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CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 363 CHAPTER XVII SECRET SOCIETIES FREE MASONRY-INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS-RED MEN OF AMERICA-WOODMEN OF THE WORLD-MACCABEES-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS- REBEKAH AUXILIARIES-EASTERN STAR CHAPTERS. FREE MASONRY In the entire civilized world, today, one may find lodges of the Masonic order—in every land, on every sea. This is the most ancient secret fraternity of which our race has any knowledge. It sprang into existence in Tyre, when Kmg Solomon began the erection of the Temple in Jerusalem, of which the Bible is the record. The story runs that the fraternity sent a band of workmen from Tyre to assist Solomon in that work and that Solomon himself became a Master Mason. According to this account Free Masonry was originally organized by the leader of the workmen from Tyre who "was a widow's son." In this way is explained the great prominence given to King Solomon's temple in the ritual and symbols of the order. It may be stated that there are two kinds of Masonry—operative and speculative Masonry. The former had to do, in a measure, with actual building of the great churches and other public buildings of the world, while speculative masonry has no connection with that, practically speaking. Modern Freemasonry had its beginning about 1646 with Elias Ashmole, who separated speculative and operative Masonry and systematized its mysteries. In 1666, after the great London fire, Sir Christopher Wren, the noted architect, was chosen grand master of the order. Not until 1733 was there a Masonic lodge organized on American soil. This was opened in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, and it was soon followed by lodges in the various colonies. General Washington was among the early, well-known Master Masons of this country. There was a period in the forties and fifties m America, when the various religious societies and churches, generally, were unfavorable to secret orders, including Masons, but after years of investigation, and residing alongside worthy Masons, whose only aim was the betterment of fellowmen, this prejudice wore away to a large extent and today there are but few church societies who shun or dislike the workings and teachings of Freemasonry, indeed a large number of our church members are also prominent in secret orders, including Masonry. FIRST MASONIC LODGE 1N COUNTY The first Masonic lodge organized in Harrison County, Ohio, was Harrison Lodge No. 219, Free and Accepted Masons, at Cadiz, the date being April 26, 1852. The first elective officers were: John CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 365 Moffett, worshipful master ; Levi Forsythe, senior warden ; John Burns, junior warden ; T. H. Trussell, treasurer ; William L. McMath, secretary ; Jesse H. McMath, senior deacon ; William S. Granf ell, junior deacon ; Charles Farrell, tyler. The present total membership of this lodge is 206. They have a home in a leased hall. There are chapters of Eastern Star auxiliaries at Cadiz and at the village of Scio. The 1920 elective officers are as follows : G. C. Sheets, worshipful master; J. B. Wagner, senior warden ; H. E. Turney, junior warden ; 0. C. Gray, treasurer; R. H. Black, secretary ; J. H. Moorehead, senior deacon ; H. R. McCoy, tyler. The Masonic order have lodges at present at Cadiz, Scio and Freeport, all in Harrison County. The lodge formerly active at Deersville is now defunct. SCIO LODGE No. 587, F. & A. M. Free and Accepted Masonic lodge at the village of Scio, this county, was organized October 29, 1903 and now enjoys a membership of 140. The records show the charter members to have been as follows: C. P. Custer, Willis E. Cronoble, John H. Cromble, A. J. Cubbons, C. E. Day, J. W. Galbreath, P. M. Groghan, A. C. Groves, 