CHAPTER XVI.

CIVIC AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES

MASONIC.

The first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge NO. 288, was organized at Salt River about January 13, 1871. The first officers were Charles Merrill, worshipful master; Richard Hoy, senior warden, and Henry Struble, junior warden. The early organization embraced most of the stanch men of that early settlement and has continued to hold them and has received many since its organization and is still flourishing. The charter members, as far as can be remembered, the records being lost, were Charles Merrill, John G. Zeigler, Richard Hoy, J. C. Conklin, Charles Puchart, Charles N. Sawyer, Henry Struble, Samuel Kennedy, W. T. Ross and I. N. Shepherd. The name given to the lodge was Salt River Lodge NO. 288, Free and Accepted Masons. This lodge has always been in a thriving condition and is still growing and in fine running order.

The second organization of Masonic lodges was at Mt. Pleasant in 1871. The charter members A. Fox, William N. Harris, William H. Gavvitt, John Maxwell, Isaac A. Fancher, Seth T. Worden, Charles E. Worden, James Fockler, Delos Braman, A. B. Balcom, C. O. Curtis and H. M. Gilman. The first officers were Albert Fox, worshipful master; W. H. Gavvitt, senior warden; W. N. Harris, junior warden; I. A. Fancher, treasurer; John Manners, secretary, L. J. Worden, senior deacon; Charles Worden, junior deacon; and A. B. Balcom, tyler. The lodge was named after an old and much beloved Indian chief, then living in the county, by the name of Wabon, the full name and title being Wabon Lodge No. 305, Free and Accepted Masons. This lodge has been one of the strongest and most popular lodges of northern Michigan, and has connected with its membership a large, number of the best business and professional men in the city. The lodge still retains its high standing and influence in the community.

The past masters are as follows: Albert Fox, deceased; I. A. Fancher, George McDonald, William Starkweather, John Maxwell, Birt L. Parkhill, D. S. Partridge, W. R. Kennedy, W. A. Osborne, deceased, H. E. Deuel, E. J. Van Leuven, William H. Lloyd, William V. Sage and H. C. Dunlap.

The following is a list of the members of the lodge at this date:

Phineas Allen, Bliss A. Albro, John T. Alt, William Broomfield, Samuel Bemrose, Phidelius Bennett, Louis J. Burch, Augustus Borden, A. W. Bahlke, J. H. Bedfish, James W. Balmer, G. M. Baylis, R. L. Briggs, Charles E. Cole, George A. Chatterton, A. S. Coutant, John J. Cowin, Frank B. Clark, Isaac N. Conrad, Charles A. Carnahan, A. Z. Campbell, Fred F. Consaul, Walter P. Conrad, Edwin J. Cole, Frank G. Clement, W. G. Crosby, Ernest T. Cameron, Isaac M. Cook, Peter F. Dodds, Francis H. Dodds, Ira F. Davis, H. Edward Deuel, John A. Dunn, Joseph L. Dickerson, Henry C. Dulap, Homer Derr, James H. Din man, Albert E. Ely, Charles F. Edgar, Ira E. Egleston, George C. Faulkner, Frank J. Forrest, Thomas J. Fordyce, I. A. Fancher, Joseph A. Graham, Thomas Gray, Fred J. Graham, Hugh A. Graham, George H. Gover, Hugh Graham, Arwin E. Gorham, Bert Gray, A. W. Graham, U. H. Gade, Bert M. Gould, Walter C. Getchel, John A. Harris, Charles H. Houck, Alexander Henderson, Cassius A. Harris, John Hathaway, William M. Healy, 1. R. Jamison, John Jackman, Harry E. Jeffrey, Timothy P. Jamison, William R. Kennedy, Fred L. Keeler, E. Kirkpatrick, M. E. Kane, Oliver Keck, Jacob W. Kelder, A. A. Loveland, William H. Lloyd, Frank M. Lamb, C. S. Larzelere, Daniel E. Lyon, Thomas Lawrence, John Maxwell, Samuel Morrison, George McDonald, Lewis N. Marsh, John Meyer, Samuel May, John W. Morrison, Peter Morrison, Wallace H. Marsh, Robert B. McLaughlin, Charles E. Owen, John Parker, Frank D. Patter- son, Burt L. Parkhill, Loren C. Payne, Charles D. Pullen, D. A. Pease, Loren Post, L. E. Royel, F. Rhodes, Charles T. Russell, F. W. Robinson, W. W. Riches, A. W. Reigel, Chester W. Riches, W. A. Starkweather, Thomas Sampson, William A. Smith, F. M. Smith, Paul Smith, William V. Sage, William A. Shackelford, Bruce C. Shorts, D. Trevegno, James L. Thorn, W. J. Taylor, C. F. Tambling, Frank G. Thiers, Robert E. Tubbs, W. W. Taylor, Edward Turner, E. J. Van Leuven, Buel H. Van Leuven, G. B. Whitney, E. L. Wells, Arthur Wright, Truman Wyman, A. N. Ward, J. S. Weidman, F. S. Wood, Ivan D. Wallington, George Waterman, W. J. Walton, Charles F. Westman, and John A. Wiley.

ROYAL ARCH MASONS.

Mt. Pleasant Chapter No. III, Royal Arch Masons, was organized February 4, 1883, under a dispensation granted them to work April 9, 1883. The charter members were Robert Laughlin, Mark F. Fasquelle, John R. Robinson, Silenus A. Simons, D. Scott Partridge, C. 0. Curtis, P. F. Dodds, E. F. McQueen, William A. Osborn, Cicero Kimball, 1. N. Shepherd, John Maxwell, Samuel Kennedy, Richard Hoy, James B. Kennedy, Henry Struble.

