April 21, 1956 Royal Arch Mason Chapter Constituted

The May 26, 1955 Geneva Times reported on a new organization in Interlaken. The Royal Arch Masons. This group of dedicated members of the Farmerville Chapter of Masons “became interested in learning more about Masonry and organized a Royal Arch Chapter.” [Patterson, page 235]

On June 3, 1955, they initiated their first class, and began the process of growth. This first year the meetings were conducted under dispensation given by the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons.

On Monday, April 21, 1956, Interlaken Chapter No. 330 was being constituted and dedicated with all the ritual and dignity associated with their accomplishment.

Included in the day’s events were the induction of the High Priest, Mort L. Haring, and his officers, by the Grand High Priest assisted by visiting High Priests from surrounding Chapters. The formal constitution and dedication of the new chapter took place in the evening.

Among the officers that first year in addition to Mort Haring were Frank Seufert, Charles Wickes, Charles Henderson, E. W. Hague, Reginald Willcox, Edward Burr, Emmet D’Arcy, William Willson, Owen Babcock, Francis Bartow, J. B. Turner, Oran Casebeer, Charles Breswitz, Donald Pell, Earl Pell and Ernest Patterson. [Interlaken Review, Friday, April 13, 1956].

Patterson notes that over the years many of these early members went on to serve as District officers, and in 1967 one member, “Daniel Thayer, was awarded a Meritorious Companion Commission by Grand Chapter.”

Ovid also had a Royal Arch Chapter, No. 92, and with changes in Lodges and membership these two joined together as Interlaken No. 92 in 1975.

Dewitt’s Diary Saturday, April 21, 1956

Got up early to prepare for going home from the hospital, [Dewitt had surgery on April 12^th]. Leland and Mom came after me at 1045, home at noon. It seems a very short stay.

Leland and Lem went fishing. Leland caught the first trout of the season 6 ½ pounds, south of Lem’s place.

Viola Emerson has gone to her home in Owego. She was not at the hospital when I left.

Sitting around watching ball game on TV.

Thursday April 21, 1927 Cloudy and trying to rain this morning. They tested by cows for tuberculosis today. All the cows in the state are going to be tested. My cows were all free.