|
Early 1900s Parade  Odd Fellows location unknown contributor unknown Denison Press
Wednesday, July 27, 1938 ODD FELLOWS ARE OLDEST UNIT HERE Dating back to a few months after the sale of the first lots here, Lodge No. 161 of the Odd Fellows was organized in Denison on Feb. 19, 1873. The nine charter members filled the offices as follows : John Nevins, noble grand J.G. Gnase, vice grand J.H. Guy, secretary M. Green, treasurer W.C. Mastin, warden John Hoerr, conductor John J. Marion, inside guardian John K. Miller, outside guardian G.A. Cutler, right supporter to the noble grand Sherman Odd Fellows served as instituting officers: G.A. Dickerman, district deputy grand master M.D. Neely, grand warden P.S. Freeman, grand treasurer Jesse P. Loving, grand marshal R.M. Neely, grand secretary. Friday night was chosen for the regular meetings and remains as such until recently. Alexander Graham was the first man applying for admission by card. The early records reveal that the lodge hall also was used by the Episcopal Church for its services. The first candidates were initiated on March 28, 1873, being W.F. Ball, O.D. Tracy and Andrew Peterson. Organized shortly after the grand lodge convention, the unit was not chartered until Feb. 6, 1874. Active throughout the ensuing sixty-six years, the Odd Fellows continue today as one of Denison's outstanding fraternal organizations. Each generation has seen names of many of the city's foremost leaders on the Odd Fellow roster. Officers heading the lodge today are E.S. McIntyre, noble grand; C.H. Waldron, vice grand; F.R. Lawhon, secretary; and John L. Walker, treasurer. Three of the encampment members have passed through the chairs to the office of grand patriarch, the highest post of the Grand Encampment, two of these being F.R. Lawhon and Dr. B.R. Busby, both active today in the local lodge.  Organizations Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |