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History of Harmony Grand Chapter
Forward
The facts pertaining to the history of Harmony Grand Chapter, Jurisdiction of Missouri have not been changed.
An Edition of this History was re-printed by sister Evelyn B. Topps, and Sister Grace L. Green, and the late sister Elviria Coleman Grand Historian, in 1984, under the direction of Grand Worthy the late sister Effie M. Jason Kent. The Late brother Arthur Hill served as Grand Worthy Patron, Most Worshipful Preston O. Sanders, and Grand Master.
Let’s picture the date is April 22, 1887, the time is 3:00 pm, the place the Negro Masonic Hall, located at 412 North 11th, street, at this time Missouri is under the Jurisdiction of Ohio Grand Chapter. The Grand Chapter was organized by Rev. G. H. Shaffer with the assistance of Grand Master of Masons Zacharia Delany, O.M. Woods, W.M. Harrison, Rev, James Powell, Rev. J.T. Buck, Rev. Moses Dickson, William Houston, Benjamin F. Rogers, Harvey Houston, Allen Gunnell, and Milton F. Fields.
The Eastern Star and Queen of the South degrees were conferred upon 28 ladies.
This Chapter was named Electa Chapter No. 8, O.E.S., of Missouri, hailing from the Ohio Jurisdiction. A Dispensation from the Ohio Jurisdiction was read giving Electa Chapter authority to receive and confer degrees upon applicants the Eastern Star and the Queen of the South Degrees.
This was the first chapter in Missouri, which closed with 14 Officers, 16 members, and 10 honorary members
July 25, 1888, at the Annual Communication of the Ohio Jurisdiction, held at Gallipolis, Ohio, Electa Chapter #8 was represented by Worthy Matron Lucy Delaney. At this Session Electa Chapter #1 received its Warrant and was known as Electa Chapter #8, Jurisdiction of Missouri, hailing from the Ohio Jurisdiction.
Electa Chapter #8 worked 3 years under this Jurisdiction. During this time 4 additional Chapters were organized by Grand Deputy O.M. Woods, who was assisted by Electa Chapter #8.
These Chapters were:
Eureka Chapter #9 – Malinda J. Thomas Worthy Matron
Corinthian Chapter #10- Ellen Gunnell Worthy Matron
Ruth Chapter #11 – Sophia Anderson Worthy Matron
Esther Chapter #12 – Fanny Rutherford Worthy Matron
Worthy Matron-Lucy Delaney
Worthy Patron-O.M. Woods
Associate Matron-Courtney Worthington
Secretary-Lucy B. Smith
Treasurer-Catherine Mosby
Conductress- Margaret Findley
Associate Conductress – Ella D. Turner
Adah-Julia Grant
Ruth-Frankie Hawkins
Esther-Hortense Woods
Martha- Anna T. Beretha
Electa-Mary Haycraft
Warder-Annia Walls
Sentinel-Zacharia Delaney
It was resolved that the name of this Grand chapter should be The Grand Chapter of the O.E.S. Missouri and Jurisdiction. Reports were received after which the First Grand Chapter of the State of Missouri closed in due form to convene in the City of St. Louis, the last Monday in July 1891.
During the year 1891-1892 there was great success as 9 new Chapter were added.
They were:
Adah Chapter, Kansas City, Missouri.
Ruth Chapter, Kansas City, Missouri.
Esther Chapter, Independence, Missouri.
St. Paul Chapter, St. Paul, Minnesota
Adah Chapter, Moberly, Missouri
Golden Gate Chapter, St. Joseph, Missouri
Rising Sun Chapter, Plattsburg, Missouri
Star Light Chapter, Platte City, Missouri
In 1893 strife occurred in Grand Chapter over the election of Grand Officers. Eureka Chapter #9 withdrew its membership from the Missouri Grand Chapter. This chapter then became a member and assisted in the organization of a Royal Grand Chapter of Missouri, better known as the Walker Grand Chapter of Missouri, presided over by B. F. Rogers.
The United Grand Chapter.
Following several years of strife between the two bodies, a committee consisting of members of each body was formed. John Jenkins of the Walker Grand Chapter of Missouri, Dr. G.H. Schaffer, and Thomas Jackson of the Grand Chapter, O.E.S., were appointed with the instructions and authority to present a Resolution agreeing to a convention of the representatives of the respective Chapters called to convene at a place agreed upon by the Grand Worthy Matron and Grand Worthy Patron.
