People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — I. O. O. F. AAD THEIR TEMPLE. [ARTICLE]

I. O. O. F. AAD THEIR TEMPLE.

The handsome three story structure which appears in this number is the finest business block in Rensselder, It is located directly opposite the northwest front of the court house and, excepting some corner sites, * probably occupies the most valuable lots in town. Iroquois Lodge, No. 143, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, purchased this lot thirty years ago for what was equivalent to S2OO, about 5 per cent of its present valuation. Last spring the lodge concluded to build upon it, and the contract was let for the construction of the present fine edifice about the first of May, and was completed for dedication on the 16th of October. The total cost including cement sidewalk, architect’s plans, supervision, shelving of storerooms, etc., exceeds $9,000, and it is as handsome a block as there is in many counties. It is the only building in Jasper county owned by a lodge organization. It is 44x84. Two excellent store rooms comprise the ground floor, offices and a hall for the G. A. R. have the second floor, while the top floor, is the magnificent home of the Odd Fellows’ lodge, as fine as that of any fraternal organization in the state. The main lodge hall is 46£ feet by 42 feet arched by a ceiling 18 feet high at the crown. There is also a banquet hall, (25x31,) kitchen, (10x15,) property room, (10x10,) ante room, (10x13,) cloak and preparation room. The nicest of furniture and carpets have been procured and no expense spared to make the lodgo Quarters delightful. HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LODGE. The lodge was organized June 9, 1854, and the charter members were John McCarthy, Jacob M. Troxell, Randolph Brearly, David P. Spears, A. T. Reed, Jacob Markle, Geo. W. Spitler, John Hunter, Thomas N. Springer. Harvey Phillips, John Phillips! Cyrus W. Henkle and Dr. Cornelius A. Loghn, none of whom are now members of the lodge, and Mr. Troxell is the only one living in Jasper county. The lodge has had a great number of homes, moving from place to place as the order grew in numbers and the town improved and better rooms were obtainable. From the small beginning of 1854 it has steadily augmented its membership roll until now it numbers nearly 200. Rensselaer Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, No. 346, was instituted Jan. 2, 1891, and now has a membership of 106, being one of the most popular organizations in the county. As an auxillery to the great plan of the noble order of Odd Fellowship they occupy a most important place. Rensselaer Encampment, No. 201, was organized Feo. 10, 1892, and now a membership of about sixty. The present officers of Iroquois lodge are L. L. Ponsler, N. G.; Elven Overton, V. G.; J. F. Antrim, Sec.; Geo. Goff, Treas.