Freemasonry in Wisconsin first took an organized form on the night of December 27, 1823, when seven army officers and three civilians met at the home of Brother George Johnston on the west bank of the Fox River in what is now Green Bay. The soldiers were attached to the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, stationed at Fort Howard, under the command of Col. John McNeil, also a Freemason. Wisconsin was then part of the territory of Michigan and very lightly settled. The regiment was there to maintain order and protect the settlers in this vast wilderness.
Desiring to form a lodge, the men sent a petition to the Grand Lodge of New York requesting a charter. Dispensation for the formation of a lodge was granted, and on September 2, 1824, the interested brethren met again to organize it. Their charter from the Grand Lodge of New York was dated December 3rd.
During the following year, Menomonie Lodge № 374 ceased to be a military lodge and became civilian. An 1854 address given in Green Bay showcased the Lodge’s records dating back to 1827 and its cessation as a Lodge in 1830. It was, therefore, never chartered as a “Wisconsin” lodge; moreover, its New York charter was destroyed in a fire during 1870 at Washington Lodge № 21, Green Bay.
Carved out of the original Michigan Territory in 1836, the rich lead mines of the southwestern Wisconsin territory attracted a large influx of settlers, including influential men from Missouri and Illinois. These men also formed Masonic Lodges.
Melody Lodge № 49 under the Grand Lodge of Missouri received a dispensation at Mineral Point on October 8, 1840. Organized on July 27, 1841, it was granted a charter in October 1842 and began work on February 15, 1843. On January 10, 1843, a second dispensation came from Missouri to form Lodge № 65, about 20 miles from Mineral Point in Platteville. With dispensation granted on June 12, 1843, The Grand Lodge of Illinois, as that area’s Grand jurisdiction, chartered Milwaukee Lodge № 22.
On January 17, 1844 representatives of these Lodges established the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. The Lodges were re-chartered according to seniority: Mineral Point № 1, Melody № 2, and Kilbourn № 3 (who changed its name to Milwaukee founding father Bryon Kilbourn). Fifty years later, in 1894, there were over 260 Lodges and more than 15,500 members. Membership in Wisconsin peaked in 1960 with over 300 Lodges and more 59,000 brothers.
Wisconsin freemasons support a wide variety of charities. First is the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation that provides worthy students educational scholarships. The Foundation provides care for the aged at its Three Pillars Senior Living Communities in Dousman, the Masonic Home Foundation Fund and Masonic Medical Fund. The service and Assistance Fund improve the lives of veterans at four Wisconsin VA Hospitals but is also ready to assist in time of national natural disasters. Lastly, the Grand Lodge sponsors a state-wide youth soccer game for exceptional athletes. Of course, most Lodges sponsor and support local charities and philanthropic endeavors.
Today Grand Master L. Arby Humphrey presides over 181 Lodges with a membership over 11,000. Among the many distinguished and honored masons of the Badger State are all five Ringling brothers’ circus owners, former Governor and Secretary of Health & Human Services Tommy Thompson, former Wisconsin Governor Lee Dreyfus and former Wisconsin Attorney General, and Past Grand Master, J.B. Van Hollen.
Wisconsin/US – Masonic Lodge helps food bank
Wisconsin/US – Wautoma Freemasons welcomes you to Scholarship Fundraising Dinner
Wisconsin/US – Prince Hall Masonic Temple promotes gun safety after several kids shot and injured
Wisconsin/US – Freemasons to provide lifesaving devices for state patrol vehicles
Wisconsin/U.S. – Barnes freemasons present firefighting tool to Solon Springs
Wisconsin/U.S. – Merrill Freemasons donate fire suppression tool
Wisconsin/U.S. – Waukesha Masonic Lodge celebrates 170 years
Wisconsin/U.S. – Masonic Temple donates Fire Suppression Tool to Sheriff’s Office
Wisconsin/U.S. – Viroqua’s Masonic Building turns 100
Wisconsin/U.S. – Wautoma Masonic Lodge presents Redgranite FD with FST
Wisconsin/U.S. – Masonic Lodge makes donation for police dog training
Wisconsin/U.S. – Freemasons provide new firefighting tool to Douglas County departments
Wisconsin/U.S. – Not so Mysterious: Past and Present Masonic Temples Build Community
Wisconsin/U.S. – Wautoma Masonic Union sponsors Father’s Day picnic
Wisconsin/U.S. – Ground broken for new Masonic lodge
Wisconsin/U.S. – Historic Masonic Center windows get some watchers
Wisconsin/U.S. – Masonic Lodge Delivered 241 Meals
Wisconsin/U.S. – Past and Present Masonic Temples Build Community
Wisconsin/U.S. – A Portage County Sheriff was shot by outlaws in 1875. His Civil War sword has new owners.
