A Fraternal History of Marin County California

United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD)

Also a very popular fraternity in Marin County in the late 1800's and early 1900's was the United Ancient Order of Druids. The Druids were especially strong in West Marin and in San Rafael. The Druid Groves were: United Ancient Order of Druids; Duxbury Grove No. 26, United Ancient Order of Druids; Olema Grove No. 39, United Ancient Order of Druids; Nicasio Grove No. 42, United Ancient Order of Druids; Buena Vista Grove No. 40, United Ancient Order of Druids; Mt. Tamalpais Grove No. 58, United Ancient Order of Druids; Tomales Grove No. 83, United Ancient Order of Druids; Novato Grove No. 113, United Ancient Order of Druids; Sausalito Grove, No. 176, United Ancient Order of Druids; New Bodega Grove No. 195, United Ancient Order of Druids; San Rafael Grove No. 208, United Ancient Order of Druids; Marin Grove No. 266, United Ancient Order of Druids; Marin County Chapter, Order of Druids (San Rafael); San Rafael Circle No. 137 Druids, (San Rafael); and Novato Circle No. 17, United Ancient Order of Druids.

Since the Supreme Grove of Druids for California was once located at 44 Page Street in San Francisco, Grand Lodge officers were frequent visitors to Marin. (The Offices of the Supreme Grove of Druids is currently located in Pinole, CA; The Supreme Circle offices were once located in San Francisco in the 7th Street IOOF building but have since been relocated to Cloverdale, CA.) In Marin County, there are active Groves in Nicasio and Novato, California.

Bolinas' Duxbury Grove No. 26, UAOD, was founded on August 2, 1874 and at the time there were 26 groves in the State of California. According to a 1994 report in the Coastal Post, the Grove was founded by men who had formerly belonged to temperance groups (Sons of Temperance founded in 1865). The first noble arch Druid was Samuel Clark, who was one of Marin's first supervisors. The Druids dedicated a new hall on September 25, 1879, which had an upstairs meeting room and downstairs social hall, both with 15-foot ceilings. In 1932, the Grand Grove of California noted in its history of Druidism, that Duxbury Grove was "the proud possessor of the only fraternal hall in that town." Some of the known members included: F.C. Langley; L.B. Petar; W.R. Pepper; G.L. Smith, Jr.; F.M. Skinner; J.K. Strain; Alex. Strain; J.C. Longley; A. Healion; P. Runckel; J. Menary. After the demise of the Bolinas Grove, Druid's Hall was subsequently deeded to the California Historical Society; it is currently a private residence. In 1877 the Druids were able to secure a section in the Catholic Church's cemetery in Bolinas. The cemetery contains a sizeable section of graves belonging to Druid members, including Captain Alfred Easkoot who settled Stinson Beach. The last apparent Druid Grove burial, according to dates on the headstones, was 1935. Duxbury Grove disbanded "long before" Olema Grove did in 1970.

Olema Grove No. 39, UAOD, was instituted on April 9, 1881 under the sponsorship of Petaluma Grove No. 38 that had been instituted on December 15, 1880. It first met in John Nelson's Hotel, then the Olema School, and finally built its own Hall in 1885 on land sold to the Grove by its Vice-Arch John Bloom. The building, still standing, was a two-story 18 foot by 50 foot structure that cost $1,700 to build. In its early years, the Grove debated whether to conduct its meetings in Italian or English because so many members were Italian-Swiss dairy ranchers. It was decided to conduct meetings in English. (One Swiss member was Simon Murbach, whose vital statistics are recorded in the Marin County Great Register of 1892; Mr. Murbach subsequently moved from Marin County to the east side of the Bay in Oakland at 24th and Valdez Streets. On February 3, 1892, after he left home to travel across the Bay to Sausalito to the Railroad office, his body was found floating in the water off the railroad wharf; It was never determined how he met his death.) Some of the known members included: Joe Francoli; A.E. Campigli; J. Gamboni, Jr.; Jas. Scilaci. In 1890 the Olema Druids bought 29 burial sites (virtually the entire southwest corner of the property) in the Olema Cemetery for $150 for their members. The Olema Grove Hall was through its 85-year history a voting precinct, a site for school plays, and is currently a private home. The Olema Grove disbanded in 1970.

