Des Moines Co./History/1879 History/Secret Societies

1879 History of Des Moines County
Transcribed by
Lou Bickford &
Janet Brandt

SECRET SOCIETIES
Des Moines Lodge, No. 1, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.—The history of this Lodge embraces the history of the origin of Freemasonry in the State of Iowa, as hereinafter recorded. Burlington Lodge was constituted November 20, 1840, by letters of dispensation granted by R. W. Joab Bernard, of St. Louis, Mo., appointed for its first officers: Hiram C. Bennett, W.M.; William Thompson, S.W.; Evan Evans, J.W.
   On October 20, 1841, said Lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and named Des Moines Lodge, No. 41, of which the first officers were: Hiram C. Bennett, W.M.; William Thompson, S.W.; Evan Evans, J.W.; Robert Martin, Treas.; William D. McCord, Sec.; William Fry, S.D.; Theodore S. Parvin, J.D.; David Hammer, Tiler. The Lodge was opened in due and ancient form, in the city of Burlington, November 20, 1840, and a charter was issued to Des Moines Lodge, No. 41, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri October 20, 1841. A charter was issued to Iowa Lodge, No. 42, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri October 20, 1841. A charter was issued to Dubuque Lodge, No. 62, by same Grand Lodge of Missouri October 10, 1843. A charter was also issued to Iowa City Lodge, No. 63, October 10, 1844.
   The above-named Lodges met in convention in Iowa City, Iowa, January 2, 1844, and, after mature deliberation, adopted a Constitution and By-Laws for the Grand Lodge of the State of Iowa, and elected Oliver Cock first Grand Master and Theo S. Parvin first Grand Secretary. The charters of said Lodges were then deposited in the Grand Lodge, and new charters issued, and Lodges named and numbered as follows: Des Moines Lodge, No. 1, at Burlington, Iowa; Iowa Lodge, No. 2, at Muscatine, Iowa; Dubuque Lodge, No. 3, at Dubuque, Iowa; Iowa City Lodge, No. 4, at Iowa City, Iowa. The full membership of the above-named Lodges at that date, January 2, 1844, was 101. The number of Masons in Iowa at the present date is estimated to be about 20,000. The present officers of Des Moines Lodge, No. 1, are: Evan M. Willis, W.M.; John M. Jackson, S.W.; Thomas C. Whiteby, J.W.; A. J. Hillhouse, Treas.; William H. Macleod, Sec.; James Whitaker, S.D.; C. P. De Haas, J.D. The present membership of Des Moines Lodge is eighty, and the property thereof is estimated at $1,000. Lodge meets in Bodeman's Block, on Second street, Burlington, Iowa.
Burlington Lodge, No. 20, was instituted under dispensation granted November 30, 1850, by Ansel Humphrey, G. M. of G. L. of the State of Iowa, and a charter was issued to the above-named Lodge June 3, 1851. The charter members were: Dean Rogers, W.M.; J. L. Corse, S.W.; Lyman Cook, J.W.; Isaac Derwein, Treas.; J. P. Wightman, Sec.; David Harrison, S. D.; J. M. Neely, J.D. The present officers are: J. E. Springer, W.M.; T. D. Wannfried, S.W.; Samuel Herschler, J.W.; Charles Anderson, Treas.; W. E. Woodward, Sec.; B. F. Brown, S.D.; Thomas Gregson, J.D.; A. L. Daniels, Tiler. The present membership of this Lodge is eighty, and the property thereof is estimated at $400. It also meets in Bodeman's Block, corner of Third and Washington streets.
Malta Lodge, No. 318, was instituted under dispensation, granted June 29, 1872, by O. P. Waters, G.M. of G.L. , of Iowa. A charter was issued to said Lodge, June 5, 1873. The charter members were: S. W. Snow, W.M.; E. C. Blackmar, S.W.; George H. Squires, J.W.; E. S. Edgar, Treasurer; F. X. Kuechen, Secretary; E. W. Conner, S.D.; J. R. King, J.D.; F. W. Godard, S.S.; W. E. Woodward, Tiler. The present officers are: E. C. Blackmar, W. M.; Eugene Sherwood, S. W.; I. P. Wilson, J. W.; Daniel W. Peasley, Treasurer; F. X. Kuechen, Secretary; Frank Conner, S. D.; J. D. Miller, J. D.; W. E. Woodward, Tiler. This Lodge has a membership of thirty-one, property valued at $50, and meets in Bodeman's Block.
Iowa Chapter, No. 1, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted by dispensation granted by General Grand Chapter of the United States to H. C. Bennett, H. P., September 19, 1843, and a charter was issued September 13, 1844. The first officers were: H. C. Bennett, H.P.; H. T. Hugins, King and Secretary; Richard Mansly, Scribe; W. Deveau, Treasurer; Pattison, C. of H.; J. R. Hartsock, P. Soj.; Hooten, R. A. Captain; Weeks, G.M. of 3d Vail; Blanchard, G.M. of 2d Vail; Peter Beers, G.M. of 1st Vail; John Gray, Guard. There were also the charter members. The present officers are as follows: E. M. Willis, H.P.; R. S. Skinner, King; T. G. Foster, Scribe; James Whitaker, Treasurer; E. W. Woodward, Secretary; T. C. Scholes, C. of H.; E. C. Blackmar, P. Soj.; Horton Bailey, R. A. Captain; H. J. Wakerly, G.M. of 3d Vail; Christopher Miller, G.M. of 2d Vail; A. Mitchell, G.M. of 1st Vail; Thomas Gregson, Sentinel. The present membership is fifty-eight, the value of property $300, and the meeting-place is in Bodeman's Block.
St. Omar Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templars, originated by a separation from Jerusalem Commandery, No. 7, whose charter was located to meet at Burlington and Mt. Pleasant, alternately. A charter was granted October 6, 1870, and it was organized and instituted October 10, of the same year, by W. E. Woodward, Past Eminent Commander of Jerusalem Commandery, No. 7. The first officers being M. E. Gillette, E.C.; W. E. Woodward, Generalissimo; Frank Phelps, Captain General; T. J. Copp, Prelate; Isaac Derwein, Treasurer; A. P. Bentley, Recorder; S. W. Snow, S.W.; George Hill, J.W.; Charles Anderson, Standard Bearer; O. W. Borden, Sword Bearer; Paul Lang, Warden; F. G. Kendall, Sentinel. The present officers are: W. E. Woodward, E. C.; A. W. Manning, Generalissimo; A. S. Umberger, Captain General; C. Anderson, Prelate; S. H. Jones, Treasurer; A. Mitchell, Recorder; J. N. Martin, S.W.; Horton Bailey, J.W.; E. P. Dunham, Standard Bearer; R. Glendy, Sword Bearer; Paul Lange, Warden; Thomas Gregson, Sentinel. The present membership of this Commandery is twenty-eight, and the value of its property, $400. The meeting-place is in Bodeman's Block.
Friendship Lodge, No. 11, Knights of Pythias, was instituted under dispensation, February 2, 1872, and a charter was granted March 12, 1872. The charter members were J. D. Weeks, A. B. Dodge, Christopher Osterberg, J. P. Joy, R. P. Ploutz, H. C. Garrett, C. C. Mathews, R. Linder, R. B. Mason. The first officers under the charter were: J. D. Weeks, V.P.; A. D. Dodge, W.C.; C. Osterberg, V.C.; B. M. Ploutz, F.S.; H. C. Garrett, Banker; C. C. Mathews, Guide; R. B. Mason, O.S.; R. Linder, I.S. The present officers are: A. V. Dodge, P.C.; W. A. Torrey, C.C.; S. A. Eads, V.C.; W. G. Mercer, K. of R.S.; W. R. Rhein, M. of F.: Carl Wigert, M. of E.; Bryce Campbell, Prelate; F. Bloomer, M. of A. The present membership is thirty, and value of property, $400. The Lodge meets in the Knights of Pythias hall, corner Third and Jefferson streets.
