USA > Missouri > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County Missouri, early and recent history and genealogical records of many of the representative citizens, Volume I > Part 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
The next venture at a Republican paper was made by a Mr. Cummings, from Ohio, associated with A. Z. Chambers, who not long after sold their plant to the Geddes Brothers, also from Ohio, who published the Republican six times a week. using a perfecting press, the first brought to Springfield. It was a morning paper and deserved a better fate, for the publishers, for want of patronage, were forced into bankruptcy, and the plant was purchased by the Hon. L. H. Murray, a Democrat, who had the paper published as the local Republican organ, with C. N. Van Hosen as editor, until he sold it to H. R. Snyder, another man from the Buckeye state, who, in turn, sold to the present owners in 1906-7, E. E. E. McJimsey being the editor and manager .. He came here from the St. Joseph Gazette about ten years ago.
.
522
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
The Leader resumed the publication of an afternoon daily along in the middle eighties, and part of the time thereafter the editor and publisher, Mr. Kennedy, had associated with him S. K. Strother, and part of the time .1. 2. Chambers, until after his appointment as consul to the Island of Malta, under Mr. Cleveland's second administration, when he disposed of his interest to J. Frank Mitchim. Later, Mitchim became sole owner, and in May, 1895, sold the entire plant to H. S. Jewell, who has since continued its publication.
The Daily Democrat was established by John O'Day in the last of the eighties, who bought and absorbed the plant of the Daily Republican that failed under the management of Tomlinson and Meador. George M. Sawyer was the editor, but after a somewhat stormy career, the paper was sold to L. H. Murray, who continued its publication under the same editorial management, with the addition of Frank W. Gregory, until he, in turn, sold it to 11. S. Jewell in July, 1895. Mr. Jewell consolidated the paper with his previous purchase, the Leader, the editors being his father, J. B. Jewell, and Mr. Gregory, he himself continuing owner and general manager up to the present writing.
Ephemeral dailies or daily publications, and some weeklies, have been born and perished in the Queen City of the Ozarks, which is perhaps the his- tory of other cities of the same importance, among them the Sun, by R. M. E. Cooper, along in the middle eighties. Later on the Record, with C. S. Baird as editor, and . Almus Harrington as principal owner. In the summer of 1896, following the introduction of type-setting machines, the Chronicle, on Com- mercial street, was published by jobless printers, and shortly before when a strike of printers was on a co-operative morning paper was issued by com- positors for several months on the same street. There was also in evidence for a few months the Daily Star, but it was so completely eclipsed that even the name of the publisher is not obtainable.
A lively campaign sheet was the Greenback News, published way back in the campaign of 1878 by Cooper and Newbill. The latter retired from the office after the campaign was over. but Mr. Cooper continued the publica- tion of the weekly journal for several years. He afterward removed to St. Louis and engaged in some sort of newspaper work and job printing until he was killed in a street car accident.
Quite a number of fruitless efforts have been made to establish weekly papers in various towns in the county outside of Springfield during the past quarter of a century or more, among which may be mentioned the Enterprise at Bois D'Arc. Times at Fair Grove, Times at Strafford, Republican at Ash Grove, and others.
In this A. D. 1915, the newspapers in Springfield may be correctly enumerated as follows :
523
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
The Springfield Leader, daily and Sunday; H. S. Jewell, publisher and manager : R. L. Kennedy, editor; with a full staff in all departments, per- fecting press and type-setting machines, the modest folio of nearly fifty years ago having grown to an up-to-date daily of from eight to sometimes forty and fifty pages.
The Springfield Republican, the Republican Company, owners, or pub- lishers ; E. E. E. McJimsey, editor; with a full staff of employees in all de- partments, type-setting machines, perfecting press, a worthy competitor of the Leader.
The Express, established April 1, 1881, Democratic; J. G. Newbill, editor, with A. A. Renshaw, associate. A reliable Democratic weekly that deals fairly alike with political opponents as well as friends.
The Springfield Laborer, established nearly three years ago; organ of the Central Trades and Labor Assembly ; published weekly : S. D. Whitesell, chairman ; C. O. Stahl, secretary ; A. Dumaw and I. D. Casebeer.
