Brigham

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BRIGHAM LODGE (1892)

Location: Ludlow

Chartered By: Samuel Wells

Charter Date: 06/08/1892 1892-54

Precedence Date: 07/08/1891

Current Status: Active


PAST MASTERS

  • Charles F. Grosvenor, 1892
  • Albert H. Halford, 1893, 1894; SN
  • George W. Miller, 1895
  • James Henderson, 1896
  • Walter B. Aitchison, 1897
  • William H. Tipping, 1898
  • Alexander H. Fobare, 1899
  • Hugh M. Crammond, 1900
  • Richard Tipping, 1901-1903
  • James A. Sime, 1904
  • Alexander F. Winton, 1905
  • Simpson F. McPhail, 1906
  • Walter Benoit, 1907
  • George Elphinston, Jr., 1908
  • William Saston, 1909
  • Walter Winton, 1910
  • Hiram Payne, 1911
  • Edwin H. Wright, 1912
  • Joseph Blundell, 1913
  • James Elphinstone, 1914
  • George Ogilvie, 1915
  • William A. Mason, 1916
  • George Mackintosh, 1917
  • Frank Birse, 1918
  • Alexander H. Graham, 1919
  • Alexander Kidd, 1920
  • Charles Easson, 1921
  • Henry Turville, 1922
  • Alexander J. Butters, 1923
  • Clinton A. Simmons, 1924
  • Frederick T. D. Milne, 1925
  • Emery T. Smith, 1926
  • John J. Whithouse, 1927
  • Alexander W. Kier, 1928
  • Stuart J. Hayes, 1929
  • Ernest L. Bish, 1930
  • Frederick J. Cummings, 1931; SN
  • Alexander Moncrieff, 1932
  • George S. Monroe, 1933, 1934
  • Donald M. Moncrieff, 1935
  • Peter Wilson, 1936
  • Ruben C. Hare, 1937
  • Walter C. Eisold, 1938
  • Ralph I. McCorkindale, 1939
  • Arthur O. Burgess, 1940
  • Warren S. Rowlan, 1941
  • Charles I. Sayles, 1942, 1943
  • Frank S. Moon, 1944
  • Thomas Finn, 1945
  • William E. P. Ehlers, 1946
  • John E. Almgren, 1947; N
  • Harold W. Lawless, 1948
  • William Monroe, 1949
  • William C. Eason, 1950
  • Howard B. Hodge, 1951
  • Ralph W. Armstrong, 1952
  • Theodore M. Mowbray, 1953
  • Alfred J. Kisser, 1954
  • Ralph W. Webster, 1955
  • Edwin Allan, 1956
  • Howard R. Wickman, 1957, 1958; N
  • Edward A. Fuller, 1959
  • Harold R. Peacey, 1960
  • Donald A. Lever, 1961
  • Earl Sherpard, 1962
  • Clyde E. Rhodes, 1963
  • Bertrand A. Varg, 1964
  • Gomer E. Bowen, 1965; N
  • John A. Thomas, 1966
  • Arthur L. Smith, 1967
  • Walter E. Thompson, 1968, 1974
  • Elliot N. Meyer, 1969
  • Robert W. Holmes, 1970
  • Robert D. Hiorns, 1971
  • Raymond E. Potter, 1972
  • George P. Milne, 1973
  • Wallace W. Henderson, Jr., 1975, 1980
  • Thomas H. DeWolf, 1976
  • Lee A. Gorden, 1977
  • Russel E. Gay, 1978
  • Basil A. Crandell, 1979; PDDGM
  • John P. Lamondia, 1981
  • John R. Savoia, 1982
  • Raymond P. Bissonnette, 1983
  • John K. Logan, 1984
  • Michael J. Sands, 1985
  • Norman K. Green, 1986; PDDGM
  • Douglas J. McVeigh, 1987
  • William H. Brittain, 1988
  • Edward W. W. Brittain, 1989
  • Robert M. Radowski, 1990
  • Glenn Potter, 1991
  • Donald C. Eggleston, 1992
  • William R. Butman, Jr., 1993
  • James S. Kalita, 1994
  • Alexander Kalita, Jr., 1995
  • Ektor H. Trubounis, 1996
  • Joseph A. Bradley, 1997
  • Terence R. Garner, 1998; PDDGM
  • Marcel I. M. Bissonnette, 1999
  • George E. Como, 2000
  • Richard I. Thompson, 2001
  • Walter J. Woitasek, 2002
  • Michael J. LeClair, 2003
  • Abe A. Monroe, 2004
  • John A. Lysak, 2005
  • William D. Harris, 2006
  • Donald P. Bonzek, 2007
  • Michael J. Jarzabek, 2008; DDGM
  • John J. Papianou, 2009
  • Robert E. Martin, 2010
  • Garth O. Parker, 2011
  • William G. MacKinnon, Jr., 2012

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1891
  • Petition for Charter: 1892

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1942 (50th Anniversary)
  • 1967 (75th Anniversary)
  • 1992 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1892 1894 1898 1902 1907 1910 1912 1921 1922 1924 1925 1928 1931 1934 1935 1936 1939 1943 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1955 1960 1968 1976 1978 1979 1980 1986 1991 1992 1997 1998 2004 2011 2012

HISTORY

  • 1942 (50th Anniversary History, 1942-141)
  • 1967 (75th Anniversary History, 1967-232)

50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JUNE 1942

by Historical Committee: Worshipful Alexander Kidd, Chairman; Worshipful Alexander W. Keir; Worshipful Donald M. Moncrieff.

It is fitting that organizations, as well as communities, should have recurrent periods set apart for honoring the times and the men which combined to make up their historic past. Today we meet to celebrate the golden jubilee of Brigham Lodge; to inquire about our ancient craftsmen and learn something of their lives and acts; to talk together of the sweet memories of those who were instrumental in bringing about the institution of such a noble fraternal organization in our community, which can only be surpassed in its lofty ideals by the Christian Church. In doing this, we also celebrate in a wider sense an added milestone in the progress of the larger institution, universal Freemasonry. Our order stands as the noblest ever instituted and sprang into being at the very dawn of history.

Until 1891, the Masons of Ludlow belonged to Lodges in Chicopee, Wilbraham and Springfield. On account of the distance from their homes and the inconveniences of travel, it was suggested that efforts be made to establish a Lodge in Ludlow. Acting on this suggestion, a meeting was called and finally thirty-three Masons petitioned the Grand Lodge in Boston to grant a dispensation for a new Lodge. The result was that an informal meeting took place at the Boston & Albany station on February 3, 1891, at which the following Masons were present: Charles F. Grosvenor, Albert H. Halford, John L. Mann, John Hobson, Frank A. Towne, Emerson F. Lovett, Fred L. Burr, Henry Burke, William O'Neill, John McLeish, George Elphinstone, Sr., Frank S. King, Oscar J. Hunt, John Robinson and A. J. Hobson. At that meeting, a committee was appointed consisting of Charles F. Grosvenor, A. H. Halford and A. H. Bartlett to draft a petition to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation and also to interview District Deputy Grand Master Horace W. Gaylord of Chicopee in regard to the project.

The next meeting was held on February 22, 1891. The committee reported having interviewed the necessary officials and the outlook being so favorable, it was unanimously voted to continue the work. It was voted at that meeting that the name of the Lodge would be Brigham, in honor of Lemuel Hawley Brigham, who for many years had been agent of the Ludlow Mfg. Co. and who had given valuable assistance in its establishment. Lemuel Hawley Brigham was born in St. Albans, Vermont, August 17, 1816, the son of Dr. Luther Brigham, a descendant of Thomas Brigham, one of the first Puritans to come to this country and who settled in Marlboro, Massachusetts, about 1626. He was a man of strong and benevolent qualities, a 32d degree Mason and a member of Chicopee Lodge. He died in Palmer May 6, 1896, and in his memory, the family gave to the Lodge a marble bust of him, which holds a prominent place in the lodge-room.

