To the Worshipful Master, Wardens, and Brethren of Blairstown Lodge No. 165 F. & A.M.
Greetings:
Having been requested to compile a short History of Blairstown Lodge, I am pleased to submit the following in connection with our Fiftieth Anniversary, which celebration will take place November 11, 1943.
In checking the records, we find that in the latter part of the year 1890, the matter of establishing a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was given considerable thought and the first meeting was held January 13, 1891, at the residence of the late Worshipful Brother A. Amandus Schubert with the following brethren present: J. Fletcher Bunnell, Henry O. Carhart, C. Howell, Robert Craig Jr., John R. Logan, Charles H. Kenroth, George H. Dorland, and A. Amandus Schubert. At this meeting the following officers were elected: Bro. Schubert was made Chairman, and Bro. Carhart, Secretary. A committee was appointed, consisting of Bros. Carhart, Bunnell, and Schubert to contact the Honorable John I. Blair and ascertain if he would erect a suitable building or place of meeting, and here let me advise you that records show that Mr. Blair was at one time a member of a Lodge which met at Hope, our neighboring town, and reached the station of Senior Warden in the Lodge.
At the next meeting held on January 20, 1891 the committee reported that Mr. Blair agreed to erect a third story on the building in which Yetter & Craig carried on a general store, for a rental of 10% of the cost of construction which annual rental was $48.00 per year, which remained at this figure until the early teens following the year 1900.
On January 27, 1891, Bro. Howell was authorized to prepare a list of Masons in the locality who would pledge themselves to support a lodge. The list, dated February 9, 1891, carries the following signatures: Brothers William C. Howell, J. Fletcher Bunnell, A. Amandus Schubert, Robert Craig, Jr., John R. Logan, Charles H. Kenroth, Henry O. Carhart, George H. Dorland, Fredinand Wildrick, William M. Yomans, Charles K. Mann, Henry D. Vass, Jonas E. Bair, Jacob A. Smith, Andrew N. Snover, E.A. Wildrick, Jabez W. Shannon, and George A. Branigan.
On April 9, 1891, a meeting was held for the purpose of electing permanent officers of the organization, resulting in the election of:
Worshipful Master: J. Fletcher Bunnell
Senior Warden: Henry O. Carhart
Junior Warden: William M. Youmans
Senior Deacon: A. Amandus Schubert
Junior Deacon: John R. Logan
Secretary: Robert Craig, Jr.
Treasurer: William C. Howell
Incidentally, Bro. Howell remained in this office until the time of his passing in 1922.
We learn that these Brethren rehearsed diligently that they might become proficient in their work.
At a special meeting held January 12, 1892, the make final arrangements to obtain a warrant to work under dispensation, and at this meeting Jacob A. Smith was chosen as Senior Master of Ceremonies; Henry D. Vass, Junior Master of Ceremonies; E.A. Wildrick, Tyler Pro Tem.; Jonas E. Bair, having been elected Junior Deacon at a meeting held November, 6, 1981 in place of John R. Logan, resigned.
On January 21, 1892, the first and second degrees were exemplified at Harmony Lodge No. 23, Newton, N.J. (number of this Lodge later changed to present number, No. 8) and on March 17, 1892 the Master Mason degree was exemplified at Harmony Lodge, and that same evening Harmony Lodge voted to recommend to the Grand Lodge the establishment of a new Lodge in Blairstown.
On March 24, 1892, these members met to select a name for the new Lodge, and on the second ballot, the name Blairstown Lodge was selected and has continued to be known as such.
On April 9, 1892, application was made to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge for a warrant, which was filed with the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary on April 11, 1892. Then, on May 27, 1892, the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Thomas W. Tilden, granted a dispensation to open Lodge, and on July 25, 1892, the Grand Lodge set to work under dispensation by the then Deputy Grand Master James H. Durand, acting as Grand Master.
The last meeting under dispensation was held January 12, 1893 and it developed that the work became more proficient.
On January 25, 1893, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge granted the Charter to Blairstown Lodge No. 165, Free and Accepted Masons, and on Monday evening, February 27, 1893, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge held an emergent communication in our present rooms for the purpose of instituting this Lodge under charter granted as above stated.
The following were the charter members: Brothers J. Fletcher Bunnell, Henry O. Carhart, William M. Youmans, William C. Howell, Robert Craig, Jr., A. Amandus Schubert, Jonas E. Bair, Jacob A. Smith, Henry D. Vass, Charles K. Mann, Charles H. Kenroth, and John R. Logan.
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge opened in ample form at 7:45 P.M. when the ceremonies of our order for the constitution of a new lodge were performed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master James H. Durand, assisted by his associate Grand Officers.
We find that these brethren, in order to gain the necessary information, traveled by the N.Y.S. & W. R.R. to Swartswood Station and then transported to Newton at times by hay wagon and then back to Blairstown by the midnight train. So we observe that the foundation or beginning of this Lodge was brought about by the diligent effort on the part of these brethren who have given to us who survive, the privilege and pleasure of the many enjoyable evenings we spend together, so therefore we shall all do our part to carry on that which was started 50 years ago.
