PATRIOTIC AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES

PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES

But three patriotic societies may be said to exist in Winneshiek county at the present time, though four have had organizations.

On May 8, 1883, Colonel Hughes Post, No. 168, G. A. R., with its Woman's Relief Corps, was organized. In selecting a name the boys in blue honored the memory of one of the early volunteers from Winneshiek county-Col. D. H. Hughes--whose record and date of death will be found in the military history given elsewhere. Maj. Charles H. Hitchcock was the first commander. Capt. E. I. Weiser was the second commander, serving consecutively for ten years. Then in succession of one year each the commanders were L. L. Couse, L. L. Cadwell, Patrick McCusker and H. L. Coffeen. Captain Weiser was again elected and served until his death on October 2, 1902. Altogether he was commander for fourteen years and he was beloved as was no other among the members of the post. On his death L. L. Couse, as senior vice, again took the commander's chair and served four years thereafter. L. L. Cadwell, the present commander, has served since January 1, 1907.

The Relief Corps has enjoyed a prosperous existence. It has grown steadily, and particularly in late years its membership has been augmented. Miss Jessie McKay, one of its prominent workers, served for two years as treasurer of the state organization.

The Sons of Veterans was the third patriotic body to be organized locally, but its charter has been permitted to lapse.

Garfield Circle, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, was formed four years ago and is a thriving organization. Although one of the younger circles in Iowa it has already received recognition, Mrs. Mary J. Couse of Decorah having served as its state president for the year that closed in June.

FRATERNAL SOCIETIES

Of the fraternal societies that maintain lodges within the borders of Winneshiek county, two stand out prominently--the Masons and the Odd Fellows.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY

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The Masons have lodges in Decorah, Calmar, Ossian, Frankville and Burr Oak. To Frankville belongs the distinction of having the first Masonic lodge. At just what date Union Band Lodge No. 66 was organized we are unable to state, but Sparks' History of Winneshiek County said, among other things, "As an illustration of the importance Frankville attained when at its acme it will only be necessary to state that the Free Masons of Decorah used to go to the former place to hold lodge meetings." It is known that Frank Teabout was instrumental in the organization of the Frankville lodge, consequently it is safe to assume that the date was in the early '50's.

Decorah Lodge No. 98 was the second in order, but it became extinct in 1861. In 1866 Great Lights Lodge No. 181 received its charter. Taking them in their numerical order Arcturus Lodge No. 237 of Ossian was the next to be organized. Copestone Lodge No. 316 of Calmar followed and Cement Lodge No. 567 of Burr Oak was the last. The dates of organization of the Ossian, Calmar and Burr Oak lodges are unknown to us. King Solomon's Chapter No. 35, R. A. M., was organized in Decorah in 1867; Beausaunt Commandery No. 12 in 1869, and Decorah Chapter No. 73, O. E. S., came into being in 1888. These lodges have experienced liberal accessions to their membership and the lodges are all in a healthy, growing condition. The fraternal spirit is ever in evidence whether in lodge room or elsewhere.

THE ODD FELLOWS

It is a matter of doubt as to whether the Masons or the Odd Fellows were the first fraternal order to establish a lodge in this county, but it is a matter of definite knowledge that Moneek Lodge No. 58, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Moneek on October 26, 1854, with Abner DeCou as its first Noble Grand. When the death-knell of Moneek was rung by the establishment of the Military road to Frankville, permission was granted to remove the lodge from Moneek to Ossian. This was in 1855. In November, 1857, another removal was granted and this time the lodge was established at Decorah. Its name was changed to Winneshiek Lodge No. 58, and it so remains. Today among the men who were members of the lodge in the '50's there remain Philip Husted, who joined in 1856, and Alonzo Bradish, who joined in 1858. George Draper joined in 1868, Jacob Ammer in 1875, R. F. Gibson, who was a member of the Odd Fellows in Ohio as early as 1851, joined by card in 1876.

On October 15, 1889, Decorah Encampment No. 133 reclaimed a surrendered charter and once more came into existence. On October 20, 1899, Oneonta Rebekah Lodge No. 175 was organized.

The only other Odd Fellows lodge in the county is located at Burr Oak. For a lodge located in a rural community the Burr Oak lodge is one of the large and prosperous ones of the state. They have owned their lodge hall for a good many years. Usona Rebekah lodge is the auxiliary at Burr Oak, and this lodge as well as the lodges in Decorah are enjoying prosperity in its best fraternal sense.

THE EAGLES

A lodge of this order was organized some years ago in Decorah, but its life was brief and the charter was long since surrendered.

PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY

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BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS

The Elks lodge of Decorah-Decorah Lodge No. 443--may be rightly considered something more than a local organization. It was established on June 22, 1899, and has grown steadily. Its membership embraces many of the prominent business and professional men of Decorah and includes residents of other towns in the county as well as good representations in Waukon, West Union and cities in other nearby counties. Two years ago the lodge took up the question of securing a permanent lodge home and negotiations were opened for the purchase of the Unity church building. The building was acquired early in 1912 and plans were perfected for remodeling and enlargement. These are now nearing completion and it is the expectation of the lodge that they will soon be dispensing good cheer and extending the hand of fellowship to visiting brothers in their new quarters. The building, which cost over ten thousand dollars, is located on the northwest corner of Main and River streets, just outside of the business district and is admirably adapted to lodge requirements. Its present membership is about two hundred and fifteen.

THE OWLS

The Owls is the youngest fraternal order to be established in the county, the Decorah nest being the only representative. It has lodge rooms in the Hutchinson building on Washington street and a membership of about eighty.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS

Lodges of this society are maintained in Decorah and Calmar. The Calmar lodge is the older of the two. A quarter of a century ago a lodge was organized in Decorah, but after a short existence surrendered its charter. In 1902 a new charter was sought and on September 5th the lodge was organized. It has since been maintained, its growth being not large, but steady and substantial.

OTHER SOCIETIES

Scattered through the county are a number of lodges of the various mutual insurance companies. First and foremost among them is the Modern Woodmen of America, which is likewise the oldest. There are also healthy lodges of Woodmen of the World, Brotherhood of American Yeomen, Degree of Honor, Maccabees, the Catholic Order of Foresters, Royal Neighbors and possibly others.

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