Donald B. Carlson (left), C. William Carlson (middle), and Thomas W. Carlson are three brothers who were made Masons together 50 years ago in Butler Lodge No. 272, but they never attended lodge together again until they received their 50­Year Emblems of Gold in 1999. The emblems were presented by David A. Teorsky, D.D.G.M., 27th Masonic District, assisted by Frank Goephart, W.M.

The three grew up in Butler and all served their country during World War II. Bill was in the Army and Don was in the Air Force, both in the China-Burma-India Theater. Tom was in the Navy serving on the battleship, USS Iowa. After the war, Bill started in the newspaper business, but soon followed his father to become the Credit Manager of the Troutman Department Store in Butler, then later of the Lazarus chain of stores in Columbus, OH, from which he retired. After being graduated from Grove City College, Don became Business Manager for Allied Newspapers, moved to sales management positions with large insurance companies, then to Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. in Pittsburgh and Chicago, where he retired as Senior Sales Representative in the Midwest area. Tom attended Robert Morris College and began a retail career in the Troutman Department Store in DuBois. His advancements led to that of Manager of the Pomeroy Department Store in Reading, where he retired. All three are married and reside in the areas where they retired.