Rod Rommel and Masonic Day of Light in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Freemasons
- Madison Dyslexia Center Scholarship Essay shows life-changing results April 17, 2024By Kelly Kuenzie, Director, Madison Children’s Dyslexia Center All of us are grateful for the generosity and support the Masons provide to make the Children’s Dyslexia Center possible. Teaching students with dyslexia for over 20 years has opened up a world of opportunities for hundreds of children. This year again, we can thank the Masons […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Freemasons raise $1,000 for Omro Food Pantry April 15, 2024Brother Jason Loker, Master of Omro Masonic Lodge (No. 168), and Brother Richard Yell presented a $1000 check to the Omro Food Pantry on March 19th. Pictured above from left: WM Jason Loker, Treasurer of the Omro Food Pantry Mary Jo Hinderman, Omro Food Pantry Director Barbara Geffers, and Omro Lodge Secretary Richard Yell. Submitted […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Quincy Adams Freemasons Lodge Secretary honored April 14, 2024Brother Robert Theim (right), Master of Quincy Adams Freemasons Lodge (No. 71) in Friendship, presented a Masonic Service Medal and Certificate to Secretary Michael Willis on March 20th. Brother Theim said, ”Brother Willis has done an exceptionally diligent job with reorganizing the lodge paperwork, record keeping, and updating Lodge records and files, following the consolidation […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Hayward Freemasons honor first responder Brothers April 13, 2024Freemasons from Hayward’s Keystone Masonic Lodge (No. 263) honored and presented Masonic appreciation pins to first responders at their March 14th Stated Communication. From left: Senior Deacon Adam Strapon; Junior Warden Phillip Johnson; Brother David Wilson, Shell Lake Chief of Police and Fireman; PM Patrick Hamblin, EMT; Master Chris Olson; Brother Mike Sawyer, EMT, Wisconsin […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Owen Freemasons Hold Corned Beef Dinner April 12, 2024When it comes to knowing how to serve up a great Corned Beef Dinner, Owen Freemason Lodge (No. 317) has the recipe fro success! Over 100 attended the gala affair by word of mouth and enjoyed corned beef, veggies, and homemade Irish Soda Bread on St. Patricks Day. Pictured above, kitchen workers front row from […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Glenn L. Humphrey Lodge Brothers Visit Three Pillars Residents April 10, 2024Ten members of Glenn L. Humphrey Masonic Lodge (No. 364), Dousman, visited Three Pillars Health Care and River Side Lodge Assisted Living during their social meeting on February 4th. They enjoyed coffee, juice and pastries with five members of our Masonic family residing there. The Lodge appreciated the assistance of Melissa Gibbs, Recreation Service Manager, […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Dodgeville Freemasons raise $1050 for Dodger Food Locker April 8, 2024Pictured above are a few of the many volunteers participating in Dodgeville Masonic Lodge’s (No. 119) March 2nd pasty sale. Standing from left: Carrie Pishion, Brian Neil, Joyce Widder, Jim Davis, Mike Hoppenjan, Anna Olson, Charles Pishion, Robert Husted, Berry Hottman, Brian Pishion, Greta Byers, Scott Althaus, Stephanie Martin, Joslyn Olson, Kneeling: Bethany Hinsman (left) […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Lodi Valley Freemasons contribute to Dane County EMS April 7, 2024Recently, Lodi Valley Masonic Lodge (No. 99) made its annual contribution to the Dane County District 1 Emergency Medical Service. Lodi Valley several years ago merged with Crescent Valley Lodge of the Black Earth-Mazomanie area that District 1 covers. Pictured above, Brother Roger Haarklau, seated at left, presented District 1 Director Pete Peterson with a […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Mystic Tie Freemasons donate two more FSTs April 5, 2024Brother Mark Steckel presents one of two Fire Suppression Tools (FSTs) to Sheriff Jeff Wallace at the Rusk County Emergency Services Committee meeting on March 13th. Other Lodge members present Bob Grunseth, Doug Kueny, and Ken Brown. Four of these units have been donated to area fire departments by Mystic Tie Lodge (No. 280). These […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
- Wisconsin Rapids Freemasons host Pinewood Derby April 3, 2024Wisconsin Rapids Freemasons Lodge (No. 128) has sponsored a local Cub Scout Pack for the last 4 years with the highlight event always hosting the Scouts Pinewood Derby. The Brothers empty out the lodge room and connects each boy’s picture with the name of his car and information about the “driver” on the lodge video […]Jeffrey Schoenfeldt
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Dousman, WI 53118www.wisc-freemasonry.org262-965-2200
