Spartan Lodge No.956 F&AM

06/17/2026

Brethren and friends,

It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of Eunice Montuori, the mother of our fellow Brother, Christopher Montuori.

On behalf of the officers and brethren of Spartan Lodge No.956 F&AM, we extend our deepest condolences to Noble Brother Christopher and his family during this difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of their beloved mother.

There will be visitation as well as a Mass the following day.

Visitation
Tuesday, June 23rd 2-4PM and 7-9PM
N.F Walker Funeral Home
2039 Merrick Avenue
Merrick, 11566

Mass
Wednesday, June 24th 12:00 PM
The Parish Family Of Curé of Ars
2323 Merrick Ave
Merrick, 11566

May they find comfort in the support of our, Brothers, family, and friends.

06/17/2026

Today in Masonic History Lewis Cass passed away in 1866.

Lewis Cass was an American politician.

Cass was born in Exeter, New Hampshire on October 9, 1782. In 1800, he moved with his family to Marietta, Ohio. There he met his wife Elizabeth Spencer who he married in 1806.

In 1807, Cass became the United States Marshall for Ohio. During the War of 1812, he took command of the 3rd Ohio Volunteer Regiment. He was promoted to Brigadier General in March of 1813.

In 1813, Cass was appointed Governor of the Michigan Territory by President James Madison. The appointment was seen as a reward for his military service. He served as the Governor until 1831.

In 1820, Cass led an expedition to northwestern part of the Michigan Territory, which is now Minnesota. The purpose of the expedition was to map the area and discover the source of the Mississippi River. The expedition miss identified the source as Cass Lake. A later expedition discovered the true source.

Cass resigned as Governor of the Michigan Territory in 1831 to become part of Andrew Jackson's administration. He took the role of Secretary of War and was a central figure in the Indian removal policy of the Jackson Presidency. Later Cass was appointed as the Minister to France.

In 1844, Cass stood as a candidate at the Democratic Convention. He lost to the dark horse candidate, James Polk who later become President.

Starting in 1845, Cass represented Michigan in the United States Senate. He resigned in 1848 to run again for President. Cass was a leading supporter of popular sovereignty, which stated it should left to individual states to decide whether they allowed slavery. Anti-slavery members of the Democratic party left the party to form the Free Soil Party. He returned to the Senate after losing the election to Zachary Taylor. He was the first non-incumbent Democratic Presidential candidate to lose an election. He stayed in the Senate until 1857.

From 1857 to 1860, Cass served as James Buchanan's Secretary of State.

He passed away on June 17th, 1866.

Cass begin his masonic journey in December of 1803 when he was initiated as an Entered Apprentice into Union Lodge No. 1 in Marietta. He received his Fellowcraft and Master Mason degree in 1804 in the same lodge. In 1805 he became a charter member of Lodge of Amity No. 105 (now No. 5) near Zanesville, Ohio. He served as Lodge of Amity's first Worshipful Master. Because of his position in Lodge Amity he became one of the founders of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. At the first session he was elected Deputy Grand Master of Ohio in 1809. The following year he was elected as Grand Master of Ohio and served the next three consecutive years. In 1826, he became co-founder of the Grand Lodge of Michigan and served as their first Grand Master. He served as Grand Master of Michigan a second time in 1844.

06/15/2026

Today in Masonic History Richard Parks Bland passes away in 1899.

Richard Parks Bland was an American politician.

Bland was born on August 19th, 1835 in Hartford, Ohio County, Kentucky. Bland came from a prominent Virginia family, both on his mother's and father's sides of the family. Both the families were some of the first to follow Daniel Boone into the wilderness of Kentucky. Despite this fact, Bland's family was extremely poor. Matters were made worse when Bland's father passed away when he was 7 and Bland's mother passed away when he was 14. The orphaned Bland was forced to hire himself out as a farm worker. Despite his financial situation he was able to attend Hartford College and was able to graduate with a teacher's certificate. For two years he taught school in his home town.

In 1855, Bland briefly moved for the first time to Missouri. After teaching school for a year in Missouri he headed to California. There he studied law before moving to the western part of the Utah territory which is now present day Nevada. There he taught school again and tried his hand at prospecting and mining. This began his lifelong interest in mining, particularly with silver mining. In the Utah territory he also continued his study of the law. He passed the bar and begin practicing law in Virginia City and Carson City. Bland also held his first elected office as Treasurer of Carson County, Utah Territory. He ended up losing the position when Nevada became a state and the government was reorganized.

