New Clubhouse for the Iroquois Tribe No. 476 of the Improved Order of Redmen in North Peham in 1929

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On Thursday, November 4, 1909, three hundred members of the various Lodges of the Improved Order of Red Men from Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Port Chester, and Mamaroneck gathered in Firemen's Hall in the local firehouse on Fifth Avenue in the Village of North Pelham for a solemn, yet grand occasion.   That evening, the Lodge from Port Chester formally installed a new Lodge in the Village of North Pelham:  Iroquois Tribe No. 476 Improved Order of Red Men.  

The Improved Order of Red Men is a fraternal and charitable organization established in 1834.   Its rituals and regalia reportedly are "modeled after those assumed to be used by Native Americans."   Although membership in the organization reached a high of about half a million in 1935, its membership today reportedly has declined to "a little more than 15,000."

I have written before about the early history of this fraternal and charitable organization established in the Village of North Pelham.  See Fri., Oct. 21, 2016:  Iroquois Tribe No. 476 of the Improved Order of Redmen in the Village of North Pelham. 

By the end of the Roaring Twenties, in 1929, the ranks of the Iroquois Tribe No. 476 Improved Order of Red Men had swelled to 90 members.  Additionally, the group began a membership drive to expand its membership to 150 members.  It was time for the group to acquire a clubhouse.

Only a week or two before the Great Stock Market Crash of 1929 that began on October 24, 1929, the group formed a corporation named the Iroda Building Corporation, obtained a certificate of incorporation from the New York Secretary of State, and purchased a residential property located at 20 Third Avenue for renovation to create a new clubhouse.  (The home that stands at that location today is not the same structure, having been built in 1945.) 

The Iroda Building Corporation had a capitalization of $20,000 in $10 shares.  Its directors were North Pelham residents Louis Kurtze, Irving J. Wallach, and George Lambert.  

In early December, the organization announced that it expected to have its new clubhouse ready for occupancy "in about a month."  The building committee planning the work was led by Irving J. Wallach of North Pelham.  Renovation work was scheduled to begin in mid-December to turn the second floor of the structure into a meeting hall.  Plans for the first floor included rest rooms, a parlor and a reading room.  A "modern kitchen" was planned for the basement. 

The clubhouse was completed as planned.  Meetings, dinners and events were held there throughout the 1930s.  By at least 1941, however, the Red Men were holding their meetings in the local Masonic Temple and, by 1945, another residence was built on the site of the structure that once had served as their clubhouse.

Once again, the face of Pelham was changing.

 

 Example of 1889 Membership Certificate of the Improved Order

of Red Men. NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"CORPORATION WILL OWN REDMEN'S CLUBHOUSE
-----

Certificate of incorporation was issued this week by the Secretary of State for the Iroda Building Corporation of North Pelham.  This organization recently purchased a dwelling house at No. 20 Third avenue, which will be used as a clubhouse for Iroquois Tribe, Order of Redmen and Degree, of Pocahontas.

Capitalization is $20,000, in $10 shares.  Directors are:  Louis Kurtze, No. 518 Fifth avenue; I. J. Wallach, No. 212 Fifth avenue; and George Lambert, No. 52 Sixth street."

Source:   CORPORATION WILL OWN REDMEN'S CLUBHOUSE, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 18, 1929, p. 5, col. 3.

"RED MEN WILL HAVE NEW HOME
-----
Purchase Jackson Residence for Pelham Quarters
-----

The Iroquois tribe of Red Men of Pelham will have its new home ready for occupancy in about a month.  The building purchased by the Pelham Red Men recently, was formerly the Jackson residence at 20 Third avenue.  Work will be started next week on the alterations and additions necessary to convert it into a modern club house. 

The second floor will be turned into a meeting hall.  On the first floor will be rest rooms, a parlor and a reading room.  A modern kitchen will be fitted up in the basement.  Irving J. Wallach is chairman of the building committee.

A membership drive has been launched by the Pelham tribe under the direction of membership chairman, Louis Kurtz.  The present membership of 90 will be swelled to 150 if the plans of the tribe are realized.  The Pelham Red Men will hold their next meeting on Thursday night when reports will be heard on membership and on the progress of the building committee."

Source:   RED MEN WILL HAVE NEW HOME -- Purchase Jackson Residence for Pelham Quarters, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 3, 1929, p. 12, col. 3.

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Establishment of the First Mason Lodge in the Town of Pelham

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The Historic Pelham Blog has included articles before about the founding of the Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M.on November 1, 1908.  See, e.g.:

Mon., Jan. 19, 2015:  More on the Early History of the Mason Lodge of Pelham: Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M.

Wed., Jul. 09, 2014:  Record of the Celebration of the Silver Anniversary of the Mason Lodge of Pelham: Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M.

Mon., May 30, 2005:  Early History of the Winyah Lodge U.D. of Pelham, New York. 

Wed., Mar. 08, 2006:  The 1939 Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Masonic Temple in Pelham, NY.

Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M. was not the first Masonic Lodge established in the little Town of Pelham.  The first such lodge was Pelham Lodge No. 712, F. & A. M. established on City Island in the Town of Pelham in mid-July, 1871.  

On July 20, 1871, The Statesman of Yonkers published a brief notice that "a few evenings since" a group of local Masonic officials including R. W. Stephen S. Marshal (District Deputy Grand Marshal) and George E. C. Seaman (Grand Marshal) installed a group of officers of the new Pelham Lodge including:

John O. Fordham (Master)
James Hyatt (Senior Warden) 
Stephen D. Leviness (Junior Warden)

Source:  CITY ISLAND -- MASONIC, The Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Jul. 20, 1871, Vol. XVI, No. 805, p. 1, col. 4.

This installation was, of course, a formality.  The Lodge had been organized by Pelham citizens the previous year and had been fairly active before the formal installation of its Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden.

Pelham Lodge No. 712, F. & A. M. remains active to this day.  It provides an early history as follows:

"A group of City Island Masons on or about 1870 decided to form their own lodge. Thereafter, Grand Lodge sent them a dispensation and Pelham Lodge was born. The charter members were: D.W:. Billar, Jerome Bell, John Bowman, Wm. F. Billar, Oswald Bergan, David Carll, John O. Fordham, James Hyatt, Benjamin Hegeman, Stephen D. Leviness, Frederick Price, Charles H. Stringham, and A.B. Wood. 

The first meeting, attended by 12 members and 1 visitor, was held on Saturday, February 4, 1871 with John O. Fordham as Master. By-laws were drafted and it was voted to meet every Tuesday night. A dispensation cost of $80.00 was paid and Pelham Lodge became part of the Ninth Masonic District. The lodge rooms were over a carpenter shop south of where the Island Pub is now located, in a building owned by a Mr. Baxter who later became a Brother. Rent was $100.00 a year without heat and the cost of coal was $6.00 per ton. 

At the fifth meeting on February 28, 1871, By-laws were adopted, and at the eighth meeting, Pelham held its first Master Mason's Degree, at which 3 candidates were raised. The first application to be received was that of Edward L. Wooden, age 25, teacher at City Island's one-room, one-teacher schoolhouse. 

During Pelham's first year, 13 Brothers were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, making a total of 31 members, 2 Fellowcrafts, and 3 Entered Apprentices. W:. Bro. John O. Fordham was re-elected Master for another year on December 19, 1871. The second Worshipful Master of Pelham Lodge was S. D. Levenap, elected December 24, 1872. Elections were held for the offices of Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Secretary, and Treasurer."

The detailed history of this first Pelham Masonic Lodge makes fascinating reading.  You may visit it here:  About The Bronx Masonic District:  Pelham Lodge #712 (visited Feb. 18, 2018).

Logo of Pelham Lodge No. 712, F. & A. M.  Note the Nineteenth

Century Sailing Ship and the Lighthouse Evoking the Maritime

History of City Island.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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A Lodge of the International Organisation of Good Templars Opened in Pelhamville in 1885

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Periodically, citizens of the Town of Pelham have caught the temperance or total abstinence bug.  I have written before of the pre-Prohibition dry movement in Pelham. For examples, see: 

Fri., May 23, 2014:  How Dry I Am -- Early Prohibition Efforts Succeed in Pelham in 1896.

Thu., Feb. 07, 2008:  Village Elections in Pelham in 1900 - New York Athletic Club Members Campaign Against the Prohibition Ticket in Pelham Manor. 

Thu., Aug. 11, 2005:  How Dry I Am: Pelham Goes Dry in the 1890s and Travers Island Is At the Center of a Storm.

Pelham experienced another such temperance period in 1885.  That year, citizens of Pelhamville established a lodge of the "International Organisation of Good Templars."  

1868 Membership Certificate for a Member of the International

Organisation of Good Templars.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The International Organisation of Good Templars began in the 19th century as a fraternal organization in support of temperance or total abstinence.  It emerged after temperance groups seceded from a lose group of local temperance organizations near Utica, New York in the 1850s.  The organization was patterned on freemasonry and used "similar ritual and regalia."  See "International Organisation of Good Templars" in WIKIPEDIA - The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jan. 14, 2018).  Unlike many such organizations of that day, the Good Templars admitted both men and women.  

On March 20, 1885, a local newspaper announced that the citizens of the little settlement of Pelhamville had organized a Lodge of Good Templars.  The newspaper noted that the group had selected its officers and listed them as follows:

E. H. Gurney -- W. C. T.
J. Sherwood -- R. H. S.
Alice Lyon -- L. H. S.
Isaac C. Hill -- W. R. S.
E. T. Bryson -- A. R. S.
Geo W. Van Pelt, Jr. -- F. S.
J. Hill -- W. F. E.
Richard Bryson -- W. C.
O. Logan -- W. D. M.
Marion Pearson -- W. M.
M. E. Engle -- W. I. G.

On Tuesday, August 11, 1885, the new Lodge hosted a regular quarterly session of the Westchester County Lodge of Good Templars.  The meeting was held in the local chapel of the Church of the Covenant, Congregational in Pelhamville.

Undated Real Photo Post Card (RPP) Showing the Chapel of the

"CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. NO. PELHAM, N.Y." Where the Good

Templars Hosted the County Lodge of Good Templars on August 11,

1885.  Source: eBay Auction Listing for the Post Card.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

During the evening, there was a public installation of officers of the new Pelhamville Lodge.  After that public installation there was "an entertainment of music, recitations, readings, etc."

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the Pelhamville Lodge is the fact that the record is utterly devoid of any additional history of the group.  To date, no records, newspaper references, or any other material related to the group has been located.  It is as if the organization never took off.  Only time, and further research, will tell.

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"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . .

The Lodge of Good Templars has been organized in Pelhamville with the following officers.  --  W. C. T., E. H. Gurney; R. H. S., J. Sherwood; L. H. S., Alice Lyon; W. R. S., I. C. Hill; A. R. S., E. T. Bryson; F. S., Geo W. Van Pelt, Jr.; W. F. E., J. Hill; W. C., Richard Bryson; W. D. M., O. Logan; W. M., Marion Pearson; W. I. G., M. E. Engle. . . ."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 20, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 809, p. 3, col. 4.

"PELHAMVILLE. . . .

A regular quarterly session of the County Lodge of Good Templars was held in the chapel at Pelhamville, on Tuesday of this week.  The attendance of delegates was quite flattering, about sixty representatives being present.  The afternoon was occupied with the usual business of such sessions; reports of committees, discussions, etc, after which refreshments were served to the visitors.  In the evening there was a public installation of officers of the Pelhamville Lodge, followed by an entertainment of music, recitations, readings, etc. . . ."

Source:  PELHAMVILLE, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 14, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 830, p. 3, col. 3.

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Iroquois Tribe No. 476 of the Improved Order of Redmen in the Village of North Pelham

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On Thursday, November 4, 1909, three hundred members of the various Lodges of the Improved Order of Red Men from Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Port Chester, and Mamaroneck gathered in Firemen's Hall in the local firehouse on Fifth Avenue in the Village of North Pelham for a solemn, yet grand occasion.  That evening, the Lodge from Port Chester formally installed a new Lodge in the Village of North Pelham:  Iroquois Tribe No. 476 Improved Order of Red Men.  The new Village of North Pelham Lodge was installed under the supervision of Chief of Records Boyd of New York and Sachem Speechly of Port Chester. While the Pelhamites may have preferred that their Tribe be designated the "Siwanoy" Tribe other than the "Iroquois" Tribe, there already was a Siwanoy Tribe in the area (Siwanoy Tribe No. 335, Improved Order of Red Men).

The Improved Order of Red Men is a fraternal organization established in 1834.  Its rituals and regalia reportedly are "modeled after those assumed to be used by Native Americans."  Although membership in the organization reached a high of about half a million in 1935, its membership today reportedly has declined to "a little more than 15,000."  Among the notable members of the fraternal order have included three U.S. Presidents:  Theodore Roosevelt, Warren G. Harding, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.  See "Improved Order of Red Men" in Wikipedia -- The Free Encyclopedia (visited Oct. 1, 2016).

So began a Pelham fraternal organization that operated for many decades.  That first night, the new Lodge installed the following officers:

Sachem, Augustus W. Schmidt
First Sagamore, William Edinger
Second Sagamore, Joseph Klovenkorn
Chief of Records, Paul Dingledine
Chief of Wampum, Thomas Robinson
Collector of Wampum, Mr. Stevenson
First Sanap, Frank Chalou
Second Sanap, Edward Champlion

The remaining members (known as "Warriors") installed that night were:  Harry Dickenson, Charles Dickenson, John Burke, John Lowery; Guard of Wigwam, William Lyon; Guard of Forest Bert Penfield.  

The regular meetings of the new Lodge (known as a "Tribe") were held on the first and third Thursdays of each month.  The so-called "Lodge Rooms" of the Tribe were Firemen's Hall in the firehouse where they held their regular meetings.  Additionally, in its early years the Tribe hosted a lovely annual "Red Men's Ball," typically in Firemen's Hall in the local firehouse on Fifth Avenue.  As one might expect, the organization decorated the hall festively, hanging organizational banners and arranging for music for the big dance.  

Iroquois Tribe No. 476 quickly became an important part of the fabric of life in Pelham.  Its members marched in local parades such as the annual Fourth of July parade.  Indeed, the Tribe typically provided its Fife and Drum Corps for such events.  The Tribe also hosted one or more of the so-called "Union Meetings" of the Red Men of Westchester County during which members of the I. O. R. M. from Tribes throughout Westchester County gathered for large meetings typically followed by dancing.  

No definitive history of Iroquois Tribe No. 476 of the Improved Order of Red Men seems ever to have been written.  The organization seems to have operated until at least shortly after World War II when local references to its operations seem to end.  

Example of 1889 Membership Certificate

of the Improved Order of Red Men.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"New I. O. R. M. Lodge.

300 Red Men who came from Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Port Chester and Mamaroneck were present in Firemen's Hall on Fifth avenue last Thursday evening when Iroquois Tribe No. 476 I. O. R. M., of this village was formally installed by the team from Port Chester under the supervision of Chief of Records Boyd of New York and Sachem Speechly of Port Chester.  There was a large attendance of Redmen from Aque-a-Nonck, No. 369 I. O. R. M., of Mount Vernon.  The following are the new officers:  Sachem, Augustus W. Schmidt; First Sagamore, William Edinger; Second Sagamore, Joseph Klovenkorn; Chief of Records, Paul Dingledine; Chief of Wampum, Thomas Robinson; Collector of Wampum, Mr. Stevenson; First Sanap, Frank Chalou; Second Sanap, Edward Champlion; Warriors, Harry Dickenson, Charles Dickenson, John Burke, John Lowery; Guard of Wigwam, William Lyon; Guard of Forest Bert Penfield.  The regular meetings of the new tribe are held on the first and third Thursdays."

Source:  New I. O. R. M. Lodge, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 9, 1909, p. 7, col. 1.  

"THE REDMEN'S BALL.
-----
Successful and Happy Event Takes Place at Firemen's Hall.

The second annual ball of the local Redmen's Iroquois Tribe, No. 476, was held on Wednesday evening at Firemen's Hall.  The affair was well attended and the hall was very prettily decorated with flags and banners and the insignia of the I. O. R. M.  Mr. August W. Schmidt acted as floor manager.

The officers of the tribe are as follows:  Sachem, Jacob Wirth; Senior Sagamore, Louis Hoenmunger, Junior Sagamore, Frank Chaloux; Prophet, August Schmidt; Chief of Records, Paul Dingledine; Keeper of Wampum, Thomas F. Robinson, and Collector of Wampum, Frank Harris.

The members having charge of the ball were the following:  Floor manager, August W. Schmidt; assistant floor manager, Chas. Dickenson.

Arrangement Committee:  Patrick O'Malley, chairman; Geo. Kurtze, Chas. Edinger, John Schoop and Paul Dingledine.

Floor Committee Harry Dickenson, Wm. Lyon, Joseph Kloverkorn and George Lambert.

Reception Committee:  Jacob Wirth, chairman; Geo. Atterwater, James Bentley, John Burke, Geo. Cottrell, Edw. Champion, John Cunneen, Ezra Daggett, Wm. Edinger, Ray Godfrey, Chas Gibler, Wm. Hoffmann, Fred Herman, Chas. Hemingway, Chas. Himmler, Chas. Hagarman, Robert Head, Louis Kurtze, Walter King, Walter Lindstrom, John Lowerey, Eugene Lyon, John Meyers, John Meltze, Geo. Meinecke, John McGuire, John Marvel, Robert Penfield, James Reilly, John A. Rohrs, Anthony Reichert, Anthony Smith, Malton Stephens, William Siebert, Robert Voss, Dennis Welsh, Elmer F. Weller, and Michael J. Woods."

Source:  THE REDMEN'S BALL -- Successful and Happy Event Takes Place at Firemen's Hall, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 11, 1911, p. 1, col. 7.

"Local News Items.

The members of the Iroquois Tribe No. 476 I. O. R. M., will hold their annual ball and reception at the Firemen's hall on Fifth avenue on Saturday evening next.  This will be the sixth annual affair of the Redmen and it promises to be a success. . . ."

Source:  Local News Items, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 10, 1916, p. 9, col. 4.

"Red Men's Meeting.

The union meeting of the Red Men of Westchester county held Saturday evening at Firemen's hall.  Fifth avenue, under the auspices of Iroquois Tribe, 476, I. O. R. M., was a success in every respect.  Almost every tribe in Westchester County was represented among the guests.  The evening was taken up with the presentation of a pleasing program which was followed by dancing.  The estimated attendance was about 650.

Source:  Red Men's Meeting, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 13, 1917, p. 7, col. 4.  

"HAPPENINGS IN NORTH PELHAM
-----
Red Men Visit Port Chester.

About thirty members of Iroquois tribe, 476, I. O. R. M., met last evening at 7 o'clock at Firemen's Hall on Fifth avenue, boarded a motor truck and drove to Port Chester, where they attended the Great Sachem's night of Wappannocca tribe.  The guest of honor was Great Sachem Richard F. Elmore, of Port Chester.  About eighty candidates for membership were initiated by the crack Port Chester degree team at St. Mary's hall in Port Chester, followed by elaborate  festivities.  There were a large number of chiefs from all parts of the state and delegations from Brooklyn, New York, Mount Vernon and the Great Tribe.  The local members returned to North Pelham early this morning."

Source:  HAPPENINGS IN NORTH PELHAM -- Red Men Visit Port Chester, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 22, 1917, p. 9, col. 2.  

"REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR REDMEN'S SHOW
-----
Large and Talented Cast Will Be Presented in 'Corporal Eagen' To Be Presented Sept. 27 and 28.
-----

Many talented local actors and actresses are included in the cast of 'Corporal Eagen,' the laughable war comedy which is to be presented under the auspices of Iroquois Tribe No. 476, I. O. R. M., and Nyoda Council, No. 207, Degree of Pocahontas, in the auditorium of the Congregational Church of the Pelhams on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, September 27 and 28.  

Jack O'Sullivan, who has been in many local amateur productions, will have the title role of Corporal 'Red' Eagen.  His brother, George O'Sullivan, North Pelham village clerk, will have the other comedy led of 'Izzy' Goldstein.

The other principals follow:  sergeant, Gorham Head; guard, Robert Cremins; captain, Judge James Male; cook, Michael Gregory; Abie Goldstein, Izzy's father, Herman Glasser; Mike Eagen, 'Red's' father, Patrick Haggerty; newsboy, Isobel Head; Kfloozey, Frank Lyons; McGinnis, Harmon Fischer; Willing War Worker, Mrs. E. L. Adair; Marie and Mary, two nurses, Ida Patterson and Anna Booth.

Rehearsals have already been started under the able direction of Miss Marguerite Danielson of the Universal Production Company of Fairfield, Iowa, producers of the show.  Miss Danielson already has a fine record for her coaching ability, having been connected with the production of 'Corporal Eagen' throughout New England, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Yesterday Miss Danielson held the first rehearsal for the girls' chorus at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall on Fifth avenue.  The first rehearsal for the men's chorus will be held at the same place on Monday night.

The production, which opens with a pageant, carries on with several musical numbers and then presents a three-act play, affords plenty of opportunities for talented actors and actresses to give entertaining performances.  There will be 150 persons in the cast.

William D. Hamilton is chairman of the joint committee in charge of arrangements and he is assisted by Edward A. Brunner, Anthony Loubiere and A. C. Nimphius.  The committee from Nyoda Council is headed by Miss Ida Patterson.  Miss Patterson will be assisted by Miss Charlotte Kurtze, Mrs. E. L. Adair, Mrs. Edward A. Brunner and Mrs. Jennie Pickard."

Source:  REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR REDMEN'S SHOW -- Large and Talented Cast Will Be Presented in 'Corporal Eagen' To Be Presented Sept. 27 and 28, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 16, 1932, p. 3, cols. 2-3.

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