Famous Freemasons of Forest Lawn Cemetery Tour

“Remember, remember, the Fifth of November, when we visited the Masonic Plots;

I see no reason why our distinguished Brethren should ever be forgot”

Members of Harmonie Lodge No. 699 and visiting Brothers were joined by friends and family as our own Daniel Di Natale, with the assistance of Peter Filim, of Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 358 and a Docent of Forest Lawn, guided us on a tour of famous Masons interred in the cemetery.  All in attendance learned many things about war heroes (specifically the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War and others), early Buffalo politicians, frontiersman, natives and past members of Harmonie Lodge and its predecessors.

We also visited Brothers’ memorials of particular aesthetic value, such as Brother Burton Dow and his modern memorial with its bronze “burning bush” and Brother Lawrence Bell, the founder of Bell Aircraft.  The Schickel memorial near the Delavan entrance and others lent Masonic symbolism that was debated and contemplated.  Non-Masonic memorials famous to Forest Lawn were also discussed, such as the Darwin Martin memorial and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Blue Sky Mausoleum.

The tour was heavily historical and context was given influential people in the settling of Buffalo, some of which those in attendance were familiar and others we had never heard of.  Bro. Sgt. Philip Bachert of the famed Weidrich’s Battery of the Battle of Gettysburg and Bro. Col. Cyrenius Chapin, the leader of the Buffalo militia during its invasion in 1812 were examples of professional soldiering and amateur defenders.  Bro. Gen. Daniel Bidwell is very well memorialized in the city with the parkway which bears his name and the statue of him at its beginning.  Bro. Erastus Granger, whose simple marker lies in stark contrast to his contributions to the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, early Masonic Lodges in Western New York and the founding of Forest Lawn.  He is the original owner of the land on which we walked.

A good time was had by all, who left feeling pride in their city and fraternity.