of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 428-429
MUSCATINE LODGE, NO. 5, I. O. O. F.. This lodge, as its number would indicate, was one of the first organizations of the order of Odd Fellows to be started in the state of Iowa. It was instituted March 23, 1846, sixty-five years ago. The charter members were: E. H. Albee, Richard Cadle, H. Johns, Pliny Fay, Joseph Bridgman, and J. R. Burnett. The first officers were: E. H. Albee, N. G.; R. Cadle, V. G.; Osic John, Sec.; Pliny Fay, Treas. There were in all about twenty-five charter members. The present membership is about 150.
On March 11, 1870, in the city of Burlington, a charter signed by William W. Moore, G. M., and William Garrett, Grand Secretary of the Miriam Rebekah Lodge, was issued to Muscatine on application of the following persons, only three of whom are now living: W. B. Keeler, Benjamin Beach, S. G. Stein, Mrs. A. C. Stein, J. Bridgman and wife, Mrs. M. Block, Richard Cadle, W. H. Stewart, W. P. Reynolds, James Pyeatt and wife, Mrs. W. B. Keeler, Mrs. Sarah Hoch, John Lemp, R. Musser, C. R. Fox, Philip Stein, J. R. Reuling, Mrs. L. W. Reuling, Mrs. Anna Hoffman, Mr and Mrs. Humberger, W. B. Langridge and wife. There were in all twenty-one charter members, and from that small number the lodge has increased until now it is the largest in the state. In 1902, at the state assembly, Mrs. C. A. W. Kent received the honor of being chosen president of the state association.
Prairie Encampment, No. 4, was instituted in 1853. For certain causes after the lapse of several years the charter was surrendered to the grand scribe, together with the books and papers. These latter have never been returned to the lodge. But a new charter was granted October 19, 1869, and the following officers were elected: Joseph Bridgman, C. P.; W. B. Keeler, H. P.; S. G. Stein, S. W.; H. M. Hine, J. W.; Ed. Hoch, scribe; M. Block, secretary. These officers were installed January 5, 1870.
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