MARTINEZ LODGE NO. 41, F. & A. M., was
granted dispensation for a lodge July 26, 1852. It was continued upon
application on August 3, 1853, and a chartered ordered to be issued on May
3, 1854. Its first returns appear in the proceedings of the Great Lodge of
California in May 1854, with the following officers and members: Officers -
Robert N. Wood, W. M.; J. Mitchell, S. W.; H. Mills, J. W.; D. Small,
treasurer; J. S. Days, secretary; J. Tucker, S. D.; E. T. Weld, J. D.; S.
Russell, tyler. Master Masons - S. G. Briggs, A. Hooper, J. T. Trippen, J.
S. Walls. No. 41 has been honored by having two of its members elected to
office in the Grand Lodge. In 1854 Robert N. Wood was elected and installed
Junior Grand Warden, and William S. Wells was elected and installed Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of California. The oldest member on the roll is
Barry Baldwin Osborn, raised July 21, 1866. Martinez Lodge owns its hall,
built in 1859 by subscription from its members. The hall was remodeled and
refurnished in 1908. In the early '60's the lower hall was used as a
school-room. There are ten Past Masters on the roll of members: Ed McLeod,
William S. Wells, Henry V. Alvarado, Reuben L. Ulsh, Alvin B. Wilson,
William A. Hale, Otto K. Smith, Brooke L. Moore, Ernest H. Shibley, Fred J.
Stewart. The present officers are William R. Sharkey, W. M.; Thomas B.
Swift, S. W.; Conrad O. Nelson, J. W.; William A. Hale, treasurer; Orville
E. Hayward, secretary (13th year); Evan Glandon Davies, chaplain; Rex E.
Boyer, S. D.; Absalom F. Bray, J. D.; Fred J. Stewart, Marshal; Ernest O.
Talbott and Earl B. Fitzpatrick, stewards; George H. Lyford, tyler. Number
of members on the roll, 88. Carquinez Lodge No. 337 and Mount Diablo Lodge
No. 448 were organized by members from Martinez Lodge.
Alamo Lodge No. 122, F. & A. M., was
granted a charter by the Grand Lodge at the city of Sacramento on the 13th
of May A. L. 5858 (1858), to assemble and work as a regular lodge of Free
and Accepted Masons at the town of Alamo, Contra Costa County, California.
On the 4th of January A. L. 5873, permission was granted by the Grand Lodge
to remove from Alamo to the town of Walnut Creek, in the same county, which
is the place of meeting at the present time. On the 13th of May, A. L. 5908,
Alamo Lodge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. The brethren and their
invited brethren of different lodges of the county gathered at a fine
banquet and speeches were made by Past Grand Master W. S. Wells, District
Inspector Louis N. Buttner, Brother Fred V. Wood, and others present. While
Alamo lodge has past a half-century mark, it has made steady and regular
growth, although its membership at present is not remarkably large. It has
experienced a condition of harmony within its jurisdiction as well as with
its sister jurisdictions, and also stands high as a good worker. With the
able assistance of Alamona Chapter No. 214, O. E. S., the Masonic Hall
Association has been organized, stock has been sold, and plans are now under
way to build a temple costing in the neighborhood of $6,000 or $7,000. This
temple will not only be an honor to our fraternity but to the public as
well.
Antioch Lodge No. 175, F. & A. M., was
granted dispensation June 15, 1865, and was constituted October 12th of the
same year. Officers: Francis Williams, W. M.; Emory T. Mills, S. W.; John C.
O'Brien, J. W.; John E. Wright, treasurer; James J. McNulty, secretary.
Charter members: Francis Williams, Seth W. Bradford, John C. O'Brien, James
J. McNulty, Thomas Cryan, John P. Walton, Stephen Jessup, Daniel H. Cleaves,
Jackson W. Ong, Norman Adams, Richard Charnock, John E. Wright, Mark Kline,
Emory T. Mills, Raswell B. Hard.
On the evening of December 20, 1898, the
following brethren residing in or near the town of Crockett, Contra Costa
County, met and prepared a petition for a dispensation to form a lodge under
the name of Carquinez Lodge: Edmund Freund, John Sinnot Rowan, Theodore
Despard Moiles, Edward Curran, Alvin Augustine Paul, Daniel McTaggart,
William Simpson Garwood. Herbert George Powers, Arthur Wellesley Beam. The
following Brethren also signed the petition: Phillip Richard Moignard, Paul
Beda, Erastus Perkins Lasell, Thomas Allen Harris, Charles Louis Hedemark,
Henry Louis Webber, Homer A. Billings. The dispensation was granted April
26, 1899, by Grand Master Frank Marion Angellotti, and the first meeting was
held April 29, 1899, with the following officers: H. G. Powers, W. M.; J.
S. Rowan, S. W.; E. Freund, J. W.; T. D. Moiles, treasurer; P. R. Moignard,
secretary; W. S. Garwood, S. D.; A. A. Paul, J. D.; Homer A. Billings,
marshal; G. M. Hodgkins and S. T. Johnson, stewards; James Thompson, tyler.
H. G. Powers, the first master, was appointed secretary of the lodge
February 2, 1901, and was continued in that office until his death, which
occurred January 4, 1915. A notable occasion in the history of Carquinoz
Lodge was the past master's night, June 20, 1914, when every past master of
the lodge was present and occupied the stations and places in the order of
their seniority and conferred the third degree of Masonry upon Brother James
Rollett. The following past masters were present and took part in the
conferring of the degree: H. G. Powers, 1900; Ed Freund, 1901; W. S.
Garwood, 1902; A. W. Beam, 1903-1905; Geo. Jones, 1906; J. L. Gabbs, 1907;
A. A. Paul, 1908; J. H. Dorman, 1909; J. E. Hughes, 1910-1914; W. M.
Laidlaw, 1911; C. P. Thomas, 1912; T. M. Bolton, 1913. The following is an
excerpt from the minutes of this meeting: "The occasion was a memorable one,
as every one of the past masters of the lodge was present, also every
officer. It is doubtful if at the expiration of another fifteen years the
secretary at the time will be able to make a like statement." This remark of
Brother Powers seems almost prophetic, as it was only a few short months
until he himself passed to the Great Beyond, making it impossible ever again
to hold such a reunion. The following are the officers for the current year
(1917) : Peter Miller, Jr., W. M.; Francis Paschal Doughty, S. W.; Joseph
Junior Burdon, J. W.; George Jones, treasurer; Jacob Eratt Hughes,
secretary; George Herbert Whiteman, chaplain; Roy Austin Nelson, S. D.;
William Marten Adams, J. D.; Chandlar Holten Smith, marshal; Yargen Nelson
and Clair B. Payson, stewards; James King, tyler.
Brentwood Lodge No. 345, F. & A. M., was
organized in February, 1902, and received its charter from the Grand Lodge
on October 15, 1902. There were thirteen charter members, and the lodge now
has a membership of eighty-six. The present officers for the Masonic year
are P. F. Bucholtz, W. M.; J. F. Bruns, S. W.; Alexander Burness, J. W.; H.
Bruns, treasurer; Bruce Grove, secretary; O. C. Prewett, marshal; Robert
Wallace, Jr., chaplain; R. H. Wallace, S. D.; H. Logan, J. D.; Alan Monroe
and Thomas Steward, stewards; J. Kindergen, tyler. A new hall will be built
in the near future.
Hardly had the little village which was in
so short a time to develop into the city of Richmond gotten under way when
the dozen or so Masons among the first settlers began to have meetings and
to talk of organizing a lodge. There were many discouraging features. There
were no streets - only cow-trails, which became impassable in the rainy
weather. Those living at a distance had to travel by horse and buggy. It was
hard to secure a building that would pass the requirements of a
meeting-place. But what was lacking in other things was made up in
enthusiasm, and the first meeting of McKinley Lodge No. 347, was held on
August 18, 1902, at what was then known as Richard's Hall. Brother Harry
Ells was selected to be master of the new lodge, and much credit for the
success of the organization is due to his untiring efforts, which have not
in the slightest degree lessened to the present time. The brethren of Durant
Lodge No. 268, of Berkeley, gave much assistance in instructing the
officers, and finally recommended the newly organized body to the Grand
Lodge. The petition to the Grand Lodge was signed by sixteen master masons,
and they were granted a dispensation by Grand Master William S. Wells on
April 5, 1902, and on November 8, 1902, the lodge was constituted by the
Grand Lodge under Grand Master Orrin Staples Henderson, who has always
manifested an interest in the lodge, as evidenced by occasional visits. The
growth of the lodge has been healthy and steady. In 1912 the population of
Richmond had increased so rapidly that it was felt that there was room for a
second lodge, and, upon recommendation of the lodge, the grand master
constituted Alpha Lodge No. 431, which, like its parent, is enjoying a
healthy growth, and the two lodges are now carrying on the work of Masonry
side by side in peace and harmony. The following is a list of those who have
served the lodge as master: Harry L. Ellis, 1902-1904; Doctor H. M. Barney,
1905; Doctor J. McMorrison, 1906; Palen Church, 1907; W. H. Johnston, 1908;
A. H. Campbell, 1909; Frank M. Palmer, 1910; J. H. Runirell, 1911; W. B.
Richmond, 1912; W. E. Rose, 1913; C. J. Peterson, 1914; E. L. Jones, 1915.
The officers of the lodge for the current year (1917) are: H. E. Jacobs, W.
M.; M. H. Carey, S. W.; C. H. Foote, J. W.; W. S. McRacken, treasurer; W. T.
Helms, secretary; R. C. Fernold, S. D.; F. G. Blackhart, J. D.; T. H.
Summers and W. M. Parks, stewards; F. L. Jones, chaplain; C. J. Peterson,
marshal; R. L. Adams, tyler. The membership roll is now nearing the two
hundred mark.
Pinole Lodge No. 353 held its preliminary
meeting November 11, 1902, at which John Bermingham was elected chairman,
and the charter was granted by Grand Master Orin S. Henderson on February
17, 1903, when J. C. F. Hall was elected master, A. Greenfield, senior
warden. The lodge was organized with eighteen members, since which time it
has added ninety-eight, and has lost five by death and twenty-three by dimit
and other causes, having at present eighty-eight members. Our finances are
in good shape, the lodge is prosperous, and there will be added many good
members during the next few months. A. Greenfield is filling the station of
master for the second term, he having been the second master. S. V. Sharp, a
young man and an active and zealous member, is senior warden, and A. D.
Hinton, a hard-working and energetic brother, is junior warden. The last two
are residents of Rodeo, whence the lodge has obtained some of its best
members.
For many years the Masons of Pittsburg,
California, plied back and forth faithfully attending their lodge at
Antioch, a diastance of seven miles, and this at a time when roads were not
State highways and automobiles were unknown. Oftentimes it was noticeable
that the majority at lodge were the Pittsburg members, notwithstanding the
difficulties in getting there. When the town began to grow and the number of
Masons increased, there began to rank in the breast of one of the members
who had served the offices and for two years as master of Antioch Lodge No.
175, a cherished hope that a lodge might be instituted in his home town,
Pittsburg. When at last it was brought before the other members at the home
of A. V. McFaul on November 25, 1911, a great deal of enthusiasm was
manifested and by January 20, 1912, the arrangements of details incident to
the organization of Pittsburg Lodge No. 429 were completed. Twenty-two
Master Masons, mostly dimitting from Antioch Lodge No. 175, comprised the
new lodge, whose first meeting under dispensation was held February 20,
1912. The officers chosen were: Archie Valentine McFaul, W. M.; Ernest
Herman Ward, S. W.; Harry W. Reinhart, J. W.; Bernard P. Lanteri, treasurer;
Warren George Hubbard Croxon, secretary; Albert Hendricks Jongeneel,
chaplain; James Shirley Hornsby, S. D.; John Lowes, J. D.; William James
Buchanan, marshal; Weaver McPherson Bailey and David Israel, stewards;
George Minaker, tyler. Charter was granted October 10, 1912, and on November
9, 1912, the lodge was instituted and officers installed. Grand Master W. P.
Filmer officiated and Grand Secretary John Whicher, Grand Junior Deacon Fred
B. Ward, with L. N. Buttner, Inspector of the Twenty-eighth Masonic
District, attended the ceremonies. At the present time the membership has
increased to double the original number, and on February 26, 1916, this
event was celebrated by entertaining some of the neighbor lodges in an
elaborate manner.
In 1912 a number of Masons, seeing the
needs of an additional lodge at Richmond, on account of the rapid growth and
the large territory that Richmond covers, petitioned the Grand Lodge for a
special dispensation to form a new lodge. Under date of June 4, 1912, the
lodge was organized with twenty-five charter members, under a special
dispensation, dated May 24, 1912, issued by Past Grand Master Alonzo J.
Monroe. The lodge under this special dispensation conferred the several
degrees on a number of candidates, and received a number of brothers by
affiliation. October 10, 1912, a charter was issued by Grand Master Alonzo
J. Monroe, and on November 12, 1912, the lodge was constituted by Grand
Master William P. Filmer and other officers of the Grand Lodge. The first
officers of the lodge were: Hershey Annin Stiver, W. M.; James Edward
Maxfield, S. W.; Thomas Thayer, J. W.; Leonard Little, treasurer; Albert
Hamilton Poage, secretary; Edward Howe Harlow, chaplain; Luke Joseph
Glavinovich, S. D.; Richard Edmond Slattery, J. D.; Ross Lewis Calfee,
marshal; Clyde Everett Hopping and Walter Alexander Maier, stewards; Max
Michaels, tyler. Since 1912-1913, Thomas Thayer and Luke Joseph Glavinovich
have served as master. Richard Edmond Slattery is at present master. The
lodge has had a steady growth, and has a membership of over two hundred.
The history of Mount Diablo Lodge No. 448
is short on account of its recent founding, but if a detailed account of its
early days was to be given it would show an unlimited amount of enthusiasm
on the part of the handful of faithful members of the craft who felt that it
was their duty and pleasure to promote the interests of the order in this
part of Contra Costa County. The Grand Lodge of California granted a
dispensation to the Masons in this locality on May 21, 1916, authorizing
them to form, open, and conduct a Masonic lodge according to the ancient
custom of the order. The first meeting was held May 30, 1915. The lodge
continued to work under this dispensation until October 17th of the same
year, when the grand lodge granted this present charter. On that date the
lodge was constituted and its officers installed by the grand lodge in the
Masonic Temple in Oakland, Benjamin F. Bledsoe, Grand Master. L. L. Martin
was the first master; Michaelis Neusteadter the senior warden and Charles W.
Thissell, junior warden. Twenty-three members signed the by-laws. At the
present writing the membership has reached forty, and, with the increasing
enthusiasm on the part of all, the future of Mount Diablo Lodge No. 448, F &
A. M., will be at least an honor and pleasure to all members of the craft in
Concord and the adjoining towns.
Dispensation to organize Antioch Chapter
No. 65, R. A. M., was granted June 3, 1884; charter was issued April 29,
1885; and the chapter was constituted May 13, 1885. Officers: C. H. Frink,
high priest; D. D. Wells, king; J. C. O'Brien, scribe; D. G. Darby,
treasurer; W. H. Dobyns, secretary; James Carter, captaiin of host; G. C.
Wright, principal sojourner; S. H. McKellips, royal arch captain; Geo.
Holliday, master of third vail; J. P. Abbott, master of second vail; N. W.
Smith, master of first vail; and George A. Minaker, guard.
Ariel Chapter No. 42, Order of the Eastern
Star, was instituted in Antioch on March 30, 1830, with the following as
charter members and officers: George Rice, worthy patron; Elizabeth
Williams, worthy matron; Alice Rouse, associate matron; Clarence Frink,
secretary; Mary Frink, treasurer; A. R. Jessup, conductress; Bertha Jacobs,
associate conductress; Annie McKellips, Adah; Kate Forman, Ruth; Mary E.
Smith, Esther; Nellie G. Abbott, Martha; Alice Harkinson, Electa. Beginning
with meager numbers, the chapter has grown into one of the leading
institutions of the city, and now has a membership of more than 140. Its
roster contains the names of many of the leading people of Antioch, and the
social functions for which the chapter stands sponsor are among the
principal events in the community.
Crockett Chapter No. 184, O. E. S., was
organized September 7, 1900. The officers at that time were: Emily Olletha
Walker, worthy matron; Edmund Freund, worthy patron; Libbie Emma Reid,
associate matron; Charles Phillip Thomas, secretary; Edmund Robert Reid,
treasurer; Emma Mary Hedemark, conductress; Nancy Calwell Moiles, associate
conductress; Henrietta Maria Enos, Adah; Kate Emily Edwards, Ruth; Minnie
Perrin Freund, Esther; Harriett Delila Weyman, Martha; Marie Schneider,
Electa; Marie Thompson, warder; James Thompson, sentinel. Present officers:
Maud Alice Gay, worthy matron; Jacob Erratt Hughes, worthy patron; Amelia
Kleinkopf, associate matron; Helena C. Paul, secretary; Annie Edwards,
treasurer; Grayce Anna Laidlaw, conductress; Annie J. Edwards, associate
conductress; Enid Elizabeth Staples, Adah; Elizabeth Colinina Helen Burdon,
Ruth; Louise Antonia Adams, Esther; Margaret Hughes, Martha; Daisy Stemmle,
Electa; Sarah Davies Jones, Warden; John Henry Dorman, sentinel; George
Jones, chaplain; Louise Smith, marshal; Lurah Lennon Madden, organist;
District Deputy Grand Matron of the Twenty-fifth District, Ethel I.
Sweetser. Membership at the present time, 83.
Pinole Chapter No. 220, O. E. S., was
instituted on February 23, 1904, by Grand Patron McNoble, assisted by Grand
Secretary Kate J. Willats. Miss Susie Willats was also present and assisted.
Following is a list of the fifteen charter members: Abraham Greenfield,
Belle Greenfield, Jennie Peterson, Bertha Evans, Ellen E. Barrett, Emma
Holliday, C. H. Holliday, Lillie E. Lehmkuhl, Chas. F. Lemkuhl, Mary Enloe,
Joseph V. Enloe, Lottie Pfeiffer, George W. Pfeiffer, Emily McKenzie
(affiliation), William McKenzie (affiliation).
Officers at the time: Lillie E. Lehmkuhl, worthy matron;
William McKenzie, worthy patron; Jennie Paterson, associate matron; Joseph
V. Enloe, secretary; Abraham Greenfield, treasurer; Emily McKenzie,
conductress; Bertha Evans, associate conductress; Belle Greenfield, Adah;
Emma Holliday, Ruth; May Enloe, Esther; Ellen Barrett, Martha; Lottie
Pfeiffer, Electa; Charles F. Lehmkuhl, warder; George W. Pfeiffer, sentinel.
Present officers (1916): Mary C. Woy, worthy matron; Henry McCullough,
worthy patron; Isabell Fraser, associate matron; Ella Gerrish, secretary;
George Pfeiffer, treasurer; Goldie Sill, conductress; Nellie Graham,
associate conductress; Minnie Higuera, Adah; Lillie Lehmkuhl, Ruth; Grace
Piquett, Esther; Emily McKenzie, Martha; Lucia Robison, Electa; Lillie
Catlett, chaplain; Lottie Pfeiffer, marshal; Clara Hughes, organist; William
McKenzie, warder; Stephen Johnston, sentinel. Total membership, 47. Finance
account, good. Masonic support, good. Harmony and sociability prevail.
Almona Chapter No. 214, O. E. S., was
organized at Walnut Creek, September 5, 1903, with the following officers:
Edith Clark, worthy matron; William Meese, worthy patron; Xarrissa Hill,
associate matron; Lena C. Anderson, secretary; Mary Walker, treasurer; Ethel
Flournoy, conductress; Ruby Harlan, associate conductress; Lizzie Lawrence,
Adah; Mary Burpee, Ruth; Laura Hood, Esther; Lucy Hull, Electa; Lillian
Close, chaplain; Nellie Fulton, organizer; Elizabeth Ramage, warder; James
M. Stow, sentinel. The officers at present are as follows: May Elizabeth
Stuchs, Lafayette, worthy matron; Harry Thurman Silver, Walnut Creek, worthy
patron; Lizzie Adelaide Duncan, Walnut Creek, associate matron; May Spencer,
Walnut Creek, secretary; Mary Burpee, Walnut Creek, treasurer; Eva Berry
Leech, Walnut Creek, conductress; Adele Hook, Hookston, associate
conductress; Maude Jones Silver, Walnut Creek, Adah; Ruby Burpee Harlan,
Walnut Creek, Ruth; Irene Bodva, Danville, Esther; Cora Billings Weister,
Danville, Martha; Josephine Hook, Hookston, Electa; Lillian Grass, Danville,
chaplain; Leona B. Abiott, Danville, marshal; Ida Hall, Alamo, organist;
Louise Hook, Hookston, warder; Louis Irwin Stuchs, Lafayette, sentinel. The
chapter lost by death, April 13, Belle Fiddis Brooks, associate conductress,
and June 16, 1916, Anna Journal, conductress, so have had to substitute
those two offices. Present membership, 117. Have $950 worth of stock in
Masonic Hall Association. The Masonic Temple is in course of construction.
Los Ceritos Chapter No. 234, O. E. S., was
organized at Martinez July 22, 1905, with the following officers: Margaret
V. Borland, worthy matron; William A. Hale, worthy patron; Mary E. Hayword,
associate matron; Vesta E. Wilson, secretary; George A. Wiley, treasurer;
Rebecca Pasch, conductress; Jennie I. Hale, associate conductress; Grace
Beulah C. Hodapp, Martha; Ednette M. Ingraham, Electa; Margaret Crilley,
warder; R. H. Latimer, sentinel. Present officers: Geneva H. Gleese, worthy
matron; Joseph A. Royster, worthy patron; Rachel H. Elliott, associate
matron; Mary E. Hayward, secretary; Don O. Brillhart, treasurer; Clara W.
Van Prooyen, conductress; Margaret L. Peck, associate conductress; Nannie E.
Sharkey, Adah; Jennie A. Brillhart, Ruth; Olive W. Reed, Esther; Viola R.
Coleman, Martha; Alta B. Hoadley, Electa; Sarah J. Davies, chaplain; Vesta
E. Wilson, organist; Agnes S. Royster, warder; Orville E. Hayward, sentinel.
Emma L. McClellan, marshal, died September 1, 1916. Present membership, 81.
Acantha Chapter No. 249, O. E. S., was
organized at Richmond, September 7, 1906. Instituted by Grand Patron Florin
Jones, assisted by Grand Treasurer Helen M. Seaman, acting as grand marshal,
and Grand Secretary Kate J. Willats. The following were the officers for the
first year: Margaret J. Schoen, worthy matron; Frederick M. Neville, worthy
patron; Winifred Stockwell, associate matron; Anna Neville, conductress;
Lola Jean McWay, associate conductress; Palmerton C. Campbell, secretary;
Nathan J. Pritchard, treasurer; Mary E. Campbell, Adah; Kate McVicker, Ruth;
Bessie Pritchard, Esther; Julia Odell, Martha; Amy McRacken, Electa; Eleanor
Gregory, warder; Samuel Smith, sentinel; Alfeus Odell, chaplain. The present
officers are as follows: Caroline Kinney, worthy matron; Clyde C. Olney,
worthy patron; Fannie I. Rowland, associate matron; Bernice McCormick,
secretary; Marietta Duncan, treasurer; Cora C. Thayer, conductress; Martha
A. Chandler, associate conductress; Edna Christie, Adah; Etherl Swearingen,
Ruth; Sadie V. Osler, Esther; Della A. Long, Martha; Mary A. McDonough,
Electa; John E. Breese, chaplain; Myrtle A. Stiver, marshal; Anna B. Miller,
organist; Anna M. Radcliffe, warden; Jesse A. Osler, sentinel. Present
membership, 199, with two more elected to affiliate, and two petitions for
initiations received September 8, 1916, which was tenth anniversary of the
chapter. From July 1, 1915, to July 1, 1916, received thirty-one into
membership. The chapter is prosperous in every way, the members taking great
interest, as is manifested by the attendance at the meetings.
RICHMOND LODGE NO. 1251, B. P. O. E.
On May 2, 1911, twenty-nine Elks signed a
petition expressing their willingness and desire to organize an Elks Lodge
in Richmond, and from that date begins the history of Elkdom in Richmond and
Contra Costa County. Then came the meetings, where were discussed many
things looking toward the advent of Berkeley Lodge No. 1002, our
mother-lodge. A committee was formed, and on the floor of the Berkeley Lodge
the request was made, and simultaneously the officers and brothers of that
lodge arose and responded as being in favor of instituting such lodge and
gave the committee guarantees of their heartiest assistance and support.
From the request of Berkeley followed the request to the D. D. G. E. R., F.
G. S. Conlon, of San Francisco. With Berkeley Lodge, he was invited to
Richmond on Sunday, at which time he was driven through the city to the
Standard Oil Company's plant and that of the California Wine Association at
Winehaven, to impress upon him the permanency of our institutions and
resources. On returning we repaired to Brother Wylie's restaurant where a
feed was spread. From there we went into session at Brother Abbott's office,
and after laying our propositions before the D. D. G. E. R. he replied that
from the spirit and enthusiasm shown he would sanction the project with his
indorsement. A dispensation was asked and granted August 1, 1911.
Eighteen of the twenty-nine petitioners met
in Brother C.J. Rihn's office and selected the officers for the term, as
follows: C. L. Abbott, exalted ruler; A. C. Lang, esteemed leading knight;
C. J. Rihn, loyal knight; H. G. Biggs, lecturing knight; F. W. Smith,
Secretary; F. C. Schram, treasurer; W. V. Keltz, A. H. Burnett, and E. W.
O'Brien, trustees; H. E. French, tyler; J. A. Bell, esquire; R. Bankhead,
chaplain; D. H. Carpenter, inner guard.
After the officers had been selected came
the question , whom to invite, and how to care for them. A motion was made
and approved to limit the expenditure to $150 and invite the mother-lodge
with certain representatives of the neighboring lodges. Soon thereafter we
concluded to invite all the Elks about the bay and let the expense take care
of itself. On the night of September 19, 1911, twenty-five hundred visitors
were in Richmond, and there was an institution unexampled and a spread of
viands and vintage fit for the gods. Immediately succeeding meetings gave an
impetus toward purchasing suitable property, so that when the time to build
should arrive we would at least have our site. The Hall Association was
incorporated January 26, 1912. The directors were as follows: C. L. Abbott,
president; A. C. Lang, vice-president; W. T. Helms, secretary; E.M. Downer,
treasurer; A. H. Burnett, F. C. Schrahm, H. W. Tuller, E. M. Tilden, M. L.
Fernandez. The first meeting of directors was on February 3, 1912. Two lots
on Tenth and Macdonald Avenue being available, Brother E. M. Tilden, in
behalf of the lodge, February 14, 1912, purchased the same at a cost of
$12,000. Only a short time elapsed before we decided to sell more stock and
issue bonds toward the building of a home. The contract for the basement was
let on April 25, 1913. The building, costing $78,000, was accepted January
26, 1914. The furnishings cost $22,000. The present structure with its
beauty of architecture and many accommodations is the result. It stands out
as the best and most modern building in Richmond, and is acknowledged the
greatest private asset of our fast-growing city. It is a home for Elks, come
from where they may. All are invited, all are welcome.
The Past Exhalted Rulers are: Doctor C. L.
Abbott, A. C. Lang, and Harcourt G. Biggs. The present officers are as
follows: J. A. Bell, exalted ruler; Howard French, esteemed leading knight;
Herman W. Tuller, esteemed loyal knight; Clare Horner, esteemed lecturing
knight; J. P. Arnold, secretary; J. O. Ford, treasurer; W. S. Pierce,
esquire; Rev. Thomas A. Boyer, chaplain; Joe Dietrich, inner guard; Peter
Brown, tyler. Trustees: A. H. Burnett, D. H. Carpenter, and J. A. McVittie.
Presley Neville, organist. Charter Members: C. L.Abbott, R. Bankhead, J. A.
Bell, H. C. Biggs, A. H. Burnett, D. H. Carpenter, Charles Dalton, B. E.
Fariss, H. E. French, J. E. Lowney, W.A. LaSalle, J. R. Froberg, J. J.
Grant, W. E. Hanson, N. R. Jackson, W. V. Keltz, C. F. Kings, A. C. Lam=ng,
J. W. Melbourne, E. W.O'Brien, John Purnhagen, Chas. J. Rihn, H. L. Rutley,
F. C. Schram, O. E. Smedley, Frank W. Smith, J. W. Switzer, E. H. Truax,
Oliver Wylie.
NATIVE SONS OF THE GOLDEN WEST
General Winn Parlor No. 32, Antioch. -
Instituted Saturday, July 26, 1884, by Grand President Steinbach, with a
membership of 25. C. F. Montgomery, president, and C. M. Belshaw, secretary.
Mount Diablo Parlor No. 101, Martinez. -
Instituted February 7, 1887, by Grand President Decker, and D. D. G. P., C.
M. Belshaw, with a membership of seventeen. T. A. McMahon, president, and F.
L.Glass, secretary.
Central Parlor No. 140, Walnut Creek. -
Instituted June 19, 1889, by Grand President Frank D. Ryan, with a
membership of 39. E. B. Anderson, president, and James A. Black, secretary.
Dissolved April 25, 1896.
Byron Parlor No. 170, Byron.- Instituted
February 7, 1891, by Grand President Miller, with a membership of 20. W. H.
Johnston, president, and W. H. Lewis, secretary.
Sunrise Parlor No. 204, Pinole. -
Instituted August 4, 1899, by Grand President Frank Mattison, with a
membership of 33. J. W. Wilson, president, and John Wunderlich, secretary.
Dissolved April 27, 1906.
Carquinez Parlor No. 205, Crockett. -
Instituted August 5, 1899, by Grand President Frank Mattison, with a
membership of 44. W. H. McDonald, president, and H. T. Smith, secretary.
Richmond Parlor No. 217, Richmond. -
Instituted January 6, 1903, by Grand President Byington, with a membership
of 21. C. F. Grant, president, and J. D. Grant, secretary.
Concord Parlor No. 245, Concord. -
Instituted November 2, 1908, by Grand Organizer Andrew Mocker, with a
membership of 30. A. C. Gehringer, president, and C. Hook, Secretary.
Diamond Parlor No. 246, Pittsburg. -
Instituted February 4, 1909, by Grand Organizer Mocker, with a membership of
27. W. G. H. Croxon, president, and L. H. Schmalholz, secretary.
San Ramon Valley Parlor No. 249,
Danville. - Instituted April 10, 1909, by Grand Organizer Mocker, with a
membership of 23. C. G. Goold, president, and S. H. Flournoy, secretary.