HISTORY: Grand Junction, Greene County, Iowa ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES PROJECT NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ************************************************************************ The USGenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. All submissions become part of the permanent collection. Submitted by Deb December 2002 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Greene County, Iowa Please visit the Greene County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/greene/ ________________________________________________________ This is from the book "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa" by E. B. Stillman, 1907 TOWNS AND VILLAGES Greene county is well dotted with villages that have been made possible by the advent of railways, the necessities of the people and the shrewd calculations of men who saw more money for themselves in a farm platted into town lots and covered with buildings than in an ordinary quarter section acreage under best cultivation. There are ten post offices in the county at present: four on the line of the M. & St. L. Railway, Rippey, Grand Junction, Dana and Paton: five on the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, Cooper, Jefferson, Farlin, Churdan and Adaza; and Scranton, located on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway (as are also Jefferson and Grand Junction) on the west side of the county. Twenty years ago there were nine postoffices. Surry has lost its place on the map, and Farlin and Adaza are towns born since 1890. Angus, a once prosperous coal-mining town of 3,700 people, located in Boone county on the border of Greene, is now a hamlet with less than a hundred people, the mines having been exhausted. GRAND JUNCTION Two years after the completion of the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railway through Greene county, a north and south railroad was built from Keokuk to Fort Dodge, passing through the east side of the county. It soon became evident that at the intersection of these two roads there would be a desirable location for a town. The "lay of the land" was discouraging for during a wet season fully half the surface was under water, and for a time after the site was established, muskrat houses were as numerous as human habitations. However, when the fact of a town at this point--to be called Grand Junction--was assured, there was eager competition among the owners of land adjoining the two railroads. "Central Grand Junction" was laid out by Hager and Sons and Percival & Hatton, of Des Moines. Howe, a division superintendent, and Estabrook, roadmaster, laid out "Grand Junction." Herron & Kelley of Pittsburgh, Pa., laid out "South Grand Junction," and Seward Smith, of Des Moines, followed with "West Grand Junction." The town includes, according to limits at present established, parts of sections thirty-two and thirty-three, township, eighty-four, and sections four and five, township eighty-three. Hager & Sons donated twenty acres to the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railway Company with the proviso that the shops be located here, and the land was accepted on the terms proposed. About this time Dr. C. B. Park and O. B. Miller established lumber yards for the convenience of builders. The first buildings in the embryotic city were Dr. Park's residence, a store by Geo. C. Hillman, a hardware store by Dr. Park, for a long series of years occupied by H. A. Parmenter & Son, and a bank and several other buildings by Hager & Son, and a bank and several other buildings by Hager & Sons. The Headlight, which pushed into the activities of the town January 1, 1870, did much to encourage immigration and the growth of the place. In fact, the year 1870 was one of the most prosperous Grand Junction ever enjoyed in the way of material progress. The census of that year indicated a population of 444. The growth was steady and stable up to the year 1885, when the enumeration made the population nearly 1,000. At that time one-third of the inhabitants were dependent for support on the railway, the advent of which had really built the town. Hopes ran high during these early years that a branch road would be built from Grand Junction to Sioux City, making the shops permanent and increasing the demand for employes. A few years later