Ezra Millard Ganton, Patriarchs Militant
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In Line from Left to Right Lieutenant O. L. Edwards, D. Hartson, F. E. Stewart, Harry Walsh, Charles A. Patterson, W. D. Hamilton, William Lvon E C BurketL
E. Howe, B. P. Burger, G. M. Coffin, Chnrle Peterson, Louis Helmrod. Ensign A. E. Cooper, Captain Jacob Marks (In fronti
LINEUP OF TUB DRILL SQUAD OF CANTON EZRA MlfXARD, PATRIARCHS MIUTANT. l'hoto by a Staff Artist. '
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iN June 26, 1?84, a uniformed de
gree camp known as Kara Millard
degree camp, with fifteen mem-
1 ju-J bers, waa or gun lied. This organ
isatlon remained as a degree
camp until March 11. 1S86, when Canton
Ezra Millard No. 1, Patriarchs Militant,
was mustered In under the laws of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows. This organization was
named in honor of Ezra MUlard, a promi
nent Odd Fellow, and at that time presi
dent of the Commercial National bank of
Omaha. The first officers of the canton
were: John W. Nichols, captain; N. B.
Helm, lieutenant; G. A. Bennett, ensign;
Frank B. Bryant, clerk; J. F. Sheeley,
accountant.
At prerent Canton Esra Millard Is In bet
ter condition numerically and financially
than ever before, and under the efficient
leadership of Its present captain, Jacob
Marks, who has been an untiring worker,
the canton stands today as the banner
canton of the state. Captain Marks hc
been ably assisted by Lieutenant George
L. Edward and Ensign A. E. Cooper. Dur
ing the last session of fhe Grand Lodge ot
Odd Fellows, held at Lincoln, Neb., Octo
ber 20-23 inclusive, the committee on enter
tainments arranged for a competitive drill
by the cantons of the sate, and here Ezra
Millard No. 1 demonstrated Its efficiency
by carrying off the first prize, making
nlncty-fou:- and one sixteenth points. Can
ton Ford No. 2 of Lincoln carried off sec
onl prize, making eighty-four prints. The
Judges were Ccptains F. James Ccsgrava
and J. F. Ringer of Lincoln. The name
were selected on account of their ability,
as both are army captains, C-ptaln Ringer
ho'ding the position as instructor at the
(b'.e univiis.ty nt Lincoln.
The Patriarchs Militant Is the military
rank In connection with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. Something Ul:
twenty-five years ago some members of th
o-d'r felt the necessity rtf Instituting
rank or degree that would be attractive to
young men, as the older Itself is of the
graver nature and not designed for parade
or display purposes. It was felt that if a
military rank could be added, one in which
a drill and a handsome uniform wouli bo
features, that the younger members would
take more interest In the order, and mora
young men would join. Before any definite
action had been taken on the matter an
order under the designation of Patriarchal
Circle sprang; up In Iowa, Illinois, Wiscon
sin and Minnesota. It was not a part of
Odd Fellowship, but its promoters hoped
to gain official recognition, and for ih's
reason made memterphlp In the Odd Fel
lows a condition precedent to membership
In the Patriarchal Circle. When the sub
ject was brought before tho sovereign
grand lodge for action an unexpected oppo
sition was developed and eventually ad
verse action was taken. The matter was
kept pending In the sovereign grand ledge
for two sessions, but finally Sovereign
Grand Sire Erie J. Leach pronounced his
edict against the Patriarchal Circle, rnj
all who were members In It were given
their opportunity tf .choosing between the
two orders. Many elected to stand by the
circle, and in the fall of 1SS5 quite a num
ber of Odd Fellows left the order to retain
their membership In the Patriarchal Circle.
In the meantime the Patriarchs Militant
had been Instituted, and regularly estab
lished as the military branch of Odd Fel
lowship. Its growth has been rather slow,
but steady, and during the last few years
It has attained to a most respectable stand
ing. The Independent Order of Odd Fel
lows is one of the oldest and strongest of
the secret societies and has always b n
noted for the conservative nature of Its
membership. It has never been much for
display, but since the adoption of the mili
tary rank has come somewhat more before
the publlo eye. Its younger members take
Treat Interest In the drill and In th'a way
afevrw proved the wisdom of the projectors
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ANOTHER VIEW OF THE DRILL SQUAD OF CANTON EZRA MILLARD. Photo by a Staff Artist
fnT
EZRA MILLARD. FOR WHOM
CANTON WA3 NAMED.
TUB
of the scheme for adding the rank to the
o.-tier. i
Ezra Millard, for whom the local canton
of the Patriarchs Militant Is named, was a
pioneer of Omaha, coming here In 1856.' He
was engaged In various mercantile enter
prises, but chiefly In banking, being a mem
ber of the firm of Millard, Caldwell A Co.,
one of the first banking firms to do bust
nets west of the Missouri river, and later
one of the organizers and president of the
Omaha National bank, and later an organ
izer and president of the Commercial Na
tional bank. His connection with the Odd
Fellows was such as to endear him to the
members, and his memory is still revered
by them. Mr. Millard died at Saratoga.
N. Y.. In August, 1S8. When the first
canton was mustered In In Omaha no dis
pute as to Its name was ever heard. It
was simply called Ezra Millard canton, and
everybody was pleased, thinking thus to
perpetuate the name of a worthy Odd Fel
low In a way that would not be displeasing
to hiia If he knew of it.
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Lieutenant O. L, Edwards. Ensign A. E. Cooper.
Capiulu Jacob Marks.
OFFICERS OF CANTON EZRA MILLARD. l'hoto by a Stuff Artist,