EATON, COLORADO
Early in 1899 a small number of Masons living in and near Eaton, Colorado, and whose home Lodges were located in widely separated cities in several states, decided that they would form a Masonic Lodge in their newly adopted home. The routine matters necessary were dispatched in a legal manner, a waiver of jurisdiction was then obtained from Occidental Lodge No. 70 in Greeley, and a petition for dispensation to form a new Lodge was forwarded to Horace T. De Long, Grand Master of Masons of Colorado.
The following Brothers signed their names to the petition asking for the dipensation:
William Potter Allen, George William Atkinson, Norman W. Bellrose, James Monroe Collins, Samuel D. Dickerson, Bruce G. Eaton, George Adams Oliver, James Marion Price, William Lloyd Petriken, Ernest G. Steele, Frank Newton Thomas, Albert E. Weitzel
The name proposed for the new Lodge was Abdallah.
On September 12, 1899, the secretary having given due and timely notice, called a meeting at which the dispensation was read, and the organization of Abdallah Lodge No. 109 was begun under dispensation, and for the first time business at hand was transacted in true Masonic form.
The charter was received on September 19, 1900. The Lodge flourished under dispensation, and ten additional names were added during the year to the original twelve, making twenty-two names on the charter. In addition to the twelve listed on the petition for dispensation were these ten names, also charter members:
Walter J. Farr, Ellis Smith, James E. Landers, Thomas Smith, Dan E. Miller, James Wolf, Albert H. Myers, Walter Witchey, George C. Smith, Frank Wilson
On September 19, 1906, the name of the Lodge was changed by petition to the Grand Lodge from Abdallah to Eaton Lodge No. 109. This new charter listed the same twenty-two names as shown on the original charter and was signed by Alfonse A. Burnand, Grand Master of Masons of Colorado.
Since the time when the Lodge was constituted, Eaton Lodge has never had a Temple of its own, but has met in rented quarters. In spite of this, interest has remained high and the Lodge has continued to prosper and flourish. In recent years committees have been working toward the erection of a new Masonic Temple.
At the close of the fiscal year, November 30, 19th, 213 members were listed.
