USA > Kentucky > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Kentucky, together with sketches of its cities, villages, and townships, educational religious, civil military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, biographies of representative citizens, and an outline history of Kentucky > Part 37
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Grand United Lodge, No. 1,982, I. O. O. F. (colored), was organ- ized in September, 1878, with about eighty members Richard Vairian, Noble .Father; John Swain, Noble Grand; Charles Jack- son. Permanent Secretary. The place of meeting has been uni- formly at their lodge room over the Deposit Bank. The present membership numbers 100 or more, aud the lodge in every re- spect is in a very flourishing condition. They have a $30 banner, and their regalia cost $300. Present officers: John Swain, Noble Father; Alfred Woods, Noble Grand; Samuel Curd, Vice Grand; Charles Henderson, Permanent Secretary; Robert Crump, E. S.
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Star Lodge, No. 19, Knights of Pythias, was organized Aug. 29, 1872, by Vice Grand Chancellor James Cunningham and seven members from Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 9, at Calhoon, McLean County. The charter members were eighteen in number, as follows: D. A. Wilson, E. C. Davis, John W. Pugh, J. A. Fuqua, Ed. G. Buckner, John W. Mathews, Phil. R. Zulauf, D. W. Lucas, Jos. Mathias. H. W. Miller, John J. Davis, Win. H. Woodford, Jolin Q. A. Stewart, Phil. A. Pointer, Thomas S. Pettit, W. H. Ray, Jolin A. Brown, R. W. Littell and N. N. Wells. The first officers were: D. A. Wilson, W. C .; Ed. C. Davis, W. V C .; Rev. John W. Pugh, V. P .; J. A. Fnqua, R. S .; J. W. Murphy, F. S .; E. G. Buckner, Banker; Jos. Mathias, Guide; Phil. R. Zulauf; S. W. Lucas, O. S. The office C. C. (formerly W. C.) has been held successively by D. A. Wilson, E. G. Buckner, Phil. R. Zulanf. E. C. Davis, W. H. Owen, John W. Pugh, C. H. Todd, J. W. Carter, J. Q. A. Stewart, J. G. Owen, W. H. Owen, H. W. Miller, Charles Haney, J. D. Hayes, J. D. Powers, J. J. Sweeney, E. P. Taylor, C. K. Lehr- berg, W. T. Ellis, W. M. Fisher. The lodge has furnished to the Grand Lodge four officers: J. D. Powers, P. G. C .; Phil. R. Zulauf, G. P .; J. W. Carter, G. I. G .; E. G. Buckner, G. O. G. The Grand Lodge inet at Owensboro in October, 1882, and were enter- tained royally by Star Lodge, at a cost of over $2,000. The city was gayly decorated with flags, and a grand banquet was given the Grand Lodge Oct. 11. The present officers of Star Lodge are as follows: W. T. Ellis, P. C .; W. M. Fisher, C. C .; George Cox, V. C .; J. Z. Moore, P .; James Moorman, M. of E .; W. G. Bur- nett, M. of F .; H. F. Hager, K. of R. and S .; George Donaldson, M. at A .; Irvin Haney, I. G .; J. C. Grady, O. G. The lodge is in excellent condition, financially and otherwise, having over 100 members in good standing. It meets every Tuesday evening at Masonic Hall.
Section, No. 188, Endowment Rank, Knights of Pythias, was organized by virtue of a charter, dated May 16, 1878, with a mnem- bership of about thirty. The first officers were: J. W. Carter, President; J. A. Brown, Secretary and Treasurer. The present officers are: W. H. Owen. President; C. K. Lehrberg, Secretary and Treasurer. This organization pays endowments of $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000, as the member prefers.
Owensboro Council, No. 34, was chartered Nov. 14, 1860. The applicants for a charter were J. G. Griffin, Henry Megill, H. P. Hart, J. J. Daveiss, J. Delahunt, Lonis Weber, C. N. S. Taylor, W.