Several years passed before the policies of this Resolution passed. Dispute arose as to the lawfulness of the Grand Chapter O.E.S., of Missouri and that of the Grand Chapter of Walker.
In July1920, there was discord between the United Grand Chapter and the Most Worshipful Grand Master Crittenden E. Clark, Missouri Jurisdiction.
Proclamations were sent out by Grand Worthy Matron Lottie Gamble calling for a Special Session of the Order of Eastern Star for October 7th and 8th 1921, to be held Mexico Missouri. The purpose was for the reorganizing the Eastern Star in the State of Missouri, adopting a constitution under which the work would be carried on, including electing officers.
At this time a lawsuit was brought by Mr. Walker and some of his followers of the United Grand Chapter. This struggle ended when the Kansas City Court of Appeals handed down a final decision April 7, 1902, sustaining the United Grand Chapter O.E.S of Missouri in its style and title, thus giving them control of Missouri and Jurisdiction.
Harmony Grand Chapter is Organized 1921
On October 7th and 8th, 1921, a Convention of Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star Met in Mexico Mo., pursuant to the call of the committee appointed by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge AF & AM of Missouri. The roll call of Chapters was called, and a constitutional number responded. Grand Master Crittenden Clark called the meeting to order in a convention form, with a song and prayer by brother Wright. Grand Master Clark read the agreement was reached by the committee from the Grand Chapter.
Election was held with the following officers being elected temporarily:
Clara Knox – Chairman
Florence McBride – Vice Chairman
Texana T. White – Treasurer
Gertrude Sutherland – Secretary
Eva M. Fox – Assistant Secretary
Committees appointed were:
Credentials: Rosa C. Oliver, Leona Williams, Mary Johnson, and David Cleeton
Constitution: Birdie Harrison, Eva G. Bolden, Alberta Glasgow, Rosa C. Oliver, Marie Smith, Jesse Robnett, Mary Johnson, Leona Williams, Edward Levy, Fred Dabney, chairman.
Annie E. Woodson, Texana T. White, Birdie Harrison
Lone Star # 2, KC, Clara T. Knox, Annie E. Woodson, Mary Johnson, Leanna McCampbell
Ada # 3 KC Josephine Truehart, Cecelia Johnson
Ruth # 4 KC –Eva M. Fox, Minnie Crosswait, Della Green
Esther # 5 St. Louis- Eva G. Bolden, Mayme Polk, Annie horn, Julia James, Sarah A. Dixon
St. James # 6 St. Louis- Florence McBride, Rev. R.H. Cole, Gertrude E. Sutherland
Martha #7 St. Louis- Luella Radford, Alice Burnett, Ogestine Beard
Corinthian #9 St. Louis-Blanch B. Hill
Ada Star #12 St Louis-Lottie Bell, Alice G,. Price, Alma A. Clark, Crittenden E Clark
Rising Sun #14 Plattsburg-Gertrude Anderson
Queen of Sheba #19 KC -Lulu Walker, Katie Powell, Frances Howard
Kimbrough #20, Carrollton-David Cleeton
Euclid #23 Springfield-Frances Moxley
Zorah #25 KC-myrtle Whitley, Marie Lewis
Rebecca #27 Lexington-Rosa C. Oliver
Amos Johnson #20 Columbia-Jesse M. Robnett
Silver Leaf #32 Carthage- Louisa McGee
Wisdom #33 Mexico-E. J. Cooper
Queen Victoria #34 Moberly-Katie Black, Lucy Paey
R.W. Foster #36 KC- Mary Porter, Annette Barton, America B. Robinson,
V.E. Guy #40 Cape Girardeau-Leona Williams
Mary B. Carruthers #43 KC-Elizabeth Stokes
St. Louis # 46 St Louis-Fannie McDonald, Annetta Officer
Queen City #47 Sedalia-Victoria Dillion
Melrose #55 KC-Mildred Jett, Pearl Dabney, Cora Murry,
A.L Lee #59 KC-Charles W. C. Brown
Addie Allen #63 KC-Mamie B. Quick
Bright Star #66 Columbia-Sarah Brown
Master Masons present were:
Crittenden E. Clark – Worshipful Grand Master
Eugene Lacey – Deputy Grand Master
Harry Walker – Grand Treasurer
Fred W. Dabney – Grand Scribe
C.G. Williams – Past Grand Master
E.J. Cooper- Grand Lecturer
Leon Hill – Grand Secretary
L.A. Knox- Grand Attorney
J.P. Moffitt – Grand High Priest
Edward S. Levy- Grand Burial and Relief Secretary
D. Livingston White, Past Master
An Election was held; with the Voting strength was 116.
