Huntertown Lodge 689 F & AM History

As told in the dedication pamphlet August 30, 1975

HUNTERTOWN LODGE NO. 689 F. & A.M.

(Dedication 1975)

Huntertown located about 10 miles north of Fort Wayne along the Grand Rapids and Indiana railroad and served by the Lima Road which was in part a toll road being surfaced by sawn plank. Early settlers soon saw potential in the rich soil and business opportunities with the result William T. Hunter platted and sold lots. A fast growing robust village developed with stores, taverns, a hotel, wagon shop, agricultural implement and grain dealers, etc. A post office was soon to follow.

Many of these newcomers were Masons whose love for the fraternity prompted them to establish a Lodge in Huntertown. The original petition bore the names of T. M.. Andrews, S. A. Thornton, J. O. Beardsley, Ira Wert, F. C. Wert, H. F. Boynton, Corwin Phelps, Thomas Vandolah. Henry King, James Fleming, David McQuiston, F. C. Bacon, John Anderson, William Ross, and William Anderson.

Sol D. Bayless of Fort Wayne, then Grand Master installed the first officers of this Lodge identified as Henry King Lodge #382 on June 24, 1869. Their meeting place was above a drug store owned by F. C. Bacon on the east side of Lima Road at about what is now Cedar Canyon Road.

The Lodge prospered for a while but records show the charter was surrendered in 1882.

Some 30 years later, the plank road gave way to hard surfaced roadways, electric interurbans with their swift transportation competed with the fast more flexible rubber tired automobiles, the community continued to grow and attract business and professional people, among which was a popular medical doctor. Lyman T. Rawles a Mason and member of Angola Lodge, who thought the community needed the benefits of a Masonic Lodge.

Through his efforts and with help from Masons of other jurisdictions then residing in the area, Huntertown Lodge was organized.

May 29, 1912 Elmer Gay, Grand Master of Masons in Indiana granted a dispensation for Huntertown lodge No. 689 with:

Lyman T. Rawles as W.M.

Morton McComb as S.W.

James Preston as J.W.

George V. Kell as Treas.

Frank Greenwell as Sec’y.

Harvey Fitch as S.D.

Ed Preston as J.D.

Wm. Burnell as S.S.

Hesaklah Hillegass as Tyler

Meeting place was 2nd floor of the Huntertown, Indiana State Bank (site of present post office). The necessary by-laws, furniture and supplies were secured promptly, with a vigorous, fast growing lodge developing.

Within weeks requests for affiliation and petitions for membership swelled the original list to 30. Charles L. Tilden was the 1st. to receive the Entered Apprentice Degree in this new lodge. His son G. Robert Tilden is one of our present 50 year members.

On June 19, 1913 Indiana Grand Master John W. Hanan conferred the actual Past Master Degree upon Lyman T. Rawles and constituted Huntertown Lodge No. 689. Its officers duly installed were:

Lyman T. Rawles, W.M.

Morton McComb, S.W.

James Preston, J.W.

George V. Kell, Treas.

Hershel Hollopeter, Sec'y.

Harvey Fitch, S.D.

Charles Tilden, J.D.

John Runyan, S.S.

Alexander Baker, J.S.

G. Robert Tilden, Tyler

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In making a search of the 1860-1900 history of early settlers of Eel River and Perry Townships it is interesting to note that many names among these early developers still appear as active workers in our craft - such as Dunten, Kell, Parker, Hatch, Wood, Fitch, Simon, Rhoads, Surfus, Jackson, Warner, Gump, McComb, Hursh, Griffin, Phelps, Hillegass and Anderson.

The areas of Wallen and LaOtto, as well as Huntertown were served by the Lodge which provided a needed function for communication and desirable social life in the communities. A friendly spirit of competition developed between the 3 areas with picnics, plays and skits providing entertainment. For over 40 years Huntertown Lodge observed St. Johns day in June with a dinner and program in one of the 3 areas - many prominent personages of the day were guest speakers with the result, the spirit of Masonry continued to spread.

In 1913, Order of Eastern Star organized a Huntertown Chapter which proved to be a most popular fraternal companion. They were granted the use of the Lodge Hall and an improvement in decor, furnishing, and housekeeping, not to forget refreshment was soon evident. Frequent social and dinner affairs made attendance and capacity crowds popular, even joint installations of officers which were public events was common place in those days.

