USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Past and present of Shelby County, Iowa, Vol. 2 > Part 10
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The names of the masters of Parian Lodge to date are: John Fritz, WV. J. Davis, J. H. Louis, F. A. Bayer, P. B. Hunt, J. W. Chatburn. J. I. Myerly, D. B. Sheller, O. P. Wyland, L. C. Lewis, W. C. Campbell, O. F.
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SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
Graves, Charles D. Booth. J. W. Bailey. W. F. Cleveland. H. E. Swain, W. E. Cooper, C. F. Swift, O. S. Donahue. W. T. Shepherd, E. Lockwood, John Sandham, Nathan Booth. Thomas H. Potter, J. II. Frederickson. L. M. Kerr. Gottlieb Walter. Hal W. Campbell. Gaillard K. Swift and J. H. Deen. Deen.
The secretaries in order have been William Wyland. D. M. Wyland. A. F. Holcomb, T. E. Palmer, S. A. Burke, J. W. Latta. Wesley Scutt. O. P. Wyland. Cyrus Beard. L. M. Kerr, W. B. Rowland, H. E. Swain, J. W. Bailey and O. F. Graves.
SARDIU'S LODGE NO. 444, MASONS, AT IRWIN. 1
The dispensation authorizing the organization of Sardius Lodge No. 444, at Irwin, was granted by George V. Van Saun, most worshipful grand master of Iowa, January 15. 1883, to the following named charter members : Peter J. Brant, G. M. Dunham, J. M. Dunlap, S. F. Denman, W. W. Gibbs. J. L. Hall. Peter Mayer, J. C. Piper. Miles Reynolds. R. B. Thomas. J. C. Wood and Amos Wright.
The first meeting was held February 15. 1883. and the following selected as the first officers of the lodge: W. W. Gibbs, worshipful master; J. C. Piper, senior warden; S. F. Denman, junior warden ; Miles Reynolds, treas- urer; G. W. Dunham, secretary; P. J. Brant, senior deacon ; J. C. Wood, junior deacon ; J. L. Hall, senior steward : Peter Mayer, junior steward : J. M. Dunlap, tyler.
The charter was granted by the grand lodge of lowa on June 5. 1884. Since the organization of the lodge the following members have held the offices of worshipful master and secretary.
Year.
Masters.
Secretaries.
W. W. Gibbs for year G. W. Dunham for year 1883
W. W. Gibbs W. S. Branson 1884
P. J. Brant W. S. Branson 1885
P. J. Brant W. S. Branson 1886 1
O. L. Russell 1887
1888
P. J. Brant
O. L. Russell
1889
P. J. Brant
O. L. Russell
1890
J. C. Wood
B. T. Jessen
1891
J. C. Wood
Peter Nelson
1892
J. C. Wood
Peter Nelson
1893 J. W. Wurtsbaugh R. B. Thomas
1 1
W. D. Dunlap
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SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
Year.
Masters.
Secretaries.
1894
G. E. McMullen
R. B. Thomas
G. E. McMullen R. B. Thomas 1895
IS96
W. A. Lessenger R. B. Thomas
1897
W. S. Branson R. B. Thomas
1898
W. S. Branson R. B. Thomas
1899
G. E. MeMillen R. B. Thomas
1900
G. E. McMullen
A. G. Christensen
1902
J. M. Edwards
Peter Nelson
1903
J. M. Edwards.
Peter Nelson
190.4
J. M. Edwards Peter Nelson
1905
J. M. Edwards.
Peter Nelson
1906 J. M. Edwards Peter Nelson
1907
G. E. MeMullen Peter Nelson
1908
G. E. MeMullen
Peter Nelson
IOCO
G. E. MeMullen
Peter Nelson
1910
G. E. MeMullen
Peter Nelson
IQII
W. W. Ames
Peter Nelson
1912
Peter Nelson
G. E. McMullen
1913
Peter Nelson
G. E. McMullen
1914
W. J. Kington
G. F. MeMullen
1
1
I
1
1
I
The lodge is now in a flourishing condition with forty-one members on its roll. The present officers are as follows: W. J. Kington, worshipful master : C. M. Mickelson, senior warden: William Fogarty, junior warden; M. Mickelson, treasurer : G. E. MeMullen, secretary: J. M. Edwards, senior deacon: Albert Quick, junior deacon; R. W. Nellis, senior steward; Jacob Nelson, junior steward : Lloyd Selby, tyler.