the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad took possession of the road, and soon afterward the shops were moved to Valley Junction. Since that time in the matter of growth Grand Junction has been at a standstill. It has always been a good center of local trade, and as the country has been developed by the incoming of new farmers, trade has increased and the same is true of the size of stocks and the character of goods on the shelves of the merchants. It is a remarkable fact that the firm of Geo. C. Hillman & Co., established nearly forty years ago, is still doing business on the same ground and under the same proprietorship as in the beginning. INCORPORATION The town was incorporated early in 1873, the first meeting of the council being held March 13th of that year. The officers for that and subsequent years have been: 1873.--Mayor, S. A. Eckerson; trustees, E. J. Penrose, Daniel Albert, I. N. Ford, Z. T. Funk and E. O. Carleton; recorder, W. M. Baker. 1874.--Mayor, James Park; trustees, P. W. Miller, E. O. Carleton, W. R. Park, C. C. Metzger, J. W. Harvey and F. F. Ford; recorder, P. W. Miller; marshal, John Adams. 1875.--Mayor, J. W. Harvey; trustees, J. A. Sheffer, A. Marquart, R. Townsend and S. Thompson; recorder, O. W. Lowry; treasurer, P. Parker; assessor, G. J. Kimball. 1876.--Mayor, A. M. Brinkerhoff; trustees, E. O. Carleton, J. A. Sheffer, Andrew Petit, G. J. Kimball, and Thomas Lynch; recorder, Henry Basquin; treasurer, P. Parker. 1877.--Mayor, J. W. Brown; trustees, John McGrayel, N. N. Friend, C. C. Metzger, Z. T. Funk and Thomas Swift; recorder, O.W. Lowry; treasurer, P. Parker; marshal and street commissioner, Henry Infield. 1878.--Mayor, S. A. Eckerson; trustees, John McGrayel, Robert McEachran, E. N. Lapenotier, Daniel Embree and P. W. Miller; recorder, F. H. Parmenter; assessor, John D. Getz; treasurer, P. Parker; street commissioner, A. Hutson; marshal, Warren Beard. 1879.--Mayor, John D. Getz; trustees, Z. T. Funk, C. C. Metzger, Charles Smittle, S. T. Butner, A. Marquart and S. W. Eckerson; recorder, R. B. Hazeltine; treasurer, P. Parker; assessor, William Zellhoefer; marshal and street commissioner, Pat Casey. 1880.--Mayor, John D. Getz; trustees, C. C. Metzger, E. O. Carleton, Z. T. Funk, S. A. Eckerson, Charles Smittle and A. Marquart; recorder, R. B. Hazeltine; treasurer, P. Parker; assessor, W. F. Zellhoefer; marshal and street commissioner, Pat Casey. 1881.--Mayor, John M. Culley; trustees, J. H. Powers, Charles Bowen, S. A. Eckerson, Charles Smittle, Z. T. Funk, and C. C. Metzger; recorder, R. B. Hazeltine; treasurer, P. Powers; assessor, W. R. Park; marshal and street commissioner, R. B. Lockwood. 1882.--Mayor H. L. Childs; trustees, C. C. Metzger, Thomas Swift, John D. Getz, J. H. Powers, Charles Bowen, and E. O. Carleton; recorder, R. B. Hazeltine; treasurer, P. Powers; marshal, E. O. Carleton. 1883.--Mayor, E. A. Avery; trustees, F. H. Parmenter, Thomas Swift, John D. Getz, Charles Bowen, J. H. Powers and J. P. Baker; recorder, W. S. Wood; treasurer, W. F. Zellhoefer; assessor, J. B. Johnson; marshal and street commissioner, E. O. Carleton. 1884.--Mayor, E. A. Avery; trustees, J. H. Powers, F. H. Parmenter, Thomas Swift, Charles Smittle, J. P. Baker and John D. Getz; recorder, W. S. Wood; treasurer, W. F. Zellhoefer; assessor, J. B. Johnson; marshal and street commissioner, E. O. Carleton. 1885.--Mayor, J. E. Pettit; trustees, J. P. Baker, J. H. Powers, Charles Smittle, F. H. parmenter, J. H. Perry and John Cameron; recorder, F. f. Luther; treasurer, W. F. Zellhoefer; assessor, John D. Getz; marshal and street commissioner, E. O. Carleton. 1886.--Mayor, J. E. Pettit; trustees, J. H. Perry, H. M. Smith, F. W. Binger, John Cameron, J. H. Powers and J. P. Baker; recorder, F. F. Luther; assessor, J. P. Davis; marshal D. I. Pettit; street commissioner, E. O. Carleton; treasurer, F. H. Parmenter. Have been unable to secure list of officials from date given to the present time. NEWSPAPERS. Under the heading "The Press," a history of the Grand Junction newspapers is given. The Head Light and The Globe. They have served an excellent and honorable destiny in furthering the best interests of the town, commercially, socially and morally. ATTORNEYS. The first lawyer to locate at Grand Junction was Thos. H. Grove, who came from Hagerstown, Maryland, the original