International Order
of Odd Fellows
This history
appears in Chapter XC of "History of South
Dakota"
by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904), pages 516-525 and was
scanned,
OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.
This file may
be freely copied by individuals and non-profit
organizations
for their private use.
Any other
use, including publication, storage in a retrieval
system, or
transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other
means
requires the written approval of the file's author.
This file is
part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside
a frame or
from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at
http://sdgenweb.com/
CHAPTER XC
ODD FELLOWSHIP
BY- HARVEY J. RICE, GRAND SECRETARY
The first
organization of Odd Fellows in the territory of Dakota was at
Yankton, May 25, 1870, when Dakota Lodge No. 1, was
instituted with five charter
members, N. J. Cattell, H. A. James, E. A. Norton, Alex Linn
and A. Bruce. At
this meeting three new members were initiated and two
admitted by card. The
following were initiated in this lodge and ever since have
been identified with
the progress of the order in the territory and state: Fred
Schnauber, initiated
December 16, 1870; Warren Osborn, October 25, 1871; E. T.
White, December 14,
1871; Zina Richey, February 1, 1872; James Kingsbury,
February 29, 1873.
Echo Lodge
No. 2, was instituted at Ft. Randall February 7, 1872, with
twenty-five members.
Vermilion
Lodge No. 3, was instituted at Vermilion August 21, 1872, with
fourteen members. Among this number was Andrew E. Lee, since
governor of South
Dakota.
Elk Point
Lodge No. 4, was instituted at Elk Point January 21, 1873, with
eleven members, among whom was the Hon. Ezra W. Miller, who
has since attained
quite a prominence in state affairs.
Humbolt Lodge
No. 5, was instituted at Yankton May 11, 1874, with eleven
members. This was a German lodge. Among its charter members
were William Blatt
and Herman Ellerman, prominently known throughout the
state.
Northern Light Lodge No. 6, was instituted at Fargo in
1874.
All of the foregoing lodges received their charters from the
sovereign grand
lodge, then known as the right worshipful grand lodge of the
United states..
During the
month of May, 1875, the propriety of the organization of a
grand lodge in Dakota of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows was discussed by
the members of Vermilion Lodge No. 3, and it was then agreed
to submit the
matter to the six subordinate lodges then in existence, viz:
Dakota Lodge No. 1,
located at Yankton; Echo Lodge No. 2, at Ft. Randall;
Vermilion Lodge No. 3, at
Vermilion; Elk Point Lodge No. 4, at Elk Point; Humbolt
Lodge No. 5, at Yankton,
and Northern Light Lodge No. 6, at Fargo.
The
constitution of the grand lodge of the United States required that
there be ten subordinate lodges in a state or territory in
order to organize a
grand lodge, but it was believed that this obstacle could be
overcome by special
legislation, provided a proper presentation of facts were
duly submitted to the
sovereign body. Brother Ralph R. Briggs, past grand, was
deputed to visit the
other points and consult with the prominent members of the
order and make such
arrangements as seemed most expedient. Among those who
became at once
enthusiastic and zealous workers in the cause were William
Blatt, Charles
Eiseman, M; P. Ohlman, past grand of No. 5, and Norman
Learned, past grand of
No. I, and it was decided to correspond with the grand sire
and grand secretary,
Brother James L. Ridgley and other leading representatives in
the sovereign
grand lodge, from whom was reported very encouraging
replies.
At a regular
meeting held on the 25th day of June, 1875, the following
resolutions were adopted: "Resolved, That we, the
officers and members, are
unanimously in favor of organizing a grand lodge of
Independent Order of Odd
Fellows in Dakota," which resolution was duly certified
to the other five lodges
in the territory, requesting similar action and corporation.
All of them
promptly responded and a call was issued for a convention to
be held at Yankton,
August 18, 1875.
Pursuant to
this call, a large number of past grands assembled in the Odd
Fellows' hall at Yankton August 18, 1875, and were called to
order at nine
o'clock A. M. by Brother Fred Schnauber, past grand, who
stated the object of
the convention, and Brother A. Siebrecht, of Ft. Randall,
was elected temporary
chairman and Brother J. A. Wallace, of Elk Point, temporary
secretary.
The following
representatives were found to be present, with certificates
of election as such from their respective lodges: James H.
Magoffin, from Dakota
Lodge, No. 1; August Siebrecht, from Echo Lodge, No. 2; R.
R. Briggs, from
Vermilion Lodge, No. 3; J. A. Wallace, from Elk Point Lodge,
No. 4; M. P.
Ohlman, from Humbolt Lodge, No. 5; J. P. Knight, from
Northern Light Lodge, No.
6.
On motion,
James H. Magoffin was elected chairman and R. R. Briggs,
secretary of the convention.
Representative Wallace offered the following, which was adopted:
Whereas, upon
full and mature consideration of the subject, and in view of
the feet that there are at this time thirty-nine past grands
in good standing
belonging to subordinate lodges in Dakota, therefore be
it
Resolved,
That we, as representatives of said lodges, are heartily and
unanimously in favor of organizing a grand lodge,
Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, in Dakota.
A petition
was duly signed by all present to the grand lodge of the United
States, praying for a grand charter and the appointment of
Brother William Blatt
as special deputy to institute the grand lodge of Dakota,
Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and install its officers.
The following
were nominated for the grand officers of tile new grand
lodge when organized: Grand master, Brother Ezra W. Miller;
deputy grand master,
Brother Norman Learned; grand warden, Brother Aug Siebrecht;
grand secretary,
Brother Ralph R. Briggs; grand treasurer, Brother Fred
Schnauber.
It was
decided to request each subordinate lodge to send three past grands
as representative, to a meeting to be held in Yankton on the
13th day of
October, 1875, at 9 o'clock A. m., at which time it was
expected that the grand
lodge of Dakota would be organized.
ORGANIZATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF DAKOTA.
Pursuant to
the call issued by the convention of August 18, 1875, a large
number of past grands from the different subordinate lodges
convened in Odd
Fellows Hall in the city of Yankton at nine o'clock A. M.,
October 13, 1875, and
were called to order by Brother William Blatt, who had been
appointed special
deputy grand sire by the grand sire of the grand lodge of
the United States,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows (now the sovereign grand
lodge).
Prayer was
offered by Brother James H. Magoffin, of Yankton.
On the report
of the credential committee, the following past grands were
found to be present as representatives and entitled to seats
as such: From
Dakota, No. 1, Yankton, Fred Schnauber, Zina Richey and
Norman Learned; from
Echo, No. 2, Fort Randall, F. St. Clair, A. Siebrecht, H. A.
James and L. D. F.
Poorer from Vermilion, No. 3, Vermilion, J. F. Curtis, J. P.
Kidder and R. R.
Briggs; from Elk Point, No. 4, Elk Point, J. S. Hughes,
William Conley and E. W.
Miller; from Humbolt, No. 5, Yankton, H. Pfotenhauer, M. P.
Ohlman and William
Blatt; from Northern Light, No. 5, Fargo, J. P. Knight, J.
H. Magoffin and
Charles Eiseman.
The special
deputy, Brother William Blatt, produced and read the charter
of the grand lodge of Dakota, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and after due
form proclaimed the said grand lodge duly instituted by the
authority of the
grand lodge of the United States.
The following
grand officers were then elected, appointed and duly
installed: Grand master, E. W. Miller; deputy grand master,
Norman Learned;
grand warden, J. P. Knight; grand secretary, R. R. Briggs;
grand treasurer, A.
Siebrecht; grand representative to the grand lodge of the
United States, William
Blatt; grand chaplain, James H. Magoffin; grand marshal,
James F. Curtis; grand
conductor, Fred Schnauber; grand guardian, M. P. Ohlman;
grand herald, Frank St.
Clair.
A
constitution and a set of by-laws were then adopted for the grand lodge,
which provided for the annual sessions. A constitution was
also adopted for the
government of subordinate lodges. It was decided to hold the
next session at
Fort Randall in October, 1876. The session lasted two days
and was a very
harmonious one. The total membership at this time in Dakota
was two hundred and
twenty seven.
1876.
The second
annual session was held at Fort Randall October 11, 1876, and
was called to order by E. W. Miller, grand master, six
lodges being represented.
During the year the following lodges had been organized:
Springfield, No. 7, at
Springfield; Dell Rapids, No. 8, at Dell Rapids; Sioux
Falls, No. 9, at Sioux
Falls; Centennial, No. 10, at Canton; Re-Echo, No.11 at Fort
Sully. Total number
initiated during the year, 79. Total paid for relief,
$277.12. Total receipts of
lodges, $3,845.88.
At this
session the grand lodge was incorporated under the laws of the
territory of Dakota.
Brother
Norman Learned, of Yankton, was elected grand master, Brother R.
R. Briggs was reelected grand secretary and Brother Fred
Schnauber, grand
treasurer.
1877.
The third
annual session was held at Elk Point October IO, 1877, and was
called to order by the grand master, Brother Norman
Learned.
Brother
William Blatt, of Yankton, was elected grand master, Brother R. R.
Briggs, grand secretary, and Brother Zina Richey, grand
treasurer.
1878.
The fourth
annual session was held at Yankton October 9, 1878, Grand
Master William Blatt presiding. Two new lodges had been
added during the year,
viz: Sioux Lodge, No. 14, at Standing Rock, and Flandreau
Lodge, No. 15, at
Flandreau. The grand secretary's report for the year showed
174 initiations.
Total relief paid, $1,772. L. D. F. Poore was elected grand
master.
1879
The fifth
annual session convened at Yankton October 8, 1879, Grand Master
L. D. F. Poore in the chair. Three new lodges were reported,
viz: Croftin, No.
16, at Fort Tolton; Lead City, No. 17, at Lead, and Unity,
No. 18, at Gary.
