USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth County, Iowa > Part 69
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Algona Lodge of Mystic Workers, No. 468, was organized during the sum- mer of 1902. E. P. Fuller was elected the first prefect but the other officers cannot be recalled for the records with those of other lodges were burned in the fire that destroyed the A. D. Clarke building on State street February I, 1908. The present officers are: Chas. Worster, prefect; Mrs. D. W. Hohn, monitor ; Gus Sjogren, banker; John Halverson, warden; J. Steinmen, mar- shal; Josiah Bowman, sentinel; Fred Wehler, secretary; E. P. Fuller, Chas. Worster and Fred Behlmer, trustees.
The Algona Lodge of Owls, No. 1713, is one of the youngest of the local lodge organizations in town, having been ushered into existence June 17, 1912, with Chas. B. Barry as president; E. G. Fargo, vice president ; E. W. Lusby, secretary ; E. H. Reaser, treasurer. Chas. E. Matlock is the official past presi- dent; Harry Sutton, invocator ; R. P. Norton, warden; W. A. Barry, picket ; J. F. Devereaux, sentinel; A. M. Jasperson, Jesse Speraw and W. E. Naudain, trustees. The lodge at the present time has about ninety members.
Seneca Tribe, No. 65, Red Men, was established in Algona in May, 1894, the charter members being: C. E. Heise, Durward Walker, Geo. Bailey, Dr. J. M. Pride, C. R. Lewis, Ed Hackman, A. H. Allen, Geo. Johnson, W. A. Dutton, Geo. W. Platt and S. B. McClellan. The present officers are: Chas. Magnus- son, prophet ; Leo Stebbins, sachem; A. F. Dailey, senior sachem; D. Redfield, junior sachem; H. C. Corbin, custodian of records; E. E. Conner, keeper of wampum. The list of past sachems includes the above named Heise, Walker, Bailey, Allen, Lewis, Magnusson, Dailey, Redfield, Hackman, Dutton and Con- ner, besides Joe Misbach, Roy Tillinghast, L. H. Millen, C. C. Dudley, W. V. Carlon, J. A. Lang, Chas. Osier, C. M. Dailey, Geo. St. John and Dr. C. R. Sheetz. Joe Misbach was also representative to the Great Council of the United States for six years. Many of the valuable papers and records of the order were burned when the fire destroyed the Clarke building on the Ist of February, 1908.
The Knights of Columbus came into existence as a local organization in the early spring of 1904, and having for its initial officers: W. D. Hinchon, G. K .; W. E. Kain, D. G. K .; S. F. McMahon, C .; Joseph Bestenlehner, F. S .; Jos. Holtzbauer, R. S .; Jas. Gilbride, T .; Will Kehoe, W .; D. H. Geoders, L .; Rev.
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W. J. Halpin, chaplain ; John Vaughan, W. D. Nugent and Frank Bestenlehner, trustees. The State street fire that destroyed the Clarke building about four years ago, burned valuable papers belonging to several organizations, and among them was the charter of the Knights of Columbus. The list of grand knights in the order of service since the beginning is as follows: W. D. Hinchon, W. E. Kain, Wm. H. Gilbride, Wm. Kehoe, S. E. McMahon, W. H. Burke, E. E. Conner and Joe Bestenlehner. The latter is the present grand knight, the other officers being Frank Zender, D. G. K .; S. E. McMahon, C .; Jos. Holtzbauer, F. S .; Dr. C. H. Cretzmeyer, T .; W. H. Burke, R .; R. E. Kain, W .; Rev. W. J. Halpin, chaplain ; Thos. Kain, I. G .; Dr. W. E. Kain, O. G .; E. E. Conner, M. J. Wolfe and Jos. Finley, trustees.
The Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 174, was instituted by Superior Lodge, No. 138, of Eagle Grove, June 15, 1887, the following officers being elected at that time: W. S. Dorland, P. C .; S. P. Marsh, C. C .; J. W. Bartlett, V. C .; Dr. F. E. V. Shore, P .; C. J. Skinner, M. F .; W. K. Ferguson, N. E .; Thos. F. Cooke, K. R .; J. C. Frank, M. A .; Harvey Ingham, I. G .; H. E. Rist, O. G. The other charter members were: Frank Dingley, Sr., W. B. Quarton, C. M. Doxsee, J. B. Jones, J. H. McNall, M. I .. Clarke, A. J. Robison, W. W. Wheeler, E. H. Lyons, Dr. L. A. Sheetz and W. R. Spencer. There are at present one hundred and nine members officered as follows: D. D. Monlux, C. C .; D. D. Paxson, V. C .; R. W. Hutchins, P .; E. I .. Vincent. M. W .; Amie Peugnet, K. R .; L. C. Hanson, M. F ..; Howard Beardsley, M. F .; I. C. Hastings, M. A .; Chester Long, I. G .; Sever Christiansen, O. G .; F. W. Dingley, D. G. C .; J. P. Byson, J. L. Bonar and J. M. Hauberg, trustees.
The local Homestead Lodge was organized in 1907, with W. A. Dutton as president and secretary. He is still the leading officer while John Caughlin is now the secretary. This organization is hardly a lodge at all from the fact that no meetings are held. Its purpose is to secure life insurance at reasonable rates for its members.
The Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 413, was formed September 27, 1887, by the election of E. H. Slagle as V. C .; S. C. Spear, W. A .; C. M. Dox- see, B .; W. B. Quarton, C .; S. S. Sessions, E .; Fred Bronson, W .; Frank Ben- jamin, S .; Dr. L. A. Sheetz, P .; J. W. Bartlett, Rev. S. P. Marsh and J. B. Em- minger, managers. Those officers serving during the year 1912, are Joe Besten- lehner, consul; W. K. Schoby, A .; I. E. Dodge, B .; L. T. Benjamin, clerk; W. H. Bailey, E .; Jas. Philips, W .; J. F. Steinman, P .; Dr. C. D. Fellows, P .; C. H. Worster, L. P. Anderson and Dr. Fellows, trustees.
The Royal Neighbors of America, Lodge No. 2601, organized May 21, 1901, with the following named charter members : Mrs. Ella Hohn, oracle; Mrs. A. L .. Belton, V. O .; Mrs. A. P. Hall, P. O .; Mrs. Bernice Swetting, C .; Rose Tracy, secretary; Mrs. W. J. Studley, treasurer; Mrs. Eli Burbank, marshal; Geo. Olmsted, Mary Lampright, Marie Elkeman, Joseph Dunwoodie, Dr. Morse, Dr. Fellows, May Wright, Chas. Magnusson, Nellie Staley, Chas. Driver, Min- nie Drake, A. L. Belton, Maggie Stewart. Clara Malhoit, Martha and Maud Bur- bank, Hattie Worster, Chas. Worster and D. W. Hohn. The present officers are: Mrs. Mary Lang. O .; Louise Staley, V. O .; Frances Johanas, C .; Kate L. Stephen- son, Rec .; Viola Beardsley, receiver ; Ella Hohn, P. O .; Calla Osier, M .; Mrs.
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Wauge, assistant M .; Martha Mathis, I. S .; Hattie Worster, O. S .; May Pope, -- Anderson and Eli Burbank, managers, and Dr. C. D. Fellows, physician.
The ladies' auxiliary to the Jas. C. Taylor G. A. R. Post is the Woman's Re- lief Corps, No. 208, which was organized May 13, 1890, with twenty-nine charter members. The first officers elected were: Dona L. Sheetz, president; Mary Taylor, S. V. P .; Caroline A. Ingham, J. V. P .; Emma C. Spear, secretary ; Cornelia T. Dodd, treasurer ; Rosetta Bailey, chaplain ; Mary Bailey, conductor ; Julia M. Patterson, assistant conductor ; Kate Lantry, guard; Jennie Hedrick, assistant guard. The various past presidents have been as follows: Dona L. Sheetz, Mary A. Vincent, Cornelia T. Dodd, Nannie E. Setchell, Mary E. Tay- lor, Harriette E. Stacy, Hattie M. Reed, Lydia E. Dodge, Hannah Tellier, Sarah McCoy, Hattie L. Gilbert, Ella Laird, Mary G. Mason, Jane Chapin, Mary E. Taylor, Joan Pettibone, Lora Robinson, Nellie G. Bowyer, Lillian Nor- ton, Emma C. Spear.
