Lodges in our early historyThe following was taken from the Rose History printed in 1911: "The first lodge organized in Luverne was the Masonic, which began its existence when the town was in its infancy, a community 39 miles from the nearest railroad. In October 1873, the initial steps toward the organization of the pioneer lodge were taken, and at a meeting held on March 4, 1874, the lodge was placed under dispensation by the Grand lodge of Minnesota. Officers to serve during this period of its existence were chosen as follows: E.N. Darling W.M.; W.E. Vary, J.W.; E.D. Hadley, S.W.; Charles F. Crosby, S.D.; R.O. Crawford, J.D.; A.L. March, T.; William Jacobsen, C.The charter for Ben Franklin Lodge No. 114, A.F. & A.M., was granted Jan. 13, 1875, and following its formal organization the following officers were installed: Charles F. Crosby, W.M.; Robert Herren, S.W.; E.D. Hadley, J.W.; A.L. Marsh, secretary; U.R. Hinds, treasurer; E.N. Darling, S.D.; William Jacobsen, J.D.; R.O. Crawford, S.S.; Stewart Young, J.S.; J.F. Shoemaker, tyler; A.J. Bartlett, chaplain." The present membership of Ben Franklin lodge is 71. "A second Masonic order, Luverne Commandery No. 22, Knights Templar, dates its existence from 1891. The dispensation for its establishment was ordered in February, and in June the charter was received. The first regular meeting of the Commandery was held March 23, 1891. Mark Swedberg served as the first eminent commander. On Oct. 14, 1892, a petition signed by 24 Masons and their wives requested a charter for a lodge of the Eastern Star. Prompt action was taken by the state authorities and on Dec. 14, 1892, Luverne Chapter No. 47, O.E.S., was instituted by Dr. W.S. Webb of Worthington. The first officers and charter members, numbering 20, were Olivia A. Halbert, worthy matron; Myra Bronson, associate matron; B.H. Hinkly, patron; Della E. Halbert, conductress; Hattie S. Kelley, associate conductress; E.C. Hinkly, treasurer; Ella T. Randal, secretary; J.E. Darling, elector; M.A. Hinds, warden; B. Knapp, sentinel; Sophia Bryan, Martha; Lizzie C. Swedberg, Esther; Kate E. Bruce, Adah; Nancy A. Meyers, Ruth; L.L. Bryan, J.J. Myers, U.F. Hinds, John Kelley, E.N. Darling, Mrs. J.E. Darling."Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156. Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
