History of the Third Masonic District Grand Lodge of the State of New York

Bro. Burtis was born at Hoosic Falls, NY, 5 Sep1832, was graduated at Union College in 1854. He became a resident of Brooklyn in 1868, where he has been for many years engaged in the real estate business. In 1875, he was elected to the Legislature on the Republican ticket from the Eleventh District.

WOR. EDWARD S. ATWOOD, Past Master And Secretary.

Bro. Atwood is a veteran in masonry, though to all appearance a youth in years. For more than eighteen years he has devoted his time and energy, as well as contributing liberally to the promotion of Montauk Lodge, and for fifteen years has occupied an official position in it. He was made an Entered Apprentice Nov. 16, 1870; passed to the degree of Fellowcraft Dec. 7, 1870, and raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason January, 1871. He served for a time as Senior Deacon, and in 1873 was elected Junior Warden; in 1874, Senior Warden, and in 1877 was elected Worshipful Master, and was unanimously re-elected the following year. He has served as Secretary for three years, and was a trustee for five years. On retiring from the East he was presented by the Lodge with an elegant Past Master's jewel, which carried with it the highest encomium of praise for his able administration of the important duties of that office.

The ancestors of Bro. Atwocd were among the early settlers of Plymouth, Mass., some of them participating in the first division of lands in that colony. Their descendants took part in the French W ar and the W ar of the Revolution. Bro. Atwood was born in Boston, 5 Dec1842. He took a preparatory course at Kimball's Union Academy, Meriden, NH; matriculated at William's College, 1859; was graduated in 1863, and took his degree of A. M., three years later. He is a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. He soon after entered a large Boston shipping house where he laid the foundation of his successful mercantile career. He has been the resident agent in New York of the Revere Copper Co. of Boston for the past twenty years. He became a resident of Brooklyn in 1869, but removed to East Orange, NJ, in 1873. In September 1871, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of D. T. Leverich, Esq., of Brooklyn. He is still a regular attendant and an active supporter of Montauk Lodge. Bro. Atwood has a taste for natural science, and is a member of the American Society of Microscopists, and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is also identified with the leading organizations, social and otherwise, in the Oranges, NJ, where he resides.

R.-. W.-. RICHARD GURNEY, Past Master Of Montauk Lodge.

Bro. Gurney has been an active, earnest worker in Montauk Lodge since his first entrance, some fifteen years ago. His familiarity with the ritual and his love for the work made him successful as an officer, while his attractive personal qualities endeared him to the brethren. He was initiated Oct. 15,1873, passed to the degree of F.’. C.’. Nov. 5 following, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, November 18th of the same year. He served as Senior Deacon in 1875-6; as Junior Warden in 1877; as Senior Warden in 1878-9. He was unanimously elected Master for 1880, and was again the unanimous choice of his Brethren the following year. His lectures and instructions to the candidates were earnest and impressive and evinced deep research and a thorough knowledge of the subject. He was elected Trustee in 1882-3. On January 18,1884, he was appointed Representative of the State of Vermont near the Grand Lodge of New York. Though out of office at present, his zeal in the cause has not the least abated, and he can always be relied on to assist in the work of the Lodge.

Bro. Gurney was born in London, England, 4 Apr 1846. He came with his parents to this country in 1861, and completed his education at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He commenced his mercantile career as clerk in a shipping and commercial house, and has continued in the same business for twenty years, eight of which he has been engaged in business for himself. He was married in 1865, to Miss Clara E. Nichols of Brooklyn. They have six children. Bro. Gurney is of medium height, well built, generous, frank and open in his nature, a man of decided convictions and good executive ability.

CORT K. HINCKEN, Past Master Of Montauk Lodge.

