Lodge No. 27 of Bangor, Wisconsin, founded November 19, 1869, was a subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, an international temperance organization. The I.O. of G.T. was a hierarchical organization founded on May 16, 1855, which included national, guard, district, and subordinate lodges, all members of the International Supreme Lodge, which continued to function until the early twentieth century. The Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, founded May 13, 1856 to “save people from the evils of liquor” called itself the “largest temperance organization in the state.” It had direct jurisdiction over district and subordinate lodges in Wisconsin.
Members of the I.O. of G.T. favored the end of the manufacture, sale and use of intoxicants, absolute prohibition, active dissemination of the “truth” about liquor, and the election of sympathetic representatives to government offices. Each member took a pledge to abstain from “spirituous of malt liquors, wine and cider,” and promised to discourage their manufacture, sale and use. Rituals and secrecy were an integral part of all levels of the I.O. of G.T.
Upon its founding, Bangor Lodge No. 27, adopted the uniform constitution for subordinate lodges which established its structure, procedures and rituals. The officers were a worthy chief templar; worthy vice-chief templar; a secretary, responsible for minutes, written communications, attesting to monies ordered paid at meetings, reports, etc.; a financial secretary, responsible for accounts between the lodge and its members; a treasurer; marshall; guard; sentinel; assistant secretary and deputy marshall. The lodge required members to pay regular dues and could expel members for failure to pay or for breaking the pledge of abstinence. Although the I.O. of G.T. was considered an educational instrument, lodge meetings also served as social events. Lodge No. 27 surrendered its charter on January 20, 1891 when only seven members remained.
Some records of Bangor Lodge No. 208; Star of Province, Juvenile Temple No. 63; the Good Templar Mutual Benefit Association; and the Bangor Trust Company are included with the Records of Bangor Lodge No. 27. Bangor Lodge No. 208 was founded December 2, 1864. Some members left that lodge to found Lodge No. 27. The Good Templars Mutual Benefit Association was an insurance agency for Good Templars, founded in 1885. Members paid a premium based on their age and health. When a member died, each living member contributed to a death benefit fund for the family of the deceased. Members of Lodge No. 27 founded Bangor Trust Co. on March 14, 1887. On April 1, 1887 it received a warranty deed for property valued at 300 dollars from the lodge, which constituted the capital stock of the Trust Company. It also managed funds for the International Order of Odd Fellows.
