USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Flint > The book of the golden jubilee of Flint, Michigan 1855-1905. Published under the auspices of the Executive committee of the golden jubilee and old homecoming reunion > Part 13
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Canton Col. Fenton, No. 27, P. M. I. O. O. F., was chartered Aug. 30, 1887, and mustered into service Nov. 28 following, in the hall in the Judd block, with 38 members. Its first officers were Capt. T. A. Willett, Lieut. W. A. Boland, Ensign C. S. Martin. It has always been well to the front along military lines, and has won both state and national fame, winning in competitive drill, five second and five first
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state prizes and one national prize. One of its members, Gen. T. A. Willett, organized the Department Council as an inde- pendent department, Oct. 14, 1894, and was three years Depart, ment Commander. Gen. C. S. Martin filled the same position nearly six years. Its present membership is 62 and its place of meeting, in the McDermot block.
Ada B Rebekah Lodge, No. 17, was instituted Friday evening, May 4th, 1888, in the hall over 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 commissioned D. D. G. M. for the new Rebekah Lodge. Friday has not proven an unlucky day for this lodge which has passed the two hundred mark in point of membership; has been called upon, with its efficient Degree Staff, which is said to be second to none in the State, to assist in the institution of six Rebekah Lodges in the vicinity; had for four years an officer in the Rebekah Assembly; and, in fact, pursues the even tenor of its way so prosperously and harmoni- ously that no President of the Assembly has ever had an excuse to visit it as a weak lodge, nor has she ever been sent for to settle a difficulty. Of its 26 charter members, 11 are still living and in good standing in the lodge. Its present home is in the hall of Friendship Lodge, in the McDermot block.
Genesee Rebekah Lodge, No. 355, I. O. O. F., was organ- ized through the efforts of members of Genesee Lodge, No. 24, 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 36 charter members. The principal officers then elected were Mrs. Clara Abbey, Noble Grand,
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and Mrs. Adora Hall, Vice Grand. In the evening of that day the degrees were conferred upon 47 candidates, and six months from that date the membership exceeded 100. It has now passed the 225 mark. The home of this lodge is now in Odd Fellows' Temple, where it meets on the second and fourth Friday 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.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
The Masonic fraternity was among the first to establish a local organization here, and it has ever had a strong hold upon our citizens. For many of the earlier years of its history its lodge rooms were one of 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 pleasure the balls and other entertainments given therein. In fact, it was because dancing and card playing in Masonic buildings were prohibited by the regulations of the order that the present temple was not for many years formally dedicated as such. The several organizations being among the earliest established 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 present temple.
Perhaps the most important event in the history of the fraternity was the purchase of its present home. The first action toward this was taken in November, 1867, but it was
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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 & Atwood, of the third and fourth stories of what is now the Bryant House block. This was deeded Sept. 24, 1872, to Trustees for Flint Lodge, Washington Chapter and Genesee Valley Commandery, enclosed and roofed, the price being $5,000. The opening ceremony was a grand Knights Templar ball, December 12, 1873, since which time it has been continuously occupied by the fraternity. It was formally dedicated, with appropriate Masonic ceremonies, Jan. 4, 1900.
Genesee Lodge, No. 23, F. & A. M., was chartered 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 January 11, 1855, upon the petition of 37 charter members, with John B. Hamilton as W. M. and ten other officers. None of these officers are now living. This lodge has enjoyed a steady and prosperous growth and its members now number about 325. It was honored in 1858 by the election of Wm. M. Fenton as W. M. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, F. & A. M.
Genesee Lodge, No. 174, F. & A. M., was chartered January 11, 1866, with eight members, of whom Milan S. Elmore is the only survivor. Its first W. M. was John B. Hamilton, and the late Hon. George H. Durand was the first candidate initiated by it. 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 mem- bers, in truly masonic spirit "no contention, but rather emula- tion, as to who best can work and best agree." Two of the Past Masters of this lodge have been elected to the chair of
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M. W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, George H. Durand in 1874, and John J. Carton in 1895. Its rolls now show 252 members.
When the first Blue Lodge was organized the nearest chapter was located at Pontiac. The need of a similar organi- zation at Flint was quickly felt, and on the first day of April, 1856, 10 members met under dispensation, and Washington Chapter, No. 15, R. A. M., was instituted, Stillman Blanchard, P. H. P., officiating. At the next meeting of the Grand Chap- ter a charter was granted, dated Jan. 14, 1857. Chauncey K. Williams was the first E. H. P. As the jurisdiction of the chapter still covers all of the county and villages adjacent to Flint, its meetings bring together many who might other- wise remain strangers. Of the nineteen members who have filled the chair of High Priest, thirteen survive, and one of them, Samuel C. Randall was, in 1891, Most Excellent High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the State of Michigan. It now has enrolled 300 members.
Between the beginning of the chapter organization and the formation of a Commandery a period of over nine years elapsed, and it was not until 1865 that Flint Masons could receive their degrees at home. On April 10 of that year a dis- pensation was granted to Genesee Valley Commandery, which was organized with eight members, in the old Masonic Hall, June 2, 1865. The three principal officers were John B. Ham- ilton, Eminent Commander, Paul H. Stewart, Generalissimo, and John Allen, Captain General. The officers were duly installed by Garey B. Noble, R. E. G. C. 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. Sir Kt. Hamilton served two years and in 1867 was succeeded as E. C. by Sir. Kt. Samuel
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C. Randall, who served continuously until 1878, although he was in 1876 elected Grand Commander of Michigan K. T. and ably performed the duties of that office during the current year. Sixteen other Knights have been Eminent Commanders, two of whom are now deceased. The surviving charter mem- bers are Milan S. Elmore and Robert Ford. This commandery has always stood high among its fellows, both in the personnel of its members, (who now number about 250) and the efficiency of its work.
Much the youngest of the Masonic bodies is Flint Council, No. 56, Royal and Select Masters, which was chartered Janu- ary 21, 1890, with nine members, J. B. E. Castree being the first T. I. M. In proportion to its membership it has perhaps as fine paraphernalia as any council in the State and its work is of uniformly high character. But four members have served it as Thrice Illustrious Master, all now living. The members at present number about 125.
Closely affiliated with the Masonic fraternity is the order of the Eastern Star, its members being Master Masons and the female relatives of such. The order exists for the purpose of giving practical effect to one of the beneficient purposes of Free Masonry, which is to provide for the welfare of the wives, mothers, widows and sisters of Master Masons. Its principles are promulgated here by Flint Chapter, No. 138, which was organized at Masonic Hall in 1894 with 31 members, and received its charter Jan. 28, 1895. Its first presiding officers were Mrs. Carrie T. Henderson, Worthy Matron and Louis G. Willison, Worthy Patron. It has grown to be one of the most thriving and prosperous chapters in the State, with a membership of over 200.
ROYAL ARCANUM.
The Royal Arcanum, originally organized in Boston, November 5, 1877, became identified with Flint in the organi-
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zation of Apollo Council, No. 27, on the 12th day of the same month. The life of the local body has therefore been contem- porary with that of the parent order. The Council was insti- tuted in the lodge rooms on the third floor of the Sutton build- ing, with 63 members. Of this number 17 have answered the final roll call, 13 still retain their membership, 12 have with- drawn to join other councils and 21 have relinquished their membership. This council has initiated over 500 members, and paid 32 death benefits. Its present membership is 165. It continued to meet in its original lodge rooms until some time in 1878 when the use of the K. of P. rooms, located over the First National Bank, were secured. The council moved from these rooms to their present quarters, Friendship Lodge Hall, in the McDermot block, in 1884. It is worthy of notice that the following charter members have held office ever since its organization: George E. Newall, Frank Dullam and Dr. Noah Bates.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen is said to be the oldest purely fraternal insurance organization in the world. It is represented here by Flint Lodge, No. 22, which began its existence Nov. 21, 1877, with 125 charter members. Its first home was the old Stars and Stripes Hall, from which it removed to Awanaga Hall, thence to the old Odd Fellows' Hall in the Judd block. For the past 14 years its meeting place has been G. A. R. Hall. Since its organization 41 of its members have gone from their labors below to everlasting repose. Its present membership is about 100.
Flint Lodge, No. 76, Degree of Honor, A. O. U. W., was chartered January 22, 1896, with 48 members, in Knights of Pythias Hall, from whence it removed to G. A. R. Hall, its present home. Its roll now shows a membership of 74.
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THE KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES.
The Knights of the Maccabees were among the first of the beneficiary societies to obtain a foothold in Flint. During the winter of 1880-1881, while under the control of the Canadian organization, two tents were organized here, almost simultaneously, Flint Tent, No. 269, and Venus Tent, No. 275. June 11, 1881, the order was incorporated in Michigan, and the following September became an independent body, under the name of the Knights of the Maccabees of Michigan, which title it retained until a few years ago when it was changed to the Knights of the Modern Maccabees.
One explanation of the popularity of this order here may be the fact that for nearly a quarter of a century Flint has been its financial headquarters. In October, 1881, Robert J. Whaley, of Flint, was appointed Great Finance Keeper, to fill a vacancy. At the next annual meeting he was elected as his own successor, and has been re-elected at each subsequent meeting of the Great Camp.
The pioneer organization, Flint Tent, No. 269, existed but a few months and then surrendered its charter.
Venus Tent, No. 275, K. of T. M. M., was organized Feb. 15, 1881, with 25 members, in the office of Lee & Aitken. In July of that year its meeting place was established in the hall over the First National Bank. In 1883 it was changed to G. A. R. Hall, and in 1887 to its present quarters in Loyal Guard Hall. Its members now number about 700.
Flint Tent, No. 464, K. O. T. M., was organized July 23, 1891, with a membership of 37. It first met in G. A. R. Hall, then changed to Loyal Guard Hall. Its membership has now increased to over 240.
Venus Hive, No. 72, Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, was organized in G. A. R. Hall April 30, 1891. Its present
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meeting place is Loyal Guard Hall and its original membership of 22 ladies has grown to number over 550.
Flint Hive, No. 252, Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, was organized Nov. 10, 1892, with a membership of 25, in G. A. R. Hall, which has been its headquarters ever since. Over 330 names now appear on its membership roll.
Yeomans' Hive, No. 905, Ladies of the Modern Macca- bees, is the youngest of the trio, being organized Feb. 18, 1904, in Odd Fellows' Hall. In spite of the large membership of its older sisters, it begun business with 68 members, and has increased the number to 96.
KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES OF THE WORLD.
Another beneficiary order which has been somewhat closely connected with Flint by reason of the residence here of one of its grand officers is the Knights of the Maccabees of the World which was organized originally in Canada, and was incorporated in Michigan in the year 1884. Hon D. D. Aitken, the "Jubilee Mayor " of Flint, has been, almost since. its incorporation, and still is, the General Counsel of the order. It is represented in Flint by Vehicle City Tent, No. 11, which was organized November 12, 1902, with a membership of 182. Its original meeting place was in the old Odd Fellows' Hall, in the Judd block; the present location is Loyal Guard Hall.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Gov. Crapo Post, No. 145, Department of Michigan G. A. R., with its 142 members, who participated in the celebra- tion of our Golden Jubilee, is one of the strongest organiza- tions, one of the most honored, and most highly esteemed by the citizens of our city. The objects of the order are: Charity, loyalty and to preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings which bind together the soldier, sailor and
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marines who united to suppress the rebellion of '61 to '65, and to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead.
This Post was organized, and the officers duly installed, June 7, 1883, in the hall in the Judd block. The following named charter members being elected to the offices, to-wit :
Richard H. Hughes, Commander. John Algoe, Senior Vice-Commander. Frank E. Willett, Junior Vice-Commander. Charles A. Muma, Adjutant. William Charles, Quartermaster.
The following named Comrades were also charter members of the Post: James K. Bidleman, George McConnelly, George Raab, William Turver, Ira M. Camp, Gabriel Demo- rest, George W. Buckingham, George W. Fish, Frank W. Dennison, Henry N. Gay, William R. Marsh, James Hemp- stead, Mathew Smythe, Marvin C. Barney, Isaac Rynex and Abram Rickey. Eight of the charter members have answered the final roll call. A large number of the Comrades who have been members of the Post have occupied positions in our municipal, county and state government. Among them are Comrade Charles D. Long, who was mustered Feb. 27, 1884, elected Department Commander for the year 1885; Comrade M. C. Barney, elected Sen. Vice Commander of the Depart- ment for the year 1901.
Comrade O. F. Lockhead received the appointment of Asst. Adjutant General, and held that position in 1885 and in 1886.
Comrade Geo. W. Buckingham occupied the Chairman- ship of the Board of Control for a number of years. Many of the Comrades have risen to positions of honorable mention, a few have honorably earned commercial prosperity, some of whom are enjoying the fruits of their labors with great pleasure in the evening of life.
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Nearly all of the Comrades, living or bivouaced with the dead, rushed into the vortex of war in their 'teens, emerged therefrom to engage in the struggle of our rapid national progress, and with but few exceptions have conscientiously devoted themselves to the upbuilding of patriotic citizenship.
History can never do full justice to those who gave their life blood as a sacrifice to the perpetuation of Freedom, and the principles of self-government-nor can the people of our country too highly esteem those surviving comrades who are rapidly passing away.
Its Past Commanders are as follows :
Richard H. Hughes
Charles W. Austin
Oscar F. Lockhead
James H. Failing
Frank E. Willett
Orange Thomas
Charles Bassett
J. R. Benjamin
John Algoe
Wallace Caldwell
Andrew J. Ward
William M. Wheeler
George W. Buckingham
George W. Hilton
George E. Newall
Paul Countryman
Welcome L. Farnum
James Van Tassel
Marvin C. Barney
John W. Begg
Edward C. Marsh
William Stone
George Raab
Joseph Rush
Charles L. Bentley
VETERANS AND SONS.
Mckinley Camp, No. 8, National League of Veterans and Sons, a patriotic and beneficiary order, was organized Dec. 18, 1901, at G. A. R. Hall, which has continued to be its meeting place. Among its objects are the inculcating a spirit of loyalty to the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the promotion of the welfare of honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and marines.
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
Prominent among the many benevolent organizations in Flint stands Governor Crapo Woman's Relief Corps, No. 23. It was organized Oct. 15, 1884, by sixteen enthusiastic women, "to assist in caring for the Union veteran and his family; to
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inculcate lessons of patriotism in the community, and to assist in the observance of Memorial Day." The three principal charter officers were Mrs. Mary A. McConnelly, President ; Mrs. Harriet P. Thompson, Sen. Vice President; Mrs. Ann Willett, Jun. Vice President. How well these purposes have been carried out is a matter of public knowledge. Since its organization it has expended in Flint for Union veterans and their families over two thousand dollars. There have also been substantial contributions made to the Soldiers' Home at Grand Rapids, the National W. R. C. Home, the Hall of Fame in our Court House and to other worthy objects. The original meeting place was in the old I. O. O. F. Hall in the Judd block, but it was afterward changed to G. A. R. Hall. The Corps now numbers 124 members.
BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS.
Flint Lodge, No. 222, B. P. O. E., was organized under a dispensation Dec. 4, 1891, a charter being granted on the 15th day of June following. At its first meeting, which was held in the lodge rooms over the First National Bank, a class of 48 was initiated. These rooms were occupied until Jan. 1, 1903, when the lodge removed to its present spacious quarters on the sixth floor of the Dryden building, where it dispenses the hospitality and fraternal cheer for which the order is noted, Its members now number over 500.
THE LOYAL GUARD.
The Knights of the Loyal Guard, a fraternal beneficiary society, whose headquarters must, by the terms of its charter, ever remain in Flint, was organized under the laws of the State of Michigan on January 31, 1895. By its sound man- agement, steady growth and attractive plan, it has become one of the trusted financial institutions of our city, and enhanced our reputation both at home and abroad.
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Its original incorporators, Supreme officers and Board of Directors, all Flint men, were: F. H. Rankin, W. C. Durant, Edwin O. Wood, B. F. Cotharin, M. W. Stevens, Dr. O. Millard, J. P. Burroughs, T. Fred Anderson, and Frank D. Buckingham.
In its first eleven years it has paid out a total of over four hundred and sixty thousand ($460,000) dollars in death benefits to the beneficiaries of its deceased members, and has created a surplus or reserve fund of about one hundred forty thousand ($140,000) dollars,-a considerable portion of which is invested in central business property in its home city. Its total membership at the end of eleven years is five thousand (5,000), and it has about one hundred fifty (150) subordinate divisions in Michigan and other states.
Its officers at the present time are :
Edwin O. Wood, President.
C. H. Pomeroy, of Saginaw, Vice-President.
F. H. Rankin, Secretary.
C. T. Bridgman, Treasurer.
M. W. Stevens, Attorney.
Dr. O. Millard, Medical Examiner.
C. A. Gower, C. W. Grobe, Frank Dullam, Auditors. Rev. C. A. Lippincott, Grand Chaplain of the Grand Council.
Local Subordinate Division No. 1 was organized on the evening of February 21, 1895, in the hall of what is now Loyal Guard building No. 1, at which time nearly 700 mem- bers were obligated. That was its meeting place for a number of years, then it removed to Loyal Guard Hall, in Loyal Guard Building No. 2, which it continues to occupy.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 27, K. of P., was organized Sept. 10, 1875, in the hall over the First National Bank, with 27 charter members, of whom William Charles is the only sur- vivor. Of the others, the late Henry R. Lovell was especially
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honored by his election as Grand Chancellor of Michigan, and he also served as Representative to the Supreme Lodge, K. of P. For 30 years this lodge has faithfully performed its work, and while there have been periods of trial and depression, it has ever loyally upheld the chivalric principles of the Pythian mystic trio, friendship, charity and benevolence. From their first quarters the lodge removed to Pythian Castle, in the Awanaga block, and a number of years later to its present hall in the Judd block. In the meantime its membership has grown to 130.
What is now known as Ivanhoe Co., No. 21, Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, was organized Feb. 22, 1886, in Pythian Hall, over the First National Bank, with seven charter members, of whom Albert Myers was Capt., Stephen P. Wing, 1st Lieut., Wm. Galbraith, 2nd Lieut. Two of this number now survive, William Charles and David D. Aitkin. For a number of years the new organization throve finely and won commendation wherever it appeared in public, then interest languished and for upwards of fourteen years but little was done. In 1904-5, however, an infusion of new blood rejuve- nated the order and placed it again in trim for effective work. Its first public appearance was in the ranks of the Golden Jubilee parades, with about forty Knights in line. Its home has been continuously with Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 27.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS.
Division No. 1, Ladies of the A. O. of H., was organized in 1895, with 35 charter members. It met at first in the St. Michael's school building and is now located in the annex of Loyal Guard Building No. 1.
LADIES' CATHOLIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.
Branch 624, L. C. B. A., was organized in C. M. B. A. Hall, October 31, 1900, with 35 members, and has enjoyed a steady growth until it now numbers 79.
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KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF SECURITY.
Genesee Council, No. 393, K. and L. of S., began busi- ness in Flint, Feb. 17, 1896, in G. A. R. Hall, which is still its meeting place. Its original membership of 84 has now grown to 146.
TRIBE OF BEN HUR.
Ben Hur Court, No. 1, Tribe of Ben Hur, was organized in July, 1896, with a membership of 156, which has increased to 200. It has met continuously in G. A. R. Hall.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.
Court Kearsley, No. 3108, I. O. F., was organized by 38 charter members in 1896, in the lodge rooms over the First National Bank. Its present home is Foresters' Hall and the membership is 50.
Companion Court Albino Alfred began business in Odd Fellows' Hall, Sept. 17, 1898, with 30 members, now increased to 105. It now meets in G. A. R. Hall.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
Flint Camp, No. 4948, M. W. of A., a beneficiary order was organized August 20, 1897, with 15 charter members, in Friendship Hall. It now ranks among the largest of these orders in Flint with a membership of 315, and meets in the Awanaga block.
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