— Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, Valley Falls Historical Society President.
"A.M. Russell belongs to more lodges than any other man in the state of Kansas!" reported the Aug. 3, 1895, special edition of the Valley Falls New Era, (predecessor to the Vindicator) profiling business and lodge people of Valley Falls in that era. A leading jeweler at the time of the writing, Russell held membership, social and honorary, in 18 lodges. He came to Kansas in 1873 after having served as a volunteer soldier in the Union Army, attended Iowa State University and Agricultural College, married in 1870 and published The Times at West Branch, Iowa.
"The Good Templars was the first lodge Russell joined in 1866. Since joining that lodge, he was initiated into 35 lodges, earning a total of 85 degrees. His ability was recognized in a number of ways and he served as deputy organizer of several lodges, as chairman of several state committees and was sent as a delegate to state and national encampments.
"Mr. Russell taught for 22 years in public schools of the country and this city."
The special 1895 edition listed the following societies with the following introduction:
"Since the organization of the Masonic Lodge June 18, 1859, the mystic and secret rights and inner working of many other lodges have been taught in Valley Falls, and the following lodges are now prospering here: Royal Arch Masons, Valley Falls Chapter No. 8, R.A.M., organized March 27, 1867; Masonic Lodge No. 21, A.F.&A.M., is the oldest organized society in Valley Falls, organized June 18, 1859; Odd Fellows, Crescent Lodge No. 86, IOOF, was organized March 15, 1872; Modern Woodman, Delaware Camp, No. 1451, M.W.A. was worked up by A.W. Russell and organized July 25, 1890; United Workmen, organized May 15, 1880; Grand Army, Captain Louis Stafford Post No. 225, G.A.R., was organized Nov. 20, 1881; L. of G.A.R., Captain Louis Stafford Circle, No. 7, Ladies of the G.A.R., organized Sept. 1, 1887; K. & L. of S., Sunflower Council, No. 8, Knights and Ladies of Security, organized March 6, 1892, by A.M. Russell; F.A. Association, Valley Falls Council, No. 118, Fraternal Aid Association was organized Jan. 25, 1894.
Several other lodges, among them the Knights of Pythias, Sons of Veterans, United Order of Templars, Sons of Temperance, Knights of Columbia, Independent Order of Good Templars and Juvenile Templars, were organized, but a lack of interest on the part of members brought about their suspensions."
The historical society museum will be open Saturday, Jan. 8, at 10 a.m. Closing time dependent on temperatures.
No comments:
Post a Comment