1945 Edward B. Stilgebouer

Brother Stilgebouer was born in Danbury, NE on 15 July 1875 in a sod house that his father built. He worked on his parents farm until 1905, when he bought a half interest in a Butcher Shop and learned to cut meat.

He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Boaz Lodge No. 185 in Danbury, NE in 1905. In 1907 he left for California via train with his wife, three sons, and one daughter. He moved to Brawley, CA, and bought a Meat Market in 1908. In 1909 he helped in the organization of Brawley Lodge No. 402, and was one of the 13 Charter Members. He was Worshipful Master of Brawley Lodge in 1913 and 1917. In 1921, he moved to Oceanside where he opened another Meat Market. He demitted from Brawley and affiliated with Oceanside Lodge. In 1933 he moved to Vista, and became an active member of the Vista Masonic Club. In 1944, he was appointed to Chair a committee to attempt to get a dispensation for a Lodge in Vista. He was the Co-founder of Vista Masonic Lodge and became our first Master in 1945.

While he was a successful owner of a Meat Market and a butcher, he found time for public service, and was a president of both Oceanside Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. He was also a Charter member of the Oceanside Elks Club, and served on the Oceanside Bank of America Board