Group of ‘Rebekahs,’ shown in 1927, were part of Odd Fellows, offering hospitality

Front row: Ida Boyce, Ethel Croach - Sec. Treas., Bessie Gaze - District Deputy, Jessie Breitbeck, Harriet Bulmore. Back row: Addie Servoss, Alice Brown, Georgianna Strouse, Lina Blood, Vernita Boyce and May Montgomery.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian 

“Illuminating Orleans” – Vol. 5, No. 9

MEDINA – A friend came upon this intriguing A.J. Richards photograph of a group of ladies this week and rescued it from the ignominy of a Lockport thrift store bin. Not only is the photo in good condition but wonder of wonders – the names are clearly written on the reverse!

However, the date, nature of the group, and the occasion were lacking. Naturally the challenge was accepted!

Judging by the clothing, the period appears to be late 1920’s. The ladies are wearing decorative collar sashes, so they are obviously members of a group or club. The clue in determining the date and subject of the photograph turned out to be the words “District Deputy” which follow Bessie Gaze’s name on the reverse. A search of the New York State Historic Newspapers unearthed the following paragraph in the Medina Daily Journal of May 20, 1927:

“The Welcome Rebekah Lodge of Medina was highly honored at a New York State Rebekah assembly held at Buffalo this week by having one of its members appointed to a state office.

Mrs. Jessie Breitbeck, past District Deputy, was installed as assembly conductor.

Mrs. Bessie Gaze also received her appointment as District Deputy, President of the Orleans District.”

The Daughters of Rebekah, generally referred to as the Rebekahs, was founded in 1851 by then U.S. Vice-President, Schuyler Colfax. It is the women’s group associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.). The Odd Fellows originated in England in the 1700’s as a mutual aid society to assist smaller tradesmen (“odd fellows”) and their families when in need.

The name “Rebekah” honors the biblical character who offered hospitality to a humble stranger.

The group’s stated objectives were to “aid in the establishment and maintenance of Homes for aged and indigent Odd Fellows and their wives, the care, education, and support of orphans of deceased Odd Fellows and deceased sisters of the Rebekah degree” as well as to cultivate social relations among these groups.

The Medina Welcome Rebekah Lodge, No. 146 was instituted on Feb. 6, 1895, by Charles M. Morgan, Grand Master. At that time the membership boasted 38 “brothers” and 32 “sisters”. The I.O.O.F. Lodge rooms were in the Downs & Kearney Block, 108 West Center St., Medina.

Armed with Medina directories from 1908 and 1941, and using the online Orleans genweb site, we pieced together the following information about the ladies in the photo:

• Lina Blood was the wife of Seldon P. Blood, a feed store owner. They lived at 208 West Oak Orchard St., Medina. Lina died in 1949 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
• Ida Boyce was the wife of Charles W. Boyce, a manager at the N.L.& O. Power Company. They lived at 618 West Center St., Medina. Ida died in 1989 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery,
• Vernita Boyce was the wife of Clarence H. Boyce, an electrical contractor. They lived at 224 Highland Ave., Medina. Vernita died in 1971 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
• Jessie Breitbeck was the wife of Fred C. Breitbeck, a foundry worker. They lived at 1031 Gwinn St., Medina. Jessie died in 1983 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
• Alice Brown was the wife of William N. Brown, a Post Office carrier. They lived at 305 Park Ave., Medina. Alice died in 1950 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
• Harriett Bulmore was the wife of Fred Bulmore who owned the Synthetic Granite Vault Co. which was located at 514 Erie St., Medina. The couple resided at 117 Frank St. Harriett died in 1953 and is buried in West Ridgeway Cemetery.
• Ethel Croach was the wife of Arthur W. Croach, a rural delivery mail carrier. They lived at 110 Elizabeth St., Medina. Ethel is buried in West Ridgeway Cemetery.
• Bessie Gaze was the wife of W. Henry Gaze, a foundry worker. They lived at 207 William St., Medina. Bessie died in 1937 and is buried in West Ridgeway Cemetery.
• May E. Montgomery, a linotype operator at the Daily Journal, lived at 210 William St., Medina. She died in 1955 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
• Addie Servoss was the wife of Burt L. Servoss. She died in 1938 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
• Georgianna Strouse was the widow of Harvey Strouse. She lived at 409 South Academy St., Medina. She was a seamstress at the Robert H. Newell Shirt Factory for many years, died in 1970 and is buried in Millville Cemetery.

Our thanks to Todd Belfield for rescuing this photo which provides a glimpse into the past.