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IONIC LODGE (Easthampton)

Location: Easthampton

Chartered By: Charles C. Dame

Charter Date: 09/09/1868 VII-247

Precedence Date: 08/23/1867

Current Status: unknown; merged with Jerusalem Lodge, 04/12/2005.

living Past Masters plus GL officers only; need complete list

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1867
• Petition for Charter: 1867
• Consolidation Petition (with Jerusalem Lodge): 2004

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1947 (80th Anniversary)
• 1967 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1868 (Dame; Constitution of Lodge and installation)
• 1882 (Lawrence)
• 1914 (M. Johnson; Dedication of hall; Special Communication)
• 1920 (Prince)
• 1927 (Simpson)
• 1947 (Wragg; 80th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1967 (Booth; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1990 (Darling)
• 1996 (A. Johnson)
• 2005 (Hodgdon; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1871 1873 1877 1880 1884 1886 1912 1913 1931 1940 1944 1968 1976 1981

HISTORY

• 1914 (Historical address at dedication of hall, 1914-296)
• 1947 (Anniversary Address, 1947-303; see below)
• 1967 (Centenary Address, 1967-434)

80TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, SEPTEMBER 1947

From Proceedings, Page 1947-303:

By Right Worshupful William A. Walker.

On the evening of June 17, 1867, eighty years ago, fifteen Master Masons met in the office of Brother William G. Bassett for the purpose of instituting a Masonic Lodge in Easthampton. Twelve of these Brethren were members of Jerusalem Lodge of Northampton, so that Jerusalem can rightfully claim to being the foster-mother, and subsequent events show, has always had a keen and kindly interest in Ionic Lodge.

A petition to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was drawn that night, in which these Brothers were named the first three officers: Lafayette Clapp, Worshipful Master; William G. Bassett, Senior Warden; and Joseph W. Wilson, Junior Warden. The dispensation was granted on August 23rd of the same year, and after the usual probationary period, a charter was granted to Ionic Lodge — a worthy and symbolic name.

The Charter of Ionic Lodge was presented with fitting ceremony by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Charles C. Dame, followed by a dinner in the Town Hall, at which 250 covers were laid. The membership during the year of dispensation had increased to fifty-three.

Soon after receiving its Charter, the Lodge obtained quarters in the building just then completed by Brother John Mayher, a charter member. The contractor who built the building which had been named Ionic Block was Brother E. R. Bosworth. The building is now owned and occupied by the Easthampton Savings Bank.

The Lodge, having the entire third floor, the memories of associations formed and friendships made in these old lodge-rooms are kindly cherished by a few of the Brethren. The men who made up the membership of Ionic Lodge in those early days not only contributed greatly to the success of the Fraternity, but did their duty nobly and well in the community.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of Ionic Lodge was held August 23, 1892, with Worshipful Charles H. Upson as Master. A supper was served in the Town Hall and the procession was formed in the following order: Ionic Lodge, Hampshire Lodge, Jerusalem Lodge, Past Masters and visiting Brethren from down the river. After the supper, remarks were made by R. W. Charles C. Spellman; Bro. David Remington; Wor. Jasper E. Lambie; R. W. John E. Bronson, District Deputy Grand Master; R. W. Horace W. Gaylord, P. D. D. G. M.; David Crafts and others.

During the four years our late Worshipful Brother Upson was Master, the average number of meetings was thirty and the membership at this period, 1894, was 134.

In 1895, a rather curious incident occurred relating to the annual communication which the Lodge had to petition for special dispensation to hold. The petition set forth: "Whereas the by-laws of Ionic Lodge provides that the annual communication shall be held on a Monday of or next preceding the full moon in November, and whereas no Monday occurs on or before the full moon of the present month of November, therefore dispensation is requested that the annual communication shall be held November 18th."

In 1907 the lodge-rooms were thoroughly renovated and new furniture purchased. But a desire for larger quarters which was talked of in 1903 and not recommended at that time was taken up again in 1914. The committee appointed took definite action and recommended the purchase of "The White Block." To do this it was necessary to form a corporation and the following Brethren were the petitioners for incorporation: John Leitch, Horace L. Clark, Winfred M. Gaylord, L. Monroe Preston, Charles H. Upson, George A. Ayer, Edward L. Shaw, Charles H. Hastings and George J. Lang. The certificate of authority bears the date of February 3, 1914. The first officers of the Association were: John Leitch, President; L. Monroe Preston, Vice-President; Horace L. Clark, Treasurer; and Winfred M. Gaylord, Secretary. The work of remodeling the second and third floors was left with a committee and Brothers Fred S. Knott and W. I. Moore completed the plans approved by the directors of the Association. The purchase price and cost of changes exceeded $25,000.

