1931

After serving for five years as Secretary and as Junior and Senior Warden, Ralph Pelton was elected Master. Grant A. Davison was Senior Warden; Emory Stalker, Junior Warden; Clarence Maine. Secretary; Herman Albrecht, Tiler, and Charles G. Burns, Trustee for three years.

Among the donations made during the year 1931 was $25 to the Red Cross and $30 for the George Washington Shrine at Tappan, N.Y.

Bro. Pelton had been a Mason eleven years and during most all of this time had been actively engaged in lodge work. He was and still is a member of the Fellowcraft Team and on a number of occasions had delivered the Middle Chamber and other lectures.

His work as Secretary, Junior and Senior Warden and Master was equally as exacting and efficient as the thoroughness of his knowledge of the ritual. For several years he has served as Trustee.

When the announcement came that Bro. Silvieus had been appointed Assistant Grand Lecturer, Br. Pelton ordered his predecessor escorted to the East where he was presented a Past Master's apron and carrying case.

Bro. Pelton was among the New York State Masons who attended the 150th Anniversary Grand Lodge banquet held in New York City in May.

The biggest event of the year was ladies' night, which took place at St.

John's Parish Hall' in Monticello on October 26. Among those present were District Deputy Grand Master Archie H. Holmes and Mrs. Holmes of Downsville.

1932

The depression which had gripped the country since the Fall of 1929 had affected Masonry as well as the economic structure of the nation to a degree of seriousness when Grant A. Davison was elected Master.

A man of ability and progressive ideas, the new Master was both willing and anxious to work for the things essential to Masonry and had it not been for leadership such as his during this trying time the lodge’s financial structure may not have weathered the storm.

One of the first acts of the year was the appointment of a committee consisting of John Jenkins, Ralph Pelton and Walter D. Smith to peruse the lodge's bylaws and make changes deemed by them to be necessary and submit them for the lodge's approval.

Life membership was set at 30 years and the affiliation fee was reduced from $25 to $10. These were among the several important changes made.

Linoleum was laid during the year in the hallways and on the stairs at a cost of $397.50. This amount was covered by funds taken from the Trustees' Fund.

On returning from the Grand Lodge session Bro. Davison reported that employment had been given through the Grand Lodge employment service to 4,000 during the year. The Masonic Home, according to his report, was caring for 3,633 men, women and children. The membership, he said, had totaled 3,797 or 34.2 persons per 1,000 during the year.

The lodge celebrated the Sesquicentennial of the birth of George Washington in 1932 by dedicating a tree at the Izaak Walton Farm. The Waltonians had planted 12,000 trees on the farm that year.

The lodge responded quickly and generously to a communication from the Board of Masonic Relief in Los Angeles, Calif., which informed the brethren that the widow and child of a brother were in need. Contributions continued throughout that and succeeding years. Another widow and family received $100.

The District Convention was held at Hobart on October 28th with Ralph A. Hoyt, District Deputy Grand Master, presiding. Nine members of Monticello Lodge attended.

The Senior Warden during the year 1932 was Emory Stalker; Harold Stecher was Junior Warden; H. Lynden Hatch, Treasurer; Clarence Maine, Secretary; Edward Norris, Chaplain, and James A. Brimelow, Associate Chaplain. District Deputy Archie Holmes made his official visit on January 22, 1932.

1933

When Emory Stalker took over the duties. of Master in 1933 presiding in the East was not altogether new to him. He had served on several occasions during Bro. Davison's absence doing degree work and handling other, lodge business with a high degree of efficiency.

The Senior Warden was Harold I. Stetcher; John P. Mold was Junior Warden; H. Lynden Hatch, Treasurer; Clarence Maine, Secretary; A.B. Mapledoram, Tiler, and John Jenkins, Trustee for three years.

Application for a brother to enter the Masonic Home at Utica had been submitted during the Fall of 1932, and after a thorough investigation by the Trustees of the Home the application was rejected. Notification of this action was received by the lodge shortly after the 1933 officers were installed. Although the sick and infirm brother had relatives who could care for him he was sent to the Broome County Home, where he died in 1933.

Ralph Hoyt, District Deputy Grand Master, made his official visit on April 3, 1933, and Donald Albee, the District Deputy Grand Master, appointed after the 1933 session of Grand Lodge, made his official visit on November 4th. The District Convention was conducted that year at Livingston Manor.

Returning from the Grand Lodge session Bro. Stalker reported that the Grand Lodge financial report showed a deficit of $214,000. This resulted in an increased of Grand Lodge dues from $1.10 to $3.00.

Along with Grand Lodge financial troubles came a threat to both finances and membership in Monticello Lodge. New members were considered as essential in view of a loss in membership caused by the depression. Many had sought admittance into the fraternity but the initiation fee of $60 was considered too exorbitant in view of the times.

After giving the matter due consideration, Bro. Stalker appointed Delmont R. Race, John P. Mold and Charles Horton to serve as a committee to report on the advisability of a reduction of $10. They returned with a comprehensive report which pointed out both the good and unfavorable features of a plan for a reduction.

Summing up their report they advised that it would not be a good policy to give men an idea that it would be bargain time in Masonry, reminded the brethren that the fraternity needs “more Masonry in men rather than more men in Masonry.”

For the second time within a year an application for admitting a brother to the Home at Utica was submitted to the Home Trustees.

This application was accepted in May and on June 10 the aged brother, accompanied by the Master, Senior Warden and Secretary, journeyed to Utica.

The brother appeared in lodge the night before departing for his new home. He expressed great satisfaction over the work the brethren had done for him and bade them farewell.

He expressed the hope of some day visiting again but that was not to be. He suffered a stroke in September 1933, and journeyed to his long home.

Less than a month before the lodge received the shocking news of the death of Derwood Tuttle, a Past Master who had labored long and faithfully for the interests of the lodge.

1934

Harold I. Stetcher, Wire Chief for the New York Telephone Company, was elected for the year 1934.

Bro. Stetcher, who is now serving overseas as captain in the Army Signal Corps, was thorough in his work and did not overlook any of the duties of Master during his year. His Senior Warden was John Mold; Earl Stratton was Junior Warden; H.L. Hatch, Treasurer; Clarence Maine, Secretary, and A.B. Mapledoram, Tiler.

Only one new member was taken into the fraternity but 30 names were dropped from the rolls. Eight of these had been taken by death.

Blake H. Bates night on February 9, 1934, was an event long to be remembered. Masons old and young were present to greet Bro. Bates, who had furnished music for the lodge over a period of 34 years.

On March 9th a committee appointed to get estimates on repairing the lodge furniture and a new carpet reported that it would cost $300 to repair the furniture and the carpet would cost $600. No action was taken at that time, however, and it was left in the hands of the committee. Andrew J. McCullough, the only candidate for the year, received the degree of Entered Apprentice the same evening.

The area meeting for lodges in the Delaware-Sullivan, Otsego-Schoharie and Delaware Counties, held at Oneonta on Wednesday, March 28th, was attended by the Master and several brothers.

R.W. Thomas C. O'Donnell, editor of the Masonic Outlook, visited the lodge on May 25th. Bro. O'Donnell pointed out that the Board of General Activities was formed in 1927 as a service station for the craft and told of the many opportunities it afforded.

At the, annual communication of Grand Lodge in May it was unanimously agreed to increase the per capita levy of 50c for each member of the lodge for the Hall and Asylum Fund to $1.25 per member.

This amendment was approved by Monticello Lodge during its June 22, 1934, meeting. The District Convention was held at Deposit on October 26 with Ira C. Clearwater, District Deputy Grand Master, presiding. Bro. Clearwater made his official visit to Monticello Lodge on November 9th.

A new gas stove was obtained and on November 9th the committee reported that it had been installed in the kitchen.

