cr ft m sonry - Onondaga and Oswego Masonic District Historical ...

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Charter Members (63): Adams, Cedric S. Atwood, Clinton H. Barber, Samuel J. Berger, Fred L. Jr. Berger, Martin C. Blair, Gerald L. Blair, Ronald Boyle, James E. Briggs, Louis Bryers, John J. Callan, Lawrence Coseo, William R. Cottrell, Oliver J. Craig, Frank Craig, John Cunningham, Leo G. Darrow, Fred J. Darrow, Marcus Deutsche, Zola Dorchester, Earl DuVall, Claude A. Forth, Arthur J. Fulmer, I. H. Glenn, Charles S. Glisson, Frank Gorman, Louis N. Grant, Frederick L. Grant, Theodore H. Greene, Clayton Greene, Kenneth Hadley, H. Earl Hall, Charles R. Hall, Edwin M. Hand, Horner Hardy, John C. Hodge, Elvin L. Horrigan, G. Ivan Hurst, Oscar J. Johnson, Howard H. Kanar, Orson Kasso, R. M. Lawrence, George Lawton, Earl A. Luchsinger, Fred J. Mathers, Edwin McKaig, Lloyd Mitchell, Roy B. Morris, Earl W. Page, Willis C. Parks, Frank Patchin, William Patrick, David L. Preston, Francis Rarick, George T. Robinson, Frank Salisbury, Clyde N. Stanton, Harry Voorhees, Herman Wall, Francis E. Walters, Frank Weyant, Walter B. Wiley, T. Harold Williamson, Stanley No history of William S. Farmer Lodge would be complete without some mention of the Solvay Masonic Club and those men whose foresight, ability and courage made possible the Solvay Masonic Temple and who later overcame difficulties and obtained a dispensation and charter for the Lodge. The background date, relating to William S. Farmer Lodge No. 1109 of Solvay, is somewhat unique. The airline Masonic jurisdiction rules divided the Village of Solvay and nearby area into several different districts. Most Masons residing in the area were members of Liverpool, Camillus and Syracuse Lodges. There was much interest in having a Masonic organization in Solvay. The creation of a Lodge in the area seemed quite remote, so, the creation of the Solvay Masonic Club came about in March of 1923, due mainly to the efforts of Brothers Frederick Luchsinger, Howard Johnson and Clinton Atwood. There was great interest and the Club was well supported by the Masons of the community who met in rented halls. In early 1924 the Club obtained use of a third floor with kitchen facilities where they met twice a month for $36 a year plus $1 each time the kitchen was used. They later paid 25 cents per month extra to reimburse the occupant on the second floor for gas used, since it ran through his meter. On 23 May 1924 a building fund was started and on 19 Jun 1924 the Club took the necessary steps to incorporate. The legal work was done by Truman Preston, and through the efforts of Charles Glenn and John Bryers, a deed was acquired from the Solvay Process Company for the sum of $1 for the property on Woods Road where the building now stands. In March 1926 the necessary motions were passed to acquire the money to start construction and it appeared that they were on the way to having a Masonic Temple even though they had no Masonic Lodge – and unusual situation. Melvin King, a prominent Syracuse architect, offered to be the architect and fees would be his actual costs. The plans for the building were similar to ones erected in Phoenix and Liverpool, NY, by his firm. The building was erected through the supervision of John Craig, a Club member and local contractor. His interest and skills gave them a beautiful building and he was voted a life membership after the building was completed. The cornerstone was laid by M.’.W.’. Judge William S. Farmer on 25 Sep 1926. Much of the work was done by the members. They laid flooring, did carpentry, wiring, steamfitting, plumbing, and carried bricks and mortar. Interest, enthusiasm and cooperation was wonderful. They had a purpose which was to benefit their community and to provide a place of much enjoyment for the members and their families. Soon after the completion of the Solvay Masonic Temple, the need for a Solvay Masonic Lodge became apparent. Those Masons who worked so hard in the planning and construction of the Temple came from many different Lodges and a closer bond of fellowship would result if a Lodge could be chartered in the Village of Solvay. This proved to a long and difficult thing to do. First, it would be necessary to obtain an amendment to the Grand Lodge Constitution and, second, it would be necessary to obtain the permission and good will of the twelve Masonic Lodges in the district that would be affected. Much of the credit for final success must go to Brothers Charles Glenn and Fred Luchsinger who, among other things, visited each of the Lodges in the district and explained the reasons and need for a Solvay Lodge. During Grand Lodge in 1929, with the help of R.’