St. Patrick's Council 818, Atchison

St. Patrick's Council 818 was chartered October 3, 1903.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, J. B. Purcell; Deputy Grand Knight, E. E. Glancy; Financial Secretary, John Knowles; Recording Secretary, Joseph Flynn; Treasurer, P. Weber; Warden, P. E. Purcell; Chancellor, Thomas McGreevy; Chaplain, Rev. Columban Meany, 0. S. B.; Trustees, N. Wagner, Thomas Gleason, Thomas Hegarty.

The charter members were:

The State Council had been organized less than a year when St. Patrick's Council was instituted.  It is a small rural council and can point to no elaborate projects in its history.  Its contribution has been in providing a center around which the neighborly Christian virtues could grow into community solidarity.  Throughout the years it has enriched the lives of its members and their families with friendly social activity.

The Grand Knights of the Council were: J. B. Purcell, 1903-06; E. E. Glancy, 1906-08; James H. Glancy, 1908-10; Philip E. Purcell, 1910-12; W. S. Hegarty, 1912-14; Will Miller, 1914-16; M. P. Krier, 1916-17; N. P. Wagner, 1917-19; Peter Weber, 1919-20; Joseph Sittenauer, 1920-22; Raymond Harrison, 1922-23; Felix Ernzen, 1923-25; Mathias N. Sittenauer, 1925-27; John Gleason, 1927-29; Nicholas M. Wagner, 1929-31; John C. Glancy, 1931-33; Mathias Wagner, 1933-35; Albert Wagner, 1935-37; Lawrence Wagner, 1937-39; Francis Miller, 1939-41; Anthony Corpstein, 1941-43; George Edmund Theis, 1943-45; Isidor Sittenauer, 1945-47; Aloysius Pickman, 1947-48.  Aloysius Pickman was inducted into the Army in January and Henry Lee was elected to fulfill the unexpired term from 1948-49.

The popular and able Matt Wagner also served as District Deputy from 1940-1942.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Henry D. Lee; Deputy Grand Knight, Fred Bein; Chancellor, Dan Hoffmann; Recorder, Walter J. Funk; Financial Secretary, Isidor G. Sittenauer; Treasurer, Ralph Weber; Lecturer, Albert Wagner; Advocate, John McCourt; Warden, Andrew Corpstein; Inside Guard, Howard Funk; Outside Guard, Carl Pickman; Trustees, John Glancy, Lawrence Wagner, Peter Pickman; Chaplain, Rev. Cyprian Nordhus, O.S.B.

The Council now has 69 members, 52 insurance and 17 associate.

Lafayette Council 826 in Kansas City was chartered January 10, 1904.  Judge Hines was the first Grand Knight and W. B. Wright was the first Deputy Grand Knight of the Council.

The charter members were:

The charitable work of the Council has centered around the children of St. John's orphanage in Kansas City.  Traditional events for the children are the Christmas party and the annual visit to the circus arranged by the Council.  It had a K. of C. band from 1921 to 1942, when it was discontinued on account of the war.  It is now being reorganized.

The past Grand Knights are: Judge Hines, W. B. Wright, M. F. Russell, Harry Cooper, B. McShane, Geo. West, Walter Quigley, Michael Russell, Francis Ryan, Adolph Ditsch, Harry Butler, Joseph Coyle, Clarence McMahon, Emmett Nugent, Joseph McDonald, John S. Zupanac, Martin B. Walsh.

Edward A. Gray and John S. Foley have been District Deputies.  Joseph Coyle was elected to the office of State Secretary for the terms 1926-1927.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Thos. J. Lynch; Deputy Grand Knight, Donald E. Martin; Chancellor, John Dolan; Recorder, Eugene Kinkelmann; Financial Secretary, Joseph M. Moroney; Treasurer, Edw. A. Gray; Lecturer, Frank J. Cotitta; Advocate, Melvin E. Buck; Warden, Francis Lawson; Inside Guard, Vernon Leverich; Outside Guard, Harry Snow; Trustees, Milan Toplikar, Peter A. Rome, Hugh P. Doherty; Chaplain, Rev. John Burdsall.

The Council now has 578 members, 259 insurance and 319 associate.

St. Leo's Council 834 at Horton was instituted January 1, 1904.  The first officers were: Grand Knight, J. D. Sullivan; Financial Secretary, N. A. Berney; Recording Secretary, John Rooney; Treasurer, Thos. McNerney; Warden, T. F. Maher; Advocate, J. F. Kerrigan; Chancellor, Peter Berney; Chaplain, Rev. J. Hildebrand; Inside Guard, James McNerney; Outside Guard, Frank Sullivan; Trustees, John Winterscheidt, Thos. McNerney, Frank Burns; Lecturer, J. 0. Ward.

The charter members were:

St. Leo's Council arranged its first social function on the following St. Patrick's Day.  That has been followed by a long series of balls, dinners, and lectures by excellent speakers.  The Council provided quarters for its activities by putting a second story on Hugh Donnelly's store building in 1905.  Its grand opening was a New Year's Eve Ball.  The Council was host to the convention of the State Council in 1911.

The past Grand Knights are: J. D. Sullivan, 1904-05, deceased; Peter Berney, 1906, deceased; R. J. Whelan, 1907-09, deceased; J. 0. Ward, 1916-11, deceased; John Kilkenny, 1912-13, deceased; J. J. Lindsay, 1914-15, 1942-43; Dr. A. S. Heptig, 1916-17, 1943-44; Theo M. Schecher, 1918-19, 1929-30; Dr. F. G. Poutre, 1920-21, deceased; E. P. Trompeter, 1922-25, 1931-32; Frank B. Schecher, 1925-27, deceased; Wm. B. McDonough, 1927-28, deceased; C. P. Berney, 1928-29; Dr. F. G. Poutre, 1930-31, deceased; L. H. Meerians, 1932-34; P. H. Berney, 1934-35, deceased; Edward Abberton, 1935-36; P. Justin Sullivan, 1936-38, 1944-45; T. Emmett Berney, 1938-40; John F. Flynn, 1940-42; C. J. Schecher, 1942- (Part term), 1948-; F. M Petty, 1945-47; C. E. Fryman, 1947 (Part term).

Members who have served as District Deputies are Peter Berney, Sr., John Kilkenny, Dr. A. S. Heptig from 1918 to 1932, and Dr. F. G. Poutre.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Paul F. Schuetz; Deputy Grand Knight, George Kasenga; Chancellor, E. P. Trompeter; Recorder, Francis L. Winterscheidt; Financial Secretary, C. E. Fryman; Treasurer, W. R. Dennis; Lecturer, John Schmidt; Advocate, A. S. Heptig, Jr.; Warden, Jalmer Larson; Inside Guard, Cecil Tabler; Outside Guard, Clement Seibenmorgan; Trustees, N. L. Schuetz, F. R. Petty, Dr. A. S. Heptig; Chaplain, Rev. S. J. Wietharn.

The Council now has 105 members, 56 insurance and 49 associate.

Bishop Miege Council 843 was instituted on February 22, 1904.  The first officers were: Grand Knight, Daniel J. Sullivan; Deputy Grand Knight, Richard J. Higgins; Chancellor, Wm. A. Dunbar; Financial Secretary, Daniel J. Sheehan; Chaplain, Rev. A. W. Jennings; Warden, Thomas Mulvey.

The past Grand Knights are: Daniel J. Sullivan, Hon. Joseph H. Bradey, Richard J. Higgins, Wm.  A. Dunbar, Thomas Mulvy, Henry H. Daniels, John J. McGrath, Ed. L. Mason, John O'Brien, Wm. A. King, James A. Wall, Ed. L. Dunbar, Francis C. Blake, Otto H. Buckman, Louis Bernard, and Chauncey H. Griffin.

District Deputies from the Council were: Hon. Jos. H. Bradey, Wm. A. Dunbar, Ed. L. Mason, John O'Brien, Wm. A. King, and Ed. L. Dunbar. John C. O'Brien served as State Advocate, Ed. L. Dunbar was State Deputy -- and is now Master of the Fourth Degree.  Edward Mason also served as Master of the Fourth Degree.  Daniel J. Sheehan served as Financial Secretary from the origin of the Council until 1925 when he was succeeded by William Friel, who held the office for twelve years.

The Council has granted thirty scholarships to the Catholic and Ward High Schools.  Baseball and basketball teams have been sponsored from time to time, and in 1916 the Council basketball team won the intercity championship of Greater Kansas City.  In 1920 the Council, assisted by Damian Council 826 and St. John's Council 709, sponsored the state convention.  The rose window in St. Thomas Church is a contribution in memory of the members of the Council who made the supreme sacrifice in the first World War.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Chauncey T. Griffin; Deputy Grand Knight, L. W. Riley; Chancellor, Ed Collins; Recorder, Francis O'Neill; Financial Secretary, William Shea; Treasurer, Tom Mulvey; Lecturer, Wm. Pickering; Advocate, Edward L. Dunbar; Warden, J. McGrath; Inside Guard, Raymond Kierl; Outside Guard, J. P. Walsh; Trustees, C. F. Meyer, Arthur B. O'Keefe, Richard McCormick; Chaplain, Rev. Leo Lutz.

