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Euclid Lodge, No, 177, A., F.& A.M., was chartered June 6, 1866, the following being the charter members: Wm. Flanagan, Thomas Coates, James Huff, M. K. H. Reed, W. N. Hoag, John Dickinson, J. McClure, Moses Polley, O. L. Stout, H. W. Phelps.
The first regular communication after the charter was granted was held June 23, 1866. The following officers were duly elected:
Thomas Coates, W.M.; James Huff, S.W.; Abner Piatt, J.W.; M. K. H. Reed, Treasurer; R. Owen, Secretary; D. Dwayne, S.D.; J. Kittridge, J.D.; A. S. Brunson, Tyler; L.W. Phelps, S.S.; W. M. Hoey, J.S.
When the Lodge was first organized, it met in the second story of the building now occupied by A. Thom as a hardware store. The members worked there about three years, when they moved into their present commodious hall, which is all free from debt and handsomely furnished. The cost of the hall was $2,000. The Lodge now numbers forty members. It is a prosperous condition, and meets every Monday evening before the full of the moon.
Clarence Total Abstinence Society.—This society was organized in March, 1878, and was the outgrowth of a temperance reform movement, commenced in February. Toward the last of that month (February), C. W. Phillips, of Richmond, Ind., an influential temperance worker, was invited here to deliver a series of lectures. Under this labors, about 400 persons signed the Murphy pledge, and donned the blue insignia of good faith and honest determination.
Following this revival, steps were taken by Mr. J. W. Beatty and others to organize a total abstinence society, which movement was crowned with success. In the beginning of March, the organization was perfected, and the following gentlemen were elected as officers of the society:
J. W. Beatty, President; H. W. Blair, Vice President; L. Lockard, Secretary; A. C. Blair, Treasurer; Rev. J. B. Galloway, Chaplain.
Under the rules and regulations adopted for the government of the club, elections for officers are held every three months—in March, June, September and December.
On Saturday evening, June 8, 1878, the society met and elected its second Board of Officers. Mr. Beatty was re-elected President; Rev. T. H. Condor was chosen Vice President; George McLeod, Esq., Secretary; Miss Dovie Ferguson, Treasurer, and Rev. R. H. Nye was elected Chaplain.
The society meets semi-monthly. The meetings are devoted to literary entertainments, social intercourse, discussions and the advancement of the cause of temperance. The society is in a prosperous condition and doing a work of usefulness.