USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume I > Part 22
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
The official reports issued for 1920 on Montgomery county give these figures on Banking: Total number of National Banks in county, 27; number of Trust Companies, nine; Building and Loan Associations, 66, total capital (1920) of all banking institutions, $4,562,000; surplus, $5,- 092,500; demand deposits, $30,315,153; savings deposits, $34,810,636; total resources, $387,781,846; per capita savings in county, $174.66. This was based on the 1920 census, which gave this county 199,310 population.
ODD FELLOWS' TEMPLE, POTTSTOWN
ELKS' HOME, NORRISTOWN
CHAPTER XVI. FRATERNAL ORDERS OF THE COUNTY.
Without attempting to go into an account of the scores of beneficiary societies, the general object of which is insurance on the lives of its members (for their name has come to be legion), the present chapter will deal briefly with the three universally recognized civic societies- Masonry, Odd Fellowship, and Knights of Pythias orders.
Free Masonry-The most ancient of these three fraternal organiza- tions had its first working lodge in Montgomery county at Norristown. Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons, was granted a charter August 2, 1823, and the lodge was constituted October 23rd the same year. There is a tradition among Masons that there was a lodge of Masons in existence at Valley Forge, and that Washington had charge of it, but there is no recorded proof of such work among Masons in this county. Charity Lodge, No. 190, Norristown, according to the last report had a membership of 724, and owns a spacious, well furnished temple on Main street, erected in 1897. Royal Arch Chapter, Knights Templar Commandery and Eastern Star degrees are all well represented ยท in Norristown Masonry.
Stichter Lodge, No. 254, Pottstown, was organized under charter granted March 3, 1851 ; it now has a membership of 456. Cassia Lodge, No. 273, Ardmore, was instituted March 7, 1853, and now has a member- ship of 840, the largest of any lodge in Montgomery county. Fort Wash- ington Lodge, No. 308, of Fort Washington, was instituted September 29, 1857, and now has a membership of 189. Warren Lodge, No. 310, was constituted September 5, 1857, at Trappe ; it was subsequently removed to Collegeville, and now has a membership of 269. Friendship Lodge, No. 400, of Jenkintown, chartered September 5, 1867, now enjoys a mem- bership of 484. W. K. Bray Lodge, No. 410, of Hatboro borough, char- tered March 4, 1868, now has a membership of 206. Fritz Lodge, No. 420, of Conshohocken, was chartered June 3, 1868, and now has a mem- bership of 349. Shiloh Lodge, No. 558, of Lansdale, was constituted January 31, 1882, and now has a membership of 340. Royersford Lodge, No. 585, is one of the later Masonic lodges of the county, and has a membership of 194; it is in Royersford borough. Perkiomen Lodge, No. 595, located at East Greenville, has a membership of 127. Norristown Lodge, No. 620, has a membership of 557 and its home is Norristown borough, a sister of the original Masonic lodge in the county seat and county, Charity, No. 190.
Before 1884 the county had its chapters of Royal Arch Masons, and also a commandery of Knights Templar. Some of the lodges above men-
Mont-13
194
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
tioned occupy halls of their own, but usually speaking they lease from other parties. Montgomery county has eleven of the five hundred and twenty-six Masonic lodges within the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows-This is the next older civic society to the Masonic fraternity. It is the legitimate offspring of the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England. Modern Odd Fellow- ship is of comparatively recent date. It was planted in Baltimore in 1819, as the Manchester Unity Odd Fellowship, by Thomas Wildey. Very soon this was followed by the institution of Pennsylvania Lodge, No. I, in Philadelphia, the date being December 26, 1821, at the public house of John Upton, on Dock street. This lodge was started by Eng- lishmen social and convivial in their habits, and the organization thus commenced soon became of more than local interest, so as its members moved out to other localities they naturally desired a lodge organized of their kind, and hence started Odd Fellows' lodges. Among such men was Morton Kelsey, who belonged to Philadelphia Lodge, who came to Norristown in the autumn of 1836. His evenings were largely spent at the Farmers' Hotel, kept by James Coates, and it was not long before a move was set on foot to organize a lodge at Norristown, which was accomplished, and Montgomery Lodge, No. 57, was organized February 27, 1837, the charter having previously been granted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The first set of officers were: Noble Grand, James Coates; vice-grand, Watson Kirkbride; secretary, John W. Powell; treasurer, Jacob Spang. At first the lodge met Saturday evenings, and was organized in an attic over the back building of the residence of William Powell, immediately adjoining the property on which Music Hall later was built. Next they moved to a room in the old court house. After one year there they leased a room for sixty dollars per year, and thus they moved from one place to another. In January, 1840, the rooms they occupied were burned, with all the effects of the lodge, including its records. It was always believed to have been the work of some per- son not in sympathy with secret orders, for in those early years a bitter feeling was engendered over the instituting of any secret society, hence Masons and Odd Fellows had a hard time to live down the popular clamor against such orders. But in a few years this feeling died out and the community were more charitably disposed.
Coming down to 1884, almost a half century after the first lodge was formed in this county, we find by records, that the following Odd Fel- lows' lodges were in existence at that date: Montgomery, No. 57, with a membership of 286; Wissahickon, 78 members; Center Square, 60; Mer- ion, 86; Manatawny, 82; Gratitude, 139; Eagle, 82; Curtis, 248; Spring House, 102; Peace and Love, 97; Loller, 59; Providence, 112; Marble Hall, 165; Perkiomenville, 112; Banyan Tree, 20; Economy, 60; Norria, 93; Pennsburg, III; Upper Dublin, 99; Madison, 75; Gulf, 76; North Wales, 66; Lansdale, 75. Total in county, 2,256.
195
FRATERNAL ORDERS OF THE COUNTY
In 1880 there were eight encampments in this county, and from 1879 to 1881 the increase and interest in Odd Fellowship was very marked. To show what radical changes in sentiment in favor of secret societies there has been since the forties and fifties, we quote from Bean's "His- tory of Montgomery County" (1884) as follows:
An instance of the methods used against members of an Odd Fellows' lodge came accidentally to the attention of the writer during the past summer. Jeremiah Weber, a member of a city lodge, was a tenant of Eli P. McGlathery, in Whitpain township. Mr. Weber was taken sick during the fall of 1844, and reported himself to the lodge. A committee waited on him to ascertain the nature of his illness and pay his benefits. Mr. McGlathery hearing of it, although on the best of terms with the tenant, never again called on him, and in due time Mr. Weber received notice to quit. Many such instances doubtless happened, for the general feeling that then existed was so great against fraternities that it is a marvel that murders were not committed.
The Grand Lodge directory issued in January, 1923, shows the fol- lowing concerning the various Independent Order of Odd Fellows' lodges within Montgomery county as to date of organization: Montgomery Lodge, No. 57, Norristown, December 27, 1837; Merion Lodge, No. 210, Gladwynne, December 15, 1846; Manatawny Lodge, No. 214, Pottstown, January, 1847, merged now with No. 466; Curtis Lodge, No. 239, Norris- town, April 29, 1847; Marble Hall Lodge, No. 351, Conshohocken, July 10, 1849; Perkiomenville Lodge, No. 367, Perkiomenville, June 12, 1856; Banyan Tree Lodge, No. 378, Ardmore, October 23, 1849; Economy Lodge, No. 397, Collegeville, February 28, 1850; Norris Lodge, No. 430, Norristown, March 28, 1851; Pennsburg Lodge, No. 449, Pennsburg, September 18, 1851 ; Valley Forge Lodge, No. 459, Port Kennedy, March 13, 1875; Madison Lodge, No. 466, Pottstown, June 14, 1852 (merged now); Conshohocken Lodge, No. 525, Conshohocken, June 12, 1856; Royers Ford Lodge, No. 1038, Royersford, April 13, 1892 ; Center Square Lodge, No. 204, Center Square, December 24, 1846; Providence Lodge, No. 345, Kulpsville, March 26, 1849; North Wales Lodge, No. 610, North Wales, October 12, 1867; Wissahickon Lodge, No. 178, Flourtown, August 27, 1846; Peace and Love Lodge, No. 337, Jenkintown, Novem- ber 25, 1848; Loller Lodge, No. 338, Hatboro, December 9, 1848; Souder- ton Lodge, No. 612, Souderton, March 10, 1891; Lansdale Lodge, No. 977, Lansdale, March 13, 1881 ; Ambler Lodge, No. 1045, Ambler, June 7, 1892 ; Fort Washington Lodge, No. 1123, Fort Washington, March 14, 1901.
The Odd Fellows have Encampments and Rebekah degrees in this county. Norristown Encampment, No. 37, was instituted in July, 1846. It has paid out in way of benefits many thousands of dollars to date. May 1, 1883, Lanah Degree Lodge, No. 133, of the Daughters of Rebekah, at North Wales, was instituted. Others have been organized, but never
196
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
seem to flourish as do the subordinate and encampment lodges of the county in Odd Fellowship.
Being denied the right to unite with the white lodges of the order, the colored men who wanted such fraternal lodges among their people sent five colored representatives to England, where the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows of England furnished them with the secrets of the work. They then returned fully equipped to organize lodges in this country. The first lodge was organized in Philadelphia. Five colored men from Norristown joined the order in Philadelphia, in May, 1851, and soon (June 3, 1851) a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge for the instituting of Good Will Lodge, No. 1025, of Odd Fellows, hence the two races have since been on equal footing as to lodge benefits. It will be remembered that this first colored lodge was chartered ten years prior to the Civil War, and thirteen years before the slaves had been set free by President Lincoln.
Knights of Pythias-This fraternity was founded in the city of Washington, D. C., at the close of the Civil War. Most of the charter members of Lodge No. I were Union army officers, and little thought of the magnitude to which their efforts were to extend throughout America. The only remaining charter member of this order, Mr. Charles Cleveland, now near his ninetieth year, resides in Iowa. He was in the navy during the Civil War.
In Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, the first attempt to introduce the work of the Knights of Pythias was when Lodge No. 32, known as Norristown, was instituted, January 22, 1868. By 1882, the membership had grown to over three hundred. Jenkintown Lodge, No. 476, was insti- tuted November 10, 1881, and soon had a membership of one hundred.
The subjoined account of lodges of this fraternity in Montgomery county show its workings in 1884: Norristown Lodge, No. 32, mem- bership 125; Othello, No. 50, membership of 50; Gulf Lodge, No. 82, membership of 45; Conshohocken Lodge, No. 117, membership 19; Laf- ayette Lodge, No. 137, membership 52; Fort Washington Lodge, No. 148, membership 30; Swedeland Lodge, No. 219, membership 32; Green- ville Lodge, No. 232, membership 67 ; Zieglersville Lodge, No. 247, mem- bership 145; Shannonville Lodge, No. 360, membership 49; Abington Lodge, No. 388, membership 155; Jenkintown Lodge, No. 476, member- ship III. The total assets of the Order in this county were in 1884 $20,927.00.
Coming down to the present time, it may be said that Montgomery county has seven lodges of this fraternity, as shown by recent Grand Lodge reports: Gulf, No. 81, West Conshohocken, membership 77; Swedeland, No. 219, Gladwyne, membership 72; Greenville, No. 232, Greenville, membership not reported; Zieglersville, No. 247, Zieglers- ville, membership 125; Abington, No. 388, Ogontz, membership 54;
197
FRATERNAL ORDERS OF THE COUNTY
Pottstown, No. 429, Pottstown, membership 180; Conshohocken, No. 117, Conshohocken, membership 661 ; Fortuna, No. 118, Hatboro, mem- bership 148; Jenkintown, No. 476, Jenkintown, membership 123.
Other Orders-The following secret organizations have been intro- duced into Montgomery county in the year opposite their name. And no doubt here and there over the county there are other new orders, all tending toward beneficiary affairs and all carry life insurance to a cer- tain extent : Patriotic Sons of America, 1847; Order of United American Mechanics, 1847; American Protestant Association, 1853; Grand Army of the Republic, 1868; Knights of Friendship, 1868; Ancient Order of Good Fellows, 1869; Patrons of Husbandry, 1873; Knights of the Golden Eagle, 1873; Temple of Honor and Temperance, 1873; Brotherhood of the Union, 1874; Ancient Order of United Workmen, 1879; Junior Amer- ican Protestant Association, 1882; Ancient Order of Knights of the Mystic Chain, 1882; American Legion of Honor, 1882; Sons of Veter- ans, 1882; Knights of the Revolution, 1884; Black Knights of Malta, 1884; Good Templars, Sons of Temperance, Royal Arcanum, Mystic Druids, Junior Order of American Mechanics, Red Men, Knights of Columbus, Foresters, Woodmen, etc.
The above is certainly a good showing in a county that three-quarters of a century ago could hardly tolerate a struggling Masonic or Odd Fel- lows' lodge to exist within its borders.
National Guard-The Sixth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsyl- vania, was organized, and had its headquarters located at Norristown in the nineties. The following companies of this regiment were recruited in this county: Company C, Conshohocken; Company F, Norristown ; Company A, Pottstown. In speaking of the soldiers of Montgomery county in his centennial address, Dr. C. Z. Weizer remarked: "General Peter Muhlenberg, of Independence days, whose statue now graces the rotunda at Washington, was born in this county. General Andrew Por- ter, who fought in the Revolutionary army so gallantly at Trenton, at Brandywine, and wherever courage was needed, was a native of this county. Nor dare we forget our grand citizen soldiers whose records shine so brilliantly since the late period of contention and strife-Major Generals John Frederick Hartranft and Winfield Scott Hancock. And do not the names of Brooke and Zook stand in red letters?"
CHAPTER XVII. THE WORK OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY WOMEN. By Mrs. A. Conrad Jones, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
Services of Montgomery County Women in the Civil War-Immedi- ately upon receipt of news of the battle of Antietam, a call was made (says Bean's "History of Montgomery County"), in behalf of the wounded who needed nurses and supplies of food and raiment. Among the first to respond from Montgomery county to the call were Mrs. Rachel P. Evans, of Bridgeport; Mrs. Alice H. Holstein, Mrs. Anna Carver, and Miss Sallie L. Roberts, of Upper Merion ; Miss Sarah Priest, of Bridgeport ; and Miss Lizzie J. Brower, of Norristown. These patri- otic and humane ladies freely gave their services to the sick and wounded men who fell in battle or were stricken with disease resulting from exhaustion and exposure. Many of the men of the 51st Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers received attention from the ladies named, who remained on the field of battle and near Sharpsburg for some two weeks. A number of the men of the 129th Pennsylvania Volunteers were also cared for by them at or near the village named. Mrs. Anna M. Hol- stein, who followed the example of these six pioneer and heroic women to fields of human horror, and who, with her husband, Major William H. Holstein, remained in this sacrificial service until the close of the war, in 1865, thus refers to her sister co-workers in her "Three Years in Field Hospital:" "From our midst six women felt called upon to offer their services for a few weeks to nurse the wounded. Though strongly urged to make one of their number, I declined. The idea of seeing and waiting upon wounded men was one from which I shrank instinctively. But when my husband returned from the battlefield of Antietam, whither the six women had gone, with the sad story that men were dying for food, home comforts and home care, lying by the roadside, in barns, sheds, and out-houses, I hesitated no longer." Although not among the first to enter this truly good service to the country and its defenders, once engaged in it, a conviction of duty detained both herself and hus- band in field and hospital duty until the conflict ended. Mr. and Mrs. Holstein followed the Army of the Potomac in its deadly and discourag- ing campaigns in Virginia, at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, at Gettysburg, accompanying it in its battles of the Wilderness, Spott- sylvania, South Anna, Cold Harbor, south of the James river, Peters-
Editor's Note-The articles comprised in this chapter on the various Women's Clubs and Societies of the county are by the pen of Mrs. Mary (Bean) Jones, daugh- ter of Colonel Theodore W. Bean, who was the author of the "History of Montgom- ery County" (1884), and she assisted her father on that most excellent history, as is shown in the preface to the work. Reprinted in the present volume from that work is the matter relating to women's service In the Civil War. If some of these articles seem too much abridged, it must not be charged to their writer, but to the limited amount of space allotted her by the publishers, and the time given in which to gather data and compile the same.
200
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
burg, Five Forks, and at the base of supplies, with acre upon acre of field hospitals, when the glad news of the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox was flashed over the wires to City Point, and from thence to a loyal and rejoicing North. Among the first six who are above men- tioned, Mrs. Evans became very ill from over-work and exposure, and suffered long and dangerous illness. Her place was promptly taken by her sister, Miss Lizzie Brower, who remained with Mr. and Mrs. Hol- stein for the greater part of the three following years.
We may here say that among all the hundreds of self-sacrificing women who gave their time and services to the government during the long years of that cruel war, none have received the slightest practical recognition from the government they upheld and contributed so mate- rially to save in its day of great peril.
Women's Loyal League of Montgomery County-The invasion of Pennsylvania in the summer of 1863 aroused the loyal blood of the women as well as the men of the State. The great battle of Gettysburg had been fought; the terrible loss of life, the waste and desolation and human anguish which resulted quickened the sense of patriotism felt by all those in sympathy with the Union army and the success of the national administration in its efforts to crush out the Rebellion. From the com- mencement of hostilities to the close of the conflict the loyal women of Montgomery county were devoted to those who volunteered in defense of the country.
The world will possibly never know of all the friendly acts toward the men in the field and their families at home bestowed by the Christian and benevolent women of the country; to them is eminently due the lib- eral contributions to the Sanitary Commission from this vicinity, and from which the sick and wounded on the field and in hospitals received needed supplies of food and raiment through all the long and weary years of the struggle. Many of these good women felt that this was not enough, but that their feelings should find public expression, and that their influence also should be unitedly exerted in sustaining a strong public sentiment in support of the government. To this end, in July, 1863, they formed a branch in the Loyal League, and published a declar- ation of purposes, viz .:
Declaration of Purposes in Organizing the Women's Loyal League of Montgomery County :
Believing that the women have it in their power to exert a very great influence in the destiny of this Nation, and being satisfied that more can be accomplished by united action than individual effort, we deem it expedient to form a Society to be called the Loyal League of the Women of Montgomery County.
Resolved, That we will use every means in our power to aid in sup- porting the Government in its struggles for existence, by the develop- ments of love for the Union and respect for the constituted authorities,
201
THE WORK OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY WOMEN
and to this end we will constantly labor for the uprooting of all treason- able sentiments and the discouragement of those who are endeavoring to foster them.
Resolved, That our efforts for the comfort and benefit of the soldiers in the field and in the hospital shall be unceasing, and that while en- deavoring to soften the hardships they must endure, we will turn to them only the cheerful and hopeful side of everything, and we will strive to have brave hearts at home, in order that their hands may be strength- ened, remembering we may yield up a few superfluities for the sake of those who have preserved to us our homes and other comforts.
Resolved, That we will pledge ourselves to unite our best influence, not only toward the brave in the field, but to exert every kindly feeling toward the families at home; to build up their faith in the Government, and to give them every encouragement which woman only can give.
Resolved, We will, while redoubling every effort, rely first upon our only strength, and be earnest and untiring in prayer to God for the success of our cause, and the triumph of Truth, Justice and Liberty. We ask all to unite with us by signing their names, and contributing a small sum to maintain and carry out the objects of the League.
MRS. JONATHAN ROBERTS, President. MRS. ROBERT IREDELL, Vice-President. MISS ANNA C. YERKES, Secretary. MRS. L. H. JONES, Treasurer. MRS. C. EVANS, Bridgeport ;
MRS. B. B. HUGHES, Bridgeport ; MRS. C. P. HARRY, Norristown ; Executive Committee.
The members held their stated meetings in the rooms on the second floor of the old Washington Inn. They were rented by the gentlemen belonging to the "Loyal League" (not, however, the one organized by the ladies), and usually under the care of a janitor, and open at all times, especially during active campaign periods. It was general headquarters for all information touching army affairs. Files of newspapers were here kept, and general and special correspondence centered in the "League Rooms." It was a place of great public interest immediately after battles fought, as the people from all parts of the county would visit there to have the news from the front and obtain tidings from their personal friends in the different armies. In those days "war correspond- ents" flashed along the wires the long list of "killed, wounded and cap- tured" always sure to follow a movement of the Army of the Potomac, Sherman in the Southwest, or Sheridan in the Valley. Bright faces were often saddened, and trembling hearts here first heard news of vic- tory or defeat, and with it the loss of those near and dear to them. The organization exercised a healthful influence during its existence, and dis- solved by mutual consent upon the termination of the war.
Montgomery County Woman Suffrage Association-This associa- tion was organized in 1888, at a meeting held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Hooven, Norristown. Mrs. Susan Fessenden, of Massachu-
202
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
setts, addressed the meeting. The charter members enrolled were: Mrs. Anna M. Holstein, Mrs. Sarah H. Tyson, Miss Elizabeth H. Tyson, Mrs. Hetty Y. Hallowell, Miss Anna Y. Hallowell, James Hooven, Mrs. Rebecca McInnes, Mrs. Emma C. Patton, and William H. Holstein. The membership was further increased this first year by Miss Sarah Reese, Mrs. Sara L. Oberholtzer, Mrs. J. W. Andrews, Mrs. E. B. Conrow, Miss Eleanor Rapp, Mrs. Ellen C. Jones, Miss Mary A. Stahr, Miss Ellen L. Thomas, and Samuel Tyson. May 23, 1888, their constitution was adopted, and for twenty-five years following, this organization carried on a series of meetings and lectures and activities to awaken public opinion in favor of the movement to give women the right to the ballot.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Montgomery County, of which Mrs. Sara L. Oberholtzer was president, gave the use of their rooms for the meetings of the association, and cooperated warmly with the movement.
The Association took up the study of political economy and laws pertaining to the rights of women. In their investigations they learned that in 1889, 726 women in Montgomery county paid $18,730.72 taxes on property valued at $1,440,825.
Distinguished speakers addressed their meetings: Miss Lucy An- thony, Rev. Anna H. Shaw, Miss Mary Grew, Dr. Brink, Mrs. Lucretia Mitchell, Dr. Hiram H. Corson, Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery, Miss Jane Campbell, Judge Ashman; Mrs. Rudolph Blankenburg, president of the State Association ; Mrs. Kemp, Henry B. Blackwell, and Miss Elizabeth W. Yates. Memorial meetings were held in honor of Lucy Stone and Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The speakers were: Mrs. David R. Beaver, Mrs. Ellen C. Jones, Mrs. Sarah H. Tyson, Miss Anna B. Thomas, Dr. Hiram Corson, Isaac Roberts, and Miss Ellen L. Thomas.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.