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Note: Samuel Ney Russell and his cousin Samuel Oldaker were founding members of the Knights of Pythias in Newton Iowa. Later another cousin, George Washington Russell, also joined. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS This fraternity has grown rapidly since its organization, which seems but a few years, in comparison to the Masonic history which runs away back into truly ancient times. The Knights of Pythias lodges are found in the following places in Jasper County: Delta Lodge No. 53 was organized February 19, 1880, by the following charter membership: F. S. Clark, M. A. McKinley, Frank Fisk, C. W. Stahl, Jay Clark, J. W. McLaughlin, George W. Ledyard, A. J. McGregor, W. McColloms, Grant Townsend, Ralph Parmenter, Frank Hunter, S. R. Oldaker, S. N. Russell, J. G. Cotton, H. K. Stahl, E. E. Hughes and R. C. Wilson. The first officers were: Past chancellor, S. R. Oldaker; chancellor commander. H. K. Stahl: vice-chancellor, M. A. McKinley; prophet, J. W. McLaughlin: master of exchequer, Jay Clark; master of finance, Frank Fisk: keeper of records and seal, C. W. Stahl; master at arms, E. E. Hughes; inner guard, Grant Townsend; outer guard, A. J. McGregor. The present officers are: H. P. Engle, chancellor commander; J. R. Bowen, vice-chancellor; R. B. Gibford, prophet; R. D. Guessford, master of work; Oscar A. Coon, keeper of records and seal and master of finance; Charles Griebeling, master of exchequer; Arthur Nelson, master at arms; Mert Lewis, inner guard; M. R. Souder, outer guard. The lodge was instituted in the Hiatt building on the north side of the public square and now meets in Castle Hall in the Clark building on the east side of the square. The past chancellors have been A. H. Bergman, Jay Clark, John L. Conn, W. E. Carpenter, John H. Coon, J. R. Gorrell, Charles Griebeling, M. B. Huckins, J. H. Harvey, W. F. Harvey, A. K. Lufkin, E. N. Lawrence, R. R. Mowry, B. A. Miller, J. W. McLaughlin, David McAllister, John O'Leary, J. F. Rome, Alton Reynolds, C. A. Snow and G. W. Simpson. Russell's Division No. 26, of the Uniform Rank of this order, was organized June 1, 1893, but has never been as prosperous as some of the other Uniform Rank divisions of Iowa. There are Knights of Pythias lodges in Jasper County at Newton, Kellogg, Prairie City, Newburg, Baxter, Monroe and Colfax.
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