MASONRY IN NEILLSVILLE 1867 -1967

Clark County, Wisconsin

Transcribed by Stan Schwarze.

 

The Neillsville Masonic Temple Lodge No. 163, was erected in 1928

Historic Building Tour of Neillsville, WI

 

 

Surnames: Marsh, Ring, French, Clark, Klopf, Zimmerman, Brown, Musil, Kleckner, Baer, Wildish, Martin, Smith, Sturdevant, Rawson, Devos, Ure, Jackson, Stockwell, Bruhn, Kluchesky, Tufts, Grap, Larsen, Bechtel, Workds, King, McIntosh, Thompson, Manley, Bacon, Furlong, Boardman, Austin, Pope, Allen, Wall, Gates

 

Source: Document prepared by Alfred J. Kleckner; provided by the Neillsville Jail House Museum staff

 

This year, 1967, is the 100th Anniversary of Neillsville Lodge No. 163, F. and A.M.

 

For some time past there has been some talk that we should hold some kind of celebration in recognition of the event.  However, nothing much was done in the way of making any preparations for a celebration until this spring when P.M. Bro. Lawrence J. Kluchesky volunteered to be chairman of a committee to formulate plans for a banquet and program.

 

It was decided that we should hold a banquet at the high school dining room with a program to follow.

 

It was also decided to make up a booklet containing data pertaining to the 100 years of Masonry in Neillsville.

 

Accordingly, some of the first questions to come up were ? Where are the early records of the Lodge?  Where were the first meetings of the Lodge held?  It seemed that no one of the present day ever heard of the Lodge meeting at any location other than at our present Temple and at the immediately previous location on the upper floor of the Marsh Store, as it is commonly known, located at the  northwest corner of Fifth and Hewett Streets, and which has since been occupied by the J.C. Penney Co, and is at the present time occupied by McCain?s Dry Good and Ready Wear.  Later on when reference is made about this location, it may be referred to as the Marsh Building.

 

The record books with the minutes of the Lodge proceedings were found.  The minutes revealed many interesting facts and items which have been recorded over the years since a dispensation was first granted the Lodge by the Grand Lodge of the State of Wisconsin on Aug. 3, 1866 by the then Grand Master, Bro. M. L. Young, Black River Falls Lodge being our sponsoring Lodge.

 

A Brother Benjamin F. French was the first Master of the Lodge.  This piece of information was of common knowledge but it also was about all that was known regarding the Lodge?s early history.

 

By checking against the minutes of the Lodge and with information from and by the records of one of our oldest members, Bro. William A. Campman, who has been in the Abstract business the past sixty some years her in Neillsville; with Bro. William Gallagher, City Clerk with the city records; with help from Bro. Vern Hansen, Register of Deeds of Clark County; old Clark County histories and with such other sources of information as could be obtained, it is reasonable to assume that the following record and statements are very close to being accurate.

 

During the convocation of the Grand Lodge of the State of Wisconsin held on June 11, 1867, a Charter was issued to Neillsville Lodge No. 163, F. and A.M., and on July 25 a meeting was held on the Lodge was duly constituted by a Bro. C.C. Pope of Black River Falls by authority of the then Grand Master, Brother Harlow Pease, with the following brothers as the first officers of the Lodge:  Bro. B.F. French, W.M., Bro. G.W. King, W.W., Bro. E.H. McIntosh, J.W., Bro. P.J. Thompson, Treas., Bro. A.J. Manley, Sec?y, Bro. E.H. Bacon, S.D., Bro, Jas. Furlong, J.D.

 

The first entry of interest in the minutes show that on Jan. 3, 1867 an order for $31.00 was allowed by the Lodge in favor of O.P. Wells for rent of a store used by the Lodge.  It is the building located at the northeast corner of Fifth and West Streets.  The building is now occupied by the Anderson Caf?and Bus Stop and was known as the Wells Building as late as the early 1900?s.  This location is evidently the location where the first meetings of the Lodge were held.

