Grand Lodge of New York - Onondaga and Oswego Masonic District ...

JOHN KINNE, who heads the list as No. 1, was the first Master; his Grand Lodge number is 2746, and the returns state that he was
raised in Meriden (Meridian) Lodge September 26, 1822. The others were all raised in Meriden (Meridian) Lodge, the dates ranging
from 1822 to 1828; the date of their joining Union Lodge is given as April 14. 1846. In lieu of positive evidence it appears safe to
conclude that at least a part if not all of them were charter members of Union Lodge. The first recorded meeting that is in existence
is dated July 3, 1849. The first item on the minutes is, "The Lodge was by motion opened on the first degree." The first business
appears to have been the reception of a petition for initiation signed by Rev. C. S. COATS. He was elected and received the first
degree; the Lodge was then closed and immediately opened again on the second degree; the candidate was again balloted for, and
he received the second degree.
When first organized the Lodge met twice each month: the first meeting in each month it met in Ovid, while the second meeting in
each month was in Farmerville (now Interlaken). This custom continued until Farmerville Lodge, No. 183, was organized, when for
a short time the second meeting in each month was held at Lodi.
Among the items found in the minutes is the following: "At a meeting held at Farmerville September 11, 1849, it was 'Resolved, that
this Lodge hold an extra meeting at this place (Farmerville) to confer honorary degrees upon our beloved wives and daughters and
that the Secretary write SALEM TOWN to deliver a lecture upon that occasion.' "
There is nothing in evidence to indicate that this meeting was held. From the following it would appear that the members took an
active interest in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, as under date of November 27, 1849, is the following:
"Resolved that this Lodge fully concurs in the course pursued by their representative at the last June Communication of the Grand
Lodge of the State of New York.
"Resolved that in the opinion of this Lodge the course manifested in a communication received from St. John's Lodge, No. 1, in the
City of New York is calculated to destroy the peace and harmony of the Masonic Fraternity and the destruction of every social, moral
and religious organization.
"Resolved that this Lodge will endeavor to obey the laws, rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York of
which the Hon. JOHN WILLARD is the Most Worshipful Grand Master.
"Resolved that the Secretary of this Lodge transmit a copy of the above resolutions to St. John's Lodge, No. 1, and to the other
Lodges in the State."
The California gold fever in 1849-50 appears to have induced some of the members to try their fortune on the Pacific slope, and the
Lodge was in sympathy with them, as at a meeting in February, 1850, the following was adopted:
"Resolved that all brethren who are about to leave for California be released from the payment of dues until their return."
When first organized the Lodge met at Ovid on the upper floor of a building on the west side of Main Street in the northern part of
the business section of the village. Here it remained until the fire which destroyed this part of the village April 5, 1850; the first
meeting after the fire was held April 9, 1850, in Odd Fellows' Hall. In May following it secured quarters in a building on the east side
of Main Street in the centre of the village. This building was destroyed by fire October 12, 1874, but a new building was immediately
erected on the same site, in which the Lodge has since found quarters. In 1905 the Lodge purchased this property, and now have a
permanent home.
While this building was being erected meetings were held at Lodi in the rooms of Lodi Lodge. No. 345, which had kindly invited
Union Lodge to occupy its quarters until the new building was completed.
The Lodge became incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. May 10, 1870.
While it has been unfortunate and met with severe losses by fire, it has "Phoenix "-like, arisen from the ashes with sufficient vigor to
overcome all difficulties, and maintained its position in a commendable and praiseworthy manner. It was among the first to pay its
quota of the "great debt," has held public installations, participated in a number of public ceremonials and was present at the laying
of the corner-stone of the Home at Utica.
Among its possessions is a gavel made from a piece of wood taken from the ill-fated U. S. battleship Maine; the metal plate
attached to the gavel was made from a piece of metal taken from the Spanish warship Vizcaya. It also has a set of gavels made
from wood cut in California, ornamented with specimens of quartz presented to the Lodge by an old member now a resident of
California.
GRAND LODGE OFFICERS.
Charles K. Sanborn, District Deputy Grand Master.
MASTERS.
1846. John Kinne
1847. John Kinne
1848. John Kinne
1849. John Kinne
1850. Fernando C. Williams
1851. Fernando C. Williams
1852. Halsey Sandford
1853. John Van Horne
1854. John Van Horne
1855. Fernando C. Williams
1S56. Fernando C. Williams
1857. Fernando C. Williams
1858. Joseph F. Harris
1859. Joseph F. Harris
1860. Joseph F. Harris
1861. Joseph F. Harris
1862. Franklin Whiting
1863. Joseph F. Harris
1864. Joseph F. Harris
1865. Joseph F. Harris
1866. John L. Morris
1867. Joseph F. Harris
1868. Henry S. Dennis
1869. Benjamin N. Eastman
1870. Noise S. Burlew
1871. Noise S. Burlew
1872. Noise S. Burlew
1873. Benjamin N. Eastman
1874. William H. Kinne
1875. William H. Kinne
1876. William H. Kinne.
1877. William L. Foster.
1878. William L. Foster.
1879. Charles H. Swarthout.
1880. William L. Foster.
1881. William L. Foster.
1882. William L. Foster.
1883. Charles H. Swarthout.
1884. Charles H. Swarthout.
1885. William L. Foster.
1886. Darwin C. Kinne.
1887. Darwin C. Kinne.
1888. Myron D. Elaine.
1889. Myron D. Blaine.
1890. Horace T. Jones.
1891. Horace T. Jones.
1892. Frank C. Avery.
1893. Alden Horton.
1894. Horace G. Hopkins.
1895. Benjamin Franklin.
1896. Charles H. Swarthout.
1897. Frederick E. Bowlby.
1898. Frederick E. Bowlby.
1899. Charles F. Sanborn.
1900. William T. Bowlby.
1901. William T. Bowlby.
1902. Earnest F. Gilgen.
1903. Thomas J. Currie.
1904. Edgar Cassidy.
1905. Edgar Cassidy.
1906. Bert E. Smalley.
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