USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 43
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It was not till the 10th of October, 1823, that a eharter was granted, at which time Gen. John Tipton was granted a dispensation by Deputy Grand Master Thomas Douglas, at Madison, to constitute and form Wayue Lodge, No. 25, at Fort Wayne ; after which, on the 17th of November, Gen. Tipton, in obedience to his authority, organized a Lodge-Alexander Ewing, Master ; John Tipton, S. W .; B. B. Kercheval, J. W .; Charles W. Ewing, Sec .; A. L. Davis, Treas .; Joseph Hackley and H. B. MeKeau, Deacous, and James Wyman, S. aud T. The first election took place on the 25th of December of that year, at which Gen. John Tipton was elected Master, being the first elected W. M. of the Lodgy after its organization. The first application for degry's was unani- mously rejected on the 7tb of June, 1824. Gen. Jobn Tiptou was re-elected iu
102
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
June, 1824, as Master, and again elected to the same station December 6, 1824, and re-elected at each successive term till June 3, 1828, an honorable and efficient. member and officer.
Lambert Cushoois was the first member initiated, which took place Angust 16, 1824. The first celebration of St. John's Day (24th of June), was held on that day iu the year 1825, when Gen. John Tipton delivered the oration. The first public installation of officers took place at the house of Hugh Hanna, in Fort Wayne, December 27, 1825. On the 26th of May, the first public Masonic burial took place, hy interring the remains of Capt. Hackley, who had committed suicide at this place. This thing, though wuch ont of the order with regard to a pelo de se, was done to gratify the widow of the unfortunate Hackley. On the 24tb of June, 1827, Alexander Ewing prepared the first Masonic dinner of the place, which the craft partook of after the ceremonies of that distinguished anni- versary. As an aet of benevolence on the part of the Lodge, we refer to the fact that, on the 27th of June of that year. it appropriated a fifty-dollar loan to Capt. James Riley, a brother Mason, who was in very great affliction from disease, and wbo was at Fort Wayne, en route for the East, to obtain medical treatment. This Capt. Riley is the author of " Riley's Narrative" of . Arabian memory, and the one to whom, in the history of Fort Wayne, we have referred as the Surveyor of the lands round about this place, and the proprietor of Willshire, Ohio. The next deatb of a member of the Lodge was Alexander Ewing, the father of W. G. Ewing, C. W. Ewing and Alexander Ewing, Jr., deceased, and Col. G. W. Ewing, who survives. This funeral took place according to Masonic forms, on the 5th of January, 1827, two days after Mr. Ewing's death. Joseph Holman was elected W. M. of the Lodge June 2, 1828, being the second elected Master of the Lodge. He was succeeded by Dr. Lewis G. Thompson, now dead, who was elected December 1, 1828; he by Anthony L. Davis, now deceased, June 1, 1829; he by Hugh Hanna, now of Wabashtown, January 23, 1830; he by Absalom Holcomb, now deceased, June 7, 1830 ; he by Samuel Hanna, June 6,. 1831 ; he by Anthony L. Davis, now deceased, wbo was re-elected December 1, 1831 ; he by Henry Rudisill, now deceased, February 20, 1833, and he by Saul- nel Edsall, June 10, 1833, at which latter meeting a committee reported that they had sold the Lodge lot and premises for $1,328. This Lodge Hall was completed about midsummer of 1830, and was a two-story brick building, wbich stood on the lot on which now stands Hill & Orbison's warchouse, on the north side of Columbia street, at the canal basin, or rather it stood on the east part of tbat lot. From the 10th of June, 1833, after a labor of ten years, the Lodge ceased to work. It was afterward organized and worked for a few years between tbat and 1840, but no record is left of its proceedings, and all is left to faithless memory. On the 3d of March, 1840, after public notice given, the fraternity of Fort Wayne and vicinity met to consider the propriety of again working as a regular Lodge, at which Henry Rudisill presided as W. M .; Samuel Edsall, S. W .; H. B. Taylor, J. W .; C. E. Sturgis, Secretary; F. Comparet, T. Daniels, S. D .; William Rockhill, J. D., and A. Holcomb, T. It worked awhile, till the autumu of 1847, when, failing to report its dues to the Grand Lodge, the charter was suspended and the Lodge ceased to work till July 4, 1849, when the charter was restored and it proceeded to work with Henry Rudisill as its Master, who was succeeded by Dr. Charles E. Sturgis, 27th of December, 1849 ; S. H. Shoaff, 18th of June, 1850 ; Sol. D. Bayless, December 17, 1850, who continued in tbat office till June 19. 1855, when Joseph Johnson succeeded him. Annual Communica- tion of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, May, 1837, Mr Bayless was elected as M. W. Grand Master of Indiana.
It is proper bere to say, that about 1855, a new lodge was formed bere, and called Summit City Lodge, No. 170, which has done an admirable work sinee that time ; and that within the last eight years an extraordinary progress has been made in the work; owing perhaps to the zeal and entire efficiency of Sol D. Bayless, now Grand Master. Within that time. there have been established here the subordinate Lodge referred to, a Royal Arch Chapter, a Council and an Encampment, by which, all entitled have the facilities for taking the higher degrees in this ancient Order. Of the pecuniary conditions of these several organizations. it is not in our place to speak ; but their works of benevolenee and charity, and their influence on the habits, generally, of those connected with tbem, have been redeeming.
We here suhjoin the names of the members found upon the records of Wayne Lodge, No. 25, from May, 1823, to December 20, 1857, which are all that have and do belong to the same, except those whose names occur during that period of the lost record. The dates of initiation and admission respectively are given seriatim :
Alexander Ewing, John P. Hedges, Benjamin Cushman, Benjamin B. Ker- cheval, Charles W. Ewing, James Hackley. Robert Hars and William Hedges are charter members. John Tipton, joined on dimit November 17, 1823; Lambert Cushoois, initiated August 16, 1824; Jolin Furron and John MeGreggor, initi- ated July 4, 1825; H. Todd and A. L. Davis, admitted on dimit July 1; Horace B. Taylor, Robert Scott and F. R. Kintner, initiated July 7 ; Hugh Hanna, July 9; Joseph Holman, John Winchel and Luther Newton, admitted on dimit ; William Scott, A. McCallister and William N. Hood, initiated August 8; John B. Bourie, August 25 ; Robert Wilson, October S; Chancey Carter, admitted on dimit November 7 ; Cyrus Taber, initiated November 25; Richard Chobert, December 27; Moses Sharp, admitted on dimit January 1, 1826 ; Henry Gerrard, initiated February 6; Allen Hamilton and James Holman, March 2; Samuel Hanna, March 20, 1827 ; James Barneit and Abram Barnet, June 4; William Rockbill, August 9; Howard Stansberry, Abner Gerrard and L. G. Thompson, September 15; Isaae Marquis, March 3, 1828; Francis Comparet, April 2; A. S. Ballard and David Archer, June 10; John Forsyth, June 1G; Samnel Edsall, October 10; D. Pickering, January 5, 1829; J. Avaline, an E. A. joined and was passed September 14; James Hudson, September 14; Charles Mortimer, November 19 ; Henry Rudisill, admitted on dimit January 4, 1830;
P. Huling, initiated August 2, 1830 ; Willliam Suttenfield, September 7 ; Sam- uel Stophlet, June 6, 1831.
Record of members from this time until July 4, 1849, not to be found ; but Joseph Johnson and John W. Dawson are known to have been entered, passed and raised in this Lodge ahont September, 1847.
Samuel H. Shoaff, William Stewart, William W. Stevens, - Francis S. Avaline, J. Hull, Alexander MeCulloch, A. H. Wells, Frederick Hamil- ton, C. W. Aylsworth, Peter Kiser, Joseph Johnson, Richard McMullen, John Grimes, Isane Ayres and Charles E. Sturgis were members at tbe re-organi- zation.
