The Republican journal., 1904-06-09
PAST GRAND MASTERS, I. o. o. F.


Mrs. Wllllam j. Dodge ana was
born in North Searsport, Waldo
County, Maine, Nov. 1871 The Dodge
family is of English origin, but men,
beers have resided in this country for
nearly three centuries. We have men-
ton of one William Dodge, who was
born in Salem, Mass, as early as the
year 1910.
VIM. J. Dodge, the father of Amasa,
was farmer near North SearSport.
He was a most devout member of the
Methodist church and very naturally
after his son Amasa had passed through
the grades of the village school he was
sent to the Wesleyan seminary in Read
field, where his education was COM
pleted. When the young man left
Boston, where he found employment
went into trade at North Searsport,
the same place. The running of hotels
became his business during la.ge por-
ton of his life. He conducted hostel
ries at North Dixmont, Belfast, Bangor
and Portland in this State, and in New
York and Washington, D. C. He
achieved reputation in this line that
extended far and wide. Mr.. Dodge
was an ideal host. No weary traveller
ever sought his inn in vain. After a
season at North Dixmont, in about
1882 Mr.. Dodge went to Bangor where
he purchased the old New England
House, changing its name to the Dodge
House. He was very popular while in
Bangor, his house becoming a very
noted one.
Soon after the war OF the rebellion
Mr.. Dodge left Bangor for Washington,
ID. c., where he obtained position in
the Agricultural Department, that city
becoming his home during the remain
der of his life. During the last 20
years of his residence at the national
capital he was an attorney in pension
and patent claims before those depart
ments. He was not, however, a regu-
lar practlclng lawyer. He owned a
fine residence, taking great delight in
gardening. Mr.. Dodge never lost in
terest i'll his native State, and was al
ways loyal to Maine. He was a fire.
quent visitor to his native town and at
places of his former residence. When
his last illness came he was making
preparations to visit a brother in Bel
fast. Mr.. Dodge died at Washington
March u, 1894, aged II years. He was
twice married, and at his death was
survived by wife and two sons.
1t is something of coincidence that
in the early sixties there were three
Past Grand Masters of the jurisdiction
of Maine holding government positions
at Washington, d. c., at the same
time: Past Grand Master Ezra B.
French Of Nobleboro, Second Auditor
of the Treasury Department; Past
Grand Master Nathan Emerson of Or
land, clerk i'll the Naval Agents office,
and Past Grand Master Amasa 7. c.
Dodge, in the Agricultural Depart
ment.
Mr.. Dodge became interested in Odd
Fellowship while a resident of North
Dixmont. He was one of the charter
members of Oriental Lodge, No. so,
which lodge was instituted at Dixmont,
January "a, 1851. The lodge was never
robust body whileit remained at Dix
mont, the highest point in member
ship being reached in 1888 when it had
tifty-three members. In 1852, as be-
fore mentioned, Mr.. Dodge, who was
one of the leading spirits, moved to
Bangor Other members left town, I'M
til in 1859 the membership had become
reduced to but seven. At the session
OF the Grand Lodge of Maine in 1859,
Messrs. Amasa I. c. Dodge Norris H.
Bragg, f. a. Bean and Joshua Dennis,
members OF Oriental Lodge, introduced
the following petition: The under
signed, residents of Bangor, being a
majority of the members of Oriental
Lodge, located at Dixmont, would rep
resent that but one member of SAID
lodge now resides in said town, and
but one other nearer than this city;
consequently we are unable to do bust
ness as lodge, and are deprived of the
privilege of meeting. We would
therefore request that we be allowed
to move said lodge to this city. Ban
gorl, and that Oriental Lodge, No 80,
at DlXmont, may be hereafter known
as Oriental Lodge, No. 90, of Bangor"
The request was granted and the lodge
moved to Bangor. There was then
but one other lodge in the city and
there was ample room for two. ORR
entail Lodge took on new life, growing
rapidly, until today it is one of the
largest and best in the jurisdiction OF
Maine.
Mr.. Dodge became a member of the
Grand Lodge of Maine in July, 1851,
while resident of North Dixmont. In
1856 he was elected Grand Master. 1t
was the misfortune Of Mr.. Dodge to
have been Grand Master at a time
when the Order was on the decline,
following its unhealthy growth IN the
first decade. Its membership had been
reduced from about 5000 in 1S49, to
but 1900 In 1885, and it was not sur
prlslng that Grand Master Dodge could
hhd but little encouragement after sur
vey OF ihe field. The years which fol-
lowed saw still further shrinkage, I'M
til 1t reached its lowest cub in 1865
with about LOO members. After Mr..
Dodge left the State his interest waned
until finally he dropped out of the Or
der. In after years, when the Odd Eel
loWshlp in this State had revived and
became one of the leading institutions,
he realized his error, regretting his &C
ton. In conversation with the writer
Mr.. Dodge expressed desire to again
unite with the fraternity, but he never
dld. lie was most agreeable gentle
man and dearly loved to meet an old
Time ODD Fellow and with him go over
the past. His "reminiscences of the
early fathers of the order in this State
was something worth listening to, and
once heard would never be forgotten.
RUSSELL G. DYER,
Grand Secretary.
CONDUCTOR CLEMENT.