USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 27
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In March the supervisors let the contract for the building of the new county home on its stately site about two miles east of Arion. Wiley Bros., of Chicago, were the contractors, and Kadoch & Buckley of Denison secured the plumbing contract, and the building is now nearing completion. The question of paving, which has been previously mentioned, occupied the attention of Denison people very largely as did a second futile attempt to secure the location of a state nor- mal. The most important business growth was the capitalization of the Nicholson Produce Company for $100,000.00 and the addition of a creamery and of an ice cream factory to its other lines. Mr. Martin Saggau also began the erection of a fine two story brick block which completes a solid line of handsome brick build- ings on south Broadway. This will be used as a garage by the Denison Auto Company. On July 15th, the Postal Savings Bank was inaugurated although, up to this time, it has but few depositors. The Chautauqua enjoyed another success- ful season, the chief attraction being Hon. William Jennings Bryan. In June the residence of Mr. E. T. McAndrews was destroyed by fire and on July 20th a new hotel and restaurant recently opened by Mrs. S. Dawes was totally con- sumed, and a young man named Wilson lost his life in the flames. This tragedy called renewed attention to the inadequacy of Denison's fire alarm system. The most recent events are the proposed building of a natatorium in connection with the Nicholson plant, the building of a handsome and substantial cement bridge
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across the Boyer in the southwest part of the city and a proposed extension of the sewer system.
During the year Crawford suffered from extreme drouth as did all the west. It was not so severe as in 1894 but the small grain yielded but a scant crop, the pastures were brown and but for a few timely rains in the latter part of the sea- son the corn crop would have been very short. In comparison with other coun- ties the splendid soil of Crawford withstood the dry season very well and the higher prices indicate a prosperous season for the farmers and thus for all.
It would be gratuitous to give a picture of Denison as it is to-day. It is chiefly admired for its park-like appearance with shady streets lined with beauti- ful residences, for its excellent school system and for its substantial business houses. In volume of business it is the most important point on the line of the Northwestern railway between Boone and Council Bluffs. It is the financial cen- ter of a large territory. It has a magnificent hotel, good church edifices and the courthouse, in its commanding location, is justly the pride of the county. Prophecy is unsafe and has no place in history, but we can at least dwell with deep satisfaction upon the past, upon the great men the city has given to the state and nation and to the many of like calibre which it contains, upon the material advancement it has made in the first years of the new century, upon the ambition and energy which pervade it to-day and upon the fact that its future is in good hands,
"And I know that it shall not die."
CHAPTER XXII.
DENISON ORGANIZATIONS.
THE MASONIC ORDER.
Even before the coming of the railroad, the influence of that world-wide fraternity of Free Masons, which has written so many pages of the history of mankind, was felt in Crawford county. The membership was too small and too widely scattered, however, for the establishment of a local lodge and the faithful Masons made their pilgrimages to Dunlap, where the first lodge in this section was established. As early as 1870, however, the Masons of Deni- son felt the desire for a lodge of their own, and a petition signed by W. A. Porter, Cary Mathews, L. Cornwell, Wm. Wallace, B. F. Darling, Alexander Twinkle, B. Shinn, H. C. Laub, Wm. Crisp and C. H. De Wolf, was presented to the Grand Lodge. The Denison lodge was recommended by Hospitable Lodge, No. 244, of Dunlap, and dispensation was granted March 1, 1870, to B. Shinn, Worshipful Master ; C. H. De Wolf, Senior Warden; Cary Mathews, Junior Warden. This dispensation was signed by John Scott, Grand Master, and T. S. Parvin, Grand Secretary. Additional officers under this dispensa- tion were: L. Cornwell, Treasurer; H. C. Laub, Secretary; B. F. Darling, S. D .; A. Trinkle, J. D .; Wm. Crisp, Tyler. The charter was granted June 7, 1871, to Devotion Lodge, No. 282, and the following is the chronological list of those who headed the lodge from 1871 to 1886, when on February 17, the charter was surrendered: C. H. DeWolf, L. Cornwell, B. F. Darling, J. S. Nicholson, L. Cornwell, C. H. DeWolf, G. W. Stephens, C. H. DeWolf.
