USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume I > Part 52
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This cemetery is one of the most beautiful burial spots in the whole state of Illinois. The grounds are located conveniently to the city, are well attended to by those under the authority of the city, and adornments in the way of shade trees, flowers, beautiful old fashioned and modern tombstones, elegant and ex- pensive burial vaults, drives and the like, give it a character that will hardly be surpassed by any modern city.
The Carlinville cemetery is under the control of the city of Carlinville, which is represented by a board of commissioners and composed of : Thomas C.
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Loehr, president; William H. Steward, secretary; Charles Burgdorff, William H. Behrens and A. L. Hoblit.
In the southwest part of Carlinville is located a beautiful Catholic cemetery.
FRATERNAL ORDERS.
MASONS.
Mt. Nebo Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M., at Carlinville, Illinois, was chartered August 2, 1849. The first meeting was held September 24, 1849. ' The charter members and officers were: Beatty T. Burke, James McLarning, Joseph Liston, N. Barrow, Thomas J. Shields, William Wright and John Williamson.
At the first meeting of the lodge the following were taken in as members in the order given: Abraham S. Walker, M. H. Maddy, David D. S. Brock, John M. Palmer, Nicholas Boice, James N. Queen, Levi J. Woods, Daniel T. Creamer and William Maddox.
Past Masters : 1849-51, *Beatty T. Burke; 1851-52, *Nicholas Boice; 1852-55, *Beatty T. Burke; 1855-56, *Nicholas Boice; 1856-62, *Thaddeus Phillips; 1862-65, *George H. Holliday; 1865-68, *Samuel B. Dugger; 1868-71, *Thad- dieus Phillips ; 1871-72, *Samuel B. Dugger; 1872-73, W. H. Chaffee; 1873-74, *Samuel B. Dugger; 1874-75, W. H. Chaffee; 1875-76, *George W. Hamilton; 1876-77, W. H. Chaffee; 1877-82, *Joseph B. Liston; 1882-83, *George S. War- burton; 1883-87, Alexander H. Bell; 1887-89, George J. Castle, Sr .; 1889-90, *James W. Lumpkin ; 1890-91, Bertie M. Burke; 1891-93, Charles H. Burgdorff ; 1893-94, Alexander M. Boring; 1894-96, *Silas W. Tappen; 1898-99, Frank Hoblit; 1899-1900, Everett R. Turnbull; 1900-01, *Alexander C. Burgdorff ; 1901-02, Thomas Rinaker; 1902-03, *Alexander C. Burgdorff ; 1903-06, James E. Wooters; 1906-07, Frank W. Burton; 1907-08, Charles E. Boring; 1908-09, Robert A. Battise ; 1909-1I, Charles H. Woods.
The present officers are: W. M., Victor H. Hemphill; S. W., A. J. Duggan ; J. W., Robert H. Bell; S. D., Harry A. Perrine; J. D., John M. Anderson ; S. S., Fred E. Gibson; J. S., William E. Searcy; chaplain, John D. Conley ; organist, Everett R. Turnbull; marshal, R. A. Battise; tyler, John Dennison.
ODD FELLOWS.
Macoupin Lodge, No. 107, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 18, 1852, by Jerseyville Lodge, No. 53, and Hicks Lodge, Waverly, Illinois, led by District Deputy Grand Master Roberts, and was consolidated March 1, 1887, with Carlin- ville Lodge, No. 350, which worked in the German language. The ceremony was performed by Grand 'Master J. S. Carr, of Jerseyville, Illinois. The name was then changed to Carlinville Lodge, No. 107, I. O. O. F.
The first officers were: J. W. Hankins, N. G .; J. F. Cherry, V. G .; William Rickarts, Sec .; E. Braley, Treas.
Those marked * are deceased.
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.The first officers of Carlinville Lodge, No. 107 (after being consolidated), were: Albert J. Harig, N. G .; Charles Hamilton, V. G .; M. F. Smith, Sec .; Adam Hoch, Fin. Sec .; Christ Heinemeyer, Treas.
The present officers are: John W. Gray, N. G .; Charles Rogers, V. G .; J. P. Arnett, Sec .; B. E. Vornkohl, Fin. Sec .; John Hoecker, Treas. The present membership is 96.
ENCAMPMENT.
