Telegram-herald., 1889-05-19
THE MASONIC HOME.

membership. Many prominent and
philanthrOpic citizens, outside the
order, took out life membership certlii-
Gates, among them &. G.. Swensburg,
VIM. WiddicOmb, ID. 4. Blodgett,
Mcssrs. l.. IL. Withey * Co., |. NJ.
Weston, Foster, Stevens n Co., John
BOynton, VIM. Sears, julius Berkey
and the Grand Rapids Street Railway
company Friends began to accumu-
late. The trustees then began TO look
around for a site. Grand Rapids was
considered the most favorable city,
although sites were offered 10y several
other towns. The Burchard farm at
Reeds lake. at one time the chosen site
for the Soldiers Home, was purchased
by the board for $4,000.
The property consisted of ll23 acres
of land fronting toward Reeds lake.
The buildings were old and cOmpara-
lively worthless, and a. tins was before
the boom IN real estate came, many
thought the purchase unwlse, and the
price eXOrbltant. At the time of pur-
chase the ASSOCIATION had only \ 900
paid IN, but within few months the
trustees sold Oft 50 acres of the land
for $4,000, the original price tor the
whole .leavngthem 81 acres OF valuable
land clear gam. sidney j. OSgOod,
the architect, then prepared plans for
4 building.
\ cut OF this building was published
in the TELEGEAM-IIERALD wear ago,
and IS herewith reproduced; but when
the trustees came 10 examine the plan
they decided that there was not sufii-
Gent capacity, and other plans of
greater magnitude are being perfected.
The building VIII he 20 feet long, with
wings at the end - by lIj feet, and
viii front on the Lake road, overlook
ing Reeds Lake. The foundation Of
the western wing : laid, and thi, wing,
when completed. Will cost about so, 900.
Mr.. OsgoOd SAYS as soon as TINS wing
Is completed work VIII commence on
the main building.
BY an amendment to the articles of
ASSOCIATION the number of trustees has
been increased to twenty, and atpresent
the officers are rs follows: President.
WIn. Dunham. y ice President, l.. -.
Svart0ut: Secretary, VIM. p. Innes:
Treasurer. Jacob Barth; Counsellor,
George ". Thompson.
Board Of DTectOrs-Wm. Duuham.
Grand Rapids. Wan. :. Lawrence, Kali
amaz00. En-. y. Benedict, Grand Rap
lbs. Edward u. Wheeler. Manistee.
VIM. steele. I0uIa; VIM {. peui-on.
Grand Bapds Julius Houseman, Grand
Rapids. Heman y. Moore. Grand Rap
ids; samuel t. Watson, Grand Rapids;
VIM. 2. Innes, Grand Rapids Or. Chas.
F. BEel0w. Big Rapids, samuel NJ
stephenson. Men0mnee; Richard u.
SwartOut, Grand Rapids; Jacob Barth.
Graud Rapids, DT. Thomas p. Brad
ield Grand Rapids; Erastus !. Horton.
Grand Rapids, John ID. Jennings. Grand
Rapids. Thomas ". >trahau, Grand
Rapids, Ct. " Thompson, Grand Rapids
Eugene +. Wusor, Grand Rapids.
Esrly In the history OF the as
s0CiatOn the members solicited the
Grand Lodge of Michigan e.
assume the conduct and control of the
concern. At first the grand body
secuted the dea then they saw th2ttae
projectors meant business. and began
to look with some interest upon tae
scheme. Al the .ast aunua. e0uv0ea-
ton. the question hung ln the ha .suce.
ard the more conservative eIrmcDt
finally prevailed. dcfsrrng acton IN
the matter for one year.
The success Of the plan and the uni-
vcrssl interest OF M8s1ns iu the concern
- the reward ~ the hart work that has
iesu -o.n nE qu city on. aua another year
VIII undoubtedly accomplish tle pgr-
pose q its founders. and make the
Home a part Il tae system and practice
af Masonry m the state ot Michigan
with every member Of tne order con-
tr.hltag his PRO rata mite 90 tlis ae-
Z % a