Following is a list of the principal secret and fraternal societies, social and business clubs of McDonough County, classified under the names of the cities and towns with which they are respectively identified: MACOMB ORGANIZATIONS. Masonic Lodge No. 17, A. F. &. A. M., was organized under a dispensation issued January 30, 1843, to CHARLES HAYS, REZIN NAYLOR, JAMES CHANDLER, JR., JOHN ANDERSON, THOMAS J. SMITH, ALEXANDER SIMPSON and O. M. HOAGLAND. The first meeting was held February 24, 1843, when there were present LEVI LUSK, S. G. W. M., CHARLES HAYS, S. W.; JAMES CHANDLER, JR., J. W.; JOHN ANDERSON, Secy.; JAMES M. WALKER, Treas.; REZIN NAYLOR, S. D.; THOMAS SMITHERS, J. D.; GEORGE H. RICE, TYLER; and THOMAS A. BROOKING. The first regular officers installed were: REZIN NAYLOR, W. M.; CHARLES HAYS, S.W.; JAMES CHANDLER, JR., J. W. CYRUS WALKER, one of the eminent lawyers of this state, was the first member initiated, which occurred at this first meeting. At a meeting held February 25, petitions were received from PINKNEY H. WALKER, (who afterward, for more than twenty-five years, was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois), WILLIAM ERVIN and JOSEPH E. WYNE, and the second and third degrees were conferred on CYRUS A. LAWSON, one of the principal merchants of Macomb. The lodge received its charter dated October 2, 1843. The following persons have held the office of W. M. of the lodge: JAMES CHANDLER, JOSEPH E. WYNE, PINKNEY H. WALKER, WILLIAM ERVIN, THOMAS BROOKING, JAMES B. KYLE, J. L. N. HALL, C. N. HARDING, C. S. CHURCHILL, ALBERT EADS, J. H. FUHR, WILLIAM C. JOHNSON, C. A. FLACK and A. F. FISHER. There may have been others not now remembered. In 1867 a few members, headed by DRS. KYLE and HAMMOND, petitioned for charter U. D., which was granted and named Kyle Lodge. After an existence of about ten years, this organization surrendered its charter and a large majority of its members returned to the parent lodge. The present membership is upward of 150, and the condition of the lodge is most excellent. It owns a beautiful brick block, three stories in height, within which is a neatly fitted-up lodge-room. The building, 25 x 80 feet, was erected in 1881. The lower rooms are occupied as a store and offices. The interior is finely frescoed, paneled with Masonic emblems, and overhead in the east end is a well proportioned arch with appropriate motto. The ceiling is studded with stars representing the starry heavens. The lodge-room proper is 26 X 60 feet in size, with examination and ante-rooms. The present officers are: L. W. JOHNSON, w. m.; S. P. ODENWELLER, s.w.; CHARLES MARTIN, j. w.; W. E. DUDMAN, secy.; J. W. WYNE, treas.; and GEORGE HOLMES, tyler. Morse Chapter No. 19, Royal Arch Masons, was organized under dispensation in August, 1854, and the first meeting was held August 28. The following is a list of the original members: G. M. HUGGINS, WILLIAM ERVIN, J. L. N. HALL, JAMES B. KYLE, CYRUS A. LAWSON, J. M. WESTFALL, THOMAS I. GARRETT, RALPH HARRIS, O. M. HOAGLAND, CHARLES HAYES and D. G. TUNNICLIFF. Of these