Dublin Core
Title
Centennial Monograph: Loyal Order of Moose
Description
Despite having over 200 members at its peak, there was surprisingly little information on this fraternal society that operated from 16 years in the early 20th century.
Creator
Birger Koski
Date
1966-02
Identifier
2019.233
Document Item Type Metadata
Text
A secret beneficiary, fraternal society founded in 1888 at Louisville, Kentucky by Dr, J. H. Wilson. The society aims to furnish the advantages of fraternal membership without the necessity of accepting life insurance or of pledging to any particular cause. The society maintains a home and vocational school for needy members and their orphans at Mooseheart, near Aurora, Illinois.
The Loyal Order of Moose, Maynard Lodge 1023 was instituted May 17, 1915 at Masonic Hall with dignitaries from the Grand Lodge and surrounding communities. John Richard, Deputy National Director, was the organizer. News items of February 19, April 2 and 15, 1915 from the Maynard News indicated that entrance fees were $5.00 but after the charter closed they would be $25.00, Also that about 50 candidates were already secured. No names of the first officers were in the paper.
An earlier attempt to organize a Lodge reported in the News of March 17, 1911 did not materialize.
Meetings were held at first at Odd Fellows Hall, followed by (the) Hall over T. F. Parker's store on Main Street and rooms over the store on Main Street occupied by our Publicity Director, Elizabeth Schnair and the K of C Hall.
A June 1915 news in the Maynard News shows the Lodge to have 100 members.
A four night fair in Cooperative Hall was reported on December 22, I916. Dancing to the Colonial Orchestra was enjoyed by all. Booths were in charge of Misses Lottie Ryan, Edward Ryan, Henry Weir, William Hayward, Frank Prue, William Tobin, Percy Grady, Cornelius Murphy, Richard Kelsey, Frank Brayden, Fred King, Dennis White, Leonard Smith, Miles Tierney, and Miss Elizabeth Olson. Walter White was Treasurer at this time.
April 6, 1917 news item reports the headquarters as being over T. F. Parker's Store. William Connly and P. J. Schnair were listed as in charge.
Former members that were contacted for this paper include Alexander Bourque, Secretary for many years, Frank Brayden and Elmer Mattson. Mr. Mattson remembered that the benefits of this Fraternal Society were $7 weekly for sickness, $100 for death, the doctor was Dr. Flaherty, the membership at its highest was between 200 and 300 members.
The organization flourished until about 1931 when it was dissolved.
A surprising side-light on this organization was the lack of news publicity. We have only a half dozen dates up to 1917 in the Maynard News and after that for
thirteen or fourteen years nothing.
I am indebted to Frank Sheridan for aiding in my research.
Read at the February, I966 Meeting of The Maynard Historical Society
B.R.KOSKI
The Loyal Order of Moose, Maynard Lodge 1023 was instituted May 17, 1915 at Masonic Hall with dignitaries from the Grand Lodge and surrounding communities. John Richard, Deputy National Director, was the organizer. News items of February 19, April 2 and 15, 1915 from the Maynard News indicated that entrance fees were $5.00 but after the charter closed they would be $25.00, Also that about 50 candidates were already secured. No names of the first officers were in the paper.
An earlier attempt to organize a Lodge reported in the News of March 17, 1911 did not materialize.
Meetings were held at first at Odd Fellows Hall, followed by (the) Hall over T. F. Parker's store on Main Street and rooms over the store on Main Street occupied by our Publicity Director, Elizabeth Schnair and the K of C Hall.
A June 1915 news in the Maynard News shows the Lodge to have 100 members.
A four night fair in Cooperative Hall was reported on December 22, I916. Dancing to the Colonial Orchestra was enjoyed by all. Booths were in charge of Misses Lottie Ryan, Edward Ryan, Henry Weir, William Hayward, Frank Prue, William Tobin, Percy Grady, Cornelius Murphy, Richard Kelsey, Frank Brayden, Fred King, Dennis White, Leonard Smith, Miles Tierney, and Miss Elizabeth Olson. Walter White was Treasurer at this time.
April 6, 1917 news item reports the headquarters as being over T. F. Parker's Store. William Connly and P. J. Schnair were listed as in charge.
Former members that were contacted for this paper include Alexander Bourque, Secretary for many years, Frank Brayden and Elmer Mattson. Mr. Mattson remembered that the benefits of this Fraternal Society were $7 weekly for sickness, $100 for death, the doctor was Dr. Flaherty, the membership at its highest was between 200 and 300 members.
The organization flourished until about 1931 when it was dissolved.
A surprising side-light on this organization was the lack of news publicity. We have only a half dozen dates up to 1917 in the Maynard News and after that for
thirteen or fourteen years nothing.
I am indebted to Frank Sheridan for aiding in my research.
Read at the February, I966 Meeting of The Maynard Historical Society
B.R.KOSKI
Storage
SU9-4