USA > California > Contra Costa County > History of Contra Costa County, California; with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
In December, 1917, Miss Wilsey was married to James A McVittie and Miss Norah McNeill, of Berkeley, was appointed librarian. The growth and expansion of the library have been continuous. The Point Richmond library, which was established on July 7, 1908, became a branch
183
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
of the Richmond Public Library on January 1, 1910. It is now known as the West Side Branch, occupies commodious quarters at Washington Avenue and Park Place, and has a yearly circulation of more than 20,000 volumes.
The Stege Branch, established in July, 1913, was located on Potrero Avenue, and for nine years was under the charge of Mrs. Florilla Brown, a well known and widely loved local resident. Mrs. Brown was eighty years old when she resigned the position a few months before her death in 1922. The library is at present located on South Wall Street, where it is much used by the children of the neighborhood and has a yearly circu- lation of 10,000 volumes.
The Grant Branch, a small neighborhood branch library located in the Grant School building, was opened in 1924, the school authorities giv- ing free use of the room occupied.
On account of the crowded condition at the main library, a special building tax was levied in 1921, and a $42,000 addition was completed in March, 1924. By this addition the main library was increased to almost double its original size; double-deck steel book stacks were installed, and the boys' and girls' department was very much enlarged.
From the original collection of a few hundred books, the library's stock now numbers over 48,000 volumes, and for the year 1924-1925 the combined circulation of books, magazines and pictures was 275,116.
From its inception, the Richmond Library has given special attention to work with children. The large and well-equipped boys' and girls' de- partment at the main library is in charge of a specially trained children's librarian, and includes a well-organized picture collection of over 23,000 pictures, and a special school department from which libraries are sent to all of the classrooms of the nine elementary schools of the city.
Mr. George B. Fredenburg is president of the Board of Library Trus- tees, the other members being Mrs. W. B. Trull, Mrs. T. T. Cramer, Mrs. B. X. Tucker, and Mr. Carl R. Alexander.
At the time of the establishment of the County Library, and for three years thereafter, the Richmond Library was a part of the County Library system; but in January, 1916, it withdrew, and is now the only library not affiliated with the County Library.
THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
The accounts of the inception and growth of the branches already given embrace, as far as is known, the efforts of the different communi- ties towards establishing a library in their midst. The Contra Costa County Free Library was established in 1913, and has recently rendered to the supervisors its twelfth annual report, which shows that 184,081 volumes were circulated from forty-four branches, and 52,935 books sent to fifty-five schools.
The early history of the County Library is interesting, as it was so largely pioneer work. The work began with Mrs. Whitbeck as librarian
184
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
and one assistant, Miss Anne Weyand. A room was rented from the Martinez Library Association, and immediate steps were taken to help the struggling places noted in the brief histories and to establish other branches; also, to bring in as many schools as possible. As a result of rapid and well-organized work, books were sent to twenty-eight places the first year. Some of these were the reading-rooms already mentioned ; others were merely deposits in stores, post offices, private homes, and iso- lated schools.
The growth from year to year was so rapid that three moves were made in office quarters, until finally the large lodge room on the upper floor of the Martinez Reading Room Association building was vacated and fitted up as County Library office and library. This growth has neces- sitated an increased office force, embracing a school department, a branch department, a cataloging department, and a records department. At the present time, nine full-time assistants are employed to process, catalog, ship and exchange books to ninety-nine different points.
The policy of the County Library has been to have each town supply its own library room or building in whatever way it may. Many times these have been started in a very small way, only to find out in a year or two that they wanted better quarters. This has been especially noted in the cases of the towns of Brentwood, Byron, Danville, El Cerrito and Lafayette. Improvements are constantly taking place, and there is a general effort to have larger and better reading-rooms.
The work with the schools has grown enormously, and has been made possible by the assistance and cooperation of County Superintendent of Schools Mr. W. H. Hanlon, and by the very full measure of appreciation shown by the teachers served. The citizenship classes have come in for much help in the way of books, pictures and musical records. Besides furnishing books to the schools, the County Library circulates maps, globes, charts, pictures, music records, and films. More and more the teachers are realizing what the County Library means to them. The county is almost entirely covered by service to branches or schools. What remains to do is to increase and improve this service.
