SECTION XII.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.
submitted by Linda Stoddard, March 2, 2011, pages 474-485

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Some of the history of Cedar Lodge, number eleven, A. F. & A. M., is mentioned in the organization and government of the county when its lodge room was occupied in connection with the Odd Fellows in the room on the second floor of the court house built for the county under the supervision of John P. Cook. Through misfortune due to a fire the records of that day were destroyed and Alonzo Shaw is the only man living who can give that record. In 1909, by request he sent to the lodge, of which he is still a member, the history of the time as he knew it:

"When I arrived in Tipton, July, 1845, Cedar Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M., was working under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Iowa. The members of that lodge at the time, as I remember them, were Col. Henry Hardman, Wm. Hoch, Patterson Fleming, Samuel Long, W. R. Edgar, Asberry Richman, T. W. Harris, Wm. Murray, J. Davis, and Dr. Silas Swan. April, 1847, I was accepted as prospective member of the lodge and in the meantime the lodge had applied for a charter, which being granted, Grand Master Humphreys and T. S. Parvin, then residents of Muscatine, set the date, the twenty-fourth of June, to install Cedar Lodge under its charter.


"My initiation had been reserved for that occasion, the lodge being then held in the second story of the old court house. On the day appointed these officers came to Tipton and performed their duty as installing officers and made me a Mason. My occupation then was county surveyor.


"Williard Hammond came to Tipton in 1848 (from Gower's Ferry, now Cedar Bluffs.—Ed.) and bought the store building built by S. Long, Jr., and David Davis in 1846. (This building is the one north of the square occupied now by Wilson's plumbing shop.—Ed.) Here Hammond kept his store of dry goods until his death in 1864. He joined the Masonic lodge in Keokuk.


"In 1848 Cedar Lodge rented the second story over his store and used that room until 1857 when the lodge moved to the third story of the building built by Shaw and Bagley, where the First National Bank now stands. It burned, I think in 1869, and the Masonic records and jewels and almost everything burned.


"I think Col. Hardman 288   was the first master of the Cedar Lodge. I was Master in 1852-53, then Dr. Witter, '54. In 1865 I moved to West Liberty and have no record of the six years I was there. I returned to Tipton in 1871."

Alonzo Shaw is the oldest member of any Masonic Lodge in the state. He is now in California, it is true, but his membership is retained here. At the time this letter was written he was eighty-seven years old and had been a Mason and a member of this lodge for sixty-two years. He wished in this letter to be especially remembered to Wm. Dean and Henry Hecht, his old time associates.

A special feature of the work of the Masonic lodge of Tipton should not be omitted. It was at the suggestion of Hon. J. T. Moffit, some years ago when the cemetery lots needed attention, that a trust fund was placed in the hands of the lodge for the care, perpetual care it should be said, of the lots of families whose owners wish them to be kept in order. The income from this fund is all that can be used for this purpose, the principal remaining in the bank or secure investment to produce interest sufficient for the care of these lots. Sometimes the principal is increased when the fund so created is more than is necessary for the purpose. This privilege is not limited to the members of the lodge or their families but any one who wishes this perpetual oversight may deposit an amount sufficient for the purpose and thereafter it will need no attention.

The Masonic cemetery was first opened for the purchase of lots in 1862, when it was described as "six acres lying between the roads leading to Mormon Hollow and Miller's Mill." Since then additions have been added. Ten acres at least. On a time-stained sheet of foolscap paper in the Masonic Library of Cedar Rapids the original petition of the charter members of Cedar Lodge No. 11 may be seen if one cares to inquire. It may be interesting to give its form and signatures as it appears today:

"To the M. W. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of Iowa:
      "The undersigned petitioners being Ancient Free and Accepted Master Masons having the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart and willing to exert their best endeavors to promote and diffuse the general principles of masonry respectfully represent,
      "That for the convenience of their respective dwellings and for other good reasons they are desirous of forming a new lodge in the town of Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, to be named Cedar Lodge.
      "They therefore pray for letters of dispensation to empower them to assemble as a legal lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry in a regular and constitutional manner according to the original forms of the order and the regulations of the Grand Lodge.
      "They have nominated and recommended Br. Thos. W. Harris to be the first Master, Br. Saml. Boyles to be the first Senior Warden, and Br. A. B. Richmond (Richman) to be the first Junior Warden of said Lodge.
      "If the prayer of the petition shall be granted they promise a strict conformity to all the constitution, laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
      (Signed) –
      WM. R. EDGAR, HENRY HARDMAN,
      SAML. LONG, S. C. HASTINGS,
      ROGERT G. ROBERTS, STEPH. WHICHER
      WILLIAM HOCK, S. S. SWAN

There is no date on this sheet of paper, but according to the letter of Mr. Shaw it must have been not later than 1847. There seems to be some difference in the spelling the name Richman or Richmond. In the petition it certainly has an ending like the second form and it is presumed that Asberry Richman referred to in the letter and A. B. Richmond are the same individual.

Another of the older lodges of the Masonic Fraternity meets regularly in the old brick building in the center of the town of Rochester. They have about forty members and none of them live nearer the lodge room than two or three miles, yet they are much more patriotic in their membership than many who have quarters more conveniently at hand.

This lodge was instituted in 1850, Sept. 7, and has the distinguished name of Golden Rule, No. 24. Its first Master was Henry Hardman and charter members included the pioneers of that vicinity, M. Phelps, E. E. Edwards, J. H. Leach, M. B. Taylor, A. C. Barrack, Jacob Wymer, J. H. Creese, Wm. Hoch, Amos Witter, S. Searls, and Silas S. Swan. It is noticeable that a number of these were on the original petition for Cedar No. 11. The first petition for membership bears the name of A. H. Armstrong, and the first work was of the third degree upon A. L. Healy. The charter bears the date of June 3, 1857; W. D. McCord, Grand Master, and T. S. Parvin, Grand Secretary.

Henry Hardman was made a Mason in Golden Rule Lodge in Fairfield, Ohio, in 1827, and it is probably for this reason the name Golden Rule happened to be applied to the lodge at Rochester.

June 6, 1866, Euclid Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Clarence was chartered with the membership of Wm. Flanagan, Thomas Coates, James Huff, M. K. H. Reed, W. N. Hoag, John Dickinson, O. J. McClure, Moses Polley, O. L. Stour and H. W. Phelps. Its first regular communication was held June 23, 1866. This lodge was No. 177. After three years of work this lodge moved into rooms of their own. Mount Hope Lodge has succeeded Euclid, having a present membership of something over sixty. It owns its own room as before and its present officers are E. C. Dean, W. M.; Dr. Nicoll, S. W.; Ed. Simons, J. W.; S. S. Crittenden, Secretary; Geo. F. Peabody, Treasurer. 289  

Siloam Chapter No. 19, R. A. M., of Tipton, was organized in September, 1857, the petition being dated Aug. 27, 1857. The petitioners include the names of Wells Spicer, J. C. Turner, W. R. Edgar, J. W. Casad, A. B. Turner, A. Shaw, T. W. Harris, Samuel Daniels, Adam Bair. The first officers were: Wells Spicer, H. P.; Wm. P. Edgar, Scribe; J. R. Hartsock, K., and John N. Clark, C. H.; A. Brown, P. S.; William Bryant, R, A. C.; A. B. Turner, G. M. 3d V.; Alonzo Shaw, G. M. 2d V.; T. M. Harris, G. M. 1st V.; J. H. Hartsock, Secretary. The present membership numbers thirty-nine. G. H. Kellogg is the present H. P., W. B. McBurney, K.; John Vaughn, Scribe; F. Beatty, Treasurer; H. R. Ripley, Secretary; H. L. Brotherlin, C. H.; P. A. Grassfield, P. S.; H. H. Rath, R. A. C.; W. M. Furnish, M. 3d V.; P. H. Schneider, M 2d V.; J. C. Reichert, M. 1st V.; Frank Hirschfield, Guard.

Mechanicsville Chapter, R. A. M., No. 134 was granted dispensation July 10, 1907. Charter was forwarded Oct. 9, 1908. First officers, Geo. M. House, H. P.; O. L. Whitson, K.; Scott Russell, Scribe; J. C. Ferguson, C. H.; E. L. McConkie, P. S.; Geo. Davidson, R. A. C; H. P. Stoffel, Treasurer; J. H. Onstott, Secretary. The membership now is forty-eight. Where the officers are different than above they are now as follows: Geo. Davidson, H. P.; W. A. Jackson, Scribe. 290  

Wapsinonoc Lodge, No. 381, A. F. and A. M. of West Branch is in charge of B. A. Gill as W. M. and Ross Leech as Secretary.

