Name/Title
Waupun Chapter No. 144 Order of the Eastern StarScope and Content
Historical information on Waupun Chapter No. 144 Order of the Eastern Star for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI
*NOTE: Spelling errors are left just as originally typed.
Waupun Chapter No. 144 - Order of the Eastern Star
Waupun Chapter No. 144, under dispensation, was instituted on November 9, 1903 by the Worthy Grand Patron, W.A. Hinsey, assisted by Sister Adele Cochrane of Fox Lake Chapter No. 47, OES., Worthy Grand Marshal; Sister Amelia Hatcher of Fox Lake Chapter as Grand Chaplin; Sister L. Hinsey of Milwaukee Chapter as Grand Secretary, with the following petitions:
Mrs. Mary Brown
Mrs. Fannie Miller
Miss May Taylor
Mrs. Minnie Sargent
Mrs. Jessie Newton
Mr. Edmund Newton
Mr. Hugo Oppenheimer
after which the following officers were conducted to their respective stations:
Worthy Matron, Mary B. Brown
Worthy Patron, Edmund P. Newton
Associate Matron, Fannie Miller
Conductress, Jessie Newton
Associate Conductress, Ella A. Kennedy
Secretary, May Taylor
Adah, Margaret Hatcher
Ruth, Adda Curtis
Esther, Lucy E. Brooks
Electa, Lurinda Warren
Warder, Minnie Sargent
Sentinel, Hugo Oppenheimer
The meeting under Dispensation was called to order by the Worthy Matron of Fox Lake Chapter and the following eight petitions were presented and voted on: Lucy Brooks, Ella Kennedy, Margaret Hatcher, Adda Curtis, Lurinda Warren, May Tayloe, Hugo Oppenheimer, H. C. Curtis and Fox Lake Chapter initiated these candidates into the Order under the direction of the Worthy Grand Patron. Martha's office was left vacant and Sister Sarah Hinsey and Emmanuel Breeze wrote the minutes.
The first regular meeting of Waupun Chapter was called on November 16, 1903 . The following petitions were read: Sarah Wallace, Ada Atwell, E.B. Patton, John E. Williams, Eva D. Jones, Marcia Wiggins, Mary Taylor, and May Taylor's petition was balloted on and accepted.
H.C. Curtis, Hugo Oppenheimer and Lucy Brooks were appointed a committee of three to draft By-Laws.
Other petitions received in this year were: W.E. Rank, D.H. Billmeyer, Sarah Wood, F.M. Crowley and Bertha Oppenheimer.
A special meeting was held for the purpose of inspection by the Worthy Grand Matron, Clara B. Flett and room and board paid for her and husband at the National Hotel. A recess was called about the middle of every meeting. Books called "Gems of Song" were purchased. In 1904 the By-Laws were accepted and printed at a cost of 46.00. Three committees were appointed: Relief, Good of Order and Sick.
On March 7, 1904 word was received that the Charter had been granted and on April 4, 1904 Brother and Sister Watson of Fond du Lac came so that Brother Watson could present the Charter which was read and approved after which the officers elected in January, with the appointed officers were duly instal1ed. These officers were:
Worthy Matron, Mary Brown
Worthy Patron, H.C. Curtis
Associate Matron, Fannie Miller
Conductress, Minnie Sargent
Associate Conductress, Eva Jones
Organist, Ora Clark
Adah, May Taylor
Ruth, Adda Curtis
Esther, Lucy Brooks
Martha, Jessie Newton
Electa, Lurinda Warren
Warder, Mary Taylor
Sentinel, Hugo Oppenheimer
The Secretary and Treasurer were not installed at this meeting. Three candidates were initiated into the Order after the Charter had been received. Jewels were purchased and worn for the first time on November 21, 1904, A seal obtained for three dollars and the Charter framed for ninety cents. Money was raised by serving dinners to the Masons and Royal Arch, by having socials which brought in three, four or five dollars to add to the Treasury. The Janitor received twelve dollars this year. When invited to an out of town Chapter a bus was hired for transportation. Entertainment committees were busy planning programs and some of these included singing, speaking, reading spell downs etc. Dues were one dollar and initiatory fees two dollars. A gasoline stove was purchased from Buelow's Hardware store for $3.50. Thirty cents was sent to the Clark and Lewis Fund in Portland, Oregon. Chairs, five in number were purchased for $6.80. The number of members grew to thirty in 1905.
Marion Kutchin became the second Worthy Matron, which was in 1905. She served the Order for four years. A. L. Wallace was the Worthy Patron the first two years and Charles Cook in 1907 and 1908. There were thirty two members at the end of 1904. Rental was $2.00 for use of the Gild Hall. In 1906 the rental was raised to Twenty dollars. Brandon candidates were accepted into the Order. In 1907 point installation of officers was held with the Royal Arch and the Masonic Order. Members often treated the Chapter members as note, Lurinda Warren treated the Chapter to popcorn and Sister Wallace to cherries. Marion Kutchin was appointed Grand Chaplin in 1908, her last year as Worthy Matron. She had given good service and been generous in having picnics at her Green Lake home.
As a piano was needed thirty dollars was pledged, the ladies had socials and served dinners until $170.00 was raised. On November 15 a piano was purchased in Milwaukee for $179.00, and five dollars was sent to flood sufferers in Black River Falls.
On December 16, 1912 demits were issued to nine Brandon members as they planned to have a Chapter of their own. Their Chapter existed until 1958 on October 6 when Brandon Chapter No. 119 consolidated with Waupun Chapter No. 144. In 1913 the tenth anniversary was celebrated. The membership had grown to 57 and the next year a change was made in the Constitution and seventeen Officers required. During the First World War years the Chapter purchased war bonds and one of the members, Alyda Braskamp left for France as a Red Cross nurse. A French child was adopted at a cost of $36.50.
On July 10, 1919, $300 was raised and paid toward the purchase of the Kuechenberg residence by the masons. $50.00 was sent to Armenian relief and a masonic bond was purchased for $100.00 ans later on another one.
On 14ay 15, 1922 members met and marched to the laying of the corner stone of the new Masonic Temple and a second installment was paid to them.
This was the last year in the old hall located over Houdek's grocery store at 3064 East Main St. The Stars held their first meeting in the new Temple on January l, 1923 with Linea Taylor as Worthy Matron and Harrison Jennings as Worthy Patron. It was so cold wraps were worn. The rental was now $90.00 for six months. Many things were needed in the new Temple so members were busy earning money for drapes for the reception room, globe to light the front of the Temple and many other things. A donation was made for School Band uniforms and Scholarships, meals were served to bands meeting in Waupun, many items were sent to the Masonic Home, TB Stamps were purchased and donations made toward. Christmas baskets.
In 1927, Agnes Northrup was appointed. Grand Representative of New Mexico in Wisconsin. At the end of the twenty five years which was observed on November 5, 1928, membership had increased from the first report of thirty two to 150 members. There were initiations, affiliations, demits, suspensions, rejections and deaths, yet Waupun Chapter forged ahead with capable Officers in the chairs in spite of adversity and war. On October 7, 1929 Kittie Monroe was appointed Grand Chaplin and on December 18, 1933 she was appointed Grand Representative of Rhode Island in Wis.
and Mae Menick was appointed Grand Representative of North Dakota in Wis. on March 17, 1947.
In 1943, with Myra Brooks and Harry Papke presiding in the East, a gift of $100.00 was received from W. E. Brooks in memory of his wife, Lucy Brooks, Charter member, because she thought highly of the Eastern Star and he wished it spent exclusively to bring some mental comfort to those in distress and a knowledge they are not forgotten at which time a little means so much. Sister Lucy Brooks passed away on February 16, 1943. The Chapter decided to create a Lucy Brooks Memorial fund and Mr. Brooks wishes would be carried out to the best of our ability.
As these were War years many patriotic duties were performed. Members gave 924 hours to the Red Cross in 1943 and there were many ration troubles. We helped the Youth Center with donations during it's existance. In 1944 with Delva Jentz and Harry Papke in the Fast the members began baking cookies for the USO and sending them to the Masonic Center at Madison. About 368 dozen were sent. In 1946 the Chapter undertook to pay $100.00 annually, for three years, to the City Hospital fund. It was decided to petition the Grand Council of Job's Daughters to institute a Bethel in Waupun on November 18, 1946 and twenty three girls signed. On December 28 of this year the Job's Daughters was instituted during the afternoon and evening. In 1952 Charlotte Rasmussen, Past Matron, was appointed Grand Chaplin and a Grand Officer's party was held for her.
1954 and fifty years finds our membership, according to the By-Laws, numbers 403 and the membership on that date was 195 members. Special mention is given to those who filled offices for many years: Clara Grebe 1931 to 1953; Clara Graves, Treasurer from 1921 to 1928; and then for 1930; also the years 1911, 12 and 16. Eunice Levy, Treasurer, 1917 to 1920 and Secretary, 1922 until 1928. Alice Pettibone, Secretary, 1929 to 1936 when her mother's illness caused her to retire and our faithful Brothers: E. H. Newton, 1903; H. C. Curtis, 1904, 1910, 1911; A. L. Wallace, 1905 and 1906; Charles Cook, 1907, 1908, 1909; O. H. Budahn, 1912, 13, 14, 15, 16; Charles Bartsch, 1917; W. G. Glascoff, 1918; C. E. Alderman, 1919, 20, 21, 22, 24, 29, 30; Harrison Jennings, 1923; A. Budahn, 1925; Louis Schultz, 1926, 27, 28, 38; William Babcock, 1931; Lloyd Gordon, 1932, 33, 34, 35, 39, 40, 49, 50; Joe Carpenter, 36, 37; Percy Strub, 1941, 45, 46, 47, 48; Harry Papke, 1942, 43, 44; Leif Olson, 1951, 52, 53, all as Worthy Patrons during those years.
The Officers for 1954, our fiftieth year were: Jean Wallendal, Worthy Matron; Coleman Gadbaw, Worthy Patron; Ida Armga, Associate Matron; Leif Olson, Associate Patron; Edna Browne, Secretary; Theresa Larson, Treasurer; Lorraine Lewis, Conductress; Barbara Wood, Associate Conductress; Dorothy Onsgard, Chaplin; Dorothy Powell, Marshal; Mabel Woodhouse, Organist, Elvira Hanson, Adah; Dorothy Gadbaw, Ruth; Valma Arpke, Esther; Eileen Jennings, Martha; Bess Cramer, Electa; Zella Young, Warder; Mildred Fairman, Sentinel. The 50th Anniversary was celebrated on May 22, 1954. A big dinner was served at the Methodist Church, Grand Officers were present Ora Clark re-signed the By-Laws, the Secretary, Edna Browne, read the first ten years of the Chapter history and popcorn balls were passed out as they had been done by Ora Breyer in years past, the laying of the cornerstone enacted by some of the Masonic Brothers, dressed as in days of yore and a square dance held with Ray Stoddart and Alice playing violin and piano.
And so the years have passed with the Chapter ever carrying onward and upward. With the addition of the Brandon members the Chapter was even more active. Grand Chapter changed our method of giving donations so all moneys would go through their Chapter. We help Job's Daughters, AFS, and in the past gave toward two young people who were burned, to the Woods Hospital, the Shriner's Hospital, to tornado victims at Berlin, and other help where needed. Now we give to Cancer, Heart, Religious Education to the Masonic Home, the Wisconsin Eastern Star Foundation give help to those in need through Grand Chapter.
Our membership at present is 169 and candidates are waiting to be initiated. There will be another celebration in 1979 when we reach seventy five years and the history will be extended to that date.
(Edna Browne, Secretary)
Handwritten signature of Edna Browne, Sec'y
The present officers for 1975 and 1976 are Myrtle Parker, Worthy Matron; Henry Laub, Worthy Patron; Sherry Disbrow, Associate Matron; Harland Jeffers, Associate Patron; Edna Browne, Secretary; Maxine Keach, Treasurer; Lois Harness, Conductress; Margene Rather, Associate Conductress; Elizabeth Buchholz, Chaplin; Ruth Aronson, Marshal; Ruth Thomas, Organist; Adeline Lattimer, Adah; Karen Evans, Ruth; Irma Buschkopf, Esther; Ivis Killam, Martha; Doris Trattles, Electa; Ida Armga, Warder and Jeanette Allsbury, Sentinel.
Signed by the above Secretary.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
