Hyde County, SD History .....Secret Societies ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 17, 2005, 4:49 pm CHAPTER VI SECRET SOCIETIES MASONIC There is in Highmore one Masonic Lodge—the “Ree Valley Lodge A. F. & A. M. This lodge was organized at Highmore Oct. 22, 1884. The first officers were appointed and consisted of the following: E. O. Parker, Treasurer; O. Kenyon, Secretary; N. F. Bates, Senior Warden; D. W. Peppel, Junior Warden; L. B. Smith, Senior Deacon; S. R. Meigs, Junior Deacon; Stewards, J. F. Gowdy and S. G. Trine; A. A. Dibble, Tyler. At this first meeting Charles H. Price presided as Worshipful Master. The lodge at that time was small in numbers, as the next meeting, Nov. 12, 1884, had only nine members present and two visitors, but other members were soon added; among them at that early day were E. S. Martin, John Newell, Charles P. Swanson, J, R. Gowdy, W. H. Tomlinson and J. C. Blundell. Mr. Price continued as master of the lodge until the Dec. 1886 meeting, when N. F. Bates was elected to succeed Mr. Price. Masters of the lodge since Mr. Bates are as follows in their respective order: John H. McCord, N. F. Bates, C. P. Swanson; H. B. Young, A. E. Van Camp, W. R. McDowell, W. E. Reeve, A. E. Van Camp, H. H. Stoner, and W. G. McLaughlin. The present officers of the lodge are as follows: W. G. McLaughlin Worshipful Master. A. E. Van Camp Senior Warden. C. H. Drew Junior Warden. H. H. Stoner Senior Deacon. W. W. Yeandle Junior Deacon. C. H. Gray Secretary. 0. C. Kippenbrock Senior Steward. C. W. Trent Junior Steward. Wm. Goetchius Tylor. S. Drew Treasurer. EASTERN STAR This lodge is a ladies' auxilliary to the Masonic Lodge, and was first regularly instituted at Highmore on the 12th day of February, 1903, acting under dispensation from the Grand Lodge, and so acted until July 7, 1903, when it organized as Chapter 68. The lodge was instituted by Grand Patron Marshall R. Brown presiding, assisted by Gertrude Briggs of Crescent Chapter No. 4, and Ora Baldwin of Crescent Chapter No. 4 acting as Grand Marshall. At this meeting the following named officers were assigned to their respective stations: Mary A. Yeandle, Worthy Matron; Socrates Drew, Worthy Patron; Minnie R. Kippenbrock, Associate Matron; C. P. Swanson, Sec. Augusta Gerhart; Treas. Anna M. Stoner, Conductress; Harriet E. Swanson, Associate Conductress; Abbie Drew, Adah; Martha Drew, Ruth; Georgiana B. Meigs, Esther; Clara A. Barnes, Martha; Bessie Meigs, Electa. At their 49th regular meeting held in November, 1907, the following were elected, and are the present officers for the lodge for 1908. Bessie Meigs Worthy Matron. W. G. McLaughlin Worthy Patron. Abbie Drew Associate Matron. Melva L. Angle Treasurer. Minnie R. Kippenbrock Secretary. Nannie Harlan Conductress Margaret Hemmingson Assistant Conductress. ODD FELLOWS Highmore Lodge No. 89 was instituted at Highmore May 6, 1886, with the following named persons as charter members: Edgar E. Barnes, Charles H. Price, John T. Blakemore, Joseph W. O'Brien, Francis B. Tallman, Joseph A. Patterson and Philip Van Buskirk. These met the District Deputy Grand Master with some visiting brethren from Ree Heights, St. Lawrence and Miller, at their hall in Highmore, May 11, 1886, and proceeded to institute Lodge No. 89. An election was held at this meeting and the following officers of the lodge were chosen: Charles H. Price, N. G.; F. B. Tallman, V. G.; John T. Blakemore, Secretary; Joseph O'Brien, Treasurer. The following were appointed: Philip Van Buskirk, Inside Guardian; Joseph O'Brien, Right Supporter to N. G. This order is quite prominent and flourishing in Highmore and has for its present officers the following named persons: M. H. O'Brien N. G. J. B. Ringer V. G. James Buchan Secretary. W. B. Hamlin Treasurer. This order is purely fraternal in its nature, as expressed in its motto which is "Friendship, Love and Truth." REBEKAH This order bears the name of the "Pride of the West," and was organized in Highmore March 23, 1901, as an auxiliary to the Odd Fellow Lodge. The first meeting was called to order by Etta A. Whitcher acting as special deputy Grand, commissioned by the State Assembly who instituted the lodge with the following as charter members: J.A. Patterson, Mary A. Patterson, J. H. Pilkington, Bertha A. Pilkington, Frankie Winans, Mary E. Winans, Mrs. M. Stoner, Florence Stine, Julia Stoner, Mrs. Anna Stoner, Geo. C. Stoner, James Buchan, Clara Tryon, Geo. Tosh, Bertha Gerhart, W. N. Van Camp, Mrs. C. P. Swanson, I. L. Angle, Mrs. I. L. Angle, Bernard Samuels, Mrs. J. C. Stoner, Mrs. Sadie Pilkington, and Marion Young. The following at this first meeting were elected officers: Anna Stoner, Noble Grand; Bertha Pilkington, Vice Grand; Mary Winans, Secretary; Mattie Little, Treasurer. The present officers of the lodge are as follows: Mrs. Nettie L. Welch Noble Grand. Miss Ethel Clark... Vice Grand. Miss Edna Clark Secretary. Mrs. R. W. Perry Treasurer MODERN WOODMEN The incorporated name of this order is "The Modern Woodmen of America." It is fraternal in its character with insurance benefits, and has a Latin motto which interpreted in English means "For Others' Lives." The order was established in Highmore April 6, 1898. Its charter members were Ray Ballard, G. H. Bottcher, G. F. Brandell, N. L. Calkins, A. H. Everhard, J. H. Figley, S. K. Gregg, O. C. Kippenbrock, T. H. McWeeney, Sam Mason, C. E. Leithead, E. J. Quirk, J. H. Pilkington, L. Rolewitch, W. E. Stewart, G. C. Stoner, J. K. Van Camp, A. N. Van Camp, and J. H. Wooley. The lodge was organized by J. M. Johnson, and its first elected officers consisted of the following named persons: Consul, W. N. Van Camp; Advisor, N. L. Calkins; Banker, A. H. Everhard; Clerk, C. E. Leithead; Physician, C. E. Leithead; Watchman, O. C. Kippenbrock; Sentry, W. E. Stewart; Managers. J. K. Van Camp, J. H. Pilkington and E. J. Quirk. This order has a membership now of seventy six. Its present officers are; Consul G. C. Stoner. Advisor C. L. Ford. Banker Charles Robinson. Clerk W. N. Van Camp. Escort J. N. King. Watchman W. H. Tryon Sentry J. H. Wooley. Managers John Keiser, E. J. Qairk and G. M. Wells. Only one person connected with the order here has died since the organization; that was Edward Dobson. DEGREE OF HONOR The incorporated name of this lodge is "Highmore Lodge No. 76 Degree of Honor," and is an auxilliary to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. It was organized at Highmore March 13, 1901. Its charter members consisted of the following: Margaret McCullen, Mary Yeandle, Nettie Whitcher, Harriet Swanson, Sarah Lighty, Margaret E. Stoner, G. C. Stoner, A. E. Van Camp, O. L. Whild, C. P. Swanson, M. E. Miller, A. H. Everhard, H. D. Ohl, W. W. Yeandle, and A. McCullen. The lodge was instituted by the Grand Chief of Honor Laura Comstock, and after organization at their first meeting the following officers were elected: P. C. of H., Nettie Whitcher; C. of H. Margaret McCullen; L. of H. Mary A. Yeandle; C. of C., Sarah Lighty; Recorder, Harriet Swanson; Financier, Margaret E. Stoner. At the following meeting to complete the list of officers the following were appointed: Receiver, Katherine Gilligan; Lady Usher, Atta Ohl; Inside Watch, Jane Ohl; Outside Watch, A. E. Van Camp. This Lodge has now a membership of sixty-seven, it meets once each month and is fraternal in its character with insurance. Its present officers are as follows: P. C of H Alice Meigs C. of H Harriet Swanson L. of H Mary A. Yeandle C. of C Florence Walker Recorder Bessie Meigs Financier Nannie Harlan A. O. U. W. The above signifies the "Ancient Order of United Workmen" The applicants for a charter for a subordinate lodge of this order met at the Odd Fellows Hall in Highmore on the evening of Oct. 8, 1887. Deputy Grand Master James I. Hontz called the meeting to order and presided. John T. Blakemore was appointed Recorder and Financier pro tem. The charter members consisted of the following named persons: Mathias Becker, John T. Blakemore, Henry W. Brace, Francis W. Gustin, John L. Greer, Fred W. Goudy, Lewis C. Hadley, Jacob T. Haight, John Mayer, Sylvanus R. Meigs, Martin G. Sinon, Abram E. Van Camp, Andrew N. Van Camp, Frank Wareham, Fred J. Wareham, and George H. Wareham. It was voted that the Lodge should be "Union." The following persons were elected as its first officers: Past Master Workman, A. N. Van Camp; Master Workman, J. T. Haight, Foreman, H. W. Brace; Overseer, L. C. Hadley; Financier, J. L. Greer; Receiver, M. G. Sinon; Recorder. J. T. Blakemore; Guide, Fred W.Goudy; Inside Watchman, Fred J Wareham ;0utside Watchman, F. J. Gustin; Trustees, S. R. Meigs, George H. Wareham and Matthias Becker. The emblem of this order is the Anchor and Shield. The following persons are its present officers: M. W. L. W. Carter Foreman I. M. Burnside Overseer A. McCullen Recorder A. E. Van Camp Financier M. E. Miller Receiver S. Drew Guide H. C. Harris I. W A. Derek O. W H. D. Ohl Trustees, G. W. McLaughlin, S. Draw, H, C. Shober. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS This order has been established in Highmore but recently. A meeting of those who made petition to the Grand Lodge was held February 10, 1908, and was called to order by Grand Chancelor Warren, who announced that it was his purpose to institute Highmore Lodge No. 88, Knights of Pythias, of the domain of South Dakota. The following constitute the charter members: Geo. L Havens, Frank N. Harlan, L. A. Hendricks. L. M. Hanson J. H. Irwin, A. L. Lamos, B. M. Mitchell, M. E. Melton, A. McCullen, W. V. Osborn, John B. Perkins, R. B. Rockwell, H. H. Stoner Geo. C. Stoner, L. A. Sherer, K. M. Sackett, G. W. Walker, A. Bordner, A. G. Button, L. E. Cummings, J. Earl Core, John Irwin, L. E. Friars, James Buchan, John E. Campbell, C. H. Drew, C. H. Gray, J. E. Hollander, H. W. Hamilton, M. H. Harter, H. P. Hemmingson, Jack Moore, John T. Melbourne, Gary C. Neff, G. A. Stout, J. H. Pilkington, J. C. Stoner, Jr., C. C, Sheen, S. Van Camp, Frank Volek, W. E. Beaver, Mervin McLaughlin, Royal C. Johnson, E. J. Quirk, and C. G. Walker. Part of the above were members by card, and others, the ranks were conferred upon them that evening. The following are the present officers of the Lodge: Geo. L. Havens C. C L. A. Hendricks V. C. John B. Perkins Prelate C. H. Gray M. of W. L. A. Sherer K. of R.& S. R. B. Rockwell M. of F. C. H. Drew M. of E. J. H. Pilkington M. at A. H. P. Hemmingson I. G. James Buchan O. G. Representaives to Grand Lodge, L. E. Cummings and Geo. C. Stoner. ROYAL NEIGHBORS A sufficient number of signers were obtained to apply for charter of a Lodge of "Royal Neighbors" of America" in Highmore, the first meeting of which was held March 31, 1906, in the record of which it is designated as Camp No. 4437. The meeting was called to order by Eva E. Williams, Deputy Supreme Oracle, and Maude Jones was appointed temporary recorder, when the names of signers to the charter were accepted as members. An election of officers was then held, which resulted as follows: Bertha Pilkington Oracle Margaret Van Camp Vice Oracle Jennie Reiser Past Oracle Lora Reiser Chancellor Ella Van Camp Recorder Grace Traver Receiver Maude Jones Marshal Minnie Young Assistant Marshal Lucy Cowan Inside Sentinel Anna Reha Outside Sentinel Managers J. E. Van Camp, Jennie Reiser and Marie Van Camp. I. M. Burnside Physician The present officers in this Lodge are: Myra Ford Oracle Lora Worley Vice Oracle Bertha Pilkington Past Oracle Mrs. Jennie Reiser Chancellor Ella Van Camp Recorder Bessie Thompson Receiver Nellie Quirk Marshal Emma Bottcher I. Sentinel Marie Van Camp O. Sentinel Managers Charles Robinson Jennie Reiser and Reta VanCamp MACCABEES The local name of this order in Hyde County is "Highmore Tent No. 33." This subordinate lodge was organized December 16, 1903, by State Commander C. K. Hall, and meets the first and third Monday of each month. Its object is fraternal and beneficiary. The first principal officers of the lodge were H. H. Stoner, Past Commander, Geo. C. Stoner, Commander, Bart M. Mitchell, Lieut. Commander and M. L. McLaughlin, Record Keeper. The present officers are: J. V. Atwood Commander Arthur Yeandle Lieut. Commander G. C. Stoner Record Keeper The charter members were as follows: H. H. Stoner, G. C. Stoner, B. M. Mitchell, M. L. McLaughlin, James Volek, H. B.Ohl, J. E. Campbell, James Gorey, Ed. Quirk, John H. King, W. W. Yeandle and J. E. Hollander. YEOMAN Highmore Homestead No. 1264 of the Brotherhood of American Yeoman was organized June 14, 1905, by District Manager W. E-Cornwall, and the following members were adopted. H. H. Stoner, H. P. Hemmingson, C. H. Drew, W. L. Quirk, B. F. Cornell, R. W. Reddick, C. O. Crowningshield, Joseph L. Kusser, Wm. M. Harrington, Ira N. Keiser, Ben F. Barber, James E. Barber, Henry O. Lawson, Emma Sherer. Social Members— L. A. Sherer, Harry Sanding. Admitted by Card— T. W. Gibbs, E. T. Gibbs, R. L. Smith, B. M. Smith, Eliza Pierce. Officers Elected — Foreman, T. W. Gibbs; Master of Ceremonies R. L. Smith; Correspondent, H. P. Hemmingson; Master of Accounts, C. H. Drew; Physician, Mrs. E T. Gibbs; Overseer, L. A. Sherer; Watchman, Wm. M. Harrington; Sentinel, B. W. Reddick; Guard, C. O. Crowningshield; Lady Rowena, Eliza Pierce; Lady Rebecca, Emma Sherer. Members subsequently adopted: Wm. F. Hodges, Ella J. Hodges, Mary Bloomenshine, James W. Taylor, Herman A. Syverud, Stephen M. Hale, Stella B. Halloway, Paul H. Kruemling, Pearl E. Kruemling, Arthur R. Jekyll, Lennie M. Cornell, Edward M. Mueller, Edwin J. Winget, Chas. R. Schneider, C. E. Noel. Social members elected: Ida E. Drew, Amelia Arneson, Ellen Arneson. Officers for 1908: Foreman C. E. Noel, M. of C B. F. Cornell, Correspondent Emma .Sherer, M. of A C. H. Drew, Phip. Ellen Arneson, Overseer Amelia Arneson, Watchman H. A. Syverud, Sentinel Stephen M. Hale Guard Paul Kruemling Lady Rowena Pearl E. Kruemling Lady Rebecca Mary Bloomenshine Regular meeting night, second Wednesday of each month. Meeting place, I. O. O. F. hall. W. C. T. U. This organization was perfected at Highmore in 1884 at the house of Mrs. Philena Johnson, and of the charter or original members Mrs. Johnson alone remains. There are several different branches of work connected with the order, among which is the L. T. L. especially for children, also a young women's society. The object of this order is not to fight the saloon direct by enforcement of the law, but its system is educational in the way of scientific instruction in schools of the effect of alcoholic liquors upon the human body, and indeed, to impart such instruction to all young and old, not only such liquors used as a beverage, but its use in all medical prescriptions. The order here was established by Mrs. Mary Bradford, of Miller. The aim of this society also is to bring about a better condition of society, to establish purity/virtue and human kindness, and its work is along all lines that will tend to make better men and women. Its present officers are Mrs. Anna Robinson President Mrs. A. N. Van Camp Secretary and Treasurer. H. E. S. A. The above letters mean the "Highmore Equal Suffrage Association" whose president is A. N. Van Camp, Vice President, Mrs. John Campbell, Treasurer Mrs. A. N. Van Camp, Secretary Mrs. J. Watson. This association has fifty nine members, and intends to meet regularly. The association is active in its work, and among its prominent members is Mrs. Philena Johnson, who is State Superintendent of Franchise and Legislation. Additional Comments: HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY SOUTH DAKOTA FROM ITS ORGANIZATION TO THE PRESENT TIME BY JOHN B. 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