the First Division of the First Army Corps, becoming involved in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. He was placed in command of "the extreme left" at Fredericksburg. After this conflict, he was sent to Aquia Creek, being given the charge of the defenses. They remained there until May 1863, when they were "mustered out."

After his two years of service was complete, Colonel Rogers returned to Buffalo and was appointed Provost Marshall for the Buffalo District. In May 1864, he was appointed Colonel of the 74th Regiment and then in March 1865, promoted Brigadier General United States Volunteers. In April of 1865 he was made Brigadier General of the 31st Brigade. After his military service was complete, Rogers began work in public office. In 1865 he held the position of auditor. In November 1865 he was elected Comptroller of Buffalo, which he held in 1866 and 1867, during Mayor Wells' term in office.

As comptroller he took the liberty to discuss and make suggestions to the Common Council in his official report. It was here that he said "opening up the railroad communication with the coal, iron and lumber regions of Northern Pennsylvania, is an enterprise that cannot fail to promote the general prosperity of the city." Under his advice the city helped with the construction of the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad.

On October 17, 1867 the Democratic City Convention was held. General Rogers was expecting to be nominated for the office of Sheriff of Erie County and was surprised to be the candidate for Mayor. He "felt that as a man of moderate means he ought not to accept the mayoralty nomination," but was persuaded to. On October 19, 1867 the Republican City Convention was held, and Mayor Chandler J. Wells was nominated by acclamation for another term in office.

LIFE AS A MAYOR

Election day was on November 5, 1867, 'Guy Fawks Day,' and General Rogers was victorious over Chandler Wells 8,276 to 6,567, the largest majority of any mayoral race to date. Many of the Democratic newspapers were calling the Republicans 'radicals.' The Democrats were victors in most of the races in the city and state. The evening of his victory, Mayor-elect Rogers was serenaded at his home. Mayor Rogers was administered the oath of office from Mayor Wells on January 6, 1868. When the Council reconvened at 5:30 p.m., Rogers transmitted his Inaugural Address.

"Called by the voice of our fellow citizens to exercise the functions of coordinate branches of the city government, the responsibilities of which we are to share in almost equal degree, I have the honor, in accordance with established usage, to communicate . . . the present condition of our beautiful and rapidly growing city.

"The amount levied upon the taxable property of the city the past year for the support of the municipal government was . . . more than was required for the same purpose during the previous year. The large increase in the estimates was caused by increased appropriations for the school, police, fire and market departments.

"Upon you devolves the duty of providing for the wants and guarding the interests of those it is your privilege to represent. Jealous watchfulness over these interests should control your action in all matters that are persecuted for your consideration . . . The total revenues, aside from the general tax and the school monies received from the State, are ridiculously small when compared with the amount it is necessary to raise to defray our ordinary expenses . . . The cry of economy in administration is continually heard, and this cry has caused councils to apply a remedy, not demanded by the public, by restricting the salaries of public servants to the lowest limits, and which are comparatively lower than any other city in the Union. To seek for other sources of revenue should be

33

our first care, and this can be accomplished by establishing a well regulated license system. All occupations, trades and professions, as such, should be compelled to share in support of their privileges.

"The necessity for a change in the mode of collecting taxes has been so often and earnestly presented to the attention of councils by my predecessors, that it seems [foolish] to advert to it again.

"The large assessments for local improvements prove a serious burden to many citizens, especially those of small means, who are unable to pay a large [sum].

"One of the most important matters connected with the present and future well-being of our city is the want of a plentiful supply of pure water. . . As yet no satisfactory solution . . . has been arrived at. The policy of deferring it, and shifting the responsibility to future councils, will, I trust, be no longer adhered to, but that your honorable body will at once . . . determine either to purchase the present works, at what may considered...fair valuation, or enter into such a contract as will enable the company to make improvements and extensions to meet the prospective wants of the city . . . And early enlargement of the capacity of the works is of the highest importance. We have been admonished time and again, of the insufficiency of the supply of water [which] will not feed more than one steam fire engine at a time.

"The expenses of the [Fire] department were considerably increased during the past year by the erection of three new houses, and by extensive repairs to two others.

"The fire alarm telegraph has been in operation during the past year and a half. Its successful operation demonstrates the importance of its further extension and I respectfully suggest that provision be made in the estimates for the present year for an additional number of signal boxes.

"In this connection I beg leave to renew a suggestion made by my predecessor...in reference . . . of providing a floating steam fire engine for the harbor. As the fire limits are about to be extended to the other side of Buffalo Creek . . . the necessity of having an engine of this kind, capable of moving rapidly through the slips and canals, gives new importance to the suggestion.

"A much larger amount of revenue ought to be derived from the rent of stalls in our markets, and from butcher's licenses. Licenses are granted to sell fresh meat in various parts of the city at merely a nominal sum, leaving our markets almost empty, and rapidly running to decay for want of use. I . . . suggest that the rent of stalls be fixed at such a rate as will bring the markets a source of revenue, and that in future, licenses to sell fresh meat inside the old city limits be steadily refused until the markets are filled up. . . and. . . that a sum will be exacted which will induce all who engage in this business to seek the markets as the legitimate mart of the butcher.

"Niagara Frontier Police - Subsequent amendments to the law advanced the pay and, by the action of the Common Council , the number of patrolmen was increased.

"The amended act passed at the last session of the Legislature constitutes the Police Commissioners, a Board of Commissioners of Excise, in and for the territory under police control. The board is empowered to grant licenses for the sale of spiritous liquors, wines, ale or beer, in quantities less than five gallons, and all licenses, fees, fines and penalties are paid into the Niagara Frontier Police Fund. . . except . . . for licenses granted to tavern keepers, hotel keepers, and mechanical and medicinal purposes . . . which shall be paid to the treasurer of the county for the benefit of the poor fund.

"One hundred and fifty-one lost children were restored to their parents, and 1,958 lodgers were accommodated at the several station houses during the year.

"During the year, twenty-one patrolmen have been dismissed, forty-six fined, twenty-four reprimanded, and fourteen against whom charges were preferred, returned to duty.

"On the 9th of April last, the city purchased the premises on the corner of Pearl Street and the Terrace . . . which has been filled up and is now occupied as the Police Headquarters.

"The law under which the present Police Department was organized, not only takes from the Mayor all authority over the force, but it also relieved the proper financial officers of the city from the control and disbursement of the large amount of money necessary to sustain it. The authority is vested in irresponsible commissioners, appointed by the Governor of the State. To the Mayor, by the city charter, is confided the duty of seeing 'that the laws are faithfully executed,' but the act referred to strips him of the means of enforcing them. To quietly submit to this arbitrary and despotic policy is a virtual surrender of our chartered rights and privileges, and if not checked will leap to the establishment of a State Police Force - like a standing army with its headquarters at the State Capital, its ramifications extending to every town . . . 'to harass our people and eat out their substance.'"

"It is worthy of consideration, whether the time has not arrived for a new subdivisions of the city, into a greater number of wards. This need not necessarily increase the number of Aldermen; and it occurs to me that the interest of the city would be much better protected by creating two boards, comprising Select and Common Council - the latter to be composed of one representative chosen by each ward; and the former, a less numerous body, chosen generally from the body of the people without reference to locality.

"In many of the school districts in the western part of the city, by reason of rapid increase of population, very serious difficulties are encountered by the teachers for the want of proper accommodations for the large number of children attending the schools in that quarter . . . Additional accommodations should be immediately supplied for the primary departments.

"During the years 1866 and 1867, acts were passed by the State Legislature to establish six Normal schools in localities where the citizens were willing to furnish the land and contribute the means for erecting the necessary buildings and furnishing the same, the State guaranteeing to support the schools when those conditions were complied with. Through the efforts of a committee of citizens...the State authorities have determined to locate one of these schools in this city. A beautiful and commanding lot of ground, suitable for this purpose, was conveyed to the city by the late Jesse Ketchum, for [a] nominal sum . . . Pupils from district schools

34

can enjoy the advantages of instruction in the higher branches of education under the fostering care of the State . . . I trust your honorable body will see the propriety of extending the aid asked for.

"Nothing has been done during the past year towards carrying into effect the bequest of the late Seth Grosvenor for establishing a free library in the city. Two years have lapsed since that bequest was made, but this generation will scarcely reap any benefit from it, unless steps are at once taken to fulfill its object.

"The numbering of houses fronting on our public streets is being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. Two hundred miles of streets have been measured, one hundred of which are mapped, and the numbers for them received from the contractors.

"My attention has been called, by the Health Physician, to the importance of having a registry of Marriages and Births, as well as Deaths, filed in the office of the City Clerk.

"Buffalo, by virtue of its geographical position, is destined to be one of the largest inland cities on this continent. During the past year, at least one thousand new buildings have been erected. We have now three hundred miles of streets . . . religious privileges abundant; all the luxuries and comforts of life . . . manufacturing establishments are increasing."

On August 25, 1868, a group of citizens gathered to discuss the subject of creating a system of public parks in the city. The renowned landscaper, Frederick Law Olmstead, was contacted for his advice. Mr. Olmstead visited the city for a brief period and mapped out his ideas. These ideas were later exhibited by him at the Philadelphia exposition in 1876 and the Paris exposition in 1878. The basic system was to consist of The Front, The Park, and The Parade. It was changed to include Delaware, and Humboldt in place of Parade.

Mayor Rogers salary was set at $1,400 for the year 1869, by the Council. When the Common Council met on January 4, 1869, a committee was appointed to wait upon Mayor Rogers to inform him that the Council of 1869 was in session. At the afternoon session, the Annual Address of Mayor Rogers was read to the Council.

"In transmitting to your Honorable Body my second annual communication . . . I congratulate you, and those whom you represent, upon the continued prosperity of our beautiful city in its onward march of progress and wealth.

"While comptroller of the city it was my pleasure to call the attention of the Common Council to the importance of taking immediate action to secure, while it was yet cheap, land suitable for a public Park. The subject has, for the past year, commanded the attention of our citizens, and last summer, Frederick Law Olmstead was employed by several gentlemen, at their own expense, to visit the city and make an examination of the vacant lands adapted to this purpose. Every year that the taking of the requisite land is delayed will add tens of thousands of dollars to its cost, and I trust that this Council will not hesitate to give its full approval to the project. Let every citizen...contribute his equitable proportion to establish a Park which will make the Queen City of the Lakes still more attractive and be a perpetual source of pride and healthful enjoyment.

"The want of dockage facilities has driven from our city many enterprises which else would have been located here. To remedy this want the construction of one or more swing bridges is imperatively demanded. At least three miles of docks could thus be brought into immediate use. As every available point on the north side of the river is now occupied, our attention is naturally directed to the other side of the river, which can be made so easily accessible from our most frequented thoroughfares.

"The water works passed into the possession of the city in August last. By the terms of the purchase the receipts of the company from the first of May last were paid to the city, less the expense attending their operation. Almost a mile and a quarter of pipe has been laid during the past season. The total length of pipe now laid is thirty-five miles. Twenty new fire hydrants have been set up on the lines of pipe...making the whole number of hydrants now in use 365.

"Two new school houses are now in process of construction, one of which will be ready for the reception of pupils in a few weeks.

"The large number of incendiary fires in the months of January, February, and March last, tested the energy and endurance of our admirable fire department in a remarkable degree. I respectfully recommend that the usual appropriation to each company be increased to five hundred dollars per annum.

"The fire alarm telegraph continues to give entire satisfaction. I suggest the propriety of gradually increasing the number of signal boxes until all important points in the city is embraced within its circuit.

"The Legislature at its last session, enacted a law reducing the number of uniformed militia . . . and . . . all regiments outside the larger cities have been disbanded. Two regiments are located in this city, but the number of enlisted men in each is below the minimum required by law.

"The numbering of houses has been carried through successfully, and meets the approval of our citizens.

"Although small pox has not prevailed to any noticeable [degree] in the past year, it was deemed advisable to order general vaccination of the city, and the Health Physician...vaccinated some four thousand children. The ordinances require that no pupil shall be admitted to the public schools who has not been vaccinated and this regulation should be rigidly enforced.

"Your attention is again called to the importance of having a registry of marriages and births as well as deaths in the city clerk's office.

"On the 25th of August last, the cattle plague, known as the Spanish fever, and its appearance at our receiving yards, creating no little alarm in the community. The prompt action by the health authorities prevented the spread of the disease, and the sale of any cattle affected by it. I join in the recommendation...for the appointment of a . . . local inspector, whose duty it shall be to inspect all cattle received at the yard, and that none but sound healthy cattle are offered for sale.

"All the railroads that can be induced to center here give additional impetus to all branches of productive industry. The spanning of Niagara river with an international bridge is a project which has been too long delayed. This matter is again agitated and it is hoped

35

that it will not be allowed to share the fate of previous spasmodic efforts, but that our citizens will awake to the importance of securing the completion of this important work."

The Mayor was authorized by an act of the Legislature to appoint a commission of twelve citizens with power to acquire the land needed to build the park system. Mayor Rogers headed the commission, and the work began at once. Another important project that was conducted under his administration, and he was instrumental in was the establishment of the State Insane Asylum (Buffalo State Hospital) in Buffalo He became the first secretary of the board of trustees, and treasurer, which he held for many years. He did not seek re-election to the office of Mayor.

PERSONAL LIFE

After his term in office, Rogers returned to private life. He felt the printing profession was "the greatest calling on earth."

William Findlay Rogers was married in June 20, 1842 to Caroline Waldron, of Honsdale, Pennsylvania, who died in 1847. They had one son. General Rogers remarried on September 20, 1849 to Phoebe Demony and had three more children. His home while mayor was at Michigan and Eagle Streets. He moved to Utica and Main Streets and then to Genesee and Franklin Streets, where the Lockwood building was constructed. From there he moved to 17 Whitney Place.

In 1877, General Rogers commanded the 14th Brigade N. G. S. N. Y. to quell the riots created during the railroad strike. The rioters were "promptly and effectually" dispersed and order returned by the militia. In 1878 he was chosen candidate for the state Senate but was defeated in a district that was largely Republican.

Rogers played a prominent part in the founding of the Soldiers' Home for veterans in Bath, New York, and in January 1879 he gave the dedication address .

Rogers was an organizer of the Civil Service Reform Association and an ardent supporter of it from its inception in July, 1881.

In 1882 Rogers was elected to serve in the 48th Congress, serving one term.

In 1887 Rogers was appointed superintendent of the Soldiers' Home, moving his residence there. In 1897 Rogers resigned as superintendent of the Soldiers' Home in Bath, New York and returned to Buffalo .

Rogers was a prominent mason, at one time a High Priest, Eminent Commander, and Master of his lodge.

William Rogers is known as the "Father of the Park System" for his work in heading the park commission and getting the Common Council to move ahead on organizing the committee. He was the first president of the Board of Park Commissioners. When he retired from the office of Mayor in 1869, he was chosen secretary of the Board, and remained in that position until he moved to Bath, New York. He was also treasurer for many years. South Park and Cazenovia Park were purchased by the city in 1891 and added to the original system, by the firm of F. L. Olmstead & Co. Grover Cleveland Park was purchased in 1925 and smaller parks acquired over time.

General Rogers "died with his boots on" in his sleep on December 16, 1899. Up until his death he was still active in many civic activities. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS.

Nelson Randall, Grand Master. James McCredie, District Deputy Grand Master.Joseph K. Tyler, District Deputy Grand Master.

Erastus C. Knight, District Deputy Grand Master.Benjamin H. Austin, District Deputy Grand Master. Joseph Fowler, District Deputy Grand Master

MASTERS.

1845. Henry B. Myer. 1846. Henry B. Myer. 1847. Nelson Randall. 1848. Nelson Randall. 1849. Charles S. Pierce. 1850. Benjamin H. Austin. 1851. Benjamin H. Austin. 1852. Benjamin H. Austin. 1853. James H. Barton. 1854. James H. Barton. 1855. Gustavus A. Scroggs.

1856. James H. Barton. 1857. James H. Barton. 1858. Joseph K. Tyler. 1859. Riley Hayford. 1860. James H. Barton. 1861. James H. Barton. 1862. Andrew Mason. 1863. Andrew Mason. 1864. Hawley Klein. 1865. Hawley Klein. 1866. Henry Waters.

1867. Chilion M. Farrar. 1868. Andrew Mason. 1869. Henry Smith. 1870. Henry Smith. 1871. William F. Rogers. 1872. Theodore C. Knight. 1873. Henry Smith. 1874. Solomon Taylor. 1875. George L. Remington. 1876. George L. Remington. 1877. John Masters, Jr.

1878. John Masters, Jr. 1879. Charles H. Rathbun. 1880. Burrall Spencer, Jr. 1881. William F. Rogers. 1882. Hawley Klein. 1883. William J. Donaldson. 1884. William J. Donaldson. 1885. George W. Voss. 1886. George W. Voss. 1887. George W. Voss. 1888. Erastus C. Knight.

36

1889. Erastus C. Knight. 1890. Girard McVickar. 1891. Girard McVickar. 1892. Joseph Fowler. 1893. Joseph Fowler.

1894. Albert J. Sigman. 1895. Albert J. Sigman. 1896. Charles E. Markham. 1897. William Dempster. 1898. William Dempster.

1899. William F. Pfeiffer. 1900. William F. Pfeiffer. 1901. Cyrus L. Barber. 1902. Cyrus L. Barber. 1903. Benjamin W. Cornwall

1904. Frederick W. Kendall. 1905. Frederick W. Kendall.

---------

Concordia Lodge, No. 143. — The new life infused into Freemasonry in Buffalo by the success of Hiram Lodge, awakened a desire among the brethren speaking the German tongue to establish a German Lodge in the city. For this purpose a number of them applied to the Grand Master of the State for a dispensation which was granted. Upon the receipt of it the petitioners assembled in the lodge room, corner of Washington and Exchange streets, on 3 Oct, for the purpose of organizing Concordia Lodge, that being the name by which the lodge was to be known.

The brethren authorized by the dispensation to act as officers were, James Wenz, Master; Frederick Ehrman, S. W.; and Jacob Weil, J. W. August Miller was appointed secretary. Of the petitioners the following were present on the occasion:—Brothers Altwicker, Eschenbach, Black, and a number of visitors from Hiram Lodge, No. 105. The first candidate initiated was Adam Schlagter, October 17, 1848: the second, F. Augustus Georger, October 31,1848; Philip Scheu and Henry Weisser, November 21, 1848, and John Greiner, December 5, 1848. Of these brethren, two are still living in Buffalo, F. Augustus Georger, who is the president of the German Bank, of Buffalo, and John Greiner, one of its most successful merchants, who still continue to take an active part in Masonry.

Under the dispensation Concordia Lodge continued its labors until June, 1849, when at the session of the Grand Lodge at that time, it received its warrant, bearing date June 13, 1849, in which James Wenz is named as Master; Frederick Ehrman, S. W.; and Jacob Weil, J. W. The lodge was duly constituted and its officers installed on the occasion when Buffalo Chapter, No. 71, Hiram Lodge, No. 105, and Concordia Lodge, U. D., celebrated St. John's day, on the 25th of June, 1849, in the First Universalist Church, on Washington street.

The records of the lodge contain the following on the subject of its installation:—

"The brethren assembled in the lodge room at 11 o'clock A. M., together with the members of Buffalo Chapter, Hiram Lodge, and a number of visiting brethren from abroad. A procession being formed, it proceeded to the First Universalist Church on Washington street. After prayer the Rev. Brother Dolphus Skinner, from Utica, delivered an address. Brother О. Н. Dibble, having received authority for that purpose, from the Grand Master, duly constituted Concordia Lodge and installed its officers. At the close of the solemnities, the procession was re-formed and returned to the lodge room."

The first regular meeting of the lodge under its warrant, took place July 3, 1849. On the 18th of December, of the same year, the following officers were elected: James Wenz, M.; Frederick Ehrman, S. W.; J. G. Ferdinand Muller, J. W.; F. Augustus Georger, Secretary; F. Altwicker, Treasurer; J. Black, S. D.; J. A. Weimer, J. D.; Jacob Weil and Philip Scheu, Masters of Ceremonies; John Greiner and Herman Wende, Stewards; C. F. W. Ebenau, Orator.

On the 29th of August, 1852, the lodge took part in laying the cornerstone of the Protestant Evangelical Church at Black Rock, and subsequently in all public proceedings in which the fraternity of the city participated.

At the communication of the lodge May 9, 1853, the following members applied for dimits for the purpose of forming the Second German Lodge in Buffalo, viz.: Brothers Greiner, Devening, Koenig, Scherf, Webftr, Keller, C. Lange, Drobisch and Birkenstock.

The lodge joined the Masonic Board of Relief of Buffalo in 1858, and aside of that has always contributed liberally to the relief of the needy.

When in December, 1861, Hiram and Erie Lodges, Buffalo Chapter and Lake Erie Commandery determined to abandon the premises occupied by them on the northwest corner of Washington and Exchange streets, and move to the hall prepared for them in the building on the southwest corner of Main and Swan streets, Concordia Lodge joined in the movement.

In 1868, the lodge erected a monument over the grave of Philip Scheu, one of its members, and on the 24th of June, 1869, it assisted Modestia Lodge in unveiling the monument erected by it over the grave of its Master, who lost his life by a railroad accident near Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1869 the following members dimitted from the lodge for the purpose of establishing Harmonie Lodge, it being the third German Lodge in Buffalo :—Brothers S. C. Kiene, Henry Breitweiser, Frederick Traenkel, Henry Keller and Joseph Timmerman.

In the year 1872, one of those pleasant incidents occurred which ought not to go unrecorded. Brother G. Scheffel who for over nineteen years had faithfully served the lodge in the capacity of chaplain, was to celebrate his golden wedding on the ißth of October. The members, therefore, as an evidence of the high esteem in which they held the brother, determined to celebrate the event. A committee consisting of Past Masters Joseph L. Haberstro, George Brost, William Schmidt and Frederick Held were appointed, who were to act with the Master of the Lodge, Brother William C. Zimmerman, to make the necessary arrangements. It was determined to celebrate the event on the anniversary of the wedding day, October 13, by a banquet. Two hundred and twentyfive members of the lodge, and invited brethren from other lodges, with their families participated in the celebration, during which Brother Scheffel was presented with a purse of $200 in gold. He died in 1880, at the ripe old age of 83.

Concordia Lodge celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary on the 24th of June, 1874. The seven members who in 1849, had applied for a warrant, had, during the quarter of a century, increased to two hundred.

When the Lodges and other Masonic bodies determined in 1876, to leave the hall in which their meetings were held, Concordia Lodge also joined in the movement. It has since that time continued to hold its meetings in the new hall (Miller & Greiner block), on

37

the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets, up to December 21, 1882, when the upper part of the building containing the hall was almost entirely destroyed by firt. It was fortunate enough to save its records from destruction.

On the 23d of December, 1882, the Grand Master of the State, M. W., Brother Plagier, granted permission to the lodge to meet hereafter in the hall of the Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks, over the Erie County Savings Bank on the southwest corner of Main and Court streets. The lodge has, in October, 1883, returned to its former quarters, Miller & Greiner block, the building having been fully restored and refurnished.

Concordia Lodge has pursued the even tenor of its way, being neither elated by favorable, nor depressed by adverse circumstances. The lodge may be considered the mother lodge of German Masonry in Buffalo, and has reason to feel proud of its offspring. On the 1st of May, 1883, the lodge numbered two hundred and thirteen members. The following brethren were masters of the lodge for the respective years opposite to their names, viz.:

James Wenz, 1848-51; J. P. Klein, 1852-54 & 56; Jacob Weil, 1855; Joseph L. Haberstro, 1857-62, '64, '66; Charles H. Rauert, 1865;

S. C. Kiene, 1867-68; George Brost, 1869-70; William C. Zimmerman, 1871-72; Frederick Held, 1873-74; John F. Haberstro, 1875-76;

Joseph L. Haberstro,'77-78Frank Sipp, 1879-80; Nicholas Moershfelder, 1881-82; Charles F. Bishop, 1883.

1907 Grand Lodge Proceedings:

CОNCORDIA LODGE, NO. 143, BUFFALO, N. Y. WARRANT: The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated June 13, 1849.The name or number has never been changed.MINUTES: Not intact. All records from October 3, 1848, to December 20, 1853, and from May 20, 1865, to January 12, I870, are

missing.THE DISPENSATION.

By the Most Worshipful JOHN D. WILLARD, Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York.

Whereas, It has been represented to me that Bro's JAMES WENZ, FREDERICK EHRMAN, MORRIS ECHENBARS, AUGUST MILLER, F. ALWICKER, J ACOB WEST, GURAU BLACK, F. HOFER and SAMUEL WILDI, Master Masons of the City of Buffalo in the County of Erie, in this State, are desirous of being formed into a Lodge, and their memorial to that effect being duly recommended by Hiram Lodge, No. 105, and by the officers of said Lodge and the several petitioners being vouched for as worthy Master Masons in good Masonic standing. Therefore, he it known that I, having full confidence in the aforesaid brethren and being desirous of extending the light and advantages of a well-regulated Lodge to said brethren as well as those who may see fit to join them in sustaining the Masonic Institution do hereby Authorize and Empower the Petitioners aforesaid to meet together as a regular Lodge of Master Masons with power to make masons, admit members, form a code of By- Laws and do all such acts and things as ought to be done by Lodges under dispensation and for this purpose. I do hereby appoint our well beloved BRO. JAMES WENZ Worshipful Master, Bro. F'DK EHRMAN. Senior Warden and Brо. M. ESCHENBACH, Junior Warden of said Lodge to be held in the city of Buffalo aforesaid, to be known as Concordia Lodge until the first day of June next, or until this dispensation for any irregularity in the conduct of said Lodge be recalled by me or by the Grand Lodge at any intermediate time, and I do hereby enjoin upon said Concordia Lodge a strict observance of the constitution and regulations of the Grand Lodge and I direct that previous to or on the first day of June next this dispensation be returned to the Grand Secretary with a registry of members, with their names in full, in plain hand for registry and the amount of dues accruing thereon according to the printed constitution and a copy of your By-Laws, and I further direct that the minutes and proceedings of said Lodge be kept in the English language.

Given at the City of Troy and sealed with my private seal on the ninth day of September A. L. 5848, A. D. 1848.By the Most Worshipful Grand Master,

JOHN D. WlLLARD, SEALAttest. Grand Master.R. R. BOYD.

The first meeting under the dispensation was held in the rooms of Hiram Lodge, No. 105, October 3, 1848. The officers were:JAMES WENZ, Master. FREDERICK EHRMAN, Senior Warden. JACOB WEIL, Junior Warden. AUGUST MILLER, Secretary.

The Lodge was formally constituted and the officers installed in the First Universalist Church on Washington Street, June 25, 1849; Hiram Lodge. No. 105, and Buffalo Chapter assisted in the ceremonies.

The officers named in the warrant are:JAMES WENZ. Master.FREDERICK EHRMAN. Senior Warden.JACOB WEIL. Junior Warden.

An event of great interest to the members of the Lodge was the celebration of the golden wedding anniversary of Brо. GOTTFRIED SCHEFFEL and wife. The festivities were held in Turn (Turin?] Hall, October 13, 1872; this brother was made a mason in zur Eintracht Lodge at Berlin, Germany. He was chaplain of the Lodge from 1858 until his death, which occurred in 1880.

38

It celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary at St. James Hall, June 24, 1874, and on June 11, 12, 13, 1899, it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary; on the 11th services were held in St. Paul's Church, when addresses were made by Wor. HERMAN BERNHARDT, a Past Master of the Lodge. REV. C. MULLER and REV. C. C. ALBERTSON ; on the 12th an outing was held at Elmwood Beach and on the 13th public Masonic services were held in the Masonic Temple ; at the conclusion of these services a banquet was given at the Ellicott Club.

A sketch of this Lodge would he incomplete without special reference to R.'. W.'. JOSEPH L. HABERSTRO, who served as Master eleven years and was largely instrumental in making it one of the most prosperous German Lodges in this State.

A complimentary banquet was given by the Lodge in his honor March 22, 1878, this being the twenty-fifth anniversary of his membership. Wor. ERNEST L. VOLGENAU says concerning him: "This sterling man and mason served the Lodge as master eleven years; there were times in the history of Concordia Lodge when its very existence depended upon the loyalty and optimism of JOSEPH L. HABERSTRO. His never failing cheerfulness under the most trying circumstances, his love for the fraternity, his generous support in time of trial, served as an inspiration to all those who came under his influence. It is no exaggeration to say that the present highly satisfactory condition of the Lodge is due more largely to the unaided efforts of this noble character than to any other factor. He died November 1905, sincerely mourned by all who had the privilege of knowing him."

The Lodge has participated in a number of public ceremonies. It assisted at the laying of the corner-stones of the following: Protestant Evangelist Church. Black Rock, NY, August 25, 1852; NY State Arsenal, Buffalo, May 5, 1858; Universalist Church, Buffalo, August 2, 1864: Memorial Monument. Forest Lawn Cemetery, September 26, 1866; Normal School, Fredonia, NY, Aug. 8, 1867; Normal School, Buffalo, April 15. 1869; Fireman's Benevolent Association Monument, Forest Lawn Cemetery, July 23, 1869 ; Asbury M. E. Church, Buffalo, July 13, 1871: City and County Hall, Buffalo, June 24, 1872; State Hospital. Buffalo. September 18, 1872; Soldiers' Monument, Forest Lawn Cemetery, October 21, 1880; Soldiers' and Sailors' Monuments, Buffalo, July 4, 1882; Masonic Temple, Buffalo, July 20. 1890; Masonic Home, Utica, May 21, 1891 ; U. S. Government Building, Buffalo, June 19, 1897 ; Seventy-fourth Regiment, N. Y. S. N. G. Armory, Buffalo, July 4, 1898 ; Sixty-fifth Regiment, N. Y. S. N. G. Armory, Buffalo, May 30, 1903; it was also represented at the dedication of the Home at Utica, October 5, 1892.

MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.

Charles F. Bishop, Mayor.Joseph L. Haberstro, Sheriff, City Treasurer.Charles F. Sturm, County Auditor.Charles A. Rupp, Police Commissioner.Philip Steingoetter, County Treasurer.

Frank Sipp, Assemblyman.Nicholas J. Miller, Assemblyman.Anthony Stettenbenz, Street Commissioner.Simon Seibert, Fire Commissioner.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS.

Joseph L. Haberstro, District Deputy Grand Master. Charles F. Bishop, District Deputy Grand Master.Charles F. Sturm, Grand Steward. George Schlenker, Grand Sword Bearer.

MASTERS.\

1849. James Wenz. 1850. James Wenz. 1851. James Wenz. 1852. John P. Klein. 1853. John P. Klein. 1854. John P. Klein. 1855. Jacob Weil. 1856. John P. Klein. 1857. Joseph L. Haberstro. 1858. Joseph L. Haberstro. 1859. Joseph L. Haberstro. 1860. Joseph L. Haberstro. 1861. Joseph L. Haberstro. 1862. Joseph L. Haberstro. 1863. Joseph L. Haberstro.

1864. Joseph L. Haberstio. 1865. Charles H. Rauert. 1866. Joseph L. Haberstro. 1867. S. C. Kiene. 1868. S. C. Kiene. 1869. George Brost. 1870. George Brost. 1871. W. C. Zimmerman. 1872. W. C. Zimmerman. 1873. Fred Held. 1874. Fred Held. 1875. John F. Haberstro. 1876. John F. Haberstro. 1877. Joseph L. Haberstro. 1878. Joseph L. Haberstro. ,

1879. Frank Sipp. 1880. Frank Sipp. 1881. Nicholas Moershfelder. 1882. Nicholas Moershfelder. 1883. Charles F. Bishop. 1884. Charles F. Bishop. 1885. Peter Frank. 1886. Peter Frank. 1887. Henry Zier. 1888. Herman Bernhardt. 1889. Herman Bernhardt. 1890. Charles F. Wittholz. 1891. Charles F. Wittholz. 1892. Ernest Bamberg. 1893. Ernest Bamberg.

1894. Louis J. Kenngott. 1895. Louis J. Kenngott. 1896. Charles F. Sturm. 1897. Charles F. Sturm. 1898. George L. Fischer. 1899. George L. Fischer. 1900. Robert Eichel. 1901. Robert Eichel. 1902. William Schmidt. 1903. William Schmidt. 1904. George Schlenker. 1905. George Schlenker. 1906. Ernest L. Volgenau. 1907.Ernest L. Volgenau.

--------

Erie Lodge No. 161.—The greatest loss that can befall a lodge is the destruction of its records, for with it the authenticity and details of its previous history disappear to a great extent. Whatever information may be subsequently gathered by the slow and uncertain process of extraction from the recollection of old members and from other sources, lacks after all the authenticity of the original records. That disaster has overtaken Erie Lodge of Buffalo. No records of the lodge, except the list of members, have been saved from the calamitous fire which

destroyed the lodge rooms in the building in the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets, on the evening of December 21, 1882. Sufficient time has scarcely elapsed to collect and put in presentable shape the material necessary for even the ban* outline of the history of the lodge, which has existed for a third of a century, and this must be the excuse for the paucity of the matter furnished in the present sketch.

It was on the 21st of December, 1849, that Hiram Lodge adopted a resolution recommending the petition of thirty-two good and true Masons to the favorable consideration of the Grand Master, who thereupon granted his dispensation for the formation of Erie Lodge. The date of the petition we have been unable to ascertain. The following are the names of the brethren who signed the petition:

39

George W. Allen, Silas M. Allen, Gordon Bailey, Cyrenius C. Bristol, Lyman Brown, Frederick J. Butler, Benjamin CarylNehemiah Case,

George W. Clinton, Carlos Cobb, Orange H. Dibble, Philip Dorsheimer, John Douglass, Solomon Drullard, Samuel D. Flagg, John Fleharty,

Horatio Gates, John Hollister, John M. Hughes, Cyrus P. Lee, James McCredie, Harvey M. Mixer, Nelson Randall, James L. Reynolds,

Henry W. Rogers, W. L. G. Smith, Erastus Wallis, Horatio Warren. Richard H. Weller, William Williams, Eli Williamson, Benjamin Welch, Jr.

Twenty five of these brothers have gone to their long rest. The seven surviving brethren are Nehemiah Case, James McCredie, Frederick J. Butler, Cyrus P. Lee, Cyrenius C. Bristol, Eli Williamson and George W. Clinton. Of these Nehemiah Case and James McCredie continue their membership in the lodge, the latter having been uninterruptedly elected to some office from the time of its formation; certainly a rare occurrence and undoubted evidence of the value of the member.The first three candidates initiated by the lodge were James H. Lee, January 28, 1850, Samuel C. Greene, February 4, 1850, and F. A. Alberger, March 18, 1850.

At the session of the Grand Lodge in June, 1850, the lodge obtained a warrant and was registered as Erie Lodge No. 161. The date of the warrant is June, 1850, and the brethren named therein as the first officers of the lodge are Nelson Randall, M., Carlos Cobb, S. W., and W. L. G. Smith, J. W. The lodge held its communications in the same rooms in which Hiram Lodge, Concordia Lodge and Buffalo Chapter met. These bodies have since their respective organization, closely adhered to each other and have always occupied the same premises. Erie Lodge has invariably participated in all public demonstrations. On the 26th of August, 1852, it joined with Hiram and Concordia Lodges in laying the corner-stone of the German Evangelical Church at Lower Black Rock. .It was Erie Lodge that, at its meeting of March 4, 1853, appointed a committee to take in consideration the propriety and feasibility of erecting a Masonic temple in the city of Buffalo.

In 1855 the lodge approved the "Articles of Association of the Masonic Board of Relief of the city of Buffalo, "which it subsequently zealously supported. On the 5th of May, 1858, the lodge participated in the laying of the corner-stone of the State Arsenal, and in 1861, in company with the masonic bodies that had heretofore met at the corner of Washington and Exchange streets, left its masonic home and moved to the lodge rooms on the southwest corner of Main and Swan streets.

On the 2d of August, 1864. the lodge participated in the laying of the corner-stone of the First Universalist Church and when, on the 25th of January, 1865, the American Hotel, together with the adjacent buildings in which a number of masonic bodies met, were destroyed by fire, it was Erie Lodge that surrendered in a fraternal spirit two nights of their regular monthly communications for the accommodation of the lodges that had become homeless.

The calamity which had fallen upon the fraternity by this conflagration, once more reminded the Masons of Buffalo of the necessity of possessing their own property and as, on a previous occasion, Erie Lodge again became an ardent supporter of the proposition and subscribed a liberal sum for that purpose.

The lodge participated in the laying of the memorial stone in Forest Lawn cemetery, September 26, 1856; in the laying of the corner-stone of the State Normal School at Fredonia, August 8, 1867; in that of the State Normal School in Buffalo, April 15, 1869; in that of the Fireman's monument in Forest Lawn Cemetery, July 23, 1869; of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church July 13, 1871; of the City and County Hall June 24, 1872; of the asylum for the insane September 18, 1872; of the soldiers' monument in Forest Lawn Cemetery October 21, 1880; and of the soldiers' and sailors' monument in LaFayette Square, July 4, 1882.

In December, 1875, the lodge joined the Masonic Association formed for the purpose of leasing the lodge rooms on the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets and moved to the new locality in May, 1876. Here it suffered with the rest of the Masonic bodies by the conflagration of December 21, 1882.

Erie Lodge has liberally contributed to the hall and asylum fund of the Grand Lodge, as well as to all benevolent and charitable purposes at home.

Of the eminent Masons upon whom the Grand Lodge of the State and other Grand bodies have conferred their highest honors, Erie Lodge has furnished a larger number than any other lodge in this district, and it may be safe to say even in the State.

Two members have attained to the exalted dignity of Grand Master of the State—Brothers Nelson Randall and Christopher G. Fox. The former was one of the charter members of the lodge, and the latter was initiated in Erie Lodge, although not a member of it at the time he filled the office of Grand Master. Brother James-McCredie occupied the position of Most Puissant Grand Master of the Grand Council of the State. Brother LeRoy Farnham that of Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of the State; and Brother David F. Day that of Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the State. Brother Ellicott Evans was the first District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-fifth Masonic District, and for several years Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence of the Grand Lodge. Brother William Gould was one of the Grand Stewards of the Grand Lodge in 1857.

The lodge is again domiciled in its former quarters, northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets. The lodge numbered two hundred and fifty-four members May I, 1883. The following brothers have occupied the station of Master of the lodge for the periods set opposite their respective names:

Nelson Randall, 1850-51; Cyrus P. Lee, 1852-53; LeRoy Farnham, 1854; Ellicott Evans, 1855; William Gould, 1856-58, '60-62; James McCredie, 1859;

William F. Best, 1863-64 & '67; David, F. Day, 1865; John Briggs, 1866 & '76; S. M. Ratcliffe, 1868, '71-72, '81 and '83; W. L. G. Smith, 1869; William H. Dee, 1870;

Robert Denton, 1873-74; Benjamin A. Provoost, 1875; Edward H. Paige, 1877; William Christian, 1878-79; Thomas A. Laird, 1880 & '82.

40

1908 Grand Lodge Proceedings:

ERIE LODGE, NO. 161, BUFFALO, N. Y. WARRANT: The original warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated June 8, 1850.Name or number has never been changed. MINUTES: Not intact. The first recorded meeting for the purpose of organizing the Lodge was held December 20, 1849. There were present:Nelson Randall. Erastus Wallis. Eli Williamson.Samuel D. Flagg. Philip Dorsheimer. Horatio Warren.George W. Allen. William L. G. Smith. George W. Clinton.Solomon Drullard. Carlos Cobb. Silas M. Allen.Orange H. Dibble. Frederick Butler. Gordon Bailey.James McCredie. Cyrenius C. Bristol. L. Brown.

NELSON RANDALL was appointed Chairman and JAMES MCCREDIE, Secretary.Resolutions were adopted to prepare a petition for a Lodge and to secure recommendations from Hiram Lodge, No. 105, and

Concordia Lodge, No. 143.The petition was signed by the following-named brethren:Orange H. Dibble. Cyrus P. Lee.William Williams. Horatio Gates.Nelson Randall. John Douglass.James McCredie. Solomon Drullard.Richard H. Weller. Silas M. Allen.Frederick J. Butler. James L. Reynolds.Samuel D. Flagg. John M. Hughes.Horatio Warren. Benjamin Caryl.William L. G. Smith. Cyrenius C. Bristol.Erastus Wallis. Eli Williamson.Nehemiah Case. George W. Clinton.George W. Allen. Benjamin Welsh, Jr.Harvey M. Mixer. Gordon Bailey.Carlos Cobb. John Hollister.Philip Dorsheimer. Lyman Brown.Henry W. Rogers. John Fleherty.

The dispensation was issued in the month of January, 1850, and at the first meeting after it was received the following were selected as officers:

NELSON RANDALL, Master. CARLOS COBB, Senior Warden. WILLIAM L. G. SMITH, Junior Warden. NEHEMIAH CASE, Treasurer. JAMES MCCREDIE, Secretary. LYMAN BROWN, Senior Deacon. ELI WILLIAMSON, Junior Deacon.

GEORGE W. ALLEN, Master of Ceremonies. ERASTUS WALLIS, Master of Ceremonies. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Steward. JOHN DOUGLASS, Steward. HORATIO GATES, Orator. J. J. ROGERS, Tiler.

The first meeting after the warrant had been granted was held June 24. 1850. The officers named in the warrant were:NELSON RANDALL, Master. CARLOS COBB, Senior Warden. WILLIAM L. G. SMITH, Junior Warden.

The first meeting-place was in a building on Exchange Street near Washington, where it remained until 1861, when it moved into the Townsend Block, at the southwest corner of Main and Swan Streets, remaining here for about sixteen years, when it moved into the Miller and Greiner building, on the corner of North Division and Washington Streets.

This building was partially destroyed by fire on December 26, 1882. The Lodge procured temporary quarters with Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 441, on the corner of Court and Main Streets, where it remained for a year, when it returned to its former quarters, which had been repaired and refitted. The Lodge continued to occupy these rooms until March 15, 1887, when a second fire occurred, in which it lost much of its property. It afterward occupied rooms in the Austin building, on the corner of Franklin and Eagle Streets, where it remained until the completion of the Masonic Temple, January 1892, when it moved into its present quarters in that building.

Since its organization in 1849 the Lodge has been active and prosperous. On many occasions it has participated in events of a public character, and frequently assisted in laying the corner-stones of prominent buildings in the vicinity of Buffalo. It was represented at the laying of the corner-stone of the Home at Utica, May 21, 1891, and the dedication of same October 5, 1892.

MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.

William L. G. Smith, U. S. Consul, Shanghai. Franklin A. Alberger, Mayor.Leroy Farnham, Sheriff. Nelson Randall, Major-Gen. N. G. S. N. Y. Victor M. Rice, Assemblyman. Israel T. Hatch. Congressman.

41

Philip Dorsheimer, State Treasurer. Alonzo Tanner. City Comptroller.Austin Flint. Physician. George W. Clinton, Supreme Court Judge.Austin Flint. Jr., Physician. James P. White, Physician.

William L. G. Smith, b. at West Haven, Vermont, 16 Mar 1814; d. 1878 in Vermont; graduated at Middlebury College, 1833. He read law and commenced practice at Buffalo, NY, in 1836. Postmaster of Buffalo, NY, 1846, vice Phillip Dorsheimer.William L. G. Smith authored the 1863, 216 page book, “Observations on China and the Chinese,” which may a read at:http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=5MRFAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22William+L.+G.+Smith%22&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=AbMRn3uqfC&sig=9gz6HbLxzNrT8Per4AJrDddgmY0&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result#PPA16,M1

Life in the South or “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” as it is, being Narratives, Scenes, and Incidents in the Real “Life of the Lowly.” 1852. 15,000 copies of this work were sold in 15 days.http://books.google.com/books?id=lMkYAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22Smith%22+%22uncle+tom's+cabin%22&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=oWukh3s6OM&sig=vd-4rgMyndzfRu2v2zFJp5FDLwA&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA14,M1

Fifty Years of Public Life: The Life and Times of Lewis Cass, 1856, 781 pages. (He dedicated his book, “Observations on China” to General Lewis Cass – Grand Master of Ohio, 1810-12 and Michigan, 1826, F&AM) [m. 4c5r]http://books.google.com/books?id=YSEuAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22William+L.+G.+Smith%22 a copy of which is in the digital archives of OMDHS.

Philip Dorsheimer b. 15 Apr 1797, Wollstein, Mont-Tonnerre; d. 11 Apr 1868. He came to America in 1815, and settled in Harrisburg, PA. On 23 Aug 1821, he married Sarah Gorgas. In 1826 he removed to Lyons, NY, and in April 1836 to Buffalo.

William Dorsheimer.< Photo taken by Matthew Brady between 1855 and 1865

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~frey/notes_for_leidinger/excerpts_from.htm He was born about ten miles south of Bingen-on-Rhine in the village of Wöllstein , Hesse-Darmstadt, more recently in Rheinhassen, on April 15th, 1797. He married in Pennsylvania Sarah Gorpas; 1821, Aug. 23. Upon the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825-6, Dorsheimer was attracted to Lyons as a flour miller, and a few years thereafter became an inn-keeper. He operated first the Wayne County Hotel (earlier Princess Tavern, later Congress Hall, located on Water Street where is today the Wayne Hotel), and next, as of about 1833, the Lyons Hotel on the northeast corner of William and Montezuma Streets. The latter was known at different times as the Landon Hotel, Patton House and Graham House. It was as a Lyons hotel proprietor, in the period of about 1830 to 1836, that Dorsheimer became a lodestone to his fellow-countrymen, leading them to settle in Wayne. 

Having lived the good life in his adopted land, Philip Dorsheimer passed away in 1868, soon after the Civil War, at age 71. His one child, William born in Lyons in 1832, studied law and himself became prominent in New York politics.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS.

Nelson Randall. Grand Master. Ellicott Evans, District Deputy Grand Master.Christopher G. Fox, Grand Master. William Gould, Grand Steward.

Several members of the Lodge achieved distinction in other Masonic bodies. James McCredie was Grand Master of the Grand Council R. & S. M.; Leroy Farnham was Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery, K.T., State of New York: David F. Day was General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the United States; Christopher G. Fox, who was initiated in Erie Lodge February 13. 1854, has been Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter R. A. M., State of New York, for over twenty-five years.

MASTERS.

1850. Nelson Randall. 1851. Nelson Randall. 1852. Carlos Cobh. 1853. Cyrus P. Lee. 1854. Cyrus P. Lee. 1855. Leroy Farnham. 1856. Ellicott Evans. 1857. William Gould. 1858. William Could. 1859. William Gould. 1860. James McCrertie. 1861. William Gould. 1862. William Gould. 1863. William Gould. 1864. William F. Best.

1865. David F. Day. 1866. John Briggs. 1867. William F. Best. 1868. Stephen M. Radcliffe. 1869. William L. G. Smith. 1870. William H. Dee. 1871. Stephen M. Radcliffe. 1872. Stephen M. Radcliffe. 1873. Robert Denton. 1874. Robert Denton. 1875. Benjamin A. Provost. 1876. John Briggs. 1877. Edward H! Paige. 1878. William Christian. 1879. William Christian.

1880. Thomas A. Laird. 1881. Stephen M. Radcliffe. 1882. Thomas A. Laird. 1883.Stephen M. Radcliffe. 1884. Jerome S. Edwards. 1885. Jerome S. Edwards. 1886. Edson J. Weeks. 1887. Charles Stoddard. 1888. Charles Stoddard. 1889. Burt P. Hoyer. 1890. Burt P. Hoyer. 1891. Edward Clark. 1892. Edward Clark. 1893. Benjamin F. White. 1894. Benjamin F. White.

1895. Edward Brown. 1896. Edward Brown. 1897. J. Newton Means. 1898. J. Newton Means. 1899. Winfield C. Brower. 1900. James B. Snelgrove. 1901. James B. Snelgrove. 1902. Clarence E. Bushnell. 1903. Clarence E. Bushnell. 1904. W. DeCourcy Rose. 1905. George C. Hillman. 1906. Charles C. Niles. 1907. A. Le Roy Ellsworth. 1908. Horace S. Southall.

---------

42

Washington Lodge No. 240.—It was in the fall of 1851 that a number of Masons, some of them being at the time members of Hiram and Erie Lodges, determined to apply for a dispensation to open a new lodge in the city of Buffalo. One of the reasons for this movement was that the city was beginning to assume extensive proportions and some of the brethren were living at too great a distance from the Masonic Hall, corner of Washington and Exchange streets, to make their attendance at the lodge meetings possible or convenient, street railroads being unknown in those days. It was at the last of the preliminary meetings at which the feasibility of establishing a new lodge was

discussed, that the following brethren signed a petition to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation:

L. Brown, D. H. Wiswell, Harlow Palmer, H. H. Reynolds, M. Pinner, Horatio Warren, Ashley Ball, Charles D. Delaney, Miles Jones, J. M. Punderson, A. S. Schwartz, Eli Williamson, O. B. Evans, Gordon Bailey and George W. Clinton.

Of the fifteen brethren, three are still continuing their membership in the lodge, five withdrew, having left the city, and seven have died. The petition for a dispensation received the endorsement of both Hiram and Erie Lodges.

The first regular communication of the lodge was held at the Masonic Hall, corner of Washington and Exchange streets, on the 28th of October, 1851, the following officers occupying their respective stations and places: Lynian Hrown, M.; Harlow Palmer, S. W.; J. M. Punderson, J. W.; H. H. Reynolds, secretary; Miles Jones, treasurer; M. Pinner, S. D.; Gordon Bailey, J. D.; Charles D. Delaney and D. H. Wiswell, stewards; and A. S Schwartz, M. C.

The first petitions for initiation were received from F. P. Stevens and William Sutton. Of these the former never entered ihe lodge. At this meeting a resolution was unanimously adopted that it was the intention of the members to obtain a hall in the upper part of the city for the use of the lodge.

The first initiation occurred at the communication of the lodge, November 25, 1851, William A. Sutton and Horatio Seymour being the candidates.

The lodge continued its labors under dispensation until December when a warrant was granted to it at the quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge, December 11th, 1851, the names of the first three lodge officers inserted therein being Lyman Brown, M.; Harlow Palmer, S. W., and James M. Punderson, J. W. The first regular communication under the warrant occurred on the 1st of January, 1852, and they continued to be held at the corner of Washington and Exchange streets until June of that year. The hall over the Buffalo Savings Bank, then located on the premises now known as No. 420 Main street, was secured by the lodge for its future meetings, that being the intention of its members. The first meeting in its new location occurred on the 24th of June, 1852.

A severe infliction befell the lodge on the 31st of August, 1852, by the death of the Senior Warden, Brother Harlow Palmer, who was an earnest and zealous Mason and one of the principal supporters of the young lodge. His memory is still cherished by the few surviving old members from whose recollection time has failed to efface the sterling qualities of the man and Mason. His brother, Everard, was initiated into Masonry in Washington Lodge August 17, 1852, was elected Junior Warden of the lodge at the election of officers December 21st, 1852; he also became a steadfast and liberal supporter of the lodge.

The hall heretofore occupied over the Buffalo Savings Bank was found to be inadequate for the use of the lodge. The members, therefore, determined to rent the more spacious hall in the adjoining buildings, Nos. 326 and 328 Main street (now known as 416 and 418 Main street). It was suitably arranged, fitted and prepared for the use of the lodge, and its first communication was held therein on the 20th of April, 1863. The name of the lodge was also given to the hall and it was known thereafter as Washington Masonic Hall. Modestia Lodge No. 340, Queen City No. 358, Ancient Landmarks, N0.441, Keystone Chapter No. 163 R. A. M., and Keystone Council, No. 20. R. & S. M., subsequently held their communications in the same hall.

In the year 1855. Washington Lodge united with Hiram, Erie, Queen City and Ancient Landmark Lodges to establish a Board of Relief for the city of Buffalo, for the purpose of preventing the bestowal of charity indiscriminately; it has tended to relieve the worthy more effectually, while, at the same time, it protects the lodges against imposition by the searching investigation of the board. Subsequently all the lodges in the city became members of the board, of which particulars will be given in another part of this compilation.

A petition to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to form a new lodge, to be known as Temple Lodge, was presented to Washington Lodge for endorsement, at its communication of January 14, 1858, and received its approbation. The Grand Master of the State, M. W. Brother John L. Lewis, declined to grant the dispensation, for the reason that a lodge by that name was already existing in this State. The name of the proposed new lodge was thereupon changed to that of "Ancient Landmarks Lodge," when it received the sanction of the Grand Master.

Hiram Lodge being the oldest lodge in the city, and having been called upon by the proper civil authorities to lay the corner-stone of the new State arsenal, invited Washington Lodge, April 15, 1858, to participate in the ceremonies. The invitation was accepted. The question of a change in the representation in the Grand Lodge was brought before the lodge March 20, 1862, and at its communication of May 22, it was resolved that in the opinion of Washington Lodge the Grand Lodge of the-State should remain as at present constituted, but that it seemed desirable that it should be removed from the city of New York to some city in the central part of the State. The lodge received and accepted the invitation of Concordia and Modestia Lodges to celebrate St. John's day at Moffat's Grove on the 26th of June, 1862, at 7:30 P. M. A communication of the lodge was called on the 2d of August, 1864, for the purpose of attending the M. W. Grand Lodge and be present at the laying of the corner-stone of the First Universalist Church, on Main street in this city.

The disastrous fire which destroyed the American Hotel on the evening of Wednesday, January 25, 1865, also swept away the Washington Masonic Hall, it being contiguous thereto. The lodge lost its cherished home, but was fortunate in saving its books, records and jewels, together with a portion of the furniture, for which it is indebted to the energetic action of Brothers Samuel O. Bigelow and William Fleming, assisted by a number of its own members and those of other lodges. At the meeting of the lodge February 2, 1865, which was held in Masonic Hall, corner of Main and Swan streets, a resolution was adopted thanking Erie Lodge No. 161, for its fraternal kindness in surrendering the use of its lodge room for the first and third Thursday evenings of each month,

43

until Washington Lodge would be enabled to provide itself with a room in place of the one destroyed by fire. On the 4th of February, 1865, M. W. Brother Clinton F. Paige, Grand Master, authorized Washington Lodge to meet at the hall corner of Main and Swan streets. Hugh de Payens Commandery having offered to rent its hall over Nos. 326 and 328 Main street—(416 and 418 new numbers) to Washington Lodge, the latter accepted the proposition and held its first communication in said hall December 28, 1865. At this meeting a resolution was adopted thanking all the lodges meeting at the Masonic Hall, corner of Main and Swan streets, but more particularly Erie Lodge, who, in a fraternal spirit had given up two Thursdays in each month, to enable Washington Lodge to hold its communications.

September 6, 1866, an invitation was extended to the lodge to join with the other lodges of the city in laying a memorial stone on the occasion of the consecration of the grounds of Forest Lawn Cemetery Association, which was accepted. July 25, 1867, a committee was appointed by the lodge to confer with like committees from the rest of the city lodges, with reference to laying the corner-stone of the State Normal School, at Fredonia, for which an invitation had been received. The invitation was accepted and the lodges proceeded to Fredonia and performed the ceremony on the 8th of August.

In response to a call issued by R. W. Brother Christopher G. Fox, at that time S. G. W., of the Grand Lodge, the Masters and Wardens of the several lodges in Buffalo assembled at the hall, corner of Main and Swan streets, on the 8th of April, 1869, to take into consideration the acceptance of the invitation of the building committee to lay the cornerstone of the State Normal School, then in course of erection in this city. The invitation was accepted. Washington Lodge participated in the ceremony on the 18th of April, 1869. Again in Jun 1869, Washington Lodge was informed that the Fraternity of the city had received an invitation to lay the corner-stone of the firemen's monument in Forest Lawn on the 24th of June. On the 22d of July 1869, the lodge came to the determination to change its place of meeting with the new year, to Masonic Hall corner of Main and Swan streets, where it held its first communication on the 13th of January, 1870.

A number of German brethren having determined to form a new lodge in Buffalo, applied to Washington Lodge for an endorsement of their petition to the Grand lodge. The lodge was to work in the German tongue and be called Harmonie Lodge. The recommendation was granted November 11, 1869.

During the summer of 1870 a plan had been discussed for the establishment of a Masonic library for the joint use of the lodges in Buffalo, and on the 25th of August of that year a committee had been appointed by Washington Lodge, for the purpose of meeting committees from the other lodges to carry the plan into execution. To the regret of the Fraternity generally, the idea failed to become a reality.

On the 26th of May, 1870, the lodge contributed the sum of $400 to the Hall and Asylum fund of the Grand Lodge, which was increased on the 12th of December, 1872, by $400 from the funds of the lodge and by $75 from contributions of its members. The destructive conflagration which laid almost the whole city of Chicago in ashes, called for the immediate relief of the sufferers; $200 were transmitted October 12th, 1871, to the Grand Master of the State of Illinois for distribution to the needy.

Washington Lodge had joined the association formed for the purpose of renting and suitably fitting up the new Masonic Hall on the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets, and removed to it immediately after completion. The first communication of the lodge in these elegant rooms occurred July 13, 1876. In September, 1878, the lodge and its members contributed $142 for the relief of the yellow fever sufferers. On the 22d of September, 1881, the lodge took suitable action on the death of Brother James A. Garfield, President of the United States. On the 14th of December, 1882, the lodge held its last meeting in the hall; on the 21st of the same month it fell a prey to the flames. Fortunately its records were preserved, but unluckily its warrant was destroyed. The Grand Lodge granted a duplicate thereof at its session, in June, 1883. Twice has it now passed through a fiery ordeal; may it be saved from this infliction for all future time.

Washington Lodge found a temporary home in the hall of the Ancient Landmark's Lodge, and elected its officers at its regular communication, December 28, 1882. It is now again domiciled in its former quarters at Masonic Hall, corner of Washington and North Division streets, the building having been restored to its former condition and the hall beautifully furnished.

The following are the names of the Masters of Washington Lodge, the figures opposite to the respective names indicating the years during which they presided:

Lyman Brown, 1851-52; Horatio Warren, 1853; Gordon Bailey, 1834; Everard Palmer, 1855; M. Pinner, 1856, ’59-64;

Andrew Houliston, 1857; William Fleming, 1858; Samuel O. Bigelow, 1865; A. E. Williams, 1866; John B. Manning, 1867-68;

Isaac O. Crissy, 1869-70; C. C. Candee, 1871-72; William B. Flint, 1873-74; H. B. McCulloch, 1875-76; Ralph Johnson, 1877;

John C. Graves, 1878-79; John B. Greene, 1880; Joseph E. Ball, 1881; Charles R. Fitzgerald, 1882-83.

On the 1st of May, 1883. Washington Lodge had two hundred and twenty-one Master Masons on its rolls.

Note: M(ichael). Pinner, b. ca 1815; d. 3 Dec 1885, is the author of most of present text on the Lodges in this present work (except the biographical information). His 75 page text may be seen at:http://books.google.com/books?id=GTAZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA32&dq=%22Williamsville+Lodge+No.+344%22#v=onepage&q=%22Williamsville%20Lodge%20No.%20344%22&f=false

His obituary in The Buffalo Express of Friday Morning, 4 Dec 1885, read:

Death of Michael Pinner.Yesterday morning Mr. Michael Pinner died at his borne. No. 180 West Huron Street, aged 70 years. He was one of Buffalo's old residents, having lived here about 35 years. For a number of years he was in tbe grocery and oil business. He was a prominent Mason, having served as Master of Washington Lodge for seven terms. He leaves a widow, four daughters, and a son.

44

“1911 Grand Lodge Proceedings,” page 289.http://books.google.com/books?id=BzpLAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA293&dq=%22pinner%22+%22buffalo%22&lr=#v=onepage&q=%22pinner%22%20%22buffalo%22&f=false

WASHINGTON LODGE, NO. 240, BUFFALO, N. Y. WARRANT: The warrant in possession of the Lodge was issued June 7, 1883, but bears the same date as the original warrant

issued December 11, 1851, which was destroyed by fire December 21, 1882.The name or number has never been changed.MINUTES: Not intact, the records from March 9, 1882, to January 13, 1887, were damaged by fire.Washington Lodge was organized during the autumn of 1851; a number of informal meetings were held and finally a petition was

prepared asking for a dispensation which was signed by the following:

Lyman Brown. Daniel H. Wiswell.Harlow Palmer. Hiram H. Reynolds.Michael Pinner Horatio Warren.Ashley Ball. Charles D. Delaney.Miles Jones. James M. Punderson.Abram S. Swartz. Eli Williamson.Oliver B. Evans. Gordon Bailey. George W. Clinton.

The petition met with favor, and in October a dispensation was issued by M.'. W.'. OSCAR COLES, Grand Master.The first meeting under the dispensation was held October 28th with the following officers:LYMAN BROWN, Master.HARLOW PALMER, Senior Warden.JAMES M. PUNDERSON, Junior Warden.MILES JONES. Treasurer.HIRAM H. REYNOLDS, Secretary.MICHAEL PINNER, Senior Deacon.

GORDON BAILEY, Junior Deacon.CHARLES D. DELANEY, StewardDANIEL H. WISWELL. Steward ABRAM S. SWARTZ, Master of Ceremonies. DANIEL KINNEY, Tiler.

At this meeting By-Laws were adopted, three petitions for initiation were received, and a committee was appointed to secure a place of meeting in the "upper" part of the city.

The first work done by the Lodge was on November 25th, when Horatio Seymour, Jr., and William A. Sutton were initiated and passed.

At a meeting of the Grand Lodge held December 2, 1851, a warrant was ordered, and on the 11th instant it was issued.The officers named in the warrant were:LYMAN BROWN, Master.HARLOW PALMER, Senior Warden.JAMES M. PUNDERSON, Junior Warden.

The first meeting under the warrant was held January 1, 1852, when the Lodge was constituted and the same officers installed that had served while working under dispensation.

The first meeting place was in the rooms of Hiram Lodge, No. 105, corner of Washington and Exchange streets, where it remained until June, 1852, when it moved to No. 330 (old number) Main Street. In April, 1853, it moved to Nos. 320-328 (now Nos. 410-418) Main Street: these quarters were destroyed by fire January 25, 1865, and for a short time it had quarters on the corner of Main and Swan streets; in December, 1865, it moved into a new building which had been erected on the site of the one destroyed by fire. From 1869 to 1876 it met on the southwest corner of Main and Swan streets. In July, 1876, it moved to the Miller and Grainer Hall corner of Washington and North Division streets. This building was partially destroyed by fire on December 21, 1882, and for the second time the Lodge suffered by fire, this time losing its warrant. While its quarters were being restored it held meetings in the rooms of the Lodge of Ancient Landmarks, No. 441, on the corner of Main and Court streets. In September, 1883, it returned to its former quarters.

On March 15, 1887, this building was totally destroyed by fire, the Lodge losing all of its property. Subsequent quarters were secured in the Austin building on the corner of Franklin and Eagle streets. These disasters fanned into active life a movement having for its object the erection of a Masonic Temple where all of the Masonic bodies could secure safe and comfortable quarters. The Masonic Hall Association was organized in 1875, and in September, 1888, the property known as Nos. 41-43 and 45 Niagara Street was purchased, and arrangements were soon entered into for the erection of the Temple. The Lodge took an active interest in this enterprise, contributing generously towards procuring funds for the purpose.

The corner-stone was laid July 20, 1890, by R.'. W.'. CHARLES F. BISHOP. District Deputy Grand Master. The first meeting of the Lodge in the Temple was held January 14, 1892, and it still has quarters in this building. The Temple was dedicated by M.'. W.'. CHRISTOPHER G. FOX, Past Grand Master, January 20, 1892.

The Lodge participated in both of these ceremonies, and was also represented at the laying of the corner-stone of the State Arsenal, May 5, 1858; corner-stone of Universalist Church, August 2, 1864; corner-stone of the Memorial Monument, Forest Lawn Cemetery, September 28, 1866: corner-stone of the State Normal School, Fredonia, NY, August 8, 1867; corner-stone of the State Normal School, Buffalo, April 15, 1869; corner-stone of the Firemen's Monument, Forest Lawn Cemetery, June 24, 1869; corner-stone of the Asbury M. E. Church, July 13, 1871; corner-stone of the City and County Hall, June 24, 1872; corner-stone of the State Hospital, September 18, 1872; corner-stone of the Soldiers' Monument, Forest Lawn Cemetery, October 21, 1880; corner-stone of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, Lafayette Square. July 4, 1882; corner-stone of the 74th Regiment Armory, corner of Virginia Street and Fremont Place. July 4. 1885: corner-stone of the Home at Utica, NY, May 21, 1891; dedication of same, October 5, 1892; corner-stone of the U. S. Government Building, Buffalo, June 19, 1897; corner-stone of the 74th Regiment Armory, Niagara Street,

45

July 4, 1898; cornerstone of the 65th Regiment Armory, May 30, 1903; corner-stone of the Masonic Hall, Lodge of Ancient Landmarks. No. 441, July 23, 1904; corner-stone of Unity Hall, July 1, 1905, and the laying of the cornerstone of the Y. W. C. A. Building at Hamilton. Ontario.

A notable event in the history of the Lodge occurred on February 22, 1906, when it celebrated the birth of George Washington, in whose honor the Lodge was named. The principal feature of this occasion was an address on "Washington the Mason," by R.'. W.'. SYLVANUS J. QUINN, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, and Secretary of Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 6. He also exhibited the Bible upon which Brother Washington was obligated as a Mason and a minute book of the Lodge containing the record of his initiation, passing and raising.

The valued mementoes were brought from Fredericksburg by authority of a special dispensation.A close fraternal friendship exists between Washington Lodge and Doric Lodge, No. 316, A. F. and A. M., Toronto, Canada, and

The Bartin Lodge, No. 6. Hamilton, Canada. On September 28, 1882, the Lodge tendered a reception to Doric Lodge, which was accompanied by M.'. W.’. DANIEL SPRY, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, M.'. W.'. J. K. KERR, Past Grand Master, R.'. W.’. J. Ross ROBERTSON, Senior Grand Warden and others of the Grand Lodge of Canada. A return visit was made to Doric Lodge in the following year. Washington Lodge again visited Toronto, May 16, 1895, to attend the twenty-first anniversary of Doric Lodge.

On December 9, 1897, it was again visited by Doric Lodge accompanied by M.'. W.'. WILLIAM: GIBSON, Grand Master of Canada, and other officers of that Grand Lodge.

At a meeting of the Lodge held May 22, 1879, the Master announced that the safe containing the old records of the Lodge had been placed in the vault of the City Hall by the Trustees of the Lodge. In course of time this action of the Trustees was forgotten, and when the fire of 1887 occurred it was supposed that all of the old records were destroyed, but in March, 1898, the daily papers of Buffalo referred to an old rusty safe which had been discovered in the basement of the City Hall, and no one could be found who knew whence it came or what it contained. After much speculation the safe was forced open and the contents disclosed, which proved to be the long lost minute books of Washington Lodge containing the records from its organization in 1851 up to 1872. The safe with its priceless contents was turned over to the Lodge and are now carefully preserved.

Several members of the Lodge have gained distinction in the Craft.

Charles W. Cushman, who was Master in 1890-91, was Senior Grand Deacon in 1891, District Deputy Grand Master in 1892, Grand Marshal in 1894. In 1895 he was elected Junior Grand Warden, serving four consecutive years in that office. In 1899-1900 he was Senior Grand Warden, and at a session of the Grand Lodge held May 8, 1901, he was elected an Honorary Past Grand Master, this being the first instance where such an honor had been conferred by the Grand Lodge. At the same time a like honor was conferred on M.'. W.'. EDWARD M. L. EHLERS, Grand Secretary. Brother Cushman had just been re-elected Senior Grand Warden by acclamation, but owing to ill health declined the office. In doing so he said: " Brethren, under the circumstances I feel as though I could not consistently, with justice to myself, or with justice to this Grand Lodge, continue longer in office I feel, under these circumstances, that now is the proper time for me to retire. Human life is crowded with opportunities for a Mason to show to the world that the brightest banner that casts a shadow among the living is the banner of Masonry . . . when we come to lie down with the millions of those who have lived and labored and died in the life and light of Masonic truth, our living or our dying will give emphasis to the words of our ancient Brethren who said, 'May we so live that, when we come to die, we may lie down in our graves as one possessed in sleep, to be found worthy of being remembered in the memory of men.' . . . Man lives for a moment and casts his shadow of greatness among the living, and then comes the great hereafter; and so it is with our lives. As Masons we should be honorable, straightforward, and true one to another. Brethren, may the sweetest and the brightest sunshine of life continue to be yours."

He died at his home in Buffalo, August 19, 1903.

Another distinguished member is R.'. W.'. THOMAS PENNEY, who was Master in 1903. He was appointed Commissioner of Appeals in 1904 for three years. In 1907 he was elected Junior Grand Warden, re- elected in 1908 and again in 1909. On May 4, 1910, he was elected Senior Grand Warden.

A number of the members have been appointed

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS.

John B. Manning, District Deputy Grand Master. John C. Graves, Commissioner of Appeals. Charles R. FitzGerald, Junior Grand Deacon. Frank B. Hannis, Grand Sword Bearer. William S. Riselay, Commissioner of Appeals. J. William Prouse, Custodian of the Work. Elias Haffa, District Deputy Grand Master. George H. Chase. Junior Grand Deacon. Charles F. Adams, District Deputy Grand Master.

MASTERS.

1851. Lyman Brown. 1852. Lyman Brown. 1853. Horatio Warren. 1854. Gordon Bailey. 1855. Everard Palmer. 1856. Michael Pinner. 1857. Andrew Houliston. 1858. William Fleming. 1859. Michael Pinner. 1860. Michael Pinner. 1861. Michael Pinner. 1862. Michael Pinner.

1863. Michael Pinner. 1864. Michael Pinner. 1865. Samuel O. Bigelow. 1866. A. E. Williams. 1867. John B. Manning. 1868. John B. Manning. 1869. Isaac O. Crissy. 1870. Isaac O. Crissy. 1871. Cassius C. Candee. 1872. Cassius C. Candee. 1873. William B. Flint. 1874. William B. Flint.

1875. Henry B. McCulloch. 1876. Henry B. McCulloch. 1877. Ralph Johnson. 1878. John C. Graves. 1879. John C. Graves. 1880. John B. Greene. 1881. Joseph E. Ball.1882. Charles R. Fitz-Gerald. 1883. Charles R. Fitz-Gerald. 1884. Frank T. Gilbert. 1885. Frank T. Gilbert. 1886. Warren F. Chandler.

1887. Warren F. Chandler. 1888. Frank B. Hannis. 1889. Frank B. Hannis. 1890. Charles W. Cushman. 1891. Charles W. Cushman. 1892. Frank B. Hower. 1893. Frank B. Hower. 1894. William S. Riselay. 1895. William S. Riselay. 1896. Perry C. Reyburn. 1897. J. William Prouse. 1898. J. William Prouse.

46

1899. Elias Haffa. 1900. Elias Haffa. 1901. Charles S. Butler. 1902. Charles S. Butler.

1903. Thomas Penney. 1904. William H. Lyons. 1905. Robert L. Cox. 1906. George H. Chase.

1907. George H. Chase. 1908. Charles A. Bonney. 1909. Charles F. Adams.

1910. William F. Elmendorf. 1911. Alonzo G. Hinkley.

-----

Tonawanda Lodge No. 247.—This lodge is located at Tonawanda, Erie county. The date of the dispensation under which the lodge was formed, we have been unable to ascertain. The following brethren signed the petition for a dispensation: Emmanuel Hensler, James C. Bentley, John Shell, E. B. Jacobs, Jacob Kibler, John Sweeney and William Zimmerman. The Grand Lodge granted a warrant to the lodge at its June session, in 1852, and it was registered on the rolls as Tonawanda Lodge No. 247. W. Brother Emmanuel Hensler, was its first Master; Jacob

Kibler, Senior Warden; James C. Bentley, Junior Warden.

The following brethren were Masters of the Lodge:

Emanuel Hensler, 1852; Jesse F. Locke, 1857-58; Franklin Warren, 1859-60; Benj. F. Betts. 1861-63 & '67;

William Westover, 1864-65; Clark Ransom, 1866, A. R. White, 1868-69; G. L. Judd, 1870;

Charles D. Kramer, 1871; Calvin P. Clark, 1872-73; G. F. Williams, 1874-75; George A. McEwen, 1876, '78;

Albert B. Williams. 1877; Augustus H. Crown, 1879; Joshua S. Bliss, 1880-81; Arlington A. Bellinger, 1882-83.

We have not succeeded in obtaining the names of the brethren who occupied the station of Master during 1853, 1854, 1855 and 1856. On the 1st of May, 1883, the lodge numbered one hundred and twenty-eight members.

1911 Grand Lodge Proceedings:

TONAWANDA LODGE, NO. 247, TONAWANDA, N. Y. WARRANT: The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated March 6, 1852.

The name or number has never been changed. MINUTES: Intact.

Tonawanda Lodge was organized during the autumn of 1851. On September 30, 1851, a petition was prepared asking for a dispensation for a Lodge to be named Tonawanda, and

nominating as officers:EMANUEL HENSLER, Master.JACOB KIBLER, Senior Warden.JAMES C. BENTLEY, Junior Warden.

The petition was signed by the following:Emanuel Hensler. Jacob Kibler. John Sweeney. William Zimmerman.James C. Bentley. John Shell. Erastus B. Jacobs.

All of the above became charter members of the Lodge. On October 4, 1851, a dispensation was issued by R.'. W.'. NELSON RANDALL, Deputy Grand Master, returnable February 28,

1852.The first meeting under dispensation was held in the rooms of White Haven Lodge I. O. O. F., corner of North Canal and

Tonawanda streets, October 9, 1851, with the following as officers: EMANUEL HENSLER, Master. JACOB KIBLER, Senior Warden. JOHN SHELL, Junior Warden. WILLIAM ZIMMERMAN, Treasurer.

JOEL D. SMITH, Secretary. JESSE F. LOCKE, Senior Deacon. ERASTUS B. JACOBS, Junior Deacon.JAMES C. BENTLEY, Tiler.

The Lodge continued to meet regularly until February 26, 1852, when it returned the dispensation and applied for a warrant At this time it had thirteen members. On March 6, 1852, a warrant was granted which named as officers:

EMANUEL HENSLER. Master. JACOB KIBLER, Senior Warden. JAMES C. BENTLEY, Junior Warden.

The early minutes of the Lodge contain some quaint records of its doings; the Secretary was honest, and while his work is somewhat crude, he endeavored to record all incidents as he saw them.

In one case the minutes state: "Communication from Grand Lecturer Dibble requests the Lodge to pay demand that he holds against the Lodge. Motioned that we borrow the money and pay him. Brother Zimmerman lent the money, amount $15.00."The loaning of money by the members was not an unusual occurrence, as the records contain other items of a similar character, for it appears that the Lodge was frequently in need of funds; in one case when claims were presented the Treasurer announced that the Lodge could "draw the orders on the Treasurer—I'll see that they are paid when presented."

On one occasion when the Lodge was in urgent need of funds a member came to the Secretary's desk, took from his pocket a wallet bound with a shoe-string, laid it on the desk and said: "Here's three hundred dollars, and you can have as much more as you need."

It must not be inferred, however, that the Lodge spent its funds in a profligate manner, as it frequently counted the cost before incurring any expense. At one time the members desired instruction, but did not care to pay much for it as the following shows:

47

"RESOLVED, That the Grand Lecturer be engaged to deliver a course of lectures in this room, remuneration not to exceed twelve shillings per night, including carfare." The records show that the services were rendered at the price named.

At one time the Tiler appears to have needed exercise, as the following is found on the records:"Motion carried that the Tiler be instructed to saw wood for the Lodge."There is no record to show that the resolution was ever revoked, it appears that the Tiler is still under instructions "to saw wood

for the Lodge."

An incident occurred during the Civil War which tends to show that to some extent the influence of Freemasonry played a part in mitigating the horrors of war.

Lewis F. Payne, Colonel of the 100th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers, and a member of the Lodge, was taken prisoner near Columbia, S. C. When the Lodge ascertained the location of the prison where he was confined it adopted the following:

"RESOLVED. That a committee be appointed to see what can be done for the relief of Bro. L. F. Payne, now a Confederate prisoner in South Carolina."

The outcome of this was that an open fraternal letter was addressed to Colonel Payne, which was sent under a flag of truce, together with a package.

The Confederate officer upon receiving the letter and package said: "The vicissitudes of war are many, and I cannot promise that it will ever reach its destination, yet all that fraternal feeling can do shall be done." In a few days the officer in command of the prison where Colonel Payne was confined came to him and said: "Here is something that has been intrusted to me for personal delivery. Why did you not tell me you were a Mason?" After he was released and returned home Colonel Payne said "that after he received the letter and package he was treated with all the kindness of a brother, subject only to the requirements occasioned by the conditions of war."

The Lodge participated in the ceremonies attending the laying of the corner-stone of the Federal Building at Buffalo, June 19, 1897; the laying of the corner-stone of the Armory of the 74th Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., at Buffalo, July 4, 1898. It was also represented at the laying of the corner-stone of the Home at Utica, NY, May 21, 1891, and the dedication of same, October 5, 1892.

MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.

John G. Wallenmeier, State Treasurer.Garwood L. Judd, Assemblyman.W. D. Murray, Surgeon, Union Army, Civil War. Charles Zuckmaier, Mayor.

George D. Calkins, Surgeon. US Army. Spanish-American War.John K. Patton, Assemblyman. C. W. Sickmon, Assistant District Attorney.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS.

Joshua S. Bliss, District Deputy Grand Master. Edgar C. McDonald, Senior Grand Deacon.John G. Wallenmeier, Grand Steward. Ray M. Stanley, Grand Steward.

MASTERS.

1851. Emanuel Hensler.1852. Emanuel Hensler.1853. Emanuel Hensler.1854. Emanuel Hensler.1855. Jesse F. Locke. 1850. Jesse F. Locke. 1857. Jesse F. Locke. 1858. Jesse F. Locke. 1859. Franklin Warren. 1860. Franklin Warren. 1861. Benjamin F. Betts. 1862. Benjamin F. Betts. 1863. Benjamin F. Betts. 1864. William Westover. 1865. William Westover.

1866. Clark Ransom. 1867. Benjamin F. Belts. 1868. A. R. White. 1869. A. R. White. 1870. Garwood L. Judd.1871. Charles D. Cramer. 1872. Calvin P. Clark. 1873. Calvin P. Clark.1874. G. F. Williams.1875. G. F. Williams. 1876. George R. McEuen.1877. Albert B. Williams.1878. George R. McEuen.1879. Augustus H. Crown.1880. Josiah S. Bliss.

1882. Arlington A. Bellinger.1883. Arlington A. Bellinger. 1884. William R. Gregory. 1885. George W. Millener. 1886. Josiah S. Bliss.1887. Lyman G. Stanley.1888. Reed A. Pierce.1889. Reed A. Pierce.1890. George W. Millener.1891. Edgar C. McDonald.1892. Edgar C. McDonald.1893. Thomas E. Warner.1894. Thomas E. Warner.1895. Dow Vroman. 1896. Dow Vroman.

1897. John G. Wallenmeier.1898. John G. Wallenmeier. 1899. John G. Wallenmeier.1900. Albert R. Smith.1901. Albert R. Smith.1902. Ray M. Stanley.1903. Ray M. Stanley.1904. Augustus F. Premus.1905. George H. Calkins. 1906. Myron J. Dixon.1907. John K. Patton.1908. Frank F. Rumbold.1909. Frank F. Rumbold.1910. Fred D. Tuck.1911. Fred D. Tuck.

------

Living Stone Lodge No. 255.—This lodge is located at Colden, Erie county. One of the oldest members of the lodge furnished the names of the petitioners for a dispensation from memory, no record existing from which they could be ascertained. They are as follows: Brothers Sylvanus O. Gould, Alva Dutton, Oliver Button, Asa K. Tyler, Abijah Smith, Thomas Buffum, Comfort Knapp, Asa Gould, John Church, John Brooks, Arnold Holt and Nicholas Holt.

At the June session of the Grand Lodge, in 1852, a warrant was obtained which bears date the 9th of that month. The following brethren are named therein as its officers: Brother Sylvanus O. Gould, Master; Oliver Button, S.W.: Asa K.Tyler, J. W. The following brethren have occupied the station of Masters of the Lodge for the period opposite to their respective names: Brother

Sylvanus O. Gould, 1853-55; R. S. Shelly, 1856-58: T. Buffum, 1859 and 1863;

48

Ridley Cole, 1860-62; C. R. Morrow, 1864-67; Robert McClure, 1868; G. W. Nichols, 1869 & 1873;

Dexter E. Folsom, 1870-72; Mark Whiting, 1874-75; Harrison Vanderlip, 1876-77, '82-83; Byron A. Churchill, 1878 & 1881;

John P. Underbill, 1879; Orvil C. Strong, 1880.

Number of members May 1, 1883, sixty-seven.

We have in the preceding pages furnished a memorandum of Livingston Lodge No. 416, which received a warrant June 1, 1825. We gave all the information we could then obtain of that Lodge. Worthy Brother Vanderlip informs us that the former Livingston Lodge succumbed to the anti-Masonic blast, out that many of its members were petitioners for the present "Living Stone" Lodge. There is no doubt that the last named Lodge is the successor of the former. It will be noticed, however, that the spelling of the name of the present Lodge essentially differs from that of the former, and we venture to suggest that the Lodge warranted in 1825, was named after Robert R. Livingston, who was Grand Master in 1785.

1911 Grand Lodge Proceedings:

LIVING STONE LODGE, NO. 255, COLDEN, N. Y.

WARRANT: The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated June 9, 1852.The name or number has never been changed.MINUTES: Intact.

Living Stone Lodge was organized at Colden, NY, during the early part of 1852. The petition asking for a dispensation is dated April 14, 1852, and is signed by the following:

A. H. Enos. Oliver Dutton. Thomas Buffum. N. M. Holt.

Abijah Smith. Asa Gould. A. K. Tyler. S. O. Gould. A. Holt.

Comfort Knapp. John Brooks. John Church.

The petition nominated as officers:SYLVANUS O. GOULD, Master, OLIVER DUTTON, Senior Warden, ASA K. TYLER, Junior Warden,

and was recommended by Erie Lodge, No. 161, at a meeting held April 26, 1852.

On April 29, 1852, a dispensation was issued by Nelson Randall, Deputy Grand Master, which named the same officers as nominated in the petition, and. they were continued in the warrant.

The Lodge has had four meeting places; it remained in its first meeting place about five years, in its second meeting place until 1883, when it moved to its third meeting place, remaining there twenty years, when it moved into its present quarters.

The Lodge was represented at the laying of the corner-stone of the Home at Utica, NY, May 21, 1891, and the dedication of same, October 5, 1892.

MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.

John M. Wiley, Congressman.William B. Currier, Assemblyman.George W. Nichols, U. S. Consul, Clifton, Ont.Wesley C. Dudley, District Attorney.Orlin J. Colburn, Supervisor. .

Robert G. Crump, Supervisor. Dexter E. Folsom, Supervisor. John P. Underhill, Supervisor. Richard E. Bowen, Supervisor.

MASTERS.

1852. Sylvanus O. Gould. 1853. Sylvanus O. Gould. 1854. Sylvanus O. Gould. 1855. Richard S. Shelley. 1856. Richard S. Shelley. '1857. Richard S. Shelley.1858. Richard S. Shelley.1859. Thomas Buffum.1860. Ridley Cole.1861. Ridley Cole.1862. Ridley Cole. 1863. Thomas Buffum. 1864. Caspian R. Morrow1865. Caspian R. Morrow. 1866. Caspian R. Morrow.

1867. Caspian R. Morrow. 1868. Robert McClure.1869. George W. Nichols.1870. Dexter E. Folsom.1871. Dexter E. Folsom.1872. Dexter E. Folsom.1873. George W. Nichols.1874. Mark Whiting.1875. Mark Whiting.1876. Harrison Vanderlip.1877. Harrison Vanderlip.1878. Byron A. Churchill.1879. John P. Underhill.1880. Orville C. Strong.1881. Byron A. Churchill.