Buena Vista Grove No. 40, UAOD, was instituted at Bodega on July 9, 1881.

Nicasio Grove No. 42, UAOD, was instituted on May 2, 1885. In 1932, it was noted that it owned its own hall, the lower part of which was occupied by a grocery store, to which had been recently annexed a beautiful and spacious dance hall. Some of the known members included: P. Lamagno; F. Lafranchi; J.H. Redding; Ray Rogers. It is the second largest Druid Grove in the state and is still quite active.

Mt. Tamalpais Grove No. 58, UAOD was instituted on August 21, 1886 in San Rafael.

Tomales Grove No. 83, UAOD, was instituted on January 20, 1891. Some of the known members included: David Bordessa; H. Lindeman; John Mosley; Romeo Cerini; S. Piezzi; P. Tunzi. It was active as of 1932.

Novato Grove No. 113, United Ancient Order of Druids, was instituted on January 5, 1899. It meets at Druid's Hall, 801 Grant Avenue, Novato. Some of the known members included: P. Renati; B. Schultz; P. Trabucchi; E.L. Baccaglio; F.V. Baccaglio; E. Renati; E.R. Samuels; M.J. Agosthino; Frank Gnoss. It is still an active Grove.

Sausalito Grove, No. 176, UAOD, was instituted on May 25, 1905.

New Bodega Grove No. 195, UAOD was instituted on September 20, 1908. Some of the known members included: Chas. Camozzi; Pet. Poncia; John A. Gobbi; Mose Raineri. Bodega Grove owned its own hall with a large dance hall connected with it.

San Rafael Grove No. 208, UAOD, was instituted on February 12, 1910. It met at the Portuguese-American Hall, San Rafael on second and fourth Wednesdays. Some of the known members included: A. Simontacchi; Mario Soldavini; John Bottini; Charles Merla; Henry Gianatti; Leonardo Berini; Anselmo Paini; Paul Frazetti; Paul Rossi; Joe Zappella; Carlo Zaro; John Carcano; Antone Arbini; Peter Caletti; Uberto Pedroli; John Pientanida; Silvio Bettini; Luis Leonardi.

Marin Grove No. 266, UAOD, was instituted on April 27, 1932 at San Rafael. This was an English-speaking grove of the UAOD. It met at the I.D.E.S. Hall in San Rafael. Members included: Morris Meyer of Fairfax; Gus Pacheco; William Meagor of Ross, Harold Keaton; Leo Neusbaum of Fairfax; George S. Jones of San Rafael; Frank Silveira of San Rafael, Theodore Reinhardt; Albert Mason; James Petty; J.P. McCabe; Harry Hartman; T.T. Thorton (32 year member of Druid Groves); Frank Healion; Edmund T. Blum; and Peter J. Treanor.

Novato Circle No. 17, United Ancient Order of Druids, (women's auxiliary) installed officers in November 1910.

San Rafael Circle No. 137 Druids, met at Portuguese-American Hall, San Rafael, second and fourth Wednesdays.

In the 1960's it was reported that Tamalpais Circle No. 183 United Ancient Order of Druids was organized in about 1949 and was currently meeting at the IOOF Hall on second and fourth Tuesdays.

In 1891, the Twenty-seventh Session of the Grand Grove of California was held in San Rafael on June 16th to 18th. It was held in the old Gordon's Opera House, 1325-1337 4th St., San Rafael.

In 1930, the Grand Grove of California U.A.O. Druids formed a publicity committee with the help of Anita Day Hubbard, an experienced and trained newspaper writer and publicity agent. It was reported that a total of nearly 6,000 inches of space were secured in newspapers from all parts of the state as a result of her efforts. At the time, advertising space had an average cost of $5.00 per inch: Thus, the space secured for free through proper publicity would have cost in excess of $30,000 at advertising rates. The Druids had appropriated just $500 for the campaign and paid Ms. Hubbard just $30. For 1931, the U.A.O.D. appropriated $1,000 and paid Ms. Hubbard a salary of $50 per month for her services.

