Sec. B Pg 33 Missoulian Centennial First Members of IOOF Traveled Long Distances
First Members of IOOF Traveled Long Distances
Missoula’s first members of the International Order of Odd Fellows rode many miles to attend meetings. Many were from Stevensville, the Jocko Agency, Skalkaho and the Cold Springs Ranch.
Covenant Lodge 6 of the International Order of Odd Fellows was instituted in Missoula July 18, 1875. Charter members were George R. Carrier, W. G. Edwareds, John A. Fredlini, J. S. Leisir, C. B. Mahony and W. R. Turk. The first officers were Turk, noble grand; Edwards, vice grand; Mahony, secretary; and Carrier, treasurer.
Other early members included Sevi Bucher, W. H. H. Dickinson, R. H. Eddy, James P. Griffin, Horace Hyde, F. G. Ives, Andrew Logan, John J. Long, H. C. Myers, Robert W. Nicol, David Pattee, Charles Pickins, John Rankin and Frank H. Woody.
The first Odd Fellow’s ball was in February 1876 for the benefit of the lodge. John Rankin was in charge of the music and the Kennedy Hotel ballroom was rented for $5.
The lodge became incorporated in 1878, and the same year it was “moved and carried that a warrant be drawn on the treasurer for the sum of $15 to pay W. H. H. Dickinson for six chairs.”
Early meetings were conducted in a blacksmith shop at the northeast corner of Pattee and Main streets where a service station is now located. When the IOOF Lodge was constructed on Higgins avenue both the Masons and the Odd Fellows met there.
Officers of Covenant Lodge 6 for 1959-60: Arved Carlson, noble grand; R. H. Giffin, vice grand; Nels A. Olson, secretary; Martin S Behner, treasurer.
Second Branch
The second branch established in Missoula was Missoula Encampment 5. It was organized June 7, 1883, and chartered Aug. 23, 1887, with 17 members.
Two years later Esther Rebekah Lodge 5 for women was instituted Oct. 16 by Andrew Logan, state grand master, with 21 charter members. Its sister organization, Rebekah Lodge 117, was instituted Oct. 21, 1924, with 18 charter members.
The highest branch of the Odd Fellows, Canton Ridgley 3, was chartered July 15, 1903, with 37 members. Esther Theta Rho Girls 38 was instituted in Missoula by Rebekah Assembly June 18, 1952, with 17 charter members.