The following appeared in The Rose History in 1911.
Rock County Village (continued from 10-22-20 edition of the Star Herald.)
The Lodges
Three secret societies maintain active organizations in Beaver Creek. They are the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Degree of Honor and Brotherhood of American Yeomen.
For fifteen years Beaver Creek was the home of one of the leading posts in the county of the Grand Army of the Republic. John Buford Post,21 No. 166, G. A. R., was mustered in August 19, 1887, by Inspector W. H. Halbert, assisted by Comrade Philo Hawes. The new post commenced its existence with thirteen members and the following officers: Col. Harrison White, commander; Abram Osmun, senior vice commander; J. A. Hulett, junior vice commander; A. W. Hadwick, quartermaster; J. M. Park, surgeon; O. A. Hulett, chaplain; A. G. Gilbert, officer of the day; Theodore Winchell, officer of the guard; C. R. Henton, adjutant; Niels Jacobson, quartermaster sergeant; E. C. Conant, sergeant major, Death and removals caused a depletion in the rank of members, and on November 18, 1902, the post surrendered its charter.
Beaver Creek Lodge No. 121, A. O. U. W., was granted its charter of organization July 30, 1890, The following were the first officers chosen: Harrison White, P. M. W.; C. Conant, M. W.; Edwin F. Baker, foreman; John H. Williams, overseer; George E. Mather, recorder; George B. Whitney, financier; Frank E. Welker, receiver; Frank J. Rabbit, guide; Andrew G. Gibbest, inside watch; Clarence A. Dike, outside watch. The lodge has a membership of about thirty at present.
An order of the Degree of Honor, auxiliary to the Workmen, Beaver Lodge No. 202, was instituted March 19, 1903. The first officers were: Mary C. Chaflin, P. L. of H; Bertha Henton, L. of M.; Ida Carney, recorder; Amy Perry, receiver; Jennie Carney, I. W.; Nannie B. Welker, C. of H.; Mary C. Lukensmeyer, C. of C.; A. Gilbert, financier; Helen Toss, S. U.; Mary J. Raw, O. W.
The most recent society organized was the Beaver Creek Homestead No. 1958, B. A. Y., which at present has thirty-five members. The lodge was organized with the following ten charter members: Charles A. Baker, Otto A. Bowmen, Delmer J. Bowen, Fred Connell, Edward J. Dunbar, Walter J. Feurhelm, H. R. Ohs, Percy A. Story, James Vopat and Charles H. Whitney.
Fire Department
The matter of securing fire protection for Beaver Creek was first considered by the village council at a meeting held May 6, 1885. Harrison White was appointed fire warden, and authority given to a committee to purchase a complete outfit of hooks and ladders, hose and accessory equipment. A water supply was secured from a large force pump placed in the public well. A volunteer fire department was organized October 23, 1885, with Harrison White as chief and A. J. Daley as assistant. The facilities have since been improved, and now Beaver Creek is well prepared to combat the destructive flames.
Banks
Two banking institutions have found a home in Beaver Creek but at different periods of the town’s history. F. S. Gibson opened a private bank in the village October 14, 1885. In the summer following this concern was merged into the Beaver Creek State Bank, which commenced business September 1, 1886, with a paid-up capital of $25,000. The first officers and directors of the State bank were F. S. Gibson, president; E. D. Hadley, vice president; J. O. Brictson, cashier; P. J. Kniss, George D. Dayton, Daniel Shell, C. H. Smith. The bank was operated for a number of years.
The First National Bank of Beaver Creek, incorporated for $25,000, has been operated since January 1, 1909. At that time it succeeded to the business of the Bank of Beaver Creek, a private institution founded in September, 1902, by M. O. Page, Charles Shade, B. L. Richards, S. S. Wold and W. H. Bradley. Following the reorganization the following first officers and board of directors were chosen: Charles Shade, president; J. S. Crawford, vice president; M. O. Page, cashier, E. J. Dunbar and Andrew Ingelson.
21Named in honor of Gen. John Buford, who was the commander of the New York regiment to which Col. Harrison White was attached.
The story of the village of Beaver Creek will continue in the Nov. 5 edition of the Star Herald.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.