Brothers Beyond the Camera

The History of Wallkill Lodge No. 627

Images colorized and enhanced by Julius Backman

Photographs are timeless possessions, connecting the past to the present, awakening a sense of pride, and tradition. When investigated further, you learn of the human experience, the time honored commitment by those who came before us. These feelings evoke a sense of obligation, and duty. It makes you introspective; it begs you to question, what mark or legacy will we leave behind? How will you be remembered?

The following image dates to the year 1918, and is the oldest known photograph of Wallkill Lodge No. 627 F. & A.M. Just months before the end of World War I, the Great War, or the War to end all Wars, the lodge duly elected 40-year-old knifemaker William Horace Wilder to command the gavel of authority as the 37th Worshipful Master of Wallkill Lodge. Elsworth Mortimer Logan, employed by the Walden Knife Company and Charles Winfield Kay, who worked as a bank teller and bookkeeper for the First National Bank of Walden, were elected Senior and Junior Wardens respectively.

Image: Masonic Hall, Wallkill Lodge No. 627 F. & A.M. c. 1908

To commemorate the special year ahead, Wilder, and his fellow officers, opted to have a professional photograph taken. Sporting white bowties, and tuxedos, they walked across the street from Wallkill Masonic Lodge, likely to the sound of street commotion and an electric trolly car, to Smith Studio, which was located over Coopers Drug Store on the second floor of 58 Main Street in Walden. The owner of the establishment was 34-year-old Charles Sherwood Smith, a Kingston, New York native and fellow Freemason of Wallkill Lodge, who was raised just four years prior to Master Mason in 1914.
The studio maintained elegant displays and examples of group and portraiture photographs and likely operated with a small staff of two to three employees. A large piece of unique carpet covered most of the entire floor and a large scenic backdrop illustrated where the subjects were to have their pictures taken. Fastened firmly on a tripod was likely either a large wooden format camera, or a compact Kodak camera, the latter being a new piece of cutting-edge technology for its time. And so, the brothers took their positions in front of the camera, Worshipful Wilder sat in the middle with his dignified top hat, the Wardens flanked him on either side, and the appointed officers stood directly behind. In the blink of an eye, the picture was taken. The moment forever stamped and cemented as a memory of our enduring lodge history.

Just a handful of years later in 1922, Wilder, now a Past Master, decided to join the charitable women of Walden’s Eastern Star Chapter to have another marvelous photograph taken at Smith Studio. Brother Charles Smith, owner of the establishment, would go on to process a print for District Deputy Grand Master William H. Edwards, and staff in 1926. Smith even transported his camera outdoors, where in 1936, he battled the artistic elements of shade and sunlight as he photographed the inaugural Fellow Craft Club Clambake event held by Wallkill Lodge. During this time, Smith would relocate his professional studio to 8 Bank Street in Walden, where in 1937, he would photograph now 59-year-old William Wilder, and the next generation of Wallkill Lodge Masons, led that year by Worshipful Master Herbert C. McHugh.

For almost 160 years, Wallkill Lodge has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, navigating numerous challenges and persevering through tumultuous periods of American history. From its inception as a fledgling lodge in 1866, to weathering the Great Depression, the Great War, World War II, and various modern global conflicts and pandemics, Wallkill Lodge has consistently exhibited its capacity to endure and adapt in the midst of obstacles.

Among the many marvels of man, and of our many technological feats, photography has offered a unique glimpse and understanding into our masonic past. There is much to be proud of. Our history is vibrant, full of industrious, virtuous, and iconic men. Life is but a baton, handed from one generation to the next. How will you carry our legacy forward? What will our future say of us today?

When this photograph was taken in 1918, America was deeply entrenched in Europe with bayonets fixed during World War I. The third wave of the selective service had commenced in Orange County in September 1918, when many men from our lodge, including William Wilder, were drafted. By November, an armistice was signed between the Germans and Allies, celebrating the end of the Great War.

Wallkill Lodge - 1919

William Wilder was born on June 11, 1878, in Attica, New York. He was employed as a cutler at the Walden Knife Company, located in Walden, New York, where the iconic Keen Kutter Knives were manufactured. These small pocketknives were widely distributed across the globe. Prior to his mastership, Wilder was drafted for service in World War I, but as the war soon came to an end, he did not serve. Wilder spent the remainder of his life working as a painter in Walden. He was an active member of the Lodge House Committee, where he contributed to the design and decoration of the lodge building’s interior. Wilder’s Past Master apron is on display in the lodges outer room.