0. R. Hines, H. B. Heckler, J. W. Harding, H. E. Johnson, H. L. Jennings, C. E. Kifer, H. C. Kroft, A. H. Lenehan, A. E. Lidderdale, W. E. Mong, G. L. Marshall, J. E. Muaghinan, I. E. Mincks, S. A. Meissick, Thomas T. Moore, E. C. Perrine, Frank Pollock, W. H. Roney, J. L. Roney, G. L. Russell, J. M. Spiker, G. D. Spiker, W. H. Spiker, Nelson Smith, H. D. Starkey, J. A. Slonaker, E. E. Tope, H. H. Thompson, F. A. Thompson, V. W. Winton, W. W. Young. The first elective officers of this lodge were as follows : E. E. Tope, worshipful master ; G. D. Spiker, senior warden ; 0. R. Hines, junior warden ; J. M. Spiker, treasurer ; H. H. Thompson, secretary ; J. L. Roney, senior deacon ; G. L. Marshall, junior deacon ; R. C. Marrigan, tyler. The present or 1920 elective officers are : R. M. Harding, worshipful master ; J. H. Henderson, senior warden ; J. M. Spiker, junior warden : E. H. Kerr, treasurer ; 0. R. Hines, secretary ; W. A. Henderson, senior deacon C. R. Morris, junior deacon ; J. G. Croghan, tyler. The only other Masonic lodges within Harrison County at this date are those at Cadiz and Freeport. The Scio lodge leases its hall paying $150 per year and then sublease to the Eastern Star Chapter at forty dollars per year. FREEPORT LODGE No. 415, A. F. & A. M. This blue lodge of Masonry was organized at the village of Freeport on June 27, 1878, dispensation dated May 13, 1878, while the charter bears date of October 28, 1878. The first set of officers were as follows : R. McLane, worshipful master; J. S. Bailey, senior warden ; David Bean, junior warden ; 366 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES Amzi McNamee, treasurer ; John I. Wilson, secretary ; E. Dougherty, senior deacon ; George T. Bethel, junior deacon. The present 1920 total membership of this Masonic lodge is eighty. The lodge owns a lot and second story of a wooden building thereon is used for lodge room purposes. It cost $3,800. It was dedicated as a Masonic hall, December 27, 1870. The elective officers in the autumn of 1920 are : R. R. Pettay, worshipful master ; O. C. Brower, senior warden ; R. W. McCullough, junior warden ; D.. C. Clendenning, treasurer ; W. P. Burrell, secretary. Royal Arch Chapter No. 171 at Cadiz is another flourishing degree of Masonry in Harrison County. EASTERN STAR CHAPTER No. 316 AT SCIO This chapter of the Order of Eastern Star was organized at the village of Scio, July 16, 1909 and now has a total membership of 132. The charter membership was large and included the following persons and possibly a few others : Oscar L. Hines, Mrs. Sadie H, Scott, Maude A. Bond, Mrs. Ella V. Heaid, Mrs. Bessie Moore, Mrs. Charity McLandsboweight, Mrs. Minnie Minehart, Miss Ella Butcher, Miss Irma Hines, Mrs. Alice Johnson, Ida Johnson, Mrs. Mamie Anderson, W. J. Johnson, J. G. Croghan, Dux Coleman, Gertrude Crooks, Mrs. Daisy Canaga, Jennie Slonaker, John A. Slonaker, Mrs. May Barnhouse, William McLandsweight, C. Fred Heaid, Mrs. Alma Compher, Thomas Moore, James A. Marsh, Irma G. Starkey, Alice Barnes, Charles F. Barnes, Sadie Hines, Bertha L. Marshall, Sadie Law, Jennie Thompson, Charles H. Thompson, Nicholas E. Hawkins, Esther Hague, Myrtle Tope, A. E. Hagey, Fannie Hagey, George O. Carriage, Charles Guthrie, Jennie McGiffen, Grace R. Beatty, A. J. Solon. The 1920 elective officers of this chapter are as follows : Minnie Snyder, worthy matron; J. B. Houk, worthy patron ; Golda Harding, associate matron; Helena Menkel, secretary ; Ophila V. Menkel, treasurer ; Virginia Welling, conductress ; Olive Williams, associate conductress ; Jennie Brown, chaplain ; Jennie Willett, warder. The only other chapters of this fraternity in Harrison County are at Cadiz and Freeport. HARRISON CHAPTER No. 353, ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR This chapter of the Order of Eastern Star was instituted