The Tipton Advertiser, Tipton, Iowa, April 18 1905
Transcribed by Sharon Elijah, November 1, 2018
OLDEST MASON RAISED IN IOWA
IS ALONZO SHAW, RESIDENT OF TIPTON
Charter Member of Tipton Lodge, Organized in 1847—Elevated to Master in 1853
Has Been Active Along Political and Public Lines.
“The oldest living member” of this or that society is a perennial headline in newspaper and fraternal columns. In most cases the person singled out had little beyond age to justify the distinction. In consequence “the oldest known” or “oldest in the state” makes rather tame biographical reading. A few weeks ago there passed away at Burlington one who had been associated with masonry in Iowa almost from its beginning. Louis Teuscher was initiated into the fraternity in 1842, two years before the grand lodge was constituted, and only a like length of time after the first body was organized in the territory. It is not known that any other man now living approaches within several years of that far-away date. The oldest Mason in Cedar Rapids cannot carry his record back of 1852. I. N. Whittam having that distinction.
But now and then one is found whose life has been filled with activities and whose lengthened years have in them things worthy of record. Such a man deserves place and precedence among his brethren, for the work he has accomplished, for the honors he has gained and for the example of his life. The Masonic historian of Iowa, searching for those whose memories run further back into the dim years, fortunately chanced upon one whom he believes to be the oldest living Mason, made such in an Iowa lodge. This is Alonzo Shaw of Tipton. And more gratifying still to the gleaner of history was the fact that this old craftsman has happily retained all his vigor of mind and clearness of memory. Asked for a sketch of his life Mr. Shaw responded as follows:
I was born at Waverly, Tioga county, N.Y., July 1st, 1822, of English and colonial ancestry, being a descendant of William Bradford, who kept the log of the ship Mayflower in 1620 and was afterwards colonial governor of Massachusetts. In 1845 I came to Tipton, Iowa. In 1846 I was elected county surveyor of said county; re-elected in 1848. In 1851 I took a contract for the sectionizing of six townships of Uncle Sam’s domain in Butler and Franklin counties, Iowa, under Geo. B. Sargent, then surveyor general of Dubuque, Iowa. I finished that contract during the summer of 1850 and engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1858, when I was elected clerk of the district court in and for the county of Cedar. Serving in that capacity until January, 1865. I then engaged in the drug business. In 1872 I was commissioned by U. S. Grant as postmaster of Tipton, and served in that capacity until 1881. I then engaged again in the drug trade until 1888. I then spent one year in California. On my return to Tipton I engaged in 1890 in the boot and shoe business until 1896. Since that time I have been and am now weighmaster of the Tipton city scale.
As to my Masonic record, it is as follows, to-wit: On my settling in Tipton in July, 1845, I was informed that Cedar lodge No. 11 was doing its work under a dispensation. There were about sixteen members of the lodge at that time. Dr. Silas S. Swan, from Iowa City, a young man and a Mason, son of Chauncey Swan, one of the contractors for the building of the Iowa state capitol, now the university building , had settled in Tipton for the practice of medicine in 1846. We became quite intimate friends and through his influence I had my application presented to Cedar lodge No. 11. In the meantime the lodge had made application to the grand lodge for a charter, the charter being granted by Ansel Humphrey, then grand master, living in Muscatine, and the 24th of June, 1847, St. John’s day, was set as the day for dedicating the said lodge. I was retained as the candidate for that occasion. Grand Master Humphrey and Theodore S. Parvin came together on that day to Tipton and dedicated the lodge and with the assistance of the brothers of said lodge conferred upon me the three degrees of the blue lodge of Masons, all the same day. I was immediately appointed tyler, and from that day to this I have worked in every station in the lodge. Was master of said lodge during the years 1853-54.
My recollection of G. M. Ansel Humphrey is that he was well posted in the Masonic work as given at that time, was a social gentleman, one that a man would take to as a friend in confidence. In the winter of 1847-8 I went to Iowa City and took the chapter degrees, and when Siloam chapter No. 19 was organized at Tipton I became a charter member and so remain at this time. I have lived to help bury all the brothers of said lodge of 1847 and many more since. When I joined said lodge there were twenty-two members. Not one of them is now living. Many incidents that have transpired in said lodge during those fifty eight years are remembered by me. The last time I saw Brother T. S. Parvin, in 1902 I think it was, the occasion was his address to the old settlers of Cedar county. He said to me that he remembered the dedication of Cedar lodge No. 11 on the 24th of June, as though it was but yesterday.
Most respectfully and fraternally yours, ALONZO SHAW. -- Cedar Rapids Gazette.