It was motioned by sister America B. Robinson, seconded by sister Eva G. Bolden that the Convention resolves itself into a regularly constituted Grand Chapter O.E.S. of Missouri and jurisdiction to be known as Harmony Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star of Missouri and jurisdiction. The motion was carried. Past Gran Matron Francis M. Boxley opened Harmony Grand Chapter in ample form. It was then moved by Past Grand Matron America Robinson, seconded by Mayme M. Polk to go into Election. The motion was carried. Tellers appointed were: Edward Levy, C.G. Williams, and J.P.Moffitt
Grand Officers Elected was:
Grand Worthy Matron-Clara T. Knox-KC
Grand Worthy Patron-R.H. Cole-St. Louis
Associate Matron- Mamie B. Smith-Sedalia
Grand Treasurer-Frances Boxley-Springfield
Grand Secretary-Gertrude Sutherland-Kinloch
Grand Burial and Relief Secretary Minnie Crossthwaite-KC
Grand Lecturer-Mary H. Johnson-KC
Grand Associate Conductress Lucy Paey-Moberly
Appointed Officers were:
Grand Ada-Annette Barton-KC
Grand Ruth-Victoria Dillion-Sedalia
Grand Esther-Jesse Robinette-Columbia
Grand Martha- Mamie Bush-KC
Grand Electa-E. Marie Newton-St. Louis
Grand Marshal (East) Fanny McDonald-St. Louis
Grand Marshal (West) Cecelia Johnson-KC
Grand Warder-Florence McBride-St. Louis
Grand Sentinel-David Cleeton-KC
Grand Chaplain-Martha Lewis-KC
Grand Registrar-Eva m. Fox-KC
Grand Organist-Annetta Officer-St. Louis
Committee Appointments:
Appeals and Grievances-Katie Powel Chairman-KC- chairman
Audit-Ethelyne Hoard-Chairman-St. Louis-chairman-St. Louis
Grand Officers Address-Gertrude Anderson, -Plattsburg-chairman
Accounts, Myrtle Whitney-KC-chairman
Accounts Myrtle Whitney-KC-chairman
Obituaries Elizabeth Stokes-KC-chairman
Constitution & By Laws-Rosa C. Oliver-Lexington-chairman
Correspondence-Alma A. Clark-St. Louis-chairman
Returns Josephine Truehart-KC-chairman
Credentials Louisa McGhee-Carthage-chairman
First District Deputy Grand Matron.Mayme Polk-St Louis
Second District Deputy Grand Matron- Lena McCampbell-KC
Following Election Officers were installed by Past Grand Matron America B. Robinson, assisted by Past Grand Lecturer Eva G. Bolden. Prayer was offered by Rev. R.H. Cole, after singing Count Your Many blessings.
At this time Grand Master Crittenden E. Clark declared Harmony Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star of Missouri and Jurisdiction adopted by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Missouri and Jurisdiction. The Grand Master then turned over $2,000.00 to be used by Harmony Grand Chapter. A vote of thanks was extended.
The Grand Matron then declared Harmony Grand Chapter would close and that the first Annual Session would be held in St. Louis, Missouri August 9-11, 1922, at Washington Tabernacle, Baptist Church 2726 Pine.
On the first day of the first Session, August 9, 1922, Grand Worthy Matron Clara T. Knox returned the $2,000.00 loan back to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge. The gavel of Corinthian Chapter #9 was used for a time by Grand Worthy Matron Clara T. Knox.
Great pride is taken in the fact that St. Louis was the historical meeting place when Harmony Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star of Missouri was formally adopted by the Most Worshipful Grand lodge of Missouri.