1935

John P. Mold was elected Master on the same meeting night when the lodge's record list of unaffiliations was read. Late that Fall the roll call of the several bands of workmen brought eleven Past Masters with summaries of their activities during the years they served.

These reports were both interesting and entertaining. They were placed on file in the lodge but unfortunately could not be located when this history was written. Hours spent in scanning the pages in the minute books has given satisfactory results, however.

The lodge was honored on November 9 with a visit from Henry Meacham, Grand Lecturer. During his visit here Bro. Meacham was so impressed by the manner in which the Master and officers performed the duties of their stations and places that he remembered the Master in 1936 and appointed him Assistant Grand Lecturer for the Delaware-Sullivan District. Bro. Stalker served in this capacity during 1937, 1938 and in 1941. He frequently visits lodges in this district and has a large following of friends wherever he goes.

In recognition: of his outstanding work Grand Master Henry C. Turner appointed him Representative of the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana near the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Bro. Stalker is principal of the White Lake school.

As Senior Warden he had been given a first hand knowledge of conditions which led up to this action.

Lodges throughout the State were experiencing similar losses in membership and, like Monticello Lodge, were adding the names of few new members to their rosters. He and his officers fully realized that the dark days of depression had not ended with Bro. Stetcher's year. Senior Warden for the year was Earl Stratton. The Junior Warden was Delmont R. Race. H. Lynden Hatch was treasurer; Clarence Maine, Secretary; Donald Kiel, Chaplain, and Andrew Engle, Tiler.

Although members of the lodge did not attend in a body a number of the brethren witnessed ceremonies for the dedication of the new post office in Monticello on May 20, 1935.

A check for $10 was given to the Monticello Fire Department to help it defray expenses of the Hudson Valley Firemen's Convention, he1d in Monticello in June. The District Convention was held at Walton on October 23rd with Albert D. Kingsbury presiding as District Deputy Grand Master. Bro. Kingsbury made his official visit on September 27th. A set of seven Masonic history books was presented to the lodge on October 25th, by the widow of R.W. Bro. George D. Pelton.

About 40 members of the lodge attended services at the Methodist Church in Monticello on Sunday, November 3rd.

1936

Earl A. Stratton, a South Fallsburg banker, was elected Master for the year 1936. Delmont R.. Race was Senior Warden; Charles Horton, Junior Warden; H. Lynden Hatch, Treasurer; Clarence Maine. Secretary; Leland Silvieus, Chaplain; Charles Heath, Senior Deacon; John P. Mold, Marshal, and Andrew Engel, Tiler.

A new safe was procured from the New York Telephone Company early in the year for the purpose of keeping important lodge papers in it. The safe was moved to the basement of the temple, the combination was lost and it is not known whether or not any of the lodge records were deposited in it.

At the June 12, 1936, lodge meeting it was announced that the Grand Master, Jacob C. Klinck, had appointed Bro. Charles G. Burns Deputy Grand Master for the Delaware-Sullivan District. After words of praise and appreciation by Leland Silvieus, Emory Stalker, Harold I. Stetcher and David Mearns the Master appointed a committee to purchase an apron for presentation to the new District Deputy. The apron was presented to Bro. Burns at the June 26th meeting, which was attended by Past Masters of five lodges and a large gathering of the brethren.

A new committee for repairing the furniture and procuring a new carpet reported that they had received an estimate of $750.00 for repairing and upholstering the furniture.

Added to the lodge furniture that year was a valuable piano, which was a gift of Bro. Charles Ellison, a member of Mongaup Lodge, Liberty.

The big event of the year was the Delaware-Sullivan Masonic District Convention held at Monticello by District Deputy Burns.

1937-1939

The election of Charles Horton, the youngest Master since the early twenties, saw the beginning of a new lodge at South Fallsburgh and brought many improvements to the lodge room.

