Dr. Weger and his fellow officers did a fine job in getting the new council into operation and on a sound basis. This organizational work and the induction of the first class of candidates made it an outstanding year.

Organizational work was continued. Nine additional members for Delphos Council were inducted at an initiation held at Lima. Plans for new quarters were considered. It was proposed that the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Knights of Ohio Join in the erection or securing of joint quarters. This plan was voted down.

Plans for new quarters were considered during this administration and a committee was formed to seek a new location. No suitable quarters were found. The council donated to a fund for the Catholic University at Washington, D.C., and sponsored a lecture by Rev. John Daly.

The main item of interest to the council during this term was the consideration of plans for larger and more convenient quarters. Two were considered – the conversion of a portion of the St. Mary's school building into lodge quarters and the renting of quarters on the third floor of the Commercial Bank building which was being remodeled. It was decided to rent the front half of the latter.

The council donated $500.00 for the new St. John's school; also purchasing robes at a cost of $410.57.

In January, 1913, it was decided to rent the entire third floor of the Commercial Bank building. This was a blank floor at the time and was laid out and finished according to specifications provided by the council. A com­mittee composed of John A. Scherger, Charles A. Lang, Otto G. Weger, A. H. Jettinghoff, Edward A. King, and John A. Walsh was named by the grand knight to purchase furniture. These, with the grand knight, visited Toledo, Lima, Findlay, Fostoria, Fremont and Tiffin to inspect lodge quarters and get ideas for this task. The amount in the treasury was augmented by loans (without interest) from the members in the sum of $722.00.

Within these two years, the membership was increased from eighty­ three to more than one hundred and eighty. The council moved into the new quarters on Saturday, November 15, 1913, and the first initiation in the new quarters was held the next day.

After a busy and successful first term, Mr. Weger was reelected. The council continued to grow rapidly. Two large classes were initiated in these two years. A splendid banquet followed each of these early initiations of the council. The initiation fee at the class of December 5, 1915, was $20.00. A profit of $391.29 was netted on the initiation on that occasion.

Delphos Council helped pay for and distribute Christmas baskets to the needy. The council took action for the planting of war gardens and for city beautification. Seventy-five dollars was donated by the council to the Red Cross.

Our council made donations for Christmas packages for soldier boys in camp. Many members of the council were in the service. Dues of mem­bers in the service, with the exception of insurance, were remitted. The council organized a first degree team.

Early in his term, Dr. Clark went to Camp Grant to take up work as KofC secretary. Past Grand Knight Henry A. Lang was selected to fill the office during the Grand Knight's absence. Dr. Clark returned and resum­ed his duties as Grand Knight April 1. The council purchased $1,000 in War Savings Stamps.

Arrangements were made for an honor roll of members in the ser­ vice. Plans were made looking to the erection of a new council home. A committee was authorized to purchase a site. The Lang property on the West side of Main Street, between First and Second streets, 79.5 ft. by 100 ft., was purchased for $13,000 and the adjoining George property, 22 ft. by 100 ft., for $3500.00. Arrangements were made for the purchase of an Oldsmobile sedan to be chanced off for the building fund. The council was divided into two teams, the ''Reds" headed by L. C. Laudick and the "Purples" headed by T. F. Snyder for the sale of tickets and other methods of raising money for the building fund.

Great activity continued for the raising of building funds. Among many other activities, a minstrel show was staged and netted $750.00 The council donated one dollar a member a total of $490, for the relief of suffering children in Europe. The council supplied and delivered Christmas baskets. A local council committee contacted ministers and business people and secured cooperation for the closing of stores and the holding of religious services from 12:00 noon until 3:00 P.M. on Good Friday. A KofC Festival was held and netted $3390.00.

A second minstrel show was held and netted a large sum for the building fund. The council sponsored an English contest among the students of St. John's and the Landeck school. The council aided the St. Elizabeth's Benevolent Society in paying for and delivering Christmas baskets.

Another minstrel show for the benefit of the building fund was held. The council participated in a community effort for improvements at Water­works Park. Delphos council financed the erection of dressing rooms there at a cost of $686.96, of which sum $535.00 was subscribed by members. The initiation fee was reduced this year from $25.00 to $20.00. The Knights of Columbus again arranged for Good Friday observance.

A resolution was adopted for submission to the state and supreme councils opposing the sale of salacious literature. A regional meeting was held in Delphos including state officers and officers from the councils of six districts. A large district initiation was held. This was held at Ottawa and included Ottawa, Lima and Delphos councils.

