History

 Just twelve years after the first recorded passage of white men through Jasper County and eight years after the City of Newton was located, the Grand Lodge of Iowa AF & AM issued a dispensation to form and open a new lodge in the town of Newton called Newton Lodge U.D. AF & AM.

Bro. R.D. Minard had visited Pioneer Lodge #22 AF & AM in Des Moines in January of 1855 and had been examined. The brethren of Pioneer Lodge made a recommendation to the Grand Lodge of Iowa that a dispensation be granted. The dispensation to form a lodge in Newton was granted on March 20, 1855 by M.W. Bro. James L. Hogin, Grand Master. The first meeting was held on March 31, 1855.

Bro. R.D. Minard was appointed Worshipful Master; Bro. Jesse Rickman, Senior Warden; and Bro. Hugh Rodgers, Junior Warden. At the first meeting Bro. Samuel Cooper was appointed Treasurer; Bro. Elisha Hammer Secretary; Bro. William Rodgers Senior Deacon; Bro. Z.M. Allen Junior Deacon; and Bro. Louis Helphrey was appointed Tyler .

At the first meeting petitions were read from Mr. Caleb Lamb and Mr. J.A. Harris. Brothers Jesse Rickman, Elisha Hammer, and Samuel Cooper were appointed to a committee to write the bylaws for the lodge.

On the evening of May 5, 1855 Bro. J.A. Harris was the chronicled to be the first person to be initiated in Newton Lodge. Bro. Caleb Lamb was also initiated that evening.

The charter of Newton Lodge #59 AF & AM was granted on June 6, 1855 in Keosauqua , Iowa . The charter was signed by M.W. Bro. Alyett Cotton, Grand Master and T.S. Parvin, Grand Secretary. A point of interest is worth mentioning here, M.W. Bro. James L. Hogin the Grand Master who had signed the dispensation was ill and unable to preside at the Grand Lodge communication, so this is the reason that M.W. Cotton was the Grand Master to sign the charter. The charter of Newton Lodge #59 predates by two years the actual incorporation of the City of Newton .

At the meeting held on June 23, 1855 the following officers were elected: R.D. Minard, Worshipful Master; Jesse Rickman, Senior Warden; Hugh Rodgers, Junior Warden; Samuel Cooper, Treasurer; Elisha Hammer, Secretary; William Rodgers, Senior Deacon; Z.M. Allen, Junior Deacon; and Louis Helphrey, Tyler.

The officers were duly installed on July 6, 1855 by I.E. Jewit of Pioneer Lodge #22.

Brothers Harris and Lamb were advanced to the degree of a Fellowcraft on August 11, 1855. On September 15, 1855 Bro. Caleb Lamb was the first brother to be raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Newton Lodge #59. The minutes reflect that there were approximately 30 called communication in the first year of the lodges' existence.

Gebal Chapter #12 R.A.M. was chartered on May 31,1856. Bro. and Companion Joshua Swallow was the first High Priest.

The first meeting place of the lodge was located off of the northwest corner of the town square. From 1856 to 1857 the Masons occupied a room in the Rodgers and Lamb hotel which was located on the south side of the square. In the later part of 1857 and the early part of 1858 the Masons met in the Manning Hotel on the east side of the square. In April of 1858 they relocated to the Housel Hall which was also located on the east side of the square. In the early days of the lodge, the meeting room of the Masons was shared with the Odd Fellows and Good Templars.

One of the more unusual events of the lodge occurred on June 29, 1859 when the minutes of the lodge read as follows:

“ Bro. D.C. Smoke (of Galesburg ) and Miss Elmira J. Davis entered the hall and were joined together in the holy bonds of matrimony by Bro. & Reverend A.H. Shaffer after which Bro. William Rodgers, Worshipful Master proceeded in due form to install the officers for the ensuing year, whereupon the Grand Marshal declared the officers of Newton Lodge #59 AF & AM duly installed and the officers were saluted with the Public Grand Honors.”

The minutes of December 15, 1861 show that Bro. Bradway had died and that he had expressed a desire to be interred by the lodge. This was the first recorded Masonic funeral service held by Newton Lodge #59.

The great battle of the Civil War was fought during 1861-1865. Over 1400 troops were supplied by Jasper County to the Union cause. Many brethren of the lodge served during this great struggle. Bro. Jeremiah Wright Wilson, who would later become Grand Master served in Company K. of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Bro. Caleb Lamb helped raise and served as Captain of Company I of the 37 th Regiment of the Iowa Volunteers (the “Gray Beards”).

On August 10, 1867, the brethren of Newton Lodge #59 began a long series of negotiations toward a new hall for members of the lodge—a hall that would be owned by them. At that time, the Masons were meeting on the second floor of a building located on the west side of the square.

Over a year was spent on negotiations and in May of 1869 a committee was appointed on the building of a hall on a building to be erected by Bro. Herran and Mr. Agnew on Lot No. 8, Block No. 16 of the southwest corner of the town square. The cost was to be $1,745.99. This was to be a third story over the present hall that the Masons were meeting in. On January 15, 1870 the minutes reflect that the building had been completed. Thus the first permanent home of the Masonic Order was established where it has remained for the past 137 years. This building was on the spot which in 1846 had housed the log cabin of Jesse Rickman, the first post master of Newton and the second Master of the lodge.

Oriental Commandery #22 Knights Templar was organized in 1871. The Commandery was offered a 1/3 interest in the building which they maintained until 1944.

On January 20, 1870 the brethren of Newton Lodge #59 made a recommendation that a dispensation be granted to Meridian Lodge U.D. in Kellogg , Iowa .

The Central Iowa Protective Association was formed in 1875. The Protective Association was to provide life insurance to its member in exchange for assessments. The life and success of this Association is unknown.

Jeremiah Wright Wilson

 The brethren of Newton Lodge #59 were honored in June of 1878 when Bro. Jeremiah Wright Wilson, a four time Past Master of the lodge was elected and installed as Grand Master of Masons in Iowa .

The first electric light was installed in December of 1884 at a cost of $75 per year. In June of 1886 the brethren decided that they wished to have the electric light removed and went back to an “improved burner in the chandelier”.

The alter now in use in the lodge room of Newton Lodge #59 was presented on the evening of March 24, 1888 when Bro. Charles L. Wilder addressed the brethren telling them that he wished to present to the lodge an alter in memory of his mother with the understanding that one side of the alter would have the inscription thereon. The alter was formerly presented on the evening of September 12 th along with a Holy Bible, solid silver square and compass and Bible marker. H.S. Winslow, P.M. accepted the donation on behalf of the lodge. Bro. Wilder also presented the grey granite rough and smooth ashlars. Over 125 brethren were present that evening including M.W. Bro. George B. Van Saun P.G.M.; Grand Secretary T.S. Parvin and Grand Tyler Theodore Schreirer.

Today, the alter, square and compass, and ashlars are still part of the furniture of the lodge room. The bible is still used on special occasions. In 1892, Bro. Wilder also presented the pedestals at the stations of the three principal officers. Bro. Wilder remained a member of Newton Lodge #59 until his death on August 12, 1919 in Cambridge , Massachusetts .

The minutes of November 23, 1901 reflect a motion by Bro. O.C. Meredith that a telephone be installed.

Brethren of the lodge were called to serve during World War I. A commemorative plaque shows that 20 brethren served their country during World War I. Bro. Fred W. Scharf lost his lost in the war.

The year of 1918 started out with the brethren of Newton Lodge #59 and the sisters and brothers of Newton Chapter #100 O.E.S. sharing a joint installation.

The minutes of the stated meeting held on January 30, 1920 reflect 16 petitions being received that evening. 34 members were added during 1920.

The last addition to the building was completed in 1926 when a committee was appointed to assist in the purchase of the “Corner Drug Store” and make some needed repairs and improvements to the hall. The committee was authorized to borrow up to $6000 for the improvements. At the stated meeting held on November 12, the renovation committee submitted their final report: $11,575 had been spent on improvements and $16,000 was spent on purchasing the McBride Building (“The Corner Drug Store”).

On the evening of December 19, 1941 the brethren of the lodge voted to send a “paid up” dues receipt to all members of the lodge who were serving in the Armed Forces. This was continued for the duration of World War II.

On October 15, 1943 Bro. W.R. “Ron” McPherren made a motion that the lodge incorporate under the provisions of the Benevolent Orders Law.

After the end of World War II, Newton Lodge #59 like most other lodges became very active. The minutes of December 29, 1944 record that six brothers were raised that day. The lodge opened at 1:00 p.m. and labored until 10:20 p.m. that evening. Bro. Russell Cobbs gave his life in the service of his country during World War II.

The evening of March 14, 1947 was a special night in the history of Newton Lodge #59. The Fellowcraft degree was conferred upon Bros. G.H. Brooke, Edwin A. Briggs, and Dick Steenhoek. Five local ministers conferred the degree on Bro. Briggs who happened to also be a local minister.

On October 24, 1947 the lodge raised Bro. Richard M. Luther who later went on to become Grand Master of Masons in South Dakota in 1995.

The 100 th anniversary of Newton Lodge #59 was observed on March 25, 1955. Bro. Harold D. “Pete” Paschal was the Worshipful Master. In attendance that evening were M.W. Bro. Wilbur F. Earhart, Grand Master and R.W. Theodore G. Zacharias, Deputy Grand Master. The evening concluded with dancing in the lodge room with music provided by the Jack Cozad Orchestra.