at the city of Cadiz, Ohio, September 5, 1912, and was formed by Lucy Bold, deputy. The names of the charter members of this chapter are as follows : Lillian Brown, Charles O. F. Brown, Linda Hollingsworth, C. M. Osburn, W. S. Cessna, Ella Potts, J. M. Ramsey, Bernice Timmons, Jennie C. Hearn, Ella Campbell, Florence T. Smith, Margaret Bryant, Margaret Potts, Ada C. Sharp, Harriet McConnell, Mary H. McGavran, Frank McGavran, Lloyd Price, Ida M. Price, Carolyn McCann, Sarah E. Osburn, Agnes Gillespie, Caroline Arnold, Arvilla Boggs, Parks Boggs, Mary K. Brown, Laura Cessna, Wilma Gressinger, Alberta Long, Preston Sharp, Jesse T. Smith, Viola Wood, Robert Wood. CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 367 The original elective officers of this chapter were as follows : Lillian Brown, worthy matron ; John Ramsey, worthy patron; Sara Osburn, associate matron ; Ada Sharp, treasurer ; Mary McGavran, secretary ; Caroline McCann, conductress ; Ella Campbell, assistant conductress. The present (November, 1920) officers are: Mary K. Brown, worthy matron ; Frank Beall, worthy patron ; Sarah Watters, associate matron ; Mary Wagner, secretary ; Harriet McConnel, treasure; Nettie Scott, conductress ; Vernal Parks, associate conductress. FREEPORT CHAPTER No. 319, ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR This chapter was organized September 3, 1909 and now enjoys a membership of seventy. The charter members of this chapter were as follows: Edeth McMath, Bertha Howell, Hattie Kelly, Mary W. Williams, Ada Goodman, Edith Howell, Eliza Black, W. C. Romans, Anna Bell Cole, Dorothy Kelly, Rebecca Black, Roxanna Bunnell, Minerva Romans, Sarah Jane McMath, Florence McMath, Dorothy Kelly, Delmar M. Starkey, Sara Starkey, Bess Black, Mary Yarnell, Elsie Beggs, C. Goodman, L. Watt, Frank D. Green, Samuel C. Kelly, Mary Hanna, Florence M. Bair, Alice Gray, Marion Howell, Minerve Dewey, Alonzo B. Yarnell. The 1920 officers are: Corday Allen Black, worthy matron; Alonzo B. Yarnell, worthy patron; May E. Tracey, associate matron; Luella Florence McMath, secretary ; Besse Kerr, treasurer ; Florence M. Blair, conductress ; Roxanna Burrell, associate conductress. This chapter meets in the Masonc Hall INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWSHIP Next to Masonry this is the oldest civic society in existence today. It was first represented in Harrison County, Ohio, when Cadiz Lodge No. 130 was organized March 31, 1849. It was formed by Alexander E. Glenn, Tbomas C. McEwen, Richard Williams, Isaac Hefley, and Mark P. Taylor. Its original or charter members were these: M. P. Brister, noble grand ; John Burns, chaplain ; Jesse H. Lacey, vice- grand ; William McKennon and John McCormick, secretary. The present total membership of this lodge is 118. Its elective officers are: D. E. McKibben, noble grand ; C. P. Sheets, vice-grand; H. C. Dow, recording secretary ; J. J. Maynard, financial secretary. At one time the order owned a $5,000 lodge property, but when the present courthouse was built it was condemned and the county allowed the Odd Fellows a thousand dollars, which of course was in nowise satisfactory to the order but they had to abide by it. There is a Rebekah Degree Lodge in Cadiz in connection with this. Within Harrison County are now found Odd Fellows lodges at Cadiz, Jewett, Scio, Freeport, Bowerston and Tippecanoe. HOPEWELL LODGE No. 276 Hopewell Lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows was organized at New Jefferson, Obio, May 11, 1855, with the following 368 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES charter members: John Brown, Thomas Brown, W. B. Creal, S. G. Shober, Phillip Jolley, Hiram Abel, Jackson Crosky and J. R. Roberts. In September, 1908, the records were destroyed by fire hence much of the earlier history of this lodge cannot be given in this connection. The present (1920) membership is seventy-six. A hall is leased from the Jewett State Bank, the lodge being now situated in the village of Jewett. SCIO LODGE No. 596, INDEPENDENT ORDER ODD FELLOWS This lodge was organized July 30, 1874, with charter members as follows : Francis Grace, George A. Weight, J. H. McGavran, George Heckler, I. T. Thompson, D. B. Esterday, Thomas Polen, James Amos, A. B. Moore, J. W. Nixon, William Hurless, William Palmer, E. S. Thompson, M. Conoway, A. Smith, John McDivett. The present total membership is sixty-five. The original elective officers were: George A. Weight, noble grand; Francis Grace, vice- grand ; W. F. Polen, recording secretary ; Thomas Polen, financial secretary ; James W. Nixon, treasurer. The officers in the autumn of 1920, present set, are as follows: C. T. McDivett, noble grand; J. D. Haines, vice-grand; W. H. Mine- hart, recording secretary ; George J. Duswald, financial secretary; O. O. Amos, treasurer ; trustees, Samuel Timblin, George O. Canaga and J. W. Shambaugh. The secretary of Rebekah Lodge No. 594 is Mrs. Minnie Minehart. SILVER LODGE I. O. O. F.—BOWERSTON This lodge No. 14 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at the village of Bowerston was organized July 14, 1875, with charter members including the following : L. Arbaugh, W. Miller, F. White, J. Dixon, E. Garrett, W. H. Ervin, F. E. W. McCallum, A. West, Jr., D. G. Coultrap, J. M. Cramblet, F. Cummings, J. W. Copeland, J. T. Cornelius. The lodge now has a good membership with officers as follows: W. S. Craig, noble grand ; A. W. Webner, vice-grand; J. E. Mehaffey, recording secretary ; H. C. Millhorn, financial secretary ; J. Z. Trunner, treasurer. Several of the original members of this lodge are still living and attend lodge regularly, although some attend near by lodges instead of Bowerston lodge. , Freeport and Piedmont each have Odd Fellows lodges, but failed to send sufficient data from which to make a notice for this chapter. There are Rebekah degree lodges (auxiliaries of Odd Fellows) at Cadiz, Scio, Bowerston, Freeport and Jewett. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS LODGES Grant Lodge No. 201, at Cadiz, was organized September 1, 1885 and reorganized November 11, 1904. The original lodge was organized by Dr. S. B. McGavran. The first past chancellor was W. H. CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 369 Rife; chancellor commander, Dr. S. B. McGavran ; vice-chancellor, C. B. Davis ; prelate, J. F. Paulson ; master of exchequer, A. W. Scott ; master of finance, C. S. McCoy ; keeper of record and seals, H. Quarry ; master-of-arms, G. Wildey Lloyd ; inside guard, W. G. Ferguson; outside guard, C. W. Brown. At one time this fraternity had a successful uniform rank division. Upon the reorganization of the lodge of Knights of Pythias in Cadiz the officers were : R. H. Minteer, chancellor commander; F. J. Stamm, vice-councilor ; fames Maxwell, prelate ; J. C. Glover, master of work ; J. B. Wagner, keeper of record and seals ; E. C. Johnson, master of exchequer ; S. W. Host, master at arms ; C. B. Glover, inside guard; H. W. Martin, outside guard. The 1920 (October) elective officers were : J. A. Mitchell, chancellor commander ; E. S. Shearer, vice-chancellor ; F. P. Haverfield, prelate ; H. T. Berry, keeper of record and seals ; 0. C. Grey, master of work; F. P. Grove, master of exchequer ; J. W. Barrett, master of arms ; F. M. Beall, inside guard ; H. C. Dois, outside guard. The charter members of the present lodge were as follows: R. H. Minteer, F. J. Stamm, T. E. McMath, J. S. Lacey, J. B. Wagner, E. S. Streng, H. T. Berry, S. W. Host, J. M. Ramsey, E. Stamm, W. S. Stamm, L. H. Scott, F. J. McGavran, E. P. Hines, J. A. Host, E. C. Johnson, H. W. Martin, S. Host, M. B. Osburn. The present total membership is ninety. The order leases a hall. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS LODGE No. 328—TIPPECANOE At the village of Tippecanoe a lodge of the popular Knights of Pythias fraternity was organized in 1887. It had its ups and downs and they had their hall burned in 1890, the same having been located over the J. W. Morris store. The lodge then lay dormant until 1916 when it was reorgamzed and now has a membership of ninety. When. first Knights of Pythias organized in Tippecanoe, the past chancellor commander was Dr. G. D. Custer. Under the reorganized lodge the past chancellor commander was H. G. Bonnell. The officers serving in November, 1920, are these : D. F. Akers, chancellor commander ; J. G. Coventry, vice-chancellor; Frank Yoe, prelate; keeper of records and seals, F. D. Coventry ; also master of finance ; W. A. Boyd, master of exchequer ; Paul Deboies, master of arms ; George Shiven, master of work; Clyde Jones, inside guard; Ora Davidson, outside guard; trustees, R. M. Ross, Robert Sprawl and John Kirk. The Knights of Pythias order have lodges at Harrisville, Scio, Bowerston and Freeport besides the above named lodges-the ones who sent in data for this chapter. OTHER CIVIC FRATERNITIES Harrison County has lodges of the various orders, some in a flourishing condition while others are weak, but still hold their charters. These lodges include these : Grand Army of the Republic Posts (Civil war veterans order), viz : McCready Post, Cadiz ; Nixon Post, 370 - PICTURE OF MCCREADY POST, G.A.R., SEPTEMBER 23, 1913 CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 371 Scio; Bowerston Post, Bowerston; Freeport Post at Freeport ; Deersville Post at Deersville ; New Athens Post at New Athens. The Sons of Veterans have a post made up of the sons of Grand Army men, but it seldom meets. THE MACCABEES Jewett Tent No. 405, Knights of the Maccabees, was organized at the village of Jewett, December 16, 1898, and now has a total membership of fifty-four. The charter members were as follows: S. V. Host, Daniel Bose, S. L. Lucas, William Nauman, A. D. Hunter, J. W. Lucas, J. H. Wilson, William Keyser, R. A. Laughlin, S. O. Williams, B. S. Tennimore, W. H. Hambridge, J. C. McManus, George A. Krebs, Niel Pauson, S. G. Bricker, William Peters, Charles Krebs, S. H. Sisson, A. C. Grove, W. E. Wood, W. D. Stahl, R. D. Lee, R. W. Smyle, and C. H. Houser. The present elective officers are: J. W. Myers, P. C.; W. R. Arbaugh, Com., H. E. Thompson, L. C.; J. O. McGrew, R. K.; C. R. Guthrie, Chap.; W. F. Chalfant, M. of A. ; J. L. Hoobler, first of M. of G.; W. J. Reichard, 2nd M. of G. ; S. L. Lucas, sentinel and Joseph Slentz, Picket. The only other lodge of this order, within Harrison County is the Tent at Bowerston. MODERN WOODMEN of AMERICA This order is represented at Jewett, .Hopedale, Piedmont and Harrisville in this county. Jewett Camp No. 7316 at Jewett, was organrzed March 5, 1907. The charter members of this lively Camp of, Woodmen were as follows: J. M. Aiken, W. R. Arbaugh, A. M. Burley, E. L. Cole, W. L. Gardner, W. H. Graham, C. B. Harper, W. R. Harriman, J. M. Lucas, S. L. Lucas, C. E. McMannis, J. F. Merryman, G. E. Snell, A. C. Telfer, H. E. Thompson, R. H. Thompson, D, F. Smith, S. O. Williams. The camp now has a total membership of 144. The order meets in the hall over the Jewett Bank, built in 1910 at a cost of $25,000. The first elective officers were as follows: Consul, J. F. Merryman ; adviser, W. R. Arbaugh; banker, A. C. Telfer; escort, W. W. Gardner ; clerk, A. L. Dray ; watchman, E. L. Cole. The officers holding in the autumn of 1920 are as follows: Consul, C. E. McMannis ; adviser, Ora D. Orr ; hanker, J. P. Motter; clerk, H. E. Thompson; escort, W. C. Bowers; watchman, C. E. Slenty. An interesting Royal Neighbors camp is also now run in connection with this Woodmen camp. It was organized October 12, 1920, with eighty-four members. |