Craft Masonry in Albany County, New York - Onondaga and Oswego ...

Nathaniel C[leveland]. Moak, District Attorney, 1871-73.
William Esliek, State Superintendent of Schools, 1821.
John T. Vicscher, Member of State Assembly, 1791.
James Winne, Member of State Assembly, 1800, 1801.
John W. Schermerhorn, Member of State Assembly, 1791.
Morgan L. Filkins, Member of State Assembly, 1859, 1864.
James E. Allanson, Master, 1880, to 1881; Member of Board of Supervisors, Albany County, 1874.
John T. Cook, Master, 1898; Member of Common Council of the city of Albany, May 1894, to Jan 1896; Assistant District Attorney of
Albany County, 1 Jan 1895, to 14 Apr 1898; District Attorney, 14 Apr 1898, to 1 Jan 1899.
Charles E. Shelley, Master, 1885; Member of the Common Council of Albany, 1 Jan 1902
Thomas J. Van Alstyne, Master, 1858-1861; Albany County Judge 12 years, 1871 to 1883; Representative 48th Congress, 1883 to
1885; Mayor of Albany, N. Y., 1898 to 1900.
Luther C. Warner, Master, 1902; Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Albany County, 1901 and 1902.
Solomon Strasser, Master, 1887, 1888, 1889; Grand Steward Grand Lodge; an earnest student of Masonic history and literature;
presented to the Masonic Fraternity of Albany, NY, the unique, beautiful, and costly altar and representatives of the lesser lights now
in use in the Ten Eyck Room, Masonic Temple, Albany. The altar and pedestals were constructed after original designs made by
himself. He also discovered and brought to light a book which was formerly in the library of Lodge No. 74, Second Battalion Royal.
Said library being referred to in Munsell's "Annals of Albany."
NOTES: An old document still extant, and entitled "The Charity Fund of Union Lodge, No. 1, of Albany," for 1765, shows that
brethren, on entering, paid £3 4s, and the total cost of raising was £4 12s; yearly dues were twenty shillings, and there were "dues
of the night eighteen pence, say thirty-six cents, from each member. These dues were undoubtedly spent for refreshments when the
Craft was "called from labor."
Another ancient document, still preserved in Albany, has the following invitation from Masters' Lodge, No. 2, to join in procession
in honor of St. John's Day, June 24, 1773.
"The W'pll Master, Wardens and Brethren of the Masters' Lodge No. 2. present their respects to W'full Master, Wardens and
Brethren of Union Lodge, No. 1; would be glad that as many as possibly can would join the procession to-morrow, and as many of
this Lodge as think their circumstances will permit will do themselves the pleasure to sup with them.
"By order W. V. WEMPLE. Sec'y Lodge, No. 2, June 23, 1773."
Grand Lodge Minutes of meeting of June 23, 1784.
"BROTHERS BILLINGS, a representative of Solomon's Lodge at Poughkeepsie, GRAHAM, Secretary of Union Lodge at Albany, and
LANSING, Senior Warden of Masters' Lodge at same place appeared and in behalf of their respective Lodges acknowledged the
jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge and were ordered to take their seats accordingly."
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Morgan Lewis Filkins, b. 20 Aug 1826; d. 13 Jun 1896.
FILKINS, MORGAN L.—Age, 36 years. Enrolled [177th NY Inf. Vols.], at Albany, to serve nine months, and mustered in as captain,
Co. G, 4 Nov 1862; mustered out with company, 10 Sep 1863, at Albany, NY. Commissioned captain, 24 Nov 1862, with rank from
1 Nov 1862, original.
Postmaster in Albany, NY 1871 -1877. Member of New York state assembly from Albany County 2nd District, 1859, 1864
http://www.albanyhilltowns.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Morgan_L._Filkins
Mr. Filkins is the twentieth of twenty-five children, and was born in 1826, in the town of Berne, Albany county, NY, of English and
Dutch descent, the son of Richard Filkins and his second wife Catherine Angle. His paternal ancestors were originally from
Dutchess county, and his father, who was a volunteer in the war of 1812, after living a while in Rensselaer, removed into Albany
county, where he died in 1841. His maternal grandfather came to America as a soldier under Burgoyne, and after the latter's
surrender, remained in the service till 1783, when he was honorably discharged at West Point. His mother is still living at the age of
sixty-six. Mr. Filkins received an academical education; studied medicine at Honesdale, PA; and has since been engaged in the
Patent Medicine business, being the inventor of Dr. Filkin's Sugar Coated Pills and the proprietor and manufacturer of Blackman's
Genuine Healing Balsam and Valuable Strenghtening Plasters.
He was formerly a Whig; since the organization of the American party has been among the most active, intelligent, and successful
supporters of its principles; and was elected to his present position by a combination of Republicans and Americans. Mr. F. was
married in 1853, to Miss Henrietta A. Blackman, by whom he has three children; attends the Baptist church; and is one of the most
valuable men in the House.
THE AUBURN BULLETIN, JUNE 13, 1896
ROCHESTER MAN DEAD
ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 13—Dr. Morgan L. Filkins died this morning at his residence in this city, aged 70 years. He was formerly
postmaster of Albany where his body will be taken for burial. He was prominent in G.A.R and Masonic circles of this State.
Albany Evening Journal, May 31, 1907
OBITUARY
MRS. MORGAN L. FILKINS
Mrs. Henrietta Blackman Filkins, widow of Dr. Morgan L. Filkins, who was at one time postmaster of Albany, died on Wednesday at
the home of her niece, Mrs. M.C. Austin, of Danbury, Conn. Mrs. Filkins lived in Rochester but had been visiting for the winter with
her niece. She is survived by a son, Charles Filkins, of Rochester; by two sisters, Mrs. Henry R. Flansburg of Albany, and Mrs.
Albert Thompson of Danbury, Conn., and by several nieces among whom are Mrs. Austin of Danbury, Conn., and Mrs. Harry G.
Eyres of this city. The funeral services were held in Danbury this afternoon and the body will be brought to Albany for burial
tomorrow. Interment will be in the [Albany] Rural cemetery [Menands, NY].
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