USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 41
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Tipton Chapter, O. E. S. was instituted in 1904 under dispensation from the Grand Chapter, and the direct supervision of Mrs. Elizabeth A. Stuart, Mr. W. E. Cottrell, P. W. Van Metre and Mearl Clark were instrumental in the secur- ing of the chapter at this time. Mrs. Stuart gave the rites of the order to some twenty-four candidates, three men and twenty-one women. Of these death has taken one. The most of them still reside in the home of their organization and the total number to date is seventy-six. The first chief officers were, Mrs. Emma Van Metre, W. M .; F. B. Cobb, W. P.292
The O. E. S. of West Branch holds its meetings in the Masonic hall and is called Juanita No. 274. Its officers in chief are, Mrs. A. B. Randall, W. M .; Miss Mae Shrader, Secretary.
Manitou Lodge No. 8, I. O. O. F., was organized February 29, 1848, and continued its sessions until 1860, when it surrendered its charter to the grand lodge of the state.
It was reorganized under the original charter in 1866 with only sixteen mem- bers. At that time its financial condition was commended as of high rank among the lodges of the order in the state.
The charter members in 1848 included the names of W. H. Tuthill, Robert Long, William K. Whittlesey, J. S. Tuthill, Samuel P. Higginson, Richard Hall, J. H. Leech, Chas. Swetland, Henry Coffey, Noah Walters, Chas. Foresman, and James H. Robinson. In an address given in 1876 by Judge Tuthill, he sums up the history of the order: "In 1847 there was but one Odd Fellow residing in Cedar County-an odd fellow in fact as well as in name, and it affords me some pleasure to be enabled to inform you that he is now living, and at this moment addressing you."
In January, 1848, the number of Odd Fellows in the town had doubled and these two persons, assisted by J. G. Potts of Galena, Illinois, organized Manitou, the eighth in number in Iowa.
W. H. Tuthill was the first presiding officer and he said owing to the limited number of members he often had several offices at the same time.
The charter members of this fraternity were all prominent men in the early history of the county and at its organization it included most of the county of-
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ficials. They originally met in a room in the old court house, occupying it jointly with the Masons in order to save expenses.
During the war the charter was surrendered, as mentioned, but later on peti- tion of W. H. Tuthill, Thomas Godden, David Foy, Wm. Kettell, Jacob Hardacre, James H. Ripley, T. M. Curtis and Samuel Wirick it was restored.
After temporary residence in rented halls, the lodge became part owner of the city hall block and in possession of the home where they now meet. Since the lodge was organized more than three hundred persons have signed the constitution and therefore been members at some time.
Part of the record of the Tipton Odd Fellow's was lost in connection with the transfer of the books at the time of the fire and for that period from 1856 to 1874 there is no complete history of the fraternity. Judge Tuthill was a promi- nent member of the order as well as Wm. K. Whittlesey. The latter is buried in the Odd Fellows lot in the Masonic cemetery and his grave is cared for by the lodge. The fraternity has recently purchased a building of its own through the assistance of Jacob Hardacre who gave a sum to that end making the hall one for Odd Fellows only. The present officers of the lodge are: N. G., H. M. Hanna; V. G., F. J. Casterline; Rec. Sec., C. O. Henderson; Fin. Sec., H. A. Pitman; Treas., A. C. Laubscher; Trustees, C. F. Simmermaker, W. C. Neiman and Earnest Sheppard.293
"Died, at Tipton, Ia., on Saturday, the fifteenth inst. (September, 1849), William K. Whittlesey, aged 36 years, after a few days' illness.
"It is with unfeigned regret we make the foregoing announcement. In the deceased the county has lost an upright and trustworthy officer, and the commu- nity a respected and much esteemed fellow citizen, whose loss will long be felt among us. He was the first recorder of Cedar County, and filled the station, with the exception of one term, up to the time of his decease. In selecting him for the office party strife seemed to lose its influence. Attentive and unremitting in the discharge of his duties he gained the confidence of all. Firm in truth, undeviating in friendship, and inflexible in honor, yet never losing that suavity of manner that characterizes a gentleman, it seemed that,
"'None knew him but to love him, None named him but to praise.'"
The proceedings of the brethren of the order of the Odd Fellows are an hon- orable tribute to his memory, and as such we publish them:
"At a special meeting of Manitou Lodge, No. 8, Tipton, Ia., convened pur- suant to notice on the fifteenth inst., the Lodge having been opened in the usual form, and the object of the meeting stated by the Chair, the following preamble and resolutions were offered by P. G. Wm. H. Tuthill, and unanimously adopted :
"Whereas, In the dispensation of His inscrutable and All-wise Providence, it has pleased Almighty God to cut down in the prime of life and in the midst of usefulness, our beloved brother, P. G. William K. Whittlesey, who departed this life on Saturday, the fifteenth inst., therefore,
"Resolved, That we the officers and members of this Lodge feel with deep sensibility the loss which the order, as well as the community, sustained in the death of our departed brother.
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"Resolved, That in the integrity and uprightness of his official conduct, and in the estimable conduct that characterized him as a brother, a neighbor, and a citizen, his course has been such as to command the respect of the public, and awaken the kindliest feelings of all who knew him.
"Resolved, That as a mark of respect, we will attend the funeral clothed with the appropriate Regalia of the order and wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
"Resolved, That the secretary transmit a copy of these proceedings to the fam- ily of the deceased as token of sympathy for their melancholy bereavement.294
JOHN S. TUTHILL, N. G. JAMES H. ROBINSON, V. G.
WM. H. TUTHILL, Secretary."
The foregoing resolutions refer to an officer of the county and to one who left his mark upon the records so clearly that he cannot be forgotten. Yet there is not the scratch of a pen upon the records to show when he died, or that the officials who had to do with him daily, thought to leave a memorandum of that event. He dropped out and some one else took his place which is well known on the books he was accustomed to keep. One cannot help but wonder, where the change occurs, why it so happened until the reason is traced to other sources like the above. He held no State or Territorial office but his influence was so great in shaping the county affairs that he will head the list of official mention.
Tipton Encampment, No. 46, secured its charter October 19, 1870. The charter members are generally drawn from the fraternity. N. J. Hawley, H. Hammond, James H. Ripley, Jesse James, Amos Wisener, W. H. Hammond, L. D. Ingman, John Wisener, E. Snyder, John S. Tuthill, Samuel Wampler, S. T. Smith, Samuel Wirick and W. H. Tuthill. In 1852 Judge Tuthill was the Grand Master.
West Branch Lodge No. 680, I. O. O. F., was organized October 16, 1901, with seven charter members, A. G. Hoffman, A. L. Coy, H. B. Coy, H. C. Lewis, C. W. Ross, U. E. Dawson, and J. E. Stratton. Since that time eighty-four have been added to the membership. The lodge at West Liberty assisted in the organization of the lodge here and at that time there were forty-one initiates. From that occasion to the present the remainder of the ninety-one members at highest point in the growth have been added and now by removals from the vicinity or for other reasons the membership is but seventy.
On April Ist, 1910, this lodge moved into its own building. They own the fine bank building on the corner occupied by the Citizens' Savings Bank of West Branch. The ladies' organization of this fraternity, Thelma Rebekah Lodge No. 544, I. O. O. F., was organized in October, 1903, with thirty-four charter members. Since that time they have admitted fifty-four.295
Helping Hand Rebekah Lodge No. 517, of Tipton, auxiliary to Manitou Lodge, was instituted in 1901 by Mary Richards, Deputy Grand President, and staff from the Home Rebekah Lodge of Cedar Rapids. The officers for the first term included the members as follows: Addie Griffis, N. G .; Bessie Harris, V. G .; Zephyr Gilpin, Rec. Sec .; Clara Casterline, Fin. Sec .; Ella Fields, Treas. ; the remaining officers, Mamie Gaige, Myrtle Hobstetter, Lou Frasuer, Lulu
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Hambright, H. R. Ripley, Dee Rigler, Sarah Harmon, Alice Crisman, and Sarah Focht. Fifty charter members altogether formed the organization.
