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

Senior Warden.—Arthur Boyce, 1853-4-5; W. A. Batcheller, 1856; John T. Hall, 1857; George Ingraham, 1858; James Boyle, 1859; E. L. Combs, 1860; John C. Kennedy, 1861; James Bliss, 1862; John W. Halliday, 1863; George Davis, 1864; Daniel M. Haff, 1865; John Q. Adams, 1866; Samuel G. Law, 1867; John O'Keefe, 1868; Geo. F. Miller, 1869; D. Corcoran, 1870-71; Joseph C. Hands, 1872-3; Napoleon Palmer, 1874; Frank J. Donaldson, 1875; James West, 1876; John Bingham, 1877-8; John Taylor, 1879; John C. Lang, 1880; Avery B. Dodge, 1881; John C. Mullins, 1882; John Matier, 1883; Samuel H. Johnson, 1884; Louis Wauke, 1885; Alex. W. Murray, 1886; Louis B. Hart, 1887; John Matier, 1888.

Junior Warden.—W. A. Batcheller, 1853-5; George Ingraham, 1856-7; Pierre L. Pierce, 1858; Ed. L. Combs, 1859-60; James Bliss, 1861; George Davis, 1862-3; Daniel M. Haff, 1864; James C. Sherlaw, 1865; Edwin Hayward, 1866; John O'Keefe, 1867; P. J. McGurrin, 1868; D. Corcoran, 1869; George Russell, 1870; Henry Bennett, 1871; John Matier, 1872-3; P. J. Bungart, 1874; James West, 1875; John Bingham, 1876;'John C. Lang, 1877; John Matier, 1878; Fred Wiebe, 1879; Avery B. Dodge, 1880; Ed. J. Thomas, 1881; Thomas Foreman, 1882; Fred. Wiebe, 1883; H. E. Gamble, 1884; Thos. W. Lindsay, 1885; Louis B. Hart, 1886; Walter B. Clarke, 1887; Henry Block, 1888.

Treasurer.—Richard T. Holmes, 1853; S. C. Foote, 1854-5-6; Henry Gilbert, 1857; Wm. Scrimgeour, 1858 to 1865, inclusive; G. Davis, 1866; Thos. E. Purdy, 1867; J. Boyle, 1868 to 1871, inclusive; George Russell, 1872 to 1883, inclusive; John H. Wiecken, 1884-5-6-7-8.

Secretary.—Edwin H. Burnett, John D. Ammerman, 1853; John T. Hall, 1854-5; William H. Pope, 1856; P. Lapage Pearce, 1857; James Boyle, 1858; John Hall, 1859; John C. Kennedy, 1860; Russel Kelsey, 1861; Edward Combs, 1862-3; John Quincy Adams, 1864; P. McGurrin, 1865-6-7; W. R. Dunn, 1868; John Taylor, 1869 to 1877, inclusive; Louis E. Wiebe, 1878 to 1884, inclusive; John C. Mullins, Jr., 1885; H. E. Gamble. 1886-7-8.

JOHN TAYLOR, Past Master Star Of Bethlehem Lodge.

Bro. Taylor is not only one of tho oldest, but one of the most earnest, energetic, and faithful members that this Lodge has ever had. He is still in the meridian of life—hale, hearty and strong—and yet some years have passed since he was known as a veteran. The Lodge had reached but a single decade when he was brought as a "rough ashler " to the door of the Lodge, and, after passing through the hands of the Craftsmen, became in due time a highly-polished "living stone," fitted for the builder's use. He was initiated April 7, 1865, passed April 28, and raised May 19, 1865. He passed through the chairs of Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, and served as Secretary from 1868 to 1877, inclusive. He served as Senior Warden in 1879, and Worshipful Master in 1880, and as S. D. in 1888. His long experience as a Craftsman fitted him for the high position to which he was eventually called, and which he filled with honor to himself and the Craft. He is a member of Nassau Chapter No. 109, R. A. M.

