Pythian Sisters, Deshler Temple #204 (Deshler, Ohio) records

 Collection – Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-0515

Collection Overview

Abstract

The records of Deshler Temple #204, Pythian Sisters, Deshler, Ohio, consist of minutes, membership cards, and financial records covering the period from 1903 to 1932.

Dates

  • Creation: 1903-1932

Extent

0.46 Cubic Feet (1 legal manuscript box )

1 Volumes (1 wrapped volume)

Creator

Scope and Contents

The records of the Deshler Temple #204 of Pythian Sisters of Deshler, Ohio, covers the period from 1903 until 1931. The Order was founded around 1903, as a Temple of Rathbone Sisters, and merged in 1932 with Jackson Temple #309, Hoytville, Ohio.

The bulk of the collection consists of minute books for 1906-1908, 1912-1922, 1922-1925, and 1925-1929. The volumes of minutes are fairly standard in content, including lists of officers and members present, reports on sick members, committee reports, applications for membership, bills presented, and other business. More membership information is available on the application cards, and summarized in the semi-annual report book.

Biographical / Historical

The Pythian Sisterhood was founded as a secret society for female relatives of Knights of Pythias in February, 1888. The objects of the Order were both social and charitable, including ministering to the sick and needy, sitting at the bedside of the dying, and paying tribute to the dead.

The Rathbone Sisters, a parallel organization open to both men and women, had as its objects the moral, mental, social and physical elevation of its members. Also founded in 1888, it was originally known as the Pythian Sisters, but changed its name in 1894 to Rathbone Sisters.

Deshler Temple #204 of Deshler, Ohio was founded around 1903, with 42 charter members (13 Knights, 29 Sisters), as a Temple of Rathbone Sisters. The first record book in the collection is a semi-annual record book dating from 1903-1917; the last are membership application cards spanning the years 1904-1931. In 1932 Deshler Temple #204 merged with Jackson Temple #309 of Hoytville, Ohio.

Conditions Governing Access

No known restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Wood County Historical Museum

Title
Guide to Pythian Sisters. Deshler Temple #204 (Deshler, Ohio) records
Author
Marilyn Levinson, Cody Johnston
Date
May 1989, May 2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
  • Box: 1 (Mixed Materials)
  • Volume: 1 (Mixed Materials)