From the date of his entrance into Montauk Lodge, more than eleven years ago, Wor. Bro. Hincken has been one of its stanchest supporters and most efficient workman. He has been, with one or two exceptions, continuously in office since the first year of his membership. He was raised in this Lodge June 20, 1877, and the December following was appointed Senior Deacon by Wor. Bro. E. S. Atwood. He served as Junior Warden in 1879; as Senior Warden in 1880-81, and as Worshipful Master in 1882-3. The Lodge enjoyed a prosperous season under his administration. He displayed great skill as a Craftsman and ability as presiding officer. On his retirement from the East he was presented with an elegant Past Master's jewel. He was elected Trustee in 1884, and re-elected each succeeding year. He was appointed Junior Master of Ceremonies at the last annual communication of the Lodge. (In April, 1888, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Montauk Lodge, he presented to the Maritine Association of the Port of New York on behalf of the Lodge, a portrait of Wor. Bro. James Henry, which had hung in the Lodge Parlor since the latter's decease, and which now hangs in the Board of Directors room of the Exchange.)

Bro. Hincken was born in New York city, 16 Nov 1850. He secured his early education at the Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn. At the age of thirteen he was sent abroad for two years, and attended School at Rouen, France. On his return he re-entered the Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated in 1867. In 1867 he entered the house of B. L. Smyth, and afterwards with J. F. Underhill & Co., until 1871, when he became connected with the house of Boyd & Hincken, in which his father is a partner. This house has been in business for upwards of fifty years.

Wor. Bro. Hincken was married March 30,1875, in the Church of the Holy Saviour, 25th Street and Madison Avenue, New York, to Miss Jennie B. Hubbard, who is descended from one of the earliest settlers and most distinguished men of New England. They have three children. Bro. Hincken is a member of the Maritine and of the Produce Exchange. He is also a member of DeWitt Clinton Council, Royal Arcanum, and Stella Council, A. L. of H.

WOR. GEORGE D. BASCOME, Past Master Montauk Lodge.

Owing to the removal of his residence from Brooklyn, Bro. Bascome has not been able to meet with the Lodge during the past five years, yet his name is cherished with grateful remembrance and affection by his brethren. He left a record of which any man might justly feel proud. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Montauk Lodge, Dec. 3, 1879, by W.’. Bro. Atwood; immediately after this he was appointed Senior Deacon, and soon qualified himself for this important position. In 1881, he was elected Junior Warden; in 1882-3, Senior Warden, and 1884, Worshipful Master. From the time he entered the Lodge until he was elevated to the highest office was only five years, yet he was worthy and well qualified for each position, and he filled the Master's chair with grace, dignity and honor, preserving that peace and harmony which is essential to the success of every Lodge. On retiring from the East he was presented with an elegant Past Master's jewel, in recognition of his eminent services and valuable labors on behalf of the Lodge.

Bro. Bascome was born under the British flag at Turk's Island (one of the Bahamas), 20 Jan 1843. He came to the States at the age of twelve years, and entered Hopkin's Grammar School, New Haven, and was graduated in 1859. After leaving school he returned to the West Indies, remaining until 1862, when he came to New York and entered upon a mercantile life, which he has followed successfully up to the present time. He became a resident of Brooklyn in 1862, residing there for a number of years; in 1883 he removed to New Jersey. He was married in 1880, to Miss Strang of Albany, NY. They have three children.

RT. WOR. P. L. SCHENCK, Past Master Of Montauk Lodge.—District Deputy Grand Master Of Third Masonic District.

There are few Craftsmen in this Masonic District who ever entered upon the work with more zeal, enthusiasm and self-devotion than Rt. Worshipful Bro. Schenck. He was made a Mason in 1879, and affiliated with Montauk Lodge in 1881; was elected Junior Warden in 1884, and Worshipful Master in 1885- 6. Many Craftsmen are satisfied with acquiring a knowledge of simply ritualistic masonry, but Bro. Schenck from the start became imbued with its teachings and the noble principles on which our order is founded. He devoted time for research and investigation, and, becoming convinced of its antiquity, and impressed with its beautiful symbols, through which the noblest virtues of man are inculcated, he accepted its teachings, and resolved to devote his time and energies to the furtherance of its principles and the promotion of its objects. His own Lodge rewarded him with the highest honors within its gift, and at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge in 1887 he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Third Masonic District. This work brought him into closer relationship with the brethren of other Lodges, and gave him a wider field of operation, which he has faithfully improved, even to the neglect of his professional duties. In addition to his other duties he has been a regular attendant at the communications of his own Lodge, never neglecting what he considers his alma mater.