CHAPTER XIV LODGES OF THE COUNTY
It has been very difficult to gather material for the compilation of a history of the various secret societies in Contra Costa County. This has been due in part to lack of whole-hearted response, on the part of some, to calls and correspondence intended to elicit the needed information, though others, both officers and members of organizations, have freely cooperated in securing the necessary data; and we thank them kindly. It
185
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
has been the purpose of the compiler to give, in this chapter, an account of the organizing of the local societies, especially as regards the granting of dispensation and charter, and the names of the charter members and original officers. It is to be understood that many other local societies (as also, indeed, most of those mentioned here) will be found listed in the chapters devoted to the cities in which they are located. Here follows the record, so far as we have been able to secure the information.
MASONIC LODGES
Martinez Lodge No. 41, F. & A. M., was granted a dispensation on July 26, 1852, continued upon application on August 3, 1853; a charter was ordered May 3, 1854; and the following were the officers and mem- bers : Robert N. Woods, M .; J. Mitchell, S. W .; H. Mills, J. W .; D. Small, Treas .; J. S. Days, Sec .; J. Tucker, S. D .; E. T. Weld, J. D .; S. Russell, Tyler; Masons, S. G. Briggs, A. Hooper, J. T. Trippen, J. S. Walls. In 1859 the lodge erected its own hall by subscription of the members.
Antioch Lodge No. 175, F. & A. M., was granted dispensation on June 15, 1865; was constituted on October 12, 1865; and the charter members were: Francis Williams, Rozwell Hard, J. P. Walton, D. H. Cleaves, N. Adams, S. Jessup, J. J. McNulty, J. C. O'Brien, J. E. Wright, R. Charnock, Jackson W. Ong, Thomas Cryan, E. T. Mills. The officers under dispensation were F. Williams, M .; S. W. Bedford, S. W .; J. C. O'Brien, J. W. Upon the charter being granted, these were elected: F. Williams, W. M .; S. W. Bedford, S. W .; J. C. O'Brien, J. W .; J. E. Wright, Treas .; M. Kline, Sec .; N. Adams, S. D .; S. Jessup, J. D .; E. T. Mills, Tyler.
A petition was sent in to form a lodge at Crockett on December 20, 1898 ; dispensation was granted for Carquinez Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M., on April 26, 1899; and the first meeting was held on April 29, of that year. A charter was granted on October 12, 1899, and the lodge was constituted on October 28, 1899.
Brentwood Lodge No. 345, F. & A. M., was organized in February, 1902; its charter was received on October 15, 1902. The lodge had thirteen charter members.
A petition was sent from Richmond, signed by sixteen Masons, to organize a lodge in that city. This resulted in the organization of Mc- Kinley Lodge No. 347, which received dispensation on April 5, 1902. The first meeting was held April 12, 1902, with Harry Ells as Master. On November 8 the lodge was regularly constituted.
Pinole Lodge No. 353, F. & A. M., held its preliminary meeting on November 11, 1902; its charter was granted on February 17, 1903, and it had eighteen charter members.
Pittsburg Lodge No. 249, F. & A. M., was organized on January 20, 1912, with twenty-two Master Masons as charter members, most of them demitting from Antioch Lodge No. 175. The first meeting was held
186
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
under dispensation on February 20, 1912, and on October 10 of that year a charter was granted. On November 9 the lodge was instituted.
On June 4, 1912, Alpha Lodge No. 431, F. & A. M., was organized in Richmond, on account of the wide territory covered, by twenty-five charter members. The first meeting was held under dispensation on May 24, H. A. Stiver, Master. A charter was granted on October 10; and on November 12, 1912, the lodge was duly instituted.
Mount Diablo Lodge No. 448, F. & A. M., was granted dispensation on May 21, 1916; the first meeting was held on May 30, and on October 17, 1916, a charter was granted, when twenty-three men signed the roll.
Harbor Lodge No. 502, F. & A. M., was organized on March 3, 1921, C. W. Duncan, Master.
Point Lodge No. 503, F. & A. M., was instituted on March 3, 1921, C. J. Peterson, Master. The organization of the last-named lodge gives the city of Richmond four lodges.
ROYAL ARCH CHAPTERS
Antioch Chapter No. 65, R. A. M., was issued a charter on April 29, 1885. On May 13 the chapter was constituted and C. H. Frink was elected High Priest.
Richmond Chapter No. 42, R. A. M., was granted a charter on De- cember 21, 1912, Harry Ells being elected High Priest.
EASTERN STAR CHAPTERS
Ariel Chapter No. 42, O. E. S., was instituted at Antioch on March . 30, 1880, with twelve charter members, by Grand Worthy Patron C. L. Thomas. The members were: Elizabeth Williams, Alice Parkinson, Kate Forman, Malvina G. Abbott, Alice Rouse, Mrs. T. B. Jacobs, Annie Mc- Killips, Alyszan R. Jessup, Mary E. Frink, N. W. Smith, C. H. Frink, G. Rouse and J. P. Abbott.
Occidental Chapter No. 64, O. E. S., was organized on October 15, 1881, with the following charter members at Martinez: Elizabeth Wil- liams, L. C. Wittenmyer, Francis Williams, Eva Bissell, Clara K. Wit- tenmyer, Lizzie T. Russell, Emma Moore, Helen C. Carothers, Margaret E. W. Thompson, Mary Brown, Narcissa H. Woodruff, Caroline J. Hol- lenbeck, H. M. Hollenbeck, Clara L. Wittenmyer and Leontine Blum.
Miramar Chapter No. 205, O. E. S., was organized in Richmond on September 5, 1902, Mrs. P. C. Campbell, Worthy Matron.
Crockett Chapter No. 184, O. E. S., was organized on September 7, 1900. .
Almona Chapter No. 214, O. E. S., was organized at Walnut Creek on September 5, 1903.
Pinole Chapter No. 220, O. E. S., was organized at Pinole on Feb- ruary 23, 1904, with fifteen charter members.
Los Cerritos Chapter No. 234, O. E. S., was organized in Martinez on July 22, 1905.
187
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Acantha Chapter No. 249, O. E. S., was organized at Richmond on September 7, 1906, Mrs. F. Schoen, Worthy Matron.
Beacon Chapter No. 383, O. E. S., was organized in Richmond on September 9, 1921, Mrs. J. Burdon, Worthy Matron.
Point Chapter No. 394, O. E. S., was organized in Richmond on July 6, 1922, Mrs. H. G. Stidham, Worthy Matron.
ODD FELLOWS LODGES
Pacheco Lodge No. 117, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Concord on September 12, 1863. The officers installed on July 6, 1864, were: L. B. Farish, N. G .; E. Hook, V. G .; William Gieraw, Rec. Sec .; W. A. Smith, Fin. Sec .; G. W. Johnson, Treas. There were fifty-one members reported on July 31, 1863.
Mount Diablo Lodge No. 128, I. O. O. F., was organized on October 27, 1866, with John H. Williams, N. G .; T. S. Jones, V. G .; A. E. H. Stover, Sec .; William Prosser, Treas .; J. Jones, Rec. Sec .; W. R. D. Reese, Conductor ; J. Lightowler, Guard.
San Joaquin Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F., was instituted with eleven men, at Antioch, on January 9, 1869. The following officers were in- stalled: William Garvin, N. G .; M. S. Levy, V. G .; George Thyarks, Rec. Sec .; R. Eddy, Treas.
Martinez Lodge No. 297, I. O. O. F., was instituted on July 20, 1882, with the following charter members : Paul Shirley, J. Borland, John Leff- ler, R. N. Doyle, S. W. Johnson, E. W. Hiller, Barry Baldwin, C. H. Ludden, M. B. Ivory, James Stewart, S. Blum, and W. S. Tinning. The first officers were : Paul Shirley, N. G .; C. H. Ludden, V. G .; W. S. Tin- ning, Rec. Sec. ; E. W. Hiller, Sec .; R. N. Doyle, Treas .; S. Blum, John Leffler and Barry Baldwin were trustees.
Crockett Lodge No. 329, I. O. O. F., was instituted in Crockett on February 3, 1887, with the following charter members: John A. Glick, J. O. Marsh, S. H. Barnhisel, Steve Cowin, Robert Howe, Axel Nord, W. G. Short and John L. Heald.
Byron Lodge No. 335, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Byron on No- vember 23, 1887, with the following charter members: U. J. Engle, M. Grunauer, T. E. Callin, W. J. Casselman and Fred Rahmstorf.
Danville Lodge No. 378, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Danville on July 26, 1892. The following were officers and charter members: E. A. Bunce, Treas .; B. W. Stone, Rec. Sec .; B. W. Bennett, N. G .; J. M. Huckins, V. G .; W. Z. Stone, Edw. Griffith and M. L. Simpson.