On July 8, 1891, a dispensation was given by Grand Master Samuel Wells and countersigned by Sereno D. Nickerson, Recording Grand Secretary. On the 31st of May, 1892, a petition to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, signed by thirty-three of those Brethren who had been associated together as Brigham Lodge, U.D., was sent to the Grand Lodge at Boston, asking that a charter be granted to them to perform all the ceremonies of ancient craft Masonry. The Charter was granted June 8, 1892, and July 9th was the date selected for the constitution of the Lodge and the installation of its first officers; also for the dedication of their new hall. Previous to the erection of our present building, the meetings were held in a room on the top floor of the old high school building. Those quarters being inadequate for Lodge purposes, through the efforts of the late John E. Stevens, then agent of the Ludlow Mfg. Co., that Company erected a hall on Winsor Street and rented it to the Lodge on a five year lease, this lease to be renewed every five years thereafter.

It is a very singular fact that Saturday, July 9, 1892, was the day set apart for the dedication of our present building and the constitution of the Lodge. About 200 Masons were present from all over the State, including the Grand Officers and other prominent members of the Order. The exercises began at two o'clock and the ceremonies were conducted by Grand Master Samuel Wells, assisted by the following suite: Frank T. Dwinell, Deputy Grand Master; Charles I. Litchfield, Senior Grand Warden; Wm. H. Soule, Junior Grand Warden; Richard Briggs, Grand Treasurer; Sereno D. Nickerson, Recording Grand Secretary; Henry G. Gordon, Grand Marshal; Rev. Charles A. Skinner, Grand Chaplain; Horace W. Gaylord, Senior Grand Deacon; Charles G. Robertson, Junior Grand Deacon; Henry Endicott, Past Grand Master; Samuel H. Gregory, Corresponding Grand Secretary, and John H. Chester, Grand Tyler. These officers were assisted by George Streeter and William E. Bridgman of the new Lodge, who acted as Stewards.

The following officers were installed after the constitution ceremonies:

  • Charles F. Grosvenor, Worshipful Master
  • Albert H. Halford, Senior Warden
  • Frank S. King, Junior Warden
  • Frank A. Towne, Treasurer
  • Frederick L. Burr, Secretary
  • Charles F. Howard, Chaplain
  • Emerson F. Lovett, Marshal
  • Walter B. Atchinson, Senior Deacon
  • George L. Streeter, Junior Deacon
  • George W. Miller, Senior Steward
  • Henry Burke, Junior Steward
  • John Hobson, Tyler

The Lodge started on its career with about fifty members and under the most favorable auspices.

During the afternoon exercises, Amos O. Kinney, Worshipful Master of Chicopee Lodge, presented to Brigham Lodge a fine, ivory gavel, as a token of fraternal regard of their Chicopee Brothers. Brother L. H. Brigham, the Father of the Lodge, and to whom the members owe a debt of gratitude, also presented the Lodge with a handsome organ to add to the Lodge equipment.

After the exercises in the lodge-room, a bountiful collation was served by Caterer Barr of Springfield in the banquet hall. The time remaining after the banquet until train time was occupied with brief speeches by the visiting officers, who congratulated the members of Brigham Lodge on their handsome home and their bright prospects.

The present building was built by the Ludlow Manufacturing Company at a cost of about $5000 and was most excellently adapted for Lodge purposes. It has indeed been used by the Masons to its utmost capacity. The upper floor of the building is used by the Lodge and James W. Hannum Chapter No. 150, Order of the Eastern Star. The lower floor is used as a banquet hall and also subrented to different organizations.

Among the names of the visitors present upon this very important meeting of the Lodge were Past Master S. B. Spooner, Charles C. Spellman, H. A. Prouty, Asher Bartlett, John Dunbar, John E. Oakes, A. P. Wade, A. E. Butler and G. O. Vose of Springfield; B. F. Herrick J. R. Johnson, William M. Angee, John Stuart and N. F. Vosher, all of Holyoke; Guy C. Allen, W. H. Bridgman and J. W. Jackson of Belchertown; W. S. Clark of Granby; P. W. Whalen of Worcester; William B. Kimball of Enfield and L. H. Brigham of Palmer.

The Charter members of the Lodge were composed of men of every station in life and to their efforts alone and their zeal in the cause of Masonry and its noble teachings, are due the success of this noble institution and the occasion of us, as descendants of the original Charter members of this Lodge, being gathered together at this time to celebrate the SOth anniversary of the constitution of the Lodge. The Charter members were:

  • Charles F. Grosvenor
  • David C. Jones
  • Frank S. King
  • Albert H. Halford
  • Frank A. Towne
  • Frederick L. Burr
  • Emerson F. Lovett
  • Charles F. Howard
  • George L. Streeter
  • George W. Miller
  • Henry Burke
  • Walter B. Atchinson
  • Alfred J. Hobson
  • John Hobson
  • Alfred H. Bartlett
  • Austin F. Nash
  • Oscar J. Hunt
  • George T. Greenhalgh
  • Charles Sikes
  • Marquis DeLafayette Towne
  • Benjamin F. Burr
  • James Lawe
  • John L. Mason
  • Gilbert Atchinson
  • Austin E. Morse
  • George Elphinstone, Sr.
  • William O'Neill
  • Henry W. Keyes
  • Charles A. Smith
  • Edward E. Fuller
  • David L. Fuller
  • John B. Bergeron
  • 
George D. Green

Two of them are still alive, namely: Walter B. Atchinson and George T. Greenhalgh, who are still members of Brigham Lodge.

Since the constitution of the Lodge in 1892, Brigham Lodge has had forty-six Masters. The rule has been on most all occasions that a Master's term be only one year, in that way allowing the members an opportunity of more rapid advancement in their respective offices. With very few exceptions, all the Masters have served the Lodge faithfully in nearly every minor office before assuming charge of the destinies of the Lodge. The years and names of those who have filled the Chair since the constitution of the Lodge are:

  • Charles F. Grosvenor, 1892
  • Albert H. Halford, 1893-4
  • George W. Miller, 1895
  • James Henderson, 1896
  • Walter B. Aitchison, 1897
  • William H. Tipping, 1898
  • Alexander H. Fobare, 1899
  • Hugh M. Crammond, 1900
  • Richard Tipping, 1901-1903
  • James A. Sime, 1904
  • Alexander F. Winton, 1905
  • Simpson F. McPhail, 1906
  • Walter Benoit, 1907
  • George Elphinston, Jr., 1908
  • William Saston, 1909
  • Walter Winton, 1910
  • Hiram Payne, 1911
  • Edwin H. Wright, 1912
  • Joseph Blundell, 1913
  • James Elphinstone, 1914
  • George Ogilvie, 1915
  • William A. Mason, 1916
  • George Mackintosh, 1917
  • Frank Birse, 1918
  • Alexander H. Graham, 1919
  • Alexander Kidd, 1920
  • Charles Easson, 1921
  • Henry Turville, 1922
  • Alexander J. Butters, 1923
  • Clinton A. Simmons, 1924
  • Frederick T. D. Milne, 1925
  • Emery T. Smith, 1926
  • John J. Whithouse, 1927
  • Alexander W. Kier, 1928
  • Stuart J. Hayes, 1929
  • Ernest L. Bish, 1930
  • Frederick J. Cummings, 1931
  • Alexander Moncrieff, 1932
  • George S. Monroe, 1933, 1934
  • Donald M. Moncrieff, 1935
  • Peter Wilson, 1936
  • Ruben C. Hare, 1937
  • Walter C. Eisold, 1938
  • Ralph I. McCorkindale, 1939
  • Arthur O. Burgess, 1940
  • Warren S. Rowlan, 1941
  • Charles I. Sayles, 1942, 1943

In the year 1917, the Ludlow Mfg. Co. offered the present building for sale at a very reasonable offer, on the condition that it be moved from its then present location. At that time it stood on the corner of Chestnut and Winsor Streets. At a special meeting of the Lodge, it was voted to accept the offer of the Company, they to give us the lot where the building now stands and the Lodge to pay moving expenses. Being caretaker of the building at that time, the writer has vivid recollections of the many inconveniences which had to be overcome. For a few nights it stood in the middle of Winsor Street and the meeting had to be conducted by candle light. A new steam heating plant was installed at considerable cost and has given very good results. It must be admitted that the building is small and is not to be compared with some of the beautiful temples in our larger cities, but with very few exceptions, it has proved to be always ample for the needs of Brigham Lodge.

