Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/214

 162 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY Valley Encampment, No. 11, was organized April 3, 1873, by M. E. Henderson, Lyman K. Ayrault, AVarren Gilchrist, George Manning, G. W. Xeff, E. L. Clark and L. AYhite. At the first meeting there were five initiations. The first officers were : M. E. Henderson, C. P.; Lyman K. Ayrault, H. P.; George Man- ning, S. W.; Orrin Gilchrist, J. AY.; E. L. Clark, scribe; G. AY. Xeff. treasurer. Mutual Lodge, No. 40, A. 0. U. W., was organized January 30, 1878. The charter members were S. Higman, G. A. Follet, G. H. Cross, H. Hanson, AYilliam Smith, H. H. Manning, Myron D. Gibbs, 0. T. Jones, AY. H. Seofield. ('. E. Daniels, J. L. Sco- field, E. Holden and A. L. Cawley. Cannon Falls Lodge, No. 253, P. of H., had a number of mem- bers during the time of the popularity of the Grange. Prairie Flower Lodge, No. 169, I. 0. G. T., was organized in the interests of temperance, March 2. 1875, with fifteen charter members. The first officers were M. McKay, Ida Mallett, Adelia Stranahan and Hattie Copeland. The Ben Socs Scandinavian Benevolent Society was organized August 9, ]>>!'!. with seventeen charter members. The officers were G. AVestman. president; Haagen Thompson, vice president: L. Engbei'g. secretary; John Mattson. treasurer; John Danielson, ('. G. Rydell and P. Flygare, trustees. Other societies which have been organized in the city are McKinley Post, No. 92, G. A. R. ; Cannon Camp, No. 1540, M. W. of A.; Zion Chapter, No. 6, 0. E. S.; Crescent Camp, No. 950, R. N. A. ; Cannon Falls Council, No. 82, Samaritans ; Beneficent De- gree, Samaritans; George McKinley Corps, No. 80, W. R. C, and Harmony Camp, No. 48, W. 0. W. The "taverns" of a village always have an important part in its progress, more especially in pioneer days. The two earliest hotels were the Falls House and the Exchange House. The Falls House was built by Charles Parks in the fall of 1854. At that time it was a log house sixteen by twenty-four. The house was sold to Andras Durand in April, 1855, who at once built an addition as large as the original structure. In the fall of 1856 a building, thirty by forty, two stories, was erected. In the spring of 185*8 it was sold to Edward J. Turner, who rented it to Benjamin A r an Campen for ten years. Subsequent proprietors were Colonel Williams, Sole Slosson, John English and- others. September 18, 1871. D. L. Davis took charge of the property, lie having purchased it sometime previous, September 19. 1866. In the fall of 1873 Mr. Davis sold it to Peter Gravlin, who kept the house until 1875. when Mr. Davis again came into possession. Air. Davis refitted the building, and in the spring of 1872 made an addition, fourteen by twenty-two feet. In 1890