The Council now has 84 members, 81 insurance and 3 associate.

Great Bend Council 862 was chartered June 12, 1904.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, W. P. Feder; Deputy Grand Knight, C. A. Hooper; Financial Secretary, Frank Norris; Recording Secretary, W. F. Klein; Treasurer, P. E. Murphy; Warden, Mike Keenan; Advocate, Michael Sweeney; Chancellor, E. J. Doherty; Chaplain, Rev. Joseph Schulz; Inside Guard, Tom Murphy; Outside Guard, Wm. Keenan; Trustees, James Welch, John Swagger, Chas. McFadden.

The charter members were:

The Council was very active in helping to build a parochial school in 1929.  It is the sponsor of a troop of Boy Scouts.  The convention of the State Council has enjoyed the genial hospitality of Great Bend Council in 1912, 1926, and 1949.

The past Grand Knights are: W. P. Feder, 1904-05, deceased; N. J. Berscheidt, 1906-07, 1910-11, 1920, 1922-23; Rev. O'Sullivan, 1908-09; U. B. McGreevy, 1912; P. E. Murphy, 1913-14, 1930; Morgan Keleher, 1915; John L. Carroll, 1916, deceased; John F. Murphy, 1917-18, 1937-38; Harry Damm, 1919, 1921, deceased; Chas.  Pivonka, 1924-25, deceased; Chas. J. Hall, 1926-27, 1933-34; James Sullivan, 1928-29; Fred Maneth, 1931-32; Wm. Maneth, 1935-36; A. A. Campbell, 1939-40; Theo. Carroll, 1941-42; Stanley Rychlec, 1943-44; Lawrence Huslig, 1945-46.

The following members of the Council have been District Deputies: N. J. Berscheidt 1916, Leo Piller 1927-29, William Welch 1939.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Melvin E. Koch; Deputy Grand Knight, Wm. J. Hughes; Chancellor, Philip Gerstenkorn; Recorder, Fred C. Maneth; Financial Secretary, Vernon J. Koch; Treasurer, Henry Fisher; Lecturer, Henry Maneth; Advocate, Wm. L. Maneth; Warden, John Murphy; Inside Guard, Wm. Denny; Outside Guard, Martin Casey; Trustees, A. J. Klein, Warren O'Brien, Wm. J. Welsh; Chaplain, Rev. Louis Struble.

The Council has 190 members, 98 insurance and 92 associate.

Commodore Barry Council 883 at Pittsburg was granted a charter on April 24, 1904.  The first officers of the Council were: Grand Knight, A. J. McCormick; Deputy Grand Knight, Wm. Brennan; Chancellor, J. P. Curran; Treasurer, E. F. King; Recorder, Dan McKnight; Financial Secretary, Thomas J. McNally, Jr.; Lecturer, Walter Welch; Advocate, S. A. Clements; Warden, John Wade; Inside Guard, Tom J. McNally, Sr.; Outside Guard, G. G. VanHall; Chaplain, Rev. J. F. A. Donahue; Trustees, M. J. Sullivan, J. J. Gaffney, Dave Welch; Medical Examiner, Dr. G. Ivan Pohek.

The charter members were:

Throughout the forty-five years of its existence the Council has been a distinct asset in the social and fraternal life of the community, and in particular to St. Mary's parish of Pittsburg, from which a large percentage of its members are drawn.  Commodore Barry Council has been host to the State Convention twice, in 1913 and in 1921.

In 1939, the Council purchased a two story building in downtown Pittsburg and remodeled the second floor to make adequate club rooms.  The ground floor is at present leased to a commercial firm.

In 1919, a thirty-two piece Knights of Columbus Band was organized and functioned thereafter for several years.  It was officially recognized as the official Knights of Columbus Band for Kansas for several years.

In March, 1949, the Council awarded twenty-five year membership pins to forty-five members at a banquet held in their honor.  William F. Clements, E. D. Henneberry, Elmer F. King, Thomas J. McNally, William F. Moran, and Charles Neigsch were awarded Honorary memberships.  Honorary Life memberships were presented to D. J. Cavanaugh, Francis J. Keegan, Philip C. Metzler, and P. J. Murphy.

The Knights of Columbus attend Communion and breakfast along with the Holy Name Society on the second Sunday of every month.  A large turnout is thus assured, and the results are gratifying to the members, as well as edifying to the parish.  From time to time, the Knights have sponsored sermons and lectures on Catholicism.  A noteworthy lecturer was Peter Collins in 1910, and there are other lectures planned for the future.  Commodore Barry Council has purchased subscriptions to the Holy Name Journal for several years, and the copies are sent to the local Public Library.

Last summer, a picnic, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, raised money for the purchase of equipment for the recreation center located in the basement of the school.  We also aided Mt. Carmel Hospital during the war by maintaining a list of Knights available for blood transfusions, and have recently endorsed the blood bank program sponsored by the American Red Cross.

As a contribution to the community, we have made our club rooms available to a number of organizations, including the Boy Scouts, the Altar Society, the Daughters of Isabella, etc.  We have sponsored several softball teams in the past, and this year are sponsors for a Junior baseball team for the coming summer.  Boys up to twelve years are eligible, and will play games as part of a double header with regularly scheduled K. O. M. League games.

Grand Knights of the Council have been: A. J. McCormick, 1904, 1912-13, deceased; J. P. Curran, 1904-05, deceased; Denis J. Cavanaugh, 1906, 1910-11; Wm. O'Connell, 1907, 1909, deceased; Edward V. Duncan, 1908, deceased; Leo J. McKenna, 1914, deceased; Pat J. Murphy, 1915-16; George Clements, 1917-18, deceased; T. J. McNally, Jr., 1919; Bernard Harrigan, 1920-21, deceased; Mark Knott, 1922, deceased; P. J. McGinley, 1923; E. B. Riordan, 1924, deceased; Eugene McGraw, 1925-26; A. M. Herveck, 1927-28, deceased; Harry Jones, 1929-30; Frank P. Gallett, 1930-32, 1948-49; Dan O'Donnell, 1932-33, deceased; Pat Doyle, 1933-34; Wm. Purdon, 1934-35; G. Bosco, 1935-37; Lawrence Cronister, 1937-38; James Meehan, 1938-40; Ben Gerwert, 1940-41; James Mooney, 1941-42; Marcus Jones, 1943; James Meehan, 1944-45; Phil Kennedy, 1946-47.

Members who have served in civic offices are Wm. H. Ryan, who was a state representative and senator, and Joe Harrigan, who was a state representative.

P. J. McGinley was State Deputy in 1924-25.  Three members are past District Deputies: Denis J. Cavanaugh, 1913; Eugene Reardon, 1924-25; James Meehan, 1939-41.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, John K. Burbach; Deputy Grand Knight, James J. Keegan; Chancellor, Richard Clark; Recorder, Edwin Herbeck; Financial Secretary, Edward B. Kazmierski; Treasurer, James Delaney; Lecturer, G. Bosco; Advocate, Charles Menghini; Warden, Carlos Simion; Inside Guard, Verne Thomas; Outside Guard, Martin Benelli; Trustees, John J. Lyons, Denis J. Cavanaugh, Frank P. Gallet; Chaplain, Rev. Alex Stremel.

The Council has 183 members, 108 insurance and 75 associate.

Leavenworth Council 900 was chartered May 30, 1904.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Jos. D. Hurley; Deputy Grand Knight, J. J. Brown; Chancellor, Dr. M. S. McCarthy; Recorder, James McAuliffe; Financial Secretary, Ed R. Bannon; Treasurer, Frank E. Carroll; Lecturer, John J. Hartnett; Advocate, A. E. Dempsey; Warden, A. J. Wohlfrom; Inside Guard, Arnold Frana; Outside Guard, Chas M. Fenning; Chaplain, Rev. Francis M. Orr; Medical Examiner, Dr. Jos. F. Wallace; Trustees, McCown Hunt, Edward Carroll, and John J. Roche.

The charter members were:

Leavenworth Council has enjoyed a long and active history.  In the field of charitable activity it has had a large task ready made for it in the Catholic orphanages in its city.  The Council has always been a generous God-father to these children.  On the spiritual side the members have regularly formed study clubs to improve their knowledge of the Faith.  The Council receives Holy Communion in a body and meets at a Communion breakfast quarterly.

The Council bought a building for its clubrooms in 1919 and sold it in 1948.  It plans to buy or build in the near future.  Leavenworth Council was host to the annual convention of the State Council in 1907 and again in 1923.  From about 1920 to 1930 it had a K. of C. band.  During the twenties it was also very active in athletics, supporting a baseball team from 1920 to 1927 and a basketball team in 1929.