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W. Chambers and others. The first officers as appointed by the Grand Council were as follows: J. G. Griffin, T. I. G. M .; C. N. S. Taylor, D. T. I. G. M .; H. P. Hart, P. C. W. The charter was signed by Phillip Sweigart, G. P., and A. G. Hodges, G. R., and was executed at Frankfort, Ky. Some few years ago all the coun- cils were suspended by enactment of the Grand Lodge, the inten- tion being to dispense with that branch of the Masonic order. The council in Owensboro was sustained until abolished by this enactment.
Order of Foresters .- A society of this order was organized in this city Dec. 25, 1877, with about sixty members, whichi number increased to eighty. Object, mutual insurance, etc., similar to the A. O. U. W. Dr. C. C. Lewis was the instigator of the movement here. Henry P. Tompkins was Chief Ranger. The society paid one assessment, and in about eighteen months died.
Sons of Temperance .- A lodge of this order was organized in Owensboro in the fall of 1846. A. G. Munn, Grand Worthy Pa- triarch, of Louisville, was the instituting officer. There were but ten or twelve charter members, of which the following is a partial list: Geo. Scarborough, S. M. Moorman, Geo. N. Mckay, Richard Mckay, Frank L. Hall, Wm. B. Wall, Finley W. Wall, Joseph Mills, Ridgley Griffith. The society convened in the second story of an old frame building that stood on the ground now occupied by Mccullough's Hotel. The lodge was short-lived. During the first year of its existence it flourished finely, and swelled its member- ship to over 150. They had numerons street parades and other public demonstrations in 1847 and 1848. After the last named year, owing to the withdrawal of some of the leading pirits and a general absence of interest by those who had grown tired of the routine of lodge business, the attendance diminished and it was finally voted to surrender the charter, having been in exist ence but little over three years. As near as we can learn, the first Worthy Patriarch was Geo. Scarborough, followed by S. M. Moor- man. The first Conductor was Ridgley Moorman, who was suc- ceeded by Frank L. Hall.
Temple of Honor .- This is a secret temperance society of a very high grade, which grew out of the order of Sons of Temperance many years ago, dating its independent existence in 1846. Very shortly after that date a lodge was organized in Owensboro, which flourished until the war. having a membership at one time of as many as fifty. Their ritual was beautiful and their discipline
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strict. They had regalia, and indulged in public demonstrations occasionally. The members were called "Templars of Honor." We append here a list of the members we find on the record ot 1848 :
E. T. Allen,
W. N. Mason,
R. G. Moorman, Geo. W. Triplett,
Jas. A. Haggard,
E. S. Marks,
Geo. N. Mckay,
Jas. J. Bowlds, Joseph Mills,
E. G. Cannon,
Jas. J. Marks,
W. B. Wall,
Fieldon B. Meek,
W. T. Courtney,
John J. McFarland.
Rev. A. H. Triplett,
James Barnes,
R. P. Aull,
John T. Sebastian.
F. Lockett Hall,
George Marks,
John I. Tracy,
A. B. Johnston,
Samuel Wallace,
Geo. D McLean,
Elisha Baker,
John Summers,
Jas. M. Holmes,
E S. McMannon,
Erasmus Ford,
Elias Barker, John Jackson,
James Lackey,
James W. Cannon.
Rev. R. G. Gardiner,
Rev. D. V. Kirtley,
O. S. Wilson,
J. Littell, Samuel S. Heath,
James W. Mahon. Geo. H. Hudson,
Most of the above names will appear familiar to the citizens of Daviess County, but very few of the parties are residing here now.
Good Templars .- The first lodge in Owensboro was organized about the first of March, 1868, as " Purity Lodge, No. 43," with R. W. McFarland as W. C. T .; Miss Kate McLean, W. V. T .; Rev. W. C. Settle, Lodge Depnty; Philander Read, Treasurer. The membership at first was thirty to thirty-five, which rose to seventy-five or eighty at the height of their prosperity. Meetings were held weekly, but zeal in attendance diminished considerably, until the following re-organization was effected.
Onward Lodge, I. O. G. T., No. 520, was organized about 1870, by G. W. C. T. J. J. Hickman, with about fifty members. Geo. W. Mathis, W. C. T .; Miss Mary Parrish, W. V. T .; C. B. Mitchell, Lodge Deputy, etc. This society grew so large in a short time that the next mentioned.
Spartun Lodge, I. O. G. T., was organized, in 1872, with about forty members, which increased in a short time to about sixty-five or seventy; but the attendance finally dwindled so low that some years ago its charter was surrendered.
Onward Lodge reached a membership of over 300; and, although it has not met for about two years, it still holds its charter.
The Younger Brothers of Temperance was a society of youth, originally under the auspices of the Sons of Temperance, and kept in working order for several years. It accomplished a magnificent work. Nearly all who were members are now men forty to forty- five years of age. During the days of their greatest prosperity, I. P. Washburne published and C. B. Mitchell edited a weekly
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William Prutzman,
Solomon Kigel,
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temperance paper called the Fountain Journal, and devoted to temperance principles generally. It was a folio of five or six eighteen-inch columns to the page.
Women Temperance Workers .- This society was organized in February, 1882. It was instigated by a call published in the city papers, signed by Mrs. James Weir, Mrs. Bailey Todd, and Mrs. Baker Boyd, asking the ladies of the town to meet and organize for temperance work. The object of this society was to promote the interest of temperance generally, and especially to enforce Sunday liquor laws. The first meeting was held at the rooms of the Y. M. C. A .; thirty members were present. Mrs. Dr. E. H. Luckett was elected President; Mrs. Bailey Todd, Vice-President; Mrs. Baker Boyd, Secretary, and Miss Hettie Hughes, Treasurer. The enforcement of Sunday laws was not to incite the antipathy of any non-Puritan sect, but to secure to the working-man's family the result of his labors, by removing the possibility of his spend- ing his week's wages at an open saloon or rendezvous on Sunday. In March, 1882, they presented a largely signed petition to the Council, who, by vote, decided to enforce the "Sunday Law," and the Mayor issued a proclamation accordingly. One saloon remained open for a test case. This society took the matter up, employed counsel, prosecuted under the State law, and fined saloons outside of city limits.
Regular meetings of the society are held at the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. The interest in the work is constantly increasing. Funds are raised by entertainments and subscriptions, and used as the society may direct-principally for attorneys' fees in prose- cuting cases where the Sunday law has been violated. Meetings are held for prayer and reading of Scriptures.
Owensboro Fountain, No. 13, Younger Brothers of Temper- ance, was organized in 1847. The order was a State institution, conducted under the auspices of the Sons of Temperance. It admitted to membership boys and youths from twelve to eighteen years of age. The society in this city lived but a few years, but during its existence did much good in molding the habits of the youth of this community. The first officers were: George Scar- borough, Elder Brother; George Sebastian, Presiding Brother; John J. McFarland, Secretary.
Stewart Lodge, No. 50, A. O. U. W., was organized March 23, 1877, by J. F. Pearson, of Louisville, D. D. G. M. W., with a charter membership of sixty-three. The first officers were as fol-
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lows : W. T. Ellis, P. M. W .; J. Q. A. Stewart, M. W .; W. G. Burnett, F .; J. W. Slaughter, O .; W D. Osborne, Recorder; G. W. Coffey, Financier; Isaac Kennady, Receiver; W. J. Lucas, I. W .; J. F. Douglas, O. W .; Wm. H. Owen, Guide; W. H. Owen, A. J. Turpin and James Kennady, Trustees; James Kennady, District Deputy. The lodge was at first called Anchor Lodge, but April 7, 1877, this name was dropped, on account of there being another lodge in the State called Anchor Lodge, and it was named Stewart Lodge, in honor of the first presiding officer, Dr. J. Q. A. Stewart, now in Frankfort as Superintendent of the Institution for the Feeble-Minded. The office of Master Workman has been held by Dr. J. Q. A. Stewart, J. W. Carter, J. H. McHenry, James Ken- nady; J. W. Slaughter and D. R. Gash. The lodge has at present a membership of twenty. The present officers, chosen in July, 1882, are as follows: J. W. Slaughter, P. M. W .; James Ken- nady, M. W .; J. V. Kruse, Foreman; P. T. Watkins, Guide; J. F. Harrison, Overseer; W. D. Osborne, Recorder; G. W. Coffey, Financier; Isaac Kennady, Receiver; D. R. Gash, I. W .; J. Goodapple, O. W .; J. W. Slaughter, Representative to Grand Lodge. The lodge meets every Thursday evening, at the office of Colonel J. H. McHenry. J. H. McHenry and JainesKen- nady are officers in the Grand Lodge of Kentucky.
The United Brothers of Friendship, No. 7, was organized in the winter of 1866 '7, with a charter membership of about twenty-five. Itis a secret order confined to colored men. Among the first members were William Moreton, Sandy Alexander, Albert Jackson and Wesley Troutman. The object of the order was at first benevolence, but now insurance is combined with the working o the lodge. The limit of insurance is $3,000. The society has prospered, owning now $4,000 worth of property, and its member- ship now amounts to eighty, in good standing. The present officers: H. C. Helm, Master; Terry Howard, Deputy Master; Wm. Griffith, Secretary; Currier Valentine, Assistant Secretary; Albert Jackson, Treasurer; John Garnet, John Nepp, George Al. exander, Robert Daws and Pat Taylor. The society meets the first and third Mondays of each month, at their hall.
The Little United Brothers of Friendship was organized about 1872, with about fifteen meinbers. It is a society composed of colored boys, and is under the control of the United Brothers of Friendship. It has now about sixty members in good standing.
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Si. Johnson is the President; Levi Bartlett, Vice President; Rob- ert Sherman, Secretary; John Nepp, Treasurer. The society meets twice a month, the second and fourth Mondays.
The Little United Sisters of Friendship is immediately under the direction of the United Sisters. It was organized in August, 1881, and at the present time has over fifty members. It meets twice a month, at the hall of the United Brothers.
The United Sisters of Friendship is a secret order among the colored ladies of Owensboro. U. B. F. Temple, No. 8, was or- ganized about 1868, with a membership of fifteen or twenty. It is under the direction of the United Brothers of Friendship, but holds separate meetings. Its objects are benevolence and socia- bility, and life insurance, limited to $1,500. The present mem- bership is over 300, and the prospects of the society are very bright. The presiding officer is denominated Princess, and is at present Mrs. Lizzie Daws; the Secretary is Mrs. Annie Verrin. The society meets at the U. B. F. Hall, the first and third Tues- day night of each month.
Yost Lodge, No. 2,525, K. of H., was instituted June 23, 1881, by Colonel W. H. Yost, of Greenville, Ky., District Deputy Grand Dictator, in honor of whom the lodge was named. Nineteen per- sons composed the first membership, although about thirty-five had signed the application for a charter, several of whom were subsequently admitted as charter members, by virtue of a dispen- sation having been granted for that purpose. The first officers were: Lawson Reno, Past Dictator; Malcolm McIntyre, Dic- tator; M. H. Webber, Vice-Dictator; R. D. Bailey, Assistant Dictator; H. L. Cambridge, Reporter; N. S. Roark, Financial Reporter; A. B. Miller, Treasurer; C. F. Smith, Chaplain; Silas McClung, Guide; T. D. Gibson, Guardian; G. W. Hildebrant, Sentinel; J. D. Powers, E. G. Buckner, William H. Murphy, Trustees; Dr. A. C. Haynes, Medical Examiner. Yost Lodge was organized in the hall of the Masonic Temple, and for a few weeks held its stated meetings in that hall; but since then has occupied Odd Fellows Hall, corner of St. Ann and Third streets. The lodge had a steady growth, and at the end of six months numbered forty-three members, showing the largest increase dur- ing the time of any lodge in the State, according to the official report of J. A. Demaree, Grand Reporter. The principal officers were re-elected for the second term, and under their administra- tion the society continued to prosper, until at the close of one year
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it numbered sixty-three members in good standing, again showing the largest increase in membership of any lodge in the State. Since that time the lodge has hardly maintained its hitherto enviable reputation as the "Banner Lodge," and at the close of December, 1882, her roll-book contained only sixty members in good stand- ing. The January term, 1883, commences under favorable auspices, on a solid financial footing, with money in the treasury, and an efficient corps of officers, chief of whom are A. E. Reese, Dictator; J. M. Oppenheimer, Vice-Dictator; W. N. Catlen, Reporter; B. Rosenthal, Financial Reporter; Dr. C. H. Todd, Medical Examiner. During a period of more than nineteen months there lias been no depletion of membership by death, and only four have been on the sick list. The lodge pays a sick benefit of ,$5 per week during the illness of members in good standing, and during its organization has paid out in weekly benefits about $150.
Harmonic Lodge, No. 114, D. O. H., was organized June 14, 1865, with seven members and the following officers : A. Miller, C. Green, A. Steitler, V. Present officers are A. Schaid, E. B .; E. Seelen, O.B .; James Schmitt, U. B .; F. Sommer, President; George Unsa, Secretary. Present membership, forty-six. Meetings are held on Tuesday night at Harigari Hall. This is a benevolent society.
General James S. Jackson Post, No. 3, Grand Army of the Re- public, was mustered Feb. 6, 1882, at Odd Fellows' Hall, Owens- boro, with a membership of thirty-seven. The post was mustered by Post Commander Colonel W. H. Keller, of Evansville. The offi- cers chosen at that time, and who are still acting at this writing, are as follows : J. H. Fisher, Commander; E. B. Allen, Senior Vice-Commander; B. F. Meredith, Junior Vice-Commander; Dr. J. F. Kimbley, Surgeon; J. D. Wilson, Officer of the Day; W. C. Moreton, Adjutant; J. A. Brown, Quartermaster; J. M. White- head, Chaplain. The post has rapidly increased in membership, having now over eighty comrades, from all parts of Daviess County. It meets every Monday night, at Odd Fellows Hall.
C. H. Todd Conclave, No. 8, of Heptasophs, or Soven Wise Men, was organized in Owensboro, in March, 1878. It was a secret order, having its origin in New Orleans, and growing up as sud- denly as a mushroom in the night. Its numbers in Owensboro, in the course of eight weeks, grew to 200, comprising many of the best men of the place. The chief object of the association was
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mutual insurance. Meetings were held weekly, but in about a year it died out, and there is not now an affiliating member in Owensboro.
SOCIAL AND MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
Bachelors' Club .- A society by this name was organized in Ow- ensboro several years ago, with constitution, by-laws and officers; but, although social entertainments are still occasionally given in their name, the club as a definite organization is probably more mythical than real. The young men of the city, as a bachelors' club, give annual hops during the agricultural fair; and the annual business meetings which the old organization is supposed still to hold, are very spicily written up by the Post.
Thespian Society .- This dramatic company flourished about 1856-'8. The star actor was Heury E. Smith, who played as Claude Melnotte in " Lady of Lyons," Oct. 5, 1857, which was the first play of the company. Other actors were Dr. James Conway, John O'Brien, Dora Shaw and Mrs. Libby-all professionals. About these times Sallie St. Clair, who has since married Lawrence Bar- rett, fulfilled engagements here as Lucretia, Camille, etc.
In 1867 another dramatic amateur company was formed here, composed entirely of home talent. Rosa Pope was the star.
The Economical Social Club took the lead in the winter of 1874 -'5, in giving hops, etc.
M. H. Q .- This was a society of a dozen lads, organized about two years ago, for social enjoyments. The signification of the initials of their name is not public. Robert Pottinger, Jr., was President; Eugene Pattinger, Vice-President; Wm. Lancaster, Secretary, and Charles Elder, Treasurer. They had dances and a great deal of sport, but the organization, as such, is now practically abandoned.
The Monarch Rifles, a military company formed under the State laws of Kentucky, was organized Oct. 16, 1879, with upward of forty members. The first officers were S. H. Ford, Captain; Austin Berry, First Lieutenant; G. V. Triplett, Second Lieutenant. The non-commissioned officers comprised four Corporals and four Sergeants. Their first meetings were held in the City Hall and sub- seqnently in the court-house, under the provisions of a law requiring counties to permit the use of such buildings for the accommodation of State military companies. Soon, however, they felt the need of more spacions and exclusive quarters, and removed to their present
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location, known as Armory Hall, on the river, between Frederica and St. Ann streets. The room is 80 x 160 feet, and is considered one of the finest and largest in the State, being second only to the quarters of the Lonisville company. Regular business meetings of the company are held the first Tuesday in every month, and meet- ings for regular drill on Friday evening of each week. They have dress and fatigue uniforms. Their arms are the United States improved Springfield breech-loaders. Their camp equipments are very complete, from tents to utensils. This company holds the banner given by the Adjutant-General for the highest average dress inspection of any company in the State. They went into camp in the summer of 1881, at the fair grounds in Owensboro, and in the fall of the same year attended the centennial celebration of the sur- render of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Following is a list of the. names of members in attendance at the celebration:
Captain S. H. Ford; Lieutenants Anstin Berry and G. V. Trip- lett; Sergeants Armendt, Chisom, Ford and Watkins; Corporals Haney, Hickman, Gentry and Guenther; Privates Johnny Allan, Lonis Baer, John Bishop, Wm. Binion, Lonis Carter, Oscar Cot- trell, Arthur Ford, Fred Gipe, John Gray, David Graves, J. J. Hill, Kelly, J. W. Maddox, J. L. Maddox, Harmon Miller, Geo. Milne, Wm. Rudd, Jerry Small, Edgar Troutman, Ben Wile, Hugh Williams, Jas. Whitehead, John Wilhoyte, George Zins and Frank Wecker.
In the summer of 1882, Captain Ford, who was instrumental in organizing the company, and to whose efforts is largely due its present prosperons condition, resigned. Its present commissioned officers are: Anstin Berry, Captain; W. B. Armendt, First Lien- senant; C. F. Kelley, Second Lieutenant. There are now between forty and fifty members.
Musical .- A brass band was organized in the city in 1858, and led by Prof. Buck, for a year or two. The "Combination Silver Cornet Band" of 1872 was under the leadership of Prof. Frank Brewer. O. D. Read was President and Wm. Reinhardt Secretary of this band. The "Frohsinn Singing Society," German, gave entertainments in the winter of 1874-'5.
Besides the foregoing, there have been numerous smaller or transient associations, as singing societies, music bands, debating clubs, base-ball clubs, guilds, etc., etc.
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CEMETERIES.
The first burying ground for Owensboro was on Fourth street, south of the public square, and in the vicinity of the old " Masonic Lodge" building. It extended west to St. Elizabeth street. Most of the dead who were buried there still remain. In 1840 the place of burial was changed to a point on the Henderson road, just beyond the city limits. Most of the remains buried here have been removed. Paupers, however, are still bur ed in this ground. In 1852 the cemetery was moved to the southeastern portion of the city, comprising the ground between Triplett and Center streets, and Fourth and Sixth. All the dead buried here have been re- moved. These grounds were owned by a company of stockholders, and controlled by a directory. The first two spoken of above were owned and controlled by the city.
Elmwood Cemetery .- In the year 1856. seeing the necessity for a cemetery, a company of the citizens of Owensboro was formed, composed of William Bell, James Weir, R. M. Hathaway, George Scarborough, D. M. Griffith, F. M. Pearl, J. B. Anderson, Robert Craig, John H. McHenry, Sr., S. M. Wing and E. A. Hathaway, who purchased of R. M. Hathaway and F. M. Pearl nine acres and a fraction of ground in what is known as Hathaway's addition to Owensboro, anu named same "Rural Cemetery.
The use of said grounds was continued until 1868, when, owing to their smallness and the growth of the city around them, it became necessary to seek a more spacious and suitable place for a cemetery. After due consideration, forty acres of ground, and about one mile southeast of Owensboro, on the Hartford road, were selected and purchased of John (}. Barkley, by the following persons : S. M. Wing, James Weir, R. L. Hathaway, D. M. Griffith, J. F. Kimbley, C. Griffith, T. " Venable, W. B. Tyler, W. N. Sweeney, B. Bransford, T. S. Anderson, David Hamilton, J. H. McHenry, Jr., Charles Werner, John G. Barkley, W. T. Courtney, S. H. Ford and W. H. Perkins. C. R. Milne, in May, 1875, was admitted into the company, on the same footing with the above-named stockholders, and each one received a certificate of the company's indebtedness to him for $200, to bear twelve per cent. interest, annually. The name given to the grounds was " Rural Hill Cemetery "-changed in April, 1869, to Elmwood, its present name.
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