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Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge Nos. 48 and 99 collection

 Collection
Identifier: L732

Scope and Contents

This collection includes text and volumes from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge Nos. 48 and 99 in Knightstown, Indiana from 1851 to 1926 regarding their meeting minutes, organizational ongoings, and membership changes. There are also three pamphlets on the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge Indiana from 1976 to 1985, concerning that level of the organization. A manual of drill and axe formations from 1908 is also included, which instructs on parade marching using different types of weapons.

Dates

  • 1851-1985

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Historical Note

"The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) is a non-political, non-sectarian international fraternal order of Odd Fellowship. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Wildey in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Evolving from the Order of Odd Fellows founded in England during the 18th century, the IOOF was originally chartered by the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity in England but has operated as an independent organization since 1842, although it maintains an inter-fraternal relationship with the English Order" (Wikipedia).

In 2023, I.O.O.F. had more than 3000 lodges, and is one of the world’s oldest and largest fraternal orders.

I.O.O.F. Hall of the Blue River Lodge No. 99 in Knightstown, Indiana was founded on August 2nd, 1851 with five charter members: Joseph J. Riley, J. S. Ballard, John Goble, J. M. Vermule, and Leo W. Wayer. These five members all came from other local I.O.O.F. lodges, in either Monroe or Shelby counties in Indiana, and the meeting and introduction was recorded by Grand Master Oliver Dufour. The lodge ran from 1851 to at least 1926.

I.O.O.F. Hall of Knightstown Encampment Lodge No. 48 in Knightstown, Indiana was founded on July 29, 1856 with seven charter members: Lewis Maddux, A. J. Woodcoch, J. W. Elliot, B.W.S. Caldwell, M. McGuiss, E. S. Halloud, and J. Amas. “B.W.S.” is an I.O.O.F. earned titled and Caldwell is the only known Odd Fellow who was already a member of the organization prior to establishing this lodge. The lodge ran from 1856 to at least 1903.

Source:

Items in the collection.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Home page. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Accessed August 10, 2023. https://www.iooflodgedirectory.org.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows Sovereign Grand Lodge. "History." Accessed August 10, 2023. https://www.odd-fellows.org/history.

Wikipedia. "Independent Order of Odd Fellows." Wikipedia.org. Accessed March 27, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Order_of_Odd_Fellows.

Extent

1 Cubic Feet (1 cubic-foot box)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject.

Custodial History

This collection was Recieved by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Sarah Ward on 2020/09/21.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2023/05/23 by A.J. Chrapliwy. EAD finding aid created 2023/08/08 by A.J. Chrapliwy. EAD finding aid revised 2024/03/27 by Brittany Kropf.
Title
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge Nos. 48 and 99 collection
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671