1882. Harrison Vanderlip.1883. Harrison Vanderlip.1884. Alpheus H. Hays.1885. Alpheus H. Hays.1886. William C. Miller.1887. William C. Miller.1888. Alpheus H. Hays.1889. Beverley M. Stanton.1890. Orville C. Strong.1891. Orville C. Strong.1892. Dexter E. Folsom.1893. Beverley M. Stanton.1894. Alpheus H. Hays.1895. Mark Whiting.1896. James R. Lewis,

1897. George H. Blanchard.1898. William W. Shelley.1899. William W. Shelley.1900. Maurice L. Doty.1901. Maurice L. Doty.1902. William B. Currier.1903. William B. Currier.1904. Harlow Shelley.1905. Maurice L. Doty.1906. Harlow Shelley.1907. William B. Currier.1908. Leon M. Pierce.1909. Leon M. Pierce.1910. Albert G. Braun.1911. Maurice L. Doty.

-------

49

Evans Lodge No. 261.—This Lodge is now located at Angola, Erie county. It received a dispensation from the Grand Master on the 3d of February, 1852, and was then located at Evans Centre, one mile from what is now Angola. The following are the names of the brethren who applied for the dispensation:

John Fairbanks, Whiting Cash, Orin Catlin, Lambert G. Dingman, John F. Gazlay, Horace Goodrich, Ira Joy. David Fish, Noah Sedgwick, Arthur Sprague.

A warrant was granted to the Lodge at the June communication of the Grand Lodge in 1852. The warrant bears date June 15, 1852, and the following brethren are named therein as the officers:—Brother Heman Daniels, Master; John Fairbanks, Senior Warden; Orin Catlin, Junior Warden.

A resolution was adopted by the Lodge October 4, 1855, to remove to Evans Centre Station (now Angola) where it has been located ever since, passing through periods of depression and prosperity. It held its first regular communication at Evans Centre Station October 18, 1855. The Lodge now occupies a large, handsome hall, finely furnished, on the third floor in the Union Block at Angola. It had at one time one hundred and thirty-five members on its rolls, which, by the chartering of new lodges in its neighborhood, has been reduced to about one-half. The last returns to the Grand Lodge, May 1, 1883, show a membership of eighty-six. The following is a list of brethren who have presided over the Lodge:

Heman Daniels, 1852; John Fairbanks. 1853-55; Orin Catlin, 1856-57; Warren K. Russell, 1858; James S. Stray, 1859; Levi Aldrich, 1860; Chauncey Stone, 1861-62;

David Cook, 1863-64; C. F. Goodman, 1865; C. W. Morse, 1866; Thomas Faulks, 1867-68; C. W. Beckwith, 1869-70; Leroy M. Winslow, 1871-72; James M. Beman, 1873-74;

Nathaniel Smith, 1875; Leroy S. Oatman, 1876; Horatio P. Muffit, 1877-78; J. Mack Newton, 1879-80; Justin G. Thompson, 1881-82; Roselle U. Blackney, 1883.

We are under obligations to Brother Reselle U. Blackney, of Angola, for the information contained in this sketch, excepting, however, the list of Masters who successively presided over the Lodge.

1911 Proceedings:

EVANS LODGE, NO. 261, ANGOLA, N. Y. WARRANT: The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated June 15, 1852.The name or number has never been changed.MINUTES: Intact.On January 7, 1852, a petition was prepared asking for a dispensation for Evans Lodge at Evans, NY, and signed by the

following:Heman Daniels. John Fairbanks. John F. Gazlay. Oren Catlin. Whiting Cash. Arthur Sprague.Lambert G. Dingman. Ira Joy. David Fish.Noah Sedgwick. Horace Goodrich.

The petition nominated as officers:HEMAN DANIELS, Master, JOHN FAIRBANKS, Senior Warden, OREN CATLIN, Junior Warden,

and was recommended by Erie Lodge, No. 161.

On February 3, 1852, a dispensation was issued by R.'. W.'. NELSON RANDALL, Deputy Grand Master.The first meeting under the dispensation was held February 4, and on the 19th of that month the first candidate, Walter Morgan,

was initiated.While working under dispensation six candidates for membership were raised and four were admitted as affiliates.

On June 15th a warrant was issued which named as officers: HEMAN DANIELS, Master, JOHN FAIRBANKS, Senior Warden, OREN CATLIN, Junior Warden,

and on July 10th the Lodge was constituted and the officers publicly installed in the M. E. Church by W.'. BENJAMIN H. AUSTIN, Master of Hiram Lodge, No. 105.

When first organized the Lodge met in Stray's Hall at Evans Center, where it remained until April, 1855, when it moved into the Baptist Church, which had been purchased by the Lodge. In October, 1855, it vacated these quarters and moved to Andrus's Hall at Evans Station (now Angola), remaining there until May, 1873, when it moved into the Union Block; these rooms were dedicated May 29th. In July, 1890, it moved into its present quarters over Lemmler's store, which is now known as the Masonic Hall. These quarters were dedicated October 24, 1890.

The Lodge has in its possession the warrant and some of the records of Erie Lodge, No. 491. This Lodge was organized in 1826; the petitioners were:

O. H. Dibble. William Van Duser.George Sweetland. Harvey Keeler.James E. Mack. Samuel Bennett.Stephen Sturdevant. Aaron Salsbury.Nicholas Beal. Jonathan Dibble.

50

Arthur Johnson.

The first officers were:O. H. DIBBLE, Master. WILLIAM VAN DUSER. Senior Warden. GEORGE SWEETLAND, Junior Warden. STEPHEN STURDEVANT, Treasurer.

SAMUEL BENNETT, Secretary. AARON SALSBURY, Senior Deacon. NICHOLAS BEAL, Junior Deacon. ARTHUR JOHNSON, Tiler.

The last recorded meeting was held December 27, 1827. A note on the records states that: "owing in part to the Lodge room being occupied and partly to neglect no further meetings had been held up to that date."

The warrant was declared forfeited by the Grand Lodge June 8, 1832.Evans Lodge was represented at the laying of the corner-stone of the Masonic Temple at Buffalo, NY, July 26, 1891; at the

laying of the corner-stone of the Home at Utica, NY, May 21, 1891, the dedication of same, October 5, 1892, and the laying of the corner-stone of the Masonic Temple at Dunkirk, NY, June 27. 1908.

MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.

Robert G. Titus, Judge, Supreme Court. J. H. Andrus, County Clerk. D. C. Oatman. County Clerk. Job Southwick. Assemblyman. H. M. Blasdell. Assemblyman. Charles K. Goodman. State Senator, Nebraska.

MASTERS.

1852. Heman Daniels. 1853. John Fairbanks. 1854. John Fairbanks. 1855. John Fairbanks. 1856. Oren Catlin. 1857. Oren Catlin. 1858. Warren K. Russell. 1859. James S. Stray. 1860. Levi Aldrich. 1861. Chauncy Stone. 1862. Chauncy Stone. 1863. David Cook. 1864. David Cook. 1865. Charles F. Goodman. 1866. C. W. Morse.

1867. Thomas Faulks. 1868. Thomas Faulks. 1869. O. W. Beckwith. 1870. O. W. Beckwith. 1871. Leroy M. Winslow. 1872. Leroy M. Winslow. 1873. James M. Beman. 1874. James M. Beman. 1875. Nathaniel Smith. 1876. Leroy S. Oatman. 1877. Horatio P. Muffitt. 1878. Horatio P. Muffitt. 1879. J. Mark Newton. 1880. J. Mark Newton. 1881. Justin G. Thompson.

1882. Justin G. Thompson. 1883. Roselle U. Blackney. 1884. Roselle I-. Blackney. 1885. Joseph H. Walker. 1886. Sewell L. Beckwith. 1887. Sewell L. Beckwith. 1888. F. E. Blackney. 1889. F. E. Blackney. 1890. Henry J. Bangert. 1891. Henry J. Bangert. 1892. Henry J. Bangert. 1893. Everett G. Wilcox. 1894. Everett G. Wilcox. 1895. Nelson B. Wood. 1896. Nelson B. Wood.

1897. Julius M. Schwert. 1898. Julius M. Schwert. 1899. Frederick R. Maltby. 1900. Franklin J. Stone. 1901. Franklin J. Stone. 1902. Belden Wilcox. 1903. Belden Wilcox. 1904. Charles T. Roberts. 1905. Carroll D. Shaver. 1906. Carroll D. Shaver. 1907. Edward A. Lemmler. 1908. Edward A. Lemmler. 1909. Allen J. Bundy. 1910. Allen J. Bundy. 1911. John H. Matteson.

------

Parish Lodge, No. 292.—The steady increase in this number of brethren in that part of Buffalo known as Black Rock, and the distance of the halls in which the Fraternity held its meetings, called for the formation of a lodge in that locality. A petition to the Grand Master was, therefore, prepared in February, 1853, asking for a dispensation to form a lodge at Black Rock, to be known as Parish Lodge. The following are the names of the brethren who attached their names to the petition:

Jacob Bellinger, Levi Love, Stephen W.Howell, L.P. Dayton, John Rudy, John H. VanBenthusen, Reuben Justin, Alexander McCloud, Hiram R. Lusk and William P. Sheldon.

The petition was recommended by Hiram and other lodges of Buffalo, and the Grand Master issued his dispensation March 29, 1853. At the June communication of the Grand Lodge, in 1853, the lodge received its warrant, nominating Brother Stephen W. Howell, Master; L. P. Dayton, Senior Warden; and Jacob Bellinger, Junior Warden.

The lodge held its meetings at Black Rock, in the building corner of Niagara and Breckinridge streets, subsequently on the corner of Niagara and Amtierst streets, but in 1874, determined to change its location to Nos. 416 and 418 Main street, where it held its first communication, May 12, 1874. Subsequently it moved to the Masonic Hall, on the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets, where it met for the first time, May 1, 1877. On the 1st of May, 1883, the lodge numbered one hundred and nineteen members. The following brethren were Masters of the Lodge:

Stephen W. Howell, 1853-54; L. P. Dayton, 1855 & '57; D. W. Davis, 1856, '61; J. G. Woelfley, 1858; H. P. Clinton, 1859-60;

George Talbot, 1862; M. A. Hulburt, 1863-64; Thomas Lothrop, 1865-68; M. R. Hubbard, 1869-70; William Vosburgh, 1871-72;

Lewis A. Mattice, 1873-74, 79-80, '83; George J. White, 1875-76; Thomas H. Clough, 1877-78; Isaac Morris, 1881-82; George L. Kingston, 1884.

1912 Proceedings:

51

PARISH LODGE, NO. 292, BUFFALO, N. Y. WARRANT: The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated June 10, 1853.The name or number has never been changed.MINUTES: Not intact; all records prior to 1875 were destroyed by fire.Parish Lodge was organized during the early part of 1853.The petition, dated Black Rock, February 12, 1853, was signed by the following:

Levi Love. Lewis P. Dayton. John H. VanBentheuson. Alexander McCloud. Hiram R. Lusk.

Stephen W. Howell. John Rudy. Reuben Justin. William P. Sheldon. Jacob Bellinger.

The petition made but one nomination for officers—that of Stephen W. Howell, Master.It was recommended by Hiram Lodge No. 105 at a meeting held February 25, 1853.On March 29th a dispensation was issued by M.'. W.'. NELSON RANDALL, Grand Master.It was to terminate on May 25th, but it was continued beyond this date, as is noted by the following endorsement on the

dispensation:

"I, Nelson Randall, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, do hereby authorize and empower the within petitioners to continue their work for the term of five days after the time mentioned within for the return of this dispensation and the said dispensation is hereby continued in full force until the thirtieth day of the present month at which time it is required to be returned as within directed.

"Buffalo, May 19, 1853."NELSON RANDALL,

"Grand Master." The officers named in the dispensation were:

STEPHEN W. HOWELL, Master. LEWIS P. DAYTON, Senior Warden. JACOB BELLINGER, Junior Warden.

John Rudy was the first Treasurer and Reuben Justin was the first Secretary of the Lodge.The first work done by the Lodge was on April 21, 1853, when four candidates were initiated and passed to the Fellowcraft

degree. The warrant, issued June 10, 1853, named the same officers as were named in the dispensation.The first meeting place was on the corner of Dearborn and Amherst streets and was known as "Howell Hall." It afterward moved

to the corner of Niagara and Amherst streets; these quarters were dedicated by R.'. W.'. ROBERT N. BROWN, District Deputy Grand Master, on November 18, 1863. In 1874 it moved to Nos. 326-328 (now Nos. 416-418) Main street, remaining here until 1876, when it moved into the Miller and Greiner building, corner of Washington and North Division streets ; these quarters were leased by the Masonic Hall Association and were dedicated by M.'. W.'. JAMES W. HUSTED, Grand Master, June 24, 1876. In 1882 this building was partially destroyed by fire and while it was undergoing repairs the Lodge met in the quarters of the Lodge of Ancient Landmarks No. 441 on the corner of Main and Court streets. In 1883 it returned to its former quarters, where it remained until 1887. when the building was totally destroyed by fire, the Lodge losing all its property and most of its records. The next meeting place was in the Austin building, on the corner of Eagle and Franklin streets, where it remained until 1892, when it moved into its present quarters in the Masonic Temple, Nos. 41-43-45 Niagara street, then just completed. On January 2, 1892, the Lodge had the honor of doing the first Masonic work in this Temple.

It was erected by the Masonic Hall Association, of which the Lodge is a member; the corner stone was laid by R.'. W.'. CHARLES F. BISHOP, District Deputy Grand Master, July 26, 1890, and was dedicated by M.'. W.'. CHRISTOPHER G. Fox, Past Grand Master, January 20, 1892.The Lodge participated in these ceremonies, and was also represented at the laying of the corner stone of the State Arsenal, Buffalo, May 5, 1858; corner stone of the Memorial Monument, Forest Lawn Cemetery, September 28, 1866; corner stone of the State Normal School, Buffalo, April 15, 1869; corner stone of the Firemen's Monument, Forest Lawn Cemetery, June 24, 1869; corner stone of the City and County Hall, Buffalo, June 24, 1872; corner stone of the State Hospital, Buffalo, September 18, 1872; corner stone of the Soldiers' Monument, Forest Lawn Cemetery, October 21, 1880; corner stone of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, Lafayette Square, July 4, 1882; corner stone of the 74th Regiment Armory, Virginia street, July 4, 1885; corner stone of the Home at Utica, NY, May 21, 1891; dedication of same, October 5, 1892; corner stone of the United States Government Building, Buffalo, June 19, 1897; corner stone of the new 74th Regiment Armory, Niagara street, July 4, 1898; corner stone of the 65th Regiment Armory, May 30, 1903; corner stone of the Masonic Hall, Lodge of Ancient Landmarks No. 441, July 23, 1904; corner stone of Unity Hall, Niagara street, July 1, 1905.

MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.

Thomas Lothrop, Superintendent of Education. Lewis P. Dayton, Mayor. Henry P. Clinton, Comptroller. George M. Browne, Corporation Counsel.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS.

Lewis A. Mattice, Senior Grand Deacon. George L. Kingston, Commissioner of Appeals. Robert D. Young. District Deputy Grand Master. Myron O. Denny, District Deputy Grand Master. William H. Ellis, District Deputy Grand Master. Arthur M. Suor, Grand Steward. Charles J. Vogt, Grand Sword Bearer.

52

MASTERS.

1853. Stephen W. Howell.1854. Stephen W. Howell.1855. Lewis P. Dayton. 1856. William D. Davis.1857. Lewis P. Dayton.1858. Gotlieb Woelfle.1859. Henry P. Clinton.1860. George Talbot.1861. William D. Davis.1862. George Talbot.1863. Milton A. Hulbert.1864. Milton A. Hulbert.1865. Thomas Lothrop.1866. Thomas Lothrop. 1867. Thomas Lothrop.

1868. Thomas Lothrop.1869. Milton R. Hubbard.1870. Milton R. Hubbard.1871. William Vosburgh.1872. William Vosburgh.1873. Lewis A. Mattice.1874. Lewis A. Mattice.1875. George I. White.1876. George I. White.1877. Thomas H. Clough.1878. Thomas H. Clough.1879. Lewis A. Mattice.1880. Lewis A. Mattice.1881. Isaac Morris.1882. Isaac Morris.

1883. Lewis A. Mattice.1884. George L. Kingston.1885. George L. Kingston.1886. William W. Browne.1887. William W. Browne.1888. George L. Kingston.1889. Thomas Newton.1890. Thomas Newton.1891. John Carter.1892. John Carter.1893. Robert D. Young.1894. Robert D. Young.1895. Charles J. Vogt.1896. Charles J. Vogt.1897. Myron O. Denny.

1898. Myron O. Denny.1899. Esbon B. Rew.1900. Esbon B. Rew.1901. Thomas H. McKee.1902. Thomas H. McKee.1903. William H. Ellis.1904. William H. Ellis.1905. William H. Baker.1906. Arthur M. Suor.1907. Arthur M. Suor.1908. Walter R. Graves.1909. Walter R. Graves.1910. Robert W. Wilson.1911. Robert W. Wilson.1912. Charles H. Thomas.

--------

Modestia Lodge No. 340.—A number of brethren, a majority of them heretofore members of Concordia Lodge No. 143, determined to form the second German lodge in Buffalo. Various reasons were assigned for this movement, among which may be mentioned a desire for a more convenient location for a lodge room, and the rapid increase of the body from which the brethren withdrew.

The following are the names of the petitioners who applied for a dispensation to organize the new lodge:

James Wenz, John Greiner, Carl F. Lange, С. Reithart, Daniel Devening, Christian Lang, H. Keller, John G. Scherf, Adolf Birkenstock, B. H. King, J. Jacob Weber and D. Drobish.

The petitioners obtained a dispensation in May, 1854, and the first meeting of the lodge was held on the 18th of the same month at the house of Brother C. Reithart, on Michigan street, W. Brother James Wenz, Master, and Carl F. Lange, Secretary. The communications of the lodge continued to be held at Brother Reithart's house, until June 15th, when the lodge moved to the Masonic Hall, on the corner of Washington and Exchange streets. A warrant having been issued at the June session of the Grand Lodge, to Modestia Lodge No. 340, the following brethren were installed its officers on the day previously mentioned: Brother James Wenz, Master: Daniel Devening, Senior Warden; John Greiner, Junior Warden. The first initiations occurred June 17, 1854, when the following candidates received the first degree in Masonry: F. W. Jacobs, Theodore Stover, C. Neidhart, G. Schulz and Solomon Scheu.

Modestia Lodge continued to hold its communications at the Masonic Hall, corner of Washington and Exchange streets, until January 9, 1855, when it changed its location to Washington Masonic Hall, on Main street. The ardent love of Masonry on the part of its members, their unanimity of purpose and intelligence, together with the untiring zeal and activity of the brethren who were at the head, assured the success of the lodge from the first, and as long as its members continue to recognize and practice the virtues of brotherly love and charity inculcated by the Masonic institution, the lodge will continue to occupy the high position it has heretofore enjoyed in the Masonic world.

The lodge, when a warrant was issued to it, received with it the privilege of keeping its minutes and working in the German language. When, therefore, the District Deputy Grand Master required the lodge to keep its minutes in English, a vigorous protest was entered against this proposed innovation of its rights; an appeal was taken to the Grand Lodge in 1857, who decided in favor of the lodge. An effort was made in 1861, by some brethren to affect a union between the two German Lodges of Buffalo, to which, however, Modestia Lodge declined to give its assent.

The disastrous conflagration of the American Hotel and the Masonic Halls contiguous thereto, in January, 1865, forced Modestia Lodge to take refuge in the Masonic Hall, corner of Main and Swan streets. On the 18th of February of the same year, a terrible blow was inflicted upon the lodge by the violent death of its lamented Master, Brother Gottfried Schultz, who lost his life by a railroad collision near Warren, Pa. The remains were brought to Buffalo and buried by the lodge in Forest Lawn Cemetery, in presence of a large concourse of the fraternity and friends of the deceased. This is the first record we find of a Master of a lodge in this city dying during the term of his office. The lodge subsequently erected a handsome monument over the remains of its former Master, which was unveiled June 24, 1869.

The block of buildings destroyed by fire in 1865, before alluded to, having been rebuilt, Modestia Lodge returned to its former location, No. 328 (old number) Main street, where it held its first meeting January 2, 1866.

On the 24th of June, 1879, the lodge celebrated its quarter-centennial existence by the gathering of its members and their families and a number of invited guests from other lodges, in St. James Hall. A festival lodge was opened and a number of addresses were delivered on the occasion, succeeded by a grand banquet and closed by a ball. The number of persons present was over four hundred.

53

The lodge has participated in all public demonstrations, assisted in the laying of corner-stones of public edifices, etc. It has ever been ready to extend its helping hand to the needy and is among the foremost to aid the distressed. Among its members originated the plan of providing for the widows and orphans of deceased brethren through the German Masonic Benevolent Association, of which mention is made in another portion of this compilation. The lodge has not neglected to improve the minds of its members, by providing suitable lectures in its hall and by forming the nucleus for a Masonic library, which, there is reason to hope, will in time assume larger proportions, as the necessary means for that purpose can be procured. But while making these efforts to furnish proper Masonic instruction for its members, it has not forgotten to cultivate those social qualities which aid in cementing the ties of brotherly love, by informal meetings after the close of lodge labors. It has annually celebrated St. John's day by excursions to some pleasant spot and on these occasions the families of its members have been participants in the enjoyments of the day. The annual election of the officers of the lodge in December, has been invariably signalized by suitable donations to such widows and families of deceased members who stood in need thereof. The lodge is prospering and had one hundred and forty-five members on its rolls May 1, 1883. The following brethren have been Masters of the Lodge:

James Wenz, 1854-55; John Greiner, 1856-58, '60, '67, '70-71,'77; F. Rickert, 1859, ‘66; Bernhard H. King, 1861;

Richard Flach, 1862-63; Gottfried Schultz, 1864-65; George A. Reinhard, 1868-69; Henry Sauerwein, 1872-73, '78-79;

Frank L. Link, 1874-75; H. F. Holtz, 1876; Frederick Wesch, 1880-81; Philip Weber, 1882-83.

Williamsville Lodge No. 344.—This Lodge was formerly located at Williamsville, Erie county. Its warrant was dated July 10, 1854, and the brethren named as officers therein were Brother Oliver W. Spellman, Master; Levi J. Ham, S. W., and John Frick, J. W. After an unsuccessful struggle for existence it finally succumbed to adverse circumstances and returned its warrant to the Grand Lodge in 1867. Among the papers surrendered was found the old charter of Amherst Lodge No. 429, of which mention has heretofore been made.

Springville Lodge No. 351.—This Lodge, located at Springville, Erie county, received its warrant at the June session of the Grand Lodge in 1855.

On 19 Dec 1873 the elegant Hall of Springville Lodge, No. 351, was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. It is still extant as of 2009.

The following brethren were Masters of the Lodge for the time specified:

Alvah Button, 1856; Joel Cobleigh, 1858, '60-61, '64, '67; Pliny Smith, 1859; Benjamin F. Fay, 1862; Almon W. Stanbro, 1865-66,'69;

George G. Stanbro, 1868, '72, '75; Harlan P. Spaulding, 1870; Bertrand Chafee, 1873-74; Frank P. Spaulding, 1876; Henry F. Norris, 1877-78;

James N. Richmond, 1879-80; Avery D. Jones, 1881-82; Alonzo E. Hadley, 1883.

The names of the brethren who filled the office of Master for 1857, and 1863 and 1871 we were unable to obtain. The Lodge had eighty-two members on its register May 1, 1883.

R.’. W.’. BERNARD CHAFFEE, Past District Deputy Grand Master, 25th District, now the 38th, died at Springville, 3 Oct 1916. He served as Master of Springville Lodge, No. 351, three years, and three years as District Deputy Grand Master. BRO. CHAFFEE had a strong personality and individuality all his own. He was cordial, courteous, kind hearted and faithful to his friendships. He was a staunch supporter of the Church and a promoter of good order.

Like most strong men, he was a product of the farm, born and reared on the place which his grandfather settled in 1819. He received his education at the Springville Academy, and at the age of 16 went out into the business world. Thrifty, energetic, hale, hearty and sound of body and mind, he easily became the leader of men and occupied positions of responsibility and trust in the community in which he lived, twice representing his district in the Assembly.

Glenn S. "Pop" Warner, whose mighty contributions are evident whenever a football game is played, mentored the Carlisle Indians from 1897 to 1915, and later coached at Pittsburgh, Stanford and Temple, not only coached the fabulous Jim Thorpe at Carlisle and Ernie Nevers at Stanford. He also originated two of the offensive football formations that have helped revolutionize football, changing it from a roughhouse battle into a game of science and deception. They are the Double Wingback and Single Wingback formations. He was initiated in Springville Lodge No. 351, Springville, NY, and in 1910 became a member of Live Oak Lodge No. 61, Oakland, Calif.

Ira Woodward Smith, youngest son of Calvin С. and Josephine (Fleming) Smith, was born in Concord, Erie, NY, 12 Oct 1871. His education was obtained in the public schools and at Griffith Institute. On reaching years of maturity he decided upoп the legal profession and prosecuted his studies with Edwin A. Scott, a lawyer of Springville. He was admitted to the bar of New York state at Rochester, in Feb 1896. After his admission he spent two years in association with Mr. Scott, his former preceptor, then started in practice for himself. He conducted a successful general practice until 1906, when he admitted as a partner William E. Bensley, the firm being Smith & Bensley. Mr. Smith has an intimate knowledge of the law and has won recognition as one of the sterling members of the Erie county bar. He served four years as justice of the peace, and eleven years as village clerk of Springville. In 1904 he was elected supervisor and has held that office continuously, this being his seventh year in that office. He is a Republican in politics, and follows his fathers in their religious belief, the Baptist. He is prominent also in fraternal circles, was past master of Springville Lodge, No. 351, Free and Accepted Masons; past high priest of Chapter No. 275, Royal Arch Masons; member of Salamanca Commandery, No. 62, Knights Templar; past sachem of Running Deer Tribe, No. 442, Improved Order of Red Men; member of Springville Lodge, No. 588, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Salamanca Lodge, No. 1025, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

54

He married, 27 Feb 1895, Inda A.Mills, daughter of Eugene and Lottie (Crary) Mills, and granddaughter of William P. and Deborah Mills, early settlers in Erie county, coming from Orange county. NY. Her mother Lottie was a daughter of Frederick Crary. Mrs. Smith died 13 Aug 1911. Children of Ira W. and Inda A. Smith: Crary C., born 7 Apr 1896: Richmond Pearson, 8 Oct 1898; Josephine, 23 Apr 1901; Janice, 27 Nov 1903; and Charlotte, 1 Mar 1906.

Queen City Lodge No. 358.—On 5 Dec 1854, a number of brethren had assembled at the residence of Brother Cyrus P. Lee, on Washington street in Buffalo, for the purpose of consulting the expediency of forming a new lodge. The names of those present were Brothers Cyrus P. Lee, George Drullard, C. C. Wyckoff, Parker Morse, H. S. Dodge, Charles Leonard, Wells Brooks and W. Marsh Kasson.

A full discussion of the project resulted in the determination to present a petition to the Grand Master for a dispensation. Sixteen brethren appended their names to the petition:—Parker Morse, Henry S. Dodge, James H. Lee, W. Marsh Kasson, Wells Brooks, O. H. P. Champlin, William H.Drew, Cyrus P. Lee, George P.Stevenson, George Drullard, Cornelius C. Wyckoff, Charles J. Leonard, William H. Andrews, Isaac Holloway, Christopher G. Fox and John B. Cooke. The petition submitted the names of Cyrus P. Lee as Master; W. Marsh Kasson as S. W., and Wells Brooks as J. W., which received the approbation of the Grand Master.

Upon the receipt of the dispensation the members assembled in Washington Masonic Hall December 10, 1854, W. Brother Cyrus P. Lee, Master, in the chair. At this first communication it was resolved that the following brethren be received into the lodge upon the same terms as were the original petitioners:—Brother B. Toles, C. B. Morse, D. Wall, H. Cameron, William Hersee, J. R. Blodget, and George C. Rexford. A number of petitions for initiation were presented at the same communication. The first candidate initiated was I. W. Whitney, January 1st, 1855, who was followed by C. N. Willey, January 5. Of the brethren who had signed the petition, twelve had been initiated into Masonry in Erie Lodge No. 161, Buffalo; two in Hiram Lodge No. 105, Buffalo; one in Lockport Lodge No. 73, Lockport, N. Y., and one in St. Paul's Lodge No. 134, Auburn, N. Y. Of the brethren who had been received into the Lodge by resolution, six had received their degrees m Erie Lodge No. 161, and one in Hiram Lodge No. 105. Queen City Lodge may, therefore, justly be termed an offspring of Erie Lodge.

During the five months that the Lodge worked under the dispensation, it had initiated into masonry twenty-five; affiliated eight, and elected one an honorary member; being in all, regular members, thirty three; original petitioners, sixteen; admitted by resolution, seven; total, fifty-six—an evidence of the zeal and energy on the part of the members of the young Lodge.

At the annual session of the Grand Lodge in June, 1855, the lodge obtained its warrant and was registered as Queen City Lodge No. 358. On the 10th of June, 1855, M. W. Brother Nelson Randall, P. G. M., constituted the lodge and installed the following brethren as its officers: Brother C. P. Lee, M.; W. Marsh Kasson, S. W.; Wells Brooks. J. W.; George Drullard, Treas.; C. N. Willey, Sec'y.; O. H. P. Champlin, S. D.; William Hersee, J. D.; S. W. Lee and B. Tôles, S.

The necessity of forming the nucleus of a Masonic library presented itself to the members of the lodge at an early day. In March, 1856, the lodge adopted a resolution to carry the idea practically into execution and since which appropriations were made for that purpose from time to time as far as its means would permit. Of late, however, the lodge perceiving that a desirable and suitable increase of the library was not within its present means, has by a resolution adopted September i, 1882, transferred the collection thus far made to the care of the board of trustees of the Masonic Hall Association. An opportunity now presents itself to the lodges of Buffalo generally to increase the same by contributions and make it the common stock of and accessible to the members of the fraternity.

A strict adherent to the constitution and to a rigid execution of the law, Queen City Lodge has ever been opposed to all compromises for expediency's sake. And for that reason it adopted resolutions May 5, 1857, expressive of its views in regard to the adjustment of the Masonic differences existing in this State, with an organization of which Mordecai Myers was the head. The lodge declared itself opposed to an adjustment on the basis proposed and instructed its representative to vote in accordance therewith at the session of the Grand Lodge in June of that year. During the year 1857 the lodges of Buffalo were constantly called upon to relieve sojourners. It became evident that in justice to the applicants, as well as to the lodges themselves, it was necessary to adopt a systematic plan. It was, therefore, determined that a Masonic Relief Fund should be established, and on the i6th of November, 1857, Queen City Lodge appointed a committee to co-operate with like committees from other lodges, to mature some plan and submit it to the different bodies for consideration. The result was, that Washington Lodge No. 240, Modestia No. 340 and Queen City No. 358, established a fund for the purpose of relieving traveling brethren in need of assistance. This was the first attempt made in Buffalo for a Masonic Relief Association. At the communication of April 26, 1858, the lodge received and accepted an invitation to participate in the laying of the corner-stone of the new State Arsenal, on Batavia street (now Broadway.)

Although the Masonic Relief Association had to some extent proved to be an improvement on the former mode of granting assistance, it was, nevertheless, evident that it was not as perfect in its operations as it was capable of being made. The co-operation of all the lodges in the city was indispensable. On the 12th of July, 1858, Queen City received a communication from Washington Lodge, that a committee had been appointed by it to confer with like committees from the other lodges in the city, concerning the establishment of a General Relief Association. Queen City approved the proposition and appointed a committee upon whose report the lodge became a member of the "Masonic Board of Relief."

The last meeting held by Queen City Lodge in Washington Masonic Hall, was May 2, 1860, it having determined to change its location to Freemason's Hall, (corner of Main and Court streets.) It held its first regular communications therein, May 14, 1860.

An incident illustrating that even war is incapable of obliterating the feeling of brotherhood which unites Masons in indissoluble bonds, was brought to light at the communication of the lodge February 15, 1864. Brother P. E. Dye presented to the lodge two jewels belonging to Davie Lodge No. 39, Beaufort, N. C., which he had captured from a negro in the act of stealing them from the lodge room in Beaufort; he requested that they might be preserved until the return of peace or until some opportunity should enable the Master to place them again in possession of Davie Lodge.

55

A resolution was adopted by the lodge December 19. 1864, contributing the sum of $200 for the purpose of aiding in the erection of a Masonic Hall in the city of New York, and establishing an asylum for the widows and orphans of Masons. The amount was to be raised by an assessment of three dollars on each member of the lodge.

The disastrous fire which laid the American Hotel in ashes January 25, 1865, had also swept away the balance of the block of buildings up to the corner of Main and Court streets. Both Washington and Masonic Hall (No. 326 and 328 Main street, old number) as well as Freemason's Hall, located in the corner building, were burned to the ground. The officers of the lodges* which had become homeless by this calamity, met for consultation at Masonic Hall, corner of Main and Swan streets, when an arrangement was entered into with the trustees of that hall for the accommodation of the various bodies ; Hiram Lodge No. 105, Concordia No. 143, Erie No. 161, DeMolay No. 498 and Buffalo Council No. 17, fraternally relinquished their alternate nights of meeting. At the same meeting a committee of one from each of the bodies represented was appointed for the purpose of conferring in regard to the feasibility of erecting a Masonic Hall for the accommodation of the fraternity of the city generally. Although considerable progress had been made at one time in obtaining subscriptions for carrying the plan into execution, yet the reaction which occurred soon thereafter in the financial affairs of the nation, failed not to produce its baleful effect on the project which has ever since remained a pious wish of the Fraternity.

The first communication of Queen City Lodge in its new location, Masonic Hall corner, of Main and Swan streets, was held February 3, 1865. On the 2d of June, of the same year, the lodge made the additional contribution of $200 to the Hall and Asylum fund of the Grand Lodge.

The building known as 326 and 328 Main street (old number) having been rebuilt and fitted up for Masonic purposes by Hugh De Payens Commandery, Queen City Lodge removed to these new quarters where it held its first stated communication December 18, 1865. The new hall was called Masonic Hall. An invitation extended September, i 66, to assist in laying the memorial stone at the consecration of the grounds of the Forest Lawn Cemetery Association, was accepted. The lodge appointed a committee July 15, 1867, to make arrangements to attend the laying of the corner-stone of the State Normal School at Fredonia, August 8.

On Thursday, April 15, 1869, the lodge met at St. James" Hall for the purpose of joining the fraternity in laying the corner-stone of the State Normal School in this city. The lodge likewise participated in laying the corner-stone of the Firemen's monument in Forest Lawn, June 24, 1869.

At the stated meeting of the lodge July 19, 1869, a resolution was offered that the lodge move from 416 and 418 (formerly 326 and 328) Main street, to the hall on the southwest corner of Main and Swan streets, which was adopted at the communication of August 2d, 1869, and the lodge held its first communication therein September 3d of the same year.

Brother Sebastian C. Kiene and associates, desiring to establish a new lodge in Buffalo, to be known as Harmonic Lodge, and to work in the German language, asked the lodge at its communication, November 5, 1869, to endorse their petition to the Grand Master for a dispensation, to which the lodge assented.

------

* Washington No. 240, Modestia No. 340, Queen City No. 358 and Ancient Landmarks No. 441.

------

On the 3d of June, 1870, the lodge again presented $500 to the Hall and Asylum fund of the Grand Lodge, the amount having been subscribed by seventy-nine of its members.

The great fires in Chicago in October, 1871, aroused the sympathies of the Fraternity generally. The lodges of Buffalo collected $882 in aid of the sufferers, of which Queen City Lodge contributed $200. In December, 1872, the lodge subscribed $200 as an additional contribution to the Hall and Asylum fund, to which individual members added $303, and in November, 1873, the lodge contributed $25 to the fund to be raised for the sufferers by yellow fever in Memphis, to which the members added the sum of $120.

An invitation having been extended to the Fraternity in this city to lay the corner-stone of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, the lodge participated therein July 13, 1874.

Queen City Lodge joined the Masonic bodies meeting at the corner of Main and Swan streets, in fitting up the magnificent rooms in the Miller & Greiner Block, and held its first communication in this new location July 7, 1876.

The 25th anniversary of the lodge occurred December 5, 1879, but it was determined that the celebration should take place in June following.

R. W. John C. Graves, D. D., Grand Master, being invited by the proper authorities to lay the corner-stone of the Soldiers' monument in Forest Lawn Cemetery, on Thursday, October 21, 1880, called upon the lodges of Buffalo to unite for that purpose. Queen City Lodge accepted the invitation.

The lodge rooms corner of Washington and North Division streets having been destroyed by fire on the evening of December 21, 1882, the lodge held its six hundred and sixty-second stated communication on Friday, January 4, 1883, in the lodge room of Ancient Landmarks Lodge, corner of Main and Court streets, having obtained a dispensation for that purpose from M. W. Brother Benjamin Flagler, Grand Master.

Quarterly as well as annual financial and statistical reports on the condition of the lodge are furnished with commendable regularity by the committee appointed for that purpose. Many of the brethren have become life members of the lodge by commutation which adds greatly to its stability. Liberal in its contributions for charitable purposes, the lodge has also never lost sight of the duty it owes to its deceased members by accompanying them to their final resting place and depositing the remains with fraternal care in the silent grave.

56

The course pursued in appointing a committee on correspondence, whose duty it is to procure the delivery of lectures on Masonic topics, deserves great praise; the lodge has cause to congratulate itself that M. W. Brother Fox has consented to act as chairman of the committee. The lectures are delivered at stated times, the greater part of them being furnished by the gifted chairman.

The Masonic Hall (Miller & Greiner Block) having been entirely restored and newly furnished, the Lodge has returned to it and held its first meeting therein August 29th, 1883. The membership of the Lodge May 1st, 1883, was two hundred.

The following brethren have occupied the station of Master of the Lodge:

Cyrus P. Lee, 1855-56; Wells Brooks, 1857; George C. Rexford, 1858; Christopher G. Fox, 1859-62; John A. Lockwood, 1863-65; P. A. Matteson, 1866;

M(arshall). H. Tryon, 1867; William C. Bagley, 1868-69; Louis S. Morgan, 1870-71; Darwin E. Morgan, 1872-73; James G. Bently, 1874-75; William Hengerer, 1876-77;

Walter C. Winship, 1878; John C. Adams, 1879-80; Goodrich J. Bowen, 1881-82; Philo W. Dorris, 1883.Mr. Peugeot, 1911-12

“The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography,” Volume 3, page 395.http://books.google.com/books?id=2qsYAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA395&lpg=PA395&dq=%22Queen+City+Lodge+No.+358%22&source=bl&ots=KSqelSJNBz&sig=s4CUaHH9OtI3ZzzGYT48CjH3Wrs&hl=en&ei=4WwDS-70LJD7nAf-4rmRAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CBkQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22Queen%20City%20Lodge%20No.%20358%22&f=false

Hilton Earl Beebe, architect and superintendent, of Fredonia, NY, is a son of Justus T. and Harriet C. (Quigley) Beebe, and was born at Cassadaga. Chautauqua, NY, 27 Nov 1840. His paternal grandfather, Abel Beebe, was a native of Connecticut, and was one of the first white settlers on the site of Buffalo, where he purchased, about the year 1800, a tract of land called "Cold Spring," in the then almost total wilderness, near the banks of the Niagara. Almost the first work done here by Mr. Beebe was to help in felling the native timber to clear out what is now called Niagara street, one ot the greatest thoroughfares in this prosperous and growing city. After a few years Mr. Beebe sold this land, and purchased and cleared up a heavily timbered farm on the shore of Cassadaga Lake in Chautauqua county, where he reared a family of four sons and three daughters. Delos, James, Justus T., Cyrenus C., Loceua, Elvira and Lucy. His father, Justus T., was born in Cassadaga, 27 Dec 1811, and died there 5 Dec 1886. He married Harriet C. Quigley, and they had two sons and two daughters, Milton Earl, Laura A., Francis M. and Helen M.

Milton E. Beebe received his education in the three months' winter school of his native town, and the Fredonia academy, which he attended during one term. At an early age he exhibited considerable talent for music as well as a decided taste for drawing and mechanical construction. At sixteen years of age he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and in a short time was sufficiently skilled to enable him to engage in carrying on the building business for himself. At nineteen years of age he commenced teaching in the winter schools, and when the late Civil War broke out enlisted in the 9th New York cavalry. He served at Washington and Alexandria until early in 1862; then was assigned to Col. Hunt's artillery, and participated in the Peninsular Campaign until the battle of Fair Oaks, when his command was ordered to Washington, DC, where betook typhoid fever, and after his recovery was discharged for physical disability, which prevented his re-enlistment.

Returning home, in connection with his trade he took up the study of architecture, which he pursued from 1865 to 1873 under leading architects of Buffalo, Chicago and New York. In 1873 he established himself at Buffalo as an architect, and at once took a leading place in the profession. Among the important buildings which he has designed and built are the Board of Trade building, Miller and Greiuer building, Manufacturers' and Traders' bank building, Tucker's Iron building, John C. Jewett building, Agency building, Zink and Hatch Building, J. M. Richmond Austin estate fire-proof building, the Exchange building, costing from $75,000 to $175,000 each, and court-houses as follows: Niagara county, NY, Warren county, PA, McKean county, PA, Cambria county, PA, Huntington county, PA, and Schuylkill county. PA, costing from $100,000 to upward of $300,000 each; besides many costIy churches and fine private residences: and he is now engaged in planning two ten-story fire-proof office buildings to be built of steel and masonry, and which will be models of elegance and convenience. In 1885 he removed to Fredonia, NY, where he purchased the old Gen. Risley place, where he had one of the finest residences in town. Mr. Beebe was an enthusiast in his profession, and had a beautiful study at his home, "Rose Lawn," in which he had one of the most complete and expensive libraries anywhere to be found. He was actively engaged in his profession with offices at Buffalo. On 5 Nov1862, he married Rosina Philips, daughter of Sawyer Phillips, and sister to Philip Phillips, the noted singer and traveler. They had one son, Harry P., born 5 May1865, and was engaged in architectural work with his father. In politics Mr. Beebe was a zealous republican. In 1879 he was elected alderman of the second ward of Buffalo, and at the organization of the board was made its president. He was re-elected to the same position the next year, and in 1881 was nominated by acclamation as the republican candidate for mayor of Buffalo when Grover Cleveland was elected. Mr. Beebe was a member of Bidwell Wilkinson post No. 9, G. A. R.; Queen City lodge, No. 358, Free and Accepted Masons; past eminent commander of Hugh, de Payen's Commandery of Knights Templar,stationed at Buffalo; Past Grand Master of the ancient Order of United Workmen, state of New York, and Past Supreme Foreman of the same order for the US and Canada

http://archivaria.com/BusDbios/BusDbios11.html

Dr. Henry George Bentz, one of the best known German physicians in the city, was born on 2 Sep 1865 in Buffalo. His father, Henry Bentz, was born in Oberkurzenhausen near Strassburg and came to America in 1838. His mother, born Franziska Henriette Caroline Goertz, came from Hackenwalde near Stettin. Dr. Bentz is a true Buffalonian. He attended the public schools and then the high school. He went to the University of Buffalo to study medicine. After becoming an M.D. on 28 Feb 1888 he received a PH.G. on 26 Mar 1889. He established himself in his father city as a physician and surgeon and over the years built up a large practice.

57

Dr. Bentz, greatly respected among the circle of men in his profession, was a member of the Buffalo Academy of Medicine, the Erie County Medical Association, the New York State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American Pharmaceutical Association, and the Erie County Pharmaceutical Association. He was a member and examining physician for the following lodges and organizations: the Royal Arcanum, the Independent Order of Foresters, the Improved Order of Heptasophs, the National Union, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Order of the Iroquois, the New York Physicians Mutual Aide Association. He is also an examining physician for the Phoenix Life Insurance Company, the Valhalla Section of the Bavarian National Association, and the Lake Erie Lodge of the Order of the Harugari. Further he is a member of the Queen City Lodge No. 358 of the Order of Free Masons, the Buffalo Consistory, the Ismailia Temple and Zuleika Grotto, the Omega Lodge and Erie Encampment of the Order of Odd Fellows, the Genesee Tribe J.D.R.M., the Buffalo Lodge 23, B.B.O.E., and other associations. From 1 Apr 1891 he was the physician for the poor of the 5th district. On 29 Jul, Dr. Bentz married Miss Louis Amalia Reiser of Buffalo. The happy union has produced 6 children, of which three have died. Those children still living are Florence Louise, 17, Mildred Lorrain, 11, and Russell Richard, 7.

http://books.google.com/books?id=mMQLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA824&lpg=PA824&dq=%22Queen+City+Lodge+No.+358%22&source=bl&ots=3A_10YWS4z&sig=rnU027ONF5T4D9GMhE13HcWLvV8&hl=en&ei=4WwDS-70LJD7nAf-4rmRAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CCIQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22Queen%20City%20Lodge%20No.%20358%22&f=false page 823.

Frank A. Beyer, eldest son and child of Christian and Lucy E. (Traynor) Beyer, was born in the town of Alden, Erie, NY, 1 Sep 1864. In 1868 his parents removed to Blossom, West Seneca, Erie county, where his boyhood years were spent and public school education acquired. After completing his studies there, he began clerking for Adam Beckel, continuing until he had saved money enough to pay for a course in business training at Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Buffalo, from whence he was graduated. His first business engagement in Buffalo was with L. F. W. Arend, a dry goods merchant on Main street. In about half a year this was purchased by Barnes, Bancroft & Company, which later became "The William Hengerer Company," a large department store. Mr. Beyer remained through these changes and had so established himself in favor, as a capable and trustworthy young man, that he was made manager of the credit department, a position he held for eleven years. During the last two years of this period he was interested with his brother, Edward F., in the firm of Beyer & Company, grocers, Buffalo, a business later sold to Frank J. Eberle. In 1884 opportunities so presented themselves to Mr. Beyer that he resigned his position, removed to Red House, Cattaraugus county, NY, where he opened a general store. Here he also made his first venture in the lumber business, a line in which he was destined to become notably identified. In 1902 the growing importance of the lumber trade demanded so much of his time that he disposed of his store and removed to Salamanca, NY, which he made his headquarters during his residence in Cattaraugus county. In 1904 he returned to Buffalo and at once assumed a leading position in the lumber trade. He organized the firm of Beyer, Knox & Company in 1904, and in 1907 the Pascola Lumber Company, of which he was chosen president. Besides being a large dealer and closely identified with large lumber enterprises, he labored successfully to bring about a spirit of co-operation among lumbermen and dealers, and in fostering a unanimity of sentiment and natural helpfulness that greatly benefited the trade. In 1908 he was chosen president of the Hardwood Lumber Exchange of Buffalo. In 1907 he was chosen treasurer of the Manufacturers' Club, 1908-09 he was president of the same, and in the same years vice-regent snark, Western District of New York, of the Hoo Hoo's, a lumber organization. He is also a director of the National Hardwood Lumber Association of Chicago, Illinois. In 1910 he was elected treasurer of Erie county, assuming the duties of that office, 1 Jan 1911.

Progressive and public-spirited, high-minded and honorable, energetic and ambitious, there seems no qualification that Mr. Beyer lacks to carry him onward and upward in public or business life, he stands as a leader in civic and industrial progress; his opinions carry weight with his fellows and his advice is sought on important matters relating to the public good. Politically he is a Republican, and an attendant of the Park Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Manufacturers' Club, of which he was president, 1908-09, and president of the Otovega Club. He has been identified with the Masonic Order for several years. He is a member of Queen City Lodge, No. 358, Free and Accepted Masons; Salamanca Chapter, No. 362, Royal Arch Masons: Lake Erie Commandery, Ño. 20. Knights Templar; Buffalo Consistory, No. 320, and Ismailia Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is also a director and member of the executive committee of the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce.

He married, 30 Aug 1890, Elizabeth G.Rolls, born 2 Aug 1866, daughter of Samuel S. Rolls, of Ontario, Canada, and his wife, Elizabeth (Walker) Rolls. She was the third of five children, Joseph W., Louise, Elizabeth G., George and Jennie A. Children of Frank A. and Elizabeth G. Beyer: i. Florence A., born 5 Dec 1892. 2. Marguerite A., 20 Jun 1894. 3. Lillian Vera. 9 Sep 1896. 4. Frank A. Jr., 5 May 1903.

http://books.google.com/books?id=TccLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA386&dq=%22Queen+City+Lodge+No.+358%22#v=onepage&q=%22Queen%20City%20Lodge%20No.%20358%22&f=false page 385.

John Reuben Chapin, son of Hon. Loring Dudley and Emeline Amelia (Thurber) Chapin, was born in Providence, RI [Springfield, Hampden, MA?], 2 Jun 1823, died 11 Nov 1883 [12 Nov 1894 or 1904?], in Buffalo, NY, aged 81 (sic) years. John was a distant cousin of Bro. Cyreneus Chapin, the physician who helped rebuild Buffalo after the War of 1812, and they are both direct descendents of the illustrious Deacon Samuel Chapin who was a leader in the village of Springville, MA in 1642. When he was seven years of age his father removed to New York City, where he was educated. His father wished him to enter West Point when he was nineteen, but the son wished to study art, and only the intercession of Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph, (who was a friend of the family), saved him from a military career. He studied law for six months as a concession to his father's wishes, but continued his art studies at the same time. When Gleason's Pictorial, a well-known illustrated paper of Boston, was in its prime, Mr. Chapin applied for a position as illustrator. He was taken on the staff and sent south to make drawings of southern cities,

58

also writing descriptions of his travels. After two years Gleason's failed and he then began illustrating in a general way for newspapers and magazines. In 1845 he established a studio in New York, and from 1850 until 1860 drew for the patent office at Washington. This brought him in contact with many noted men, among them Walter Hunt, inventor of the sewing machine and the original Springfield rifle. He also was a warm friend of Morse, the inventor. Shortly after 1850 he removed to Rahway, NJ, where he became interested in free masonry. He was elected Deputy Grand Master and revised the ritual of the order and effected a reorganization of many of the lodges of the state. In 1860 he organized an art department for Harper Brothers, becoming its superintendent. About this time he invented the block process of engraving, which facilitated work in getting out wood cuts. When the civil war broke out Mr. Chapin was commissioned captain and assigned to recruiting duty, organizing three batteries that went to the front. Being denied active duty in the field, he resigned, but was later elected Colonel of the 33rd Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. The governor refused him a commission unless a certain man was appointed lieutenant. Colonel Chapin could not comply with this, therefore his commission was never issued.

After the close of the war Secretary of the Treasury Chase called for designs for treasury notes. Mr. Chapin submitted several designs, which were accepted, and appear on all the old issues of government bank notes. He depicted scenes in American history, with allegorical illustrations. As long as Mr. Chase remained in office Mr. Chapin also designed many of the silver coins. About 1865 he established a wood engraving house and began the illustration of catalogues for business houses, then something new. A great deal of work came from the west, and in 1870 he came to Buffalo to start a branch office, called the Bureau of Illustration. After a year he became associated with Sage Sons & Company, in charge of their wood engraving department. He remained with them until 1873, although the firm had been succeeded by White & Braley. He later went to Chicago, where he worked as an independent designer. In 1875 he returned to New York City, where he confined his work to book illustrating. In 1880 he located in Boston, associating with Balfour Brothers, publishers, devoting himself to illustrating until 1890, when he returned to Buffalo, entering the employ of Matthew Northrup works as a designer and illustrator, continuing until 1894, when he retired from active work. In his later years he devoted himself to painting, using war-time subjects, his greatest pictures being those depicting battle scenes. His last work was a drawing for the front page of the mid-winter number of the Los Angeles Times.

Print by John Reuben Chapin shows scene during the battle at Oriskany, New York in August 1776. General Nicholas Herkimer, commander of the American forces, is shown (on the left) giving orders from his saddle which is on the ground

after his horse was shot from beneath him. Image published: 1857.

59

The Great Chicago Fire by John R. Chapin for Harper’s Magazine

Drawing by John R. Chapin of Bro. Erastus Granger’s homestead – 1891

Commodore Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie – steel engraving 1859

60

Mr. Chapin was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge, No. 1, Newark, NJ, receiving the master mason's degree 15 Dec 1852. After filling other offices he was elected master in 1853. In 1854 he was elected master of Franklin Lodge, No. 10, of Irvington, NJ. In 1855 he was elected master of La Fayette Lodge, No. 27, of Rahway, serving many years until 1867. For twelve years he was deputy grand master of New Jersey. He affiliated in Buffalo with Queen City Lodge, No. 358. In civil life Mr. Chapin was city clerk and member of the common council of Rahway, declining a nomination for mayor. He was president of the Old Men's Debating Society, composed of ministers, lawyers, teachers and other professional men of the city. He also held membership and official position in other societies and associations.

He married, 22 Aug 1848, Martha C. Shannon, born 11 Apr 1822, died 6 Dec 1910, in Buffalo, daughter of John and Elizabeth C. (Wade) Shannon. A feature of their married life was that they celebrated their golden wedding in Buffalo five years prior to the death of Mr. Chapin. At the golden wedding were Rev. and Mrs. S. P. Barker, of Buffalo, parents of Mrs. Dr. Charles P. Chapin, who four years before had celebrated their own golden wedding. Children: i. Henry Albert, born in New York, 15 Dec 1849, died in Rahway, NJ, aged seven years. 2. Harriet Elizabeth, born in Campton, NJ, Oct 1851. 3. Freelove Thurston, born in Newark, NJ, 7 Jan 1853. 4. Isabella W., born in Rahway. NJ, 15 Jul 1855, died in her third year. 5. William Emerson, born in Rahway, NJ, 25 May 1857; married Lu V. Williams, of Chicago, Illinois; children: Ethel Agnes, Clarence, Bessie Irene and Edna Shannon. He was cartoonist for the Los Angeles Times, and all through the labor troubles was a close friend and co-worker with General Otis. He ranks very high in his profession. 6. Charles Pierson. 7. Harry Stephen, born in Rahway, NJ, 1 May 1862: married Minnie Briggs, of Providence, RI; child: Granville Pierson, born 29 Jun 1899; he is an engraver in wood, located in Providence.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=:2240875&id=I1202

Loring Dudley CHAPIN (Reuben CHAPIN6, Reuben CHAPIN5, Samuel CHAPIN4, Hannah SHELDON3, Isaac SHELDON2, Ralph SHELDON1) b. 2 Dec 1798 in W. Springfield, MA; d. 22 Apr 1846 in Providence, RI; m. Oct 1819 Emeline Aurelia THURBER, b. 16 Jul 1800 in Providence, RI; d. 6 May 1873 in Hadley, MA. Children, born in Springfield, Hampden, MA:i. Henry Albert CHAPIN b. 14 Dec 1820 ii. John Reuben CHAPIN b. 2 Jun 1823; d. 12 Nov 1894.iii. Loring Dudley CHAPIN b. 1825; d. 6 Aug 1832.iv. Infant CHAPIN b. ca 1826 iv. Charles Loring CHAPIN b. 25 Nov 1828; d. 14 Sep 1896.v. George Dudley CHAPIN b. 1833; d. in infancy.vi. Emma Lucinda CHAPIN b. 13 Mar 1835; d. 4 Sep 1907.vii. Loring Dudley CHAPIN b. 28 Aug 1838; d. 17 Mar 1871.ix. Infant CHAPIN b. 1840; d. in infancy.

See also: “The Historical Picture Gallery, or, Scenes and Incidents in American history ...,” Vol V, by John Reuben Chapin, 1856. 504 pages, at: http://books.google.com/books?id=JErYTrtT4JcC&dq=%22John+Reuben+Chapin%22&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=vraxz9YNIl&sig=65SHWE2PN6w4hUI-59TGh6MhRBo&hl=en&ei=RIIDS-n8O8XknAf19L1g&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CA8Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

See also: An Artist’s View of the Iron Mines of the New Jersey Highlands (1860), at:http://www.mindat.org/article.php/206/An+Artist's+View+of+the+New+Jersey+Iron+Mines+in+1860

------

http://www.archivaria.com/GdDbios/GdD11.html

< John P. Diehl, brother of Henry, was born 4 Feb 1837 in Buffalo. He attended a German private school and then the public schools.He went into apprenticeship with a pharmacist and later opened an apothcary shop, which he operated with his brother, Jacob W. Diehl. The business was at the corner of Main and West Genesee Streets. Besides his various successful business activities, Mr. Diehl was a Director of the Buffalo Savings Bank, the Commercial Insurance Co., and the German Bank. He belonged to the Queen City Lodge No.358 of the Order of Free Masons and was a member of the Hugh de Payens Commander Knights of the Templar. His marriage to Louisa A. Smith produced two children. He lived with his family in a cozy home at 388 Pearl Street.

http://www.onlinebiographies.info/ny/erie/a-l/lockwood-m.htm

Millington Lockwood, Buffalo, is a lineal descendant of Robert Lockwood, who came from England to Massachusetts with Governor Winthrop in 1630, and whose Sons subsequently moved to Connecticut, where the family have ever since resided. Gershom Lockwood, son of Robert, married Ann Millington, and the name Millington has since distinguished the Lockwood family in each generation. The descent from Gershom and Ann Lockwood is Gershom, jr., Millington, Sr., Millington, jr., John A., and Millington, the subject of this sketch. Millington Lockwood, Sr., was a soldier from Connecticut in the Revolutionary war; his son Millington, jr., married Jane Cuisac, and their son, John A. Lockwood, was born in Albany, NY, 17 Jun 1822, came to Buffalo about 1848, and engaged in the printing business. Later he engaged in printing stationery and blank books until his death, 21 Feb 1885. He was one of the founders of the firm of Young, Lockwood & Co., a 32° Mason and a distinguished member of that order. He was Master of Queen City Lodge No. 358, F. & A. M., high priest of Keystone Chapter No. 163, R. A. M., a member of Keystone Council No. 20, R. & S. M., and Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 30, K. T., and District Deputy Grand Master in 1869. In 1882 he

61

was elected an honorary member of the Grand Lodge of Canada with rank of Past Senior Grand Warden - an honor never before or since conferred. He married Adaline C. Shepherd.

R '. W.'. JOHN A. LOCKWOOD, Past District Grand Master of the Twenty-fifth Masonic District, and Past Master of Queen City Lodge, No. 358, died very suddenly at his home in Buffalo on 21 Feb 1885, at the age of 63, and was buried with masonic ceremonies at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 24th. Bro. LOCKWOOD was made a mason in 1856, and from that time until his death he was an active one. "He was a genial, happy man, square as an angle of ninety degrees, just, true, and upright as the Lord ever made a man, and to be his friend was an honor the highest might crave."

Millington Lockwood, their eldest son, was born 2 May 1852, in Buffalo, where he has always resided. He was graduated from the Buffalo High School in 1869, Spent a short time in teaching school in Ohio, and then entered the establishment of Young, Lockwood & Co., where he remained until 1884, when he established his present business. Mr. Lockwood is one of the leading stationers and blank book manufacturers in Buffalo. He also handles typewriters, architects' and surveyors' supplies, and in fact everything required in modern office work. His specialty has always been the latest devices pertaining to his business, which has largely contributed to his success. He is past master of Queen City Lodge No. 358, F. & A. M., and a member of Keystone Chapter No. 163, R. A. M., Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 30, K. T., and Past District Deputy Grand Master of F. & A. M. 9 Sep 1874, he married Edna C., daughter of Levi Bronson of Buffalo, and they had three children: Lucy E., Alice G. and Richard Bronson.

Source: Our County and it's people - a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Edited by Trumen C. White, 1898.

Richard A. Ough, Buffalo, is of Scotch English descent, his parents coming to America in 1831 and settling in Cobourg, Ontario, where Richard A. was born, 25 Jun 1852. The foundation of his education was laid at his native town; he finished his schooling, however, in the schools of the United States. After completing a full course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Cleveland, Ohio, he entered the service of S. Brenard & Sons, music publishing house, taking full charge of the music plate printing department, where he remained until 1869, when he removed to Augusta, GA. He remained there a short time when he returned to Cleveland to his former position and in 1871 removed to Titusville, PA, where he engaged in the fire insurance business, in which he continued until 1873, when he removed to Buffalo to accept a position with Adam, Meldrum & Anderson, taking charge of one of their departments. From 1878 to 1883 he had charge of the shipping, receiving and stock department of Cosack & Co., lithographers; he was traveling salesman for Gies & Co. one year. In 1884 he formed a copartnership with Mr. Lockwood, under the firm name of Lockwood & Ough, dealers in commercial stationery, which continued until 1896, when the firm dissolved, Mr. Ough continuing the business at the old stand. Mr. Ough is affiliated with many societies, being a life member of the Buffalo Historical Society. In Masonic circles he has attained high honors, being a past master of Queen City Lodge No. 358; he is also a member of Keystone Chapter No. 163, Keystone Council No. 20, and Hugh de Payens Cornmandery No. 30, Knights Templar. In Feb 1880, he married Mary Eggers of Buffalo.

http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/link.php?id=24121

May 9 1881 - Mr. Marshall H. Tryon, for many years a respected citizen of Buffalo, died yesterday at his residence, No. 83 Hampshire Street, aged 69 years (b. ca 1812). MR. TRYON had been a sufferer from ill health for a long time, and his death was not unexpected. In former years, he was a popular and prominent merchant tailor, and had a first class reputation in that class of business. He was an old member of the Masonic fraternity, being past Master of Queen City Lodge, No. 358 [in 1867], also a member of Keystone Chapter and Hugh De Payens Commandery. The deceased was a most estimable man, and was greatly respected. He had a host of warm personal friends, who admired and loved him for his noble qualities of head and heart. He leaves a wife and two sons to mourn his loss.

-------

Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks No. 441.—Application having been made to the proper officers of the lodge to permit an examination of its records, permission was refused on the ground that "the general public can have no possible interest in the private records of the lodge." Not the slightest desire existing on our part to disturb this privacy, we limit ourselves to state that the lodge is located in the city of Buffalo; that it received its warrant from the Grand Lodge in June, 1858, and that it numbered one hundred and seventy members on the 1st of May, 1883.

Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks No. 441 in Buffalo, New York was founded in 1858. In 1868 the Lodge took delivery of their new suite of furniture to furnish the new Lodge room recently leased at the corners of Main and Court Streets in downtown Buffalo. This furniture was commissioned and built by the local firm of T. Hersee and Sons, of which at least three members of the Hersee family belonged to the Lodge and William was its second Master. The furniture consists of a Master’s Station (East), a Senior Warden’s Station (West) and a Junior Warden’s Station (South) along with 13 Large Settees for members to sit on, Past Master’s Chairs (6), Secretary and Treasurer’s Desks and Chairs (2), and other miscellaneous pieces which can be viewed in the photographs. These items represent the last known complete suite of furniture produced by the T. Hersee Company which closed its doors in the 1950’s. At the time, T. Hersee and Sons was a direct and respected competitor of the Kittinger Furniture Company, also of Buffalo. The furniture is hand carved from Black Walnut wood and upholstered in blue velvet.

62

These pieces were all hand carved in 1868, all are in beautiful condition and are now installed into our new Matinecock Masonic Historical Society Building's Main Lodge Room, 4 West Main Street, Oyster Bay, NY

De Molay Lodge No. 498.—This lodge was also among the sufferers from the fire in the Miller & Greiner Block in December, 1882. Although it was fortunate enough to save its records, yet they are in such a damaged state as to be practically useless until placed in a readable condition again, for which purpose they have been placed in the hands of the binder. To Brother John H. Doyle, its present Master, we are under obligations for information contained in the subjoined sketch.

The dispensation from the Grand Master under which the lodge took form is dated March 1st, 1860. The following brethren were the petitioners for the dispensation :—Brothers William F. Rogers, Alexander Sloan, Arthur Hickman, Samuel Gibson, Edward Hartley, William Dixson, Samuel McCutcheon, Jonathan T. Wilbur, Peter C. Stambach, Charles Armstrong, Hezekiah C. Carey, E. R. P. Shurly, Albert Briggs, Byron D. Vilas, P. B. Hitchcock and Edwin D. Loveridge. In the dispensation W. F. Rogers was named Master; J. T. Wilbur S. W., and P. C. Stambach J. W. The first meeting of the lodge occurred March 4th, 1860, at Masonic Hall on Seneca street. The first candidate initiated in the lodge was Philander B. Locke, March 14, 1860, followed by Alexander H. Brown and John Donaldson, March 21st, and David Donaldson, March 28th. 1860.

Upon the surrender of its dispensation the Grand Lodge, Jun 1860, issued a warrant to the lodge which received the number 498, on the register of the Grand Lodge. The warrant is dated 9 Jun 1860, and contains the names of the brethren who were Masters and Wardens of the lodge whilst working under dispensation as its officers. Upon the receipt of the warrant, the six brethren first named as petitioners, withdrew from the lodge. Up to May 1861, the lodge continued to meet at the hall on Seneca street, when it moved to Masonic Hall, on the corner of Washington & Exchange streets. Here it remained but a short time, for its last meeting in that hall took place 20 Jul 1861. In August of the same year it moved with the other Masonic bodies to the corner of Main and Swan streets, and thence in Jun 1876, to the hall corner of Washington and North Division streets, where it remained until overtaken by the disastrous fire in Dec 1882. The hall having been restored the lodge has resumed its meetings at its former quarters

The following brethren have occupied the station of Master of the Lodge:

Jonathan T. Wilbur, 1860-63; P. B. Hitchcock, 1864-65; Edgar W. Denison, 1866-67; Walter L. Stephens, 1868;

William H. Baker, 1869-70; Guilford W. McCray, 1871-72; Albert Jones, 1873-74; Richmond H. Bickford, 1875-76:

Chauncey Crosby, 1877-78; Albert H. Adams, 1879-80; John C. Burns, 1881-82; John H. Doyle, 1883.

On the 1st of May, 1883, the lodge had two hundred and seventy-four members on its register.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sponholz/obits1927.html

From the August, 1927 Issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:John N. Gaiser, formerly general foreman of the Erie Railroad locomotive shop at Buffalo, NY, died at Buffalo on May 17 (1927), aged 60 years. He entered the service of the Erie as a machinist about thirty-five years ago and after several promotions became general foreman of the Buffalo locomotive shop, which post he held until April, 1926, when failing health led to his retirement. Mr. Gaiser was widely known and well liked. His death is lamented by all who knew him. He is survived by a widow, four sons and two daughters. Mr. Gaiser was a Mason of high degree, being a member of Buffalo consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and of the Ismailia shrine of Buffalo. He was a life member of De Molay lodge, No. 498, Free and Accepted Masons of Buffalo.

63

http://books.google.com/books?id=Qs8CAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA282&lpg=PA282&dq=%22De+Molay+Lodge+No.+498%22&source=bl&ots=mY2nwYE90r&sig=aPVXk-FOptMDLL-d4icQlMijL-8&hl=en&ei=pmsQS73gBoetlAetmr2dBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22De%20Molay%20Lodge%20No.%20498%22&f=false page 209

Charles Hurd Hammond

WILLIAM W. HAMMOND, eldest son of Charles Hammond, was born at Hamburg, Erie County, NY, on 4 Nov 1831. He was brought up on his father's farm and attended the district schools at Brant and a select school at Irving, Chautauqua County. In order to go to school at Irving, young Hammond was obliged every day to walk six miles through the forest tract known as the " Indian Woods." He supplemented his rudimentary training by a course in the Fredonia Academy, and at sixteen began teaching school at Columbus, Pa., after which he went to Kentucky, where he taught school, and went from there to Jefferson County, Miss., a few miles from Louisville. Ill health obliged him to return County. Mrs. Hammond died in 1860, leaving one daughter, to his native State, where he again took up his residence in Brant, and Hamburg. While teaching school he began to read law. In 1856 he opened a general store at Brant, and also began to practice in Justices' Courts. When twenty-nine years old he came to Buffalo, entering the law office of Albert Swain and Judge Stephen Lockwood. Here he read law a short time, and was admitted to the bar May 16, 1861. Shortly afterward he opened an office in Angola, N. Y. In 1863 he was ordered with his regiment, the 67th National Guards, to Harrisburg, Pa., where he was stationed when the battle of Gettysburg was fought. He was for fourteen years a member of Company G, 67th Regiment, rising to the rank of Captain.

In 1864 Mr. Hammond removed to Farnham. Here he engaged in farming and the lumber business and conducted a general store. He also served one term as Justice of the Peace, and was a member of the Board of Supervisors for ten out of the twelve years he spent there. In 1877 Mr. Hammond was elected County Judge of Erie County, and was twice reelected, serving from January 1, 1878, to January 1, 1890. Since 1878 Judge Hammond has resided in Buffalo. Since retiring from the bench, he has engaged in the practice of law here, the name of his present firm being Hammond & Hinkley. Judge Hammond ranks as a lawyer of large experience, excellent abilities and scrupulous integrity. He is a safe and trusted legal adviser, and enjoys a large practice.

Judge Hammond was one of the incorporators of the Angola Congregational Church, and one of the original members and trustees of the first Congregational church organized in Buffalo. For the past twenty years he has been Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Niagara Square Congregational Church.

In 1854 Judge Hammond married Amy Ann Hurd of Evans, the bride's parents being among the oldest settlers of Erie Rosa Belle, now Mrs. Charles Koepka of Angola, Erie County. Later Judge Hammond married Louisa A. Hurd. Their children are: Lillie M., now Mrs. Edward J. Newell of Buffalo, and Clark Hurd, now one of the Municipal Court judges of this city.

CLARK HURD HAMMOND was born in the town of Brant, Erie County, February 23, 1875. When three years old he came with the family to Buffalo, where he attended the public schools and Angola Academy, graduating in 1895.

He had in the meantime become one of the managers of the Buffalo Rubber Type Foundry, of whose financial department he had charge for a year. In the fall of 1895 he registered as a student in the University of Buffalo, devoting his attention to law. While pursuing his studies he became a clerk in the office of Hammond, Hatch & Ackerson, with whom he continued until he was graduated from the Buffalo Law School in 1897. After his admission to the bar he was for a year managing clerk in the offices of Hammond & Brown, and later he formed a partnership with his father, under the firm name of Hammond & Hammond, the connection continuing until the younger Hammond became Judge of the Municipal Court.

In the fall of 1903 Clark H. Hammond, who was then only twenty-eight years old, received the Republican nomination for Judge of the Municipal Court for the term of six years, and was elected by about 3,000 plurality. In January, 1904, Judge Hammond entered upon the duties of his office, being the youngest man who ever held the position of Municipal Court Judge in the City of Buffalo. Judge Hammond nas done excellent work on the bench, presiding with justice and fairness and bringing to his judicial task a thorough knowledge of the law. He is now the senior Judge of his Court. In 1906, when the Law Department of the University of Buffalo added municipal court practice to its regular course, Judge Hammond was asked to deliver the lectures, and gave such satisfaction that he has been asked to regularlv fill that chair.

Always a Republican, Judge Hammond prior to his elevation to the bench was actively interested in the affairs of his party, serving for two years as District Committeeman of the Second District of the old Twentieth Ward, and in 1902 and 1903 representing the same ward on the Republican General Committee. The latter position he relinquished after taking the bench.

Before receiving judicial honors, Judge Hammond was attorney for the Master Plumbers' Association, and the Business Men's Protective Association of East Buffalo, connections from which he resigned when he became Judge, in accordance with his pledge made during the campaign to give his entire time to the office. He has for many years been Grand Attorney of the Gamma Sigma fraternity, a High School organization, and is also a member of the Delta Chi legal fraternity. He is a Mason, being affiliated with De Molay Lodge, No. 498, F. & A. M., with Keystone Chapter Royal Arch Masons; Hugh de Payens Commandery, Knights Templar; and Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and he is Past Monarch of Zuleika Grotto, No. 10. Judge Hammond also belongs to the Red Men, Fraternal Order Eagles, I. O. O. F., the Acacia Club, Sons of Veterans, and several other fraternal and social bodies. He is also a member and trustee of the First Congregational Church of Buffalo.

June 6, 1899, Judge Hammond married Susan E. Valentine, a daughter of James and Phebe A. Valentine of Buffalo.

Ibid. page280

CHARLES A. POOLEY is one of the foremost lawyers of the State and has for many years been known as the legal representative of large business interests and as a prominent citizen of Buffalo.

Mr. Pooley is of English ancestry. His father, the late William Pooley, was born in Cornwall, England, and was a son of Richard Pooley, a considerable land holder in that part of the country. William Pooley as a young man came to America about 1845 and five

64

years later settled in Buffalo. For a number of years he successfully carried on a lumber and planing mill industry here. Retiring from that business in 1876, until his death in 1902, he devoted himself to the care of his property. He was a man of strong traits of character and sterling citizenship, and was held in high esteem in the community.

William Pooley married Mary A. Menary, of Scotch-Irish parentage. Her family settled in Canada about 1845. The surviving children of the marriage are: Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Charles W. Holloway), Charles A., and George C. Pooley, and Minnie M. (Mrs. George C. Finley), all of whom live in Buffalo.

Charles A. Pooley was born in Buffalo November 17, 1854. He gained his elementary education at Public School No. 1, afterward attending Central High School, graduating in the class of 1873. On leaving school Mr. Pooley engaged in the lumber business, which he followed three years. This occupation he found not wholly congenial to him and he began the study of law on the 1st of January, 1876. His studies were completed in the office of the late Senator A. P. Laning, and in April, 1879, he was admitted to the bar. He began practice with the firm of Laning, McMillan & Gluck, later becoming a member of the firm of McMillan, Gluck & Pooley. Subsequently was formed the well-known law partnership of McMillan, Gluck, Pooley & Depew, which was one of the foremost legal firms in the State and handled the business of some of our largest corporations. On the death of Mr. Gluck, the firm became McMillan, Pooley, Depew & Spratt, and when Mr. McMillan retired the association was continued as Pooley, Depew & Spratt, later Poolev & Spratt, which firm was dissolved in February, 1907, and Mr. Pooley has continued his practice alone.

Mr. Pooley has for many years been one of the prominent legal advisers of the New York Central lines, which he now represents in Genesee and Orleans Counties, as well as in special proceedings before the Public Service Commission, and in other matters in Western New York. It speaks well for the esteem in which Mr. Pooley is held by his fellow members of the bar that

he has been prominently mentioned for judicial honors. When by the elevation of Judge Albert Haight to the Court of Appeals on 1 Jan 1895, a vacancy occurred on the Supreme Court bench of the Eighth Judicial District, Mr. Pooley was strongly endorsed for the appointment, the petition to Governor Morton being signed by a great number of representative lawyers without regard to political affiliation. It would be hard to conceive a higher compliment to a member of the legal profession than to be so emphatically endorsed to succeed a jurist of the standing of Judge Haight. In the summer of 1895 Mr. Pooley's name was again prominently brought forward as that of a desirable candidate for the Republican nomination to the Supreme Court bench.

Typically a lawyer, Mr. Pooley has always been closely devoted to his profession. He is a progressive citizen, taking a keen interest in the welfare and institutions of Buffalo, and keeping himself in line with civic advancement and the general interests of the coimnunitv. He is a trustee of the Law Library of the Eighth Judicial District and served for three years as a Director of the Buffalo Library. He has received high Masonic honors, being a Mason of the 32d degree, a member and Past Master of De Molay Lodge, No. 498, F. & A. M., and a member of Buffalo Chapter, R. A. M. He has also served a term as District Deputy Grand Master of the State of New York for the 25th Masonic District.

On 4 Jun 1884, Mr. Pooley married Carrie Adams, daughter of Hon. S. Cary Adams of Buffalo. Their children are: Harriet A., born in 1885, a student at Vassar College; Charles W., born in 1886, a student at Harvard University, and Margaret H. Pooley, born in 1895.

http://books.google.com/books?id=xVUYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA976&lpg=PA976&dq=%22De+Molay+Lodge+498%22&source=bl&ots=9RS1tQTjiV&sig=Yo93zTiVrbxzqwaCDlwIjJvXBSY&hl=en&ei=wnEQS_fZF8zZlAf-4viVBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CA0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22De%20Molay%20Lodge%20498%22&f=false page 176.

Samuel Booth Botsford: Lawyer; b. Vergennes, VT, 20 Feb 1877; son of Cyrus Booth and Julia (Warner) Botsford; educated in Vergennes (VT) High School, Middiebury (VT) Coll., A.B., 1900, Buffalo Law School, LL.B., 1902; unmarried. Clerk in law office of E. Corning Townsend and George Gorham, Buffalo, NY, 1900-02; managing clerk in office of Eugene L. Falk, 1902-05; practising alone since July, 1905. Republican. Episcopalian. Pres. "The Avonians" (Shakespeare study club); mem. Delta Upsllon fraternity, Guido Chorus (male singing soc), sec. St. Paul's Men's Club (church society); sec-treas. The Buffalo Society of Vermonters; mem. Municipal League, Referendum League, De Molay Lodge, 498, F. and A. M. Recreations: Music, swimming, canoeing. Clubs: Lawyers (on Membership Com.), University, Buffalo Delta Upsllon Club (sec.-treas.). Address: 816 Prudential Bldg., Buffalo, NY.

Ibid. page 976.

Edgar NEAL - Merchant; b. Buffalo, NY, 14 Jul 1858; son of John and Anna (Cursons) Neal, was educated in the public schools of Buffalo; m. April 11, 1883, Cordelia I. Smith; children: Ray C. (20), Grace M. (16). Vice president Buffalo Wholesale Hardware Co. Republican. Baptist. Past master De Molay Lodge 498, F. and A. M.; past thrice Illustrious master, Buffalo Council 17; District Deputy Grand Master 38th Masonic Dlstrict; Trustee Delaware Av. Bapt. Ch. Clubs: Ellicott. Acacia. Address: 317 Washington St., Buffalo, NY.

http://www.onlinebiographies.info/ny/erie/m-y/preiss-f.htm

Frederick Preiss, M. D., Buffalo, son of Beishazzar and Christina (Maul) Preiss, was born in Middleport, Brant, Ontario, Canada, 25 Dec 1868, attended the public schools, and was graduated from the Brantford Institute in 1884. He then began the study of medicine, receiving the degree of M. D. from Victoria University at Coburg in 1889, the degree of M. D. C. M. from Trinity University at Toronto in 1890, and the fellowship degree (F. T. M. C.) from Trinity Medical College in 1890. Since then he has successfully practiced his profession in Buffalo. Dr. Preiss has made numerous experiments with the X-Rays, and is credited with owning the first machine of that kind ever brought to the city. He is a member of the Erie County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Association and the Buffalo Academy of Medicine; is president of the Buffalo Surgical and Medical Dispensary, secretary and

65

treasury of the Buffalo Medical Union and lecturer on electrotherapeutics at the medical department of Niagara University, and is a 32d degree Mason, holding membership in De Molay Lodge No. 498, F. & A. M., Adytum Chapter No. 235, R.A.M., and the Scottish Rite bodies.

http://www.onlinebiographies.info/ny/erie/m-y/westinghouse-g.htm

George H. Westinghouse, M. D., Buffalo, son of William H. and Harriet J. (Taylor) Westinghouse, was born at Silver Creek, NY, 21 Dec 1860. He obtained his preliminary education in the district schools and at the Union School in Salamanca, NY, from which he was graduated in the class of 1877. In 1883 he began the study of medicine at the Universtity of Buffalo, and was graduated with honors in the class of 1886. Immediately after graduation he began his present practice in Buffalo. Dr. Westinghouse has served as a district health physician, having passed the civil service examinations and being appointed by the Board of Health. He is a member of the Erie County Medical Society, the Buffalo Academy of Medicine, the I. C. I. and S. A. societies of Buffalo University, and De Molay Lodge No. 498, F. & A. M. In Feb 1889, he married Eva L.Greene, daughter of Simon P. Greene, of Buffalo. They have three sons: Ralph W., Arthur L. and Clarence D.

Zion Lodge No. 514.—This lodge is located at East Hamburg, Erie county. The date of the dispensation under which the lodge was organized is not known; it was probably in the early part of 1861. The following are the names of the brethren who signed the petition for a dispensation: Asa Whittmore, Jonathan Hascall, Stephen V. R. Graves, Amos B. Paxson, Levi Potter, Lansing B. Littlefield, Seth P. Graves James Johnson, Samuel L. Deuel, Gushing Swift, Obadiah Newton, James Wood, Algeroy LeClear, Orin Lockwood and William Potter.

The Grand Lodge issued its warrant to the lodge at the June session of 1861; it bears date June 20, 1861, and the following brethren are named therein as officers: Brother Asa Whittmore, Master, Jonathan Hascall, Senior Warden, and Stephen V. R. Graves, Junior Warden. The following are the names of the brethren who have been Masters of the Lodge:

Asa Whittmore, 1861; Levi Potter, 1862-66; S. S. Reed, 1867;

Thomas G. Briggs, 1868-69 '78, '81; Amos C. Webster, 1870, 72-73, 82-83: Job Taylor, 1871,'75;

Horace G. Stillwell, 1874; George Abbott, 1876-77; Samuel D. Johnson, 1879-80

The lodge numbered twenty-two members May 1, 1883. In is still active as of 2009 at 6395 West Quaker Street, Orchard Park, NY.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40485393

Clarence Ernst Beicke, b. 12 Aug 1908 Buffalo; d. 24 Feb 1990, Erie County, NY. He grew up in East Lovejoy area. Early in his career he was a draftsman at Giesecke-Kinsey Co (building construction) 1302 Rand Bldg, 14 Lafayette Sq, Buffalo. He worked the majority of his career as draftsman/architect at Ernst Iron Works (Ernst Construction Co) - structural steel, iron work, buildings 75 Lathrop St Buffalo, NY. Bro. Beike moved his family to Orchard Park in the 1950's, where he was co-owner of one of the first real estate companies in Orchard Park, Eder & Beicke.He was a member of the following fraternal groups (he was very active in all of these):Buffalo Consistory, S.P.R.S .; Ismalia Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; Royal Order of Jester, Court 22; Zion Lodge no. 514 F & A M where he served as Master. He is buried at the Buffalo Cemetery in Cheektowaga, NY.

http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.scheunemann/18/mb.ashx?pnt=1

Albert Scheuneman, b. 1863 NY; d. at West Seneca, NY, 15 Dec 1935, Albert W. L., beloved husband of Pauline M. (nee Frieberger); father of Mrs. Arthur T. Yates, Albert W. L. Jr., Mrs. Phillip J. Schwab, William F., Mrs. Frank X. Brunn and Mrs. Charles Herdic. Funeral from the home of his son, Albert W. L. Scheunemann Jr., 3 Kirkwood drive, Wednesday at 2 o'clock. Friends are invited to attend. Deceased was a member of Zion Lodge No. 514, F. & A. M.; East Buffalo Lodge No. 355, I. O. O. F., and Seneca Hose Fire company. Funeral under the auspices of Zion Lodge.

Akron Lodge, No. 527.—M. W. John J. Crane, Grand Master, issued his dispensation in 1863, sanctioning the formation of a lodge in Akron, Erie county; and at the June session of the Grand Lodge, in the same year, the brethren who had heretofore worked under that dispensation received a warrant. The lodge was therefore registered as Akron Lodge No. 527 on the rolls of the Grand Lodge. It is still active as of 2009

Brother Ely Samuel Parker, an Indian of the Tonawanda reservation, who was Raised in Batavia Lodge No. 475, was its first Master, and was in Chicago at the time of the Masonic Convention, held September 13th and 14th,

1859. The convention met for the purpose of discussing the feasibility of forming a General Grand Lodge of the United States. At the banquet given at the close of the convention, Brother Parker was present, and by invitation, responded to the toast, "The universality of Masonry." His remarks were listened to with close attention and when the Brother spoke with sadness of his disappearing race he left a deep impression on his hearers.

The names of the officers contained in the warrant are: Ely S. Parker, Master; W. N. Hoag, Senior Warden, and Stephen G. Hill, Junior Warden. The following are the names of brethren who have occupied the station of Master of the Lodge:

Ely S. Parker, 1863; W. N. Hoag, 1864-65, '66-68, '75; Henry Lapp, 1869-70 & '76; William L. Paxon, 1871;

LeGrand Goslin, 1872; R. S. Tabor, 1873; Jacob Klicker, 1874; William T. Magoffin, 1877, '80, '82-83;

Charles A. Clark, 1878-79; Wilson P. Hoag, 1881.