The Grand Knights who directed this active Council have been: Joseph D. Hurley, 1904-05, deceased; Frank E. Carroll, 1906-07, deceased; Carl Hunnius, 1908-09, deceased; Francis J. McAuliffe, 1910-11; Wm. B. Shaughnessey, 1912; John R. Stone, 1913-14 and 1925-26; A. J. Renoe, 1915 and 1919-21, deceased; George J. Seitz, 1916-17; Wm. Peak, 1918, deceased; Thos. J. Cahill, 1922-24; Chester D. Holman, 1927; Thos L. Medill, 1928; William A. Ferguson, 1929-33; William D. Reilly, 1934-36; John T. McKenna, 1937; Edward F. Larkin, 1938-39; Henry C. Walter, 1940-41; Dr. F. N. Wilson, 1942; John H. Johnston, 1943-44; Julian E. Isenberg, 1945-46; George A. Bohn, 1947; Erwin C. Baker, 1948-49.

William A. Ferguson served as District Deputy from 1944 to 1946.  The best-known member of the Council was the genial Joseph D. Hurley, who served as State Warden for forty-two years.

William D. Reilly was state representative in 1933-34 and 1947-48, state senator from 1941 to 1945, and was special prosecutor in the Will French impeachment trial in 1934.  Edwin J. Holman was state representative in 1939-40 and 1941-42.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Martin J. Eggert, Jr.; Deputy Grand Knight, John J. Griffin; Chancellor, Sgt. Thomas H. Baker; Recorder, Joseph C. Wacker; Financial Secretary, Louis A. Miller; Treasurer, Walter Kane, Sr.; Lecturer, George Bohn; Advocate, John H. Johnston; Warden, Joseph L. Lauber; Inside Guard, Sgt. John Robare; Outside Guard, Allan Potter; Trustees, Henry C. Walter, Valentine J. Gabrish, Julian E. Isenberg; Chaplain, Rev. Thomas J. Culhane.

The Council has 233 members, 113 insurance and 120 associate.

Flush Council 902 was instituted July 17, 1904.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Constantine Umscheid; Financial Secretary, Louis Ebert; Recording Secretary, A. F. Floersch; Treasurer, Peter Noll; Warden, Charles Umscheid; Advocate, Henry Siebert; Chancellor, H. F. Floersch; Chaplain, Rev. F. Hundt; Inside Guard, Patrick Farrell; Outside Guard, Anthony Repp; Trustees, J. Frank Siebert, Eugene Umscheid, Herman Doll.

The charter members were:

The Council has always been active in parish affairs.  It has sponsored a baseball team for over thirty-five years and a basketball team for the past ten years.  It was active in the building of the parochial school and the parish hall.  Each year it sponsors a celebration on Columbus Day.  The members regularly receive Holy Communion in a body and offer Masses for their deceased brothers.

The past Grand Knights are: Constantine Umscheid, 1904-06, deceased; Ed Cunningham, 1906-09, deceased; Eugene Umscheid, 1909-12; C. H. Floersch, 1912-15, 1925-27; Alois Umscheid, 1915-16, deceased; Anthony Repp, 1916-18; Joe Lenherr, 1918-20; Ed Umscheid, 1920-21, 1924-25; T. P. Heptig, 1921-22; Ollie Noll, 1922-24; H. A. Dekat, 1927-29; Eph Yantz, 1929-31; Peter Gross, 1931-33; Al Ebert, 1933-34; J. A. Heptig, 1934-36; Peter Siebert, 1936-38; M. H. Dekat, 1938-40; Ben Yantz, 1940-41, deceased; E. L. Dekat, 1942-44; Albert Winter, 1944-46; Pat Heptig, 1946-48; Robert Noll, 1948.

District Deputies from the Council were Anthony P. Heptig 1932-34 and Julius A. Heptig 1944-46.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Robert Noll; Deputy Grand Knight, John Lenherr; Chancellor, Bernard Lenherr; Recorder, Leon Siebert; Financial Secretary, Harold Ebert; Treasurer, Delbert Dekat; Lecturer, Gilbert Dekat; Advocate, Tom Heptig; Warden, Ed Eichman; Inside Guard, Del. Umscheid; Outside Guard, Fred Ebert; Trustees, Julian Siebert, Carl Straub, Walter Straub; Chaplain, Rev. J. E. Biehler.

The Council now has 73 members, 61 insurance and 12 associate.

Independence Council 918 was instituted September 4, 1904.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, W. L. Connelly; Deputy Grand Knight, W. D. O'Neill; Financial Secretary, J. J. Freeling; Recording Secretary, F. J. Boland; Treasurer, John Stanford; Warden, O. M. Bloom; Advocate, Chas. J. Rice; Chancellor, J. P. Flanagan; Chaplain, Rev. A. P. Heiman; Inside Guard, J. Freeling; Outside Guard, Chas. A. Conley; Trustees, T. H. Stanford, M. J. Delaney, and M. McSweeney; Lecturer, J. H. McMorrow.

The charter members were:

The records of Independence Council carry a history of true exemplification of the cardinal principles of our Order.  This Council has worked hand in hand with the late pastor, Reverend M. J. Casey, not only in establishing and maintaining one of the leading parishes in the state, but also one of its most active councils.  Its contributions to the Church and worthwhile charities have been manifold.  It has given the State Council a Chaplain, two State Advocates and two District Deputies.  In 1922-24, the Council sponsored a very active Boy Scout Troop from whose membership arose many of the leaders of the Council today The members of this Council were not only leaders in their Church, but in their professions, businesses, and civic life.  For many years the Council sponsored parish picnics, as well as the Christmas party for St. Andrews School.

It would be remiss to omit a word concerning the late pastor, Reverend Michael J. Casey.  Father Casey passed away March 1st, 1948, after having faithfully served the parish of St. Andrews for forty-four years.  During this time he acted as Chaplain of our Council.  In 1931, Father Casey served the State Council as Chaplain under the leadership of the past State Deputy, J. J. Sullivan.  A class in Father Casey's honor exemplified the major degree in April, 1948.  This was the first exemplification of the major degrees in 16 years.  In true fighting spirit, Father Casey's last words to the Council were "go ahead with the plans and I will arrange some way to be present." As it happened, he could be present in spirit only.

Other Brothers of this Council who served the State Council were: Brother C. J. Bryant, who served as State Advocate for three terms, from 1919 to 1921 and Brother W. J. Burns, who served as State Advocate two terms, from 1946 to 1948.  The Council has had two District Deputies: Brother W. L. Connelly served in 1905, Brother J. P. McNeill served during the year 1930 and 1931.

The past Grand Knights are: W. L. Connelly, 1904-05, 1907-09; Wm. D. O'Neill, 1905-06; J. P. Flanagan, 1906; J. W. Stanford, 1906-07; F. A. Louy, 1909-12; Chas. Overly, 1913-14; C. J. Bryant, 1915-18; W. H. Cain, 1919-20; F. M. Winters, 1921-22, 1945; J. P. McNeill, 1922-23; Frank Williamson, 1923-24; Geo. C. Lohner, 1924-25, 1938; Paul J. Main, 1926-29; James J. Riddle, 1930-31, 1939-40; John P. Main, 1931-33; Leland E. Filkins, 1933-35, 1941-44; John C. Noel, 1935-36; Conrad G. Hammann, 1936-39; Chas. F. Raglin, 1940-41; L. T. Kirchoff, 1944-46; E. G. Schreck, 1946-47; Martin J. Kelly, 1947-48; Walter J. Loftus, 1949.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Walter J. Loftus; Deputy Grand Knight, John G. Ochs; Chancellor, Joe Miller; Recorder, Henrion P. Buser; Financial Secretary, Raymond T. Riley; Treasurer, John P. Main; Lecturer, W. J. Burns; Advocate, W. J. Burns; Warden, Ted Richardson; Inside Guard, Dr. Robert J. Burns; Outside Guard, Paul J. Main; Trustees, Conrad G. Hammann, Edward G. Schreck, Francis L. Mannas; Chaplain, Rev. M. K. Barry.

The Council now has 82 members, 30 insurance and 52 associate.

Beloit Council 921 was chartered November 13, 1904.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, A. Fred Lutz; Financial Secretary and Recording Secretary, T. P. Downs; Treasurer, Frank Mergen; Warden, Wm. McHugh; Advocate, Frank Lutz; Chancellor, Dr. F. M. Daily; Chaplain, Rev. F. M. Heitz.

The charter members were:

The members gather for the usual Communion and breakfast at least once a year.  The Council aids in spreading an understanding of Catholicity by explanations of the Faith in the local paper.  It also helps sponsor this advertising on a national scale.  It once sponsored a troop of Boy Scouts.  The Council is active in local charities, and makes the parochial school its particular care.  Members are particularly solicitous of their sick brothers and render every possible aid to them.  The Council celebrated its Silver Anniversary in 1929.  It was host to the State Convention in 1940.

The past Grand Knights are: A. Fred Lutz, deceased; Thos. H. Kiniry, deceased; J. C. Eresch, deceased; A. W. Hillebrand, deceased; T. P. Downs; L. J. Duskie, deceased; M. J. Cavanaugh, deceased; Dr. D. S. O'Brien, deceased; C. E. Basher, 1921-23; J. F. Ellwart, 1923-24; Henry Engelbert, 1924-25; C. A. Walsh, 1925-26; Ed Rasing, 1926-28, deceased; Dr. J. A. O'Grady, 1928-31; L. Franzmathes, 1931-33; L. A. Duskie, 1933-35; Fred E. Raleigh, 1935-37; L. A. Wessling, 1937-39; E. C. Carrico, 1939-41; Frank Donovan, 1941-42; Gene Saindon, 1942-43; Paul Carrico, 1943-44; Pete Deneke, 1944-49.

