New Britain herald., 1918-06-27
VETERAN MAS0NS AT
 BIG REUNION HERE
Albert Hodge of Roxbury, 95
 Years Old, Oldest Man Present OFFICERS ARE ELECTED

Harmony and Centennial Lodges,
 A. F. X A. M., Entertain Visiting
 Dinner at Noon.
 The 18th annual reunion of the Masonic Veteran Association of Con- necticut was held in Masonic hall, this city, today. There were 232 old mem- bers present, and 57 new members, most of whom were in attendance, were elected. At the business session, John O. Rowland, of Wallingford, was elected venerable master, and the as- sistant venerable master elected was Andrew J. Hallock, of Bridgeport. As a token of esteem for the retiring ven- erable master, Reuben H. Tucker. of Ansonia, the association created the new position of venerable master emeritus, to which he was unanim ous- ly elected.' Mr. Tucker has been ven- erable master of the association for ten years. Other officers elected were:
 Associate Venerable Masters-John c. E. Humphrey, Simsbury; Benjamin Jones, Willimantic; Ebenezer S. Phil
  Ansonia; Joseph F. Vodwarka, Now London; Albert H. Hodge, Roxbury; William H. Kelsey, Clinton, and Ed ward S. Carpenter, Coventry.
 Secretary-Robert V. Magee, Water town.
 Treasurer-John E. Ebbs, Water bury.
 Registrar-William B. Hall, Wal!- ingford.
 Assistant egistrar-Harold B. Waldo, Glastonbury.
 Chaplain-Justin Holden, Norwich.
 Marshal-John l. Hutchinson, Els
 standardization A. Futile, Torring ton.
 Auditors-Frank G. Bassett, Sey- mour, and Eugene A. Hall, Meriden.
 One Member 95 Years Old.
 The Masonic Veteran association was organized AS years ago and to be eligible for membership a candidate must have belonged to the Masonic order for at least 25 years. The old est member of the association present today was Albert l.. Hodge, of Rox- bury. MT. Hodge is 95 years of age and has been a Mason for 57 years. The member present who has be- longed to the Masons the longest was J. Knox Hall. of East Hartford. He has belonged to the order for the past 63 years. Another old member who was in attendance was Silas E. Jer- aids, of Cheshire, 8S years of age and 55 years a Mason. The oldest mem Der of the Connecticut association, however, was not present. He is Ben jamin Cutler, 95 years old and 6S years a Mason. He is a member Of Stonington (Conn) lodge, but makes his home in Brownsville, Oregon.
 Many Attend Convention.
 When the business session of the convention was called to order ct 11:3O o'clock this morning, there were 232 old members present whose ages ranged all the way from 95 years down to 46 years. Among the older Masons were men who have belonged to that order for 55 and 60 years, while, of course, the younger mem bers have belonged only the required 25 years which are necessary for nem- bership. Rev. Warren F. Cook, pas tor of Trinity Methodist church in this city, delivered prayer, and the address of welcome was given by George F. Norton, worshipful master of liar mony lodge. The assistant venerable master Past Grand Master George A. Kies, of Hartford, responded, after which the report of the venerable master, Wor- shipful Brother Reuben H. Tucker, of Ansonia, was read. MT. Tucker, ow- ing to ill-health, was unable to be present in person and sent 8 letter of regret. John B. Ebbs, of Waterbury, treasurer of the association, read his report and then the more solemn part of the exercises took place in the reading of the necrology list. There was many a moist eye in the assem- blaze as the names of old friends lodge brothers and companions of many years who were present a year ago today--were read.
 The NecroIogy List. The deaths since the annual reunion year ago were reported as follows:
 St. Johns Lodge. Hartford-Linus
 f-optinued m Eleventh Pa gel