BUCKEYE
IOOF LODGE # 26
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS
|
| ______ Home |
The history of the Buckeye Odd Fellow Lodge 1909 – 1944Published in the Buckeye Valley News January 13, 1944 ODD FELLOW LODGEBy GEO. P. BROWN, Charter Member The place was the Davis and Green Grocery Store in very unpretentious Buckeye. The time, as shown by the tired and discouraged looking clock, standing next to the canned salmon shelf, was 8:45 p.m. on January 9, 1909. There were present seven Odd Fellows, adrift from their home lodges. These men were determined to do something about it. In good American style they organized, elected temporary officers and appointed the inevitable committee. Present at the gathering were Messrs. Ralph A. Nye, Homer Davis, J.J. Gilson, Wilcox, Hall, Pierce and Gipson. Brother Davis was made chairman with Bro. Nye as Secretary. The committee was directed to find quarters that would serve, in a primitive way, for a lodge hall. A few days later, to be exact, on the 15th day of January, the committee reported that the second floor of the brick school building was the first, last and only choice. The Upper room was uncompleted and some time must elapse before it could be occupied. All further efforts to secure a lodge hall were futile, until April 6, 1911, when Ralph A. Nye and J.J.Gilson reported to a called meeting that the Board of Trustees had granted the use of the upper floor for lodge meetings. At this gathering J.J. Gilson was made temporary chairman and Ralph Nye was made temporary secretary. On the 15th day of April the determined band of Odd Fellows, without a charter again assembled. Present were William Walton, J.J. Gilson, A.V. Marshall, George Drew and Ralph Nye. After a general discussion plans were crystallized to effect a lodge organization. An urgent invitation was dispatched to District Grand Master W.K. James and went to Grand Secretary George Mintz to meet with the committee and assist in bringing into the world a baby lodge of Oddfellowship. Brothers James and Mintz were delighted and on the 20th day of April a meeting took decisive steps in organizing by drawing up an application for a charter for Buckeye Lodge #26, I.O.O.F. The application was made by J.J. Gilson, Wm. Walton, A.V. Marshall, George Drew, Ralph Nye, all members of the order. Applications for charter membership were then accepted from Samuel Croutch, Dr. L.H. Thayer, Arthur Hadsell, D.P. Clanton, D.P. Jones, H.E. Kell, E.P. Wetzler, Geo. P. Brown, J.H. Tracy, E.J. Stacy, O.L. Nelson, Herman Weber, and George Cocke. Charter Granted On April 27, 1911And now we move on to April 27, 1911 – Charter Night. This session was held in the upper hall of the red brick schoolhouse. W.K. James was appointed District Deputy Grand Master in charge of the initiation ceremonies, and was assisted by R.S. Longmore, District Grand Master, E.T. Bowers, Grand Warden; K.L. Mumford, Grand Master; T.D. Nackis, Grand Inside Guardian, and Geo. A. Mintz Grand Secretary, Ralph Nye, A.V. Marshall, Wm. Walton, J.J. Gilson, and Geo. Drew were formally recognized as applicants for the charter which was, on this memorial night, granted. Then followed the election of officers and the honor of heading the newly born lodge was conferred upon one who well deserved the distinction – William Walton. J.J.Gilson was next placed in the vice grand seat, Ralph Nye became its first secretary with Geo. Drew as treasurer. A crack team of degree workers from Phoenix Lodge #2, were present and conferred the initiatory degree upon the following: A.L. Nelson, E.P. Wetzler, Samuel Croutch, Herman Weber, D.P. Clanton, J.J. Stacy, James H. Tracy, Arthur E. Hadsell, Geo. P. Brown, L.H. Thayer and D. Paul Jones. In spite of the crude little improvised lodge room, the degree was conferred in a highly impressive way which is still remembered by those present. The newly inducted members received their final degree in Phoenix Lodge #2 on May 3rd, 1911. Subsequently on May 7th, 1911, A.V. Marshall, Geo. Drew and H.E. Kell were elected as trustees of the Lodge. On the 13th day of the same month, by-laws drawn by Walton, Marshall, Nye, Gilson and Drew, were presented and adopted. On June 24th the session was made colorful by the arrival of spic-and-span new regalia. The lodge was now getting into its stride. The little old schoolroom was no longer sufficient for the dignity of its seven months of growth. On November 4, 1911, spacious quarters in the second story of the Joslin building were occupied. For the first time adequate space was available for the proper presentation of the impressive ritualistic work. Degree teams improved their work in a remarkable way and candidates flowed in. The sleepy little town that was Buckeye now was growing into an active and prosperous community. However the real test that was to prove the almost indestructible vitality of the sprit of Oddfellowship, began with the spread of the depression in the early days of 1930. This demoralizing influence struck down lodge membership as citizens left our rural community to seek work. Those who remained – plagued with debt and haunted by actual want – were low of sprit and our order, as did all human institutions, suffered in consequence. The sprit and the teachings of Oddfellowship may be retarded – but cannot be stopped. There is something planted deep down in the human soul that calls for active expression of the desire to battle man’s inhumanity to man; to translate the sweet words “Brotherhood of Man” into actual daily practice. We who understood, did not grieve too deeply over our lodge that appeared to be mortally hurt. There were staunch and loyal members of Buckeye Lodge who did not intend to stand by and see their loved order sink under the punishment of financial depression or anything else. Prominently identified with the battle to restore to health and energy, Buckeye Lodge No. 26 may be mentioned William Walton, Samuel Croutch, Walter Hegi, Fred Favor and J.G. Schweikart. As the shadows of the great depression began to lift in 1938, Buckeye Lodge No. 26 was favored by a visit from Grand Master C.C. Pyor. The membership was strongly advised by the Grand Master to build a lodge hall. His words met a hearty response. Trustee J.G. Schweikart, Fred Favor and A.T. Jones plunged into tireless and effective campaign to finance the undertaking, one third of the fund was raised by voluntary subscription and two thirds was borrowed from the Grand Lodge for a period of fifteen years. As these preliminaries were being worked out, the membership grew in strength and numbers. In one class alone 27 applicants were initiated into Oddfellowship. The climax came on Oct. 8, 1939. In the presence of visiting brothers from every section and branch of the order, Grand Master Geo. Allison and officers of his Grand Lodge participated in the dedication of the new lodge home. It is indeed not only a monument to the everlasting vitality to Oddfellowship but it is also a worthy testimonial to the faithful little band of members who didn’t know how to become discouraged during the gloomy days of adversity. The members of the Rebekah Lodge furnished the beautiful patio, also the cupboards with ample supply of china and kitchen ware, together with a modern music box, chairs, an evaporative cooler, tables, lockers, and heating and cook stoves. Much praise is due to this active community who gave unselfishly of their time to accomplish such fine results. Past Noble Grand To DateFollowing are the names of past Noble Grands from 1911 to date in order as they served: William Walton, J.J. Gilson, Ralph A, Nye, Geo. P. Brown, J.H. Tracy, Samuel Croutch, E.P. Wetzler, Paul Jones, J.R. Carter, Ben Jones, P.R. Mitten, W.G. Robinson, P.W. Benson, Hans Malmburg, Jay Jones, M.J. Young, C.A. Narramore, E.J. Hendren, C.A. Mitten, J.G. Schweikart, Herman Webber, L.C. Hill, L.A. DeRosier, George Hegi, W.R. Hegi, J.T. Wainscott, H.C. Schweikart, Calvin Sanders, Louis Weber, John Beloat, Lloyd Hazen, S.H. Hall, John Stanley, S.H. Beyer, B.E. Schweikart, Paul Pierce, Fred Favor, Fred Croutch, Arthur Watts, E.D. Canter, Othel Narramore, R.A. Adams. Those acting in the capacity of District Deputy Grand Master: Ralph A. Nye, J.H. Tracy, Geo. P. Brown, Wm. Walton, W.R. Hegi, H.A. Schweikart, C.D. Canter. In Memoriam: Our Honored DeadMembers Deceased: W.D. Baxter, C.A. Narramore, Rasmus Nielsen, W.E. Robinson, J.C. Thompson, Charles R. Turner, M.J. (Cy) Young, Robert Young, James Wainscott. Charter Members: Samuel Croutch, D.P. Clanton, George Drew, D.P. Jones, O.L. Nelson, L.H. Thayer, William Walton. Building Now Free of MortgageThis modern building is 36 by 70. The lodge room is 50 by 36, with a kitchen, two ante rooms with lockers and two rest rooms. And now we have paid our mortgage debt; with humble sprit we express our gratitude. On January 13, at 7 p.m. the mortgage will be burned; a banquet will be served and an interesting program will be rendered. We are proud of our achievement for we have advanced the cause of Oddfellowship, which seeks to reverence God, Defend the home, encourage the week, educate the unlearned and by noble conduct reflect the goodness of the Father of all men. Buckeye Valley News, Jan. 13, 1944 Reprint by Ron Long 2007 |