February 24, 1999

Truman as a Mason

   In 1909 Truman became a Mason---joining the Belton Masonic Lodge where he was active until a year later when the Grandview lodge was started and he became a charter member of that organization. In his autobiography, Truman wrote that he memorized his Masonic lectures while riding behind his plow horses. He became the first master under the new charter of the Grandview Lodge.. In 1930, he was appointed to the Grand Lodge line and in 1940 he became the Grand Master of the State of Missouri. (Note that Truman was a Senator at the time.)

   All of the rest of his life, the Masonic order was important to him for its teachings and charitable work. For that reason, Truman's funeral combined both religious and Masonic services. The grand master of the State of Missouri Lodge, W. Hugh McLaughlin, gave the Masonic portion of President Truman's service.