USA > Ohio > Washington County > Belpre > A history of Belpre, Washington County, Ohio > Part 17
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It has been suggested by some of our citizens that a chapel should be erected in the Cemetery to be used when needed. If the citizens should decide to build such chapel we will take the liberty to suggest that it be erected as near
GEORGE A. HOWE
GEORGE HOWE BOWER
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the site of this old building as possible and architecturally be a duplicate of the Chapel built here in 1821.
This cemetery was considerably enlarged in 1895, and in the nature of things the graves are constantly increasing in number. A few revolutionary soldiers are buried here and a large number of soldiers of our civil war. The beau- tiful and patriotic services of decorating the graves of sol- diers with flowers on May 30 is still performed and this festival has been adopted by many who make it an occasion for decorating graves of their friends.
One of our best loved American poets wrote: "All that tread
The globe are but a handful to the tribes That slumber in its bosom."
The number of those whose mortal bodies have been deposited in Belpre Cemetery is even now larger than that of those who occupy our homes and the former citizens who shall return to this home town after absence of a score of years will find more familiar names on tombstones than familiar faces among those they meet.
It is a privilege as well as duty of those who are alive to keep the place of the dead beautiful, and attractive and it is a satisfaction to us while living to know that those who follow us will continue to honor the memory of the dead.
CHAPTER XVIII ORGANIZATIONS THE WOMANS READING CLUB
A considerable number of Belpre ladies met at the home of Mrs. William Armstrong, October 18, 1904 for the purpose of organizing a Ladies Literary Club. Mrs. F. L. Haas was made temporary moderator and after a state- ment by Mrs. Armstrong of the object of the meeting, Madames L. H. Brown, George Gadsby and William Arm- strong were appointed a nominating Committee who re ported a board of officers as follows :
President. Mrs. Charles L. McNeal
Vice-President. Mrs. W. L. McMorris
Secretary Mrs. F. J. Prunty
Treasurer. Mrs. J. B. Waterman
The following Constitution and By-Laws were adopt- ed :
I
This Society shall be known as the Woman's Reading Club.
II
The officers shall be a President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Directors. These shall con- stitute an Executive Board or Board of Managers whose duties shall be to assume general direction of the Club.
III
Each member is under obligation to perform, to the best of her ability, any work assigned her by the Board of Managers, unless satisfactory reason is given.
IV
The Club shall meet every two weeks at 2:30 p. m. beginning in October and continuing until April.
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BY-LAWS
(1)
The dues shall be one dollar per year for each member.
(2)
Five members shall constitute a quorum to transact business.
(3)
The last meeting of the year shall be for the re-enroll- ment of members and the enrollment of new members.
(4)
The first meeting in October and the first meeting in January shall be for the enrollment of members.
(5)
A membership committee shall receive the names of new members, and present them to the Club.
At this meeting it was decided to study Longfellow and contemporaneous authors for a period of three months.
This Club now has a membership of about twenty and is in a flourishing condition. The officers for the current year (1918) are as follows :
President Mrs. F. J. Prunty
First Vice-President. Mrs. H. F. Clark
Second Vice-President ... Mrs. Chas. L. McNeal
Recording Secretary Mrs. Andrew Hall
Corresponding Secretary. Mrs. R. R. Cutler
Treasurer Mrs. H. H. Glazier
Auditor Miss Josie O'Neil
At the close of the last year the funds remaining in the treasury were donated to the Red Cross Society. The subject for study for the present year is "Changing Amer- ica."
This Club has had an instructive and increasingly in- teresting career during the years of its existence. Its ex- ercises have been well sustained and it is accomplishing an important work for the rising generation. Early writers speak of the pioneer ladies of Belpre as among the most enterprising and intelligent of any community in the coun-
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try and the success of this Club demonstrates the fact that the present ladies are worthy successors of the pioneers.
The Daily Newspaper, the Telephone, the abundant supply of magazines, supplementing the High School and College, give to the ladies of the present much greater priv- ileges than were possessed by the pioneers, and the success of this Club, with many other things in the literary and social activities of the community, are conclusive evidence that the ladies of the present day are improving their op- portunities. For several years this Literary Club has held one meeting each year to which the public are invited and this meeting is considered by the people as one of the most important and profitable literary event of the community.
ROCKLAND READING CLUB.
About the year 1898, at the suggestion of Dr. F. P. Ames, a few neighbors in Rockland met occasionally to read and discuss the book entitled "Looking Backward by Edward Bellany," which book was then attracting consid- erable attention.