Elsworth Logan was born on August 16, 1891, in Montgomery, New York, and was the 442nd member to join Wallkill Lodge. Fellow Freemason, William Wilder, registered him for the draft to serve during World War I, but the timing of the draft meant he did not serve. Logan worked at the Walden Knife Company, where his unique role involved wrapping cutlery with wooden handles. Although he relocated to Ohio later in life, he was buried in the Wallkill Valley Cemetery in Walden, New York, after his passing in 1943. Logan held the position of Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1919-1920. Wallkill Lodge had 307 Master Masons on the rolls in the year 1919.

Initially working as a bank teller before becoming a bookkeeper at the First National Bank of Walden, Charles Kay was born in Walden, New York, on August 9, 1884. He was drafted during World War I but did not serve. In the 1950s, Kay started his own business, working as an accountant until his passing in 1966. Kay served on the Lodge Finance Committee and presided in the East as Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1920-1921.

As Worshipful Master, Wilder appointed Austin A. Tompkins as Senior Deacon. Born in 1884, Tompkins held a position in a Carpet Mill during his teenage years, and by 1910, he relocated to Montgomery, New York to work as a factory worker for the Walden Knife Company. Although he was drafted during World War I, he did not serve. In his mid-40s, Tompkins worked in a Hat Shop likely in the hamlet of Wallkill, and later in life, returned to factory work, serving as a watchman in the fur garment business. Tompkins served as Master from 1921-1922 and collaborated with Wilder on the Lodge House Committee. In addition, Tompkins served as the lodge’s ritual director for many years and mentored countless masons over the course of his life.

The Junior Deacon of the lodge, Fred J. Martin, was 36 years old and worked as a mailman for the U.S. Government. He would go on to govern the lodge as Master from 1922-1923. Wallkill Lodge had 383 Master Masons on the rolls in the year 1922.

Orville Thompson and Theodore Waterman were appointed to the positions of Senior and Junior Masters of Ceremony, respectively. Neither Thompson nor Waterman served the lodge as Worshipful Master but lived productive and hardworking lives. Thompson held a position as a cutler with the Walden Knife Company, while Waterman worked as a salesman for a local retail establishment.

Walter H. Lofthouse was born in Manchester, England and immigrated in 1892 to America at the age of 22. Lofthouse was a man of devout faith and preached the word of God as a pastor for the Methodist Church. Originally raised to Master Mason in Franklin Lodge No. 562, he demitted and later joined Wallkill Lodge in February of 1917. Worshipful Wilder appointed Lofthouse Chaplain of the Lodge in 1918. Lofthouse later became Superintendent of all Methodist Churches in the Poughkeepsie, NY district.

Although Robert Thomas Hume was not an officer of the lodge at the time the image was taken, he had previously served as Master of Wallkill lodge from 1905-1906 and made history by becoming the first District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) in the lodge’s history, serving the Orange Rockland Sullivan District in 1914. Born in Ellenville, New York in 1878 to an English father and an Irish mother, Hume initially worked as a laundryman before pursuing a distinguished career as a lawyer. Hume went on to lead a highly successful life, holding positions such as Town of Montgomery Supervisor, board member of the Orange County Public Relief, Orange County District attorney, and president of the Acme Knife Company in Walden. Hume’s DDGM apron is on display in the outer room of Wallkill Lodge.

Appointed tiler and given the sword as the implement of his office, William Munson worked as a boat hand along the D & H Canal in Wawarsing, before working for many years as a cutler with Ellenville Knife Company. Born in 1867, he served as Master of the lodge in 1910.

