On
September 22, 2007, the Friends of Arrow Rock
purchased the historic two-story brick building on Main Street
in Arrow Rock, which has been
the home of Arrow Rock Masonic Lodge #55, since the building was
erected by the
lodge in 1868. Brief Account of Some of the Early Masons of Saline County
In 2007 Robert Campbell donated a small brochure which was the October 7, 1942 Centennial Program of the Arrow Rock Lodge No. 55 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Listed are some brief accounts of early Masons in Arrow Rock that appeared in the program.
Rudolph Hawpe: First Master of Arrow Rock Lodge. He, with Bros. Joseph and Benjamin Huston, were among the organizers of the Methodist Church at Arrow Rock.
Joseph Huston: Came to Arrow Rock from Virginia in 1819. He was a member of the first County Court in 1821. He erected the Tavern in 1834, and resided there until his death in 1865.
Thos. McMahan: Lived south of Arrow Rock in Cooper County. Very early settler.
Henry Nave: From Tennessee. He and his family were among the first settlers.
Bernis Brown: Was said to have owned 2,000 acres of land. County Surveyor in the 1840s.
Ezekiel F. Scott: Came from Virginia in 1830, settled on large farm near Hardeman.
Dr. Wm. Price: Son-in-law of Dr. John Sappington. Owned large farm southwest of Arrow Rock. Educated several sons in Europe. Built the large brick house on south side of Main Street known as McGuffin place.
Philip M. Thompson: Santa Fe trader. Owned Chestnut Hill farm about one mile west of Arrow Rock in front of which stands the red granite Santa Fe Trail marker.
Wyatt Bingham: His brothers were John and Henry. The latter was father of George C. Bingham.
Wm. P. Roper: Saddler. His shop stood at lower end of Main Street, north side. It was over his shop the lodge dickered for “Sky title” for lodge room. Roper was an early member of Concord Church 5 miles northwest of Arrow Rock.
Henry S. Mills: Merchant and banker at Arrow Rock. Antony O’Sullivan worked in his store and bank. Mills moved to Kansas City in the ’80’s and established the Western Exchange Bank.
Dr. Mathew Hall: Practiced many years in Arrow Rock and Saline County. His residence still stands to the east of the Tavern. Raised large family with four sons as doctors.
Dr. Oscar F. Potter: Born in New York State. To Arrow Rock about 1840. Was personal friend of George C. Bingham and O’Sullivan. To St. Louis in 1860 where he continued private practice. Filled chair of Materia and Medical Botany in St. Louis School Pharmacy 1868-69 and ’70.
Anthony O’Sullivan was the most widely known member of Arrow Rock Lodge No. 55. He was initiated May 9, 1846, when he was 38 years of age. He served in numerous capacities. It was through his work as Foreign Correspondent of Grand Lodge and Grand Commandery that he became widely and favorably known in Missouri and other jurisdictions. [A plaque on the building recognizes his services.]