Bro. Taylor was born in Dundee, Scotland, 18 Jan 1837. He was but eleven years of age when he became a subject of "His Satanic Majesty," and was duly installed as a "printer's devil." He served six years at the printing business, and came to America in 1854, being then not quite eighteen years of age. He was married the same year to Miss Jessie Scollay, a native of his own town in Scotland. This union was blessed with five children, only one of whom are now living. On October 15, 1887, he celebrated the thirty-third year of his married life. The occasion was made one of great rejoicing, and numerous friends met at his house to congratulate him. Young as he was on his arrival here, he had no difficulty in obtaining employment. He was employed at different times on the Courier and Enquirer, the World, the Tribune and the Herald, and in 1863 was one of the first compositors employed on the Brooklyn Union, now known as the Brooklyn Standard Union. He is ex-President of Typographical Union No. 98. In June, 1870, he established an office at No. 6 Whitehall street, New York, where he has since received a fair share of the down-town patronage. He is extensively known in Caledonian circles, being a noted prize dancer of the New York Caledonian Club, and is an ex-chief of that organization, and was for several years Secretary of the Thistle Benevolent Association of New York. In 1887 he was Chairman of the Committee on Hall and Asylum Fund, and worked faithfully and earnestly to raise the quota of Star of Bethlehem Lodge for that fund. The Report of the Committee on March 20, 1888, shows the result of these efforts.

WOR. PETER J. BUNGART, Past Master Of Star Of Bethlehem Lodge.

Bro. Bungart is a whole-souled, warm-hearted, earnest Craftsman, who well deserves the honors that have been awarded him by this Lodge. He is never so much in his true element than when he is spreading the cement of brotherly love, and trying to promote the happiness of those around him. The seeds of masonry sown in his heart sprung up quickly, and have never ceased to bear fruit. He will never cease to be a "living stone" in this great temple until the breath leaves his body. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Star of Bethlehem Lodge, Sept. 9,1864, an eventful period in his life. He was elected Junior Warden in 1874, and Worshipful Master in 1876; was again elected in 1885. During the ten years from 1864 to 1874 he learned to use the tools of speculative masonry, and when he was called to the South he was duly and truly prepared, and his subsequent promotion was rapid. He did himself and the Craft honor in the positions he filled. He is a member of Brooklyn Chapter No. 148, R. A. M., and of Montauk Lodge No. 114, I. O. O. F.

Bro. Bungart was born in Cologne, Prussia, 15 Apr 1843. He left his native country when he was ten years of age, and soon after his arrival here settled in Brooklyn. He learned the trade of sign painter with his father, and followed the occupation some years. For the past twenty-four years he has been engaged in the manufacture of varnishes. In 1866 he married Mina Kamlah, of Hudson City, NJ, by whom he has had ten children, only four of whom are now living.

WOR. JOHN C. MULLINS, Jr., Past Master Of Star Of Bethlehem Lodge.

Bro. Mullins is one of the most earnest and active members of this Lodge and was never known to refuse any reasonable request from a brother Mason. If an appeal is made for a worthy object, his hand gravitates to his pocket as naturally as the needle does to the North Pole. The one prominent weakness is that of "hiding his own light under a bushel," and magnifying the virtues of others. He never thinks of self when called on to serve his brethren. He was initiated, passed and raised in Star of Bethlehem Lodge in 1871; was soon after appointed S. M. C.; and in 1882 was elected Senior Warden. While filling this position he acted as Worshipful Master for nine months; at the expiration of which he was duly elected Master, serving during the years 1883-4. He was exalted in DeWitt Clinton Chapter No. 142, R. A. M., and served as Master of the First Veil for two years.

Bro. Mullins was born in New York city, 15 Oct 1843; received a good public school education and was afterwards apprenticed to the printing business. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted as a private in the 37th N. Y. V., and was subsequently promoted Sergeant-Major of the regiment, serving with honor and credit until he was honorably discharged. He is at present Commander of Gushing Post No. 231, G. A. R., of Brooklyn, where he is greeted with the same welcome by his comrades as by the brethren of Star of Bethlehem Lodge. On Jan. 11th, 1866, he married Margaret Elizabeth Rockefeller, of New York city. The union was blessed with three children, but saddened by the loss of all. Bro. Mullins is generous to a fault and if he had the wealth of the Vanderbilts he would soon impoverish himself to aid his old comrades in arms and brother Masons.

WOR. JAMES WEST, Master Of Star Of Bethlehem Lodge.

Bro. West is one of the best presiding officers in this masonic jurisdiction. Grace, ease, dignity and self-possession characterize his every movement. His work is excellent, and his familiarity with the ritual as well as his thorough knowledge of all that pertains to the work, evince careful study and research. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, Oct. 4th, 1872, and was soon after appointed Chaplain; he was elected Junior Warden in 1873; served as Senior Warden in 1874; was elected Worshipful Master in 1876-7 ; again in 1880, and in the fall of 1887 was elected to that position for the fourth time, to serve for the ensuing year. His great administrative ability and many noble qualities of heart and mind, are the important features that have led to his repeated election to this important position. He is a member of Gate of the Temple Chapter, R. A. M., but his time is principally devoted to Blue Lodge Masonry.

Bro. West was born in Edinboro, Scotland, 18 Mar 1833. He acquired a thorough knowledge of the rudimentary branches of education, both at public and private school, and subsequently learned the business of typographical engraver. He came to this country in 1860 and continued to follow the same business successfully. In 1880 he assisted in organizing the Manhattan Type Foundry, in which he is a large stockholder and has been its President since 1880.

He married in 1855, before he came to this country, Miss Jeanet Wilson, of Scotland. By her he has had four children, only two of whom are now living. He was for two years (1877-8), a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and during that period was President of the St. Andrew's Society. On his retiring from the presidency, just previous to his departure for the East, he was presented by the Society with an elegant gold- headed cane in token of their high appreciation of his able efforts to promote the interests and strengthen the bonds that united the brethren of the same nationality and kindred ties together. He was Chief of the Caledonian Club of New York, during the years 1879 and 1880.

Bro. West is a man of fine physique, well proportioned, of fine and manly bearing, frank, open-hearted, sympathetic; possessing in a pre-eminent degree the many noble traits that characterize the Scottish people.

JOHN MATIER, S. W.

Bro. Matier was made a Mason in Star of Bethlehem Lodge in 1869; was appointed S. M. C. the following year; served as Junior Warden in 1872-3 and as Senior Warden in 1888. He is a member of Montauk Lodge No. 119, I. O. O. F., and of the North Western Masonic Insurance Company. He was born in Ireland, 24 Aug 1839. He came to this country in 1850. He has been for several years engaged in the lighterage business.

JOHN H. WEICKEN, Treasurer.

Bro. Weicken was raised in Star of Bethlehem Lodge in 1874. In 1883 he was elected Treasurer and has since continued faithfully to discharge the duties of his office. Bro. Weicken was born in Germany, 29 May 1839. He engaged in the grocery business until he came to this country in 1859. He soon afterwards settled in Brooklyn and engaged in mercantile affairs. In 1872 he married Marguereta Helena Peters, of Brooklyn.

HENRY E. GAMBLE, Secretary Star Of Bethlehem Lodge 322.

Bro. Gamble was initiated into the secrets of Masonry in Star of Bethlehem Lodge in 1882; he was elected Junior Warden in 1884 and Secretary in 1886-7-8. Endeavoring always to divide his time according to the teachings of Masonry he has attended faithfully to all his duties and been careful in the observance of all his obligations.

Bro. Gamble was born in Albia, Monroe Co., Iowa, 4 Nov 1860. He removed with his parents to Philadelphia when he was but four years of age. He received a good education and was graduated from the high school. He served his time in the job printing office of Allen, Lane & Scott, of Philadelphia; he came to New York in 1880 and is at present connected with the Trow Printing and Bookbinding Co., New York. He removed to Brooklyn in 1882 and in 1883 married Jennie F. Allan, daughter of James N. Allen, of Star of Bethlehem Lodge. Two- children have been born to them.

DONALD F. McCULLAGH, Senior Master Ceremonies.

Bro. McCullagh is a bright, promising young Craftsman, with a bright future before him. His heart is in the work and his time and energies are devoted to it. He is regular in his attendance and earnest in his efforts to assist the Master and the brethren. He was made a Master Mason in Star of Bethlehem Lodge in 1886 and in December following was appointed Senior Master of Ceremonies and re-appointed the following year. He was exalted in Standard Chapter No. 252, R. A. M., of New York, in February, 1888, and Knighted in Greenwood Commandery, K. T., of Brooklyn. He has been president and is now vice-president of the Heights Mutual Benefit Association of Brooklyn.

Though a thorough American in sentiment and education Bro. McCullagh can trace his ancestry to one of the oldest and most distinguished of the Scottish chieftains of Clan McCullagh, of Edinburgh, who figured prominently daring the early part of the seventeenth century.

