Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-11-16
ODD FELLOWSHIP IN DELAWARE.
An Interesting Sketch Of the Order by thu
Historian, Past Grand Representative
Edwin Hirst.

EuWtu IliTSb VI tuiS tibyy dob |
and historian of the
ard one OF tho ebest-inforned Odd Fell
ows in the State, furnishes the follow
ing information concerning the history
Of the order in Delaware, which is
interesting at this time, rs
the Grand Encampment will meet this
evening and the Grand Lodge tomori ow
at Odd Fellows Hall:
Delaware was the sixth jurisdiction
in the United States into which the |.
O. o. 4. was introduced and estab-
lished. Early in 1890 a petition was
presented to the Grand Lodge of the
United States by George McFarlane,
james McNeal, Thomas Hill, Simon |
Robinson, John Scott, James Platt,
Nelson Ball and L. Manchester, pray
ing for charter for lodge to be |
located in the borough Of Wilmington |
and hailed as Delaware Lodge, No. |,
which charter was duly granted at q
special session convened for the pur-
pose in Baltimore, May 9th, 1890, but
owing to some delays the lodge was not
organized until September 18th of the
same year, when the following named
officers were elected James McNeal,
Noble Grand; John Scott, Vice Grand
Fast Grand Mct'arlane. Secretary: who
we're installed into their respective
Offices by Grand Sire Wildey and Past
Grand E. +. Eclsey of Maryland. Eight
candidates were also initiated.
Delaware Lodge, No. |, first occupied
the building No. 40 West High street
(now West Fourth stresti, half way
between Orange and Tatnal, the site
now occupied by Tadman Il Hickman
glazed kid factory. The lodge moved
on March 2lst, 1882. TO tho Academy
(now No. S32 Market street) thence in
Ma ch, 1898, TO No. 81 (now No. 309)
Market street On December 9th,
| 1896, it surrendered its charter to tho
Grand Lodge. On September goth,
| 1S4l, at q special meeting Of the Grand
| Lodge of Delaware, application was
made for restoration OF the charter
for Delaware Lodge, and in that year
| the lodge resumed Its meetings at No
| 81 Market street, moving in 1543, with
the other lodges, TO Temperance Hall,
on East Fourth street.
In less than u year, and before any
other subordinate lodges had been insti
tuted in tho jurisdiction OF Delaware,
the Grand Lodge Of tho United States,
at a special session held for the pur-
pose. granted charter for Grand
Lodge of Delaware, to be located at
| Wilmington. The petition was signed
by Past Grands McAnel, Scott, Nc
Neal, Robinson and McFarlane
The Grand Lodge was organized on
June 9th, 1881, and Past Grand John
Scott installed as Grand Master; but
in less than three months the charter
was declared forfeited, through dis
ability to work, one of the five past
grands of Delaware having died,
leaving less than quorum. At the
session of the Grand Lodge of the
United States, held September 9Th,
1881, charter was granted to Jeifer-
son Lodge. No. 9, to be located in
Wilmington, making the second sub
ordinate lodge in the jurisdiction. Nc
report having been made Ly the Grand
! Lodge of Delaware, on account of its
incompetency to act, the members oi
, Delawate Lodge. No. ], asked for 9
restoration of their original charter.
Therefore, the following resolution wa!
passed
: First, That the Grand Lodge of Della
ware be directed to deliver forthwith
to the Grand Lodge of the United
States its charter, the same being for
feited by disability to work, to wit
: the want Of five past grands.
Second, That tho Grand Ledge o
the State OF Delaware be directed t,
reissue to Delaware Lodge, No. !, tn
charter granted by this Grand Lodge
it being the only charter by whicl
said Delaware Lodge, No. !, cal
legally work; the said Delaware Lodge
No. |, being amenable only to thi
: Grand Lodge.
Third, That the grand sire ietuil
the charter Of the Grand Lodge e
Z Delaware as soon as there shall be a
application received from tiye legal pas
q grands of the said State of Delaware.
! On the 14th of February. 1888,
. preliminary meeting was held at th
u Academy ttho site OF what is now M
S32 Market streetl, for tho purpose {
applying for restoration of the Gran
; Lodge charter. This meeting was a
q tended by Past Grands Simon Rohir
: son, Robert w. Gardner. Thomas Hill
I. Byran W. Blest, James Platt, Jamt
* s.. White Jacob Nj. Gariettsor
Michael Seibenlist, Zenas b. Glazi'
and Jacob X. Higgins. Officers wei
elected and petition prepared, whic
l. was presented at u session of the Grar
I'd Lodge of the United States held Marc
vt 4th, 1888, requesting IA restoration
~ tHb SudTler. luo Fsuuocb Wao ua
y, granted.
y, On the 9th of June, 1899, in IL
O. building then known as No. 81 Mark
p- street, the Grand Lodge Of Dplawa
$. was Reconstructed and tho following of
ly GERS we're installed: James S. Whit
liz Grand Master; Joseph S. Hedge
20 Deputy Grand Master; Jacch X. Hi
gins, Grand Secretary: Thomas Hi
H. Grand Treasurer; Jacob Nj, Garrei
IN son, Grand Warden; Simon Rcbinso
re Grand Representative,
During the first year Of the existen
!, of tho Gland Lodge charters we
ho granted for three now lodges: BRya
ire Lodge, No. ., ut LAUREL Meohani
1t. Lodge, No. d, at Wilmington, al
re- Washington Lodge, No. $, at NJ
b, Castle. Tho charter OF the last nam
lodge was granted ut "a special sossi
held by a travelling Grand Lodge
opened at Now Castle October l6t
IN. 1899, by Grand Master White, for 1
he purpose Of instituting Washlngt
~, Lodge Five candidates wero initiat,
nd after which the applicants fol char
were permitted to elect officers OF
of rev lodge, vivo voce.
ng Speaking of this period, Ora
Secretary Hallam, in his sol
a centennial sketch, says: tThe prosp
seemed bright aud hopeful; the .
INV look was decidedly encouraging. |
the appearances were ever tleceitfuI. 4
rd, Grand Lodge had reached its nil
year Before it granted another chart
led In tho interim four OF the five lod
ses had, at various times, Eeen suspend
ave or expelled. Inc members were IL
busy investigating charges prefer
nil, nhny r1