Germania Maennerchor now one of the largest in Sterling, was organized in June, 1869, and incorporated in 1874. The organi­nazation was effected under the leadership of Prof. Fred. Buck, and other well­ known musicians and singers. The first officers were: L. Stoeckle, President; G. A. Shober, Secretary; and E. Ellinger, Treasurer. The first meetings of the society were held in the hall, now the present Council Room, over the Post­office on Mulberry street. The membership grew so rapidly, however, that the society erected a building of its own, a few doors south of the Postoffice, the second story of which they now use. The building is of brick, and thirty-six by seventy feet in size. The hall is beautifully fitted up, and every convenience made for the comfort and pleasure of the organization. The stage of itself is is fifteen by thirty-five feet, and is supplied with a large variety of rich and splendid scenery. The music of this Society is of a high order, both vocal and instrumental. The membership now numbers over one hundred, and is composed of many of the best German citizens of Sterling. The regular meetings of the Society are held on the first Tuesday of each month, but there are singing meeting on every Monday and Thursday evenings of each week, from 8 to 9 o’clock. Present officers are: B. Struckmann, President; G. Naef, Vice President; August Frank, Recording Secretary; Adam Hutten, Finance Secretary; David Wolf, Cashier; G. Naef, Janitor; Prof. Fred. Buck, Leader; F. Haberle, Nicholas Gulrapp, and David Wolf, Trustees.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Grand Army of the Republic , Lincoln Post No. 16, (Sterling) Grand Army was organized June 15, 1874, with twenty-three charter members. The officers elected at that time were: Frank W. Gordon, Post Commander; J.W.R. Stambaugh,; Senior P. C.;. S. S. Bradshaw, Junior P. C.; E. H. Kingery, Quartermaster; Theo. H. Mack, Adjutant; W. N. Harrison, Officer of the Day; Rev. J.H. More, Chaplain; Dr. Thomas Eckles, Surgeon; Andrew K. Haberer, Officer of the Guard; H. H. Higby, Sergeant Major; William Little, Quarter­master Sergeant.. These officers are in the main the present ones. The meetings of the Post were first held in the armory of the City Guards, Farwell Hall, and and afterwards in the Hall of the 0. U. A. M., Boynton Block. A new Hall was then nicly fitted up in Stoeckle’s building, on Third street, which is now jointly occupied by the G.A.R..; 0. U. A. W.; and A. 0. U. W. The meetings of the post are set down for every Wednesday evening.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

The election of officers of Will Enderton Post took place last Monday night. The new officers will take the chairs the first meeting of January. The new officers are: Commander, D. Underwood; Sen. Vice Com., J.K. Williams; Jun. Vice Com. W.N. Pearl; Surgeon, G.W. James; Chaplain, E.C. Winters; Quarter Master, E.C. Palmer; Officer of the Day, J.O. Wagley; Officer of the Guard, James Arey; Trustees, J.V. McCarty, W.A. Hall and F.D. Rosebrook; Representative to State Encampment, J.E. Durstine; Alternate, J.K. Williams,

Sterling Standard Dec. 11, 1896

The Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of the State of Illinois (Lyndon) in 1876 granted a dispensation to H.C. Helms, Draper Richmond, John Whallon, William M. Burkitt, George C. Scott, John J. Hurlburt, Jabez S. Smith, Hiram Austin, F. A. Decker, George W. Andrews, Henry D. Kniskersn, J.H. Helms, C.H. Birdsall, Henry Edson, Cyrus Reynolds, E.B. Hazard, Martin Conyne, Orrin M. Crary, John Roberts, Caleb B. Smith, Edward F. Nash, George C. Morris, Wm. Burns, Garrett G. Seger and M.V. Sanderson, to organize Lyndon Lodge No. 750, A.F. & A.M. The first meeting under the dispensation was held August 28, 1876, the officers consisting of J.J. Hurlburt, W.M; M.V. Sanderson, S.W.; Jabez S. Smith, J.W.; John Roberts, S.D., and the Lodge was duly organized. On the 4th of October the Lodge received its charter from the Grand Lodge of the State. The present officers of the Lodge are; J.J. Hurlburt, W.M.; M.V. Sanderson, S.W.; Jabez S. Smith, J.W.; John Roberts, S.D.; Kelly Smith, J.D.; L.L. Scott, Secretary; and Henry E. Helms, Treasurer. Quite a number of members have been received into the Lodge since its organization, and it is in a prosperous condition. The Lodge was dedicated Thursday evening, October 18, 1877.

