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                               LILY LODGE, NO. 254

                    (From a history written Dec. 6, 1939)

    On the evening of Oct. 23, 1868, the following Master Masons, being desirous of forming a Lodge of A.F.&A.M,, met in Tbarp’s Hall. There were
present E. S. Cardell, Geo. S. Tabor, C. A. Harrah, James E. Johnson, C. A. Uhl, Geo. Gibbs, Alex Meigs, Thos. Cady, F. E. Bodine and w. H. Blan-
chard. James Johnson acted as Chairman and Geo. Gibbs and Secretary.

    After some discussion a motion was made and
carried that these Brethren petition the Grand Lodge through the Grand Master for a dispensa-
tion to work until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge and that the Secretary send request in at once. It was further agreed that these Brethren
meet once a week for the purpose of instruction, and the following be recommended to the Grand Master to fill the several stations of this Lodge
while under dispensation: E. S. Cardell, W.M.; J. E. Johnson, S.W.; Thos. Cady, J.W.; Geo. Gibbs, Sec’y.; C. A. Uhl, Treas.; Geo. Taber, S.D.; W. H.
Blanchard, J. D.; A. S. Meigs, Tyler. It was also decided that this meeting the W.M. and Wardens visit Corinthian Lodge No. 174 at Brooklyn, Iowa,
to exemplify the work and get their recommendation to the Grand Master for a dispensation.

    On the 28th day of December, 1868, at Iowa
City, Reuben Mickel, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Iowa, issued a dispensation to the
petitioning Brethren to work as a Lodge; under dispensation until the first Tuesday in June next, when the Grand Lodge of Iowa would meet in the
city of Davenport, Ia., at which time, unless sooner revoked, this dispensation shall continue in full force and effect. This was signed by Reu-
ben Mickel, Grand Master, and T. S. Parvin, Grand Secretary.

    The first meeting under the dispensation was
held in their hall on the second of February, 1869, at which time these officers were present, and at
that meeting five applications for membership were received. Also, they rented the hall from Mr. McDowell at the rate of $100 per annum including
lights and fire — all seats to be removed from the hall and windows curtained. It was also authorized at this meeting that Bro. J. E. Johnson be appointed to manufacture two dozen aprons “with such trimmings as they may require.”

    E. S. Cardell, W.M.; J. E. Johnson, S.W., and
Clark Varnum, proxy for J. W., attended Grand Lodge at Davenport, and were granted the charter for Lily Lodge No. 254, A.F.&A.M. The first meeting after the charter was granted was held on the evening of the 8th of June, 1869. An election of officers was held as follows: E. S. Cardell, W. M.; J. E. Johnson, S.W.; Thos. Cady, J.W.;
A. Meigs, Treas.; C. A. Harrah, Sec ‘y; Clark Varnum, S. D.; W. H. Blanchard, J. D.; Jas. Duffus, Tyler; W. F. Bates, S. S., and Church Meigs, J. S. At this time membership was about 20.

    The first Masonic funeral conducted by the
Lodge was that of Bro. Rees Larkin on Aug. 9, 1869, burial being at Montezuma, at which place the Brethren of Lafayette Lodge No. 52 of Montezuma joined with Lily Lodge for the service at the grave.

    On Dec. 1st, 1871, the lodge not being able to
pay such exhorbitant rent, it was decided that we make some arrangement with the School Board
for the second story of the school house in Malcom, whereupon an arrangement was read to the Lodge for their approval in which the School
Board does agree to lease us the said room for three years if the Lodge will finish up said room according to the plans. After some talk it was
moved and carried that we accept the contract and go to work at once and get the hall ready so that we can hold our next regular meeting in it, the
Blue Lodge bearing one half the expense and the Chapter the remaining half.

    The first meeting was held in the new room
on Jan. 10, 1871 at which time they decided to hold a festival to defray the expenses of the new
hall, and they netted $34.35.

    In 1876 steps were taken toward ways and means of erecting a Hall for the use of the Lodge. Also they rented their present hall to the I.O.O.F.
for their use of one night a week.