The following members have served as District Deputy: Thos. H. Kiniry, T. P. Downs, A. W. Hillebrand, C. E. Rasher, Ed Rasing, H. E. Heidrick, L. A. Duskie, L. A. Wessling.

Leo Mergen was State Treasurer in 1914-15.  H. E. Heidrick was State Secretary in 1936-37.  T. P. Downs was elected State Deputy for the terms 1920 and 1921, and was for many years Supreme Agent for the central states and is now the representative of the Supreme Secretary.  The Very Reverend William J. Butzer was State Chaplain in 1946-48.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight William F. Stover; Deputy Grand Knight, John D. Bell; Chancellor, L. A. Wessling; Recorder, Joe W. Bergmann; Financial Secretary, H. E. Heidrick; Treasurer, L. A. Duskie; Lecturer, L. A. Spresser; Advocate, Joe J. Smith; Warden, Ed Smith; Inside Guard, Felix Schutz; Outside Guard, Gerald Spresser; Trustees, Henry Engelbert, L. A. Spresser, Jos. Mispagel; Chaplain, Very Rev. Wm. J. Butzer.

The Council now has 162 members, 99 insurance and 63 associate.

Humboldt Council 924 was chartered August 28, 1904.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Thos. McGannon; Deputy Grand Knight, B. H. Achter; Chancellor, T. A. Hude; Recorder, M. F. Gamlowski; Secretary, Wm. Griffin; Treasurer, John W. Tholen; Lecturer, J. L. Kinsman; Advocate, P. J. McGinley; Warden, James McInerney; Outside Guard, Victor Martin; Inside Guard, J. J. McLaughlin; Chaplain, Rev. John J. McInerney; Trustees, George O'Connor, Joseph Kiefer, John Koppers.

The charter members were:

The past Grand Knights are: Thomas McGannon, 1904-06; Thomas Hyde, 1905; J. Leo McGannon, 1913, 1920; Pat McGannon, 1914; Thos. McGannon, Jr., 1919; J. C. Muecke, 1921; J. Chester Dimond, 1922-24; J. J. Willenburg, 1925; W. I. Hess, 1926-27; P. E. Weldon, 1928-32,1934; Leo Schmidt, 1933; John Koppers, Jr., 1933; Clyde Carroll, 1935; Vernon Kemmerer, 1936-37; Henry Setter, 1938-41; James Hess, 1942; Ralph Womack, 1943, 1944; Andrew Setter, 1945; George Works, 1946-48; Vincent Emery, 1949.

Walter I. Hess was elected Treasurer of the State Council for the terms 1933-34.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Vincent A. Emery; Deputy Grand Knight, Charles L. Hogan; Chancellor, George F. Klotzbach; Recorder, Clyde W. Carroll; Financial Secretary, Leo C. Eckart; Treasurer, George H. Works; Lecturer, James George Hess; Advocate, Joseph C. Muecke; Warden, William D. Ellison; Inside Guard, A. W. Hofer; Outside Guard, John Edward Fredricks; Trustees, George L. Works, William Fredericks, Joseph C. Muecke; Chaplain, Rev. Theophile Hard.

The Council now has 68 members, 65 insurance and 3 associate.

Newton Council 976 was chartered April 9, 1905.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, T. H. McManus; Deputy Grand Knight, J. E. Weigand; Financial Secretary, J. R. Faecher; Recording Secretary, Leo Steinkirchner; Treasurer, Wm. Krueber; Warden, J. A. Elliott; Advocate, J. C. Hays; Chancellor, T. F. Conway; Chaplain, Rev. M. Maguire; Inside Guard, Geo. Hanna; Outside Guard, John Quilty; Trustees, John Ekberg, Ed. Hensy, John Klopolsky.

The charter members were:

The Council was host to the annual convention of the State Council in 1929 and 1935.  It sponsors an annual baseball tournament and a carnival on Columbus Day.

The past Grand Knights are: T. H. McManus, 1905-06; John McCabe, 1907; Wm. A. Krueger, 1908-10; Edwin Hensley, 1911; T. H. Savage, 1912-14; Rev. J. G. Damback, 1915; Joseph St. Romberg, 1916; R. L. Hogan, 1917-18, 1922, 1927; Leonard Vetter, 1919; Otto Wester, 1920-21; J. R. Hanna, 1923-24; Leo T. Grattan, 1925-26; Fred Deister, 1928; Mike Quilty, 1929; Jos.  M. Steinkirchner, 1930-31; Karl Gutzmer, 1932-34; Ed. Vetter, 1935-36; Geo. Hanna, 1937-38; Robt. Hogan, 1939-40; Joe Tillman, 1941-42; Morris Hogan, 1943-44; Ed. Endres, 1945; Kenneth McDonald, 1946; Edward E. Endries, 1947; George J. Hanna, Jr., 1948; Leo F. Steinkirchner, 1949.

Karl E. Gutzmer was District Deputy 1936-38, State Treasurer for the terms 1939-40, and is the present State Warden.

The present officers of the Council are : Grand Knight, Leo F. Steinkirchner; Deputy Grand Knight, George Gillen; Chancellor, W. J. Grochowsky; Recorder, Oscar R. Tieking; Financial Secretary, Karl E. Gutzmer; Treasurer, John Schaeffer; Lecturer, Alfred Deister; Advocate, F. J. Endres; Warden, J. V. Mayer; Inside Guard, George Ware; Outside Guard, Vincent Peters; Trustees, Harold Schorn, Lawrence D. Royston, George Hanna, Jr.; Chaplain, Rev. J. G. Herrman.

The Council now has 187 members, 111 insurance and 76 associate.

Coffeyville Council 991 was chartered April 30, 1905.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, J. P. Casey; Deputy Grand Knight, N. M. Vilm; Financial Secretary, Chas. Etchen; Recording Secretary, Clarence Schrader; Treasurer, Geo. Pfister; Warden, Geo. H. McDermitt; Advocate, Fred Etchen; Chancellor, N. D. Smith; Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Tierney; Inside Guard, J. E. Casey; Outside Guard, Arnold Cillessen; Trustees, Thos. Sunney, A. J. Sticelber, Thos. McGrath; Lecturer, Ben Reiter.

The charter members were:

The Council's most successful activities have been for the benefit of children.  Like other councils, it provides a Christmas party for the children of the parish, it sends a boy to the Sunflower Boys' State, and it sponsored a troop of Boy Scouts from 1939 to 1945.  In 1944 the Council tried another idea.  It appointed an Athletic Committee to raise a special fund for parish school playground equipment and the promotion of athletics.  The committee engaged a carnival and each year has cleared enough to provide all the equipment the children could desire.  More important, perhaps, is the fact that this project has aroused lively interest in the program among parents.

The Council receives Holy Communion in a body at the Midnight Mass on Christmas, on Easter Sunday, and the Sunday near Columbus Day.  On the latter occasions all join in a festive breakfast.

One of the prime movers of Coffeyville Council was the late Father P. F. Tierney.  He was one of the pioneers of Southeast Kansas, coming at a time when this part of the state was a wide expanse of wild prairie with a few scattered farms.  He purchased the present church property, now a choice piece of real estate, when it was pasture.  He built Holy Name Church and laid the plans for the first Catholic school in Coffeyville.  Having been reared in Patterson, New Jersey, and the industrial east, he was quick to recognize the many benefits that his parish and its members would receive from a council of the Knights of Columbus.  In his later years he seldom missed a council meeting and his advice and counsel were invaluable.  During the great influenza epidemic of the first World War he was on the go day and night, administering to all alike.  His charity knew no bounds.  In recognition of this work in the community a building at our Boys' Camp is named in his honor.  He lived a very simple, holy life, and the crowds of men and women from all walks of life, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, at his funeral, were a testimonial never to be forgotten.

October 3, 1947, marked the death of our late chaplain, Monsignor J. J. O'Brien.  He was always a very active member of our Council and an outstanding priest.

The Grand Knights of the Council have been: J. P. Casey, 1905-09, deceased; Geo. Pfister, 1909-11, deceased; Wm. Casey, 1911-12, deceased; W. J. Ryan, 1912-13, deceased; E. Kenney, 1913-14, deceased; N. W. Murphy, 1914-15, deceased; J. E. Casey, 1915-17, deceased; Geo. Cillessen, 1917-19; E. C. Johnson, 1919-20,1925-26; W. J. Harrington, 1920-21; J. A. Butler, 1921-23, 1924-25, deceased; N. W. Murphy, 1923-24, deceased; Julius Schickner, 1926-27; B. J. Healy, 1927-29; Thos. P. Naudet, 1929-30; Robt. Sticelber, 1930-31; Thos Hurley, 1931-32; John Divine, 1932-33; Jack Stadtherr, 1933-35; Ed Terrar, 1935-37; Arch Allen, 1937-39; Fred Walton, 1939; Fred G. Miller, 1939-41; Frank J. Bath, 1941-42; John J. Cain, 1942; John Dowd, 1943-44; Al Holland, 1944-46; H. A. Pfeifer, 1946.

