USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I > Part 108
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The Patriarchs Militant degree was first exemplified in Baltimore, September 21, 1885, by brethren of the order from Louisville, Kentucky, and Canton, No. I, of that city. The Rebekah State Assembly was instituted
438
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
at Amsterdam, New York, May 15, 1900, and a charter delivered to them the same day.
Chautauqua county has been divided by the Grand Lodge of New York into two districts-Nos. 1 and 2.
Lodges in Chautauqua District Nos. 1 and 2 by name, number and location, with their membership on Decem- ber 31, 1918. There are thirty lodges in the county :
DISTRICT No. 1.
Lodge.
No.
Location.
Members
Chadakoin
130
Falconer
231
Ellicott
221
Jamestown
360
Panama
272
Panama
55
Cherry Creek
463
Cherry Creek
146
Kennedy
522
Kennedy
78
Harmony
547
Watts Flats
55
Bemus Point
585
Bemus Point
122
Lakewood
628
Lakewood
74
Mt. Tabor
780
Jamestown
843
Frewsburg
789
Frewsburg
117
Ellington
915
Ellington
101
Sinclairville
919
Sinclairville
75
Monitor
931
Jamestown
555
Mohock
938
Clymer
58
Villenova
941
Hamlet
S6
2956
DISTRICT No. 2.
Lodge.
No.
Location.
Members
Forestville
99
Forestville
84
Point Gratiot
IS1
Dunkirk
Mayville
284
Mayville
119
Chautauqua
382
Fredonia
231
Westfield
591
Westfield
148
Olympia
602
Dunkirk
447
Sherman
645
Sherman
168
Cassadaga
664
Cassadaga
61
Findley Lake
679
Findley Lake
49
Silver Creek
637
Silver Creek
180
Ripley
679
Ripley
190
Brocton
782
Brocton
130
Helpful
838
Smith's Mills
57
Sheridan
856
Sheridan
114
Stockton
891
Stockton
87
2145
510I
There are six encampments in Chautauqua county, these having a total membership of 861 for the year end- ing September 30, 1918:
Encampment.
No.
Location.
Members
Cherry Creek
5
Cherry Creek
67
Star of the West
35
Fredonia
86
Chautauqua
54
Jamestown
365
Eagle
78
Dunkirk
94
Jamestown
96
Jamestown
184
Reliance
172
Westfield 65
861
Another encampment was instituted at Ripley in the fall of 1919.
There are twenty-eight lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah in the county, now divided into Districts Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, but formerly all in one district.
Membership of Rebekah lodges in Chautauqua county for 1918:
Chautauqua District No. 1. Mrs. Ethel C. Miller, D. D. P.,* Jamestown, Princess Lodge No. 252.
Sis. Bro. Tot.
Floral
75
Sherman
97
54
151
Star of Hope
233
Watts Flats.
39
21
60
Rock City
246
Panama
25
13
38
Princess
252
Jamestown . 273
104
377
Lady of the Lake
450
Lakewood
32
6
38
Sunset
508
Bemus Point.
71
49
120
Clymer
538
Clymer
28
33
61
Totals
565 280 845
Chautauqua District No. 2, Mrs. Beulah Ahrams, D. D. P., Cassadaga Lakeside Lodge No. 381, Cassadaga.
Sis. Bro. Tot.
Golden Scepter 184
Fredonia 82
28
110
Queen of the Lake
295
Brocton .. .
SI
26
107
Cassadaga Lakeside
381
Cassadaga . .
39
15
54
Stockton Star
395
Stockton
51
8
59
Fern
484
Findley Lake
57
39
96
Chautauqua
529
Mayville
61
34
95
Westfield
575
Westfield
75
44
119
Totals
446
194
640
Chautauqua District No. 3, Mrs. Mary White, D. D. P., Sunny Brook Lodge No. 507, Frewsburg.
Sis. Bro. Tot.
Pearl City
33
Jamestown 114
35
149
Moon Brook
293
Falconer
52
23
Diamond
350
Kennedy
42
70
Queen of the Meadow
362
Cherry Creek
82
44
126
Maple Park
452
Ellington
14
20
64
Mill Brook
482
Sinclairville .
SS
4I
129
Sunny Brook
507
Frewsburg
39
21
60
Hamlet Star
545
Hamlet
44
26
70
Totals
505
238
743
Chautauqua District No. 4, Mrs. Minnie Snow, D. D. P., Grape Vine Lodge No. 270, Forestville.
Sis. Bro. Tot.
Ruby
237
Silver Creek . 88
53
141
Good Samaritan
251
Dunkirk
140
37
177
Grape Vine
270
Forestville
10
81
Sterling
355
Dunkirk
6S
34 102
True Union
488
Sheridan
17
7
24
Smiths Mills
558
Smiths Mills. 17
12
29
Totals
400
154
554
Grand Total.
1916
866 2782
Canton Abraham No. I, Patriarchs Militant, of James- town, the only canton in the county (1920), was insti- tuted January 19, 1898, with twenty-three charter mem- bers.
Jamestown and Dunkirk have handsome temples for the accommodation of the various orders of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, both being valuable addi- tions to the business district of these cities, as well as worthy monuments to a great fraternal order. Ripley Lodge, No. 758, is handsomely housed in a white brick building on Main street, erected in 1916 by the order. Other lodges own their own property in whole or in part, and a spirit of fraternity and prosperity prevails in all. A brief record of each lodge and encampment fol- lows :
Cherry Creek-Cherry Creek Lodge, No. 463, instituted April 6, 1852, with six charter members; J. L. Clark first noble grand. The lodge has celebrated its sixty- eighth anniversary, and has always been an influence for good in the village life.
Rebekah Lodge Queen of the Meadow, No. 362, Cherry Creek, meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The charter was granted May 8, 1906, and the lodge instituted June 26, 1906, by Mrs. Nellie S. Fox, district deputy president.
Falconer-Chadakoin Lodge, No. 130, was granted dis- pensation February 17, 1899; instituted March 3, 1899, by Mott Smith, deputy grand master.
Moon Brook Lodge, No. 293, Daughters of Rebekah, a flourishing organization of the ladies of the order, was chartered January 14, 1903, and instituted February 3, 1903, by Mrs. Gertrude McGill, D. D. P.
Jamestown-Ellicott Lodge, No. 221, organized June 10, 1847, as No. 296, and in 1852 ceased to exist. In September, 1867, was reconstituted as No. 221. James- town Lodge, No. 637, was organized June 21, 1892, and in November, 1903, an attempt was made to consolidate the two lodges, but failed. A later attempt was success-
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ment eight time.
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439
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS
ful, and Jamestown No. 637 and Ellicott No. 221 united under the latter number.
Monitor Lodge, No. 931, Jamestown, was granted dis- pensation March 24, 1911 ; instituted April 19 following, by District Deputy Grand Master L. E. Masters, and a charter was issued August 24, 1911. The lodge con- ducted its work in the Swedish language until the Grand Lodge forbade ritualistic work in a foreign language.
Mt. Tabor Lodge, No. 780, was granted dispensation June 17, 1897; instituted July 6 following, with nine- teen charter members, nineteen candidates presenting themselves for initiation on the night the lodge was insti- tuted. Mt. Tabor Lodge led in the preliminaries attend- ing the erection of the Odd Fellows' Temple in James- town, purchasing the lot at the corner of Main and Fourth streets, transferring the property a year later to the Mt. Tabor Building Association and giving the asso- ciation every assurance of the hearty support of the lodge membership. Mt. Tabor Lodge moved to their quarters in the new temple August 31, 1915, a parade and banquet accompanying the removal.
Jamestown Encampment, No. 54, instituted March 14, 1871, has had a prosperous carcer. Jamestown Encamp- ment, No. 96, was instituted November 30, 1914. thirty- eight candidates receiving the patriarchal degree at that time, starting the new body with a membership of 101. The occasion was honored by the presence of District Deputy Grand Patriarch Frank Young, of Fredonia, accompanied by his staff. Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, May 26, 1915.
Jamestown has two Rebekah Lodges-Pearl City, No. 33; and Princess, No. 252, chartered February 5, 1901, instituted March 1, 1901, by Martha E. Mitchell, district deputy president. Mrs. Edith L. Griffith, of Princess Lodge, was president of the Rebekah State Assembly, 1919-20, and has received other high honors.
The Grand Lodge of New York, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, met in Jamestown in 1895, the Grand En- campment in 1918, and the Rebekah Grand Assembly has also met in that city.
Panama-Panama Lodge, No. 272, instituted October 18, 1888, by Edward S. Moss, D. D. G. M.
Rock City Lodge, No. 246, Daughters of Rebekah, meet semi-monthly, first and third Wednesday. The lodge chartered November 19, 1900, and instituted Janu- ary 13. 1901, by Miss Martha E. Mitchell, D. D. P.
Kennedy-Kennedy Lodge, No. 522, instituted January 2, 1885, by Frederick R. Gillett, D. D. G. M.
Diamond Lodge, No. 350, Daughters of Rebekah, char- tered August 24, 1905; instituted September 29, 1905, by Jennie P. Rice, D. D. P.
Watts Flats-Harmony Lodge, No. 547, instituted Oc- tober 26, 1886, by F. A. Knapp, D. D. G. M.
Star of Hope Lodge, No. 233, Daughters of Rebekah, chartered March 26, 1900; instituted by Mrs. Mattie L. Stuart, D. D. P.
Bemus Point-Bemus Point Lodge, No. 585, was granted a dispensation June 10, 1890; instituted June 14, 1890; chartered August 21, 1800. Charter members : Earl C. Schofield, Frank F. Pickard, James Seymour, George W. Scofield, Weston H. Twitchell.
Ellery Lodge, No. 73, Daughters of Rebekah, sur- rendered its charter October 24, 1904. The ladies branch of the order. the Daughters of Rebekah, is represented in Bemus Point by Sunset Lodge, No. 508, chartered June II, 1913; instituted September 30, 1913, by Mrs. Leah W. Marsh, D. D. P.
Lakewood-Lakewood Lodge, No. 628, instituted June 13, 1892, by Henry J. Shepardson, district deputy grand master. Lady of the Lake Lodge, No. 450, Daughters of Rebekah, chartered June 2, 1910; instituted June 24, fol- lowing, by Mrs. Etta M. Ford, special deputy president.
Frewsburg-Frewsburg Lodge, No. 789, was granted a dispensation June 16, 1898, and was instituted August 4, 1898, by H. L. Olmstead, grand master.
Kiantone Lodge, No. 393, instituted June 10, 1851, by District Deputy Grand Master Nelson Gorham, but later passed out of existence.
Sunny Brook Lodge, No. 507. Daughters of Rebekah, chartered May 7, 1913; instituted by Mrs. Mary B. Buss, D. 1). P.
Ellington-Ellington Lodge, No. 915, was granted a dispensation March 14, 1908; March 24. 1908, was insti- tuted with ten charter members, A. E. Williams, district deputy grand master, presiding over the ceremonies.
Maple Park Lodge, No. 452, Daughters of Rebekah, of Ellington, was granted a charter June 2, 1910; insti- tuted July 21, 1910, by Mrs. Hattie L. Button, D. D. P.
Sinclairville-A dispensation was granted Sinclairville Lodge, No. 919, November 9, 1908; instituted December 5. 1908, with about fifty members, by M. L. Gunston, D. D. G. M.
A charter was granted Mill Brook Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, No. 482, of Sinclairville, May 3, 1912; Iodge was instituted May 29, 1912, by Mrs. Dollie M. Martin, D. D. P.
Clymer-Mohock Lodge, No. 938, was granted a dis- pensation May 7, 1914, and May 22, 1914, was instituted with five charter members, thirty-nine new members being initiated the first night, which swelled the initial roll of membership to forty-four. District Deputy Grand Master George J. Kohlbacher, of MIt. Tabor Lodge, Jamestown, instituted the lodge.
A charter was granted Clymer Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, No. 538, February 25, 1915; lodge was insti- tuted March 20, 1915, by Mrs. Edith H. Griffith, D. D. P.
Hamlet-Villenova Lodge, No. 941, was granted a dis- pensation, April 30, 1915; was instituted May 20, 1915, by Martin E. Howard, district deputy grand master. The ten charter members were reenforced the opening night by forty-one newly-initiated members.
The village lodge of Daughters of Rebekah-Hamlet Star, No. 545-chartered May 14, 1915, and instituted June 1, 1915, by Mrs. Edith L. Griffith, past district deputy president.
Forestville-Forestville Lodge, No. 99, chartered Au- gust 24, 1899: instituted October 18, 1899, by Charles Pringle, special deputy.
Grape Vine Lodge, No. 290, Daughters of Rebekah, was granted a charter February 21, 1902; instituted March 26, 1902, by Mrs. Mary E. Whitney, D. D. P.
Dunkirk-Point Gratiot Lodge, No. 181, Dunkirk, organized September 4. 1854; Olympia Lodge, No. 602, Dunkirk, organized April 6, 1891. Both lodges are in prosperous condition, the last-named meeting in the hand- some Odd Fellows' Temple, 314-316 Central avenue.
Dunkirk has two lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah- Good Samaritan, No. 251, chartered January 21, 1901 ; instituted February 22, 1901, by Mrs. Martha Mitchell, district deputy president, and Sterling. No. 355, char- tered August 24, 1905; instituted October 3, 1905, by Mrs. Julia Cole, special district deputy president.
Eagle Encampment, No. 78, of Dunkirk, meets second and fourth Monday of each month.
Mayville-Mayville Lodge, No. 284, instituted October 26, 1888, with nine charter members, two of whom are yet living, active members-August Anderson and Thomas Hutson.
Chautauqua Lodge, No. 529, Daughters of Rebekah, was granted a charter May 7, 1914; was instituted Sep- tember 9, 1914, by Mrs. Emma L. Chaffee, D. D. P.
Westfield-"Westfield Lodge. No. 591, organized Sep- tember 30, 1890, under dispensation granted to Jolin Hatsell, L. V. Gerrard, F. H. Baker, H. S. Preston, J. L.
440
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Waterman, Will Norton and Andrew Johnson. A char- ter was later granted, and the lodge instituted in Octo- ber, 1890, twenty-five candidates being initiated on the occasion of the institution ceremonies." Grand Lodge records show that Westfield Lodge, No. 591, was insti- tuted October 23, 1899, by District Deputy Grand Mas- ter J. C. Meredith. This would indicate that the first organization was a temporary one.
Silver Crescent Lodge, No. 168, instituted in West- field, as was Loyal Lodge, No. 254, Daughters of Re- bekah, the latter instituted April 24, 1901, by Martha E. Mitchell, district deputy president, a charter having been issued by the standing committee of the Grand Lodge, March 5, 1901. At the annual session of the Grand Lodge, August 22, 1917, the petition of Loyal Rebekah Lodge, No. 254, and Silver Crescent Rebekah Lodge, No. 168, to consolidate and be known as Westfield Re- bekah Lodge, No. 575, to be located at Westfield and assigned to Chautauqua Rebekah District No. 2, was granted and later was carried into effect.
Fredonia-Chautauqua Lodge, No. 382, organized in 1845, prospered for many years, but finally was super- seded by a newer lodge of the same order. The lodge did not survive, but the charter of old No. 382 was re- vived and a new career of prosperity begun. In the olden time a large scope of territory was within the juris- diction of the lodge, members attending from as far away as Forestville. The lodge owns valuable village business property.
The ladies branch of the order is Golden Sceptre Lodge, No. 184, Daughters of Rebekah.
Sherman -- Sherman Lodge, No. 645, instituted Sep- tember 29, 1892, by Henry J. Shepardson, D. D. G. M.
Floral Lodge, No. 75, Daughters of Rebekah, meets first and third Friday of each month.
Cassadaga-Cassadaga Lodge, No. 664, instituted April 25, 1893, by Henry J. Shepardson, D. D. G. M.
Lakeside Lodge, No. 381, Daughters of Rebekah, of Cassadaga, chartered May 2, and instituted May 17, 1907, by Mrs. Sarah J. Miller, D. D. P.
Findley Lake-Findley Lake Lodge, No. 679, insti- tuted March 2, 1911, by District Deputy Grand Master Edward M. Button.
Fern Lodge, No. 484, Daughters of Rebekah, of Find- ley Lake, chartered June 6, 1912; instituted June 28, 1912, by Miss Emma L. Rexford, Past D. D. P.
Silver Creek-Silver Creek Lodge, No. 682, instituted October 31, 1893, with six charter members: H. A. Weston, W. W. Cole, C. M. Homan, John Schmill, D. J. Van Vlack, H. W. Allen.
Ruby Lodge, No. 237, Daughters of Rebekah, char- tered April 23, 1900, instituted June 30, following, by Mrs. Mattie L. Stuart, D. D. P.
Ripley-Ripley Lodge, No. 758, is handsomely housed in its own white brick building, erected in 1916, on Main street. A portion of the first floor is used by the Gov- ernment as a post office, and the investment will no doubt return the lodge a profit. The table for 1918 shows a membership of 190, but this number has been increased to well over 200 by recent additions. This same state- ment applies to most of the other lodges of the county, 1920 having been a prosperous lodge year.
Ripley Lodge, instituted June 11, 1896, by Hiram M. Olmstead, grand master.
A charter was granted Ripley Lodge, No. 220, Daugh- ters of Rebekah, June 9, 1899, and the lodge was insti- tuted July 14, 1899, by Mattie L. Stuart, district deputy president. Several years later, February 6, 1906, the lodge surrendered its charter and passed out of existence.
Brocton-Obtaining a dispensation December 10, 1895, Brocton Lodge, No. 782, was instituted January 18, 1898, by H. M. Olmstead, grand master.
Queen of the Lake Lodge, No. 295, Daughters of Rebekah, chartered January 29, 1903; instituted March 26, following, by Mrs. Gertrude McGill, D. D. P.
Siniths Mills-Helpful Lodge, No. 838, began work under a dispensation granted September 6, 1901; was instituted October 19, 1901.
Smiths Mills Lodge, No. 558, Daughters of Rebekah, chartered January 29, 1916; instituted March 9, 1916, by Mrs. Ada M. Briggs, D. D. P.
Sheridan-Sheridan Lodge, No. 856, began under a dispensation granted February 27, 1903. The following April 19 the lodge was instituted by Warren B. Whitney, D. D. G. M.
True Union Lodge, No. 488, Daughters of Rebekah, of Sheridan, chartered July 17, 1912; instituted August 14, 1912, by Miss Emma L. Rexford, Past D. D. P.
Stockton-Stockton Lodge, No. 891, instituted July 6, 1905, by Edward S. Moss, district deputy grand master.
Stockton Star Lodge, No. 395, Daughters of Rebekah, chartered January 20, 1908; instituted February 14, 1908, by Mrs. Ida B. Meahan, D. D. P.
On December 31, 1915, in Mt. Tabor Lodge, in the Odd Fellows' Temple, in Jamestown, an Association of Past Noble Grands of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties was formed with these officers: President, Herman J. Westwood, of Fredonia; vice-president, F. D. Eldridge, of Salamanca; secretary, Oliver W. Bunting, of Mt. Tabor Lodge; treasurer, L. W. Oehser, of Dun- kirk; executive committee, John A. Anderson, Fred R. Ford, William H. Cashmore, H. S. Sweetland and B. F. Steeley.
By-laws were adopted, providing for semi-annual meet- ings, the first to be held the second Wednesday in Febru- ary and the second to be held the first Saturday in Au- gust.
All past grands of lodges in the two counties and all past grands of lodges outside who reside in either Chau- tauqua or Cattaraugus counties, are eligible to member- ship in this organization.
Following is a list of those who signed the membership roll :
Mt. Tabor Lodge. Jamestown-C. E. Rexford, V. C. Johnson, John A. Anderson, George E. Fox. E. S. Blakesley, M. M. Hubbard, M. Sweet, M. H. Seaborn, O. W. Bunting.
Falconer Lodge-George J. Griggs, H. C. Paplon. Fredonia Lodge-H. J. Westwood, Albert C. Mann, J. H. Foster. Lakewood Lodge-J. J. Vaness, H. J. Winch, M. D. Dennison, E. L. Barker. Bemus Point Lodge-C. D. Brewster, A. T. Malloy, James Seymour
Dunkirk Lodge-L. W. Olsen, S. D. Light, T. J. Meahan.
Cherry Creek Lodge-S. E. Mount, A. R. Bentley. Stockton Lodge-H. D. Warner, C. S. Munger. Salamanca Lodge-F. D. Eldridge.
Westfield Lodge-A. R. Gallnetz, I. C. Groat.
Frewsburg Lodge-Edward W. Scowden, B. J. Bosh, M. E. Howard.
Sherman Lodge-Edward J. Hunt, W. B. Whitney. Sinclairville Lodge-F. A. Ferguson, N. W. Landers. Leon Lodge-C. E. Eldridge, P. C. Peterson.
Kennedy Lodge-C. R. Putnam.
Gowanda Lodge-B. L. Stelly, M. A. Weir.
Ellington Lodge-B. D. Wade.
Dayton Lodge-Maurice Hooker, Charles Haltz. Pine Valley Lodge-H. J. Sweetland.
The Odd Fellows' Temple in Jamestown had its in- ception in Mt. Tabor Lodge, and its true beginning dates from January 26, 1910, when the lodge instructed its trustees to complete the purchase of the Lathrop prop- erty, corner of Main and Fourth streets, and to make the first payment on the purchase price.
Later the Mt. Tabor Building Association was formed and incorporated, the lodge transferring the property to the association. This association, composed mainly of
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441
BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS
members of Mt. Tabor Lodge, was capitalized at $30,000. The directors are Frank M. Fisk. Frank O. Anderson, H. E. V. Porter, F. O. Olson, E. S. Blakesley, Charles F. Thorman and George W. Jude, all of Jamestown. The association had plans prepared for a suitable temple, ground was broken January 11, 1911, and on October 20, 1914, the cornerstone was laid by Grand Master Thomas MeKnight, in the presence of many officials and members of the order and a large gathering of spectators. Theo- dore Roosevelt, ex-President of the United States, was present and made a short speech, Dr. James G. Clutter- buck delivering the oration. The handsome temple which has risen on the site was completed in August, 1915, and on August 31, 1915, Mt. Tabor Lodge moved from its old hall to the spacious lodge room and quarters in the new temple, the occasion one of great rejoicing and fra- ternal spirit.
BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS-In this review of the history of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the sentiment of brotherly love and fel- lowship is recognized as the inspiration which has guided us to our present prosperous position. We are embued with the spirit of fraternity, with a noble desire to point the way whereby our Brothers can live happy and useful lives. We believe in saying good things of a Brother when he is dead, and good things to him while living. Ours is an order that lends a helping hand to those who need it, and we scatter flowers of peace and comfort beneath the bruised and bleeding feet of all who toil upon life's rugged highway.
As Elks we know- That the day is lost wherein we fail to lend a helping hand to some wayfaring friend. But if we show-
A burden lightened by the cheer we send, then do we hold the golden hours well spent, and lay us down to sleep in sweet content.
In Chautauqua county the first lodge was instituted in Jamestown, Tuesday afternoon and evening, May 9, 1893, with forty-three charter members. The work of institution was performed by District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Percy G. Williams, of New York City, the secret work being exemplified by teams from Erie and Meadville. There are only a few left of the charter members, and even they have grown gray and time has left its impress upon them all. Each season passes into succeeding ones almost unnoticed, and youth becomes old age with scarcely a warning.
Laban Hazeltine was elected the first exalted ruler, and in 1893 he drew aside the curtain and presented Jamestown Lodge, No. 263, the first Elks' Lodge to be organized in Chautauqua county. We are also one of the first lodges in America, there being 1306 Elk lodges, and our No. 263.
Jerome B. Fisher was the second exalted ruler, being elected in 1894. He was elected grand exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America in 1900. Brother Fisher was one of the giant oaks of our order. His influence was great, not only as a master mind, but in all the fields in which he labored. He exemplified in his daily life the principles we teach. We live in a world where solemn shadows are continually following upon our path, and no affliction touched us more deeply than the death of Brother Fisher, which occurred June 18, 1919. He left us a heritage of an upright life, of duty well performed, of loyalty to home and country-a legacy better than that of silver and gold, even the memory and inspiration of a great and noble life, a life of fidelity to duty, obedience to God's laws, and kindliness and charity towards all men. His life was a benediction. May his
memory ever be an inspiration to those who shall follow him.
J. Delevan Curtiss was a faithful and efficient exalted ruler from 1895 to 1807, and reelected in 1903. Edwin A. Bradshaw, exalted ruler, 1897; George H. Corborn, 1898; John H. Prather, 1809; John C. Mason, 1900; E. J. Swetland, 1901, and district deputy in 1904; Ralph E. Russell, 1902; James C. Peterson, 1904.
June 17, 1904, with the authority of the grand exalted ruler and assisted by his officers, Brother Peterson insti- tuted Dunkirk Lodge, No. 922, they starting with twenty- seven charter members. So on June 17, 1904, the second lodge of Elks was organized in our county. Both lodges have grown, for true manhood has been their goal, mutual assistance their incalculated duty, brotherly love their ruling passion, and justice their cardinal principle. Frank II. Mott was exalted ruler of Jamestown Lodge in 1905, and appointed district deputy exalted ruler. Brother Mott has made many addresses, and with his voice and splen- did ability as an orator has done much to preserve the unity of our order. Rev. Jolin Dysart, exalted ruler in 1906-his name will descend to posterity as a friend and benefactor of our order; he was appointed grand chap- lain of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of America, which position he holds today. Not only men of intellectual powers and eminent in science, but many clothed with the highest civil attributes, many Elks of our county have been honored by the State and Nation- men like Judge John Woodard, of the Supreme Court ; Fred Nixon, a former speaker of the Assembly; O. F. Price, the first mayor of Jamestown, and at one time member of the Assembly ; A. C. Wade and Augustus F. Allen, members of the Assembly; Senator Tom Reed- these Elks believed in the brotherhood of man and gov- ernment by the Golden Rule.
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