Benevolent Associations, Vermilion Parish History, Louisiana
Contributed by Margaret Rentrop Moore
Source: Southwest Louisiana Biographical & Historical by William
Henry Perrin; published 1891 pages 251



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BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS

Benevolent Associations. Ä Abbeville Lodge, No. 192, F. 
& A. M, was chartered in 1868. Among the charter members were
Capt. W. D. White, Elijah Ewing, J. F. Morgan, C. Remick, John
Ellis, L. Rogers, J. F. Labit, J. Plonsky, etc. The present
officers are J. F. Labit, Master; A. F. Marfield, Senior Warden;
___________ ___________, Junior Warden, and Gus Godcheaux,
Treasurer.

    Acadian Lodge, No. 3240, of the Knights of Honor was
instituted at Abbeville, January 30, 1886. The charter members
were: Joseph T. Labit, Albert T. Galloway, James M. Williams,
John T. Hamblet, Wm. P. Miller, W. G. Kibbe, A. N. Neal, G.
Godchaux, Horace Robinson, G. B. Shaw, R. H. Mills, Wm. D. 
White, Oliver C. Kibbe, J. A. Brooksllire, Adolph F. Maxfield,
Chas L. Cullison and Joseph M. Frazer. 

     The present officials of the lodge are: Past Dictator, 
D. N. Wall; Dictator, S. P. Watts; Vice Dictator, W. D. White;
Assistant Dictator, J. N  Williams; Chaplain, W. L. Vanslyke;
Reporter, O. H. O'Bryan; Financial Reporter, J. L. Feray;
Treasurer, L. Sakolsky; Guide, Joseph T. Labit; Guardian, S.
Isaacs; Sentinel, J. Ben. The lodge has forty-two members in
good standing. The lodge is having a prominent growth and
meditates the erection of a hall in the near future.

     Branch No. 597, St. Mary Magdelane Lodge of the
Catholic Knights of Honor was chartered here November 30, 1889.
It was organized February 10, 1890. Charter members were: 
Lastie Broussard, O. Bourque, Lewis Laporte, T. S. Abshire, 
M. D., John Abshire, Jr., Adonis LeBlanc, Felix Broussard and
A. J. Golden. This lodge is in a prosperous condition
and constantly receiving new members. Its competent and 
attentive corps of officers are: President, O. Bourque; Vice
President, Lastie Broussard; Secretary, Adonis LeBlanc; 
Medical Examiner, J. T. Abshire, M. D.; Financial Secretary,
J. A. Villien. This lodge is constantly receiving accessions of
new members and bids fair to become the strongest in the parish
in the near future.

     The Abbeville Literary Society was organized about
1874 by Doctor White, W. A. White and L Broussard. The 
membership became good and the society purchased quite a 
library for a town of this size, and which is still in
existence.

    The Eclectic Club was organized in 1889. It is a debating 
and literary club, and is well attended and supported.