|
The following is a brief history and description of Secret Societies found in Bellefonte Through the Years.
FREE MASONS
The first secret organization formed in Bellefonte, of which there remains any record, was a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons known as Central Lodge No. 192. The Bellefonte Patriot of 1825 contained a notice of a procession of this lodge on Dec. 27 of that year under the charge of John Rankin, Constans Curtin and James Armor. The loss of Masonic records, by fire in 1887, included in these records of this lodge and prevents the procuring of any authentic information in regard to its history. It seems to have gone out of existance sometime prior to 1850, probably during the anti-masonic war.
Bellefonte Lodge No. 268, F. and A. M. was chartered Jan. 24th, 1853. The list of chartered members include James Armor, Issac May, Andrew Gregg, James Gilliland and Aaron Stewart, who were among the influential and leading citizens of Bellefonte at that time. The first lodge room was in the building known at that date as The Old Fellows Temple. It is very probable that this lodge is a reorganization of the old Central Lodge which had ceased to meet as a lodge on account of the antagonism to masonry that existed in the public mind during the later part of the "forties." If this surmise is correct the Masonic Lodge is the oldest secret organization in Bellefonte. When Bush's Arcade was built in 1867, the lodge secured rooms in it and furnished them very handsomely. A "Grand" dedication occurred August 1st, 1867, as hundreds of members from neighboring lodges, attended. A parade through the streets of Bellefonte, by these visiting lodge members, with their paraphernalia on, during the day drew much attention. Lodges from Lock Haven, McVeytown, Williamsport, Lewistown, Altoona, Emporium and Clearfield, and Philipsburg participated and music was provided by the Bellefonte Brass Band and a band from Huntingdon. The dedication ceremonies were conducted by the Hon. Richard Vaux, of Philadelphia. The building was destroyed by fire in January 1877 and the lodge suffered a severe loss in all its paraphernalia and records. Rooms were then secured in the new bank building of W. F. Reynolds, on the southeast corner of the Diamond. The 1900 membership of the Blue Lodge is something over a hundred.
Constans Commandery No. 33, Knight Templar was chartered June 10th, 1868, S. T. Shugert being the first eminent commander. The 21st annual conclave of the Knights Templar was held in Bellefonte, May 12, 1874.
Bellefonte chapter No. 241, Royal Arch Masons was chartered May 2, 1872, D. G. Bush being the first high priest.
ODD FELLOWS
Centre Lodge No. 153, I. O. O. F. was instituted Feb. 23, 1846 by District Deputy Grand Master James Gamble and members from Clinton Lodge No. 98, Jersey Shore Lodge No. 101 and a few members from Juniata Lodge. The first meetings were held in a hall in the east end of the county court house. The first officers were Noble Grand, Henry Baker; Vice-Grand, C. H. Bressler; financial secretary, P. B. Wilson; recording secretary, William A. Baker, and treasurer, Daniel Welsh. The Lodge continued to meet in the court house until November 19th, 1846, when they moved to the Masonic hall located on east High street. The first years of the Lodge's existence were not very successful; they took in some new members but not much interest was generated. On April 4th, 1856, it surrendered its charter. After a lapse of eleven years a few "Brothers" made application to the Grand Lodge for restoration of the old charter, which was granted and the Grand Master delegated District Deputy Grand Master James N. Bell, of Blair county, to deliver the charter and books and reorganize Centre Lodge. The reorganization took place in the McClain block on west High street, opposite the Bush House. They continued to meet at this location until January 19th, 1888, when they leased the 3rd floor of the Crider building, on High street, adjoining Crider's Exchange.
During the early part of the 19th century, the Lodge had an orchestra under the leadership of Willis E. Wion. They regularly provided music for the Lodge and occasionally other Lodges throughout the county. The 1900 membership was 120.
Bellefonte Encampment No. 72, I. O. O. F. was chartered Mar. 6, 1872.
The Odd Fellows enjoy the distinction of being the oldest organization in continuous existence in Bellefonte. It is in a flourishing and prospering condition and has in its membership many of our wealthy and prominent citizens. Time of meeting for the lodge, every Thursday evening. Encampment, 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.
KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE
Bellefonte Castle, No. 357, K. G. E., of Pa., was instituted April 8, 1890, with a charter membership of 35. By the time of their 4th anniversary in 1894, their membership had grown to 150. The organization met every Tuesday evening.
Bellefonte Commandery No. 89 K. G. E. was organized May 1st, 1894, and had a membership of 41 Sir Nights. H. S. Taylor was chaplin and S. D. Gettig secretary. The Eagles leased the 3rd floor of the new building, E. S. Pruner had erected on Allegheny street and occupied them as soon as the building was completed. By 1900 the Castle met in McClain's block opposite the Bush House.
The Eagles of Central Pennsylvania held a reunion in Bellefonte Aug. 18, 1892.
TEMPLE OF HONOR & TEMPERANCE
(This order was established in 1845 and was originally known as "The Marshall Temperance Fraternity," then the "Marshall Temple, Sons of Honor," before adopting its title of "Temple of Honor and Temperance."
The order was a fraternal temperance society, modeled on the "Sons of Temperance." It utilized a six degree system for its members, and whose ritual were based on the Biblical story of David and Jonathan, of the legend of Damon and Pythias, and the medieval Knights Templars. It had secret signs, passwords, grips, emblems and collars and aprons very similar to the Masonic Fraternity and the Odd Fellows.)
The Bellefonte Temple of Honor & Temperance, No. 92, was reorganized in May of 1871. After that time they met every Monday evening on the second floor of the Bush Arcade. Some of the members at that time were Roland Cheeseman, John I. Irwin, Samuel Adams & John A. Bell.
|
|
