March 10th 1909 Marshalltown, Iowa
MASONIC TEMPLE IS NOW ASSURED
Magnificent New Building Will be Erected by Lodge Fraternity This Summer
COMMITEES NOW WORKING
Stock Subscription Being Received for $50,000
Building on South First Avenue
Lower Floor for the Business Purposes, Two Stories Office and Upper for Lodge.
A new Masonic temple for Marshalltown and one of the finest buildings in the city is practically assured as the result of the work of Masonic committees that has been in the progress during the past few days. It is planned to erect a building that will cost $50,000 to be four stories high, and stand on the Masonic property on South First Avenue on the lots numbered 26, 28 and 30
The Masonic Temple Association which was organized a few years ago with the building of a Masonic Temple is its ultimate object, is back of the movement and an executive committee of the association composed of Robert A. Elzy chairman, A. D. Meeker, C. H. Shaw, Fred M. Wilbur and H.G. Hoeck is in active charge of obtaining subscriptions for stock. Numerous other members of the fraternity are on soliciting committees and different committees spent the day in canvassing among the members of the smaller town of the county. It is expected that on Friday and Saturday of this week the committees will have finished up the work of subscriptions in this city.
Plan Four-Story Building
The original plan for the temple was a building three stories high, but after the executive committees got into the canvass the plan has been changed and the present idea is to make the building four stories and have two floors for modern offices instead of one. The first floor will be divided into two fine business rooms 30×130 with basement under both. Suites for offices modeled to suit prospective tenants if desired will make up the second and third stories and the entire fourth floor will be reserved by the Masonic fraternity. The building will be equipped with a modern passenger elevator.
Want to Raise $40,000.
It is the committee’s plan to raise in stock subscriptions $40,000 or as nearly the full amount of the entire cost as is possible. It is expected that each of the 341 members of the local fraternity will subscribe for one share at $50, and the membership alone thus subscribe over $17,000. The stock is payable in full thirty days after subscribing or $10 monthly for five months. When fully paid up the stock is to draw 6 per cent until bought out by the association. The land on which the building is to stand is estimated to be worth $10,000 and whatever sum is necessary above the amount of the stock subscribed will be raised by the issuance of bonds. It is expected that by Monday after the figures are gone over following the final work of stock solicitation Saturday a definite statement of the amount subscribed will be available for the public.
August 11th 1909 Marshalltown, Iowa
MASONIC TEMPLE TO BE A BEAUTY
NEW FIVE STORY STRUCTURE WILL BE MOST ARTISTIC IN ARCHITECTURE
PROGRAM FOR CORNER STONE LAYING ISSUED
Ceremonies will be in charge of
David W. Clements of West Union, Grand Master of Iowa.
Many invitations are extended for ceremony.
Description of building
The new Masonic Temple of this city now under course of construction is going to be a model of beauty in architecture and without doubt will be the handsomest building in the city in view of design. In fact Architect Gauger declares that in no city of anywhere near this size will there be a Masonic temple that will compare in beauty of design with the new structure in this city. Great preparations are being made for the corner stone laying which will take place at 2 o’clock on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 18 conducted by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa. The ceremonies will be in the direct charge of Mr. David W. Clements of West Union, Grand Master of Iowa. Many invitations have been issued to prominent Masons of the state, many of whom will be in attendance. Invitations also have been extended to fourteen lodges in and near Marshall County and a generous response is expected.
Detail of the Ceremonies
The visiting Masons and the Grand Lodge offices will be met by a reception committee upon their arrival in the city, and at noon Marshall Lodge No. 108 will entertain the visitors at luncheon at the lodge dining room. The Grand Lodge will be opened at 2 o’clock by the Grand Master, with the assistance of his officers and the order of the procession will be announced by Grand Secretary N. S. Parvin of Cedar Rapids. The oldest lodge has the right of the line or head of the procession unless there are commanderies in which case the commandery escort heads the procession. The order of the procession as usually followed on occasions like the one contemplated is: Tyler of the oldest lodge with drawn sword, two stewards, master Masons, stewards of all other lodges, Junior Deacons, Senior Deacons, secretaries, Treasures, Past Wardens, Junior Wardens, Senior Wardens, Past Masters, Masters, band, Grand Tyler, Grand Stewards, Past Master with vessel containing corn, two Past Masters with vessel containing wine and oil, architect with square, level and plumb, Grand Treasures and Grand Secretary, master of a lodge with great lights, supported by two steward, Grand Chaplin, Past Grand Wardens, Past deputy Grand Masters, Past Grand Masters the mayor of the city, two large lights, borne by two masters of lodges, Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, one large light, borne by a master of the a lodge, Deputy Grand Master, master of oldest lodge, bearing book of constitutions, Grand Master, supported by senior and junior grand deacons. After arriving at the site of the building the usual ceremonies will be observed, interspersed with band and vocal music. It is expected that the Grand Master will deliver the oration. After the laying of the corner stone there will be the conferring of the third degree by Marshall Lodge in the lodge rooms and these ceremonies will be continued in the evening. The master will call to his assistance such brethren as he desires for the conferring of the degrees. A souvenir lambskin apron has been prepared for the occasion and one will be given to each Mason who attends and registers at the dining room at the noon hour.
