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New Castle, In Odd Fellows Lodge Fidelity Lodge #59, I. O. O. F.
(Chartered July 13, 1848)


Click photo to enlarge.

      The New Castle Odd Fellows Lodge was one of the oldest and most prosperous organizations in Henry County. The following were the charter members: John C Buck, John Corr, James Comstock and James V. Wayman. No one knows where the first meetings were held, but in the January 12th, 1860 issue of the New Castle Courier, it mentioned the dedication of their new hall. "The hall is in the third story of a neat and tasteful brick building, erected during the past season, by Messrs. H. & J.Shroyer, and is a fine, lighted, and well ventilated room, 28 by 50 feet in size." They met here until the building on South Main Street (which collapsed in 1999), was finished in 1875. In the 1880s, the Mowrer Drug Store used the lower floor. And on the upper floor was a large hall, finely furnished, in which the lodge met. This building was finished in 1875, and dedicated on the 27th of May. The total membership in 1884 was 75. In 1999, after the building collapsed from old age and due to many bricks being replaced by large plate glass display windows, which made the structure unstable, Randy Neal's Construction had the job of cleaning up the debris. During the cleanup process several old ledgers and books were located in the old bookcases that were unnoticed before. Steve Neal took the old books home with him and contacted me about them. After going through some of them I located the original 1848 ledger of "Members Initiations" which listed membership enrollments from 1848 through 1874. The old Fidelity Lodge #59 and its members are nothing but history now. This is a list of those members; giving name, place of residence, occupation, age, date of initiation and who attested to it.

NameAddressOccupationAgeDateAttest
Abbott, John H. New Castle Miller 29 19 Oct 1867 H. L. Shopp
Abbott, William C. Henry twp. Farmer 54 8 Jun 1867 S. R. McMeans, PG
Albertson, John B. New Castle Shoe maker 25 20 Feb 1869 W. H. Stretch
Albertzon, Larkin L. Cadiz Shoe Maker 37 21 Aog 1858 J. L. Murphey, PG
Alexander, John New Castle Plasterer 46 8 Sep 1866 George Alsbaugh
Allen, Thomas J. Liberty twp. Farmer 22 27 Dec 1862 J. L. Murphey, PG
Ashdil, J. W. New Castle Merchant 23 21 Jun 1873 John C. Livezey
Babb, Samuel New Castle Blacksmith 23 3 Aug 1867 H. L. Mullen, VG
Baker, William H. Cadiz Farmer 35 16 Jul 1864 Geo. Alsbaugh
Bearly, David New Castle Chair Maker 25 9 Dec 1854 Henry F. Clunk
Beck, James Cadiz Physician 42 30 Sep 1854 Nelson Abbott, PG
Beck, John C. Cadiz Physician 26 1848 *
Benbow, J. A. Sul. Sprngs RR Agent 35 16 Jul 1864 Geo. Alsbaugh
Bicknell, Daulin New Castle Shoe maker 49 30 Mar 1867 H. Thornburgh, PG
Bland, William W. Liberty twp. Farmer 26 27 Dec 1862 J. L. Murphey, PG
Bond, Caleb Cadiz Drugist 27 16 Jul 1864 Geo. Alsbaugh
Bowers, Frank New Castle Painter 21 27 Jul 1872 Benj. Shirk
Brennaman, Jacob A. Henry twp. Farmer 35 18 Apr 1868 W. F. Boor