home of the Hagers, who figured prominently in the early history of the town. He came in 1870, remained nine years and moved to Colorado. I. K. Alder settled here in the practice of his profession in 1881, and remained three years, moving to Ainsworth, Nebraska. E. C. Clark succeeded Alder as the barrister of Grand Junction, but was only in practice a short time, possibly three years, and sought a new location. W. W. Turner came to Grand Junction in the late 80's and is still a busy man in the local, county and state courts. Outside of Jefferson, in the matter of length of service in the same town, he has first rank in the county. Gates Albert, after successful service in the public schools of Grand Junction, studied law, and hung out his shingle here in 1889. He was elected county attorney in 1897, and moved to Jefferson soon after. In 1902 he formed a partnership with E. B. Wilson, of that city, a business combination which still exists. W. H. Adams is the lastest legal representative to locate in Grand Junction, coming there about four years ago. He has a fair reputation as a public speaker and made an unsuccessful struggle for legislative honors a year ago (1906). PHYSICIANS. O. W. Lowery is accredited with being the first practicing physician in Grand Junction, coming with a diploma from the medical college at Keokuk. he is still in active practice, and is undoubtedly the oldest practitioner as relates to service in Greene county, now answering the calls of the afflicted. C. B. Park came to Grand Junction from Chester, Vermont, in 1870, with an honorary record as a physician and surgeon behind him. He was an eminent brigade surgeon during the war and received special recognition from the authorities in Washington, D. C. He did not seek to build up a practice in the new western home, but as a man of ample means, he engaged in other lines of business. In the early 80's he established himself in the banking business at Grand Junction, and for eight years conducted an institution that had the full confidence of the people of the community. Later he went to Des Moines, where he died about ten years ago. He was a man of affairs, and ably represented Greene county as a member of the board of supervisors. J. D. Kirby was the second physician to swing into active practice at Grand Junction coming a short time after the advent of Dr. Lowery. He was a successful doctor of extended practice, which he continued up to the time of his death, some years ago. His son, Samuel Kirby, succeeds him in professional work. L. D. Scarborough is Grand Junction's third physician in the matter of time engaged in practice and date of location. He is still responding to calls, and has associated with him his son, Bert Scarborough. George W. Kester has lived the greater part of his life in Grand Junction, and for the past fifteen years has been a successful practitioner in and about the city. He was educated at Drake University and received his diploma from the medical department of that institution. BANKS. Grand Junction has had a varied experience with its banking concerns, of which it has harbored five. The first two were in hard lines, but their successors have been dependable servants of the people. The original town projectors, Hager & Sons, were the first to embark, but for some reason were obliged to suspend. To their credit, the liabilities were paid in full. Daniel Strite, cashier for the defunct bank, then engaged in business as their successors, under the title of Strite & Co. The concern ran for a short time, when Strite committed suicide. The bank had no assets that were available, and there were many who lost. Quite a loss was sustained by the school district. Dr. C. B. Park opened a bank soon after which he conducted on a conservative plan and regained the confidence which had been dissipated by his predecessors. He was in business nearly a decade. A. J. Dutton succeeded Park as the banker of Grand Junction, and for about ten years had the "right of way" holding fast to the record for dependability and a spirit of accommodation that characterized his predecessor. He is still one of the two banks in commission over on the east side. It is "Dutton's" bank. F. J. Harned, cashier. The last banking enterprise to take root in Grand Junction was established by Mahlon Head, of Jefferson, in connection with his son-in-law, Thomas Watts, who is cashier, some five years ago. It is well accredited and has a good business. Grand Junction has a good opera house, built by Mr. J. W. Harvey, a score of years ago, and has an electric light system. A late statute providing for better drainage of lands bids fair to rid the town of the slough-like ponds that disfigure the landscape and promote disease in wet seasons. Coal was prospected for and found near the center of the town of Grand Junction by Lockrey Bros., in 1878. They leased the coal right on quite a large acreage and sold the right to John F. Duncombe, of Fort Dodge, who successfully worked the vein for a time, which was about thirty inches thick. On account of better prospects at Angus, operations were suspended at this place, and the plant moved. After several years a citizens' company was formed and a new shaft sunk, and in 1883 it was leased to Dale, Goodwin & Co., who operated it for twelve years and sold out to the Goodwin Brick & Tile Co., who are successfully operating it at this time. Underneath the vein of coal is a strata of excellent potter's clay, fully eight feet in thickness, which is utilized by the Goodwin Brick & Tile Co. in the manufacture of tile and fire brick, in connection with the mining of coal. Their business is quite extensive. One of the most extensive of Grand Junction's industries is the egg- packing plant of Nicholson & Co. It was established by R. P. Brown a score of years ago, and made the town famous for a time as being the biggest enterprise of the kind in the world. The concern gives employment to a large number of people. By way of contrasting past and present conditions, a list of the persons doing business in Grand Junction in 1886, with their occupations is appended. Not to exceed nine of the mentioned are in the same line of business at this time, and probably two-thirds the number are non-residents. Many are dead. BUSINESS DIRECTORY. Daniel Albert, lumber; Hiram Allen, barber; M. M. Baker, groceries; H. M. Benson, hotel; John Boyden, groceries; R. P. Brown, butter and eggs; H. L. Childs, plow factory; E. C. Clark, attorney; Comley & Tazewell, millinery; Lewis Coon, furniture and undertaking; W. M. Crow, drugs; Dale, Goodwin & Co., coal, tile and fire brick; Thomas Dobbin, meat market; J. C. Edinborough, shoemaker; Daniel Embree, lumber and coal; J. C. Harker, general store; J. C. Harker, foundry and machine shop; J. W. Harvey, opera house; G. C. Hillman, general store; Johnson & Co., marble; J. D. Kirby, physician; Solomon Kuh, broom-maker; E. M. Lapenotiere, drugs; T. Leisure, barber; O. W. Lowery, physician; Theodore Lyons, Ashley House; S. C. Maynard, editor Headlight; R. A. McEachran, feed and grain; S. S. McFadden, hotel; C. C. Metzger, meat; Mrs. P. W. Miller, millinery; Mish & Co., general store; Park & Co., jewelers; C. B. Park, bank; W. R. Park, tinner; Parmenter & Son, hardware; J. E. Pettit, real estate, insurance and collections; W. H. Pierce, livery and sale stable; J. H. Powers, general store; William Reineman, hotel; William Reineman, shoe shop; W. G. Roby, wagon shop; J. Sanders, restaurant; L. D. Scarborough, physician; E. A. Sherman, jewelry; Miss. L. M. Simmons, dress-making; C. W. Smittle, grain; W. W. Turner, attorney; W. B. Waite, marble; W. F. Zellhoefer, hardware. ALLEN M. HILLMAN. A shocking accident occurred in Grand Junction March 11, 1889, resulting in the death of the highly-respected citizen named above, under distressing conditions that seemed to be fateful. His store adjoined a hardware establishment, and on the noon of the day in question he started for dinner, but remembering an errand, he retraced his steps, and evidently to save time, went up the alley to the rear door of the hardware store and and just as he was about to enter a bullet crashed through the door and passed through his body. He fell mortally wounded, but did not die until the next day. It afterwards developed that a man was in the store examining a rifle and had it pointed toward the front door. The merchant called to him to point the gun the other way, thinking there was no one likely to enter from the rear. But unexpectedly, as the man turned the gun, it was discharged, at the instant Mr. Hillman was seeking to come in. A second of time, either sooner or later, in his coming, would have saved his life. Few men who have passed