As we consider that the acorn becomes a mighty oak, so we, as we carry on, may say that from a small beginning we have grown to maturity and trust that in another 50 years, those who follow us, may look back with pleasure on their efforts and be able to hear the Supreme Grand Master say, “Enter thou and enjoy the reward.”
Written by:
Right Worshipful Brother Jabez H. Quick, Past Master
Grand Chaplain 1943
THE SECOND FIFTY YEARS
1943 - 1993
The 50th Anniversary was celebrated on November 11, 1943, with a dinner and reception for Most Worshipful Leo H. Carpenter, Grand Master, and Right Worshipful Brother Jabez H. Quick, Grand Chaplain.
In March 1946, the members first began discussion concerning the erection of their own building. A building committee was formed, and in June they presented plans drawn by Brother J. Earl Jones. In December, a vote was taken, the results of which were 39 for, and 10 opposed, to a new building. In March 1947, it was voted to purchase property for a future Temple building. The cost of the property was not to exceed $2000.00.
In 1951 after 35 years of service, Right Worshipful Brother Jabez B. Quick stepped down as Secretary of Blairstown Lodge.
On January 24, 1952, the incorporation papers of the proposed Masonic Temple Association were presented. Of the 34 members present, only one member opposed. The trustees of this association were elected in February 1952, and on June 26 the Certificate of Incorporation was duly filed.
In November 1952, a “Bomb Shell” rent for the lodge facilities was doubled from $15.00 to $30.00 per month.
On May 14, 1953, the Temple Association Trustees purchased a lot for the proposed new building for $800.00. In October, the dues were raised from $6.00 to $9.00 per year.
The year 1954 saw a great deal of discussion concerning the new lodge building. On June 10, it was voted to reduce the size of the building to 36 X 64 feet. Finally, after 9 years, work was started on the new Lodge building in September. However, one month later, the Temple Association Trustees in the lodge members that money to finish the building was running low. In order to avoid an incomplete building, the Lodge Trustees loaned the Temple Association the sum of $3900.00 at 1% interest.
By February 1955, work had progressed to a point that permission was requested from the Most Worshipful Grand Master to move into the new Temple building. In March the first meeting was held in the new building, and the District Deputy Grand Master complimented the members for having done most of the work themselves.
In June, permission was granted to the new Methodist Church congregation to hold their services in our building until they could build their own structure.
The year 1962 saw the beginning of a dynasty. Worshipful Brother Richard Kise was elected Lodge Secretary (as of this date, he has completed 30 years in this position and still going strong).
The year 1972 was a banner year for our Lodge. Our own Worshipful Brother Kenneth E. Eckrode was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the first Masonic District. On February 23, 1973, a dinner and reception was held for Most Worshipful Otto Gehrig, Grand Master, and for Right Worshipful Brother Kenneth E. Eckrode.
The year 1974 saw yet another Grand Lodge appointment for a member of Blairstown Lodge. This went to Worshipful Brother William Latteman who was appointed Grand Chaplain. A dinner and reception was held on March 7 for Most Worshipful Grand Master Vernon Cornine, and Right Worshipful Brother Bill.
In 1984, Worshipful Brother Leroy Hutchins was appointed Senior Grand Steward. On October 11, a dinner and reception was held for the Most Worshipful Grand Master Robert Feilbach and Right Worshipful Brother Leroy.
On November 7, Blairstown Lodge was favored by yet another Grand Lodge appointment. Worshipful Brother Richard Kise was installed Grand Chaplain by Right Worshipful Walter Albinson, District Deputy Grand Master. On February 25, 1985, a dinner and reception was held for the Most Worshipful Grand Master Robert Feilbach and Right Worshipful Brother Dick.
The year 1993 marks the 100th Anniversary of Blairstown Lodge No. 165 F. & A.M. To celebrate this occasion, a dinner and reception (was) held on January 28, to honor Most Worshipful Grand Master George S. Martin and Right Worshipful Walter E. Becker, Grand Chaplain.
As Right Worshipful Brother J.B. Quick referred to the acorn as becoming a mighty oak, so has Blairstown Lodge grown from an acorn to a mighty oak. Over the 100 year history, Blairstown Lodge has had some good times and some bad. With a little luck and help from the Supreme Grand Master, I am sure that Blairstown Lodge No. 165 F. & A.M. will be around for yet another 100 years.
The Second 50 Year History was compiled and written by:
Worshipful Brother Henry L. Meyer Jr.
Past Master, Hawthorne – Fortitude Lodge No. 200
Dual Member Blairstown Lodge No. 165, Historian
THE NEXT CENTENNIAL
1993 - Present
In 1993, Blairstown Lodge No. 165 embarked on its second century of brotherhood.
...to be continued.
