TOTAL ABSTINENCE FRATERNITIES
[...]Good Templars.—Organized at Utica, N. Y., in 1851, as a total abstinence, secret society, to which men and women were eligible, by the action of L. E. Coon, Rev. J. E. N. Backus, and William B. Hudson, reorganization committee from the Knights of Jericho, a similar society admitting men only. The Good Templars was, in fact, the Knights of Jericho, changed and renamed. The latter was organized at Utica by Daniel Cady, of Lansingburg, N. Y., in 1850, and passed its candidates through three degrees which they were not supposed ever to forget. Cady was a prominent member of the Sons of Temperance, membership in which at that time was confined to men. The Good Templars started with one degree, the Red Cross, dressed up undoubtedly from some of the spurious degree rituals by that name which have done duty in various secret societies during the past hundred years. But this did not meet the needs of the time, and the new ritual by Rev. D. W. Bristol, assisted by M. R. Barnard and C. S. Miles, in which were presented the degree of the Heart, teaching duty to self, the degree of Charity, and the degree of Royal Virtue, teaching duty to God, is still referred to with admiration and respect. Within a year, in 1852, there was a split in the ranks, and the Independent Order of Good Templars made its appearance. This condition of affairs continued for several months, when a Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars for the State of New York having been formed, both factions came together there. (See Independent Order of Good Templars.)Stevens, Albert C., ed. Cyclopaedia of Fraternities. NYC: Hamilton Printing, 1899. 402.
—We understand that a new lodge of Good Templars will be instituted in Lansingburgh soon."Temperance Matters." Troy Daily Whig. November 26, 1866: 3 col 1.
A Lodge Hunts Peanuts.
The "peanut hunt" at Olive Lodge, I. O. G. T., rooms last night was largely attended, many visitors from Albany, Saratoga and Rensselaer counties being present. The entertainment's proceeds will be used to purchase furniture for the rooms."Lansingburgh." Troy Daily Times. May 22, 1896: 4 col 3.—Friendship Lodge, I. O. G. T., met last evening and initiated candidates for membership."Lansingburgh." Troy Daily Times. October 27, 1896: 4 col 3.RENSSELAER CO.1 Pittstown Corners.S56 Lansingburgh.....F76 Averill Park.....F117 Raymertown......M131 Lansingburgh....W ["Friendship Lodge"]190 West Sand Lake.Tu278 Lansingburgh....W ["Olive Lodge"]511 Troy City......TuKeenan Hall, B'wayand Fourth Streets995 Wynantskill.....F"Subordinate Lodge Directory." The Official Organ of the Independent Order of Good Templars, State of New York 18(1). November 13, 1898. 17.
Independence Lodge.
The annual installation of officers of Independence Lodge, I. O. G. T., was held last night at the rooms on [One Hundred] Seventeenth street, when Deputy George Rankin installed the following: Chief templar, Louis F. Plamp; vice templar, Miss Henrietta White; recording secretary, William Granger; financial secretary, Miss Minnie Hughes; tresuer, Mrs. L. F. Plamp; marshal, Melvin Scott; chaplain, Miss Minnie Johansen; past chief templar, Lewi Turner; guard, Filley Demers; sentinel, Thomas Nelson.Troy Daily Times. August 12, 1899: 4 col 2.—The Red, White and Blue Club gave a "calico" social at good Templars' hall last evening."Lansingburgh." Troy Daily Times. February 6, 1900: 4 col 4.—The Blue Ribbon Social Club will hold a dance to-night in Good Templars' Hall."Lansingburgh." Troy Daily Times. November 19, 1900: 4 col 3.—The "I Don't Know Club" was entertained last evening by Louis D. Marks at Good Templars' Hall. A supper was enjoyed, and an entertainment provided."Lansingburgh." Troy Daily Times. December 19, 1900: 4 col 3.—Olive Lodge, I. O. G. T., will meet at Good Templars' Hall on [One Hundred] Seventeenth Street this evening. Interesting exercises will be conducted."Upper Troy." Troy Daily Times. January 23, 1901: 4 col 2.—A masquerade dance was conducted last evening at Good Templars' Hall under the auspices of Olive Lodge, I. O. G. T. About seventy guests participated in the dancing."Lansingburgh." Troy Daily Times. . January 17, 1908: 6 col 2.—Olive Lodge, I. O. G. T., held a paper hat social at the rooms last evening. Dancing was enjoyed until midnight. Miss Elsie Brand was chairman of the committee in charge."Lansingburgh." Troy Daily Times. February 29, 1908: 6 col 2.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS
Olive Lodge, Raymond Smith, C. T. Joseph Suiter, Treas. Miss Estelle M. Smith, Sec.The Directory of Troy. Vol. 81. Sampson & Murdock, 1909. 43.