There are at the present time ninety-two members belonging to the Corps. They do noble work in the line the very name of the organization implies. The officers serving in 1912, are: Julia F. Brace, president; Amanda Stewart, S. V. P .; Katrince L. Stephenson, S. V. P .; Hattie L. Gilbert, secretary ; Cor- nelia T. Dodd, treasurer; Ella Wilson, chaplain; Mary Parker, conductor ; Ella Willey, guard; Viola Beardsley, assistant conductor; Mary J. Clarke, assistant guard; Nellie G. Bowyer, press correspondent ; Jane Chapin, patriotic instructor ; Ella Laird, Minnie Kinyon, Hattie Willey and Lella Donnell, color bearers; Ora Williamson, musician.
The name given to the local organization, known as the Sons of Veterans, Charles Gray. Camp number 14, is in honor of Charles Gray who enlisted in the fall of 1862 at Algona, and who lost his life April 9, 1864, on the battlefield of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, while with the expedition of General Banks up the Red river. This camp was organized during the last week in July, 1896, with twenty-seven members who chose B. W. Haggard, captain; E. W. Fuller, first lieutenant ; C. T. Chubb, second lieutenant and Chas. Nolte, G. F. Peek and Harry Moore, camp council. The present officers are C. T. Chubb, commander ; W. E. Naudain, vice commander, Dana Paxson, junior vice commander ; A. F. Dailey, secretary ; L. J. Dickinson, treasurer.
The principal work that engages the attention of the camp members is that of caring for the old veterans who are now too far advanced in years to do the work pertaining to the G. A. R. organization. They relieve the veterans, when necessary, from the active management of the annual "Bean Suppers" by taking charge of the programs and providing for the banquets. While the sons of veterans do not seem to stand for very much, at this distance from the war. the time is coming when that organization will signify more than does the one now known as the Daughters of the American Revolution. In the far future the veterans now living, and their comrades now dead, will be the ancestors from whom the line of descent must be traced to enable applicants then to become members of the Sons of Veterans.
The lodge of Good Templars-now defunct-during the latter '70s was about the only place where the young people could go for a good time. More- over it was about the only place where those of a literary bent of mind congre- gated. As early as 1867, one of these lodges was flourishing in Algona. J. E.
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Blackford, Israel Jennings, Marcus Robbins, Jr., and J. M. Pinkerton were among the leaders in promoting the cause. In the early 70's men like Dr. L. A. Sheetz, J. B. Jones, Jas. Cowan and J. H. Warren were prominent active mem- bers. The lodge finally went down, but came to life again July 6, 1876, when the new organization was effected which made J. M. Comstock, W. C. T .; Mrs. J. M. Comstock, W. V. T .; Rev. H. B. Butler, W. C .; N. A. Bushnell, W. S .; Addie Hawkins, W. A. S .; Jas. Patterson, W. F. S .; Anna Ingham, W. T .; Leroy Setchell, W. M .; Belle Winton, W. D. M .; Ada Smith, W. G .; E. H. Clarke, W. O. G .; Mrs. Winton, W. R. H. S .; Belle Adams, W. L. H. S .; Prof. Bar- clay, P. W. C. T. At one time this lodge had two hundred members, and when it was held in Starr's hall it was productive of good results. Finally the interest began to go down and then soon after the lodge suspended.
On the 9th day of April, 1887, an organization was effected which has been endorsed by thousands of farmers and town residents, owning buildings and grain in the country. That was the Kossuth County Mutual Insurance Asso- ciation. Those present who were enthusiastic for the formation of the associa- tion and who were among the organizers were J. E. Blackford, H. P. Hatch. G. M. Parsons, D. A. Haggard, John Wallace, Christian Hackman, C. C. Chubb, H. C. Parsons, J. B. Jones, John Chapin, Peter Ferguson, H. S. Vaughn, W. F. Hofius, Chester Rickard, C. N. Oliver, A. A. Brunson, M. Stephens, K. S. Lamberson and Ed Donovan. J. E. Blackford was elected the first president ; C. C. Chubb, vice president ; John Wallace, secretary and August Zahlten, treasurer. When the organization was better perfected on June 14, 1887, Ed Blackford was chosen secretary, a position he has held continuously since that time. The association is incorporated under the laws of the state, and all per- sons receiving insurance policies from it become members. It keeps on the safe side by refusing to insure town property. The year 1912, closes with the following officers, managing the affairs of the association: C. B. Hutchins, presi- dent ; E. W. Donovan, vice president ; Ed Blackford. secretary; C. T. Chubb, treasurer ; J. L. Vaux, Ellis McWhorter, John Bernhard, Joseph Hauptmann, M. J. Jones and Sam Steussy, directors.
