History of Orangeism in the Village of Cameron
December 30, 2024
The Orange and Community Hall, Cameron
Originally Published in A History of Fenelon Township, 1987
In taking up the history of Orangeism in the Village of Cameron our minds revert to the year 1854, when on March 28th of that year Cameron Orange Lodge No. 539 was organized at the home of Joseph McNabb, Lot 9, Concession 6, Township of Fenelon. As our minds are carried back to those early days, it is very difficult to realize the conditions and hardships our pioneer fathers had to contend with. Many were their privations in a new country. It might be interesting to know how the settlers hewed out a home for themselves in a vast wilderness. The roads were simply trails and bridle paths and ox carts drawn by a sturdy pair of oxen was chiefly the mode of conveyance. Logs were the only material used in the building of their homes, but as years passed more modern houses were erected.
Social life consisted of community gatherings to help the work of homesteading, such as logging bees, barn raisings, stumping and husking bees, friendship and neighbourliness held sway. They shared each other’s joys and sorrows. As few organizations existed at that time our pioneer ancestors deemed it advisable in the interests of the community to institute an Orange Lodge and a warrant was granted to our first Worshipful Master Brother John Moore; Secretary Brother Josiah Perrin, Treasurer Brother Joseph McNabb.
For some time, their meetings were held in different members’ homes. On November 5, 1856, their first meeting was held in the old log school house. These meetings continued until the year 1863, when the first Orange Hall was erected. This building was in use 65 years and stood for many a year on the south-east corner, where Highway 35 now intersects Concession 6, in the Village of Cameron, a short distance south of the General Store. Many pleasant memories are recalled of innumerable initiations, installations, advancements in degree work and social evenings spent with associates in the building.
On May 19, 1922, the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association was organized by Mrs. P. Featherstone, Grand Mistress of Provincial Grand Lodge of Ontario, assisted by the Victoria Lodge of Lindsay, with seventeen members and the following officers: Worthy Mistress – Rosena Parkin; Deputy Mistress – Della Harris; Secretaries Irene Worsley and Lottie Henry; Treasurer—Lillian Perrin. Meetings were held monthly on the Monday night nearest the full of the moon, as many of the ladies had to drive a distance by horse and buggy and the light was much better then.
On June 28th, 1923, a motion was placed on the L.O.L. Lodge books to cooperate with the Ladies Lodge in instituting a building fund for a new hall as they realized Cameron not only needed a new Orange Hall, but a Community Hall also. In those days there was no place except the school house in which to hold an entertainment or play. We also had to borrow lumber to build platforms, carry chairs, lamps and an organ from the churches and the old Orange Hall.
The first money made for this fund was by the members of the Ladies Lodge who held a tag day at the Conservative picnic at Long Beach on July 25th, 1923 and realized the sum of $28.30. Further proceeds came from donations, plays, basket socials, and garden parties as well as other means. At a meeting of the Ladies Lodge on October 28th, 1926, it was decided to make an autograph quilt. Lodges in Canada and some in the US were asked to donate a dollar to have their Lodge names and numbers placed on the quilt. Some five thousand letters were sent out, the resulting proceeds amounting to $1,300 of which $1,100 was clear. Five quilts were made. The emblems of the different branches of the Order were beautifully painted on them by Sister Leona Delong, formerly Leona Perrin. The Lodge names were written on by Brother George McNabb and worked by the ladies. There is a picture of this quilt, but none of the five quilts are left. We now had realized the sum of $1700 and on February 28, 1928, it was decided to build the new hall. A Building Committee was formed, consisting of members from both Lodges, and was as follows: Worshipful Brother William Rodgers, Worshipful Mistress Rosena Parkin, Sister Della Harris, Brother Richard Naylor, and Brother T.J. Oakley. Brother William Rodgers, who was Worshipful Master at that time, was put in charge and much credit was due him as he drew the plans and supervised the erection and equipping of this fine building, which serves the Order and community activities of today.
In that year the 12th of July celebration was held in Cameron, where $500 was realized, which assisted in defraying of expenses. A mortgage was placed on the hall, which was later paid off by donations, fowl suppers, and different kinds of entertainment, and 12th of July celebrations in 1932-1937-1948.
In 1932 the hall was wired for electricity, the committee in charge being Brother Roy Worsley, Brother Wilson Dunn and Brother Howard Worsley. On July 3, 1929, the new Orange Lodge room was dedicated to God and the Protestant faith by Worshipful Brother Everett Mitchell, past County Master for the County of Victoria assisted by Worshipful Brother William Newman M.P.P, who acted as chaplain also County Master Worshipful Brother William Rodgers.
July 12, 1948 found $700 still owing on the mortgage, and a very successful celebration was held at Cameron on that date when over $500 was raised to apply to the mortgage. Much credit is due Worshipful Brother Jack McNabb and his Committee, and Worthy Mistress, Sister Leah Wilson, and the members of the Lodge for the success of this celebration. At the L.O.L. meeting held later the remainder of the Lodge for the success of this celebration. At the L.O.L. meeting held later the remainder of the mortgage was taken care of by the members of the Lodge.
On November 4th, 1948, a special evening of L.O.B.A. and L.O.L. members was held for the purpose of burning the mortgage. Sister Rosena Parkin, who was Worthy Mistress, and Brother William Rodgers, who was Worshipful Master, at the time for the erection of the hall were bestowed with this honour. The Honourable Leslie Frost, M.L.A. gave a splendid address on the early times in Fenelon Township and Victoria County that was enjoyed by all. Short addresses were given by the Reverend Brother Rowland, Sister Rosena Parkin, Brother William Rogers, Sister Leah Wilson, Brother Wilbert Worsley and the District Master, Worshipful Brother Allan Brokenshire.
In the two Great Wars, when the call went out for King and Country, many of our Brethren answered the call to arms. Some have paid the supreme sacrifice while others returned, bearing the scars of battle. The following is a list of names which our Honour Roll contains: First World War 1914-19: Brother William Moore; Brother Thomas Harold Bagshaw; Brother Wilfred Walter Cunday; Brother Franklin Gilbert Bonnetta; Brother Robert Henry Mark; Brother George Elmer Goodhand; Brother Howard Henry; Brother Melrose Beggs; Brother James W. Halligan; Brother William John Cummings.
The Great War 1939-45: Brother William Whitfield; Brother William Negas; Brother Edward Hayward; Brother William Wiltshire; Brother Archie Fox; Brother John Clarence Perrin; Brother George Alvin Perrin; Brother Clifford Moore and Brother Clayton Wood. “They served that we might live, and that Freedom and Right would survive.”
Under the leadership of Brother Earl Dunn and Brother Raymond Anderson of the L.O.L. the interior and exterior of the hall was decorated which added greatly to its appearance, also the upper lodge room re-decorated by the L.O.B.A. in 1951.
We feel we would be negligent not to mention some outstanding members of our Order. Brother William M. Cummings was a valued member of the order for 49 years and our outstanding friend. Brother Thomas J. Oakley and his 46 years membership to his credit, 34 years of this spent as Recording Secretary and 32 years as Guardian in the L.O.B.A. One member deserving of special mention in connection with the L.O.L. and the Victoria Hall is Brother Cleveland Perrin, who, since its erection in 1928 has been the faithful and diligent caretaker. Brother Perrin has been and still is an outstanding member of the Lodge and of the Cameron community.
Our hall has been given free of charge for an evening, quite often organized by members of the Lodge and interested persons, for members of our community who by misfortune lost a home or barn by fire or wind. Each interested man who went overseas was presented with a watch from Fenelon Township Council and Victoria Hall was donated for each evening for the presentation. Donations of labour by way of bees to help people in the Community, who through illness needed assistance in haying, harvesting, wood cutting, etc.
Donations of money going to the Orange and True Blue Children’s Home in Richmond Hill, Triangle Court—a senior citizen’s low rental unit; the Santa Claus stocking fund; the CAT Scan Fund; to needly families at Christmas or a donation to someone deserving help through illness or death.