These meetings were continued with much interest and a considerable number of current topics were considered. After a few months the matter was systematized and for some time the subject of general history was considered, and the Rockland Reading Club was organized.
A little later the study of Poets and poetry was taken up under the lead of Mrs. George Howe. Under the leader- ship of this gifted teacher the meetings of the Club were very much enjoyed and reading and study by the members were greatly increased. The death of Mrs. Howe was a great loss to the Society and the community but meetings were continued until 1914. This Club furnishes evidence of the intelligence and desire for social and intellectual im- provement in the different portions of the town. At Cen- ter Belpre the former pupils of the school formed an asso- ciation several years ago and have had an annual banquet with literary exercises which has been largely attended and has strengthened the attachment of the people to each other and to the neighborhood.
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THE BELPRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
At the annual meeting of the Alumni of Belpre High School in 1908 the matter of interesting the people in the early history of the town and of marking historic localities with permanent monuments was suggested and a commit- tee was appointed to consider the matter. That commit- tee met August 18th, 1908 at the home of Elmer L. Brown where it was decided to form a permanent organization and a committee was appointed consisting of Rev. C. E. Dickinson, Dr. F. P. Ames and C. W. Dressell who should present a name and prepare constitution and by-laws for such an organization.
This same committee met again August 28th, heard and approved a draft of Constitution and By-Laws and resolved to call a meeting at the parlors of the Congrega- tional Church for the purpose of organizing a society.
A public meeting was held at the place designated and the following Constitution and By-Laws were adopted.
CONSTITUTION (I)
This Association, inaugurated by the action of the Alumni Association of Belpre High School, shall be called The Belpre Historical Society.
(II-Objects)
The objects of this Society shall be to substantially mark historic localities, encourage historic research, collect and preserve documents and relics, provide essays and ad- dresses, and in all practical ways interest the people of Belpre Township in local and other historical study.
(III-Members)
Any person may become a member, on the recommen- dation of the Executive Committee, by a vote of the Society, all members are expected to pay an annual fee of fifty cents, any person may become a life member by the payment of five dollars.
(IV-Officers)
The officers of this Society shall be President, Vice- President, Secretary and Treasurer, and Curator, and an Executive Committee of five, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and two others.
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(V-Duties)
The President, Vice-President, and Secretary and Treasurer, shall perform the duties usually devolving on such officers. The Curator shall have charge of the docu- ments and relics deposited with the Society. The Execu- tive Committee shall call special and public meetings and arrange programs for the same, devise plans for raising money and attend to all matters not otherwise provided for.
(VI-Annual Meeting)
The annual meeting for the election of officers and the transaction of other business shall be held on the third Thursday in September.
(VII-Term of Office)
All officers except those elected to fill vacancies shall hold office for one year or until their successors are chosen.
(VIII-Quorum)
Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the tran- saction of business.
BY-LAWS (1)
As soon as practicable the Society shall make provis- ion to suitably mark the sites of Farmer's Castle, Stone's Fort, Goodale's Fort, the first log meeting house, and other sites which may be agreed upon.
(2)
As soon as the Society can secure a room, (in the school building if possible) with suitable cases, we will invite our citizens to deposit historic documents and relics.
(3)
The Executive Committee shall, if possible, arrange for at least two public meetings each year with addresses, essays, music, and such other exercises as may be provided. As far as possible these meetings shall be held in different parts of the township.
(4)
The Executive Committee may call special business meetings.
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(5)
At each annual meeting an auditing committee shall be appointed to audit the books of the Secretary and Trea- surer.
(6)
The Constitution and By-Laws may be altered or amended by the vote of two-thirds of the members present at any business meeting.
At this meeting twenty-seven persons became mem- bers of the Society.
Since the organization of the Society the Directors have resorted to lectures and other entertainments, ban- quets, for which the good ladies have donated provisions, and individual gifts. These have so far supplemented the annual dues that three substantial granite monuments have been placed to mark important historic sites.
The first marks the site of Farmers Castle and stands by the side of the public highway near the south- west corner of the farm of F. E. Gilbert, Esq., This monu- ment has the following inscription: "South on river bank stood Farmers Castle, Home of Pioneer families during Indian War 1791-1794. Erected by Belpre Historical So- ciety, 1910.
This monument was unveiled on November 3rd, 1910 by Miss Persis Putnam Howe a lineal descendant of Gen. Rufus Putnam. A large number were present who then repaired to the home of Dr. F. P. Ames where appropriate services were held, and a banquet served.
A second Monument stands by the highway nearly in front of the house erected by Col. Jonathan Stone in 1799 and still occupied by his descendants.
The inscription on this monument is as follows : "South on river bank stood Stone's Fort. Built in 1793. Including four blockhouses, a school room and several cab- ins. Here dwelt Captain Jonathan Stone and four other families during the remainder of the Indian War."
October 5, 1911, in the presence of a large concourse of people, Miss Cornelia McGee, a descendant of Capt. Stone, gracefully lifted the American flag which had cov-
200
ered the monument. Following this were very appropriate services consisting of addresses and music.
In another part of this history we have an account of the kidnapping of Major Nathan Goodale by the Indians, and the third monument erected by this Society commem- orates that event. It stands on the lot of the Porterfield (Center Belpre) Congregational Church with the follow- ing inscription :
"In memory of Major Nathan Goodale, native of Massachusetts, Revolutionary Officer, arrived in Ohio, August 19, 1788. First Commandant in Farmers Castle. Kidnapped by Indians on this farm March 1, 1793. Never returned. Erected by Belpre Historical Society, 1914."
On August 19th, 1914 the one hundred and twenty- sixth anniversary of the arrival of Major Goodale and family in Ohio the Belpre Historical Society held a Field Day in front of this monument, which was unveiled by Miss Willia Cotton a representative of the Daughters of the Revolution. W. M. Straus, Esq., of Parkersburg made a very able address which was afterwards published in the Marietta Register-Leader. Several other appropriate ad- dresses were made and the ladies of the Center Belpre Congregational Church provided a bountiful banquet for the occasion.
In 1915 this Society asked for and received a Charter of incorporation from the Department of State with the following incorporators :
Rev. Cornelius E. Dickinson Carrie Carpenter McNeal Amos W. Shinn A. Tupper Stone Dr. Herbert S. Curtis Nannie Porterfield Armstrong John Dana.
This Charter enables the Society to hold property and it is expected that they will secure deeds of the land on which the several monuments are located.
At the time of the erection of this Porterfield Monu- ment Hon. James Kilbourne, Mrs. Andrew Crotte, Mrs. Wm. G. Deshler and Miss Alice K. Potter of Columbus,
201
Ohio, descendants of Maj. Goodale, made generous gifts to the funds of the Society and they were made Honorary members of the Society.
Although this Society has erected these three import- ant monuments, it is hoped that its work is only well com- menced. There are several other important sites to be marked and such a Society is needed to keep alive in the minds of the people of Belpre an interest in later as well as the early facts in their history. A few relics, docu- ments, and books have already been secured and it is to be hoped that some former resident of Belpre or the descend- ants of such residents, may make it possible to erect a fire-proof library and relic building which shall help make the coming generations like those of the past among the most enterprising, progressive and intelligent people in the State.
CHAPTER XIX
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS FREE MASONS
For the following interesting account of the origin of this Fraternity among the pioneers we are indebted to Charles L. McNeal, Esq.
Farmers Lodge F. & A. M., No. 20, Belpre, Ohio.
T
HE first meeting according to the old records was held January 23rd, 1812 and a part of the minutes are as follows :
The following brethren of Free and Ac- cepted Masons met at the home of Brother Haskell. Bros. Nathaniel Cushing, Samuel Nash, Oliver Rice, Jonathan Haskell, Robert Bradford, William Leebody, Perley Howe, Cyrus Ames, John Bennett, Ira W. Pier, and Daniel Lor- ing. The brethren of the Ancient Craft present, taking into consideration the benefits to be derived by the insti- tution of Free Masonry, and calling to mind the advanced age to which many of the brethren present have arrived, the inconvenience and expense attending their meeting with their brethren of American Union Lodge of Marietta of which Lodge several of the brethren present are members, and believing it to be their duty to contribute as much as is in their power toward advancing the benefits accruing from the institution, came to a unanimous resolution of addressing a letter to the most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio, on the subject, and on motion being adopted, Bros. Cushing, Rice, Nash, Loring and Bennett were chosen a committee for the pur- pose. Having attended to the business of their appoint- ment, on the 30th of January they draughted and signed a letter to the Most Worshipful Brother Cass in which they communicated the desire of the brethren of Belpre of con- gregating together and of being authorized to work as a regular Lodge at that place. At the same time inquiring for information of the most worshipful, the regular mode of procedure to obtain the charter, etc.
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To which letter the brethren of Belpre received a polite and friendly answer from their brother the Most Worship- ful Grand Master bearing date of February 14, 1812. In consequence of which the brethren met at brother Has- kells; those present were bros. Cushing, Nash, Rice, Has- kell, Bradford, Leebody, Bennett, Ames, Pier and Loring. Brother Cushing being called to the chair and Brother Loring chosen Secretary, on motion the letter from the Most Worshipful was read. At the same meeting, with the full and entire approval of the brethren present, they came to the unanimous resolution of petitioning for a dis- pensation whereby they might legally congregate as a reg- ular Lodge. On motion being seconded came a choice of a Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. On ex- amination brother Nathaniel Cushing was duly elected the Worshipful Master, brother Samuel Nash Senior Warden, and brother Oliver Rice Junior Warden. On motion being seconded it was agreed that a petition be draughted, sign- ed and forwarded to the Most Worshipful Grand Master, praying that a dispensation might be issued authorizing the brethren of Belpre to congregate together as a regular Lodge. The petition being draughted and signed by a suf- ficient number of Master Masons and the names of the Worshipful Master and Wardens elected inserted, it was forwarded to the Most Worshipful Grand Master by Sen- ior Warden, who on his return (the brethren of Belpre having met at Brother Haskells) presented the brethren with a dispensation from the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Lodge of Ohio, authorizing the brethren of the Ancient Craft residing in Belpre to congregate as a regular Lodge and granting to them the right and privi- leges thereunto appertaining, they having promised a strict adherance to the principles of Masonry as well as a strict obedience to the regulations of the Grand Lodge.
The Lodge so established of Ancient York Masons to be held in the township of Belpre and to be denominated Farmers Lodge No. 20 and appointing brother Nathaniel Cushing to be the first Master, brother Samuel Nash the first Senior Warden and brother Oliver Rice the first Jun- ior Warden, which dispensation continues in force until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio, dated the 7th day of March the year of redemption 1812 and of Masonry 5812 and signed Lewis Cass.
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This dispensation in the original form has been pre- served through all the years and is now the property of Belpre Lodge No. 609.
This Ancient Lodge composed of a few staunch men met at regular intervals and arranged their by-laws of twenty-one articles by which their meetings were conduct- ed until May, 1816 when the last minutes, now in posses- sion of Lodge No. 609, were recorded.
We rather deplore the fact to-day that in order to have a company of men get together there must be "eats" but in the older days the interest of men must have been reached through their stomachs for almost every meeting when a bill was ordered paid the following items were always included, House Room, firewood, candles, from eight to twenty-three suppers at 12 1-2 cents each, and from one to two quarts of brandy.
Quite a lot of petitions, notes, and communications are still being kept in the archives of Belpre Lodge, but some of the last records must have been lost for many of the papers bear a later date than 1816.
In September 1821 a communication was received from the Grand Lodge as follows.
To all whom it may concern, I, John Snow, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, have appointed broth- er George Dana agent for the Grand Lodge to collect all dues by note or otherwise which are due the late Farmers Lodge and hold the same subject to the order of the Grand Lodge.
Signed JOHN SNOW.
September 1, 1821.
This paper was prepared by brother Charles L. Mc- Neal, Worshipful Master of Belpre Lodge No. 609, F. & A. M., February, 1914.
It does not seem to be known how long this Lodge continued active.
The working tools, charts and aprons used by them have been preserved and are in the rooms of the present Lodge. For many years the members of this fraternity
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residing in Belpre held their membership in Lodges in Parkersburg or elsewhere.
Belpre Masons received a dispensation to form and open a Lodge in Belpre from M. W. Grand Master, Harry S. Kissell of the Grand Lodge of Ohio under the name of Belpre Lodge 609.
BELPRE LODGE No. 609
The following eighteen Master Masons signed the pe- tion for this Dispensation.
J. W. Cady
Will W. Watson Bruce G. Luzader
Lee Cady
B. L. VanWinkle
F. O. Balderson
F. J. Dressell
A. J. Wigner
David Oliver
S. A. Galbraith
Sandy Shafer
J. A. Burnfield
F. D. Masters
Fred A. Lang
B. J. Patton
C. L. McNeal
W. F. Wood
W. J. Wharton
The members were active from the beginning and when the charter was received, October 11th, 1911 they had raised seventeen Master Masons. Dr. B. L. VanWin- kle was the first W. Master. F. O. Balderson the first Sen- ior Warden, C. L. McNeal the first Junior Warden. This Lodge has continued active and embraces in its member- ship many leading men of the community.
ODD FELLOWS.
Belpre Lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 619 was instituted August 10, 1875, by Joseph Lowell, Grand Master. There were seven charter members, viz: John Brown, David Oliver, J. R. King, B. W. Compton, John B. Badger, A. F. Downer. and A. T. Shahan.
At the first meeting, John F. King, and I. H. Hender- son were admitted by card and George Dunbarger, L. M. Cunningham, Joseph Richards and I. B. Kinkead were ini- tiated. The following is a list of first officers :
John Brown, N. G. David Oliver, V. G. J. R. King, Sec. B. W. Compton, Permanent Sec.
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A. V. Downer, Treas.
I. H. Henderson, Warden.
James King, Conductor.
John F. King, Inside Guardian.
I. B. Kinkead, Right Supporter to N. G.
C. B. Ames, Left Supperter to N. G. Joseph Richards, R. S. V. G.
John G. Waterman, L. S. V. G.
A. T. Shahan, R. S. S.
L. M. Cunningham, L. S. S.
The first meetings of the Lodge were held in Brown- ings Building on Main Street just north of the Railroad. In 1880 they removed to their spacious building on the corner of Main Street and Blennerhassett Avenue which they have since occupied. This Lodge has continued pros- perous making considerable additions each year. The pres- ent membership is seventy-eight. Each year they invite a pastor of one of the village churches to preach for them a special sermon at which time they are present in a body.
They also have a department for the ladies known as Daughters of Rebeckah which is well sustained and includes some of the leading ladies of the community.
STAR OF BELPRE LODGE
Star of Belpre No. 1910 Grand United Order of Odd Fellows (colored) was organized in 187- by the Naomi Lodge of Parkersburg, West Va. with 31 charter members.
The first officers were:
H. G. Miller, N. G.
R. W. Whiteman, Permanent Sec.
David Tucker, Noble Father.
George Williams, Elective Sec.
J. W. Scott, Treas.
Robert Williams, Chaplain.
Harmon Boggs, P. N. G.
BELPRE TENT No. 541, KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES.
Belpre Tent No. 541 Knights of the Maccabees was instituted by A. W. Shinn, D. G. C of McConnelsville, O. January 8th, 1906 with the following Officers :
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W. E. Cox, Sir Knight, P. C.
M. I. Keltum, Sir Knight, Com.
S. S. Ford, Sir Knight, Lieut. Com.
Dr. J. V. Athey, R. K.
C. G. Dixon, Chaplain.
Isaac Taylor, Sergt.
B. L. VanWinkle, Sir Knight, Physician.
George Northrop, Sir Knight, M. at A.
Pearl Northrop, Sir Knight, 1st M. of G.
A. L. Allen, Sir Knight, 2nd M. of G.
Scott Charter, Sir Knight, Sent.
C. M. Hutchison, Sir Knight, Picket.
The tent now has a membership of sixty-five. Only three charter members now hold membership here. Pres- ent officers are :
F. R. Wigner, Sir Knight, P. C.
C. C. Miller, Sir Knight, Com.
D. M. Brookhart, Sir Knight, Lieut. Com.
C. K. Brookhart, Sir Knight, R. K.
J. G. Bennett, Sir Knight, Chaplain.
B. L. VanWinkle, Sir Knight, Physician.
Clyde Hawk, Sir Knight, Sergt.
B. F. Tonkins, Sir Knight, M. at A.
G. H. Williams, Sir Knight, 1st M. of G.
C. L. Christopher, Sir Knight, 2nd M. of G.
E. L. Wigner, Sir Knight, Sentinel.
The members carry a total of $49,000 life insurance.
There is also a sick and accident feature of the or- ganization which pays eight dollars a week. Most of the members carry this .
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Blennerhassett Lodge of Knights of Pythias was insti- tuted July 8th, 1889 and was one of the first fraternal or- ganizations in Belpre. The first officers and members were as follows :
F. P. Ames, C. C.
D. R. Rood, V. C.
J. F. Steele, Prelate.
C. B. Ballard, M. at A.
L. H. Brown, K. R. and S.
D. M. Alderman, M. of E.
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W. L. McMorris, M. of F. F. L. Simpson, I. G. Millard Hamilton, O. G.
P. S. Cole, P. C.
Members :- F. J. Dressell, W. C. Lockwood, A. T. Stone, H. G. Stone, G. W. Gandee, J. W. Cady, O. L. Davis, G. M. O'Neal, W. J. Wharton, H. S. Curtis, H. T. Curtis, Will M. Coe, T. C. McTaggart, J. C. Malster, Frank Bos- worth.
This lodge has prospered from the beginning and has been a benefit to its members Of the twenty-five charter members, twenty-two are now living and ten are still members of the lodge. Others have been transferred to other lodges.
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