odin

O.E.S. No. 464

At a special meeting in the Masonic Hall, on July 12, 1900, called for the purpose of instituting Odin Chapter O.E.S., the Worthy Matron and officers of Salem Chapter O.E.S. No. 202, conferred the degrees on twenty who had signed petitions, and the officers were installed. The first Worthy Matron was Mary J. Tracy; first Worthy Patron, B.F. Norris, and other charter members, as follows: Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Woodward; Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Love; Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Sloan; Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Barber; Mrs. E. M. Norris; Mrs. Silvia Woodward; Mrs. Lillie Robinson; W. A. Matthews; Ella Matthews; Ella Headley; Effie Farthing; Mrs. Pontius; Mr. H. P. Hurd; Miss Viola Somerville; Nell Sommerville; Alpha Sommerville; Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Ferguson; Frank Boring; Mrs. Kate Boring; G. A. Smith and Myrtle Matthews.

Having no other business, the Worthy Matron dismissed the chapter and all were invited to the New Virginia Hotel, to partake of a banquet prepared by Odin Chapter in honor of the occasion and to the guests of Salem Chapter assisting with the work.

At this time the Masonic Hall was on South Main St., south of the Odin Depot and the Chapter met every second and fourth Tuesday. Later the Chapter was given the number 464 O.E.S. of Illinois.

Mrs. I. W. Love offered her organ to use until the Chapter could purchase one. They worked hard to build up the Chapter but had many happy social times too, and after a few years moved to North Main St. in the third story of the brick building that stood next to the bank. After it was destroyed by fire they moved into a hall above Mary’s Vogue Shop, and from there, about 1945, moved to present location on South Main, above the fire departments.

In November 1941 the O.E.S. served a Thanksgiving banquet to the members of the Masonic lodge, in the school gym, to help them celebrate their seventy-fifth anniversary. That evening the Mason’s presented fifty year pins to C.E. Sloan and W.H. Farthing.

In 1950, the O.E.S. celebrated their golden anniversary with a banquet and program.

In 1954 the Chapter gave a party and program in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Buchanan’s golden wedding anniversary.

The Chapter now has 114 members, and meets every second and fourth Monday. The present Worthy Matron is Shirley Farthing, Lucille Kessel, secretary and Mayme Rippy, treasurer.

(Odin Chapter O.E.S. of Illinois)