Wilder

WILDER LODGE

Location: Leominster

Chartered By: Winslow Lewis

Charter Date: 06/13/1860 VI-308

Precedence Date: 06/13/1859

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

Living Past Masters only; need full list

before 1890?
Edward D. Moody, 1890, 1891; Mem
1892?
Everett B. Richardson, 1893, 1894; Mem
1895-1898?
James C. Smith, 1899, 1900; Mem
1901-1904?
Rolfe W. Smith, 1905; Mem
1906-1916?
Frank D. Polley, 1917, 1918; N
1919-1935?
Frank H. Blackman, 1936; N
1937-1951?
Russell R. Cook, 1952
1953?
Joseph F. Lake, 1954; SN
1955-1963?'
Virgil D. D’Onfro, 1964
1965, 1966?
Edmund R. Willrich, 1967
1968-1970?
Ronall H. Day, 1971
Robert C. Keogh, 1972; PDDGM
Carlton C. Whitney, 1973
Kenneth R. Curry, 1974
George D. M. Pushee, III, 1975
Michael N. Mastaler, 1976, 1978
Wendell H. Hughes, 1977
Michael N. Mastaler, 1979
Richard A. Smith, 1980
Harry W. Harnden, 1981, 1982
Carl S. Johansson, 1983; SN
Kenneth A. Cochran, 1984, 1987, 1996
Glendon A. Hatton, 1985
Charles E. Koski, 1986
Robert W. Wegenka, 1988
Robert W. Wegenka, 1989
Roland A. Nelson, 1990
Roland A. Nelson, Jr., 1991
Peter G. Trei, 1992-1994, 2002
Mark J. Litalien, 1995
Kevin M. Foster, 1997
Roger E. Winchester, 1998, 1999; PDDGM
Robert A. Young, 2000, 2001, 2003
Paul H Andrews, 2004-2006
Kenneth M. Andrews, 2007, 2008; DDGM
Kenneth D. Ruel, 2009, 2010
Craig Claflin, 2011
Robert Audlee, 2012

YEARS

1859 1860 1870 1874 1875 1876 1879 1882 1883 1885 1890 1894 1895 1909 1910 1912 1916 1917 1920 1921 1924 1929 1934 1940 1941 1948 1949 1955 1959 1961 1971 1972 1976 1979 1982 1983 1989 1990 2003 2008 2009

EVENTS

HALL DEDICATION, APRIL 1875

From New England Freemason, Vol. I, No. 4, April 1875, Page 188:

Dedication at Leominster.—The new Masonic apartments of Wilder Lodge, of Leominster, were dedicated on the 15th inst. The Grand Master being prevented from attending by sickness, the ceremony was conducted by R. W. Charles A. Welch, Deputy Grand Master. He was assisted by the following-named Brethren: P. G. M. Sereno D. Nickerson, as Special Deputy Grand Master; P. G. Warden Henry Endicott, as S. G. Warden; P. G. M. William Parkman, as J. G. Warden; R. W. John McClellan, G. Treasurer; P. G. M. William D. Coolidge, as G. Secretary; R. W. Charles H. Titus, as G. Chaplain; Brother Frank E. Jones, as G. Marshal, and W. Brother J. W. Edgerly, as G. Tyler. The ceremony of dedication having been completed, the Deputy Grand Master briefly addressed the Lodge, congratulating them upon their improved accommodations, and the taste, skill and liberality displayed in furnishing them. He also exhorted them to display new zeal and diligence in the discharge of their duties as Masons, and to exercise increased vigilance in guarding the Fraternity against the admission of unworthy members.

The Brethren were then called from labor to refreshment, and about one hundred and sixty of them sat down to a bountiful collation. This part of the entertainment having been disposed of very satisfactorily, the toast-master, Brother F. C. Bowen, addressed the company at some length, relating the particulars of the destruction of the former Lodge-room, the liberality of Brethren in providing everything necessary for the new, the sublime principles and important lessons inculcated by the Fraternity, and the happy results which would follow from a faithful observance of its teachings. In response to appropriate sentiments, brief speeches then followed from the Deputy Grand Master, the Past Grand Masters, Grand Secretary Titus, District Deputy Grand Master W. A. Smith, of Worcester, and Brothers Joslin and Huntley. Of the seven living Past Grand Masters, all were present but two; R. W. Brothers John T. Heard and Wm. S. Gardner honoring the occasion with their presence, and participating in the festivities, in addition to the Brethren before named.

Wilder Lodge was constituted in July, 1860. Eight Brethren signed the petition for a Dispensation, only three of whom are now living, and one, W. Brother Wm. Durant, was present at the dedication of the new hall. It has been distinguished for the excellence of its work and the high character of its members, and is now in a very flourishing condition, under the direction of the following-named officers: Samuel Whittier, W. M.; W. D. Somers, S. W.; J. D. Miller, J. W.; F. X. Boutwell, Treas.; George F. Morse, Sec.; T. J. Ames, S. D.; H. P. Durant, J. D.; Adam Urqunhart, S. S.; C. H. Glines, J. S.; Win. Durant, Chaplain; George England, Marshal; W. F. Wilkins, I. S.; J. S. Darling, Tyler.

The new apartments comprise the whole of the upper story of a fine brick block just erected by Brother J. C. Allen, in the very centre of the flourishing town of Leominster. The main hall will compare very favorably with any Masonic hall of its size in the State. It is finely frescoed and elegantly appointed. There are, besides, three ante-rooms, a kitchen and banquet hall, all neatly and appropriately furnished. The walls of the Lodge-room are adorned with portraits of Past Masters David Wilder, William Durant, Daniel R. Haines, Calvin B. Cook and John H. Lockey.

In the evening a reception was held, to which ladies, and the public generally, were admitted. A supper, music, and dancing in the lower hall, made the time pass very pleasantly. The whdle occasion was greatly enjoyed by all who were present, and the day will be long remembered by the Brethren of Wilder Lodge as one of great pleasure and satisfaction.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

Kenneth M. Andrews, DDGM, District 22, 2011, 2012
Frank H. Blackman, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1951, 1952; N
Carl S. Johansson, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1991, 1992; SN
Robert C. Keogh, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1977, 1978; Wilder
Joseph F. Lake, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1963, 1964; SN
Edward D. Moody, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1896, 1897; Memorial
Everett B. Richardson, DDGM, District 12 (Fitchburg), 1909, 1910; Memorial
Frank D. Polley, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1937, 1938; N
James C. Smith, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1937 (died in office); Memorial
Rolfe W. Smith, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 1922; Memorial
Roger E. Winchester, DDGM, District 13 (Fitchburg), 2001, 2002