History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests / compiled from the official records of the county, the newspapers and data of personal interviews, under the editorial supervision of Thaddeus D. Seeley.

368

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

Membership consists of those members of Pontiac Lodge, No. 21,
who enroll themselves as such with the secretary of the association.
CANTON PONTIAC NO. 3, I. 0. O. F.
Canton Pontiac No. 3, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted in March, I886, by Major-General Harry Soule, of the Department of Michigan, with headquarters at Ann Arbor. Twenty-six
members signed the roll at that time and Peter Betzing was chosen captain, with Robert Callow as clerk. Captain Betzing held the office for
two years. Lieutenant Bessey was the next captain and he held the
office for three years. The canton prospered under the rule of Captain
Bessey and at that time was known for the best drilled canton in the
state, taking the first prize as such.
Lieutenant Hungerford was elected captain in i891 and held the
office one year. In I892 Lieut. Theodore Collier was elected captain
and reelected in I893, proving a most efficient officer. About this time,
the majority of the members, who were mechanics, sought membership
elsewhere, and the number of members dropped to ten. Captain Betzing was at this time thought to be the most capable man to hold the
canton together and he was accordingly elected captain again in I894,
and by his untiring efforts for ten years Canton No. 3 was held in good
standing, and although the membership did not grow, it did not decrease. In I905 Captain Betzing was ready to render up his stewardship, with the canton out of debt. In the year Major John Andrews
was elected captain, and was reelected each succeeding year until 19I1.
The subordinate lodge had been taking in young members, so the canton
commenced to recruit from them, and as a result of the untiring efforts
of Lieutenant Hodge, the canton was again placed in the front ranks.
In I9II Lieutenant Hodge was chosen captain of the canton, holding the
office with honor, and at the end of his term he withdrew in favor of
Lieutenant Benedict, who was elected captain in 19II and is the present
officer. The canton is growing steadily and bids fair to rival its former
reputation.
Welcome Rebekah Lodge No. 246 is the well organized auxiliary
of Canton No. 3.
PYTHIAN KNIGHTS AND SISTERS
Pontiac Lodge No. I9, Knights of Pythias, was organized and granted
a charter on March 13, I889, when the following officers were elected:
Richard W. Bell, past chancellor; Charles W. Salterbaugh, chancellor
commander; Jerome W. Robbins, vice chancellor; Delos D. Jayne, prelate; Charles M. Crofoot, master of exchequer; Samuel E. Howlett,
keeper of record and seals. The present officers of the lodge are: Roy
E. Bailey, past chancellor; Henry Merz, chancellor commander; T. D.
Seeley, vice chancellor; Roy.M. Campbell, prelate; Charles Merz, master
of exchequer; DeWitt C. Davis, keeper of record and seals.
The Pythian Sisters also have a lodge which is well attended and
conducted.