Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 19: The Fraternities, 1924

The fraternal organizations share a very large part in the social as well as the protective and benevolent activities of the city of Fall, River. This, a rapidly increasing portion of the life of the modern city, is thus published as thoroughly as the secretaries of the various lodges were pleased to respond.

Masonic. - The original home of the Masonic bodies in Fall River was in the building known as the Pocasset block, occupying the site bounded by South Main, Pleasant, Second and Pocasset streets. In 1868, quarters were secured on the upper floor of the Fall River Savings Bank building, located on North Main street, and these were occupied until the Masonic Hall on Franklin street was built, in 1884. On May 6, 1922, the cornerstone was laid for a new Masonic Temple, at the corner of North Main and Elm streets, that was ready for occupancy in October, 1923. The building has a large auditorium on the second floor, with gallery, and is so arranged that it can be used for lodge purposes on special occasions. On the fourth floor are two large lodge rooms and one small one, with a banquet hall on the fifth floor. The building is well supplied with ante-rooms and recreation accommodations, and a well-furnished library and parlor. It is interesting to note that the homes of Masonry in Fall River for the past fifty years have all been within sight of each other.

Mount Hope Lodge, A. F. and A.M., was constituted and the officers installed September 1, 1825, with eighteen charter members. There was a parade of grand officers and the founders of the lodge, and a sermon was preached at the Baptist Church by R. W. Rev. Paul Dean, of Boston, after which Mount Hope Lodge was dedicated, and these officers were installed: R. W. Leander P. Lovell, M.; W. Benjamin Anthony, S. W.; W. Joseph Rice, J. W.; Joseph E. Reed, treasurer; James Ford, secretary; Augustus B. Reed, chaplain; Richard Chase, S. D.; Lucius Smith, J. D.; Pierce Allen, marshal; John Norris and Oliver Mason, stewards; Calvin Seaver, tyler. The past masters of the lodge are as follows: Leander P. Lovell, Benjamin Anthony, Daniel Leonard, Peleg H. Earl, Thomas D. Chaloner, Ebenezer Andrews, Seth Darling, Joshua Remington, Gardner D. Cook, Robert C., Brown, James Davenport, Josiah C. Blaisdell, Robert Henry, Charles A. Holmes, Henry Paddock, A. C. Hart, Henry Waring, William J. Burt, John T. Graham, Nathan Everett, Charles E. Spencer, Allen Lockwood, James EF. McCreery, John Nightingale, William H. Broomhead, William S. Greene, William Crossley, Samuel Smith, Newton Healey, Allen C. Smith, Joseph Turner, William S$. Gray, Charles N. Bowen, William Ridings, James Allardice, George M. Hood, George Davidson, John T. Schofield, Edwin A. Grant, John Friar, Herbert Barnes, Jr., William Jackson, James Harrison, Joseph L. Presbrey, Clarence W. Stansfield, J. William Grant, Edmund Y. Anthony, Thomas Wolstenholme, Benjamin Barnes, Charles W. Borden.

Scottish Rite Bodies - Fall River Lodge of Perfection, fourteenth degree, was chartered September 21, 1911. Past T. P. masters: Robert N. Hathaway; thirty-third degree; Henry Ashworth, thirty-third degree; William H. B. Kendall, thirty-second degree; Stephen H. Taylor, thirtysecond degree.

Samuel C. Lawrence Council, Princes of Jerusalem, sixteenth degree, chartered March 8, 1912. Past Sovereign Princes: William H. Beattie, thirty-third degree; John H. Holt, thirty-second degree; William N. Mc- Lane, thirty-third degree; Frank L. Carpenter, thirty-second degree; Charles N. Bowen, thirty-second degree.

St. Andrew Chapter, Rose Croix, eighteenth degree, was chartered March 8, 1912. Past N. W. Masters: David J. Burdick, thirty-third degree; James W. Anthony, thirty-second degree; Joseph W. Mackenzie, thirtysecond degree; Everett W. Clarke, thirty-second degree.

