Grand Lodge of New York Masonic Lodge Histories Lodge Nos. 201-230
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- Past Master of Pocahon tas Lodge No. 211, F. and A. M.
- Pocahontas Lodge No. 211
- Racket River Lodge No. 213, Potsdam, New York
| For the years of its life the Pocahontas members shows 1,234 members [as of 2002], 104 of whom have served as Master, some for as long as four terms. Many locally prominent men have been members of the Lodge, but the most Masonically recognized is Harry G. Meacham, who was the DDGM for the Ontario-Seneca-Yates District for 1924-26. In 1926 he became the Grand Lecturer Emeritus. In May 1955 he was appointed to the Custodians of the Work. He “Ceased Earthly Labor” on 15 Oct 1955. His writings on Masonic procedures and etiquette are well known to the Craft. R.’.W.’. Meacham was the author of Our Station and Places, Gettinger Press, 1938, and Masonic Etiquette, 1949.
1855 Masonic Register POCAHONTAS LODGE, NO. 211. Seneca Falls, Seneca County. Date of Charter, March 4th, 1851. Meets on Tuesday evenings, at 7 o'clock. Edwin J. Tyler, Master, James Denison, Senior Warden, B. Schuyler, Junior Warden, C. O. Whartonby, Secretary, Hiram Burt, Treasurer, L. F. S. Velie, Senior Deacon, A. O. Norcott, Junior Deacon, K. Addison, Steward Isaac Colyer, Steward,
PAST MASTERS. Lyman T. Moore, John Morse. MEMBERS.
Addison, R. Bachman, A. Barto, Goshen Beach, David Berger, Charles Beverage, Robert Biles, Edgar Burt, Hiram Cady, Alfred A. Cary, A. B. Chamberlain, Franklin Chapman, John T. Colyer, Isaac Compston, Stephen Cory, William Corl, Jacob H. Cornell, Hiram Daniels, G. B. Davis, James De Camp, Horace Denison, James Denison, Wilson Eggelston, Jesse Gambec, William Gambec, J. Y. Glunner, F. Gould, Alfred Gould, Samuel A. Gunn, William Keeler, Silas Klyne, William Lam, David B. Langworthy, William. Lareause, J. C. Latham, Franklin B. Lay, Darrow Lay, Joseph Loundsbury, William McClintock, C. W. McCoy, David McKee, C. J. McKee, William L. Merrett, Stephen Messereau. John M. Miller, Josiah I. Milk, C. G. Moore, William Norcott, A. O. Randle, S. W. Riggs, L. Ring, William H. Ritter, Jacob E. Ritter. John Rothlander, Chas. Salisbury, C. Shankwiller. James Sherman, Peter J. Shoemaker, Jacob Silsby, H. C. Stevenson, James Stevenson. Thomas Stout, Samuel Swaby, Joseph James Swaby, William. A. Thorndike, H. L. Treseler, R. Tyler,Edwin J. Underhill, J. H. Van Buskirk, John C. Van Buskirk, William Velie, Luther F. S. Whartonby, C. O. Wheaton, James Wheeler, Roswell B. Williams, William. F. Men in Public Life Gilbert Willcoxen, County Judge A. S. Martin, Assemblyman William B. Harper, Assemblyman Grand Lodge Officers William B. Clarke, Grand Chaplain James D. Pollard, Past Grand High Priest John C. Davis, DDGM Masters
1851 John Morse 1852 John Morse 1853 John Morse 1854 Lyman T. Moore 1855 Edwin J. Tyler 1856 Edwin J. Tyler 1857 Edwin J. Tyler 1858 William Gunn 1859 Edwin J. Tyler 1860 Augustus Goffe 1861 Augustus Goffe 1862 Hiram Heath 1863 Augustus Goffe 1864 Perry Stowell 1865 Perry Stowell 1866 James D. Pollard 1867 James D. Pollard 1868 Gilbert T. Taft 1869 William Walker 1870 William Walker 1871 Gilbert Wilcoxen 1872 Silas B. Hopkins 1873 J. R. Littlejohn 1874 David Gordon 1875 William Walker 1876 James D. Pollard 1877 Hiram J. Pardy 1878 Peter H. Van Auken 1879 Charles W. Reigel 1880 Peter H. Van Auken 1881 Peter H. Van Auken 1882 J. Clarence Reamer 1883 Charles T. Sisley 1884 Charles T. Sisley 1885 Alonzo W. Worth 1886 Alonzo W. Worth 1887 Alonzo W. Worth 1888 Henry C. Knickerbocker 1889 James G. Armstrong 1890 James G. Armstrong 1891 James G. Armstrong 1892 George Ament 1893 George Ament 1894 William B. Harper 1895 William B. Harper 1896 Clarence A. MacDonald 1897 Clarence A. MacDonald 1898 Thomas W. Pollard 1899 Thomas W. Pollard 1900 John C. Davis 1901 John C. Davis 1902 John C. Davis 1903 William S. MacDonald 1904 William S. MacDonald 1905 Edward L. Guion 1906 Edward L. Guion 1907 John C. Davis 1908 Charles W. Avery 1909 Charles W. Avery 1910 F. Tracy Wells William B. Harper, Democrat, who represented Seneca county in the Assembly, was born in New York in 1853, and was educated in its public schools. He was engaged as a traveling salesman for ten years. In 1889 he entered tile employment of the National Advertising Company of Seneca Falls as book-keeper and cashier. In 1893 he accepted a similar position with the American Fire Engine Company. In 1875 he joined Company I, Ninth Regiment, National Guard, State of New York. In 1882 and 1883 he represented the Fourth ward of Seneca Falls in the Board of Trustees and again from 1892 to 1895. He joined the Fire Department in 1880. He is a charter member of Rescue H. and L. Co. He was appointed Assistant Chief in 1891, and Chief Engineer in 1894. He resigned from the department in 1895. He was elected Supervisor in 1903 and re-elected in 1905. He is Chairman of the Finance Committee in the present Board. He was elected Member of Assembly in 1906, receiving 3,215 votes to 3,087 for Olin E. Emens, Republican. Mr. Harper is Vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church, and Past Master of Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F. and A. M. Speaker Wadsworth in 1907 appointed Mr. Harper as a member of the following Assembly Committees: Revision, Internal Affairs, and Affairs of Villages. -----
Roswell B. Wheeler, b. 15 Apr 1794 in Fairfield Co., CT; d. in Seneca Falls, Seneca, NY; son of John Reed Wheeler and Jerusha Bristol; m. Lucinda Botsford. Child: John Fletcher Wheeler, b. 1 Jul 1818, Seneca Falls; d. 1878 in Dodge County, Wisconsin. -----
Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler counties, New York, by Chapman, firm, publishers. http://books.google.com/books?id=88LTAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA428&dq=%22pocahontas+lodge+no.+211%22&hl=en&ei=ymylTt6hD6ny0gHN8Ji1BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=%22pocahontas%20lodge%20no.%20211%22&f=false page 179. Charles S. Sanderson is the leading undertaker and funeral director of Seneca Falls. He is a native of the village, born 23 Sep 1856, and is a son of James and Charlotte (McGraw) Sanderson, both of whom are yet living. The former, who was born in New York in 1821, was eight years old when he came with his father to Seneca Falls, where he has since continued to reside. The mother is a native of McGrawville, Cortland County. The grandfather of our subject, also named James Sanderson, died at Seneca Falls many years ago. Our subject grew to manhood in his native village and attended the public schools until sixteen years of age, when he went to White Water, Wis., and there attended the state normal school. After remaining in White Water as a student and teacher for six years, he returned to Seneca Falls, where, after teaching in the public schools for three years, he went to Denver, Colo., where he spent one year, in the mean time looking over the country with a view to settlement. Returning to New York, however, he was superintendent of a school at Cortland for two years, after which he again returned to Seneca Falls, and in 1885, in partnership with his brother, William H. Sanderson, under the firm name of Sanderson Brothers, he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. This firm continued until 1890, when, in the great fire that destroyed so many business houses in Seneca Falls, they were burned out, losing heavily. After the fire William H. took charge of the furniture business and our subject the undertaking department. He now has four hearses and is well prepared to carry on the business in all its branches. In 1883 Mr. Sanderson was united in marriage with Miss Isabel Bowen, of Seneca Falls, and a daughter of Augustus Bowen. Two sons have been born to them. Fraternally Mr. Sanderson is identified with Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F&AM. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been the leader of the choir of the church for the past ten years. In educational matters he has always been interested, and for some years has served as a member of the Board of Education of the village. He is also a Trustee of the village, Chairman of the fire department, and is President of the Cayuga & Seneca County Mercantile Association. In whatever position he has been called upon to fill he has discharged his duties with faithfulness and ability. Politically he is a Republican. ----- Ibid. page 189. John A. Curtis, Vice-President and General Manager of the Seneca Paint and Color O Company, was born in the town of Marcellus, Onondaga County, NY, 13 Mar 1832. He traces his ancestry back to his great-grandfather, Eliphalet Curtis, who came from England and located in Connecticut, where his son, Peter Curtis, the grandfather of our subject, was born. John Curtis, son of the latter, was also born in Connecticut, and went with his parents to Marcellus, NY, in a very early day. He grew to manhood in Onondaga County, and there married Amanda Carpenter, a native of Pompey, NY, born in 1792, and a daughter of Reuben Carpenter. For a number of years John Curtis manufactured the old Clute Land-side Plows. He resided at Marcellus until his death in 1868, his wife dying in 1864, at the same place. They were the parents of three sons. Theodore, who was employed by the Government as interpreter on the Western plains during the late war, now resides in Arizona; William, who is a patternmaker, resides in Oil City, Pa. John A. Curtis, our subject, who is the youngest of the three brothers, spent his early life in Marcellus, and received his education in the district schools. He learned the painter's trade in the latter village, and in 1862 came to Seneca Falls and was employed in the paint department of the Silsby Manufacturing Company, remaining with the company some eight years. He then formed a partnership with George Shandley, under the firm name of Curtis & Shandley, in the paint and oil business, also dealing in artists' materials. This partnership continued until 1890, when Mr. Curtis sold his interest to Mr. Shandley, having in the mean time organized the