Goog Templar's Sterling Lodge, I. 0. U. T., was organized in November, 1873, with eighteen charter members. Since that it has increased rapidly, and now has over two hundred members in good standing, largely composed of young~ ladies and gentlemen. The Lodge meets in the same rooms as the Christian Association, on Mulberry street, every Tuesday evening. The present officers are: John G. Manahan, P. W. C.; R. B. Witmer, W. C.; Louie King, R. H. S.; Ada Ward, L.. H. S.; Sadie Murphy, W. V.; W. S. Ward, S.; James Rae, F. S.; Theodore H. Mack, T.; George Newton, C.; C. E. Windom, M.; J. W. Mana­han, A. M.; Hattie Ward, I. G.; Charles Mason, 0. G.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Knights of Pythias, Corinthian Lodge No. 63 Sterling) was organized November 23, 1875, with twenty-one members. Now there are over forty. Officers: Julius E. Pappe, Past Chancellor; E. G. Allen, Chancellor Commander; Aaron J. Hull, Vice Chancellor; Caleb C. Johnson, Prelate; FL B. Edwards, Keeper of Records and Seals; John S. Miller, Master of the Exche­quer; 0. J. Stowell, Master of Finance; William A. McCune, Master at Arms; J. W. R. Stambaugh, Inner Guard; A. M. Burkey, Orator. The object of the organization is friendship and benevolence.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Ladies Relief Association of Sterling, was organized in June, 1874, the object being the noble one of bestowing relief upon the worthy destitute of the city, and at the same time advance the cause of temperance. Since the organization of the society a large number of indi­gent persons have been seen, and their wants provided for. The society is grow­ing in strength and influence, and is one of the best institutions in the city. It is composed of about one hundred of the first ladies of the town_ladies who mean to relieve the distressed. The meetings are set for every Friday after­noon at the Christian Association Rooms., The present officers are: Mrs. J. T. Mason, President; Mrs. Nelson Maxson, Vice President; Mrs. M. H. Kreider, Treasurer; Mrs. E. M. Smith, Secretary; Mrs. R. C. Andrews, corresponding Secretary.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Rock River Council No. 33, R. & S. M (Sterling) meets at Masonic Hall, on the first Tuesdays of each month. The present officers are: M. S. Bowman, T. J. G. M.; Lorenzo Hapgood, D. G. M.; Sidney T. Osmer, P. C. of W; Henry S. Street, Capt. of G.; T. Y. Davis, Conductor; U. B. Kitel, Treasurer W. S. Peebles, Recorder; J. M. Martin, Steward; T. Fulton, Sentinel.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Rock River Lodge No. 612, A.F. & A.M. Sterling
This Lodge was instituted in 1868. The charter members being M. S. Bowman, George L. Kline, N. W. Brown, J. Tuller, R. Laurie, W. S. Peebles, Henry S. Street, J. W. Wallace, A. A. Terrell, Chas. M. Worthington, L. C. Johnson.

The first officers were: M.S. Bowman, W. M.; George L. Kline, S. W.; N. W. Brown, J. W.; Andrew J. Tuller, Treasurer; R. Laurie, Secretary; W. S. Peebles, S. D.

The Lodge held its communications for several years in the Boynton Block, where they had a nicely fitted Lodge room, but in time it became too small for the number of members and when Hull & Ingersoll put up their fine block on the northwest corner of Third and A streets, a more commodious room, together with others needed for the proper performance of the work, and regular Lodge business, were secured. The Lodge room is beautifully furnished with Brussels carpet, and elegant and appropriate furniture. It is also lighted with gas, the chandeliers being rich and heavy. In size and appointments it is equal to any in this section of the State. Regular communications are held on the first and third Fridays of each month.

The following are the present officers of the Lodge: M.S. Bowman. W. M.; T. Y. Davis, S. W.; William A. McCune, J. W.; G. B. Treasurer; W.. S. Peebles, Secretary; C. F. Ward, S. D.; D. Gould, J. D.; J.W. Niles S. S.; H. W. Earle, J. S.; W. Murray, Tyler.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Sterling Cemetery Association was organized February 16, 1865, and soon secured a beautiful location, in the upper part of the town, at the east end of Third street. The Cemetery comprises about fifty acres of beautifully rolling ground, interspersed with a natural growth of trees and making the landscape scenery unsurpassed. In it are interred many of Sterlings departed, and the burial places of many of them have monuments of elegant design and finish erected to their memory. The officers are: S. S. Pat­terson, President; Wm. A. Sanborn, Treasurer; Hon. James Dinsmoor, Secretary; and J.M. Galt, Superintendent. The old cemetery of Sterling was located over thirty years ago, and contains about two acres. The entrance is at the north end of Locust street. The Odd Fellows Cemetery is mentioned in the notice of the lodge. The Mennonites have a cemetery of about two acres, which was laid out in 1869. The entrance is near the north end of Locust street. No other persons besides those belonging to the Mennonite church are buried in this cemetery. The old cemetery used by the citizens of Sterling was abandon­s years ago, and the remains have mostly been taken to other cemeteries.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Sterling Chapter No. 57 R.A.M. meets at Masonic Hall in the same building with Rock River Lodge, and holds regular convocations the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. The first officers from among the charter members were: D. W. Thompson. H. P.; William McCune, King; . N.G. Reynolds, Scribe. The balance of the officers were filled at the time by companions from sister chapters. The present officers are: M. S. Bowman, H. P.; Henry S. Street, King; T. Y. Davis, Scribe; William A. Mc­Cune.Capt. of H.; L. Church, P. S.; R. Laurie, R. A. C.; J. B. Deyo, M. 3d V; William Murray, M. 2d V.; James M. Martin, M. 1st V.; George B. Kitel Treasurer; W. S. Peebles, Secretary; T. Fulton, Sentinel.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Sterling Christian Association was organized in the spring of 1873, its object being the promotion of Christian fraternity, union in evangelical labors, and the circulation of unexceptionable literature. The rooms of the Association are on Mulberry street, between Third and Fourth. Union prayer meetings have been held for most of the time since its organization. In the fall of 1873 the Association founded a free Reading Room, for the mainte­nance of which one thousand dollars were freely subscribed by the citizens at the start. The Reading Room was opened to the public on the first of January, 1874. The Sterling Library Association placed six hundred volumes of their books in the room, besides which several hundred volumes have been added by purchase and donation. The tables are also supplied with a large number of the best newspapers and magazines. The rooms are open from 8 A. M. to 9 p m. The officers of the Christian Association and the Reading Room are the same, and are as follows: Rev. J. T. Mason, President; M. H. Kreider, Vice President; W. F. Eastman, Secretary; R. B. Witmer, Treasurer; B. C. Church Librarian; Mrs. C. Bowman, Acting Librarian.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Sterling Lecture Association was organized in 1874, and had its first course of lectures and entertainments during the following winter. Each course has been largely attended, and proved of incalculable benefit. The best lecturers are secured, and although the expense is large, the citizens have promptly responded, thereby making the effort a financial success. Such an Association is worthy of any city or town. A. A. Terrell is the President Joseph M. Patterson, Treasurer; and H. B. Utley, Secretary. of the

