History of Leavenworth County Kansas, Part 15

Author: Hall, Jesse A; Hand, LeRoy T
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 684


USA > Kansas > Leavenworth County > History of Leavenworth County Kansas > Part 15


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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First Church of Christ, Scientist .- The introduction of Christian Science in the city of Leavenworth was brought about in the year 1885 through the mediumship of two students who began holding services in their own homes. Some seven years later and on the 27th day of De- cember, 1892, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized with fourteen members. Several years later a charter was obtained. A read- ing room was established February 26, 1899, and lectures have been given yearly since 1898.


For years services were held in various down-town buildings. In 1903 the building now owned by this congregation was purchased from the English Lutheran Church. The growth of this organization has been gradual until at the present time there is a large and prosperous con- gregation.


CHAPTER XIII


LODGES, CLUBS AND SOCIETIES.


ABDALLAH TEMPLE-MASONIC LODGES-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS-MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA-WOMAN'S AUX - ILIARY OF AMERICAN LEGION-KANSAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS- CHAUTAUQUA ASSOCIATION-YOEMEN-KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS


The Abdallah Temple, Ancient Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, was chartered March 28, 1887, and is located at Leavenworth. It has a membership of 4,500 and its jurisdiction extends over nineteen counties in the northeastern part of Kansas. The Temple is located on Shawnee street, between Fifth and Sixth, on the site of the old Crawford Opera House which was purchased December 11, 1910. A new temple is being erected on the lots just west of the present temple. The new structure will cost about $200,000 when completed. The Shrine owns the park southwest of the city, formerly known as the Leavenworth County Fair Association Park. It is fitted up with a lake, bath houses, dancing pa- vilion, race track and other places of amusement. The membership is made up of Knight Templars and Scottish Rite Masons. Shrine Clubs are located at Atchison, Emporia, Hiawatha, Kansas City, Lawrence, Marys- ville, Ottawa, and Topeka, all under the jurisdiction of Abdallah Temple at Leavenworth,


The temple maintains a band and a patrol, located at Leavenworth. At the time of the ceremonials which are held several times during the year, large number of members come to Leavenworth from the surround- ing district.


The first officers were: Richard A. Ketner, Potentate; Dwight By- ington, Chief Rabban; Carle A. Woodruff, Assistant Rabban; Tullius C. Tupper, High Priest; Edward W. Osgood, Oriental Guide; John M. Laing, Treasurer; La Martine Cretors, Recorder.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


The present officers are: John A. Steinmeyer, Potentate; T. I. Mains, Chief Rabban; Samuel L. Courtney, Assistant Rabban; Asa T. Hoge, High Priest; Charles K. Haw, Recorder; O. B. Taylor, Jr., Treasurer; John H. Atwood, Ad Vitam; J. H. Steinmeyer, F. L. Olson, Horace T. Phinney, John N. Johnson, Representatives to Grand Council; William Newmark, First Ceremonial Master; M. B. Hamilton, Second Ceremonial Master; J. W. Farley, Marshal; C. F. Mattmiller, Captain Guards; Ed. W. Osgood, First Alchemist; J. P. Dobbs, Second Alchemist; J. F. Schiffer, Outer Guard; Oscar Helmers, Director of Work; Fred L. Olson, Class Director; George Fisher, Captain of Patrol; R. K. Pooley, Organist; Peter Strauss, Execu- tioner; John McNarry, Official Announcer; Webb Tholen, Electrician; A. R. Evans, Electrician ; Herman Weidman, Sand Heater.


Henri Lodge No. 190, A. F. & A. M. of Tonganoxie was organized December 27, 1879, with the following charter members: O. K. Lock- wood, J. M. Phenicie, S. B. Cantrell, J. C. Alexander, A. L. Jacobs and A. Mac Lawrence, John Divelbees, Edward Bowman, James Duncanson, E. H. Linton, John Billingsley, J. S. Grist, Charles Collins, C. J. Halstead, Charles Collins is the only charter member now living. E. H. Linton was the first Master and James Duncanson its first Secretary.