John Butler, Arch Allen, Al Holland, Earl Johnson, and Robert Sticelber have served as District Deputies.  Brother Sticelber was elected State Treasurer for the terms 1942 and 1943.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Marcus A. Gottschalk; Deputy Grand Knight, Frank Liebert, Jr.; Chancellor, Phil Wessell; Recorder, William E. Rosner; Financial Secretary, H. Francis Cillessen; Treasurer, Lawrence J. Morris; Lecturer, Rudy Ulibarri; Advocate, Gus Latinis; Warden, Jack Ridgway, Jr.; Inside Guard, Earl Davis; Outside Guard, Robert O'Bryan; Trustees, Alfred Andres, Fred Miller, Dr. J. F. Coyle; Chaplain, Rt. Rev. Msgr. P. J. Larkin.

The Council now has 162 members, 85 insurance and 77 associate.

Junction City Council 1029

Junction City Council 1029 was instituted September 24, 1905, with thirty-one charter members.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Thos. P. Dixon; Deputy Grand Knight, J. D. Hurley; Chancellor, John T. Dixon; Warden, D. P. Hurley; Chaplain, Rev. John O'Brien; Financial Secretary, G. A. Fitzgibbons; Recorder, Walter A. McNamee; Treasurer, Thos. F. Hogan; Inside Guard, John E. Healy; Outside Guard, H. P. Bader; Lecturer, Patrick Hickey; Advocate, Wm. F. Dixon.

The charter members were:

The Council sponsors an annual carnival which nets a substantial sum for the benefit of the parochial school.  It also sponsors a troop of Boy Scouts and is active in parish and school work generally.  The Council assisted in obtaining a building for a servicemen's club during the first World War.  After the war the building was turned over to the parish.  During the second World War the Council was active in USO work.  The members receive Holy Communion in a body quarterly.  The Knights serve as a guard of honor at the Forty Hours Devotion and the night of Holy Thursday.  They also follow the practice of meeting for prayers at the home of a deceased member.  Thomas Leach, Lee Heroneme, and Dr. D. D. Dreiling have been District Deputies.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Joseph M. McCormick; Deputy Grand Knight, Kenneth P. Christian; Chancellor, W. B. Nolan; Recorder, Edward T. Scheve; Financial Secretary, Quentin Willet; Treasurer, Don Keegan; Lecturer, B. J. Nicholson; Advocate, Lawrence Hoover; Warden, Edward King; Inside Guard, Bob Boller; Outside Guard, Joe Gillen; Trustees, Dr. D. D. Dreiling, Raymond C. Boller, Fred C. Bramlage; Chaplain, Very Rev. James Bradley.

The Council has 142 members at present, 92 insurance and 50 associate.

Chanute Council 1046 was chartered November 5, 1905.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Andrew E. Timpane; Deputy Grand Knight, Patrick H. Owens; Financial Secretary, F. P. Steinkirchner; Recording Secretary, Edward P. Hayden; Treasurer, Bernard Thielen; Warden, A. A. Ahring; Advocate, Martin Gannon; Chancellor, Charles I. Berthot; Chaplain, Rev. P. J. Nagle; Inside Guard, G. W. Ahring; Outside Guard, H. C. Dyer; Trustees, F. L. Krueger, W. G. Hansen, Joseph Hansen.

The charter members were:

The past Grand Knights are: A. E. Timpane, 1905-10, deceased; M. J. Crane, 1911, deceased; W. G. Hansen, 1912, deceased; B. Thielen, 1913, deceased; H. Owens, 1914-15, deceased; H. E. Dyer, 1916-17; F. H. Elsenraat, 1918-21, 1926; H. C. Hannifan, 1922-23; Herman Fehr, 1924-25, 1929-30, 1932-33; Charles I. Berthot, 1927; Charles Alvis, 1928; J. L. Zwiseler, 1931; James D. Nolan, 1934-35, deceased; Charles Moynihan, 1936-37; Ralph Wilcott, 1938-39; Floyd Heiman, 1940-41; A. E. Gagnon, 1942-43; Clayton Alvis, 1944, 1948; Arch Allen, 1945-47; Robert W. Murphy, 1949.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Henry W. Myers; Deputy Grand Knight, Clayton Alvis; Chancellor, Arch Allen; Recorder, George E. Weber; Financial Secretary, Charles I. Berthot; Treasurer, Robert Murphy; Lecturer, John J. Van Leeuwen; Advocate, James D. Nolan; Warden, Vincent Aziere; Inside Guard, Harry Berthot; Outside Guard, Ed Myers; Trustees, John Thielen, William B. Young, Norman Hickert; Chaplain, Rev. M. J. Gorges.

The Council now has 43 members, 29 insurance and 14 associate.

General Phil Sheridan Council 1052 at Westphalia was instituted February 11, 1906.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, H. A. Lieb; Deputy Grand Knight, A. F. Hatten; Financial Secretary, M. L. Shaughnessy; Recording Secretary, Joseph H. Lieb; Treasurer, James Agnew; Warden, Fred J. Hoefler; Advocate, John Barry; Chancellor, Lue Hannan; Chaplain, Rev. John Redeker; Inside Guard, Simon Highberger; Outside Guard, William Blaufuss; Trustee, John Hoefer.

The charter members were:

The Council has always been generous in helping to provide for the special needs of the parish church, helping to redecorate it and purchasing a fine chalice for it.  The members donated their labor as well as their money to build the parish school.  The Council always provides the Christmas treat for the school children.

The past Grand Knights of the Council are: H. A. Lieb; A. F. Hatten; J. R. Smithisler, 1913-15; Val Czinzcoll, 1915-16, deceased; Fred Hoefler, 1916-19; Jos. H. Hoefler, 1919-22; Paul Schulte, 1922-23; Paul Highberger, 1924-25; Art Agnew, 1925-26; Theodore F. Highberger, 1926-29, 1939-45; Fred J. Hoefler, 1929-32; Joe Duethman, 1932-34; Paul Highberger, 1934-36; V. Hoefler, 1936-38; Paul Shaughnessy, 1938-39; Vincent Hoefler, 1945-47; Jos. Duethman, 1947-48; Eugene Highberger,1948.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Eugene Highberger; Deputy Grand Knight, Clarence Dieker; Chancellor, Craig Hoover; Recorder, Francis Dieker; Financial Secretary, Jake F. Schulte; Treasurer, Wilmer Renyer; Lecturer, Ed Nolan; Advocate, Wilfred Dieker; Warden, Clarence Schillig; Inside Guard, Lou Heuberger; Outside Guard, Francis Blaufuss; Trustees, Joe H. Hoefler, Theo F. Highberger, Joe Duethman; Chaplain, Rev. Edward Roberts.

The Council has 65 members, 46 insurance and 19 associate.

Herington Council 1066 was chartered December 10, 1905.  The first officers were: Grand Knight, E. J. Stenger; Deputy Grand Knight, J J. Berry; Financial Secretary, L. C. Neilson; Recording Secretary, Albert J. Mullin; Treasurer, Frank Kurtenbach; Warden, Thos. J. Butler; Advocate, E. J. Lorson; Chancellor, J. J. Lynch; Chaplain, Rev. J. B. Glynn; Inside Guard, P. J. Doyle; Outside Guard, J. E. Rooney; Trustees, J. H. Mayville, Jas. Shuhler, E. W. Burke; Lecturer, P. H. Meehan.

The charter members were:

The Council celebrated its silver jubilee on December 10, 1930 with a banquet honoring the charter members.  The Most Rev. Frank A. Thill, bishop of Salina, was the principal speaker.  The evening was devoted to reminiscences of early Kansas Knighthood.  Twenty-five-year pins were presented to twenty-eight members.

Herington was host to the State Council in 1941, the four-hundredth anniversary of Coronado's expedition.  Fray Juan Padilla, the proto-martyr of the United States was commemorated at a Pontifical Field Mass celebrated by Bishop Thill in the city park at the foot of a shaft erected to the Franciscan's memory.  State Chaplain Rev. Edwin Dorzweiller, O.F.M. Cap. preached the sermon.

Members of the Council aided in the construction of St. John's parochial school and auditorium, and contributed a large stained glass window to St. John's church.  The members also furnished a room in the Municipal Hospital completed in 1949.

The past Grand Knights are: E. J. Stenger, 1905-06, 1913-15; Jas. J. Berry, 1906-07, deceased; Wm. F. Hynes, 1907-08, deceased; J. E. Lynch, 1908-09, deceased; L. C. Neilson, 1909-10; M. H. Doyle, 1910-11; Thos J. Butler, 1911-13, 1918-19, 1925-27, deceased; F. H. Ghrer, 1915-16; Matt Guilfoyle, 1916-18, deceased; H. Moreland, 1919-20; J. J. Lynch, 1920-22, deceased; A. J. Farrell, 1922-25, deceased; J. N. Guest, 1927-30, 1933-34; P. A. Caron, 1930-31; A. J. Mullin, 1931-33; Wm. Hanne, 1934-36; Robert Schmitz, 1936-37, deceased; J. M. Sturdivan, 1937, 1939, deceased; Wm. Swartwood, 1939-41; Leon Kurtenbach, 1941-43; Thomas J. Butler, Jr., 1943-44; Kenneth Ghrer, 1944-46; Leroy Kurtenbach, 1946-48; Lawrence Pierce, 1948.

