USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Indiana : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 29
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The work of this lodge having been placed under the inspection of the proper cummittee at the next anmil session of the Grand Lodge, that commit- tee submitted the following report in reference thereto: " The committee have examined the workings of Hamilton Lodge, under dispensation, and the copy of by-laws presented with them, and find the workings regular, with very few unimportant exceptions, nud nothing in the by-laws that contravenes any provision in the by-laws of the Grand Lodge. The petitioners pray for a charter to constitute them a regular lodge; and your committee deem their prayer reasonable, and recommend the adoption of the following resolution :
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" Resolved, That a Charter be granted to the petitioners, by the name of Hamilton Loge, No. 32; and that Jereminh Leaming be the first Master thereof, William Conner the Senior Warden, and Nathan D. Shoemaker the Junior Warden."
This report was accepted, and the charter issued, jmirsuant to the recom- mendation of the committee, and was dated November 26, 1828; signed by Elihu Stout, firand Master; G. W. Johnston, Deputy Grand Master; John W. Davis, Senior Grand Warden ; and Charles 1. Hand, Junior Grand Wurden: . nttested by J. V. D. Lanier, Grand Secretary.
The proceedings of the lodge were regular and orderly during the suc- eveding three years, up to 18331. Meanwhile, six new members had been
initiated. Subsequently, however, until 1835, there were frequent irregulari- ties, among which was a failure to make and report the condition of its affairs to the firand Lodge. The consequence of this neglect was striking its name from the roll of lodges, at the latter date, whereby its charter became forfeited and it ceased to work. During the period from 1835 until 1817, the status of the lodge remained the same, the members depending for Masonie intercourse nyon neighboring lodges. In the mean time, many of the original members died, or removed from the jurisdiction, while others became estranged and withdrew themselves from the fold. Some, however. continued faithful to the end, to whom a dispensation was granted some time prior to the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1817, and John D. Stephenson was admitted to that body as the representative of' Hamilton Lodge (I'. D.). As such, early in the session, he submitted for consideration the following statement :
WHEREAS, Hamilton Lodge, No. 57, in common with many other lodges much older and stronger, was compelled to suspend work and consequently to forfeit their charter ; and
WHEREAS, Said lodge has been induced, from their grent desire to promote the great objeets of our beloved institution, to apply for a dispensation, not doubting the same liberal inducements would be afforded them, to aid them in their infancy, which this Grand Lodge bas so liberally always afforded to its subordinato lodges thus situ- ated ; therefore,
Retired, That the charter to be granted to them by this grand body, be without any other charge than the Secretary's fee.
The above preamble and resolution were read and adopted.
Immediately anterior to this proceeding, the Committee on Charters and Dispensations, having had under consideration and examination the working system of this subordinate lodge, reported. May 27, 1817, as follows: " That they find the by-laws correct, but regret to see many errors in their workings. For example, it is a practice of the lodge to ballot the candidate in the degree for which he is a candidate, a practice which has offen been condemned by this lodge. We find, also, that candidates were petitioned for, initiated, passed and raised, all in the space of three weeks-a practice highly reprehensible. Hoping, however, that their future work will be amended in these respects, we recom- meil that a charter be granted as Hamilton Lodge, No. 57, and that Jesse Lutz be the first Worshipful Master, James B. Hall, S. W., and Gardner Perry, 1. W." On the following day, May 28, 1817, a new charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, signed by E. Denning, Grand Master; H. f. Hazelriga, Deputy Grand Master; Joseph Roseman, Senior Grand Warden; J. S. Free- man, JJunior Grand Warden; and attested by Austin W. Morris, tirand See- retary, under the seal of the grand body authorizing its issue.
During the year succeeding, the lodge gave promise of more than usual prosperity, the record showing that the members of its members had been in- created by twenty-two initiations, of whom seventeen had been passed and raised, giving an aggregate of thirty-nine.
The year following was almost equally satisfactory, showing that eleven had been initiated, thirteen passed and raised, one admitted to membership, one withdrawn, four rejected, two suspended, one died, and one re-instated, showing an aggregate of forty five members, Jesse Lutz, W. M., representing Hamilton Lodge in the grand body. .
Again, from May. 1849, to May, 1850, the working activity of the lodge was diminished but little, nine having been initiated and passed, and eight raised to the Master's degree. During this period, however, some dissatisfaction having arisen, from what cause does not now appear. fourteen of the members withdrew, and subsequently asked for a dispensation empowering them to work as a separate lodge, which was granted under the name of Noblesville Lodge, on the 13th of February, 1850, to Jesse Lutz, W. M., Joseph Lutz, S. W., and James B. Brown, J. W., as the first officers, to whom, also, a charter was granted on the 29th of May following, by the Grand Lodge, with the sugges- tion that, " It may be the wants of Noblesville require two lodges, but, as a general rule, it evidences to your committee, when a lodge divides in a town of that size, that brethren are not dwelling together in unity. We hope, however, better things of Noblesville, though we thus speak." This new lodge took tho minber 103 on the roll. The following are the names of the members of Hamilton Lodge, who, having demitted on the ith of February, 1850, hecame the original members of Noblesville Taxlge, No. 103 : Jose Lutz, Joseph Lutr., James G. Brown, James M. Jamison, Thomas J. Lindsey, John P. Patterson, John T. Cox, 11. G. Finch, John Beal, Pleasant Williams, II. W. Ilnyer and Gardner Perry. This new lodge, seeing the force of the suggestion made by the Grand Lodge Committee before cited, after a career of less than three years, ceased to work, and surrendered its charter and the members in part subisce- quently affiliated with Hamilton Lodge.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Aside from the foregoing divinity, this lodge has enjoyed a fair measure of success, evrept in the year IS5ti, when the record shows fourteen other mem- bers withdrew. It from what cause is not apparent. Since that time, however, there have been greater harmony and more unity of action. The present finan- vial condition of the bulge is shown in the following report of the Treasurer, filed Jannary 20, 1880 .
Received from former Secretary, January 30 ....... $120 00
Itereivel from Secretary, May 7 ... 32 50
Received from Trustees, November 11 ... 16 25
Received from Trustees, December 22
Received from Secretary .. 15 43
Total rrecipts. $201 #8
Balance on land at Iny! report $192 :1
Tutal balance ..
Expenditures, tutal ..
Tutal balance on lu 6:307 89
Delinquencies. $142 33
The following are the officers dlerted for the year 15st.
N. D. Levenam, W. M .; W. J. Holland. S. W .; George Allison. J. W .; Owar Mil, S. D .: P W. Morrow. J. D. E. K. Hall. Treasurer ; D. K. Taylor. Secretary : E. B.nrks, Tiler.
Prior to 1450, the member of Royal Arch Masons within the area of Hamil- ton County was not great, and the ureessity of organization as a means of improvement in the mystic art not fully apparent. Within the year preceding the month of May of that year. however, a more than usual interest manifest. ing itself'. these few companions, affiliated and non affiliated, residing in this jurisdiction. applied for and received a dispensation, which authorized the man- ing of a chapter in Nodesville to speare the desired aid. Having been for some time unused to active work in this department of Masonry. the workman were not proficient, and, while their skill was in no way revonamenatory, a fair show of carnestress and energy was manifest, which essential elements had much to do in moving the committee that had its work under review in the Grand Chapter to recommend that body In issue the meressury charter. This committee's request disclosed the following facts " That they have examined the by-laws and records of' proceedings of the Noblesville Chapter, 11 D. and cannot ascertain from said record that there has been at any time a bølge either uf Mark Master. Past Master, or Most Excellent Masters, opened, although there appears to have been work done in each one of these degrees. With this exemption, the record of proceedings is generally correct. With the under- standling that the record of proceedings will be properly kept herrafter. your committee recommend the adoption of the following resolution . Kesslerd. That a charter be granted to the companions of Soldesville Chapter, No. 11. and that Companion W. W. Conuer be the first High Priest : Companion Jesse Litz be the first King, and Companion G. M. Shaw be the first Sprihe.""
The committee's report was concurred su, a charter granted on the 21de of May, 1850, to the companions named and the others affiliating with them then and thereafter. The membership reported at the session of 1850 was nine miginal members, with six evaltations, while under dispensation. The report for the following year showed twelve exaltations, one withdrawn, and one death. In 1952, the report shows five exaltations, une withdrawal and two rejections, while in 1833, there were right evaltations, une admission, five with- drawals and one rejection, showing a contributing membership of thirty-une at that time. In 185%, there was a diminution of interest. and a falling off in membership, only three having been exalted, five withdrawals, one su-pension, and one death, leaving an aggregate uf ouly twenty-five members,
While the way was in progres, work in the chapter was almost entirely susjermied. I'jum the restoration of prace, more satisfactory fraternal relations existing, a new impetus was given to the work, and the membership increased rapidly, the membership in 18ff numbering sixty.
Notwithstanding this apparent interest and prosperity, in the following year an unfraternal feeling manifested itself so strongly that a few of the companions so far tirgot their duty in the premises as to refuse to recognize their obliga- tions to the parent hody, which resulted in the Grand High Priest arresting the charter, and on the 30th of November, 1868, du Grand Secretary, John M. Bramwell, was commissioned to take charge of the proquerty and play the same in the archives of the Grand Chapter. The commission was accordingly duly executed, and summary miensures were taken to enforce compliance with
the requirements of Masmie law. Judicious management, in the end, accom- plished all, and in dur time the fourtions of the chapter were legitimately restored. A dispensation was granted on the 15th of April, 1870, by H. G. Hazelrigg, Grand High Priest, and upon the meeting of the tirand Chapter in October following, the Committee on Charters and Hispansations, having vy- amined the record and working of the chapter. recommended the granting of a new charter. Accordingly, a new charter, Waring the original number, was issued in the 20th of October, 1870, signed by the proper oficers, and dudy attested. The officers and members named in the charter were John Pontions, High Priest ; N. D. Levenson, King, and William Holland. Scribe ; and JJohn Pon- tions, N. B. Levenson, William Holland, C. H. Williams, Joseph Lentz. (. W. Fisher. E. K. Hall, Ephraim Banks, John Stevenson, James H. Harris. A. M. Conklin, T. JJ. Lindley and M. 1 .. Barnhizer.
From the issue of the new charter forward, periods of interest and apathy have siteressively been in the ascendant. the membership increasing and dimin- ishing in direct proportion with the dominant condition In 1579, the mecular. ship was stated to be twenty-four, though no regular report had been forwarded to the grand body in October of that year. At this time, capitular Mastery in Noblesville does not connnand the interest to which it is entitledl.
CHAPTER VI.
BENEVOLENT ORDERS -- CONTINUED.
1. 0. 0 F.
Noble stille Tanlay, No. 125-Barely History-Organisation-Some of Its Forly Officers and Its Members-His Work-Larampaant, No. 11- Its Organization- Membership-Daughters of Kolukah.
TORLESVILLE LODGE was organized on the 20th of January. 15.53. N On that night, the following-named persons were present as petitioners : George. F. Wainwright, Peter Bare, George Staats, H. W. Clark, E. G. Lang. who were found qualified, and Noblesville Lodge. No. 125, was declared consti- Inted, and the Following por-ons initiated: Heury Garhuden, W. J. H. Robi- son, W. W. Comer, Levi Parley. W. A. Wainwright, Jolin Funtions, Daniel Komp, 1. Tv. Wesley Balen-perk. I. b. and W. S Davenport, Bere admitted la card. The following-named persons were elected, as Officers : ti. F. Wainwright. N. G. ; Levi Farley, Secretary ; H. W. Clarke, Treasurer, Peter Bare. Warden : E. C. Tamg. Conductor ; Henry Garboden. Guardian ; W. A. Wainwright, Horst. On the second night, Trustees were elected as follows: G. F. Wainwright, John Pontions, D. W. Clarke. On the third night the following persons were initiated . Jesse Auburn and S. R. Metale. The meeting- were then hold in the Shaw Block. At the end of the first term the lodge mondered thirty three members. During the second term of the first year there were there initiations, there admissions by card, two expul- sions, one for improperly communicating the password and one for drunkenness. In Jamary, 1551, the ladder was moved to the north side of the square, over what is now known as Evans & Luftin's store.
April 1:0, 1561, a meeting was held to grant traveling cards to brothers who had enlisted in the service of their country under the first call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men. Cards were granted to John D. Evans, C. J. MrCole and W. A Wainwright.
On the 29th of April. 1861, moved into the Mammie Lodge rison, which Have sufficient room, and the order began a rareer of renewed proqurity.
March 21. 1sat, the Trusters were empowered to purchase the present. half of Dr. Miesse, and on the evening of July 11 the hall was formally dedi- eated by Grand Secretary E. H. Barry, which was an eventful occasion.
December 5, 1870, a festival for the benefit of the poor af Noblesville was hold, which potted over 899, and the proceeds were properly distributed.
On the 9th of June, 1871. the lage assisted in the organization of'a bulge at Arradia, the firth in the county, and presented their sister with a complete set of officers regalia. The fifty third anniversary of the introduction of thed Fellowship into the I'nited States was appropriately celebrated by the lodge, the important feature of which occasion was the address delivered by P. G. M. W. K. EAlwards, of Terre Haute, embracing a careful review of the workings of the order. During the period embraced in this review, a reference to the record of its transactions shows an immense ram of money expended for the relief'of' distressed brethren, their widows and orphans, in exemplification of the practical workings of the order in this country. Within the jurisdiction of this bulge alone, during the past twenty years, 85, 101. 18 had been expended
1
NOBLESVILLE TOWNSHIP.
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for charitable purposes-certainly a liberal showing for the liberality and humanity of the order. In addition to this, the fund necumulated for the benefit of Odd Fellows' orphans amounted to the anng sum of 81,200. From the date of organization, during the succeeding twenty years, the loss of mem- bership in this lodge by death was only seventeen,
In addition to the facts presented in the address of Mr. E. K. Hall, deliv- ered at Noblesville in April, 1854, from which we have quoted liberally, other valuable details have been gleaned from authentic sources, which deserve to be recorded here. Among the carly workers in Ord Fellowship, as represented by Noblesville Lodge, none, perhaps, are entitled to more credit for activity and zenl in its promotion than George F. Wainwright, who, from his opportuni- ties and inherent energy, coupled with his love for the principles of the order, was capable of and exerted a commanding influence in its behalf.
On the evening of February 17, 1833, a special meeting of the lodge was held for the purpose of conferring the degree of " Rebekah," upon eligible subjects. A goodlly number of members and visitants were present to receive and to witness the conferring of this degree, with its beautiful ceremonial and appropriate lessons. The service was conducted by W. W. Wright, of Capital lange, Indianapolis, and many brothers and their wives were characteristically inducted into the solemn mysteries.
At the meeting held on the loth of March following, the lodge subscribed for 8100 worth of Grand Lodge Hall stock, an investment with fair promise. The previous condition of the finances of the lodge was fully set forth in its report to the Grand large, in June, 1853, an abstract of which is hereto appended :
Receipts for initintions.
.$230 00
Receipts for degrees. 219 00
Receipts for dues.
52 10
Receipla for cards .. 23 00
Receipts for miscellanoons
6 25
Total
$550 65
Total expenditures.
295 88
Balance in treasury
$214 77
The officers elected Dec. 31, 1879, were b. Lybrand, N. G .; J. R. Mother, V. G .; E. K. Hall, Secretary ; Isae Williams, Treasurer.
During the twenty-eight years of its existence, this lodge has initiated 225 members, and admitted by card sixty-four, making a total of 289 members. Of these twenty-four have died and been buried by the order ; 87,231.12 have been paid out for benefits alone, and, including what has been paid out by the encampment, the expenditures for benefits, funeral expenses, widows and orphans, nearly $10,000. Present membership, sixty-eight; dormant membership, seventy-five ; Orphan's Fand on interest, $1,774.46.
For a large amount of the statistical and other matter embraced in the foregoing article, we are indebted to the kindness and consideration of Mr. E. K. Hall, the efficient Secretary of the Noblesville Lodge. .
GEORGE BROWN ENCAMPMENT, NO. 41.
On the 20th of June, 1855, a number of patriarcha from Metropolitan Encampment, No. 5, and Marion Encampment, No. 35, met in this place for the purpose of instituting George Brown Encampment, No. 34, I. O. O. F., D. D. G. P. William Wallace in the chair, by whom the following appointments were madlo pro tem .: Joseph K. English, P. I. P., H. P .; Jonathan W. Harvey, P. C. P., S. W. ; 1. P. Hanghey, P. C. P., Seribe ; Edward Laurence, P. 11. P., J. W. ; Ed. S. Tyler, P. C. P., Treasurer ; Benjamin MeCord, P. S. W., Inside Sentinel.
The following persons presented cards, to-wit : J. W. Harvey, Joseph K. English, E. S. Pope, E. M. Laurence, W. W. Wright, J. G. Waters, E. S. Tyler. The D. D. G. P., after the usual ceremonies, declared George Brown Encampment, No. 41, duly instituted.
The following were the past admissions in Golden Rule and Royal Purple degrees: E. S. Tyler, E. S. Pope, J. 11. Waters, II. W. Clarke, W. A. Wain- right, John Pontions, Eli Cohn, M. S. Davenpent, I. L. Davenport, George F'. Wainright, A. J. Ferguson, S. R. MeCole, William Haines, Charles Swain. Of these, the following were elected permanent officers : John Pontious, Chief' Patriarch ; G. F. Wainwright, High Priest ; I. 1. Davenport, Senior Warden ; W. A. Wainwright, Seribe ; S. R. MeCole, Treasurer ; M. S. Davenport, Junior Wurden ; Eli Cohn, Sentinel; 11. W. Clarke, Guide; A. G. Ferguson, First Watch ; W. Haines, Second Watch ; C. Swnin, Third Watch ; George Brown, Fourth Watch. The receipts of the evening were 8132.
July 13, 1857, the Auditing Committee reported :
Amouot on hand at commencement of last term ........ .$10 43
Amonot received in menntime ... 23 25
Total Receipts .. $63 GH
Amount disbursed 14 42
Total Amount in hands of Treasurer. $49 26
Total delinquency . 23 50
The present otheers are A. J. Ball, C. P. ; JJohn Kline, S. W. : John M. . Gray, 11. P. ; E. K. Hall, Seribe ; N. D. Levenson, Treasurer.
DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH.
On the evening of Tuesday, the 5th of January, 1875, n lodge of the " Daughters of Rebekah degree, was instituted by District Deputy G. M., E. K. Hall, in the city of Noblesville, at Odd Fellows' Hall. The following are the charter members: Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Newton Teter, Mr. and Mrs. E. Barks, Mr. and Mrs. William Lowther, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Heylman, Mr. and Mrs. N. D. Levenson, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Buckles, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Austin, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Giray, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Kastelhun.
The following officers were elected for the ensuing six months : E. K. Hall, N. G .; Mra. J. R. Gray, V. G .; Mrs. E. Banks, B. S .; Mrs. E. K. Hall, F. S .; Mr. William Lowther, Treasurer; Peter Kastelhun, Warden ; E. Harks, O. G .; Newton Teter, I. G .; Mrs. Kastelhun, Conductor ; Mrs. J. M. Gray and Mrs. Newton Teter, Supporters to the Noble Grand; Mrs. Buckles and Mrs. John- son, supporters to Vice Noble Grand ; K. Barks, Host.
CHAPTER VII.
BENEVOLENT ORDERS-CONTINUED.
Knights of Honor-Lodge, No. 812-Its Organization-Charter Members -Location-Officers-Some of the Features of the Order-Present Officers-Membership, etc.
THIS bulge was organized at Noblesville, Hamilton County, Ind., on Friday January 11, 1878, in the northeast corner room of Banelman's Block, on the east side of the Public Square, with the following charter members : Oscar Miles, Frank Lewis, Frank Force, Harvey Crane, Adam Miese, J. C. Jackson, M. H. Nelson, Henry Carr, Elisha Hawkins, Andrew J. Bell, Edward R. Scott and James M. Baker. Subsequent to the organization of this order, the lodge was moved to its present quarters in the City Hall. The officers chosen first were the following, with name and title :
Oscar Miles, Past Dictator ; Edward R. Scott, Dictator; Elihn Hawkins, Vice Dictator ; M. H. Nelson, Assistant Dictator ; James M. Baker, Chaplain ; Frank Lewis, Reporter; Harvey Crane, Financial Reporter; Henry Carr, Guide ; Joel C. Jackson, Guardian ; Frank Force, Sentinel.
Article VII, Section 5, of the constitution of this order, provides for a widows' and orphans' benefit fund, as follows : " Each and every member, except honorary members, upon presenting himself to receive the third or degree of manhond, shall pay to the Financial Reporter the following rates and halt rates, into the Widows' and Orphans' Benefit Fund, and the same amount on each assessment thereafter, whilst he is a member of this order, viz :
" Between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five years, 81 ; forty-five and farty-six years, 81.05 ; forty-six and forty-seven years, 21.10; forty-seven und forty-eight years, 81.20; forty-eight and forty-nine years, 81.30; forty-nine and fifty years, 81.50 ; fifty and fifty-one years, 82; fifty-one and fifty-two years, 82.50 ; fifty-two mud fifty-three yents, 8:1; fifty-three and fifty-four years, 8:3,50 ; fifty-four nud fifty-five years, 84.
"All such payments shall be known as the Widows' and Orphans' Benefit Fond. The date of such payment shall be kept by the Financial Reporter, and the brother credited with the same. No member shall be assessed for a death that occurs prior to his attaining the third or degree of manhood."
Section 6 provides that $2,000 shall be the highest amount paid by this order en the death of a brother. This sum shall be paid on the death of every full-rato member, and 81,000 on the death of every half-rate member.
The following are the present officers of the lodge : A. J. Bell, Past Dieta- tor ; James K. Fisher, Dictator ; Harvey Crane, Vice Dictator ; Jehin A. Wallace, Assistant Dictator ; James M. Baker, Chaplain; Adam Mieser, Treasurer ; John Lochr, Financial Reporter ; B. F. Lewis, Reporter ; J. B.
90
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
Lochr, Guide : 1. T. Pale, Guardian ; M. 11. Nelson, Sentinel ; J. K. Fisher, T. E. Reynolds, Elihn Hawkins, Trustees.
James K. Fisher was the first member initiated. The following is a sum- mary of the condition of the helge at this date :
Total membership siure organization, fifty ; withdrawn by card, three ; sus- pended, three ; died, one. Present member-hip, forty-three The meetings are held at the city hall, on Monday evening of each week.
The Following suis of money have been received up to May 3, 1880 ;
No. 812, W. & O. B. fund, 81,257.70; lodge funds, 8735.60 ; total receipts, 81,993.30.
CHAPTER VIII.
SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS, ETC.
Hamilton County Medical Society-The Profession-Lecture Association- link and Ladder Fire Company-Rod and Gun Club-Bands.
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