History of Hiram Lodge #50

Hiram Lodge #50 has had a long history in Madison, Wisconsin.

Hiram Lodge #50 was an outgrowth/split off of members from Madison Lodge #5.  Madison Lodge #5 was founded in 1844 – even before Wisconsin was officially created a State.

In 1854, ten years after the founding of Madison Lodge #5, eighteen members left Madison Lodge #5 to found Hiram Lodge #50. The circumstances of their split with Madison Lodge #5 are unknown.  On February 21, 1854, Hiram Lodge #50 was created by dispensation of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. Madison Lodge #5 disputed the right of the Grand Lodge to form a second Lodge in the City of Madison, WI, without the permission of the established lodge (Madison #5 ). It took almost four months for this issue to be sorted out.  But ultimately, it was decided in Hiram Lodge #50’s favor.  Accordingly, Hiram Lodge #50 received its charter from the Grand Lodge of the State of Wisconsin on June 14, 1854.

In June 1854, there were six thousand people living in Madison, WI.  Franklin Pierce was President of the United States and William Barstow was Governor of the State of Wisconsin. The USS Merrimack, which later became the Ironclad Ram CSS Virginia, was launched on June 14, 1954.

The eighteen initial members of Hiram Lodge #50 were:

·      Julius T. Clark (WM);

·      John Nelson Jones (SW);

·      John Wright (JW);

·      Asher Newton Cross (Tr);

·      John W. Hunt (Se);

·      Daniel M. Seaver (SD);

·      James Halpin (JD);

·      John R. Baltzell (SS);

·      Charles Weed (JS);

·      Algernon S. Wood (Tiler);

·      Beriah Brown;

·      J.B. Bowen MD;

·      Jonathan Davis;

·      Ezra R. Gleason;

·      Alezander T. Gray;

·      John N. Jones;

·      Adolphus Menges; and

·      Volcott W. Roth.

Hiram Lodge #50 initially met in the Oddfellows Building.   In 1857 several members withdrew to create the German speaking Concordia Lodge #83 (which folded in 1882).

The 1860s were hard economic times in Madison, WI and Wisconsin due to the Civil War and subsequent period of reconstruction.  A notable event for Hiram Lodge #50 during this period was on May 26, 1863.  On that date, the lodge was visited by Union General Tom Thumb visited Hiram Lodge #50. Another notable event happened in 1868.  During that year, officers and members of Hiram Lodge #50 assisted in the laying of the cornerstone of the U.S. Courthouse at the corner of East Mifflin St. and Wisconsin Ave.

The 1880s were also hard economic times.   

In 1898, Captain Henry W. Quentmeyer, (who served as Master from 1897 to 1900 and set up the Financial Committee and Board of trustees) become a hero of the Spanish-American War.

Hiram Lodge #50 moved from place to place until 1887.  That year, together with Madison Lodge #5, the two lodges purchased the old Presbyterian Church at the corner of Johnson St. and Wisconsin Ave.  The lodges then proceeded to refurbish the building and reopened as "The Masonic Hall".

In 1917 the Dept. of defense closed the Masonic Hall to conserve energy in the winter months. As a response, Hiram Lodge #50 purchased $1000 worth of Liberty Bonds to support the war effort in World War I. The Masonic Hall was replaced in 1925 with the present Madison Masonic Center (fka The Temple of Freemasonry or the Madison Masonic Temple).

Famous Lodge brothers have counted Wisconsin Governors Lucius Fairchild (1866-1872) and Oscar Rennebohm (1947-1951) and several congressmen and senators. In World War II Capt. Leslie Gilbert, who was a member of Hiram Lodge #50, went down with his ship, also a hero.

Hiram Lodge #50 has contributed two Grand Masters to Wisconsin; Most Worshipful Ingvald Hembre who served as Grand Master in 1952 and Most Worshipful Brother Dean Massey who served as Grand Master in 1990.