Patmos Lodge, A. F. and A. M. number 155, of Mechanicsville was organized under dispensation granted in January, 1860. Charter was issued in June of the same year. The charter members were, J. S. Eisenhart, W. M.; M. H. Begole, S. W.; Henry Bagley, J. W.; P. M. Begole, I. B. Johnson, N. P. Reynolds, I. I. Thompson, M. L. Jackson, E. L. Day, F. L. Knott. This lodge owns the second story of the brick building in which it has held its sessions for more than thirty years. The present officers are, C. J. Lynch, W. M.; John Bodenhoffer, S. W.; W. A. Jackson, J. W.; J. H. Onstott, Secretary and A. P. Stoffel, Treasurer. The present membership is ninety and the lodge carries no indebtedness. 291  

Tipton Chapter, O. E. S. was instituted in 1904 under dispensation from the Grand Chapter, and the direct supervision of Mrs. Elizabeth A. Stuart, Mr. W. E. Cottrell, P. W. Van Metre and Mearl Clark were instrumental in the securing of the chapter at this time. Mrs. Stuart gave the rites of the order to some twenty-four candidates, three men and twenty-one women. Of these death has taken one. The most of them still reside in the home of their organization and the total number to date is seventy-six. The first chief officers were, Mrs. Emma Van Metre, W. M.; F. B. Cobb, W. P. 292  

The O. E. S. of West Branch holds its meetings in the Masonic hall and is called Juanita No. 274. Its officers in chief are, Mrs. A. B. Randall, W. M.; Miss Mae Shrader, Secretary.

Manitou Lodge No. 8, I. O. O. F., was organized February 29, 1848, and continued its sessions until 1860, when it surrendered its charter to the grand lodge of the state.

It was reorganized under the original charter in 1866 with only sixteen members. At that time its financial condition was commended as of high rank among the lodges of the order in the state.

The charter members in 1848 included the names of W. H. Tuthill, Robert Long, William K. Whittlesey, J. S. Tuthill, Samuel P. Higginson, Richard Hall, J. H. Leech, Chas. Swetland, Henry Coffey, Noah Walters, Chas. Foresman, and James H. Robinson. In an address given in 1876 by Judge Tuthill, he sums up the history of the order:

"In 1847 there was but one Odd Fellow residing in Cedar County—an odd fellow in fact as well as in name, and it affords me some pleasure to be enabled to inform you that he is now living, and at this moment addressing you."

In January, 1848, the number of Odd Fellows in the town had doubled and these two persons, assisted by J. G. Potts of Galena, Illinois, organized Manitou, the eighth in number in Iowa.

W. H. Tuthill was the first presiding officer and he said owing to the limited number of members he often had several offices at the same time. The charter members of this fraternity were all prominent men in the early history of the county and at its organization it included most of the county officials. They originally met in a room in the old court house, occupying it jointly with the Masons in order to save expenses.

During the war the charter was surrendered, as mentioned, but later on petition of W. H. Tuthill, Thomas Godden, David Foy, Wm. Kettell, Jacob Hardacre, James H. Ripley, T. M. Curtis and Samuel Wirick it was restored.

After temporary residence in rented halls, the lodge became part owner of the city hall block and in possession of the home where they now meet. Since the lodge was organized more than three hundred persons have signed the constitution and therefore been members at some time.

Part of the record of the Tipton Odd Fellows was lost in connection with the transfer of the books at the time of the fire and for that period from 1856 to 1874 there is no complete history of the fraternity. Judge Tuthill was a prominent member of the order as well as Wm. K. Whittlesey. The latter is buried in the Odd Fellows lot in the Masonic cemetery and his grave is cared for by the lodge. The fraternity has recently purchased a building of its own through the assistance of Jacob Hardacre who gave a sum to that end making the hall one for Odd Fellows only. The present officers of the lodge are: N. G., H. M. Hanna; V. G., F. J. Casterline; Rec. Sec., C. O. Henderson; Fin. Sec., H. A. Pitman; Treas., A. C. Laubscher; Trustees, C. F. Simmermaker, W. C. Neiman and Earnest Sheppard. 293  

"Died, at Tipton, la., on Saturday, the fifteenth inst. (September, 1849), William K. Whittlesey, aged 36 years, after a few days' illness.