During the twenty years of its existence Fall River Aerie has paid out in sick benefits approximately $60,000; funeral benefits, $25,000; and for social welfare, $5,000. It maintains two physicians for the members and their dependent families. During the World War, every. member of the order serving the colors was insured for one thousand dollars. Yearly, hundreds of dollars are expended from the treasury for the proper care of the widows and the orphans of deceased members. Kiddies Day is observed annually. The order stood firmly behind the movement that made Mothers' Pension, and the order stood back of the workingmen's compensation act. The officers for 1923: President, William J. Murphy; vice-president, John A. McCarty; chaplain, John A. Millerick; secretary, Simon A. Sullivan; assistant secretary, John Foley; treasurer, John J. Quigley; conductor, John J. Lord; inside guard, Michael Herlihy; outside guard, Patrick Garrity; trustees: Edward Doyle and Harold D. Powers; physicians: Francis J. Harrington, Leon J. Menard.

Knights of Columbus. - Fall River Council, No. 86, Order of Knights of Columbus, was organized in Odd Fellows' Hall on January 21, 1894, with the degree staffs of Taunton Council No. 82 officiating under the direction of State Deputy James E. Hayes, of Charlestown. There were forty names on the charter list, comprising Patrick F. Eagan, Ignatius J. Kelly, James H. Lynch, J. Egbert Kennedy, James J. Gorman, Rev. John F. Haney, Edward J. Leary, James F. Dalton, Daniel R. Sullivan, Thomas EK. Lahey, Thomas F. Finnegan, Dr. Michael A. Cummings, James E. Sullivan, Dr. Owen J. Eagan, Dr. John H. Leary, Michael F. Byrne, John E. Sullivan, Thomas F. Hickey, Quinlan Leary, James M. Bowe, James E. Furlong, William J. O'Donnell, Peter McManus, Joseph A. Kennedy, Thomas E. Green, William E. Bowe, Dominick F. Corrigan, Samuel B. Morris, Edward F. Murphy, James D. O'Neil, Daniel J. Flynn. William A. Leary, Michael Cleary, Dennis P. Murphy, Michael McManus, Michael J. Leahy, Dr. William E. Synan, William F. Kennedy, Jeffrey E. Sullivan and James Nugent.

The first grand knight of the Council was Dr. Owen J. Eagan, and his successors, up to and including the years 1922-23, were, in order: James D. O'Neil, Thomas E. Lahey, James J. Gorman, John H. Carroll, Philip J. Myles, William J. McGrath, J. Frank Shay, John T. Sullivan, Thomas H. Connors, Thomas F. Higgins, Thomas D. Sullivan, Charles P. Ryan, Frank A. Brady, Arthur B. Higney, Peter F. Connelly, Ignatius X. Cuttle, William M. Conroy, Edward J. Guiney, Michael J. Collins, J. Leo O'Gorman, Jeffrey E. Sullivan, James J. Higgins, and Algernon D. Sullivan.

One of the first big social events in the history of the Council was a mock initiation ceremony by about fifty members of Tremont Council, of Boston, in 1896. The annual social and ball was inaugurated in 1899 and has been a feature to the present day, the attendance for the past dozen years having been restricted exclusively to members and their ladies. A banquet in 1908 to Rt. Rev. William Stang, D.D., the first bishop of the Fall River diocese, marked his last public appearance, he leaving the next morning for Rochester, Minnesota, where he underwent an operation from the effects of which he failed to rally. In 1919 a post-war banquet was tendered Rt. Rev. Daniel F. Feehan, the second bishop of the Fall River diocese, the additional speakers being Rt. Rev. Mgr. James E. Cassidy, D. D., vicar-general of the diocese; Rev. Osias Boucher and Judge Edward L. Logan, war chaplain and colonel, respectively, of the 26th Division, in the 101lst Regiment; while in the same year the Council won first prize, a beautiful silver shield, for having the largest number and _ best-appearing men in an Americanization parade participated in by all the civic and military organizations of the city.

For a period covering many years of its existence the Council had appreciated the need and had discussed the advisability of having permanent quarters of its own, but no really positive step forward was taken until after the big fire of February, 1916, when the society's quarters in .the Campbell building were wiped out. Temporary rooms were placed at the disposal of the Council in Anawan Hall by the Y. M. I. A. C. T. A. and B. Society, and in short order the D. M. Anthony homestead, on North Main street, between Locust and Walnut, was purchased. Many thousands of dollars have since been expended in putting the building into shape for a clubhouse, and it stands today as an asset to the Council valued at $50,000, and without a cent of incumbrance upon it. The burning of the mortgage during the administration of Grand Knight Jeffrey E. Sullivan was one of the notable incidents in the life of the organization.

Fall River Council played a part in all the war activities of which it is justifiably proud. Of its then membership of about six hundred, fully a third of this number entered the service, their monthly dues and insurance assessments being cared for by the body until every man had returned to the city or had made the supreme sacrifice. A drive for additional members was then started by an energetic committee headed by Past Grand Knight John H. Carroll, with the result that the numerical roll was lengthened to include 1200 names, since increased to 1450. Annual memorial masses and participation in holy communion masses have developed into a feature that of late has drawn out a very large proportion of the membership. For two years the Council conducted an evening school for exservice men that enrolled hundreds of young men and women and was highly instrumental in their educational uplift. Of the 350 members of William Stang Assembly, fourth degree members, instituted in 1899, fully 200 are from Fall River Council, the balance from McMahon Council of New Bedford.

Joseph H. Fay Council, No. 424, named in honor of the late Dr. Joseph Fay (a member of Fall Riyer Council at the time), had its origin at a meeting held in Holy Name Hall of the Immaculate Conception Church, on May 1, 1899, a committee comprising John McGraw, Dr. Homer Barre and James E. McDonald being selected to obtain suitable quarters. It was instituted on May 28, 1899, in Shields' Hall, Greaney building, under direction of District Deputy James J. Gorman and Grand Knight Philip J. Myles, of Fall River, with this board of government: Grand Knight, John T. Cunneen; deputy grand knight, John J. Gormley; chancellor, James E. McDonald; warden, John McGraw; financial secretary, Alexander T. Walsh; recording secretary, Patrick J. McGuigan; treasurer, Joseph D. Sullivan; lecturer, John Burke, Jr.; advocate, Francis Hughes; inside guard, Leonard Walker; outside guard, Patrick Anderson; chaplain, Rev. Michael B. Sullivan; physician, Dr. Thomas E. Boylan. The first and second degrees were conferred on June 13, 1899, by Messrs. Gorman and Myles, assisted by the officers of Fall River Council, while the major degree was exemplified in Columbian Hall by a class of forty-two candidates, the same evening, by District Deputy Gorman and his staff. After an existence of a few years, it was decided to merge with Fall River Council, and this was done. Outside of Mr. Cunneen, the leading chair of grand knight had been held by James E. McDonald, Felix McKenney, Jr., and Joseph D. Sullivan.

Daughters of Isabella - Assumption Circle No. 74, of Fall River, an auxiliary of the National Circle, Daughters of Isabella, was organized by Agnes Davies and its officers installed by Mrs. Lowney, of New Bedford, State Regent, on April 7, 1918, the first board of government comprising the following: Past Regent, Laura Daley; regent, Mrs. Mary A. Dillon; viceregent, May Dailey; recording secretary, Emma McDermott; financial secretary, Annie Dillon; treasurer, Julia Cahill; custodian, Mary Burke; monitor, May Owens; chancellor, Esther Gilligan; first guide, Helen Mc- Carty; second guide, Elizabeth Crowley; inside guard, Margaret Daley; outside guard, Margaret Arkison; trustees (for one, two and three years, respectively), Annie Leonard, Kathryn Kirby and Catherine Dailey; organist, Annie O'Hearn; scribe, Marjorie Arkison. Starting with a membership of sixty-two, it was decided at the initial meeting to take up Red Cross work, as the spirit of warfare hovered over all, and the social meetings were devoted to knitting, first aid and sewing hospital garments. At the first initiation, in September following, 37 new names were added to the rolls. In February of 1919 a bowling league was organized that furnished much sport and amusement for the members. In April there occurred the largest class initiation in the history of the circle, 157 candidates being initiated. In June the members presénted the musical comedy "Florodora" for the benefit of the Catholic Instruction League, and turned over a profit of $500 to Rev. Fr. John J. Sullivan, then in charge, subsequently donating $200 to the Irish Victory drive. The month of October was given up to sewing for Saint Vincent's Orphans' Home, while in December two boxes were purchased for the charity ball conducted for that institution, a gift of $100.

In April of 1920 the Daughters conducted a very successful concert in Anawan Hall, the talent comprising Mme. Marguerite Boas, soprano; Miss Marguerite Rooney, pianiste; Miss Madeline Driscoll, elocutionist; and it was followed by participation in the Septofest of Fall River Council, Knights of Columbus, when over $900 was raised on a hope chest competition. Reports read at the October meeting in 1921 showed that a total of $2000 had been contributed for the needy. During December, Rev. Fr. Charles A. Donovan, spiritual director of Saint Vincent's Home, assumed duties of chaplain of the Daughters by direction of Rt. Rev. Bishop Daniel F. Feehan, of the Fall River Diocese, and at a reception tendered the new chaplain the members pledged themselves to be responsible for the running expenses of Saint Vincent's for the first quarter of the next year, a pledge that was fulfilled to the letter. In that same month the local circle joined the National Council of Catholic Women of Washington, D. C.

The year 1922 was marked by the holding of a fiesta for the benefit of Saint Vincent's that netted almost $3000, during February. In May a banquet was tendered Rt. Rev. Bishop Feehan, Rev. Fr. Donovan and others of the city clergymen, in the Mellen Hotel, the occasion being the silver anniversary of the organization of the National Circle. In the conduct of the fiesta in February of 1923 for the same worthy object the sum of nearly $2500 was raised. The local circle has had the benefit all these years of the able and energetic service of Mrs. Dillon as regent, and at the present ~ time it numbers 328 members in good standing. Its annual fixtures comprise a valentine party in February, an open social and dance in April and a Hallowe'en party in October. Its social meetings are of varied order, including musical revues; art nights, showing pictures by the best masters as posed by members; literary nights, with a discussion of books and their authors; the drama; the theatre, its needs and what it means to the people. The circle, it is generally agreed, fills a unique place among Fall River's social organizations.

Odd Fellowship. - Fall River Odd Fellowship began almost with the institution of the order, and while Fall River was yet a town, Fred D. Williston, who has accomplished much for the order in this city, states that the first place of meeting of Mount Hope Lodge, the oldest of the lodges of this order in the city, was in the old Brown building, now the R. A. McWhirr property on South Main street. That was in 1845, and for many years thereafter. In 1873, when Friendly Union Lodge was instituted, that lodge leased the north end of the upper floor of the Borden block, and Mount Hope Lodge was a tenant. 'Thomas and Reuben Hargraves, of Mount Hope Lodge, started the project of the purchase of the old Central Congregational Church for Odd Fellows' headquarters. Mount Hope met there for a few years and then, the church building being disposed of, they returned to the Borden block, becoming a sub-tenant of Fall River Lodge that held its meetings in the south end of the Borden block. All the Odd Fellows' lodges and Rebekah lodges now have their headquarters at the "Odd Fellows Trust," 141 Rock street. The land was purchased in 1913 by Mr. Williston, who turned it over to the Trust. The house wherein the Odd Fellows meet was formerly the homestead and office of Dr. Bensamin Handy.

The lodges, with present membership, are as follows: Mount Hope, No. 63, instituted March 5, 1845; membership, 194; Alfred E. Beaulieu, noble grand; Edward T. Lawton, recording secretary. Friendly Union, No. 164, instituted September 5, 1873; membership, 265; Edward R. Collins, noble grand; William R. Smith, recording secretary. Fall River, No. 219, instituted December 1, 1892; membership, 348; noble grand, Robert C. Hadley; recording secretary, Frederick Kavolsky. There were thirteen charter members. Hiawatha Rebekah Lodge, No. 16, instituted January 11. 1872, membership, 220; noble grand, Mrs. Ida E. Smith; recording secretary, Miss Clara J. Bogle. Minnehaha Rebekah Lodge, No. 134, instituted April 1, 1895, with thirty-four charter members. The membership now is eighty-five. The noble grand is Miss Ruth Bowers; the recording secretary, Mrs. Rose A. Booth. Metacomet Encampment, No. 26, instituted March 2, 1847; membership, 86. The chief patriarch is Walter Bradbury ; the recording scribe, Charles J. Smith.