The furniture, which had been badly in need of repairs since it was purchased from Grand Lodge in 1909, was completely re-upholstered and repaired. The old red mohair covered benches and chairs were given a new covering in blue. This transformation cost the lodge $800 but gave us the best furnished lodge room in the State.

When Bro. Horton ended his first term in 1927 he had a record of accomplishments including an increase of members. Many of the projects he started were not completed, however, and when a vacancy occurred in 1939 he was re-elected. During this year the lodge arranged to purchase a new carpet at the cost of $1,200. Other improvements included the installation of Venetian blinds. Three names were added to the membership roster that year.

1938

Bro. Delmont R. Race succeeded Bro. Charles Horton in 1938. Bro. Horton, who was Junior Warden before his election to the Mastership, retired as Master in 1938 to occupy the station of Senior Warden. Bro. Charles Heath, who served as Junior Warden in 1937, did not seek further advancement because of ill health. Another vacancy was caused by the retirement of John O. Scriber, who had served as Senior Deacon.

The Junior Warden's station was occupied by Fred L. Stratton, a Past Master of Monticello Lodge. Andrew McCullough was advanced to Senior Deacon; Howard Clements was Junior Deacon; Samuel B. Levy, Senior Master of Ceremony, and A.O. Benton was started through the chairs with the Junior Master of Ceremony appointment. Roy L. Holmes was Organist and Andrew Engel, Tiler.

The two outstanding events were the sesquicentennial anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the United States and the continuation of the 200th anniversary of organized Freemasonry in the State of New York.

On February 7 members of Monticello Lodge received a summons to attend a communication of Monticello Lodge to be held on February 11, 1938, for the purpose of taking action upon a request of Brothers Harry C. Resnick, Charles Tarrow, Morris Heller and others for a recommendation, of their petition praying for dispensation to establish a new lodge at South Fallsburg.

The petition was signed by twenty-seven Masons, namely: Harry C. Resnick, Morris Heller, Dr. Irving Greenberg, Louis E. Halprin, David Rapp, Charles Tarrow. Jacob Katz, Morris Singer, Louis Rozofsky, Boris Roselman, Joseph Berman, Jacob Hecht, Isadore Gold, S. Wallace Kagan, Philip Rosen, Emanuel Feldman, Samuel Sloan, Charles Gleich, Samuel Simon, Philip Kaplan, Samuel Sprayregen, Hyman E. Levine, AI Kronenberg, Jacob Rittberg, Philip Morgenstern and Osias Fleischer.

The Monticello Lodge unanimously granted their request.

A delegation of 20 from Monticello Lodge attended Old-Timers' Night at Hoffman Lodge on March 15 in Middletown.

On April 14 the Master and Wardens of the newly forming Fallsburg Lodge demonstrated with a high degree of efficiency the opening and closing of lodge on the first degree.

The second degree was worked by these Masons on April 22 and the third degree on May 20th.

Monticello Lodge was satisfied with the work of the Master, his Wardens and Deacons and recommended a charter for them.

Installation of officers of Fallsburg Lodge took place in the Monticello Lodge rooms on November 22, 1938, with Deputy Grand Master Henry C. Turner in charge. An evening with the ritual on May 27 provided both entertainment and important lessons in Masonry.

The District Convention was held at Margaretville on October 12 with Ira Terry presiding as Deputy Grand Master.

Bro. Thomas C. O'Donnell, editor of the Masonic Outlook, visited the lodge on October 14, and in an interesting and inspiring address reported that there were then over 262,000 Masons in the State. He called the attention of the brethren to the 28,000 volumes in Grand Library and invited the brethren to make use of them along with the 10,000 who were then borrowers of books from the Grand Lodge Library. After his talk Bro. O'Donnell conducted a "What Do You Know" contest.