The purposes are expressed in the language of one of their chief officers as : To visit the sick and relieve the distressed, to assist their own members and families of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs in trouble, sickness, or want and to culti- vate and extend the social and fraternal relations of life among lodges and the families of Odd Fellows.
This lodge has helped to establish the fine home in Mason City, where sixteen aged and forty-seven orphans are cared for by the fraternity. The membership of the order is limited to Odd Fellows, their wives, sisters, mothers and single women above eighteen years of age. There are two other lodges of this order in this district, Thelma of West Branch, mentioned elsewhere, and Verona of Mechanicsville. A district deputy has charge of the work in the district, Miss Pearl Murray holding that office. The membership in Tipton reaches ninety- one.296
There are fourteen active officers in the order.
Tipton Lodge No. 93, Knights of Pythias, came into being on January 4, 1883. Grand Vice Chancellor J. S. Hart of Clinton, assisted by uniformed knights from Clinton, Lyons and elsewhere, instituted the lodge on that date. The organization occurred in the Masonic lodge rooms, where twenty-seven charter members were admitted, many of them gone from the county to other points of residence and many others removed by death. Among the number were C. L. Longley, now of Vicksburg, Miss., and Herbert Hammond, of Chi- cago. A number remain in Tipton-S. V. Loudt, W. T. Gilmore, M. A. Par- sons, J. C. Reichert, G. W. Dean, J. W. Reeder, C. S. Neiman, J. Sweinhart, H. L. Brotherlin, J. D. Dickinson.
The one who comments on this first meeting makes special mention of the entertainment following and then at a subsequent meeting the organized lodge returned grateful thanks to their visitors for their assistance.
J. C. Reichert became the first presiding officer. Other officers in order of election are included among the charter members not mentioned: Vice Chan- cellor, C. Jewett ; Prelate, J. H. Reichert.
This lodge, something more than five years later, passed the courtesy on and assisted in organizing the Clarence lodge of twenty-four charter members. The visiting party from Alhambra lodge numbered twenty-eight, nine of whom at least are now in active service as business men. The first officers of the Clar- ence lodge were: Fred Hecht, Emmor Collins, H. M. Anderson, G. F. Skinner, W. K. Miller, Fred McNeil, Chas. Brown, Ira Long.297
The present officials of the order in Tipton, Alhambra Lodge No. 93, are : C. H. Foy, C. C .; C. A. Cottrell, V. C .; M. A. Parsons, Prelate ; P. H. Schneider, M. W .; J. D. Patterson, K. of R. S .; F. H. Milligan, M F; Mearl Clarke, M. of E .; Robert Sproat, M. A .; Geo. H. Kellogg, I. G .; Ed. S. Stofflet, O. G. The membership is 132 at the last report.298
Knights of Pythias of Durant, No. 265, was organized May, 1902. Its first officers were: E. E. Diedrich, C. C .; F. C. Langfeldt, V. C .; R. Meyer, Prelate ; W. C. Schlapkohl, M. A .; E. Lautz, M. of F .; R. Tagge, M. of E .; Fred Denk- man, K. of R. S .; D. H. Snoke, M. W.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
The Temple of Pythian Sisters of Durant began its work in August, 1904. As its officers the following were chosen: Frances West Johnson, Celia M. Tagge, Bertha Langfeldt, Ivah Dodd Crecilius, Ida P. M. Schiele, Edith B. Huchendorf, Laura Branch, Matie Bierkamp, Elfreda Diedrich.299
Ellwood Temple No. 140, Pythian Sisters, of Iowa was organized July 22, 1901, with the following officers: Jennie Witmer, P. C .; Mary Dean, M. E. C .; Hattie Fields, E. S .; Addie Griffis, E. J .; Edith Bartley, M. of T .; Addie Dean, M. R. C .; Bertha Reeder, M. of F .; Minnie Taylor, P. of T .; Winnifred Fuller- ton, G. O. T.
