MASONRY IN NORTH DAKOTA
Chapter 8
LODGES CHARTERED FROM 1874-1889
__________
Fargo had barely come into existence as a village when a number of its Masons petitioned the Grand Lodge of Minnesota for a dispensation to operate a Masonic lodge. This was granted November 22, 1872, and it was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota as Shiloh Lodge No. 105 on January 14, 1874. The officers named in the charter were W.'. M.'. W. H. Smith; S.'.W.". Jacob Lowell, Jr.; J.'.W.'. Samuel G. Roberts. However, Brother Smith was never a member of the lodge and Brother Lowell did not affiliate until 1879, so the officers elected and installed on February 9, 1874 were: W.'.M.'. Samuel G. Roberts; S.'.W.'. Charles W. Ros-siter; J.'.W.'. W. D. Maddocks; Treasurer George A. Strout; and Secretary Andrew A. McHench. Including the officers, there were twenty-two names on the original list of petitioners for the lodge.
Shiloh Lodge No. 105 of Minnesota became Shiloh Lodge No. 8 of the Grand Lodge of Dakota June 7, 1879, and Shiloh Lodge No. 1 of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota June IS, 1889.
A much more detailed account of the instituting and constituting of Shiloh Lodge No. 1 precedes this chapter.
Shiloh Lodge has contributed five Grand Masters to the Grand Lodge of North Dakota: M.'.W.'. Brothers Frank J. Thompson, 1890; Sylvester J. Hill, 1908; Alexander B. Taylor, 1916; Charles M. Pollock, 1937; and Harlow L. Walster, 1950.
So many outstanding men and noteworthy events have been associated with this lodge during its ninety years of existence that a separate volume could well be devoted to them alone. A few words concerning Shiloh Lodge No. 1 in the twentieth century and the period immediately preceding is imperative.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of the granting of the dispensation to the lodge November 22, 1872, was observed November 22, 1897, at the Masonic Temple, with about 300 Masons and friends attending. One of the most distinguished among the guests was Worshipful Brother Ben L. Perry of Minneapolis, who as District Deputy Grand Master in 1874 had delivered the charter and constituted the lodge. M.'.W.'. Frank J. Thompson, Past Grand Master and Grand Secretary, was the principal speaker. Worshipful Master Draper A. Lindsey was in charge.
The present Masonic Temple on First Avenue North, was built in 1899 and has provided ample accommodations for three Masonic lodges, the Scottish and York Rite bodies, the order of Eastern Star and the youth organizations, for over half a century. The Shrine also used the temple until recently. The Grand Lodge headquarters, including the library and museum, are located there. The building is owned by the Scottish Rite.
The fiftieth anniversary of Shiloh Lodge was held June 17, 1924, in the temple, with Worshipful Master Roy C. Kraemer presiding. The celebration was held in conjunction with the thirty-fifth annual communication of the Grand Lodge, with M.'.W.'. Ralph L. Miller as Grand Master.
In the afternoon a parade down Broadway led to the A. L. Moody store building on Main Avenue, former location of Shiloh Lodge No. 1, where a memorial tablet was dedicated. Grand Master Miller spoke briefly and the tablet was unveiled by R.'.W.'. Hayden French, Deputy Grand Master of Minnesota.
At six-thirty in the evening the lodge was host to seven hundred guests in the dining room, after which a program of music, reading of the history of the lodge, by Junior Warden John J. Shepherd, and a pageant portraying the progress of Masonry in North Dakota was much enjoyed.
The seventy-fifth anniversary was observed November 26, 1949, in the temple. Worshipful Master Greydon H. Owens was in charge. The program was held at the tables in the temple dining room, during which M.'.W.'. Harold S. Pond, Grand Master, was introduced and spoke briefly. M.'.W.'. Charles M. Pollock, Past Grand Master, brought the history of Shiloh Lodge No. 1 up to date and the address of the evening was given by M. W. Carsten L. Jacobsen, Past Grand Master of Minnesota. The evening closed with dancing in the auditorium.
A special feature of the evening program was the beautiful incidental organ music of Miss Clara Pollock, sister of M.'. W.'. Brother Pollock, who for many years was organist at the First Methodist Church of Fargo. Miss Pollock passed away December 28, 1962, and the church was filled with the friends who had come to honor her.
February 22, 1963, Shiloh Lodge observed its fifty-third Washington's Birthday party with a dinner, program and cards. This is one of the lodge's finest traditions. Past Masters' Night is always observed with a dinner and a third degree, with the past masters in the chairs. Visitations are exchanged each year between Shiloh Lodge No. 70 of Roland, Manitoba and Shiloh Lodge No. 1 of Fargo, North Dakota. Always alert and always busy, with a membership of around 900, there is never a dull moment for this lodge.
Added to those already mentioned, the following have distinguished themselves in lodge, in state and country, during the past eighty years: M.'.W.'. Frank J. Thompson was W.'.M.'. from 1885-1890, Grand Master in 1890 and Grand Secretary from 1892 until his death in 1910. Hamilton W. Gearey was W.'.M.'. in 1895 and later, mayor of Fargo. Lt. Col. Gilbert C. Grafton was W.'. M.'. in 1905 and served in the Spanish American War and World War I. Gilbert C. Grafton Post of the American Legion at Fargo was named for ,him.
Hon. Thomas Hall was W.'.M.'. in 1907 and served in the Congress of the United States. For many years he was Secretary of State for North Dakota. He was well known Masonically as president year after year of the Masonic Veterans' Association.
W.'. Brother Emil Glaser was W.'.M.'. in 1923 and has been treasurer of Shiloh Lodge since 1951. R.'.W.'. William T. Stevenson was W.'.M.'. in 1925 and has served the Grand Lodge as Grand Treasurer since 1936. W.'. Brother Otto Haakenstad was W.'.M.'. in 1934, was a member of the Grand Lodge Trial Commission for many years and in 1963 was Junior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge.
A remarkable character was W.'. Brother William J. Hutcheson, who was elected honorary past master of Shiloh Lodge No. 1 in 1938. For twenty-five years preceding his death in 1945, he served as Executive Secretary of Masonic Service and Education for the Grand Lodge of North Dakota. In 1910 he was Grand Chaplain and in 1943 and 1944 he was Grand Lecturer for the Grand Lodge. There was hardly a Mason in North Dakota who did not know and love him.
Hon. Quentin N. Burdick, son of Congressman Usher L. Burdick, was W.'.M. in 1946, and in 1960, was elected United States Senator from North Dakota, succeeding Hon. William E. Langer, who passed away.
R.'.W.'. Clifford EL Miller, a past master of Wahpeton Lodge No. 15 and holding a dual membership in Shiloh Lodge No. 1, was appointed Deputy Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge in 1957, and was elected Grand Secretary in 1961, 1962 and 1963.
And finally, Brother John H. Eyer, who came to Fargo from Billings, Montana, transferring his membership from Billings Lodge No. 113, to Shiloh Lodge No. 1. Though never a worshipful master he has devoted his mature life to Masonry and to secretaryships and has performed his duties well. He has been secretary, or recorder, of all the York and Scottish Rite bodies, as well as the Shrine in Fargo, and has been secretary of Shiloh Lodge since 1936. Among Fargo Masons he will long be remembered for his faithful and conscientious hospital Visitations over the years to them and to their families. He celebrated his seventieth birthday February 4, 1963.
__________
Early in 1878 a group of nine Masons signed a petition for a dispensation for a Masonic Lodge at Pembina, which was granted May 7, 1878. The original officers were: W.'.M.'. Nelson E. Nelson; S.'.W.'. Judson LaMoure; J.'.W.'. John Kabernagle; Treasurer Leander Scribner; and Secretary Lars Wilkins. The lodge was sponsored by Emerson Lodge No. 6 of Manitoba.
The minutes of May 5, 1880, state: "There were no communications of Pembina Lodge U.'.D.'. from June 1, 1879, to February 5, 1880, as the lodge room and paraphernalia of the lodge were destroyed by fire during the month of May, 1879, and no convenient or suitable room for assembling could be obtained until that time." Between 1880 and 1940 the lodge occupied rooms in three separate buildings down town.
In 1940 the first school house, erected in Pembina in 1876, was purchased, moved to its present site and has been the unique lodge hall of Pembina Lodge since then. It was thoroughly renovated, but was left unchanged as far as possible. Even the old blackboards were retained and their presence, behind attractive draperies, add much to the historical value of the building. It was dedicated November 8, 1940, by M.'.W.'. Walter L. Stockwell Past Grand Master and Grand Secretary.
The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Dakota to Pembina Lodge No. 10 June 9, 1880, and it became Pembina Lodge No. 2 of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota June 13, 1889.
Judge William J. Kneeshaw was a charter member and first senior deacon of the lodge. M.'. W.'. Brothers Robert Morrison and Henry G. Vick were Grand Masters in 1911 and 1918, respectively, both originating in Pembina Lodge; and M.'. W.'. Brother Harry W. Gill, Grand Master in 1939, held a dual membership.
Three outstanding celebrations have marked the progress of Pembina Lodge No. 2, during the years and they will be outlined briefly here. They were the dedication of the marker for Northern Light Lodge U.'.D.'. in 1921; the fiftieth anniversary of Pembina Lodge No. 2 in 1930; and the seventy-fifth anniversary of the lodge in 1955.
The opening lines of Grand Secretary Walter L. Stockwell's account of the dedication program June 21, 1921, commemorating- the establishment of Northern Light Lodge U.'.D.'. at Fort Pembina in 1963, recites: "The old town of Pembina around which so much of history of this northwestern country centered during the past century was the scene of a real celebration on Tuesday, June 21, 1921. The good people of Pembina — and there were many of them — had worked like beavers to be ready for the hosts of Masons, their families and friends, who gathered there on this eventful day." Although one might question the size of the population of Pembina in 1921, suffice it to say that every available man, woman and child had worked unceasingly to prepare for this great event and were on hand as hosts and hostesses to the Grand Lodges of North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba, according them the welcome the occasion inspired.
The detailed account of this observance is the subject of Chapter 3 of this volume and will not be repeated here.
