history found on May 2004 after searching "images" on Google using BPOE as search term. Link as of this date is http://raub-and-more.com/pburgcharterjubilee/schools.html -------------------------- Phillipsburg Lodge No. 395, B. P. O. E. Phillipsburg, N. J. Lodge, No. 395, B. P. O. Elks, began in a modest manner and with a small membership. The Lodge was instituted in the Masonic rooms, this city, on the evening of November 26th, 1897, by J. H. Fort, District Deputy, Grand Exalted Ruler, of Camden, N.J., assisted by members of the Order from Trenton and Camden, N.J., and STroudsburg, Pa. Charter members will never forget that night. A banquet was served at "Hotel Columbia," this city. After the banquet charter members and visitors marched in a body to our home, No. 412 South Main street, which we still occupy, where another feast was prepared, to which we did justice; speech making then followed. The installation and banquet of 1897 is history, and now only remains a pleasant memory in the minds of those present. The first officers of the lodge, who were installed on the night of the organization, who held their positions for one year, were: John Eilenberg, Exalted Ruler. Hon. Jacob B. Smith, Esteemed Leading Knight. Hon. Jos. H. Firth, Esteemed Loyal Knight. R. B. Carhart, Esteemed Lecturing Knight. S. W. Hunt, Secretary. Adam Martin,Treasurer. A. W. Mutchler, Esquire. L. A. Fisher, Tiler. W. F. Carty, Chaplain. D. E. Ritter, Inner Guard. Trustees, Hon. Dr. Isaac Barber, one year; Chas. B. Sharp, two years; John Kern, three years. Charter granted May 12th, 1898, upon the application of Brothers John Eilenberg, Hon. Jacob B. Smith, Hon. Jos. H. Firth, R. B. Carhart, S. W. Hunt, Adam Martin, L. A. Fisher, Hon. Dr. Isaac Barber, John Kern, Frank D. Bishop. Charter Members, Geo. R. Johnson, Jos. L. Morgan, Whitfield Barber, Jr., W. H. Fisk, W. K. Stone, Harry Cane, E. O. Correll, Ellsworth Smith, Wm. J. Leslie, Floyd Smith, C. E. Griffin, B. Frank Fox, Jas. H. Callan, E. J. Mackay, Bernard Flynn, Chas. A. Gischel, Frank D. Bishop, Dr. Wm. Kline, Y. C. Pilgrim, Eldridge Barber, Hon. Johnston Cornish, G. W. Shoeffler, Hon. C. F. Staats, P. F. Hagerty, W. Floyd Mutchler, F. M. Duckworth. Past Exalted Rulers-- John Eilenberg--elected November 26th, 1897. John Eilenberg--elected April 1st, 1898. F. M. Duckworth--elected April 1st, 1899. F. M. Duckworth--elected April 1st, 1900. Wm. J. Leslie--elected April 1st, 1901. Stewart P. Stone--elected April 1st, 1902. F. M. Duckworth--elected August 15th, 1902. Chas. B. Sharp--elected April 1st, 1903. E. D. Pursel--elected April 1st, 1904. Oscar W. Shafer--elected April 1st, 1905. Thos. L. Murphy--elected April 1st, 1906. Harry E. Stone--elected April 1st, 1907. Jesse H. Rubert--elected April 1st, 1908. Jesse H. Rubert--elected April 1st, 1909. Lewis A. Fisher--elected April 1st, 1910. Present Exalted Ruler--John B. Sliker--elected April 1st, 1911. The organization of Elks dates at February 10, 1868, and its membership was chiefly composed of those belonging to the theatrical profession. As the order grew admission was given to large numbers, including many in all walks of life. But two lodges existed in 1874, which was increased to 14 in 1882 and 222 in 1892. In this year (1911) every city and town of importance contains a lodge of Elks, the number of lodges now being 1, 250, with a membership of over 300,000. The order does not profess to be a religious teacher; it does possess the elements of true religion, a belief in the Supreme Being. It is not a political teacher, but enjoins upon all its members the principles of good government, loyalty to rulers and the obeyance of laws. It does, however, profess to be a teacher of morality, dealing with the members as moral and social beings, encourages industry and the development of business enterprises, contributes to the relief of the distressed, encourages domestic fidelity, honor in all dealing with mankind, justice and charity to all and the full and harmonious development of every moral, social and intellectual faculty that God has given. The social features connected with the order serve to bind them closer together.