USA > Iowa > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882 > Part 76
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New School Presbyterian Church .- This congregation was organized in 1841, and built a stone church, the one lately occupied by the State His- torical Society on Burlington street. This church edifice was built by George Andrews, now living in Iowa City. Dr. W. W. Wood was the minister of the church for a few years, and was succeeded by Rev. Sam- uel Storrs Howe, who still lives in Iowa City, and claims to own the build- ing. [See sketch of Congregational Church.]
Congregational Church .- Situated on the corner of Jefferson and Clinton streets. It was built in 1868. This church has the following origin: The New School Presbyterian Church and society, constituted in 1841, met July 9, 1866, and unanimously resolved, all the elders and trustees concurring: " That we express ourselves in favor of abandoning the organization of the N. S. Presbyterian Church and society, and desire to remain together by becoming organized into a new church under the Congregational form of government." The Congregational Church of Iowa City was organized July 16, 1866, with 51 members, 34 from the N. S. Presbyterian Church, and 27 mostly from the First Congregational Church of Iowa City. The new church was reorganized by a Congregational council, July 31, 1866.
Congregationalism had a foothold in this city, as early as November 26, 1856. A church of 17 members was organized on that date. The first year of its organization, 40 persons were added to its membership, and during the subsequent years of its existence 14 additions were made to its number, making a total of 71 members. Having no house of wor- ship, and many of the leading members having moved away, the enter- prise was disbanded, many of its members entering into the Presbyterian communion, and others retaining their letters from the old organization. That first church enjoyed the ministrations of two installed pastors and one stated supply. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Morong, who was installed at the recognition of the church, Nov. 26, 1856, and resigned Jan. 7, 1859, after a pastorate of a little more than two years. The second pastor was Rev. J. Hutchinson, installed Dec. 20, 1859, and resigned June 16, 1860. The last minister of the first church was Rev. W. W. Allen, who commenced his labors as stated supply, Sept. 1, 1860, and continued to supply the pulpit some three years. He resigned Nov. 25, 1862, when the enterprise was given up.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Rev. G. E. A. Hebard, the father and founder of this church, was elected pastor Nov. 1, 1866, for one year, and continued his labors until Feb. 7, 1869. During Mr. Hebard's pastorate, there was an accession of 90 members, 57 by letter and 23 by profession.
After Mr. Hebard's departure to Oskaloosa, Rev. Rufus M. Sawyer of Middleboro, Mass., was called and continued until the spring of 1871, when he resigned, and assumed the pastorate of the Congregational Church of Anamosa. During his pastorate 21 were added to the church, 4 by profession and 17 by letter.
Rev. W. E. Ijams was unanimously called to the pastorate, June 19, 1871, and commenced his labors the following September. Mr. Ijams continued his pastoral labors until January, 1874. During his pastorate 66 were added to the membership of the church, 38 by profession and 28 by letter. From February, 1874, until the following October, Rev. Lysander Dickerman, of Quincy, Ill., supplied this church.
Rev. J. W. Healy, D. D., formerly of the Tabernacle Congregational Church of Chicago, commenced his labors, Aug. 15, 1875. During the year 57 were added to this communion, 22 by profession and 35 by letter.