Brother Zina Richey was elected grand master and Brother
George W. Snow was
appointed grand chaplain.
1880.
The sixth
annual session was held at Sioux Falls October 8, 1880, and was
presided over by Brother Zina Richey, grand master, sixteen
lodges being
represented. Eight new lodges were instituted, viz: Grand
Forks, No. 19, at
Grand Forks; Madison, No. 20, at Madison; Chanka, No. 21, at
Mitchell;
Anniversary, No. 22, at Marion; Mandan, No. 23, at Mandan;
Watertown, No. 24, at
Watertown; Spearfish No. 25, at Spearfish; Golden Center,
No. 26, at Central
City. Amount paid for relief during the year, $1,168.39.
Brother J. A. Wallace
was elected grand master.
1881.
The seventh
annual session was held at Yankton October 12, 1881, Grand
Master T. A. Wallace presiding, twenty-nine lodges being
represented. Five new
lodges were organized, viz: No. 27, at Goodwin; No. 28, at
Valley City; No. 29,
at Casselton; No. 30, at Fargo; No. 31, at Jamestown. Total
membership, 1,050.
Amount of relief paid, $I,066. The date of holding the
annual session was
changed from October to May and the next session fixed for
the 8th of May, 1883.
Brother W. A. Bentley of Bismarck, was elected grand
master.
1883.
The eighth
annual session was called to order at Fargo by William A.
Bentley, grand master, with twenty-four lodges represented.
Nineteen new lodges
had been instituted during the year, viz: No. 32, at Huron; No. 33, at
Hillsboro; No. 34, at Big Stone; No. 35, at Forestburg; No.
36, at Alexandria;
No. 37, at Pierre; No. 38, at Wahpeton; No. 39, at Rapid
City; No. 40, at
Brookings; No. 41 at Pembina; No. 42, at Portland; No. 43,
at Mayville; No. 44,
at Plankinton; No. 45, at Ashton; No. 46, at Sturgis; No.
47, at Chamberlain;
No. 48, at Howard; No. 49, at Aberdeen; Rebekah Lodge, No.
1, at Lead City.
Number initiated during the year, 622. Amount paid for
relief, $3,325.53. At
this session Brother Ralph R. Briggs, who had served as
grand secretary
continuously from the organization of the grand lodge, was
unanimously elected
grand master and Brother F. S. Emerson was elected grand
secretary.
1884
The ninth
annual session was held at Mitchell and was presided over by
Brother R. R. Briggs, grand master. Forty-eight lodges were
represented.
Eighteen new lodges were organized during the year, viz No.
50, at Redfield; No.
51, at Frederick: No. 52, at Lisbon; No. 53, at Groton; No.
54, at Milbank; No.
55, at Caledonia ; No. 56, at Sioux Falls (German); No. 57,
at Scotland; No. 58,
at DeSmet; No. 59, at Buxton; No. 60, at Clark; No. 6, at
St. Lawrence; No. 62,
at Miller; Hope Rebekah Lodge, No. 2, at Madison; Naomi
Rebekah Lodge, No. 3, at
Alexandria (since
defunct). Amount paid for relief, $3,233.80. Total
membership, 2,122. A constitution for Rebekah lodges was
adopted. Brother A. E.
Clough, of Madison, was elected grand master and Brother E.
M. Fuller, of
Bismarck, grand secretary. The time for the annual session
was permanently fixed
on the third Tuesday of May of each year.
1885.
The tenth
annual session was held at Aberdeen May 20, 1885, A. E. Clough,
of Madison, as grand master. Fifty-two subordinate lodges
were represented.'
During the year seven lodges were instituted, viz: No. 66,
at Lake Preston: No.
67, at Woonsocket; No. 68, at Ellendale; No. 69, at
Columbia; No. 70, at Fort
Buford; No. 71, at Eagan; No. 72, at Ree Heights. There were
paid during the
year $3,580.28 and there was a gain in membership of 364. H.
J. Rowe, of
Casselton, was elected grand master and R. R. Briggs, grand
secretary.
1886.
The eleventh
annual session was held at Watertown May 18, 1886, H. J.
Rowe, grand master, presiding, forty-nine lodges being
represented. Seventeen
new lodges were organized during the year, viz: No. 73, at
Altoona (now
Hitchcock); No. 74, at Hope; No. 75, at Hurley; No. 76, at
LaMoure; No. 77, at
Alpena; No. 78. at Wittenberg; No. 79, at Carthage; No. 80,
at Artesian; No. 81,
at Wessington Springs; No. 82, at Milnor; No. 83, at
Frankfort; No. 84, at White
Lake; No. 85, at Mellette; No. 86, at Park River; No. 87, at
Larimore; No. 88,
at Parker; No. 89, at Highmore. Total membership January 1,
1877, 2,955. Total
paid for relief, $4,674.73. Harvey J. Rice was elected grand
master and R. R.
Briggs was reelected grand secretary.
1887.
The twelfth
annual session met in the city of Grand Forks May 17, 1887,
Harvey J. Rice, grand master, presiding, and fifty-eight
lodges being
represented. During the year ten lodges were instituted,
viz: No. 90, at St.
Thomas; No. 91, at Hunter; No. 92, at Arlington; No. 93, at
Ludden; No. 94, at
Kimball; No. 95, at Tyndall; No. 96, at Vilas; No. 97, at
Centerville; No. 98,
at Volga; No. 99, at Parkston. 667 new members were
initiated during the year.
Total relief paid by lodges, $4,867.71. Abbott H. Smith, of Deadwood, was
elected grand master and R. R. Briggs, grand secretary.
1888.
The
thirteenth annual session was held at Huron May 15, 1888, Abbott G.
Smith, grand master, presiding, and sixty-two lodges being
represented. Four
subordinate lodges and one Rebekah lodge were instituted
during the year, viz:
No. 100, at Dickinson; No. 101, at Toronto; No. 102, at
Drayton; No. 103, at
Milton;' No. 4, Rebekah Lodge, at Spearfish. 616 new members
were initiated
during the year, and the several lodges paid for relief,
$4,g58.o5. Frank S.
Emerson, of Sioux Falls, was elected grand master and R. R.
Briggs, grand
secretary.
1889.
The
fourteenth annual session was held at Jamestown and was called to
order by Frank S. Emerson, grand master, all other grand
officers being present
and eighty-six subordinate lodges being represented. Four
subordinate lodges and
two Rebekah lodges were organized during the year, viz: No.
104, at Armour; No.
105, at Bryant; No. 106, at Salem; No. 107, at Northwood;
No. 5, Rebekah Lodge,
at Watertown; No. 6, Rebekah Lodge, at Ashton. Total
initiations during the
year, 619. Total relief paid by lodges, $5,552.11.
At this
session the representatives at the sovereign grand lodge, who were
Abbott G. Smith and Harvey J. Rice, were instructed to take
the necessary steps
in the sovereign grand lodge to divide the jurisdiction, as
the territory of
Dakota had been divided by congress and North and South
Dakota admitted into the
Union as two- states, said division of the grand lodge of
Dakota to take place
at the annual session in May, 1890. A. E. Nugent, of Fargo,
was elected grand
master and R. R. Briggs as grand secretary.
1890.
The fifteenth
annual session convened at Deadwood May 20, 1890, A. R.
Nugent presiding. Nine past grand masters were present and
representatives from
ninety-six lodges. During the year six subordinate lodges
and four Rebekah
lodges were instituted, viz: No. 108, at Wheatland, North
Dakota; No. 109, at
Oelrichs, South Dakota; No. 110, at Warner, South Dakota;
No. 111, at Hamilton,
North Dakota; No. 112, at Hot Springs, South Dakota; No.
113, at Britton, South
Dakota; No. 7, Rebekah Lodge, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota;
No. 8, Rebekah
Lodge, at Deadwood, South Dakota; No. 9, Rebekah Lodge, at
Fargo, North Dakota;
No. 10, Rebekah Lodge, at Dickinson, North Dakota. Total
relief paid by lodges
during the year, $7,731. At this time the total membership
was 4,330. The total
amount of invested funds of lodges, $90,133.74
This was the
most notable session ever held by the grand lodge of Dakota,
or perhaps that will ever be held by the two grand lodges
growing out of it.
Space will not permit going into the details of this
eventful meeting. During
the fifteen years of existence the official roster of the
grand lodge remained
unbroken. Now those who had during that time labored
together for the upbuilding
of this institution were to separate, some never to meet
again.
The sovereign
grand lodge had decided that the grand lodge of South Dakota
should be the legal successor of the grand lodge of Dakota
and should retain its
present charter, and instructed its grand secretary to
endorse thereon, "The
Grand Lodge of South Dakota." The division occurred on
the afternoon of the
third day's session, May 22, 1890, which will never be
forgotten by those
present. The following brothers participated in the
exercises: A. E. Nugent,
retiring grand master; H. J. Rowe, past grand master; W. A.
Bentley, past grand
master; C). S. Basford, grand master-elect;` E. W. Miller,
the first grand
master; A. E. Clough, past grand master; A. G. Smith, past
grand master; Zina
Richey, past grand master; H. J. Rice, past grand master; R.
R. Briggs, past
grand master; F. S. Emerson, past grand master, and George
W. Freeman, grand
chaplain.
After the
exercises the representatives from North Dakota withdrew to
another hall, where the grand lodge of North Dakota was duly
organized by Harvey
J. Rice, special deputy grand sire.
Brother O. S.
Basford, of Redfield, was elected grand master of the grand
lodge and Ivan W. Goodner was elected grand secretary.
Brother R. R. Briggs
having declined a reelection.
1891.
The sixteenth
annual session was held at Yankton May 19, 1891, and was
called to order by Grand Master O. S. Basford, sixty-two
lodges being
represented and seven past grand masters present. Four
Rebekah lodges had been
instituted during the year, viz: Colfax Rebekah Lodge, No.
9, at Huron;
Evangeline Rebekah Lodge, No. 10, at DeSmet; Esther Rebekah
Lodge, No. 11, at
Woonsocket; Fountain Rebekah Lodge, No. 12, at Yankton. The
grand secretary's
report showed 3,122 active members and $7,083.49 paid for
relief. In addition to
this amount, $8,241.98 was paid out as special relief for
seed grain to members
in drought districts, making a total of $15,325.47. H. A.
Piper, of Hill City,
was elected grand master and Ivan W. Goodner, grand
secretary.
1892.
The
seventeenth annual session was held at Madison and was presided over
by H. A. Piper, grand master. Sixty-four lodges were
represented and seven past
grand masters were in attendance. Five lodges were
instituted during the year:
No. 114, at Revillo; No. 115, at Webster; No. 116, at
Letcher; Rebekah Lodge,
No. 13, at Iroquois; Rebekah Lodge, No. 14, at Hot Springs.
The amount paid for
relief during the year was $7,451.30.
The first
death among the past grand masters occurred March 17, 1892, it
being that of Justus A. Wallace, at his home in Elk Point.
Brother Wallace was
an earnest Odd Fellow in its truest and fullest sense and
was greatly missed.
George W. Snow was elected grand master and Ivan W. Goodner
retained as grand
secretary.
1893.
The
eighteenth annual session was held at Sioux Falls May 16, 1893, and
was presided over by George W. Snow, grand master. Seventy
five lodges were
represented. During the year eight new subordinate lodges
and seven Rebekah
lodges were instituted, viz: No. 177, at Doland; No. 118, at
Hill City; No. 119,
at Belle Fourche; No. 120, at Bristol ; No. 121, at Custer ;
No. 122, at
Worthing; No. 123, at Fulton; No. 124, at Elkton; Rebekah
Lodge, No. 15, at
Bristol; Rebekah Lodge, No. 16, at Milbank; Rebekah Lodge,
No. 17, at Canton;
Rebekah Lodge, No. 18, at Miller; Rebekah Lodge, No. 19, at
Carthage; Rebekah
Lodge, No. 20, at Hitchcock; Rebekah Lodge, No. 21, at Dell
Rapids. $6,894.07
had been paid for relief by the lodges during the year. C.
J. Bach was elected
grand master and Ivan W. Goodner, grand secretary.
1894.
The
nineteenth annual session was held in Sioux Falls May 15, 1894, and
continued the usual three days, C. J. Bach, grand master,
presiding. Seventy-
eight lodges were represented. During the year one new
subordinate lodge and
three new Rebekah lodges were instituted, viz: No. 125, at
Hartford; Rebekah
Lodge, No. 22, at Revillo; Rebekah Lodge, No. 23, at
Mitchell; Rebekah Lodge,
No. 24, at Pierre. $7,245.85 had been paid for relief.
Brother N. C. Nash, of
Canton, was elected grand master. Brother Ivan W. Goodner,
who had served four
years as grand secretary, declined a reelection on account
of other duties, and
Harvey J. Rice, past grand master, of Huron, was unanimously
elected grand
secretary.
1895.
The twentieth
annual session met at Yankton May 21, 1895, and was called
to order by N. C. Nash, grand master, eighty-five lodges
being represented.
Seven subordinate lodges and eight Rebekah lodges had been
instituted during the
year, viz: No. 126, at Chamberlain; No. 127, at Waubay; No.
128, at Alcester;
No. 129, at Westport; No. 130, at Beresford; No. 131, at
Edgemont; No. 132, at
LaDelle; Rebekah Lodge, No. 25, at Elkton; Rebekah Lodge,
No. 26, at Brookings;
Rebekah Lodge, No. 27, at Gettysburg; Rebekah Lodge, No. 28,
at Vermilion;
Rebekah Lodge, No. 29, at Plankinton; Rebekah Lodge, No. 30,
at Oelrichs;
Rebekah Lodge, No. 31, at Worthing; Rebekah Lodge, No. 32,
at Frederick.
$5,912.67 had been paid for relief. 455 new members had been
admitted. Brother
George W. Freeman, who for twelve years had been grand
chaplain of the grand
lodge, died at his home in Elk Point March 13, 1895. Willis
E. Benedict was
elected grand master and Harvey T. Rice. grand
secretary.
1896.
The
twenty-first annual session met at Hot Springs May 19, 1896, and was
called to order by the grand master, Willis E. Benedict.
Eight past grand
masters were present and representatives from eighty-four
subordinate lodges.
During the year three subordinate lodges and seventeen
Rebekah lodges were
organized, viz: No. 133, at Hermosa; No. 134, at Wilmot; No.
135, at White;
Rebekah No. 33, at Parker; Rebekah No. 34, at Edgemont;
Rebekah No. 35, at
Hartford; Rebekah No. 36, at Sturgis; Rebekah No. 37, at
Groton; Rebekah No. 38,
at Waubay; Rebekah No. 39, at Alcester; Rebekah No. 40, at
Beresford; Rebekah
No. 41, at Hurley; Rebekah No. 42, at Custer; Rebekah No.
43, at Webster;
Rebekah No. 44, at Central City; Rebekah No. 45, at Gary;
Rebekah No. 46, at Big
Stone City; Rebekah No. 47, at Rapid City; Rebekah No. 48,
at Bristol; Rebekah
No. 49, at Hill City. The total relief paid by lodges during
the year was
$5,57I.74. Ivan W. Goodner, of Pierre, was elected grand
master by the unanimous
vote of the grand lodge and Harvey J. Rice was reelected
grand secretary by
acclamation.
It was
decided to establish an Odd Fellows Home, for which nine trustees
were elected, viz: For three years, A. E. Clough, P. G. M.,
H. A. Piper, P. G.
M., and I. W. Goodner, P. G. M.; for two years, S. E.
Wilson, of No. 112, J. W.
Abbott, of No. 115, and N. C. Nash, P. G. M.; for one year,
George W. Snow, P.
G. M., C. J. Each. P. G. M., and M. A. Heath, of No.
53.
1897.
The twenty-second annual session was held at Aberdeen May
18, 1897. Present,
Ivan W. Goodner, grand master, and all of the grand
officers, ten past grand
masters and representatives from eighty lodges. Two Rebekah
lodges were
instituted during the year, viz: Rebekah No. 50, at Warner,
and Rebekah No. 51,
at Aberdeen. Voluntary contributions for the Home fund were
received amounting
to $645.54. $7,759.84 was paid by lodges for relief. Peter
Marquart, of Madison,
was chosen for grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand
secretary. L. D. F. Poore,
past grand master, died May 25, 1897.
1898.
The twenty-third annual session was held at Sioux Falls May
17, 1898, and was
called to order by Peter Marquart, grand master, all grand
officers being
present, and seventy-nine lodges being represented. The
following new lodges
were chartered: No. 136, at Erwin; Rebekah No. 52, at
Springfield; Rebekah No.
53 (German), at Sioux Falls; Rebekah No. 54, at Volga;
Rebekah No. 55, at
Wilmot; Rebekah No. 56, at Columbia; Rebekah No. 57, at
Hermosa; Rebekah No. 58,
at White; Rebekah No. 59, at Howard; Rebekah No. 60, at
Westport; Rebekah No.
61, at Bryant; Rebekah No. 62, at Lennox; Rebekah No. 63, at
Mellette; Rebekah
No. 64, at Tyndall. Total relief paid by lodges, $6,372.24.
L. L. Lostutter, of
Iroquois, was elected grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand
secretary.
1899.
The
twenty-fourth annual session was held at Huron May 16, 1899, Brother
L. L. Lostutter, grand master, with ten past grand masters
and eighty-four
representatives present. Two subordinate and four Rebekah
lodges were instituted
during the year, viz: No. 137, at Terry; No. 138, at
Keystone; Rebekah No. 65,
at Kimball; Rebekah No. 66, at Flandreau; Rebekah No. 67, at
Salem; Rebekah No.
68, at White Lake. There had been paid for relief by-lodges,
$7,318.72. The Home
fund on May 1, 1899, amounted to $1,961.09. Benjamin F. Teall, of Belle
Fourche, was elected grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand
secretary, both by a
unanimous vote.
1900.
The
twenty-fifth annual session was held at Mitchell May 15, 1900, and was
presided over by Grand Master B. F. Teall. Eleven past grand
masters were
present and representatives from ninety lodges. Seven
subordinate and twelve
Rebekah lodges were chartered during the year, viz: No. 139,
at Fairfax; No.
140, at Whitewood; No. 141, at Conde; No. 142 at Ethan; No.
143, at Valley
Springs; No. 144, at Clear Lake; No. 145, at Castlewood;
Rebekah No. 69, at
Terry; Rebekah No. 70, at Erwin; Rebekah No. 71, at Lake
Preston; Rebekah No.
72, at Fulton; Rebekah No. 73, at Conde; Rebekah No. 74, at
Marion; Rebekah No.
75, at Redfield; Rebekah No. 76, at LaDelle; Rebekah No. 77,
at Parkston;
Rebekah No. 78, at Chamberlain; Rebekah No. 79, at Key
Stone; Rebekah No. 3, at
Alexandria. This last Rebekah lodge was instituted in place
of the old lodge at
Alexandria of the same number, which became defunct in 1888.
During the year
$648.93 was added to the Home fund. $7,032.63 was paid for
relief. The grand
lodge paid the dues of all the members who had enlisted in
the volunteer service
of the United States for the Spanish war. Theron G. Brown,
of DeSmet, was
elected grand master anti Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary,
the latter by
acclamation.
1901.
The
twenty-sixth annual session was held at Canton May 21, 1901, Theron G.