Flint Hills Lodge, No. 39, was instituted July 16, 1877, under dispensation, and chartered February 12, 1878, the following being the charter members: John H. Gear, N. J. Bent, O. H. Andrews, R. M. Washburn, Dan W. Peasley, Wesley Jones, A. B. Kleghorn, W. C. Comer, C. C. Spalding, H. H. Garrett, J. J. Sanford, W. P. Foster, W. S. Darling, William Pilger, Frank Hatton, C. S. Edgar, J. W. Burdette, A. A. Perkins, T. J. Copp. The first officers were: T. J. Copp, P.C.; George Whipple, C.C.; A. A. Perkins, V.C.; J. W. Burdette, P.; A. B. Cleghorn, K. of R.S.; W. O. Foster, M. of F.; Dan W. Peasley, M. of C.; William Pilger, M. of A. The present officers are: A. A. Perkins, P.C.; James A. Guest, C.C.; William Pilger, P.; H.C. Garrett, K. of R.S.; W. S. Darling, M. of F.; R. M. Washburn, M. of C.; W. P. Foster, M. of A.; T. J. Copp, J.G.; H. A. Brown, O.G. The present membership is twenty-nine, and the property of the Lodge is valued at $150. The Lodge meets in the Knights of Pythias hall, corner of Third and Jefferson streets.
Section No. 93, Endowment rank of the Knights of Pythias, was organized and chartered February 21, 1878, the first officers being: T. J. Copp, Prest.; W. S. Darling, V. Prest.; Chris. Osterberg, Chaplain; R. M. Washburn, Guide; A. B. Cleghorn, Guard; Robert Allison, Sentinel. The charter members were: William Torrey, W. G. Mercer, T. J. Copp, H. C. Garrett, Robert Allison, Chris. Osterberg, Peter Wigern, F. W. Bloomer, A. B. Cleghorn, M. C. Conner, Dan W. Peasley, R. M. Washburn, A. A. Perkins, W. S. Darling, H. D. Walker. The present officers are: T. J. Copp, Prest.; W. G. Mercer, V Prest.; A. A. Perkins, Chaplain; H. C. Garrett, Sec. and Treas.; Robert Allison, Guide; F. W. Bloomer, Guard; William A. Torrey, Sentinel. The present membership is twenty-one, and property is valued at $50.
Charity Tent No. 3, of the Knights of Maccabees of the World, was organized January 11, 1879, and chartered January 12, 1879, the charter members being D. E. Johnson, W. J. D. Meyers, J. A. Kleppisch, J. M. Bradley, J. H. Hall, E. Lawrence, E. Zerber, Henry Clay Judson, W. L. Rhodes, G. W. Miller, C. A. Davis, William A. Torrey, James Frame, J. H. Wakerly, Jacob Shontz, T. J. Fuller, William Atkinson, Dr. R. L. Robb, W. H. Hendy, Samuel Peabody, J. T. Smith, E. J. Dougherty, Charles Tienes, M. G. Haight, A. T. Skelly, J. W. Jenkins. The first and present officers are: D. E. Johnson, Ex. Sir Kt. Gen. Commander; Henry Clay Judson, Sir Kt. Commander; Samuel Peabody, Sir Kt. Lieut. Commander; C. A. Davis, Sir Kt. Prelate; J. A. Kleppisch, Record-Keeper; W. J. D. Meyers, Finance-Keeper; J. T. Smith, Sergeant; G. W. Miller, Master-at-Arms; E. Lawrence, 1st M. Guard; E. J. Dougherty, 2d M. Guard; James M. Bradley, Sentinel; William Atkinson, Pricket. The membership is thirty-seven; the property is valued at $200, and the place of meeting is in the Knights of Pythias hall, corner Third and Jefferson streets.
Iowa Hain, No. 1, United Ancient Order of Druids, was chartered July 2, 1855, with the following charter-members: L. Krieg, N. Graeser, C. Derwein, J. Schaefer, F. G. Brand. The first officers were: N. Graeser, E.E.; J. Schaefer, U.E.; L. Krieg, Secretary; J. G. Brand, Treasurer; John Steiner, I.W.; J. Winter, R.H.D., E.E.; W. Weis, L.H.D., E.E.; S. Hodop, R.H.D., U.E.; E. Nordheim, L.H.D., U.E.; H. Lachman, Fuehrer. The present officers are: J. Gross, Ex.E.; S. Mesmer, E.E.; Peter Gunter, U.E.; Robert Sutter, Secretary; S. Hodop, Financial Secretary; H. Demland, Treasurer; W. Stadtlander, I.W.; J. Heinz, Feuhrer; J. Blum, A.W.; J. Wolwend, R.H.D., E.E.; A. Ganz, L.H.D., E.E.; P. Tropman, R.H.D., U.E.; J. Peck, L.H.D., U.E. The present number of members of this lodge is one hundred and nineteen, and the place of meeting is in Durids Hall, corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets.
