Masonic -Knights Templar "Civil War Death" Medals & 1 OH Grand Ldg 50 Year Medal - $60 - (Minneapolis, MN)
United States Civil War Veteran'sKnights Templar/Freemason Medalswith"Veteran" Designation These three medals were obtained from the estate of the family of Silas Howell Towler in Saint Paul, Minnesota. [PLEASE NOTE: we have learned that we initially dated these medals incorrectly. We believe that only the Ohio medal dates from before the 1940s. We thank eBay's Delhistory for his help with this listing.] The two white Maltese Star (Malta Jewel) Medals, one with the bar inscribed "veteran" on it above a black ribbon, were most likely second degree medals of the Knights Templars, an organization in which Silas Towler was very active. The medal for 50 years of service in the Grand Lodge of Ohio, which has a blue ribbon and a "veteran" bar at the top, is inscribed to Silas Towler. Towler was born in Xenia, Ohio in January of 1846. He enlisted in the Civil War Union Army in May of 1862 and rose from Private to First Lieutenant. He eventually became an Adjutant General and artillery officer. He left the army in 1865, settling in Columbus, Ohio. In 1864 Towler moved to Minneapolis, MN. He had been extremely active in the Freemasons prior to his settling in Minnesota and he continued his involvement, especially in the Knights Templer, after his move. In 1906 the "Masonic Observer...." reported that he was in the Commandery Zion No 2. (The above medal to the far left has as one of its two bars "Zion No. 2" with "Minneapolis" on a bar beneath it.) In 1917, Towler was the Department Commander of the Minnesota G.A.R. and made arrangements for the Minnesota contingent of the GAR to take part in the 51st National Encampment. In 1919 he was elected Commandant of the Soldier's Home in Minneapolis. He died in April of 1930. The medals in this auction are intertwined through the Civil War and the Masonic connections of the man who owned them: Silas H. Towler, a long time star in the Knights Templars and a Civil War veteran and active member of the GAR. The current tale about the M…
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From ebay.com - 1 month ago