In almost every part of the civilized globe there are found secret orders of various kinds, both ancient and modern in their origin. Of recent years the last forty-there have sprung up a legion of beneficiary societies, semisecret in their workings, but it is not of this class that this chapter will treat, for they are too numerous and of too little general interest. They come and go like the shadows, some are good and some are spurious. As most of these are now under state control, they afford a very safe life insurance, and have coupled with them some very excellent work and are quite good social organizations. Among such, in this county, may be named in passing, the Woodmen, Workmen, Knights of Columbus, Red Men, Ben Hur, etc.

This chapter will seek only to give the general history, organization, present standing, etc., of the three great civic orders of this century, the Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.

ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

The first Masonic Lodge instituted within Jasper County was Newton Lodge No. 59, founded under dispensation of James L. Hogin, grand master, March 30, 1855. The first officers were: R. D. Minard, worshipful master; Jesse Rickman, senior warden; Hugh Rodgers, junior warden; S. Cooper, treasurer; Elisha Hammer, secretary; William Rodgers, senior deacon; Z. M, Allen, junior deacon; Lewis Helfry, tiler.

Hugh Rodgers represented this little band as proxy for the worshipful master at the grand lodge the following June, the session being held at Keosauqua. The report of that session remarked in record: "The work of this lodge is mostly square. The lodge was opened May 26, 1855, and has not yet been closed. Otherwise the work is good and the by-laws correct. They recommend that a charter be granted to said lodge by the name of Newton, No. _____." Later in the grand lodge the number " 59" was bestowed upon this lodge. The lodge was represented at grand lodge at Oskaloosa in 1856 by Jesse Rickman. It does not appear that any "work" was done until in June 1855, but a year later the following had "formed the perfect square:" J. A. Harris, Caleb Lamb, J. R. Sparks, P. M. Wood, G. W. Corney, Little Woods; John Dunsmore, David Evans, W. M. Springer, Henry Welker, Joshua Rickman, Thomas Rees, W. R. Matthews, William H. Silssby, G. W. Louthian, William Dinwiddy, Riley Ashley, A. R. Joslin, William Dunn, Thomas Pearson, Henry Blake, Levi Combs, S. W. Foreman, T. J. Dinsmore. At the close of 1858 this lodge had a membership of forty-two. In 1878 it had increased to one hundred and twenty-eight

In 1875, in conjunction with the chapter and commandery, they built a third story over the building erected by Morgan & Ledyard and R. Burns, on the west side of the public square, which was fitted up for their use at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. The rooms and equipment of this hall were, in their first days, considered as good as any in Iowa.

The present number in this lodge is two hundred and sixty-four. Its officers in the spring of 1911 were as follows: James E. Callison, worshipful master; Frank Wilson, senior warden; O. N. Green, junior warden; Christian Griebling, treasurer; Fred L. Kennedy, secretary; J. B. Harvey, senior deacon; John W. Kennington, junior deacon; David Conn, senior steward; George F. Scott, junior steward; L. B. Westbrook, tiler.

The following is a complete list of the past worshipful masters in Newton: R. D. Minard, Jesse Rickman, 1857; R. D. Minard, 1858; R. D. Minard, 1855-6; Jesse Rickman, 1857; R. D. Minard, 1858; William Rodgers, 1859; J. A. Harris, 1860-61; T. H. Miller, 1862; William Rodgers, 1863; I. A. Hammer, 1864-5; William Rodgers, 1866; I. A. Hammer, 1867; S. G. Smith, 1868; J. W. Wilson, 1869-70-71-72-73, and grand master, 1878-79; S. H. Galusha, 1874-5; S. J. Condit, 1876-77; A. P: Hanson, 1878; J. W. McLaughlin, 1879-80; Caleb Lamb, C. P. Axtel, 1882; J. B. Eyerly, 1883; Robert Burns, 1884; O. W. Treman (May to December) ; H. S. Winslow, 1885; H. Kt. Stahl, 1886; V. W. Skiff, 1887-8; C. F. Morgan, 1889-90; J. Y. Bailey, 1891-92-93; H. V. Byers, 1894; O. N. Wagley, 1895-96-97-98, and grand custodian; F. D. Winn, 1899-1900; J. T. Pound, 1901-02; S. C. Hughes, 1903; David Conn, 1904-05; E.P. Malmberg, 1906; David L Clark, 1907; Walter J. Morgan, 1907; Clifford V. Cox, 1909; James E. Callison, 1910. All are now deceased but twenty-one.

ROYAL ARCH MASONS

Gebal Chapter No. 12 was granted a dispensation for charter by James R. Hartsock, grand high priest, March 6, 1856, to J. Swallow, J. D. Minard, Caleb Lamb and a few others.

In 1878 the number of members of this chapter was ninety-eight and at this date it is one hundred and sixty-one.

The list of high priests have been as follows: Joshua Swallow, Caleb Lamb, William Rodgers, D. R. Minard, Jesse Rickman, 1863; William Rodgers, 1864; Caleb Lamb, 1865; William Rodgers, 1866-67; J. W. Murphy, 1868; William Rodgers, 1869; H. S. Winslow, 1870-71-72-73, and grand high priest, 1875-76-77; S. J. Condit, 1874; S. E. Zinn, 1875-6; George R. Ledyard, 1877-78; A. P. Hanson, 1879-80; S. H. Galusha, 1881; D. L. Clark, 1882; J. W. McLaughlin, 1883; C. P. Axtel, 1884-5; O. W. Treman, 1886; Charles H. Wilder, 1887, and grand custodian, 1894-5; J. W. McLaughlin, 1888; C. H. Wilder, 1889-90; O. C. Meredith, 1891-92; F. D. Winn, 1893-94-95; J. Y. Bailey, 1896-97; Howard Case, 1901-02; John Hartwig, 1903-04-05; David Conn, 1906-07-08; Fred L. Kennedy, 1909-10. Dates given denote the year elected, the election occurring in November. All are now deceased but sixteen.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Oriental Commandery No. 22, at Newton, was organized March 28, 1872, the charter having been granted October 16, 1871. The following is the list of the eminent commanders: Caleb Lamb, J. B. Eyerly, J. W. Wilson, George R. Ledyard, Wesley Roberts, N. Townsend, J. Y. Bailey, J. W. McLaughlin, D. L. Burnett, J. P. Newell, Charles H. Wilson, O. C. Meredith, Robert Burns, C. F. Morgan, A. M. Hough, Frank D. Winn, Fred E. Meredith. A. H. Benjamin, D. R. Tripp, Lee E. Brown, Fred L. Kennedy, Walter J. Morgan, A. P. Hanson, E. E. Lambert, R. A. Rhoades, C. Varnum, William Rodgers, S. E. Zinn, S. L. Patton, H. S. Galusha. The present membership is one hundred and ninety.

MONROE LODGES

Monroe Lodge No. 88, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Monroe, was formed by dispensation granted March 5, 1856, hence is one of Jasper County's earliest Masonic bodies. The grand master named B. Putnam as worshipful master; D. S. Smoke, senior warden, and John Tyler as junior warden. Nothing was accomplished, however (owing to some irregularities in admitting members without proper recommendations), until 1857. In 1858 John Tyler became worshipful master and three members had been admitted by initiation; then three had been passed and three raised, four demitted and the total membership was twenty-one.

The lodge was finally chartered in 1857, but from internal causes the charter was surrendered in June 1859, when the body ceased to exist. After the close of the Civil War and in 1866 the fires of Masonry were again lighted here in Monroe and a dispensation was issued in June of that year to Fairview Lodge No. 194. The first officers of the new lodge were: G. R. Ledyard, worshipful master; G. W. Richards, senior warden; John Taylor, junior warden. The lodge was chartered as No. 194 in the following year. From that date on peace was the record of the lodge at Monroe and in 1878 it enjoyed a membership of ninety. Its present membership is recorded as one hundred and fourteen. The present officers are: G. C. Ammer, worshipful master; C. D. Fouch, senior warden; S. Scharf, junior warden; O. W. Burchinal, treasurer; F. L. Lane, secretary.

Fairview Lodge rented a hall until 1873, when they built a home of their own and the present fine brick hall was erected in 1909, the same being as complete as any hall in Iowa. The Order of the Eastern Star is represented here.

Geber Chapter U. D. Royal Arch Masons was instituted June 20, 1878, by the appointment of G. M. Bethel as eminent high priest; Seth Dixon, excellent king: F. M. Slusser, excellent scribe. The chapter grew rapidly from the first and fifteen belonged in October 1878, its first year's history.

KELLOGG MASONIC LODGES

At Kellogg, Meridian Lodge No. 280, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was established February 10, 1870, under dispensation granted February 1st, which named Isaac Burnett as worshipful master; C. H. Russell, senior warden: S. S. Patterson, junior warden. The other members were: W. R. Reynolds, D. Vaughn, W. E. Rowland, Charles Morgan, Walter Morgan, J. W. Wilson was the first master under the charter, which instrument was granted the following June. In 1878 the records show a membership of about fifty; at present it is seventy-one.

The present officers are as follows: R. C. Burton, worshipful master; E: R. Foster, senior warden; B. A. Barton, junior warden; C. J. Irish, treasurer; E. J. Birchard, secretary; A. R. W. Brown, A. B. Craven, James Drake, trustees. In the nineties this lodge purchased its present brick hall building.

LYNNVILLE MASONIC LODGE

Lebanon Lodge No. 227, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Lynnville, was organized under dispensation December 7, 1867, with James B. Naylor, worshipful master; I. J. White, senior warden; W. R. Matthews, junior warden; J. P. Bump, treasurer; Joseph R. Naylor, secretary; Dewitt Dunham, senior deacon; W. C. Rayburn, junior deacon; S. W. Caster, tiler. The only other charter member was John R. Sparks. S. M. Robertson was the first candidate for the forming of the "perfect square." J. B. Naylor served as master for seven years.

The present membership of this lodge is sixty-seven and its elective officers are: C. H. Potter, worshipful master; A. Vv. Meredith, senior warden; C. L. Zimmerman, junior warden; M. G. Garner, treasurer; C. E. Quire, secretary.

BAXTER MASONIC LODGE

Unit Lodge No. 520, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Baxter, was instituted in 1892 by charter members as follows: John R. Peck, William R. Van dike, George M. Webb, James Williamson, P. J. Cool, Martin L. Weaver, F. T. Gilmore, Alfred Davey, William H. Blair, C. P. Rairdon. J. O. Gardner, William Bailey, George Greenfield, Jesse Cross, W. F. Rippey.

The first officers (elective) were: John K Peck, worshipful master; William Vandike, senior warden; George M. Webb, junior warden; James Williamson, treasurer; P. G. Cool, secretary.

The first place of meeting was in the rooms over Hanson & Downs' drug store. That burned in 1897, when they built a hall of their own on lot 15, block 2, of Rippey's addition to Baxter. They lease to the Odd Fellows and Woodmen.

The present membership of this lodge is forty-four, or was on January 1, 1911. Its present officers are: John Allan, worshipful master; L. E. Fowler, senior warden; J. S. Booth, treasurer; Carl C. Webb, secretary. The trustees are Paul Cooper, C. E. Davey and W. R. Vandike.

THE GALESBURG LODGE

Monumental Lodge No.311, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Galesburg, was organized in 1872 and in 1884 they erected their present hall.

They now have a membership of forty-two, with the elective officers in 1911 as follows: Albert Lust, worshipful master; B. A. Romans, senior warden; I. M. Carnahan, junior warden; W. A. Williamson, treasurer; Arthur Wheeler, secretary.

COLFAX MASONRY

Riverside Lodge No. 389, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Colfax, worked under dispensation from some time in 1878, when J. R. Rodgers was worshipful master; I. N. Paschal, senior warden; J. T. West, junior warden; W. L. West, secretary; John Fanselor, treasurer. The remainder of the charter members were: John Cochran, C. A. Dotson, D. M. Morrison. John D. Dee, E. M. Holland, Dr. J. R. Ryan, William Foy, William Clark, J. Keasey, William Little, Dr. S. K. Pickens and three more.

PRAIRIE CITY MASONRY

Preston Lodge No. 218, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Prairie City, was organized under dispensation, May 14, 1867, with J. G. Eckles, worshipful master; A. B. Jenks, senior warden; C. F. Head, junior warden; the other petitioners were Charles Dustin, W. L. Clark, Lewis Clark, Levi Jenks, William I. Church, F. T. Murrah, Ralph Nixon. The charter was granted in June 1868. In 1878 the lodge had a membership of fifty-two and in the spring of 1911 it has forty-eight. The present officers are: K. F. Harp, worshipful master; F. J. Binford, senior warden; J. A. Ray, junior warden; Fred Daly, senior deacon; D. M. Henninger, junior deacon; B. E. Moore, treasurer; J. H. Freeman, secretary.

A lodge hall was erected in 1881, at a cost of about one thousand five hundred dollars. The following is a list of the worshipful masters of this lodge: J. T. Eckles, C. F. Head, F. J. Reigart, H. C. DeWolf, W. L. Clark, W. G. Clements, F. M. Austin, Jesse Wilson, B. C. Ward, J. F. Harp, A. T. Dowden, G. L. McFadden, C. S. Jenks, Arthur Graham, D. H. Gill, H. M. Wilson, C. D. Johnson, J. F. Harp.

MASONIC LODGES IN JASPER COUNTY, 1911

The following Masonic lodges were in existence in May 1911: Newton Lodge No 59; Fairview Lodge No. 194, at Monroe; Preston Lodge No. 218, at Prairie City; Lebanon Lodge No. 227, at Lynnville; Meridian Lodge No. 280, at Kellogg; Monumental Lodge No.3 II, at Galesburg; Riverside Lodge No. 389, at Colfax; Unit Lodge No. 520, at Baxter.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS

The pioneer Odd Fellows Lodge of Jasper County was formed at Newton. It was Central Lodge No. 73, established October 11, 1855, by authority of the grand lodge of Iowa. The charter members were: H. J. Skiff, Solomon Gardner, A. Failor, C. Conley and William Rodgers. The latter was the first noble grand; H. J. Skiff, vice-grand; S. Gardner, recording secretary; C. Conley, permanent secretary; A. Failor, treasurer.

This lodge flourished with the town of Newton until the breaking out of the Civil War, but in 1862 it was found impossible to sustain it on account of the large numbers who had gone into the service of their country under President Lincoln's call for troops. The charter had to be surrendered, but about the close of that terrible conflict it was petitioned for at the grand lodge to have the original charter returned, and the prayer was answered, as they were entitled by their patriotism to this complimentary token of good will from the head of the order.

In 1878 this lodge had a membership of fifty-six and was in a flourishing condition. The lodge now has a membership of two hundred and fifty-two. Its present officers are: Elroy Scott, noble grand; O. M. Keith, vice-grand; John R. Hall, recording secretary; F. H. Russell, financial secretary; George W. Simpson, treasurer.

Newton Encampment No. 16 was instituted April 19, 1876, by charter from the grand encampment of Iowa, with Caleb Lamb, chief patriarch; J. H. F. Balderson, high priest; A. M. Hinsdale, senior warden; William Vaughan, junior warden; J. S. Agnew, scribe; J. H. McCalmont, first warden; G. F. Schurtz, second warden. The other members were E. Shipley, G. Meyer and J. S. Knight.

In 1878 the records show a membership of twenty-seven; its present membership is one hundred and thirty-two.

The present officers are: A. C. Raridon, chief patriarch: H. E. Rasmussen, high priest; Arthur Jackson, senior Warden; E. P. Grant, junior warden; J. R. Hall, secretary; S. S. Marshall, treasurer.

PATRIARCHS MILITANT

Canton No. 31, at Newton, was possessed of the following elective officers in June 1911: H. E. Rasmussen, captain; A. L. Guthrie, lieutenant; VI. L. Kintz, ensign; J. R. Hall, clerk and accountant. The order now has a membership of one hundred and thirty.

The order is represented in the state department of Odd Fellowship by Maj.-Gen. E. E. Lambert and Col. H. J. McMurray, of the Second Regiment of Iowa.

The hall occupied by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Newton was erected many years ago. At first the order built the east half of the present block at the northeast corner of the square and later purchased the balance of the block. They have a fine hall and the membership in all degrees is one of activity and good works.

ODD FELLOWS AT COLFAX

At Colfax the Odd fellows organized Lodge No. 476, May 24, 1884, with the following charter members: F. W. Carey, J. R. Sharp, M. Thomas, D. M. Guessford, J. D. Johnson, A. J. Chalmers, J. M. Stayner.

The present membership is one hundred and ninety. Its present officers are: B. F. Wintersteen, noble grand; E. A. Wheeler, vice-grand; R. E. Cummings, secretary; J. H. Hahn, treasurer. The lodge hall is owned in company with the Knights of Pythias order. The past grands are as follows: J. R. Sharp, A. S. Kizer, J. R. English, C. W. Paschal, W. H. Ball, Henry Sharp, B. L. Logsdon, J. H. Clements, F.W. Logsdon, John Pearson, A. Dale, W. N. Smith, J. O. Pflaum, C. H. Keipp, B. Winpegler, A. H. Irwin, John Harris, Fred Ackrael, R. E. Cummings, M. E. Penquite, E. E. Clark, W. S. Cutter, A. A. Wallburn, T. P. Barnes, E. E. Kendig, E. J. Howe, Orvil Morgan, A. Denholm, Fred Hanson, C. Winslow, J. H. Hahn, J. M. Stayner, O. D. Acton.

BAXTER ODD FELLOWSHIP

As is usually the case in these progressive times, towns where enterprising men do business have time and desire for keeping up the various secret orders and looking after each other's welfare, Baxter has ever been foremost in such laudable work.

Acton Lodge No. 516 was organized December 27, 1902, by twenty-eight charter members, including these: N. Hazlett, P. S. Hill, W. H. Bair, George Chamberlain, who held office. The total membership now is fifty-five. The lodge meets in Masonic Hall, which they lease. The 1911 elective officers are: J. F. Coakley, noble grand; T. F. Kelley, vice-grand; James McKenzie, secretary; W. T. Thorp, treasurer.

Baxter Encampment No 224 was organized June 27, 1909, with twenty-five members. The present officers are: Clint McMahon, chief patriarch; J. F. Coakley, junior warden; R. W. Crawford, high priest; James Garrison, scribe.

Baxter Rebekah Lodge No. 579 was organized February 1909, and now enjoys a membership of fifty. Its present officers are: Mrs. Walter Grant, noble grand; Mrs. Alice Early, vice-grand; Mrs. Belle Chamberlain, secretary.

MINGO ODD FELLOWSHIP

Mingo Lodge No. 174 was formed at Mingo, July 10, 1905, with forty-six charter members. The total membership of this lodge is one hundred and nine. Its present officers are: Henry Byal, noble grand; J. W. Rambo, vice-grand; C. C. Black, treasurer; W. A. Penquite, secretary. The lodge meets every Wednesday evening, in Baker's hall.

The following have served as noble grands in this lodge: A. L. Rees, F. B. Rose, E. C. Battles, Lee Signs, M. F. Berkley, H. K. Poorbaugh, C. C. Black, W. J. Southern (deceased), J. L. Coughlan, W. A. Penquite and C. Hebers.

MONROE ODD FELLOWSHIP

At Monroe, Jasper Lodge No. 168 dates its history from September 1868, when a meeting was held and it was decided to petition for a charter. A dispensation was granted by William P. Sharpe, who ordered if the petitioners would wait three weeks or so, to come and establish a lodge, which was consummated December 10, 1868. The recognized charter members were as follows: William Howard, L. G. Zerley, J. W. Johnson, W. F. Hill, Josiah Turner, Jacob Kipp, Nimrod Caple and T. Burchinal.

Early in 1871 the lodge purchased a set of jewels at a cost of one hundred dollars, and in the latter part of the year 1870 the lodge moved to new lodge quarters. In 1875 the lodge bought a lot of ground on the northeast corner of the public square, paying one thousand dollars therefore and there their hall was erected.

In 1878 the lodge had a membership of seventy-one; its 1911 membership is eighty-five. Its present officers are: C. M. Hetherington, noble grand; Harry Worth, vice-grand; W. T. Woolcott, recording secretary; W. H. Hetherington, financial secretary; C. W. Burchinal, treasurer.

At first this lodge had its home in the second story of a building on the north side of the public square. Its present quarters are situated in the hall in the second story of a brick building over the State Savings Bank, at the southwest corner of the square. This hall was built at a cost of three thousand dollars. It was erected in 1898 and is the property of the Odd Fellows.

Monroe Encampment No. 60, at Monroe, was instituted May 20, 1872. The first officers were: T. B. Burchinal, chief patriarch; T. McR. Stewart, high priest; J. Hawkins, senior warden; J. R. Hall, junior warden; R. R. Foehlinger, scribe; N. Caple, treasurer. In 1878 the lodge had a membership of thirty, which has been increased to forty-five in 1911. The chief patriarch is W. T. Woolcott.

Eureka Rebekah Degree Lodge No. 52 was established January 17, 1874. T. C. Burchinal was the first noble grand. It now has a membership of eighty. The present noble grand is Mrs. Mary Holland.

KELLOGG ODD FELLOWSHIP

Tecumseh Lodge No. 181, at Kellogg, was organized December 15, 1869. J. H. F. Balderson was made noble grand; Daniel Boatright, vice grand; William Bonser, secretary; S. Condon, treasurer. The other charter members were Cyrus Sinnard, Robert McKittrick and Jasper N. Stewart.

The following have filled the office of noble grand: J. H. F. Belderson, D. Boatman, S. Condon, William Bonser, B. B. Boatright, William Marshall, William Vaughan, George Condon, Levi W. Davis, Charles B. Duncan. The present officers are: A. B. Craven, noble grand; W. J Robinson, vice-grand: F. L. Phipps, secretary; Harry Attwood, treasurer.

The lodge now has a membership of fifty in good standing and is in a flourishing condition. The order meets over the Dr. Smith business house, on Main Street, which it has called its home for a, quarter of a century. The encampment degree is well represented at this point, also.

LYNNVILLE ODD FELLOWSHIP

Lynnville Lodge No. 322 was constituted October 21, 1875. The first officers were: R. H. Cook, noble grand; O. C. Meridith, vice-grand; J. W. Moody, secretary; A. R. Matthews, treasurer. The other members were William Hamilton, Thomas McGlasson and S. Condon.

In 1877 the lodge had a, membership of about fifty.

Lynnville Encampment No. 83, at Lynnville, was established in October 1876. The first officers were: O. C. Meridith, chief patriarch; J. W. Moody, high priest; A. R. Matthews, senior warden; J. S. Kitch, junior warden; W. H. H. Nelson, scribe; S. M. Robertson, treasurer. V. A. Roberts was also a charter member.

In 1878 this encampment had a membership of thirty.

PRAIRIE CITY ODD FELLOWSHIP

Prairie City Lodge No. 144 dates its history from 1867. George Fugard was the first noble grand; C. Conrad, vice-grand, and the other charter members were Isaac Cooms, Caleb Bundy, S. F. Miller, B. J. Head, R. E. Smith, A. J. Wilkinson.

The records show a membership in 1878 of thirty; its present membership is one hundred and four. Its present officers are: J. A. Waddell, noble grand; Charles French, vice-grand; Fred Daily, secretary; J. R. Buckley, treasurer.

This lodge owns its own hall, a building forty by one hundred and twenty feet, with a hardware store below the hall. The Rebekahs, Woman's Relief Corps and the Yeomen meet in the same hall.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS

This fraternity has grown rapidly since its organization, which seems but a few years, in comparison to the Masonic history which runs away back into truly ancient times. The Knights of Pythias lodges are found in the following places in Jasper County:

Delta Lodge No. 53 was organized February 19, 1880, by the following charter membership: F. S. Clark, M. A. McKinley, Frank Fisk, C. W. Stahl, Jay Clark, J. W. McLaughlin, George W. Ledyard, A. J. McGregor, W. McColloms, Grant Townsend, Ralph Parmenter, Frank Hunter, S. R. Oldaker, S. N. Russell, J. G. Cotton, H. K. Stahl, E. E. Hughes and R. C. Wilson.

The first officers were: Past chancellor, S. R. Oldaker; chancellor commander. H. K. Stahl: vice-chancellor, M. A. McKinley; prophet, J. W. McLaughlin: master of exchequer, Jay Clark; master of finance, Frank Fisk: keeper of records and seal, C. W. Stahl; master at arms, E. E. Hughes; inner guard, Grant Townsend; outer guard, A. J. McGregor.

The present officers are: H. P. Engle, chancellor commander; J. R. Bowen, vice-chancellor; R. B. Gibford, prophet; R. D. Guessford, master of work; Oscar A. Coon, keeper of records and seal and master of finance; Charles Griebeling, master of exchequer; Arthur Nelson, master at arms; Mert Lewis, inner guard; M. R. Souder, outer guard.

The lodge was instituted in the Hiatt building on the north side of the public square and now meets in Castle Hall in the Clark building on the east side of the square.

The past chancellors have been A. H. Bergman, Jay Clark, John L. Conn, W. E. Carpenter, John H. Coon, J. R. Gorrell, Charles Griebeling, M. B. Huckins, J. H. Harvey, W. F. Harvey, A. K. Lufkin, E. N. Lawrence, R. R. Mowry, B. A. Miller, J. W. McLaughlin, David McAllister, John O'Leary, J. F. Rome, Alton Reynolds, C. A. Snow and G. W. Simpson.

Russell's Division No. 26, of the Uniform Rank of this order, was organized June 1, 1893, but has never been as prosperous as some of the other Uniform Rank divisions of Iowa.

There are Knights of Pythias lodges in Jasper County at Newton, Kellogg, Prairie City, Newburg, Baxter, Monroe, Colfax.

The Knights of Pythias are represented at Prairie City by Jasper Lodge No. 63, organized August 14, 1890, by charter members, including these: B. E. Moore, J. H. Little, M. Feathers, J. Prouty, B. C. Ward, I. W. Shriver, D. L. Lower, Ellis McConnaughey, F. A. Heaton, Ed. Winchell, C. Tool, B. F. Milleson, Henry Blatmer, W. M. Davis, Bailey Burns, Edgar Draper.

Among the chancellor commanders have been B. C. Ward, D. M. Kelly, Alden Gilbert, Bailey Burns, George K. Scott, D. F. Brown, R. E. Yowell, F. M. Moore, I. W. Shriver, R. D. Lower, J. W. Jeffries, B. E. Moore, D. M. Hemminger, A. J. Hixson, J M. Keating, Frank L. Woodard, W. M. Davis, present incumbent of the office.

The 1911 officers are: W. M. Davis, chancellor commander; I. J. Yowell, vice-chancellor; R. E. Yowell, master of work; Hugh G. Little, keeper of records and seal and master of finance; B. F. Moore, master of exchequer; J. W. Hayes, master at arms; F. M. Moore, prelate; D. M. Hemminger, inner guard; Ivan Moore, outer guard.

A leased hall is occupied now. The present membership of lodge is seventy-five.

In 1909 the Pythian Sisters were instituted, and the 1911 officers are as follows: Past chief, May Hemminger; most excellent chief, Ollie Little; excellent senior chief, Fannie Wiggins; excellent junior chief, Hazel Hayes; manager, Della Kindred; mistress of records and correspondence, Jess M. Gill; mistress of finance, Floy McKleveen; protector, Dora Brown; guard. Carrie Patrie.

At Kellogg a Knights of Pythias lodge was formed in 1893 and now has a working membership of thirty. It is known as Kellogg Lodge No. 376. They meet in a leased hall over the Jones business house on Main Street.

The officers (elective) in 1911 were: T. L. Simpson, chancellor commander; F. L. Rhodes, vice-chancellor; G. F. Galusha, keeper of records and seal; A. E. Adams, prelate: S. A. Owings, master of finance; R. C. Birchard, master of exchequer; S. H: Schultz, master of work; A. F. Schultz, master at arms; M. D. Baum, inner guard; H. N. Smith, outer guard.

Baxter Lodge No. 168, Knights of Pythias, was organized August 13, 1896, with sixteen charter members. The present total membership is seventy. The present elective officers of the lodge are: G. T. Haeger, chancellor commander; George E. Kline, vice-chancellor; J. E. Thorp, prelate; W. T. Thorp, keeper of records and seal; H. S. Downs, master of exchequer.

The lodge meets in Haeger Brothers' Hall. The past chancellors are: H. S. Downs, Homer Rairdon, A. C. Rose, W. T. Thorp, H. A. Trussel, Carl C. Webb, J. A. Workman, E. J. Goodwin.

Colfax Lodge No. 4 was organized August 14, 1885, and now has a membership of one hundred eighty-six. The first officers were: G. C. O'Neal, past chancellor; H. Crawford, chancellor commander; F. A. Smith, prelate; O. Bryan, master of exchequer; A. S. Marquis, master of finance; A. W. Hall, keeper of records and seal; J. N. Reynolds, master at arms; H. Young, inner guard; John Roup, outer guard.

The present (1911) officers are as follows: N. Rinker, chancellor commander; M. Pollard, vice-chancellor; Robert Dawson, prelate; M. McKeever, master at work; John Pearson, keeper of records and seal; A. Roberts, master of finance; D. J. Drois, master of exchequer; Charles Gregg, master at arms; I. Hunter, inner guard; A. E. Wheeler, outer guard.

There have been fifteen chancellor commanders in this lodge to date. The order owns its own hall.