Elected for a second time, six years after his first term, Dr. Clark had another busy and successful year. Action was taken opposing communism and socialism. An attendance prize system was inaugurated. Aid was given to the needy at Christmas time. B. L. Jauman was appointed district deputy. 

Eight years after his first term, Henry A. Lang was again elected grand knight. The council arranged a celebration upon the appointment of our pastor as monsignor. The council donated $125.00 to a fund for a new piano at St. John's school.

The council gave $646.00 to the million dollar fund raised by the Knights of Columbus for the church in Mexico. The KofC lot was fully paid for at this time with a balance of $705.00 remaining in the building fund. The council contributed $40.00 to a St. John's Boy Scout troop. New by-laws were adopted by the local council to conform to supreme council standards.

Our council sponsored a new troop of Boy Scouts at St. John's. The KofC lot was leased to Frank Wulfhorst for a filling station at $50.00 a month. A large class was initiated.

The council donated $50.00 to a fund to help needy children at St. John's and $25.00 to the seminary fund. Also made a donation to the St. Elizabeth's Benevolent Society. The council sponsored a summer schedule for the St. John's High basketball team. Delphos Council cooperated in improvements at St. John's rectory in preparation for the Golden Jubilee of the pastor, Msgr. F. Rupert.

A Knights of Columbus Glee Club was organized to sing at various council activities. Good strides were made for the growth of the council in the enrollment of a large class.

A very important work during this administration was the formation of an employment bureau within the council. Due to the depression, a great number of men were without work. The committee made a good record in securing employment for Knights who were unemployed. The grand knight worked in close cooperation with this committee.

Brother S. G. Grothouse was appointed as district depute. The Knights assisted at the First Holy Mass of Father Syl Schmelzer. A picnic was held and netted $639.15 for the benefit of the unemployed. The KofC lot was sold as part of the site for the new post office. The sale price was $10,000.00 The council observed the Golden Jubilee of the order.

A report of the trustees on the building fund showed a balance of $11,146.74 in this fund. F. R. McKowen was suggested by the council as a candidate for the office of state treasurer.

The council made regular and steady progress during this administration. As usual, various worthy causes were aided financially and the Knights gave full support to St. John's church. F. R. McKowen was elected state treasurer.

Delphos Council passed a resolution to be sent to the state and supreme councils for modification of the "liquor" rule of the order. Previous to this time, persons engaged in the sale of intoxicating beverages could not become members. This resolution of Delphos Council was a pioneer in changing this rule, F. R. McKowen was reelected state treasurer.

The annual KofC picnic which had been discontinued during World War I was resumed. Monthly dances were held during the winter season. Delphos Council arranged and held inter-council meetings with all other councils in the district. F. R. McKowen was elected state secretary.

The grand knight furthered Columbianism by active work on the various phases of the council program. Scouting was aided. Donations were made to the Red Cross, Benevolent Society and other worthy causes. F.R. McKowen was reelected as state secretary.

The grand knight received excellent cooperation from his brother officers. Additions were made to the membership of the council. The various council activities were carried forward and a very successful administration resulted, F. R. McKowen becomes District Deputy.

F. R. McKowen was elected to the office of state deputy. A large reception for the state deputy was held at St. John's auditorium with officers and members from all parts of the state present. The council was active in Catholic activities and aided various causes.

This was a "healthy" year for the council. Not one death was recorded during this council year. The various council activities were carried forward and good record was made by the grand knight, the officers and the council generally. There was a marked increase in social activities of the organization. A monthly bulletin was inaugurated.

On suggestion of Father Herr, the council donated a new processional cross to St. John's church. The council sponsored the recording of the sermon and parts of the mass at the funeral of our pastor Fr. Sassen. The Knights attended the funeral in a body and the Fourth Degree served as a guard of honor. The council sponsored a visit of Santa to the lower grades of St. John's, Fort Jennings and Landeck schools. Dues for members in the service were remitted. Father Carl F. Reineck was appointed as chaplain of the council.

The council bought prayer kits for boys in the service. At a cost to the council of $100.00 Delphos council sponsored the showing of "The Eternal Gift" at the Capital Theatre The proceeds were apportioned to St. John's, Fort Jennings, Ottoville, Landeck and Van Wert churches. A. J. Laudick was named by St. Deputy James Lavey as district deputy. Ottoville council surrendered its charter. A district initiation was held.

Many members of the former Ottoville Council were transferred to Delphos Council. The council helped with the sale of bonds and other war effort. Delphos Council won a place on the honor roll. District initiations were held and a large number of new members were added to the council.

