Odd Fellow

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF)
Founded	April 26, 1819 (1819-04-26) (190 years ago) Baltimore, Maryland U.S.A.
Type	Fraternal and service organization
Scope	International
Motto	Friendship, Love, Truth
Colors	White       Blue and       Red
Symbol	Three Link Chain
Headquarters	422 Trade Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
Homepage	http://www.ioof.org

"Past Grand Sires of the Grand Lodge of the United States IOOF" including founder Thomas Wildey.

The IOOF Hall at the corner of Yonge and College streets in Toronto, Ontario

The IOOF building at 47 Gawler Place, Adelaide.

The IOOF Building in San Diego, California.

Odd Fellows Hall (Occoquan, Virginia).

Odd Fellow-gården, Stortingsgata 28, Oslo.

Lodge buildings bearing the IOOF emblem stand in many small American towns. (Rockfield, Indiana shown.)

There are various Orders of Odd Fellows world wide; this article is about the North American organization and fellowship, and its international off-shoots.

For IOOF, the Australian investment company see IOOF (company)

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), also known as the Three Link Fraternity, is an altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization derived from the similar British Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 1700s, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were far less common.^[1] In the U.S., it is a "Mutual Benefit Corporation" (U.S. IRS tax code 501(c)(8))^{[citation needed]}

The word "Independent" in the organization's name was given by the English parent organization as part of the chartered title in the new North American chapter:

Name

Several theories aim to explain the meaning of the name "Odd Fellows".

One says that they were called "odd" because in the beginning of Odd Fellowship in the 18th century, at the time of industrialization, it was rather odd to find people who followed noble values such as benevolence, charity and fraternalism.^[2]

Another theory states that Odd Fellows were people who engaged in miscellaneous or "odd" trades. In the 18th century, major trades were organized in guilds or other forms of syndicate, but smaller trades did not have any social or financial security. For that reason, people who exercised unusual trades joined together to form a larger group of "odd" fellows.^[2]

A slightly different version of this second theory states: 'By the 13th century, the tradesmen's Guilds had become established and prosperous. During the 14th Century, with the growth of trade, the guild "Masters" moved to protect their power (and wealth) by restricting access to the Guilds. In response, the less experienced (and less wealthy) "Fellows" set up their own rival Guilds. In smaller towns and villages, there weren't enough Fellows from the same trade to set up a local Guild, so Fellows from a number of trades banded together to form a local Guild of Fellows from an odd assortment of trades. Hence, Guilds of Odd Fellows.'^[3]

Philosophy & Purpose

According to the IOOF's recruiting brochure, its mandate is "To Improve and Elevate the Character of Mankind",^[4] which results in the Odd Fellows' duties "to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan". "Today, the Odd Fellows is a worldwide fraternal Order having over 10,000 lodges in 25 countries. We are actively involved in a variety of civic and philanthropic efforts on a local, national and international level."^[4] More recent publications note the Order now has lodges in 29 countries.^[5][6][7]

The recruiting brochure lists the following as highlights of the organization's works:^[4]

• The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs spend over $775 million in relief projects annually
• The Educational Foundation provides substantial loans and grants to students
• SOS Children’s Village provides a caring home for orphaned children in Cambodia
• Living Legacy focuses on planting trees and enhancing our environment
• The Arthritis Foundation
• Visual Research Foundation supports vision care and research through the Wilmer Eye Institute
• United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth
• Annually sponsor a float in the Rose Parade

Fellowship in the IOOF entails:^[8]

• The strongest fraternal society on the continent.
• A great world-wide united brotherhood.
• A fraternity founded on the basis of universal brotherhood.
• Based on the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.
• Founded on the North American continent in 1819.
• Based upon the purest principles of equality, Non-political and non-sectarian.
• A source of comfort in times of trouble and adversity.
• A world-wide force that stands for all that is noblest and highest.
• An everyday guide for conduct, a mantle that should be worn always.
• An organization that favors no person for their wealth and frowns on none for their poverty.
• An ideal that exists in the heart and mind of every genuine Odd Fellow or Rebekah.
• Fulfilling a mission in the world which no other institution has successfully attempted.
• A vitalizing, sympathetic, and actuating influence in the lives of all its real members.
• A ministering spirit succoring the needy, cheering the despondent and protecting the helpless.
• The handmaid of virtue and religion.
• Founded on the inspired word of God as revealed to man in the Holy Bible.