The fiftieth anniversary of Pembina Lodge No. 2 was observed at the lodge hall June 9, 1930. Lodge was opened at 9:00 a.m. by Worshipful Master Norval D. Ardies and the distinguished guests were received, including M.'.W.'. Mark I. Forkner of Langdon, representing Grand Master Robert B. Cox, and M.'.W.'. William Douglas, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, who delivered a splendid address in honor of the occasion. Charter member and past master (Judge) William J. Kneeshaw of Pembina Lodge No. 2 presented an interesting and informative history of Northern Light Lodge U.". D.'. and of Pembina Lodge No. 2, both of Pembina, which amplified the authentic records.
Memorable gifts were a set of square and compasses from the brethren of St. Johns Lodge No. 4 and a gavel from Northern Light Lodge No. 10, both of Winnipeg, which have been used continuously by Pembina Lodge.
June 10, 1955, was selected for the observance of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the lodge, under the leadership of Worshipful Master Lloyd B. Parker. M.'.W.'. Ernest D. Nelson, Grand Master of North Dakota, was unable to be present and requested Worshipful Brother Ben G. Gustafson, Senior Grand Steward, to represent him, to which he responded with one of his excellent addresses. Worshipful Brother Everest B. Fowler, formerly of Pembina and now a member of Acacia Lodge No. 4 of Grand Forks, also a trustee of the North Dakota Masonic Foundation, was invited to speak to which he responded with a splendid address on "The Bible, the Great Light of Masonry." An interesting history was given by Worshipful Brother Norval D. Ardies, past master.
The Grand Lodge of Manitoba was represented by M.'.W.'. Brother David Rothstein, then Senior Grand Warden, who brought congratulations from his Grand Master. M.'. W.'. William Douglas, Past Grand Master of Manitoba, was introduced and in his opening remarks he said: "I feel signally honored in being- asked to speak to my brethren of Pembina on this historic occasion. This will be the third time I have been privileged to participate in a special anniversary here." Worshipful Master Parker presided at the banquet which closed the anniversary program.
Among those who have served their lodge, community, state and country well, have been: W.'. Brothers Nelson E. Nelson, first W.'. M.'. from 1878-1881; Judson LaMoure, Sr., W.'.M.'. in 1882, a great leader in building North Dakota; Judge William J. Kneeshaw, W.'.M.'. in 1883 and a prominent district court judge; John Kerr, W.'.M.'. from 1889-1891; Robert Morrison, W.'.M.'. from 1894-1897 and Grand Master in 1911-12; Henry G. Vick, W.'.M.'. from 1908-1910 and Grand Master in 1918-19; and Walter Welford, W.'.M.'. in 1912 and later Governor of North Dakota.
W.'. Brother George H. Moris was W.'.M.'. in 1920 and his brother, Walter C. Moris was W.'.M.'. in 1928. He has been a member for many years and is currently chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Mileage and Per Diem. A third brother, James A. Moris, is a member but has not served as W.'.M.". From the second generation comes James F. Moris, who was W.'.M.'. in 1959-60.
W.'. Brother Arthur L. Barron was W.'.M.'. in 1922, and his son, A. Franklyn Barron was W.'.M.'. in 1949. Norval D. Ardies was W.'.M.'. in 1929 and 1930 and presided at the fiftieth anniversary program. M.'.W.'. Harry W. Gill held a dual membership in the lodge and was elected honorary past master in 1942. He was Grand Master in 1939-40.
Finally there is W.'. Brother Olaf G. Hanson, who was W.'.M.'. in 1947 and served his lodge faithfully and well as secretary from 1949-1960. For many years he has been a valuable member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Credentials. His good deeds will never end.
__________
Casselton Lodge No. 3, Casselton
It was in June of 1879 that ten Master Masons under the leadership of Thomas J. Wilder gathered in Casselton to consider the forming of a Masonic Lodge. Following this meeting, a dispensation was issued to them on July 22, 1879, by the Grand Lodge of Dakota with these original officers: W.'.M.'. Thomas J. Wilder; S.'.W.'. James W. Moore; J.'.W.'. Victor Landquist; Treasurer Julian A. Lawrence; and Secretary Ira W. Fisher. There were ten signers to the original petition.
The lodge was chartered June 9, 1880, by the Grand Lodge of Dakota as Casselton Lodge No. 12 and it became Casselton Lodge No. 3, under the Grand Lodge of North Dakota June 13, 1889.
The lodge has occupied four lodge halls and since 1925 has owned a beautiful home at Tenth Avenue and Third Street in Casselton.
Thomas J. Wilder was the "guiding hand" of the early lodge, was its first W.'. M.'. in 1880 and became Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Dakota in 1881, Grand Treasurer in 1882 and was elected Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota in 1890 and 1891.
Victor Landquist was W.'.M.'. in 1882 and 1884 and was closely associated with Brother Wilder. William H. Best was W.'.M.'. from 1889-1891, became Grand Lecturer and was elected Grand Master in 1895. While Grand Lecturer he served with Grand Master James McDonald and Grand Secretary Frank J. Thompson on a committee to revise the ritual, which is essentially the same today.
Since that time Casselton Lodge No. 3 has gone quietly along, attaining- a membership of 218 in 1928; it dropped to 145 in 1938; was back to 174 in 1948; and was down to 153 in 1962, which looks like a normal figure for present times and conditions.
The lodge has observed its anniversaries, principally by bringing its history up to date and marking the occasion by a dinner and by entertaining representatives of the Grand Lodge. In 1930 the fiftieth anniversary produced a brief history, which was printed in the 1930 Grand Lodge Proceedings. In 1940 the sixtieth anniversary was celebrated with M.'.W.'. Eugene Naylor, Grand Master, and Walter L. Stockwell, Grand Secretary, as principal guests. The seventy-fifth anniversary was a similar event in 1955.
In addition to those already mentioned the following are a few of the men who have served Masonry in many ways: W.'. Brother Alfred C. Cornwall was W.'.M.'. from 1885-1888; Stephen B. Bartlett was W.'.M.'. from 1892-1897 and from 1904-1906; E. George Guthrie was W.'. M.'. in 1900 and 1901, then moved to Fargo where he became a charter member of East Gate Lodge No. 120 and a member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Finance for twenty-five years. He also headed the Grand Chapter K.'.A.'.M.'. in 1905 and the Grand Council R.'. & S.'.M.'. in 1916. M.'.W.'. William E. Hoover was Grand Master in 1912-13, coming to Casselton from Park River where he was W.'.M.'. from 1903-1906; W.'. Brother L. Eugene Correll was W.'.M.'. from 1915-1917; and C. Douglas Smith was W.'.M.'. in 1908 and 1909, also in 1919 and 1920.
Coming down to more recent times we find W.'. Brother Earl T. Carley, Casselton banker, W.'.M.'. in 1934 and 1935, also treasurer for several years. Harold V. Dewey, Northern Pacific agent, was W.'.M.'. in 1940 and served as secretary from 1941 until his death in 1954. Donald D. Mclntyre was W.'.M.'. in 1948 and for many years has been a member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Policy and General Purposes. Dwight H. Potter was W.'.M.'. in 1914 and secretary from 1929-1940; his son, Dwight C. Potter, was W.'.M.'. in 1954-55 and has served as secretary since 1958.
Casselton Lodge No. 3 has recently adopted a plan whereby the lodge members meet for their evening meal in the dining room, served by a new committee each time. After an hour of fellowship around the table, they go to the lodge room for the evening's communication, refreshed in body and spirit and it is doing wonders for their interest and attendance.
____________
Acacia Lodge No. 4, Grand Forks
In 1879 Grand Forks was emerging as a typical frontier village on the west bank of the Red River, 80 miles north of Fargo. S. S. Titus and J. W. Smith had opened a bank, the second in Dakota Territory. George B. Winship started the Grand Forks Herald and there were a few business houses covering a couple of blocks on Third Street, and that was all.
Even then there was talk of a Masonic Lodge among Brothers M. T. Caswell, George B. Winship, James Elton, D. S. Dodds and a few others, which resulted in a petition for dispensation with eight signatures, being presented to the Grand Lodge of Dakota early in 1880. It was sponsored by Shiloh Lodge No. 8 of Fargo. The dispensation was granted March 30, 1880, with the following officers: W.'.M.'. Marcus T. Caswell; S.'.W.'. George B. Winship; J.'.W.'. James Elton; Treasurer David P. Reeves; and Secretary George H. Walsh. The charter was granted June 9, 1880, with eleven charter members, to Acacia Lodge No. 15 by the Grand Lodge of Dakota. The charter was reissued June 13, 1889, by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota to Acacia Lodge No. 4.
Acacia Lodge had three meeting places before 1890, when the lodge took over the fourth floor of the new Grand Forks Herald building, built and owned by W.'. Brother Winship. The lodge built its own temple on D«Mers Avenue in 1902, which burned January 18, 1912. The present temple, the most beautiful in North Dakota, was erected in 1914 on Bruce Avenue, and was dedicated June 15, 1915. Today it is valued at half a million dollars.
George B. Winship was, without doubt, the "spark plug" of early Masonry in Grand Forks. He, however, modestly designated David M. Holmes as the "Dean of Grand Forks Masonry". Of him Brother Winship said: "Of all the early Masons in Grand Forks he stands preeminently at the head as father, sponsor, instructor and untiring worker for Masonic success. In the morning he brightened up the rusty, stimulated the weak, and energized the willing. He was the fount of Masonic knowledge from which was diffused information to all entitled to receive it; and business affairs, the activities of politics, or the glamour of social life were not allowed to interfere. Masonry always came first with him; he was the first to report in the evening and the last to go home at midnight." His interest and devotion to Masonry continued throughout his life.
To date, six members of Acacia Lodge No. 4 have received the highest honors in Masonry in this jurisdiction as its Grand Master: M.'.W.'. Brothers Henry M. Wheeler in 1887; Robert M. Carothers in 1897; Halfdan Bendeke in 1909; Theodore B. Elton in 1925; Harold S. Pond in 1949; and Bernhard G. Gustafson in 1959. W.'. Brother Ingvald A. Berg served faithfully as its secretary for forty-seven years and hundreds of others fully as capable and perhaps more worthy, who never had these opportunities, contributed something of their own personalities to the betterment of Acacia lodge and to Masonry. Many were worshipful masters of the lodge and Brothers Pond and Berg were elected honorary past masters in 1950.
