Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 17

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1189

USA > Ohio > Hancock County > Findlay > Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens > Part 17

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John Charles Tritch, M. D., was born in Findlay, Ohio, September 25th, 1857. He at-

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tended the city schools and was graduated from the Findlay High School in the class of 1874; entered the office of Doctor Wm. M. Detwiler, his uncle, and studied medicine there; attended the Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleve- land and graduated in the class of 1877. He took post-graduate work in the New York Polyclinic in 1888, 1890, 1896 and 1903; also

the New York Post Graduate in 1893; received the degree of A. M. from the Findlay College in 1896. Dr. Tritch is gynecologist to the Find- lay Home and Hospital. He was a member of the City Board of Education for six years, and coroner of Hancock County from 1880 to 1884.

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CHAPTER XII.

HANCOCK COUNTY SOCIETIES.

The Fraternal Lodges-The Odd Fellows-Masons-Elks-Tribe of Ben Hur-Daughters of America-Grand Army of the Republic-The W. C. T. U .- The Hancock County Agri- cultural Society.

HANCOCK LODGE NO. 73, I. O. O. F. Hancock Lodge No. 73, I. O. O. F., of Findlay was instituted August 15, 1846, with the following charter members:

Abraham Younkin, tailor; Jacob Carr, a lawyer and dentist; Edson Goit, a lawyer and man of wealth, who built the first large building in town, where now stands Karg Bros. Meat Market; Abel Parker, a lawyer, father of Circuit Judge Robert Parker and J. H. Barr, a merchant. The institution was conducted by District Deputy Grand Master Henry W. Cronine, of Seneca Lodge, No. 35, of Tiffin, Ohio. He was assisted by Past Grand Richard Williams, Noble Grand George Knapp, Past Grands, Rollo Johnson and Wm. Beard of Seneca Lodge, No. 35, Columbus Lodge No. 9 and Huron Lodge No. 37, respectively.

After its institution, on December 4th and 13th, 1847, as appears in the Corporation Record of Hancock County (Vol. 1, Page 6), the lodge was incorporated under the laws then in force in the State by the hold- ing of a special meeting for the purpose of the adoption and record of suitable resolu-

tions, in which occurs the following in ref- erence to its name: "Resolved that this so- ciety hereafter be known by the name of Hancock Lodge No. 73 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows."

The installation services were held in the 2nd story of Jonathan Parker's carpenter shop, which was located on the rear of the lot where now stands the Patterson Block. After the institution of this lodge its ex- istence in the community was a matter of much curiosity to those outside its portals. Why did they call themselves Odd Fellows? What terrlbie and awful ceremonies did they have? These men were objects of curiosity and perhaps some superstitious souls crossed themselves when an Odd Fel- low appeared in the street. In those early days there existed a feeling of distrust of all secret societies, because they were mis- understood and misjudged. So prevalent was this feeling that Col. James Findlay, after whom our beautiful city was named, ran for Governor as the Anti Fraternity and Whig candidate. Nevertheless the order grew rapidly, not only in Hancock County,

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but all over the country, and the practical application of the principles and precepts of Odd Fellowship did more than anything else to dispell this distrust of secret socie- ties. Odd Fellowship contains the best ele- ments and principles for the welfare and happiness of the human race the Supreme Ruler of the Universe ever made known. It is a high conception of the duties of one man toward another and its field is the world. It aims to unite all men, all nations, in the bond of Friendship and Fraternity, recognizing the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Men in its progress towards the betterment of the human race.

After about two years it moved to the attic of what is now the Kerr Block then owned by John Van Eman. After five years it again moved, this time to the Henderson Block, where now stands the J. T. Adams Building. The lodge remained here until the Patterson Block was finished in 1866, when it took up its quarters in this build- ing. Each time it moved into better and more convenient quarters as the lodge grew and prospered.

While in the Henderson Building it held its First Anniversary Celebration, which was in the year 1857. This was quite an event in its history. It was this year that J. T. Adams, J. K. Clark and John Rutherauff joined the order.

The lodge stayed in the Patterson Block until the year 1865, at which time under the supervision of brothers Chas. E. Niles, James T. Adams, Jacob Powel, G. C. Barnd and W. M. Dettwiler, all of whom are now dead, as a building committee, was pur- chased the north half of its present Temple site, on which it erected a 25x100 foot, three-

story, cut stone front building, with busi- ness rooms and offices on the first and second floors, and lodge appartments on third floor. This building was the first in Findlay in which plate glass windows were used, and before which a Berea stone side- walk was laid. And it was at the time by far the finest and most imposing business block in the then village, and remained one of the best until the date of its remodeling below mentioned.

In 1901, the lodge purchased the south half of its present building site from J. T. Adams, thus securing a business front of a width of fifty feet on the principal busi- ness square of the city, with a depth of two hundred feet. Its lodge suite, on the third floor, has been held sacred under its dedica- tion to the purposes and use of Odd Fellow- ship, and no other order is allowed to lease or use it. It shares, however, the use of this floor with Findlay Rebekah Lodge No. 237, and Golden Rule Encampment No. 92. Hancock Lodge, it is to be noted, is the only lodge or fraternity in the city of Find- lay, which owns the property in which it meets. It has at the time of the issuance of this history a membership of over four hundred.

Hancock Lodge has been represented in the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment of Ohio by the fellowship Elective Grand Officers, viz: Hon. J. F. Burket, late Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, grand master, 1882-1883; F. B. Zay, grand master, 1888-1889; C. E. Niles, grand treasurer, (died in office), 1897-1908; L. A. Baldwin, grand patriarch, 18-18 -.

Hancock Lodge had the honor of enter- taining the Grand Lodge of Ohio during its

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Session of 1875. It has furnished the repre- John Haley, C. Kraus, John Haley, Samuel sentative to Grand Lodge a number of Van Atta and Wm. France now living at times, A. G. Fuller holding that office at Bucyrus, Ohio, and E. S. Kimber residing at Kansas City. The lodge is proud of these old time members, who laid the foundation for its present prosperity. present. All during its history it has in- cluded in its membership the leading men of all callings of the community and there- fore the teachings of Friendship, Love and Truth instilled into the hearts of its mem- bers has been an uplifting influence in all walks in life.

During its existence it has paid in weekly benefits $18,000; to the widows and or- phans fund in round numbers $9,000; for funeral benefits $5,750. The greater part of this has been paid since 1890; from its early days the nursing was done in alphabetical order by the members instead of a hired nurse as today. The greatest amount paid in one year was in 1905, when it paid out $1,704. It has paid to two brothers over $1,000 each. In a number of other cases it has paid out sums approximating $500. Not only are its members well cared for in dis- tress but their families are objects of fra- ternal care. The lodge is now caring for several widows and has a number of orphans in the Springfield home.

There have been so far as can be ascer- tained 118 deaths in the lodge. One of its members, Parlee C. Tritch, has had a won- derful lodge record. He has been an active member of this lodge over 56 years and is proud to say he has never been on the sick list in all that time. Brother Tritch wears a Veteran Jewel for having been a member fifty years. This was a gift of the Brothers of Hancock Lodge.

The following old time veteran members have been active for over 40 years: Paul Bryan, J. W. Exline, Sr., John N. Kline,

Probably the most celebrated event in the history of Odd Fellowship in Ohio was the laying of the Corner Stone of the present Court House in this County. This is the only instance that we can find record of where Odd Fellowship was placed in the front and given entire charge of such a cele- bration. The service used that day, August II, 1884, by the Patriarchs Militant, who had charge of the service, was written es- pecially for that occasion.

Hancock Lodge has been the Father of nearly every other Lodge of Odd Fellows in the County. From her membership have gone out brothers who have withdrawn to become charter members of these lodges. Always progressive there have been terms when much more work was done than dur- ing others. The first large class of candi- dates were initiated in 1867 when under H. B. Green as Noble Grand, 27 members were taken in.

Under Noble Grand E. B. Howell, in 1868, 19 candidates were received.

Under Noble Grand J. F. Burkett, in 1872, 28 candidates were received.

Under Noble Grand D. C. Fischer, in 1873, 22 candidates were received.

Under Noble Grand C. E. Niles, in 1885, 21 candidates were received.

Brother Niles brought into the lodge at least one candidate during every year of his membership.

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Under Noble Grand J. S. Humphrey, in member over fifty years and chaplain over 1885, 24 were received.

Under Noble Grand R. E. Ellisin, in 1886, 17 members were received.

Under Noble Grand U. K. Stringfellow, in 1887, 22 were received.

Under Noble Grand J. W. Zellers, in 1888, 23 were received.

Under Noble Grand A. J. Burner, in 1889, 22 were received.

Under Noble Grand M. T. Burner, in 1890, 19 were received.

Under Noble Grand G. W. Yates, in 1891, 22 were received.

Under Noble Grand W. C. Nusser, in 1900, 20 were received.

Under Noble Grand J. S. Jones, in 1902, 26 were received.

Under Noble Grand C. C. Clark, in 1903, 29 were received.

Under Noble Grand P. J. Riemund, in 1905, 31 were received.

The class under Noble Grand Ed. Reimund, in 1906, of 34, speaks eloquently not only of the progress of the order but the interest manifested in its welfare by the membership, a large number of whom worked hard to get up this class, but of also the kind of timber it accepts out of which to make Odd Fellows.

Not only have large classes been taken in at times but a large majority have been young men. Our order has been called an old man's order. While this is not true of the order in general, especially it is not true of Hancock Lodge. However, we are very proud indeed of our old and faithful mem- bers, many of whom are even now in their old age its most regular attendants.

One brother, now deceased, who was

thirty of that time, Rev. R. H. Hollyday, seldom missed a session of the lodge during his entire membership, which continued until the time of his death, October 24, 1905.

Odd Fellowship was the first Fraternity to provide women with an organization. The degree of Rebekah was founded in 1851. The Findlay Rebekah Lodge was founded September 22, 1888, with thirty- five charter members and now has over 150 and is one of the most progressive in the State of Ohio. One of its members, Miss Nora Kagey, has been honored with the presidency of the order in this state.

Hancock Lodge ranks one of the most progressive in the state and is noted for its benevolence and public spirit. Its degree team under the leadership of G. E. Dennison is second to none. It has been invited to appear before the Grand Lodge and is called upon for special degree work by many of the lodges in Northern Ohio.

FINDLAY LODGE, NO. 227, F. AND A. M.

In referring to the early history of Masonry in Findlay, we are met with the usual difficulty, in getting the first facts, in regard to events long past. The records say, that on January 16, 1852, a meeting was held in Odd Fellows Hall, with Abraham Youngkin as Worshipful Master, at which the dispensation for a lodge at Findlay was read in open lodge. There is no copy of the petition for the dispensation, nor of the dispensation itself extant. Presum- ably the names on the dispensation were the same as those on the charter. The names ap- pearing on the charter are: Abraham Young- kin, Abel F. Parker, Ed. Parker, James M. Coffinberry, George Arnold, Adolphos Morse,

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Eli S. Reed, David Patton, and Cloyse B. Wil- son. At this first meeting Thomas McKee made application to become a member by demit. Committees were appointed on By-laws, pro- curing hall, furnishing hall, etc.

At the next meeting, January 24th, 1852, David Patton applied for membership by de- mit; a full corps of officers were elected, and a petition for degrees was received from John E. Rosette. The first degree was conferred upon John E. Rosette, William L. Henderson and Benjamin F. Sickles, February 26th, Brothers William L. Henderson and Benjamin F. Sic- kles received the Master Mason's degree March 10, 1853. The sum of the three degrees was $15.00. A charter was issued to the lodge, bearing the date of October 22, 1852, which still adorns the walls of the lodge room. Hon. A. P. Byall was initiated September 23rd, passed October 21st, and raised to the Master's degree, December 23rd, 1852, being the oldest member, receiving the degrees in this lodge now living. The election of officers under the charter, resulted in Abraham Younkin being elected Master; George W. Springer, Senior Warden; William L. Henderson, Junior War- den, and David Patton, Secretary.

The lodge was formally constituted, and its officers installed, by James A. Kellum, proxy for the Most Worshipful Grand Master, No- vember 29th, 1852. The lodge held its meet- ings under the dispensation and also under the charter until the summer of 1855, in a frame building, standing on the lot at the northwest corner of Main and Sandusky Streets, then owned by Jonathan Parker, and now the site of J. S. Patterson and Son's dry goods store. Mr. Parker occupied the first floor as a car- penter and cabinet shop. It seems that the Odd Fellows also occupied the same room and a ards.

contract is on record of the agreement between these two societies and Jonathan Parker to plaster and finish off the room and pay a ren- tal of twenty dollars a year for same.

In the summer of 1855, a room was secured in "Old White Corner," the building in which the Buckeye Bank is now located. During the year 1863, in the heat of the Civil War, the lodge again moved its quarters, this time to a room in the third story of what was then called the "Joint Stock Hotel building," but now the Glass Block. In 1878 it was moved to the third story of the George W. Kimmell block on the east side of Main Street now owned by William Moss, and in 1893 to the fourth floor of the Rawson block, not far distant, and from there, in 1908, to the fifth floor of the Adams block, corner of Main and Crawford Streets.

The lodge, in its fifty-seven years of its ex- istence, has been presided over by thirty-two Masters, eighteen of whom are still on its rolls. Benjamin F. Kimmons has served the lodge as treasurer thirty-three years in succes- sion, and David L. Grable has served the Lodge faithfully and diligently for the past twenty- two years, as secretary, and it is to him that the author is under obligation for the items of this sketch. The lodge is at present in a flour- ishing condition, with a membership of 278.

The present officers of the lodge are as fol- lows (1909) :

Alex. D. Robertson, Worshipful Master. William D. E. Snyder, Senior Warden. George W. Vernor, Junior Warden. Benjamin F. Kimmons, Treasurer. David L. Grable, Secretary.

George R. Williams, Senior Deacon.

Samuel I. Good, Junior Deacon.

J. Sterling Downey, Jat B. Holman, Stew-

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William M. Tait, John C. Firmin, John A. lum being appointed High Priest; Abraham Sutton, Trustees.

John A. Gore, Tyler.

Pastmasters and years they served.

Abraham Youngkin, 1852, 1853, 1856. George Springer, 1854.

Cloyse B. Wilson, 1855.

D. M. Stoughton, 1857, 1860, 1861.

John B. May, 1858, 1859.

W. W. Siddall, 1862, 1863.

Horace D. Ballard, 1864, 1865, 1866.

William Anderson, 1867, 1868.

Daniel B. Beardsley, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1888, 1889.

Milton B. Patterson, 1872, 1873.

Jacob M. Huber, 1874, 1875.

Benj. F. Kimmons, 1876.

Francis W. Firmin, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1883, 1887.

John Parker, 1880, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894.

Anthony P. Schack, 1881.

Samuel B. Huffman, 1882.

David L. Grable, 1884, 1885, 1886.

William A. Lear, 1895.

John C. Firmin, 1896.

William S. Parker, 1897.

John W. Chamberlain, 1898. William M. Tait, 1899.

William M. Martin, 1900. Daniel Schneider, 1901. Rufus E. Taylor, 1902.

John A. Sutton, 1903.

George F. Byall, 1904. John M. Firmin, 1905.

Matthew Martinson, 1906.

Warren B. Keator, 1907.

John A. Gore, 1908.

Alex. D. Robertson, 1909.

FINDLAY CHAPTER, ROYAL ARCH MASONS.

Fifty-five years ago, or in 1854, a chapter of Royal Arch Masons was opened at Find- lay, under a dispensation issued by Companion Cooper K. Watson, Deputy Grand High' / Grand Officers in this year of grace. Priest, on March 22nd, 1854, James A. Kel-

Youngkin, King, and William L. Henderson, Scribe. Petitions were received at this meet- ing from Samuel Huber, D. M. Stoughton, E. M. May and Elijah Snyder. On motion said cases were declared emergent, and the committee were ordered to report forthwith. Reports were made, the ballot was passed and each was declared elected to the several de- grees of the Chapter. At this time here seemed to be great interest taken in the Chap- ter, as the records show that there was a se- ries of meetings held of a protracted nature, as for instance, from day to day, or daily for some time. Six Companions received the Royal Arch degree under the dispensation.

A Royal Arch Chapter was opened May 9th, 1854, and the same was not closed until Octo- ber 9th of the same year, being "called off," "dispensed with," and adjourned in the interim. A charter was issued October 16th, 1854. Shortly after this boom there must have been a depression, or something to mar the harmony of the Chapter, for in October, 1856, only eleven members were returned, and the grand dues were only $8.50.

The Chapter continued its meetings until March, 1861, when owing to the excitement preceding the Civil War, no more meetings were held until March, 1866, when work was again resumed. With the restoration of peace, there occurred another boom, and they then held what our Methodist brethren would call a protracted effort. Meetings were held every day and night; receiving petitions, balloting upon them the same evening and at special meetings, in a free and easy sort of way, that would have been brought up standing by the

On March 15th, 1866, H. D. Ballard, B. F.

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Kimmons and L. M. Watt were made exalted Royal Arch Masons in the afternoon, and in the same evening D. B. Beardsley, J. M. Ruber and R. F. Bonham received the same degree. B. F. Kimmons is the only surviving member of that day's work, and so far as can be ascer- tained, only two of those who had received the degree prior to that time are living, and neither of them are members today

During the fifty-five years of the existence of this Chapter, it has had thirty presiding officers, of whom seventeen are still on its rolls. One of these presiding eight years in all. Since 1866, the Chapter has been meeting regularly, and at present is in a prosperous condition, hav- ing a membership in September, 1909, of two hundred and six.

FINDLAY COUNCIL.

Findlay Council of Royal and Select Mas- ters was organized July 8th, under a dispen- sation issued June 19th, 1867, to Compan- ions William E. Snyder, James Wilson, B. F. Kimmons, H. D. Ballard, D. B. Beardsley, J. M. Huber, William Anderson, M. B. Patter- son and Isaac Bonham Companions Kimmons and Snyder are still members of the order, while Anderson lives in California. The oth- ers have long since passed within the veil, H. D. Ballard being the first to go, having died in July, 1872, thirty-eight years ago.

Companion James Wilson was the first pre- siding officer. Companion J. P. Woods, who previously practiced medicine in Williamstown, and afterwards became Professor in the Cleve- land Medical College, was the first initiate.

serving nine years in succession. Only three have passed away, the remaining thirteen re- tain their membership in this Council. There has been a total of 171 members belonging to this council since its formation forty-two years ago, and 120 of them are yet on the rolls and in good standing. At this writing, September, 1909, there are 128 members.

COMMANDERY.

A dispensation for a Commandery of Knight Templars, at Findlay, was issued bear- ing date April 18, 1889. The first work un- der this dispensation was the conferring of the Red Cross on Theodore Totten, present post- master, Robert A. McGeary, William R. Mc- Kee and William S. Parker. The first Knight Templar created was Sir James Wilson. Six Sir Knights were made under this dispensa- tion. Application for a charter failed.

January 22nd, 1890, a new dispensation was granted to Sir Knights at Findlay, to form and open a Commandery, to be known as Find- lay Commandery U. D. August 21, 1890, a charter was issued to this body and it was numbered 49. It has a steady growth, and now has one hundred and eighty members in good standing. Nineteen Sir Knights have been chosen as commanders of this body, all of whom are living (and except one demitted) and members of this Commandery.

FINDLAY CHAPTER, NO. 23, ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR.

This was organized under a dispensation January 26, 1894, and was chartered at the suc- ceeding meeting of the Grand Chapter, Octo- ber 10, 1894. It had a healthy, uniform

On October 12th, 1867, the Council received its charter and was installed under it Novem- ber 13, 1867. In its forty-two years of life, Findlay Council has had sixteen Masters, one - growth and now numbers 127 members.

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THE FINDLAY LODGE OF B. P. O. E.

The Findlay Lodge of B. P. O. Elks No. 75 was instituted in 1888. It started with a few good men, leading citizens of the town, but its growth at first was none too rapid. As time passed, however, new members were taken in and a vast debt was canceled 'and today it is one of the best lodges for the size of the city in this part of the country. The list of the first officers of the lodge is as follows: Exalted Ruler, J. C. Tritch ; Esteemed Leading Knight, W. C. Neibling ; Loyal Knight, Edward M. Camfield; Es- teemed Lecturing Knight, Geo. L. Cusac; Secretary, S. B. Lippman; Treasurer, A. C. Hick ; Tyler, A. B. Crozier; Chaplain, H. E. Hickox; Trustees, V. H. Coons, George Brake, J. H. Boger.

The majority of these original officers are still living and are among the most sub- stantial and honored men of the community. There is at present a membership of over 400. The regular meetings of the lodge are held Thursday nights in their elegantly fur- nished quarters on the 3rd floor of the Jones Block. The personnel of the membership compares favorably with that of any other like organization in the city and all are en- deavoring to exemplify the cardinal prin- ciples of the order, to-wit: "The faults of our brothers we write upon the sands, their virtues on the tablets of love and memory."

TRIBE OF BEN HUR.

Ben Hur Court No. 7, Tribe of Ben Hur, was organized in the city of Findlay by D. W. Gerard, now the Supreme Chief, and Dr. H. V. Beardsley, Past Supreme Chief,

on the night of February 8th, 1895, with thirty charter members. Professor J. F. Smith, now superintendent of our city schools, was first Chief (presiding officer). Andrew Jackson Fisher was the first Scribe. Since the organization of this court it has made a steady growth and now leads all other fraternal societies in point of number, in the city, having a membership of over four hundred and seventy-eight.

The Tribe of Ben Hur is a social and in- surance society, issuing protection in the way of life insurance to its members in amounts ranging from $250 to $3,000. Since its organization to the present time it has paid to the families of its members in this city, over $40,000.

The officers at this time are: Past Chief, I. N. Latchaw; Chief, N. W. Bright ; Judge, Mrs. E. E. Wilson; Teacher, Mrs. H. V. Beardsley : Captain, J. F. Reynolds; Guide, Mrs. N. J. Miller; Keper of Inner Gate, Frank Bryan; Keeper of Outer Gate, W. S. Mays; Scribe, F. M. Barnhart; Keeper of Tribute, N. J. Miller; Resident Managing Deputy, Dr. H. V. Beardsley. They hold meetings every Tuesday night in Ben Hur Hall on North Main Street.

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 17

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1189

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1189