Joint Lodges for Instruction were held with Avilla, Harlan, Leo and Churubusco and ledgers show large attendances with good exchange of visitors at these events. Our proximity to Fort Wayne brought many visitors, from; Wayne, Home, Sol D. Bayless and Summit City. Huntertown for many years enjoyed the position of proficient ritualistic ceremonies.

For over 20 years two stated meetings were held each month with frequent called meetings in addition to social nights. Transportation during winter months was often difficult - some "old timers" from the LaOtto and Wallen areas resorted to the use of borrowed "hand cars" on the G. R. & I. as a means of transport, being hand propelled kept them warm too.

Membership in both O.E.S. and the Lodge continued to grow and in 1926 the Lodge entered into a contract with the Huntertown Bank to build an addition on the building to provide them with a social room, a better and safer stairway - with the result, 20 foot was added to the west side of the building. The O.E.S. shared in the cost of furnishings - new Lodge room carpet, furniture etc.

In 1930 Huntertown Bank closed their doors as bankrupt, wise negotiations were made with the receivers to prepay the rent for 2 years to assure a meeting place. At this time consideration was given to purchasing the building as a Lodge home. Through aggressive and wise leadership it became a reality.

The bank receivers indicated they would accept $3,000.00 for the entire building. This amount was raised by the Lodge membership by issuing mortgage bonds, bearing 4% interest. Twenty $100.00 and twenty $50.00 denominations were issued and subscribed by members. This was November 1934 the depth of the depression years – but the spirit of Masonry was well established. $2300.00 was subscribed by 4 of the more affluent members; the other $700.00 was soon raised by the others. It took over a year to get the abstract and title cleared but on June 6, 1935 the transaction was made complete by Judge Wm. Ballou, receiver of the bank.

A land survey disclosed a possible problem as on the north boundary line of our lot the building was “on the line”. The owner of the adjacent property, being a worthy and devoted brother donated and gave the Lodge title to 6 additional feet of land which later proved beneficial when subsequent sale of this property was made.

A quarter century anniversary was observed December 10, 1938 with a dinner at the Methodist Church. It was attended by 17 Past Masters, 47 members, and 17 visitors. Dr. Lyman Rawles our 1st Master gave an interesting talk on the organization and formation of our Lodge.

By 1945 the mortgage bonds had been retired - a cause for rejoicing, but talk for a new and larger Lodge Hall progressed, membership was now 152. A couple years later 2 vacant lots located a block west of the Lodge Hall were purchased as a possible site.

In 1950 a canvas was made to solicit funds and pledges, they not sufficient to justify any concrete action but an active building fund was started which continued to grow. The previously purchased 2 lots were sold and a larger adjacent plot was purchased in 1958.

In 1970 an opportunity to purchase 2 acres on the north side of town (our present site) for $2,000.00 developed, with the stipulation it be used for a Masonic Temple. Actual purchase was made in 1971 at which time the previously purchased site west of the Lodge Hall was sold for $6,100.00. The building fund now over $15,000 and with the anticipated assets from the sale of our then present building plus a lot of enthusiasm a building was actually started along with an aggressive fund raising program. Some members told us they would, make a contribution when they saw a building actually being started. Many of these commitments are being fulfilled.

Huntertown is privileged to have as members, several contractors and many skilled as operative craftsmen. To credit any particular individual or committee with the Temple progress is not being done. To say that discord and confusion did not arise or that the Temple was constructed with the skills and perfection of King Solomon’s masterpiece would be a gross exaggeration, but when needed most, harmony and solutions seemed to flow in, almost like Divine Providence.

Quite a few members made more than normal contributions in time, effort and money. Help came from many sources including friends and neighbors. A salesman applied his skills in obtaining materials at maximum discounts with contribution from unexpected sources. Our fraternities of "Builders" demonstrated their operative skills as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, stone masons, cabinet makers, painters and bearers of burden with an enthusiastic cooperative spirit guided by a succession of devoted officers and leaders and above all else, as Masons with a goal.

The O.E.S. and JD's helped in nailing, painting, finishing and cleaning with encouragement and morale support to spur on the operative craftsmen. The O.E.S. volunteered to assume responsibility for the kitchen, dining and social room, an important element in all Lodges. With Grand Lodge approval our Charter was moved to the new Temple October 20, 1973 - 1st meeting held October 25, 1973.

Some work remains to complete our physical Temple, a stone exterior, air conditioning and seating arrangements are necessary additions but the entire project has been accomplishes without indebtedness, a tribute to the philosophy of Masonry, evidence that the brother- hood of man under the fatherhood of God lives on.