Grafton D. Whitaker, Jr., is the present Master and William Hevnen the Secretary.


Hancock Lodge No. 311, A. F. & A. M. was chartered February 20, 1889, and is located at Ft. Leavenworth. There are 494 members made up principally of officers and enlisted men of the army. Charles M. Snell is Master; Fred Nodsle, Secretary; Ezra B. Fuller, Treasurer; Russell P. Reeder, S. W .; William J. Snyder, J. W .; Fred Jensen, S. D .; Edward Wil- son, J. D .; Henry J. Matchett, S. S .; John E. Stafford, J. S .; Raymond Kis- cadden, Tyler.


Linwood Lodge No. 241 of Linwood was chartered February 19, 1885. It has seventy-six members. Charles H. Harris is the Master and Archie T. Meinke is the Secretary.


Nine Mile Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., at Lansing, Kansas, was char- tered October 17, 1866. It now has a membership of ninety-nine. 'I'he following are the officers: U. J. Matthey, W. M .; Paul B. Owens, S. W .: David T. Lindsey, J. W .; T. J. Boone, Sec .; William A. Harmon, Treas .; Charles L. Cherry, S. D .; Orvil F. Spencer, J. D .; W. O. Thomas, Tyler; George E. Carr, S. S .; William R. McCormick, J. S. Trustees: W. O. Thomas, Orvil M. Spencer, C. L. Cherry.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated October 17, 1916, with a sumptuous banquet and an excellent program given in the chapel of the State Prison. Frank Gable, one of the charter members, was present on the occasion and delivered an address on the early history of the lodge.


Boling Lodge No. 365 A. F. & A. M., was chartered February 17, 1904. It has a present membership of forty-eight. The following are the officers: C. M. Bozworth, W. M .; H. Smith, S. W .; H. Starns, J. W .; W. Hedges, S. D .; F. McCune, J. D .; William Boling, Treasurer; George Hobbs, Secretary ; Len Pitts, Tyler; Fred Sloan, S. S.


Leavenworth Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M .- Organized January 18, 1855, with R. R. Rees, W. M .; A. Payne, S. W .; Auley McAuley, J. W .; Charles Mundy, Secretary; George B. Panton, Treasurer; L. J. Easton, S. D; J. M. Alexander, J. D .; J. J. Bentz, Tyler. It was organized under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Missouri. It was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri as Leavenworth Lodge No. 150, June 16, 1855, and chartered by the Grand Lodge of Kansas July 14, 1856, as Leaven- worth Lodge No. 2. It is the oldest Masonic Lodge in Kansas under con- tinuous operation.


The present officers are as follows: H. L. Justus, W. M .; D. S. Lewis, S. W .; C. E. Rosenquist, J. W .; C. E. Cart, Treasurer; Ed. W. Osgood, Sec- retary (has been Secretary since 1876) ; Lazarus Loeb, S. D .; Carl Jenson, J. D .; Charles Tholen, S. S .; Alfred Alexander, J. S .; Joseph Chalmers, Tyler. First officers were as follows: R. R. Rees, A. Payne, Auley McAu- ley; George B. Panton, Charles Mundy, L. J. Easton, J. M. Alexander, J. J. Bentz. There were 343 members on February 12, 1921.


King Solomon Lodge No. 10 was organized November 30, 1857, under dispensation granted by M. W. Richard R. Rees, Grand Master of Kansas. In October, 1858, a charter was granted. Calvary Lodge No. 50 was con- solidated with King Solomon by approval of the Grand Master on May 19, 1876.


The present officers are as follows: Edward Fraser W. M .; R. C. Thornton, S. W .; H. J. Cramm, J. W .; Harry Simonn, S. D .; A. W. Kim- ball, J. D .; Earl Eschlemann, S. S .; V. A. Hank, J. S .; Elmer McCool, Sec- retary; Clarence Rohrbough, Treasurer; Joseph Chalmers, Tyler. First officers were as follows: Henry C. Justice, Moses S. Adams, George A. Eddy, H. H. Beck, J. J. Clarkson. There are 371 members on February 12, 1921.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


Hiram Lodge No. 68 was organized January 18, 1868, and chartered on October 21, 1868, with the following charter members: Barnard Flesher, George Einstein, David Prager, John Switzer, Sam Suman, Julius Levi, Benjamin Thuse, Walter Wetheim, Joseph Westenberger, Joseph Waise, Dr. C. C. Shoyer and Sam Wolf.


The present officers are as follows: Edwin Sickel, W. M .; Elzra W. Reel, S. W .; J. Ross Perkins, J. W .; Harry Coldren, Jr., S. D .; William H. Case, J. H .; William Rumford, S. S .; H. W. Coldren, J. S .; Joseph Chal- mers, Tyler; George Leak, Secretary ; Morris . Toffler, Treasurer. First officers were as follows: George Einstein, B. Flesher, J. Simmons. There were 229 members on February 12, 1921.


Leavenworth Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., was instituted by the General Grand Chapter of the United States, February 27, 1857. The charter was received September 9, 1865. The date of the charter from the Grand Chapter of Kansas, October 19, 1868. The first officers were R. R. Rees, H. P .; Leander Kerr, King; E. E. McCarty, Scribe.


The present officers are as follows: Maj. H. G. Stahl, High Priest; Rolo Lawn, King; Joseph F. Seymour, Scribe; John McCool, Treasurer; Ed. W. Osgood, Secretary; John McFarland, Capt. of Hosts ; Carl Jensen, Principal Sojourner; Charles W. Tholen, R. A. Captain; James E. Snyder, Master 3d Veil; Dr. Van Manning, Master 2d Veil; Albert Kihm, Master 1st Veil; Joseph Chalmers, Sentinel. The number of members on Febru- ary 12, 1921, was 400.


Leavenworth Commandery No. 1, Knight Templar, was organized February 10, 1864, by the General Grand Commandery with the following as officers : T. A. Hurd, Em. Commander ; R. R. Rees, Generalissimo; L. P. Stiles, Captain General.


The present officers are: Robert Hertel, Jr., Em. Commander; Ben- jamin F. Heis, Generalissimo; Col. Frank D. Webster, Capt. General; George Pulsifer, Prelate; W. D. Woodman, Sr. Warden; C. L. D. Terry, Jr. Warden; Asa Hoge, Treasurer; Ed. W. Osgood, Recorder; Eugene N. Meyer, Standard Bearer; James Franks, Sword Bearer; Ed. C. Lingen- felser, Warder; Joseph Chalmers, Guard. Number of members February 12, 1921, 359.


Scottish Rite-Eleusis Lodge of Perfection No. 1 was organized in 1871 and received its charter from the southern jurisdiction of the United States. The first officers were as follows: P. J. Freling, V. Master; John Westlake, S. W .; Ed. W. Osgood, J. W .; J. W. Park, Secretary.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


The lodge was afterwards moved to Topeka, Kansas, with the same number and Abdallah Temple of Mystic Shrine was organized in Leaven- worth. This was by mutual agreement between members of the two bodies in Leavenworth and Topeka and that Topeka should not ask for a Shrine nor Leavenworth ask for a Scottish Rite.


Leavenworth Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, was organized December 16, 1865, and received a charter May 24, 1866, from the Grand Council of Missouri. The Grand Council of Kansas gave a charter Decem- ber 12, 1867.


The present officers are as follows: Joseph F. Seymour, Master; H. G. Stahl, Deputy; Rollo Lawn, P. C. W .; Asa T. Hoge, Treasurer; Fred T. Nye, Recorder; Carl Jensen, C. G .; Fred M. Patton, C. C .; Edward L. Luther, Steward; Jerome A. Chalmers, Sentinel.


The charter members were as follows: R. R. Rees, Dwight Byington, N. Daniels, Dr. S. Houston, Otto C. Beeler, M. B. Haas, Jacob D. Rush, Fritz Magers, A. Cohn.