Brown, grand master, presiding. Ten past grand masters
present and eighty-nine
representatives. One subordinate and three Rebekah lodges
had been instituted
during the year, viz: No. 146, at Canistota; Rebekah Lodge
No. 80, at
Centerville; Rebekah Lodge No. 81, at Clear Lake; Rebekah
Lodge No. 82, at
Highmore. The Home fund had increased $770.63, making a
total on hand May 1,
1901, of $3,380.65. Lodges had paid for relief the sum of
$9,126.13, $351.00
having been sent to the Galveston sufferers. James R. Sharp,
of Rapid City, was
elected grand master and Harvey T. Rice, grand
secretary.
1902.
The
twenty-seventh annual session was held at Lead City May 20, 1902,
James R. Sharp,
grand master, presiding, twelve past grand masters being
present and ninety-three lodges represented. Two new
subordinate lodges were
instituted during the year, viz: No. 147, at Langford, and
No. 148, at Winfred.
A Rebekah lodge was instituted at Pierre, taking the same
number of a prior one
at this place, which had become defunct. Total relief paid
by lodges was
$8,622.63. Received for the Home fund $1,584.45, making a
total on hand May 1,
1902, of $4,965.10. James C. Calder, of Plankinton, was
unanimously elected
grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary, by
acclamation.
1903.
The
twenty-eighth annual session was held at Watertown May 19, 1903, James
C. Calder, grand master, presiding, thirteen past grand
masters being present
and ninety-six. representatives from lodges. Four
subordinate lodges were
instituted during the year, viz: No. 149, at Platte; No.
150, at Broadland; No.
151, at Virgil; No. 152, at Ramona. Two deaths occurred
during the year in the
official roster of the grand lodge, viz: Brother B. F.
Teall, past grand master
and grand representative to the sovereign grand lodge, who
died at his home in
Belle Fourche November 5, 1892, and Brother J. J. McIntire,
grand chaplain, who
died at East Sioux Falls December 20, 1902. $8,484.33 had
been paid for relief
by lodges. $1,525.31 had been added to the Home fund, making
a total May 1,
1903, of $6,400.41. Dyer H. Campbell was unanimously elected
grand master and
Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary. The twenty-ninth annual
session will be held at
Yankton May 17-18-19, 1904.
During the
twenty-eight years of existence of the grand lodge, the grand
master-elect has called the session to order. Three past
grand masters have
died; three have become members of North Dakota by division;
three have
permanently left the jurisdiction, while the other eighteen
are still active
members.
Brother Zina
Richey, past grand master, one of the most earnest and
respected members, has attended every session from the
beginning and holds the
honor of being the only one who has answered every roll call
since 1875. The
following shows the attendance of the past grand masters in
their order, who
still hold membership in South Dakota:
Ezra W. Miller, eighteen sessions;
Norman Learned, six sessions;
Zina Richey, consecutively, twenty-nine sessions;
A. E. Clough, sixteen sessions;
Harvey J. Rice, consecutively, twenty sessions;
A. G. Smith, thirteen sessions;
F. S. Emerson, consecutively, twenty sessions;
O. S. Basford, eight sessions;
H. A. Piper, eight sessions;
George W. Snow, twenty three sessions;
C. J. Bach, seventeen sessions;
N. C. Nash, sixteen sessions;
W. E. Benedict, consecutively, twelve sessions;
I. W. Goodner, eight sessions;
Peter Marquart, ten sessions;
L. L. Lostutter, fourteen sessions;
Theron G. Brown, eleven sessions;
James R. Sharp, consecutively, seven sessions;
James C. Calder, twelve sessions.
There have
been five grand secretaries, viz:
Ralph R. Briggs, who served from 1875 to 1883, when he
served one year as grand
master, and was reelected grand secretary in 1885 and served
until 1890, when he
declined further election, having served in that capacity
thirteen years.
Frank S. Emerson was elected in 1883 and served one year.
E. M. Fuller was elected in 1884 and served one year.
Ivan W. Goodner was elected in 1890 and held the office
until 1894, when he
declined a reelection, having served four years.
Harvey J. Rice was elected in 1894 and has served nine years
and is the present
incumbent, having been elected by acclamation every year
except one.
In the rank
and file there are many zealous and faithful workers who
deserve credit and mention, but space will not permit.
Leaving the grand lodge,
we will briefly take up the other branches.
THE REBEKAH BRANCH.
The first
state convention of the Rebekah branch of the order in South
Dakota was held at Deadwood May 20, 1890, pursuant to a call
of the grand
master, A. E. Nugent.
Sister Nannie
E. Smith, of Lead City, was elected temporary president;
thirteen representatives were present from the several
lodges. The total
membership of this branch at this time was one hundred and
sixty-one; number of
lodges, six. A constitution was adopted. Nannie E. Smith was
elected president
and Emma L. Court, secretary.
In 1895 the
name was changed from Rebekah Convention to Rebekah Assembly
of South Dakota, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a
charter was issued by
the grand lodge as such.
The following
are the presidents in the order named:
Mrs. Nannie E. Smith, Deadwood, 1890-1;
Mrs. May D. McDonald, Sioux Falls, 1891-2;
Mrs. P. E. W. Walton, Huron, 1892-3;
Mrs. Sarah Fuller, Lead, 1893-4;
Mrs. Ernie E. Richey, Yankton, 1894-5;
Mrs. Hattie B. Borland, Madison, 1895-6;
Mrs. Grace Sutphen, Huron, 1896-7;
Mrs. Florence M. Jones, Britton, 1897-8;
Miss Helen Baker, Deadwood, 1898-9;
Mrs. Hanna C. Cripps, Iroquois, 1899-1900;
Mrs. Hattie L. Bradley, DeSmet, 1900-1;
Mrs. Maude I. Benedict, Custer, 1901-2;
Mrs. Ella Kingery, Parker, 1902-3;
Mrs. Sallie M. Patton, Sioux Falls, 1903-4.
The
secretaries have been as follows:
Mrs. Emma L. Court, Spearfish, 1890-1-2;
Mrs. Jennie B. Cunningham, Sioux Falls, 1892-3;
Mrs. Ernie E. Richey, Yankton, 1893-4;
Mrs. Florence M. Jones, Britton, 1894-5-6;
Miss Helen Baker Deadwood, 1896-7;
Mrs. Adeline Alexander, Elkton, 1897-8;
Mrs. Ella Abbott, Waubay, 1898-9-1900-1-2;
Mrs. Maude L. Patterson, Gettysburg, 1902-3;
Miss Rose Blanche Spaulding, Huron, 1903-4.
In 1903 there
were seventy-nine Rebekah lodges, with a membership of
3,484, comprised of 2,166 sisters and 1,318 brothers. The
Rebekah degree was
started as a mere side degree, but has become one of the
most important factors.
in the work of Odd fellowship.
THE ENCAMPMENT BRANCH.
The grand
encampment of South Dakota, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
was organized at Yankton, August 10, 1881, the following
encampments being
represented: Royal Purple, No. 1, of Sioux Falls; Yankton,
No. 2, of Yankton;
Hesperian, No. 3, of Elk Point; Golden Rule, No. 4, of
Bismarck; Black Hills,
No. 5, of Deadwood, Sinai, No. 6, of Fargo. F. S. Emerson,
of Sioux Falls, was
elected grand patriarch and AL. E. Ronne, grand scribe. This
session then
adjourned to meet at same place October 12th at which
session a constitution and
set of by-laws was adopted. D. S. Dodds was elected grand
patriarch and R. R.
Briggs, grand scribe.
The following
brothers have held the office of grand patriarch for the
years designated:
F. S. Emerson, of Sioux Falls, 1881;
D. S. Dodds, of Grand Forks, 1882-3;
William A. Blatt, of Yankton, 1883-4;
Ezra W. Miller, of Elk Point, 1884-5;
George W. Snow, of Springfield, 1885-6;
S. E. Blauvelt, of Sioux Falls, 1886-7;
T. A. Robinson, of Sioux Falls, 1887-8;
J. T. Wooley, of Ashton, 1888-9;
A. S. Dam, of Frederick, 1889-90;
George W. Mathews, of Sioux Falls, 1890-91;
Aug. C. Witts, of Aberdeen, 1891-2;
E. P. Mesmer, of Ashton, 1892-3;
I. W. Goodner, of Pierre, 1893-4;
Fred Schnauber, of Yankton, 1894-5;
M. A. Heath, of Groton, 1895-6;
C. H. Tinkham, of DeSmet, 1896-7;
D. S. Waldo, of Canton, 1897-8;
George T. Grove, of Huron, 1898-9;
George H. Waskey, of Madison, 1899-1900;
C F. DeMouth, of Deadwood, 1900-1;
W. J. Mattice, of Brookings, 1901-2;
E. Y. Lane, of Watertown, 1902-3;
C. H. Blow, of Dell Rapids,
1903-4.
The grand
scribes have been:
A. R. Ronne, of Elk Point, 1881;
R. R. Briggs, of Sioux Falls, 1882-3-4-6-7-8-9;
E. M. Fuller, of Bismarck, 1885;
I. W. Goodner, of Pierre, 1890-1-2-3;
J. A. Ward, of Sioux Falls, 1894-5;
George W. Waskey, of Madison, 1896-7-8-9-1900-1901;
Harvey J. Rice, of Huron, 1902-3-4.
For years the
order struggled along, gaining little ground, but the few
faithful ones were never discouraged, always remembering the
watchword "Go on,"
and today this order stands on the proud eminence of being
considered one of the
foremost benevolent institutions of the age. It employs no
trumpets to sound its
praise, but is quietly fulfilling its mission of relieving
human misery and
trying to lift mankind onto higher ground. Having for its
foundation principle
"The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of
Man," it marches on, noiselessly
gaining in numbers and public esteem, as the years come and
go.