From 1886 to February, 1890, Denison was without a Masonic lodge, but in that year a dispensation was granted by James A. Gamble, Grand Mas- ter, upon the petition of H. C. Laub, George S. DeWolf, T. J. Garrison, Ben Spear, C. H. DeWolf, Philip A. Schlumberger, N. Lafrentz, Charles Bullock, M. E. Jones, E. T. Cochran, A. D. Wilkinson, J. L. Richardson, M. Gold- heim, Joseph Brogden, Charles Tabor, George A. Richardson, Bradley H. Lee, J. P. Miller, W. J. Cochran, W. J. Scriver, W. R. Barber, George W. Steph- ens, Martin Vandusen, W. H. Marshall and Henry Noble.
"Sylvan" was the name of the new lodge, and the first officers were: Geo. A. Richardson, W. M .; W. J. Scriver, S. W .; E. T. Cochran, J. W .; they being empowered to act until May 1, 1890. Transcript of the work done
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being satisfactory, the Grand Lodge on the fourth day of June, 1890, issued a charter to Sylvan Lodge, No. 507.
In the intervening years this lodge has grown from a membership of twenty-five to a net membership of one hundred and fourteen. During these years it has been a quiet but powerful influence in the community. It now has spacious and finely furnished quarters in the McKim hall, which it has leased for a period of twenty-five years. Since its organization Sylvan Lodge has lost thirteen members by death, the deceased members being George A. Rich- ardson, H. C. Laub, N. Lafrentz, M. Goldheim, Joseph Brogden, J. P. Mil- ler, W. H. Marshall, Henry Noble, Frank J. Young, C. M. Staley, Ed. J. Deal, J. B. Romans and I. E. Scobee.
HISTORY OF SYLVAN CHAPTER, O. E. S.
By Mrs. Grace B. Sprecher.
The Eastern Star is a great lighthouse built upon the rock of Freema- sonry. The great light they have in charge shines forth across the troubled waters of life. Our lamps are trimmed and burning, filled with the magic oil of loving kindness. The storms may come and beat upon the house, but still the light sends out its radiant beams to guide the wanderer to the New Jerusalem.
On October 28, 1897, the Grand Chapter, O. E. S., of Iowa, issued a charter to Sylvan Chapter, No. 207, of Denison, Iowa. The following names were written upon it as the organizers of the Chapter: Lillian Oswald, C. E. Wood, Ada L. Glenn, Mary L. Romans, Lydia R. Bradley, Martha J. Cush- man, Sallie Sime, Esther Sime, Mrs. H. H. Osborne, A. Oswald, Lucy Jones, Anna A. Schlumberger, J. F. Glenn, Margaret M. Wood, Kate Gebert, M. E. Jones, Max Sime. The chapter was constituted with Mrs. Oswald as W. M., and C. E. Wood, W. P. First Tuesday after full moon was se- lected as their regular meeting night. It was a hard struggle the first few years to keep the Chapter together on account of members moving away, but the faithful few put their hearts and souls into the work and have been rewarded by seeing it grow in numbers until in 1910 it can boast a mem- bership of 160.
We pause a few moments to pay our respects to our departed dead for the death angel has entered our circle of friendship and removed some links from the golden chain. The deceased are: Mrs. Mary L. Romans, Mrs. Graves, Mrs. Fanny L. Bond, Miss Frances Hart, D. G. Howorth and J. B. Romans.
Thrice has Sylvan Chapter received recognition from the Grand Chap- ter of Iowa. In 1903 Mrs. Emma Richardson was appointed chairman of committee on unfinished business, and in 1904 she was appointed to serve on the committee on jurisprudence. In 1907 Mrs. Ida M. Philbrook was appointed Grand Marshall, and in 1910 Mrs. Grace B. Sprecher was ap- pointed Deputy Grand Matron for the seventh district.
REV. B. SHINN
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List of officers for 1910: W. M., Mrs. Amanda C. Sibbert; W. P., W. E. Terry; A. M., Mrs. Bertha M. Kott; Secretary, Mrs. Grace B. Sprecher ; Treasurer, Mrs. Elizabeth Crippen; Conductress, Mrs. Mary Bollen; Assistant Conductress, Mrs. Lillian Kemp; Adah, Miss Nellie Cushman; Ruth, Mrs. Emma Boylan; Esther, Mrs. Flora Wright; Martha, Mrs. Minnie Ferguson; Electa, Mrs. Jessie Pfarr ; Chaplain, Mrs. Ida Van Ness; Marshall, Mrs. Frances Terry ; Warder, Mrs. Jennie Armstrong; Organist, Mrs. Pearl Bleakney ; Sentinel, B. J. Sibbert.
