USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Braddock > The unwritten history of Braddock's Field (Pennsylvania) > Part 22
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
F. O. E., Braddock Aerie, instituted June 23, 1905.
G. of St. A. Branch No. 821, organized Sept. 10, 1905.
E. S. L. U., "Bethesda" Branch No. 6, organized Jan. 21, 1906. I. O. S. D., Mon City Lodge No. 3, organized June 11, 1907.
L. O. O. M., Braddock Lodge No. 57, instituted October 7, 1908. M. W. of A., Camp No. 13413, instituted Nov. 6, 1908. P. R. C. U., St. Joseph Society No. 449, instituted 1908.
I. O. St. L. Barton Union Council No. 694, organized 1908.
MALTA TEMPLE
R. & G. C. S. B. of Western Pa., organized April 18, 1909.
R. & G. C. S. B. St. John's Society, organized May 1909.
P. A. C. C., instituted Sept. 30, 1910.
A. O. H., Ladies Auxiliary, instituted May 16, 1912.
E. S. U., Branch No. 73, organized May 19, 1912.
K. of St. J., St. Mary's of Mount Carmel Commandery, No. 199, in- stituted July 7, 1912.
D. of I., Braddock Court No. 244, instituted July 19, 1914.
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
I. O. M. B. Lodge of Braddock, re-organized Feb. 24, 1917.
There are in America more secret societies and a larger aggregate membership than in all other civilized countries of the World.
Our land of liberty and democracy afforded a most congenial, re- ceptive and unrestricted field for the active development of a prevailing anti-ism and for the popular formation of societies of the fraternal order. The great majority were founded, operated and have existed on the hon- est principle of fraternal love and association. These have, therefore, very naturally contributed materially in the consolidation, agreeable as- sociation and the general betterment of such a cosmopolitan and conglomer- ate crowd as that which, augmented from time to time by immigration, to-day forms the population of some hundred millions of Americans.
Some time since it was reported that there were 650 well known, regularly formed and generally recognized fraternal orders in the United States, with an aggregate membership of 8,000,000. There were in ex- istence at that time, additional smaller orders with an enrollment of about 3,000,000 members making a grand total of 11,000,000 American citizens, or about one tenth of the entire population of the United States. The estimated amount of insurance is stated to be about $7,000,000,000.
More than 30,000 members are annually added to the rolls of the Masonic Fraternity alone, and quite as many join the Odd Fellow Societies. About one-half as many add to the annual membership of the Knights of Pythias. The smaller societies secure an increase of recruits every year in almost the same proportion.
Although the American Fraternities have the same basis and funda- mental principles common to the Friendly Societies of England and Scot- land, and are in fact the outgrowth of British secret and non-secret friendly societies; yet they possess features which are purely and dis- tinctly American.
As in Great Britain, the American Societies are organized on the Lodge System with grips, passwords, and rituals. The foundation and existence of these societies is a contract to pay by means of assessments a stipulated amount of insurance to the beneficiaries of the deceased mem- bers, and in some instances sick, disability and funeral benefits.
The general aim of these societies is to cultivate the spirit of fra- ternity ; by encouraging the social, the intellectual, the esthetic, they in- crease the popularity of their respective organizations.
The Masons, Odd Fellows, Elks and Maltas, of Braddock, all own their homes of which they are justly very proud. Most of the other Orders are
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
very strong financially and some of them contemplate the erection of a home in the near future.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Braddock's Field Lodge No. 529, was instituted Nov. 17, 1856. The Charter Members were: John W. House, Daniel Kuhns, Morris Brannon, John C. Campbell, Miles Fawcett, William Sarver, James Carson, Lloyd Jamison, Samuel Baden, James Pet- ty, Samuel Watts, Daniel Mansfield, H. Bailey, Jacob Linheart, James McCleary, Samuel Kuhns.
ELK'S CLUB.
The following officers were elected: John W. House, Noble Grand; Daniel Kuhns, Vice Grand; Morris Brannon, Secretary ; John C. Campbell, Financial Secretary ; and Miles Fawcett, Treasurer.
The officers at present are: Thomas N. Strathern, Noble Grand; Edward M. Graffis, Vice Grand; W. S. Lowman, Rec. Secretary ; Reuben Abbiss, Financial Secretary ; and Philip D. Heyne, Treasurer.
Braddock's Field Lodge No. 510, Free and Accepted Masons, was warranted on June 5, 1872, with the following charter members: Esli P. Black, William F. Lang, John H. Cooper. Thomas J. Dowler, Henry M. Lytle, William B. Lucus, Christopher C. Fawcett, Sharply M. Packer, New-
.
254
THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
·
ton I. Roberts, Edward J. Allen, John Bladridge, Jr., Thomas K. McVay, Thomas J. Lewis, William F. Hope, Samuel W. Elliot.
The first officers were: William F. Lang, Worshipful Master; John H. Cooper, Senior Warden; Thomas J. Dowler, Junior Warden; Christopher C. Fawcett, Treasurer ; William F. Hope, Secretary.
The present officers are: David Dudgeon, Worshipful Master; James H. Rose, Senior Warden; Clarence F. Bernatz, Junior Warden; Henry C. Shallenberger, Treasurer ; (1) Thomas J. Dowler, Secretary.
McMaster's Encampment No. 239, I. O. O. F. was instituted at Tur- tle Creek, April 23, 1873. The first meeting of this organization in Brad- dock was held Mar. 21, 1885.
CHRISTOPHER C. FAWCETT. (2)
The first officers and charter members were: David Mackey, C. P .; James S. McCauley, Sr. W .; S. H. McCabe, H. P .; David Allen, Jr. W. ; John Gibb, Scribe; George W. Ament, Treasurer; John Glunt, Alexander Cun- ningham, W. A. Crusan, N. G. Harrison, David McMunn, Taylor McIntosh, George Crake, H. Maxwell, R. N. Lewis, and Henry Lane.
The present officers are: George K. Butler, C. P .; Edward M. Graf- fis, H. P .; Clarence N. Sickler, Sr. W .; Warren D. Kellar, Jr. W .; Reuben Abbiss, Scribe; and R. Olin Glenn, Treasurer.
(1) Thos. J. Dowler died March 28, 1917, having served the lodge as secretary continuously for forty-five years.
(2) Only living charter member of Braddock's Field Lodge No. 570, F. & A. M.
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
Order of Independent Americans, Monongahela Council No. 122, was instituted in Seewald's Hall June 21, 1879, by Daniel G. Evans, State Councilor, of the Junior O. U. A. M. assisted by Smoky City Council No. 119. In June 1904 the Council affiliated with the majority of Councils in Pennsylvania by forming the O. of I. A., in order that the real objects and purposes of the parent organization could be carried out in a success- ful manner.
The present officers are C. W. Cochran, Con .; G. H. Gardner, V. C .; O. K. Hyland, Recording Secretary ; Roy M. Lowers, Secretary; L. M. Pot- ter, Financial Secretary ; Adam Mehlman, Treasurer; Clyde House, Cond. ; R. L. Witters, Warden; L. E. Reeves, I. S .; J. M. O'Donovan, O. S .; H. J. Frye, Chaplain ; J. G. Kerr, J. I. Nulls, Harold Greig, Trustees ; J. F. Lowers, Rep. S. C .; L. M. Potter, Alt.
Major A. M. Harper Post No. 181, Department Pennsylvania G. A. R.
In pursuance of Special Order No. 58, Headquarters Department of Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic, issued to Thos. J. Gist of Post 59, of Mckeesport, Pa., a provisional Post was instituted July 31, 1880 for the purpose of mustering into the G. A. R. Order, Post 181 of Braddock, Pa.
The Comrades of the detail were from the Posts of Pittsburgh, East Liberty, Mckeesport and were as follows: Thos. J. Gist . Post 59, Com- mander; W. W. McClellan, Post 3, Sr. Vice Commander; G. S. Gallupe, Post 88, Jr. Vice Commander; S. A. Wills, Post 3, Adjutant; W. L. Hurd, Post 59, Quartermaster; L. D. Radinsky, Post 59, Surgeon; Q. Lutz, Post 117, Chaplain; W. W. Tyson, Post 88, Officer of the Day; A. C. Monland, Post 151, Officer of the Guard; T. Eastwood, Post 59, Sergeant Major.
