Trinity Lodge #208
4227 W Kimberly Rd
Davenport, Iowa

A brief history of Trinity Lodge #208

The dispensation was issued on March 23, 1867, by Grand Master Campbell K. Peck of Keokuk, Iowa. The request for such dispensation was recommended by Davenport Lodge No. 37 . The Charter was granted June 5, 1867.       At the annual communication held in June of the same year in LeClaire Hall, Davenport, the Charter was granted and was signed by Reuben Mickel of Montezuma, the newly elected Grand Master.       The returns of the lodge covering the period while under dispensation contain the following names:

Officers       W. F. Kidder, Worshipful Master       J. Lewis Drew, Senior Warden       Seth H. Plummer, Junior Warden       John L. Switz, Treasurer       Seth P. Bryant, Secretary       D. H. Hartwell, Senior Deacon       D. N. Richardson, Junior Deacon       Geo. W. Strong, Tyler

Members       J. W. Stewart       James Armstrong       David S. True       H. H. Smith       J. S. Connor       Edward Russell       W. C. Warriner       W. F. Ross       E. S. Ballard       L. S. Davies       A. H. Cronkhite       N. G. Buff       William Allen       C. S. Watkins       E. E. Cook       W. D. Middleton (M.M.)       W. A. Hosford (E.A.)       John Ackley (E.A.)

 The first returns made by the lodge after its charter had been granted, such returns covering the year ending May 1, 1868, contain the names of the following:

Officers       W. F. Kidder, Worshipful Master       John L. Drew, Senior Warden       Seth H. Plummer, Junior Warden       John L. Switz, Treasurer       L. S. Davies, Secretary       D. H. Hartwell, Senior Deacon       D. N. Richardson, Junior Deacon       Geo. W. Strong, Tyler

Members       James Armstrong       Wm. Allen       John Ackley       S. P. Bryant       E. S. Ballard       W. H. Bennett       J. S. Connor       E. E. Cook       Aaron Cronkhite       J. S. Crane       E. W. Dixon       W. H. Farrand       W. A. Hosford       John Hoyt       Wm. Hazelton       W. D. Irvine       W. D. Middleton       J. B. Mason       G. P. McClelland       Edw. Mayer       H. H. Matlock       Edw. Russell       W. F. Ross       H. H. Smith       J. W. Stewart       D. S. True       Henry Tourtellotte       W. C. Warriner       C. S. Watkins       D. H. Wheeler

The membership had then grown to 37. The growth of membership by ten year periods up to 1967 should be of interest as follows:

1867 ..... 24 1877 ..... 69 1887 ..... 98 1897 ..... 158 1907 ..... 297 1917 ..... 488 1927 ..... 879 1937 ..... 685 1947 ..... 925 1957 ..... 959 1967 ..... 816

  In the same Grand Lodge session it is interesting to note the following resolution appearing so shortly after the close of the Civil War: "Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, as a General Southern Relief Committee, to receieve and dispense such Masonic charity as the brethren of the jurisdiction may see fit to contribute, through this Grand Lodge to our Southern Masonic Brethren; and that the lodges in this jurisdiction be recommended to dispense Masonic charity to our Southern brethren through said committee; and that the sum of $100.00 be appropriated by this Grand Lodge for such relief."      Another item of local interest may be found in the statement made in the minutes of June 6th, as follows:

"The Grand Marshal then formed the Grand Lodge in order, and proceeded to 14th and Brady Streets, where the Grand Master Mickel, assisted by his Wardens, proceeded to lay the cornerstone of the St. John's Methodist Church, pursuant to the invitation of the Society, Grand Secretary Parvin delivered, by invitation, an address suitable to the occasion, upon the " Relation of Masonry to the Bible. "