Wabasha County, Minnesota - Chapter 63: Masonic Featernity, 1884

Chapter 63: Masonic Featernity

The establishment of the masonic order in the city of Wabasha was eifected at a very early date ; the organization of the first lodge of the A. F. & A. M. at this point antedating the incorporation of the city about a year and a half. The population of the city at that time probably aggregated six hundred, among whom were several who, remembering the old daj'S when they were wont to be called from labor to refreshment, determined to establish a lodge of the cratt in the new home they had chosen for themselves in the then far northwest. Accordingly a petition for a dispensation to open and conduct a masonic lodge, to be known as "Wapahasa Lodge, No. 14, of Wabasha, Minnesota, was forwarded to Grand Master

A. T. C. Pierson. A dispensation was granted October 22, 1856, and on the 7th of January, 1857, a charter was issued, under the authority of the grand lodge, empowering S. L. Campbell, J. J. Stone, F. J. Collier, S. A. Kemp, Lindsay Seals, Wm. Pierson and

B. A. Grub to open a lodge of A. F. & A. M., to be called Wapahasa, No. 14, of the State of Minnesota. The lodge was organized in due form with S. L. Campbell, W.M.; J. J. Stone, S.W.; and F. J. Collier, J.W. The original lodge room was in a new building on the corner of Walnut street and the Levee, which had been erected for general mei-chandising purposes by Campbell Gambler & Pendleton. This building was at that time the best store building in the citj', and the new lodge room, in the upper stoi-y was a very creditable meeting-place for the craft. The site upon which this landmark of early times stood was the ground now occupied by the Midland railroad depot, and the old building is now used as a paint shop,- corner of Main and Walnut streets. From their quarters in the upper story of this structure the Masons subsequently removed to the upper story of the brick building on Main street, between Alleghaney and Pembroke streets, at that time occupied by Luger Bros, as a furniture warehouse and salesroom.^ From Luger's, in IS 70 the lodge removed to the third story of the Campbell House block, since burned. The upper story of this building, which stood just west of the present Masonic block, corner of Main and Alleghaney streets, had been erected by special contract with the members of the masonic order, who had contributed six hundred dollars toward the erection of the block, in consideration of which, and a stipulated rental, a lease was executed for a specified term of years. In 1878 the craft removed to the third story of John Schirtz' building, one block east of the Campbell House, and there remained until the completion of their own building, Masonic block, of which they took ])ossession December 1, 1880. This building was the outgi-owth of a desire on the part of the fraternity in this city to secure a, prominent location for themselves by erecting a building of their own. Accordingly, in 1880, the Masonic Building Association was organized, having for its object the erection of a suitable masonic building. The capital stock was placed at ten thousand dollars, shares ten dollars each. Only fifty per cent of the face value of the shares was called for. The building was erected, and care taken to regulate the issue of stock so as to insure its absolute control by members ot the order. The conditions of the issue were such as provided for the gradual redemption of all stock certificates by the masonic lodge in its corporate capacity, and this result is being steadily reached. The rate of interest was fixed at seven per cent, Wapahasa lodge taking one hundred shares, and of those outstanding all are held, with two exceptions, by members of the masonic fraternity. The annual rental of the lodge room is fixed at one hundred and fifty dollars by the board of directors. Masonic block is a substantial brick structure, solid stone foundations, tin roof, and rises two stories above he basement, with side walls of thirty feet. It fronts fiftj' feet on Main, corners on Alleghaney street, and has a depth of eighty feet. Only the west half of the block is owned by the masonic fraternity, and of this they occupy onlj-^ the second story, the main floor, 25 X 80, being occupied by the United States postofiice department, at a rental of one hundred and eighty doHars per annum. Tlie kxlge room proper is 24x50 feet within walls, with ceilings of 12^ feet. It is very handsomely furnished and decorated, the symbols of the order duly displayed, and all the appointments in excellent taste. The anteroom 12x30, and the preparation-room, of same size, are also comfortably carpeted and furnished, and there are ample closets and cabinets for the regalia and other insignia and paraphernalia of both blue-lodge and chapter. The cost of building, in round figures, was five thousand dollars ; cost of furnishing, about nine hundred dollars. The whole number of master masons who have been connected with Wapahasa lodge from its institution, nearly twenty-seven years ago, to date, aggregates two hundred and four. The present membership is seventy, and twenty-four have gone out from the earthy portals at the call of the Grand Master, to lay the designs upon their tressleboards before Him and submit their work for inspection.

The present officers of Wapahasa lodge are : J. A. Peck, W.M.; C. J. Staufi; S.W.; B. Florer, J.W.; Paul Miller, Secretary ; J. H. Evans, Treasurer; H. S. Elkins, S.D.; Pearl Ptoundy, J.D.; Thos. Koundy, Tiler; Chas. Hirschy, S.S.; J. Geugnagel, J.S.

The names of those who have been stationed in the east, west and south since the oi-ganization of Wapahasa lodge, twenty-seven years ago, ai;e herewith appended. The list will awaken many memories among the surviving members of the lodge and recall many names almost forgotten. The list is official.

Year. W. Master. S. Warden. .1. Warden Year. W. Master. S. Warden. J. Warden

Belief Oha2}ter, No. 33, R.A.M. - Wapaliasa Lodge, No. 14, had been in existence twenty-four years, and the masonic building was just completed when the members of the craft deemed it wise to take steps toward the establishment of a chapter, that such as desired might receive instruction in the more advanced work of the craft, as exemplified in the higher orders of Masonry. A dispensation to form a chapter was accordingly petitioned for. This dispensation was granted December 12, ISSO, and on October 11, ISSl, a charter was issued by the grand chapter of the state, constituting Eelief Chapter, No. 35, of Wabasha, Minnesota, naming the following as charter members : Jos. Buisson, C. J. Stauff, Francis Talbot, H. N. Smith; A. Campbell, A. J. Bent, W. H. Campbell, David Cratte and I. J. Pennock. The chapter has now had a successful and prosperous existence of over two years, during which time fifty-three members have been borne upon its rolls. Of these three have demitted, leaving a present membership of fifty. The work of the chapter is now conducted under the following official leadership : J. H. Mullen, M.E.H.; J. A. Peck, King; B. Florer, Scribe; Paul Miller, C. of H.; Eev. Jas. Cornell, Chap.; O. H. Porter, Sec; Francis Talbot, Treas.; Chas. J. Stauff; E. A. Cap.; E.E.Stearns, G.M. of 3d v.; John Mealey, G.M. of 2d V.; H. S. Elkins, G.M. of 1st v.; Thos. Eoundy, Sentinel.

Red, Leaf Chapter, O.E.8. - No sooner had Eelief Chapter, No. 35, E.A.M., been instituted and the work of instruction begun in their camp, than the establishment of a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star was decided upon by the wives and daughters of the members of the masonic fraternity in this locality. The organization was effected, and on January 12, 18S1, Eed Leaf Chapter, No. 10, Order of the Eastern Star, was duly instituted with the followingnamed charter members : Mesdames Franc. D. Clarke, Mary I. Stauff, Ellen L. Dugan, Anna L. Walton, Carrie E. Krick, Emma S. Peck, Susan S. Eobinson, Barbara Porter, Selma Oswald, and Messrs. W. A. Clarke, C. J. Stauff, E. J. Dugan, H. Oswald. Eegular communications are held in the masonic temple on the tirst and third Fridays of each month. The chapter lias had a healthy growtli during the two years and a half it has been in existence, and there are now forty-eight members upon its rolls. One of the objects of the order being the promotion of the social life of its members, the ladies of Red Leaf chapter have recently furnished their closets in the anterooms of the masonic temple with the necessaiy linen and tableware for the tables that are spread from time to time in their banqueting-room. The funds for this purpose were raised at a very enjoyable masquerade givea by the ladies of Red Leaf on January ISth, 1883. The officers of the chapter for 1883 are: Susan S. Robinson, W.M.; Chas. J. Stauff, W.P; Ellen L. Dugan, A.M.; Anna L. "Walton, Sec; Mary J. Stauff, Treas.; Emma S. Peck, Coud.; Mary R. Florer, A.C. The institution of Red Leaf Chapter has been a decided gain to the social life of the masonic order in this city. Its work in this direction, and in the care of the sick, and in such other ministries and helps as naturally fall within the sphere of the obligations of its members, is just such work as is everywhere needed to crown all fraternal association with the highest possible good. Red Leaf chapter is the only chapter of tl:e Order of the Eastern Star in the county.

Teutonia Lodge, Wo. 19, 1. 0. 0.F. - The only subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows in this city works only in the German language, and is the outgrowth of the German Aid Society established in this city in 1860. This "aid" society was a local organization, having for its object the promotion of social relations among its members and the care of its members in case of sickness. It had a numerous membership and was in quite a flourishing condition for some years after it began operations. But it was soon apparent that its benefits could not be extended beyond the limits of its own pale, and as its members removed from the city, they were thenceforth debarred from all benefit connected therewith. Accordingly, in 1867, a committee of five was appointed by the society to take the situation under consideration, examine into the workings of the various aid or fraternal associations having a national existence, and report which one, in their opinion, was the nearest allied in its objects and work to theii-own local aid society. This committee consisted of F. L. Riechter,

Y16 History Of Wabasha County

L. Gintner, John Satori, J. T. Gintner and F. Kling, wlio, after due examination and consideration, reported in favor of the I.O.O.F. as most nearly answering the ends sought. The report of the committee was apjjroved, and they were further instructed to proceed to Plainview, Wabasha county, where tliere was a lodge of the Odd-Fellows order, receive initiation into the same, and so be prepared to take all necessary steps to secure a lodge of the order in Wabasha. The duties assigned the committee were duly ])erformed ; a paper was circulated among the members of the "Aid Society " to ascertain how many of the members were willing to enter an Odd-Fellows lodge when formed, and all things proving satisfactorj', the five members forming the committee of the Aid Soeiet}-, being now members of the I.O.O.F. at Plainview, petitioned the grand lodge for permission to open and conduct a lodge of the I.O.O.F. in Wabasha. The petition was duly granted, and on September 25 the lodge was organized as Teutonia Lodge, No. 19, I.O.O.F., of Wabasha, with F. L. Riechter, J. T. Ginthner, John Satori, L. Ginthner and F. IvJing as charter members. The first meeting of the lodge was held in the hall in the third story of Schwirtz block, and continued to meet there until 1876, when they removed to the second story of John Satori's building, northeast corner of Main and Pembroke streets, which quarters they occupied till the completion of their own building in the fall of 1882. This is a solid brick structure, stone foundation ; window and door caps and sills also of stone ; two stories in height, fronting twenty-eight feet on Main street and running seventy-five feet to the rear. The lodge room is 26x50 feet within walls, thirteen feet between joists, and very pleasantly and comfortably furnished. The anteroom is lSx2i, and is furnished with cabinets for the ensignia and paraphernalia of the encampment, and such other furniture as is necessary.

