USA > Nebraska > Hall County > History of Hall County, Nebraska > Part 55
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The present officers are John F. Meves, master workman, Wm. Veit, financier, and Richard Goehring, recorder and treasurer.
In the last couple years this lodge has lost about 180 members through the period of disturbance brought by the rise in rates occas- sioned by the readjustment of the lodge's scale to meet the requirements of the state insur- ance board.
Charity Lodge No. 91 was organized a short time after Harmony Lodge. Among its vari- ous master workmen up until 1897 were H. J. Ring, M. J. Durkin, J. W. Freeman, J. H. Hallowell, M. Powers, E. O. Green, R. S. Ryan, H. J. Voss, James Cleary and Seth P. Mobley. This lodge in recent years has been consolidated with Harmony Lodge.
Grand Island Legion No. 9, Select Knights,
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A. O. U. W. was made up from the member- ship of the various lodges. Its officers at the close of 1889 were G. P. Dean, J. W. Liver- inghouse, G. Roys, O. H. Tracy, J. F. Holi- well, J. Waters, H. Wheeler, S. Kent and Robert Geddes. This organization has long since passed out of existence here.
The A. O. U. W. Building Association was organized in June, 1889. Its first officers were J. D. West, president, John Wallichs, vice-president, D. C. Zink, treasurer, Geo. B. Bell, Secretary, A. H. Baker, G. H. Cald- well, D. C. Zink, G. P. Dean, Geo. Barten- bach, H. D. Hennings, as officers and directors.
OTHER A. O. U. W. LODGES
Being a Hall County institution, this order perhaps better than any other fraternal order in the county has established and held lodges in the various towns of the county.
The A. O. U. W. lodge was organized at Doniphan May, 1887, and chartered as Lodge No. 76. Its first meeting place was over Burger & McCulloch's store. Its charter members were: J. W. Carmichael, J. H. Scudder, W. J. Burger, Dr. J. M. Fitch, B. F. Scudder, Wm. Camp, G. A. Burger, J. W. Kern and T. B. Robb. J. H. Scudder was the first master workman and J. W. Carmichael, recorder. This lodge disbanded and surrend- ered its charter in May or June, 1918. When this Doniphan lodge organized it was under the Missouri jurisdiction, but later became a part of the Nebraska jurisdiction.
A. O. U. W. lodges have been maintained for many years at Cairo and Alda.
FIDELITY DEGREE OF HONOR NO. 56. GRAND ISLAND
(Information furnished by Mrs. Alice Taylor)
This lodge was chartered April 5, 1893, and met in the A. O. U. W. hall. It has enjoyed a steady growth to a present membership of 170.
The charter members and first officers were : S. F. Kent, Annie Powers, M. V. Powers, Ed. Searson, Jennie Searson, P. C. of H., John W. Pence, Mary Pence, A. Cosh, M.
Cosh, Geo. H. Andrews, Eliza Andrews, E. A. Dean, Geo. P. Dean, I .. J. Metcalf, Susan Metcalf, Alex Barr. Eliza J. Barr, S. H. Ferguson, S. M. Ferguson, A. D. Owens, Annie S. B. Owens, L. of H., S. P. Petersen C. L. Petersen, J. F. Hollowell, Cynthia Hollo- well, C. of H., Maria J. Raphael, Record.
Those members who have held the honorable Post of C. of Honor : Minnie Searson, Annie Owens, Etta Hirschburg, Mary McAllister, Lizzie Guhl, Polly Sproul, Emma Brewster, Housine Birk, Melissa McDermott, Rose Roush, Alice Taylor, Mollie Turner, Marry Dunlap, Mary Helling, Cora Hanchett, Mary Feeney, Minnie Lahann.
The recorders of the lodge have been : Marie Raphael, Ed. Searson, S. F. Kent, Mrs. M. V. Powers, Annie Owens, Emma Brew- sten, Luella Nichols, Lizzie Sayre, Myrtle Adams, Alice Taylor.
The present officers are: Past C. of Honor, Mary Feeney, C. of H. Minnie Lahann, L of H Rose Roush, C. of Cerm, Elizabeth Salyer, Fine, Cora Hanchett, Treasurer, Millie Rou- sey, Recorder, Alice Taylor, Ushers, Myrtle Salyer and Margaret Salyer, I. W., Elizabeth Stegeman, O. W., Lucy Haney, 1st to C. of H., Alice Hunt, 2 st to C. of H., Polly Sproul, 1 st M. of H., Edna Miller, 1 st M. of H., Mae Emmons, Musician, Grace Corl, Trustees, Ella Broawell, H. B. Rousey, Hausine Birk, Drill Team Captain, Hausine Birk.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus lodge in Grand Island was organized in recent years - but its predecessor, appealing to a similar mem- bership, Concordia Branch 512, C. K. of A. (Catholic Knights of America) flourished in the late 'eighties. During 1889 the officers of that order were James Cleary, president, .W. R. Stevens,V. P., J. J. Klinge, R. S., T. P. Lanigan, F. S., Adam Windolph, treasurer, John Riss, S. at A., George Eberl, sentinel, Rev. W. Wolf, spiritual director. While there is no connection between the orders, the earlier one is mentioned to show the fraternal activity of the Catholic men of the community.
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St. Mary's Council No. 1159, Knights of Columbus, was organized November 11, 1906, with sixty-two charter members. It original officers were : John F. Matthews, G. K., F. J. Cleary, recording secretary, David Byrne, financial secretary, Aug. J. Baumann, Warden, Fr. W. Wolf, chaplain, J. H. Mullin, chan- cellor.
Those members who have served as pre- siding officers have been John F. Mathews, J. H. O'Hare, J. H. Mullin, Pat Fagan, F. J. Cleary, Geo. J. Baumann and Dr. L. Phelan. The secretaries of the lodge have been : David Byrne, W. H. Laughlin and Geo. J. Bauman. The state meeting was entertained in May, 1918. The present officers are: Dr. L. Phelan, G. K., W. F. Roney, deputy G. K., E. G. Biglin, chancellor, Rev. Aug. Heimes, chaplain, E. P. Ryan, recording secretary, and Geo. J. Baumann, financial secretary.
B. P. OF ELKS
Grand Island Lodge No. 604, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was chartered on July 12, 1900, meeting at G. A. R. hall, with the charter granted upon the application of Brothers R. R. Horth, A. W. Buchheit, Chas. W. Brininger, R. J. Barr, Henry J. Bartenbach, John Alexander, A. H. Roeser, W. S. Pearne, J. H. J. Cunningham, Gus M. Friend, Thomas Connor, C. A. Carr, O. A. Abbott, Jr., Sumner Davis, M. G. Colpetzer, H. C. Graham, W. B. Hoge, Charles P. Was- mer, B. R. Gregg, A. M. Hargis, J. L. Mc- Donough, J. T. Harley, and Geo. Roeder, H. H. Glover and F. J. Coates, as trustees.
Those members who have served as ex- alted rulers have been : Ralph R. Horth, A. W. Buchheit, Chas. W. Brininger, Geo. B. Bell, Carl V. Willard, W. H. Harrison, S. D. Ross, E. L. Brown, W. H. Thompson, J. L. Cleary, John Woelz, Guy L. Harrison, C. H. Menck, Walker Hainline, Frank J. Cleary, Fred L. Harrison, Robert A. Meyer, A. J. Guendel, Wm. Nietfeldt and the present ex- alted ruler is Ray L. Harrison.
The secretaries have been, R. J. Barr, W. E. Schourup, I. R. Alter, Leo G. Allen, G.
M. Smith. The present secretary is Chas E. Davis.
In June, 1918, the Grand Lodge entertained the state meetings of the Nebraska lodges. This lodge has furnished one state president who has achieved a widespread reputation for work in Elkdom, Fred L. Harrison, 1915-1916. The lodge has had two district deputies to the grand exalted ruler, Ralph R. Horth and Fred L. Harrison.
A Building Association was incorporated in 1916, which handled the financial affairs and other responsibilities for the building of the
ELKS BUILDING, GRAND ISLAND
magnificent temple at First and Locust. This is considered practically the finest lodge build- ing in the state, with no rival except the new Masonic Temple in Omaha. It is one of the finest arranged lodge buildings in the country. This splendid home was dedicated on January 1, 1918. C. H. Menck has been president, and Geo. Cowton and Fred L. Harrison, secre. taries of this association.
The present officers are: Exalted ruler, Ray L. Harrison, leading knight, H. P. Zeig. lecturing knight, Thos. V. McGowan, loyal knight, Wm. H. Meacham, esquire, Walter H. Rauert, tiler, L. T. Cox, chaplain, Wm. Suhr, treasurer, Oscar H. Mayer, secretary, C. E. Davis, trustees, Walker Hainline, Fred L. Harrison and Robert Meyer. This lodge now has a membership well in excess of 500.
A large body of Elks attended the state con- vention in 1919 at York, and they sent Fred L. Harrison on to Atlantic City, N. J., with a big Nebraska delegation which accomplished its purpose of securing the election of Frank
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L. Rain, of Fairbury, Nebraska, as grand exalted ruler of the Elks of the United States. This is probably the only order in which an absolute requirement of membership is American citizenship. Its patriotic and charit- able purposes stand in brilliant position in recent years, its social activities are not less- ened, and one of its notable features is the respect shown to the memory of absent brothers.
During the war the lodge carried as high as eighty-five service stars on its flag at one time, and only one of these became a gold star - Walter B. Eckles. Between 20% and 25% of the membership was in service at one time.
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES Aerie No. 378, Grand Island
(Information furnished by Richard Buenz)
This aerie was organized May 14, 1903, and chartered on July 1, 1903, with its first meet- ing place in G. A. R. hall.
The charter members were: O. A. Abbott, Jr., Harry Bernstein, Richard Buenz, John C. Cornelius, Christ Christoffenson, M. J. Egge, A. H. Farnsworth, Albert Heyde, Fred Hald, J. J. Klinge, H. H. Meves, S. S. Niel- sen, Gus Paulsen, George Pearson, P. B. Peters, Julius Reese, Chris Ronnfeldt, Joseph Sondermann, Gustav Sievers, Ed Stender, H. J. Voss, Emil Wolbach. The members who have served as president of the Aerie have been: J. J. Klinge, H. A. Sievers, George Pearson, John Koehler, Carl Hehnke, Gus E. Neumann, Geo. T. Baumann, Christ Nielson, Harry J. Voss and John Alexander.
Te secretaries have been Max J. Egge, Carl Hehnke and Richard Buenz. This aerie enter- tained the state convention in 1912. The pres- ent officers are Walter Petersen, President, Richard Buenz, scretary, Gus E. Neumann, treasurer, A. J. Denman, J. J. Klinge and H. J. Voss, trustees. This lodge owns its own home, with splendid grounds, on South Lo- cust street. This home which was purchased for $12,000 is entirely paid for, and not only is the lodge without encumbrance or outstand-
ing indebtedness, but has total assets of over $20,000, a rather unusual record for a fra- ternal local organization.
LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE Grand Island Lodge No. 356. (Information furnished by Jas. Nicholson, Jr.)
This lodge was organized on October 4, 1910, and chartered on October 21, 1910, and first met in the A. O. U. W. hall. Its charter members were A. B. Harriott, Thos V. Bird, Ernest G. Kroger, Samuel D. Bartle, Chas. McElroy, T. J. Hansen, Will G. Partridge, Harry M. Bowers, Gus P. Gaver, Aug, Meyer, R. L. Word, N. I. Augustine, M. H. Deffen- baugh, Geo. C. Cervye, Wm. M. Pierce, Chauncey M. North, Walter Neilson, O. M. Williamson, L. K. Rickard, Ira L. Fillmore, Chas. J. Giese, Lewin N. Gaver, Harley M. Watson, D. H. Fent, Ralph J. Reid, Robt. F. Phiefer, W. J. Helfln, H. G. Silvernail, E. H. Silvernail, John Ellsworth, Jesse Clemens, George Cowton, Edw. C. Burkhalter, Wm. Grace, Chas. C. Havens, Jacob T. Kaumans, C. W. D. Alkire, Bert M. Roberts, J. J. Fey, J. D. Whitmore, A. Owens, Rich. L. Harrison, Frank Donner, E. H. Baker, Geo. W. Geise, Ray L. Harrison, Jos. B. Lange, Chas. R. Wescott, Terry F. Pace, and probably some others who are omitted.
This lodge has maintained very comfortable club rooms on East Third, at Third and Wheeler, and more recently over Tucker Bros. book store on South Locust. The lodge has contributed its share toward the support of the Home at Mooseheart, maintained by this order for the vocational education of children.
Original officers : A. B. Harriott, past dic- tator, J. V. Bird, dictator, E. G. Kroeger, vice- dictator, S. D. Bartle, prelate, C. T. McElroy, secretary, F. J. Hanson, treasurer, Wm. Part- ridge, sergenat at arms, H. M. Bowers, I. G., Geo. Gaver, O. G., Aug. Meyer, R. L. Wood, N. J. Augershire, trustees.
Members who have served as dictator are: A. B. Harriott, H. Ballenger, C. W. Coates, G. B. Labbe.
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Members who have served as secretary are : A. B. Harriott, Chas. McElroy, A. Stransky, G. B. Labbe, Jas. Nicholson, Jr.
The present officers are : G. B. Labbe, past dictator, T. V. McGowan, dictator, Fred T. Scott, vice-dictator, Walter Spracklin, prelate, Jas. Nichalsarp, secretary, A. J. Guendel, treas- urer, John R. Geddes, F. H. Bulger, M. E. Miller, trustees.
The present members number 145.
THE ROYAL HIGHLANDERS, DUNNOTTAR CASTLE
NO. 27 Grand Island (Information furnished by Jas. Nicholson, Jr.)
This lodge was organized February 5, 1897. Its first meeting place was G. A. R. hall.
Charter members were John Alexander, William MacLennon, Robert Brown, J. Lue Sutherland, A. B. Harriott, Andrew Cosh, D. W. Thompson, C. H. Menck, John Allan, W. A. Heimberger, J. A. Woolstenholm, A. C. Koenig, D. A. Finch, Jos. Sonderman, Henry Allan, John Nicholson, John Gallacher, Wm. Spangenberg, Chas. T. Fralick, Ed L. Bal- lenger, M. T. Garlow, W. C. Campbell, P. L. Moore, R. W. Bock, A. R. Craig, H. B. Peters, Geo. J. Bauman, R. J. Barr, C. W. Brininger, A. C. Lederman.
Original officers were N. W. Thompson, Ill. P., A. Cosh, C. C., J. Lue Sutherland, W. E., C. H. Menck, secretary, A. C. Leder- man, treasurer, P. H. Campbell, W., A. B. Harriott, S., W. A. Heimberger, M. J. Garlow, and J. Alexander, P. C.
The list of members who have served as illustrious protector is N. W. Thompson, A. Cosh, Wm. Spangenberg, E. L. Ballenger, Jas. Nicholson, Jr., Mrs. E. L. Ballenger, C. H. Menck.
List of secretarial officers : C. H. Menck, C. E. Fralich, Mrs. E. L. Ballenger, Jas. Nich- olson, Jr.
Present officers : E. L. Ballenger, I. P., P. L. Christensen, C. C., Mrs. McFerrin, W. E., Jas. Nicholson, Jr., Secretary, Mrs. Coffey, W. M., Finerly, sentry, C. H. Menck, A. B. Harriott, and Wm. Spangenberg, trustees.
The present membership numbers 139 mem- bers.
MODERN BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICA
Grand Island Lodge No. 218 of this fra- ternity was organized in 1898, at G. A. R. hall. E. B. Engleman was the first president, and one of its members, S. S. Hayman, has served as state manager. The home of this order is at Mason City, Iowa, and in the past twenty years the M. B. A. has enjoyed a splendid growth throughout Nebraska. The present officers of this lodge are C. Bromley, president, Mrs. Haney, vice-president, Mrs. Bromwell, chaplain, Minnie Roush, secretary and treasurer, Ella Tharp, conductor, and Ben- son, watchman.
MACCABEES
Two Hives of L. O. T. M. have flourished in Grand Island in the past. Island Treasure Hive, and Ann E. Westall Hive No. 3, were the former organizations. These have been consolidated for the last eight years, and now Grand Island Review No. 3 is their successor. The Ann E. Westall hive was organized in October, 1893. The presiding officers have been Eda Neumann, Wilhelmine Bochhahn, Margaret Paulesen, Edna Miller, Minnie Cun- ningham, Anna Hansen; the secretaries, Cora Harris and Katie Colwell. This organization now has about 175 members.
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD
An early Woodmen of the World lodge was
: organized in Grand Island, Grand Island Camp No. 284. The interest in this work died down and it was necessary to re-charter the lodge on July 8, 1909. The officers at that time were Wallace B. Parker, C. C., Albert W. Stehr. A. L., Louis L. Moore, banker, Wm. Chandler, clerk, Pearl D. Willis, escort, Henry J. Sea- man, Jess E. Weineiger, John M. Gahringer. Geo. W. Geise, Edw. D. Shirley and Ezera J. Wickwire occupied the other offices. Council Commanders since then have been : L. O. Barr. two years, Geo. Labbe, Fred Rose, Guy M. Britt and the present incumbent, Council Com-
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HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA
mander Wertz. Clerks have been Ray Carson, braska, organized August 29, 1877, is treated Holmes, and J. E. Lyle for the past four or five years.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
Grand Island Camp No. 408, M. W. A., was established late in the 'eighties. In 1890 D. A. Finch was V. C., A. B. Harriott, W. A., J. A. Brent, E. B., and D. C. Zink, clerk.
Unable to secure a compilation of the past commanders and clerks of this lodge, a partial list of the same shows, Geo. H. Caldwell, D. A. Finch, Z. B. Partridge, Henry Allan.
Clerks have been E. E. Cole, D. C. Zink, T. A. Hathaway, A. B. Harriott.
A second camp thrived for some time in Grand Island, known as Beet Sugar Camp No. 533, of which H. E. Clifford was V. C., and I. G. Cawley, clerk.
LODGES IN THE SEVENTIES
There are many other lodges, in addition to those of which a somewhat detailed history has been recited, which should be remembered, even though very detailed facts cannot be given at this point.
In 1876 when the community of Grand Is- land was ten years old the following lodges were thriving within its borders : Ashlar Lodge No. 33, A. F. & A. M .; Deuel Chap. No. 11, R. A. Masons ; Odd Fellows ; Patrons of Hus- bandry, which are treated in the chapter on Agriculture; Sons of Temperance, an organ- ization started on October 2, 1873, with fifteen members, and the following officers: Horatio Thomas, W. P., Alice Odell, W. A., J. J. Cash, B. S., B. F. Odell, A. R. S., Byron Beal, F. S., Jas. H. Jenkins, C., Flora Thomas, A. C., Ella Warner, I. S., John Shoemaker, O. S., Liederkranz Society, organized by John Wal- lichs, in 1870, and given the name meaning "Song Society." The U. P. Railroad Com- pany gave this society two lots upon which a frame home was erected in 1871. Kilwin- ning Lodge No. 1, A. & A. S. R. (Scottish Rite) organized in 1871, with G. W. Thummel as T. P. G. M., and B. B. Kelley, grand secre- tary, and which flourished until the 'nineties. Lyon Post No. 11, G. A. R., department of Ne-
more fully in another section of this work. The Temple of Honor was organized May 4, 1878, by A. H. Bowen, with Jas. H. Burlison, Robert S. Buchanan, George F. Ryan, William T. Hamilton, I. L. Meseraul, Giles H. Bush, Harry Buchanan, W. P. Foutz, Amaziah D. Owens, D. M. Buchanan and Aaron B. Veeder, officers. The Eintacht (Concordia) was formed September 26, 1875, with Prof. Carl C. Zeus, director. The Plattsdeutche Verein, still an existing organization, flourished as a very early date. The Old Turnerverein was organized in October, 1874, and incorporated January 15, 1878, but it had ceased from active work before 1881.
BAND ORGANIZATIONS
The Union Cornet band completed organiza- tion in June, 1874, with S. S. Naylor, director, S. P. Mobley, Joseph Fox and Geo. E. Wilson, trustees, and N. P. Kelley, secretary. This organization resulted from a refusal of its predecessor, the old Grand Island band, to play on July 4. D. G. Phimister was its early director in 1874. It lived about a year and then went the way of many cornet bands.
The Cornet band organized in June, 1876, with J. W. West, president, J. W. Rogers, treasurer, Jay E. White, secretary, and rend- ered effective services for many years.
The Germania band came in during the 'eighties, and the MaCadden Cornet band was organized in 1887.
No attempt has been made to list the inter- vening bands during the last thirty years. But at the present time Grand Island has a splendid band led by Guy L. Harrison. There are also several efficient orchestras furnishing music for various social occasions, Seebohm's, Schlictings, Brase's, Ole's Syncopators.
ATHLETIC ORGANIZATIONS
In July, 1870, The Platte Valley and the Dirty Stockings teams belonged to organized baseball clubs in Grand Island. At intervals during the many years since then Grand Island has had organized teams. Twice she has had a league team. About 1910 Grand Island be- Digitized by Google
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longed to the ill-fated Nebaska State League.
In recent years amateur teams have played together, sometimes in a loosely formed City League.
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE 'EIGHTIES
Other lodges and societies which started to flourish during the decade of the 'eighties were Grand Island Camp No. 408, M. W. A., and the Knights of Honor, Fidelity Lodge 935, of which M. C. Beecher was dictator in 1887 and after him Z. Partridge for ten years or so, with Jas. A. Wear, Jno. Nicholson, J. R Moeller and C. L. Haux, secretaries.
Perseverance Lodge No. 14, I. O. G. T., was organized March 5, 1889, with the fol- lowing members: Margaret Ryne, D. M. Sweeden, D. N. Conrad, E. C. McCashland, R. S. Ryne, T. Hart, W. Smith, A. Sage, Mrs T. R. Throles and Josie E. Throles. The old predecessor No. 60 had vanished years before and with it memories of old Temperance hall.
The Grand Island Social Club was organ- ized April 15, 1887, with J. D. Moore, presi. dent, W. H. Michael and A. B. Perkins, vice- presidents, W. H. Geddes, recorder, E. W. Justice, corresponding secretary, and W. B. Carey, treasurer. This organization continued for a number of years, meeting every second and fourth Sundays at Hann's Park. In 1896 Emil Barth was president.
The Grand Island Dramatic Company was organized May 10, 1889, with E. O. Green, president, Mrs. Wm. Murr, vice-president, Dr. H. C. Miller, secretary, J. H. Gorman, manager, and Ralph Platt, agent and master of properties. Directors Mullin, Cowie and Lanigan were elected. This organization had considerable amateur and some professional talent and for a number of years gave the com- munity some first-class theatrical and musical entertainment.
IN THE LAST QUARTER-CENTURY
There has been a long procession of lodges and social organizations coming and going in the past quarter-century. Many of these should at least be noted.
Among the various orders which have
grown to some substantial proportions, some of which have abandoned their tasks and others are still in existence, are: The Tribe of Ben Hur, Lamont Court No. 120; Brother- hood of American Yeomen, No. 2082, which is still carrying on its work in Grand Island; Royal Arcanum; Patriotic Protective Order of Stags of the World, No. 138, which form- erly met at G. A. R. hall; Order of Redmen; Home Forum; National Union.
The Western Bees, organized here with Grand Island Lodge No. 1, with R. O. Waters, president, secretary, Geo. Waters, and treas- urer, B. H. Paine. The Supreme Lodge of the Western Bees, was established at 109 W. Third, with C. H. Boehl, supreme chancellor, J. P. Leschinsky, Thomas O'Gorman, and J. A. Gilbert of Wacc as trustees. This order did not enjoy a successful career; the A. O. U. W., likewise started here, encountered troubles and after a few years it merged with another fraternal order. The Western Bees of American Nobles, Grand Island Lodge 439, was another manifestation of the same idea, but it also merged with the American Order of Protection. The American Order of Pro- tection located Union Pacific Harbor No. 17 in Grand Island, and was carrying on its work in 1904 with R. I. Evans, secretary, R. T. Hite, commander. It eventually merged into the Fraternal Aid Union, which is an existing institution.
The Knights and Ladies of Security is an organization that has enjoyed a successful growth in Nebraska. Its Ak-Sar-Ben Council No. 940 organized in Grand Island and carried on a successful career for some years.
Sons and Daughters of Protection, Sugar City Lodge No. 5, flourishing here in 1904, has now been abandoned.
WHEEL CLUBS
In sharp contrast to the automobile associa- tions, golf and country clubs and aeroplane companies being organized in 1919 stands the wheel clubs of twenty years ago, when the bicycle was the up-to-date and somewhat aris- tocratic method of transportation for pleasure, and later almost a business necessity.
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The Grand Island Wheel Club in 1891 had came on. The proposition was revived during as officers: W. R. King, president, R. A. Powell, vice-president, C. H. Menck, secretary, Arthur C. Mayer and Otto Killian, road cap- tains, with 35 wheels ; in 1893, W. R. King was still president, R. A. Powell, captain, with Max Egge and Harry Andrews, lieutenants, and A. C. Mayer, secretary. In 1896 and 1897 the Oriental Cycle Club has D. A. Finch as pres- ident, H. B. Peters, secretary, and W. R. King, treasurer ; and the Puckwana Cycle Club had Harry Culbertson, secretary, John Geddes, president, and W. R. King, treasurer.
THE PLATTSDEUTCH VEREIN
This organization was founded on the 30th day of April, 1884. in Grand Island. The first members were Dr. Christiansen, president, A. Blunk, vice-president, Claus Tagge, N. Kroeger, Claus. Eggers, Geo. Cornelius, treas- urer, Wm. Cornelius, Chr. Cornelius, Chas. Ivers, Chas. Nielsen, G. W. Hein, secretary, C. D. Meyers, James Heesch, Chas. Guenther and John Kuehlsen. Today this society has grown to a membership of 547. It had seventy-nine boys in the service of our coun- try during the World War. The present officers are : Herman Hehnke, president, Wm. Stratman, vice-president, Theo. Jessen, sec- retary, James Heesch, treasurer, Paul Lorenz, honorary director, directors, Peter Mohr, Peter Heeschl, Jasper Eggers, and Peter Schacht.
This society's first meeting place was the Liederkranz hall, then Hann's Park, then A. 0. U. W. building, and in recent years in the Plattsdeutsche Heim, which they purchased in June, 1910. They now have one of the prettiest places in the state of Nebraska. Their aim is to promote social relations, help one another in sickness and assist the family after the death of its supporter.
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