The present pastor, 1882, is Rev. F. L. Kenyon; but no statistics were, furnished this historian in regard to the present condition of the church.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church-Was organized in 1840. It is situated on the corner of Jefferson and Lynn streets. The original mem- bers were: C. Dunkel, P. P. Freeman, J. Garber, - Cotle, C. Haverstrah McDonald, Forwald, McGinnes, Henry Basterdes, McWilliams, Brossart, Gross, Mike Freeman, Gaffney, Williams, Staatzer, Conboy, McDuffy, P. Smith, Phil Clark, H. Rampfer, T. Cohill and S. Hotz. This con- gregation received the two lots now owned by the church from the ter- ritorial legislature of Iowa. The Rev. Father Mazuedly, of Benton, Wisconsin, was the first regular visitor. July 12th, 1841, the corner-stone of a church was laid by Bishop Lovas, of Dubuque; the present building was consecrated August 15th, 1869, by Bishop Hennessy, the corner- stone having been laid by his order in 1867. The high altar was built in Cincinnati, at a cost of $3,000, and the side altar entailed an outlay of $2,000. Fathers Godfrey, Paget, McCormick, Hannon, Sullivan, Michaiel, and Emonds have succeeded one another. The present pastor took charge of the parish in 1858. Fourteen statutes of the Christ's passion were put in the church in 1882. The entire cost of the church, over $75,000, has been raised in Iowa City. The number of present members is about 250 families. The St. Mary's Roman Catholic grave- yard is situated in the north-east part of the city, and was established in 1841. In January, 1883, a fine church organ was put in the church of 12 tons in weight, 25 feet high, width 20 feet, depth 12 feet, 42 stops, and 1,700 pipes, built by the Moline Organ Company of Moline,. Ills. It is named St. Cecelia, the patron saint of church music.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
First Baptist Church .- On Saturday, June 28, 1844, a little band of Baptists met in Choate's school-house, and after the adoption of articles of faith, an organization was effected. The ministers present were Rev. John Champlin, Rev. W. Burton Carpenter, and the Rev. W. B. Morey. The resident membership was represented by Elder B. M. Parks, Isaiah M. Choate, Newton Sanders, Jehiel Parks, Julius Brown, Joseph N. Ball, Harrison Parks, and the following named sisters: Lucy Parks, Eliza Parks, Orvilla L. Parks, and Julia Ball. The next day was the Sabbath, and after services the first new members, F. Hardee and John Wolf, were baptized in the Iowa river.
July 24, 1841, a call was extended to Rev. W. B. Morey to become the pastor of the church, and the call was accepted. He preached a quarter of the time, the services being held in the old State House. The legisla- ture donated a lot for the church in 1844. Rev. Dexter P. Smith, who had become pastor of the church in May, 1845, went east in the subse- quent year, to raise funds for the building of a church and $4067.89 were secured. A brick church building was erected in 1847 and 1848, at a cost of about $5,000. It was dedicated in November, 1848. Dedicatory sermon by the pastor. Rev. B. F. Braybrook of Davenport and Rev. Geo. J. Johnson of New York were present and assisted in the services. The names of the successive pastors were: Rev. W. B. Morey, Rev. D. P. Smith, Rev. A. Russell Beldon, Rev. G. D. Simmons, Rev. C. B. Smith, Rev. James Discon, Rev. J. T. Westover, Rev. B. F. Ashley, Rev. A. Kenyon, Rev. A. H. Stowell, Rev. H. A. Guild, Rev. Frank Adkins, Rev. E. J. Hiscock, 1875 to 1881; Rev. H. M. Thompson, 1881-'82. The number of members in 1882 is one hundred and fifty. Church located on Clinton street between College and Burlington streets.
First Presbyterian Church .- It is situated on the corner of Clinton and Market streets. The name of Robert Hutchinson is found in the first board of trustees, and is yet on the roll of pew-holders. The committee of presbytery under whose direction the organization was accomplished, was composed of two ministers, Rev. L. G. Bell and Rev. Michael Hum- mer. Thirteen persons were enrolled as members; John McConnell was elected ruling elder; Diodate Holt, deacon; and Chauncey Swan, Joseph Schell, George P. Huey, Robert Hutchinson and Diodate Holt, trustees- Elder McConnell, a Virginian, served till his death in 1864. Diodate Holt was the superintendent of the first Sunday School, organized in 1843, and one of the first trustees. B. P. Moore and Robert Hutchinson led the praises of those early services. Chauncey Swan, one of the com- missioners appointed to locate the capitol, selected the site of the present church edifice and donated it to the society.
