Advance Lodge No. 635: Charter and Founding Brothers

Th Official Seal of Advance Lodge no.635

Advance Lodge No. 635, established in Astoria, Queens, bears a name associated with purpose, endurance, and forward movement. Named after the USS Advance, the vessel commanded by Dr. Elisha Kent Kane during the search for Sir John Franklin, the Lodge reflects ideals of perseverance, resolve, and steady progress in the face of hardship. Those qualities would come to define the history of the Lodge in Astoria across generations.

This directory honors the Charter Members of Advance Lodge No. 635, whose leadership and commitment gave the Lodge its first form and direction, and recognizes the Notable Members whose service and achievements brought distinction to both the Lodge and the wider community. Together, these biographies preserve the record of a lodge whose name and history have long been identified with character, service, and endurance.

Charter Members of Advance Lodge no.635

Name - Place of Birth - Profession

1. John R. Clark -- Scotland - florist.
2. John E. Oloff -- Sweden - ship carpenter.
3. Edwin A. Cadwell -- Ohio - painter.
4. James D. Torrey -- U.S.A. - printer.
5. Caleb G. Francis -- Connecticut - merchant.
6. Charles Cranfield -- England - painter.
7. James M. Whitcomb -- Massachusetts - Harbor Master.
8. William M. Berger -- New York - merchant.
9. Charles Risdale -- England - blacksmith.
10. Edward Chauncey Graham -- New York - broker.
11. Robert McCoskry Graham -- New York - marine insuranceo.
12. Cornelius R. Morris -- Astoria - blacksmith.
13. Robert T. Wild -- England - U.S. Customs.
14. Charles C. Howell -- Long Island - carpenter.
15. Edward T. Jenkins -- New York - coppersmith.
16. Martin Willis -- Ireland - hotel keeper.
17. William B. Wilson -- New York - hotel keeper.
18. John L. Morris -- Astoria - blacksmith.
19. Julius J. Umschlag -- Germany - tailor.
20. Benjamin S. H. Maillefert -- Spain - submarine surveyor.
21. Charles O. Man -- Troy - New York.
22. Joseph Curtis -- New York - ship carpenter.

Notable Members

Name -- Date Raised to M.M. Degree

A* = Date Affiliated

• Benjamin S. H. Maillefert -- July, 1867 (A*)
• Robert McCroskry Graham -- Dec, 1870 (A*)
• Julius Streidinger -- Dec, 1874
• Charles W. Hallett Sr,-- Feb, 1875
• Dr. W. Golden Mortimer -- may, 1880
• Dr. Thomas Rainey -- Nov, 1881
• Ernest Ankener -- Sept, 1890
• Horatio S Sanford -- Nov, 1893
• Frederick Skene -- Nov, 1898
• Peter G. Van Alst -- Aprl, 1904
• Anthony "Speed" Hanzlik -- April, 1938

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Advance Lodge No. 635 — The Full Story of the Lodge

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The Advance Masonic Temple — Builders of Queens

USS Advance — The Ship that gave us our name

Advance Service Mizpah Lodge No. 586 — The Story continues here

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