Madison County, Ohio - Chapter 26: Secret Societies. ©, 1915

Masonry In London

The ancient order of Free and Accepted Masons has had many zealous adherents in Madison county from the very earliest period, and the history of the various lodges over the county show one long line of loyal members who have earnestly studied and transferred the ever-increasing circle of the arts and sciences. In this field of endeavor London, the county seat, has naturally taken a leading part, and has assisted materially in continuing and passing on to succeeding generations the mysteries of the ancient craft.

Chandler Lodge No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons, occupies commodious quarters, especially built for its accommodation, on the west side of South Main street, London; Ohio, on the third floor of the Farrar building. This lodge is now, and ever since its organization, has been in a flourishing condition.

Its original charter bore the date of May 8, 1846, but as the lodge suffered the fate of so many buildings and organizations in "the great fire' of the fifties, when its charter, books, records and its all (materially considered) were consumed in the flames, it is now impossible to furnish a correct or complete list of its charter members. The "new" eharter was granted on October 18, 1854, and authorizes John Dungan to -act.as worshipful master; Foster L. Downing as senior warden, ahd Albert R. Phifer as junior warden. :

The present membership of the lodge is two hundred, and its pfesent (1915) officers are: Worshipful master, Ralph Van Dorn Coons; senior warden, Richard H. Robison; junior warden, Joe A. Gardner; treasurer, Omer E. Jones; secretary, George W. Clark; senior deacon, Downing Beach; junior deacon, Ben VanWagener; tyler, Stanley Reed.

Adoniram Chapter No. 73

Adoniram Chapter No. 73, Royal Arch Masons, works under authority of a charter dated October 18, 1856, which bears the names of the following charter members: John 'Melvin, O. P. Crabb, David Haskel, Thomas J. Stutson, Toland Jones, Israel Fisher, Jeriah Swetland, Robert Alkire, William McClintock and B. H. Moore, and which authorizes David Haskel to serve as the first high priest, John Melvin as king, and O. P. Crabb as scribe.

The chapter has a present (1915) membership of one hundred and eight, with the following officers: High priest, A. Thad. O'Neall; king, Oliver P. Crabb; scribe, Maxey B. Cannon; treasurer, Omer E. Jones; secretary, George W. Clark; captain of host, Martin W. Dungan; principal sojourner, John P. Skinner; royal arch captain, Robert W. Boyd; grand master of the third veil, Gustav Mitray; grand master of the second veil, Joe A. Gardner; grand master of the first veil, Bernard F. Wildman ;; guard, R. Lincoln Farrar.

Harford Toland, John C. Sothron, Levi March, Oliver P. Crabb, William H. Chandler, John ©. Coblentz, Jacob March, George H. Rowland, Samuel Cramer and M. M. Hutchinson. The first officers of the council were: Thrice illustrious master, Harford Toland ; deputy master, John C. Sothron; principal conductor of the work, Levi March; captain of the guard, Oliver P. Crabb; treasurer, William H. Chandler; recorder, John C. Coblentz; sentinel, Jacob March. In addition to the above named officers, Samuel Cramer, George H. Rowland and M. M. Hutchinson, members, were present at the first meeting, held on October 1, 1866, under dispensation, when David Haskel, Dennis Bird, John H. Kennedy and Rey. C. W. Finley were elected, and received the council degrees.

The present membership (1915) of the council is seventy-one, with the following list of officers: Thrice illustrious master, Maxey B. Cannon; deputy master, Oliver P. Crabb; principal conductor of the work, Richard H. Robison; treasurer, Omer E. Jones; recorder, George W. Clark; captain of the guard; Joe A. Gardner; conductor of council, Harford W. Gerrard; steward, Byers Adair; Sentinel, Robert M. Hamilton. | _ The council records bear the names of the following past thrice illustrious masters . Qiving) : Harford Toland, Oliver P.. Crabb, Martin W. Dungan, HE. Pitzer Fisher, Bruce Paul Jones, C. Ed. Arbuckle, George W. Clark, John P. Skinner and Thurl A. Creamer. Chandler lodge, Adoniram chapter and London council occupy the same lodge rooms on South Main street.

Urania Lodge. No. 311. Free and Accepted Masons, of Plain City, was instituted by Grand Master Horace M. Stokes under a charter granted on October 21, 1858, to the following petitioners: John Beach, E. R. Cook, A. R. Downing, T. J. Downey, A. D. Doolittle, T. W. Fosha, R. J. Ferguson, Wesley Ferguson, Joseph Guiltner, John Holycross, Benjamin King, W. W. Norton and D. C. Wingeg. The first officers were A. R. Downing, worshipful master; H. R. Cook,.senior warden; T. J. Downey,. junior warden; W. W. Norton, senior deacon; D. C. Winget, junior deacon; Joseph Guitner, secretary ; A. D. Doolittle, treasurer; and W. Ferguson, tyler. The first candidate was BE. W. Barlow, now of the Barlow, Kent Furniture Company, of Urbana, Ohio, and A. G. .Curry was the second. The lodge has always occupied a beautiful room on the third floor of the building over the First State Bank. The lodge owns the third floor of. this building. There are at present ninety-eight members in good standing.