J. W. Borden, Henry Wehimer and S. Riddleshimer, admitted on dimit November 27, 1849; M. E. Moehring and E. C. Nelson, initiated November 27, 1849; Joseph Scott, admitted on dituit November 27, 1849 ; George Meyers, S. M. Black and W. R. Evans, initiated May 7, 1850; William H. Banks, initi- ated May 21; L. Bingham, admitted on dimit May 21; Henry Work and H. WV. Jones, initiated June 26; Francis Sweet, initiated July 1; William H. McDonald, July 2; Joseph C. Silvers, August 6; Alfred A. Hodder, Septem- ber 17 ; Sol D. Bayless, admitted on dimit December 17; John Snider, initiated December 17; David H. Colerick, December 30; H. C. Crawl, initiated March 11, 183I ; Charles Case, initiated April 15 ; William Dale and George Hoskin- son, initiated June 15; Fred Nirdlinger, initiated July 22; Rich C. Newman, initiated September 10; B. G. Cecil, initiated September 25; Jacob Wiel, initi- ated December 2; Robert Brackenridge, Jr., initiated January 20, 1852; Martin Haydan and W. C. Smith, initiated Mareh 2; W. D. Stewart, admitted on dimit; Jaques Collins, March 30; John Billings, initiated May 18; J. C. Aylsworth and Reuben D. Robinson, initiated July 1; D. McCleary, initiated July 27; D. Courtney, initiated August 24; J. MeNutt Smith, initiated September 2; P. C. Isbell, October 26; G. F. Stinchcomb, admitted on dimit November 9; B. B. Reed, initiated January 4, 1853; Moses Drake, Jr., initiated January 11 ; J. C. Banks, admitted on dimit January 25; D. W. Maples, W. Childs, L. Falk and C. Vonbonhorst, initiated January 25; Justin Whaley, initiated February 22; S. Giles, initiated March 1; Hugh B. Reed and D. F. Comparet, initiated April 20; M. Ensign, initiated April 29; F. H. Dardin, initiated July 11; S. Dodge and Robert Work and James L. Worden, initiated July 26; J. R. Mitten, initiated August 23; A. D. Reed, initiated August 30; William S. Smith, admitted on dimit September 13: Wilsou S. Hoagland, initiated September 13; George Bullard, initiated October 4; Jacob Carey, initiated October 11; Year- less Day, admitted on dimit November 15; Charles Hanna, initiated December 13; Charles T. Fish, admitted on dimit December 13; Moses Jenkinson, initiated December 20; Joseph C. Leonard, January 8, 1854; P. Francis, Theodore Lichtenhein and George L. Little, initiated January 10; George W. Pomroy, admitted on dimit February 7; Charles B. Morse and Alexander Wiley, initiated February 14 ; Samuel Brindle, admitted ou dimit February 14; C. W. Alexander, Charles D. Bond, Owen Ford, initiated March 14; N. M. Grandstaff and Judge Vaughn, initiated April 11; John Burres, admitted on dimit; Owen Thomas, initiated June 27; E. L. Knight, initiated July 3; R. L. McCune, initiated Sep- tember 4; William Dillon and B. F. Dailey, initiated September 19; Charles Kinderman, initiated October 3; J. R. Duncan, initiated October 17; William Blake and Nelson Gumup, initiated October 31; Hiram Work, initiated December 5; Samuel McElfatrick and James H. Tanner, initiated December 19; L. N. Cov- erdale, adıuitted on dimit December 19 ; J. H. Lefever, initiated January 2, 1855 ; B. H. Tower, initiated January 16 ; D. H. Ford, John Butt and Liman Sitzen, initiated January 30; Peter Simonson, initiated March 20; Joel Vaughn, initi- ated March 27; William Larwell and E. P. Abbott, initiated April 10 ; Christian Parker, admitted on dimit April 10; Daniel Callahan and Daniel Eby, initiated June 26; George Depler, initiated July 10; Thomas Irvin, initiated September 7 ; Leonard Pearson, initiated September 25 ; Benjamin Saunders, initiated Oeto- ber !; William Wier, initiated October 16; E. G. Coverdale, initiated October 23; E. A. McMahon, initiated January 22, 1856 ; Joseph L. Tait, initiated Jan- uary 29; John Majors, William F. Ford, Isaac Wolf, J. Lessman, July 7 ; I. Lauferty, initiated July 27 ; Joseph Freeman, wbo bad received the First Degree at Peru, Ind., was raised August 4, 1857; Warren L. Mills, initiated August 4 ; C. Orff, initiated August 11 ; Aaron Moore, initiated August 18; William Long, initiated September 8; James Clark, J. L. Harrod, H. Eby and James Clark, Jr., initiated September 29; G. H. Whitney, initiated October 20; Daniel B. Mills, initiated October 27; John Lane, Thomas T. Darwin. initiated November 10; Thouias G. Green, on dimit November 10; L. P. Lareom, initiated November 25; John W. Hollowpeter, William M. Dailey, Samuel Mercer, initiated Janu- ary 5, 1858 ; Philip Blasdel, initiated January 12; W. C. Shoaff, Lewis Dessaur, A. C. Probasco, initiated January 26; W. D. McElfatrick, initiated January 26; H. G. Brown, on dimit January 26; Edward Hardick, G. W. Bailey, initiated February 2; C. S. Smith, initiated February 6; Nelson Wheeler, ini- tiated April 26; John Dever, initiated May 26; J. Q. Disbrow, on dimit July 6; George H. Wilson, passed and raised July 6; J. Colelazer, initiated August 10; Samuel Alden, initiated August 17 ; Andrew G. Larcom, initiated October 19 ; John F. Morrison, Philip Grund, initiated July 21; Ezra Mallone, initiated August 3; Thomas Larimore, initiated August 17; Asbury Andrews, initiated October 5; D. N. Bash, initiated November 2; S. J. W. Underhill, on dimit November 16; William F. Jones, initiated November 16; Jacob Harts, initiated December 14.
Summit City Lodge, No. 170, F. & A. M .- Date of dispensation May 31, A. D. 1854, A. L., 5854. Offieers (under dispensation ) : Charles Case, W. M .; Francis L. Aveline, S. W., and Y. Day, J. W. The first regular meeting was held on Friday evening, June 16, 1854, with the following officers : Charles Case, W. M .; F. L. Avelinc. S. W .; Y. Day, J. W .; D. W. Maples, Treasurer ; Charles Band, Secretary ; W. L. Smith, S. D .; Richard McMullen, J. D., and James B. Shoaf, Tiler.
103
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
Charter dated May 30, 1855. Charter members : R. C. Newman, Y. Day, Charles Case, Charles Band, W. L. Smith, D. W. Maples, Charles Hanna, F. L. Aveline, David Comparet and Richard MeMullen.
First officers after date of charter : Charles Case, W. M .; F. L. Aveline, S. W .; W. L. Smith, J. W.
Past Masters: Charles Case, from June, 1854, to June, 1858 ; F. L. Ave- line from June, 1858, to June, 1859 ; E. L. Force, from June, 1859, to June, 1860; W. H. Newman,-from June, 1860, to June, 1861 ; Munsou Van Giesen, from June, 1861, to June, 1862 ; Mort H. Taylor, from June, 1862, to Novem- ber, 1862; W. H. Newiuan, from June, 1863, to June, 1866 ; George W. Voor- his, from June, 1866, to June, 1867; W. H. Newman, from June, 1867, to June, 1868; M. B. Strong, from June, 1868, to December, 1869; W. C. Babeock, from Deeember, 1869, to December, 1873; Samuel B. Sweet, from December, 1873, to Deeember, 1874; William Knight, from December, 1874, to December, 1875 ; C. L. Thomas, from December, 1875, to December, 1876; Levi. Griffith, fromu December, 1876, to December, -
Present offieers: Levi Griffith, W. M .; William S. Patton, S. W .; Robert A. Liggett, J. W .; Israel Lee, Treasurer; D. W. Souder, Secretary ; William W. Fisk. S. D .; John Keller, J. D .; T. II. Fleming, S. S .; S. S. Robinson, J.S., and William Knight, Tiler. Present number of members, 165. Total assets, January 1, 1879, 82,460.33.
Olive Branch Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 248 .- This Lodge was organized February 10, 1859, under the auspices of S. D. Bayless as Grand Master of the State. The following were the officers and members at the organization: N. M. Grandstaff, W. M .; Judge Vaughn, S. W .; William Loug, J. W .; Asa Wood- ward, James Clark, L. N. Coverdale, E. D. Coverdale, Joel Vaughn, Jessie Heaton, Dr. James Clark, Ezra Malonce, Henry Eby. N. M. Grandstaff was Master from 1859 to 1862 ; Joel Vaughn, from 1862 to 1865; Ezra Malonee, from 1865 to 1868; Jessee Heaton, from 1868 to 1876. Morgan Harrod was Master in 1877. Jessee Heaton was re-elected and is serving as Master at present. Officers of the Lodge at this date are: Jessee Heaton, W. M .; William Vanhorn, S. W .; A. J. Emerick, J. W .; Jacob Fisher, Treasurer; John Scott, Secretary ; Uriah Todd, S. D .; H. W. Carral, J. D .; Jacob Hess, Tiler ; Stewarts, William Seott, Dr. Allen Divelbiss ; Trustees, Jessee Heaton, Dr. A. Divelbiss, Morgan Harrod. Number of members, thirty. The Lodge owns a hall 20x30 feet and have $206.21 in their treasury. The Lodge is in a prosperous condition.
Sol. D. Bayless Lodge, No. 359 .- A number of Master Masons residing in Fort Wayne, prompted with a desire of being serviceable to the eraft, and believing the interest of Masonry could be served by the formation of a new Lodge, accordingly, after holding several informal meetings and indulging in a general interchange of sentiments, the following, brethren, Anson Waring, Martin L. Bulger, Jolın M. Coombs, Byron D. Angell, Alfred Hattersley, William John- son, Jr., W. Akhurst, Sanford Lumbard, assembled in the hall of Wayne Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., on the evening of May 4, 1866. As the result of this preliminary meeting, a dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge, dated May 30, 1866, with B. D. Angell, John M. Coombs, A. Warring, William Johnson, Jr., A. Hattersley, M. L. Bulger, S. Lumbard and W. Ackhurst, as petitioning members. On the 4th of June, following, those members met, accepted the dispensation and had the same recorded. Of this new Lodge, Byron D. Angell was appointed Worshipful Master ; Johu M. Coombs, S. W., and A. Waring, J. W. In due time, a charter was granted and the Lodge has worked regularly ever since. The present membership is 100; the assets of the Lodge $1,800. The following are the present officers: John I. White, W. M .; C. B. Oakley, S. W .; T. H. Mccullough, J. W .; C. L. Smith, Treasurer; W. S. Buck, Secretary ; George K. Torrance, S. D .; T. K. Caldwell, J. D.
Fort Wayne Chapter, No. 19, R. A. M., was organized under dispensation granted by Abel C. Pepper, Grand High Priest of Grand Chapter of Indiana, dated May 5, A. D. 1851, and of Royal Arch Masonry 2,381, to S. D. Bayless, James Higb, James B. Shoaff, Robert Brackenridge, Samuel Souers, Henry Rudi- sill, James Armison, James W. Borden and Fredrick Hamilton. The following were appointed officers under said dispensation: Henry Rudisill, High Priest ; James W. Borden, King ; Robert Brackenridge, Seribe. A charter was granted by the Grand Chapter of the State of Indiana May 24, A. D. 1851, and the era of Masonry 5851 and of Royal Areh Masonry 2381. Present officers: M. M. Smiek, High Priest ; C. M. Dawson, King; Joseph Wban, Scribe ; H. W. Mard. hurst, Treasurer ; C. B. Oakley, Secretary ; John H. Bass, S. B. Sweet, M. E. Argo, Trustee.
Fort Wayne Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar .- Organized uuder dis- pensation, granted by Right Eminent Sir Knight W. B. Hubbard, then Grand Master of Grand Encampiuent of Knights Templar of the United States of America, May 24, A. D. 1853, A. O. 735. The dispensation was granted to Sirs Sol D. Bayless, James Collins, James High, H. H. Peppard, George Rock- well, William T. Hall, W. H. Ozier, Lewis J. Baldwin, F. McCanchy and Jacob Landis. Of these, Sir Knights Peppard, Rockwell, Hall, Ozier, Baldwin, MeCanchy and Landis were members of Northwest Commandery, No. 13, Unity, Ohio, and never united with Fort Wayne Commandery. Sir Knigbts Bayless, Collins and High were residents of Fort Wayne, and became charter members of said Commandery. Organized under charter granted by the General Grand Encampment of the United States of America, at Lexington, Ky., September 19, A. D. 1853, A. O. 735. Officers for 1879: C. M. Dawson, Eminent Com- quander ; John Lillie, Jr., Generalissimo; II. W. Mordhurst, Captain General ; M. Crosley, Prelate; W. Hattersley, Senior Warden; W. J. Reynolds, Junior Warden ; S. B. Sweet, Treasurer ; C. B. Oakley, Recorder; M. E. Argo, Stand- ard- Bearer ; R. T. McDonald, Sword- Bearer ; J. W. Stutzenberger, Warden ; F. Comincavish, Sentinel. Regular day of meeting, third Thursday in each mouth.
Masonic Temple Association .- The Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the eity of Fort Wayne, having had an existence therein for many
years (as rentes only), have conceived the idea of erecting a Temple for the joint occupaney of the different Masonie bodies located in the city, and, after some degree of agitation as to the practicability of the project among the brethren, tbe matter came formally before the Masonie hodies at their stated communications during February, 1878, at all of which, resolutions were passed, unanimously authorizing their Trustees to proceed, in the most practicable way, to carry out their expressed will, in a manner commensurate with the importance of the under- taking. Accordingly, a preliminary meeting of the Trustees was held February 13, 1878. A temporary organization was effeeted and a committee appointed to present Articles of Association. At a meeting, held February 20. 1878, the Arti- cles of Association were adopted. The following is a list of the incorporators : George R. Bowen, Samuel B. Sweet, William Knight, William W. Fisk, James HI. Simonson, O. D. Hurd, William Lyne, George D. Crane, William Johnston, Jr., Joseph Whan, William Rogers, William P. Swinney, Robert C. Bell, John I. White, Daniel L. Harding, J. H. Bass, Horatio N. Ward. On February 26, an election for officers was held, which resulted as follows: Samuel B. Sweet, President ; Robert C. Bell, Vice President ; William Lyne, Secretary ; J. H. Simonson, Treasurer. The capital stock of the Association was fixed at $50,000, divided into 10,000 shares of $5 cach. The Masonic bodies were the first to subscribe. The Commandery, by her Trustees, ou March 7, 1878, subscribed 200 shares, amounting to $1,000. The Chapter subscribed 600 shares, amount- ing to $3,000. Wayne Lodge subscribed 400 shares, amounting to $2,000. Summit City Lodge subscribed 400 shares, amonuting to $2,000; Sol D. Bayless subscribed 300 shares, amounting to $1,500, and Home Lodge subscribed 100 shares amounting to $500, every cent of which-and more too-has been paid. The lot on which the Temple is being erected, was purchased and paid for in July, 1878, at a cost of $5,000. The following is a list of the Board of Trustees, cleeted by the stockholders, at their last annual meeting, held in January, 1879: Trustees-Alfred Hattersley, Jobn I. White, Robert C. Bell, Samuel B. Sweet, John H. Bass, M. E. Argo, A. H. Hamilton, N. II. Ward, D. L. Harding, C. L. Thomas, William W. Fisk, William Knight, William Lyne, C. L. Smith, George D. Crane, J. H. Simonson, C. A. Zollinger, Josepb Whan, S. B. Bond, John M. Coombs, William P. Swinney. Officers-C. A. Zollinger, President; J. I. White, Vice President ; William Lyne, Secretary ; J. H. Simonson, Treasurer. Finance Committee-S. B. Sweet, William P. Swinney and George D. Crane. Building Committee-John H. Bass, John M. Coombs, S. B. Bond, R. C. Bell, William W. Fisk. The contract for the eree- tion of the Temple was approved by the Board at their meeting held June 5, 1879, and work comrueneed June 12, 1879. The corner-stone was laid, with Masonic ceremonies, by the Grand officers of the State, September 16, 1879.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F., at Fort Wayne, was instituted October 27, 1813, by Deputy Grand Master John Green, assisted by Past Grands S. S. Tipton and W. Hubbell. They opened the Lodge by conferring the Third, Fourth and Fifth Degrees on Benjaiuin Saunders and James P. Munson. The charter members were Benjamin Saunders, James MeClelland, James P'. Munson, Peter Rodenbaugh. Joseph Stamford and S. C. Newton. After the Lodge was instituted, George Johnson, George Wilson, James B. Edwards, Aaron J. Mer- shon and Asa Naylor were initiated. All the parties named above are now dead. except A. J. Mershon, who lives at Warsaw, and James B. Edwards, who lives at Columbia City. There appears to have been no election for officers until December, 18. wheu James P. Munson was elected Noble Grand and Joseph Stamford, Vice Grand. In the mean while, fourteen new members were initiated. The first sickness benefits were allowed to Peter Rodenbaugh April 22, 1844, amounting to $6. On December 9, 1844, B. F. Mills died, the first loss by deatlı that occurred among the members of the Lodge. As an illustration of the " hard times " in money watters during the time, the Lodge catue near breaking up at that time on account of the impossibility of collecting dues and otber moneys due to the Lodge. Past Grands George Johnson and Benjamin Saun- ders were elected Representatives to the Grand Lodge of the State March 31, 1845, and they were the first Representatives sent by the Lodge. The Lodge was still struggling in a financial slough, and on the 24th of July. 1845, it was ordered by the Lodge " that the Treasurer sell the ' white dog' (serip issued by the State for the purpose of carrying on public improvements, iu bills of $5.00 each ) at $3.50 for $5.00, and city orders at 87! eents on the dollar." Officers of the Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F .: December 18, 1843, J. P. Mun- son was elected Noble Grand : March 18, 1843, James Stamford, elected N. G .; June 17, 1844, B. F. Mills, elected N. G .; September 16, 1844, F. HI. Tyler, eleeted N. G .; December 16, 1844, George Johnson, elected N. G .; March 24, 1815, C. H. Gould, eleeted N. G .; June 16, 1845, A. B. Miller, elected N. G .; September 17, 1845, Thomas Tigar, elected N. G. The present officers of the Lodge are: Peter Simmous, N. G .; Allen Hamilton, V. G .; William Beals, See .; A. Holyworth, Per. See .; T. J. Rodabaugh, Treas. Trustees-M. V. B. Spen- cer, D. M. Fulls, John Whinney, Platt J. Wise. Platt J. Wise, a member of the Fort Wayne Lodge, was made Worthy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the State of Indiana.
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