United Brothers Grove, No. 3, U.A.O.D., was instituted by charter from the Grand Grove of the United States, August 10, 1858, with the following as charter members: L. Krieg, F. Funck, G. Hoerr, J. Egenolf, J. P. Krichbaum, Chris. Ulrich, A. Meyer, Isaac Derwein, C. Hartman. The first officers were: L. Krieg, J.P.A.; J. P. Kriechbaum, N.A.; Isaaac Derwein, V.A.; W. E. Woodward, Secretary, Chris. Mathes, Treasurer; F. Funck, Conductor; Charles Hartman, I.G.; Jos. Klem, O.G.; J. Egenolf, R.H.B. to N.A.; G. Ulrich, L.H.B. to N.A.; C. Ulrich, R.H.B. to V.A.; F. Uttry, L.H.B. to V.A. The present officers are: C. Steimker, J.P.A.; J. L. Lemberger, N.A.; Jacob Blum, V.A.; W. E. Woodward, Secretary; William Fordney, Treasurer; C. P. DeHaas, I.G.; L. Krieg, R.H.B. to N.A.; P. Bouquet, L.H.B. to N.A.; T. C. Whiteley, R.H.B. to V.A.; B. Shugar, L.H.B. to V.A.; Henry Weber, O.G. The present membership is forty-seven, and the lodge meets in Druids Hall, corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets.
Harmonia Grove, No. 5, U.A.O.D., was organized March 26, 1874, and chartered June 9, 1874. The charter members were John Hassel, C. A. Braentegan, Gottleib Wollhaf, Adolph Ott, Jacob Hill, Fred Stodtmeister, George Leiwe. The first officers were: John Hassel, P.A.; C. A. Braentegan, N.A.; Gottlieb Wollhaf, V.A.; Adolph Ott, Secretary; George Leiwe, Financial Secretary; Jacob Hill, Treasurer; Fred Stodtmeister, I.G. The present officers are: Henry Berwis, P.A.; V. Dehner, N.A.; Andrew Heyer, V.A.; Adolph Ott, Secretary; Jacob Hill, Treasurer; George Bosch, I.G.; Jacob Blum, O.G.; Charles Holstein, Conductor. The present membership of this lodge is twenty-six; its property is estimated at $700, and it meets in Druids Hall, corner Fourth and Jefferson streets.
Burlington Lodge, No. 15, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organized and chartered February 16, 1875, with the following charter members: Paul Brech, Charles Anderson, D. D. Marshall, R. A. Baylor, S. Shippert, J. L. Lemberger, Charles Lengel, William A. Torrey, J. C. Cover and John Heinz. A second charter was granted July 2, 1877, and the following officers were elected: Charles Lengel, P.M.W.; John Heinz, M.W.; C. O. Lofstromm, G.F.; Fred Biermith, Overseer; C. H. Bickler, Recorder; S. Shippert, Treasurer; H. Woellhaf, Receiver, Chris. Mueller, G.; Frank Hirt, O.W. Early in 1876, this was changed into a German Lodge, with a membership of thirty-six and the following officers: John F. Geiger, Ex.O.M.; Chris. Paulus, O.M.; H. Weber, U.M.; J. C. Cover, Aufscher; J. H. Gereche, Fuehrer; J. H. Bremmermann, S.F.; S. Shippert, F.S.; H. Woellhaf, Schatzmeister, Fred Disque, I.W.; P. Pfanmiller, A.W. The lodge meets in Parsons' Block, corner of Third and Jefferson streets.
Orchard City Lodge, No. 27, A.O.U.W., was instituted under dispensation by O. J. Noble, Deputy Grand Master, May 15, 1875, and a charter was granted on the same day, the charter members being as follows: D. O Fosgate, G. S. Stripe, George Le Baron, E. J. Hicks, J. W. Toothacher, C. A. McChesney, A. Trimble, Thomas McChesney, C. D. Hall, George Stewart and G. W. Clemens. The first officers were: D. O. Fosgate, P.M.W.; George Le Baron, M.W.; George W. Stripe, Foreman; Thomas McChesney, Overseer; George Stewart, Recorder; A. Trimble, Financier; G. W. Toothacher, Receiver; C. A. McChesney, Guide; G. W. Clemens, Watchman. The present officers are: A. M. Antrobus, P.M.W.; A. Q. Smith, M.W.; H. A. Kelley, Foreman; D. A. Mason, Overseer; Ellis Griffith, Guide; Robert Spencer, Recorder; C. French, Financier; I. P. Wilson, Receiver; S. E. Hawkins, Inside Watchman; William Sabins, Outside Watchman. The present membership is seventy, the property of the Lodge is valued at $200, and it's meeting-place is in Parsons' Block.