.W.’. Grant Goodelle, then District Deputy, and other outstanding Masons in the city of Syracuse, a resolution was offered proposing that a section be added to Grand Lodge Constitutions authorizing the organization of a Masonic Lodge in the Village of Solvay with jurisdiction confined to the boundaries of the Village as they then existed. In 1930 the resolution was ratified and became a part of the Grand Lodge Constitution. On 1 Jul 1930 a petition was sent to Grand Lodge for a letter of dispensation to establish a Lodge in the Village of Solvay. It was accompanied by 12 certificates of consent from the Lodges affected and certificates showing dues of 42 petitioners paid. As a result, a Dispensation was granted and presented to W.’. John C. Hardy, the Lodge’s first Master, and his officers. The Lodge operated under this dispensation from Aug 1930 to Apr 1931, during which time 8 candidates were raised and 16 became members by affiliation. At the 1931 session of Grand Lodge, the Lodge was chartered as William S. Farmer Lodge No. 1109, F&AM, and on 1 Jun 1931 the Lodge was formally constituted by M.’.W.’. Charles H. Johnson. This was perhaps one of the few times in history that Grand Lodge officers established a new Lodge in a Masonic Temple already erected. In 1953, through the efforts of Bro. Frank Darrow, a move was started to obtain concurrent jurisdiction in the Town of Geddes, with all of the Lodges affected. When it became evident that his plan had too much opposition, the matter was dropped. However, in 1956, a change was made in the Grand Lodge Constitution giving the Lodge concurrent jurisdiction with Liverpool Lodge on that part of the Town of Geddes lying generally north of the Village of Solvay. In April 1955 Anchor Assembly, Order of Rainbow for Girls was formed and in 1956 they received their Charter, sponsored by the Lodge, and soon thereafter the Iroquois Chapter of DeMolay for Boys was also sponsored. Both of these organizations were very successful and active. 100
Biographical M..W.. William S. Farmer was a man who lived by the teachings of Masonry and worked incessantly to promote the Craft in this State. He was born 18 Jul 1861 at Hailesborough, St. Lawrence, NY; he studied law and was admitted to the Bar in 1882. In 1889 he moved to Kimball, South Dakota, where he was both lawyer and banker. He returned to Syracuse in 1891 to become a partner in a law firm with his brother, H. H. Farmer. He was appointed Judge of the Municipal Court in 1915 where he served until his death. Raised in Central City Lodge No. 305 on 20 Nov 1894, he became Master of his Lodge in 1899-1900. He served as District Deputy for the 27th District of Onondaga, Cortland and Madison Counties 1902-1904. In 1908 he was appointed to the Grand Lodge Commission of Appeals, and was elected Grand Junior Warden in 1910, Grand Senior Warden in 1914, and served as Grand Master 1918 and 1919. M.’.W.’. Farmer was later appointed to head the committee on the George Washington Memorial at Alexandria, Virginia, and had just returned from a meeting at Washington when he died on 22 Feb 1930. Past Masters Hardy, John C. 1931 Hardy, John C. 1932 Barber, Samuel J. 1933 Morris, Earl W. 1934 Horrigan, G. Ivan 1935 Hurst, Oscar J. 1936 Grant, Fred L. 1937 Coseo, William R. 1938 Cohen, Asher S. 1939 Patrick, David L. 1940 Horrigan, James D. 1941 Cohen, Solly S. 1942 Hardy, J. Edwin 1943 Johnson, Peter Jr. 1944 Weyant, Walter B. 1945 Walsh, James E. 1946 Gorbutt, Albert P. 1947 Donahue, Arthur C. 1948 MacKaig, Lloyd F. 1949 Hummell, Charles B. 1950 Pierson, Robert L. Sr. 1951 Hendrickson, A. Elroy 1952 Darrow, Frank S. 1953 Darrow, Fred M. 1954 Raaflaub, Fred E. 1955 Forhth, Harold J. 1956 Johnson, Alan 1957 Burritt, Clayton M. 1958 Roberts, Charles C. 1959 Cunningham, L. Herman1960 Wall, William E. 1961 Tindall, Albert W. 1962 Their, David J. 1963 Bell, Craig 1964 Neufand, Robert F. 1965 Tolhurst, George R. 1966 Carrodeguas, Leon 1967 Jerome, Van 1968 Christopher, John 1969 Dearden, Abbott 1970 Sniffen, Robert 1971 Conger, George F. 1972 Conger, Jason H. 1973 Menke, Hector H. 1974 Jones, Garfield 1975 Anderson, Robert E. 1976 Barlow, Walter 1977 Hoornany, Nicholas 1978 Green, Albert E. 1979 Metcalf, Richard 1980 Metcalf, Richard 1981 Piety Hill Lodge No. 1168 Syracuse, New York 1969 – Dispensation 1967 Chartered 1968 Met at the Masonic Temple, 320 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY In 1966 M.’