GUARDIAN LODGE NO. 441, OF MASONS, AT DEFIANCE.
The charter members of Guardian Lodge No. 441, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Defiance, were Wesley J. Williams, Howard Miles, C. A. Topping, E. B. Brain. Charles C. Seybold. C. M. Robbins, Joseph Yackey, J. F. Massey. W. F. Massey. The date of establishment was September 27. 1882. The first officers were Wesley J. Williams, worshipful master ; How- ard Miles, senior warden : Charles A. Topping, junior warden : W. F. Massey, treasurer; C. M. Robins, secretary; E. B. Brain, senior deacon: Joseph
G. E. MeMullen A. G. Christensen
1
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SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
491
Yackey, junior deacon : C. C. Seybold, senior steward, Frank Massey, tyler. The succeeding officers were:
Year. Masters.
Secretaries.
C. M. Robbins 1882-1885 -Wesley J. Williams
1885-1886
C. M. Robins
J. M. Roseberry
H. C. VanDuzen
H. C. VanDuzen
1888
W. J. Williams
W. B. Cotton
1889
W. J. Williams
A. S. Riley
1890
H. B. Sooy
A. S. Riley
1891
H. B. Sooy
A. S. Riley
1892
H. B. Sooy
H. V. Yackey
1893
H. B. Sooy
E. E. Reams
1894
H. B. Sooy
E. E. Reams
1895
H. V. Yackey
E. E. Reams
1896
H. V. Yackey
E: E. Reams
1897
J. B. Reams
E. E. Reams
E. E. Reams 1898
1899
H. B. Sooy
E. E. Reams
1900
H. B. Sooy
E. E. Reams
190I
H. B. Sooy
A. L. VanArsdol 1902 1 1
A. C. Bills
1904
A. L. VanArsdol
A. C. Bills
1905
R. G. Penniston
Warren Reams
1906 R. G. Penniston
T. C. Ford
1907
George Rewerts
T. C. Ford
1908
George Rewerts
T. C. Ford
1909
George Rewerts
T. C. Ford
IQIO
T. H. Baer T. C. Ford
IQII
1
F. M. Blakeslee T. C. Ford
1912
T. C. Ford A. L. VanArsdol
1913
F. M. Blakeslee A. L. VanArsdol
A. L. VanArsdol 1914 F. M. Blakeslee
1
1
1
1
I
1
Frank Longnecker
R. G. Penniston
A. L. VanArsdol
A. L. VanArsdol 1903 I
The present officers are: F. M. Blakeslee, worshipful master; Robert Davis, senior warden: A. E. Muller, junior warden ; A. L. VanAArsdol. secre- tary ; George Rewerts. treasurer ; R. G. Penniston, senior deacon : Joe Eigler.
1887
W. J. Williams
1
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SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
junior deacon : T. C. Cook, senior steward: M. M. Campbell, junior steward; Allan Maxwell. tyler. The present membership is about fifty.
SILENTIA LODGE NO. 391, AT SHIELBY.
Dispensation was granted for the organization of Silentia Lodge No. 391, at Shelby, Iowa, and seal affixed at Iowa City, Iowa, February 10, 1876, A. L. 5876, and the thirty-third year of the grand lodge of the state of Iowa, Henry Rothert, grand master. and T. S. Parvin, grand secretary. The lodge was established at Shelby, Iowa. March 6, 1876; the charter members were. together with the offices held by them: S. B. Frum, worshipful master; A. C. Snyder. senior warden; Silas Davis, junior warden: J. E. Edwards, treasurer; J. H. Shivley, secretary; J. N. Frum, senior deacon; G. Tate, junior deacon; J. D. Frum, tyler ; J. Robertson, senior steward.
Beginning with the organization of the lodge, S. B. Frum was worship- ful master during the years of 1876 to 1882, inclusive. J. E. Frum was wor- shipful master in 1883: H. D. Read in 1884; S. B. Frum again served from 1885 to 1890, inclusive. J. E. Frum was master in 1891, in 1892 Dr. G. A. Cassidy, and S. B. Frum was again master during the years 1893 to 1895, inclusive. During the years 1896 to 1900, inclusive, H. D. Read was wor- shipful master. During the years 1901 to 1905. inclusive, George H. Rink served as master, and in 1906 H. D. Read served in that capacity. During the years 1907 to 1909. inclusive, Dr. J. M. Jones was master, and from 1910 to date this position has been filled by W. E. Frum.
