William J. Gottlieb of City Lodge No. 408: The Mason Who Fought for the American Driver
William J. Gottlieb served as Master of City Lodge No. 408 while building a career as one of the American motorist’s most persistent advocates. From taxicabs to toll disputes, gasoline rationing and school safety, his story follows the growth of the Automobile Club of New York—and the battles over who should pay for the road.
Raymond C. Ellis and Service Lodge No. 1009: The Grand Master Flushing Claimed as a Brother
In 1952, Flushing’s Service Lodge No. 1009 welcomed Raymond C. Ellis as an honorary member. The Brooklyn lawyer went on to become Grand Master of New York Masons and helped bring a medical research laboratory into being in Utica. His story connects a neighborhood lodge’s charitable work with a lasting commitment to medical research.
Louis J. Viehmann: Island City Lodge Brother and the Furniture Factory That Became a Talking Heads Loft
Louis J. Viehmann, a furniture manufacturer and brother of Island City Lodge No. 586, helped build the industrial life of Hunters Point. Decades after his death, the Teepe-Whitney factory became a loft for Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth—and a recording space for Fear of Music.
Frank E. Haff of Island City Lodge No. 586: The Railroad Man Who Connected Long Island’s Masons
From a Babylon telegraph key to the leadership of the Long Island Rail Road, Frank E. Haff connected communities—and Masons—across Long Island. As Master of Island City Lodge No. 586 and District Deputy Grand Master, he revitalized his lodge, presided at Theodore Roosevelt’s initiation, and took a principled stand over Masonic debt.
Garret J. Garretson: First Master of Mizpah Lodge No. 738 and the Judge Queens Would Not Let Go
In 1873, Garret J. Garretson opened his Newtown law office to eight fellow Masons and became Mizpah Lodge No. 738’s first Master. His story follows a village lawyer into education, the Greater New York Charter Commission and a judicial career that earned the lasting confidence of Queens voters.
Dudley D. Schoenfeld of Geba Lodge No. 954: Navy Physician and Forensic Psychiatry Pioneer
Navy physician, psychiatrist and founding member of Geba Lodge No. 954, Dudley D. Schoenfeld brought his expertise to the Lindbergh investigation and the landmark La Guardia study. His story connects Queens Freemasonry to military medicine, criminal psychiatry and public-health research.[1]
David Wechsler of Geba Lodge No. 954: The Man Behind the Wechsler Intelligence Scales
Geba Lodge No. 954 recorded David Wechsler as its 27th member in April 1919. Was he the psychologist behind the Wechsler intelligence scales? This article explores his life and work while examining the records needed to confirm the Masonic connection.
Bernard Berkley of Geba Lodge No. 954: The Mason Who Ran Fairyland on Queens Boulevard
Six weeks after becoming Geba Lodge No. 954’s 660th member, Fairyland co-owner Bernard Berkley welcomed about a hundred children for a day of rides and a free lunch. His story connects Masonic charity to the Elmhurst amusement park that once stood where Queens Center Mall is today.
Otto J. Cohen of City Lodge No. 408: The Mason Behind Charles of the Ritz
City Lodge No. 408 remembered R.W. Otto Cohen as a past master and longtime brother. This article explores his possible identification with Otto J. Cohen, the cosmetics executive who helped build Lady Esther and Charles of the Ritz, and the records still needed to confirm that connection.
Joseph H. Nadel of City Lodge No. 408: The New York Mason Who Kept Hollywood Running
Raised in City Lodge No. 408 in 1921, Joseph H. Nadel built a film career from New York’s studios to Hollywood. Behind pictures featuring Mae West, Laurel and Hardy, and Jackie Robinson, he helped keep productions running—and worked alongside his son Arthur on D.O.A. and other films.
Abram J. Dittenhoefer of City Lodge No. 408: Lincoln's Elector, the Stage's Lawyer and a Charter Brother
A charter member and past master of City Lodge No. 408, Abram J. Dittenhoefer cast an electoral vote for Lincoln, defended an extradited seaman before the Supreme Court and helped reshape American theater law. His long life joined Masonic fellowship to politics, public service and the stage.
Edward J. Knauer of Advance Lodge No. 635: From Chester A. Arthur's Office to the Master's Chair
From Chester A. Arthur’s law office to the Master’s chair of Advance Lodge No. 635, Edward J. Knauer built a life in law, fellowship and Long Island City politics. Twice elected Worshipful Master, he also led the city’s aldermen and became Queens County’s first Commissioner of Jurors.
At the Founding: Edward Chauncey Graham and Advance Lodge No. 635
Edward Chauncey Graham, a Manhattan-born insurance broker raised in Howard Lodge No. 35, helped found Advance Lodge No. 635 in Astoria. His story connects an old New York family with the lodge’s founding years.
From Forge to Council Table: John L. Morris, Charter Member of Advance Lodge No. 635
An Astoria blacksmith raised in Island City Lodge in 1866, John L. Morris helped found Advance Lodge No. 635. His story connects the lodge’s beginnings with the Odd Fellows’ hall and the Long Island City Board of Aldermen.
Joseph Gelson of Advance Lodge No. 635: A Corona Schoolhouse Engineer and the Astoria Temple
Joseph Gelson maintained Corona’s public school buildings and served as Master of Advance Lodge No. 635 in 1907. His story connects schoolhouse emergencies, community halls, and his trusteeship during the building and opening of the lodge’s Astoria temple.
Daniel Noble of Advance Lodge No. 635: A Queens Surrogate in the Astoria Lodge Room
Daniel Noble served as Queens County surrogate for thirty-one years, overseeing wills, estates, and guardianships. Raised in Advance Lodge No. 635 in 1888, he remained identified with the Astoria lodge throughout a public career shaped by Long Island City politics, courtroom disputes, and concern for the county’s records.
Townsend Scudder of Glen Cove Lodge No. 580: Congressman, Judge, and Grand Master of New York
Townsend Scudder, a member of Glen Cove Lodge No. 580, served in Congress, on the New York Supreme Court, and as Grand Master of New York. His appearances at Queens lodge installations, temple ceremonies, and gatherings connect his story to the lodges that later became Advance Service Mizpah No. 586.
James D. Torrey of Advance Lodge No. 635: The Show Printer Who Became the Lodge’s First Treasurer
James D. Torrey printed circus posters, published Civil War histories, and became the first Treasurer of Advance Lodge No. 635 in Astoria. His story connects the lodge’s founding with Manhattan’s Spruce Street printing trade—and the unpaid circus debts that helped bring down his business.
Caleb G. Francis: The Connecticut Merchant Who Became Advance Lodge’s First Secretary
Caleb G. Francis, a Connecticut-born merchant raised a Mason in Williamsburgh in 1863, became a charter member and the first Secretary of Advance Lodge No. 635 in Astoria. His story follows the lodge’s founding records and newspaper notices that may trace his life from Broadway to the Connecticut shore.
A Founder Who Became Master: William M. Berger of Advance Lodge No. 635
William M. Berger was a young New York merchant when he was raised a Mason in 1866 and became a charter member of Advance Lodge No. 635 in Astoria. By 1878, he was its Master—one of seven charter members who went on to lead the lodge.