Doric2

DORIC LODGE

Location: Hudson; Marlborough (1977)

Chartered By: William Parkman

Charter Date: 12/14/1864 IV-16

Precedence Date: 12/28/1863

Current Status: unknown. Merged with United Brethren Lodge, 05/13/2003.

PAST MASTERS

need list of living PMs

Philip D. Millay, 1863-1866
James L. Harriman, 1867-1869; SN
August S. Trowbridge, 1870-71
Willard Houghton, 1872
Lyman Morse, 1873, 1876, 1879
Parkman Norse, 1877, 1878
Edward P. Miles, 1880, 1884
John F. Woods, 1885, 1886
Francis Howe, 1887, 1888
Joel M. Pettengill, 1889
Fred O. Walsh, 1890, 1891
Henry B. Whitcomb, 1892
Stevens A. Holt, 1893, 1894; SN
Eugene P. Lawrence, 1895
Fred F. Trull, 1896, 1898; SN
Whitney G. Brigham, 1899
Fred S. Rowell, 1900, 1901
Arthur L. Cundall, 1902, 1903
George A. Reardon, 1904
G. Arthur Packard, 1905, 1906
Walter E. Carver, 1907, 1908
Herbert A. Knight, 1909, 1910
Norman M. Hunter, 1911, 1912
Edwin B. Woodbury, 1913, 1914; N
J. Arthur Wood, 1915, 1916; Mem
Phares D. Frazel, 1917, 1918
G. Woodbury Parker, 1919, 1920
Alvah W. Morse, 1921, 1922
Robert S. Osterbout, 1923
William L. Persons, 1924
John Cambridge, 1925
A. George Gillman, 1926
Zobeth H. Woodbury, 1927
Walter A. Boyd, 1928
Malvin P. Wade, 1929
John Coolidge, 1930
Melvin P. Mitchell, 1931
Millard A. Fillmore, 1932
Fred H. Fosgate, 1933; N
Ralph S. Sullivan, 1934
Lloyd L. Parker, 1935
Everett G. Ricker, 1936; Mem
Everett A. Trumpolt, 1937
Russell C. Holden, 1938
G. Donald Meserve, 1939
Howard H. Pratt, 1940
Henry L. Ricker, 1941
Robert H. Wilcox, 1942
Robert T. Dawes, 1943
Edward H. Bryant, Jr., 1944
Walter E. Anderson, 1945
Kenneth S. Rand, 1946
Jonas E. Carter, 1947
Vinson A. Salter, 1948
Robert Wordsworth, 1949
Donald F. Whitney, 1950
Gerald M. Houghton, 1951
Ellsworth G. Sawyer, 1952
Richard A. Brown, 1953; SN
Oscar H. Collette, 1954
Wilfred D. Graves, 1955
Irving H. Dinner, 1956
Fred L. Clark, 1957
John A. Kennedy, 1958
Norman J. Wheeler, 1959
Donald H. Wheeler, 1960
Donald R. Sowden, 1961
Donald M. Sleeper, 1962
Herbert D. Giddings, 1963
Robert F. Wade, 1964
Thomas A. Chapman, 1965
A. Lloyd Hodder, 1966
Donald F. Mott, 1967
Willard E. Walcott, 1968
John A. Welch, 1969
George C. Oliver, 1970; SN
Robert E. Babcock, 1971
Robert E. Publicover, 1972
Dalton Thorn, 1973
Douglas H. Phipps, 1974
George T. Bailey, 1975
M. Ralph Dieter, 1976
Jack W. Wicker, 1977
George L. Burnet, Sr., 1978
Edward T. Williams, 1979
Robert H. Luther, 1980
Douglas C. Wildes, 1981
John E. Wilson, 1982
Ernest E. Wilson, 1983
Charles T. Bancroft 1984
Gordon C. Lovell, 1985
Frederick L. Elliott, 1986, 1991
Kent H. Hartig, 1987
Stephen A. McDonald, 1988
Rene A. Duval, 1989
Kevin L. Carter, 1990
Herbert J. Simpson, 1991
Timothy A. Cleveland, 1992
Edward R. Adams, Jr., 1993
Edward A. Campbell, 1996, 1997, 2002
Gary S. Dermugrditchian, 1998, 1999
Louis Nason, 2000, 2001

