USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > A history of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana : a complete and concise account from the earliest times to the present, embracing reminiscences of the pioneers and biographical sketches of the men who have been leaders in commercial and other enterprises > Part 29
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PARK LODGE NO. 2,020
Was organized March 10, 1897, with thirty-two charter members and the following officers: Henry Schwaegerle, past protector; E. D.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Williams, protector; Alice Bevins, vice protector; Rhoda M. Perigo, recording secretary; Sarah A. Pine, financial secretary; Lottie F. Senff, treasurer; Sarah E. Andrews, guide; Miss Annie Wolf, guardian and sentinel. Trustees-William A. Pine, Margaret Schwaegerle, Mary Zimmerman. Its present membership is 32.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
This social order organized in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 30, 1873, and iu less than four years a lodge of the order was organized in this city.
RED CLOUD LODGE, NO. 640.
This lodge was instituted May 7, 1877. Its present membership is 310. The charter members were :
George W. Lightner,
John Langsdale,
C. F. Davidson,
Patrick O'Brien,
I. H. Briscoe,
C. G. Ludwig,
John S. Snyder,
T. E. Hugo,
George W. White,
Robert Langsdale, William Minch, J. A. Porter.
The past officers are :
J. W. Wartmann,
H. Froelich, Ph. Klein,
J. H. Foster,
L. Fuchs,
Ch. Hewig,
J. P. Hahn,
L. N. Wheeler,
J. H. Moore,
George L. Daum,
E. L. Veeck,
J. D. Pelz,
E. Rahm,
F. R. Kuehn,
J. T. Peck,
J. T. Hill.
George Woltgang,
G. W. Lightner.
F. L. Darr,
J. E. Bauer,
The present officers are : George Horn, past dictator ; Julius F. Blum, dictator; Conrad Gonnerman, vice dictator ; C. Fennimore, acting dictator ; G. L. Daum, treasurer, and Chris. Hewig, secretary.
SILVER STAR LODGE, NO. 3041.
This is a German society and was instituted January 22, 1884. Its membership is 143. The charter members were :
John G. Junker,
Jacob Baumgartner, Julius Kasper,
Charles Hildebrand
William Niemeyer,
Henry Lutz,
Joseph Reedy,
H. W. Slotz,
Gust Ritt,
John Kastner,
Adam Lutz,
F. A. Meixner,
Jacob Kastner,
Ad. Bierbrodt,
Anton Hoffman,
L. Bachle,
Fr. Best,
Carl Stieler,
Gus Weber,
J. Schweitzer,
C. Wambach,
George Nester,
Peter Miller.
Charles Hoefferlin,
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
The past officers are :
Gus Ritt,
George Nester,
Joseph Reedy,
H. Fuchs, Fr. Best,
Jac Kroener,
George Rall,
C. Schultze,
J. G. Junker,
H. H. Horst,
Ch. Roth,
R. Schneider,
C. Merle,
H. F. Groenniger.
The present officers are: W. Rahm, Jr., solictor ; C. Koch, ex- dictator ; F. Bauer, vice dictator ; R. Fischer, assistant dictator ; Gus Weber, reporter; George Nester, financial reporter, and Joseph Reedy, treasurer.
SILVER CLOUD LODGE, NO. 1548.
This order was established March 31, 1879, with twenty charter members. W. F. Ogden, a printer, was most active in founding this lodge. It now has a membership of about 200.
GOLDEN RULE LODGE, NO. 3572.
This lodge was instituted in July, 1890.
FRATERNAL LEGION.
The Fraternal Legion is a benevolent order, and has for its object the promotion of charity and brotherly love. The order was founded in Baltimore, Md., in July, 1881. Three camps have been estab- lished in this city.
EVANSVILLE CAMP NO. 37.
The organization of this lodge occurred October 10, 1881. Its pres- ent membership is 85. The charter members were:
Charles Nicklous,
F. C. Walter, J. H. Schorle,
George Eigenbrodt,
G. F. Birkenmayer, James Salat,
W. F. Blair,
Joe Ellspermann, Charles Knapp,
James Lanboher,
Leo Hanbuch,
W. F. Altheide,
Nick Jensen, J. H. Kerth.
Kr. Laubscher,
Fred Schemet,
The following members have been the chief officers of this lodge : Joe Joest, commander; Ed Weber, S. V. C .; Joe Fritsch, J. V. C .; Ed Ruckmar, treasurer; Oscar Jensen, E. O .; John Hillenbrand, adjutant; Henry Maier, orator; George Hank, guide; John Martin, warden; John Frank, sentry.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
SMITH GAVITT CAMP NO. 26.
This camp was organized April 1, 1884. Its membership is 109. The charter members were :
George Selzer,
John Fetz,
Ph. Schneider,
W. E. Sherwood,
William Sanders,
John S. Sherwood,
Charles A. Sherwood,
Sumner Granger,
R. M. Jones,
Harry G. Williams,
John C. Seizer,
Charles Weyand,
Robert M. Nickels,
Henry C. Laswell,
Christian Kratz, Sr.,
Christian Kratz, Jr.,
Edwin Brown,
Ph. Miller,
Thomas C. Sargent,
Alex W. Stewart,
Alex Walker,
H. W. Haynie,
Nat Mitchell,
J. W. Spain,
W. Koenig,
J. P. Lockyear,
J. Owen,
William Gavitt,
A. H. Pine,
J. W. Bedford,
F. Tinnemeyer,
U. Meeks,
Orion Mẹeks,
John Sauer,
J. H. Bedford,
C. W. Kerney,
F. M. Grear,
C. W. Larden,
G. A. Miller,
A. H. Fox,
L. Roth,
G. A. Phillips,
Th. Miller,
G. S. Miller,
William Jameson,
D. Weise,
R. B. Alexander,
A. Miller,
Herb. Crawford,
Ch. Roeder,
John Kochlen,
William Stratten,
H. K. Pritchard,
A. Geise,
I. A. Spalding,
Sam Smith,
S. A. Berley,
G. A. Grey,
J. A. Adams,
George Kotts,
M. Jennings,
John Tupman,
S. A. Tupman,
Louis Voelker,
T. W. Hutchens,
P. S. Koch,
J. F. Cotten,
H. P. Newmenson,
Charles Tupman, .
Ch. Keach,
William Murphy.
The past officers are Charles Weyand, N. Meyer, E. S. Pine, F. Tinnemeyer, F. F. Martin, J. W. Hnckeby, Clinton Geise, R. Simp- son, G. Gottman, O. S. Schwambach, F. M. Allen, J. Schorle.
LAMASCO CAMP NO. 54.
This society was instituted November 30, 1888. Its membership is 54. The charter members were :
William J. Reavis, William J. Hyde,
William H. Felker,
Samuel McClarren, George Koerbely, John Hartman,
Philip Woehler, Redmond M. Lewis,
John R. Snellen,
Samuel Walker, Fred W. Lickey,
William W. Culbertson,
John M. Prudin,
Leopold Wilhelm.
The past officers are John Hartman, John A. Burekel, William Felker, W. W. Culbertson, John Boekenkroeger.
312
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
ORDER OF FORRESTERS.
MANHATTAN COURT, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORRESTERS NO. 420.
This lodge was instituted March 1, 1893. The membership is 74. The charter members were:
John A. Hartman,
Chas. G. Roehrig,
Fred S. Gumberts,
John Kesel,
Frank McDonald,
Wm. S. Fuchs,
Philip Willem,
Geo. P. Christ,
W. A. Beerwash,
Jacob Weirer,
John F. Glover, M. D., J. J. Miller,
Charles Weierbacher,
John Albecker,
Nathan Myers,
Felix J. Seiffert,
Morris Levy,
Loly Glass.
The past officers are:
Charles G. Roehrig, Philip Willem and Wm. Fuchs.
· COURT LAMASCO, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORRESTERS, NO. 3194.
This lodge was instituted April 15, 1896. The present membership is 48. The charter members were:
George B. Woehler,
J. H. Phillips,
Ph. Maner,
Ph. Woehler,
Geo. Glazier,
J. E. Oliver,
Ph. Wingeter,
H. Randall,
L. Kassell,
R. M. Lewis,
C. Miller,
M. Best,
J. H: Stumpf,
J. Wengeter,
J. Klausmeier,
M. J. Wood,
E. P. Strobel,
Robt. Kirves,
N. H. Wammann,
F. W. Eberhardt,
J. Bender,
J. Strupp, J. Voelkel,
H. Gellen,
W. P. Gebhardt,
Ed. Schmidt,
J. Fretlin,
S. P. Woehler,
C. B. Fetters,
C. J. Reinhardt,
Aug. Riehl,
Sam Poole,
F. Boepkenkroeger,
O. Spore,
T. W. Bennighofen,
D. J. Freidmann,
T. W. Rice,
F. Fares,
J. W. Gralbe,
C. Venninger,
E. Woehler,
H. Fox,
F. Steffen,
F. Langner,
F. I. Woehler,
H. DeJarnett,
C. Williams,
W. Mocerf.
The officers at present are: Phil Woehler, C. R .; Henry Randell, V. C. R .; John H. Stumpf, recording secretary; William P. Gebhardt, financial secretary; M. J. Wood, treasurer; John E. Oliver, P. C. R .; J. H. Klausmeier, C. D .; E. P. Stroble, chaplain; J. Wungeter, senior woodman; E. Woehler, junior woodman; P. Wungeter, senior beadle; W. H. Wammann, junior beadle; Dr. Rose, court physician.
VANDERBURGH COURT NO. 3249.
This lodge of Independent Order of Forresters was organized May 30, 1896. It meets weekly. Its membership is steadily increasing, and it is doing good and successful work.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
ORDER OF ELKS.
As everyone knows the order of Elks is made up of commercial travelers, and a jollier set of men, men with more good humor to the square inch, never banded themselves together for any purpose whatso- ever. Their annual anniversary parades, in point of make-ups, out- clown the clowns and manifest more pure love of grotesque fun than was ever conceived of by the inventive brain of Bill Nye or Artemus Ward.
EVANSVILLE LODGE NO. 116, BENEVOLENT PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS.
Was instituted in the year 1889. The membership now is 170. The charter members were: J. B. Walker, E. B. Morgan, W. E. Sherwood, A. M. Owen, H. T. Rice, S W. Douglas and Joseph Burke. The past officers are: J. B. Walker, Ph. H. Hopkins, James A. McCoy, F. M. Gilbert and A. J. Barclay.
KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES OF THE WORLD.
This secret order is based on the principle of insurance, paying death and disability benefits. It is founded upon the Maccabean dynasty, the history of which is given in the two books of the Macca- bees in the apocrypha of the Bible. The time of the Maccabees, who were Jewish priests, was not long before Christ-about 150 years.
The order of the Knights of the Maccabees is both fraternal and benevolent. The organization was first effected in the city of London, Ontario, in the year 1878. It spread rapidly and tents sprang up all over the land-almost in a night. The plan of ten-cent assessments for members of all ages was charged, and the order was put on a firm basis in 1880. This occasioned a temporary division in the order, but a uuion was effected June 1, 1881. Under the energetic leadership of Sir Knight N. S. Boynton, of Port Huron, Michigan (and he is at present the mayor of that city), the factions were harmonized, new laws were adopted, and the order was incorporated under a special law of the state legislature. He is called the Judas Maccabæus or the "father" of this order. The Ladies of the Maccabees, whose different lodges are called " hives," were recognized by the great camp in 1888, as auxiliary to the Knights of the Maccabees. This order is a
prosperous institution. 21
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
As a fact that indicates the success of the Knights of the Macca- bees, it may be stated that at the close of 1881 there were but 700 members; but at the close of 1896 there were 260,000 members. The surplus funds of the supreme "tent," on March 1, 1896, were over one hundred thousand dollars.
Tent No. 185 was instituted in this city January 28, 1897, with a charter membership of over seventy. They hold their meetings reg- ularly every Thursday evening in their hall, on Sycamore street, between Fourth'and Fifth streets. The officers of this first organization are as follows: C. A. Brehmer, Sir Knight past commander ; A. D. Adams, Sir Knight commander; B. F. Hoffman, Sir Knight lieutenant commander; H. E. Fitts, Sir Knight record keeper ; F. Mitchell, Sir Knight finance keeper ; J. E. Edwards, Sir Knight chaplain ; W. H. Jones, Sir Knight sergeant; S. J. Power, Sir Knight physician ; J. H. McCutchan, Sir Knight physician; C. V. Miller, Sir Knight master at arms; W. H. Sathwhite, Sir Knight first master of guards ; H. Schminke, Sir Knight second master of guards; Thomas Watson, Sir Knight sentinel, and N. C. Ogden, Sir Knight picket.
THE HOME FORUM.
This organization was incorporated in April, 1887, as the " Inde- pendent Order of Knights and Ladies of Honor," in Chicago. On December 13, 1892, the name was changed to " Home Forum Benefit Order." It is a fraternal order as well as an aid to the disabled and bereft. Its life indemnity is its prime purpose. A Forum was founded in Evansville in October, 1895, known as the Evansville Forum No. 688. Its charter members were :
William A. Page. John L. Geissler,
Anna Lynn,
Thomas G. Hitch, William A. Connor,
Katie Bailey,
John H. Bailey, Willlam F. Martin,
Amelia B. Uzel,
Robert Abbott, Dr. W. E. McCool,
Lucy DePray,
Eben C. Poole.
The names of the officers are as follows: George K, Denton, presi- dent; Frank E. Willes, first vice president; Rose E. Dunn, M. D., second vice president; Dr. Charles F. Boyden, secretary; Eben C. Poole, treasurer; Preston C. Munger, historian; John B. Culbertson, orator; Frank Nelson, assistant orator; William A. Connor, porter; William A. Smith, guard; C. F. Boyden and R. E. Dunn, medical examiners; Eben C. Poole, John B. Culbertson and Frank E. Willes, directors.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
RED MEN.
Wahķee Tribe No. 150, Improved Order of Red Men, was instituted July 17, 1892. The membership is 156. The charter members were :
Ed. M. Crisp,
Ira A. Culp,
Ed. J. Laval,
Wm. E. Denzer,
Wm. J. Crisp,
F. J. White,
J. W. Schmidt,
W. W. Marshall,
Henry J. Grote,
E. A. Hoffman,
A. H. Schlange,
W. A Legeman,
J. C. Ballew,
E. M. Morris,
Sam N. Grant,
Al. Longfellow, Frank A. Stevens,
Geo. D. Boicourt,
Lev. Hinkins,
Herb Sturtevant,
A. L. Flicknei,
Ad. Stallman,
Chas. R. Saberton,
A. J. Feay,
H. Sullivan,
J. Ostermann,
Will Brizius,
E. M. Sherwood,
C. L. Harlinfels,
John Weigel.
John Schaefer,
Wm. Mckinley,
The past officers are :
C. R. Saberton,
J. Lutz,
H. Jeffrey, C. N. Bivins,
E. M. Morris, J. D. Steinbach,
I. A. Culp,
J. Ostermeyer,
W. A. Legeman.
W. J. Crisp, J. Weigel,
This tribe is composed almost entirely of young men, who believe in enjoying life in the truest sense ; not, however, losing sight of the fact that by binding themselves together in one common band of fraternity there is a guarantee of assistance and protection in times of distress and sickness.
The Improved Order of Red Men had its inception in the famous Boston Tea Party, which story receives a prominent place in all histories of the United States. The order's watchwords are "freedom, friendship and charity," and its primary objects are to promote among men the exercise and practice of the true principles of benevolence and charity, the care and protection of the widows and orphans of its members, and the cultivation of friendly relations with those who have entered its circle. The democratic influences which attended its birth, the idea that all men are equal, are the tenets of the order, and what a man is, not what he possesses, constitutes his claim for recognition among the brotherhood.
LIBERTY COUNCIL NO. 14, ORDER OF CHOSEN FRIENDS.
This order was instituted August 31, 1892. Its membership is 75. The charter members were :
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Robert Abbott,
P. P. Bennett,
W. H. Brady,
J. P. Conner,
W. A. Conner,
E. L. Carter,
H. L. Damm,
J. L. Geissler,
Louisa M. Geisser,
Virginia Abbott,
John Geisser, Jr.,
J. T. Hinson,
W. H. Jones,
H. S. Lynn,
Nathan Meyer,
H. N. Martin,
W. K. Martin, Mary L. Arend,
William McGinness,
D. Nolte,
J. L. Rouse,
G. W. Rose,
Laura S. Sands,
Sarah McCutchan.
Belle Martin,
Julia Myer,
Martha V. Conner,
M. J. Scott,
Minnie J. Leohigh,
Fannie Lees,
Anna Lyon,
Harriet Knotts,
Gusta Karschofsky,
Mary A. Hofmeister,
Sallie M. Hinson,
Nettie Gerst,
Kate Martin,
Robert A. Smith,
The past officers are :
George W. Rose,
John T. Hinson,
Robert Abbott, C. C. Culp,
A. M. Schneider.
The present officers are: A. M. Schneider, past councillor; H. L. Damm, councillor; Kate Bailey, vice councillor; John T. Hinson, sec- retary; W. K. Martin, treasurer; Anna Lapsley, prelate; C. V. Lowe, marshal; Harriet Knotts, warden; Mary S. Wherle, guard.
EUREKA LODGE, NO. 50, ORDER OF UNITY.
This order was instituted March 6, 1896. Its present membership numbers 54. The charter members were :.
Ernest L. Uzel,
Etta Martin,
Wm. F. Martin,
John C. Switzer,
Paul A. Uzel,
Dr. Carl G. Viehe,
Wm. G. Connor,
Ferdinand Williams, Edgar Woods,
Cora Haynie, Wm. Haynie,
Mathilda Marsch,
Cordelia Jones, Ernest L. Jones,
Amelia B. Uzel,
Elizabeth Powell,
Leonard Litschgi,
James F. Bennett,
Cornelius Hotschkiss,
Salis J. Golden,
Thomas Gaddis,
Mattie Gaddis,
Joe M. Gates,
Salis B. Gates,
Wm. F. Stine,
Wm. J. Cain,
Mary Lenfers,
John A. Morsch, Mary E. Morsch,
The Order of Unity is a benevolent organization to provide for its members during sickness or disability and at death. It was incorpor- ated under the laws of Pennsylvania in 1893.
NATIONAL FRATERNAL UNION.
This order is one designed to better its members in every way.
John Payne,
H. L. Damm.
J. P. McDonagh,
Anna Davidson,
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
FRIENDSHIP COUNCIL, NO. 88.
This council was established January 16, 1894. It meets weekly and has a large membership of earnest workers for the good of the council.
EVANSVILLE COUNCIL, NO. 120.
This council was instituted January 14, 1896. Its membership numbers 56. The charter members were:
F. C. Gore, Harry Hunter,
W. Failing,
H. S. Mitchell, J. A. Buckham, B. A. Smith,
G. H. Place,
S. Saulmon, J. Salat,
F. C. Ohning,
H. Euler,
C. H. Jennings,
O. Mitchell,
J. R. Buckham,
C. W. Mckinney,
M. Place,
M. E. Schor,
H. Agner,
F. M. Jones,
H. Guilkey,
Stella Yost,
F. X. Smith,
J. H. Moellenkamp,
V. Abbott,
F. H. Jones.
The present officers are: C. W. Mckinney, past president; F. C. Gore, president; J. H. Moellenkamp, vice president; J. A. Buckham, financial accountant; Frank Henn, adjuster; M. E. Schor, prelate; V. Abbott, chronicler; S. Yost, herald; F. X. Smith, sentinel; Ernst Uzel, picket. The trustees are: H. S. Mitchell, F. C. Ohning and J. Salat.
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD.
White Oak Camp, No. 26, Woodmen of the World, was instituted December 23, 1892. The membership is 225. The charter members
were:
Eli Whetstone, S. D. Lett,
W. A. Page,
H. Stallman,
W. A. Williams, A. H. Kerth,
C. D. Hurst,
Simon Ping,
E. G. Miller,
W. H. Ruston,
John Hassing,
Adolph Krug,
M. E. Sanderson,
W. F. Cleveland,
A. E. Swope,
Ch. Haller, Ch. Kreiger,
Ed. Grill,
J. L. Purdue,
L. H. Levy,
H. L. Young,
F. W. Grange,
A. C. Hawkins, +
Otto Steinbach,
Chas. Koens, J. H. Mesker,
L. Joest,
H. J. Straub,
Geo. Medcalf,
L. Worsham,
F. Vogt,
A. Cox,
W. J. Hancock,
H. J. Brinker,
C. F. Jamison,
J. H. Conn,
F. L. Pierce,
G. L. Sweikert,
C. Younker,
C. S. Young,
H. J. Builtman,
Louis Tepe,
H. J. Christman,
H. S. Sparrenberger,
J. Wasson,
A. J. Feay,
O. M. Radcliff, Jr.,
Robt. Smith,
J. F. Bittrolff,
C. H. Hoppen.
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
The officers for the first year were: S. D. Lett, C. Com .; E. G. Miller, Adv. Lieut .; Albert E. Swope, banker; Wm. A. Page, clerk. The present officers are: Charles S. Young, C. Com .; Charles T. Bottomly, Adv. Lieut .; Louis Oehlmann, banker; Wm. A. Williams, clerk.
HEBREW ORDERS.
The B'nai B'rith (sons of the covenant) is a Hebrew secret order. Thisbe Lodge, No. 24, was instituted in this city May 9, 1860. This is an old and prosperous order.
Kersher Shel Barsel (knot of iron) is also a Hebrew secret order. Spinoza Lodge No. 136 was founded here July 27, 1874. It is a pros- perous order.
OTHER ORDERS.
The Court of Honor has a lodge in this city. Pioneer District Court No. 205 was organized November 19, 1896.
The Equitable Aid Union instituted Columbia Union No. 809 on September 10, 1895.
The American Protective Association organized Council No. 61 in January, 1894. This order has a large membership.
The Modern Woodmen of America established Evansville camp No. 3,613 on February 26, 1896.
The National Union is represented in this city by Evansville Coun- cil No. 786, which was organized November 11, 1896.
Evansville Court No. 10, Tribe of Ben Hur, was organized in May, 1894. It is a benevolent order,
There are several lodges of the United Brothers of Friendship. This is a colored order. There is Asbury lodge No. 1, Young Men's Hope lodge No. 9, Pride of David lodge No. 25, Mount Bethel Tem- ple No. 10 (ladies), Mount Olive Temple No. 8 (ladies), Golden Rule Temple No. 4 (ladies), Queen Victoria Temple No. 25 (ladies).
It may be here noted of the secret and benevolent orders, that others have been organized, existed for a time and then passed away-just as is true in all things.
KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN.
On February 18, 1892, the first Evansville commandery, No. 200, Knights of St. John, was organized by W. W. Cheezum, senior, who
319
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
was theu state organizer. The initial members were about fifty in number, and the presiding officers were as follows: P. H. Cunning- ham, president ; Gus Muhlhausen, secretary , J. M. Funke, Captain. Unrivalled enthusiasm characterized this, the mother commandery ; and following in regular order were organized : St. Matthew's com- mandery, No. 213, Mt. Vernon, Indiana, 1893 ; Independence com- mandery, No. 221, Evansville, Indiana, 1894 ; St. Edward's comman- dery, No. 250, Evansville, Indiana, 1895 ; St. Mary's commandery, No. 259, Evansville, Indiana, 1895; St. Anthony's commandery, No. 268, Evansville, Indiana, 1895; St. Boniface commandery, No. 280, Evansville, Indiana, 1896; St. Bernard's commandery, No. 296, Roek- port, Indiana, 1896.
Owing to the greatly increased membership and untiring energy of the above mentioned commanderies, on October 24, 1895, Evansville battalion of sixth district of Indiana was organized by H. T. Rush, then assistant adjutant general and organizer. Captain Nicholas Kohl was elected colonel of said battalion. February 14, 1896, the respee- tive officers of the sixth battalion were duly installed at Evans hall. The installation services were publie and under the command of Col. H. T. Rush. Rev. Joseph Diekman, chaplain of the battalion, acted as installing officer. The officers of the battalion, who are now pre- siding, are the following: Nicholas Kohl, colonel ; J. M. Funke, lieutenant colonel ; Theodore Kohl, senior major ; Gus Muhlhausen, junior major, and Henry Buehner, adjutaut.
The members of the Evansville commanderies have been especially favored in receiving appointments from the supreme commanders, among whom may be mentioned Rev. P. H. Rowen, of commandery No. 200, who was elected supreme treasurer for two years; Henry Luebberman, of No. 213, who received the appointment of adjutant general, and H. T. Rush, of No. 200, who was selected pay-master general.
It was also due to the earnest efforts of commandery No. 200 that the national convention was held in this eity in 1895.
The Knights of St. John is a fraternal and beneficiary, as well as a uniformed, semi-military and social organization. Its chief and worthy objeets are the caring for its siek members, the payment of a weekly indemnity, and also a death benefit. It is one of the few organiza- tions that combine military and social features. The sixth distriet of Indiana comprises the following counties: Vanderburgh, Posey, Warrick, Spencer, Perry, Crawford, Gibson, Pike, Dubois, Orange, Martin, Lawrence, Sullivan, Greene, Monroe, Owen, Knox and
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HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Daviess. All commanderies in any of the above counties are under the supervision of the Evansville battalion with headquarters at Evans- ville, Indiana. Thus in a short space of a few years, from one com- mandery, whose membership scarce exceeded fifty, with no equipments save energy and courage, have sprung the seven strong, stalwart organ- izations comprising the sixth battalion of Indiana.
LONE STAR, NO. 56.
The information for this lodge was not received in time to have it appear in its proper place among the A. O. U. W. lodges.
This lodge was instituted September 10, 1879. There were forty- five charter members. The following were the first officers elected : W. F. Smith, P. M. W .; H. E. Chapman, foreman; John M. Shane- man, recorder; P. Gentry, receiver; Thomas R. Green, I. W .; C. H. Roberts, M. W .; L. A. Hitch, overseer; Fred Baker, Fin .; J. Hennel, guide; E. Thomas, O. W. The number of present membership is 275. The past officers were:
Fred. Baker, John M. Shaneman,
John Atkins,
Ben. R. Sands,
John Sauer, H. L. Sickman,
J. B. Sessengut,
Chas. J. Breidenbach,
Aaron M. Weil, Geo. Weigel,
Louis Newman,
Jas. Jacobsohn,
Ed. J. Keil,
Wm. Edgar Males,
Henry Wunderlich,
Louis W. Brizius,
Wm. E. Sweeney.
CHAPTER XXI.
MILITARY ORDERS.
Military Orders-An Invaluable Record of Farragut Post, G. A. R. -A Complete List and History of All Who Have Ever Belonged to It-The Woman's Relief Corps-The Sons of Veterans-The Old Soldiers-Other Military Organizations.
Out of the bloody civil war was born the Grand Army of the Republic. It originated in the thought of Dr. B. F. Stephenson, and the first post was organized at Decatur, Ill., in April, 1866. Since then the Grand Army has spread to every state and territory in the Union, until it now numbers about 400,000 grizzled, battle-scarred old veterans.
FARRAGUT POST NO. 27.
This post, in the department of the Indiana G. A. R., was founded June 24, 1881. The names of charter members were:
W. H. Keller,
C. H. Myerhoff, Wm. Warren,
August Leich,
Philip C. Helder,
J. W. Compton,
H. A. Mattison,
Jacob W. Messick,
W. A. Sluder,
Conrad Reichert,
J. H. Holtman,
Thos. A Bates,
John C. Bickham,
Jackson Brown,
Geo. L. Daum,
Robert Day,
Chas. Denby,
Isidor Esslinger,
S. P. Gillett,
Michael Gorman,
August Grundman,
John J. Hays,
C. N. Helmerich,
Jos. Hennel,
Geo. Hitch,
John J. Kleiner,
Peter Marker,
G. C. McDermott,
John W. Messick,
Geo. H. Neekamp,
Duke Nichelson,
I. H. Odell,
W. S. Pollard,
John Rheinlander,
A. C. Rosencranz,
Henry R. Sanders,
S. B. Sansom,
E. F. Schatzer,
Louis Sickenberger,
Chas. A. Smith,
Robert Smith,
E. H. Stephens,
Reinhard Strassweg,
Ed. Tombler,
Bernard Wagner,
Jesse W. Walker.
The officers of Farragut post for the year 1897 are as follows : Wil- liam Nelson, past commander; L. N. Wheeler, senior vice commander; William Elliott, junior vice commander; George G. McGrew, adjutant; William Warren, quartermaster; Dr. J. W. Compton, surgeon; S. B.
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