USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 72
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THE ROTARY CLUB.
The Rotary Club, a local chapter of the International Association of Rotary Clubs, was established in Flint, April 7, 1916, with twenty-two charter members. The association has established chapters, not only in cities throughout the United States, but in Canada, Great Britain and the Philippines, and membership is formed on the unique plan of one active and representative man from each line of business and profession in the community, to encourage high ethical standards, to increase the efficiency of members by the development of improved ideas and business methods, and to quicken interest in civic, social, commercial and industrial develop- ment.
The Flint chapter is one of the most recent of the two hundred and ninety chapters established in this country, and in the few months of its existence has increased in membership to sixty, having already become a
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recognized factor in the business and professional life of the community. The officers of the club are: President, Walter E. Dunkin; first vice-presi- dent, John J. Mercer ; second vice-president, Glenn R. Jackson; treasurer, William A. Hastings; secretary, DeHull N. Travis. These officers, together with the following gentlemen, compose the board of directors: Grant J. Brown, Albert Dodds and Reinhardt Kleinpell. Honorary member, Will- iam Jennings Bryan.
FLINT GOLF CLUB.
The Flint Golf Club was originally organized as the Flint Country Club in September, 1910, by thirty-seven of the leading citizens of Flint, who purchased the Lewis O. Medbury farm of three hundred and ten acres, one- half mile north of the village of Atlas, for the establishment of a club house and grounds. The old Medbury homestead was remodeled into a handsome and well-appointed club house and work was started on the development of a golf course to which nature had lent much assistance by providing natural hazards, the rolling land being threaded by a winding stream. In due time the membership was extended to associate, non-resident and honorary mem- bers, the total membership on July 1, 1916, being one hundred and sixty.
In the spring of 1916 it became apparent that the interests of the organization could best be served by placing all members on the same finan- cial basis and accordingly the Flint Golf Club was organized, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, representing stock at fifty dollars per share, of which each member should be the owner of one or more shares, and of which nearly fifty thousand dollars has already been subscribed.
The Flint Golf Club now represents a golf course, well developed, together with splendid club buildings and equipment, the value of which is about one hundred thousand dollars. The club is located twelve miles from Flint and is accessible by interurban car service and improved gravel and macadam roads.
The following is a list of the charter members of the club: Arthur G. Bishop, J. Dallas Dort, D. D. Aitken, J. H. Whiting, Edwin O. Wood, John J. Carton, Fred A. Aldrich, Charles S. Mott, C. B. Burr, Francis H. Rankin, Everett L. Bray, William A. Paterson, Charles M. Begole, Walter O. Smith, Homer E. Clarke, A. H. Goss, A. P. Brush, J. Allen Heany, Joseph H. Crawford, Edwin W. Atwood, Merritt C. Hutchins, E. R. Campbell, Harry W. Watson, Hubert Dalton, W. H. Little, Harry H. Bassett, Thomas Doyle, Hugh J. Jackson, Charles H. Bonbright, George E. Pomeroy, W. S. Bal-
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lenger, R. T. Armstrong, Charles A. Cummings, M. E. Carlton, Howard H. Fitzgerald, W. E. Wood, Gerard Warrick.
The present board of governors, who have served for the past three years, are: President, Harry H. Bassett; secretary and treasurer, Homer E. Clarke; assistant secretary and treasurer, Andrew J. Buckham; Edwin W. Atwood, Hugh J. Jackson and George E. Pomeroy. In the fall of 1916 a committee was appointed to report upon the advisability of disposing of the present grounds and securing a site adjoining the city limits on the south.
WOMAN'S COUNCIL.
The Woman's Council was organized in April, 1916, with twenty-five charter members, the object of the society being the promotion of civic welfare. Although the council has been in existence only a few months, it already has a membership of four hundred and eighty-one of the prominent women of the city. The society proposes to act as an aid to the common council in looking after civic interests, and also in working in connection with the park board and city sanitary committee. Committees on sanitation, legislation, amusements and education have been appointed, the following members serving as the officers for 1916: President, Mrs. N. J. Berston, Sr .; first vice-president, Mrs. John J. Carton; second vice-president, Mrs. John D. Mansfield; treasurer, Mrs. D. S. Childs; secretary, Miss Jane Payne.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
FRATERNAL AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
In all parts of the county were established early the fraternal orders, whose continuous development has brought unmeasurable benefits, not only to their members, but to all with whom they have been associated in the complex relations of a growing community. Fraternal co-operation has ever been a prominent factor in the development of Genesee county. While keen and stimulating competition has never been lacking among its business and professional men, they have worked together, in the most harmonious man- ner, in matters concerning the general welfare. Whether the growth of fraternal and beneficiary societies has been the effect of the fraternal spirit which prevails, or that this spirit has been fostered by these societies, is an interesting problem. Certain it is that their conception and development have been contemporaneous with those of the community and that the names of their officers and leaders are to be found prominently connected with all of its business and social enterprises. The number and variety of such organizations are continually increasing and their prosperous condition is further proof of the congenial nature of their environment.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has the distinction of having established the first of the many local lodges now existing in Flint, and for nearly sixty years its members here have faithfully and loyally upheld the dignity and traditions of their illustrious order. As a natural result, the little band of seven which established the first lodge has grown to a mem- bership of hundreds in Flint and nearly two thousand in Genesee county.
Genesee Lodge No. 24, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was granted a dispensation on April 29, 1847, to organize in the then village of Flint, with Edward H. Thomson as noble grand and George M. Dewey as vice- grand. Two of the charter members afterward became grand masters, Will- iam M. Fenton, in 1855, and Edward H. Thomson, in 1872. The late Francis H. Rankin became a member of this lodge soon after its organization and served as its treasurer for many years. He was grand master in 1872. This lodge is justly proud of the fact that it has never failed to make its report to the grand lodge, never missed being represented there, has always held its regular meetings on Tuesday evenings, and has paid many thousands of
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dollars for relief and burial benefits. The earliest meeting places cannot be definitely located, but, according to the recollection of some old members, it met for a time over No. 323 South Saginaw street and in 1867 had its home over No. 318 South Saginaw street, removing about that time to the hall in the Judd block. In the fall of 1903 it decided to own its own home and purchased the Ladies' Library building, which it transformed into a hand- some and commodious temple, the first meeting being held there on February 15, 1904. Later, when the Masonic orders built their temple on South Sagi- naw and Fourth streets, the Odd Fellows purchased the temple previously occupied by the Masons in the Bryant House block.
Genesee Lodge No. 24, has a membership of three hundred and eighty and the meetings are held every Tuesday evening in Odd Fellows temple. The present officers are: Noble grand, Charles Sims; vice-grand, C. S. Van Winkle; recording secretary, Hiram Curtis; financial secretary, J. Lone ; treasurer, Delos Rosenkrans.
Friendship Lodge No. 174, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted on November 20, 1871, over No. 322 South Saginaw street, with ten charter members. From this small beginning, through trying and peril- ous times and many changes, this lodge has fought its way to be one of the finest in the state, with a present membership of over six hundred. Its staff work is fast gaining an enviable reputation. It also has never missed send- ing its reports and dues to the grand lodge and it is well represented in the camp and canton.
Friendship Lodge now has a membership of six hundred and fifty and the meetings are held in the temple every Thursday evening. The officers are : Noble grand, Edward Teague; vice-grand, Glenn Webb; recording secretary, S. B. Moon; financial secretary, Frank Post; treasurer, Fred Howland.
Flint River Encampment No. 28, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted, December 19, 1868, with five members (none of whom now survive) in Odd Fellows' hall, Judd block. The first candidate was the late E. H. Thomson, who in later years became grand master. During its long and prosperous career it has admitted several hundred members, buried many, paid out large sums for sick and funeral benefits, never missed its annual report to the grand encampment of Michigan, and has always had one or more representatives in the grand bodies. The grand encampment has twice been its guest, first in 1892 and again in 1903. Five other encamp- ments have been organized from it and it has produced seventy-five chief patriarchs. Flint River Encampment now has a membership of over two
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hundred and the meetings are held the first and third Mondays in each month, in I. O. O. F. temple.
Canton Col. Fenton No. 27, Patriarchs Militant (Odd Fellows), was chartered on August 30, 1887, and mustered into service on November 28, following, in the hall in the Judd block, with thirty-eight members. Its first officers were: Captain, T. A. Willett; lieutenant, W. A. Boland; ensign, C. S. Martin. It has always been well to the front along military lines and second and five first prizes and one national prize. One of its members, has won both state and national fame, winning, in competitive drill, five Gen. T. A. Willett, organized the department council. The meetings of Canton Colonel Fenton now are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in Odd Fellows temple. The officers are: Captain, C. S. Mar- tin; lieutenant, Seth Jerome; ensign, Fred May; clerk, J. Clare Atkins, and accountant, Frank T. Hall.
DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH.
Ada B. Rebekah Lodge No. 17 was instituted, May 4, 1888, in the hall over No. 324 South Saginaw street, by the late George M. Dewey, of Owosso, then past grand master, with twenty-five charter members. Mrs. Elise A. Willett and Mrs, May Martin were first noble grand and vice-grand, respectively. Charles S. Martin, of Friendship Lodge No. 174, was commis- sioned district deputy grand master for the new Rebekah lodge. This lodge has assisted in the institution of six Rebekah lodges in the vicinity and had for four years an officer in the Rebekah assembly. In the year 1916 Ada B. Rebekah Lodge has five hundred and thirty-five members and in 1915 became the largest lodge in the state. The meetings are held on the first and third Fridays of the month in Odd Fellows temple. The lodge is said to have the finest drilled degree in Michigan. The officers are: Noble grand, Mrs. Rose Post; vice-grand, Weltha Heddaugh; recording secretary, Mae H. Martin; financial secretary, Alvah Devereaux; treasurer, Florence Currie; district deputy, Pearl Powell.
Genesee Rebekah Lodge No. 355 was organized through the efforts of members of Genesee Lodge No. 24, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, after which it was named. It was instituted on the afternoon of May 12, 1900, at the hall in the Judd block, by Past Noble Grand Elise A. Willett, of Ada B. Rebekah Lodge No. 17, as special deputy, with thirty-six charter members. The principal officers then elected were, Mrs. Clara Abbey, noble grand, and Mrs. Adora Hall, vice-grand. In the evening of that day the
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degrees were conferred upon forty-seven candidates and six months from that date the membership exceeded one hundred. The home of this lodge is now in Odd Fellows temple, where it meets on the second and fourth Fri- day evenings of each month. A commendable harmony exists between the two sister lodges, each striving ever to work for the best interests of the other. Genesee Rebekah Lodge now has three hundred and twenty-five mem- bers. The officers are: Noble grand, Mrs. Frank Curtis; vice-grand, Mrs. Stevenson; secretary, Mrs. Louis Smith, and financial secretary, Mrs. Van Wagnon.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
The Masonic fraternity was among the first of the fraternal orders to establish a local organization in Flint and it has ever had a strong hold upon the citizens. For many of the earlier years of its history its lodge rooms were among the social centers of the young city and while the present, elaborate means for entertainment were lacking, its social functions were none the less enjoyable. Many of even the younger generation still remember with pleas- ure the balls and other entertainments given therein. In fact, it was because 'dancing and card playing in Masonic buildings were prohibited by the regula- tions of the order that the former temple was not for many years formally dedicated as such. The several organizations being among the earliest estab- lished in Michigan, had originally very large jurisdictions, extending toward Port Huron and Detroit on the east and south and indefinitely to the north and west, many of their members being drawn from the Saginaw valley.
All of the Masonic bodies then organized met in the hall in the building adjoining the First National Bank, near the corner of Saginaw and Kearsley streets, removing thence to the temple in the Bryant House block.
One of the important events in the history of the fraternity was the purchase of this home. The first action toward this was taken in November, 1867, but it was not until April, 1870, that a committee was appointed with full power to act. Many sites and buildings were considered, resulting in the purchase, from Thayer, Hamilton and Atwood, of the third and fourth stories of what is now the Bryant House block. This was deeded, Septem- ber 24, 1872, to trustees for Flint Lodge, Washington Chapter and Genesee Valley Commandery, enclosed and roofed, the price being five thousand dol- lars. The opening ceremony was a grand Knights Templar ball, December 12, 1873, and was occupied by the Masonic bodies up to the time of the dedication of the present Masonic temple.
During the year 1905 the different lodges of the Masonic order held a
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number of meetings and decided to build a permanent temple. A number of committees were appointed, with the result that on February 7, 1906, an association known as the Masonic Temple Association of Flint was formed. The first officers elected were: President, J. H. Crawford; vice-president, Francis D. Clarke; secretary, T. J. Allen; treasurer, L. H. Bridgman.
On February 8, 1906, the association became an incorporated body, with a board of trustees including two members from each of the Masonic bodies. The present officers of this association are: President, J. H. Craw- ford; vice-president, C. D. Wesson; treasurer, L. H. Bridgman; secretary, C. S. H. Chase.
In January, 1908, lot 9, block 4, village of Flint River, on the corner of East Fourth and Saginaw streets, was purchased of William H. Edwards, and the erection of the present stately Masonic temple was soon afterward commenced.
The last meeting of Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons, was held in the old temple on March 28, 1911, and the Masonic fraternity at large held a farewell meeting in the old temple on March 30, 1911. G. Roscoe Swift, grand master of the grand lodge of the state of Michigan, and the other grand lodge officers dedicated the temple in the afternoon of May 16, 1911. The building, together with the lot and furnishings, is esti- mated to have cost approximately one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The Masonic temple is one of the finest buildings in the county, if not the finest. The late Judge Charles H. Wisner was made chairman of the build- ing committee and devoted a great deal of time to the details of construction. Judge Wisner's assistance in this direction was invaluable, as was also his assistance at the time of the erection of the county building, as he possessed a wide knowledge of mechanics and building construction and personally supervised the work. The temple contains, besides the several lodge rooms, a large auditorium for entertainments, club and reading rooms, which are situated in the blue lodge lobby and parlor, and a dining room with appoint- ments for four hundred guests. There is also arranged a ladies' parlor and reception room, which is open during the day.
Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered on Janu- ary 10, 1849, and maintained its existence until December, 1854, at which time its charter was surrendered. No other information regarding it is available, but it seems probable that its members, or a portion of them, organized Flint Lodge No. 23, to which a charter was issued on January II, 1855, upon the petition of thirty-seven charter members, with John B. Hamilton as worshipful master and ten other officers. None of these officers
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are now living. This lodge has enjoyed a steady and prosperous growth for years. It was honored in 1858 by the election of William M. Fenton as grand master of the grand lodge of Michigan, Free and Accepted Masons, and also in 1912 by the election of the late Francis D. Clarke to the same high office.
Flint Lodge No. 23 has a membership of eight hundred at the present time. Regular communications are held the first Tuesday of each month. The present officers are: Worshipful master, Ernest A. Smith; senior warden, L. G. Cronk; junior warden, Harvey E. Johnson; treasurer, C. H. Miller; secretary, C. S. H. Chase; senior deacon, John E. Storrer; junior deacon, William E. Proper.
The following have served as worshipful masters of Flint Lodge No. 23: John B. Hamilton, 1855; Benjamin J. Lewis, 1856; Chauncey K. Williams, 1857; William M. Fenton, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861 ; E. D. Will- iams, 1862; William Clark, 1863; William M. Fenton, 1864; Abner Ran- dall, 1865, 1866; Samuel C. Randall, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870; James B. F. Curtis, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876; Samuel C. Randall, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881 ; Charles S. Brown, 1882; Charles B. Wallace, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886; Joseph H. Crawford, 1887, 1888; John McKercher, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893: Edward D. Black, 1894; John McKercher, 1895; Fred J. Ford, 1896, 1897; Menzo F. Cook, 1898, 1899; W. Lee Church, 1900, 1901 ; Charles H. Miller, 1902, 1903; Albert T. Austin, 1904; Jason H. Austin, 1905; William W. Edgcombe, 1906; Francis D. Clarke, 1907; Tru- man S. Cowing, 1908; Charles S. H. Chase, 1909; John J. Raab, 1910; E. Frank Wood, 1911; Arthur E. Raab, 1912; John H. Neubert, 1913; Ralph B. Long, 1914; Fred W. Hanneman, 1915; Ernest A. Smith, 1916.
Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered on January II, 1866, with eight members. Its first worshipful master was John B. Hamilton and the late Judge George H. Durand was the first candidate initiated. This lodge has grown up by the side of its older sister, amicably sharing with it in the labors, costs and rewards of fraternal life, and there is between their members a truly Masonic spirit. Several of the past masters of this lodge have been elected to the chair of grand master of the grand lodge of Michigan, George H. Durand, in 1874, and John J. Carton, in 1895.
The following have served as worshipful masters of Genesee Lodge No. 174: John B. Hamilton, 1865; James B. Newton, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869; George H. Durand, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1877; George M. Bushnell, 1875; Thomas W. Drennan, 1876; Leroy C. Whitney, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883; Frank E. Palmer, 1884; John B. E. Castree, 1885;
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Charles H. Wisner, 1886; Charles B. Leland, 1887, 1888; Benjamin F. Miller, 1889; John J. Carton, 1890, 1891; Thomas J. Allen, 1892, 1893; Joseph H. Rankin, 1894, 1895; Louis G. Willison, 1896, 1897; Clayton N. Doty, 1898, 1899; Colonel O. Swayze, 1900, 1901; George Werkheiser, 1902, 1903; James S. Parker, 1904; John R. MacDonald, 1905, 1906; Charles A. Durand, 1907; James M. Torrey, 1908; Homer J. McBride, 1909; Harry V. Blakely, 1910; Frank P. Wildman, 1911; Arthur C. Cross- man, 1912; Thomas Carl Millard, 1913; Raymond C. Chase, 1914; Everett Clapp, 1915; Harry R. Nickerson, 1916.
Genesee Lodge No. 174 has a membership of seven hundred and fifty and the meetings are held the first Wednesday in each month. The present officers are: Harry R. Nickerson, worshipful master; S. A. Shue, senior warden; Richard Holt, junior warden; treasurer, C. B. Leland; secretary, Dr. Noah Bates; George H. McDonald, senior deacon, and Frank W. Pike, junior deacon.
When the first blue lodge was organized, the nearest chapter was located at Pontiac. The need of a similar organization at Flint was quickly felt, and on the first day of April, 1856, ten members met under dispensation, and Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted, Stillman Blanchard, past high priest, officiating. At the next meeting of the grand chapter a charter was granted, dated January 13, 1857. Chauncey K. Will- iams was the first eminent high priest. As the jurisdiction of the chapter still covers all of the county and villages adjacent to Flint, its meetings bring together many who might otherwise remain strangers.
The meetings of Washington Chapter are now held on the first Thurs- day of the month and the membership is five hundred. The officers are : Ralph B. Long, eminent high priest; F. W. Hanneman, king; Edward C. Farr, scribe; Frank J. Magill, treasurer; C. S. H. Chase, secretary ; Robert H. Darnton, captain of the host; William H. Kilpatrick, principal sojourner ; Leland Stanford Wood, royal arch captain.
The following have served as high priests of Washington Chapter No. 15: Chauncey K. Williams, 1857, 1858, 1859; John B. Hamilton, 1860; Daniel Clark, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1867, 1868; Abner Randall, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877; James B. F. Curtis, 1878, 1879; Marcus Lane, 1880; Samuel C. Randall, 1881, 1882; Zacheus Chase, 1883, 1884; Stephen Mathewson, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888; J. B. Edward Castree, 1889, 1890; John McKercher, 1891, 1892; Charles B. Leland, 1893; Thomas J. Allen, 1894, 1895; Edward D. Black, 1896, 1897; George I .. McQuigg, 1898; Charles S. H. Chase, 1899, 1900; Albert T.
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Austin, 1901, 1902; Menzo F. Cook, 1903; Fred J. Pierson, 1904; W. Lee Church, 1905; George H. Gordon, 1906; Truman S. Cowing, 1907; Francis D. Clarke, 1908; Ruby J. Roether, 1909; John C. Clasen, 1910; Edwin C. Litchfield, 1911; Frank J. Magill, 1912; Francis M. Buffum, 1913; Jason H .. Austin, 1914; Walter F. Brandes, 1915; Ralph B. Long, 1916.
Between the organization of the chapter and the formation of a com- mandery, a period of over nine years elapsed, and it was not until 1865 that Flint Masons could receive their Templar degrees at home. On April 10 of that year a dispensation was granted to Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, which was organized with eight members, in the old Masonic hall, June 2, 1865. The three principal officers were, John B. Hamilton, eminent com- mander; Paul H. Stewart, generalissimo, and John Allen, captain general. The officers were duly installed by Garey B. Noble, right eminent grand com- mander of Michigan, on June 27, 1865, at which time the first work of the new commandery was done by conferring the orders upon Abner Randall, Lyman G. Buckingham, Francis H. Rankin, Charles Goodale and Henry Brown. John B. Hamilton served two years and in 1867 was succeeded as eminent commander by Samuel C. Randall, who served continuously until 1878, although he was in 1876 elected grand commander of Michigan Knights Templar and ably performed the duties of that office. Joseph H. Crawford was elected grand commander of Michigan Knights Templar in 1906, and Fred A. Aldrich is serving for the present year of 1916. The only surviving charter member is Robert Ford. This commandery has always stood high, both in the personnel of its members and the efficiency of its work.
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