Seneca Paint and Color Company, the parties interested being Messrs. Shandley, Knight and Curtis. In 1893 the firm was duly incorporated under the laws of the state, with John Shandley, President; John A. Curtis, Vice-President and General Manager; and W. O. Gatchell Secretary and Treasurer. The company manufactures all kinds of paint, and is recognized as one of the established industries of Seneca Falls. Sales are made in all parts of the country, especially in the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and several traveling salesmen are constantly employed in pushing the products of the works. The plant is a brick structure, 35x90 feet, three stories in height, and the company employs from twelve to sixteen men. The power is furnished by water. In 1851 Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Martha Stuckey, a daughter of William Stuckey, of Marcellus, N. Y. They have three children: Charles; Alice, wife of Frank Wilcoxen, of Seneca Falls; and Cora, a telegrapher in the Western Union office at Seneca Falls. In politics Mr. Curtis is a pronounced Democrat, and has served two terms as Trustee of the village. Socially he is a member of Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F&AM. Enterprising and progressive, Mr. Curtis pushes his business with commendable zeal, and has added greatly to the business life of Seneca Falls. -----
Ibid. page 262. Rensselaer Schuyler is the owner of one of the finest fruit farms in Seneca County. It is beautifully located on the Lake Road, town of Seneca Falls, and is well cultivated in every particular. Mr. Schuyler was born in New York City, 4 Mar 1821, and is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Ware) Schuyler. The father was born in Belleville, NJ, and early in life began following the sea. He was also trained in military tactics, but, being in love with life on the water, he did not follow up his studies in that line. He entered the service as a sailor, and was promoted through the various stages until he became captain of a vessel, and when the British blockaded the port of Sandy Hook he ran the blockade and succeeded in reaching port. While on land Captain Schuyler organized a company known in history as the Jersey Blues, and afterwards ran the blockade under cover of a severe thunderstorm in the night. Upon reaching the sea they entered the service of the Government as privateers in the War of 1812. The motto of the vessel was "United we stand, divided we fall." The father was an expert in the management of his vessel, and on one occasion, when running the blockade, he called to the captain of another vessel telling him that if he wanted to get through safely he had better shorten his sail. That gentleman, thinking his knowledge of vessels was about as extensive as Captain Schuyler's, replied that he would run under first. Our hero did as he had instructed the other to do, and in consequence reached port in safety, while his comrade was never seen again. Captain Schuyler made his home in New York City while following the sea. He traded for a time in the East Indies, and was also captain on a packet running to Liverpool. Previous to this time he had allowed his salary to accumulate, and instead of drawing it each month let it remain with his employers. They became bankrupted, however, and he lost all his savings. His last voyage was a trip to China, where he contracted yellow fever, which left him in a very feeble state. He returned home as soon as he was able, but it was not long before his death occurred, the result of pneumonia. This sad event took place when our subject was about six years of age. The parental family included eight children, of whom Rensselaer, of this history, was the youngest but one." Of this household only two are now living, the brother of our subject being James, who makes his home in Hollister, Cal. Mrs. Schuyler departed this life the year before her husband. On being doubly orphaned, our subject was adopted by a brother of his father, Aaron Schuyler, with whom he made his home for many years. He attended school in New York City and acquired a very fair education. In 1833, when he was in his twelfth year, his uncle came to Seneca County, and, purchasing land, gave his attention to farming. This industry was somewhat new to him, as all his life he had been a sea-coaster. Here Rensselaer also went to school winters and aided in the work on the farm during the summer months. He became a very fine penman, and when in school he was often petitioned by the teacher to give instruction in this study to the other pupils. At the age of seventeen our subject apprenticed himself to Mr. Maurice to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner. On this occasion he refused to be bound by any contract, as he told that gentleman if he did not use him well papers would not hold him, and if he did, he would stay with him even to the last hour. He remained in his employ two months over four years, the time which had been agreed upon, during which time he became an expert in the use of