At the annual election of the lodge held on December 18, 1959 Bro. Pete Paschal was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Newton Masonic Temple Board of Custodians, a position he held for 45 years until his death in 2005.

Cliff Stewart, Secretary

 Bro. Cliff Stewart served as Worshipful Master of Newton Lodge #59 in 1924. Upon the death of Bro. Fred L. Kennedy in 1926 who was serving as Secretary of the lodge at the time of his passing, Bro. Stewart was installed as Secretary of Newton Lodge #59. He faithfully served in that office for 36 years until his passing on December 22, 1962. The booklet that was published at the time of the 100 th anniversary noted that Bro. Stewart had attended 987 of the 1001 meetings of the lodge that had been held between his installation in 1926 and 1955.

In 1962 the front exterior of the building was renovated. Two years later, an elevator was installed on the south side of the building.

1976 – 1977 Renovation

 In 1976 after several years of discussion, W.M. Charles D. Brown appointed a committee to study rather the current temple should be renovated or disposed and a new location obtained. It was estimated that it would take approximately $75,000 to renovate the current temple. After much discussion and debate, it was finally determined that the current temple would be retained and renovated.

Bro. W.R. McPherren was appointed General Chairman of the project. Approximately $41,500 was donated by the various Orders that met in the building. Individual contributions totaling over $13,000 were also donated. Over 6,500 hours of labor were donated to the project. The project was completed in late 1977 and a dinner was held on the evening of November 12, 1977 to commemorate the completion of the project.

Grand Lodge Officers

Newton Lodge #59 was honored to have several Grand Lodge Officers during the last years of the twentieth century. Bro. Harold D. “Pete” Paschal served as Grand Treasurer (1977-1978); Deputy Grand Master (1981-1982); and Grand Master (1985-1986).

Bro. Robert W. Kilfoil served as Grand Marshal during 1974-1975 and Junior Grand Warden during 1987-1988.

Bro. Kenneth Robinson served as Grand Chaplain during 1992-1993.

Bro. Alfred L. Jensen served as Senior Grand Deacon during 1993-1994; Senior Grand Warden during 1997-1998; and Grand Master during 2001-2002.

Bro. Wade E. Sheeler served as Senior Grand Steward during 2005-2006 and Bro. Charles A. Williams (a dual member with Newton Lodge #59) served as Senior Grand Deacon during 2005-2006.

On December 18, 1980 the brethren of Newton Lodge voted to accept upon consolidation the brethren of Meridian Lodge #280 of Kellogg and on February 23, 1989 Fairview Lodge #194 of Monroe consolidated with Newton Lodge #59.

The year of 1999 proved to be a challenging year for Newton Lodge #59. Bro. Kenneth Robinson of the Board of Custodians report to the lodge on June 18 th that the south wall of the temple was in danger of collapsing. The Lodge gave the Custodians the approval to proceed with fixing the wall. Ultimately the brick covering was removed and the wall shored up. A new Styrofoam covering was applied. The cost of this project was over $70,000.

Starting in 2003, the lodge has undertaken many projects to improve the physical appearance of it's inside. The main lodge room was repainted in 2003. In 2004, the dining room was renovated and a new tile floor installed. In 2006, the recreation room was recarpeted and in 2007 the lounge area received new carpeting.

Newton Lodge #59 celebrated its 150 th anniversary on June 18, 2005 (the actual date of the chartering of the lodge was June 6, 1855). M.W. Bro. Donald E. Mayer, Grand Master and his corps of officers attended a gala dinner and program that evening. Over 150 people were in attendance.

On December 29, 2005, M.W. Bro. Harold D. “Pete” Paschal P.G.M. passed to the Grand Lodge Above. He had been honored by the brethren of Newton Lodge #59 on the Past Masters Night held on November 9 th by being presented a plaque to recognize him for his 45 years of service on the Masonic Temple Board of Custodians. Bro. Pete had been a member of Newton Lodge #59 for over 57 years.

The Grand Lodge of Iowa was opened in the Temple of Newton Lodge #59 for purposes of conducting Masonic services for Bro. Paschal. Over 100 Masons were in attendance.

The Grand Lodge of Iowa was again opened in the Temple of Newton Lodge #59 on September 2, 2006 for the purpose of laying a cornerstone at the new Iowa Speedway. M.W. Bro. Charles L. Brinkerhoff, Grand Master presided over this event.

Bro. Ed Meade, a Past Master of Newton Lodge #59 (1981) was elected and installed as Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter O.E.S. of Iowa in October of 2006.

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