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.
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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
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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
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Large and Talented Cast Will Be Presented in 'Corporal Eagen' To Be Presented Sept. 27 and 28.
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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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