Past Masters: John McCool, Ezra B. Fuller, William M. Bonar, T. I. Mains, Eugene S. Davidson, Fred T. Nye, John H. Clarke.


Byington Chapter No. 177, Order Eastern Star, was instituted Decem- ber 28, 1896, and received its charter May 14, 1896.


The present officers are as follows: Mrs. Jennie Pitts, Worthy Ma- tron; Ben J. Hughes, Worthy Patron; Sue Brown, Associate Matron; Geneva Curry, Treasurer ; Mrs. Ben J. Hedges, Secretary ; Mrs. Asa Hoge, Conductress ; Kate Beeler, Associate Conductress; Mrs. Ida L. Kaufmann, Chaplain ; Bettie Cleavinger, Ada ; Evelyn Kihm, Ruth; Elizabeth Franks, Esther; Blanch Carr, Martha; Virginia Meyer, Electa; Grace Fisher, Warder; Anna Cramm, Marshall; Opal Donagan, Organist; Joseph Chal- mers, Sentinel. Number of members February 12, 1921, 272.


Azor Grotto No. 72, M. O. V. P. E. R., was organized January 6, 1916, with the following officers: George Pulsifer, Monarch; Sam Nirdlinger, Master C .; Joseph F. Seymour, Marshal; John McFarland, Treasurer ; George Leak, Secretary.


The present officers are as follows: Eugene S. Davidson, Monarch ; Henry Kaufmann, Master C .; Gustave Nitsche, Marshal; James E. Sny- der, Treasurer; George Leak, Secretary. Present membership is 216.


Ivanhoe Lodge No 14, Knights of Pythias, was instituted December 1, 1873, with the following officers: L. M. Goddard, C. C .; T. J. Darling, V. C .; W. F. Porter, Prelate; J. L. Vickers, M. E .; W. E. Robinson, M. of E .; John R. Creighton, K. of R. and S.


D. A. R. ROOM IN LEAVENWORTH COUNTY COURT HOUSE


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


The present officers are: E. W. Jennings, C. C .; O. L. Wiltsey, V. C .; J. F. Casey, Prelate; D. I. Atkinson, M. of W .; W. L. Thomas, K. of R. & S .; George R. Bleakley, M. of F .; Sig Anderson, M. of E .; J. A. Downum, M. at A .; F. M. Denny, I. G .; R. C. Thornton, O. G .; Trustees, J. C. Franks, F. M. Denny, F. W. Bartlett. There are 150 members at present. Meet- ings are held every Monday night at the southeast corner of Sixth and Shawnee.


Concordia Lodge No. 8, K. of P., was organized December 4, 1872, with the following officers: August Thanheldt, P. C .; John Trump, V. C .; August Geveke, Prelate; E. F. Haberlin, K. of R .; J. C. Dickelmann, M. of F .; Charles Engstrom, M. of E .; George Linck, M. A .; Henry Berine I. G .; H. J. Caniff, G. C .; J. A. Bliss, G. K. of R. S.


Far West Encampment No. 1, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 14, 1859, with the following as charter members: J. B. Davis, Phillip Koeh- ler, N. W. Cox, C. A. Logan, Thomas Plowman, Charles Monday. In 1882 it had 101 members.


Mechanics Lodge No. 89, I. O. O. F., was organized October 8, 1872, with the following charter members: G. A. Davis, John Shoemaker, J. Burnham, J. R. Duncan, George Byron, J. E. Varney, R. A. Saunders, J. L. Duncan and C. H. White. It had a membership in 1882 of 142.