1940

Andrew J. McCullough was elected Master for the year 1940. Samuel B. Levy was Senior Warden; Alvin O. Benton, Junior Warden; J. Maxwell Knapp, Senior Deacon; E. Edward DeCamp, Junior Deacon; Milton H. Armstrong, Senior Master of Ceremony; Frederick J. Bulken, Junior Master of Ceremony; Charles W. Horton, Marshal; Charles Atwell, Organist, and Wesley G. Durland, Tiler.

Immediately after installation Bro. McCullough appointed a Committee on the Lodge system of Education. Serving on this committee, which is still active, are Clarence Maine, Leland Silvieus, Emory Stalker, Delmont R. Race and William Yates.

On February 9th the Rev. Bro. James A. Brimelow addressed the lodge on the subject "Why I Believe in Masonry." It was one of the best and most inspiring addresses of the year.

On February 18th funeral services were conducted for William Moore, an old and faithful member of the fraternity who had served as Trustee and had given the lodge a building lot at Sackett Lake. This was the largest Masonic funeral held in Monticello in years.

Jay O. Newkerk made his official visit on February 23rd. The District Convention was held that year at Liberty.

It was on the night of Bro. Newkerk's visit that Bro. Emery Stalker was present ed with an apron and carrying case. His appointment as Representative of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana near the Grand Lodge of New York had been announced a short time before that. The rest of the

evening was devoted to a patriotic program, with Frederick C. Lewis the speaker.

Among the other speakers of the year were James J. Brooks, an instructor at the Woodbourne Prison, and the Rev. William Robinson, of Fairhaven, Lytham, England.

Reverend Robinson had seen the tragic effects of World War No. 2 in his home town in England and gave an interesting word-picture of the destruction Axis bombers were bringing to the historic towns and villages of England.

The story of Reverend Robinson's coming to America with his aged wife, his daughter and granddaughter is one of love and sacrifice which a Mason made manifest for his friend.

When war dangers made it necessary for Rev. Robinson to evacuate he was invited by the Rev. Bro. James A. Brimelow to come to America. After considerable correspondence the Reverend Robinson arrived safely in America.

The Robinson family made their home with the Brimelows for many months. Harry A. Ward made his official visit on September 13. Much credit should be given to Bro. Ward for organizing the Wardens Council, which elected its first officers at Walton on September 30. Bro.

Samuel B. Levy brought honor to Monticello Lodge as the first president of the Council.

The District Convention was he1d at Franklin on October with Bro. Ward presiding. The brethren were recently shocked to learn of the death by drowning, of Bro. Ward. He won many friends during his years as a Mason. At his Franklin Convention Monticello's delegation was the largest next to that of Franklin.

1941

Perhaps there has been no Master more interested in Masonry or more concerned about the financial and social welfare of Monticello Lodge than Samuel B. Levy, who served during the year 1941.

When Bro. Levy was elected he was faced with a $302 deficit but by the year's end his budget was balanced and no unaffiliations were necessary because of failure of the brethren to pay dues.

The sum of $200 was raised through a minstrel show and $24.90 was realized from a card party conducted jointly by the Eastern Star and Masons.

In view of valuable services rendered on behalf of the lodge for more than a decade the lodge voted the Rev. Bro. James A. Brimelow an honorary member on February 28, 1941.

Bro. Brimelow was the first honorary member elected since 1919 when Bro. Daniel Downs, County Superintendent of the Poor was so honored.

Another name proudly added to the membership rolls was that of Hugh Richman, who is now the only member of our lodge to hold a dual membership.

The Sons of the American Legion Fife and Drum Corps took part in the Patriotic Night which was held on June 13.

Jay F. Hager of Masonville made his official visit on October 10th; the second degree was on October 23rd, in charge of the Junior Warden, J. Maxwell Knapp. The Senior Warden, Alvin, O. Benton, delivered the Middle Chamber Lecture. The first degree had been in charge of Bro. Benton, who had only a week before presided as Master for the first degree at the District Convention, which was held at Sidney.

The Past Masters conferred the third degree in a commendable manner on November 28. The average attendance for the year was 45.

