USA > Illinois > Williamson County > Historical souvenir of Williamson County, Illinois : being a brief review of the county from date of founding to the present > Part 10
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The first rituals were printed by the proprietors of the Decatur Tribune, who, with their employees, had all been in the service. This circumstance led to the organization of the first Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Decatur. on the 6th day of April, 1866, being known as Decatur Post No. I, with the following Charter members:
I. C. Pugh, Geo. R. Steele. J. W. Routh, Joseph Prior, J. H. Nale, J. T. Bishop, G. H. Dunning, B. F. Sib- ley. M. F. Kanan, C. Reibsame, I. N. Coltrim and Aquilla Toland. M. F. Kanan was the first Post Command- er and G. R. Steele, Adjutant. The Post was mustered and officers in- stalled hy Maior Stenhenson. On
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
5
Cham
. MARION HIGH SCHOOL FOOT BALL TEAM CHAMPIONS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
From left to right, top row :- John Dodd, Tom Jordan, Ed Nance, Dixon Oberdorfer, Orrin Cash, Manager. 2d Row :- F. Barnes, Ramon Shaw, Asa Davis, Lester Cash. 3d Row-Joe Mead, Clyde Hunter, Capt., Jno. Lines.
the first day of April, I866, the first general order ever issued from a Grand Army Headquarters was is- sued as follows:
"Headquarters Department of Illi-
nois, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, Adjutant General's Office,
Springfield, Illinois, April 1, '66. General Order No. 1.
The following named officers are announced for duty at these Head- quarters: Colonel Jules C. Webber, Aide-de-Camp and Chief of Staff, Major Robert M. Woods, Adjutant General, Colonel John M. Snyder, Quartermaster General, Lieutenant John S. Phelps, Aide-de-Camp, Cap- tain John A. Lightfoot, Assistant Adjutant General.
By Order of B. F. STEPHENSON, Commanding Department. ROB'T. M. WOODS, Adjutant General."
The said Robert M. Woods is now the Department Commander of the State of Illinois. The first Conven- tion or Encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic was held at Springfield July 12, 1866. At this Encampment the Department of Illi- nois was formally organized, and Department officers were elected; General John M. Palmer was elected First Department Commander, which position he held for three suc- cessive years. At this Convention the following resolution was unani- mously adopted :
"Whereas, We, the members of the Grand Army of the Republic, recognize in Major B. F. Stephen- son, of Springfield, Illinois, the head an! front of the Organization, be it
Therefore, Resolved, That for the energy, loyalty and perseverence masifested in organizing the Grand Army of the Republic, he is entitled to the gratitude of all hrave men: and that the soldiers and his com- rades hereby tender him our thanks, and pledge him our friendship at all times and under all circumstances."
The work of organizing Posts and Departments from that time on went forwar ! very rapidly. During the
year 1866, there were 246 Posts or- ganized in the State of Illinois; De- partments were organized in all of the Eastern and Middle Western States, and up to 1872, when the Or- der reached its highest maximum in numbers. After the year 1872, the veterans seemed to lose interest in the Order, but it was again revived in 1883.
Since that time, its growth has heen somewhat steady and station- ary, consistent with the great loss of membership hy death and otherwise, still it is a strong factor in the moulding and shaping of public sen- timent in the United States today.
At the National Encampment held in November, 1866, the following was promulgated as the objects and results sought to be attained by the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic:
"1. The preservation of those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together, with the strong cords of love and affection, the sol- diers and sailors who have stood to-
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
-
-
TRACK TEAM OF THE MARION HIGH SCHOOL, 1904.
Reading from left to right, top row :- Lawrence Sanders, Mgr., John Dodd, Harry Roach, Albert Riedell, Claude Phillips, Hester Davis, Rolla Townsend, Trainer. Second row :- Asa Davis, Frank Mitchell, Herman Davis, Herbert Sparks, Ed Nance. Third Row :- John Lines, Will Cox, Joe Mead.
gether in many battles, sieges, en- gagements and marches."
