HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 507
CHAPTER. XXXI.
SOCIAL SOCIETIES.
Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical Society-Secret and Benevolent Societies.
SOMETIME in February, 1874, ex-Governor Hayes suggested the formation of a historical society to his friend, General Buckland, and others. The result was a conference of several persons, who favored such an organization. At this first conference were present General Hayes, General Buckland, L. Q. Rawson, James W. Wilson, and Homer Everett. These gentlemen, after exchanging views, concluded to make a start in the formation of a society, to the end that the pioneers of the county might be brought together and more intimately know each other and at times enjoy themselves in social intercourse. There was the further intent to so organize that as much as possible the events and the names of persons who were pioneers might be rescued from the oblivion of forgetfulness and kept on record. Accordingly the following call was published in the papers of the county:
SANDUSKY COUNTY PIONEERS.
The old settlers and all other citizens of Sandusky county favorable to the formation of a County Pioneer and Historical Society are invited to meet at Birchard Hall on Saturday, June 6, 1874, at 2 o'clock P. M.
A meeting was held accordingly, at which a constitution was adopted, providing for the name, officers, etc., and also that any resident of the county might become a member by paying one dollar, and that any person who resided in the county on or before the 1st day of January, A. D. 1830, shall be exempt from the payment of any membership fees or dues.
At this first meeting the following persons, having complied with the constitution, became members, and signed it, to-wit: Homer Everett, Thomas Holcomb, George Bixler, Edward Tindall, Robert S. Rice, L. Q. Rawson, Platt Brush, O. A. Roberts, Henry Bowlus, Samuel Skinner, John B. Rice, J. L. Green, R. P. Buckland, James W. Wilson, C. R. McCulloch, H. Lang, F. S. White, and R. B. Hayes.
508 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
On motion the following officers were then elected to serve until the regular annual election, to be held August 3, 1874, to-wit: Homer Everett, president; L Q. Rawson, vice-president; R. B. Hayes, secretary; James W. Wilson, treasurer; H. Everett, R. B. Hayes, H. Lang, Platt Brush, R. P. Buckland, and J. L Green, executive committee.
On the 3d day of August, 1874, the society met and elected the same officers to serve the ensuing year. The constitution was amended so that, in addition to the members of the executive committee, there should be one person from each township, and the following-named persons were added, namely: Edward Tindall, Ballville; William E. Lay, Green Creek; David Overmyre, Jackson; Martin Klutz, Madison; Grant Forgerson, Rice; Thomas Holcomb, Riley; Charles H. Bell, Sandusky; David Fuller, Townsend; John F. Bowman, Washington; Rev. C. Cronenwett, Woodville; John B. Mugg, York.
The meeting then, on motion, appointed a basket picnic, to be held on the county fair grounds, in September, 1874. The executive committee designated the 3d day of September as the time for holding the picnic. The meeting was held accordingly, and was eminently successful in the number of attendants from the country, as well as from the city. This first gathering of the pioneers was novel and interesting in many respects. The old settlers were there in goodly number, and the careworn countenances, silvery locks, and, in many cases, the tottering steps of the venerable participants in the reunion, afforded unmistakable evidence as to whom the county is indebted, at that day, so largely for
Fields of waving, golden grain;
Each flowery field, mead, and verdant plain
Decreed to those who toil.
At this meeting the names of Samuel Hollingshead and Augustus W. Luckeywere added as honorary members of the society.
The society has maintained its organization ever since, re-electing, annually, the same officers, with the exception of the secretary, Mr. Hayes being called, in the tall of 1875, to the Governorship of Ohio, for the third time, and, in 1876, to the Presidency of the United States. In his stead the society elected Isadore H. Burgoon, who has faithfully discharged the duties of his office to the present time.
This society has done much good in several directions. It has annually held its basket picnic, and brought the old settlers of the county into each other's presence and acquaintance in pleasant, social intercourse, and thus increased their happiness. It has promoted reverence and respect towards the early settlers, and made them realize that their toils and hardships are appreciated by the succeeding generations. By the numerous discourses and addresses at these meetings a very good photo, so to speak, of early pioneer life has been placed on the records of the society for preservation. It has preserved the likeness and biography of many of the early settlers in its archives, which will increase in interest as years pass by, and it has been instrumental in furnishing facts for this history.
MASONIC.
Masonry was instituted in Lower Sandusky during the early years of the history of the village. Daniel Brainard, Harvey J. Harman, David Gallagher, and others of that jolly coterie of village wits and friends held meetings in a three-story building which stood on the present site of June's foundry. They paraded the streets on several occasions, and gave the lodge considerable prestige. But the anti-Masonic frenzy, which spread over the country like wildfire in consequence of the reputed murder of Morgan in New York,
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 509
compelled the suspension of meetings here as well as at many other places. After the bitterness of feeling had died away, a few of the old members who survived, and several other Masons who had in the meantime located here, desired that the lodge should be reinstituted and work resumed.
