Harry Marsh Odd Fellows Lodge No.45

Harry Chester Thompson Marsh
1909 - 1993

The Harry Marsh Lodge Story: The Harry Marsh Lodge is one of the newest Odd Fellow Lodges in the country founded in 2001 it has a membership of over 40 Brothers and is very active in the community helping support over 10 local Charties and Events. The Lodge was named in Memoriam for the late Harry Chester Thompson Marsh an active Odd Fellow for over 40 years in both his native Massachusetts and later his second home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Average age of membership in the Lodge is only 37, however the membership in the Harry Marsh Lodge is MADE UP OF MEN from 21 (youngest member) to 81 (oldest member) years of age all working in Fraternity. Members of the Lodge receive a monthly newsletter and calendar which lists meetings and events, members of the Lodge also receive a Prescription Drug Benefit which entitles them to discounts at local Pharmacies on prescription medications. The Lodge also issues a Death Benefit to members to help their families defray the cost of Funeral expenses. New members of the Lodge receive a welcome packet which includes a Welcome Letter, Odd Fellow Lapel Pin, Dues Card, Car Decal, Prescription Benefit Card and Engraved Ink Pen. All members are also sent annual Birthday Greetings along with a small gift from the Lodge. For membership and other information, write to: Harry Marsh Lodge No.45 P.O. Box 1042, Edgewater FL 32132, or just email us at: marshmitchell@hotmail.com **All emails to the Lodge should be titled with the words Odd Fellows or IOOF as we recieve so much unwanted email. Those emails labeled as instructed will be answered promptly and not over looked.**

2008 - The Top Officers

Thomas Catalo - Noble Grand
Paul Jameson Marsh Mitchell - Vice Grand
Brandon D. Smith - Secretary
Harry James Dow - Treasurer
George Danforth Perin - Sitting Past Grand

Lodge Trustees

Pictured Left to Right: Harry James Dow, Keith Brian Prasse, Brandon Douglas Smith, Paul Jameson Marsh Mitchell, and George Danforth Perin II

To Improve and Elevate the Character of Man!

WHAT ARE THE ODD FELLOWS- The Odd Fellows is one of the oldest Fraternal Groups in the World, so old in fact the date of its founding is not known. The oldest recorded Charter that has been found lists the date 1537, but this Lodge was listed as No.4. The thinking today by Historians in England is that the Odd Fellows grew out of the ancient Trade Guilds of England. Many now believe that small villages with out enough craftsman would form a Guild consisting of Odd Trades and this guild would be labeled as an Odd Fellows guild. We do know that the Odd Fellows grew rapidly in the 1700's and came to America from England in 1819 by a Thomas Wildley. The Odd Fellows over the years have helped many people, and contine to do so today, both on a National and Local level. For more information on the Odd Fellows go to:

FACTOID:

In the 6 years since its creation the Harry Marsh Lodge No.45 has become one of the largest and most active Lodges in the State of Florida. Yet to date not one member of the Harry Marsh Lodge has been appointed to a Florida Grand Lodge Office?




(C) copyright: 2003
Harry Marsh Lodge 45 IOOF
PO Box 1042 Edgewater FL 32132
last updated - Sept. 2008