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Sterling Lodge No. 174, I.O.O.F. was instituted October 12, 1855, when the present city was even yet in its infancy, the charter members being, Miles S. Henry, Edward N. Kirk, Lorenzo Hapgood, George H Wells, Amos Tapscott, and Andrew McMoore. It has been a flourishing one from the start, the best of feeling always existing between its members. The Lodge room is over Stambaugh’s paint store, opposite the Postoffice, on Mulber­ry street, and is elegantly fitted up and arranged. It is one of the wealthiest Lodges in Northwestern Illinois, having several thousand dollars in its treasury, besides owning one of the finest cemeteries in Rock River Valley. This ceme­tery comprises two acres of ground, on an elevated piece of land overlooking Rock river, and is beautifully laid out with gravelled walks and drives. Prom­inent among its monuments is that of Van J. Adams, one of Sterling’s most valued citizens. The cemetery was first designed for members of the Order only, but its beauty attracted the attention of those not belonging to it, and it was finally decided to sell lots to all. The present officers are: E. V. H. Alexander, N. G.; C. E. Goshert, V. G.; Alfred Bayliss, R. S.; J. M. Roper, P. S.; W. A. Golder, Treasurer; Sidney T. Osmer, A. A. Terrell, Henry S. Street, Samuel Sigler, C. W. Harden, Trustees. In connection with the Lodge is Abraham Encampment, No. 49, instituted March 21, 1860, and Rebecca Degree Lodge No. 26, instituted July 28, 1870, both of which are in a prosperous condition.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Sterling Reading Room Association is a private incorporation, and was organized several years ago, its object being to furnish suitable accommodation for reading and library rooms, and also for recreation and amusement. The rooms are located in the second story of Hull and Ingersoll’s corner of Third and A streets, and are finely and comfortably fitted up for the convenience of the members, and such friends as they choose to invite. Their reading tables are supplied with a large number of newspapers and maga­zines, and their book shelves with a choice variety of books. The officers are: Henry S.. Street, President; F. L. Ingersoll, Secretary; George B. Kitel, Treas­uer. H.S. Street, Samuel C. Harvey, and William McCune, Trustees.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Sterling Reform Protection Club was organized in 1876, and is composed wholly of reformed men. Meetings are held every Tuesday evening at the Union Temperance Rooms, 441 Third street. M. B. Fitzgerald is President, and E. L. Champlin, Secretary.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside Count

Sterling Temperance Reform Club was organized February 21, 1875, after a series of meetings held by the celebrated temperance lecturer Francis Murphy. Five hundred and fifty names were enrolled at the time of the organization, and the number has been considerably increased since. The club holds its meetings in Robbin’s Hall, in the rear of the First National Bank every Saturday evening. The officers are: E. L. Champlin, President; Win. Little, T. H. Mack, E. E. Hecker, Vice Presidents; S. B. Dill, Secretary; M. M. Warner, Treasurer; T. H. Mack, Corresponding Secretary.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

Temple of Honor (Sterling) , a temperance organization, was instituted in October, 1877. The present officers are: John Harp­ham, W. C. T.; Theodore H. Mack, W. V. T.; E. L. Champlin, W. R.; W. J. Burns, W. A. R.; Moses Werner, W. F. R.; E. E. Hecker, W. Treasurer; Al­bert Bushnell, W. Chaplain; M. Davis, W. U.; J. A. Rivers, W. D. U.; S. F. Champlin, W. G.; James Fitzgerald, W. S.; Trustees, C. E. Goshart, M. M. Warner, and M. Fitzgerald.

Bent & Wilson 1877 - History of Whiteside County

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