Fifty Years an Odd Fellow: James M. Whitcomb and the Founding of Advance Lodge No. 635
James M. Whitcomb helped found Advance Lodge No. 635 and served as its Treasurer, but his fraternal life began with the Odd Fellows in 1846. His story connects fifty years in that order with Astoria’s waterfront, volunteer fire service, and civic life.
From Hunters Point to Astoria: Charles Risdale and the Founding of Advance Lodge No. 635
English-born blacksmith Charles Risdale became a Mason at Hunters Point in 1866 and helped found Advance Lodge No. 635 in Astoria. His story connects Queens’ early lodges, Odd Fellows, and volunteer firemen—and traces a lodge lineage that survives today.
The Other Brotherhoods
Explore the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum, Elks, Moose, and Knights of the Golden Eagle—and the questions their histories raise for Queens. The Other Brotherhoods examines mutual aid, insurance, membership boundaries, and how to identify fraternal connections in family papers and local records.