In 1876 J. H. Shively was secretary, and his successors in order have been as follows: In 1877. J. D. Caughran : 1878. J. W. Harrod: 1879, G. Martens, who likewise filled the position in 1880 and 1881 ; 1882 and 1883, S. P. Silliman ; 1884 and 1885, W. P. Weaver: 1886 and 1887, F. M. Kee- ney; 1888 to 1899, inclusive, George H. Rink: 1900 to 1902, D. K. Chest- nut : 1903, R. D. Prouty ; 1904 to 1909, inclusive. S. B. Frum, and dur- ing the years 1910 to date Dr. J. M. Jones has been secretary of the lodge.
LEBANON CHAPTER NO. S, ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR, HARLAN.
Lebanon Chapter No. 8. Order of the Eastern Star, at Harlan, was instituted March 30, 1887, under the direction of Mrs. H. A. Ercanbrock, of Anamosa. Iowa, at that time grand matron of the state of Iowa.
The first officers of Lebanon Chapter were as follows: Mrs. H. J. Garland. worthy matron: D. B. Sheller, worthy patron; Mrs. J. F. Platt,
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SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
assistant matron : Mrs. O. P. Wyland, conductress; Mrs. Wesley Scutt. asso- ciate conductress ; Mrs. D. M. Wyland, Adah: Mrs. E. A. Cobb, Ruth ; Miss Mate Wyland. Esther: Mrs. G. S. Gibbs, Adah; Mrs. Neil Carmichael, Electa ; Mrs. W. C. Campbell, warder; Mrs. F. M. Bowlin, treasurer; Mrs. D. B. Sheller, secretary; P. B. Hunt, sentinel.
The worthy matrons of the lodge from its establishment to date and the years during which they served. are as follows: Mrs. Gara M. Garland. 1887-88; Mrs. Martha E. Platt, 1889; Mrs. Sophia Sentt, 1890; Mrs. Clara Burke. 1891-92: Mrs. Sophia Scutt, 1893-94: Mrs. Mary E. Allen, 1895-96; Mrs. Rachel J. Wyland, 1897-98: Mrs. Mary A. Booth, 1899-1900: Mrs. Nettie E. Cobb, 1901-1902; Mrs. Mary F. Hunt. 1903-1904: Mrs. Marie Hammer, 1905: Mrs. Linnie Griffith. 1906-1907: Mrs. Edith Booth. 1908; Mrs. Anna Kerr, 1909: Mrs. Eily H. Wunder, 1910: Miss Edith Walters. 19II ; Mrs. Nettie Bauder, 1913: Mrs. Mattie Potter, 1913; Mrs. Elizabeth E. Parker, 1914.
The worthy patrons of the lodge from the beginning, together with the years they served, are as follows: D. B. Sheller, 1887-1888; W. C. Camp- bell, 1889-1890; N. Booth, 1891-1892; O. P. Wyland. 1893; J. P. Miller, 1896-1897; L. M. Kerr, ISOS: James Bailey, 1899-1901 ; O. F. Graves, 1902- 1904; C. D. Booth, 1905-1907; R. D. Prouty, 1908-1909: James Byers, 1910-1911 ; John Frederickson, 1912-1914.
The present officers of the lodge are: Mrs. Elizabeth E. Parker, worthy matron: Mr. John Frederickson, worthy patron; Mrs. Lulu Walters, assistant matron; Miss Florence Lenike, secretary; Mrs. Ida Gregory, treas- urer ; Mrs. Lillian Frederickson, conductress; Mrs. Mamie Lana, associate conductress; Mrs. Mattie Potter. chaplain ; Mrs. Eily Wunder, marshal ; Mrs. Myrtle Hayes, organist: Mrs. Ruth Howlett, Adah: Mrs. Anna Hansen, Ruth; Mrs. Ellen Kerr Dryden, Esther; Mrs. Sarah Paup, Martha: Mrs. Olive Young, Electa ; Mrs. Nettie Bauder, warder ; Mr. O. F. Graves, sentinel.
The present total membership of the lodge is one hundred and fifteen.
HARLAN LODGE NO. 267, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Harlan Lodge No. 267, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organ- ized December 26, 1873. Its charter is dated October 22, 1874. The lodge was instituted by B. Newman, district deputy grand master. The charter members were N. Booth, L. D. Frost, W. S. Stutsman, D. M. Wyland. Samuel Potter, Crayton Closson, A. S. Swain, Warren Closson. William M. Longeor, J. W. Martin and J. W. Salter. The following members joined as
494
SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
Ancient Odd Fellows on the night of organization : N. J. Sharp and F. M. Nance; on dismissal of certificates, Isaac Plum and Aaron Bergstresser; as initiates. A. F. Holcomb, T. W. Chatburn, W. J. Davis and James Boland. The first elective officers were : Samuel Potter, noble grand; N. Booth, vice- grand: D. M. Wyland, secretary; W. S. Stutsman, treasurer. The first trustees were A. F. Holcomb. L. D. Frost and Isaac Plum.
The lodge purchased its present buikling December 3. 1898, for a con- sideration of five thousand six hundred dollars. The building was pur- chased of L. C. Lewis, receiver for the Harlan Bank. Practically all of the money with which to buy the building at this time was borrowed. and at the present date the building is paid for and free from incumbrance.
KIRKMAN LODGE NO. 712, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
On January 2, 1914, Kirkman Lodge No. 712. with a membership of twenty-seven, consolidated with the Harlan lodge. The present officers of the Harlan lodge are: H. G. Baker, noble grand; M. I. Westergaard, vice- grand; F. F. Wunder, secretary; Henry Hansen, treasurer. Trustees, D. J. Booth, S. H. Billings and J. H. Paup. The present membership of the lodge is one hundred and fifty-one.
MT. SINAI ENCAMPMENT NO. 106.
Mt. Sinai Encampment No. 106, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized April 24. 1882, by District Deputy Grand Patriarch A. John- son, of Avoca, lowa. The charter is dated October 17, 1882. The charter members were D. O. Stuart, G. S. Gibbs, W. M. Oungst, E. J. Trobridge. S. K. Pratt, O. F. Graves, E. C. Swain, N. Booth, Ed. Bergstresser and D. M. Wyland.
The first elective officers at the time of organization were: D. M. Wyland, chief patriarch; O. F. Graves, high priest: E. C. Swain, senior warden; D. O. Stuart, junior warden; W. M. Oungst, scribe; G. S. Gibbs, treasurer. The present officers are : G. W. Crawford, chief patriarch : Henry Hanson, high priest ; H. G. Baker, senior warden : William Laughman, junior warden; F. F. Wunder, scribe; L. H. Rasmussen, treasurer.
ZENOBIA LODGE NO. 286, DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH, AT HARLAN.
Zenobia Lodge No. 286, Daughters of Rebekah, was organized October 16, 1895, at Harlan. The charter members were as follows: L. D. Sunder-
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SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
land, Mrs. M. E. Sunderland, W. R. Honeywell, Mary Honeywell, C. D. Granel, Mrs. E. E. Granel, Dr. Harry Donnan. Grace Donnan, D. W. Beatty, Emma Beatty, G. W. Tilton, Mrs. M. M. Tilton, W. Shepherd, Mrs. H. A. Dickinson, D. O. Stuart, Sallie R. Stuart, D. Il. Miller, Mina Miller, William Brown, Alice Brown, P. B. Brown, Eva L. Brown, Alex Pritchard. Mary Pritchard. W. H. Carl, Mrs. A. C. Carl, F. W. Blizzard, W. S. Stutsman, M. H. McKinzie, D. L. Ganser, Mrs. M. A. Ganser, Nancy MeKinzie, O. F. Graves, Celina Graves, N. Booth, Mary A. Booth.
The first officers of this lodge were as follows: Noble grand, Mrs. Mary A. Booth; vice-grand, Mrs. H. A. Dickinson; secretary, Mr. W. S. Stutsman ; financial secretary, O. F. Graves : treasurer, Mrs. S. A. R. Stuart; warden, Mrs. Mary A. Pritchard: conductor, Mrs. Eva L. Brown; out- side guardian, G. W. Tilton: inside guardian, Mrs. Mina Miller : right sup- porter to noble grand: P. B. Brown; left supporter to noble grand, Mrs. Alice Brown ; right supporter to vice-grand. N. Booth : left supporter to vice- grand, Mrs. Celina Graves.
The present officers of this lodge are as follows: Noble grand. Henri- etta Wirth: vice-grand. Ada Gould: secretary; Rose M. Parker ; treasurer. Althea Baker; warden. Grace Darling; conductor, Christina Heise; inside guardian, Amy Carl; outside guardian, Olive Young; right supporter to noble grand, Mary E. B. Allen : left supporter to noble grand, Emma Cox ; right supporter to vice-grand, Sadie Newby; left supporter to vice-grand, Hattie B. McNaughton : chaplain, Ada Steele.
The persons who have held the position of noble grand from the organ- ization of the lodge to date are as follows: Mrs. Mary A. Booth, Mrs. Harriet Dickinson, Mrs. Sallie Stuart, Mrs. Celina Graves, Mrs. Eva Brown, Mrs. Mary E. Allen, Mrs. Mary J. Byers, Mrs. E. E. Grauel, Miss Mamie A. Pritchard, Mrs. Mary F. Hunt, Mrs. Amy Carl. Mrs. Sylvia Blizzard. Mrs. Mary Pritchard, Mrs. Mina Miller, Mrs. Emma Cox, Mrs. Anna Bishop, Mrs. Mary Tilton, Mrs. Mollie Ferguson, Mrs. Emma Billings, Mrs. Mary Booth, Mrs. Olive Young, Mrs. Ada Steele. Mrs. Emma Cox. Mrs. Sadie Newby, Mrs. Emma Mason, Mrs. Bessie Banks, Mrs. Nettie Bauder, Mrs. Mary E. B. Allen, Mrs. Jennie Baughn, Mrs. Marie Hammer, Mrs. Alice Wolff, Mrs. Phoebe Barton, Mrs. Ella Gibbs, Miss Anna Wilson, Mrs. Lucy Newby, Miss Henrietta Wirth.
496
SHELBY COUNTY. IOW.A.
CARTILAGE LODGE NO. 65, KNIGHTS OF PYTILLAS.
Carthage Lodge No. 65, Knights of Pythias, was instituted June 30. 1885, with thirty-four charter members. Of the first officers, II. M. Neu- meyer, the pioneer barber of Harlan and Shelby county, is the only one now residing in Shelby county. Among the men who early held membership in this organization were Judge N. W. Macy. Hon. H. W. Byers, Joseph Stiles. Dr. B. F. Eshelman. D. B. Sheller. J. W. Harrod, H. L. Schofield, Gus Das- bach, Thomas Hathaway. Michael Headly, W. E. Cooper, Menzo Fretz, T. N. Franklin, J. F. Brock, G. K. Patterson, J. H. Ramsey, J. F. Huntzinger. J. F. Pexton, and others. The lodge is yet in existence, but does not have a large membership. W. T. Smith is the present chancellor commander. There were at one time Knights of Pythias lodges at Defiance and Shelby, but both of these lodges have long since ceased to exist.
CATALPA CAMP NO. ISS, WOODMEN OF THE WORLD.
Catalpa Camp No. 188, Woodmen of the World, was organized at Harlan March 19. 1898, with the following officers: 1. T. Welch, consul commander: T. M. Hathaway, vice-lieutenant: H. W. Nieman. banker : F. F. Wunder. clerk: L. Larson, escort: F. L. Swain, watchman: H. B. Closson. sentry: William Anthony, S. W. Parker and George W. Roberts. managers; HI. H. Stoner. physician. The present officers of the camp are: W. T. Smith. commander : Henry Hildebrand. vice-lieutenant ; D. M. Deen, banker: Asa Dunnington, clerk : Drs. Moore and Vanatta, physicians : George Stevenson, watchman; Roy Custer. sentry; N. O. White, Kenneth Leach. Earl Wallace, managers. The present membership of the camp is one hun- dred and four.
HARLAN HOMESTEAD NO. 959, BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN YEOMEN.
1
Harlan Homestead No. 959. Brotherhood of American Yeomen, was established November 7, 1902, and was reorganized January 3, 1913. The first officers of the lodge were: L. S. Moore, foreman; Albert McDowell, master of ceremonies; T. Il. Baer, correspondent: Carl Lage, master of accounts ; Anthony Petersen, physician ; Abner J. Roland, overseer : Samuel S. Hudson. watchman ; George Hoisington, sentinel: Thomas Rogers, guard; Carrie C. Hudson, Lady Rowena : Ruth E. Hoisington. Lady Rebecca.