The first officers elected were the following: Robert Laughlin, high priest; M. F. Fasquelle, king; John R. Robinson, scribe; S. A. Simons, treasurer; D. Scott Partridge, secretary; Charles 0. Curtis, captain of the host; P. F. Dodds, principal sojourner; E. F. McQueen, royal arch captain; William A. Osborn, grand master of the third veil; C. Kimball, grand master of the second veil; John Maxwell, grand master of the first veil, and I. N. Shepherd, sentinel. The first person to be initiated into the holy mysteries of the Royal Arch was William T. Whitney, The lodge has been a prosperous body ever since its organization and still retains its prestige in the community, and numbers many of the most popular and successful citizens in the city. It not only comprises many of our successful businessmen, but also of the professional fraternity. Doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers and retired capitalists all seek the mystic rights of the fraternity.

Their lodge rooms are centrally and pleasantly located, easy of access and as the blue lodge of Masons occupy the same rooms they have furnished them beautifully with everything that goes to beautify and adorn not only the balls but the work as well. Well may they entertain a modest pride in their fraternal and social surroundings. They enjoy a membership at the pres- ent time of about one hundred, but as all are graduated from the blue lodge it seems hardly necessary to give a list of their present members.

ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR.

We all recognize the fact that there are but few things that are really and genuinely enjoyed by the male fraternity that the female class are not also desirous of participating in, and so we find that after the establishment of these Masonic bodies, the ladies met and considered the advisability of their also establishing a fraternal association. It was finally decided to organize a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and a chapter was formed, to be known as the Mt. Pleasant Chapter No. 55. At present the officers are: Ellen V. Keene, worthy matron; J. J. Cowen, worthy patron; Effie G. Graham, assistant matron; Florence N. Ward, secretary; Clara L. Pullen, treasurer; Laura B. Taylor, conductress; Lettie Trevegne, assistant con- ductress; Ethel Taylor, Adah; Nettie A. Cowen, Ruth; Mary D. Keen, Esther; Mabel Ferris, Martha; Nora L. Loveland, Electa; Rebecca Wells, warder; Samuel Bemrose, sentinel; S. Louisa Cowin, chaplain; Clarissa Marsh, marshal; Ella Parkhill, organist.

The past matrons are A. Elizabeth Chatterton, Helen E. C. Balmer, Nora L. Loveland, Elizabeth Van Leuven, Minnie Leaman, Elva Reed and Florence N. Ward, and the past patrons are H. Edward Deuel, George Mc- Donald, Richard D. Balmer, Arthur S. Coutant, George A. Chatterton, and Edward L. Wells.

The number of the present membership is about one hundred and twenty-five. The list of members shows that the organization contains many of the leading ladies of the city and bespeaks for them a delightful social and fraternal organization.

MASONS AT WINN

The earliest records of Cedar Valley Lodge No. 383, Free and Accepted Masons, at Dushville, now Winn, Isabella county, Michigan, show that under date of July 2, 1886, Michael Schumaker, grand master of Masons of Michigan, affixed his signature and seal to a dispensation empowering the following brothers, as charter members: John W. Curtiss, Allen Keene, John Starkweather, David Moor, Marshall Abbott, James Maxwell, Charles F. Curtiss, Thomas H. Lowe and Shurman D. Eldred, to meet and practice all the rights of ancient craft masonry. The above Masonic brothers continued to meet and, work tinder the above mentioned dispensation until January 26, 1887, at which time the grand lodge of Michigan issued a charter, which created Cedar Valley Lodge No. 383, Free and Accepted Masons. On March --3, 1887, the most worshipful grand master, Reuphes C. Hathaway, did consecrate and dedicate and install the first regular officers, at which time Cedar Valley Lodge NO- 383 assumed all the responsibilities and burdens incidental to a new lodge in a new and sparsely settled part of Isabella county.

At this time the lodge occupied the second story of a building at the cast end of the village, and on the north side of Main street, owned by William A. Starkweather, which they continued to occupy until April 9, 1880, when, by permission of the grand master, the lodge was moved to the hall owned by P. Allyan, at the west end of the village, where they remained until suitable rooms could be arranged for. At this time S. J. Ulam had a two-story building under construction, the lodge arranging to lease the upper story. After this building was completed and furnished, Past Grand Master Arthur M. Clark, acting grand master, did, on January 1, 1881, duly dedicate this the third home for Cedar Valley Lodge, where for seventeen years the fraternity peacefully labored in laying a foundation, broad and deep, which should later support her future fraternal and material edifice.

In the early part of 1907 the members of Cedar Valley Lodge began to feel the need for more root-n, and purchased a location on block 2, according to the village plat, and perfected such arrangements that would eventually enable the local body to erect and own, in fee simple, the proposed home.

On August 28, 1907, the worshipful master appointed a committee consisting of E. H. Allyn, Fred M. Sanderson and Burt M. Adams, to draft articles of association and do such other duties as would be necessary to incorporate. So well did the above committee discharge their important duties that on January 7, igo8, the Masonic Temple Association of Winn, Michigan, held its first regular organized meeting and became a factor in securing worthy, more pretentious environments. The above meeting is worthy of more than a passing notice, for it was at that meeting that this small band of Masons assumed the burdens and responsibilities of erecting a temple of solid brick thirty-seven by eighty feet, and two stories high with basement, two store rooms on first floor. The entire second floor is used for Masonic purposes, and divided into seven rooms, consisting of lodge room, preparation room, ante- room, parlor, kitchen, dining room, and committee room. The entire building is fitted with steam heat and the light is generated by an acetylene gas plant in the basement.

On December 17, 1908, the most worshipful grand master, Herbert Montague, assisted by nearly all the grand lodge officers, dedicated the new temple to Freemasonry, virtue and universal benevolence.

The new temple cost eight thousand dollars, and the drawing of the material from ten to sixteen miles was a heavy burden on the membership, which was met with fortitude becoming Masons. And today they have the comfort and satisfaction of owning the first Masonic temple, entire from foundation to roof, in Isabella county. It is worthy of, note that at no time has there ever been one cent against the temple, as all obligations have been assumed and carried by the membership.

The Masons of Cedar Valley Lodge have been abundantly blessed. In the twenty-six years of its existence and of the ninety-five members that have from time to time belonged, but four have died, and only two of them initiated members, the other two having joined by limits from other lodges.

The first officers of Cedar Valley Lodge were: Hon. John W. Curtiss, worshipful master; Allen Keene, senior warden; John Starkweather, junior warden; David K. Moor, treasurer; Marshal F. Abbott, secretary; James Manwell, senior deacon; Charles F. Curtiss, junior deacon; Thomas H. Lowe, tyler.

The present officers are: Cassius J. Shenk, worshipful master; Henry L. Smith, senior warden; Charles A. Spicer, junior warden; David-K. Moor, treasurer; S. J. Ulam, secretary; William Glen Osborn, senior deacon: Jacob Burher, junior deacon; Miles S. Fuller, tyler.

The roster of past masters is - John W. Curtiss, three years; Allen Keene, seven years, John L. Brubaker, one year; John W. Crane, six years; Charles F. Curtiss, five years; Birt M. Adams, one year; Emlon A. Sanderson, two years.

The first officers of the Masonic Temple association: John. W. Crane,. president; David K. Moor, treasurer; S. J. Ulam, secretary. The first board of trustees: John Delo, chairman, Chester J. Perkins, Clifford J. Abbott.

The present number of members of the lodge is seventy.

ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR.

A chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star was established at Winn, Michigan, March 18, 1909. The charter members were Mrs. Maggie Adams, Mrs. Lucy Lowe, Miss Alta Taylor, Wilber N. Pierpont, Mrs. Georgia Pierpont, Mrs. Almina Perkins, Mrs. Mary Kinney, Asa Delo, Eugene H. Allen, Mrs. Julia Allyn, Cassius J. Shenk, Mrs. Alla Shenk, Mrs. Emma Moor, Mrs. Lizzie Nohl, Mrs. Anna Hunt, Charles A. Spicer, John Keen, John W. Crane, Rufus C. Gifford, Mrs. Agnes Gifford, Miles S. Fuller, Mrs. Ola Fuller, Gerald S. Fuller, Mrs. Bertha Fuller, Mrs. Jennie Sullivan.

The first officers elected were as follows: Worthy matron, Mrs. Almina Perkins; worthy patron, Wilber N. Pierpont; associate matron Mrs. Georgia Pierpont; secretary, Mrs. Celia Delo; treasurer, Mrs. Julia Allyn; conductress, Mrs. Marnie Stutting; associate conductress, Mrs. Ellen Shenk; chaplain, Mrs. Maggie Adams; organist, Miss Esther Osborn; Adah, Mrs. Vila Fuller; Ruth, Mrs. Agnes Gifford; Esther, Mrs. Bertha Fuller; Martha, Mrs. Mary Kinney; Electa, Mrs. Anna Hunt; warden, Mrs. Lucy Lowe; sentinel, John S. Keen.

This chapter is made up of most of the enterprising, energetic and social ladies and gentlemen in that community and they are exerting a mighty influence for good social and fraternal feeling in the community, which is an element sorely needed in a village and country community. They have labored but a short time, but now number some sixty-six members in good and regular standing. At their last annual election the following officers were elected and installed: worthy matron, Mrs. Alma Perkins; worthy patron, Gerald Fuller; associate matron, Mrs. Georgia Pierpont; secretary, Mrs. Julia Allyn; treasurer, Mrs. Ellen Spicer; conductress, Mrs. Lillie Keen; associate conductress, Mrs. Bertha Fuller; chaplain, Mrs. Maggie Adams; marshal, Miss Alta Taylor; organist, Mrs. Pearl Edmonds; Ada, Mrs. Viola Fuller, Ruth, Mrs. Agnes Gifford; Esther, Mrs. Ellen Shenk; Martha, Mrs. Effa Delo; Electa, Mrs. Emma Fox; warden, Mrs. Martha Delo; sentinel, John S. Keen.
 

WEIDMAN MASONIC LODGE.

The village of Weidman also boasts of a first class lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, which was organized in 1900. They own their own hall, have a membership of about eighty and are growing all of the time. They are nicely located and take great pride in their work and, are said to have some of the best workers in the county. John A. Cliff, Wilber Johnson, Floyd Mitchel and others of the same class of leading gentlemen make up the rank and file of the fraternity in that burg.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.

The Odd Fellows organized at Mt. Pleasant, April 4, 1874, being NO. 217. The charter bears. the name of G. W. Griggs as grand master and E. H. Whitney as grand secretary. The charter members were James L. Sweeny, Albert Holmes, Martin K. Morse, Jared H. Doughty and John R. Doughty. The grand officers who instituted the lodge were: G. W. Griggs, grand master; Albert Earl, grand secretary; W. H. Ostrom, grand warden; W. W. Cook, grand marshal; C. C. Hart, grand guardian; H. W. Shaw, grand herald. The first elective officers were James L. Sweeny, noble grand; Jared H. Doughty, vice-grand; M. K. Morse, recording secretary, and John R. Doughty, treasurer.

The lodge has gone through many ups and downs and has been burned out, having the charter burned, but they have kept on their feet and each time have rejuvenated the order and continued in their good work until they have brought the order to a high state of perfection in this city. They have in- creased in numbers from their small beginning of six charter members to about two hundred and fifteen members at this time. They have purchased a building, which was originally the Presbyterian church, which they purchased April 1, 1907, of the Presbyterian society for two thousand dollars.

The lot is centrally located, being nearly opposite the Bennett House. It makes a fine place for their meetings and they are able to accommodate other societies, such as the Grand Army organization, the Salvation Army and such others as need a place for a gathering for social and fraternal purposes and for suppers and lectures.

The order is highly appreciated by its members as a social and fraternal organization. It numbers among its members many of the best and most prosperous business men, as well as men in the various professions, such as doctors, lawyers, dentists, teachers and ministers, in fact it is a good and proper place for any and all good men that enjoy social meetings and feel that they would like to do some good in the world and make society better and more noble for their having been here and mingled with struggling humanity. All this and more they are doing.

There is also an encampment, as well as a Rebekah lodge, who meet in the same building.

This lodge has also been honored by having one of its members elected to an honorable office in the grand body of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, William R. Kennedy, who was in 1899 elected to be grand master of the grand lodge.

The present officers of the home lodge are: A. C. Crapo, noble grand; F. L. Klunsinger, vice-grand; Charles D. Brown, recording secretary; W. C. Perry, financial secretary; H. H. Hunter, treasurer, with C. L. Patee, past grand.

In 1874 at old Salt River was established an Odd Fellows lodge. The charter was given October 5th of that year and they commenced with a goodly number of members and have been in a nice condition ever since and are now enjoying a degree of prosperity. Their number is 239 and is called Coe Lodge.

The charter members were: Thomas Austin, noble grand; J. M. R. Kennery, vice-grand; S. G. Leonard, secretary; Henry Struble, treasurer; Samuel Kennedy, Lester Wilsey, Philander Childs, A. F. Swan and William A. Smith. Allen E. Clark is the present noble grand, and sends these minutes. They are in a good thriving condition, are having good attendance and are growing with the growth of their pretty and substantial village.

WINN ODDFELLOWSHIP

Cedar Ridge Lodge No. 540, Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Winn, Isabella county, Michigan, was organized July 22, 1908. Its charter members were John Henderson, William L. Delo, Lester Briggs, Walter G. Starkweather Levi Underwood, Fred C. Gifford, Lindly T. Booth, John Malish, Frederick Delo, Delbert D. Richardson, Charles Riggle, John Fox, George Russell, Percy T. Spicer, Clifford J. Abbott, sixteen in all. The first officers were Lester Briggs,.noble grand; Charles Riggle, vice-grand, and W. G. Starkweather, secretary and treasurer.

The lodge is a strong and growing institution, having grown from six- teen charter members to a lodge of seventy-six members, and is still increasing both in membership and in influence in the community. They have and may well feel a just pride in the fact that their lodge is made up of a large per cent of the stanch and thrifty men in the community, and the lodge gives them an opportunity to meet together and become more social and cultivate a stronger spirit of brotherly love and a kindlier spirit toward one another and the race generally. Long may they have the privilege of their social meetings.

The present officers are John Henderson, noble grand; Thomas Sandbrook, vice-grand; Clinton Cazatt, recording secretary; Clifford J. Abbott, financial secretary; Ward Foglesong, treasurer. The lodge have their meeting place in the hall of S. J. Ulam, and meet on Thursday evening.

BLANCHARD LODGE

Blanchard has a lodge of Odd Fellows, established in 1903. They are as prosperous and substantial as any in the county, numbering at the present time one hundred and seventeen members, with Henry Moke as noble grand; George Wood, vice-grand; E. Allen, financial secretary. This lodge is on the high road to success. They have built and own their hall, which is twenty-six by eighty feet and two stories high, costing about four thousand dollars, nearly all paid for. The society occupy the upper story and the lower story is an opera house.

The charter members were as follows: Fred Standish, Jay Rogers, Newman Fitzgerald, Claud Rogers, W. H. Shepherd, E. W. Reeder, Henry Moke, N. C. Mason, Riley King, Frank Garrison and Amos Dixon.

DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH.

There was a Rebekah lodge organized at Winn, formerly Dushville, on April 2, 1909, by Hannah Bailarge, with ten charter members, and the name Locust was given it by Sabia Gifford. To be precise, the name and number were Locust Rebekah Lodge No. 226. The charter members we're Jennie Sullivan, Emily Smith, Sabia Gifford, Pearl Edmonds, Almira Perkins, Walter Smith, Fred Gifford, William Edmonds, Walter G. Starkweather. The first officers were Sabia Gifford, noble grand; Pearl Edmonds, vice-grand; W. G Starkweather, secretary; Emily Smith, treasurer; Almina Perkins, right supporter of the noble grand; J. W. McNutt, left supporter of the noble grand; Lottie Gifford, warden; Mamie Stutting, conductor; Wallace Richardson, inner guard; Walter Smith, outer guard; Catherine Haas, chaplain, with Olive Foglesong, right supporter of vice-grand, and Pearl Barden as left supporter of vice-grand. This lodge has prospered wonderfully well and now numbers one hundred members. Their present officers are: Noble grand, Ola Fuller; vice-grand, Effie Caszatt; secretary, Sadie Gifford; treasurer, Emily Smith; right supporter of the noble grand, Delia Starkweather; left supporter of the noble grand, Almina Perkins; warden, Lottie Gifford.

At Brinton, about twenty-two years ago, there was established on Odd Fellows Lodge which for some time was a flourishing institution. The original was named Silver Link and Doctor Worden was largely instrumental in getting it started. It flourished until at one time it had about one hundred and thirty-one members, but since the village has declined somewhat it has had an effect upon the number of lodge members, yet it is doing good work at the present time and numbers about fifty members. The present officers are: Edgar Robert, noble grand; John Fitch, vice-grand; H. V. Koble, secretary; S. Atchinson, financial secretary; Henry Rogers, treasurer.

In 1906, at Rosebush, a lodge of Odd Fellows was organized with. about sixty members, with F. G. House as noble grand, D. Mussel, vice-grand, and John House, secretary. - It is a strong and active organization and is doing good work, increasing in membership and in the good influence it exerts in the community.

At Weidman they have a first-class lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which is in a very prosperous and fine working condition. They own their own hall and have their sessions regularly, doing good work and satisfying their membership It is one of the best of the fraternal organizations.

KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES.

Another of the orders that is calculated to promote friendship and brotherly love, known as the Knights of the Maccabees, was duly organized on the 7th day of March, 1884. This is also a mutual relief society, and has been of inestimable value to a large number of our citizens by the payment to the bereaved families of deceased Maccabees when the hand of affliction has fallen heavily on the dependent family at their protector's death, of the amount for which the member, when living, had provided for the assistance of his family.  It is a worthy organization and has by its promptness and dispatch relieved many a worthy family from suffering and distress in time of trouble.

The officers of the first organization were: F. H. Tyler, past commander; Charles T. Russell, commander; V. F. Conlogue, lieutenant; Fred Russell, record keeper; F. W. Ralph, finance keeper; W. C. Dusenbury, prelate; F. H. Tyler, physician; J. J/ Kitchen, sergeant; J. B. Van Fossen, master at arms; 0. W. Stebbins, first master of guard; F. E. Prinree, second master of guard; I. L. Swan, sentinel, and W. R. Sturgis, picket.

The organization flourished for some years until they numbered some four hundred members. They now number about three hundred and eleven members, and the present officers are: Vern Van Wie, commander; George W. Letivoy, lieutenant commander; William 0. Barz, record keeper; W. A. Chatterton, finance keeper; Earnest H. Ford, sergeant.

They hold their meetings in the Commercial block, and meet each week. The numbers have fallen off some for a short time back on account of quite a number of the members having arrived at the age of seventy, when they are entitled to draw ten per cent. per year on their policy and there seems to be a fear that the monthly rate or dues will increase. They can also draw for disabilities and as the age increases there is more of that. Then about a year ago the Lady Maccabees increased their rate and many dropped out on that account. These are questions that the Knights will have to meet.

One was organized at Leaton numbered 538, with Charles E. Cole as commander, Thomas B. Snowden, record keeper, and with a goodly number of members. This tent was afterward. disbanded and they with one or two other small tents went into the organization at Rosebush.

On April 8, 1883, one was started at Vernon, known as the Russell Tent NO. 727. They flourished for a time and built a hall, but afterward the interest in the matter flagged, the hall was sold and moved away and now there is no organization kept up.

Tent No. 306, of the Knights of the Maccabees, was organized at Sherman City, the organization being effected May --g, 1895. Edward P. Strong was commander, Grant M. Lyon, record keeper, and filed October 28, 1895. This tent is kept up and is in a fairly prosperous condition, having at this time about forty members.

Another was started at the village of Brinton and was a live tent for some time and then it ceased to keep up its interest and finally ceased to exist.

Eldorado Tent No. 559, Knights of the Maccabees, was organized at Calkinsville February 22, 1898. They own their hall, have about one hundred and twelve members and are in a prosperous condition. Their present chief officers are George F. Bayless, commander; William M. Hovey, secretary and treasurer.

They also have at this place a Ladies of the Maccabees lodge with a good membership. They too are in a prosperous and thriving condition, and the order is quite popular.

At Caldwell, about twenty years ago, a lodge was formed. They own their hall, which cost something like eight hundred dollars. They are in a flourishing condition, with about thirty-five members, with Thomas Hogg as commander, Burt Bozer, record keeper, and F. E. Phillips as finance keeper.

At Blanchard, in 1904, there was a ladies Tent of Maccabees organized. Mrs. E. Allen is commander and Mrs. Charles Robertson, Mrs. Bragg and Mrs. Scott are among the influential members. They have a nice social and fraternal set of members and now number sixty-four. They are in a most prosperous condition and are proud of their society, as well they may be.

There is also a regular Maccabee tent at Blanchard. It was organized some time ago and is still doing business.

At Winn the Maccabees organized, in 1891, Tent NO. 524, with J. W. Crane, commander; Robert Brown, record keeper; Fred Delo, finance keeper. They have now some fifty members and Lester Briggs is commander, W. W. Dickerson, finance keeper, and are in a prosperous condition.

The Lady Maccabees have also a tent with Mrs. W. N. Pierpont as commander; Mrs. Henry Curtis, finance keeper; Mrs. John Taylor, record keeper. They have a tent of thirty-five members and own the hall, which cost them about five hundred dollars. They are in fine condition and embrace some of the leading ladies of the village and vicinity. They feel justly proud that they own their hall and are in good working order.

At Shepherd a Maccabee tent was formed some years ago, and for a time was in a flourishing condition. Some changes in the amount of dues has created some lukewarmness in many of the tents and they are not so prosperous.

There is a lodge of Maccabees at Weidman, organized some years ago, and composed of such men as George Drallette, George C. Fisher, Charles Pierce, Mr. Schauppner, Charles Carr, Charles Buetler, Adam Scott and others. They have been in a good working order for some time and have a large membership for a place of the size of Weidman  and are now numbering something like one hundred members. There was also a Ladies tent, but they have allowed their charter to lapse and are no longer an organization.

GLEANERS.

A Gleaner organization was established in Lincoln township, at Crawford, something like sixteen years ago, and has continued and prospered ever since, and at the present time they have about one hundred members, with Roy Proudly as chief gleaner. They are a fraternal and mutual benefit association and are at the present one of the most popular and most-sought-after organizations in the county and state. This organization owns its own hall, which cost about eight hundred dollars, and is in all respects prosperous and happy.

There is also another in this town located at the Baptist church on section 30, organized December 29, 1896, and numbered seventy-one, and having at the present time some one hundred members, with Melvin Castle, David Dush and others as leaders. This one also owns its hall and is doing a prosperous business.

At Blanchard, in Rolland township, there is a Gleaner organization. These use the Odd Fellows hall. Their lodge is in good condition, being a Combination of some smaller lodges which combined, so that now this one combines all of the smaller ones and has some good men, such as Shaw Lawrence, A. Miller and others. The organization was perfected August 14, 1900. and the charter members were Anthony Miller, Elmer Compson, Ed. ;heels, Edmond Miller, Alonzo Allen, Lawrence Miller and Ma gie Millbrook.

A lodge of Gleaners was established in Broomfield, on section 28, in i9o5. It has about fifty members and is doing well.

In Deerfield township a lodge was established at Deerfield Center. John Ash is chief gleaner and H. E. Wood is secretary and treasurer. They use the town hall for their place of meeting.

A Gleaners arbor, No. 197, was organized in Chippewa in i896. The chief movers were Frank Crego, Frank Hardgrove, George Richmond, M. P. Kern, N. D. Montgomery, Walter Wing, Richard Hoy, George Merrill. They bought the Landon cheese factory and remodeled it into a hall suitable and convenient for their purposes; they still own the hall. They have been very prosperous and now number something like one hundred and sixty members, with Harvey Johnson as chief gleaner; N. D. Montgomery, vice-chief gleaner; Minty Wilmot, chaplain; Albert Halsted, secretary and treasurer; Edward Andrews, conductor; R. M. Merrill, conductress; Fred Smith, lecturer; Leon Wilmot, inner guard, and Charles Francis, outer guard.

There are Gleaners also in Denver township. An arbor was established it Delwin some years ago and has now about sixty members, and J. E. Smith s chief gleaner and J. H. Jorden, secretary and treasurer. They are doing, good work and getting ahead.

The Gleaners of Coldwater township organized about five years ago. They hold their meetings at private dwellings. Cecil Allen and Grant Harper are the main parties in the order and are doing much to enlarge and make it a success.

Gleaners organized in 1898 in Gilmore with thirteen members, and they now have about seventy-five. Their headquarters is at the northwest corner of Section 22, near the Baptist church. They are in good working order with fine prospects for the future. G. A. Pitts is chief gleaner and John Sifton is secretary and treasurer.

In Vernon there is a lodge located at Little's, on section 28. It was chartered on the 14th of February, 1897, and is numbered 283. William Page is chief gleaner and Jessie K. Turbush is one of the principal gleaners.

There is also one in Wise township and their hall is located on section 21. The Gleaners of Shepherd were organized in December, 1908. The chief gleaner was Raymond Clark; vice-gleaner, Charles Wilsey, and James Wood, secretary and treasurer. They started with about sixty members, which they have increased to about one hundred and fifty or more. Their first chaplain was Mrs. Clifford Childs. They are a very prosperous and strong organization and are reaping some benefit out of the relation on account of being able, as farmers, to purchase their binding twine at about one-half of what they had to pay as simple farmers. And as no one not a farmer can hold office it gives the farmer a strong lead and is quite an inducement for those who are eligible to unite with the fraternity.

They meet twice each month for a good social as well as business purpose and time. At present their chief officers are: Chief gleaner, Jessie Childs; vice-gleaner, Steward Curtis; secretary and treasurer, James Wood, and for chaplain, Mamie Best. Most of the members carry about one thousand dollars insurance, that being the limit ordinarily, although under certain conditions some may take two thousand dollars. Their principal purpose, outside of insurance, is the social feature and that they all enjoy and their interests seems to continue, as their meetings are all well attended and very much enjoyed.

