In grateful appreciation to Ill. Brother Ernest B. McNitt, 33º, Past Master,
for compiling the history of Union Lodge No. 259.

Brothers I. Carothers, William Richardson, John Baker, Thomas Bennett and John Sargeant met at the home of John Sargeant on May 2, 1851, to discuss organizing a Lodge of Ancient York Masons. Brother Carothers was appointed Chairman, and Brother Sargeant was appointed Secretary. It was decided to form a Lodge to be called Union Lodge to be held in New Brighton. The Chairman appointed Brothers John Sargeant, Robert Townsend and William Richardson to draft a petition to Grand Lodge requesting that body to grant a Charter for Union Lodge. It was further decided that Brother John Sargeant should be the Worshipful Master, Brother James Carothers, Senior Warden, and Brother Arch Robertson, Junior Warden. The petition was sent to Grand Lodge on May 20, 1851. A letter was received from William H. Adams, dated November 21, 1851 stating that a Charter had been granted establishing Union Lodge No. 259, and was dated November 20, 1851.

On February 3, 1852, the first petitions were presented and read. They were then balloted on and Brothers Nathan Couch, John A. King and John G. Samson were elected to receive the Honors requested in their prayers. All three men being in attendance, they were separately introduced and received the first degree. For many years it was customary to conduct a ballot and have the petitioners waiting outside to receive the First Degree. After some years this was changed to that the petitioner waited until the next meeting and now a period of one month must elapse before conferring the First Degree.

On February 10, 1852 the committee appointed to draft a set of By-Laws gave their report and, after mature deliberation, it was decided to hold the Stated meetings on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 o'clock, and from the 25th of September to the 25th of March at 6:00 o'clock.

The meetings were held in a Hall and this has been placed in a building on Eighth Street near the location of the present Y.M.C.A. building. The rent was $7.50 per quarter. The Lodge furniture was purchased from Lodge No. 45 of Pittsburgh for a total outlay of $81.50.

On February 1, 1860 a motion to change the meeting to Tuesday was approved because one member was unable to attend any other evening.

On March 16, 1869 a petition was received and approved admitting a Samuel Fletcher Myers to receive the honors. On December 3, 1889 a petition from another Samuel Fletcher Myers and he was approved. In 1913, a third petition was received from a Samuel Fletcher Myers and he was duly elected. This is the only instance of three Brothers having the same name and representing Grandfather, Father and Son to have been members of the Lodge. There is a fourth generation presently represented by Brother Louis C. Myers who is still a member.

Another unusual happening showed that a Father and two sons occupied the three elective chairs at the same time. Brother Herschell D. Bennett as Worshipful Master, a son Ralph C. Bennett as Senior Warden and another son Earl A. Bennett as Junior Warden. Brother Earl Bennett died during his year as Master. This is the only recording of a Master being deceased while in office, although there is a record of one other Master resigning during his term.

On February 14, 1905, a meeting was called to hear a report of the Trustees in the matter of securing a new Hall. A committee consisting of Brothers Frank C. O'Rourke, William Lloyd, John Withrow, Furness Walker and George McPherson was appointed to look for a site for a new building. On February 21, 1905 a meeting was held, at which time the present location was one of two presented by the committee. The Lodge voted to accept the present location and have the option to buy at the cost of $6,000.00.

While Union Lodge No. 259 was without a home, an offer was received from Lodge No. 478 in Beaver Falls, to use their Hall. This was approved by the District Deputy Grand Master, Brother Frank C. O'Rourke. Rent for use of their hall was sent to Lodge No. 478, and was returned stating that they would not accept any rent when No. 259 was without a home. An invitation was extended to the members of No. 478 to be the guests of No. 259 at their first meeting on May 7, 1907. Many of the members of No. 478 attended and were guests at a banquet following closing of the Lodge. This was the first banquet in the new Lodge Banquet Hall. There were 130 Brothers in attendance.

In 1923 Union Lodge No. 259, upon hearing that a new Temple was to be erected in Beaver Falls, offered the use of the Lodge room for the meetings of Lodges Nos. 478 and 662 and also the Commandery.

Lodge No. 259 was honored by having two of its members chosen to act as District Deputy Grand Master for the 37th Masonic District. Brother Frank C. O'Rourke who served for 16 years and Brother Samuel F. Myers who served for 11 years.