Allemenia Lodge No. 123, I. O. O. F., was instituted December 27, 1875, with the following charter members: Charles Chienke, Christian Hoffman, Peter Bubb, And. Dreschel, August Benz, Henry Schiermayer, Charles Conrad, Jacob Rodenhaus, Joseph Walter, Henry Brueggen, Will- iam Graisky, Dom. Wissler, Charles Paeper, William Hermance, Fred Wochner, H. C. Mohr, N. Hieb, Charles Ackenhausen, Karl Kempire, G. F. Zeitz, August Schanze, Chris. Kantner, August Streibich, C. F. Cremer, W. Stech, Julius Meincke, Joseph Woolman, William Schroeder, Charles Fees, Jac. Elsasser, G. M. Young, Joseph Bergmann, W. G. Hesse, John Grund. It had a membership in 1882 of 75.


Schiller Encampment No. 2, I. O. O. F., was instituted May 20, 1866, with the following charter members: Phillip Koehler, William Schroeder, Charles Diebrich, Charles Besser, George Walter, Michael Hoffman, Gott- lieb Geiger. It had a membership in 1882 of 50 members.


Metropolitan Lodge No. 27, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 11, 1867.


The Grand Encampment, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 9, 1866, ยท in Leavenworth, and its headquarters have been there ever since, its three Grand Scribes each serving till his death: Samuel F. Burdette, Ed. T.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


Rees and Lewis T. Rees. The present incumbent, A. M. Bain has been Grand Scribe since 1910.


Tonganoxie Lodge No. 390, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 17, 1891, with charter members: J. W. Reno, W. W. Reno, R. H. Southard, J. L. Shaffer, H. Cronemeyer, M. W. Hadley, J. Coolidge. Its first officers were: R. H. Southard, N. G .; J. W. Reno, V. G .; W. W. Reno, Secretary, and James Coolidge, Treasurer. Its present officers are: Vin. Needham, N. G .; James Skaggs, V. G .; George Cline, Secretary, and John Rumsey, Treas- urer.


Lansing Lodge No. 449, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 24, 1894, with charter members: C. L. Cherrie, S. W. Furnas, M. A. Burdick, C. D. Jones, J. R. Wilson, E. W. Prather and W. R. Knisley. Its first officers were: C. L. Cherrie, N. G .; J. R. Wilson, V. G .; G. W. Thomas, Secretary ; W. R. Knisley, Treasurer. Its present officers are: O. M. Spenser, N. G .; C. H. Walker, V. G .; C. L. Cherrie, Secretary ; W. A. Hannon, Treasurer.


Linwood Lodge No. 607, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 15, 1907, with twenty-eight charter members. Its first officers were: Thomas P. Frederick, N. G .; Theodore Meinke, V. G .; Harry Coons, Secretary; and Francis Frederick, Treasurer. Its present officers are: A. H. Engle, N. G .; F. W. Attebery, V. G .; Ed. Brown, Secretary ; and T. P. Frederick, Treasurer.


Easton Lodge No. 662, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 25, 1916, with twenty-eight charter members Its first officers were: William A. Evans, N. G .; Henry Goff, V. G .; Christian Sass, Secretary; and Charles O. Trower, Treasurer. Its present officers are: William L. Partridge, N. G .; William R. Taylor, V. G .; Lloyd Coberly, Secretary ; and Dean G. Erhart, Treasurer. Its membership is 68.


No. 367, Modern Woodman of America was the first Woodman Lodge organized in Leavenworth County. It is located at Leavenworth and the following are the officers: A. C. Dengler, Consul; W. W. Trew, Adviser; Frank Ohlhausen, Clerk; Fred Lutgens, Banker; J. M. Murphy, Escort; L. Miller, Watchman; R. C. Powers, Sentry; W. E. Ferry, L. Weingarth, P. J. Feidler, Trustees.


Live Oak Camp No. 3322, Modern Woodman of America, was organ- ized October 30, 1895. The first officers were: J. J. Hartnett, Consul ; Henry Dolde, Banker; Frank O'Kane, Clerk. Present officers are: Julius Textor, Consul; Carl Hunnius, Banker; Joseph Schuelle, Clerk. Present membership, 252. Thirty-nine claims have been paid, amounting to $72,- 000, since the lodge was organized.


1


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


Other Lodges of Modern Woodman of America are as follows:


Camps Place


6812-Basehor F. A. Hein


3500-Boling W. Klinkenberg


3693-Easton W. P. Hall


3581-Fairmount E. A. Seegert


3608-Kickapoo W. E. Oliphant


Camps Place Clerk


1181-Lansing W. R. Davis


561-Linwood. T. W. Martin


3634-Lowemont __ John W. Roach


2310-Tonganoxie ___ J. C. Rumsey


Easton Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M., was organized December 20, 1864, with the following charter members: Robert A. Kelsey, E. K. Adamson, T. Donohue and William Kelsey. The first officers were Robert A. Kelsey, W. M .; E. K. Adamson, S. W .; William Kelsey, J. W. For many years the lodge was held over the store building known as McGee Bros. The lodge owned the upper story of the building. In 1915 the lodge bought the building they now occupy and moved into it. The upper story is used for a lodge room and the lower story for a confectionery and a store. There is now a membership of Meetings are Saturdays on or before the Full Moon.


The following are the present officers: Christian Sass, W. M .; Walter Borden, S. W .; Ed. Searles, J. W .; Lloyd Coberly, S. D .; Lee Sass, J. D .; William Taylor, S. S .; Grover Fevurly, J. S .; Henry Gray, Tyler; Tom Adamson, Secretary; Dean Erhart, Treasurer.


The Easton Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star No. 274 was char- tered May 11, 1905, with the following charter members Anna Adams, Ella Jones, Nellie Kelsey, Maggie Kelsey, Florence Kelsey, Mattie Kelsey, Jessie Mitchell, May Oliphant, Norah Potter, Elva Smith, W. A. Adams, Joseph P. Hall, Charles Jones, John Kelsey, James B. Kelsey, Chris Saas, Fred Thornburg, James L. Oliphant, Oscar Potter, James Wilburn.


Germania Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F., was organized July 24, 1859, with the following charter members: F. W. Wood, C. A. Shinke, Christian Beck, Phillip Kaler, and W. Itz. It had a membership in 1882 of 103 members.


Leavenworth Lodge No. 2, I. O. O. F., was organized March 9, 1855, with the following charter members: Christian Beck, J. H. Blanchard, Ryland Jones, John Shirley, W. A. Thompson and Samuel C. Weller. It had a membership of 1882 of 118 members. There are now 210 members.


All the Odd Fellow lodges were consolidated into one lodge under the name of Leavenworth Lodge No. 2, I. O. O. F., in 1920. They owned the


Clerk


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


building at the southeast corner of Sixth and Shawnee street, but sold it to James C. Davis in 1920.


The following are the present officers: John H. Dickey, N. G .; George C. True, Secretary ; Edward Butt, Financial Secretary ; John Keets, Deputy Grand Master; E. C. Dresser; Trustees, J. B. Howell, Edward Butt and Ike Swartz.


Leavenworth No. 22, K. of P., was installed August 24, 1878, with the following officers: J. W. Wheeler, P. C .; Mccown Hunt, C. C .; L. E. Wicks, V. C .; S. Simmons, P .; R. B. Cleghorn, M. of E .; Joseph McDonald, M. of F .; E. T. Rees, K. of R. & S .; T. W. Thomas, M. at A .; W. P. Doerson, I. G .; W. D. Skinner, O. G. This lodge has surrendered its charter and no longer exists.


Tonganoxie Lodge No. 125, K. of P., was organized May 2, 1885, with the following charter members: A. M. Thistlewaite, John B. Moore, J. W. Ratliff, William G. Singley, R. W. Myers, J. S. Grist, N. M. Grist, Frank F. Stone, Charles Tholen, Jonathan Knight, William J. Carter, James M. Phenicie, B. C. Stringfellow, R. F. Slaughter, Sr. Charles F. Milett is the present K. of R. & S.


Graham Chapter No. 395, Eastern Star, was organized at Lansing early in 1916. It was named after Mrs. Julia Graham who was at the time a member of the Leavenworth chapter and desired to have one located at Lansing, her home. Through her efforts a dispensation was granted February 29, 1916. May 20, 1916, the Grand Matron appointed Past Grand Matron Katharine S. Hughes to install the new officers and they were duly installed June 8, 1916.