not one is now living. The first officers were: RALPH HARRIS, M E. H. P.; JAMES B. KYLE, E. K.; CYRUS A. LAWSON, E. S.; G. M. HUGGINS, C. H.; J. L. N. HALL, P. S.; WILLIAM ERVIN, R. A. C.; I. M. WESTFALL,, M. F. V.; CHARLES HAYS M S. V.; D. G. TUNNICLIFF, S.; THOMAS I. GARRETT, G. The Chapter at present has over 100 members, and has been known since its organization as one of the best in the state, and still continues in a flourishing condition. The present officers are: W. C. JOHNSON, H. P.; T. MCFADDEN, KING; S. P. ODENWELLER, SCRIBE; A. L. BROCKWAY, TREAS.; B. T. WHITMAN, SECY.; T. H. MAPES, C. OF H.; W. E. DUDMAN, P. S.; J. E. NORTON, R. A. C.; W. R. JENKINS, M. OF 3D V.; E. MCLEAN, C. OF 1ST V.; A. E. PURDUM, C. OF 2D V.; N. L. BUTCHER, TYLER. Macomb Commandery No. 61, Knights Templar, was organized U. D. December 18, 1891, by S. O. SPRING, Grand Commander, the following constituting the first membership: ALBERT EADS, WILLIAM C. JOHNSON, LORENTUS A. PENNYWITT, ALEXANDER MCLEAN, LAWRENCE Y. SHERMAN, EDMUND LAWRENCE, THOMAS M. HALL, JAMES STATLER, WILLIAM PRENTISS, REUBEN POWELL, JAMES O. PEALS, Q. C. WARD, ABRAHAM HORROCKS, I. N. PEARSON, N. H. JACKSON, JOSEPH B. BACON, H. R. PATTERSON, J. L. BAILEY, E. A. LANE, J. W. BOOTH, S. D. MILLS, WILLIAM W. SMITH, A. FISHER, J. M. JACKSON, SAMUEL PARK and H. B. SIKES. The first conclave was held December 18, 1891, with the following officers: ALBERT EADS, E. C.; WILLIAM C. JOHNSON, G.; L. A. PENNYWITT, C. G.; J. L. BAILEY, P.; J. O. PEASLEY, S. W.; L. Y. SHERMAN, J. W.; Q. C. WARD, TREAS.; ALEXANDER MCLEAN, RECORDER; H. R. BARTLESON, STANDARD BEARER; LOUIS STOCKER, SWORD BEARER; E. A. LANE, WARDEN, and ED. LAWRENCE, SENTINEL. On November 18, 1892, r. e. g. c. J. P. Sherman, as proxy for the Grand Commander, was present and presented a regular charter for the Commandery dated October 27, 1892, and the Commandery was declared duly instituted. At this meeting the officers, as stated above, were duly elected and appointed with the addition of Trustees, who were A. EADS, W. C. JOHNSON, L. W. PENNYWITT, A. K. LODGE and C. V. CHANDLER. This Commandery now numbers 130 members, and has been an active and prosperous organization to the present time. The present officers are: JAMES W. BAILEY, E. C.; WILLIAM C. JOHNSON, G.; L. W. JOHNSON, C. G.; F. Y. VERNON, S. W.; J. L. SCOTT, J.. W.; A. FISHER, P.; A. L. BROCKWAY, TREAS.; ALEXANDER MCLANE, RECORDER. The appointed officers are W. E. DUDMAN, WARDER; A. A. MESSMORE, STANDARD BEARER; E. A. LANE, SWORD BEARER, N. L. BUTCHER, SENTINEL; AND SIR KNIGHTS J. W. BAILEY, WILLIAM C. JOHNSON, L. W. JOHNSON, A. EADS AND F. R. L KYLE, TRUSTEES. Macomb Chapter No. 123, Order of Eastern Star, A. F. & A. M., was organized February 20, 1888, by W. O. Butler, D. D. G. M. W. The first officers were as follows: SISTER MARY C. EADS, W. MATRON; ALBERT EADS, W. PATRON; MRS. MINA LODGE, A. M.; MARY E. BAILEY, CONDUCTRESS; MRS. WILLIAM ODELL, TREAS., AND BRO. R. W. BAILEY, SECY. From its organization this was an active and enthusiastic Chapter, and continues as such to the present time, having nearly 100 members. The present officers are: SISTER HENRIETTA CAMPBELL, W. MATRON; BRO. W. R. JENKINS, W. PATRON; SISTER IDELLA REXROAT, ASSOCIATE MATRON; MRS. URIAH FLACK, CONDUCTRESS; EUGENIA HENDERSON, ASSOCIATE CONDUCTRESS; MRS. EMILY ADCOCK, TREAS., AND MISS JENNIE NORTON, SECY. Regular meetings are held on the fourth Friday of each month. Military Tract Lodge No. 145, I. O. O. F., was organized October 12, 1854, with the following charter members: I. M. WESTFALL, I. M. MAJOR, ABRAM ROWE, V. H. WEAVER, JAMES STUART, SAMUEL BUNKER and J. B. PEARSON, all of whom have passed over the river. the present membership numbers over 250, and it has been one of the most efficient working lodges in the state. It has a three-story brick building erected on the north side of the Public Square, 22 X 70 feet, completed in October, 1884, and on the third floor it has a beautiful lodge room, with tasteful decorations, properly displaying the emblems of the order. It is under contemplation to enlarge the building by adding one story to the store-room adjoining. The present officers are: IRA MILLER, N. G.; GUY LEMMER, V. G.; W. H. WILSON, SECY.; P. C. CAMPBELL, TREAS. Washington Encampment No. 39, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 25, 1857, by A. C. Marsh, P. C. P., with the following charter members: I. M. WESTFALL, A. G. BURR, WILLIAM S. BAILEY, CHARLES W. DALLAM, W. L. IMES, B. F. BROADDUS AND J. W. ATKINSON. The first officers were: I. M. WESTFALL, C. P.; J. W. BLOUNT, H. P.; B. F. BROADDUS, S. W.; C. M. RAY, J. W.; J. W. ATKINSON, SECY.; A. G. BURR, TREAS. The first initiates were: JOSEPH W. BLOUNT, JOSEPH HEAD, V. H. WEAVER AND C. M. RAY. For many years this was a prosperous working organization, but of late years it has languished. At present writing, it is having a revival of interest, and will yet be a good working body. All the charter members, save A. G. Burr, have gone to their reward. It's present officers are: ALEXANDER MCLEAN, C. P.; D. KNAPP, SECY., and F. SMITH, LODGE DEPUTY. Montrose Lodge No. 104, Knights of Pythias, was organized in May, 1882, under dispensation. On October 18, of the same year, a charter was granted to the following members: C. V. CHANDLER, A. K. LODGE, C. H. WHITAKER, J. M. DOWNING, I. N. PEARSON, G. H. WYNE, CHARLES MAPES, R. LEACH, J. E. LANE, GEORGE TRUBEL, GEORGE GADD, G. W. WILLIS, C. MUSTAIN, E. A. LANE, W. E. MARTIN, W. F. WELLS, G. W. HOWARD, R. T. QUINN, FRED NEWLAND, C. N. ROSS, WILLIAM RAGON, DUNCAN MCLEAN, R. LAWRENCE, G. C. TRULL, WILLIAM VENABLE, J. S. GASH, P.. H. GARRETTSON, B. F. RANDOLPH, I. FELLHEIMER, J. I. (OR L) BAILY (sic?) M. P. AGNEW, D. M. GRAVES, J. M. ERVIN, T. PHILPOT, D. RAY, J. L. WILSON, C. J. JAMES, G. W. BAILEY, M. O'MARA, F. RALSTON and C. W. DINES. This has always been a wholesome working lodge, and numbers nearly two hundred members. The present officers are: ED. MCGUIRE, C. C.; CLARENCE IMES, V. C.; FRED RALSTON, K. OF R. AND S.; FRANK HUNTER, M. OF EX.; MARTIN PRICE, M. OF FIN.; GEORGE HOSKINSON, PRELATE; S. CHURCHILL, M. OF ARMS.