This image was taken in 1922 of Walden’s Eastern Star Chapter. The Worthy Matron that year was Minnie Cole Mills, who was born on September 23, 1888. Like many women of her time who worked exclusively in the home, Mills attended services weekly as a loyal member of St. Andrews Church in Walden. Minnie’s granddaughter, Kathyn Parker, of Middletown, New York, donated the image to the Lodge in her memory in 2025.
Wallkill Eastern Star Chapter - 1922
In addition to William Wilder, Joseph W. Rowland is also depicted in this photograph. Born in Waterville, Connecticut in 1849, Rowland served as trustee of the Wallkill Valley Cemetery and director of the Walden Savings Bank. He also held the position of Vice President at the New York Knife Company during the 1880s. Rowland was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, in the year 1900.
Calvin Coolidge was President of the United States when this photograph was taken of District Deputy Grand Master William H. Edwards and members of Wallkill Lodge in 1926. It is believed that Edwards was a member of Newburgh Masonic Lodge.
Wallkill Lodge - 1926
Seated to Edwards immediate right, Raywold Nichols, having been born on December 24, 1884, was Superintendent of the New York Knife Company in Walden. Nicholas was drafted during World War I but did not serve. He was a loyal member of Walden’s fraternal Odd Fellows and served with distinction as the Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1929-1930. Later in life, Nichols moved to Poughkeepsie, where he worked as a night clerk for Vassar College.

Clarence E. Benedict, born August 30, 1891, worked as a machinist for the New York Knife Company. He served as Worshipful Master from 1917-1918 and subsequently moved to Akron, Ohio with his wife to work in the heating industry as a mechanical engineer.

Lewis F. MacGowan, who served as a private in 1898 with the First New York Volunteers during the Spanish American War, later co-owned Clark & MacGowan Dry Goods Store in Walden and held the position of Worshipful Master from 1916-1917. MacGowan’s store offered fancy goods, including coats, suits, and dresses, and he spent his entire life in Walden, New York.

Harry L. Tillson, a skilled knifeman like many of his fellow brothers, worked at both the Ulster and Walden Knife Companies. He was also the president of the Orange Hose Company of Newburgh and Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1938-1939. Tillson served as lodge secretary through World War II.

Henry L. Wiley, born in Connecticut on September 15, 1872, moved to Putnam, New York with his family at age 8, where his father, Adam, worked as an experienced horse doctor. Wiley relocated to Montgomery, New York in his mid-20s, initially working as a farmhand before gaining employment as a cutler at the Walden Knife Company.

Although drafted during World War I, Wiley did not put on the uniform due to the war’s conclusion. He served as long-standing justice of the peace for the village of Walden, he was chief of the Walden Fire Department and held the position of Worshipful Master from 1902-1904.

In 1936, Wallkill Lodge established a Fellow Craft club aimed at enhancing lodge ritual and fostering brotherhood and fellowship beyond the Lodge Room. The photograph depicted here is from the club’s inaugural event, a well-attended clambake with at least 22 brothers in attendance.

Notable events that year were the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, where Jesse Owens, an African American athlete, won four gold medals. That Fall, Bro. Franklin D. Roosevelt, won his reelection campaign for President.

Wallkill Lodge - 1936
James F. Joy, born in 1875 near Maybrook, New York, was a shining example of dedication, working as a lifelong accountant with the Central New England Railroad Terminal in Maybrook and serving as a steadfast Lodge treasurer for many years during the 1930s and 40s.

Lewis Hinchliffe, born in 1913, worked as a bookkeeper in his mid-20s for W.I. Deyo in Wallkill, Ulster County, New York before being employed as a comptroller for the Express Sawmill in the state of Florida. Hinchliffe was a Shriner and Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1940-1941.

Arthur Hall, born 1859 in London, England, served as warden and clerk vestry for St. Andrews Church in Walden and as superintendent of an iron foundry in Orange County, New York. As Worshipful Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1900-1901, he led the lodge with zeal, overseeing the raising of several prominent Walden men to the sublime degree of Master Mason, including Brothers Edward Whitehead, Hiram B. Wooster, and Frank R. Roberson. Hall’s Past Master apron is on display in the outer room of Wallkill Lodge.

William E. Booth, born June 9, 1891, in Walden, NY, was employed as a blade finisher at the New York Knife Company, working alongside his father, Thomas. Later, Booth took up employment with the Schrade Cutlery Company and served as Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1923-1924. Wallkill Lodge had 398 Master Masons on the rolls in the year 1923.

William Wilder, who was featured in the above story, and is pictured in 4 of the 5 photographs, is seen here enjoying fellowship with his fraternal brothers at the age of 58.