    They were forced to give up their room in the
school, so Br. J. H. Duffus offered his Hall for their use until a suitable hall could be obtained. In Feb. 1877, the building committee purchased lots 13 and 14, Block 11, for the sum of $386.96 and bids were called for the erection of a Temple, according to specifications in the hands of the committee. In May, 1877, the committee let the contract for the Temple to Clindinin & Co. of Grinnell for the sum of $2940, to be completed by Sept. 1, 1877.

    On June 5, 1877 this record appears: “Duffus
Hall burned June 5, 1877 and with it disappeared our temporary hall. We lost considerable of our property.”

    July 6, 1877 Grand Lodge met in Malcom, with
Grand Master Z. C. Luse presiding, for the purpose of laying the corner stone of our present Temple. The records show that “the cornerstone was duly laid in due and ancient form” after which all enjoyed a sumptious dinner provided by the Masonic wives of the membership.

    After this the lodge again took up their quar
ters in the. schoolhouse until Sept. 25, 1877 when they met in their new rooms in the present Temple.

    It was now necessary to pay for labor and material and with a small band of members and a shallow treasury, it was necessary to borrow what, at that time, was a heavy load at an interest rate of 10%. After years of hard work, renewing and practicing strict economy, the Indebtedness was finally wiped out.

    Thus, we have tried to outline the story of Lily Lodge ‘No. 254. It is a simple story but to the Mason it suggests more. Between the lines we
read not only tales of sorrow and joy, but also the story of a little band of pioneer brethren in a small community, hampered and restricted by lack
of funds and means, and the struggle to secure a foothold in a new country, earnestly working together with a common purpose to keep alive and
transmit to those who followed the Light of Masonry. May we, their successors and decendants, ever keep that light brightly burning.

    (The following added notes bring the history to 1972.)

    The original furnishings are still in the lodge. They are beautiful, of solid walnut, and well preserved. They should last for many more years to
come, and are rated as some of the finest in the state.

    A note of interest: of the Andrew Eisele family there are four generations who have been members: Andrew Eisele, Joseph Eisele Sr., Grover Elsele, Lester and Jim Schneekloth.

    At one time the lodge had a Commandery, the Charter of which was forfeited. They also had Hysops Chapter which they gave up.
    
    The Lodge observed its centennial in June,
1969.

    At the time of this writing, there are five 50-year members who are still living: Maurice Brewer, George Eie.liliorn, Lloyd Fry, Chris Larson and
Henry Wichman.

    The present membership is 47, with the following members holding office: Wayne Kies, W.M.; George Axmear, S.W.; Ed Tarvin, J.W.; Treas.
Alvin Mann; Lester Schneekloth, Sec’y.; Carl Ewing, JD.; Everett Johnson, Chaplain, and Tom Bowers, Tyler.

In the fall of 1975 members of Lily Lodge got
permission from Grand Lodge to build a new building. After canvassing the Masonic members Eastern Star members they approximately raised $14,000. The new building was started
in 1976. Ed Tarvin being a carpenter and Brick mason was in charge of the construction. The Masonic members rented Landfill Farm for a few years and the Bob Nienman farm and with these profits paid off the Mortgage in June 26, 1986.

Lily Lodge put a new gas furnace in the hall the summer of 2003. In September 2003 the Lily Lodge members add a new tin roof along with
new eve’s and down spouts. The expense of these major projects was a cost of $4,727. Donations totaled $3,671. Holly Chapter Eastern Star giving
$1,800 to this project. It was very much appreciated.

In the year 2006 Corinthian Lodge # 174 sold their building in Brooklyn, Iowa and moved their Charter to Lily Lodge and both Lodges share expenses.
Corinthian Lodge built a closet (storage area) on the east basement wall. This will give needed room for supplies and storage.

Both Lily Lodge and Corinthian Lodge members are very proud of the building and to have this fraternity in our town of Malcom, Iowa.

 
     
   
 
     

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