It has for its purpose the promotion of the moral, mental, social and physical elevation of its members; the cultivation of the spirit of fraternity, ministering to the sick, distressed and needy; and carrying out the great principles of the order of Purity, Love, Equality and Fidelity. The past chiefs are Jennie Wit- mer, deceased; Minnie Taylor, Mary Dean, Alice Pierce, Edith Bartley, Mar- garet France, Jennie Gregg, Lizzie Rath, Emma Stout, Hattie Fields.
Present membership, 22 knights and 4I sisters.300
Burr Oak Camp No. 2,869, Modern Woodmen of America, of West Branch was organized April 11, 1895, by Chas. F. Brayton, Deputy Head Consul. There were sixteen charter members : Chas. Brinkman, J. S. Butler, J. K. Carran, C. E. Endsley, I. S. Enlow, A. C. Hunter, W. S. Mackey, F. K. Michener, G. W. Palmer, C. W. Ross, G. C. Shrader, R. H. Smith, Wrigley Smith, A. L. Schwartz, D. Van Patten, and D. O. White.
Of these charter members seven still retain their membership in this Camp. Since the organization one hundred and ninety-eight members have been added and at this date there is a membership of one hundred and thirteen. David Van Patten was the chief officer at the time of commencing the work in West Branch. Since then there has been but one change, G. C. Shrader being the present head official, and he has held this position since 1896.
This camp owns its own hall, the West Branch city hall, valued at two thou- sand dollars. Since the establishment of the fraternity it has had but two death losses. 301
Stanwood Camp of Modern Woodmen was established in 1895 with seven- teen members and now has a membership of ninety-two. Since organization three deaths have occurred. They have had popular meetings of a special nature both at home and in company with their fraternity in other parts of the county.
Center Grove Camp, M. W. A., No. 2961, is located in Durant. Its date of organization is quite recent, and its officers are: V. C., J. W. Petersen ; Ad., J. Bierkamp; Banker, E. F. Jockheck; Clerk, Paul Samberg; Escort, Peter Peters ; Watchman, Mads. Madson; Sentry, Nic. Lamarack; Chief Forester, Wm. Reimer ; Managers, Henry Rholfs, O. A. Graves, and Henry Guelik.
Henrietta Camp No. 4617, Royal Neighbors of America, was organized in 1906, and is auxiliary to the M. W. camp of Woodmen in Durant. Its first officers include the names of some mentioned above in that organization of men.
Oracle, Mrs. Emma Denkman; V. Oracle, Elfrieda Puck; P. Oracle, Mary Bierkamp; Receiver, Dora Meese; Recorder, Doretta Samberg; Marshal, Miss Laura Steterau ; Chancellor, Adele Wiebener ; I. S., Mrs. Catherine Puck ; O. S.,
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Mrs. Katie Graves; Managers, Mrs. Henrietta Guelik, Mary Peters, Henry F. Stutzer.302
The Bennett Camp of Modern Woodmen is fifteen years old, having begun its history in 1895 with fourteen charter members, who are: Wm. Baker, S. C. Fulton, Wm. F. Hostler, Perry Leatherberry, F. Regennitter, Geo. Regennitter, Geo. H. Schoper, John E. Spitler, C. R. Stephens, H. A. Walker, Lewis Hamper, J. H. Webb, H. G. Willey, E. B. Willey.
John E. Spitler was the first V. C .; J. H. Webb, Clerk, and C. R. Stephens, Banker. The lodge has a membership of eighty-four at this time. The officers now are: H. R. Chapman, V. C .; H. C. W. Werner, Banker; C. C. Barrett, Adv .; O. S. Smith, E .; Gus Wiese, W .; Managers, E. E. McQuillen, E. J. Cryder, G. C. Bannick.
Mechanicsville Camp No. 11056, M. W. A., was organized with eleven mem- bers in 1903. Deputy Elmer Deal of Davenport assisted in the matter when the following were chosen as officials of the camp: V. C., N. F. Purcell ; W. A., Geo. M. House; Banker, E. S. Helmer ; Clerk, O. J. Davison ; Physician, C. S. Stookey ; Managers, W. R. Park, D. Willey, and John Thimmes.
It has a membership of 152. Present officers: V. C., W. E. Soesbe; W. A., D. W. Keller ; Banker, Chas. L. Hatcher ; Clerk, D. Mckibben ; Physicians, J. W. Richards, C. S. Stookey, and Scott Russell; Managers, Geo. Miller, E. Webbles, John Thimmes.
There is also an auxiliary camp of the Royal Neighbors in Mechanicsville.303 Briarwood Camp, M. W. A., of Tipton is the oldest of the fraternity in the county, having its date of organization in 1886. It has a membership now of 226. Among its charter members are a number who still attend its sessions. Many of those are absent from this vicinity. Among these first members are the names of P. Dean, W. G. W. Geiger, C. W. Hawley, L. E. Safley, G. W. Moreland, J. C. Mitchell, M. H. Miller, N. Shoemaker, J. Sweinhart, G. H. Dickinson, A. C. Allen, C. E. Brown, H. C. Carr, D. W. Clarke, S. D. Coffman, W. H. Congdon, E. M. Elliott, W. R. Fields, O. H. Helmer, J. T. O'Hara, J. F. Leefers, M. A. Parsons, W. H. Pratt, J. B. Staininger, H. W. Sutphens, W. S. Woodis.
The officers of the Camp today include but one of these charter members, that of M. A. Parsons as W. A. The remaining officials are members since that first organization : H. W. Dodge, V. C .; H. C. Bolton, Banker ; F. K. Gregg, Clerk; C. F. Curtright, E .; Geo. Siple, W .; and John Henderson, Secretary.
Dickinson Camp, R. N., was organized with twenty-one members in 1899 and is auxiliary to Briarwood Camp.304
In August, 1885, the M. W. A. camp at Clarence was established with seven- teen charter members. Its number is 107. Present membership numbers ninety-three. Officers: V. C., Hosea Ballou; W. A., S. A. Robinson; Banker, Frank B. York; Clerk, S. S. Crittenden. The camp of the Royal Neighbors auxiliary to Cedar Camp was organized about two years ago.
The Woodmen are also represented in Lowden among the strongest of the fraternities.
Golden Rule Camp of Royal Neighbors, No. 1485, Bennett, was instituted in
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1908 with twenty-four members. Its present officers are: Josephine Lamp, Alma Spoo, Mrs. Emma Cern, Mrs. E. B. Wingert, and Hulda Thomas.
In connection with the Spanish-American War the Modern Brotherhood did a deed worthy of notice and the following are the resolutions adopted at that time :
Whereas, This country is now engaged in war with Spain and President Mckinley has called for one hundred twenty-five thousand troops, and
Whereas, It is the duty of all able-bodied citizens to respond to their coun- try's call ; and,
Whereas, We believe every citizen should be free to take up arms in the defense of his country without sacrificing the safeguards he has built up around his family in the way of life insurance ;
Resolved, By the Board of Directors of the Modern Brotherhool of America that any person now a member of the society is at perfect liberty to engage in the military or naval service of the United States during the pending war, and that such action on the part of a member shall in no way affect or invalidate his certificate of insurance in this order anything in the laws of our society to the contrary notwithstanding; and that during the continuance of such member in the service of his country any per capita tax due from him to the supreme lodge is hereby remitted and canceled.
The above was unanimously adopted April 25, 1898.
