History of Labor Unions in Marin County

Railways and Railroad Fraternities

In its early days, Marin County was served primarily by railroads. The largest rail road line was the Northwestern Pacific. Smaller branch lines included the North Pacific Coast (which had absorbed the San Francisco, Tamalpais & Bolinas Railroad) and the world famous Mill Valley & Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway.

Many members of Mill Valley Lodge No. 356, F & AM, were employees of the Northwestern Pacific, including future Arizona State Legislator, Charles John McQuillan. Mill Valley Masonic Lodge Members were among the founders of the Mill Valley & Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway: Wor. Bro. Louis L. Janes, who proposed the idea for the line and served as the Railways Secretary; Bro. Charles F. Runyan was President; Bro. Bonner Whitcomb, was an Engineer; and Bro. William "Bill" Thomas, was Master Mechanic (later Superintendent) of the line. Ticket Agent Thorpe J. DeLasaux’s father, Percival James De Lasaux, was Chief Engineer (stationary engineer) for the Tubbs Cordage Company in San Francisco and was a member of the Lodge from 1909 until his death in 1935: Thorpe J. DeLasaux, Jr., Percival’s grandson, later joined Mill Valley Lodge.

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

It is unknown whether any of Mill Valley’s Masonic Railroad men belonged to any of the strictly Railroad fraternities that existed in the area. Curiously, although the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Order of Rail road Conductors were trade unions, the Marin County Directory listed them under the heading of "Fraternal Organizations" rather than "Marin County Labor Organizations."

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers ("B. of L.E.") – Division 704 met on the second and fourth Fridays at the Portuguese American Hall in San Rafael. A women’s auxiliary of the B. of L.E., known as the Grand International Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers ("G.I.A of B.L.E.") existed, but it is uncertain whether a body of this organization met in Marin County. The B. of L.E. was a secret, fraternal, mutual benefit labor organization: Formed in 1863, it was the oldest and most successful among the various secret societies of railway employees in the United States. It is believed from the visible evidences of the symbolism and general organization of the B. of L.E.’s that its founders, or some of their successors among its leaders, were affiliated with Freemasonry.

The Order of Railway Conductors, Mizpah Division No. 532 was organized in San Rafael in 1908. "Mizpah Division No. 532, of the Order of Railroad Conductors, was organized in San Rafael in Elmerich Hall, July 8th, with a membership of 37 by J. Hurtell of Los Angeles, one of the members of the Lodge. At the conclusion of the meeting light refreshments were served and a pleasant reunion of the "Knights of the Punch" of the Northwestern Pacific R.R. was held. C.A. Bear, one of the visiting brothers in a few brief words delivered a very interesting talk. Mizpah Division, for the personnel of its members, promises to be one of the most progressive and enthusiastic divisions of the order. They will meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. The following is a list of the officers: D.E. Bear, Chief Conductor; J.L. Healy, Assistant Chief Conductor; Neil Hurrah, Senior Conductor; F. Maxwell, Junior Conductor; J.A. Saunders, Secretary and Treasurer; J. A. Ragland, Inside Sentinel; E.M. Bullock, W.D. Crawford, J. Shine, Trustees. Tocsin, July 18, 1908.

The Marin Journal of July 15, 1909 states: "Conductors hold enjoyable entertainment: Last week the members of Mizpah Division No. 532, Order of Railway Conductors held a very enjoyable dance and entertainment in the Masonic Hall [at San Rafael]. A large crowd assembled and made the first anniversary dance and entertainment one long to be remembered. During the course of the evening a gay banquet was served and many witty speeches were heard. J. Sexton was toastmaster, and let no one escape who could talk at all. In December 1909, "The following officers of Mizpah Division No. 532 will be installed at the regular meeting on Wednesday, December 15th: N.L. Harrah, chief conductor; J.B. Broady, assistant chief conductor; E.M. Bullock, secretary and treasurer; M.S. Orr, senior conductor; W.W. Brown, junior conductor; James Edwards, inside sentinel; W.D. Crawford, T.W. Deasy, J. Ragland, trustees."

The Tocsin of November 10, 1910 reported: "Mizpah Division No. 532 of the Order of Railway Conductors held their annual election of officers to serve for the coming year at the regular meeting of Wednesday evening November 2nd and the following were elected: For Chief conductor, J.B. Brady; Ass’t Chief Conductor, H.M. Brown; Secretary, Treasurer, and Cipher Correspondent, E.M. Bullock; Senior Conductor, M.F. Donohue; For Junior Conductor, Thos. A. Moore; Board of Trustees, S.L. Reise, chairman, Robt. H. Brown and E. F. Mays; Inside Sentinal, W.E. Allen; Outside Sentinel, robt. Clark; Delegate to the Grand Division, J.L. Haley; Alternate Delegate, Robt. H. Brown. Installation to be held meeting of Dec. 7th after which refreshments will be served. All members are requested to be present."

"Conductors’ Lodge Installs Officers – Mizpah Division of the Order of Railway Conductors held installation ceremonies and gave a banquet here Wednesday evening of last week. The installing officer was Past Chief Conductor Martin F. Donohue, and the following were the new officers: James Story, Junior Past Chief; Frank Gallagher, Assistant Chief; E.L. Tovani, Senior; Arthur Gunther, Junior; John Ford, Inside Sentinel; Charles Wells, Outside Sentinel; T.A. Moore, Secretary Treasurer; M.L. Orr, Charles Wells and Fritz Klein, Trustees." Tocsin, December 26, 1918.

Other such secret, fraternal, rail road organizations were also represented in San Rafael, including, the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, Mt. Tamalpais Lodge No. 687 and B. of R.T. Ladies Auxiliary.

Unions - Mutual Aid Through Collective Bargaining

Railways and Railroad Fraternities

Other Marin County Labor Unions

Examples of Public Activities and Festivities of Organized Labor in Marin

Labor Day - Origins and Early History of the Peoples’ Holiday

Labor Day Activities in Marin County