Altoona Council Has Been Active and Successful in the Ten Years of Its Life.
Following is the twelfth in a series of articles on the history of Altoona societies:
The acknowledged leader among the Catholic fraternal organizations of the United States, and probably of the world, is the Knights of Columbus, who have been established in Altoona for over ten years and who have met with great success in their career here. The order was founded in 1882 and has done a remarkable work in its history. It has great influence everywhere and has always stood behind the church in the hour of need.
The order was first founded in New Haven, Conn., on February 2, 1882, with eight persons present at the first meeting. The object was to establish a fraternal insurance and social organization that would be not only of a local character but would have such a nature that it would appeal to eligible Catholics in all parts of the state and throughout the country. From a membership of eight, the order has grown and spread until it now numbers over 263,000, divided into 1,533 councils, located in every state in the union and in Canada, Mexico, Cuba, the Philippines, and Panama.
Altoona council, No. 551, was organized by James A. Flaherty, now supreme knight, then state deputy of Pennsylvania, in the Schenk block, now the Blair County Title and Trust building, Eleventh avenue and Fourteenth street, on February 17, 1901. The local council was famed through the efforts of N. A. Stevens, the prominent funeral director, and C. J. McCullough, who were then members of Ebensburg council, No. 522. Supreme Knight Flaherty, who was the official in charge of the organization of the Altoona branch, is extremely popular with the members of the local council, which he has visited a number of times since the memorable night on which he brought it into history.
Under his administration as deputy supreme knight the order made rapid strides in the state of Pennsylvania, and his term as supreme knight has been marked by the utmost ability, resulting in unprecedented prosperity of the national organization.
The first grand knight of Altoona council was Frederick S. Ball, and thirty-nine men enrolled themselves at the initial meeting. The following were charter members: J. Frank Flanigan, E. S. McNevin, William F. McKiernan, Frederick S. Ball, Thomas J. Lynch, Rev. Father T. W. Rosensteel, Charles E. Straney, Edward F. Glass, William A. Breth, Owen Kelly, K. A. Reed, Edward J. Bigley, Francis P. Barron, Charles B. Adams, R. H. Biter, J. E. Burns, T. F. Burns, E. J. Sydert, J. E. Stevens, Dr. J. M. Sheedy, Raphael Delozier, Matthew H. Smith, Thomas G. Herbert, W. T. McConnell, Joseph C. O'Donnell, Frederick M. Ball, Isadore J. Rively, John McConnell, John J. Hendrick, John A. Seidel, Robert A. Conrad, William H. Allen, William F. Quinn, Charles J. Wehrle. M. J. McMenamin, Florian J. Seidel, and Very Rev. Father Thomas P. Smith, V.G.
The order has met with great success here and the outlook for the future is brilliant. The society met in the Knights of Pythias hall in the Schenk block from the time of organization until January 1, 1908, when it moved to the Nicholson block, in the rooms formerly occupied by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, before the latter society moved into its new home on West Twelfth street. The Knights of Columbus had a great celebration on the occasion of their occupation of the Nicholson block, and this year held a big celebration of the tenth anniversary of their organization. They have frequently held social celebrations and have, on a number of occasions. held open house. The order has in this manner gained the reputation of being one of the most hospitable associations in the city. It has always been active in making the lives of its members happier, also.
The membership of the council is now 253, and its officers are as follows: Grand knight, Thomas J. Lynch; deputy grand knight, Zachary Endress; chaplain, Rev. Father George K. Bigley, pastor of Holy Rosary church, Juniata; chancellor, George A. Klesius; financial secretary, Frank P. Barron; recorder, Joseph C. O'Donnell; treasurer, Michael L. Auer; warden, David R. Curry. Mr. O'Donnell has been recorder of the council ever since its inception, while Father Bigley has been chaplain for eight years.
The rooms of the order are commodious and finely equipped. They are arranged for comfort and enjoyment and are located in the very heart of the city. The society numbers among in members a large number of the most prominent Catholics in the Mountain City. It has been of great benefit to the Catholic church locally on more than one occasion.
The Knights of Columbus have been as active everywhere as they are here, and the order has a record that would be hard to beat. In 1903, a movement was started among the members to raise $50,000 for the purpose of endowing a chair of American history in the Catholic university at Washington, D.C. Complete success attended the undertaking and on April 13, 1904, at the university, the presentation was made by Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearne, on behalf of the order. The hierarchy of the Catholic church in the United States, the faculty of the university and a gathering of 10,000 members of the Knights of Columbus, their wives and friends witnessed the ceremony. Central Pennsylvania was well represented in the throng present.
At the national convention in 1908, the question of raising an endowment fund of $500,000 for the assistance of the Catholic university was acted upon favorably and the work was begun. This work has not yet been completed, but with $477,000 of the $500,000 already subscribed, the consummation of the movement is only a matter of a short time. The local council of the Knights of Columbus has aided in a decided manner toward the success of this fund.
The Knights of Columbus from the beginning of the project have been interested and identified with the Christopher Columbus monument to be erected by the government at Washington on the plaza in front of the new Union station, in a conspicuous position at the very gateway of the national capital, at a place that will be passed by millions arriving and departing from the national capital annually. One hundred thousand dollars was appropriated by congress several years ago for this monument, which for centuries will stand as a memorial to the great discoverer. Arrangements for the unveiling and dedication of the monument are now being made jointly by the war department of the United States and the national officers of the Knights of Columbus. The event will take place some time next spring and many Altoonans will be present.
The Knights of Columbus, unwilling that the anniversary of the discovery of America should pass by each year without notice, started a movement to have October 12 set apart as a legal holiday, to be known as Columbus Day. They have succeeded in their project in twenty-nine states, including Pennsylvania, and hope to see the day made a holiday in every state in the union.
The Knights of Columbus. are yet merely in their infancy. They have accomplished many things in their short career, but expect to do much more.
Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, November 7, 1911