Description of Building.
At the request of the Times- Republican A.F. Gauger of St Pail has prepared a wash drawing of the new building from which the accompanying cut was made. This is he first opportunity the public has had to see just how the building will appear when completed as the original wash drawing was of the building of three stories. The building as now being built at 26, 28 and 30 South First Avenue is five stories high of what is termed classic design. The construction is of terra cotta, brick and steel. The main entrance is to be tiled with ceramic mosaic tile, and trimmed with Italian marble wainscoating. The lower floor will be made into two large store rooms, 30×130 with full basements. The second, third and fourth floors will be furnished as modern offices and the fifth floor will be used for lodge purposes.
All Rooms White Oak and Oil Finish
Every room in the big building will be finished in white oak and oil. The offices are of different size , ranging from 11×17 to 18×20. Two electric passenger elevators will be installed in the building together with an interior staircase of iron and ornamental design.
The entire building is to be wired for electric lights and telephones besides the usual gas fittings. The lodge rooms will be ventilated with an electric fan. Each floor will be provided with two toilet rooms which will contain tile floors and marble wainscoting. The heating is to be by steam thru the Dunham vacuum system. The building complete will cost $75,000.
August 18th 1909 Marshalltown, Iowa
CORNER STONE OF NEW TEMPLE LAID
Marshalltown today witnessed the impressive ceremonies of a corner stone laying under the direction of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa. There is no more impressive ceremony known to the fraternity than that of the laying of the memorial tablet of a Masonic edifice and the exercises here this afternoon were in perfect keeping with the beautiful observation handed down from the early days of Free Masonry. The building that is being made possible for the Masons of Marshalltown had its conception in the organization of the Masonic Temple Association, perfected a few years ago. Last winter after apparently drying dormant the association took on renewed vigor and active arrangements were begun toward securing stock subscriptions that would realize the end in view when the association was organized. In March a meeting was held and on the 10th of March it was formally announced that the project was assured and that the building would be constructed this summer.
Original Plans Three Stories
The original plans for the building however were not for the beautiful five story structure that is now being built, but for a more modest temple of three stories. As the executive committee progressed in its work however it was found that there was warranted by the active interest in the project a building of four stories and plans were made to that effect. As the building was further talked among the members renewed interest was shown and it was finally determined to make a building five stories high as shown in the accompanying photograph made from a wash drawing prepared by Architect A. F Gauger of St. Paul. Now instead of a $40,0000 building as first planned one to cost $75,000 will become the home of the Masonic fraternity and give to Marshalltown the largest, finest and most modernly equipped office building in the city.
How the Building Will Appear
The Masonic temple is being built is architectural style designated as classic design. The construction is of terra cotta, brick and steel. The main entrance is to be tiled with ceramic mosaic tile and trimmed with Italian marble wainscoting .The lower floor will be made into two large store rooms, 30×130 with full basements. The second, third and fourth floors will be furnished as modern offices and the fifth will be used lodge purposes. Every room in the big building will be finished in white oak and oil. The offices are of different size ranging from 11×11 to 18×20. Two electric passenger elevators will be installed in the building together with an interior staircase of iron and ornamental design. The entire building is to be wired for electric lights and telephones besides the usual gas fittings. The rooms will be ventilated with an electric fan. Each floor will be provided with two toilet rooms which will contain tile floors and marble wainscoting. The heating is to be by steam thru the Dunham vacuum systems.
Those is Charge of Work
The building committee of the Masonic Temple Association is comprised of Robert A. Elzy, president of the association and chairman of the executive committee, A.D Meeker vice president of the association, J.H. Egermayer secretary of the association, Fred M. Wilburn and Herman G. Hoeck. The architect who designed the building is A.F. Gauger of St. Paul. The contractor is J.W. Longcor of Red Wing, Minn and his building superintendent who has charge of the work is Edward Peters, who is new making his home in this city.
CORNER STONE OF NEW TEMPLE LAID
MASONIC GRAND LODGE OF IOWA IS ASSEMBLED FOR IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY
GRAND MASTER CLEMENTS WEST UNION IN CHARGE
Third Time in History of the City That Grand Lodge Officers Have Met For Similar Occasions.
Many Articles of Interest Deposited in Box.