"It is with unfeigned regret we make the foregoing announcement. In the deceased the county has lost an upright and trustworthy officer, and the community a respected and much esteemed fellow citizen, whose loss will long be felt among us. He was the first recorder of Cedar County, and filled the station, with the exception of one term, up to the time of his decease. In selecting him for the office party strife seemed to lose its influence. Attentive and unremitting in the discharge of his duties he gained the confidence of all. Firm in truth, undeviating in friendship, and inflexible in honor, yet never losing that suavity of manner that characterizes a gentleman, it seemed that,


"'None knew him but to love him,
None named him but to praise.'"
The proceedings of the brethren of the order of the Odd Fellows are an honorable tribute to his memory, and as such we publish them:


"At a special meeting of Manitou Lodge, No. 8, Tipton, la., convened pursuant to notice on the fifteenth inst., the Lodge having been opened in the usual form, and the object of the meeting stated by the Chair, the following preamble and resolutions were offered by P. G. Wm. H. Tuthill, and unanimously adopted:
      "Whereas, In the dispensation of His inscrutable and All-wise Providence, it has pleased Almighty God to cut down in the prime of life and in the midst of usefulness, our beloved brother, P. G. William K. Whittlesey, who departed this life on Saturday, the fifteenth inst., therefore,
      "Resolved, That we the officers and members of this Lodge feel with deep sensibility the loss which the order, as well as the community, sustained in the death of our departed brother.
      "Resolved, That in the integrity and uprightness of his official conduct, and in the estimable conduct that characterized him as a brother, a neighbor, and a citizen, his course has been such as to command the respect of the public, and awaken the kindliest feelings of all who knew him.
      "Resolved, That as a mark of respect, we will attend the funeral clothed with the appropriate Regalia of the order and wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
      "Resolved, That the secretary transmit a copy of these proceedings to the family of the deceased as token of sympathy for their melancholy bereavement. 294  
      JOHN S. TUTHILL, N. G.
      JAMES H. ROBINSON, V. G.
      WM. H. TUTHILL, Secretary."

The foregoing resolutions refer to an officer of the county and to one who left his mark upon the records so clearly that he cannot be forgotten. Yet there is not the scratch of a pen upon the records to show when he died, or that the officials who had to do with him daily, thought to leave a memorandum of that event. He dropped out and some one else took his place which is well known on the books he was accustomed to keep. One cannot help but wonder, where the change occurs, why it so happened until the reason is traced to other sources like the above. He held no State or Territorial office but his influence was so great in shaping the county affairs that he will head the list of official mention.

Tipton Encampment, No. 46, secured its charter October 19, 1870. The charter members are generally drawn from the fraternity. N. J. Hawley, H. Hammond, James H. Ripley, Jesse James, Amos Wisener, W. H. Hammond, L. D. Ingman, John Wisener, E. Snyder, John S. Tuthill, Samuel Wampler, S. T. Smith, Samuel Wirick and W. H. Tuthill. In 1852 Judge Tuthill was the Grand Master.

West Branch Lodge No. 680, I. O. O. F., was organized October 16, 1901, with seven charter members, A. G. Hoffman, A. L. Coy, H. B. Coy, H. C. Lewis, C. W. Ross, U. E. Dawson, and J. E. Stratton. Since that time eighty-four have been added to the membership. The lodge at West Liberty assisted in the organization of the lodge here and at that time there were forty-one initiates. From that occasion to the present the remainder of the ninety-one members at highest point in the growth have been added and now by removals from the vicinity or for other reasons the membership is but seventy.

On April 1st, 1910, this lodge moved into its own building. They own the fine bank building on the corner occupied by the Citizens' Savings Bank of West Branch. The ladies' organization of this fraternity, Thelma Rebekah Lodge No. 544, I. O. O. F., was organized in October, 1903, with thirty-four charter members. Since that time they have admitted fifty-four. 295  

Helping Hand Rebekah Lodge No. 517, of Tipton, auxiliary to Manitou Lodge, was instituted in 1901 by Mary Richards, Deputy Grand President, and staff from the Home Rebekah Lodge of Cedar Rapids. The officers for the first term included the members as follows: Addie Griffis, N. G.; Bessie Harris, V. G.; Zephyr Gilpin, Rec. Sec.; Clara Casterline, Fin. Sec.; Ella Fields, Treas.; the remaining officers, Mamie Gaige, Myrtle Hobstetter, Lou Frasuer, Lulu Hambright, H. R. Ripley, Dee Rigler, Sarah Harmon, Alice Crisman, and Sarah Focht. Fifty charter members altogether formed the organization.

The purposes are expressed in the language of one of their chief officers as: To visit the sick and relieve the distressed, to assist their own members and families of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs in trouble, sickness, or want and to cultivate and extend the social and fraternal relations of life among lodges and the families of Odd Fellows.

This lodge has helped to establish the fine home in Mason City, where sixteen aged and forty-seven orphans are cared for by the fraternity. The membership of the order is limited to Odd Fellows, their wives, sisters, mothers and single women above eighteen years of age. There are two other lodges of this order in this district, Thelma of West Branch, mentioned elsewhere, and Verona of Mechanicsville. A district deputy has charge of the work in the district, Miss Pearl Murray holding that office. The membership in Tipton reaches ninetyone. 296  

There are fourteen active officers in the order.

Tipton Lodge No. 93, Knights of Pythias, came into being on January 4, 1883. Grand Vice Chancellor J. S. Hart of Clinton, assisted by uniformed knights from Clinton, Lyons and elsewhere, instituted the lodge on that date. The organization occurred in the Masonic lodge rooms, where twenty-seven charter members were admitted, many of them gone from the county to other points of residence and many others removed by death. Among the number were C. L. Longley, now of Vicksburg, Miss., and Herbert Hammond, of Chicago. A number remain in Tipton—S. V. Loudt, W. T. Gilmore, M. A. Parsons, J. C. Reichert, G. W. Dean, J. W. Reeder, C. S. Neiman, J. Sweinhart, H. L. Brotherlin, J. D. Dickinson.

The one who comments on this first meeting makes special mention of the entertainment following and then at a subsequent meeting the organized lodge returned grateful thanks to their visitors for their assistance.

J. C. Reichert became the first presiding officer. Other officers in order of election are included among the charter members not mentioned: Vice Chancellor, C. Jewett; Prelate, J. H. Reichert.

This lodge, something more than five years later, passed the courtesy on and assisted in organizing the Clarence lodge of twenty-four charter members. The visiting party from Alhambra lodge numbered twenty-eight, nine of whom at least are now in active service as business men. The first officers of the Clarence lodge were: Fred Hecht, Emmor Collins, H. M. Anderson, G. F. Skinner, W. K. Miller, Fred McNeil, Chas. Brown, Ira Long. 297  

The present officials of the order in Tipton, Alhambra Lodge No. 93, are: C. H. Foy, C. C.; C. A. Cottrell, V. C.; M. A. Parsons, Prelate; P. H. Schneider. M. W.; J. D. Patterson, K. of R. S.; F. H. Milligan, M F; Mearl Clarke, M. of E.; Robert Sproat, M. A.; Geo. H. Kellogg, I. G.; Ed. S. Stofflet, O. G. The membership is 132 at the last report. 298  

Knights of Pythias of Durant, No. 265, was organized May, 1902. Its first officers were: E. E. Diedrich, C. C.; F. C. Langfeldt, V. C.; R. Meyer, Prelate: W. C. Schlapkohl, M. A.; E. Lautz, M. of F.; R. Tagge, M. of E.; Fred Denkman, K. of R. S.; D. H. Snoke, M. W.

The Temple of Pythian Sisters of Durant began its work in August, 1904. As its officers the following were chosen: Frances West Johnson, Celia M. Tagge, Bertha Langfeldt, Ivah Dodd Crecilius, Ida P. M. Schiele, Edith B. Huchendorf, Laura Branch, Matie Bierkamp, Elfreda Diedrich. 299  

Ellwood Temple No. 140, Pythian Sisters, of Iowa was organized July 22, 1901, with the following officers: Jennie Witmer, P. C.; Mary Dean, M. E. C.; Hattie Fields, E. S.; Addie Griffis, E. J.; Edith Bartley, M. of T.; Addie Dean, M. R. C.; Bertha Reeder, M. of F.; Minnie Taylor, P. of T.; Winnifred Fullerton, G. O. T.

It has for its purpose the promotion of the moral, mental, social and physical elevation of its members; the cultivation of the spirit of fraternity, ministering to the sick, distressed and needy; and carrying out the great principles of the order of Purity, Love, Equality and Fidelity. The past chiefs are Jennie Witmer, deceased; Minnie Taylor, Mary Dean, Alice Pierce, Edith Bartley, Margaret France, Jennie Gregg, Lizzie Rath, Emma Stout, Hattie Fields.

Present membership, 22 knights and 41 sisters. 300  

Burr Oak Camp No. 2,869, Modern Woodmen of America, of West Branch was organized April 11, 1895, by Chas. F. Brayton, Deputy Head Consul. There were sixteen charter members: Chas. Brinkman, J. S. Butler, J. K. Carran, C. E. Endsley, I. S. Enlow, A. C. Hunter, W. S. Mackey, F. K. Michener, G. W. Palmer, C. W. Ross, G. C. Shrader, R. H. Smith, Wrigley Smith, A. L. Schwartz, D. Van Patten, and D. O. White.

Of these charter members seven still retain their membership in this Camp. Since the organization one hundred and ninety-eight members have been added and at this date there is a membership of one hundred and thirteen. David Van Patten was the chief officer at the time of commencing the work in West Branch. Since then there has been but one change, G. C. Shrader being the present head official, and he has held this position since 1896.

This camp owns its own hall, the West Branch city hall, valued at two thousand dollars. Since the establishment of the fraternity it has had but two death losses. 301  

Stanwood Camp of Modern Woodmen was established in 1895 with seventeen members and now has a membership of ninety-two. Since organization three deaths have occurred. They have had popular meetings of a special nature both at home and in company with their fraternity in other parts of the county.

Center Grove Camp, M. W. A., No. 2961, is located in Durant. Its date of organization is quite recent, and its officers are: V. C., J. W. Petersen; Ad., J. Bierkamp; Banker, E. F. Jockheck; Clerk, Paul Samberg; Escort, Peter Peters; Watchman, Mads. Madson; Sentry, Nic. Lamarack; Chief Forester, Wm. Reimer; Managers, Henry Rholfs, O. A. Graves, and Henry Guelik.

Henrietta Camp No. 4617, Royal Neighbors of America, was organized in 1906, and is auxiliary to the M. W. camp of Woodmen in Durant. Its first officers include the names of some mentioned above in that organization of men.

Oracle, Mrs. Emma Denkman; V. Oracle, Elfrieda Puck; P. Oracle, Mary Bierkamp; Receiver, Dora Meese; Recorder, Doretta Samberg; Marshal, Miss Laura Steterau; Chancellor, Adele Wiebener; I. S., Mrs. Catherine Puck; O. S., Mrs. Katie Graves; Managers, Mrs. Henrietta Guelik, Mary Peters, Henry F. Stutzer. 302  

The Bennett Camp of Modern Woodmen is fifteen years old, having begun its history in 1895 with fourteen charter members, who are: Wm. Baker, S. C. Fulton, Wm. F. Hostler, Perry Leatherberry, F. Regennitter, Geo. Regennitter, Geo. H. Schoper, John E. Spitler, C. R. Stephens, H. A. Walker, Lewis Hamper, J. H. Webb, H. G. Willey, E. B. Willey.

John E. Spitler was the first V. C.; J. H. Webb, Clerk, and C. R. Stephens, Banker. The lodge has a membership of eighty-four at this time. The officers now are: H. R. Chapman, V. C.; H. C. W. Werner, Banker; C. C. Barrett, Adv.; O. S. Smith, E.; Gus Wiese, W.; Managers, E. E. McQuillen, E. J. Cryder, G. C. Bannick.

Mechanicsville Camp No. 11056, M. W. A., was organized with eleven members in 1903. Deputy Elmer Deal of Davenport assisted in the matter when the following were chosen as officials of the camp: V. C., N. F. Purcell; W. A., Geo. M. House; Banker, E. S. Helmer; Clerk, O. J. Davison; Physician, C. S. Stookey; Managers, W. R. Park, D. Willey, and John Thimmes.

It has a membership of 152. Present officers: V. C., W. E. Soesbe; W. A., D. W. Keller; Banker, Chas. L. Hatcher; Clerk, D. McKibben; Physicians, J. W. Richards, C. S. Stookey, and Scott Russell; Managers, Geo. Miller, E. Webbles, John Thimmes.

There is also an auxiliary camp of the Royal Neighbors in Mechanicsville. 303  

Briarwood Camp, M. W. A., of Tipton is the oldest of the fraternity in the county, having its date of organization in 1886. It has a membership now of 226. Among its charter members are a number who still attend its sessions. Many of those are absent from this vicinity. Among these first members are the names of P. Dean, W. G. W. Geiger, C. W. Hawley, L. E. Safley, G. W. Moreland, J. C. Mitchell, M. H. Miller, N. Shoemaker, J. Sweinhart, G. H. Dickinson, A. C. Allen, C. E. Brown, H. C. Carr, D. W. Clarke, S. D. Coffman, W. H. Congdon, E. M. Elliott, W. R. Fields, O. H. Helmer, J. T. O'Hara, J. F. Leefers, M. A. Parsons, W. H. Pratt, J. B. Staininger, H. W. Sutphens, W. S. Woodis.

The officers of the Camp today include but one of these charter members, that of M. A. Parsons as W. A. The remaining officials are members since that first organization: H. W. Dodge, V. C.; H. C. Bolton, Banker; F. K. Gregg, Clerk; C. F. Curtright, E.; Geo. Siple, W.; and John Henderson, Secretary.

Dickinson Camp, R. N., was organized with twenty-one members in 1899 and is auxiliary to Briarwood Camp. 304  

In August, 1885, the M. W. A. camp at Clarence was established with seventeen charter members. Its number is 107. Present membership numbers ninety-three. Officers: V. C., Hosea Ballou; W. A., S. A. Robinson; Banker, Frank B. York; Clerk, S. S. Crittenden. The camp of the Royal Neighbors auxiliary to Cedar Camp was organized about two years ago.

The Woodmen are also represented in Lowden among the strongest of the fraternities.

Golden Rule Camp of Royal Neighbors, No. 1485, Bennett, was instituted in 1908 with twenty-four members. Its present officers are: Josephine Lamp, Alma Spoo, Mrs. Emma Cern, Mrs. E. B. Wingert, and Hulda Thomas.

In connection with the Spanish-American War the Modern Brotherhood did a deed worthy of notice and the following are the resolutions adopted at that time:

     Whereas, This country is now engaged in war with Spain and President McKinley has called for one hundred twenty-five thousand troops, and
     Whereas, It is the duty of all able-bodied citizens to respond to their country's call; and,
     Whereas, We believe every citizen should be free to take up arms in the defense of his country without sacrificing the safeguards he has built up around his family in the way of life insurance;
     Resolved, By the Board of Directors of the Modern Brotherhood of America that any person now a member of the society is at perfect liberty to engage in the military or naval service of the United States during the pending war, and that such action on the part of a member shall in no way affect or invalidate his certificate of insurance in this order anything in the laws of our society to the contrary notwithstanding; and that during the continuance of such member in the service of his country any per capita tax due from him to the supreme lodge is hereby remitted and canceled.

The above was unanimously adopted April 25, 1898.

In the report of the Supreme President of this organization, whose office was then in Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, but now in Des Moines, is given an account of the organization:

"In March, 1897, the Supreme Officers of the Modern Brotherhood, together with one not now a member of our society, first considered the advisability of organizing a new fraternal beneficiary society having for its distinctive features: (a) the creation of a reserve fund for the purpose of limiting the number of assessments and at the same time making certain the stability and performance of the Order; (b) the admission of both sexes on the same terms; (c) the payment of benefits for certain accidental injuries; (d) the payment of one-half of the face of the certificate for total permanent physical disability; (e) the payment of stipulated portions of the face of the certificate, beginning with the seventy-first birthday. At that time, so far as known to us, only one or two societies had adopted the features above referred to, and we thought the time was ripe for such a society, and believed, that if properly presented, it would commend itself to the people.


"We felt very timid, however, about undertaking the task of organizing such a society, especially as the business was one which none of us had given any special study. We held several secret preliminary meetings after night and were extremely careful to allow no one to learn what we were doing or considering. We discussed the whole matter as best we could, and after many secret meetings concluded to organize. I have no doubt whatever that had we consulted and advised with our friends the society would never have been known.


"Finally, on March 20, 1897, articles of incorporation were prepared and executed, fundamental laws adopted, and our first officers and directors elected. The articles of incorporation were filed for record in Cedar County, Iowa, on March 24, 1897, and soon thereafter it became generally known in Tipton that our society had been organized.


"On April 5, 1897, we obtained from the Auditor of Iowa our charter or license authorizing us to do business, and opened out at once without any preliminaries. We commenced our work at Tipton, West Branch and other towns located in our own county. We were well aware that similar societies often did their early business away from home, and fully realized that it was more difficult to get endorsements near home than farther away. Just why this is true need not be discussed, but it is a matter of common knowledge that it is true. A stranger can go into almost any town and interest the people in a matter on which they would refuse to give a fellow townsman a hearing. However, we had confidence in our plan and knew if we could get the endorsement of our home people and of surrounding towns it would be of great value to us. Hence, with Tipton as the central point, we worked out in all directions and succeeded from the first beyond our most sanguine expectations. Now, after over three years of work, our home people have changed their minds, acknowledge the success of our society, and are amazed because we have accomplished so much in so short a time".

July 25, 1874, the Durant Turngemeinde was instituted with the first officers as here given: First Speaker, Frank Haller; First Turnwart, Claus Blunk; Second Turnwart, Bernhard Krabbenhoeft; Secretary, Martin Beuthien; Cor. Secy., Peter Stoltenberg; Treasurer, Wm. Diehn.

The Durant Damen Section, Auxiliary to the Turngemeinde, has the four officers: President, Mrs. Chris Sorgenfrey; Treasurer, Mrs. Frank Joens; Secretary, Mrs. Doretta Samberg, and Vice President, Mrs. Chas. Diehn.

Then there is a third organization in Durant among the German societies called the Kranken Unterstuctzungs Verein, which began in May, 1890. It was officered at that time by Eggert Alpen as President, Jacob Carsten, as Vice President, Chas. Steffen as Secretary, Frank Joens, Secretary of Finance, and Hans Kuehl, Treasurer. Trustees: Nic. Muehlenstein, Wm. Petersen and J. Carstens.

This society, as its name indicates, has in its purposes the charitable idea. 305  

Early in 1855, when the temperance movement was in earnest in all parts of the country, an organization of the Good Templars found a place in Tipton. It had at one time more than a hundred members, but ceased to exist as a lodge in 1858. After three years of inactivity it was revived in 1861 and continued many years to exert an influence on the question of control of the strong drink traffic of the day. After reorganization the number grew to one hundred and sixty. Among the first lecturers was that noted Dr. Whitlock, who at the time was said to have been so much under the influence of strong drink that he made numerous efforts to keep his balance. But his biography is not entertaining in any palatable sense. Temperance then meant something different from the present standard.

In accord with all other parts of the state the Patrons of Husbandry had many organizations in the county commencing about 1871 and continuing for many years after. Their aim was to conserve the forces of agriculture and to form co-operative concerns for the handling of farm products and to distribute the goods of manufactured stuffs at the wholesale rate. Stores were managed by these secret organizations and elevators were established to handle the grain of the farmer. Like all of the co-operative concerns tried they had their ups and downs until the gradual decay of the head organizations and the indifference of the persons composing the local lodges and probably the independence of the purchaser as to where he must go for his goods destroyed the institution as a fraternity.

An Anti-Secret Society movement was inaugurated in this county in the seventies, and lecturers were employed to speak against the customs of all such organizations without regard to kind, but particularly directed against the Masonic order. Public meetings and challenges were issued by persons supposed to be competent to decide on the merits of the case.