ATCHISON COUNTY KANSAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY  P.O.Box 303  401 Kansas Ave Atchison KS 66002-0303 913-367-1902
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Atchison County Kansas Vital Statistics

Birth and death records were kept on a statewide level beginning in July 1911. Marriage records are on file beginning 1 May 1913, with divorce records beginning 1 July 1951. These can be obtained from the Office of Vital Statistics; 900 Jackson street; Topeka, KS 66212.

Before statewide registration, the county clerk was responsible for the recording of births and deaths. Most of the records don't begin until the mid 1880's. Marriages were recorded by the probate judge, and most of these records date from the county's inception date.

Marriage records have been recorded in most cases since the formation of the county. These records are in the possession of the county clerk or the probate judge.

The Birth and Death records for Atchison County before 1911 are sketchy, at best. The only records available are those contained in records donated by a Doctor. They cover the period from 1895 to 1911. If you wish to inquire about a birth or death during this period, send as much information as you can to

County Clerk
Atchison County Court House
423 N 5th
Atchison KS 66002

If you inquire by mail you should include a SASE and they should inform you of the current policy and fees..

Clerk of the District Court
P. O. Box 408
Atchison KS 66002

CHAPTER XXII.

SOCIETIES and LODGESSocie

One of the strongest county organizations among the farmers is the Atchison County Protective Association. It has its origin in a vigilance committee which was organized at Good Intent and Shannon, in 1883. For three years this committee operated as a vigilance committee and was organized under the Central Protective Association, August 31, 1886, by William CONNERS, of Winthrop, Mo. L. P. DUBOIS, concerning whom a biographical sketch appears in another part of this history, was the first president of the Good Intent lodge and W. H. SMITH was the first secretary. Hon. T. J. EMLEN, county treasurer of this county, was the first treasurer of Shannon Hill Lodge and J. I. HOLMES was the first secretary.

The first work that was done by the consolidated lodges was in running down a thief who stole a team of horses from the late Rolla STREEPER. Members of both lodges were taxed $10 each to defray the expense of the chase. J. H. BARRY was sheriff of the county at that time and captured the thief in Nebraska.

Following this capture the lodges decided that the expense was too great to be borne by them alone and so the Atchison County Protective Association was formed in the spring of 1889. The first president was C.W. PRIM, and the second president was Hon. W. T. BLAND, third president was Elias GRAVES. W. H. BUSH was the fourth president, and he held office for ten years and was one of the most popular, tactful and conscientious officials the association ever had. Will DOOLEY, of the Good Intent lodge, was president of the association in 1916, and no better man ever filled the position. The Hon. Edward IVERSON, ex-county clerk, and now cashier of the Exchange State Bank, at Atchison, has been secretary of the association since 1901. The association has now a membership of 1,500 and with twenty-five lodges and is affiliated with the Central Protective Association.

BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS

This lodge was organized January 17, 1901, with 150 charter members. W. T. BLAND, for many years district judge of this county, was elected the first exalted ruler. The lodge occupied temporary quarters for a number of years and erected its present building at a cost of $20,000 and dedicated it in 1907. The present membership of the Elk's lodge is 326 and the names of the past exalted rulers in addition to, W.T. Bland, are as follows: Charles LINLEY, T. S. YOUNG, J. M. CHALLISS, James W. ORR, W. S. WASHER, Fred GIDDINGS, W. P. WAGGENER, B. W. VICKERY, W. D. HARBURGER, Charles A. BROWN, G. W. MYERS, H. B. BILIMEK, and Walter E. BROWN, whose term expires March 31, 1916.

ATCHISON AERIE, NO. 173, FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES

The Atchison Aerie, No. 173, of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, was instituted on October 3, 1901. The officers in 1916 are as follows: Past worthy president, Owen GRADY; worthy president, John V. SMITH; worthy vice-president, Fred RAMBKE; worthy chaplain, F. E. KAAZ; treasurer, L. M. BAKER; secretary, W. H. SMITH; trustees, S. S. KING, Carl SCHMITT, E. N. UNDERWOOD; aerie physician, Dr. C. F. FINNEY.

The aerie meets every Wednesday evening. The cost of the present building was about $35,000. The building belongs to the Eagles' Benevolent Association. The present membership is 550.

SECRET SOCIETIES

Ancient Order of United Workmen - Atchison Lodge, No. 4, first and third Thursdays at Odd Fellows' Hall. L. M. BAKER, recorder.

Ancient Order of United Workmen - Mulford Lodge, No, 137. Second and fourth Thursdays at Odd Fellows' Hall, W. A. WILSON, recorder.

Ancient Order of United Workmen - Degree of Honor - Columbia Lodge, No. 85. Second and fourth Thursdays.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks - Atchison Lodge, No. 647. First and third Tuesdays at 611 Kansas Avenue. George R. HOOPER, secretary.

Central Protective Association - Atchison Lodge, No. 32 Meets at call of president. W. H. SMITH, secretary.

Court of Honor - (See Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks).

Eagles - (See Fraternal Order of Eagles).

Elks Club House - (See Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks).

Fraternal Aid Association - Atchison Council, No. 7. First and third Wednesdays at Security Hall. Rosa S. VOORHEES, secretary.

Fraternal Order of Eagles - Atchison Aerie, No. 173. Every Wednesday at Eagles' Hall. W. H. SMITH, secretary.

Grand Army of the Republic - A. S. EVEREST Post, No. 493. First and Third Mondays at court house.

Grand Army of the Republic - A. S, EVEREST Woman's Relief Corps, No. 148. First and third Thursdays at court house. Mrs. John NORON, secretary.

Grand Army of the Republic - John A,. MARTIN Post, No. 93. Fourth Sundays at court house. Willful A. STANLEY, adjutant. C. H. BURROWS, commander.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows - (See Odd Fellows).

Improved Order of Red Men - Miami Tribe, No. 15. Every Monday at Red Men's Wigwam. J. M. TARMAN, sachem.

Independent Order of Foresters - Court Atchison, No, 1741. Meets at call of Chief Ranger. George R. HOOPER, secretary.

Kansas Fraternal Citizens - Atchison Assembly, No. 15. First and Third Thursdays at Odd Fellows' Hall Walter NORTH, secretary.

Knights and Ladies of Security - Atchison Council, No 267. Meets every Thursday at Security Hall. Courtney TURNER, secretary.

Knights of the Maccabees - Atchison Tent, No. 2. First and third Tuesdays. F. M. WOODFORD, record keeper.

Knights of Pythias - Golden Cross Lodge, No. 7. Every Thursday at Security Hall W. M. THISTLE, keeper of records and seal.

Masonic - Active Lodge, No. 158. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Second and fourth Mondays at Knights of Pythias Hall. A. W. NICHOLSON, secretary.

Masonic - Washington Chapter, No. 1. Royal Arch Masons. Second and fourth Thursdays at Asylum, 7241/2 Commercial Street. J. E. HENDERSON, secretary.

Masonic - Washington Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar. First and third Thursdays at Asylum, 724/12 Commercial Street. J. E. HENDERSON, recorder.

Eagle's Benevolent Association - Meets at call of president. W. H. SMITH, secretary.

Masonic - Washington Council, No. 2, Royal and Select Masters. Third Saturdays at Asylum, Masonic Temple. J.E. HENDERSON, recorder.

Ancient Free and Accepted Masons - Washington Lodge, No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. First and third Mondays at Masonic Temple. J. E. HENDERSON, secretary.

Ancient Free and Accepted Masons - Order of Eastern Star - Martha Washington Chapter, No. 215. First and third Fridays at Masonic Temple. Miss Alice NORON, secretary.

Modern Brotherhood of America - Atchison Lodge, No. 427. Second Tuesdays at Red Men's Wigwam. Charles PANTLE, secretary.

Modern Woodmen of America - Unity Camp, No. 356. Second and fourth Fridays at Odd Fellows' Hall. T. J. RITNER, clerk.

Mystic Workers of the World - First and third Tuesdays at Security Hall. Herman HAASE, secretary.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows' Hall - Southwest corner Fifth and Kansas Avenue, second and third floors.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows' Hall - Friendship Lodge, No. 5. Every Tuesday at Odd Fellows' Hall. W. H. SMITH, secretary.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows - Hesperian Encampment, No. 6. First and third Fridays at Odd Fellows' Hall. A. W. HEISEY, secretary.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows - Rebekahs - Friendship Lodge, No. 288. Second and fourth Mondays at Odd Fellows' Hall. Mrs. Bessie JOST, secretary.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows - Schillers Lodge, No. 33. Every Wednesday at Odd Fellows' Hall. Charles FEIERABEND, secretary.

Order of Eastern Star - (See Ancient Free and Accepted Masons).

P.E.O. Society - Chapter J. Kansas. Every second Friday at homes of members. Mrs. Anna LUNGWITZ, secretary. Public rest room, 109 South Fifth Avenue.

Daughters of Rebekah - (See Independent Order of Odd Fellows).

Red Men's Wigwam - Third floor, 500 Commercial Street.

Royal Arcanum - Atchison Commandery, No. 1035. Scott JONES, secretary. Meets at call of regent.

Royal Neighbors - Atchison Camp, No. 1044. First and third Fridays at Odd Fellows' Hall Mrs. Emma M. CHRISTIAN, recorder.

United Commercial Travelers of America - Atchison Council, No. 99. Fourth Saturdays at Mason Temple. George R. HOOPER, secretary.

Woodmen Circle - Atchison Grove, No. 13. First and third Mondays at Odd Fellows' Hall. A.W. HEISEY, secretary.

Woodmen of the World - Atchison Camp, No. 9. First and second Mondays at Odd Fellows' Hall. Judge J. P. ADAMS, clerk.

Security Hall - 524-526 Commercial Street, third floor.

CATHOLIC SOCIETIES

Carroll Club - First and third Tuesdays at St. Louis College Hall LeRoy OSTERTAG, secretary.

Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association - No. 20. First Thursdays at St. Louis College Hall. Werner NASS, secretary.

Knights of Columbus - Sacred Heart Council, No. 723. Second and Fourth Thursdays at Hall, 5111/2 Commercial Street. William T. JOCHEMS, financial secretary; Charles SMITH, recording secretary.

Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association - No. 602. First and third Thursdays at St. Louis College Hall. Agnes LANGAN, secretary.

St. Joseph's Benevolent Society - Second Sundays at St. Louis College Hall. Joseph TINSCHERT, secretary.

Odd Fellows - Abdallah Shrine Club - Meet at call of president. J. E. HENDERSON, secretary.

Masonic Charity Association - Meets at call of president. A. W. NICHOLSON, secretary-treasurer.

Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association - No. 942. Second and fourth Tuesdays.

Taken From:

History of Atchison County, Kansas

by Sheffield Ingalls - 1916

Submitted by:

Clemi Higley Blackburn, September 2003