Stephenson Lodge, No. 34, A.O.U.W., was instituted by D.D.G.M.W. D. L. Stephenson, November 9, 1875, and a charter was issued under the same date, with the following as first officers; J. L. Lemberger, M.W.; Leon Huffman, P.M.W.; R. A. Baylor, Foreman; D. D. Marshall, Overseer; William Franken, Recorder; W. H. Rhein, Financier; Joseph Troxel, Receiver; John Golden, Guide; G. A Licuyer, Inside Watchman; F. Flackman, Outside Watchman. The charter members were: J. L. Lemberger, Leon Huffman, G. A. Licuyer, Charles Chamberlain, F. Flackman, George Pickup, M. J. Haddix, John Metz, B. Segall, Fred Lippert, William Herchuback, Samuel Peabody, P. F. Unterkircher, D. D. Marshall, R. A. Baylor, William Franken, W. H. Rhein, Joseph Troxel, John Golden, W. C. White, N. Bouquet, George Gray, C. Anderson, H. Hoelscher, Charles Gienger. The present officers are: William A. Torrey, M.W.; S. E. Nixon, P.M.W.; R. E. Doran, Foreman; William Turner, Overseer; Charles Chamberlain, Recorder; Al. S. Teuscher, Financier; C. A. Davis, Receiver; L. P. Eads, Guide; E. O. Holmquist, Inside Watchman; A. J. Agren, Outside Watchman. The present membership is forty-three. The property of the Lodge is valued at $250. The place of meeting is in the Knights of Pythias Hall, corner of Third and Jefferson streets.
Lincoln Lodge, No. 125, A.O.U.W., was instituted July 16, 1877, and chartered the same day, with the following charter members: J. F. Jordan, Alexander, Hannum, D. C. Griffin, Samuel Long, E. A. Hanchet, H. M. Coy, M. R. Renshaw, G. W. Lowery, Isaac Vanorman, C. T. Patterson, C. A. Lightfoot, M. P. Tilton, R. H. Johnson, E. M. Kirk, W. D. Crumpton, W. A. Drew, C. A. Paine, Emmerson Follett, S. C. Moss, E. J. Willey, G. C. Mudgett, Alonzo Edson, D. P. Elliott, A. Giroux, C. Follett, W. A. Roberts. The first officers were as follows: Samuel Long, P.M.W.; Alexander Hannum, M.W.; J. F. Jordon, F; D. C. Griffin, O.; C. T. Patterson, Receiver; E. A. Hanchet, Financier; M. R. Renshaw, Receiver; G. W. Lowery, Guide; W. D. Crumpton, Inside Watchman; E. Kirk, Outside Watchman. The present officers are: D. C. Griffin, P.M.W.; E. A. Hanchet, M.W.; William Pucklin, F.; W. P. Tilton, O.; G. W. Lowery, Receiver; G. C. Mudgett, Financier; C. T. Patterson, Receiver; A. Hilderband; J. C. Johnson, Inside Watchman; I. Vanorman, Outside Watchman. The present membership is forty-one. The Lodge meets in Patterson's Hall, on Summer street, South Hill. This Lodge is, indeed, a lodge of workmen. With the exception of two members, they all earn their living by manual labor. This Lodge has had a slow but steady growth from the first of its existence. In less than two years it has paid out in sick benefits $200, disbursing to its sick members $5 per week during their sickness, after the first week thereof. The quarterly dues of this Lodge are $1 per year higher than those of its sister-lodges.
Phoenix Lodge, No. 142, A.O.U.W., was instituted by D.D.G.M.W.; J. L. Lemberger, December 6, 1877, and a charter was issued the same day. The following were the charter members: H. O Browning, J. L. Lemberger, C. P. De Haas, James Frame, Henry Lemberger, Paul Lange, Chris. Allen, S. H. Stutsman, O. W. Lemberger, T. L. Pilger, T. J. Raper, A. P. Eklund, H. N. Howe, A. H. Kuhlmmeir, J. W. Burdette, L. M. Pilger, J. M. Parham, C. F. Gall, J. B. Jaeger, A. E. Milspaugh, Conrad Lutz, Henry Weis, J. W. C. Jones, George Kriechbaum and William McD. Houseworth. The first officers were: Henry Lemberger, M.W.; C. C. De Haas, P.M.W.; J. W. Burdette, Foreman; James Frame, Overseer; T. L. Pilger, Recorder; J. L. Lemberger, Financier; Chris. Allen, Receiver; J. P. Jaeger, Guide; C. W. Lemberger, Inside Watchman; J. M. Parham, Outside Watchman. The present officers are: C. P. De Haas, M.W.: James Frame, P.M.W.; H. C. Schramm, Foreman; J. O. Smythe, Overseer; W. R. Fabert, Recorder; J. L. Lemberger, Financier; C. F. Gall, Receiver; J. W. Burdette, Guide; W. F. McCosh, Inside Watchman; James G. Bull, Outside Watchman. the present membership is thirty-seven. The property of the Lodge is valued at $250, and its place of meeting is in Druid Hall, corner Fourth and Jefferson streets.
Standard Lodge, No. 226, Independent Order of Mutual Aid, was instituted under authority of S.P. of the United States, by W. A. Halstead, Deputy Supreme President, Nov. 29, 1878, with forty-three members and the following officers: O. H. Denise, P.P.; R. N. Green, P.; J. V. Bean, V.P.; Robert Spencer, Recording Secretary; H. A. Kelley, Financial Secretary; L. C. Walbridge, Treasurer; M. M. Palmer, Chaplain; C. French, Conductor; G. W. Halliday, Inside Guardian; L. C. Skinner, Outside Guardian. This society pays the heirs of a deceased member $2,000, and allows its sick members $4 per week. The Lodge meets in Durid Hall, corner Fourth and Jefferson streets.
The R.W.G. Lodge of I.O.O.F of Iowa was instituted at Muscatine, on the first day of May, 1848, by D.D.G. Sire John G. Potts, by authority of the G. Lodge of the United States, and by virture of dispensation by G.L. of U.S., after which the following Past Grands were duly elected, and installed into their various officers by the D.D.G. Sire: P.G.J. Whitfield Garner, M.W. Grand Master; P.G. Amos Mathews, R.W.D. Master; P.G. Samuel McCormick, R.W.G. Warden; P.G. Richard Calle, R.W.G. Secretary; P.G. Joseph Bridgeman, R.W.G. Treasurer. The D.D. Sire then delivered a short address to the members of the G. Lodge. The M.W.G.M. then made the following appointments, viz: P.G. William Patterson, Rev. G. Chaplain; P.G. J. T. B. Martin, W.G. Marshall; P.G. Benjamin Rupert, W.G. Guardian; P.G. William Longley, W.G. Conductor. It was resolved to appoint a committee of three to draft a Constitution and By-Laws for this Lodge. It was also resolved to appoint a committee to draft a Constitution for subordinate lodges throughout the State.
The present officers of this Grand Lodge are: B. S. Merriam, Keokuk, M.W Grand Master; W. C. Harriman, Dubuque, R.W.D. Grand Master; William Garrett, Burlington, R.W. Grand Secretary; John Van Valkenberg, Fort Madison, R.W. Grand Warden; B. B. Woodward, Davenport, R.W. Grand Treasurer; Eric J. Leech, Keokuk, R.W. Grand Representative; Benjamin Newman, Council Bluffs, R.W. Grand Representative; W. S. Burton, Mount Pleasant, W. Grand Chaplain; S. P. Leland, Charles City, W. Grand Marshal; A. H. White, Mount Ayr, W. Grand Conductor; J. W. Roper, Fort Dodge, W. Grand Messenger; J. F. Abbott, Manchester, W. Grand Guardian; Ferdinand Mueller, Davenport, W. Grand Herald.