Acacia Lodge No. 4 has been especially careful to observe all of its important events and the records have been preserved for most of these. In this century the first recorded event was the laying of the cornerstone of the temple on DeMers Avenue, July 24, 1902. The temple was dedicated by Grand Master Walter L. Stockwell, February 24, 1903. This temple burned January 18, 1912, and a. picture of the ruins sheathed in ice has been preserved. The present temple on Bruce Avenue was dedicated June 15, 1915, as part of the Grand Lodge communication at Grand Forks, presided over by Grand Master Frank H. Sprague.
The fiftieth anniversary of the lodge was observed at the temple June 4, 1930, under the leadership of Worshipful Master George D. Smith. The early history of Acacia Lodge was given by Grand Historian Orin G. Libby and reminiscences were enjoyed from Past Master Clarence A. Hale. The address of the evening was delivered by Grand Master Robert B. Cox.
In June 1939 Acacia Lodge entertained the fiftieth anniversary of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota at its annual communication, which was a gigantic undertaking and an unparalleled success in every way. The reader is referred to Chapter 19 for the story.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of Acacia Lodge was another great event which occurred on October 28 and 29, 1955, in the Masonic Temple at Grand Forks. The first evening was given over to a closed communication of the lodge at which Worshipful Master Thomas H. Hankey presided. Distinguished guests from Minnesota, Manitoba and North Dakota were presented, also fifteen fifty-year Masons. An interesting history of the lodge was read by Worshipful Brother James E. Turner and a booklet entitled "Tribute to Our Founders" •was presented to the lodge by Worshipful Brother Paul B. Griffith. Grand Master Merle Kidder spoke briefly.
The following evening 400 Master Masons and their ladies gathered in the temple dining room for a delicious dinner after which Brother (Right Rev.) Richard R. Emery, D. D., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota, delivered a magnificent address. It was a fitting climax to a memorable occasion.
Acacia Lodge has always remembered its past masters and every year, early in December, Past Masters' Night is celebrated with a dinner for the Masons and their ladies, the past masters are presented, a Grand Lodge speaker is usually procured, after which the Masons retire to the auditorium where the second and third sections of the third degree are exemplified by the past masters.
In addition to those already mentioned a few of the leaders in Acacia Lodge have been; W.'. Brother James E. Turner, who was W.'.M.'. in 1919 and was prominent in all of the York Rite bodies, local and state; W.'. Brother Wilfred R. Vanderhoef, always known as "Wick", was W.'.M.'. in 1923, was treasurer for many years and was the local chairman of the entertainment committee for the Grand Lodge Jubilee in 1939; and W.'. Brother John Mclver, Jr. was W.'.M.'. in 1926 and has been treasurer since the passing of Brother Vanderhoef in 1955.
In the present generation there have been: W.'. Brother Everest B. Fowler, who was W.'.M.'. in 1939 and presently is a trustee of the North Dakota Masonic Foundation; W.'. Brother Grover C. Bogenrief was W.'.M.'. in 1942, was the first W.'.M.'. of Malta Lodge No. 131 at Grand Forks and for many years was District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 20; and W.'. Brother William J. Grant was W.'.M.'. in 1945 and was District Deputy Grand Lecturer of District No. 20 from 1954-1956.
W.'. Brother Merrill L. Williams was W.'.M.'. in 1949 and was one of the organizers and the first W.'.M.'. of River Jordan Lodge No. 133 at Minot; W.'. Brother Walter E. Kaloupek was W.'.M.'. in 1953 and in 1963, was Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Lodge; W.'. Brother Elof A. Erickson was W.'.M.'. in 1956 and has been District Deputy Grand Lecturer for District No. 20 since 1957; W.'. Brother Felix J. Vondracek was W.'. M.'. in 1958, was Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge from 1960 to 1963; and W.'. Brother Donald H. Ford was W.'.M.'. in 1961 and in 1962, was appointed to the Grand Lodge Committee on Policy and General Purposes.
With the recent location of a large air force base and Minuteman missile complex nearby, which is adding fresh Masonic material to the lodges of the area and with a present membership of 700, the immediate future of Acacia Lodge No. 4 seems assured.
__________
Bismarck Lodge No. 5, Bismarck
A detailed account of the founding of Bismarck Lodge No. 5 precedes this chapter, hence we shall record only an abbreviated story here.
Soon after the Northern Pacific Railroad came tc Bismarck and the town began to expand, a few active Masons started to think of organizing a lodge. Chief among them were Col. Clement A. Lounsberry, John A. McLean and Col. E. M. Brown.
Early in 1874 a group of twelve Master Masons presented a petition for dispensation to institute a Masonic lodge at Bismarck to the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, which was issued in June 1874, naming the following officers: W.'.M.'. (Col.) Clement A. Lounsberry; S.'.W.'. John A. McLean; J.'.W.'. (Col.) E. M. Brown; Treasurer John A. McArthur; and Secretary E. Thomas Winston, brother-in-law of General Thomas L. Rosser, who was a friend of General George A. Custer.
A charter was requested in 1875 but it was denied on account of irregularities and the dispensation was renewed for one year. The charter was issued January 12, 1876, by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota to Bismarck Lodge No. 120. The lodge held out from joining the Grand Lodge of Dakota, upon invitation, due to distance by train to Yankton and pleasant trade relations with the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, until June 8, 1880, when it became Bismarck Lodge No. 16 in the Grand Lodge of Dakota. It became Bismarck Lodge No. 5 in the Grand Lodge of North Dakota June 13, 1889.
The lodge met first in Brother Winston's residence on September 9, 1879. From there it moved over a store; to an office building; over two banks; was burned out in 1898; occupied several other fraternal halls; and moved into its present spacious temple on January 29, 1912.
Bismarck Lodge No. 5 has been honored by many famous men, prominent in lodge, community and state. From these we have selected the following for brief mention here: Col. Clement A. Lounsberry was the first W.'.M.'. in 1876 and was the founder of the Bismarck Tribune; Joseph Hare was W.'.M.'. in 1879-1880 and in 1886-1887; John Davidson was W.'.M.'. from 1881-1883 and again in 1889.
Then followed a number of Grand Masters who were: M.'.W.'. Brothers William T. Perkins was W.'.M.'. from 1893-1895 and was Grand Master in 1896-97; James W. Foley was W.'. M.'. in 1899-1900, was Grand Master in 1904-05 and was widely known as North Dakota's poet; Amil P. Lenhart was W.'.M.'. in 1910-1911, was Grand Master in 1919-20 and today is the Grand Lodge's senior living Past Grand Master; John A. Graham was W.'.M.'. in 1914, was secretary for several years and was Grand Master in 1953-54; Lewis K. Thompson, Jr., was W.'. M.'. in 1915-1916 and was Grand Master in 1935-36.
In more recent years we find: W.'. Brothers Arnold L. Fostenson, who was W.'.M.'. in 1930 and presided over the fiftieth anniversary observance; John Li. Bell was chairman of the temple board of trustees and wrote a history of the lodge for the anniversary program; Lorenzo H. Belk was W.'.M.'. in 1937 and has been secretary since 1957; James T. Eastgate was W.'.M.'. in 1949, was the first W.'.M.'. of Lewis and Clark Lodge No. 132 of Bismarck and was District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 14 from 1950-1954; G. Basil Edmondson was District Deputy Grand Lecturer from 1954-1960; Joseph A. Kinzer was W.'.M.'. in 1951 and presided over the seventy-fifth anniversary celebration; Manley E. Malmstad was W.'.M.'. in 1952 and remodeled the dining room and kitchen of the temple during his administration; John R. Craven was W.'.M.'. in 1956-57 and was chairman of the entertainment committee for the Grand Lodge communication in Bismarck in 1958.
A remarkable character in Masonic circles in Bismarck has been Brother Holly M. Beall, a fifty-year Mason, a life member of Bismarck Lodge and, though not a past master, he served as secretary of the lodge faithfully and well from 1945-1952. He has also served as secretary of the Scottish Rite bodies for many years and is still a familiar figure about the temple.
Bismarck Lodge No. 5 has always been a busy and progressive lodge, a credit to Masonry and to the community. Its fiftieth anniversary was observed April 2, 1930, its seventy-fifth was celebrated January 12, 1951, on the exact anniversary of its charter; it never misses Past Masters' Night; it was of great assistance in organizing Lewis and Clark Lodge No. 132; and now joins that lodge each year in a joint past masters night, which is a unique demonstration of friendship and brotherly love.
__________
Jamestown Lodge No. 6, Jamestown
Interest in founding a Masonic lodge at Jamestown appeared as early as 1879, when Edward P. Wells called a meeting in his office December 6, 1879, to discuss the subject. Subsequent meetings were held and on August 2, 1880, an organization was perfected and a dispensation to operate a Masonic lodge was requested from the Grand Lodge of Dakota. There were nine petitioners and Casselton Lodge No. 3 was named as sponsor. The dispensation was issued January 27, 1881, with the following officers: W.'.M.'. Robert S. Wallace; S.'.W.'. James A. Atkinson; J.'.W.'. Orrin L. Churchill; Treasurer Edward P. Wells; and Secretary Edward H. Foster.
The charter was granted June 15, 1881, by the Grand Lodge of Dakota to Jamestown Lodge No. 19, and was re-issued on June 13, 1889, by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota to Jamestown Lodge No. 6.
The lodge first met over Kelly's store (Fourth Avenue South and Second Street West); then in the Wallace block; the Green block; the Knauf building; and finally it moved to the present beautiful temple, at First Avenue and Third Street Southeast. The cornerstone was laid August 3, 1916, and the temple was dedicated with impressive ceremonies on January 22, 1918.
Jamestown Lodge No. 6 has never lacked for men of high character and ability to carry on its affairs and to impress upon the community the importance of Masonry in its midst. A few of them have been such men as these: Robert E. Wallace was the first W.'.M.'. in 1881 and 1882; James W. Cloes was W.'.M.'. in 1887 and 1888 and was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota in 1889^90; George L. Mc-Gregor was W.'.M.'. in 1889 and 1890 and was Grand Master in 1894-95; Alfred Steel was W.'.M.'. from 1898-1900; Fred G. Kneeland was W.'.M.'. in 1907 and 1908, also in 1919 and became one of the "grand old Masons" in Jamestown Lodge; Herbert G. Proctor was W.'.M.'. in 1914, was secretary for many years, a war veteran and much beloved; William Hall was W.'.M.'. in 1915 and was Grand Master in 1942-43.
Albert W. Rabehl was W.'.M.'. in 1933 and was District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 8, from 1952-1960; Harry G. Poulson was W.'.M.'. in 1937 and was Grand High Priest R.'.A.'.M.'. in 1948; Kenneth R. Hall, son of M.'.W.'. William Hall, was W.'.M.'. in 1939, and was Senior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge at the time of his unexpected passing in 1956; Clarence L. Robertson was W.'.M.'. in 1942, has been secretary since 1958 and has been a member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Policy and General Purposes for many years.
C. Eugene Dresser was W.'.M.'. in 194.3 and has distinguished himself in York Bite Masonry, serving as Grand Commander K.'.T.'. in 1962-63; Theodore F. Miles was W.'.M.'. in 1052 and was District Deputy Grand Lecturer for District No. 8 in 1954 and 1955; Gordon H. Hansen was W.'.M.'. in 1956-57; was District Deputy Grand Master of the new District No. 13 from 1961 until 1963, when appointed Grand Pursuivant; and George A. Conklin was W.'.M.'. in 1960-61 and has been District Deputy Grand Lecturer of the same district since 1961.
With Jamestown Lodge, the York Rite, the Eastern Star and several youth organizations located in the temple there is never a dull moment there. The lodge has always observed its anniversaries carefully and has been glad to entertain district meetings and schools of instruction whenever requested to do so. Past Masters' Nights are observed each year and numerous social gatherings mark its progress.
The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated February 11, 1931, when Worshipful Brother George W. Sartell was worshipful master, and it is noted that M.'.W.'. Brothers Charles H. Starke, Grand Master, and Walter L. Stockwell, Grand Secretary were present. Also Worshipful Brother Edward P. Wells, the first treasurer, who called the first meeting to. organize the lodge in 1879, was on hand to greet his old friends.
The seventy-fifth anniversary was held February 15, 1956, in the temple, under the leadership of Worshipful Brother Charles O. McAlpin,, worshipful master. M.'.W.'. Brothers Merle Kidder, Grand Master, and Harold S. Pond, Grand Secretary were present, as were nine fifty-year Masons and eight life members. W.'. Brother Fred G. Kneeland, past master, read the history and W.'. Brother Leslie R. Burgum of Jamestown, Attorney General for North Dakota at the time, was the principal speaker.
There is no more friendly lodge in all the state than Jamestown. Lodge No. 6 and to substantiate this fact the following illustration is sufficient. A few years ago the lodge decided to serve coffee, cookies and doughnuts in the dining room for a couple of hours in the afternoon each, day. The invitation went out to Masons, their families and friends, far and near. The Eastern Star ladies have assisted and from the beginning this undertaking has been a notable success. Not a week-day passes. that dozens of friends of Masonry do not drop in for a cup of coffee and a cookie, or a doughnut, to visit for a few minutes with a friend and drop a coin in the gift box on the way out. The proceeds go toward the charities of the lodge and Masonry has been strengthened physically, morally and spiritually thereby.
__________
Valley City Lodge No. 7, Valley City
Unlike most lodges, there is no recorded history preceding the issuance of the dispensation for Valley City Lodge, so there we begin.
There were ten signatures on the petition for dispensation, which listed the following officers: W.'. M.'. William E. Jones; S.'. W.'. Frederick H. Adams; J.'. W.'. A. D. Campbell; Treasurer Lucius S. Marsh; and Secretary Ole H. D. Irgens. Casselton Lodge No. 12 was named as sponsor and its certificate of proficiency was attached. The dispensation was issued by M,'. W.'. George H. Hand, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Dakota and was dated April 11, 1881.
The charter was issued three months later on June 15, 1881, to Valley City Lodge No. 21, and was re-issued June 13, 1889, to Valley City Lodge No. 7.
The lodge first met over John Holmes' store, which burned March 22, 1884, and then it moved to Clark's hall. The new lodge hall was begun in 1919 and was delayed several times in building. January 27, 1922, the basement was leased to Company G of the National Guard and, due to difficulty in financing, on April 2, 1935, the building was sold to E. J. Pegg for a garage and the second floor was retained for the lodge hall. The same arrangement still continues.
The lodge has always been prominent in the life and welfare of Valley City and it is indicative of its interest that many years ago Valley City Lodge No. 7 purchased the ground occupied by the public cemetery and has continued to own and operate it until the present time. It is a beautiful place and a credit to the lodge and city.
The lodge has furnished many fine Masons over the years, who have been faithful to their trust in community, state and nation, of whom the following are a few examples: William E. Jones was one of the founders and was the first W.'. M.'. from 1881-1883; Ole H. D. Irgens was the first secretary in 1881 and his services were invaluable in handling all of the correspondence in the early days of the lodge; William Craswell, Sr. was W.'. M.'. in 1886 and 1887; Thomas N. Ritchie was W.'. M.'. in 1889 and 1890, then again in 1895 and 1902.
Another "old timer" was Brother Prank White, who became senior warden of the Military Lodge in the Philippines, served as Colonel in World War I, became Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery K.'. T.'., was elected Governor of North Dakota and later was appointed Treasurer of the United States.
M.'. W.'. Theodore S. Henry was W.'. M.'. in 1908 and 1909 and was Grand Master in 1924-25; M.'. W.'. (Dr.) Glen C. Hulett was W.M. in 1930 and 1931, also in 1947 and was Grand Master in 1951-52; Dr. Max M. Moore was W.'. M.'. in 1940 and is presently a member of Grand Lodge Trial Commission; Arnold C. Sandness was W.M. in 1949 and was District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 8 in 1951; Anton Christ was W.'. M.'. in 1951 and is secretary in 1963; Howard E. Schneider was W.'. M.'. in 1955-56 and was District Deputy Grand Lecturer from 1956-1958; Verne L. Danforth was W.'. M.'. in 1956-1957 and was faithful secretary of the lodge from 1946-1955; and Harry W. Moore, son of Dr. Max M. Moore was W.'. M. in 1958-59. At his Installation Dr. Moore presented new officers' aprons to the lodge, in honor of his son.
Valley City Lodge No. 7 has been punctillous in the observance of the anniversaries as the records indicate and the fiftieth anniversary held May 7, 1931, with Past Grand Master Theordore S. Henry presiding. The history of the lodge was given by Past Master David S. Ritchie, while Grand Master Charles H. Starke and Grand Secretary Walter L. Stockwell were the speakers. Dr. Glen C. Hulett was worshipful master.
On the same date in 1956 the seventy-fifth anniversary was held in the municipal auditorium with upward of 100 guests in attendance. Among them were M.'. W.'. Brothers Merle Kidder, Grand Master, Harold S. Pond, Grand Secretary, and about a dozen Grand Officers, past and present. M.'. W.'. Glen C. Hulett, Past Grand Master, presided, Dr. Max M. Moore gave the history and Grand Master Kidder was the principal speaker speaker. Worshipful Brother Verne L. Danforth was worshipful master.
Past Masters' Nights, Teachers' Nights, Ladies’ Nights and other social functions are annual occurrences in the lodge and it is one of the leading organizations in the community.
__________
Not many lodges have received a charter without first being issued a dispensation to operate as a lodge, but such was the case Mandan Lodge, due to disagreement with its No. 16, under the Grand Lodge of Dakota, as we shall see. Mandan Lodge was the first to be chartered in Dakota Territory, west of the Missouri River, which has been designated: "Out Where the West Begins," and its title has been well earned. In this case there were differences on both sides of the river, which were peacefully settled, and the story, briefly, was as follows:
On March 17, 1881, eight Master Masons living in Mandan petitioned the Grand Lodge of Dakota for a dispensation to operate a lodge, requesting Bismarck Lodge No. 16 to act as sponsor and naming as proposed officers: W.'. M.'. Bickerton L. Winston; S.W. Harry W. Coe; and J.'. W.'. Frank J. McAllister. It later developed that Brother Winston had not previously served as a warden and the first officers installed were: W.'. M.'. Albert W. Hoyt; S.'. W.'. Bickerton L. Winston; J.'. W.'. Frank J. McAllister; Treasurer, William Baehr; and Secretary, Henry W. Coe. When chartered the lodge had thirteen members.
As none of the petitioners were familiar with the Dakota ritual and one of them, Brother James W. Foley, was proficient in the Missouri ritual, he taught it to the others and when ready, they appeared before Bismarck Lodge for their proficiency examination. This was refused on the grounds that only Dakota ritual could be used. Recriminations followed and resulted in the withdrawal of the Mandan group, and the writing of a letter of protest, signed by Brothers Winston and Coe, to the Grand Master, bringing fifteen charges of bad faith against Bismarck Lodge.
The Grand Lodge of Dakota, meeting at Sioux Falls June 15, 1881, voted a charter to Mandan Lodge No. 23, ordered a complete investigation of the case and approved proper condemnation of all guilty parties. On October 12, 1881, R.'. W.'. Thomas J. Wilder of Casselton, Special Deputy Grand Master, visited Bismarck and Mandan; listened to both sides of the case; placed censure where it was due; approved the proficiency in the ritual of Mandan Lodge; constituted the lodge; and left both lodges with peace and harmony prevailing. R.'. W.'. Brother Wilder did not progress beyond Senior Grand Warden in the Grand Lodge line, except to be elected Grand Treasurer in 1882 and Grand Secretary in 1890 and 1891. We believe he would have made an exceptional Grand Master.
The charter of Mandan Lodge No. 23 was re-issued by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota on June 13, 1889, to Mandan Lodge No. 8.
The lodge occupied several locations in Mandan between 1881 and 1924, when it finally moved into its present lodge home at Fourth Avenue and First Street, Northwest. Twice in the early days they were burned out and the framed square and compasses found in the remnants of the Bible and now hanging on the wall of the present lodge room are solemn reminders of the losses from Masonic fires.
Mandan Lodge No. 8 has acquitted itself well through the years and its members have supplied men and material for every need in city, state and nation. Among them have been: Albert W. Hoyt who was the first W.'. M.'. from 1881-1885 and from 1888-1891; Frank A. Briggs was W.'. M.'. in 1892 and 1893 and later became Governor of North Dakota; Louis Hill was W.'. M.'. in 1898 and 1899, also in 1904 and 1905; Isaac N. Steen was W.'. M.'. from 1908-1912; Edwin A. Ripley was W.'. M.'. in 1913 and 1914 and was Grand Master in 1922-23; Earl K. Bitzing was W.'. M.'. in 1917 and 1918, then moved to Fargo where he became a charter member of East Gate Lodge No. 120 in 1920 and was its second W.'. M.'. in 1921. He was elected Grand Master in 1933-34. R.'. W.'. Otto Bauer was W.'. M.'. in 1925 and served as Grand Treasurer from 1926-1935.
Samuel E. Arthur was W.'. M.'. in 1929 and served as secretary from 1949-1957; John C. Gould was W.'. M.'. in 1930, was secretary in 1948 and District Deputy Grand Master from 1954-1960; John A. Sakariassen was W.'. M.'. in 1932, was District Deputy Grand Master from 1947-1951, and in 1962 was elected Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge; Ernest J. George was W.'. M.'. in 1935 and 1936 and was District Deputy Grand Master in 1952 and 1953; James G. Fogle was W.'. M.'. in 1957-58 and has been District Deputy Grand Master since 1961; and Elvin G. Laub was W.'. M.'. in 1959-60 and has been secretary since 1960. He will be remembered for his fine work on the lodge's monthly bulletin, "Temple Talk," which he edits and which carries the account of lodge activities far and wide.
Mandan Lodge is careful to observe its anniversaries and has already passed its fiftieth and seventy-fifth birthdays in 1931 and 1956, respectively. A unique feature in the lodge each year is the observance of Homecoming and Past Masters' Night, which not only honors the past masters, but also singles out one past master for special notice and attention. In 1963 it celebrated the eighty-second annual observance of this event.
In 1956 the Homecoming Night was combined with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the lodge on April 24th. W.'. Brother Lester J. Peterson, who was W.'. M.'. in 1934, was the guest of honor and the Grand Lodge was represented by M.'. W.'. Brothers Merle Kidder, Grand Master, Harold S. Pond, Grand Secretary, and others. Following the banquet a delightful program of music and speaking was presented, with Grand Master Kidder making the principal address. This is but one example of the progressive spirit of Mandan Lodge No. 8.
__________
Cereal Lodge No. 9, Tower City
"To write any history is a problem. To write a conventional history is a bore. To write a truthful and accurate history is a hazard. But to write a history that must be imposed upon 300 banqueted and otherwise comfortable individuals is a responsibility." Thus wrote W.'. Brother Harry H. Roberts, thrice Worshipful Master of Cereal Lodge No. 9 at Tower City, newspaper man, state representative and postmaster, as an introduction to his presentation of a most remarkable history of his town and lodge on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the lodge June 15, 1932. From this storehouse of information we present the following facts.
The founder of Tower City, 40 miles west of Fargo, on the newly laid Northern Pacific Railway, was George H. Ellsbury, later a member of Cereal Lodge, who, seeing the advantages of the location as a town-site, purchased the land and began to build. He arrived April 3, 1879, and by 1893 the population reached 600 and went right on to more than 1000.
Many of the new settlers were Masons and on March 17, 1882, thirteen citizens, all Master Masons, joined in a petition to the Grand Lodge of Dakota for a dispensation empowering them to form a lodge to be named Cereal Lodge, with the following principal officers: W.'. M.'. Benjamin F. Keller; S.'. W.'. Charles W. Williams, and J.'. W.'. Charles W. Barrett; later, Henry J. Miller was elected Treasurer and Nathan Engle, Secretary. Valley City Lodge No. 21 sponsored the new lodge and its certificate of proficiency in the ritual accompanied the petition.
The dispensation was dated April 10, 1882, and the first meeting of the new lodge was held April 29, 1882, in a room over Ward Brothers drug store, where the post office now stands.
The charter was issued June 15, 1882, by the Grand Lodge of Dakota to Cereal Lodge No. 29 of Tower City and was re-issued June 13, 1889, by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota to Cereal Lodge No. 9 of Tower City. On January 17, 1883, Cereal Lodge sponsored Sheyenne Valley Lodge at Lisbon and on January 16, 1906, it sponsored Buffalo Lodge at Buffalo.
The original lodge rooms burned January 1, 1884, and quarters were obtained in Brother Ellsbury's hall, then in the Good Templars' quarters; thence to the old school house; and thence to their own spacious lodge hall, which was purchased January 1, 1903, and is free from debt. We shall never forget the beautiful all wool, red, ingrain carpet with Masonic symbols interwoven, which still adorns the floor of the lodge room. It dates back to time immemorial, and so far as we know, is only matched by a similar carpet in the lodge room of Milton Lodge No. 48 at Milton. Such reminders of the past are priceless.
Since 1882 the fortunes of Cereal Lodge No. 9 have come and gone. In its first fifty years it raised and affiliated 218 members. In 1920 it had a membership of 85; in 1939 it was down to 31; and in 1960 had risen to only 36. No one who has not been through the experience will ever know what the drought and depression of "the thirties", aggravated by the war of "the forties", did to our rural communities. Our youth have moved away, never to return, and none have come to take their places, until our towns are depleted while the cities continue to grow.
Historian Carl A. Lindquist expressed a noble sentiment at the 75th Anniversary of Cereal Lodge No. 9, on April 11, 1957, when he wrote: "At one time there was a question if we would be able to carry on. The Grand Secretary suggested that we turn in our charter and affiliate with Buffalo Lodge No. 77, but, after some serious discussion we decided we would carry on. We felt that having our own fine building and considering the efforts and trials of our brethren in the past who had provided all this, we would surely be letting them down. So it was decided that we have faith and with God's help it would work out for the best. I can report that it has."
God bless them all! Of such men come kings and princes and Master Masons, like you and them!
Among those who have carried the light for Cereal Lodge through the years have been: Benjamin F. Keller, who was the first W.'. M.'. in 1882, 1885 and 1886; the first Treasurer was Harry J. Miller and the first Secretary was Nathan Engle; William N. Bushwell was W.'. M.'. from 1887-1889; Melvin S. Mayo was W.'. M.'. from 1891-1895, Wallace W. Heffron was W.'. M.'. from 1896-1899, also in 1902 and 1903.
In this century have been: William J. Sansburn, who was W.'. M.'. in 1900 and 1901, also in 1909; David B. Shaw was W.'. M.'. from 1906-1908; and Carl M. Thompson was W.'. M.'. in 1912, 1913, 1916 and 1919.
Harry H. Roberts was well known to many; he was W.'. M.'. in 1915, 1926 and 1927. He was postmaster, a representative in the state legislature and it was he who 'wrote the history for the fiftieth anniversary of the lodge in 1932. Carl A. Lindquist was W.'. M.'. in 1929 and prepared the history for the seventy-fifth anniversary in 1957.
Clifford L. Rice was W.'. M.'. in 1939 and 1940, attained honor in World War II and returned to be re-elected W.'. M.'. in 1947. Jack B. Rice was W.'. M.'. in 1952 and Duane R. Rice in 1953. Duane has been secretary since 1954.
James M. Watt was W.'. M.'. in 1942, 1943 and 1946; Willard E. Richman was W.'. M.'. in 1948 and 1949; Henry Richman, Jr. was W.'. M.'. in 1955-56; the .Muir Brothers, Loren G. and Russell J. were W.'. Ms.', in 1957-58 and 1958-59, respectively. They were followed by Roy H. Swanke, who was W.'. M.'. from 1959-1961. The roster is long- but their work was "good work, square work" and they are entitled to their reward.
__________
Hillsboro Lodge No. 10, Hillsboro
Traill County, in the heart of the Red River Valley between Fargo and Grand Forks, was one of the first to be opened for settlement and we are told that among the first three men to come to the Hillsboro area in 1870 was Asa H. Morgan, who later became a charter member and first treasurer of Hillsboro Masonic Lodge.
Before the days of the Great Northern Railway, travel was by boat on the Red River, or overland by oxcart, and the first settlement was at Caledonia, on the river, which was the county seat, until Hillsboro on the railroad, became large enough in 1890 to become the county seat. Since those days Hillsboro has become a busy, thriving city and her predominance has been unquestioned.
It was on May 6, 1882, that ten Master Masons living in and around Hillsboro petitioned the Grand Lodge of Dakota for a dispensation to form a lodge, requesting the appointment of the following principal officers: W.'. M.'. John P. Selby; S.'. W.'. William E. D'Argent; and J.'. W.'. Edgar S. Kneeland. Shiloh Lodge No. 8 of Fargo was named as sponsor and its certificate of proficiency in the ritual accompanied the petition.
The dispensation for Hillsboro Lodge was dated on May 13, 1882, naming the above listed officers, to whom were added W.'. Brothers Asa H. Morgan, as Treasurer, and Elmore Y. Sarles, as Secretary. The first regular meeting of the lodge was in June, 1882.
The charter was granted June 15, 1882, by the Grand Lodge of Dakota to Hillsboro Lodge No. 32, and was re-issued June 13, 1889, by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota to Hillsboro Lodge No. 10. The original ten petitioners became the charter members.
Few lodges encountered more vicissitudes during their first fifty years than Hillsboro Lodge. The first meeting place in 1882 was a one-story warehouse, with planks resting on packing boxes for seats. The officers' jewels were cut out of tin by the local tinsmith and the square and compasses on the altar were made in the same way. A better location was found but that was destroyed by fire in 1891. After several moves, the lodge came to rest in the early 1900's when it found spacious and regal quarters on the second floor of the Lasham building. There was a dining room and kitchen, the furniture was leather-covered and a genuine Master's carpet covered the floor. But misfortune still followed the lodge, as in 1939 fire again destroyed the property and with it all of the lodge furnishings and records. For twelve years the lodge occupied the K. P. Hall, but the quarters were cramped and small with no dining or kitchen facilities, so the great project of building their own temple came into being. Through a generous gift of Brother Anton H. Rustad and the gifts of many other members, added to the hard manual labor contributed by all who had the skill and could spare the time, the present beautiful temple was built and first occupied November 11, 1951. The building was dedicated June 28, 1955 by M.'. W.'. Brother Merle Kidder, Grand Master. It is a credit to Masonry, anywhere.
We can only briefly refer to a few of the great men who honored Masonry and who were honored by the fraternity in and around Hillsboro, there have been so many. M.'. W.'. Brother John F. Selby, the first Worshipful Master, was Master nine different years, between 1882 and 1904. He also was a member of the Constitutional Convention of North Dakota in 1889, and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota in 1891. Brother Elmore Y. Sarles was the first secretary of the lodge and later became Governor of North Dakota. Brother Oscar J. Sorlie joined Hillsboro Lodge in 1889 and later transferred to Reynolds Lodge No. 42 to become a charter member there.
In this century there have been: W.'. Brothers Jorgen Howard, W.'. M.'. in 1905 and 1906, who was county judge; Frederick L. Goodman, W.'. M.'. in 1909, who was a banker at Hillsboro and later at Grand Forks; Peter G. Swenson, W.'. M.'. from 1917-1919, who was district judge for many years; Roy W. Johnston, W.'. M.'. in 1924 and secretary from 1927-1957, a most remarkable man; Neil McFarlane, W.'. M.'. in 1929; G. McLain Johnson, W.'. M.'. in 1932; Leonard T. Beal, W.'. M.'. in 1944 and District Deputy Grand Lecturer from 1954 to 1961; John Gordon, W.'. M.'. from 1957-1959 and District Deputy Grand Master from 1959-1962; and Thomas G. Johnson, Custodian of the Work for the Grand Lodge of North Dakota from 1949-1960. These are only a few of the fine men and Masons who have kept Hillsboro Lodge No. 10 to the front for more than 75 years.
__________
Crescent Lodge No. 11, Grafton
So many great men, so many great events and so many great accomplishments for the Grafton community and for Masonry everywhere have combined to make Crescent Lodge No. 11 prominent in North Dakota, that a historian finds it impossible to properly chronicle these events in the short space allotted to him, awarding justice to all to whom it is due; giving praise to those who deserve it; and omitting none who have toiled along the way, inconspicuously but faithfully, at their appointed tasks. The Great Book says: "By their fruits ye shall know them" and so it has ever been with Crescent Lodge: "All for one and one for all," until the combined result has been peace and harmony between lodge and church and school and community, each relying on the other, and bringing them all into perfect accord. If we can show how this has been brought to pass in Grafton, our mission will have been attained.
As early as 1881, such men as DeWitt C. Moore, cashier of the Bank of Grafton -»- generally conceded the father of Masonry in the Grafton community — began to talk with such early Masons as Charles Olson, Edwin O. Faulkner, William J. Shumway and William M. Chandler about the possibility of forming a Masonic Lodge at Grafton. Early in the summer of 1882 they met at Chandler's grocery store and decided to petition the Grand Lodge of Dakota for a dispensation to institute a lodge.
On August 14, 1882, the dispensation was granted by M.'.W.'. Brother Oscar S. Gifford, Grand Master, establishing Crescent Lodge with the following principal officers: W.'.M.'. DeWitt C. Moore; S.'.W.'. Charles Olson; and J.'.W.'. Charles A. M. Spencer. Later, Brother K. O. Skatteboe was elected Treasurer and Brother William J. Shumway, Secretary. There were seventeen signatures on the petition and it was accompanied by a certificate of proficiency in the ritual from Acacia Lodge No. 15, at Grand Forks, its sponsor.
A charter was granted June 15, 1883, by the Grand Lodge of Dakota to Crescent Lodge No. 36 of Grafton, which was re-issued June 13, 1889, by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota to Crescent Lodge No. 11. The lodge was constituted September 14, 1883.
The first meeting place for the lodge was over the Carl F. Hendrick-son hardware store, which was inadequate, and from December 26, 1891, to December 18, 1912, spacious quarters were leased in the Spencer block. Most of 1912 was devoted to the building of the present beautiful and commodious temple in the heart of Grafton, one block west of the main street. Here again the great men and Masons of Grafton came to the front. Frank H. Sprague was president of the Masonic Temple Association, William M. Chandler was vice president, DeWitt C. Moore was treasurer, James E. Gray was secretary, L. O. Dunn, James McDonald and John H. Fraine were trustees. The cornerstone was laid The main address was delivered by Grand Secretary Walter L. Stockwell and Past Grand Master James W. Foley read a number of his famous poems. The total cost of the Temple was slightly over $20,000.00 and it could not be built today for $100,000.00.
Space will not permit the telling of the myriad of splendid services that Crescent Lodge has performed for Grafton and its people. One example must suffice and it, in itself, is unique. October 6, 1884, Brother Charles Olson, first Senior Warden of the lodge, passed away. There was but one cemetery in town and that was owned by an "orthodox" church, which on account of its prejudice against Freemasonry, would not permit the burial of Brother Olson inside the cemetery enclosure, but did permit it on the outside, near the fence.
Immediately, the lodge took action. An acreage was purchased and Crescent Cemetery Association was formed, with James McDonald, DeWitt C. Moore and later, Albert G. Tverberg, as "leading lights". On December 19, 1885, the body of Brother Charles Olson was exhumed and interred in Crescent Cemetery, among "friends." Since that time, additional space has been purchased, a chapel has been constructed, the grounds have been beautified, a hard surface road has been constructed, and today, Crescent Lodge No. 11 of Grafton owns and operates one of North Dakota's most beautiful cemeteries for the community of Grafton.
During the Spanish-American War in 1898, North Dakota Military Lodge No. 1 was authorized by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota, with Lieut. Col. William C. Treumann of Crescent Lodge No. 11 as Worshipful Master, Major Frank White of Valley City Lodge No. 7 as Senior Warden, and Major John H. Fraine of Crescent Lodge No. 11 as Junior Warden. This lodge functioned in the Philippines during the war and performed a fine service for our Masons overseas.
Likewise, during World War I, North Dakota Military Lodge No. 2 was organized by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota, with Col. John H. Fraine of Crescent Lodge No. 11 as Worshipful Master, Col. Gilbert C. Grafton of Shiloh Lodge No. 1 as Senior Warden, and Major Frank S. Henry of Valley City Lodge No. 7 as Junior Warden. This lodge functioned in training camp in America and on the battleground of France, bringing Masonry to our boys away from home and proving once more that Crescent Lodge was ever ready to serve our country at home and abroad.
And so we might go on, but space will not permit. We can only close this glorious history with a list of a few of those who have served their lodge and community throughout the years, craving forgiveness for the numerous names we have unwittingly omitted. Four members of Crescent Lodge No. 11 have been Grand Masters: M.'.W.'. Brothers James McDonald, in 1893; Walter L. Stockwell, in 1902; Frank H. Sprague, in 1914; and Bilie R. Morgan, in 1945.
Today M.'.W.'. Brother Morgan is still active in North Dakota Masonry as chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Jurisprudence. For sixteen years he served as State Senator from Walsh County, many of which he served as chairman of the State Budget Board, and is the successful owner and publisher of the Walsh County Record. How many citizens as well as Masons have made him their counselor and often their confidant over the years?
On June 20, 1962, W.'. Brother Ernest R. Nyman was appointed Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota and in due season will become Grand Master. He is the present secretary and a past master of Crescent Lodge.
Among those we have known and loved are many past masters who have given so much to Masonry. We mention only a few: Peter Brims, 1924 and 1925; Fred H. Goldstone, 1927; Albert G. Tverberg, 1929; Malcolm H. Graham, 1935; Henry E. Everson, 1945; Harley R. Kingsbury, 1949; Charles C. Rand, 1952; Lynn G. Grimson, 1956; and Sterling A. Walker, 1957. God bless all of them.
__________
Until 1883 no lodges had been instituted by the Grand Lodge of Dakota, in its northern half, that did not follow the Red River Valley, north and south, or the Northern Pacific Railway west from Fargo. As an indication that our fraternity was spreading we find the men at Lisbon, thirty-five miles south of Tower City, located in the beautifully wooded Sheyenne Valley, became interested in Masonry in 1882.
So it came about that on January 17, 1883, a petition for a dispensation to institute a lodge at Lisbon, to be known as Sheyenne Valley Lodge, was completed and sent to the Grand Lodge of Dakota for action. The petition bore the names of nine well known citizens of Lisbon and recommended the following as principal officers: W.'.M.'. Harry S. Oliver; S.'.W.'. Austin F. Taylor; and J.'.W.'. William K. Smith. Later, Brother Gilbert B. Green was elected Treasurer and Brother Mathias L. Engle, Secretary. The petition also carried a properly signed certificate of proficiency in the ritual from Cereal Lodge No. 29 at Tower City.
The dispensation was issued on February 13, 1883, by M.'.W.'. Oscar S. Gifford, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Dakota, and on March 17, 1883, the lodge held its first regular meeting at Lisbon. Additional officers were appointed and thirteen petitions for membership were read.
The charter was dated June 15, 1883, was issued to Sheyenne Valley Lodge No. 41 at Lisbon and was re-issued to Sheyenne Valley Lodge No. 12 on June 13, 1889, by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota.
The lodge has had four meeting places; the first was over the Sandager-Haugen store; the second was in the hall over the Gilbertson-Hanson store; the third was over the Lucas drug store; and the fourth occupied the entire second floor of the H. H. Grover block, built in 1903. There are rumors that the lodge is contemplating the building of a Masonic Temple in 1962 which is the best indication of its progressive spirit.
Many great men and Masons have passed through the portals of Sheyenne Valley Lodge since 1883, and we can mention only a few of them here. Following W.'. Brother Harry S. Oliver, who was W.'.M.'. in 1883-1885, came M.'.W.'. Brothers Albert B. Herrick, W.'.M.'. in 1883 and 1889, and Grand Master in 1892-1893; Thomas L. Foulks, W.'.M.'. in 1893 and 1894 and Grand Master in 1901-1902; and Walter L. Williamson, W.'.M.'. in 1904 and Grand Master in 1913-1914. W.'. Brother Chester A. Butler was W.'.M.'. in 1921 and 1922; Charles W. Halliday was W.'.M.'. in 1926-1928; Fred Hanna was W.'.M.'. in 1931 and 1932; Manfred O. Satre was W.'.M.'. in 1943-1945; Gordon H. Heacox was W.'.M.'. in 1952 and later became District Deputy Grand Lecturer; William H. Sullivan was W.'.M.'. in 1953-1954 and became District Deputy Grand Master; and among the faithful was Chauncey E. Cavett, for many years District Deputy Grand Master, and who also was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R.'.A.'.M.'.
There were many others of whom those named are only a few. May Sheyenne Valley Lodge No. 12 go on and on!
__________
Ellendale Lodge No. 13, Ellendale
Once Masonry had gone south from the main line of the Northern Pacific Railway in Dakota, it continued its march and next we find it in 1883 close to the present South Dakota border, in the then one-year old town of Ellendale, county seat of Dickey county. There is no record of what transpired at Ellendale before the petition for dispensation to form a lodge was completed on May 26, 1883, and mailed to the Grand Lodge office for the attention of Grand Master Oscar S. Gifford.
However, from the original petition it appears that ten men (one was later disqualified as he could not supply a demit) signed the request for a lodge at Ellendale and became its charter members. The first name was that of James A. Scott and as he became the first Master of the lodge it is logical to believe that he was most active in its beginning. The officers recommended were: W.'.M.'. James A. Scott; S.'.W.'. Theodore N. Larson; and J.'.W.'. Ebenezer P. Perry. It is remarkable to note that the lodge was sponsored by Milbank Lodge No. 20, which was 130 miles to the southwest, in present South Dakota, and thither went the prospective officers to pass their proficiency in the ritual. One wonders why they did not use Jamestown Lodge No. 19, only 65 miles to the north, but no reason seems to have appeared.
Now we find a unique situation. The petition for dispensation having been completed only three weeks before the Grand Lodge of Dakota was to meet in annual communication at Rapid City on June 12, 1883, request was made that the issuing of a dispensation to form a lodge be waived and that a charter be granted instead. Grand Master Gifford, in his address, advised against such hasty action; however, the Grand Lodge Committee on Dispensations and Charters studied this and a similar case very carefully and recommended that charters be issued in both instances, which were approved. Accordingly, on June 15, 1883, a charter was granted to Ellendale Lodge No. 49 by the Grand Lodge of Dakota. This charter was re-issued June 13, 1889, to Ellendale Lodge No. 13 by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota.
The lodge first met in a room over the Moran print shop, which it occupied until August 1, 1887. At the first meeting the lodge was constituted and the officers were installed by Brother Capt. N. Thatcher, as Deputy Grand Master, and George H. Keyes, as Deputy Grand Marshal. Among the officers installed were the three principal officers listed above; Treasurer Frank B. Gannon; Secretary Hans M. Bergendahl; and a full line of appointed officers.
For two years the lodge met over the Model drug store, a wooden building on the site of the present temple. In 1888 the Masons, Odd Fellows and United Workmen agreed to find more commodious quarters together and moved into a new building across the street in January, 1889. This arrangement continued until 1913, when the lodge moved into quarters in the Opera House, which it occupied for 20 years.
The new temple was built in early 1933 and was dedicated as part of the 50th anniversary observance of the lodge October 5, 1933. At the dedication ceremony M.'.W.'. Brothers Earl K. Bitzing, Grand Master, officiated; George H. Keyes, P.G.M., acted as Deputy Grand Master; and Walter H. Murfin, P.GJtf., acted as Grand Marshal; R.'. W.'. Brother William H. Hutchinson officiated as Junior Grand Warden; and the other offices were filled by visiting brothers. This adequate and commodious temple is in active use today.
Ellendale Lodge No. 13 has been in the forefront of every patriotic and public-minded enterprise in the community. In May, 1899, Grand Master George H. Keyes laid the cornerstone of the manual training building at the Ellendale Normal and Industrial Training School; and May 10, 1911, M.'.W.'. Grand Master John J. Hull, assisted by Past Grand Master George H. Keyes, laid the cornerstone of the Dickey County Court House at Ellendale.
Many great men and Masons from Ellendale Lodge have been prominent in lodge and town and state. In addition to the charter members and officers, M.'.W.'. Brother George H. Keyes was Grand Master in 1898; of the four Colemans who were past masters of the lodge, W.'. Brother Verne D. Coleman, for many years, was chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Mileage and Per Diem; of the four Jurys who became past masters, W.'. Brother Eldon G. Jury, for several years was District Deputy Grand Master for District No. 7, and W.'. Brother Wil-lard A. Kee was District Deputy Grand Lecturer for the same district. These are but a few examples of a splendid record by a dedicated lodge.
__________
By 1883, the small village of Sanborn, between Valley City and Jamestown on the main line of the Northern Pacific Railway, had become a thriving community and twenty-five Master Masons joined in a petition to the Grand Lodge of Dakota for a dispensation to institute a lodge.
On August 17, 1883, they passed their proficiency in the ritual before Valley City Lodge No. 21, and on September 25, 1883, a dispensation was issued to Sanborn Lodge, U. D., naming the following principal officers: W.'.M.'. Daniel F. Siegfried; S.'.W.'. Jacob F. Jaberg; J.'.W.'. Alfred M. Pease; and elected later were Treasurer Louis S. Leuham; and Secretary Jeremiah M. Burrell.
The charter was issued by the Grand Lodge of Dakota on June 12, 1884, to Sanborn Lodge No. 51, with seventeen of the original twenty-five signers on the petition for dispensation qualifying as charter members. When the Grand Lodge of North Dakota was organized on June 13, 1889, a notation was made on the charter that it had been re-issued to Sanborn Lodge No. 14 by Grand Master James W. Cloes.
The lodge met in several buildings in Block 10 of the Original Town-site of Sanborn until it was burned out May 1, 1904. It then moved to the Shannon building in Block 10 which was purchased by the lodge in 1913 and is its present location.
Several men have been prominent in Sanborn lodge during the years and we mention first W.'. Brother Daniel F. Siegfried, who appears to have been the most active Mason in founding the lodge and who was its first Worshipful Master, serving during its first three years in 1884, 1885 and 1886. A notable character was Brother George H. Malosh who was "raised" February 6, 1899, and for nearly a quarter of a century served the lodge as tyler, faithfully and well. He was made a life member December 23, 1931 and became a fifty-year Mason February 6, 1949. On February 8, 1949, he was honored by the lodge in an address, by W.'. Brother Sam Tofte, who extolled his virtues and his fine services to lodge and community. Brother J. Frank Treat was "raised" in 1891 and ultimately became Imperial Potentate of the Shrine in North America, one of two North Dakota Masons to have held this honor. Brother Frederic O. Olsen was "raised" in Sanborn Lodge May 5, 1902, and in 1957 was one of the oldest living members of the lodge. He was made a life member May 23, 1957. He was a member almost sixty years. Brother Olsen later became a resident of Fargo where he served his city for many years as mayor. He passed away August 4, 1961.
In recent years it has been such devoted and capable men as W.'. Brother Ben E. Lyons, secretary since 1949; O'Dell Amundson, District Deputy Grand Master; and Theodore Gullickson, District Deputy Grand Lecturer; who have held the light of Masonry high in Sanborn Lodge No. 14 and have helped the lodge to add its fine contribution to our history.
__________
Wahpeton Lodge No. 15, Wahpeton
Wahpeton Lodge began, just as most of them do, by a number of interested Masons gathering together, signing a petition for dispensation and going on from there. Sometimes we have an interesting account of how the seeds were sown, some interested Mason calling a meeting in his office or store in the evening, etc., etc.; the obtaining of the signatures of the charter members; and the final trip to some sponsoring lodge for certification of proficiency in the ritual.
All this happened at Wahpeton but the first recorded meeting came on February 29, 1884, after all of these things had been accomplished and the dispensation was in their hands. Briefly, these are the facts: W.'. Brother Charles H. Sleeper appears to have been the "spark plug" as his name appears first on the petition and he was the first Worshipful Master. There were eleven signatures, all of whom qualified as charter members. Shiloh Lodge No. 8 at Fargo sponsored the lodge and the certificate of proficiency in the ritual was signed February 2, 1884. The dispensation was signed by M.'. W.'. Oscar S. Gifford, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Dakota, February 13, 1884, naming the following principal officers: W.'.M.'. Charles H. Sleeper; S.'.W.'. Henry S. Hyatt; J.'.W.'. Edward Dunlap; and later elected were Treasurer Joseph W. Blanding; and Secretary Alien J. Goodhue.
The charter was issued June 12, 1884, by the Grand Lodge of Dakota to Wahpeton Lodge No. 58 and was re-issued June 13, 1889, by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota to Wahpeton Lodge No. 15.
The lodge went right to work and the minutes of the three months in 1884 preceding Grand Lodge, indicate petitions for the degrees from two to five candidates at every meeting. One of the first came from Porter J. McCumber who was "raised" July 23, 1884, and later became one of our most distinguished United States Senators.
Interest failed in the "nineties" and the minutes of November 13, 1891, recite that no meetings had been held since September 11, 1891, for lack of a quorum. After a long discussion a vote was taken as to the advisability of surrendering their charter and they voted unanimously to continue. They also voted to notify every resident member by postcard on the day before every meeting and to post a notice of same in the post office.
This must have been successful because in 1895 we find them intent upon building their own lodge hall, which was accomplished by forming a building association, which erected a building. The association rented the lower floor to the Globe-Gazette Printing Company and the upper floor to the lodge. This arrangement continued for many years, until finally the building was taken over by the printing company and Wahpeton Lodge moved in with the I.O.O.F. who had an adequate building and needed help in maintaining it.
By 1956 the lodge, with all its appendant bodies, needed more room and began the building of its present spacious "and beautiful lodge hall, made possible by a generous bequest from Brother and Sister William Johnson of Wahpeton, other gifts and pledges, and the indefatigable energy and devotion of its secretary, W.'. Brother Arthur N. Amble, who carried the detail of work and financing to a large degree, ably assisted by Brothers Gordon V. Patterson, chairman of the building board and M. F. Poulton, Worshipful Master. The cornerstone was laid by M.'.W.'. Brother James C. McCormick, Grand Master, October 25, 1956, and, on September 14, 1957, the temple was completed and dedicated at a beautiful ceremony conducted by M.'.W.'. Brother John A. Earner, Grand Master. Most of the Grand Officers were present and assisted in the dedication ceremony.
Wahpeton Lodge No. 15 has always gone out of its way to assist in community and charitable projects and during World Wars I and II went far beyond the call of duty in assisting in war work of every kind and nature, even to the extent of impoverishing its treasury for that purpose.
Many distinguished men have come from its ranks, including Senator McCumber, mentioned above; R.'.W.'. Brother Don B. Davidson, Grand Treasurer in 1895; and M.'.W.'. Brother John J. Hull, Grand Master in 1910. Familiar names around town have been: W.'. Brothers Charles W. McKay, D. Eldon Lum, Eugene L. Lester, Harold W. White, Robert J. Hughes, R.'.W.'. Brother Clifford E. Miller, elected Grand Secretary from 1961 to 1964, and M.'.W.'. Brother William H. Hutchinson (dual), Grand Master in 1936.
__________
North Star Lodge No. 16, Larimore
As in so many instances, it was a group of Master Masons, spearheaded by one who later became the first Worshipful Master, that a meeting was called in October, 1883, to talk over the possibility of organizing a Masonic lodge at Larimore. In this case the Master Mason was W.'. Brother Albert P. Rounsevell, the meeting was held in his office and arrangements were made to apply for a petition to establish a Masonic lodge.
The petition for dispensation was signed by sixteen Masons and the certificate of proficiency in the ritual was signed by M.'.W.'. Brother Henry M. Wheeler, then W.'.M.'. of Acacia Lodge No. 15 of Grand Forks, the sponsoring lodge. M.'.W.'. Brother Wheeler was, at that time, Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Dakota and became Grand Master in 1887. The officers named in the dispensation to North Star Lodge U.'.D'.'. of Larimore were: W.'.M.'. Albert P. Rounsevell; S.'.W.'. Albert E. Sheets; J.'.W.'. Marvin M. Hagler; and elected later were Treasurer Charles J. Reynolds and Secretary John Nelson. The dispensation was dated February 16, 1884, and signed by M.'. W.'. Brother Oscar S. Gifford, Grand Master.
In March, 1884, the lodge held its first meeting and met regularly thereafter until June 12, 1884, when M.'. W.'. Brother John F. Schrader, Grand Master, signed the charter of North Star Lodge No. 59 at Larimore for the Grand Lodge of Dakota, with sixteen charter members. On June 13, 1889, the charter was re-issued by M.'. W.'. Brother James W. Cloes, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota, to North Star Lodge No. 16 of Larimore.
At first, a lodge room was fitted up over a shed used for farm machinery, where the county home now stands, but this soon proved inadequate, so the lodge moved in 1898, to the second story of a store building on Towner Avenue. The building was not completed and access, for a time, was by means of a ladder placed at one of the windows. The lodge moved June 9, 1914, to another building on its present site, and celebrated its 30th anniversary there. The building burned November 14, 1914, and the lodge moved into the Yeoman hall until its present building was ready.
Work began on the new temple in 1918 and it became one of the marvels of its time. Carefully planned, built of brick with two stories and basement, much of the rough work was done by the members, ably assisted by the ladies of the Order of Eastern Star. The money needed was supplied by the members, taking certificates in denominations of $100.00 each, payable without interest. Most of these have since been retired and never has the building fund been unable to meet its obligations. For forty years this fine temple has been maintained in perfect repair and is a credit to Masonry and to the Larimore community.
It would be impossible in the space available, to begin to recite the splendid events which have made up the first 75 years of history of North Star Lodge No. 16. One example is significant and indicates the spirit of love and charity which has always predominated among its members. In 1897 the rector of the Episcopal Church passed away, leaving his family destitute. The lodge raised sufficient money and, with donated labor, built a house which was presented to the widow and her children, free of debt. The house still stands and is in use today.
One hardly knows whom to mention in naming the great men who have served this fine lodge so well. Practically all have been dedicated to Masonry and to their community and none should be overlooked. Mention is made of only a few. There was Albert P. Rounsevell, the first Master, in 1884 and 1885; then, the following Masters: William Clone, 1888-1894; O. H. Phillips, 1898-1900; V. S. Wisner, 1903-1905; J. Dexter Pierce, 1912; A. T. Rowe, 1913-1915; Frank W. Reinoehl, 1918-1920, Junior Grand Warden, 1928, and Honorary Past Grand Master, 1934; Olaf G. Storaker, 1921; James A. Larmour, 1922; Nels P. Hemmingsen, 1923, secretary, 1949-1961; C. Nels Swanson, 1924; Clinton E, Walster, 1925, secretary, 1934-1948; George L. Bohnenblust, 1926; Edward B. Eastgate, 1932-1934 and 1943; Clinton Cummings, 1935; El Dee Cummings, 1936 and 1944; Samuel F. Halfyard, 1937, 1938, 1940 and 1942; Rupert D. Heald, 1939; Earl Brad-shaw, 1941; James H. Erickson, 1949, secretary, 1961-62; Earl D. Cooper, 1951; William B. Eastgate, 1955-1956 and 1960-1961; Vernon O. Halvorson, 1957; and Karl J. Fruetel, 1958-1960. Wonderful men, a great lodge; how could it be otherwise?
__________
The lodge at Minto was organized, like the majority, by a small band of devoted Masons who desired to have a lodge of their own in their newly settled town, which in this case was Minto, Walsh County, Dakota Territory. W.'. Brother Frederick C. Walther appeared to be their leader, as his name came first on the petition for dispensation and he was their Worshipful Master for the first four years of the existence of the lodge.
There were thirteen names on the petition, all of whom became charter members. The lodge was sponsored by Crescent Lodge No. 36, of Grafton, the certificate of proficiency having been signed by W.'. Brother DeWitt C. Moore, first Worshipful Master of Crescent Lodge, on March 8, 1884. The dispensation was granted to Esau Lodge U.'. D.'. by M.'. W.'. Brother Oscar S. Gifford, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Dakota on April 8, 1884, with the following principal officers: W.'. M.'. Frederick C. Walther; S.'. W.'. Knute O. Skatteboe; and J.'. W.'. Palaska B. Broughton.
The charter was granted to Esau Lodge No. 60 of Minto by the Grand Lodge of Dakota on June 12, 1884, and continued for one year under that name. On June 10, 1885, a petition was presented to the Grand Lodge of Dakota by the delegates from Esau Lodge No. 60 of Minto, W.'. Brothers Frederick C. Walther, W.'. M.'. and George P. Harvey, S.'. W.'. asking that the name of the lodge be changed to Minto Lodge No. 60. The petition was referred to the Committee on Chartered Lodges and granted. On June 13, 1889, the charter was re-issued to Minto Lodge No. 17 by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota.
The history of Minto Lodge was a brief one as lodges go — only fifty-eight years — and its existence was never an easy one, as we shall see. Overshadowed as it was by Crescent Lodge No. 11 at Grafton, the county seat, only 10 miles to the north, it could never attract more than its local citizens as members and these became increasingly hard to interest as time went by. The entire Minto community was later settled by Polish immigrants from overseas, and two large Catholic churches, complete with parochial schools, were established at Minto and at Warsaw, a few miles to the east. Almost immediately the picture changed; the business of both towns as well as the farming area was taken over by these new settlers and, naturally, the churches and schools went with them, until after a couple of generations, they had it all.
Many of the Protestant citizens and landowners moved to other locations, and Minto Lodge could not exist. Accordingly, on December 31, 1942, the charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge and demits were issued to all its members. It is noted that some of them affiliated with Crescent Lodge No. 11 at Grafton, some with Golden Valley Lodge No. 26 at Park River, some with St. John's Lodge No. 36 at Forest River, and some with Acacia Lodge No. 4 at Grand Forks. It is to be regretted that a fine lodge, made up of the best men of the community, could not meet the oncoming tide, but it has happened before and Masons must ever be on the alert to meet every challenge everywhere.
A few names in this historic lodge must not be overlooked. As we have noted, W.'. Brother Frederick C. Walther, W.'. M.'. from 1884-1887 was the man who carried the burden of starting the lodge, along with its charter members. Among the latter was Dr. Robert M. Evans, who was W.'. M.'. in 1889 and later, secretary. He was a remarkable character and was much beloved as the family physician of many at Minto. Along with him was Julius W. Boeing, the druggist, who was Dr. Evans' counterpart. Then there was W.'. M.'. John Miller who headed the lodge nine years and was always on hand when needed most. W.'. Brother John N. Bathgate, a blacksmith, was W.'. M.'. in 1901-1903, then affiliated with Acacia Lodge No. 4 at Grand Forks, and was active there until his death. Samuel D. Thomson, a farmer, was W.'. M.'. from 1914-1917, and was always active. Harry H. Hewitt was W.'. M.'. from 1920-1922. Last but not least came William J. Barclay, W.'. M.'. in 1942, the last of a noble race of men. No one will ever know how much good they performed.
__________
Few lodges in North Dakota have compiled a more complete or accurate history than that of Mackey Lodge No. 18, at LaMoure, which was prepared and printed as a part of its fiftieth anniversary program for June 7, 1935, and of which copies are filed in the Grand Lodge Library in Fargo. From it we learn that the first building in LaMoure was completed in April, 1883, and in May, 1884, a number of Masons met in the real estate office of Holaday and Moon for the purpose of organizing a Masonic lodge.
As a result of this meeting, fourteen men signed a petition for a dispensation to operate a lodge, which was certified on May 9, 1884, by W.'. Brother Harry S. Oliver, the first Worshipful Master of Sheyenne Valley Lodge No. 41 at Lisbon, its sponsor. The dispensation was signed June 14, 1884, by M.'. W.'. Brother John F. Schrader, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Dakota, with the following principal officers: W.'. M.'. John B. Holaday; S.'. W.'. George A. Temple; J.'. W.'. John T. Butler; Treasurer Rufus D. Button; and Secretary Samuel H. Moer.
The lodge went right to work and on August 5, 1884, the first meeting was held in quarters rented in Lloyd's Bankers' building, which were occupied by the lodge for about five years. Then they met in the Boynton building until 1910; back to the Lloyd's Bankers' building until 1942; and over the LaMoure creamery since then.
The charter was granted on June 11, 1885, by the Grand Lodge of Dakota and signed by M.'. W.'. Brother William Blatt, Grand Master, to Mackey Lodge No. 63 of LaMoure. The original fourteen signers became charter members. The charter was re-issued June 13, 1889, by the Grand Lodge of North Dakota to Mackey Lodge No. 18 of LaMoure. It is interesting to note that the lodge was constituted July 18, 1885, by W.'. Brother Harry S. Oliver of Sheyenne Valley Lodge No. 41 of Lisbon, acting as Deputy Grand Master; and that he was present again on December 15, 1896, when he installed the officers of Mackey Lodge No. 63.
The lodge has always been active in city, school and c