USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 36
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The charter was called in by the Grand Lodge in the latter part of 1879, and was, on the petition of J. G. Mitchell, S. S. Shaffer, John C. Neale, Sharp Neale, W. H. Heckendorn, John Frampton and others, re-issued November 13, 1884, with authority to locate the lodge at Perrysville, Jefferson county. The first officers under the new organization were William Neale, N. G .; \V. P. Pos- tlethwait, V. G .; G. A. Blose, Sec'y ; R. H. L. Neale, Treas. The lodge is in a prosperous condition, with thirty-three members in good standing, and is out of debt with a surplus fund in its treasury of from $150 to $200. The pres- ent officers are Daniel Brewer, N. G .; W. H. Heckendorn, V. G .; T. D. Brewer, Sec'y; W. L. Henry, Treas.
Corsica Lodge No. 813, I. O. of O. F., was instituted at Corsica October 25, 1872, with twenty-three charter members, by D. D. G. M., A. Craig, of Brook- ville ; burned out June 2, 1873, all furniture and regalia saved. Met during the summer in the public school building. November 7, 1873, moved in and dedicated new hall. Charter members: H. A. Smith, C. C. Baker,;M. D., J. E. Orcutt, R. A. Summerville, John H. Dehaven, E. B. Orcutt, William Cowan, IV. F. Delp, T. A. Hamilton, J. H. Monks, J. W. Martin, P. A. Fleming, A. M. Slack, G. W. McKinley, G. H. Siar, T. D. Spence, George Shultz, W. H. Scott, H. D. Morrison, T. S. Elder, T. F. Richey, A. S. McPherson, G. W. Cummings. First elective officers : N. G., C. C. Baker, M. D .; V. G., William Cowan; Sec'y, T. D. Spence ; Ass't Sec'y, G. H. Siar; Treas., A. M. Slack. Present elective officers: N. G., J. H. Simpson ; V. G., John Knabb ; Sec'y, A. P. Simkins ; Asst. Sec'y, A. M. Slack ; Treas., J. H. Monks. Whole num- ber initiated, 157; admitted by card, 10; withdrawn by card, 35; deceased, 2; present membership, 77. Total available assets, $1,467.57 ; invested in regalia and furniture, $900 ; total, $2,367.57 ; amount paid out for relief, $1, 150.50.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
This order was first instituted in the city of New York twenty-four years ago, and now has a membership of 200,000. The declaration of principles adopted by the order show the basis upon which it is founded :
" Recognizing the universality of human brotherhood, its organization is designed to embrace the world within its jurisdiction-intended solely and only
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to disseminate the great principles of friendship, charity, and benevolence, noth- ing of a sectarian or political character is permitted within its portals. Tolera- tion in religion, obedience to law, and loyalty to government are its cardinal principles. Misfortune, misery and death being written in fearful characters on the broad face of creation, our noble order was instituted to uplift the fallen ; to champion humanity ; to be his guide and hope ; his refuge, shelter, and defence ; to soften down the asperities of life ; to subdue party spirit ; and by sweet and powerful attractions of the glorious trinity of friendship, charity, and benevolence, to bind in one harmonious brotherhood men of all classes and all opinions. The brightest jewels which it garners are the tears of the widows and orphans ; and its imperative commands are to visit the homes where lace- rated hearts are bleeding; to assuage the sufferings of a brother; bury the dead ; care for the widow, and educate the orphan ; to exercise charity toward offenders ; to construe words and deeds in their least unfavorable light ; grant- ing honesty of purpose and good intentions to others ; and to protect the prin- ciples of knighthood unto death. Its laws are reason and equity ; its cardinal doctrines inspire purity of thought and life ; its intention is 'peace on earth, and good will toward man.'"
District Deputy Grand Chancellor for Jefferson county, P. C., Thomas H. Scott, 1880-83; P. C., A. F. Balmer, 1883-84; H. C. Campbell, 1885; Thomas H. Scott, 1886.
Valiant Lodge No. 461, Knights of Pythias, was instituted at Reynoldsville, on the 29th day of November, 1879, by the (then) Grand Chancellor, Thomas G. Sample, of Allegheny, Pa., assisted by P. C., Thomas H. Scott; P. C., W. H. Van Lew ; P. C., David Hartman ; and Brothers Heemer and Riston, of East Brady. At that meeting there were four admitted by card, and ten new mem- bers initiated, after which the following officers were elected to serve until De- cember 30, 1880. P. C., Josiah Dent ; C. C., W. H. Van Lew ; V. C., W. W. Crissman ; prelate, John A. Ulrich ; M. of E., David Hartman; M. of F., James R. Johnston ; K. of R. and S., Solomon Shaffer; M. at A., J. W. Fink ; I. G., E. D. Hartman ; O. G., Joseph H. Watson ; D. D. G. C., P. C., Thomas H. Scott, for Jefferson county.
This lodge started out with fourteen members and an indebtedness of about two hundred dollars; but with an increased membership, was almost out of debt when the fire of the 29th of October, 1880, destroyed the building in which their lodge room was situated, and the lodge lost nearly all its property, which was, however, partly covered by insurance. A new room was rented, and the membership went diligently to work to keep all expenses paid up, and soon cleared off all debts, and now find their order in a prosperous condition. The old hall having been rebuilt where the lodge was first organized, it was leased for a term of five years, and fitted up at a cost of about two hundred dollars. The finances of Valiant Lodge are now as follows : Invested in hall
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furniture and fixtures, together with the working materials of the lodge, $600 ; four U. S. bonds, $517.50; one Reynoldsville borough bond $100; balance on hand (clear of all indebteduess), $218.75 ; total, $1,436.25.
Since its institution the lodge has paid out for sick benefits to date, May 1, 1887, $535 ; to other lodge members, $22. There have been no deaths in the active membership of this lodge ; the only death being one who had been sus- pended for non-payment of dues some two years previous to death. The pres- ent membership is seventy-seven, while seventy-five have been suspended for non-payment of dues, from the close of the December term 1881, to the close of the last term ending December 30, 1886. During the same period four have withdrawn from the lodge. The present officers of Valiant Lodge are : P. C., Lewis G. Sidler ; C. C., August Kleinhaus ; V. G., George B. Blanchard ; prelate, Alexander L. Best; M. of E., George H. Allis; M. of F., Wallace W. Ford; K. of R. and S., Thomas H. Scott ; M. at A., William Copping; I. G., Joseph Shaffer ; O. G., William Gibson ; representative to Grand Lodge, Thomas H. Scott; trustees, Joseph Shaffer, M. S. Sterly, and A. J. Broadhead.
Brookville Lodge No. 477, K. of P., was the second lodge of the order organized in Jefferson county ; was instituted November 29, 1881, with thirty- six charter members, by D. D. G. C., Thomas H. Scott, esq., of Reynolds- ville, assisted by the following past chancellors: E. N. Geer, of Corry ; E. V. Marsh and J. L. Kribbs, of New Bethlehem ; T. J. Boyer, of Du Bois; W. H. Van Lew, J. H. Gross, J. S. Watson, David Hartman, S. J. Broadhead, of Reynoldsville, and others. The first officers of the lodge to whom the charter was issued were as follows: P. C., J. W. Truesdell ; C. C., A. F. Balmer ; V. C., Andrew Craig; prelate, Scott McClelland; M. at A., Peter B. Cowan ; K. of R. and S., John McMurray ; M. of E., Thomas C. Lawson ; M. of F., E. L. Kimple; I. G., John B. Means ; O. G., W. S. Weaver. There have been ini- tiated and received into membership in the lodge since its organization one hundred and thirty-one members, of whom two have died, three withdrawn, thirty-two were suspended for non-payment of dues, leaving the present mem- bership ninety-four. The lodge pays a weekly sick benefit of $3.50, and in this behalf they have expended $913, also a funeral benefit of $50, and in ad- dition to having an elegantly furnished lodge-room, have over one thousand dollars in their treasury. The past officers of the lodge, according to their seniorty, are: J. W. Truesdell, A. F. Balmer, T. C. Lawson, E. L. Kimple, WV. S. Weaver, Andrew Craig, A. C. White, P. B. Cowan, Q. S. Snyder, J. R. Van Lear, W. A. Thompson, J. S. Linsinbigler, Samuel C. Ewing and Abram Sny- der. The Grand Lodge representatives were as follows : A. F. Balmer, 1881 and 1882; A. C. White, 1883 and 1884; W. S. Weaver, 1885 and 1886. The present officers are : P. C., Abram Snyder; C. C., James J. Webb; V. C., George W. Snyder; prelate, Theodore WV. Chesnutt ; M. at A., Lawrence M. Snyder; K. of R. and S., WV. S. Weaver; M. of E., Joseph R. Heasley ; M.
,
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of F., J. C. Snyder; I. G., John H. Buel ; O. G., J. S. Linsinbigler. Trustees : W. A. Thompson, Edwin Snyder and William Glenn. Representative to Grand Lodge: W. S. Weaver.
Keystone Division No. 10, Uniform Rank K. of P., was organized October 10, 1882, the officers being sir knight commander, James E. Long ; sir knight- lieutenant commander, H. S. Deal; sir knight recorder, P. B. Cowan ; sir knight treasurer, A. C. White; sir knight guard, J. R. Emery ; sir knight sen- tinel, L. J. Boyer. This division has a membership of thirty-two-its mem- bership being made up from Brookville and Du Bois Lodges, with armory in the hall of Brookville Lodge.
The beneficiary features in addition to weekly benefits consist of an En- dowment Rank, on the death of a member of which $1,000, $2,000 and $3,000 are paid according to the class to which the member belongs. The assess- ments are paid monthly, and are graded according to age. This feature of the order is controlled by the Supreme Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylva- nia controls a funeral benefit organization known as the " Knights of Pennsyl- vania Relief Fund." Any Knight of Pythias in general good health is eligible to membership in this fund. The monthly dues are twenty-five cents, and the funeral benefit is $250.
Charity Lodge No. 488, K. of P., was instituted at Brockwayville, March 26, 1883. First officers, P. C., Rev. H. M. Burns ; C. C., R. O. Moor- head : V. C., T. M., Myers ; P., J. G. Dailey ; M. of E., J. B. Allen ; M. of F., C. F. Green ; K. of R. and S., Anthony Groves; M. at A., M. S. Longwell ; I. G., Arnold Groves ; O. G., R. A. McElhaney. Present officers; P. C., W. T. Mclaughlin ; C. C., Thomas Kearney; V. C., M. M. Rankin ; P., G. A. Bowdish ; M. of E., G. S. Himes ; M. of F., R. O. Moorhead ; K. of R. and S., F. R. Knapp ; M. at A., C. H. Yates ; I. G., Jolin Chilcott ; O. G., Thomas Chilcott. Number of members, seventy. No deaths.
Mountain Cliff Lodge No. 393, Knights of Pythias, was instituted April 8, 1873, at Barclay, Bradford county, by District Deputy Grand Chancellor H. S. Clark, of Towanda, Pa., with the following officers : W. C., Fred. Miner ; V. C., William Johnston ; R. S., John Noble; W. B., Henry Crawford ; W. G., James Johnston ; W. F. S., Thomas Dilchburn; I. S., Walter Hay ; O. S., James Duncan ; V. P., John Kellock. Barclay is situated on the top of a mountain, and is a small mining town. Owing to the mines becoming ex- hausted, the members had to seek employment elsewhere, and the lodge was transferred to Beechtree, Jefferson county, April 7, 1886. The lodge is in good condition, with a membership of one hundred and ten, and since it was first instituted has lost eight members by death. The paraphernalia and fix- tures of the lodge are valued at $700, and it has a fund of $1,041. The pres- ent officers for 1887, are : P. C., John D. Cameron ; C. C., Frank Pride ; V. C., Jolin McNeil ; prelate, William Archibald; K. of R. and S., Andrew Beve- 37
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ridge; M. of E., William Cheery ; M. of F., Frank Yard; M. at A., Daniel Jones ; I. G., David Ruddocks; O. G., George Buntin. Andrew Beveridge has been K. of R. and S., of this lodge since 1875.
PATRIOTIC SONS OF AMERICA.
This order was first organized in the city of Philadelphia, in 1847; but prior to the Rebellion its organization was very imperfect, and its progress con- sequently slow, the camps not extending much beyond the Middle States. When the war broke out a general enlistment of its members compelled its entire suspension. In 1866 the order was reorganized and placed upon a more substantial basis. The order has for its object the inculcation of pure Ameri- can principles, the cultivation of fraternal love ; the opposition to foreign inter- ference with State interests in the United States of America; the preser- vation of the Constitution of the United States, and the propagation of free education. Its primary object is to build up an order based upon patriotism, education, charity, and fraternity, and aims most particularly to educate its members in the principles of our government, to use all honorable means to defend and perpetuate the institutions of our country. Its immediate benefits are home benevolence, the care of its sick, the burial of its dead, the protection of and assistance to all who may be in need. There are two camps of this order in Jefferson county.
Washington Camp No. 268, Patriotic Sons of America, was instituted at Reynoldsville, May 9, 1883, by District President J. D. McClintock, of Lock Haven, Pa., with eighteen charter members, The camp now numbers forty- one members, and is in a prosperous condition. George Roller is president and A. L. Best, secretary. No deaths have occurred since the camp was insti- tuted. The amount of camp property and funds in the treasury is $275.25. Washington Camp meets every Thursday evening. Past president, W. H. Van Lew and A. L. Best of this camp having successively filled the office of district president for Jefferson, Clearfield and Cameron counties.
Washington Camp No. 131, Patriotic Sons of America, was instituted at Brockwayville, on March 4, 1887, with thirty charter members, and is officered as follows : Senior past president, J. P. Keys; president, A. R. Chapin ; vice- president, R. S. Welsh ; master of forms and ceremonies, J. A. Green ; chap- lain, Rev. I. M. Smith; secretary, R. W. Hoey ; assistant secretary, R. S. Mith ; treasurer, S. C. Bond; conductor, E. V. Coville ; inner guard, E. A. Green ; outer guard, F. L. Himes. The camp holds stated meetings on every Tuesday evening. J. P. Keys was appointed and commissioned district pres- ident of Jefferson, Elk and Clarion counties two weeks after the organization of the camp.
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PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY I
The first organization of farmers in the association known as the Patrons of Husbandry was effected in Washington City, D. C., December 4, 1867, by a few men interested in agriculture, and at that time, connected with the De- partment of Agriculture. The officers were: William M. Ireland, master; An- son Bartlett, overseer ; O. H. Kelley, secretary ; J. R. Thompson, lecturer ; William Muir, steward ; and William Saunders, treasurer. The other offices were left vacant at the time of the organization simply because there were not members to fill them, but subsequently others were elected and Potomac Grange No. I, as it is known in history, had a complete corps of officers. From this small beginning has come the association of farmers with granges in every State and Territory and almost every county in the United States. The rapid increase of this association is without a parallel in history. The farmers saw in it a means by which they could improve their condition by education and social intercourse, knowing that these tend only to elevate and refine ; and they began to realize that they could not compete with other classes unless they did unite and work together for their common good. They sought relief from the grinding heel of monopolies and great moneyed corporations of our land, which had begun a series of oppressions well calculated to reduce the farmers to a condition but little better than the tenant farmers of Europe. At this critical time the grange was organized, and our farmers, believing it to be their only hope, united with it, hoping for relief. In this they were not disap- pointed, although relief came slower than was expected.
When the order was incorporated in January, 1873, over twenty-three thousand dispensations had been granted to subordinate granges, mostly in the south and west, and during the years 1873 and 1874, there were eighteen thousand six hundred and forty-one additional dispensations granted by the National Grange in Washington to subordinate granges, mostly in the Eastern States. Since no dispensation was granted to less than thirteen, nor more than forty persons, we can see how rapidly it grew. In fact when the first organization was effected in Jefferson county, there was an actual membership in the United States of more than eight hundred thousand. We give this brief sketch of the organization and success of the National Grange as a pre- lude to the order's history in Jefferson county.
The first grange, Porter No. 252, was organized by Deputy at Large Asa Battles, of Girard, Pa., in the commissioner's office, Brookville, May 12, 1874. R. A. Travis was elected master, and J. P. George, secretary. There were twenty-six charter members. This grange, like Potomac Grange No. 1, had but few persons in it who were eligible to membership, or who would be so considered to-day ; but at that time few understood the organization or its
1 Prepared by M. A. Fitzsimmons, of Brookville.
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purposes. Some of its members dropped out and it was moved to Porter township, where it increased in numbers and influence until we find it num- bered seventy-seven members in January, 1883 ; this is the latest correct date received.
The second was Elder No. 503, organized by Deputy R. A. Travis, at the residence of J. M. Elder, in Oliver township, March 16, 1875, with thirty char- ter members, twenty men and ten women. S. B. Williams was their first choice for master, and C. N. Morris sec'y. They have since then initiated fifty-one members. Some of the best patrons of our county took the degrees in this grange. Among these we recall S. B. Williams, J. N. Jordon, C. A. Morris and others, the last named having served eleven successive terms as secretary, and is now occupying the master's chair. H. M. Means is the pres- ent secretary. They have a good hall of their own, nicely finished and furn- ished, in which they meet regularly twice a month.
Ridge Grange No. 516, was organized by Deputy R. A. Travis, in Perry township, March 24, 1875, with thirty-one charter members, and J. N. Kelly, master; W. A. Kelly, secretary, and have since initiated ninety-three, making a grand total of one hundred and twenty-five. They have a commodious hall in which they hold interesting and instructive meetings each alternate week. Ridge Grange has furnished more active, working members of Pomona Grange than any other in the county. This is explained by the statement that the Gourleys, Kellys, Lewises, McCrackens and others have taken an interest in the work, and have made their grange what in reality it should be-a neigh- borhood home; and the result is seen in the high standard of culture and refinement to be met with among the members. Their first master has been re-elected several times, and is now occupying that position. A worthy rec- ognition of a worthy man.
Beaver Grange No. 521, was organized in Beaver township, March 29, 1875, by R. A. Travis. Master, Daniel Reitz; secretary, J. C. Simney ; nineteen charter members and sixty initiates. This grange has made education a spe- cialty, and well have they succeeded in their efforts, than which none have done better. The pleasant faces and fraternal grip of Brothers T. R. Holt, Daniel Reitz, Elias Jones and others will be held in kindly remembrance long after they have received from the Great Master the pass-word into the Grange above.
Mahoning No. 587, was organized by R. A. Travis, with thirty-six charter members. William C. Gillespie was chosen master, and William Perry, secre- tary. They initiated thirty-four. Among those who by earnest work have won recognition are Brothers Porter, Minish, Perry and Gillespie.
Mc Calmont Grange No. 590, of McCalmont township was organized by R. A. Travis, August 25, 1875, with thirty-three charter members. A. J. Lim- erich, master, Peter Uplinger, secretary. This grange although started under
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favorable auspices, through internal difficulties lost their grip and fell by the way with no stone to mark their last resting-place.
Union Grange No. 609, organized by R. A. Travis, in Pine Creek township, October 20, 1875. They had but thirty charter members, but with these as a nucleus, they soon became one of the wealthiest, most influential and prosper- ous granges in the county. D. B. McConnell was their first master, and C. A. Carrier secretary. Among those who have been active supporters not only of the grange, but of grange principles, and labored earnestly to carry them to a practical conclusion we can recall James Suffolk, Charles Shobert, Joseph Bull- ers, Charles Frost and their estimable ladies. The ladies of Union have enter- tained Pomona oftener than those of any other grange, and the tables they prepared were a sufficient guarantee that they were well skilled in the culinary department, and their hospitality was equalled only by the grace with which they dispensed it.
Corsica Grange No. 640, comes next on the roll, being organized by R. A. Travis, January 6, 1876, with twenty-two charter members. G. W. Mckinley, master ; D. M. Hindman, secretary, and forty-two initiates. The members of this grange were not clothed in the proper regalia, or proper spirit, and failed to realize the benefits usually derived from this organization, and hav- ing erected a hall in the spring of 1884, they quietly expired, and the hall remains to this day as a memorial, not to what they are, but to what they might have been. We regret these things, but we are not making history, we are only writing it.
Rose Grange No. 653, organized by R. A. Travis, January 27, 1876, is located on the farm of Joseph Thrush, in Rose township. This grange started out with twenty- nine charter members, and has kept the faith; new members uniting with it from time to time until forty-one have been initiated and in- structed in the lessons of the degrees. Abner Spyker was the first to fill the master's chair. Joseph Thrush was their secretary for many years.
Pleasant Hill No. 656, with Miller Harding as master, and Mark H. Will- iams as secretary, and thirty-two charter members, began its interesting and prosperous, though checkered career, February 8, 1876, and during their more than eleven years of active work, they rarely failed to hold their regular weekly meetings on Friday evening ; being the only grange in the county that meets once a week. Their accessions amounted to one hundred and three, and the good they have done cannot be estimated ; and they are more prosperous now than ever before. The citizens of Knox township who are prevented from uniting with it on account of its secrecy, regard it as second only to the church. Much of this success is due to the moral and religious influence of Mrs. S. A. Hunter, Mrs. M. A. Anderson, Mrs. Rosa McAninch, Mrs. Martha Chitester, Mrs. M. A. Cavanore and other ladies connected with it. There are many good men and true inside the gates, but they willingly yield the palm to the
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ladies. Among the ever faithful, S. A. Hunter, I. S. Davis, S. McAninch, S. R. Anderson and others are well entitled to recognition. Brother Hunter has been treasurer during all these years, while the others have filled various offi- ces. C. C. Chitester is now master, and E. E. Hunter secretary. The record of the past is only excelled by their prospects for the future.
Sigel No. 666, was organized February 24, 1876, with thirty-eight charter members : James Coon, master ; G. A. Carroll secretary. It existed but a short time and then surrendered its charter to be reorganized several years later under a new name and more favorable auspices.
Sugar Hill No 713, organized by O. S. Cary, June 2, 1876, had thirty-two members: \V. C. Bond, master; Miss Florence Marshall, secretary ; thirty- seven accessions, and are in good standing in the county and State granges.
Troy No. 672, and Warsaw No. 691, existed but a short time and then surrendered their charters, many of their members connecting by demit with other granges. Fidelity No. 692, of Rockdale, and Prudence No. 707, have a similar record.
O. S. Cary Grange No. 693, of Brockwayville, organized by O. S. Cary, April 8, 1876, with thirty charter members: A. R. Thrush, master; D. D. Groves, secretary. This grange has the largest membership and the finest hall in the county. The members are the most hospitable and generous, and their works are characteristic of the people composing it. Brothers Smith, Hutch- ison, Keys and others are familiar names in grange circles throughout the county.
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