• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Presidential!We Are Having Fun!We Are Generous!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Elks

By MarionMade! on June 12, 2018

THE MARION ELKS LODGE 32.

In 1885, Marion Elks Lodge 32 opened its doors as the first Elks Lodge to represent a small community outside a metropolitan area. This location was the second Elks location to open in Ohio. In September 1885, Lodge 32 would institute nine other Ohio Lodges in areas ranging from Cleveland to Columbus. The following year, Warren G. Harding, known for his editorial position at the Marion Star at this time, was asked to deliver a memorial speech on behalf of a lost Elk Brother. It was reported that the Elks members thoroughly enjoyed his speech; Harding would become Elk member no. 67 and, in 1893, serve as an Esteemed Loyal Knight. According to the Elks Annual Resister, Elks Lodge 32 is one of the few to have a U.S. President as a member.

On December 5, 1921, President-elect Warren G. Harding would deliver a promised service to deceased Elk Brothers in Bedford, Virginia, at the Elks National Home during their Memorial Day Service. Harding shared his beliefs on “fraternity of men” and the needs of “fraternity of people and nations.”

Harding stated, “I believe with all my heart, we offer the highest memorial today if we may resolve in our hearts to practice faithfully the things that magnify the helpful memories of the departed and impress on the living the fraternity which sets hearts aglow with happiness and turns our sharp words to songs of praise. This is the sweet assurance for today, it is the encouragement for tomorrow, and it answers the call of the heart for those compensations which must come sometimes and somewhere in God’s eternity.”

Across the U.S. are peaceful corners of landscape where departed Elks Brothers are laid to rest. In 1926, Elk member Newton Davis would donate a burial lot, from this donation came a Burial Lot Committee. Later, Brother William L. Guthery would leave a donation for his departed Elks Brothers, leaving seven lots in the Marion Cemetery. This allowed opportunity for the Brothers to lay side-by-side in “fraternal unity” after their final summons. Burial sites such as these are known as “Elk Rests,” these Lodge-owned cemetery plots exist in 69 Lodge locals. Currently, the Marion 32 Elks Rest is the final resting place for seven departed members.

#MarionMade

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • One Local Inventor Shaped Our World

    One Marion man with a passion for invention helped shape our community and the world. Edward Huber was just 26 when he earned his first of more than 100 patents. This blacksmith and inventor created the revolving wood hay rake in 1863. Huber moved to Marion with his wife and started building and marketing the […]Read More »
  • Jean Obenour

    JEAN OBENOUR. You could say that Jean Obenour has been an accountant all her life. Even at an early age, while her father worked as an accountant for Ford, she would tag along and be fascinated by the crank-operated cash register. That interest never disappeared, leading to her pursuit of a Degree in Business from […]Read More »
  • Jer-Zee Drive-In Opens for 75th Year

    Under cold skies with temperatures just above freezing, Marion residents lined up for the opening of the Jer-zee Drive-In at 923 East Center Street for its 75th year. Kevin Ellinwood was first in line on Valentine’s Day. “I’ve been coming here on Opening Day for 49 years,” Ellinwood said. As a child, Ellinwood grew up […]Read More »
  • Veterans and Families Honor Service with Military Banners

    A group of veterans and volunteers are working to honor service members with hundreds of military banners around Marion. “It makes me proud. Marion pays respect to citizens who accept the call to service,” said Randy Drazba, the group’s organizer. Drazba started the military banners four years ago with co-chairman Larry Elliot. Several other members […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image