USA > California > San Joaquin County > An illustrated history of San Joaquin County, California. Containing a history of San Joaquin County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its future prospects; > Part 25
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The Masonic Hall Association of Stockton was incorporated April 29, 1874, with a capital of $40,000, purchased in September that year a part of the land upon which the temple now stands, and the remainder, 40 x 94 feet in Feb- ruary, 1883, making the whole area for the site 140 x 90 feet, bounded by El Dorado, Bridge and Channel streets and Bridge alley. At the same time the association increased its capital stock to $80,000, and proceeded to build one of the most beautiful structures in the State. The corner-stone was laid June 9, 1883, by the Masonic Grand Lodge of
the State of California,-Clay Webster Taylor' of Shasta, Grand Master. The building was accepted from the contractor and building com- mittee May 23, 1884, the work having cost $98,000, and opened by a grand authors' carni- val and art loan exhibition, which began April 21 following and continued nine days. The temple is very commodious, containing on the third floor two lodge rooms, a commandery hall and armory, a library room, a banquet hall and lavatory. Over all these, in the attic, is an im- mense, completely furnished kitchen. The sec- ond floor provides a Masonic music hall 66 x 88 feet, and fourteen other large rooms, closets, etc. The first floor has four stores and two offices, besides the postoffice. The basement, with concrete floor, is 114 x 152, as it extends out under the sidewalks. A steam pump inside, connected with a sealed well in Bridge alley, supplies the building throughout with water.
The following eloquent introduction to Odd- fellowship in Stockton is from Thompson & West's History:
" In the fall or winter of 1851, there seemed to be but one impulse that moved the miner, the merchant, the masses -- a mania that bound the sense and held the heart, the faculties and the human impulse enthralled. There was bnt one note in the scale of sounds that reached the heart and arrested the mind and its possessor, and that was gold. Life was of no account; health weighed but a grain in the balance, and was noted only by the loser. The faculties that God had given to man with all his impulses, were engines of power or destruction, as the case might be, that urged the possessor on to the goal of his ignis fatuus-the wealth of the gold fields of California. The weary fainted along the wayside, the sick died, the ruffian murdered his victim, but the passer-by turned neither to the right nor left, but, like ' Excel- sior,' the face was ever in the one way-toward sudden wealth.
· At such a time, when Stockton had palaces for gamblers and streets for a stranger, sick, to sleep in, a sick man came to this new city from
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
the mountains and found a merchant with whom he had had dealings, who kindly fur- nished him with quarters, medical aid, and an attendant; but the dark shadow from beyond the river had been cast upon his life's trail, and from among strangers he was to enter upon the mysterious unknown. When he learned from his physician that his days were drawing to a close, he remembered that there had been, in ' the old-time days,' a time when he had learned of the love that bound David to Jonathan, and through the aid of his attendant he at last found that another of the brotherhood lived here in Stockton, to whom he made himself known. He had touched the chord that sent forth the magic strain, he made himself known and called for a brother. It was a call that never goes unheeded, and from that time until death his wants were supplied, his pillow smoothed and his path made easier to the grave. When the strange brother was prepared for the burial, a notice was placed about the town calling upon the brotherhood to attend the burial of one of their number. It was a strange gathering that, where strangers from every State in the Union, and from other lands, met around the bier, and with signs to them only known, found that they were brothers. It was the talisman that had, like a magic wand, arrested the stranger in his eager pursuit of wealth, and brought him to the side of a dead stranger. They followed the remains to the grave, and laid away to rest, in a strange land, the first of their number, so remembered in the great valley of the San Joaquin.
"This burial had brought together the nem- bers of the order and stirred afresh the slumber- ing fires upon the altar of fraternity. This act of charity had arrested their attention, rekindled the flame, and the result was the organization of the first lodge in this part of the State, and they called it 'Charity Lodge,' because of the event that had called it into being. It was the fifth lodge formed in the State, although it was num- bered the sixth."
Charity Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., was or-
ganized February 14, 1852, with E. G. Green- field, H. O. Mathews, R. K. Chamberlyn, S. M. McLean, J. J. Bythier and William Garvin as charter members. The first officers were: I. Zachariah, N. G .; S. M. McLeen, V. G .; George R. Buffum, R. S., and H. Mitchell, Treas. This lodge is now 290 strong. In fact, Oddfellow- ship has an unproportionably large number of adherents in Stockton and vicinity.
