Brethren,

Harry S Truman in his own words --

In 1906 I quit my job in the Union National Bank in Kansas City and moved to the farm at Grandview. It consisted of 600 acres and belonged to my grandmother, Harriett Louis Young.

My Uncle, Harrison Young, an old bachelor, had been running the farm since 1893, when my grandfather died. He wanted to go back to town and so arrangements were made for our family to take over. My father, brother and I ran the place for about ten or twelve years. I had always been interested in becoming a member of the Masonic Lodge. One day a cousin of my mother's who lived on a farm east of us came over to look at some livestock. He was wearing a square and compass with a big G in the center. I told him of my interest and desire to join.

This incident happened in January, 1909 or December, 1908. Mamma's cousin came back in a few days with an application for membership in Bolton Lodge No. 450 at Bolton, Mo. The initiation fee was $20.00, half of which went with the application. I signed up and gave my cousin a check for $10.00.

On February 9, 1909 I was initiated, passed in two weeks and on March 9, 1909 received the third degree and after passing all examinations became a full-fledged member of Bolton Lodge No. 450, A. F. & A.M. of Missouri. About a month later, the Grand Lecturer, James R. McLaughlan came to Bolton for a three day Lodge of Instruction. I attended all three days and accompanied the Grand Lecturer to Holden and St Joseph becoming almost letter perfect in the ritual in all the stations. In the fall of 1909 I was appointed a Deacon and in the fall of 1910 elected to Junior Warden.

I decided to organize a Lodge at Grandview about this time. The Masonic law required 20 signatures to a petition for a dispensation to be presented to the Grand Master. The Grand Lodge met in St. Louis in September, 1910 and I presented the petition to the Grand Master in the spring of 1910. It was approved and a dispensation was issued by the Grand Master with me as Master of Grandview Lodge No. 618. In 1911 I was elected the first Master and then it's Secretary. I was again elected Master in 1916 and was Master when the war came along in 1917. While I was overseas the lodge hall burned down with all the records and the charter.

When I came home from the war I kept up my interest in Masonic affairs becoming known as a ritualist and in 1924 I was appointed Deputy Grand Master and Deputy Grand Lecturer for the 59th District which was Jackson County outside Kansas City. I held instruction courses in every Lodge in the District in each year and held a general course of instruction for all Lodges in the District with the Grand Lecturer present. In 1930 I was appointed to the first step in The Grand Lodge Line and became Grand Master of Missouri in September, 1940.

When I became President in 1945, the Scottish Rite wanted me for the 33rd degree. My Masonic career has been helpful in teaching me to get along with people, and has caused me to become more familiar with the Bible and inspired me to read a great deal of History as told by William R. Denslow, Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Excerpt Courtesy of National Sojourners.

Respectfully,

John S. English
Worshipful Master