Previous to 1845 services were held in various places-sometimes in " Berry's School House," in " Mechanics' Academy," now Mercy Hos- pital, in " Butler's State House," east of Sanxay's corner [the building
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
,
that was afterward the City Hotel, on Dubuque street], and in the "Coun- cil Chamber" of the Capitol, now the center building of the University. In 1844 a church building was undertaken, and in 1846, on the 7th of September, services were held in the basement. The building was of brick, 42 by 75, with portico and cupola, resembling the present Baptist Church. Its total cost was in the neighborhood of $5,000, and as so large a sum could not be raised here, they did as other churches of the early day did-sent Mr. Hummer to the east with a view of raising the necessary funds .*
On the 16th of June, 1849, a new session was constituted, B. B. Hut- ton and John Brandon being elected elders; the affairs of the congrega- tion were put in better shape, the present constitution was adopted, and an efficient board of trustees was chosen-Rev. Silas Hazard, John Shoup, John Brandon, Thomas Hughes, Hugh D. Downey, Henry Mur- ray and S. H. McCrory. Mr. Hazard procured from friends in the east funds to complete the church. On the 24th of February, 1850, it was dedicated in the presence of a large congregation, Mr. Hazard preaching the sermon. His ministry lasted four years, during which time twenty-six members were added. Mr. Hazard's health becoming impaired, he moved to the neighborhood of Solon. On the 6th of March, 1853, Andrew Douglass and John Shoup became elders. After an interval of more than a year the ministry of Rev. John Crozier followed, commenc- ing May, 1853. In 1842 Mr. Crozier had united (by profession) with the Iowa City church, under the ministrations of Mr. Hummer, whom he first heard preach at the home of his childhood, in Paris, Illinois.
After a short vacancy a unanimous call was extended to Rev. F. A. Shearer, of Ohio. He began his labor in January, 1854, and was form- ally installed by the Presbytery of Cedar on the 4th of September, 1854. He was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1812, gradu- ated at Jefferson College, and was licensed by the Carlisle Presbytery. In the summer of 1850 the church was thoroughly repaired, at an expend- iture of near $600. The work was completed, and on the next Sabbath they expected to occupy the church. On the lot west of the church building stood a carpenter shop in which there was a steam engine, a spark from the smoke-stack caught on the cupola, and soon the church was in ashes. With the loss of the church, the difficulties incident to the erection of a new one, and the adverse times that soon set in, the pastorate of Mr. Shearer was brought to a close by his resignation and removal. Before he left the basement of the church had been put in order for ser- vices, and he preached his farewell sermon there on the 24th of July, 1858.
Rev. O. O. McLean, of Huntington, Pennsylvania, was chosen pastor at a meeting held on the 30th of April, 1859, and about one month later
*See the story of "Hummer's Bell," in Chapter VII, Part 1.
42
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
he entered on his duties without being formally installed. The church was so deeply involved that the loss of their property was seriously threatened. The pastor, with Mr. Geo. W. Clark, visited the east and secured $1,000, by which, with the funds raised on the ground, the church was finally freed from debt. Enthusiastic resolutions were passed, in which Father Sanxay and Mr. J. C. Culbertson were especially thanked. During Mr. McLean's ministry fourteen members were added to the church. Isaac Struble, J. M. Smith and Elihu Baker were additional elders to John Shoup and J. P. Wood, who had been previously elected. In May, 1861, the ministry of Mr. McClain was brought to a close, and he returned to Pennsylvania. The Rev. Osmond was called as pastor in October, 1862, and remained its pastor until 1880. During his stay with this church they completed their present edifice. Rev. G. B. Folsom, D. D., is the pastor in 1882.
Trinity Episcopal Church .- This church is situated on the corner of College and Gilbert streets. The parish was first organized in 1847, by the Rev. Mr. Lauterback, rector of Trinity Church, Davenport. Rev. C. C. Townsend was the minister in 1853. The first recorded vestry meeting was held in the summer of 1853, when the vestry consisted of Stephen Maynard, senior warden; Samuel Bacon, junior warden; C. G. Dillon, J. H. Morehead, E. Lindsley, D. S. Warren, and James Stratford. In 1850 there were thirty-one communicants and forty Sunday school scholars. The congregation had been holding services in the state house; but, in 1855, there were received two subscriptions of $500 each, raised for the erection of a church. The corner stone of the present church was laid by Bishop Lee, on Thursday, April 27, 1871, and the church was opened for worship October 1st of the same year. The rectory was built in 1878. Rev. C. Compton Burnett was the rector in 1880-81; succeeded by Rev. Thomas Bell in 1882.