FORT STEPHENSON LODGE.
The grand master, W. B. Hubbard, was appealed to, and a dispensation received May 12, 1852, directed to J. F. Simpkins, Daniel Brainard, and J. W. Smith, authorizing them to organize a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, to be known by the above title. A regular meeting for organization was held May 27, 1852, at which officers were chosen as follows: J. F. Simpkins, W. M.; Washington B. Smith, S. W.; Daniel Brainard, J. W.; J. S. Olmsted, secretary; D. Gallagher, treasurer; L. Caul, S. D.; A. Gusdorf, J. D.; H. B. Burdick, tyler. Besides these there were present at this meeting J. W. Main, P. Brown, and O. True.
At a session of the Grand Lodge, held in Chillicothe October 19, 1852, a charter was issued to Fort Stephenson lodge, its number being 225. The charter is signed by W. B. Hubbard, grand master, and B. F. Smith, grand secretary, and others. The lodge prospered and grew so rapidly that in less than ten years it was thought expedient to divide. Such a measure was made almost imperative by the fact that a large proportion (more than half) of the membership was German, and desired to work in the German language. In 1861 seven members withdrew for the purpose of establishing a new lodge, and in December of the following year a resolution was unanimously adopted making German the language in which all the proceedings of the lodge should be conducted. This rule has been adhered to ever since.
Fort Stephenson lodge has been presided over by the following masters: J. F. Simpkins, till November, 1852; Daniel Brainard, till December, 1855; F. Wilmer, till November, 1858; C. Doncyson, till November, 1859; F. Wilmer, till July 19, 1877; C. Doncyson, till December, 1878; Lorenz Dick, since December, 1878.
BRAINARD LODGE.
A charter was issued to Brainard Lodge dated February 11, 1861, which bears the following names: John F. Simpkins, Lewis Canfield, Samuel M. Ellenwood, Homer Everett, E. F. Hafford, Oscar Ball, John H. McGee, George W. Steele. The dispensation which was read at the first meeting, held February 11, 1861, designated John F. Simpkins to act as master, L. Canfield, senior warden, and S. M. Ellenwood, junior warden. Masters since organization have been elected as follows: December, 1862, Homer Everett; 1863, L. Canfield; 1864 and 1865, Oscar Ball; 1866, H. W. Bristol; 1866 to 1871 inclusive, Robert H. Rice; 1872, \V. I. Norton; 1873, J. P. Elderkin; 1874-76, W. W. Ross; 1877-79, S. P. Meng; 1880, E. Stanley Thomas. The lodge occupies a handsomely furnished room in the third story of the block corner Front and Croghan streets. The membership is active and energetic.
FREMONT CHAPTER.
A charter was issued February 2, 1855, to Fremont Chapter, No. 54, Royal and Accepted Masters. The charter members were: Francis B. Bell, George R. Brown, William Hamer, William S. Russell, James W. Foster, J. S. Olmsted, Ferdinand Wilmer, L. Canfield, I. M.. Keeler, E. F. Hafford, B. J. Bartlett.
FREMONT COUNCIL,
No. 64, Royal and Select Masons, was chartered February 7, 1856, with the following officers: E. F. Hafford, T. I. M.; J. V. B. Ames, D. Q. M.; S. P. Meng, R. C. W.
510 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
DRUIDS.
The first society entirely German in its membership was established in Fremont in 1859, as a lodge of the United Order of Druids. It was chartered as Schiller Grove, August 15, 1859, with the following members: Charles Billinger, George Homan, Jacob Zorn, Charles H. Shade, C. G. Rumoff, James Unkrich, Jacob Fowler, Jacob Fretzel, Christoph Rosbach, Christian Michael, Joseph Magrum, and William Schrader.
The Druids have a hall on State street, painted in the Oriental style of Christian art.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
Fremont Lodge, No. 95, was chartered in March, 1875, with the following members: H. R. Shomo, P. F. Heffner, James Kridler, Byron Schoville, A. F. Price, C. Strausmyer, J. K. Heffner, Perry Close, E. B. Belding, C. M. Dillon, D. H. Brinkerhoff, E. F. Hafford. This lodge meets in Odd Fellows' Hall.
Humboldt Lodge, No. 852, Knights of Honor, is a German society, and was chartered January 1, 1878. The following were charter members: P. Knerr, Charles Schade, Joseph Zimmerman, John G. Weisbecker, L. Dick, Charles Klegin, F. Richards, J. Baumann, Christian Neeb, L. Younkman, Dr. M. Stamm, John Buchler, John Renchler, Charles F. Geisin, and C. W. Tschumy. This lodge has a membership of forty-two. Its hall is one of the finest in town.
AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR.
A lodge of the American Legion of Honor was organized in Fremont in 1879, and is now one of the most prosperous societies of its class in the city.
CROGHAN LODGE, NO. 77, I. O. O. F.*
Like all other institutions devised for the benefit of mankind, Odd Fellowship is
* By W. V. Marsh, secretary.
the fruit of progressive civilization. By this power it has been wonderfully advanced and developed in the expansion of its capabilities, and the enlargement of its field of labor. It has grown, as many other orders of kindred character, formed in a good degree upon its example, out of the demand for auxiliaries, by the physical as well as the moral needs of men.
Progress and civilization, which are practically correlative terms, are always moving under the light of accumulating experience, never losing sight of the grand object of their exalted mission—the amelioration of humanity. All our institutions, whether social, political, religious, or moral, are the creatures of this mystic force, and have been controlled, modified, reformed, and perfected under its processes, so that their present excellence has been graduated from rude and simple originals. Under this law of the social organization, united co-operation against the trials of life has been introduced, as alike the instinct of common humanity and the suggestion of a wise Providence. It has enabled men to uplift and succor each other in adversity, free from public dependence, and to promote a spirit of fraternity which knits them together in spite of the partition walls set up to estrange and separate them. Although but feebly supported in its inception, it has conquered its way by persistent effort, and today it stands on a foundation as firm as the "eternal hills."
Who can calculate the value of such institutions, not only to their immediate membership, but as substantial supports? Their withdrawal would be seriously felt, not only as a loss of an immense moral power in society, but also from the fact that their absence would necessarily transfer the burdens which they bear to the public. Among the many tributaries to the general welfare of this character which
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 511
are noiselessly, yet most effectively diffusing blessing upon humanity, Croghan Lodge, No. 77, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the pioneer of Odd Fellowship in Sandusky county, has made a record fully verifying the scriptural quotation that "By their works ye shall know them."
A brief statement from the records of the lodge will abundantly verify this fact:
Croghan lodge was instituted Friday evening, February 5, 1847, by the Right Worthy District Deputy Grand Master Henry G. W. Crouse at, then, Lower Sandusky, Sandusky county, Ohio, in an upper room of John R. Pease's building, situated on Front street, on the site of the present block of Roberts & Sheldon.
The petitioners who applied for a charter in May, 1846, and at the installation of the lodge became charter members, were: N. S. Cook, D. H. Hershey, W. M. Stark, B. W. Lewis, and A. E. Wood, five in number, of whom Past Grand B. W. Lewis is the only surviving member.
The district deputy grand master was assisted at the installation by Past Grands T. H. Sheldon, George Rumpp, and Richard Williams; John E. McCormic, Casper Parsons, Chester R. Johnson, and R. W. Ruthman, all of Seneca Lodge, No. 35, Tiffin, Ohio, and Mr. Conner, of Apollo Lodge, No. 61, Middlebury, Summit county, Ohio. After the formal institution and presentation of charter, the first election was held to provide officers for the current term, which resulted as follow: H. S. Cook, M. G.; D. H. Hershey, N. G.; W. M. Stark, secretary; B. W. Lewis, treasurer. Their installation followed in due and regular form. For the purpose of giving the new officers instruction in the initiatory work, the district deputy grand master held an initiation, Mr. John Smith being the candidate.
The Pease building was occupied about one year, when the lodge was removed to the Morehouse building, owned by Theodore Clapp, on the southeast corner of Front and Garrison streets. Here they remained about two years, when they again removed to a room in the third story of Buckland's "old block," on Front street. This room they occupied from 1850 to March, 1870, when another change was made to the present large, commodious, and beautifully appointed rooms in the Foster block, Front street.
The lodge continued to increase in membership until 1876, when, numbering one hundred and sixty-two contributing members and thirty-five past grands, some of the brotherhood evidenced a desire to withdraw and form a new lodge. In June of the same year the matter took tangible form in the institution of McPherson Lodge, No. 637, with twenty-nine charter members, a history of which will appear elsewhere in this work. Since that time both lodges have worked harmoniously together, as brothers of one great family, in cherishing the sentiments and diffusing the divine principles of friendship, love, and truth.
The following summary has been carefully compiled from records and annual grand lodge reports, from February 5, 1847, to July 1, 1881, and is approximately correct :
SUMMARY.
MEMBERSHIP.
Contributing members January, 1850...................................37
Admitted by initiation from January, 1850, to July, 1881..270
Admitted by card from January, 1850 to July, 1881.............73
Admitted by reinstation ........................................................20
Total membership to July, 1881 .........................................400
Withdrawn by card ...............................................104
Dropped.................................................................114
Died .........................................................................26
...............................................................................................244
Present membership...............................................................156
512 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
RELIEF.
Number of brothers relieved to July, 1881 ......................344
Number of widows relieved to July, 1881 ...........................9
Number of brothers buried by the lodge.............................24
Total .................................................................................377
Amount paid for relief of brothers from Jan-
.......uary, 1847 to July, 1881 .........................................$4731 10
Amount paid for relief of widows........................................89 93
Amount paid for burial of deceased brothers ....................639 40
Amount paid to charitable purposes.....................................73 50
Total ...............................................................................$5533 93
FINANCE.
Minimum receipts from 1847 to 1881.......................... $23192 66
Expenses from 1847 to 1881...........................................18866 03
Balance ...........................................................................$4326 88
List of Past Grands to July, 1881, in nearly the regular order: N. S. Cook, D. H. Hershey, W. M. Stark, John Bell, R. P. Buckland, sr., John L. Greene, sr., C. R. McCulloch,* James S. Fouke, O. A. Roberts, J. F. R. Seibring, W. H. Morgan, James H. Hufford, G. W. Steele, G. C. Canfield, S. Buckland, D. L. June, C. M. Fouke, I. M. Keeler, T. Clapp, D. W. Krebs, S. Buckland,* John McKee, N. Haynes, John Flaugher, J. R. Bartlett, L. Gelpin, E. H. Underhill, Joseph Rumbaugh, George Reymond, John Bell,* John P. Moore, Aaron Bennett, L. M. Jackson, Charles H. Krebs, H. L. Pennell, H. R. Shomo, S. P. Meng, A. D. Wiles, C. K. Phelps, B. W. Lewis, James Kridler, D. L. Camfield, Henry Lesher, James H. Fowler, F. K. Tetter, David Otto, George Beck, Henry Stacy, S. E. Anderson, H. R. Tucker, G. M. Tyler, John T. Beck, J. C. Rosebaugh, T. F. Seigfried, R. Hermon, William Foresythe, John Treat, John L. Greene, jr., D. S. June, T. M. Hobart, H. R. Finefrock, M. A. June, C. E. Reiff, E. H. Morgan, I. Walborn, Samuel Brinkerhoff, Henry W. Kent.
Following is the present list of Past Grands of Croghan Lodge, July 1, 1881 :
* Passed the chair twice.
R. P. Buckland, sr., C. R. McCulloch, James H. Hafford, S. Buckland, D. L. June, I. M. Keeler, E. H. Underhill, Jos. Rumbaugh, John P. Moore, George J. Krebs, H. R. Shomo, B. W. Lewis, David Otto, George Beck, Henry Stacy, S. E. Anderson, H. L. Pennell, M. R. Tucker, John T. Beck, T. F. Seigfried, R. Hermon, William Foresythe, John Treat, John L. Greene, jr., D. S. June, T. M. Hobart, H. R. Finefrock, M. A. June, C. F. Reiff, E. H. Morgan, I. Walborn, Samuel Brinkerhoff, Henry \V. Kent.
M'PHERSON LODGE I. O. O. F.
In 1876 the lodge had grown so large that it was thought better results could be secured by division. The Grand Lodge was applied to, and on May 11, 1876, a charter was issued to McPherson Lodge No. 637. The lodge was formally instituted June 29, 1876, with the following members: George J. Krebs, John W. Greene, John Pero, C. B. Tyler, John P. Thompson, S. P. Meng, A. Alfred, George Maycomber. W. B. Kridler, jr., Charles B. Greene, James West, Henry Coonrod, James Park, S. J. Ludwig, H. R. Bowlus, G. W. Heberling, Charles Thompson, Benjamin F. Evans, J. H. Robinson, James Kridler, Charles Moore, Henry Lesher, Frank Q. Ickes, S. A. Wilson, P. Knerr, Samuel Ridley, J. C. Rosebach, W. S. Witmer, and James S. Fowler.
FREMONT ENCAMPMENTwas chartered in May, 1855, with the following members: D. W. Armstrong, T. G. Amsden, A. J. Knapp, Samuel Z. Culver, David Moore, A. D. Wiles, Theodore Clapp, J. F. R. Sebring, W. W. Seely.
Lincoln Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, was chartered May 21, 1880.
In concluding this brief and abstract report, it affords great pleasure to he able to say that both lodges are, at the present, in a most healthful, progressive, and thriv-
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 513
I
ng condition, both in membership and finance.