Stockton Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F., was organized June 7, 1853, with the following offi- cers and charter members: T. K. Hook, N. G .; C. Grattan, V. G .; A. Spooner, Sec .; H. Mitchell, W .; E. G. Greenfield, Con .; J. C. Edwards, R. S. N. G .; W. Harris and M. Lind- auer. This society still flourishes, with about 220 members.
Truth Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F., was or- ganized December 18, 1884, with about 130 members, 119 being initiated the first night! 122 had been elected, but three could not be present; and all this, too, withont drawing even one from the membership of the other lodges. The twenty-one charter members had not before that affiliated with any other Odd Fellow lodge in the city. This is a vigorous society, having now 280 members and about $12,000 in the treasury. They meet in Masonic Hall.
The first officers were: C. C. Keniston, N.G .; J. P. Spooner, V. G .; Ed. Nielsen, Rec. Sec. ; John Garwood, Per. Sec .; John Hammond, Treas .; Frank Laning, Jr., P. G .; A. M. Woods, Warden; O. S. Henderson, Cond .; Thomas Dinn- ing, I. S. G .; H. D. A. Petzinger, O. S. G .; W. C. Costelow, R. S. S .; E. E. Austin, L. S. S .; C. L. De Vinny, Chap .; R. C. Tubbs, R. S. N. G .; Win. A. Abernethy, L. S. N. G .; Wm. Baldwin, R. S. V. G .; Franc Moya, L. S. V. G.
Parker Encampment, No. 3, I. 0. 0. F., was organized June 10, 1853. First officers and members: E. W. Colt, C. P .; M. B. Ken- ney, H. P .; W. G. Phelps, S. W .; C. O. Bur- ton, S .; A. Wolf, Treas .; Joseph Fulton, J. W., and J. B. Hill. This encampment still pros- pers, having now a membership of 175.
Canton Ridgeley, No. 15, Patriarchs Mil-
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
itant, was instituted October 6, 1884, by J. N. Applegate, Grand Patriarch, and W. B. Lyon, Grand Scribe, with the following officers: W. H. Woodbridge, Commander; C. M. Keniston, Vice-Commander; D. F. Northrup, Officer of the Guard; George F. Roesch, Secretary, and C. E Perkins, Treasurer. February 25, 1886, the degree camp merged into a canton, and the following officers were mustered in by General John Breyfogle, assisted by Major Kahn and Captain E. L. Gnekow: W. H. Woodbridge, Captain; C. M. Keniston, Lieutenant; E. L. Gnekow, Ensign; George F. Roesch, Clerk; J. E. Hall, -. There are now forty-one mem- bers. The canton meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, at Odd Fellows' Hall.
Lebanon Lodge, No. 41, Rebekah Degree, was institued in Jannary, 1878, with twenty-five charter members. First officers: A. J. Hyde, N. G .; Mrs. M. A. Thorndyke, V. G .; O. F. Rea, Sec .; Mrs. L. L. Bond, Treas. There are now 250 members.
Rainbow Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F., Rebekah Degree, was established in May, 1886, with about fifty members, and the following officers: Mrs. Emina Reynolds, N. G .; F. W. Ritter, V. G .; Miss Anna Edwards, Rec. Sec .; Miss Alice Smallfield, Per. Sec .; Mrs. George Winter, Treas. The present membership is about 100. They meet in the Odd Fellows' lodge room in Masonic Temple.
Odd Fellows Hall Association was organized as early as March, 1857, and, as is characteristic of the order, they have in their magnificent hall, corner of Main and Hunter streets, a re- spectable circulating and reference library. H. T. Dorrance is the president of this association, and G. C. Hyatt secretary. It comprises three classes of members,-contributing, life and honorary.
Charter Oak Lodge, No. 20, K. of P., was instituted January 27, 1872, with these gentle- men as officers: C. M. Small, W. H. Keep, W. F. Fletcher, W. Kierski, W. W. Hatch, Joseph Fyfe, J. H. Barney, Jr., S. Y. Strait and C. C.
Lyons. This lodge at present has a member- ship of 104.
Centennial Lodge, No. 38, K. of P., was organized July 22, 1876, with eighty-three charter members; it now has 145. The first officers were: Past Chancellors, S. G. S. Dun- bar and Henry Adams; S. G. S. Dunbar, C. C .; Jacob Salz, V. C .; W. H. Keeler, P .; Charles Grunsky, M. of E .; Frank A. Stewart, M. of F .; Lewis B. Noble, M. at A .; Stanton L. Carter, I. G .; Samuel L. Terry, O. G.
Willow Lodge, No. 55, K. of P., was estab- lished June 12, 1879, with about eighteen mem- bers; there are now 120.
Nemo Lodge, No. 161, K. of P., is still another organization, the particulars of which we failed to obtain.
Stockton Division, No. 5, Uniformed Rank, K. of P., has been recently organized, but is not flourishing.
Section 175, Endowment Rank, K. of P., was instituted May 30, 1878. The officers soon after organization, if not the first, were: Henry Adams, P .; J. B. Sears, V. P .; F. H. Meisell, C .; Joseph Fyfe, Sec. and Treas .; J. P. Shaver, G .; Joseph Wiley, I. G .; G. W. Newell, S. This section now numbers sixty-five meinbers.
The Pythian Hall, the most neatly and thor- oughly equipped in the State, is the uppermost story of the McKee building, southwest corner of Main and Hunter streets, and was fitted up in July, 1889, by the four lodges. It is called the new Castle Hall, in contradistinction to the old Castle Hall, and was dedicated December 4, 1889.
San Joaquin Grove, No. 9, U. A. O. D., was organized August 15, 1867, with the following officers and members: William Sievers, N. A .; J. A. Brandt, V. A .; C. Wittkopf, Sec .; A. Krieg, Treas .; C. Lnehrs, I. G .; J. Hansel, Con .; Henry Hertzer, Louis Hansel, F. Nies- trath, J. Zel and B. Gebhardt. This is a Ger- man society of sixty-five members at present, in a prosperous condition.
Stockton Grove, No. 25, of the same order, and consisting of English speaking members,
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
was organized March 17, 1874, but went down about eight or nine years afterward.
Iroquois Tribe, No. 35, I. O. R. M., was or- ganized July 27, 1870, with fifty-five influential members. First officers: J. R Selden, S .; E. H. C. Taylor, Sr. S .; J. H. O'Brien, Jr. S .; F. S. Hinds, K. of W .; Eugene Lehe, C. of R .; Robert Stevenson, Prophet. The present mem- bership is thirty-two; C. A. Campbell is C. of R., and J. L. Mowbray is Sachein.
Montezuma Tribe, No. 18, of this order, or- ganized June 8, 1869, with a large membership, has " gone down."
Court San Joaquin, No. 7682, I. O. F. (For- esters), was organized February 21, 1889, by Dr. F. A. Geisea, A. L. Wulff, and others. The membership has increased from sixty-six to eighty-fonr. They meet in Good Templars' Hall twice a month. A. M. Smallfield is the present Chief Ranger, and George Hornage, Secretary. The court joined the " English branch " in November, 1889.
Security Council, No. 183, O. C. F. (Order of Chosen Friends). was organized May 21, 1885, and now meet in the McKee building. There are eighteen members. F. L. Flynn is Councilor, S. B. Coates, Secretary, and J. V. Logan, Treasurer.
Stockton Lodge, No. 23, A. O. U. W., was organized February 27, 1878, with ninety-three charter meinbers, and the following named as officers: F. De Lano, P. M. W .; J. R. Williams, M. W .; A. E. Aubury, G. F .; C. W. Rickey, O .; H. E. Robbins, G .; A. M. Cadien, Rec .; Dr. L. E. Cross, R .; A. F. Lochhead, F .; J. C. Bowden, I. W .; William Crandall, O. W. This lodge now has 276 members in good standing.
Upchurch Lodge, No. 253, A. O. U. W., was organized in June, 1888, with about eighty-one inembers. There are now eighty-five. H. W. Shepherd is Master Workman, and George Horn- age Secretary.
Stockton Lodge, No. 1596, K. of H., was organized in August, 1879, and has a member- ship at present of fifty-seven. A. W. Chance is
Dictator, S. B. Coates, Reporter, and J. T. Old- ham, Treasurer.
Fountain Lodge, No. 34, United Endow- ment Associates, was organized in August, 1887. The first Past Commander was J. N. McCall; Commander, R. T. Earle. The membership has increased from thirty-four to fifty-eight, and meet in Good Templars' Hall the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The present officers are: F. M. McCall, P. C .; H. M. Spohr, C .; Nellie A. Atwood, A. C .; C. W. Sanderson, V. C .; A. M. Woods, Sec .; George Winter. Fin. Sec .; Mrs. Katie Earle, Guardian; M. Sin- sheiner, Sen.
Rawlins Post, No. 23, G. A. R., was organ- ized in the fall of 1882, and now has about 200 members, influential and zealous. The State Encampment was held here early in 1888, when abont $2,000 was raised for the entertainment of the visitors. A grand ball, banquet and concert were given, Governor Waterman was present, and a most successful jubilee was en- joyed.
December 4, 1889, James E. Eaton was elected Commander of this Post; T. S. Lonigan, Senior Vice-Commander, and R. E. Steacey, Junior Vice-Commander. Mr. Eaton is a naval veteran, having fought under Commodores Far- ragnt, Dupont and Dalılgren.
The Woman's Relief Corps, organized in 1885, and now comprising about 100 members, is one of the most efficient in the United States, all the ladies being zealous workers. Mrs. Sarah Tripp is the president. A camp of the sons of the veterans was also organized in July, 1889, of which Louis A. Eaton is captain. The vet- erans first organized here in 1868, as Rawlins Post, No. 9, but permitted their interest to wane and finally threw up their charter.
The San Joaquin Valley Association of Veterans of the Mexican War was organized July 4, 1876, with headquarters at Stockton, and the following named as officers: Frank Stewart, Pres .; Thomas E. Ketchum, V. P. and Mar- shal; John H. Webster, Sec. Frank Stewart, Thomas E. Ketchum, James J. Evans, John
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
Canavan, Samuel Catts and Frank W. Moss were elected directors. Over eighty joined this association, but in the nature of the case the number must diminish more and more rapidly with the advancing age of the veterans, and so reduce the interest in attendance at ineetings, which for some time past have been actually discontinued. Nominally, there are yet over sixty members, of whoin William Murray is president.
Stockton Parlor, No. 7, N. S. G. W., was established March 12, 1881, with about fourteen members; there are now 150, who meet in Good Templars' Hall every Monday evening. W. M. Bours is president and W. H. Lyons secretary.
The Sons of St. George organized their so- ciety here in Stockton July 22, 1889, and have now over thirty members. The leading men in this patriotic association are E. A. Trethe- way, Wm. H. Robinson, J. Bibbero, J. H. Bray, R. Condy, Ed. Blake, B. A. Hester, W. H. Hib- bitt, A. M. Barratt, etc., all natives of Albion's isle, but the constitution of the society admits to membership also the sons and grandsons of na- tives of England. They have organized to aid each other in sickness, in obtaining employment, in social culture and in the inculcation of the principles of patriotism. They meet twice a month, in Red Men's Hall.
The Irish-American Benevolent Society of Stockton was incorporated April 3, 1869, for "the relief of sick members, the interment of deceased members and also of deceased wives of members, the moral tuition of each other, the propagation of general intelligence, unity, friend- ship and brotherly love among all the members." Those only are eligible to membership who are " descendants of Ireland, front one or both par- ents, in good health, and of good moral charac- ter, between the ages of eighteen and fifty." The original organizers were: C. L. Murphy, P. F. Dolan, M. McCann, M. F. Smith, J. A. Mul- downey, E. W. Powell, Timothy Murphy, B. McCann, T. C. Mallon, Jolin Feeley, Arthur O'Keefe, Jas. Darcy, Thomas Kelly, Jolin Quinn, 12
John Ginn, John O'Keefe, Michael Fitzgerald and J. W. Feeley. The first officers were: T. C. Mallon, president; C. L. Murphy, vice-pres- ident; E. W. Powell, secretary; John Quinn, C. S .; James Darcy, treasurer.
Stockton Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians, was organized in October, 1869, with the following charter members: M. J. Garvin, James Kinney, John Garvin, Peter Garvin and John Burns. There are now 150 members, of whom John Quinn is president and Wm. Mc- Carty and James Burns secretaries.
The Stockton Turnverein was organized June 16, 1856, with thirty-nine charter mem- bers. The first officers were: Charles Grunsky, Pres .; H. Fisher, V. P .; J. Dauber, Sec .; M. Kullman, Cor. Sec .; J. Hahn, Fin. Sec .; S. Burgun, Treas .; G. Bernhardt, first leader; W. Haffner, second leader; P. Kraft, J .; J. Dauber, librarian; B. Reibenstein, singing leader. There are now abont a hundred members, of whom Charles Barthman is president, and who own the building and ground they occupy, on the east side of Hunter street, near Weber avenue, valued at about $20,000.
Compagniu Italiana Bersaglieri-literally " sharpshooters "-was organized February 18, 1877, with nineteen original members, and the following officers: P. Mnsto, Pres .; P. Lertora, V. P .; G. Alegretti, Sec .; L. Basilio, Treas .; and G. Gazzolo, D. K. At one time they had a membership of over fifty, but now there only twelve -with a flush treasury, however. The society is chiefly one of mutual benevolence.
Stockton Grange No. 70, P.of H., was organ- ized August 12, 1873, with the following charter members: Andrew Wolf, Wm. L. Overhiser, George West, Andrew Showers, Wm. G. Phelps, Thomas E. Ketchum, James Marsh, T. J. Brooks, Israel Lander, Alex. Burkett, Charles Sperry, Joseph F. Harrison, P. W. Dudley, John Taylor, Win. H. Fairchilds, S. V. Tred- way, H. E. Wright, J. H. Cole, W. D. Ashley, Freeman Mills, Mrs. F. Mills, Mrs. John Tay- lor, Mrs. A. Wolf, Mrs. James Marsh, Mrs. Alex. Burkett, Mrs. Wm. L. Overhiser, Mrs. George
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
West, Mrs. Charles Sperry, Mis. T. J. Brooks and Mrs. W. H. Fairchilds. This society is still flourishing, notwithstanding most of its sister societies, especially in the East, have gone down.
Stockton Typographical Union, No. 56, was organized August 28, 1869 There are now twenty-eight members. M. M. Glenn is presi- dent; J. V. Rooney, secretary, and S. B. Coates, treasurer. All the printing establishments in Stockton are " Union " offices.
Stockton Lodge, No. 13%, I. O. G. T., was organized July 15, 1875, with the following charter members: W. B. Bernard, A. G. Brown, S. Jackson, H. R. Campbell, J. A. Rich, W. J. Lester, A. E. Aubrey, Sarah Garwood, Maggie Randall, Amelia Allen, Julia Allen, Mary Goss, Mrs. E. Waite, Mrs. N. Sargent, Mrs. M. Wright, Mrs. M. A. Allen, Miss Susie Smith, Mrs. M. C. Brown and Mrs. M. H. Allen. This lodge is said still to hold its charter, with about eighteen members, most of the old-time members having dropped off. Both the Good Templars and Sons of Temperance have had flourishing societies here, and may again soon ; but at present they are scarcely active. The strong wind of intemperance blows constantly, while the feeble puffs of philanthropy to avert it will ever be spasmodic and limited. Such is human passion as against virtue, ignorance against knowledge.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union .-- The union first organized in Stockton went down. The present society was organized in October, 1887, and now has twenty to forty paying members. The first officers of this organization were: Mrs. Helen Goyette, Pres .; Mrs. A. C. Knowles, Sec., and Mrs. N. M. Howe, Treas .; Mrs. Ida Dennett, Cor. Sec. The present membership feel that they are in much better working order than ever before, and are commencing several new lines of work, especi- ally scientific instruction. They meet weekly at the Y. M. C. A. rooms, described in the next paragraph. Mrs. W. H. Whitiner is President; Mrs. A. C. Knowles, Corresponding Secretary ;
Mrs. Clara Preble, Recording Secretary; and Mrs. Nellie Atwood, Treasurer.
The present Young Men's Christian Associ- ation was organized April 18, 1884. The first subscribers of $5 each to the movement were: William M. Baggs, T. K. Hook, S. D. Furry, A. W. Simpson, B. F. Bagley, S. W. Sperry, J. W. Smith, I. S. Bostwick, E. Moore, W. H. Van Vlear, William Jones, H. T. Dorrance, James C. Smithı, John T. Olahan, Hammond, Moore & Yardley, Frank Stewart, E. R. Hedges, Charles E. Dorr, Jeff. Hamilton, Alonzo Rhodes, A. Leitch, H. C. Shaw, K. Hodge, F. B. Magee, G. S. Easton, M. H. Bond and J. Badger. The first officers were: C. M. Keniston, Pres .; Mr. Mason, Gen. Sec. The second general secre- tary was O. D. Weeks. The succeeding presi- dents to date have been: A. D. McIntosh, Putnam Visher, C. C. Keniston and E. C. Arnold. The present officers are: E. C. Arnold, Pres .; C. C. Keniston and J. D. Elder, V. Ps .; Hervey H. Dorr, Gen. Sec .; Morris Wenk, Rec. Sec .; J. W. Gill, Auditor; and Will H. Moore, Treas.
Their first place of meeting was in Masonic Temple; second, on the corner of Main and Hunter streets; and the third and present one . is at 300g Main street, near the Avon Theater, where they have all the second story of a fine business block, 50 x 150 feet in dimensions, divided into seven rooms, which are nicely and liberally furnished. The ceiling is very high, this lending a peculiar ease to the esthetic sense. A spacious and well-equipped gymnasium, a fine auditoriumn, a large reading-room furnished with books and periodicals, a comfortable and cosy reception-room, where the cordial secretary welcomes new-comers, and all other desirable ap- purtenances, complete this philanthropic home of the stranger and temple for the resident.
Young Men's Institute, No. 5, was organ- ized in 1885, with forty-five members. It now has 135, who meet the first and third Wednes- days of the month, at the Y. M. I. building, erected last summer on the northwest corner of Washington and San Joaquin streets. Here
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
there are a large room for general mectings, a library and reading-room, etc. Of this society David Hoult is President; George C. Barth, Rec. Sec .; Williamn Watson, Fin. Sec .; and Jolın H. Smith, Treas.
Young Men's Institute, No. 105, was es- tablished in January, 1889, with thirty-five members: there are now sixty. President, John McCann; Rec. Sec., Mr. Power; Fin. Sec., George Campbell; Treas., Mr. McDonald. In- stitute meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
These institutes are Catholic, and correspond in their functions to the Y. M. C. A. Richard Lauxen has been District Deputy Grand Presi- dent for this district for a number of years.
The Stockton Secular Union-formerly the Liberal League -- was organized in February, 1877, under a charter from the National Liberal League, by these gentlemen: Charles Haas, G. C. Hyatt, A. T. and A. S. Hudson, A. F. Loclı- lead, Freeland Lawrence, W. F. Freeman, Charles Williams, J. F. Harrison, Amos Gove, L. H. Brannock, E. T. Lake, James Cole, J. A. Louttit, W. B. Williams, C. G. Ernest, S. H. Man, H. G. Boisselier, Harvey Squires, Jacob Grundike and A. B. Bennett. The first officers were: G. C. Hyatt, Pres .; Charles Haas, V. P .; Freeland Lawrence, Sec .; and W. F. Freeman, Treas. Mr. Freeman is now the President. As the respective names of this organization imply, its object is to aid in bringing about a complete divorce of church and State in this country, which would withhold all public funds from sectarian institutions, abolish chiaplaincies and tax church property ; and, sec- ondarily, its object is also to "liberalize" the people generally in regard to religion, politics, philosophy, sociology, education, etc. Meetings are not regularly hield, and all routine is avoided, providing lectures by the ablest men when their services can be obtained at the least expense. Turn-Verein Hall is their place of meeting.
Congregation Ryhim Ahoovim, that is, the Congregation of the " Beloved Brethren." This is the Hebrew religious society of Stockton,
which we do not place under the liead of " Churches," for the reason that we regard the word "church" as of Christian origin. This congregation was first formed, preliminarily, in 1855, and regularly organized in Stockton in 1856, with forty-two members. At one time there were as many as fifty-two, but now there are only thirty-five. The interests of the con - gregation are financially conducted by the He- brew Benevolent Society, of which Martin P. Stein is the present secretary. The synagogue, erected in 1855, on Miner avenue, at a cost of $3,000, was moved to its present place on the east side of Hunter street, between Lindsay and Fremont, in 1862. In 1868 a school-house was built in the rear, at an expense of $1,000, for the instruction of children in religion and in the Hebrew language.
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