MISSOURI. The first Lodge established in the territory of Up per Louisiana, as this State was originally called, was by authority of a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in 1807, in the town of St. Genevieve. This Lodge flourished until 1816, when, owing to the unsettled condition of the country, it ceased to work. In 1809 a constitutional number of brethren obtained another charter from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to open a Lodge in the town of St. Louis. Of the history of this Lodge nothing definite is known. A char ter bearing date October 8, 1816, was granted by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, to open a Lodge in the town of St. Louis, by the name of Missouri Lodge. October 6, 1819, charters were granted to open lodges in the towns of Herculaneum and St. Charles. In 1820 a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Indiana was granted to form a Lodge in the town of Jackson. Feb. 22, 1821,
a convention of delegates from the several lodges assembled in the town of St. Louis for the purpose of consulting upon the propriety of establishing a Grand Lodge for the State. The convention appointed a committee to draft a constitution, and adjourned to meet at the same place April 23, following. Pursuant to notice of adjournment the con vention met, organized a Grand Lodge for the State, adopted the Constitution presented by the com mittee, and elected Grand Officers. Thomas F. Riddick was elected the first Grand Master.
The GRAND CFIAPTER was organ ized May 18, 1816.
The GRAND COMMANDERY,Knights Templar, was organized May 22, 1860. George W. Belt was elected the first Grand Commander.