Roderick R. Stewart, in whose honor Stewart Lodge received its name, was not only a charter member of the lodge but was one of the charter members of the Geneseo Colony coming here from New York; the city of Geneseo was so named by Mr. Stewart because he came here from Geneseo, New York. Of the three men, Cromwell K. Bartlett, Kohn C. Ward and Roderick R. Stewart, who entered the land from the United States upon which Geneseo is located, Mr. Stewart was the only one who died in Geneseo, having died in the year 1860. There are now living in the City of Geneseo, descendants of Roderick R. Stewart.

With utmost pride the following is quoted from The Masonic Review, Vol. XXIII, No.6, Cincinnati, published in September. 1860:

“Bro. Stewart was born in Steventown, N.Y., A.D. 1787. He united with the Masonic Lodge at Avon in 1812; and with the Congregational Church at Brockport in 1827. In the spring of 1836, with two others he came to the then “far west,” and located the present village of Geneseo; and in the fall of the same year he emigrated with his family, erected and lived in the first house built in Geneseo. In 1849, he assisted in organizing Stewart lodge No. 92, and was its first Senior Warden. It is difficult to express in the space allotted, the irreparable loss the Lodge, the Church, and the community sustain in the death of Bro. Stewart. As a Mason, he was strong to support – patient to endure – and intelligent to direct; one who in the early movements of the Fraternity in the place of his adoption, as well as in its later and more active operations, filled every station assigned to him, with honor to himself and with profit and satisfaction to the Brotherhood. In an eminent degree he understood and acted upon the tenets of his profession, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth; always guided by the cardinal virtues, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice. He was a Christian Mason, directing the Craft to their need of religion, pure and undefiled, to meet their own necessities, and equally so to enable them fully to understand and appreciate the beauty and the truth there is in Masonry, and to discharge worthily its duties and obligations. His appearance and place in the Lodge, will never be forgotten; the memory of his benign and cheerful countenance will ever be a talisman to infuse new courage and higher resolves when assembled around the “mystic altar”.

In the Church he was a standard bearer, ever pointing his brethren to the whitened fields, believing that the harvest was now and always, ripe to the hand of the reaper. His Christianity was exemplified in his daily walk and conversation; he loved the brethren, the Church and her ordinances, showing his love by active efforts for the conversion of those without. In the community he was a pillar of strength, sounding the alarm against intemperance and immorality; fostering the cause of education and general intelligence, and ready by word and deed in every public improvement. Such a life can never die; - though his body may see corruption, his good deeds will be a continued legacy of countless gold, to those who would profit thereby. May we imitate his example and emulate his virtues, so that when the Grand Warden of Heaven shall call us from our labors on earth, we can look back upon a well spent life, and with our departed brother, joyfully enter upon everlasting refreshments, in the “Paradise of God.” Peter Hammond, on of the most beloved Master Masons of earlier days, was made a Mason in 1799 in Vermont; he came to Geneseo in 1858 and died here in 1878 at the age of 102 years, he being the oldest Master Mason in the United States. His father, Samuel Hammond, was one of the famous Boston Tea Party whose acts precipitated the American Revolution. Joseph Hammond, a son of Peter Hammond, was public spirited, upright and honored citizen, who served as the second Mayor of Geneseo and held various positions of trust. The Hammond Public Library Building, which he gave to the city shortly prior to his demise, stands as a memorial to his revered name. His life was one of great usefulness and activity and in all of its relations he exemplified the beneficent teachings of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a valued member. John C. Hammond, son of Joseph Hammond was also a Master Mason and died October 3, 1908 in Geneseo. An extract from one of his obituaries appearing in the local papers at the time of his death is here quoted: “We all know of his generous benefactions, his gift to the City of the J.C. Hammond Hospital and its partial support for some time, and his other charities made so quietly and conscientiously.”

Stewart Lodge waited until October 20, 1951 to celebrate their 100th Anniversary because the construction, being done on the new lodge building. Much of the construction cost of the building was defrayed by monetary donations and volunteer labor from the members. The rest of the cost was financed by the sale of bonds to the membership. The bonds were in $250.00, $500.00 and $1,000.00 denominations and paid 2% interest per year. Each year at the annual Past Masters night the interest on the bonds was paid with most of the money donated back to the lodge. Any surplus funds that were left were used to pay off the bonds. All the names of the membership that held bonds were put in a hat, names were drawn out and those bonds retired until the funds that were available were used up. Many of the members, when their names were drawn, donated the money back to the lodge. The last of the bonds were retired in 1966 and the lodge became debt free.

The Order of the Eastern Star contributed to the financing of the Lodge building by sponsoring and serving meals in the dining room.

Through the efforts of W.B. Wilbert Gunnison the Lodge formed the fellowship club whose primary function was to take care of the custodial and repair work at the lodge along with some fund raising. Bro. Gunnison was President of the Fellowship Club and did most of the repair and maintenance for many years.

In the 1950’s an Order of DeMolay was formed and was active for many years. Later an Order of the Rainbow Girls was formed and was active until the 1990’s.

In an effort to make the lodge more useable in the summer time, it was decided to install air conditioning in the lodge meeting room. Through the efforts of W.B. John Jenson and Bro. Robert Verheye the air conditioning was installed in 1973.

The flag pole that was erected in front of the lodge and proudly flies our countries flag was erected in memory of W.B. Warren Nelson who served as Master of the Lodge in 1965.

In 1979 W.B.L.E. “Pete” Ross and W.B. Bob Verheye came up with an idea to honor the citizens who were alone and needy. We supplied a sit down turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Since its inception in 1979 a dinner has been served every year, usually between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The second system in the lodge room was donated and installed by W.B. John Jenson.

In 1987 W.B. John Laue suggested that we have a consignment sale at the lodge. Proceeds from this annual event would go to establish scholarships for area students. The area auctioneers have graciously donated their time and commissions to make this project possible. After the passing of W.B. Laue the official name has become “The John Laue Memorial Scholarship Consignment Sale”. Our year 2000 sales provided 12 $300.00 scholarships and since its beginning over $30,000.00 in scholarships has been provided.

In 1988, Atkinson Lodge #433 merged with Stewart Lodge #92. We were very sorry to see Atkinson lose their lodge, but we have gained many valuable members through the merger.

There are many people to thank for our first 150 years. From the three brothers who chartered the lodge to all the officers and members who have contributed so much over the years to make Stewart Lodge a viable part of the Geneseo community.