Connecticut western news., 1889-05-15
LEA VING ITS TEENS.
HoUsAToNo LODGE, NO. 61, NEARLY TWEEN
 TY YEARS OLD.

tieth Anniversary of the granting of the charter of Housatonic Lodge No. 61, F. & A, M., but the lodge was not conse- crated, dedicated and constituted, and the officers installed until the 18th of July, 1869. The public ceremonies were held in the M. B. church. The officers named in the charter were |: Jacob s. Hardenbergh, first Master j; Samuel c. Bsckley, first Senior War den'; Hiram H.. Cogswell, first Junior Warden. The latter, and five others of the "A charter members, viz |: Harvey Lawrence, John w. Mead, Stephen Holt, Nelson J. Clark and Robert Van Deusen have departed this life.
 Just one-fourth of the charter mem- bers have already "crossed the river" Some of the remaining charter members are getting along in years, and in all human probability before another 20 years roll around the remaining charter members will be reduced to little band whose number may be counted on the fingers of both hands. They are already scattered to different sections of the country, Only eleven of them now live in this town. Of course many new members have joined the lodge and it now has large membership and is in fourishing condition financially, but the eleven charter members residing in this town ought to make special effort to attend lodge whenever their health permits, for soon the infrmities of age will prevent their meeting their former associates and younger brethren.
 When the lodge was dedicated, July 10, 1869, the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut was represented by w. B. William Storer, P. G. M. as Grand Master. and Rev Bro William Hall as Grand Chaplain. Both of these brethren are dead. The other representatives of the Grand Lodge present on said occa- sion are living.
 It is impossible at this time to defini- tely state how many of the visiting brethren present on said occasion are still living, yet two are known to be dead, viz Bro. Horace Holmes, of Ct. Burlington, Mass, and Bro Theodore Morris, of Falls Village, Conn.,.
 During 20 years the lodge has elected only nine different Masters. Their names and term of office are as follows |: Jacob B. Hardenbergh, 1869, TO, Fl, '76, 's1, s9, Henry J. Mead, 1872, '73, '75, ", '78, '81, John H. Pulver, 1874, Hiram H. Cogswell, 1879, Edward s. Roberts, 1880, Harry B. Marcrea 1883, Edward J. Prescott 1884, 1855, Charles H. Johnson 1886, 'S7, James H. Drake 1885, It is worthy of mention that Col Hardenbergh was the lodges first Master and is also it's Master at it's 20th Anniversary. It is fitting that such should be the case, but this singular circumstance was not premeditated and the coincidence was not thought of or discovered until last Saturday evening. Inasmuch as the centennial of the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecti- cut will be celebrated at New Haven on Wednesday, July 10th, and many mem- bers of Housatonic Lodge will attend those exercises, it may not be convent en-. tor Housatonic Lodge to celebrate its 2Uth Anniversary with formal public exercises, but the event should not pass entirely unnoticed-the erefore, it is suggested that all the members of Housatonic lodge hold an informal reunion or social gathering at their lodge room on Saturday evening, July 18th, to conclude with 8 supper at the Warner House. It is also suggested that each member invite his wife, his sister, or some other fellows sister to accompany him on said occasion. Sug- | gestions are in order, and if the majori- ty wish it the occasion will be observed with some formal public ceremonies. Rev Bro M. R. Lent delivered the pub lie address when the lodge was dedica- ted 20 years ago. He now resides at Wings Station on the Harlem railroad, and if it is thought best to have public ceremonies at the anniversary 1t would be appropriate to have him deliver an address, and undoubtedly he would gladly do SO.