On the 1st of May, 1883, the lodge numbered sixty-one members.

http://www.onlinebiographies.info/ny/genesee/long-j.htm

66

John Long (Edward Long , Diana Shepard , Elizabeth Sacket , Benoni Sacket , Samuel Sacket , John , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) of Pembroke, NY, was born in the township of Darien, 12 Jan 1837, received his education in the common schools and is one of the town's best farmers. He was married twice; first to Permelia J. Retnsen of Pembroke, who died in March 1860, and second, on 16 Jan 1862, to Mary Ann Sturtevant of Newstead; they had three children: Edwin J., who was drowned 9 Jun 1888; Carrie E., who married George Burdett of Elba, NY, and had three sons: Ralph J., Ellis and Fay. Hazel E. is their youngest daughter and attends school.

Mr. Long's father, Edward Long, was born in Washington county, NY, in the year 1809, and came to Pembroke when a young man. He married Betsey Ann Briggs of Rensselaer county, and six children were born to them: Martha, John, Sterling, David, Charles W. and Edwin. Mr. Long died in 1889 and his wife in 1872. Mrs. Long's father, Alfred Sturtevant, was born in Vermont in the year 1812, and came to this State with his parents when a boy, where he attended the district schools and became an efficient teacher and farmer. He married Hannah Wortendyke of NY, and they had four children: Cecelia E.. Mary Ann, Emogene and Josephine (twins). Mr. Sturtevant died in November 1881, and his widow in September 1892. Mr. Long's family attend the Christian church. In his political choice he is a staunch Democrat. He is a member of Akron Lodge No. 527, F. & A. M.

http://www.onlinebiographies.info/ny/genesee/owen-jd.htm

John D. Owen, of Pembroke, NY, was born in there 26 Mar 1839, was educated in the common schools and in early life was a farmer. He also manufactured cigars, and served as postmaster in Pembroke thirteen years. He was station master at Pembroke thirteen years in the employ of the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad Co., on the Batavia and Tonawanda branch. 6 Oct 1870, he married Mary J. Reed of his native place; they had two children: John D., jr., a farmer, and Robert D., who was a soldier in Co. I, 202nd. Infantry NYS Volunteers in the Spanish war. Mr. Owen's father, Alanson Owen, was born in Homer, NY, 22 Mar 1803, and was a successful physician during his life. He came to Pembroke in 1830, and married Marinda B. Chase of Byron, Genesee county, born 9 Oct 1813. They had three children: Charles W., John D. and Alta M. Dr. Owen died in 1880 and his widow in 1888. Mr. Owen's great-great-grandfather, and also his Grandfather, Roderick Owen, and his two sons, were soldiers in the Revolutionary war.

John D. Owen was a soldier in Co. D, 14th NY Voluteers, and was honorably discharged by reason of surgeon's certificate of disability. His brother, Charles W., is also an honorably discharged soldier of the war of the Rebellion. Mrs. Owen's father, George N. Reed, was born in Lockport, Niagara, NY, in May 1827, and was educated in the Lockport High SchooL He married Amy Johnson of Erie county; they had three children: Harriet, Mary J. and George N. Mr. Reed died 30 Mar 1871, and his wife in 1856. John D. Owen is a member of Akron Lodge No. 527, F.& A. M., and of Richville Lodge No. 432, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Owen is a talented painter. The family trace their ancestry in the United States back at least to 1635.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ely_S._Parker Ely Samuel Parker (1828 – August 31, 1895), (born Hasanoanda, later known as Donehogawa) was a Native American of the Seneca Nation who was an attorney, engineer, tribal diplomat, and a lieutenant colonel during the Civil War, where he served as adjutant to General Ulysses S. Grant. He wrote the final draft of the Confederate surrender terms at Appomattox. Later in his career Parker rose to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General. Grant appointed him Commissioner of Indian Affairs, the first Native American to hold that post.

Ely Parker was born in 1828 at Indian Falls, NY (then part of the Tonawanda Rerservation). He had a classical education at a missionary school, was fully bilingual, and went on to college. He spent his life bridging his identities as Seneca and American. He worked in a legal firm reading law for the customary three years in Ellicotville, NY, and then applied to take the bar. He was not permitted to take the examination because, as a Seneca, he was not a US citizen. It was not until 1924 that all American Indians were considered citizens under the Indian Citizenship Act.

In the late 1840s, Parker met Lewis H. Morgan, a scholar who was studying the Iroquois. Parker became his main source of information and entree to others in the nation. Parker then studied engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy and worked as a civil engineer until the Civil War.

He married Minnie, and they had one daughter, Maud, who survived

Parker began his career in public service by working as a translator and diplomat to the Seneca chiefs in their dealings with government agencies. In recognition of his important contributions to their negotiations about land and treaty rights, in 1852 Parker was made Sachem of the Seneca, Donehogawa, Keeper of the Western Door.

Before this he had met and worked with Lewis H. Morgan, a developing scholar in the field of ethnology and anthropology. Morgan was so indebted to Parker that he dedicated his book League of the Iroquois to him, published in 1851: "the materials are the fruit of our joint researches." Morgan also helped Parker gain entry to Rensselaer Polytechnic, because he recognized his abilities.

As an engineer, Parker contributed to upgrades and maintenance of the Erie Canal, among other projects. He was a supervisor of government projects in Galen, Illinois, where he first met and befriended Ulysses S. Grant. Their strong collegial relationship was useful later.

Near the start of the Civil War, Parker tried to raise a regiment of Iroquois volunteers to fight for the Union, but was turned down by NY Governor Edwin D. Morgan. He then sought to join the Union Army as an engineer, but was told by Secretary of War Simon Cameron that he could not since he was Indian. Parker contacted his colleague and friend Ulysses S. Grant, who intervened. His forces suffered from a shortage of engineers, and Parker was commissioned a captain in May, 1863 and ordered to report to Brig. Gen. John Eugene Smith. General Smith appointed Parker as the chief engineer of his 7th Division during the siege of Vicksburg. Smith said he was a "good engineer".

67

When Ulysses S. Grant became commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi, Parker became his Adjutant during the Chattanooga Campaign. He was subsequently transferred with Grant as the adjutant of the U.S. Army headquarters and served Grant through the Overland Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg. At Petersburg, Parker was appointed as the military secretary to Grant with the rank of lieutenant colonel and was responsible for writing much of the correspondence of General Grant.

Parker was present when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse in April 1865. He helped draft the surrender documents, which are in his handwriting. At the time of surrender, General Lee mistook Parker for a black man, but apologized saying "I am glad to see one real American here." Parker was said to respond, "We are all Americans, sir." Parker was brevetted Brigadier General of volunteers on April 9, 1865. After the Civil War, Parker was commissioned as an officer in the 2nd United States Cavalry. He again became the military secretary to Grant as he finished out his time as general in chief. Parker resigned from the army with the brevet rank of brigadier general of Regulars.

Grant appointed Parker as Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1869 to 1871. He was the first Native American to hold the office. Parker became the chief architect of President Grant's Peace Policy in relation to the Native Americans in the West. After leaving government service, Parker involved himself in the stock market. At first he did well, but eventually lost the fortune he had accumulated.

He lived his last years in poverty, dying in Fairfield, CT, on 31 Aug 1895. On 20 Jan 1897, his body was moved to Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, to lie next to his ancestor, Red Jacket, a famous Seneca orator and other notables of Western NY..

Ref: The Life of General Ely S. Parker: last grand sachem of the Iroquois . . .,” by Arthur Caswell Parker, Buffalo Historical Society. 1919. 340 pages.

Alden Lodge No. 594.—This lodge is located at Alden, in the county of Erie, and received its warrant at the June session of the Grand Lodge in 1866. The lodge had forty-eight members on its register May 1st, 1883. They celebrated their Fifteieth Anniversary in 1916. Alden Lodge exchanged visits with Doric Lodge No. 121 of Canada commencing in 1946 but were terminated during the time of the United States was with Korea, as Alden Lodge lost so many members due to enlistments in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The following brethren have occupied the Master's chair:

Spencer Stone, 1866, '70, '74-75; William E. Saunders, 1867-68, 71; Ralph N. Butler, 1869;

William Robinson, 1872-73; Edward R. Hall, 1876-77; Herschel K. Fullerton, 1878-79;

George I. Patterson, 1880-82; John P. Edson, 1883.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Qs8CAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA254&dq=%22Alden+Lodge+No.+594%22#v=onepage&q=%22Alden%20Lodge%20No.%20594%22&f=false page 254.

Emanuel Fleischmann, son of Ezekiel, was born in Aufsess, Bavaria, 14 Aug 1825, and educated at Bayreuth, and Bamberg. In 1849 he came to America, and after a short stay in New York, went to Columbus, Miss., and thence to Perryville, Mobile, and New Orleans, respectively for short periods of time. In 1850 he went to San Francisco, where he engaged in the cigar business. In 1855 he married Eliza Dessauer. Their children were: Samuel, who died in infancy; Simon, and Bianca. In 1871 he came to Buffalo, where in 1872 he was appointed Chief Clerk of the Department of Education. In 1873 he was appointed teacher of music in the public schools, continuing till 1876. The death of Mr. Fleischmann occurred 17 Apr 1903. His wife died 25 Dec 1890. Emanuel Fleischmann was a man of superior intellect and estimable character. He was a prominent Mason, being a member of Alden Lodge, No. 594; Adytum Chapter, No. 235; Buffalo Council, No. 17, and Queen City Council, No. 259. He was Recording Secretary of Montefiore Lodge, No. 70, Independent Order B'nai B'rith, and a charter member of Eagle Lodge, No. 69, Knights of Pythias.

http://books.google.com/books?id=UoIrZesWxNIC&pg=PA444&dq=%22William+E.+Saunders%22+%22alden%22#v=onepage&q=%22William%20E.%20Saunders%22%20%22alden%22&f=false page 451.

William Robinson of West Alden, was born 26 Jan 1814, and was the son of William and Alice Robinson of Williamstown, VT. He lived in the latter town until his twentieth year, with no other educational advantages than a few months yearly in a district school, while learning the trade of a blacksmith. He was industrious and ambitious, loved reading, and was judicious in selecting such matter as would be instructive and profitable to him. In the fall of 1835 he opened a shop on Eleven Mile creek and worked there through the winter, and in April 1836, settled at a place then called Alden Centre, but is now West Alden. 16 May 1837, he was united in marriage with Almira Dean, at her father's residence in Cambridge, NY, and the same year bought land and built a residence in Alden Centre, which he occupied till his death. They had two children; George, born 26 Feb 1838, died 4 Dec 1857; and Mary Elizabeth, born 25 May 1847, who lived in the same residence occupied by her father from 19 Nov 1837 to 22 Mar 1873.

Mr. Robinson served as magistrate from 1 Jan 1857, to 31 Dec 1860, and did honor to the office, dealing out justice without fear, compulsion or profit. An opponent of his in politics, at the time made the remark that William Robinson made the best magistrate they ever had during his residence in Alden, for he was not afraid to do his duty. He made an honorable living and was a husband of whom any wife might feel proud and was always kind, affectionate and thoughtful for the happiness of those around him, possessing at the same time the principles of integrity, truth and honor, which he carried out in every act of his life. He was a faithful Mason, loved the principles of that order and executed them in his every day life. He never absented himself from the lodge when it was, possible for him to be present, and in January 1873 was installed Master of the Alden Lodge, for the second term.

Mr. Robinson died at his home in West Alden, 22 Mar 1873. Joel Dean, the father of Mrs. Robinson was born in Hardwick, MA, 27 Apr 1777, and his wife Elizabeth King was born in Mount Washington, MA, 25 Jan 1785, and married in Cambridge, NY, 30 Nov 1801. Mr. Dean died 11 Oct 1854, and his wife 21 Dec 1868, and they were both buried within a mile of the farm on which they had lived together nearly fifty-three years.

68

William E. Saunders, b. 1836, NY; d. 1913, Alden, Erie, NY; m. Mary J FARNSWORTH, daughter of Alonzo D FARNSWORTH and Orrill WARD, about 1860 in IA. Mary was born about 1839 in Alden, NY, and died there in 1922

Fraternal Lodge No. 625.—This lodge now holds its communications at Hamburg, Erie county. It received its warrant from the Grand Lodge in June, 1867, since which time the following brethren have occupied the Master's chair:—Brothers Charles E. Haviland, 1867, '68; Robert C. Titus, 1869,'70, '71; Harvey C. Spencer, 1872, '73, '74; Horace W. White, 1875, '76, '77; Samuel E. S. H. Nott, 1878; Harvey C. Spencer, 1879, '80; Andrew Stein, 1881, '82, '83. The lodge had eighty-three members May 1, 1883.

Daniel W. Allen

http://books.google.com/books?id=H9ACAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA78&dq=%22Fraternal+Lodge+No.+625%22#v=onepage&q=%22Fraternal%20Lodge%20No.%20625%22&f=false page 76.

DANIEL W. ALLEN, lawyer, railroad organizer and a representative man in the development of Buffalo real estate, is a notable instance of ability applied to the successful pursuit of a learned profession and to the broader province of business enterprise.

Mr. Allen is of Puritan descent. The ancestor of the Allen family in America was George Allen, who came from Weymouth, England, to Lynn, Mass., and a little later settled at Sandwich. He was a Quaker. His son, Joseph, was the father of William, the father of George, the father of George Allen, the great-grandfather of Daniel W. Allen, who built a home at Long Plain and resided in that community. With his father and brothers he served in the Revolutionary War. All were present at the siege of Boston. The last George Allen's son, Daniel Allen, was born at Long Plain in 1790. In 1820 he removed to Erie County, N. Y., settling in the place afterward known as Shirley, in the town of North Collins. The senior Daniel Allen died in 1865.

DANIEL ALLEN, father of Daniel W. Allen, was born in 1820. As a young man he engaged in the whaling industry, sailing from New Bedford, Mass. After eight years he quit the sea, and was one of the first to cross the plains to California in 1849. Upon his return he bought a farm in North Collins, where he lived until the outbreak of the Civil War. In that conflict he served as a soldier, enlisting in the 64th New York Volunteers. During the Peninsular campaign he fought at Fair Oaks and was wounded three times in that battle, his wounds being so severe as to cripple him for life. After his return from the war Mr. Allen was from 1865 to 1870 Supervisor of North Collins. In 1872 he was appointed Deputy Superintendent of the Poor, serving for nine years.

The marriage of Mr. Allen took place in 1853. His wife was Phoebe McMillen, youngest daughter of Hugh McMilleu and Lydia Southwick. Mrs. Allen died in 1883. Her husband died in 1885. Their surviving children are: Ida, born in 1854, who married M. J. Bundy and.now resides in Angela; and Daniel W.

Daniel Williams Allen was born in the town of North Collins, near Marshfield, March 9, 1856. He attended district school and worked on an uncle's farm until fourteen years old. He then went to Conneaut, O., entering a high school and afterward carrying on his studies at Griffith's Institute, in Springville, N. Y., and at the Hamburg High School. Later he entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo, graduating in 1877. In 1877-78 Mr. Allen was a Principal of the Hamburg High School. Having meantime entered the Albany Law School, ho graduated in 1879, the same year beginning practice in Buffalo. At the present time Mr. Allen is practicing by himself. During these years he has built up a large general practice specially dealing with real estate and corporation law.

Mr. Allen's connection with the real estate interests of Buffalo covers a period of a score of years, his operations being largely directed to the development of tracts which were formerly farm lands. From 1877 to 1885 Mr. Allen was engaged in the oil business. Mr. Allen has been identified with many undertakings. Of these one of the most notable was the inauguration of the Hamburg Railway, commonly known as the "Allen Road," of which enterprise he was the originator. Under his strong initiative the building of the road was begun in 1895, and it was ready for operation in 1896. With branches and extensions it has thirty miles of track and ranks with the most valuable developments in the transportation line in this end of the State. In 1896 the road was made a part of the system formed by a New York and Buffalo syndicate for the purpose of building connections for a trolley line between Buffalo and Erie, Pa., with all connecting or auxiliary lines within the territory traversed by the main route. Mr. Allen retained interests in the new company.

Mr. Allen is keenly interested in certain branches of science, especially geology and mathematics. . He is a member of the Society of Natural Sciences, and the Masonic body, being among the oldest members of Fraternal Lodge, No. 625, at Hamburg. He is a life member of the Young Men's Association, and attends the Universalist Church of the Messiah.

July 10th, 1879, Mr. Allen married Anna M. Moore, daughter of George A. Moore and Catherine Brown Moore of Buffalo. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Allen are: Carrie Louisa, a graduate of Cornell University, and now a teacher of science at Wellesley: Anna, Arthur A., and Catherine, students at Cornell: William D., who graduated at Cornell in 1906, and who is by profession an engineer, and Howard, now a student at the Lafayette High School.

http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2009/05/brother-jack-kemp-33-rip.html

Monday, May 04, 2009 - Brother Jack Kemp, 33°

Illustrious Brother Jack Kemp was called to the Celestial Lodge above. Brother Kemp was born on July 13, 1935. Prior to his political career, Kemp played as quarterback for 13 years for both the San Diego Chargers and the Buffalo Bills, and helped to found the American Football League Players Association. When he retired from the game, he held three all-time AFL career records (3,055 pass attempts, 1,428 completions, and 21,130 yards gained passing).

69

During his football years, he also served in the US Army Reserve. He served his country well as a member of the US House of Representatives from 1971 to 1989, as a senior economic advisor to President Reagan, and as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 1988, and became the Republican vice-presidential candidate in 1996 with Bob Dole. Brother Kemp passed away Saturday from cancer at the age of 73. He was a member of Fraternal Lodge No. 625 F&AM, in Hamburg, New York, and a 33° Scottish Rite Mason.

http://www.onlinebiographies.info/ny/erie/m-y/stuart-sm.htm

Samuel M. Stuart, Hamburg, was born at Evans Mills, Jefferson, NY, 6 Oct 1822. His parents came to Rochester when he was two years old, where he was educated in the schools of the day, and Mrs. Browning's Academy. He afterwards became a woolen manufacturer, having learned the trade of Oliver Allen of Mumfordville, Monroe, NY. 11 Jul 1842, he married Mary I. Redfield of Gowanda, Cattaraugus, NY. They had four children: Samuel W., Rupell R., Isabelle M. and Sarah V. Mr. Stuart was a member of Fraternal Lodge No. 625, F. & A. M., and of Royal Templars of Temperance. Mr. and Mrs. Stuart were members of the Baptist church of Hamburg. In politics Mr. Stuart was a Republican and voted the first Republican ticket and assisted in the organization of the party. His father was a native of Massachusetts and married Mary Ann, daughter of Roger Wolcott of Connecticut; they had eight children. Mr. Stuart was elected president of Hamburg village in 1890, serving six years, was re-elected in 1897, and being a careful manager, a studious and enterprising citizen, he has won the commendation of the people by the exhibition of good judgment and wise administrative capacity.

Blazing Star Lodge, No. 694—This lodge is located at Aurora, Erie county. A dispensation to organize a lodge was granted February 11, 1868 to the following petitioners:—Brothers William D. Jones, William D. Wallis, Robert G. Persons, John T. Bartiett, Joseph B. Dick, George W. Morrow, Byron D. Persons, Edmund S. King, George H. Pattingell, William W. Grace, George C. Towey, DeWitt C. Corbin, Austin S. Cheeseman, Eben Holmes, La Fayette Hill and Lewis H. Bullis.

At the session of the Grand Lodge in June, 1869, the lodge received a warrant bearing date June 7, 1869. The officers named therein are William D. Jones, Master; William D. Wallis, S. W., and Robert G. Persons, J. W. The officers of the lodge for 1883 are Joseph McLaughlin, Master: Dwight M. Spooner, S. W., and Albert H. Hoyt, J. W. The following brethren were Masters of the lodge for the years opposite their respective names:

William D. Jones, 1869-72, '78-79; William D. Wallis, 1873-74; Robert G. Persons, 1875-76;

William W. Grace, 1877; Adin J. Perry, 1880; Charles N. Brayton, 1881-82;

Joseph McLaughlin, 1883.

On the 1st day of May, 1883, the lodge had ninetynine members on its rolls.

Edward Max Adams graduated from Harvard [1895], and was Principal of Grammar School No. 40, Buffalo, NY. He was married 23 Jun 1900, to Mary Rose Oakley, daughter of James Stewart Oakley and Angelique Oakley. He was a first lieutenant in the 74th Regt. N. G. N. Y. and a member of the Independent Club, Buffalo, also of Blazing Star Lodge No. 694, East Aurora Chapter, Lake Erie Commandery K. T., and Shrine.

James B. Bailey

Old Veteran Retired. - BUFFALO, NY, Sept. 9, 1907.

After 40 years of faithful service in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Bro. James B. Bailey reaches the age limit and is placed on the pension list. He was 70 years old this month, and hereafter will lead a life of ease and comfort. His last trip was made last week, and Bro. Bailey has the distinction of running the first engine on the road and continuing for 40 years without ever having an accident. Mr. Bailey came from Vermont when a lad, and in 1858 was made engineer of a switch engine in the freight yards of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad at Buffalo. When the Buffalo & Washington road was started he took the first engine on that road, it being the construction train running from here to Aurora, in 1867, and when the road -was completed he was put on a passenger train and has continued running the passenger train over that road ever since. Brother Bailey has always enjoyed the utmost confidence of his employers and was considered an extraordinary careful runner, having never had an accident of any account. He is Chaplain of Seneca Division No. 659, B. of L. E., and is a member of Blazing Star Lodge No. 694, F.&A.M.

William B. Currierhttp://www.onlinebiographies.info/ny/erie/firms/currier-brun.htm

Currier, Braun & Co., Colden.- This firm is composed of William B. Currier, John F. Braun and George W. Nichols. Mr. Currier was born in Holland, Erie, NY, 17 Apr 1859, and is a son of Chauncey and Aurilla (Bailey) Currier. His grandfather, Col. Abner Currier, was the first settler in Holland, NY, coming from Vermont, about 1809. W. B. Currier was educated in the public schools, and worked as a clerk for Stickney & Jackson of Holland two years and for Beebe & Myers of Springville, N. Y. In 1881 be came to Colden and formed the firm of Currier & Bolander, which partnership continued for three years, when they dissolved and Mr. Currier carried on the business alone until 1890. He then built the building the firm occupies and sold to Whitney Bros., who continued the business untill 1894 and then sold to John C. Lang, who in one year sold out and the present firm was established, 6 Jan 1895. In 1883 Mr. Currier married Anna Nichols and they had two children: Pearl L. and George H. His wife died 23 Aug 1891, and he married, 15 Feb 1893, Prone River, and they had one child, Marjorie. Mrs. Currier died 4 Jun 1896. Mr. Currier has always been a Republican and was supervisor of Colden four years and member of Assembly in 1890. He is a member of Blazing Star Lodge No. 694, F.&A.M., East Aurora Chapter No. 282, R.A.M., and Holland Lodge No. 631, I.O.O.F. and Colden Tent No. 36, K.O.T.M.

http://www.onlinebiographies.info/ny/erie/m-y/perry-aj.htm

70

Adin J. Perry, Aurora, p. o. Willink, was born in Cattaraugus county, NY, 21 Apr 1838, a son of Jeremiah and Lydia (Whitney) Perry, both born in Vermont, there married, and in 1826 came to Ashford, Cattaraugus county, and in 1843 came to East Aurora, where they both lived and died. A. J. Perry was reared and educated in East Aurora and followed teaching, beginning at the age of eighteen years and followed it twenty-eight terms. He has since traveled for Batavia nurseries, as managing agent for Western New York. He was married May 1839, to Mandana L. Kent of Holland, Erie County, daughter of Hiram and Dolly Kent, who were among the early settlers of Holland. Mr. and Mrs. Perry have two daughters, Eva M. and M. Ella. Mr. Perry was a Republican during Lincoln's administration, but has since been a Democrat. He is a member of Blazing Star Lodge No. 694, F. & A. M., East Aurora Chapter No. 282, R. A. M., and has been master two years and represented the lodge at New York three years, and is now secretary of Blue Lodge and Chapter. Mr. Perry was three years representing the United States Life Company of New York previous to engaging in the nursery business.

Harmonie Lodge No. 699.—This lodge working in the German tongue, is located in Buffalo, and is one of the sufferers by the fire in December, 1882, which destroyed its records. The date of the dispensation permitting the formation of the lodge is dated December 15, 1869. The following brethren signed the petition for that purpose:—Brother Sebastian C. Kiene, Frederick Traenkle, H. Breitweiser, Frank Schaeffer, Jacob Behm, Henry D. Keller, Henry Nauert and Joseph Timmerman, who at the time were all members of Concordia Lodge No. 143; also

Brothers Henry F. Juengling, Christian Kurtzman, Henry Kraft, John J. Holser, Adam Cornelius, Robert Hager, Julius Schwarz, and Casper A. Kuster, all members of Modestia Lodge No. 340, and F. H. C. Mey, formerly of California.

The lodge received a warrant at the session of the Grand Lodge in June, 1870, which bears date June 13, 1870. The officers mentioned therein are Sebastian C. Kiene, M.; Henry F. Juengling, S. W.; Henry Breitweiser, J. W.

The first petitions for initiation received by the lodge while working under dispensation were from Bernhard F. Gentsch, William H. Jaeger, Henry D. Zittel, and Werner Nachbar. Masters of the lodge were Brothers Sebastian C. Kiene, 1870, "71, '72; Henry F. Juengling, 1873; Henry L. Breitweiser, 1874; Henry Kraft, 1875, '76; George Werner, 1877, '78; Frederick Zesch, 1879, '80; Augustus J. Sutor, 1881, '82 ; Henry Zipp, 1883. On the ist of May, 1883 the lodge numbered ninety-nine members.

http://harmonie699.com/History.aspx

History of Harmonie Lodge No. 699  

 

Freemasonry in America has been closely linked with the birth of our Nation, as well as the growth and development of New York State. Freemasons throughout American history have displayed the greatest dedication to our country, perseverance in the face of hardship and charity to all men.

I. Harmonie Lodge in the 19th Century

There were Freemasons in Buffalo as early as 1801, since the time it was merely a village. Soon thereafter there were a sufficient number of Master Masons in the area to form a lodge. In December 1807, a petition was made to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York to create a new lodge in Buffalo, to be known as “Western Star,” but the petition was not granted.

71

Later, on January 6, 1812, a petition was again made to the Grand Lodge of New York for formation of a lodge. This time, dispensation was granted for two (2) years by the Most Worshipful Dewitt Clinton, Grand Master of the State of New York, and Governor of our State (1817 – 1822). The first Lodge in Buffalo and Erie County received its charter on December 24, 1814 and was named Western Star Lodge No. 239.

Unfortunately, all records from that time have either been lost or destroyed.

Between 1814 and 1825 there were ten (10) petitions made for new lodges, but it was not until January 31, 1845 that a dispensation was granted by Grand Lodge. On December 5, 1845, Hiram Lodge No. 105 received its charter, and became, for some time, the only lodge in the First Erie District.

By the 1840s German-Americans made up one-third of Buffalo's population and were the largest foreign-born group in the city. In 1848 dispensation was granted to form a German lodge known as Concordia Lodge No. 143, which name represents the Goddess of Concord; “Agreement by Stipulation”; and “Freedom of Peace”. Concordia Lodge’s charter was granted June 13, 1849. In the next year, Erie Lodge No. 161 received its Charter. The formation of Washington Lodge No. 240 and Parish Lodge No. 292 followed a few years thereafter.

In July 1854, a charter was granted to what is now our sister lodge, Modestia Lodge No. 340, which name refers to certain portions of the Scriptures, namely the two Saints John (Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist, whom Christ called the “modest”). The founders of this Lodge added the two letters “I” and “A” to the end of the “modest”, according to the Latin, meaning "promoters of ". Therefore “Modestia” means “promoters of Modesty”. This was the second German Lodge to be formed in Buffalo.

No doubt the flourishing condition of our two German sister Lodges in the late 1860’s prompted 17 of their members to petition the Grand Lodge of the State of New York for the formation of yet another German Lodge. Dispensation was granted November 30, 1869, and our lodge, known as Harmonie Lodge No. 699, named after the Greek Goddess Harmonia (Harmony), came into existence. “Harmonie” is the German spelling of Harmony. The Latinized version of Her name is “Concordia,” which is also the name of the first German Lodge in Buffalo, NY. Concordia provided Harmonie with half of her founding members.

The Charter Members, with their parent Lodge and original position in Harmonie Lodge, are here noted:

Sebastian C. Keine - Concordia Lodge No. 143 - 1st Worshipful Master         Henry F. Juengling - Modestia Lodge No. 340 - 1st Senior Warden           Henry Breitweiser - Concordia Lodge No. 143 - 1st Junior Warden           Christian Kurtzmann - Modestia Lodge No. 340 - 1st Treasurer          Frederick Traenkle - Concordia Lodge No. 143 - 1st Secretary  Frederick H.C. Mey - Modestia Lodge Ho. 340 - 1st Senior Deacon   John J. Holser - Modestia Lodge No. 340 - 1st Junior Deacon          Henry Kraft - Modestia Lodge No. 340 - 1st Master of Ceremony          Adam Cornelius - Modestia Lodge No. 340 – 1st Steward          Jacob Behm - Concordia Lodge No. 143  Joseph Timmermann - Concordia Lodge No. 143  Robert Hager  - Modestia Lodge No. 340  Casper A. Kuster - Modestia Lodge No. 340  Julius F. Schwartz - Modestia Lodge No. 340  Henry D. Keller - Concordia Lodge No. 143  Henry Nauert - Concordia Lodge No. 143  Frank Schaeffer - Concordia Lodge No. 143

The first candidates initiated into Freemasonry at Harmonie Lodge on January 15, 1870 were Bernhardt F. Gentch, William Jaeger, Wemer Nachbar, and Henry D. Zittel.

The first meeting under dispensation was held over Charles’ Ladies Apparel Store at 416 Main Street, just south of Court Street, in Buffalo, New York. Later this became C. A. Weed & Co.’s place of business, and eventually Liberty National Bank, known today as the Liberty Building. This first meeting took place 12 Dec 1869.  The Charter for Harmonie Lodge was granted June 13, 1870.

72

1872 Officers - Upper row, left to right: Joseph Timmerman*, Henry T. Juengling*, Henry Breitweiser*;Middle row, left to right: Christian Kurtzman*, unkown, John I. Holser*, Frederick Traenkle*; Bottom row, left to right: Henry Kraft*,

Adolph Hillman, Adam Cornelius*, Jacob Behm*, unkown; * = founder.

In 1888, elaborate plans were made for the financing and erection of the Masonic Temple at 43 Niagara Street, Buffalo, New York. The building contract was awarded for the sum of $130,541.00 for labor and material, except the cost of the brick, which was furnished by Brother Louis Kirkland of Concordia Lodge No. 143. Harmonie Lodge had a prominent part in financing the new Temple and owned an equal interest in the Temple property with the other owning bodies.

Throughout the centuries, Freemasons of all Lodges, as well as Harmonie Lodge, assisted at the cornerstone laying ceremonies of many public buildings in Western New York. Harmonie Lodge attended said ceremonies for the City and County Building on 24 Jun 1872; Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Forest Lawn on 21 Oct 1880; Masonic Temple, 43 Niagara Street, Buffalo on 26 Jun 1890; United States Government Building Post Office on 19 Jun 1897; 74th Regiment Building on 14 Jul 1898; 65th Regiment Building on 30 May 1903; Asbury Methodist Church on 13 Jun 1871; State Asylum (the H.H. Richardson Building) on 18 Sep 1872; Soldiers & Sailors Monument in Lafayette Square on 4 Jul 1882; as well as Elmwood Music Hall on 3 Oct 1888.

On 19 Jun 1895, Harmonie Lodge celebrated its 25th anniversary, titled in the German language “25 Magringer Stifftungs Feier”, held at the Masonic Temple, 43 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY. The keynote address was given by M:. W:. Christopher G. Fox, Past Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York.

II. Harmonie Lodge in the 20th Century

Harmonie Lodge, keeping in mind all of which that name implies - a combination of sounds pleasing to the ear - was well known for its Octet singing at the beginning of the 20th century. Vocal music being quite popular, some members of Harmonie Lodge also belonged to “Buffalo Orpheus”, that famous German singing society which featured their splendid rendition of “Gott Gruese Dich”. Brother Fritz Erfling was the organist, director and choir master of Buffalo Orpheus for many years.

Not until the year 1914, did Harmonie Lodge change from using German to English. This modernization opened the Lodge’s doors to many non-German speaking sons and relatives, giving them that opportunity to ask for Masonic membership petitions, and increasing our roster membership to nearly 475 Masons.

The 50-year Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 1920, beginning on Sunday, June 13th. Worshipful Master Frederick Woelfinger, officers and members, first attended Divine worship at St. Paul's United Evangelical Church. The address and sermon were given by Reverend Christian G. Haas, who was also the Chaplain of our Lodge. Reflecting over the past years, he stated, “Good has been our past, as were the material and spiritual accomplishments. We also know we have not attained perfection in our daily life. There is always work waiting for our Brethren, for a continued desire to be faithful to mankind.” Monday, June 14th, Brothers and their wives attended dinner, entertainment, and dancing at the Ellicott Club. Many notable Masonic dignitaries of various Lodges and concordant bodies were invited. They expressed their charitable views of Harmonie Lodge’s first 50 years in the Masonic field. On Wednesday, June 16th, a regular communication for members and their Masonic friends was held, wherein W:. Frederick Woelfinger presented the history and formation of Harmonie Lodge.

R:.W:. Frederick Woelfinger who served as Worshipful Master in 1920, had the honored record of raising 50 Brother Masons, was honored by Grand Lodge of the State of New York as Representative to the Grand Lodge of Australia. Being a very successful businessman, and known for his generosity, he left a legacy of $1,000.00 each to 22 charitable Institutes and an unconditional gift of $40,000.00 to the Masonic Home in Utica.

R:.W:. Howard M. Bommer served Harmonie Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1937, was honored by Grand Lodge as Steward of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, Past Vice President and Past President of the Erie County Wardens Association, Director of the Past Masters' Association, Past President of the Masonic Service Bureau, and the Masonic Bowling League and faithfully served as treasurer of Harmonie for 30 years.

73

The 75-year Diamond Jubilee celebration began October 17, 1945. Worshipful Master John W. Williams, officers and brethren, attended Divine worship at Trinity Evangelical Church of Christ. The address and sermon were again given by our then Lodge Chaplain, Reverend Leon K. Molter. He outlined the high ideals of our Lodge during the past 75 years, evaluating our blessings, and humbly asking that our Symbolic working tools always be kept bright and shining, for a continuity of service to our beloved Craft.  On Wednesday, October 20th at 8:00 PM, a regular stated communication for members and Masonic friends was held, wherein W:. John W. Williams and the officers presented an ideal 75th anniversary program. A few weeks later, on November 10, 1945 at 6:30 PM, a dinner, entertainment and dancing for members, their family and friends, was held at the Buffalo Trap and Field Club, to conclude the Diamond Jubilee celebration.

It is important to our history to give recognition to the brethren of Harmonie Lodge who went on to extend the fraternity by playing prominent parts in the founding of other Lodges. Mention should especially be made of the connection between Harmonie Lodge No. 699 and the founding of Eggertsville Lodge No. 1157 and Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163.

R:.W:. George A. Richter many times spoke to brethren regarding his idea of lodges being numerous and of small memberships. He often spoke of lodges that would consist primarily of brothers of the same professional fields such as doctors or lawyers, firemen or engineers. With this in mind he proceeded to convince the Grand Master that more lodges were needed in the Erie Districts.

Being a member of Harmonie Lodge, it was only natural that he call on many brothers of Harmonie Lodge to assist him in this undertaking. Harmonie Lodge at this time had a very active Fellowcraft team, and many members were very proficient in exemplifying the various degrees. He enlisted the aid of R:.W:. Harry Saxton to help him start a square club to eventually become Eggertsville Lodge. By July 1957, the Sweet Home Square Club was operating and many of Harmonie's members were participating therein. The preponderance of charter members were from Harmonie Lodge. Seven of the charter members of Eggertsville Lodge were members of Harmonie No. 699 (Rowland Williams, Harry Saxton, Robert Cochrane, Theodore Shamp, Frank Hendry, James Thompson, Richard Harris and George Richter – honorary). W:. Rowland Williams, Master of Harmonie Lodge in 1949, became Eggertsville Lodge’s first Master. When dispensation was granted, R:.W:. Henry Z. Lang, Jr. sat as Master for the evening prior to the officers taking their stations under dispensation. R:.W:. Harry Saxton became Eggertsville Lodge’s second Master. Although Eggertsville Lodge was sponsored by Christopher G. Fox Lodge, none of the charter members were from Christopher G. Fox Lodge.

On the occasion of the granting of the charter to Eggertsville Lodge, the Fellowcraft Club of Harmonie Lodge presented a complete set of officers' aprons to the new officers of Eggertsville Lodge.

As Assistant Grand Lecturer, W:. Harry E. Saxton was called the “Conscience of Cheektowaga Lodge”. He developed the line of officers and worked on the organizational meetings. Here again the hand of R:.W:. George A. Richter was shown, whereby many Harmonie brothers became charter members of Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163. W:. Medford E. Hampe, a Harmonie brother, became Worshipful Master of the Lodge in its early years. Harmonie is most pleased to have been instrumental in the formation of these Lodges through the interest of our brothers. Although Cheektowaga Lodge was sponsored by Hiram Lodge No. 105, the influence of Harmonie Lodge No. 699 was noticeably present.

A significant cornerstone laying was that of the Ismailia Temple Mosque in 1965. This cornerstone was laid with the same working tools used for the laying of the cornerstone at our Nation's Capital Building. Many of the Harmonie Lodge brethren took part in this ceremony.

Our Lodge was granted the special privilege by the officers of the Liberty Bank, to hold our 100 year anniversary Lodge meeting on December 3, 1969, at the site of our first meeting; the afore-mentioned Liberty Building in downtown Buffalo. At this meeting, Charles W. Weiftheimer was elected Worshipful Master, together with the officers for 1970.

In keeping with the tradition of marking important Lodge anniversaries, a Gala Banquet at the Ismailia Shrine Mosque was held to celebrate our Centennial. We were honored by an address by Most Worshipful Grand Master William R. Knapp. W:. Donald R. Coe, introduced many Masonic notables while warmly serving as Toastmaster.

Because of the changing community and the reconstruction of our inner city, the Masonic Temple in Buffalo was razed in 1971. Today, it is the site of the New York State Family Court building of Erie County. When it became necessary to vacate the Temple property, the equity of each owning body was prorated and then paid to each owning body of the Temple. After which, Harmonie Lodge rented lodge room space from Ancient Landmark Temple at 318 Pearl Street for two years, and, in 1973 took up Lodge room rental of Depew Masonic Temple. In September 1994 a move was again made, to Sweet Home Temple in Eggertsville, New York, which is the home of Harmonie Lodge No. 699 today.

R:.W:. Joseph E. Smeller, Jr. served Harmonie Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1975 and 1976, as Secretary, was appointed Grand Sword Bearer 1996; and elected President of the Masonic Service Bureau, Inc. in 1988. He was also a Charter Member of the Western New York Lodge of Research, where he served as Master in 1988.

A special tribute should be made to W:. Alois Altendorfer who served as Master of the Lodge for a record 11 one-year terms in office. Through his dedication Harmonie continues to this day.

After 97 years of a relative absence of inter-Lodge social intercourse, a “German Night” was re-introduced to Erie County lodges in 1979. It was aimed primarily to embrace all Lodges, reminding all Masons of the rich German culture which influenced the three Erie districts. Modestia Lodge No. 340 was selected as the host for the first meeting, as being a part of that Lodge’s 125th Anniversary celebration held at Sweet Home Masonic Temple on April 23, 1979. A special German dinner was served at 6:30 PM, followed by the opening of Lodge at 7:30 PM for a special communication and a welcoming address by R:.W:. Carl A. Luther. After which was given choral solos and concert by the Buffalo Zither Society, and the special event was concluded with an hour of harmonious Masonic fellowship.

74

Leroy H. Lieder was elected Worshipful Master in May 1994 and immediately put our 125th Anniversary program into effect. November 9, 1994, which date closely coincided with our dispensation date, was chosen for a stated communication and champagne dinner. This was held at Sweet Home Masonic Temple with Bro. William C. Schugardt as chairman. Gary W. Neureuter was chosen as Toastmaster in keeping with historical precedent.

Harmonie Lodge invited the brethren of Eggertsville Lodge No. 1157, Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163, and Concordia Lodge No. 143 as our guests for this event. It is important to note that our sister-Lodge, Modestia No. 340, had previously merged with Concordia Lodge No. 143. This was a Masonic event highlighting the interconnection between these four lodges. On this occasion three Dewitt Clinton Awards and one Douglas MacArthur award were presented to non-Masons.

The 125th anniversary dinner was the traditional German Dinner, with remarks made by the four Masters and our District Deputy Grand Master, Griffith Jones III. It was an evening enjoyed by over 200 Masons in attendance, who joined with us to celebrate this landmark in the history of Harmonie Lodge.

Many professional, business and dedicated workmen of our Lodge have contributed in no small measure to the growth of our fine City of Buffalo. So unquestionably the great lesson our Brethren have learned is in the true meaning and sanctity of the 133rd Psalm: “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in Unity.” In the Spirit of those Brethren who led the way, through the last century, we sha1l continue that work for still higher and nobler achievements for the future.

Shortly after the celebration of our 125th Anniversary in 1995, there was a new vigor within our ranks. Many lodges were already merging, with different combinations put together. Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163 was merged into Hiram Lodge No. 105; Grand Island Lodge No. 1138 merged with Eggertsville Lodge No. 1157; Modestia No. 340 was merged into Concordia No. 143.

In many cases the brothers did not feel the strong bond to their new body. Slowly many recognized the unique character of the brothers of Harmonie and began to ask for affiliation in our Lodge. A great number were impressed with our friendliness and our new venue of meeting from April through the summer into the first meeting of December. We were most pleased to share our heritage with the new members. Our new members, who joined through affiliation, became totally involved in the promotion and government of our Lodge. We began to get new candidates to join our Lodge.

Our most important event at the time was our Dewitt Clinton and MacArthur Awards night. We have invited several lodges as guests and we have given these awards to Buffalo’s outstanding non-Masonic citizens over several years. The times since our 125th Anniversary have been extremely fruitful for our Lodge. Our finances and administration have been outstanding.

Our 130th Commemoration was arranged for August 29, 2000 at the Airport Raddison Hotel. The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Carl J. Smith, was our special guest for this most memorable occasion. W:. William J. Ernst was again chosen by the Master to chair the festivities. Many of the Grand Master’s staff were in attendance as well. The brothers of Harmonie considered this an event without recent comparison. In October, we again invited the same group of Lodges as our guests to enjoy the social intercourse of the 130th Anniversary. These were Eggertsville Lodge No. 1157 and Concordia Lodge No. 143. We added Hiram Lodge No. 105 as it now has in its ranks many of the members of Cheektowaga No. 1163 after said previous merger. The date was again near our charter date of 1870. The traditional German Dinner was served and Dewitt Clinton and Douglas MacArthur awards were presented.

III. Harmonie Lodge in the 21st Century

The beginning of the 3rd Millennium has seen a world-wide resurgence of interest in Freemasonry. Much of this can be attributed to popular culture’s recent fascination with our Craft. Books such as Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code and Solomon Key; high profile articles in U.S. News & World Report and the New York Times; movies such as National Treasure; History Channel documentaries; an explosion of Masonic websites; and even the Simpson’s Stone Cutters parody have fueled this resurgence.

Harmonie Lodge has benefited greatly from this exposure and has seen an up swell in young, enthusiastic, new members. These neophytes are often the grandchildren of Masons and the children of that generation of men who decided that Masonry was not the hip thing to join. Thus, we have brought back into the fold many family lines nearly lost to Masonry. With this breath of fresh air Harmonie has overcome the demographic problems still plaguing most Lodges throughout the United States.

We owe a great debt to the old guard of past masters, DSAs, and sideliners who carried the Lodge through the lean years of the late 20th century and into the new millennium. Their institutional knowledge and wizened leadership brought fiscal responsibility to the Lodge in the first few years of the 21st century and helped pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. The years 2003 to 2008 saw an explosion of worthy and well-qualified young men petitioning Harmonie Lodge. These enthusiastic new brethren have been drawn from a diverse set of professional backgrounds including: students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, salesmen, businessmen, bartenders, waiters, computer techs, project managers, security guards, municipal employees, and even a professional wrestler. This proliferation in young talent has also brought about an increase in Masons affiliating from other Lodges.

A common thread among out new brethren is their voracious quest for knowledge. These curious life long learners have access to information that the previous generations of Masons could not even dream of. Masonic websites offer the most ancient medieval manuscripts to the most recent articles on the Craft – and all at the click of a mouse. With this access to knowledge Harmonie has had a renaissance of learning and a new focus on Masonic history and philosophy.

In 2004, R:. W:. James M. Kipler was appointed Grand Sword Bearer of the 1st Erie District. He served in this capacity from 2004 to 2006. R:. W:. Bro. Kipler is a famous musician, who is well-known for his excellence in ritual work, his commitment to veterans, and Masonic fellowship. He has been an inspiration to our newest members by his commitment to leading by example.

In the spring of 2004, Grand Master Edward R. Trosin, put out a call for Lodges to get back to presenting lectures and papers on famous Freemasons, Masonic history and philosophy. Bro. J. C. Litwin took up the call and resurrected the lost art of the Lodge program. Since that time Bro. Litwin has presented lectures and seminars on topics such as “Introduction to Masonic History, Philosophy, and Symbolism,” “Masonic Presidents of the United States,” “Ely Parker: Masonic Warrior in Two Camps,” “Famous Masonic Native Americans of Western New York,” “The Jurisprudence of John Marshall,” “Freemasonry in Mexico,” “The Morgan

75

Affair,” “Symbolism of the 1st Degree Tracing Board,” “Symbolism of the 2nd Degree Tracing Board,” “Symbolism of the 3rd Degree Tracing Board,” “Papers, Presentations, and Primary Sources,” and “The Principle of Equality in Freemasonry.” These programs have led to a host of new members researching and presenting their own educational programs.

In 2005, V:. W:. Ronald J. Keel was appointed Assistant Grand Lecturer of the 1st Erie District. He was well known throughout WNY for his knowledge of Masonic ritual and stellar Middle Chamber Lecture. V:. W:. Bro. Keel had been sought after for may years to be a Grand Lodge officer and finally decided that it was his time to more widely spread his knowledge. When V:. W:. Ronald J. Keel was untimely called to the Great Architect of the Universe on December 31, 2005 the brethren of Harmonie Lodge were deeply affected by his loss. On January 11, 2006 they established the Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club to honor his memory.

The Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club affords new members the opportunity to learn, socialize and work together in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. It is the only pan-Lodge Fellowcraft Club in Erie County. The Club is dedicated to the three pillars of charity, education, and fellowship. From 2006 - 2008, proceeds from its pool tournaments and pasta dinner & auctions have helped support disabled veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the Shriners Hospital for Children in Erie, PA; Hospice of WNY; and the Ward A. Peterson Benevolence Fund. The Club’s educational courses foster a free and open exchange of ideas and cover topics such as Masonic history, philosophy, symbolism, and jurisprudence; featuring Lodge-walkabouts, tracing board lectures, and intensive seminars. Its fellowship events include an annual trap shooting event, annual picnic, as well as social outings to the Buffalo and Erie Historical Society, US Navy Sea-Bees Memorial, and the Queen-City Roller Girls to name a few.

The founders of the Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club were Bro. J. C. Litwin, Bro. John P. Balk, and Bro. Frederick G. Clark, II. The first set of officers and chairman of the Club were:

President: Bro. John P. BalkVice-President: Bro. Walter D. KoltTreasurer: Bro. Willard A. Genrich, IIISecretary: Bro. J. C. LitwinCharity Committee Chair: Bro. Frederick G. Clark, IIEducation Committee Chair:R:. W:. Ward A. Peterson.

It should be noted that Bro. Balk displayed tremendous leadership in his two terms as president. The Club continues to grow and has attracted members from four separate Masonic Lodges. It has turned into the proving ground for Lodge leadership, by thoroughly cultivating the potential of each of its members.

In the spring of 2006, R:. W:. John L. Leszak was appointed Grand Director of Ceremonies for the 1st Erie District by Grand Master Neil I. Bidnick. In his position R:. W:. Bro. Leszak spearheaded educational efforts from 2006 to 2008 throughout Erie County. He is well known for his leadership in Freemasonry and its concordant bodies.

In September of 2006 the Lodge celebrated the 225th Anniversary of the founding of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of New York. R:. W:. James Kipler presided over the Lodge rededication ceremony, in which the brethren renewed their obligations to the Craft.

Past Master W:. Gerard E. Schultz was installed in June of 2007 and had an ambitious trestle board. The year was full of rich educational programs, important charity work, and a renewed commitment to fun and fellowship. The 3rd Degree was performed by the brethren Harmonie Lodge in its entirety for the first time in recent memory. Bro. J. Litwin sat in the East, next to M:. W:. Edward G. Gilbert, then Deputy Grand Master. It was a memorable night when R:. W:. John L. Leszak raised his son, Bro. John Andrew Leszak. On November 28, 2007, Bro. Nathan Shoff presented one of the finest scholarly works in modern Freemasonry, “The Ancient Landmarks: Our Indefinite Boundaries.” And in the spring of 2008, Bro. John P. Balk gave a lecture on the “Lesser Known Masonic Founding Fathers.”

In June of 2008, R:. W:. Henry Zip Lang retired as Lodge Secretary after many years of dedicated service. It was chiefly through his investment strategies that Harmonie Lodge has remained fiscally solvent to this day. He is a past Grand Steward of the 1st Erie District and is well-known for his charitable works and knowledge of the Craft.

On June 11, 2008, W:. J. C. Litwin was installed as the first master of Harmonie Lodge to be raised in the 21st century. W:. Bro. Litwin has distinguished himself with degree work, Masonic scholarship, a commitment to charity, the recruitment and education of new brethren, and the propagation of enjoyable social events. He has been at the forefront of modernization efforts and the introduction of new technologies. In December of 2007, W:. Bro. Litwin unveiled Harmonie’s first web page and in 2008 modernized the position of organist with digital orchestral music. He and Secretary Schultz have moved from paper reporting to an on-line data base. And a “2020 Committee” was founded to provide strategic planning for the future of the Lodge.

The most ambitious trestleboard to date was unveiled in June of 2008, with traditional favorites such as German Table Lodge and Ladies Night. The Lodge picnic was a big success, due chiefly to the work of Bro. Frederick G. Clark, President of the Fellowcraft Club. The Club took over both the financing and operation of the picnic. On June 25th, W:. Bro. Litwin gave a lecture on the “47th Problem of Euclid,” and a “1st Degree Tracing Board” lecture on September 10th. On October 8th, Bro. Frederick Clark gave a speech entitled “The Life & Times of Bro. Harry Houdini,” On October 22nd, Bro. Daniel Dinatale gave a lecture on “The Lost Symbol of Masonry,” and on November 26th Bro. Shoff presented a paper entitled, “Hiram Abiff: the Man & Myth.” The Brethren of Harmonie 699 believe that "every Lodge should be a Lodge of Research."

In 2008, Harmonie initiated six members, raised four master masons, and affiliated three brothers from other Lodges. And 2009 has so far proved to be another great year for Harmonie Lodge No. 699!

Past Masters  

76

1870-71 S. C. Kiene1872-73 H. F. Juengling1874-75 H. Breitwieser1876-77 Henry Kraft1878-79 George Wemer1880-81 Fred Zesch1882-83 A. J. Sutor1884-85-90-91 Henry Zipp1886-87 August Beck1888-89 G. R. Miller1892-93 Fred Wedell1894-95 Eugene Klein1896-97 Henry Wulff1898-99 Edw. Al. Dreher1900-01 George H. Lamy1902-03 R. J. Sautter1904-05 Martin H. Belcher1906-07 Christ Ruderisch1908-09 A. Zimmerman1910-11 F. L. Hartmayer1912-13 W. F. Gerbracht1914-15-17 E. A. Saenger1916 Frederick Lenz1918 George A. Meyer1919 Frank J. Leuthner1920 Fred’k Woelfinge1921 Karl H. Gerbrach1922 George A. Gentes1923 Wm. Rueppel1924 W. Neureuter1925 C. H. Neureuter

1926 Edward W. Hotte1927 Edward A. Gilsey1928 Peter C. Jung1929 Edward G. Rich1930 Andrew E. Corfar1932 Albert A. Gilsey1933 Carl A. Luther1934 Carl C. Dingeldey1935 R. J. Neureuter1936 Otto J. Hensen1937 Howard M. Bommer1938 Elmer G. Frank1939 Gustave R. Swanson1940 Ros. J. Fleischman1941 Karl C. Dreher1942 Chas. F. Hennesen1943 Otto C. Maunz1944 Clarence C. Metzger1945 John W. Williams1946 William F. Hehr1947-48 George A. Richter1949 Emil R. Feind1950 Rowland P. Williams1951 Keith S. Mummery1952 Allan A. Luther1953 Frederick J. Holl1954 Milton S. Smith1955 Chfford S. Miller1956 J. Paul Downs1957 Henry Z. Lang, Jr.1958 Franklin A. Neureuter

1959-60 Chester W. Bockstedt1961 William J. Ernst1962 Allan J. Kreinheder1963 Milton C. Keim1964 Robert L. Coe, Jr.1965 Donald R. Coe1966 James E. Lang1967 Robert E. Bartlett1968 James W. VanOcker1969 Charles R. Hoppie1970 Chas. W. Weinheimer1971 Frederick O. Koepf1972-88-89-96 Karl H. Buehrig1973-77-81- Alois Altendorfer1974 Geo. C. Scranton, Jr.1975-76 Joseph E. Smeller, Jr.1982 Melvin C. Orbin1983-84 Richard N. Koenig1985-87 Alois Altendorfer1990 Robert H. Bickert1991-92 Alois Altendorfer1993-96 Kenneth E. Bigelow1994 Jeffrey L. Park1995 Leroy H. Lieder1997-01 Ronald J. Keel1998-02-07 Gerard E. Schultz, Jr.1999-00-06 James M. Kipler2003-05 Daniel Gajewski2004 John L. Leszak

--------

Occidental Lodge No. 766.—This lodge is located at Black Rock, was opened by dispensation from the Grand Master December 4, 1875, and received its warrant at the June session of the Grand Lodge in 1876. The promise to permit an examination of its records remained unfulfilled.

The following were Masters of the lodge:

Henry Cutting, 1876-77; Charles O. Rano, 1878-79;

William H. Slacer, 1880; James A. Roberts, 1881;

Wallace C. Hill, 1882-83.

Number of members May i. 1883, was sixty-two.

John M. Anstethhttp://www.onlinebiographies.info/ny/erie/firms/ansteth-jm-co.htm

John M. Ansteth & Co., Buffalo, is one of the leading dry goods firms in Buffalo. The house was established by John M. Ansteth in April 1882, at the corner of Clinton and Raze (now Clare) streets, and later was removed to 1841 Niagara street. Five years afterwards Mr. Austeth added a shoe business at 1839 Niagara street, and Philip H. Ansteth was admitted to partnership. The firm name becoming John M. Ansteth & Co. In May, 1894, a branch store was established at the corner of Amherst and Grant streets, and in 1896 the present spacious building was erected by Mr. Ansteth at the corner of Grant street and Military road, whither the entire business was removed and consolidated in May 1897. This is the largest and best known retail dry goods establishment in Buffalo west of Main street, and owes its successful growth to the enterprise, business ability and energy of its founder.

John M. Ansteth was born in Buffalo, NY, 6 May 1860. His parents, John and Margaret (Steger) Ansteth, came to this country from Germany in the early fifties and settled in Buffalo, where they were married. His father, who was for several years a street inspector, died in Sep 1887, honored and respected by many friends. Mr. Ansteth was educated in private schools and was engaged in various mercantile pursuits until he established his present business in 1882. He is a member of Occidental Lodge No. 766, F.&A.M.; of Red Jacket Lodge No. 238, I.O.O.F., and of St, John's Young Men's Benevolent Association. Philip H. Ansteth, the junior member of the firm and a son of John Ansteth and Margaret Soeger, was born 2 Aug 1866, in Buffalo, and received a public school education. He was employed in the carriage painting business for some time prior to becoming a partner with his brother, John M. He is a member of the order of Foresters.

Philip Gersthttp://www.archive.org/stream/menofnewyorkcoll01buff/menofnewyorkcoll01buff_djvu.txt

Philip Gerst has attained high public station in Buffalo at an unusually early age, and is among the youngest of the prominent city officials. The chronology of events in his comparatively short career bespeaks an energy, determination, and ability that may be expected to lead to yet higher positions in the public service in coming years. He has made an excellent start, and bids fair to maintain his present rate of progress.

77

Mr. Gerst is a native of Buffalo, and still lives in the house in which he was born thirty-odd years ago. Few men know the beautiful city so intimately and thoroughly as he; and his accurate acquaintance with both the people and the history of Buffalo has doubtless stood him in good stead in his political campaigns. His educational training preparatory to entering upon a vocation was obtained in the public schools of Buffalo, and in a business college. He graduated from Public School No. 20, and after a period of study at the Central High School entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College, where he acquired a knowledge of commercial forms and usages.

After completing his school course he began the study of law in the office of James A. Roberts. Practical business life, however, attracted him strongly, and he soon laid aside his text-books to enter the railway service. He was in the employ of the Erie railroad for several years, rising from the position of messenger to that of cashier. Resigning from the railroad company in 1886, he went into the coal business with the firm of Dakin & Sloan; and afterward embarked in the real-estate business, forming a partnership with Michael Doll. He is still engaged in this, having lately purchased the interest of his partner.

While earning the reputation of an active and enterprising business man, Mr. Gerst at the same time was coming to the front as a forceful factor in the politics of Erie county. He has been conspicuous in the reform movements that have so much benefited the city politics of Buffalo. In 1892 he was nominated for his first office, that of assessor. Though defeated, he ran ahead of his ticket several hundred votes in his own ward; and his friends maintain that he was deliberately counted out. His strength having been thus demonstrated, he was elected in the following year to the state assembly. He represented the 6th Erie district in the legislature two years, and established a record that entitled him to further consideration at the hands of his party. In 1895, accordingly, he was nominated for the responsible position of treasurer of the city of Buffalo, and was elected by a large majority. On the first of January, 1896, he began his four years' term of office, and he is already fulfilling the predictions and anticipations of his friends.

Mr. Gerst is an enthusiastic fraternity man, belonging to Occidental Lodge, No. 766, of the Masonic order, and having membership in the Valley of Buffalo Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, 32d degree. He is also a member of the North Buffalo Lodge of Odd Fellows.

PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY Philip Gerst was born at Buffalo September 17, 1863; was educated in the public schools and Bryant & Stratton' s Business School; was in the emplov of tlie Erie railroad, 1879-86, and of Dakin & Sloan, coal dealers, 1886-88; was member of assembly, 1894-95; was elected treasurer of the city of Buffalo in for the term 1896-99; has carried on a real-estate and insurance business since 1888.

http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.erie/1392.2/mb.ashx

Buffalo Evening News, Tuesday, August 23, 1921, page 2Charles Marky, 47 years old, died at his home, 122 Benzinger street yesterday. For 30 years he had been with the Lackawanna railroad and at the time of his death was freight agent at East Buffalo. He was born in Lancaster and came to Buffalo when 16 years old. He was a member of Occidental lodge No.766, F.& A.M., Mystic Circle lodge No. 520, I.O.O.F., and Court Lehigh No. 744, I.O.F. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maud Cutway Marky; four sons, George, Winifred, Raymond, Charles Jr., a daughter, Mrs. Leroy Oliver and three sisters, Mrs. Caroline Fading, Mrs. Harry Hart and Matilda Marky.

Fortune Lodge No. 788.—This is the youngest chartered lodge in the State, having received its warrant at the session of the Grand Lodge in June, 1883. It is located at North Collins, Erie county. A dispensation to form a lodge was issued in the fall of 1882, to the following brethren :—A. T. Huson, E. W. Sisson, U. H. Baker, Job Southwick, David Sherman, R. D. Reid, Nicholas Keefer, Alexander Sisson, R. W. Stickney, Charles Wood, Syth Huson, H. M. Blasdell, W. H. Estes, J. Q. Tucker and E. F. Partridge.

While working under this dispensation Brother A. T. Huson was M.; Brother E. W. Sisson, S. W.; and Brother U. H. Baker, J. W., of the lodge. The warrant issued to the lodge is dated June 7, 1883, and officers named therein are Brothers A. T. Huson, M.; Brother E. W. Sisson, S. W., and Brother U. H. Baker, J. W.

The lodge was constituted and its officers installed on the 28th of June, 1883, by R. W. Brother William Hengerer, D. D. Grand Master of the Twenty-fifth Masonic District, assisted by M. W. Brother Christopher G. Fox. P. G. M.; R. W. John C. Graves, P. D. D. G. M.; W. Darwin E. Morgan and W. Philo W. Dorris.

Besides the Masters, Senior and Junior Wardens above named, the following brethren filled the offices for which they are named:—Brothers R. D. Reid, Treas.; E. F. Partridge, Sec'y.; W. H. Estes, S. D.; David Sherman, J. D.; Nicholas Keefer, S. M. C.; Enos S. Hibbard; J. M. of C.; Alexander Sisson, T.

On the 18th of September, 1883, the lodge had nineteen members.

http://tyrianlodgebyketchum.com/masonic_stories_-_11

Depew Lodge No. 823

Dispensation was granted - January 30, 1897 and Charter granted - June 2, 1897

The following are the names of the Brethren who became the early Masters of the lodge:

S. Jay Ohart - 1897, George L. Hanley – 1898-99, Joseph B. Wolfe - 1900, Fred G. Brost - 1901, Bernard S. Meyers - 1902, Bridsey D. Jackson - 1903, Julius B. Spenser - 1904, William

78

Lutz - 1905, Harry J. Shepherd - 1906, Carl A. Nordin - 1907, Myron F. Blackman - 1908, Herman Hausser - 1909, Ralph R. Young - 1910, Henry J. Hayward - 1911, Harold W. Earle – 1912

The Depew Lodge of Free Masons is significant as a locally distinctive example of the Neo-Classical Revival style of architecture and as an example of the work of Buffalo architects Mann and Cook. It was built between 1916 and 1919 for the local Masons, whose organiztion was located in Lancaster although it was named for Chauncey Depew, President of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad. The builder was Frank G. Hansel, who used some of the stones from the Maute Foundry in Lancaster for construction. It has served as the Masonic Temple from the time of its completion.

Highland Lodge No. 835

Highland Lodge was first conceived by Brother Franklin W. Heath, a member of Washington Lodge No. 240 in 1895, at a time when the area at Main Street and Jewett Parkway was open country. All Buffalo area Masonic lodges held their meetings in the Masonic Temple, downtown at Niagara and Pearl Streets.

The first meeting with serious discussions for a neighborhood lodge was held in the winter of 1898, again in November of 1899 and a third meeting on January 10, 1900, with the following being present:

Franklin Heath, Charles R. Riselay, E. D. Collie, Edward A. Kendrick, Julius Bechtel, David Andrews, Allison Morey, George Robinson, Fletcher Townsend and George Acheson.

Subsequent meetings were held to draft By-Laws, choose a name and petition the downtown lodges for their consent to form a new lodge and arrange to hold meetings in the Odd Fellows Hall on the third floor of a building at Main Street and Leroy Avenue.

After a summer of rehearsing the ritual, the temporary officers were permitted to show their proficiency on October 18, 1900 in Washington Lodge by conferring all three degrees on that evening.

The petition for dispensation, signed by nineteen brothers, was granted on December 8, 1900 and the Charter for Highland Lodge No. 835, was granted on June 28, 1901. The lodge was formally constituted by Grand Master MW Charles W. Mead, in the Scarlet room of the Masonic Temple.

The first officers were:

Henry W. Root - Master, Franklin W. Heath - Senior Warden, Charles R. Riselay - Junior Warden, Earl W. Blood - Treasurer, Julius D. Bechtel - Secretary, Edward A. Kendrick - Senior Deacon, E. G. Lane - Junior Deacon, Daniel W. Emerling - Senior Master of Ceremony, George E. Chase - Junior Master of Ceremony, Irving T. Cragin - Marshal, Charles C. Osterhout - Tiler

By 1904 the membership had reached 118 and it became apparent that a permanent home was needed. A committee was formed to devise ways of achieving that end and several sites were considered with a decision to build a Temple on Main Street near Jewett Parkway.

The cornerstone was laid on January 5, 1905 and the Temple dedicated on November 17, 1905. The cost was $19,700.00. The mortgage was burned with appropriate ceremonies on September 1, 1916.

During WWI, 27 Highland Lodge members entered the services of their country and again during WWII many brothers were called to service and again as during WWI, Highland Lodge members participated in various activities, involved with the War effort.

One of the outstanding achievements of Highland Lodge was the organization of its library, which contained many valuable historical volumes. It was recognized as one of the outstanding Masonic libraries in the State of New York.

Of special interest, Julius D. Bechtel, the first Secretary of the lodge, continued in that office for forty years and during that time only missed four meetings. He retired on December 15, 1939.

Hon. Edward J. Handhttp://montgomery.nygenweb.net/amsterdam/edwardhand.html

"Proceedings of the New York State Historical Association, the Twenty-Fifth Annual Meeting, Buffalo, 1924," Vol XXIII, Quarterly Journal Vol. VI, 1925, published by the New York State Historical Association, 1925.

Hon. Edward J. Hand was born 25 Oct 1866, in the town of Glen, the son of John and Jane E. (Bennett) Hand. His parents moved to Buffalo when he was a small child, and some years later they settled in Amsterdam. Mr. Hand attended the district school and the Amsterdam Academy.

As a young man he worked in the Merchants Bank, then located on East Main Street. After leaving the bank, he was associated for several years with Tunis Peck in the manufacture of Brooms. This partnership was dissolved in 1892, and for a time Mr. Hand was connected with the Amsterdam office of the Union Special Machine Company. Subsequently for fifteen years, he was located in Buffalo, where he was associated with the extensive stone and cement business of his uncle, Lewis J. Bennett. In 1908 he returned to Amsterdam and for a time he was connected with the offices of S. Sanford & Sons, and also with the Amsterdam City National Bank as an expert accountant.

Mr. Hand was named as city auditor by Mayor James R. Cline when that official took office in 1914. He served as auditor and private secretary during the four years of Mayor Cline's administrations, and was reappointed by Mayor Conover for the next two years. May 15, 1920, he resigned as auditor and the following month he was named as city clerk to fill the unexpired term of Thomas J. Hazlett, deceased. He was reappointed city clerk in 1921 and held the position until his death. In politics Mr. Hand was for many years a staunch Democrat. In 1892 he was elected to the assembly where he served one year. In 1920 he served as a

79

member of the Democratic State committee for Montgomery County, from which position he resigned before the expiration of his term.

Mr. Hand was a member of Highland Lodge, No. 835, F. and A. M. of Buffalo, and of Ismalia temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, Buffalo, and of the Buffalo consistory of the Scottish bodies. In 1913 he became a member of the Masonic Club of Amsterdam. He was also a member of Amsterdam Lodge, No. 101, B.P.O.E., and of the Schenectady Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Bro. Hand died at St. Mary's Hospital, December 6, 1922, following an illness of over a month. The surviving relatives are his wife, formerly Miss Margaret Mabon, whom he married in September, 1905, in Buffalo; his mother and several cousins all of Amsterdam. In the death of Mr. Hand, the city lost a capable official and a popular citizen. His make-up was characterized by a desire to do his work well, and the affairs of his public office were conducted with that end in view. As an official he felt that he held his position to serve the public. He liked people and people liked him, because by both word and act he was always ready to show his good feeling.

William Lansillhttp://books.google.com/books?id=dH0_AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA244&dq=%22Highland+Lodge+No.+835%22#v=onepage&q=%22Highland%20Lodge%20No.%20835%22&f=false page 244.

William Lansill, broker and commission merchant, was born at Big Tree Corners, Erie, NY. 7 Jan 1868, son of Philip ami Catherine F. (Oswald) Lansill. He was educated in the public schools at Hamburg, but left school when twelve years of age and went to work on his father's farm. In 1886 he removed to Buffalo where he entered the employ of the Milsom Rendering and Fertilizing Company. He remained with this concern until 1901, eventually becoming manager of its rendering department. In 1901 he engaged in business for himself as a broker and commission merchant in grease, tallow and oils. Mr. Lansill is vice-president of the Pennsylvania Fertilizer and Chemical Company, vicepresident and director in the Union Stock Yards Bank and is a member of the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce and of the Buffalo, the Manufacturers' and the Ellicott Clubs. He is also a member of Highland Lodge No. 835, F. and A. M.; Buffalo Consistory. Scottish Rite Masons, and of Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. On 25 Jan 1893, he married Hattie Dearborn Lyon, daughter of Greenwood E. Lyon, mechanical engineer, of Buffalo. Their children are: Edna E., William Arthur, Bradley B., and Raymond L. Mr. Lansill's home is at No. 277 Depew Avenue, Buffalo; his business address being 963 William street. East Buffalo.

John Oley Manninghttp://books.google.com/books?id=H9ACAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA150&dq=%22Highland+Lodge+No.+835%22#v=onepage&q=%22Highland%20Lodge%20No.%20835%22&f=false page 148.

JOHN OLEY MANNING, now serving his fourth term as Alderman from the Twenty-Second Ward, President of the Board in 1904, and the recently appointed Deputy City Treasurer, is one of the most prominent men in the municipal affairs of the City of Buffalo.

The Manning family is of English origin, John Manning having come from the North of England and settled in Albany, where he died in 1837. His wife, Eleanor Oley, was a native of Albany and was a niece of Gen. Oley of Revolutionary fame. She died in 1874. The children of John and Eleanor Oley Manning were: James, Daniel, Marie, and John Baker, of whom James and Marie died unmarried. Daniel Manning attained high eminence in the fields of journalism and statesmanship. He was proprietor of the Albany Atlas, afterward the Argus, long the leading Democratic newspaper of this State, and during Grover Cleveland's first administration was Secretary of the Treasury. His death occurred on the 24th of December, 1887.

John Baker Manning, father of John Oley Manning, and since 1897 a resident of New York City, was born in Albany, NY, July 13, 1833. He attended the Albany public schools till he was twelve years old. In 1845 through the influence of Horatio Seymour, who was then Speaker of the Assembly, young Manning was appointed a page of that body. In 1847 he was again appointed by Speaker William C. Hasbrouck; afterward was appointed one of the two pages of the Senate. He early became correspondent at Albany of the Brooklyn Eagle. Had he chosen to follow newspaper work and politics, a brilliant career in these fields undoubtedly lay open before him. In 1856 he came to Buffalo and engaged in the produce and commission business, in the meantime continuing his work in Albany. After a time he completely sundered his relations with Albany affairs and made Buffalo his home, devoting himself to extending his produce and commission business and his malting trade, which he had established in 1862. Immediately after coming to Buffalo, Mr. Manning formed business relations in Canada and otherwise enlarged his enterprise, which enjoyed great prosperity. In 1867 he turned his attention wholly to malting. For years he was the largest maltster in the State, and at one time was probably the largest in the world. In his day Mr. Manning was one of the most important property holders of Buffalo.

Mr. Manning is a Democrat and a man of strong political convictions. In 1883 he was elected Mayor as the successor of Grover Cleveland, who had become Governor of the State. He was a prominent member and President of the Buffalo Board of Trade in 1881. Immediately after he entered on the duties of the office he took steps which led to the erection of the Board of Trade Building, and was chosen President of the National Convention of Maltsters held at Niagara Falls in 1881.

He was Master of Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., Past High Priest of Keystone Chapter and Eminent Commander of Hugh de Payeus Commandery, Knights Templar. He is also a Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, a Mystic Shriner, and a charter member of the Masonic Life Association.

Mr. Manning is in religious faith an Episcopalian, served as Warden of the Church of the Ascension, and has been active in church and charitable work.

January 14, 1856, Mr. Manning married Miss Elizabeth House, daughter of Hiram and Ann (Hitchcock) House of Troy, NY. The family of Mrs. Manning came from Vermont, where her father was born in 1802. The children of the marriage were: Franklin C,

80

Lillian H., John Oley, Mary E., William H., Daniel Van Antwerp, and Grace Manning, deceased in infancy. The death of Mrs. Manning occurred on the 19th of October, 1894. A gracious woman of many estimable qualities, she was prominent in the charitable and philanthropic work of the city and a devout member of the Church of the Ascension. Mr. John B. Manning died April 28, 1908, since the above was written.

John Oley Manning, son of John Baker and Elizabeth (House) Manning, was born in Buffalo March 20, 1862. After receiving an education in the grammar schools and at Central High School of this city, graduating from the latter in 1880, Mr. Manning engaged in the malting business with his father, continuing till 1895, when he established his present coal, hay and feed business. During the Pan-American Exposition he obtained the newspaper concession, having associated with him C. S. A. Coe and E. T. Langley. In 1899 Mr. Manning was elected an Alderman from the Twenty-Second Ward. Three times he has been reelected, and is now serving his fourth term.

During 1904 he served as President of the Board. The course of Alderman Manning has been consistent, firm, and directed always to the public well-being. He has served on all the principal committees, and has acted as Chairman of the committees on Finance, Streets, Water, Law and Legislation, and others of equal importance.

He belongs to Buffalo Chapter, No. 71, Royal Arch Masons, and Highland Lodge, No. 835, F. & A. M.; is a member of Omega Lodge, No. 259, I. O. O. F., and International Encampment, No. 131, of Odd Fellows, and has gone through all the chairs in Odd Fellowship. He is also a member of Court Belvidere, No. 1616, Independent Order of Foresters.

A member of the congregation of the Church of St. Mary'son-the-Hill, Mr. Manning is actively interested in the work of that church.

May 21, 1884, Mr. Manning married Miss Julia A. Millington, daughter of the late Thomas Millington and Isabel (Green) Millington of Buffalo. Mrs. Manning was born in January, 1862, and was educated in the public schools and at Normal School. Her father, who died in early manhood, was Superintendent of the Hayden & Pratt rolling-mill. Mr. and Mrs. Manning have one child, Grace Isabel, born July 25, 1894.

Transportation Lodge No. 842

This Lodge was born of an idea conceived by Brother Frederick Paul Fox and a group of men who came to Buffalo in 1901 to build and service the Pan American exposition. Many were representatives of transportation companies, and this was the nucleus around which Transportation Lodge was formed. After due consideration by the Grand Master, MW Charles W. Cushman and the Grand Lodge Officers, permission was granted to organize the lodge.

The first meeting was held in the small Blue Room of the Masonic Temple at 43 Niagara Street, on Saturday, November 15, 1902. Twenty-six brothers attended and elected Frederick Paul Fox - Chairman, George A. Preston - Secretary and L. H. Van Allen - Treasurer. A petition for a dispensation from the Grand Lodge was drawn up and officers to serve the lodge were elected with Frederick Paul Fox as Master. The Lodge received their dispensation dated January 5, 1903.

While Under Dispensation thirty-two meetings were held. The Lodge received their Charter and was dedicated, constituted and consecrated Transportation Lodge No. 842, on May 30, 1903. The Charter Members were as follows:

Frederick P. Fox, Henry A. Thomas, George G. Street, Harry S. Noble, George A. Preston, Harry W. Crabbs, A.O. Holverson, John C. Melenbacker, Reginald Hamilton, Frank B. Emery, Henry Beeny, Samuel B. Newton, Creon J.Cook, James M. Lawrence, John F. Lane, CharlesL. Coon, Robert E. Payne, Charles A. Carscadin, Lucas H. Van Allen, William N. Price, James L. Nixon, Robert M. White, Ray E. Wilson, John R Hamilton, William H. Johnson, Alexander W. Jackson.

From 1903 to 1921 the lodge met at the Masonic Temple, 43 Niagara Street. In 1921 Transportation Lodge moved to the Buffalo Consistory at Huron and Delaware Avenue. In 1923 they relocated at Mystic Art Hall on Elmwood Avenue. Then in 1925 a move was made to Barclay Hall at the corner of Goodell and Washington Streets. The Courier Express bought the Barclay property in 1929 and the Lodge moved to Northeast Temple at 2954 Bailey Avenue.

A uniformed Degree Team was organized to dramatize the second section of the Third Degree in 1914 and continued for many years. In September 1966 the Lodge conferred the First Degree upon 5 candidates in a Quarry. Over 600 Masons attended the event, held in the Federal Crushed Stone Company Quarry on Come Park Blvd. The Deputy Grand Master Charles F. Gosnell attended. A second Quarry Degree was held in 1972.

Over the years Transportation Lodge has been an active, vital and important part of Masonry in Western New York. Awards and honors have been earned by hard work, proficiency and effort. The Lodge has received much recognition and many accolades, properly deserved.

http://www.buffalonian.com/history/industry/mayors/Roesch.htm

Charles E. Roesch – Mayor of Buffalo 1930 -1933

Charles Edward Roesch was born at 613 Oak Street on March 31, 1886, the son of a leading local meatpacker, Jacob, and Julia Fuhrmann Roesch. He attended Public School No. 15, at Oak and Burton Streets, graduating in June, 1901. At this time, he joined his father in his wholesale and retail meat business in the Chippewa Market with his brother John, a later director of markets for the city.

"When I was twenty I was associated with my brother John in running my dad's meat shop in the Chippewa Market. Those were the happy days. There was no thought of the eight-hour day or Saturday afternoon off in the good old times. We killed our own poultry and made our own sausage. It was a matter of starting at five in the morning and working until everything was done, and that was seldom, so it was often dark when we started for home. Oh yes, work is a great builder."

81

In 1908 Jacob Roesch retired, leaving the business to his sons. The firm was renamed Jacob M. Roesch and Son in 1911. Four years later Charles sold out his interest to his brother and started his own meat business at the Broadway Market as Charles E. Roesch and Company in 1916.

Roesch became involved in an automobile agency with his brother-in-law Albert Hertzog, Jr. in 1914. This business later led to the formation of Roesch & Klinck, distributors of Durant and Flint products, both later discontinued.

In the meantime, he opened a wholesale poultry business behind his home at 613 Oak Street.

Roesch was appointed chairman of the first Health Board, created under Mayor Frank Schwab in January 1928. This was due to Schwab's short alliance with Republican County Chairman Fred A. Bradley, who recommended Roesch as a capable man. Within five months, after many squabbles, including over the sale of bob veal, Roesch's gruff image and language, his determination not to be dominated by Schwab who usually got his way, his protesting Schwab's zoo at the J. N. Adam Hospital, and finally, Roesch's refusal to appoint 'Pinky' Goldstein to the post of keeper of the William Street bathhouse, Roesch was fired by Schwab. Roesch's power in the Republican community was not to be undermined though, as the members of the Council refused to approve anyone that Mayor Schwab nominated to take Roesch's place.

Schwab's popularity was declining as his second term winded down and Roesch was mentioned as a possible mayoral candidate. He denounced it, saying that he would not run. But when the thrust of Roesch-for-Mayor clubs began forming, Chairman Bradley had the party endorse his candidacy.

The primaries were held on September 17, 1929. Roesch was an easy winner over Schwab, 46,219 to 18,885, with Independent-Socialist Frank Perkins receiving 4,733 votes. The Democrats were supporting Charles Diebold, Jr.; but were surprised he was defeated by Frank Schwab, who handily won the nomination, 20,428 to 12,292, with Perkins receiving 1,474 votes. The final race for mayor was set with Perkins, Schwab and Roesch.

Roesch's campaign platform: "No large city can thrive if it gets a reputation at home and abroad for excessive taxation, neither can a city develop and prosper if it becomes known as a 'cheap town' in which necessary public improvements are neglected. Cities throughout the country have learned through bitter experience that a definite, wisely conceived plan of expenditure of public funds is as necessary in municipal administration as in private business."

In addition, he "would make every reasonable effort to enlist the cooperation of the council in a constructive program for the upbuilding of Buffalo and the improvement of the municipal administration."

LIFE AS A MAYOR

  Election day 1929 was held on November 5. There were no surprises at the polls as Roesch was the easy winner, receiving 77,257 votes to Schwab's 69,792 and Perkins' 8,785.

On Christmas Eve 1929 Roesch announced his major appointments, ignoring Republican Chairman Bradley's call for political patronage. Roesch wanted to run an efficient administration without the political backlash.

Several days before his inauguration he defined his personal ambition: "I have four years to serve as mayor and I feel that I am taking office with the respect and confidence of the people.

"My one great ambition is to walk out of the mayor's office with the same respect with which I entered it. I have children for whom I want to set an example. They are either going to look up to what I do or look down."

Roesch was to take control of Buffalo at the time of the greatest depression to ever hit America. Thousands were unemployed in Buffalo and throughout the country.

The Mayor-elect granted an interview on December 29, 1929, outlying his incoming administration.

"The people need not expect a spectacular administration, for I haven't anything spectacular in view.

"A city, like a business, should constantly develop, if it is to lay claim to progress at all. The business man each year expects an increase over his last year's business and the same should be true of a city and if this increase and development does not come as a result of the good practical business principles that I intend to apply, then my experiment will be a failure.

"I have conducted my campaign in a manner to typify that type of administration the people are going to get. The people have placed their trust in me and I intend to fulfill that trust.

"It is not my place to criticize the administrations of the past, nor is it my policy to criticize, but I do believe that Buffalo's crying need is for cooperation in the city government.

"There should be more of 'we' in the city government and less of 'I.' I don't believe any one man is big enough to run a city and I am more convinced now of this since counseling with people who have a sincerity of purpose because they are interested in the city.

"With this necessary cooperation in view I will not hesitate to remove those heads of departments who will not fit into the scheme of things.

"But it is wrong to assume, because I plan to remove from office several men and to place others in their place who I think will best fit in with the kind of administration I expect to conduct, that I am acting purely through party motives. People jump to conclusions and state that the 'party ax' is about to fall and that men who have supported me will replace the ones suggested for removal.

82

"I do not deny that I wish some of those who have supported my administration to receive credit. But they are the type of men that I would naturally choose to work out such a plan as I propose to follow, and men, too, of whom I am not ashamed. It is unfair to assume that when I replace a man it is because he is a 'Schwabite.' The people when electing me relied upon my judgment to select the men for office whom I think best fitted.

"Some may think that revenge is a motive for my removing these men from office, a slap back at Schwab for removing me from the health board. But I have not introduced this phase into my campaign and I do not intend to do so during my administration."

The Mayor-elect took the oath of office on January 1, 1930 as a small group of friends and newspapermen watched. His first year's salary was $12,000. His Inaugural Message to the Common Council was broadcast over WMAK radio from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m.

"We are convened here today on behalf of all the people of this city to induct into office a new administration of our municipal affairs; to assume formally and officially the grave responsibilities which have been entrusted to us by the voters of Buffalo and to dedicate ourselves to energetic, faithful and unselfish service to this great cosmopolitan community wherein lies the hope of generations yet unborn.

"None of us is infallible. Because a recommendation originates with the mayor, it does not of necessity follow that it is perfect and therefore not subject to constructive criticism. Frankly speaking, I shall always welcome counsel or advice from any competent source, because if we consider public problems carefully and without personal bias or prejudice, we cannot fail to arrive at sound conclusions.

"I regard every promise made in [my] platform as a sacred obligation which we are now called upon to meet. I fully realized when those promises were made that the whole-hearted cooperation of the council would be necessary for their full and complete redemption, but I have never entertained any doubts or misgivings as to the willingness of the legislative body to join with the executive department in the formation and execution of a constructive program for the upbuilding of Buffalo and the improvement of our municipal administration.

"Service that is supplied grudgingly or in a careless, slipshod manner is neither proper nor adequate. Service that lacks courtesy toward those who have a right to receive it is shameful; service that is not extended in a painstaking spirit of helpfulness and consideration will not be tolerated. I sincerely hope that every municipal employee will read and study this portion of my address because I intend to be a fair warning sounded without malice or prejudice, but to be observed as a cardinal principle and inflexible policy of the administration.

"Municipal finance, embracing, as it does, taxation for current operating expenses of city activities, use of the city's credit for betterment's and necessities of a permanent nature, and the valuation of property for tax purposes, is the most serious question confronting the people of Buffalo today because it is fundamentally related to every other local problem of administration and government.

"Gentlemen of the council, we are each endowed with a conscience. Unless we can see conscientiously that an appropriation is necessary in the interest of all the people we have no right to vote it, regardless of who or what influences urge it. "That per capita tax levy has increased from $29.63 eight years ago to $55.03 this year would hardly seem justifiable by any stretch of the imagination. The administration taking office today is not to blame for conditions as we find them, but, I submit, that ours is a very definite responsibility to do everything possible to devise ways and means of effecting improvements.

In the compilation of a capital budget for guidance in the next five years we must exclude every project of doubtful necessity. The city's finances are in no condition to warrant expenditures for luxuries or fanciful improvements.

"That real estate is forced to bare approximately 80 percent of the cost of municipal government is an injustice which threatens the very foundation of our economic structure. Because the burden is too heavy real estate is becoming less attractive for investment.

"The city does not receive any part of the state automobile license tax or the state tax on gasoline, although it would be difficult indeed to estimate the tremendous expense which the general use of automobiles has forced upon us. The state returns of the City of New York, 25 percent of the gasoline tax collected in that metropolis. I believe the law discriminates against Buffalo and other large cities and we should demand readjustment of the distribution.

"The city should organize a campaign for the enlargement of the Barge Canal and defeat of the proposed St. Lawrence Canal project. Further development of the Barge Canal will benefit Buffalo and the State of New York immensely and give to the West the convenient outlet to the sea to which it is entitled.

"My faith and confidence in the people of Buffalo lead me to believe that we have right here in our home city men and women who are competent to give us whatever service or skill we may require in any field of endeavor. Until it is demonstrated that I am wrong in this belief, I am opposed to employing personal service from outside the city.

"Within the next four years Buffalo will have celebrated the 100th anniversary of its incorporation. It should be a great era. It is our solemn duty to lead the way in civic development and to foster and promote city-wide cooperation for the improvement of our government, industrial and commercial facilities. Our people are intelligent, industrious and God-fearing. Let us unite in a common purpose to serve them capably and faithfully."

Following the ceremony and the reading of his inaugural address, Mayor Roesch went to his new office, located in the Liberty Bank Building, to hold a public reception.

Several key appointments were not immediately made by the Mayor, including budget director, and the heads of the divisions of water and buildings, and no secretary was chosen.

83

Roesch did things very much different than his predecessor. He chose to drive his own car. He disliked attending dinners and making speeches. "I can't do it and be efficient. The city is entitled to the best efforts I can give it and there are enough demands on me without running around at night. I'm not an exhibit, anyhow, and I don't like that sort of thing."

He also did not like to be photographed. He was a much quieter person, hired to do job which he intended to do to the best of his ability.

Mayor Roesch delivered his 1931 address to the Common Council on January 2, 1931.

"One year ago, in appearing officially before the Council for the first time, I voiced my confidence in the integrity and sincerity of the members of your legislative body. Now, as we face the new year, it is highly gratifying to be able to say that nothing has occurred in the intervening 12 months to weaken that confidence. On the other hand, my official experience and contact with the members of the Council, individually and collectively, have strengthened the conviction that your honorable body is striving earnestly and effectively to serve the public welfare and that your members are actuated by a high sense of duty.

"While it is doubtless true that human aspirations are never fully realized, I am of the firm opinion that we have made definite and substantial progress during the last year, despite adverse conditions unprecedented in recent history. It would hardly seem necessary to remind you that the year 1930 was the most difficult period in our day and generation.

"Whichever way we turn, we cannot escape the distressing evidence of industrial and business depression with its wake of unemployment and human sacrifice.

"As long as we have resources we must do everything necessary to prevent human suffering and to succor those of our fellow citizens who are in 'honest difficulties,' as President Hoover said, but under no circumstances will we be justified in increasing the tax burden of the people by expenditures for unnecessary purposes.

"Often I am amazed that citizens who think soundly with relation to their own affairs labor under the delusion that the government can provide free facilities, free services or free commodities.

"Nothing the government supplies to the public is free. Every improvement and every service provided by the government must be paid for by the very people who use the facilities and enjoy the services.

"All of us will agree, no doubt, that the problem of most immediate concern is that of welfare relief. A year ago this problem had not reached the serious stage in which it is now before us and a year hence it may have ceased to worry us, but today it is paramount.

"...The actual expenditures for welfare relief (not including salaries and other overhead) increased 78 percent in a four-year period that is regarded as the most prosperous era in the nation's history.

"Social workers tell us that this increase has been caused chiefly by industrial changes whereby man-power is displaced by machinery and by the marked drift of population from rural to urban communities.

"I shall cite a few projects which will supply employment as soon as the spring season opens.

"In 1912 the city purchased from the state lands under water for park purposes. This tract embracing about 90 acres is known as Lake View Park but there is nothing in its appearance to indicate that it is a park.

"Development of Schiller Park remains to be completed, especially that portion of the tract east of Sprenger Avenue.

"In providing temporary emergency employment the Council authorized a start on the filling of the old bed of Cazenovia Creek

"The Sperry Park site purchased by the city some 17 years ago should receive early attention if it is ever to be developed.

"Erection of a new building for the fire department at Court and Staats Streets.

"...The necessity of providing a new police headquarters to replace the present dilapidated structure is important.

"The present business depression is emphasizing the shortcomings of the antiquated state tax system which causes real property to bear an unjust share of the cost of government.

"The Council gave very generous support last spring to our efforts to get the Legislature to amend the motor fuel tax law so that cities and incorporated villages would share in the distribution of the proceeds of this tax.

"Within the last month local newspapers have published certain expert opinions relative to taxation for the support of the public schools, wherein it was suggested that a financially independent and elective Board of Education be created with authority to levy taxes

"With the recommissioning of the fireboat W. S. Grattan, which was placed in service several weeks ago, the city's fire fighting equipment and personnel are in splendid shape.

"The city is confronted by the necessity of revamping its system of sewers to afford flood relief and the establishment of facilities for sewage treatment to abate pollution of our rivers.

"When the administration assumed office a year ago we fell heir to three tedious and expensive lawsuits, involving the cost to the citizens of Buffalo of service supplied by the International Railway company, the New York Telephone company and the Iroquois Gas company.

"If the people of Buffalo cannot be served properly at reasonable cost by the International (Railway) company, there is no alternative but to develop a competing service which will meet our needs. For my part, I am ready to join in an appeal to the

84

Legislature at any time, but in view of the fundamental question involved in the Federal court litigation, I believe it would be the course of wisdom to await a decision in this matter.

"Provision for maintenance of the City Hall must be made in the next budget. If the present progress of construction is maintained, the building will be ready for occupancy early in the fall. Naturally, it will be in the public interest to occupy the building as soon as possible, although its maintenance will tend to increase the cost of housing the government in comparison with what the city is now paying for rented quarters, and as the building becomes more fully occupied in years to come there will be a progressive increase.

"Advent of the new year inspires hope for better conditions and more favorable circumstances for all our people.

"Let us hope that this prospect will be realized, and, above all, let us conduct the affairs of entrusted to us so that a year hence our individual consciences will tell us that we have done our full duty and that the public welfare has been our only consideration. Then, when the march of time ushers in 1932 - the year of our Centennial - the people of Buffalo, and our neighbors as well, will be able to participate in the celebration of our century of progress with that full measure of enthusiasm which will assure another hundred years of even greater achievement and even more substantial advancement in the art of living."

Mayor Roesch was a leader and innovator in the relief programs for the unemployed. It was during his second winter as mayor that Roesch instituted a work relief program to put men to work. The man-a-block system which he proposed, was adopted throughout the country. Under this system a thorough canvass was made on every street in the city. Those who were fortunate enough to have jobs would hire unemployed men to do odd jobs for them.

The Mayor's Unemployment Committee was formed when the situation worsened. The Mayor induced Alfred H. Schoellkopf to serve as its chairman. The committee did much work to alleviate the suffering of the poor. The committee was so successful that Mr. Schoellkopf was drafted to head the State Temporary Emergency Relief Agency when it was later organized. The same methods used in Buffalo were applied throughout the state.

By 1932, the Great Depression was at its worst. Unemployment rose from 3.2 million in 1929 to 23.6 million. Roesch became president of the New York State Conference of Mayors At a meeting of his fellow executives he made the proposal that was later embodied in the Wicks act, which provided for the state to reimburse communities for welfare expenditures above normal standards. He had proposed a 40 percent reimbursement, which was finally realized in 1936.

On January 2, 1932 the Mayor delivered his Annual Address to the Common Council

"The year 1932, when our city will become a centurion among American municipalities, finds us face to face with grave problems in common with all the rest of the world. Ordinarily, the advent of a new year is considered cause for congratulation and merrymaking because it inspires hope of better things.

"It would give me great happiness to be able to bring to you a message of buoyant optimism on this occasion, but, in all candor, the distress of our people and the heavy official responsibilities under which we must struggle would render unseemly any fanciful word picture of our circumstances.

"This is the third consecutive New Year's day on which I have brought to your honorable body the greetings of the executive branch of the government. With each year municipal administration has become more complicated. Until now we are in the midst of a crisis which is going to require all of the cooperation at our command if the welfare of all the people of Buffalo is to be served.

"Gentlemen of the Council, I am frank to confess that two years ago I had no idea that fiscal complications of government, national, state, county and municipal, would multiply so rapidly and become such a menace to community welfare

"It is our job to make every possible effort to manage the public business entrusted to us so that our city will be able to avoid the financial disaster that is blighting many other municipalities.

"It is tremendously more difficult to meet such a situation in public administration than in private business, because governments, by their very nature, are less flexible than private organizations.

"A private concern can suspend operations until conditions improve. A government cannot go out of business.

"It must function 24 hours a day for 365 days a year, because the health, safety and comfort of the community depend entirely on the service and protection which the government supplies.

"It is, therefore, well to keep in mind that if the service and protection which the city government provides were suddenly withdrawn, this community of 600,000 people probably would quickly disintegrate.

"Additional fire protection has been allowed to the East Side by remodeling the station at Bailey Avenue and Doat Street to house the new Hook and Ladder Company 14 in addition to Engine 31.

"Sperry Park, long an eyesore, has been developed, the laying of walks, grading, seeding and planting having been financed from the current budget appropriation of the Park department.

"The police radio and an efficient motor car patrol system are now in operation. Plans for the proposed new five-story police headquarters on the site of the old Municipal building will be advertised about Feb. 15.

"Despite the fact that the financial outlook of the city is less favorable than it was a year ago, the state of New York, after temporizing with the question of river pollution through an entire decade of boom years, has suddenly become insistent that we take action in this matter.

85

"Let me say right here that, as I interpret our obligation, we must protect the interests of the citizens and taxpayers of Buffalo in working out this problem and should not be coerced into ruinous commitments, even though we have to stand the gaff of high-powered publicity based on theories and not facts.

"Obviously, the first step in planning a sewage treatment plant is the selection of a site. Plans already prepared...contemplate the purchase of Squaw Island for one site and the erection of another plant in South Buffalo

"At a time when business and commerce statistics show unprecedented declines, one outstanding exception is encountered in the season record of the Erie Barge Canal, which carried more tonnage in 1931 than in any previous year in our generation.

"A year ago we had high hopes that definite progress could be made toward the solution of the problem embracing a downtown station for the New York Central Railroad and the relocation of the tracks along the Terrace and the West Side waterfront

"The so-called hypothetical plan referred to last year was revised in some features, but thus far it has not been presented in a form that would provide the people of Buffalo with the facilities they require, nor in accordance with the original agreement made when the Exchange Street Station was abandoned.

"While the administration will do everything possible to bring about an early solution of this problem, we shall adhere to the policy of refusing to obligate the city for any expenditure of public funds for expansion of railroad switching and station facilities.

"The partial collapse of private industry, resulting in widespread unemployment, has placed upon the city a burden that is causing continuous concern.

"Two years ago the administration pledged itself to meet this emergency in a merciful and effective manner. Thus far we have managed to do so, but...each succeeding month presents new difficulties which heretofore would have been incomprehensible.

"The City of Buffalo was one of the first large cities to formulate a program of work relief. Last year approximately 105,000 days work was provided for our citizens through the emergency work program.

"Full credit for the sincerity and effectiveness of Buffalo's effort to care for distress belongs to all of the people of the city who are cooperating most willingly in our public and private activities.

"The success of our man-a-block plan, now nationally commenced as a relief measure, is due to the patriotic efforts of the volunteer organization and the wonderful support of the householders of Buffalo, many of whom are practicing self-denial in order to make their weekly contributions.

"We also have a vast majority of our city employees contributing voluntarily during these winter months about 3 percent of their salary to the central committee.

"At a meeting of the State Conference of Mayors, the chairman of the Governor's Committee on Unemployment said that for years to come Buffalo would be an outstanding example of accomplishment in administration of welfare relief and emergency employment through the complete coordination of all public and private agencies and activities.

"Gentlemen, I regard the expression as the greatest compliment ever paid to the people of Buffalo

"With heart overflowing with gratitude for the unselfish support we are receiving in this emergency, I express the fervent hope that the passing of the year will bring more substantial and widespread happiness to all citizens."

On December 13, 1932, Mayor Roesch finally succumbed to what he had tried to avoid: cutting the pay of city employees.

On January 3, 1933, Mayor Roesch, forced to remain home due to illness, had the city clerk read his last annual message to the common council.

"With the advent of the new year, all of us naturally hope for improved conditions, even though unfavorable trends of the year just ended afford no basis for optimistic predictions.

"The point that I would like to stress is that the coming year is likely to prove the most trying the city government has ever experienced and will require all of the constructive resourcefulness at our command.

"I hereby renew my recommendation of December 13 that a general graduated reduction in the compensation of city employees be made effective for the last half of the current fiscal year. To delay this reduction is decidedly not beneficial to the city employees themselves, and to advise them otherwise is a betrayal of their best interests.

"This recommendation was arrived at reluctantly because reduction of compensation of thousands of employees is not a pleasant task, but conditions over which we have no control have made it inevitable. For a year, I had hoped that some change in our economic circumstances would enable us to avoid this reduction, but the changes have all been for the worse.

"This year enough surplus was carried forward from the previous year and impounded to safeguard against shrinkage of revenues. Rest assured that, insofar as estimated revenues and expenditure of appropriations are concerned, our budget will balance.

"As revenues from sources other than real estate tax steadily decline, the city government becomes more and more dependent upon its tax collections for the cash to meet its expenses. With tax delinquencies increasing at a disturbing ratio and with large taxpayers, like railroads, for example, borrowing money with which to pay taxes, what public official is willing to stake his reputation on a guarantee that the day will not come when the city will lack the cold, hard cash in hand with which to meet payrolls and other current expenses?

86

"It is a matter of official record in the comptroller's report that the tax delinquency last fiscal year was 7.24 percent, as compared to 1.3 percent for the year ended June 30, 1931.

"During the course of the year, the City of Buffalo won a notable victory when the United States District Court denied the application of the International Railway Company for an injunction which would have permitted the company to charge a straight 10-cent fare in Buffalo

"...For the first time since the company was organized, it is on the defensive and the city of Buffalo holds the advantage in any negotiation for extension of bus routes or abandonment of rail lines.

"Your honorable body is now holding hearings on a plan submitted by the company for coordinated rail and bus service and the long-suffering public is awaiting the results with eager interest.

"In the future, as public improvements are required, the city should be able to meet its requirements without wasteful mistakes because of the guidance of a master plan which the Buffalo Planning Board has underway and for which much valuable data already have been assembled.

"In seven fiscal years beginning July 1, 1925 and ending June 30, 1932, the annual expenditure for relief, including the veterans' agencies, increased from $600,000 to $5,500,000.

"To illustrate more graphically, our expenditure for relief in the December just ended was $125,000 more than in the entire fiscal year of 1925 - 26. How much further we shall be required to go and how long this terrific strain on the municipal purse will continue is beyond human comprehension, but from the very inception of the depression period the City of Buffalo has met the demand mercifully and effectively.

"In closing, permit me to take advantage of the opportunity here presented to express my deep appreciation of the earnest cooperation that has been forthcoming from heads of departments, boards and other agencies of government. The devotion to duty of the rank and file of our city employees warms my heart.

"And, especially let me pay tribute to the civic loyalty and brotherly spirit of all those private citizens who have contributed of their time, energy and means in the steadfast service of this community since the beginning of the heartbreaking period through which we are passing.

"Without the unselfish assistance of many citizen groups, Buffalo's splendid record in this emergency would have been impossible.

"The Central Council of Social Agencies and affiliated organizations, the Mayor's Committee on Unemployment, the Man-a-Block committee, the Emergency Relief board, the American Legion, and scores of societies, have marshaled literally thousands of our citizens in the service of humanity. It might well be said that these organizations have coordinated the great community heart of Buffalo. Their achievement will stand out in history as an example of practical community humanitarism that will serve as an undying inspiration to future generations."

In August 1933, as the fall elections rolled closer, Mayor Roesch sat down with a Buffalo Times reporter to discuss the ups and downs of his administration.

"If anything has been accomplished by this administration, the credit isn't mine. It belongs to the men and women who did the work.

"Every pledge in my campaign platform of 1929 has been redeemed."That, perhaps, is the greatest satisfaction - the knowledge that I have kept every promise I made to the people when I

requested their support."Shortly after I became mayor, and there was a majority of 14 Republicans to 1 Democrat in the Council, a committee of

councilmen called on me."They wanted to amend the city charter so that I could be a candidate to succeed myself."I told them that if they did so, I would veto it. I felt that I had contracted with the people of Buffalo for a certain length of time and

no longer."I think it would be a little presumptuous on my part to point out now what the next mayor may have to do."The next administration very likely will be a period of economic readjustment and problems will have to be met as they arise. I

would not like to anticipate them."

The most pressure Mayor Roesch received while in office was for the removal of Police Commissioner Roche.

"When I appointed Commissioner Roche, I received 350 letters condemning the appointment and five approving it."Austin Roche never asked me for a job. I sent for him when I became mayor because I had definite ideas about how the police

department should be run, and I knew Austin Roche had similar ideas."He has done his job, just like all other department heads, without interference from my office."

During his term, he frequently clashed with the Municipal Research Bureau and the United Taxpayers' League. He also opposed the proposed $23,000,000 sewer system and the creation of a sewer authority, since there were no federal funds available at the time.

By the end of his term there were 500 fewer civil service positions. He refused to cooperate with the Republicans to deliver patronage positions. The most outstanding controversy of his administration was the investigation of the Board of Education that led to its reorganization and the refusal to renew School Superintendent Ernest C. Hartwell's contract. When Roesch left office, he returned to his wholesale and retail meat business.

PERSONAL LIFE

87

Charles E. Roesch married Mabel C. Klinck on June 3, 1914. Her father was William C. Klinck, treasurer of the C. Klinck Packing Company until his death, her mother being Julia Fuhrmann, sister of former Mayor Louis P. Fuhrmann. The Roesch's had two sons, Charles Jacob, and William Klinck. The Roesch's lived at one address for their entire marriage, 633 North Oak Street, just down the block from where Roesch was born at 613 North Oak Street, after they were married in June 1914.

Roesch was a member of many lodges, including the Transportation Lodge No. 842 F. & A. M., which he served as master of, in 1918; Hugh de Payens Commandery; Knights Templar, of which he was a life member; Ismalia Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Elks, and Orioles. He was also a member of the Buffalo Athletic Club; the Greater Buffalo Advertising Club; the International Stewards Association; the Buffalo Hotelmen's Association, and the Buffalo Turn Verein.

In February, 1935, Roesch was elected a member of the board of trustees for the Erie County Savings Bank In December 1935 he was asked by Mayor Zimmermann to accept an appointment on the Buffalo Sewer Authority, which he declined.

Midway through Roesch's mayoral term he had suffered a heart attack. It is believed that he never fully recovered, the burdens of his term shortening his life. On Monday, January 15, 1936 Roesch was taken to the hospital for an operation. His heart gave out during surgery, and he died. Roesch is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery the Saturday of his funeral, current Mayor George Zimmermann declared a full civic holiday. Had Roesch lived he most likely would have been drafted to run for a second mayoral term in 1937. Up until the time of his death he was referred to as "Buffalo's greatest Mayor."

Buffalo Lodge No. 846

At the turn of the century, South Buffalo was a thriving and fast growing community with Seneca and Cazenovia Streets as the hub. Many civic minded Masons were vitally interested in its progress. It was but a matter of time until the group banded together and petitioned the Grand Lodge for dispensation to form a Lodge in South Buffalo, having been duly recommended by Parish Lodge No. 292, and endorsed by all of the other lodges in Erie County.

This group was made up of 23 Masons, mostly members of downtown lodges. They were headed by Charles E. Eisele, who became their Charter Master. The following are the members:

Walter S. Wiles - Senior Warden, Willard H. Orr - Junior Warden, Hugh S. Townsend - Treasurer, Henry P. Duer - Secretary, Reverand John W. Stitt - Chaplain, Clayton J. Standart - Senior Deacon, Nelson B. Clark - Junior Deacon, Milton S. Genor - Senior Master of Ceremony, Henry Bennis - Junior Master of Ceremony, William M. Fyte and Lewis D. Platt - Stewards, William M. Frye - Mardshall, Hugh J. Devers - Tiler, Charles M. Kimball, Frank R. Pitcher, L. G. Waterman, Andrew J. Keller, Samuel B. Stewart, George F. Cookson, John V. Woodruff, Alvah A. Adamy and William M. Milks.

In due time, Grand Master MW Elbert Crandall, granted their dispensation, dated December 31, 1903. The formal presentation was made on Saturday, January 9, 1904 in Kingston Hall and their first meeting Under Dispensation followed.

Grand Master MW Frank H. Robinson, granted a Charter to Buffalo Lodge No. 846 on May 5, 1904 and on May 30, 1904, at Kingson Hall the Grand Master Robinson consecrate, dedicate and constitute their new lodge.

In 1912 a committee was formed to canvas the membership in regard to financing a building program. The committee was discharged with a vote of thanks. However the building fever had not died, and the following year a committee submitted the possible purchase of St. Paul's Church, on Duerstein Street, but the costs seemed to run too high and this committee was discharged with thanks. By January 1915 the members desired for a more suitable quarters, and the lodge moved to Sparfield Hall at 2700 Seneca Street. The facilities at Sparfield Hall were very confined and limited, awkward entertainment facilities, limited space, were but a few of the handicaps encountered. Accordingly, a Temple Fund was established. A Temple committee was appointed consisting of the following members:

Herman J. Manzel- Chairman, Byron E. Darling, William Duerstein, John W. McGillivray and William J. Rae. They in turn appointed John Horner and Howard Sullivan to assist them as a finance committee.

A number of sites for the Temple were considered. It narrowed down to two, one, a vacant lot at the corner of Seneca Street and Indian Church Road. The other, the Feyler residence on Cazenovia Street. At the meeting held February 10, 1922, the lodge voted to buy the Feyler site for $10,000.00. On Friday, January 23, 1925 the Temple Committee was authorized to proceed with a building of the present Temple at 212 Cazenovia Street. On June 27, 1925, the laying the corner stone of Buffalo Lodge Temple by MW Thomas Penney Grand Master. A box deposited under the corner stone had the following items:

The Holy Bible, A silk United States flag, the 1925 Book of Proceedings of Grand Lodge, Book of Constitutions of Grand Lodge, By-Laws of Buffalo Lodge No. 846, By-Laws of Olive Chapter  No. 325, OES, Rosters of Buffalo Lodge and Olive Chapter, 1925 Masonic Register, City of Buffalo, Erie County, Districts 1 and 2 and State and other Grand Bodies, member's names of the Building Committee, Copy of the Program of Ceremony of the laying of the Cornerstone, January 27, 1925, latest number of the Masonic Outlook, latest copies of all Buffalo Newspapers, various United States coins, the name of the contractors and architect - also the cost of each contract and price of lot and a list of the contents of the Box this day deposited.

Olive Chapter No. 325, OES was invited, by a Motion of the Lodge, to have the use of the New Temple when ready. Many renown people and organization donated money and furniture for the Temple. On June 18, 1926 at 8:00 pm, the New Temple was opened for a house warming and inspection, and the following Friday the First Stated meeting of Buffalo Lodge No. 846 was held in the New Masonic Temple.

On October 22, 1926, MW Harold J. Richardson, Grand Master, Dedicated and Consecrated the Temple with due and proper ceremony amidst a tremendous outpouring of the Craft.

The total cost of the Temple was $145,000.00. The furnishing cost another $12,000.00. The Lodge continued to grow and prosper and Buffalo Lodge Temple was beginning to be a Landmark in South Buffalo.

88

CHARLES W. CUSHMAN LODGE NO. 879

The formation of Charles W. Cushman Lodge began with casual conversations among brethren residing in the Bailey - Walden Avenue section of Buffalo. This eventually led to a meeting at the residence of James Leroy Nixon, on June 10, 1909. Others present were as follows:

Earl G. Danser, Edward G. Bodenbender, Foster C. Leland, Frank W. Standart, John A. Jamieson, George A. Hughes, Charles Kennedy, Thomas L. Pilkey, Ernest J. Way and John Hora, Jr. Frank W. Standart was chosen Chairman and John Hora, Jr. Secretary.

The officers of the lodge would be:

James L. Nixon - Master, Earl G. Danser - Senior Warden, Edward G. Bodenbender - Junior Warden, John A. Jamieson - Treasurer, and John Hora, Jr. - Secretary

On November 4, 1909 with all work finalized, the application for dispensation was sent to Grand Lodge.

The first meeting place of the Lodge, was held in a Hall on the third floor of the Armbruster Building, on the corner of Genesee Street and Bailey Avenue.

In the meantime, with the consent of Mrs. Charles W. Cushman and her son William D., the members selected Charles W. Cushman to be their Lodge name. The brothers received their dispensation November 18, 1909. On May 5, 1910, MW Robert Judson Kenworthy, Grand Master granted their Charter, then on May 26, 1910, RW Thomas Penny, Senior Grand Warden, with the authority from the Grand Master, Consecrated, Dedicated and Constituted Charles W. Cushman Lodge No. 879.

    In 1919, the members of their lodge together with Saturn Lodge, I.O.O.F. purchased the Mead Block at the southeast corner of Walden Avenue and Brinkman Street. From 1920 to 1959 their meetings were held at that location, except for a part of 1923 - the year of the fire, the lodge met at Highland Temple on Main Street.

    During 1958 and 1959 a committee was appointed to look into the advisability of "Renovation, Moving, or Building" a new home for their lodge. This was climaxed with the decision to move into rented quarters at the new Sweet Home Masonic Temple, in Amherst. On January 7, 1960, their meetings were shifted to the newly built Sweet Home Temple, and their Community Hall was place on the "For Sale" market.

LACKAWANNA LODGE NO. 887

Dispensation was granted - June 28, 1910 and Charter granted - May 3, 1911

Western Star Lodge No. 1185 is a merger of Lackawanna Lodge No. 887, Fraternal Lodge No. 625, Cornerstone Lodge No. 1176, Zion Lodge No. 514 and Buffalo-Lakeland Lodge No. 846.Cornstone Lodge No. 1176 was a merger of Evans Lodge No. 261 and Wayfarers Lodge No. 1148.Bufflao-Lakeland Lodge was a merger of Buffalo Lodge No. 846 and Lakeland Lodge No. 952.

MYSTIC ART LODGE NO. 899

Dispensation was granted - January 4, 1912 and Charter granted - May 8, 1912

MASTER BUILDER LODGE NO. 911

Master Builder Lodge was conceived in the summer of 1913. Their Dispensation was authorized on December 27, 1913 and their Charter granted on May 7, 1914. On May 29, 1914, Master Builder Lodge No. 911, was Constituted and the first officers were installed with Robert L. Kimberly as Master.

WWI had left its mark. The names of members who fought were suitably inscribed in the archives of the Lodge.

In 1926, RW Robert L. Kimberly led a delegation of officers and members of their lodge, into the newly completed Masonic Temple at 173 Delaware Rd, Kenmore. Noted dignitaries from across the State attended the dedication ceremonies.

A Special Communication was held on April 12, 1943, which was most unusual. A special dispensation to confer the Master Mason Degree on a class of fifteen, in relays of five each. Dinner was served, and the lodge was reconvened for the second section, witnessed by all.

The "Burning of the Temple Mortgage," was held on May 26, 1950. It was an outstanding occasion, with appropriate ceremonies, well attended by members and noted dignitaries.

The custom was established that the Fellowcraft Club officers confer a second degree, on a class of candidates each year. In 1956, all the stations were filled by past Chairmen of the Fellowcraft.

With determination and lasting fellowship, the Master Builder Lodge No. 911 endured the years, to provide for a place where men can dwell in harmony.

Tyrian Lodge No. 925

Researched and Written by RW Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., Past Master of Tyrian Lodge

89

1.) FORWARD

In the January 4, 1979 bulletin of the American Lodge of Research, F. & A.M., New York, of which I am a member, it was called to the attention of their members, that the Grand Lodge of New York State will soon be celebrating its bi-centennial and request has been received from a member to entertain the idea of having papers on the history of the lodges in the State.

Tyrian Lodge No. 925, will celebrate their 66th anniversary in the bi-centennial year. Although there have been several historians in our lodge, no history has ever been written. To conform with the above idea, I have taken it upon myself, with the approval of the Worshipful Master, to research and compile the history of Tyrian Lodge. This History that I present to the Lodge is the effort of many months or research, and I hope that the future Worshipful Masters of Tyrian Lodge will appoint a historian to keep our History up to date. It is much easier to keep the history up to date, as you go along, rather than put it off until later, when it is necessary for someone to research many years events and put them down in written form.

It now gives me great pleasure to present to you, the History of Tyrian Lodge No. 925, from its beginning.

Sincerely and Fraternally, Charles L. Ketchum Jr.Past Master of Tyrian Lodge

2.) The Beginning

Tyrian Lodge was conceived as a result of the need of a lodge of Symbolic Masons in the thickly populated and fast growing northeast corner of the City of Buffalo. (Jefferson Avenue and East Utica section of the City). The suggestion was made known to RW Thomas Penney, Deputy Grand Master and RW William H. Ellis, Acting DDGM, each heartily approving of the project, whereupon preliminary steps incident to its formation were undertaken by the following:

Charles I. Heckman, Fred E.A. Allardt, Samuel H. Tillman, George U. Miller, John Brauer, and William E. Heiser, who were quickly joined by: William G. Bishop, George K. Staples, Verne W. Keith, Fred B. Griffith, Jr. Fred A. Mendlein, Samuel A. Sully and Stewart Smith.

These brothers continued efforts resulting in a petition to MW George Freifeld, Grand Master, for a Dispensation.

3.) Preliminary meetings prior to Dispensation

It all started on August 17, 1914, at the Buffalo Consistory House, when a group of thirty Masons attending a preliminary meeting to discuss the forming of a new lodge. Brother Charles I. Heckman explained the object and purposes of forming a new lodge, pointing out the advantages of the location and the good which could be done for the benefit of Freemasonry. Brother George K. Staples, made a very liberal offer, giving the use of lodge rooms in the Consistory House, which could not be accepted, due to the fact that it would be contrary to the original intentions for which the new lodge would be formed. He then offered the use of the banquet hall, at the Consistory, once a month, for such purposes as Tyrian Lodge may see fit to use, and which was accepted by the brethren present, for the benefit of the lodge.

A resolution was offered thanking Brother Staples for his kind offer, which they surely appreciated.

A committee of five was appointed to determine a suitable place for meeting purposes. The committee consisted of:

William C. Peters - Chairman, Fred Mendlein, Albert F. Glassman, William G. Bishop and Joseph Loersch.

A second committee was also appointed. This committee was charged to draft a Constitution and a set of By-Laws, to be presented at the next meeting. The members which were appointed were:

Fred A. Mendlein, Chairman, John Brauer, David C. Henzler, Jr. Fred B. Griffith, Jr. and William H. Johnson.

On the following meeting, September 1, 1914, there were thirty-six brothers present. The committee on locating a meeting place, reported, the only place available and suitable for Masonic work, was LaTouraine Hall at East Utica and Verplanck Streets, available on Saturday nights only, which could be had for $100.00 per year and $4.00 for each extra night. The committee was authorized to close with Mr. Hunt, for the second and fourth Saturday of each month, for use of the hall on a temporary basis.

The Constitution and By-Laws committee reported that their committee was progressing and had reached a point where they preferred to hear from the members, relative to a Sinking Fund.

On general discussion for the guidance of the committee, it was resolved: That it was  the consensus of the opinion of those present, that 50% of the initiation fee be set aside as a Sinking Fund for a Masonic Temple of the future.

Brother Heckman gave a short lecture on Masonry and stated, that it was his aim, when Tyrian Lodge became fully organized, to call upon men in Buffalo, well posted in Operative and Speculative Masonry, to give lectures for the benefit of the members.

At the meeting held on September 14, 1914, which was called to order, twenty-five brothers were present. They moved and seconded the Constitution and By-Laws, which were presented, be accepted as read by the committee. A vote of thanks was extended to the committee for their work in drafting the same.

Then, on October 10, 1914, with thirty-nine brothers present, the meeting was called to order at the LaTouraine Hall.

Many committees were appointed by brother Heckman. Brother Staples once again offered the use of a room at the Buffalo Consistory House for the use of these various committees to meet in, which was accepted by the members with thanks.

Brother Heckman then announced that the lodge was the recipient of a gift in the form of a Marshal's Baton, three Gavels and five rods, from brother Bernard Rummel, Jr. An Altar Bible was also presented by brother William C. Peters, which would be officially

90

presented at the Dedication Ceremonies of their Dispensation, on October 31, 1914. Much thanks was extended to these two brothers, by the members present.

4.) Dispensation Granted

Grand Master MW George Freifeld, granted the prayers of the petitioners, and on October 9, 1914, issed a Dispensation accordingly.

The lodge was formed and organized under the name and style of "Tyrian" in accordance with the established usages and customs of the Fraternity, on October 31, 1914, in LaTouraine Hall, East Utica and Verplanck Streets.

5.) Dedication Ceremony

The meeting was called to order by RW Elias Haffa, acting Grand Marshal, who announced that RW John G. Wallenmeier, Jr., DDGM of the 38th District was about to enter. RW Elias Haffa then escorted the DDGM to the East and was accorded Grand Honors. RW John G. Wallenmeier, Jr. announced that his presence there was for the purpose of organizing and forming a new Lodge. Acting as Grand Master, he invited the following RW brethren to occupy the several stations as a Provisional Grand Lodge:

Martin H. Blecher acting as Deputy Grand Master, Henry Schaefer acting as Senior Grand Warden, Robert W. Wilson acting as Junior Grand Warden, John K. Patton acting as Grand Treasurer, Fred L. Hartmeyer acting as Grand Secretary, Rev. G. Sherman Burroughs acting as Grand Chaplain, Henry W. Nachbar acting a Senior Grand Deacon, Henry Sauerwein acting as Junior Grand Deacon, and Elias Haffa acting as Grand Marshal.

The following Worshipful Masters, of the 38th Masonic District were in attendance:

Philip F. Schuster - Hiram Lodge No. 105, James R. Newman - Parish Lodge No. 292, Theodore Metz - Modestia Lodge No. 340, Barrett Rich, Jr. - Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks No. 441, Thomas H. Noonan - DeMolay Lodge No. 498, Emil S. Saunger - Harmonie Lodge No. 699, Frederick C. Warhus - Buffalo Lodge No. 846, George A. Hughs - Charles W. Cushman Lodge No. 879,Walter L. Curtiss - Mystic Art Lodge No. 899 and Robert L. Kimberly - Master Builder Lodge No. 911.

RW John G. Wallenmeier, Jr., acting Grand Master, proceeded with the following order of business:

Reading of the Dispensation, and the names of the Charter members, by acting Grand Secretary, Fred L. Hartmayer.

 1. Charles I. Heckman        20. John H. Menz              40. James Singer 2. Fred E.A. Allardt            21. William Naeher            41. John A.L. Becker 3. Layton H. Vogel             22. Charles Sandel            42. Augustus A. Derdenger 4. Samuel H. Tillman          23. Walter C. Coon            43. Joseph A. Dixon 5. George U. Miller             24. August Uhl                  44. William H. Johnson 6.George K. Staples           25. J. Thornton Barnsdall   45. Theodore W. Hammond 7. John Brauer                   26. David C. Henzler, Jr.     46. George Schaaf, Jr. 8. Fred B. Griffith, Jr.          27. George Keipper, Jr.      47. Joseph Loersch 9. Fred W. Diehl                28. Stewart Smith              48. Samuel A. Sully10. Charles A. Freiberg       29. Christ Venherm            49. Frank H. Smith11. Verne W. Keith             30. William G. Bishop        50. Jacob F. Hirschmiller12. Bernard Rummel, Jr.     31. George J. Miller            51. Louis P. Bliemeister13. Gust A. Fiscus             32. George D. Moeloth       52. Edward F. Stein14. Walter E. Schaefer       33. Jacob J. Bomm            53. Charles A.W. Fritzche15  Jacob Harris                34. Oscar W. Zittel             54. Ferdinand H. Moehlau16. Albert F. Glassman      35. John S. Beer                55. Edward C. Nagel17. William C. Peters         36. Jay G. Roberts             56. Samuel Johnson18. Fred A. Mendlein          37. William L. Pfeiffer         57. Charles G. Moore19. William E. Heiser         38. William S. Zurbrick       58. William C. Smith                                        39. Henry H. Shulte           59. Frank H. Denny

RW John G. Wallenmeier, Jr. then addressed the officers and members of the lodge, upon their duties and announced that he was authorized by MW George Freifeld, Grand Master, to present to them their Dispensation, which he granted on October 9, 1914.

The acting Grand Secretary, RW Fred L. Hartmayer then read from the Dispensation, the Lodge officers appointed by the Grand Master, which were:

Charles I. Heckman - Worshipful Master, Fred E.A. Allardt - Senior Warden, Layton H. Vogel - Junior Warden.

Charles I. Heckman then announced the names of the brothers appointed by him to fill the remaining places:

Samuel H. Tillman - Treasurer, George U. Miller - Secretary, Levi R. Cooper - Chaplain, George K. Staples - Senior Deacon, John Brauer - Junior Deacon, Fred B. Griffith, Jr. - Senior Master of Ceremony, Verne W. Keith - Junior Master of Ceremony, Charles A. Freiburg and Fred W. Diehl - Stewards, Bernard Rummel, Jr. - Marshal, Gust A. Fiscus - Tiler.

The Tyrian Lodge officers were then installed by the Provisional Grand Lodge officers, after which this special meeting was adjourned.

6.) Proving Proficiency

This was Tyrian Lodge's beginning and under the leadership of W Charles I. Heckman, the lodge was to grow into a strong element of Erie County Masonry. Even before the lodge received their Dispensation, W Brother Heckman instilled within the petitioners

91

perfection, and on one evening the proposed officers exemplified all three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, before the members of Mystic Art Lodge No. 899, who in turn signed a certificate of proficiency to present to Grand Lodge.

7.) Charter Members of Tyrian Lodge No. 925

While under dispensation, through the medium of regular and specially stated communications, the lodge conferred the degree of Entered Apprentice on fifty candidates, of which thirty received the degree of Fellowcraft and twenty-five were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

The first Tyrian class was composed of Arthur J. Peck, John Lonsdale, William A. Goetzman, August D. Machemer and George W. Geyer, Jr.The second class, Robert M. Codd, Jr., Edward L. Smith, Albert O. Smith, John Uhl and John A. Naeher.The third class, Edwin M.K. Rose, William C. Theobold, Charles A. Volkert, Herman Plaumann and Charles A. Weil.The fourth class, Ralph Greenberg, Henry J. Helfrich, Bernard F. Boldt, George A. Dechert and John W. Cadman.The fifth class, Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrall, Fremont H. Fisher, Fred W. Keopper, John C. Lesswing and Jacob Smith.

Also, while under dispensation the following brothers affiliated with Tyrian Lodge:

James J. Schworm - December 12, 1914, Mark G. Servoss - January 9, 1915, Elbert F. Hurlbut - January 23, 1915, Albert R. Kidder - March 13, 1915, August C. Craft - March 27, 1915, George C. Powell - March 13, 1915, Harry J. Rockafellow - March 13, 1915, Thomas Rogers - March 13, 1915.

These affiliates along with the brothers raised in the first five classes while under dispensation and the original Charter members became the nucleus of the Charter Members at the time of Tyrian's Consecration, Dedication and Constitution.

8.) Charter Received

On April 15, 1915, at the conclusion of its Dispensation Era, application was made to the Grand Lodge for issuance of a Charter, in accord with its Regulations, which was duly granted at its 134th Annual Convention, on May 6, 1915, and the number "925" assigned, by which number the lodge was henceforth known in the records of Grand Lodge.

The Consecration,Dedication and Constitution of the lodge was held in the Buffalo Consistory House, 168 Delaware Avenue, on May 29, 1915.

The Past Masters and guests were ushered into the Cathedral followed by the officers and members of Tyrian Lodge. RW Robert H. Robinson, Grand Marshal, called the meeting to order and announced that MW George Freifeld, Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York was about to enter. The Grand Master directed the Grand Marshal to escort the Officers of the Grand Lodge to their respective stations and places as follows:

Thomas Penney - Deputy Grand Master, William S. Farmer - Senior Grand Warden, John G. Wallenmeier, Jr. - Junior Grand Warden, William C. Prime - Grand Treasurer, Cyrus L. Barber - Grand Secretary, George F. Williams - Grand Chaplain, Charles W. Philipbar - Grand Standard Bearer, Robert W. Wilson - Grand Sword Bearer, C. Wesley Orr - Grand Sword Bearer, Henry Ullman - Grand Steward, Moses Altman - Grand Steward, Franklin - Grand Steward, Fred L. Hartmeyer - Grand Director of Ceremony, Norman W. Chandler - Grand Director of Ceremony,Wilfred M. Thompson, Junior Grand Deacon, Elmer B. Silver - Grand Librarian and Joseph McElroy - Tiler.

Then, by order of the Grand Master, RW John G. Wallenmeier, Jr., Junior Grand Warden, installed the following Officers of Tyrian Lodge No. 925:

Charles I. Heckman - Worshipful Master, Fred A. Allardt - Senior Warden, Layton H. Vogel - Junior Warden, Samuel H. Tillman - Treasurer, George U. Miller - Secretary, Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrall - Chaplain, Walter C. Coon - Senior Deacon, John Brauer - Junior Deacon, Fred B. Griffith, Jr. - Senior Master of Ceremony, Verne W. Keith - Junior Master of Ceremony, Charles A. Freiberg and Fred W. Diehl -Stewards, Bernard Rummel, Jr. - Marshal, Gust A. Fiscus - Tiler, and Carl Winning - Organist.

9.) The Banquet

After the meeting, the officers and members of Tyrian Lodge, together with their distinguished guests proceeded to the Statler Hotel, where the festivities of this memorable occasion were brought to a close by a pleasurable banquet.

Menu

Crab Flake Cocktail           

Queen Olives          Garden Radishes            

Cream of New Asparagus, Croutons           

Broiled Whitefish, HotellierePommes Duchesse

            Squab Chicken, Stuffed, Au Cresson

Potatoes Fondante          String Beans           

92

Lettuce and Tomato Salade           

Petit Glace           

Gateau Assorti           

Cigars          Cafe Noir          Cigarettes           

Red Wing Grape JuiceCompliments of Granger & Co., Agents

Puritan Food Company

The invocation was given by RW Rev. G. Sherman Burroughs - Past Grand Chaplain, and inspiring toasts were made by MW George Freifeld - Grand Master, RW Thomas Penney - Deputy Grand Master, RW William S. Farmer - Senior Grand Warden, RW William C. Prime - Grand Treasurer, RW Moses Altman - Grand Steward from New York City, Illustrious Eston A. Fletcher - Commander-in-Chief of the Rochester Consistory, and Illustrious George K. Staples - Commander- in Chief of the Buffalo Consistory. Brother J. Thornton Barnsdall, member of Tyrian responded for Tyrian Lodge, with remarks of a particularly pleasing character, during the course of which he laid stress upon the success obtained by the lodge, due to the high degree of harmony and fraternity existing within it, concluding his part in the ceremony by presenting W Charles I. Heckman a silver trowel, as a testimonial of esteem, from his associate officers.

10.) The First Meeting After the Dedication Ceremony was Very Sad

The first meeting of Tyrian Lodge No. 925, after receiving their Charter, was an Emergent Communication, held on Monday afternoon, May 31, 1915. The Lodge was opened on the Third Degree with 51 members present. W Charles I Heckman announced that the Lodge was convened for the purpose of attending the last sad rites in memory of Brother Samuel A. Sully, late member of Hiram Lodge No. 105 and a Charter member of Tyrian Lodge No. 925, who departed this life at midnight of Thursday, May 27, 1915.

The lodge proceeded in body to the Church of Christ, where the funeral sermon was pronounced by Brother Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrall, Chaplain of Tyrian Lodge No. 925, and assisted by Brother Rev. Albert L. Gorin, Chaplain of Hiram Lodge No. 105 and thence to the place of internment at Forest Lawn Cemetery, where the last rites were paid to the memory of the dear departed Brother Sully, conducted by W Loren C. Davenport, Worshipful Master of Hiram Lodge and assisted by W Charles I. Heckman, Worshipful Master of Tyrian Lodge.

The members then returned to the lodge rooms and the lodge was closed in due and ancient form.

At the lodges June 12, 1915 Stated Communication, a Resolution of Sympathy in memory of the late Brother Samuel Arthur Sully was adopted. Brother Sully, a Charter Member and Trustee of Tyrian Lodge possessed the rare ability of winning and holding in the bond of affection all those with whom he came in contact with. He was a staunch and true defender of the principles of Freemasonry, with honor and integrity acknowledged by his business associates and was loyal, reliable and conscientious in the discharge of every known duty. He was greatly missed in all walks of life and the members of the lodge adopted the motion to drape in mourning their Altar, for a period of six months in his memory.

11.) First Class to be Raised after Receiving Charter

The first class to be raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, after the lodge had received their Charter was performed on June 19, 1915, and included the following Brother:

Robert M. MacBean, Eugene L. Perkins, Louis H. Storm, George N. VanVolkenburg, Harrison M. Kollatz

12.) A Gift from the Grand Master

At the meeting of September 11, 1915, the Worshipful Master announced the receipt of a very beautiful set of silver square and compasses, from MW George Freifeld and his Staff, in appreciation for the entertainment offered them, while here at the banquet and at the Consecration, Dedication and Constitution Ceremony.

13.) Tyrian Lodge Affiliates

In the early years, Tyrian Lodge affiliated with two Masonic Bodies. On October 23, 1915, the members adopted a motion to affiliate with the Masonic Employment Bureau, and on January 8, 1916, the members affiliated with the Masonic Relief Association.

14.) First Annual Secretary's Report

The first annual secretary's report was presented to the lodge by Brother George U. Miller, with the following pertinent information:

Cash received since institution of the lodge in 1914 to Dec. 31, 1915 - $ 5,676.75Disbursements by the lodge to December 31, 1915                      -     3,213.05Balance of Cash on Hand in Bank                                               -     $ 2,463.70Total                                                                                         -     $ 5,676.75

Charter Members             59Initiated          85Passed            5Raised                               55Affiliated                              9                                                       123

93

                    Deceased                             2                     Total Master Masons         121Deceased Members:Samuel A. Sully     -  Died May 27, 1915George J. Miller     -   Died November 14, 1915

15.) Limiting the Number of Brothers Raised in One Year

In these early years, Tyrian Lodge was growing stronger and stronger and petitions were coming in faster than the lodge could process them, so the lodge adopted a resolution effective 1 Nov 1916, to limit the number of brothers raised in one year to 50.

16.) Charity and Relief for Members and Dependents

Tyrian Lodge members had the foresight to see the need of a fund, for the purpose of dispensing charity and relief among their members and those legally dependent upon them, so on November 25, 1916, the lodge adopted a resolution to raise the annual dues from $5.00 to $7.00, where the $2.00 increase would be credited to a separate fund, to be called the "Emergency Fund," which was to be governed by three elected Trustees of the Fund and be administered by them with no limitations by the lodge of their decisions. This resolution would become effective on January 1, 1917.

17.) Proficiency in Masonic Ritual

W Charles I Heckman, Tyrian's first Worshipful Master under dispensation and during 1915 and 1916, was an organizer, ritualist and historian. He required of his officers to be 100% proficient in Masonic Ritual. It wasn't unusual for an officer to walk into lodge and be expected to fill any station or place, or put on any degree without previous warning. This effort continued even after he had become a Past Master of the lodge, as proven by the request of the School of Instruction, to have Tyrian's Officers exemplify the Fellowcraft Degree before the school on January 30, 1917, which at that time was held in the Masonic Temple at 43 Niagara Street.

18.) First Honorary Members

On May 12, 1917, Tyrian presented their first Honorary membership certificates. They were presented to five brother masons who had assisted the lodge on several occasions, which included, the organizing ceremonies in 1914, installation of lodge officers each successive year and taking part in degree work, as they were doing on that particular occasion. Certificates were presented to the following brothers:

RW Elias Haffa                    RW John G. Wallenmeier, Jr.RW Robert L. Kinberley       RW William H. Ellis

RW Henry Schaefer was also to receive an honorary membership certificate, but he departed this life before this could be done. The lodge at that time offered a moment of silent prayer in the memory of RW Brother Schaefer.

One other brother was to receive an honorary membership certificate and this was done on June 16, 1917. The recipient was RW Martin H. Blecher.

19.) Tyrian Chapter No. 610, O.E.S.

Tyrian Lodge was invited to attend the organization ceremonies of a new Order of the Eastern Star Chapter, to be known as Tyrian Chapter No. 610. This meeting was held at Highland Temple on June 25, 1917, with many of Tyrian Lodge members in attendance. Tyrian Chapter was to be very instrumental in assisting Tyrian lodge in many of their endeavors throughout the early years.

20.) The First Grand Lodge Appointment

On December 1, 1917, an unexpected event took place at the lodge meeting. Three knocks on the outer door were heard from within. When the alarm was answered, RW William H. Ellis, Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of New York, anounced that MW  Thomas Penney, Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York was about to enter. The Grand Master was then escorted to the East, where he was received on Grand Honors, under the direction of the Grand Marshal. The Grand Master then addressed the members of the Lodge and presented W Charles I. Heckman credentials as Representative of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, thereby making Worshipful Brother Heckman, Tyrian Lodges first RW Brother.

21.) A Fund to Support the Brethren Serving their Country

In those trying times when the United States of America was engaged in the World War, the Grand Master requested the lodges to support a fund drive to raise $1,000,000.00 to assist our brethren serving their country. Tyrian Lodge responded by passing a resolution, that each member was to contribute an amount equal to one days pay, payable in four quarterly installments, the first being due on January 1, 1918. Tyrian Lodge members came through with flying colors.

22.) Tyrian Lodge War Committee

Tyrian Lodge also formed a "War Committee," to look after the needs and welfare of any of their own members who were called on, in that time of War.Throughout the War years, this committee kept in touch with all members, assisted their families when requested, and encouraged the members wives and Tyrian Chapter, OES members to knit sweaters and socks for the servicemen, which they did enthusiastically. The War Committee prepared Christmas boxes for their members in the service, which the ladies also contributed to, by donating towels, wash clothes, soap, candy, cigars, canned fruit and jelly.

94

The number of Tyrian Lodge members serving their country, continued to grow, and it became necessary for the Worshipful Master to appoint 50 additional brothers to the War Committee. Each of these brothers were given the names of two servicemen, which they were to correspond with, and from time to time report to the lodge on their endeavors.

23.)  Victory Loan Committee

Throughout the War time period, Tyrian Lodge continued to give their support, by purchasing War Savings Stamps and Liberty Bonds, through the efforts of the Victory Loan Committee, appointed by the Worshipful Master, raised $9,500.00, which was the largest amount any of the many Fraternal organizations in their area had accomplished.

24.) Charity

In those early years, Tyrian Lodge supported many charitable organizations, including: The YMCA, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. Also, each year, just before Christmas, the lodge contributed as much as $100.00 each to the following children's homes:The Protestant Home for Unprotected Children.The Buffalo Orphan Asylum.The Masonic Home in Utica.

Also, each year at Christmas, the Worshipful Master would appoint a committee, headed by Brother Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrall, to distribute Christmas baskets for the needy. W Layton H. Vogel eloquently stated, "During our times of hardship, let us not forget, especially during this great War, our duty is to give, to serve and to pray."

25.) Petitions for New Lodges

Several groups of brother Masons presented petitions, praying for a dispensation to form a new Lodge. The first request came on November 11, 1917, from Brothers Joseph C. Wallace, John J. Price and Glenn A. Irving, who were named on the petition of the proposed "Equality Lodge," as the Master and Wardens of said lodge. On December 8, 1917, these three brothers returned to the lodge and exemplified the work on the three degrees of Masonry. The lodge members being satisfied with their work, issued a certificate of proficiency, for these brothers to send to Grand Lodge along with their petition. On January 16, 1918, they received their dispensation, and on February 6, 1918, Tyrian Lodge members extended to the new lodge best wishes, at an unofficial visit to Equality Lodge UD, held in their hall at Elam Place and Crescent Avenue. On May 29, 1918, the lodge was granted a Charter, but their name was changed to Lakeland Lodge, with the number "952" assigned.

On September 13, 1919, the second petition was presented to the lodge, by James M. Todd, Henry C. Young, Arthur A. Tarrant and 95 others, and read, asking for the recommendation of Tyrian Lodge, to sign a letter of dispensation empowering the petitioners to assemble as a regular lodge, located in Buffalo and to be known as "Levant Lodge." The lodge granted their request on September 27, 1919, and wished Brother Todd and his fellow petitioners every success in their undertaking.

The third petition was presented on October 9, 1920 by Brother Chester R. Oschuetz, signed by 40 brothers praying for a dispensation to form a lodge, to meet at Delta Hall on the corner of East Utica and Fillmore Avenues, to be known as "Theodore Roosevelt Lodge." On November 27, 1920, Brothers Chester R. Oschuetz, Edward F. Reppenhagen and George W. Woltz returned to the lodge and exemplified the work in the three degrees of Masonry, after which the members of Tyrian Lodge  granted the necessary certificate on their proficiency. When the lodge received their Charter, the name was changed to East Gate Lodge and the number "980" assigned.

26.) Degree Proficiency Shown

At the Grand Lecturer's Convention on March 30, 1918, Tyrian Lodge Officers, David C. Henzler, Jr. and George N. VanVolkenburg exemplified the Fellowcraft lecture and were highly complimented by the Grand Lecturer. Then in November 1918, W Layton H. Vogel was appointed Assistant Grand Lecturer for the 1st Erie District. Again showing the Tyrian Lodge had well qualified brothers in their line.

27.) Interest in the Community

Due to Tyrian Lodge's location, and the closeness of their members, the lodge became a family affair and the social center of the community. Dances, family picnics and stags were the order of the day. The sick and visitation committee was very active (this included all members of the lodge), and reported to the lodge at each meeting the condition of their members health. Flowers and fruit baskets were sent out and many visits were made by all.

28.) A Special Emergent Communication

On November 9, 1919, a Special Emergent Communication was called for the purpose of paying the last earthly homage to Brother Gordon W. Adams.

Senior Warden Charles A. Freiberg addressed the Lodge and made some very beautiful remarks in memory of their deceased brother and pointed out that he was a man and Mason in the true sense of the word, and then many other Brothers added fitting remarks.

The Lodge then adjourned to allow the brethren to take part in the Funeral Ceremonies at the home of the late Brother Gordon and after viewing the remains, accompanied the same to Forest Lawn Cemetery on a chartered IRC streetcar for that purpose, where the last Masonic Rites were performed by the Worshipful Master Verne W. Keith. During the Ceremonies a Masonic Quartet sang several verses of that beautiful hymn "Abide with Me."

29.) More Petitions for New Lodges

Tyrian Lodge continued to support their brethren in the city, when they presented petitions to form a new lodge, as shown in the following paragraphs.

95

On June 11, 1921, a petition signed by 21 brothers, presented to the members of Tyrian Lodge by Brothers Arthur C. Wende, Wright H. Austin and John H. Feigel, asking the lodge to recommend their petition for dispensation to organize a lew lodg in the Kensington District of the City, to be called "Northeast Lodge." The membership was summoned to the lodge on September 10, 1921, for the purpose of recommending this group, to form a new lodge, in which the lodge so granted.

Then, on June 5, 1922, a petition signed by 57 brothers from this jurisdiction requesting a dispensation to form a lodge, to be called "Christopher G. Fox Lodge," was read, with Brothers Joseph T. Baldwin named as the first Master, Harry J Heath, Senior Warden and Richard E. Jacobson, Junior Warden. Tyrian Lodge granted the approval on June 19, 1922, to these brothers.

The last request the lodge received in those early years, was on December 4, 1922, when a petition signed by 39 brothers from this jurisdiction, presented by Brothers Joseph L. Blaney, Ernst Landus and Frank H. Long was received. This lodge was to be called "Ashler Lodge," and Tyrian Lodge granted their request on February 19, 1923. When this lodge received their Warrant, the name they were to be known as was changed to Emulation Lodge No. 1022.

30.) Tyrian's Temple Committee

The membership of Tyrian Lodge fully realized the pressing need for a home and Temple of their own. They authorized W Bernard Rummel, Jr., at a meeting held on March 12, 1921, to appoint a committee to take this matter in hand and report back to the lodge for further action. The Worshipful Master appointed the committee at the same meeting. With a deep appreciation of the responsibility resting upon this committee, they believed prompt and immediate action was necessary.

The first important action taken was a referendum vote, which was carried by over 85% of the total membership in favor of a purely Temple proposition. The committee, working along this line of endeavor, obtained options on many pieces of vacant and improved property, some sites being desirable and some not.

On May 9, 1921, the entire committee met (65 Men present) at the Buffalo Consistory House. The site committee presented 12 sites. After thorough and careful discussion, it was decided to recommend 7 of the 12 sites suggested, to the lodge for further consideration and action.

31.) First Site Approved

On June 11, 1921, the 7 different sites were presented to the lodge and after lengthy discussion, site number 7, on Humboldt Parkway near Brunswick Blvd. was finally and unanimously adopted. The committee immediately started negotiations and obtaining an option on this piece of land. Indications lead them too believe that while there were restrictions on the parcel of land, they would however have no difficulty in negotiating for and securing the necessary signatures from the adjoining property owners, to permit Tyrian Lodge to build a new Temple there. After considerable effort the committee was only partially successful in securing unanimous consent, for the reason that one of the adjacent property owners would not give his approval.

The committee met again in the fall of 1921 and in view of the enormous depression in business and the great unemployment problem approaching, it was unanimously deemed advisable to let the question rest and to be again considered at a more appropriate and opportune time.

32.) Temple Fund Campaign

In connection with the Temple proposition it was unanimously decided at one of the lodge meetings, to conduct a financial campaign and that the members be given an opportunity to subscribe towards this project. Consequently a financial campaign committee was appointed and when the final report was made to the lodge, it was found that approximately $25,000.00 had been subscribed and an additional $5,000.00 was promised when some definite and tangible proposition was adopted.

33.) Second Site Approved

On June 19, 1922, a second site location was presented to the lodge. The committee recommended the purchase of a piece of property, located at 538 Linwood Avenue, after considerable discussion, a motion was made by RW Charles I. Heckman, the report of the committee, adopted and its recommendations concurred by the lodge. The motion was carried, 88 to 9.

 34.) Bazaar and Theatre Party Proved Very Successful

Tyrian Lodge members continued to prepare for the time when they would finally purchase property for their Temple. The lodge tried many different ways to raise funds for their Temple, with the two most successful ways being theatre parties and a week long bazaar. The bazaar was the brainchild of W Jay G. Roberts, Worshipful Master of the lodge in that year. He presented his plans to Tyrian's Fellowcraft Team, who in turn appointed Brother Ward B. Arbury general chairman and organizer. On October 2, 1922, he announced to the lodge, that the bazaar would be held on December 4th thru 8th, at the Metropolitan Hall, West Utica and Main Streets. The highlight of the bazaar was the raffling off of a snappy, bright red, Buick Convertible, which was on display in front of Metropolitan Hall. The success of the bazaar was due mainly because of the teamwork between Tyrian's Fellowcraft Team and the members of Tyrian Chapter No. 610 OES. Tyrian Chapter had only been organized for a few years, but was a strong supporter of Tyrian Lodge. Many of the early Patrons of the Chapter were husbands and members of Tyrian Lodge. Their efforts paid off, as shown, when on February 5, 1923, Brother Arbury made his report to the Lodge, of the activities of the Fellowcraft Team during 1922, which covered a theatre party and bazaar, and at the conclusion of the report, he presented $10,000.00, which was the profits made on these two functions. $9,000.00 came from the bazaar and $1,000.00 from the theatre party. A theatre party was held again the following year, as reported at the May 13, 1924 meeting of the lodge, which also had a profit of $1,000.00.

35.) Third Site Approved and Purchased

96

After the unsuccessful efforts to acquire the property at 538 Linwood Avenue, the Temple committee continued their search for an ideal location for a Temple, and on April 2, 1923, they recommended a site which seemed to present the greatest possibilities.

36.) Fund Raising Plan

On September 15, 1923, a committee of five was appointed by the Worshipful Master, to formulate a plan in connection with raising funds for their new home. Then on June 10, 1924, the committee presented a plan, which was accepted by the Lodge, and on June 24, 1924, the following resolution was adopted:

   Whereas: The purchase of and alterations to Tyrian Lodge have made necessary the raising of a sum of money approximating $35,000.00 and

  Whereas: The Temple Fund Committee and the Trustees of Tyrian Lodge have presented a plan for raising the amount of money through the issuance of serial  gold notes, and this plan has been regularly accepted by the members of the lodge at a meeting held, June 10, 1924.

Now therefore be it resolved, that the Trustees of Tyrian Lodge be and hereby are authorized to issue promissory gold notes in the total sum of $35,000.00,in the name of the lodge and that said issue shall consist of seven hundred notes of the denomination of fifty dollars each, numbered serially from "one" to "seven hundred," to be and become due and payable thirty five years from the date thereof; excepting, however, that each year beginning on October 1, 1925, at least $1,000.00 in principal amount of these notes shall be retired by lot at their face value plus a premium of two and one half percent. The drawing by lot of aforesaid notes shall take place at a regular communication of the lodge next preceding the aforesaid date and if sufficient funds are in hand, the Trustees of the lodge shall have the right to retire by lot such additional amount of notes, as they may decide on the date of the drawing.

    Furthermore, in the event of the death of the holder of one or more of the notes, such notes shall be retired on request of their heir or heirs of such holder within thirty (30) days, or as soon thereafter as the necessary funds can be provided.

    Each note shall be issued with forty semi-annual coupons bearing interest at the rate of four percent, and the holder of any note which shall not have been retired by lot at the date when the last coupon shall have matured, shall be entitled to exchange such note for another note of like amount with coupons running to the final due date of the issue, but no interest shall be allowed on any note of this issue after said note shall have been called for payment.

    Each note shall be signed by the Master of the Lodge and by the three Trustees of the Lodge and each coupon shall bear the facsimile of the signature of the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees. Each note and coupon shall be payable at such Bank as the Board of Trustees shall designate as their paying agent.

37.) Move to Tyrian's New Temple

Also, on June 24, 1924, a motion was presented, to move to their new Temple, on East Utica and Purdy Streets, effective September 1, 1924.

At the first meeting in their new Temple, the entire membership was overwhelmed by the excellence of the design and how beautiful it was decorated. The architect and designer of the Lodge, Brother William C. Lurkey, a member of Tyrian Lodge was in attendance, and was the recipient of enthusiastic acknowledgment of thunderous applause, for his efforts.

38.) Dedication of Tyrian's New Temple

The Dedication, Consecration and Constitution of Tyrian Temple was held on Tuesday evening, September 30, 1924, by MW Thomas Penney. A beautiful program was presented by the Past Grand Master, in which he scattered the corn, sprinkled the wine and poured the oil. The Trustees of the Lodge at the time of the Dedication were as follows:

William G. Bishop - Chairman    RW Charles I. Heckman    W Charles A. Freiberg

After the ceremony at the Temple, a dedication banquet was held in the Social Hall in the Central Church of Christ, at East Ferry Street and Lonsdale Road. The speakers at the banquet were RW Rev. Charles D. Broughton - Grand Chaplain, RW Franklin R. Brown and W Charles A. Freiberg.

39.) Renovation of Tyrian Temple

The members enjoyed their Temple in the years that followed, then on April 23, 1929, RW Charles I. Heckman introduced and moved the following resolution which was carried unanimously:

        Whereas - the demands upon the recreational facilities of the lodge are becoming increasingly difficult to meet and

        Whereas - it is a potent fact that exceedingly discomfort is experienced because of inadequate recreational facilities and

        Whereas - the continued use of the lodge room for recreational purposes will in due course bring about severe deterioration therefor be it

        Resolved - that the Master, Wardens and Trustees, composing a committee, be and they are hereby authorized to have plans and specifications prepared for the alteration of the second floor of our building, to provide an assembly room that will accommodate approximately 300 people, with necessary wardrobe space, said plans and specifications, with cost of same, to be presented to the lodge for approval at the regular communication, Tuesday, May 14, 1929, and be it further

97

        Resolved - that to cover the expense of the alterations, a sum not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) be appropriated as a loan from the Emergency Fund.

40.) Temple Alterations Completed

On September 10, 1929, W Oscar H. Hollstein announced that the alterations to the second floor of the Temple had been completed and the banquet hall finished in accordance with the resolution passed by the lodge at the April 23, 1929 communication.

41.) Gold Notes Paid Off

By April 1, 1939, all the Gold Notes were paid off. This was in part due to the tremendous support of Tyrian Chapter No. 610, OES. Throughout those early years, the Chapter had contributed well over $10,000.00 towards the improvements and the mortgage of Tyrian Lodge.

42.) Tyrian Helping Their Tenants

During the hard times, especially during the depression years, Tyrian Lodge had lowered the rent of their many tenants, when it had become almost impossible for those groups to pay their full years lease agreement. Not all groups survived those groups to pay their full years lease agreement. Not all groups survived those trying times, but Tyrian Lodge helped to keep most of them together, with thoughtfulness and support.

43.) Tenants of the Lodge Rooms

Tyrian Lodge No. 925, F& AM                 Christopher G. Fox Lodge No. 1021, F& AMSalome Chapter No. 311, OES               Osseo Chapter No. 386, OESTyrian Chapter No. 610, OES                  Betsy Ross Chapter No. 699, OESStarlight Chapter No. 731, OES               Barbara Frietchie Chapter No. 738, OESRevera Chapter No. 807, OES                 Queen Louise Court No. 28, Order of Amaranth Buffalo Court No. 85, O of A                    Versailles Court No. 123, O of AGermania Chapter No. 256, RAM            Covenant Chapter No. 12, RAMGamma Triangle No. 60                          Ailiamsi Court No. 12, LOSNABuffalo Forest No. 92 Tall Cedars of Lebanon     Fidelity Council No. 6, Universal Craftsmen Council of EngineersP36 Craftsmen Club                               Engineers Club of BuffaloOdin Lodge No. 156 Sons of Norway       Zuleika Caldron No. 62, Daughters of Mokanna

44.) Cornerstone Laying of Our Chaplain's Church

One of the most heart warming ceremonies the Tyrian Lodge members participated in, almost didn't come about. On April 3, 1922, one of the lodges Charter member and very active Chaplain, Brother Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrall, Pastor of the Church of Christ, requested Tyrian Lodge to Lay the Cornerstone of their new Church on East Ferry Street. The Worshipful Master Jay G. Roberts, informed the members of the lodge, that we could not comply with his request, as the ceremony could only be done by Grand Lodge or a Provisional Grand Lodge. But, on May 28, 1922, with the help of RW Frederick W. Standart, acting as Grand Master, formed a Provisional Grand Lodge with the Past Masters, Officers and members of Tyrian Lodge taking part in the Ceremony, and then on June 19, 1922, W Jay G. Roberts on behalf of Tyrian Lodge, donated to Brother Rev. Ferrall, a memorial window in his new Church, then being erected.

45.) Tyrian's Sportsmen

Tyrian's Fellowcraft Team was very active in the early years of the lodge, as shown in the organizing of the Bowling Team in 1923, in which they won the Buffalo Evening News Trophy, the first two years in a row, and also in the Masonic Baseball League of Erie County, which was formed in 1924.

Brother Clarence R. Holmes from Tyrian, along with William H. Muth of Modestia Lodge No. 340, Alvin Reuss of Harmonie Lodge No. 699 and Eugene H. Miannay of Mystic Art Lodge No. 899, organized the Masonic Hardball League. In the first year, there were six teams, consisting of Harmonie Lodge No. 699, Mystic Art Lodge No. 899, East Gate Lodge No. 980, Buffalo Lodge No. 340 and Tyrian Lodge No. 925. By 1927 there were two leagues of eight teams each. Brother Sam Davison was Tyrian's Team Captain for many years.

For several years there was an inter city championship, between Cleveland, Ohio and Buffalo, New York. Although in the depression years of 1929 and 1930 the participation decreased. Baseball once again gained support, but, this time it became a softball league in which it stayed active into the 1980's.

Tyrian also supported a basketball team in those early years of the lodge, and it was reported as having good games along with some bad ones.

Many Trophies were won by these early sportsmen of Tyrian Lodge, although some of them have been lost through the passing of time.

46.) More Honorary Members

Tyrian Lodge again presented several brothers with honorary membership certificates. They were presented to MW Thomas Penney, Grand Master, on May 15, 1922, RW Charles F. Adams, Past Master of Washington Lodge No. 240, who was instrumental in obtaining the Charter for Tyrian Lodge, and RW Rev. Charles D.Broushton, Grand Chaplain, who had always been a willing friend and supporter of Tyrian Lodge, both received their certificates on September 18, 1922. RW Frederick L. Hartmayer received his on January 14, 1936. RW Brother Hartmayer had installed all Secretaries of Tyrian Lodge Since its inception.

98

On May 14, 1940, MW Dana B. Hellings, Grand Master, RW James W. Persons, Grand Marshal and RW Henry W. Nachbar, who assisted in Tyrian Lodges organization in 1915 and many other events, were elected to be honorary members.

47.) Rededication  Program

On March 9, 1937 being the communication set aside by the Grand Master as Rededication Night in Tyrian Lodge the roll call of membership was called by the Secretary, to which 78 answered present.

The Worshipful Master, W Howard R. Stesel stated the purpose of the Rededication Service and presented the Gavel to the first Master of our Lodge, RW Charles I. Heckman. After a brief greeting by RW Heckman the program laid down by the Grand Master for this occasion was followed.

Prayer of Dedication by our Chaplain - Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrall.Hymn - (Members sing) - “Oh, God Our Help in Ages Past.”

FIRST DEGREEObligation given by W Harrison L. Barclay

to Brother Harold W. Huntley and Audience Repeats.Hymn - (Members sing) - “Lead, Kindly Light.”

Presentation of Apron - W Verne W. Keith.Presentation of Working Tools - Brother Howard Barton.

Entered Apprentice Charge - Brother Louis Burman.Hymn - (Members sing) - “Faith of Our Fathers.”

SECOND DEGREEObligation given by W George N. VanVolkenburgto Brother Stewart Smith and Audience Repeats.

Hymn - (Members sing) - “Abide With Me.”Presentation of Working Tools - Brother Louis Ford.

Fellowcraft Charge - Brother D. Hobart Hyde.Hymn - (Members sing) - “Home Sweet Home.”

THIRD DEGREEObligation given by W Oscar H. Hollstein

to Brother Park F. Pierce and Audience Repeats.Hymn - (Members sing) - “Holy, Holy, Holy.”

Presentation of Working Tools - Brother Charles Butler.Master Mason Charge - Brother Robert N. Chapman.Hymn - (Members sing) - “Nearer My God to Thee.”

RW Charles I. Heckman, in his Rededication Address, congratulated those who took part, and spoke of the reason for this Service, and gave a very splendid definition of Masonry, and brought most vividly to our attention our duties as Masons.

48.) Tyrian Lodge Chaplain Honored

Brother Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrell was honored on December 28, 1937, for being Tyrian Lodges beloved Chaplain for 23 years. He was then presented a Life Membership Certificate, as a token of affection, from the members of the lodge. Brother Ferrall accepted he Life Membership with humility and expressed his heartfelt thanks.

49.) Twenty-Fifth Anniversary

On the evening of May 28, 1940, Tyrian Lodge held their Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Consecration, Dedication and Constitution Ceremony. There were 319 members and visitors present for the ceremony. W Clarence R. Holmes, Worshipful Master, invited RW Charles I. Heckman, first Worshipful Master of Tyrian Lodge, to be the Master of Ceremony for the evenings event. RW Brother Heckman, after being escorted to the East and presented with the Gavel of Tyrian Lodge, proceeded with the ceremonies of the evening, by introducing Tyrian Lodge's first officers, and asked them to occupy their original stations and places as follows:

RW Frederick E.A. Allardt - Senior Warden, W Layton H. Vogel - Junior Warden, Brother Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrall, Chaplain, W. Walter C. Coon - Senior Deacon, W Verne W. Keith - Senior Master of Ceremony, RW Charles A. Freiberg - Junior Master of Ceremony, W Bernard Rummel, Jr. - Marshal.

Prayer was then offered by Brother Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrall, after which the ceremonies of the evening continued as follows:

RW Jay G. Roberts escorted into the lodge and presented RW Carroll H. Hall, DDGM od rgw 1st Erie District and RW Milton M. Phillips, DDGM of the 2nd Erie District. These distinguished guests were conducted to the East and received with Grand Honors.

RW Ward B. Arbury then escorted into the lodge and presented six honorary members of Tyrian Lodge as follows: RW Elias Haffa, RW Robert L. Kimberley, RW Frederick E.A. Allardt, RW Rev. Charles D. Broughton, RW Frederick L. Hartmeyer and RW Henry W. Nachbar.

At that time RW Nachbar was presented his Honorary Membership Certificate, which he graciously accepted.

W Ray A. Stutzman escorted into the lodge and presented the following brothers who were raised by RW Brother Heckman, while the lodge was under dispensation in 1914 and 1915: Arthur J. Peck, William A. Goetzman, Edward L. Smith, Reverand Benjamin S. Ferrall, William C. Theobald, Henry J. Helfrich, Charles A. Weil, Bernard F. Boldt, George C. Dechert, Fred W. Keipper and John G. Lesswing.

W William P. Clothier escorted into the lodge and presented the following brothers, who were Charter Members of the Lodge: RW Charles I. Heckman, RW Frederick E.A. Allardt, W Layton H. Vogel, RW Charles A. Freiberg, W Verne W. Keith, W Bernard

99

Rummel, Jr., Jacob Harris, Albert F. Glassman, William E. Heiser, John H. Menz, W Walter C. Coon, August Uhl, Stewart Smith, Christ Venherm, RW Jay G. Roberts, Frank Smith, Edward C. Nagel and Samuel Johnson.

RW Frederick E.A. Allardt, who was a Past Master of John Stewart Lodge No. 821, Mount Vernon, NY, before joining Tyrian, and the first Senior Warden of Tyrian Lodge was then introduced. He expressed his pleasure at being present, as one of the founders of Tyrian Lodge and congratulated the lodge on its success during their 25 years of service.

RW Brother Heckman then presented RW Rev. Charles D. Broughton, Grand Chaplain, who delivered an address on "Looking Forward," and inspired the brethren present, as individuals and as lodges to face the future with Faith, Courage and Persistence.

Congratulatory telegrams were received from the Worthy Matron of Tyrian Chapter No. 610, OES and from several members to Tyrian Lodge who extended best wishes, together with regrets for their inability to attend the 25th Anniversary, which included: Charles P. Loersch of East Aurora, John A. Weiman of Los Angeles, California, Thomas J. Renolds of Hamburg, Bert L. Liles of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Herbert L. Brayer of East Orange, New Jersey, Leslie G. Neil of Rochester, Richard W. Weide of Buffalo, Mrs Ethel M. Temple for Ray J. Temple of Medford, Massachusetts, Alfred L. Cummings of Ely, Nevada, William L. Pfeiffer of San Francisco, California. George U. Miller of Buffalo and Walter E. Schaefer of Miami, Florida.

The benediction was then pronounced by RW Rev. Charles D. Broughton, after which, RW Brother Heckman returned the Gavel to W Clarence R. Holmes, again expressing his appreciation and thanking the brothers for their attendance and cooperation.

The Worshipful Master thanked RW Brother Heckman and the other brothers who contributed to the success of their 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Music for the evening was furnished for the Celebration by Brothers Herman Gahwe and Fenwick A. Newall, accompanied by Brother Harry W. Whitney.

The music for the opening and closing of the Lodge, was by Brother John M. Avery and W Robert N. Chapman.

50.) More Honorary Membership Certificates Presented

On November 25, 1941, W Basil S. McMillian announced that their meeting, was to honor their Honorary Members, and present Honorary Membership Certificates to those who had not as yet received them.

The ceremony began when RW Charles I. Heckman escorted into the lodge and presented several RW Brothers who were also Honorary Members of Tyrian Lodge. These brothers were escorted to the East and individually introduced by the Worshipful Master.

RW Ward B. Arbury then escorted into the Lodge and presented MW Dana B. Hellings, Junior Past Grand Master of the State of New York and RW James W. Persons, Past Grand Marshal, who were elected Honorary members of Tyrian Lodge and were there to receive their certificates. They were both elected to be honorary members, on May 14, 1940.

RW Jay G. Roberts presented, in a very eloquent manner, the Honorary Membership Certificates to MW Brother Hellings and RW Brother Persons, after which they graciously accepted their membership in the Lodge, with words of grateful appreciation.

RW Brother Heckman then spoke on "Honorary Membership" and "Service," which every one should try to emulate.

51.) RW Ward B. Arbury, Junior Grand Warden Honored

June 13, 1944 was the evening set aside to honor RW Ward B. Arbury, recently installed Junior Grand Warden of the State of NY.

The ceremonies commenced when W Albert H. Hunt, escorted inyo the lodge and presented a splendid delegation of present and past Grand Lodge Officers, who were there to do honor to the new Junior Grand Warden. These distinguished guests were welcomed by the Worshipful Master, Charles H. Kunzelman and were received on Grand Honors.

RW Richard M. Rittig, RW Wesley M. Backus and RW Robert Richie, District Deputy Grand Masters of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Erie Districts, entered the lodge under the escort of W George N. VanVolkenburg. This ver distinguished group of personal representatives of the Grand Master, MW Charles W. Froessel were escorted to the East and were received on Grand Honors, after being cordially welcomed.

MW Dana B. Hellings, Past Grand Master accompanied by RW James W. Persons, Past Grand Marshal, entered the lodge, escorted by W Basil S. McMillan. RW Brother Persons presented the Past Grand Master, then were invited to the East and received Grand Honors.

RW Jay G. Roberts announced the evenings program, which commenced with a prayer by the Grand Chaplain, RW Rev. Charles D. Broughton, followed by a welcome song by the chorister, Brother John M. Avery.

W Oscar H. Hollstein traced the Masonic History of RW Brother Arbury, from the time he presented his petition for membership in Tyrian Lodge , to his installation as Junior Warden.

MW Dana B Hellings, gave a congratulatory address to RW Brother Arbury and to the Lodge, and told of the personal qualifications of the Junior Grand Warden.

RW Charles I. Heckman, then presented RW Ward B Arbury, his Junior Grand Warden Apron, in a very eloquent manner, in which he excepted the gift from the lodge, very graciously, and spoke of the opportunities that surround Masonry. He presented some interesting facts relative to our ritual and some thoughts and suggestions relative to the application of Masonry, to present day needs. He then thanked the visiting brethren for their attendance, which made the occasion a pleasant one.

52.) RW George N. VanVolkenburg, Grand Director of Ceremony Honored

100

On September 10, 1946, RW Ward B. Arbury, Junior Grand Warden was invited by the Worshipful Master, W D. Hobart Hyde, to present RW George N. Van Volkenburg his Director of Ceremony Apron.

Brother Harry D. Simonton, Senior Deacon, escorted into the lodge and presented RW Brother VanVolkenburg. He was cordially welcomed by the Worshipful Master, then escorted to the East and accorded Grand Honors.

RW Brother Arbury presented the Grand Director of Ceremony Apron to RW George N. VanVolkenburg in a very eloquent manner, and pointed out that Masonry was a selective group of men, and added, that when a brother was chosen by the Grand Master, from this selective group, the lodge as well as the brother should feel that they were indeed honored. RW Brother Arbury continued and gave a brief history of the Masonic activities of RW Brother VanVolkenburg, and expressed his pleasure and satisfaction in his appointment to that high position.

RW George N. VanVolkenburg accepted the gift with gratitude, and pledged his best efforts to the service of the lodge and of the Fraternity.

53.) RW Ward B. Arbury, Senior Grand Warden Honored

RW Ward B. Arbury was once again honored in the lodge rooms of Tyrian Lodge, which was held on October 26, 1948. He had been elected to the office of Senior Grand Warden, at the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, in May.

Large delegations from the 1948 Wardens and Masters Association, Past Masters and Past Grand Lodge Officers were escorted into and presented to the lodge, and were cordially welcomed by the Worshipful Master, W Sherwood J. Fraser.

W Clarence R. Holmes escorted into the lodge RW Milford H. Whitmer, DDGM of the 1st Erie District, who was conducted to the East and accorded Grand Honors.

W Harrison L. Barclay then escorted into the lodge and presented RW Jay G. Roberts, Chairman of the Trustes of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund. He was also cordially welcomed and received on Grand Honors.

MW Dana B. Hellings, Past Grand Master, entered the lodge under the escort of W. Bernard Rummel, Jr. He was conducted to the East and welcomed by the Worshipful Master, then accorded Grand Honors.

RW George N. VanVolkenburg escorted into the lodge the honored guest of the evening, RW Ward B. Arbury, who was conducted to the East and accorded Grand Honors. RW Brother VanVolkenburg then traced the Masonic History of the Senior Grand Warden from his early years in Tyrian Lodge to his new Grand Lodge Office.

MW Dana B. Hellings, who was the guest speaker for the evening, was then introduced to the lodge. He spoke of the time and effort necessary to be given a brother to attain the office of Grand Master, and that Tyrian Lodge should be very grateful to RW Brother Arbury for the time and effort being spent by his in his advancement in the Grand Line. The pride of the Masons in our District in having a Senior Grand Warden was also mentioned.

The capacity of learning, brought to the office of Grand Warden, by RW Brother Arbury was praised, and it was that the Wardens of the lodges could well take example by these attributes displayed by the Senior Grand Warden. The steady and sincere efforts, and common sense being exerted by the Senior Grand Warden, was lauded, and that these qualities, coupled with his enthusiasm made RW War B. Arbury an outstanding Grand Lodge Officer.

RW Jay G Roberts presented a gift from the Lodge to RW Brother Arbury, as a token of their esteem and gratitude. He thanked the lodge and spoke of the pleasure he had experienced in the evening testimonial, and expressed gratitude to MW Dana B. Hellings for his splendid address. He also spoke of the Masonic Work of Tyrian Lodge, and expressed his appreciation for the friendship he had formed in the lodge, as well as throughout the State.

During the ceremonies of the evening, appropriate music was rendered by Brothers Albert R. Hippchen, Chorister and Henry F. Boge, Organist.

54.) Another Petition for A New Lodge

On June 14, 1949, the secretary read a communication from a group of Masons, living in or near Kenmore, NY, who were praying for a dispensation form a new lodge in that village. In connection with the request, the secretary presented the following resolution:

Resolved, that Tyrian Lodge recommends the petition of Brothers Lionel E. Dodd, Vincent J. Loughlin, Frank E. Holland and others, praying for a dispensation to establish a new lodge at Kenmore, NY, by the name of Kenmore Lodge and recommends the prayer of the petition be granted.

The motion was made by W Albert H. Hunt, duly seconded and carried that the resolution be adopted.

Continued . . .

1.) Special Service Fund

In the year 1949, the By-Laws revision committee, after careful consideration and long study, recommended the following addition, which they deemed beneficial to the lodge as a whole:

    Resolved, there be paid into a Special Service Fund $2.00 from the annual dues of each member of the lodge, but at the end of each fiscal year any total sums in such fund in excess of $5,000.00 shall be transferred to the Emergency Fund. That the moneys in this Special Service Fund be deposited in a special fund in a bank designated by the lodge, and withdrawals subject to the signature of all three administrators.