History

In 1688 England, when the Catholic King James II was deposed in favor of the Dutch Protestant William of Orange, the organization split into two factions, the "Patriotic Order of Odd fellows" (based in the south of England and supporting William) and the "Ancient Order of Odd fellows" (based in the north and favoring the Stuarts). The "Patriotic Order" was followed by successors during a period of merger and re-organization by the "Union of United Orders" and then "The Loyal Order".

In 1789, the two factions formed a partial amalgamation as the "Union Order", (now known as the Grand United Order of Oddfellows Friendly Society (GUOOFS)),^[9] abandoning all political and religious disputes and committing itself to promoting the harmony and welfare of its members. Then, as now, the Oddfellows has no religious or political affiliations and accept members from all walks of life regardless of sex, color or belief.^{[citation needed]} In 1813, various lodges of the Union Order organized the "Manchester Unity of Oddfellows" which chartered the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in North America in 1819.

While several unofficial lodges had existed in New York City before, because of the charter relationship, American Odd Fellowship is regarded as being founded in Baltimore at the Seven Stars Tavern^[10] on April 26, 1819, by Thomas Wildey and some associates,^[1] who assembled in response to a newspaper advertisement. The following year, the lodge affiliated with the Manchester Unity and was granted the authority to institute new lodges.

In 1842, after an elementary dispute on whether the American lodges were to be involved in decision-making procedures, the American Lodges separated from the English Order and formed the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the following years, lodges were instituted all over the country, first in the east and later in the west.

The American Civil War shattered the IOOF; membership decreased and many lodges were unable to continue their work, especially in the southern States.^[11] After the Civil War, with the beginning of industrialization, the deteriorating social circumstances brought large numbers of people to the IOOF and the lodges rallied.

On September 20, 1851, IOOF became the first national fraternity to accept both men and women when it formed the Daughters of Rebekah. Schuyler Colfax, Vice President of the United States under President Ulysses S. Grant, was the force behind the movement. Though the term sorority was not yet coined in this year, it may be considered that the Rebekah is the first and oldest sorority in the world. ^[12] Both the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs have higher branches known as Encampments and Patriarchs Militant.^[13][14]

By 1889, the IOOF had lodges in every American State.^[15][16] The Order had also spread to most of the rest of the world, establishing lodges in the Americas, Australasia, and Europe.

20th century

The Great Depression and the introduction of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal brought a decline in membership. During the depression, people could not afford Odd Fellows membership fees, and when the New Deal's social reforms started to take effect, the need for the social work of the Odd Fellows declined.^[11]

Some branches of the order (i.e. some countries) have allowed women to join the Odd Fellows itself, leading to the Rebekahs decline in importance. Also, the higher branches and their degrees are, in some countries, becoming regarded as less important or too time-consuming, and (in those countries) are gradually being abandoned.

21st century

The IOOF continues in the 21st century with lodges around the world.

Units of the Order in the U.S.A. include:^[5]

• Odd Fellows Lodge
• Rebekah Lodge
• Encampment
• Ladies Encampment Auxiliary
• Patriarchs Militant
• Ladies Auxiliary
• Patriarchs Militant
• Junior Odd Fellows Lodge
• Theta Rho Girls’ Club
• United Youth Groups

There are lodges in at least 29 countries:^[5][6][7]

1. Australia
2. Austria
3. Belgium
4. Belize
5. Canada
6. Chile
7. Cuba
8. Czech Republic
9. Denmark
10. Dominican Republic
11. Estonia
12. Finland
13. France
14. Germany
15. Iceland
16. Mexico
17. Netherlands
18. New Zealand
19. Nigeria
20. Norway
21. Philippines
22. Poland
23. Spain
24. Sweden
25. Switzerland
26. United Kingdom
27. USA
28. Uruguay
29. Venezuela

Symbols, lodges, officers, positions and degrees

The most widely encountered symbol of the IOOF – on signage and gravemarkers – is the three-link chain ("the Chain With Three Links", the "Triple Links") with three initials, 'F', 'L' and 'T', one each inside each link, signifying Friendship, Love and Truth.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the USA has three levels of "Lodge": the Subordinate Lodge, the Encampment, and the Patriarchs Militant. In addition, there is a private club named The Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans (AMOS). In Australia, this system has been implemented in a slightly different, but largely similar manner.^[17]

