IOOF History

Independent Order of Odd Fellows
I.O.O.F. Estevan Lodge No. 4

A fellow by the name of George Wham who owned a Hotel, with a barber shop attached, in June 1893 in Estevan,
started the First I.O.O.F Lodge in Estevan, June 9, 1893
Mr Wham came from Winnipeg, he held the First Estevan Methodist Church service at his home at this time.

A Mr. James Wilkinson owned a livery and Boarding Stable in Estevan at this time, as well.

The I.O.O.F. documents below were sent to me by Mr. Grant Walker from California, with thanks.
The subject of the documents, Mr. E. H. Walker, is related to him obviously, but he does not know who he is, or how he is related.
Ernest Haythorne Walker was his full name, CNR Station Agent in Estevan. I tracked his history down, see the bottom of my Curling Club Page for his Bio

All documents are ca 1927, from Estevan

Logo
letters FLT in a 3 link chain
“The Three Link Fraternity”
which stands for “Friendship, Love and Truth”

Mr. E. H. Walker, Certificate of Membership, Estevan Lodge #4, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, I.O.O.F.,
dated Nov 9, 1927,
signed by R. F. Oliphant, NG,
“Noble Grand, or Presiding Officer”
and J. Ward, RS, “Recording Secretary”
He used a transfer card so obviously a member somewhere before this. At Radville SK as it turns out.

This document is interesting, for The “Club Seal” Info.
Around the Outside of the Circle, “Estevan Lodge No. 4” on top, “Estevan, Assiniboia” on the bottom.
In the Center of the Circle, “I.O.O.F.”
Then the “FLT Chain Logo”, (see above) Then “Instituted May 18, 1893”
That is what I read anyway.

This makes the Estevan Lodge No. 4 starting May 18, 1893.

Constitution and By-Laws
Estevan Lodge, No. 4, I.O.O.F., Estevan Sask.

Transcript of Document above, ca 1927 Preface
The First Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows in that portion of the Dominion of Canada
formerly known as the North West Territories was
instituted at Moose Jaw in 1883 and known as
Valley Lodge No. 1a, and in March, 1884, having
received the permission of the Sovereign Grand Lodge
was accepted under the jurisdiction of the Grand
Lodge of Manitoba, which Grand Lodge received
its charter and was instituted at the town of Portage
la Prairie in 1883.

When the North West Territories was divided
into the two great Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan,
the different Lodges in the Province of
Alberta petitioned the Sovereign Grand Lodge for a
charter and the same was granted and the Grand
Lodge of Alberta was instituted at the city of Calgary
on November 17th, 1905.

Owing to the rapid increase of Odd Fellowship
in the new Province of Saskatchewan, the members
of this Order deemed it advisable in the interest of
the Order also to petition the Sovereign Grand Lodge
for a charter and the same being granted, the Grand
Lodge of Saskatchewan was instituted at the city of
Regina, on the 29th day of May, 1907.

The Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan commenced
with thirty subordinate Lodges within its jurisdiction
with a total membership of 1,560.

Constitution for Subordinate Lodges
in Saskatchewan
I.O.O.F.
entered according to Act of Parliament of Canada in the
year 1908 by the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, I.O.O.F.
at the Department of Agriculture.
the other side of this page is the Certificate of Membership above

1237 3rd St. Estevan Odd Fellows & Rebekah Temple
Originally CPR express shed on 6th St. without the brick which was added by John Phillips and George Rooks

Side of the building shown in Jim stewart's Funeral Procession

Feb 1, 2012 this building was demolished.
Another great brick building in Estevan gone.
I took these photos ca 2010. Glad I did, now it's gone.

Front sign on Temple in Estevan

Rebekahs are the female members of this Fraternal Organization
One of their Major Leaders was from Estevan
See Miss Ruby Gleiser Web Page

As a side note, on this corner for years was a public bill board.
I remember movie posters here, and also dance bands performing at Kenosee Gardens.
It was the place to see what was going on.

Apr 29, 1925
Brother J. Simpson, of Estevan, was chosen as District Deputy Grand Master, at the Weyburn District meeting in Weyburn

June 6, 1926
Newly Elected Officers:
James Wilson, Noble Grand
John Mitchell, Vice Grand
R. Oliphant, Recording Secretary
William David Niblett, Financial Secretary
David L. Irvine, Treasurer

May 1928
New Odd Fellows Hall was thought to be ready for dedication in a months time. Building above? would think it was.

Some older members I have found, I am sure there were hundreds more, but this short list will do for now

James Patterson Wynn
b- Jan 6, 1891, in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, North Wales,
d- July 1961, in Jasper AB, age 70
He was a 35 year member of I.O.O.F., joining in 1921.
Coming to Estevan in 1912.
He served in WWI, returning to Estevan in 1919.
Worked for 38 years with CPR,
Worked his way up to Steam Locomotive Engineer,
Retired in 1956

James Raymond Hitchcock
Past Noble Grand and Past District Deputy Grand Master
b- Mondamen, Iowa
d- Apr 25, 1967, age 74

Henry “Larry” Lett
Member in 1912
See his Bio in my Bienfait Police Page

©