Key

Sharyl Ferrell has submitted this information about the Royal Arch Masons to the USGenWeb Archives. In order to understand the entries, you must read the Key.

Key to Titles:

*Proxy - indicates he attended the Grand Chapter, annual convocation as a proxy (ex. GCh,HP*-78 This man attended the Grand chapter as a proxy High Priest in 1878)

C - Chaplain

CH - Chaplain of the Host or Captain of the Host

Co - Conductor

DGHP - Deputy Grand High Priest

G - Guard

GC - Grand Chaplain

GCH - Grand Chaplain of the Host

GCh - Grand Chapter of the State of Iowa

GG - Grand Guard

GHP - Grand High Priest

GK - Grand King

GMFV - Grand Master First Vail

GMSV - Grand Master Second Vail

GMTV - Grand Master Third Vail

GPS - Grand Principle Sojourner

GRAC - Grand Royal Arch Captain

GS - Grand Secretary

GSc - Grand Scribe

GT - Grand Treasurer

H - Herald

HP - High Priest

Key to Actions	Key to Years
Ad - admitted D - died Di - dimitted (left the lodge to join another or became non-affiliated) Dr - dropped (dismissed) Ex - exalted (raised to a higher degree) Exp - expelled Su - suspended (possibly for non-payment of dues or unmasonic-like conduct)	78 - 1878 annual report (10/1/1877-9/30/1878) 79 - 1879 annual report (10/1/1878-9/30/1879) 80 - 1880 annual report (10/1/1879-9/30/1880) 81 - 1881 annual report (10/1/1880-9/30/1881) 82 - 1882 annual report (10/1/1881-9/30/1882) 90 - 1890 annual report (10/1/1889-9/30/1890)

Key to Notes in Parenthesis

• (name) a name in parenthesis is another spelling for the same person found in the books. I probably didn't catch them all, but these are the ones I am very sure of. In many cases, the surname was spelled differently within the same reporting period, and sometimes on the same page.
• (memorial, pic, bio, obit) the books contain one or more of these additional items for the person indicated.
• (date) a date in parentheses following a death notation, indicates date of death as recorded in the books.
  

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Sources

1. "Transactions of the Grand Chapter of the State of Iowa, for the Years 1878 to 1882, Inclusive", Vol. IV, Original Edition; Muscatine, Iowa - published by order of the Grand Chapter, 1883.

2. "Transactions of the Grand Chapter of the State of Iowa, at its Thirty-Seventh Grand Annual Convocation", Convened at Cedar Rapids, Thursday October 9th, A.D. 1890, Original Edition; Des Moines - published by order of the Grand Chapter, 1890.

Compiler's Notes

- the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, is the governing body of the Royal Arch chapters in its jurisdiction. The Royal Arch Chapters in Iowa are subordinate to the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Iowa. Royal Arch Masonry is the second of the York Rite bodies,Symbolic Masonry being the first. It is separate from Symbolic Masonry, but almost as old. Royal Arch Masonry is composed of four degrees: Mark Master, Virtual Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch. These degrees continue and expand upon the lessons taught in the Blue Lodge.

- the information in this compilation is only of Royal Arch Masons, and not of the AF&AM Lodges (Ancient Free & Accepted Masons) in Iowa.

- the entries are not necessarily in alphabetical order

- only names appearing in the sourced books are on this list, it is very likely does not represent all men affiliated with the Royal Arch Masons in Iowa for these years. Some chapters did not 'report in' or send 'returns' each year.

- the dates given are as recorded in the sources

- consult original records for additional information or to verify the information in this data-base. I've made every attempt to be accurate, but in an undertaking of this size, there may be errors.

Sharyl Ferrall, July 1, 2003.