English Evangelical Lutheran Church .- The Lutheran congregation was organized in June, 1855, by Rev. H. F. Ealy, with twenty-eight mem- bers. He resigned six months afterward. A vacancy of two years ensued. In 1857 the church was reorganized as an English congregation, with twenty-four members. The Rev. D. Sprecher then became pastor, under whose ministry a lot was purchased and the present building erected, a frame, on Dubuque and Market streets. Mr. Sprecher resigned in July, 1859. The pulpit was then vacant thirteen months, when Rev. J. G. Shaffer took charge (August, 1860), remaining one year. In Septem- ber, 1861, Rev. Jesse Helsel became pastor, and labored one year. A vacancy of ten years then ensued. Rev. D. P. Grosscup, was commis- sioned as missionary in November, 1872. He served until February, 1879, when the pulpit was again vacant for fourteen months. In April, 1880 Rev. J. A. M. Ziegler took charge. The congregation now number forty members.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
The German Lutheran Zion's Church, was organized March 1, 1857. The original members were: Geo. Ruppert, Geo. Victor, Jacob Barth, John Mensler, Carl Wrede, Conrad Harmel, Michael Klenkert, Michael Hornung, Michal Protz, John, George and Leonhard Trumpp, Adam Michel, Daniel Lowenstein and Peter Miller. The church building is situated on the northeast corner of Johnson and Bloomington streets; this is a brick structure, and was built in 1861, and cost $1,500. It was dedicated by Rev. Dorcher of Iowa City, and Rev. Weineke of Rock Island, Ill. In 1875 the steeple was erected and other improvements made. The fol- lowing have been its pastors: Rev. Jas. Ritter, Rev. Doercher, Rev. Wehrs, Rev. Vogt, Rev. J. Hoerlein, Rev. C. Ide and Rev. O. Hartman, the present pastor. The membership is 400. The congregation has its own parsonage, next house east of the church. Present trustees: Solo- mon Grim, John Schwarz and Albert Hemmer. Present elders, H. W. Boerner, Alb. Drews and G. Otte. There is a Sunday school connected with the church, in which the German language is used; also a German- English day school. Average number of scholars, thirty-five. [These statistics were furnished in September, 1882.1
German Methodist Church .- Corner of Gilbert and Jefferson streets; Rev. E. C. Margaret, pastor; G. W. Marquardt, superintendent of the Sunday school. [No statistics furnished.]
Christian Chapel .- This congregation was organized in this city March 28, 1863, with eighty-four members. The name of Kimball Porter heads the list; Samuel Lowe was the first pastor. He remained a few months, when his brother Joseph succeeded him, and remained about two years. In June, 1865, John C. Hays was called to the pastorate, and remained until June, 1869; Jesse H. Berry came September, 1869, and remained nine months; J. Madison Williams began his ministry in September, 1870; was a graduate of the University, and afterwards superintendent of the city schools; Dr. S. E. Pearse came September, 1872, and remained two years. The church was without a pastor until September, 1875; Rev. O. P. Miller is the pastor in 1882. This was the first church edifice erected in Iowa City, and stands on Iowa avenue, south of the city park.
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church is situated on the corner of Court and Linn streets. It was organized in 1873, and held its first service in a frame building, Father M. V. Rice being the first priest. It is called the Catholic Irish Church, the St. Mary's being the German Catholic Church; but there are both Irish and German members of both churches. The Con- gregation of Irish Catholics was established as a separate church organiza- tion by the Right Rev. John Hennessy, of Dubuque, Iowa, at the solicitation of a number of the members of the St. Mary Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. The present church building is a fine brick structure, built in 18'77, at a cost of $18,000. It has not yet [1883] been dedicated. Father Rice was succeeded by the present priest, Father Patrick Smythe.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
the present membership is about 200 families, or 1,100 souls. The Sunday school of this church was organized at the same time of organiz- ing the church congregation.
