Hall Counnty NEGenWeb Project Presents

Fraternal Lodges & Orders of Wood River

This page is about the various fraternals, organizations and societies of Hall County, Nebraska.

Fraternal Lodges of Wood River

The history of Cement Lodge No. 211, A. F. & A. M., and Wood River Odd Fellows lodge has already been detailed in this chapter. /"Vulcan Lodge No. 34, A. O. U. W., was organized April 3, 1884. It had grown to a membership of 191 in 1900. Its early masters were J. W. Honnold, Stephen Jones, H. M. Jones, C. A. Baldwin, J. C. Boone, David Barrick, S. N. Taylor and George Miller. The charter members were C. D. Gibson, W. F. Wells, James Williams, John Ewing, F. W. Cooley, C. W. Stoddard, N. T. Brittin, H. P. Chapman, J. W. Honnold, R. H. Dodd, J. B. Furman, H. D. Hollister, David Barrick, J. R. Jewett, C. J. Lowe, C. E. Taylor and Stephen Jones.

Wood River Lodge No. 704, M. W. A., was organized September 17, 1888. G. L. Maddock, the first counsel presided for some years. The charter members were! G. D. Maddock, Geo. Plummer, Wm. Thorp, J. A. Shortess, Wilbur Mercer, Thos. Whalen, Oliver Mead, J. N. Harrison, John C. Boone and H. M. Jones. B. B. White Camp 29, Sons of Veterans, was organized June 2, 1885, and a charter granted on the same date to H. C. White, captain, J. W. Hart, sergeant, R. J. Clark, corporal, A. B. Templeton, high private, Wm. Searl, Heut., Wm. Kunz, color bearer.

Women's Relief Corps No. 61 was organized April 19, 1889. The charter members were N. J. Wescoatt, Jennie Trout, H. J. Tracy, Augusta Stephens, Mary Kunz, Mary Plum mer, L. Ramsdell, A. White, E. Taylor, F. Mathews and Emma Bly. The first president was Mrs. Kate Ross and her successor, Mrs. N. J. Wescoatt.

Bradley Post No. 134, G. A. R., was organ ized March 17, 1873. Stephen Jones served as commander for two terms, followed by J. H. Bliss for a like period, John B. Stephens the fifth term, R. Wescoatt the next two terms, and T. Kunz, one term. A. C. White was the next commander.

The G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W. dedicated a hall in April, 1886. The Masons have a nice hall there now.

In addition to those named the ladies have maintained an Eastern Star, Rebekahs, Degree of Honor, and Royal Neighbors lodges. donipiian's lodges Doniphan has maintained an I. O. O. F. lodge, A. J. Smith Post No. 65, organized during the 'eighties ; Heli Conclave No. 1 , Heptasophs, organized in October, 1887, and being the only lodge of that order maintained in the state in 1890; A. O. U. W. lodges, the history of which has already been detailed; a Modern Woodman lodge organized in June, 1889, and the W. O. W. lodge. This W. O. W. lodge was organized in October, 1902.

Its first officers were: M. J. Snyder, consul commander, M. J. Meseraull, advisory lieut, S. L. Pletcher, clerk, T. A. Derby, banker. The present officers are: E. E. Marsh, consul commander, Geo. Devereau, advisory lieutenant, A. M. Bomgardner, clerk, Joseph Heitz, banker.

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Cited Source:

A. F. Buechler and R. J. Barr, editors. "Fraternals and Social Organziations of Hall Cuonty: Wood River's Lodges," History of Hall County Nebraska (Lincoln, NE: Western Publishing and Engraving Company, 1920): 388. Provided by the Prairie Pioneer Genealogical Society, Grand Island, Nebraska.

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