Previous to the year 1897, no jewel was given to the Master of the Lodge when he retired from office, but during that year, all the Past Masters were presented with handsome jewels as a mark of esteem of the Brethren for their faithful and untiring efforts in behalf of Brigham Lodge, and since then, each retiring Master is presented with a jewel at the close of the installation ceremonies of his successor. It is indeed a very appropriate token and one to be highly cherished, representing as it does, years of hard and zealous work.

Brigham Lodge has on two occasions been honored by the most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts by having two of its Past Masters appointed as District Deputy Grand Masters —Right Worshipful Albert H. Halford, appointed in 1903, and Right Worshipful Frederick J. Cummings, appointed for 1937-8.

The highest point in membership attained by the Lodge was in 1923, when it reached 276. This dropped in 1934 to 225 and for several years thereafter showed a steady decline. Today our membership as of August 31, 1941, is 155, part of which we can blame on the years of depression through which we have passed. Other forms of attraction, such as the automobile, radio, etc., have also had a tendency to attract members from Lodge activities. It is our earnest hope that in the future a greater interest will be manifested and that Freemasonry will again stand out as a shining light to all mankind. None of us can predict what lies ahead in the years to come, but we earnestly trust and pray that Freemasonry may continue to flourish and that many who are here at this celebration today may be present again when the Masons in Brigham Lodge celebrate their seventy-fifth anniversary.

Four of our members have belonged to the Craft for over fifty years.

  • Worshipful Brother Walter B. Atchinson, born in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, March 29, 1868, was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Newton Lodge Nov. 19, 1890, and became a charter member of Brigham Lodge. He dimitted from Newton Lodge April 6, 1892, and was the first Senior Deacon of the new Lodge. Going through the chairs, he served as Worshipful Master in the year 1896.
  • Brother George Thomas Greenhalgh, born in Fall River, January 10, 1864, was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Newton Lodge September 3, 1890, also becoming a Charter member of Brigham Lodge. He dimitted from Newton Lodge May 4, 1892. There is no record of this Brother ever having held any office.
  • Worshipful Brother Alexander H. Fobare, born in Clinton, New York, March 24, 1862, received all his degrees in Brigham Lodge, becoming a Master Mason Dec. 23, 1891. He went through the chairs and served as Worshipful Master in the year 1899. Until a few years ago, Brother Fobare was one of our most enthusiastic members. He now lives in Longmeadow, which is quite a distance for a man of his age to travel to Ludlow.
  • Rev. Brother George Francis Durgin was born in Oxford, Maine, July 19, 1860. He received all the degrees in Brigham Lodge and was raised to the degree of Master Mason May 17, 1892. There is no record of this Brother ever having held any office.

Today we hope to see these Brothers honored for their faithfulness to Freemasonry by having Veteran's Medals, as given by the Grand Lodge, presented to them by Most Worshipful Grand Master Albert A. Schaefer.

At the present time, Brigham Lodge has six of its members serving in the Armed Forces of their country—Brothers Dr. R. M. Mackintosh, Norman F. Hines, William C. Easson, Walter M. Janes, Norman P. Sunter, John P. Birrell. We wish these men Godspeed, with the heartfelt wish of every member of Brigham Lodge that they return safely to their families when peace is again restored to the world. Several of our members also have sons serving in the Army and Navy. The present officers of Brigham Lodge are:

  • Charles L. Sayles, Worshipful Master
  • Thomas Finn, Senior Warden
  • Frank S. Moon, Junior Warden
  • David Irvine, Treasurer
  • Alexander Kidd, Secretary
  • Warren S. Rowland, Chaplain
  • John Janes, Marshal
  • Wesley R. Brehart, Senior Deacon
  • Norman P. Sunter, Junior Deacon
  • William E. P. Ehlers, Senior Steward
  • William B. Johnson, Junior Steward
  • William MacFarlane, Tyler

It has been most interesting to this Committee to look over the old Records of Brigham Lodge in the preparation of this history, and as we bring it to a close, we can but wish for Brigham Lodge and its members the same successful years in the future that have marked those of the past.

OTHER

  • 1914 (Presentation of flag to Grand Lodge)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

1891: District 16 (Chicopee)

1911: District 18 (Springfield)

1914: District 33 (Springfield)

1927: District 18 (Chicopee)

2003: District 28


LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges