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CHAPTER VII
The Churches and Secret Organizations of Chesapeake City
No history of a town or community is complete without enumerating the lodges and
secret orders which are there established. Chesapeake City may boast of several
flourishing societies and orders and these play no small part in the social and
fraternal life of the town. The purpose of this chapter is to present the
purpose and activities of the secret societies churches and municipal
organizations.
The Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, Bohemia Lodge Number 68, was installed in Chesapeake City, February 13, 1850. The lodge was instituted in the property now owned by John Reed, and is used as a pool room at this time.
Messrs. John A. Thompson, and J. Mearis, were instrumental in getting the lodge started in Chesapeake City. The charter members were Messrs. John A. Thompson, J. Mearis, John H. Jerome, John M. Crack, G. D. Tewsbury, Samuel K. Wentz, S. I. Cropper, Absalon P. Cropper, Peter Marriner, William P. Cropper, and James S. Schultz.
This lodge at the present time owns its property, on Bohemia Avenue, which it shares with other orders. (Page 68)Bohemia Lodge Number 68 is the oldest lodge in the county and next to the oldest in the state. The lodge now has a membership of thirty-nine members.
The Cecil Lodge No. 125 dates its origin from May 14, 1866. The Masons of Chesapeake City and vicinity who held their membership at various lodges were ambitious to have a lodge of their own in the home town. They took all measures to secure a charter from the Grand Lodge of the State of Maryland. Like all other Masonic Lodges it was to be founded upon the highest ideals of life and citizenship. A search into the history and traditions of the lodge reveal that this early citizenship was earnest in there endeavors to get their organization started and took all measures necessary for its founding.
The early officers of this particular lodge are as follows, John W. Harriot, Master, W. H. Kirk, Senior Warden, W. Lindsey, Junior Warden. The lodge was first instituted in the Odd-Fellows Hall. Some of the early members were J. W. Harriot, W. H. Kirk, W. Lindsey, W. C. Karsner, E. B. Bowen, Joseph H. Steele, Powell Smack, James Cummins, Waitman Smithers, and others.
The growth of the lodge was very rapid each member doing his part to help make a great start. In 1871 the lodge contributed thirty-eight dollars to the Chicago suffers. The aim of the lodge is to lend a helping (Page 69)hand when needed.
In 1869 the Masons felt that they wanted a building of their own. The members at once started working on a plan to raise money for this building. They decided to have a large fair which they designated "The Grand Scheme". A committee was appointed to take charge of this undertaking. The men on the committee were W. C. Karsner, W. B. Bowen, and Joseph H. Steele. The Masons' wives took a great part in this. They helped all they could to make the fair a success. The fair lasted two weeks. It is said that this was the largest ever held in Chesapeake City. It was a great success and (Page 68) considerable money was thus raised.
The lodge thereupon formed a stock company and certificates of stock were issued to the members. Mr. Charles Rhoads was appointed collector of subscribed stock for the new building. The stock was soon all bought up and they then decided to build. The committee to secure mementoes to put in the corner stone consisted of W. C. Karsner, William Lindsey, Waitman Smithers, William J. Barwick, and John Harriot. They secured a large collection for the corner stone. It consists of the Constitution and By Laws of the Grand Lodge of Maryland. Constitution and By Laws of Cecil Lodge No. 125 A. F. & A. M.; a copy of the Cecil Whig Newspaper, the Cecil Democrat Newspaper; a copy of the Methodist Home Journal; (Page 70) the name of the town commissioners and officers; several old coins; a Note of Elkton Bank; the Master Masons wives, daughters, sisters and nieces; a copy of the Baltimore Gazette; the eleventh annual report of the Maryland Sunday School Union; and Rules and Orders for the Regulation and government of the Senate of Maryland January Session 1867 and many other articles of interest.
The building stands in the center of the town. It is made of white pine lumber and is three stories high. It is the most expensive structure in the town. The first floor is composed of three rooms which are rented out. The second floor is used as an opera house. The third floor is the Masons' meeting room. The building was completed in 1870. The first officers at the meeting were E. P. Bowen, Worshipful Master, Charles Rhoads, Senior Warden, John Smithers, Junior Warden, Wm. Lindsey, Secretary, Powell Smack, Treasure, Wm. J. Barwick, Senior Deacon, James Cummins, Junior Deacon.
The lodge at the present time is in a flourishing condition. The rental of the hall brings them in a large sum each year. The lodge has a membership of forty three. The present officers are as follows: H. G. Pager, Worshipful Master, Charles S. Ellison, Jr., Senior Warden, Irving Bruke, Junior Warden, Hugh W. Caldwell, Secretary, Byron Bouchelle, Treasure.
(Page 71)The Junior Order of United American Mechanics was organized in Chesapeake City by Alexander Van Buskirk and George Schrader on April 9, 1894. Mr. Schrader was the first Junior Past Counselor and Mr. Buskirk the first Counselor. The lodge was first instituted in Franklin Hall. The young men of the town took great interest in the lodge from the start, and it grew very rapidly. The charter members were George Schrader, Charles Lake, Alexander van Buskirk, R. B. Lake, Charles H. Buckworth, Clinton Toy, Elmer Watson, Malrey Toy, David Biddle, Alfred Hague, and others.
The objects of this order is best written in the language of its constitution and by-laws etc. It is as follows:
"First -- To maintain and promote the interests of Americans and shield them from the depressing effects of unrestricted immigration; to assist them in obtaining employment and to encourage them in business.
Second -- To provide for the creation of a fund or funds for the payment of benefits in case of sickness, disability or death of its members, to members, their legal dependents (Page 70) or representatives, and to issue certificates of membership for the same.
Third -- To uphold the American Public School System to prevent interference therewith, and to encourage the reading of the Holy Bible in the schools (Page 72) thereof.
Fourth -- To promote and maintain a National Orphans' Home."
This lodge takes great interest in the Chesapeake City High School. It has presented the school with a flag a number of times and also gave a banquet to the students on a recent occasion. At the present time the lodge has one hundred and one members, and has finances in a sound condition.
The Daughters of America, a lodge principally for the women, was installed in Chesapeake City by Harry Bouchelle May 12, 1898. This lodge was first instituted in Franklin Hall. The ladies of the town took great interest in the lodge and it grew from the start. The charter members were J. M. Reed, Margaret Curry, Lizzie Blanchfield, H. Bouchelle, James Curry, Annie Creamer, Mary Fillingame, Alexander Van Buskirk, Mary Carty, Suson Murry, Mary Broadway, Addie Bristow, Sarah Curry, Lindsey Bristow, and Sallie Vaughan.
The lodge now meets in the Odd-Fellows Hall on Main Street. It has a membership of thirty-seven. And most of these members are present at every meeting and help to do all they can to get more members into the lodge.
Any member of this lodge who is sick, with doctor attending them will receive two dollars for the (Page 73) first week and four dollars each week for thirteen weeks. At the end of thirteen weeks if they are still sick they will receive two dollars a week as long as they are sick or disabled.
Shawmut Tribe No. 133, Improved Order of Red Men of Chesapeake City, and Reservation of Maryland, was organized in Franklin Hall, Chesapeake City, July 1, 1901. Mr. William T. Harriot was the originator of the idea of starting the order in this community, and was one of the first officers. The charter members were, Messrs. William T. Harriot, William T. Giles, William B. Peterson, William J. Arrants, William Whiteoak, Andrew Slicher, Charles E. Carty, Albert A. Beiswanger, Jones H. Johnson, Harry Pensel, J. T. Curry, J. B. Straddley, George W. Lum, Harper Hazel, Edward Stapp, James Curry, T. H. Vandergrift, George Herman, Andrew Ross, Joel Kincaid, Harry J. Krastel, George M. Pote, Harry B. Fillingame, Edward Alexander, Harry Roberts, Walter Woods, J. M. Lake, T. M. Fillingame, Arch Buckworth and J. H. Harris.
After holding meetings in Franklin Hall for a time the tribe moved to Pensel's Hall, where they stayed for several years. The order now meets in the Odd-Fellows' Hall with seventy-five active members.
(Page 74)A man has to come up to a high standard of citizenship to become a member of this lodge. He must be between the ages of eighteen and fifty, they must be free from all diseases and of sound mind and body. The order pays sick and death benefits. Up until late years, if any member died the order sent his oldest son to school, but since the starting of the free school this custom has been dropped. Upon the death of a member, the death benefits are paid to his widow, or if he has no relations the tribe give him burial and all money left over is disposed of as the tribe sees best.
Shawmut Tribe of Chief Haymakers, No. 133½, a branch of Shawmut Tribe No. 133, Improved Order of Red Men of Chesapeake City, were organized in the Odd-Fellows' Hall, January 29, 1916. The charter members were, Messrs. George E. Herman, Charles C. Banks, Charles E. Carty, William Vaughn, Andrew Slicher, Andrew Ross, James Curry, Harry Krastel, William Harriot, Clarence E. Mumford, Edward Pensel, George A. Morgan, A. Albert Stapp, John E. Taylor, Charles E. Stapp, Leroy Allen, John S. Krastel, J. H. Titter, H. B. Fillingame, Harry K. Morgan and Lewis Blansfield.
The order pays no benefits, the dues all being spent to hold banquets at certain intervals. They have a (Page 75) membership of twenty-six, and hold their meetings with the Red Men in the Odd-Fellows' Hall on every Tuesday night.
On March 16, 1911, about midnight, the people of Chesapeake City were called from their homes by fire alarm. The town at this time did not have any fire company and the people had to use buckets in order to stop the fire. The fire was on Canal Street. The men with their buckets were doing all they could to put an end to the blaze but it had too much start. The steamer Penn was going through the canal, she stopped and helped to save the rest of the buildings. Three buildings burned in this fire. This was a great loss to the owners of the houses and also a loss for the people living in them.
The next day the people of the town hastened to organize a fire company. The first meeting was held in the building owned by Mr. Reed. At this meeting they decided to ask each tax payer in the town to pay a certain amount towards the starting of a fire company. The amount collected and contributed was $3,000.00.
A committee was appointed to buy an engine. This committee went to Baltimore and bought an engine that had been used in a play called "Fighting the Flames". The total cost of the engine was $366.30. This was a (Page 76)great bargain as the engine had been used but very little. Then a suction hose was bought for the engine which cost $100.00. After this 1600 feet of hose was bought which cost $1200.00. This hose will reach from the creek or canal to any house in town.
On November 14, 1911 the company became a corporation of the State of Maryland, under the name of Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 of Chesapeake City, Incorporated.
The total amount of capital stock of the fire company is two hundred shares of the par value of one dollar. Any person desiring to become a member of the company has to buy one share of stock.
The first directors of the corporation were J. P. Steel, Clifton C. Laws, Waitman Smithers, Benjamin Carpenter, George N. Bennett, John M. Brown, George H. Reuss, Z. T. Loveless, James S. Hopper and Hugh W. Caldwell.
Under a special act of the legislature the town gives three cents on the hundred dollars to the fire company, which sum amounts to one hundred and twenty-five dollars annually.
The Fire Company has responded to all fires and has done good work each time. The company has also (Page 77) gone to help other towns. At the present time it has one hundred and one active members.
The officers for this year are C. C. Banks, President, J. S. Krastel, Vice-President, H. W. Caldwell, Treasurer, and W. W. Schaefer, Secretary.
The streets and pavements of the town have been improved from time to time and are in very good condition at the present. The town is well drained and well lighted and the work of the Town Board, for the last few years, has been highly successful. The community abounds in good schools and numerous churches. The roads leading to and from the town are excellent and all these things have a tendency to increase the commerce, to heighten the community interest, and to build up the town. Unfortunately, the tide of community interest is at its ebb at the present time. However, the possibilities of the town are great, and if the citizens will get together and stand together and have the proper community spirit and interest, and try to secure things for the town that have the tendency to build up industries and the commerce, much can be accomplished, and the town would undoubtedly become prosperous and flourishing.
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The Presbyterian Church was organized by the Committee of the Presbytery on November 8, 1857, with eight members who were the leading people of this community. Messrs. Thomas B. Hopper and Lewis P. Ellison were elected Elders.
The present church was erected in the latter part of the year 1859, and dedicated on January 8, 1860, it stands on Biddle Street below Hemphill. The church owns its own rectory which has been purchased in recent years. This property is located on Biddle Street above the church.
The Elders of the church have been Messrs. Thomas B. Hopper, Lewis P. Ellison, Thomas M. Futive, E. P. Hipple, H. H. Brady, John M. Reed, Samuel Powell, L. (Page 79)Frank Ellison, James S. Hopper and Fred T. McIntire.
Those who have ministered to the Presbyterian congregation since its organization are Reverends, John W. Mears, J. M. Duncan, James McIntire, H. A. Louisburg, Charles H. Ewing, H. Mathews, Isaac Riley, Daniel G. Mallery, G. W. Goodsell, John Patton, J. O. Sloan, Charles P. Malley, C. H. Rodney, E. W. Westervelt, J. L. Caton, S. M. Perry, William Clews and J. E. Eggert.
The Episcopal Church known as, The Church of the Good Shepherd, was erected in 1882. The vestry of the church were Messrs. Byron Bouchelle, J. H. Steel, R. H. Baker, J. H. Blair, Benjamin P. Hanson, G. O. Massey, George W. Kibler, elected the 11th day of April 1882. Rev. William Schouler was the first (Page 77) rector of the church and also chairman of the building committee. He resigned as rector in 1877, when Rev. Jacob H. Miller of Port Deposit was called and accepted. Rev. Schouler worked hard for the church in the five years that he was rector. Rev. Jacob H. Miller served the church until 1890. He was also a great worker for the church.
The building cost about $5000.00, and was dedicated in the year 1882. Services are still being conducted by the Rev. Percy Donahey of Middletown, Delaware. The church stands on the corner of Third and George Streets.(Page 80) At the present time it has a large attendance.
The Catholic Church was built in the year 1874, and named St. Rose Lima. It was built while Bishop Becker was at the head of this Diocese. For many years it was under the Jesuits, who for many years had the Bohemia Church.
For a number of years it has been served by the Secular priests, the Jesuits having left Cecil County. The church of St. Rose Lima, with two other churches make up this charge. They are Bohemia Church and the church at Middletown, Delaware.
When this church first came under the Secular priests, it was served by the Elkton church. Father Iron was the last priest from Elkton to serve the church, before it came under the present charge. The Rector of the Chesapeake City Church at the present time is Father Crowley, of Middletown, the head of this Parish. End of VII
(Page 77A)Whitefield ministered to the people of Bohemia Manor as early as 1740, and so when Richard Wright, who came over with Bishop Asbury in 1777, he found a prepared soil for Methodism. He found little difficulty in making converts of the leading people such as the Bouchells, Bayards, Sluyters, Herseys, Bassetts and Thompsons, who became the founders of Methodism in the region.
A society was organized at a point near what is now called Cayot's Corner, in 1772. A log chapel was built and in this humble chapel Bishop Asbury, Benjamin Abbott, Freeborn Garretson, Captain Webb and other noted early Methodists preached. A chapel was soon after organized at Bethel.
With the building of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Chesapeake City Methodism became an established denomination in the town. A church and Sunday School were built in 1846. The records of this church before 1870, are supposed to have been lost if there were any records kept at that time. It is supposed that Bishop (Page 78) Asbury held services in the church at Chesapeake City. The strictest discipline was also maintained. As late as 1874, persons were brought to trial in the Chesapeake City for habitual neglect of the "means of grace" and were expelled from the church.
This church was displaced by the present one in the year 1888, a parsonage was also built in 1912. The church is situated on the corner of Bohemia Avenue, and Third Street. Services are still being conducted by the Rev. M. D. Nutter, with a good congregation of the leading people. (Page 78)
s/Ralph E. Morgan and Alfred L. Pierce
CHAPTER VIII BEGINS ON PAGE 78
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