Knights of Pythias - Dionysius Lodge, No. 1, of Massachusetts, was instituted in Fall River, May 11, 1869; surrendered its charter December, 1871. There are still a few members of this original lodge who are members of Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 57.

Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 57, was instituted October 5, 1880, with fiftyfour charter members. 'Their membership December 31, 1922, was 435. The officers are: George P. Snow, chancellor commander; Elmer W. Wagner, vice-chancellor; John W. Sanford, prelate; Vincent F. Thorpe, master of work; Geo. A. Hathaway, keeper of records and seal; Jesse Chadwick master of finance; Adolphus Rich, master of exchequer; Joseph F. Gladu, master-at-arms; Carl Hutchinson, inner guard; Alexander Allen, outer guard; William E. Dinsmore, Allan H. Moore, representatives to the Grand Lodge.

Pocasset Lodge, No. 124, was instituted November 7, 1898, with 173 charter members. Membership December 31, 1922, was 342. The officers are: Henry M. Hodgson, chancellor commander; J. George Burgo, vicechancellor; James Shaw, prelate; George F. Tripp, master of work; Robert A. Thompson, keeper of records and seal; William Smyth, master of finance; Fred O. Kidd, master of exchequer; C. Fred. Sowle, master-atarms; Charles Appleby, inner guard; Thomas L. Redder, outer guard; Joseph Dickinson, Isaac P. Campbell, representatives to the Grand Lodge.

Star Lodge, No. 139, was instituted April 19, 1900, with 116 charter members. 'Their membership December 31, 1922, was 196. The officers are: Alfred Wilde, chancellor commander; John Hartley, vice-chancellor; William Griffith, prelate; Joseph Durfee, master of work; Arthur L. R. Hunt, keeper of records and seal; John W. Dixon, master of finance; Andrew J. Macintyre, master of exchequer; Henry France, master-at-arms; Earl Griffiths, inner guard; John G. R. Sherman, outer guard; Orrin G. Manchester, James A. Griffiths, representatives to Grand Lodge.

Concord Lodge, No. 174, was instituted April 19, 1909, with 61 charter members. Their membership December 31, 1922, was 191. The officers are: Jacob Kline, chancellor commander; Nathan Sternsher, vice-chancellor ; Wilfred Ellison, prelate; Moses Entin, master of work; Benj. Cohen, keeper of records and seal; Maurice B. Goldstein, master of finance; David H. Silevick, master of exchequer; Benjamin Lischiner, master-at-arms; Hyman Bean, inner guard; Charles Fienberg, outer guard; Jacob Brown, David H. Silevick, representatives to Grand Lodge.

Annawan Lodge, No. 69, was instituted November 15, 1883, and was consolidated with Pocasset Lodge on December 15, 1922. Puritan Lodge, No. 88, was constituted April 29, 1891, and was consolidated with Mount Vernon Lodge, November 15, 1922.

Red Men. - Manitou Tribe No. 87, Improved Order of Red Men, of Fall River, was instituted on the 16th Sun, Snow Moon, G. S. D., (February 16, 1904), by William A. Flouton, then great sachem, and Alexander Gilmore, then great chief of records. There were ninety charter members.. The membership on July Ist, 1923, 150. The present chiefs of the tribe are: Sachem, S. Annable B. Caron; senior sagamore, Robert W. Davidson; junior sagamore, David A. Maitland; prophet, Augustin Audette; chief of records, William Smyth; collector of wampum, Thomas F. Welch; keeper of wampum, John Q. Baxter.

Degree of Pocahontas, Wapoaza Council No. 9, was instituted in Fall River, February 15, 1923. Mrs. John Q. Baxter was made chief officer of the council.

Other Lodges. - - The Sons and Daughters of St. George have a large membership in Fall River, many of their leaders being master mechanics and weavers in the factories and mills. The lodges ef the Sons of St. George are as follows: Livingston, No. 232, Benjamin Barnes, secretary ; U. S. Grant, No. 182, John S. C. Fielden, secretary; Bonnie Red Rose, No. 75, Albert H. Ratcliffe, secretary; Cromwell, No. 348, Henry Hodgson, sec- retary. The Daughters of St. George: Britannia Lodge, No. 28, Nancy E. Ogden, secretary; Primrose, No. 47, Miss Eunice Sunderland, secretary ; Lady Cromwell, No. 175, Elizabeth Hindle, secretary.

Fall River Lodge of Elks, No. 118, has a very large membership; an interesting history of charity and benevolence. 'Their work during the World War and in various other ways had been conspicuously wholehearted. The officers at the present time are: E. R., William M. Sullivan: EF. L. K., Herbert F. Brown; E. L. K., Thomas J. Moran; E. L. K., Fred Finn; secretary, Edward W. Brown; treasurer, Thomas F. Powers.

Bishop Stang Court No. 236, M. C. O. F., was instituted September 27, 1909, with fourteeen charter members. 'The membership for the year ending 1922 was 57. The court is located in A. O. H. Hall, 318 South Main street, Fall River. Lady of Victory Court No. 165 was instituted November 26, 1899 with fourteen charter members. The membership for the year ending 1922 was 150. The court is located in Eagles' Hall, South Main street, Fall River.

The Hibernians have been in existence as an order here since Civil War days. Several divisions once held their meetings and participated in their parades, but there remains only one division today, Division One having consolidated with Division Six. Francis J. Kearney is president; Timothy Holland, vice-president; James F. Regan, secretary; Eugene J. Harrington, financial secretary; William P. Grant, treasurer. Francis J. Kearney, of this city, is county vice-president; Rev. Father Timothy P. Sweeney, of this city, county chaplain.

There are three lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, in Fall River, namely: Loyal Unity Lodge, No. 6434, instituted June 4, 1881; with Arthur Arden as the N. G.; James Fraser, V. G.; William Turner, P. S.; Thomas G. Haworth, treasurer. Loyal Puritan Lodge, No. 6896, with Fred Stafford as N. G.; Fred Oldrid as V. G.; James _E. Cockroft, treasurer; Henry R. Rasmussen as permanent secretary. Loyal Olive Branch Lodge, No. 7194, with Harold Rundell as N. G.; Clarence L,. Bliss, P. S.; Edward Wardle, treasurer; and there is a Fall River Purple Consulate of past grand masters, with John Ratcliffe as N. C. and Fred Lambert as scribe. United Sisters No. 8 has for officers Mrs. Eva Owens, N. G.; Beatrice J. Wardle, V. G.; Mrs. Isabella Smith, treasurer; Alice Charnley, secretary; and there is also a United Sisters Purple Consulate, Mrs. Mary Arden, N. C.

Among the many Jewish lodges and societies in Fall River are the following-named: Independent Order of Brith Abraham, Bristol County Lodge, No. 140, Louis Lesser, secretary; Jefferson Lodge, No. 176, Adolph Lisserlis, secretary; Pride of Fall River Lodge, No. 352, Simon Gourse, secretary. Order of Brith Abraham, Harmony Lodge, No. 106, Alexander Tash, secretary; Puritan Lodge, No. 448, Joseph Quinn secretary. Sons of israel, Adolph Isserlis, secretary. Young Men's Hebrew Association, secretary, Jack Kilne. Young Women's Hebrew Association, Frances Rubenstein, secretary. Hebrew Beneficial Association, Bernard Avrutsky, secretarv. Hebrew Cemetery Association of Fall River, Bernard Avrutsky, secretary. Hebrew Free School Society, Lester L. Cohen, secretary. Hebrew

Other fraternal societies may be named as follows: American Benefit Society, Fall River Lodge, No. 106, Viola V. Lyon, secretary. United Order of Golden Star, Fall River Commandery, No. 17, treasurer, Mary A. Maker. Loyal Order of Moose, Fall River Lodge, No. 458, Archibald A. St. George, secretary. New England Order of Protection, Priscilla Lodge, No. 254, Mrs. Lizzie S$. Packard, recording secretary. Royal Arcanum, Pocasset Council, No. 583, Willard R. Gilbert, secretary. Portuguese Fraternity of the U. S. of A., José E. Costa, secretary. Order of Scottish Clans, Clan McAlpine, No. 53, Robert White, secretary; Ladies' Auxiliary of Clan McAlpine, Mrs. Agnes Smith, secretary.