The Corn Belt Poultry Association which was organized about four years ago has for its present officers: W. A. Dutton, president ; J. W. Shearer, vice president and F. A. Hendricks, secretary and treasurer. This association is doing much toward encouragement in raising the best breeds of poultry. The exhibition of fancy poultry at the display, made early in December, 1912, in Algona, brought together a collection that surprised all who came to see the display. About fifty exhibitors had two hundred and eighty-eight birds entered to be judged and scored by Judge Rountree. C. F. Nolte, Mrs. F. L. Tribon, F. H. Hendricks, C. H. Worster, C. B. Chipman, O. Lindsay, J. B. Winkel, Geo. Schnell, L. P. Anderson, A. A. Kading, Mrs. E. J. Rawson, Howard Rawson, Dr. E. S. Glasier, Viola Mann, Carl Hutchins, Otto Falkenhainer, Marion Rist, C. Y. Godden, E. W. Lusby, J. W. Shearer, W. J. Guderian C. H. Dau, Mrs. H. L. Briggs, Tom Akre, Lee O. Wolfe and Geo. Blinkman are among those in the county who have taken great interest in raising pure bred fowls, and who had a sample of them on exhibition.
The Monday Club is not only the oldest club of any kind in Algona, but is the second oldest ladies' organization in the state. It has but few officers, does
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its work quietly and is productive of a good work which it is designed to ac- complish. Ella Thompson is the president; Emma Hamilton, vice president ; Cornelia T. Dodd, treasurer ; and Louise McCoy, secretary. The members de- vote their time at the meetings to serious study and not to sociability. Hence refreshments are never any part of the program. The club began its existence in the most informal way as a reading club. As early as the summer of 1875, according to the report of some of the members, several ladies were in the habit of meeting with Mrs. C. G. Jones to discuss the merits of certain authors and their works, and were soon studying Gibbon's Rome. In 1876 the ladies organ- ized into an informal historical club, which even then was known by the name it enjoys today. The charter members of that organization were, Mrs. Mabel Stough, Mrs. J. J. Wilson, Mrs. H. Kenyon, Mrs. Lizzie B. Read and Miss M. L. Leggett. The first officers chosen, were Mrs. Mabel Stough, president ; Mrs. H. Kenyon, vice president ; Mrs. Gertrude Woodworth, treasurer; Miss Cornelia T. Dodd, librarian. The present constitution was adopted February 5, 1877, and the organization was incorporated as the Monday Club, December 31, 1878. These articles named the officers who should hold their positions until their successors were elected. They were Gertrude H. Woodworth, president; Mabel A. Stough, corresponding secretary; Elizabeth M. Horton, secretary; Cornelia T. Dodd, treasurer; and Emma C. Spear, vice president. These ladies were all incorporators as were also Mrs. C. G. Jones, Mrs. Sarah McCoy, Mrs Flora A. Jones, and Mrs. Ellen M. Robinson.
The object of the club is stated in the articles of incorporation to be "the pursuit of historical and scientific knowledge and literary and educational en- lightenment." In its very early career the club began the formation of a cir- culating library by purchasing these books: Ten Great Religions, Harriet Mar- tineau and Literature in the Age of Elizabeth. This enterprise cost the ladies $7.65. Other books were added to the nucleus from time to time until several hundred choice volumes, which had been selected with the greatest care, were in the circulating library. When the city council decided to maintain a free public library, and after the electors had voted to support the proposition by the re- quired tax, the Monday Club generously donated its entire library to the city. This gift was made December 31, 1898, exactly twenty years to a day from the time the articles of incorporation were filed on record.
On account of her long period of service as librarian, Miss Dodd has been more identified with the club than have any of the other members. Nearly every lady mentioned above, at any time having connection with the club, has been its president. Among others who have held that position are Mrs. Kate Starr, Mrs. Etta Call Ferguson, Mrs. Florence Cowles, Mrs. Sarah McCoy, Mrs. Hattie L. Gilbert, Mrs. Fannie A. Hutchins and Miss Ella Thompson.
The Tuesday Club is the oldest social organization in Algona, having been formed in the fall of 1896. It began with W. C. Danson, as president, and is closing the year 1912, with Dr. M. J. Kenefick holding that position. Among others who have been at the head of the club are : L. J. Rice, M. Starr, A. Hutchi- son, C. B. Hutchins, B. F. Reed, Gardner Cowles, T. H. Wadsworth, E. P. Keith, J. A. Brownell, Jas. Patterson, W. K. Ferguson, Andrew Peterson, Rev. (). H. Holmes and J. B. Hofius. It is a happy-go-lucky club that spends an hour in ban- queting, one and a half hours in discussing the important news of the day and
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live issues, and about the same length of time in sociability. It was originally started to provide a place for entertainment and instruction for those who did not care to dance or play cards. The membership is limited to about sixteen couples, and the meetings are held once each year at the home of each couple. The dues are ten cents per couple to furnish the secretary with funds for stationery to notify the members for any purpose. Mrs. L. T. Benjamin is now holding that position.
The Halcyon Club was organized November 24, 1904, and began its career with F. S. Norton at its head and G. W. Pangburn keeping tab on its proceed- ings. The other presidents in order have been W. C. Steele, W. C. Dewel, Dr. C. D. Fellows, W. C. Danson, E. A. Wolcott, Dr. F. L. Tribon and A. P. Ives. The present vice president is Mrs. W. C. Danson and the secretary, Mrs. W. C. Dewel. The Halcyon in many respects is like the Tuesday Club, especially in its limitation of members, and in its sociability and banquets. Its programs, how- ever, are fixed for the year in advance, so that each knows long before the time comes what part he or she is expected to take at certain designated meetings. The banquets are enjoyable features of the club meetings and are well prepared.
The Shakespeare Club, composed entirely of ladies, was started first as a reading club. Miss Lucy Curtis was the first president, in 1902. It organized under the name of the Shakespeare Club in October, 1903, and Miss Anna Rutherford has been presiding officer since that time. Miss Ella Langdon is the present vice president, Mrs. Ethel Morgan, secretary, and Miss Ella Thompson the leader. The executive committee consists of Mrs. Minnie Benjamin, Mrs. Belle Glasier and Miss Ella Thompson. Intellectual improvement is the object of this organization.
The Economics Club was organized in March, 1912, at the suggestion of Mrs. Louise H. Campbell, who was the instructor of the second year domestic short course, held at Algona a few weeks previous to that time. "Household management and cost of living," is the subject the club is studying. Their work is based on the contents of the book "The Profession of Homemaking," published by the American School of Home Economics of Chicago. The officers are Mrs. F. A. Smiley, president ; Mrs. S. B. French, vice president ; Mrs. Otto Falken- hainer, secretary ; and Mrs. Leroy Barton, treasurer.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union, under its present organization, dates its existence back to the spring of 1894 when Mrs. Caroline A. Ingham and Mrs. Esther P. Hudson induced Mrs. Anna Palmer to visit Algona for the purpose of reorganizing the Union which had been out of existence for several years. Mrs. Palmer was the one who is now the National Evangelist for the W. C. T. U. While here she was instrumental in starting the movement and in having the Union formed. The officers elected on that occasion were Mrs. Fred D. Calkins, president ; Miss Nellie Hamilton, secretary, and Mrs. Cheever Hud- son, treasurer. At the present time there are about thirty-five active members who are officered as follows : Mrs. C. D. Ward, president ; Mrs. M. J. K. Clark, vice president ; Mrs. H. E. Morgan, treasurer ; and Mrs. C. H. Taylor, secretary.
No definite statement can be made as to the exact time when the Union was first formed, for the early records are lost in obscurity ; moreover, there never have been any records of its beginning, owing to the fact that it was formed by slow degrees, covering a period of many years. Ladies were in the habit of dis-
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cussing temperance subjects occasionally when assembled, even in pioneer days. At first only a very few took any decided stand for the cause; but by degrees the number increased who were willing to openly denounce the drinking habit. They found a champion in J. E. Blackford who helped to push the work for- ward, and in Mrs. Lizzie B. Read when she began publishing the Upper Des Moines, after the war, and later in J. H. Warren who succeeded her in the owner- ship of the paper. In the early eighties the ladies used to assemble to discuss the saloon problem ; and in this way the organization first became formed. Two of the most active workers in the cause were Mrs. Lizzie B. Read and Mrs. Caro- line A. Ingham. In the spring of 1889, the Union opened a public reading room and began collecting books for a circulating library. How this movement suc- ceeded in being the origin of the present free public library has been told in con- nection with the account of that enterprise.
The P. E. O. Society came into existence at Algona during the year 1900. The name in full would be printed in this paragraph if it were known to the writer. Rev. W. J. Suckow's guess as to the meaning of these initials is sup- posed to be about correct, viz .: "Pickle Eating Order." This order, whether pickle eating or otherwise, had for its first officers: Mrs. Williamson, the wife of a resident traveling man, president ; Mrs. Harvey Ingham, vice president, and Mrs. H. J. Wilson, secretary. At the present time Mrs. A. L. Rist is presi- dent ; Mrs. Julius Chrischilles, vice president; Mrs. R. H. Quinby, secretary ; and Mrs. E. J. Murtagh, treasurer.
The Algona Commercial Club is the name that has been applied to several organizations that have been formed during the past fifteen or twenty years. In the middle eighties J. W. Bartlett was the principal promoter of such a club. That died out and another of a similar nature came into existence, but that too had but a short existence. While Sol. Fishel was flying high in the clothing busi- ness and blowing his bugle blasts, some ten years ago, he and other enthusiasts formed another which for awhile was productive of much good. That finally was allowed to go to sleep and remain in slumber. The present commercial club was organized September 27, 1910, on a permanent and effective basis. The board of directors consists of E. E. Conner, president; W. H. Burke, vice president ; Al. Falkenhainer, secretary and treasurer ; J. T. Chrischilles, R. H. Quinby, E. J. Murtagh and Lars Sorensen. This organization is a much greater power than most people imagine. When it takes hold of a proposition it has force and back- ing sufficient to effect the desired results. When August Doering wanted capital to erect buildings for a foundry, the club had it forthcoming. The club has been the direct promoter of several large undertakings. The paving of State street is one of them, and the voting of the tax to build the north wing to the Bryant build- ing is another. Re-modeling, painting and frescoing the opera house, and organ- izing a board to look after its management is one of its late moves. The important improvements made at the electric light plant is also traceable to the efforts put forth by this strong organization-The Algona Commercial Club.
The Call Opera House Company was organized to take over the opera house and conduct its management in June, 1912, with forty firms or individuals taking stock in the movement to purchase the property. These stockholders elected a board of seven who in turn elected its own officers. They are C. T. Chubb, presi- dent ; J. T. Chrischilles, vice-president ; Roscoe Call, secretary. E. E. Conner was
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chosen treasurer. The other members of the board are: E. J. Murtagh, E. V. Swetting and Jas. Stewart. The remaining stockholders are W. K. Ferguson, Lewis H. Smith, Murtagh Bros., J. W. Haggard, H. C. Adams, Dr. Cretzmeyer, E. Sayers, L. J. Dickinson, Andrew Peterson, S. C. Spear, Al. Falkenhainer, John Goeders, C. B. Hutchins, E. G. Fargo, A. M. Jasperson, E. A. Wolcott, J. L. Bonar, E. P. Keith, S. B. French, J. W. Sullivan, J. H. Peterson, L. T. Griffin, Ed Black- ford, F. S. Norton, W. A. Dutton, Lathrop & Weaver, Langdon & Long, J. Q. Jamison, J. O. Paxson, W. C. Steele, T. P. Harrington, R. H. Spencer, Dewel & Clark.
The sum of $3,500.00 was expended in remodeling the building so as to make it more attractive and comfortable in the interior, and then it was rented to E. G. Fargo. The opera house is a monument to Ambrose A. Call's enterprising spirit who had it erected during the year 1892. The opening play was the well-remem- bered "Gloriana."
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