Grand Lodge Historian Frank Stanley Christy, Historian of the Grand Lodge of California, has recorded historical aspects of Odd Fellowship in California and elsewhere for a number of years. He has also written historical books and papers for the City and County of Sacramento and other fraternal organizations, including the Native Sons of the Golden West. His research and knowledge in the field of history has made a distinctive contribution to preserving much of the glory of Odd Fellowship and the State of California during a span of nearly 150 years.

It is with pride and pleasure that we have assisted with these endeavors, and his latest work "Six Links of Fellowship" adds additional information and significant details to the accomplishments of Odd Fellowship in California during the past 146 years. He has recorded the six sessions of the Grand Lodge of the United States - The Sovereign Grand Lodge held within the boundaries of the "Golden State". He likewise has reviewed the accomplishments of the five Californians who have led this international fraternity during these 146 years. Lastly he has covered biographical information on prominent fraternalists during this same period.

It was with pleasure that additional information and details of the Seventh Link of Fellowship - the 1994 Sovereign Grand Lodge, International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, the General Military Council and International Association of Ladies Auxiliaries to the Patriarchs Militant sessions were added to record the activities of the 175th Anniversary Sessions in Sacramento, California.

Every effort has been made to publish factual information about the Three Link Fraternity, and special thanks go to G.Arthur Cort of Cosumnes Lodge No. 63 of Latrobe, Wayne L. Roberts of Madera Lodge No. 327 and to my wife, Darlene, for their efforts in proof reading and editing this edition.

In 1911 Congress designated San Francisco as the location for the country's celebration of the greatest engineering feat in history, the completion of the Panama Canal. The citizens and fraternal bodies of that city arose to the occasion and financed the event entirely on their own.

By 1915, the "Jewel City" was a reality. The area covered 625 acres. 42 foreign nations, and 29 states and territories had buildings of their own, typical and emblematical of their localities. It had been eleven years since Sovereign Grand Lodge Representatives had visited the Pacific Coast; and since that visit, the awful disaster of April 18,1906 took place, almost sweeping San Francisco from the face of the earth. The earthquake and fire destroyed 508 city blocks, 28188 buildings, with a value of $351,500,000. From the ruins of 1906 a mightier and grander city arose.

The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs of San Francisco looked forward to hosting The Sovereign Grand Lodge with representatives from all parts of the world. The planning committee had been working for over a year to insure the visitors would want for nothing during their stay.

The following were selected as officers for the joint Executive Committee: President, James William Harris, Grand Treasurer, a member of Alta Lodge #205; Secretary, Harry D. Richardson, Grand Secretary, San Pablo Lodge #43, Vallejo; Assistant Secretary, Ulysses Simpson Grant Clifford, Grand Secretary, 1923 - 1926, Yerba Buena Lodge #15; and Treasurer, Charles E. Benedict, Grand Treasurer of the Grand Encampment of California, California Lodge #1. Representing the Rebekahs was Mary E. Donoho, Rebekah Assembly Secretary, (died, February 9,1920), a member of Loyal Rebekah Lodge #215, San Francisco.

Committees appointed: Badges, John Glasson, P.G.M., Grass Valley Lodge #12; Prizes, William H. Barnes, Grand Scribe, Grand Encampment, Unity Lodge#131; Hotels, WilliamjohnHazlett,Trustee of the Odd Fellows Home, Golden West Lodge #322; Music, George Francis Hudson, P.G.M., Stockton Lodge #11; Printing, Grand Secretary Richardson; Finance, Henry Jacks, Fidelity Lodge #222; and Parade, Thomas B. Leland, Templar Lodge #17. Representing the Patriarchs Militant was Jacob K. Ritter, Major General, Department of California, a charter member of North Oakland Lodge #401.

Several special trains with Representatives, Officers, Cantons, Patriarchs, Odd Fellows and Rebekahs arrived on September 18, 1915; and it was a wonderful sight to behold. The San Francisco Lodges were highly impressed with the majesty of it all.

