We live in a world that is growing more and more impersonal; a world that forgets its past at the peril of losing a connection with the bedrock of where it came from. Preserving ties to the past is an important aspect of maintaining that connection and remaining grounded with who we are as a people. I felt compelled to write something about this ribbon that we found at a garage sale today. It is a two sided ribbon , each side identifying the lodge it came from. Bob found this sitting on a table, along side of some war time memorabilia, to be a IOOF Haskell Lodge ribbon. It was obviously very old and since my mother was a Rebekah member for many years, I looked at the ribbon rather closely and found it to be from the same building she attended lodge at...The Lee Center Abigail Rebekah Lodge, which was held in the Haskell Building.This ribbon apparently from an older IOOF group there in Lee Center. .
In September, 1913, Mrs. Abigail L. Haskell, widow of George E. Haskell, attended a ceremony dedicating a building erected through her generous contribution. The odd Fellows used the upper part of this building for their lodge meetings and banquets. Thee was a kitchen in the basement, where dinners would be held. . On the main floor there was a large store room which was converted into a grocery store and operated by Earl McNinch for many years. my mom's lodge used the top floor and kitchen of the building for meetings and dinners... Later, she moved her craft store there from her own home, called Grandmas House. This ribbon really was a find for me. One day I will donate it to the Amboy Depot Museum, as it has a significance in the history of Lee County.
In September, 1913, Mrs. Abigail L. Haskell, widow of George E. Haskell, attended a ceremony dedicating a building erected through her generous contribution. The odd Fellows used the upper part of this building for their lodge meetings and banquets. Thee was a kitchen in the basement, where dinners would be held. . On the main floor there was a large store room which was converted into a grocery store and operated by Earl McNinch for many years. my mom's lodge used the top floor and kitchen of the building for meetings and dinners... Later, she moved her craft store there from her own home, called Grandmas House. This ribbon really was a find for me. One day I will donate it to the Amboy Depot Museum, as it has a significance in the history of Lee County.
Back of ribbon
Inserted card says
Made by Ward-StilsonCo, Anderson Indiana
Manufacturer of Badges
"Banners, badges and all secret society goods"
From 1913 through the 1950s, the Ward-Stilson Company was one of the country's
largest producers of uniforms, regalia, furniture and props for the Freemasons, the Odd
Fellows and dozens of other U.S. fraternal
organizations.) Mr. David Klein, Vice President, C.E. Ward Inc. New London,
Ohio. He stated that the company was founded in 1895 by Mr. C.E. Ward. In 1905
Mr. Ward formed a partnership with a Mr. Stilson, manufacturers regalia for
lodges, military etc. They remained in New London until 1913 at which time the
company moved to Anderson, Indiana. Mr. Ward and Stilson broke up in the
1920's.
This ribbon is an original early 20th century reversible odd fellow badge. The brightly colored satin ribbon contains embossed lettering, ivory medallion with all-seeing eye, flags, gilt emblematic bar and gold bullion fringe. the ribbon reverse is also known as the "funeral side."... I bet a Mason could tell us more about it though...I imagine they had this to recognize a member's lodge they were from when attending funerals. ?
You just never know what you will find at the next garage sale! I love researching things like this, especially when it has ties to my family's past.
This ribbon is an original early 20th century reversible odd fellow badge. The brightly colored satin ribbon contains embossed lettering, ivory medallion with all-seeing eye, flags, gilt emblematic bar and gold bullion fringe. the ribbon reverse is also known as the "funeral side."... I bet a Mason could tell us more about it though...I imagine they had this to recognize a member's lodge they were from when attending funerals. ?
You just never know what you will find at the next garage sale! I love researching things like this, especially when it has ties to my family's past.
IOOF Building 1913
Dedication of the cornerstone May 13, 1919
Helen adds...
The McNinch family lived in a very small apartment in the back of the store; there
were stairs leading down in back of the store to the area with the pump. Out in
back was the outhouse. Earl had a panel truck that he used to deliver groceries
out of town. Inside in front of the store there was a raised area in front of
the windows with a trap door to go to the basement where he could store things
that needed to be kept cool and other storage. My Lippencott postcards show
IOOF day for laying the corner stone to be May 13, 1913. I have 2 different views
of that; one with the crowd around a stage where the building would be build and
the other is a street scene, sure looked like a lot of people turned out for the
event
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