USA > Indiana > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, Indiana; its people, industries and institutions > Part 63
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The club now has twenty-five active members, with a list of associate. corresponding and honorary members. The subject for the current year is India.
Following are the ladies who have served as presidents of the club: Mrs. Emma Vawter. 1889-1890-91-92-93: Mrs. George W. Duncan, 1893-94: Mrs. L. W. Gooding, 1894-95-96; Mrs. H. B. Thayer, 1807-98: Mrs. George W. Duncan. 1898-99-1900: Mrs. Elbert S. Tyner, 1900-01: Mrs. S. S. Boots. 1901-02; Mrs. H. L. Strickland, 1902-03: Mrs. Emma Vawter, 1903-04-05 : Mrs. J. F. Mitchell. Sr., 1905-06-07-08-09-10; Mrs. Joshua Barrett, 1910- II-12-13 : Mrs. Hiram Eshelman. 1913-14-15-16.
Since the organization of the club it has had to mourn the loss of a num- ber of its members, among whom are Estella M. Dalmbert. 1892; Cinderella J. Howard. 1895: Mary Vawter, 1895: Anna Offutt. 1899: Matilda MI. Hough, 1900; Clara Vawter, 1900: Zelia Cole, 1902: Anna A. Nethercut. 1907: Mattie Sisson. 1909; Emma Vawter. 1911 ; Martha Stockinger, 1911 : Rebecca Black, 1911 ; Malissa Cooper. 1913: Marietta Reed. 1915: Etta Bar- rett. 1915, and Mary M. Gooding, 1916.
The Hesperian Club annually observes Christmas, the members enjoy- ing a dinner and the old-fashioned Christmas tree, and exchange of gifts, thus binding closer all of its members into one great loving family.
DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
A chapter of this society was organized at Greenfield by Miss Tarquinia Voss, state regent, on June 11. 1904. The first meeting of the ladies was held at Cuyler's studio. Mrs. Madge Cuyler was elected regent. and Mrs. Bess Hinchman, secretary and treasurer. The society continued to meet at the homes of the different members, but principally at the Cuyler studio, on account of its central location, until 1908. Since that time only occasional meetings have been heldl.
The purpose of the Society is "to perpetuate the patriotic spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence: to commemorate prominent events connected with the War of the Revolution ; to collect, pub- lish, and preserve the roll, records, and historic documents relating to that period ; to encourage the study of the country's history ; to promote sentiments of friendship and common interest among the members of the society, and to provide a home for and furnish assistance to such Daughters of the Revohi- tion as may be impoverished, when in its power to do so."
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The membership of the society is limited to lineal descendents of an ances- tor, (I) who was a singer of the Declaration of Independence, member of Continental Congress, member of Congress, Legislator, or General Court of any colony or state, or (2) rendered civil, military or naval service under authority of any of the thirteen colonies, or of the Continental Congress, (3) by service rendered during the War of the Revolution became liable to the penalty of treason against the government of Great Britain, provided, such ancestors always remained loyal to the cause of American independence.
Following are the members that have belonged to the Greenfield Chap- ter : Permelia Thayer, Mae Selman, Frances P. Snow, Vessie I'ierson, Mary Montgomery, Mary Reed, Madge Cuyler, India Selman, Katherine Dann. Alma Pierson, Nellie Hughes, Clara Heizer, Lizzie Early, Bess Hinchman, Margaret Smith and Ida Barrett.
ΚΑΡΡΑ ΚΑΡΡΑ KAPPA.
Upsilon Chapter, at Greenfield, was installed on March 31, 1906. with the following charter members: Marie Pilkenton Hughes, Roxana Thayer Eldridge, Mary Montgomery Mckay, Ruby McNamee, Mary Sample, Stella Thompson Brooks, Bertha Justice Bragg, Caroline Kinsley Hoard and Bess Kinsley.
Since the installation of the local chapter the number of members has been about fifty. The local chapter has confined its work to general work among the needy of Greenfield. The money to carry on this work is obtained in different ways by entertainments, etc. A Christmas tree for the unfortu- nate of the city is made possible by a contribution of one dollar from each member, this having been used in previous years for a similar party for the sorority themselves.
LADIES' HOME READING CLUB.
The Ladies' Home Reading Club was organized in 1894. at the home of Mrs. C. M. Curry, with the following charter members : Lillie Walker, Jennie Peters, Vanie Gates, Ora Carr, Katie Felt, Mrs. John M. Moxley, Mrs. Frank Morgan, Ella Moore, Frankie Smith, Luella Ramsey, Florence Curry, Ellen Gibbs, Nan Dudding, Rosie Rhue, Date New, Alice Hendricks, Alice Rufner, Julia Gooding, M. A. Bottsford and Gratiot MeCune Curry. Only two of the above charter members now remain in the club. Mrs. Marshall T. Smith and Mrs. Charles E. Hendricks.
The first officers elected were, Mrs. Luella Ramsey, president : Mrs. Nan Dudding, vice-president : Mrs. Jennie Peters, secretary, and Mrs. Ellen Gibbs.
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treasurer. The club at the time of its organization decided to study the Bible and to meet on every Thursday afternoon for the purpose of discussing cer- tain chapters thereof.
In 1895 some of the members desired to follow other lines of work and they withdrew from this club and organized the Gradatim Club. The mem- bers remaining in the Home Reading Club continued the study of the Bible and in 1903 finished the Old Testament. Since that time the entire Bible has been studied and portions of it have been reviewed.
The club also gives time to social events, features of which are annual dinners for the families of the members of the club, all of which are. of course, thoroughly enjoyed. The club has had to mourn the deaths of eight of its members : Mrs. Nan Dudding, Lillie Walker, Audrey Binford, Anna Morgan, Florence Curry, Ellen Thomas, Ellen Gibbs and Beulah Getman. It has al- ways given active support to measures of civic reform. It was this club that circulated a petition addressed to the city council asking that an ordinance be passed prohibiting spitting upon sidewalks.
CLIO CLUB.
The Clio Club was organized February 21, 1896, with thirteen charter members, Mary Woodard, Jennie Duncan, Mae Duncan, Vashti Binford. Min- nie Grist, Mesdames .A. C. Pilkenton, M. E. Nethercut, Edward Ruffner, J. W. Cooper, S. G. White, W. B. Bottsford, Charles Downing and Ada New.
In the fall of 1895 a representative from the Progress Magasine, of Chi- cago, came to Greenfield and secured several members. Meetings were held weekly until in February, 1896, when the ladies had plans formulated for the Clio Club. The men of the Progress Magasine did not continue their meet- ings and the Clio Club has held regular meetings since. At first the meetings were weekly, but at present they are held every two weeks.
The first two years the work followed the course as outlined by the Prog- ress Magasine; since that time a program committee each year has outlined the work. At present the membership is limited to thirty, with an associate list of members who pay dues, but are not responsible for work done in the club.
After the first few years the programs became more general and the club studied individual authors, music, art. sociology, geography, philosophy and current events. In 1899 the Holmes breakfast was given, to which all members of the federation were invited. The ladies have also given numerous socials for the enjoyment of their families, such as the Colonial tea, the lecture on Oberammergau, etc. Civic matters have received the attention of the club. The poor-house reform movement, which was finally carried to the Legisla- ture, originated with them.
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In Memoriam : Mrs. Audrey Binford, Mrs. Josephine Boyd. Mrs. Mar- tha Pratt, Mrs. Sarah Bragg, Mrs. M. E. Netherent and Mrs. Ada New.
THE VINCENT SOCIETY OF THE HALL IN THE GROVE.
"The Vincent Society of the Hall in the Grove" was organized on June 27. 1912. with these officers: President, Mrs. J. H. Binford ; vice-president. Mrs. L. B. Griffin: secretary-treasurer, Mrs. J. H. Moulden. The object of the society is to unite all Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle grad- nates in a permanent organization, which shall have a general oversight of the Chautauqua work in the community, encouraging graduates to continue habits of systematic reading.
It is the purpose of the society to hold at least two meetings each year : one to be of a social nature, at which Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle graduates shall be welcome : the other to be devoted to the consideration of plans for the extension of Chautauqua work in the community. Following are the members with the date of their graduation from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle : Florence Clark Binford, 1884: Mary M. Gooding. 1884: Elvira Gooding, 1884: Permelia .A. Thayer, 1886: Dennie S. Griffin, 1888: Sarah A. Moulden, 1900: M. Irene Stoner, 1900: Florence C. Larimore. 1900: Lucy H. Binford, 1902, and Martha Wilson, 1913. Honorary members. Fan- nie M. Cleary, 1900, and Theodisia S. Johnson, 1911.
COSMOPOLITAN CLUB.
The Cosmopolitan Club was organized in October. 1894. by Mrs. Mary Swope, with a membership of seventeen active members and six honorary members. Its object is the mutual benefit and improvement of its members.
Following were the active charter members : Mary Swope, Jennie Swope. Mrs. V. L. Early, Mrs. Free Crawford, Mrs. J. M. Larimore, Mrs. L. B. Griffin, Mrs. Frank Hammel, Mrs. J. H. Moulden, Mrs. Myra Moore and the Misses Edith Stabler. Clara Vawter. Ruby Martin, Flo Randall, Pearl Randall, Florence Thayer and Maggie Snyder. The honorary members were Mes- dames Bruner, E. E. Stoner. Stabler, Hume, J. H. Binford and Miss Laura Moulden.
During the first year of its organization an entirely new feature was intro- duced into the social life of Greenfield by a series of parlor talks, given be- fore the club and its guests. Among the speakers were the Rev. Dr. Stabler. of the Methodist Episcopal church ; Rev. Souder. of the Presbyterian church : Hon. William R. Hough, Dr. Mary Bruner, Florence C. Binford, Mary Wood- ard, and Hannah Pratt Jessup, pastor of the Friends church. A musicale or
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two were also given. The first nine years were given to the study of the work as outlined by the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle: the next four were spent in a systematic study of the Bible, matriculating with Chicago University, after which, in 1908. the club returned to the Chautauqua Liter- ary and Scientific Circle course, which has been followed to the present time, 1915.
During the twenty-one years of the club's existence it has brought to Greenfield several well-known persons to address the people of our city upon timely topics. Among them are, Miss Niblack, on art ; Prof. Elbert Russell, a series on the Life of Christ ; Dr. Joshua Stansfield, upon the Bible ; Dr. Charles P. Emerson, on "The Message of Modern Medicine:" and Dr. M. H. Lich- liter, upon the "Vine and the Oak."
The social spirit has not been neglected. Several functions might be mentioned: A Martha Washington banquet ; an expansion party ; a banquet given to the members of the club by the Barbarians ( their husbands) ; a Hallo- ween party, and a playlet, "The Goose Feather Bed." The influence of the club has been given to all public enterprises that have needed help. They gave the first entertainment for the benefit of the public library, which netted a neat sum.
The membership has changed very much in twenty-one years, but the club still has the following charter members : Active, Mrs. J. H. Larimore, Mrs. J. H. Moulden, Mrs. L. B. Griffin, Mrs. Myra Moore : honorary. Mrs. Irene Stoner, Mrs. J. H. Binford and Mrs. Laura Duncan.
The membership now consists of the following active members : Mesdames J. H. Binford. E. S. Hart, S. J. Offutt, L. B. Griffin. J. M. Larimore, N. C. Binford, Laura Duncan, Kuppers, Myra Moore, T. I. Morgan, Irene Stoner, Flossie Pasco, John Early, Martha Wilson, Carrie Barrett. J. F. Reed, J. H. Rogers. Hazel Fink, Charles Cook, Herbert Bruner: associate, Mrs. J. H. Moulden. "He conquers who wills" is still the determination of the club. and "Never be discouraged" is its watchword.
GRADATIM CLUB.
The Gradatim Literary League was organized by Miss Vania Gates ( now deceased ) in 1895, at the home of Mrs. Marshall Smith, who was then living in the okl Cooper home on the site of the present Carnegie Library. Mrs. Smith was the first president, Mrs. William H. Moore, vice-president, and Miss Gates, secretary-treasurer. The society was formed for the purpose of studying the history of the various countries. It has continued along that line of study, having taken up the ancient and modern history of England,
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France, Germany, Belgium, Africa, South America, Mexico and the United States. The ladies are now reading the histories'of Rome, Italy and Greece. During the first year of the club's existence one of the members was selected as instructor and the first of these was Mrs. Mary Swope (now deceased), one of Greenfield's most brilliant literary women.
The club's name originated from the poem "Gradatim," written by J. G. Holland, and the motto has always been, "No Footsteps Backward." The club has always been interested in all the civic movements of the city and county. During the twenty years of the club's life there has been but one death among the active members, that of Mrs. Luella Ramsey, in December, 1906. At the present time there are four charter members, Mrs. J. A. Peters, Mrs. A. K. Ellis, Mrs. A. J. New and Mrs. R. H. Archey. The club is fed- erated with the city, district and state and takes an active part in all federation work.
FRANCHISE LEAGUE.
On the 8th day of June. 1912, Dr. Amelia Keller, of Indianapolis, came to Greenfield and addressed a company of women at the home of the late Mrs. Mary Boyd, on Woman's Suffrage. After the address a league was formed, with Mrs. Emma Martin, chairman; Mrs. William Service, treasurer; Mrs. H. T. Roberts, secretary. Eight members were enrolled. A number of meet- ings were held, but not much enthusiasm was manifested.
In 1913 Mrs. J. M. Larimore was made chairman. The membership increased to fifteen. Several books on the suffrage question were read and discussed, delegates were sent to the state convention and interest in suffrage was increased considerably.
Mrs. N. R. Rhue was elected chairman in 1914. Mrs. Ada O. Frost is serving as president for 1916. Following are the members of the league : Mrs. John H. Binford, Mrs. Nathan Binford, Mrs. Iduna Barrett, Mrs. Ada Frost, Miss Marvel Frost, Mrs. William Hough, Mrs. J. M. Larimore, Mrs. Blanche McNew, Miss Tilla New, Mrs. Oakerson, Mrs. James Reed, Mrs. Rosa Rhue, Mrs. H. T. Roberts, Mrs. Irene Stoner and Miss Nora Henby.
HOME ECONOMICS CLUB.
On September 20, 1912, twelve women, who were home makers, as well as housekeepers, banded themselves together in an organization to be known as the Greenfield Domestic Science Club, the purpose of which is to study how to make the home and its occupants better and happier. Eight members were added and the membership limited to twenty. The program for the
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first year was classified under Food Values, Sanitation and Hygiene. Through the kindness of one of our local dealers the club visited a meat market, where the butcher gave a demonstration of the different cuts of meat, explaining their comparative food value and cost.
In February, 1913, a request came from the State Federation that all domestic science clubs change their names to that of Home Economics, and from that time this club has been known as the Greenfield Home Economics Club.
On March 15, 1912, Mrs. S. M. Ralston was a guest of the club and gave a very interesting talk to the club and invited guests. Doctor Griffin talked 011 "How to Take Care of Our Bodies": H. E. Barnard. the state food and drug commissioner, on "Food and Drug Adulteration;" Miss Edna Henry, assistant to Dean Emerson, of Indiana Medical School, on "Social Service Work." At different times practical demonstrations of cookery have been given before the club by different members, showing the preparation from start to finish of bread, cake, salads, candies and desserts. There have also been fireless-cooker and chafing-dish demonstrations.
The Home Economics Club is a member of the City Federation and of the Sixth District Federation. It has a membership of twenty ; meets every two weeks on Monday afternoon, and is preparing material for a cook book to be published soon.
FEDERATION OF CLUBS.
The Greenfield Federation of Women's Clubs was organized, May 2, 1899, including the following clubs : Woman's Club, Hesperian, Cosmopolitan, Clio, Home Reading Club and Gradatim Literary League. Later, the Daugh- ters of the Revolution, Tri Kappa Sorority and the Home Economics Club be- came identified with the organization, giving a total membership of about two hundred.
The first corps of officers was composed of Mrs. Matilda Marsh, presi- dent : Mrs. Permelia Thayer, vice-president ; Mrs. M. J. Elliott, secretary; Mrs. J. H. Binford, secretary; Mrs. A. J. New, treasurer. Mrs. Walter O. Bragg was chairman of the committee that drafted the constitution and by-laws.
The object of the organization, as set forth in the constitution, is to con- sider questions pertaining to social, educational and literary matters and the advancement of methods for the best culture and advancement of the city. With this aim in view, the federation has done many things to uplift the com- munity, both morally and physically, and to cultivate a higher standard of liv- ing among the people of the city. It has created a sentiment for a cleaner,
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more sanitary and more beautiful city. It has always stood for the very best and has ever been ready to co-operate in any movement which would develop the moral, social or spiritual conditions.
Once each year the federation provides a social meeting for its members and their friends. For these occasions many of the best speakers and enter- tainers before the public have been brought to the city. Among them have been Doctor Quayle, Addison Harris. Amos Butler, Ernest Seton Thompson. Fred Emerson Brooks, Dewitt Miller, Segal Myers Concert Company, May Wright Sewell, Dr. Jane Sherzer, Mrs. George Hitt, Mrs. Olaf N. Guldlin. Mrs. Albion Fellows Bacon and Miss Meddie O. Hamilton. In addition to these, the late Ephraim Marsh delivered an address on "What I Saw in Europe," and Albert L. New gave a stereoptican lecture on "Wireless Tele- graphy." Several delightful evenings have also been given by our local musical talent. To promote a general interest in art, three art exhibits have been held. The first of these contained three hundred pictures and continued three days. The proceeds amounted to ninety dollars, with which beautiful pictures were purchased to adorn the walls of the various school rooms of the city. Miss Niblack brought to our city a display of Japanese art and delivered a lecture on the same. At another time she lectured on "Technic of Art." Mrs. Florence Edyth King also lectured on art.
The federation has created a sentiment for much of the civic improvement and moral reform brought about since its organization. . \ "spitting ordi- nance" and "curfew ordinance" have been passed. Objectionable pictures and posters have been removed from public bill boards and other places. Book racks, provided with good literature, have been placed in public waiting rooms. Children have been excluded from the court room during sensational trials. Annual cleaning-up days have been observed and sanitary conditions in many parts of the city have been improved.
To encourage the growing of flowers, the federation held two aster shows. which were quite successful. The federation has also managed the sale of many dollars' worth of Red Cross Christmas seals since they have been in use. The poor house reform movement, which was brought before the state Legis- lature by the State Federation of Clubs, had its inception in the local federa- tion. The summer Chautauquas held in 1905 and 1906 were largely due to the efforts put forth by the federation. The late Ada New gave much time and effort to this undertaking.
In May, 1909, the federation entertained the sixth district annual con- vention of women's clubs in a manner reflecting credit upon the federation and the city.
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LODGES.
Hancock Lodge No. 101, Free and Accepted Masons, was instituted under dispensation, February 22, 1849, with James Rutherford, worshipful master ; Harry Pierson, senior warden: James Bracken, junior warden; and the fol- lowing Master Masons: Col. George Tague, Orlando Crain. Morris Pierson. James Shipman and Nathan D. Coffin. The worshipful master appointed Orlando Crain, secretary; George Tague, treasurer : James Shipman, senior deacon ; Nathan D. Coffin, junior deacon : Morris Pierson, tyler. They met in the old seminary, which was for a long time the family residence of Capt. Reuben A. Riley. The room in which they met was occupied at the same time by the Sons of Temperance. The lodge continued to occupy the old seminary until they moved into the Masonic Hall in 1855.
The lodge worked under dispensation until June 20, 1850. The follow- ing persons were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason while work- ing under dispensation, and in the order named, to-wit: Robert E. Barnett. Jonathan Rawls, John Templin, John Shipman, E. B. Chittenden. J. K. Nixon, Adams L. Ogg. Cornwell Meek. John Milroy ( on demit ). B. T. Butler, George Henry and P. H. Foy, who passed to the degree of Fellowcraft ; consequently, all the others, except Foy, were charter members of the lodge. The officers under the charter, and installed as such on June 20. 1850, were as follows : James Rutherford, worshipful master; James Bracken, junior warden: Mor- ris Pierson, treasurer: Robert E. Barnett, senior warden; Jonathan Rawls, junior deacon : E. B. Chittenden, tyler.
The following brethren have filled the office of worshipful master in the order given : James Rutherford, six years : Robert E. Barnett, ten years : Elam I. Judkins, three years : Jonathan Tague, one year ; L. W. Gooding, one year ; Presley Guymon, two years ; George W. Dove, seven years : Ephraim Marsh, five years ; Samuel S. Boots, one year; Joseph Baldwin, one year; William G. Scott, two years; Walter O. Bragg, one year: William H. Glascock, one year ; William Ward Cook, two years; A. J. Smith, one year ; John Corcoran. one year ; Charles Downing, two years: Samuel P. Gordon, John T. Duncan, William C. Barnard, William P. Bidgood. Edward W. Felt. Robert William- son, Francis M. Conklin, Elwood Morris, John A. Rhue, Charles F. Reeves. Samuel J. Offutt. Harry G. Strickland, Ora Myers, Paul H. New. Hiram L. Thomas, Charles R. Gately, J. Ward Fletcher, Lattie O. Hanes and Irwin W. Cotton. Since Charles Downing, each master has served just one year.
Nelson Bradley held the office of treasurer continuously from 1870 to the time of his death.
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The first trustees of the lodge were Andrew T. Hart. Robert E. Barnett and James Rutherford, who continued to act as such, except Rutherford, who died in 1856, and who was succeeded by William R. West. Those three acted until August 15, 1862, when the first legal election was held, which resulted in the election of Robert E. Barnett, George Tague and Nathan Coffin.
The corner stone of the old Masonic hall was laid with appropriate cere- monies, August 15, 1854, by Right Worshipful Elijah Newlan, deputy grand master of the grand lodge of the state of Indiana. The building committee of the old hall were James R. Bracken, chairman, Reuben Riley, Samuel Long- necker, Benjamin F. Duncan, Adren Rivett and Nathan D. Coffin.
The building of the old hall taxed the Masons to their fullest financial capacity, and for a long time the fate of the enterprise hung in the balance, as is shown by the report of the building committee, which reads as follows : "The character and standing of the lodge is at stake on this enterprise. The com- munity at large look with great interest on the success of this project and. having advanced thus far, it would leave a very unfavorable impression, num- bering as we do within our ranks so many of the ablest and best men of our county."
The lodge held a grand festival, July 5, 1855. in the public hall of the Masonic building, which is evidently the first meeting of any kind held in the old hall. Just when the old lodge hall was dedicated, the minutes do not dis- close, but it was some time in the year 1855. On November 26. 1857. Dr. Robert E. Barnett, on behalf of Mrs. James Rutherford, presented to the lodge the Masonic regalia of James Rutherford, the first worshipful master of the lodge. Brother Rutherford was a bright Mason, but. like many others, hic failed to obey the lessons which he so frequently taught, and his life went out in darkness.
Nearly three-fourths of a century have passed by since the little band of Masons met in the old seminary. Proud they were when the old Masonic hall had been built. That was a great undertaking for that day. Pleasant memories now cluster around the old hall. It is dear and sacred to Masonry. vet the time came when the city and lodge had outgrown it and when the bretli- ren felt that it was not up to date. There were many spirited debates as to what should be done or where the lodge should go. Many, especially among the older members, preferred to build on the old site. The outgrowth of this was the appointment of a committee composed of Charles Downing, worship- fil master; Samuel P. Gordon, senior deacon: John T. Duncan, junior dea- con, and Nelson Bradley. Samuel R. Wells, Danicl B. Cooper and Ephraim Marsh, who were given full power to purchase ground and to locate the site
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