The Stalwarts
Someone once said that a lodge is something like a target! At the center is a small group of dedicated individuals who give unsparingly of their energy, time and talents to the work of the lodge. Without them, the organization would wither and die in short order. In the next outward ring are the members who will help out on occasion when asked, who are interested but are rather low on motivation. In the outer ring are those who are merely names on the books; those who receive no benefit from their membership, neither do they contribute anything to the Lodge.
To be successful, a Masonic organization must have a group to form the center ring. The larger it is, the more vital the organization will be.
Eureka Lodge has been fortunate in this respect. A review of its 125 your history indicates that there has nearly always been a number of these dedicated workers to carry on the work in good times and bad. In the few instances where good leadership and a nucleus of active members has been lacking, the Lodge has suffered accordingly. The task of selecting those to be included in this list of "Stalwarts", was approached with some trepidation lest those who have made substantial contributions to Eureka's welfare and progress but not included might feel their efforts are not appreciated, which of course is far from the case. To avoid this, the only living members included are those who have served as District Deputy Grand Master, thus demonstrating their qualities of leadership on the Grand Lodge level as well as in Eureka Lodge.
SAMUEL H. JACKSON - was a charter member of the Lodge and one of the prime movers in its organization. He was born in Belfast, Maine and was raised there in Phoenix Lodge No. 24, on April 13, 1822. He went to sea and sailed as master before corning to Tenants Harbor, where he was associated with Brother William A. Elwell in the firm of Jackson and Elwell, Sailmakers. It was in his sail loft that the organizational meeting was held and the petition to the Grand Lodge to form Eureka Lodge drafted. He was the first Master of the Lodge after it received its charter, and his efforts put it on the tracks after a somewhat shaky start. He also served as Master in 1863. Brother Jackson was Town Clerk for the years 1863-65. He died on June 6,1884 after a lengthy illness. His obituary in the Rockland Courier Gazette noted that "He has been one of our most influential businessmen."
NATHAN BACHELDER - was born on March 3, 1828. He married Rosella T. Harris. Their son, Granville Bachelder was to be Secretary of Eureka Lodge for 23 years. Little information is available regarding Nathan Bachelder's early years. He was a ship's carpenter by trade. He served in the Civil War as a member of the 2nd Battery, Maine Volunteers, and was a corporal at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Eureka's minutes of November 29, 1857 record the presence of "visiting Bro. Bachellor (sic) of Orient Lodge." This is believed to have been Nathan Bachelder, who affiliated with Eureka Lodge on January 19, 1860. That same evening, he was elected Master of the Lodge. He was an energetic and competent Master and served in that office for five terms (1860, 1872, 1882-4). He died of "heart trouble" on September 27, 1900, and was buried with Masonic honors in the Ridge Cemetery.
WHITNEY LONG - was born in St. George on September 12, 1839, the son of "Deacon" Robert Long and Margaret Smalley. His ancestry can be traced to Michael Long, one of the early settlers of St. George. He was a mariner and shipmaster. He married Elizabeth Bickmore and was the father of four daughters. He came ashore and was associated with his father in the Robert Long and Son store located in the "sail loft" building near the town landing. He took over the management of the store after his father's retirement.
Brother long was one of the leading citizens of the community, serving as Selectman for three terms, Town Clerk for three years, Town Auditor, and as a Notary Public. He was raised in Eureka Lodge on March 13, 1862, and was its Master for a total of eleven years (1868-69-73-76-79-85-86-87-89-90-93). He died on September 16, 1904, and was buried in Seaside Cemetery.
CHARLES G. CROCKER was born on March 19, 1835. He came to St. George in 1855, where he worked at his trade of ship caulker in the local shipyards. He lived first in Turkey (now Glenmere), later moving to Tenants Harbor where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Jemima Hayes of St. George, and was the father of two sons.
Brother Crocker was raised in Eureka Lodge on September 5,1863. He was Master in 1870, and also in 1871-74-75-77-78-88 and 1900, a total of eight terms. He was elected an Honorary member in 1911. He died at his son's home in Somerville, Massachusetts, on November 23, 1921. Masonic funeral services were held at the Tenants Harbor Baptist Church on November 27th, and burial was in Seaside Cemetery.
