The town of Storm Lake dates from the arrival of the Dubuque & Sioux City railway in the year 1870. Prior to that time in the neighborhood of twenty families had settled about the lake, some on the southwest side and others on the north side. A man by the name of Vincent settled southeast of the lake, taking one hundred and sixty acres as a homestead; he sold several lots on his farm, upon which some buildings were erected. It was current at the time that Vincent and the railway company had an understanding by which the homestead was to be conveyed to the company as soon as a patent was secured, and the town was to be located there, but when Vincent had proved up they refused to convey and in retaliation the town site was moved west to another location. The town was laid out into lots during the month of July and on the l1th day of August, 1870, the lots were placed on sale. At that time T. S. Smith operated a hotel and Smith Brothers a store on the site of the old town, but they promptly moved to the new site and before fall several additional buildings had been erected and the town was doing business with the surrounding settlers. The man who platted the town laid it out on a generous scale. On Lake Avenue, in the business section, the lots were twenty-five by one hundred and the street one hundred and twenty feet wide. The residence lots were large and roomy, and all the streets were made one hundred feet wide, permitting the home owners to beautify their holdings with attractive shade trees and lawns, One of the first acts was to encourage the planting of shade trees and the wisdom of this step is now apparent in the handsome appearance of the streets and homes.

The two parks were laid out in 1871 and planted to trees at once. This was also a wise provision, adding to the adornment of the lake shore. The location of the town is high and dry and Storm Lake has become an ideal home city.

The railroad was completed on the 7th day of July, 1870 and the depot was finished that fall. J. D. Eddy was the first station agent and William Malloy the first section foreman.

An ambitious set of business men at once cast their lot with the new town and all lines were soon well represented. Barton & Hobbs opened the first bank, being soon followed by John R. Lemon, who organized the Buena Vista County Bank, Sutfin and Hay, and Dean & Harker. James F. Toy came in 1872 and engaged in the lumber and implement business, organizing the Storm Lake Bank in 1876, after selling his other interests. Two years later Mr. Toy: opened branch banks at Sioux Rapids and Alta and until his removal to Sioux City was one of the leading financiers in this part of the state.

Other pioneer business men were W. W. Sweetser, druggist; Thos. W. Selkirk, proprietor of The Lake House; Jorgensen & Fikes, hardware and implements ; H. V. & T. Slutz, lumber, coal and grain; W. H. McCune, merchant ; W. C. Kinne, merchant; G. S. Robinson, attorney; Frank Wetzel, furniture dealer; Cameron & Waggoner, druggists; George Currier, dry goods merchant; L. and J. S. Gustine, meat market; Phil Schaller and S. W. Hobbs, real estate; and Vestal & Young, proprietors of the Storm Lake Pilot.

The Pilot was first issued in the fall of 1870 and became at once one of the leading papers of the northwest. Early and late the paper sang the praises of Storm Lake and Buena Vista county, and when one considers the influence of a high class newspaper, well edited as was the Pilot, full credit must be given to that paper for a great part in upbuilding the town.

Among the events of importance of the early years of Storm Lake may be mentioned the birth of Aurelia Wirick, the first child to be born in the town, on December 7, 1870. The first dance in the town was given on the evening of December 13, 1870, at the City hotel, of which T. S. Smith was landlord. The first lyceum was organized on December 12, 1870, with S. W. Hobbs as president and J. B. Miller, secretary. The Buena Vista County Agricultural Society was organized February 25, 1872, and the first fair was held that fall. It was continued for five years when the grasshoppers and the hard times which accompanied that pest, caused the society to disband.

On January 14, 1871, the cemetery association was organized and the cemetery east of town was laid out in the spring. The first interment was the body of Jonathan Knight, on July 28, 1872. Storm Lake was incorporated on February 28, 1873, and the first municipal election was held on March 3, 1873. The officers elected at that time were S. H. Hobbs, mayor; E. C. Cowles, recorder; T. S. Smith, W. H. McCune, J. M. Russell, J. A. Campbell, and S. C. Highley, councilmen. Mr. Hobbs served as mayor for two years, and since then the following gentlemen have served in the same capacity: W. H. Smith, W. L. Vestal (three times mayor), E. I. Sutfin (twice mayor), Lot Thomas, Charles Isbell, Joseph Sampson, James F. Toy, John R. Lemon, A. D. Bailie (three times mayor), J. P. Morey, G. S. Coman, T. D. Higgs, Lo E. Yerington, T. H: Chapman, P. C. Toy and E. L. O'Banion.