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Dispensation: 1864 (dated 12/28/1863)
Petition for Charter: 1864
Consolidation Petition (with United Brethren Lodge): 2002

ANNIVERSARIES

1938 (75th Anniversary)
1963 (Centenary)
1989 (125th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1865 (Parkman; Hall dedication; see description below)
1872 (Nickerson; Hall dedication)
1881 (Lawrence)
1882 (Lawrence)
1896 (Holmes; Hall dedication)
1924 (Ferrell)
1938 (Perry; 75th Anniversary)
1963 (Deputy Grand Master Vose; Centenary)
1989 (Ames; 125th Anniversary)
2003 (Hicks; consolidation with United Brethren Lodge)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1871 1872 1888 1889 1905 1907 1910 1917 1921 1923 1949 1980 1981 1986 1988 1989 1995 1998

HISTORY

1938 (75th Anniversary History, 1938-436; see below)
1963 (Centenary History, 1963-313)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, DECEMBER 1938

From Proceedings, Page 1938-436:

by Rt. Wor. J. Arthur Wood

A period of seventy-five years has elapsed since we have the first record of a meeting of the Masonic fraternity in Hudson (then Feltonville) and, like the history of every growing New England community, these years have brought about many and important changes, the events of which would make an interesting volume to those who have become a part of the place by long continuance here, and Doric Lodge, being one of the oldest organizations having its birth in the new town, has an interesting history of its own.

From a small company of Master Masons, working under a Dispensation granted by Grand Master Parkman with the consent of United Brethren Lodge of Marlboro, the organization has grown to a membership of one hundred eighty-seven, embracing within its fold nearly every professional and business man in town.

Unfortunately the incompleteness of the early records fails to give us the place of the first meeting, and the length of time intervening has caused the recollection of it to go from the minds of the oldest members. Of the original fifteen who gave their support to the new Lodge, all have passed away.

The first meeting is supposed to have been held in Mason's Hall, Chase Block. . From the records it would appear that some time previous to removal to the Unitarian Church, meetings were held in Houghton's Hall, near where the coal sheds on the Fitchburg Railroad are now located. The first meeting, to make preliminary arrangements for an organization, was held October 2,1863. The Lodge was instituted December 28, 1863, and the following officers were duly seated:

W.M., P. E. Millay
S.W., E. M. Taylor
J.W., W. W. Claffiin
S.D., C. E. Hall
J.D., A. K. Graves
Treas., Willard Houghton
Sec., Edwin Amsden
Chaplain, L. T. Jefts
Marshal, George Houghton
S.S., C. M. Robinson
J.S., W.L. Witham
Tyler, O. F. Rollins.

The other members of the lodge were G. W. Warfield, Lorenzo Stratton, and W. C. Hazeltine.

The winter of 1864 was devoted principally to the exemplification of the work of the order, preparatory to the initiation of candidates later on. The first step looking to increased membership took place on the evening of March 21, 1864, when George O. Bradley, James S. Welsh, Augustus Rice, and William H. Stone were accepted for the degrees. Mr. Bradley was the first one honored with a degree in the Lodge and William F. Brigham was the first to receive the Master Mason degree at the hands of the new officers. Bro. James S. Welsh was the second to receive the third degree.

In August of this year it was the misfortune of the Lodge to lose by death its beloved S.W., W. W. Claflin, who, from the first, had been an active and earnest supporter of the movement to establish a Masonic body in this town.

In the autumn of the year of which we write the indications of a large growth were so promising that steps were taken to secure better and more adequate quarters in a hall being furnished, in the upper story of the Unitarian Church and, upon inspection by a committee, it was promptly voted to take a three-year lease of the premises. Six hundred dollars was borrowed to furnish the same and, on the evening of January 19, 1865, the Masonic Fraternity of Hudson, with their ladies, assembled in the new Lodge-rooms and joined in the interesting exercises of constituting and consecratiirg the same, which ceremony was performed in ample form by the officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. At the conclusion of this interesting service the company repaired to the audience room of the church where the newly elected officers were duly installed. A banquet in the hall below followed the exercises and congratulatory speeches were indulged in by visitors and others.

Wor. Bro. Milay, at the expiration of three years' faithful service, during which time he initiated into the mysteries of Masonry, fifty-one Brothers, surrendered the gavel to James L. Harriman, whose reign of ofice continued for three years more, the Lodge meanwhile growing in numbers and popularity. Thirty-one more members were added to the Secretary's roll while he held jurisdiction over the Lodge.

Wor. Bro. Harriman was succeeded by Augustus S. Trowbridge. The Lodge membership had now increased to nearly one hundred and advanced to one hundred twenty-five while he occupied the East. The term of this office was like his predecessors) three years in length, and was marked by noteworthy changes in the history of the Lodge, the most important one being the leasing and occupation of new Lodge-rooms. Arrangements were made to take over the third floor of the new Town Hall building and a twenty-year lease was taken of the prernises at an annual rental of $500. Trinity Commandery, K. T., assisted in paying the rental by sub-leasing the rooms. But the expense of finishing and furnishing the same was borne by the Lodge, leaving it heavily in debt. When ready for occupancy, the arrangements and finish of the rooms and elegance of furnishings made it what was considered among the best Masonic headquarters in the State, and it was pronounced by visitors, both far and near, as such.

The Lodge moved into and occupied the new quarters for the first time on'the evening of Sept. 76, 1872, at which time arrangements were made for the dedicatory exercises, which occurred on the 18th of October. Elaborate preparations were made for the occasion, the following Masonic bodies, including Doric Lodge, participating in the exercises: United Brethren Lodge, of Marlboro. Trinity Lodge, of Clinton, Charles A. Welch Lodge, of Maynard, Trinity Commandery K. T., of Hudson, and Hugh DePayens Commandery, of Melrose.

The dedicatory services were performed by Most Worshipful Brother Sereno D. Nickerson, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, and his suite, in conformity with the ancient forms and usages of Masonry. At the conclusion of the dedicatory exercises a magnificent banquet, furnished largely through the instrumentality of the ladies, was provided in the Town Hall and over 500 were bountifully fed from the tables. The day was a red letter one to the Masons of Hudson and long to be remembered in the annals of Doric Lodge.

At the expiration of Brother Trowbridge's term of office in 1873, Willard Houghton was elected to fill the place, who, declining a re-election at the expiration of his term, was succeeded by Lyman Morse. For four successive years, from 1873 to 1877, Brother Morse filled the place of Master of the Lodge with that faithfulness, earnestness, and zeal which characterized his life, and, at the expiration of Parkman Nourse's term, from 1877 to 1879, he again assumed control of the gavel, completing his five years of service for the Lodge in 1880.

Edward P. Miles followed Brother Morse with a five-year term, initiating thirty-seven candidates into the Mysteries of Masonry. During John F. Wood's one-year service as Master, immediately following Brother Miles, the Lodge extricated itself from debt, a freedom it had not before experienced.

From 1886 to 1887, Walter H. Small was in the East, the Lodge fourishing under his jurisdiction. The two following years the Lodge was presided over by Francis Howe, an earnest and faithful officer. The Master's place, for the next three years, was filled by Joel M. Pettingill for one year and Fred O. Welsh for two years. Under their reigns the Lodge retained its reputation for superior work. Their successors were Henry B. Whitcomb in 1892 and 1893, S. A. Holt from 1893 to 1895, and Eugene P. Lawrence from 1895 to 1896. At the annual election in September 1896, F'red F. Trull was chosen to fill the Oriental Chair.

At the regular meeting of the Lodge Jan. 27, 1896, the Trustees reported that they had taken a fifteen-year lease of quarters in the new Savings Bank building and, at the same meeting, Brother S. A. Holt, G. P. Keith, and G. B. Cochran, were appointed a committee to furnish and decorate the new rooms.

The first meeting of the Lodge held in these rooms was on September 14, 1896. Arrangements for dedicatory exercises were made by appointing Wor. Brothers J. L. Harriman, S. A. Holt, and John F. Wood a committee to make such arrangements as they might deem advisable, and November 11 was selected for the occasion. The little band of fifteen Charter members had grown into a fourishing Lodge of 225, and with brightest hopes for the future.

