Lodge History

Prepared and submitted by: Thomas K. Wilson, Daniel R. Anderson
Redone and Updated by: Terrance M Schaffer

The Founding of Sherburne Lodge

On December 5, 1871, a group of Masons gathered at the schoolhouse in Elk River, Minnesota, to discuss organizing a Masonic Lodge. It is presumed that previous meetings had taken place to explore the feasibility of establishing a Masonic organization, but the first recorded meeting is from this date. The minutes from that evening state: "Upon motion, each member present paid the sum of five dollars to hold a charter membership."

Following this meeting, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota granted a special dispensation to the group, allowing them to function as a working lodge while awaiting their charter. The lodge received two petitions on December 12, 1871. One was rejected, while the other was accepted. The first candidate initiated, passed, and raised in the newly formed lodge was Mr. Frederick A. Hoebner, who completed the third degree on December 28, 1871. The Grand Lodge of Minnesota endorsed the lodge's charter, dated January 9, 1872. On January 22, 1872, Grand Master George B. Cooley formally presented the charter in a ceremony, officially establishing Sherburne Lodge No. 95 A.F. & A.M.

Early Leadership and Growth

The first Worshipful Master of Sherburne Lodge was Brother Luther E. Preston. The other officers installed that day included:

  • William M. Cleeland – Senior Warden (Merchant)

  • William H. Houlton – Junior Warden (Merchant)

  • John Q. A. Nickerson – Treasurer (Hotel Keeper)

  • Severin Holgate – Senior Deacon (Tinner)

  • Samuel Colson – Junior Deacon (Hotel Keeper)

  • Hiram P. Burrell – Tyler (Farmer)

Records indicate that Worshipful Master Preston was 26 years old at the time of his installation. He had previously been initiated, passed, and raised in 1869 at Evening Star Lodge No. 414 in Illinois. His occupation was recorded as a schoolteacher, and his death was noted on May 20, 1897. Several of the other charter officers later served as Masters, Secretaries, and Treasurers of the lodge.

Sherburne Lodge was named in honor of Moses Sherburne, the second Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota. Sherburne was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Minnesota Territory from 1853 to 1857. Born in Maine in 1808, he later moved to St. Paul, where he practiced law before relocating to Orono in Sherburne County in 1867. He passed away on March 29, 1868. Both Sherburne County and Sherburne Lodge were named to honor his contributions to Minnesota.

The Lodge in a Changing Era

The lodge was established during a transitional period in Minnesota, as the region shifted from pioneer days to an industrial era. The Mississippi River was a hub of steamboat and logging activity, and the railroad had been in Elk River for eight years. Lumbermen, farmers, and merchants were expanding businesses, while new settlers arrived in increasing numbers.

Lodge records reflect this growth and change. Many men petitioned for membership, some seeking a sense of refuge and fraternity. Some petitions were rejected, while others were accepted, leading to rapid membership growth in the early years. The lodge became very active in degree work, often holding special meetings in addition to regular communications.

The first recorded social event of Sherburne Lodge was a New Year's Eve ball on December 31, 1874, though no details remain regarding the music, food, or location. Oral history and interviews suggest that social functions, including Masonic balls, were common at the turn of the century. Lodge expenses from that era include purchases of cigars for post-dinner gatherings and frequent purchases of oysters, a tradition that appears to have evolved into the lodge’s long-standing annual oyster stew meal.

Celebrating Milestones

Sherburne Lodge celebrated several major anniversaries, often in conjunction with the Order of the Eastern Star:

  • The 50th anniversary (January 10, 1922) was marked by a banquet and entertainment at the Odd Fellows Lodge, as reported in The Sherburne Star News.

  • The 75th anniversary (April 22, 1947) featured a dinner prepared by Whittemore Chapter #253 of the O.E.S., followed by a Third Degree ceremony. WB Roland K. Wilson delivered a historical address.

  • The 100th anniversary (January 10, 1972) took place at the Union Church Parish Hall. WB John Coleman, the Worshipful Master at the time, received an engraved plaque symbolizing a century of Masonic work. The event included speeches from Grand Lodge officers and predictions about the state of the world in 2072.

The Lodge Through the Years

Over time, the lodge saw various technological and social changes. Members once traveled by horse and buggy, and lodge records note expenses for wood, candles, and kerosene. The lodge met in the Music Hall until the "Big Block Fire" in the late 1890s, after which it rented space in the Odd Fellows Hall. In 1904, it moved to quarters above the First National Bank Building at Jackson and Main Street.

One of Masonry’s core principles is charity and relief, a tradition that has been evident throughout the lodge’s history. The first recorded Masonic funeral took place on January 14, 1874, for Brother Winthrop Davis. Lodge minutes document many cases where members sat with sick brethren, provided medical assistance, or supported families in need.

A New Beginning (2013-Present)

By 2013, Sherburne Lodge faced financial difficulties. Worshipful Master WB Jamie Romness worked to address the issues of declining membership and building maintenance costs. Special meetings were called, and discussions were held with Whittemore Chapter #283 of the Eastern Star. The financial burden of the building became unsustainable, leading members to decide to sell it.

After years of attempting to sell the property, a buyer approached in 2013 with an offer for a contract for deed, planning to complete the purchase by 2015. A commemorative dinner was held in September 2013 to celebrate over 40 years at the Upland Avenue location. Members reflected on the lodge’s history and reaffirmed that the lodge is not a building, but its members and their work.

In October 2013, the lodge moved to the American Legion in Elk River, where the first meeting in the new location was held with a strong turnout, including Grand Lodge officers. However, unforeseen rental increases led the lodge to seek another location. After temporarily meeting at Anoka Lodge #30, Brother Gene Giegoldt offered space at his Riverwood Conference Center in Otsego in 2014.

The lodge experienced a revival, hosting successful events such as Casino Night, Beer & Cigar Night, and participation in local parades. Scholarships were awarded to students, and the lodge continued charitable activities, including the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

In 2016, however, the lodge once again found itself without a home when Riverwood was sold. The new owners converted the property into a senior living center, forcing the lodge to move. Sherburne Lodge relocated to NE Winslow Lodge #125 in Osseo, though members continued to seek a return to the Elk River area.

Conclusion

Sherburne Lodge No. 95 has weathered numerous changes, from its founding in 1872 to the challenges of the modern era. Through it all, the principles of Masonry have remained constant: brotherhood, charity, and tradition. The lodge continues to adapt and endure, proving that its strength lies not in any physical building, but in the commitment of its members.