In 1865, Bland returned to Missouri where he opened up a law practice with his brother. The two remained in practice until 1869, when Bland moved to Lebanon thinking the chances of commercial success were better there after new train tracks had been laid through the town.

In 1872, Bland was elected to the United States House of Representatives. Through his 24 years in the United States House of Representatives his main focus was on mining and the currency of the United States. Bland's love of silver and his efforts to help silver miners gained him the nickname "Silver Dick". He was also called the "The Great Commoner for his efforts to help the common man." His most notable legislation in 1878 was the Bland-Allison Act. The act required the United States Treasury to purchase silver and to distribute coins in the form of silver dollars. The act was vetoed by President Rutherford B. Hayes before Congress overturned the veto. From 1873 when he official took office to 1899 he was not in Congress for two years from 1896 to 1898 when he temporarily lost his seat.

It was in 1896, Bland was the potential Democratic nominee. Bland was not very happy about the prospect of being the nominee and was quoted as saying, "I have no desire in this direction. I have no ambition for this nomination and I am afraid my friends, thrusting my personality into this contest may confuse the greater question." As always for Bland the greater question was currency and bimetallism, where currency is defined as equivalent to a certain amount of gold and a certain amount of silver. In the first three ballots at the Democratic Convention, Bland led but did not get the two third majority required. On the fourth the ballot swung to his opponent. Bland was afraid of a split party so he sent a telegram to his supporters, he did not even attend the convention, telling them he was putting his support behind his opponent, the fifth ballot became a formality.

One non political issue came up during Bland's 1896 Democratic presidential nomination bid. Bland, a protestant, married a Catholic and they were raising their children Catholic. This caused derision and bigotry toward Bland by his opponents, to address the issue Bland stated "Yes my wife is a Roman Catholic and I am a Protestant, and shall live and die one; but my regret is that I am not half such a Christian as the woman who bears my name and is the mother of my children."

Bland passed away on June 15th, 1899 while he was still in office.

Bland was a member of Rolla Lodge No. 213 in Rolla, Missouri.

06/14/2026

Today in Masonic History Frederick Arthur Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby passes away in 1908.

Frederick Arthur Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby was a British politician and sportsman.

Stanley was born on January 15th, 1841 in London. He was educated at Eton College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He received a commission in the Grenadier Guards and rose to the rank of captain.

Stanley left the military to run for Parliament. He served as a member of Parliament for Preston, North Lancashire and Blackpool from 1865 until 1886. He also served as the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, Financial Secretary to the War Office, Secretary to the Treasury, War Secretary and Colonial Secretary.

In 1888, Stanley was appointed Governor General of Canada and Commander in Chief of Prince Edward Islands. He traveled extensively in Canada during his term as Governor General. In 1889 he traveled to the western part of Canada which allowed him to meet with farmers and members of First Nation, the aboriginal people of Canada. During his travels he also became an outdoors man and became very fond of fishing, which he did whenever his schedule allowed. As Governor General Stanley was only the third person, out of six, who Queen Victoria allowed to have power over granting pardons, remitting sentences and the power of mitigating capital or any other sentences.

Stanley was also the one who cemented the non-political role of the Governor General position. He did this by refusing to get involved with a controversial Quebec's Jesuit Estates Bill. The bill was to give $400,000 as compensation to the Jesuit order for lands which had been given to them by the King of France. Other provinces opposed the bill, not trusting the Roman Catholic influence in the in Quebec. Stanley declined to interfere, citing the proposed denial as unconstitutional. In holding to this decision, he gained popularity by refusing to compromise the viceregal position of political neutrality.

Stanley's sons became avid hockey players while they were in Canada. Stanley and his wife became staunch hockey fans. In 1892, Stanley donated a cup which was to be used a challenge cup between the amateur hockey clubs in Canada. In 1909 it turned into a trophy contested only by professional teams. It was not until 1926 when the Stanley Cup became a trophy only for National Hockey League teams. The original cup Stanley donated was 7 inches. The current cup is now more than 36 inches and weighs 35 pounds (16kg).

Stanley's term was due to end in September of 1893, unfortunately Stanley's brother who was the 15th Earl of Derby passed away in April of the same year. Because of this Stanley had to accelerate his return to England, which he did in July of 1893. Once back in England Stanley became Lord Mayor of Liverpool, the first Chancellor of the University of Liverpool and was elected Mayor of Preston in 1901.

