Fraternal Socities in Galena
By Tracey Lee Roberts

What do William R. Rowley, Ely S. Parker, John C. Smith, John A. Rawlins and John E. Smith have in common? It is well known that they were all Galena Civil War generals. Perhaps less well known is their involvement in the fraternal organizations of Galena in the mid-19th century. While there were many fraternal and sororal organizations meeting in the county during the 19th century, the Masons, Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias had many similarities and attracted to their ranks some of the area's most prominent men.

The aim of these societies was to promote friendship, charity, and truth through good deeds and by example. Their elaborate uniforms and rituals, however, indicate that they were not simply charity organizations. They saw themselves as descendants of a noble past and defenders of Christian morality. They looked to Greek allegories and the romantic stories of Knights of the Crusades for their imagery. They required a high level of discipline from the membership, akin to that needed in the military. There were (and still are today) uniforms and regalia denoting rank within the organization and symbols and rituals based on one's degree. Perhaps men attracted to these organizations were of such a mind that they made good military and civic leaders or perhaps it was the organization that kindled and fostered the attributes of self-discipline, order, and honor.

The Freemasons
The Freemasons (or Masons) were the first national fraternal organization to start a lodge in Galena. The Stranger's Union Lodge No. 14 was begun in 1826, before Galena was surveyed and platted. The first officers included Moses Meeker, Benson Hunt, and James Harris, some of Galena's earliest settlers. According to Kett's History of Jo Daviess County (1878), the lodge disbanded in June 1829 due to a "fierce storm of Anti-Masonic fanaticism then sweeping the country". Another attempt to organize a lodge began in 1830 but was short-lived.

This hate was probably born out of suspicion. The Masons, who began their organization in England, imbued cryptic symbols and signs with power. They based their cosmology on the Christian bible but this was not recognizable to the uninitiated. A membership card of the late 19th century best describes Masonry:

"Masonry consists of a course of ancient hieroglyphic moral instruction, taught agreeably to ancient usage by types, emblems and allegorical figures. Even the ceremonies of gaining admission within these walls are emblematical of events which all mankind must sooner or later experience."

This way of thinking, that symbols could express the deepest and most fundamental events of humankind, was consistent with the 19th century romantic movement in the arts. This was coupled with a passion of eulogizing the ancient Greeks and Romans and the medieval period in European history.

Geometry (one of the seven medieval liberal arts) was the basis on which the superstructure of Masonry was erected. The skill of the mason and his tools were the basis of their symbolism. The degrees of apprentice, journeyman, mason, and master mason were echoed in the degrees one attained within the fraternal organization of Masons. In the "Official Monitor", a booklet explaining Masonic symbols to the membership, one learns that "the bible is the rule of our faith, the square to square our actions, and the compass to circumscribe and keep us within due bounds". "The lamb-skin or white leather apron symbolizes innocence and is the badge of Masons". It symbolizes "purity of life and rectitude of conduct". The twenty-four inch gauge instrument used by masons symbolized for Freemasons the 24 hours in a day—eight each for service, vocation, and rest. The mallet or gavel was "symbolic of divesting our hearts and consciences of the vices of life".

In Galena, two other lodges were begun and disbanded between the years of 1838 and 1855. Members of the short-lived Phoenix lodge included William R. Rowley, John E. Smith, and H. H. Gear. Then in February, 1858, the members of the newly formed Miner's Lodge No. 273 met at the DeSoto House. This lodge was largely organized by Ely S. Parker who was at that time superintending the construction of the U.S. Customs House and Post Office for the city. One of the first events the Miner's Lodge participated in was the laying of the cornerstone for this building in April, 1858. The Masons hosted a dress ball at the DeSoto Hotel on St. John the Evangelist's Day, December 27, 1859. Ely Parker came dressed in the full uniform of a Knight Templar, the highest and most honored degree of the Masons.

During the Civil War, many Galena Masons were at the frontlines, including the previously mentioned generals and Captain George Felt. The Miner's Lodge continued, however, and in 1874 put up a building on Main St. near Warren St. While no longer a Masonic lodge, today the building can be identified by the symbol and name of the Masons on its upper lintel.

The Masons have met continuously through these decades and today enjoy a membership of about 90 individuals. They are involved in many community projects and look back with respect on their illustrious past.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows
The Odd Fellows also had their roots in England in the early 1800s. How they acquired their name is disputed. Some sources say the organization was started by laborers who did odd jobs; others say that they were working-class smiths who were odd in that they went about helping others. However it was named, it was brought to the United States by Thomas Wildey, and English Odd Fellow who settled in Baltimore, MD. He helped to form other lodges in other localities. He came to Galena in 1838 to organize a chapter, thus the name Wildey Lodge No. 5. Brother Daniel Wann was the first presiding officer and in 1839 was honored with a gift of an "elegant metal…as a testimony of esteem". (This artifact was given to the Historical Museum many years ago.)

The goals of the organization as described in the Wildey Lodge 150th anniversary booklet were to "visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, educated the orphan and protect the widow". They wanted to extend the "three links of friendship, love, and truth among all men". In the days before social security, workman's compensation, and health insurance it was necessary to band together with others to meet basic human needs, especially in times of tragedy. The Odd Fellows took care of their own but also involved themselves in community projects.

Other Odd Fellows lodges formed and disbanded over the years. John C. Smith, who distinguished himself as a Civil War general, was instrumental in organizing Steuben Lodge No. 321, begun in 1865. Like the Masons, the Odd Fellows organized themselves by rank or degree and wore regalia fitting to each. They also based their tenets on Christianity and used symbols, which were revealed to the membership in stages, according to their degree. They have utilized several different buildings in Galena to house their lodge, one of which is the present day Galena/Jo Daviess County History Museum. They meet today in their Miner's Lodge on N. Bench St. and are involved in several national, state, and local charitable projects.

The Knights of Pythias
Pythias, a legendary Greek figure, was the inspiration for a most visible organization holding local meetings in their Saxon lodge by 1875. In the legend, Pythias was nearly executed when he stood as voluntary hostage for his condemned friend Damon. He symbolizes the tenets of their organization—friendship, benevolence, and charity. Their symbol was the lily denoting purity of heart. They also based their organization on Christian morality and believed themselves to be descendants from a misty, yet noble past.

While all the fraternal societies had ornate costumes and regalia, the Knights of Pythias stood out According to Kett's History of Jo Daviess Co., the Knights appeared in the 1876 Centennial Parade in Galena. They came "mounted [on horseback] and in full uniform, making a magnificent display and exciting the admiration of the vast crowds of spectators, with which the streets of the city were thronged" (p.525.). Their swords and sheaths, belts and badges were wonderfully wrought and must have cost their owners a small fortune

Members included B.F. Fowler, William R. Rowley, Charles Sheerer, William Spensley, Daniel Barrows, F.B. Newhall, Frank LeBron and H.B. Chetlain, all notable names in the history of the Galena area. It seems the group disbanded sometime in the early 1920s.

These organizations made contributions to the Galena community by raising funds for charitable purposes, organizing Protective Associations for their members and delighting the people with their costumes and ceremonies. No less important was the opportunity they gave to many men to assume positions of leadership. Members learned to work within the confines of a hierarchical structure, to appreciate self-discipline and to serve the highest of moral purposes—truth, love, and benevolence among all people.