MS-151
ELKS – LODGE 523, PIQUA, OH
INTRODUCTION
MS-151, The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 523, Piqua, Ohio was accessioned into the Archives and Special Collections of Flesh Public Library in 2005. It is contained in one box made up of 6 Series and 16 file folders. There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS
MS-151, The Benevolent and Protective Order of Piqua Elks, Lodge No. 523, Piqua, Ohio is divided into 6 Series and 16 file folders:
Series I – Photographs of Exalted Rulers, 1899-1994
Series II – Photographs
Series III – Photograph Album – Elk’s National Home
Series IV – Notes & Publications
Series V – Special Citation for 100 Years of Meritorious Service – Nov. 9, 1999
Series VI – Scrapbooks (3)
HISTORY
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was organized February 16, 1868, in New York City, by Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. Original charter members were 15 men associated with the theater.
George T. (Pop) Sank became interested in the Elks movement and through his efforts, dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge to form a Piqua Order November 1, 1899. The first meeting was held November 9, 1899 in Red Men’s Hall on Main Street above what was the G. C. Murphy Company.
Stanhope Boal, one of the business and professional men who formed the new lodge, was elected the first Exalted Ruler and “Pop” Sank was appointed Esquire. There were 67 charter members of B.P.O.E. 523.
Soon after organization of Piqua Elks, the third floor of the old Piqua National Bank Building was leased. In 1904, the lodge moved to the Mays Opera House building and in 1909 Piqua Elks purchased the old residence at the corner of Ash and Wayne Streets, later the site of the Firestone Store.
In 1912, the building at the southwest corner of Wayne and Ash was purchased. In early days, the St. Patrick’s Day Banquet and the Elk’s Minstrel Show were annual events. In 1926, one of the last great Elk’s Minstrels was held at May’s Opera House. At this show, the two end-men were furnished by the Joe Bren Company of Chicago. Their names were Goshen and Gorre, who later became the famous radio team of Amos and Andy.
In 1942, when Earl Sever, Sr. was Exalted Ruler, the mortgage was burned.
In August of 1948 fire destroyed the Elk’s home, but they re-located in the former offices of the Lear Company on Young Street.
Architect Freytag of Sidney drew up plans for a new building at the location of 319 N. Wayne Street. In 1950 the modern spacious building was dedicated.
Due to the unselfish devotion and service of so many Piqua Elks it was just a short seven years until the long-awaited Mortgage Burning observance was accomplished. On this occasion a history of the Piqua Elks was read by Forest C. Simon.
At their height Piqua Elks had 783 members and their philanthropic efforts were numerous throughout the community. County Home men and women were remembered each year with their own Christmas party along with children and employees of the Knoop Home. Each spring, a boy and girl were chosen from local high schools to compete in the Elk Youth Leadership contests. Scouting, Little League baseball, and VA hospitals were supported by Elkdom.
It was with sadness the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 523 was disbanded in 2005 due to declining membership.
CONTAINER LISTING
Box 1
Series I
File 1 – Photographs of Exalted Rulers, 1899-1994
Series II
File 2 – B.P.O.E. Building: SW corner of Wayne & Ash Streets, c. 1910
File 3 – Elk’s National Band champions, 1935-36
File 4 – Elk’s Building fire – SE corner of Ash & Wayne – 1948
File 5 – Elk’s Bar – c. 1930
Series III
File 6 – Photograph Album: Elk’s National Home –c.1947
Series IV
File 7 – Golden Anniversary Celebration, 1899-1949: New Home Dedication Programs (4)
File 8 – Speeches for Every Occasion
File 9 – The Banquet Book
File 10 – “Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 1899-1942,” 43rd Anniversary Program
File 11 – “Piqua Echoes” Mortgage Burning Issue – April, 1958.
File 12 – Note to Frank ? from A.M. Peelman ? concerning property to be sent to his daughter – Mrs. Ralph Roberts of Delaware, Ohio.
Series V
File 13 – Special Citation (plaque) for 100 years of Meritorious Service – Nov. 9, 1999.
Series VI
File 14 – Scrapbook I – 1940’s (Don Gentile)
File 15 – Scrapbook II – 1940’s (Membership)
File 16 – Scrapbook III – 1940’s (Elk’s Band)
BOX 1
SERIES 1
File 1 contains photographs of the following Exalted Leaders:
FILE 1
- Stanhope Boal – 1899
- E.M. Heaton - 1901
- J. Harrison Smith – 1902
- Cyrus Hodson – 1903
- J. Guy O’Donnell – 1904
- Henry Kampf – 1905
- Walter M. Steiner – 1906
- J.M. Lloyd – 1907
- Charles E. Williams – 1908
- Will J. Prince – 1909
- Wm. J. Smith – 1910
- Charles White – 1912
- C. Ed Williams – 1913
- L.E. Simes – 1914
- Harry E. Croner – 1915 & 1924
- Louis J. Stelzer – 1916-1919
- George T. Smith – 1920
- Louis C. Neth – 1921-1922
- Albert J. Kneese – 1923
- Cifford E. Libbee – 1925 & 1932
- H.C. Speelman – 1926 & 1929
- Ray H. Heater – 1927
- Howard Bryan – 1928
- John H. Soerhoff – 1930-1931
- F.A. Neth – 1933
- Forrest C. Simon – 1934-1936
- Gerald W. McColloch – 1937
- Adrian F. Pilliod – 1938
- Alvin McCartney – 1940
- Thurl Stephens – 1941
- S.R. Turner – 1943
- P.A. Thompson – 1944
- George Lindsay – 1945
- Harold M. Crump – 1946
- F.W. Hildebrand – 1946
- J.H. Bush – 1946
- Raymoond T. Lange – 1947
- Joseph A. Bowers – 1948
- Everettt M. Overholser – 1949
- J. Robert Moore – 1951
- Buckley E. Martin – 1952
- Ralph E. Harshbarger – 1953
- Dwight E. Dickey – 1954
- Tom M. Fry – 1956
- Leo G. Scherer – 1958
- John C. Hartley – 1964
- C. “Rex” Kaiser – 1965
- Jack L. Horner – 1968-93-94