Two special outdoor, open air Druid initiations occurred in 1923 and 1932 at California Park (called Schuetzen Park prior to World War I), which was located at the base of hill between Greenbrae and San Rafael near the present Jocobi Street in San Rafael. In 1923, over 500 candidates were initiated. In 1932, over 200 were initiated. It was said that, "An open air initiation conducted in the stillness of the night always proves most impressive, as it portrays vividly the style of initiations of our forebearers, the Ancient Druids...."

United Ancient Order of Druids - Background, History, Ritual and Emblems

The Ancient Order of Druids was founded in 1771 at the King's Arms Tavern, Poland and Oxford Streets, London, England. The moving force in its formation was a gentleman named Henry Hurle. (The first modern Druid order may have been the Druid Order, founded in 1717 at the Apple-Tree Tavern in London, soon after the first written material on Freemasonry was promulgated.) The Lodge started by Henry Hurle began charting "Junior Primative Lodges" just two years after its own institution: As the parent Lodge, Hurle's first Lodge was thereafter known as the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of Druids. The Ancient Order of Druids stated that the society was, "Established to promote harmony and good fellowship."

The Ancient Order of Druids came to America with the first Grove of Druids instituted in the City of New York in 1830. Gradually the Order branched out in different parts of the States. Early on, a rival United Ancient Order of Druids was organized, and the two branches eventually consolidated under the name of the United Ancient Order of Druids. In 1858, California Grove No. 1 was instituted at old Hangtown (now known as Placerville) under the leadership of the founder of California Druidism. P.N.G.A. (Past National Grand Arch) Frederick Sieg. California Grove No. 1 of Druids is believed to be still active today. A Druidic monument honoring P.N.G.A. Frederick Sieg adorns the main street of Placerville.

The UAOD was organized as a fraternal benefit society that resembled the Odd Fellows in many respects. As late as the 1859, the Druids worked one degree of initiation. The ritual and ceremonies were based loosely on ancient Druidic myths. The legendary history of the society traces its roots back to the Roman invasion of Briton and credits the legendary Togo Dubeline with returning the Order of Druids to a state of original purity as well as with making important discoveries in moral philosophy. Their ritual was subsequently expended to three degrees, which were again condensed to one degree following the 1906 earthquake and fire, with the sanction of the Grand Grove in 1915.

The UAOD now reportedly works three degrees, Ovate, Bard, and Druid. The rituals and ceremonies being based very loosely on ancient Druidic myths. Key emblems are: The cromlech or dolmen (a Neolithic stone arch consisting of a large flat megalith laid across two upright megaliths) upon which rests a flaming pyre surmounted by a crossed spear and long handled sickle, oaks, mistletoe, and the daffodil which is symbolic of purity and equality, and the all-seeing eye in a triangle. Purportedly the degrees teachings are based on seven precepts allegedly propounded by Merlin the magician:

1. Labor diligently to acquire knowledge for it is power;
2. When in authority decide reasonably, for thine authority may cease;
3. Bear with fortitude the ills of life, remembering that no mortal sorrow is perpetual;
4. Love virtue - for it bringeth peace;
5. Abhor vice - for it bringeth evil upon all;
6. Cultivate the social virtues, so shalt thou be beloved by all men; and
7. Obey those in authority in all just things, that virtue may be exalted.

The term "Grove" derives from the oak groves in which the original Druids reputedly met. In these forest grove edifices in which they kindled their alter fires, the tops were never covered and the Ancient Druids used the sky or heaven as their roof. The district lodge is called a Grand Grove, and Supreme Groves regulating States and countries. Interestingly, the term Grove is not used outside the United States: Foreign countries refer to their local organizations as "Lodges."

In California and Nevada the Druidic family is composed of three separate bodies: Groves, being the Brotherhood, Circles, known as the Sisterhood, and the Chapters, known as the Sir Knights, were the Fun Branch. A member of the brotherhood branch can in due time join the sisterhood. However, a member of the sisterhood cannot join the brotherhood branch. Both members of the brotherhood and the sisterhood are eligible to join the Chapter branch, however membership in the Chapter branch is limited to brothers and sisters who are Officers of the Grove or Circle or Past Officers. All three branches of the Druidic Fraternity claim a root in antiquity and each branch has its own moral precepts.

The guiding virtues of the Grove are Justice, Morality, and Brotherly Love. The motto of the Druids the world over is "United To Assist" (Integritas Pro Rupe Nobis). The aim of the Druids is Unity, Peace and Concord. The officers of the Grove are: Noble Arch, Vice Arch, Secretary, Treasurer, Inside Guardian, right hand Bard, left hand Bard, Outside Guardian. The officers of a Chapter are Past Chief Druid, Chief Druid (presiding officer), Chief Bard, Secretary, Treasurer, Guide, Guardian, and Sentinel. The motto of the Chapter is Equity, Integrity, and Obedience. The guiding virtues of the Circle Branch are the Seven Star Points: Honor, Truth, Justice, Faith, Hope, Love, and Benevolence. The officers of the Circle are: Arch Druidress, First Bard, Second Bard, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Conductress, Inside Guardian, Outside Guardian, Three Trustees, Three Auditors, Musician, Chaplain, Left Supporter to the Arch Druidess, Right and Left Supporters to the First Bard, and Flag Detail. The principles of virtue of the Chapter Branch are Equity, Integrity, and Obedience.

The U.O.A.D. was never a very large organization. In 1896 it had 17,000 members (3,815 of whom were in California); in 1923 it had 35,000 members (14,159 in California), but by 1965 membership may have fallen to 6,000.

Was your California town the location of a Druid's Grove? Druids Appendix.

Foresters (F of A, I.O.F.)

In Marin, the Foresters had four Courts: Court Novato, No. 157, Foresters; Court Sausalito No. 150, Foresters; Court Marin, No. 73, Foresters (Tiburon); Court Point Reyes, Foresters. It is possible too that there was a Forester's Court organized in Mill Valley or San Rafael (Names of members suggest Mill Valley, but place of institution suggests San Rafael).

According to newspaper reports: Independent Order of Foresters organized and initiated 25 members (Mill Valley?) at the I.O.O.F. Hall (San Rafael?) in February 1900 then installed: Dr. W.J. Wickman, W.T. Sale, W.W. Miller, F.G. Wright, Dr. G.G. Vanderlip, L. Donnally, F.H. Miller, C. Mochler, J.A. Morrill, J. Lane, T.S. Armstrong, E.V. McGlinn, T. Finlayson, V. Andrews, M.F. Cochrape, H. Otton. Installed officers in January 1904, including J.B. Lovell, D.C. Murray, W.W. Miller, C.C. Olmsted, Dr. G.G. Vanderlip, F.G. Wright, Dr. W.J. Wickman, Wm. J. Eden, Ernest Lovell, H.C. Hckhoff, C.F. Mockler, and E.B. Gardner. The same Court installed officers again in 1901 and 1906.

Court Marin, No. 73, Foresters, installed officers in July 1906: F.M. Ballard, M. Schindler, G. Scheller, J. Franks, T. Gannon, Frank Crosby, S.F. McDonogh, T. Doyle.

Court Sausalito No. 150, Foresters, installed offices in July 1906. Officers installed included Joe Perevia; Otto Anderson; Walter Rutherford; C. Becker; Ross McLoud; Gus Bachstein; Adam Marshall, Jr. In January 1908 the Court installed John Lawrence, M. Beirao, Jr., J.V. Silva, G.W. Simpton, V Trouette, J.F. Silva, C.A. DeSouza, J.Q. Freitas, J.Y Blum. In July 1908 the court installed John Otto Becker, Geo. F. Payne, C. Becker, Jr., J. Sears, Bruce Presley, G.E. Wharton, J.B. and W.H. Hannon.

Court Novato, No. 157, Foresters elected offers and installed them in January 6, 1906: Frank Maas, John Swanson, M.A. Philipp, Dr. W.G. Beatie, John Molenkamp, J.B. Dutra, John Azaveda, Antone Thomas, E.R. Samuals, C.E. Carlisle, J.C. Brown, W.G. Beattie. A women's auxiliary called Pride of Marin Circle No. 782, Companions of the Forest also existed in Novato.

Court Pt. Reyes elected officers in 1906: A.J. Martella, William Marshall, William Southwick, T. Grandi, Joseph C. Codoni, Q. Condini, J. Francoli, A. Cavalli, D. Locatelli, A.D.C. Wickersham. The District Deputy for the area was Paul Magistretti.

Foresters - Background, History, Ritual and Emblems

The Foresters legends ascribe its beginnings to medieval times in the royal forests of England. The Forest Charter of 1217 had set the titles of the various officers in charge of different aspects of the forests, all of which were royal preserves subject to oppressive laws that burdened any peasant caught hunting in them. Id. at 17. According to Forester history, guilds and fraternities began organizing during the reign of Richard II (1377-1399) to care for the sick and alleviate suffering. (Fraternally Yours: A History of the Independent Order of Foresters, Warren Potter and Robert Oliver (Queen Anne Press Ltd., London, 1967).) The English "poor laws" began to fill this need until the regime of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell did away with the same after coming to power in the Civil War of 1642. Id. Purportedly, because of the lack of justice for the poor or uninfluential, people who were refugees from justice, or the lack of justice, took to the forest in the manner Robin Hood had taken to Sherwood Forest. Id. at 17. The earliest documented record of a society of foresters is the 1790 formation of the first Court of the Royal Ancient Order of Foresters. Id. at 18. The claim to a medieval origin seems like a exaggerated attempt to claim parity with Freemasonry.

Initially intending members had to prove themselves by force before gaining admittance to the society. Id. at 18. "Candidates for membership had to battle it out with the quarterstaff in Robin Hood manner, but by the beginning of the nineteenth century swords were substituted [before 1834] and this, in turn, had altered again by the 1850's when cudgels were introduced." Id. at 19 and at 28. Combat initiation was discontinued at the High Court of 1843 at St. Helens in Lancashire. Id. at 28. Once a part of the Friendly Society of Foresters tried to put into practice the ideals of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, by contributing pennies to assure they and their comrades would get medicine and attention in times of sickness and a decent burial when they died. Id. at 18.

The early 20th century Canadian Order of Forester's ritual is representative of Forestry. Perhaps as part of the Order's bid for parity with Freemasonry, the greater part of the Foresters initiatory ceremony is set in the period before David ascended to the thrown of Israel, while he was a fugitive from the wrath of King Saul: The candidate symbolically travels from Hebron to David's camp in the Wilderness while being taught the principles of Forestry - Liberty, Benevolence and Concord - and reflecting on the Fifteenth Psalm. The Officers of the Court are: Junior Chief Ranger; Chief Ranger; Vice Chief Ranger; Chaplain; Conductor; Secretary; Senior and Junior Woodwards; Senior and Junior Beadles; and Guards. In the Initiator Ceremony the Chief Ranger represents David; the Vice Chief Ranger, Joab; and the Conductor, the Priest Abiathar. If costumed during the ceremony of Initiation, The Chief and Vice Chief Rangers wore Ancient Jewish military dress; the Junior Past Chief Ranger, Hebrew Prince or Chieftain; the Chaplain and Conductor, Priests of the tabernacle; the Secretary, Levite or Scribe; the Woodwards, Beadles and Guards, Hebrew soldiers. The emblems of the Initiatory Ceremony are the Table of Shew Bread, from which David was fed by the High Priest while a fugitive from the hatred and tyranny of King Saul, and the bow and arrows. Not until near the conclusion of the ceremony is the purported connection of the order to Robin Hood (Robert of Huntingdon) explained to the candidate by the Chief Ranger. Ritual of the Canadian Order of Foresters, Right Worthy High Court of Canada (The Examiner, Printers and Bookbinders, Peterborough, Ont., 1902).