A wood furnace was installed when the hall was built and wood was obtained by bees. Members going to the bush with teams and sleighs and cutting a years’ supply of wood. In 1955, an oil furnace was installed. Money was raised through fowl suppers, dances, euchres and donations.
In September 1959, a discussion took place re installing inside washrooms and enlarging the kitchen. Brother Richard Westaway was engaged and the project was completed. Money for this extension was loaned free of interest by the members and was paid off over the following three years.
In 1967 through to 1972 Lodge members assisted by talented members of the community each winter presented a show consisting of music, skits, short plays, etc., under the leadership of Sister Ollie Harding with another outstanding member of the community, Mrs. Gladys Jackett, assisting at the piano. A new roof was installed on the hall and the trim painted through the efforts of this group.
In 1979, a grant from Wintario was obtained through the efforts of Sister Shirley Shier and in the winter months of 1980 alterations to the basement were undertaken consisting of panelling the walls, putting in a tile ceiling and carpeting the floor and installing a new furnace to heat the basement. 428 hours of labour were given by members of the Lodge. Total cost at completion $8,017.84 and the Wintario Grant of $4,130.00 was gratefully received. Many families now hold Birthday, Christmas and Anniversaries in the homey atmosphere.
Our latest project is a Hallowe’en Party for the Children of Cameron and surrounding area and we are grateful to the teachers of both the Anglican and United Church Sunday School as well as others in the community for helping to make this a well-attended function.
On August 7th, 1969, the Orange Hall at Cambray was destroyed by fire, leaving the L.O.L. and L.O.B.A. without a meeting place. For a time, the members of the L.O.B.A. met in their homes but in the winter of 1972 the members of the Cambray Edith Cavell Lodge No. 540 amalgamated with the Cameron Maple Leaf Lodge No. 476.
On March 20th, 1969, the Fenelon Falls L.O.L. No. 996 met with the members of Cameron L.O.L. No. 539, requesting permission to amalgamate with Cameron, which was granted, and the Fenelon Falls Orange Hall was sold later that year. Cambray Lodge No. 98 amalgamated with Cameron.
The Motto of the Orange Association has always been “Equal rights to all, special privileges to none.” Civil and religious liberty we will maintain.
L.O.L. Executive 1987
Worshipful Master: Jack McNabb
Deputy Master: Hugh Johnston
Recording Secretary: Gilbert Rodgers
Treasurer: Stan Lee
Chaplain: Mervyn Elliott
L.O.B.A. Executive 1987
Worthy Mistress: Leona Delong
Deputy Mistress: Alberta Mark
Secretary: Ruby Beggs
Treasurer: Olive Parkin
1st Committee Woman: Ethel Townsley
Past Masters Cameron L.O.L. 539
Raymond Anderson
Wesley Anderson
James Bryson
Morley Byrnell
Robert Cochrane
John Cochrane
John Cook
William Cook
William Cummings
Walter Cunday
Daneil Dewell
William Downer
Earl Dunn
George Goodhand
John Henderson
Robert Inglis
Clifford Jones
Stanley Lee
Alvin Mark
Manley Maybee
Cephas McGregor
George McNabb
Jack McNabb
Alexander Miles
Albert E. Minthorne
Clifford Moore
John Oakley
Thomas J. Oakley
George Parkin
Roy Parkin
Cleveland Perrin
Josiah Perrin
Parmenas Perin
Bruce Rodgers
Gilbert Rodgers
Melrose Rumney
Lloyd Shier
Richard Westaway
David S. Willock
Cecil Worsley
Harold Worsley
Roy Worsley
Past Mistresses L.O.B.A Maple Leaf Lodge No. 476
Sarah Cochrane
Daisy Cunday
Leona Delong
Anne Douglas-Hopkins
Nellie Goodhand
Della Harris
Bessie Hartle
Veda Inglis
Anne Linton
Margaret Mark
Viola Moore
Olive Parkin
Rosena Parkin
Lillian Perrin
Edna Rodgers
Lila Rodgers
Lucy Rodgers
Shirley Shier
Grace Welch
Thelma Westaway
Leah Wilson