In the erection of the living temple to which the labors of Craftsmen in speculative masonry are devoted, it becomes a matter of interest to know something of the individual history of the living stones which compose the edifice. The name of Schenck is supposed to have originated under the reign of Charlemagne, from the following incident: "The Emperor, traveling with his suite, tired and exhausted, comes to the house of one who generously furnishes them wine and refreshment. The Emperor is pleased with the host, makes him an officer of his household, and finally grants him a title of nobility." The Latin equivalent of the name is Pincerna; the English equivalent is Butler. The first of this name of whom any mention is made in history is Edgar de Schencken, who, in 798, occupied the position of Imperial Seneschal to Charlemagne, Emperor of Germany and France. Most of the families of this name trace their descent through the various branches from this original tree, and one Johannes Schenck, who emigrated from Middleburg, Holland, in 1683, and settled in Bushwick, used the coat-of-arms denoted in the foregoing incident, was prominent among the early settlers of Long Island, and it is from him that the subject of the present sketch is descended in a direct line. Thoroughly democratic in his views, however, he owes whatever success he has attained to his own efforts, and not to any hereditary superiority or patrician descent.

R.’. W.’. Bro. P. L. Schenck was born in Flatbush, L. I., 25 Oct 1843. He received his preparatory course at Erasmus Hall Academy, Flatbush, and was graduated in 1862 at the University of the City of New York; received the degree of A. M. in 1865; entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and received the degree of M. D. the same year. He served one year as assistant surgeon in the Kings Co. Hospital, and then joined the army as acting assistant surgeon, where he served several months in charge of a hospital at Wilmington, NC, terminating his service at the close of the war. In 1866 he was assistant physician in the cholera hospital at South Brooklyn, residing there from its opening until its close. He was then appointed assistant resident physician at the Kings County Hospital, which position he occupied until 1872, when he was appointed Medical Superintendent. He served with great honor and credit in that capacity until 1881. He then opened an office at 60 St. Mark's Avenue, Brooklyn, where he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Kings County Medical Society; examining surgeon of Midwood Council, National Provident Union; surgeon to the Brooklyn Jockey Club, and consulting surgeon to the Flatbush Hospital. He has already attained a high reputation as a physician, and his numerous patients have implicit confidence in his ability and judgment. As a consulting physician he has the confidence of his own fraternity. He is a man of fine physique—a perfect specimen of the bonne homme; genial, warm-hearted and sympathetic in his nature—sans peur et sans reproche.

THOMAS D. McELHENIE, Past Master Of Montauk Lodge.

It is a noteworthy fact that Bro. McElhenie was brought to light in Kings County Lodge, which was the child of Montauk, and afterwards became Master of Montauk Lodge. The first event occurred in October, 1876. He affiliated with Montauk Lodge, May 5, 1880; was its Junior Deacon in 1882, Senior Deacon in 1883-4, Junior Warden in 1885, Senior Warden in 1886, and Master in 1887. During his eight years' connection with Montauk no brother has labored more earnestly to promote its growth and maintain that fraternal feeling with the other Lodges than Bro. McElhenie. As Master of the Lodge he kept up a continual intercourse with his Masonic Brethren of the Third District, and always met with a hearty reception and cordial greeting in his visits to other Lodges. He was an intelligent Craftsman, and his work as Master was well done, as those who were raised by him will testify. Bro. McElhenie has devoted his time and energies to Blue Lodge Masonry, believing that in a faithful discharge of these duties a man can find sufficient work in the cause of charity and benevolence to employ all his spare time and energies.

