USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 33
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Townsend Lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F., was organized January 1, 1872, by a group of members from Nosahogan Lodge. In 1895 its membership was 339. It is today, 1917, 860.
The present officers are as follows: Noble grand, Louis F. Marggraff ; vice grand, Louis F. Hine; recording secretary, Colin F. Wilson; financial secretary, George M. Chapman; treasurer, Henry A. Hoadley.
Ansantawae Encampment, No. 20, I. O. O. F., was organized September 25, 1853. Today its membership is 575, consisting of members of both Odd Fellow lodges who expressed a desire to take higher degrees in the order. Its officers for 1917 are : Chief Patriarch, Louis F. Hine ; high priest, John H. Schaff ; senior warden, O. Perry; junior warden, William McKee; scribe, William H. Lowe; treasurer, Peter B. Reeves.
Canton T. R. Martin, No. 8, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., which is the uniformed rank of the order, was named after its first commander, November 16, 1893, although it had been instituted on May 30, 1883, first as the Ives Degree Camp, No. 9, and later, March 31, 1886, as Canton Waterbury. It now has a membership of 110. Its present officers are: Captain, Karl L. Winter; lieu- tenant, Louis Marggraff; ensign, Louis Wenzel; clerk, Robert A. Babcock; accountant, G. A. Stafstrom.
On June 15, 1892, Winona Lodge, No. 8, of the Daughters of Rebekah was instituted with Mrs. Elizabeth Geddes as first noble grand. On January 1, 1893, its membership was over one hundred. It today has a membership of nearly three hundred. The officers at present are: Noble grand, Winona Russell; vice grand, Mrs. Margarite Maxwell; recording secretary, Mrs. Ida Wildman ; finan- cial secretary, Mrs. Ada Reeves; treasurer, Mrs. Tillie Cleveland.
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The Odd Fellows Hall Association holds meetings the third Friday in Janu- ary, April, July and October. The president is W. J. Larkin; secretary and treasurer, F. W. Tate.
These are the activities of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In addition there is a lodge known as Loyal Pride of the Valley, No. 7223, I. O. O. F., Manchester Unity, which was instituted September 30, 1893. Its present officers are : Noble grand, James Pheden ; vice grand. Anthony Carabina ; P. S., George Holton; treasurer, George S. Fields.
The Odd Fellow lodge organized by colored men is known as Brass City Lodge, No. 3049, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, organized November 10, 1888. Its present officers are : N. G., A. Wooders ; P. S., J. B. Lassiter ; treasurer, Shepard Munn ; P. N., F. W. W. Holland; N. F., Isaac Broman.
Household. of Ruth, No. 799, G. U. O. of O. F., which is the woman's adjunct of the Brass City Lodge, was organized November 23, 1892, and at present has the following officers : M., N. G. Ella Mckinney ; P. M., N. G. Vandellia Louther ; prelate, Susan Brown; W. R., Henrietta Hatcher; treasurer, J. Edward Jones.
The Odd Fellows Hall was dedicated October 15, 1895, celebrating the ending of a half century of existence of the order in Waterbury. The association was organized in June, 1892, with Past Grand Master George H. Cowell as president ; Past Grand John Blair, vice president; Past Grand Casimir H. Bronson, secre- tary, and Henry T. Stedman, treasurer. A charter was granted and the capital stock, placed at $40,000, was soon subscribed. One of the first acts of the asso- ciation was the purchase of the property owned and occupied by the Second Congregational Society at the east end of the Green and in 1894 a board of directors and a building committee were elected to carry out the building project. The directors were George H. Cowell, Henry T. Stedman, David B. Wilson, Jay H. Hart, Benjamin L. Coe, Herbert W. Lake, James S. Gailey, Henry L. Wade, John Blair, Albert I. Chatfield, Thomas D. Barlow, Henry W. French, Casimir H. Bronson, Frederick E. Cross. The building committee consisted of George H. Cowell, Albert I. Chatfield, Herbert W. Lake. The plans were drawn by Wil- fred E. Griggs, a member of the order. The corner stone was laid November 27, 1894, and the building was dedicated October 15, 1895.
It is well to chronicle again the fact that in October, 1892, the Odd Fellows Home for Aged and Infirm Members was opened in New London, a result of the efforts of Grand Master George H. Cowell, of Waterbury, who made the first contribution of $500.
On April 21, 1895, what was known as Connecticut Lodge, No. 6, International Order of Odd Fellows, was organized as a Catholic branch of the Odd Fellows. It began with a membership of 34, and with D. H. Tierney as its first noble grand. The growth was slow and the flow of Catholic membership towards the Knights of Columbus compelled its promoters to dissolve it in 1902. Its last officers were : Noble grand, Michael Driscoll; vice grand, Thomas Donahue; recording secre- tary, John S. Neagle ; corresponding secretary, John J. Geraghty : treasurer, Daniel E. Cronin.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
Speedwell Lodge, No. 10, K. of P., is still one of the banner lodges of the state, a reputation it acquired at the state encampment held in Waterbury in September, 1894. Out of this lodge has come a group of notable Pythian activities, both in the way of splendid beneficiary work and also of military training in the uniformed rank. The membership of the order in Waterbury today is placed at over 2,000.
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The officers of Speedwell Lodge at present are : Chancellor commander, Edwin E. Fry ; vice chancellor, Wm. Klebes ; prelate, Frank P. Dews; master of works, C. Rockwell Clyne ; keeper of record and seals, Frank J. Ogden ; master of finance, Frank M. Treat; master of exchequer, Clifford Wells ; master of arms, Benjamin Port; inner guard, George Wells; outer guard, Harry Upson; physician, Dr. Ed- ward Kirschbaum : trustees, Dr. Fred Marggraff, George Wells, Edward Wells.
Speedwell Lodge on December 10 had 287 members.
The Pythian Aid Association of Speedwell Lodge is now in its twenty-fifth year of existence. It pays $5 a week sick benefit, and $100 death benefit. It has 125 members. Its officers are: President, George H. Wells; secretary, E. R. Snagg; treasurer, Edward B. Condet.
The past chancellor commanders of Speedwell Lodge, Knights of Pythias, from 1893 to 1917 are as follows : George W. Kinney, James A. Knox, Clyde M. Howard, Wm. E. Thoms, Wm. R. Hitchcock, John A. Hitchcock, Lewis M. Hol- land, Ed. B. Condet, Benjamin Fairclough, Arthur J. Leonard, Frederick C. Marg- graff, G. Fred Moore, P. Besancon, George F. Lancaster, Arthur M. Iles, Ralph Stoddard, Robert Babcock, Frank L. Snagg, Wallace Duxbury, Dr. Edward H. Kirschbaum, Joseph G. Kirschbaum.
Comstock Lodge, No. 13, K. of P., was instituted October 30, 1883. Its officers at present are : Chancellor commander, James Miller ; keeper of record and seals, Martin L. Wiegner ; master of finance, Nelson F. Thomas; master of ex- chequer, George E. Petitjean.
The past chancellor commanders of Comstock Lodge since 1893 are as fol- lows: Charles S. Bradley, J. C. Lang, W. W. McLennan, John M. Newell, John Houston, F. S. Phelps, W. H. Black, Charles Manville, Leon L. Hall, Percy D. Petitjean, Leonard S. Tenney, Carl Kilborn, Charles S. Townsend, Adam Wilkie, James Miller.
Good Will Lodge, No. 53, K. of P., in Waterville, was instituted April 30, 1894. Its officers at present are: Chancellor commander, William Bower ; keeper of record and seals, Charles H. Draper ; master of exchequer, Joseph A. Gagnon; master of finance, Newell Porch.
Magnolia Lodge, No. 60, K. of P., was instituted May 13, 1896. Its officers at present are : Chancellor commander, Wm. P. Jones ; keeper of record and seals, H. S. Miller ; master of finance, John C. Clarke; master of exchequer, Charles Drubva.
The Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, now has its state headquarters in Waterbury, with George E. Petitjean brigade commander, Col. Martin L. Wiegner, assistant adjutant general, and Col. William Tysoe, assistant quarter- master general.
This change of headquarters to Waterbury was made in 1916. There is under the brigade commander in this part of the state the second regiment, which consists of the companies from Salisbury, Torrington, Bristol, Waterbury, Meri- den, Waterville. In 1909 when it was organized as a regiment, its first colonel was L. L. Hall. He was succeeded in 1912 by George E. Petitjean, who remained in command until 1916. The second regiment now has the following officers : Colonel, Fred Gauthier, Hartford; lieutenant colonel, Nelson F. Thomas ; major first battalion, Christian Hanson, Hartford; major second battalion, Charles H. Draper; adjutant lieutenant, D. Brooks Rubin; quartermaster lieutenant, John Wheeler.
The two Waterbury companies are officered as follows :
E. F. Durand Company, No. 1I, Uniformed Rank, K. P., was instituted April 1. 1890. The present officers are: Captain, Frank J. Ogden ; first lieu-
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tenant, Joseph T. Dick; second lieutenant, Frank T. Dews; treasurer, Albert C. Kaecher ; recorder, Wallace Duxbury.
The past captains of E. F. Durand Div. U. R., K. P. from 1893 to 1917 were : F. R. White, C. L. Chapelle, Charles Schmidt, Frank J. Ogden, Edward J. Schuyler, Wilfred L. Snow, F. B. F. Wallace, Ernest C. Colby.
Waterbury Company, No. 20, U. R., K. P., was instituted May 3, 1894. Its officers at present are : Captain, Wade S. Manville ; first lieutenant, Adam Wilkie ; second lieutenant, S. G. MacDonald; recorder, Martin L. Wiegner ; treasurer, Eli G. Main.
The past captains of Waterbury Company, U. R., K. P., 1894 to 1917 are : George E. Petitjean, Wm. R. Keaveney, David Miller, Frank R. White, M. L. Wiegner, Jean Ingraham, George A. Pouard, Nelson F. Thomas, Loren S. Chase, Wade S. Manville.
The following are the officers of Waterville Company, U. R., K. of P .: Cap- tain, L. L. Northrop; first lieutenant, Howard C. Post ; second lieutenant, William Draper; recorder, Joseph Davis; treasurer, Charles H. Draper.
Section No. 3275, Insurance Department, K. of P., was instituted September, 1896. The president is William H. Strickland; secretary and treasurer, Martin L. Wiegner.
Myrtle Temple, Pythian Sisters, has the following officers: M. of R. and C., Minnie Hitchcock; M. of F., Charlotte Harmon.
Ivy Temple, No. 5, Pythian Sisters, has the following officers : M. E. C., Mrs. Adelia Fields ; M. of R. and C., Mrs. L. Dutton ; M. of F., Mrs. Lottie Petitjean.
Section 248, Endowment Rank, K. of P., was instituted in 1892. Its presi- dent from 1893 to 1909 was Joseph H. Somers. After that date, all the official work has been looked after by its secretary and treasurer, Henry Baumgartner. Its membership is small.
Friedrich Wilhelm Lodge, Knights of Pythias, organized in 1876, was a thriving German Lodge in 1893. It was dissolved in 1901, and its members joined other lodges of the order. Its past chancellor commanders from 1893 to 1901 were: P. Meerlaender, Charles Schmidt, Otto Haude, M. Vogt, E. Ker- sten, C. E. Hassler, O. Tuebner, Frank Deharde.
WATERBURY LODGE, B. P. O. ELKS
The Order of Elks was instituted in 1867, by a few members of the theatrical profession, drawn together for social intercourse. It has developed into a wide- spread and powerful order of benevolence and charity, with lodges in over two hun- dred and twenty-five of the principal cities of the Union. Nearly all of the rep- utable male members of theatrical profession are members of the order, and on its roll of membership will be found the names of prominent officials, merchants, bankers, journalists, legal and medical men and bright lights of the world in art, literature and music.
Waterbury Lodge was instituted on June 15, 1893. It was the sixth Elk lodge organized in Connecticut. The charter members numbered thirty-four and the first officers of the lodge were as follows: Exalted ruler, Michael J. Colloty ; esteemed leading knight, William Hellmann; esteemed loyal knight, Ed- ward J. Starr; esteemed lecturing knight, John F. Holohan ; secretary, Joseph A. Cullen ; treasurer, James E. Watts ; esquire, William D. Richardson ; tyler, Edward E. Harvey ; chaplain, Thomas J. Moran; organist, John H. Christie ; inner guard, William T. Carroll; trustees, David T. Mack, David David, William Johnson.
It furnished a suite of rooms at 108 Bank Street, where it held its meetings and
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its affairs until the fire of 1902 completely destroyed its effects. For three years it had rooms in the Waterbury Trust Company Building, but in 1909 it raised the funds for the purchase of the Curtiss Home on West Main Street. In 1910 it built its beautiful home back of the old residence, and the dedication exercises were attended by notable Elks from all over the country.
In 1914 Truman S. Lewis offered the club $16,000 for the complete interior renovating of the old building and its outfitting. When the work was completed, the cost amounted to $26,100, and Mr. Lewis insisted on making this the amount of his donation. This included the new bowling alleys and tennis courts.
Its present officers are : Exalted ruler, Truman S. Lewis; secretary, Edward F. Moran; treasurer, Maurice C. Culhane ; tyler, John F. Griffin.
The following is a list of the past exalted rulers: Michael J. Colloty, William D. Richardson, Christopher Strobel, Richard F. Grady, Edward L. Maloney, John H. Cassidy, James E. Madigan, William H. Johnston, William J. Spain, Acly W. Castle, Charles A. Jackson, Lewis M. Holland, William J. Shannahan, Thomas B. Carney, Harry J. Cook, Milton V. Medling, Andrew D. Dawson.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus, a fraternal and beneficent society of Catholic men, was founded in New Haven February 2, 1882, by Father M. J. McGivney, a Waterbury man, whose grave in St. Joseph's Cemetery has become a shrine for members of the order from all over the country. The purpose of the society is thus stated: "To develop a practical Catholicity among its members, to promote Catholic education and charity, and through its insurance department, to furnish at least temporary financial aid to the families of deceased members."
Waterbury's two councils have been heavy contributors to all the national movements of the order, including the gift of $50,000 for the endowment of a chair of American history in the Catholic university in Washington, and the fund for the monument to Columbus at Washington.
Sheridan Council of Waterbury was one of the twenty-five highest donors to the university fund which was formally presented April 14, 1904.
On April 27, 1885, steps were taken to organize the first Waterbury Council of the order, and on May 3, the initiation took place in the G. A. R. Hall. The first officers were: Cornelius Maloney, grand knight; M. F. Connolly, deputy grand Knight ; J. A. Hynes, recording secretary ; Matthew Kennedy, treasurer; W. F. Dillon, lecturer ; T. D. Healy, advocate ; J. J. Donegan, warden; T. F. Butler, outside guard; D. J. Mahaney, inside guard; J. H. Fruin, H. D. Smythe, assistant guards ; D. J. Gaynor, J. J. Egan, W. E. Buckley, trustees ; J. J. Neville, physician.
Sheridan Council had grown to such an extent that on February 3, 1886, the first move was made to organize a new council to be known as Carrolton Council. On March 24, 1886, in Sheridan Hall, East Main Street, the new coun- cil was instituted, the degrees conferred and the officers installed by District Deputy Cornelius Maloney. The following were the first officers and members of the new council: J. A. Moran, grand knight ; D. H. Tierney, deputy grand knight ; M. H. Brennan, chancellor : George Byrnes, recording secretary; T. F. Jackson, financial secretary ; D. T. Hart, treasurer; M. F. Spellman, warden; M. J. Jordan, inside guard ; J. H. Kilduff, outside guard; Dr. E. W. McDonald, physician ; D. H. McGraw, Robert McGrath, W. S. Jones, J. E. Watts, John J. Jackson. Peter Lamb, D. H. Buckley. A. J. McMahon.
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This was dissolved May 6, 1895, and its members at once affiliated with Sher- idan Council.
On December 16, 1888, Sheridan Council moved from G. A. R. Hall to St. Patrick's Hall, going two years later to Pythian Hall. In 1896 it met in Elks Hall in the Jones-Morgan Building, and January 1, 1902, moved to Knights of Columbus Hall at 43 East Main Street, where it is now domiciled and where its social adjunct, the Columbus Club, occupies the floor below its meeting place.
The past grand knights of Sheridan Council are as follows: Cornelius Ma- loney, J. J. McDonald, B. F. Reid, J. A. Moran, J. D. Bolan, J. W. Wigmore, J. W. McDonald, J. E. Smith, T. F. Donovan, J. A. Hynes, E. J. Finn, Lucien Wolff, John J. Galvin, P. H. Real, Charles E. Finley, E. J. Real, Thomas B. Carney, Dr. D. J. Donahue, M. J. Carney, John L. Gaffney, Wm. F. Moher.
Its membership now is approximately five hundred.
The present officers are : Grand knight, John L. Gaffney ; deputy grand knight, Timothy F. Barry ; recording secretary, William F. Guilfoile; financial secretary, Thomas F. Behan.
On August 10, 1887, in the hall of Sheridan Council, the third council, which was known as Barcelona Council, No. 42, was instituted and officers in- stalled as follows by District Deputy Cornelius Maloney: Grand knight, John F. Bossidy ; deputy grand knight, Thomas Kane; financial secretary, J. J. Madden ; recording secretary, Jeremiah Crowley ; treasurer, Wm. C. McDonald; warden, Wm. J. Delaney ; inside guard, Thomas Bergin; outside guard, Thomas Fleming ; physician, Dr. J. F. Hayes.
The members of Barcelona Council joined with Sheridan members in organ- izing the Columbus Club. In 1917 Barcelona's principal officers were: Grand knight, William F. Ryan ; recording secretary, Thomas Dodds ; financial secretary, Michael F. Conlon; treasurer, Walter E. Monagan.
There have been two other councils, Hendricken, established in 1899 and dis- solved in 1909, and Mulcahy Council, established in 1900 and dissolved in 1910. Both were active for a time, but the membership was finally merged with both Sheridan and Barcelona Councils.
The first annual pilgrimage to the grave of Father McGivney, founder of the order of the Knights of Columbus, took place June 10, 1900. Sheridan entered heartily into the affair, and on June 10 visiting knights from New York, Brook- lyn and many places in Connecticut, with their friends to the number of about five thousand came to Waterbury. The local councils prepared for them on a grand scale, and this event was one of the most memorable in the history of the order. New and increased interest was taken in the Knights of Columbus at once, and as a result, the old councils received a number of new members.
The second annual pilgrimage of the Knights of Columbus to the grave of the founder of the order, Rev. M. J. McGivney, took place June 10, 1901.
The insurance feature has been greatly altered since the inception of the society. At present it is confined to three classes, one, two and three thousand, and payments are made by assessment and according to age.
Columbus Club occupies the greater part of the third floor at 43 East Main Street. This has been finely furnished, has billiard and pool tables, a complete library, and files of many newspapers and magazines. It is now five years old. Its first officers were: President, Charles J. Finley ; secretary, Frank J. Hogan; treasurer, Edward J. Real.
Its present officers are: President, T. F. Barry; secretary, Paul Schultze; treasurer, Raymond F. Downey.
The Knights of Columbus in December, 1917, raised $35,000 for the order's Vol. I-17
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national "camp" fund, which is to be used along the lines of the Y. M. C. A. for the benefit of the boys in the army.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS
In 1895 the Ancient Order of Hibernians with a membership of 1,600 was operating in five divisions, all of which held meetings in St. Patrick's Hall. Their presidents were : Division No. 1, James E. Finley ; Division No. 2, John M. Lynch ; Divison No. 3, James P. Morris ; Division No. 4, John H. Moran ; Division No. 5, M. Doran. These had been organized respectively in 1874, 1884, 1886, 1888 and the fifth on October 12, 1893.
In 1898 the growth had been such that a sixth division was organized with John H. Powers as president, Patrick K. Finnan as recording secretary, Charles E. McDonald as financial secretary, and J. H. Mulville as treasurer. Meeting places had again been changed, Divisions 2, 4 and 5 meeting in Hibernian Hall at 73 East Main Street. The first and sixth met at G. A. R. Hall, and the third in Congress Hall.
In 1903 the interest in the order was at its highest, and a ladies' auxiliary was formed, with Margaret Crane as president, Mary Cavanaugh as vice president, Annie Meara as recording secretary, Mary Halpin as financial secretary, and Mary Phelan as treasurer.