In the county outside of Springfield there are three successful weekly newspapers :
The Monitor, at Republic, established 1894-5, independent, with J. R. Derry as editor and publisher. Among the former editors who helped build up the Monitor are J. J. and B. S. Jones and Frank Anderson.
The Commonwealth at Ash Grove, established 1881, with F. L. Gillespie as editor and publisher and C. M. Gillespie, local editor. One of the first editors of the Commonwealth was Ben Lippman, now proprietor of a job printing plant in Springfield.
The Tribune, at Walnut Grove, established 1903; Miss Junia E. Heath, editor and publisher. All three of the country weeklies named are inde- pendent of political partisanship.
An unsuccessful run of about one year was enough to satisfy the pub- lishers of the Springfield Daily Independent, on Commercial street, so the sprightly sheet suspended publication on February 7, 1915, and the plant was sold to the Laborer. The first publisher of the Independent was F. W. D. Arnold, of Lamar, Missouri, with Rev. Aaron D. States as editor. They were succeeded by a stock company as owners, J. O. Waddell, editor, and R. C. Surles, as business manager.
Among the local reporters and correspondents of metropolitan papers who did much work along the newsgathering line in this part of Missouri may be mentioned H. Clay Neville. George K. Camp and Lawrence Carroll, all three on the Leader staff but now deceased, and A. A. Renshaw, for years correspondent of the Globe-Democrat, also J. G. Newbill, correspondent of the New York World and other papers and the only local agent of the Asso- ciated Press when the late William Henry Smith was at its head as general manager.
CHAPTER XVII.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
By M. C. Smith.
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY AND ITS CO-ORDINATE BRANCHES IN GREENE. COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Freemasonry has been for centuries an important factor in the moral development of humanity.
DeWitt Clinton says: "Of all the institutions which have been estab- lished for the purpose of improving the condition of mankind, Freemasonry stands pre-eminent in usefulness as it is in age." In every country where the order flourishes will be found the enjoyment of the greatest liberty of its citizens; therefore the rise and progress of the order is of interest to all people and for that purpose this short history of the order in Greene county, Mis- souri, is written. In the preparation of this article every available means has. been employed to obtain the most reliable information so as to give a clear and truthful chronicle of the establishment of this venerable order in this section of Missouri, and I am greatly indebted to Mr. Martin J. Hubble, my esteemed friend, for the valued assistance he has most cheerfully rendered me.
In the month of June, on Wednesday, the 23d, in the year 1841, in the small and new village of Springfield, there assembled the following gentle- men : Joel H. Haden, James R. Danforth, Constantine Perkins, Chesley Cannefax, Thomas Shannon, Thomas B. Neaves, Leonard B. Mitchell and John W. Danforth. Master Masons holding membership with lodges in sev- eral states, and after discussing the question of organizing a lodge of Free- masons in the frontier town of Springfield, Joel H. Haden was chosen chair- man and John W. Danforth, secretary, whereupon it was resolved "that we, a few Masonic brethren assembled together, do sign a petition here presented to us soliciting the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri to grant us a dis- pensation to confer the degrees of Masonry and transact all other business that may be transacted in a regularly constituted lodge of Master Masons."
This request was granted July 21, 1841, by the grand lodge and the organization was effected under the name of Ozark Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No. 50. with the following officers: Joel H. Haden. worshipful master ; James R. Danforth, senior warden; Constantine Perkins, junior warden ; and John W. Danforth, secretary. On August 18, 1841, the lodge was set to.
525
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
work by the grand lodge and, according to the by-laws adopted by the pioneer brothers, regular meetings were held on the fourth Thursday of each month at early candle light, and among the duties of the stewards was to provide sufficient candles and wood, and to keep the lodge room clean and well lighted. Ozark lodge has the honor of being the first organized body of Freemasons in the southwest portion of Missouri.
The first persons initiated in the order were John P. Campbell (the founder of Springfield), R. A. Hubbard and Peter G. Stewart, which event occurred on October 28, 1841, the work being done by John W. S. Moore, of Hopkinsville Lodge No. 37. Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who was a visiting brother. These were quickly followed by a number of gentlemen, who after- wards became prominent in business, professional and political life, among whom was John S. Phelps, who afterwards became one of the leading gov- ernors of Missouri. This lodge grew rapidly in membership and prominence and held its meetings in various places until March, 1842, a contract was made with the county officials to rent the second story of the court house, for which they agreed to plaster the rooms and to pay annual rental of fifty dollars.
July the 4th, 1845, was set apart for memorial service in honor of Presi- dent Andrew Jackson, who was a member of the craft and who died a few months prior thereto. On that day a procession of the Masonic fraternity was formed on the public square in Springfield, marched around the square, thence to a grove adjoining town, where addresses were made by Leonard H. Sims and John S. Phelps, after which procession was reformed and returned to the lodge room on the public square.
Owing to some irregularities in the conduct of the lodge the charter was arrested by the grand lodge of Missouri on October 18, 1847, but the true and faithful craftsmen, not discouraged but imbued with zeal and fidelity to the order, immediately took steps to reorganize, which was done under the name of Greene Lodge No. 107, and a charter was granted by the grand lodge on May 12, 1848, which increased in membership to such an extent that four years thereafter, on May 6, 1852, the grand lodge issued a charter to a number of Masons organizing Taylor Lodge No. 5, the first officers being James J. Clarkson, worshipful master : William B. Farmer, senior warden. and William R. Wilson, junior warden. Both lodges did excellent work until the tide of immigration to this section abated, and the members of Greene and Taylor lodges became convinced that in unity there is strength, concluded that it would be to the interest of the craft to unite in one body, and a prop- · osition to that effect was presented by Taylor lodge, which was accepted by Greene lodge on March 3, 1857. Thereupon these lodges merged under the "name of United Lodge No. 5, which lodge received its charter from the grand lodge of Missouri on May 30, 1857, and is now the oldest existing
520
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
lodge in Greene county. United lodge was set to work by D. D. G. M. Marcus Boyd, and its first officers were Charles Carlton, worshipful master; Joseph Gott, senior warden: Wilson Hackney, junior warden; and J. W. D. 1. F. Mack, secretary, United lodge assuming all the debts of Greene and Taylor lodges.
United lodge followed the precedent of prior lodges in Greene county, immediately took active steps and contributed funds for the erection of schools and homes for Masonic children.
In July, 1860, a proposition was made by the County Court of Greene county to rent to the United lodge the third floor of the new court house for a term of ninety-nine years, for the sum of three thousand dollars, to be paid at the convenience of the lodge. The dark clouds of civil war appearing on the horizon, action on the proposition was deferred, though on July 23, 1863. a contract was made to rent the third floor of the court house for an annual rental of fifty dollars.
MASONRY DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
Upon opening of hostilities between the Union men and the sons of the South, much excitement prevailed, so much so that prominent Masons and Marcus Boyd, past grand master of Missouri, made urgent appeals to the brethren "that no political considerations at a time like the present of high party excitement be permitted to interfere with the social and fraternal re- gard which should always characterize the conduct of Masons." But the intense excitement then prevailing throughout the whole of the United States caused by the war between the states and the separation of its members, some to don the gray and some the blue uniform, United lodge was forced to close its doors October 16, 1861, and remained closed until September 29, 1862, at which date it was recorded a few members met to silently and sorrowfully adjourn until called together to attend funerals, which was done at various times. A communication was called December 11, 1862, to confer a degree upon one Sam Woods, which was done in the house of the worshipful master, J. W. D. L. F. Mack. Our venerable friend, Martin J. Hubble, was there present and acting senior warden.
This lodge frequently held public installations in the Presbyterian and other churches of Springfield, and always addresses were made by some prominent men of letters.
Four days after the untimely death of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, United lodge was called in memorial services to honor the memory of the departed President. The fragment of the membership and a number of Federal soldiers, members of the fraternity, met in the court house, corner of College and Public Square, under Martin J. Hubble, then worship-
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI. 527
ful master, "a procession was formed and marched up South street to the second alley, thence one-quarter of a mile east, thence north to Rolla street (St. Louis street), thence west to the public square," where addresses were made by Gen. J. B. Sanborn, of the Federal army, and others upon the death of Abraham Lincoln.
After the termination of those terrible years of war between the states, when sectional rancor and hatred reached the fullest limit in this section, as elsewhere in the United States, Masonry brought its gentle influence to bear in many ways in healing the wounds engendered by this strife and smoothing the way to unity and fraternity. United lodge did her part so well that the men who joined the ranks of the South, on their return home, were fra- ternally greeted, encouraged and aided, which resulted in the rapid growth of its membership and prominence.
Immigration began again to flow westward, and this county being fav- orably located, many eastern people sought an abiding place here. The county rapidly increased in population and Freemasonry likewise grew.
By applications and initiations, in time United lodge becoming too large, the brethren believing it to be to the welfare of the craft that another Ma- sonic lodge should be organized in Springfield ; hence, upon their recommenda- tion, the grand lodge issued a charter to Solomon Lodge No. 271, bearing the date of October 15, 1868, which was set to work and instructed by Martin J. Hubble, then district deputy grand master. So well were they instructed that every officer was fully qualified to perform all the work in the several degrees prior to the permanent organization of this lodge, the first officers of this lodge being John G. Fulbright, worshipful master ; Dr. J. E. Tefft, senior warden ; W. F. Dunn, junior warden, and T. D. Hudson, secretary. From its inception, Solomon lodge prospered and demonstrated the wisdom of the fraternity in creating another body in Springfield.
With the continued growth of Springfield, it became necessary that a Masonic lodge should be located on the north side of the city; therefore, a number of the brethren from United and Solomon lodges were granted a charter on October 16, 1872, organizing the Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422. Thomas M. Flanner was elected worshipful master ; Benjamin F. Law- son, senior warden, and E. A. Finney, junior warden. This lodge is one of the most efficient Masonic bodies in the state.
The first Masonic body in Greene county, outside of Springfield, was Rising Star Lodge No. 145, located at Ebenezer, receiving its charter May 8, 1858, but that section of the county being sparsely settled the lodge failed to meet the expectations of the brethren and finally ceased to exist, in 1898.
In the month of October, 1872, a number of brethren organized a lodge at Cave Spring, known as St. Nicholas No. 435, but owing to some condi-
.
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
tions surrounding Flerezer, the charter was surrendered in 1807, the mem- bers uniting with other bodies near them.
The Masonic lodges now existing outside of the city of Springfield are: O. Sullivan No. 7, at Walnut Grove: Ash Grove No. 100, Ash Grove ; Ozark No. 207. Fair Grove: Bois D'Arc No. 449. Bois D'Arc: Republic No. 570. Republic: Strafford No. Coo. Strafford; and Willard No. 620, Willard, all of which have been organized in recent days and are steadily increasing in members and influence.
The fraternity in Greene county have one thousand, four hundred and eight members, of which one thousand and fifty-four are connected with the lodges in Springfield.
From the oldl records one finds that the Masonic lodges in Greene county in early days served not only as a social and fraternity center, but also in the capacity of settling disputes and difficulties between the members, thereby avoiding resort to courts of law; and, unlike litigants at this age, in civil courts, the contending parties abided the decisions rendered by the lodges. without appeals therefrom.
Capitular Masonry is represented by three chapters :
Springfield Royal Arch Chapter was organized on the second day of October. 1850, with thirteen members, receiving a charter from the grand .chapter of Missouri. February 13, 1851, with John Dade, high priest : J. W. Chenoweth, king: R. B. Johnson, scribe, and G. W. Jeffries, secretary, and like unto the earlier Masonic lodges in the county, it suffered many reverses, and upon the opening of the Civil war ceased to hold regular communication until after the close of hostilities, when, on May 21, 1866, the companions again assembled and resuscitated the dead body, giving it a new life, from which time the chapter has grown abundantly and is now recognized as one of the leading chapters of the state and from whose membership several of the grand officers of the state have been chosen.
Vincil Royal Arch Chapter No. 1JO was organized May 10, 1888. and from its inception has held its communications on Commercial street in Springfield. Missouri, the first officers of this chapter being Benjamin F. Lawson, high priest: Thomas Flanner, king: scribe. This chapter has rapidly pushed its way to the front, both in numbers and the ability of its membership, which is now two hundred and thirty-six. The two chapters located in Springfield have five hundred and forty-four ·members.
Ash Grove Royal Arch Chapter No. 124 is located at Ash Grove, being 'the only chapter outside of the city of Springfield. A charter was granted to the companions of this chapter on the 25th day of April, 1905, by the Grand Chapter of Missouri, William P. Maples serving as high priest and
529
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
George W. Musgraves, secretary. Though the youngest chapter in the county, its membership has reached one hundred and three.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
In the city of Springfield is located the only body of Knights Templar in the county. A dispensation was granted by the Grand Commandery of Missouri on April the first, 1872, for the purpose of organizing this body. Fred King was elected eminent commander; Washington Galland, general- issimo; Charles H. Evans, captain general. Together, with others, they in- stituted St. John's Commandery No. 20, on the 14th day of May, 1872. At the annual assembly of the Grand Commandery of the State on October 24, 1872, a charter was granted this commandery. The present membership is now three hundred and nineteen, and two of its members, WV. A. Hall and Bert S. Lee, have served as grand commanders of the state body of Missouri.
CRYPTIC MASONRY.
There is only one council of Cryptic Masonry in the county; this is located in Springfield, known as Zabud Council of Royal and Select Masons No. 25, receiving a charter from Grand Council of Missouri bearing the date of April 25, 1894, its first officers being H. L. Bosworth, thrice illustrious master, and Vincent Marzette, recorder. This council began with but a few members and after several years of doubtful existence the body was revived and has now become the third council in point of membership in the state, having a membership of five hundred and fifteen, and bears the honor of fur- nishing two grand masters of the Grand Council of Missouri, Companions Bert S. Lee and J. L. Heckenlively.
THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR.
The American Adoptive Rite of Free Masonry, the Order of the East- ern Star, was first planted in this county, when a charter was granted by the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Missouri. on December 28, 1891, to a number of Freemasons and their female relatives to organize a chapter in the city of Springfield under the name of Queen City Chapter No. 221, the first officers of which were Mrs. Genevieve Wyatt, worthy matron, and who afterwards became grand matron of the Grand Chapter of the State of Mis- souri in 1895; Benjamin Grist, worthy patron, and Mollie Washburn, asso- ciate matron. This order having such commendable purposes quickly re- ceived the support of all Masons, and the membership grew so rapidly that
(34)
530
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
it was deemed advisable to establish another chapter in the city, which was. accordingly done, on the 30th day of August, 1894, when a chapter was in- stituted on the south side of the city bearing the title of Crescent Chapter No. 21, the first officers under the charter being Mrs. Eleanor Sutter, worthy ma- tron; Job Newton, worthy patron, and who in 1906 was elected grand patron of the Grand Chapter of Missouri. These chapters have steadily grown and now number four hundred and thirty-five members.
Outside the city of Springfield there are three chapters: Russell Chapter No. 109, located at Ash Grove, which succeeded Ash Grove Chapter No. 168. Russell Chapter was organized in 1910 and now has one hundred and thirteen members. Republic chapter, at Republic, was instituted in 1914, with a large number of charter members, and is an active, progressive body. Willard Chapter, at Willard, was organized and a charter granted in Septem- ber, 1914. Starting with a membership of thirty-six, it bids fair to nieet every expectation of its founders. Republic and Willard chapters were in- stituted and set to work by Job Newton, past grand patron of Missouri, and whatever he does is always well done. This order has no more enthusiastic and untiring laborers than he.
PLEIADES SIIRINE NO. I.
The order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem is the youngest addition to the Masonic family in this county. It was organized in Springfield on April 4, 1914, a charter being granted this body by the Supreme Shrine in June, 1914, under the name of Pleiades Shrine No. 1, it being the first organization of its kind in the state of Missouri, the first officers selected being Mary C. Kastler, worthy high priestess; W. A. Murata, worthy sojourner ; Mettie Evans, noble prophetess; Eleanor M. Smith, worthy scribe. Beginning with ninety-two charter members, within a period of seven months its membership had grown to one hundred and thirty-one, no other organization having ad- vanced so rapidly as this. The membership of this order is limited to affili- ated members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
MYSTIC SHRINE.
The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, estab- lished a Temple in the city of Springfield, July 9, 1903. by the title of Abou Ben Adhem Temple, naming as its first officers. R. P. Halderman, illustrious potentate: John L. Schneider, chief rabban; W. A. Hall, assistant rabban ; R. E. Lee. prophet, and J. G. Newbill, recorder. Starting with a member- ship of fifty, the roll has increased until now more than one thousand five hundred have traveled over the heated desert to the oasis. The membership
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.