Bro. McElhenie was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 15 Oct 1849. His early education was limited to the public school. He acquired a practical knowledge of the drug business during a five years' residence in Wooster, Ohio, from 1865 to 1870. During the latter year he entered the College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, from which he was graduated two years later. He afterwards spent a few months in Cleveland, Ohio, and came to New York in 1874, and located at Flatbush, L. I., and in 1876 he bought out the place which he now occupies, at 259 Byerson street. He has done much to advance the cause of pharmacy and promote a more intelligent growth among the members of his profession. He was a charter member of the Kings County Pharmaceutical Society, serving two years as its Vice-President. He is also a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association (a national organization), and an Honorary Member of the New Jersey State Pharmaceutical Association. He has been happy in his social and domestic relations. His wife was Miss Bell Osborn, of Wooster, Ohio, to whom he was married in September, 1876. He is highly esteemed among his large circle of friends and acquaintances in Brooklyn. He has been for some years connected with Dr. Cuyler's Church.

JOHN WARD WIGGINS, JR., Worshipful Master.

Bro. Wiggins was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason by Worshipful Brother J. Lawrence Marcellus, in 1868. He served one year as Junior Deacon, one year as Secretary— succeeding Brother Nevin W. Butler—and in 1886 was elected Senior Warden. At the annual election in December, 1887, he was called to the East, to serve for the ensuing year. He was exalted in Constellation Chapter No. 209, R. A. M., of Brooklyn, in 1871, but has since dimitted, as he prefers to devote his time to the interests of Montauk Lodge, of which he is a Life Member.

Bro. Wiggins is descended from some of the oldest families of Long Island. Through his paternal ancestors he comes from the old Holland family of Van Duyne, who settled New Utrecht, and from the Ward family, his great-grandfather—Captain Bernard Ward —having married a Van Duyne. Captain Bernard Ward, whose name appears in the Brooklyn Directory of 1796 as "Barna Ward," was a native of Ireland, and an officer in the American Army of the Revolution. One of the daughters of Captain Ward was the mother of Hon. John W. Hunter, Ex-Mayor of Brooklyn; another was the grandmother of the subject of this sketch. Their cousins on the Van Duyne side were Hon. John Van Duyne, Sheriff of Kings County, and the mother of Hon. Henry A. Moore, now County Judge.

Captain Ward had two sons in the War of 1812, one who did service in the entrenchment at Fort Greene, the other in the Navy. A son-in-law, Harry Wiggins (who died at the age of 26), the grandfather of Brother Wiggins, was also under arms at Fort Greene.

Brother Wiggins was born in Brooklyn, 7 Sep 1846. He received a thorough common-school education at the best public school of the time (No. One), and careful attention was paid to his religious training. He attended the old Sands Street M. E. Sunday School, the superintendent of which was Ex-Congressman Moses F. Odell, one of the most prominent citizens of Brooklyn. He was a warm personal friend of the father of Brother Wiggins, and the latter is greatly indebted for his success and prosperity in life to the aid and influence of Mr. Odell. Brother Wiggins commenced his business career with the Niagara Fire Insurance Company of New York, and for more than twenty years filled various positions. His executive ability, his strict integrity and moral excellence led to his frequent promotion. During the Summer of 1888 he made a trip to Europe, adding largely to his store of knowledge and useful information.

In 1876 Brother Wiggins married Miss Harriet A., daughter of Ezra Bliss, Esq., of Pawtucket, R. I. On her maternal side she is a descendant of Roger Williams, the father of religious liberty in New England.

Brother Wiggins is a Member of the Board of Education of Brooklyn, to which position he was appointed and reappointed by his friend—an ideal honest official—Dan'l D. Whitney, Esq., during his term as Mayor. He is also a member of the St. Nicholas Society of Brooklyn, of which his cousin, Ex-Mayor John W. Hunter, is President; and Associate Member of the Society of Old Brooklynites, of which his father was one of the incorporators. Being inclined to the companionship of the cultured and intellectual, he is a member of the Twilight Club of N. Y., and, being free from superstition, and liking good fellowship, is also a member of the Thirteen Club of the same city. For the purpose of keeping up his early associations, and promoting the cause of common-school education, Brother Wiggins organized the Society of Old Classmates of Public School No. One, and was elected its first President, a position he still holds. He is a man of medium height, well- proportioned, frank, open, outspoken, an honor to the Craft, a friend to the needy, and an upright, respected citizen and neighbor.

WOR. NEVIN WILLIAM BUTLER, Senior Warden And Master Elect.

Bro. Nevin W. Butler may now be called the father of Montauk Lodge, and for more than thirty-five years he has exercised that paternal care over and that love and devotion for it that exists between father and child. Out of the seventeen brethren who met at the house of Bro. Butler on March 24th, 1853, to assist in the erection of this Lodge, Bro. Butler is the only remaining member. Several have passed to that undiscovered country, and others have become unaffiliated.

Bro. Butler took his Entered Apprentice's Degree in Joppa Lodge No. 201, Oct. 22, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft Oct. 29; raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason Nov. 12, 1851. He dimitted April 6, 1853, and organized Montauk Lodge in 1853. He was its first Secretary, and held the position for the first year of its existence. He was again elected to this position in 1865, and held it for twenty consecutive years, making in all twenty-one years service, declining a further re-election in December, 1885. He has invariably declined to accept other offices in the Lodge until 1885, when he accepted the office of Trustee, which he filled until Dec., 1888. He accepted the position of Senior Warden for 1888, and at the annual election in December of this year, was elected Master for the year 1889.

On several occasions the brethren have shown their great appreciation of his distinguished services, and on December 18, 1872, presented him with an elegant gold watch and chain containing an appropriate inscription. In March, 1883, on the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Lodge, he was presented with an elegantly framed portrait of himself, to be preserved in the Lodge rooms, and which the Lodge has since presented to Bro. Butler's eldest daughter, on account of its removal from their former commodious Lodge rooms ; and on the occasion of his withdrawal from the Secretaryship in December, 1885, he was presented with a beautiful bronze statue of Mercury, measuring three feet in height and mounted on an ebony pedestal four feet high.

During his service of nearly thirty-six years he has been rarely absent (unless prevented by sickness) from the Lodge communications. At the annual election in December, 1887, he was elected Senior Warden to serve for the ensuing year, and completed his term of service by accepting the nomination for the East, to which he was unanimously elected in Dec., 1888, which he has so often been urged to do by the brethren of his Lodge.

Bro. Butler has devoted the best years of his life to Blue Lodge Masonry, having no desire to go beyond it. He is connected, however, with other beneficial orders in which he has taken an active interest. He is a charter member of De Witt Clinton Council No. 419, Royal Arcanum; was its second Regent, and its representative to the Grand Council, in 1881. He is also a Past Commander of Stella Council No. 400, American Legion of Honor, in which he served part of a term as Vice-Commander, and was afterwards twice elected Commander. He represented that Council at the Grand Council in the Session of 1887, and was then elected one of the Grand Trustees of the Grand Council, State of New York. He is a charter member of Montauk Council No. 43, Order of Chosen Friends, and at its institution was elected Past Councillor. He is also a member of the Brooklyn Masonic Mutual Relief Association. Before joining Masonry he was initiated in Atlantic Lodge No. 50, of I. O. O. F., and served a term in Franklin Degree Lodge; he is now an Ancient Odd Fellow, having withdrawn some years ago.

Bro. Butler was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, 16 Sep 1828. He was prepared at private school and entered Carlow College, County Carlow, when he was thirteen years of age, remaining for about four years, afterwards completing his studies under private tutors. He commenced his business career as clerk in the office of one of his uncle's, a prominent solicitor and lawyer in Dublin, where he spent about two years. He came to America on 1st June, 1848, and in 1850 entered the employ of the proprietors of Dr. Townsend's Sarsaparilla as a clerk, and about five years afterwards he became their confidential business manager, continuing in that capacity for about thirty years. Four years ago he became interested in the business as Executor of the Estate of one of the partners, and upon winding up that estate the business was sold, and was purchased by the surviving partner and Bro. Butler, who formed a new partnership in March, 1888. Bro. Butler is now one-half owner in that valuable preparation, doing business in New York city under the firm name of Nostrand & Co.

He became a resident of Brooklyn in 1848, where he has resided ever since, and in 1849 married Miss Caroline A. Stagg, a niece of the late George S. Puffer, Esq., formerly President of the Atlantic National Bank of Brooklyn. Six children were born to him by that union, two have deceased. His wife deceased in 1878, and in 1880 he married Mrs. Vernona G. Sprowl, a daughter of the late Edward and Sarah E. Gunning of Brooklyn. Bro. Butler is a man of vigorous, robust constitution; tall, commanding in appearance, well preserved and barring accidents, has many years of usefulness before him.

LUCIUS M. SHELDON, Jr., Junior Warden and Senior Warden Elect.

Bro. Sheldon, though one of the youngest, is one of the brightest and most promising members of Montauk Lodge, an enthusiast in Speculative Masonry, with an ardent desire to penetrate its mysteries to the extent of his ability. He was brought to light in this Lodge on April 1, 1885. Anxious to assist and become proficient in the work, he gave his time and attention to it, and soon mastered the ritual, and at the annual election in 1885, was elected Junior Warden for 1886; he was retired for one year; re-elected for 1888, and at the annual election in December was elected Senior Warden for 1889. In searching for light in Capitular Masonry he became connected with the oldest Body in the State, and was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Ancient Chapter No. 1 of New York, of which he is now Captain of Host. He was dubbed and knighted in Columbian Commandery No. 1 of New York city; he was advanced to the 14th degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and is a member of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection of Brooklyn; he crossed the burning sands in Mecca Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His face is still turned towards the East with a determination to seek for still further light.

Bro. Sheldon is a native Parisian, having been born in Paris, 25 Feb 1858, while his parents were temporarily sojourning there. He returned with them two years later and spent most of his early life in Brooklyn. He was .sent to boarding school, but completed his education at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. After spending five years in a wholesale furniture house in New York he decided to try a whaling voyage for the benefit of his health. He accordingly shipped before the mast and spent four years as a seaman, amid the excitement and dangers incident to a seafaring life. On his return he became connected with the Life Insurance business, and for the past two years has been a director in the National Accident Society of New York.

He is connected with the Atlantic Yacht Club of Brooklyn as its Corresponding Secretary, and is one of the Board of Managers of the famous Thirteen Club of New York, made up largely of the Masonic Fraternity.

JOHN P. SCRYMSER, Senior Deacon.

To fill the position of Senior Deacon requires a thorough knowledge of the work, a familiarity with the ritual, combined with an impressive and pleasing manner. That Bro. Scrymser possessed the requisite qualifications, and had made suitable proficiency in the work within a few months after his initiation is shown in the fact of his appointment to the position. His ability as a Craftsman has been fully tested, and he has acquitted himself with honor. He was initiated and passed in this Lodge in the spring of 1887, receiving his third Degree on March 2d of that year. He was formerly connected with the Knights of Pythias, and served as Chancellor Commander of Leo Lodge No. 41.

Bro. Scrymser was born in New York city forty-two years ago, on 14 Apr (ca) 1846, although he looks much younger. After completing his education he engaged in mercantile pursuits for a number of years, but for the past eighteen months has been connected with the Department of Collections, city of Brooklyn, as Chief Bookkeeper. He has been connected with the National Guard for twenty- one years, eleven of which he was in active service.

Commissioned Commissary of the 13th Regiment N. G., S. N. Y., in 1867. Served as such 9 years, and subsequently two years as Quartermaster on the staffs of Colonels Jourdan, Dakin, Mason and Briggs. Has been connected with the 13th Regiment Veteran Association for twelve years. He married in 1882 to the daughter of Rev. Dr. Samuel T. Spear. His wife died in 1886.

WILLIAM N. PUFFER, Charter Member.