In the report of the Supreme President of this organization, whose office was then in Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, but now in Des Moines, is given an account of the organization :
"In March, 1897, the Supreme Officers of the Modern Brotherhood, together with one not now a member of our society, first considered the advisability of organizing a new fraternal beneficiary society having for its distinctive features : (a) the creation of a reserve fund for the purpose of limiting the number of assessments and at the same time making certain the stability and performance of the Order; (b) the admission of both sexes on the same terms; (c) the pay- ment of benefits for certain accidental injuries; (d) the payment of one-half of the face of the certificate for total permanent physical disability; (e) the pay- ment of stipulated portions of the face of the certificate, beginning with the sev- enty-first birthday. At that time, so far as known to us, only one or two societies had adopted the features above referred to, and we thought the time was ripe for such a society, and believed, that if properly presented, it would commend itself to the people.
"We felt very timid, however, about undertaking the task of organizing such a society, especially as the business was one which none of us had given any special study. We held several secret preliminary meetings after night and were ex- tremely careful to allow no one to learn what we were doing or considering. We discussed the whole matter as best we could, and after many secret meetings concluded to organize. I have no doubt whatever that had we consulted and ad- vised with our friends the society would never have been known.
"Finally, on March 20, 1897, articles of incorporation were prepared and executed, fundamental laws adopted, and our first officers and directors elected.
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The articles of incorporation were filed for record in Cedar County, Iowa, on March 24, 1897, and soon thereafter it became generally known in Tipton that our society had been organized.
"On April 5, 1897, we obtained from the Auditor of Iowa our charter or license authorizing us to do business, and opened out at once without any pre- liminaries. We commenced our work at Tipton, West Branch and other towns located in our own county. We were well aware that similar societies often did their early business away from home, and fully realized that it was more difficult to get endorsements near home than farther away. Just why this is true need not be discussed, but it is a matter of common knowledge that it is true. A stranger can go into almost any town and interest the people in a matter on which they would refuse to give a fellow townsman a hearing. However, we had confidence in our plan and knew if we could get the endorsement of our home people and of surrounding towns it would be of great value to us. Hence, with Tipton as the central point, we worked out in all directions and succeeded from the first beyond our most sanguine expectations. Now, after over three years of work, our home people have changed their minds, acknowledge the success of our society, and are amazed because we have accomplished so much in so short a time"
July 25, 1874, the Durant Turngemeinde was instituted with the first officers as here given : First Speaker, Frank Haller; First Turnwart, Claus Blunk; Sec- ond Turnwart, Bernhard Krabbenhoeft; Secretary, Martin Beuthien; Cor. Secy., Peter Stoltenberg; Treasurer, Wm. Diehn.
The Durant Damen Section, Auxiliary to the Turngemeinde, has the four officers : President, Mrs. Chris Sorgenfrey; Treasurer, Mrs. Frank Joens; Sec- retary, Mrs. Doretta Samberg, and Vice President, Mrs. Chas. Diehn.
Then there is a third organization in Durant among the German societies called the Kranken Unterstuctzungs Verein, which began in May, 1890. It was officered at that time by Eggert Alpen as President, Jacob Carsten, as Vice Presi- dent, Chas. Steffen as Secretary, Frank Joens, Secretary of Finance, and Hans Kuehl, Treasurer. Trustees : Nic. Muehlenstein, Wm. Petersen and J. Carstens.
This society, as its name indicates, has in its purposes the charitable idea.305
Early in 1855, when the temperance movement was in earnest in all parts of the country, an organization of the Good Templars found a place in Tipton. It had at one time more than a hundred members, but ceased to exist as a lodge in 1858. After three years of inactivity it was revived in 1861 and continued many years to exert an influence on the question of control of the strong drink traffic of the day. After reorganization the number grew to one hundred and sixty. Among the first lecturers was that noted Dr. Whitlock, who at the time was said to have been so much under the influence of strong drink that he made numerous efforts to keep his balance. But his biography is not entertaining in any palatable sense. Temperance then meant something different from the present standard.
In accord with all other parts of the state the Patrons of Husbandry had many organizations in the county commencing about 1871 and continuing for many years after. Their aim was to conserve the forces of agriculture and to form co-operative concerns for the handling of farm products and to distribute
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
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