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What are the "Odd Fellows," and what is their purpose? Although seemingly a bit "Odd," you they had a presence in Martin County. The following article, based on the archives in the Pioneer Museum and internet research, gives a brief history of the Odd Fellows, an explanation of the name, and their presence in Martin County.
One old and apparently authoritative history of Odd Fellowship gives the explanation, "That common laboring men should associate themselves together and form a fraternity for social unity and fellowship and for mutual help was such a marked violation of the trends of the times (England in the 1700's) that they became known as 'peculiar' or 'odd,' and hence they were derided as 'Odd Fellows.' Because of the appropriateness of the name, those engaged in forming these unions accepted it. When legally incorporated the title 'Odd Fellows' was adopted."
The IOOF got its start in America in the 1800s. "On a crisp spring evening in April 1819, Thomas Wildey, a blacksmith from England, gathered with a small group of men in Baltimore's Seven Stars Tavern. Driven by the ideals of Odd Fellowship, a fraternal tradition rooted in mutual support among working men, Wildey founded Washington Lodge No. 1, the first American chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). Guided by the principles of Friendship, Love, and Truth, this modest gathering sparked a movement that would spread across the nation, uniting men in a shared commitment to community and compassion.
In summary, it could simply be referred to as a nonprofit fraternal organization whose primary purpose is to foster fellowship and mutual benefits among its members.
The Fairmont Lodge #070 was instituted on July 28, 1879, and was located at 1091/2 West First Street. It was estimated that the construction cost of the building was approximately $4,000.00. The Charter Members were John J. Swearingen, J. A. Houghtaling, L. Stiles, A. Houghtaling, and William J. Alvey. Other names of historic prominence include W. C. Gamble, J. W. Daniels, Somerville Hill, H. P. Edwards, B. E. St. John, J. J. Goetz, John Allison, and others. Many of the names of the charter members represent a "who's who" in terms of local history. The local IOOF observed their 75th birthday in 1954. At that time the only remaining living member of the original group was Elmore Houghtaling.
The Rebekah's, initially a female only auxiliary of the IOOF was created in 1851. However, they now offer both female and male memberships.
The local Laurel Rebekah Lodge was instituted at Fairmont on Tuesday, February 20, 1894. Among the numerous charter members were May Pfiffner, Zylphia Edwards, Melinda Gamble, S. L. Swearingen, Kate Houseman, Alice Teeter, and Henrietta Sinclair. Those names represented another "who's who" in terms of local history.
In 1899 a district meeting held in Fairmont was acclaimed as "one of the best of the entire year." Included in the event was an orchestra, singing, recitations, and an address by W. G. Gamble, Grand Master elect. A newspaper account from that era expounded on the fact that the event held at the Opera House was one of the "most largely attended and interesting affairs ever given in the history of our city."
The Odd Fellows weren't without some "Odd" happenings and events. One such example is from the March 19, 1914, edition of the Fairmont Daily Sentinel with a headline reading "Driver Helpless Auto Runs Amuck." "Upon returning to Fairmont from an "Odd Fellows doings" in Ceylon in the wee hours of the morning, several members experienced a dangerous ride. The driver of the car returning the Odd Fellows to Fairmont, a young man employed by the
Ceylon Garage suddenly became ill letting go of the wheel. Among the passengers were G. T. Houseman and "Brother" Swearingen, all completely unfamiliar with driving and having no idea as to what to do to stop the vehicle. Finally, Brother Houseman grabbed the right "rigamajig" to shut off the power and keep them from being "dumped into Ten Mile Creek."
The "befuddled" young driver, unable to be revived, was found to have had been served gasoline by mistake shortly before leaving Ceylon. The gasoline cocktail was served to him after regular closing hours, much to the dismay of his passengers.
The January 14, 1908, edition of the Fairmont Daily Sentinel underscored the Odd Fellows Lodge's positive influence, noting that to be an Odd Fellow meant being loyal to one's country, devoted to one's family, and fraternal toward one's fellow man.
In conclusion, it appears that their existence throughout history has been one of positive work, both locally and beyond. Although Fairmont no longer has an Odd Fellows Lodge, there are several others in Minnesota.
For more information on this topic, or to become a member, visit the Pioneer Museum in Fairmont or its website at martincountymuseum.com.