A voice recording of Stanley which dates to 1888 is possibly, with the exception of Thomas Edison, the oldest recording of a human voice which still exists. In 1945 Stanley was inducted into the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame in the "Honoured Builders" category.

Stanley passed away on June 14th, 1908.

Stanley was a member of Royal Alpha Lodge No 16 in London, England.

06/14/2026

06/13/2026

Today in Masonic History Walter Millard Fleming is born in 1838.

Walter Millard Fleming was an American surgeon and one of the founders of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

Fleming was born on June 13th, 1838 in Portland, Maine. He graduated from a medical school in Albany, New York in 1862 before practicing medicine.

Fleming served during the American Civil War as a surgeon. After the war he moved to Rochester, New York where he opened a medical practice. He moved his practice to New York City where he became a prominent physician and surgeon.

Prior to moving to New York City, Fleming joined Rochester Lodge No. 660 in Rochester, New York. It is believed he also took some of the Scottish Rite degrees in Rochester before finishing his Scottish Rite journey in New York City.

Once in New York City, Fleming, along with many other local masons ate lunch regularly at Knickerbocker Cottage. Fleming along with William Florence and other masons became a notable group of jovial masons who often sat on the second floor. The group often spoke about making a new masonic organization which was more focused on fellowship and fun.

Florence, who was an actor, was became a star and began touring in Europe, Northern African countries and the middle east. In France he was invited to a party held by an Arabian diplomat. After watching a very festive play, which was something of a comedy, everyone present was admitted into a "secret society." Florence took copious notes about the play after seeing two more times on his journeys. He returned back to New York where he presented Fleming with all of the information he had gathered.

Fleming took the information from Florence and turned it into the ritual which became the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.). There has been much debate over the years as to why Fleming chose the name he did. The most common and possibly the most logical explanation is the initials are an anagram of A MASON, which is a requirement for joining the organization.

Fleming passed away on December 8th, 1913.

Fleming was also a 33° Scottish Rite Mason.

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Today in Masonic History Robert Huston Milroy is born in 1816.

Robert Huston Milroy was an American Civil War General.

Milroy was born on June 11th, 1816 near Canton, Indiana. At the age of 10 his family moved to Carroll County. In 1843 he graduated from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. After graduation he briefly moved to Texas and returned to Indiana in 1847. In 1850 he graduated from Indiana University Law School. He went on to pass the bar and become a judge in Rensselaer, Indiana.

Just before Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated, Milroy recruited a company for the 9th Indiana Militia. He was appointed captain soon after the attack on Fort Sumter. Just a few weeks later he was appointed as a colonel in the Federal service leading the 9th Indiana Infantry. As part of the 9th he participated in the western Virginia campaign and was promoted to brigadier general.

In his new rank, he was put in charge of the Cheat Mountain district of the Mountain Department. In the command he faced Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson during what is known as Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign. He engaged in a "spoiling attack" against Jackson's forces and inflicted heavier than expected casualties. Although the Confederate troops held their ground.

In 1863, Milroy faced the low point of his career. He was holding the town of Wi******er. There his 6,900 man garrison was "gobbled up" by Confederate forces. A series of issues led to his defeat, including miscommunication from superiors and a lack of good intelligence on the movement of Confederate forces in the area. He treated the local towns people of Wi******er poorly, so poorly pro-Union towns people changed their view points and supported the Confederates. Milroy and his staff escaped Wi******er and approximately 3,000 members of his garrison were taken prisoner.

Milroy faced a court of inquiry for his failure. After 10 months he was found to not be culpable for the loss at Wi******er.

After the Wi******er incident, he saw very little combat. One of the exceptions was the Third Battle of Murfreesboro. In the battle, hoping to erase the failures of Wi******er, he charged a Confederate position he thought were dismounted calvary. It turned out to be a Confederate infantry unit. His unit took heavy casualties and was quickly reinforced.

Milroy resigned his commission in 1865. After the war he became the superintendent of Indian affairs in the Washington Territory serving from 1872 to 1875. For the ten years following he served as an Indian agent. He spent much of the time ensuring the aging chief of the Yakama tribe, Chief Kamiakin was not evicted from his tribal lands by ranchers.

Milroy passed away on March 29th, 1890.

Milroy was a member of Prairie Lodge No. 125 in Rensselaer, Indiana. He demitted from the lodge in 1866, there is no indication he joined a lodge in the Washington Territory.

06/10/2026

Today in Masonic History Henry Burbeck is born in 1754.

Henry Burbeck was an American soldier.

