1915 to 1922
| Freemasons | This study highlights the years of 1891,
1901,1911,1915,1922,1928,and
1932. These years were selected to show the changes in the fraternal
organizations, and cater to the information granted through use
of the Fargo/Moorhead city directories.
1915 is the year which the fraternities of Moorhead exploded their presence in local government. The Freemasons had all but two member of its executive board involved with local government. The Freemasons influenced the positions of City Clerk, a Justice, Commercial Club Treasurer, 4th ward Councilman. A.H. Costain, also a Knight of Pythias, was cashier and director of 1st National Bank. The Freemason's C.A. Nye in 1915 attained the position of Director of 1st national Bank. The Knight of Pythias are similar to the Freemasons in that all of their executive council had positions in local government. The Knights of Pythias held influence in areas such as County Treasurer, city schools, the commercial club, with Fred Stalley as Register of Deeds. The leader of the Knights of Pythias, a Mr. D.W. Meeker, worked at the Moorhead News, the local newspaper. The Ancient Order of United Workmen held influence with Mr. O.C. Beck serving as Mayor of Moorhead. Their members were in positions of County Surveyor, the Board of Education, and City Engineer. The Odd Fellows showed the least amount of influence in local affairs as only their secretary, Emil Pehrson represented Moorhead's 3rd ward. 1922 shows us an interesting occurrence in the fraternal climate in Moorhead. The city directories show the disappearance of the Knights of Pythias. The loss of the Knights of Pythias is strange because according to Chudacoff's: "The Age of the Bachelor", the Knights of Pythias were the third largest national fraternal orginization during the golden age of fraternities. This may also show the beginning of the decline of strong fraternal influence in local government. 1922 shows a dramatic drop with influence in local government. Only three members served in local government at this time. The three individuals, A.J. Wright, E.U. Wade, and A.H. Costain, all individual had served in the preceding year. It is worth mentioning that only seven years before this period; was the highest year of influence in the city of Moorhead and Clay county for fraternal organizations.
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Timeline of Organizations |
|---|---|---|
| Knights of Pythias | ||
| Ancient Order Of United Workmen | ||
| Odd Fellows | ||