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The following is copied from The Select
Knight of America newspaper Vol II No. 8, Chicago, March 15, 1894.
P. C. Furbush was born in Machais,
Washington Co., Me., February, 1858, where he resided until 1879, when he
moved to Boston, Mass., and later to Chicago. The following year he moved
to Minneapolis, Minn., returning to Chicago in 1881, where he has since
resided. He joined Star of the West Legion, No. 47, during the winter of
1891-92, and has always taken an active interest in its success and the
Order at large. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and National Union. |
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note:
Since the names WALKER and JORDON are in
Eva's line, Mrs. T. E. Jordan, Miss Esther Jordan and Mrs. J. F. Walker
may be related to Eva.
The following is copied from The
Select Knight of America newspaper Vol II No. 8, Chicago, March 15,
1894.
STAR OF THE WEST AUXILIARY, NO. 1
In January, 1893, Mrs. A. G. Stillman issued a call to the wives of
members of Star of the West Legion, No. 47, for a meeting to be held at
her residence on Tuesday, Jan. 24, for the purpose of organizing a ladies'
branch to the Select Knights of America. Owing to one of the severest snow
storms of the season occuring on this date, but three ladies responded.
Accordingly, a second meeting was called for January 31st, at the
residence of Mrs. T. E. Jordan. At this meeting, notwithstanding the
inclemency of the weather, eight ladies were present, and the organization
was completed and officers elected. The society was called the Ladies'
Auxiliary of the S. K. of A. The charter members were Mesdames A. G.
Stillman, founder; M. H. McGuirk, J. T. Birch, T. E. Jordan, J. J.
Diederich, A. Diederich, H. Dussold and
P. C. Furbush.
Meetings were continued at the homes of the members until April 18, when
Comrade G. Franchere kindly donated the use of his hall, at 188 Blue
Island avenue, which they are still occupying free of charge. The
Auxiliary has given several parties, dances, etc., and on every occasion
the event has proven a social and financial success. But the great event
in its history was during the annual session in this city in August, 1893.
The ladies of the Auxiliary were desirous of making as favorable an
impression as possible on the Grand Legion officers and Representatives,
and knew no better way to accomplish this object than to appease their
appetites. It was accordingly decided to give a banquet to the members of
the Grand Legion and their ladies at the coming session. But one obstacle
stood in the way, that of finances. An appeal was made to Star of the West
and Chevalier Bayard Legions and to the Central Committee. Each responded
nobly, with the result that on Aug. 22, at the Tremont House, a banquet
was served second to none ever given in the Order. An elegant menu,
toasts, speeches, vocal and instrumental music, etc., were the order of
the evening, and were so appreciated that the evening passed all too
quickly. On Aug. 23 they were acknowledged by the Grand Legion as an
Auxiliary to the Select Knights of America. In November, not having any
form of Constitution, Nos. 1 and 2 (Columbia Auxiliary, No. 2, had in the
meantime been instituted.) petitioned the Grand Commander for one, and he
in reply called a meeting of the ladies and Knights for Dec. 20. At this
meeting Geo. W. Linn was elected Grand Dictator, a Constitution and
By-Laws were adopted, and a committee appointed to draw up a ritual. In
accordance with the Constitution Auxiliary No. 1, at the last meeting in
January, 1894, elected their officers for the ensuing year, and at the
first meeting in February they were installed by Grand Dictator Geo. W.
Linn. Gollowing were the officers elected: Past Pres., Mrs. A. G. Stillman;
Pres., Mrs.
P. C. Furbush; Vice-Pres.,
Mrs. T. E. Jordan; Sec., Miss Esther Jordan; Fin. Sec., Mrs. A. W. Kenney;
Tres., Mrs. M. H. McGuirk; Conductor, Mrs. J. T. Birch; Guard, Mrs. J. F.
Walker; Assistant Guard, Mrs. H. Dussold. From the date of its first
meeting Auxiliary No. 1 has grown in popular favor, and rarely a meeting
passes without applications for membership. The prospects at present
appear very favorable for the new branch, and through the efforts of the
little band of eight who met on that cheerless stormy day in January,
1893, with but faint prospects of a successful future, there may possibly,
and undoubtedly will, grow an organization powerful its saving influence
on the lives of countless thousands. |