Bro. McCullagh was born in Mineola, L. I., of Scotch parentage, 27 Jan 1863, but went to Glasgow, Scotland, with his parents, when he was but two years of age. He returned three years later and was prepared for college at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, and entered Williamstown College, Pa., in 1878 and withdrew after two years, but returned in 1880 and was graduated in 1885. The same year he started in the retail hat business in Brooklyn, but in 1887 sold out and went South. In 1888 he returned to Brooklyn and is now in the wholesale hat business in New York.

DAVID S. NICOLAY.

The occupation of Bro. Nicolay has prevented him from assuming the duties of office, to which his brethren would gladly have exalted him, but it has not prevented him from discharging the obligations which he took upon himself as a Master Mason. While he never fails to recognize these, the true principles on which our Order is founded are inborn with him, and were developed long before he entered the portals of Masonry. He was exalted to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Star of Bethlehem Lodge, in January, 1876. In 1880 he was exalted in DeWitt Clinton R. A. M.; was Knighted in DeWitt Clinton Commandery No. 72, K. T., of Brooklyn. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor, of the North Western Masonic Insurance Ass'n and of the New York and New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots' Benevolent Association.

Bro. Nicolay was born in New York city, 25 Oct 1843. He commenced a seafaring life at a very early age and continued until he was eighteen years of age. He entered the Sandy Hook pilot service May 20th, 1861, and has already served over twenty-seven years. He served as boat-keeper for some years; he held this position on the James Avery, pilot boat No. 9, from Oct., 1866, to April, 1867; he was then transferred to the pilot boat Christianburg, No. 16, continuing from April to Sept., 1867; he was steamboating for several months after this and in November, 1868, he returned to the pilot service as boat-keeper of the Isaac Webb, pilot boat No. 8, where he remained until November, 1873, when he was regularly licensed as a pilot and has continued in the service ever since, being now attached to the pilot boat Jesse Carl, No. 10. He was married to Florence May, of Saugerties, Ulster Co., NY. They have had two boys—one deceased. Bro. Nicolay is still a frequent visitor at the Lodge, where he is always greeted with a hearty welcome.

CENTRAL LODGE NO. 361.

Application was made to the Grand Lodge, in December, 1854, for a Dispensation to erect a Lodge to be known as Central No. 361. The Application was indorsed by Palestine No. 204, Doric No. 280, Joppa No. 201, Holland No. 8 and Eureka No. 253.

The following-named brethren were recommended for its first officers, viz.: Gustavus Swan, Master; Alden S. Crowell, Senior Warden; Alphonso Prescott, Junior Warden. Dispensation was granted January 5, 1855, by M.’. W.'. Joseph D. Evans, Grand Master. The omission of all other data relating to this Lodge is explained in the following letter, to which no reply was ever received by the writer:

487 Third Street,

Brooklyn, N. Y., June 20, 1888.

To The Worshipful Master of Central Lodge No. 361, F. And A. M.

Dear Sir and Brother:—I visited your Lodge on the evening of June 12, 1888, for the purpose of seeking your co-operation in the compilation of a history of the several Lodges of the Third Masonic District, so far as related to the history of your Lodge. Through your courtesy I was kindly afforded an opportunity to present the matter to the brethren for their consideration. I read a communication, signed by Bro. McClanachan, Historian of the Grand Lodge of New York, and other prominent Masonic Brethren, indorsing the work. I then briefly outlined my plan, which was to write the history of every Lodge in the Third Masonic District, including the individual records of the present officers and Past Masters; to publish the same, when completed, in connection with the "History of Masonry in North America, from 1730 to 1800;" asking no financial support from the Lodges, but leaving it entirely voluntary with the brethren to subscribe to the work or not, as they might elect. R.’. W.’. Bro. Jones was not present at the time, and on his entrance to the Lodge a few minutes later you repeated to him the substance of my remarks. He stated briefly that he was averse to having the individual history of members published in book form and made public, and gave his reasons therefor. The matter was then referred to a committee for further consideration. The work in which I am engaged I believe to be worthy of the support of the fraternity, and I think none will question my motives. I respect the views of those brethren who differ with me, and if the sentiments expressed by R.’. W.’. Bro. Jones are shared by the brethren of Central Lodge, I have no desire to press the matter further, and simply ask that your committee will prepare such a history of the Lodge as they are willing to have published, and place the same in my hands on or before the 1st of November next.

With great respect I remain,

Fraternally yours,

HENRY WHITTEMORE.

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