USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. I > Part 33
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New Haven has No. 2 Commandery of the Knights Templar, instituted in 1825. Its eminent commander for 1918 is John B. Freysinger of Stamford.
The bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in New Haven arc the E. G. Storer Lodge of Perfection, instituted in 1874; the Ehm City Council, P. of .T., 1876; and the New Haven Chapter Rose Croix, also instituted in 1876.
Of the Order of the Eastern Star, the women's auxiliary of the Masonie order, there are six chapters: Excelsior, No. 3; Myrtle, No. 6; Mystic, No. 20; Ethel, No. 28; Golden Rod, No. 34; Palestine, No. 67.
Of the Order of the Amaranth, Unity Court, No. 3.
Colored Masonry has also a long standing in New Haven, with its own Masonie building at 76 Webster Street. It also has No. 1 lodge, being Widow's Son, F. & A. M. There is also Oriental Lodge, No. 6.
The other colored bodies are Eureka Chapter, No. 9, Order of the Eastern Star; St. Paul's Commandery, No. 9, of Knights Templar; Arabie Temple, No. 40, A. A. O. N. M. S.
II
Though the origin of Odd Fellowship in England dates well back toward the beginning of the eighteenth century, the century following that was well advanced before it had made positive beginnings in this country. September 3. 1839, the date of the institution of the first lodge in New Haven, was only
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twenty years later than the institution of the first lodge in the United States, and it was the beginning of Odd Fellowship in Connecticut.
That was substantially eighty years ago. In that time Quinnipiac Lodge has grown to ten lodges in New Haven, with a membership of 2,930 and assets of $105,994. But the spirit of equal franchise entered into Odd Fellowship earlier than it did into some other orders. Only thirty years later than the insti- tution of the first lodge of independent male Odd Fellows the first Rebekah lodge was started here. This was Naomi Rebekah Lodge, dated August 20, 1869. Today there are four Rebekah lodges in the city, with a membership of 601, and assets of $9,987.
Only four years later than the institution of the first lodge in New Haven there was found a sufficient number of those who had passed the three primary degrees of Odd Fellowship to form an encampment. The first to he instituted was Sassacus, on August 17, 1841. At present there are three encampments, with 514 members, who hold assets of $16,197. Of the Patriarchs Militant, or military branch of the order, there are two cantons in New Haven, Sassacus and Aurora.
New Haven is the mother of Odd Fellowship in Connecticut, having No. 1 of lodges, Rebekalı lodges, encampments and eantons. Properly, then, the Grand Lodge has its headquarters in the city. In the Odd Fellows Building on Crown Street, William S. Hutchison, for many years the grand secretary and administrative officer of the Grand Lodge, has his headquarters, and there the Grand Lodge has its gatherings.
The history of Odd Fellowship in Connecticut is largely a record of the promotion work done from New Haven. An organization whose principles are the bonds of friendship, love and truth, whose pillars are faith; hope and love and whose foundation is belief in a Supreme Being, naturally inspires the mis- sionary spirit. No narrow lines are drawn against those who would. enter it, but there are plain requirements as to moral character, and certain objection- able oeenpations, chiefly saloonkeeping, bartending and gambling, are barred. On sneh a basis, largely from headquarters in New Haven, has been built up in Connecticut an edifice of 25,857 members, who meet in 91 lodges. The total assets of the Grand Lodge at the end of last year were somewhat over one million dollars, of which $835,821 consists of invested funds. In the Grand Encampment there are 5,643 members, and its assets at the end of the year were $82,333. There are 61 Rebekah lodges in the state, with a total of 9,600 members, 6,345 of them female and 3,255 male. This is Connectieut's part of the 2,203,301 persons belonging to the order in the world.
The names of the ten lodges of the 1. O. O. F. in New Haven, in the order of their institution, are : Quinnipiac, No. 1; Harmony, No. 5; Montowese, No. 15; City, No. 36; Croswell, No. 39: Svea, No. 40; Polar Star, No. 77; Germania. No. 78; Relief, No. 86; Humboldt, No. 91.
The encampments are Sassaens, No. 1; Golden Rule, No. 24; Aurora, No. 27. Vol. 1-18
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The two cantons of the Patriarchs Militant are Sassaens, No. 1, and Aurora, No. 12.
The four lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah are Naomi, No. 1 ; New Haven, No. 3; Deborah, No. 14; Columbia, No. 15.
There are three bodies in New Haven of the G. U. O. of O. F., or order of colored Odd Fellows. These are Christian Star Lodge, No. 1484; Unity Lodge, No. 6398; Household of Ruth, No. 52.
These have their own headquarters on Goffe Street.
Among the almost myriad societies, fraternities and various social organiza- tions in New Haven, one stands out with such prominence as to give it eminent historieal distinction. For the Knights of Columbus is the only fraternity, now of national or even larger magnitude, which had its initial organization in New llaven. It is. moreover, the development of the past thirty-six years. In New IJaven still is San Salvador Council, No. 1, and in New Ilaven, as from the begin- ning, is its supreme office. It has been an aid of the Catholic Church through the holding together of its men. Its principles have been the noble ones of the church, exalting in a direet way and keeping in the minds of its men the ideals for which it stands. It has a wonderful record, and New Haven is proud of it.
All this and more the story of the origin of the movement, of its progress and achievement, will best tell. It may best be told from within, and it merits such prominence. William J. MeGinley, supreme secretary of the order, has furnished these facts in the history of the Knights of Columbus :
The preliminary organization was accomplished in the City of New Haven February 2, 1882, by Rev. M. J. McGivney, Rev. P. P. Lawlor, James T. Mullen, C. T. Driscoll, Dr. M. C. O'Connor, Daniel Colwell, William MI. Geary, John T. Kerrigan, Thomas M. Carroll, Bartholomew Healey, Michael Curran and James McMahon. At a preliminary meeting, Rev. M. J. MeGivney was selected as a com- mittee to visit Boston and request the Massachusetts Catholie Order of Foresters to grant these gentlemen a charter for a local branch of their society. The peti- tion was refused, and Father MeGivney, on his return, presented to his associates plans which he himself had construeted for the establishment of a society of Catholie men.
On March 29, 1882, the Connecticut Legislature granted a charter to Rev. M. J. McGivney, Rev. P. P. Lawlor, James T. Mullen, C. T. Driscoll, Dr. M. C. ()'Connor, Daniel Colwell, William M. Geary, John T. Kerrigan and Michael Cur- ran. These men are justly entitled to the honor of having designed and planned the ceremonials and degrees of the order. However, the distinetion of having selected the name "Knights of Columbus" for the society must go to Rev. M. J. MeGivney, who from the start was unquestionably the leading spirit in laying the foundation upon which this splendid Catholie fraternity has been ereeted.
The specific purpose of the organization was to establish a Catholic fraternal
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society that would be an uplifting influence in the lives of Catholic men socially ; the bringing together of successful Catholic men to the end that they might, through their united efforts, advance the cause of Catholic charity and Catholic education, and still further that they might, through their insurance department. furnish at least temporary financial aid to the families of deceased members.
On February 2. 1882, the organizers met and established themselves as the Supreme Committee, composed of the following supreme officers :
James T. Mullen, Supreme Knight.
John T. Kerrigan, Deputy Supreme Knight. 5
Rev. M. J. MeGivney, Supreme Council Corresponding Secretary.
James T. MeMahon. Supreme Council Financial Secretary.
Michael Curran, Supreme Council Treasurer.
Cornelius T. Driscoll, Supreme Couneil Advocate.
Rev. P. P. Lawlor, Supreme Council Chaplain.
Dr. M. C. O'Connor, Supreme Council Physician.
Daniel Colwell, Supreme Council Leeturer.
On May 15, 1882. the Supreme Committee granted the first subordinate coun- cil charter. This couneil was located in the City of New Haven, and was named San Salvador Council No. 1.
The necessity of some plan for the officering and control of subordinate conn- eils now engaged the attention of the Supreme Committee, which finally decided on the following: Grand knight, deputy grand knight, chancellor, warden. treasurer, corresponding secretary, financial seeretary. chaplain, advocate, physi- cian, lecturer, three trustees. At this time the Supreme Committee exemplified the ceremonials of the society for the new subordinate council. They consisted of First, Second and Third degrees, together with an elaborate presentation of charter to subordinate eouneils.
The plan of developing the organization from this time was one of organizing subordinate councils in the different cities and towns throughout the state of Connecticut, and it was not until April 15, 1885, when a subordinate council was established at Westerly, R. I., as Narragansett, No. 21, that the influence of the order was extended beyond the parent state. The original organizers had no larger vision of the society's future than that its usefulness would be confined to Conueetient. Their imagination did not picture the great part that it would in the future play in the social life of the Catholic men of America.
At this time the Supreme Committee enacted a law providing that a Supreme Couneil should be established composed of the Supreme Committee and dele- gates from subordinate councils, each council to be entitled to one delegate to cach fifty members. This method, after a time, proved embarrassing, because of the number of delegates it provided for the Supreme Council, and resulted on May 14, 1886, in action of the Supreme Council resolving itself into the "Board of Government," this board to be composed of what had been the Supreme Com- mittee, and grand knight and past grand knight of each subordinate couneil.
Meanwhile, the order had been extended to still other states. On April 23,
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1891, Council No. 60 was established at Brooklyn, N. Y. On April 10, 1892, Bunker Ilill Conneil, No. 62, was established at Charlestown, Mass., and a little over a month later llome City Council, No. 63, was formed at Springfield, Mass. At the same time it became apparent that further changes in the method of gov- erminent would be necessary. Provision was therefore made for the establishment of state councils, to be composed of two delegates from each subordinate council in the state. By virtue of their offices, the grand knight and past grand knight of each council became such delegates, the state council being convened and pre- sided over by the supreme knight. The first of these state councils was organized at Providence on April 22, 1893. On April 24 the second was organized at Bos- ton, Mass., and only two days later a state council for Connecticut was formed at New llaven.
On April 29 of the same year the Board of Government was succeeded by a new body called the National Council, composed of the state deputy and past state deputy of each state council, together with one delegate for cach thousand members of the insurance class. It was further provided that where the number of councils and membership in any state was not sufficient to organize a state council, the supreme knight should appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as "territorial deputy, " who by virtue of his office should be a delegate to the National Council.
Associate members, consisting of men advanced in years, or for other rea- sons unable to pass a satisfactory insurance examination, were first admitted to the order in 1893. They derive all benefits with the exception of the insur- ance feature. The World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893 gave the society a great impetus in some previously undeveloped states, including New York, and in 1895, after the institution at New York City of Council No. 124, the organization of the Atlantic Coast and Middle States was accomplished. The first grand exemplification of the fourth degree took place at Lenox Lyceum, New York City, on February 22, 1900, when over 1,200 candidates from all parts of the United States, including many prominent ecclesiasties, received the honors of the degree.
At present the organization is represented in every state and territory of the Union, every province of the Dominion of Canada, in Newfoundland, the Philippines, Mexico, Cuba, Panama, Porto Rico and Alaska. The membership is of two classes, insurance and associate, and on February 1, 1918, was made up of 123,577 insurance and 268,483 associate members, a total of 392,060.
In the thirty-six years of its existence, the society has accomplished great results in providing education and comfortable homes for Catholic orphans, pre- serving them in the faith, and insuring their training as patriotic and useful citizens ; endowing scholarships in Catholic colleges, providing lectures on Cath- olie truth ; participating in various charitable works, such as endowing hospital beds, sending sick members to sanatoria and otherwise meeting the needs of those within its reach. It has established at the Catholic University of America, at an expense of $50,000, a chair of American history, with a further expendi-
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ture of several thousand dollars in connection therewith for library purposes. The order has presented an endowment fund of $500,000 for fifty scholarships at the Catholic University of America, thereby going far toward placing that institution on a sound financial basis.
The order has already paid to heirs of deceased members $10,475,000. It has been largely instrumental in leading the United States Government to estab- lish in the City of Washington a memorial to Christopher Columbus. Finally, in several cities of the country the order has been active in the work of establishing libraries of Catholie literature, and throughout its whole sphere of activities it is accomplishing a wonderful work in the erection of council homes, which are the scene of Catholic social activity, and must inevitably result in the permanent elevation and advancement of the people.
So much for history. The rest of the story of the Knights of Columbus is a statement of present time. The organization has proved its virility and humanity by its participation in the struggle of the world. When certain of the troops of the United States went to the Mexican border in 1916, the Knights saw the need of rendering to the men such a serviee at the front as the order had for years been giving them at home. Almost involuntarily, under the urge of that need, it established buildings and recreation centers at some fifteen points along the border, intended for all who would use them, but with especial reference to the needs of Catholics. This work was supported out of the organization's own fund, without any public appeal.
This gave the heads of the order such a vision of the possibilities of the future that when the war broke in 1917 they were ready. Immediately they tendered the services and resources of the order to the President. The offer was accepted, and the organization took steps to raise a fund of a million dollars for the work. The call for this was sent out to members. But the inadequacy of such a sum was early apparent, and it was speedily followed by a call for three millions, and to this the response eame from everywhere. This is but a beginning, and at present the organization, planning without restriction to extend its work in the fullest manner wherever our soldiers go, anticipates the need of calling for several millions more. The work, if it ever was within sectarian limits, long since outgrew them, and the Knights at home and abroad are working side by side with every agency for the moral support of the men who fight.
The official statement says that the buildings of the Knights of Columbus are open all the time for all soldiers, to be used for recreational, social and religious purposes. There is no propaganda for the benefit of the order. The supreme purpose is to do good. The religious use of the buildings, of course, is by the church which stands back of this order. But there is no competition with the Young Men's Christian Association except to outstrip it in doing good. None of the money is wasted, most of the added detail work which this enter- prise makes neeessary being done by regular employes of the order, either at Washington or New Haven.
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The program, being steadily carried out, in large measure, ineludes the erection, equipment and maintenance of at least three buildings in each of the army cantonments, two buildings in each of the national guard eneampments, and one each in the various other military and naval stations. Volunteer ehap- lains are to be furnished wherever there is need. It is planned to spend almost three millions of dollars for work in the United States, and about five millions more for the work overseas.
At the end of 1917, the society had seventy buildings completed and in operation in this country, with five others under way or authorized. These were situated at the cantonments and encampments all the way from Ayer, Mass., to American Lake, Wash., and from Palo Alto, Cal., to Jacksonville, Fla. And seven chaplains in the service of the order had been stationed at points where buildings were not then erected. There were forty-nine chaplains and 137 secretaries already at work in the buildings. Abroad there were one com- missioner and one seeretary, and seven chaplains in the service of the order. This overseas work had dated mostly from December first of 1917, for not until that time had permission been granted for voluntary chaplains to go within the lines.
Sneh is a sketch of the magnitude of a great work, begun and carried on from New Haven. It may rightly be considered much more than a development of a social organization. It is rather the record of an organization with a great purpose, that has risen nobly to a great oeeasion.
IV
There is a host of other organizations, some of them represented by many constituent bodies. Of these, probably the most prominent is the Knights of Pythias, an old organization long established here and having now twelve lodges.
The New England Order of Protection, a younger organization, having the insurance as well as the social purpose, has long been flourishing in New Haven. It has now twelve lodges.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen has been represented in New Haven sinee 1868. It has now ten lodges, flourishing and serving their purpose well. The Order of United American Mechanies has six couneils. The Foresters of America have seven eamps, the Ancient Order of Foresters two, and the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters one. There are four eamps of the Woodmen of the World.
The Fraternal Benefit League has eight councils. The Royal Areanum has five. The Improved Order of Heptasophs has four bodies. The Degree of Honor has two lodges. The Patriotie Order of the Sons of America has two eamps, and there are three eastles of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
The U. O. G. F. has seven lodges, and the Improved Order of Red Men has four. The Knights of The Maccabees have one organization, and the Ladies of The Maceabees have four. There are two lodges of the Modern Woodmen of
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America. There are six representatives of the Order of Shepherds of Bethlehem, and two of the Star of Bethlehem. There are two lodges of the Patriotic Order of America, and two of the Sons of St. George.
The Sons of the American Revolution are represented by a strong chapter, which does a patriotic work of great value for New Haven. The Daughters of the American Revolution, mentioned elsewhere, are doing their full part. Irish patriotism is promoted by three divisions of the Ancient Order of Hiber- mians. There are three bodies of the Independent Order of B'rith Abraham. To this host might be added a considerable number of societies having a single representative, which are included in the 164 "miscellaneous."
The Benevolent and Patriotic Order of Elks is represented in New Haven by a single body, but that is a strong and effective one, with its own building on Crown Street. Its membership is large and live. It is identified with many community works, notably an annual Christmas benefit for the needy, which is entirely worthy of the first letter of its name.
The Eagles, one of the youngest of orders in the city, has a single aerie, which is progressive and prosperous.
There are fourteen temperance societies, including four Woman's Christian Temperance unions and two lodges of the Golden Cross, four Loyal Temperance leagues and a lodge of Sons of Temperance. The familiar "T. A. B.," well known for its worthy work among Catholic men, young and old, is represented by three societies.
Twelve organizations represent the veterans of the wars that have been. The Grand Army of the Republic has seven posts, with long and honorable history. There are two posts of the Sons of Veterans, one of Naval Veterans, one of Union Veterans and one of Spanish Veterans.
It has been grandly said that "the social clubs of New Haven exceed in number and general features of attractiveness those of any city of its size in the United States." Be that as it may, they seem to be sufficient to answer all purposes. The oldest of them is the Quinnipiac Club, which was founded back in 1871, when the social club was, at least for New Haven, a novelty. It was frankly named from the Indians, and its first president was Frederick B. Mallory of the Mallory, Wheeler Company. Some of the presidents since him have been Hon. Nehemiah D. Sperry, Gen. George H. Ford, who was one of the original members, William S. Pardee and the present incumbent, Gardiner E. Wheeler. It has been a prosperous club from the first, including in its membership many of the worth-while men of New Haven. It "boarded around" for the first eighteen years of its existence, but in 1889. purchased its present home on Chapel Street adjoining the Taft Hotel on the east. The builders of the hotel tried in vain to purchase the property, that they might have a greater front on Chapel Street.
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The Union League Club, perhaps beeause of its larger namesake, has some- times enjoyed the reputation of being a political organization. In fact, it was organized to promote the interests of the Republican party. But of late years its other object, to promote the welfare and enjoyment of its members, has come to the front, without permitting politics to suffer. It was organized in 1884, and Thomas R. Trowbridge was its first president. Since him some of the presidents have been George B. Martin, who held the office in 1899, and the present head, Seymour M. Judd. It has a fine building erected especially for its occupancy at 1032 Chapel Street, on the site of the old Roger Sherman homestead. It has been famous for its political gatherings and its entertainment of visiting Republicans of distinction.
Even more frankly politieal in its purpose is the Young Men's Republican ('lub, which has its commodious and convenient home at the corner of Crown and Temple streets. It was the outgrowth of the enthusiasm of the Blaine rampaign of 1884, when it seemed that something should be done to draw the young men of New Ilaven into the Republican party. It has ever since been a popular organization for Republicans, some of whom were not strictly youth- ful. But measured by its foree and vigor, it has truly been one of the boys. Its membership rises well toward the 2,000 mark. In 1899 its president was John F. Gaffey. For some years in the early nineteen hundreds Frank J. Riee, later to be one of New Haven's most notable mayors, was its president. Its present executive is Frank L. Shay.
In 1885 some of the Hebrew citizens of New Haven formed the Harmonie Club to serve the social needs of the members of their race. It has had sinee an honorable history, and its fine home at the foot of Elm Street has often been opened for social affairs which attraeted all interests of the community. It was organized under the name of the Utopia Club. Max Adler was its honored president in 1889, and for more than ten years afterward. Its president now is 1. M. Rosenbluth. The elub numbers in its membership many prominent and respected citizens not only of New Haven but of Connecticut, being without doubt the most prominent Hebrew organization of its sort in the state.
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