tools. He commenced working for others when nineteen years old, and very soon was placed in charge of over forty-two men. This was during the building of the bridge across Cayuga Lake for the New York Central Road. In 1847 Mr. Schuyler and Miss Judith Norris, of the town of Seneca Falls, were united in marriage. She was born in England and was brought to America when a child by her parents. Two years after his marriage our subject went to California, the journey being undertaken in the brig "Mexican," which had once been captured by pirates. He was eight and a-half months making the journey around Cape Horn, and upon arriving in the Golden State began working in the mines. He was thus employed for a year and a-half, when he returned home by way of the Isthmus, being en route at this time only one mouth. After his return to Seneca Falls, Mr. Schuyler established a grocery business in Seneca Falls, and for four years commanded a good trade. In 1856 he was appointed State Inspector of Government Works, holding that position during the enlargement of the Seneca & Erie Canal. He was the incumbent of this position about a year, after which he purchased his present home. Ever since boyhood he had been greatly interested in fruit-raising, and when he had property of his own determined to engage in this delightful business. In 1892 our subject was elected to the office of Superintendent of the Poor, to serve for a term of three years. He had previously served as Overseer of the Poor in the town of Seneca Falls for the same length of time. While in the village of Seneca Falls he was a member of the Board of Trustees, and was also the successful candidate for the office of Excise Commissioner. Mr. Schuyler cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay. He, however, changed his views about the time the war opened and ever since has been a stanch Democrat. He now has in his possession an old cane used by General Jackson, which was sent to him by his cousin, Schuyler Underbill, whose home was near the "Hermitage," the old Jackson residence. He also has a cane made from a part of the frigate "Constitution," with the name of all the Presidents down to Garfield carved upon it. To Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler there were born three children. Robert A., who was born November 3, 1849, attended the academy at Seneca Falls, and upon completing his literary education took a business course in the Commercial College of Auburn. He is now Cashier for the New York Central, Lake Shore and two other corporations, with headquarters at Suspension Bridge. He has a daughter, Mary. Our subject's second child, Mary E., is now deceased. Judith Gertrude also attended the academy at Seneca Falls, and for a number of years followed teaching. Our subject is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, with which denomination his ancestors were identified for many generations. In 1852 Mr. Schuyler became a Mason, joining Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, in the village of Seneca Falls, and being one of the first to be initiated after the lodge was organized. He has filled nearly all the chairs in that particular lodge and bears the distinction of being its oldest member. ----- Ibid. page 428. Clarence A. MacDonald. This is no legal firm in Seneca Falls that is more widely or favorably known throughout this section of New York than the MacDonald Brothers, of which the subject of this sketch is the senior member. Having been a life long residence of this village, he had gained a wide acquaintance among the people of this locality, and is well respected as a man of high talents and broad information. Born in this village 3 Apr 1856, our subject is the son of Col. James H. and Ulissa P. (Baker) Mac Donald. His lather, who was born in New York State in 1828, was one of the brave defenders of the Union during the Rebellion. At the outbreak of the war he assisted in raising Company K, Fiftieth New York Engineers, and was mustered into the service as First Lieutenant. In 1862 he was promoted to the rank of Captain of his company, and in 1864 became Major of the regiment. The following year he was brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel of the United States Volunteers. For four years he served his country faithfully and well, taking part in many important engagements. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged, and, returning to his home in Seneca Falls, resumed his business, which had been interrupted by army service. He is still living in this village, and is engaged in a general insurance business. The subject of this sketch received his primary education in the public schools of Seneca Falls, and later entered Rochester Free Academy, after which he entered the University of Rochester, from which institution he was graduated in 1880. Returning to Seneca Falls, he served as Principal of the public schools for two years. He then read law with Charles A. Hawley, a prominent attorney of this place, and was admitted to practice in January, 1884, before the Supreme Court at Syracuse, NY. On receiving his diploma he opened an office in his native village, and for five years continued in practice alone, when, in 1889, he formed a partnership with his brother, William S. Mac Donald, under the firm name of Mac Donald Brothers. They have built up a large practice in the various courts of the state, and also in the federal courts. Mr. Mac Donald is well read in law and is considered a safe counselor and a good advocate before a jury. Fraternally he is a member of Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F&AM. In 1889 Mr. Mac Donald was united in marriage with Miss Agnes J. Davis, a daughter of James Davis, of Seneca Falls, and they have one son, Stewart C. Politically Mr. Mac Donald is recognized as one of the leaders of the Republican party in the county. ----- Ibid. page 469. William A. Stevenson is well known where he has a. host of friends whose confidence and esteem are his highest eulogium. He is a well-to-do farmer of the town of Tyre, Seneca County, devoting his time and energies to cultivating the soil and raising Jersey cattle and Shropshire sheep, with which animals his place is well stocked. Mr. Stevenson was born in this town, 25 Nov 1831; his father was born across the seas, in County Down, Ireland, in 1796, while his mother, formerly Polly Winans, was a native of the town of Tyre, this county. The paternal grandfather of William A. came to America when his son was in his fourth year. He was compelled to flee from his native land on account of having taken part in the Irish res1stance to English rule. His life was in great danger while he remained there, and six months before he could effect his escape his hiding place was not known. He thus came here a poor man, accompanied by his wife and two children. He at first located in Schoharie County, NY, but only remained there a short time, when he worked his way further West, and, arriving in the town of Junius, this county, determined to make this locality his future home. He accordingly settled upon eighty acres of land, which now belong to his son, James F. Stevenson. This was some time between the years 1812 and 1817. The grandfather was successful in nearly all his ventures after coming to America, but never returned to his native land, living and dying in his adopted country. The parents of Polly Stevenson came from New Jersey, and also spent their remaining years in Seneca County. The father of our subject was a young man when he came to this locality, and his older brother fought as a soldier in the War of 1812. The father of our subject married Miss Winans in this county, and became well-to-do in this world's goods. He was a Democrat in politics, on which ticket he was elected Road Commissioner and Assessor. His death occurred July 2, 187 1, while his wife lived for several years. They were buried side by side in the Maple Grove Cemetery at Waterloo. The parental family included five children, of whom William A. was the eldest but one. They are all living and reside in this community. Our subject staid at home until twenty-one years of age, in the mean time attending the schools taught in the district. He then entered the state normal and carried on his studies for a year and a-half. After passing the required examination he was given a state certificate to teach. This vocation he followed for several years during the winter season, and farmed during the summer months. In 1871 Mr. Stevenson bought one hundred and six acres of land, which is included in his home farm, and to this amount he later added ninety acres. The place has been greatly improved since it came into his possession, and is now adorned with first-class buildings of every description. His barn was destroyed by fire in 1876, but he lost no time in replacing it. He follows in the footsteps of his honored father and votes the Democratic ticket. His first Presidential vote was cast in 1852, when Pierce was elected. The duties of Assessor, Justice of the Peace and Supervisor he has discharged in a very competent manner, and he is qualified to fill almost any position. He resigned the second named office shortly after his installation, as he did not like it. In 1879 he was chosen Supervisor, was re-elected in 1891, and is the present incumbent of the office, having been made his own successor since that time. He belongs to the Grange, and is associated with Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F. & A. M., at Seneca Falls. Our subject was married, when twenty-three or four years of age, to Miss Maria Southwick, of the town of Tyre. She was the daughter of David and Aurelia Southwick, and by her union with Mr. Stevenson there was born a son, William S., whose home is at Girard, IL. He is a graduate of the veterinary school at Toronto, Canada, and is engaged in the practice of his profession in the Prairie State. Mr. Stevenson's first wife lived but a few years, and for his second companion he chose Miss Helena Schoonmaker, also of the town of Tyre, and the daughter of D. W. and Lydia Schoonmaker.
