Lodges of Barre, Vermont
Granite Lodge
F. & A. M. was chartered January 11, 1855, to John Twing, Otis
Peck, James Hale, Maynard French, Adolphus Thurston, S. W.
Davis, Martin Keith and their associates. The first three
principal officers installed were Alva Eastman, W. M., Martin
Keith, S. W., Webber Tilden, J. W.; and Clark Holden was the
first Secretary elected by the Lodge.
The organization has been in good
working order from the first, and its membership steadily
increased with the growth of the place, being now 125. They have
a pleasant and commodious lodge room in the old Tilden Block.
The lodge have ever given ready attention to the calls of
charity, caring for a sick and needy brother, and distributing
to the wants of a brother's widow and orphans. Measures have
recently been taken to provide a burial fund m the benefits of
which the family of every member might share. Thirteen masters
have been elected by the lodge since its organization; of these
Geo. W. Tilden held the office 7 years, and to his labors the
Craft owes much of its prosperity. Past Masters: Alva Eastman,
Martin Keith, Webber Tilden, Dr. N. W. Perry, A. A. Owen, Justin
H. Blaisdell, Geo. W. Tilden, Henry D. Bean, Hial O. Hatch, Eli
Holden, Henry H. Wetmore, Dr. J. Henry Jackson.
Barre Lodge, No. 929, Knights of
Honor
Instituted
in Barre, March 4, 1878, composed of 13 Charter members
George W. Tilden
J. H. Jackman, M. D.
E. D. Blackwell
J. M. Perry
O. H. Reed
W. A. Perry
B. W. Braley, M. D. |
C. A. Gale, M. D.
E. D. Sabin
Henry Priest
F. P. Thurber
J. G. Morrison
L. J. Mack |
Officers
of the Lodge
Henry Priest, Dictator
E. D. Blackwell, V. D.
J. G. Morrison, A. D.
B. W. Braley, G.
W. A. Perry, R.
J. M. Perry, F. R. |
O. H. Reed, T.
L. J. Mack, G.
F. P. Thurber, S.
J. H. Jackson, C.
George W. Tilden, P. D. |
The lodge met
in Masonic Hall until February 1, 1879, after which they rented
and furnished a hall in Jackman's block, where they still
remain. Meeting the 2nd and 4th Monday evenings of each month.
The lodge has
been always in a flourishing condition since first organized,
there being an average addition of 20 members each year. The
lodge is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State,
but makes reports direct to the Supreme Lodge, and also sends
all money for widows' and orphans' benefit fund direct to the
Supreme treasurer, the Supreme lodge only having power to pay
out money on death benefits. There has been twelve assessments
for the year ending June 30, 1881, making only six dollars paid
for each thousand dollars insurance. When the Order was smaller
and also in the time of the yellow fever south, there were
assessments amounting to eight dollars per thousand.
Three deaths
have occurred in the Order in Barre Lodge since its
organization: Frank P. Thurber Dec. 3, 1879, Thomas McGovern
Nov. 4, 1880, and C. H. Chamberlin, M. D., Feb. 22, 1881.
A death
benefit of ($2,000) two thousand dollars each was paid to their
families very soon after the death of these members, and was of
great benefit to the families. The lodge now consists of 68
members and is constantly increasing. The present officers are
W. C. Nye, D.; L. W. Scott, V. D.; Lewis Keith, A. D.; George M.
Goss, R.; George P. Boyce, F. R.; B. W. Braley, T.; A. C. Reed,
C.; C. A. Wheaton, Guide; William Clark, Guardian; W. L.
Huntington, S.; O. H. Reed, P. D.
Our lodge is
free from debt; the hall nicely and tastefully furnished. A new
Prescott organ purchased this spring stands in the hall, and we
have a surplus of $200 in the treasury; our best citizens are
its members, and we predict for the Knights of Honor in this
place a green and flourishing old age.
Barre Vermont | Vermont AHGP
Source: The History of Washington
County, Vermont Historical Gazetteer, Collated and published by,
Abby Maria Hemenway, Montpelier, Vermont, 1882.
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