Rachel Chapter O. E. S., Linwood, was organized in 1896. The seal, records and all the paraphernalia were destroyed in the flood of 1903. Afterwards it was reorganized and received a duplicate charter. It was named after Rachel Passon of Lawrence, Kansas. The chapter was called Martha Washington till the charter was received. They have 65 members.


Rinda Chapter O. E. S., Tonganoxie, was organized at Tonganoxie in December, 1899. Members from Ada Chapter of Lawrence instituted the chapter. It was named Rinda after Rinda Chesney, Grand Secretary at the time. In the following March they received their charter. There are 120 members.


Army Chapter No. 339, O. E. S., Ft. Leavenworth, was organized May 10, 1910. It worked under dispensation till March 31, 1911. On May 11, 1911, a charter was received. The name "Maple Leaf" was originally used and afterwards changed to the present name.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


The following were the first officers: Hulda C. Church, W. M .; Mar- tin W. Rose, W. P .; Charlotte Parish, Associate M .; Ruth D. Timmons, Secretary; Sadie V. Smith, Treasurer; Laura M. Corbett, Cond .; Mary A. Rose, Asso. Cond .; Ethel Brown, Adah; Clara Kalb, Ruth; Helen Unthank, Esther; Grace Weikamp, Martha; Lena Nodsle, Electa; L. V. Smith, Warder; W. A. Weikamp, Sent .; Charles S. Timmons, Marshal; Albert Kalb, Chap .; John L. Corbett, Organist.


The chapter holds its meetings in the hall of Hancock Lodge No. 311.


The Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion was organized in March, 1920. It is an outgrowth of the World War. It comprises mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of those who were in the World War. These noble women are helping the boys who were in the great struggle as best they can in time of peace. The hospital needs are being looked after wher- ever they may be found.


The Leavenworth Unit of the Byron H. Mehl Post have pledged sup- port to those in the National Military Home. Visitations are made once a month. Fruits, flowers and reading material are furnished. The follow- ing are the officers of the Leavenworth Unit: . Mrs. Sherman Medill, president ; Mrs. Grace Fisher Potter, secretary ; Mrs. George Pulsifer, vice- president ; Mrs. May S. Coleman, treasurer ; Mrs. Frank Ricketson, auditor.


The Tonganoxie Auxiliary of Lester E. Hamil Post was organized in March, 1921, and the following are officers: Mrs. J. L. Johnson, president ; Miss Thekla Farrell, vice-president; Mrs. B. A. C. Williams, secretary ; Miss Maude Dessery, treasurer; Miss Izola Farrell, auditor.


Kansas Federation of Women's Clubs .- To Mrs. C. H. Cushing, of Leavenworth, and Mrs. May Tenny Gray, of Wyandotte, Kansas, is due the honor of founding of the Kansas Federation of Women's Clubs.


On May 19, 1881, by invitation of Mrs. C. H. Cushing, of Leavenworth, a meeting was held. Ladies from Topeka, Atchison, Lawrence, Wyan- dotte, and Kansas City, Kansas, were in attendance. In all over one hun- dred ladies responded to Mrs. Cushing's invitations and all met in the parlors of the "Home of the Friendless". Mrs. Cushing acted as chair- man of the meeting. Permanent officers were elected. The following were elected as the first officers: President, Mrs. Mary F. Gray, Wyan- dotte; Mrs. N. C. McFarland, Secretary, Topeka; Treasurer, Mrs. C. B. Brace, Leavenworth; Committee of Constitution and By-Laws, Mesdames Cushing, Hopkins, Scott, Brace, Leeper and Monroe. This organization was known as the Social Science Club. It was known for twelve years by


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


this name. On May 3, 1895, the name of the organization was changed to that of the Kansas State Social Science Federation. It was not until 1903 that the name was changed to that of the Kansas Federation of Women's Clubs.




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