If in our daily lives, our acts and our works have been in unison with our sacred obligation, then have we benefited mankind, and we may truly say, "We have seen His Star in the East."
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. By Mrs. Helen McHenry Cassaday.
The Denison Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution was organ- ized July 5, 1904, with twenty charter members, which made us the banner chapter in the state, as no other chapter organized with so large a number of charter members.
Its organization was effected by Mrs. Alcinda Snodgrass Robinson, a mem- ber of the De Shon Chapter, Boone, Iowa. She was appointed regent for the Denison chapter by the state regent of Iowa, and approved by the national board. The names of the charter members are as follows: Mrs. Mary Kuhn Young, Mrs. Maria Kuhn Burch, Mrs. Alice Hoffman Boyle, Mrs. Alcinda Snodgrass Robinson, Miss Elva Dell Bond, Miss Lois Jane Day, Miss Agnes King, Mrs. Margaret King Kincaid, Miss Lessie M. Marshall, Miss Ethel T. Miller, Mrs. Helen McHenry Cassaday, Mrs. Minnie Mudget Ferguson, Mrs. Cynthia Gulick Jones, Mrs. Angeline Sayre Johnson, Mrs. Edna Goodspeed Laub, Mrs. Anna Burns Murphy, Mrs. Carrie Jones Patterson, Mrs. Hattie Stone Tucker, Mrs. Sarah Gulick Wagner, Mrs. Flora Sherwood Wright.
Our charter was formally presented to the chapter on November 12, 1904, by Mrs. Maria Purdy Peck in person. Mrs. Peck was a great help to us in getting our chapter in good working order. At this meeting a gavel was pre- sented to the chapter by Mrs. Burch and Mrs. Young. It was made from wood taken from a rafter of the house of their ancestors. The house was built in 1745 and still stands on the old site in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In this home George Washington was an honored guest, and from it six sons went out to fight in the war for independence.
At this meeting we had with us as an interested spectator the national presi- dent of the Woman's Relief Corps. Each year our chapter observes February 22d as "guest night." Flag Day, June 14th, is celebrated by our annual picnic. Early in its history the chapter purchased a large American flag and it was un- furled with impressive ceremonies on Flag Day, 1906. We have also bought an excellent portrait of George Washington, which hangs upon the wall of our chapter room. We have also been favored with the gift of two steel engravings elegantly framed of "Washington Bidding Farewell to His Officers" and "The
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Declaration of Independence," the first presented by Mr. and Mrs. L. Cornwell, the latter by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jones, and both were gladly accorded a place with our other belongings.
No members of our chapter have died; our membership increases steadily ; we meet socially once a month at the homes of our members; we have con- tributed liberally toward the erection of Continental Hall, Washington, D. C., and have presented a mahogany chair for the Iowa room.
UTE TRIBE NO. 92, IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN. By T. A. Harvey, Chief of Records.
Ute Tribe, No. 92, Improved Order of Red Men, of Denison, Iowa, was organized by Past Sachem, Brother H. F. Hodges, on the sixteenth sleep of flower moon, G. S. D. 407 (May 16, 1898). The present officers of the tribe are : John D. O'Hara, Sachem; Alex Aebischer, Senior Sagamore; Ralph P. Beaman, Junior Sagamore; W. A. Cramer, Prophet; T. A. Harvey, Chief of Records; John G. Hugg, Collector of Wampum; C. P. Lorenzen, Keeper of Wampum; H. W. Faul, Sr., T. A. Harvey, W. E. Kahler, trustees.
The Tribe meets in council every Wednesday's sleep in the Saggau Hall.
The Tribe is in a very prosperous condition with a membership of over 160 of the very best men in the community.
In all of the Tribe's years of existence the Great Spirit has seen fit to call to his happy hunting grounds only one brother, Past Sachem A. J. Larson, whose remains were laid at rest in Oakland cemetery, and his grave marked by the official grave marker of the order, while his picture adorns the walls of the council chamber.
Since the organization of the Tribe twelve great suns ago, it has been ex- tremely well honored by the Great Council of Iowa, and the Great Council of the United States.
Past Sachem, Brother H. F. Hodges, was at one time Great Representative to the Great Council of the United States.
Past Sachem, Brother Carl F. Kuehnle, is at present the Great Junior Saga- more of the Great Reservation of Iowa.
