A Father’s Stone, a Son’s Gavel: The Two James Prowses
James Prowse Sr. donated Advance Lodge’s cornerstone in 1915 and later helped organize Astoria Lodge. His son, a monumental stone cutter raised in Advance in 1900, became Astoria’s Master in 1926. Their separate contributions connect one family with two continuing Queens lodge lineages.
James Prowse Jr. and the Cornerstone of Advance Lodge No. 635
One James Prowse donated the cornerstone of Advance Lodge No. 635’s Grand Avenue temple. His son rose through the lodge’s offices before leading Astoria Lodge No. 963. Their records trace a family’s place in Astoria’s Masonic history.