The parochial school connected with this church, is taught by the Sisters of Charity, of the order of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The girls at the St. Agatha Seminary, and the boys at the St. Patrick's Church, are all under the pastoral charge and supervision of Father Smythe. The average attendance of boys at the church school is about 60, taught by two sisters. At the St. Agatha Seminary, the average attendance is about 90 girls. This only includes the children of the school and not boarders at the Seminary.
Unitarian Church .- January 20th, 1881, Prof. C. A. Eggert, Hon. John P. Irish and Rev. O. Clute were appointed a committee on organization. At adjourned meetings on January 30th, February 6th, and February 19th, 1881, the organization was perfected by the election of officers, and appointment of committees, as follows:
Minister, Rev. Oscar Clute; Trustees, M. Cavanagh, president; J. E. Taylor, secretary; Prof. W. C. Preston, Frank A. Fletcher, F. J. Horak, A. E. Garretson, L. Rundell, clerk, Prof. C. A. Eggert; John G. Given, treasurer.
Committee on Benevolent Action: Horace Kimball, C. A. Eggert, Mrs. Lydia Kimball, Mrs. Fanny L. Fracker, O. Clute.
Committee on the Young: (This committee is made up of the officers and teachers of the Sunday school.) W. J. Taft, superintendent; Miss Stella Bacon, secretary; Mrs. Jane Clark, Mrs. A. Olive Furbish, Mrs. Georgia Closson, Mrs. Geo. N. Pratt, Mrs. A. Webb, O. Clute.
Committee on Music: Mrs. John P. Irish, Miss Jessie Andrews, Mrs. A. Burr.
The trustees of the Universalist Church contributed to the new move- ment the use of their church property, corner of Iowa Avenue and Clinton streets. [No statistics furnished.]
Methodist Episcopal African Church of Iowa City, is a frame building situated on the south half of lot 18, block 1, on Governor street, west side. The Rev. James W. Howard is the officiating minister. The church property is worth about $2,000.
SECRET ORDERS AND OTHER CIVIC SOCIETIES.
MASONRY.
Iowa City Lodge No. 4 .- This is one of the four lodges that were chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
Nov. 20, 1840, a dispensation was issued to the requisite number of brethren residing at Burlington to form a lodge at that place-the first in the then territory of Iowa -- and a charter was granted to them Oct. 20, 1841, with the name, Des Moines Lodge, No. 41.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Feb 4, 1841, a dispensation was issued to constitute a lodge at Bloom- ington (now Muscatine), and a charter granted Oct. 20, 1841, naming it Iowa Lodge, No. 42.
Oct. 10, 1842, a dispensation was issued to constitute a lodge at Dubuque, which was chartered Oct. 10, 1843, under the name of Dubuque Lodge, No. 62.
On the 10th day of October, 1842, letters of dispensation were issued by Priestly H. McBride, Grand Master of Missouri, to form a lodge at Iowa City, in which were named, William Reynolds, worshipful master; William B. Snyder, senior warden; A. J. Willis, junior warden.
A charter was granted Oct. 10, 1843, and named Iowa City Lodge, No. 4.
In May of the same year a convention was held in Iowa City, to take the necessary steps to organize a Grand Lodge in the territory of Iowa.
Pursuant to the arrangements made, delegates from the four chartered lodges met in convention at Iowa City, Jan. 2, 1844, and held a two days' session, during which time a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and grand officers elected. An adjournment was then had until Monday, Jan. 8th, at which time Right Worshipful Ansel Humphreys, district Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, acting as Grand Master, opened (with the assistance of the constitutional number of Mas- ter Masons) the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and installed the Grand Offi- cers-elect and constituted the Grand Lodge of Iowa in due and ancient form. Oliver Cock, of Burlington, was the first Grand Master; William Reynolds, of Iowa City, first Junior Grand Warden; Theodore S. Parvin, now of Iowa City, the first Grand Secretary; and S. C. Trowbridge first Grand Steward. The four lodges,-having deposited with the new Grand Lodge the charters granted to them by the Grand Lodge of Mis- souri,-were furnished new charters by the Grand Lodge of Iowa, retain- ing their original names, and numbered from one to four, according to the dates of the original charters,-Iowa City Lodge, being then No. 4, the charter bearing date Jan. 8, 1844. According to the published report of that year, Iowa City Lodge had in all 28 members; but, during the year, several were added to their number. Among these we find the name of Robert Lucas, the first Governor of the territory of Iowa, who joined by affiliation. In 1851 the returns show only 29 members.
At the session of the Grand Lodge, held in June, 1852, a charter was granted to Zion Lodge, No. 31, located at Iowa City, with George W. McCleary, Past Grand Master, as Worshipful Master; Ezekiel Clark, as Secretary; S. M. Wadley, as Tyler. These three were the only ones returned as members of Iowa City Lodge in 1851.
The new lodge worked steadily, until June 24, 1880, when it was con- solidated with Iowa City Lodge, No. 4. The two lodges at that time had a total membership of 174.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Royal Arch Masonry .- March 19, 1844, a dispensation was issued by Joseph R. Stapleton, Deputy General Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the United States, to form a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Iowa City. The same was organized April 25, 1844, and called Iowa City Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2. At the triennial convocation of the General Grand Chaptea held at New Haven, Conn., in September fol- lowing, a charter was granted, under the authority of which this chapter worked until June 8, 1854, when delegates from the three chartered chap- ters of the State and one under dispensation met at Fairfield, and formed the Grand chapter of Iowa. Although chapters had been organized for over ten years before the Grand Chapter was formed, yet from the records we are led to believe there could not have been over one hundred regu- larly affiliated Royal Arch Masons in the State; while, at the present date, there are 91 chapters, with a membership of 4,796. Iowa City Chapter has 94 members, and her register shows that over 250 have been members since the chapter was organized in 1844. From the members of Iowa City Chapter five Grand High Priests have been selected as fol- lows: T. S. Parvin, now a member, but at the time of his election, in 1854, a member of Washington Chapter, Muscatine; James R. Hartsock, Kimball Porter, L. S. Swafford, and Z. C. Luse.
Templarism .- On December 1st, 1856, a Commandery of Knights Templar was organized by Sir Knight William Leffingwell, under a charter from the Grand Encampment of the United States, -named Palestine Commandery, No. 2,-with Sir Knight Kimball Porter as the first Eminent Commander.
A convention was held in Des Moines, June 6, 1864, under the sanction of a warrant issued October 20, 1863, by B. B. French, Grand Master of Knights Templar of the United States, to J. R. Hartsock, of Palestine Commandery, No. 2, as his deputy, authorizing the commanderies of Iowa to form a Grand Commandery. This was consummated, and the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Iowa, duly formed and constituted, with Sir Knight T. S. Parvin, of DeMolay Commandery No. 1, of Muscatine, but residing at Iowa City, as first Right Eminent Grand Commander. At that date there were only three chartered com- manderies in the State and one under dispensation, with a total member- ship of about 130. In October, 1880, there were in Iowa thirty-seven chartered commanderies, with a membership of nearly two thousand. Palestine Commandery, No. 2, has now a membership of eighty. Iowa . City Sir Knights have been eminently favored. T. S. Parvin, now a member of Palestine, J. R. Hartsock and George B. Van Saun are Past Grand Commanders; Sir Knight Van Saun, the present Grand Master of Masons in Iowa, was knighted in Palestine Commandery, and demitted therefrom Nov. 3, 1865; Reuben Mickle, Past Grand Master, also knighted in Palestine Commandery; Z. C. Luse, Past Grand Master, has been
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