Past Sachem, Brother W. E. Kahler, is the present Journal Clerk of the Great Council.
Past Great Sachem, Brother O. W. Wheeler, was elected to the chieftaincy of Great Sachem in traveling moon G. S. D. 415 (October, 1906), and when he surrendered the tomahawk of his chieftaincy to his successor, he was elected as Great Representative to the Great Council of the United States, which po- sition he still holds.
The wonderful progress and popularity of the Improved Order of Red Men have earned for it the prominent position it occupies among the great social fraternities of our land, and is purely a fraternal organization with the motto of
"FREEDOM, FRIENDSHIP AND CHARITY."
What a sublime triune of sacred vitrues. Patriotism, honesty, sobriety and integrity-what a brilliant quartet of noble qualities. These virtues are the cornerstones of the order, and upon them the structure is reared.
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CHAPTER CO, P. E. O.
By Agnes King, Corresponding Secretary.
Chapter CO, P. E. O., of Denison, Iowa, was organized October 27, 1902.
The national sisterhood of P. E. O., the largest society of women, indepen- dent of any men's organization in the world, and whose primary object is the moral, intellectual and social growth of womanhood, was originated by seven girl students at the Iowa Wesleyan College at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1869. Mrs. Emily A. Barber, now of Charter Oak, Iowa, started the movement which re- sulted in the organization of Chapter CO, Iowa, at her home in Denison, by Mrs. Huldah Reed, of What Cheer, Iowa, then state organizer.
The charter members were Mesdames Emily A. Barber, Hattie C. Boynton, Anna C. Naeve, Ida M. Philbrook, Jessie S. Pfarr, Ola D. Kemming and Misses Minna Balle, Margaret and Agnes King.
Up to the time of this writing, in January, 1911, there have been forty-one members, only twenty-nine of whom are now' resident members here, however.
This chapter has undertaken simply to work, principally within itself, for the chief aims of P. E. O., and for helping by contributions yearly toward the national P. E. O. fund, used to help any worthy student unable otherwise to get a desired higher education. Its meetings are held every two weeks on Friday afternoon at the clubroom of the library building, or at the home of members.
The officers at present are : President, Mrs. Ida M. Philbrook; vice-president, Mrs. Hattie C. Boynton ; recording secretary, Mrs. Emma Morgan; correspond- ing secretary, Miss Agnes King; treasurer, Mrs. Florence M. Wright; chaplain, Mrs. Mable H. Gillmor ; guard, Miss Marie E. Naeve; journalist, Mrs. Lillian W. Kemp; and pianist, Mrs. Gertrude G. Voss.
SIDONIA LODGE, NO. 393, I. O. O. F.
The above is the name of the German Odd Fellows' Lodge of Denison, which was founded August 17, 1895, with twelve charter members. The present mem- bership is forty-five. The meetings are held each Friday night and the business of the order and the ritual are conducted in the German language also. The lodge is in especially fine financial condition and is prosperous in every way. This lodge boasts of fine regalia, freedom from debt and a full treasury. The charter members were J. F. Harthun, Asmus Clausen, Peter Krauth, Fred Clausen, F. O. Ivens, Fred Kadoth, John Fastje, Jurgen Clausen, Ernst Riepen, Henry Rogge, Frank Faul, C. F. Christiansen and John F. Reeh, the first officers being : J. F. Harthun, N. G .; Asmus Clausen, V. G .; Peter Krauth, Secretary ; and Fred Clausen, Treasurer. The lodge has lost the following members by death : Henry Stang, Gust Witt, Fritz Bugge, Claus Mundt, Rudolph Kolls. Gust Huettmann and Claus Grill.
The present officers are: Christ Otto, N. G .; Gust Retman, V. G .: Frank Faul, P. Secretary ; E. O. Thiem, Financial Secretary ; and Hans Jess, Treasurer. Vol. I-16
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REBEKAH LODGE, NO. 420, I. O. O. F.
By the Secretary.
Rebekah Lodge, No. 420, I. O. O. F., of Denison, Iowa, was organized Oc- tober 20, 1898, with eleven charter members, and on the same evening an equal number from lodges in different parts of the state were taken in, making a membership of twenty-two to start with.
