Gibson County, Indiana - Chapter 14: Secret Societies of the County, 1914

Chapter 14: Secret Societies of the County

In Gibson county, like all progressive counties, it was not long after the first struggles of early settlement had been gone through before various civic societies were organized. There was, however, a period when secret orders were not as popular as today. But the Masonic fraternity, tlie Independent Order of Odd Fellows and, in more recent decades, the Knights of Pythias, all secured a footing and ha\-e ever since been advancing with the march of years. There are a score of so-called secret societies, the majority of which are of the fraternal, benevolent, or beneficiary insurance order, but of these this chapter will not go into detail, but of the three great, well-established, and world-wide recognized fraternities above named, more will be said in this connection. In any community where churches, schools and these three great orders are found there is found also the highest type of civilization.

Free And Accepted Masons

Alasonry was instituted for the first time in Princeton, December 21, 1820, under the name of Warren Lodge, under dispensation, with Randolph West as master, \\'illiam B. Dimick as senior warden, \\'alter Wilson as junior warden. Holly Crawford as senior deacon, John I. Neely as junior deacon, \\'illiam Jerauld as secretary, Ezekicl Reynolds as treasurer, and Joel F, Casey as steward. The first initiates under dispensation were Judge Samuel Hall, John I. Xeely and Joe! F. Casey.

The grand lodge met September 11, 1821, at Corydon, when a charter was issued to the abo\'e lodge under the name of Clinton Lodge No. 16. Judge Samuel Hall was present at this meeting as the representative of the new lodge and was therefore the first representative from a Princeton lodge of Masons to the grand lodge. The charter of this lodge was arrested in 1835 during the Morgan excitement.

On August 23, 1857, a dispensation was issued for the organization of Princeton Lodge, and a charter was issued May 25, 1858, as Prince Lodge, the name it now bears. The change made at the request of the brethren

William Jerauld served as the first master from date of dispensation to June, 1858, when he was succeeded b\' Rev. John E. Jenkins, who served se\en years, during the period of the Civil war.

The charter members were Judge Samuel Hall, John Arbuthnot, Dr. John F. Howard, Joseph Neely, Joseph Chamliers, William Jerauld, Holly Crawford and John McKain.

The masters in the order of service are as follows: William Jerauld, John E. Jenkins, J. D. Kaufman, Ralph Redding, John M. Ryan (eight years), Jacob G. \ail. Dr. William G. Kidd. B. McDonald, John N. Key, Henry P. Chambers, Thomas W. Cullen, Dr. George C. Kendle, Robert A. Woods (ten years). Rev. George D. Wolfe, John Burke, Ernest Mundelius, John E. Stewart, W. L. S. Wood, Harry G. May, Clarence Rosenberger, Re\-. J. B. Pilant, Robert Baltzell.

The present Masonic Temple, at the corner of Prince and Water streets, was built and furnished at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars and was occupied May 9, 1905. The building committee charged with its construction was Dr. Robert S. Anderson, president; Robert A. Woods, secretary: George J. W'elborn, treasurer; Jesse C. Kimball and Elmer E. Reeves.

The temple is occupied by Prince Lodge No. 231, Eree and .\ccepted Masons; Princeton Chapter No. 75, Royal Arch Masons; Princeton Council No. 71, Royal and Select Masters: Princeton Commandery No. 46, Knights Templar, and Golden Eleece Chapter No. 176, Order of the Eastern Star. In March, 1914, the membership was two hundred and twenty-fi\e.

Princeton Chapter No. 75, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered October 21, 1869, and the charter members were Daniel Head, John E. Jenkins. John M. Ryan, James W. Spain, Israel Stough, Frederick Eederer, Thomas Cullen. R. L. Grissam, William F. ]\[illiner. John M. Ryan was the first high priest, James W. Spain the first king, and John E. Jenkins was the first scril)e. On the first of INIarch, 19 14, there were one hundred and fortv-eight members of the chapter.

Princeton Commandery No. 46, Knights Templar, was issued dispensation April 26, 1902, and was granted a charter on April 16, 1903. The charter members were Robert A. Woods, Robert S. Anderson, John Burke, Elmer E. Reeves, Henry P. Chambers, Harvey C. Cunningham, J. H. Owen, A. B. Nickey, W. E. Nickey, Albert Deutsch, Louis Deutsch, George C. Alason,

Horation W. Vedder. John W. JMcGowan, George A. Klenck, S. M. Nickey, A. D. Firestone, Frank B. Copp and A. D. McClure. Robert A. Woods was the first eminent commander, Dr. Robert S. Anderson the first generaHssimo, and Ehiier E. Reeves the first captain-general. In March, 19 14, there were fifty members.

Princeton Council No. 71, Royal and Select Masters, was issued dispensation July 4, 1898, and granted a charter on October 19th of the same year. The charter members were Robert A. Woods, M. L. Miller, Samuel - M. Nickey, L. D. Mahaffey, Robert S. Anderson, John W. Johnson, William E. Nickey, John Burke and Elmer E. Reeves. Robert A. Woods was the first illustrious master, R. S. Anderson the first deputy illustrious master and S. M. Nickey the first principal conductor of work. In Alarch. 1914, there \\>ere sixty-five members in the council.

The preliminary meeting was held December 13, 19 12, at Fort Branch. A dispensation was granted this lodge January i, 1913, and a charter secured May 27, 1913. Irwin's Hall was leased for five years and, with the support and co-operation of the owner of the building, a very beautiful, though small lodge room was arranged. The location is directly, opposite the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railway station.

Lodge No. 364, Free and Accepted Masons, at Owensville, was organized and chartered on May 27, 1868, and F. W. Hauss was the first worshipful master. The present memljership of the lodge is seventy-nine, and the members own their hall, built in 1903, costing two thousand dollars. The officers of 1913 are; Charles N. Emerson, worshipful master; A. ^^^ Thompson, senior warden; F. A. Strehl, junior warden; S. C. Hudleson, treasurer; G. C. Gorman, secretarv ; Warren B. Johnson, senior deacon ; M. T. Montgomery,

Gibson Couxty, Indiana. 20I

Oakland City Lodge No. 467, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered on Ma}- 2^, 1873. The present membership is one hundred and thirt\'-three. The officers today are : J. M. Vandeveer, worshipful master ; J. \V. Cockrum, senior warden ; Golla McCord, junior warden ; L. J. Deutsch, treasurer ; John C. Mayhall, secretary; Cleon A. Simons, senior deacon; Earl F. McConnell, junior deacon; J. W. McCord and V. G. Butcher, stewards; E. M. Fowler, tyler.

Gibson Fodge No. 420, Free and AcceiJled Masons, nf Hazeltun, has a present membership of sixty-five men. It was chartered on May 24, 1879, as Goodwin Lodge No. 420, but on August i_, 1871, the liail was l)urned and the charter destroyed. On August 28, 1871, a duplicate copy was issued, and on May 28, 1878, the name was changed to Gibson Lodge. The officers at present follow: Charles ^V. McFetridge, worshipful master; Everett James, senior warden; Frank R. Cassidy, junior warden; J. A. Davison, senior deacon; John H. Briner, junior deacon; FI. P. Phillips, senior steward; H. M. Arthur, junior steward ; T. F. Thomas, tyler. Gibson Lodge has a notable record, one seldom equaled, especially in a town this size. They ha\e fifteen living past masters. There is a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star here.

Independent Order Of Odd Fellows

Princeton Lodge No. 64, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted July II, 1849. The present membership is one hundred and eighty. The hall was built in the year 1896, and cost twelve thousand dollars. The present officers are: Noble grand, F. L. 1^'orthoffer; vice-grand, Kenney D. Land; recording secretary, John !-". Stunkel ; financial secretary, W. A. Dill; treasurer, J. \V. Ritchie; trustees, A. J. Davis, L. L. Kern, Charles I'fdhl; district deputy grand master, George H. Padgett. The Princetcin lodge ha\e assets totaling thirty-two thousand dollars, including two cemeteries and other real estate. The charter members of the lodge were W. S. Palmer, A. P.. Lockhart. R. W. Dunbar, Philip Hornbrook. H. J. Hart, A. P. Elliott and W. Hubbell. There are nine lodges in the county, namely : Oakland, Francisco, Princeton, Flazelton. l-'ort Branch, Owens\-ille, Summerville, (jiro and Wheeling.