JAMES M. SMITH - was born in Dyce, Aberdeen, Scotland on April 15, 1845. He and his brother George (also a member of Eureka Lodge) came to the United States in 1870. After working elsewhere at their trade as paving cutters, the brothers came to St. George where they worked for a time in the Clark Island Quarry. James later was a partner in the Long Cove Granite Company. After the firm was sold to Booth Bros, he remained on as Quarry Superintendent for the remainder of his life. He was a leader in the Long Cove community and a prime mover in the establishment of St. George's Church, now known as the Long Cove Episcipal <sic> Chapel. He served as its first Warden. He married Sally Ann (Annie) Seavey of St. George, and was the father of three sons. Albert the second of these was a member of Eureka Lodge for 69 years, and at the time of his death in 1980, was its oldest member. The organ in the Masonic Temple was purchased with funds given in his memory.
James M. Smith was raised in Eureka Lodge on February 19, 1874. He was its Master for eight terms, serving in 1880-81-91-92-94-95-96 and 1899. R.W. Brother Smith was the first member of the Lodge to receive Grand Lodge recognition, being appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the 9th Masonic District. He was installed in this office on June 3, 1897, and served for two years. He died suddenly of a heart attack, on August 19th, 1911. Masonic funeral services were conducted on August 22nd, with burial in Seaside Cemetery.
MANFRED HUMPHREY - very little information could be found regarding the life of this active and valued member of Eureka Lodge. His obituary in the Courier Gazette notes only the date of his death, his age (73 years, 10 months and 17 days) and the time and place of funeral.
Brother Humphrey was, for a number of years, General Superintendent at the Wildcat Quarry. He married Lizzie 1. Andrews in 1899. He was raised in Eureka Lodge on May 27, 1899. He at once became active, and was elected Master in 1901, an office he filled capably eleven terms (1901-02-03-05-06-10-11-15-18-19 and 1920). He was elected Honarary member in 1939, but the minutes indicate the he "declined the honor." His death occurred on December 13, 1948, with burial in Seaside Cemetery. He left a bequest of $1000 to the lodge.
ALBERT BARTER WATTS Jr. - was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on February 27, 1921. Moving to Tenants Harbor not long afterwards, he attended the local schools, and was graduated from Tenants Harbor High School, then located in the present grammar school building. He was employed at the Port Clyde General Store for several years, before moving on to Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut just prior to World War II.
After the outbreak of the War, he was accepted as a cadet at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and took his final maritime training at the San Mateo, California Maritime Administration school. On receiving his 3rd Mate's license, he sailed with Texaco from 1944 to 1949. Coming ashore, he managed a paint store in Rockland until 1956, when he returned to sea with Texaco. He is presently master of the S/S Texico <sic> California operating in the coastal and intercoastal trades.
He married Marion Dowling of Tenants Harbor, and they are the parents of two sons and a daughter. (Son Timothy is a member of Eureka Lodge)
He was raised in Eureka Lodge on September 2, 1943, and was its Master in 19S3. He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master in 19S4, serving a two year term. R.W. Brother Watts was appointed Grand Steward in 19SS, the only time a member, of Eureka Lodge has been so honored. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of Rockland, and of Maine Consistory of Portland.
ARTHUR CHARLES FRIEDER - was born in New York City on September 2, 1911 where he attended the public schools. Interrupting his education, he worked for a time in real estate management and as a hotel auditor. On the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served 3 1/2 years, becoming Crew Chief on B-26 bombers. Resuming his education following his discharge from service, he attended Husson College and the University of Maine, where he obtained his Master's degree. Since that time he has worked in the educational field, as a teacher, guidance director, principal, superintendant of schools and school board member in such Maine towns and cities as Tenants Harbor, Ellsworth, Lewiston, Friendship and Vinal Haven.
He has also been active in Boy Scout work, serving as scoutmaster and District Commisssioner. In his church, he has served as Warden of St. John's Church, Thomaston, Treasurer of the St. George Chapel, Long Cove and as a member of the Commission on Ministries, Episcipal Diocese of Maine.
He married Esther Monaghan of St. George, and is the father of a daughter, and also a grandfather.
R.W. Brother Frieder was raised in Marine Lodge No. 122, of Deer Isle, Maine in 1948, and affiliated with Eureka Lodge in 1955. He was its Master in 1960 and 1977, and District Deputy Grand Master in 1968-69. He is a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of Rockland, the Maine Lodge of Research, Arcadia Chapter No.31, R.A.M., Dunlap Council No. 8, of Lewiston, and Lewiston Commandery No. 6, of Lewiston. He is a member of Kora Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. and Past President of the Mid Coast Shrine Club.
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