On Sunday, September 19th, divine services were held in the Calvary Presbyterian Church corner of Filhnore and Jackson Streets, at 11:00 A.M. Services were conducted by Rev. Josiah Sebley. During the afternoon, many of the visitors struck out on their own to take in the sights.

The following day, at 9:00 A.M., a public reception was held in the Scottish Rite Temple, 1290 Sutter Street, in honor of the Sovereign Grand Lodge officers, hosted by the Scottish Rite Bodies. Grand Treasurer Harris presided. The welcoming address, on behalf of the City of San Francisco, was given by Mayor James Rolph Jr., a member of Fidelity Lodge #222. Brother Rolph was born in San Francisco, August 23, 1869. In 1911 he was elected Mayor, serving four terms. On January 15, 1931, "Sunny Jim" was elected Governor of California. Brother Rolph passed away in Santa Clara County, June 2,1934.

Grand Master Frank D. Macbeth, in addressing the gathering for the reception, stated in part, "As Grand Master, I am the voice of the 46,000 subordinate lodge members, and the 33,000 Rebekah members who extend to you, and to each of you, our welcoming hands and hearts. They bid my voice to tell you how gratified every Odd Fellow in California is to have The Sovereign Grand Lodge meet here; to tell you how pleased we are to have with us the leaders of our great fraternal Order ... They bid me tell you that our welcome is as genial as the blue skies of California, and as welcome as its golden sunshine ... We offer you all we have, from the snows of our eternal mountains to the rose that bloomed a moment ago. Every Odd Fellow, from the forest and mines, and ranges of Siskiyou to the fragrant orange groves of San Diego, extends to you the hand of friendship and greets you in brotherly love."

Remarks were made by Adele Stockwell, Rebekah Assembly President (died, July 15, 1951), a member of Paloma Rebekah Lodge #257, Los Angeles. She was the wife of George W. Stockwell (died, August 28, 1940), Grand Master in 1892, as a member of East Side Lodge #325. "We believe the Rebekah degree has played an important part in the advancement and prosperity of the cause of Odd Fellowship, and has been an evident factor in elevating mankind to a state of harmony and true liberty," said Sister Stockwell, "and to such an extent that the degree has become a necessary, vital and indispensable part of the great parent Order ... We believe that the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs of other jurisdictions with us today will rejoice with us over the fact that we are providing for the erection of a new Orphans Home, one that will be a monument to our Order, and in keeping with the growth of the great State of California."

Grand Scribe William H. Barnes was the next speaker. He was speaking on behalf of Grand Patriarch Walter M. Avis (died, December 5, 1936), a member of Pomona Lodge #246 who was unable to be present at the appointed hour. "It goes without saying that a cordial welcome from the hands of the patriarchs, who dwell beneath the tents amid the mountains and mines, the valleys, the fruitful fields, the orchards and flowers of our Golden State, extend to their brethren who have crossed plains, much more extensive than those of Paran, a hearty and enthusiastic, untrammeled welcome." Brother Barnes then presented to the Grand Sire on behalf of Grand Treasurer Harris, Chairman of the Executive Committee, an inlaid casket of laurel wood with emblematic designs, containing a pair of handsome gavels made of the native woods of the State.

Some of the response given by Judge J. B. A. Robertson, acting Grand Sire, from Oklahoma City, included "I desire to return our heartfelt and sincere thanks for the generous, cordial and fraternal words of welcome with which we have been greeted on this occasion ... To me this is an occasion of more than passing interest. I have long anticipated the pleasure of visiting the Golden State and this beautiful city ... Marvelous, indeed, is the story of the west and especially California; here is the home, the abiding place of the spirit of progress . . . The Odd Fellowship represented by this Sovereign Grand Lodge is a different fraternity, in many respects, than that which (Thomas) Wildey founded. It has grown and developed in harmony and in keeping with the other institutions of the age ... May this session prove, as others heretofore held in California, a genuine blessing to Odd Fellows everywhere by causing us, not only to enjoy your hospitable welcome and our brief visit here, but that we may legislate wisely for the entire Order." Following the death of Grand Sire Robert T. Daniel, Judge J. B. A. Robertson, Deputy Grand Sire, from Oklahoma,became Acting Grand Sire, and he was elected Grand Sire in San Francisco in 1915.

At 10:00 a.m., The Sovereign Grand Lodge Session was called to order in the Scottish Rite Temple Auditorium. Following the formal opening, Acting Grand Sire Robertson called on Past Grand Representative William H. Bames to address the brothers concerning the great reunion session of 1865. The true meaning of Odd Fellowship was truly expressed by Brother Bames' address that day.

"You have kindly invited me to say something about the great reunion session of September 18, 1865. In response to the bugle call of Grand Sire Isaac M. Veitch of Missouri, we left our Southern homes to attend this session. For four years a wall of fire and the yawning chasms of war had shut off the representatives of the Southern States from attending this Mecca of American Odd Fellowship. For four years we had paid no dues to this Body. We came from homes that had been devastated; from towns and cities smoking in ruins; from many points where the blackness of desolation reigned; but confidently relying upon the good faith and love of the entire Brotherhood as typified by the call of the Grand Sire, we came.

"How well I remember that scene. My mind unfolds the panorama of the past, and I can see it now as plainly as I did 50 years ago. Here sat (James Lott) Ridgley, the benefactor, and there "Honest josh" Uoshua) Vansant, the Treasurer; here on the front row were seats numbered 1, 2, 3, Louisiana; 4, 5, 6, Georgia; 7, 8, 9, California.

"The session opened and I never will forget the prayer of our dear Grand Chaplain Williamson, when he said, "Especially do we thank Thee in behalf of our great Fraternity, scattered through all the length and breadth of the land, that the terrible baptism of blood is ended, that the noise and confusion of war are hushed in silence; and the days of peace are come again. Blessed be Thy name that amidst the throes and convulsions of human society which have sent other institutions asunder and scattered them in fragments as chaff before the wind. Thou has wonderfully preserved the integrity of our beloved Order, and the golden chain which binds us in one body has not been broken. Someone made a motion that all taxes due by the Southern States be remitted and that their Representatives be declared fully entitled to all honors and privileges in this Body. In emphatic tones every Representative of the North, East, and West voted "Aye"; and the Grand Sire declared the motion unanimously adopted.

"Then a scene ensued which baffles all description of language to portray. Like an avalanche came the brethren of the other jurisdictions to the seats of the South. Hand clasp and warm embrace; cordial greetings; voices filled with emotion and shouts of joy resulted. Past Grand Sire John Anthony Kennedy (died, June 20, 1873), the stern veteran Chief of Police of New York, with tears tracing themselves down his cheek, reached out his hand and said, "Georgia, I'm glad to see you." Brother Kennedy served as Grand Sire, 1841 - 1843.

"Grand Sire Veitch stepped from his chair to the top of his desk, shouting and dancing; and Ridgley stood in his place with arms and eyes uplifted as if in benediction. It cannotbe described. There was one unanimous voice of joy and one prayer. 'Thank God the war is over and our brothers have come home again.' There were 95 of us at that session, and around that altar we gathered and pledged to each other that the best in us should be devoted to the interest and progress of this great Fraternity. One by one those pioneers of 1865 have taken down their tents on earth and passed beyond the swelling waters of the River of Death, and I stand here alone to pay a merited tribute to their constant, faithful labors until the end of their lives.

"One incident at this time comes forcibly to my mind. Next to me was the genial Dan (Daniel) Norcross of (Apollo Lodge #123) California. He said: "Dixie, you have no regalia." I replied: "No, nor any money to buy one." Removing his beautiful collar, he said: "Take mine. Here it is, and no soldier ever cherished his war-torn battle flag with more love than I do this soiled regalia he gave me 50 years ago."

On Tuesday, September 21st, at 8:00 A.M., a Special Session of the Grand Lodge of California was held to confer the Grand Lodge Degree in the I.O.O.F. Temple at Seventh and Market Streets, for those desiring to attend Sovereign Grand Lodge. At 10:00 A.M. the Session of the Association of Rebekah Assemblies began their business meeting in the same location.