Subordinate Lodge

The Subordinate Lodge is the Lodge assigned to new initiates.^[18] The initials of the subordinate lodge are "FLT" (Friendship, Love and Truth). Once a member has made their way through all the degrees and has had the 3rd degree (truth) bestowed upon them, they are entitled to hold an officer position in their lodge, and are also eligible to go on further in Odd Fellowship through the higher degree branches such as the Encampment and the Patriarchs Militant (aka the Canton).

Subordinate Lodge Officer Positions^[19]

• Noble Grand
• Vice Grand
• Past Grand
• Treasurer
• Recording Secretary
• Financial Secretary
• Right Supporter to the Noble Grand
• Left Supporter to the Noble Grand
• Right Supporter to the Vice Grand
• Left Supporter to the Vice Grand
• Right Scene Supporter
• Left Scene Supporter
• Warden
• Chaplain
• Conductor
• Color Bearer
• Musician
• Inside Guardian
• Outside Guardian

Subordinate Lodge Degrees

0 Initiatory
1 Friendship
2 Brotherly/Sisterly Love
3 Truth

Encampment

In Odd Fellowship one must go through the Encampment first before seeking entrance into the highest branch, the Patriarchs Militant.^[20] Once one has accomplished the 3rd degree of the Encampment, one is eligible to hold an officer position in the Encampment and is also eligible for the Patriarchs Militant.

The initials of the Encampment are FHC which stands for Faith, Hope and Charity. The Encampment's seal is a purple tent with golden trim, the triple links above the tent door and crossed shepherds crooks. These symbols can be seen on the purple fez that American members of this branch wear. One must retain their membership and remain in good standing within their own subordinate lodge while in the Encampment.

Encampment Officers^[19]

• Chief Patriarch (male)/ Chief Matriarch (female)
• Senior Warden
• Junior Warden
• Scribe
• Treasurer
• High Priest
• Instructor
• Marshal
• Colour Bearer
• Musician
• Inside Sentinel
• Outside Sentinel
• Guide
• First Watch
• Second Watch
• Third Watch
• Fourth Watch
• First Guard of the Tent
• Second Guard of the Tent
• Third Guard of the Tent
• Fourth Guard of the Tent

Encampment Degrees

1 Patriarch
2 Golden Rule
3 Royal Purple

Again, in legal terminology, American Encampments are also considered U.S. I.R.S. 501(c)(8) Mutual Benefit Corporations.

Patriarchs Militant

The Patriarchs Militant (PM) is Odd Fellowship's uniformed branch,^[21] and is the branch which offers the highest degree of the IOOF. There is only one degree, the Chevalier degree. Upon completion of this degree, one is entitled to hold office in the Canton. Sometimes the Patriarchs Militant is referred to as "the Canton", due to the Canton being the name used in lieu of "Lodge". The seal of the PM is a gold and jeweled crown, within which is a shepherds crook crossed with a sword and the triple links of Odd Fellowship connecting the two at the bottom. One must retain their membership and remain in good standing within both the subordinate lodge and Encampment while a member of the PM.

Canton Officers

• Commandant
• Lieutenant
• Ensign
• Clerk/Accountant
• Chaplain
• Colour Bearer
• Guard
• Sentinel
• Picket

Patriarch Militant Degree

1 Chevalier

American Cantons are also considered U.S. I.R.S. 501(c)(8) Mutual Benefit Corporations.

The Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans (AMOS)

AMOS^[22] was preceded by a number of independent clubs, such as the OOH&P (Oriental Order of Humility and Perfection) and the Imperial Order of Muscovites. These were disbanded in the first two decades if the 20th Century, and melded together to form the AMOS. The Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans is not an officially recognized body within Odd Fellowship; it is a private club to which only those who are Odd Fellows may belong. A brother who holds the third degree and is in good standing within his subordinate lodge (i.e. he has not been expelled or in arrears of dues, etc.) is eligible to make an application to join.

