JW Cruse

Joseph Cruse was the son of Philip and Sarah (Roddick) Cruse. He was buried in the Old City Cemetery in 1864. The original headstone was moved to the Masonic Lodge when the Old City Cemetery was leveled and replaced with a high school gymnasium in 1967. It was later moved to the park area of the 20^th Century Chevy Car Club. His name was inscribed on his father’s tombstone in 1885.

Joseph Cruse was a Mason and benefactor to Charity Lodge No. 30. In his will, he bequeathed several prime lots and a 250-acre farm with the stipulation that the property be sold to finance the construction of a new two-story Masonic Lodge. It was

further specified that the building be 60 feet wide with two storefronts on the ground floor to provide rental income which would pay for maintenance of the building. The lodge was built in 1868 and what is now the third and fourth floors were added in 1888. The structure has

been the home of the Daviess County Museum since 2005.