Here is a list of lodges that once existed in Milltown, IN. Each lodge will be updated with various information as I obtain it.
Free and Accepted Masons Lodge #661
Chartered date: May 24, 1905
Year of closure: Still Open!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064935392079
Information:
Second Masonic lodge to have started in Milltown (first one moved it’s charter to Marengo).
Charter Members:
William Shelby Ross (WM)
J Harry Lemmon
J Frank Ferguson
John E Funk
William S Daniel
Jacob L Summers
Franklin P Walts
J Marion Hammond
Scott M Walts
Dr. George W Baylor
Samuel H Bline
Dr I J Hopper
Albert L Summers
George W Ferguson
William S Bergman
John T Hassen
Robert P Hoffman
Oliver Summers
Charles M Funk
Originally met in a building on Main Street, above Dr. Johnson’s office. In 1933, the lodge moved to it’s new headquarters above the newly constructed Watson’s Hardware store.
*Info from “Milltown: A Community History” by Jeffrey Davis and William Brockman
General Federation of Women’s Clubs #
Charter date: 1948
Year of closure:
Information:
Known as the ‘Friendly Hour Club’. Mabel Lockhart was the first president of the club.
In the 1950s, the club was involved in a project providing the first street signs and house numbering system in Milltown. Club also conducted the first child health survey in the Whiskey Run Township.
*Info from “Milltown: A Community History” by Jeffrey Davis and William Brockman
Improved Order of Red Men Lodge (Yulupa Tribe) #440
Chartered date:
Year of closure:
Information:
The lodge met upstairs in the building at the head of Main Street that had once been a school. (“Milltown – A Community History” – Jeffrey David & William Brockman)
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge #447
Chartered date: May 24, 1874 (or Apr 11, 1874)
Year of closure:
Information:
According to the Crawford County Democrat newspaper, April 16, 1874, an IOOF lodge was instituted at Milltown on Saturday, April 11, 1874 (which is different than the date from the by-laws book). The installed officers were Wm. Miller, N.G.; James Flanigan, V.G.; Edwin J. Bye, Secretary; and Andrew Miller, Treasurer.
Regular meetings were held on each Friday evening at 7:00 pm during the months of October, November, December, January, February and March; and at 7:30 pm during the months of April, May, June, July, August and September. (* taken from by-laws book pictured below)
By-law committee of 1939: Albert Judd, Willard Jones, W.W. Dooley. By-laws were adopted on Friday, February 10, 1939. Fred Ferguson, Fin.-Sec; Vincent Newkirk, N.C. By-laws examined and approved by Fred Major, D.G.M. (*taken from the by-laws book pictured below)
On July 31, 1911, there were 128 members of the lodge (“History of Crawford County” – Pleasant)
In 1884, the group purchased the Masonic Building (which was used by F&AM #475) on the corner at the head of Main Street. (“Milltown – A Community History” – Jeffrey David & William Brockman)
I.O.O.F. Encampment #401
Chartered date: Nov 1, 1941
Year of closure:
Information:
Independent Order of Working Men Lodge #25
Chartered date:
Year of closure:
Information:
International Association of Rebekah Assemblies Lodge #675
Chartered date: 1892
Year of closure:
Information: Known as “White Rose, Rebekah Lodge #675”
Regular meetings were held on every first and third Monday nights of each month at 7:30 pm during the entire year.
By-laws committee on Nov 19, 1951: Wavie Judd, Anna DeWeese, and Inez Huslar.
*Info taken from by-laws book pictured below.
Knights of Pythias Lodge #304
Chartered date: June 2, 1891
Year of closure:
Information:
Members signing the charter:
G.W. Funk, W.M. Rhode, C.W. Rawling, J. Summers, G.W. Baylor, Robin Proctor, J.M. Hammon, J.E. Dorley, W.M. Poe, F.K. Moon, C.A. Trotter, Ed Moon, J.W. Pennington, W. Flanigan, J.E. Funk and Fred Patterson. (“Milltown – A Community History” – Jeffrey David & William Brockman)
The lodge building that was constructed, would be the same building they used until their closure.
*Thanks to Lance Stroud for two of the below photos.
Modern Woodmen of America Camp #
Chartered date: August 19, 1899
Year of closure:
Information:
National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry – Mt Lebanon Lodge #2259
Chartered date: June 4, 1918
Year of closure:
Information:
Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #412
Chartered date: April 25, 1917
Year of closure:
Information:
Mrs. Nellie Johnson, wife of Dr. J.J. Johnson, helped get the chapter started and served as the first Matron. The chapter used the same building as the Freemasons. (“Milltown – A Community History” – Jeffrey David & William Brockman)
Fraternal Histories of Crawford County Indiana 