MASONIC LODGE

Masonic token

Dubuque Keystone Royal Arch Mason token Dubuque Chapter No. 3 organized July 18, 1842 prior to Iowa becoming a state.

125 year commemorative token (obserse).

Masonic token (reverse)

MASONIC LODGE. The first meeting to consider organizing a Masonic Lodge in Dubuque was held on July 18, 1842 in the SHAKESPEARE HALL. Those in attendance were James Smith, a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire; Timothy Fanning; Narcissus Nadeau, George W. Cummings; Timothy MASON; Samuel Biggen; Benjamin F. Davis; and Elisha Deville. These men prepared and signed a petition to organize a Masonic Lodge and forwarded the document to Most Worshipful J.H. McBride, Grand Master of Freemasons in Missouri. (1)

On October 10, 1842 the request for the first Masonic Lodge in Dubuque was granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Timothy Fanning was named the first Worshipful Master. (2)

The newly organized Dubuque Lodge made their temporary quarters at the Shakespeare Hall (512 Main Street) and then took up a more permanent location over the drug store of Timothy Mason, a member of the order (between 3rd and 4th STREETS on the west side of Main. The lodge then moved to a new building erected by Emerson and Shields on the northwest corner of 4th and Main.

The Dubuque Lodge received its charter on October 10, 1843. It was named Dubuque Lodge, No. 62, Grand Lodge of Missouri. Officers were installed on November 16, 1843 at the Jefferson Hotel.

On November 21, 1843 a communication was read from Iowa Lodge No. 42 announcing a convention in Iowa City on January 2, 1844 to organize a Grand Lodge for the Territory of Iowa. Timothy Fanning, George W. Cummins, and Thomas S. WILSON were appointed delegates. The Grand Lodge was established at this meeting by the first four Masonic Lodges in the Territory of Iowa--Burlington, Bloomington (later Muscatine), Dubuque, and Iowa City. With the formation of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, the Dubuque Lodge No. 62 became Dubuque Lodge No. 3 A.F.& A.M., the name it continued to carry.

Masonic Penny

Dubuque Lodge No. 3 has many distinctions. It was the first and oldest Masonic Lodge in Dubuque. It was also the first to make a foreigner to be naturalized west of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER and north of the Missouri River a Mason. Alexander LEVI was a member for over fifty years.

In 1848 Dubuque hosted the Grand Lodge of Iowa comprising sixteen lodges. The meetings were held in the CENTENARY CHURCH. (3)

Metropolitan Lodge No. 49, the second oldest Lodge in Dubuque, petitioned for its charter on June 1, 1854 and was organized as Metropolitan Lodge No. 49 on October 23, 1854. Thomas S. NAIRN was the first Worshipful Master. Two of the members of this Lodge, William P. Allen and Charles W. Walton, served as Grand Masters in Iowa.

Mosiac Lodge No. 125, the third Masonic Lodge organized in Dubuque, held its first meeting on March 25, 1858. The first Worshipful Master was William H. Gaines. Joseph Chapman of this Lodge served as a Grand Master of Iowa from 1866-1867. With the start of the CIVIL WAR in 1861, several members of the Lodge joined the ranks of the Union Army. One member, Francis J. HERRON rose to the rank of major general and was awarded the MEDAL OF HONOR for gallantry during the battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas. The Lodge also had a German nobleman as a member during this period.(4)

In 1867 the Dubuque Lodges held their first "joint installation of officers." This practice continued through the years.

This document was to indicate 'good standing' when a member traveled or was transferred.

The bottom card from 1889 regards the Siloam Drill Corps. The top card from 1892 is from the National Masonic Accident Association.

See: MASONIC TEMPLE

---

Source:

1."1842-1892," Dubuque Daily Herald, October 11, 1892, p. 4

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. "Our History," Mosiac Lodge #127. Online: http://www.mosaiclodge125.com/our-history/