 

The minutes of the Lodge do not show, except occasionally, when bills were presented and allowed.  There are, however, a few entries where rent of several amounts have been allowed for the renting of locations other than the Wells Building.  Dispensations from the Grand Lodge were given on occasion for the Lodge to meet at several different locations.  The exact span of time that the Lodge met in the several locations is not definite, however, it is quite definite that the different locations that will be referred to as places where the Lodge held meetings is correct.  By checking the names of the parties to whom rent was paid with the records of ownership of the Courthouse, it leaves little chance for doubt about the locations.

 

At the meeting held Dec. 19, 1867 a Board of Trustees were elected with power to buy, sell and hold property according to the Laws of the State of Wisconsin.  The trustees elected were: Bro?s. B.F. French, E.H. McIntosh, and J.P. Johnson.

 

At a meeting of Sept. 3, 1868 they report the purchase of a desk for the secretary for $20.00.  Evidently they were not any more flush with money in those days than they are now, having waited this long to provide a desk.

 

By the time 1872 had rolled around they evidently had found new lodge quarters, for it is found that on Dec. 5, 1872, a bill was presented from C.E. Adams and Co. for rent amounting to $100.00, being rent of hall to Aug. 20, 1872.  C.E. Adams and Co. had a general store in a building situated on the west side of Hewett Street between Sixth and Seventh about across from the present Post Office.  It is very likely that it was the upper floor that was used.  This building was later occupied by John K. Klopf with a salon.  Later it was occupied as a saloon by John Aichinger, Hy. Seidelmann, and August Storm.  A red Owl Grocery Store conducted business there for a short time and the building, which is no doubt the original building with a brick covering, is occupied at present by Horswill?s Caf?and Tavern.

 

On May 1, 1873, by motion of the Lodge, Bro?s. S.C. Boardman, Geo. A. Austin and Pope were appointed a committee to purchase lots in the cemetery.

 

A lot was evidently purchased, although there is nothing to indicate it on the Lodge books, until many years later.  The records at the City Hall show that on Dec. 3, 1883 the Lodge paid $14.00 for a ten grave lot.  In the minutes of Jan. 20, 1927 in the Trustees report to the Lodge for the year 1926, an item is listed showing that the Trustees had income from the sale of one-half cemetery lot for $20.00, it being the east half of the lot which was sold to Bro. Frank E. Brown.

 

At the meeting held Sept. 3, 1873 a bill was presented and allowed for the amount of $34.00 for a coffin for a Bro. Lewis Thompson, deceased.  This brother was buried in a grave at the south end of the lot which the Lodge still owns and the grove is marked with a headstone showing the name of Lewis Thompson.

 

It seem that in the earlier days the Lodge assisted on several occasions with the burial expenses of a departed brother and assistance to deceased brother?s families.  The records show that on several occasions the Lodge voted contributions to whole communities where disasters such as fire and flood had occurred and help had been requested.

 

On Nov. 6, 1873 the Masons at Humbird asked for a recommendation to the Grand Lodge so that they might get a dispensation to form a Lodge at Humbird.

 

At a meeting held June 18, 1874 a committee of Bro?s. W.C. Allen, S.C. Boardman and Geo. A. Austin were appointed to make arrangements for another lodge room and report back at the next meeting.  They reported at the next meeting that Bro. Austin had seen Mr. S.F. Jaseph, who offered to build the lower story of a brick building on 22 x 80 ft. lot, the Lodge then to build the upper story for a lodge room at a cost from the builder of $2000.00 for the upper half.  There is nothing to indicate where the location of this lot was, nor is there any further reference in the minutes as to how the project was disposed of.

 

The Sept. 3, 1874 minutes read that the Grand Master issued a dispensation Aug. 9, 1874 for the Lodge to hold communications in the hall occupied by the Odd Fellows until the next annual communication.  The October 15 records show that the Odd Fellows Hall was rented of Eyerly and Breed until Jun 1, 1875 for $5.00 per month.