George W. Birch, born in 1876, spent the majority of his life as a shoe merchant in Walden, New York. He went on to serve the Town of Montgomery in various capacities, including Town Clerk in 1914 and Town Supervisor in 1920. Birch served as master of Wallkill Lodge from 1915-1916.

The son of an English immigrant, Clifford G. Medley, born in 1893, was employed as a blade finisher in the New York Knife Company before owning and managing his own ice cream business in Walden. In addition to being a devoted member of Walden’s St. Andrew Episcopal church, Medley served for many years as trustee for the Village of Walden.

Herbert McHugh, who will be featured more prominently in the following image, was 32 years old when this photograph was taken. The year 1936 was a challenging year in Wallkill Lodge history, as the sitting Master Lowell A. Brown had passed away in January, thus forcing the Senior Warden Herbert McHugh to assume the role of acting Worshipful Master.

Frequently referred to as the greatest generation, the men of the late 1930s and 1940s exemplified courage, grit, vision for the future, and unwavering patriotism. From 1929-1939, these individuals endured the great depression, overcame economic struggles, and worked in labor-intensive industries, demonstrating their resilience to themselves, their families, and communities.
Wallkill Lodge - 1937

As World War II commenced, Freemasons of Wallkill Lodge significantly impacted Orange County, showcasing that when communities require leadership, Masons are always to be seen at the forefront.

William Wilder, who has been featured earlier, was 59-years old and a 22-year mason of the craft when this photograph was taken in the year 1937. He lived out the reminder of his life working various jobs as a skilled painter.

Edwin Hinchliffe, the older brother to Lewis by 5 years, Edwin was born on July 3, 1908, in Walden, NY. Upon graduating high school, he attended Syracuse University and by his mid-20s began working for DuPont in the City of Newburgh, which at the time was known for producing synthetic leather used for the growing auto industry. Hinchliffe, who was Senior Warden when this photograph was taken, served as Master of Wallkill Lodge the following year from 1937-1938.

Herbert C. McHugh, a native of Shawangunk, New York, was born on February 14, 1904. He spent his entire career as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service in the hamlet of Wallkill. Following the tragic passing of Worshipful Lowell A. Brown, McHugh assumed the gavel of authority in the East. The following year, he was formally elected Worshipful Master, serving from 1936-1937. Six years later in 1943, McHugh was appointed District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) of the Orange Rockland Sullivan District, marking the second Brother in lodge history to receive this distinguished honor. McHugh’s DDGM apron is on display in the outer room of Wallkill Lodge.

Fred A. Evans was born in 1879 in Shawangunk, New York, and started his career as a skilled tradesman, specializing in carpentry, bricklaying, and masonry. By his mid-twenties, Evans secured a position at the Continental Ship Building Corporation, later transitioning to the Norman Finishing Company in Newburgh, New York. Evans held the office of Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1932-1933.

Featured in earlier images, Harry L. Tillson is pictured as the Junior Warden of Wallkill Lodge at the age of 45. Tillson worked his entire life in the many knife factories.

During the anxious hours leading up to Americas involvement in World War II, James A. Jonas placed his peacetime efforts aside as President of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce to assemble the Orange County Defense Council. Witnessing news reels of Nazi bombers destroying the city of London, Jonas established the council to prepare for war on the home front. Jonas appointed several Masons of Wallkill Lodge in areas of expertise such as ham radio operators, telegraph & telephone communications, and air raid preparation. After the war, he resumed his presidency of the Chamber and later worked as a president for a fiber distribution firm. Jonas, who was born in 1894, was Worshipful Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1941-1942, and at one time used the Lodge room to display War Reels during the beginning of World War II.

Harold R. Miller was born in Mansfield, Ohio in 1903, and moved to Walden, New York in his mid-30s to work for the Walden Telephone Company. He was appointed Chief of Communications for the Orange County Defense Council during World War II, which was Chaired by Brother James A. Jonas. Lauded by many as one of the most intelligent men in Walden, Miller served as Master of Wallkill Lodge from 1939-1940.

Lewis Hinchliffe was 24 years old when this image was taken in 1937. His story is chronicled in the previous 1936 image.

Written by W. Bro. Kyle A. Williams

Bro. Williams, a collector of New York Masonic history, is Worshipful Master of Wallkill Lodge 627 in Walden, New York, where he also is lodge Historian.