Reverend John Fitzgerald was State Chaplain in 1928 and 1929.  A. J. Farrell was elected State Secretary for the terms of 1925-26.  Dr. Harry D. Mosier was District Deputy in 1943-45.

Herington is one of the few older councils in the state whose first Grand Knight is still living.  E. J. Stenger, the first Grand Knight and one of those most responsible for the organization of the Council, celebrated his eighty-fifth birthday on April 27, 1949.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Lawrence W. Pierce; Deputy Grand Knight, Martin F. Dolan; Chancellor, Hugh Massey; Recorder, Thomas J. Butler; Financial Secretary, R. V. Bittner; Treasurer, James Lowey; Lecturer, K. F. Ghrer; Advocate, Bernard Hoffman; Warden, W. H. Parkins; Inside Guard, John Trapp; Outside Guard, Frank Kurtenbach; Trustees, James C. Gaffney, G. A. Kurtenbach, LeRoy H. Kurtenbach; Chaplain, Rev. John Fitzgerald.

The Council now has 105 members, 48 insurance and 57 associate.

Solomon Council 1086 was instituted February 26, 1906. Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Mike O'Grady; Deputy Grand Knight, Joe Burns; Financial Secretary, E. C. Dowling; Recording Secretary, P. B. Riordan; Treasurer, W. J. O'Brien; Warden, B. J. Martin; Advocate, Fred Baker; Chancellor, Pat Tobin; Chaplain, Father Horgan; Inside Guard, Frank Berrigan; Outside Guard, P. F. Riordan; Trustees, T. T. Sullivan, J. T. O'Brien.

The charter members were:

The past Grand Knights are: Michael O'Grady, 1906-08, deceased; Pat Tobin, 1908-10, deceased; Fred Baker, 1910-11, deceased; P. F. Riordan, 1911-13, deceased; Pete Meagher, 1913-15, deceased; T. V. Riordan, 1915-17, 1924-26; P. F. Ryan, 1918-20; D. D. Berrigan, 1920-22; B. D. Martin, 1922-24; Dan Ryan, 1926-27; J. F. Ryan, 1927-29; Joe Srack, 1929-31; John V. Meagher, 1931-33; Bill Meagher, 1933-36; Maurice Kirn, 1936-38; Prosper Lahey, 1938-40; Gordon Meagher, 1940-41; Bill Ruth, 1941-43; Tom Riordan, 1943-45; Francis Ryan, 1945-46.

William Meagher has served as District Deputy

The present. officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Ralph M. Kirn; Deputy Grand Knight, Edward M. Aylward, Jr.; Chancellor, Edward C. Enright; Recorder, Maurice A. Kirn; Financial Secretary, John Lahey, Jr.; Treasurer, D. D. Berrigan; Lecturer, William Meagher; Advocate, Ray M. Pracht; Warden, Gordon Meagher; Inside Guard, William Kirn; Outside Guard, Dan J. Ryan; Trustees, P. W. Ruth, P. J. Lahey, J. F. Ryan; Chaplain, Rev. J. B. Glynn

The Council now has 51 members, 31 insurance and 20 associate.

Concordia Council 1142 was chartered June 24, 1906.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, A. L. Lambert; Deputy Grand Knight, Wm. Carroll; Financial Secretary, Geo. Guimond; Recording Secretary, Dr. A. R. Marcotte; Treasurer, C. A. Lasnier; Warden, Louis Ramond; Advocate, H. G. Martin; Chancellor, Henry Lague, Jr.; Chaplain, Rev. T. M. Gill; Inside Guard, R. E. Belisle; Outside Guard, Ronald Martin; Trustees, Edward Martin, Joseph Nadeau, C. F. Boyd.

The charter members were:

Little is known about the activities of the Council before 1920, but in that year it bought a building and fitted out large club rooms and an assembly room.  Two years later the Council was host to the annual convention of the State Council.  This was one of the largest Knights of Columbus conventions ever held in the state.  A description of it will be found in the chapter on Conventions.

In 1946 Concordia Council celebrated its Fortieth Anniversary with an exemplification of the major degrees on May 26th and a banquet in the evening.  Honorary Life Memberships were conferred on C. A. Lasnier, Delphos Bonneau, George Guimond, Louis Paris, and A. L. Lambert.  Honorary Memberships were presented to Wilfred Peltier, J. J. Brown, James O'Rourke, George Mallo, Edward Martin, Edward Mailhoit, and John Hebert.  Twenty-five-year Badges of Merit were presented to nineteen members.

The Council opened a club in its home in 1947.  The question of taking this step had been a matter of long discussion and it was first opened on a temporary basis with Brother Oliver Charbonneau as Secretary and Steward.  Everyone was agreeably surprised at the success of the venture.  Everything about the Council took on new life.  New furniture and furnishings were purchased and paid for within a few weeks, a thing that had not formerly been possible over a period of years.  The popularity of the club became the chief attraction for new members whose number steadily increased.  This success was suddenly overtaken by calamity when on March 11, 1948 a fire completely destroyed the Knights of Columbus building.  The members were eager to rebuild but finding that the cost was prohibitive the site was sold and temporary quarters were rented.  Fortunately the Council was able to buy another building and it was almost completely remodeled by the members themselves.  The new clubrooms, of which the Council is justly proud, were ready on November 15, 1948.

The Council meets quarterly for corporate Communion and a breakfast.  It has given generously to the hospital and other charities.  It sponsored the organization of a Circle of Columbian Squires in Concordia in 1948 and provided club rooms and other facilities for it.  In addition to various other activities, the Council has undertaken to equip and sponsor the athletic program at the Catholic High School, as well as a baseball team.

The Grand Knights of the Council have been: A. L. Lambert, 1906-09, 1911-13, 1914-15; John B. Towner, 1910, deceased; Wilfred Peltier, 1913, 1917-19; J. E. Lasnier, 1915-17; Dr. Albert Lemoine, 1919-21; J. A. Mackey, 1921-23; F. E. Raleigh, 1923-25; Eli J. Breault, 1925-27; E. F. Choquette, 1927-29, deceased; J. S. Whelan, 1929-31; Geo. Mallo, 1931-33; S. Peltier, 1933-35; John Peltier, 1935-36; Alex Chaput, 1936-38; Frank Peltier, 1938-40; Ralph Lamb, 1940-42; A. Giroux, 1942-44; Raymond Peltier, 1944-45; A. E. Hebert, 1945-47; Michael Yaksich, 1947-49; Amos Hebert, 1949, deceased August 5, 1949.

District Deputies from the Council have been J. A. Mackey and, since 1946, Oliver Charbonneau.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Alfred J. Istas; Deputy Grand Knight, Laurence Blocklinger; Chancellor, Paul Saindon; Recorder, Art Decker; Financial Secretary, Oliver Charbonneau; Treasurer, Harry Anderson; Lecturer, Michael Yaksich; Advocate, William Peltier; Warden, Alphonse Gagnon; Inside Guard, Ed. LaBonty; Outside Guard, Ralph Ferron; Trustees, Francis Bombardier, T. L. Peltier, Frank Peltier; Chaplain, Rev. Emil Duchene.

The Council now has 263 members, 160 insurance and 103 associate.

Fitzgerald Council 1144 of Lillis was instituted August 19, 1906.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, James Kennedy; Financial Secretary, Tim Hearn; Recording Secretary, Joseph Marksman; Treasurer, J. T. Harrington; Warden, William McKeon; Advocate, John Brophy; Chancellor, William Barker; Chaplain, Rev. William Michael; Inside Guard, Ed Malone; Outside Guard, James Keating; Trustees, Henry Keating, Tom Clark, Tom Fenton.

The charter members were:

The Grand Knights of whom record remains were: James Kennedy, deceased; Dan. W. Harrington, deceased; Wm. Cooper, deceased; Michael Lally, deceased; J. A. Keating, W. J. Harrington, James T. Brady, J. A. Harrington, Joseph Stallbaumer, and Frank Keating.

James Harrington was a District Deputy, William Harrington was elected State Treasurer for the terms 1929 and 1930.  In 1936 Columbia featured a picture of James A. Keating, Sr., and his nine sons, all insurance members of the Council.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Wm. McGeeney; Deputy Grand Knight, Ed Malone, Jr.; Chancellor, Ed Keating; Recorder, John B. McCarthy; Financial Secretary, James T. Brady; Treasurer, Jos. Clark; Lecturer, Joseph Kramer; Advocate, Ed Kennedy; Warden, J. F. Harrington; Inside Guard, Philip Harrington; Outside Guard, Joseph Carrol; Trustees, Tom Clark, Jr., Leonard Boeckman, P. J. Dougherty; Chaplain, Rev. Wm. Lobeck.

The Council now has 86 members, 70 insurance and 16 associate.