The early 20th century Canadian Order of Forester's ritual is representative of Forestry. Perhaps as part of the Order's bid for parity with Freemasonry, the greater part of the Foresters initiatory ceremony is set in the period before David ascended to the thrown of Israel, while he was a fugitive from the wrath of King Saul: The candidate symbolically travels from Hebron to David's camp in the Wilderness while being taught the principles of Forestry - Liberty, Benevolence and Concord - and reflecting on the Fifteenth Psalm. The Officers of the Court are: Junior Chief Ranger; Chief Ranger; Vice Chief Ranger; Chaplain; Conductor; Secretary; Senior and Junior Woodwards; Senior and Junior Beadles; and Guards. In the Initiator Ceremony the Chief Ranger represents David; the Vice Chief Ranger, Joab; and the Conductor, the Priest Abiathar. If costumed during the ceremony of Initiation, The Chief and Vice Chief Rangers wore Ancient Jewish military dress; the Junior Past Chief Ranger, Hebrew Prince or Chieftain; the Chaplain and Conductor, Priests of the tabernacle; the Secretary, Levite or Scribe; the Woodwards, Beadles and Guards, Hebrew soldiers. The emblems of the Initiatory Ceremony are the Table of Shew Bread, from which David was fed by the High Priest while a fugitive from the hatred and tyranny of King Saul, and the bow and arrows. Not until near the conclusion of the ceremony is the purported connection of the order to Robin Hood (Robert of Huntingdon) explained to the candidate by the Chief Ranger. Ritual of the Canadian Order of Foresters, Right Worthy High Court of Canada (The Examiner, Printers and Bookbinders, Peterborough, Ont., 1902).

Disagreement exists as to when Courts of the Ancient Order of Foresters arrived in America. According to Ballan Stead's history of the order, Stead claims that the first court was instituted at Philadelphia with a second Court (The General Washington Court No. 1361) coming into being in 1841 at Brooklyn. Id. at 30. Supreme Chief Ranger and founder of the Order in Canada, Dr. Peter Martin Oronhyatekha (Mohawk for "Burning Sky"), maintained the first court was Court Brooklyn No. 4421 which was instituted in 1864. Id. at 24 and 30. The seeds of the American branches secession were sown as early as 1871 when requests for the establishment of a Subsidiary High Court were rebuffed by the High Court in England. Id. at 34. Resentment at being denied a measure of self rule rose to such discontent that by 1874 independence was proclaimed and the Independent Order of Foresters was born. Id. at 35. Colonel Alonzo B. Caldwell led this movement and his address was memorialized as follows:

Do they forget what the Colonies did with English dictation in revolutionary times - cut loose from British rule and declared for self-government; do they forget what Oddfellowship did in 1819 - separate from the Manchester Unity and build up a greater brotherhood of men than they on American soil? So will we, the Foresters in this country. If this district does not strike the first blow for fraternal rights, the Past Chiefs of the United States, like the Past Grands of the Oddfellowship, will be called into convention and a High Court, not a 'second fiddle' subsidiary concern, will be organized like the United States Grand Lodge of Oddfellows in 1821. Then it will not take for months before we can get supply goods after an order has been given, as our dealings with a self inflated shaw-cross and a pompous English executive council will be at an end, and our dispensations will reach new Courts sometime before the millennium!

Forestry became especially popular on the West Coast of the United States, especially in California, which State played a leading part in the affairs of Forestry during ensuing years. Id. at 74. In six years the Order grew in California to four thousand five hundred sixty three members, surpassed in membership only by Michigan and some Canadian provinces. Id. In 1903, Supreme Chief Ranger, Dr. Oronhytekha, presided at a special gathering in San Francisco at which three hundred and eleven new members joined the Foresters. Id. at 80. In 1909, Supreme Chief Ranger Elliott Stevenson visited San Francisco and addressed over six thousand Foresters. Id. at 87. California Foresters set-up the Forester's second sanatorium in Lopez Canyon, California in 1913, which was in operation until 1952; The model of one of the Sanatorium cottages designed by Forester Frank Hand was awarded the International Jury of Awards at the 1915 San Francisco Exposition. Id. at 89. In addition to the Tuberculosis Sanatorium, the Southern California Foresters maintained a suite of rooms at the Pacific Hospital in Los Angeles for any member of the Mortuary Fund requiring hospitalization or surgical treatment; Northern California extended its own hospital health care plan. Id.