In the "days of long ago," when the social element was a more prominent feature in Montauk Lodge than at the present time, Bro. Puffer was the life and soul, the Bon Homme of the Lodge. No entertainment or gathering was complete without him, and none entered into the spirit of it with greater zest and enjoyment. He cared little for office or distinction of any kind; to be happy and impart happiness to others was the height of his ambition. He was "brought to light" in Joppa Lodge No. 201, in 1852, and soon after went out with others and helped to organize Montauk Lodge. He became its first Junior Warden, but declined further advancement; he served as a member of the Board of Trustees in 1854-5, and again in 1866. He continued in active membership for a number of years, and was finally elected an Honorary Member. He was exalted in Brooklyn Chapter, R. A. M., and was a member of Brooklyn Council, R. and S. M. He is proud of his connection with Montauk Lodge. On one of his trips to Europe he visited Sefton Lodge in Liverpool, where he received a cordial reception.

Bro. Puffer comes of the good old Knickerbocker stock. He was born on Broome street, New York City, Sept. 4, 1828. His knowledge of the rudimentary branches was acquired in a private school. He removed to Brooklyn in 1836, where he attended Adrian Hagman's school, a school kept by Saml. Putnam, and completed his course at Columbia Grammar School. He afterwards spent four years in doing business with Olcott, McKesson & Co. He spent one year on the Pacific coast; he subsequently spent two years with the house of S. Van Benschoten in the rice business, and then, at his father's solicitation, joined the latter in the rectifying business, under the firm name of Bach & Puffer, continuing until 1867, when the firm closed business. He spent several months traveling in Europe, and engaged in no active business since. His sixty years of single blessedness have left little of the marks of time. His locks are whitened, but his step is firm and elastic, and he enjoys life quite as much as he did in his younger days.

MAJOR GEORGE A. HICKS, Charter Member.

Bro. Hicks was made a Mason in Joppa Lodge No. 201, more than thirty-six years ago, and dimitted from there in 1853 to assist in organizing Montauk Lodge, becoming thereby one of its charter members. He continued his connection with Montauk Lodge until 1861, when he took his dimit and was made an Honorary Member. He is well remembered by the older members as one of the stanchest supporters of Montauk Lodge during the early days of its existence.

Bro. Hicks was born in Brooklyn, 5 Aug 1828. He attended Hegeman's school in Brooklyn; Bacon Academy at Colchester, Conn., and Sherwood's Boarding-school at Greenwich, Conn. He had rather an eventful business life; he commenced as clerk in the wholesale dry goods and jobbing house of Hunt Bros., remaining for some three years; he ran a grocery store in Brooklyn, on his own account, for three years, and was three years in the stationery business in New York. He then removed to Boston and engaged in the insurance business, continuing until the breaking out of the war. In April, 1861, he enlisted in D Company, Third Battalion Mass. Rifles (Col. Devens commanding); he went out as 3d Lieut., and three months after was appointed Adjutant of the 15th Mass. Vols. After three months' service in this capacity, he was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General of Volunteers, continuing as such until the close of the war. He served for a time in the 2d Brigade, 2d Division and 2d Corps; also in the 1st Division of the Ninth Army Corps. He participated in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Antietam, and the first battle of Fredericksburg. In the Southwest he was with the Ninth Army Corps, and took part in the battles of Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., Blue Spring, Campbell's Station, and assault on Fort Saunders at Knoxville, Tenn. He subsequently returned East, and was attached to the Army of the Potomac under Grant, participating in all the leading engagements. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 25th, 1865, with the brevet of Major, "for distinguished and meritorious services, especially in the assault on Cemetery Hill in front of Petersburg."

On his return at the close of the war, he entered into partnership with George H. Smith, in December, 1865, under the firm name of George H. Smith & Hicks, in the fire and marine insurance business, which is still continued, Bro. Hicks married in 1849; his wife deceased in 1860, leaving five children; in 1871 he married Miss Helen M. Morgan, of Wyoming County, NY, by whom he has had four children—two deceased. He is a member of Jamaica Council, R. A., and Osceola Council, A. L. of H., of Freeport, L. I.; also of the Loyal Legion and Lafayette Post, G. A. E.

E. A. HOUGHTON.

It is a noteworthy fact that when a man once gets into Montauk Lodge it is difficult for him to get out; the cement of brotherly love unites with such tenacity, that only death can sever the bonds which unite these brethren together. Bro. Houghton was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in this Lodge, on May 8, 1855, and he still clings to his early associations with the ardor and affection of youth. He has been satisfied to labor all these years as an humble Craftsman, with no ambition for official position. His efforts, however, have been just as much appreciated as though he had passed through all the chairs of his Lodge, and whenever assistance has been required to promote benevolent or other objects of the Lodge, he has never been found wanting.

