The petition which was drawn up by these Brethren was circulated throughout the community in November of 1844. Thirty-two of these local Brethren eagerly attached their signatures to the document, including the following:
Brothers, Henry B. Myer, Selah Barnard, Nelson Randall, James Foristall, Horatio G. Gates, Orman Butler, Thomas J. Winslow, John A. Weimer, Robert Russell, Charles S. Pierce, John McPherson, Miles Jones, Nehemiah Case, Abner Cutler, Joseph A. Cameron, Daniel M. Seaver, Charles Radcliffe, Solomon Drullard, Elijah D. Effner, Benjamin H. Austin, Thomas Muller, George Case, Levi Allen, Christian Heistand, Cornelius A. Waldron, Benjamin Bidwell, Isaac W. Newkirk, Merlin Camp, Stephen Powers, David C. Sough, Joseph Dorr, and Darius Smith.
The Grand Lodge granted a Dispensation on January 31, 1845, for the formation of HIRAM LODGE, which was received with joy by the Brethren. Their first informal meeting was held on Friday, February 14, 1845. Brother Henry B. Myer, who had been named Worshipful Master of the Lodge, presided on the occasion. At the first formal meeting of the Lodge Under Dispensation, on February 28, 1845, a petition for membership was presented from Horatio Warren, who became their first initiate, and who subsequently became a Charter Member and Worshipful Master in 1853, of Washington Lodge No. 240.
At the March 7, 1845 communication, Worshipful Master Henry D. Myer introduced Brother Doctor Clark to the members of the Lodge, who in turn presented the Lodge with the jewels of Western Star Lodge No. 239, except for the Square and Compasses which had been lost. The Brethren of the Lodge were very pleased with the gift, and after thanking Brother Clark, agreed that a new Square and Compasses be procured to replace the missing ones, as they seen the need of having a complete set of jewels in use.
In 1852, a Brother from Buffalo visiting in Detroit found the two missing jewels. These jewels were surrendered by the Lodge in Detroit to HIRAM LODGE, after a formal resolution was sent to the Lodge in Detroit on June 2, 1852. The jewels have the following inscription printed on them: “Presented by the M∴W∴ DeWitt Clinton, to Western Star Lodge No. 239.”
The Dispensation which expired by limitation, with the session of Grand Lodge in June of 1845, was extended by the Grand Master M∴W∴ Alexander H. Robertson, to October, 20, 1845. At the December 19, 1845 Lodge communication, the Worshipful Master announced that their Charter from Grand Lodge had been received and was dated, December 5, 1845. The Lodge was registered on the rolls of Grand Lodge as HIRAM LODGE No. 105, and would become the oldest present day Lodge in Erie County.
At the December 26, 1845 meeting, the following Brethren were elected and became the first officers of HIRAM LODGE No. 105:
Brothers, Henry B. Myer, Worshipful Master; Nelson Randall, Senior Warden; Charles S. Pierce, Junior Warden; Robert Russell, Treasurer; and Stephen Powers, Secretary.
On January 1, 1846, the Lodge was Constituted and the officers were installed including the following appointed officers:
Brothers, Carlos Cobb, Senior Deacon; James McCredie, Junior Deacon; Miles Jones and Charles Pickering, Stewards; and James A. Forristall, Tiler.
At that time the Lodge was holding their meetings on the fourth floor of the building at 219 Main Street, but as the membership of the Lodge increased, it became evident that more spacious quarters for the Lodge were required, and on October 23, 1846, a resolution was adopted to rent a room on the third floor of Brother Nehemiah Case’s building on the corner of Washington and Exchange Streets at $150.00 per year. This building soon became the Masonic Temple and was occupied by the majority of the Masonic Bodies of Buffalo.
HIRAM LODGE No. 105 had the privilege of endorsing many new Lodges in the early years, which included:
Concordia Lodge No. 143; Erie Lodge No. 161; Washington Lodge No. 240; and Parish Lodge No. 292