The following were then mustered into the G. A. R. as Post 181, of Braddock, and were duly instructed in their duties as comrades of the Order of the G. A. R., by the above details of comrades: C. Bennett, J. C. Bash, August Brocksmith, Robert Bates, T. C. Clark, J. M. Clark, G. A. Douglass, G. S. Fritzius, Wm. Ford, Wm. Flanigan, T. W. Graham, J. W. Hawthorne, G. F. House, C. F. Hugo, Wm. Holmes, G. W. Johnson, J. S. Jones, H. T. Kulp, V. C. Knorr, C. C. Lobinger, J. L. McFeeters, W. L. Mur- dough, J. F. McGuire, Consor McClure, W. T. Meradith, J. J. Mills, J. W. Mathews, David Nichols, R. H. Owens, John Powell, J. H. Rankin, Christian Raichle, W. H. Speer, W. A. Sandles, Henry Slater, H. C. Teeter and Casper Winters.
The first officers of the Post were as follows: David Nichols, Past Commander; Wm. Holmes, Sr. Vice Commander; H. C. Teeters, Jr. Vice
JAS. A. RUSSEL.#
P. G. SYLVIS .*
THOS. J. DOWLER.
ROBT. J. KINTER.
WM. COLBERT .*
JAS. W. FAWCETT."
*Oldest living members Braddock's Field Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 529.
THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD. · 257
Commander; G. S. Fritzius, Adjutant ; J. J. Mills, Quartermaster; Dr. W. A. Sandles, Surgeon; W. H. Speer, Chaplain; J. W. Hawthorne, Officer of the Day ; R. H. Owens, Officer of the Guard; C. F. Hugo, Sergeant Major; J. L. Jones, Quartermaster Sergeant.
At the second regular meeting of the new Post a Committee con- sisting of Jones, Teeter, Murdough was appointed to select the name of some deceased comrade for whom to name the Post. This Committee sub- mitted the names of A. M. Harper and O. Noyse, the latter being with- drawn, that of A. M. Harper was adopted unanimously.
The following comrades were prominent in business and industrial affairs of Braddock: Capt. W. R. Jones, Capt. T. H. Lapsley, Capt. J. L. McFeeters, Isaac Mills, Jr., John Little, John Rinard, Rev. S. P. Slade, Rev. J. L. Long, Rev. J. L. Miller, Dr. W. A. Sandles, Dr. W. L. Hunter, Dr. W. W. Meyers, Dr. B. F. Price, V. C. Knorr, David Nichols, T. W. Graham, J. N. Griffith and H. T. Kulp.
Following are the names of the Comrades who have filled the office of Commander from date of muster until the present time: David Nichols (1880, 6 months, deceased) ; Harry C. Teeter (1881-82, 2 years de- ceased) ; T. H. Lapsley (1883-84, 2 years, deceased) ; W. H. Speer (1885, 1 year, deceased) ; G. F. House (1886, 1 year) ; J. L. Jones (1887-88-89, 3 years, deceased) ; W. L. Murdough (1890, 1 year) ; R. W. Jones (1891, 1 year, deceased) ; W. J. Redman (1892, 1 year, deceased) ; R. C. Jackson (1893, 1 year, deceased) ; J. M. Clark (1894, 1 year, deceased) ; A. M. Bryan (1895, 1 year, deceased) ; J. W. Mathews (1896, 1 year, deceased) ; A. H. White (1897, 1 year, not a member) ; V. C. Knorr (1898, 1 year) ; A. M. Carline (1899, 1 year, not a member) ; Isaac Kramer (1900, 1 year, deceased) ; G. B. Hargett (1901, 1 year) ; S. T. Hart (1902, 1 year) ; H. J. Sharah (1903, 1 year) ; William Bennett (1904, 1 year, deceased) ; W. R. Collins (1905, 1 year) ; W. L. Murdough (1906-07, 2 years) ; D. L. Provance (1908, 1 year) ; W. L. Murdough (1909, 1 year) ; John Rinard (1910, 1 year, deceased) ; Jacob Hentz (1911, 1 year) ; B. A. Jobe (1912, 1 year) ; Joel Cruckshank (1913, 1 year) ; J. N. Griffith (1914, 1 year) ; P. W. Pike (1915, 7 months, deceased) ; J. N. Griffith (1915, 5 months) ; W. L. Mur- dough (1916, 1 year).
The present officers are: W. L. Murdough, Commander; Hamilton Mutterfield, Sr. Vice Commander; W. R. Collins, Jr. Vice Commander; B. A. Jobe, Adjutant ; V. C. Knorr, Quartermaster; J. H. Rankin, Surgeon; D. L. Provance, Chaplain; B. F. Spangler, Officer of the Day; J. N. Grif- fith, Patriotic Instructor; J. J. Soles, Officer of the Guard; J. N. Griffith,
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
B. F. Spangler, W. R. Collins, Post Trustees; J. H. Rankin, W. R. Collins and Jacob Hintz, Cemetery Trustees.
From the date of muster up to the present time there were 286 com- rades enrolled, but only forty-three (43) are still living, namely Jackson Allshouse, Jackson Anderson, Wm. Benson, Hamilton Butterfield, W. R. Collins, Joel Cruckshank, Patrick Conley, C. C. Fawcett, Henry Frank, J. N. Griffith, T. M. George, Ezekiel Gray, G. F House, J. H. Hoes, S. T. Harte, Wm. Huey, Jacob Heinz, James Hurley, B. A. Jobe, V. C. Knorr, H. T. Kulp, John Kountz, W. L. Murdough, (1) Wm. Mayer, John Mensdorf, Wm. McCauley, John McCaplin, Thos. McClelland, George Petty, D. L. Provance, Wm. Phillips, J. H. Rankin, Christian Raichle, H. P. Rigby, Hezekiah Scritchfield, B. F. Spangler, J. J. Soles, Wm Soles, Phillip Sadler, W. H. Thompson, C. T. Taylor, C. J. Williams and John Watkins.
The Honorary Members are Chas. E. Dinkey, L. F. Holtzman, W. H. Sharah, Frances Bebbett, George English, and Miss Tillie Harrison. The latter was taken in when a very small girl and was called the daughter of the Post.
Royal Arcanium, Edgar Thomson Council No. 512, was instituted Aug. 16, 1880, by Deputy Grand Regent, Owen Handcock of Pittsburgh, the charter members being: E. W. Eisenbeis, George A. Lewis, George W. Bond, John Dodds, Daniel Berthhold, Matthew I. Davis, Courtlandt F. Lukens, Stewart D. St. Clair, Matthias Bankert, J. D. Riley, Victor C. Knorr, Dr. George Gladden, Frank Wandrocke, Samuel Bowers, Robert A. Hart, Frank Keyser.
The Officers elected were: Regent, E. W. Eisenbeis; Vice Regent, Matthew I. Davis; Orator, Dr. George Gladden; Past Regent, Courtlandt F. Lukens, Secretary, George A. Lewis; Treasurer, Victor C. Knorr; Col- lector, J. D. Riley.
The living Past Regents of the Council in order of seniority are; J. F. Roberts, F. F. Sneathen, W. Leslie Miller, Edgar S. Wright, J. R. Em- mert, Thomas J. Wood, Harry V. Barr, George S. Speidel, John T. C. Bow- man, Erastus F. Loucks, M. Clyde Kelly, Harry E. Gwynne, Robert Bennet, David Creelman.
The present officers are: Lewis P. Fisher, Regent ; Wm. J. B. Macaul- ey, Vice Regent ; Sherman T. Stroup, Orator; David Creelman, Collector; E. M. Sharah, Treasurer; J. C. McCormick, Jr., Secretary; C. A. Duffy, Chaplain.
(1) Mr. Murdough, who furnished this account of the Post, died June 8, 1917, in consequence of overexertion in the celebration of last Memorial day.
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
The Ladies of the G. A. R. were organized and instituted as the Loyal.Ladies League, September 1, 1883, by the State of New Jersey as an aid to the Grand Army of the Republic.
The Charter Members were: Mrs. Emma Douglass, Mrs. Esther Murdough, Mrs. E. H. Ling, Mrs. Helena Lobingier, Mrs. T. Graham, Mrs. Ellen B. Soles, Mrs. Sue C. Kulp, Mrs. J. W. Meredith, Mrs. Jennie Slater, Mrs. Mary Nichols, Mrs. Margaret House and Mrs. Christiana Bryan.
At the Convention held in Altoona, Pennsylvania in 1886, a De- partment of Pennsylvania, Ladies of the G. A. R., Circle No. 4, was institu- ted, the fourth circle in Pennsylvania and the first in Western Pennsyl- vania. It was termed the "Mother Circle" and instituted many of the Circles of Western Pennsylvania. Circle N. 4 was allied to Post No. 181 of Braddock and shared all the work pertaining to Grand Army.
There were forty-two (42) Charter Members but the passing years have reduced our number to twenty-six (26), but the work for which we were banded together, The Post, The Widows and Orphans of Old Soldiers, is enduring. The Home at Hawkins stands as a monument to the Ladies G. A. R.
The first officers were: Mrs. Emma Douglas, President; Mrs. Helena Lobingier, First Vice President ; Mrs. Annie Jones, Second Vice President ; Mrs. Ellen B. Soles, Chaplain ; Mrs. Sue C. Kulp, Secretary ; Mrs. Christiana Bryan, Treasurer and Mrs. Anna Rankin, Conductress.
The present officers are: Mrs. Sarah Campbell, President; Mrs. Leona Hugo, Sr. Vice President; Mrs. Nellie Thomas, Jr. Vice President; Mrs. Jennie Graham, Chaplain; Mrs. Melisia Provance, Secretary; Mrs. Sue C. Kulp, Treasurer; Mrs. Maud Thomas, Patriotic Instructress; Mrs. Sarah Hoffman, Conductress; Mrs. Laura Leffler, Asst. Cond .; and Isabel Humbert, Guard.
Slavian Assembly No. 21 of the National Slovak Society of the United States of America is the oldest Slovak beneficial society in West- ern Pennsylvania. It was founded January 20, 1889, through the efforts of Messrs. Joseph Wolff, John F. Rybar and John Valecek, with thirty- five (35) charter members. It was founded as a sick benefit organization but on October 1, 1890, soon after the organization of the National Slovak Society, it affiliated with that body and became Slavian Assembly No. 21 of that body. Affiliated with the Slavian is a childrens' society called the Young Folks Circle.
The officers are John Kulamer, President; John Cupak, Vice Presi- dent; Michael Borsuk, Recording Secretary ; Michael Stecz, Financial Sec-
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
retary ; John A. Gimesky, Treasurer; Peter Dzmura, John Korman, Blasius Britanik, Auditors; and Paul Balint, Elder of the Young Folks Circle.
The Maccabees, Bessemer Tent No. 92, was organized February 26, 1889, with twenty-one (21) charter members and the following officers: John L. Jones, Sir Knight Commander; J. K. Fisher, Sir Knight Past Commander; John Hilgenberg, Sir Knight St. Commander; E. S. Bracken, Sir Knight Record Keeper; E. M. Brackemeyer, Sir Knight Finance Keep- er; Dr. J. W. Weddle, Sir Knight Chaplain; Dr. J. W. Weddle, Sir Knight Physician; W. R. Edwards, Sir Knight Sargent ; T. Kulp, Sir Knight Master at Arms; J. W. Mathews, Sir Knight First Master of Guards; Chas. Davis, Sir Knight Second Master of Guards; G. F. Larimer, Sir Knight Sentinel; David Creelman, Sir Knight Picket.
The present officers are: John Moenick, Sir Knight Past Command- er; Albert J. Bachofer, Sir Knight Commander; Thos McCafferey, Sir Knight St. Commander; Wm. L. Callahan, Sir Knight Record Keeper; Frank A. Reilly, Sir Knight Chaplain; Homer Carpenter, Sir Knight Sar- gent; Dr. J. A. Miller, Sir Knight Physician; George Frye, Sir Knight Master at Arms; Joseph Seamon, Sir Knight First Master of Guards; Joseph Fisher, Sir Knight Second Master of Guards; John Langley, Sir Knight Sentinel; Nickolas Bongartz, Sir Knight Picket; Samuel Benson, Homer Carpenter, and A. F. Bachofer, Trustees.
Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, Branch No. 65 was instituted July 8, 1889, with the following charter members: John A. Carr, Edw. D. Nugent, Wm. J. Wall, Rodger Daugherty, John Fullard, Owen Larkin, Jos. Syden, James Nugent, Chas. W. McGarvey, John C. Logan, Jas. Kinney, Jas. Gorman, John Griffin, Sr., Patrick Martin, Patrick O'Shea, M. J. Daugherty, Peter Hammill, Wm. McMullen, M. J. Munhall, Wm. Dunn.
The first officers were: John A. Carr, President; Wm. J. Wall, Recording Secretary, Edw. D. Nugent, Financial Secretary; Jas. Kenney, Treasurer.
The present officers are: M. J. Simon, President ; John Mullin, First Vice President ; John Carr, Second Vice President; Vern Ridge, Recording Secretary ; P. J. O'Connell, Financial Secretary ; Richard J. Butler, Treas- urer and W. F. Clark, Chancellor.
Saint Michael Archangel Slovak Society Branch No. 35, which is the largest branch of the Catholic Slovak Union, was organized February 9, 1890 with sixty (60) members. The fifst President was John Barlok; Stephen Vanyo, Financial Secretary ; Frank Shikula, Recording Secretary; John Pilas, Treasurer.
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
The present officers are John Lukac, President; Paul Hatala, Vice President; Joseph J. Semes, Recording Secretary; Andrew S. Hajdu, Fi- nancial Secretary ; Imrich Mamrak, Association Secretary; Andrew Pu- halla, Treasurer; John Kovaly, First Trustee; Ludwik Martinko, Second Trustee.
Knights of Pythias, Husband Lodge No. 386, was instituted Febru- ary 13, 1892.
The Charter Members were Albert Queery, George Earl, Joe Evens, John Maxwell, John M. Reed, Jacob R. Smitley, Ebenezer Wilson, Wm. T. Morgan, Elmer Metz, H. T. Barnhart, Charles L. Shoop, Christ Forney and J. G. Wallace.
The officers were: George Earl, C. C .; John M. Reed, V. C .; John Maxwell, Prelate ; J. R. Smitley, K. R. S .; E. L. Wilson, M. F .; W. T. Morgan, M. E .; I. Reed, M. A .; H. T. Barnhart, I. G .; Elmer Metz, O. G.
. The officers at present are: David George, C. C .; Edward Payne, V. C .; Chas. Lewis, Prelate; H. H. Fogie, K. R. S .; W. J. Lewis, M. F .; Samuel Barlow, M. E .; Samuel Branthoover, M. A .; Arthur Fram, I. G .; C. F. Smith, O. G .; Simon Stump, Chas. Lewis, and Wm. Husband are Trustees.
St. Paul's Branch No. 4 of the Slovak Evangelical Union was or- ganized October 30, 1892, with the following charter members: Andrew Sedlak, Andrew Varga, John Mizoff, George Sec, John Goga Smith, John Marcin, Sr., Stephan Cop, John Marton, Michael Sedory, John Sedory, Michael Kachman, George Goga, John Smetana, Stephen Gall, George Varga, John Sedlak-Onderuf, Joseph Demcak, George Maco.
The first officers were: Rev. L. Novomeskey, President; Stephen Cop, Vice President; George Vargo, Secretary; John Marton, Treasurer; Andrew Damankos, Financial Secretary.
The present officers are: Stephen Kusnier, President; John Stark, Secretary, Andrew Duraj, Jr., Financial Secretary ; John Tompos, Treasur- er.
Valetta Commandery, No. 129, Ancient & Illustrious Order Knights of Malta, was instituted February 23, 1893, with 59 charter members, ten of whom are still living. The officers were: Sir J. N. Griffith, Past Com- mander; Sir M. F. Michael, Sir Knight Commander; Sir Jacob Shipman, Generalissimo; Sir Henry Miller, Captain General; Sir Wm. Porter, Pre- late ; Sir D. F. Melville, Recorder ; Sir A. H. Parker, Treasurer.
The present officers are : Sir E. B. Calihan, S. K. C .; Sir John Somer- ville, Generalissimo; Sir Chas. Stewart Jr., Captain General; Sir F. A.
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
Meacham, Prelate; Sir Albert Liston, Treasurer and Sir E. T. Engelhart, Recorder. Valetta Commandery has been especially honored by the election of the following to the Supreme and Grand offices of the Order.
Sir David F. Melville, Grand Commander Pennsylvania 1899. Supreme Commander, Continent of America 1903.
Sir B. M. Bartilson, M. D., Grand Commander Pennsylvania 1904, Supreme Commander, Continent of America 1908.
Sir H. F. Fisher, M. D., Grand Commander Pennsylvania 1914.
St. Albert's Roman Catholic Benevolent Society, Branch No. 6 of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Union of America, was organized March 14, 1895, and was the first Polish Society in Braddock. The first officers were: Frank Sumeracki, President ; Anthony Pater, Vice President ; Thomas Polanski, Secretary; Ludwick Wlazlinski, Treasurer; Anthony Krzyzosiak, and Philip Kanarkowski, Trustees.
The Society was chartered by the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County, Mar. 13, 1897. The charter members were Anthony Pater, Lud- wick Wlazlinski, Peter Dudek, Anthony Krzyzosiak and John Drozen.
The present officers are: Anthony Krzyzosiak, President; Felix Josienski, Vice President; Joseph Balawajder, Secretary; Michael Peli, Financial Secretary; Frank Czapliwski, Treasurer; Philip Kanarkowski and Frank Wisniewski, Trustees; Joseph Rosin and Frank Kultis, Di- rectors of Sick.
Spolok Sv. Rodiny Jezis, Maria a Jozef Cislo, 197 I. K. S. J., was organized in St. Michael's Parish, August 3, 1895 with 33 charter mem- bers and the following officers: John Pipko, President; Andrew Zajac, Secretary ; George Opet, Financial Secretary ; Jozef Popovich, Treasurer.
The present officers are: John T. Oranez, President ; John Kizason- iak, Secretary; George M. Kallock, Financial Secretary; Jozel Manik, Treasurer.
Melrose Commandery, No. 179, Ancient & Illustrious Order Knights of Malta, was organized by Alexander McPhee, November 27, 1895, with sixty-five (65) charter members, eighteen (18) of whom are still active in the affairs of the Commandery. The following were the first officers: George Nash, Sir Knight Commander; G. W. Brown, Generalissimo; Au- gust Mann, Captain General; R. P. Everett, Prelate; Frank Boardman, Recorder; Chas. B. Guttridge, Asst. Recorder ; Giddeon H. Jaquay, Treasur- er; A. Allison, Sr. Warden; Thos. Watkins, Jr. Warden; F. E. Wollerton, Standard Bearer; John Peterson, Sword Bearer; Fred Miller, Warder; R. Miller, Sentinel ; Ruben Guttridge, First Guard; E. S. Metz, Second Guard.
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THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY OF BRADDOCK'S FIELD.
The present officers are: Martin J. Fisher, S. K. C .; James Baxter, Generalissimo; Edgar Reed, Captain General; Arthur Fram, Prelate; David H. Drylie, Recorder; John Neckeraeur, Asst. Rec .; Harry C. Dixon, Treasurer; Fred M. Lucas, Sr. Warden ; William Crawford, Jr. Warden.
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Triumphant Lodge No. 3954, was instituted Jan. 26, 1896, with the following charter members: H. J. Rector, Jessie Roy, James L. Roy, P. H. Homes, W. W. Jackson, Thomas Humes, J. H. Brown, R. H. Greer, James Florence, Sandy Jones.
The present officers are: William McWright, N. G .; James H. Hair- ston, V. G .; R. G. Puryear, Chaplain; John J. Willis, N. F .; Samuel Moore, P. N. F .; Kaleb Booker, W .; Alexander Weathers, Advo .; J. E. Sackwell, Treasurer ; William Stanton, E. S .; William H. Barton, P. Secy.
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