1870

Friendship Lodge No. 210 F.&A.M.

2020

Dear Brothers, Family, and Friends of Friendship Lodge,

Welcome to the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Friendship Lodge F.&A.M.!
Joining together with Brothers and friends to recognize and commemorate a Lodge’s milestone anniversary is one of the most significant events we have the privilege of attending. The history and tradition of the Lodge, and the remembrance of the Brothers who shepherded the Lodge to this point, provide a meaningful backdrop to the celebration. This is indeed a monumental occasion which portrays the strength and durability of the Fraternity. We have been blessed by the dedication and hard work of those who have propelled us to this milestone. The future looks bright with our current line of Officers who will continue to carry the Fraternity into the future.

The warm fraternal glow we experience as we look ahead to the Lodge’s future gives us assurance that as long as the Craft remains a place where friendship, morality, and brotherly love exists, we will survive and thrive until called again to celebrate the next, significant occasion.

With pride and Brotherly Love,

Randy Shelton
Master 2022
Past Master 2009

First Preliminary Meeting [Menefee Building]
San Jose, Santa Clara County, California
August 5th, A. L. 5870

The following named Brethren recognized by each other as Master Masons in good standing, assembled at the office of Bro. J. J. Menefee in the place and on the day above written, at seven and a half (7-1/2) o’clock p.m. for the purpose of taking the necessary measures for the establishment of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, namely:

  • Bro. Jared Turner
  • Bro. Edward Halsey
  • Bro. Henry Howard Cook Bro. Theodore Lenzen
  • Bro. Edward Fallis Spence
  • Bro. Joseph Jefferson Menefee
  • Bro. Palmer Eliakin Hughson B
  • Bro. Giles Eggleston McDougall

On Motion of Bro. Spence, Bro. Jared Turner was called to the chair and on motion of Bro. Halsey, Bro. Palmer E. Hughson was named as secretary.

The Menefee Building is where Friendship Lodge first met.

The Chairman stated the object of the meeting and suggested that the first step taken should be the selection of some name for the proposed new Lodge, whereupon, on motion of Bro. Menefee it was:
Ordered, that this meeting now proceed by ballot, to nominate a Master, a Senior Warden and a Junior Warden for recommendation to the Grand Master.
The Chairman named Bros. Menefee and Spence as tellers, who having received and canvassed the votes, of those present, announced that the following named brethren were chosen for such nomination, namely:

  • Bro. Edward Halsey as Master
  • Bro. Joseph Jefferson Menefee as Senior Warden
  • Bro. Edward Fallis Spence as Junior Warden

The Chairman then stated that the preparation of a petition to the Grand Master would be next in order; whereupon Bro. Halsey presented a petition in accordance with the form prescribed by the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of California to be presented to the Grand Master of Masons, wherein, praying him to grant a Dispensation to form and open a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in this place, to be called ____________ Lodge, which petition, of which the following is a copy, having been approved, was signed by certain brethren, as below set forth:

Edward Halsey, W.M. 1870 and 1871. Brother Halsey was a merchant and 24 years of age. He was raised in San Jose Lodge No. 10 on January 26, 1868.

Petition for Dispensation

To the M : W : Leonides E. Pratt
Grand Master of Masons in California

The petition of the undersigned respectfully represent that they are Master Masons in good standing, that they were last members of the respective Lodges named opposite their several signatures hereunto, as will appear from the demits of each of the petitioners herewith transmitted, that they reside in or near the City of San Jose, in the County of Santa Clara in the State of California; that among them are a sufficient number of brethren well qualified to open and hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and to discharge all its various duties in the three degrees of Ancient Masonry in accordance with established usage; and that, having the prosperity of the craft at heart, and being desirous to use their best endeavors for the diffusion of its beneficent principals, they pray for a Dispensation empowering them to form, open and hold a regular Lodge at the City of San Jose, aforesaid, to be called ____________ Lodge.

They have nominated, and respectfully recommend Bro. Edward Halsey as the first Master, Bro. Joseph Jefferson Menefee as the first Senior Warden and Bro. Edward Fallis Spence as the first Junior Warden of the said Lodge, they being in all respects competent to perform all the duties of the several stations for which they are proposed; and if the prayer of the petitioners be granted, they promise in all things strict obedience to the commands of the Grand Master and undivided conformity to the Constitution and Regulations of the Grand Lodge.

Dated at San Jose, this ________ day of August, A. L. 5870.

Edward Halsey …………………………………………………………………. San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Charles Henry Arnold …………………………………………………….. San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Henry Howard Cook ……………………………………………………….. San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Joseph Jefferson Menefee ………………………………………………. San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Palmer Eliakin Hughson ……………………………………………….. Golden Gale No. 248, Illinois.
Jared Turner ……………………………………………………………………… San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Giles Eggleston McDougall …………………………………………….. San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Samuel Alonzo Barker ……………………………………………………. San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Sandier Brockway Anderson ………………………………………… San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Edward Fallis Spence ……………………………………………………… San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Daniel Jewett Porter ……………………………………………………….. San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Theodore Lenzen …………………………………………………………….. San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.
Thomas Woodbury Dresser ………………………………………….. San Jose Lodge No. 10, Calif.

The Chairman called attention to a requisite, mentioned in the petition, that the demit of each of the petitioners should accompany that document when sent to the Grand Master, whereupon on motion of Bro. Cook it was

Ordered, That each brother who signed the petition shall place his demit from the Lodge of which he was last a member in the hands of the Chairman, as soon as practicable.

The Chairman then stated that the recommendation of the nearest or most convenient Chartered Lodge must be obtained, to be transmitted to the Grand Master with the petition and that, before that recommendation could be procured, it would be necessary to show that a safe and suitable Lodge Room has been provided; whereupon Bro. Halsey stated that several of the brethren of San Jose Lodge No. 10 Free and Accepted Masons were in favor of granting to this Lodge the use of their Hall, Jewels, etc., and that a motion to that effect would be made on the presentation of the petition to them for their recommendation.

It having been suggested that some money, etc. would be required for the establishment of the Lodge, after some discussion, it was proposed that such of the signers of said petition as could do so, should advance such sums as they felt disposed, to aid in providing the fees to pay for the Dispensation, and other necessary expenses, said advances to be considered as a loan to said Lodge.

The meeting then adjourned until Tuesday, August 9, A. L. 5870.

P. E. Hewson Secretary

Jared Tumer Chairman

The preceding, being of prime interest to us all, has been copied verbatim.In the first paragraph of the above minutes, you will note that the brethren “assembled at the office of Bro. J. J. Menefee”. Historical records reveal to us that Bro. Menefee was a dentist, with offices on the second floor in a building then located on the southwest corner of First and Santa Clara Streets in San Jose.

Within the paragraph beginning at the bottom of the preceding page, it will be noted that “the brethren of San Jose Lodge No. 10 Free and Accepted Masons were in favor of granting to this Lodge the use of their Hall, Jewels, etc”.

As the meeting of San Jose Lodge No. 10, held on August 9, 1870, is of importance to us, part of those minutes is quoted as follows:

“A Petition for a Dispensation to form a New Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at this City to be called Friendship Lodge was presented by Bro. W. A. January, which was received, read and on motion the proper recommendation given as follows:

“Whereas, a Petition for the issue of a Dispensation to form and open a new Lodge at San Jose, California, has been presented to this Lodge for its recommendation, and

“Whereas, it is known to this Lodge that the signers thereto, thirteen in number, are all Master Masons in good standing, and that a safe and suitable Lodge Room has been provided by them for their meetings, it is

“Resolved, that the establishment of said new Lodge is a manifest propriety, and will conduce to the good of the Order, and that this Lodge recommends to the Grand Master the granting of the Dispensation prayed for in said petition.”

Pomeroy Building 1870-1883

At this date San Jose Lodge No. 10 met in the Pomeroy Building, a rented hall located at 359 First Street, San Jose, Calif. A new numbering system for buildings was later established in the City of San Jose and we now find the stairway entrance on 58 South First Street — the Pomeroy Building still standing, but today it houses the Fuze Bar and Grill.

The Pomeroy Building is the Lodge’s second meeting place.

Second Preliminary Meeting — Naming the Lodge

The Second Preliminary Meeting was held as called on August 9th, 1870, and from this meeting came our Lodge name, for it was:

“Ordered, that we now proceed to select a name for the Lodge” Seven brothers were present. Five votes were required to make the choice. Three prospective names for the new Lodge were proposed: Tyrian, Branch, and Friendship.

Where did these names come from? A Tryian was a resident of the city of Tyre. Tyre is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. It was originally part of Phoenician civilization but today is part of the nation of Lebanon. King Hiram of Tyre ruled from 980 to 947 BCE, during a time when Phoenicia was free from foreign dominance.

The Tryians acquired a reputation for being great masons and engineers, also in metalworks and especially in shipbuilding. During that period, Hiram forged close relations with the Hebrew kings David and Solomon. Reportedly, he sent cedar wood and skilled workers for the construction of the great Temple in Jerusalem.

Since the details are a little sketchy, we are left to assume that the name Branch came from the idea that the new Lodge was branching off from San Jose Lodge No. 10. Details about the name Friendship are nonexistent. Maybe the name and concept were obvious.

The Chairman named Bros. H. H. Cook and S. B. Anderson, tellers. The ballots were cast as follows:

1st ballot Tyrian 3 Friendship 3 Branch 1 | 2nd ballot Tyrian 4 Friendship 2 Branch 1 | 3rd ballot Tyrian 2 Friendship 5 Branch 0

In accordance with the resolution, the name “Friendship” was chosen.

Third Preliminary Meeting

The next meeting was held in the Lodge Room on August 27, 1870, at 8:00 PM. The Chairman directed the Secretary to read the Dispensation from the Grand Master dated August 20, 1870, and signed by Leonidus E. Pratt, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of California.

After that the Secretary read the minutes of all preceding meetings, which were approved and kept among the Lodge records. Next, the By-laws were read and approved. They stipulated that the Stated Meetings shall be held on the Fourth Saturday of each month and set member dues at $1.00 per month.

At this meeting was received an application for affiliation from George May, accompanied with his demit from Gravel Range No. 59 of California, and Bro. May became the first member accepted after Dispensation.

Our First and Fastest Candidate

Friendship Lodge’s first stated meeting “Under Dispensation” was held on August 27th, 1870. At this historic first stated meeting, we received our very first “Application for Degrees” from Mr. Julius Jordon, who became the first brother to receive the three degrees of Masonry in Friendship Lodge.

Julius Jordon was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on October 29th, 1870. One week later, on November 5th, he was examined in his Entered Apprentice proficiency, and was Passed to the degree of Fellowcraft the same night. Then the following week, on November 12th, he passed his Fellowcraft proficiency, was raised a Master Mason, and signed the By-laws that same night.

The following month, Brother Jordon started filling in as Junior Deacon “Pro Tem”. He was officially installed into that position 10 months later at the time that Friendship Lodge was chartered, and held that office for the ensuing Masonic year, until December of 1872. Eventually his name disappeared from the record.

Stated Meeting — September 1870

At the Stated Meeting of September 1870, a petition was prepared and presented to Grand Lodge of California praying for the issuance of a Charter to Friendship Lodge at the 1870 Annual Communication.

The Grand Lodge Committee on Charters recommended that “Friendship Lodge to continue under Dispensation until next Annual Communication, as Friendship has conducted no degrees to this time.”

However, the Committee on By-laws recommended that the By-laws of Friendship, U.D. be approved, and the By-laws were approved.

Our first expense for use of the meeting hall of San Jose No. 10 [at the Pomeroy Building] was for janitorial service, at the rate of $2.50 per month.

Stated Meeting — July 1871

In July 1871 we were presented a bill for rent of our hall for the preceding months to the amount of $70.00. By now we had accumulated a few dollars in our Treasury and could pay our bills promptly. San Jose Lodge No. 10 had leased the Hall from E. A. Pomeroy for $50.00 per month, and we were charged $10.00 per month for the use of it on Saturdays, plus cost of gas for lighting.
1871 Grand Lodge Communication

In the proceedings of Grand Lodge Annual Communication on October 14th, 1871, the Committee on Charters commended the records of Friendship, U. D. It also recommended “that a Charter be issued to Friendship U. D.” Later the same day the Grand Secretary reported the Charter as ordered was granted for Friendship, U. D. and signed by Leonidus E. Pratt, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in California.

Subsequent Stated Meetings of Note

At the Stated Meeting of our Lodge, held on October 28th, 1871, the Master reported the Grand Lodge of California had granted Friendship Lodge a Charter at the Annual Communication. It was duly noted that the Lodge was designated as “Friendship Lodge No. 210.”

On December 23, 1871, Section 1, Article III of our By-laws was changed, thereby changing our time of Stated Meetings, from the Fourth Saturday of each month to the First Thursday of each month.

On January 4, 1872, our Lodge bought the first set of Lodge Jewels, 13 pieces, for the sum of $55.75. Up to this time we had used the Jewels of San Jose Lodge No. 10. The following April, the Lodge purchased “a Masonic Chart for use in the Lodge Room.”

On January 1, 1874, the Stewards were directed to procure eight dozen aprons. Materials cost $24.60 plus $5.75 to have the aprons handmade. The Stewards were also directed to procure a set of Working Tools, but in March it was decided to delay the purchase. The following April, our Bro. W. O. Ackerly presented the Lodge with a set of Working Tools. That same month our Hall rent was increased to $15.00 per month.

On December 2, 1875, notification was received from Grand Lodge permitting us to appear in public in our Masonic regalia.

On January 6, 1876, it was voted that we would meet at 7:00 PM in the winter and at 7:30 PM in the summer months.

On January 3, 1878, we voted to change our rate of monthly dues from $1.00 to 75¢. At the same time, we received notice that our Hall rent would be increased from $15.00 to $20.00 per month.

On October 5, 1882, the proposed amendment to allow $50.00 payment for Life Membership was withdrawn, as Grand Lodge, at its last Annual Communication, had prohibited the issuance of Life Memberships.

On December 7, 1882, a proposal to reduce our monthly dues to 50¢ was defeated. Rutherford Hall 1883-1909

This location was known as Rutherford Hall and was rented by the San Jose Masonic bodies and was our “home” for over 25 years. At the Stated Meeting of November 1883 there was appropriated “the sum of $1,000 as our part necessary to pay for the outfitting of our intended new Hall.” And on the 27th of December we held a “housewarming” with the other Masonic Bodies of this City, in our new Hall on the southwest corner of Second and San Fernando Streets in San Jose.

The Lodge Room inside Rutherford Hall.

On May 1, 1884, a petition to form a new Lodge in this City [San Jose] was received, but our Lodge voted not to approve the request.

On April 5th, 1888, a petition to form a Lodge in Los Gatos was received and we approved the same. It went on to become Los Gatos Lodge No. 292. After two recent consolidations, it is known today as Mount Moriah Lodge No. 292.

On December 5, 1889, a petition to form a Lodge in Santa Clara was received and we approved the same. It went on to become Liberty Lodge No. 299.

On November 2, 1893, the Worshipful Master was instructed to vigorously object to a saloon being established in part of our rented Rutherford Hall building. Our protests were heeded, and no license was issued.

On May 2, 1895, we decided to instruct our Hall Committee to negotiate for a 10-year extension of our lease for Rutherford Hall. Then on August 4, 1904, we advised our Hall Committee to endeavor to extend our present lease of Rutherford Hall for another three years.

On October 14, 1896, we assisted in the ceremony of laying the cornerstone of our Masonic Home in Decoto [today part of Union City].

The first Masonic Temple on First Street in San Jose.
On February 22nd, 1909 (Washington’s Birthday), the Officers of Grand Lodge assisted by us and our many friends, dedicating our new Masonic

Rutherford Hall experienced significant damage during the 1906 earthquake, but the Lodges continued to meet there until the Masonic Temple was completed in 1909.

On October 7th, 1889, members of San Jose Lodge No. 10 and Friendship Lodge No. 210 met and discussed the possibility of “establishing a permanent home for San Jose Lodges”. On August 13, 1902, the newly formed Masonic Hall Association decided to vigorously investigate the possibility of building our own Masonic Temple.

That year the Association purchased a lot on the West side of North Second Street, near the Methodist Episcopal Church, for $16,000.00. Three years later, the Association decided the lot was not suitable for the Masonic Temple and sold it for $23,500.00.

On June 13, 1905, the Hall Association met and approved the purchase of a 75 by 137.5-foot lot on South First Street for $12,500.00. On March 14, 1908, the members of Friendship Lodge took part in the laying of the cornerstone. The three-story building was constructed at a cost of $50,000.00.

Temple. Seats had been reserved for the large group of representatives of various Masonic lodges. A number of onlookers occupied the seats, and the San Jose Police had to remove them.

The First Street Temple became our first permanent “home” for the various Masonic bodies in San Jose and remained in use over 65 years. Monthly rental cost $50.00, plus the cost of any utilities we used.

Subsequent Activities of Note

On April 2nd, 1908, a petition to form a new Lodge in San Jose was presented and approved. It went on to become Fraternity Lodge No. 399.

On June 3rd, 1909, we were present for the cornerstone laying ceremonies for the then new Scottish Rite Temple, located at 152 North Third Street, San Jose.

On September 2nd, 1909, we were present for the cornerstone laying ceremonies for the new Palo Alto Masonic Temple.

On January 5th, 1911, our Lodge voted unanimously to increase our monthly dues from 50¢ per month to 75¢ per month.

On May 1st, 1919, we had considerable discussion concerning the value of sending monthly bulletins (Trestleboards) to our members.

On February 5th, 1920, a petition to form another Lodge in San Jose was presented and approved. In due time it became Golden Rule Lodge, No. 479.

On May 6th, 1920, our Lodge voted approval of selling Life Memberships for the sum of $112.50.

On September 4th, 1929, we received a notice, signed by John W. Davis, stating the intention of forming a new Lodge in Willow Glen, and we extended to them our Fraternal assistance.

50th Anniversary — 1920

On October 7th, 1920, following our Stated Meeting, all retired to the banquet room, where a banquet was spread for the brethren, including a Birthday Cake, adorned by 50 candles, was enjoyed by all in the celebration of our 50th Anniversary. Charles Albert Adams, Grand Master of Masons in California, addressed the brethren, while standing behind the lighted cake, the only illumination in the room at the time. According to our Past Master Alvin Long it was an impressive evening.

75th Anniversary — 1945

On November 15th, 1945, we enjoyed a combined Past Masters Night and 75th Anniversary celebration. As expected, it was an outstanding evening, under the guidance of Worshipful Master Robert L. Norton. A fine dinner was enjoyed by all, followed by group singing under the leadership of Bro. Billy Warren.

During the years of World War II, we, as most California Lodges, were quite busy conferring the degrees. We accepted many fine men during these busy years which account for much of our growth. In addition to our own candidates, we conferred many courtesy degrees for other Lodges also.

100th Anniversary — 1970

Our 100th Anniversary will be one long remembered. The presence of our Grand Master and other distinguished guests, a fine dinner, many friends, good entertainment, and the pleasant surroundings of the Scottish Rite banquet hall at Third and St. James Streets. Over 1,800 men have signed our By-laws since 1870. So may we and our successors continue to follow those noble footsteps, that 100 years from now we will still be known as “Friendship Lodge” the Lodge of friendship.

The Second Masonic Temple 1974 to present

The new temple, dedicated in August 1974, is on a hillside off Canoas Garden Avenue where street sign indicates “Masonic Drive”, the first street in San Jose’s corporate limits to be named for a fraternal organization. The current 30,000 square-foot structure sits on four landscaped acres and cost $850,000.00.

In 1979, the local Lodges opened the cornerstone of the Masonic Temple at 272 S. First Street. Items placed in the cornerstone on March 14, 1908, include rosters of the several Masonic lodges that had formed since the first, San Jose Lodge No. 10 was founded in 1850 by such pioneers as Drs. Ben Cory and John Townsend, Jacob Hoppe, C.T. Ryland and James F. Reed.

The box reportedly also contains proceedings of the Grand Lodge of California, copies of local newspapers and a program for the ceremonies listing the prominent citizens who served as directors of the Masonic Hall Association, which bought the land and built the First Street temple.

The San Jose Masonic Center is the current home of Friendship Lodge.

At the July 1978 stated meeting, Friendship Lodge approved a sum of $200.00 as a contribution toward building a barbecue pit at the San Jose Masonic Temple.

On November 17, 1988, a Sheriff’s Lieutenant by the name of James Greer was raised a Master Mason in Friendship Lodge. In 1991, he began his first tour of duty as Lodge Secretary and is currently serving his 31st consecutive year in office.

Inspiring Actions-A year of community service reinvigorates a lodge

From the April / May 2009 issue of the California Freemason magazine: When Kendall Mills chose the theme for his 2008 year as master, he invoked memories of long sports practices and a familiar motto.

Together Everyone Accomplishes More, T.E.A.M., had been drilled into Mills by an old football coach. “It always stuck with me,” Mills said. “I knew it was the perfect theme to rally the lodge behind.”

Rally it did. Mills used the theme to launch a community service initiative that changed the lodge’s relationship with the San Jose community. He challenged members to complete one service project a month in 2008. In matching T.E.A.M. T-shirts, Friendship Lodge No. 210 responded, volunteering more than 1,100-man hours and donating more than $12,000 to community fundraisers throughout the year.

Mills was thrilled with the results – but not surprised. Before his year as master, he’d conducted a survey that asked members why they joined Masonry and what might inspire them to become more active. “The responses came back with a strong theme,” Mills relays: “Community service.”

Why I became a Mason

“I didn’t join the lodge to be master or go in the line,” says Bob Moore, who was initiated at Friendship Lodge in April 2006. “I joined to meet other people and do things for the community.”

Moore wasn’t active with the lodge until the T.E.A.M. theme gained momentum. Once Friendship Lodge’s focus shifted to community service, he felt he was finally fulfilling his Masonic purpose.

One of the T.E.A.M. community projects that really touched him was a November activity: volunteering time to sort and package food at the Second Harvest Food Bank warehouse.

“It wasn’t hard to do, but everybody felt really good about it afterwards,” Moore says. “I’d like to organize something regularly.” Another of Moore’s favorite events was combining with Palo Alto-Roller Lodge No. 346 to run a Child ID booth at a local fair.

“Everyone in my dad’s generation was a member of a lodge, but today that’s not true.We’ve kind of insulated ourselves from the community,” Moore points out. “The food bank and the fair was a way for us to get back into the community and show that we’re a community service organization.”

Lending a hand

At the start of the year, Mills sat down and brainstormed 16 monthly events (whittled down to 12), from sponsoring and decorating a Christmas tree in the community park to holding a school backpack drive. One of the projects that immediately drew interest was to form a Handyman Service, an offshoot of the lodge’s widow outreach effort.

“Some members can’t make a lot of monetary donations, but they do have strong backs and can donate their time,” Mills reasoned.

His theory panned out. A loosely organized task force of members assembled throughout the year to help on household projects for widows and older members, even traveling in a “Tool Time Handyman Service” van owned by a member with a private handyman service.

Many hadn’t been involved in the lodge until the opportunity for hands-on service work emerged.

“I was the first to call and ask for their help,” says Barbara Brown, recalling how thrilled the Handyman Service was to receive its inaugural assignment. She needed help moving into a new house after the death of her husband, and about a dozen brothers showed up to do just that. Months later, she dialed up the Handyman Service to help with carpeting and painting. Both times, the group was a mix of familiar and new faces.

“Even guys that I hadn’t met before showed up to help,” Brown says. “They had a good time, and I did, too.”

A legacy of support

Besides community partnerships, the year of community service created long-term opportunities for member involvement. For example, Moore’s spike in lodge involvement didn’t end with 2008. This year, he’s stepped in as coordinator for the lodge’s adopted school: Chandler Tripp School, a special education school for children from birth to age five with disabilities.

Previously, Friendship Lodge would sponsor a local school for one year, offering primarily financial support. Chandler Tripp was that school in 2007. But the lodge members became so attached to the students, parents, and faculty that, building on their T.E.A.M. theme, officers unanimously voted in 2008 to adopt the school on a long-term basis – for at least the next seven years.

“When we met the kids and parents, we were really touched,” Mills explains. The special needs of Chandler Tripp’s students require parents and faculty to be especially involved, and it’s crucial that parents still find time to connect with their community.

The school holds a fundraising carnival at least once a year, and Principal Taura Anderson stationed the members of Friendship Lodge in a prominent spot. “We put them at the cookie counter, so they got to mingle,” she recalls.

“It was awesome,” Mills says. “These kids and their parents are something else. It gave everybody goose bumps.”

Principal Anderson was thrilled to accept the lodge’s offer of support, which was coming from a familiar organization. “My folks and grandparents were Eastern Star and Masons,” Anderson says.

“I liked it when they hooked up with our school.”

“There are always ways that we want to enhance our programs that aren’t in the budget,” Anderson says. “Sometimes, besides money, we need time – somebody to complete a project. The lodge donates their time and skills.”

T.E.A.M. includes everyone

Friendship Lodge has provided the manpower behind numerous time-consuming projects, from a park clean-up to building a picket fence for Chandler Tripp School.
The activities have been a chance for new members, families, and even prospects to get involved with the community – and the lodge.

Many members’ wives and mothers felt a part of the lodge for the first time, often taking charge of projects. As the lodge’s Web site became peppered with photos and updates of group service projects, a greater number of prospects approached the lodge. The sense of inclusion extended to the younger generation, too, as Friendship Lodge’s rotating schedule of community service was rife with opportunities for youth order volunteerism.

“I was hoping that interest wouldn’t tail off or die down, and sure enough, every month we had some new people,” Mills says.

Variety was part of the lodge’s key to success. “Having a new activity monthly gave opportunities for involvement. If somebody couldn’t make it one month, they could make the next one. That applied to prospective members, too,” Mills says.

The focus on service spread throughout San Jose, too, starting with the January project, the One Warm Coat drive, which was advertised in local papers and drew members of the community to the Masonic center to drop off donations. More than 250 coats were collected. At the March park cleanup event, a group of lodge members, youth orders, and families had face time with passersby.

“We had people approach us and ask why we were doing all of that work, saying their grandfather was a Mason but they hadn’t known we were still in existence. They were very appreciative,” Mills says.

The youth orders also used the event as an opportunity to invite prospects, and the young faces in the crowd made an impression. “A few folks said that once their kids get older, they’ll look us up,” says Mills.

Forming a habit

As current master of Friendship Lodge, Randy Shelton is committed to carrying on last year’s legacy. “Community service is a large part of Masonry,” says Shelton. “It lets the community know that Masons still exist, and that they can count on us.”

In the first half of his year, he’s partnered the lodge with Goodwill, the Humane Society, and Pat’s Run, a run/walk that benefits leadership training for San Jose students and honors Pat Tillman, a local football hero turned NFL star who was killed during military service in Afghanistan. Shelton’s also kept the focus strong on Chandler Tripp School and the Child ID Program.

Support has been unflagging. “We have so many willing members, wives, and families that donate time, money, services, and love to our community,” Shelton says. “Finding someone to help out has never been an issue for our lodge.”

Mills echoes that sentiment, paraphrasing the “Field of Dreams” quote “Build it and they will come” to describe his own experience: “Schedule it and communicate, communicate, communicate it and they will come.”

Friendship Lodge’s 2008 community service projects:

January: Organized a communitywide One Warm Coat drive
February: Kicked off a Handyman Service
March: Cleaned up a community park
April: Stuffed 1,000+ envelopes for Chandler Tripp School
May: Fundraised for and participated in Pat’s Run
June: Built a picket fence for Chandler Tripp School
July: Hosted ice cream social and magic show at the Masonic Home at Union City
August: Partnered with Palo Alto-Roller Lodge No. 346 to host a Child ID booth
September: Ran a school backpack drive
October: Led a food drive and fundraising for the Second Harvest Food Bank
November: Sorted and packaged food at the Second Harvest Food Bank warehouse
December: Sponsored and decorated a Christmas tree for a community park

Public Schools Support

Education has always been a priority in America since Colonial days. However, access to education often depended on where you lived and how wealthy your family was. Most children were home-schooled. Families with some extra money hired tutors for their children. Parochial appeared but their curriculum was influenced by the sponsoring Church. In the late 1830s, Freemason Horace Mann envisioned public non-sectarian education that was paid for public, open to children from a variety of backgrounds, promoting the tenets of a free society; and provided by well-trained, professional teachers.

In 1920, Grand Master Charles Adams proclaimed the first Public Schools Week, during which Masonic lodges led community meetings to respond to the state’s critical teacher shortage. Each succeeding California grand master has continued that observance which today is recognized as Public Schools Month. Since that time, individual Masonic lodges have been encouraged to support the public schools in their neighborhoods

Masons4Mitts

The Major League Baseball team partners of Masons4Mitts consist of:

• Los Angeles Angels. Their home ballpark is Angel Stadium in Anaheim, they sponsor the Angels Baseball Foundation, in the Orange County region.
• Los Angeles Dodgers. Their home ballpark is Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, they sponsor the Dodgers Foundation, in the Los Angeles region.
• San Francisco Giants. Their home ballpark is Oracle Park in San Francisco, they sponsor the Junior Giants, in the Northern California region.
• San Diego Padres. Their home ballpark is Petco Stadium in San Diego, they sponsor the Padres Foundation for Children, in the San Diego region. Each region holds a Mason’s Night once a year at the sponsoring MLB

Each region holds a Mason’s Night once a year at the sponsoring MLB team’s home stadium. The Grand Master of Masons of California presents a check to the MLB team in the amount donated by the Lodges and Masons from that region.

In the Northern California region, Junior Giants is a free, non-competitive and coed baseball and softball program for youth ages 5 through 13. Working together with local agencies, families and volunteers, Junior Giants reaches into communities and offers youth a chance to learn the basics of baseball during the summer while also discovering the importance of essential life skills.

Entering its 29th season, Junior Giants annually serves 24,000 participants in nearly 90 leagues. The 2022 Junior Giants program will be hosted in 80 leagues across California, Nevada, and Oregon from June 13 through August 5.

Players learn the Junior Giants Four Bases of Character Development: Confidence, Integrity, Leadership, and Teamwork, as well as the importance of Health, Education, and Bullying Prevention.

Over the past 14 years, the Masons of California have provided over $1.5 million through Masons4Mitts. Other companies and organizations support the Junior Giants:

• Real Chemistry
• Good Tidings Foundation
• Bank of America
• Chevron Corporation
• Americorps
• Norman S. Wright Company

Within the Northern California region, there are seven teams: Delta Dogs, South Bay Bombers, SF Sluggers, Sacramento Cyclones, East Bay Aces, North State Hotshots, and the North Bay Bees — No idea who came up with these names — each team is made up of individual Masonic Lodges.

Every year, the teams in each region compete against each other to raise money to purchase baseball mitts for the children who participate in the Junior Giants. Whichever team donates the most money in their region during the year joins the Grand Master on the field when he presents a check to the sponsoring baseball team.

Every $20.00 raised buys one brand-new high-quality Rawlings leather baseball mitt with the Masons of California logo branded on it.

The South Bay Bombers team includes these Masonic Lodges: Burlingame No. 400, Confidence No. 110, Friendship No. 210, Golden Rule No. 479, Liberty No. 299, Los Altos No. 712, Menlo Park No. 651, Mountain View De Anza No. 194, Mt. Moriah No. 292, Palo Alto-Roller No. 346, San Benito No. 211, San Jose No. 10, San Mateo No. 226, Sons of the Desert No. 872, South Valley No. 187, Texas No. 46, and Willow Glen-Fraternity No. 399.

The South Bay Bombers team also includes these local Prince Hall Masonic Lodges: King Solomon No. 6, Community No. 43, Cornerstone No. 111, GeorgeL. Green No. 118, Peninsula No. 46, Richmond C. Marshal No. 15.

Friendship Lodge No. 210 always budgets for and makes a generous donation to Masons4Mitts. Individual Lodge members and their families can also donate. $20.00 buys one new high-quality Rawlings leather baseball mitt with the Masons of California logo branded on it.

150th Anniversary — 2020 + 2

Our Sesquicentennial anniversary was originally scheduled for the year 2020. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Grand Master Steve Trauner ordered Masonic Lodges in California to stop meeting. In time, the Grand Lodge developed a protocol whereby individual Lodges could meet over an online connection, such as Zoom.

When the state and local governments implemented a lockdown to reduce the spread of the virus, Worshipful Master Thaddeus Espiritu cancelled the April 2, 2020, Stated Meeting. The August 6, 2020, Stated Meeting was held via Zoom connection. We found the format awkward and unusual. But we quickly noticed that Brothers were attending the online meeting that we never saw in Lodge, mostly because the live out-of-the-area.

Beginning in March 2021, Friendship Lodge adopted a new Trestleboard design. Previously, the Bethel 129 of Job’s Daughters arranged for printing, labelling, and mailing. But they did so at a loss. Printing the new design was taken over by Rose Garden Print, which also stuffed and mailed the Trestleboards at a substantially lower cost. Friendship Lodge continued to support the Bethel, in ways that generate money for their activities.

On October 14, 2021, Most Worshipful Grand Master Jeffery M. Wilkins announced that all lodges shall resume in-person stated meetings. Friendship Lodge met in-person on November 4, 2021, with a Thanksgiving dinner, a Hiram Award presentation, followed by our stated meeting.
Since 1870, over 1,940 men have joined Friendship Lodge, by affiliation or by degrees.

 

Past Masters of Friendship Lodge

+ 1870-1871 Edward Halsey
+ 1872 Edward F. Spence
+ 1873-1874 Henry H. Cook
+ 1875 Samuel A. Barker
+ 1876-1877 H. L. Andrews
+ 1878 W. A. Jackson
+ 1879 H. L. Andrews
+ 1880-1881 Joseph A. Lotz
+ 1882-1883 Lemuel J. Chipman
+ 1884 W. C. Kingsbury
+ 1885-1886 M. H. Gay
+ 1887 Lafayette F. Chipman
+ 1888 Peter Long
+ 1889 M. H. Gay
+ 1890 William L. Woodrow
+ 1891 Leslie S. Orcutt
+ 1892-1883 Perley F. Cosby
+ 1894-1895 L. C. Gordon
+ 1896 John T. Coyle
+ 1897-1898 Dennis V. Mahoney
+ 1899 George W. Worthen
+ 1900-1902 Delos W. Smythe
+ 1903-1904 Henry D. Mathews
+ 1905 R. A. Lee
+ 1906 F. B. Warring
+ 1907 F. L. Cauch
+ 1908 F. T. Edmans
+ 1909-1910 T. M. Wright
+ 1911 J. J. Kocher
+ 1912 George T. Lemon
+ 1913 Joseph Pash
+ 1914 L. E. Wilson
+ 1915-1916 J. J. Schmidt
+ 1917 W. W. Paull
+ 1918 A. G. Ramstad
+ 1919 Leighton C. Brownton
+ 1920 Alvin Long
+ 1921 P. H. Thompson
+ 1922 E. H. Kocher
+ 1923 A. A. Brainard
+ 1924 W. P. Zarcone
+ 1925 H. W. Raine
+ 1926 H. H. Buell
+ 1927 A. T. Hollingsworth
+ 1928 D. J. Sedgwick
+ 1929 C. W. Sohm
+ 1930 J. F. Knight
+ 1931 C. St. J. Hale

 

+ 1932 C. C. Clark
+ 1933 Lloyd R. Britton
+ 1934 Carl H. Nelson
+ 1935 C. V. “Bob” Whalley
+ 1936 E. H. Shank
+ 1937 E. L. Wilder
+ 1938 A. J. Miner
+ 1939 C. M. Perry
+ 1940 Fred O. Eaton
+ 1941 August E. Gliesberg
+ 1942 Eugene W. Moore
+ 1943 A. E. Canton
+ 1944 W. B. Hiner
+ 1945 Robert L. Norton
+ 1946 Henry W. Schmidt
+ 1947 W. L. Ogden
+ 1948 H. G. Clouser
+ 1949 Lawrence A. Campbell
+ 1950 O. R. Burnett
+ 1952 R. C. Bodwell
+ 1953 Arthur W. Simpson
+ 1954 Morris Thush
+ 1955 Malvin Moore
+ 1956 Russell L. Batten
+ 1957 Forest F. Von Dorsten
+ 1958 Roland E. Snyder
+ 1959 William L. Herschberger
+ 1960 John Haanstra
+ 1961 Kenelm B. Winslow
+ 1962 Paul N. Holsinger
+ 1963 Clyde D. Goudie
+ 1964 E. Bruce Folendorf
+ 1965 Lewis H. Stotesberry
+ 1966 Wallace E. Stovall
+ 1967 Fred Robinson
+ 1968 Walter W. Fox
+ 1969 Woodrow W. Reedy
+ 1970 Robert G. Elliott
+ 1971 Ernest R. Kiesel
+ 1972 Birdell Wilson
+ 1973 J. S. Gai
+ 1974 John C. Rich, Sr.
   1975 Robert L. Wilson
   1976 Jerry D. Kennedy
+ 1977 Glenn R. McClelland
+ 1978 Kenneth M. Cook
+ 1979 Darwyn J. Soutas
+ 1980 Marvin M. Horwitz
   1981 David J. Soutas

 

   1982 Paul H. Lyew
+ 1983 Edwin C. Vollgraff
   1984 Rodolfo H. Tan
   1985-1986 Theodore A. Bohrer
+ 1987 Walter Krill
   1988 James D. Marlowe
   1989 Anastasios E. Papapsomas
   1990 Paul H. Lyew
+ 1991 David G. Meyers
   1992 Bruce Weller
   1993 James E. Grove
   1994 Ruben D. Nazareno
   1995 Maurice A. Taber
+ 1996 Manuel M. Mateo
   1997 Ronald C. Reed
   1998 Humberto Z. Flores
   1999 Melecio A. Abraham
   2000 Kenneth E. Ruyle
   2001 Joe J. Alarcon
   2002 Robert H. Woods
   2003 Hugo Y. Sosa
   2004 Juan M. Arreguin
   2005 Joseph M. Martinez, Jr.
   2006 Edward H. Carmona
   2007 Billy L. Mills
   2008 Kendall R. Mills
   2009 Randy L. Shelton
  2010 Lawrence D. Müller
  2011 Kirk D. Wells
  2012 José L. Pulido
+ 2013 Vassil J. Bebelekov
  2014 Helmuth R. Litfin
  2015 Keenan M. Mills
  2016 James P. Arnold
  2017 Jason D. Barnett
  2019 Daniel L. Doornbos
  2020 Thaddeus R. Espiritu
  2021 James P. Arnold
  2022 Randy L. Shelton

+ Deceased

 

 

Affililated Past Masters of Friendship Lodge

+ 1943 Louis Pasquale
+ 1945 Minord G. Gonzales
+ 1973 Arturi Lanza
+ 1974-1981 James E. Sanford
+ 1980 Emil Anselmo
   1989 Daniel L. Doornbos
+ 1996 Gerald R. Murphy
   2002 Kevin D. Hall, Sr.*
   2002-2007 Robert L. Wilson†
   2007-2008 Max F. del Hierro, Sr.
   2008 Dennis P. Anastole
   2011-2012 Rodney F. Beck 2013 Mark C. Brown

* Also served as Master in 2004, 2011, 2018, 2020-2022 † Also served as Master in 2018

 

Hiram Award Recipients of Friendship Lodge

+1978 Henry Sutcliffe Coe
+1979 Clarence Calvin Wilson
+1980 Gustaf E. Wolf
+1981 Charles W. Pate
+1982 Carl H. Nelson, PM
+1982 Robert L. Norton, PM
+1983 Ernest R. Kiesel, PM
+1984 Charles H. West
+1985 Birdell Wilson, PM
+1986 Walter Fox
1987 Jerry Estruth
+1988 Minord G. Gonzales, PM
+1989 Edwin C. Vollgraff, PM
+1990 Kenneth M. Cook, PM

Also received the Hiram Award in 2007 in Texas Lodge No. 46 and 2009″ “in San Benito Lodge No. 211.

+ Deceased

+1991 Glen E. Gottormsen
+1994 Van Morgan
+1995 Eugene T. Brown
   1995 James R. Greer
   1996 Paul Lyew, PM
   1997 James E. Grove, PM
+1998 Emiliano C. Anselmo, PM
+2001 Humberto Z. Flores, PM
   2003 Joe J. Alarcon, PM
   2008 Robert L. Wilson, PM
   2010 Kendall R. Mills, PM
   2011 Billy L. Mills, PM
   2013 Eugene Meyer
   2014 Robert L. Laws
   2015 Kirk D. Wells, PM
   2016 Ernest A. “Tony” Gonzales
   2017 Helmuth R. Litfin, PM
   2019 James P. Arnold, PM
   2021 Daniel L. Doornbos, PM

Cornerstone Award Recipients of Friendship Lodge

   2006 James E. Grove, PM
+ 2007 Humberto Z. Flores, PM
   2008 Joe J. Alarcon, PM
   2009 Joseph Martinez, PM
   2010 James R. Greer
   2011 Robert Moore
   2012 James P. Arnold, PM
   2013 Kendall Mills, PM
   2014 Ernest A. “Tony” Gonzales
   2015 Billy L. Mills, PM
   2016 Helmuth R. Litfin, PM

   2017 Randy L. Shelton, PM
+ 2018 Gerald R. Murphy, PM
   2019 Eugene Meyer
   2020 Robert L. Wilson, PM
   2021 Julian Mireles
   2022 Robert Ansuncion

The Cornerstone Award is presented by San Jose Pyramid No. 9, Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots.

75-Year Members of Friendship Lodge

2013 Donald L. Hickey
2013 Everett H. Welby

50-Year Members of Friendship Lodge

2019 Jerry D. Kennedy, PM
2018 Jerry T. Estruth
2017 Albert M. Steele
2016 Robert G. Elliott, PM
2016 Kenneth S. Brady
2013 Robert L. Wilson, PM
2012 Billy L. Mills, PM

   2011 William M. Ross
   2005 James F. Schmidt
   2003 Charles J. Sedgwick
+ 2002 Robert L. Laws
   2001 John W. Hayes, Jr.
   2001 E. William Richardson
   1996 Arthur W. Simpson, PM

Life Members of Friendship Lodge

+ Silvester A. Acosta
   Joe J. Alarcon, PM
+ Edwin A. Amstutz
   James P. Arnold, PM
  Jonathan C. Blank
   Kyle E. Burch
+ Hernando G. Caampued
+ Lawrence A. Campbell, PM
   Jonathan B. Cruz
   Robert G. Dawson Donald Day
   Max F. del Hierro, Sr., PM Al Dorji
   Thaddeus R. Espiritu, PM
   William Howard
+ Humberto Z. Flores, PM
   Ernest A. “Tony”
   Gonzales James R. Greer
   James E. Grove, PM
   Frank Harms, Jr.
+ Paul N. Holsinger, PM
   Helmuth R. Litfin, PM
   Paul H. Lyew, PM
  James D. Marlowe, PM
+ Paul D. Martin
+ Manuel M. Mateo, PM

+ Deceased

+ Ronald E. Mathis
   John W. Mc Clelland
+ Dewayn R.Meek
   David G. Meyers, PM
   Billy L. Mills, PM
   Kendall R. Mills, PM
+ Gerald R. Murphy, PM
   Ruben D. Nazareno, PM
+ John J. Neschen
   James B. North
+ Raymond A. Palm
+ Robert E. Pursel
   Ronald C. Reed, PM
+ John C. Roberts
   Kenneth E. Ruyle, PM
+ Charles J. Sedgwick
   Randy L. Shelton, PM
   Arthur W. Simpson, PM
+ Wallace E. Stovall, PM
+ Maurice A. Taber, PM
   Rodolfo H. Tan, PM
+ Harry E. Teutsch
   Bruce W. Weller, PM
   Kirk D. Wells, PM
   Robert L. Wilson, PM”

Members of Friendship Lodge in Public Office

Edward F. Spence was born in Ireland in 1832. He came to California in 1852 and settled in Nevada City. During his time there he served as City Trustee and County Treasurer. In 1860, he was elected to the California State Assembly. In 1884, Wor. Spence was elected mayor of Los Angeles and held that office until 1866. Later in San Jose, Wor. Spence became a founding member of Friendship Lodge and served as its Second Master in 1872.

George B. McKee was Mayor of San Jose in 1877 and 1878. He was active in public office as well as Masonic organizations. He served as Treasurer of Friendship Lodge No. 210 for a period of thirty years. McKee Road in San Jose is named after him.

Henry D. Mathews was elected Councilman for San Jose in 1902 and later served as City Treasurer for two years. He served as Mayor of San Jose in 1906 through 1908 and was in office during the infamous earthquake of 1906. He served as Master of Friendship Lodge in 1903 and 1904.

Clyde L. Fischer served as Mayor of San Jose from 1938 to 1940. Clyde’s nephew and current member of the Lodge, Jim North, had this to say: “Clyde Fisher was my Uncle, he married my Aunt Mariam Fowler. Clyde told me how he came to San Jose from another valley over Mount Hamilton. He arrived in San Jose on horseback and started looking for work. My Uncle was a very kind and generous man always helping others”.

Jerry T. Estruth served as a member of the San Jose City Council from member 1978 to 1984, and as Vice-Mayor of San Jose in 1980. He was also a member of San Jose Redevelopment Agency from 1979 to 1984, as served as Vice-Chairman 1980. He was also a founding member and first President of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority from 1994 to 1996.

Members of Friendship Lodge serving in the Grand Lodge

Dennis P. Anastole, PM Public Schools Advisory Council, member 2011 – 2015 Inspector of District 345, 2009 – 2015

Kendall R. Mills, PM Joint Committee on Fraternal Relations, member 2019 – 2021 Acacia Creek Board Director, 2016 – 2022 Grand Master’s Youth Service Award, 2014 Junior Grand Steward, 2014 – 2015 Youth Orders Committee, member, 2014 – 2022 Inspector of District 339, 2010 – 2013 Public Schools Advisory Council, Chairman, 2010 – 2022 Fraternal Support Committee, Chairman, 2010 – 2012 Inspector of District 337, 2009 – 2010
Fraternal Support Committee, member, 2008 – 2009

Robert C. Moore Public Schools Advisory Council, member, 2012 – 2022

Kirk D. Wells, PM Inspector of District 339, 2013 – 2014

Robert L. Wilson, PM Inspector of District 577, 2007 – 2008 Inspector of District 353, 2008 – 2011

Lewises of Friendship Lodge

Family

Father

Son / Lewis

ALARCON Joseph R. Joe J., PM
ARNOLD David Bishop James Phillip, PM
BARR Ernest Rolen Gilbert Rolen
BRADY William Augustus Kenneth Sylvester
BRADLEY Charles Edward Edward Franklin
Charles Dustin
BOOGAERT Harry Johan Cornelius
BROWNTON Leighton Copeland, PM William Frederick
Leighton Purdie
Leighton Purdie Leighton Page ***
BURCH Charles Joseph, Jr. Kyle E.
BURTIS John Charles, Sr. John Charles, Jr.
CAUCH Frederick Leslie, PM Wilbur Rogers
CHIPMAN Lafayette F., PM Lemuel J., PM
William Fitch
CROOM Alford James Richard
DITTUS John Jacob George Benjamin
DORSEY Clarence Robinson Donald Wells
ENTRIKEN Benjamin Funk Roy Lace
ESTRUTH Thomas Jerry Thomas
ESCH Ernest Laurel Granville Porter
FINLEY Charles Johnson, Sr. Charles Johnson, Jr.
FISCHER Clyde Leo Jack Gustave
FLORES Adauto Humberto Z., PM
FOLSOM Henry Cathers Louis Davison
GAI Joseph Second Aldo Marcell
GORR Charles Henry Louis Lawrence
GROVE James Edward, PM Brian Alan
HOWSMON Frank Edwin, Jr. Frank Edwin, III
KENNEDY John F. Ian R.
KOCHER John Rudolph George Smout
LITFIN Helmuth Robert, PM Andrew Robert
MAIN Earl Pain Delbert Harold
MATHEWS Henry Davenport, Sr. Henry Davenport, Jr.
MC CLELLAND Carl Edward Glenn Robert
MILLS Billy L., PM Kendall R., PM
Kendall R., PM Keenan M., PM ***
MONTGOMERY Thomas S. Seymour Thomas
MOORE Chester W. Thomas O.
Thomas O. Robert C. ***
MURGOTTEN Alexander P. Francis Clark
MURPHY Robert Walker Gerald Robert
NIGRO Anthony Joseph, Sr. Anthony Joseph, Jr.
NIKIRK John Hill Frank Austin
PAPP Michael Jeffery Craig
PETERSEN John Hans Leslie Tyroll
PHILLIPS Arthur Garfield, Sr. Arthur Garfield, Jr.
RICH John Carol, Sr. John Carol, Jr.
RUSH Harry Vernon Garvin
SEPULVEDA Frank Pablo David Joseph
SHANNON Arlon Chester, Sr. Arlon Chester, Jr.
Kenneth Arlon
SKILLICORN William Leece, Sr. William Leece, Jr.
SOHM Carl Wesley Howard Irving
STOTESBERRY Lewis Hallan Jack
TAYLOR ? Dorcus
WEDDLE Alfred J. Alfred C.
WHALLEY Charles Vernon Robert Vernon
WIDENER Homer Wilson, Sr. Homer Wilson, Jr.
WILSON Clarence Calvin Robert Louis, PM
ZIMMERMAN Robert Lee, Sr. Robert Lee, Jr.

*** Three generations: father, son, and grandson.

In Operative Masonry, a Lewis is a steel lifting device used to hoist large stones into place with a crane, chain block, or winch. The tool is inserted into a specially prepared seating or hole in the top of a stone, directly above its center of mass. A Lewis is essential when lifting a stone with chains or slings is not possible.

The name Lewis probably comes from the Latin word levare meaning “to lift”. There are multiple types of Lewises. Speculative Masons have adopted what is called a three-legged, dovetailed, or boxed Lewis.

When a Mason’s son becomes a Mason himself, the son acquires the title of “Lewis”. A Mason may wear the Lewis jewel, if, at the time of his Initiation, his father was a Mason in good standing. Or if his father is deceased, he was in good standing at the time of his death.

The Lewis Jewel is suspended from two chains, with two bars — the upper bar contains the name of the father and date of his Initiation. The lower bar has the name of the son and date of his Initiation. Suspended below the lower bar is a likeness of the Lewis clamp.

Acknowledgements

 

Greg Donnellan, Que-It-Up BBQ
Amy Hamaker, entertainment
Richard Rosenberg, PM, photography
Angela Athens, catering and event support
Pamela Martinez, MS Society
Padma Ramnath, Chandler Tripp School
Katelyn Black, Scholarship Representative
Robert Wilson, PM, Senior Past Master of
Friendship Lodge
Wor. Jon Wong, Inspector of the 345th Masonic District

Wor. Tony Cimarra, Assistant Grand Lecturer of Division III
Most Worshipful Jeffery M. Wilkins, Grand Master of Masons in California
Sesquicentennial Committee
Kendall R. Mills, PM, Co-ChairmanRandy L. Shelton, PM, Co-Chairman
James P. Arnold, PM, Co-Chairman
Daniel L. Doornbos, PM
James R. Greer
Helmuth Litfin, PM
Joseph M. Martinez, Jr., PM
Billy L. Mills, PM
James B. North