HISTORY OF
WOODBINE #4 ORDER OF EASTERN STAR
Woodbine Chapter #4 was organized, in 1891. The charter is dated February 20, 1891, however all records show that the chapter was actuality instituted on March 16, 1891, Brother Francis Ingalls a past patron of lady Washington, Jamestown #l was the instituting officer. Brother Thomas N. Ritchie was the moving spirit in the founding of the Chapter said the Success which was attained during its early years was largely due to his enterprise and devotion. He was elected the first Worthy Patron of the chapter. Kate Black was the first Worthy Matron, other officers were: Associate Matron Elsei McKay, Secretary-Ida M Featherstone, Treasure-Henrietta M. Stull, Cond-Georgiana Henry, Assoc. Cond-Annie Irgens, Adah-Emma Winterer Ruth-Clara Miller, Esther-Louise Sifton, Martha-Celia Connolly,
Electa- Annie A. Peake, Warder- Henrietta Holmes and Sentrinal- Effie Walker. The earliest minuttes available are those of 1904.
The first meeting place of the chapter was in the Masonic Hall, which was on the second floor of the first National Bank Bldg. During 1892 a number of the Fargo people joined the Chapter. In 1893 the group from Fargo took demits to form Mecca Chapter in Fargo. Brother Ritchie instituted this Chapter and officers from Woodbine #4 journeyed to Fargo to assist him. Brother Ritchie was also the instituting officer for Mispah #6 Grafton and Prairie Chapter #7 of Sanborn. Officers of Woodbine also helped at Sanborn. Brother Ritchie was also involved in the forming of a Grand Chapter for North Dakota. This was accomplished in June 1894. There were then 13 Chapters in the State. Two more that Brother Ritchie helped with were Fidelity of Hope, and Ceres of Tower City. The officers of Woodbine also helped at Tower City. The delegates from the 13 chapters convened in Valley City to form a Grand Chapter on June 12, 1894. Right worthy Grand Secretary Lorraine Pitkin was also here to assist in the organization. Grand Lodge was held in Valley City at the same time, and the Eastern Star people were invited to attend the installation of Grand Lodge Officers and the evening banquet. Brother Tom Ritchie was the first Grand Patron. In Nov. 1906 the Chapter paid $7.50 for half the price of a gasoline stove which was installed in the lodge hall by brother masons. In February 1918 a Red Cross Auxiliary was formed in the chapter and did active work for the remainder of the war period. The projects of making soldiers comfort kits was undertaken. A party raised $150.00 for the cause.
Meeting were suspended from Sept 24, to Nov. 26th of this year because of the influenza epidemic. Also in this year a carnival was given to raise more money for comfort kits. The sum of $125O.OO was realized. In 1919 the Chapter adopted a French was orphan and voted to pay the expense annually. In 1920 the certification of organization of N.D. Grand Chapter was framed at the expense of this Chapter and hung in the Masonic Grand Lodge Museum at Fargo, bearing and inscription of presentation by Woodbine #4. In 1920 the Masons purchased the building they had been using since 1908. In 1922, the first floor was remodeled into quarters which was used for dancing, large card parties or other gatherings. One club room was offered to Woodbine, on the condition they purchased furniture for this room. A theatrical production was put on to make this possible. On April 25 of that year the district school of instruction was held in Valley City. In 1923 Woodbine paid $200.00 toward the purchase of a DuO-Art Player piano for the temple and also assisted the Royal Arch brothers in putting on a musical comedy to pay for a piano which was installed downstairs. In 1924 pedestals and emblems for the star points were purchased. Woodbine was honored this year by having Maude Ployhar serve as Worthy Grand Matron. A John B Rogers musical show was sponsored by the chapter netting $150 profit. In 1926 steps were taken to organize a Rainbow Assembly. On Jan. 28th the assembly was instituted. The Rainbow initiation ceremony was given by members of Woodbine and 30 girls became members. In 1927 the practice of giving the out going Worthy Matron a past matrons pin was started. In 1928 an electric star to use in a new affiliation and initiation ceremony was purchased. In May the chapter contributed $50.00 to the fund being raised by the Masons for furnishing a room at the new Mercy Hosp. In 1929 the custom of sending cards of Christmas greetings to all non residents of the chapter was started. Also the international Temple Fund was paid loo%. On March 24th 1931 the Chapter celebrated its 40th year. Also during this year we helped start a Rainbow Assembly in Cooperstown. Through these 40 years we were honored by many appointments to serve grand chapter. Also have made many contributions to charity & projects of the Star. In 1935 the Temple was sold to the Pegg garage & we had only the upstairs rooms. Because of remodeling meetings were held in the Knights of Pythias Hall for several months.
In 1938 the Chapter was honored by the election of Brother Max M Moore to serve as Worthy Grand Patron. He was an outstanding Worthy Patron. This was the year the coin march was instigated into our regular program. The box for these collections was made by Brother Max. Again in 1942 the Star became involved in world war II work to help the service men. In 1944 a lovely white Bible was presented to Woodbine by Lloyd Lee in Memory of his Mother. In 1946 Sister Hilda Moore was elected to serve as Worthy Grand Matron for 1947. This is the year the big gas stove was installed in the kitchen. Also 8 new star point chairs were purchased with Rainbow girls donating $20.00. The first district meeting for Rainbow Girls to be held in the State was in Valley City this year. In 1947 a smorgasbord and other activities raised $1298.00 for the project of redecorating the chapter rooms for Hildas year as W.G.M. During the year of 1948 there Were 17 new members and 7 affiliates taken into the Chapter. A busy year with money made for kitchen linoleum and 12 card tables. Through the next few years the chapter was busy raising money for Charitable purposes and continued to grow. In 1951 the 60th anni was held. It was a galla occasion with a banquet at the Rucolph hotel & many Grand officers attended as well as sisters and brothers from the surrounding area. This was also the 25th year for the Rainbow Girls. A new labyrinth rug was purchased and dedicated in 1954. In 1955 grand assembly for Rainbow was held in Valley City. Also this new alter cloth of white satin and pedistal covers of appropriate colors also new dishes with the officers club paying one half the cost. In 1956 pictures of past grands matron Helen Ployhar & Hilda Moore & P.G.P. Max M. Moore were hung during a special ceremony. 1957 3 folding tables & 36 folding chairs were purchased. 1958- masons & star share cost of water heater. 1959-Mable Lee presented a silver cup for Electa station in memory of her late husband. In 196l- first estaral candidate sponsored by Woodbine. 1965-Year the pathfinder badge was founded. 1966-75th anni. celebration. 1970-practice of sending memorials to bereaved families changed to notification of same being placed in bldg. fund. 1971-Prairie chapter folded and most of its members joined Woodbine. 1973-Margaret Vyzralek was elected as W.G.M. to serve from June 73-June 74. 1974-was a busy year with Margaret. 1975 the temple was again redecorated & special dispensation was granted for meetings to be held in Congregational church. First half of 76 also.
During all these years and up to the present time we have had many members honored by serving as Grand Committee members, Grand Officers, District Deputies, Grand Representatives, Pages and Ushers at Grand Chapter Sessions. We are proud of our sisters and brothers and all members ob Woodbine #4, and wish it many more years of sharing and growing.