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

The warrant was declared forfeited in 1833. The Grand Lodge Register contains the following: "The warrant of No. 44 was
surrendered June 6, 1844, and deposited by R.'. W.'. ELISHA GILBERT, P. J. G. W."
The successor of Canaan Lodge. No. 44, was Eureka Lodge, No. 98, which received its warrant June 12, 1844. It will be noticed
that this occurred within a few days after the former warrant had been surrendered.
The officers named in the warrant were:
William Wheeler, Master;
Darius Cole, Senior Warden;
Peter Groat, Junior Warden.
MASTERS OF EUREKA LODGE.
William Wheeler.
Samuel P. Lee.
Charles C. C. Mower.
James Wittse.
Samuel Marshall.
Eureka Lodge continued to work until July 5, 1851, when a regular communication was held and the following resolution was
adopted: "That this Lodge surrender its charter, with the books, papers, jewels and clothing, together with all other property of this
Lodge to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York or to its deputy or agent by them duly authorized
to receive them."
The minutes contain the following:
"The minutes were then rend and approved, and the W. M. proceeded to take possession of the charter, books, papers, jewels,
clothing and property of the Lodge for the purpose of carrying out the motion of BRO. MESSICK as voted by the Lodge according to
the true intent and meaning thereof. "
E. PAYN,Secretary."
Scarcely had the old Lodge extinguished its lights and closed its labors when a movement to organize a successor was begun, as
will be noted by the following; the original is on file in the Grand Secretary's office:
"The undersigned begs leave to represent that the charter of Eureka Lodge, No. 98, located at Chatham Four Corners, Columbia
County, was surrendered to this Grand Lodge during the past year and a dispensation for a new Lodge at the same place was
obtained from the Grand Officers, to be styled Columbia Lodge, for which the sum of thirty dollars was paid with the understanding
that it should be refunded and a charter granted for said Columbia Lodge at this Annual Communication. Your petitioner therefore
prays that said charter may now be granted and said sum of thirty dollars be refunded to said Lodge.
"DAVID G. WOODEN,
"Past Master."
The foregoing facts clearly show that Columbia Lodge, No. 98, is the legitimate offspring and successor of these two Lodges. The
first was no doubt forced to succumb to the conditions which prevailed during the "Morgan period." The causes which prompted the
surrender of the charter of Eureka Lodge are unknown, but the fact that a new Lodge was immediately organized is of itself
sufficient evidence of the spirit of loyalty to the Fraternity which actuated these brethren and prompted them to again unite and open
the Great Light upon the altar of Freemasonry. The Lodge has prospered, and has had among its adherents some of the most
prominent men in the community.
The first meeting-place was in Odd Fellows' Hall, where it remained until June, 1874, when it moved to its present quarters in the
building known as the "Masonic Building." These rooms were dedicated June 24, 1874, by M.'. W.'. JESSE B. ANTHONY, who, at
that time, was Junior Grand Warden.
It was represented at the laying of the corner-stone of the Capitol at Albany, June 24, 1871; at the laying of the corner-stone of the
Home at Utica, May 21, 1891; at the laying of the corner-stone of the Masonic Temple, Albany, June 24, 1895; it was also present at
the dedication of the Masonic Temple at Hudson in 1896.
On June 26, 1902, it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.
MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.
John Cadman, County Judge.
Hugh W. McClellan, County Judge, Assemblyman.
Wright H. Barnes, Assemblyman.
Charles D. Beckwith, Congressman.
Louis F. Payn, Superintendent of Insurance.
Henry M. Hanor, Sheriff.
Sanford W. Smith, County Judge, State Senator.
Frank H. Wood, Chief Inspector, Department of Education.
Robert Hoes, Assemblyman.
William C. Daley, State Senator.
W. Porter Darrow, Secretary N. Y. State Grangers.
GRAND LODGE OFFICERS.
William C. Daley, District Deputy Grand Master.
Calvin D. Hicok, District Deputy Grand Master.
Sanford W. Smith, District Deputy Grand Master.
Charles M. Burrows, Assistant Grand Lecturer.
Simeon R. Hatfield, Assistant Grand Lecturer.
1852 Samuel P. Lee.
1853 David G. Wooden.
1854 Samuel P. Lee.
MASTERS
1855. Hugh W. McClellan.
1856. David G. Wooden.
1857. David G. Wooden.
1858. Abram Ashley, Jr.
1859. Hiram D. Ford.
1860. John Cadman.
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