Introduction | Agency History | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The records of Deshler Temple #204, Pythian Sisters, Deshler, Ohio, consist of .5 linear foot of minutes, membership cards, and financial records covering the period from 1903 to 1931.

The collection was transferred to the Center for Archival Collections during April 1988 from the Wood County Historical Museum. This register was prepared by Marilyn Levin son, Curator of Manuscripts, Center for Archival Collections, May, 1989. No restrictions exist on the use of this collection.

Agency History

The Pythian Sisterhood was founded as a secret society for female relatives of Knights of Pythias in February, 1888. The objects of the Order were both social and charitable, including ministering to the sick and needy, sitting at the bedside of the dying, and paying tribute to the dead.

The Rathbone Sisters, a parallel organization open to both men and women, had as its objects the moral, mental, social and physical elevation of its members. Also founded in 1888, it was originally known as the Pythian Sisters, but changed its name in 1894 to Rathbone Sisters.

Deshler Temple #204 of Deshler, Ohio was founded around 1903, with 42 charter members (13 Knights, 29 Sisters), as a Temple of Rathbone Sisters. The first record book in the collection is a semi-annual record book dating from 1903-1917; the last are membership application cards spanning the years 1904-1931. In 1932 Deshler Temple #204 merged with Jackson Temple #309 of Hoytville, Ohio.

Scope and Content

The records of the Deshler Temple #204 of Pythian Sisters of Deshler, Ohio, covers the period from 1903 until 1931. The Order was founded around 1903, as a Temple of Rathbone Sisters, and merged in 1932 with Jackson Temple #309, Hoytville, Ohio.

The bulk of the collection consists of minute books for 1906-1908, 1912-1922, 1922-1925, and 1925-1929. The volumes of minutes are fairly standard in content, including lists of officers and members present, reports on sick members, committee reports, applications for membership, bills presented, and other business. More membership information is available on the application cards, and summarized in the semi-annual report book.

Series Description

PROCEEDINGS

MINUTES.
1906-1908, 1912-1922, 1922-1925, 1925-1929.
Including lists of officers and members present, reports on sick members, committee reports, applications for membership, bills presented, and other business.

MEMBERSHIP RECORDS.
1904-1931
Individual membership applications, includes jurisdiction information, date, relationship with member of another Lodge, names of recommendations, and report of investigating committee.

CORRESPONDENCE

PYTHIAN SISTERS OF OHIO CORRESPONDENCE.
1932
Card of merger, giving permission for merger of Deshler Temple #204 with Jackson Temple #309.

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS.

FINANCIAL REPORT.
1903-1917.
Semi-annual report, which includes summary of finances and membership activity.

Inventory

Box 1

Folders

1. Minutes, 1906-1908
2. Minutes, 1912-1922
3. Minutes, 1922-1925
4. Minutes, 1925-1929
5. Membership application cards, 1904-1931
6. Card of merger with Jackson Temple #309, 1932

Wrapped

1. Financial record/Semi-annual report, 1903-1917

Manuscripts by Subject | Women's Studies Collections