Grand Master Macbeth had granted a special dispensation to all Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges in the jurisdiction of California to appear in the regalia of the Order during the public parade on Wednesday, September 22nd. The participants gathered at 10:00 A.M. and marched to the Panama Pacific International Exposition grounds, where they entered the California building.

The parade was considered by many San Francisco citizens to have been the largest fraternal parade held in their city during the Exposition. There were many interesting features, including many colorfully decorated floats, especially sponsored by the various Rebekah Lodges. As in the past, the parade was witnessed by several thousand viewers before it was terminated.

Prizes for Subordinates Outside of San Francisco included Encampments having the largest number of members in parade (counting by miles and members, not less than twenty-five), First place, $100.00; Second place, $75.00, and third, $50.00. The same awards applied to the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges. The San Francisco Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges received the same awards as the visiting Brothers and Sisters.

Special Prizes were offered as follows: San Francisco Encampment, outside Encampment, San Francisco Lodge, outside Lodge, San Francisco Rebekah Lodge, and outside Rebekah Lodge. Each first place unit received $50.00. Best decorated floats, or especially attractive features, first place, $100.00; second place, $80.00; third place, $60.00; fourth place, $50.00, and fifth place, $20.00. Later in the day a general review of the Patriarchs Militant Army was held in the Marina, followed by the presentation of awards for parade participants.

Various Cantons held competitive drills during the five day period. Class A, minimum Canton, 24 Chevaliers, 3 Officers, first place, $1,000.00; Class B, 18 Chevaliers, 3 Officers, $500.00; Class C, 12 Chevaliers, 3 Officers, $200.00. Competition was held in the Civic Auditorium on Grove and Larkin Streets. The following evening at 8:00 P.M., the conferring of the Grand Decoration of Chivalry program was held, followed by a Grand Ball.

Awards were presented Friday evening at 8:00 P.M. to the winners, who were in full dress uniform. Grand Scribe Bames served as Master of Ceremonies. Grand Master Macbeth then led the group during the Grand March. Admission to events was by wearing the official souvenir badge, which cost 25 cents. An 80 page official souvenir program was printed to help defray expenses, and it was priced at 25 cents. It was informative with numerous pictures and historical articles.

During the 1915 Session of The Sovereign Grand Lodge, three Grand Representatives from California received committee appointments including William Wyler Phelps (died, August 1, 1925), Grand Master, 1905-1906, a member of Riverside Lodge #282, Committee of Appeals; Karl C. Brueck (died, October 10, 1955), Grand Master, 18981899, Stockton Lodge #1 1, Committee on Constitutions; Edwin Hazen Black (died, September 14, 1928), Grand Patriarch, 1882-1883, Unity Lodge #131, San Francisco, Committee on Patriarchs Militant; and George F. Ward, Grand Patriarch 1913-1914, Committee on the Patriarchal Branch.

Past Grand Representatives from California present for the session were Charles Wesley Baker (died, March 24, 1926), Grand Master, 1903 1904, SacramentoLodge#2.; Samuel Beloit Smith,Grand Patriarch, 1889-1990, Eureka Lodge #4, Sacramento; Henry Frederick George Wulff, El Dorado Lodge #8, Sacramento; George Francis Hudson, (died, November 29,1933), Grand Master, 1911-1912, Stockton Lodge #1 1, Stockton.

Grand Sire Robertson stated in part during his closing remarks: "We extend our heartiest thanks to the Grand Officers of the jurisdiction of California, and to the several committees who so ably provided for our entertainment, to the civic officials of the City of San Francisco and to the officials of the Panama Pacific International Exposition, for the many courtesies extended to us, and for their watchful care for our comfort and safety."

All in all, the citizens of San Francisco, Grand Lodge of United States officers, and visitors alike, were well pleased with the sessions. At this time there were 403 Odd Fellow Lodges in California, with a total membership of 45,925. Chattanooga, Tennessee, was selected for the 1916 Sovereign Grand Lodge session. It would be 34 years before the jurisdiction of California would host another session of The Sovereign Grand Lodge.