Monticello Lodge, No. 532, F. & A. M., was instituted December, 1862, under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, naming David G. Starr, W. M., James Matthews, S.W., Eli S. Pelton, J.W. Like all similar societies It has had its seasons of prosperity as well as times of adversity, but under. each varied condition, has continued to increase in prosperity and strength, until now, in Its present existence, it has become a prominent institution of the village, on a firm and solid foundation, and one of the substantial pillars in the Grand Masonic Edifice of the State of New York.

Among the many who contributed their time, means and best efforts in the formation and early growth of the Lodge, we recall the names of such prominent members as David G. Starr, James Matthews, Ell S. Pelton, Fred A. Field, John A. Thompson, Solomon W. Royce, Stephen Sweet, Albert J. Bush, Stephen W. Royce, F. M. St. John, Isaac C. Knapp, William A. Rice, Ares B. LeRoy, James E. Quinlan, Melvin S. Wells, Reuben K. Scudder, Dr. O. A. Carroll, Nathan L. Stern, Harvey J. Sarles, James Williams, Reuben B. Towner, LeGrand Morris, Alfred J. Baldwin, James O'Neill, Rev. Thomas Mack, John C. Holley, Seth B. Allyn, Dr. William H. McLean, Thomas Neil, Schuyler Duryea, Dr. S. M. Mitchell, Robert Morison, P. T. Perry, James L. Stewart, George E. Waller, Daniel C. Pelton,' Charles H. Royce, John L. Evans, Andrew Dunn, John F. Simpson, Samuel B. Greene, John P. Roosa, Jr., Seth G. Carpenter, George L. McLaughlin, J. M. Maybee, Rev. Walter I. Stecher, E. Otto Neske, James A. Fulton, Ferdinand Wheeler, Charles L. Morris, George Hill, James H. Millspaugh, George A. Mitchell, Robert J. Brome, Harvey F. Holmes, Alpheus A. Crain, Hobart L. Tremain, David S. Yeoman, Francis G. Sevenoak, Charles S. Starr, Robert K. Bradley, John C. Taylor, John M. Watson, all of whom have passed from this earthly habitation, with the respect and esteem of their fellowmen, to be gathered into the Grand Lodge, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe forever presides.

Brevity will not permit us to give the names of all the members who have been Interested in the good and welfare of the Order during the fifty eight years of its existence, but a brief mention of the Masters of the Lodge during that time may not be inappropriate: David G. Starr, 1862-'63, '64, '68, '69; Fred A. Field, 1865, '66, '67; George M. Beebe, 1870, '72; Charles R. Kelton, 1871; William B. Niven, 1873, '74, '75, '82, '83, '85, '89, '90, '92, 93; John L. Evans, 1876, '81; F. G. Snook, 1877, '78, '79; Charles S. Starr, 1880; Daniel C. Pelton, 1884; Robert J. Brome, 1886, '87, '88, '94, '95, '96; Melvin H; Couch, 1891; Robert McNickle, 1891, '98, 1901; Charles H. Royce, 1899; George E. Waller, 1900; John H. Brown, 1902; H. Lynden Hatch, 1903, '04, '05; Walter G. Prince, 1906, '07; Walter D. Smith, 1908, '09; Arthur C. Kyle, 1910, '11; George D. Pelton, 1912, '13; Derwood B. Tuttle, 1914, '15; John H. Hess, 1916, '17; Lewis N. Stanton, 1918; John T. Curtis, 1919; John S. Mearns, 1920.

For many years the question of securing a permanent home was discussed and agitated until the year 1897, when, under the persistent efforts of the Trustees, at that time consisting of Charles S. Starr, Robert J. Brome and Daniel Downs, together with Robert McNickle, W. M. Charles H. Royce, S.W., and George E. Waller, J.W., and others, the Lodge secured a suitable lot and commenced the erection of a Masonic Edifice. The Temple erected was a large three-story brick structure facing the Village Park, 38x90 feet, with ample and commodious office rooms on the first and second floors, the third floor being us-ed exclusively for Lodge purposes. The corner stone was laid May 12, 1898, and the Lodge dedicated Oct. 29, 1898, by the M.W. G.M. Wm. A. Sutherland, assisted by the Grand Officers of the State. It was an ornament to the village. The cost of the lot and building was approximately $16,000.

On August 10, 1909, Monticello was visited by the greatest conflagration in its history, completely destroying the entire business seetion of the village, and among the buildings that were destroyed was the handsome Masonic Temple mentioned above. Undaunted by this disaster, the brethren of the Lodge again laid their plans for the erection of a new home. On November 18, 1909, the corner stone of the new Temple was laid by W.M. Walter D. Smith, with the assistance of many ot the brethren, and in 1910 the new Temple was dedicated by the M.W. G.M. Robert Judson Kenworthy, assisted by the Grand Officers of the State. The new Temple is of red brick and of similar architectural lines as the one that was destroyed. Its erection and furnishings aggregated a cost of approximately $18,000.

It is hoped and confidently expected that in a very brief period the entire indebtedness on our new Temple will be liquidated through the uncreasing energy of its membership and friends.

The Lodge meets on the second and fourth Friday evenings of each month. The membership is 288. The following are its present officers: John S. Mearns, W. M.; William W. Carpenter, S. W.; Guilford Armstrong, J. W.; Walter G. Prince, Secretary; WilJiam B. McMillen, Treasurer; William W. Pelton, Sr. D.; Frank Armstrong, Jr. D.; Robert S. York, S. M. C.; John V. Ennis, J. M. C.; John B. Armstrong, Chaplain; Silas W. Demerest, Tyler; Robert McNickle, Marshal; Blake H. Bates, Organist.