The present officers of the town are as follows: E. L. O'Banion, mayor; J. E. Buland, clerk and solicitor; J. W. Gilbert, treasurer; C. W. Moore, assessor; J. Park Bair and A. E. Brunson, councilmen at large; F. S. Kaufman and A. R. Biddle, councilmen from the first ward; Will F. Miller and A. W. Unger, second ward; G. F. Wagner and J. E. Cleaveland, third ward and C. F. Groves and J. H. Grange, fourth ward.

The town grew steadily until 1878 when an event occurred that put new life and vigor into everything. It was the moving of the county seat from Sioux Rapids to Storm Lake, after an effort that had lasted for eight years. The business men of the town and the politicians had learned several valuable lessons from the astute managers of the interests of Sioux Rapids and that fall no Storm Lake man was a candidate for any position on the county ticket, but everything was done to placate all parts of the county, by a judicious distribution of plums to all those who were friendly toward Storm Lake's ambition to be the county capital. A building association was incorporated and a building erected and tendered to the county, rent free, for courthouse purposes. A heated campaign followed the submission of the question but Storm Lake won handily and no time was lost in bringing the records and property of the county to the new court house.

The coming of the college in 1891 was another stimulus to the growth of the town, resulting, as it did, in the platting of the college addition, one of the choice residence portions of Storm Lake.

In 1900 the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul was built into the town from the southeast and the Minneapolis & St. Louis from the north. This was a great event for the town, as efforts had been made at various times to induce new railroads to extend their lines to the town. Since the town was first founded at least three attempts had been made, by the people, to build railroads north, east and west, and at one time a company was incorporated to build to Sioux City, southwest through Hayes and Maple Valley townships. When the roads did come the event was hailed with great joy by the people and the town took on renewed energy. The railroad improvements in themselves were extensive, and in addition to this several new buildings were erected in the town, including the Witter Block, the Bradford Hotel, the Kinne Block and a large number of fine residences. The population has increased since then and the town has extended its boundaries in all directions, and material progress has been constant and substantial.

Post Office
At the present time Storm Lake is one of the best small cities in Iowa, having all the conveniences and advantages of the larger towns, without their disadvantages. In a material way the town has excellent stores and business places, three solid banks, an electric light system, a gas plant, water works, and the citizens are now engaged in a campaign for sewers. From an educational point of view there are excellent schools, the college, the Carnegie library, which is equipped with a fine assortment of standard reference works and also much of a lighter nature. From the moral and religious view there are churches with their affiliated societies, a Young Men's Christian Association, and for the social part there are numerous lodges and societies. A review of these follows this introduction.

It has been said that Storm Lake is a beautiful city, and this is conceded by all who have visited it. In the summer, when the trees are at their best and nature is at her most beautiful period, it is hard to find a lovelier place than Storm Lake, the town overlooking the pretty lake. Within the past few years the advantages of the lake have come to be more appreciated and across the lake from the town, at Fisher's Point, has been erected several cottages where people from the surrounding country come to spend a few weeks of their vacation in healthful surroundings. The Chautauqua draws thousands every summer and is growing in popularity. The County Normal Institute is held here every summer, bringing every teacher of the county for instruction in school work. And with it all Storm Lake has a contented, happy people, who receive the visitor and bid him welcome.

In the years prior to 1903 efforts had been made at various times to hold summer assemblies in the beautiful Elm park at Storm Lake, but never had an organized movement been made. Single lectures by such men as T. De Witt Talmage, Sam Jones, John Temple Graves, Henry Watterson, Bishop Fowler, Senator Dolliver and Congressman Champ Clark had been delivered and regular camp meetings were held for some years by the Holiness Association and later by the Christian church, but no serious attempt had been made to give a regular course of entertainments and lectures.

But in 1903 Rev. W. J. Carr of the M. E. church, Rev. H. V. Comin of Lakeside church, M. M. Moulton, H. W. Krause and a number of other active men in Storm Lake saw the possibilities of a Chautauqua assembly and an organization was perfected. The natural advantages of Storm Lake are unsurpassed in this section of the state. A beautiful park, on the shore of the beautiful lake, a delightful and sanitary camping spot and a permanent and convenient auditorium, added to which was a program of rare talent, skillfully selected, could not help but be a success for a summer outing.

The Storm Lake Chautauqua was the first in this section of the state, at least in a decade. The success of the Storm Lake assembly impelled many of the neighboring towns to establish similar courses but in spite of the sharp competition the Storm Lake assembly has gone steadily forward and is an assured and established fact. Such men as Newell Dwight Hillis, W. J. Bryan, Dr. F. W. Gunsaulus, Robert M. LaFollette, Booker T. Washington, William A. Sunday, Gipsy Smith, Governor Hoch of Kansas, Governor Hanley of Indiana, Congressman Bede of Minnesota, Congressman Landis of Indiana, Congressman Hobson of Alabama, Col. Bain, Capt. Jack Crawford, John Vance Cheney, Dr. Wickersham and Senator Dolliver have been heard with pleasure and profit, and the Chautauqua has enabled the people of the county to hear men from the outside world on questions that are momentous and timely. Classes for the study of domestic sciences have been held for the women, at which demonstrations in cooking have been given. These, with talks on hygiene in the home, have proved of much value.

For the past two years Prof. Wilcox of the Iowa State University has given a series of lectures on history that have been a liberal education in themselves , and the forenoon hour has also been devoted to a study of Biblical topics and ethical subjects.

I. O. O. F.
The Oddfellow lodge No.221 began its existence October 19, 1871 with five charter members: J. C. Spooner, T. S. Smith, L. J. Barton, J. L. Wilson, and J. D. Rupert. Their first meeting place was in a room on the second floor of a building which stood on the present site of the James livery barn. This building which afterward became a mill, was put up and owned by Eadie, Guilford & Co. After meeting here for one year, the lodge moved into Smith 's Hall, which they occupied for about four years. Then for five or six years they occupied a room over the First National Bank. After this they moved into a room in the Crook block, from which they moved into their present hall as soon as the building in which it is located was completed

The lodge has a membership of one hundred and forty-two. They own the double store building now occupied by Foster & Sons' store. They are planning to erect, within the next few years, a third story over this building to be fitted up with several compartments of a modern lodge room. The present elective officers are: M. N. Hoffman, N. G. ; Thos. Labron, V. G. ; Chas. Fulton, recording secretary; John Christopher, financial secretary; Harry J. Crouse, treasurer; trustees: C. F. Aiken, Theo. Martin, and E. L. O'Banion. Will Guilford is considered the oldest Oddfellow in Buena Vista county. He was connected with the order before he came to this county, and has been an Oddfellow here for nearly forty years, always one of the most enthusiastic members of the local order.

I. O. O. F. ENCAMPMENT, No.86.
The Encampment was organized on the 16th of October, 1876, with the following charter members: W. C. Weddington, L. J. Harvey, W. L. Vestal, David Fikes, C. W. Jorgensen, B. Benn, Theoph Slutz, Frank Wetzel. Of the present officers, M. N. Hoffman is chief patriarch and A. Tymeson is scribe

REBEKAH LODGE No.205
The Rebekah lodge was organized October 17, 1893. The charter members were as follows: A. C. Smith, Kittie Smith, Dr. J. H. Lawrence, Aurelia Lawrence, G. W. Santee, Augusta L. Santee, W. D. Kenney, Mary J. Kenney, L. C. Doan and Nettie B. Doan. The. following are their present officers: N. G., Lila Tymeson; V. G., Florence Tollett; financial secretary, Carrie B. Stanley; recording secretary, Sarah Brown; treasurer, Rachael Malbone; conductor, Mary Hill; warden, Martha Coulson; chaplain, Mary Totman; R. S. to N. G., Stella Cole; L. S. to N: G., Myrtle Hardyman; R. S. to V. G., Luella Walker; L. S. to V. G., Stella Coulson; I. G., Rosa Miller; O. G., L. G. Malbone.

MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
The Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No.1449, was instituted on the 24th day of September, 1890, the following being its first officers : V. C., A, D. Bailie; clerk, Thos. W. Rae; sentry, L. C. Doan; N. A., W. T. Clegg; escort, Geo. Siebens ; excellent banker, W. T. Steffen ; local physician, L. M. Johnson; watchman, Will. Randall; managers, G. Egerer, Frank Randall, and M. O. Miller. The lodge has an enrollment of two hundred and fifty-five members, of whom the present elective officers are: L. E. Yerrington, counsel; H. W. Krause, adviser; Theo. Martin, clerk; J. W. Marshall, banker; Ben Avenall, escort.

BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN YEOMAN
The Storm Lake Homestead No.361 of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman was formed January 12, 1901, by the following persons who were its charter members: W. T. Hawthorn, R. C. Dannatt, C. Vogel, F. H. Rutledge, W. H. Lownsberry, James F. Davis, H. O. Farrar, G. W. Ridgley, R. H. Parker, G. A. Rutledge, F. S. Adams, J. A. Klein, Chas. Waldron, Noah Miller, W. E. Irland, Henry Corey, J. C. Avenell, V. Anderson, W. T. Williams, W. C. Williams, John Strock, A. W. King, E. C. Deloss, Henry W. Deal, Albia S. Cooper, Frank Slater, A. D. K. Slater, Viola McKinn, Hattie E. Bennick, Olive M. Nelson, J. W. Oakes, Mary E. Oakes.

The lodge has a membership of nearly two hundred and sixty, with the following officers: Foreman, E. Lewis; M. of C., Thos. Foster; correspondent, J. C. Avenell; M. of A., Raymond Jones; chaplain, Laura Kauffman; overseer, Chas. Chapman; guard, Watson Payne; watchman, Guy Joray ; sentinel, Amel Joray; physician, Dr. J. H. O'Donoghue.

THE MASONIC LODGE
Jewell Lodge No.309, A. F. & A. M. was organized in Storm Lake in the fall of 1871. The Grand lodge had already met for the year, so the local order worked under dispensation from October 22, 1871 until they obtained their charter, June 5, 1872, at the next meeting of the Grand lodge. The lodge met for several years in a hall over the First National Bank, but moved into their present hall as soon as the building was erected.

The first officers of the lodge were: Master, J. E. Wirick; senior warden, E. I. Sutfin ; junior warden, Edmund Wirick; treasurer, W. L. Vestal ; secretary, P. H. Schaller; S. D., D. B. Harrison; J. D., E. S. Fanning; chaplain, Norman S. Parks; S. S.; E. I. Sutfin; J. S., W. L. Vestal; tyler, E. W. Benson. The present membership numbers about one hundred and fifteen, the following being the present officers : A. C. Fuller, W. M.; A. L. Bryan, S. W.; Thos. E. Foster, J. W. ; J. Ho LaGrange, secretary; V. A. Bryant, treasurer; G . K. McCullough, S. D.; Geo. Currier, J. D.; R. Burnham, S. S.; E. J. Schultz, J. S.; M. M. Moulton, chaplain; H. C. Cutts, Tyler.

RABBI CHAPTER, No.103, ROYAL ARCH MASONS
The following persons constitute the present officers of the chapter of the Masonic lodge: A. E. Brunson, H. P.; V. A. Bryant, E. K.; J. H. O'Donoghue, S. S.; James Deland, C. H.; L. M. Nusbaum, P. S.; Geo. F. Wagner, R. A. C.; A. W. Unger, G. M. 3d V.; C. C. Colwell, G. M. 2d V. ; J. P. Blair, G. M. 1st V. ; V. A. Bryant, treasurer; J .H. LaGrange, secretary; H. C. Cutts, sentinel.

STORM LAKE CHAPTER NO. 209, ORDER OF EASTERN STAR
The Eastern Star lodge was organized October 28, 1897. There were twenty-five charter members, and of the first officers, Mrs. Ellen B. Mack was worthy matron; M. O. Miller, worthy patron; and Mrs. Mary A. Warren, associate matron. There is a membership of one hundred and twenty-six in the lodge at present, the following being its officers: W. M., Mrs. Geo. F. Wagner; W. P., C. C. Colwell; A. M., Mrs. J. W. Marshall; secretary, Miss Verna Colwell; treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Gilbert; conductress, Mrs. L. M. Nusbaum; associate conductress, Miss Louise Unger; chaplain, Mrs. A. W. Stevens; marshal, Mrs. Chas. H; J. Mitchell; organist, Mrs. G. K, McCullough ; Adah, Mrs. Harry J. Crous ; Ruth, Mrs. Thos. Walpole; Esther, Mrs. August Dlugosch; Martha, Mrs. W. F. Park; Electa, Mrs. Fred Foster; Warder , Mrs. F. E. Branch; sentinel, A. E. Brunson.

ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA
On February 19, 1906, there was formed the Royal Neighbors of America, Wideawake No.2668, composed of the following charter members: J. Park Bair, Theo. Martin, Sadie Richardson, Elizabeth Brown, Ella V. Hoch, Mona M. Kinne, Irene Jacobsen, Mrs. Clara Boddy, David Nusbaum, Martha Coulson, Lydia H. Martin, Clara M. Zorn, Mrs. Augusta Biggins, Mrs. Verna Fisk, Will Boddy, Fred A. Zorn, Elizabeth Labron, J. H. O'Donoghue, P. F. Kinne, Albert Richardson, Miss Martha Wilmers, Mrs. Alice Kinne, Janet O'Donoghue, Julia Krause, Henry W. Krause, Miss Peda Walling, Verna Walling, Clara L. Bair, Howard Barrister, Miss Mary L. Barrister, Nettie B. Doan. The present officers of the lodge are: Mrs. J. Park Bair, oracle; Mrs. A. W. Soeth, vice oracle; Mona Kinne, past oracle; Mrs. J. H. Brown, recorder; P. A. Martin, receiver; Mrs. John Wilmers, marshal; Miss Grace Hughes, assistant marshal; Mrs. Alice Labron, inner sentinel; Miss Maude Hughes, outer sentinel ; D. H. Nusbaum, physician. Managers : H. W. Krause, Mrs. Sam Coulson, and Mrs. Ada Walling.

COURT OF HONOR
Harmony District Court, No.546, was organized December 9, 1897. The following constituted the first officers of the lodge: Calloway Curnett, chancellor; Aliza Ridda, vice chancellor; Alexander Maxwell, P. C.; Alice J. West, recorder; Ernest Ruel, treasurer; Geo. H. Fracker, chaplain; Carrie E. Foster, conductor; Milton E. West, guard; Francis H. Roberts, sentinel; and M. O. Miller, Robert Biddle and O. M. Johnson, directors. The lodge meets in the I. O. O. F. hall, and has a membership of one hundred and seventeen. The present elective officers are: J. W. Marshall, chancellor; Eliza Parish, vice chancellor; Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, recorder and treasurer.

MYSTIC TOILERS
Antioch Council, No, 61, of the Mystic Toilers began its existence in Storm Lake March 9, 1900. The following persons constituted its charter members : Mrs. Margaret A. Darr, Emma R. Yates, Wm. S. Yates, Chas. L. Hammerbacker, Mrs. Anna Julia Joray, Oscar Joray, Mary E. Hughes, Albert Hughes, R. S. Darr, Mrs. Delphin Joray, Frank Joray, Seraphine Tymeson, Adelbert Tymeson, Jonathan M. Totman, Eliza P. Totman, J. A. Batchelder, J. H. Lawrence, Ella Hard, Florence Rutledge, Geo. W. Brown, Jean M. Tower, Mrs. Ida Fergusen, Alfred Tymeson, Sylvan E. Detrick, Miss Carrie Bell Tymeson, Mrs. Mary K. Tower, Chas. W. Richardson, Mrs. Rosalia Rhodes, Edwin Earl Rhodes. The lodge consists at present of forty-six members. Its present officers are: Jennie Warrick, president; Sarah Brown, vice president; Carrie Stanley, secretary; Luella Walker , treasurer .

KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES, TENT No.80
The Knights of the Maccabees were organized in Storm Lake on the 30th day of December, 1897. Of its first officers, C. F. Aiken was commander, G. M. Gilliland, record-keeper. They first met in the Crook building, then they moved into the Sedgley Hall, and then into the Oddfellow Hall. The lodge does not meet at present, but the organization is kept up. The present membership is twenty-four; Thos. Labron is commander; G. M. Gilliland, record-keeper; and O. E. McAnulty, lieuteuant commander.

CATHOLIC ORDER OF FORESTERS
St. Mary Court, No.908, Catholic Order of Foresters, was instituted October 12, 1898 with eleven charter members as follows: Rev. Michael Hennessy, M. C. Weiner, Wm. Carey, Wm. Whelen, Edward P. Wright, Thos. J. Fitzpatrick, John Rush, Daniel Sullivan, Patrick F. Brown, Peter M. Tolan, Wm. W. Kurtenback. The following constitute the present officers of the lodge: E. Carey, chief ranger; James Connor, past chief ranger; Edward Carney, vice chief ranger; Will Toohey, recording secretary; Wm. Whelan, financial secretary; L. Preston, .senior conductor; J. H. McKenna, junior conductor; Joseph McKenna, inside sentinel; Will Carey, outside sentinel; and Rev. M. Hennessy, spiritual director.

THE ORDER OF THE UNITED COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS OF AMERICA
Storm Lake Council, No.357, of the United Commercial Travelers was formed by the following men who were its charter members: G. E. Ross, C. F. Wagner, F. E. Branch, C. Battern, L. F. Schmitz, A. Edson, C. S. Schmitz, L. G. Harrison, A. W. Soeth, J. D. James, C. Ihmels, H. F. Schultz, W, H. Manchester, A. B. Wadsley, J. A. Schmitz, and B. W. Hollenbeck. There are forty members in the order, with the following officers : E. S. Schmitz, senior counselor; L. S. Todd, J. C.; W. H. Manchester, P. C. ; B. W. Hollenbeck, secretary and treasurer; Chas. Rawlins, conductor; L. D. Driggs, page; Chas. Battern, sentinel. Executive committee: R. L. Cooper, Ed. Hamilton, J. H. Wadsley, and Geo. Wagner.

YOUNG MEN'S COMMERCIAL CLUB OF STORM LAKE
The Young Men's Commercial Club was formed in the fall of 1904 "to promote the business interest of Storm Lake, and to cultivate and advance social intercourse among its members." The following men were its first board of directors: L. S. Dlugosch, A. G. Hoch, H. F. Schultz, Dr. G. H. Kay, M. F. Fisher, B. W. Hollenbeck, W. C. Edson, E. D. Hoxsey, Dr. R. H. Parker, and D. G. LaGrange. Any voter or tax payer, interested in the progress and growth of Storm .Lake, is eligible to membership in the club.

G. A. R.
The Edward D. Baker Post No.80, of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized in Storm Lake March, 1883. The following men constitute the present membership of the Post: W. W. Crowell, V. A. Bryant, T. S. Chappel, S. L. Clark, Patrick Clancey, J. J. Detrick, A. M. Hallock, Wm. Holmes, O. S. Hale, Orville James, W. H. Reese, H. D. Sage, A. T. Schaffer, E. Thayer, S. A. Treman, G. O. Waldron, John Wilcox, and the following officers: Commander, James Taylor; senior vice commander, Schultz Martine; junior vice commander, Horatio Doolittle; chaplain, D. S. Spragg; surgeon, C. P. Mason; quarter-master, C. W. Moore; adjutant, Geo. Currier; officer of the day, E. B. Miller; officer of the guard, Chas. Smith; sergeant-major, J. A. P. Harlan; quarter-master-sergeant, Shoddinger Lewis.

WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS
The Woman 's Relief Corps, Edward D. Baker Post No.256, has an enrollment of sixty-three members, the following persons being their present officers: President, Mrs. Mary Bierden; vice president, Mrs. Mary J. Totman; junior vice, Margaret Miller; chaplain, Sophia Detrick ; treasurer Lizzie Brown; secretary, Myrtle Allen; conductor, Alice Labron; guard, Eva Seaton; assistant conductor, Martha Coulson; assistant guard, Margaret Lewis; patriotic instructor, Stella Coulson; press correspondent, Lizzie Walker ; musician, Laura Taylor; color bearers, No. 1, Gertie DeLoss, No.2, Addie Sheets, No.3, Christina Miles, No.4, Ernie Ibson.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
Lakeside Lodge No, 21, of the order above named, was instituted on the 18th day of March, 1909. Sixty persons composed the charter membership, and the officers elected were: Dr. E. E. Reed, chancellor; Charles Rawlins, vice chancellor; L. E. Yerrington, prelate; A.. L. Whitney, M. W.; H. A. Steffen, K. of R. and S.; Jesse Spangler, M. at A. ; W. M. Sutter, I. G.; Claude Skeels, O. G.; E. E. Reed and A. L. Whitney, delegates to Grand Lodge. The trustees of the order are: Lou Valentine, W. McArthur and John Schmidt. The lodge had an auspicious beginning, is prosperous, and bids fair to continue such.

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Y. M. C. A. in Buena Vista county is organized under the county work plan, a new phase of the Christian Association work. The National Association maintains a separate department for this work, which is commanding the attention of men everywhere interested in the growth and development of Young Men's Christian Associations. The Associations need no longer be confined to the cities, for under the new plan, associations are not only formed in the small towns but at rural points as well. Buena Vista is one of the few counties to be organized, but organizations are formed in the counties throughout the west as fast as facilities will permit.

It was during the revival services conducted by Rev. M. B. McWilliams at Storm Lake in February, 1908, that the Y. M. C. A. agitation in this county began. At that time a committee was appointed to see about organizing a local Storm Lake Association. The committee held a conference with the state secretary, Mr. Magee. After looking over the situation, Mr. Magee advised against a city type of association, but thought it might be possible to organize under the county work plan, and advised the committee to consult the state secretary on county work, Fred Hanson.

The committee immediately got into communication with Mr. Hanson and induced him to come to Storm Lake and go over the situation with them. After a careful study of the county, Mr. Hanson reported favorably to the committee, and they urged him to begin the work of organization. The sum of eight hundred dollars was pledged in the Williams meetings for this work. During February, Mr. Hanson began the work of organizing the county, and by the last of May had finished the preliminary work. A convention was held, May 30 to June 1, at Storm Lake, to which the several churches of the county and some of the rural points sent delegates. At this convention, the information and statistics gathered by the secretary, were presented, and the different phases of county work discussed, and after consideration it was decided to organize a county Y. M. C. A.

A county committee of fourteen business men was then elected to carry forward the work of perfecting the organization under direction of Mr. Hanson. The committee was constituted as follows: M. M. Moulton, Storm Lake; W. C. Edson, Storm Lake; G. B. Lawhorn, Storm Lake; W. L. Geisinger, Storm Lake; J. E. Cundy, Storm Lake; G. W. Mahaney, Newell; F. .G. Redfield, Newell Dr. S. A. Beason, Newell; Paul Schultz, Alta; A. M. Conner, Alta; Joel E. Johnson, Marathon; F. O. Danielson, Marathon; C. E. Jacoby, Sioux Rapids; O. A. Cate, Sioux Rapids. Dr. C. H. Johnson has now succeeded A. M. Conner, the latter having moved away. The committee after incorporating, conducted a canvass for funds, and secured seventeen hundred dollars to carry on the work.

Under the provision of the county work plan, allowing a regular secretary to each county after its organization, the committee called O. E. Atkinson, a graduate of Iowa State College, to be the secretary for this county. It is the duty of the secretary to organize new associations where deemed advisable, and to supervise the entire county work. Five towns and three rural points have thus far been organized. The towns are: Storm Lake, organized in March, 1908, having now one hundred and sixty members; Newell, with sixty members; Marathon, sixty members; Sioux Rapids, thirty-five members; and Alta, having forty members. The rural points are: one out from Marathon, with nineteen members; one out from Storm Lake with twenty members; and one out from Newell with fifteen members. Preparations were made and the second annual convention held April 23, 24 and 25, 1909.

Wegerslev, C. H. and Thomas Walpole.   Past and Present of Buena Vista County, Iowa.  Chicago:  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1909, 133-54.  (extracts)