USA > Pennsylvania > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present > Part 51
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St. Paul's German Reformed Church was organized about thirty-three years ago. The congregation was located two miles east of Sharon, and was presided over by Rev. L. I. Mayer. He remained with it about eight years, at the same time preaching for the "Jerusalem" congregation in Hickory Township, which he also organized. He was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Stepler, now of Lima, Ohio, who remained nearly nine years. In 1873 Rev. F. B. Hartzmetz, now of Archibald, Ohio, began his pastorate, which also continued nearly nine years. During his administration St. Paul's congregation bought a lot on Sharpsville Street, in Sharon, and erected the present frame house in 1874, at a cost of about $4,000, including the lot. In March, 1882, the late pastor, Rev. E. Gruenstein, began his ministry here. In 1883 he concluded that a parsonage was needed. Obtaining the consent of his congregation he set to work, and in five weeks had $700 secured for that purpose, and erected the house which adjoins the rear end of the church. The present membership is 165 confirmed, and 138 unconfirmed. Jerusalem congregation, at Hickory, was joined with Sharon until September, 1882, and was ministered to by the same preachers. Since that time it has been a separate charge.
St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church .-- On the 10th of December, 1865, Rev. Thomas Corlett, rector of Grace Church, Kinsman, Ohio, conducted services in the Baptist Church. These are said to have been the first Episco- pal services in the place. On the 11th of the ensuing February Rev. Dr. Killikelly held services. A few days later, viz., February 14, 1866, Bishop Hopkins, on a visit to the place, conducted services at the Presbyterian Church, assisted at the time by Rev. Corlett. It was during this visit that Bishop Hopkins baptized Elizabeth Kent, infant daughter of Reuben Will- iamson, it being the first administration of that rite by an Episcopalian in
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Sharon. On the 17th of June following the first regular services were held in the old brick building belonging to the Christian Church, by Rev. William L. Haywood, missionary. On the 20th the parish was organized, the first vestry consisting of Alexander Adams, Reuben Williamson, H. Jaques, Curtis Mc- Farland, E. M. Cotton and George Brooks. Messrs. McFarland and Cotton were appointed wardens, and Mr. Williamson, clerk. On the 23d of August, 1866, the congregation was regularly incorporated. Rev. Haywood held his position until February, 1869, when he resigned. The erection of a church edifice was discussed at once, but the matter was deferred owing to financial depression. In 1868-69 a small, plain frame structure was built at a cost of $1,500. It still meets the demands of the congregation. The pastors suc- ceeding Mr. Haywood were: Revs. H. E. Tschudy, John E. Doris, W. R. Mackay, J. B. Calhoun, H. G. Woods and the present pastor, Rev. George W. Williams.
The Welsh Congregational Church was organized April 2, 1854, by Rev. Thomas Evans, of Youngstown, Ohio, with some fifteen members, viz. : John L. Jones, Thomas Jones, William Rees, Ann Rees, Mary Jones, William Davis, Mary Phillips, Margaret Phillips and John Morris and wife, Revs. Thomas Evans, Thomas Davis, John Edwards and others have supplied the pulpit. The church edifice on Pennsylvania Avenue was erected in 1856. The membership is largely engaged in the iron works, and hence its condition fluc- tuates with that business.
Welsh Baptist Church. -- This congregation was organized in 1869 with seven members: John Reynolds, Eliza Reynolds, James Reynolds, Hannah Reynolds, John Propert, Elizabeth Llewellyn, and one whose name could not be secured. Rev. David Propert was the first preacher. The house of wor- ship was erected in July, 1870.
German Lutheran .- This congregation was organized November 1, 1872, by Rev. H. Schmidt, of Hubbard, Ohio, with twenty members. As early as 1853 preaching was done in the place by Rev. T. H. Hengist, of Brookfield, Ohio. The pulpit was occupied at various times by Revs. L. Krebs, N. Wolf, J. G. Beetz, T. H. Hengist and H. Schmidt. The last named has been pastor for fifteen or sixteen years, and still occupies the position. The congregation was without a place of worship of its own until the year 1888. On the 5th of Feb- ruary, of said year, its frame house of worship, costing about $700, was dedi- cated with appropriate ceremonies. For a long time its services were held in the Christian Church.
SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES.
Sharon Lodge No. 347, I. O. O. F., was instituted on the 19th of February, 1849, its charter members consisting of Charles E. Curtis, Robert McFarland, John J. Spearman, James Hazelton, Milton Hull and Hugh Fox. Of this number only two representatives are still living, Mr. McFarland, retired from active business, and Mr. Spearman, president of the First National Bank of Sharon. In the distribution of official honors every member received a position except Hugh Fox. Curtis was N. G., McFarland was V. G., Spearman was Sec., Hazelton was Assist. Sec. and Hull was Treas. The inference is that Fox was reserved for committee work. The room in which this charitable order was born is still standing on Main Street, in the lower part of the city. It is a frame structure, erected in 1838 by Mr. E. C. Sweetland, and is now owned by Mr. William McClain. At the time it was used as a wagon-shop. It deserves to be specially remarked that its floor was neatly carpeted with saw- dust. In the same building, with similar equipments, Masonry had its origin
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a year or two later. From the wagon-shop the lodge was removed to the brick academy, which stood near the site of the old Baptist Church edifice. The Masonic lodge was removed to the same building, and occupied the same room. In course of time the Odd Fellows bought out the right and title to the property possessed by the Masons, and, feeling disposed to change quar- ters, secured a hall in the Carver and Porter block, a little east of the present Sharon National Bank. After the lapse of years the lodge secured quarters in Hyde & Brown's Hall, part of the building now used by the Sharon Iron Com- pany's store. This room was occupied until the order was able, by wise and judicious business management, to erect and occupy its own valuable and handsome structure on the corner of State and Vine Streets.
The site of the present building was bought in 1857, at a cost of $175 in gold. Shortly after the purchase it was occupied by a little frame shanty, some twelve feet square, used for a jewelry store. Finally the lodge bought this property and made some necessary additions to it. About 1864 this per- ishable property began to be rented at $700 per annum, which paid a hand- some dividend on the investment. This money, together with funds accumu- lating from other sources, finally aggregated $5,000. It was then proposed to erect a building in partnership with other interests, but the scheme was opposed by some members of the lodge, and the matter was deferred until 1880. At that time sufficient money had accumulated to undertake the enterprise with- out any entangling alliances with alien parties. The building was erected in 1880, at a cost of some $12,000. To complete the payment $2,000 was bor- rowed, all of which was repaid within a year, leaving the lodge entirely free from indebtedness of all kinds. The new hall was dedicated December 23, 1880. The entire property, including ground, building and equipment, is worth $25,000. After reserving all of the third floor and a room on the sec- ond, the lodge realizes nearly $1,000 a year from its rentals, and is thus accu- mulating a handsome fund for any needed improvements or paying invest- ments as they arise.
Notwithstanding Calvin Lodge No. 777, New Virginia Lodge No. 841, Adoniram Lodge No. 739, West Middlesex Lodge No. 593 and White Oak Lodge No. 569 have all been drawn from Sharon Lodge, it still numbers 173 members, and shows all possible signs of inherent health and continued pros- perity.
The faithful few who began their work on the saw-dust floor in the old wagon-shop, and with kindred spirits persevered through all the discouraging migrations of subsequent years, have much reason to rejoice at the success that has finally crowned their efforts.
Calvin Lodge No. 577, I. O. O. F., was organized June 8, 1865, by George Tribby, D. D. G. M., with the following named charter members: Fredrick Hoelzle, Louis Buchholz, Christian Boeshar, Jacob Hoelzle, Jacob Reiter, Jacob Hoffman, John Boeshar, Philip Müller, Christian Hoffman, Henry Krall- man, John Ulrich, James L. Rich, Nicholaus Fenzel, Jacob Sontag, Johannes Kolb and George Hassel. The membership of the lodge is eleven.
Sharon Lodge No. 250, F. & A. M., was organized under charter dated September 2, 1850. It was known and recognized as A. Y. M. until about 1872, when the present title was adopted. In the charter Dr. J. M. Irvine was designated as Worshipful Master, James Campbell as Senior Warden, and James McMullen as Junior Warden. The organization occurred in a wagon- shop in the lower end of town, now owned by William McClain. Some of the other members at the time were James Bentley, Marvin Hyde and J. F. Sat- terfield. From the wagon-shop the lodge removed, in a short time, to the
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
second story of the old Baptist Academy, which was fitted up by the Odd Fel- lows and Masons conjointly. After a time the Masons sold their rights to the Odd Fellows, and then removed to the third story of the old Carver & Porter block, the Odd Fellows securing the second story. The building, now stand- ing near the Sharon National Bank, is the property of T. J. Porter. This hall was used without interruption until the erection of the present hall building in 1874, by the First National Bank and T. J. Porter. The present commodious and comfortable hall was fitted up in the third story of the building just referred to in 1874, and dedicated with the usual Masonic ceremonies in May, 1875. Including the furnishing, the expense involved amounted to about $5,000. The hall is said to be one of the finest of its kind in Western Pennsyl- vania, not excepting even those in larger cities.
Dr. John M. Irvine was Worshipful Master from the organization to 1857. His successors, in order, were as follows: Dr. Elisha Griswold, 1857; John S. King, 1858; William McGilvray, 1859; Dr. John M. Irvine, 1860-62; Will- iam McGilvray, 1863; E. A. Wheeler, 1864-65; William Henlan, 1866; E. A. Wheeler, 1867; John M. Mordock, 1868-70; Alfred Williams, 1871; W. B. Marshall, 1872; R. E. Bell, 1873; A. S. Service, 1874; James G. McKnight, 1875; Thomas B. Taylor, 1876, A. S. Service, 1877; John Ambler, 1878; John Murchie, 1879; Harry Orchard, 1880; S. C. Yder, 1881; James D. Caldwell, 1882; Michael Zahniser, 1883; George L. Williams, 1884; William M. Mc- Cormick, 1885; John C. Owsley, 1886-87; E. N. Ohl, 1888. The present membership is about 120.
Norman Chapter No. 244. R. A. M., was constituted May 12, 1873. The charter members were: Matthias H. Henderson, Edward P. Foster, Frank W. Morrison, Reuben Williamson, Richard E. Bell, Branton H. Henderson, James G. McKnight, James E. McCarter, Jesse Reeves, Joseph N. McClure, Thomas B. Taylor, William Leipheimer, Joseph A. Starkey. M. H. Hender- son served as M. E. H. P. until 1876, and his successors have been Richard E. Bell, 1877; M. H. Henderson, 1878; Harry Orchard, 1879; John Ambler, 1880; John Murchie, 1881-82; George Tribby, 1883; John C. Owsley, 1884-85; Michael Zahniser, 1886, and Edwin N. Ohl, 1887-88. The present member- ship of the chapter is seventy-five. M. H. Henderson, the first High Priest of this chapter, was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Pennsyl- vania in December, 1886, installed the 27th of that month, and is the present G. H. P. of Pennsylvania. The chapter meets in the Masonic hall.
Rebecca Commandery No. 50, K. T., was authorized by dispensation dated August 21, 1873, and was regularly constituted June 25, 1874. The charter members were: Reuben Williamson, B. H. Henderson, Joseph N. McClure, Matthias H. Henderson, James E. McCarter, Charles W. Whistler, Samuel C. Simonton, Samuel W. Smith and Thomas Marshall. The Eminent Commanders from and including the first have been the following: Reuben Williamson, 1873-75; J. N. McClure, 1876; Matthias H. Henderson, 1877-78; John Am- bler, 1879; Ansley S. Service, 1880-81; Harry Orchard, 1882; John Murchie, 1883; George Tribby, 1884; Michael Zahniser, 1885; Ed. N. Ohl, 1886-87; George L. Williams, 1888. The commandery meets in the Masonic hall.
The Apollo Maennerchor was organized in 1869. Among its first members were G. W. Fischer, Frederick Hoelzle, Jacob Hoelzle, Carl Doerr, James L. Rich, John Rich, Paul Assion, Jacob Dresch and others. At its most prosper- ous period there were sixty members. Sessions are held monthly.
Sharon Lodge No. 13, A. O. U. W., was organized July 11, 1872. in a room on State Street, by J. M. McNair and W. S. Black, of New Castle, Penn. The charter members were: John A. Porter, J. L. Dunlap, William
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
C. Manning, A. J. Jewell, D. Starkey, James Clelland, Henry Harwood, William Henlan, John G. Gay, Charles Alquist, W. D. McMillen, Joseph McElhaney, Thomas McChesney, John Murchie. The first presiding officer was John A. Porter, and the first secretary was Charles Alquist. Meetings are held in the lodge's own hall over Henlan's butcher shop, on each Monday evening of the year. The membership numbers sixty-four.
Sharon Lodge No. 398, K. of P., was instituted June 16, 1873, with the following charter members: S. P. Ash, J. C. Owsley, S. C. Simonton, Jr., S. A. Rice, M. C. Williams, Ellis Morrison, R. F. Rodgers, S. W. Isenberg, A. Van Fossen, E. J. Pease, William Bert, W. C. Bryant, P. Desmond and D. P. Stewart. Meetings are held every Thursday evening in Thompson's Hall, on State Street. The membership is 177. The lodge has two insurance or- ganizations connected with it, the Pennsylvania Relief Association and the Endowment Rank.
Court Rose of Sharon No. 5964, A. O. F. was instituted the 5th of Septem- ber, 1874, by Joseph Stead, D. C. R., of Cleveland, Ohio, with the following named charter members: John Stephens, William Parry, E. Powell, George Powell, Samuel Westwood, Edward Tague, J. Smith, William Jones, Job Dur- ban, James Gardner, H. Gardner, Joseph Chintery, J. Matthews, Benjamin Powell, James Rosser, Benjamin Jones, E. D. Evans, William Davis, Joseph Wheedle, Thomas Mould, D. C. Hughes, James Andrews. The presiding officers were Thomas Davis, C. R .; John Gething, S. C. R. ; Jesse Martin, S. W. ; William L. Morgan, Jr., W. ; John Lloyd, J. B .; Thomas Lloyd, S. B., and Robert White and Charles Rowlands, secretaries. Meetings are held in the A. O. F. hall, on State Street, on alternate Saturdays. There are about 158 members in good standing at the present time, with a total membership of 170. The purpose of the order is " Unity, Benevolence and Concord."
Connected with the above order is a juvenile branch called the Court Rose Bud No. 25, organized about one year ago (1887) for a similar purpose, with a membership of about sixty.
Branch No. 6 Catholic Mutual Benefit Association was organized Novem- ber 6, 1878, by M. I. O' Brien and P. McManus. The original members were M. I. O' Brien, P. McManus, John Kirk, Albert Mehler. Joseph Mehler, L. Daubach, Otto Herrmann, James Duffy, N. Bower, Andrew Lattau, Peter Doney and Michael McGovern. The object of the organization is to improve the moral, mental and social condition of its members, to educate them in in- tegrity, sobriety and frugality, and to aid and assist members, or their fami- lies. in case of death with a beneficiary of $2,000. The presidents have been M. I O' Brien, P. McManns, John Kirk, Joseph R. Mehler, P. Morairty, H. F. Dougherty and M. I. O'Brien; the secretaries, Thomas Marshall, M. I. O'Brien, H. F. Dougherty, and the present official, Thomas Marshall. Meet- ings are held semi-monthly at the Amalgated Association hall. The member- ship is forty.
Sharon Council No. 25, R. T. of T., was organized in Hoelzle hall Janu- ary 14, 1879, by C. L. Fisher, G. L., with the following as charter members: F. J. Dahringer, W. H. Robison, Joseph Dodds, L. B. Tupper, Charles Ros- ser, John M. Yahres, Sarah Smith, Mary R. Mendenhall, Ella Kratz, Kate Dahringer, H. D. Foat, John Kennedy, William Leipheimer, John Ambler, James Skinner, Alvin Heckman, Nancy McKnight, H. L. Robison, Margaret Kennedy, Martha McCune, Lydia Foat, Mary E. Dodds, W. H. Cover, D. Cartwright, Charles S. Foat, Cyrus Hann, John Fullerton, Hannah McEl- downey, Elizabeth Robison, Caroline Rice, Mary Ambler, Mary J. Skinner, Mrs. A. W. McKnight. The first officers elected were: S. C., J. G. Mc
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Knight; V. C., C. M. Rice; P. C., J. A. Robison; Chap., Rev. J. K. Menden- hall; R. S., Prof. G. W. Kratz; F. S., Prof. G. W. Kratz; Treasurer, Mrs. E. V. Cover; H., C. Bowden; D. H., Mrs. L. W. Garner; Guard, Mrs. E. Robi- son; Sent., D. S. Foat, and Med. Ex., Dr. J. K. Mendenhall. The purpose of the council is to promote the cause of temperance, of total abstinence, by a beneficiary society on the mutual assessment plan. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the G. A. R. hall. The mem- bership is sixty-eight.
Sharon Union No. 360, E. A. U., was instituted September 8, 1881, in the German Odd Fellows' hall, by D. S. P., G. W. Brown. The charter members were T. B. May, Chancellor; J. R. McNabb, Advocate; J. Ambler, President; F. Lawson, Vice-President; D. P. Stewart, Treasurer; W. L. Prindle, Secretary; F. B. Test, Accountant; T. B. Van Fossen, Warden; Mrs. J. Craft, Sentinel; John Craft, Watchman. The general purposes of the Union are for uniting fraternally all people of good health, character and morals, of both sexes; to assist one another, and to promote benevolence and charity by establishing a relief fund for the aid of fellow members who may become afflicted and needy, and also for the paying to the dependents of deceased members an insurance sum not exceeding $3,000. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the G. A. R. hall. The present membership is ninety, just seventy in excess of the number at organization.
West Penn No. 546, E. A. U., was organized July 21, 1886, with over thirty charter members. The first officers were J. D. Test, Chancellor; W. W. Service, Advocate; W. H. Dickson, President; James F. Hanna, Vice- President; William Henlan, Treasurer; Amy M. Bussey, Secretary; C. L. Robison, Accountant; P. F. Davis, Warden; Mrs. J. H. Nikirk, Sentinel; J. E. Berry, Watchman; Mrs. M. D. Bussey, Chaplain; Mrs. S. M. Ulp, Aux- iliary. The present membership is fifty-four, and the lodge meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the Forrester's hall.
Sharon Post No. 254, G. A. R., Department of Pennsylvania, was organ- ized June 29, 1882, with the following named charter members: James C. Nolan, Samuel B. Clark, Jacob Miller, Elisha Griswold, James D. Caldwell, Alexander McDowell, Malin Ewing, John Stewart, William Jackson, William H. Robison, John M. Yahres, C. E. Bundel, Albert Robison, J. A. Robison, D. C. Robison, Alfred Robison, John C. Roberts, J. C. Maxhimer, Josiah Selah, Edward J. Foutz, D. P. Stewart, Cyrus Haun, William H. Dubes, George B. Miller, Henry Scott, L. S. Winnel, David E. Moses, Sylvester F. Barker, Samuel Mahanna, John Lockhart, Baldwin Chew, Albert McDowell, Joseph J. Hunter, T. D. McFarland, William W. Hanna, James M. Mitchell, Sebastian Steese, J. R. McNabb, Jeremiah Sullivan, L. N. Dodd, J. P. Neiler, Charles Sever, D. C. Stambaugh. Since then the following Post Commanders have served: James C. Nolan, one term; Malin Ewing, two terms; L. N. Dodd, one term; and S. F. Barker one term, and also re-elected in December, 1887. The Adjutants have been Malin Ewing, John Lockhart, S. F. Barker and Walter Moyer. The meetings of the post are held in the G. A. R. hall, which is rented by it; but the furniture of the room is the post's property. Since 1882 but two deaths have occurred. The membership is at present fifty-two.
Pymatuning Tribe No. 259, I. O. R. M., was organized March 28, 1884. Its charter members were J. G. Lewis, D. E. Thomas, John Deveraux, T. M. Griffiths, Joseph Prue, L. P. Lewis, William G. Morgan, R. James, Stephen Williams, Charles Haybes, J. Thomas, R. Gray, D. R. Jones, T. T. Burn, J. Breeze, M. Jenkins and others, to the number of 100. The first officers were
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
D. E. Thomas, S .; James Thomas, S. S .; W. G. Morgan, J. S., and J. Deveraux, C. of R. The present membership is 154. Meetings are held in the Forrester's hall. The tribe has over $2,000 in cash investments and is in a flourishing condition.
Grant Assembly No. 6,748, K. of L., was organized April 26, 1886, in the . hall in which it now assembles, A. A. of I. and S. W. hall, by Homer L. McGain, of Pittsburgh. Meetings are held every Monday evening. The membership is about 450. The condition of the order is good both financially and numerically.
Shenango Council No. 224, National Union, was instituted in Sharon, Penn., by Mr. C. S. Snyder, Senate Deputy, June 3, 1886, with sixty charter mem- bers. Have admitted eight and lost four since organization. None by death. Present membership sixty-four. First officers were: Ex-President, C. W. Ray; president, W. W. Service; vice-president. T. J. Gillespie; financial secretary, W. B. Hull; secretary, George A. Baird; treasurer, M. Zahniser; speaker, P. McDowell; chaplain, L. A. Burrell; sergeant-at-arms, W. H. Jackson; usher, C. W. Test; doorkeeper, W. A. Gebhardt. It meets in the G. A. R. hall the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
The Protected Home Circle .- This organization, now extending its branch circles into every part of the United States, owes its origin to Rev. H. C. Hall, P. D. Stratton, A. S. Service, Dr. Salem Heilman, J. V. Rose, W. H. Horton, Alex. McDowell, A. W. Williams and Michael Zahniser, who estab- lished it August 7, 1886. The above names include the original members of the supreme organization, of which there was a local circle organized in Sharon, called the Sharon Circle No. 1, P. H. C., which includes in its mem- bership many of the prominent citizens and business men of the place. The object of the Protected Home Circle, as enunciated in the general constitution, " shall be to associate white people of both sexes, of good moral character, health and physical constitution, between the ages of fifteen and fifty-six years, in fraternal societies for mutual assistance of a moral, social, intellect- ual and pecuniary nature." It proposes to organize such people into fraternal societies, in each community, who shall hold regular meetings, as prescribed by its laws, for culture in social, literary and parliamentary disci- pline; for the promotion of pure morals among its members; making provision for clean and helpful society; caring for the sick, promoting the welfare of the living, and making adequate, safe provision for the pecuniary assistance of the dependents of members removed by death. The growth of this society, has been almost phenomenal. At the first annual meeting of the supreme circle, held August 9, 1887, it was found that an extension and a develop- ment had been made in one year that surpassed anything before known in the history of fraternal insurance societies. This growth, one both in numbers and quality, was made in the face of the fact that the Protected Home Circle occupied the ground where other societies were strongly entrenched, and, in some cases, opposed to the advent of the new comer. The first Supreme President was Rev. H. C. Hall, and the Secretary, P. D. Stratton. The pres- ent officers of the Supreme Circle, which meets annually in its regular office in Duffy's Block, Sharon, Penn., are: S. P., H. C. Hall; S. V. P., J. V. Rose; S. S., P. D. Stratton; S. A., W. S. Palmer; S. T., Alex, McDowell; S. M. D., Salem Heilman; S. S., A. W. Williams. Board of directors: H. C. Hall, J. V. Rose, P. D. Stratton, Salem Heilman, A. S. Service, Alex. McDowell, M. Zahniser, W. S. Palmer and A. W. Williams. The condition of the society is flourishing. Over 2, 200 certificates have been already issued, and there are ten local circles in Mercer County. In the State there are about
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900 members, each paying a membership fee of $5, to which is added an average annual expense of $3, and the monthly assessment ranging according to age.
Sharon Circle No. 1, P. H. C., was organized August 17, 1886, with nearly thirty charter members. Its first officers were: President, M. Zahni- ser; Past President, J. R. Hewitt; Vice-President, A. S. Service; Secretary, John L. Morrison; Guardian, W. E. Van Orsdel; Accountant, H. W. Horton; Treasurer, James V. Rose; Porter, Mrs. E. Cope; Watchman, D. Cartwright; Guide, Samuel Potter; Companion, Mrs. R. Potter. The circle has grown rapidly, and has now nearly 300 members.
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