101

    That such Special Service Fund shall be used in the discretion of the Administrators for such special purposes as may be deemed necessary or requested to help, aid or assist any member of Tyrian Lodge, his, widow and/or orphans.

    On November 8, 1949, the members of Tyrian Lodge were summoned to attend a regular communication for the purpose of taking action on the addition to the By-Laws.

The motion was made by W Clarence R. Holmes, chairman of said committee, duly seconded and carried.

The committee consisted of the following brothers: W Clarence R. Holmes, RW George N. VanVolkenburg, W Howard R. Stesel, Oswald H. Buresch and Joseph A. Reeves.

2.) RW Albert H. Hunt, DDGM, Honored

On September 12, 1950, Tyrian Lodge honored, RW Albert H. Hunt, recently appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the 2nd Erie District.

RW Ward B. Arbury escorted into the lodge and presented RW Brother Hunt, his Grand Lodge Apron, in behalf of Tyrian Lodge, after he was received on Grand Honors. RW Brother Arbury also eulogized the Past Grand Lodge Officers from Tyrian Lodge, many of whom have passed away.

RW Albert H. Hunt very graciously accepted the token from his lodge, and then introduced several other brothers whom he would be working with throughout the year, which included RW I. Lewis Alexander, DDGM of the 1st Erie District and RW Bruce S. Johnson, DDGM of the 3rd Erie District.

3.) RW Verne W. Keith, Grand Representative Honored

On February 13, 1951, Tyrian Lodge held a reception honoring RW Verne W. Keith, recently appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Nevada.

RW Albert H. Hunt, presented the Grand Lodge Commission designating him as Grand Representative and RW Ward B. Arbury, presented him, in behalf of Tyrian Lodge, his Grand Lodge Apron.

A large delegation of members from the Masonic Secretary's Association were in attendance, headed by their President RW Peter C. Jansen, who expressed words of commendation to the well deserving brother secretary.

4.) Two More Petitions for New Lodges

On the following meeting, February 27, 1951, two communications were read to the members of the lodge, from groups of masons desiring to form new lodges in the Buffalo area.

The first communication was from a group of masons, living in or near Buffalo, who work during the night hours and wish to partake of the pleasures of Masonic Fellowship.

A motion was made by the secretary, duly seconded that the lodge adopt the following resolution:

  Resolved, that this lodge recommends the petition of Brothers W James H. Watson, Carlton E. Feuchter, Paul R. Wethers and others, praying for a dispensation to establish a new lodge at Buffalo, NY, by the name of Nocturnal Lodge and recommends that the prayer of the petitioners be granted. The motion was carried.

A second communication was from a group of masons, living in or near Grand Island, NY who are desirous of forming a new lodge. This group believes that the best interests of Masonry will be served in the community, by the formation of a lodge in Grand Island.

A motion was made by the secretary, duly seconded that the lodge adopt the following resolution:

    Resolved, that this lodge recommends the petition of Brothers W Cecil A.Manchester, William F. Satterlee, Raoul A. Dequette and others, praying for a dispensation to establish a new lodge at Grand Island, NY by the name of Grand Island Lodge, and recommends that the prayer of the petitioners be granted. The motion was carried.

5.) Approval to Sell Their Temple

On June 12, 1951, the lodge acted on a Summons, which was for the purpose of discussing the advisability of selling the Temple properties. After much discussion, by the Past Masters, Officers and brethren of the lodge, a motion was made by W D. Hobart Hyde, duly seconded and carried, that the Trustees of the Lodge be empowered to sell the property.

6.) Announcement of Two Grand Lodge Offices are Filled by Tyrian Members

On May 13, 1952, the Worshipful Master, W Kerwin L. Mayor, announced the election and proclamation of the Grand Lodge Officers for 1952. Included in the announcement were, MW Ward B. Arbury elected Grand Master and RW George N. VanVolkenburg appointed Senior Grand Deacon.

7.) Two New Charters Presented

On May 13, 1952, the Worshipful Master also announced, that the presentation of the Charter to Nocturnal Lodge No. 1137, by MW Ward B. Arbury, on May 17, 1952, at Unity Temple and the presentation of the Charter to Grand Island Lodge No.1138, by Dana B. Hellings, on May 19, 1952, at Trinity Fellowship Hall, Grand Island, would be held and as many members as possible should attend.

8.) RW George N. VanVolkenburg, Senior Grand Deacon Honored

102

Presentation of a Grand Lodge Apron to RW George N. VanVolkenburg, Senior Grand Deacon, was held on September 9, 1952. A large delegation of 1952 Wardens and Masters, Past Masters, Past and Present Grand Lodge Officers were in attendance. These distinguished visitors were greeted most cordially by the Worshipful Master.

MW Ward B. Arbury was escorted into the lodge by RW Albert H. Hunt, welcomed by the Worshipful Master and accorded Grand Honors.

After a few remarks from the Grand Master regarding his feelings on visiting his own lodge, RW Verne W. Keith presented, in behalf of the lodge, a Grand Lodge Apron to RW Brother VanVolkenburg, who thanked the brethren for the gift, which he received in a most eloquent and heartfelt manner.

9.) Testimonial Dinner for MW Ward B. Arbury, Grand Master

On October 27, 1952, Tyrian Lodge sponsored a Testimonial Dinner and Reception honoring, MW Ward B. Arbury, Grand Master, at the Statler Hotel. MW Brother Arbury's Masonic career was acknowledged as very outstanding. He served as Worshipful Master of Tyrian Lodge in 1932, as District Deputy Grand Master of the 1st Erie District in 1935, and Junior and Senior Wardens between 1944 and 1952.In view of the death within a few hours on April 14, 1952 of both RW George A. Barnewell, Deputy Grand Master and RW George R. Irving, Grand Secretary, MW Ward B. Arbury was elected Grand Master, thus advancing directly from the office of Senior Grand Warden, without ever having served as Deputy Grand Master. He was nonetheless prepared to serve on such short notice by reason of his many earlier services to the craft in the Erie Districts and in Grand Lodge, the most outstanding being his service as Chairman of the Committee to Study the Administration of Grand Lodge Relief Work, which brought about the adoption of a new plan respecting our Masonic Charitable activities.

10.) Tyrian Lodge Officer's Jewels

The committee in charge of the Grand Masters Testimonial Dinner, presented Tyrian Lodge a new set of Officer's Jewels, and at the December 9, 1952 meeting of Tyrian, a motion by W D.Hobart Hyde and duly seconded, that the present jewels be presented Rushville Lodge No. 377, and that they be immediately turned over to that lodge so that they may have them renovated in time for their installation. The motion was carried.

11.) RW Howard R. Stesel, Grand Representative Appointment Announced

On May 26, 1953, the Worshipful Master, W Oswald H. Buresch, announced the appointment of RW Howard R. Stesel, as Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

12.) A Petition for Another New Lodge Received

Also on May 26, 1953, a communication was read from a group of Masons residing in the Lake Shore area of Hamburg, NY, who were desirous of forming a new Masonic Lodge in the area, and asking the consent of Tyrian Lodge, as set forth in the following resolution:

  Resolved, that this lodge recommends the petition of Brothers Roland Bracewell, Walter Hoffman, Elmer Hewson and others, praying for a dispensation to establish a new lodge at Hamburg, NY by the name of Wayfarers Lodge, and recommends that the prayer of the petitioners be granted.

On December 8, 1953, a motion was made by the secretary, duly seconded and carried that Tyrian Lodge approve the Resolution of Wayfarer Lodge, read on May 26, 1953, and that a certificate be issued to that effect.

13.) RW Howard R. Stesel, Grand Representative Honored

September 22, 1953, was the date W Oswald W. Buresch designated for Tyrian Lodge to honor RW Howard R. Stesel and present him with his Grand Lodge Apron.

The ceremony commenced when Brother Franklyn E. Dahlke, escorted into the lodge and presented a group of Past Masters from Tyrian Lodge, who were there to honor RW Brother Stesel.

RW George N. VanVolkenburg then escorted into the lodge and presented RW Howard R. Stesel and conducted him to the East where he received Grand Honors.

RW Gilbert H. King, DDGM of the 2nd Erie District, entered the lodge under escort of RW Albert H. Hunt. The District Deputy Grand Master was cordially welcomed by the Worshipful Master, conducted to the East and accorded Grand Honors. RW Brother King then presented, emblematically, the Commission appointing RW Howard R. Stesel, Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

RW George N. VanVolkenburg presented the Grand Lodge Apron to RW Brother Stesel, in behalf of the lodge. The Apron was eloquently presented and graciously received.

14.) MW Ward B. Arbury, Past Grand Master Honored

On November 9, 1954, Tyrian Lodge presented MW Ward B. Arbury, a Past Grand Masters Apron and Jewel.

The ceremony commenced when the following groups of distinguished Masons were escorted into the lodge and presented:

The 1954 Masters and Warden's Association.Tyrian Lodge Past Master.Past Master of other Lodges.Present Grand Lodge Officers.Present Appointed Grand Lodge Officers.

103

Present Elected Grand Lodge Officers.        MW Dana B. Hellings, Past Grand Master, presented by RW Albert H. Hunt.        MW Ward B. Arbury, was then escorted into the lodge and presented by RW George E. Richter, Past Grand Marshal.        MW Raymond C. Ellis, Grand Master, was escorted into the lodge and presented by RW Raymond Bourne, Grand Marshal.

After the invocation by RW Rev. Charles D. Broughton, Grand Chaplain, an appropriate song was sung by the Chorister Brother Heber Ashley, Jr.

At that time MW Brother Arbury was presented a Past Grand Master's Apron by W Bernard Rummel, Jr. and a Past Grand Master's Jewel by RW Jay G. Roberts.

After these presentations MW Brother Arbury gave a gracious acceptance speech.

Tyrian Lodge was then presented a portrait of MW Ward B. Arbury by RW George E. Richter, which was accepted in behalf of the lodge by RW George N. VanVolkenburg,

An introduction and Masonic background of MW Brother Arbury was made by MW Dana B. Hellings, after which MW Brother Arbury gave an address on Masonry, leaving the brothers present with some forceful thoughts on the duty of a Mason.

Throughout the ceremonies, appropriate music was rendered by Brothers Heber Ashley, Jr., Chorister and Charles T. Wallace, Organist.

A dinner was served to the Grand Lodge Officers and the brethren at the Markeen Hotel, prior to the meeting, and after the lodge was closed, the brethren returned to the hotel for a lunch and reception.

15.) Tyrian Temple Must be Sold

On September 11, 1956, the Worshipful Master, W Franklyn E. Dahlke, announced, that it was time that the members of Tyrian Lodge considered the future of their lodge, and its equity in Tyrian Temple. He briefly told of what might happen if they were not able to dispose of the building and move to a different and perhaps more desirable location. They had lost most of their tenants and the burden of operating the temple could eventually be a great hardship. He suggested that they all get behind the Trustees, who had been trying for nearly three years to secure a buyer, and offer any help or suggestions that would be of their benefit.

Several brothers then spoke, some suggesting, immediately trying to secure new quarters, others suggested not to become alarmists, but be on the lookout for a potential buyer. The general opinion, after the open discussion was that they must make an outright sale, even if it would be necessary for the lodge to take over the mortgage.

The lodge authorized the Board of Trustees, on September 25, 1956, to have a "For Sale" sign placed on the building.

16.) Trustees Receive Bid for Sale of Temple

On February 12, 1957, the Trustees reported, they had received a bid of $20,000.00 for the purchase of the Temple. After some discussion on the advisability of such a sale, a motion was made by RW Howard R. Stesel, duly seconded and carried, that the Trustees be empowered to proceed with the sale.

17.) A Meeting Place Needed

On October 8, 1957, the Worshipful Master, W Joseph A. Reeves, announced the following committee, to report at their next communication, a list of available meeting places, in the area, where the lodge could meet, after the consummation of the sale of their present building:

Chairman - Spencer A. Butler        Members: W Charles H. Kunzelman, John C. McGinnis, James A. Steel, Robert J. Zolczer

18.) The Temple is Sold

On October 22, 1957, there was considerable discussion during which time the following members were informed of the sale of the Temple. In view of the fact that  they must vacate the building as soon as the new owners take title, the Worshipful Master requested that a motion be made authorizing the Trustees to negotiate for a new meeting place.

A motion was made by W. D. Hobart Hyde, duly seconded and carried, that the Board of Trustees be empowered to make such leases, temporary or permanent, as in their judgment may be necessary, to negotiate for a new meeting place.

On November 12, 1957, a resolution was read by W Oswald H. Buresch, Trustee of the Lodge, which announced the sale of Tyrian Temple to Paramount Lodge No. 73, F.& A.M. (Prince Hall Masons) for $22,000.00. A cash payment of $10.000.00 was received and a mortgage of $12,000.00 was assumed by Tyrian Lodge. The mortgage was to be paid off in quarterly paymens of $300.00 plus 6% interest. The resolution was received and ordered filed.

A motion was then made by W Franklyn E. Dahlke, duly seconded and carried that due to the fact it would be impossible to have a meeting place for Tuesday evening, November 26, 1957, the meeting would be canceled.

19.) The Last Meeting in Tyrian Temple

November 12, 1957, was the last meeting to be held in Tyrian Temple, East Utica and Purdy Streets, so it seemed befitting for MW Ward E. Arbury, who was in attendance, make a final speech. MW Brother Arbury reminisced and recalled the work done in raising money and the hard work done by so many of the brothers that they might have their own meeting place. He mentioned that it was always difficult to leave a place where there were so many good memories, but the time does come when one must move on.

104

20.) A Temporary Home

The election of officers was held on December 10, 1957, in the little Blue Room, in the Masonic Temple, 43 Niagara Street. The Masonic Hall Association was gracious and allowed Tyrian Lodge to hold their meeting there, as they could not occupy their new home until after the first of the year.

21.) Tyrian Lodges New Home

The first meeting at their new home, Northeast Temple, 2954 Bailey Avenue, was on January 13, 1958, in which they installed their 1958 Lodge Officers.

22.) Furniture and Equipment Offered Eggertsville Lodge

On September 8, 1958, a motion was made by RW Howard R. Stesel, duly second and carried, that the Trustees be authorized to present to Eggertsville Lodge, the lodge furniture and equipment, now in storage, as they could put it to better use in their Temple.

23.) Final Payment Received From Paramount Lodge

On 10 Dec 1962, W  Charles H. Kunzelman, Trustee of the Lodge announced in behalf of the Board of Trustees, that the final payment had been received from Paramount Lodge, and several brothers had attended the mortgage burning, on 9 Dec 1962.

24.) Still More Petitions for New Lodge

On April 9, 1957, a request was received for favorable action by our lodge on the following resolution:

    Resolved, that this lodge recommends the petition of Brothers Charles J. Roesch, Edmund J. Angielczyk, Joseph J. Walkowiak and others, praying for a dispensation to establish a new lodge in the City of Buffalo, by the name of Casimir Pulaski Lodge, and recommends that the prayer of the petitioners be granted.

A motion made by the secretary, duly seconded and carried, that the resolution be adopted.

On May 28, 1957, a communication was read from a group of Masons interested in forming a new lodge, to be known as Eggertsville Lodge.

A motion was made by the secretary, duly seconded and carried, that the following resolution be adopted:

    Resolved, that this lodge recommended the petition of Brothers Edson Whipple, Harry Saxton, Solomon Black, Rowland Williams and others, praying for a dispensation to establish a new lodge in the City of Buffalo, by the name of Eggertsville Lodge, and recommends that the prayer of the petitioners be granted.

On September 10, 1957, a communication was received from Brothers Donald S. Seeman, Secretary, requesting the approval of the following resolution:

    Resolved. that this lodge recommend the petition of Brothers Isador Joseph, Albert B. Spitzer, Myron J. Ettus and others, praying for a dispensation to establish a new lodge in Buffalo, by the name of Suburban Lodge, and recommends that the prayer of the petitioners be granted.

A motion by W Franklyn E. Dahlke, duly seconded and carried, that the resolution presented on September 10, 1957, was adopted, at the September 24, 1957 meeting.

25.) RW Harrison L. Barclay, Appointed Grand Steward

On June 8, 1959, a letter from RW Edward R. Carmen, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, was read, announcing the appointment of RW Harrison L Barklay as Grand Steward. On the same evening, it was also announced that RW Harrison L. Barclay was called by the Supreme Architect of the Universe, on June 5, 1959. A Masonic Service was held on June 7, 1959, with RW Howard Stesel, acting as Worshipful Master.

26.) MW Ward B. Arbury and RW Bernard Rummel, Jr. Honored

On September 28, 1959, the Worshipful Master, W James A. Steel designated at the meeting, Tyrian Lodge would honor MW Ward B. Arbury and RW Bernard Rummel, Jr.

The ceremony commenced when W Franklyn E. Dahlke, escorted a fine group of Tyrian Past Masters into the lodge. This group acted as a guard of honor, as the following distinguished brothers were escorted into the lodge:

MW Brother Arbury escorted RW Bernard Rummel, Jr. newly appointed Grand Steward into the lodge, and were received in the East on Grand Honors.

RW Hugh W. Alderdice and RW George E. Richter were escorted into the lodge and accorded Grand Honors.

RW James J. Russ, DDGM of the 2nd Erie District, was escorted into the lodge by RW Albert H. Hunt. The District Deputy was welcomed in the East by the Worshipful Master and accorded Grand Honors. He was presented the Gavel of Tyrian Lodge and asked to proceed with the ceremonies of the evening.

In a most eloquent manner, RW James J. Russ, presented to MW Ward B. Arbury, a commission designating him as Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. He accepted the commission with words of appreciation for the additional honor bestowed on him.

105

With equal eloquence, RW Brother Russ, presented RW Bernard Rummel, Jr., a commission which confirmed his appointment as Grand Steward, which he accepted with an expression of his appreciation.

W James A. Steel, in behalf of the lodge, presented RW Brother Rummel, his Grand Steward's Apron. He accepted the Apron graciously, thanking the Worshipful Master for the fine presentation and the members of the lodge for the trust in him.

27.) Project 500

W James Zolczer, on November 13, 1961, invited W Vernon A. Reed, Administer of the Deaconess Hospital, to be a guest of the lodge, for a very special reason. In the spring of 1961, the Worshipful Master appointed W James A. Steel, chairman of a project he wanted carried out during his year as Worshipful Master. It was to be called "Project 500," and was a creation of the Worshipful Master and his officers. This was an opportunity to put Masonry into action on a worthwhile project outside of the Fraternity. The members were congratulated for their spirit of cooperation and through the combined efforts of everyone involved, they were able to see the successful conclusion. The money raised was to be used by the Deaconess Hospital, to furnish a room in their building.

W James A. Steel, in behalf of the members of Tyrian Lodge presented a check to W Brother Reed, in the amount of $500.00, to be used for the afore mentioned purpose. W Brother Reed then gave an inspirational and informative talk on the operation of the hospital, then thanked the lodge for the gift and extended an invitation to all, to make a social call and take a tour of the hospital.

The Worshipful Master thanked W Brother Reed for his talk and also thanked W Brother Steel for his leading of "Project 500" to a successful conclusion.

28.) First Degree, Conferred by Tyrian Sideliners

A very memorable evening was held on October 22, 1962, when the sideliners conferred the 1st Degree, with Brother Robert C. Dickinson, Sr, acting as Worshipful Master. The following brothers filled the offices for the Degree:

    W Franklyn A. Dahlke - Senior Warden, Herbert J. Metzger - Junior Warden, Herbert A. Kuhn - Senior Deacon, Donald F. Dahlke - Junior Deacon, Charles L. Ketchum, Jr. - Senior Master of Ceremony, Jesse A. Fell - Junior Master of Ceremony, Wellington F. Case and Harold E. Smith - Stewards, and Roy E. Alles - Marshal. The most heart warming part of the Degree was when the questions and answers were given. The questions were given by Brother James G. Wheaton, Jr., and the answers were given by his father, Brother James G. Wheaton, Sr., a Mason who was raised in 1901. He answered the questions with no hesitation and letter perfect, and was done in a manner that will be long remembered by all the brothers in attendance. After the degree was over, Brother James G. Wheaton, Sr. was given a standing ovation for his part in the questions and answers lecture.

29.) RW Charles H. Kunzelman, DDGM, 2nd Erie District

On September 14, 1964, Tyrian Lodge presented RW Charles H. Kunzelman, recently appointed, District Deputy Grand Master of the 2nd Erie District, his Grand Lodge Apron. The ceremonies commenced when Worshipful Master, W Richard E. Mills, announced that a meeting was to be a very special occasion in the history of Tyrian Lodge, and that they were to honor one of their members.

The following groups were escorted into and presented to the lodge:

    The 1964 Masters and Wardens Association, Past Masters, Past and Present Grand Lodge Officers.

RW Charles H. Kunzelman was escorted into the lodge by RW Bernard Rummel, Jr., and was then welcomed by the Worshipful Master, after receiving Grand Honors.

RW Albert H. Hunt was then introduced by the Worshipful Master, who requested him to make the presentation of Brother Rummel's Grand Lodge Apron, in behalf of the lodge. RW Brother Hunt related the Masonic History of RW Brother Kunzelman, who became a Master Mason in Tyrian Lodge, on December 13, 1927. Before his appointment to the line he served on many committees and was always a willing worker. He served as Worshipful Master in 1944 and was President of the Erie County Wardens Association in 1943. He had served on the Board of Trustees for several years and was active at the time when Tyrian Temple was sold.

After receiving his Apron, RW Brother Kunzelman, thanked the lodge for the gift and promised to serve, to the best of his ability and hoped to bring honor to the lodge. He expressed his thanks to all those who had the confidence in him, to recommend his appointment, and thanked all who honored him by their presence on that occasion.

30.) Tyrian's 50th Anniversary Celebration

On May 10, 1965, Tyrian Lodge celebrated their 50th Anniversary. The lodge was opened in due form on the Third Degree at 4:00 pm, after which the lodge was called from labor to refreshment and the officers and Past Masters adjourned to the Royal Host Restaurant to have dinner with the Grand Master, MW Clarence J. Henry and members of his staff, who were there on our invitation to assist in the ceremonies of the evening. After dinner the officers returned to the lodge, which was reconvened at 7:30 pm.

The ceremony began with the following remarks by the Worshipful Master W David S. Greenwood:

    "On May 6, 1915, it pleased the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, over which MW George Freifeld served as Grand Master, to grant a Charter to Tyrian Lodge. Tonight we are here wth many of the distinguished members of the craft to help celebrate this event in an appropriate manner."

W Louis A. Ford escorted RW Bernard Rummel, Jr., and Brother Frank H. Smith into the lodge room. Of fifty nine Charter Members, there were but four still living Brothers Stewart Smith, Chaplin Emeritus and David C. Henzler, Jr. were unable to be present for this evening's ceremonies.

After the 1965 Masters and Wardens Association, Past Masters, Past and Present Grand Lodge Officers were escorted into the lodge and greeted by the Worshipful Master, RW Howard W. Niven, Grand Marshal announced the MW Clarence J. Henry, Grand

106

Master of Masons of the State of New York, was about to enter the lodge. He was escorted to the East, where under the direction of the Grand Marshal, he received Grand Honors.

The Worshipful Master welcomed MW Brother Henry, for being able to be with them on the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Then in a most pleasing manner, the Worshipful Master, gave and interesting talk on the early history of Tyrian Lodge. Brother Robert J. Zolczer, Senior Warden, had brought the history up to date with many interesting items. The Worshipful Master introduced the two Charter Members present and accorded them Grand Honors.

The Grand Master extended greetings to the visiting Canadian Brethren and stated how important it is that we try to maintain good relations with our neighbors. He also stated that as we look through history we will find men of great stature and wisdom throughout the world, who accepted and upheld the teachings of Masonry. He added, that we do not present ourselves as a substitute for any church, but, as an enthusiastic body to follow a Supreme Architect. We are committed to practice Brotherhood and in this day, if we would display our teachings and spirit of Brotherhood outside the lodge room, many of the world problems could be minimized. The Grand Master concluded his address by presenting 50 year pins to the following brothers:

    Frank H. Smith, Fred W. Keipper, John G. Lesswing, Harrison M. Kollatz and Edward L. Smith.

He congratulated these brothers for their devotion to the craft and extended best wishes for many more years of happiness.

The Worshipful Master thanked the Grand Master for his enlightening message and then asked RW Rev. Irving C. Tepas, Grand Chaplain to pronounce the Benediction.

After the meeting an additional enjoyment time was held in the banquet hall.

31.) The 50th Anniversary Banquet

On Saturday, October 16, 1965, Tyrian Lodge held their 50th Anniversary Banquet, at the Hotel Buffalo, with approximately 200 persons in attendance. The Worshipful Master, W David S. Greenwood gave a very interesting account of some of the important events that had occured during these 50 years. He greeted the members with the following remarks:

    "On this our 50th Anniversary, we pay homage to those stalwarts of Masonry both past and present who have given their time and talents contributing so much in our lodge. May we, who share in this great occasion implore the Blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe, that under His guidance, Tyrian Lodge will continue to carry out the tenets and fundamental principles of the craft. To that end we join in dedication to the future."

After the invocation by Brother Glenn R. Fullington, Chaplain, a delicious dinner was served, with the following menu:

French Onion Soup Au CroutonParmesan CheeseAssorted Relishes

Roast Top Round of Beef Au JusBaked Potatoe with Sour Cream or Butter

Garden Peas and CarrotsChef Salad Bowl

Ice Cream topped with Creme De MentheRolls and ButterTea and Coffee

When the festivities were over and the Benediction was pronounced by W Louis J. Robinson, Chaplain, there was dancing, which continued until 1:00 am.

32.) MW Ward B. Arbury, Honored

On November 22, 1965, Tyrian Lodge honored MW Ward B. Arbury, Past Grand Master. The Worshipful Master W David S. Greenwood, welcomed him into his home lodge, relating some of his many Masonic accomplishments. A 50th Anniversary Certificate was presented to him, which he accepted graciously. The Past Grand Master then related his pleasure in returning home where he saw the first light of Masonry in 1918. He served his lodge as Worshipful Master in 1932, continued his Masonic activities and became District Deputy Grand Master of the 1st Erie District in 1935. In 1952 he was elected Grand Master and performed the duties of that office in a most outstanding manner. He spoke on the growth of Tyrian Lodge as a neighborhood lodge and the many faithful members who worked so enthusiastically. He related many interesting and entertaining events that occurred during a bazaar held in 1922, Serving as Chairman of that event was his real challenge in Tyrian Lodge and he did a most outstanding job. In closing he expressed his pleasure in being present and extended best wishes to the present and future officers of the lodge.

33.) Presentation of New Altar Bible

On that same evening, November 22, 1965, RW Charles H. Kunzelman and a group of Masons from Tyrian Chapter No. 610, OES, entered the lodge carrying a new Altar Bible. RW Brother Kunzelman introduced Brother Nelson Becker, Patron of the Chapter, who in behalf of the Chapter, presented the Beautiful Bible, as a gift to Tyrian Lodge. He spoke of the close working, over the years of Tyrian Chapter and Tyrian Lodge. The Worshipful Master expressed the appreciation of the officers and members for this wonderful gift, which will be the center of all our work in the lodge. He then ordered the Senior Deacon, Brother David Pugash to remove the old Bible from the Altar and replace it with the new one. The old Bible was presented to Tyrian Lodge by Brother William C. Peters, at the first meeting of Tyrian Lodge, Under Dispensation, on October 31, 1914. The Worshipful Master then ordered the Secretary, to place the old Bible in the Archives of the Lodge.

34.) RW Albert H. Hunt, Senior Grand Warden, Honored

107

On September 19, 1966, Tyrian Lodge honored another brother, elevated to a high office in Grand Lodge. RW Albert H. Hunt had been elected Senior Grand Warden, at the Annual Grand Lodge Communication, in May.

The Worshipful Master, W Robert J. Zolczer, announced that this was a special communication for the purpose of honoring RW Albert H. Hunt, Senior Grand Warden and to present his Grand Lodge Apron to him.

he Grand Lodge Officers were escorted into the lodge room by RW Charles H. Kunzelman, which included:

    RW Max Rauch - Senior Grand Deacon, RW David F. Rook - District Deputy Grand Master of the 2nd Erie District, RW Wendell K. Walker - Grand Secretary, RW Raymond W. Kurtz - Trustee of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund, RW Irving C. Tepas - Grand Chaplain, and RW Earl L. Garlock - DDGM of the1st Erie District.

RW Lavern Gettman, Deputy Grand Marshal entered the lodge and announced, that RW Charles F. Gosnell, Deputy Grand Master was about to enter the lodge. He was received in the East by the Worshipful Master and given Grand Honors.

RW William R. Punt, Grand Marshal entered the lodge and announced, that MW Frank C. Staples, Grand Master was about to enter the lodge. He was escorted to the East and after receiving Grand Honors was presented the Gavel of Tyrian Lodge. He briefly expressed his pleasure in being present and returned the Gavel to the Worshipful Master.

Under the escort of RW Howard R. Stesel and a group of Past Masters of Tyrian Lodge, RW Albert H. Hunt, senior Grand Warden entered the lodge and was received on Grand Honors.

The invocation was pronounced by RW Irving C. Tepas, Grand Chaplain. Then the Chorister, Brother Austin L. Ganger presented a pleasing vocal selection, with Brother Charles T. Wallace, at the organ.

RW Howard R. Stesel then presented RW Albert H. Hunt, his Senior Grand Wardens Apron, in behalf of the members of Tyrian Lodge. In a most interesting manner, RW Brother Hunt's life was reviewed. It was a life of service to all and for the betterment of mankind. He had answered every call made upon him for service, be it large or small. He exerted the fullest of energy on all occasions.

RW Albert H. Hunt expressed his appreciation for the honor and thanked the membership for their cooperation. He said much of his progress in Masonry was due to the fine cooperation he received. In his remarks he said, "Manpower may change, but Masonry will live forever." He accepted the honor for the lodge, as well as for himself, and said he would strive to fulfill the duties that lie ahead to the best of his ability, and hoped the fraternity would be pleased with his efforts.

35.) MW Frank C. Staples, Grand Master Speaks Before the Lodge

Continuing the ceremony and prior to introducing the Grand Master, each Grand Lodge Officer was introduced and spoke briefly, saying, they were happy to be present for the occasion and extended their best wish for RW Brother Hunt's coming year.

In the opening remarks of MW Frank C. Staples, he recognized the various members of his staff and thanked them for their able service. He spoke of the many years of service to Grand Lodge, by the guest of the evening, RW Brother Hunt. His service in Masonry started when he joined the craft in 1925.

The Grand Master stated, that he was concerned with the excellence in the work and urged that every effort be made to achieve perfection.

He also spoke of the changes that were being made on part, by the Roman Catholics, as a result of the Ecumenical Council. Those changes in most cases were to modernize the thinking and action. He added, perhaps it would be well for Masonry to modernize it's thinking and perhaps it's ritual. He was going to appoint a survey committee to look into some items for change, but the Landmarks and Ritual would remain unchanged, with exception, that some of the Lectures might be revised.

In closing, The Grand Master expressed his appreciation for being invited and again congratulated RW Albert H. Hunt.

36.) Homecoming of RW Albert H. Hunt

On May 13, 1968, it was the pleasure of the lodge to welcome RW Albert H. Hunt, on his homecoming night. Many of the same brothers were present then, as were in attendance on the evening of September 19, 1966, when Tyrian's members presented to him, his Grand Lodge Apron.

After all the dignitaries had entered the lodge and were introduced, W David S. Greenwood met with RW Albert H. Hunt on the level and presented in behalf of the members, an oil painting of him, in his Senior Warden's regalia. RW Brother Hunt accepted it with sincere appreciation and told of how he had enjoyed the honors he had received and hoped he had fulfilled the duties of the office with credit to himself and the Fraternity. He said he would be glad to be able to participate in the activities of the lodge, once again.

37.) MW Charles F. Gosnell, Grand Master Spoke Before the Lodge

Continuing the Homecoming Ceremony, the Worshipful Master W David Pugash, the Grand Master, MW Charles F. Gosnell expressed his pleasure in being present and paying tribute to the work done by RW Brother Hunt, while an officer of Grand Lodge, as well as the many years he served on the Committee for Veteran's Rehabilitation.

A solemn tribute was paid to MW Dana B. Hellings, Past Grand Master, who was buried that afternoon.

The Grand Master stated that on Monday, prior to the opening of Grand Lodge a large delegation of Masons met and laid a wreath at the foot of the George Washington Memorial, at Flushing Meadows Park, which was the site of the Masonic Center at the World's Fair in 1965. It was done as a reminder that George Washington took the oath of office as President of the United States, on April 30, 1789. He added that he was in hopes that the ceremony would be done annually by the members of our great Fraternity. The Grand Master spoke of the great task thet confronted the 1st President of our Country and how he met the challenge. He said, we

108

today have again confronted great strife and turmoil as in those days, and we must act to help our youth of today by offering them our assistance both financially and by offering our personal services.

The Grand Master concluded his address with a request for greater support to the officers of each lodge, by supporting the programs offered.

The meeting was then concluded with the benediction offered by RW Rev Leon K. Molter, Grand Chaplain.

38.) Fellowcraft Degree at Olive Branch Lodge No. 39 - Leroy, New York

On Monday evening, March 27, 1972, the lodge was opened in due form on the 3rd Degree. After the business was taken care of, with exception of the conferring of degrees, the lodge was called from labor to refreshment. The members boarded a bus for a trip to Olive Branch Lodge No. 39, in Leroy, New York. the Worshipful Master, W John R. Cookfair, Jr. had made arrangements with the Trustees of the Temple, to put on a 2nd Degree in their Lodge Room. Their lodge room was very unique, in that it consists of a flight of winding stairs, consisting of three, five, and seven steps with and inner and outer door, leading to a middle chamber. The Worshipful Master had the honor of presenting the Middle Chamber Lecture in this unusual setting, with Brother Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., acting as the Worshipful Master.

The members of Tyrian were pleased with the trip to Olive Branch Lodge No. 39, the lodge known as the parent and preserver of Masonry in Western New York State, because their lodge never suspended communications during the Anti-Masonic period. Much history revolved around their lodge and on the walls of the Temple hung many pictures of the early period.

The Worshipful Master, Brother Cookfair, thanked the members of Olive Branch Lodge, for the use of their Temple for the evening, then, along with the members of Tyrian, boarded the bus and returned home with the memories of a very interesting and enjoyable evening.

After returning to the Northeast Temple, the officer closed the lodge.

39.) RW Clarence R. Holmes, Grand Steward was Honored

On June 12, 1972, the Worshipful Master. W John R. Cookfair, Jr., announced that on that evening, their lodge secretary was to be honored.

After the many delegations of visitors were escorted into the lodge, and were extended a cordial welcome by the Worshipful Master, RW Albert H. Hunt requested RW Clarence R. Holmes, recently appointed Grand Steward, to meet with him on the level. He commented on the large attendance, and said that it bespoke of the esteem indicated by the members and friends present. He complimented RW Brother Holmes for his interest in the fraternity, as prior to serving as Worshipful Master in 1940, he organized the Masonic Baseball League in 1924, and headed it for six years. He also served on many committees and was always ready to serve when needed. RW Brother Holmes served as Trustee of the Lodge, until he was elected Secretary in 1954, and has held that position since that time.

RW Brother Hunt at that time read a poem entitled, "Let Your Light Shine," and said, their honored member was one of Tyrian's "Light Houses." At that point he clothed the new Grand Steward, with a purple apron in behalf of the members of the lodge.

After receiving a standing ovation from the members and visitors, RW Brother Holmes expressed his appreciation for the great honor, and pledged to fulfill the duties of the office to the best of his ability and he hoped with honor to his lodge and the fraternity.

The Worshipful Master then presented a 50 year pin to RW Clarence R. Holmes, stating that he hoped he would have many more active years and that he might, ten years from then, receive his 60 year palm.

Brother John P. Fulciniti, then presented RW Brother Holmes, with a concealed gift, which when opened, turned out to be mustache wax for his new upper lip growth. The gift was accepted in good humer and added to the enjoyment of the evening.

40.) Rededication Ceremony and RW Howard W. Potts Conducts Spring Forum

April 23, 1973, was a big night at Tyrian Lodge. The honored guest for the evening, was RW Howard W. Potts, Grand Lecturer of the State of New York. On invitation of the Worshipful Master, W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., he would hold his Spring Grand Lecturer's Convention, at Tyrian Lodge, in conjunction with a Rededication Night.

The evening was a very special communication, and the Worshipful Master, invited all the lodges in the Three Erie Districts, to be his guests for the evening. The ceremonies began when W David S. Greenwood escorted the following groups into the lodge:

    W Thomas Galloway, the Master of Wilson Lodge No. 86 A.F.& A.M., from Toronto, Canada, with a fine delegation of officers and members, which he introduced to the lodge, W Brother Galloway was then escorted to a seat in the East.

    Brother Thomas E. Grupp, President of the Erie County Warden's Association, was escorted into the lodge, with a very fine group of Wardens, which he introduced to the lodge.

    A large delegation of Past Masters from the Three Erie Districts then entered the lodge and were greeted by the Worshipful Master.  

    About thirty 1973 Sitting Masters were next to enter the lodge and received a very cordial welcome from the Worshipful Master. W Donald J. Hertel was escorted to the East and introduced as the 1st Vice President of the 1973  Erie County Master's Association. W Brother Hertel then in turn greeted the Worshipful Master, who was the President of the 1973 Erie County Master's Association. W Brother Ketchum then proceeded to personally introduce each Worshipful Master and his lodge to the members and visitors of Tyrian Lodge, in a very masterful manner.

109

    The Past Grand Lodge Officers were then escorted into the lodge, and were invited to the East, where they were introduced and received on Grand Honors.

    The following Present Grand Lodge Officers were then escorted into the lodge:

RW Charles E. Devoe, DDGM of the 1st Erie District.RW Howard V. Brown, DDGM of the 3rd Erie District.RW Lawrence M. Cady, Grand Sword Bearer.RW Osborne Stoddart, Grand Representative of Grand Lodge of Arkansas.        These Grand Lodge Officers were escorted to the East, where they were greeted and accorded Grand Honor.        The Past Senior Grand Warden RW Albert H. Hunt was escorted into the lodge and to the East. He was cordially welcomed and accorded Grand Honors.        The Junior Deacon announced, that RW A. Daniel Galloway, DDGM of the 2nd Erie District was about to enter. He was escorted to the East and received on Grand Honors.

The Chorister Brother Elmer R. Ales, then favored us with a pleasing solo.

41.) Rededication Ceremony

With the assistance of the 1973 Erie County Master's and Warden's Associations, the Rededication Ceremony was presented.

The lodge was opened on the 1st Degree. W James C. VanSlyke, Worshipful Master of Highland Lodge 835, presented the Entered Apprentice Obligation, with Brother Thomas E. Grupp, Senior Warden of Highland Lodge No. 835, kneeling at the Altar and repeating it along with all the brethren present.

The lodge was then opened on the 2nd Degree. W Hans Kunert, Worshipful Master of Charles W. Cushman Lodge No. 879, presented the Fellowcraft Obligation with Brother D. Ronald Rosser, from Mystic Art Lodge No. 899, kneeling at the Altar and repeating it along with all the brethren present.

The lodge was then opened on the 3rd Degree. W Ward A. Peterson, Worshipful Master of Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163, presented the Master Mason Obligation, with Brother Charles H. Horseley, from Christopher G. Fox Lodge No. 1021, kneeling at the Altar and repeating it along with all the brethren present.

    The ceremony was most impressive and caused all the brethren present, to recall the day they first heard those words. The Worshipful Master Brother Ketchum, spoke and gave these words of wisdom, "We, as Brother Masons, should strive to rededicate ourselves to those principles of which we just renewed."

42.) The Grand Lecturer's Spring Forum

RW Howard W. Potts, Grand Lecturer was escorted into the lodge and to the East, where he was received on Grand Honors. He accepted the Gavel of Tyrian Lodge from the Worshipful Master and expressed his pleasure in being present on that occasion. The meeting was RW Brother Potts annual spring visit to the Erie County School of Instruction. He introduced W Leslie K. Hoelle and W C. Jerrold Klemp, the Assistant Grand Lecturers from the Erie Districts, and then complimented them on the fine work they have been doing.

RW Brother Potts spoke on the importance of making the candidates feel comfortable and at ease, and that the degrees should be presented in an impressive manner, by the officers who are well prepared.

Many questions from the brethren, proved to be most beneficial to everyone. They learned from the answers, many things, they perhaps had forgotten or maybe never really sure about. The number of brothers, who asked questions, was a good indication of the interest created by RW Brother Potts presentation.

After returning the Gavel to the Worshipful Master, RW Brother Potts and the Grand Lodge Officers retired from the lodge. They were accorded a standing ovation on leaving.

This ended the Ceremonies of the evening, leaving everyone having a better understanding of Masonry, than when they arrived.

43.) MW Lloyd S. Cochran, Past Grand Master, Granted Honorary Membership

On April 9. 1973, the Worshipful Master, W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., proposed that MW Lloyd S. Cochran, Grand Master of Masons of the Stated of New York, to become an Honorary Member of Tyrian Lodge.

On June 11, 1973, a motion was made by RW Clarence R. Holmes and seconded by W David S. Greenwood, that Honorary Membership be granted to MW Lloyd S. Cochran, Grand Master.

The granting of Honorary Membership was approved, after a ballot was spread on the motion and found clear.

44.) Honoring Tyrian's Five Living Past Grand Lodge Officers

On September 10, 1973, W Robert J. Zolczer escorted the following RW Brothers into the Lodge:Bernard Rummel, Jr.,  Howard R. Stesel,  Clarence R. Holmes,Albert H. Hunt, and Charles H. Kunzelman.

These Five RW Brothers were then escorted to the East, where they were received on Grand Honors.

The Worshipful Master, W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., then spoke briefly on some of the work and accomplishments of each of these RW Brothers.

110

RW Bernard Rummel, Jr., was the first Marshal of Tyrian Lodge, and served in each station before becoming Worshipful Master in 1921. He served as the Assistant Secretary, during the illness of Brother William C. Peters and was elected Secretary from 1923 to 1928. Then from 1932 to 1939 he served as the Lodge Ttreasurer.

RW Brother Rummel spoke of the joy and happiness in his 60 years as a member, not just attending lodge, but of the working and supporting of the lodge. He also mentioned, the formation of the lodge in 1914 and 1915. He ended his talk by saying, "Masonry is away of life and the opportunity to meet new friends."

RW Howard R. Stesel was always on hand when there was work to be done. He assisted the officers, in the degree aand ritual work and as an attorney he rendered much legal assistance to the lodge.

RW Brother Stesel, said it had been his pleasure to serve the lodge and the Fraternity, and that the boys in the lodge had helped him keep young.

RW Clarence R. Holmes spoke of his 51 years in the Fraternity. While he was still receiving his degrees, the lodge layed the cornerstone of Brother Rev. Benjamin S. Ferrall's Church. RW Brother Holmes spoke of the forming of the Masonic Baseball League and the inner city championship ganes between the Masonic Lodges of Cleveland, Ohio and the lodges of the Erie Districts. He expressed his gratitude to the members of the lodge for giving him the oportunity to serve as Worshipful Master in 1940 and in the past year as Grand Steward.

RW Alber H. Hunt talked about the early days when RW Charles I. Heckman was the guiding light in the growth of Tyrian Lodge. At that time, all of the officers of the lodge, were expected to know the work and be able to advance at least three stations at a moments notice. RW Brother Hunt spoke of some lighter moments, especially in the banquet hall after the meetings, and ended by saying that the banquet hall is where you can rally become better acquainted with your brothers.

RW Charles H. Kunzelman said that immediately after he received his 1st degree, he was handed a baseball uniform and told to come out for practice. He, like all the officers and members worked on raising funds for Tyrian Temple. He was a member of the Board of Trustees, when the Temple was sold. At the time of the closing, the other two members of the board were vacationing in Florida, so the deal was closed with the aid of MW Ward B. Arbury and the Lodge Secretary, RW Clarence R. Holmes.

The Worshipful Master, thanked each of these brothers, in behalf of the members, for their years of dedication in the lodge activities. Then W Brother Ketchum asked the District Deputy Grand Master, RW Edward G. Eschner, to assist him in presenting plaques to each of them, in behalf of the lodge members.

45.) 60 Year Members Honored

W Brother Ketchum continued the ceremony by inviting Brother Frank H. Smith to the East, then along with RW Bernard Rummel, Jr. congratulated them for having completed sixty years, as members of this great Fraternity. Brother Smith, who recently had been discharged from the hospital, did not feel strong enough to speak, but did express his appreciation for the honor of being in the East with such distinguished members of the lodge. The Worshipful Master and the District Deputy Grand Master, presented these two brothers with plaques and 60 year pins in behalf of the members of the lodge.

RW Brother Eschner spoke for a few minutes and said that he could not let that moment or opportunity pass without reminding the members that these honored members, represented 379 years of Masonry, and added, he hoped, these brothers would be an inspiration to all present.

46.) Grand Representative Apron and Honorary Membership Presentation

On February 11, 1974, the Worshipful Master, W James R. Wilson, invited the Senior Deacon, W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., to the East to continue with the ceremonies of the evening.

W John R. Cookfair, Jr. acting as Marshall escorted into the lodge and introduced to the members and visitors present, the following delegations:

    The 1965 Masters,  The Past Masters of Tyrian Lodge,  The 1974 Erie County Master's and Wardens Association,  The Past and Present Grand Lodge Officers.

    RW David S. Greenwood was then escorted into the lodge room and to the East, where he was introduced as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of California. He was then accorded Grand Honors.

    RW Paul N. O'Neill, Grand Marshal entered the lodge and announced that MW Lloyd S. Cochran, the Grand Master was about to enter.

The acting Worshipful Master, continued the ceremonies by presenting MW Brother Cochran his Honorary Membership Certificate, in behalf of the members of the lodge, which he accepted in a most gracious manner.

RW Howarde R. Stesel then related some of the work that RW David S. Greenwood had done, both in Fraternal work and in his daily walk of life, and added RW Brother Greenwood has been outstanding in his church activities, which had brought him in contact with handicapped people.

MW Brother Cochran, congratulated RW Brother Greenwood, as he presented an Apron in behalf of Tyrian's members.

The Grand Representative responded as he accepted the Apron from the hands of the Grand Master, by thanking all who helped to make the evening possible for him.

47.) An Address by MW Lloyd S. Cochran

W Brother Ketchum continued the ceremony by presenting MW Lloyd S. Cochran to the lodge.

111

The Grand Master thanked the lodge for the invitation to be a part of the program, in honoring one of their members. He opened his address by stating that hi talk would center on the basic things in Masonry such as, brotherly love, benevolence, brotherhood, courage, truth and faith. He mentioned, that we frequently forget newly made masons after they have signed the By-Laws, then added, that this should be the time when we keep in close contact and help them learn what Masonry is and how it works. We also should make every effort to make every degree very impressive. This is where the new members get their real inspiration, especially if the degree is well done. The Grand Master then mentioned, that Dr. Vincent Peale wrote on the many things we would have missed, if we had not been born, then added this statement of his own. "And how fortunate we should feel, that we were born to be Masons." The Grand Master was accorded a standing ovation, upon retiring.

48.) RW Albert H. Hunt Honored

On October 13, 1975, Tyrian Lodge honored RW Albert H. Hunt, Past Senior Grand Warden. The Ceremony began when W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., Acting Marshal for the evening, escorted the following delegations into the lodge:

    A fine group of Tyrian Lodge Past Master and several visiting Past Masters.    A delegation of 1975 Sitting Masters and Wardens.    An exceptional fine group of Past Grand Lodge Officers including twenty Past District Deputy Grand Masters.    A large delegation of Present Grand Lodde Officers.

RW Albert H. Hunt was escorted into the lodge and to the East. He was greated by the Worshipful Master, W John P. Fulciniti, then accorded Grand Honors.

RW George H. Getman, Deputy Grand Marshal, escorted RW Albert W. Schneider, Deputy Grand Master into the lodge and to the East, where he received Grand Honors.

After a musical selection by this evenings Chorister,  W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., RW Clarence R. Holmes, RW Howard R. Stesel, W Robert N. Chapman, W John C. Mandeville, RW Bernard W. Woodard, RW David S. Greenwood and W John P. Fulciniti, related many interesting incidents in the Masonic Life of RW Brother Hunt. He was raised in Tyrian Lodge, on May 12, 1925, and immediately became active. He was Worshipful Master in 1943, and served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 2nd Erie District in 1950. He remained active on Grand Lodge Committees and in May of 1966 was elected Senior Grand Warden, in which he served until 1968.W Brother Ketchum rendered another solo, entitled, "How Great Thou Art." Then the Worshipful Master, W Brother Fulciniti, asked the Deputy Grand Master for a few words. He commented on the solo by the chorister, being a very fitting time for such a meaningful and beautiful song. The Deputy Grand Master RW Brother Schneider spoke of the work, RW Brother Hunt had done for the glory of the craft. Then remarked about the splended attendance and that it was a gratifying tribute to RW Albert H. Hunt.In behalf of the members of Tyrian Lodge, RW Albert W. Schneider, presented a plaque commemerating the evening to RW Brother Hunt. RW Brother Hunt responded most graciously and related some of the more humerous times in his Masonic Career.

49.) Presentation to RW David S. Greenwood

On October 27, 1975, the Worshipful Master, W John P. Fulciniti, announced that he would like to meet with RW David S. Greenwood and all the Past Masters of Tyrian Lodge, on the level. W David Pugash, in behalf of the Past Masters, presented a Clerical Stole, in recognition of his being ordained as a Priest in the Episcopalian Church. RW Brother Greenwood graciously accepted the gift and extended a cordial invitation to all the brethren, to attend the Ordination Services at the Church of the Good Shepherd, on Saturday, November 1, 1975, at 11:00 am.

Many Tyrian Lodge members attended the very impressive service and wished many years of joy and service for RW Rev. David S. Greenwood.

50.) Brother Herbert A. Kuhn Honored

On April 12, 1976, the Worshipful Master, W Donald C. King, announced that the lodge was to honor one of their loyal and hard working sideliners.

The program began when W Robert J. Zolczer escorted into the lodge a very large delegation of 1976 Erie County Wardens, led by their President, Brother James V. Puccio, Senior Warden of Highland Lodge No. 835, who were welcomed by last years President, W Donald C. King. sitting Master of Tyrian Lodge. Brother Puccio then introduced his fellow Wardens, which include W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., the 1st vice President of the Wardens Association.

W James A. Steel escorted several members of the 1976 Erie County Masters Association, led by their President W Robert L. Meyer, into the lodge. W Brother Meyer was escorted to the East, where he introduced his fellow Worshipful Masters.

The Past and Present Grand Lodge Officers were then escorted into the lodge and welcomed by the Worshipful Master.RW Albert H. Hunt, Past Senior Grand Warden, was escorted into the lodge and to the East, where he was received on Grand Honors.The District Deputy Grand Master of the 2nd Erie District, RW Albert E. Boxall was escorted into the lodge and to the East, where he also was received on Grand Honors.Brother Herbert Anthony Kuhn, was then escorted to the East, where he was greeted by the District Deputy Grand Master, who in behalf of the members of the lodge, presented a certificate of merit to him, from Grand Lodge. After Brother Kuhn expressed his thanks, he was greeted by W John P. Fulciniti, who presented a Dedicated Service Apron to him, in behalf of the members of the lodge. The Certificate and Apron were presented in recognition of the many years of service by Brother Kuhn.

The recommendation, presented to Grand Lodge, by W John P. Fulciniti, Worshipful Master in 1975, related Brother Kuhn's accomplishments as a sideliner, and included the following:

112

"Brother Herbert Anthony Kuhn, a young man of eighty years, has been a pillar of strength to Tyrian Lodge. His staunch support of the lodge is shown by his many years of continued, active membership on - The Investigating Committee, The Finance Committee from 1958, and Chairman of the same since 1969. For three successful years he served as Chairman of the Masonic Brotherhood Fund. His active participation on the Sick and Visitation Committee has brought good cheer and fellowship to our shut-in brothers.

With all these Chairmanships, Brother Kuhn was still active with our Fellowcraft Degree Team, and was Committee Chairman for the Annual "Old Timer's Night." His support of the Masonic Breakfasts and our lodge dinners (preceding our degrees) has been unfailing. Also for many years, the Family Picnic was held on Brother Kuhn's Farm. His visitations to other lodges in the area, support of the Buffalo Consistory and visitations to Order of Eastern Star meetings, indicate the dedication he has to Masonic principles."

Brother Kuhn was most appreciative in his remarks and thanked the officers and members for the honor bestowed on him. He was then given Grand Honors by the Lodge.

51.) The Blizzard of 1977 and Tyrian Lodge Officer's Installed

January 10, 1977, the City of Buffalo experienced the start of what was to be called, "The Blizzard of '77,"one of the worst wind and snow storms ever recorded. Many sections of the city were already, completely snowbound and travel almost at a stand still, but, 20 stalwart brothers weathered the storm, and made it to lodge. The installing Master, W James A. Steel, installed all the officers of the lodge on that night, including those who could not make it through the storm. These brothers were installed by proxy. W Robert Mckenzie, Installing Marshal, made proclamations from the South, West and East, that the officers of Tyrian Lodge were properly installed in their respective stations and places.

The Worshipful Master, W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., was installed on January 8, 1977, because it was necessary for him to be in Washington, DC for the whole month of January, commencing on the Monday morning of Tyrian's Installation of Officers. Arrangements had previously been made and approved by Grand Lodge for this special meeting. It should be also noted, that W Brother Ketchum, was the only Past Master of Tyrian Lodge, to be elected Worshipful Master for a second time, since RW Charles I. Heckman held the office, Under Dispensation and 1915 and 1916. Because of the Storm, there had been more brothers in attendance at the Worshipful Master's Installation, than the Installation on the regular meeting night.

52.) RW Rev. David S. Greenwood, Grand Chaplain Honored

On October 10, 1977, RW Rev. David S. Greenwood, Grand Chaplain, was honored at an open meeting of the lodge. This had made it possible for many of his non-Masonic associates, friends and ladies, to be present for the Ceremonies.

W David Pugash, committee chairman for the evenings program, welcomed the ladies and gentleman, in a very gracious manner.

Then, after the following delegations were escorted into the lodge and introduced:    Brethren from Wilson Lodge No. 86, A.F.& A.M., Toronto, Canada.    Past Masters of other Lodges.    Members of the 1977 Erie County Warden's Association.    Members of the 1977 Erie County Master's Association.    Past and Present Grand Lodge Officers.

RW Rev. David S. Greenwood, was escorted into the lodge and to the East by RW Clarence R. Holmes.

MW Lloyd S. Cochran, Past Grand Master and Honorary member of Tyrian Lodge, was escorted into the lodge and to the East by RW Howard R. Stesel.

Following the Invocation by RW Rev. Leon K. Molter, Grand Chaplain, the Worshipful Master, W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., introduced RW Rev. David S. Greenwood to the lodge and invited MW Lloyd S. Cochran, to assist him in presenting a Grand Lodge Apron to the new Grand Chaplain.

RW Rev. Greenwood, said, that it was an honor for him to receive his Grand Chaplain Apron from such a distinguished gentleman and brother Mason.

MW Brother Cochran, then addressed the lodge, with an inspiring talk on the Spirit of Masonry.

53.) RW Clarence R. Holmes Honored

Continuing the festivities, W Brother Ketchum, introduced RW Clarence R. Holmes to the lodge, and then read from a plaque, inscribed for him. The Worshipful Master invited the Past Grand Master to assist him in presenting the plaque to RW Brother Holmes, in recognition of his many years of Masonic Service to Tyrian Lodge and the Craft.

The Worshipful Master commented, that it was very fitting for the Past Grand Master to assist in the presentation, because RW Holmes and MW Brother Cochran were Worshipful Masters in 1940, and RW Brother Holmes was appointed Grand Steward, during 1972 and 1973, when MW Brother Cochran was Grand Master.

RW Clarence R. Holmes thanked the Worshipful Master and said that he had enjoyed the honor of serving his lodge and the Grand Lodge of the State of New York.

Appropriate music for the evening was provided by Brother Vinson F. Long, Organist and Brother Rev. Earl B. Robinson, Chorister.

54.) Brother Gilson S. Schreiber Honored

113

On March 27, 1978, Brother Gilson S. Schreiber was honored for his dedicated Masonic Service. The Worshipful Master, W Dominic S. Bellanti, Jr., asked RW Paul R. Leberman, District Deputy Gand Master of the 2nd Erie District and W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr. to assist in the Ceremonies.

The District Deputy Grand Master summoned Brother Schreiber to the East and read a Certificate from the Grand Lodge, honoring him for his dedicated service. After the presentation of the Certificate by RW Brother Leberman, W Brother Ketchum presented a Dedicated Service Apron to Brother Schreiber and gave a short history on Masonic Aprons.

Brother Gilson S. Schreiber said, that he was very proud to receive the award and thanked the members of the lodge for the honor bestowed on him. The Worshipful Master W Brother Bellanti, then raised the lodge and accorded Brother Schreiber Grand Honors.

55.) RW Robert J. Zolczer's Presentation of his DDGM Apron

On October 9, 1978, the members of Tyrian Lodge presented RW Robert J. Zolczer, District Deputy Grand Master of the 2nd Erie District, his Grand Lodge Apron, at a special Public Lodge meeting.

The Ceremony began when the many delegations of Masons, there to honor the new DDGM, were escorted into the lodge and introduced to the Worshipful Master, W Dominic S. Bellanti, Jr.

RW Edward G. Eschner, Senior Grand Warden was escorted into the Lodge and to the East by RW Clarence R. Holmes.

The honored guest then entered the lodge, under escort of the Past Masters of Tyrian Lodge. After being received in the East by the Worshipful Master, the District Deputy Grand Masters' brother W James Zolczer, gave an interesting history of his brothers life. RW Howard R. Stesel then presented RW Robert J. Zolczer his Grand Lodge Apron.

The new District Deputy Grand Master expressed his sincere thanks to the Past Masters of Tyrian Lodge for selecting him to be nominated for DDGM, and also thanked everyone for attending his Apron presentation.

56.) RW Robert J. Zolczer's Jewel Presentation

On June 11, 1979, RW Robert J. Zolczer was presented a Past District Deputy Grand Master's Jewel. The delegations were escorted into the lodge by W Dominic S. Bellanti, Jr. and then the delegations were introduced by the Worshipful Master, W Raymond H. Dunkel to the brethren present. Many distinguished Masons, including, Past DDGM's from the 1st and 3rd Erie Districts, RW Carl A. Wells and James A. Morrison, both of whom served with RW Brother Zolczer in 1978. The present DDGM's, RW Harry A. Belcer from the 3rd Erie District and RW Kenneth A. Preston from the 2nd Erie District, and the Senior Grand Warden, RW Edward G. Eschner.

The Worshipful Master welcomed the visitors, and then continued with the Ceremony, gave a summary of RW Brother Zolczer's Masonic career. He followed this by presenting him with his new jewel.

The Past District Deputy Grand Master responded by thanking the members of Tyrian Lodge, and then introduced several group of friends and associates, which included his Grand Lodge Staff.

The Senior Grand Warden gave an address on Fellowship, which included the History of Masonry in Western New York and the founding of the Masonic Home in Utica, New York.

The Worshipful Master thanked everyone for attending the jewel presentation, and the closed the lodge in due form, after allowing the guests to retire to the banquet hall for refreshments.

57.) RW Bernard Rummel’s Grand Lodge Apron Visits Scotland

In May of 1979, RW Andrew Muir was going to travel to Scotland and visit the country where he was born. While there he wanted to attend the Lodge where he was raised a Master Mason, but, he was just appointed Grand Steward and wouldn’t have his Grand Steward’s Apron presented until his return. W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr., heard about the problem, and new Tyrian Lodge had RW Bernard Rummel’s Grand Steward’s Apron available. W Brother Ketchum contacted RW Brother Muir and offered the Apron to him.

When RW Andrew Muir returned, he contacted Worshipful Brother Ketchum, and presented him with the 250th Anniversary Program, which he attended on May 15, 1979, and other Installation and Celebration Invitations to the Masonic Lodges he visited in Scotland, while wearing RW Bernard Rummel’s Apron. The following are the Lodges visited:

The Lodge of Torphichen Kilwinning, No. 13 (Auld 13) - (Linlithgowshire, Scotland) - 250th Anniversary Ceremony.Lodge Ancient Brazen , No. 17 - (Linlithgowshire, Scotland) - Installation Invitation.Lodge Saint James, No. 590 - (Harthill, Scotland) - Installation Invitation.Lodge Buchan Saint John, No. 636 - (Linlithgowshire, Scotland) - 100th Anniversary Celebration.Lodge Polkemmet, No. 927 - (Linlithgowshire, Scotland) - Installation Invitation.

RW Andrew Muir informed me that, The Lodge of Polkemmet, No. 927, is his Mother Lodge in Scotland or as he said it should be said, in Scottish, "is for I am a Life Member of my Mother Lodge."

RW Brother Muir thanked W Brother Ketchum and gave him the following note:

Dear Brother Chuck - Here are the names of the Lodges which I visited while I was visiting in Scotland, and of course wearing the Grand Steward’s Apron which you were so kind to loan me until I received my own, something for which I shall be eternally grateful.    -    Andy.

58.) W John P. Fulciniti, Moderator of the School of Instruction

114

On October 8, 1979, W John P. Fulciniti was honored by Tyrian Lodge, for his appointment as Moderator of the School of Instruction, for Erie County.

The Ceremony began when W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr. escorted the following delegations into the lodge and introduced them to the Worshipful Master, W Raymond H. Dunkel:

    Past Masters of other lodges.    Members of the 1979 Erie County Wardens' Association.    Members of the 1979 Erie County Masters' Association.    Past and Present Grand Lodge Officers.

W John P. Fulciniti, then entered the lodge under the escort of W Brother Ketchum and the Past Masters of Tyrian Lodge.

RW Howard R. Stesel escorted RW Kenneth A. Preston, DDGM of the 2nd Erie District into the lodge and to the East, followed by RW Clarence R. Holmes escorting RW Edward G. Eschner, Senior Grand Warden into the lodge and to the East.

The Worshipful Master, then summoned RW Robert J. Zolczer to the East and turned the Gavel of Tyrian Lodge over to him, to continue with the ceremonies of the evening.

After the Invocation was delivered by RW Rev. David S. Greenwood, RW Brother Zolczer gave a few complimentary remarks about the honored guest, then invited RW Clarence R. Holmes and W Charles L. Ketchum, Jr. to continue with their part in the ceremony.

RW Brother Holmes gave a short history on W John P. Fulciniti's life, and W Brother Ketchum related on his Masonic background. Together, they presented an Assistant Grand Lecturer's Apron and Jewel to him from the members of Tyrian Lodge.

W John P. Fulciniti respomded, by saying, that it was an honor to accept the apointment as Moderator of the School of Instruction, thanked the members of the lodge for their gifts and then thanked all of his friends for attending.

RW Brother Zolczer returned the Gavel to the Worshipful Master, after allowing each Brother in the East, to offer congratulations to the new Moderator of the School of Instruction, for Erie County.

59.) RW Howard R. Stesel's Birthday Party

On March 24, 1980, following the closing of the scheduled meeting, the Lodge was reopened to the public. The affair began when the following visitors were escorted into the Lodge Room:

W Dominic S. Bellanti, Jr. escorted the 1980 Erie County Warden’s Association members into the lodge, led by their President Brother Paul Gronmeyer. W Bellanti then escorted the 1980 Erie County Master’s Association members into the lodge.

W James A. Steel escorted RW Rev. David S. Greenwood, Chairman of the evening’s affair, to the East. W Steel then escorted into the lodge RW Kenneth A. Preston, DDGM 2nd Erie District from Northeast Lodge No. 995, RW Robert McPherson, Grand Director of Ceremonies from Occidental Lodge No. 766 and RW Franklyn F. Schwartzott, Grand Sword Bearer from Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163, to the East and then escorted RW Dr. Edward G. Eschner, Senior Grand Warden to the East.

W James Steel escorted our Honored Brother RW Howard R. Stesel, Past Grand Representative of the State of North Carolina to the East. RW Stesel was appointed Grand Representative in 1953, by Tyrian Lodge’s Past Grand Master MW Ward B. Arbury.

A solo was rendered by W Charles L. Ketchum Jr., "Blue Bird of Happiness," accompanied by our organist Brother Vincent F. Long.

RW Rev. David S. Greenwood said the Lodge was assembled to Honor RW Howard R. Stesel who will celebrate his 90th birthday on April 1, 1980. He then gave a brief history of events and highlights of RW Stesel’s youth. He joined Tyrian Lodge in 1917, was admitted to the Bar in 1927, and was Master of Tyrian Lodge in 1937.

RW Greenwood related a story of the Oyster Stew prepared by RW Stesel when he was Junior Warden. Brother Richard Wiede dressed in an old Tyrian baseball uniform came to the East and talked with RW Stesel about his umpiring during the Masonic Baseball games in years past. RW Stesel enjoyed presenting Masonic Aprons in the 1st Degree, which he still does to this day, and he also gives the Charge to the Brethren and conducts the Election of Officers of Tyrian, every year. He was Tyrian’s Man of the Year.

RW Robert J. Zolczer read a few letters written to RW Stesel congratulating him on his past years from MW William R. Punt, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, President of the United States Jimmy Carter, Illustrious Louis H. Schmidt of the Buffalo Consistory, Judge Frederick Marshall Potentate of Ismailia Shrine, Senators Jacob Javitts and Jack Kemp, Mayor of Buffalo James Griffin, Edward J. Rutkowski Erie County Executive, President of the Bar Association, John P. Percell. The Distinguished Masonic Officers in the East also gave their congratulations.

Several former Lafayette High School Cheerleaders from the Past, approached the East and presented RW Stesel with a Cheerleader Pompom and hat.

W James A. Steel spoke of RW Stesel’s connection with Tyrian Brethren and presented him with a colored photograph in his Grand Lodge Apron.

Another solo was rendered by W Ketchum - "Try to Remember."

RW Howard R. Stesel spoke briefly and expressed appreciation for this night and hoped he was successful in spreading the cement of friendship and brotherly love. He also said he will never forget this evening. A standing applause was given.

As an added announcement - In April 1980, it will be his 65th Wedding Anniversary.

115

After everyone gave their congratulations to RW Stesel, refreshments were served in the Banquet Hall.

60.) An Interesting Fact about our Canadian Brethren

Throughout the years, Tyrian Lodge exchanged visits with Masonic Lodge across the border in Canada, which includes:

Dominion Lodge No. 615, A.F.& A.M., Ridgeway, Ontario        1931 thru 1938.Adoniram Lodge No. 573, A.F.& A.M., Niagara Falls, Ontario   1936 thru 1939.Wilson Lodge No. 86, A.F.& A.M., Toronto, Ontario                 1940 to 2000.

On May 20, 1941, members of Tyrian Lodge traveled to Wilson Lodge No. 86 and conferred a 3rd Degree, then on November 11, 1941, the members of Wilson Lodge were to reciprocate by conferring a Canadian 3rd Degree at Tyrian Lodge, but, because of passport requirements to enter the United States, which was due to WWII, this became impossible. Five years later on November 26, 1946, Wilson Lodge members made their return visit to Tyrian Lodge, and we have been exchanging visits ever since.

--------

District Deputy Grand Masters - In 1855 the Grand Lodge divided the State in Masonic Districts. Each district comprising counties contiguous to each other was placed under the supervision of a District Deputy Grand Master, appointed by the Grand Master.

In 1855 and 1856, Erie, Niagara and Wyoming counties constituted the 8th Masonic District, of which Brother Ellicott Evans, of Buffalo was appointed District Deputy Grand Master.

In 1856 and 1857, Erie and Wyoming counties formed the 18th district, Brother Ellicott Evans continuing as D. D. G. M.

In 1857 and 1858, Erie and Niagara counties were united in district number 16 with Bro. Myron L. Burrill, of Lockport, as D.D.G.M.

In 1858 and 1859 the same two counties constituted the 16th district, with Joseph K. Tyler, of Buffalo, as D. D. G. M.

The same two counties continued to form district number 16 during 1859 and 1860, with Bro. Benj.H. Austin, of Buffalo, as D.D.G.M.

In 1860 and 1861, Erie and Chautauqua counties composed district number 19, Bro. Benj. H. Austin continuing as D.D.G.M.

For 1861 and 1862, the same two counties continued to constitute the 19th district, with Bro. Benj. H. Austin as D.D.G.M.

In 1862 and 1863 Erie county was set off as district number 20, of which Brother James McCredie, of Buffalo, became D.D.G.M.

1863 and 1864 found Brother R. N. Brown, of Buffalo, as D. D. G. M., and again in 1864 and '65, Brother James McCredie filled the office occupied by him in 1862 and 1863.

From 1865 to 1873, Erie county formed the 22nd Masonic district, having the following brethren, all of Buffalo, for D.D.G.M.: 1865,'66,'67, Brother Christopher G. Fox; 1867/68, Brother David F. Day; 1868/69, Brother Joseph

L. Haberstro; 1869/70, Brother John B. Sackett ; the latter, however, removing trom the state soon after receiving the appointment, the Grand Master substituted Brother John A. Lockwood in his place. In 1870/71, and 1871/72, Brother John B. Manning occupied the position as D.D.G.M., and

in 1872/73, Brother Lorenzo M. Kenyon.

In 1873 Erie county was set off as district number 25, the D.D.G.M.s of which were all from Buffalo, with the exception of one. For 1873/741 Bro. Lorenzo M. Kenyon; 1874/75, and 1875/76, Bro. Bertrand Chafee, of Springville; 1877/78, and 1878/79, Bro. Charles E. Young; 1879/80, and 1880/81, Bro. John C. Graves; 1882/83, and 1883/84. Bro. William Hengerer.

In closing the part of this compilation referring to the lodges of Erie county, we would state that the whole number of brethren affiliated with its twenty-one lodges, consisted, according to official reports, May ist, 1883, of two thousand seven hundred and twelve Master Masons. All below that degree are not reported, neither does the above number embrace those who have reached that degree but are not members of lodges. The number ol the last two mentioned classes may be set down as three hundred. The total number of Masons in this county may, therefore, be stated as three thousand in round numbers.

The lodges have been given in chronological order and by the numbers they bear. To prevent confusion, however, it may be necessary to state that all of the old lodges, previous to 1845, had become extinct during the anti-Masonic excitement. The first lodge after the revival of Masonry, that received a warrant, was Hiram Lodge of Buffalo, which, under the re-enumeration ordered by the Grand Lodge, received the number 105, which makes it the oldest lodge existing in this county.

The majority of lodges in the district have cheerfully assented to our request to permit an examination of their records, which we gratefully acknowledge.. Those who have refused us that privilege are mentioned in their proper place. Springville Lodge, No. 351, Zion No. 514, Akron

No. 527, Alden No. 594 and Fraternal No. 625, have not seen fit even to notice our fraternal request for information, although endorsed by the highest Masonic authority of this district.

CAPITULAR MASONRY IN ERIE COUNTY.

To our knowledge no extended or continuous record exists- of the early history of Symbolic Masonry in Erie county. It was after a laborious search that we discovered the original documents furnishing information of the initiatory steps taken for the formation of Western Star Lodge No. 289, the first lodge in Erie county, an abstract of which appears in the preceding pages. Of the early history of Capitular Masonry in this county, we have found no trace beyond what the proceedings of the Grand Chapter of the State furnish.

116

The first mention of Capitular Masonry in Erie county is contained in a resolution presented in the Grand Chapter February 6th, 1812, to the effect that a committee of one Royal Arch Mason, or Mark Master Mason, be appointed in each county in this State, to exert all lawful influence for the purpose of carrying the aforesaid resolution (alluding to the incorporation of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter) into effect, etc. Under that resolution Zenas Barker was appointed for Niagara county, which at that time included Erie county as before stated. Zenas Barker then a resident of Buffalo, was the Brother who was to be the first master of Western Star Lodge No. 239, which was to be held at his house.

From the date when the resolution was offered in the Grand Chapter, as above stated, to the year 1822, no trace is discoverable of any attempt to establish a chapter in the territory which is now embraced in Erie county. At the convocation of the Grand Chapter, however, in February, 1822, on the 7th of that month, Niagara Chapter No. 71, to be located at Buffalo, was called into existence.

Niagara Chapter No. 71.—A warrant was granted "to Companions Heman B. Potter, Charles Townsend and John A. Lassell, to hold a chapter at Buffalo, county of Erie, by the name of Niagara Chapter No. 71." No particulars are obtainable at this time of the doings of Niagara Chapter. In 1823, Companion Charles Townsend represented Niagara Chapter in the Grand Chapter, but in 1824, it remained unrepresented. In 1825, Companions Stephen K. Grosvenor and Charles Townsend attended the Grand Chapter as representatives; in 1826, it was John G. Camp; in 1827, '28 and '29, it was Stephen K. Grosvenor again, but beyond that time no mention is made of Niagara Chapter. Niagara Chapter held its convocations in the building on the southeast corner of Main and Seneca streets, which was destroyed at the time of the great "Cheapside" fire, as it was called, embracing the west side of Main, Seneca and Pearl streets, and also the east side of Main street. The fire occurred November 15, 1832; by it the chapter lost all its effects, but its warrant was saved by the daring of one of its members, the late Companion Miles Jones, who snatched it out of the flames. It was subsequently placed in the custody of Buffalo Chapter No. 71, and was again saved from the conflagration in December, 1882, which destroyed the Masonic Hall, on the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets.

Springville Chapter No. 118.—Four years after a warrant had been obtained for the formation of Niagara Chapter, the Grand Chapter granted February 10, 1826, a charter to Companions Job Bigelow, H. P., Archibald Griffith, K., Jarvis Bloomfield, S., and others, to hold a chapter at Concord, in the county of Erie, by the name of Springville, No. 118.

The chapter was represented in the Grand Chapter by Job Bigelow, during the years 1827, '28, '29, '30, '31 and '32.

At the convocation of the Grand Chapter February 6, 1833, the Grand Council reported "that the certificate presented by Companion Job Bigelow is defective, not having a date, and, in their opinion, does not entitle him to a seat in the Grand Chapter as the representative of Springville Chapter No. 118;" whereupon the following resolution was offered and referred to the committee on charity:—

"Resolved, That the sum of forty-eight dollars be allowed Companion Job Bigelow."

The committee on charity reported:—

"That, after duly considering all the circumstances in relation to Companion Bigelow, they are of the opinion that he ought to receive by way of charity the amount he would have received as the representative of Springville Chapter, had his credentials been in conformity with the constitution."

It may be presumed that after that year the chapter had ceased to exist as no further mention is made of it.

Buffalo Chapter No. 71.—No steps were taken to revive Niagara Chapter No. 71, after the fire of 1832, neither were there any steps taken to form a new one until the latter part of the year 1847, when a petition was presented to the Grand High Priest for a dispensation to hold a chapter in Buffalo, which was signed by the following Companions: Orange H. Dibble, Solomon Drullard, Benjamin H. Austin, Jabez J. Rogers, Daniel H. Wiswell, Daniel Kinney, Carlos Cobb, James L. Barton, Nehemiah Case, George W. Allen, Miles Jones, Seth Austin, Norman Butler, Charles Radcliff.

The petition was granted and Companion Orange H. Dibble was appointed H. P., Solomon Drullard, K., and Benjamin H. Austin, S., of the chapter.

At the convocation of the Grand Chapter February i, 1848, the following resolution was adopted:—

"Resolved, That Niagara Chapter No. 71, at Buffalo, be revived under the name, style and title of Buffalo Chapter No. 71; that a new warrant be granted, the old warrant having been consumed by fire; that Orange Dibble be High Priest; Solomon Drullard, King, and Benjamin H. Austin, Scribe of said Chapter, under the dispensation granted by the M. E. Grand High Priest, be approved ; and that the money deposited except five dollars for the dispensation, be returned."

The officers of the Chapter for 1849 were those named in the warrant; their successors in office were as follows:—

HIGH PRIESTS. KINGS & SCRIBES.

1850. Orange H. Dibble,1851. Orange H. Dibble,1852. Nehemiah Case,1853. Nehemiah Case,1854. LeRoy Farnham,1855. LeRoy Farnham,1856. James H. Barton,

G. W. Allen, Nehemiah Case, Jabez J. Rogers, LeRoy Farnham, James H. Barton, James H. Barton, Ellicott Evans,

James Wenz. Nelson Randall. John Hebard. Lyman Brown. Eli Williamson. John Hebard. W. H. Drew.

117

1857. Ellicott Evans,1858. Ellicott Evans,1859. Riley Hayford,1860. James McCredie,1861. James McCredie,1862. James McCredie,1863. James McCredie,1864. James McCredie,1865. Wm. F. Rogers,1866. Wm. F. Rogers,1867. Henry Waters,1868. Henry Waters,1869. Hawley Klein,1870. Hawley Klein,1871. Hawley Klein,1872. John Briggs,1873. W. H. Baker,1874. W. H. Baker,1875. Henry Smith,1876. Chas. H. Rathbun,1877. Chas. H. Rathbun,1878. Burrall Spencer, Jr.,1879. Burrall Spencer, Jr.,1880. Joseph E. Ball,1881. Horace A. Noble,1882. Horace A. Noble,1883. Albert H. Adams,

Riley Hayford, Riley Hayford, James McCredie, Darwin Kenyon, Darwin Kenyon, Darwin Kenyon, Wm. Allen, Wm. Allen, Hawley Klein, Henry Waters, Hawley Klein, Hawley Klein, Stephen M. Evry, Stephen M. Evry, John Briggs, Theodore C. Knight, Theodore C. Knight, Henry Smith, Chas. H. Rathbun, Burrall Spencer, Jr., Burrall Spencer, Jr., Stephen M. Evry, Joseph E. Ball, Horace A. Noble, Albert H. Adams, Albert H. Adams, Henry R. Clark,

James McCredie. James McCredie. James Adams. Wm. Allen. Wm. Allen. Wm. Allen. Wm. Bailey. Wm. F. Rogers. P. B. Hitchcock. P. B. Hitchcock. Stephen M. Evry. Stephen M. Evry. Chillian M. Farrar. Chillian M. Farrar. John Diller. F. A. Colson. F. A. Colson. Chas. H. Rathbun. Robert P. Gardner. Mark W. Cole. Mark W. Cole. John Masters, Jr. Wm. J. Runcie, David B. McNish. Girard McVicar. Girard McVicar. Wm. J. Donaldson.

At the close of the year 1882 the Chapter had two hundred and one members. From 1847 to August, 1861, the Chapter occupied the hall on the northwest corner of Washington and Exchange streets, when it moved to the southwest corner of Main and Swan streets. In May, i&76f it took up its quarters in the Miller & Greiner Block, northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets. It was driven out of that place by the fire in December, 1882, but is now again occupying its former quarters.

This was supposed to have been the case. The facts have been stated under the head of "Niagara Chapter No. 71." The compiler has again examined the old warrant, a few days ago; it still exists.

Keystone Chapter No. 163.- It is to be regretted that this Chapter lost its record at the fire in December, 1882, when the lodge rooms on the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets were destroyed. Under such circumstances our information must necessarily be of a very limited character.

At the Convocation of the Grand.Chapter of the State in February, 1857 a warrant was granted to William H. Drew, H. P.; Everard Palmer К ; Christopher G. Fox, S.; and others to hold a Chapter in the city of Buffalo, to be known as Keystone Chapter No 163.

The Chapter held its convocations in Washington Masonic Hall No. 329 (old number) Main street, subsequently moved to the building adjoining north thereof, was driven from its home by the conflagration in January 1865, found refuge in Masonic Hall, south-west corner of Main and Swan streets, and, finally in May, 1876, moved with the rest of the bodies occupying the Hall to the Miller & Greiner Block, northeast corner of Washington and north Division street. It was driven out of that place by fire in December, 1882, but returned to its former quarters in September 1883. The following were its officers for the respective years:

HIGH PRIESTS. KINGS & SCRIBES

1857 W. H. Drew Everard Palmer, Christopher G. Fox.1858 C. G. Fox M. Pinner, Wm. H. Mason, Jr.1859 M. Pinner Gordon Bailey, Wm. Gould.1860 M. Pinner R. N. Brown, David F. Day.1861 M. Pinner R. N. Brown, Abram S. Swartz.1862 R N Brown David F. Day, Abram S. Swartz.1863 David F Day Abram S. Swartz, John A. Lockwood.

118

1864 David F Day John A. Lockwood, Wm. Fleming.1865 David F.Day John A. Lockwood L. M. Kenyon.1866 Lorenzo M. Kenyon, Wrn. B. McMaster, Geo. W. Gleason.1867 C. G. FOX Edgar W. Denison, R. P. Наyеs1868 С. G. Fox R. P. Hayes, John B. Sackett1869 С. G. Fox John B. Sackelt, John B. Manning.1870 С. G. Fox John A. Lockwood, John B. Manning.1871 С. G. Fox John A. Lockwood, John B. Manning.1872 John A. Lockwood Jno. B. Manning, S. M. Ratcliffe.1873 John B. Manning S. M. Ratcliffe, Wm. Vosburgh.1874 John B. Manning S. M. Ratcliffe, Wm. B. Flint.1875 S. M. Ratcliffe, John C. Graves, Wm. Hengerer.1876 S. M. Ratcliffe, John C. Graves, Wm. Hengerer.1877 John C. Graves Wm. Hengerer, John L. Brothers.1878 Wm. Hengerer, John L. Brothers, Benj. A. Provoost.1879 Wm. Hengerer, John L. Brothers, C. C. Candee.1880 Wm. Hengerer, John L. Brothers, C. R. Fitzgerald.1881 John L. Brothers, John C. Adams, Darwin E. Morgan.1882 John L. Brothers, Darwin E. Morgan, Darwin E. Morgan.1883 John C. Adams, Darwin E. Morgan, Wm. H. Smith.

At the close of the year 1882 the Chapter numbered two hundred and twenty-two members.

Adytum Chapter No. 235--The M. E. Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the State issued his dispensation 5 Feb 1869, to Companions Robert P. Hayes, H. P., Milo A. Whitney, K., and Darwin E. Morgan, S., and others to hold a chapter in Buffalo, to be known as Adytum Chapter. At the convocation of the Grand Chapter in February, 1870, it received its warrant and the number 235. The following were its officers for the respective years:—

HIGH PRIESTS. KINGS. SCRIBES.

1869. R. P. Hayes, Milo A. Whitney, Darwin E. Morgan.1870. R. P. Hayes, Milo A. Whitney, Darwin E. Morgan.1871. R. P. Hayes, Geo. I. White, Jno. W. Bridgeman.1872. Geo. I. White, Jno. W. Bridgeman, Albert Jones.1873. Geo. I. White, Albert Jones, S. H. Rathbone.1874. Albert Jones, Samuel H. Rathbone, Emory C. Abbey.1875. Albert Jones, John Pease, Jr., Emory C. Abbey.1876. John Pease, Jr., Guilford W. McCray, E. H. Hutchinson.1877. John Pease, Jr., Guilford W. McCray, E. H. Hutchinson.1878. Guilford W. McCray, E. Howard Hutchinson, Wm. H. Kennett.1879. Guilford W. McCray, Wm. H. Kennett, Wm. H. Beyer.1880. Wm. H. Kennett, Wm. H. Beyer, Webster Beiden.1881. Wm. H. Kennett, E. Howard Hutchinson, Chas. E. Williams.1882. Wm. H. Kennett, Chas. E. Williams, Thomas C. Burns.1883. Hobart B. Loomis, Wm. N. McCredie, Cheeseman Dodge.

At the close of 1882, the Chapter numbered one hundred and fifty six members.

Germania Chapter No. 256.—A large number of Companions who were also members of the three lodges of Buffalo working in the German tongue, had long been desirous of forming a chapter, which was likewise to use the German language. A petition was drawn up, which was endorsed by Buffalo Chapter No. 71, and presented to the Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the State, who, on the 30th of September, 1870, issued his dispensation authorizing Companion Joseph L. Haberstro to act as H. P., Companion Richard Flach to act as K., and Companion Frederick Held to act as S., of a chapter to be holden at Buffalo and to be known as Germania Chapter, and to work in the German language. The following Companions signed the petition :— Joseph L. Haberstro, Richard Flach, Frederick Held, Bernhard H. King, August Speisser, Henry C. Persch, Augustus B. Felgemacher Richard J. Ball, Christian Kurtzman, Henry D. Keller, John Greiner, Philip A. Wagner, George P. Pfeiffer, Sebastian C. Kiene and Edward H. Meyers.

The chapter was organized under the direction of M. E. Companion David F. Day, October 27, 1870, in the hall No. 416 Main street. The first regular convocation of Germania Chapter occurred November 3, 1870. At the convocation of the Grand Chapter in February, 1871, Germania Chapter received a warrant and the number 256. The warrant bears date February 8, 1871, and appoints Joseph L. Haberstro to be H. P., Richard Flach to be K., and Frederick Held to be S. The chapter was regularly constituted and the officers thereof installed February 23, 1871, by M. E. David F. Day. The chapter is the second one in the State that has received the privilege of working in the German tongue.

In the fall of 1876, the chapter moved to the hall on the corner of Washington and North Division streets, from which it was driven by the fire of December, 1882, but has now returned to it. The following were the three principal officers of the chapter up to the present time:—

HIGH PRIESTS. KINGS. SCRIBES.

1870. Joseph L. Haberstro, Richard Flach, Frederick Held.1871. Joseph L. Haberstro, Richard Flach, Frederick Held.

119

1872. Joseph L. Haberstro, Richard Flach, Frederick Held.1873. Joseph L. Haberstro, Richard Flach, Frederick Held1874. Joseph L. Haberstro, Richard Flach, Frederick Held.1875. Joseph L. Haberstro, Frederick Held, Sebastian C. Kiene.1876. Joseph L. Haberstro, Frederick Held, Sebastian C. Kiene.1877. Sebastian C. Kiene, Henry Sauerwein, George Werner.1878. Sebastian C. Kiene, Henry Sauerwein, George Werner. 1879. Sebastian C. Kiene, Henry Sauerwein, Charles F. Bishop.1880. Sebastian C. Kiene, George F. Pfeiffer, F. H. C. Mey.1881. George F. Pfeiffer, Henry Sauerwein, C. W. RuckdescheL1882. Henry Sauerwein, F. H. C. Mey, Augustus J. Sutor.1883. F. H. C. Mey, Augustus J. Sutor, Richard J. Ball.

At the close of the year 1882, the chapter had one hundred and eleven members.

Springville Chapter No. 275.—On the 14th of May, M. E. David F. Day, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, issued his dispensation to Bertrand Chafee, H. P., Ira C. Woodward, K., and John M. Wiley, S., and others, to hold a chapter at Springville, and at the invitation of the latter attended the first convocation June 24, 1879.

The Grand Chapter granted a warrant to the chapter at its convocation February 5, 1880. The following Companions have been officers of the chapter to the present time:—

HIGH PRIESTS. KINGS. SCRIBES.

1879. Bertrand Chafee, Ira C. Woodward, John M. Wiley.1880. Bertrand Chafee, Ira C. Woodward, John M. Wiley.1881. Bertrand Chafee, Ira C. Woodward, John M. Wiley.1882. George G. Stanbro, William H. Jackson, Asa L. Twitchell.1883. William H. Jackson, Avery D. Jones, John W. Reed.

At the close of 1882, the chapter had forty members.

Keystone Council No. 20, Royal and Select Masters.—It was on the 20th of November, 1860, that the Most Puissant Nathan O. Benjamin, Grand Master of the R. and S. Masters in the. State of New York, issued his dispensation to the following R. and S. Masters to hold a Council in the city of Buffalo, to be known as Keystone Council:—Ellicott Evans, M. Pinner, William Fleming, Abram S. Swartz, John Walls, Watkins Williams, W. P. Moores, William Allen and James E. Thompson.

The first assembly of the Council U. D., was held in Masonic Hall, Main street, January 7, 1861, Th. Ill. M. Pinner, Master, presiding. At the assembly of January 19, 1861, the degrees of R. and S. M. were conferred upon Comp. N. W. Kenton; February u, 1861, on Comp. Benjamin Toles; March 2, 1861, on Comp. B. H. King ; April 1, 1861, on Comps. David F. Day and George Peugeot.

At the annual assembly of the Grand Council in June, 1861, a warrant was issued to Th. Ill. Comp. Michael Pinner, to be Master, and R. Ill. Comp. William Fleming to be Deputy Master, and Ill. Comp. Abram S. Swartz to be Pr. Cond. of the works of a Council of Royal and Select Masters, to be known and distinguished as Keystone Council No. 20. Up to April, 1864. Keystone Council held its assemblies at Masonic Hall, Main street, when it moved to the hall corner of Main and Swan streets. In December, 1866, it changed its quarters to Freemasons' Hall, No. 328 (old number), but in November, 1869, it returned to the hall southeast corner of Main and Swan streets. When the rest of the Masonic bodies changed their location to the hall northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets, Keystone Council joined in the movement, and held its first assembly therein July 15, 1876.

One of the members of Keystone Council, Comp. John B. Sackett, has occupied the distinguished position of Grand Master of the Grand Council of R. and S. M., of the State of New York for the year 1877. At the close of his term the Grand Council presented to him an elegant jewel as a testimonial for his long continued, zealous and efficient services in behalf of Cryptic Masonry. The following Companions have filled the offices for the time opposite their respective names:—

T. ILL. MASTER. DEP. MASTER. P. C. WORK.

1861. M. Pinner, William Fleming, Abram S, Swartz.1862. M. Pinner, William Fleming, Abram S. Swartz,1863. M. Pinner, William Fleming, Watkins Williams.1864. William Fleming, M. Pinner, David F. Day.1865. William Fleming, David F. Day, John Walls.1866. William Fleming, David F. Day, John Walls.1867. David F. Day, E. L. Chamberlayne, S. M. Ratcliffe,1868. David F. Day. E. L. Chamberlayne, S. M. Ratcliffe.1869. David F. Day, Stephen M. Ratcliffe, John B. Sackett.1870. David F. Day, Stephen M. Ratcliffe, John C. Graves.1871. David F. Day, Stephen M. Ratcliffe, William B. Flint.1872. Stephen M. Ratcliffe, John B. Sackett, Isaac O. Crissy.1873. John B. Sackett, Isaac O. Crissy, Wm. H. Vosburgh.1874. John B. Sackett, Darwin E. Morgan, Louis S. Morgan.1875. Darwin E. Morgan, John L. Brothers, Jas. M. Henderson.1876. Darwin E.Morgan, John L. Brothers, Jas. M. Henderson.1877. John L. Brothers, James M. Henderson, Christopher G. F6x.1878. John L. Brothers, James M. Henderson. Christopher G. Fox.

120

1879. James M. Henderson, Christopher G. Fox, Benj. A. Provoost.1880. John L. Brothers, Benjamin A. Provoost, W. A. Woodson.1881. Warren A. Woodson, William. Hengerer, E. A. Rockwood.1882. Warren A. Woodson, William Hengerer, William M. Smith.1883. John L. Brothers, William Hengerer, Goodrich L. Bowen.

Number of members one hundred and eighty, as A desire had for some time manifested itself that Cryptic Masonry should find a home in the city of Buffalo. An opportunity presented itself to two Companions attending the convocation of the Grand Chapter at Albany in February, 1860, to take the degree of R. and S. M. in Adelphic Council No. 7, of the city of New York, holding a special assembly in Albany, by dispensation from the Grand Master of the Grand Council of the State of New York. Subsequently a number of Companions received the council degrees in Bruce Council No. 15, Lockport, N. Y., and when a sufficient number for the formation of a council had been invested with them, a petition was presented to the Grand Council while in session, for a warrant to constitute:—

Buffalo Council No. 17, Royal and Select Masters.—This was granted June 6, 1860, appointing Companions William Gould. T. I. M., James McCredie, D. M., and James Inglis, P. C., of the work. The. records of the Buffalo Council having been destroyed by fire in December, 1882, this sketch has been collected from various sources. The following are the names of the petitioners for a warrant: Companions William Gould, James McCredie, James Inglis, Michael Pinner, A. C. Winn, Thomas J. Murphy, H. F. Kenyon, Charles Gardner and Elijah Effner. On thegth of July, 1860, the degrees of R. and S. M., were conferred upon the following Companions : Benjamin H. Austin, G. A. Scroggs, James H. Barton, James Alderson, C. A. W. Sherman, William Fleming, William Allen, Jay Pettibone and John Walls. The following Companions have filled the offices for the period opposite their respective names:—

T. Ill. Masters Dep. Masters P. C. of W.

1860 William Gould James McCredie James Inglis1861 William Gould James McCredie James Inglis1862 William Gould James McCredie James Inglis1863 James McCredie James Inglis1864 James McCredie James Inglis1865-70 James McCredie1871 James McCredie John Briggs Hawley Klein1872 James McCredie John Briggs Hawley Klein1873 James McCredie John Briggs Hawley Klein1874-76 John Briggs Henry Waters Hawley Klein1877 Henry Waters Hawley Klein Chas. H. Rathbun1878 Henry Waters Chas. H. Rathbun R. Spencer, Jr.1879 Albert Jones Girard McVicar E, D, W, Gager1880 Abraham Oppenheimer Girard McVicar Cyrus K. Porter1881 Abraham Oppenheimer Girard McVicar John A. Franke1882 Abraham Oppenheimer Girard McVicar John A. Franke1883 Girard McVicar John A. Franke Cyrus K. Porter

In December, 1883, Buffalo Council had one hundred and fifty-one members on its rolls.

TEMPLAR MASONRY.Lake Erie Commandery No. 20.—The record of this Commandery having been destroyed by the fire of December, 1882, we take the following (abridged) history of that body from the proceedings of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of the State of New York for 1882. The proceedings state that:—

"To the courtesy of Sirs James McCredie, P. C., and Horace A. Noble, E. C., we are indebted for the items making up the following sketch:

"In the year 1845, a number of Knights Templar in Buffalo determined to form an encampment of Knights Templar. There not being a sufficient number of Sir Knights residing in the city, a number of Companions of Buffalo Chapter No. 71, repaired to Lockport, NY, where they received the Order of Knighthood in Genesee Encampment No. 10, that being the nearest encampment to Buffalo. Having now the constitutional number, they applied to the Grand Master for a dispensation to form an Encampment. The petition was signed by Sir Knights LeRoy Farnham, Cyrus P. Lee, Henry S. Mulligan, Charles Gardner, Nehemiah Case, Horatio Warren, John Vv. Phillips, J. L. Reynolds, James H. Lee. S. O. Gould and A. H. Ball. The dispensation was granted December 2, 1852, and at a conclave of the Grand Encampment at Albany, February 4, 1853, a warrant was granted to LeRoy Farnham, Commander; Cyrus P. Lee, General ; ana Henry S. Mulligan, Captain-General, as the first officers of Lake Erie Encampment No. 20, at Buffalo. To the zeal and untiring perseverance of LeLoy Farnham, its first Commander, Lake Erie Encampment owes much of its success."

The first death that occurred among the members of the Encampment was that of Sir Knight William H. Hill, April 1, 1854. His interment was the occasion of the first Templar funeral in Buffalo, and was looked upon by the citizens with curiosity, it being the first public appearance of Templars in uniform. In 1857 the Encampment had the honor of entertaining the Grand Encampment, which held its conclave at Buffalo that year.

The following Sir Knights have filled the office of Commander (of Lake Erie Commandery) for the years named:—LeRoy Farnham, 1853, '57. '58; Nehemiah Case, 1854; Ellicott Evans, 1855; William H. Drew, 1856; Henry K. Viele, 1859; James H. Barton, 1860; James McCredie, 1861-69, inclusive; Thomas J. Murphy, 1870; Hawley Klein, 1871, '72; William S. Bull, 1873, '74, '75 ; Albert Jones, 1876-1880, inclusive ; Horace A. Noble, 1881-83. The Commandery had one hundred and forty members in 1882.

121

Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 30., Knights Templar.—The rapid growth and flourishing condition of Templar Masonry in Buffalo, and a desire for a commandery located further up town, for greater convenience to their residences, induced a number of the members of the Lake Erie Commandery No. 20 to make an effort for the establishment of a new Commandery.

A meeting of those interested in the project was held at the office of the Mayor of the city, then located on the northwest corner of Franklin and Church streets, on the 27th of January, 1870. There were present at that meeting Sir Knights Franklin A. Alberger, Isaac Holloway, Everard Palmer, James Adams, Lorenzo M. Kenyon, John Boardman, Samuel M. Chamberlain and Christopher G. Fox. Sir Knight Alberger was elected chairman, and Sir Knight Fox, secretary of the meeting. After due consideration a resolution was unanimously adopted declaring that the interest of Templar Masonry required the organization of a new Commandery, and to accomplish the object sought for the proper authorities should be petitioned *or a dispensation. A committee was appointed to obtain a suitable place of meeting should a dispensation be granted.

Of those invited to join in the organization of the new Commandery, the following Sir Knights accepted:

Robert N. Brown, John D. Elliot, John W. Houghtaling, John L. Alberger, Frank W. Gifford, Charles K. Loomis, Jonathan T. Wilbur, Marcus L. Babcock, of Batavia; Stephen D. Cardwell and Stephen M. Doyle, of Dunkirk; and Suel H. Dickinson, of Fredonia.

The signers of the petition were members of Lake Erie Commandery No. 20, excepting Sir Knights Loomis and Wilbur, the former coming from Watertown Commandery No. n, and the latter from DeMolay Commandery No. 22. at Hornellsville. At the stated conclave of Lake Erie Commandery No. 20, held March 5, 1860, E. Sir Henry K. Viele, Commander, the petition was presented and its recommendation asked for, it being the nearest and only Commandery having jurisdiction in the premises. The request was granted. The petition was then laid before R. E., Charles G. Judd, of Penn Yan, Grand Commander of Knights Templar of the State of New York, who granted a dispensation March 17, 1860, authorizing the formation of Hugh De Payen's Commandery, and naming Sir Franklin A. Alberger as Commander; Sir. Robert N. Brown, Generalissimo, and Sir Jonathan T. Wilbur, Captain-General.

The new Commandery secured and fitted up for its use the upper floor of the building on the southwest corner of Main and Court streets, the site now occupied by the Erie County Savings Bank, and named it Freemasons' Hall. The first conclave of the Commandery, U. D., was held at the Mayor's office, March 20, 1860, where its organization was perfected. Subsequent conclaves were held in Washington Masonic Hall, until June 5th, when the Commandery occupied for the first time, its new quarters in the building on the southwest corner of Main and Court streets.

At the annual conclave of the Grand Commandery in the city of Auburn, September 11, 1860, a warrant was granted to Hugh de Payens Commandery. Its officers were installed September 18th, by Sir William H. Drew, a Past Commander of Lake Erie Commandery, the Rev. Sir John E. Robie acting as Grand Prelate. The first petition for the Orders was received from Amasa С. Winn, who was the first Knight created in Hugh de Payens Commandery. The event occurred October 20, 1860.

The conflagration of January 26, 1865, destroyed Freemasons' Hall, together with the adjoining buildings of the same block, in which was located Washington Masonic Hall. The Masonic bodies meeting on the southwest corner of Main and Swan streets, in a most liberal and fra. ternal spirit, opened their hall to those who had become home and houseless; the offer was gratefully accepted. The first meeting in that Hall was held February 13, 1865.

A new hall having been finished on the ruins of the former Washington Masonic Hall (No. 326 and 328 Main street), the Commandery furnished it and held its first meeting therein 11 Dec 1865. The lease of the Hall expiring, the Commandery determined on 13 Sep 1869, to remove to the hall corner of Main and Swan streets, an arrangement having been completed for that purpose. The next conclave was held there November 8th of that year. When the Masonic bodies occupying the hall corner of Main and Swan streets, determined to change their place of meeting to the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets, Hugh de Payens Commandery joined in the movement and held the first conclave in the new quarters, July 10, 1876.

On the occasion of the second conclave, August 14, 1876, E. Sir Christopher G. Fox delivered an extended and very able historical address of the Commandery, which we have condensed in the foregoing, with the kind permission of the author.

During all these years, the members of which Hugh de Payens Commandery was composed, had made great proficiency in drill and knightly tactics, under the zealous supervision of its Commanders, and when in October, 1875, the Grand Commandery held its Annual Conclave at Rochester, and Monroe Commandery No. 12, of that city, offered a prize for the best drilled Commandery, it was Hugh de Payen's that entered the lists and carried off the silken banner. It was brought home and carefully preserved in its armory. In letters of gold it proclaims that it was :—

"Presented to Hugh de Payen's Commandery, by Monroe Commandery No. 12, Rochester, October 13, 1875."

On the reverse side it presented a Knight's Templar Cross, under and around which is inscribed the legends: "In hoc Signo Vinces" "Non Nobis Domine ! Non Nobis Gloriam. Tuo Da Sea Nomini."

The Commandery received an invitation from one of Buffalo's Charity organizations, dated August 11, 1877, signed by prominent citizens, to give a public exhibition drill at the "Rink," in aid of the organization. The invitation was accepted. The drill took place on the evening of August 21, 1877, the net proceeds of which, $557.30 were transmitted to the Buffalo Orphan Asylum.

The general Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States having designated Cleveland, Ohio, as the place of its triennial meeting in August, 1877, Hugh DePayens Commandery determined to proceed to that city and assist in the Grand Escort of that body. Fifty nine of the Sir Knights repaired to Cleveland August 27, 1877, and participated in the Grand Escort on the day following. On the 29th, Hugh DePayens Commandery participated in a prize drill under the auspices of Oriental Commandery, No. 12, of Cleveland, and although the returning Sir Knights did not succeed in bringing the trophy home with them, as they did in 1875, they nevertheless succeeded in receiving the plaudits of many excellent judges who witnessed the drill.

The Commandery attended the twenty-first triennial conclave of the General Grand Encampment of the United States at Chicago, August 10th, 1880, about fifty of its members being in line. Oriental Commandery No. 12, of Cleveland. Ohio, extended an invitation

122

to the Commandery to unite with it in paying the last tribute of respect to the earthly remains of Sir Knight James A. Garfield, late president of the United States, September 26, 1881. Fifty members repaired to Cleveland for that purpose. At the invitation of Godfrey DeBouillon Preceptory No. 3, Knights Templar, Hamilton, Ont., the Commandery went to that city August 16, 1882, for the purpose of assisting in a grand demonstration of Knights Templar, which proved to be a great success. About fifty members participated on that occasion. Invitations have been received at various times from other Commanderies, a number of which were accepted. It also has on different occasions, entertained with its accustomed hospitality, Commanderies visiting Buffalo.

Hugh DePayens Commandery numbers about one hundred and forty members. The following have been the first three officers of the Commandery from 1860 to 1884:—

COMMANDER. GENERALISSIMO. CAPTAIN-GENERAL,

1860. Franklin A. Alberger, Robert N. Brown, Jonathan T. Wilbur.1861. Robert N. Brown, Jonathan T. Wilbur, S. D. CaldwelL1862. Robert N. Brown, Jonathan T. Wilbur, Christopher G. Fox.1863. Robert N. Brown, Jonathan T. Wilbur, S. H. Dickinson.1864. Christopher G. Fox, S. H. Dickinson, J. W. Houghtaling.1865. Christopher G. Fox, John W. Houghtaling, Wm. F. Rogers.1866. Christopher G. Fox, John W. Houghtaling, Wm. F. Rogers.1867. Christopher G. Fox, John W. Houghtaling, Wm. F. Rogers.1868. Robert N. Brown, Wm. F. Rogers, Thomas E. Young.1869. Wm. F. Rogers, Thomas E. Young, Darwin E. Morgan.1870. Wm. F. Rogers, Darwin E. Morgan, John C. Graves.1871. Wm. F. Rogers, Darwin E. Morgan, Wm. S. Sizer.1872. Christopher G. Fox, Darwin E. Morgan, Wm. S. Sizer.1873. Christopher G. Fox, Darwin E. Morgan, Wm. B. Flint.1874. Christopher G. Fox, Darwin E. Morgan, Wm. B. Flint.1875. Christopher G. Fox, Darwin E. Morgan, Wm. B. Flint.1876. Christopher G. Fox, Darwin E. Morgan, Wm. B. Flint.1877. Christopher G. Fox, Darwin E. Morgan, Wm. B. Flint.1878. Christopher G. Fox, Darwin E. Morgan, John L. Brothers.1879. Darwin E. Morgan, John L. Brothers, Wm. Hengerer.1880. Darwin E. Morgan, John L. Brothers, Wm. Hengerer.1881. John L. Brothers, Wm. Hengerer, John C. Adams.1882. Wm. Hengerer John C. Adams, John C. Graves.1883. Wm. Hengerer John C. Adams, John C. Graves.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE.Of this rite two lodges received their warrants May 19, 1867, but as both were unfortunately sufferers by the fire of December, 1882, where their records, with all other documents, fell a prey to the flames, we are compelled to limit our information to a bare enumeration of the presiding officers during the existence of these two bodies.

Palmoni Lodge of Perfection, of Buffalo.—The Rev. Brother George C. Penneil was T. P. G. M. for the years 1867, '68 and '69. His successor in office was Brother James McCredie, who filled it for twelve years, beginning with 1870 and retiring at the close of 1881. He was succeeded by Brother George M. Osgoodby in 1882, while Brother A. Oppenheimer occupies it for the year 1883.

Palmoni Council of Princes of Jerusalem, at Buffalo.—The following were the presiding officers of this body for the years opposite to their names: Rev. Brother George C. Pennell. M. E. S. P. G. M., for 1867, '68 and'69; Brother Lorenzo M. Kenyon, 1870,'71 and'72 ; Brother Henry Waters, 1873 to 1881, inclusive ; Brother John C. Graves, 1882 ; Brother Oren G. Nichols, 1883.

MASONIC LIFE INSURANCE.Two Masonic Associations exist in Buffalo, whose aim it is to provide to a certain extent for the widows and orphans of deceased brethren. On the death of a member of the Association, the survivors are assessed about one dollar each which is paid to the party for whose benefit the insurance has been effected. Of these two Associations the "German Masonic Benevolent Association" is one of the oldest institutions of the kind in the United States. The second is the "Masonic Life Association of Western New York," incorporated December 2, 1872, under the laws of the State of New York. Its annual report, published January 1, 1883, states the number of members to be two thousand one hundred and fourteen. During the year 1882, $53,359 were paid on death claims; the smallest single amount being $2,106, and the largest $2,130.

Masonic Board of Relief of Buffalo.—This Board, consisting of three delegates from each lodge in the city, has been in existence for a number of years. Its object is to furnish relief to sojourning brethren in need thereof. The means necessary for that purpose are obtained by assessing the lodges a certain percentage on their receipts.

In closing our sketch of Masonry in Erie county, we must be permitted to allude to those brethren whose talent, zeal and Masonic learning has, on various occasions, found merited recognition in the Grand Bodies of this as well as other States. The space assigned to us does not admit, however, to enter upon the pleasing task of a biographical sketch of the Masonic career of the distinguished Masons who have been thus honored. We, therefore, limit ourselves to a bare enumeration of the offices filled by them in the different Grand Bodies. The oldest on the list, and as far as our information extends the first Brother holding a prominent office in a Grand Body, was the late Nelson Randall.

Nelson Randall

123

Brother Nelson Randall was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of the State in 1849, Senior Grand Warden in 1850. Deputy Grand Master in 1851, and Grand Master in 1852. Although elected in 1853 by an unanimous vote to be his own successor, he declined to the regret of the Fraternity. He died in February, 1864.

Proceeding in chronological order taking the first year of the election or appointment to office as the base, we find that:—

Brother Benjamin H. Austin was Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Lodge, in 1852; Senior Grand Deacon in 1855; Grand Marshal in 1856 and 1857, and Junior Grand Warden in 1858.

Brother LeRoy Farnham held the following offices in the Grand Commandery of the State of New York: Grand Standard Bearer in 1854; Grand Captain General in 1855; Grand Generalissimo in 1856, and Grand Commander in 1857.

Brother William Gould filled the position of Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge, in 1857 and '58.

Brother Gustavus Adolphus Scroggs held the office of Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge in 1860.

Brother Robert N. Brown—The Grand Commander of Knights Templar of the State of New York, found in this Brother a zealous and capable presiding: officer. It was to the regret of the fraternity generally, that a press of business and impaired health necessitated the withdrawal of this gifted brother from active participation in Masonry. Brother Brown acceptably filled the following offices in the Grand Commandery of the State; Grand Captain General in 1863, '67 and '68; Grand Generalissimo in 1869; Deputy Grand Commander in 1870, and Grand Commander in 1871.

Brother James McCredie.—This zealous and respected Mason has devoted years of labor in the interest of the various Masonic Bodies in Buffalo and the Masonic fraternity generally. Ever among the foremost to perform even more than his share of labor, his worth is fully appreciated, which is evidenced by his having tilled various positions in subordinate and Grand Bodies, aggregating over one hundred years. His quiet and retiring disposition only has kept him from advancing to the rank to which his worth and abilities entitle him. In Grand Bodies he has filled the following offices : In the Grand Council of the Royal and Select Masters of the State of New York, he has occupied the position of Royal Past Deputy Grand Master for the years 1864 to 1869, inclusive, and that of Master Past Grand Master for 1871 and '72. In the Grand Commandery of the State he was Grand Sword Bearer in 1864, and Grand Junior Warden in 1865 and '66. Brother McCredie has occupied the highest position in all the subordinate bodies of which he is a member, and the Fraternity of Buffalo is unwilling to dispense with his wise counsel.

Brother David F. Day.—This learned and profound Mason has filled with signal ability and success every office to which the Fraternity has called him. In the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York, he has occupied the following positions: Grand Captain of the Host for the years 1865 to 1868, inclusive; Grand Scribe for 1869 to 1872, inclusive; Grand King for 1873 to 1876, inclusive; Deputy Grand High Priest in 1877, and Grand High Priest in 1878 and '79. At the present time he is the representative of the Grand Chapter of Maine, near the Grand Chapter of New York. He also represented formerly the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts, but under the new regulation he has resigned that position. At the triennial session of the General Grand Chapter of the United States, held in Denver, Col., in 1883, he was elected General Grand King, and should his life be spared he will undoubtedly reach the exalted position of General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the United States. In 1873, Brother Day was elected by the lodges composing the Twenty-fifth Masonic District, as delegate to the Convention charged with the revision of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, and for a number of years he was an active member of the Committee on Appeals in that Body.

Brother Christopher G. Fox has filled the following stations in the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, with distinguished ability: Junior Grand Warden in 1867; Senior Grand Warden in 1868 and '69 ; Deputy Grand Master in 1870 and '71, and Grand Master in 1872 and '73. Since 1867 this eminent Brother occupies the important and responsible office of Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York, and that of General Grand Secretary of the General Grand Chapter of the United States since 1871. Brother Fox formerly represented the Grand Chapters of the District of Columbia and of the State of Arkansas near the Grand Chapter of the State of New York. A rule having been adopted by the latter that no Companion shall represent more than one Grand Chapter, he elected to return his credentials as representative to the Grand Chapter of Columbia, and continues to represent the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin. Brother Fox also occupies the station of Senior Grand Warden in the Grand Encampment of this State in 1866, and is at this time the representative of the Grand Commandery of Arkansas, near the Grand Commandery of the State of New York.

Brother Charles E. Young, deceased, held the position of S.G.D., in the Grand Lodge of the State of NY for 1869, '70 and '71.

Brother John B. Sackett filled the following offices in the Grand Council of R. and S. M., of the State of NY: Ill. Princ. Con. of W. in 1875. Rt. Ill. Dep. G. M. in 1876, and M. Ill. G. M. in 1877.

Brother John C. Graves.—This active and zealous Mason has very acceptably filled the office of Senior Grand Deacon in the Grand Lodge of the State of New York for the term of 1882 and '83. The fraternity will not assent to the withdrawal of his abilities from the Grand Lodge.

Brother John A. Lockwood.—In recognition of the eminent abilities of the brother, the Grand Lodge of Canada has elected him in 1882, to the distinguished honor of Past Senior Grand Warden.

CEREMONIES AT LAYING OF CORNER-STONES, DEDICATIONS, ETC.The Masonic bodies of Buffalo and surrounding towns of the county have always exhibited a commendable readiness to respond to calls for their services in conducting ceremonies at the laying of corner-stones of public buildings, monuments, dedications and other similar events. Many of these ceremonies have been impressive in the extreme, the details of which were of the most interesting character, particularly so to members of the fraternity ; but the limited space allotted to us in this work precludes the

124

possibility of giving more than a bare record of the events. The first of these, of which we have any information, was the laying the corner-stone of the "City of Ararat," on Grand Island. This event occurred on the 2d of September, 1826, and was probably participated in by Western Star Lodge No. 239, and Barton Lodge No. 442, of Black Rock. Colonel H. B. Potter was Grand Marshal.*

Laying of the Corner-stone of the German Evangelical Church at Lower Black Rock. — This ceremony was performed on the 26th of August, 1852, and was the first event of the kind succeeding the re-invigoration of Masonry after the death of the Anti-Masonry movement. The ceremonies were participated in by Hiram, Concordia, Erie and Washington Lodges.

Laying of the Corner-stone of the State Arsenal.—This event occurred on the 5th of May, 1858, and the ceremonies were very impressive. The military was under command of Brigadier-General G. A. Scroogs and the Masonic fraternity under the direction of Brother William H. Drew, a Past Commander of Lake Erie Commandery No. 20; Major-General Nelson A. Randall, Past Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York, acting as Grand Marshal. About eight hundred Masons were in the procession.

* A fuller account of the event will be found in the history of Grand Island, in the preceding volume.

Laying of the Corner-Stone of the Universalist Church, Buffalo.—This event occurred August 2, 1864, under the Masonic direction of M. W. Clinton F. Paige, G. M. of Masons of the State of New York. The lodges and encampments participating were DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Landmarks No. 441, Queen City No. 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292, Washington No. 240, Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No. 105 ; Knights Templar composed of Lake Erie and Hugh de Payen's Commanderies, escorting the Grand Lodge of the State.

Laying of the Memorial Stone in Forest Lawn Cemetery.—This stone was laid with Masonic honors on the 28th of September, 1866, under direction of R. W. Christopher G. Fox, D. D. G. M. The following lodges marched in procession:—Hiram No. 105, Concordia No. 143, Erie No. 161, Washington No. 240, Parish No. 292, Ancient Landmarks No. 441, DeMolay No. 498. The Grand Lodge was escorted by Lake Erie Commandery under command of Eminent James McCredie, and Hugh de Payens Commandery under William F. Rogers, C. G.

Laying of the Corner-Stone of the State Normal School.—This event occurred on the I5th of April, 1869. The procession was formed under direction of W. Bro. Amos B. Tanner, as Chief Marshal. The following lodges and commanderies participated. DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Landmarks No. 441, Queen City No. 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292, Washington No. 240, Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No. 105; Lake Erie and Hugh de Payen's Commanderies acting as escort to the Grand Lodge. R. W. Christopher G. Fox acted as G. M.

Laying the Corner-Stone of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Buffalo.—This event occurred July 13, 1871, and the lodges in attendance were Hiram No. 105, Concordia No. 143, Erie No. 161, Washington No. 240, Parish No. 292, Modestia No. 340, Queen City No. 358, Ancient Landmarks No. 441, DeMolay No. 498, Harmonie No. 698. R. W., C. G. Fox acted as G. M. Lake Erie and Hugh de Payen's Commanderies escorted the Grand Lodge.

Laying the Corner-Stone of the City and County Hall.—This cornerstone was laid on the 24th of June, 1872, with Masonic honors, calling out an attendance of nine hundred Master Masons and one hundred and twenty Knights Templars. The "Rink," was required in which to form the procession which marched in two divisions under command of W. Brother W. C. Zimmerman and R. W. Brother J. B. Sackett, respectively. The following Masonic bodies participated in the impressive ceremonies : — Harmonic No. 699, Blazing Star (Aurora) No. 694, Fraternal No. 625; Akron No. 527, Zion No. 514, DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Landmarks No. 441, Queen City No. 358 Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292, Living Stone No. 255, Tonawanda No. 247, Washington No. 240, Concordia No. 142, Hiram No. 105. Hugh de Payen's Commandery and Lake Erie Commandery acted as escort to the Grand Lodge.

Laying the Corner-Stone of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane.— This event occurred September 18, 1872, and the display made by the military and the Masonic fraternity was very fine. The Grand Lodge was escorted, as usual, by the Knights Templar, and most of the lodges of the city participated in the event. M. W. C. G. Fox, Grand Master of Masons of the State, performed the ceremony of laving the stone.

Laying of the Corner-Stone of the Monument of the G. A. R., Forest Lawn Cemetery.—This event occurred October 21, 1880, and was the occasion of most imposing ceremonies. The procession marched in three divisions, the third embracing the Masonic Fraternity, under command of P. G. M., Christopher G. Fox, as Grand Marshal. The following Masonic bodies marched in procession : Harmonic No. 699, Blazing Star No. 694 (East Aurora,) DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Landmarks No. 441, Queen City No. 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292, Washington No. 240, Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No. 105, Lake Erie Commandery, Mount Olivet Commandery, (Erie, Pennsylvania,) Hugh DePayens Commandery ; the three commanderies acting as escort to the Grand Lodge.

Laying the Corner-Stone of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, Buffalo.—This corner-stone was laid July 4, 1882, the ceremonies being participated in by the following Masonic bodies, under command of M. W. Brother Christopher G. Fox, chief marshal: Occidental Lodge No. 766, Harmonic No. 699, DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Landmarks No. 441, Queen City No. 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292, Washington 240, Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No. 105, Hugh DePayen Commandery Knights Templar, and Lake Erie Commandery Knights Templar. The two commanderies escorted the Grand Lodge. The military display on this occasion was magnificent being augmented by the famous Seventh New York regiment. The stone was laid by M. W. Brother Benjamin Flagler.

Dedication of Masonic Hall, corner of Main and Su-an streets, Buffalo.— This event occurred on the 27th of December, 1861, and the ceremonies attending it were imposing and impressive. The dedication was con ducted by M. W. Brother Finlay M. King, Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York. An address was delivered after the dedication ceremonies were concluded by Rev. Brother Forrester.

Dedication of the new Masonic Hall, corner of Washington and North Division streets, Buffalo.—This hall was fitted up for the accommodation of eleven of the Masonic bodies of the city, having been planned and arranged by the architect of the building (the

125

Miller & Greiner Block) Brother M. E. Beebe, at an expense of $13,492. The hall was dedicated by M. W. Brother James M. Husted, Grand Master of the State of New York. The event occurred on the 24th of June, 1876, and was as brilliant and imposing a demonstration as has ever been witnessed in Buffalo. The procession was divided into three divisions, the first being under command of General Brother William F. Rogers, Grand Marshal; the second under Michael Wiedrich, Assistant Marshal; the third under J. M. McArthur, Assistant Marshal. The following Masonic bodies were in the procession : Monroe Commandery No. 12, (Rochester,) Lake Erie Commandery, Batavia Commandery, No. 34, Cyrene Commandery (Rochester,) Harmonic Lodge No. 699, DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Landmarks No. 441, Queen City No. 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292, Washington No. 240, Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No. 105, Tonawanda No. 247, Hugh DePayens Commandery. The hall was richly decorated and the addresses and other ceremonies were of the most imposing and appropriate characters. The festivities closed with a banquet.

----------

Biographies for Western Star Lodge No. 239----------

Guy J. Atkins, who was master of the Nautilus in 1819 and 1820, besides being an early lake navigator, was a valiant defender of the Niagara frontier during the war of 1812. He was one of Dr. Cyrenius Chapin's picked men for hazardous expeditions, and was at the side of that valorous citizen in the defense of the fated village of Buffalo on the memorable 30th of December, 1813. He died at his home, about twenty miles from Buffalo, in 1871, at the age of eighty-five years.

------

Daniel Bristol – Master on Lodge Returns of 1816/17 and 1819/30; JW on Return of Mar/Dec 1815.

http://books.google.com/books?id=E3QoAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA393&lpg=PA393&dq=%22daniel+bristol%22+%22buffalo%22&source=bl&ots=FAJorzz7L_&sig=dhwde27Tv64xk6IHrvYphIxr2vw&hl=en&ei=a-H-Srz5ENDAlAfwtOCVCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CAoQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22daniel%20bristol%22%20%22buffalo%22&f=false page 393.

The oldest house in this block for very many years, was at the southeast corner of Delaware Avenue and Mohawk Street. It was torn down two or three years ago. It was built in 1816, by Daniel Bristol, who had come to Buffalo in 1811, fled with his family when the village was burned [in 1813], and then came back to help rebuild it. So far as known to the writer, there were no buildings in this block prior to the burning of Buffalo in December, 1813. Daniel Bristol's house, built a little more than two years after the destruction of the village, was the first in that neighborhood. In the decade of the '30's Mr. Bristol built, for his son, Cyrenius Chapin Bristol, to the south of his garden, a cottage which was distinguished by a pillared portico. This cottage was torn down, when the block was cleared for the new hotel. C. C. Bristol was a druggist, long famous for his preparation of "Bristol's Sarsaparilla," and for the equally famous "Sarsaparilla Almanac" which he published annually for many years. Later occupants or owners of the Bristol cottage included Thomas C. Welch, father of the late Gen. Samuel M. Welch; a Mr. Groesbeck and family; Dr. Walter Kenyon; and Thomas J. Sizer, a well-known attorney. After his death in 1892 the property passed to his sister, Mrs. James D. G. Stevenson, and to her children.

http://books.google.com/books?id=5dYUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA335&lpg=PA335&dq=%22daniel+bristol%22+%22buffalo%22&source=bl&ots=8C0v_iX5EU&sig=95FI7uM33nKvyBbfPW_3VgoO1R0&hl=en&ei=a-H-Srz5ENDAlAfwtOCVCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBMQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=%22daniel%20bristol%22%20%22buffalo%22&f=false page 335.

DANIEL BRISTOL (Nathan,4 Richard,3 Daniel,2 Henry1), b. 10 Apr 1782, at Milford, CT; d. 30 Jun 1867, Buffalo, NY; m. 14 Oct 1810, Mary Lockwood Reynolds, who d. 28 Feb 1879; lived at Buffalo, NY, where he was one of the earliest settlers. Children:i. Cyrenus Chapin, b. 08 Jul 1811. [named for Dr. Cyrenius Chapin below]; Petitioner for Erie Lodge No. 161ii. William Henry Harrison, b. 22 Sep 1813; d. unm., 28 Oct 1871, in California.iii. Peter Reynolds, b. 26 Sep 1815; d. 13 Dec 1838. iv. Eliza Ann, b. 17 Sep 1817; d. unm. 10 Dec 1908.

----

Benjamin Caryl

Jonathan Caryl and his wife Anna Clark had Captain Benjamin Caryl b. 1773 Worcester, MA; d. 1846 Buffalo, NY. Capt Ben Caryl m. Susanna Young, b. Peterborough, NH 1776; d. 1846 Buffalo, NY. Children:1) Eliza SMith Caryl, b 1800, VT, d 1836, Buffalo, NY, she m Roswell Haskins. They had child Clark Caryl Haskins b. 1829.2) Benjamin Clark Caryl3) Catherine Church Caryl 4) Susan Young Caryl.

Benjamin CARYL, b. Hubbardston, MA, 12 Oct 1773; d. Buffalo, NY, 8 Nov 1856; m. Susannah YOUNG, b. Peterborough, NH, 24 Aug 1776; d. Buffalo 1 Mar. 1846.

Mr. Benjamin Caryl, removed from Vermont into Canada, soon after 1800. It is certain that he lived near Long Point, in Upper Canada, in 1805. It is probable he came to reside in Buffalo, about 1807 or 1808. He lived at Williamsville, when Buffalo was burned, and continued to live there some time after the war, but subsequently returned and remained in Buffalo until his death. Mr. C. C. Caryl is a son. His daughters, who lived in Buffalo, were Mrs. Gen. Lucius Storrs, Mrs. Doctor Warner and Mrs. J. H. Coleman.

126

-----

Dr. Cyrenius Chapin

1804 - Dr. Cyrenius Chapin arrived as the village doctor and undertaker. Dr. Daniel Chapin, another member of the family, eventually owned most of the land from Granger's farm north to near the present South Campus of the State University of NY at Buffalo and south from Main Street to Elmwood Avenue. Most Parkside property owners also will find Chapin's name on their deeds.

http://war1812.tripod.com/tigers.html

The Green Tiger and the Bloody Boys

It was only a small band of men who were together just a short time during the War of 1812. Nevertheless, its members performed exploits in the Niagara area that became the stuff of legends. They were known as the "Green Tigers or Bloody Boys".

On May 27, 1813, a strong American force captured Fort George at Niagara, now Niagara-on-the-Lake, and soon after had control of the whole Niagara Frontier. The British retreated to Burlington Bay. American troops pursued them, but were checked at the night battle of Stoney Creek on June 6. The invaders were now forced to retreat. They abandoned Fort Erie and other defense posts along the Niagara River, holding onto only Fort George and the adjacent town of Niagara along with, for a time, Queenston.

The British began to reoccupy the Niagara Peninsula, but did not feel strong enough to drive the enemy out of the fort, just as the Americans were not able to mount an offensive. It was a stalemate. However, all was not peaceful. Many inhabitants on this side of the Niagara River now found their homes and farms plundered by American raiding parties. Even worse, many able bodied men were taken prisoner.

Chief among the leaders of these marauders was Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, from Buffalo, who commanded his own troop of 50 mounted riflemen. Chapin saw his job as protecting Canadians from what he felt was British tyranny. For their part, the British became determined to rid the area of his terrorist attacks.

Accordingly, Lieutenant James FitzGibbon of the 49th Regiment asked for and received permission to form a hand picked corps to deal with these raiders. Those chosen were dressed in grey-green uniforms and trained in guerrilla warfare. They were nicknamed the "Green Tigers" or the "Bloody Boys" due to their fierceness in fighting and the color of their uniforms. Along with having exceptional courage, each man was tireless, quick-witted and skilled at deception.

FitzGibbon was a brilliant tactician and an immensely popular leader. Irish -born and largely self educated, he had advanced in the army by merit rather than in the usual way of purchasing rank. This had been mainly due to one of his first commanding officers, Isaac Brock, who recognized FitzGibbon's abilities and taught him leadership skills.

On June 19, 1813, while attempting to track down the elusive and despised Chapin, FitzGibbon had a narrow escape in what is now Niagara Falls. He and his men had learned that on that day the American raiders would possibly be travelling from Fort George to Chippawa along the Portage Road. The Green Tiger (FitzGibbon) hoped to ambush them at or near what was called the Crossroads - the junction of Lundy's Lane and Portage Road.

As he came down Lundy's Lane, FitzGibbon decided to leave his men hidden in some woods near what is now the Drummond Road intersection while he went on alone to reconnoiter. As he neared the Crossroads, a Mrs. Kerby, who lived at the corner, ran out to meet him. She told him that Chapin's men along with 150 American infantrymen, had just passed by.

FitzGibbon then noticed a horse, presumably belonging to one of Chapin's raiders, tied to a post in front of Denfield's Inn which was located on Portage Road, near Lundy's Lane. He entered the tavern and was immediately confronted by two Americans, one of whom was pointing a gun directly at him.

FitzGibbon took several steps toward the man extending his hand, pretending that he was an old acquaintance. Then, in a lighting move, he seized the rifle barrel and ordered the soldier to surrender. The American refused. His companion then took aim at FitzGibbon who, while he had the first rifle still clamped in his right hand, somehow managed to grab the second firearm with his left. Now locked in a struggle with both men, he dragged them outside while yelling at each to surrender.

Mrs. Kerby tried unsuccessfully to persuade two passersby to help FitzGibbon, while a small boy threw stones at the Americans. With his free hand, one of the soldiers then pulled FitzGibbon's sword from its scabbard. He was about to thrust it into FitzGibbon's chest when Mrs. Denfield, the innkeeper's wife who had been standing in the door holding her baby, ran up and kicked the sword out of his hand. When the soldier attempted to pick it up, she put her baby down , grabbed the sword and ran with it back to the Inn. Her husband now on the scene had helped FitzGibbon disarm the two Americans and take them prisoner. FitzGibbon the rejoined his men and they rode off.

As for the hated Chapin, he was finally captured at the Battle of Beaverdams five days later.

The only Buffalonians who decided that resistance was still possible were Dr. Cyrenius Chapin and a small group of his militia company. The carefully planned British advance brought them into the town from two directions, by the Guide Board Road, now North Street, and then down Main Street, and by the old Black Rock Road, which began near the corner of Niagara and Mohawk streets.

Chapin and his men set up an old 12-pounder cannon at the corner of Main and Niagara, where they could face both challenges. But by that stage they were only a straw in the wind. They managed no more than a few shots at the British soldiers emerging from the Black Rock Road before their cannon gave way to its age and collapsed.

So ended the defense of the town. Chapin tried to arrange a surrender, but the British were not interested. He was taken prisoner and eventually ended up in Montreal.

127

http://books.google.com/books?id=Qs8CAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=%22cyrenius+chapin%22&source=bl&ots=mY2lyTAaZo&sig=F7pgDOnYVwUQ0cKSx_AsdklY1b8&hl=en&ei=uSH0SpnmGpOj8QaKmtzzCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CBgQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=%22cyrenius%20chapin%22&f=false page 51.

CHAPIN FAMILY. The Chapin lineage is Puritan. Samuel Chapin of Massachusetts Colony took the freeman's oath in Boston in 1641 and removed to Springfield, Mass. Japhet Chapin, son of Samuel, was in the great Indian fight at Twiner's Falls on the 19th of May, 1676. Samuel Chapin (2d), son of Japhet, had a son, Caleb Chapin, who was killed in the French War. Caleb Chapin (2d), son of Caleb, was an officer in the Revolutionary War.

DR. CYRENIUS CHAPIN, son of Capt. Caleb Chapin, was a man whose career fills a memorable chapter in the pioneer history of Buffalo. Physician, soldier and frontiersman, Dr. Chapin was a typical American of that stern epoch when hardship and peril developed the latent resources of character.

Cyrenins Chapin was born in Bernardston, Massachusetts, on the 7th of February, 1769. He studied medicine with his brother, Dr. Caleb Chapin. He practiced for several years at Windhall, Vermont, later removing to Sangerfield, Oneida County, NY. In 1801 he came to Buffalo. In 1803 he went to Fort Erie, but later returned with his family to Buffalo. Dr. Chapin's life was full of the hardships of the frontier physician, and he went on horseback to his patients, making hundreds of perilous journeys through the wilderness. He founded the first drug store in Buffalo, and often supplied gratuitously not only medicine but food to his needy patients. He wielded a great influence, and was highly esteemed by the Indians, who were accustomed to speak of him as "The Great Medicine Man."

When the War of 1812 broke out, Dr. Chapin raised a company of volunteers and offered his services, both as officer and surgeon. He was successively commissioned Captain, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. He served with the American vanguard in the occupation of Fort George in May, 1813. In June he organized a body of mounted riflemen which he commanded in the fight at Beaver Dams, Canada, on the 24th of June, 1813, under Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler, whose force was compelled to surrender. On July 12 Col. Chapin and his men were sent as prisoners toward Kingston, in two boats, under a heavy British guard. Col. Chapin had laid a carefully concerted plan of escape, and when the boats were a few miles from their destination, the Americans, at a signal, rose, overpowered the guards, steered for Fort Niagara, and after a night of rowing delivered their erstwhile captors to the commander of the fort as prisoners of war. When the British attacked Buffalo in December, 1813, Col. Chapin made a daring stand at Black Rock and defended the place till he had only five men left. He then retreated to Buffalo, where lie found a dismounted six-pounder cannon. Hastily mounting it on wagon-wheels, he gathered a few men and boys whom he drew up at Niagara street, where he fought the British till his cannon was disabled. When further resistance was useless, he mounted a horse, tied a white handkerchief to his sword, and riding to the enemy held them by parleying till the inhabitants of Buffalo had time to escape. He also obtained from the British officer in command advantageous terms for the surrender of the village, but the plighted word of the foe was shamefully violated. Col. Chapin was made a prisoner and taken to Montreal, where he was held nine months. On his return to Buffalo he was appointed surgeon of the military hospital. When he retired from this office he removed to Geneva, N. Y., but returned to Buffalo in 1818, and here he continued to reside, practice his profession and take an active part in public affairs till the close of his life. On the organization of the Erie County Medical Society in 1821, Dr. Chapin was made its first President. In 1836 the citizens of Buffalo presented him a service of silver plate as a testimonial of their admiration of him as a citizen and soldier.

In 1793 Dr. Chapin married Sylvia Burnham, of Bernardston, Mass. He died on the 20th of February, 1838, and was buried with military honors. The cemetery where his remains were laid to rest is now the site of the City and County Hall.

LOUISE MARIE CHAPIN (Mrs. Thaddeus Weed), third daughter of Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, united intellectuality of a high order with rare loveliness of womanly character. Mrs. Weed held a distinguished place in the social circles of Buffalo and was one of the most interesting of those persons who through length of days and remarkable powers of observation and memory form a bond between the present and the past. Mrs. Weed was born at Fort Erie, Canada, on the 19th of March, 1803. As a child she came with her parents to Buffalo, which was the city of her residence during the rest of her life. On the 9th of October, 1823, she was united in marriage to Thaddeus Weed. The lamented death of Mrs. Weed occurred on the 20th of July, 1894.

http://books.google.com/books?id=L7gUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA367&lpg=PA367&dq=%22cyrenius+chapin%22&source=bl&ots=sylqiZR7hr&sig=LuMynYy8EgV1WsY0IdjMU41ZLE0&hl=en&ei=ebvzStXyNNG6lAerocGvAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CA0Q6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=%22cyrenius%20chapin%22&f=false page 367.

SYLVIA CHAPIN, nee Sylvia Burnham, the wife of Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, was the oldest pioneer among the first settlers of Buffalo. In all the vicissitudes she experienced, she well and faithfully discharged the duties that lay before her, as wife, mother, neighbor, and Christian woman ; exhibiting, with the high qualities of firmness and energy, a quiet dignity, gentleness and kindliness which won the affection of those who knew her best, as well as commanded the respect of her acquaintances. Her "patient continuance in well doing," has met its reward in the comfort and respectability of her advanced age, passed among her children and descendants.

Dr. Chapin came to Buffalo with his family in 1805. It is stated in Turner's "Pioneer History of the Holland Purchase of Western New York, etc.," that in 1806 there were but sixteen houses in the place, and those located on what is now called Main Street. It will be remembered that in December 1813 the town was burnt by the British, who had crossed near Black Rock. On hearing their firing, Chapin, who commanded a portion of the citizen soldiery, went to meet the enemy, and holding up his cane, with a white handkerchief fastened to the end, obtained a parley, and finally a promise that the town should be spared. Mrs. Chapin at this period of anxiety was compelled to leave home to assist in the care of her daughter's sick husband, but before her departure instructed her two other little girls to sleep always with a bundle of necessary clothing under their heads, and in case of alarm, to go off with the rest of the citizens if necessary. The agreement not to molest the town was violated. Dr. Chapin was on duty, and of course unable to attend to his children. Louisa related how they were waked at dead of night with the noise and confusion in the streets, hurriedly made their simple preparations, and stepped out of doors to join the crowd. In the darkness, amid the severity of winter, women and children took up their doleful march. The first glimmering of day mingled with the lurid glare from their burning dwellings, and at almost every step those who fled from their homes encountered the wounded and fugitives from the action below. In the pressure and confusion of the crowd hurrying onward, mothers were separated from their children, and lost sight of each other, being in many cases for days ignorant of the fate of their beloved relatives. On, on our fugitives went through the dark deep woods, continually

128

within hearing of the savage yells around them, and trembling with fear, for they could not tell where the Indians were, and they seemed to be coming upon them. Finally, after a travel of some hours, the little girls halted with the rest, and were refreshed with a drink of milk at a farmhouse. In the mean time, while this was going on in the neighborhood of Buffalo, Mrs. Chapin was overwhelmed with anxiety about her husband and children. The sick man she’d nursed had died, and she was for weeks uncertain of the fciie of her children, and for some days of that of her husband, for she knew there had been an engagement.

One woman of masculine bearing, Mrs. St. John, persisted notwithstanding the general alarm, in staying with her young daughters to protect their property, and succeeded in obtaining the favor of having the house she occupied exempted from destruction. It was the only building saved except the stone jail, which resisted the efforts to set it on fire. The house was afterwards presented to Mrs. St. John by the authorities. A neighbor on the opposite side of the street, a Mrs. Lovejoy, was less fortunate. It was supposed that fear had driven her into temporary insanity; she made no attempt to solicit mercy or protection, but barricaded her doors and windows, and thus awaited the intruders. For a while she was unmolested, till an Indian, bent on plunder, effected his entrance; then, instead of submitting to what was inevitable, the loss of her goods, Mrs. Lovejoy attempted to rescue them, and defended herself with a large carving knife. In a contest for a red merino long shawl she wounded the savage, nearly severing his thumb from his hand. The Indian ran across the way to Mrs. St. John, whom he ordered to bind it up; then hurried back, she knew too well for the purpose of vengeance. The next thing she heard was a scream, and presently the savage appeared again, a scalp with a woman's long hair hanging from his belt.

Mrs. Chapin preserved several pieces of plate which were at that time in her possession. A silver pitcher in her house bears the inscription:—" Presented by the citizens of Buffalo to Colonel Cyrenius Chapin, the brave soldier, the good citizen, the honest man."

---------

Dr. John Whipple Clark

History of the City of Buffalo and Erie County, Edited by H. Perry Smith, Syracuse, NY, D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1884 http://books.google.com/books?id=9r0LAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA125&dq=%22clark,+john+whipple%22&lr=#v=onepage&q=%22whipple%22&f=false page 3-5.

JOHN WHIPPLE CLARK was born on the 30th of June, 1799, in the village of Newport, Herkimer county, NY. His father, Stephen Clark, and his mother, Esther Whipple, were originally from Rhode Island.

Dr. Ciark became a resident of the village of "Buffaloe" as early as February, 1823. He drove alone in his cutter from his home in Newport, reaching Buffalo after many days of constant driving, but without accident or noticeable detention. Just before sunset on one of the last days of February he crossed the hill between what are now North and Allen streets, which overlooked the then small, quiet village lying on the border of the lake.

He drove slowly down the road through the village to the corner of Main street and the "Terrace." This was then a precipitous bluff, on the brow of which, to the left, stood Landon's Tavern, now the Mansion House.

Here he stopped for a long look at the lake, the Canada shore beyond, and of "the flats," lying between the Terrace and the Big Buffalo creek. Then turning around he drove back up the road in search of a good place to stop for the night.

On coming down he had noticed a very comfortable looking country tavern, with its barn in the rear, and in the barn-yard a large stack of hay. The place struck him then as a comfortable one "for man and beast," and to it he now drove to seek lodgings for the night.

He found the proprietor to be "Deacon Goodell," of honest fame, who, besides his "tavern," owned the nice farm in the rear of it. The house, or "tavern," was on the spot now occupied by the residence of Hon. Elbridge G. Spaulding. Dr. Clark has been heard often to speak of the comfortable kitchen, and the generous supper gotten for him that night by Mrs. Goodell.

Dr. Clark had gone through the regular curriculum of the study of medicine, and had graduated in 1822 at the medical school,—then famous throughout New York,—situated in the town of Fairfield, and but six or seven miles from his father's home.

He came to Buffalo in the faith that it was some day to be a place of importance. It had already become a certainty that the Erie Canal.—" Clinton's Ditch,"—would be eventually finished through to Buffalo, and the attention of enterprising young men throughout the State was being directed to this then frontier town. He came to settle in the practice of his profession and he was not long in making arrangements for a co-partnership with Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, then a leading physician of the village, and. indeed, of the entire country about it, including that part of Canada bordering on the Niagara river.

129

Settled a few miles to the east of the village was the tribe of Seneca Indians. The Indians were great friends of Dr. Chapin and soon became friends also of Dr. Clark. His professional experience with them was very interesting, as he knew personally all their chiefs and great men,— as Red Jacket, Young King. Corn Planter, Farmer's Brother, Daniel Two Guns, etc. Once, when on a professional visit to the family of Red Jacket, his squaw (wife) thought the doctor was not sufficiently protected from the cold and u light rain which at the time was falling. She got out her best blanket and insisted that he should wear it home. She fastened it closely over his shoulders and around him, and as it fell in graceful folds over his person (he being on horseback,) it completely protected him during his slow and tedious return, by trail, along the numerous windings of the Big Buffalo creek. Dr. ('lark could have lived a lifetime a

neighbor to these wild sons of [he forest without once having a misunderstanding, much less a quarrel with them; such was his thoughtfulness and forbearance for them, and his unvarying kindness towards them.

But before his first year in buffalo was past, with the same foresight that originally induced him to seek his fortunes in Buffalo, he relinquished the practice of his profession for the quicker, larger results of a business life. He then turned all his attention and his efforts to the development of the interests of the already rapidly growing village.

The next fifteen years of his life were very busy ones, for in addition to his large private business, he undertook the direction of public affairs. In 1830 he was chosen one of the trustees of the village, which office he held also in 1831 and 1832—previous to its becoming a city. In 1835 he was elected one of the Aldermen from the First ward of those days.

He had in the meantime acquired very large landed interests in the southeastern part of the city, and in the organization of this territory, then mostly farming lands, he was especially prominent; he did most of the planning, and laying out and the naming of the streets and canals, and the names he gave are without exception those in use at this day.

These were bright, happy days for the citizens of Buffalo. Emigration set in largely to the village, as well as through it to the "Western Reserve" of Ohio and to the wilds of Michigan. Some venturesome people went as far west as the States of Indiana and Illinois; and Chicago was then just beginning to be spoken of as a "growing place."

Entire communities, cities and States shared in the general but fictitious prosperity of the time. Buffalo, as a great center of commerce and trade, at the junction of the Grand Erie Canal and the Lakes, became the seat of a great speculation, and affairs for awhile went on swimmingly Buffalonians all became rich on paper and in "corner lots." It used to be jokingly said that a man not worth $50,000 was a candidate for the poor-house,

Dr. Clark shared in the general prosperity, and was considered one of the wealthiest men in Buffalo. But a great reverse came upon the city in 1836, '37 and '38, utterly prostrating, financially, nearly the entire population of the city. Dr. Clark fell with the rest.

The next few years of his life were devoted to the saving if possible of something from the wreck of his estate, and by the generous assistance of a friend in the East he was enabled to save a moderate competency, on which he afterwards lived a very quiet and retired life. He was in great part forced to this by a naturally feeble constitution, rendered more feeble by his worry and struggle with his disappointments. He was of a slender make and of a highly sensitive and nervous character. A large generosity marked all his dealings with his family and friends, and his thoughtful devotion to them was something exceptional. His ideas were definite, his conclusions quickly reached, his hold upon them most tenacious, and his expressions of opinion were always most clear, positive and emphatic.

In spite of the great depression here after 1836, his faith in the destiny of Buffalo was supreme and he never wavered in that belief. To be sure. "I seem to have anticipated largely," he would say in his latter days, "but it will come." and it has come, if not within his life-lime, certainly within the eleven years since his death. Even his "South Channel" scheme, abandoned by his successors, will one day become an accomplished fact.

Dr. Clark was very fond of science and of books. He took a lead in the early days of Buffalo, in founding and liberally assisting schools and societies of learning. Miss Dennison—afterwards Mrs. Joseph Dart—opened a school for girls which enlisted his active interest and support.

130

He was foremost in the village limes in getting up courses of scientific lectures. He was one of the most active supporters of the old "Buffalo Lyceum," the immediate predecessor of the "Young Men's Association." Of the first contributors to this latter enterprise, he was one of the largest. To all these objects his time and personal efforts were most liberally given, and his purse most freely opened. He was also an active Mason, and the lodge of that day, on its disbanding in 1832, was largely his debtor.

His habit was to head the subscriptions for objects desired and then himself personally to circulate them. All this was in his younger and more prosperous days. Later in life he was limited in his activities by his great delicacy of constitution. This delicacy increased upon him with his years, and finally required of him to make " life worth living," the most constant care in the regulation of his habits and a total avoidance of the cares and anxieties of business.

Dr. Clark never married, but found always a comfortable home with a married sister as long as she lived, and afterwards with a niece and her husband, where he was always made most welcome and in his invalid age cared for with all the devotedness of a daughter and son. Dr. Clark was ever most liberal and considerate toward the beliefs and religious convictions of others. He died November 25, 1872, in the communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

------

Elijah Doty Efner (Effner)

The trial of Alexander McLeod: for the murder of Amos Durfee, at the burning and destruction of the steamboat Caroline, by the Canadians, December 29th, 1837,” by Marcus Tullius Cicero Gould, H. Fowler, 1841. page 75.http://books.google.com/books?id=YKoXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA75&dq=%22elijah+d.+effner%22#v=onepage&q=%22elijah%20d.%20effner%22&f=false .

Elijah D. Effner [Efner] examined by the ATTORNEY GENERAL—I live at Buffalo ; I recollect the Caroline steamboat; I was on board the boat while she was at Schlosser ; I went to endeavor to get accommodation for the night; this was in the afternoon about two or four o'clock; I said to the persons on board, how do you expect to defend this boat if she should be attacked 1 The reply was, they were a ferry boat, and were not allowed to carry arms; I saw persons go on board with arms, but I did not see that the boat was armed; I was a dept. marshal; I saw no arms in the possession of citizens ; the persons who had arms told me they were from Canada; they were dressed as Canadians; they told me they were going a hunting ; the United States Marshal had appointed a large number of marshals, and I suppose all those appointed were ready to go on any duty on which they might have been directed.

http://www.memoriallibrary.com/MI/Livingston/Land/Dwight.htm

EFFNER [Efner], Elijah D., wife Sophia, buy land in Sec. 34, Brighton, village of Livingston, [Michigan] Oct. 25, 1837, of City of Buffalo, NY. Sells in 1870, of Buffalo, NY. Also buy land in Sec. 1, Marion, NE-NW, Sept. 28, 1837, of Buffalo City, Erie Co., NY. Sell in 1853, of Black Rock, Erie Co., NY. Also buys land in Sec. 14 & 15, Unadilla, Wp-SE & Ep-SW, July 2, 1835, of Erie Co., NY. Buys land in Sec. 1, Marion, (?) Sept. 2, 1835, of Erie Co., NY.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=michelotti&id=I508342

Joseph Efner, b. ca 1760 in New York, NY; d. 8 Jul 1843 in Leoni, MI; son of Valentine Efner and Catrina _____; m. 19 Mar 1787 in Half Moon, NY, Ruth Doty b: 22 Jan 1759 in Quaker Hill, Dutchess, NY Children, b. in Middleburg, NY:

1. Valentine Efner b: 1788 2. Joseph Efner b: 1790 3. Elijah Efner b: 19 Mar 1791 in Middleburg, NY 4. Harvey Efner b: ca 1794 5. Catherine Efner b: ca 1796 6. William Henry Efner b: 17 Mar 1798

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/e/f/n/Richard-M-Efnor/GENE5-0007.html

Elijah Doty Efner (Joseph2, Valentine1 Effner) b. 19 Mar 1791 Middleburgh, Schoharie, NY; d. 5 Jul 1873; m. Sofia Dorchester 15 Dec 1817 Utrea, NY, b. 1794 Schoharie County, NY; d. 14 Aug 1876. From the records of Henry Cady of Schoharie, NY. (http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyschoha/cady.html), Elisha Efner settled in Gilboa, New York in 1808. Elijah D. Efnor is listed as an original lot holder of lot 206, Buffalo, NY, 2 Nov 1822. Military pension: War of 1812 Pension # S.O. 5631Residence: 1870, Buffalo Ward 11, Erie, NYChildren:i. George B. Efner, b. 1822 Buffalo, Erie, NY; d. 25 Aug 1915 in San Diego, CA.ii. Harriette Efner, b. 05 Oct 1827 Buffalo, Erie, NY; d. 11 Jan 1911 in Plainfield, Somerset, NJ; m. 20 Feb 1850, William Almy Wheelock; b. 23 Mar 1825 in Providence, RI; d. 6 Jul 1905 in East Hampton, Suffolk, NY.

The Adventures and Enterprises of Elijah D. Efner19 Mar 1791-

Manuscript dated January 21, 1865. An autobiographical memoir.http://digital.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=nys;cc=nys;rgn=main;view=text;idno=nys320

Soon after the War of the Revolution, in Schoharie Co., NY, somewhat more than a mile south of the County Seat, settled and lived Joseph Efner, an honest Dutchman, a Hollander. Having married Ruth Doty, a Quakeress of English descent [from the Pilgrim Edward Doty], he soon after adopted her religious principles, and was ever afterwards a staunch and sincere supporter of her faith. Here, on the north bank of a beautiful mountain stream that discharges its waters into the Schoharie Creek, about one mile west of

131

my father's house, I was born on 19 Mar 1791. My father was a tanner, and on 4 Mar 1804, before I had completed my 13th year I went to Albany with my father, on a load of leather, and became a bound apprentice to the firm of Potts & Smith, in State Street. Jesse Potts and Nehemiah Smith constituted the firm, and the sons of the former are still in business in that place. Having passed through what is common as I suppose to all apprenticeships, I graduated on 17 Jul 1807, but desiring to travel and to see more of the world, I went north, combining employment with pleasure and instruction, working first at Salem, Washington Co., thence to West Rutland, VT, remaining two months and a half in charge of a Mr. Wheaton's business; and thence to Brandon, Middlebury, Burlington, St. Albans and Montreal, working in each place. On my return from Montreal about 1 Apr 1808, I visited an uncle, Gilbert Doty, at Caldwells Manor, which was the first town in Canada separated from `Vermont by a road, his house being in Canada and his barn in Vermont. This was in the time of the "Embargo" and my visit gave me an opportunity of learning something of the perseverance and character of the Vermont people. During good sleighing the barn would be filled with pork, flour, potash, flaxseed and whatever would bring gold from Canada; which would soon be spirited away on some convenient night, and carried into Canada. This trade was kept up in defiance of the U. S. Government until the passage of the Non-intercourse Act, which enabled the proper officers to seize contraband property on suspicion on board of vessels or any other conveyance within (if I rightly remember) 30 miles of the frontier. At this place I witnessed a very novel and exciting scene. It was known that the Vermont lumbermen had collected immense quantities of lumber among the islands near Colchester. These rafts were joined together into one enormous raft which was fitted for 13 sails; the revenue officers with artillery at Windmill Point, had determined to contest the passage of the raft into Canada; the people were much excited about the success of the undertaking and all seemed to favor the enterprise. One morning early, before I had left my bed, I heard the shouts, "The raft, the raft!" and there it was with 13 sails set. When opposite to Windmill Point, firing upon it commenced with cannon, but the wind was fair, and on they came, no one being visible on it except at the steering oars, until the U. S. boundary was passed, when some 200 men sprang upon the barrels of flour, potash, pork, etc., with which they had been barricaded, discharging their arms in the air with exultation and defiance, thus triumphing over the laws of their country. On the next morning following I began to journey back to Albany on foot, walking the entire distance as I had done from Albany to Montreal. After a short visit home I walked over to Herkimer, there being no stage at that time without returning to Schenectady or Albany. At that time (1808) I think Herkimer contained nearly as many inhabitants as Utica then did; the former say about 500 and the latter about 700. At Herkimer I found Charles Talmadge and John Mullet who were about forming a co-partnership to start business in Buffalo. At Sackett's Harbor, whither I then went, I first met and made the acquaintance of John Sackrider, who also came to Buffalo in 1812; and in September of that year he and myself uniformed Swift's Regiment, then stationed at the foot of Niagara Street. We boarded with Mrs. Dickinson, our shop being in her house, which was situated under the hill, six or seven rods up the River from the ferry house. The gun battery was on the ground where the Niagara-street Railroad buildings now are, and the mortar battery was in a ravine directly in our rear or east of us. Although occasionally annoyed by cannon shot striking the rocks between our shop and the river, and scattering fragments of them against our windows, I do not remember one instance of either ourselves or men leaving work for a moment on account of it. When the contract was completed we went to Buffalo and took a room in the second story of Townsend & Coit's building at the corner of Main and Swan streets, remaining there until after the "Pomeroy Mob," when I went to Utica and remained until April,1813. I then returned again to Buffalo and for a short time was in the employment of Talmadge & Mullet, for the purpose of fixing whose first settlement, as also that of John Sackrider in Buffalo, this digression has been made. Sackrider is deserving of a much more extended notice. General P(eter). B(uell). Porter used to say that he had no braver or more capable officer in his corps, and Col. Chapin, under whom he served as Captain, has always spoken of his courage as an officer. It was he who threw his stalwart arms around and his body upon the arms in the bow of the guard boat, when the party of prisoners of which Col. Chapin and Captain Kane were a part took the guard and brought them into Fort George, near the mouth of the Niagara River, where our army then had possession.

To return to my narrative. About the 1st of August I met at Herkimer by appointment Mr. Ira Gilbert, whose acquaintance I had made at Albany, and we proceeded to carry out an agreement then made to visit Little York, now Toronto, where his father resided and where my eldest brother lived, being employed as printer for the Government. We started from Herkimer in a one-horse gig. Our route was through Utica, Sullivan, Manlius Square, Jamesville, Onondaga Hollow, and Onondaga Hill, then the County Seat for Onondaga County. All there was of Syracuse then was a small frame tavern. We passed through Skaneateles, a beautiful village at the outlet of Skaneateles Lake; Auburn, then known as Hardenburg's Corner, where there was a stone tavern, a blacksmith's shop, a mill, and I think two other houses. We put up one night at Hardenburg's who owned the mill as well as the tavern. Cayuga Lake was the next place. We crossed the lake in a flat-boat or scow; there was a tavern and a few buildings on each side of the lake. The next place was Mynders' Mills, and a few dwellings now called Seneca Falls. I do not remember anything at what is now Waterloo, unless there may have been farm houses. Geneva and Canandaigua were both flourishing villages. The former may have contained some 600, and the latter about 800 inhabitants. Thence we passed through Bloomfield, Lyma, and Avon to Caledonia, the last named alone bearing indications of the beginning of a village. From Caledonia to Batavia there was no village, although most of the land adjoining the road seemed to be taken up, and built upon, mostly with log houses, and the road was comparatively good. Batavia was a thriving village of about 400 inhabitants. From Batavia to Buffalo we encountered the worst road I had ever seen, and as I now look back after the lapse of 56 years, I cannot remember ever having seen so bad a road. It was made of round logs, of all sizes, laid crossways. From Batavia to Buffalo I do not think there were more than five houses. Vandeventer's was the first one we came to; if Goss's Tavern was then built, it was on a new road not then much traveled; the next was Asa Ransom's, on the same side of the road, and in Clarence Hollow. We staid with him over night; like most of the buildings in new countries, his was a log house, but sufficiently spacious for the requirements of travel at that time. There were two or three buildings (log houses) between Ransom's and Granger's, where Mr. Granger was building a frame house, the first frame house west of Batavia and east of Buffalo. We reached Buffalo on 8 Aug 1808, and put up at a tavern on the ground where the Mansion House now stands. Here we remained three or four days looking about for village lots, but finally left for Little York without making any purchase. My recollection of Buffalo is that it then contained between 200 and 300 inhabitants, but the country around being sparsely settled, I considered the place too small for an additional shop at that time, but nevertheless determined to make it my future home, as soon as its business would warrant. There was no road to Black Rock then, without returning to the Guide-board Road (now North Street), except what nature had provided-the sand beach, which though heavy was much better than the corduroy road to Batavia. The ferry house at Black Rock stood on the rocks which have since been removed in excavating for the canal; it was directly in front of the end of the street which passes on the south side of the street railway Co's stables between Reserve lots 16 & 17, and there was a carriage road in front of the building up and down the river. The road on the Canadian side of the river was then excellent, being smooth and dry all

132

the way to Newark. From Newark to the head of Lake Ontario to "Brandt's Tavern," then the only house there (I have not been there since and cannot say what the place is now called) the road was tolerably good, although there were fewer inhabitants along the way than on the river road, which with the exception of Chippewa and Brampton was as well settled as it now is. In November I returned to Albany again, leaving Little York in a schooner for the mouth of Genesee River from which place I walked the, entire distance. My thoughts continually reverted to Buffalo; and who after standing on the "Terrace" and looking off upon Lake Erie, having the Lake region and the vast West with its probable future in his mind's eye, could forget Buffalo?

Accordingly in the spring of 1809 I wended my way back again by another, then a better route: via the Mohawk River, Oneida Lake and Oswego River to Oswego, thence in the Schooner British Queen (Capt. Steel) to Lewiston on the Niagara River. We were nearly two days making the trip between Oswego and Lewiston. From Lewiston I traveled on foot over a good road made by Porter Barton & Co. to Schlosser, where I took a Durham boat for Black Rock, arriving at Bird Island pier the same evening. This was the best and I may say the only route by which merchandise was transported to Buffalo, and west of it at that time, and the boat I was in contained the stock of a Western merchant who was then on board. The cargo was discharged in a warehouse situated on Bird Island near the south end of Black Rock Pier, about an acre of which was above water, and the water in front of the dock, on the lower side of the Island, was of sufficient depth to float the largest vessel then on the Lake. All the commerce of the western Lakes was carried on from this Island and Fort Erie in Canada; that is, all the merchandise that went from the East, or came from the West up to that period was stored at the two places mentioned, or put on board of vessels direct, at these places only. That evening I went to Buffalo and engaged to work for Talmadge & Mullet, and also for Mr. Lewis, whose shop was in the second story of Joseph Stocking's store on the corner of Main and Swan streets. The County Clerk's office for Niagara County was on the same floor, Mr. Le Couteulx being the Clerk and Mr. Holmes, who married a daughter of Doctor Cyrenius Chapin, being the Deputy Clerk. In July I again went to Little York and worked for Mr. John Murchison, in whose employ I had also been in 1808. Upon returning in October I visited Mr. Doty in the town of Porter, and as an evidence of the then sparse settlement of that region, I will mention that I was deputized to summon a coroner's jury, upon the principle perhaps that I had nothing else to do, and I accepted the duties for the sake of seeing the country. The names of the jurors were given to me (what would I not give for a copy of those names!); they were the heads of families at Lewiston, Niagara Falls and east on the Ridge Road to Molineaux, including all the settlers by the way. The jury appeared promptly at 9 o'clock the next morning, at the house of Squire Doty, and all on horseback proceeded to where the body was found, about five miles further down Lake Ontario. It proved to be that of a British soldier who about ten days before, had fallen overboard from a vessel going into the Niagara River. Only imagine - more than forty miles of travel to summon a coroner's jury! From the town of Porter I went in a bateau to Sodus Bay with Mr. Reed, sutler at Fort Niagara, and thence on foot to Albany, returning early in the Spring to Salt Point, where in connection with E. M. H. Safford we opened shop and worked for salt, which was legal tender there, money being mostly out of use. I boarded at Rowe's Tavern, where were also the principal salt purchasers at that place. Having got all the salt I could transport I left for Oswego in company with John Richardson. He was a brave man, and the only Volunteer Captain whose whole company crossed to Fort Erie to engage in the sortie of 17 Sep 1814. I saw them volunteer, every man passing around the square, during a tremendous rain storm, General Porter leading, drenched meanwhile in rain. Our salt was taken to Oswego in one of Goodhue & Co's boats and in one of their vessels to Lewiston. Mine was landed at Fort Erie from Queenston where were my means of transportation. I sold the salt, and never engaged in the trade again, although this had yielded a profit. At Fort Erie I worked for Mr. Moon, until the salt which had to take its `turn arrived, when I again crossed into Buffalo, and remained until November, 1810. In this month I went to Maysville [now spelled "Mayville”] in Chautauqua County, landing from a schooner at Portland, now Barcelona, and put up at Samuel Wilkeson's, who settled in Buffalo in 1814. He was an active and prominent citizen, holding various offices in the gift of the people, and was among the most prominent in obtaining the side-cut canal from Black Rock to Buffalo and the building of the harbor here. Samuel Wilkeson was truly faithful to his political friends. An early acquaintance and the interest of Buffalo, which all but three or four of our citizens espoused, threw us much together. Both of us were "War Democrats" during the War of 1812. These interests led us to follow the fortunes of DeWitt Clinton who favored our interest in opposition to Samuel Young and Peter B. Porter. Thus we went on harmoniously, each doubtless trying to persuade himself that he was all the while, still a Democrat, until Henry Clay in 1825 cast the vote of Kentucky for John Quincy Adams, instead of Andrew Jackson, who had the greater number of votes and had by his valuable services earned preference. I then returned to the Democratic fold where I have ever since been, and from that time I lost the friendship of Wilkeson. This fact is mentioned to account for his omitting my name in all his " Harbor Reports, " notwithstanding I was the largest individual subscriber to indemnify the stockholders of the steamboat Superior for any loss they might sustain on account of not getting the boat out of Buffalo Creek, after it was built, if they would consent to build it here instead of Black Rock. The boat was built here, and we, the subscribers to the bond, were assessed pro rata to open the channel, in addition to which I gave my own services, working in the water up to my waist, as laborers could not be obtained. I put this on paper, because the old citizens who were witnesses to what I state are fast passing away. My object in landing at Portland was to visit Maysville, Chautauqua Co., about nine miles distant, a favorable place, as I had been informed, for business. I found the place however too small, and returned to Portland the same evening, where I found Mr. James Sloan, now a resident of Black Rock. Much of the conversation that night. was upon the practicability of making a voyage at that season of the year in an open loaded bateau to Detroit. We finally concluded to attempt the trip; and after taking in the cargo, which consisted of such goods as were salable to Indians and Frenchmen who were engaged while fishing in Detroit River, we started and after some remarkable adventures and mishaps resulting from the storms we encountered, we reached Cleveland, from which place it was thought best to arrange with a captain of a vessel bound for Detroit, to tow our boat and take the cargo on board, which we accordingly did. Detroit was then the largest village west of Schenectady, and Erie, Pa., was next in importance on the Lakes. I remained during that winter at Detroit, and left on 15 Apr 1811, in company with Mr. James Sloan; and as the only methods of returning were to purchase horses, go on foot through the wilderness, wait for a vessel late in the season, or purchase a canoe (a dug-out), we chose the last-named. I enjoyed the trip very much, loving it for its sports, as well as for its very perils. We had fowling-pieces for game, and spear for fish, both of which were abundant in the coves, creeks and marshes. We did not paddle but laid by for fair wind, using our blankets for sails. At that time there were but few clearings visible along the shore, except Frenchtown, now Munroe, and Maumee; there was no village until we arrived at Erie, unless Cleveland, Grand River, Ashtabula and Conneaut, each of which contained two or three houses, could be so called. Erie had enjoyed a considerable carrying trade from the Lakes to the Ohio at Pittsburg, via Le Boeuf, French Creek and Allegheny River. It was during this year, and while I was at Pittsburg, that I witnessed the launching of the first steamboat on the western waters. I well remember the arrival there of the 4th U. S. Infantry, Col. Boyd. It was composed of the best material I had ever seen in any service,

133

a large proportion of the men being seamen who had been thrown out of employment by the embargo, and were then direct from Fort Independence, Boston, MA. Their discipline, their parades, and their reviews were superior to anything I have ever seen in any service. I was strongly tempted to go with them; but unwilling to enlist in time of peace, I determined to follow. It was rumored that they were going to chastise the Indians who had become troublesome in Western Indiana, under the leadership of Tecumseh. Coming up with them at Vincennes, where they had halted for the arrival and organization of volunteers, I went into the employment of the commissary.

The Battle of Tippecanoe is familiar to all, and I can truly say that every man did his duty. After caring for the wounded and burying the dead, destroying the Indian village and digging up their buried corn and burning it, we turned back towards Vincennes again. The chiefs and head men among the Indians sued for peace in the Spring, and held a Council with General Harrison on 4 Mar 1812, and agreed to be friends, but a few days afterwards they commenced killing the settlers in every direction. One morning a young man entered Vincennes before daylight, announcing the murder of a whole family, nine in number, named Herryman, on the Embarras River. The whole village was collected together, and was addressed by General Harrison, received arms and ammunition, and marched in every direction to protect the settlers. On 8 May 1812, I left Vincennes in company with the 4th Regiment, commanded by Col. Miller (General Boyd having gone East), and the reception with which we met at Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, and other places was most enthusiastic. We united with Hull's army at Dayton, Ohio, marched thence to Springfield. and Urbana; from the latter place our route to the Maumee River lay through an unbroken wilderness, through which we cut a road the entire distance, building two block-houses by the way. We forded the Maumee River at the rapids, and it was at this place, on the next day after our arrival, and after we had despatched our medical stores, surgical instruments and many valuable army stores on board a schooner, together with such officers as had their wives with them, that we first heard of the declaration of war between the United States and Great Britain. As a matter of course, these all fell into the hands of the enemy in passing Malden, they having received the intelligence two days in advance of us, along the whole frontier. It was at this place I met my worthy old friend William Baird, U. S. express rider, on his return trip from Detroit, whither he had been with Government dispatches from Buffalo. We arrived at Detroit early in July. Capt. Dequinder was recruiting a company of "one year or the war" men, and I immediately became a member of his corps as full private. My first fight was at the River Canard in Canada, in an expedition commanded by Col. Cass and McArthur, who expected to take the guard stationed at the bridge but failed to accomplish it, mainly on account of the attack on the bridge being too soon and too impetuous. Cass's party had made a wide circuit and had forded some distance above, and the party on the road was only to amuse the enemy until we had gained their rear; instead of which they were driven off before it was possible for us to get around. About the last of July Major VanHorn with about 300 men left Detroit to bring up Col. Brush who was at River Raisin with 200 men and supplies for our army. This party fell into an ambush at Truago and were defeated and dispersed, but our company was not of the party. As soon as their fate was known, we were ordered from Canada to Detroit, and on the next day we left on the same errand with 580 men, about 250 of whom were of the old 4th Regiment, the whole under the command of Col. James Miller, the same who at Lundy's Lane, on being asked if he could take that park of artillery, said, "I will try, sir!" If any man of this small force had not before made up his mind to win, I think he did so when he passed the mangled and unburied men of VanHorn's party at Truago; but before the setting of that day's sun, we gained a signal triumph over more than twice our number at the battle of Brownstown, which General Miller always regarded as his greatest achievement. The enemy were pursued to their boats, and crossed to Malden. Instead of allowing us to accomplish the objects of the expedition, now while the road was open to us, we were ordered back to Detroit the next day, and by the perfidy of Hull, became prisoners to General Brock, 16 Aug 1812. The arms, ordnance and the regular troops were sent to Fort Erie, in the John Adams and Queen Charlotte, and the volunteers were sent to Cleveland, Ohio, where we were landed on the morning of 22 Aug, from the schooner Nancy, Capt. James Rough, whose mate was Walter Norton. On the same day Mr. Norton, Capt. Richard Smith, Joseph Gooley and myself started on foot for home at Buffalo, where we arrived on the 1st of September.

