USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 12
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 12
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STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
One of the attractive features of the landscape in Owatonna is the beautiful state public school, with its sightly lawn, hand- some buildings and well-tilled farm. The site adjoins the city on the west, and originally consisted of 160 acres of good farm land, the gift of the city of Owatonna, to which has been added eighty acres purchased by the state in 1897. The school is con-
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ducted on the cottage plan, and the present buildings, thirteen in number, comprise an administration building, six cottages, a school house, hospital, superintendent's residence, a farm house, laundry and heating plant, and two barns, all irregularly and attractively placed on an undulating plat overlooking the beauti- ful Straight river valley and the city of Owatonna. The cost of the property, including land, buildings and improvements has been about $266,000.
The school was established by act of the legislature in 1885, largely due to the efforts of the Hon. C. S. Crandall, of Owatonna, and was opened for the reception of children, in December, 1886. The commission, which selected the site and erected the first building, was composed of Governor L. F. Hubbard, C. S. Cran- dall, of Owatonna; Anthony Kelley, of Minneapolis; William Morin, of Albert Lea ; John Byers. of Hastings, and B. B. Her- bert, of Red Wing. The present superintendent is G. A. Merrill, and the resident officers are appointed by the board of directors without term. The board of control, which consists of Damon S. Cummings, of Waseca ; C. R. Boostrom, of Austin, and Louis F. Hammel, of Owatonna, is appointed by the governor, one mem- ber every six years.
The school is for dependent and neglected children. They are admitted in the first instance upon orders from the courts ; and most of them from the probate court through proceedings begun by the county commissioners, but some from the municipal and district courts, in which the parents or guardians are prose- cuted for ill treating their children, and found to be improper guardians of them. Both boys and girls, otherwise eligible, are admitted at any age under fifteen, and are retained until they are fitted to be placed in homes and satisfactory homes are found. The statuatory steps necessary to be taken are simple and divested of every feature resembling a criminal proceeding. Homelessness, dependence or ill treatment are the grounds upon which admittance may be obtained. All children committed become wards of the state, but may be returned to their parents by the voluntary action of the board of control. In the school the children are classified in families of from twenty to thirty each, each family occupying a cottage under the care of a matron and an assistant. A splendid herd of healthy cow affords good milk in abundance, and the farm yields vegetables in extensive variety, also fruits, including apples, plums, raspberries, straw- berries and currents. The farm is a source of profit and a valua- ble means of education, classes of boys working and receiving instructions in the garden, greenhouse, orchard and on the farm. A graded school is conducted in a fine well furnished eight-room building, on the premises a little distance from the cottage
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dwellers. The library of about a thousand well selected books in this building is a valuable aid to the school work.
The pupils are graded according to their educational status, as in the public schools. Six teachers are employed, and the several classes under their charge are instructed in sloyd, domes- tic science, kindergarten, vocal music and the subjects in the primary, intermediate, and grammar grades. These classes in- clude all of the children in the school above four years of age, the kindergarten, including those from four to six.
When the children are placed out, a trial period of three months is given, during which the foster parents may return them at will. The indenture contract, which is signed when the child leaves the school, is so conditioned as to insure the child a speedy release from an unhappy or ill chosen home. It requires the foster parents to receive him as a member of the family, to send him to school, to see that he attends church, to care for him in sickness and to have him taught some useful occupation. At the end of the indenture period, when the child is eighteen years old, he is to receive a small sum of money, usually $75. But the duty of the state does not end when the children are placed in homes. Adequate supervision for them is necessary to secure the fulfilment of the indenture contracts. For this purpose state agents are employed, and it is the duty of such agents to visit the children in homes and see that they receive kind treatment and such advantages as they need. The agents are also charged with the duty of personally investigating appli- cations from families desiring to receive children.
CHAPTER XXI
OWATONNA ORGANIZATIONS
Masonic Orders-Pythian Societies-Odd Fellows' Lodges- Fraternal Insurance Lodges-Catholic Orders-Women's Clubs-Contributed by E. E. Bigelow, M. D .- Clubs and Organizations.
Owatonna is one of the fraternal centers of southern Minne- sota, and all the leading orders are represented here. In the fol- lowing article, Dr. E. E. Bigelow has gathered statisties which will prove of great value to all who are interested in the societies mentioned therein.
MASONIC ORDERS
Star in the East Lodge, No. 33, A. F. and A. M. On Decem- ber 16, A. D. 1859, A. O. 741, a dispensation was granted to open and operate a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at Owatonna, which was done, the first meeting being presided over by the right worshipful grand junior warden of Faribault Lodge, No. 9. with John Kelso as secretary. The lodge was named Star in the East, No. 33. On January 23, 1860, the first stated communica- tion under the dispensation was held, and elected J. C. Whipple, I. M .; E. M. Morehouse, S. W .; Joel Wilson, J. W .; Nelson Morehouse, treasurer; John Kelso, secretary; Thomas Thomp- son, S. D., and David Lindersmith, J. D. The organization was formed by men who had first been made master Masons either at the Faribault or Wilton lodge. While the lodge was working under dispensation, it does not appear that any set of officers were elected, either J. C. Whipple, S. C. Williamson, J. W. Mor- ford. W. R. Kinyon, W. H. Wilsey or E. M. Morehouse acting as W. M. On October 24, A. D. 1860, A. O. 741, a charter was granted, naming as officers: S. C. Williamson, W. M .; E. M. Morehouse, S. W., and Joel Wilson, J. W.
The following have been elected to the different offices since its final organization, the first named under each year being the worshipful master, the second the senior warden, and the third the junior warden. October 29, 1860, W. R. Kinyon, E. M. Morehouse. W. H. Wilsey, to continue through the year of 1861. 1863-J. W. Morford, Joel Wilson. W. H. Wilsey. 1865- J. W. Morford, W. R. Kinyon, W. Il. Wilsey. 1866-J. W.
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
Morford, W. H. Kelley, II. C. Eldred. 1867-J. W. Morford, H. J. Lewis, A. B. Webber. 1868-J. W. Morford, H. J. Lewis, E. Scannell. 1869-H. J. Lewis, J. A. Robey, L. S. Padgham. 1870-J. W. Morford, J. A. Robey, L. S. Padgham. 1871-J. W. Morford, A. C. Hickman, Hiram Backus. 1872-A. C. Hickman, H. Backus, L. L. Wheelock. 1873-J. W. Morford, J. D. Holden, D. Whipple. 1874-J. D. Holden, A. C. Hickman, H. H. Rose- brock. 1875-J. D. Holden, A. C. Dodge, A. C. Gutterson. 1876 -A. C. Dodge, M. B. Chadwick, N. C. Larson. 1877-A. C. Dodge, M. B. Chadwick, J. M. Burlingame. 1879-J. M. Bur- lingame, C. H. Randall, George D. Holden. 1880-L. L. Wheel- ock, H. H. Rosebrock, H. Birkett. 1881-J. D. Holden, I. U. Jones, N. C. Larson. 1882-J. D. Holden, M. B. Chadwick, H. S. Hill. 1883-M. B. Chadwick, H. S. Hill, I. H. DeWolf. 1884- M. B. Chadwick, H. S. Hill, J. Z. Barncard. 1885-H. Birkett, N. C. Larsen, C. W. Burdick. 1886-N. J. Schafer, C. W. Bur- dick, D. Moody. 1887-N. J. Schafer, C. W. Burdick, D. Downie. 1888-H. Birkett, David Downie, Geo. D. Holden. 1889-H. Birkett, David Downie, George D. Holden. 1890-Geo. D. Holden, C. W. Burdick, L. Anderson. 1891-N. J. Schafer, C. W. Burdick, James Morton. 1892-C. W. Burdick, Geo. Kin- yon, H. H. Herick. 1893-Geo. D. Holden, Geo. R. Kinyon, H. H. Herick. 1894-M. B. Chadwick, P. J. Rolf, William Mork. 1895-P. J. Rolf, N. C. Larson, N. J. Schafer. 1896-P. J. Rolf, William Mork, C. II. Rosebrock. 1897-P. J. Rolf, Hans Ander- son, C. H. Rosebrock. 1898-Hans Anderson, C. J. Balch, J. F. Rogers. 1899 -- Hans Anderson, C. J. Balch, J. F. Rogers. 1900 -Hans Anderson, C. J. Balch, J. F. Rogers. 1901-C. J. Balch, J. F. Rogers, A. E. Sebelin. 1902-J. F. Rogers, P. J. Kuntz, W. J. Lieb. 1903-C. J. Balch, W. J. Leib, A. G. Pinkham. 1904 -P. J. Kuntz, W. J. Leib, A. G. Pinkham. 1905-P. J. Kuntz, A. J. Pinkham, W. H. Vinton. 1906-A. J. Pinkham, W. H. Vinton, A. B. Stewart. 1907-W. H. Vinton, A. B. Stewart, M. J. Brown. 1908-A. B. Stewart, M. J. Brown, H. C. Hower. 1909-M. J. Brown, H. C. Howe, E. A. Brown. 1910-M. J. Brown, H. C. Howe, E. A. Brown.
Star in the East Lodge, A. F. & A. M., was organized in a small room over an old wooden building situated on the lot now occupied by the new Firemen's Ilall. The hall was approached from an outside stairway, at the top of which was situated a boarded-up vestibule which served as the ante and preparation room. This vestibule, so the Hon. W. R. Kinyon, the first wor- shipful master under the charter, informs us, was not the warm- est preparation room in the world, especially when the ther- mometer stood at 30 below zero, as often happened at the time of reception of candidates. At the completion of the Morford
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
Hall. over a wooden building where the Rosebrock Block now stands. the lodge became possessed of more comfortable quar- ters, where it remained until May 13, 1874, when it moved into the third-story hall in the Dresser Block. since owned by the National Farmers' Bank. This was an elaborate hall, with ante- room reception rooms, dining-room, kitchen and closets, all handily arranged and fitted with first-class furniture and para- phernalia of all kinds needed for comfort and convenience. Judge M. B. Chadwick had the honor of being made the first member in the new quarters. In 1873 the lodge was incorporated.
In the spring of 1903 it became evident, for the reason that the National Farmers' Bank had determined soon to remove the old building for the purpose of erecting the new one now occu- pied by them, that the lodge must look for new quarters again. William H. Kelley, then in the process of erecting the present Kelley Block. kindly consented to provide for the hall now occu- picd by the lodge, chapter and commandery, and which was dedi- cated and opened for use on January 14, A. D. 1903, A. O. 785. The most worshipful grand master, A. D. Countryman, who had consented to the same, was present, accompanied by his grand senior warden, Thomas Montgomery, with L. L. Wheelock as grand junior warden, W. J. Naylor as grand treasurer, T. J. Howe as grand secretary, and John Wesley Carter as grand chaplain, Grant Bronson as grand pursuivant, and others, mem- bers of the local lodge, opened a special grand lodge in the recep- tion room adjoining the new hall, and with Henry Birkett, Will- iam Mork, Norman Evans and N. C. Larson as bearers of the lodge, and Rev. George C. Tanner as bearer of the book of con- stitutions, conducted by Rev. A. C. Pinkham as grand marshal, proceeded into the hall and dedicated it to Masonry in due and ample form. The new hall is amply provided with reception rooms, anterooms, closets for paraphernalia and regalia, dining- room and kitchen, together with electric lights and all other modern improvements for the comfort and convenience of the lodge members. who at this time number 122 in good standing, among whom are the best and most influential business men of the city and county. The regular communications of the lodge are held on the second and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month.
Cedar Chapter, No. 123, Order of the Eastern Star. This chapter was instituted at Masonic Hall on November 3, 1897. The first officers were: Rev. A. J. Pinkham, worthy patron, and Mrs. Nellie A. Balch, worthy matron, who, together with the following, were charter members: Mrs. Cornelia Mork, Mrs. Lula Hendrix, Mrs. Jessie Hall, Mrs. Augusta Fuerman, Mrs. A. F. Bennett, Mrs. Virginia Ames, Mrs. Louise Schafer, Mrs.
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
Albertta Rolf, Mrs. Matilda S. Lieb, and Anna Mork, Lilly Mork, Una E. Ames, Addie P. Balch, N. Maud Ames, G. W. Shaw, William Mork, C. J. Balch, David J. Ames, Geo. S. Hall, N. J. Schafer and W. J. Lieb. The present officers are: John N. Nelson, worthy patron, and Mrs. Minnie Thompson, worthy matron. There are sixty-seven members, and meetings are held at 7:30, at Masonic Hall, on the first and third Wednesday even- ings of each month. The Eastern Star was instituted for the purpose of extending the social and instructive benefits of the Masonic fraternity to the wives and daughters and sisters of Masons in good standing in the order, and it at once became a very popular and influential organization, its influence being felt all over the country. Its members are always cordially received in sister lodges wherever met.
Owatonna Chapter, No. 15, R. A. M. On September 28, A. D. 1866, A. O. 748, a dispensation was granted to W. R. Kin- yon. M. F. Lonth, L. H. Kelley, T. G. Patch, J. W. Morford, H. J. Lewis, J. F. White, N. Hubbard and R. M. Dunberry, by C. W. Nash, grand high priest of Royal Masons of Minnesota, who appointed M. F. Louth most excellent high priest; W. R. Kinyon, most excellent king, and L. H. Kelley, most excellent scribe. These companions, with others, held their first convoca- tion at the Masonic Hall on October 15, A. D. 1866, and effected a full organization, the M. E. H. P. appointing J. W. Morford, C. H .; 11. J. Lewis, P. S .; E. R. Lathrop, R. A. C .; J. F. White, treasurer ; T. G. Patch, secretary: Chas. Case, G. M. 3d Veil ; N. Hubbard, G. M. 2d Veil; E. M. Hawley, G. M. Ist Veil, and R. M. Dunberry, sentry. A code of by-laws, prepared by W. R. Kinyon, J. W. Moreford and T. G. Patch, was presented and adopted. The first regular convocation was held on the evening of November 2, 1866, A. O. 748, all of the above appointed offi- cers retaining the same positions, with the exception that E. R. Lathrop was appointed C. H. and J. W. Morford was appointed R. A. C. On October 22, 1867, A. O. 748, the organization received its charter and elected the following officers, who were duly installed at the next regular convocation, held on Friday, December 20, 1867 : W. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P .; M. F. Louth, E. K .; L. II. Kelley, E. S .; J. W. Morford, C. H .; H. J. Lewis. P. S .; A. M. Kinyon, R. A. C .; W. F. Pettit, treasurer, and A. B. Webber, secretary.
Since the regular organization of the chapter the following officers have been elected to and been installed into the elective offices : In 1868, the same as above were re-elected. 1869-The above officers were re-elected. 1870-A. B. Webber, M. E. II. P .; WV. H. Wilsey, E. K .; S. B. Washburn, E. S .; W. T. Kittridge, C. Il .; 11. J. Lewis, P. S .: J. W. Morford, R. A. C .: W. R.
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Kinyon, treasurer ; T. J. Patch, secretary. 1871-W. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P .: W. H. Wilsey, E. K .: S. B. Washburn, E. S .; J. W. Morford. C. Il .; H. J. Lewis, P. S .; H. Backus, R. A. C .; E. M. Morehouse, treasurer: T. G. Patch, secretary. 1872- W. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P .; W. H. Wilsey, E. K .: L. S. Padg- ham, E. S .; J. W. Morford, C. IL .; H. Backus, P. S .: T. W. Irving, R. A. C .: T. J. Howe, treasurer; T. G. Patch, secretary. 1873-L. L. Wheelock, M. E. H. P .: J. W. Morford, E. S .: WV. 11. Wilsey, E. K .; A. C. Dodge, C. II .: T. W. Irving. R. A. C .; E. M. Morehouse, treasurer ; T. G. Patch, secretary. 1874 -\V. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P .; W. II. Wilsey, E. K .; A. C. Hickman, E. S .; A. C. Dodge, C. H .; H. Backus, P. S .: T. W. Irving, R. A. C .: L. L. Bennett, treasurer; T. G. Patch, secre- tary. 1875-W. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P. : 1. L. Wheelock, E. K. ; L. L. Bennett, E. S .: J. W. Morford, C. II .: A. C. Dodge, P. S .: S. H. Stowers, R. A. C .: H. II. Rosebrock, treasurer : M. L. Strong, secretary. 1876-J. W. Morford, M. E. H. P .: M. F. Louth, E. K .: J. A. Oppliger, E. S .; S. H. Stowers, C. H. : A. C. Dodge, P. S .: T. W. Irving. R. A. C .; H. H. Rosebrock, treasurer; M. L. Strong, secretary. 1877-J. D. Holden, M. E. H. P .; J. M. Burlingame, E. K .: N. C. Larson, E. S .; S. IF. Stowers, C. H .: J. R. Fox, P. S .; H. H. Rosebrock, R. A. C .: WV. II. Wilsey, treasurer; M. L. Strong, secretary. 1878-J. M. Burlingame, M. E. H. P .; H. H. Rosebrock, E. K .; A. Graham, E. S .; L. L. Bennett, C. H. : J. D. Holden, P. S .: H. Birkett, R. A. C .; W. H. Wilsey, treasurer; M. L. Strong, secretary. 1879-J. WV. Morford, M. E. H. P .; N. C. Larson, E. K. ; J. M. Burlingame, E. S .: H. Birkett, C. H .: J. D. Holden, P. S .: H. H. Rosebrock, R. A. C .; W. R. Kinyon, treasurer.
M. L. Strong, secretary. 1880-W. R. Kinyon, M. E. H. P .: L. L. Wheelock. E. K. ; L. L. Bennett, E. S .; II. II. Rosebrock, C. H .; J. D. Holden, P. S .: J. W. Morford, R. A. C .; G. F. Al- bertus, treasurer; E. Downie, secretary. 1881-H. Birkett, M. E. II. P .: J. D. Holden, E. K .; G. F. Albertus, E. S. : H. H. Rosebrock. C. H .; L. L. Bennett, P. S .: N. C. Larson, R. A. C .: WV. R. Kinyon, treasurer: T. J. Howe, secretary. 1882-L. L. Bennett, M. E. H. P .; T. J. Howe, E. K .; G. F. Albertus, E. S .; H. H. Rosebrock, C. H .; J. D. Holden, P. S .; J. W. Mor- ford, R. A. C .: W. R. Kinyon, treasurer ; H. Il. Luers, secretary. 1883-J. D. Holden, M. E. H. P. ; T. J. Howe, E. K. ; H. H. Rose- brock, E. S .: J. Z. Barncard, C. H. : H. Birkett, P. S .; J. W. Mor- ford, R. A. C .: W. R. Kinyon, treasurer ; H. Il. Luers, secre- tary. 1884-J. D. Holden, M. E. H. P .; H. H. Rosebrock, E. K .; H. S. Hill, E. S .; J. Z. Barncard, C. H. ; H. Birkett, P. S. ; N. C. Larson, R. A. C .; W. R. Kinyon, treasurer ; H. H. Luers, secre- tary. 1885-L. L. Bennett, M. E. H. P .; J. Z. Barncard, E. K .;
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
T. J. Howe, E. S .; N. C. Larson, C. H .; J. D. Holden, P. S .; H. Birkett, R. A. C .; W. R. Kinyon, treasurer; H. H. Luers, secretary 1886-J. Z. Barncard, M. E. H. P .; N. J. Schaefer, E. K .; N. C. Larson, E. S .; D. S. Coverdale, C. H .; H. H. Rose- brock, P. S .; E. E. Bigelow, R. A. C .; L. L. Bennett, treasurer, II. H. Luers, secretary. 1887-N. J. Schaefer, M. E. H. P .; T. J. Howe, E. K .; H. H. Rosebrock, E. S .; E. E. Bigelow, C. H .; C. W. Burdick, P. S .; H. H. Luers, R. A. C .; G. F. Albertus, treasurer ; J. W. Connor, secretary. 1888-N. J. Schaefer, M. E. H. P .; T. J. Howe, E. K .; H. H. Rosebrock, E. S .; E. E. Bigelow, C. H .; J. M. Diment, P. S .; F. F. Grant, R. A. C .; J. W. Connor, secretary. 1889-E. E. Bigelow, M. E. II. P .; H. H. Rosebrock, E. K .; J. W. Connor, E. S .; H. Birkett, C. H .: J. M. Diment, P. S .; E. Downic, R. A. C .; W. H. Wilsey, secre- tary. 1890-H. H. Rosebrock, M. E. H. P .; T. J. Howe, E. K .; N. J. Schaefer, E. S .; C. W. Burdick, C. H .; J. M. Diment, P. S .; G. R. Kinyon, R. A. C .; W. H. Wilsey, secretary. 1891-T. J. Howe, M. E. H. P .; N. J. Schaefer, E. K .; C. W. Burdick, E. S .; George R. Kinyon, C. H .; J. M. Diment, P. S .; C. H. Rosebrock, R. A. C .; W. H. Wilsey, secretary. 1892-T. J. Howe, M. E. H. P .; C. W. Burdick, E. K .; Geo. R. Kinyon, E. S .; C H. Rose- brock, C. H .; J. M. Diment, P. S .; J. Palmer Johnson, R. A. C .; WV. H. Wilsey, secretary. 1893-T. J. Howe, M. E. H. P .; Geo. R. Kinyon, E. K .; C. H. Rosebrock, E. S .; J. Palmer Johnson, C. H .; J. M. Diment, P. S .; William Mork, R. A. C .; W. H. Wilsey, secretary. 1894-T. J. Howe, M. E. H. P .; N. J. Schae- fer, E. K .; C. H. Rosebrock, E. S .; J. Palmer Johnson, C. H .; J. M. Diment, P. S .: William Mork, R. A. C .; W. H. Wilsey, secretary. 1895-L. L. Bennett, M. E. H. P .; N. J. Schaefer, E. K .; C. H. Rosebrock. E. S .; J. Palmer Johnson, C. H .; J. M. Diment, P. S .; William Mork, R. A. C .; W. H. Wilscy, secre- tary. 1897-T. J. Howe, M. E. H. P .; N. J. Schaefer, E. K .; Robert Crickmore, E. S .; W. II. Vinton, C. II .; Ilans Ander- son, P. S .; C. J. Balch, R. A. C .; Geo. Clark, secretary. 1898 -- N. J. Schaefer, M. E. H. P .; Robert Crickmore, E. K .; William Mork, E. S .; J. P. Johnson, C. H .; Hans Anderson, P. S .; C. J. Balch. R. A. C .; G. E. Hall, secretary. 1900-N. J. Schaefer, M. E. II. P .: Robert Crickmore, E. K .; C. J. Balch, E. S .; E. E. Bigelow, C. 11 .; Hans Anderson, P. S .: J. F. Rogers, R. A. C .; W. J. Lieb, secretary. 1901-Hans Anderson, M. E. H. P .: C. J. Balch, E. K .; J. F. Rogers, E. S .; E. E. Bigelow, C. H .; J. M. Diment, P. S .; William Mork, R. A. C .; W. J Lich. secretary 1902-Hans Anderson. M. E. H. P .; C. J. Balch, E. K .; J. F. Rogers, E. S .; T. J. Howe, C. 11 .; E. E. Bigelow, P. S .; William Mork, R. A. C .; W. J. Lieb, secretary. 1903-11ans Anderson, M. E. H. P .; C. J. Balch, E. K .; J. F. Rogers, E. S .;
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
C. W. Burdick, C. H. ; E. E. Bigelow, P. S .; W. H. Vinton, R. A. C .; W. J. Lieb, secretary. 1904-Robert Crickmore. M. E. H. P .; C. J. Balch, E. K .; William Mork, E. S .; C. W. Burdick. C. H .: E. E. Bigelow, P. S .: Il. C. Howe, secretary. 1905- Robert Crickmore. M. E. 11. P .; C. J. Balch, E. K .; William Mork, E. S .: E. E. Bigelow, C. H .: P. H. Evans, P. S. ; Geo. R. Kinyon, R. A. C .: P. J. Swanson, secretary. 1906-Robert Crickmore. M. E. II. P .: C. J. Balch, E. K .; William Mork, E. S .; A. B. Stewart, C. H. ; P. J. Evans, P. S .; Geo. R. Kinyon. R. A. C .: P. J. Swanson. secretary. 1907-Robert Crickmore, M. F. I. P .: C. J. Balch, E. K .; William Mork, E. S .; A. B. Stewart. C. H .; P. J. Evans. P. S .: Geo. R. Kinyon, R. A. C .: P. J. Swanson, secretary. 1908-Robert Crickmore, M. E. H. P .; H. C. Howe, E. K .; William Mork, E. S .; A. B. Stewart, C. H .; P. J. Evans, P. S .; Geo. R. Kinyon, R. A. C .; Harvey S. Dartt, secretary. 1909-Robert Crickmore, MI. E. H. P .; A. B. Stewart. E. K. : W. H. Vinton, E. S .; C. A. Tincher, C. H. ; P. J. Evans, P. S. ; Geo. R. Kinyon, R. A. C. : Harvey S. Dartt. secretary. 1910-P. H. Evans, M. E. H. P .: A. B. Stew- art, E. K .; H. C. Howe, E. S .: C. A. Tincher. C. H .; J. M. Diment, P. S. ; P. H. Nayler. R. A. C. ; Harvey S. Dartt, secre- tary.
There are at this time sixty members of the chapter in good standing, and the chapter is rapidly increasing in its membership from the brightest young men of the city and vicinity. Chapter holds its convocations on the first and second Friday evenings of each month.
Cyrene Commandery, No. 9, K. T. A dispensation was granted by II. L. Carver, of St. Paul. the then grand commander of the jurisdiction of Minnesota, authorizing the organization of Cyrene Commandery No. 9. at Owatonna, on February 17, 1874. The first conclave was held in the Masonic Hall. as known at the time, in the third story of the Dresser block, afterwards owned by the Farmers' National Bank, and the following officers were elected: C. H. Ilathaway, E. C .; J. W. Morford, G. ; S. II. Stowers, C. G .: H. R. Moore, S. W .: T. W. Irving. J. W .; Hiram Backus, prelate; H. J. Lewis, treasurer ; T. G. Patch, recorder : H. Il. Rosebrock, warder. This list of officers also comprise the whole list of the charter members of the commandery. which grew rapidly from the start until in August, 1875. A. O. 757 its membership had increased to sixty-two knights in good standing, twenty members of whom resided at Waseca and vicinity, the balance of membership being principally from Steele county. The commandery from its inception became the lead- ing social fountain-head for the best class of the citizens of
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
Owatonna. Conclaves are regularly held on the evenings of the second and fourth Mondays in Masonic Ilall.
On January 14, A. D. 1903. A. O. 784, the new Masonic Hall in the third story of the Kelley block was dedicated and with the Masonic lodge and chapter jointly moved its quarters to the same. Through the generous courtesy of one of its oldest mem- bers, W. H. Kelley, now deceased, the commandery was pre- sented with a five-year lease of the new asylum. As a small remuneration for this liberality the commandery voted a life honorary membership to Mr. Kelley. In the elegantly arranged asylum the commandery is provided with a fine equipment of furniture, paraphernalia and regalia. Cyrene Commandery No. 9 has furnished two right eminent grand commanders of the Minnesota Grand Commandery : Henry Birkett, who was elected R. E. G. C. at the annual conclave of the grand commandery at Owatonna in June, 1886, and R. L. McCormick, who also held the office of R. E. G. C. one year. In the early years of the commandery it became quite noted for its excursions in a body accompanied by their ladies and a cornet band to the annual conclaves of the grand commandery when held in different parts of the state, and twenty-five sir knights and their ladies accompanied by the Owatonna cornet band made a pilgrimage to Chicago as part of the escort of the grand commandery of Minnesota in August, 1880, to attend the nineteenth conclave of the Knights Templar of the United States. On these occa- sions the Owatonna men were well mentioned as to their ap- pearance in ranks and proficiency as a drill corps. Although the membership has heretofore been somewhat depleted through the removal of many knights to other communities and not a few beyond the Great River of Time, today the commandery is rapidly filling up with our young and most influential business men of this jurisdiction. The stated conclaves of the com- mandery are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month, at 7:30 in the evening from October 1 to April 1, and at 8:00 in the evening from April 1 to October 1.
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