Turnbull Encampment, No. 42 was instituted October 14, 1857, with the following members: George Fishback, E. C. Keller, James F. Drish, J. W. Hankins, R. J. Haley, Philip Sharp, J. I. Rinaker, O. L. Andrist.
The present officers are : F. W. Rohr, chief patriarch ; Charles Rogers, high priest; Charles Brueggeman, senior warden; W. R. Smalley, junior warden; C. R. Borough, scribe; John Hoecker, treasurer. The present membership is 35.
REBEKAH LODGE.
The first officers of the Rebekah lodge were: Mary Jones, N. G .; Mrs. C. B. Cramer, V. G .; Nell Hoecker, Sec .; Mrs. Alice Borough, Treas.
The charter members were (brothers) C. B. Cramer, Z. H. Waters, Walter Bevers, Ed Glass, W. E. P. Anderson, Sylvanus Seaman, David Johnston, F. E. Wilson, Fred Wylder, G. L. Bridges, J. H. Tongate, John Hoecker, B. E. Vornkohl, H. Z. Cox, E. L. Torence, W. L. Hearron, D. H. Grant, M. T. Crow- der, M. M. Anderson, B. B. Wilson, C. R. Borough, Fred Johnson, L. Nathan. (Sisters) : Mrs. C. B. Cramer, Mrs. E. F. Johnson, Mrs. H. Pranke, Mrs. F. Johnson, Mrs. Ed Glass, Mary Jones, Nellie Seaman, Fanny Cox, Betty Borough, Flora Johnson, Mrs. H. Borough, Mrs. Sadie Carrol, Pearl Anderson, Nell Hoecker, Nora Bridges, Mrs. Minnie Renner, Mrs. Dena Vornkohl, Mrs. Myrtle Seaman, Mrs. Jennie Lorence, Mrs. Lucy Johnston, Mrs. Jessie Johnston.
The present officers are: Myrtle Seaman, N. G .; Mrs. Alice Borough, V. G .; Theresa Renner, Sec .; Mrs. Ed Glass, Treas.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
Carlinville Camp, No. 125, M. W. A. convened October 10, 1885, at J. G. Stewart's photograph gallery, then on the second floor of the old building where Cookson's store is now situated. The meeting was called by D. S. Maltby, then junior deputy head consul. The following were present: M. L. Keplinger, John G. Stewart, Robert Turnbull, Joseph F. Savage, Dr. 'A. C. Corr, C. J. C. Fischer, E. B. Buck, Peter W. Lorenz, Henry Klein, James A. Nutchell, B. M. Burke, George J. Castle, James M. Pruitt, W. H. H. Horine and Walter Fishback.
The first officers were as follows: Consul, John G. Stewart; adviser, E. B. Buck; banker, B. M. Burke; clerk, M. L. Keplinger; physicians, Drs. A. C. Corr and C. J. C. Fischer; escort, James M. Pruitt; watchman, Henry Klein; sentry, James A. Mitchell; managers, W. H. H. Horine, Joseph F. Savage and Robert Turnbull.
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M. L. Keplinger has every successive year since been elected as clerk.
The present officers are: Consul, R. P. Brauckmueller; adviser, L. E. Foerster; banker, J. C. Meyer; clerk, M. L. Keplinger; escort, W. E. Sharpe ;. sentry, Jacob Hoehn; watchman, Henry Heitzberger ; past consul, James Owens ; physicians, Drs. C. J. C. Fischer, J. S. Collins and J. P. Matthews ; managers, James Owens, George J. Castle and Mat Seyfrit.
M. L. Keplinger has represented the state in the head camp at Sterling, Omaha, Des Moines and Indianapolis. George J. Castle has been national delegate at Springfield and Buffalo. The camp has sustained twenty-three death losses. Families of deceased members have received $48,000. The present mem- bership of the lodge is 260.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.
- Carlinville Council, No. 663, Knights of Columbus, was organized in the year 1902, on the 18th day of May, with a charter membership of forty-nine. The first officers were: G. K., Daniel E. Keefe; D. G. K., William P. Kelly ; C., James M. Mahoney ; Rec., H. C. Hesseldenz; Fin. Sec., Joseph H. Murphy ; Treas., C. Westermeier ; lecturer, Rev. Thomas Costello; chaplain, Rev. Thomas Costello; advocate, Thomas King; warden, Mathew Seyfrit; I. G., D. E. Sexton ; O. G., A. J. Zoeppfel; board of trustees, Joseph F. Haskins, Joseph Moran, Frank Schoeborn.
The present officers are: Peter F. Mack, G. K .; Thomas Costello, D. G. K .; Joseph H. Murphy, C .; M. J. Boehm, Rec .; F. H. Schaefer, Fin. Sec .; W. C. Westermeier, Treas .; R. M. Dunn, lecturer and chaplain; Thomas Sweeney, Adv .; Mathew Seyfrit, warden; M. J. Caveny, I. G .; J. P. Daley, O. G.
On Sunday, June 25, 1911, this association under solemn rites conducted by Rev. Father Quinn, in the absence of Rev. P. MacDonnell, who was on a visit to the Holy Land, inducted into the solemnities and duties of membership twenty- eight persons.
DAN MESSICK POST, NO. 339, G. A. R.
Very little can be determined through inquiry regarding the history of the organization of the Dan 'Messick Post here in Carlinville. The charter is miss- ing and no one knows where the early records are to be found. The writer, in his efforts to place on record in this history, the essentials regarding the for- mation of this post, could find nothing that gave him any assistance whatever in drafting a detailed article, and even the charter members now living, of whom there are very few, knew nothing that would be of benefit in this record; consequently, the writer communicated with the headquarters of the depart- ment of Illinois at Chicago and received the following details :
Dan Messick Post, No. 339, Department of Illinois, G. A. R., of Carlin- ville, was organized October 9, 1883, by P. Fitzgerald, private Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry; W. E. Eastham, Girard, first lieutenant Company C, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry; John M. Cohlepp, corporal Company A, One Hundred Twenty-second; Asher F. Neely, rank not given ; L. Hinthorn, One Hundred Forty-fifth Illinois; W. W. Freeman, One
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Hundred Twenty-second Illinois; John D. Jones, sergeant Company C, Four- teenth Illinois ; William Ranscholb, Company B, One Hundred Forty-ninth Illli- nois; Frank Keys, sergeant Company G, One Hundred Forty-fourth Illinois ; George T. Simonson, lieutenant colonel, Eightieth Illinois; Dr. A. C. Corr, Company F, One Hundred Thirty-third Illinois; J. F. Cole, Company D, Four- teenth Illinois; General John I. Rinaker, colonel One Hundred Twenty-second Illinois ; C. F. Prouty, Company A, Thirty-second Illinois ; John C. Wells, Com- pany H, One Hundred Twenty-ninth Illinois; Sidney Jennings, Company E, Tenth Kentucky.
The first officials were: P. C., W. B. Dugger ; S. V. C., Phillip Owens ; J. V. C., Frank Keys; Adj., J. C. Wells; Q. M., Frank Cannon ; surgeon, Dr. A. C. Corr; chaplain, W. W. Freeman; O. D., H. C. Hulse; O. G., John Jones ; S. M., A. T. Tally ; Q. M., S. M. Cohlepp.
The present officers are: Commander, W. H. H. Horine; adjutant, C. T. Bouillon.
ORIENT LODGE NO. 95, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Of the number of secret orders in Carlinville none enjoys a higher place in the esteem of the citizens of the city and vicinity than does Orient Lodge No. 95, Knights of Pythias. This lodge was organized thirty years ago with thirty- one charter members. Since that time all has not been sunshine in its career but in spite of many obstacles encountered during the course of its existence, it has achieved an enviable reputation for loftiness of purpose and high ideals. The motive actuating the men who were the principals in securing a lodge of the order in Carlinville can best be described by quoting the following paragraph from the early history of the organization, which is here given:
"It was in the month of November in the year of our Lord 1881, and of the Pythian Period XVIII, when the cheerless pit-pat of the falling leaves, and the first blasts of the chilling north winds, dreary tokens of the long winter fast to follow, drew aside the summer mantle of open handed charity and cemented closer the glorious bonds of human friendship, a few friends were met together whose hearts and hands were ever open to suffering humanity and whose charity was only measured by the depths of their pockets. Their only wish was to so extend the fraternal courtesies and amenities of life, to alleviate the suffering, to succor the unfortunate and care for the widow and orphan, as to make all the world akin."
The first meeting for the purpose of effecting an organization and securing the names of those who desired to join the lodge, was held in the grand jury room of the court house on Thursday evening, November 17, 1881. The moving spirit and one of the most earnest and enthusiastic men in furthering the cause of Pythianism was L. C. Glessner, a member of Kenilworth Lodge, No. 60, Farmer City, Illinois, but then a resident of Carlinville. At this meeting Grand Chancellor J. D. Roper, of Springfield, was present, and explained the prin- ciples, aims and objects of the order. Nine names were secured towards pro- curing a dispensation for the establishing of the lodge. A committee was ap- pointed to secure additional names and to report at a future meeting.
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Another meeting was held on the evening of December 3, 1881, at the St. George Hotel, at which Captain George J. Castle was chairman. The previously appointed committee reported that they had made excellent progress and had a number of additional names for the new lodge. Sufficient names had been secured to warrant the grand lodge in granting a dispensation for the establish- ment of the lodge and then and there the following officers, the first to serve for Orient lodge, were elected: J. W. Palmer, past chancellor; L. C. Glessner, chancellor commander ; John T. Rogers, vice chancellor; George E. Whyte, pre- late; Truman K. Gore, master of exchecquer; Charles Whitaker, master of finance; John H. Glass, keeper of records and seal; Wm. E. Bellmer, master at arms ; J. B. Kraus, inner guard; Cornelius Godfrey, outer guard.
Adjournment was taken for the purpose of securing more names for the roster of the lodge. A third meeting was called at the St. George Hotel, on December 10, 1881, at which Daniel S. Macknet, Sr., occupied the chair. The committee reported that enough names had been secured for a charter for the establishment of Orient Lodge, No. 95. Quarters were secured in the Odd Fel- lows Hall, which was located then on the third floor of the building situated at the corner of the square on the east side of South Broad street.
The Grand Lodge of Emergency met on the evening of December 14, 1881, in Odd Fellows Hall and in the presence of a distinguished gathering of mem- bers of the order, Orient Lodge, No. 95, had its birth. The ceremonies were in charge of Grand Chancellor J. D. Roper of Springfield, assisted by Past Grand Chancellor C. G. Averill, also of Springfield, and members from White Cross Lodge, No. 66, Litchfield, Antioch Lodge, No. 65, Jerseyville, and Capital Lodge, No. 14, of Springfield. It was a notable Pythian occasion and was marked by en- thusiasm and earnestness. The following were the charter members :
Charles Whitaker, J. H. Glass, J. W. Clark, E. K. Johnson, C. H. Klauenberg, T. K. Gore, William E. Bellmer, John W. Phillips, J. B. Kraus, J. F. Sunderland, B. H. Dorsey, George J. Castle, D. S. Macknet, Sr., J. T. Rogers, G. E. Whyte, A. A. Atkins, William H. H. Horine, J. W. Palmer, G. Fano, Thomas E. 'Moore, C. W. Gibbs, J. E. Moore, J. F. Pruitt, T. G. Cundall, J. J. Franks, George Harrington. L. Nathan, R. A. Love, J. K. Simonson, W. H. Poley, Lee Hin- thorne.
For a number of years the lodge prospered. Later, however, reverses came and it was deemed best to surrender the charter. This was done on March 26, 1886, which was the date of the last meeting held under the original organi- zation.
Through the persistent efforts of a number of loyal Knights in Carlinville, interest in a lodge was revived. On February 28, 1890, a meeting was called in the G. A. R. Hall, for the purpose of reorganizing the defunct lodge. The meeting was called to order by Captain George J. Castle and T. K. Gore was elected chairman, F. Ladd secretary. Past Grand Chancellor J. D. Roper was present at this meeting representing the grand chancellor. Names were secured to the petition and an election of officers was held resulting as follows: William H. H. Horine, past chancellor ; T. K. Gore, chancellor commander ; B. F. Whit- comb, vice chancellor; J. H. Meteer, prelate; C. H. Klauenberg, master of ex-
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checquer ; George J. Castle, master of finance; J. W. Phillips, master at arms ; F. Ladd, keeper of records and seal.
The meeting adjourned with a committee appointed to secure additional ยท names to the petition. Enough names having been added to warrant the restora- tion of the original charter, the Grand Lodge of Emergency assembled on the evening of March 13, 1890, in G. A. R. Hall and the lodge was reinstituted Past Grand Chancellor J. D. Roper was the instituting officer. At the close of the work a banquet was served at the St. George Hotel.
Since this time the lodge has gone steadily forward. It numbers among its large membership many of the leading citizens of Carlinville and vicinity. No distinction of birth or the possession of wealth has figured in its requirements for membership. The lodge is proud of the many names upon its roster which are those of men who claim no distinction except that of honesty and a sincere desire to be of assistance to their fellowmen. Few of the charter members are now living but their presence and counsel in the Castle Hall is always an in- spiration. Upon many, many sad occasions in the thirty years of its existence has the lodge been called upon to solemnly follow to their last resting place the remains of devoted and beloved members and with the simple but impressive rites of the order, consigned them to the dust from whence they came. The same duty has oft been performed for Knights not members of Orient lodge.
Orient lodge was signally honored at the session of the grand lodge held in the city of Danville, in 1910. On Wednesday, October 19th, of that year, Judge John B. Vaughn, a member of the lodge, was elected to the exalted position of grand chancellor of the grand domain of Illinois. To modestly commemorate this event, Grand Chancellor Vaughn was tendered a reception at the lodge rooms on the west side 'of the square on the afternoon of Thursday, November 3. It was open to the public and was largely attended by the members of the order and the citizens of Carlinville and vicinity. A number of grand lodge officers were present. In the evening of the same day an entertainment in the lodge room was given in his honor, which was attended by the members and their families. For this event, the spacious lodge room was handsomely decorated with autumn leaves and the happy occasion can be truly said to have been an epoch in the history of Orient lodge. This high office came to Judge Vaughn through his own efforts and untiring and unselfish work for the order. He served one year, and discharged the arduous duties of grand chancellor with marked suc- cess, reflecting credit upon himself and honor to the order. There are nine lodges of the order in Macoupin county, and Orient lodge has instituted or assisted in instituting all of them.
For the past ten years a series of brilliant mid-winter entertainments, very successful in character, have been a special feature. These entertainments are paid for by the membership, and attended by the members and invited guests.
The observance of the annual Memorial Day has been strictly maintained since the establishment of this custom many years ago. Each recurring year the day is reverently and faithfully marked with simple but impressive services.
Since the small beginning thirty years ago the lodge has grown in numbers and influence. It now has the names of one hundred and fifty members enrolled upon its roster. Since Orient lodge was instituted it has occupied quarters in
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four different locations. From December 14, 1881, to March 26, 1886, the conventions were held in Odd Fellows Hall, then located on the south side of the square. From March 13, 1890, to April 9, 1895, it assembled in the old . G. A. R. Hall at the northwest corner of the square. On April 9, 1895, the lodge held their first convention in a hall which they fitted up on the third story of the building at the northeast corner of the square. Realizing the need for a larger home, the lodge rented quarters on the second floor of the building it now occupies on the west side of the square. This is one of the largest and hand- somest lodge rooms in Illinois, beautifully, but not expensively furnished. The main lodge room is 44 by 55 feet. There are club rooms attached which are open at all times to the members and visiting Knights. The first convention was held in this hall on March 20, 1906. The present officers elected and in- stalled on July 4, 1911, are the following: E. A. Ibbetson, chancellor com- mander; V. H. Hemphill, vice chancellor; Edw. Trover, Jr., prelate; E. N. Woolley, master of work; John F. Kiefer, master of exchecquer; Geo. C. Schoenherr, master of finance; F. E. Gibson, keeper of records and seal; A. J. Mueller, master at arms; John M. Anderson, inner guard; T. K. Rinaker, outer guard.
This brief record of Orient lodge, No. 95, would not be complete without special mention of James H. Meteer, one of its most devoted and faithful mem- bers. He was the last member initiated before the charter was surrendered in March, 1886, and was one of the first officers elected under the reorganization. For fourteen years he was the able master of finance, discharging his duties with zealous fidelity. Some two years ago Mr. Meteer was stricken with blind- ness, totally incapacitating him for work. In spite of this trying affliction he is still the cheerful, optimistic Knight as of yore. To his sterling honesty, his faith in his fellowman, and his long and unselfish work for the lodge, this para- - graph is fraternally dedicated.
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