The following article about Switzerland County, Indiana appeared in:
Vevay Reveille – 29 Apr 1880 – Page 4, Column 2

I. O. O. F.
Something About the Early History of the Order.
Sketches of Some of the Lodges in Switzerland County.

THE FIRST ODD FELLOWS’ LODGE IN VEVAY.

About the year 1837 Edward Patton, Isaac Stevens, George H. Kyle, Joseph Dalmazzo and Lewis Golay, went to Cincinnati, and were initiated in Washington Lodge. John F. Doan, then a resident of Cincinnati, and a member of Washington Lodge, assisted in initiating them. He is now a member of Indiana Lodge, of Vevay. They returned home and applied to the Grand Lodge of Indiana for a Charter, which was granted them, the Lodge being called Vevay Lodge No. 6. The Lodge first held its meetings in the old Court House, and afterwards in the second story of the brick house now occupied by C. O. Thiebaud as a residence, on Liberty street. In 1850 the Lodge erected the large three story brick building now known as the Kyle House. This involved the Lodge financially. It was unable to pay for the building, and in 1853 the members took cards and surrendered their Charter. Soon after Indiana Lodge was formed, and a few years later Phoenix Loge.

The records and charter of old Vevay Lodge cannot be found, nor were they returned to the Grand Lodge. Perhaps some old member can tell us where they are. Among those who were members of this Lodge are:

Capt. F. L. Grisard, John J. Dumont, Isaac Stevens, George H. Kyle, Julius Dufour, John L. Danglade, Rev. Hiram Wason, H. H. Hatch, Victor Kessler, Albert Tompkins, John F. Doan, Edward Patton, George E. Pleasants, David Armstrong, Wm. Hall, Perret Dufour, U. P. Schenck, Joseph Dalmazzo, Lewis Golay.

Following will be found brief histories of the Lodges of Odd Fellows in this County:

Indiana Lodge, No. 126, Vevay,
Was organized Tuesday evening, February 1st, 1853, in the 3d story of what is now the Kyle House.

Most Worthy Grand Master Joseph L. Silcox presided; assisted by P. G. Morerod, J. R. Grand Warden.

P. G. Franklin Dufour, Grand Secretary.

P. G. Joseph Jagers, Grand Marshall.

P. G. Dalmazzo, Grand Treasurer.

The following were the charter members:
Victor Kessler, John Patton, Jesse Teats, Francis R. Detraz, Edward H. Rodgers, William Patton, George W. Teats, J. P. Schenck, Charles Goldenburg, and Thomas M. Ward. The Charter is dated January 19, 1853.

The following persons were officers for first term:

• John Patton, N. G.
• Jesse Teats, V. G.
• Victor Kessler, Secretary.
• Isaac Stevens, Treasurer.
• Henry Hatch, I. G.
• F. Detraz, O. G.
• F Dufour, Warden.
• Edward Rogers, R. H. S. to N. G.
• George Teats, L. H. S. to N. G.
• J. P. Schenck, Conductor.
• Charles Goldenburg, R. H. S. to V. G.
• Thomas Ward, L. H. S. to V. G.

Wednesday evenings was selected for regular meetings.

Names of Past Grands:
[See newspaper for term dates.]

• John Patton
• J. P. Schenck
• H. H. Hatch
• Geo. W. Teats
• L. L. Thiebaud
• F. R. Detraz
• Geo. W. Teats
• John M. Hollcroft
• John F. Doan
• O. S. Waldo
• John M. Hollcroft
• Harris Keeney
• Oliver Ormsby
• Lawrence W. Gordon
• Geo. W. Hawthorn
• Enos Littlefield
• J. M. Hollcroft
• John F. Doan
• Victor Kessler
• John S. Norisez
• Geo. W. Hawthorn
• Lawrence W. Gordon
• William M. Patton
• F. C. Gaudin
• Wm. M. Patton
• Eli T. Ogle
• Larkin Johnston
• Josiah Jackman
• James W. Keith
• Wm. R. Johnson
• Lewis F. Works
• John C. Cline
• Wm. Norisez
• Wm. Krisel
• Victor Norisez
• F. L. Courvoiser
• J. G. Thiebaud
• John J. P. Teats
• Wm. Duhlmeir
• H. A. Greenleaf
• Charles F. Green
• James W. Gibbs
• John Moxley
• W. B. Perry
• George L. Flora
• F. J. Hollcroft
• Thomas Kincaid
• John F. Doan
• Joseph Burrows
• John D. Works
• Wm. Keisel
• George F. Jackman
• W. P. Lock

Officers for present term:

• Kansas Hollcroft, N. G.
• C. O. Thiebaud, V. G.
• Marene Hollcroft, Secretary
• C. F. Green, Treasurer
• Geo. W. Teats, Warden
• John D. Works, Conductor
• Geo. J. Abbott, I. G.
• John W. Banta, R. S. to N. G.
• Will L. Teats, L. S. to N. G.
• R. L. Phillips, R. S. S.
• W. F. Bonner, L. S. S.
• Charles D. Cain, R. S. to V. G.
• Amie Lanham, L. S. to V. G.

Total number of members in good standing, 71.

 

Phoenix Lodge No. 182, Vevay.
Date of Charter, November 19, 1856.

The Lodge was instituted on the evening of February 10, 1857.

Charter members, holding withdrawal cards from Vevay Lodge No. 6:
Isaac Stevens, Samuel Porter, Samuel E. Pleasants, Samuel Russell, Joshua J. Porter, Julius Dufour, T. M. Danglade, James Cowan, John L. Danglade, William Hamilton.

Noble Grands since organization:
[See newspaper for term dates.]

• Isaac Stevens
• John D. Ramseyer
• Joseph Dalmazzo
• Robert P. Porter
• David Armstrong
• R. F. Grisard
• J. S. Montgomery
• Hiram Froman
• Alfred Tapp
• F. P. Dupraz
• Joseph Rutherford
• Philip Romerill
• James Rutherford
• F. S. Grisard, Jr.
• W. H. Rugles
• R. Graham
• Joseph Rutherford
• W. H. Rugles
• R. F. Grisard
• B. F. Gilbert
• F. P. Dupraz
• J. W. Kincaid
• M. W. Tague
• J. W. Rodgers
• M. W. Tague
• R. F. Grisard
• John Chatelin
• W. M. Smith
• Alfred Rous
• John T. Schofield
• W. M. Smith
• Fred Finnup
• J. C. Long
• J. W. Foulkner
• J. G. Long
• E. E. Long
• W. B. Owens
• Thomas Gordon
• W. P. Hall
• E. E. Long
• J. C. Long
• W. B. Owens
• B. S. Northcott
• P. T. Hartford
• W. W. Long

Officers for present term:

• A. P. Dufour, N. G.
• Charles G. Boerner, V. G.
• J. R. Hart, Secretary
• E. M. Stevens, Treasurer
• J. H. Burrows, Warden
• Charles Mead, Conductor
• Thomas Gordon, Guardian
• George Krummell, R. S. S.
• S. D. Armstrong, L. S. S.
• Supporters N. G.: P. T. Hartford, R. S.; J. R. Cunningham, L. S.
• Supporters to V. G.: James S. Knox, R. S.; Hiram Corns, L. S.

There are 97 members in good standing. The Lodge meets every Saturday night.

 

Naomi Encampment, No. 13, Vevay.

This encampment commenced work by dispensation on the evening of April 17, 1848, and on July 14, 1848, was granted a Charter.

The following were the charter members:
Wm. B. Moore, Wm. Boyd, Jr., John L. Danglade, Isaac Stevens, Wm. Hall, Julius Dufour, and Henry H. Hatch.

Officers for first term:

• Wm. B. Moore, C. P.
• Wm. Boyd, Jr., H. P.
• John L. Danglade, S. W.
• Wm. Hall, J. W.
• Isaac Stevens, Jr., Scribe
• Julius Dufour, Treasurer.

Names of Past Patriarchs:
[See newspapers for term details.]

• Wm. B. Moore
• John L. Danglade
• Wm. Hall
• J. R. Morerod
• Ira N. Malin
• Joseph Jagers
• George H. Kyle
• Lewis Golay
• Isaac Stevens
• Oliver Dufour
• John F. Doan
• T. M. Danglade
• Jesse Teats
• Wm. Patton
• M. D. Briscoe
• J. L. Thiebaud
• Samuel E. Pleasants
• T. M. Danglad
• J. L. Thiebaud
• Isaac Stevens
• John F. Doan
• Harris Keeney
• F. J. Waldo
• Oliver Ormsby
• George W. Hathorn
• J. R. Morerod
• Isaac Stevens
• L. W. Gordon
• J. R. Morerod
• Harris Keeney
• John F. Doan
• R. F. Grisard
• Geo. W. Teats
• J. M. Holcraft
• John S. Norisez
• Wm. M. Patton
• Larkin Johnston
• F. P. Dupraz
• M. W. Tague
• Joseph Rutherford
• Wm. R. Johnston
• John K. Pye
• Wm. Patton
• J. M. Hollcroft
• R. F. Brewington
• Fred L. Grisard, Jr.
• John Chateline
• Will M. Smith
• Geo. W. Teats
• M. W. Tague
• Wm. Norisez
• J. C. Long
• James W. Gibbs
• E. E. Long
• J. W. Faulkner
• C. F. Green
• Fred L. Grisard, Jr.
• J. W. Gibbs
• John D. Works
• W. P. Hall
• F. J. Hollcroft

Officers for present term:

• R. S. Northcott, C. P.
• John W. Banta, H. P.
• A. P. Dufour, S. W.
• P. T. Hartford, J. W.
• J. D. Works, Scribe
• C. F. Green, Treasurer
• R. F. T. Abbett, Guide
• H. M. Fallis, I. S.
• E. E. Long, 1st and 3d Watch
• G. W. Teats, 2d and 4th Watch
• A. P. Dufour, Host

Number of members in good standing, 41. Regular meetings 1st and 3d Friday nights each month.

 

Utilis Lodge, No. 260, Florence
This Lodge was instituted July 2d, 1866. P. G. Wm. H. Fry, officiated.

The following persons were appointed to fill the various offices on this occasion:

• R. F. Grisard, P. G. , Grand Warden
• A. M. Connett, Grand Secretary
• S. Q. Howe, Treasurer
• W. C. Barnes, Grand Sentinel
• C. Loler, Grand Marshall
• W. Y. Monroe, Grand Chaplain

The applicants for the charter were introduced and qualified, after which they proceeded to elect the following named officers:

• Nicholus Jorgenson, N. G.
• John F. W. Thomas, V. G.
• Andrew Shafer, Treasurer
• Wm. Emmerson, Secretary

The following petitioners were then duly elected and initiated:
John Mullen, John F. McCreary, W. C. Robinson, Lemuel Bledsoe, Thomas A. Stewart and John Henry.

James McFadden, Phillip A. Bettens and A. F. Moore were then admitted on card.

Date of charter May 2d, 1866.

Charter members: Nicholas Jorgenson, John F. W. Thomas, C. H. Albro, Green Bondurant, Wm. Emmerson, Andrew Shafer, C. T. McKibben.

Names of Past Grands and dates of office:
[See newspaper for term details.]

• Nicholas Jorgenson
• John F. W. Thomas
• L. Bledsoe
  Phillip A. Bettens
• C. T. McKibben
• [illegible] John Mullen
• A. F. [illegible]
• C. H. Albro
• John M. Dunn
• Robert Kline
• A. Givens
• James Schmeid
• Henry Easman
• William Woodruff
• W. C. Armstrong
• Fred Luck
• W. C. Robinson
• G. W. Land
• John M. Dunn
• L. Edrington
• E. J. Robinson
• John F. McCreary
• Ira Land
• Thomas Carver
• L. Edrington
• J. E. Bonnell
• Green Bondurant

Names of officers for present term beginning January 1st, 1880:

• Dorwin Schmeid, N. G.
• Thomas Wiley, V. G.
• Wm. Woodruff, Per. Secretary
• L. Bledsoe, Treasurer
• J. E. Bonnell, Warden
• A. Givens, Cond.
• A. F. Moore, I. G.
• Thomas Carver, R. S. N. G.
• C. F. Schmeid, L. S. N. G.
• Clinton Packenham, R. S. V. G.
• John F. McCreary, L. S. V. G.
• Amos Chase, R. S. S.
• George Wells, L. S. S.

Total number of members at present in good standing, 36. Total number admitted to Lodge since institution, 69.