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Montana Masonic Museum
New Acquisitions

Th e Montana Masonic Foundation, Inc., as the owner of the Montana Masonic Museum, does from time to
time add signifi cant acquisitions to the collection. Recently, several pieces were acquired and are in the process
of being added to the display.
Gold Scale and Revolver. Th e Gold Scale is a standard balance scale with wooden base with drawers and
weights, Circa 1880s. Th e Revolver is a Forehand & Wadsworth Double Action, .32 caliber, 2 1/2- inch barrel.

Th is Item belonged to Henry Elling. He arrived in Virginia City in 1864 and was a prominent businessman,
merchant, and banker.

Henry Elling was born in In 1867, Brother Elling received his degrees in
Germany on 9 December Virginia City Lodge No. 1. He served as Lodge
1842. In 1861 Elling arrived in Treasurer from 1877 to 1880, Worshipful Master in
the U.S., aft er which he settled 1874 and 1885. He was elected as Grand Treasurer in
in Leavenworth, Kansas. 1869 and again in 1870.

In 1862, Elling followed In January 1881, Henry Elling formed, Elling-
the gold rush to Colorado. In Knight and Company and took over from Patrick
1864, Henry Elling acquired Largey, and opened a hardware store in the Masonic
funds to purchase stock and Temple building. Th ey were located there for thirty-
haul the merchandise by four years. He also partners in the Elling and Buford
ox team to Virginia City, Ranch, the Elling and Hyndman Flour Mill, the
Montana Territory and open his store in October Elling and Morris and Word Quartz Mill, the Elling
1864. In 1865 he opened another store in Helena. Hickman and Olds Mining Claim, the Elling Knight
Aft er 1873 Henry Elling was predominantly a banker. and Buford Hardware Store, and several others. In
He established the Banking House of Henry Elling, a 1872, he became a partner with Ramsey French and
private bank. Elling also helped organize many other Company to build and operate the Silver Spring
banks such as; Carbon County Bank in Red Lodge, Grist Mill. Henry Elling became one of the largest
State National Bank of Miles City, the Bank of Fergus landowners in Madison County.
County, Union Bank & Trust Company in Helena.
In 1899 he reorganized the Virginia City Bank as the Brother Elling died on 14 November 1900 at the
Elling State Bank. age of 57. He is buried at the Virginia City Cemetery,
Virginia City, Madison County, Montana.
Montana Freemason Page 6 Jan/Feb 2021 Volume 97 No. 1