CHAPTER XXIV

FRATERNAL AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES

Free and Accepted Masons—Independent Order of Odd Fellows—Grand Army of the Republic—Improved Order of Red Men—Royal Arcanum—Ancient Order of United Workmen—Knights of Pythias—National Union—Knights of the Maccabees—Modern Woodmen of America—The Home Guards of America—The Trewnav Club—Fraternal Order of Eagles.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.

Van Wert Lodge, No. 218, was constituted in Van Wert, the charter having been granted by the R. W. Grand Lodge of Ohio, October 22, 1852. The charter members were G. McConahay, Robert Gilliland, Robert Conn, O. W. Rose, George S. Crafts, James Emerson, George Marsh and Thomas Emerson. The charter was signed by the following grand officers : William B. Hubbard, R. W. G. M.; A. D. Bigelow, R. W. D. G. M.; William B. Dodds, S. G. W.; L. V. Bierce, J. G. W.; B. F. Smith, grand secretary ; Leonidas Jewett, grand treasurer.

The charter officers of Van Wert Lodge No. 218, were: G. McConahay, W. M.; Robert Gilliland, S. W.; Robert Conn, J. W.; G. S. Craft, secretary, George Marsh, treasurer.

The present officers (1906) are : Horace Bonewitz, W. M.; Caples Foster, S. W.; D. E. Agler, J. W.; Frank Rowley, S. D.; F. W. Leslie, J. D. ; Thomas L. Davis, secretary! Walter L. Scott, treasurer; A. C. Gilpin, tyler. The present membership is 208.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.

Van Wert Lodge, No. 251, was established in Van Wert by the R. W. Grand Lodge of Ohio, which granted a charter February 23, 1854, to the following bretheren : J. B. Coffin, L. B. McGowan, G. L. Jacobs, F. T. Coffin, J. Slater, G. McConahay, D. S. Miller, T. Propt, W. C. Galliher, D. Major, L. F. Fletcher, J. Shaw, R. Conn and J. C. Parkinson.

The lodge was constituted May 18, 1854, by John A. Lee, and the following officers installed : J. B. Coffin, N. G.; L. B. McGowan, V. G.; G. L. Jacobs, secretary ; John Shaw, treasurer.

The present officers are : N. J. Mattick, N. G.; H. M. Smith, V. G.; A. J. Gleason, secretary ; Aug. Stitz, treasurer.

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

This patriotic and benevolent society had its origin in Springfield, Illinois, April 1, 1866, the first general order ever issued being given on this date. From this beginning the organization spread over all the Northern States.

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W. C. Scott Post, No. Too, was organized in 1866 and named for Capt. William C. Scott, of Company A, 99th Ohio, as brave a man as ever entered his country's service, who gave up his life on the battlefield of Stone River. After a prosperous course for a number of years, it was allowed to go down and the charter was returned.

Then on July 13, 1881, the post was reorganized with the following charter members. G. Wells, Luke W. Scott, Alex. R. Mullen, W. T. Exline, Fred Billman, Dennis Welch, S. R. Moneysmith, David Rison, John W. Hoaglin, Oliver Eagy, Thomas Doyle, J. S. Stanton, Edmund Stupp, D. M. Borland, Charles Church, W. H. Whittung, E. L. Guyselman, C. R. Alberry, Julius A. Gleason, I. N. Alexander, August Stitz, John Martin, William Smith, E. L. Quick, Abram Drake, James W. Wiley, T. J. Davis, D. L. Corbin, A. J. Burch, G. M. Saltzgaber, A. Spayd, W. W. DeMoss, Andrew J. Gleason, Adam Black and J. D. Kuhn.

Since its reorganization, the post has been gradually adding to its membership. At one time a few designing persons attempted to disband the post for the purpose of getting the furniture and funds of the post for the purpose of starting a U. V. U. post, but this was prevented by the timely decision of Senior Vice Commander J. W. Lee, who was called to the chair after the resignation of Commander Mullen. After the designs were discovered, the members rallied and stood by their charter and since then the post has prospered. It now has a membership of 146 in good standing and a snug sum of money well invested that is held for the time when the membership will be few and the calls for help many.

The present officers are as follows : A. L. Sweet, commander; L. T. Lunnnion, senior vice commander; John S. Eyler, junior vicecommander; Thomas P. Johnson, chaplain; I. W. Mcllvain, quartermaster; H. H. Cory, officer of the clay; John C. Albright, officer of the guard ; H. G. Lehmann and T. S. Gilliland, trustees ; B. F. Bowers, John S. Eyler and Milton Walker, delegates; D. S. Johnson, Andrew J. Gleason and J. C. Albright, alternates.

IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN.

Abanaki Tent, No. 77.-The dispensation to organize this tent is dated the 23rd of the Flower Moon, G. S. D. 382, and signed by W. S. Brands, grand sachem of the Grand Council of Ohio, and attested by C. S. Bells, chief of records, which body was subsequently organized by the Grand Council of the United States, April 7, 1852. The motto of the order is "Friendship, Freedom and Charity."

The constitution provides that if a member be disabled by sickness or injury to his person, the weekly sum of $3 shall be paid out of the funds of the order. To this end there is a relief committee, whose duty it is to attend to all such cases. The order also provides by assessment for the relief of the widows and orphans of deceased members.

ROYAL ARCANUM.

The order stands at the head of the fraternal benefit organizations of the United States. The membership of the order at large on January 1, 1906, was 265,000, while the aggregate amount disbursed to families of 35,324 deceased members has reached at this date the enormous sum of $98,536,942.56.

Van Wert Council, No. 196, was instituted November 18, 1878, by P. L. Teeple, deputy grand regent, assisted by A. S. Burt as secretary pro tem., and by O. C. McCurdy as treasurer pro tem. Following are the names of the

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charter members : Dr. Adam N. Krout, William H. Pennell, Ira P. Shisler, O. D. Swart-out, A. B. McCurdy, A. S. Burt, Dr. William Smith, Perry C. Conn, William T. Exline, James Clark, Carey C. Clark, Z. H. Wenger, William H. Clymer, W. R. Cook, Milton H. Clark, Malcom Wilkinson, William L. Roebuck, Dr. John Glenn, A. P. Halfhill, G. M. Saltzgaber, George F. Muntzinger, H. V. Olney, D. A. Johns, John S. Eyler, Hal. D. Morgan, Rev. D. L. Mackenzie and O. C. Mc-Curdy. The council organized by electing the following officers: Regent, D. A. Johns; vice regent, William H.. Pennell ; orator, G. M. Saltzgaber; past regent, Dr. Adam N. Krout; secretary, O. D. Swartout; collector, O. C. McCurdy; treasurer, James Clark; chaplain, Rev. D. L. Mackenzie; guide, John Glenn; warden, Perry C. Conn ; sentry, George F. Muntzinger ; trustees—W. H. Clymer, W. T. Exline and A. B. McCurdy.

Since its organization, over 27 years ago, to January 1, 1906, there have been enrolled 156 citizens of Van Wet and vicinity as members.

The present membership, January 1, 1906, is 65 ; the usual losses by death, withdrawal cards and suspensions for non-payment of assessments from year to year still leave the council with a much larger membership than that with which it started—all representative citizens of their respective communities.

There has been disbursed to the families of deceased members of Van Wert Council about $46,000.

The officers elected to serve during the year 1906 are as follows : Regent, Carey C. Clark ; vice regent, Charles E. Lawhead ; past regent, H. V. Olney ; orator, F. H. Sweet ; chaplain, Joe May; secretary, A. S. Burt; collector, L. G. Gilliland; treasurer, Frank B. Hall ; guide, Harry Burt ; warden, John Saltzgaber, Jr..; sentry, C. H. Hoelle, medical examiner, Dr. C. A. Files; trustees—Rudolph Pett, Tom W. Davies and C. J. Scholler.

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.

This order was the pioneer of fraternal life insurance in America, having for its founder John J. Upchurch, a machinist by trade, who organized the first lodge of the new order, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1868.

From a membership of 14 at that date the order has now increased to nearly a half million members, all of whom are required to carry insurance. It has paid to the heirs of its beneficiaries nearly (or quite) 17 millions at actual cost. The order has now passed the experimental stage of fraternal protection and its present rate, being based upon an actual experience of 35 years and computed by actuaries of the highest repute, may be regarded as ample to protect all of its beneficiaries without further change, while within the means of all industrious temperate workers.

Van Wert Lodge, No. 47, was organized by John R. Hughes, from Erie, Pennsylvania, then a resident of Van Vert, and was instituted April 26, 1882, by J. M. Daniels, grand master workman of Ohio. Ifs present membership is not large but embraces some of Van Wert's most respected men, the present mayor, Charles E. Lawhead, being secretary and financial agent of the lodge. It is one of the joint lessees of G. A. R. Hall in the Kime Block.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

Van Wert Lodge, No. 130, was instituted in this city by Walter B. Richie, of Lima. Ohio, May 24, 1882. The charter members were:

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H. G. Richie, Dr. G. W: McGavren, D. A. Clark, C. W. Isenhart, A. J. Porter, C. W. Bonewitz, C. C. Clark, A. F. Baker, W. T. Hughes, C. F. Odaffer, H. Kemper, W. M. Bethards, E. R. Merrick, J. W. Rimer, E. L. Wilkinson, Henry Wassenberg, F. J. Gleason, J. W. Shultz, J. L. McKim, W. M. Smith, W. T. Exline, B. H. Oyler, U. H. Hester, E. J. Pennypacker, W. W. Wilson, E. W. Strack and A. B. Gleason.

Ever since its institution, the lodge has shown a steady growth. Its membership is made up of representative men from all the leading business, professional and social circles. and numbers 244. according to its last report to the Grand Lodge.

Three times since its organization, the lodge has been compelled to change its quarters to accommodate itself to its growing conditions. The lodge is now in possession of the most commodious lodge rooms in this part of the State, completely fitted and furnished throughout in the most elegant style, and entirely free from debt, which occupy the third floor of the brick block, situated at the corner of Main and North Washington streets, with lodge room 44 by 44 feet, and commodious parlors, banquet haII, kitchen, smoking rooms, etc., etc.

The officers for the current term, January 1 to July I, 1906, are as follows: Chancellor commander, C. M. Drury; vice chancellor, J. W. Morris; prelate, E. C. Balyeat; master of work, F. E. Longwell; keeper of records and seal, A. S. K. Holbrook ; master of finance, H. J. Wilson; master of exchequer, L. E. Gleason ; master at arms, D. E. Agler ; inner guard, J. A. Webber, outer guard, C. O. Richie ; lodge deputy, J. M. Showalter; county deputy, Caples Foster ; trustees—Clement V. Hoke, Charles Strong and T. M. Smith.

The Rathbone Sisters, the ladies' auxiliary, also meet in the Knights of Pythias Hall.

NATIONAL UNION.

Henry Ward Beecher Council, No. 275, was organized in Van Wert, on March 17, 1887, with the following charter members : H. V. Olney, A. S. Burt, C. B. McConahay, F. H. Carper, W. C. Hastings, J. O. Clark, D. W. Collins, A. L. Doran, W. W. Melshimer, J. M. Jones, J. Miller, Jr., A. Cahn, C. H. Noell, W. R. Jackson, M. T. Bedford, B. I. Welch, J. C. Hullinger, N. W. Hatfield, George A. Hall, F. M. Porch, G. W. Beers, H. Wassenberg, J. W. Hetrick, S. W. Long, I. S. Weible, W. F. Hire, W. T. Mitchner, J. Britson, O. D. Swartout, W. R. Cook, David Spangler and H. C. Boesche.

Six of the above named charter members have died, viz. : W. R. Jackson, I. S. Weible, J. W. Hetrick, David Spangler, A. Calm and W. R. Cook, besides a few of those that became members afterward, the last death in this council being that of D. E. VanVoorhis, who died July 1, 1905.

The order has paid to the beneficiaries of the members of this council alone since its organization the sum of $35,000. The National Union has always paid its death losses promptly, and is in a good healthy condition (financially) at the present time.

The present officers are : Tom M. Smith, president; A. S. Burt, vice president; H. C. Boesche, secretary ; S. W. Long, financial secretary, and Joseph May, treasurer.

KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES.

Mackinaw Tent, No. 154, was organized in April, 1892, with the following charter members : W. W. Sherlock, W. W. Sterling, M. H. Standish, D. T. Johnson, J. A. Arnold, E. C. Ring, W. D. Drake, Dr. G. W. McGavren, E. J. Groce, W. W. Grindle, C. M. Higgin, W.

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S. Little and James R. Mcllvain. The Maccabees are a beneficiary order. Mackinaw Tent has one of the best halls in Van Wert and has a large membership. Since its organization, there have been 10 deaths and $14,000 has been paid out in death losses.

The present officers are : Commander, Ira E. Gamble ; lieutenant Commander, H. Pyrkeypile ; chaplain, James R. Mcllvain ; record keeper, G. H. Wappner ; sergeant, A. W. Johnson; sentinel, Charles Leaser; picket, P. 0. Shirtlieff.

MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.

This order was organized on January 5, 1883, and has today a total membership of over 713,000, with $1,200,000,000 insurance in force and 11,200 camps. There has been paid to beneficiaries the sum of $35,800.000.

Forest Camp, No. 3281, was organized in Van Wert, October, 1, 1895, with the following officers : W. S. Johnson., venerable consul ; W. H. Corbett, worthy advisor; John Webber, banker; W. R. Richardson, escort ; W. E. Maddox, watchman; Charles Rhodes, sentry ; Dr. A. B. Gilliland, physician; C. N. Grandstaff, Jacob Bohyer and Jacob Kissell, managers.

There are now 62 active members in good standing with the following officers : W. E. Coleman, venerable consul ; John Webber, worthy advisor; H. Heyman, banker; A. C. Sheets, clerk; Dr. A. B. Gilliland, physician; Jacob Kissel, escort; Jacob Bohyer, sentry; William Humphreys, watchman; J. H. Fronefield, J. W. Reid and John Webber, managers.

THE HOME GUARDS OF AMERICA

Originated in Van Wert, Ohio, in the year 1899 as the result of the combined effort of two men, who have been intimately associated with every phase of its progress since—Dr. G. J. Eblen, now supreme counselor, and J. W. Evans, now supreme secretary.

These gentlemen had for many years been connected with a number of the best assessment societies and had made a thorough study of the needs of the fraternal system.

While realizing the power for good of the older societies they were conscious of the need of something more substantial in the way of a fraternity wherein business principles should be combined with fraternal charity. After many months of deliberation and consultation they at length determined to organize a new fraternal society on a plan which would embody the ideas and principles which they had long advocated. They were earnest men with sincere convictions and high ideals of the mission of fraternity. Their ambition was to form a society which should safeguard the strongest fraternal ties with the strongest financial security.

They selected from their acquaintances five gentlemen who should form the board of managers or trustees as required by the statutes of Ohio. The following named citizens of Van Wert formed the first board of trustees or executive council: Hon. Hiram C. Glenn, Hugh V. Olney, Hon. James B. Smith, H. G. Lehmann, J. P. Reed, J. W. Evans and Dr. G. J. Eblen.

These gentlemen at once deposited the sum of $5,000, as required by the laws of Ohio, to secure the payment of certificates of members who might die before the society was able to pay the, claims out of its funds.

The first meeting was held on the evening of February loth, at which time Alpha Home No. I was instituted by Hon. Hiram C. Glenn and Hon. James B. Smith.

The following officers were elected : Supreme counselor, Hiram C. Glenn ; supreme

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vice counselor, H. G. Lehmann ; supreme secretary, J. W. Evans; supreme treasurer, Hugh V. Olney; supreme medical director, Dr. G. J. Eblen; supreme manager, James B. Smith.

The following table will show the growth of the order:

On the day that the order was instituted, a reserve fund began to be laid aside to insure future stability. However, when in addition to this the "Expectancy Payment Plan" was adopted in 1901, the permanent character of the society was firmly established. Under this plan double assessments or failure are practically impossible. Each certificate when issued is charged with a definite amount. Each member knows just the amount which his certificate will yield to his beneficiary at death and just the amount that he will have to pay for it. The rates are high enough to enable the society to fulfill its contracts and the society will grow stronger and stronger as it grows older.

The present officers of the order are as follows : Supreme counselor, Dr. G. J. Eblen ; supreme secretary, J. W. Evans ; supreme treasurer, James B. Smith ; supreme medical director, Dr. William P. Love; supreme attorney, G. M. Saltzgaber; supreme chaplin, H. F. MacLane; supreme vice counselor, A. L. Phillips; supreme past vice commander, Hugh V. Olney; supreme guide, J. V. Faudree ; supreme conductor, R. P. Everly; supreme 1st shield, E. J. Walter; supreme 2nd shield, Mrs. Mary Riddle. The executive council is composed of the following: Dr. G. J. Eblen, J. W. Evans, James B. Smith, G. M. Saltzgaber, H. F. MacLane, Dr. William P. Love, George H. Detlor and J. Q. Adams. The auditing committee has three members, namely : E. I. Antrim, Charles F. Manship and C. A. L. Purmort.

There are 125 homes in the following States —Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan and Kentucky.

The objects of the society are to provide for the welfare of the widow and the orphan, to bring the sunshine of hope and courage into darkened lives. The brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God are taught without the members committing themselves to any form of religion or adopting any political faith. The order teaches that religion is a duty from man to his God; that patriotism is a duty from man to his country; but that fraternity is a duty of every man and every woman to every human being upon the face of the earth.

The history of the fraternal movement in this country has already been told. Its importance and the magnificent work now being accomplished need only to be known to be appreciated by the great American public. Since its organization in 1868 among the hills of Pennsylvania, fraternity has spread its protecting arms over ten million homes. Ten times a hundred million dollars have been paid in fraternal benefits to its members or their families Five million people, representing the brain and the brawn of the great middle class of our country, are now looking to the fraternal system of insurance for the protection for their homes and their loved ones. In all these years its onward progress has received no check. Its victories are chanted in thousands of homes, but they are the victories of peace and not of war. They tell the story of little ones fed and clothed, of children educated, of mortgages paid and of homes saved to the family.

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The Home Guards Temple, erected in Van Wert this year (1906) at a cost of $75,000, a view of which appears on another page of this work, is a substantial structure 66 by 132 feet in ground dimensions and four stories high, and worthy of the great institution it represents.

THE TREWNAV CLUB

Of Van Wert, a social organization, comprised of 80 young business men, was organized in November, 1901, and ranks with the foremost societies of the kind in Northwestern Ohio. It has gained, as it richly deserves, the pround distinction abroad and maintains it with substantial support, backed by enduring friendship, at home. Its present quarters in the Scott Block, on South Washington street, will shortly be given up for a more commodious and better equipped home for the Home Guards Temple, on East Main street.

FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES.

Van Wert Aerie, No. 886, was instituted October 31, 1904, with 74 charter members, as follows : H. C. Engleright, Charles E. Lawhead, Lee R. Beatty, F. A. Gamble, J. W. Mullen, Louis Bien, Lee Cassel, James McDonald, C. P. Putman, W. C. Hamilton, John H. Wangemann, B. Harner, Otto Keller, M. D. Stewart, Charles Hott, George W. Fronefield, J. A. Webber, James M. Bowers, John Harner, W. N. Danner, C. C. Cook, I. A. Channel, C. A. Files, A. G. Jones, M. J. Lawhead, C. B. Reid, B. L. Smith, Timothy Riley, Ed. V. Unser, Johnson Wilson, W. G. Cochrane, C. F. Klein, R. C. Flemming, Jacob Kissel, L. J. McLaughlin, Albert Beavo, J. F. Homan, John Guisman, R. R. Welch, G. W. Furrel, Carl Warner, F. A. Ruegsegger, John F. Greenewald, Frank J. Kohn., J. R. Baird, E. S. Balyeat, C. C. Lichty, C. D. Putman, Dan Cooney, A. S. Fagan, E. B. Chilcote, E. F. Vories, H. Mosure, Ed. Linser, Al Clay, C. A. Nation, C. R. Hire, W. J. Semple, A. F. Lindermann, Robert Cotton, James H. Reid, F. \W. Reeve, M. A. Welch, Will Anstutz, C. C. Fronefield, W. C. Lawrence, I. W. Klein, P. W. Allen, John Eckfeld, John L. Ferguson, C. R. Beavo, Wilda Baird, H. M. Hyatt and C. J. Putman. The aerie now has a membership of 223.

The objects of the order are fraternal and protective. The benefits are : A sick benefit of $1 per day for 10 weeks' sickness; a funeral benefit of $75 ; and for all members in the corporation of Van Wert and their families the services of a doctor free of cost, while any member from the country can have the physicians' services free by calling at the office.

The officers of Van Wert Aerie are as follows : Past worthy president, F. A. Gamble ; worthy president, Charles E. Lawhead ; worth vice president, Giles W. Reeve ; chaplain, Ura A. Channel; secretary, Lee R. Beatty ; treasurer, Louis Bien; conductor, C. C. Lichty ; inside guard, A. F. Lindermann ; outside guard, D. V. Purdy; trustees—C. P. Putman, John F. Greenewald and Jacob Kissel; physician. Dr. Charles A. Files.