USA > New York > Jefferson County > The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894 > Part 41
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On the 23d of November, 1853, the water- works were completed, and the water for the first time was pumped into the reservoir and let into pipes communicating with resi- dences and fire-hydrants. No serious fires have devastated the city since the comple- tion of the reservoir, but the growth of the city and the increasing demands of its peo- ple led the water commissioners, in 1871, to construct still another reservoir. This was located by the side of the former, and was completed in 1873. Its dimensions are 250 by 200 feet. and its capacity four and a half million gallons. The water is distributed to residences and one hundred fire-hydrants
198
THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.
throughout the city by sixteen miles of For a picture of this noble structure and water mains and pipes.
WATERTOWN GAS-LIGHT COMPANY.
Early in 1852, measures were taken for supplying the village with gas-light, and F. T. Story organized a company for that pur- pose, securing the exclusive privilege of supplying the village with rosin-gas for ten years ; and February 27, 1852, an associa- tion, styled the Watertown Gas-Light Com- pany, was organized, with a capital of $20,000. In the same year the principal buildings in the business portion of the vil- lage were supplied, and during the sum- mer of 1853 pipes were laid through many of the principal streets and to private houses, and a proportionate addition was made to the manufactory. Other parties having succeeded to the ownership of the capital stock of the company, on July 1, 1874, the company was reorganized, and the capital stock increased to $100,000. The company has, at the present time, about nine miles of mains laid down in the city, and supplies from 20,000 to 25.000 cubic feet of coal-gas on an average, daily, throughout the year. There are an hundred street- burners in the city, and many principal business blocks and dwellings are also sup- plied by the company.
F. T. Story was the originator and organ- izer, and has been the principal man in the company from 1852 to the present time (1894).
THE WATERTOWN ELECTRIC LIGHT CO.,
incorporated in August, 1885, with their electric station at the corner of Mill and Moulton streets, supply power and light to all parts of the city. Their contract covers all the main street-lighting of the city, and they supply the principal hotels and business places. They are now in successful opera- tion, and are regarded as a decided benefit to the town. The officers of the company are : D. C. Middleton, President ; F. L. Baker, Treasurer ; John C. Fagan, Superin- tendent.
THE PUBLIC SQUARE
is a feature of the city at once useful and attractive. It consists of an open mall, comprising nearly ten acres, the gift to the village, in 1805, by the owners of adjacent lands. The present has adorned it, but the past made it possible to have it for adorn- ment. It is laid ont into two large oval parks, shaded with forest trees, and sodded as lawns, with a smaller one between the two, containing an elegant fountain rising from the center of a circular limestone hasin. This valuable portion of the city's property was a free gift from Jonathan Cowan, Henry Coffeen and Hart Massey.
The soldiers' and sailors' monument, erected by Mr. and Mrs. Cook, is a noble structure, and adorns the westerly ellipsis.
also for the eloquent address delivered at the time of its dedication, see page 103.
OLD LANDMARKS.
The following notices of two venerable institutions we clip from the correspondence of Solon Massey :
THE OLD "COFFEEN HOUSE. "
The fire of Saturday night (October 4, 1856), which burned the old Coffeen House. has removed from our midst another of those time-honored landmarks which for half a century has served to designate its particular locality in the western portion of our vil- Îage.
The old white house that for so many long years stood conspicuously in the very center of the wide street called Madison street, and which was the pioneer house In all that portion of the village, serv- ing as a point to reckon from in calculating the lati- tude and longitude for nearly two generations of men, has disappeared forever from the map of our village. In its day it was the pride of the village, displaying more of architectural and mechanical beauty in its proportions and workmanship than was usual in the very best class of pioneer houses, and was certainly the admiration of all the youths of the village and its vicinity.
Its site was one of rare beauty -in the immediate neighborhood of the place selected for the court- house and jail, and overlooking a large extent of country, as well as the course of the river.
Judge Coffeen had succeeded in getting the county- seat at Watertown, and the place for the court-house and jail on the site formerly occupied by them ; and he flattered himself with the hope and expectation that he could draw off a fair portion of the future population of the village to the high and commanding ground surrounding the court-house. He might have succeeded, possibly, had it not been for the liold which the old spring in the mall had on the choice and affections of the people.
No expense was spared, however, in the erection and embellishment of his own mansion, and in the plans which he devised for beautifying that part of the village.
His house was to be the common center around which, he confidently believed, would cluster a fair proportion of the business - stores, shops, and offices - as well as the private residences of a future city, and it was therefore adapted to meet the necessities of such a population as well as of the traveling pub- lic, as a first class hotel.
For many years it was used for such purposes, and rented to various individuals, who tried their skill in an effort to divide the patronage of the people with the two public houses on the mall or square. But it was all in vain. Mr. Coffeen became embarrassed in his pecuniary matters, and other things combined to chill his ardor and disappoint his expectations, and in 1819 he abandoned this field of his early ambition for a residence in the new and promising State of Illinois, where he died within the first year.
The old mansion was for many years the property of Jason Fairbanks, and has been occupied by an aver- age of five or six families most of the time for the last twenty years, and though it may have been a pecuniary loss to its proprietor, yet it has become one of those old houses which could be well spared but for its early associations.
THE OLD "FAILING HOTEL."
When an old and venerable building, which for nearly sixty years has been a landmark, and which has been known to the public at large as a travelers' home, is for any cause either taken down to make roum for progress, or is destroyed by the elements, it seems fitting and appropriate that a passing notice should be made, and its long history passed in re- view.
So it seems peculiarly appropriate at this junc- ture that a brief farewell notice should be taken of the Failing House, which, for very many years, has stood out in hold relief, occupying its place on the hill, but which in an evil hour has succumbed to the devouring elements. having been burned to the ground on the night of the 7th of February, 1865.
199
CITY OF WATERTOWN.
Soon after the organization of our county of Jeffer- son, and the sticking of the stakes for the site of the court-house and jail on Court-house hill, the people on the north side of the river began in earnest to build up the little village of Pamelia, with the view of rivaling Watertown in those business facilities which are supposed to promote the prosperity of the community, as well as to induce accessions to the population,
With this view a dam was thrown across the river, and mills and clothing and carding-works were erected and put into successful operation. Somewhat prominent among the inhabitants on the Pamelia or Brownville side of the river was a man of the name . of Samuel Mack, a skillful mechanic, who thought he saw an eligible site for a public house, just on the hill at the north end of the bridge, in that town, and he set about erecting a building of large proportions aod of somewhat imposing architecture, which he designed to make a kind of headquarters for conrt people, and the nucleus abont which a village might grow up to be a formidable rival to Watertown.
The honse was of two stories, with a piazza pro- jecting at each of the two stories, from either of which the view of the river and of the court-house grounds opposite was good.
It was kept but a short time by Col. Mack, and then was leased, and passed through the hands of John W. Collins, who was also a prominent pioneer of the town of Brownville, and who died io tbat house, to David Haven, who occupied it at the time of the commencement of the war of 1812; then of a Mr Asa Harris, through the latter part of that brief war and for some years afterwards, during which it was military headquarters for any troops who hap- pened to be stationed in this immediate vicinity
It was afterwards owned and occupied by Jacob Cramer, who sold it to Werner Failing in 1831. Mr. Failing. as is well known, was for many years a popu- lar landlord. familiar with all that class of persons who hailed from Mohawk river, and who spoke the Dutch as their vernacular. He it was who in 1849 renovated and greatly improved the buildings, add- Ing a complete basement story to them, and painting them brown. Since Mr. Failing became superanu- ated it had been purchased by Mr. Alfred Lock, who in his turn made some valuable improvements, par- ticularly in tbe rear attachments, - kitchen, family rooms, sheds, etc. - by which the premises appeared very much rejuvenated, enlarged aod improved.
He had made arrangements to rent the premises to Orrin Pearce, and to vacate them for a while, and had made up a farewell dance on that night. They were in the midst of the hop, and the table was all set preparatory to the supper, when at about ten o'clock a fire was discovered in the peak of the roof, supposed to have originated from a stovepipe in one of the chambers. The fire companies were on hand in good time, but as there was but one stream of water available the fire was not subdued until the main upright part of the house was demolisbed.
OFFICERS OF THE CITY FOR 1894.
Mayor, H. F. Inglehart; Chamberlain, Charles R. Murray; City Attorney, Edmund R. Wilcox; Recor- der. George H Cobb; City Surveyor, Fred. E. Avery; Supt. Board of Public Works. W. H. Allen; Over- seer of the Poor, Patrick Redmond; Sealer of Weigbts and Measures, Chas. Jensen; Pound Master, Walter D. Tyler
Aldermen-Ist ward-I. H Babcock, H. S. Arthur. 2d ward-G. R. Hanford. Wm. R. Clark. 3d ward --- H. W Steele, A. Montgomery. 4th ward-L. Law- yer, DeEstang Moore.
Police Commission-H. F. Inglehart, chairman; C. R. Murray, clerk; J. M. Carpenter, James A, Ward Richard Marcy, Robert Lansing.
Police Department- Chas. G. Champlin, chief: Wm. McCntchin, assistant chief; policemen: Miles Guest, J. W. Lucas, Cbas. G Witt. E J. Singleton, G. L. Baxter, W. Moore.
Assessors-Geo. Castle, H. Horton, J. W. Moak. Justices of the Peace-A. Goodale, B. A. Field.
Board of Excise-C. M. Paris, A. R. Gleason, H. W. Boyer.
Board of Education - C. M. Rexford, President; Henry Purcell, L. C. Greenleaf. G A. Lance, R. G. Keyes, Geo. S Hooker, S. T. Woolworth, Geo. Adams, H D. Goodale, Jno. Lapsing, C. E. Hol- brook; Wm. D. Williams, Supt. and Clerk.
Board of Health -Frank B. Smith, Health Officer; C. S. Adams, Clerk; Dr. M. M. Adams, Foster P. Rhines. B. A. Field, W. D. Banchette, J. E. Berge- vin, George Castle.
Supervisors-R. Holden, Jr., 1st ward; J. Atwell, 2d ward; A. D. Seaver, 3d ward; W. H. Tallett, 4th ward.
Water Commissioners-J. C Knowlton, President; F. H. Hinds, Vice-President; E. B. Sterling, B. B. Taggart, Levi H. Brown; A. Salisbury, Superintend- ent; N. P. Wardwell, Clerk.
Board of Public Works - H. F. Inglehart, Chair- man; C. R. Murray, Clerk; W H. Allen, Superintend- ent; C. H. Tubbs, J. J. Lamon, Everett B. Irvin, W. H. Mould.
Civil Service Commission-J. R. Stebbins, Chair- man; R. J. Buck, C. E. Holbrook; G M. Jones, Clerk.
HOTELS OF WATERTOWN.
The Woodruff .- Nos. 11 and 12 Public Square C. A. Hungerford, Proprietor_
The Otis .- 12 and 14 Arsenal street. A. D Wil- liams, Proprietor.
Kirby House .- 41-47 Court street. T. Colon, Mgr. Crowner House. - 72-78 Court street. Wilder Bros., Proprietors.
City Hotel. - 82-84 Court street. Romang & Myers, Proprietors.
Romang House .- Corner Coffeen and Court streets. Joseph Thebault. Proprietor.
Oakland House .- 107 and 109 Conrt street. Van Wormer Bros., Proprietors.
Mack's Hotel-114 Court street. M. Mack, Proprie- tor.
American Hotel .- Arsenal street, corner Arcade. Jos Marrian, Proprietor.
Harris House .- 49-52 Public Square. Erwin Har- ris, Proprietor.
Earl House .- Ryau Block, Public Square. Mrs. Earl, Proprietress.
The Union House .- Factory Square and High street. Savall & Caswell, Proprietors.
Dillon House .- Factory Square and High street. T. Dillon, Proprietor.
Garland City House .- 60 Factory street. Joseph Haley, Proprietor,
McCarthy House .- 58 Coffeen street. Charles J. Mccarthy, Proprietor.
Engineers' Hotel .- 59 Coffeen street. James Cuff, Proprietor.
Exchange Hotel .- 94 and 96 Stone street. James Simons, Proprietor.
Central House .- 200 Main street. A. J. Kassing, Proprietor.
FRATERNAL, LABOR, SOCIAL AND CHARITY INSTITUTIONS OF THE CITY.
Young Men's. Christian Association .- Corner Wash- ington street and Public Square. Free reading rooms open from 9 A. M. to 9:30 P. M. [See more extended notice. ]
City Hospital-No. 35 Ten Eyck street. Mrs. C. Fitch, matron. Free for those unable to pay.
Henry Keep Home for Aged and Infirm .- 100 Wash- ington street. T. M. Kenyon, Overseer.
Jefferson County Orphans' Asylum. - No, 66 Frank- Jin street. O. A. Freeman, Overseer.
Jefferson County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children .- Mrs. U. C. Walker, Secretary and Agent.
Jefferson County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals .- Warren A. White, Agent.
Jeffersonian Club .-- Club room 216 Court street. Michael J. Morkin, Secretary.
Lincoln League .- Club rooms in Taggart Block. N. Snell, Secretary
Union Club .- Club house 21 Washington street. J. C. Ayres, Secretary,
The Workingmen's Club .- Meets 2d and 4th Fridays every month at Trinity House. E. J. Hankin, Secre- tary.
Watertown Cyclers' Club .- Rooms in Flatiron Block, corner of Court and Arsenal streets. Will C. Greene, Corresponding Secretary, 10 Paddock Ar- cade.
39th Separate Company, N. G. S. N. Y .- Drill every Tuesday evening at Armory, on Arsenal street
200
THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.
Regular monthly meeting last Tuesday evening each month. J. S. Boyer, Captain.
Joe Spratt Post, No. 323, G. A. R .- Meet 2d and 4th Mondays each month, at 18% Court street, L. C. Greenleaf, Commander.
Joe Hooker Camp No. 165 (Sons of Veterans) .- Meets 2d and 4th Thursdays each month, at 18% Court street. Bert Morrison, Captain.
Woman's Relief Corps, G. A. R .- Meet 1st and 3d Fridays each month, at 1816 Conrt street.
Jefferson County Historical Society .- Meet 2d Tues- day each month. L. Ingalls, Recording Secretary.
Jefferson County Agricultural Society .- Annual meeting 3d Wednesday in December. Philo Ham- mond, Superintendent.
GRANGES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
5. C. M. Overton, Master, Belleville; J. J. Mather, Secretary. Bishop street.
7. W. C. Baken, Watertown; Mrs F. E. Wilson.
9. A: M. Marsh, Adams Center; L. L. Allen, East Houndsfield.
15. Frank D. Gurnee, Stone Mills; Mrs. George W. Heury, Lafargeville.
16. W. A. Schell, Pierrepont Manor; Mrs. H. S. Clark, Mannsville.
18. F. C. Carter, Champion; Mrs. I. B. Loomis.
19. E. S. Beaman, Antwerp; Miss Hattie Kitts.
53. Elon O. Andrews, Burrs Mills; Mrs. M. S. Gragg. 59. A. J Balts, Depauville; P. D. Patch.
60. N. N. Griggs, Smithville: D. F. Stanley.
68. A. F. Sheffner, Pamelia Four Corners; E. E. Vanderwalker, Evans Mills.
69. P. H. Castles. Carthage; C. P. McDonald.
114. Wm. Plato, Philadelphia: Geo. A. Fuller.
117. Adam Fralick, Northville; L. B. Bishop, Lor- raine.
126. George E. Herrick, Three Mile Bay: M. S. Wells. 145. W. C. Barrett, Henderson; Mrs. E. H. Wilde.
391. W. A. Cornwall, Adams; J. B. Bartlett .
896. W. E. Walrath, St. Lawrence; J. H. Comins.
497, Frank Sanders, Natural Bridge; Libbie Blan- chard.
590. A. M. Saoford, Adams Center; V. Webster Heath, Rodman.
593. Elwin Patterson, Omar; Nathan Holloway, Clay- ton.
599. E. J. Vincent, Cape Vincent; W. S. Armstrong. 626. T. E. Calkins, Perch River: Clara R. Calkins. 629. Wm. J. Tilley, Plessis; Arthur Rowell.
642. H. M. Arthur, Carthage; M. L. Johnson, Felts Mills.
647. John Ferguson, Clayton; H. A. Lingenfelter. 660. Charles A. Kelsey, Theresa: Mrs. Frank Place. 684. M. J. Jewett : Redwood; W. H. Marshall.
691. Corbett Bacon, Oxbow; M. V. Brainard.
724. H. G. Gilmore, Dexter; Mrs. F. C. Maldoon.
MASONIC.
Media Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .- Meets at Masonic Hall, 9 Washington street, the 2d Monday each month. John S. Coon, Recorder.
Watertown Commandery, No. 11, K. T .- Meets 1st and 3d Fridays each month. J. S. Coon, Recorder.
Watertown Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R .- Meets 2d and 4th Tuesdays each month. L. B. Washburn, G. Sec.
Watertowo Charter, No. 59, R. A. M .- Meets at 9 Washington street. 2d and 4th Thursdays of each month. Leslie B. Cooke, Secretary.
THE MASONIC FRATERNITY.
Watertown Lodge, No. 49 .- Meets 1st and 3d Wed- nesday evenings of each month. Willis W. Rice, Master: Leslie B. Cook. Secretary. No. of M. M. 932.
Brownville Lodge, No. 53 .- Meets Tuesday of every week of full moon, and two weeks thereafter. George W. Barbour, Master; Frank E. Ingalls, Secretary. No of M M. 115.
Sackets Harbor Lodge, No. 135 -Meets 2d and 4th Mondays. Edward H. Chamberlain, Master; George E. Butterfield, Secretary. No. of M. M. 137.
Carthage Lodge, No. 158 -Meets 1st and 3d Fri- days L. D. Thompson, Master; Sanford D. Hunt, Secretary. No. of M. M. 128.
Lafargeville Lodge, No. 171 -Meets Monday week of full moon, and two weeks thereafter. Charles H.
Ford, Master; W. H. Walrath, Secretary. No. of M. M. 70.
Chaumont Lodge, No 172 .- Meets 1st and 3d Mon- days of each month. Dyer C. Read, Master; W. G. Linnell, Secretary. No. of M. M. 69.
Theresa Lodge, No. 174 -Meets 1st and 3d Fridays of each month. Ceylon Wakefield. Master; W. C. Porter, Secretary. No of M M .. 96.
Antwerp Lodge, No. 326 .- Meets 2d and 4th Tues- days of each month. Elmer G. Burts, Master; Frank w. Somers, Secretary. No. of M. M. 139
Rising Sun Lodge, Adams, No 234. - Meets 1st and 3d Mondays in each month. DeElbert Taylor, Mas- ter; Wm. G. Rogers, Secretary. No. of M. M. 119. Cape Vincent Lodge, No. 293 .- Meets 1st and 3d Mon- days in each month. Lloyd O Woodruff, Master; Charles Armstrong, Secretary. No. of M. M. 61.
Clayton Lodge, No. 286 .- Meets 1st and 3d Tuesdays in each month. Wm. H. Reed, Master; Hartley F. Dewey, Secretary. No. of M. M 104.
Alexandria Lodge, Alexandria Bay, No. 297 .- Meets Tuesday of full moon, and 2 weeks thereafter . Wm. T. Bascom, Master; Wm. P. Wescott, Secre - tary. No. of M. M. 92.
Rodman Lodge, No. 506 .- Meets 1st and 3d Tues- days in each month. Lewis F Richmond, Master; Brayton L. Cooley, Secretary. No. of M. M. 95.
Rising Light Lodge, Belleville, No 637 .- Meets 1st and 3d Wednesdays in each month. Eugene A. Chapman, Master : J. H. Carpenter. Secretary. No. of M. M. 82.
Depauville Lodge, No. 188 .-- Meets ist and 3d Mon- days in each month. Jas. Cadwell, Master: Amasa Dodge, Secretary. No. of M. M. 63.
Pisgah Lodge, Evans Mills, No. 725. -- Meets 1st and 3d Wednesdays in each month. Frank W. Lawton, Master; Wesley Rulison, Secretary. No. of M. M. 85.
THE ODD FELLOWS.
Canton Ridgley, No. 14, P. M .- Meets 2d and 4th Mondays each month io Standard Building, Public Square. R. L. Lawton, S.
Montezuma Encampment, No. 27 .- Meets 2d and 4th Tuesdays at Odd Fellows' Hall, 8% Court street. P G Nill, Scribe.
Unity Rebekah Lodge, No. 74 .- Meets 1st and 3d Tuesdays each month, 81% Court street. Mrs. Win. Randolph, R. S.
Garland Rebekah Lodge, No. 151 -Meets 2d and 4th Tuesdays each month at No. 52 Taggart Block. Miss Ada Faichney, R. S.
Watertown City Lodge, No. 291 .- Meets every Thursday evening at 52 Taggart Block. George M. Boyd, R. S.
Jefferson Union Lodge, No. 124 -Meets every Fri- day evening at 8%% Court street. E. Herrick, Record- ing Secretary.
Corona Lodge, No 705, I. O. O. F .-- N. G., V. K. Kellogg; V. G., E. F. Gray; Rec. Sec., W. H. Ford; Per. Sec., James H. Bradley; Treas., Bruce F. Martin.
The 75th anniversary of the establishment of Odd Fellowship in the United States was duly observed in Watertown by holding a union meeting in the City Lodge, on the evening of April 26, 1894. There was a large and enthusiastic gathering, and much speechmaking. We have been permitted to make some extracts from the able speech of ex-Mayor and Past Grand John Nill, which show the growth of this extensive order in the United States. Among other things Mr. Nill said :
The organization of Odd Fellowship is a great event of reform for the advancement of civilization. Al- though in its infancy, it is to day the most promising of all orgaizations, und has all sigus to carry out its original mission, the fraternization of the world. The grand motto inseribed on her banner, in the words Friendship, Love and Truth, signify all the good deeds that the children of man are capable of doing. These three great words properly understood and carried into practice, will produce on earth all that is ex- pected in the future heaven. Indeed, if properly ad- vocated and explained, it will, without doubt, make
201
CITY OF WATERTOWN.
this earth a paradise. Such will be the result, if all who have taken the obligation will live up to it.
One Thonias Wildey was born in London, England, on the 15th day of January, 1782. On reaching man- hood he was initiated into an Odd Fellows' lodge. He, with the others desirous of spreading the order, started a new lodge styled Morning Star Lodge, No. 38, located in London. Until 1817, he continued to be actively interested in the work of the order, and mere than once passed through the chairs. The cheering news received from countrymen in the United States, decided him to seek iu this new land a fairer fortune. He possessed hope, health and industry, sure pass- ports to prosperity anywhere. As was natural to a stranger in a strange land, he immediately sought to make the acquaintance of his fellow countrymen re- siding in the city of Baltimore. Among the first of these whom he met was John Welch, an Odd Fellow. Animated by his former zeal for the order, and feel- ing the loss of his wonted field of labor, he took steps to form a lodge. The requisite number was five, so that with three, the way to success would be clear. He advertised for the lacking number in the Balti- more American, and inserted, the following in that paper on the 27th of March, 1819:
"NOTICE TO ODD FELLOWS.
A few members of the society of Odd Fellows will be glad to meet their brethren for the purpose of forming a lodge on Friday evening, 2d April, at the Seven Stars, Leonard street, at the hour of 7 P. M."
This advertisement brought to the rendezvous a certain Richard Rushworth, who with John Duncan and John Cheatham, completed the required number. They all had been initiated into the order in England, and so far, their qualifications were correct. On that memorable 26th day of April, they, in accordance with the ancient custom, self-instituted themselves a lodge, which they named Washington Lodge of Odd Fellows.
The seed that was to grow into such a mighty oak was thua planted. They could not foresee the result. The soil to them was unknown, untried; they con- tributed all they had to success - patient labor and constant vigilance.
They niet at the public house of Thomas Lupton, the place designated in the above advertisment, and after the formal opening of the lodge, Thomas Wil- dey was installed Noble Grand, and John Welch, Vice- Grand. The other offices were distributed among the rest of the brethren.
The order was now started on its mission to frater- nize the world, and disseminate everywhere its pecu- liar doctrines of Friendship, Love and Truth On February 27, 1821, a meeting of the committee of Past Grands was held, to take into consideration the pro- priety of establishing a Grand Lodge of legislative capacity, separate and distinct from working lodges. The Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States was organized, and the following officers in- stalled:
Themas Wildey, Grand Master; John P. Endwlsle, Deputy Grand Master; William L. Cauth, Grand Warden; John Welch, Grand Secretary; John Boyd, Grand Guardian; William Larkin, Grand Conductor.
At a subsequent meeting of Past Grands, beld Jan. 15, 1825, the title of the organization in the United States was changed to " The Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows." This is the source of all true and legitimate Odd Fellowship in the United States of America, the lower Provinces of British North America, Manitoba and Quebec. It has enrolled under its hanner, according to the report of its Secretary, at the 69th annual session, held in Milwaukee, September 18, 1893, 9,862 lodges, and 747.140 members. The Sisters of Rebekah branch has 96.812 members, there are estimated among several independent Grand Lodges in foreign countries, 26,136 members; a grand total of 869,743. The increase in 1892 was 50,000. So far as can be learned, the increase in 1893 was greater than in 1892. At this rate our membership is ever 900,000. The total membership of Manchester Unity of Great Britain and Ireland was 709,403 the Ist day of January, 1893. In other parts of Europe, especially in Germany, Denmark and Sweden, our order is making good progress. Also in Australia and South America, wherever civilization has set its foot, Odd Fellowship is bound to crown it, and wind its links around it. From January 1st to December 31st, 1892, the lodge in North America re-
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