.W.’. Frank Staples, GM, proposed a new concept for Masonic Lodges in the State of New York. It was to charter a lodge at a university to attract younger members and at a reduced initiation fee. M.’.W.’. Staples had joined such a lodge in Massachusetts when he was a student at M.I.T. He conveyed this information to R.’.W.’. Frederick Sears, PGW, who was instrumental in executing the designs which were on the Grand Master’s Trestle Board and who became a founding member of the new lodge. This idea was well received by the local Masonic leadership and gained unanimous support from the local Masons. A name was chosen for the new lodge from the area of Syracuse where the Syracuse University and Upstate Medical Center are located. The people call the area Piety Hill, because a religious college had been located there in the past. Piety Hill Lodge was granted Dispensation in 1967 and R.’.W.’. Dr. William Harris was its first Master. He was subsequently honored in being appointed DDGM of the 1 st Onondaga District. Piety Hill was chartered in 1968 in an impressive ceremony with M.’.W.’. Charles Gosnell, GM, presiding. Its first elected officers in 1969 were: Master W.’. Dr. Kendrick Sears SW Harold Sanderson JW Terrell V. Norris Treas W.’. William Hartwell Secy Gordon Lovell Piety Hill drew its membership from the faculty, staff, students and alumni of Syracuse University and the Upstate Medical Center, including many brothers from Acacia Fraternity. It was the second youngest lodge in the State of New York and had the distinction of always reaching its goal in the Brotherhood Fund Drive. Piety Hill Lodge fulfilled its purpose as a University oriented lodge annually bringing many young men into Masonry and also providing a home away from home for sojourning Masons at Syracuse University and the Upstate Medical Center. Ref: ‘Masonic History of Onondaga County, Commemorating the Bicentennial,’ the Word, Sep 1976, pg. 21. 101
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208 years of CR FT M SONRY in Onond
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That he was really a Mason is doubt
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In Part I of this work, covering th
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Syracuse Lodge No. 102 recorded 256
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Selected Biographical or Historical
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Alvin Munn Ball, son of Lebbeus, Jr
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Robert Gilmore, elected Master 1827
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Notes - glh: Oliver Hessler appears
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Syracuse Masonic Temple 5. In 1917
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The following items are especially
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Edward Heywood Brown was born 15 Au
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Winchell Hall Dormitory for Women,
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Central NY. Crowds lined the street
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It is unfortunate that none of thes
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Bro. Ide left for the south on 11 N
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21 Nov 1853 Initiated Entered Appre
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Marching Songs dedicated to Captain
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Also among the distinguished Brothe
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Latterner, Nicholas 1878-79 Crenan,
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1954 Master of Ceremonies, Council
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27 Jun 1887 Lodge of Perfection, 4t
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Vol 1 - the work of George J. Gardn
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Scharfblick eines geborenen Geschä
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$1,000, but lost everything because
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