Old Missoula

Masonic Unit Chartered When City Very Young

Masonic meetings were conducted in Missoula before the chartering Oct. 5, 1868. The Missoula Lodge was apparently sponsored by Philipsburg and was under dispensation.

A communication was received from King Solomon Lodge 9, AF&AM, of Helena dated Dec. 4, 1867, and addressed to “Mipoula Lodge,” as the Missoula Lodge was known in early years.

Before the lodge was chartered J. B. Buker was master, Thomas M. Pomeroy, senior warden; H. P. Larabee, junior warden; L. J. Harris, senior deacon; R. N. Harris, junior deacon; John S. Robertson, treasurer; John Owen, secretary; R. B. Biggs, tyler.

The charter was accepted Oct. 23, 1868 by J. B. Buker, the first master. After the chartering officers were Pomeroy, master; Buker, senior warden, C. P. Higgins, junior warden; Robertson, treasurer; Owen, secretary.

Charter members in addition to the officers were R. M. Biggs, J. W. Winslett, C. J. Parker, W. G. Edwards, Oliver Talburt and J. M. Minesinger.

The first meetings of the chapter were in a shop which occupied the property now utilized by the First Methodist Church. For many years Masons met in the Worden Co. Hall, now the 100F Lodge. The building which houses the offices and lodge rooms was erected in 1909 at a total expenditure of $100, 000. Among the early masters were Christopher Higgins, Frank Woody, John Anderson and John L. Sloane.

Electa Chapter 7, Order of Eastern Star, was the second Masonic organization chartered in Missoula. The charter date was Oct. 16, 1891, and the first officers were Sue G. Anderson, matron, and John L. Sloane, patron. Associate matron was Mrs. Ada Slaughter and W. H. H. Dickinson was secretary, Charter membership was 24.

A year later on Sept. 19, 1892, Western Sun Chapter 11 was chartered.

Its first officers were Fred C. Webster, excellent high priest; C. E Woodworth, king; L. F. Keim, scribe. Charter members numbered 32.

On April 18, 1911, Grand Master J. W. Speer granted dispensation to 20 petitioners for the formation of Harmony Lodge, U.D. of Missoula. The officers named in this dispensation were Fred H. Knisley, master; William H. Houston, senior warden; George P. Porter, junior warden, Cyrus R. Avery, secretary.

The charter was issued by the grand lodge Sept. 21, 1911, under the name of Harmony Lodge 83. The lodge proceeded to grow from 20 original petitioners to 35 members July 1, 1911.

On Oct. 18, 1912, Harmony Lodge 83 was consolidated with Temple Lodge 45 of Bonner under the name of Harmony Lodge 49.

The former charter was surrendered as the charter of Temple Lodge 49 dated Sept. 16, 1896. Fred H. Knisley was master from April 1911 to Dec. 20, 1912.

St. Omer Commandery

The first officers of St. Omer Commandery 9 were Joseph Bradley, eminent commander; Joseph K. Wood, generalissimo, George T. Slack, captain general. St. Omer Commandery 9 was chartered Sept. 12, 1898, in Missoula with 27 members.

Charter membership of Tyrean Council 3 was 49. The council was chartered in Missoula May 9, 1909. Officers were David A. Price, thrice illustrious master; George F. Weisel, deputy master; W. G. Elliott, principal conductor of work.

Immanuel Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star was instituted March 16, 1912, with 20 charter members. The first matron was Alice Whitcomb and first patron was Harry M. Rawn.

The Masonic Brotherhood was organized in 1925 with 15 members. Its purpose is to render financial assistance to the family of a member at the time of death. The organization is composed of Masons, Eastern Stars and White Shrine members. Dr. Asa Willard was president of the organization until his death in 1959.

Scottish Rite Masons of Missoula completed arrangements for the institution of a Lodge of Perfection, a chapter of Rose Croix, a Council of Kadosh and a Missoula Consistory in June 1948. Charles E. Coe was elected venerable master of Rose Croix. First commander of the Council of Kadosh was John C. Hawke, and master of Kadosh of the Missoula Consistory was Harry A. Sample.