At the year’s end Bro. Levy expressed his thanks to. the brethren for their cooperation and in expressing his love for the lodge presented a beautiful and valuable set of ashlars.

Masters of Monticello Lodge

1942

The election of Alvin O. Benton to the Mastership was contemporaneous with the United States' declaration of war upon the Axis. A dark and trying future was envisioned and both the lodge and its Master realized that much was to be done if the attendance and other records set by Bro. Levy and his predecessors were to be maintained.

The new Master's first work was the completion of a program in which he noted the problems confronting the lodge and made suggestions for their solution. The program listed the committees and described the duties of its members. The twelve-page folder also set forth the Master's objectives and contained a schedule of meetings.

With their duties both described and defined the committee members and brethren showed keen interest and worked diligently throughout the year. Even the gas and tire shortage did not result in a drop in attendance.

The Gavel, which had been printed on a mimeograph, was revised and given the appearance of a magazine.

Through this medium members of the Monticello Lodge have been kept in close contact with its brethren some of whom had joined the armed service and were in Hawaii and other distant points. Many were the letters which commended the lodge and its officers for this medium of information.

The cost of the "Gavel" is no greater than the usual lodge notices and has been received with great interest by all.

Much of the material which appeared in the Gavel was a history of Masonry which had been compiled over a period of years by Bro. A.O. Benton. This is included in this history.

Along with the war came a desire of Masons to do something for their fellowmen. The Grand Master created a Masonic War Chest and appealed to the brethren of the State to contribute at least one dollar per year for the duration. Bro. Benton was appointed key War Chest man for the Delaware-Sullivan District.

A service flag which was presented to the lodge by the Master was dedicated in May. Six men then serving in the armed forces were Lieut. Col. Henry E. Miller, Captain Harold I. Stetcher, Lieut. Robert F. Baker, Private Floyd L. Elmore. Flying Cadet George Gregory and Chief Pharmacist's Mate Wilfred A. Thunquest.

Since that time stars. have been added for Captain Charles Solms, Private Chauncey F. Benton, Private Alfred Rheinshagen, Private Allen D. Seaman, Private Ralph L. Stratton.

A proposition to divide the Delaware-Sullivan Masonic District for the duration because of a shortage in gasoline and automobile tires was voted on by the lodge and rejected. The action of the lodge was reported by Bro. Benton when he and other Masters attended a special meeting called by Judge Advocate Bradford Butie the evening before the Grand Lodge session. Grand Lodge shortened its session from three to two days that year because of war conditions.

The lodge purchased a flag for the airplane observation post near the court house in Monticello.

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Corrections

Since this history was printed the following facts have come to our attention: [NOTE: page numbers refer to the 1942 edition] --

In our history of Livingston Manor Lodge, on page 54, we gave the title of C.H. Reynolds as “Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New York near the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.” Actually his title is “Representative of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia near the Grand Lodge of the State of New York.”

On page 68 Henry E. Miller is listed as a Major. He is now a Lt. Colonel.

On page 67 the date of George Palmer's death is listed as unknown. A lodge summons dated December 8, 1941 and returned shortly thereafter points out that his death occurred on July 14. 1941.

The desire of the brethren to have this history completed before our anniversary made it necessary to rush to a conclusion a work which ordinarily would have required an additional year's time. Originally plans were made for publishing the history in the Gavel, using the standing type of our book. Other lodge news, however, was considered of greater importance and the space for history diminished to an extent that only about a fifth of our history actually appeared In the Gavel.

As the date for our anniversary celebration drew near it appeared that our original printer would not be able to finish his press work on schedule. A shortage of help made it necessary for him to ask that it be done elsewhere.

We were then faced not only with the problem of getting a new printer but also found it necessary to re-edit and reorganize. This was accomplished only through the splendid cooperation of the brethren.

On page 122, Hugh R. Richman is claimed to be the only member holding a dual membership. Gustav Weichman should share this honor as he is also a member of another lodge.