Burbeck was born on June 10th, 1754 in Boston, Massachusetts. His father was serving there as a British officer. Burbeck attended a writing school in North Boston and later credited his father for his further education. Prior to joining the military, Burbeck worked at the copper-smith's forge with Paul Revere.

When the Battle of Lexington began, Burbeck's father abandoned his post to join the Patriot side of the war. Burbeck's father initially fled to Cambridge where he reported the Committee of Public Safety. Burbeck joined his father in Cambridge and were assigned to make ammunition for the Battle of Bunker Hill. Burbeck also participated in the battle, it is unclear whether his father did, since the British had put a price on his head. Afterward, Burbeck was assigned as a lieutenant of artillery. He became part of the Continental Army artillery for the remainder of the American Revolution.

During the American Revolution, Burbeck fought in a variety of battles. In some of those battles he was under General George Washington. The two men got to know each other, well enough Burbeck felt comfortable to give millitary advice to Washington. During the war he saw where proper training in artillery and engineering were critical for the American military. He recommended to Washington the creation of the West Point Military Academy.

In 1784, Burbeck was discharged from military service only to immediately return to service. In the time between the American Revolution and the War of 1812, Burbeck was involved in treaty negotiations and the surrender of Fort Mackinac by the British per the Treaty of Paris, although the transfer of the fort didn't happen until 13 years after the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

Burbeck spent the war of 1812 in New England. He was sent to New London, Connecticut where he was ordered to take command of the local militia. One of his early orders was to march to Boston, where a British fleet had blockaded the harbor. The march took place in winter and many of his men were injured by frostbite and other things related to the cold. On the march, Burbeck refused to accept anything unless it was shared with his men. When Burbeck returned with his men to New London, he received word an attack was planned by British forces just off the coast.

Burbeck was married twice, the first wife passed away in 1790. His second wife he married in 1813. She was 29 years his junior and they had six children. Burbeck believed his oldest son, third oldest child, Henry William, intended to follow in his footsteps and join the military. Henry suffered an accident though while trying to demonstrate a feat of strength. He dropped a keg of silver dollars on his foot and severed a toe. He was at sea on a ship and by the time the ship made it to port, Henry William had died. Burbeck was so overcome by grief he never allowed his sons name to be mentioned in the house.

Burbeck was also a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. The Society with Chapters in the United States and France "to preserve the ideals and fellowship of officers of the Continental Army." Burbeck was made it's president in 1846, he served until the time of his passing.

Burbeck passed away on October 2, 1848 in New London, Connecticut.

Burbeck was a member of St. John's Lodge in Boston, Massachusetts. It is also his father's lodge.

06/09/2026

Today in Masonic History Edith Dircksey (Brown) Cowan passes away in 1932.

Edith Dircksey (Brown) Cowan was an Australian politician and social activist.

Cowan, born Edith Brown, was born in Glengarry Station in Western Australia on August 2nd 1861. At the age of seven her mother died in childbirth. Her father sent her to a boarding school in Perth. Shortly after his father remarried, it was an unhappy marriage and eventually her father shot and killed Cowan's step-mother. Her father was executed for the crime. She left the school in Perth and attend Canon Sweeting a school near her grandmother's home where she was staying.

In 1879, Cowan who was still Brown, married James Cowan a career public servant and the brother of the women who ran the school in Perth where Cowan had attended.

Cowan became concerned with social issues, particularly those involving women and children. In 1894 she helped found the Karrakatta Club. The group was dedicated to women's education. In 1899, the group became associated with the woman's suffrage movement.

After the turn of the century Cowan turned her attention to welfare issues. In 1909 she helped form the Woman's Service Guilds. In 1911 she was the co-founder of the Western Australia's National Council of Women serving as it's president from 1913 until 1921. From 1921 until the time of her passing she served as the Organizations vice president.

In 1916, Cowan's efforts got the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women built.

Cowan founded the Children's Protection Society. The basis of the society was Cowan did not feel children should be tried in an adult court. Her efforts led to the formation of children's courts and in 1915 she sat on the bench of the first children's court. She sat on the court for 18 years.

In 1920, Cowan became the first female justice of the peace. Also in 1920 the Australian Parliament passed a law allowing women to stand for parliament. She won a surprise victory gaining the seat for West Perth. Ironically she defeated the Attorney General who had introduced the legislation which gained women the right to stand for parliament. She lost her seat in 1924.

Cowan passed away on June 9th, 1932.

Cowan joined Le Droit Humain also known as co-masonry.