The Pomeroy Mob occurred in December, 1812. Porneroy had been much annoyed by the soldiers occupying his bar-room and monopolizing the fire-place to the exclusion of travelers and the citizens. One day he remonstrated against such conduct as an abuse to which he would no longer submit, and was said to have used very strong language. The next day the soldiers began to collect in front of his tavern and vicinity, and waiting until the boarders (among whom were many of their officers) had gone into the dining-room for dinner, they commenced breaking up the bar, with its contents, destroying the front windows and damaging the house generally, some of them saying, "let us fire the building," which they afterwards did. Knowing that Doctor Blood of the 4th Regiment lay sick of a wound in his chamber, I went up with three others to save him, and while bringing him down the hall stairs which they were pulling to pieces some of them struck their bayonets over the bunk at the wounded man, but upon being assured it was not Pomeroy they allowed us to pass out. I then went to Mr. Joseph Stocking and told him that a few armed men should go down to the mob, not to interfere, but to rescue persons in danger. He opposed it, as being unsafe, but one of his men and John Mullet went with me, and we each, with musket loaded and bayonets fixed, took our station about two rods outside of the rioters. Mr. Stocking came to us again, begging us to return. It was well however, that we remained, for soon we saw Mr. Abel Grosvenor, a highly esteemed citizen, running towards us, with the mob at his heels, they having mistaken him for Pomeroy. He stumbled and fell, and at the same moment we charged over his body and saved him. Just at that moment a company of soldiers who were quartered at the jail, came down on the run and we were all saved. The company did no more than to halt there, their numbers being insufficient for an attack on the rioters. Col. Moses Porter of U. S. Artillery was camped on the south side of Church Street, between the Terrace and Franklin Street, with a very good set of men. The rioters' camp was on the south side of Court Street on the Terrace and the site of the present Wilkeson block. There were some Pennsylvania troops where Delaware Street now is, south of Ferry Street, and the U. S. regular Infantry were at "Flint Hill" on the Granger farm. It was Smythe's brigade. Col. Porter determined to break up the mob at once. His whole force was drawn up, their guns shotted, and with the exception of two companies which he took with him, were left ready to support him if necessary, or defend the camp. When he reached a point a little south of South Division Street, he halted one company with two pieces of artillery, ready for action, and with the other company marched directly towards the mob, his men being armed with a sword and a brace of pistols each. Porter entered the building at the head of one file, and the other two went to the right and left, surrounding the building. Those outside started for their camp for arms, declaring they would be revenged upon the artillery whom they considerably outnumbered. All was anxiety, and fears were entertained as to the result, but little resistance was made in the tavern. A few billets of wood and bayonets were used, but the hands that used them fell with them and the riot was over there. We feared however that they would fall upon the artillery, and overpower them, when we beheld the Flint Hill men in heavy columns advancing upon the rioters' camp, and all was safe. They

134

were surrounded and made prisoners and the choice given them, either to be dismissed from the service, and sent home, or march directly to Scajaquada Creek, not to visit Buffalo again, and to hold themselves ready to march into Canada at a moment's notice. They chose the latter, and afterwards proved themselves among the best troops we had. In May, 1813, after Dearborn's Army returned from taking Little York, they encamped on the lake shore, about three miles below Fort Niagara, on the farm of Mr. E. Doty, from which place it was known a descent was to be made on Fort George and Newark, now Niagara. I went down to see the sport, and had the pleasure of witnessing the whole affair from the top of the mess house of Fort Niagara, where we had a battery which was constantly engaged with the enemy's batteries. It was the most beautiful sight I ever saw. The morning was clear and bright, with a light wind off shore, scarcely making a ripple on the water. Our fleet moved slowly up, going no faster than the row-boats, which were between them and the shore, and contained our infantry. All passed the Niagara River except the Growler, which anchored near Fort Niagara, and kept up a constant fire from that point. Our forces landed about half a mile above the mouth of the river under cover of the guns of the shipping. The first brigade was in the van, under General Scott. As the boats neared the shore, a rapid fire was opened upon them by the enemy who till then had lain concealed. The first attempt of our men to reach the top of the bank was repulsed, but before the second brigade had landed, the first reformed, and with the inspiring air of "Yankee Doodle," they charged up again, and held their ground until the enemy retreated before them. The enemy had previously been driven out of Fort George, by shot and shell from our batteries; and all the buildings in the fort had been fired early in the morning. My partner, Thomas Shearer, and myself crossed over the same day and rented a building of Mr. Wagstaff, and immediately had all the business we could do. We remained there until the 1st of October, when I returned to Buffalo, and on the evening of my arrival, entered into partnership with Mr. James Sweeney, who came to Buffalo in June, 1813. (Mr. Shearer preferring to follow the Army down the St. Lawrence.) This co-partnership continued seven years. We then occupied a room in the second story of Joshua Gillett's store, corner of Main Street and the Terrace. There was a Citizens' Company here, to which all not otherwise in the service belonged; it had no regular organization, and consisted of such only, as from time to time assembled when the alarm gun was fired. Mr. Sweeney and myself never failed to go directly to the rendezvous, the Square now occupied by St. Paul's Church. Our first business on assembling was to elect officers from such as were present. On the night of December 29th when the British troops crossed over to burn Buffalo, Joseph Bull was chosen captain, and we marched to Black Rock, only to see our troops retire in the most disgraceful rout and disorder. Those belonging East retired in that direction, while those who belonged West, scampered up the beach, and no power could stop them. We remained until there was no hope of checking the enemy and then retired on Niagara Street to Buffalo.

Johnson, a Kentuckian, one of Commodore Perry's gunners, had gone to the beach for a gun. I followed down and met the party near where the Canal crosses Commercial Street, and assisted them in bringing up the piece, which was mounted on a truck carriage, such as were then used on the decks of vessels. We got it in position on Main Street, opposite Niagara, and commenced firing, when the enemy arrived opposite the old tannery, but after the third shot it became unfit for use. Just at that moment Mr. Seth Grosvenor came to me bearing a white flag, saying he had been quite on the hill, and remembering that I was a paroled prisoner, and seeing me at the gun, came back to save me. The British troops were then formed in the graveyard on Franklin Square, and Col. Chapin was mounted and ready to go to them with a flag of truce, to make the best terms he could for the surrender of the place, and he also advised me to leave at once. At that time there were but seventeen persons remaining in sight and about the gun. Of these I can now remember only the following: Col. Chapin, Robert Kane, James Sweeney, Lyman Worden, Seth Grosvenor, Samuel Parker, Elisha Foster, George Stow, Jason Tigner, Timothy McCuen, Joseph Hoyt, Mr. Hull, myself and the sailor Johnson before alluded to as a Kentuckian; and Groesbeck, who was wounded in the face at Black Rock that morning. I left directly, going West, and to show that I did not leave any too soon I will state a person who joined us near the Terrace, was shot going down the hill, at the end of the Terrace. He was a blacksmith and I think his name was Springsted or something like it. We returned to Buffalo on the afternoon of 2 Jan 1814, and remained until evening, visiting Reese's blacksmith shop where had already been collected 13 bodies of our slain; and on finding that Mrs. St. John, who occupied the only remaining house, could not lodge us, we went to Williamsville that night, and in the morning walked over to Mrs. Vandeventer's, about eight miles. Here we found Mrs. LeCouteulx with two sleighs loaded with furniture and accepted her invitation to ride to Batavia, where she found her husband, who had left Buffalo before her. From Batavia we went to Utica, thence to Sackett's Harbor, and after visiting Albany returned again to Buffalo, arriving here about 1 Jun 1814.

Abraham Larzelere, who lived at Newark, U. C., when our army took possession of that place but who was a native of New Jersey, moved to Buffalo early in the Spring of 1814, and built the house next south of where Dr. Shelton lives on the west side of Pearl Street ;* and Sweeney & Efner occupied the half story above him. That building still remains, as does the old "Forbes" house, southwest corner of Pearl and Swan Streets, which we purchased in January, 1815, and moved into. Having soon after sold it, we bought the lot on Main Street, where Barnum's variety store now is, and as a little matter of history, I would mention that in front of this lot in 1814 I witnessed the execution of a Canadian Indian by Seneca Indians, they having condemned him as a spy, upon very trifling evidence. All our efforts to save the poor fellow were in vain, and after having shot him through the heart with a rifle ball, they lashed the body to a pole and bore it away on their shoulders for burial. Our army crossed into Canada on 3 Jul 1814. Scott's Brigade crossed in boats from near the ground below where the stables of the Niagara Street Railway Company now are; the second brigade, commanded by Gen. Bissell, went a few miles above Fort Erie in vessels, and landed there. As lookers-on Sweeney and myself went over with the first brigade. (I had been exchanged the previous May.) The fort was immediately invested, and surrendered after firing but three cannon shots down the road we were moving up. Leaving a sufficient guard in the fort, the army returned to the river, opposite the ferry, and encamped for the night, and Sweeney and myself returned in the boats which brought over the prisoners. On the glorious 4th the army moved down the river and fired a National salute at the enemy at Black Creek, and on the 5th the great battle of Chippewa was fought and won in true military style over the veterans of the Peninsular War in Spain. Our army then crossed Chippewa Creek and moved down to Fort George and invested it; the enemy at that time held both sides of the river, at its mouth, Fort Niagara having been taken by Major Murray in December, 1813, and not yet retaken. Soon after the investment of Fort George the enemy began to collect forces at Burlington Heights at the head of Lake Ontario, to raise the siege, and if possible to cut off our retreat. As soon as it was known that a large force was approaching from that direction, our army retired towards their garrison at Fort Erie.

While preparing to cross Chippewa Creek, intelligence was brought that the enemy were in force at Lundy's Lane. General Brown, who was Commander-in-Chief, ordered General Scott to return with his command and reconnoiter. Scott sent word back that the

135

enemy were in force, and immediately gave battle, holding his position in the open field until his supports arrived. This was the hardest-fought battle during the war. Our army remained masters of the field, but as we retired the next day across the Chippewa, the enemy claimed a victory. We certainly took the most prisoners, and among them General Riall. It was in this battle that General Miller replied to the question whether he could take the battery which was so destructive to our ranks, saying, "I will try, sir." This was on July 25th and our army arrived at Fort Erie about the 1st of August, and by the 5th the enemy had invested the place on the land side, the communication by water to Buffalo being open during the whole siege. A few days after the investment, the enemy crossed over, about 1300 men, and landed them below Scajaquada's Creek, intending another raid upon Buffalo, but Major Forsyth held the southern bank of that stream with 250 riflemen who had taken up the plank from the bridge, and so disposed of some logs and timber as to afford protection against musketry. Every attempt to cross on the string pieces was repulsed with heavy loss. The enemy then filed into the woods intending to continue up the stream to a ford, but the riflemen kept opposite them, sheltering themselves behind trees, and making sure of their man at every fire, until the enemy finally retraced their steps, and returned to Fort Erie. On the dark night of August 25th, General Drummond made a desperate attempt to storm Fort Erie. Our infantry lay along a line of breastworks, extending from the Fort to Towson's battery, along the angle from his battery into the river, and also along the angle from the northeast bastion of the Fort into about four feet of water at each termination, our artillery being in Towson's battery and in Fort Erie. The enemy exceeded us largely in numbers, and battled manfully for the prize, but did not get into our works, except at the northeasterly bastion of Fort Erie, which was taken by a storming party, closely followed by a heavy column of infantry supports. At the moment when the enemy were pouring in, and around it, either by accident or design, the bastion blew up. Lieut. McDonough, its brave defender, perished in it. This terminated the contest; such of the enemy as were able to retire, did so leaving behind them their dead and wounded. Mr. Sweeney and myself assisted in bringing the wounded from the landing to the hospital, and the faces of the poor fellows were so fearfully disfigured, that the sight of them was sickening. From Towson's battery there was a continuous sheet of fire, and every attempt to storm it was repulsed. The Dewateville Corps endeavored to flank it, by turning the angle, by wading around the end, around the angle wall, which extended into the river; this however had been provided against, by placing a sufficient guard there to receive and disarm them as fast as they came around. This was done in the most quiet manner, except as to such as either attempted to return or make fight, who were shot down, to float away by the strong current there. The siege was continued until 17 Sep 1814, when that brilliant and memorable sortie was made which relieved us from the presence of the enemy in this vicinity during the remainder of the war. General Peter B. Porter had been for a few days collecting volunteers here, for the purpose of raising the siege; these could not be compelled against their wishes, to go beyond our frontier, and resort was therefore had to calling for volunteers from them to cross over. They were accordingly formed on Niagara Street, with their left bent round on Main Street, and General Porter, leading the music, passed along their front, calling for volunteers. The march was down Main and Erie streets to Pearl, and up Pearl to Niagara again. The first time around he appeared to have got somewhat more than half. One company, that of Captain Richardson of Cayuga County, all volunteered the first time around. Every time they passed around, the volunteers would cheer, and jeer their comrades who were left, and this continued until nearly all of them had been brought in. Thomas C. Love was among the number (from Genesee County I believe), and after the war became an honored citizen of Buffalo. I well remember that this volunteering took place during the most tremendous rainstorm I ever witnessed. General Porter was completely drenched, but would seek no shelter until his work was finished.

The volunteers were then marched to the boats prepared for them, and taken over to the fort. The sortie as before stated was on the 17th and the column led by General Porter consisted of volunteers and a few Indians who made a circuit so as to strike the right flank of the enemy, cutting out the underbrush as they advanced; and the regulars, commanded by General Miller, took a position in the ravine, between the fort and the enemy's batteries, and were to move upon them directly upon the commencement of firing being heard from Porter's party. The charge was promptly made and beautifully executed; the guns (24-pounders) were spiked, the trunnions knocked off with sledge-hammers, taken with them for that purpose, and the gun-carriages broken up. The enemy began to retire the next day towards Burlington Heights, and continued until we were left in undisputed possession of the place. The enemy held Fort Niagara until the close of the war. In 1836 I went over the ground with General Miller, who related a circumstance to which he attributed much of the spirit of impulse and daring evinced by his men on that occasion. He said that after his men had all arrived in the ravine, and just as he was about to join them, a dispatch boat from Buffalo brought him a handbill giving the first news of the victory over the British fleet at Plattsburg, which he read to his men, and the instant he finished the reading, the firing commenced by Gen. Porter's column, when his men rose up, and with cheers and shouts rushed upon the batteries and carried them. The co-partnership of Sweeney & Efner continued until 1820, when Mr. Sweeney moved to the corner of Main and Erie streets, doing a successful business until the loss of his sight, when he purchased the land at the confluence of Niagara River and Tonawanda Creek, a part of which he laid out into village lots, and resided there until his death, on 13 Jan 1850, mourned by numerous friends, and by the poor to whose wants he never turned a deaf ear.

------

Oliver Owen Forward

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/a/r/Donna-H-Larose/ODT3-0041.html

Samuel Forward, moved to Aurora Township, in OH in 1803. b. 21 Apr 1752 (Simsbury Records say "mary" 8, 1753) in Simsbury, Hartford, CT; d. 1821; son of Abel Forward and Hannah Phelps; m. Susanna Holcomb b. 8 Apr 1753 in Simsbury, Hartford, CT. daughter of Captain Hezekiah Holcomb (b. 27 Jan 1725/26 in Simsbury, CT; d. 17 Jul 1794 Granby, Hartford, CT), and Susanna Alderman (b. 5 Sep 1723 in Simsbury, CT; d. 1814 East Granby, Hartford, CT; d/o Joseph Alderman and Mindwell Case).

Children, b. in Simsbury, CT: i. Samuel Forward II, b. Nov 1776; d. 1835; m. 1795 Abigail Higley, b: bet. 1777-1778 in CTii. Susannah Forward, b. Jun 1779; m. Isaac (or Israel) Phelps iii. Oliver Owen Forward, b. 01 Dec 1781; d. Buffalo, Erie, NY; m. Sarah "Sally" Granger; child: Oliver Cromwell Forward iv. Walter F. Forward, b. 24 Jan 1783; m. Henrietta Barkley; Secretary of the U.S. Treasuryv. Hannah Forward, b. 04 Apr 1785; m. Horace Clark vi. Betsey Forward, b. 11 May 1787; m. Josiah (Hickok or) Wilcox vii. Julia Forward, b. Jul 1790; m. Samuel Ferguson

136

viii. Chauncey Forward b. 04 Feb 1793; d. (Age 85 Living in Highland County, VA)ix. Rensselaer Forward b. 03 Sep 1795; d. 03 Oct 1795.x. Dryden Forward b. Mar 1798; d. 1822 St. Louis, MO

“Publications of the Buffalo Historical Society,” Vol. 1, 1870, Page 373.http://books.google.com/books?id=Z_ugAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA373&lpg=PA373&dq=%22Oliver+Forward%22&source=bl&ots=zbgVODrA2W&sig=KeCBdIIwUJLhIZOVZZZ4FsNl4Bg&hl=en&ei=08L4SuuMI4yutgfO3pmsCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBMQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=%22Oliver%20Forward%22&f=false

LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF OLIVER FORWARD.READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY, JANIARY 25, 1875

BY HON. JAMES SHELDON, (then President of the Society)

(names in bold were Freemasons)

THE Buffalo Historical Society, in the prosecution of its work of gathering all the facts having relation to the early history of our city, and generally to the region of Western New York and the great lakes, have directed a memorial of the life and public services of Oliver Forward to be compiled, not only that their record may exist in some authentic form, but as a just recognition of his valuable labors. The lives of men who have rendered important services to their generation, and by their devotion to the public good have aided to accomplish beneficial results, should be borne in grateful and enduring remembrance. Too often the applause of men is given, with unsparing hand, to those who were incited to action solely by selfish considerations, and withheld from more deserving objects of approbation, whose highest ambition was to advance the interests of their age. It is the duty of the impartial historian to render to each the proper mead of honor; and if time and circumstance have contributed to induce forgetfulness of merit, it well becomes us to review the records of the past, and award the just measure of our commendation.

------

Samuel Forward, the great-grandfather of the object of this memoir, emigrated from England before the year 1700, and with his wife settled at Windsor, Connecticut. They brought with them those stern virtues and characteristics of their parent land which enabled them, with the men of their time, to triumph over the troubles and hardships endured in the settlement of the wilderness, and which, in the long line of their descendents, have been, upon many occasions, so greatly manifested. Their son, Abel, was born in 1710, and died at East Granby, Connecticut, in 1798, leaving a large family of children; of whom, Samuel, who was the sixth child, was born May 1st, 1752, and settled at East Granby, where he resided until June, 1803. At this time, he sold his possessions at that place and emigrated to Aurora, in the state of Ohio. He went overland with all his family, consisting of himself, his wife, his son Samuel with his wife and children, his other children, Walter, Julia, Chauncey, Rensselaer, his son Oliver's wife, and David Loomis, conveyed in two large wagons, one drawn by a span of horses, the other by two yoke of oxen and a horse in the lead, one saddle-horse and two cows. Thus the train was made up, and with them they took farming utensils, domestic articles and provisions. They reached Aurora July 27th, 1803, having been forty-eight days on the route which is now traveled in half as many hours, and found his son Oliver and three hired men, who had gone there the previous February to prepare for them. A clearing had been made and a log house erected, and the pioneer, with his family around him, began the great work of aiding in the development of the mighty West. Such men, the inheritors of sterling and manly New England virtues, were the very ones to plant the graces of our civilization, and the republicanism of our institutions, upon the virgin soil of the northwestern territory. Samuel Forward died in 1821, having filled many positions of importance, among them, that of judge of Portage county; his counsel always being influential, and his character entitling him to universal respect.

Oliver Forward was born in December, 1780 [1 Dec 1781], and married Sarah ‘Sally’ Granger of Suffield, Connecticut. He settled at Aurora, Ohio, in the spring of 1803 *, and resided there probably about six years, and then, through the influence of his brother-in-law, Erastus Granger of Buffalo, he moved to this place about the year 1809. Judge Granger, at that time, filled the position of post-master and collector of customs at Buffalo, and agent for the Indian tribes in Western New York. He had, before that, settled here, and took up a large tract of land, now, in part, embraced in Forest Lawn and the Park, and resided, until his death, at what was known as Flint Hill, a little west of the stone house erected in later years by his son, our esteemed fellow-citizen, Warren Granger. Judge Forward immediately assumed the duties of deputy collector and assistant postmaster, which were of much importance, as this place was the great distributing office of the frontier. He was also appointed and acted as justice of the peace.

* The school was an institution here (in Aurora) as early as the winter of 1803-04. Samuel Forward, Jr., opened one in a little building on the Square at the Center, and he had as pupils Julia Forward, Ebenezer Sheldon, Jr., Gersham Sheldon, George Sheldon, Festus Sheldon, Chauncy Forward, Rensselaer Forward and Dryden Forward. The next school was taught by Oliver Forward, and the third by Polly Cameron, in 1807. As an illustration of the feeling of the times, and showing that politics ran full as high as at present: "This old school-master, Oliver Forward, delivered a Fourth of July oration at the Center in 1808, and all the Federalists went to Hudson to avoid it. They didn't want to be in the same town while it was being delivered." The first birth in the township occurred in the family of Oliver Forward, when a son was born to him April 6, 1804, whom he named [Oliver] Cromwell Forward, after his distinguished ancient relative.

In 1811, Charles Townsend and George Coit, honorable names in the history of our city, came here as traders, bringing about twenty tons of merchandise—a heavy stock for that time—which was boated from Schenectady on the Mohawk river, carried across the short portage to Wood creek, and thence floated to Oswego and to Lewiston, carted around the Falls to Schlosser, and thence brought in boats up the Niagara river, to Buffalo. Judge Townsend furnished a paper before his death, from which the following facts in regard to the village at that early day are extracted.

"In 1811, Buffalo contained less than one hundred dwellings, and a population of some four or five hundred. The only public buildings were the old stone jail on Washington street, and an unfinished wooden court-house. A small wooden building, built and claimed by Doctor Cyrenius Chapin, near the southwest corner of Pearl and Swan streets, put up for a schoolhouse,

137

served also as a town hall, a church for all religious denominations, and indeed for all public purposes. Three taverns were kept; one by Joseph Landon, on Exchange street, and occupying a part of the site of the Mansion House; another of more moderate pretensions, at the comer of Main and Seneca streets, by Raphael Cook; and the third by Gamaliel St. John, near the corner of Main and Court streets. The only merchants were Juba Storrs & Co., Grosvenor & Heacock, Eli Hart, and Isaac Davis; the first being located on the northwest corner of Washington and Exchange streets, and the others on Main, between South Division and Exchange streets. A mail from Albany brought once or twice a week, in a wooden spring lumber wagon, was opened by Oliver Forward, a justice of the peace. Judge Granger held the office of postmaster, and also that of collector of the port,—the latter an office rather of honor than of business or profit. The commerce of the lakes was small. I think that, at this time, there were only four or five small vessels on our side, and two or three merchantmen, besides two British armed vessels on the other. There was no harbor here. The mouth of the Buffalo creek was usually so much obstructed by a sand-bar that small vessels could but rarely enter, and even canoes were sometimes shut out, and footmen walked dry shod across the mouth. Vessels were loaded and unloaded at a wharf near Bird Island, at Black Rock."

Before 1811, Judge Forward had built a small, one-story wooden dwelling, on Pearl street, in the rear of what is now No. 102, where he resided, and in a small addition thereto carried on the post-office and the business of collector of customs, as the deputy of Judge Granger. This was the central part of the village, where the news from all parts of the world was received and disseminated. He continued thus to act and live until the British and Indians, on the thirtieth day of December, 1813, burned the place, and massacred the defenseless women and children. The post-office was removed to Judge Granger's residence, where the public business was transacted until the following spring, when it became safe for the scattered inhabitants to return to the village. As soon as possible, in the year 1814, Judge Forward commenced the erection of a new dwelling on Pearl street. It was a double, two-story brick house, and was considered the most elegant residence in the place. The northern portion of it is yet standing, being the parlor of the house No. 102 Pearl street, the hall of which is of comparatively recent erection. In this part of his residence the post-office was established, and, as Judge Granger had, before this, resigned the position of collector, to which Judge Forward succeeded, the business of collector of customs was also transacted there. For many years he was also treasurer of Niagara county, before Erie county was organized; and in the performance of the duties of these positions of trust, he manifested the greatest integrity.

The village of Buffalo was incorporated by the legislature, in April, 1813; and Eli Hart, Zenas W. Barker, Ebenezer Walden, Oliver Forward and Cyrenius Chapin were the trustees nominated by the act.

On the fourteenth of April, 1817, Judge Forward was appointed one of the judges of Niagara county; which position he held for many years. The original commission, in my possession, appoints Oliver Forward, Charles Townsend, Samuel Wilkeson, Oideon Frisby and Samuel Russell, judges of the county of Niagara; and among the justices for the territory of what is now Erie county, appear the names of James Cronk, afterwards sheriff, Joshua Henshaw and Jonathan Bowen, of Willink; Seth Abbott and Silas Patrick, of Hamburgh; Amos Smith and John Hill, of Eden; Frederick Richmond, of Concord; James Sheldon, Ezra St. John and Alexander Hitchcock, of Buffalo; and Otis R. Hopkins, of Clarence; men who were prominently identified with the early history of our county.

For many years Judge Forward was a director of the Bank of Niagara, and at one time was called upon by all interested in the bank to take the position of cashier, which he accepted; the expectation being that his name and influence might, in some way, retrieve the fortunes of that institution.

Early in 1817, Judge Forward, then being collector of the port, was authorized by the treasury department to purchase a site for a light-house; and, after some negotiations with Joseph Ellicott, the agent of the Holland Land Company, selected the point where the residence of the light-house keeper now stands, that being, at the time, as stated in the correspondence, near the outlet of Buffalo creek. The price paid was three hundred and fifty dollars, which was advanced by him in order to hasten the negotiation; and contracts were let for the building of the light-house, and an adjacent building for the residence of the keeper. His letter of December 26th, 1818, to the department, states, that in obedience to directions received by him, he had notified Mr. John E. Skaats of his appointment as keeper, and that in pursuance thereof he had taken charge of it without a moment's delay. He also adds, that the light-house and building were completed on the first of the preceding November, and, as a light was at that time an important aid in navigating the lake, he had employed Mr. George W. Fox to take charge until a keeper was appointed. These incidents are only mentioned as being matters of local history, of sufficient moment to be recorded.

The project of a grand canal, to unite the waters of Lake Erie with those of the Hudson river at Albany, began in those years to receive universal attention. The citizens of Buffalo, at an early day, appreciated the importance of their village, with reference to its being the proper and natural western terminus of the canal. Naturally enough, they looked forward with solicitude to the accomplishment of this event, which would render this place the Emporium of the West. After the determination of the state authorities that the canal should be constructed, and which was not arrived at until after a struggle, great and powerful influences, not only in the canal board, but of some of the most distinguished politicians on the frontier, were at work to locate the termination at Black Rock. That seemed to be the place designed by nature, being the very outlet of the lakes, and so situated upon the Niagara river that a safe and commodious harbor, when reached, was provided for all the commerce that could ever float upon our inland seas. This view was taken by many disinterested persons in authority, and strongly urged by Peter B. Porter and others who had made large investments at Black Rock, and whose political influence was commanding. The only way the argument could he met, was by actual demonstration that a harbor, easier of access and equally commodious, could be created at Buffalo. It must be remembered, that the mouth of Buffalo creek was generally closed by a bar of sand, and vessels never entered, but received and discharged their cargoes from lighters. Few believed that any means could be devised whereby an entrance could be created, which could be relied upon for durability; and if this was so, no reasonable hope could be entertained that the canal would be extended to this point. The history of that crisis, in which the subject of our memoir was so conspicuous an actor, has been told in the sketches furnished by Judge Wilkes on to the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, the main features of which will more faithfully relate it, than the effort of any one now living.

In April, 1818, at the instance of the citizens of Buffalo, an act of the legislature was passed, authorizing the survey of the creek at the expense of the County of Niagara, which then embraced it, with reference to determining the feasibility of constructing a harbor;

138

and William Peacock made the survey in the following summer, gratuitously. Although the report was favorable, neither the general government nor the State would assume the work. But the latter, in 1819, by law agreed to loan twelve thousand dollars for its construction, on being secured by bond and mortgage for its re-payment.

Oliver Forward, Charles Townsend, George Coit and Samuel Wilkeson gave the requisite security in the early part of 1820; and the pier was forthwith commenced. It was prosecuted and finished under the supervision of Judge Wilkeson, in 1821, in two hundred and twenty-one working days, and extended into the lake for about eighty rods, into twelve foot water. Every person in the place seems to have been agitated by, and to have participated in the projected improvement, and it was carried forward earnestly, and with that rare determination which bends to no adverse circumstances, and always wins success or glory. Discouragements clustered around them in vain. It seems marvelous that such an undertaking was persevered in, amid the jeers of neighbors and the buffets of adversity, by the people of an inconsiderable town, who were not aided by experience, nor stimulated by the eye of general observation. The narrative is worthy of DeFoe. The make-shifts and substitutes for the unattainable machinery they needed were most ingenious. And, though they encountered gravel where sand only was supposed to be, and storms often jeopardized and sometimes nearly destroyed their labors, they were not to be deterred. When all seemed successfully completed, the first steamboat of the lakes, the Walk-in-the-water, having been lost, and her owners having determined to build a second,—the old Superior,—the building of it was nearly secured to Black Rock and lost to Buffalo, and was gained for the latter only by the giving of a stringent judgment bond by nearly all its responsible citizens, conditioned to pay to the steamboat company one hundred and fifty dollars for every day's detention of the boat in the creek after the first of May, by harbor obstruction. The boat was built in our creek in 1822, and ready to enter the lake in the spring of 1823. The completion of the harbor, such as it was, had given force to the general considerations in favor of continuing the canal to Buffalo; and the decision of the canal board to that effect was published in the report of 1823, to the great joy of its careworn and anxious inhabitants. But their joy was damped, and they were suddenly summoned to a renewal of their labors. The spring freshet, which was to perfect the harbor entrance by expelling all obstructions and thus give egress to the Superior, encountered a huge body of anchored ice, and being repelled by it, formed an eddy, and whirled large beds of sand and gravel into the channel, reducing its depth to three feet and a half, for a full hundred yards. And yet, on the first day of May, the voluntary subscriptions and exertions of the citizens had re-opened it, and the Superior floated through, into the lake; the bond was cancelled, and the title of Buffalo to consideration as the future great City of the Lakes, was established.

Before this was accomplished, it was evident that some master mind must be selected to represent our village in the councils of the State at Albany; and, in 1819, Oliver Forward was elected to the assembly, as a delegate from the district containing Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Niagara counties; in which latter, Erie county was then embraced. He entered the house at a period of great political excitement. The project of the Erie canal was not then fully determined, and was opposed by the elements then arrayed, with bitter hostility, against De Witt Clinton, the friend and champion of the measure. Judge Forward, as was expected, sustained the canal policy with great zeal and influence, and with that effective and patient policy which was characteristic of his nature. He was the compeer of great men in that remarkable session. John C. Spencer was speaker; and such men as Elisha Williams, of Hudson, Peter Schuyler, of Albany, Erastus Root, of Delaware, Abraham Bockes and Thomas J. Oakley, of Dutchess, Nathaniel Merriam, of Lewis, Jonas Earll, Jr., of Onondaga, and John A. King, of Queens, renowned as statesmen and orators and jurists, exercised commanding influence. Not only in the legislature was Judge Forward enabled to sustain the canal policy with success, but he labored with the officers of State, and with all men whose support was of moment. His correspondence reached all quarters, freighted with arguments and persuasions such as a man of superior intellect and a judicial turn of mind could adduce in favor of the great work; and his record was of such a character, that his constituents determined to retain him in Albany, and he was elected senator in the spring of 1820. Then came the session of the senate in the fall of 1820, and the sessions of 1821 and 1822, during which he maintained a conspicuous position, and faithfully accomplished the great objects of his mission. It is not too much to say of his course in the state legislature, that, upon every occasion, he was found to be the warm supporter of all measures that appeared to be for the general public good, and which promoted the cause of morality and education, and the interests of the industrial classes. More effectual as a writer than as a debater, his sound judgment and the power of urging his opinions made his counsels influential; and his great integrity prevailed, where more brilliant men would have met with disappointment.

The canal board, in 1823, finally decided upon continuing the canal to Buffalo; and when the harbor was completed in May of that year, as before related, the great work of fixing the destiny of this city was accomplished. It is useless to speak of our obligations to such men as Forward, and Wilkeson, and Townsend, and Coit, and others of our citizens who labored incessantly, and at the peril of all their property, to ensure that result. We acknowledge them with gratitude; and though the tale of their patient labors and untiring efforts may be thrice told, we should never weary in the recital.

At the close of the session of 1822, on his return to Buffalo, Judge Forward was again elected chairman of the board of trustees of the village, as a mark of confidence and respect; in which position he continued to exercise his watchful care over the growing interests of the place. He was re-elected a trustee of the village, at the annual elections in 1823 and 1824, and chosen chairman of the board; that being the highest position his fellow-citizens could confer upon him.

The contract for constructing the section of the canal from Little Buffalo creek to Black Rock having been entered into, and preparations made for actually commencing the work, the occasion was deemed by the citizens here to be of so much moment, that it was resolved it should be celebrated by proper formalities. Friday, August 9th, 1822, was the day appointed by the contractors to commence their labors; and on that day the citizens of our village and of the adjacent country united in the very interesting ceremonies so appropriate to the occasion. They assembled at the Eagle tavern, about nine o'clock, and marched in handsome order through the village, preceded by martial music, to the place where the canal was to terminate, and first to receive into its bosom the waters of Lake Erie. This point was where the Commercial street bridge now stands. Here the national flag was hoisted, and a cannon planted upon an eminence at a little distance from the interesting spot.

When order had been restored, the Rev. Mr. Squires, the Presbyterian clergyman of the place, addressed the Throne of Grace in a prayer peculiarly appropriate; after which the Rev. Mr. Galusha, in a short, but neat and animated speech, referred to the importance of the work then to be inaugurated, and predicted great results therefrom. Then the ceremony of breaking ground was performed by several of the oldest citizens of the place. Judge Forward, as the chairman of the board of trustees and the representative of the village, planted the first spade in the earth and raised the first soil, and then Colonel Chapin, Judge Barker

139

and Judge Walden joined, after which all the principal citizens, and many respectable strangers, with plows and spades, united in the commencement of the grand canal. The procession then moved down the line of the canal about half a mile, where the citizens partook of the hospitality of the contractors, and then, returning, finally dispersed, amid resounding cheers. A contemporary writer says, that on this interesting occasion all were united in the same interest, the same feeling, the same sentiment. Clintonians and Bucktails, the Kremlin aristocracy and those opposed, democrats and federalists, all joined hands and exchanged fraternal congratulations. Political feuds and animosities were lost in the grandeur of the scene, and nothing was heard but one universal expression of heartfelt approbation.

In the fall of the year 1825, the canal was fully completed, and it only remained to dedicate it to the world, by ceremonies suitable to the occasion. Committees of conference on the part of New York and Albany taking the lead, a general plan of celebration was agreed upon and concurred in, by a conference of committees of Rochester, Lockport and Buffalo. An important feature in the general arrangements for the celebration, was the stationing of cannon from Buffalo to Sandy Hook, to announce the departure of the first boat from Lake Erie to tide-water, and to answer the purpose of a continuous salute. On the evening of the twenty-fifth of October, 1825, the entire canal, from Buffalo to Albany, was in a navigable condition. Buffalo, then a village of only twenty-five hundred inhabitants, from its position at the head of navigation, was, of course, to lead off in the ceremonies, and well did the germ of a now great city acquit itself. The New York committee that arrived here on the evening of the twenty-fifth, stated, in their report, that they found everything in readiness for the commencement of the celebration. At nine o'clock on the morning of the twenty-sixth of October, a procession was formed in front of the court-house. It consisted of the governor and lieutenant governor of the state, the New York delegation, delegations from villages along the whole line of the canal, various societies of mechanics with appropriate banners, and citizens generally; the whole escorted by the Buffalo band, and Captain Rathbun's rifle company. The procession moved down Main street to the head of the canal, where the pioneer boat, the Seneca Chief, was in waiting. The governor and lieutenant-governor, and the committees, including that of Buffalo, were received on board. The whole, standing upon the deck, united in mutual introductions and congratulations. Jesse Hawley, in behalf of the Rochester committee, made a short address, which was properly replied to by Judge Forward, on behalf of the authorities and citizens of Buffalo. All things being in readiness, the signal gun was fired, and continuing from gun to gun, in succession, in one hour and twenty minutes the citizens of New York were apprised that a boat was departing from the foot of Lake Erie, and was on its way, traversing a new path to the Atlantic ocean. The Seneca Chief led off in fine style, drawn by four gray horses, fancifully caparisoned. Three boats, the Perry, Superior and Buffalo, followed, and the fleet moved from the dock under a salute from the rifle company, accompanied by music from the band. The procession then moved to the court-house, where an address was delivered by Sheldon Smith, Esq., and a public dinner succeeded; the festivities of the day being closed by a splendid ball at the Eagle Tavern.

The correspondence of Judge Forward with Governor Clinton and other distinguished men of our state, from 1818 to 1826, in regard to the canal policy, and also as to its termination here, and as to our harbor, and the letters to him in answer, have, in part, been preserved, and show that he was constantly urging the fair consideration of the claims of our village, and setting forth all the arguments and facts that could be adduced in support of those measures. At this day, surrounded with all the evidences of wealth and civilization, one rises from the perusal of such papers, almost with a doubt that it could be possible, that, but little more than fifty years ago, the great men of the time were fearful lest the work would never be accomplished. It seems more like some fairy tale than a reality, and illustrates on every page the patriotism and devotion of those who so successfully carried the measure to a conclusion. In all this correspondence, it appears that Governor Clinton was at all times friendly to the interests of Buffalo, as against Black Rock; believing that this point was in every way better adapted to be the Emporium of the Lakes; and, as one of the canal board, lent his powerful influence in support of the claims of our citizens.

These relations of the history of the Erie canal, have been given for the reason, that the life and labors of Oliver Forward were for so many years directed to the accomplishment of that great work. How earnestly, and with what self-denial, he devoted his services to that end; how patiently, but firmly, he encountered the determined opposition of rival and powerful interests, with arguments and persuasions in place of invectives; with what statesmanlike abilities he made use of political power, are matters that have almost been forgotten in our generation. But, when cotemporaneous history is examined, and the public journals of the time and private papers and correspondence consulted, it will be found that he was one of the most active and influential men of his day, and contributed as much as any other to the success of measures which laid the foundation of the opulence and splendor of our city.

In the year 1825, it will be remembered, General La Fayette visited this country, and was received as the nation's guest with the most distinguished consideration. He arrived at this place from the west, on the steamboat Superior, on the fourth day of June, 1825, and, as Judge Forward was the one who addressed him on behalf of our citizens, it is proper to recall this item of local history, by giving the account published in a paper of that time.

"General La Fayette arrived in this village on Saturday, about two o'clock in the afternoon, and was immediately escorted to the Eagle Tavern, by a detachment of Captain Vosburgh's company of cavalry, and the Frontier Guards under Captain Rathbun. He was preceded by the committee of arrangements and his suite. On his arrival, he was conducted with his suite, by the committee, to an elegant pavilion, erected in front of the house, where he was met by the corporation; in whose behalf, and that of the citizens of the village, Oliver Forward, Esq., addressed him, as follows:

"General — In behalf of the citizens of this village and its vicinity, I have the honor of welcoming you among them, and of tendering you that regard, which has been again and again reiterated from the center to the remotest extremities of the Union. This regard we are unable to testify to you, amidst the splendor and magnificence of a state or national Emporium; but, to you, we are aware, it would not be less acceptable, if presented in the unimposing forms of republican simplicity. We are not less mindful than are the whole people of this extended Empire, of the services you have rendered our common country, nor less conscious of the gratification the patriot and the philanthropist must feel in passing the declivities of life, carrying with him the richest of all earthly reward,—a nation's gratitude. But few of us were among those who participated with you in the toils and dangers of the revolution which established not only the liberties of the confederacy, but what the world had never before seen, a welcome, a happy and a protected home for the oppressed of all nations. But we alike revere the memory of the brave, and cherish with the same ideal, the principles for which you and our fathers bled; and, with all the grateful recollections which a love of liberty can inspire, of the voluntary sacrifices you have made in the support of her cause, we beg you to accept the

140

humble tribute of our respect, in conjunction with what has been and will continue to be proffered, not only by every citizen of the American nation, but by every friend of liberty and of mankind."

It may well be questioned whether a more dignified and happy address was presented to La Fayette during his sojourn in this country.

The narrative further states, that a suitable reply to Judge Forward was made, and at five o'clock the General and company sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by Mr. Rathbun; the evening was spent pleasantly, and the village handsomely illuminated.

The last public services of Judge Forward were rendered at the solicitation of the citizens of Buffalo, in connection with a revision of the charter. The city was organized in the spring of 1832; but it was soon evident that in order to subserve the public interests to the desired degree, an extension of many of the powers granted was needed. On behalf of the citizens generally, a committee of fifteen was appointed at a meeting called to consider the matters in question, of whom Judge Forward was one, as a representative from the first ward, and the common council added five aldermen to the committee. He was elected chairman by common consent, and the labors of the committee were extended through the year. During this time, many important provisions were originated, and many revised and improved, and a foundation laid for a charter that gave ample power to preserve public order, regulate and improve the highways, and establish our common schools. The last named subject was one that greatly interested Judge Forward. One of his papers refers particularly to this matter, and a few extracts from it may well be presented as an illustration of the vigor and terseness of his style, at the same time illustrating with what thoughtfulness and ability he considered questions of public moment. He says:

"At the request of intelligent and respectable citizens, I have prepared a series of numbers, addressed to the mayor and common council of the city of Buffalo, upon the subject of various improvements in said city, and also upon the subject of powers granted by the charter, which, by construction, may be made too extensive, and are consequently too unguarded and indefinite in their character. In addition to this, I have taken a brief view of powers, which should be granted by a legislative act, to more effectually preserve public order, and to make more extensive, permanent and accommodating provisions for the support of common schools. That our city charter may be beneficially improved, b) salutary additions and improvements, there can be no doubt in the mind of any intelligent man, who will take upon himself the trouble of carefully examining its provisions, and after a full consideration of the subject, I have no doubt that, without adding to the public burdens, a city fund may be provided for the education of the poor in common schools, which should be under the control of the city authorities. I cannot forbear remarking that the subject of common schools is one of vital importance to the interests of the whole community. In them, the children of the poor are educated,—indeed, they are general sources of early instruction, and upon them will depend, in a great measure, the morals and the intelligence of each succeeding generation."

But the time had almost come when the labors of Oliver Forward were to cease. In the summer of 1832, he suffered from an attack of cholera, and never recovered his physical strength, but gradually failed, until he died in April, 1833; thus closing a life which had been almost entirely devoted to the public service.

Mrs. Forward died in December, 1831, and, of several children, one only is now living—Mrs. Julia M. Sterling—the wife of Ambrose S. Sterling, a former merchant of this city. Several of the brothers of Judge Forward have been distinguished in our national councils. Walter Forward, of Pittsburg, was well known as one of the first lawyers of his State, and served his constituents as a representative in Congress, in 1822. In 1837, he bore a prominent part in the Pennsylvania convention to reform the state constitution. In March, 1841, President Harrison named him first comptroller of the treasury, which post he held until he was appointed secretary of the treasury by President Tyler. On retiring from that position he resumed his practice at the bar, until appointed by President Taylor as minister to Denmark; and, on his return home, was made president judge of the district court, which office he held at the time of his death, in 1852.

Chauncey Forward was born February 4th, 1793, and went to Pittsburg about 1809, with his brother Walter, where he was educated and became a lawyer, and settled at Somerset, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the state legislature, and also of Congress for three terms, from 1825 to 1831. One of his daughters married Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, who was the attorney-general during the administration of President Buchanan. Rensselaer and Dryden, two younger brothers, were educated for the bar, and gave great promise of future excellence, but untimely deaths prevented the realization of the high hopes entertained by their friends.

In preparing this memorial, use has been made of the contemporary newspapers, which are generally reliable in their statements of facts, and of Turner s History of the Holland Purchase; as well as a remarkably well-written paper compiled by the lamented Guy H. Salisbury, contained in the Directory of 1847. Particular obligation is due to Rev. James Remington, of Lancaster, in this county, the father of our county clerk, who was the brother-in-law of Judge Forward, and intimately associated with him from about the year 1811, for many years, in the discharge of the duties of the public offices held by him, and who has furnished many particulars of which no record existed.

In person, Judge Forward was of medium stature, but portly; of grave and dignified presence; one whose imposing appearance would have been marked in any assembly of men. His mind was judicial in its tone and character; always calm and temperate, dealing with facts and seeking by logical methods to convince others; modest as to self-assertion, but firm and resolute in seeking the ends and purposes he knew were right and justifiable. Above all, he had that mastery of those with whom he became associated, which compelled acquiescence in his opinions; and the gift of wisely marshalling the abilities of others who joined with him in the prosecution of important purposes. He guided the energies of one and availed himself of the acquirements of another; the learning of one and the influence of another were made to contribute to success, while all looked to him for wise and prudent counsel.

The life of Oliver Forward is but another illustration of the fact that it is to circumstances beyond his control, more than to his own works, that a man is generally indebted for his position, and for the character of the memories that survive him. Had he laid the foundation of a fortune in this city, and died, surrounded by a large circle of descendants and relatives who might now worthily represent his name and wealth, how much larger a place in public remembrance would he have filled! Let us not withhold the due

141

tributes of respect and gratitude. Rather let us, by the memorial of his life, preserve the just record of his fame, so that his name and acts and deeds, so indissolubly connected with our welfare and prosperity, may continue to be the objects of public regard.

------Erastus Granger

“Launcelot Granger of Newbury, Mass., and Suffield, Conn: a genealogical history,” by James Nathaniel Granger, page 135.

http://books.google.com/books?id=kDdPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA153&lpg=PA153&dq=%22Erastus+Granger%22+%22nathaniel+sanborn%22&source=bl&ots=-DcuRdGCNm&sig=agv9kckgkGxd0lrnTccXSl8ut2Q&hl=en&ei=wQL6SsmMGcGAnQeN0LH3DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Erastus%20Granger%22&f=false

ERASTUS GRANGER, son of Abner; b. 17 Jan 1765.at Suffield, CT; d. 21 Dec. 1826. at Buffalo, NY; m1. at Suffield. 22 Nov I79i5, Mrs. Bethena (Brownson) Loomis. widow. of Nathaniel Loomis and dau. of David Brownson and Jerusha Cooley of Suffield (b. 2 Mar 1766; d. 6 Jan 1803; m2. 21 Mar 1813, at Canandaigua. NY. Elizabeth, dau. of Nathaniel Sanborn and Hannah Gould of Canandaigua (b. at Lyme, CT; d. 20 Jul 1853, at Buffalo).

Judge Erastus Granger spent his boyhood years at the old homestead granted to his grandfather. Thomas, the son of Launcelot, on Crooked Lane in Suffield. Crooked Lane is the country road which leads off the High Street of Suffield and winds northward to Springfield, MA, ten miles away. Whether it derived its name from the possible sinuosity of its course, or from some fancied irregular characteristics of the family of that name (Lane) who formerly lived upon it, has been an open question among the inhabitants of that village. It has been more or less of a byword in the community, and young Erastus was sometimes facetiously called "the president of Crooked Lane."

His youthful days saw his father. Capt. Abner Granger, at the front in the conflict with the British, and absent from his home for nearly seven years during the war of the Revolution. and he joined his father in camp with the Continental Army and spent a part at least of the winter of 1777-78 in the wretched quarters at Valley Forge.

About the year 1790 he was teaching school at West Suffield, Ct. In 1793 he associated himself in business; as a merchant at Suffield with John Leavitt under the firm name of Leavitt & Granger, and soon after purchased a half interest in the merchandizing firm of Freegrace Leavitt & Co. at Hartford, VT. He continued to operate these two stores till 1798. In those days it was quite common for people to order goods from the "store" in writing, and these orders are still preserved. They give a curious insight into the character of the goods mostly used. Liquors seem to have had the*leading place in the wants of the people, one old lady ordering a quarter of a pound of tea and a gallon of rum, another two gallons of rum and five pounds of sugar, while another sends for a candle and a gallon of brandy. In 1798 he left Suffield for Virginia to take charge of the business there of various New England gentlemen who had invested largely in the wild lands of that State and Kentucky. This occupied him for nearly six years and kept him constantly absent from the Connecticut home. He journeyed from Richmond in the East to Louisville (Ky.) in the West; from Knoxville (Tenn.) in the South to Philadelphia, then the seat of the Federal government.

Granger Homestead, Buffalo, New York

It was during these extensive trips in Virginia that he first became personally acquainted with Thomas Jefferson and the men associated with him in his political schemes. Judge Granger was early converted to the Jeffersonian views of public and domestic affairs, and upon his return to Suffield labored successfully with his cousin, Gideon Granger, to bring him to the same faith. Connecticut was a strong Federal State, and the two young Grangers were the most prominent adherents of Jefferson then resident within its borders. In the bitter presidential fight of 1800 they stumped the State for Jefferson and later received their reward. Gideon going to Washington as postmaster-general and Erastus to Buffalo as Indian agent for the Six Nations and the promise of every other Federal office at the western end of that State. He was offered the position in November, 1803, was commissioned 30 Jan 1804, and resigned 1 April, 1818. He was the last frill agent appointed to the Nations, while Sir William Johnson was the first.

But Judge Granger brought with him an unwritten commission of greater importance than the others. Aaron Burr, then vice-president of the United States, was deep in his schemes for advancing his interests and a crafty and bitter opponent of his late rival for the

142

presidency, Thomas Jefferson. The capture of New York, Burr's native State. was being attempted by him, and in 1803 Judge Granger had been sent on from the "Seat of Government," as Washington was then always called, by Jefferson to advise DeWitt Clinton of the just-discovered plans and to arrange to thwart them.

He came to Buffalo in 1804 the duly-accredited representative of the government in all political matters, and to his charge was given the management of all national politics in western New York. The Six Nations occupied a position at the beginning of the century of dangerous importance in the eyes of government. In the days of their greatest prosperity their sway was acknowledged by the red men from the sands of the Carolinas to the frozen lakes of Canada; from the gentle Mohawk River in the East to the muddy waters of the Missouri in the West. They were valiant in war and subtle and wise in politics; they were the match of the white men in eloquence and their equals in diplomatic controversy. As early as 1789 the government had found it necessary to locate an agent of exceptional ability near them, and Gen. Israel Chapin of Massachusetts had been appointed. He, with his son, occupied the position till 1802. There was constant danger of an uprising—constant fear at Washington of a repetition of the bloody scenes of Wyoming and of Cherry Valley. :

Judge Granger reached Buffalo Creek, traveling on, horseback, on 30 Mar 1804, to find it a village of sixteen huts, its streets filled with stumps and its inhabitants the usual class found in a frontier town. It had not even a post-office; but as part of the agreement he had made with the government was that a post-office should be located there, he was soon (3 Sep 1804) commissioned "postmaster at Buffaloe Creek." He resigned this office 6 May 1818. On 9 Dec1803, before leaving Washington, he was confirmed by the United States Senate as surveyor of the port of Buffalo Creek, and on 20 Dec 1805, confirmed as collector of the port. These last two offices he resigned 17 March, 1812. The duties of the three offices he performed by deputy.

In 1807 he was appointed one of the judges of the county of Genesee, then comprising all the territory between the Genesee River and Lake Erie; and when the western part was set off in 1808 as Niagara County he was appointed judge of that new county. He presided at the first term of court ever held in Buffalo (Jun 1808), and continued on the bench until 1817. In 1816 and 1817 he was supervisor of Buffalo, then the highest town office. He was one of the founders of St. Paul's (Episcopal) Church, and its first senior warden.

It was as Indian agent, however, that his principal work was done. The half dozen years preceding the war of 1812 were full of alarms and suspicions of danger. Judge Granger's dispatches from Washington urged the utmost diligence on his part. British agents were constantly crossing from Canada, seeking to stir up the Six Nations and form treaties with them enlisting their aid when war should come. Council after council was held at Buffalo, at which the subtle yet eloquent speech of Red Jacket, Cornplanter, Farmer's Brother, and other silver-tongued orators was heard. News of the declaration of war reached Buffalo on 27 June, 1812, and the question of what the Indians would do was not settled. Judge Granger called a final council at Buffalo, and the chieftains met their agent on 5 July, 1812. The Senecas. Onondagas, Cayugas, Tuscaroras, and the Oneidas were there; only the Mohawks, who at the close of the Revolution had tied to Canada, were absent. The council lasted several days, and Red Jacket and other gifted orators of the Senecas spoke for the Indians. But the influence of the agent prevailed over the hot heads among the Indians, and a treaty was made which bound the dusky men to neutrality during the war.

The importance of this treaty can hardly be overestimated. It closed the door to all danger of the Six Nations becoming the allies of the British and saved the whole frontier, even then sparsely settled, from the horrors of Indian warfare. Had these leaders of the Indians taken up the hatchet hardly a tribe but would have followed suit, and the worst results would have been forthcoming. As it was, the Nations remained neutral, until by good fortune some of the. Canadian Indians crossed the Niagara and invaded the Senecas' country, when al once the Nations sprang to arms and voluntarily joined the Americans.

As soon as the Indians joined openly the side of the Americans Judge Granger dropped the sober duties of civil life and went to the front with his Indian wards. He accompanied them into Canada, where they went as the companions of the white soldiers, and shared with them the privations of the campaign. That he might have a position with the troops, he was commissioned a lieutenant-colonel of New York volunteers. Naturally, from his official connection with the government, he i was one of the most prominent men in western New York at that time, and a price was actually set on his head by the enemy. His house, removed some three miles from the village, was guarded by his faithful Indians, who also stationed scouts along the banks of the Niagara River, thus enabling him to have earlier warning of any movement of the enemy than the commanding general himself.

On the evening of 10 July, 1813, Judge Granger received word from his faithful scouts that the British had crossed the river and were preparing to attack Buffalo. He also found that his house was especially marked for destruction. He sent messengers to the old chief Farmer's Brother, who was in his hut at the Indian village across the Buffalo Creek, summoning him and such Indians as could be mustered to report to the agent’s house. The chief and his followers arrived at 11 o'clock, and the night was spent in preparing for the coming fray. Bullets were molded by the great fire in the kitchen, messengers hurried into the neighboring village for arms and ammunition, and the Indians were banqueted on unlimited salt pork prepared by Mrs. Granger’s own hands. As the sun came up in the morning the judge ordered his famous sorrel mare brought out and saddled, and led his red warriors, headed by their chief, then 90 years old, through the woods by what was known as the Guide Board Road (now North Street) to the little town of Black Rock. Just beyond the present site of the Niagara hotel in that city he found the white troops hastily assembling under Gen. Porter, who quickly formed his line with the Indians under Judge Granger on the right, the regulars in the center, and the white volunteers on the left. At once the Indians prepared for battle. This was a simple operation, and consisted in divesting themselves of all clothing save their breech-cloths and hanging about their necks the maturnip, a long cord with which they bound their prisoners. Gen. Porter decided to assume the offensive, and at the command the Indians sprang forward with a yell which startled both foe and friend alike. The volunteers on the left commenced to press forward also, but the American center, through some misunderstanding, remained stationary. In a few minutes the two wings had the British force in full and disordered retreat toward their boats on the shore, their commander mortally wounded, and many slain. The Indians followed the retreating enemy, even rushing into the water and pulling them from their boats into the stream. The victory was complete. Buffalo was saved, and saved mainly by the Indians.

In the succeeding December Buffalo was burned, and although nearly every house was destroyed the British failed to get within a mile of Flint Hill, as Judge Granger’s place was called.

143

After the resignation of his various offices Judge Granger withdrew to his homestead in the outskirts of Buffalo, but now well within the city, where he lived quietly until he died. This homestead was a charming spot of nearly 800 acres, covered in part by a noble grove and watered by a babbling brook or creek. On his place he had numerous houses, in which lived others of his family and the people employed by him. The present lovely Forest Lawn Cemetery, the Park, and the State Insane Asylum grounds were once a part of this large estate. He died 21 Jan 1826.

At his funeral, just before the body was to be carried to the private burying-ground hard by, the door opened and Red Jacket, his friend of many years, strode in. Taking his place at the head of the coffin this gifted son of the forest delivered in the Seneca tongue a last and fitting eulogy to the memory of his former agent. Those who heard and understood it, said it was worthy of the most beautiful speech of the equally-gifted Logan.

Children, b. at Suffield, CT. By first wife: i James Warren, b. 15 Jul 1796; d. 25 Sep 1813, at Buffalo, NY. ii A daughter, b. 14 Sep 1799; d. soon.

Born in New York State, by his second wife:

i James Nathaniel, b. 9 Aug 1814, at Canandaigua; d. 5 Jan 1857: m. Anna D. Brown Davis.ii Warren, b. 18 Jul 1817, at Buffalo; d. 5 May 1888; m. Marv Norton.

------

William Hodge (and Benjamin Hodge)http://books.google.com/books?id=DncoAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA171&lpg=PA171&dq=%22Benjamin+Hodge%22+%22buffalo%22&source=bl&ots=6BKKqlGGf4&sig=XFAiW3ENgzJh6Ish6MKw0KUyKn0&hl=en&ei=2kL7Sv2vKZSpnQeCkfWFDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CAoQ6AEwATgU#v=onepage&q=%22Benjamin%20Hodge%22%20%22buffalo%22&f=false page 171.

WILLIAM HODGE, SENIOR

The following is condensed from a sketch written by William Hodge, Jr., about the time he was president of the Buffalo Historical Society.

William Hodge (Sr.) was born in Glastonbury, CT, 2 Jul 1781. His father, Benjamin Hodge, removed from that place to the town of Richfield, Otsego, NY, in 1794, William then being less than 13 years old. The boy worked on a farm, and later taught school. At Exeter, Otsego Co., 25 Mar 1802, he married Sally, daughter of Daniel Abbott. For the next three years Mr. Hodge worked on a farm in summer, and taught a district school in winter.

Being poor,—and his only capital consisting of his education and experience, his industrious habits and willing hands,—he made up his mind to move out to this then wild, western frontier, Buffalo being the point he chose at which to make his stand; having confidence that he could succeed if others could, in a newly settled country. He had heard of the "Holland Purchase," but he knew nothing about the quality of the land, or the character of the region. He only knew that the land could be bought at a low figure and on credit, and this suited his case.

Buffalo was at this time considered the extreme western limit of civilization, its "jumping-off place"; and in resolving as he did in such circumstances as his, to set forth on a journey of removal hither, he displayed the true spirit of a pioneer; he was indeed a thorough type of that necessary class of enterprising men.

It was in the latter part of May, 1805, that he bade adieu to relatives and friends in Exeter, and started on the westward journey. His little family consisted at this time of his wife, then only eighteen years old, and their two children, the youngest (the writer of this paper) five months old; Mr. Hodge himself being only twenty-four years of age.

They traveled by wagon to Utica. Here they embarked in an open row- (or flat-) boat, with the families of Mr. R. Judd and Mr. Lyman Jackson; the company consisting of about twenty persons in all.

Their route was up the Mohawk river, into Wood creek, and through Oneida lake; then down the Oswego river (the travelers going around its rapids, while boatmen carried the boat over them), and so on, to Lake Ontario, and up that lake and the lower part of the Niagara river, to Lewiston. There the boat was taken out of the river, carried around Niagara Falls in a wagon drawn by an ox-team, and put into the river again, at Schlosser, where they all re-embarked. Thence, by rowing, poling and towing, the boat was propelled through the upper Niagara river to Buffalo creek, and so to the village. The arrival took place on 16 Jun 1805, after twenty days of laboring at the oar, and traveling around the portage.

Disembarking with his family, Mr. Hodge put up at Zenas Barker's tavern. This was a double log house, situated on the bluff which was afterwards leveled down into "The Terrace," and about one or two hundred feet west of Main street,—the house facing south. The day following, Mr. Hodge engaged Major Perry (who owned and occupied the farm which has been so long known as the Granger property, on Conjockety's creek, at the crossing of Main street) to come in with his oxen and cart and carry his effects out to his, Major Perry's, place. He immediately occupied the log house, at the Perry Saw-mill (since then long known as the Granger Sawmill). In this house he lived until the fall, when he moved into another log house, on lot No. 35, at what is now the north-east corner of Main and Utica streets, and remained there until Jun 1806, when he moved into still another log house, at the Cold Spring, where the Tavern now stands.

Mr. [William] Hodge had, as yet, made no purchase of land. Indeed, as has been said, he had come, with his very young family, depending on the labor of his own and his wife's hands (since they had little or no property) for support, to be a pioneer literally in the wilderness, for that this region then was. Surely nothing but the hope and anticipation of better and easier times somewhere in

144

the future could buoy up the spirit of a man, and induce him to labor and plan for, and to endure the hardships of, a pioneer life. It was truly thus with Mr. Hodge, in the first years of his residence here. And it was only by severe toil that he was able even to support his family, to say nothing of buying land. But he was naturally ingenious, and by turning his hand to anything he could find to do, he managed to keep along. Having decided to venture upon obtaining some land, and not seeing any prospect that Buffalo was to become much of a place, he concluded that it would be better for him to go into the country, and establish himself there. He went accordingly to the town of Eden, in this county, and took up a farm at a place subsequently called "Tubbs" Hollow" (now Eden Valley). Procuring tools necessary for building a house,—of which an axe, a hand-saw, a hammer and an auger were the greater part,—he went to work, and put up a log house on this farm.

After getting the house so nearly finished that it could be occupied, he returned to his family at Buffalo, intending to remove them to the Eden farm and make it his future home. But his father, Benjamin Hodge, senior, had moved to Buffalo that summer (1806), and he had purchased the "article" of farm-lot No. 35 originally "taken up" by Thomas Forth. The father and son made an exchange of "articles," Benjamin Hodge taking the Eden farm and William Hodge the Buffalo farm-lot 35, and the latter then moved his family back from the Cold Spring place to the log house upon this. There they resided something more than six years,—that is, until the last of December, 1812.

In 1806, then, Mr. [William] Hodge had become established as a permanent resident of Buffalo, preparing himself a home on a fifty-acre lot, of which barely a garden spot had been cleared and brought under cultivation. But Mr. Hodge was really more mechanic than farmer. With his own hands he made common pine, black-walnut and whitewood tables and bedsteads, such as were wanted in a newly-settled country. He also made window-sash; and these articles he exchanged with farmers and others for produce and whatever else he needed for the use of his family. He also made coffins; but only furnished these to order. During the first two years of his residence here he threshed grain with the flail, for every tenth bushel; cut and split rails at fifty cents per hundred; and took, by the job, for enclosing and finishing-off after the frames were put up, the now so old-fashioned farmers' barns.

At that time, in this new-settled country, there were but few public houses or "taverns"; and there were none between the Village of Buffalo, and what was called the old General Hopkins place, about two miles west of the Eleven-mile creek, now known as Williamsville. Mr. Hodge had many applications from travelers, for entertainment, and did entertain many; and finally, in 1807, building an addition to his log house, and a stable and shed, he raised a signboard, showing to those journeying by, that they could find accommodations with him.

He filled up the time that was not required for attending to the wants of his guests, in manufacturing tables, bedsteads, sash, in fact whatever was called for in that line of work.

Mr. Hodge was, it is thus seen, a practical and industrious man, ready to undertake whatever necessity and occasion required. When an addition to his house was wanted, he took his oxen, went to the woods, and cut and hauled up logs. Then, with the help of Mr. Oziel Smith, of Williamsville, as carpenter, he prepared the timber, and put up the building, When there was a portion of his farm to be enclosed, he cut and split the oak and chestnut rails, and made his fences. When he wanted a well, he took the oxen and cart, and gathering stone from the commons and hauling them to the selected spot, he then, with help, dug his well and stoned it up. There is a well now [1895] in use on the farm-lot which he first bought, and on which he lived in 1806, which was dug to the depth of thirteen feet, and stoned up by himself and his brother in two days. In those early times the water was drawn by means of a "sweep" or long pole, supported in the middle by an upright post (having in its top a "crotch"), weighted at one end to balance the smaller "well-pole" attached to the other end, and playing up and down in the well to hoist the "bucket." These also were uniformly of "home manufacture."

Within one or two years from starting in life here, Mr. Hodge owned a yoke of oxen, a cow and a few swarms of bees. Mrs. Hodge had, also, her flock of geese, in which she took great delight. From their feathers she made several feather beds, which in those times were considered indispensable. Mattresses of hair and other materials were not then even thought of in this western country.

At this period, in 1807, Mr. Hodge commenced manufacturing fanning-mills, working at the business with his own hands for some time. The cast-iron running-gear and wire screens for these mills he was at first obliged to procure from the East. But this was attended with much delay and expense; and sometimes, when he received the screens they would not be of the right size, or the kind he wanted. So he finally concluded to try and manufacture his own screens, having in the mean time employed help in making the mills. Determined to succeed in this undertaking, he traveled on foot about two hundred miles, to a place near Utica, for the purpose of learning the art of screen-making from a man there engaged in the business. Making with this man a bargain that for ten dollars he should furnish him all the information he needed on the subject, he examined the loom, "reeds," "harness," etc., took the dimensions of all, and walked back to Buffalo. He went to work immediately and built a loom. He also made the necessary reeds and harness, which was the most difficult part of the work. It was especially troublesome to construct those which were needed for making the finest screens. After getting some wire flattened by running it between iron rollers, which he was enabled to do through the courtesy of Abraham Larzalere, the jeweler in the village, and with the help of his near neighbor Staley, who was a weaver of cloth, he finally succeeded to his satisfaction. From this time forward, besides making the screens for the fanning-mills, he manufactured and sold many thousands of wire "riddles" for grain, and fine sieves for Indian meal. He also furnished many rolling screens for grist-mills in different parts of this country and in Canada.

This manufacture of screens Mr. Hodge continued with success and profit for twenty-five years. He succeeded so well that with the assistance and co-operation of Whipple Hawkins (father of the late Henry H. Hawkins of Silver Creek), then residing near us on the north-east corner of the present Main and Utica streets, a blacksmith by trade, whose shop was near at hand, he attempted the manufacture of the castings and gearings for his mills, by using the common forge with one bellows, and charcoal for melting the iron. He succeeded in making very perfect castings, but did not long continue this branch of business. I believe I am quite safe in saying that this was the first cast-iron furnace started in Buffalo. Something of a contrast appears between this and Buffalo's great furnaces of the present day.

I should say here, that Mr. Whipple Hawkins, who thus assisted in promoting the success of the pioneer foundry of Buffalo, in after years extemporized the forging of the wrought-iron work and fixtures for the old cast-iron mortar which did such valuable service in

145

driving piles for forming Buffalo harbor, under the superintendence of the late Judge Samuel Wilkeson.

After Mr. Hodge had become permanently settled in Buffalo, he tried to buy the sixty-acre lot No. 57, which was on the hill, at the south-west corner of our Main and Utica streets. Mr. Joseph Husten, the owner of the "article" from the Holland Land Company, at first refused to sell it, as he had a nursery of apple trees growing from seed which he had planted on the lot, and intended to make the place his own home. The purchase was however finally made,—about the year 1809 or 1810. The price paid was $250 for the "article." and whatever was still due at the Holland Land Company's office, perhaps $300 or $400 more. Ten acres of the west end of the lot were, however, to be deeded to Michael Hunt, the first owner of the "article." Six dollars per acre was then the price of land in that neighborhood.

The "nursery" before mentioned was the first planted on this western frontier. The nursery business was from this beginning prosecuted by Mr. Hodge until 1834, when he sold out to Mr. Abner Bryant, who owned and occupied the adjoining farm-lot No. 56. The great part of the apple orchards in this part of Western New York originated from Mr. Hodge's nursery.

Persevering in his business, he prospered and determined to make this lot No. 57, his future home. I have often heard him say that he made money very fast at this period, in the log house, at the tavern business. The five-pail kettle was kept over the fire much of the time cooking meat. In 1812, after the war began, the soldiers thronged the place, desiring, besides liquors, what they called "cold hack" or a "cold cut." The price of cold meats was 25 cents; of whiskey, 12 cents a gill; of horse-keeping, on hay, $1.00 a span per day; of oats from $1.00 to $2.00 per bushel. All during the war, and for some time afterwards, hay and grain sold for high prices, hay being sometimes worth $30 per ton.

Business in the tavern line being thus prosperous, my father had, in 1811, decided to put up, on his lot No. 57, a brick building, large and commodious, and suitable for a public house. He accordingly commenced the undertaking in that year. The brick were manufactured by Nathan Toles on Mr. Hodge's lot No. 35. The lumber was mostly procured "on shares," at Erastus Granger's sawmill; Mr. Hodge attending the mill in the night-time, sawing the lumber, and having one-fourth of what he could thus produce, for himself. It was only in the night that he could have opportunity for this. Building of brick was a rare undertaking then in this wilderness: indeed it is admitted that this was the first brick house built in Buffalo. Some of the neighbors thought that Mr. Hodge was very presumptuous, in planning with his limited means to erect such a building as this, for it was 30 by 40 feet on the ground, two stories high with an attic; the kitchen-part being one story and a half in height. And then, in Jun 1812, the "Last War" with England commenced, and the house was not yet finished. Part of our army, composed mostly of Pennsylvania troops, were in the fall encamped on the hills in front of the log house, that is, on lots Nos. 58 and 59, owned by Christjohn Staley and William De Shay. But although he knew and took into account the risk there was in building so near the frontier, Mr. Hodge persevered and completed his new house amid the tumults and excitements of the time. He also built for it a large framed barn, and moved his horse-shed from the other lot, to a spot near by. The venture was a success, and in the latter part of Dece 1812, Mr. Hodge entered and occupied the premises which became and long continued well known far and near, as "The Brick Tavern on the Hill."

In 1813, "times were lively"; the tavern business continued good, and Mr. Hodge was busily occupied in manufacturing mills. In the winter of 1812-1813, he furnished many pine coffins, nearly three hundred in all, for soldiers who died while encamped on "Flint Hill," north of Conjockety's creek.

At this time Mr. Job Hoisington worked for Mr. Hodge, making mills and coffins, and occupying the log house from which the latter had removed to the "Brick Tavern."

While the war continued the "Brick Tavern" was quite a central place; for a company of horsemen belonging to our army was stationed there, and a "twenty-four pounder" was placed on the hill in front, which was discharged regularly, about break of day, as the signal gun.

But the war came nearer than the stationing of troops and firing of signals. On the morning of 30 Dec 1813, the British crossed Niagara river below Conjockety's creek, and were first discovered by a patrol of this company of horsemen. They brought the information to Mr. Hodge, about three o'clock in the morning, and it was an entire surprise to him, for he had supposed that our army, which was stationed down in the village, would drive the enemy back, and had made no provision for removing his family out of reach of danger, if our troops were defeated. But all in the house were aroused, on the arrival of the news of the enemy's crossing. The engagement between the British and Americans took place at about day-break, and our army scattered and fled. The fields and highways were soon filled with these fugitives, running to save their lives, and with the inhabitants following after, men, women and children, a few in wagons, but the most of them on foot.

Mr. Hodge now began to realize the necessity of moving his family away. So he directed his hired man to yoke up the oxen, the only team he then had, hitch them to the cart, and drive up to the door; but instead of doing this, the coward ran off with the rest of the frightened multitude.

After the greater part of the people had fled, Mr. Hodge succeeded in engaging an army baggage-wagon, which was driven to the door. Some bedding and clothing were hurried in. The family, consisting of Mrs. Hodge, her sister Mrs. Howes, and the five children, Sally, William, Sophia, Philander and Julia A. (the youngest, and but two months old), were placed in the wagon on the bedding and clothing, and carried out about twelve miles to "Harris Hill Tavern," three miles east of Williamsville.

The day was cold, though not extremely so. The ground was frozen, with a light covering of snow. After the family had gone, Mr. Hodge, entirely alone and anxious to save something more, yoked the oxen, hitched them to the cart, brought it up to the door, flung in some more bedding, a baking of bread, which he came across in the large wooden bread-tray, and a few other articles, and drove off. As he thus left his own home, he looked towards the village, and saw the smoke of its burning houses rising high in the air, and expected nothing but that he would be obliged after all to leave his team and run for his life; for the "British Indians" had been seen at the edge of the woods, some sixty rods west of the house, before he left. But it so happened that he was not molested in his flight. He drove out to the Harris Hill Tavern, and had the joy of finding his family all safe.

146

The next day he took his ox-team and returned to his house, and found things there pretty much as he had left them. He further understood that the enemy had gone back, across the river. So he went again out to Harris Hill, without removing anything more from the house, and intending to take his family back within a few days.

But the day following, that is, 1 Jan 1814, as he was again returning to his deserted home, and had arrived within about a mile and a half, and in sight of it (on Flint Hill, between Col. William W. Chapin's and Conjockety's creek), he discovered that the enemy were there, and that the house was on fire. He at once stopped in the road with his team, until a company of our horsemen came in sight, who overtook and passed him, near Conjockety's creek. When he came within eighty rods of the house, he found one of his neighbors, Richard Keep, a blacksmith, lying dead by the side of the road, having been shot by the enemy. He helped to carry the body into a house, picked up Mr. Keep's rifle and went up the hill into his own burning house. He was quite alone, and could save next to nothing from the building, as the roof was already falling in. The outside cellar doors and part of the wooden water-conductor he wrenched off and saved. Then, with rifle in hand, he crossed the road to his barn, hoping to meet some of the enemy. He felt that he must take vengeance on the despoilers, or that his life might as well go with his property. But he neither obtained vengeance nor lost his life, and at evening he again went out to Harris Hill and remained there till the following Thursday. Then he brought his family back with the few household goods he had saved, just one week after their flight, only to find their home and property destroyed; they being the first who returned after the burning.

With his usual energy, he went to work and built an addition to a small framed shop-house on the premises, which the enemy had not destroyed, and into which he had moved. This was the second frame erected after the burning. The first was put up by Ralph Pomeroy, who had been a tavern keeper near the north-east corner of Main and Seneca streets.

Mr. Hodge continued to keep a public house, but it was a winter of constant fear and frequent alarms. The whole frontier was throughout the season left almost entirely unprotected, and nearly every night it would be reported that the enemy had again come over the river. Twice, during that winter and the spring following, the family packed up, and moved away for safety. The enemy in fact twice crossed the border, but were driven back by the small guard of soldiers stationed at this point, with the assistance of some of the few inhabitants who had returned.

The families which were here, though so few in number, could procure no provisions except from the commissary of the army; and at that time little except salt provisions were furnished. But the soldiers would have fresh meat, even if it was poor, and they stole the only cow that Mr. Hodge possessed, and killed her for beef,— indeed they stole every thing else that they could find, capable of being eaten.

Mr. Hodge's family was one of six which had moved back and remained in the town through the winter of the burning, sharing the fears, the excitements and casualties of the war, by day and night.

And now we see him, in his old home again, his property mainly gone, but not so his energy. He persevered in the face of the difficulties and dangers of the situation; and with the courage of a true and experienced pioneer, he commenced rebuilding his brick house within the sound of the booming of cannon and rattle of musketry, which could be heard nearly every day. His life at this time was, indeed, not only that of a pioneer, but also that of a frontiersman just upon the lines of the two contending armies. And about this time, he was drafted into the army. But he procured a substitute, who was accepted. He paid him thirty dollars as bounty, and agreed to pay, in addition, ten dollars monthly, but was never called upon for the monthly payments. It was supposed that this substitute deserted.

After this extremely trying winter of 1813-1814, spring opened with more hope for the little remnant of families which were here. Troops were sent on, to protect this frontier. Many of the inhabitants returned to the burnt village and began to rebuild their houses, etc., though these were of the most primitive and cheap do-for-the-present kind.

In Dec 1814, Mr. Hodge occupied his rebuilt brick house, and went on there with his business as keeper of a tavern. He also continued his nursery, and did a considerable amount of farming, using most of his produce, however, in carrying on the tavern.

In the early part of the year 1815, the war closed, with the declaration of peace, and there was good reason for the inhabitants here to expect better times. Mr. Hodge increased his fanning-mill business, and the manufacture of rolling screens, wire sieves and riddles. He also, for about two years, kept a store of goods in the brick tavern house. Such a store, in those times, contained a miscellaneous stock of dry-goods, crockery, hardware, liquors, tea, coffee, sugars, etc.

But within a year or two after the war, business began to decline. Many became financially embarrassed, Mr. Hodge among the number. He struggled along for several years, and selling out the goods he had on hand, continued his other business on a reduced scale. But his embarrassment became such, that as a last, and indeed only resort, he called on a friend living in the interior of the state to help him, which he did, and thus prevented the loss of all the property he possessed. His friend (Dr. Joseph White of Cherry Valley, a cousin of his, mentioned already), came to Buffalo, paid the debt Mr. Hodge was owing, and took into his possession all the real estate he held, consisting of about one hundred and fifty acres of land, in the immediate neighborhood, being farm lots Numbers 57, 33 and 35. Dr. White held the title of these pieces of land about eleven years, the assignment to him having been made, as I find upon a memorandum, 6 Nov 1819. Yet business was so very dull, and money was so scarce, that Mr. Hodge was at times unable to pay even the interest as it fell due.

In the spring of 1825, he commenced the manufacture of bricks, in company with Mr. Uriah Sill. They made a very good summer business of this.

In the fall, the Erie Canal having been just completed, Governor De Witt Clinton and suite came to Buffalo to celebrate the occasion by a formal opening. The plan for this was to take boat here, make the complete trip on the canal from Buffalo to Albany and down the river to New York, carrying with them water from Lake Erie, and there mingle the waters of the lake with those of the ocean. Some of the citizens of Buffalo joined the Governor's company on this auspicious occasion; and Mr. Hodge and his wife were among the number. Before returning, Mr. Hodge visited the nurseries on Long Island, and made a purchase of trees for his Buffalo nursery, from Mr. Bloodgood.

147

He continued the manufacture of bricks with tolerable success. This enabled him to make yearly payments on the debt he was owing to Dr. White, and in Dec 1831, he went to Cherry Valley and settled with him in full,—paying him the whole amount due with interest, and taking his property again into his own hands. The transfer bears date 29 Dec 1831.

Having during all these years been, as is thus seen, enterprising and active, Mr. Hodge had in fact transacted a large amount of business, having dealings with many individuals. Withal, he was ever ready to give credit to those in straitened circumstances, and to sell them property they needed, but he never oppressed them by enforcing collection of what was due him. Thus he lost thousands of dollars, through being lenient with his debtors, when men of selfish, grasping disposition would have demanded payment to the full. The then legal process of imprisonment for debt was one to which he would not resort.

In 1830, after "keeping tavern" about twenty-three years, Mr. Hodge gave up that part of his business operations. He increased that of brick-making, however, with fair success, until about the year 1840. In one season he had manufactured as many as three millions.

At this time, he was free from debt, and had a few thousand dollars in cash; and when the Free Banking Law of the State of New York was passed, he was induced to go into the banking business with Judge Pierre A. Barker, and his own son, Philander Hodge. His chief object in doing this was that he might raise money with which to put up a block of brick buildings on the northwest corner of Main and Chippewa streets. He said that he was considerably advanced in life, and wanted to get that block built, for the benefit of his family.

In going into this banking business, Mr. Hodge was to furnish the mortgage securities, with his son, Philander, and Pierre A. Barker was to procure stocks to an equal amount, as required by the Free Banking Law. The result was, that Mr. Hodge furnished the greater part of the mortgage securities, and became holden for the purchase money for all the stocks. Subsequently, he was obliged to pay the whole, and thereby became involved, to a large amount.

In the meantime, he had erected the "Chippewa" block of brick buildings, as he had been anxious to do. In accomplishing this he had used all his own available means, but had drawn only about twelve thousand dollars from the bank, while his partners had used nearly thirty thousand, without furnishing a proportionate amount of securities,—Mr. Barker having done very little in this direction.

Meanwhile Mr. Hodge had executed a mortgage and deposited it with the Bank Department, as security on the property occupied by the block of buildings. All of this he lost in the closing up of the bank business, and a heavy debt remained upon him. In these transactions Mr. Hodge lost about eighty thousand dollars; and was not free from the embarrassment thus caused, for a number of years. But, after much trouble and perplexity, by reason of a suit-at-law concerning these affairs, which continued several years, the matter was finally, in the spring of 1847, settled by a compromise with the party contestant.

From this time forward, Mr. Hodge was, as he had ever been, active in business, and more cheerful and buoyant in mind than in these trying days. He felt sure of being able to pay his debts out of his property, and yet of having enough left to place himself and his family in a comfortable condition. And in this anticipation he passed the remainder of his life.

To the end he retained the esteem of his acquaintances. In most of the forty-three years of his residence in Buffalo, he held some office of importance in the town, such as commissioner, assessor and magistrate. Yet he was, nevertheless, truly public-spirited, being one of the foremost to engage in enterprises for the good of the community, even, many times, going beyond what his means would warrant. With willing hands and energetic mind carrying on, as has been described, many kinds of business, he gave employment to many persons. By his own exertions, and through the hard labor, industrious habits, and good character of his family of ten children, amid toil and privations, and some most severe struggles, as well as in prosperous times, he did his part towards building up this great city of now two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants.

It was on New Year's Day, 1843, that he became a member of the First Presbyterian church. Some five years later, 18 Sep 1848, his death occurred and many friends followed his remains to their quiet resting place in the High Street Cemetery, whence in later years they were transferred to Forest Lawn. It was fitting indeed that they should first be buried and should remain for years, within a cemetery which was shaded by perhaps two hundred trees of his own planting, and whose very soil had been the property of one of his children; and within the bounds of two burial lots which were made his own in return for his services in thus beautifying the Cemetery.

MR. HODGE'S REMINISCENCES

OUR TAVERN IN THE LOG HOUSE.

This noble mansion consisted of two rooms on the lower floor, with a wide hall between them. It had battened doors, naked peeled beams, and windows of 7x9 glass. The north room was used as a parlor, sitting-room, main kitchen and dining-room. The south room was the more public one. It could not be mistaken as one looked toward the right on entering by the front door into the hall. There the eye was caught by large black letters on an unpainted door, telling the visitor to "WALK IN,"— and there too was the "latch-string," hanging on the outer side of the door. This room also contained the bar, which was partitioned off in one corner. Under the shelves stood the whiskey and cider barrels, and on them were the kegs of brandy, rum and gin, and one or two kinds of wine,—as Madeira and Port. Maybe there was also there a keg of shrub or peppermint cordial, and occasionally one of metheglin. Sometimes, in the proper season, the bar would contain a barrel of spruce beer, home-made, of course,—as also was the metheglin. There was no lager beer in those days, and the whiskey was more pure and consequently less injurious than that of the present time.

The sugar-box and money-drawer were made to slide under the front counter-board. The white sugar then used in the bar and on the table came in high, tapering solid cakes, called sugar-loaves, done up in coarse brown or black paper, and was known as loaf sugar. A few may yet be seen, now and then, at some stores.

The liquors sold at the bar were always measured out in the wine-glass and gill-cup, or in larger quantities when desired. Cider was sold by the pint or quart, red peppers being added; and in cold weather it was set upon coals and embers to heat. The mixed drinks furnished at the bar were termed "slings," and were made of sugar water and brandy, rum or gin, well stirred with the "sugar-stick."

148

Hot slings were made the same way, except that a hot iron was put in, to temper them, a slight sprinkling of nutmeg being regularly added.

A "sangaree" was made in the same way, using wine instead of the stronger liquors. Nearly all were as much in the habit of using these different kinds of liquors as beverages, as people now are of using tea, coffee, and even milk.

The fire-place in this bar-room and that in the north room were without "jambs,"—the chimneys being built with split sticks and plastered. That in the north room was furnished with a "trammel-pole," and "trammel" with hooks to match, for hanging kettles, etc., over the fire. The hearths were made of stones gathered from the fields. The chamber rooms were used for sleeping purposes.

An addition built on the east side of the bar-room was used as a back kitchen and wash-room. It had a sloping roof, being a "lean-to." The fire-place was built in one corner of it, and the chimney and hearth were of the same materials as those in the other rooms.

THE COLD SPRING.

It seems to me a great pity, a public loss, that "The Cold Spring" (about two and three-quarters miles from Buffalo Creek, on the Williamsville road or Main street, where it takes a northeastward course), a noted spot ever since the first settling of this frontier town, and prominent in the War of 1812-15, should have been destroyed in the laying of the Bird-avenue sewer. On this account, and because this spring, and the tavern-stand beside it, will be so often referred to in these papers, I here give some account of the spring itself, and of those who have occupied the position of "mine host" in its far famed hostelry. But I will first say something about some of the other springs of water in this vicinity, the traces of nearly all of which have disappeared. Mention will also be found of some of them in another paper upon roads and early traveling.

Tradition says that Indians, in going from their reservation near Buffalo, to Tonawanda, would first come to the spring on, I think, lot No. 31 (which lay north of our Best street and 30 or 40 rods from Jefferson street). In the first settling of this town this spring was pretty well known, as being a place where cattle sometimes got "mired," and could not get out without help. So when the settlers' cows were not found, or did not come home in the course of the night, the first place where they were looked for in the morning was that miry spring. In early days I have been there a great many times, and drank of its water. I have also found pieces of pottery, made of clay, around it.

From this spring the Indians would come to the "Cold Spring," to the spring on the Staley lot 58, or to the Jubilee spring, on lot 62, and thence to the springs along Conjockety's Creek. One of the latter springs was on the south side of the creek, near the old fording-place; one was reached immediately after crossing, northward; a third was about fifty rods farther on, upon the east side of "John's Meadow" (now covered by the beautiful lake in the Park), and perhaps thirty rods north of the creek, and still another near the north side of this meadow, and near the line between the Granger and Chapin farms.