His business career has been marked by that steadfastness of purpose, and that uprightness of character in all his transactions, that distinguish the true man and the gentleman. Bro. Houghton was born in New York City, fifty-six years ago [ca 1832]. He received a good common school education and commenced his business life as a boy in the shipping and commission house of Brett & Vose, Feb. 22, 1847. He was advanced from one position to another, and in 1854 was taken into the concern as a partner. Four years later he withdrew from the firm and organized a new firm in the same business under the name of Miller & Houghton. This has continued without interruption for upwards of thirty years, and is still in a prosperous condition.

Bro. Houghton was married in 1863 to Miss Elizabeth Hatten, of New York, who deceased in 1880, leaving five children. He was one of the twelve who bought an awning to meet under, at the corner of South and Broad streets, from which originated the present New York Produce Exchange, and has always continued his membership, and was one of the originators of the Maritime Exchange, of which he is a member, but has always declined any official position until 1888, he consented to be one of the Committee of Arbitration.

HENRY S. LAMBERT.

Bro. Lambert had the honor of being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in "The Holy Lodge of St. John's," Portsmouth, NH, which was the first Lodge organized in that State, and is now the second oldest Lodge in this country, having received its Warrant in 1734 from St. John's Grand Lodge of Boston. He received his degrees in April, 1866, and continued his membership until 1887, when he took his dimit and affiliated with Montauk Lodge.

Bro. Lambert was born in Portsmouth, NH, 24 May1843, the son of a successful sea captain and ship owner, and with only the limited advantages of a public school education, he started in life as a boy before the mast in the merchant service. At the breaking out of the war he had risen from the forecastle to the position of mate of a merchant ship. On June 12, 1861, he was appointed Acting Master's Mate in the U. S. Navy and was assigned to the frigate Santee (shown left), commanded by Capt. [Henry] Eagle, which was ordered to Fortress Monroe, and from thence joined the West Gulf Squadron under Admiral Farragut. The special duty assigned the Santee was that of blockading Galveston, and Bro. Lambert was placed in command of a dispatch boat, called the Sam Houston, attached to the Santee, used for carrying dispatches between Galveston and the mouth of the Mississippi river, and for blockading purposes. He came North in 1862, and was promoted to Acting Ensign, and assigned to the U. S. sloop-of-war Ossipee, and again ordered to the West Gulf squadron. He participated in the capture of the forts in Mobile Bay, Aug. 15,1834, and other engagements, and after the Mobile Bay fight was promoted to Acting Master. He resigned in the spring of 1865, and came North to get married. His wife, nee Lucy A. Laighton, is the youngest daughter of the late George H. Laighton, and granddaughter of the Hon. John Laighton, of Portsmouth.

Sloop of War Ossipee – built at the Portsmouth Naval Yard in Kittery, Maine – 1861

His resignation was revoked, and he was requested by influential friends to remain in the Navy as a regular officer, but the inactivity of a seafaring life, after the war was over, even though it gave promise of further promotion, was distasteful to him, and he declined the proffered honor. He returned to Portsmouth and engaged for a time in the flour and grain business. He came to New York in 1867, as agent of the American Steam Safe Co., and conducted the business successfully until 1871, when he was offered a very lucrative position with the Domestic Sewing Machine Company, which he accepted. He remained for two years, and after serving for a few months in the Mercantile Bank, he formed a copartnership with Alfred W. Pratt, (brother of Charles Pratt, Standard Oil Co.,) who was then engaged, in a small way, in the manufacture of varnishes, Japans, etc., in L. I. City. The business has largely increased, and they are the inventors and manufacturers of fine, special Varnishes and Dryers, one of them being Pratt's Dryer, which has a world-wide reputation. Bro. Lambert is a man of fine personal appearance, possessing several qualities that endear him to all his associates.