Moose Lodge, No. 1602

Neillsville, Clark County, Wisconsin

Compiled by Janet Schwarze.

 

Organization History

 

The Loyal Order of Moose is a fraternal order which has branches in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.  Each of the more than a million members is required to have unquestionable devotion to his country's flag and loyalty to democratic government.  Members of the Moose take part in many civic and philanthropic endeavors.

 

The Loyal Order of Moose was founded in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1888, under the leadership of Dr. John Henry Wilson.

 

John Henry Wilson (1846 - 1923)

 

The organizational headquarters are in Mooseheart, Illinois, about forty miles west of Chicago.  Here the order maintains "Child City," a home for the children of Moose members who have died.  It was founded in 1913, and has more than 110 fireproof buildings.  The home provides academic, vocational, and spiritual training.  In 1950, a million and a half church dollars, serving all faiths, was dedicated in Mooseheart.

 

Moosehaven, "City of Contentment," is situated on the St. John's River, 14 miles from Jacksonville, Florida.  This model home for the dependent aged of the Moose has 18 modern buildings, including a health care center. 

 

Aside from Mooseheart and Moosehaven, Moose Lodges also support a number of health oriented charities, such as the March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy, Heart Fund, Cancer Crusade, Cerebral Palsy, and much more.  Many Lodges are also active in highway safety, Boys and Girl Scouting, civil defense cooperation and local community activities of all kinds.

World Book Encyclopedia, 1974.

 

Why The Moose?

 

"The Moose only takes only what he needs, nothing more and yet, given his great size and strength he lives in peace with other creatures. The moose uses his size and power not to dominate but to protect, not to spoil but to preserve. He is a fierce protector, a loyal companion, and a generous provider who brings comfort and security to those within his defending circle."

Organizational Dictates.

 

Moose Hall was located on the north east Corner of East 5th Street and Grand Avenue.  The second floor provided meeting area for the Moose Lodge and other social functions as well as a large, hardwood dance floor used for many dances through its existence.  Peter Paulson?s Garage was in the basement, or first floor, of the Moose Hall building.  The building was occupied until after World War II when it was razed to make way for a service station.  After Paulson?s Garage, it was the Bill Whaley Nash garage, and then an implement company run by Otto Hainz just before the building was torn down.

 

 

Members--Bober, Paul T.; Bradford, Charles M.; Buddenhagen, Elmer E.; Clemens, Raymond A.; Crosby, Emery W.; Dudley, Arthur E.; Kippenhan, Arthur; Lange, Duane C.; Milton, Elmo P.; Mundt, William; Reil; Paulus, Blucher; Rabenstein, Carl (History - 1863); Robert P.; Rossman, Fred A.; Rossman, Jacob; Schmidt, Gerald C.; Shock, Frances H.; Smith, William L.; Stauffacher, Harold L.; Ure, George; Williamson, Levy; Winters, Thomas Merrill;

 

Memories

 

Another Dance

 

Once again it?s a Friday night in the winter of 1936.  Snow flakes flutter down and in the cold, frosty air smoke rises from chimneys of the Moose Hall in Neillsville.  The caretaker had been busy that late afternoon getting the hall in order for a dance where teenagers will glide over a well-waxed floor.  By Larry Dorst, Borrego Springs, CA

 

Weddings--Gullickson, Ann;

 

1933

 

Blanket Sale

 

The Clark County Lodge, No. 1602 The Clark County lodge, No. 1602, Loyal Order of Moose, Neillsville, is showing a large display of Indian blankets at 142 South Hewett street across from the post office.  The blankets are said to be of the highest quality and have many uses.  The Moose asks the public to come and look them over and learn how to obtain them.  Entertainment Committee, 26 Oct., 1933

 

1938

 

The Moose Club hosted a card party Monday evening and it was well attended.  There were 15 tables of people who enjoyed playing bridge, 500 and Schafskopf.  High scorers were ? Wayne Potter and Mrs. Joe Schield at bridge; Mr. and Mrs. Art Kunze won at 500, Carl Hoffmann and Mrs. Evelyn Gerhardt took high honors at Schafskopf.  The door prize, a beautiful cyclamen plant, went to Art Kunze.  Everyone enjoyed a lunch before leaving for the evening.  Jan. 1938 Clark Co., Press.

 

Women of the Moose

 

Members, "Women of the Moose" (WOTM)--Crockett, Barbara Regina; Doyle, Mina M.; Harrington, Lucy B.; Meinholdt, Agnes I. ; O?Rourke, Doris Josephine ; Reams, Gertrude L.; Urlaub, Agnes M.;

 

The Women of the Moose was organized in 1913, as a private organization, open only to members and their qualified quests.  Membership is by invitation only to women over the age of twenty-one, interested in joining one of over 1600 local Chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

This organization provides social, sports, family and community service opportunities in a fraternal setting. Members dedicate volunteer hours to those in need, not only in their own Chapter and Lodges, but more importantly, to those in the community.  They also support such programs as the Women of the Moose include Scouting, drug awareness, crime prevention, adopt a highway, adopt a park, youth and adult sports leagues, scholarship programs, toys for needy children, feeding the hungry and disaster relief efforts.

Members also provide assistance to countless national charities such as MDA, Arthritis Foundation, American Cancer and Heart Associations and veterans organizations to name just a few. The two main objectives of the Women of the Moose are Mooseheart and Moosehaven.  Source:
Phoenixmasonry Masonic Museum.

1933

 

Last Thursday night the W. O. T. M. held their regular meeting at the G. A. R. hall and the names of three prospective members were voted upon.

 

Each meeting finds new members joining and we hope soon to double our membership.

 

We are to entertain one of our neighboring chapters before long and are trying to perfect our routine so to make a good showing before our guests.

 

Mrs. Adeline Marx received the door prize, and she, in turn, has donated a pair of hand made pillow cases which are to be sold and the proceeds turned into our general fund.

 

Members are requested to pay their quarterly dues by the next meeting.  Recorder, 26 Oct. 1933

 

Neillsville Women?s Moose Lodge

(Picture taken at Moose Hall c.1950)

Front row ? left to right ? Evelyn Begley, Emma Larson, Sarah Seelow, Irene Tibbetts, Louise Tibbets, Dora Champeau, Alma Zickert, Pearl Wasserburger;  Second row ? left to right ? Mattie Grosnick, Belle Mazola, Fay Wasserburger, Beatrice Owens, ?Toots? Schock, Lillie Moldenhauer, Ms. Brooks;  Third row ? left to right ? Evelyn Oliver, Marion Linster, Gertrude Reams, Lucy Harrington, Marion Ziegler.  (Photo courtesy of Clark County Historical Society Jail Museum)

 

1934

 

Waffle Supper

 

1936

 

Another Dance

 

Once again it?s a Friday night in the winter of 1936.  Snow flakes flutter down and in the cold, frosty air smoke rises from chimneys of the Moose Hall in Neillsville.  The caretaker had been busy that late afternoon getting the hall in order for a dance where teenagers will glide over a well-waxed floor.  Memories by Larry Dorst, Borrego Springs, CA.

 

 


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