Esbon Council 1148 was chartered September 2, 1906.  The first officers were: Grand Knight, A. J. Good; Deputy Grand Knight, John Brennan; Chancellor, W. H. Regan; Recorder, M. Kelliher; Financial Secretary, M. E. Kelly; Treasurer, Jim McGinnis; Lecturer, C. M. Regan; Advocate, M. Kelly; Warden, Mike Duffy; Inside Guard, Joe Dempsey; Outside Guard, Jake Johanek; Trustees, William Delaney, Peter McGinnis, Ed Kelly; Chaplain, Rev. E. Teahan.

The charter members were:

The past Grand Knights are: T. J. Ryan, 1906; A. J. Good, 1907-08; W. H. Regan, 1909; Jas. McGinnis, 1910-11; Frank Kelly, 1912-13; Martin E. Kelly, 1914; Frank Regan, 1915; Jas. Conrad, 1916; Maurice Kelliher, 1917; John Cavanaugh, 1918; Thos. E. Conroy, 1919-20; Chas. Putt, 1921; Chas. McGinnis, 1922; P. C. McGinnis, 1923; M. George, 1924-25; Geo. Cavanaugh, 1926-27; Thos. E. Conroy, 1928-29; Tom Cavanaugh, 1930-31, 1940-43; Ivan McGinnis, 1932; Ed Conrad, 1933-36; Bernard Regan, 1937-38; Emil Peroutek, 1939; Clarence Nebel, 1944-45; Kenneth Helm, 1946-47; J. Leo Sheahan, 1948; Eldon Johanek, 1949-50.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Eldon Johanek; Deputy Grand Knight, Archil Benoit; Chancellor, John Cavanaugh; Recorder, Bernard Regan; Financial Secretary, Warren Nedel; Treasurer, Kenneth Johanek; Lecturer, Carlos Beardmore; Advocates E. D. Sullivan; Warden, Albert Rodleder; Inside Guard, Dick Sheahan; Outside Guard, Carlos Beardmore; Trustees, Kenneth Helm, Leo Sheahan, Rev. M. J. Barrins; Chaplain, Rev. M. J. Barrins.

The Council now has 35 members, 28 insurance and 7 associate.

Paola Council 1149 was chartered September 9, 1906.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, F. S. Goebel; Deputy Grand Knight, W. D. Clarke; Financial Secretary, T. E. Powers; Recording Secretary, P. J. Theno; Treasurer, P. J. Keenan; Warden, James Nolan; Advocate, James Sheehy; Chancellor, J. D. Maroney; Chaplain, Rev. M. Burk; Inside Guard, John Johnson; Outside Guard, W. Hogan; Trustees, P. J. Goebel, Frank Koehler, Sr., John W. Sheridan.

The charter members were:

Paola Council is the successor to an earlier council instituted at Osawatomie in 1905, but which was merged with Paola at the end of 1908.  The Council promoted a baseball team in 1927-28 and won the city championship.  Leo Koehler as Scoutmaster and Ralph Kincaid, William J. Sheahy, and Harry Gaughn as assistants made possible St. Patrick's Troop of Boy Scouts in the thirties.

The Knights of Paola were largely responsible for the successful celebration of the diamond jubilee of Holy Trinity Church on October 10, 1935.  Bishop Francis Johannes celebrated the Pontifical Mass.  In the evening a pageant in which over three hundred members of the parish appeared was presented to a large crowd in Wallace Park.

At the Columbus Day celebration in 1947 the Council presented life membership, honorary membership, and twenty five year pins to a large group including charter members William Cunningham, John Johnson, T. E. Powers, James Sheehy, and William J. Sheehy.

James F. Sheehy was District Deputy in 1911-12 and was honored with the office of State Deputy in 1918-19.

The Grand Knights of the Council have been: F. S. Goebel, 1906-07, deceased; W. D. Clark, 1908-09, deceased; J. W. Churchill, 1910; Jas. F. Sheehy, 1911-12; W. B. Brueck, 1913-14; L. J. Finn, 1915; F. T. Johnson, 1916; T. V. Pendergast, 1917-19, deceased; J. V. Balocca, 1920-21, 1924; Anton Reiter, 1922-23; J. L. Smith, 1925, deceased; B. L. Sheridan, 1926; W. Peuser, 1927-28; J. D. Buchman, 1929; T. E. Powers, 1930-36; John Buckley, 1937; Thos. L. Buchman, 1938-39; Richard Kircher, 1940-41; L. M. Schwartz, 1942-44; Mike Becker, 1945; John A. Slayman, 1946.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Richard H. Kircher; Deputy Grand Knight, John Slayman; Chancellor, Joe Buchman; Recorder, Joe Clark; Financial Secretary, Anton Reiter; Treasurer, T. E. Schwartz; Lecturer, L. M. Schwartz; Advocate, B. L. Sheridan; Warden, Leo Cuddy; Inside Guard, F. M. Shaughnessy; Outside Guard, Henry Haurska; Trustees, Joe Bolocca, Thomas Buchman, G. K. Smith; Chaplain, Rev. Thaddeus Barttro.

The Council now has 89 members, 68 insurance and 21 associate.

Lillis Council 1163 at Axtell was instituted December 2, 1906.  Its first Grand Knight was Bernard Redmond. Father Taton was its first Chaplain.

The charter members were:

The past Grand Knights of whom record remains are: D. B. Sullivan, 1920-23; Sebert Shaughnessy, 1923-25; John Severin, 1925-26; Wm. Scanlan, 1926-29; Jas. McGeeney, 1929-31; Robert O'Neil, 1931-34; Joe Coffey, 1934-36; J. A. Stitz, 1936-44, 1945-46; Ernest Lackey, 1944-45, 1946-47; V. A. Runnebaum, 1947-49; Olaf H. Stueve, 1949-.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Olaf Stueve; Deputy Grand Knight, Herbert Hughes; Chancellor, Leo Eagan; Recorder, Clarence Stueve; Financial Secretary, Fred Kuckelman; Treasurer, Joseph Buessing; Lecturer, W. F. Koch; Advocate, Alfred Porting; Warden, Willard Hribar; Inside Guard, Chris Wassenberg; Outside Guard, Melvin Rilinger; Trustees, Dan Sullivan, George Henry, Edward F. Meara; Chaplain, Rev. E. M. Hauser.

The Council now has 126 members, 78 insurance and 48 associate.

Chapman Council 1181 was chartered December 30, 1906.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, Henry Wadick; Deputy Grand Knight, D. E. Dowling; Financial Secretary, R. F. Foley; Recording Secretary, Chas. Dowling; Treasurer, John T. Cregan; Warden, Frank Scanlan; Advocate, D. F. Erwin; Chancellor, T. J. Foley; Chaplain, Rev. T. F. O'Begley; Inside Guard, T. F. Howe; Outside Guard, J. J. Cushing; Trustees, Pat Ryan, J. E. Wadick, A. J. Schuler.

The charter members were:

The past Grand Knights are: Henry Wadick, 1907-08, 1923, 1929; M. L. Meyer, 1909-10; John T. Cregan, 1911-12, 1918-19, 1921-22, 1927-28, 1946; John Callahan, 1913, deceased; Jas. B. Devane, 1914-15; Edw. J. Lorson, 1916-17, 1931-33, 1942-43; Thos W. Carroll, 1920; Dr. J. J. O'Brien, 1924-25, deceased; Edw. L. Lynch, 1926, 1934-35; John P. Keating, 1930, 1936-41; Vincent B. Cushing, 1944-45.

The Council has had two district Deputies from its ranks: R. F. Foley 1913-14 and Edward J. Larson 1935-36.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Melvin H. Scheaffer; Deputy Grand Knight, A. J. Schuler, Jr.; Chancellor, Wm. Swoyer; Recorder, James E. Peer; Financial Secretary, John P. Keating; Treasurer, James O'Connor; Lecturer, Vincent Kelly; Advocate, Gus Czinczoll; Warden, Joe O'Grady; Inside Guard, Paul Devane; Outside Guard, Edward Lindler; Trustees, Thomas E. Lorson, Francis J. Carroll, Vincent Cushing; Chaplain, Rev. R. J. Mattingly.

The Council has 77 members, 43 insurance and 34 associate.

St. Joseph Council 1187 of Ellinwood was instituted on January 13, 1907.  The first officers were: Grand Knight, Frank Petz; Deputy Grand Knight, John Thul; Financial Secretary, L. J. Degarmo; Treasurer, Mike Haas; Chancellor, Joe Schermerly; Recording Secretary, 0. Schaffer; Warden, Reinhard Werner; Advocate, J. H. Werries; Lecturer, Charles Schermerly; Outside Guard, Leo J. Petz; Inside Guard, W. P. Roth; Trustees, John Doherty, Adolph Keisen, John Berscheidt.

The charter members, which included a nucleus of men who had been initiated at Wichita in 1904 and later transferred to Great Bend Council, were:

The Council was named St. Joseph in honor of the patron Saint of the Ellinwood parish.  Soon after its institution candidates were received from the neighboring parishes of Saints Peter and Paul, Bushton, Chase, and Lyons.  This is one reason why the Council has always been so active and strong.  Several times there have been two-hundred and fifty members, more than half of them insurance members.