 

The location referred to was owned by Eyerly and was situated on the southwest corner of Fifth and West Streets.  The upper floor was a large room having a balcony at one end and was used for lodge purposes by both the Odd Fellows and the Masons.  This location is now owned by Bro. Fred Wall and used as offices.

 

At this time the Masons at Colby asked the Lodge for a recommendation to the Grand Lodge so that they might receive a dispensation to form a new lodge at Colby.

 

The minutes of April 15, 1875 indicate that the desire for a new building of their own was again being considered, as a committee of Bro?s. Lacey, McBride, and Reed were appointed to see about purchasing a lot, etc. as they would see fit for building and procuring a new Masonic hall.

 

On June 17, 1875 a request was made to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to continue meeting in the Eyerly building another year.  The request was granted June 23.  At this same meeting the members were asked to donate what they were able to give to a fund with which to build a Masonic hall.  The minutes also read that Bro. B.F. French donated to the Lodge the lot on which the D. Dickinson store stands on which to build a Masonic hall.  It is not known just where this lot was located and there is no mention either at this meeting or at any future meeting where any reference is made regarding the donation made by Bro. French.

 

The records read that at the meeting held Oct. 7, 1875 the Lodge rented the hall in the Chauncey Blakeslee building at $100.00 per year and moved to the new building.  This was the fourth location used by the Lodge.  This building was located at the southwest corner of Sixth and Hewett Streets.  The present Neillsville Bank was organized in 1879 and has occupied the lower floor of this location ever since.  They replaced the old building about 1913 with the fine building as we know it today.  The records show that this property was owned by Chauncey Blakeslee from 1857 to late 1875.  It then became the property of Sam Gates and in 1882 his son, J.L. Gates became a half owner.  For many years after, it was known as the Gates Block, even after ownership by the Neillsville Bank.  Mention is made of this ownership as later on the minutes show that rent was paid by the Lodge to J.L. Gates for the use of a hall rented from him and most likely at this location.

 

The minutes of Dec. 6, 1877 would indicate that the Lodge was then located in a building rented from D. Dickinson.  The March 21, 1878 minutes mention renting from D. Dickinson at $85.00 per year and on April 3, 1879 of leasing the same hall at $6.00 per month.  A copy of this lease is still on file in the Lodge archives.  Again on Jan. 5, 1882 a committee met with D. Dickinson about renting lodge room for the next year at $100.00 for the year.

 

This building was located on the south side of Fifth Street between Hewett and West Streets, and has since been replace in the 1930?s by the present City Hall.  The lower floor of the old building was used as the City Hall and the upstairs for the Police Court for many years prior to when it was replace.  Access to the hall on the upper floor was by an outside covered stairway.  It was by the reference to the outside stairway which lead to the identification of the location of this property.

 

By Aug. 21, 1884 arrangements had been made with J.L. Gates to rent the hall from him at $100.00 per year.  This location continued to be rented through 1886, when the minutes show that the Lodge, on December 2 rented the hall owned by the Odd Fellows, which is situated on the southeast corner of Fifth and West Streets which was built in 1878.  The Lodge moved to this hall the last of December 1886 with rent at $50.00 per year, heat and lights furnished, for meeting to be held on the first and third Thursday of each month.  The lease for this hall is also still in possession of the Lodge.  The building is still owned and occupied by the Odd Fellows of Neillsville, the lower floor now being used as the office of the Wisconsin Gas Company.

 

At the meeting of Jan. 6, 1877 it is recorded that for $3.10 a dispensation was issued by the Grand Lodge permitting Neillsville Lodge to hold their meetings in the new location.  By now the Lodge had used locations on three of the four corners of the intersection of Fifth and West Streets since their first meetings in 1866 held in the Wells Building.

 

On May 5, 1887 a bill allowed for $18.40, it being for Stewards Rods and Winding Stairs.  These no doubt are the ones used today.

 

The Lodge on Feb. 13, 1888 was convened in Special Communication for the purpose of conducting the funeral service of Past Master Br. Benjamin F. French, the first Master of the Lodge who had passed away February 11.  The minutes of this meeting are quite lengthy, giving the names of the many members present as well as a lengthy ?Resolution of Respect? which had been prepared for this highly respected Mason.

 

By 1891 the bug to be on the move was again biting some of the members, for the meeting of Jan. 15 a committees of Bro?s. C.S. Stockwell, W.M., Past Master S.C. Boardman and A.B. Marsh was appointed to secure a new place to hold meeting.  At a regular meeting on May 21 a Special meeting was called to be held on May 28 to consider an option which the committee had acquired on the building known as the Hewett and Wood Brick Store.

 

At the regular meeting of June 18 a Special meeting was called for June 26 to settle the question of buying the building.  At the June 26 Special meeting the Lodge arranged to buy the upper half of the Hewett and Woods building along with the Marsh Brothers; W.J. Marsh and a brother, Lute; purchasing the upper floor valued as one-third interest with Marsh Brothers owning the lower floor with a two-thirds interest in the property.

 

The Lodge accordingly secured a loan of $1000.00 at 8% per year interest and with the loan and $333.33 from the Lodge Treasury they purchased their share of the building.  This ownership continued until Dec. of 1922, when the Lodge moved to the new Temple which we now have and Bro. W.J. Marsh purchased the Lodge?s share of the old building.

 

On Dec. 17, 1891 the Masons of Greenwood asked the Lodge for a recommendation to the Grand Lodge so they might receive a dispensation to form a Lodge at Greenwood.

 

As a dispensation was granted by the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Wisconsin on Nov. 18, 1891 to the local members of form a Chapter in Neillsville, it was now necessary for them to have a place to hold meetings.  This was provided for by the Lodge when, at their meeting held Dec. 3, 1891, agreement was made with the Chapter whereby they could meet in the Lodge hall on such nights as not to interfere with the meetings of the Lodge.  The Chapter was to pay the sum of $50.00 per year and two-thirds of the cost of wood with which to heat the hall.

 

In March of 1894 when the Chapter of Eastern Star was being organized they also were to have use of the Lodge Hall.  The first year was to be rent free with the Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter equally responsible for the expense.  Thereafter, the Chapter and Eastern Star were each to pay $50.00 per year plus one-third of the expenses of lights, fuel and other necessary expenses for the upkeep of the Lodge?s ownership of their one-third interest in the property.

 

This arrangement continued until in 1910 when the local Commandery was formed and the they also were to share the all for their meetings; then they too were to pay $50.00 per year but the necessary expenses were then to be divided four ways instead of three.

 

At the meeting of the Lodge on Feb. 21, 1895 a committee was appointed to consider the purchase of an organ, and on June 20 the motion was made and carried that the Lodge pay $25.00 on the purchase of an organ valued at $75.00, balance to be paid equally by the Chapter and Star.  The organ is in relatively good condition and is now a relic and still in the Temple.

 

On July 4, 1895 Bro. W.J. Marsh made a proposition to the Lodge as to the cost of building an addition on to the west end of the building.  This seemingly was not favorably accepted by the members.  However, on July 6 the minutes read that a motion was made and carried whereby the Lodge granted permission to the Chapter to go along with the Marsh Brothers and put up the addition to the building, extending it about 32 feet to the west, the expense of the addition to be borne by the Chapter and Marsh Brothers, but with no expense to the Lodge.

 

It is in evidence today that the addition was built to the west of the original building, but there is no record on the books that the addition was made nor of its cost or that it was a gift from the Chapter.  The addition gave the Marsh?s more store space with the upper floor providing the Lodge with a very fine kitchen and dinning room area which during the years they remained in that location was used extensively.

 

After moving into the Marsh building, the Lodge was continually very busy accepting new members as well as with social gathering.  After the kitchen and dinning area became available it was seldom that a Master Mason  degree conferred that a six-thirty supper was not served or an oyster stew served later in the evening.  These suppers were usually put on by the members of the Lodge, sometimes with the help of a few Stars and occasionally by the Star.  The records show that 35 to 60 more members were usually on hand for a good feed.  At one social event of Masons and Stars mention is mage that about 100 were present for the occasion.

 

Speaking of good feeds, the minutes show that at one meeting a motion was made that at the next meeting when a degree was to be put on that a oyster stew should be provided.  This motion was later amended to the effect that the oyster stew should be seasoned with a little pepper, salt, a few crackers and a little water.  No doubt that about that time someone was getting a little needling.

 

The story goes that at another time when a six-thirty supper was to precede the conferring of a degree; in the afternoon of that day one member met one of the stewards and asked if they would have a feed that evening.  Sure enough, when Bro. Youmans sat down at the table he was served with a generous bowl of feed provided by Bro. A.B. marsh.  It just happened that Bro. Marsh was the steward and he also happened to be in the feed business.  It seems that even in these days we sometimes have such instances arise when some  well meaning steward may become the target of some choice remark.

 

If what has just been related has not brought a smile to the faces of some of the members of this day, maybe the following items which are taken from the minutes of the Lodge while in the Marsh building will turn the trick.

 

Neillsville had been provided to some extent with an electric light system since 1882, because of a few men who also happened to be Masons.  The Lodge hall being wired, was lighted with carbon lamps, that being the type in use in those days.  This lighting cost the Lodge five cents per light bulb per quarter.  The financial report of the Lodge shows that for the year 1895 the light bull amounted to $5.00 for the entire year.

 

Janitor expense was another item that took its toll. During the early years while in the Marsh building, janitor service was furnished at a rate of twenty-five cents per meeting night.  Later it was doubled to fifty cents per night, and again doubled to one dollar.  Fuel was another item.  The hall was heated with two large round heaters stoked with wood.  Usually an 18 inch cord of wood cost about $2.00 per cord, with the Lodge paying 50 cents for carrying it up from the sidewalk and piling it on the upper floor.  The carrying up of the wood was usually done by young boys eager for the job.  Lucky is the Lodge that they do not have to have wood carried up to the second floor today.  It is hardly likely there would be any boys looking for the work as it would be more strenuous than basketball or football, and far from as much fun.  The cost for wood was about $2.00 per month for the year.

 

In the year 1909 the Lodge purchased the Pillars which they now have, and in 1922, a new Bible.  In 1912 Br. J.W. Lynch made the cabinets we still have in the Lodge room at the a cost of $26.25.

 

For many years prior to 1916 the dues had been $2.50 per year, with the fees at $40.00.  Starting with Jan. 1, 1917, the dues were raised to $3.00 and in 1923 to $5.00, and the fees to $50.00.

 

The minutes of June 2, 1904 record that the Marshfield and Neillsville Lodges shared equal cost to charter a train for $150.00 to run from Marshfield through Neillsville to provide transportation for members and their families to attend a picnic at Black River Falls sponsored by what is called the Annual Picnic Association.  The latest that it can be recalled that a picnic was held under the sponsoring of this group was in the mid-1920?s.

 

On Dec. 15, 1910, the minutes read that the Lodge had purchased the property situated on the southeast corner of Hewett and Fifth Streets, which is not the location of the Mobil Service Station.  It was though that the Lodge might at some future time erect a new building on the site with stores in the lower part and lodge rooms above.  However, there were some members who favored a ground level location for the lodge so some years later the present site of the Temple, the home of Bro. M.C. Ring, was purchased and the property at Hewett and Fifth Street was sold.

 

At the meeting on Dec. 26, 1913 there was presented to Past Master, Bro. Spencer M. Marsh, a Past Masters Jewell on behalf of the Lodge.  Bro. Marsh had by that time been Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin and was about to move to a new home in California.  This is the only instance where a Past Masters Jewell has ever been presented to a Past Master of the Lodge.

 

In the Fall of 1915 Bro. W.J. Marsh remodeled the front of the building with plate glass without any cost to the Lodge.

 

When services were held for a deceased brother during the time while in the Marsh building, if the services were not held at the home or church, it was the custom to hold them in the Neillsville Opera House, now referred to as the Armory, situated on East Fourth Street between Hewett and Court Streets.

 

On Nov. 3, 1915 Past Master Bro. Homer C. Clark, a lawyer and well known Mason throughout the state, was killed in an automobile accident.  Services for Bro. Clark were held on Sunday, Nov. 7, and it was the largest funeral ever held in Neillsville.  On the occasion a special train was run from Milwaukee to Neillsville to bring many of those who were present.  The train remained here until the services were over before making the return trip.  The services were held from his home, located two house east of the Methodist Church on East Fourth Street, across from the old high school.

 

In the minutes it is recorded that about 450 Masons from throughout the state were present and every lodge in the vicinity of Neillsville was represented.  The attendance was augmented by many hundreds of local people.

 

On July 27, 1920 funeral service were held for Bro. Henry W. Klopf, who had died very suddenly.  His was another large funeral held at the Armory.  Bro. Klopf, having been a military man and Captain of the local Company for years, had at his funerl the entire Third Regiment Band.  They came by train from Wausau to play and march in the funeral procession to the cemetery.  They also remained for the evening when they rendered a Band Concert for the benefit of the public.  This was done as the wish of Bro. Klopf with the expenses paid from his estate.

 

The records of the Lodge from here on do not give any items of particular interest until it come to the time of building and moving into the new Temple.  During the year 1928 the Old M.C. Ring house was removed and the new Temple built.  It was completed so that in late December the Lodge moved in and on Jan. 1, 1929 the dedication took place.

 

There is very little recorded in the minutes relating to the activities of that day.  There were some 200 Masons, Stars and Friends on hand for the dedication, and the dinner that was served in the Lodge dining room, at $1.00 per person.

 

Past Grand Master of Masons of Wisconsin, Bro. Frank Johnson of Black River Falls represented the Grand Master and acted as Grand Master with the following Brothers of Neillsville Lodge in the respective stations:

 

Brother Leo M. Jackson was Master of the Lodge at the time of the dedication but he was too busy as Host and looking after the welfare of all present to be in the line of officers.

 

Being located in the present Temple there has been no occasion since 1929 to make any entries in the minutes relative to any moving around of the Lodge.  During the first few years in the new building it was a busy place between Lodge work and the bowling alleys in the basement.  There was hardly a night that there was not four five man teams using the alleys, the Stars having one day a week assigned to them for their afternoon and evening teams.

 

When the depression of the mid-1930?s struck, things were decidedly different.  The period of the Second World War also was a time not wanted to be repeated.  However, since 1946 the Lodge has had years which have ranged from a little activity to time that have been quite good.

 

One thing that has always been outstanding about the Lodge as well as of the Chapter, Commandery and the Eastern Star, is that the work done by different bodies of Masonry in Neillsville has been of outstanding quality.  Over the years the several bodies of Masons as well as Stars worked with pride, not only in esoteric work but also to work together in providing a beautiful building and landmark by which to identify Masonry in Neillsville.

 

The Chapter by building the addition onto the Marsh building without cost to the Lodge was one instance of cooperation.  When the new Temple was built, the Stars by hard work and long hours, put on dinners as well as finding other ways of raising money.  They provided the building with a rug for the Lodge room.  Later the large stove for the kitchen was provided by their continued diligent work.

 

It can be truthfully said that Masonry has been a credit to the community.  Even though we are a small community in the state, Neillsville has had three different members as Grand Masters of Masons in Wisconsin; Bro?s. C.S. Stockwell, Spencer M. Marsh, and Bro. A.L. Devos.  Brother C.S. Stockwell was also Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of the state, as well as Grand Lecturer of the Grand Chapter for a number of years.  Bro. Geo. F. Zimmerman served as Potentate of Zor Temple of the Shrine at Madison.

 

Bro. A.L. Devos also served as Grand Patron of the Order of Eastern Star of Wisconsin as well as being cited a 33rd degree Mason.  Bro. Earl L. Bruhn is the only member of Neillsville Lodge who has become a member of KYCH, that requiring him to have served as the head of the four bodies of York Rite Masonry.

 

It is interesting to note that during the lifetime of Neillsville Lodge their regular meetings have always been held on the first and third Thursday of the month.

 

This pretty well constitutes a record of the past 100 years of Neillsville Lodge No. 163, F. & A.M.


 

(100th Anniversary Celebration)

 

In retrospect it is now time for a few words regarding the recognition of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Lodge.

 

Masons of Neillsville, their wives and friends, together with Grand Lodge officers, their wives and a number of Masons and wives from surrounding lodges participated in the events of the celebration.

 

Starting with an old fashioned style show sponsored by the Order of Eastern Star, depicting clothing of much earlier years and with tables laden with articles of days gone by, and a coffee hour from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the afternoon of Saturday, October, 28, opened the program which was carried on in the dining room of the Masonic Temple.  This was attended by about 50 people arriving in the afternoon.

 

A banquet and program was held in the hot lunch room of the high school at 6:30 p.m. for the 230 reservations which had been received for the evening program.  A very fine dinner was prepared and was served by ladies of the school lunch program who were engaged for that purpose.  Eighteen students from the Economic department, with their teacher, Mrs. Dennis Larsen, waited on tables.  The tables had been beautifully decorated by Mrs. Wayne Grap and Mrs. W.B. Tufts.

 

Previous to the serving of the dinner, Rev. C. Guthrie, Grand Chaplain of Masons of Wisconsin, from Eau Claire, gave the invocation.

 

A color guard from Neillsville Commandery No. 36, consisting of Past Commander, Frank E. Brown as Captain of the Guard; with Past Commanders Robert C. Bechtel and Arnold C. Workds as Guards and Past Commander Alfred J. Kleckner as Color Bearer, presented the flag.  The Job?s Daughters then led the group in giving the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.

 

After the dinner, Worshipful Master Wayne Grap acted as Master of Ceremonies.  He then introduced the Grand Master of Masons of Wisconsin, Bro. Robert V. Osborne, together with Donald E. Krueger, Senior Grand Warden, Charles E. White, Junior Grand Warden, Ernie R. Hiegel, Grand Secretary, Hertel M. Saugman, Grand Treasurer, Roger Fiebig, Grand Lecturer, Rev. C. Guthrie, Grand Chaplain, Donald Gilbertson, Grand Royal Arch Captain of the Grand Chapter, Vilas Welda, Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter and Perry Risberg, Deputy Grand Master.  Also present were 21 Past Masters of the Lodge.

 

Musical entertainment was rendered both before and after talks which were given by Bro. Wayne Grap, Grand Secretary, Ernest Hiegel and Worshipful Grand Master, Osborne.  The benediction was given by Bro. Rev. W.C. Koehler.  Those who rendered the musical entertainment were Mrs. W. C. Koehler, Mrs. Robert Peters, Mrs. Garth Jensen, Bro. Ellis Wall and Mrs. Ruth VanGorden at the piano.

 

After the close of the evening entertainment many of those present remained to visit and renew acquaintances, it being the first time in many years that some of the members had had an opportunity to attend a gathering of their fellow members.

 

This brought to a conclusion a very fine recognition of our 100th anniversary which was the result of many hours of planning and preparations that had been made for the occasion by a committee headed by Past Master, Bro. Lawrence J. Kluchesky and who was ably assisted by Mrs. L. J. Kluchesky.

 

 


© Every submission is protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998.

 

Show your appreciation of this freely provided information by not copying it to any other site without our permission.

 

Become a Clark County History Buff

 

Report Broken Links

A site created and maintained by the Clark County History Buffs
and supported by your generous donations.

 

Webmasters: Leon Konieczny, Tanya Paschke,

Janet & Stan Schwarze, James W. Sternitzky,

Crystal Wendt & Al Wessel

 

CLARK CO. WI HISTORY HOME PAGE