The years that have passed since the lodge was organized have brought plenty of fraternal work and pleasure, as well as the trials common to all organiza- tions. On the whole, it has been a prosperous lodge, as while some members have moved away and others have dropped out, still new members have been added from time to time and at almost every meeting new candidates are pro- posed. At present the lodge has a membership of sixty-five, and it is in a flourishing condition generally.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Denison Lodge, No. 626, I. O. O. F., was organized October 23, 1896, with eleven charter members: J. L. McKnight, P. G .; S. E. Allen; William Marr, P. G .; Max Sime; W. W. Cushman; W. E. Terry; C. M. Staley, P. G .; N. E. Lafferty ; T. D. Miller; E. R. Barber, P. G .; and W. H. Scaggs. The lodge has had a healthy growth since the date of organization and now has a mem- bership of sixty-five.
The present officers are H. F. Bolton, Noble Grand; T. V. Walker, Vice Grand; H. T. Bliesman, Recording Secretary; William Andersen, Treasurer; Robert Ewall, Financial Secretary ; Elmer E. Ransom, Warden; James Mitchell, Conductor ; John Baker, I. G .; S. P. Jacobsen, O. G .; George Selander, R. S. to N. G .; O. G. Savery, L. S. to N. G .; George Richardson, R. S. to V. G .; W. E. Terry, L. S. to V. G .; and William Strahn, Chaplain.
RROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN YEOMEN.
The meetings of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen Lodge are held in the first and third Tuesday of each month in the New Saggau Hall, the organi- zation now numbering sixty members. Its present officers are, L. V. Wright, Foreman; Alvena Dannles, Master of Ceremonies; H. T. Bliesman, Corres- pondent ; W. V. Huffman, Master of Accounts; Idah B. Dannles, Chaplain ; Pearl Wright, Overseer; William Dannles, Watchman; and John H. Carlson, Sentinel.
The lodge was organized in Denison on November 6, 1901, with the follow- ing charter members: William Wiggins, J. V. Jackson, A. F. Durkee, H. S. Hanson, J. Schwartzenbach, William Dannles, Alvena Dannles, William Done- gan. Emma D. Donegan, Anna Quade, Maggie Quade, Theo Lanzer, D. Roden- baugh, Frantz Hefner, C. H. Rolls, Kate Sperry, H. Dethman, C. H. Johnson, John T. Smith, N. C. Thompson, May E. Thompson, William G. Norris, C. Q. Goff, William Bowen, H. F. Parsons, Nettie E. Parsons, and John N. Woodland.
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
THE GERMAN MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
One of the most beneficent organizations of the county and one which has done a great deal to promote the prosperity of the farmers is the Mutual Fire, Lightning, Tornado and Wind Storm Insurance Association of German Farmers of Crawford and Ida counties.
This company was organized December 29, 1879, at the home of C. J. Hol- ling. of Otter Creek township. The charter members were, C. J. Holling, Herm Heicksen, Peter Dreessen, Claus Mundt, Henry Mundt, John Peper, Julius Buh- mann, H. Hennings, C. Jensen, J. Bendixen, G. Else, H. Lehfeldt, Sr., H. Leh- feldt, Jr., C. Hensen, Rud Lehfeldt, J. C. Petersen, Hans Brodersen, Thomas Hamann, Jack Sachau, H. Dethmann, William Carstens, the first officers being C. J. Holling, President; Herm Heicksen, Secretary; Hans Brodersen, Assis- tant Secretary ; Claus Mundt, Vice President; C. Hensen, Treasurer; C. Jen- sen, H. H. Dethmann and Rud Lehfeldt, trustees; and P. Dreessen, J. Bendixen and J. C. Petersen, adjusters.
