The First Years

 

Williamsport, Pennsylvania, at the outset of the Civil War decade, was a sleepy country town of no particular consequence, and only about 5,500 people.  However, at the close of the 1860's, population had risen by nearly 300%, totaling almost 16,000 souls.

What force effected this booming change? The lumber industry, of course. Renewed exploitation of the rich forest in the Susquehanna Valley caused an enormous spurt among the local inhabitants, especially after the 1865 flood.

 

No such metamorphosis could occur without significant parallel social development as well. Political and business life both were much disturbed by splits that opened up almost at once, between the generally conservative old families, who had manufactured lumber for long years using time-tested but antiquated methods, and the more progressive newcomers.

These new citizens were indeed a more venturesome breed. Their arrival presaged a transition from gang saw to circular saw, from canal boat to railroad. Numerous new industries were spawned, usually subsidiary to the lumber boom, and operated mostly by newcomers. There was an inflow of expert machine operators from all parts of the country, in particular New York State. Wage and salary levels jumped, and general retail trade condi­tions improved.

 

Yet not without struggle. Since the "establishment" was unable (more likely simply unwilling) to provide the newcomers with adequate risk capital, the latter set up new and more liberal banking institutions. Even old-line churches felt the changes, since many of these people seemed to hold more liberal religious notions, or even no faith at all.

 

This resulted in a gradual but continuous multiplication of churches in Williamsport, and quite naturally the social life of our community respond­ed to the division. Altogether, it was surely a yeasty era. Williamsport is still sometimes referred to as the "city of churches," and contains far more separate congregations than is usual for cities of our size.

 

Factions among the citizens blocked efficient unity in welfare and charity work, especially after the disastrous 1865 flood. Not a little of the trouble arose from a clash of business attitudes, fanned by national politics.

 

For Lycoming County in 1861-65 was undergoing a complete political reorientation. The Civil War stirred up tremendous patriotic fervor, and prior to that period Williamsport had been largely Democratic. But with the advent of Abraham Lincoln on the national stage, and the re-election of Governor and Brother Andrew Gregg Curtin in Harrisburg, Republican sentiment took deep root. Then interest in civic affairs revived after the end of the war. Political debate raged in all the churches, many homes, and nearly everywhere that there was a gathering. Party lines ran deep. Americans of a century ago took their democracy with great seriousness. Nearly every important crosscurrent of economic and social philosophy spawned its own political expression. In such an atmosphere, Freemasonry itself was an active participant. The phenomenon even included Anti-Masonic political parties, which put up candidates for state governorships and even for the national presidency in the 1820's and 1830's.

 

Many references to this ferment are made by Brother Gilmore in his Anniversary History of Lodge No. 106. According to him, the late Col. Herbert Russell Laird said that "Ivy Lodge was organized because there was a feeling in Williamsport that a man couldn't get into Lodge 106 un­less he was a Democrat." Be this as it may, we also read that black balls were dropped all too often in Lodge No. 106 during the War years, reflecting community influences quite foreign to Masonic grounds for objections.

Thus it seems that Williamsport's personality was schizoid. It needed its newcomers badly, yet irrationally it resented them. Yet were it not for them and their mills, their better financial backing, their passion for better government, and their new banks and churches, Williamsport might well have faded out of the picture.

 

It should now be apparent that the factors influencing the establish­ment of a new Masonic Lodge in 1867 were, at least, tangled. We must consider clashes within Masonry itself. The new leaven in our City signifi­cantly affected Masonry. Most newcomers were formerly New Yorkers, where they had become Masons, though not Ancient York Masons. They belonged to the "Moderns," having rituals more dramatic in character than within the York Rite, yet the same in fundamentals. Though there was suffi­cient population to support two Lodges, and in spite of the other areas of friction referred to, the Moderns felt that their form of Masonry was the only correct one, and refused to give it up.

 

They would not accept Pennsylvania work, and Pennsylvania Grand Lodge behaved militantly toward them and would not accept theirs. Grand Masters in Pennsylvania gave no opportunity for liberal concessions.

 

So a great debate raged. Which type of Masonry was the desired new Lodge to embrace? Would two small Lodges be less advantageous to the good of the Order here than one powerful Lodge? Would a new Lodge bring cooperation, or simply competition? Would not one strong Lodge better pro­tect the Craft against the inroads of clandestine and spurious organizations?

 

According to Brother Randall Prior, long-time Secretary of Lodge No. 106, the presence here of two types of Masonry was most responsible for the delay in setting up a new Lodge. Neither side would back down. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, when approached for a Warrant to set up Ivy Lodge, made it clear that no such Warrant would issue except that the Petitioners accept Ancient York Masonry. One ought not condemn our Grand Lodge Officials for this. They were simply reestablishing strict control following the stormy period of Anti-Masonic politics already referred to, in which Masonry had been in disrepute. With control at the top weakened or (in some states) missing altogether, it should not surprise us that there should have been conflict between "Ancients" and "Moderns."

 

As Lodge No. 106 itself strengthened, some of its aggressive Members felt that New York Masons should be excluded. Therefore, "Moderns" saw less prospect of identification with a local Masonic organization. As 1866 dawned, the Grand Master suggested to the minority faction in Lodge 106 that the unwanted newcomers could obtain a Masonic home of their own, if they would simply accept Ancient York Masonry. At last the dissi­dents capitulated.  Thus it was that on April 25, 1867, Brothers James Goodlander, Lum­berman (Lodge No. 106); Charles D. Brewer, Jr., Attorney (Charity Lodge No. 144); Benjamin S. Bentley, Jr., Attorney (P. M. of Warren Lodge No. 240); Monroe D. Hotchkiss, Lumberman (Genoa Lodge No. 421, N.Y.); Frederick G. Thorn, Architect (Lodge No. 106); Josiah Evans, Jr., Merchant Tailor (Lodge No. 116); Samuel Van Gilder, Lumberman (Lodge No. 106); Frederick H. Keller, Leather Dealer (Lancaster Lodge No. 43); and Frank J. Deemer, Clerk (Union Lodge No. 291), assembled in the anteroom of Lodge No. 106 and decided upon the formation of Ivy Lodge. Later the group elected Brother James Goodlander their Worshipful Master, Brother Charles D. Brewer their Senior Warden, Brother B.S. Bentley their Junior Warden, Brother Frederick G. Thorn their Secretary, and Brother Monroe D. Hotchkiss their Treasurer. Brothers Brewer and Thorn were designated a Committee to Petition Grand Lodge for the necessary Warrant.

 

Concerning our Warrant Master, Brother James Goodlander, P.M., we can say little. The date and place of his birth are unknown. Though Brother Manson wrote that his Masonic origin was uncertain, the Anniversary History of Lodge No. 106 discloses that he was made a Mason in that body on April 30, 1856. In 1863 and 64, he was elected Secretary, and served Lodge No. 106 as Worshipful Master in 1866. Immediately thereafter he withdrew, to become the first Worshipful Master of Ivy Lodge No. 397.

He came to Lycoming County from Milton, Pa., and took up residence in Montoursville as a cabinetmaker. Later he operated the West Branch Saw and Planing Mill in Williamsport. We also learn that in 1868 he became the second Eminent Commander of Baldwin II Commandry No. 22, Knight Templar, in Williamsport. And he entered Lycoming Royal Arch Chapter No. 222 as a Charter Member, in 1869. A few years later he apparently moved from the community, and dropped entirely out of sight. When and where he died is also unknown.

 

Because of Brother Goodlander's successful defeat of the reactionaries in Lodge No. 106, he must be credited with having done more for Free­masonry in Williamsport than any other Mason, to pave the way for the general growth and popularity that Masonry has experienced here since his day. He was a businessman, clear headed, progressive, liberal, and resource­ful in action. He believed ardently that Williamsport needed more Masonry, and he saw no good in an endless controversy that promised no remedy for conditions detrimental to the community and also to the Craft.

 

The first meeting hall, selected by Brothers Evans, Hotchkiss, Deemer, Thorn, and Brewer, was in the Dubois Building, leased by the founders on or about May 8, 1867. But things were not going well, there still being undercover opposition within Lodge No. 106, brought about by tensions and jealousies. The Committee appointed by Lodge No. 106's separating Members failed to act properly upon the Warrant question, being dissuaded there from, apparently, by another faction. However, at its Stated Meeting April 18, 1867, Lodge No. 106 formally endorsed the new Petition to Grand Lodge for the Warrant, together with Eureka Lodge No. 335, Montoursville, which had appended its own endorsement thereon as of April 17, 1867. On May 8th, Deputy Grand Master, Brother Richard Vaux, visited Lodge No. 106 for Instruction, and advised Ivy's founders that their Warrant Com­mittee still had not acted. 

 

What had actually happened here will probably never truly be known. It now became the turn of Grand Lodge to go inactive on the proposal. No action followed for several months, and the Trustees gave up their lease of the new Lodge room. Brother Goodlander, exasperated, did the best he could. Among the files of Grand Lodge is a brief note he wrote them, under date August 16, 1867, addressed to Brother John Thompson, Esq., Grand Secretary. It reads: "Dear Sir, As we have been assured that our Charter would be granted, had it not been withdrawn, I have simply to say that the papers are still with you, and the application subject to your consideration. J You can do as you please with it. Fraternally yours, James Goodlander." We are also told that Brother Goodlander personally traveled to Harrisburg and attended upon Grand Lodge to present the Petition.

We should emphasize that Brother Goodlander was not a native Williamsporter, and therefore his viewpoint was that of the outsider looking in, able to see things more precisely. From this stemmed his influence with Grand Lodge Officials. After a summer of further politicking, the Grand Lodge at last granted the Warrant on September 5, 1867, and Constitution followed on September 28, 1867.

 

Some justification for the long controversy may be found in an address delivered before Grand Lodge late in 1867 by Grand Master Vaux, when he said, "I have visited Pennsylvania Lodges in which it was impossible to know to what Order they belonged, due to the character and style of the ceremonials there exhibited."

 

The results of Brother Goodlander's victory over the Old Familiars were immediately evident. And the reapproachment improved both the civic and social life of our community. Another earnest and successful worker for peace and harmony during this formative period was Brother Frederick H. Keller, a newcomer himself, who later became Mayor of the city.

There were at last two rival Lodges in Williamsport. The healthy competition this brought about caused each to subordinate differences. In very early years, Lodge No. 106 and Ivy Lodge No. 397 took to celebrating St. John's Day together. Later, when Lodges No. 707 and No. 755 came upon the scene, all four Lodges opened their doors each to the other. This unique inter­dependence has proved to be a distinct boon to Williamsport Masonry. So it can be said that its true start, its greatest impetus, came when there were at last two Lodges. Today there are no greater influences for peace and harmony in Williamsport than those emanating from our Fraternal Bodies.