Silver Lodge, No. 757

By Brother W. H. Bartlett

It is not difficult to obtain the necessary facts and data from which to write the history of Silver Lodge. Every important record is on file in the secretary's desk, and the minutes of each communication have been kept with the most exact nicety by the secretaries who have served the Lodge. Few lodges, young or old, have been so fortunate in the choice of secretaries, and great credit is due Brother C. G. Talcott, the first secretary, and those who have succeeded him in that office. By petition dated October 17, 1874, a number of Masons then residing in the village of Silver Creek requested of the Grand Lodge a dispensation. The petition¬ers were:

The petition was granted and a dispensation signed by M\W\ Ellwood C. Thorne, Grand Master, empowered the Masonic brothers named in the petition to work under the name of Silver Lodge, No. 757. Hiram Washburn was the first Master, Amos Bowen the first Senior Warden, and George W. Eacker the first Junior Warden. The first communication was held November 11, 1874. The officers named above were present, also the following brothers:

Visiting Brethren:

A. Armstrong of Evans Lodge, 261
H. H. Burgess of Summit Lodge, 219
J. J. Dalrymple of Hanover Lodge, 152
Rev. J. M. Bray of Irondequoit Lodge, 301

The Master appointed 0. Lee Smith, Treasurer; C. G. Talcott, Secretary; Frank Swift, Senior Deacon; P. W. Bates, Junior Deacon; F. D. Fuller, S. M. C; F. M. Gifford, J. M. C; W. L. Christy, Tiler. Work was continued under dispensation until the receipt of the charter, which came in due time. The first officers were indebted to Brothers Leroy Winston and Leroy S. Oatman of Evans Lodge, 261, for posting in and exemplification of the work. The first petitions for initiation were made by Ira D. Rowley, Wm. S. Talcott and Frank Brand. Since its consecration Silver Lodge has grown steadily and prospered in every way. Its roll contains the names of good men and true. It has drawn from the flower of Silver Creek's manhood. The Lodge has a fine hall, well furnished and equipped with the best of paraphernalia, and its walls are adorned with fine portraits of all the Past Masters; and in justice to all who have held this important office, it must and should be said that the high standard of perfection in work in augurated by the lamented Washburn has been maintained through each administration and has won for Silver Lodge an enviable reputation throughout the 26th Masonic district. As has been written before, Silver Lodge is today flourishing and prosperous. Its treasury is in far from a destitute condition, and new members are continually being received. Every member may take just pride over the work of Masonry it the village of Silver Creek. But let us go back to the first years of the Lodge and the days just preceding its institution. When the Lodge started it was, as a matter of course, with an empty treasury. There were many expenses, such as the purchasing of regalia, furniture, etc., which had to be met at once. It became necessary for some one to act, and upon Brothers Hiram Washburn, Amos Bowen, W. W. Huutley, George W. Eacker, Rev. J. M. Bray, C. G. Talcott and others of the charter members fell the duty. Whatever the Lodge needed in money or work these brothers supplied, and, appreciating these services, the Lodge has at various times attempted to reimburse them, but without avail. Silver Lodge now has a membership of about 130. Its regular communications are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Below will be found a list of the Masters of the Lodge since its inception, and the present officers :

Hiram Washburn. 1875-76-77-71)
Amos Bowen, 1878-80-82
George W. Backer, 1881
William S. Talcott, 1883-84
Charles E. Brown. 1885
Ira D. Rowley, 1886-89
William A. Chapman, 1887
Arthur L. Brown, 1888
L. R. Snow, 1800-91
D. J. Van Vlack, 1892
M. E. Farnsworth, 1893-94
A. A. Starring, 1895-96

The officers for 1897 are: