The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-11-12
TEMPLE IS WORK
OF ASSOCIATION
First Home Built in 1903;
Start New Temple in
May, 1924.
REORGANIZE IN 1923
C. F. Cooper, First President,
and His Son Ralph Now
at the Head.

The beautiful new Masonic Temple
dedicated today by Kenosha lodge, No.
At, is the reuslt of days, weeks, months
and years of continued and persistent
effort to keep pace with the fraterni-
TVS growth and give to the lodge a
home in keeping with its long-cher-
ished ambition which has served as its
ideal through the years.
The idea of modern and commodi-
GUS building had its birth with the
Kenosha Masonic Temple association,
which had first come into being when
the old temple was rebuilt in 1908 at
the corner of Chicago and South
streets. For many years this home
sutficed, but in time it was outgrown,
and some five or six yeaEz ago the
idea of financing and erecting a mod
ern new Temple terminated.
When building was seriously con-
sidered the association sold the old
temple to the Kenosha Odd Fellows
for whom it still serves, and the Ma
sonic lodge leased the old Unitarian
church building on Chicago street,
which was used as temporary quarters
until such time as the new structure
was completed and ready for occupan-
cy. The transfer of permanent quar-
tiers from the Unitarian building to
the new Temple took place this week
and il celebrated in the dedicatory
ceremonies today.
c. F. Cooper First President.
When the Kenosha Masonic Temple
association was incorporated in 1908
for the purpose of erecting the old
temple, c. F. Cooper, then head of
the Cooper Underwear company, was
one of the first directors and the
boards first president. H. J. Hastings
was vice-president, F. H. Truax was
secretary and A. E. Buckmaster was
treasurer. The fifth and last member
Of the board was c. F. Hannahs.
C. F. Cooper died in the year in
which he became president of the as
ed him as president.
Other men who have served or are
serving on the board of directors,
from 1903 to 1925, inclusive, are as
follows in the order of their election
to office:
J. A. Jackson E. G. Theirs, w. w.
Strong, S. C. Newman, F. A. Marx, F.
L. Wolfe, G. S. Whyte, R. Y. Cooper,
]. ]. Chester, L. T. Hannahs, G. H.
Cook, ]. A. Rose, H. G. Hansen, E. F.
Randall, 7. J. Dale, A. M. Neergaard,
w. H. Parry Jr., T. S. Scott, L. L. Vir-
gil, J. t. Wilson, R. D. Mahlstead, c..
e. Randall, j. NJ. AIbers, G. S. Lance,
F. A. Achen.
J. I. Chester followed H. j. Hastings
as president of the association, and
T. S. Scott was president when ground
was broken for the new Temple in
May, 1924. Mr.. Scott was a. pioneer,
the father of the new Temple idea,
and to his energy and enthusiasm is
largely due the ultimate success of
the Temple plans. To the regret Of
the entire Kenosha Masonry death
ended Mr.. Scott's activities before he
saw the realization of his hopes. He
was succeeded as president by Ralph
Y. Cooper, who went through the
building campaign with his brother
Masons and is today still acting as the
associations head.
Plans for the new Temple were
started under the old board of di-
rectors, but in 1923, when plans began
to take definite form and a new struc-
ture was in sight, the .Kenosha Ma
sonic Temple association was re-
organized as it stands today. This
association is incorporated and is the
builder of the Temple, but Kenosha
lodge No. AZ, is the holder.
When building had been definitely
decided upon, the association bought
the Weiskopf residence property at
the junction of Deming and Chicago
streets, and ground was broken for
the present Temple in May, 1924. The
cornerstone was laid with fitting cere-
monies in October, 1924.
Officers serving with President
Cooper on the association board are:
H. c. Hansen, ce-president; 1. L.
Virgil, secretary; A. M. Neergaard,
treasurer. These officers, together
with Directors T. j. Dale, C. E. Ran
dali, J. NJ Albers, G. S. Lance and F.
A. Achen, have been in charge of
final building operations throughout.
During the course of construction,
j. M. Albers has served as superin-
tending inspector for the lodge, and
President Ralph Y. Cooper has been
especially active in the letting and
carrying out of contracts. When need
ed, every member Of the committee
has been drafted and has worked
long and faithfully.
The entire lodge membership has
worked on the project in some way;
there have been no slackers, and the
building accomplished is a monument