The council made a donation to the Chaplains' Aid fund. Christmas greetings were sent to the men in the service. Delphos Council was trongly represented in district initiations. The council submitted to the state council a resolution to lower the age limit from eighteen to seventeen years. This resolution was padded at the state convention but lost in the supreme convention at Toronto.

Membership of the council was not 600. The council sent a Christmas gift to all members in the service. The council donated new confessionals to St. John's church. A great record in increased membership was made during this administration.

Members in the service were given three months free dues. Many members were returning from the service. Of 140, forty-four were discharged. The council went on record as opposing the drafting of young men just out of high school.

The council made a donation to the Youth Center. The grand knight was injured in Texas and Deputy Grand Knight Frank Wrasman took over in his stead, serving from August to December. A large class, named in honor of Grand Knight William Post, was initiated December 1, 1946. The council netted $629.37 on state youth tickets. Delphos Council sponsored a round-robin basketball contest with St. John's, Jefferson, Fort Jennings and Ottoville High Schools participating, the council purchasing a beautiful trophy for this event. The council aided the St. John's school band fund.

The council donated $200.00 to the Landeck church fund which was raised in Delphos to assist in rebuilding the church which was destroyed by a tornado. The insurance setup of the order was changed and Al Quinlan, of Lima, was made insurance representative. A large class of candidates was initiated.

A special sale of tickets with a car on display was arranged during the Delphos Fair and netted $325.00. The council made a donation to the annual school festival. A large class of candidates was initiated.

The council made a donation to help send Delphos Scouts at St. John's to a retreat at Toledo. Action was taken by the council to eliminate undersirable literature from local news stands.

The grand knight actively headed a movement for the organization of block rosary groups. This was successful and twenty-five such groups were formed. It had become apparent that the council could not continue to operate on dues of $8.00 per year. After much discussion, it was decided to raise the dues to $10.00. Pins were awarded to twenty-two Honorary members and fifteen Honorary Life members.

The Catholic Chronicle was sent to men in the service by Delphos Council. The council made a donation to the Crippled Children fund. Members participated in a pilgrimage to the shrine at Maria Stein.

The grand knight made a tremendous effort to build membership. He found it a hard task but succeeded in building a sizeable class. The council made a donation of $100.00 to the annual St. John's school festival. The council put on a big Christmas party for the children and it proved a great success.

A TV set was installed in the council chambers. Funds for the council was raised by chancing off a TV set. A large class was initiated. Various other activities to add interest were sponsored by teh grand knight.

A plaque was presented to Past Grand Knight Melvin Pohlman in recognition of his work for the order. A large class in honor of Msgr. Carl F. Reineck and Msgr. Frommherz was initiated. The council sponsored a basketball tournament held here. The council again assisted in sending Boy Scouts to a retreat.

A movement was again started to secure a location for a new home for the council. KofC signs were placed at the entrance of highways into Delphos. "Keep Christ in Christmas" car posters were supplied to members. The council sponsored Youth dances and a children's Christmas party.

The council arranged for the praying of the rosary at church each Friday night. Made a donation to the school festival. A resolution was sent by the council to congress supporting bills to curb indecent literature. A large class was initiated. The "Motorist's Prayer" was distributed to all members. It was decided to investigate a Youth Center as a possible KofC home.

Father Richard Miller was appointed chaplain. A Delphos Council excursion was run to a ball game in Cincinnati. It was decided to buy the Herman Dienstberger building and lot on West Fourth street for a KofC home. The deal was made but later was cancelled and it was decided to eract a new building on a site which was purchased, located on East Second street extended. A contract for the erection of the new building was let in the latter part of this administration. An augmented youth program was carried out including basketball games and tournaments, etc.

Much has been accomplished during this administration. Most important has been the erection and dedication of our new home. There have, however, been other marketed achievements. This year and during the preceding term, excellent work has been done on the six point program. Youth activities have also been an important feature. This bids fair to be one of the outstanding years in the history of our council.

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During this past year we have had many successes thanks to the wholehearted efforts and cooperation of our membership. Special thanks goes to Don Gerdeman and his kitchen committee for the Chicken & Suds Dinners. Special thanks to our Ohio Charities co-chairmen Larry Luersman and Vern Kill and to all the Brother Knights who pushed the tickets. Special thanks to Brother Fred Ruan and his committee on the successful "Measure-Up" for the Mentally Retarded.

I have only singled out our three major successes for the year, but all Brother Knights are to be congratulated for whatever help they have given both morally and physically this past year.

May, 1982

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