Alpha

ALPHA LODGE

Location: (South) Framingham

Chartered By: Percival L. Everett

Charter Date: 09/13/1876 1876-59

Precedence Date: 09/02/1875

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

• William Henry Phipps, 1875-1876; Mem
• Charles Perkins Knowlton, 1877-1879
• Charles Frederic Cutler, 180
• Lucius Marshall Butler, 1881-1882
• Henry Lyman Sawtelle, 1883-1884
• Alexander Hoyt, 1885-1886
• Frederick Adams Pratt, 1887
• Lewis Merritt Palmer, 1888-1889; Mem
• Fred Leslie Oaks, 1890-1891
• Alfred Earl Martin, 1892-1894
• Orville William Collins, 1895-1896
• George Thomas Stevens, 1897-1898
• Alfred John Heath, 1899-1900
• Frederick March Esty, 1901-1902; SN
• Frederick Ellsworth Porter, 1903-1904
• Henry Otis Stearns, 1905-1906
• George Herring Eames, 1907-1908
• Frank Woodcock Jennings, 1909-1910
• Sands Sanford Woodbury, 1911-1912; Mem
• Henry Stewart Hilton, 1913-1914
• George Ruggles Coolidge, 1915-1916
• George Washington Cokell, 1917
• Frederick Albert West, 1918-1919
• Harry Murray Conrad, 1920-1921
• George Duncan Hyndman, 1922
• Arba Stearns Baldwin, 1923
• Foster Reed Wheeler, 1924-1925
• Richard McIntire Wyman, 1926
• Ernest Brown Rockwood, 1927
• Simeon Twichell Hawkes, 1928
• George Henry Davis, Jr., 1929
• Floyd Leroy Swift, 1930
• Newton Frederick Cokell, 1931
• Joseph William Danforth, 1932
• Morton Fenton Yates, 1933; N
• Earl Leslie Hatch, 1934
• Roderick MacLeod, 1935
• Spencer Wilson, 1936
• Robert King Wadsworth, 1937
• Thomas Francis Kenney, 1938
• Charles Hasbrouk Hauptman, 1939
• Carl Otto Swanson, 1940
• David Hilton, 1941
• Clarence Edward Rockwood, 1942
• Ralph Jules Buliung, 1943
• Frank Wesley Callahan, 1944
• Harry Lee Augusta, 1945
• Frank Wilfred Green, 1946
• Leonard Walter Taft, 1947; N
• William Hibbert Atkinson, 1948
• Oliver Stewart Dexter, 1950
• Frederick Henry Abbott, Jr., 1949, 1951
• James Herbert Wignott, 1952
• George Forest Penniman, 1953
• William Eugene Stickney, 1954
• Raymond Lloyd Watts, 1955
• Frank Edward Wilson, 1956
• Emil Arthur Davis, 1957
• Charles Denniston Warner, 1958
• Gordon Joseph Hutchinson, 1959
• Paul Theodore Burr, Jr., 1960
• Charles Wenzel Lindsay, 1961
• George Edmund Leslie, 1962
• Harold Gray Douglas, 1963; N
• George Emil Engman, 1964
• Robert Lawrence Pierce, 1965
• Richard Edward Allen, 1966
• Joseph Walker Crommellin, 1967
• Robert B. Gettys, Jr., 1968
• Lowell Wendell Plum, 1969
• Frank True Scales, 1970
• Robert Sargent Phillips, 1971 PDDGM
• David Moore Sanborn, 1972
• John Bernard Farrell, 1974
• Wallace Jack Bennett, 1975 PDDGM
• Walter Weisgerber, 1976
• Charles Conrad Buchanan, 1977
• Robert Becker Neff, 1978
• Robert Allan Howland, 1980
• Melvin Douglas Voget, 1981
• Frank Elmer Truesdale, 1982
• Robert Allen Nourse, 1983
• Howard Alston Judd, Jr., 1984
• Harold Victor Barrows, 1985
• Dennis Russell Coates, 1986
• William Glen La Counte, 1987-1988
• George Forest Hamilton, 1989-1990
• Graham Williard Joy, 1973, 1991
• Robert Francis Greene, Sr., 1992
• Antoine Henein Khoury, 1993
• Charles Henry Noble, 1994-1995
• Harold Leslie Swindell, 1979, 1996-1997
• Steven Mason Knott, 1998
• Robert Everett Havener, 1999 PDDGM
• Leonard James Constantine, 2000
• John Thomas Howland, 2001, 2003
• Daniel Christopher Buentello, 2002
• Karl Hollis Langmead, 2004-2005
• James Joseph Pashturro, 2006
• Scott Ramgoolam, 2007-2008
• Steven Raia, 2009
• Richard E. Daley, 2010

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YEARS

1875 1876 1882 1887 1890 1893 1909 1912 1913 1917 1919 1921 1926 1931 1932 1933 1935 1936 1937 1938 1941 1942 1948 1949 1951 1953 1955 1956 1965 1967 1968 1971 1972 1973 1975 1976 1979 1983 1987 1994 1998 2000

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• W. Jack Bennett, DDGM, District 23 (Natick), 1996, 1997
• Harold G. Douglas, DDGM, District 23 (Natick), 1968, 1969; N
• Frederick M. Esty, DDGM, District 21 (Framingham), 1904, 1905; SN
• Robert E. Havener, DDGM, District 15 North, 2009, 2010
• Lewis M. Palmer, DDGM, District 21 (Framingham), 1892, 1893, 1894; Memorial
• Robert S. Phillips, DDGM, District 15 North, 1984, 1985
• William H. Phipps, DDGM, District 12 (Milford), 1878, 1879; Memorial
• Leonard W. Taft, DDGM, District 23 (Natick), 1952, 1953; N
• Sands S. Woodbury, DDGM, District 23 (Milford), 1918, 1919; Memorial
• Morton F. Yates, DDGM, District 23 (Natick), 1936, 1937; N

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MATERIAL FROM THE 1911 HISTORY

In 1910, the Lodge voted to appoint Wor. Edgar Potter, Secretary of the Lodge, as "Historian of Alpha Lodge and that he be requested forthwith to prepare a history of the Lodge for the first thirty-five years of its life as a constituted Lodge." Brother Potter's efforts resulted in a fine printed volume: History of Alpha Lodge A.F. & A.M., South Framingham, Mass., 1875 to 1911. It was published by the Lodge that year, and included many portraits of members and Past Masters, and biographies of members.

This section includes these pictures and biographies. Where not otherwise listed, necrologies are given for these Craftsmen.

EDGAR POTTER 1856-1919

• MM 1865, WM 1875, Middlesex
• Charter Member of Alpha Lodge

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 113:

WILLIAM HENRY PHIPPS 1833-1913

• MM 1858, Montgomery
• WM 1861, John Warren
• WM 1875, Alpha
• Charter Member of Alpha Lodge
• DDGM, District 12 (Milford), 1879

See the Memorial.

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 22:

Born October 9, 1833.

All his long life he has been a close student of Freemasonry and a devoted worshipper at its shrine. He was made a Master Mason Sept. 21, 1858, in Montgomery Lodge of Milford. He was one of the charter members of John Warren Lodge of Hopkinton, and was Master of that Lodge in 1861. He was a charter member of Alpha Lodge, and its Master under Dispensation. He is at present a member of Live Oak Lodge of Oakland, California. He was D. D. Grand Master of the 12th Masonic District in 1879.

Was made a Royal Arch Mason in Mt. Lebanon Chapter, Milford, in November, 1858, and is still a member of that Chapter. Received the Knight Templar degrees in Milford Commandery, in 1859, and was Eminent Commander in 1864. Received the degrees of the A. & A. S. Rite in Massachusetts Consistory of Boston in 1865 and those of Royal and Seleci Masters in Worcester Council in 1866. He is an active member of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific coast..

CHARLES PERKINS KNOWLTON 1833-1910

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 36:

was born in Jaffrey, N.H., September 28, 1833.

His education was received in the common schools of that day. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of the Boston and Worcester Railroad. After a few weeks in the machine shop he was given the position of fireman. After four years' service in that capacity he returned to the machine shops for three years. At the age of twenty-four he was promoted to engineer and for more than fifty years followed that occupation.

He was one of the Selectmen of Framingham in 1890 and 1891

He was made a Mason in Middlesex Lodge June 13, 1873. Received the Capitular degrees in Concord Chapter, and the Knight Templars degrees in Natick Commandery. He was a Charter member and the first Master of Alpha Lodge after its Constitution, a position he held for three years. He had served as Eminent Commander of Natick Commandery, and at the time of his death was Prelate.

He died Nov. 30, I910.

CHARLES FREDERIC CUTLER 1841-1907

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 40:

Was born in that part of Framingham, now Ashland, July, 1841.

For several years after leaving school he was associated with his father and brothers in the grain business in Ashland and South Framingham.

He early saw that the telephone possessed great possibilities and with others organized the first Telephone Company in this state, and constructed the line from Boston to Worcester. After a few years developing the business here he sought larger fields in New York, where he became a leader in the business.