Following Fred F. Trull as Master came Whitney G. Brigham, Fred S. Rowell, Arthur L. Cundall, George A. Reardon, George A. Packard, Walter B. Carver, Herbert A. Knight, and Norman M. Hunter, all of whom maintained the standard set by their predecessors.

Next in line was Erwin B. Woodbury and during his term the fiftieth anniversary of Doric Lodge was celebrated, Monday evening, Jan. 12, 1914. It was one of the largest gatherings Doric Lodge has ever had, yet efficient committee management carried the arrangements through to a successful completion without a hitch.

At 7.15 a line of march was formed, headed by Worshipful Master and Mrs. Erwin B. Woodbury, followed by past Masters and ladies, and then the remainder of the guests, 343 in all. Despite the number to dine, there was an abundance of food and all were well supplied.

At 8.15 Worshipful Master Woodbury rapped for order, all having returned to the Lodge-room. He extended a welcome to the guests and at once introduced Rt. Wor. Bro. Fred F.. Trull, who gave a history of Doric Lodge since its institution.

During the evening several selections were rendered by the Harvard Quartet and dialect stories and character poems were rendered by Fred E. Kendall.

A pretty feature of the evening was the presentation of a gold headed cane to Bro. Charles E. Hall, only living Charter Member affiliated with the Lodge. The presentation aJdress was made by Past Master G. Arthur Packard. The anniversary committee was Wor. Bro. Erwin B. Wood_ bury, S.W. J. Arthur Wood, J.W. Phares D. Frazel, Brothers William H. Moulton, Henry T. G. Dyson, and Warren T. Safford. The reception committee consisted of the past Masters of Doric Lodge.

At the completion of Wor. Bro. Woodbury's two years as Master he was followed in office by J. Arthur Wood, Phares D. Frazel, G. Woodbury Parker, and Alvah W. Morse, each serving two years as Master. After the completion of Wor. Brother Morse's term he was followed by the following: Robert S. Osterhout, William L. Persons, John Cambridge, A. George Gilman, Zoheth H. Woodbury, Walter E. Boyd, Melvin P. Wade, John Coolidge, Melvin P. Mitchell, Millard A. Fillmore, Fred H. Fosgate, Ralph S. Sullivan, Lloyd L. Parker, Everett G. Ricker, and Everett A. Trumpolt) each serving a term of one year as Master.

During the World War fifteen members of Doric responded to the call and Brothers Henry W. Clark and William J. G. Swift failed to return, giving their lives in battle in France. Doric Lodge has been honored by the appointment of five District Deputy Grand Masters by the Most Worshipful Grand Master. These are: Rt. Wor. James L. Harriman, Rt. Wor. Steven S. Holt, Rt. Wor. Fred F. Trull, Rt. Wor. Erwin B. Woodbury, Rt. Wor. J. Arthur Wood.

The Lodge, at the present time, has for its Master, Bro. Russell C. Holden and his efficient line of officers, under whom we feel that the standard as set in the past will be maintained.

Doric Lodge at the present time numberc 236 members.

OTHER

1872 (Petition regarding charity)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, JANUARY 1865

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXIV, No. 3, February 1865, p. 119:

DORIC LODGE. This is the name of a new Lodge, which for the past year has been working under Dispensation in the pleasant village of Feltonville, a part of the town of Marlborough, in Middlesex County. Its charter was granted on the 14th of December last, and the Lodge was duly constituted by the Grand Lodge on the 19th of January. In the evening the officers were publicly installed by the Grand Master, in one of the churches of the village, which had been kindly granted for the occasion. The house was filled to its full capacity by ladies and gentlemen and Brethren of the Lodge, and from the neighboring towns. At the conclusion of the ceremonies Grand Master Parkman addressed the assembly in his usual forcible manner, on the nature, antiquity and extent of the Institution. He was listened to with great attention, and his remarks were well calculated to leave a favorable impression on the minds of his hearers. At the conclusion of the services in the church, the company proceeded to an adjoining Hall, where a bountiful and well spread banquet had been provided for them by, we believe, Mr. John L. Miller, the accomodating host of the Mansion House.

The Hall in which the Lodge will in future hold its meetings is over the church, is commodious in its arrangements and appurtenances, and has been neatly fitted up. The officers installed are as follows: