USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1) > Part 48
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Franklin Legion, No. 25, S. K. of A. O. U. II'., was instituted by G. C. Charles Babst, March 20, 1886. The first trustees were : H. W. Bostwick, Moses Wachtel and B. S. Black. First officers: W. L. Corrin, S. C .; D. I. Dale, V. C .; M. Quinn, L. C. : B. J. Feld- man. R .; Henry T. James, T .; A. Kolb, B. E. Swan, George Maloney. W. C. Ridgway, R. J. Ratcliffe, D. A. McElhaney, and D. B. Wilhelm. It is now consolidated with Lodge No. 3. A. O. U. W.
French Creek Tribe, No. 147, Improved Order of Red Men, received its charter under date of March 22. 1871. The first members were: J. H. McCracken, J. H. Spencer, H. A. Plance. F. D. Sullinger, M. Singer. G. B. Fox, S. B. Myers, Alex Vincent, C. Wacks- muth. Felix Grossman, John Lytle, Edward Rial, N. B. Myers. It has continued strong to the present, holding meetings the first and third Wednesdays of each month in the P. H. C. hall in the Printz block. Officers for 1918: Sachem. O. A. Grimm : sen. sag., C. E. Stark; A. of R., W. M. Black; K. of W., J. J. Scannell.
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St. Patrick's Benevolent Society, a branch of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union, was instituted in November, 1875, with R. Ham- mond, president ; B. Darrah, vice president ; H. J. Strodmeyer, secretary, and John O'Neil, treasurer.
Franklin City Lodge, No. 48, K. of P., was started March 13, 1876, with D. L. Potter, P. C .; M. King, C. C .; B. W. Bredin, V. C .; Rev. F. Evans, P .; M. Bridges, M. at A .; R. W. Redfield, K. of R. and S .; Joseph Walker, M. of F .; A. Y. Findley, M. of Ex .; J. R. Connor, I. G .; Thomas Walker, O. G .; B. F. Frost, R., and fifty-four others as charter members. There is no lodge of this order in Franklin now.
Branch No. 2, Catholic Mutual Benefit As- sociation, was instituted Jan. 24, 1878. The first officers were: J. S. McGarry, president ; P. Quinlivan, first vice president ; G. W. Sut- ley, treasurer; H. J. Strodmeyer, secretary ; D. McCarthy, marshal; J. E. Maher, guard ; Rev. J. Q. Adams, spiritual adviser; J. Shee- han, P. Gormley, L. J. Heffernan, J. S. Mc- Garry, and P. Quinlivan, directors. The pres- ent officers are: President, F. A. Doherty ; financial secretary, W. C. Hubler; treasurer, M. McDonough. Meetings are held in the Sacred Heart School hall the first and last Tuesdays of each month, at 8 p. m.
Crawford Lodge, No. 3, Knights and Ladies of Honor, was instituted Sept. 15, 1879, with thirty-six charter members. This body seems to have gone out of existence.
Venango Council, No. 33, Royal Templars of Temperance, was begun March 21, 1879. The first charter was burned and the present instrument granted March 16, 1886, to D. W. Morgan, S. C .; C. W. Smith, V. C .; J. M. Fredenberg, P. C .; D. Wilhelm, chaplain ; E. Howard, R. D. Tipple, secretaries, and E. P. Howard, treasurer. There is no record of this order at present.
Lockhard Lodge, No. 1534, Knights of Honor, was chartered Sept. 30, 1879. Forty members were on the roll. The names of R. G. Lamberton, C. M. Hoover, H. B. Plumer, G. S. Criswell, W. W. Peters, P. Engelskirger and W. A. Horton appear there. No records now remain of this organization.
Franklin Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 76, was organized by George W. White Dec. 8, 1880. This organization has also disappeared.
Franklin Union, No. 51, Equitable Aid Union, was organized March 11, 1881. with Mrs. Frank E. Whann, chancellor; H. H. Ware, advocate; J. M. Dickey, president ; Mrs. W. A. Horton, vice president; Mrs.
