Algonquin

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ALGONQUIN LODGE

Location: Boston

Chartered By: Melvin M. Johnson

Charter Date: 03/11/1914 1914-92

Precedence Date: 04/26/1913

Current Status: in Grand Lodge Vault; merged with St. Paul's Lodge into St. Paul's-Algonquin Lodge, 05/28/1988 (1988-49).


PAST MASTERS

need living PMs list

  • Almon B. Cilley, 1913
  • Samuel Meadows, 1914
  • Bertram J. Watson, 1915
  • Herbert F. Sawyer, 1916
  • Arthur A. Lincoln, 1917; Mem
  • Tom Vickers, 1918
  • Albert G. Prescott, 1919
  • Frederick Reis, 1920
  • George T. Reid, 1921
  • Wallace L. Hancock, 1922; N
  • George H. Keith, 1923
  • Ralph H. Dolliver, 1924
  • Henry D. MacRichie, 1925; N
  • Wimburn Colter, 1926
  • Harry F. Doull, 1927
  • George C. Glidden, 1928
  • Albert N. Hird, 1929
  • John H. Freeman, 1930, 1931
  • Russell S. Winn, 1932
  • Richard H. Brundige, 1933
  • Carl G. U. Alexander, 1934
  • Leroy S. Harris, 1935
  • Earl S. Dutton, 1936
  • Sten G. Nyberg, 1937; N
  • Edward E. Ransom, 1938
  • George S. Colcord, 1939
  • George A. Ward, 1940; N
  • Lawrence H. Friend, 1941
  • Ralph N. Hurlburt, 1942
  • Willis A. Pyke, 1943
  • Douglas Cunningham, 1944
  • Joseph A. Sneed, 1945; N
  • Robert W. Stackhouse, 1946
  • James A. Sheldon, 1947
  • Merton L. Pratt, 1948, 1949
  • William George McLeman, 1950; SN
  • Laurence B. Woodward, 1951
  • James F. Robinson, 1952
  • James H. Prout, 1953
  • William F. Otto, 1954
  • Max E. Todd, 1955
  • Carl O. Bergenheim, 1956
  • Clifton H. McAuley, 1957
  • Delmar K. McConnell, 1958
  • James N. Gracie, 1959
  • J. Albert Livingston, 1960
  • William L. Hurst, 1961
  • Harry E. Davis, Jr., 1962, 1972; N
  • Percy T. Cox, 1963
  • Ernest L. Cox, Jr., 1964
  • Elmer J. Palmquist, 1965
  • Rolf C. Gaertig, 1966
  • Daniel G. W. Nicoll, 1967
  • Frederick T. Love, Jr., 1968
  • Charles A. Murphy, 1969
  • William L. Hurst, 1970
  • Edward L. Shockley, 1971
  • Harry E. Davis, Jr., 1972
  • Robert S. Willard, 1973
  • William S. Hurst, 1974
  • Donald S. Bjerre, 1975
  • John E. Richards, 1976
  • William J. Alcorn, 1977
  • James F. Robinson, 1978
  • Daniel Gentile, 1979
  • Richard S. Fredholm, 1980
  • Henry Shear, 1981
  • James S. Speranza, 1982
  • Michael A. O'Neal, 1983
  • George E. Alexanian, 1984
  • Edward L. Shockley, 1985
  • Robert C. Speranza, 1986-1988

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1913
  • Petition for Charter: 1914
  • Consolidation Petition (with St. Paul's Lodge): 1988

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1938 (25th Anniversary)
  • 1963 (50th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1918 1922 1923 1927 1933 1934 1939 1945 1948 1951 1952 1957 1964 1972 1973

HISTORY

  • 1938 (25th Anniversary history, 1938-99)
  • 1963 (50th Anniversary history, 1963-93)

25TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, APRIL 1938

From Proceedings, Page 1938-99:

During the summer and fall of 1912, a group of interested Masons held several preliminary meetings with the view of establishing a Masonic Lodge at Codman Square in Dorchester. These meetings finally crystallized into the filing of a petition signed by fifty-two Masons to the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts asking for a Dispensation to form a new Lodge at the place above designated. While this application for Dispensation was pending, thirty of the surrounding Lodges were visited and the consent of twenty-four to the establishment of such a Lodge was obtained.

Finally, a call from Most Worshipful Grand Master Everett C. Benton requested that the signers of the petition for a Masonic Lodge to be located in Codman Square, Dorchester be present in Corinthian Hall, Masonic Temple, April 26, 1913 for the purpose of receiving the grant of Dispensation to said petitioners.

A Grand Lodge was opened by the Most Worshipful Grand Master E. C. Benton as Grand Master, Grand Tyler George W. Chester acting as Grand Secretary, Worshipful George C. Thacher Grand Marshal.

The Dispensation was read by the acting Grand Secretary, Worshipful Brother A. B. Cilley, Worshipful Brother Sam L. Meadows, Brothers Frank F. Derby, Herbert F. Sawyer, Arthur E. Hersom, Charles S. Prescott, and about thirty others of the fifty-two petitioners responding to their names.

The following named Officers answered to their names and assumed their respective stations:

  • Wor. Bro. Almon B. Cilley, Wor. Master
  • Wor. Bro. Samuel Meadows, Senior Warden
  • Wor. Bro. Herbert F. Sawyer, Junior Warden
  • Wor. Bro. Charles S. Prescott, Treasurer
  • Wor. Bro. Arthur E. Hersom, Secretary
  • Wor. Bro. William H. Mitchell, Chaplain
  • Wor. Bro. Frank F. Derby, Marshal
  • Wor. Bro. Arthur A. Lincoln, Senior Deacon
  • Wor. Bro. Tom Vickers, Junior Deacon
  • Wor. Bro. Walter E. Vinal, Senior Steward
  • Wor. Bro. Albert G. Prescott, Junior Steward
  • Wor. Bro. Arthur W. Wyman, Inside Sentinel
  • Wor. Bro. Justus P. Weston, Organist
  • Wor. Bro. Thomas H. Bond, Tyler

Remarks were made by the Most Worshipful Grand Master congratulating the Lodge on their new officers and the location of their Lodge-room and predicting for them a successful career and promising to make a visit in the near future. Proclamation was made by the Grand Marshal authorizing Algonquin Lodge A. F. & A. M., U. D., to meet and transact Masonic business in accordance with the Dispensation granted. The Most Worshipful Grand Master and Grand Officers retired leaving the Organization of Algonquin Lodge in charge of its Officers.

The appointment and action of the following committees was ratified by vote of the Lodge. Committee on Organization, Nominating Committee, Hall Committee, and Lodge Equipment Committee. A new Committee of three was appointed to draw up a set of By-Laws with instructions to report at the May or not later than the June communication. The By-Laws then drawn up and reported form the basis of our present By-Laws.

After certain incidental business had been transacted and there being no further business Algonquin Lodge A. F. & A. M., UD, was closed in form with prayer by Senior Deacon, Arthur A. Lincoln.

At the time of institution the petitioners numbered fifty-two, representing the following Lodges: Lafayette 7, St. Paul's 4, Washington 3, St. John's 3, Rabboni 3, Joseph Warren 3, Revere 3, Adelphi 2, Mt. Tabor 2, and one each from the following: Star of Bethlehem, Temple, Eliot, Mizpah, Columbian, John Warren, Hopkinton, Union, New London, Conn., Hampden, Springfield, Faith, Waldo, Maine, William North, Lowell, Corner Stone, Duxbury, Ancient Brothers, Maine, Antiquity, Quebec, James Otis, Barnstable, King Solomon, Gate of the Temple, Ocean, Georgia, Hibernia, N. B., Wyoming, Orient, and Aberdour.

The names of the petitioners were as follows:

  • Frank F. Derby
  • Melvin W. Kenney
  • Paul C. Klein
  • Edward O. Kenney
  • Walter E. Vinal
  • Robert M. Miller
  • Frederic S. Hunter
  • Walter L. Tougas
  • Emil E. Diettrich
  • Clifford M. Mowatt
  • Almon B. Cilley
  • Arthur A. Lincoln
  • Arthur W. Wyman
  • William J. Harris
  • Robert W. Lennox
  • John Simpson
  • William N. Hughes
  • William W. Smith
  • Arthur E. Hersom
  • Charles S. Prescott
  • Albert G. Prescott
  • Warren L. Thayer
  • Herbert W. Burr
  • Abram G. Berenson
  • William H. Mitchell
  • Isaac W. Derby
  • Eldon A. Clark
  • Samuel Meadows
  • Walter J. Graves
  • Tom Vickers
  • Walter E. Shedd
  • Henry T. Huguley
  • Charles F. Sterling
  • Allen B. Friend
  • William A. Ham
  • Herbert F. Sawyer
  • David P. Goodine
  • Evra S. Harris
  • Charles W. Hawkes
  • Bertram J. Watson
  • William J. Hill
  • George F. Morris
  • Horace E. Walker
  • Arthur W. Banister
  • William I. Tower
  • Ralph H. Dolliver
  • Gilbert C. Jackson
  • Justus P. Weston
  • William H. Googuis
  • Frank E. Alden
  • Ray L. Phipps
  • Nathan C. Harrison

The furnishing of the Lodge was under the direction of the Lodge Equipment Committee of which Brother Herbert F. Sawyer was chairman. However, much of the furniture was supplied through gifts of various individuals, as for instance: The name of the Lodge was suggested by Brother Frank F. Derby. The jewel was designed by Brother Herbert F. Sawyer. The working tools of solid silver were presented by Brothers Sawyer and Derby. The Bible was presented by Wor. Brother Watson. The square, level, and bier were made by Brother Sawyer's father, a member of Star of Bethlehem Lodge, of Chelsea. The three lights, the letter "G", and the truncheons were furnished by Brother Sawyer. Incidentally, the truncheons were made out of coco-bola wood.

The monthly communications of the Lodge were held on the first Monday of each month and were held every month during the year of Dispensation.

At the November communication, the Lodge was honored by a fraternal visitation of Rt. Wor. Freeland D. Leslie, District Deputy Grand Master for the Fourth Masonic District. Wor. Brother Frank M. Weymouth was the District Deputy Grand Marshal and a large and distinguished Suite accompanied the Rt. Wor. District Deputy Grand Master. He was received by Wor. Brother Cilley and following the business connected with a fraternal visitation and the presentation of flowers to the Grand Officers, Rt. Wor. Brother Leslie retired with his Suite.

At the December communication the Lodge was greatly honored by a visit from the Most Worshipful Grand Master Everett C. Benton accompanied by Worshipful Brother George C. Thacher, Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge, and a distinguished Suite. Following a very pleasing address by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, he presented a gavel to Algonquin Lodge with the following remarks:

To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Members of Algonquin Lodge, Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Brethren:

The gavel which I desire to present to Algonquin Lodge with my Fraternal regards and good wishes, is from

"The Timber felled and prepared in the forests of Lebanon"


The log from which the gavel is made was imported for the Mass. Consistory in 1910, during my term as Commander-in-Chief, and was exhibited at a meeting of the Consistory on April 22nd. of that year. It was brought from Mt. Lebanon by members of Mt. Lebanon Lodge, Beyrout, Syria, Asia Minor. It came from the same forests where centuries before the timber was secured for the building of the Ark and later both Temples at Jerusalem. It was shipped on February 4, 1910 and arrived in Boston, March 20, 1910, and from that time it was first taken from the Forests of Lebanon until it arrived at the Masonic Temple, Boston, it was never for a moment handled by any other person or in custody of any one except he be a Mason. Please accept as a slight token, not only of the kind regard which your Grand Master has for you and all your Brethren, but also as a token and measure of love from Brothers not only in this country but from across the sea.

Yours Fraternally
(Signed) Everett C. Benton
Grand Master

Constitution of Algonquin Lodge, A. F. & A. M., April 27, 1914.

Algonquin Lodge having worked under a Dispensation dated April 19, 1913 (for about a year) and during that time performed "Work" which was a credit to the Lodge and honor to the Craft at large, made application to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge for a Charter. After due examination of the By-Laws and the Records by the Committee on Charters and By-Laws the same were approved by said Committee, with the recommendation that the Charter be granted. The recommendation was accepted by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge and a Charter was granted to Algonquin Lodge. The Most Worshipful Grand Master, M. M. Johnson, designated April 27, 1914, for the ceremonies of Constitution and Installation of Officers of Algonquin Lodge.

Previous to the Ceremonies a Banquet was held in Wheton Hall at which nearly 200 Brethren of the Order participated. On returning to our Hall the Most Worshipful Grand Master was informed that Algonquin Lodge awaited his pleasure. Reply was returned that he would immediately proceed with the ceremonies and assisted by all of the Officers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Algonquin Lodge was duly constituted.

Following the ceremonies of Constitution the elected Officers were installed into their respective stations:

  • Wor. Sam L. Meadows, Worshipful Master
  • Bro. H. F. Sawyer, Senior Warden
  • Bro. A. A. Lincoln, Junior Warden
  • Bro. C. S. Prescott, Treasurer
  • Bro. A. E. Hersom, Secretary
  • Bro. F. F. Derby, Marshal
  • Bro. C. A. Digney, Chaplain
  • Bro. Tom Vickers, Senior Deacon
  • Bro. A. G. Prescott, Junior Deacon
  • Bro. A. W. Wyman, Senior Steward
  • Bro. Frederick Reis, Junior Steward
  • Bro. R. H. Dolliver, Inside Sentinel
  • Bro. T. H. Bond, Tyler
  • Bro. J. P. Weston, Organist

On completion of the Installation ceremonies several presentations were made by the candidates raised under Dispensation, consisting of the following:

  • Presentation of a Silk American Flag to Algonquin Lodge.
  • Presentation of a Past Master's Apron to Wor. A. B. Cilley, inscribed on the back of which were the names of the candidates raised under his administration.
  • Presentation of twenty-five dollars to the Charity Fund of Algonquin Lodge. The donors were:
    • Bro. Charles A. Digney
    • Bro. Frederick Reis, M.D.
    • Bro. Frank H. Rogers
    • Bro. Warren A. Spurr
    • Bro. Joseph H. Peacock
    • Bro. George H. Keith
    • Bro. Ernest F. Hayward
    • Bro. Harold J. Prescott
    • Bro. Weinburn Colter
    • Bro. George L. Starks
    • Bro. Frederick A. Sumner
    • Bro. William J. Ellsworth
    • Bro. Edgar C. Wheeler
    • Bro. Irving M. Gottiman
    • Bro. William T. Wickman
    • Bro. Henry V. Crocker

At the May communication Bro. Frank F. Derby presented the name of Wor. Bro. A. B. Cilley for honorary membership, and he was elected to honorary membership at the October communication.

On September 2, 1929 under Dispensation granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge Algonquin Lodge moved from its Apartments at Lithgow Hall to the Masonic Apartments at Uphams Corner, Dorchester, and continued there until December 6, 1933, when under special Dispensation of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge it removed its Apartments to Franklin Hall, Dorchester, Massachusetts, and has continued there since that time. At this time, also under Dispensation of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, meeting night was changed from the first Monday to the first Wednesday of the month.

Of the fifty-two Charter members, seventeen have passed to the Celestial Lodge above. Also, five of the members raised under dispensation. Of the members raised since 1914, forty-one have departed from our midst, making a total of sixty-three. This number includes three Past Masters.

Three Past Masters have been honored by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge by being appointed District Deputy Grand Masters. Namely Wor. Bro. Lincoln, Wor. Bro. MacRitchie, and Wor. Bro. Hancock.

During the administration of Wor. Bro. Doull, the membership reached its highest point, namely 430. As of June, 1937, the membership had receded to 302 due to death and suspensions.

Up to and including the present year there have been twenty-four Masters with twenty-one remaining active, and only one Master served two years.

During its existence covering twenty-five years, Algonquin Lodge has faithfully and strictly conformed to the ancient customs and usages of Free Masonry and has always been obedient and loyal to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts.

By the Committee:
Wor. Samuel Meadows
Wor. Frederick Reis
Wor. Herbert F. Sawyer Chairman


GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

1913: District 4 (South Boston)

1927: District 4 (South Boston)


LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges