The First Rebekah Lodge, Woodbine No. 47

The history of Rebekah Odd Fellowship in Grand Island by Luella B. Helson.--- The Rebekah records of the state show that Woodbine Rebekah Lodge No. 47 was instituted at Grand Island, August 26, 1889, with fourteen charter members, by Sadie Wright, secretary of Nebraska Rebekah convention. On October 16, 1889, the sixth annual con vention of the Daughters of Rebekah was entertained by Grand Island, and Woodbine No. 47 had the following members present:

Sister Rebecca Livesy of Ruth No. 1, of Omaha, was president, and Sadie Wright, secretary of the convention. George M. Beals, of Norfolk, was Grand Master, and D. A. Cline, secretary of the Grand Lodge of I. O. O. F.

This session was memorable from the fact that so far as Rebekah circles were affected, the first step was taken at that time toward the establishment of our Nebraska I. O. O. F. Home, by a resolution directed toward the appointment of a committee of three to act upon that proposition. This committee reported for favorable action toward that worthy object. The last account we have of Woodbine No. 47 showed that on October 20, 1891, this lodge had a membership of thirteen brothers and thirteen sisters, but paid no per capita tax, and sent no delegate to the convention.

Local Rebekah Lodges

Grand Island Lodge No. 132 Wood River Lodge No. 287

Source Cited:

A. F. Buechler and R. J. Barr, editors. "Fraternals and Social Organziations of Hall Cuonty, I. O. O. F.," History of Hall County Nebraska (Lincoln, NE: Western Publishing and Engraving Company, 1920): 373. Provided by the Prairie Pioneer Genealogical Society, Grand Island, Nebraska.