Brewbaker, John New Castle Blacksmith 21 28 May 1853 James Calvert
Brewer, Thomas Blue River Blacksmith 29 1 Oct 1870 H. L. Shopp
Brown, Lewis E. Henry Twp. Farmer 30 15 Jan 1859 J. L. Murphey, PG
Browne, Abraham S. New Castle Carpenter 26 1849  
Burk, Thomas P. New Castle Blacksmith 21 25 Jan 1873 J. C. Eckard
Burley, Samuel New Castle Carriage Maker 38 12 Nov 1869 J. Burch
Byer, John S. New Castle Tinner 21 23 Nov 1867 H. L. Shopp
Byer, Luther J. New Castle Carpenter 34 19 Mar 1870 H. L. Shopp
Calvert, James New Castle Inn Keeper 38 1848 *
Cammack, James W. New Castle Carpenter 32 28 Oct 1865 W. W. Boor
Canaday, Edmund T. Prairie twp. Farmer 33 27 Jul 1872 Benj. Shirk
Cannon, Oliver C. New Castle Carpenter 28 1 Dec 1855 Henry F. Clark
Carpenter, James New Castle Stone Cutter 29 4 Sep 1858 Peter Shroyer
Carr, John New Castle     1848 *
Carr, Robert B. New Castle Co. Sheriff 31 10 Mar 1866 S. R. McMeans, PG
Chambers, David W. New Castle Lawyer 29 10 Mar 1866 S. R. McMeans, PG
Clawson, Andrew J. New Castle Physician 30 1849  
Cleckner, Albert New Castle Carpenter 21 25 Nov 1865 David Bearly
Clifton, Robert B. New Castle Clerk 21 15 Oct 1870 Robert B. Carr
Coble, Peter New Castle Cooper 34 18 Oct 1862 Hiram Thornburgh
Comstock, James New Castle     1848 *
Cooper, Caleb H. Cadiz School Teacher 23 27 Dec 1862 J. L. Murphey, PG
Cooper, J. R. Cadiz Notions Peddler 21 21 Jul 1855 Peter Thornburg
Cooper, T. C. L. Cadiz Merchant 23 15 Dec 1855 Peter Shroyer
Covalt, John Liberty twp Farmer 24 28 Dec 1867 H. L. Shopp
Crawford, Frazer New Castle Farmer 30 4 Nov 1849 Wm. Henderson
Cromer, Andrew J. New Castle Merchant 28 28 Mar 1857 Henry F. Clark
Curry, John New Castle Carriage maker 44 28 Dec 1867 H. L. Shopp
Davis, John Henry Co. Farmer 30 16 Oct 1869 J. C. Livezey
Davis, John W. New Castle Tailor 28 21 Nov 1855 Henry F. Clark
Davis, Mark Henry Co. Farmer 22 1 Jul 1873 John C. Livezey
Denius, Leander S. New Castle Baker 35 20 Jan 1872 Daniel Hartman
Denning, Thomas B. New Castle Merchant 33 5 May 1849 James Comstock, NG
Dorrah, Joseph Henry twp. Farmer 44 1 Feb 1868 H. L. Shopp
Drake, J. S. New Castle Printer 41 8 Aug 1857 H. F. Clark
Duggins, C. V. New Castle Printer 36 1848 *
Ehman, Christopher New Castle Shoe maker 54 13 Apr 1867 H. Thornburgh, PG
Elliot, William H. New Castle Grocer 25 7 Dec 1867 H. L. Shopp
Ellis, Jacob P. New Castle Carpenter 24 1 Feb 1860 J. L. Murphey, PG
Estabrooke, Charles A. Hillsboro Physician 36 15 Oct 1870 Robert B. Carr
Fink, John D. Middletown Blacksmith 21 30 Nov 1850 Peter Shroyer
Fisher, Daniel New Castle Carpenter 29 12 Aug 1872 John C. Swezey
Fisher, George W. Prairie twp. Farmer 33 20 Jan 1872 Daniel Hartman
Fisher, Jacob Mullens Sta. Cooper 23 28 Aug 1858 J. L. Murphey, PG
Fisher, John M. New Castle Wagon Maker 34 11 Dec 1867 H. L. Shopp
Fraizer, J. H. Hillsboro Merchant 24 18 Jul 1868 H. Thornburgh
Frazier, William R. Hillsboro Lumber Co. 22 16 Oct 1869 J. Burch
Gough, Thomas W. New Castle Blacksmith 23 3 Aug 1867 H. L. Mullen, VG
Grose, A. M. New Castle Lawyer 23 17 May 1873 J. M. Gough
Grove, Isaac Middletown Copper Smith 47 16 Feb 1850 Wm. Henderson
Gruitt, Joshua New Castle School Teacher 23 14 Jan 1851 Nelson Abbott
Haguewood, Alvis New Castle Farmer 46 2 Jan 1869 Benj. Shirk
Harittey, Eugenins B. New Castle Butcher 28 21 Jun 1858 J. L. Murphey, PG
Harlan, Charles B. Henry Co. Farmer 27 16 Oct 1869 J. C. Livezey
Harlan, Elmore Henry twp. Farmer 22 18 Jan 1873 J. C. Eckard
Harrison, Andrew L. New Castle Cabinet Maker 28 21 Jun 1862 Hiram Thornburgh
Harry Marquis D. Sul. Sprngs Lawyer 23 15 Apr 1865 H. Thornburgh, PG
Harry, Martin L. Sul. Sprngs Clerk 25 4 Mar 1865 H. Thornburgh, PG
Hart, Heath Middletown Cabinet Maker 32 3 Oct 1850 James Calvert
Harvey, Daniel Prairie twp. Farmer 44 16 Oct 1869 J. M. Gough
Harvey, I. J. New Castle Merchant 33 23 Feb 1850 James Comstock, PG
Harvey, John R. New Castle Farmer 30 25 Nov 1871 W. Boor
Harvey, Mahlon D. Henry twp. Farmer 32 4 Dec 1869 Jacob M. Gough
Harvey, Randolph H. Prairie twp Farmer 22 6 Nov 1869 J. Burch
Harvey, William Prairie twp. Farmer 59 3 Feb 1872 J. M. Gough
Hawkins, J. S. M. New Castle Physician 28 1850 James Calvert
Heichart, John A. New Castle Carpenter 22 28 Jan 1860 J. L. Murphey, PG
Heichert, David New Castle Harness Maker 32 1849  
Henderson, William New Castle Lawyer 28 1849  
Herliman, Henry New Castle Tailor 25 13 Jul 1859 J. L. Murphey, PG
Hernly, Amos B. New Castle Farmer 42 9 Mar 1867 S. R. McMeans, PG
Hernly, Henry B. Prairie twp. Farmer 28 2 Jun 1866 S. R. McMeans, PG
Hess, Murray M. Cadiz Merchant 26 16 Jul 1864 Geo. Alsbaugh
Hewitt, William H. New Castle Dentist 27 31 Jan 1857 Henry F. Clark
Hiatt, Jesse M. Cadiz Merchant 24 27 Dec 1862 J. L. Murphey, PG
Hicks, Levi H. Cadiz Farmer 25 1 Feb 1856 Henry F. Clark
Hinsey, William New Castle Chair Maker 27 1852 J. H. Mellett, NG
Hinshaw, Henry L. Greensboro Grocer 19 10 Jun 1854 Nelson Abbott, NG
Hinshaw, Jonathan P. New Castle Silversmith 30 16 Jul 1853  
Hinshaw, Jonathan P. New Castle Watch Maker 35 16 Jul 1853 S. G. Rice
Hoover, William New Castle Silversmith 27 22 Oct 1864 Geo. Alsbaugh
Hosier, Enoch Greensboro Farmer 44 20 Jul 1850 Wm. Henderson
Hubbard, Horace F. New Castle Printer 21 17 Aug 1872 H. Murphey
Huffman, James B. New Castle Minister 33 12 Mar 1849 James Comstock, NG
Hutson, Joel R. Greensboro Farmer 26 1 Jul 1865 L. H. Hicks
Johnson, Caleb New Castle Co. Treasurer 37 31 Jul 1858 Joel L. Murphey, PG
Johnston, James New Castle Wagon Maker 35 15 Dec 1849 Wm. Henderson
Jones, Samuel R. New Castle Shoe Maker 31 12 Jun 1858 C. S. Edwards
Jordan, Thomas C. New Castle Shoe Maker 27 21 Jun 1862 Hiram Thornburgh
King, J. C. Wayne Co. Farmer 21 8 Nov 1868 W. H. Stretch
Kissel, Daniel New Castle Carpenter 44 16 Mar 1872 H. L. Mullen
Koons, George L. Blue River Farmer 35 27 Jun 1868 H. L. Shopp
Landers, Wright New Castle Farmer 44 18 Feb 1864 H. Thornburgh, PG
Lawell, James S. Cadiz Carpenter 25 23 Dec 1854 Nelson Abbott, PG
Leavell, John W. New Castle Carpenter 44 11 Nov 1854 Nelson Abbott, PG