"2. For the establishment and defense of the rights of the late sol- diers and sailors of the United States morally, socially and polit- ically, with a view to inculcate a proper appreciation of their services to their country, and to a recognition of such services and claims by the American people."
"3. The Grand Army of the Re- public is organized to maintain in civil life those great principles for which it stood in arms under the National flag; it stands pledged to crush out active treason, to advance and support active loyalty, to secure sound constitutional liberty to all men, and to vindicate everywhere, and at all times, the full and com- plete rights of every loyal American citizen against all combinations of force or fraud that may attempt to deny or deprive them of such rights."
"4. To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America. based upon a paramount respect for. and fidelity to, its Constitution and Laws: to discountenance whatever tends to weaken loyalty, incites to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or
in any manner impairs the efficiency and permanency of our free institu- tions: and to encourage the spread of universal liberty, equal rights and justice to all men throughout the domain of the United States of America."
The first Post organized in Wil- liamson County was organized at Crab Orchard, seven miles east of Marion, September 11, 1866. Its number was 94, with the following charter members: William A. Mc- Haney, Moody P. Haines, John Hud- dleson, Andrew M. McHaney, Wil- liam P. Furlong, Richard H. McHa- ney, Solomon D. Thompson .. Fran- cis M. Norman, Lewis J. MeHaney, John H. Davis, Duncan N. Pritchett. Christopher C. Tarpley and James Bullock. Geo. W. Young, of Ma- rion, was the assistant mustering officer at the organization of this Post.
There was also organized a Post at Union Grove Church and one at Marion in September and October, 1866, but the names and numbers have not been preservel. The orig- inal Post at Crab Orchard went out of existence in 1871, and another Post was organized by the same name, but numbered 518, July ],
1885. Another Post was also or- ganized at Corinth in 1868, but went out of existence in 1880, and another Post was organized at the same place April 12, 1884. The names of the original Charter mem- bers of the Corinth Post were as follows: J. L. Roberts, M. S. Strike, James Chadwell, T. M. Dorris, W. W. Weaver, Harvey Isaacs, Scion M. Otey, James A. Smiley, W. T. Gill, James A. Dorris. D. A. Stilley, H. W. Biers, Benjamin S. Weaver, William Robinson, G. W. DeWoody and Ben- jamin B. Griggs. Capt. Sample G. Parks, of DuQuoin, was the institut- ing officer.
We have not the record of the names of the original charter mem- hers of all the Posts in the County, but the following is a correct list of the Grand Army Posts as they now exist in the County. Some of them are rather weak in point of num- bers: some of them are in good working condition.
J. L. Parks, Post No. 515, Crab Orchard. July 1, 1885: Carterville, 237, Carterville, May 8. 1883: Ma- rion, 319, Marion, August 2. 1883: Corinth, 434, Corinth, April 12, 1884: Dollins, 562. Johnston City, March 24. 1886: James Adkins,
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
SHOP OF NOLL AND WILLIAMS. Contractors and Builders.
655, Cottage Home, February 8, 1888; B. D. Caplinger, 677, Creal Springs, September 3, 1889; Herrin, 797, Herrin, November 26, 1903.
Total number of Posts in the County is eight, with a membership of two hundred. This shows that not more than fifty per cent. of the old veterans residing in the County are members of the Grand Army of the Republic. There have been four Camps of the Sons of Veterans or- ganized in the County, but the one at Cottage Home is the only one now working under a valid Charter. There are two Circles of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, one at Herrin and one at Marion.
The resolutions and the statements of the objects and the results sought to be attained by these patriotic or- ganizations, as set out in the first part of this article, fully explain why these Societies came into exist- ence. For more than thirty-eight years this association of veterans of the War for the preservation of the Union has been in existence; and it can be truthfully said that its in- fluence has always been on the side of loyalty to law and the upholdling of the powers of the regular con- stituted authorities of the Govern- ment, Municipal, State and National. And in the centuries to come, gene- rations yet unborn will read of the organization known and called the Grand Army of the Republic; and Historians will give this organized body of ex-Union soldiers an exalted place in the temple of fame among the records of the great men, who. by their precept and example, taught the world the true lesson of popular self-government by enforcement of, and obedience to, the laws of the land as enacted and interpreted by the lawful powers under the Consti- tution.
Che H. f. & H. M. By Geo. W. Young.
The Society of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest and earliest established fraternal so- ciety in the County. The first Lodge of this ancient and honorable Order was established at Marion, the County seat, Cetober Sth, 1850, with the following charter members: Robert Marion, Joseph Hopper, Wil- liam N. Eubanks, James Askew, James M. Campbell, Joseph Huff-' stutler, Robert Hopper and Robert M. Hundley.
Robert Marion was the first Wor- shipful Master, Joseph Hopper the first Senior Warden, William H. Eu- banks, first Junior Warden. It had
an early and successful career, many of the leading and influential citi- zens of the County were members of this lodge, and it has enrolled upon its records a large per cent of the early settlers who gave force and character to the early progress and development of the County. This was the only Masonic Lodge in the County from 1850 to ING5, a period
of 15 years. Then on October 4th 1865, Blazing Star Lodge, No. 458, was organized at Crab Orchard, and the next year. October 3d, 1866, Andrew Jackson Lodge, No. 487, was established at Corinth, Northern Precinct: the next Lodge was estab- lished at Herrin's Prairie, No. 693, October Ist, 1872. So it would seem from the history of Fraternal Societies in Williamson County that there were but three lodges of the long established Fraternal Societies in the County up to 1869, when the Odd Fellows established a lodge at Marion. The next Masonic Lodge was organized at Chapel Hill, Grassy Precinct, No. 719, October 7th, 1874. The next was Lake Creek Lodge, No. 729, at Johnston City (this was long before Johnston City was estab- lished) October 5th, 1875. The
next was Williamson Lodge, No. 802. October 6th, IS91, at Carter- ville, and the next was Creal Springs, No. $17, chartered October 5th, 1892, making a total of eight lolges in Williamson County, with a mem- bership and standing as follows:
Fellowship Lodge, No. 89, at Ma- rion, chartered October S. 1850; number of members, S5.
Blazing Star Lodge, No. 458, at Crab Orchard, chartered October 4, 1865: number of members, 28.
Andrew Jackson Lodge, No. 487, at Corinth, chartered October 3, 1866: number of members, 22.
JUST A LITTLE REST ALONG THE TRACK. At Electric Park.
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
.
.
MARION STEAM MARBLE WORKS.
C. A. Gent, President; T. V. Williams, Vice-President and Foreman of shop; F. C. Turner and J. T. Cash, marble cutters; Albert E. Sanders, Salesman: Albert T. Lam, Teamster; W. O. Potter, Supt. and General Manager.
Herrin's Prairie Lodge, No. 693, at Herrin, chartered October 1. 1872; number of members, 50.
Chapel Hill Lodge, No. 719. Wolf Creek, chartered October 1874; number of members, 44.
at
7,
Lake Creek Lodge, No. 729, at Johnston City, chartered October 5, * cated. 1875; number of members, 48.
Williamson Lodge, No. 802, at
Carterville, chartered October 1891; number of members, 60.
Creal Springs Lodge, No. 817, at Creal Springs, chartered October 5, 1892: number of members, 32.
Total membership of the eight Lodges in the County at the present is 367. There has been no Lodge organized in Williamson County for 12 years, but it will be noticed that the Order has established lodges at all the available points, perhaps, that are capable of supporting a Lodge in the County. Marion Chap- ter, No. 100, Royal Arch Masons, at Marion, was chartered October 3, 1866, and is the only lodge of Chap- ter Masons in the County,
The Masonic Order is the oldest Fraternal Society in the United States, and it is claimed to be the most ancient, or perhaps the oldest, in the world. It has come down to us through the centuries, and while there are many other Societies that do a vast amount of good toward dis- seminating the principles of charity and benevolence, yet the Masonic Fraternity adheres more closely to its ancient landmarks and mode of procedure than any other society in the world.
It is not the province or scope of this article to enter upon a disserta- tion of the many advantages, and the great good which the Masonic Fraternity has accomplished in all the civilized countries, but we give the foregoing as the brief history of
its beginning, progress and develop- ment in Williamson County. It has among its members some of the most intelligent, wealthy and in- fluential citizens in the County, and exercises an influence of great good in every community where it is lo-
Knights of Dythias. By Judge Geo. W. Young.
This young and progressive Soci- ety is entitled to honorable recogni- tion in the history of Fraternal So- cieties in Williamson County. It is peculiarly of American origin. This Order was founded February 19, 1864, at Washington, D. C., by Justus H. Rathbone. At a time
when "war was in the heart of man and sorrow was in the home," when from ocean to ocean, and from lake to gnlf the people of our country were engaged in scenes of carnage and death in the terrible struggle of internecine war. It was at this period in our nation's history that Justus H. Rathbone, the great phil- anthropist and lover of mankind, saw in Grecian History, in the story of Damon and Pythias, the germ of an Order that should prove a power in dispelling the wrath of sectionat strife and restoring the hearts of men to a basis of universal Brother- hood, having for its motto, "Friend- ship, Charity and Benevolence." From a small beginning forty-one years ago, this Order has made rapid strides, increasing in both numbers and wealth, until today it is reckoned as one among the lead- ing Fraternal Societies in the United States. It numbers among its mem- bers some of the leading and promi- nent men of the State and Nation, both secular and divine.
There are four lodges of this Or- der in Williamson County. Follow- ing we give the date of institution, the name of the instituting Officer and the number of members and the names of the first set of Officers of each lodge:
Monitor Loige, No. 236, Marion, instituted on the 5th day of Feb- ruary, 1890, by Past Chancellor James Alexander. The Officers were as follows: William C. Willeford, Past Chancellor; Herman Spieldoch, Chancellor Commander: Lorenzo D. Hartwell, Vice Chancellor; John M. Bainbridge, Prefate; James C. Mit- chell, Master of Exchequer; Levi B. Casey, Master of Finance; Ed M. Spiller, Keeper of Records and Seal: William H. Warder, Master at
RESIDENCE OF CALEB HOLLAND.
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Arms; Charles W. Bainbridge, Inner Guard; William S. Washburn, Outer Guard. Number of members now 142.
Liberty Lodge, No. 252, at Carter- ville, instituted on the 5th day of June, 1890, by Grand Chancellor James H. Kellogg. The Officers were as follows: A. K. Elles, Past Chan- cellor; R. H. H. Hampton, Chancel- lor Commander; John Hadfield, Vice Chancellor: Marion Stocks, Prelate; Mark Carter, Master of Exchequer; James Payne, Master of Finance; B. L. Washburn, Keeper of Records and Seal; W. H. Gunster, Master at Arms: John Biby, Inner Guard; Jeff Cox, Outer Guard. Number of members now, 105.
Williamson County Lodge, No. 596, Herrin, instituted on the 29th day of May, 1900, by Past Chancel- lor Joseph E. Kelley. The Officers were as follows: W. H. For l, Chan- cellor Commander; Pat Gillooly, Vice Chancellor; Charles Hagler, Prelate: John W. Mayor, Master of work; Horace Henry, Keeper of Records and Seal; Emery Whitaker, Master of Finance: G. W. Gosnell, Master of Exchequer; Luther Clem, Master at Arms; W. M. Stone, Inner Guard; J. B. Sizemore, Outer Guard. Number of members now, 107.
