West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
ADAH REBEKAH LODGE

Adah Rebekah Lodge No. 123 was instituted, October 23rd, 1884. At this time J. Norwood Clark of Iowa City, by the authority of D. D. Grand Master Brother Snyder, proceeded to install the following officers : N. G., Geo. H. Beyer; V. G., Emma Givens; Secy., A. E. Townsend; Treas., Hannah Scott; Warden, Amelia Purvis; Conductor, Emma Hart; Outside Guardian, Jerry Evans; Inside Guardian, Laura Kent.

The meetings were held over what was known as the Peoples State Bank Building, and the order continued to hold their meetinge there until the year 1900, then moved to what is known as the Beyer hall.

In the year 1904 the present I. O. O. F. Bldg. was built and dedicated by the various branches of the order on October 19th. The dedication was celebrated by a banquet at which over 300 attended.

On July 23rd, 1895 the first degree staff was organized with Brother Martin Purvis as Captain.

The degree staff has been called upon three different times to put on the ritualistic work for the Eastern Iowa associations at Iowa City in 1904, Davenport in 1928 and Marion in 1938.

For the past five years we have been entertaining all of our members who have belonged for 25 years and over.

For a number of years we have sent a barrel of fruit to our home at Mason City, and the last year we had a linen shower and sent many lovely gifts.

The Past Noble Grand Circle was organized in September 1925 and now has a membership of 44.

The present membership of our lodge is 79 Sisters and 13 Brothers.

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