CHAPTER VI.
CASS TOWNSHIP (CONT'D).

EARLY FRATERNAL LODGES.

The first Masonic lodge at Lewis (No. 137) met July 5, 1858, under dispensation, by authority of the Grand Lodge of the State given at a meeting held at Fort Des Moines, June 16th previous. Those present were: B. Bales, D. Stanley, E. Manley, J. B. Johnson, J. B. Cary, H. S. Cary and S. L. Lorah. The members organized as follows: B.Bales, W. M.; D. Stanley, S. W.; G. Manley, J. W. By order of the Worthy Master the lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient form for the disposition of business, and the said W. M. appointed the following officers for the ensuing year: J. B. Cary, secretary; H. S. Cary, treasurer; S. L. Lorah, s.d.; S. C. Vance, j. d.; G. B. Johnson, tyler; S. L. Lorah, G. B. Johnson and S. C. Vance, finance committee. The first petitioner for membership was Thomas R. Chapel, whose application was made on the evening of the first meeting .

The Masters of Lewis Lodge No. 137, A. F. & A. M. , prior to 1880 have been as follows: Bowater Bales, 1858-9; Dr. J. B. Cary, 1860; E. W. Davenport, 1861; William Waddell, 1862-4; William H. Bailey, 1865-6; William Waddell, 1867-8; C. W. Baker, 1869; Frank Hunt, 1870; C. W. Baker, 1871; Dr. M. J. Davis, 1872-6; G. I. Chizum, 1877-8, and M. E. Hotchkiss, 1879-80.

The charter of Lewis Lodge No. 140, I. O. O. F., bears date October 17, 1866, and is signed by J. J. Edgington, Grand Master, and William Garrett, Grand Secretary. Constance Lodge, No.64, Rebecca degree of Lewis, was chartered at Burlington, October 13, 1874, with H. D. Walker as Grand Master and WIlliam Garrett, Grand Secretary. The charter members were V. M. Bradshaw, Mrs. Mary A. Bradshaw, R. C. Kennedy, William S. Snell, Mrs. P. C. Snell, D. M. Perkins, V. M. Conrad, Mrs. Mary J. Conrad, John Allen, Mrs. Sarah Allen, H. A. Baker, Mrs. M. K. Baker, Henry Myers, Mrs. B. E. Myers, W. J. Woodward, C. C. Reynolds, C. C. Boget, Lyman Wright, D. C. Kennedy, and C. M. Cherry. The first officers were: H. A. Baker, N. G.; V. M. Bradshaw, V. G.; Mrs. H. A. Baker, treasurer; Mrs. H. Myers, secretary.

The Lewis Cemetery Association was organized September 14, 1867. The ground, which is located on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11, contains about ten acres, and was originally purchased of N. L. Mills for $75. The first trustees were: K. W. Macomber, William Waddell, Wilkins Warwick, W. H. Bailey, J. W. Brown, D. Findley and J. E. Pratt.

"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 105-106.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, August, 2018.