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Farmers Lodge History Cont. |
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Said resolution being adopted the Chair appointed Brother David Conger and Norris said committee after which the meeting adjourned. On August 28, 1852, the Brothers again assembled at the home of Brother David J. Conger who was Chairman, Brother Norris Secretary. Which at this time present were Brothers R. S. Foster, J. F Lewis, Jessie Moorman, J. M. Norris, Thomas Moore, David J. Conger and Jefferson Conger. At this meeting they were granted the privilege of holding lodge under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Indiana under which they operated until May 25, 1853. At this time they received the Charter and under the Charter we continue to work to this day as Farmers Lodge No. 147. As before stated the Lodge had been holding its meetings in a suitable place furnished by David Jefferson Conger. This place was used until the Lodge purchased a lot in Norristown, Indiana in April 1855, with no record we presume that the Lodge was built that year, and was used continuously until July 4, 1946, at which time we moved into our new Temple that had been the local school building that had been remodeled by the Lodge. It might be of some interest to know that Farmers Lodge held its regular stated meetings on the Saturday on or before the full moon of each month. Sometimes there would be two regular stated meetings in a single month and these meetings were continued by this mark of time until April 18, 1922 when the by-laws were revised and the regular stated meetings changed to the first Thursday of each month as they are to date. Another little bit of interest has been noted that on June 25, 1855 Brother W. E. Bone sold the Lodge one set of Hickory Bottom Chairs for the sum of $4.50, which was credited to his membership dues. We therefore assume that in the summer of 1855 the brothers moved in to their New Temple, this building was occupied by a grocery store down stairs and later a apartment building and to this date has been destroyed by a fire. On February 16, 1922, an Order of Eastern Star was instituted, and is know as Flat Rock Chapter No. 473, and on May 23, 1922, this Chapter was constituted. Flat Rock Chapter O.E.S. has a large membership and has been a very great asset to the Farmers Lodge. There has also been the home to DeMolay Chapter that met at Farmers Lodge, David Conger Chapter Order of DeMolay and was originated in the 1950's and later folded. The Chapter was named after one of the founding members of Farmers Lodge and has had many of its members join Farmers Lodge and go on the become outstanding men in their communities and devoted members of the Lodge.
The Charter Members of Farmers Lodge # 147 were: David Conger, W.M. John F. Lewis, S.W. Jessie Moorman, J.W. James M. Norris, Secretary Thomas Moore, Treasurer R. S. Foster, SD Jefferson Conger, JD William E. Bone, Tyler
The Farmers Lodge No. 147 and Flat Rock Chapter O.E..S. still to this day have a very loyal following and support of their Brothers and Sisters and support each other in this wonderful world of Free Masonry.
This information has been composed from materials written by Willard J. Day, Eugene Monroe and Roy Weinantz |