In 1904, Company E, Hibernian Rifles, was organized with John Griffin as captain, William Moher, first lieutenant, and John P. Sheehan as second lieutenant. An experienced drill master was engaged and drills were held from October Ist to May Ist every Tuesday in Hibernian Hall. From 1908 until 1916 it held its drills on Sundays.
In I911 Peter Griffin became first lieutenant and Patrick Shanahan second lieutenant. In 1912 Peter Griffin became captain, Patrick Shanahan first lieu- tenant, and William Driscoll second lieutenant.
Company E, Hibernian Rifles, which is still in existence, with Peter Griffin as captain, Patrick Shanahan, first lieutenant, and William Driscoll as second lieutenant, has held no drills since 1916, owing to the fact that many of its mem- bers either volunteered or were called out in the draft.
In 1905 Division No. 6, which had suffered a loss in membership, gave up its charter and its members joined the other divisions.
The order now began to feel the encroachments of the Knights of Columbus on its membership and interest waned to some extent. In 1909 the members of the second and fifth divisions joined to form Monsignor Slocum Branch with these officers: President, D. J. Slavin; vice president, T. F. Luddy ; recording secretary, P. Shanahan; financial secretary, Joseph McGrail, and M. Bergin, treasurer. In 1910 the members of Division No. I dissolved and joined the re- maining branches, Divisions Nos. 3 and 4 and Monsignor Slocum Division. These are the organizations in existence today.
The present officers of the various organizations connected with the order follow :
Division No. 3: President, Timothy F. Luddy; financial secretary, John Kearney ; recording secretary, Patrick Kendrick ; treasurer, John Claffey.
Division No. 4: President, Patrick McFadden; financial secretary, Bernard Whiteny ; recording secretary, Joseph Holahan ; treasurer, John D. Carey.
Ladies' Auxiliary, A. O. H .: President, Mrs. Charles A. Jackson ; recording secretary, Nellie Lynch ; financial secretary, Mary E. Kelly ; treasurer, Mrs. John Lynch ; chaplain, Rev. Luke Fitzsimons.
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Mgr. Slocum Branch, A. O. H .: President, William H. Dunleavy ; recording secretary, William J. Driscoll; financial secretary, John J. Foran; treasurer, George A. Hynes.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN
Waterbury Lodge, No. 5, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen was instituted August 3, 1880, with twelve charter members. This grew to 250 in 1895 and today is close to that figure. The officers at present are: master work- man, J. E. Sandland; recorder, J. A. Garde; treasurer, G. M. Egan; receiver, L. A. Totten.
American Lodge, No. 44, was instituted January 23, 1890. Its officers at present are : Master workman, Anthony Moore; recorder, Ellsworth G. Reynolds ; financier, Henry J. Reynolds.
Connecticut Lodge, No. 52, was instituted May 18, 1892. Its present officers are: Master workman, W. H. Brakenridge; recorder, Charles Baumgartner ; financier, James McKnight.
ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS
There are now in existence in the United States four distinct orders which use the name "Foresters." The original lodge formed in Waterbury, July 8, 1874, Court Fruitful Vine, No. 5991, Ancient Order of Foresters, was and is still under the English jurisdiction. In 1889, When the first separation came, the courts upheld it in its right to the title, "Ancient Order of Foresters."
The present officers of Court Frutiful Vine are: Chief ranger, George John- son ; past chief ranger, Arthur W. Thompson; recording secretary, J. W. Mc- Keller; financial secretary, Donald McKeller; treasurer, Charles E. Turner.
FORESTERS OF AMERICA
In 1889 the American order assumed the title "Foresters of America" and was completely separated from its English connections. In 1893 it was an independent American order.
It had nine courts, three side degrees and about twelve hundred members. Today it has fourteen courts, with a membership over double that of 1895. Its activities as at present organized are as follows :
Court Shields, No. 29, F. of A., was instituted May 4, 1887. Its officers at present are as follows: Chief ranger, Andrew Stine; financial secretary, M. F. McKennerney ; recording secretary, William Vance ; treasurer, Patrick Barry.
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