Early Organizations in Russellville
- Lawrence Lore
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
The Russellville Literary Society had been reorganized in February 1872 and was known as the Russellville Lyceum. Fred Pierce was its president, Dr. JD Stevens, Sec., James Johnson, Treas., James Broyles and David Price, marshals. The organization published a paper known as The Russellville Clipper, with Professor Kearns as editor.
The Lodge
September 27, 1899 J.R. Tedford organized an A.F & A.M. Lodge at Russellville named the Tedford Lodge.
December 20 1899 Russellville Lodge, No 348, A.F. & A.M. elected and installed the following officers: J.M. Jarrett, W.M.; H.W. Zeigler, S.W.; J.W. Weger, J.W.; P.H. Lyons, Treas; Price Nuttal, Sec; J.P. Weger, S.R.; W.L. Tohill, Marshal; H.F. Jones, Chap; T. Lougdon, S.S.; W.C. Hayhurst, J.S.; J.O. Weger, Tyler.
DECEMBER 23, 1903 Russellville Lodge A.F. & A.M. at their annual meeting elected and installed the following officers:
J.C. Taylor-W.M.
J.W. Smith-S.W.
J.H. Mickey-J.W.
W.L. Tohill-Treas
Chas Plewin-Sec
W.O. Edginton-S.D.
M.C. Carter-J.D.
January 11 1893 Russellville Lodge No. 348 A.F. & A.M. acting under special disposition from the Grand East, under date of December 24, 1892, elected, appointed and installed the following officers for the ensuing year.
Thomas H. Maxedon, W.M.
Noah M. Tohill, S.W.
Fred Cox, J.W.
James H. Mickey, Treasurer
G.M. Funk, Jr-Secretary
D.M. Rundle, S.D.
J.W. Weger, J.W.
E. Rundle and J.P. Weger, Stewards
G.W. Dickenson, Chaplain
J. D. Moore, Tyler
Bro. Sampson Taylor, officer installing.
Odd Fellows Organization
March 16, 1872 Russellville had an Odd Fellows organization according to the Vincennes newspaper.
January 30, 1874 The Vincennes Weekly Sun reported that the Independent Order of Odd Fellows installed the following officers: J. D. Stevens, J. R. Sherwood, A. P. Wolf, P.W. Beckes and D. H. Davis.
Royal Neighbors
The internet says: ‘In 1895 women weren’t supposed to be educated, weren’t supposed to handle financial matters, weren’t considered worthy of financial protection, and weren’t even considered capable of voting for the government leaders who represented them. On March 21, 1895, nine women founded Royal Neighbors of America, a unique combination of business and volunteerism, supporting women. The early members of the Society were ahead of their time. In addition to providing life insurance for women, they stood firmly behind the women’s suffrage movement. Royal Neighbors was also one of the first fraternal societies to insure children and recognize mortality studies establishing the fact that women live longer than men, and to reflect that difference in life insurance premiums.’ There is some disagreement about the actual date of founding but what’s important for our history is that there were two groups in Lawrence County, one in Russellville and one in Sumner.