Frances Evans, auxiliary; Mrs. Anna G. Adams, treasurer ; Mrs. A. C. Giddings, sec- retary. When this Union "crossed the bar" is not known.
Nursery Union, No. 183, Equitable Aid Union, was organized in 1885 with the fol- lowing officers: Samuel Huntsberger, chan- cellor; J. R. Borland, advocate; George Ma- loney, president; Mary L. Mallory, vice presi- dent ; J. R. Watson, treasurer ; A. Kolb, secre- tary. The date of its dissolution is not known.
Maj. William B. Mays Post, No. 220, G. A. R., was mustered July 25, 1881, by Ed- ward O. Farrelly, with the following com- rades and officers: Isaac St. Clair, com- mander ; William Rickards, officer of the day ; John King, adjutant ; P. R. Gray, C. S. Mark, J. W. Clark, F. P. Saylor, G. W. Boyles, P. Engelskirger, J. A. King, Jacques Buscha, C. W. Mackey, D. P. Brown, C. E. Taylor, M. J. Colman, J. M. Gardener, F. I. Nolan, Al- fred Elmont, L. H. Fassett, G. O. Ellis, . W. C. Howe, Samuel Lindsey, John Huston, G. D. Applegarth, Casper Frank, J. S. May, Moore Bridges, J. P. Barr, J. R. Snow, J. H. Cain, J. W. Grant, John Henninger, R. H. Woodburn, Ephraim Black, R. Watson, C. R. Levier, L. G. Sibley, M. Kirkland, G. W. Hemphill, J. H. Whitaker, W. A. Horton, W. S. Welsh, George Pohl, James Dunlap, J. W. Welsh, B. W. Bredin, Isa Black, R. Hilands, W. Deuchler, B. E. Swan, and O. W. Han- son. Following is the list of past commanders : Isaac St. Clair, William Rickards, J. S. May, C. W. Howe, L. H. Fassett, C. W. Mackey, James Dunlap, G. D. Applegarth, N. P. Kins- ley, M. R. Paden. This Post, though its num- bers are steadily diminishing, has lost none of its patriotism or ideals of Americanism. It meets at the Armory building, second Monday of each month. The present officers are: Com., Gen. Charles Miller ; Adjt., E. A. Wil- son ; surgeon, J. B. Glenn, M. D .; L. M., Wil- liam Ashton; chaplain, R. H. Woodburn.
Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to Mays Post, received its. charter bearing date June 22, 1888, when the officers were: Mrs. Mary Snowden, president ; Mrs. Lauretta Mackey, S. V. P .; Mrs. Mary Wiley, J. V. P .; Mrs. Alma A. Shephard, secretary, and Mrs. Anna Rheem, treasurer. This organization con- tinues its effective work under enthusiastic leaders.
United Spanish War Veterans, Camp Charles P. Barnes, No. 36, has the following officers : Com., H. S. Small; adjutant, J. A. Mawhinney ; Q. M., James McElhinney.
Venango County Medical Society meets in
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Oil City and Franklin alternately, the third Tuesday in January, March, May, July, Sep- tember and November. President: Dr. L. E. McBride ; vice president, Dr. J. R. Sharp; sec- retary, Dr. J. Irwin Zerbe ; treasurer, Dr. J. P. Davis ; censors, Drs. W. A. Nicholson, John B. Glenn, J. P. Strayer.
Franklin Aerie, No. 328, Fraternal Order of Eagles, meets in the Mattern block second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Officers : W. P., H. J. Henderson; W. V. P., Robert McCune; W. treasurer, A. C. McMullen; W. secretary, W. C. Stewart.
Franklin Council, No. 1020, Knights of Columbus, meets in the P. H. C. hall, second and fourth Mondays of each month. Secre- tary, E. E. French. This council upholds the fine traditions of the order. Its patriotic work is in line with the best and is definite and valu- able.
Michael Angelo Council, No. 850, Royal Arcanum, was instituted June 8, 1885, with the following members: Fred Evans. D. C. Galbraith, J. S. Ballman, H. K. Mattern, F. Stratton, G. S. Criswell, R. B. Mattern, Ed- ward D. Allen, W. W. Baker, A. Jackson, Henry F. James, C. W. Gilfillan, James W. Lee. E. W. Echols, Henry H. Ware, Robert McCalmont, M. C. Flower, William Shaffer, Thomas Alexander, Henry G. Sheasley, Jacob Sheasley, B. W. Bredin, N. P. Tobin, T. B. Sheasley, J. W. Reamer, George Pohl, W. W. Duffield, James Smith, E. G. Crawford, W. J. Lamberton. This council in 1918 had the following officers: Regent, W. R. Smith ; V. R., J. P. Vanderwell ; secretary, G. W. Crider ; treasurer, C. J. Crawford; collector, F. F. Thurston.
Father Adams Council, No. 229, Catholic Benevolent Legion, was instituted July 8, 1888. The first officers were: J. S. McGarry, president; M. W. Kinney, vice president ; L. J. Heffernan, orator ; F. P. Lynch, secretary ; Jacob L. Smith, collector; E. Jeunet, treas- urer ; Sebastian Wilson, marshal; W. H. Wil- son, guard; John M. Riesenman, S. J. Wilson and James P. McCloskey, trustees. There is no record of the organization at present.
Franklin Lodge, No. 110, B. P. O. E., was instituted March 21, 1889. by District Deputy W. H. Wallace. The following officers were installed: Thomas McGough, E. R .; A. Kolb, E. L. K .; James B. Borland, E. L. K .; J. P. Keene, E. L. K .; H. G. Reading, secretary ; E. Bleakley, treasurer; A. G. Galbrath, tyler ; F. N. Raymond, Perry DeWoody and E. W. Smith, trustees. The present officers are: E. R., H. W. Lamberton; secretary, A. Kolb;
recorder and receiver, Thomas J. Barr. The lodge meets at Room 409, Printz block, on first and third Thursdays of each month.
The Elk Club, No. 110, is located at No. 1307 Elk street. House committee: John P. Emery, James G. Cole, J. J. Van Dresser.
Union No. 13, Bricklayers' and Masons' In- ternational Union of America, was organized Aug. 19, 1889, with James McElhinney, presi- dent ; B. A. Grim, recording secretary ; L. D. Hunsberger, corresponding secretary; Henry Thomas, treasurer; Thomas Seaton, door- keeper. This union is vigorous. It meets at Cornplanter Hall, on second and fourth Thurs- days of each month. President, John E. Maher ; vice president, George Blyler; secre- tary, John E. Ritchey ; treasurer, Charles Lun- dager.
Franklin Library Association has a central location in the Hancock block which makes the institution available to all. Its rooms are inviting and most attractive, open from 2 to 5 and from 7 to 9 p. m. The president is Col. S. C. Lewis; vice president, Mrs. Robert McCalmont ; secretary and treasurer, Mary E. Hancock; librarian, Mary Clarke; assistant librarian, Louise Hanna; directors, Clifford Barnhard, Mrs. James Carmichael, Mary E. Hancock, Col. S. C. Lewis, Mrs. W. J. Mul- lins, J. Howard Smiley, Robert McCalmont. This library has a fine collection of books. Its files of newspapers are of exceptional interest and value, some of the papers being the only ones of their kind in existence so far as we know. These are of inestimable worth to those who need to consult them. The library patronage is large.
Protected Home Circle, Franklin Circle No. 20, was instituted with C. W. Gilfillan, P. P .; S. P. Haslet, G .; E. Borland, president ; S. Smith, vice president ; C. C. Ramsdale, secre- tary ; H. A. Myers, treasurer; H. G. Reading, accountant ; Mrs. M. Bridges, chaplain. The officers in 1918 are : President, E. G. Blomer ; vice president, W. A. Wygant ; secretary, Mary Coleman; treasurer, David Isenburg ; accountant, Harriet McDonald.
Woodmen of the World, Forest Camp No. 12, chose the following officers for 1918: C. C., H. C. Smith; A. L., Ralph Gibbons ; clerk, A. T. Bell; banker, Harry Bell.
The Franklin Club, Franklin. This popular club, organized in 1877, was known for many years as the Nursery Club. Long years of thinking of Franklin as a nursery of great men made the logical name for the new or- ganization the Nursery Club. Unlike many cities of the world, Franklin has always been
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quick to recognize talent and genius. The town admired and applauded the club name. But for reasons that seemed good it has been changed to that of Franklin. Under its pres- ent name, which was given two years ago, it has kept its hold upon its friends. Its history would make an interesting story. Many men acknowledged by the outside world have been entertained in its fine rooms. Parties that pleased many have been gathered there. One held in honor of Governor Pennypacker is one of the most notable en- tertainments ever given in the county. The host, Gen. Charles Miller, offered to his guests a scene of surpassing beauty. The pink hang- ings and wall decorations were almost covered with American beauty roses, and while it was October outside it seemed June within. Many guests from Oil City, Franklin, and from many other parts of the State carried away a lively sense of having taken part in a pageant of beauty and delight. The reading room, din- ing hall, bowling alley and ball room of this club all contribute to the delightful social life of Franklin.
The officers of the club at present, 1918, are: President, J. T. Crawford, Jr .; vice president, E. E. Boyd ; secretary and treasurer, F. F. Stevens ; governors, C. B. Dolson, H. W. Breckenridge, J. French Miller, B. H. Water- bury, E. M. Hedley, H. F. Grant.
Venango Chapter, D. A. R., was organized in 1895 with twelve members, viz. : Mrs. Anne Brackenridge Adams, Mrs. Anna Dale Alex- ander. Mrs. M. Louise Johnson Bostwick, Mrs. Leah J. Dale Fassett, Mrs. M. Kate Hancock, Miss Ella C. Hancock, Miss Mary E. Han- cock, Mrs. Katharine Dale Lapsley, Mrs. Lau- retta Barnes Fay Mackey, Mrs. Sarah Frances McCalmont, Mrs. Sarah A. Smith, Miss E. Jane Snowden Woodburn. The first officers were: Mrs. McCalmont, regent; Mrs. Bost- wick, registrar; Mrs. Fassett, secretary ; Mrs. Hancock, treasurer. The present officers are: Mrs. Charles N. Hough, regent ; Mrs. Fred- eric A. Prentice, registrar ; Mrs. Clifford Barn- ard, treasurer ; Miss Louise Bostwick, secre- tary.
OIL CITY
Oil City from an early day developed the tendency to gather itself into groups and to carry on its civic and social obligations by means of organizations.
The Young Men's Association, a social club organized in 1865, established a reading room in the Mercantile block on Center, Railway and
Sycamore streets. The first president was Rev. W. P. Moore. The vice presidents were H. A. Converse and E. P. Casterline. John Mc- Donough was secretary, G. B. Candy, treas- urer, J. D. Balen, librarian. The library was valued at eight hundred dollars. After the fire of 1866 the library practically disappeared.
The Oil City Library Association had a short life of six years from 1870. Its books to the number of several hundred were finally presented to the Oil City High School. Its prominent members were J. B. Smithman, W. W. Balland, William L. Lay.
Petrolia Lodge, No. 362, F. and A. M., is distinguished as the first secret society in the city. Its officers and charter members, in- stalled on Wednesday evening, March 21, 1866, by Deputy Grand Master S. B. Dick, of Meadville, were as follows: W. F. Groves, W. M .; Charles H. Shephard, S. W .; A. W. Myers, J. W .; W. R. Johns, secretary ; P. Smith, treasurer ; J. H. Evans, S. D .; W. Por- terfield, J. D .; David Patton, tyler; J. R. Ar- ter, H. B. Castle, Joseph Bushnell, John G. Mckinley, S. S. Safford, A. R. Marlin. They first met in a Third Ward hall, but from 1867 to about 1870 held meetings in the Odd Fel- lows hall, on Center street. The lodge had a fine hall in the Windsor block, but now holds its stated meetings the first Friday in each month in the Masonic hall, Nos. 17-19 East First street. The membership has been large and increasing. The officers in 1918 are: W. M., Thomas L. Blair; S. W., Linden W. Wolf ; J. W., Frank R. Perrine ; secretary, Gordon B. Moore ; treasurer, Harry P. Baker.
Talbot Commandery, No. 43, Knights Tem- plars, was organized Sept. 16, 1871, under John J. Fisher, eminent commander; W. H. Porterfield, generalissimo, and Thomas R. Cowell, captain general. This order met in Masonic hall and soon had a membership of eighty. Some of the past eminent commanders have been : J. J. Fisher, T. R. Cowell, Andrew W. Cox, David Laughlin, Isaac M. Sowers, J. N. McGonigle, Abel L. Confer, James B. Crawford. D. E. Byles, J. H. Chickering, Arthur K. Helle. In 1918 the officers are: E. C., George E. Kincaid; recorder, H. H. Lowrie; treasurer, S. H. Lamberton. Stated conclave first Tuesday evening of each month.
Oil City Royal Arch Chapter, No. 236, was organized March 10, 1872, with W. F. Groves, H. P .; Andrew W. Cox, K .; W. W. White, S. The present officers are as follows: M. E. H. P., Joseph H. Contino; king, Thomas W. Car- son ; scribe, Bemus B. Weber ; treasurer, Wil- liam J. Gealy; secretary, James A. Long.
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Stated meetings the first Monday of each month.
The Acacia Club (Masonic) is open every day for members. President: W. H. Flann; vice president, Frank R. Hays; treasurer, W. E. Slater ; secretary, H. K. Mohr.
The Masonic Hall Association holds its an- nual meeting for stockholders the third Tues- day of January. Officers: President, C. E. Cooper; vice president, C. H. Lay ; treasurer, H. R. Merritt; secretary, W. I. Rehr. The hall is a beautiful building, erected in 1900, and contains lodge rooms equipped with every- thing required by the various societies. The lower floor is rented for stores, and an upper floor for offices.
Holly Chapter, No. 91, Order of the Eastern Star, meets at Latonia Hall the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. W. M., Isa- bella Mackintosh; W. P., Ellery S. Rugh; secretary, Mrs. Mary J. Unger; treasurer, Emma J. Hadley.
Oil City Lodge, No. 589, I. O. O. F., was organized Sept. 22, 1866. The officers were as follows: J. Borland, N. G .; W. W. Ford, V. G .; J. J. Brodhead, S .; George Durrond, A. S .; J. R. Robertson, treasurer. These, with B. Lovendall, H. S. Brocklehurst, A. J. Coul- son, Joseph Day, D. R. Carnahan, H. B. Wil- helm, J. B. Howe, C. T. Webber, G. W. Swoyer, Jacob F. Neely, Isaac Bleakley, W. J. Bell, I. B. Jacobs, T. S. Zuver, James Kar- ney and J. O. Jack, received the charter. This lodge had a three-story building on Seneca street, purchased in 1889, valued at fifteen thousand dollars. At present this thriving organization meets at Odd Fellows Temple every Tuesday. It is now the largest lodge in the State. Officers : N. G., N. A. Beighley ; V. G., W. F. Houser; financial secretary, J. N. Mark; recording secretary, James S. Mc- Lane; treasurer, W. H. Lilly.
Cornplanter Lodge, No. 757, I. O. O. F., organized March, 1871, united with No. 589, as a constituent part of it.
Oil City Encampment, No. 182, I. O. O. F., started on April 15, 1869, with the following charter members: P. J. Borland, chief pat- riarch; J. G. Ogden, high priest ; J. N. Hin- derliter, senior warden; F. F. Davis, junior warden; C. J. Brick, scribe; J. K. Lowrie, treasurer; J. R. Robertson, A. D. Deming, J. M. Sharp, A. E. Higbee, S. Fisher. They met in Odd Fellows Hall and increased their membership at once. Some of the patriarchs have been : J. N. Hinderliter, F. F. Davis, George Diamond, James R. Adams, P. N. Williamson, J. L. Dorworth, Orson O. Cul-
bertson, Jacob Simon, W. H. Aungst, J. J. Fisher, H. K. Mohr, W. H. Havice, F. A. Doddington, N. F. Leslie, David James, T. S. Anderson. The officers of this lodge in. 1918 are as follows: C. P., George Hanks; S. W., Sylvan Anderson; J. W., C. B. Hen- derson ; H. P., Floyd D. Hill; recording scribe, A. W. Kinney; financial scribe, J. A. Dod- dington ; treasurer, James Carson.
Latonia Lodge, No. 1018, I. O. O. F., meets at the Lay block every Monday evening. The present officers are : N. G., H. E. Bickel; V. G., John Swartzlander; treasurer, J. W. Osenider ; financial secretary, W. H. Myers ; recording secretary, F. I. Shannon ..
Daughters of Rebekah, Ella Rebekah Lodge, No. 36, meets at Latonia lodge hall every Wednesday at 8 p. m. Officers: N. G., Lena M. McClintock; V. G., Esther R. Kelley; treasurer, Estella I. Hahn ; financial secretary, Margaret Kern; recording secretary, Mrs. Clara A. Black.
Patriarchs Militant, No. 9, meets at the I. O. O. F. Temple first and third Fridays of each month. Captain, Charles Nellring ; A. C. C. T., A. B. Moore ; clerk, Walter L. Win- skill.
I. O. O. F. Temple, Nos. 220-226 Seneca street. This substantial and handsome build- ing is a credit to the order and to the city. It is a four-story brick block with large store rooms on the ground floor, many office rooms on the second and third floors. Commodious lodge rooms are on the fourth floor.
Capt. William Evans Post, No. 167, G. A. R., was organized by a few members who re- mained from disbanded McCalmont Post. At a meeting called by Inspector General F. Til- linghast, March 23, 1880, twenty-three were organized as charter members, from whom the following officers were elected: J. M. Grosh, commander ; E. O'Flaherty, S. V. C .; M. Webster, J. V. C .; J. H. Heiveley, O. D .; Robert Hogan, O. G .; H. W. Dunlap, I. S. One hundred and thirty new members were soon mustered in, but there were so many withdrawals to institute other posts that there were but eighty members in 1889.
William E. Downing Post, No. 435, G. A. R., was organized with forty-nine members in 1884. The following officers were installed : R. H. Renwick. commander; A. J. Stanley, S. V. C .; A. S. Brown, J. V. C .; John Gailey. O. D .; A. M. Breckenridge, O. G .: Rev. M. Miller, chaplain ; J. R. Steele. Q. M .; James Lewis. surgeon : E. J. Ross, adjutant.
R. B. Hayes Post, No. 167, G. A. R., formed by the consolidation of Evans and Downing
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Posts. It has at the present time sixty mem- bers. The post meets in Cornplanter Hall the first Monday in each month. The officers are: Simon Delo, commander ; Philip John- son, S. V. C .; William Dougherty, J. V. C .; William H. Havice, O. D .; James Duncan, O. G .; A. M. Breckenridge, chaplain; W. H. Hileman, surgeon; E. Perrine, adjutant ; H. L. Fulmer, Q. M .; D. Fisher, W. J. Magee and James L. Lewis, trustees.
This post is admirably sustained by the Woman's Relief Corps. No occasion of great interest is lost sight of by this fine organiza- tion and the suppers provided by the members are events not only of culinary importance but of patriotic inspiration.
Woman's Relief Corps, No. 30, was or- ganized in 1885 as an auxiliary to Downing Post. Mrs. Sarah Ross was president, Mrs. Woodington treasurer, Miss Mattie Springer secretary, and Mrs. M. E. Daniels chaplain.
Capt. William Evans Corps was organized in 1886 with Mrs. Fannie C. Stephens as presi- dent. Mrs. Susan J. Stillwell, Mrs. Olive Slocum and Mrs. Emma Buckley were also charter members. When the G. A. R. Posts were consolidated the Relief Corps naturally united and took the No. 30. They have under successive patriotic women carried on their unfailing good work. In 1918 they meet in Cornplanter Hall, fourth Thursday of each month, in the afternoon. The officers are: President, Mrs. Jennie Carrington ; treasurer, Mrs. Minnie Servey; secretary, Mrs. Etta Shanner.
United Spanish War Veterans, Camp John I. Cann, No. 39, meets at the Armory second Tuesday of each month.
Rouseville Lodge, No. 262, K. of P., was chartered Sept. 1, 1870, with nine members. The lodge increased greatly. It is now re- named Oil City Lodge, No. 262. It meets in the K. of P. hall, First National Bank build- ing, every Tuesday evening. The officers : C. C., George B. Nurse ; V. C., J. L. Banchi ; M. of E., W. H. Purse; M. of F., C. J. First ; K. of R. and S., Richard Pollard.
Uniform Rank, K. of P., was established Jan. 12, 1887, with thirty charter members. It meets at K. of P. hall every Friday evening. Captain, John Weaver; first lieutenant, H. J. Miller; second lieutenant, W. J. Borch; first sergeant, L. Banchi; second sergeant, Joseph Lalona ; recorder, C. J. First, treasurer, W. H. First.
Oil City Lodge, No. 14, A. O. U. W., was chartered Jan. 21, 1873, with one hundred and forty-nine members. The first officers were:
P. N. Heard, P. M. W .; H. P. G. Carnes, M. W .; J. K. Lowery, G. F .; J. F. Israel, O .; E. Densmore, G .; W. S. Huff, J. W .; P. Fennell, O. W .; D. Yothers, F .; and R. R. Reardon, R. This lodge has persisted through the years with increasing numbers. It now meets at K. of P. hall, second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month. President, H. A. Croft; financier, W. H. First; recorder, C. J. First.
Degree of Honor No. 14, A. O. U. W., meets at K. of P. hall the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month. Chief of Honor, Mrs. W. A. Holtzworth; recorder and financier, Mrs. W. H. First.
Contest Council, No. 124, Royal Arcanum, after various removals, located in' Cornplanter lodge room on Seneca street, and now meets in Central Labor hall the second Tuesday and fourth Friday in each month. It was in- stituted July 18, 1878, by J. H. Wright, D. S. R., with fourteen charter members, and the increase has been steady. This society has continued its useful course and has paid many thousands of dollars to the families of de- ceased members. The first officers were: C. B. Ansart, regent ; I. S. Gibson, V. R .; J. H. Miller, O .; R. H. Mitchell, P. R. ; J. B. Berry, secretary ; J. C. Wright, treasurer ; J. Robert- son, C .; J. W. Simpson, chaplain ; John Ben- nett, G .; O. H. Strong, W .; H. McMullen, S. Present officers : Regent, H. L. Reese; V. R., H. L. Seth ; collector, E. A. Reese; secretary, W. H. Reid; treasurer, F. E. Wolcott.
Oil City Lodge, No. 344, B. P. O. E., meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month in the Elks building. Officers: E. R., J. W. Irwin; P. V. R., William G. Kern; loyal knight, J. V. Guthrie; lecturing knight, John C. Conway ; esteemed loyal knight, G. W. Mc- Namara ; secretary, Cornelius Tyson; treas- urer, Charles W. Roess; tyler, J. Wade Osenider. This is a large organization. It does a great deal of charity work and patriotic work.
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