away in Grand Junction were more generally mourned than Allen M. Hillman. WILLIAM PARK. The tragic death of William Park way out in the wilds of Montana in the year 1892 is still a sad memory in the minds of the people of Grand Junction, among whom he had lived all his life, save the last few months of his career. For a long time he had been an assistant in his father's (Dr. C. B. Park's) bank, and for a helpful vacation he went to the far west and joined a surveying party, which closed its labors in Montana. His work out there completed, he made preparations to return home, apprising his parents of his intentions. The day for his departure came and he busied himself in packing his effects. While thus engaged he placed his revolver on the top of his trunk, and it was by some means shaken off and fell to the floor. By some strange fatality, the wandering bullet went straight for the young man's heart, piercing it, and he fell dead upon the floor. A telegram brought the news of their affliction to the family and the father left at once for the scene of death. About midway on his journey he intercepted the train bearing the remains of his only son. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Grand Junction, nearly all parts of the county being represented. The grief of the father was pathetic, and he did not long survive the untimely death of the son. He removed almost immediately to Des Moines, where the mother and daughter lived for many years. A SAD LIST. Grand Junction numbers at least four on its list of suicides since the date of its beginning. This first was a banker named Daniel Strite. He became financially involved, and in view of the apparent hopelessness of the situation, he shot himself. This occurred about the middle 70's. The second to take his own life was a druggist named Spencer Wood. For years he had lived in Jefferson, in the employ or Mr. E. W. Foy, the west side pharmacist. He had not been long in Grand Junction when the startling news was received that he was dead--by his own hand. This was in the late 80's. Mr. Wood was an honorable, upright man the causes that led up to his untimely death will probably never be known. Mrs. F. F. Luther was the third person to voluntarily lay down her life. She was found one morning in an outhouse, dead, and proof was conclusive that she fired the fatal shot. Her health was poor and that and other causes it is thought unbalanced her mind and was the cause of her tragic end. This happened about the beginning of the new century. During the summer of 1907, Mr. James A. Athey, while suffering from temporary aberration of mind, ended his own life. He had been a farmer, but had taken up town life. Like many other cases of this class, the reasons that led to the commission of this act of self-destruction are not easy to find. SCHOOLS. A commodious brick school house, 40x60, containing four rooms was built during the year 1870 at a cost of $7,000. The increase of population made more room a necessity, and in 1883 an addition, 24x36, was built at an expense of $3,500. The location of this edifice is central, and still meets the needs of the Independent district. It contains six rooms and they are well filled. The first graduation exercises were held in 1885, and five diplomas were awarded. A few years later a new course of study was introduced, and the Grand Junction schools rank well with those in other sections of the county. The annual expenditures for school purposes is more than $2,500. The present superintendent is Professor T. R. Amlie. CHURCHES Methodist Episcopal.--The first class at Grand Junction was organized by Rev. Joseph Manning in 1870. A year later Rev. W. C. Martin was regularly assigned to this charge. Rev. Sherin succeeded him in 1872; Rev. D. W. Mallory in 1873, and Rev. W. B. Bennett in 1874. During Mr. Bennett's pastorate, 1875, the church edifice was built, costing, including lot, etc., $3,100. It is a frame structure, four blocks southeast of the station. The pastors since that time have been: Rev. Charles Leach, 1875-6; Rev. B. F. Shetterly, 1876-7; Rev. C. H. Newell, 1877-8; Rev. A. B. Shipman, 1879-'80; Rev. Martin, 1880-1; Rev. L. W. Archer, 1881-3; Rev. E. Kendall, 1883-85; Rev. J. D. Moore, 1885-6; Rev. R. R. C. Grantham, 1886-7. The pastor for 1906-'07 was M. G. Rambo, and the man just entering the field is connected with this church, of which W. H. Kettell is superintendent. Baptist.--This church was organized June 8, 1878, with F. W. Jasinsky as moderator and Rev. E. G. Groat as clerk, in the Presbyterian house of worship. The membership was as follows: E. G. Groat, F. W. Jasinsky, Isaac W. Ford, W. E. Ames, W. Mack, Delia Grant, Elizabeth Jasinsky, A. M. Ford, and Alice F. Mack. Rev. Groat was the first pastor and accepted the pulpit until April, 1880, and was followed by Rev. J. F. Childs, who preached as supply until September of the same year, when he was called as pastor, serving until November, 1882. Rev. Hill was then pastor until April, 1884, when D. L. Clouse supplied for a year. Rev. John C. Carter accepted the charge in 1886. For a time services were held in private houses and in the Presbyterian church, then in Gulick's hall, and in 1880 and 1881 the society built a church for its own exclusive use. Ebenezer Church of the Evangelical Association--was organized September 7, 1874, by Rev. George Zellhoefer, with sixteen charter members. Rev. E. J. Schultz was the first presiding elder. They worshipped as opportunity offered until 1880, when they built a church at a cost of $1,700. The first pastor was George Zellhoefer, who officiated for three years. Rev. Methfessel one year; L. Scheurer, two years; J. J. Miller, two years; F. Frase, two years; P. Belzer, three years; during whose ministry a parsonage was purchased. In 1887 Rev. G. Brandstetter came to the field, then L. Scheurer for three years; F. Benz, one year; Rev. J. P. Pflaum, three years; Rev. O. Brose, four years; Rev. J. M. Kraft, three years; Rev. G. Streicher, two years; Rev. Ernest Schroeder, three years; Rev. A. L. Hauser came in 1907, and is now hopefully occupying the field. The services are mostly conducted in the German language, but alternate with English. The Sunday schools, Young People's meetings are mostly conducted in English. The church is strong and prospering financially. Presbyterian.--Was organized July 5, 1870, by Rev. W. Campbell, district home missionary, and the church now used for worship was built and dedicated in 1876. The first session was T. B. Martin and Captain Vorhees. The following named ministers have served the church as pastors: Revs. Marvin, Phillips, Thomas Shaver, W. G. Hillman, S. M. Pollock, G. N. Luccock, D. D. W. M. Evans, D. D. S. B. McClelland, A. G. Martyn, W. H. Illsley, J. Vallier, Paul Naylor and Horace O. Bethel, the present pastor. The present elders are: T. B. Martin (continuous service), E. S. Hillman, John Powers and Alexander Thompson. For the past quarter of a century this church has been allied with the church at Dana, a separation occurring about two years ago, when Rippey was made part of the Grand Junction charge. The church maintains a good Sunday school and Y.P. S. C. E. St. Bridget's Church.--This parish at one time embraced all of Greene county, the western half of Boone and a small strip of Calhoun county. A division came in 1885, when Rev. George Costello was appointed to St. Patrick's church in Cedar township, with Churdan and Lohrville as out missions. In 1893 Rev. Edward O'Farrell, became pastor of Jefferson, with Scranton and St. Mary's, in Franklin township, as out missions. In 1878 Rev. O'Farrell was made resident pastor at Grand Junction, the parish became a compact unit and was thoroughly organized, all the records in the parochial archives dating from his ministry. His successor was Rev. M. J. Quirk, who remained until 1888, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. P. C. Kenny. Father Quirk's ministry saw many improvements, the opening of Mt. Calvary cemetery, the erecting of the new church, a veneer brick structure in the heart of town and the opening of the parochial school known as St. Mary's academy, in September, 1888, on its present location in block 79. This left the parish property--church and school--in a scattered condition, some four blocks apart, so the present pastor had the church moved in 1896 to its present location, adjoining the school. In 1899 a parochial residence was erected between the school and the church. It is a handsome brick structure, ornamented with cut stone. The financial standing of the parish is excellent. It has ample grounds for all its needs, owns a block and a half of property and has no debt at all. The Grand Junction church recognizes as daughters the prosperous parishes of Jefferson, Ogden and Churdan. It has an out mission parish now supplied by its pastor at Paton, referred to elsewhere. St. Mary's Academy.--This educational institution, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, was opened in 1888. It has a building well adapted for school uses and handsome grounds, and a campus that gives ample opportunity for outdoor exercise. The course of study consists of twelve grades, eight of which are preparatory to the high school, which offers an English and classical course of four years. Special attention is paid to the musical department, both in instrumental and vocal lines, embracing the latest and most approved methods. The art department offers a course in drawing and perspective, with oil and water colors as a later benefit. The usual attendance is seventy-five, and the musical class numbers fifty. Junction Lodge No. 357, A. F. & A. M., was instituted August 12, 1875, and chartered June 6, 1876. The first officers were as follows: W. M., Daniel Embree; S. W., J. D. Kirby; J. W., T. B. Martin; treasurer, H. M. Hughes; secretary, E. M. Lapenotiere; S. D., Jas. Park; J. D., S. A. Eckerson; tyler, A. W. Boyle. The officers at present are: W. M., E. A. Caswell; S. W., J. F. Thompson; J. W., Wm. H. Smith; treasurer, O. W. Dutton; secretary, John Maxwell; S. D., J. W. Thompson; J. D., L. A. Wertz; S. S., W. W. Wertz; J. S., H. E. Upper; tyler, Wm Feaks. Junction Lodge No. 308, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 16, 1875. Sessions are held every Monday evening in its own hall, the upper floor of a frame building, costing $2,000. The lower story is rented as a residence. The following were the charter members and first officers: N. G., T. E. Botsford; V. G., J. M. Ammer; secretary, Daniel Embree; treasurer, J. P. Gulick; warden, J. D. Getz; conductor, David Blanshan; guardian, Henry Orth. The present officers are: N. G., H. A. Frantz; V. G., John Habermehl; secretary, John Maxwell; financial secretary, David Blanshan; treasurer, W. H. Bistline; warden, Jas. Walters; conductor, Wm. G. Rugg; R. S., Len. Rise; L. S., H. V. Scarborough; R. S. to V. G., Jas. Morgan; L. S., B. H. Crow; I. S. G., J. L. Burkett; O. S. G., Marion Arment; R. S. S., S. A. Springer; L. S. S., G. H. Howard; trustees, Geo. Rise, G. W. Kester, G. H. Wiltse. Present membership, seventy-four. The lodge has $1,600 on hand, and contemplates building a fine temple some time in the near future. Rebekah Degree Dora Lodge No. 93, I. O. O. F., meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at Odd Fellows' Hall. Progressive Lodge No. 345, K of P., was organized October 19, 1892, by C. M. Staring, of Jefferson. It is believed by some of its adherents that the hoodoo of thirteen as applied to the charter membership, has had an ill effect on this particular lodge, which has suffered the loss of its property by fire and later surrendered its charter. Using a common metaphor, it rose from the ashes and is now more hopefully circumstanced. The charter members were as follows: Frank Dale, C. G. Craft, T. J. Morrison, James Saunders, Jr., E. F. Norris, Robert Goodwin, W. E. Riggs, John Carroll, Fred Weeks, Clarence Carlton, Jacob Johnson, S. C. Kirby, J. E. Petit. The first officers were: C. C., Robert Goodwin; V. C., T. J. Morrison; prelate, John Carroll; K. R. of S., O. G. Craft; M of W., Fred Weeks; M. of A., Jacob Johnson; D. D. G. C., M. Carlton. The present officers are: C. C., C. E. Luther; V. C., John Whalen; prelate, W. H. Adams; M. of W., Jacob Johnson; K. R. of S., and M. of F., G. B. Clark; M. of E., Thomas Goodwin; M. of A., George Rice. Sessions are held every Wednesday evening at M. W. A. hall. Grand Junction Lodge, No. 235, A. O. U. W., was organized February 10, 1883, with twenty-two members, and in the four succeeding years, nearly doubled its numerical strength. Grand Junction Lodge, No. 87, I. O. G. T., was organized in 1886, with over fifty members, meeting every Friday evening at Odd Fellows hall. H. O. Johnson Post, No. 152, G. A. R., was organized not long after the first post was established and a roster of sixty-four names was at one time on its book of records. Many of these have died or moved elsewhere. Local Assembly No. 2,244, K. of L., was organized November 28, 1882, with about forty members.