IMPROVED ORDER OF HEPTASOPHS
Altoona Conclave Was Organized in 1886 and Has Had a Wonderful Growth.
FIRST OFFICERS AS WELL AS PRESENT ROSTER
Following is the ninth in a series of articles on the history of local societies:
Altoona conclave No. 132, Improved Order of Heptasophs is undoubtedly one of the most active organizations in Altoona. It is a branch of a great insurance order, and takes a more active interest in the social side of life than do many local, organizations that are considered to be purely social clubs. Like many of the most successful orders in Altoona, it had a humble beginning, but has enjoyed a brilliant career since.
The conclave was organized on September 27, 1886, on the third floor of the Roush building, Eleventh avenue between Eleventh and Twelfth streets. Twenty-seven men enrolled on the initial night, the men mainly responsible for the institution of the branch being: Messrs. Ross, Leisenring, Bushman, Hammond, Ambrose, McKelvey, Bishop, Keagy, Amies, Patton, Bates, Stiles, Kantner, Dr. Hall, Dr. Rohrer, Colonel Burchfield, Robert Johnson, C. A. Greer, W. M. Witherow, D. L. Potter, J. B. Stahl, H. E. Ferguson, C. T. Witherow and the Rev. Dr. S. F. Forgeus. Eight of the first twenty-seven have passed Into the Great Beyond.
Deputy Supreme Organizer Samuel I. Osmond was in charge of the institution of the new conclave, being assisted by Messrs. McAlvey and Beaver, of Harrisburg. The name "Altoona conclave" was selected on motion of Edwin M. Amies, esq., one of the charter members.
The society moved into the Altoona bank building on March 21, 1887, and into the Sheffer building on April 21, 1905. On the twenty-fourth anniversary of the founding of the conclave, it moved into the present quarters in the Blair County Title and Trust building.
The first officers of the local conclave were: Past Archon, Dr. W. D. Hall; archon, J. S. Leisenring, esq.; provost, Colonel Theodore D. Burchfield; prelate, C. T. Witherow; inspector, William S. Hammond, esq.; secretary, E. M. Amies, esq.; financier, D. L. Potter; treasurer, Dr. J. A. Rohrer; medical inspector, Dr. W. S. Ross; warder, W. N. Bishop; sentinel, E. M. Keagy; trustees, Thomas Bushman, W. N. Bishop and Robert Johnson.
The first death in the ranks was that of George F. Jones. Seventy- eight members have passed away since the conclave's inception.
Two other conclaves that existed in Altoona have been absorbed by Altoona conclave. Logan conclave was admitted on October 3, 1887, adding thirty-five members to Altoona conclave, while Monarch No. 766 was absorbed on February 1, 1902. The members of the absorbed bodies have done much for the upbuilding of Altoona conclave since they were taken into its ranks.
Altoona conclave started with twenty-seven members, but has grown to great proportions and now boasts of a membership of 740. It is by far one of the biggest societies in the city for an order that has only one branch here. The conclave stands eighth in point of size in the entire order. The total number of members admitted to the Altoona conclave since its inception is 1,175. Financially, the conclave has met with as great success as it has in other lines. The first payment paid to the supreme conclave represented $50,000, while the last one represented $1,342,000. The first payment, then called assessment, amounted to $40.45, the last one $1,480.28. There has never been a question about the financial management of the conclave; yet over $200,000 has been handled by the officers. One hundred and eighty- thousand dollars has been paid to beneficiaries of deceased members. The conclave pays nearly $18,000 a year to the supreme body.
The whole order of Heptasophs has a membership of 74,398, and has paid $18,100,728 to beneficiaries of deceased members since its Incorporation in September, 1908. The supreme body has an emergency fund of $1,012,665.28, which it has accumulated since July, 1901. The supreme trustees hold $10,000 in Altoona school bonds.
While Altoona conclave has been making the minds of its members rest easier because they know their families are protected financially in case the unexpected should happen, it has also been making their lives happier with an abundance of social events. The order is recognized as one of the most active social organizations in the city of Altoona and Hep hops and other events are common occurrences. The society has many of the most influential citizens in the city in its membership and has always enjoyed a wholesome influence locally.
As will be noticed by the date of the organization, 1911 is the silver jubilee year of the order in Altoona. The society was founded in Altoona just eight years after the order had been founded. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the local branch was celebrated with a brilliant social event, the memories of which still occupy a prominent place in the minds of the members.
The newspapers of this city can feel a special interest in the Heptasophs, because of the fact that several newspapermen have been prominently identified with the order ever since it has been established here. Charles A. Greer, a portion of the local composition of "the lever that moves the world," has been supreme prelate of the Heps for eighteen consecutive years. Because of its large membership, the Altoona conclave forms a district and has a district deputy supreme archon, T. J. Lucas, in its membership. The present officers of the conclave are: Past Archon, T. J. Lucas; archon, Joseph H. Fay; provost, D. B. Getz; prelate, A. D. Bradley; financier, W. M. Witherow; treasurer, E. Frank Amick; secretary, Charles A. Greer; inspector, G. E. Black; warder, H. L. Hileman; sentinel, Findley Anderson; trustees. Thomas Bushman, William J. Metzgar and D. L. Potter; district deputy supreme archon, T. J. Lucas; alternate, Thomas Bushman.
Three of the men who were among the twenty-seven charter members of the organization are now office holders. They are William M. Witherow, the financier; Charles A. Greer, the secretary, and D. L. Potter, one of the trustees. All three are newspapermen.
Altoona conclave has had a successful career in the past and, from all appearances, will meet with the same measure, or even a greater measure, of prosperity in the future. That it has taken a firm root in this city no one can deny.
Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, October 24, 1911, page 4