The next important event in which the Lodge was deeply interested was the institution of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. The charter members were for the most part Brethren of Ionic Lodge, and the Lodge extended every possible assistance to the new Chapter, named James Rogerson Chapter in commemoration of the splendid service their departed Companion had rendered Ionic Lodge and the Masonic Building Association. Its first High Priest was Right Worshipful William A. Walker, and this year the High Priest and our Worshipful Master are the same — Worshipful Samuel H. Bryson.

The yaar 1927 was of interest for we observed our 60th anniversary on September 17 and 18. Most Worshipful Frank L. Simpson, Grand Master, was present with his Suite, and during the evening, presented six Veteran's Medals to members of Ionic Lodge. Dinner was served in the Parish House of the Easthampton Congregational Church by Doric Chapter, O.E.S., and the Toastmaster was Right Worshipful Eugene L. Sheldon.

Ionic Lodge has been honored by the appointment of three of its members as District Deputy Grand Masters — Eugene L. Sheldon, William A. Walker and William H. Bray.

The exemplification,of the work and lectures of our ritual for the 17th Masonic District was held for the first time in Ionic Lodge April 29, 1929.

Many of our members have passed on and many new members admitted. On October 8, 1944, Worshipful Deane P. Martin was elected Master and served until his death January 14, 1945, and Brother Robert Diggle, then Senior Warden, completed the year as Acting Master.

Twenty years ago Past Master Thomas MacBean wrote the history of this Lodge on the occasion of our 60th anniversary. The celebration of our 50th anniversary was postponed on account of the first World War, and in 1942, our 75th anniversary was omitted due to World War II.

As we observe our 80th anniversary on September 20 and 21, 1947, let us remember the good deeds of those who have preceded us, and may those who follow us contribute their best efforts for the success of an institution whose chief purpose is to make mankind better and happier.

OTHER

• 1940 (Reduction of fees approved, 1940-266)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, SEPTEMBER 1868

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1, November 1868, Page 8:

This is the name of a new Lodge, which for the past year has been working under a Dispensation at East Hampton, one of the most beautiful and thriving villages on the Connecticut river; and which also has the honor of containing one of the largest, most commodious, and best regulated Classical Seminaries for boys, in this State.

The Lodge was constituted by the M.W. Grand Lodge, on the evening of the 25th of September; at which time its new and convenient Hall was dedicated, and the officers of the Lodge, for the current year, were installed: the latter in the presence of the ladies of the members. On the conclusion of these ceremonies, the company repaired to the new Town Hall, where an excellent banquet was served up for their refreshment.

The exercises of the evening were all well and appropriately performed, and are believed to have left a favorable impression, and perhaps modified the opinions of parties present, who were not supposed to be generally favorable to the Order.

The Lodge is composed of gentlemen, whose social relations are such as can hardly fail to command the respect and confidence that are necessary to insure its permanent prosperity. It has done an unusually large amount of work the past year, but it is believed not to have done any that it will hereafter have occasion to regret having done. The Officers installed are as follows :—

• La Fayette Clapp, Worshipful Master.
• William G. Bassett, Senior Warden.
• Joseph W. Wilson, Junior Warden.
• Joseph W. Winslow, Treasurer.
• George S. Clark, Secretary.
• Fordyce A. Rust, Senior Deacon.
• George L. Manchester, Junior Deacon.
• Jasper E. Lambie, Senior Steward.
• B. W. Hutchinson, Junior Steward.
• J. D. Campbell, Marshal.
• Alvah Miller, Chaplain.
• Emory E. Munyan, Organist.
• E. T. Sawyer, Inside Sentinel.
• John Webber, Tyler.

Large delegations were present from the Lodges at Westfield, Springfield, and Northampton. The latter (Jerusalem Lodge) presented the new Lodge with a rich and elegant set of Jewels and Collars, manufactured by Messrs. Guild and Delano, of this city.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• William H. Bray, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke) , 1947, 1948; N
• George R. Dion, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1989, 1990
• Joseph I. Gaskill, Jr., DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke) , 1961, 1962; N
• John M. Gauger, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1993, 1994
• Emory Munyan, DDGM, District 16 (Chicopee), 1887, 1888; SN
• Eugene L. Sheldon, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1913, 1914; SN
• Joseph B. Sokoloski, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke) , 1995, 1996
• William A. Walker, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke) , 1929, 1930; SN

DISTRICTS

1867: District 10 (Springfield)

1883: District 13 (Greenfield)

1886: District 16 (Chicopee)

1911: District 17 (Holyoke)

1927: District 17 (Holyoke)

2003: District 27

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges