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     I recently found, among my great-great-grandfathers things, the minutes for the Sons of Temperance, Division No. 60, Organized at Independence, KS, Feb. 26, 1883. It's obviously not the complete records of that organization, unless they were short lived, as the last record is a list of officers for the quarter commencing July 1, 1883. There are many names mentioned but little real information about them is given.

     I'll give a little information about my gggrandfather. His name was Rev. Victor M. Dewey, he was born in NY in 1835. He served in the Civil War from Illinois as a chaplain having been united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1856. Early in 1871, he went to Thayer, KS to become a circuit preacher for Montgomery, Elk, and Wilson counties. In 1872 he moved his family to Independence where he remained a Methodist preacher for the next twelve years. Shortly before he left Independence he and his family helped form Division No. 60 of the Sons of Temperance. This is really all I know about his stay in Kansas. In 1884, they moved to Kansas City, MO.

     I hope this will be of some interest to those researching in this area. -- Forrest Fothergill, Denver CO 

Sons of Temperance  Book of Recording Scribe

Division No. 60

Organized Feb. 26th, 1883

 

Division of the Sons of Temperance met at the rooms of Georgia Crawford on Saturday night March 3, 1883 at the appointed hour, and opened with due form.

First business that came up was the receiving of the application of admittance of V.M. Dewey and Misses Little & Keeler: we have agreed to admit them.

The above named parties having been legally initiated, we now have a short intermission.

Session reopened, and committees were then appointed to do the work appointed them.

Moved and seconded that the division be taxed quarterly. Gentlemen to pay .50 and ladies .25 in advance.

Moved and seconded that a committe be appointed to secure a hall for the purpose of holding the meetings in. Committees appointed were: Mrs. Crow, Mr. Covert and Miss Little.

Moved and seconded that we adjourn to meet next saturday night at Mrs. Crawfords unless otherwise directed.

Financial Scribe has received $5.50 for the treasury.

                  Jennie Conner. Sect.

------------------------------

Independence Kansas

March 9, 1883

Division of the Sons of Temperance met as usual at Mrs. Crawfords rooms and proceeded to the hall, that had been secured for $4.50 a month.

Division called to order. Roll Called. Reading of the minutes and G.W. Sewell applied for admittance and was duely initiated by ballot.

Report of Committee visiting the sick, gave a good report. Other committees reported and all accepted.

Moved and seconded that we accept the prop. for hall, which is to secure the hall for $4.50 per month, motion prevailed.

Moved and seconded that we appoint three trustees. Motion carried and Mrs. Crow, Ernsberger, and V.M. Dewey appointed.

Moved and seconded that we meet at 8 oclock from this time on till last meeting in Sept. Motion prevailed.

Moved and seconded that we adjourn to meet next Saturday night. Motion carried.

Financial Scribe received $1.00.

Jennie Conner. Sect.

------------------------------

Independence. Kansas.

March 17, 1883

Division of Sons of Temperance, met as usual at 8 oclock and opened in due form.

Calling of Roll. Reading of the minutes. Report of committe on proposition. Names of Harry Dewey, and G.G. Barber were presented, and elected by ballot. Harry Dewey was initiated.

Visiting committee gave a good report.

Moved and seconded that Mrs. Dewey procure material for several regalias and rosettes and pay for it, (then present the bill to the treasurer) Motion prevailed.

Moved and seconded that we adjourn to meet next Saturday night. Motion prevailed.

Financial Scribe recd. $1.00.

J. Conner, Sect.

------------------------------

Independence. Kans.

March 24, 1883.

Division of the Sons of Temperance opened according to the usage of the Order.

In the absence of the Recd. Secretary Miss Keeler was appointed to fill that office.

This evening Harry Dewey was appointed outside sentinel.

Motion made by Mr. Dewey to rise and salute W.P when it is asked, "If all have kept the pledge in violate." Motion carried and usage honored at once.

Bill presented by M.J. Dewey and paid by Treas. amt. $1.80

Recess. Closing exercise.

E.A. Keeler. Sect. pro tem.

------------------------------

Independence, Kansas.

April 7th 1883.

Sons of Temperance Hall. Division of The Sons of Temperance held regular meeting and was opened with the following Officers:


W.P. Bro. Way.
W.A. Sist. Georgia Crawford.
R.S. M. Little.
A.R.S.
F.S. Bro. L. Crow.
Treas.
Chaplain. Bro. Hammond.
Conductor. Bro. Cavert.
A.C. Sist. Lovejoy.
P.W.P C. Robbins.
Inside Sentinel. Sist. Eastman.
Outside Sentinel. Bro. H. Dewey.

Opening prayer by Bro. Dewey. Propositions of Mr. E.T. Mears and Mrs. Birdie Florer read and refered to comm. on investigation.

Order proceded to ballot on proposition of Charles Harrington. All being found clear he was declared duly elected.

Bro. Way appointed Bro. Dewey to act as Treasurer during Sist. Dewey's absence.

Division proceded to ballot for officers for the ensuing year. Bro. Way was nominated for W.P. and on prevailing motion, rules were suspended and order voted by acclamation. Bro. Way was unanimously elected W.P.

Sect. Crawford was nominated for W.A. and on prevailing motion rules were suspended and order voted by acclamation. Sist. Crawford was unanimously elected W.A.

Sist. Little was nominated for R.S. and on prevailing motion rules were suspended and order voted by acclamation. Sist. Little was unanimously elected R.S.

A.R.S. Bro. L.M. Crow was nominated F.S. and on prevailing motion rules were suspended and Bro. Crow was elected by a unanimous vote.

Bro. Hammond was nominated for Chaplain and on motion rules were suspended and Bro. Hammond was unanimously elected by acclamation.

Bro. Cavert was then nominated for Conductor. Sister Lovejoy for A.C., Bro. Robbins - P.W.P., Sist. Eastman - Inside Sentinel, Bro. Ernsberger - Outside Sentinel, Sist. Dewey - Treas. On prevailing motion rules were suspended and voting was done by acclamation. All were unanimously elected. Order than proceeded to installation of Officers. Outside Sentinel was absent. P.W.P. conducted installation exercises. Treas. was absent.

For the Good of the Order, Bro. Hammond tho't we should meet promptly; Sist. Little that each should strive to build up the Order; Bro. Robbins thought we should introduce something of a literary feature. Motion made that W.P. appoint a comm. of three to furnish incidental entertainment for next meeting. Motion prevailed. Bro. Robbins, Bro. Hammond and Sist. Little were, appointed to furnish something for the good of the order at the next meeting.

No receipts. Motion made that an order be drawn on the Treasurer for amt. sup. to cover the per capita tax. Motion prevailed. Order closed in form.

M. Little. Sre. Pro. Tem.

------------------------------

Independence, Kansas. April 14th, 1883.

Division of the Sons of Temperance No. 60 held its regular meeting and was opened with the following Officers:


Bro. Way, W.P.
Sist. Crawford, W.A.
Sist. Keeler, P.W.P.
Bro. Dewey, Chap, & Treas.
Sist. Little, R.S.
Bro. Crow, F.S.
Bro. Cavert, Con.
Sist. Lovejoy, A.C.
Sist. Eastman, I.S.
Bro. H. Dewey, O.S.

Minutes of the last meeting read and approved with slight alteration. Report of committees on petitions of Miss Birdie Florer, Mr. C. Harper and G. Dewey being found favorable ballots were spread for acceptance or rejection and all being found clear they were declared duly elected. Mr. Geo. Dewey being found in waiting, he was introduced and initiated according to the form of the Division.

Intermission was given and new member congratulated upon the step he had taken. Division called to order.

Petition of Mrs. R.W. Elder, was read and referred to the comm.

The entertainment furnished by comm. for the same, consisted of a recitation by Sist. Little; the other members of the comm. were absent. W.P. continued the appointment of the other two members for the next meeting.

Bro. Dewey moved that a stylegrapic pen be purchased for use of the Sect. Sect. tho't it would be a wise investment, but the motion was not seconded.

Division closed in form.

M. Little, Sect.

------------------------------

Independence, Kansas. April 21st, 1883

Division of Sons of Temperance held regular meeting and was opened with the following Officers:


W.P. Bro. Way.
W.A.
P.W.P. Bro. Robbins.
Treas. Bro. Dewey.
Chap. Bro. Hammond.
R. Scribe. Sist. Little.
F.S. Bro. Crow.
Con. Bro. Cavert.
A.C. Sist. Gamble.
I.S. Sist. Eastman.
O.S. Bro. H. Dewey.

Members present - Bro. G. Dewey & Ernsberger

Minutes of last regular meeting read and approved as read. Report of comm. on petition of Mrs. Elder read and being found favorable ballots were spread and all being found clear Mrs. Elder duly elected.

Petition of Mr. Conway read and referred.

Bill of V.M. Dewey for One Dollar and 75/100 to pay for trunk, read and on motion allowed and order instructed drawn on the treasurer for same.

Bro. Robbins was not prepared to furnish entertainment.

Bro. Hammond read a selection, "Mark Twain's Watch," which proved very interesting. W.P. continued Bro. Robbins on Comm. and appointed Sist. Conner and Bro. Dewey.

Motion made & seconded that the night of meeting be changed from Sat. to Wed. eve. Discussions followed. Motion prevailed.

W.P. suggested that each member constitute himself a committee of one to bring in one or more for initiation.

Division closed in form.

Mariette Little. Sect.

W.P. tho't a good idea that boys under 18 be initiated for half price. Motion made that all under 18 be initiated for 50 cents and dues held at 25 cents. Motion prevailed. Motion prevailed that Geo. & H. Dewey be credited with dues for present quarter.

Receipts of evening; Three Dollars and Fifty cents.

Motion made that an order be drawn on the Treas. for $1.00 as donation to Geo. & H. Dewey.

M. Little. Sect.

------------------------------

Independence, Kansas. May 19, 1883

Independence Division #60 Sons of Temperance met at usual hour at the call of the Worthy Pat. Present - bros Robbins, Way, VM Dewey, Geo. Dewey, Sister Gamble & O Cavers, & Sister Dewey & Harry Dewey.

Harry Dewey appointed sentinel, Sister Gamble appointed Asst. Cond., Mrs. Dewey Chaplain protem.

Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.

A Communication from the Grand Scribe was read giving notice of a special session of the Grand Division to be held at Ft. Scott, June 5th & 6th. On motion bro. Robbins was elected as delegate.

On motion the night of meeting was changed from wednesday to saturday evening. There being no further business Division closed in due form.

V.M. Dewey RS Protem.

------------------------------

Independence, Kans. May 25, 1883

Division met at the usual hour and opened in due form.

Sister Jennie Conner was appointed Recording Sect protem. Bro. Dewey as Financial Scribe protem.

There being no business to transact Division closed in due form.

Jennie Conner R Scribe protem

------------------------------

July 14th 1883

Division met at usual hour & place with W Pat Way in chair. In the absence of the R. Sec. Sister Emma Keeler was appointed RS protem.

Arrangements were made for paying rent of Hall. The per-capita tax for 1/4 ending June 30 was raised by voluntary contributors.

The Election of Officers being next in Order. Division proceeded to elect Officers for the ensuing term resulting as follows,

W.P. Emma A. Keeler
W.A. Harry Dewey
R.S. V.M. Dewey
F.S. L.M. Crow
Tres. Mrs. M.J. Dewey
Chap. H.J. Hammond
Cond. O. Cavert
A. Cond. Mrs. Emma Eastman
I. Sent. Geo. O.L. Dewey
O.S. Geo. Ernsberger

The following were then Installed - W Pat, WA, RS, F.S., Treas, AC, IS.

No further business. Div. Closed

E.A. Keeler RS protem

------------------------------

Officers for Quarter commencing April 1883.

                April May
                 14 21 28 26

Bro. Way, W.P. p
Sist. Crawford, W.A. a a a
Bro. Robbins, P.W.P. a p
Sist. Dewey, Treas. a a a p
Sist. Little, Scribe. a
Bro. Crow, F.S. a
Bro. Cavert, Con. p
Sist. Lovejoy, A.C. a a p
Bro. Hammond, Chap. a p
Sist. Eastman, Inside S. p
Bro. Ernsberger, Outside S. a a a a

------------------------------

Officers for Quarter commencing July 1st, 1883.

July 21

Miss Emma Keeler, W.P.    p
Harry Dewey, W.A.    p
J.S. Way, P.W.P.    p
Mrs. M.J. Dewey, Tres.    p
V.M. Dewey, Scribe.     p
L.M. Crow, F.S.     a
O. Cavert, Conductor.     a
Mrs. Eastman, A. Con.    p
H.J. Hammond, Chap.     a
Geo. Dewey, Inside S.    p
Geo. Ernsberger, Outside S.    a

Contributed by Forrest Fothergill


KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author.