Warrant: The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated 4 Mar 1851. The name or number has never been changed. Minutes: Intact. Racket River Lodge was organized during the summer of 1850. The petitioners for a dispensation were: Adams, David A. Blaisdell, Joshua Bridges, A. Clark, Ebenezer Clark, Zenas Copeland, Ira Davidson, Jesse Dorothy, Reuben Hand, Ziba Hatch, Leavitt Hewitt, Henry Hopkins, Aaron T. Hyde, Jehiel H. Mason, Lawrence S. Parker, Samuel Parmeter, Charles Parmeter, Nathan, Jr. Parmeter, Solomon Paterson, Porter Pierce, Bester Sanford, Joseph H. Senter, Reuben Stevens, Jonathan Stone, Thomas A dispensation was issued 30 Sep 1850 and on 12 Oct the first meeting was held, with the following officers: Joshua Blaisdell, Master Aaron T. Hopkins, SW Jehiel H. Hyde, JW David A. Adams, Treas Ebenezer Clark, Secy Solomon Parmeter, SD Daniel Stone, JD Lawrence S. Mason, Tiler At this meeting William Clark and Noble S. Elderkin applied for membership, and at the next meeting they were inititiated. The warrant was granted 4 Mar 1851 and the Lodge was constituted 10 Apr 1851 and the following officers installed by W.’. Daniel Mack, Past Master of St. Lawrence Lodge No. 111:
Joshua Blaisdell, Master Aaron T. Hopkins, SW Jehiel H. Hyde, JW Nathan Parmeter, Treas Henry A. Ames, Secy Pliny Smith, SD Charles P. Barnes, JD Orlando Smith, Steward William H. Wallace, Steward Hiram Truesdell, Tiler The Lodge prospered since its inception and enjoyed steady and healthy growth. A prominent event in its history was the ceremonies attending the laying of the cornerstone of the State Normal School Building at Potsdam on 24 Jun 1868. R.’.W.’. George B. Winslow was at the time DDGM of the 12th Masonic District, comprising the counties of St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton.
Long before the advent of Racket River Lodge No. 213 another Lodge existed for a short time at Potsdam. The name of the Lodge was Harmony. The movement toward organizing this Lodge was begun in the autumn of 1808, when a petition was prepared, signed by the following: Cox, Charles Cox, Thomas Dart, Simeon Delanee, John Eastman, David Foster, James Gilmore, Jeremiah Parmeter, Giles Pierce, Bester
The petition was recommended by Olive Branch Lodge No. 102 [of Minisink, Orange Co. – now extinct], and presented to the Grand Lodge 1 Mar 1809, and on 6 Dec 1809 a warrant was issued to Harmony Lodge No. 187. Previous to this the Lodge had been working under a dispensation issued by M.’.W.’. DeWitt Clinton 20 Feb 1809 which named as officers: James Foster, Master Charles Cox, SW Giles Parmeter, JW The last returns of this Lodge on file are dated 27 Dec 1822. The officers at that time were: Zenas Clark, Master Samuel Bigelow, SW Alanson Fisher, JW Horace Allen, Treas William Stowell, Secy Shortly after this the Lodge ceased to work and was lost in that bitter tidal wave of persecution which swept over the State of New York and caused so many Lodge to extinguish their lights and close their doors. So far as known no attempt was made to revive the Lodge or organize its successor until 1850, when some of the members of the old Lodge interested themselves in what proved to be a successful effort to revive Masonry in that village. The following charter members of Racket River Lodge were members of Harmony Lodge No. 187:
Pierce, Bester Parker, Samuel Clark, Zenas Davdison, Jesse Parmeter, Charles Swift, Thomas Paterson, Porter Parmeter, Solomon Parmeter, Nathan, Jr. Stone, Daniel Dorothy, Reuben Mason, Lawrence Copeland, Ira Senter, Reuben Hand, Ziba
It will be noted that Bester Pierce was a charter member of both Lodge. He was made a Mason in Randolph, VT, 1792, and was 82 years old when Racket River Lodge was organized. http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=rlpierce&id=I01756 Bester Pierce b, ca 1768; d. 11 May 1885, Potsdam, NY, age 87; bur. Moira Cemetery [Route 11], NY. In 1812 Bester is listed as a Captain in Lt. Col. Nathan Stone’s Regiment, St. Lawrence County. Bester Pierce of Potsdam was one of the officers. Although there was no British invasion of Potsdam, the possibility of attack was imminent. Jonathan Swift served in the War of 1812 under Capt . Bester Pierce. He was the son of Nathaniel Pierce [b. 19 Mar 1727/28, Plainfield, CT] and Priscilla Sheppard [b. 9 Oct 1734]; m1. 21 May 1795, by whom they one daughter, Lois; m2. 1798 Sally Burroughs by whom they had Children Caleb Pierce b. 6 Aug 1799 in Royalton, Vermont Collins R. Pierce b. 1801 Minerva Pierce b. 1804 Laura Pierce b. 1806 Bester m3. 1818 ____ McChenney
John Pierce b. 30 Sep 1820 in New York Robert Pierce b. 18 Jun 1821 in New York A namesake of Bester [a great nephew], another Bester Pierce was b. 20 Jan 1803 in Royalton, VT, and removed ca 1855 to DeKalb, IL, where he served a Master of DeKalb Lodge No. 144, ca 1858 Men in Public Office Noble S. Elderkin, Assemblyman M. V. B. Ives, Assemblyman George Z. Erwin, State Senator E. A. Merritt, Assemblyman
He was President of the village of Potsdam in 1857-58. In 1859, he ran on the Democratic and American tickets for New York State Prison Inspector but was narrowly defeated . For many years he was a trustee of St. Lawrence Academy, and was a member of the Educational Board when that institution was supplanted by the present State Normal School, at which time he was appointed by ex-State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Victor M. Rice, a member of the local board of the Normal School, which position he held until his death, 29 Dec 1875. He was a member of Trinity church and for many years vestryman. Mrs. Elderkin was a daughter of William Clark, of Fort Covington. The widow and her son, Noble S. Elderkin, Jr., of Chicago, survived; also W. A. Elderkin, major in the U. S. A., by first wife; he was in the regular army at Los Angeles, CA. -----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Z._Erwin G  eorge Zalmon Erwin b. 15 Jan 1840 Madrid, St. Lawrence, NY; d. 16 Jan 1894, was educated at St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam, NY. He graduated from Middlebury College in Aug 1865. He studied law with the then U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, William A. Dart and Charles O. Tappan, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He commenced practice in Potsdam, NY, and entered into partnership with Samuel B. Gordon in 1868. The same year he married Dart's daughter Caroline (b. 1842), but they had no children. A year later, he succeeded his father-in-law as partner in the law firm of Dart & Tappan, and practiced for ten years under the firm name of Tappan & Erwin. In 1878, Tappan was elected to the New York Supreme Court, and William A. Dart returned to Potsdam, NY, and resumed practice in partnership with Erwin under the name of Dart & Erwin.
Erwin was a member from St. Lawrence County of the New York State Assembly from 1882 to 1887. In 1884, allied with Thomas C. Platt, he was a strong candidate for Speaker, but was defeated by Titus Sheard, the candidate of the Warner Miller faction. The following year, the Platt faction was victorious, and Erwin was elected Speaker. Directory: sites -> default -> files -> history files -> Nstructions for Acquiring Excess Equipment online, through the 1033 Program files -> Occupational health and safety files -> The Black Panther Party’s Ten Point Program files -> International programs roel profile files -> Fermi Questions a guide for Teachers, Students, and Event Supervisors Lloyd Abrams, Ph. D. DuPont Company, cr&D/ccas experimental Station Wilmington, de 19880 files -> Personal Information Name: Maha Al-Ammari Nationality: Saudi Relationship Status history -> History of the Third Masonic District Grand Lodge of the State of New York history -> Freemasons of New York State in the Civil War history -> Grand Masters of the United Grand Lodge of England [ugle] and of Scotland Download 8.67 Mb. Share with your friends:
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