Gibson Encampment No. 55 was organized No\-enil:er 17, 185X, and the charter members were : A. B. Lockhart, P. Hornbrook, Joseph Tumock, John Farrell, Isaac T. White, D. S. Anderson, A. J. Collum, George Thornhill, E.

H. Degarme and D. Woolsey. The present officers of the encampment are : Chief patriarch, Edgar Mauck ; high priest, D. C. Hanna ; senior warden, J. N. Kern ; junior'warden, Edward W. Eaton ; scribe, \\'. A. Dill ; treasurer, L. L. Kern; trustees, George H. Padgett, George \\'. Shopbell, A. J. Davis. The members total about seventy-five.

Fort Branch Lodge No. 291, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized November 20, 1867, by the following charter members: R. T. Walters, John Blessing, J. M. Pretchett, A. F. Strain, William LHers, H. C. West, R. B. Burns, J. M. Foster and Henry Blessing. The lodge now has a membership of sixty, and owns a two-story building, erected in 1897 at a cost of six thousand seven hundred dollars. The present officers are: Herman Graper, noble grand ; R. M. Davenport, vice-grand : S. R. Lockwood. secretary ; Homer Weeks, chaplain ; Louis Mclntire, warden ; Perry D. Adkins, recording secretary; Jasper Bratton, secretary.

Francisco Lodge No. 814, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized in the year 1904, and now has fifty members. The hall was bought for seven hundred dollars. The officers are as follows : C. S. Barker, noble grand ; W. F. Gentry, vice-grand ; Ralph Bowman, secretary ; D. O. Paul, treasurer; W. F. Gentry, R. C. Stomiont, H. J. Peveler, trustees.

Oakland City Lodge No. 308, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized in the early part of 1884, and now has a membership of one hundred and two. The present officers are: Elmer Julian, noble grand; J. W. Lamb, ; J. L. Douglas, recording secretary; S. W. Melton, financial secretary; P. H. Lamb, treasurer; Emil Alexander, warden; John Hillyard, chaplain.

Hazelron Lodge Xo. 393, Independent Order of Odd I'"ellows, has a membership of one hundred and fifty. This lodge was instituted on January 25, 1872, and has had a rapid growth, at present owning a building erected in 1910, at a co.st of fifteen thousand dollars. Iva Tribbett is noble grand; Charles Kirk, vice-grand ; S. L. Pearson, past grand ; Elza Armstrong, chaplain ; Charles E. Jones, recording secretary ; James H. Briner, financial secretary; trustees, T. J. Westfall, Charles W. RIcFetridge, Charles E. Jones. There is an encampment here with a membership of thirty, and numbered 363. There is also the Philanthropic Lodge of Rebekahs with a large membership.

Stewart Lodge No. 179, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Owensville, was organized and chartered in 1856, and has a present membership of seventy-five. The officers are : Past grand, James Newcome : noble grand.

Knights Of Pythias

This is one of the more recent secret societies, and is not as strong as are the Masons and Odd Fellows in Gibson county. Many years ago, howexer, there was a strong lodge of this order at Princeton, but with the changes of the passing years many of the members have left the order and joined the Elks and other benevolent orders of the city, and recently the Knights of Pythias have been greatly reduced and are not very active at this date in Princeton. Owensville, Oakland City and Hazelton all keep up good lodges of this society. No data has been furnished for the Owensville lodge.

Chevalier Lodge No. 183, Knights of Pythias, was organized at Oakland City on June 6, 1888, and now has a membership of one hundred and four. The officers are: Louis Shurig, master of work; John Mayhall, keeper of records and seal ; Robert Slack, master of exchequer ; F. C. Benton, master of finance ; J. W. Lamb, master at arms ; Grover Melton, inner guard ; Clemor Bell, outer guard ; R. W. Geise, J. W. McCord, J. M. \"andeveer, trustees.