Leanore Lodge No. 512

Leanore Lodge No. 512, Free and Accepted Masons, at Sedalia, was organized on October 26, 1875, with the following charier members: Jeriah Sweatland, Addison P. Hewitt, Samuel J. Paullin, David T. Yates, John H. Peters, Frank Wursley, John H. Kellough, Thomas 8S. Davis, John R. Griffith, Henry McCann and James M. Hurrell.

The building where the meetings are held was erected in 1875 and the second story was purchased by the lodge for seven hundred and fifty dollars. The present membership numbers seventy-two. The present officers are C. 8. Bethards, worshipful master; S. L. Rowe, senior warden; Leroy Binns, junior warden; ©. C. Hewitt, treasurer ; George T. Williams, secretary; P. C. Meyers, senior deacon; Fred Dorn, junior deacon; J. H. Chenoweth, J. C. Hankins, stewards; Nathaniel Gillispie, chaplain ; Coo Armstrong, tyler.

Madison Lodge No. 221, Free and Accepted Masons, located at West Jefferson, was founded under dispensation from the hands of Grand Master W. B. Hubbard, on January 30, 1852, with the following charter members; Benjamin Crabbe, John Melvin, T. J. Stutson, O. P. Crabbe, Rev. George J. Archer, Samuel Davidson, Richard Acton and James Parks. Under the dispensation Benjamin Crabbe acted as worshipful master; John Melvin, as senior warden, and iT. J. Stutson, as junior warden. On October 22, 1852, a charter was granted to this group by the grand lodge of Ohio. At the first meeting after the lodge had been chartered the following officers were elected: Benjamin Crabbe, worshipful master; John Melvin, senior warden ; Thomas J. Stutson, junior warden ;

James Parks, treasurer ; O. P. Crabbe, secretary ; Samuel Davidson, senior deacon; Albert Downing, junior deacon; Richard Acton, tyler. The lodge then consisted of nineteen members. The first meetings of the society were held in the upstairs room of the building now owned and occupied by W. H. Pence, undertaker; from there they moved to the Hoe building, now occupied by the Oder's grocery, their meetings being: held. there for forty-five years. They moved to their present beautiful room, over the Commercial Bank, in 1909. This lodge has one charter member that is still living, Judge O. P. Crabbe, who now resides with his son-in-law, Richard McCloud, in London. T. J. Stutson, who died in 1913, served as master of this lodge for about thirty-five years, a record of

'time. The present officers are: S. C. Smith, worshipful master; F. G. Brown, senior warden; F. L. Olney. junior warden; Charles G. High, treasurer; Walter Jones, secretary; L. C. Dick, senior deacon; S. G. Feder, junior deacon; H, C. Wilson, tyler, and John Baker and Harry Ingalls, stewards. There are no trustees. ;

Daughters Of The Eastern Star Independent Order Of Odd Fellows

West Jefferson Lodge No. 412, located at West Jefferson, was instituted under a dispensation from the grand lodge of Ohio by James-Turner, grand master, on the night of June 2, 1869, with the following charter members: J. C. Blair, David Oakley, William Wallace Fellows, J. H. Randall, Gilbert C. Deems, William Peene, and William C. Willing, with J. C. Blair, as nobie grand; J. H. Randall, vice-grand; Gilbert C. Deems, secretary, and William W. Fellows, treasurer. On the evening of the first meeting, the following made written applications and were initiated: A. D. Burnham, W. H. Stutson, N. B. Blair, Martin Kuehner, J. A. Beals, W. E. Oakley and Wilson Jones. The present officers are, Wilson Johnson, noble grand; J. C. Dick, vice-grand; Frank Burrell, secretary; J. A. Baer, treasurer; D. S. Busick, chaplain; John Borland, inner guard; Leonard Johnson, outer guard; Harvey Johnson, warden; W. R. Borland, conductor; Alpheus, right supporter to the noble grand; William Haislett, left supporter to' the noble grand; J. C. Deems, right supporter to the vice-grand; M. R. Roberts, left supporter to the vice-grand ; Oscar Hopfe, right senior supporter; Clarence Russell, left senior supporter; and Harvey 'Johnson, J. H. Harvey and Alpheus Burrell, trustees. This lodge was probably at the height of its prosperity during the nineties. At that time it had about two hundred members and won the first prize for the greatest increase in membership. At that time also it was in good financial condition and contemplated purchasing the Olney building on the corner of Main and West streets. It has never owned any buildings. Its hall is located over the Commercial Bank, on Main street. At the present time (1915) it has fifty-four members in good standing, of which about thirty-five have served as noble grand.

Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 198, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Plain City, Was organized in 1852. The following are the names of the charter members: I. U. Converse, Joseph Gudtner, Abel H. 'Thomas, V. P: Langworthy, E. C. Francis, John Knock, P. A. Case and A. H. Gillett. This lodge has been in active existence for sixtythree years and, although the growth has not been rapid, it has been steady and the lodge has aiways prospered. There are at present eighty-four members who are contributors and thirteen members on the honor roll. The present officers are, Fred Reed, noble grand; R. E. Penrose, vice-grand; J. S. Howland, secretary. The lodge room is leased for a period of twenty years and the meetings are held every Tuesday night. This lodge also has an active auxiliary in the Daughters of Rebekah.

Gilroy Lodge No. 695, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Lilly Chapel, was installed on July 8, 1880, by H. P. Grovatt. The charter members were G. A. Ogden, J. H. Gardner, George Gardner, Wilson Gardner, W. H. Bailey, Thomas Preston, Amos Jackson, G. A. Bostwick, Charles Bales, Joseph Truitt, John Byers, G. R. D. Bennett, H. Lilly and J. W. O'Brien. The lodge erected a brick bui'ling in 1908, at a cost of four thousand dollars, following a fire in that year which destroyed all records up to that time. Consequently it is impossible to give the name of the installing officer or the first set of officers. The present officers include Frank Gilland, noble grand, and Clinton McContis, vice-grand. The membership of the lodge is one hundred and twenty-two.

Madison Lodge No. 70, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized at London, September 18, 1846, by John Brough, special deputy of the grand lodge of Ohio. The charter members were A. A. Hume, John Jones, Thomas Fellows, John A. Skinner, H. Carter, W. H. Holmes, N. D. Morgan, J. Cheney, David Armstrong and James McClain. Nearly seventy years have elapsed since this lodge was instituted and during all these years it has been a potent factor in the life of London and the surrounding community. The present membership is two hundred and twenty. The officers for the current year are as follow: Delmer Brown, noble grand; F. E. Caldwell, vice-grand; H. W. Robinson, recording secretary; J. C. Lohr, financial secretary; W. E. Lukens, treasurer; W. A. Jones, Robert McMurray and Frank Jones, trustees. The lodge owns its lodge building, a brick structure erected at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars.

Independent Order Of Odd Fellows

Pleasant Lodge No. 544, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Mt. Sterling, was organized on June 6, 1873. It was installed by Rodney Foos, deputy grand master, with the following charter members: William C. Douglass, George W. Bolin, F. C. Gearhart, W. E. Wilmott, J. M. Nicodemus, D. T. Snider, John Lysinger, P. A. Zahn, and G. W. Alkire. The first officers were as follow: William C. Douglass, noble grand; P. A. Zahn, vice-grand; J. M. Nicodemus, secretary; and F. C. Gearhart, treasurer.

The present two story brick building which is the property of the Mt. Sterling lodge was purchased in 1902 at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars. The present membership numbers one hundred and twenty-four. The present officers are W. W. McGuire, noble grand; R. J. Candey, vice-grand; W. A. Huffman, recording secretary; D. B. Saint, financial secretary; E. E. Fisher, treasurer. Two of the original charter members still pay dues to this lodge. ;

Sterling Encampment No. 202

The present membership totals eighty-three. Only one charter ember still Peete to the encampment - C. H. Miller. The present officers are EH. T. Mooney, chief patriarch ; FE. E. Fisher, high priest; G. E. Alkire, senior warden; W. B. Junk, junior warden; D. B. Saint, scribe; C. H. Miller, treasurer. The Encampment owns one-third of the Odd Fellows hall and the meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday nights.

Summerford Lodge No. 481. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized on July 15, 1871. On May 10, 1871, the grand lodge of the state of Ohio granted a warrant and dispensation to the following persons and their successors, legally and duly elected to constitute a lodge to be known as the Summerford Lodge No. 481; and this chapter was installed by Rodney Foos, V. H. Prugh, T. F. Prugh, James W. E. Statler, H. P. Markle, H. H. Harris, William Harris, A. T. Prugh, Patrick Powers, Newton Potee, David Bales, F. M. Candler, S. F. Saunders, Jackson Wilson and Alexander Wilson. John Furrow, Oscar Dickison and Joseph Ward were also among the list of charter members. The following officers were duly elected and installed at the initial meeting: James W. D. Statler, noble grand; V. H. Prugh, vice-grand; H. P. Markle, secretary ; A. T. Prugh, permanent secretary; and David Bales, treasurer.

The present lodge building is the property of the Summerford chapter and was erected in 1878 at a cost of two thousand dollars. The present membership numbers _sixty. The officers for the year 1915 are B. F. Woosley, noble grand; Charles Bryan, vice-grand; James Clingan, recording secretary; R. V. Wilson, financial secretary ; H. HF. Farwer, treasurer.