Scott Lodge, No. 619, Johnston City, instituted on the 3rd day of April, 1902, by Past Chancellor John Wallace. The Officers were as fol- lows: P. W. Duncan, Chancellor Commander: Guy Barlow, Vice Chancellor; Logan Fultz, Prelate; Albert Wagoner, Master of Work; E. E. Enhanks, Keeper of Records and
AUNDRY
NEW PROCESSUNA
NEW PROCESS LAUNDRY.
Seal; Charles Clark, Master of Fi- nance; Henry Smith, Master of Ex- chequer: John Wickershaw, Master at Arms; Charles Clayton, Inner Guard; Wash Leigh, Cuter Guard; Samuel W. Maguire, Past Chancel- lor; George E. Wilburn, Past Chan- cellor: Joseph Barlow, Past Chan- cellor. Number of members now, 41.
Fourteen years ago the first lodge was instituted in Marion. Since then three others have been estab- lished as above set forth. At the present time they have a total mem- bership in the County of 395, with an aggregate accumulation of money
RESIDENCE OF MRS. SARAH SNYDER. Sonth Market Street.
and property of over $8000.00. They have a well regulated system of sick and funeral benefits, and provide for their sick and the needy, and the widow and orphans of their mem- bers with substantial financial as- sistance.
The Knights of Pythias, like all other Fraternal Societies, has had its drawbacks and imposters, but it stands upon a high moral plane and teaches pure morals and practical charity and benevolence, and the ele- vation of human character. It is in- tensely American, all its ceremonials being conducted in the American language. As a secret Order it has nothing to do with religion or poli- tics or anything sectarian, yet, it teaches the highest principles of loy- alty, patriotism and love of our coun- try, and a veneration for religion and our common christianity. It is certainly an institution calculated to do much good in every community where a lodge exists, and is one among the great moral forces which bind our people together.
Odd fellowship in Williamson County. By Judge Geo. W. Young.
The first Lodge of the Independent Orler of Odd Fellows that was established in Williamson County was Williamson Lodge, No. 392. It was instituted May 27th, 1869, by Samuel A. Flagler, Acting Grand Master, assisted by the following brothers from Carbondale Lodge, No. 233: J. Boyd Richart, Deputy Grand Master: Thos. J. Belcher, Grand War- den: A. G. Shepart, Grand Secretary: Chas. Martin, Grand Treasurer, Jos. Weaver, Grand Marshal; Ed Nor- berry, Grand Conductor, and J. D. White, Grand Guardian. The Char- ter members were: S. W. S. Pribble,
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
J. W. WILLEFORD'S MACHINE SHOP.
Pierce L. Jemison, David M. Fligor, James O. Pagwell and Jas. M. Jemi- son. S. W. S. Pribble was first Noble Grand of the Lodge; Pierce L. Jemi- son, first Vice Grand; David M. Fli- gor, first Secretary, and James M. Jemison, Treasurer.
On the night of the institution only two members were initiated. They were William H. Eubanks and John B. Willeford. No other mem- bers were admitted until June 26th, when Dr. Augustus N. Lodge was ad- mitted by card. On July 3rd, Lo- renzo D. Hartwell and Geo. W. Wil- leford were admitted by initiation; July 10th, Daniel A. Davis was in- itiated: July 17th, Geo. W. Young was admitted by initiation: July 31st Edward H. Bishop was admitted as an ancient Odd Fellow; November 27th, David V. Sanders was admit- ted by deposit of card: December 18th, Caleb T. Holland was admitted by initiation. This completes the history and work of the new and first Odd Fellows Lodge in the County up to the close of the year 1869, showing that for the first sev- en months of its existence only sev- en had been admitted by initiation, two by deposit of card and one as an ancient Odd Fellow, making a total membership of the Lodge, at the close of the year, and the first seven months of its existence, of only fifteen members.
Daniel A. Davis, the South Side Baker, has held continuous member- ship in the Lodge since July 10th, 1869, being the fifth member initi- ated. Geo. W. Young, Lawyer, has held continuons membership in the Lodge since July 17th, 1869, being the sixth member initiated. being 35 years in July, 1904. These two members are the only ones remain- ing of the Old Guard. They have never been in arrears for dues at any time since they became mem-
bers, and neither one of them has ever drawn any sick benefits out of the Treasury of the Lodge. Geo. W. Young has made some reputation as an Odd Fellow by being a member of the State Grand Lodge for the last thirty-one years, and has held several positions and served upon several Committees in that body.
The general trend and history of Williamson Lodge, No. 392, has been somewhat in keeping with the first seven months of its existence. It has never been given to much show or boasting, but has quietly pursued the even tenor of its way, at all times trying to carry out the fundamental principles of the Order, "We com- mand you to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, pro-
tect and educate the orphan, and care for the widow."
This Lodge met in 1869 and fitted up a hall in the third story of Bain- bridge Brick Block, on the West side of the public square, where it continued to meet until 1883, when it fitted up a hall in what was then called the Hundley Building, on the east side of the square, correspond- ing to the second story of the build- ing where John M. Cline's Drng Store now is. It continued to hold its meetings there nntil 1892, when it moved into a lodge room of its own, built and furnished from its own funds, on South Market street, on the Southwest corner of the block just south of where Westbrook's store now is. Here it held its meet- ings and rented its hall to the Ma- sons, Knights of Pythias, and other benevolent organizations, until Feb- ruary 1st, 1899, when the hall and most of the furnishings and para- phernalia were destroyed by fire, but the loss was nearly covered by insurance.
The Lodge then obtained a lease upon the second story of what was then called the Goodall and Camp- bell building on the north side of the square, the building now, and at the time, being owned by Charles H. Denison, and being upon the same spot of ground where Richard Tre- vor's store now it. As the room was in a very bad state of repair, the Lodge was compelled to, and did, ex- pend considerable money in repair- ing it and arranging the many re- quisites for good lodge work. Some- thing over seven hundred dollars was expended in repairs and refitting the hall. Sub-leases were entered into with the Encampment, Re- bekahs, Masons, Eastern Star,
WESTOM'S LIVERY FEED STABLE.
WESTON'S LIVERY AND FEED STABLE.
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Knights of Pythias and Knights and Ladies of Honor. All arrangements were highly satisfactory with land- lord and tenants, when the follow- ing September 26th, 1899, the lodge room, building and all the furnisb- ings and regalia of all the Orders, including the Odd Fellows, were de- stroved by fire, nothing saved, and not more than half enough insurance to cover the loss. In 1900 the Ma- sons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, procured a ten-year lease from Mr. C. H. Denison for a hall in the New Denison Building on the north side of the square. There is also a banquet hall attached, and the room is styled "Fraternity Hall." It was furnished and fitted up by all three of the Orders jointly, each bearing one-third of the expense. The Hall is used by the Chapter and Blue Lodge Masons, by the Encamp- ment and Subordinate Lodge of Odd Fellows. by the Knights of Pythias and by the Eastern Star and Rebekahs.
Williamson Lodge, No. 392, is styled and regarded as the parent lodge in the County. Since the insti- tution of the Lodge in Marion, ten other Lodges have been instituted in the County, and the charter mem- bers have drawn heavily upon the Marion Lodge. Over three hundred names have been enrolled on the records of Williamson Lodge, No. 392, and there have been withdraw- als for nearly every lodge instituted. lt bought forty lots in the Marion City Cemetery, and its net worth is about $4000.00.
The following lodges have been instituted in the County, and all are in a prosperous condition :
Williamson Lodge, No. 392, insti-
MARION CIDER MILL.
tuted May 27, 1869 by S. A. Flag- ler: number of members, ×5.
Crab Orchard Lodge, No. 475, in- stituted February 16, 1872, by Geo. W. Young; number of members, 53.
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