Masonic organization has played a major role in the community growth of Marshalltown and almost as old as the city itself.
FREEMASONRY was established here on May 2, 1857, when the Masons of Marshall received a dispensation by the Grand Master of Iowa. B. J. Blaney was the original Worshipful Master. Blaney had helped organize the first Masonic Lodge in the county the year before at Marietta when that town was the county seat. He came here shortly afterward and helped organize the Marshalltown order.
In the hectic days when Marshalltown and Marietta were battling for the county seat, Marshall Lodge 108 and Marietta Lodge 97 exchanged bitter words about members who were participating in the “battle for the county seat.” However, when Marshalltown won the court battle, residents of Marietta began moving here. In April, 1862, the Marietta lodge was closed.
In 1886, 20 members of the Marshall order, believing that the city could support two lodges, organized the Iowa Valley Lodge, which prospered until 1904 when its 129 members decided to consolidate with Marshall Lodge. Since that time there has been only one Blue Lodge in the city.
SIGNET CHAPTER 38, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered in October 1876, and the initial High Priest of this Masonic affiliate was J. M. Bundy. From earlier records in 1953 the chapter had a membership of 562 and L. W. Elliott is the High Priest.
Another affiliate, King Solomon Councile 20, was organized in 1873. In 1878 these degrees were surrendered to the Grand Chapter. In 1899 the Grand Council of Iowa was reorganized and in 1903 King Solomon Council was re-established. A. Legge served as the first Illustrious Master. The post in 1953 was held by D. A. Dennis. The group had a membership of 542.
St. Aldemar Commandery 80 was organized in December, 1876, with H. S Halbert as Commander. In 1953 the Commandry had 456 members and headed by H. M. Philipps.
Central Chapter 67, Order of Eastern Star, originally functioned under a dispensation issued May 5, 1888, which named Mrs. Eliza Young as Worthy Matron. A charter was granted in September of that year and since then the organization has reached a membership of 795. Mrs R. G. Rinden is Worthy Matron.
MADON SHRINE 38, White Shrine of Jerusalem, was chartered in May, 1921, with Mrs Margaret Schechter as Worthy Higy Priestess. White Shrine members reached 480 by year 1953 and Mrs Lyle Steelman heads the group.
DeMolay and Rainbow Girls, Masonic affiliated for boys and girls under 21, were organized here in 1951. DeMolay was originally established here in 1922, but died out several years later. in 1953 there were 93 Rainbow Girls and 46 in the DeMolay Order.
The membership of Marshall Lodge 108, A.F. and A.M. by 1953 was 762. V. L. Allbe was Worshipful Master.
Other Masonic Lodges in Marshall County in this time frame and the year of their organization are:
LeGrand, 1890
Albion, 1869
State Center, 1869
Gilman, 1874
Rhodes, 1894
Melbourne, 1899
Liscomb, 1921