Towanda Masonic Butler County Kansas

ERECTED BY TOWANDA LODGE NO. 30, ANCIENT, FREE,

AND

ACCEPTED MASONS IN TOWANDA

A SUBSTANTIAL AND A HANDSOME

Hall and Home For This Enterprising Fraternity, Appropriate Dedication Ceremonies

Towanda Lodge No. 30, A.F. and A.M. has completed a two story stone building 25 by 60 feet, costing $3000, and on the evening of September 14, 1904, dedicated it to the uses of this most noble order as a home for the brotherhood.

Towanda is nine miles west and south of El Dorado.

The building is a monument to the enterprise and to the unity of spirit in the membership, a building of which to be proud on the part of the lodge, and of price on the part of the thrifty little village of Towanda.

The first floor is devoted to commercial purposes, is occupied by the hardware business of Ed Shriver who has already opened out his stock. The second story is utilized for Lodge uses both by the Masons and their auxiliary organization, the Order of the Eastern Star.

On the evening of September 14, deputy Grand Master Samuel R. Peters of Newton will appropriate public ceremonies dedicated the building to the sacred uses of the two orders. A great audience was present, Masons, their mothers, wives, daughters and sweethearts, some 40 Masons and "Stars" from El Dorado and many visitors and interested persons from other points in Butler county, a notable gathering and one long to be remembered and cherished by Towanda Masons.

Ladies of the Star and their friends donated a supper, remarkable for its richness and profusion. This was served early in the evening on the first or ground floor of the building. The proceeds were $75, a net sum for the uses of the fraternity.

The building is practically paid for. Whatever may be lacking will readily be paid from the revenue received from rents.

The method of which this was paid is unique and is a tribute to the acuteness of the originator and equally to the loyalty and generosity of the Lodge's membership. "Bonds" were issued in the value of $25 each and these were subscribed and paid for by the membership, the consideration being full paid dues, except those of the grand lodge, for life. These bonds bear no interest, are not transferable for value and constitute no interest in the building for which they paid.

The fraternity hall is nicely carpeted and is to be suitably and appropriately supplied with furniture.

Grand Master Peters remarked that no other order in any similar community in Kansas has afforded such a remarkable exhibition of unity, energy and enterprise.

The history of Towanda Lodge is interesting. From a small beginning it has grown to its present proportions. It is not so strong in members but is mighty in union of sentiment and of effort.

Towanda Lodge No. 30. A.F. and A.M. was organized under an ensation in September 1885, with the following officers and members:

E.T. Benson, W.M.

John Eddington, S.W.

Andrew Swiggett, J.W.

W.H. Young, Sec.

Andrew J. Ralston, Treas.

L.M. Pace, S.D.

Fred Lyons, J.D.

George Swiggett, Tyler, and brothers J.S. Braley, J.T. Nye, Julius Straw, J.M. Read, Chas. Mornhinweg, B.W. Eakin, Eli Lytle and Dr. R.S. Miller

The Lodge received its charter February 15, 1888, since which time it has grown till it has now a membership of over 60. An upper room in the Towanda school building was finished up which has been used for a lodge room until the Order took possession of its new hall September 11, 1904.

The present officers are--

A.J. Ralston, W.M.

H.P. Poorbaugh, S.W.

S.G. Huddleson, J.W.

Chas. Davis, Sec.

M. Organ, Jr., Treas.

U.S. Cupp, S.D.

S.E. Cornelius, J.D.

John Kappes, S.S.

C.A. Green, J.S.

J.N. Robinson, Tyler

The membership now stands--

Barnett, W.H.

Barnett, Leslie

Bishop, James N.

Bishop, Charles T.

Cupp, Daniel H.

Cupp, Ulysses 'S'

Chain, William P.

Cornelius, Samuel E.

Carey, Earl G.

Davis, Chas.

Edmiston, James T.

Frazier, A.C.

Fulton, Eugene J.

Feldner, Frederick

Green, Lorenzo H.

Green, Claude

Hammond, Isaac

Harding, James E.

Hawkins, John A.

Houston, William J.

Haden, William

Huddleson, Samuel G.

Kappes, John

Maulsle, Richard J.

Mornhinweg, Charles

Mornhinweg, Carl

Mosier, Miles

Mossman, Thomas J.

Mossman, Henry II

Nye, James T.

Nye, Leroy G.

Newman, Franklin

Orban, Michael Jr.

Orban, Charles

Porter, Joseph II

Poorbaugh, H. Peter

Parker, Green B.

Ralston, Andrew J.

Ralston, James R.

Ralston, Ralph B.

Reed, James M.

Robinson, James N.

Robison, James C.