Rodeo Lodge No. 196, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Rodeo on May 4, 1906, by Grand Master Theodore Bell; and among the charter mem- bers were: J. E. Slade, C. D. Ambrosia, J. M. Ownes, T. J. Francis, S. H. Cunningham, E. B. Catt and C. E. Mancrief. There were thirty char- ter members all told. The lodge was given No. 196, which had been the number of Relief Lodge at Stony Point, until Relief Lodge was consoli- dated with other lodges.
188
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Giant Lodge No. 400, I. O. O. F., was organized at Pinole on October 2, 1907, with these charter members : B. C. Mawes, H. H. W. Randall, Leander Smith, W. C. Gerrish, S. E. Mackey, E. E. Randall and Leonard Garroutte. . On June 30, 1908, it had twenty-nine members.
Eclipse Lodge, No. 403, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Richmond on July 20, 1908, by Grand Master John E. Raker, with the following char- ter members: F. W. Heckman, D. S. Tyler, J. P. Philpott, I. L. Dear- born, S. C. Swanson, Theodore Iversen, Lester Follett and V. W. Poulsen. On June 30, 1909, it had thirty-three members.
On the night of February 1, 1902, Twilight Lodge No. 119, I. O. O.F., the pioneer Odd Fellow Lodge of Richmond, was organized. Delegates came from Berkeley, Oakland, and various towns in Contra Costa County, and despite the stormy night there was much enthusiasm at the hall in Point Richmond. The following were the charter members: John Mur- ray, J. A. Whiteside, D. DeBarrows, T. A. Tipp, E. J. Summerfield, E. Nelson, John Swanson and I. V. McCoy. On September 16, 1908, a com- munication was received by Eclipse Lodge from Twilight Lodge for a conference regarding consolidation. On January 6, 1909, the conferences, resulted in consolidation and the name became Eclipse Lodge No. 403. C. B. Clarenback, N. G .; J. B. Hunt, V. G .; J. W. Shell, Rec. Sec.
Bay Point Lodge No. 443, I. O.O. F., was instituted at Bay Point on August 15, 1914, with thirty-three members having the degrees conferred upon them by members from Pacheco Lodge No. 117, San Joaquin Lodge No. 329, and Byron Lodge No. 335. The charter members were: F. L. Lindquist, C. H. Counch, J. Buckholtz, L. Ludgren, C. Johnson, William Mattson, A. H. Erickson, Carl Hanson, Henry Roman, M. Caragliotti, J. L. Olsen, D. P. Alden, M. Percival and Charles Brauner.
ODD FELLOWS' ENCAMPMENTS AND CANTONS
Social Encampment No. 150, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Norton- ville on December 18, 1874, with the following charter members: James Rankin, T. S. Brown, J. H. Smith, Samuel Brown, John Trengrove, G. H. Scammon and Evan Thomas.
Contra Costa Encampment No. 99, I. O. O. F., was instituted with twenty-eight members on May 13, 1905. The following were the first officers : R. G. Erskine, C. P .; Charles Johnson, H. P .; W. A. Leight, S. W .; John Westfall, J. W .; N. B. Tiller, Scribe; George K. Drew, Treas.
Canton Richmond No. 40, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., was or- ganized and mustered in by C. H. Kornbeck, Deputy Commander, on March 21, 1924. The first officers elected were: Frank Rhoads, Com- mandant; Charles Washburn, Lieutenant; D. W. Poulsen, Ensign; M. G. Cofer, Clerk; J. A. Shaffer, Accountant. There were twenty-two char- ter members.
ODD FELLOWS' HALL ASSOCIATION
In 1914 a movement was started to organize an Odd Fellows Hall Association in Richmond, and it was brought to fruition on February 16,
189
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
1916, when the association was incorporated. The directors were: J. G. Gerlach, Frank Rhoads, R. E. Todd, T. Edgar, Charles Johnson, L. B. Hutchins, Robert Dornan, Mae Sutton and Thomas Handley. Several sites were offered; but it was not until February, 1921, that a site was selected and purchased. In October, 1925, a fine building was completed, which was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on October 24 of that year.
REBEKAH LODGES
Richmond Lodge No. 206, D. of R., was organized April 22, 1907, with the following members : Mrs. Rose Michell, Mrs. Emma Tyer, Miss Minnie Tyer, Mrs. Mary E. Donoho, Mrs. Hattie Horstman, Mrs. Mary A. Tiller, Mrs. Stella Milroy, Mrs. Mae S. Bedwell, Mrs. Ella Heckman, Bessie Woods, Mrs. Abbie Oakes, Adolph Horstman and Dan- iel Tyer ; and there were six new members initiated at the first meeting.
Zephyr Lodge No. 263, D. of R., was instituted in Richmond on April 5, 1902, in Fraternal Hall, with the following charter members: Sadie DeBarrows, Daniel DeBarrows, George Galbraith, John Murray, Lottie Murray, Elva Summerfield, E. J. Summerfield, Linda Whiteside and James Whiteside. The officers were : Emily Walker, N. G .; Emma Galbraith, V. G .; Laura Farnell, Sec .; and Nellie Adams, Treas. At the end of 1903 the lodge had eighty-one members.
Danville Lodge No. 123, D. of R., was instituted September 22, 1894, with the following charter members: Margret Boydston, Lillian Coats, Lydia Stone, Lucy Stark, Ennetta Botts, B. W. Stone, William Stark, William Hayden, W. N. Coats and B. W. Bennett. This lodge was given the number of Banner Lodge No. 123, which had surrendered its charter in January, 1893.
Mizpah Lodge No. 102, D. of R., was organized at Antioch on June 28, 1886.
Los Médanos Lodge No. 116, D. of R., was instituted at Pittsburg with the following charter members: Nellie A. and Fred Carter, Jennie C. and John H. Gallant, Nannie Cottrell, Mae E. Wright, and A. Bet- terworth. Los Médanos took the number of Fern Leaf Lodge of Forest- ville, which had surrendered its charter in May, 1895.
Mt. Diablo Lodge No. 228, D. of R., was instituted on October 12, 1897, at Concord, with the following charter members : Jennie D. and F. L. Loucks, W. E. Clanton, J. W. Haberly, Ency and Joseph Boyd, Jasper H. Wells, H. A. Rowley, W. C. Railsback, Anna and F. F. Neff, Mary A. and C. H. Clayton, Lillie and Eva Wells, and Carrie Bibber.
Florence Knight Lodge No. 264, D. of R., was instituted at Brent- wood on April 12, 1902, with the following charter members: Ida L. Morgan, Abbie and Ruth LeMoine, M. Alice Collins, and Frank P. Baker. This lodge was later moved to Byron.
Carmel Lodge No. 150, D. of R., was organized at Crockett on Oc- tober 1, 1889, with the following charter members : Stephen Cowin, Fred
190
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
C. Larsen, Robert Rowe, Ella Petersen, Wm. Cowin, Susan Edwards, Henry H. Hita, Rosetta Cowin, John D. Jones, Flora M. Jones, J. E. Petersen, Alice M. Trask, J. J. Smith, Stella Trask and Frank A. Starr.
Rodeo Lodge No. 342, D. of R., was instituted at Rodeo on Novem- ber 22, 1913, with the following charter members: Mae Priscilla, Louis Priscilla, Charles Pomber, Luna B. Clarke, Hannah M. Owens, and Stella L. Olsen. On June 30, 1914, it had fifteen women and thirteen men members.
Twin City Lodge No. 321, D. of R., was instituted at Pinole on June 18, 1921, and was given the number of Presidio Lodge, San Francisco, which had consolidated with other lodges. These were the charter mem- bers : Cecil and Henry C. Pake, Carrie and Charles Stevens, Goldie E. and Fred Allison, Ella L. Gerrish, and August E. Person.
Alhambra Lodge No. 292, D. of R., was instituted December 14, 1906, at Martinez, with the following charter members : Pearl J., Emma, and Charles Ball, Annie E. Rice, Bertha and Joseph Bickel, Sarah J. Jen- nings, Margaret A. Crilley, Walter S. Evans and A. E. Selmer.
Carquinez Lodge No. 352, D. of R., was organized at Bay Point on November 21, 1914, with nine members, viz .: Mamie Ritter, Isabel A. Nay, Christine and Henry Henrickson, Clara Parker, F. L. Linquist, An- tone Anderson, Carl Hanson, and Charles Brauer.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS AND PYTHIAN SISTERS
Black Diamond Lodge No. 29, K. of P., was organized on October 24, 1874, with thirty charter members, Watkins P. Morgans, P. C .; F. J. Deeman, C. C .; A. A. Paul, V. C .; and Robert Prutton, Prelate.
Richmond Lodge No. 13, K. P., was instituted in 1903 with the fol- lowing charter members entering on the night of institution: Chas. Car- penter, A. J. Timmons, J. W. Johnson, C. B. Gregory, Chas. V. Adams, H. L. Sharrer, Geo. Welsh, Richard Paasch, Emil Anderson, H. Silver- thorn, A. F. Silva, A. S. Lilly, John McCann, Andrew Erskine, A. B. McVicker, G. W. Lamley, Lyman Naugle, J. Mcl. Morrison, J. H. Partrage, A. W. Keeler, W. F. Belding, Jr., Geo. B. Hinds, Wm. N. Sutherland, Chas. L. Easton, W. M. Laidlaw, J. C. Bly, Wm. A. Thomas, Chas. Desmond, O. B. Graves, Fred Walworth, Wm. A. Light, J. S. Woods, Fred Ormand, Frank Meredith, M. Dicely, L. W. Dicely, Jas. Verges, W. E. Holmes, Emil Mino, H. H. Burner, Frank Lucas, S. L. Hartman, J. Tarro, F. H. Brownell and Chas. Malmstead.
Pythian Castle was the first lodge building put up by any of the lodges in Richmond. It was erected in 1903 on Fifth Street, just south of Macdonald Avenue. Pythian Sisters No. 86 also meet in this building.
BENEVOLENT PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS
Richmond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. E., was organized on May 2, 1911, with twenty-nine members, and was granted dispensation on August 1. The Elks Hall Association was incorporated on January 26, 1912.
191
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
The first meeting of its directors was held February 3, 1912 and on February 14 two lots were purchased on which to erect a building. These lots cost $12,000. Excavation began on October 31, 1912, and the building was completed on January 26, 1914. The cost of the building was $78,000, and of the furnishings, $22,000. It is one of the modern business blocks of Richmond.
Pittsburg Lodge No. 1474 was organized at Pittsburg on October 20, 1923, with 107 charter members. The first Exalted Ruler was Dr. T. B. Blackshaw. An Elks Hall Association was incorporated on March 1, 1924, and a lot was purchased at a cost of $8500; but no building has been erected to date.
IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN
Mohawk Tribe No. 20, I. O. R. M., was organized on June 19, 1869, in Martinez. The order is also represented by Carquinez Tribe No. 98 and Neola Council No. 172, I. O. R. M., both of Crockett.
NATIVE SONS OF THE GOLDEN WEST
The first Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West was organ- ized on July 26, 1884 at Antioch, with twenty-five members. It was giv- en the name of General Winn Parlor, No. 32. C. F. Montgomery was named the first President and C. M. Belshaw, Secretary.
On February 7, 1887, a charter was asked for Mount Diablo Parlor No. 101, at Martinez, and seventeen members signed the roll. T. A. McMahon was the first President, and F. L. Glass, the first Secretary.
Central Parlor No: 140, at Walnut Creek, was the next Parlor to be organized, the date being June 19, 1889. E. B. Anderson was President and J. A. Black, Secretary. There were thirty-nine members to start this Parlor, but it was dissolved on April 25, 1896.
The Native Sons of Byron and vicinity were next to apply for a charter; and on February 7, 1891, Byron Parlor No. 170 was organized with H. W. Johnston, president; W. H. Lewis, secretary; and twenty enthusiastic charter members.
Sunrise Parlor No. 204, of Pinole, was launched on August 4, 1899, with thirty-three members. J. W. Wilson was president and J. Wunder- lich was Secretary. This Parlor was dissolved on April 27, 1907.
Carquinez Parlor No. 205, of Crockett, was the next. It was organ- ized on August 5, 1899, with forty-four members. W. H. McDonald was President and H. T. Smith, Secretary.
On January 6, 1903, Richmond Parlor No. 217 was organized with twenty-one members. C. F. Grant was the first President and J. D. Grant was the first Secretary.
Concord Parlor No. 205 was organized on November 2, 1908, with thirty charter members. A. C. Gehringer was President and C. Hook, Secretary.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.