Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

Lodges and Banking

Taylor Lodge No. 109. A. P. & A. M., was chartered in 1851, and continued in existence until 1858, when the charter was surrendered. Later, in 1858, Homer Lodge was chartered.

This lodge was organized with the following members
U. D. with D. H. Dyer, worshipful master
J. M. Tilley, J. T. Brooks, J. S. Burnham, J. F. Leak, secretary
G. W. Price (died in 1881), E. B. Whitson and W. P. Brown, officers in order of rank
James A. Millican, J. C. Blackmail and B. H. Fay, unofficial members.

The meeting of April 22, 1858, was held under charter No. 152. Master Dyer was re-elected with E. B. Whitson, secretary; J. M. Thomason was chosen master for 1859, and in January the new charter of the Female Collegiate Institute was considered; John S. Young, E. F. Fancher, Wiley B. Gamon, J. G. and G. W. Warren, John Young, W. A. Carr, J. J. Brown, John Greer, S. M. Brown, W. H. Maxey, S. P. Gee and other members of old Taylor Lodge were admitted members of the new lodge. In 1860-61 G. M. Killgore (died during the war) was master, and W. P. Brown, secretary, until J. W. Stacy was appointed.

The death of E. B. Whitson is noticed on February 16. A. C. Hill was master, and B. E. Coleman, secretary in 1862, followed in January, 1865, by H. W. Kirkpatrick, worshipful master, and W. G. Crutcher, secretary, and they, in 1866, by F. A. Jones, worshipful master, and A. Weil, secretary.

The masters and secretaries elected since 1867 are named as follows:
F. A. Jones, M. and B. E. Coleman, Sec, 1867;
A. C. Hill. M. and J. R. Ramsey, Sec, 1868;
F. A. Jones, M. and J. R. Ramsey, Sec, 1869-72;
R. T. Vaughan, Sec, 1872; J. W. Todd, M. (died in 1877) and B. D. Harrison, Sec, 1874-76;
J. R. Ramsey, W. M. 1877-90.
B. D. Harrison, Sec, 1877-89.

On the hitter's death John A. Richardson was appointed temporary secretary and subsequently elected secretary. The cause of losing the old charter was due entirely to the fanatical action of a few members, when resolutions bearing on the death of Allen Harris were considered.

Homer Council No. 1, U. F. of T., was a strong organization here in 1877. The Grand Council of North Louisiana was also organized here.

Davidson Council 444, A. L. of H. was organized November 20, 1881, with the following members: Drew Ferguson, commander.

The names marked * are deceased, and to their representatives $10,000 was paid.

J. R. Ramsey has served as commander since 1882.

Lodge 27, K. of P. was instituted July 5,1881, with J. R. Ramsey, P. C.; Drew Ferguson, C. C.; T. S. Sligh, A. E. Wilder, J. W. Holbert, J. K. Willet, M. C. Lawrence, W. Ward, James T. Otts, J. Floyd Key, B. A. Bridges, A. K. Clingtnan, Barney McHenry and John Brown, filling the other offices.

The office of chancellor commander has been filled by A. E. Wikler, P. C. Greenwood, E. H. McClendon, G. G. Gill, J. A. Richardson, C. O. Ferguson, E. E. White and A. B. Wilder, the present commander. The Endowment Rank was organized immediately after with G. G. Gill, first president, followed by Drewry Ferguson. G. G. Gill is now president, with Walter Ward as secretary.

The Y. M. C. A. was organized June 10, 1890, with C. W. Seals, president; Dr. Pollard, vice-president; P. A. Tatum, secretary, and J. K. Willet, treasurer. Lila M. Gill, Ada Mercer, Agnes McCorkle and J. A. McCorkle were appointed a committee to select books.

The Homer National Bank was organized in November, 1889, with W. P. Otts, president: J. W. Holbert, vice-president; C. O. Ferguson, cashier; T. Bridgman, P. Loewenberg, J. H. Simmons, J. W. Holbert, J. K. Willet, and Drew Ferguson, directors.

The Interstate Building & Loan Association was organized in March, 1890, with J. K. Willet. president; A. K. Clingman, vice-president, and R. P. Webb, secretary, treasurer and attorney.

The Southwestern Building & Loan Association was organized in March, 1890, with A. K. Clingman, president; J. C. Willis, vice-president; R. P. Webb secretary, and they with Joe Palmer, W. A. Walker, John P. Awbrey and J. L. Ferguson, formed the board of directors.

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Southern Publishing Company, 1890