Women's Auxiliary Club Histories

History of the Women's Relief Corps Peter A. Weber Woman's Relief Corps. No. 235 was instituted February  28, 1893, Mrs. Julia Watkins became the first President. The charter  members were Julia Watkins, Lydia Woodruff, Addie Payne, Harriet Sage, Myra  Reynolds, Stella Kelsey, Metta Reynolds, Myrtie Forrest, Maud Post,  Anna Rose, Angeline Misner, Clara Peterson, Armitta Davis, Mattie Brown,  Myrtie Peterson, Della Thomas, Carrie Wilcox, Sarah Howard, Ida Bennett,  Emma Goodrich, Mary Inman, Alta Sage, Louise Toms, Ellen Post, Annie  Crissman, Mary Wells, Margaret Carr, Emma Blaine, Cynthia Hyde, Charlotte  Ely, Frances Haner, Lucy Quigley, Ida Findley, Arvilla Davis, Eliza  Burch, Anna Caine, Mary Lamore, Elizabeth Depew, Carrie Van Lieu, Laila  Caines, Mary Bennett, Mary Acker, Mary Moe, Jane Veeder, and Mary  Skinner. They organized to assist the Grand Army of the Republic. About 1912 the  Post moved into their new home on Courtland Street. As the Grand Army  lessened in numbers, the Woman's Relief Corps bought the hall from the  Post. A bronze tablet was placed above the door, in memory of our World  War Boys and the hall was dedicated for the use of all Patriotic  Organizations. At present, the Woman's Relief Corps has ten members. Meetings are held  monthly at the homes of the members. History of Rockford Rebekah Lodge No. 145 Rockford Rebekah Lodge No. 145 was instituted April 29, 1890. Lodge  meetings were held in the Wellbrook Hall on Main Street. Later they became  joint owners with the Odd Fellows of the hall on Courtland Street. At this time the Charter Members were: Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Dockeray,  Mr. and Mrs. John Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fenton, Mr. and Mrs. G. T.  Chapel, Mr. and Mrs. John Tuttle, Royal C. Blakey, Chas. C. Dockeray,  S. A. Colby, Mrs. Ada C. Watson, Ella Dockeray, Mary E. Salim, Mrs. C.  D. Nichols, Elias Salim, U. D. Nichols, J. Colby, Mrs. J. M. Spore, and  W. G. Tefft. In the early days very little information was recorded, in 1892 at the  State Convention held in Detroit our member, now a Purity Lodge in  Grand Rapids, Mrs. Ida Bailey was representative from Rockford Rebekah  Lodge. In 1896 Mrs. Bailey was Assembly President. She was also  instrumental in securing a charter for the Rebekah Assembly. Rockford Rebekah Lodge was resuscitated on April 3, 1911. The charter  members were Sarah McFarland, Kate McAuley, Mary Rector, Ella Blakely,  Susie O'Neil, Louisa Wellbrook, and Lovina Rector, Mrs. Rector being the  only chart member living. The present acting Noble Grand is Helen Pyne and the Financial  Secretary is Muriel Harrington.