The first loss paid by the association was fifty dollars paid to Christ and Fritz Putzier, July 5, 1880. The growth of the society is shown by the follow- ing table :
June 1, 1885, Number members, 389, Risks in force, $ 450,903.00 May 31, 1890, Number members, 823, Risks in force, 1,114,085.00 May 25, 1895, Number members, 1, 188, Risks in force, 1,953,994.00 May 26, 1900, Number members, 1,371, Risks in force, 2,698,249.00 May 27, 1905, Number members, 1,550, Risks in force, 3,773,299.00 May 28, 1910, Number members, 1,650, Risks in force, 6,060,573.00 Dec. 31, 1910, Number members, Risks in force, 6,228,425.00
The total amount of loses paid from 1879 to December 31, 1910, was $63,- 551.40. C. J. Holling served as president until 1884, Nic Lafrentz until 1886, Hans Wellendorf until 1887, and August Schultz until the present date. The vice presidents have been Claus Mundt, August Wittenberg, Peter Dreessen, H. Wellendorf, John Jepsen, Hans Lohse, Fred Jepsen and Julius Schroeder. The secretaries were Herman Heicksen up to 1883; Henry Schwartz to 1886; H. C. Schroeder, 1886; Fred Jepsen to 1892; A. B. Lorenzen to January, 1894; A. J. Boock until May, 1894; Peter Dreessen until May, 1898; John Fischer, until 1904; Carl Wendt to 1906; and John F. Holst until the present date. The treasurers have been Carl Hensen until 1889; H. C. Schroeder until 1893; Gust Rabe until 1903; Claus Grill until 1906; and Fred Jepsen to date. The trustees at present are Herman Schultz, J. C. Petersen, and Fred Indorf; and the ad- justers are Henry Bremer, Henry W. Rohlk, V. S. Johannsen, P. H. Paulsen, Adolph Eggert, Johanns Preuss, Martin Nehls and Matthew Arnold.
BEN NEVIS CASTLE, THE ROYAL HIGHLANDERS.
The Royal Highlanders' Order at Denison was organized July 26, 1898, in Knights of Pythias Hall, by their organizer, Mrs. J. R. Coreathers, with the following charter members: Eugene Gulick, W. T. Wright, W. J. McAhren, R. E. Grason, W. P. Hover, L. J. Ingraham, D. L. Boynton, Clay McMinimee, U.
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
G. Swartz, A. H. Brown, N. W. Nash, E. Mill, and M. H. Hill, the following officers being elected: W. T. Wright, Illustrious Protector; D. L. Boynton, Past Illustrious Protector; R. E. Grason, Chief Counsellor; A. H. Brown, Worthy Evangel; N. W. Nash, Secretary; E. Gulick, Treasurer; Clay McMin- imme, Valiant Guide ; W P .. Hover, First Worthy Counsellor ; L. J. Ingraham, Second Worthy Counsellor; W. J. McAhren, Chief Spearman; E. Mill, Chief of Arches; M. Mill, First Prudential Chief, and W. T. Wright, Physical E'x- aminer.
DENISON LODGE NO. 80, F. B. R. S.
Denison Lodge, No. 80, Fraternal Bankers Reserve Society, is a branch of the main lodge which is located at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Denison lodge was or- ganized on May 13, 1903, by J. W. Roe, president of the Supreme Lodge, at which time R. W. Plimpton was elected president of the local organization and E. Gulick was elected as secretary, banker and local deputy. Following is a list of the charter members: E. Gulick, William Marshall, R. W. Plimpton, Otto Dresselhouser, George A. Richardson, Helen N. Pester, J. R. Johnston, Joseph B. Merwin, Bertha J. Mill, Elmer Mill, Carl Gronau, F. W. Mueller, Mary J. Harding, M. A. Harding, I. O. Orem, T. J. Carey, T. W. Garber, W. T. Wright, A. D. Wright, E. W. Johnson, W. J. Scott, C. M. Morris, Susie M. Scott, J. E. Girard, James McCarthy, Christian Vohs, Charles C. Speck, Carl C. Lorentzen, E. E. Walker and E. T. Cochran.
DOWDALL LODGE NO. 90, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
This is the largest strictly fraternal organization in Denison. Its charter dates from October 26, 1882. It is also one of the wealthiest of our fraternities and has been perhaps the most active in assisting worthy but unfortunate broth- ers. The charter members of the lodge were W. J. McAhren, Charles Bullock. N. J. Wheeler, C. W. Van Coelln, J. D. Jones, D. L. Boynton, R. E. Sackett, D. O. Johnson, A. D. Wilson, B. F. Strohm, S. J. Garrison, F. M. Penny. L. K. Bensley, William Iseminger, and J. P. Conner, the first officers being, W. J. Mc- Ahren, Past Chancellor; Charles Bullock, Chancellor Commander; N. J. Wheeler, Vice Chancellor ; C. W. Van Coelln, Prelate; D. L. Boynton, Master of Exchequer; R. E. Sackett, Master of Finance; D. O. Johnson, Keeper of Records and Seal; A. D. Wilson, Master at Arms; J. D. Jones, Inner Guard; and L. K. Bensley, Outer Guard, while William Iseminger, T. J. Garrison and B. F. Strohm were trustees.
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