Floydada Chapter No. 31, Order of the Eastern Star
Floydada, Floyd County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Floyd City Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.), was organized in early 1898 when members of the Floyd City Lodge No. 712, A. F. & A. M. and their families petitioned the Grand Chapter of Texas O.E.S. for a charter. Mrs. Ella B. Starks was named worthy matron and Mr. J. L. Crabtree was appointed worthy patron. Officially chartered in October of that year, the chapter had a strong beginning with its charter and many new members. In 1933 the chapter was renamed Floydada Chapter No. 31 in keeping with the renaming of the Masonic Lodge, since the town itself had been renamed soon after its founding. In observing their O.E.S. objectives, the Floydada chapter has contributed time, effort and funds to many charitable and civic projects and organizations. (1999)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1898 the members and families of Floyd City's Masonic lodge petitioned Texas for a charter to found a local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Masonic-affiliated fraternal order open to both women and men. Led by Worthy Matron Ella B. Starks and Worthy Patron J. L. Crabtree, the chapter took root quickly. It was renamed Floydada Chapter No. 31 in 1933 to match the town's own renaming, and over the decades it channeled its members' energy into charitable and civic work.
Why it matters
Fraternal orders like the Eastern Star knit frontier communities together and, unusually for their era, gave women a formal, active role in civic and charitable life.
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Related people
- · Ella B. Starks
- · J. L. Crabtree
Themes & tags
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