Stone to Be Used Fails to Arrive
For the third time in the history of Marshalltown the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa was called to assemble today to observe the ceremonies of the corner stone laying when, at 2 o’clock this afternoon, Grand master David W. Clements of West Union called the Grand Lodge to order to lay the corner stone of the new Masonic Temple. The two other occasions when the Grand Lodge officers met here for a similar purpose where in 1884, when the corner stone of the court house was laid under the direction of A.C. Abbott of this city, Grand Master, and in 1902 when the fraternity had charge of the laying of the corner stone of the public library under the direction if Grand Master Gardner.
Many Visiting Mason Here
By noon today at the Masonic hall there had registered over 100 visiting Masons who were here upon invitation of Marshall lodge to witness the ceremonies. Grand Master Clements did not arrive until 12:30, having been delayed by a belated train. Included in delegations from out of town were representatives of the lodges at Le Grand, Albion, Melbourne, State Center, Gilman, Union, Zearing and Story City.
Three Grand Lodge Officers Here
There were three officers of the Grand Lodge present, those aside from the Grand Master being Hugh W. Hughes of Burlington, Grand Senior Warden and Theodore N. Parvin of Cedar Rapids, Grand Secretary . Other stations in the grand lodge were filled by members of the local lodge by appointment by the Grand Master. They were John W. Wells as Deputy Grand Master, I. T. Forbes Grand Marshall, George Gregory assistant Grand Marshall and J.G. Weatherby as Grand Tyler. Other minor appointments were also filled among local and visiting Masons.
Entertain Visitors at Lunch
At the Masonic hall at noon the Grand Lodge officers and visiting Masons were entertained at lunch by the local lodge. After the grand lodge had been called to order the procession to the temple was formed, moving as follow. Tyler of oldest lodge with drawn sword, two Stewards, Master Masons, Stewards of all other lodges, Junior Deacons, Senior Deacons, Secretaries, Treasures, Past Wardens, Junior Wardens, Senior Wardens, Past Masters, Masters, band, Grand Tyler, Grand Stewards, Past Master, with vessel containing corn, two past masters with vessels containing wine and oil, architect, with square , level and plumb, Grand Treasure and Grand Secretary, Master of a lodge, with great lights, supported by two Stewards, Grand Chaplin, Past Grand wardens, Past Deputy Grand Masters, Past Grand Masters, the mayor of the city, two large lights, borne by two master of the lodge, Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, one large light, borne by a Master of the a Lodge, Deputy Grand Master, Master of oldest lodge, bearing book of constitutions, Grand Master, supported by Senior and Junior Grand Deacons.
Ritual is Observed
The ancient ritual of the fraternity for similar assemblies was observed in detail at the corner stone laying and following the work Grand Master Clements delivered a short address. The corner stone that is to mark the actual beginning of the work of construction did not reach the city for the ceremony having been lost somewhere on the way to the city. Efforts have been made for several days to trace the stone, but without avail. As the grand lodge had been summoned and the arrangements made the formality was observed and another stone used in its stead.
Many Articles Placed in Stone
Many articles of interest were placed in the box that will response in the corner stone for ages to come. The list of the box’s contents follows: Names of officers and members of Marshall Lodge No. 108 A.F. and A. M. names of officers and members of Signet Chapter No. 38, Royal Arch Masons, names of officers and members of King Solomon Council No. 20, Royal and Select Masters Names of officers and members of St. Aldemar Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar names of officers and members of Central Chapter No. 67, Order of the Eastern Star names of the officers of the Grand Lodge of Iowa A.F. and A.M., names of the officers, elective and appointive of the city government of the city of Marshalltown, together with a list of standing committees and a notation designating which are Free Mason, copy of the proceedings of the first annual meeting of the stockholders, and first board of directors of the Masonic Temple Association Jan. 19 1903, also names of board of directors, 1909, a Lincoln 1 cent piece coinage of 1909, souvenir lambskin apron as presented to all Masons who were present at the exercises, a copy of the city directory of the city of Marshalltown, a copy of the Evening Times-Republican of the date of Aug. 11, containing a picture of the temple as it will appear when completed, together with a description of the building, also a copy of the same paper of the issue of March 10, 1909 when the first formal announcement of the plans for the building the temple was made, copy of the Daily Herald of the date of Aug. 17 a copy of the invitation sent out to members of Marshall Lodge, and others to attend the corner stone laying ceremonies, names of grand lodge officers, who were present and took part in the ceremonies, together with those who were appointed to all the vacancies in the grand lodge officiary, names of architect, contractor and building committee of Marshall Lodge who have the erection of the temple in charge, a copy of the proceedings of the grand lodge of the 1909 sessions and a copy of the by-laws of Marshall Lodge. Following the corner stone laying exercises the Masons returned to the Masonic hall where the work of the third degree was exemplified. The lodge work will be continued this evening. The members of the program committee for the corner stone laying were Messrs. John W. Wells, I. T. Forbe and George Gregory. The Marshalltown Union band furnished the music for the occasion.