In 1909 the Council broke ground for a K. of C. building that was completed on January 6, 1911.  It was one hundred by fifty feet, three stories high, and cost thirty-two thousand dollars.  A theatre occupied the ground floor and the top floor was arranged so that it could be used as a lodge room, a dance floor, and particularly for the exemplification of the major degrees.  This building was sold in 1942 and since that time the Council has rented quarters.  However, the major portion of a building fund for a new Council home has already been raised and the members look forward to its construction at an early date.  The Council has had its own lodge rooms and a club room with a steward since the first building was completed.  Other factors that have helped to make the Council a success are the fact that it has always held its bimonthly meetings according to the ritual and that one or more of the parish priests regularly attend the meetings.  The Council has many Twenty-five Year Members and several Honorary Members.  The depression of the early thirties caused quite a number of withdrawals, and suspensions but many were reinstated as soon as better times returned.

The Council has always taken an active part in all church affairs, public functions and demonstrations.  On two occasions it publicly protested against the promotion of bigotry by the Ku Klux Klan and Jehova Witnesses when they were active locally.  Today the community is notably free of religious prejudice.  The American flag and the Knights of Columbus banner are brought out many times during the year, for funerals of deceased members, communion breakfasts, and Memorial Day services.  Communion Sundays are rotated among the various parishes at Ellinwood, Chase, and Saints Peter and Paul.  One meeting each year is a memorial meeting for departed brothers, and a Requiem Mass is offered during the month of November.  Two Masses for the departed are offered each month, a custom the Council has followed for years.

On the social side the members look forward to two or three stag parties every year and several dances and card parties for their families and friends.  The annual Christmas Party is the big event so far as the children are concerned.  Except during Lent and Advent a smoker with cards is held after each meeting.  The Council is always a strong contender in the District Pitch Tournament held each winter.  It sponsors baseball and basketball teams, but bowling is the most popular sport.  Three teams entered in the city tournament and two in the state Knights of Columbus tournament.

Three members of the Council have served as District Deputies: J. A. Knipp, L. J. Degarmo, and Frank W. Robl.  Brother Robl is at present Co-chairman of the Coronado Memorial Committee of the State Council

The past Grand Knights are: Frank Petz, 1907-08, deceased; John Doherty, Sr., 1908-09, deceased; Joe F. Strothman, 1909-11, deceased; Frank J. Weber, 1911-13, deceased; L. J. Degarmo, 1913-15; Richard Petz, 1915-17; J. R. Zecha, 1917-20; R. Werner, 1920-22, 1928-30; J. C. Koehler, 1922-24, 1930-32; John B. Birzer, Jr., 1924-26; J. B. Robl, 1926-28, deceased; J. A. Weber, 1932-33; Joe Kowalski, 1933-38; Robert Roth, 1938-40; Frank W. Robl, 1940-42; Joseph M. Hammeke, 1942-44; John C. Schubert, 1944-47; Norbert J. Staab, 1947.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Frank N. Moos; Deputy Grand Knight, Nic LoBurgio; Chancellor, Leonard Schartz; Recorder, Matt Robl; Financial Secretary, Eugene F. Moos; Treasurer, Art Hickel; Lecturer, Jerome Wirtz; Advocate, Alvin C. Robl; Warden, Clarence Doll; Inside Guard, Kenneth Klepper; Outside Guard, Allan Petz; Trustees, John Klepper, John Hammeke, Norbert Staab; Chaplain, Rev. Oscar Vogel.

The Council has 261 members at present, 138 insurance and 123 associate.

Kingman Council 1269 was instituted October 6, 1907.  The Council's first officers were: Grand Knight, John McKenna; Deputy Grand Knight, George Osner; Financial Secretary, P. H. McKenna; Recording Secretary, H. H. Screen; Treasurer, A. Gerber; Warden, Emmett Connor; Advocate, Jas. Fitzgerald; Chancellor, M. P. Screen; Chaplain, Rev. A. H. Walsh; Inside Guard, Geo. H. Esswein; Outside Guard, John E. Heffron; Trustees, Edward McKenna, M. H. Heatherman.

The charter members of the Council were:

The Grand Knights of the Council have been: John McKenna, 1907-08, 1912; P. H. McKenna, 1909-11, 1922-23; J. E. Heffron, 1913; Joseph Thissen, 1914; L. W. McKenna, 1915; 0. H. Piller, 1916, 1930-31, deceased; Joseph Heatherman, 1917; Leo J. Piller, 1918-19; Alfred W. Hampel, 1920; Francis J. Thissen, 1921; James Hyde, 1924; H. H. Bock, 1925; John Hyde, 1926; E. H. Moore, 1927-28; A. J. Beat, 1929; Harry McAdam, 1932-33; Wm. Sheahan, 1934-35; James Parker, 1936-37; Paul Beat, 1938-39; Edward McKenna, 1940-41; M. C. Schonlau, 1942-44; L. W. Heatherman, 1945; Chas. H. Stewart, 1946-47; Ben Theis, 1948-49.

John McKenna was elected State Advocate for the terms 1911-12 and at the State Convention of the Knights of Columbus held at Great Bend, Kansas, in 1949, was the oldest living state officer of Kansas.  He also served as District Deputy from 1909 to 1912 and from 1914 to 1918.  A. J. Beat was District Deputy from 1930 to 1932.

In its forty-three years of existence Kingman Council has sponsored many worthwhile things for the betterment of the community.  It has held a number of noteworthy celebrations on Columbus Day.  Some of them during the height of the bigotry excited by the Ku Klux Klan at which noted speakers were provided for the public.  It has brought to the public such noted lecturers and speakers as the Rev. A. J. Kuhlman, Peter Collins, David Goldstein and David Leahy.  As a council it contributed generously to the building of St. Patrick's School in Kingman, and has provided equipment and uniforms for boys' basketball and baseball teams of St. Patrick's School and the Knights of Columbus.  Able and enthusiastic assistance in these projects has been given by Rev. David O'Leary.

The Council has also taken part in patriotic works and drives, such as the United War drives, the USO and other such activities, and one of its members, John McKenna, was the first county chairman of the USO.

It has assisted materially in the formation of four other councils of the Order and to some extent in the formation of two other councils.

The present officers are: Grand Knight, Bernard M. Theis; Deputy Grand Knight, Bernard Danler; Chancellor, Richard McFadden; Recorder, C. A. Thissen; Financial Secretary, M. C. Schonlau; Treasurer, John Thissen; Lecturer, Wilbur Glassner; Advocate, Charles Stewart; Warden, Marcus Miller; Inside Guard, Bernard Henning; Outside Guard, Lawrence Danler; Trustees, Thos. Birzer, John McKenna, P. H. McKenna; Chaplain, Rev. P. J. O'Leary.

The Council has 98 members, 61 insurance and 37 associate.

Neodesha Council 1291 was chartered January 12, 1908.  Its first officers were: Grand Knight, J. M. Steffen; Deputy Grand Knight, A. E. Gees; Financial Secretary, Jim Donahoe; Recording Secretary, Frank Grabner; Treasurer, J. T. Hulehan; Wardon, Richard Kendrigan; Advocate, G. V. Metzger; Chancellor, Mathias Krudwig; Chaplain, Father Dominic; Inside Guard, Mike Donahoe; Outside Guard, Chris Beurskens; Trustees, John Grabner, Chas. Koehler, Mathias Krudwig; Lecturer, J. M. Steffen.

The charter members were:

The Council carried out a vigorous program of education for tolerance through the distribution of literature during the Klan epidemic.  In the early thirties it sponsored a troop of Boy Scouts.

The past Grand Knights of Neodesha Council are: J. M. Steffen, 1908-10; F. J. Grabner, 1910-11; James Donahoe, 1911-13, 1920-21; E. Berger, 1913-14; W. V. Crook, 1914-16; A. Berrigan, 1916-18; Ed. O'Dower, 1918-19; Pat Curran, 1919-20; F. W. Walters, 1921-23; Chas. Koehler, 1923-24; John Martin, 1924-26, 1937-39; L. F. McLaughlin, 1926; Wm. Egerer, 1926-27; M. E. Donahoe, 1927-29; Geo. J. Hutter, 1929-30; E. A. Thompson, 1930-33; F. H. O'Brien, 1933-37; A. J. Maglich, 1939 --.

J. M. Steffen was elected State Secretary for the terms 1912-13 and was District Deputy in 1913-14.

The present officers of the Council are: Grand Knight, Bernard J. Grabner; Deputy Grand Knight, Edward Stepanich; Chancellor, A. J. Maglich; Recorder, Richard E. Grabner; Financial Secretary, Geo. J. Hutter; Treasurer, Henry Stepknich; Lecturer, Henry Stepknich; Advocate, Bernard Goodie; Warden, George Katzer; Inside Guard, B. F. Grabner; Outside Guard, John Smith; Trustees, John Grabner, John Bambick, Joe Beurskens; Chaplain, Rev. Geo. Reinschmidt.

The Council now has 42 members, 36 insurance and 6 associate.