The brothers who belong to the AMOS, much like the Shriners, wear a red fez, but the tassel which hangs from the fez is of different colors depending on the degree attained or the office held. The seal of the AMOS is an owl sitting upon a pyramid. Above the owl are the words "WE NEVER SLEEP"; at the base of the pyramid is the word Xerxes, and below the pyramid is the Arabian sword called a scimitar. The word Xerxes alludes to the password of the first degree of the AMOS.

The Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans (AMOS) Degrees

1 Humility (or Samaritan) [Red fez with a yellow tassel]
2 Perfection (or Sheik) [Red fez with a red tassel]

Grand United Order of Odd Fellows

The American Grand United Order of Odd Fellows^[23] is a fraternal organization founded in 1843 for black members.^[24] Created at a time when the IOOF was primarily a white-only organization, the GUOOF obtained its charter directly from the Manchester Unity in Great Britain and the American IOOF organization had no control over it. Although still in existence, membership in the US has declined, due to the mainstream IOOF no longer being segregated and the decline in fraternal membership in general.

Architectural impact

Although in Britain the Odd Fellows tended to meet in pubs, in the U.S. the lodges often built their own facilities. Many of these are now on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places:

• IOOF Building
• Independent Order of Odd Fellows Building
• Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall
• Oddfellow's Hall
• Odd Fellows Block
• Odd Fellows Building
• Odd Fellows Building and Auditorium
• Odd Fellows Hall
• Odd Fellows Lodge
• Odd Fellows Temple
• Odd Fellows' Hall

Notable Members of the Odd Fellows

'Odd Fellowship, unlike many other organizations, makes no special effort to attract "name" members. Ours is a warm, personal type of affiliation that doesn't rely on "rubbing elbows" with the famous to give us satisfaction.'^[25]

Wyatt Earp's IOOF membership card, 1909

• Wilber Brucker, Governor of Michigan (1931-1932)^[26]
• William Jennings Bryan, U.S. Secretary of State (1913–1915)^[27]
• Charlie Chaplin, comedic actor and film director
• Schuyler Colfax, U.S. Vice President (1869–1873)^[25][27]
• Wyatt Earp, legendary figure of the Wildwest
• George IV, King of United Kingdom (1820-1830)^[28]
• Ulysses S. Grant, 18th U.S. President (1869–1877)^[27]
• Gustaf V, King of Sweden (1907-1950)^[25]
• Warren Harding, 29th U.S. President (1921–1923)^[25][27]
• Rutherford Hayes, 19th U.S. President (1877–1881)^[27]
• Thomas Hendricks, 21st Vice President of the United States^[29]
• Anson Jones, Last President of the Republic of Texas ^[30]
• Nathan Kelley, architect of Ohio State House
• Goodwin Knight, Governor of California^[25]
• William McKinley, 25th U.S. President (1897–1901)^[25][27]
• Olav V, King of Norway (1957-1991)^[25]
• William Marsh Rice, Founder of Rice University^[31]
• Franklin Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President (1933–1945)^[25][27]
• Levi and Matilda Stanley, considered as King and Queen of the Gypsies
• Lucy Hobbs Taylor, first U.S. female dentist^[32]
• Earl Warren, U.S. Chief Justice (1953–1969)^[25][27]
• Thomas Wildey, Founder of Odd Fellows in the U.S.
• Albert Winn, Major General of the U.S. Military (1810-1883)^[33]

See also

• Odd Fellows
• Imperial Order of Muscovites
• Oddfellows - the British orders, and
• Independent Order of Odd Fellows Philippines
• category: Odd Fellows

References

Further reading

• Ross, Theodore (2003): History and Manual of Odd Fellowship. Whitefish: Kessinger Publishing.
• Smith, Don and Roberts, Wayne (1993): The Three Link Fraternity – Odd Fellowship in California. Linden: Linden Publications.
• "History of the Oddfellows", Manchester Unity (U.K.), www.oddfellows.co.uk
• "History and Traditions, Manchester Unity (U.K.), www.oddfellows.org.uk
• "History of the Society", GUOOFS (U.K.), www.uk.guoofs.com
• Album of Odd Fellows Homes.
• Coursey, O.W. (n.d.). History and Geography of the Philippine Islands.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Independent Order of Odd Fellows

• Main Independent Order of Odd Fellows web site
• IOOF jurisdictions - Worldwide
• Worldwide lodge portal
• Politician Members