Harry S. Truman was a man of many accomplishments. He is, of course best known throughout the world as the thirty-third President of the United States, Vice President, US Senator and World War I Captain, to name a few. Interestingly, however when asked which honor he valued the most, Truman always responded, "The greatest honor that has ever come to me, and that can ever come to me in my life, was to become Grand Master of Masons in Missouri." This is quite a testimonial to the office of Grand Master from a man who once was the most powerful person in the world.
Truman became Grand Master in 1940, while still serving as a United States Senator. Among his many duties during his year as Grand Master, MWB Truman appointed James M. Bradford to the advancing line. With that appointment, the Truman Line was born. The Truman Line consists of those brothers appointed to Missouri's Grand Line by Harry Truman or his appointees.
Eight years later, Bradford became Grand Master and appointed Harold O. Grauel to the advancing line. The tradition of Truman Line appointments has continued until today.
In the normal course of events, a Truman Line appointee becomes Grand Master (approximately) every eight years. At any given time, there is only one Truman Line member in the advancing line, and there is only one member of the Truman line at a time who has not been Grand Master. The next Truman Line appointee year will be 2014.
The Truman Line is truly unique in all of Masonry. It is a very select club, with only nine members (including Truman) prior to the latest appointment:
Harry S. Truman 1940-1941
James M Bradford 1949-1950
Harold O. Grauel 1959-1960
Elvis A. Mooney 1968-1969
Fielding A. Poe 1976-1977
Vern H. Schneider 1984-1985
D. Robert Downey 1991-1992
Wilfred G. Soutiea, Jr. 1999-2000
Bruce Austin 2007-2008
With MWB Austin's Truman Line appointment at Grand Lodge 2007, the Truman Line will continue as RWB David W. Haywood, the newest member of this elite club, continues to move through the advancing line.
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