The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1911-08-02

At the regular stated meeting of To
nesta Lodge, No. 1863, |. o. o. +. held
Tuesday evening, August /, 1911, at
eight o'clock, very unusual occurrence
took place. IL is customary when q
member Of the Lodge has been in good
standing for period of fifty years or
more to present him with badge of
honor. The recipient Of this honor,
which rarely falls TO any member of the
Order, was at this time bestowed upon
our worthy brother and friend, William
Hood, Esq, who has passed his eighty
third birthday, and will have been a
member of this lodge three score years
on September next, having been initiated
September lS 1851. He is the oldest
member of this lodge now living. The
badge of honor consists of ii karat,
solid gold jewel. representing the globe.
with the word Universal" on scroll
extending across the same. This is en-
closed in a wreath ofgold representing an
olive branch. 1t is suspended by three
links from cross bar, the number co."
also suspended from the croSs-bar is set
in diamonds, indicating his sixty years
membership. The reverse side contains
the following inscription: Presented
to William Hood by Tionesta Lodge,
No. 1863, Initiated September l3, 1851,
Pennsylvania So" This last number in
dicating that this is but the fifty-third
badge Of the kind issued to members Of
the Order in this State. 5, ID. Irwin,
Esq, made the following presentation
speech, which was briefly replied TO by
Mr.. Hood;
NOBLE GRAND, VICE GRAND, OFFICERS
AND MEMBERS:
Ii is fitting upon an occasion Of this kind,
10 give a sketch of the worthless that insti-
tuted Tionesta Lodge 500, on June 81, 1850,
the beginning of summer, and the longest
day in the year, as they were the brothers
and comrades, of our honored member Of
the old lodge we are pleased TO honor TO
night, and who believe is the only sur
vivor of the original brotherhood, William
Hood. The first noble grand James Solley
a justice Of the peace. He was q tall son
Of Anak, with a Roman nose and COM
manding figure, W. W. Hulings was the
| first vice grand and model man in all the
walks of life Alex. HilAnds was the first
secretary, man OF much force Of character
and well known all up and down the creek,
who finally went TO California with his
brothers Jake aud William and who died in
the far west After the hrst officers were
installed James Gordon, ID. p. Bailey, DR..
Wilburn Whitley, then young physician
Of promise, who In his day was a splendid
member as he learned the whole ritual Of
the Order, han splendid memory and could
stand up clean-heeled and without book
repeat every part Of the ritual. au accom-
plishment believe only accomplished by
one little later by the earnest energetic
Samuel H. Haslet, whose memory we all
delighted % honor James Gordon became
q famous lumberman. William Mckinley
the canny Scotchman Joined on that day.
He afterwards migrated 10 New Jersey,
aud died there representing his county in
the legislature. Then there was Tom o.
Morgan who was admitted on card from old
Veuaguo Lodge. Tom was shoemaker
| by trade and he welded the pen OF ready
writer. He was short aud rather sQuatty
in appearance, but at times looked very
wise. John n. Hilands Of happy memory
Joined on that same day on which Aaron b.
Root became a member Of the happy and
enlightened band. Charles Holeman came
up from the flats where his forefathers had
settled shortly after the Revolution and be-
came one Of the brethren, at the same time
Joseph G. Dale came into camp. In De-
cember 1850, W. W. Hulings was made noble
grand, Joseph G. Dale secretary and A.
| Puriy, J. Gordon and John n. Hilands
trustees. Amzey Purdy was an early set
tiers on the creek, and much beloved. One
speaker, whose name l will not not now
mention, said Of him, when in his old days
he was a candidate for associate Judge,
that everybody ought to vote for AmEey
Purdy as he was acquainted with Tiouesta
creek when il was small stream when he
6rst saw IT. and he prorhesied then that IL
was the making of big creek some day.
| Among the charter members were three
uucles OF mine, II. H, Selden T., aud Will
liam W. May, the latter took very active
part In those early meetings, was secretary
Of the pioneer lodge At the time OF his death
on April Is, 1851, was buried in what ID
now Riverside cemetery beside many Of his
brethren Of the mystic tie, and the monu-
ment that marks his grave bears the legend,
Beloved by all who knew him." fitting
tribute to a noble officer, Samuel II. Has
let was one of the early and efficient men,
bers, q man whom all members Of the Or
der delighted to honor. A. b. Root wa:
elected noble grand in April, 1885. He
was great reader Of current events until
he died in the west few years ago full Of
honor. Montgomery Milford was secretary
at this time. The lodge was first held in q
building known as the May Bros. Store
1
legheny river between where Rev. Fei
now lives and the building belonging TO J
7. Dale. In February, 1885, this room wa
abandoned because the lodge in connection
with the school directors built a new hal
on the hill on the site Of the old schoo
house, the Odd Fellows reserving tn,
second story for lodge room, while tn,
lower story was used for school purposes
They occupied these quarters until April
1857, when the Order sold their interest IL
the building for the sum Of $500 70 th,
school board, and ON May l6, 1857, the lodg,
closed finally aud shortly after surrendered
70 the Grand Lodge their charter and rec
ords, ihis building Is the same now owneC
BY brother w. III. Hood. This was a darl
period indeed in its history, but like III,
fabled bind. the Phoenix, IL rose from 10
ashes. on September %, 1874, with Mix,
lttel a. noble Grand, w. X. Damn secretary
John A. Proper as treasurer, and DAME
Harrington, the historian Of Iionesta creek
As warden, 5. ID Irwin conductor, William
! Hood guardian. Of those last named abov,
J. q. Dale, John A. Proper, Daniel Har
riustou, William Hood aud 5, H. Hasle
belonged 70 the original lodge, the balanc,
u The new. OF the revived lodge the fol
lowing are among the earlier noble grand
In order following.
1872, Michael Ittel.
lSiS-S. h HRSlet
lsi3-gagnos Moodiugtou.
ls5i-W. r. Duuu, ]. +. Dale, A. b
ls36-G W sawyer, c. A. Randall,