I would like to take you back to 1904 when 52 Catholic laymen in the Painesville area were initiated and established Painesville Council 9. They were organized by a group of Cleveland Knights who were interested in promoting this expanding Catholic layman organization.
Harry Nolan and Ed Kelley secretly and unknown to Painesville candidates were initiated in Cleveland a few weeks before the Painesville initiation and, I am told, found the second initiation with their own council very interesting.
The first lodge rooms were located on the south side of Main Street on the second floor above the Main Hardware store. Harry Nolan was elected first Grand Knight and Dr. Carmody Deputy Grand Knight.
Mr. Nolan served as grand Knight for 12 years of the council’s existence. He was one of Painesville’s most respected citizens and an outstanding Catholic layman. He served as Painesville mayor from 1906-1910, an outstanding accomplishment in this bigoted village at that time. He also served Lake County as its prosecutor in 1912, being elected as a Democrat in this predominantly Republican community, which speaks for the popularity of Mr. Nolan.
For this first initiation, the boys went all out to entertain visiting degree teams and guests to such an extent that the limited treasury was depleted and it was necessary, in order to be solvent, to pass the hat to the new members for an additional $10.00 to defray expenses.
After a few years, council chambers were moved across the street to the third floor in the block formerly used by Landphair, now or the latest is being used by the Gail G. Grant store.
Next move was across Main Street to the second floor over the Lake County Savings and Loans Company. It was at this location that it was decided that they needed furniture. Not having sufficient funds to purchase the furniture, they sold redeemable certificates for $10.00 each to the membership. After the bill was paid, I understand that at a regular meeting, a motion was made to cancel the certificates, seconded and carried. This is the same furniture used in the lodge rooms today.
About 1916, we crossed Main Street again, this time to the third floor of the Cleveland Trust Block, corner of Main and North St. Clair streets. These quarters were formerly occupied by the Elks. We occupied the complete third floor and this consisted of a card room, two pool tables, a large club room, two sitting rooms, and a kitchen.
We held many card parties and dances, minstrel shows, plays, in these rooms. We also had some experience, that for the time, proved embarrassing. It was a practice or custom after the old timers left the club rooms, for the younger element to take over and galloping dominoes became the principal activity on the pool table. From the street, the action of the participants was reflected and the Police Department and its Chief were subjected to criticism because this evidence of gambling was not stopped. The Chief of Police was Pat Appleton, and a charter member.
In order to stop this gambling, it was necessary to solicit members who would act as guards and not permit gambling.
In those days, this anniversary occasion was one of merriment and held at Hellriegel’s in Madison. It was the days of Prohibition but channels were found for finding the spirits which produced the merriment. In setting up the table for large parties, certain items such as rolls, cranberry sauce, olives, celery, etc, are placed on the table– it was no different in those days, it wasn’t long after grace was offered that these articles started flying across the tables.
Some of the members should’ve been baseball pitchers as they had wonderful control of the target. I have one recollection– the next day after one of these birthday parties, a member had his picture taken and when the proof was presented, it showed a rosette on his lapel, which upon examination proved to be cranberry sauce.
Some of the former Chaplains of your council have reached high plateaus in the Church Hierarchy- Bishop Michael Ready of Columbus, now deceased, joined the order with me in 1918. Bishop John Dearden of Detroit was active in this council when an assistant at St. Mary’s, Painesville. Archbishop Paul Halinin was a member of this council and his father a charter member.
We had some enjoyable meetings– I recall a few of us got together before a meeting and decided to present an inquiring application of a colored man for membership. The way some of the members expressed themselves, they must have had some Southern blood in their veins, the protesting was very violent– one member said he was no black so and so sitting next to him in council chambers, another said they were all right if the wind is in the right direction.
In 1925, it was decided to have a home of our own. All we needed was money– several sights were considered– one the former Detzel home on the northeast corner of Erie and St. Clair streets– it was decided to purchase the former Lightner residence at 97 North St. Clair Street for $20,000. A home company was organized and shares of stock were sold for $100.00. The council paid $100.00, from which taxes and insurance were paid. There were times when the landlord approached us to pay our rent, but we were never evicted and eventually, all the members who held stock were paid off.
Dewey Tschour and his family became the first custodians and occupied rooms on the second floor. He was later succeeded by Norb Jenkins.
Another item of interest in 1927 was the organization of a Boy Scout troop. #64 consisted of 18 boys with Cliff Steven as Scout Master. He was succeeded by Alex Kovac, Financial Secretary Frank Zack, Bill Coyne, Jim Horvath, and present Scout Master Bill McManus.
About 1937, the council organized a bowling league, which consisted of four teams. This activity has continued down throughout the years and this year, we have twelve teams.
In 1953, our property on St. Clair Street was being investigated by prospective buyers for commercial development. The first offer received was for $18,000, which was not attractive. Later on, an offer of $24,000 was turned down. An offer of $60,000 by Fischer Brothers was accepted and we had no place to go. We graciously accepted an offer from Msgr. Gallena to use St. Mary’s school until we could move.
Land was acquired and plans made to build a home which we did in 1954 at a cost of $70,000. This had been paid for and at the present time, we had $3200 in the bank earmarked for further development of our property.
Throughout these years, we have made our facilities available for all other Catholic organizations, which include the Isabella Club, Isabella Guild, Cl of C, the Mother’s Club, etc. Last year, we organized the junior organization of our order, the Columbian Squires, with 47 members under Mike Burnell, who are establishing some outstanding records in the state.
Down through these years, there has been one man, although not a member of the council, who has been solicited for advice and whose wise council was willingly given and that is Msgr. Gallena. When we needed money to buy our home in 1927, he purchased some shares of stock. In 1953, when we needed a temporary home, he came to our rescue. Many of the accomplishments of the council can be attributed to advice and guidance by the Monsignor and we extend to him our sincere expression of appreciation.