Leopold, Moses New Castle Merchant 40 19 Apr 1851 Geo. Alsbaugh
Livezey, John C. New Castle Merchant 24 14 Jul 1866 George Alsbaugh
Livezey, Nathan Sr. New Castle Carpenter 41 1856 E. B. Martindale, VG
Martindale, Charles New Castle Minister 25 31 May 1862 J. L. Murphey, PG
Martindale, Elijah B. New Castle Lawyer 25 28 Jan 1854 Nelson Abbott, Act. NG
McDowell, Alexander New Castle Printer 32 1 May 1865 H. Thornburgh, PG
McDowell, Andrew Henry twp. Farmer 24 24 Jul 1865 H. Thornburgh, PG
McDowell, Joseph New Castle Shoe Maker 41 18 Dec 1858 J. L. Murphey, PG
McDowell, Peter New Castle Cabinet Maker 32 15 Feb 1868 H. L. Shopp
McKee, John W. Cadiz Carpenter 22 11 Nov 1854 Nelson Abbott, PG
McMeans, James A. New Castle US Asessor 45 21 Feb 1863 J. L. Murphey, PG
McMeans, Seldon R. New Castle Chinking 26 30 Jun 1860 J. L. Murphey, PG
McReynolds, Samuel New Castle Minister 37 28 Mar 1857 Henry F. Clark
Mellet, Joshua H. New Castle Lawyer 24 1855  
Mellett, Randolph H. Henry twp. Farmer 24 27 Nov 1869 H. Thornburgh
Merrell, James Liberty twp. Carpenter 33 21 Jul 1860 J. L. Murphey, PG
Miller, Benjamin F. Henry twp. Farmer 21 3 Feb 1872 J. M. Gough
Miller, Elijah New Castle Farmer 42 2 Jan 1869 Benj. Shirk
Miller, John B. Prairie twp Farmer 37 10 Nov 1867 H. L. Shopp
Miller, Leopolit New Castle Merchant 24 26 Apr 1851 Geo. Alsbaugh
Minesinger, John A. Prairie twp. Farmer 32 8 Oct 1870 Henry Hernly
Modlin, Joseph Cadiz Farmer 34 9 Apr 1864 H. Thornburgh, PG
Modlin, Luther W. Cadiz Farmer 24 9 Apr 1864 H. Thornburgh, PG
Moore, Benjamin F. New Castle Clerk 22 14 Nov 1868 W. H. Stretch
Moore, John M. New Castle Druggist 29 29 Jun 1867 L. Burch, PG
Moore, John Wesley New Castle Grocery Man 24 30 Nov 1872 Benj. Shirk
Morris, Thomas A. Milville Merchant 29 22 Dec 1866 Benj. Shirk
Mullen, Hugh New Castle Cooper 25 28 Aug 1858 J. L. Murphey, PG
Mullen, Joseph P. New Castle Cooper 24 23 Mar 1861 J. L. Murphey, PG
Mullen, Joseph R. New Castle Cooper 23 16 Oct 1858 S. L. Powell
Mullen, Wilson Mullens Sra. Merchant 28 29 Oct 1858 Peter Shroyer
Murphey, Joel L. Middletown Merchant 23 30 Nov 1850 Peter Shroyer
Murphey, John F. New Castle Clerk 21 3 Feb 1872 J. M. Gough
Myers, J. C. New Castle Minister 35 14 Jun 1873 Amos B. Hernly
O'Harrow, John Henry Co. Carpenter 26 8 Mar 1856 Henry F. Clark
Peed, Benjamin L. New Castle Clerk 24 8 Aug 1869 John C. Echart
Pickering, Seth Henry twp. School Teacher 25 4 Mar 1865 H. Thornburgh, PG
Pierce, William G. Franklin twp Plasterer 24 9 Oct 1869 J. Burch
Pierson, Enos Cadiz Sawmill 23 31 Feb 1855 Nelspn Abbott, PG
Pleas, Elwood New Castle Editor 35 28 Jul 1866 H. Thornburgh
Powell, Simon T. New Castle Court Clerk 33 10 Feb 1855 Nelon Abbott, PG
Rader, John M. Sul. Sprngs. Lumber Dealer 30 4 Mar 1865 H. Thornburgh, PG
Rader, William G. Sul. Sprngs Lumber Dealer 32 4 Mar 1865 H. Thornburgh, PG
Ramsey, George B. New Castle Livery Stable 22 23 Jun 1866 S. R. McMeans, PG
Ratliff, Thomas C. Cadiz Farmer 41 30 Sep 1854 Nelson Abbott, PG
Reed, John L. Liberty Twp. Farmer 22 8 Jan 1859 J. L. Murphey, PG
Ricks, Andrew Cadiz Farmer 30 14 Aug 1858 Joel L. Murphey, PG
Rieman, Henry Jr. Prairie twp. Farmer 27 23 Feb 1861 J. L. Murphey, PG
Saer, William M. Hillsboro Painter 23 13 Aug 1870 H. L. Shopp
Scott, Calvin R. New Castle Clerk 24 19 May 1873 J. M. Gough
Shedron, William M. Middletown Shoe maker 22 5 Oct 1850 James Calvert
Shelley, Geo. W. New Castle Blacksmith 19 10 Aug 1850 Wm. Henderson
Shepherd, Richard D. Anderson Lawyer 26 1850  
Shepherd, William H. New Castle Brick Maker 22 23 Jun 1860 James Calvert
Shirk, Benjamin New Castle Wagon Maker 31 1850  
Shirk, Jacob R. New Castle Clerk 27 11 Jun 1868 H. L. Shopp
Shirk, W. Scott New Castle Painter 21 27 Apr 1872 Benj. Shirk
Shopp, Henry L. New Castle Farmer 27 29 Aug 1857 Joel L. Murphey
Shroyer, Peter New Castle Lawyer 26 1849  
Smith, Ase New Castle Carpenter 30 13 Oct 1855 Abraham Browne
Smith, Larkin C. Sul. Sprngs Miller 25 16 Sep 1865 David Bearly
Smith, Lewis New Castle Tanner 39 11 Nov 1865 Benj. Shirk
Smith, Samuel L. New Castle Farmer 29 1 Oct 1871 H. L. Shopp
Sowash, Daniel Jefferson tw Carpenter 38 24 Oct 1863 J. L. Murphey, PG
Stafford, L. M. Franklin twp Farmer 23 21 Aug 1869 W. H. Stretch
Stephens, Asberry Cadiz Farmer 35 5 Aug 1854 Henry F. Clunk
Stout, Ira Liberty twp. Farmer 39 30 Aug 1862 J. L. Murphey, PG
Stretch, William H. New Castle Painter 30 28 Jan 1860 J. L. Murphey, PG
Sullivan, Leonidas S. New Castle Merchant 24 7 Apr 1866 J. A. Heichert, PG
Swain, John T. Greensboro Clerk 20 20 Jul 1850 Wm. Henderson
Sweigeart, Michael Middletown Blacksmith 30 16 Nov 1850 James Calvert
Sweigert, Christian Henry twp. Farmer 46 8 Jun 1867 S. R. McMeans, PG
Thomas, John New Castle Lawyer 25 26 Oct 1850 Wm. Henderson
Thompson, Samuel G. New Castle Brick Layer 38 30 Dec 1870 R. B. Carr
Thornburg, John M. New Castle Carpenter 27 21 Aug 1858 J. L. Murphey, PG
Thornburg, Jonathan W. New Castle Carpenter 28 1 Jul 1854 Nelson Abbott, NG
Thornburgh, Hiram New Castle Farmer 31 7 Aug 1858 Joel L. Murphey, PG
Upham, Nathan New Castle Pump Maker 35 25 Nov 1865 S. R. McMeans
Vanzant, Nicholas Liberty twp. Carpenter 27 22 Jun 1861 J. L. Murphey, PG
Vaughan, J. W. New Castle Miller 21 11 Jun 1870 H. L. Shopp
Vickery, Robert Henry Co. Farmer 21 1 Jul 1873 John C. Livezey
Waggoner, William M. Middletown Carpenter 26 29 Mar 1851 Geo. Alsbaugh
Ward, M. Selden New Castle Lawyer 28 19 Aug 1848 James V. Wayman
Watkins, John P. New Castle Merchant 27 11 Mar 1865 H. Thornburgh, PG
Watkins, William M. Henry twp. Lawyer 26 12 Aug 1865 L. H. Hicks
Wayman, James V. New Castle Physician 36 1848 *
Wayman, Milton New Castle Merchant 40 11 Feb 1854 Nelson Abbott, NG
Wayman, William New Castle Tailor 30 12 May 1849 James Comstock, NG
Williams, Leander J. Henry twp. Farmer 22 15 Jan 1870 H. L. Shopp
Wisehart, Benjamin F. New Castle Merchant 27 13 May 1865 Levi Hicks
Worl, Jos. W. New Castle Lawyer 22 6 Nov 1869 J. Burch
Yeargin, Phillip Cadiz Plasterer 42 10 Jul 1858 H. F. Clark


UEB 2002
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