In 1903 A. L. McDowell was foreman, and in 1913, W. T. Smith. The present officers of the lodge are: W. T. Smith, foreman : Harry Blair,
ยท
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SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
master of ceremonies; Fred A. Smith, correspondent: Anna Wilson, master of accounts; Nora B. Shipp, chaplain; Charles Hansen, overseer; George Wilson, watchman; Roy Custer, sentinel; Frank DeBord, guard; Ruth V. Book. Lady Rowena; Lola Custer, Lady Rebecca.
PALM LEAF CAMP NO. 1934, ROYAL NEIGIIBORS OF AMERICA.
Palm Leaf Camp No. 1934, Royal Neighbors of America, was organized at Harlan, lowa, January 6, 1900. The first officers of the lodge were : Oracle, Mrs. Julia Mockler; vice-oracle, Ina McDonald; recorder, Mrs. Ella Gibbs ; receiver, Mrs. Stena Hansen.
The position of oracle of the above named camp has been held by the following named persons, to-wit: 1901, Mrs. Julia Mockler; 1902, Mrs. Julia Mockler : 1903. Mrs. Ruth Booth : 1904, Mrs. Mamie Lana : 1905, Mrs. Nettie Bauder : 1906. Mrs. Nettie Kent ; 1907, Mrs. Olive Young: 1908, Mrs. Vina Birkholm: 1909, Mrs. Olive Young: 1910, Mrs. Ethel Mayne; 1911, Mrs. Ethel Mayne: 1912, Mrs. Dollie Stewart: 1913, Mrs. Isie Babcock. The present officers of the lodge are: Oracle, Mrs. Isie Babcock : vice-oracle, Mrs. Winnie McCoy: recorder, Mrs. Ella Gibbs : receiver. Mrs. Olive Young. The organization at present has a membership of fifty-seven.
CHAPTER A P OF P. E. O.
Chapter A P of the P. E. O. Sisterhood was organized at Harlan, Iowa, June 1, 1894, by members of Chapter A F of Atlantic. The charter mem- bers were Mrs. Josephine Sandham, Mrs. Celina Graves, Mrs. Hattie Eshel- man, Mrs. Luella Cleveland, Mrs. Rachel Wyland. Mrs. Clara Shoudy and Mrs. Sophia Scutt.
The following ladies have served as president : Mrs. Josephine Sand- ham, Mrs. Sophia Scutt, Mrs. Lillian Griffith, Mrs. Nettie Cobb, Mrs. Althea Noble, Mrs. Rachel Wyland, Mrs. Edith Booth, Mrs. Celina Graves, Mrs. Mary Pierce, Mrs. Clyde White, Mrs. Tina Swift. The present officers are : President, Mrs. Minnie Overfield ; vice-president, Mrs. Nettie Cobb; record- ing secretary, Mrs. Eily Wunder ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Lillian Pex- ton : treasurer, Miss Anne Hoyt; chaplain, Mrs. Mary Pierce; guard, Mrs. Rachel Wyland: journalist, Mrs. Alice Booth: organist. Miss Elizabeth Booth. The membership now numbers thirty-four active members.
The first member initiated by Chapter A P after its organization was Mrs. Lillian Griffith, who has always been an active and enthusiastic member, serving for two years as president of the chapter. In 1910 she was elected
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SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
state organizer, in which office she served for three consecutive years. She was then chosen first vice-president and, after serving in that capacity for one year, was in 1914 elected president, the highest honor which the state chapter can confer.
The P. E. O. Sisterhood was organized in January. 1869, by seven col- lege girls of Iowa Wesleyan University, and is today the largest secret organ- ization of women in the world independent of a higher organization of men. The sisterhood today has a membership of twenty-two thousand, with chap- ters in twenty-seven states. in the District of Columbia and in British Colum- bia. In Iowa alone there are one hundred and thirty-eight chapters, with a membership of five thousand four hundred and sixty-nine. Its work is edu- cational. philanthropic and charitable. and the P. E. O. Educational Fund is a memorial to stand for the sisterhood. The educational fund was estab- lished to assist worthy young women desiring a higher education. The fund was started in 1906 at the supreme convention, and is now assisting sixty- five young women through college.
Chapter A P has always taken an active part in all that pertains to the advancement of the sisterhood and in all that pertains to the interest of the home town, in both education and charity. The greatest efforts have been exerted toward the establishment of a public library, the result being the col- lection of about fifteen hundred valuable books.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
On June 12. 1879, there was organized at Harlan. Harlan Lodge No. 193. Ancient Order of United Workmen, with twenty-eight charter members.
LEGION OF HONOR.
On July 26. 1881, there was organized at Harlan an Iowa Legion of Honor, consisting of twenty-six charter members. Neither of these lodges is now in existence.
G. A. R. POSTS.
At the close of the Civil War many young men financially handicapped by a military service of several years at slight wages, found themselves obliged to build up their fortunes. Shelby county, at that time, affording many thousand acres of prairie unbroken, offered opportunities which hun- dreds of the veterans embraced. Indeed, it can be truthfully said that the
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SIIELBY COUNTY, IOW.1.
early county government of Shelby county was largely managed and directed by veterans of the great conflict, during the late sixties, the seventies and even later.
Grand Army posts were established at Harlan, Irwin, Defiance, Panama and Shelby, of which there remain but two, Harlan Post No. 197, at Harlan, and the post at Shelby. The passage of fifty years since the close of the war has depleted the ranks of most of the posts so that they were obliged to dis- continue their separate existence, the few members left by death and yet residing in the county taking up their membership either at Shelby or at Har- lan. Harlan Post No. 197 was chartered July 10, 1883. The charter mem- bers were as follows: George D. Ross, Charles L. Wilder, Thomas Ledwich. G. H. Shoemaker. T. F. Simons. T. J. Robinson, J. H. Louis, M. K. Camp- bell, George Bennett. Michael Headley. R. L. Tompkins, H. D. Lacy, Samuel Potter, Thomas A. Long. B. I. Kinsey, F. Dunham. J. H. Weeks, C. L. Drake, D. F. Paul, George Chase.
During the history of the Harlan post there have been one hundred and forty-six different names on its roll. The commanders of the post, to date, are J. H. Louis, J. W. DeSilva. T. A. Long. W. H. Errett, J. O. Wicker- sham, G. M. Hubbell, E. F. Fish, J. H. Reynolds, H. W. Winder, George D. Ross. All of the foregoing commanders, save the first two, are yet living.
The present roster of officers is: Past commander. H. W. Winder ; senior vice-commander. D. E. Morris ; junior vice-commander. J. P. Gilmore; adjutant, S. F. Kohl; quarter-master, W. P. Kellogg (deceased), J. H. Rey- nolds (acting ) : surgeon. E. A. Cobb: chaplain. William Laughman ; officer of the day, F. S. Kays; post inspector, George D. Ross; officer of the guard, HI. Custer : sergeant-major, J. II. Reynolds ; quarter-master sergeant, T. A. Long.
Harlan Relief Corps No. 178 was chartered March 11, 1889. The charter members were Mary M. Wickersham, Isabella Chance, Annie E. Gammon, Harrietta A. Truman, Linnie Griffith, Abigail L. Potter, Amelia Mead, Mary Corbin, Esther Carmichael, Nevada Errett, Sarah McDowell, Caroline Koolbeck, Emily Ross, Mollie Wyland.
BRANCH NO. 944, CATHOLIC KNIGHTS OF AMERICA, AT EARLING.
This organization was chartered May 20. 1906, and has a membership to date of eighty-six. It is the largest and most thriving branch of the order in the state of Iowa, and its work is greatly appreciated by the Catholics of Earling and vicinity. The officers of the order to date are: Rev. B. Kuep-
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500
SHELBY COUNTY, IOWA.
penbender, spiritual director; August Bicker, commander; M. A. Wilwerd- ing, vice-commander : Hugo Hendricks, past commander : F. M. Gross, chap- lain; George J. Kohiles. recording secretary ; Willian Blum, financial secre- tary; Frank Hahn, escort: Joseph Hahn, guard; August Sonderman, treas- urer; Steve Stephany, sentry; J. J. Langenfeld, F. W. Wilwerding, John Koesters, trustees; Dr. P. M. Sterck, Dr. F. E. Peters, medical examiners ; H. V. Bieker, Joseph Shimerowski, Albert Langenfeld, musicians.
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