The whole number of members that have been connected with Teutonia lodge, since it organization sixteen years ago, is one hundred and eleven, one-half of whom are members at this date, the present number being fifty-six. Of the original charter members, but three remain, one of the number dying while still connected with the lodge here, F. Kling. The whole number of deaths in the lodge has been seven. Teutonia numbers among its members someof the most solid business men of the city, and is in a fairly prosperous condition. The three principal chairs of the lodge have been filled, as appears from the table herewith appended, since the institution of the lodge. The present officers of the lodge are : Carl Krebs, N.G. ; Hermann Oswald, V.G. ; Jos. Ginthner, secretary; Lucas Kuehn, treasurer; Micliael Kuehn, R.S.N.G. ; Peter Tavern a, L.S.]Sr.G. ; Henry Baumgartner, E.S.V.G. ; Godfred Euckhaber, L.S.V.G. ; J. T. Ginthner, ward: R. Eichenberger, cond. ; F. Baumgarten, O.G. ; Gabriel Loechler, I.G. ; Fred Below, R.S.S. ; H. S. Ammerland, L.S.S. Qriental Encampment, I.O.O.F., No. 24, of Wabasha, was instituted Februar}- 23, 1883, with eight charter members, the charter being countersigned by Grand Patriarch Romaine Shire, and Grand Secretary J. Fletcher Williams. The names of the charter members, as they appear upon tlie charter displayed on the walls of tlie lodge-room, are : Herman Oswald, John Schermully, C. H. Crause, Henry Burkhardt, F. H. Milligan, M.D., Paul Casparis, E. J. Dugan and Michael Kuehn. The work of the encampment is conducted in the English language, and the order has had a very satisfactory growth since its institution, about six months ago. The present membership is twenty-nine, and there is not a meeting of the encampment at which there is not one or more applications for membership. The stated meetings of the emcampment are held on the second and fourth Friday evenings of each month, and are well attended, the interest in the work of the encampment being well sustained. The list of officers (elective) now filling the various chairs of Oriental, No. 21, are : Hermann Oswald, C.P. ; John Schumuly, S.W. ; F. H. Milligan, H.P. ; E. J. Dugan, J.W. ; Paul Casparis, scribe; Henry Burkhardt, treasurer.

Year. Noble Grand. Vice-Grand. Sec

Bead's Laiiding Lodge, JS'o. 81, I. 0. O.F. This subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows is of recent institution, having been established about two years and a half since. It works in the English language and several of its members are from the city of Wabasha, two miles distant, the lodge of the order in that city conducting its work in the German language. Head's Landing Lodge was granted its ciiarter February 26, 1881, and was duly instituted four days later, March 2, 1881. The charter members, five in number, were H. Burkhardt, P. Casparis, J. S. Walker, W.

B. Mohler, S. B. Withrow. Of these W. B. Mohler was N.G., J. S. Walker, V.G., and Paul Casparis, Sec. The first meeting was held in the hall of Burkhardt's block, and this has continued to be their place of meeting. The hall is centrally located, easy of access, comfortably furnished, and commodious. It fronts twenty feet on Water street and has a dejjth of forty-five feet, ten feet of which are partitioned off, in the rear, for anteroom. The meetings of the lodge are held each Wednesday evening and are well attended, particulai'ly after navigation closes, as se^'eral of the members are rivermeu. Bead's Landing, No. 81, has had a regular steady growth since its institution, and now numbers forty-eight members. One death has occurred since organization, that of 0. A. Olsen. The chairs and stations of the lodge-room are filled for the present quarter as follows :

C. H. Grouse, Treas. ; Godfried Burkhardt, Ward. ; Peter Gibson. Cond.; Henry Burkhardt, E.S.N.G.; William Cady, L.S.N.G.; John Sanborn, K.S.V.G.; O. F. Collier, L.S.V.G.; R. Watkins, R.S.S.; G. Burkhardt, L.S.S.; P. Peter-son, O.G.; J. Johnson, I.G. ; E. J. Dugan, P. Petersen, William Cady, trustees. Henry Burkhardt was the first P.G. and has been D.D.G.M. since the institution of the lodge.

Year. Noble Grand. Vice Grand. Sec Knights Of Honoe

The Knights of honor is a fi-aternal association of about ten years' standing, its avowed objects being the mutual improvement of its members, mutual assistance in case of need, and the establishment, maintenance and disbursement of a fund for the benefit of the widows and orphans of deceased members. By the terms of its charter five thousand dollars is the limit it may paj' of beneficiary money in any given case, but according to the regulations of the supreme body only two thousand dollars is to be paid upon any full rate certificate, and one-half that amount upon a half rate. Assessments upon members are graded according to age, and the order has had a reasonably rapid growth. There is but one jurisdiction, and the whole order is assessed to pay death losses, without reference to grand lodge lines or limits.

The first meetings of the Wabasha Lodge, K. of H., were held in Masonic Hall, over Schwirtz' store, but the following year, 1877, the hall over J. Satori's store was rented and has been their place of meeting ever since. Two deaths have occurred among the members of the lodge here since its institution seven years since ; its growth, however, has been slow, as the present membership indicates twentynine. Regular meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of each month. The aft'airs of the lodge are managed by the following board of officers : W. S. McArthur, P.D.; Peter Munroe, D.; H. N. Smith, A.D.; Peter Gibson, V.D.; Frank Stuetzel, Rep.; John

Satori, Fin. Rep. ; AV. S. McArtliur, Treas., Roberb Van Dyke, Guide ; L. Pfeilstieker, Guardian ; L. C. Malin, Sentinel ; H. K Smith, Peter Gibson and John Schmidt, Trustees. Tlie medical examiner is F. H. Milligan, M.D., and "VV. S. McArthur is representative to grand lodge, with Joseph Buesson as alternate.

Equitable Aid Union

Wa7)asha Subordinate Union, JVb. 315, of the E.A. U. was organized January 14, 1881, by E. G. Manley, Deputy Supreme President. The order has for its objects the benefit of its members socially and financially, the watch care over them in sickness, the performance of earth's last sad rites in case of death, and the payment of such moneys to the family of a deceased member as they are entitled to by the terms of membership. All persons between the ages of sixteen and sixty-five years, of sound bodily health, are admitted to membership, irrespective of sex. The Wabasha Union wils organized with eighteen charter members, and up to date of August 10, 1883, had initiated eighty-one members, of whom sixty were in good standing and entitled to all the benefits of the order at the date above noted. The Union cares for its members in case of sickness, providing watchers and otherwise exercising fraternal care over those who are sick, but does not pay any stipulated sum in such case, only contributing, as the lodge may determine, to the support of those who really require assistance at sucli times. So also in case of death, while no burial fund is ]:)rovided for the interment of deceased members, the general fund is drawn upon for burial expenses of those who could illy aflbrd to have such expenses taken from the benefit fund to which tliey are entitled at death of such member. Benefits are rated according to amount of individual assessment each member elects to pay, and his age at date of initiation. The payments vary from twenty-five cents to one dollar per member per assessment, which is levied whenever there is less than three thousand dollars in the treasury of the supreme lodge, and the benefits accruing in case of death are from two hundred to three thousand dollars, according to age and class of assessment. Yearly dues are three dollars per member, and the annual death rate calls for about thirteen assessments every twelve months. The order meets a want, among those particularly who can only atford a small amount of insurance, and doubles that benefit by extending the provisions without regard to sex. Wabasha Union liolds its meetings in the hall in Satori's block, corner of Pembroke and Main, which they rent jointl^r with the Knights of Honor. The present officers of Wabasha Subordinate Union, 'No. 215, E.A.U., are: H. A. Chad wick, P.C; T. H. Roundy, C; Bruce Florer, A.; M. W. Doud, P.; J. H. Piper, Y.P.; H. P. Paine, Sec. ; Julius Schmidt, Act. ; H. P. Whiting, Treas. ; W. T. Lackey, Chap. ; Lucas Piper, Aux.; Erick Hovde, Ward.; Emil Eichenberger, Sent.; August Balow, Watch.; S. G. Smith, Trustee; F. W. Van Dyke, M.D., Med. Ex.