Washington Lodge, No. 1, I.O.O.F., was instituted at Burlington, Iowa Territory, April 4, 1844, by D.D.G. Sire John G. Potts, of Galena, Ill., and by authority of the Grand Lodge of the United States, under dispensation, and afterward chartered. The charter members were: Richard Mandsley, W. H. Mann, W. D. McCash, John T. Jones, Oliver Cock and Thomas T. Goodhue. The first officers were: Richard Mandsley, N.G.; W. H. Mann, V.G.; Thomas T. Goodhue, Secretary; Oliver Cock. Treasurer.
The present officers are: Frederick Brickenbach, N.G.; William Mercer, V.G.; M. P. Sharts, R. Secretary; W. E. Woodward, Treasurer. The present membership is 160. The property of the Lodge is valued at $10,000. All the I. O. O. F. Lodges meet in their hall, in Parsons' Block.
Harmonica Lodge, No. 209, I.O.O.F., was instituted under dispensation December 19, 1870, and a charter was granted October 19, 1871, with the following as charter members: Simon Hene, P. H. Greis, F. C. Hoffman, Fred Riepe, P. F. Unterkircher, S. W. Greenbaum, Chris. Weymeier, E. M. Eisfeld, Otto Lorenz, Charles Starker, Joseph Strobel, Leopold Krieg, John Smith, J. J. Schen, Paul Lange, Charles Hartman, George Kriechbaum, Joseph Greenbaum.
   The first officers were: N. E. Hoffman, N.G.; Simon Henne, V.G.; Chris. Weymeier, C. S.; Otto Lorenz, P. S.; Paul Lange, Cashier.
   The present offiers are: William Ihrer, N.G.; Charles Wederty, V.G.; Bernhard Hulsebus, R. Secretary; Charles Steimker, P. Secretary, and Michael Gerlinger, Treasurer. The number of members is sixty-five. The property of this Lodge is estimated worth $1,000.
Excelsior Lodge, No. 268, I.O.O.F., was instituted under dispensation December 11, 1873, and a charter was granted October 22, 1874, with the following charter members: F. E. Hoffman, George A. Duncan, Rudolph Glendy, James P. Joy, J. W. Jenkins, E. P. Wood, E. G. Squire, John Hall, P. Brumund, Charles Anderson, Charles Kriechbaum, G. W. Babbitts, A. W. Montfort, James Carroll, W. H. Platt, Paul L. Brick, Richard A. Taylor. The first officers were: E. P. Wood, N.G.; George A. Duncan, V.G.; E. G. Squire, R. Sec.; Charles Anderson, P. Sec.; Rudolph Glendy, Treas. The present officers are Henry C. Cady, N.G.; D. E. Johnson, V.G.; J. F. Rolf, R. Sec.; A. P. Eklund, P. Sec.; E. G. Squire, Treas. The present membership is fifty-one, and the value of the property about $600.
Eureka Encampment, No. 2, I.O.O.F., was instituted April 26, 1848, by D.D.G. Sire John G. Potts, of Galena, Ill. The charter members were: W. H. Mann, William Garrett, William D. McCord, Oliver Cock, M. Wile, John Otten, J. S. McClure, William W. Scott. The charter was granted September 22, 1847. The first officers were: W. H. Mann, C.P.; Oliver Cock, H.P.; William D. McCord, S.W.; W. W. Scott, J.W.; M. Wile, Scribe; John Otten, Treas. The present officers are: Charles Steimker, C.P.; Charles Sponholtz, H.P.; J. W. Jenkins, S.W.; James Toft, J.W.; Charles
Anderson, Scribe; George Whipple, Treas. The Grand Encampment of the State of Iowa was instituted June 17, 1852, at Muscatine.
Burlington Lodge, No. 251, of the Independent Order of B'nai Brith, which belongs to District No. 6 of said organization was chartered November 12, 1875, with following first officers: Jacob Schroder, President; Emanuel Raab, Vice President; Joseph Greenbaum, Sec.; Joseph Lehman, Treasurer; S. Hecht, A.M.; Theodore D. Wanfried, I.G.; Henry Heschler, O.G. The present officers are: S. W. Greenbaum, President; Jos. Lehman, Vice President; Joseph Greenbaum, Secretary; Emanuel Raab, Treasurer; S. Himmelrich, A.M.; E. M. Eisfeld, O.G.; Leopold Hirsch, I.G.. The present membership of this Lodge is twenty-six. It meets in Mecke's Block, opposite the Congregational Church, and has property valued at $400.

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