He received the degrees of Symbolic Masonry in North Star Lodge, Ashland, and was a Charter member and first Senior Warden of Alpha Lodge. After four years in that office he served one year as Master in 1879. He died at Saranac Lake, N. Y., May 19, 1907.

LUCIUS MARSHALL BUTLER

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 42:

was born in Hinsdale, N.H., April 9, 1838.

Attended school in his native town until seventeen years old when he entered a railroad machine shop and followed that business all his life, for many years being Master Mechanic for the N. Y., N.H. and H. railroad.

He received his first instruction in Freemasonry in Hampden Lodge, Springfield. Was one of the charter members of Alpha Lodge and was Master in 1880-1. Removing to Auburn, R.I., he became a member of Doric Lodge of that place, Providence R. A. Chapter, Providence Council R. & S. Masters, St. John's Commandery and R. I. Consistory 32nd degree A. & A. S. Rite.

HENRY LYMAN SAWTELLE

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 44:

was born in Berlin, Mass., Sept. 20, 1849.

He received his education in the common schools of that town.

When seventeen years of age he engaged in railroad work as freight brakeman, and was soon promoted to freight conductor on the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg railroad. In 1871 he came to So. Framingham in charge of supplies, a position he held for thirteen years. He was then transferred to Marlboro Junction as station agent where he remained twenty-one years. He is now conducting the telephone exchange at Northboro.

He received his Masonic Degrees in Middlesex Lodge in 1875, being raised March 31st, of that year.

He was one of the Charter members of A}pha Lodge and after holding several subordinate offices, was chosen Master, September, 1882, a position he held two years.

ALEXANDER HOYT 1843-1902

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 48:

was born in Industry, Me., Oct. 27, 1843.

For more than thiriy years he was a resident of South Framingham and was employed the most of that time as conductor on the Boston and Albany Railroad, winning the love and respect of both his employers and the public he served.

He was macle a Mason in Meridian Lodge, became a charter member of Alpha Lodge and was Master in 1884-5.

He died December 5, 1902.

FREDERICK ADAMS PRATT 1854-1912

• MM 1878, WM 1886, Alpha

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 50:

was born in Leominster, Feb. 10, 1854.

Came to Framingham when young and was educated in the public schools of this town. He adopted book-keeping as a profession.

He received his Masonic degrees in Alpha Lodge in 1878 and was chosen Secretary of the Lodge the same year anil served five years in that office. Was S. D. in 1883, J. W. in 1884, S. W. in 1885 and Master in 1886.

He has lived in Westboro for the past twenty years or more, and has served as Worthy Patron of Bethany Chapter O. E. S., in that town.

LEWIS MERRITT PALMER 1860-1919

See the Memorial.

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 52:

was born in Litchfield, Me., Sept. 2, 1850.

Graduated from Bates College and Harvard Medical School. he located in So. Framingham in 1882 and since that time has been an active participant in the civic, social and fraternal life of the town. He served six years on the school committee, six years on the Board of Health and for the past nine years has been Medical Examiner for the District. He served two years as President of the Board of Trade.

Always an enthusiastic worker for the Framingham Hospital and a member of the staff from its beginning.

He received the degrees of Freemasonry in John Warren Lodge, Hopkinton; became a member of Alpha Lodge in 1883. Received the Capitular degrees in Concord R. A. Chapter and the Templar degrees in Natick Commandery.

He served two years as Master of Alpha Lodge, two years as High Priest of Concord Chapter, two years as D.D.G.M. for the 21st Masonic District, two years as D. D. G. H. P. for the 9th Capitular District and one year as Worthy Patron of Orient Chapter, O. E. S.

FRED LESLIE OAKS

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 60:

ALFRED EARL MARTIN

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 68:

ORVILLE WILLIAM COLLINS 1857-1910

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 78:

GEORGE THOMAS STEVENS

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 84:

ALFRED JOHN HEATH

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 90:

FREDERICK MARCH ESTY

SN

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 94:

FREDERICK ELLWORTH PORTER 1868-1960

• MM 1890, WM 1903, Alpha
• WM 1913, Wellesley

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 96:

HENRY OTIS STEARNS

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 100:

GEORGE HERRING EAMES

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 102:

FRANK WOODCOCK JENNINGS

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 106:

SANDS SANFORD WOODBURY 1848-1934

See the Memorial.

History of Alpha Lodge, Page 110:

RALPH H. PARKER 1877-1932

• MM 1905, Alpha

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DISTRICTS

1875: District 12 (Milford)

1883: District 21 (Framingham)

1911: District 23 (Milford)

1927: District 23 (Natick)

2003: District 15

2009: District 15 North

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LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges

Lodge web site