Robison, Leslie W.

Rasmussen, Claus.

Sorter, Thaddeus C.

Spaulding, Edgar C.

Simmons, Jefferson C.

Straw, Daniel M.

Straw, John C.

Straw, Josiah A.

Slavens, Isaac

Slavens, Louis W.

Stewart, Walter

Smith, Squire

Shriver, John W.

Stearns, Joseph A.

Thomas, Otis L.

Tankersley, Claude

Turner, William G.

Wheeler, Earl D.

Wooldridge, John

*Past Members

The Order of the Eastern Star has shown no less devotion to the principles of masonry and has been, in woman's way, equally faithful and diligent in promoting the common welfare, in showing not only flowers but fruits that represent faith and fealty in the teachings of this splendid auxiliary organization.

Here is its history and present officiary and membership--

Towanda Chapter No. 88, Order of the Eastern Star was organized under dispensation May 7th, 1890, with the following officers and members:

Mrs. A. Snyder, W.M.

J.D. Godfrey, W.P.

Mrs. Minnie Ralston, A.M.

Mrs. Bird Orban, Sec.

M. Orban, Jr., Treas.

Mrs. Ida Robison, Con.

Mrs. Seppie Spaulding, A. Con.

Miss Nancy Godfrey, Chaplain

Mrs. Huldah Porter, Adah.

Mrs. Lucy Sorter, Ruth.

Mrs. Celia Swiggett, Esther.

Mrs. Sallie Stewart, Martha.

Mrs. Mellissa Ravellette, Electa.

Mrs. Ida Fulton, Wader.

A.J. Ralston, Sentmel.

and brothers, A. Swiggett, Wm. Snyder, E.C. Robison and O. Mooney.

The Chapter received its charter March 10, 1891.

The present officers are:

Mrs. T.B. Davis, W.M.

H.P. Poorbaugh, W.P.

Mrs. S.C. Cupp, A.M.

Mrs. Nora Shriver, Con.

Miss Mabel Stewart, A.C.

A.J. Ralston, Treas.

Chas. Davis, Sec.

Mrs. J. Cornelius, Adah.

Mrs. Bird Organ, Ruth.

Miss Lizzie Poorbaugh, Esther.

Mrs. M.E. Robinson, Martha.

Mrs. M.M. Braley, Chaplain

Mrs. Lulu Gross, Organist

J.C. Straw, Marshal

Mrs. D. Straw, Warder.

C.A. Green, Sentinel.

The present members are--

Allen, Mrs. S.B.

Bagby, Mrs. B.

Bagby, M.T.

Bishop, J.N.

*Cupp, Mrs. S.C.

Cupp, D.H.

*Cornelius, Mrs. Jennie

Cornelius, E.

*Davis, Mrs. T.B.

*Davis, C.

Fulton, Mrs. Ina

Green, Mrs. L.

Green, Mrs. A.C.

Huddleson, Mrs. M.

Huddleson, S.G.

Johnson, Miss Ethel

Kappes, John

Loomis, Mrs. Etta

Loncer, Mrs. M.E.

Lawrence, Mrs. C.A.

Lawrence, T.B.

Moorehead, Mrs. Nellie

Maulsby, Mrs. Ellen

Maulsby, J.R.

Majors, Mrs. Lydia

Mosier, Miles

Mossman, Mrs. F.

Mossman, T.J.

Mooney, Mrs. Jennie

Nye, Mrs. Jennie B.

Nye, Leroy G.

*Organ, Mrs. Birdie

Organ, M.

*Porter, Mrs. Huldah

Poorbaugh, Miss Lucy

Poorbaugh, H.P.

Porter, Miss Oreta

Robinson, Mrs. M.E.

Robinson, Miss Bertha

Robinson, Miss Sadie

Robinson, J.N.

*Ralston, Mrs. Minnie

Ralston, Mrs. Bertha

*Ralston, A.J.

Shriver, Miss Ella B.

Shriver, Miss Bertha C.

*Shriver, Mrs. Nora

Shriver, John W.

Swiggett, Mrs. Celia

Swiggett, Andrew

Sorter, Mrs. Lucy

Sorter, T.C.

Straw, Mrs. Rachel

Straw, D.M.

Straw, J.C.

Stewart, Mrs. Sallie

Stewart, Walter C.

Stewart, Miss Mabel

Slaven, Isaac C.

Slaven, Mrs. Mary C.

Slaven, Miss Mary B.

Thomas, Mrs. Eva

Tucker, Mrs. Lina

Turner, Mrs. M.E.

Turner, W.G.

Tankersley, Mrs. G.

Holman, Mrs. Verne

*Past Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons

Last update 11/17/2007