I am trying to research information on an organization that my Mom belonged to for many years when I was a kid. I believe that it was called Daughters of the Eastern Star (not 100% sure of the name). I know my paternal grandfather was a 32nd degree Mason, but my dad was not a Mason. I don't know if my maternal grandfather was a Mason or not. What I am interested in is to know more about the Masonic Lodge and if anyone can help me determine if my mom was member of "Daughters of the Eastern Star" or maybe something that sounds similar. My mom is Mary Myrna Winn from Howard. Ks.
David
David, your Grandmother Winn was in Eastern Star and your Grandfather Winn was in both Eastern Star and was a Mason. I am pretty sure your Mother was in Eastern Star with Grandma Winn. Let me go through my files and I think I can give you that information.
Uncle Frank
Uncle Frank thanks for looking it up. I didn't ask you specifically because I am interested in finding people that knew my mom and can tell me about her days in Howard. I know you can do that, but you are her little brother and I am looking for non family members memories. I am also looking for information on the Masons from my dad's side of the family because I know my Grandpa Walt Alexander was a Mason in Wichita. I am trying to expand family information specifically to my mom and to expand on the one that I did on my dad's side in grade school. Once I get to doing the family tree on my dad's side I will ask you for your expert advice on how to proceed. I have found many things on this forum about my mom that I never knew, such as she was on the school newspaper in her senior year. Also, more to my question than I am able to discuss here.
David
David, your Mother was also the High Stepping Drum Majorette for the good old Howard High Band her Junior and senior year, and she did a great job at it.
David, what you are thinking of is called The Order of the Eastern Star. It is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. I don't know if your mother was a member or not, but your Aunt Anita was. I sat in chapter with her once before we had to close the one here in Howard. Agnes Miller or Elwood Miller could probably tell you.
Uncle Frank thanks for the info. I knew she was a majorette, played basketball, and I think the trombone for a very short time.
Wilma, thanks for the information. I remember my mom and Aunt Anita talking about it together. Any information that you can point me to would be very helpful.
David
Wilma I do not know Agnes Miller or Elwood Miller any one that can put me in contact with them it would be great. If someone wants to contact me privately I can give them the info so that the Miller's could contact me. I would also be more than willing to spend my dime to contact them
David
David, I will be up there Saturday. I don't think Elwood can help you on this as I visited with him recently and I feel sure he will not remember that, in addition he is in the Nursing home. I will check with Agnes she was my 3rd grade teacher. I can check with someone that has some of the records. Also I will check with Aunt Shirley as she would know. I don't recommend you call Agnes she is 94 years old and I am, not sure she would do well discussing it on the phone.
Uncle Frank, I understand what you are saying. I will send Aunt Shirley an e-mail.
David
David, she is in Colorado and will be for awhile, so she probably won't answer you until she gets back.
The organization for young girls that is affliated with The Order of the Eastern Star and Masonic Lodge is called "Rainbow for Girls" . The closest one I ever knew of was located in Eureka, when I belonged in the early 70's. David, you might ask Jo McDonald through this site if she remembers when your mother was a member. Frank, if you happen to see Bill Redmond while you are in Howard this weekend, you might ask him if he would communicate with your nephew about the Masonic Lodge. Just remember his hearing is not the best and he tries to hide it. DO NOT TELL HIM I SAID THAT!!!!!!!
I was in Rainbows in the late fifties in Moline.
Thanks, I visit with Bill pretty regular when there, and I agree he doesn't hear well, and I won't tell either of us said that.
ha-ha, he probably wouldn't hear either one of you telling on the other :-X
The lodge records are kept of all members and every meeting. The best point of contact besides Bill Redmond would be Lon Cummings. He is the current secretary and has been for some time. He would be able to look at the records and find what you are looking for.
The Order of The Eastern Star is an organization for women that have a tie to men of the Masonic Order.
The records are open to anyone needing information of its members. The secretary of the Order of the Eastern Star has access to all of those records. Columbia Chapter had to give up it's charter because of not being able to have a quorm of officers, and consolidated with Ladonia Chapter of Elk Falls, and now hold their meeting in the Hope Lodge of Howard. The secretary of the order is Bernice Cain, and she resides in Moline. Her telephone # is 620 647 3353 Her mailing address is 633 Biddle Moline, KS 67353 The Worthy Matron is Kay Howell of Howard, and she can be reached during the day at the city office -- 620 374 2202.
I have been a member of the Order since 1962. I hope you find all the information you need about your Mother, David, and I am sure that Bernice or Kay ( or both ) will be more than willing to help you.
Thanks Jo, as usual you are there to help.
Frank
You are so welcome.
Jo
Jo (and all the others who have helped) thank you so much for the great information. This forum has been very helpful in trying to document my family history. Thank goodness I had a great head start on previous work done by my Mom and the huge amount done by my Uncle Frank. My advice to all the young people out there is to save your history as you go, much easier than doing it when you are older and memories fade.
Thank you all very much,
David
Thanks for that info Jo. I have wanted to find out about when the Eltings belonged but didn't know how. I know my Great grandmother Turner was very involved in the Rebekah's which is part of the Oddfellow's Lodge. Is there anyone in Moline or Howard who has those records?
were the daughters of the Eastern Star called Rainbow Girls? Rebecka's were Theta Rho's.
I was Thea Rho in Wichita when a girl. Enjoyed it very much, we used to do all sorts of 'grown up' things. :)
I got to wear my first formal while a Theta Rho
Roma Jean, there is still an active Rebecca Lodge in Howard. The person to call for information on that is Margaret Gragg. Her telephone number is 620 374 2158 Mailing address 801 East Jefferson Howard, KS 67349 I don't know who the secretary is, but Margaret has been an active member FOREVER lol and is always so glad to help anyone that need it.
To answer the Rainbow question. Girls that have a Masonic affiliation can be Rainbow girls, until they reach 18 - then may become members of OES ( Order of Easter Star ) Their Mother does not have to me a member, because the membership for either order, must have the Masonic affiliation
Hope this helps you, Roma Jean.