In the last two named, we used to push down poles ten or more feet in length. The last mentioned spring was on the flat, and not near the bank of the creek, and where the water ran out and all around it, the ground was higher than it was at a distance of ten feet or so away. The material of this rim seemed to be what is called bogiron ore.

It was a considerate and wise act of Joseph Ellicott as agent and surveyor for the Holland Land Company, to lay out and establish the road connecting The East and The West through Buffalo so as to take the large and noble "Cold Spring" in its course, for the public benefit. I remember it well when it was in its primitive state. It was surrounded by bluff banks, excepting on the north-east side, where the pure cool stream flowed forth. It was then about as large as the basin which was afterwards walled up to accumulate and hold the water.

Up to about 1816 or 1818 there were three pretty large trees, of fifteen or twenty inches diameter, growing around the spring and next to its edge, at the bottom of the surrounding bluff. The largest of these was a yellow birch, which grew on the southeast side,—the side towards the tavern-house; one of the other trees was, I think, a soft maple, standing on the east side, or a little south of east; and the third was an oak, on the west side, and nearest to the main road. These trees all leaned their tops inward over the spring. Originally the banks were somewhat sloping, and steps were cut into the steepest part, on the south side, by which to go down to a plank which extended several feet over the bubbling and boiling water. Lying stretched out on this plank, face downward, many a one has here slaked his thirst in the days gone by, and from that plank many a pail and jug has been filled with the pure cool beverage. This spring never froze, and the water was of about the same temperature summer and winter.

The banks of the spring were eventually lowered, and a wall was built, with steps at one side, by which to reach the never-failing water collected there.

The stream which ran from the spring was formerly full of little fish, such as chubs, shiners, small rock bass, and other sorts.

But no account of the spring would be complete without a notice of the Cold Spring Tavern. Though the spring has disappeared, there is a tavern-stand close by its soon-to-be-forgotten site, and on the same spot there has been one since 1808, and I will give some account of those who have kept it from the commencement.

A Mr. Russell was the first of these, and probably remained but a year or two. Next came for a short time, the firm of Saunders & Cooledge, and then Howes & Persons (Ebenezer Howes and Lyman Persons). They were keeping the house in the spring of 1811, but Mr. Howes left it in the fall of that year, Mr. Persons continuing until 1812, when Major Frederick Miller came in and kept it through the war. He had before that managed the ferry and tavern at Black Rock. About 1817 he made an exchange of property with Stephen Franklin, taking his tavern-stand in the village of Williamsville and occupying and managing it for some time. He subsequently removed to a farm near by, which he cultivated till he died, 26 Jan 1830, at the age of 70 years. Mr. Franklin was a very worthy Christian man, and kept the tavern for some time. He was succeeded by a Mr. Lyman, who kept it for about a year. Then came Charles Averill for a season or so, giving place to a Mr. Walbridge, an excellent man, who in a year was followed by Beach & Higgins. Mr. Beach was quite an expert with the rifle, when rifles were not abundant. He also kept a bloodhound. David Hennion succeeded Beach & Higgins about 1822. He was from New York City, a descendent of some of its Dutch settlers. Mr. Hennion was quite an enterprising man for those early times. Besides keeping the Cold Spring tavern, he carried on blacksmithing,

149

on the opposite side of the road. In the fall and early winter he collected a wagon-load of dressed poultry and took it to New York City. He also had in his employ a man who was quite expert in catching wild pigeons in a net. These he carried to New York and sold. Mr. Hennion also procured two large full-grown elks to take to New York as a "speculation." He kept the tavern from about 1822 to 1826, when Rudolph Barr, Washington Russell and a Mr. Lapp moved in, with their families. They came from Pennsylvania, Mr. Russell being Mr. Barr's son-in-law. He kept the tavern. The other two erected a brewery quite near the spring (Jacob Scott being the carpenter). As soon as the building was ready they began to make what they called "strong" beer,—the name "lager" was not then used here,—the first strong beer made in Buffalo. This was better and more pure than the beer now made here, and was not stupefying as most of this is. I do not think Barr and Lapp drugged or salted their beer.

Mr. Russell kept the Cold Spring tavern about a year; when he gave it over to Mr. Barr. At about the same time Mr. Lapp dissolved partnership with Mr. Barr, who continued the tavern and brewing business till 1834, when Mr. Crisp came into the tavern. But he kept it only a short time when he became sick and died. Mr. Barr had built a dwelling-house near the tavernstand, and moved into it with his family, residing there until his death, 20 Dec 1836.

After the death of Mr. Crisp, the tavern was continued by George Mosier. He also sickened and died in a short time, when Ebenezer Hopkins came in for a while, and after him Joseph Shaw, who was succeeded by Wolcott Vedder, and he by the two brothers, Augustus and Charles Barr. This was in 1839. Their father, Rudolph Barr, soon after he came here bought of William T. Miller the farm-lots 36 and 37, which contained the Cold Spring tavern. These two brothers kept the tavern, together, until 1844, when Augustus withdrew and Charles continued until 1849.

Who that has ever traveled the old Batavia Road since the year 1808, has not a recollection of "The Cold Spring Tavern"? In the War of 1812-15, this was quite a central point on this frontier, and many of the officers of our army made it their stopping place.

A duel with pistols, between two of our army officers, was fought there during that time. Its scene was the foot of the Cold Spring farm-lot (No. 36), at the little "run" near the corner of Ferry and Jefferson streets. The officers' names, I am sorry to say, I do not recollect. I remember, however, that one of them was a surgeon. The surgeon, an expert duelist and a bully, saw fit to challenge the other, though he was an inexperienced officer,—inexperienced, at least, in the use of pistols,—for the purpose and with the intention of getting him out of the way. The challenge was of course accepted, as in those warring times no honorable man when challenged would refuse to fight a duel. The challenged man expected to be killed, and so he chose as positions that the two should stand side by side, each to take hold of the same handkerchief with the left hand and hold his pistol in his right hand, and both were to fire on the command, "Ready, fire!" The experienced duelist, presenting the narrowest part of himself to his antagonist, received his ball in his right side and fell and died immediately. The other, not thinking of the policy of exposing the smallest possible front to his enemy, stood squarely facing him. He received the ball in front, and it passed through his breast, not touching any vital part. He survived, and lived many years afterwards.

Before the Erie Canal was finished, in 1825, this Cold Spring tavern was the stopping-place of the big five-, six- and seven-horse wagons, with tires six inches wide, which were used to transport goods from Albany to Buffalo,— the price of transportation being $6.00 per hundred pounds.

This was a place also where town-meetings and elections were held. Here, too, the young men and boys met to play old-fashioned "base ball," and have "shooting matches," turkeys, geese and chickens being the game, 20 rods the distance, and the expense sixpence a shot. The distance after a few years was increased to 35 and 40 rods, as some became quite expert with the rifle. The Cold Spring was a central point for these and other purposes, such as balls, singing-schools, etc., for those from Buffalo Village, Black Rock and Buffalo Plains.

------Josiah Hovey, Jr.

http://books.google.com/books?id=-VVVAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA257&dq=%22Josiah+Hovey%22#v=onepage&q=%22Josiah%22&f=false page 254.

638 - JOSIAH HOVEY, born in Lebanon, NH, Jan1780, the third of 13 children; m. Sally Lamb; and removed to Warsaw, NY in 1804, living at first on a farm, and later in the village. He and his wife were among the founders of the Methodist church there, and in 1869, she was the only survivor. The contract for the erection of the court house at Warsaw was let to Mr. Hovey, and built under the superintendence of his son-in-law Philander Pixley. Mr. Hovey, after some years, removed to Buffalo, where they both died.Children:—I. ALFRED. ii. HORACE, died in Warsaw at the age of nineteen.iii. JULIA ANN, married Linus Crittenden.iv. AMANDA, lived in Buffalo, unmarried.v. Lois, lived in Buffalo, unmarried.vi. JUSTUS.vii. ADALINE, married Philander Pixley; resided at Buffalo.viii. DWIGHT R. married; resided in Kansas.ix. ALMON married; lived in Washington, Delaware.x. NANCY ; married Brown; lived in Buffalo.xi.. SALLY; married; lived in Buffalo; subsequently removed to the West.xii.. CLARISSA; married Roswell Gardner of Attica.xiii. DARIUS; married; lived in Buffalo.

His father, Josiah Hovey (Sr.), was b. in Mansfield, CT, 24 Aug 1743; lived, until 1795, at Lebanon, NH, after which he resided at Whitestown, NY, Tioga, PA., and Leicester, NY, finally settling at the northern part of Warsaw, NY, where he remained the rest of

150

his life. He served in the war of the Revolution, at Ticonderoga; and was one of the founders and original members of the Methodist church at Warsaw. He married Theodora Downer, a native of Mansfield, CT, and died at Warsaw, NY, 24 Apr 1820, at the age of seventy six. She survived him, and died at the age of a century, lacking but a few months, but so close to that age that the bell was tolled a hundred times.------Joseph Landon

Mr. Joseph Landon, who is well remembered by many of our old inhabitants came here in 1806 or 1807. He kept a tavern upon the present site of the Mansion House for many years. He purchased Outer Lot, No. 81, in July 1807. He married Mrs. Marvin, the mother of Mrs. Judge Ebenezer Walden, who died in 1819. Mr. Landon afterwards married Mrs. West, the widow of Doctor West, long stationed at Fort Niagara, as physician and surgeon at that post. Mr. Landon removed from Buffalo to Lockport, where he kept a public house during the construction of the canal, and locks at that place. None of his descendants, so far as is known to the author, reside in Buffalo.

http://books.google.com/books?id=od8TAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA4-PA861&lpg=RA4-PA861&dq=%22Joseph+Landon%22+%22buffalo%22&source=bl&ots=bt4shoir1M&sig=H3Eh80PP6O-7uMG3gn6Kh4uTxQ0&hl=en&ei=4rj6Sv3kNZGGnAfbweziCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Joseph%20Landon%22%20%22buffalo%22&f=false page 861.

NOTES OF JOSEPH LANDON - A SURVEYOR WHO REACHED BUFFALO CREEK IN I796, AND SETTLED HERE IN 1806.*

From the original manuscript, written for the Buffalo Historical Society about 1863.

In 1796 I was one of the party of surveyors that came on to survey what was then call'd New Connecticut in Ohio. In June we came into the Buffalo Creek with our boats and picked our camp on the bank of the creek just below the mouth of the Little Buffalo. We remained here some 10 or 12 days. At that time there was old Mr. Medaw [Middaugh] with his son-in-law Mr. Lane and his family; they lived in a log house a little north of Exchange Street, near the tannery. A Mr. Skinner kept a little log tavern on the brow of the hill near where the old stone house stood. A man by the name of Winnie [Winne] and old black Joe kept a little whisky shop on the margin of the Little Buffalo Creek in the rear of the Mansion House. These were all the inhabitants Buffalo contained at that time. It was a wilderness.

In 1806 I moved with my family to Buffalo, and purchased the Mansion House property. A man by the name of John Crow kept the tavern there. Capt. Samuel Pratt's house was on the corner of Main and Exchange Streets. He was a merchant and his store was on Exchange Street near, adjoining his house. Mr. Louis LeCouteuix lived opposite; he kept an apothecary shop all in the same house. Sylvanus Mabee was a merchant; he had his store in Exchange Street. His dwelling was on the corner of Main and West Seneca streets. Jack Johnson was a clerk for Mr. Mabee, and lived on the corner of Exchange and Washington. His father, Capt. Johnson, lived with him. A man by the name of Palmer lived in Washington Street near Mr. Johnson.

John Despar [Despard] a baker lived on the corner of Caryl [Carroll] and Washington streets. David Reese, a blacksmith, lived on the corner of Washington and Seneca streets. His shop was on the corner where the old post-office now stands. Judge Tupper was the clerk for the contractors, he lived on the corner of Main and Seneca streets. Zenas Barker kept a tavern on the corner of Main and the Terrace. Caleb Gillet kept a small store adjoining Mr. Barker's. Capt. Grant kept a store on Main Street; his house was on the corner of Main and West Seneca streets, where William Williams' drug store is. Dr. Cyrenius Chapin lived on the corner of Main and Swan streets, where S. F. Pratt's hardware store now stands. E. Walden had his law-office on Main between Exchange and Seneca; a man by the name of Phillips, a blacksmith, lived near Mr. Walden's on Main Street between Seneca and Exchange. Joe Wells and a man by the name of White, common laborers, lived in a log house at the foot of the hill near Mr. Goodrich's.

The first schoolmaster's name was Hiram Hanchett; he taught school one or two seasons; the school was kept in the Medaw [Middaugh] house near the cherry orchard. The first minister's name was Holmes; he was sent by the Board of Missions to preach to the Indians; he had leave from the Board of Missions to come to Buffalo; the inhabitants had a meeting to make arrangements for paying this missionary and they could not agree; they finally proposed to take a list of those that would pay; they made an estimate what the expense would be for each Sunday, each one to take his money rolled up in a bit of paper with his name on the paper every Sunday, and so took up a collection in that way, and strangers that would attend when the plate was handed about would put in their mite; by doing so they collected the salary some time before the six months expired for which he was to stay.

Buffalo belonged to Genesee County at that time. The people of Buffalo obtained their provisions mostly from Ontario County. There were two taverns and four stores, one apothecary shop and one doctor. Erastus Granger was Collector and Postmaster. The mail was brought through once a week on horseback from Canandaigua. Zenas Barker kept the ferry across the Big Buffalo Creek; the landing was near the mouth of the little creek. The road to Black Rock was on the margin of the Niagara river.

JOSEPH LANDON.

------

John A. Lazellhttp://books.google.com/books?id=5zXTAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA359&dq=%22John+A.+Lazell%22+%22buffalo%22#v=onepage&q=%22John%20A.%20Lazell%22%20%22buffalo%22&f=false page 359.Lazell—J. A., b. in Mendon, MA, 24 Mar 1789; d. at Columbus, Ohio, 10 Sep 1870; Bathsheba Patch, wife of John A. Lazell, b. in Worcester, MA, 19 Jul 1792; d. at Columbus, Ohio, 8 Mar 1866. He was a nursery man and almost the only man in that business for many years.

Lazell—Antony Homer, b. at Worcester, MA, 27 Feb 1815; d. at Columbus, Ohio, 8 Mar 1889, aged 74 yrs. 9 da. Lafayette Lazell, b. 21 Jun 1821; d. 5 Nov 1882, aged 62 yrs.

151

Sons of J. A. Lazell.Lovina, b. 01 Oct 1825; d. 16 Jan 1859; wife of Thomas Davis, and daughter of J. A. and B. P. Lazell.John Milton Lazell, b. at Buffalo, NY, 14 Jan 1823; d. and was buried there, 6 Jul 1825. Jeannette Lazell, b. in Columbus, Ohio, 27 Jun 1830, m. Gen. S. W. Andrews, 15 Feb 1853; d. 22 Dec 1853, leavinga daughter one month old.The three above were children of J. A. Lazell.

------Joshua Lovejoy

http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?PAGE=3375 UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER LIBRARY BULLETIN - Volume XVIII· Spring 1963 · Number 3

The Papers of Colonel William Emerson - CATHERINE D. HAYES

On December 30, 1813, the tiny, defenseless community of Buffalo, New York, experienced the terror of Indians on the attack. They crashed out of the surrounding woods and into the town, shooting, scalping and burning. Men, women and children fled before the onslaught; only a few remained in a vain attempt to protect their possessions.

Buffalo was a victim of the War of 1812. The British and their Indian allies swept through it and the neighboring village of Black Rock in retaliation for atrocities committed by Americans in Canada. They left behind almost total destruction.

One of the few persons who remained in Buffalo that day was thirty-five-year-old Mrs. Sally Johnson Lovejoy (b. 21 Oct 1771; d. 30 Dec 1813; bur. Mumford Rural Cemetery, Mumford, NY, with her father, Caleb). Her story of courage, in the face of almost certain death, comes to light through the pages of a letter recently given to the University of Rochester.

The letter, which refers to the barbaric murder of Mrs. Lovejoy as she attempted to thwart the Indians, was given as part of a collection of papers owned by Colonel William H. Emerson of Rochester, a collateral descendant of the unfortunate woman. Many of his family papers and also papers relating to his work as corporation counsel for the City of Rochester are included in the collection.

Although the letter does not describe in detail the murder of Mrs. Lovejoy, it tells a graphic tale of family mourning and horror inspired by her death. It was written by Mrs. Lovejoy's brother, J. Johnson, to her brother, William; her sister, Mrs. Mary Johnson Smith, and brother-in-law, Willard H. Smith, Caledonia lawyer. The letter follows.

Sunday Jan,y 16th 1814

Brother Wm, Sister Mary & Willard H Smith EsqrPermit me to address you all in the same letter.

Mr Smith's Letter of the 4th Inst. came to hand yesterday, the melancholy, distressing and most grievous information which it contain'd had previously come to my knowledge by the Papers and also, verbal information by a Maj. Guy who left Buffaloe the day after the most horrid and inhuman act was committed--Be assured my Dear Friends that I can truly Mourn and Sympathise with you in the loss of our most amiable and Dearly Beloved Sister--On Thursday morning Dec. 30th 1813, you state, that this most horrid and inhuman act was committed--the remembrance of this most melancholy day will ever kindle in my breast the most indignant hatred toward that brutal and savage nation who have so cruelly murdered and torn from us our beloved Sister--Our Parents, to whom I shall write soon as I close this, will hardly know how to bear up under such melancholy and distressing news--at their advanced age of life--My Mother I think can never be reconciled to such unwelcome news, it must break her heart, and still my duty obliges me to be the author of such melancholy news--the subject is too painful--let it suffice to say my Grief is almost insupportable--Harris you say is not yet heard of, I suspect he must have been killd or taken prisoner--dont fail to write soon as you get any Information--Mr. Lovejoy and Henry I am happy to hear escaped--Henry I should be glad to have come and stay with me and go to School long as he thinks proper to stay, if he cannot be more pleasantly situated with some of his other connections, I will do the best in my power to have him well inform'd, by keeping him constantly at School and by paying particular attention to his writing &c--I shall be absent the most of the Winter school keeping, and should be extremely glad to have Henry come and stay with me--He could assist Mrs. Johnson in making Fires and doing some few choars about the house before and after school-- As you will undoubtedly be unpleasantly situated in that country till the close of the present war, I think it will be the best thing Henry can do to come directly here and stay with me long as his Father shall think proper--I live in the House with Doct. Miller--we have plenty of room and a very comfortable house.

J. Johnson

Accounts of Mrs. Lovejoy's altercation with the Indians have been published in the several histories of Buffalo and in publications of the Buffalo Historical Society.

The whereabouts of her husband and her son, Henry, are explained in a paper, "Buffalo During the War of 1812," prepared by William Dorsheimer for the Buffalo Historical Society.

. . .The British Indians had left the main column before it reached the village; and, swarming through the woods, came into Main Street near Tupper. . . Mrs. Lovejoy was in her house, on the present site of the Phoenix. The night before, her husband had mounted his horse, and taking his trusty rifle, had gone to the Rock, to make such defence of his home as became a brave man. 'Henry,' said the bold-hearted woman to her little son, 'you have fought against the British; you must run. They will take you prisoner. I am a woman; they will not harm me.' The lad flew into the woods. His light footfalls had not faded from the mother's ear when a

152

score of Indians, wild with whiskey and the rage of battle, rush into the dwelling and commence to sack it. Confident in the great defence of her sacred sex, the careful housewife attempts to save her hard-earned treasures. Poor woman, thy sex is not sacred here! A tomahawk crushes into her brain, and she falls dead upon the floor of her desecrated home.

In the Municipality of Buffalo, New York, edited by Henry Wayland Hill, the incident is described by a daughter of Mrs. Margaret St. John, a neighbor, whose house was spared throughout the British occupation:

'My mother said she saw an Indian pulling the curtains down from the window of the Lovejoy house opposite, and saw Mrs. Lovejoy strike his hand with a carving-knife, and saw the Indian raise the hatchet; but as the door closed she could not know certain that he killed her. She did not dare to go and see.

'Soon there came along an advance guard with a cannon, and a British colonel on horseback . . . He said, "I have just now seen a very unpleasant sight in the house over the way. The Indians have killed a woman and I am very sorry any such thing should happen." "Well," said mother, "I was fearful she would provoke them to kill her. I spoke to her and said: 'Do not risk your life for property'; she answered: 'When my property goes, my life shall go with it.'"'

In Our Country and Its People, a Descriptive Work on Erie County, New York, edited by Truman C. White, another version of the incident is given.

'. . .At the same time Mrs. Lovejoy had become involved in an altercation with an Indian over a shawl. Mrs. St. John besought her to give it to him and come into her cottage for safety, but she declined to do so. Only a little later other Indians came to plunder and burn Mrs. Lovejoy's dwelling, but she placed herself in the doorway and resisted them. Suddenly a savage drew a knife and plunged it into her breast. Her body was dragged into the yard where it lay for hours on the snow.'

According to this account a British officer excused this piece of barbarity on the ground that Mrs. Lovejoy resisted those who entered her house and maintained that the responsibility for her death rested with herself, owing to her "indiscretion and desperation."

As other accounts describe the incident, neighbors saw the Indians set Mrs. Lovejoy's house on fire. They went to her house and carried her body outside. When they noticed the fire burning slowly they returned and managed to put it out. Later that night they decided to carry the body back into the house and with the help of a Judge Walden returned the body to a bed inside.

In an account in the Sandusky, Ohio, Clarion one man reported that when he was a boy he and his parents fled from the Indian attack and found refuge at night at the home of Mrs. St. John. The next morning, he said, they all went over to see Mrs. Lovejoy. "She was lying on the bedstead; she was a tall woman, was dressed in a black silk dress, with her long black hair hanging down or reaching through the cords and lying on the floor." They all stood about her and shed tears.

Martha St. John Skinner, daughter of Mrs. St. John, who reported this account, concluded by saying, "Then the Indians came again the third day and set the house on fire and she was burned in it, and Mr. Lovejoy came and gathered her bones in a handkerchief and buried them."

What happened to Mr. Lovejoy and Henry immediately following the burning of Buffalo by the Indians is not known, although some records show that Joshua Lovejoy died in New York City in 1824, at the age of fifty-three. According to William Ketchum's history of Buffalo, Joshua Lovejoy was a tavern keeper at Avon in 1805-1806, in a hotel erected at that place by James Wadsworth. He went to Buffalo in 1807 or 1808.

Henry Lovejoy, who was twelve years old in 1813, later became a well-known surveyor in the City of Buffalo. What little is known of him is reported by William Hodge, whose papers were published by the Buffalo Historical Society:

After the War, in the Winters of 1815-16 and 1816-17, Henry Lovejoy was our teacher. . . . By application to study he had acquired as good a 'common school education' as the times would allow, and turned his attention to the art of surveying, in which he became proficient. He continued its practice, as his business, in Buffalo, to the end of his long life. No man knew better than he, the original boundaries of our city lots, and of the farms adjoining. Indeed, in later years, in cases where the old land-marks were not to be found, he would sometimes trust too much to his own knowledge, to satisfy some, for, standing at a corner, and 'sighting' in different directions with his eye, he would strike his hickory compass-staff into the ground, saying 'That is near enough for all practical purposes.'

Other early material in the collection of papers given by Colonel Emerson to the University in 1961 and 1963 includes two diaries, one written by Caleb Johnson of Hampstead, NH, father of Mrs. Lovejoy

------

Dr. John E. Marshall

153

http://books.google.com/books?id=9r0LAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA420&dq=%22john+e.+marshall%22+%22buffalo%22#v=onepage&q=%22john%20e.%20marshall%22%20%22buffalo%22&f=false page 52 (of Biographical Sketches)

DR. JOHN ELLIS MARSHALL, the only child of Thomas and Sarah Edgerton Marshall, was born in Norwich, CT, 18 Mar 1785 His mother dying in his infancy, he was adopted by Daniel Ellis, of Franklin, CT, and educated by him as his son. He was lineally descended from William Hyde, John Post, Richard Edgerton and Francis Griswold, four of the original proprietors of Norwich. He was a pupil of the Rev. Samuel Nott, of Franklin, having as fellow students, Eliphalet Nott, subsequently president of Union College, and John Tracy, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of this State. At the age of twenty he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Philemon Tracy, of Norwich, under whose careful instruction he enjoyed peculiar advantages; and he attributed to Dr. Tracy's assistance and teaching, much of the success he attained in his profession. According to the testimony of a fellow-student, since a distinguished physician in Ohio, young Marshall was thorough in his medical studies, was gifted with a sound judgment and a discriminating mind; and by his diligent application to study, he laid broad and deep the foundation for his future eminence. He was licensed to practice by the Connecticut Medical Society on the 3d of August, 1808, and soon after left for the \Vest, taking up his residence in Oxford, NY, where he opened his first office. Not satisfied with his location, he removed in October, the following year, to Mayville, Chautauqua county, where he practiced his profession for several years with marked success.

On the 9 Feb 1811, Dr. Marshall was commissioned by Governor Tompkins as clerk of Chautauqua county at the time of its organization. On 20 Sep 1810, he was married to Ruth Holmes, daughter of Orsamus Holmes, of Sheridan, NY. On 15 Apr 1812, Dr. Marshall was appointed Surgeon to the Second Regiment of the New York State Militia. On 20 Dec 1813, he was ordered to join his regiment at Buffalo, and served five months on the Niagara frontier, when his regiment was disbanded. He again took the field on 1 Aug 1814, his regiment being encamped near Buffalo, where he remained during the remainder of the season. The fevers, diarrhoeas, and other diseases which prevailed in the army, crowded the hospitals and devolved upon Dr. Marshall, as senior surgeon, arduous and responsible duties. His cares, exposure and fatigue seriously impaired his health and rendered him an invalid during the remainder of his life.

After the close of the war Dr. Marshall continued the practice of his profession and to discharge the duties of county clerk, at Mayville, until March, 1851, when he sought a more promising field for professional labor in the then rising village of Buffalo. He soon took the front rank among his professional brethren and acquired a solid reputation as a physician and surgeon. On 2 Mar 1819, he was commissioned by Governor Clinton as clerk of Niagara county, which then embraced the present counties of Erie and Niagara, the duties of which he discharged until 17 Feb l821. On 27 Mar 1819, he was appointed by Governor Clinton, assistant hospital surgeon of the Fifth brigade of New York State Infantry, and re-appointed to the same position by the same Governor, 12 Jul 1826. He subsequently received the honorary appointments as a corresponding Fellow of the Medicine and Philosophical Society of New York city, and as an honorary member of the Medical Society of Geneva College. For many years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity and in 1819 rose to Mark Master Mason.

During the prevalence of the cholera in 1832, when Buffalo was particularly exposed to its invasion, and when little was known of its treatment, Dr. Marshall was appointed Health Physician by the Common Council of the city. The duties of this position were of the most arduous and responsible character. No vessel or canal boat was permitted to enter the city, without the certificate of the Health Physician. Those approaching in the night were detained until daylight at the mouth of Buffalo Creek, or in Black Rock harbor. This required his attendance at these ports at daybreak. These fatiguing duties were performed with great efficiency, in addition to his large private practice, which left him scarcely an opportunity for rest.

While in the full vigor of his intellect, in the midst of a wide and successful practice, Dr. Marshall was attacked with pleurisy on Saturday, 22 Dec 1838, and after severe illness, died on the following Thursday. His medical brethren paid a just tribute to his professional talents and worth, and of respect to his memory; and the Rev. Dr. Hopkins, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, of which Dr. Marshall had long been a ruling elder, preached to a large audience, his funeral sermon, in which his exemplary life and Christian virtues were eloquently portrayed.

Dr. John E. Marshall, a well educated physician, moved into the woods that covered the site of Mayville. He married Ruth, daughter of Deacon Orsamus Holmes, of Sheridan, in 1810. He was Supervisor for the Town of Chautauqua in 1814.

Orsamus Holmes MARSHALL, historian, was born in Franklin, CT, 13 Feb 1813; died in Buffalo, NY, 9 Jul 1884. His father, Dr. John E. Marshall, was one of the earliest settlers of Buffalo When the British burned that town in the war of 1812-'13 Dr. Marshall sent his wife to their former home in [Franklin] Connecticut, and there the son was born When he was two years old his parents returned to Buffalo, where he passed his life.

------Frederick Miller

http://books.google.com/books?id=F9oTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP13&dq=%22Abel+M.+Grosvenor%22&lr=#v=onepage&q=%22Abel%20M.%20Grosvenor%22&f=false page 235

Mr. Frederick Miller came to reside at Black Rock at a very early period, but did not come to reside in Buffalo until 1810. His name appears as the first licensed ferryman at Black Rock Ferry, when the State first began to exercise jurisdiction over it, in 1805-06. He kept the ferry, and a tavern at the ferry landing, until 1810, when he removed to Buffalo, as has been already observed. He remained however but a year, when he removed to the "Cold Spring," where he kept a tavern. During the war. he removed to Williamsville, and remained there till his death, which occurred in January 1836. Mr. Miller served during the war of 1812, in the

154

army of the United States, in the capacity of Major of Artillery, hence his title by which he was afterwards known as "Major Miller." It was said that his men gave him the nick-name of "Major Squat," from the following circumstance:

A battery had been erected upon the high bank of the river near the ferry, nearly upon the ground now occupied by the Niagara Street Railroad building. The British had a battery directly opposite, and the two were hotly engaged in bombarding each other. Major Miller stood upon the breastwork directing the firing, and with a glass watching the effect of their shots upon the enemy's works, and at the flash of their guns, would order his men to squat behind their breastwork. The Major noticed that some of his men, in their excitement did not promptly obey the order to "squat;" he reiterated the order with emphasis, saying, "squat d—n you, or I'll squat you."

The Major was an uneducated man, but an energetic and useful officer, and much esteemed by the officers of the army. He left a large family of children; Mrs. Gen. H[eman]. B. Potter, was a daughter, the late Capt. Wm. T. Miller, and Capt. Fred. S. Miller, were sons. It is believed that all his sons became sailors—the fruit of their early training on the river—and rose to distinction as masters of vessels, and steamboats. Major Miller's descendants are still numerous in Buffalo and have been active and influential, in all the stages of its history, in contributing in their several spheres of action to its growth and prosperity.

-------

John MullettSenior Warden, Western Star Lodge No. 239; Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Michigan.11 Jul 1786 - 10 Jan 1862

“Freemasonry in Michigan: a comprehensive history of Michigan masonry . . .” by Jefferson S. Conover, page 256.http://books.google.com/books?id=P0NOAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA256&dq=%22John+Mullet%22+%22buffalo%22&lr=#v=onepage&q=&f=false

John Mullett was born in the town of Halifax, Windham, VT, 11 Jul 1786. When about twenty years of age he removed with his father's family to Genesee County, NY. At that time, this was the "Far West." Remaining with his father until he was settled, he then went to Buffalo, where he engaged in the tailoring business. On the 9th of February, 1814, he was married, in his native town, to Lucy Henry, of that place, and immediately returned to Buffalo with his wife. The toil and incident of this wedding journey at that time would exceed that of a journey around the world, with our present facilities of travel. In the year 1820, he removed with his family to Detroit. Shortly after he had taken up his residence in this place, he was appointed Surveyor of Government lands, in which business he was engaged upwards of thirty years. During this time he surveyed a large portion of the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. In the prosecution of this business he was brought in contact with all classes of men, and secured the confidence and respect of all who knew him. As the result of so much travel, his fund of incident and anecdote was inexhaustible, which made him an interesting companion in every circle of which he became a member. He was made a Mason, and became a member of Western Star Lodge, during his residence in Buffalo, where he served as Senior Warden per the Lodge Returns of 1816-1820.

On 5 Sep 1821, the Grand Lodge of New York granted to John Mullett and others a warrant for holding a Lodge in the city of Detroit, Territory of Michigan, by name of Detroit Lodge,

No. 337. (now No. 2.) He was the first Master of this Lodge, serving two years. From this it will be seen that Brother Mullet's Masonic work in Michigan began several years prior to the organization of the first Grand Lodge in this state. History shows him to have been one of the most active Masonic workers of his day, and the honors that came to him in later years conclusively show that his labors were duly appreciated by the fraternity. He held no official position in the first Grand Lodge that had an existence from 1826 to 1829, but was a prominent and influential member of the Grand Lodge of 1841-44, and was elected its Grand Master at the annual meeting in 1844. On the dissolution of that body and the organization of the present Grand Lodge on 17 Sep 1844, he was elected its first Grand Master and was installed into that office by Past Grand Master General Lewis Cass, at a subsequent meeting held for that purpose. He was re-elected the following year, and his wise counsels and untiring zeal in the early history of this Grand Body have left their impress upon Masonry in our peninsular state.

Brother Mullett was also an active worker in Capitular Masonry. In 1848 he was high Priest of Monroe Chapter, No. 1, of Detroit, and participated in the convention that organized the Grand Chapter of Michigan in that year, at which time he was elected Grand Scribe, and he was a constant attendant and an active worker in the meetings of that Grand Body for several years.

He removed from Detroit to Ingham County in the year 1854, where he resided for the few remaining years of his life, winning the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact.

He died 15 Jan 1862, at age 76, after living to see the Grand Lodge which he helped to organize grow from four weak Lodges with small membership, to a large and powerful organization, numbering 138 Lodges and more than 6,000 members.

155

“Michigan historical collections, Volume VIII,” by Michigan Historical Commission, Michigan State Historical Society, page 213.http://books.google.com/books?id=IJM6AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA213&lpg=PA213&dq=%22John+Mullet%22+%22battle+creek%22&source=bl&ots=Jl3qQLEajU&sig=Dlc6igA3OmpQFBXbp8P-bt3TuEA&hl=en&ei=vq_-StqcLcXBlAeO3_SHCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBcQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=%22John%20Mullet%22%20%22battle%20creek%22&f=false

The origin of the name of Battle Creek [Michigan] has been in dispute for some time,—some persons claiming one thing, and other persons claiming something else. Very many people, strangers, suppose from the above name that a tremendous battle must have taken place at or near the city of Battle Creek.

The name originated in the following manner, and I had the story from Col. Mullett's own lips. It was in the spring of 1839 that I met Col. John Mullet, at Bellevue, Eaton county, where he related to me the following narrative in relation to the name of the stream now called Battle creek:

"In the year 1825 I was employed by the United States government to make a survey in Calhoun county, and while making a survey in the western portion, our camp was located near a small lake on, or near, section fourteen, and near the river, in the town of Pennfield, and while there we were considerably annoyed by the Indians. There seemed to be a few lazy vagabonds among them who would rather hang around our camp and beg something to eat than to obtain it elsewhere. We had given them occasionally, but our stock had got so reduced that we were in danger of running short ourselves. I instructed the two men left in camp to give those lazy Indians no more. One day during the absence of myself and two of our men, who were engaged in our duties in the survey, two Indians came to our camp and made a demand for some flour and other provisions. The two men left in camp informed them that we had no more to spare, and that they must seek a boarding place elsewhere. The Indians insisted on helping themselves, which soon brought things to a focus by way of a fight. There was nobody killed, or very much hurt. One of the Indians was knocked down, but soon got up and both went away, causing us no more trouble. When we surveyors came into camp that night, we had quite a laugh over the battle, and when I came to make up my field notes, I said: Boys, what shall we call this stream?' Taylor says, Call it Battle Creek,' and almost as soon as the words were out of his mouth, I put it down BATTLE CREEK, which name it bears to the present day."

The city of Battle Creek received its name from the stream which was named by Col. Mullett and his companions.

156

http://www.battlecreekdiversity.com/battlecreekhistory.htm

Pioneer Society of Michigan Records of the Annual Meeting of 1883, pgs 248-251

How Battle Creek Received Its Name.BY O. POPPLETON

Read at Annual Meeting of State Pioneer Society, June 11th, 1883.

MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE STATE PIONEER SOCIETY: The incidents, reminiscences, and early surveys and settlement of our State no doubt, have been presented by many who have had the honor to address you at previous meetings of the Society; and it may be expected of those who narrate these incidents, that they will confine themselves to the locality from whence they come. If such is the rule, or custom, I hope you will excuse me for trespassing upon other portions of the State than where I reside, in Oakland county. It is true, she has a history of her own, worthy an abler pen than mine, though I have had the pleasure of presenting to their Society such papers upon her early history. That county was the first surveyed and settled in the State, to any extent, except the early French settlements at Detroit and along the river, with a few English from the States.

There have been a number of accounts published from time to time, of an occurrence in the early survey of Calhoun, Barry, and Eaton counties, the last of which appeared in the Detroit Free Press of the date of March 22d, 1879. That article was headed "How Battle Creek Received its Name," and was the nearest correct version of the battle between two men of the surveying party engaged in running the exterior township lines about what are now known as Battle Creek, Penfield, Bedford, Convis, and Emmet, in Calhoun county, Assyria in Barry county, and Bellevue in Eaton County, which has come to my notice.

That article contained a few errors in dates and facts, which I have endeavored to correct. At the time of the publication of that article, a brother of Edward Baldwin, therein mentioned, resided in the place of my residence, and still lives there, from whom I have gleaned many facts relative to this event. He, Edwin Baldwin, was engaged in packing provisions for Sylvester Sibley, who had the contract for subdividing the townships mentioned in Calhoun county, and was engaged in those surveys during April and May, 1826, and frequently passed by the abandoned camp of John Mullett, who surveyed the exterior lines of the townships heretofore mentioned, commencing in March, 1825, and finishing in January, 1826, and from his personal observations, and from information obtained from his brother Edward, I am confident that I have been able to obtain the material facts in regard to that event. I have consulted the original minutes and surveys of the exterior and subdivisions of those townships, which enables me to arrive at the dates, and where Mullett's camp was located on the day of the attack upon Baldwin and Taylor, which was, as Mr. Mullet says, "In the west part of range six west, on the base line."

Mr. Edwin Baldwin says the camp was near a stream on the base line, afterwards called Battle Creek, and about a mile east of the four corners of the townships of Penfield and Convis, in Calhoun county, Assyria in Barry county, and Bellevue in Eaton county, which must have been on section six, town one south, range six west, Convis township, Calhoun county, or on section thirty one, town one north, range six west, Bellevue, Eaton county.

In making these inquiries and researches for the purpose of eliciting the facts and vindicating the pioneer history of this event, its time and location, I very fortunately obtained a copy of John Mullett's letter, through his son, who resides in Eaton county, to Gov. Lewis Cass, which I have transcribed, and will now read:

March, 1825

"SIR: In consequence of depredations committed on my party by Pottawattomie Indians, and the determined hostility to my surveying, I have thought it most prudent to leave my district to inform you of the circumstances, and solicit your interference to prevent similar occurrences in the future, as well for the safety of the frontier settlements, as for those who may be engaged in Surveying the public lands. The district assigned to me is the surveying of the exterior township lines of a tract of country from township seven south to township two north, inclusive, bounded on the east by former surveyed lands, and on the west by the line between ranges six and seven west. I commenced at the south part of my district and progressed north as far as T. 1 south, where I came to a tract apparently thickly inhabited with Indians, at their sugaring establishments. I frequently met with small parties, all of whom evinced a determination not to permit my surveying; in some instances would follow, pull up the posts, and efface the marks; and at other times would peremptorily order me to leave the country, step in before me to prevent my proceeding with my line, lay hold of my compass, etc. I have one man in my party who could understand and speak a little of the Indian tongue. Through him I made them understand that we were sent there by our chiefs, as I expressed it, that we were their friends, that no harm was done, or intended, and that our chiefs would be disappointed if we returned without completing our work, etc. They only replied that the land belonged to them; that they would not suffer our marking the trees, and that there were plenty of Indians near, and if I proceeded, they would kill me, etc. I continued, meeting with similar interruptions for several days, determined if possible to complete my district. On the 14th inst., I left my camp, which was on the base line, in the west part of range six west, in the care of two men, Mr. Taylor and Baldwin, and with my chainmen and axmen ran north, to return in the evening.

"About one o'clock two Indians came to the camp, with the same hostile appearance that they had uniformly evinced towards us, told Taylor and Baldwin to leave the country; that they had no right to hack the trees. Mr. Taylor made them understand that our chiefs sent us there; that they must got an order from them before we could go, and in every way tried to convince them that no harm was done, or meant.

"They pretended to be in fact satisfied, entered our tent, asked for food, which was given them. They then examined our rifle, saw that it was loaded, asked bow many belonged to our party, where they were gone, and at what time they would return, etc. Mr. Taylor answered that 4 men belonged to the party, that they were gone north, and that they would return about sunset. They then asked for tobacco, which was given them. After smoking some, they then went outside of the tent, conversed together some time, and renewed their order for my party to leave the country and give them the provisions. Mr. Taylor told them that he could spare no

157

provisions; his men were hungry. One Indian then drew his hatchet and renewed his demand, while the other Indian presented his cocked rifle to enforce it; telling Taylor to be quick. Baldwin at that moment endeavored by a quick step, to get behind the Indian with the rifle; who, perceiving his intent, turned and discharged the rifle at him just as Baldwin struck it aside with his hand. The Indian then sprang, and seized the rifle which belonged to our camp, and discharged that, which was fortunately knocked aside by Baldwin in the same manner. He then made for the rifle belonging to the other Indian, who was all this time engaged with Taylor with the hatchet, which Taylor had caught hold of, as the Indian made a pass at him. Baldwin followed his antagonist so close as to prevent him from discharging the third rifle, and succeeded in wresting it from him, although they broke the stock in tile affray, and left Baldwin in possession of the naked barrel, with which he knocked him down, and flew to the assistance of Taylor, who lay with his antagonist on the ground struggling for the possession of the hatchet. Baldwin with one blow of his rifle barrel, relieved Taylor from his disagreeable situation. They bound tile Indians, hand and foot, and kept them until my return to camp; which was a little after sunset. I felt sensible of' the danger of our situation, but could see no alternative but to keep them until morning. After hearing the particulars of the affray from Taylor and Baldwin, I went to the Indians, asked their names, told them I should have to take them to Detroit to have them punished.

"Sig., JOHN MULLETT."

Gen. Cass dispatched Col, Louis Beaufait, an Indian interpreter, to investigate the difficulty between the surveying party and the Indians, and learned that they were instigated in their hostility to the surveys of these lands by old Baptis or Batiscon, all Indian trader, who feared that, should the Surveys be permitted, and the whites settle the country, his profitable vocation would be gone. The Chiefs whom Col. Beaufait interviewed, denied any knowledge of the attack upon Mr. Mullett's camp, and assured him that ft. was made by some young Indians of their band, for a little pleasantry' or fun, and the chiefs and Baptis promised to send out scouts to warn all Indians in that vicinity not to interfere with the surveying parties, and that they must desist from pulling up stakes and defacing marks upon the trees; which promise was strictly kept, and the surveying parties were not troubled thereafter. The survey of the exterior lines was resumed in Nov 1825, and completed in Jan 1826.

Edward Baldwin did not return with the surveying party, fearing all encounter with those Indians, to whom he was well known. Edward Baldwin and Mr. Taylor were of Mr. Mullett's surveying party, the latter in the capacity of cook. Those two Indians came to the tent in the afternoon of March 14th, 1825. Taylor being alone in the tent, called to Baldwin, who was within hailing distance, who hastened to camp, and upon entering it, found the two Indians helping themselves to flour, meat, and tobacco, filling their camp kettles, and making hostile demonstrations, being armed with tomahawk, knife, and each a loaded rifle. Baldwin and Taylor arrested them in their proceedings of plunder, and attempted to forcibly eject them, which the Indians resisted. Then the controversy commenced in earnest; white mail against red-skin, the Indian firing his rifle, and then caught Mullett’s from the tent, and aimed it at Baldwin, who struck the barrel aside with his arm just as the Indian fired, cutting a heavy woolen vest in two in, front with the ball and powder. The Indian then caught the other Indian's rifle. Baldwin, being a powerful, muscular mail, clinched the rifle barrel near the muzzle, wrenched it from the hands of the Indian, and dealt him a blow, felling him to the ground, breaking the gun stock off at the breech.

Taylor, who had grappled with the other Indian, had thrown him, and had become nearly exhausted in holding him down, and appealed to Baldwin for help. In the first struggle, Taylor had caught the Indian's arm at the wrist, as he raised it, tomahawk in hand, with the evident purpose of braining him, and continued holding his arm with one hand, the other clinched in his hair. Baldwin directed Taylor to let go the red-skin's hair, which he did, when he struck the Indian with the rifle barrel with which he had already felled one red-skin, crushing his skull.

When Mullett and his party returned to camp at evening, and found the two Indians lying senseless in the tent, they deemed it prudent to leave their work; which they did early the next morning, March 15th, leaving some provisions and water brought from the stream near by, for the Indians should they revive, and the surveying party returned to Detroit to await negotiations with the Indian chiefs, which was done by Col. Beaufait; and Mr. Mullett returned, continued and completed his surveys unmolested, as previously mentioned.

Edwin Baldwin, while packing provisions for Sibley the following year, encountered on an Indian trail, Simo, one of the Indians brained by his brother, who suddenly bid in a clump of bushes some distance ahead, and when approaching the point where he last saw him, was suddenly covered by the Indian's rifle, poised as if to shoot as he came into an open space. Baldwin met his fierce demoniacal look with a fearless, unconcerned gaze, with his eyes constantly upon the Indian, while approaching him, and called to him in French to come to him. The Indian replied that he was deaf. lie then beckoned for him to come, which he did, carrying his rifle at half rest as he approached. Upon reaching him Simo exclaimed. "You not the Chemocaman who crushed my skull in with a gun barrel," at the same time lifting a piece of buckskin from the top of his head, exposing the wound inflicted by his brother Edward. The brain was discernible through a thin white tissue which had closed over it. There being a strong family resemblance between the brothers, together with. the fact that Edwin wore the same woolen vest (which had been mended by his mother) that Edward wore in his encounter with the Indian, led Simo, at first sight, to believe him to be the same Chemocaman who crushed in his skull. After making some presents of tobacco to the Indian, Baldwin passed oil, but kept all eye on him until out of sight; fearing he would fire upon him as he kept his rifle ready and half raised to his face. This Indian lived about a year, though feeble, and died. Mr. Baldwin does not remember the other one's name, but knew him, and of his whereabouts for some years afterwards

-------

158

Ralph M. Pomeroyb. ca 1768; d. 6 Jan 1823; bur. Forest Lawn Cemetery - Buffalo, Erie Co., NY

http://books.google.com/books?id=F9oTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP13&dq=%22Abel+M.+Grosvenor%22&lr=#v=onepage&q=%22Abel%20M.%20Grosvenor%22&f=false page 236.

Mr. Ralph Pomeroy had traded in Detroit as early as 1808, but had formed so favorable an opinion of the locality of Buffalo, that he determined to establish himself here, which he did in 1810. Samuel Tupper had taken up Inner Lot, No. 7, corner of Main and Seneca streets, in 1805; this lot Mr. P. purchased, and began the erection of a house which he designed to keep as a public house or hotel. He completed his house and brought his family on from Boston, where his wife then was, in the fall of 1811, and commenced to keep the hotel. His house became very popular, and was considered to be the best in all the country at that time. On the breaking out of the war, the next year, it became the resort of the officers of the army, and others who visited Buffalo, on business, or in pursuit of a place for settlement.

A call was made by the Government for volunteers, and troops of all ranks and arms, were hurried on to the Niagara frontier. Amongst the troops sent to Buffalo, was a company from Baltimore, called the "Baltimore Greens." It is said this company was composed almost entirely of men who were engaged in the great riot, in that city, a few months previous ; that they had been enlisted by the citizens of Baltimore for the double purpose of aiding the Government in the war, and to get rid of a very dangerous and troublesome body of men. This company came to Buffalo in the Summer of 1812; feeling but little the restraints of discipline, they visited the houses demanding food and drink of the inhabitants, as a right which they claimed as the defenders of the place against a foreign enemy.

Pomeroy being a man of stalwart frame, and not easily influenced or intimidated, peremptorily refused their un-. reasonable demands, and in consequence became very obnoxious to the "Greens," and they threatened to help themselves to what they wanted. But Pomeroy, not in the least daunted by their threats, entirely disregarded them and ordered^ them out of his house. The few that were present left the premises threatening him with vengeance. While the guests were at dinner, among whom were several officers of the army, an assault was commenced upon the Seneca street front by burling an axe through the window, which fell directly upon the table. Instantly all in the room sprang to their feet. The mob rushed in from the Main street front, armed with clubs, bayonets, &c., and met with but little resistance from the unarmed company within.

An indiscriminate destruction of everything in the house immediately commenced. The mob helped themselves to the viands upon the table, the liquors in the bar, and appropriated whatever they could eat, drink, or carry away. Tables, chairs, furniture of every description, were demolished—the stairs torn down, the windows in the whole building, from bottom to top, were broken, and, to render the destruction more complete, the broken furniture in the upper story was piled in the middle of the floor and set on fire.

Among others at the table was Col. McClure. He ran to the stable, mounted his horse and rode into the house from the rear, and passing through into the front hall, in a loud voice commanded the rioters to disperse.

Col. Moses Porter was then in command here; and while the mob were engaged in their work of destruction, some one ran down to Landon's (now the Mansion House) to notify him. He came up immediately, rushed in at the front, drew his sword—but apparently discovering the desperate condition of things, returned it to its scabbard, and hastened to the head-quarters of his men in the vicinity of the Court House.

He ordered out a company of artillery, with a six pounder loaded with grape—each man armed with a sword, and a pistol in his belt. They were ordered down Main street on double quick time, and drawn up

in line in front of the hotel, the gun being brought to bear directly upon the building and the matches lighted.

He then detached to the front a squad of men, under a subordinate officer, to enter the building and expel the mob. The first order given by this young officer was to "draw sword." In an instant, twenty blades flashed in the air. The next order, " forward quick!" followed immediately. As they approached within a few feet of the door, the officer leaped in. Instantly the report of one or two pistols was heard. Soon the rioters began to jump from the windows; and, as the distance to the ground was some ten feet, some would hang by the window sills and drop to the ground. Swords were seen hacking their fingers as they clung to the windows ; and the building was soon cleared of the mob—such of them, at least, as were able to escape.

Some were known to have been killed; others wounded ; but no inquiries were ever made into the affair—the action of u Old Blow-hard " (as Col. Porter was familiarly called) being generally approved.

Mrs. Abell, the sister-in-law of Mrs. Pomeroy, was confined to her bed in a back room of the house, and it was with difficulty that she was removed. She had been confined but a few days previous. Mrs. P. caught the babe and fled to a neighboring house on Seneca street. Mrs. A. was taken on the bed, by four men, and carried to the same place of safety.

As Mrs. P. was returning, she saw one of the mob breaking in the kitchen door. As the door opened and he was on the point of entering, she saw the arm of a man, grasping a sword, thrust out, and the rioter fell dead on the spot, and was dragged away by his comrades.

Pomeroy escaped, and, by the advice of friends, remained several days at the Seneca village, on Buffalo Creek, a few miles from the town. A guard of soldiers occupied the front part of the building for several weeks.

The fire was extinguished in the upper story by "Hank Johnson," who was a white man, and had lived with the Indians from childhood. A ladder was procured during the progress of the destruction, and placed upon the outside of the building. Hank ascended it, and had just got his hands upon the sill of the upper window, when the mob discovered it and jerked the ladder from under him. He clung to the window and drew himself up, entered, and threw the already burning combustibles out of the window with his hands. He was rewarded by a present of ten dollars from the by-standers.

159

------

Heman B. Potter

Ibid. page 244.

Gen. H. B. Potter also came from Columbia County at the same time with Messrs. Grosvenor and Heacock. He had studied his profession in the office of the Hon. Elisha Williams of Hudson. Gen. Potter immediately opened & law office in Buffalo, and continued the practice of his profession tor a longer period than any other lawyer in Buffalo, and the records of his office exhibit the evidences of a regular, uninterrupted course of business hardly to be found equaled anywhere.

Gen Potter became early identified with all the interests of Buffalo, especially with the moral, religious and educational interests of society. In respect to these he was consulted more than any other man, and although he had an extensive law-office business during the whole period of his residence in Buffalo, and no man kept his business more snug and under his own control, he always found time to discharge all his public duties, and to attend to all the demands made upon his time in the discharge of the social duties of life. He was proverbially faithful and punctual in all his engagements, and possessed the confidence of all who knew him. He married in Buffalo in 1812, his wife being a daughter of Major Miller, of whom we have already spoken. He had several children, one of whom only survives, Mrs. Hon. Geo. R. Babcock. Gen. Potter, survived his wife, but a short time and died in 1854, at the age of 67.

------

Nehemiah SEELYE (Jr.)The below most likely relates to his father or uncle.

NEHEMIAH SEELEY. — In 1783-4 5-6 there were two supervisors elected in the district of Queensbury. Abraham Wing was the other supervisor in 1785. Seelye was assessor in Queensbury in 1772. He was overseer of the poor of that town from 1775 to 1778. Collector, 1783 and 1784. Fence viewer. 1772, 1773, 1775, and 1778. He was one of the early settlers of Kingsbury, and one of the original members of the Masonic Lodge of Fort Edward in 1787. He was second lieutenant in Capt. Asa Richardson's Company from the Kingsbury District. In Col. John Williams Dorset Regiment, Charlotte County Militia, 1775, he was a Captain, 1778.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:1079378&id=I0574

Capt. Nehemiah SEELYE, b. 17 Aug 1743 in New Milford, CT; d. 17 Jun 1802 in Queensbury, Charlotte, NY; Buried 1802 Moss Street Cemetery, Hudson Falls, NY "They resided in Queensbury (Kingsbury), returned to Conn. during the Rev. War and again went back to Kingsbury, N.Y. They went to Conn. after their home was destroyed by fire in the path of the Battles of Saratoga." - Taken from research found by Dema Cowles Gaylord.-----------An account of his service in the Revolutionary War will be found in the New York State Archives: "Revolution" pages 275-276 & "Minutes of Commissions" page 344-348. He was commissioned the Line Officer in Charlotte County Militia - 2nd Lieut. 29 Sep 1775; and made Captain, 4 Apr 1778. In Marthia's "Refugees from Long Island 1776" will be found an account of him - pg 558-59.------------Excerpts from Hon. Alfred Seelye Roe at the Seelye Centennial in Wayne County, NY.Capt. Nehemiah was at Saratoga and his wife, Marie Hopkin's home was on the route down which Burgoyne's army of British, Hessians, and Indians in 1777. To cross the Seelye Farm, it was necessary to build a considerable corduroy road over a swamp. Remains of road are visible to this day. Their home was burned. The vigorous young wife (26 years old) had placed her children and the best of the family effects in a farm-cart and by means of a yoke of oxen had driven to a place of safety. This Mary Hopkins Seelye survived her valiant husband, (by) more than 30 years. In the late twenties (1828) she drove a chaise from her Kingsbury home across the country to visit her son Joseph in Rose, and then rode on still further to break bread with daughter Deborah Millard in Lockport. It is said that her chaise was the first covered vehicle ever seen in Niagara country, was preserved a a curious relic till within recent years. Since the elderly lady, leaving it with the Millards, returned east by an Erie Canal packet boat.

They had 11 children. The first Lewis Seelye buried in Mount Hope Cemetry, Rochester was the first to depart from the long time spelling of the name, Seelye. He dropped one of the "e's", leaving it Selye. (Taken from Lewis Seelye Town of Rose family records).-----------Nehemiah Seelye, (1743-1802), was commissioned second lieutenant 1775 and was captain of the Charlotte County militia in the Canadian Campaign. His home was burned by the army under Burgoyne. He was born in New Milford, CT.; died in Kingsbury, NY. Father: Benjamin SEELYE b: 1712 in Fairfield, CT; Mother: Deborah HITCHCOCK b: 4 Oct 1710 in Springfield, Hampton, MAMarried: 1768 in New Milford, CT, Mary HOPKINS b: 12 Sep 1750; d. 13 Nov 1834 in Kingsbury, NY. Children: 1. Bradley SEELYE 2. Nathaniel SEELYE 3. Lewis SEELYE b: 1771 4. Joseph SEELYE b: 15 Feb 1776 in Queensbury, Warren, NY 5. Nehemiah SEELYE b: 3 Mar 1784; d. 1814 Buffalo, NY6. Abel SEELYE b: 11 Mar 1786 7. Abel SEELYE b: 29 Jun 1788 in Kingsbury, Washington, NY 8. Ezra SEELYE b: 26 Aug 1790 in Kingsbury, Washington, NY 9. Deborah SEELYE b: 20 May 1795 in Kingsbury, Washington, NY

160

http://www.seeley-society.net/robert/fam/fam01243.html

Nehemiah SEELEY b. 17 Aug 1743; d. 17 Jun 1802 Kingsbury, Washington, NY; m. Mary HOPKINS, b. 1750; d. 3 Nov 1834 Queensbury, Charlotte, NY; Father:Benjamin SEELYE; Mother:Deborah HITCHCOCKBenjamin was of New Milford and New Fairfield, Ct. He was chosen Ensign at New Fairfield, North Paris, May 13, 1745. Elected Lt. 1750. In the 9th Co. 4th Regt. Army, Aug 1755; 1st Lt. 7th Co. 3rd Regt. March 1756; Lt. May 23 1760. He was among a group of men from Dutchess Co. NY to form an association for the purchase of 23,000 acres of land for a few cents an acre, in the vicinity of Lake George, NY. (then Albany-now Warren and Washington Counties) on March 31, 1762. They then retailed this land to settlers at, reportedly, $1.25 an acre. Some of those who joined from New Fairfield were Thomas and Samuel Hungerford and Benjamin and John Seelye.Children of Nehemiah and Mary, all born in Kingsbury, New York, except Polly: i. Lewis SEELYE, b. 9 Apr 1771; d. 15 Sep 1808 Rose, Wayne, NY; m. bef 1795 Desire MOTT Phelena STEWART Hannah PRATT ii. Benjamin SEELYE, b. 16 Mar 1773; d. 15 Apr 1854 Rose, Wayne, NY; m. 16 Mar 1799; Washington Co, NY, Eunice B BARNUM iii. Joseph SEELYE, b. 15 Feb 1776; d. 9 FEB 1854 Rose, Wayne, NY; m. Elizabeth CARRIER Lorinda CLARK iv. Polly SEELYE, b. 01 Dec 1777 New Fairfield, CT; m. 11 May 1800 Kingsbury, NY, William SMITH v. John Jay\James SEELYE, b. 03 Oct 1779; d. Black Rock, Buffalo, NY; m. Elizabeth THOMPSON ; kept a hotel in Black Rock now a part of Buffalo, and died there a young man. vi. Reed SEELYE, b. 11 Mar 1782; d. 18 Jun 1792 vii. Nehemiah SEELYE (JR), b. 03 Mar 1784; d. 1814 Buffalo, NY viii. Henry Bradley SEELYE, b. 11 Mar 1786ix. Abel SEELYE, b. 29 Jun 1788; m. Betsey CALKINS x. Ezra SEELYE, b. 26 Aug 1790 xi. Deborah SEELYE, b. 20 May 1795; m. Nov 1817 Oliver Leonard MILLARD; resided Lockport, NY, at Millard's Bridge

------

Joseph Sill

http://books.google.com/books?id=2ZRRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA34&lpg=PA34&dq=%22Joseph+Sill%22+%22oberlin%22&source=bl&ots=P82XedfaRL&sig=eIDsqvqMqk1nf0sBwev8ssB4sks&hl=en&ei=Smn_Sv1yieGcB4vRvZYL&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Joseph%20Sill%22%20%22oberlin%22&f=false page 34.

JOSEPH SILL, Fourth son of Giles, was b. 26 Jul 1788; m. Eliza Berry.Sons —1. Giles Ely, b. 06 Mar 1820.2. Joseph, b. 9 Oct 1821.3. Sidney Berry, b. 29 Oct 1823.4. Hawley Gould, b. 29 Aug 1825; d. 22 Aug 1839.5. John M. Berry, b. 23 Nov 1831. Daughters —1. Catherine Maria, b. 11 Dec 1827; d. 5 Aug 1840.2. Eliza Almira, b. 16 Dec 1829; d. 26 May 1833.3. Eliza Jane, b. 15 Sep 1833; married William B. Clark of Kalamazoo.

Joseph Sill resided at Black Rock, New York, at an early period, then Oberlin, Ohio, and lastly, Jonesville, Michigan. He engaged in merchandise for many years at these places. Mr. Sill died at the last named place, and his wife also. They were both sick at the same time, and died so near together that they were buried in the same grave. They died on the 30 Jun 1843—his age 55 and hers 45.------

Judge Charles Townsend

http://books.google.com/books?id=Qs8CAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=%22Charles+Townsend%22+%22buffalo%22&source=bl&ots=mY2lCWEa1p&sig=lQkiVf0RD5p86UNFpqTmQRC9Rls&hl=en&ei=MsH6So-LEtGmnQfou7X3DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CBYQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=%22Charles%20Townsend%22%20%22buffalo%22&f=false page 10.

HON. CHARLES TOWNSEND, son of Nathaniel Townsend, was born in Norwich, CT, 22 Jan 1786, and came to Buffalo in 1811. In 1814, with his partner, George Coit, he engaged in ship-building and lake transportation, the firm of Townsend & Coit being until 1821 the only Buffalo house following these lines of business. In 1813 Mr. Townsend was appointed Judge of Niagara County, an office which he held till 1826. As a jurist he showed an impartiality and good sense which went far to supply the place of a technical training in the law, and were amply sufficient for the needs of the community. Judge Townsend took a leading part in securing a harbor for Buffalo. In 1821 he with his partner, Mr. Coit, and other citizens (see also Bro. Oliver Forward above] mortgaged their private property to the State and obtained a loan of $12,000 for the purpose of building the harbor. The work was accomplished, and on its success the project was taken up by the State and later by the Federal Government, the outcome being the rebuilding of the harbor in its present form. In the courageous and disinterested act of Judge Townsend and his coadjutors in pledging their own property for the benefit of the public, was the germ of the greatness of the port of Buffalo. The Townsend name is also identified with the origin of that standard financial institution, the Buffalo Savings Bank. The bank was organized May 9, 1846, Judge Townsend being elected its first President, an office which he continued to hold until his death.

Judge Townsend married Jane Corning at Albany, N. Y., June 5, 1819. Their children were:

161

Anna M. (Stone), b. 23 Apr 1820; George C., b. 25 Sep 1821; d. 30 Jan 1852; Jane C. (Wilson), b. 30 Nov 1823; Mary W. (Rich), b. 05 Dec 1826; d. 11 Feb 1896; Charles, b. 12 Apr 1831; Frances H. (Rosseel), b. 25 Jul 1835.

The death of Judge Townsend occurred in Buffalo, 14 Sep 1847. He survived his wife by six years.

CHARLES TOWNSEND, son of Judge Townsend, was born in Buffalo, 12 Apr 1831, and was educated at Andover, MA, and Yale College, graduating from the latter in 1853. Returning to Buffalo lie became cashier of the Bank of Attica, and continued in this capacity till 1872, when failing health obliged him to resign. After this he made several trips to Europe, in the hope of regaining his health by travel. His life was prolonged several years, but he died 1 Sep 1877, at Haslach, Germany. Mr. Townsend was a man of brilliant literary attainments and enjoyed the friendship of many scholars and artists. His religious convictions were deep and he was a devout member and a ruling elder of the North Presbyterian Church. Of pure life and kindly nature, genial and possessing a keen vein of wit, he was a charming companion and was beloved by a large circle of friends. 10 Jun 1856, Mr. Townsend married Martha S. Rich, daughter of Gains Barrett Rich. Their children were Charles, Harriet, Edward Corning and Cora.

------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah_Trowbridge

Josiah Trowbridge (1785 – 1862) was mayor of Buffalo, NY, serving in 1837. He was born in Framingham, MA, on 29 Sep 1785. In 1808 or 1809, he was licensed to practice as a physician and began work in Weatherfield, VT. He arrived at Buffalo in 1811. During the War of 1812, he joined the Buffalo Light Artillery Company and tended to the wounded during the first assault on Black Rock and during the burning of the village on December 31, 1813, Trowbridge was one of the last to leave, helping to secure the safety of the women and children. On September 22, 1813, he married Margaret Wintermute of Fort Erie, Ontario. He was among the many of Buffalo 's early pioneers who suffered from the economic collapse of 1836–1837, and from the speculation of Benjamin Rathbun.

In 1816, he was elected as the first Treasurer of the Village of Buffalo, then elected Supervisor of Buffalo in 1823, 1825, and 1827. He was elected mayor by the Common council and accepted the office of Mayor on March 14, 1837. During his term, several new positions with the city were created, including superintendent of schools and the office of police justice. Also during his short term, the Canadian revolutionary movement, or "Patriot War" resulted in so much unrest in the city that it was becoming difficult to keep order. On June 17, 1837 he took a leave of absence and resigned as mayor on December 21, 1837. The council appointed Alderman Pierre A. Barker as mayor pro tem.

Trowbridge resumed his medical practice and was actively engaged in his profession for 50 years. In 1839 he was president, and from 1843 to 1853, librarian, of the Erie County Medical Society and, in 1845, served as the first president of the Buffalo Medical Association. In 1847, was elected the first President of the Buffalo General Hospital and was on the medical board of the Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of Charity. He died 13 Sep 1862, and was buried from St. Paul’s Cathedral to Forest Lawn Cemetery.

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/t/r/April-K-Strunk/GENE9-0014.html

MARGARET5 WINDEMUTE (BENJAMIN4, GEORG PHILIP3 WINDEMOED, MARY MARGUERITE2 KLOPPINGER, JOHANN1) was b. 1797 Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada; d. 24 Oct 1863 Buffalo, Erie, NY; m. DR. JOSIAH TROWBRIDGE 22 Sep 1813 in Buffalo, NY. He was b. 28 Sep 1785 in Framingham, Middlesex , MA; d. 18 Sep 1862 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. Children of MARGARET WINDEMUTE and JOSIAH TROWBRIDGE, b. in Buffalo, NY, are:

i.   JOHN SMITH6 TROWBRIDGE, b. 18 Aug 1816; d. 2 Apr 1886, Buffalo, Erie co. NY.ii.   WILLIAM TROWBRIDGE, b. 29 Jun 1818; d. 11 Dec 1862, Memphis, Shelby co. TN.

  iii.   JOSIAH TROWBRIDGE, b. 26 Aug 1820; d. 1825, Buffalo, NY.  iv.   BENJAMIN TROWBRIDGE, b. 14 Sep 1822.  v.   MARY JANE TROWBRIDGE, b. 24 Aug 1824; d. 1825, Buffalo, NY.  vi.   JOSIAH TROWBRIDGE, b. 18 Sep 1826; d. 1827.  vii.   JAMES MONROE TROWBRIDGE, b. 10 Mar 1828; d. 20 Nov 1845.  viii.   WARREN TROWBRIDGE, b. 16 Oct 1830; d. 1831, Buffalo, NY.  ix.   WALTER TROWBRIDGE, b. 30 Sep 1833; d. 18 Mar 1850, Buffalo, NY.  x.   LOUIS LUKETER TROWBRIDGE, b. 05 Jan 1836.  xi.   HENRY WARREN TROWBRIDGE, b. 09 Dec 1838; d. 9 May1862, Ft. Monroe, Amherst, VA.

http://www.buffalonian.com/history/industry/mayors/Trowbridge.htm

Josiah Trowbridge was born in Framingham, MA, 29 Sep 1785, the third of four children. His father, Captain John Trowbridge, was a local office holder and veteran of the American Revolution. Josiah worked on his father¹s farm until he was 14. He then went to work at his older brother's store before deciding upon a career in medicine. He prepared for the medical profession by studying with Drs. Willard and Kitteridge. In 1808 or 1809 he was licensed to practice and began work in Weathersfield, VT. In 1811 Buffalo welcomed her fourth physician and surgeon. Dr. Trowbridge rode into town on horseback with his boyhood companion and lawyer, Jesse Walker. He found there was no house available and was advised to "try Fort Erie." His friend left town and he made his home across the border in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Trowbridge was a firm believer in America and visited frequently. When it became apparent that there would be a war with Great Britain, he moved to Buffalo Although "not a friend to the war," he said, he joined the Buffalo Light Artillery Company and tended to the wounded during the first assault on Black Rock.

162

The Doctor was fond of hunting and found several others able to join him one day during the war. Lieutenant Dudley of the U.S. Navy, Trowbridge, and several others went to Strawberry Island to shoot some duck. Unbeknownst to them, they were spotted by the British, and a group of 14 British soldiers landed on the island. Shortly thereafter, Trowbridge and the others were taken prisoner and sent to Fort George. After two days Trowbridge and F.B. Merrill were set free, the soldiers remaining prisoners.

On June 15, 1813 a petition for a warrant to create a lodge of Freemasons was sent to the Grand Lodge. Josiah was one of the many men who signed this petition.

During the burning of the village on December 31, 1813, Trowbridge was one of the last to leave, helping to secure the safety of the women and children. Research shows that only about 1,000 British soldiers were across the river and could have easily been defeated, but apparently many of the citizens of Buffalo were quite cowardly.

Around October 20, 1813 the Doctor was to serve as vice-chairman of the committee "charged with entertaining General Harrison and Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry." At about two o'clock, the crew of about 80 was treated to a public dinner at Pomery's Eagle Tavern.

After the war, Trowbridge made his home in Buffalo. The only political experience Trowbridge ever had was his election as the first Village of Buffalo Treasurer in 1816. He held the position again in 1817. Twice he applied for positions in office, once for collectorship of customs, and the other for the post office. On February 10, 1817 he was "secretary of the meeting held at the house of Elias Ransom to organize the Episcopal Society of St. Paul's Church." "He was one of its first vestrymen, for 11 years, and was warden for six years." In 1819 he was librarian of the Niagara County Medical Society. In addition, he was a charter member of the Medical Society of Erie County in 1821.

Trowbridge was elected Supervisor of Buffalo in 1823, 1825, and 1827. He served as a side judge for a short time. He was also a commissioner for the finishing of the "Old Court House" which stood on the site of the 1919 public library. At one time he was appointed to a committee to see if it was feasible to build a military school in Buffalo Later on he was president of the Buffalo Military Scientific and Literary Academy.

In the early 1830's housing was in great demand as the population grew. Trowbridge erected the United States Hotel on Terrace Street. The suites consisted of two to six rooms. They were occupied by many of the newcomers, as they waited for housing to be built by Benjamin Rathbun Dr. Trowbridge himself boarded there for many years.

Trowbridge was Elected President of the Buffalo Lyceum in 1832. In 1833 he was given the honorary degree of "Doctor of Medicine" by the Regents of the University. When 1836 came around and the economy collapsed, Trowbridge was among the many of Buffalo's early pioneers who suffered. He had left his medical practice to tend to his private interests, including the property he owned, and loaning his name and money among his "supposed friends."

LIFE AS A MAYOR

The fallout from the speculation craze of 1836 was still being felt throughout the city in early 1837. After more than 130 ballots, the Common Council was unanimous in their choice of Dr. Josiah Trowbridge for mayor. He accepted the office on 14 Mar 1837.

"Allow me to tender my sincere thanks for the honor which you have conferred upon me, by electing me to the mayoralty of this city."I regret that your choice should not have fallen upon some person better qualified than myself to discharge the arduous and responsible duties of the office. If, however, honesty of purpose and zeal to promote the best interests of this city can in any degree supply the want of other qualities, rest assured they will thus far be supplied."I accept the appointment, relying with confidence upon your aid and assistance in the discharge of my duties and also upon your forbearance towards any errors which I may inadvertently commit."

His political affiliation at this time was Whig Earlier in life he was a Federalist and later in life a Republican.

Amendments to the city charter were passed in 1837 providing several new positions in the city, including superintendent of schools and the office of police justice. They were filled by Common Council appointment. In addition, "regulating the grade of the railroad within city limits, establishing a workhouse," and other changes were made to perfect the city government. A company was formed to build a road from Buffalo to Williamsville, which was completed within several years.

Early in his term he "succeeded in raising city taxes to support the newly established city schools." On June 3, 1837 Mayor Trowbridge asked "to have an ordinance passed for more effectual prevention of gambling now existing in the city and for punishment of which the present laws were then inadequate."

In the winter of 1837 Canadian discontent with the English government brought about what has been called the Patriot War Locally, many Buffalonians felt sympathetic towards the Canadian plight. They thought Canada was destined to be the "Northern Texas" and their liberty from "Colonial misrule must be won by valor." The Canadians were trying to stir up Americans from "Vermont to Michigan" into helping them.

Mayor Trowbridge, whose "advice was always eagerly solicited," and whose suggestions were "accepted as equivalent to law," made his voice heard throughout this ordeal. He saw "law and order being put at defiance by dreamers. In no part of the country was the excitement more intense or opposition to the authorities more violent."

On June 17, 1837 he took a considerable leave of absence. The council appointed Alderman Pierre A. Barker from the 5th ward mayor pro tem. By December 2, 1837, "the ball of revolution in Canada was in motion." Many Buffalonians felt the Canadians were oppressed and held a meeting whereby a committee of 13 was formed to "draft resolutions expressive of the feelings of the assemblage." There were many prominent citizens who felt strong in their belief, including George Wm. Clinton, and Dr. Cyrenius Chapin. On December 13th, a letter was published in the Daily Star explaining the Canadian situation and asking for assistance from the North American Colonies.

163

On December 16 martial law was declared in Canada and on the 19th, New York Governor W. L. Marcy issued a proclamation that all people should abstain from interfering with the "domestic concerns of the province of Upper Canada." Locally, patrols were formed to guard the shores from any Canadians seeking revenge. Many felt that it was too late, though. By this time there was so much unrest in the city that it was becoming difficult to keep order. Therefore, with "law and order being put at defiance," and "he being unable to maintain the supremacy of the former," Mayor Trowbridge resigned.

"Gentlemen - Please to accept my resignation of the office of Mayor of this city.Buffalo, December 21, 1837. J. Trowbridge."

The Council took a recess, came back, accepted his resignation, and adjourned until January 5, 1838

PERSONAL LIFE

In 1812 Trowbridge became engaged to Margaret Wintermute of Fort Erie. Upon the outbreak of war, he was forced to leave her to serve his country. In a letter to his brother, Dr. Trowbridge tells how on September 19, 1813, he rowed across the "mighty and fearsome (Niagara) river" to the "trysting point." Here, "with the assistance of Cupid" he succeeded "in capturing one of His Majesty's subjects without bloodshed." Upon reaching the Black Rock shore, Miss Wintermute was "quickly hustled into a waiting coach, and taken to the home of a friend." On September 22, 1813 the couple was married. Together they had eleven children.

After his term ended, Trowbridge resumed his medical practice, "determined to again climb the ladder of success." He was actively engaged in his profession for 50 years. For a while his son John S. was a student in his office. In 1839 he was appointed a commissioner to represent the State of Massachusetts in some Indian affairs. When the company found out that that Trowbridge felt the Indians would get the best end of the deal, he was removed from the committee.

At one time, the International Bank of Buffalo issued bank notes with Josiah Trowbridge's portrait on them.

Early in Trowbridge's career he made business arrangements with other local physicians, including Drs. Chapin, John E. Marshall, Alden B. Sprague, Charles Winne, and Bela H. Colgrove. On October 27, 1813 the dissolution of the partnership of Chapin and Trowbridge occurred.

In 1839 he was president, and from 1843 to 1853, librarian, of the Erie County Medical Society In 1843 he introduced a resolution, that was adopted, for obtaining unclaimed dead bodies for dissection.

He was, like many of Buffalo's early pioneers, a founder of many organizations. He was the first president of the Buffalo Medical Association, in 1845. The Buffalo General Hospital was established as a public hospital in 1847 and Josiah Trowbridge was elected the first President of the association; the following year he was a counseling physician and surgeon. In 1848 the Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of Charity was founded. On this medical board he was a consulting physician. Until 1856 he "did a large private and consulting practice, after which increasing infirmities compelled him to relinquish his work entirely."

The Trowbridge family spent many years as some of Buffalo's well known physicians. His son John practiced until 1870. His son Grosvenor spent several years after graduation working for Rochester Hospital in Rochester, New York. He returned to Buffalo in 1895 to take up general practice as had his father and grandfather. He died childless in 1903 ending the line of Trowbridge physicians. Trowbridge became an Episcopalian early in life. He was Joseph Ellicott's medical advisor and used this influence to secure the deed for the site of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Dr. Trowbridge died Thursday morning, September 13, 1862, at 79 years of age. He was buried from St. Paul's Cathedral on September 21. Eleven of the Erie County Medical Society's well-known physicians acted as pall bearers. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Dr. Josiah Trowbridge, one of the early pioneer physicians, "won the confidence of all with whom he had professional dealings, but commanded universal admiration by his enterprise and his sympathy with every practical effort which looked to the benefit of the new Buffalo."

------

Ebenezer Walden

http://www.buffalonian.com/history/industry/mayors/Walden.htm

Ebenezer Walden was born in the year 1777 in Massachusetts. In 1799 he graduated from Williams College, then made his way to Oneida County, New York where he studied law. In 1806 he was admitted to the New York State bar. That same year he made his way to Buffalo. In September, after hiking 35 miles from Batavia to Buffalo, he arrived. He was carrying a letter of introduction, much as Ebenezer Johnson had, from D. B. Brown to Judge Erastus Granger. He found Granger, then postmaster, at the post office, and presented his letter. He rented an office on Willink Avenue (Main Street), and nailed a sign to the door, "Ebenezer Walden; attorney and counsellor-at-law." For nearly two years Ebenezer was the only lawyer west of Batavia. Unfortunately, when he arrived, the village was so small, there wasn't enough people to support his occupation. Therefore, he took on odd jobs of clerking in stores, trading, or anything else for money.

In 1808 a total of eight lawyers constituted the Niagara County bar, and Walden was one. In 1810 he purchased land at the east corner of Main and Eagle Streets that would be used for his residence. He invested heavily in real estate in this area, owning what became known as Walden Farm at what is now Fillmore and Walden Avenue. "By his judicious purchases and investments in lands, [he] became one of the wealthiest citizens in Buffalo." In 1812 he was an elected member of the State Assembly covering Niagara (which included Erie at the time), Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua.

"Walden seems to have possessed all the characteristics most admired in our American pioneers. Besides being eager to do his utmost to build up Buffalo and Western New York, he was kind and brave." During the War of 1812 Walden kept busy. Land owned by Walden is leased to the government and the Buffalo Barracks are erected. The front portion of the barracks later became what is the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site.

164

When the village was burned by the British in December [1813], he was one of the few who stayed behind trying to save as many lives as possible. He was eventually captured along with a small group of citizens, including Cyrenius Chapin. When Walden was left alone for a moment he disappeared behind a house and ran to safety. His own house was spared the first day, but the following day the British made sure to burn it.

In October 1813, when the village welcomed Commodore Perry and General Harrison, Walden was appointed to the same committee that Josiah Trowbridge was vice president of.

After the war, he erected the first brick dwelling in Buffalo . This was to replace his home, at Main and Eagle Streets, which was destroyed in December, 1813. For a time this home was used by General Winfield Scott as his headquarters. After the burning of the village, Walden took up the practice of law in Williamsville, with his later partner, Herman B. Potter. When the war ended, a committee was chosen to appraise the losses occurred during the war. Walden, Ebenezer Johnson, Charles Townsend, and several other prominent citizens were chosen to this committee.

Walden was a director for a brick making company that was organized after the war, for the "chief purpose of furnishing the necessary capital and energy to supply the people with a better building material than wood."

When the village of Buffalo was originally organized in 1816, Ebenezer Walden was there. He was one of the four original trustees, and was again in 1817. Also in 1816, he was a trustee of the newly chartered Bank of Niagara. The Buffalo Harbor Company was formed in April 1819, with Walden becoming a member. In 1819 or 1820 when the Niagara County Agricultural Society was formed in Buffalo, Walden was one of the first vice-presidents.

Walden became the first judge of Erie County Court in 1823. He held the position for five years. He was a "thorough lawyer and commanded the confidence and respect of the bar who practiced in his court." He voted for John Quincy Adams, as a presidential elector in 1828. In 1832, when Buffalo was incorporated into a city, Walden became the first Alderman for the fifth ward.

LIFE AS A MAYOR

On March 13, 1838, the Common Council met and made Walden its choice for mayor. At two o'clock Walden sent his acceptance to the council. Immediately upon taking oath, he proceeded to appoint city officers. When he was chosen to serve as mayor of Buffalo in 1838, he was a member of the Whig party. In 1812 while he had been a member of the State Assembly, he was a Federalist.

When the new Council was elected on March 8, 1838, the Daily Star Democratic had this to say: "The result of the election is by some claimed as a party affair. In the first ward, where there is an undoubted democratic majority, the candidates elected, without any party opposition, are one of each party. In no ward did the Democratic party ask for more than one candidate and in the fourth, where there is a strong Democratic majority, both candidates were Whigs, and elected without opposition."

Later in March, a committee of Vigilance was formed to guard the polls at election time, similar to election inspectors of today. The first trial of Benjamin Rathbun , accused of forgery, was to be held on March 27, 1838, but postponed until April 5, in Batavia.

After the financial crash of 1837, many of the private schools in Buffalo closed, leaving the neglected public school system as the only alternative. In August 1838, a "resolution that committees of four from each ward be appointed to enquire into the condition of schools." This committee was to plan improvements in both public and private schools. Eventually a law was passed and the entire school system was reorganized. A superintendent, Oliver G. Steele, was appointed, and much of the responsibility of putting the new system into operation was left to him. The main features of the new school system were: "large schools...and substantially free instruction to all children residing in the city."

After the mild winter of 1837 - 1838, Buffalo experienced a very cold summer, with frost in July and on September 2. 

PERSONAL LIFE

Ebenezer Walden met and married Suzanna Marvin, who was 17 years younger than he, in 1812. They had four children.

Walden owned much land in the downtown area. About 1830 Lewis F. Allen bought five acres from Walden at the southwest corner of Delaware and North Street and east of Bowery Street (now Irving Place). This was apparently purchased for use as a cemetery. An association was formed consisting of George B. Allen, Russell Heywood Webster, Herman B. Potter, and Hiram Pratt, as trustees. The land was surveyed into lots by Joseph Clary. A number of lots were sold but the bodies interred were removed to Forest Lawn and the Cemetery abandoned about 1888-1891.

After his term as mayor, Walden retired to his farm in Lake View, NY, where his only son resided. Walden had named the area Lake View.  In 1880 he built the Lake View Hotel to serve the many traveling salesmen who arrived on the daily trains on the New York Central Railroad to sell their wares in the surrounding countryside. The original structure still stands at 1957 Lake View Rd.

He died in Lake View on November 10, 1857. His body is in the Myer-Walden mausoleum in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Ebenezer Walden left a "reputation for integrity, benevolence and elevated patriotism which will always be associated with his memory."

165

"Black Rock” was blown up and destroyed in 1825 when the Erie Canal was built.Its location is roughly where the Peace Bridge was built.

At location no. 5 a log house was occupied by Bro. Orange Dean; before the war he was employed at the old ferry.He later kept a tavern and a stock of groceries during the war at location no. 7 above, until Buffalo was burned.When Black Rock was cannonaded by the British on 13 Oct 1813, two 24 lb. shots passed through Orange Dean’s house.The Buffalo Gazette made noted of this in distressing detail that one of them “bilged a barrel of Pittsburgh whiskey in the cellar, belonging to Peter H. Coit.”

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wcarr1/Lossing2/Chap18.html Black Rock, two miles below Buffalo, was selected as the place for Lake Erie’s first dock-yard in fitting out a navy.. . . The Caledonia ran ashore, and was beached under the protection of the guns of an American battery between Buffalo and Black Rock.She was grounded a little above what is now the foot of Albany Street. The injured on board the Caledonia were brought on shore in a boat. It could not quite reach the land on account of shoal water, when Doctor Josiah Trowbridge, waded in and bore some of them to dry land on his back. They were taken to the house of Orange Dean, at the old ferry . . . and well cared for. While Doctor Trowbridge was taking a musket-ball from the neck of a wounded man, a twenty-four-pound shot entered the house, struck a chimney just over their heads, and covered them with bricks, mortar, and splinters. Another shot of the same weight demolished a trunk on the deck of the Caledonia, scattered its contents, consisting of ladies’ wearing apparel, among the rigging, passed on, and was buried in the banks of the river. Two small boys (Cyrus K. St. John and Henry Lovejoy), who came down from Buffalo to see the fight, exhumed the shot and carried it home as a trophy of their valor.

166