USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 29
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The bank has a capital stock at present of $25,000 with a surplus of $6,000. According to the last statement the deposits amounted to $200,000. The present building is located on Fourth avenue and is valued at $4,000. It is comfortably furnished with fixtures valued at $2,500. The present officers are George Liverton, president : William H. McCartney, vice-presi- dlent : Howard C. Lawrence, cashier. The directors are: George Liverton, Louis Krieger, William McCartney, Wallace Lovewell, Otis Miner. O. C. Russ and Howard C. Lawrence.
IONIA BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION.
The lonia Building and Loan Association was organized in the spring of 1012 to help to meet the need for more houses, which then existed. A business men's banquet was held in the Odd Fellows hall, at which the need and organization for such an institution was presented, and stock subscrip- tions called for. The result was so gratifying that a committee was appointed to draft articles of incorporation. The association was perfected at a meet- ing held in the city hall, May 13, 1912, at which time the articles of incor- poration were adopted and the first directors elected, namely: F. W. Green, K. R. Smith, Levi Marshall, C. A. Ireland, E. F. Galagher and E. E. Branch. R. A. Hawley was subsequently added to the board, which has remained the same to the present date. The board elected the following officers who have also filled the same position to date: President. C. A. Ireland: vice-presi- dent, K. R. Smith: secretary, E. E. Branch; treasurer, Levi Marshall, and attorney. R. A. Hawley.
The association began business in August, 1912, and in the interval since that time has enjoyed a splendid growth. It is now recognized as one of the permanent institutions of the city and county, having at this time $33.000 assets and having assisted in the purchase or erection of about forty homes. The present membership is one hundred and forty-six.
BELDING BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION.
The Belding Building and Loan Association, which is the oldest of the two loan associations in lonia county, was organized and incorporated in 1889. The first directors of this association were C. F. Ilills, H. J. Leonard. F. A. Washburn, O. F. Webster, J. M. Earle, T. F. Ireland, C. T. Ranney,
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E. R. Spencer and G. Begole. The first officers of the newly-created com- pany were J. M. Earle, president : F. A. Washburn, vice-president; T. Frank Ireland, treasurer: C. E. Hills, secretary.
This building and loan association was capitalized at $1,000,000 and the capital stock has remained the same up to the present time. This association does a general loan business and likewise has a savings department. It has become an established factor in the growth and advancement of the city of Belding and has helped many a laboring man to own a comfortable home who otherwise would have spent his money for rent.
The present officers of this association are F. A. Washburn, president ; W. P. Hetherington, vice-president ; W. L. Cusser, treasurer : G. E. Wagner, secretary and attorney. The total receipts for the year ending June 30, 1915, were $63,468.51. The total amount of loans on mortgage security was $105,322.88, and the total assets were $120,202.52. There was an undivided profit of $25.329.09 and the dues on installment stock amounted to $86,341.18.
CHAPTER XXIV.
SECRET, FRATERNM. AND PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
The initial meeting of lonia Lodge No. 36, Free and Accepted Masons, was held at the Eagle hotel. May 23, 1848. On this occasion there were present : Levi Taylor, worshipful master; C. S. Hooker, senior warden ; J. L. Freeman, junior warden; B. Sherman, secretary; William Thomas, treasurer : George Townsend, senior deacon; - Brown, junior deacon ; Chapman, tyler. The first petition for membership was received on that occasion from John C. Ball, and at the second lodge meeting, which was held on June 19. 1849, petitions were received from Peter Hackett, Richard Dye, W. C. Clark, John L. Taylor and Charles M. Moseman.
The lodge worked under a dispensation until January 10, 1850, when a charter was granted and from that time forward the lodge has enjoyed an unbroken period of prosperity. The present membership numbers about two hundred and fifty. This lodge has the following advanced degrees : Ionia Chapter No. 14. Royal Arch Masons; Ionia Council No. 11. Royal and Select Masters: Ionia Commandery No. 11, Knights Templar.
The present officers are: W. K. McSween, worshipful master; Jay A. Van Sickle, senior warden : G. A. Krause, junior warden ; B. L. Berry, treas- urer : G. F. Brown, secretary; H. H. Robb, senior deacon: E. R. Ashby, junior deacon: E. F. Branch, chaplain; J. D. Story, tyler.
PORTLAND LODGE NO. 31.
Portland Lodge No. 31, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered on January 10. 1849. The first officers were: George W. Wilson, wor- shipful master : George Hill. senior warden: Hezekiah Smith, junior warden; P. Varnum, senior deacon; H. M. Starks, junior deacon; L. B. Barnum, secretary; Hezekiah Smith, treasurer; William Moore, tyler. The follow- ing is a partial list of the worshipful masters who have served this lodge : George Wilson, George Hill, Samuel Sutliff, M. B. Beers, C. A. Peters, F.
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G. Lee and George Hill. This lodge has at the present time a membership of one hundred and sixty-two.
The Portland lodge has the following advanced degrees and auxiliary chapter : Portland Chapter No. 37, Royal Arch Masons; Portland Council No. 23. Royal and Select Masters: Chapter No. 258. Order of the Eastern Star. The present officers are: \. A. Mark, worshipful master ; John B. Hecox, senior warden; E. N. Green. junior warden: L. Webber. treasurer ; Asa Newman, secretary; F. D Lockwood, senior deacon: Albert Hartwig. junior deacon ; W. H. Balderson, tyler.
PALO LODGE NO. 203.
Palo Lodge No. 203. Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on January 15, 1807, with the following charter members: E. D. Young, Will- iam H. Freeman, Vine Hallet. B. Stone, J. Winegar, C. Anner, Peter B. Ilowk, Il. P. Miller, John Dunn and J. R. Hollywood. The first officers of this lodge were: E. D. Young, worshipful master ; William H. Freeman, senior warden; Vine Hallet, junior warden ; B. Stone, treasurer; J. Winegar, secretary; C. Anner, senior deacon: Peter B. Howk, junior deacon; H. P. Miller, tyler ; John Dunn and T. R. Hollywood, stewards.
This lodge now has a membership of sixty and is in a prosperous condi- tion. The present officers are: 1. S. Jeffers, worshipful master; F. Gay- lord, senior warden; R. Safford, junior warden: H. D. Pugh, treasurer ; W. F. Petteys, secretary; H. F. Kellogg, senior deacon; C. C. Luce, junior deacon : Henry Hull, tyler.
BELDING LODGE NO. 355.
Belling Lodge No. 355, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on January 26, 1881. The following is the list of charter members: Elisha Mudge, J. Milton Earle, Robert M. Wilson, Thomas Crebben, Albert D. Jenks, Henry A. Jersey, George Light, Abraham C. Haugh, Elvon Murry, Fred Deitz, John G. Snyder, Charles E. Drake, Frank R. Chase, William M. Evarts, Levi Broas, Bradley C. Stone, Jacob King, Charles M. Wise, Edward F. Sayles and George Hoppough.
The members of this lodge have been untiring in their efforts to boost the chapter and make it one of the strongest in the county. The present membership totals three hundred and four active members.
The present officers are: J. Byron Cook, worshipful master; Arthur B.
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Foss, senior warden; Fred .\. Rogers, junior warden; W. A. Wilder, treas- urer: L. B. Moore, secretary; Jamies Langston, senior deacon; Edney Webster, junior deacon: Fred Clancey, tyler; C. M. Wise, marshal; 11. J. Leonard, chaplain.
LAKE ODESSA LODGE NO. 395.
Lake Odessa Lodge No. 395, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on December 19, 1888, with the following charter members: William S. Hart. Robert C. Blair, Adnah L .. Jones, Wallace Lovewell, Martin Cox, George Prichard, Robert Musgrove and Milton J. Jacques. Of the eight charter members who were instrumental in the organization of the lodge all are active members at the present except Milton J. Jacques who is deceased. This lodge has been very active and the members have always striven to increase the work of the lodge. The present membership totals one hun- dred and eleven.
The present officers are: Ralph W. Corey, worshipful master; Jay Merrill, senior warden: Gottlieb Kussmaul, junior warden; Howard C. Lawrence, senior deacon : Robert Shaw, junior deacon: Samuel Velte, treas- urer : Thomas Johnson, secretary; Hugh J. Potts, tyler.
PEWAMO LODGE NO. 405.
Pewamo Lodge No. 405. Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on June 1, 1892, with the following charter members: M. A. Britton, Fred- erick Dunn, Sr., Emerson Vance, James Tosh, James Ruel, Fremont Hath- away, Charles Somers, Joseph Packer, John Pennington, Sr., E. D. Ham- mond, A. W. Sherwood, Thomas H. Dewey, William Triphagen, William Warfield and David Strahan. This lodge now has a membership of sixty- nine and is very active. The present officers are: Arthur Stow, worship- ful master: Harry Knowlton, senior warden ; William Bissell, junior warden; Andrew Vance, senior deacon : Ney Spaulding, junior deacon ; George Ams- den, treasurer; Ora J. Blackmer, secretary: William Blackmer, senior steward: Nicholas Blowwickel, junior steward; D. W. Bissell, tyler.
CLARKSVILLE LODGE NO. 451.
Clarksville Lodge No. 451, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on April 16, 1908, with the following charter members: Jesse Rogers, Eustace Church, Major T. Lamont, Harry Simpkins, William Gibbons,
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Chauncey McCormic, John Kloosterman, Leroy Scoville, Robert Goodfellow, Marsden Bishop, Ferman Hudson, Roderick Kenerdy, William Shanks and David Dickson. This lodge has a membership at present of sixty-three. It is one of the recent lodges in the county but has had a very active existence. The present officers are: M. T. Lamont, worshipful master ; Bert Hanson, senior warden; M. A. Harvey, junior warden; Eustace Church, treasurer : Clarence Marvin, secretary; J. A. Warner, senior deacon; James Miller, junior deacon; Glen Scoville, senior steward; Albert C. Renkes, junior steward: William Gibbons, tyler.
ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR.
Queen Esther Chapter No. 35, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized in lonia on March 17, 1885. The charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Burt. Mr. and Mrs. Henry G. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. John Flater, Mr. and Mrs. David Aelick, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bailey, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bailey, Jr., Mrs. Chauncey Waterbury. Wesley Worden, Mr. and Mrs. A. Ryerson, Mrs. John Parker, Amelia Bailey, Mrs. Shirts, Palmer Taylor, Minnie Taylor, Grace Taylor and Mr. Dimmick.
The present officers of this chapter, which has a membership of two hun- dlred and twenty. are: Mrs. Emma Wilson, worshipful matron: Warner K. McSween, worshipful patron; Alrs. Georgia Reasoner, assistant matron ; Mrs. Cora Perham, secretary; Mrs. Eliza Storey, treasurer.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Saranac Lodge No. 168. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized on August 17. 1871, in the Anderson building and chartered in . March, 1872. The charter members were: James T. Brown, J. H. Russell, Henry Trace, F. M. McDonald, A. R. Hicks and Dennis Donovan. Since the organization the following were elected to the office of the noble grand : James T. Brown, J. H. Russell, Dennis Donovan. William M. Dreskell, William L. Strickland, Harvey W. Dunn, H. A. O'Conner, J. B. Chase, Elisha Prosser, George B. Wilson, G. W. Lee, H. M. Cronkite. D. B. Kelley, W. S. Allen and Charles Numa.
The officers of Saranac lodge for the present year are: James Fisher, noble grand: Frank Fisher, vice-grand: Gilbert Curtis, recording secretary ; Fred Dillenbeck, financial secretary: Audrey Bronson, treasurer. This organization has a nice lodge building which is located at the corner of
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Center and Church streets. The present membership numbers one hundred and thirty. One charter member is still living and active.
IONIA LODGE NO. 175.
Jonia Lodge No. 175, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted 01 November 22, 1871, by Grand Master Isaac Slides at a meeting held at Bayard's hall. The officers appointed at the organization were: T. .. Willett, noble grand : C. L. Smith, vice-grand; J. H. Horton, treasurer; W. T. Kimsey, secretary. On that occasion petitions for membership were received from J. H. Welch, \. Udell, W. H. Dunn, R. J. Humphreys, Ilenry Brown, A. D. Devine and David M. Kerstetter.
The lodge was chartered on January 18, 1872. and at that time had fifty-three members. The first few meetings were held in the Good Templars hall but early in December a lease was made for the Smith hall where the lodge met each weck for more than thirty-eight years. This lodge has a record of social relief which can hardly be excelled by any lodge. It has also proven itself in the care of sick and sorrowing brothers.
The lodge owns at present a lot on the corner of Main and Dexter streets where it is their intention of locating their hall in the near future. The present membership numbers three hundred and forty-one. The present officers are: Lloyd Wieres, noble grand ; D. O. Mcveigh, vice-grand ; O. C. Wright, secretary: F. D. Curtis, treasurer; E. E. Cutler, financial secretary ; 11. 1. Jennings. Fred Higbee and John Utess, trustees.
RELIEF ENCAMPMENT NO. 53.
Relief Encampment No. 53, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Ionia on February 9. 1872. and chartered on February 19, 1873. The charter members were: . \fred Udell, Allen B. Morse, H. C. Sessions, James H. Horton. Charles H. Axtell, Joseph Rounds, James Brown, B. McCarthy. J. II. Welch. O W. Babcock. W. T. Kinsey, William W. Hall, William M. Driskell, Frederick Hall. C. L. Smith, William T. Anaba, D. M. Kerstetter. William W. Mitchael, E. P. Worden and Thomas A. Willett. Regular assemblies were held in Smith's hall.
The present membership numbers seventy-five. The present officers are: Harry Morgan, chief patriarch : Earl Wright, high priest ; Glen Barker, senior warden; Oden Wood, junior warden; Harry Jennings, scribe; William Huggins, treasurer.
(21)
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PORTLAND LODGE NO. 199.
Portland Lodge No. 190, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized on October 31, 1872. There were just five charter members : J. Bushong, Lawrence Sandborn, Philetus Jenkins, John W. Richmond and James M. Barnard. This lodge has experienced a great amount of pros- perity and has grown steadily since the installation. It has at present a membership of one hundred and forty-three with equipment and parapher- nalia valued at $1,000.
The present officers are: John Barton, noble grand : Glenn Ellis, vice- grand; Harley Rogers, recording secretary ; Dan Watson, financial secretary ; Floyd Todd, treasurer ; Dale Pierson, right supporter of noble grand; George Stiffler, left supporter of noble grand; Arthur Williams, right supporter of vice-grand: James Dickson, left supporter of vice-grand; H. W. Holcombe, chaplain. .
PORTLAND ENCAMPMENT NO. 105.
Portland Encampment No. 105. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. was organized on January 4, 1910, with the following charter members : Miles Whitney, H. W. Holcombe. Charles Hogmire. Clyde Moore, Lon Ellis and others. At present there are forty-three members enrolled under the banners of the encampment. The present officers are: Frank E. Remalia, chief patriarch; Howard Lowery, high priest; John Barton, senior warden ; Cheater Hair, junior warden ; Arthur Williams, scribe: C. E. Ward, treasurer. The encampment is in a Aourishing condition.
LAKE ODESSA LODGE NO. 420.
Lake Odessa Lodge No. 429. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized on May 17. 1892, with nine charter members. This lodge has had an exceptionally strong support from the citizens of Lake Odessa and now ranks as one of the strongest lodges in this part of the county. The mem- bership at present totals one hundred and sixty-six.
SILK CITY LODGE NO. 447.
Silk City Lodge No. 447. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted in Belding on January 15, 1895. This lodge has been very active
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since its organization and has a membership at present of one hundred and fifty-eight. Although one of the later lodges organized in lonia county it has experienced no reverses and at present owns property valued at $1.010. The present officers are: Harvey Curry, noble grand : Serigt Collier, vice- grand: Mark Leetch, secretary: W. II. Price, treasurer.
ARCADIAN ENCAMPMENT NO. 157.
Arcadian Encampment No. 157. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized in Belding on July 26, 1906, with the following charter mem- bers: D. F. Moon. Charles Knappe, R. Swift. A. E. Tuinstra, George Cottrell. F. Glosser and W. H. Price. The present membership of this encampment numbers forty-five. The present officers are: John Scott, chief patriarch: E. O. Hildebrand, high priest: George Vickery, senior warden: Pearl Jenks, junior warden; W. H. Price, scribe: W. J. Black, treasurer.
PALO LODGE NO. 341.
Palo Lodge No. 3-11 Independent Order of Odd Fellows was organized at Palo. November 11. 1915. with thirty-eight charter members as follow : S. P. Minier, C. A. Knapp. William Easterly. Marvin Greenwalt, II. D. Pew, John Scott. G. L. Dickerson, R. H. Van Vleck, C. F. Filder, N. Eitel- buss. Ray North. Clark Reimer. A. D. Hyde, William A. Conner, II. R. Compton. Willard Knaggs. L. J. Hargrave, Frank Van Vleck, William H. Wilder. G. C. Mason, Harry Compton, H. F. Kellogg. Edward S. Buckley, 1 .. R. VanVleck. B. D. MeKimball, W. H. Carpenter. C. Wilder, C. B. Gauss. J. L. Briggs, C. B. Johnson, C. A. Graham, A. L. Reeder, William Howe. C. R. Evans. E. Reimer. D. J. Heath, H. L. Allen and Herbert Edwards.
The first officers of the lodge were as follow: Noble grand, S. P. Minier : vice-grand. C. A. Knapp: recording secretary. William Easterly; financial secretary, Marvin Greenwalt ; treasurer, H. D. Pew ; and John Scott, district deputy.
The present officers of the lodge are the same as the original officers. The lodge owns regalia valued at $300. The Palo lodge was instituted by R. E. Newville, grand master ; Myles F. Gray, past grand master, acting as grand secretary : Fred Cutler. Jr., grand treasurer : Jerome Walker, as deputy grand master : Henry Witzel as grand marshal: Charles Taylor, of Bannister, as grand guardian, and G. E. Chadwick, of Mt. Pleasant. as grand warden.
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DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH.
Refuge Lodge No. 285. Daughter of Rebekah, was installed at Lake Odessa on June 18. 1806, with the following charter members : Ella Kart. Clara Spires, Catherine Plough, Sarah Darby and Charles Kart. The mem- bership at present numbers one hundred and twenty, which in itself shows the strength of this lodge. The present officers are: Nellie Urtel. noble grand: Frances Tenderleider, vice-grand; Cora DeMaranville, recording secretary; Nellie Culp, financial secretary: Alice Gilliland, treasurer : Edna Blakely, past grand.
WHITE ROSE LODGE NO. 327.
White Rose Lodge No. 327. Daughters of Rebekah, was organized at Clarksville, Michigan, January 5. 1899. The charter members were: Celestia Prosser. Isabella Heaven, Carrie Marvin. Jennie Hazen. Helina Brandle, Edith Decker, Alta Lenhard, Bessie Todd, Alta French, Mary Haskins, Selina Schroch. Edna Cool. Hyla Clark, Ida Ackerson, Carlie AAckerson and Susanna Gibbons.
This lodge was re-instated in February 8, 1912. after a short period of inactivity. The lodge is in a flourishing condition at the present time with a membership of seventy-six. The present officers are: Tina Oliver. noble grand; Ethel Renkes, vice-grand: Lottie Jackson, secretary, and Nellie Horner. treasurer.
SARANAC LODGE NO. IIO.
Saranac Lodge No. Ho, Daughters of Rebekah, was organized on Octo- ber 15, 1903, with the following charter members: Letitia Tompson, Emma Reynolds, Myrtle Renwick, Clarissa Wallington and Julia Lee. In the short space of twelve years this lodge has grown from a chapter of five to that of ninety-three at the present time. The present officers are: Nettie l'anl. noble grand: Lucy Dawson, vice-grand: Susie Raymond, secretary: Julia Lee, treasurer, and Alwilda Race, financial secretary. -
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Lucullus Lodge No. 76. Knights of Pythias, of Ionia, was organized on January 27, 1887. For many years this lodge was recognized as one of the very best and most successful Pythian lodges in the state, having in its carlier years furnished the grand lodge with two grand chancellors, Fred M. Doug-
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lass and W. D. Clizbe. The personnel of the lodge is of the very highest character and for many years it has been recognized as one of the most prominent social factors in the life of lonia. During the past year this well-known lodge has taken on new life and is now initiating scores of the best men in the city. Lucullus lodge again has taken its place in the front rank of Michigan's Pythian lodges. Of the thirty-five charter members, only three. Robert Baerd. Fred Cutler. Jr., and Judge F. D. M. Davis, remain.
The present membership numbers ninety, with sufficient applications now on hand to exceed one hundred. Furniture and regalia owned by the lodge is valued at $500. Hermione Temple No. 4. Pythian Sisters, is an auxiliary of Lucullus lodge. A miform ranks company is now in process of formation. The present officers of Lucullus Lodge No. 76. Knights of Pythias, are as follow: Chancellor commander, Fred Cutler, Jr .; vice- chancellor, Frank Giddings : prelate. S. A. Mulhauser : keeper of the records and seal, Fred J. Whitney ; master of the exchequer, Dan J. Campan ; master of work, Herbert llall; master of arms, Clarence Eddy: installing officer, Bert Lampkin: representative to the grand lodge. Fred Cutler, Jr. : trustees, James 1. Williston, P. T. Williams and H E. Spencer.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.
Court Cass No. 689, Independent Order of Foresters, was organized at lonia on November 25, 1890. There were thirty-one charter members of this order, as follow: Doctor Logan, E. T. Yeomans. J. H. Kidd, J. T. Webber. W. O. Webster, E. R. Bailey. R. Il. Brown, E. D. Vorhees, F. E. Ward. H. F. Voelker, E. T. Montgomery, R. L. Page, J. A. Latta, T. A. Carton, G. A. Younghans, W. B. Heath, O. S. Cass, Bert Lampkin, W. E. Kelsey, James Vesper, T. R. Allen. F. D. M. Davis, F. M. Drake, W. M. Phelps, G. 11. Mummer, C. W. Parsons. L. P. Brock. R. D. Sessions, A. E. Tower, D. G. Lindsey and F. C. Thompson. The activity of this lodge is not as great as it was in past years and the membership only totals eleven active members at present. The present officers are: E. T. Yeomans, chief ranger ; James Vesper, vice-ranger; H. F. Voelker, recording secretary; W. B. Ileath, financial secretary and treasurer.
EQUITABLE FRATERNAL UNION.
The Equitable Fraternal Union was organized in lonia in 1904. There were twenty charter members of this order and although it has not had a
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great growth it has prospered. The membership has increased steadily since the organization and now has a total of fifty-two. The present officers are : D. 7. Brook, president: W. L. Winchell, secretary, and A. Z. Burnett. treasurer.
The Equitable Fraternal Union No. 304, of Belding, was organized on December 31, 1903, with thirty charter members. This chapter was installed only a short time before the one at lonia and has received a greater support than the latter named chapter. The lodge at Belding has a total membership at present of one hundred and fifty. The officers for the present year are: Percy Hanks, president : Clara Barlow, vice-president: Ernest Grinnell. secretary ; Ralph Wheeler, treasurer : Alice Grinnell, advisor : Alma Huntley. warden : Harry Wilson, inner guard : Dr. E. W. Little, Edward Belling and Charles Howard. trustees. These are the only chapters of this order in lonia county.
LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE.
lonia Lodge No. 998, Loyal Order of Moose, was organized in May, 1912, with seventy charter members. The first officers of this lodge were : Anthony Scully, dictator; C. A Snyder, past dictator ; Clarence Koerer, vice- dictator; Herbert Ross, prelate: Harry Callow, treasurer; M. G. Bradley, secretary : Fred Howard, sergeant-at-arms ; Harry Bull, inner guard : Thomas Duffy, outer guard: Donald M. Steele. Guy Cone and Frank R. Laurie, trustees.
The officers of this lodge secured accommodations at 117-121 South Second street to be used for their place of meeting and also fitted up the club rooms with furnishings valued at $2,000. Although this lodge has only been established a little over three years, it has grown to be the largest chap- ter of any lodge in lonia county, with a membership of seven hundred. . \ remarkable fact is that it is still growing and the present officers are striving to reach a total of one thousand members. More than forty of lonia's business and professional men are numbered among the members of this lodge. It is also the desire of the members to erect a club house and lodge rooms of their own where the business, professional and laboring man may meet to their mutual benefit. This lodge has always been true to its ami of paying sick and accident benefits and extending help and relief where needed.
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