London Encampment No. 126, of the Odd Fellows, was organized June 22, 1870, by Robert B. Innes, with the following members: B. F. Clark, A. L. Brown, M. L. Bryan, John Jones, S. Creamer, S. H. Cartzdafner and S. W. Darety. The present officers include Fred Peterson, chief patriarch; Charles Tracy, senior warden; H. W. Dickerson, junior warden ; Delmer Brown, high priest; Dr. J. S. Recob, scribe; W. A. Jones, treasurer ; B. Lohr, Joseph Van Pelt and F. E. Caldwell, trustees. The present membership is one hundred and forty-five. .

Madisonia Lodge No. 725, Daughters of Rebekah, at London, was instituted by Mrs. Lizzie Garver on December 4, 1912. Mrs. Garver at the time was president of the Ohio Rebekah assembly. There 'were thirty-eight charter members; the present membership is one hundred. The first officers were as follow :. Alice Sifrit, noble grand; Alice Brown, 'vice-grand; Mary Lohr, recording secretary; Louise Orebaugh, financial secretary; Lina 'Larimer, treasurer; Mary Van Dike, Esta Harvey and Laura Wood, trustees; Ida M. 'Recob, deputy president. The present officers include Lola M. Brown, noble grand; Myrtle Allen, vice-grand; Laura Tracey, recording secretary; Alice M. Brown, financial secretary; Nora McCandles, treasurer; Ida M. Recob, Lina Larimer and Laura Wood, trus- _ tees. :

Knights Of Pythias

Solon Lodge No. 702, Knights of Pythias, at South Solon, was organized August 20, -1896, with the following charter members: W. H. Blessing, J. M. Blessing, Lawrence Black, A. J. Brock, Dr. C. A. Buell, G. H. Cooper, J. W. Cuny, G. E. Crawford, J. C. Chapman, O. HE. Duff, U. G, Evans, E. B. Eyler, George W. Gossard, John B. Hoover, J. A. Holton, William Lucas, J. M. Linson, A. B. Lukens, W. R. Maxey, Dr. A. Pancake, _M. C. Price, Ellsworth Price, Robert L. Ritnour, J. A. Simmenuon, Charles T. Stilwell. H. C. Schoenberger, D. J. Schurr, G. M, Whitaker and Frank Woosley. The first officers _ were as follow: Robert L. Ritnour, chancellor commander; D. J. Schurr, vice-chancellor ; W. H. Blessing, prelate; Dr. C. A. Buell, master of work; O. E. Duff, keeper of records and seal; Ellsworth Price, master of exchequer; Dr. A. Pancake, master of finance; John Hoover, master-at-arms; George H. Cooper, inner 'guard; Lawrence Black, outer guard; M. C. Price, past chancellor; J. M. Linson, J. W. Curry and Charles T. Stilwel, trustees. The lodge has a membership of eighty-nine, thirteen of the original members still retaining their membership in the lodge. 'The lodge owns no building, holding its meetings in a rented hall. The present officers are as follow: G. N. Toops, chancellor commander; Lewis Spicer, vice-commander; W. H. Blessing, prelate; Ralph Lukens, master of work; C. C. Clemans, master of exchequer; Charles T. Stilwell, master of finance; _Lester Gunter, master at arms; Albert Fout, inner guard; Earl Curry, outer guard; W. H. Blessing, G. S. Shinkle and C. C. Rowland,. trustees,

This chapter was installed by C. A. Lucas, with the following charter members: G. T. Williams, H. S. Clark, George Dorn, Fred Dorn, Glen Hankins, Harry Heath, J. KF. Kirkpatrick, William Clawson, J. C. Badger, Charles. Armstronr, K. M. Shepherd, J. N. Ford, Lewis Counts, Henry Dorn, M. M. Slaughter, C. C. Howard, W. A. Badger, L., C.. Shepherd, C. C. Hewitt, John Jeffries, James Jeffries, John Hicks, C. S. Beathards, William McMillan, KE. B. Meade, F. B. Core, H. J. Kelsoe, Robert Minshall, Robert Wilcox, W. W. Paullin, James Smith, Isaiah Shipley, M. D. Shoemaker, F. J. Paullin and J... E. Tanner. The first officers were, G. T. Williams, chancellor commander; H. S. Clark, vice-chancellor; Harry Heath, master of work; S. J. Paullin, prelate; C. S. Bethers, keeper of records and seal; George Dorn, master of finance; William Clawson, master of exchequer; Glen Hawkins, master-at-arms; C. C. Howard, inner guard; Robert Wilson, outer guard; Robert Minshall, trustee. E This lodge, although having an existence of but eleven years, is in an pallens condition, both financially and numerically. The present membership numbers .eighty-eight. The present officers are, Robert Minshall, chancellor commander; Charles Wheaton, vicechancellor; Charles Foster, prelate; George Williams, master of work; Pearl Meyers, keeper of records and seal; George Dorn, master of finance; James Smith, master of exchequer ;_ Forest Rihl, master-at-arms; Henry Dorn, inner guard; Howard Foster, outer guard; J. N. Ford, deputy grand chancellor.

Talmadge Lodge No. 194, Knights of Pythias, at Mt. Sterling, was installed on April 10, 1885, by E. J. Dewdall, special deputy grand chancellor. The charter members were C. A. Clark, A. J. Denison, C. W. Hodges, David Leach, A. E. Loofbourrow, T. P.. Neff, Dr. A. J, Welch, N. A. Riggin, A. L. Robinson and C. A. Wilson. The lodge built the third story of the Tenny-Alkire brick building in 1890, at a cost of two thousand dollars. The present officers are as follow: C. S. Dennis, chancellor commander; H. R. Allen, vicechancellor; E. H. Gildersleave, prelate; A. R. Alkire, master of work; O. J. Ray, keeper of records and seal; George W. Tanner, master of finance; C. M. Neff, master of exchequer; E. H. Julian, master-at-arms; J. J. Kalklosch, inner guard; W. C. Dyer, outer guard; J. S. Core, Scott McCafferty and F. H. Hott, trustees. The lodge now has a membership of two hundred and seventy-six.

The London Knights of. Pythias lodge was organized on. March 16, 1892. It was installed by M. J. Jenkins, grand chancellor. The charter members were as. follow: William Burbaugh, J. T. Greene, Howard Lotspeich, E. S. Vent, D. D. Downing, M. W. Dungan,. J. L. Bishop, J. F.. Johnson, J. Hanson, George Coberly, Jesse Paine, J. J. Clark, Cass Speasmaker, R. K. Chrisman, Alex Evans, Fred Bardon, J. D. Maddux, J. B. .Garrard, W. A. Talmage, O. M. Bryan, John Boyer, A. W. Gardner, R. D. Smith, W. F. Davidson, T. H. Davidson, M. Duglass, Martel Bryan, J. F. Kirkpatrick, J. S. Chance, B. F. Wildman, R. W. Boyd, F. R. Bridgman, J. S. Harrold, D. W. Winchester, D. S. Bird and R. H. McCloud.

This chapter with only a quarter of a century growth has expanded and is the strongest lodge of this order in the county. It has a membership at. present of one hundred and fifty-seven loyal workers. The present officers are William Sanderson, chancellor commander; J. J. Mitchell, vice-chancellor; Kyle Vance, keeper of records and seal; Homer Stone, master of exchequer; Alex Evans, master of finance; A. C. Bongent, master at arms; Cleyton Curl, inner guard; John Theel, outer guard; Hd Lewis, J. J. Mitchell and W. E. Lukins, trustees.

Plain City Lodge No. 159, Knights of Pythias, was organized on May 11, 1883, and was installed by Robert Smith, deputy grand chancellor, of Richwood, Ohio, charter members: E. E. Jones, C. Amann, A. E. Smith, C. A. Horn, O. C. Robinson, C. L. Sherwood, BE. L. Williams, M. J. Jenkins, E. C. Robinson, J. H. Stewart, J. L. Converse, J. C. Tauber, T. L. Robinson, Charles Dutton, L. C. Barlow, Bruce Robinson, W. H. Platt, A. N. Woodruff, A. N. Jones, D. L. Lombard and W. W. Horn. The first officers were W.. W. Platt, past chancellor; M. J. Jenkins, chancellor commander; C. A. Horn, vicechancellor; D. L. Lombard, prelate; Charles F. Dutton, keeper of records and seal; Charles Amann, master of finance; Bruce Robinson, master of exchequer; O. C. Robinson, master at arms; J. H. Stewart, inner guard; Thomas L. Robinson, outer guard; W. W. Platt, grand representative.

present brick lodge building is the property of this chapter and was erected in 1890 at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. The present membership numbers sixtytwo. _ he following are the officers for 1915; O. M. Lowery, chancellor commander; F. J. Currier, vice-chancellor; W. D. Atkinson, prelate; H. B. Baker, master of work; O. K. Howland, keeper of records and seal and master of finance; L. C. Alder, master of exchequer; Jesse Arnold, master at arms; J. J. Mayberry, inner guard; J. S. Kelley, outer guard; O. K. Howland, grand representative. The following members have served the lodge in the capacity of past grand representative: W. W. Platt, M. J. Jenkins, D. L. Lombard, J. F. Feather, J. W. Bowers, C. H. Lucas, C. C. Smith, J. EK. Smith and E. E. Stevens. The following members from this chapter have heid higher offices in the lodge: M. J.. Jenkins, grand chancellor, 1896, and surgeon of the Ohio brigade, uniformed rank, Knights of Pythias; J. F. Feather, hospital steward of the first regiment, Ohio -brigade uniformed rank, Knights of Pythias; H. C. Black, district deputy grand chancellor; and the following have served as county deputy grand chancellor; J. W. Bowers, J. F. Feather and C. H. Lucas.

Fraternal Order Of Eagles

The first Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, was organized at Seattle, on February 6, 1898, with but a handful of members. From this humble beginning the order has gained in membership until it has reached the enormous number of almost one-half million. At has increased its wealth from nothing to almost one hundred million dollars. It has paid for sick benefits within the last year alone over three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for funeral benefits about eighty-eight thousand dollars; for physician's services, two hundred and thirteen thousand six hundred and seventy dollars.

The order is founded upon the four corner stones of liberty, truth, justice and equality - that liberty for which the forefathers fought and which the fathers fought to maintain; that truth without which no enterprise, no business can be successful and without which none can succeed; that justice of the Golden Rule - do unto others as you would have others do unto you; that equality that is one of the corner stones of good society - belief in the doctrine that all men were created equal - whether they remain so is a matter of environment and choice. These are the pillars upon which the order rests.

It is its duty to look after the sick or those in trouble or in grief - to furnish a physician to the sick brother or any member of his family. It is its duty to bury the dead brother and to look after his widow and orphans, see that they are properly cared for, and they even after the death of the husband and father still continue to have the services of the Aerie physician. These brief remarks form an epitome of what the Fraternal Order of Eagles is accomplishing and briefly gives to the general public at least some idea of its work. The order does not seek to curb the religious opinions of anyone, but instead welcomes. to membership adherents of any faith, provided he be eligible otherwise.

The following are the past presidents of London Aerie No. 59: M. B. Golden, John P. Welsh, Joseph Enders, D. K. Gould, H. L. McCafferty, John Fraher. The present officers are John Fraher, Fred Schlegle, Leo Holland, A. S. Eastman, Frank Carey, John W. Gorry, Dr. H. V. Christopher, Cornelius Casey, Edward McCann, William Roddey. Trustees, A. J. Schlereth, D. K. Gould and Edward Hill.

London Aerie No. 950, Fraternal Order of Eagles, was organized on January 10, 1905, and was installed by C. E. Vorta. The first officers were as follow: M. B. Golden, past worthy president; John P. Welsh, worthy president; D. L. Dunevent, worthy vicepresident; Thomas Golden, chaplain; Maurice Mooney, treasurer; William F. Kelley, secretary; Frank Farnsworth, inside guard; Walter McGrath, outside guard; Luther McCloud, Emmett Shaffer, Joseph Endos, trustees; Dr. W. W. Snyder, physician; Earl Kennedy, conductor.

The present membership numbers one hundred and eighty-nine. The present officers are Leo Holland, past worthy president; C. J. Casey, worthy president; Harvey Goings, worthy vice-president; Daniel Bowen, chaplain; William H. Smith, conductor; Frank Carey, secretary; H. B. Welsh, treasurer; E. P. Speasmaker, EH. B. Chrisman and Daniel K. Gould, trustees; Edward McCann, inside guard; Cecil Adams, outside guard; H. B. Sparling, conductor.

Catholic Order Of Foresters

The headquarters of the Cathoiic Order of Foresters are located in Chicago. This society was organized in that city in 1883, under a charter granted by the state of Illinois, and the membership of the order in the United States and Canada is now over one hundred and fifty thousand. -

~ St. Joseph's Court No. 1191, Catholic Order of Foresters, was organized at West Jefferson on March 11, 1901, by the state organizer, James Farley, charter member, as follow: Rev. M. A. Heintz, William P. Redmond, George Gillivan, Thomas Driscoll, William H. Danyer, Francis J. Ernst, James McCarty, Anton J. Birkenback, John H. Carroll, George W. Nippel. and James Holland. The first officers were George Gillivan, vice-chief ranger; William Redmond, chief ranger; William Dwyer, recording secretary; Frank Ernst, financial secretary ; James McCarty, treasurer; John Carroll and John Birkenbach.

The present membership numbers thirty and the present officers are Weldon Miller, recording secretary; William Grassle, financial secretary; William Engelsperger, chief ranger; F. B. Biggert. past chief ranger; Calvin Gillivan, senior conductor; Joseph Keyser, junior conductor.

London Court No. 703, Catholic Order of Foresters, was organized on Pitty 11, 1897, by Maurice Langen, of Columbus, Ohio; charter members, J. A. Morrissey, G. H. Fobbie, William E. Kelly, M. W. Fitzgerald, P. A. Gallagher, John Ryan, P. A. Lanigan, Andrew Canton, James F. Corbett, Thomas A. Conner, George Killeen, P. A. Morrissey, John Maloney, John Drudy, William McDonough, Edward. Carlon, William Charters, James Mackin, Edward Buckley. The first officers were J. A. Morrissey, chief ranger; Edward

The present officers are Frank Gallagher, chief ranger; J. L. Bardon, vice-chief ranger; William F. Kelley, recording secretary; Thomas J. Roddy, financial secretary ; B. J. Flynn, treasurer; John A. Gorry, past chief ranger; L. J. Fraher, speaker; John H. Kennedy, William H. Kaveney and Edward Mooney, trustees. The present membership numbers seventy-five.

The benefits consist of insurance and sick benefits of five dollars per week. This chapter has excellent quarters in the Buff block, but does not own any real estate or property. Catholics of all nationalities are eligible to membership. The local organization is in a flourishing condition.

Knights Of Columbus

London Council No. 1786, Knights of Columbus, was organized on May 2, 1915, by State Deputy P. J. McCarthy and staff, of Toledo, with a charter membership of one hundred. Fifty of these were new members and the remaining number were transferred from Springfield, Columbus and Zanesville councils. The first officers of London council were P. J. Kirwin, grand knight; George Killeen, deputy grand knight; T. J. Dwyer, treasurer; E. J. Mooney, financial secretary; W. J. Kelley, recording secretary ; John A. Gorry, chancellor; T. A. Connor, lecturer; M. S. Murray, advocate; Alfred Langen, warden; Robert Gallagher, inside guard; W. D. Morrissey, outside guard; E. L. Brennan, Cornelius Ducey, and M. W. Sullivan, trustees.

The Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic men banded _ together for the threefold purpose of fraternity, devotion to the Catholic church and Catholic interests and patriotism. There is little need to explain the tie of fraternity, familiar ever since the first instances of brotherly love. Examples of the exercise of the fraternal spirit are found continually. In sickness or in health, in wealth or poverty, in business or pleasure - everywhere is noticeable the spirit of helpfulness and of sympathetic interest that holds Knights of Columbus together. Patriotism is a duty for the Catholic, and hence its interest to every Knight of Columbus. Politics are forbidden to enter the order directly or indirectly, but the members stand for law and order everywhere and at all times.

Devotion to church and Catholic interests is essential to membershi)) in the Knights of Columbus. Some societies seem to boast their acts of charity and kindness, but not so the Knights of Columbus. The personal kindness, the council's aid to sick and distressed, the genial spirit of mutual helpfulness rendered by a Catholic to his fellow man, are deeds of the heart under the inspiration and teachings of the church - hallowed and sacred and never to be advertised or capitalized.

The Knights of Columbus have an absolutely safe, sound and scientific system of insurance. Each man pays the cost of his own insurance. No new members are needed to insure the payment of death losses. The rates of the Knights of Columbus were prepared by David Parks Fackler, Esq., of New York City, ex-president of the Actuarial Society of America, and he is advisor of the order in all insurance matters.

The Knights of Columbus are active in parochial and diocesan matters; they' endowed the chair of American History in the Catholic University at Washington, at a cost of fifty thousand dollars, and the further foundation of five hundred thousand dollars, enabling the university to award fifty free scholarships in perpetuity; hospital endowments; founding of free scholarships in Catholic colleges; free employment bureaus; protection of Catholic minor wards of state and city; establishment of free day-nurseries for the children of Catholic mothers; maintenance of lecture courses ; public profession of faith on all proper occasions - all these are necessarily public and outward manifestations of the faith of the members of this order, which quietly and privately by force of decent living is hourly accomplishing in no small. 'way the mission of the apostolate of the laity. Knights of Columbus homes are being erected by local councils throughout the order. It is proposed to make them the centers of Catholic thought and activity. London council has already taken steps to insure a home for itself within the next few years. The ceremonial of the order is secret - but not oath bound. | ;

London council has not added to its membership since its installation because the ceremonial of the order is such that the degree work can only be put on with classes of fifty or more. A new class of at least fifty is now in process of formation and will shortly be admitted to knighthood, which will increase the membership of the local council to one hundred and fifty.

It is the aim of the officers and members to secure the membership of every eligible Catholic man in the county and when this is accomplished the local council will have more than seven hundred members to its credit. The Knights of Columbus have no auxiliary. The local council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings in the C. O. F. hall, its temporary quarters. Visiting members in good standing are always welcome. ; "be

Silver rn Lodge No. 29, Free and Accepted Masons, the oldest secret organization among the colored people at Madison county and located at London, Ohio, was granted 'a charter of dispensation and set up by Right Worshipful John R. Blackburn, grand secretary of thé Grand Lodge of Ohio, August 6, 1869, with the following charter members: James Cain, worshipful master; Edward Mumford, senior warden; George White, junior warden; Robert Cain, treasurer; John L. Cain, secretary ;. Americus, senior deacon; Andrew J. Smith, junior deacon; Thomas Pleasant, tyler, and Green Roberts, of which only two are living - James H. and John IL. Cain. .

The lodge has been very prosperous in that time and owing to the population it had to draw from has made about one hundred and fifty master Masons, while some have moved away, others have passed to the great beyond.

These are the worshipful masters who have helped make the lodge a success since its organization : _E. H. Lowery, W. H. Napper, William S. Lowery, John M. Bunch. George M. Phonosdall; Joseph L. Lowery, Daniel Lewis, Charles W. Cain and A. G. Holloway, the present worshipful master.

The lodge has now a membership of twenty-eight and is doing well. It holds its meetings in the hall in the Buff block, corner of High and Main streets.

The purpose of the Woman's Relief Corps is to render the veterans aid and comfort in sickness or distress; to find employment and homes for their widows and orphans; to cherish and emulate the deeds of our army nurses and of all loyal women who rendered loving service to our country in her hour of peril;. to encourage loyalty and inculeate lessons of patriotism and love of country in the communities in, which we live; to perpetuate the memory of our heroic dead in the sacred observance of Memorial day.

The Woman's Relief Corps is the greatest philanthropic, charitable and patriotic organization of women in the world. It instituted a patriotic curriculum in its regular work, and began the inculeation of patriotic teaching in the public schools of the country, a work which has been taken up by many other patriotic organizations since then. There "are now more than three thousand women whose work as patriotic instructors in: corps and departments of the Woman's Relief Corps is commanding attention. Space is too limited to tell all that has been accomplished during. these past years. The patriotic work of the Woman's Relief Corps of London can scarcely be estimated. Two hundred and more patriotic primers have been placed in the schools of our county and elsewhere; also thirty Declaration of 'Independence charts; fifty oleographs of history of the stars and stripes; more than three hundred leaflets and fifty flags. Members are pledged to keep "Old Glory" where it stands today, and on Flag day, June 14, every home (not only the members of the Woman's Relief Corps) should float the flag, and in this way show their loyalty to the principle for which it stands.

The children of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home are remembered, the mountain schools of the south, the Old Ladies' Home, the building of monuments, etc., and the flood sufferers of 1913 were generously cared for and, with all this, they do not forget their own suffering poor, nor the old comrades. Their cause should interest all American women alike, for it is purely a labor of love and kindness to the unfortunate und a service to our country. Everyone owes the same debt of gratitude to its defenders.

The Woman's Relief Corps is the largest organization of women in the world under one eligibility clause and one motto. It now numbers one hundred and sixty-seven thousand members, with department organizations in forty-one states, divided among two thousand six hundred and four corps, as the local organizations are known. It was on Wednesday, July 23, 1884, that Mrs. Robert Moore, Mrs. James Peck, Mrs. G. W. Wilson, Mrs. Albert Phifer, Mrs. Theodore Miller, Mrs. Charles Skeeles, Maria Skeeles, Mrs. William Morrow Beach and Mary Beach, met in the Grand Army of the Republic hall in London, Ohio, to consider the question of organizing a subordinate corps of the Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the local: post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Robert Moore was chosen president pro tem, and Mary Beach, secretary pro tem. After a general interchange of. views, the secretary was instructed to correspond with Mrs. Kate E. Putnam, president of Mitchell corps, Springfield, Ohio, and request her to come to London on the 6th of August, 1884, with reference to organizing and mustering in the officers and members of this corps. Upon motion the meeting adjourned until Wednesday, August 6, 1884, on which day, at three o'clock p. m., a permanent organization was effected. Sixteen women were present and duly mustered in. 'Mrs. Putnam, with her assistants, Mrs. Ernest and Mrs. Grant, of.Springfield, Ohio, were the mustering officers. The following officers of Lyon Corps No. 52, were elected by acclamation: President, Thowessa Moore; senior vice-president, Maggie Miller; junior vice-president, Laura Kinney; treasurer, Martha L. Wilson; secretary, Mary Beach; conductor, Elizabeth Minshall; chaplain, Vinnie Phifer; guard, Maria Skeeles. These, with the following names, composed the Jist of charter members: Hannah Underwood, Alice Dooris Thomas, Lucy Beach, Lizzie Skeeles, Rena Stuckey, Mary Durflinger, Virginia Davidson, Clara Pierce, Sarah Dunkin, Ella Haley, Jennie Graham, Minerva Acton, Alice Eastman, Jennie Yan Wagener, Kate Dooris Sharp, Cornelia Mitchell, Josephine Lohr, Mary McSaveny, Jennie Huddleson, Victoria Miller, Kate Peck, Victoria Withrow, Soe Mathers, - e Hanson.

Some of the members of this corps have moved away, some have withdrawn and thirteen have been lost by death, namely: Lizzie Skeeles, Ellen Allen, Sarah Sprague, Alice Dooris Thomas, Victoria Miller, Harriett Gillette, Maggie Miller, Ella Haley, Harriet Gunsaulus, Philomelia Simpson, Sarah Dunkin, Flora Vent and Frances Smith. There are now forty-six members and the number is gradually increasing. The organization offers to the American people a cause broad and sublime enough to enlist every sympathy and to engage every faculty. With this labor of love and 'duty for the past thirty- -one years, in this cause, the local corps would be greatly pleased if it could only see a movement toward the erection of a memorial hall in memory of the loyal men who enlisted to save their country's honor. If the resources of Lyon Relief Corps had compared with the fraternity, charity and loyalty of this order, Madison county would have had a memorial hall several years ago.