There is also one at the village of Coe, started about the same time of the others. It has a fine list of members and is doing good work and fully meeting the expectations of all who have joined. The Gleaners are generally claiming that it is a splendid organization and is giving its patrons splendid returns for their money and time, not only in a social manner, but also in financial results.

GOLD RESERVE ASSOCIATION.

The Gold Reserve was organized May 29, 1901, under and by virtue of the statute for the organization of fraternal societies. The officers at its organization were: Michael E. Kane, president; Fred Russell, secretary and George A. Dusenbury, treasurer. They have now been in business nearly ten years and have grown from a new and untried beginning to a membership of three thousand one hundred mern6ers and have assets to the amount of thirty thousand dollars. This is surely a good showing and with such an increase in business and the standing and responsibility of those in charge is a good guaranty that everything will be conducted upon strict principles of business and social integrity. The present officers are M. E. Kane, president; C. W. Campbell, secretary, and Fred Russell, vice-president and treasurer.

ELKS.

A lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was, on July 18, 1909, granted a charter, on the application of the following brothers: Josiah Harper, Chester A. Kellogg, Ivan Wallington, Harry G. Miller, J. A. Swan, Edward J. Dittmann and Fred F. De Foe, the lodge to be known as the Mt. Pleasant Lodge No.1164, and to hold its sessions in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The charter members were R. A. Cockran, Roy S. Falk, Ellis Faint, D. Travegno, J. H. Campbell, F. J. Seibel, P. E. Richmond, Earl Miller, John W. Benford, Roy S. Dean, Wells B. Brown, Marion Smith, T. R. Dougherty, E. T. Cameron, 1-1. W. Coddington, F. S. Klunsinger, F. F. Vandercook, Edward 0. Harris, Robert P. Ward, James E. Johnson, F. G. Clement, W. A. Dion, J. F. McNutt, Charles E. Hagan, Robert M. Hidey, Bert Sook, Frank C. Crego, Charles A. Carnahan, P. T. Johnson, A. E. Gorham. The trustees were Herbert A. Foster, H. E. Chatterton and L. N. Marsh. Chester N. Riches, esquire; Howard D. Jeffords, junior guard, and B. M. Gould, chaplain. The officers elected were: jasper Harper, exalted ruler; Chester A. Kellogg, leading knight; Ivin Wallington, loyal knight; Harry Miller, lecturing knight; I. H. Swan, secretary, and E. J. Dittmann, treasurer.

The Elks are very largely a social organization, and it is intended that they shall have a place to meet for recreation as well as for reading and also  a place for those that are fond of games and want a quiet place of their own where they can go for play at billiards or pool for the rest and relaxation that they so much need after being in the office or store all day at hard work. They have rented rooms on the second floor of three stores and have fitted them up, a part for a dining room and kitchen, over another store a billiard and pool room, for those who are fond of games, and over another a sitting room, cloak room and other accommodations, and they surely have a fine lot of members and a fine place for their meetings. They have increased their numbers to one hundred fifty-five and are still building up the lodge. They now number among their number a very large per cent. of the business men, bankers, clerks, office men, with a sprinkling of clergymen, and in fact they embrace a good many of the real good fellows of the city. They are very thoughtful and considerate of the wives and families and are entitled to a good deal of credit for what they have done and are doing for some of the families that have met with bereavement and that will appreciate the interest taken in them on account of the fact that their family was numbered among the members of this exalted order of Elks. The present officers are: C. A. Kellogg, exalted ruler: Ivin Wallington, leading knight; Harry Miller, loyal knight; Mart Manery, lecturing knight; W. B. Brown, esquire; J. A. Swan, secretary; E. J. Dittmann, treasurer; F. F. Vandercook, inner guard; A. Z. Campbell, tiler; trustees, H. E. Chatterton, L. N. Marsh and C. T. Russell.

Long may they live to carry out their benevolent and social objects for which they were organized.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

The Knights of Pythias was organized in Mt. Pleasant about March, 1886, with a goodly number of charter members, some of whom were H. H.. Graves, William Pickard, William T. Whitney, P. Gardner and others. They are strictly a fraternal society and have in former days been one of the most sought-for of all such organizations, and this lodge has numbered as high as one hundred fifty at a time. Of late years they have not been quite as prominent, other fraternal organizations having taken the lead. This lodge was at one time the finest in the state and when in marching order the first four ranks of four each weighed over four hundred pounds each, and their Uniform Rank numbered about sixty members. They were the organization selected to lay the corner stone of the Central Normal School and were highly praised for their efficiency and general work. They still number about eighty members and, while they have been selling off their club furniture, they yet retain their lodge furniture and expect to take up their residence as a lodge in the building of the Odd Fellows. Their present officers are: Fred Russell, chancellor commander; Prof. J. W. Kelder, vice-chancellor; Harry Hudson, keeper of the records; W. W. Cox, master of finance. A. M. Dayton was their captain.

MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.

This organization was perfected at Blanchard February 10, 1908, with the following as charter members: Earnest Culp, George Christorphenson, Clarence Stafford, Albert Tate, Joseph Fate, Edward Houghton, Carl Mason, Nathan Munn', Chester McDonald, C. J. Nohlas, Arthur Purybery, 0. J. Reynolds, Jessie Robert, J. A. Ramey, Earl Swayze, Vern Russell, H. M. Swift, William A. Walker, Leuter, Stafford, William F. Wood, Doctor Watley, This list of names gives to the village of Blanchard and vicinity a strong organization and one that is making good in the fraternal work they have entered upon, and, barring unforseen stumbling blocks, should continue for many years to come and prosper in their good works.

They also have at Blanchard, beside the above, a camp of Royal Neighbors of America, organized March 4, 1909, with sixteen charter members, as follows: Mrs. C. Holbrook, Mrs. Leo Aldrich, Mrs. F. Meyers, Mrs. E. Crawford, Mrs. H. Luimell, Mrs. E. Robinson, Mrs. George Kimball, Mrs. M. Konkle, Mrs. N. Hotchkiss, Miss June Hill, Mrs. Leola Ayers, Mrs. J. Metz, Mrs. C. McDonald, Mrs. Judd Morgan and Mrs. William Snyder. This is called Rolland Camp NO. 5561.

NATIONAL PROTECTIVE LEGION.

Blanchard has also a National Protective Legion, organized December 11, 1906, with the following charter members: Neuman Smith, Tom Scott, Morris High, Kate Dagle, Leumie Engle, Charles Sanders, Elizabeth Robin- son', Minerva Scott, Ralph Sanders, James A. Engle.

The list of names of the charter members of the last two organizations ought to inspire confidence with any one who desires to become a member of either of the lodges. It is a sure index that they will accomplish whatever they undertake.

COURT OF HONOR.

A Court of Honor, Chippewa District NO. 41, was organized at Mt. Pleasant about 1890. They are also a fraternal and insurance organization. This society has been an active and prosperous one up to the present time. It commenced with a limited number of charter members and has steadily increased until now they number about one hundred fifty members in good standing. This society accepts ladies to their membership and they meet at the Odd Fellows hall every two weeks, on Monday evenings. The present principal officers are: Charles Reen, chancellor; A. W. Bush, past chancellor; Mrs. Thomas Dougherty, vice-chancellor; Mrs. Kittie Reen, chaplain; J. L. Crittenden, recorder, and Jessie Sheldon, conductor.

Their meetings are well attended and they are having a very nice social time at their gatherings and are also privileged to take out insurance and are able to carry the same at a reasonable cost. They are all pleased with it and hope to continue.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.

Mt. Pleasant Council No. 1297, Knights of Columbus, was duly organized on the 9th day of February, 1909, with about seventy charter members. The first officers were: Grand knight, Dr. James McEntee; deputy grand knight, Frank Keenan; recording secretary, P. Cory Taylor; financial secretary, William F. McDonald; warden, M. J. McCue; chancellor, J. Harry Kane; trustees, P. Breidenstein, James E. Johnson and H. F. Hoffman.

This is a fraternal, social, insurance and charitable organization, its membership being confined to the membership of their particular church. They can take out insurance for sums of one thousand, two thousand or three thousand dollars, according to circumstances, and those who have taken advantage of that feature number now about sixty.

The order has grown wonderfully since it first started, so that at the present time they have about one hundred sixty-five members and others have applied for admission. The present officers are: Grand knight, Frank A. Sweeny; deputy grand knight, William 0. Bartz; recording secretary, P. L. McFarland; financial secretary, W. J. Somerville; warden, Hugh Murphy; chancellor, J. Harry Kane; trustees, James Johnson, John Johnson and

James F. O'Brien, with H. F. Hoffman as lecturer. This is a strong and growing organization and one that is entitled to the good will of all, as the objects of its being are to be cherished as something worthy of respect and encouragement. Their social meetings are to be recommended as bringing the members more in touch with each other and the charitable proposition can not be too highly recommended and that, with the insurance, which is intended to provide for that rainy day that so often comes, that too is to be recommended.

ISABELLA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY.

The Isabella County Humane Society was organized March 9, 1908 and incorporated under Act 171 of the laws of 1903. Its purposes or objects, as stated in the articles of incorporation, are "The Impressing and diffusing of the principles of humanity and mercy and the enforcement of laws for the prevention and punishment of cruelty to children and animals, birds and fowls." The term of its corporate life was fixed at thirty years. The following named persons joined in incorporating the society: W. E. Preston, Marilla J. Preston, H. Van Ommeren, Mrs. H. Van Ommeren, N.J. Brown, Ferris Holcolm, Amanda Decker Holcolm, Susie L. Chatterton, Ella Potter, A. S. Coutant, A. T. Getchell, Ella Getchell, Nora L. Loveland, May L. Sherman, Augustus Borden and Mary E. Borden. The following named persons have joined the society by subscribing to its by-laws since the incorporation of the society: W. F. Newberry, C. F. Tarnbling, W. E. Lewis, 1. A. Fancher, J. W. Hance, B. M. Gould, W. 0. Hulliilger, Minnie 1. Termaat, F. H. Dodds, Charles Coddington, Charles Slater, Kate Feeney, C. S. Larzalere, Edna M. Bouton, Palmer Landon, Virginia Westlake and Mrs. Ross Sanford. The first election of officers of the society occurred March 28, when W. E. Preston was chosen president, Nora L. Loveland, vice-president, A. S. Coutant, secretary, and H. Van Ommeren, treasurer.

During the short life of this society many cases of cruelty to children and to animals have been brought into court by its officers and received punishment, many cases of cruelty and distress have been relieved without bringing the matters into court, and a marked diminution of the number of instances of cruelty is noticeable since offenders became aware that this society existed and its officers prepared to enforce the law governing offenses of the kind. The date for holding the annual meetings of the society is fixed at the first Monday in March of each year. W. E. Preston is the present president of the society and the office of the society is at his offices in the Commercial Bank building, Mt. Pleasant.