grand secretary. The following officers were elected and installed: Edward Klein, W. M.; H. D. LaCossitt, S. W.; L. D. Palmer, J. W.; James A. Humphreys, Treas.; R. Ackerman, Sec.; J. D. Stephenson, S. D.; John Benham, J. D.; L. B. Adams, tyler. All of the officers were present, as also were J. P. Walton, J. W. Smith and H. D. Jellison, G. D. Magoon, J. S. Lakin, J. J. Lower, J. Hinds, T. S. Battell, W. R. McCulloch, P. L. Washburn, S. M. Doolittle, Benjamin Beach. S. G. Stein and John Benham were charter members, but were absent from the first meeting and installation of officers. The death of Hon. Henry Clay, statesman, orator and great protectionist, was announced at this meeting and on July 5th of that year, memorial services in honor of the famous Kentuckian, were held at the Methodist church, the Masonic bodies attending. On this occasion Henry Clay Dean delivered the oration, and a poem, ascribed to E. Klein, was read.

FIRST MASONIC CELEBRATION.

In 1852, on the 4th day of November, the Masons held their first celebration in Muscatine. The various bodies met in the lodge rooms in the morning and marched to the court house, where they listened to addresses and discussed an appetizing dinner. Even at that time the affair was considered old-fashioned for, in the words of J. P. Walton, "it brought out all the old regalia of the past century. Some of the aprons worn by the master Masons probably cost $40 or $50. Most every one wore a satin apron, trimmed in blue. I recollect getting one for the occasion that cost some five dollars. On these aprons nearly all the emblems of the order were emblazoned. The Royal Arch Masons and the Knights Templar were there in their regalias. This was the last time that most of these regalias appeared. In the evening we had a grand ball in the court house, and here was where the young lodge was ahead of the old one."

GRAND LODGE MEETS IN MUSCATINE.

June 7, 1853, the grand lodge met in Muscatine, in I. O. O. F. hall, corner of Chestnut and Second streets. It cost the local lodges twenty-four dollars to entertain these grand officers.

By the middle of the year 1853 dissensions and discords in Humphrey lodge reached such proportions that a decision was reached to surrender its charter. This was accomplished in July, and the lodge was dissolved. Matters were finally adjusted and September 15, 1853, the charter was returned to the lodge, work was commenced where it had been left in abeyance about two months, and everything went on again as though nothing of a serious nature had happened.

In May, 1854, a resolution was offered by E. Klein to change the name of the lodge and at a subsequent meeting of the same month the name, Hawkeye, was chosen. The first officers of Hawkeye Lodge, No. 30, were as follows: L. D. Palmer, W. M.; Thomas Mercer, S. W.; Samuel Tarr, J. W.; S. B. Crane, Treas.; H. D. Jellison, Sec.; John Hunter, S. D.; M. McGrath, J. D.; J. P. Walter, tyler.

The nucleus of a Masonic library was secured in July, 1855, fifty dollars being appropriated for the purchase of The Universal Masonic Library.

In December, 1884, an effort was made to unite the two lodges, Iowa No. 2, and Hawkeye No. 30, and the proposition was strongly urged by Grand Secretary T. S. Parvin. The resolution was lost by a vote of twenty-four to four

teen.

The semi-centennial of Masonry in Muscatine was held February 16, 1891, both lodges taking part. Grand Secretary T. S. Parvin, one of the founders of Iowa Lodge, No. 2, delivered an address and many others followed him. A banquet was served in Armory hall.

An auxiliary Masonic body known as the Order of Eastern Star was first organized in the fall of 1855 and again in 1864, but lay dormant until May 27, 1867, when a meeting was called and

THE CONSTANCY FAMILY.

was temporarily organized. Two weeks later the organization was made permanent, with P. A. Braumfield, O. P. Waters, W. B. Langridge, W. Leffingwell, J. S. Pinkham, J. P. Walton and G. A. Garrettson, charter members. The associate members were: Sarah Stallcup, Mary E. Walton, Carrie A. Barrows, Frances R. Leffingwell, Harriet A. Braumfield, Mary Pinkham and Elizabeth A. Garrettson. The selection of officers were: P. A. Braumfield, patron; Elizabeth A. Garrettson, patroness; William Leffingwell, conductor; Harriet A. Braumfield, conductress; Frances L. Leffingwell, treasurer; Carrie A. Barrows, recorder; O. P. Waters, watchman.

ELECTA CHAPTER OF THE EASTERN STAR, NO. 32.

It had been decided to reorganize, and on January 10, 1874, contributions were made to secure a charter for a chapter degree and the name of Electa Chapter of the Eastern Star, No. 32, was adopted. The following officers were elected and installed: W. B. Langridge, W. P.; Mrs. Sally Block, W. M.; Mrs. Harriet Braumfield, A. M.; Mrs. A. Hawley, Treas.; Mrs. H. E. Simpson, Sec.; Mrs. Julia Dunn, conductress; Mrs. J. P. Walton, assistant conductress; Mrs. Pian M. Pyeatt, warden; G. C. Winn, sentinel; Mrs. J. C. Parmalee, Adah; Miss Lillie Morrison, Ruth; Mrs. Rebecca Miller, Martha; Mrs. R. B. Ewing, Electa.

The various meeting places of the Masonic bodies of Muscatine are here given: First in a frame building on First street, just east of Chestnut; from 1841 to 1854, in second story of Trinity church building; short time in the rooms of I. O. O. F., corner of Chestnut and Second; next in the fourth story of the Masonic building on Second, between Walnut and Cedar streets. After this a few meetings were held in the third story of a building on the corner of Chestnut and Second and then later in rooms over 118 West Second street, then back to the Masonic block, after which, for a number of years they were in the building on the southwest corner of Iowa avenue and Second street. From there the lodge went to the building owned by Dr. S. G. Stein on the north.

side of Second street, between Iowa avenue and Sycamore street. In the third story of this building rooms were fitted up in 1901 and occupied by the several Masonic bodies and there they are today, although the prospects are not dis couraging for a Masonic Temple to be built at no very distant day, on the beautiful lot on the corner diagonally from the northwest corner of the court house square, which some time ago was purchased for the purpose.

Washington Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted under dispensation granted by the Ninth Royal Arch Commandery of the United States and a charter was granted September 17, 1852, to the following charter members: Ansel Humphreys, Theodore S. Parvin, George Wilkison, Josiah Parvin, William Williams, J. D. Biles and George Plitt. The first officers were: Ansel Humphreys, M. E. H. P.; Theodore S. Parvin, king; George Wilkison, scribe; J. D. Beyers, C. of H.; William Williams, P. S.; L. A. Williams, R. A. C.; Josiah Parvin, M. of Third Veil; B. Brooks, M. of Second Veil; Madden, M. of First Veil.

De Molay Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar was instituted under dispensation from the grand commandery of the United States, represented by Sir Knight W. B. Hubbard, general grand master of the general grand encampment, March 14, 1855. The first officers were: Theodore S. Parvin, M. E. G. C.; J. L. Hazin, generalissimo; William Reynolds, captain general; William Leffingwell, M. E. P.; L. D. Palmer, S. W.; William Gordon, J. W.; J. B. Dougherty, treasurer; J. H. Wallace, recorder; J. R. Hotsock, sword bearer; Henry Hoover, warder. A charter was granted in September, 1856, and the following officers were installed: Theodore S. Parvin, E. C.; A. Chambers, generalissimo; G. W. Wilkison, captain general; William Leffingwell, prelate; J. P. Dougherty, treasurer; G. A. Satterlee, recorder; L. D. Palmer, sword bearer; W. Gordon, J. W.; Henry Hoover, warder; G. D. Magoon, sword bearer; L. Carmichael, standard bearer; D. T. Miller, guard.

MUSCATINE LODGE, NO. 5, I. O. O. F.

This lodge, as its number would indicate, was one of the first organizations of the order of Odd Fellows to be started in the state of Iowa. It was instituted March 23, 1846, sixty-five years ago. The charter members were: E. H. Albee, Richard Cadle, H. Johns, Pliny Fay, Joseph Bridgman and J. R. Burnett. The first officers were: E. H. Albee, N. G.; R. Cadle, V. G.; Osic John, Sec.; Pliny Fay, Treas. There were in all about twenty-five charter members. The present membership is about 150.

On March 11, 1870, in the city of Burlington, a charter signed by William W. Moore, G. M., and William Garrett, Grand Secretary of the Miriam Rebekah Lodge, was issued to Muscatine on application of the following persons, only three of whom are now living: W. B. Keeler, Benjamin Beach, S. G. Stein, Mrs. A. C. Stein, J. Bridgman and wife, Mrs. M. Block, Richard Cadle, W. H. Stewart, W. P. Reynolds, James Pyeatt and wife, Mrs. W. B. Keeler, Mrs. Sarah Hoch, John Lemp, R. Musser, C. R. Fox, Philip Stein, J. R. Reuling, Mrs. L. W. Reuling, Mrs. Anna Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. Humberger, W. B. Langridge and wife. There were in all twenty-one charter members, and from

that small number the lodge has increased until now it is the largest in the state. In 1902, at the state assembly, Mrs. C. A. W. Kent received the honor of being chosen president of the state association.

Prairie Encampment, No. 4, was instituted in 1853. For certain causes after the lapse of several years the charter was surrendered to the grand scribe, together with the books and papers. These latter have never been returned to the lodge. But a new charter was granted October 19, 1869, and the following officers were elected: Joseph Bridgman, C. P.; W. B. Keeler, H. P.; S. G. Stein, S. W.; H. M. Hine, J. W.; Ed. Hoch, scribe; M. Block, secretary. These officials were installed January 5, 1870.

WYOMING LODGE, NO. 76, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

The Knights of Pythias organized their lodge in Muscatine, May 18, 1882, and since that time it has grown in numbers and influence. It has furnished to the state organization some of its most influential men as state officials. R. B. Huff and Will M. Narvis have been grand chancellors. H. J. Lauder, now past and gone, and Dr. C. H. Sterneman have held the position of grand master-atarms. The list of charter members consisted of forty-six, and at present the membership of the lodge numbers over 200. The headquarters of Wyoming are in K. of P. hall on Iowa avenue.

The charter members were: William Musser, E. C. Cook, H. J. Lauder, J. A. Pickler, G. R. Cloud, H. C. Madden, W. G. Block, Cal W. Smith, John Hoehl, A. J. Barger, William Hoffman, W. W. Clark, George Keckler, C. W. Bridgman, C. W. Page, John Trevis, John W. Hahn, Jr., N. B. Chesebro, S. E. Walcott, C. W. Conaway, F. Stewart, A. W. Garlock, George Koehler, John Robertson, R. B. Huff, J. F. Beard, A. L. Hackett, C. F. Allen, W. L. Sharp, J. W. Page, George O'Brien, Isaac Hoffman, Fred Bridgman, Charles Climer, E. H. Dolsen, William Huttig, Jr., J. Linn Hoopes, A. H. Chapman, R. C. Schenck, C. H. Sterneman, L. W. Hine, W. F. Ichoff, C. W. Hawley, and S. Gordon. R. B. Huff was the first chancellor commander.

Irving Temple, Rathbone Sisters, an auxiliary of Wyoming Lodge, was organized on the evening of December 8, 1892, with fifty-two charter members. In 1901 the men were admitted to membership.

MUSCATINE CAMP, NO. 106, MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.

A lodge of Woodmen of America was organized in Muscatine, July 13, 1885, with twenty-six charter members. In the first ten years of its existence the membership of the camp increased to about 125, and at the present time there are in the neighborhood of 1,000 members. The Modern Woodmen of America is one of the strongest fraternal organizations in the United States and the local camp stands among the highest in the state.

The largest woman's lodge in Muscatine is that of Woodbine Camp, No. 142, Royal Neighbors of America, an auxiliary of Muscatine Camp, No. 106. The lodge was organized in Shamrock hall in 1895 with 108 members. At present it has something over 300 members, all women, who have established several

sub-organizations known as the Royal Neighbors Sunshine Club and the Royal Neighbors Aid Society.

MUSQUITINE TRIBE, NO. 95, INDEPENDENT ORDER RED MEN.

The Musquitine Tribe of Red Men was granted a charter November 28, 1898, with the following initial members: Frank A. Johnson, Dennis O'Leary, J. J. Felger, D. Klosterman, E. G. O'Brien, J. Pfieffer, George Schmidt, John Gorman, Herman Tadewald, J. Weiss, W. H. Schneider, Fred Dilchert, D. Dale, George Volger, H. Haifleigh, John Rowan, John Neibert, J. A. Tracy, Edward Hagerman, H. C. Eierman, Scott Middleton, W. H. Kindler, F. T. Dolsen, Phil J. Mackey, W. D. Hine, James Wier.

The tribe has gained rapidly in membership, has at present almost 600 and to its credit are given thirteen past sachems. No fraternal order surpasses the Red Men in the handsome manner it does things when entertaining. During the life of the lodge it has given enjoyment to vast throngs of people and to immense Fourth of July celebrations at Weed Park, the Street Carnival and many social events. In 1907 E. G. O'Brien, one of the charter members, was honored at the state convention with the office of great sachem.

Ramona Council, No. 52, Degree of Pocahontas, was organized by E. G. O'Brien and instituted by Mrs. Kate Bronson, of Des Moines, April 20, 1906, with sixty charter members. At this time (1911) it has about 140 members.

BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS, NO. 304.

The local order of Elks was organized June 10, 1895. The first exalted ruler was A. Sherwood Kerr, who served during the years 1895 and 1896. His successor was S. A. Borger. The first secretary of the organization was George K. Wagner. The organization has a membership of about 200, and is today one of the most prosperous and influential fraternal orders in the city of Muscatine.

In 1907 the Elks purchased the Batterson homestead on East Front street and converted it into one of the finest homes for club and lodge purposes within the confines of the state, expending in the purchase price and remodeling of the building enough money to make the value of the property at least $50,000.

EAGLE LODGE ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN, NO. 10.

This fraternal insurance order was organized June 9, 1875, with thirteen charter members, and grew rapidly until now it assumes the dignity of being the largest Workman lodge of the state, totaling its membership to 875. It has an auxiliary in the A. P. O. N. T. The charter members of Eagle Lodge were: S. H. Downey, G. W. Keckler, W. F. Eichoff, J. M. Bishop, T. S. Berry, G. A. Nicholson, J. K. Martin, J. Robertson, A. S. Knowles, J. L. Berry, H. S. Howe, G. W. Stewart and W. T. Kirk. Following were the first officers: J. K. Martin, P. M. W.; S. H. Downey, M. W.; J. Robertson, G. F.; W. T. Kirk,