In 1926, the Foresters membership grew dramatically when the Foresters amalgamated with the Ontario based Ancient Order of United Workmen. Id. at 95. The A.O.U.W. added eight thousand three hundred members and assets of $2,500,000 to the Foresters membership of one hundred fifty-two thousand members and $38,000,000 in assets. Id. The same year the Foresters absorbed another smaller fraternal group, the Canadian Order of Home Circles, which brought in four thousand five hundred members and $1,500,000 in assets. Id.

In 1926, California Forester Frank Hand became the Order's first Director of Organization at the Head Office in Canada. Three years later he became the Order's fourth Supreme Chief Ranger. Id. at 113.

Modern Brotherhood of America

In 1931, the Foresters were again merging with smaller fraternal benefit societies. In June 1931 the Foresters merged with the Royal Templars of Temperance, acquiring the Royal Templars seven thousand members and assets of $1,300,000; in December 1931 the Foresters merged with the Modern Brotherhood of America, which was headquartered in Mason City, Iowa, and brought with it over eight hundred Courts, thirty-five thousand members and assets over $9,000,000. Before these two mergers, the Foresters membership stood at one hundred and forty-five thousand and its assets at $41,000, 000. Id. at 121.

In 1932, the High Chief Ranger of California, John P. Murphy, celebrated his silver anniversary in that position. Id. at 122. During this time, Northern and Southern California were major strongholds of Independent Forestry, which battled it out among themselves and with Ontario Canada for top distinction in new membership. Id. at 124. In 1936, Southern California increased its membership by one thousand and eighty-three to a total of seven thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight in just four years. Id. at 126. By 1938, Northern California had taken the lead in membership and announced in a gathering at the Order's Temple in San Francisco that membership would total eleven thousand by June 30, 1938. Id. at 129. In 1939, the Foresters participated in both simultaneous World Fairs being held in New York and San Francisco. Id. at 129. Supreme Chief Ranger Hand's son, Frank E. Hand Jr., was High Treasurer for Southern California and Hand Sr.'s. nephew and future Supreme Chief Ranger, Lou Probst of Court San Francisco No. 10, was High Councilman for Northern California. Id. at 126.

In World War II, California Foresters answered the call to arms. Court San Francisco No. 10 alone had two hundred and sixty-seven of its members enrolled in the armed forces. Id. at 138. The High Court of Northern California purchased $50,000 worth of United States war bonds. Id.

By 1945, Companion Court Golden Gate No. 765 had four thousand eight hundred eighty-two members, which had grown from twenty-one members at institution in 1903. By 1949, over seven thousand five hundred members attended the forty-sixth anniversary celebrations of Companion Court Golden Gate No. 765. Id. at 150.

Courts San Francisco No. 10 and Companion Court Golden Gate No. 765 brought wheel chairs for handicapped people in the Bay Area and helped establish a recreation center for the handicapped in the San Francisco district. The facility served upwards of four hundred children per month. Id. at 188 and 193. The Forester's spirit of volunteerism extended in some two-hundred eighty-two community projects such as the Toys for Tots, Retarded Children's Aid, Seeing Eye Dog Foundations, Educational Scholarships, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, YMCA and YWCA, Heart and Cancer Foundations, etc, upon which Foresters contributed over $500,000. Id. at 189.

In the 1950's, the Foresters adopted a policy whereby any insurance member stricken with the disease of poliomyelitis would be granted financial assistance up to $2,500. The first recipient of this benefit was twelve-year-old Laureen Kenan of Santa Rosa, CA, who eventually recovered completely from the disease. Id. at 152.

The 1950's was a time for innovation for the Foresters. The Foresters adopted an innovative insurance sales presentation under the leadership of Leetate Smith. The Independent Order of Foresters became one of the first organizations to use such a sales method. Id. at 182. California Foresters also formed and sponsored a youth band in 1956 which was initially called the West Valley Band of California, but which later came to be known as the I.O.F. Robin Hood Band. Id. at 183. The band performed at several Tournament of Roses Parades in Pasadena, CA wearing their forest-green and tangerine Robin Hood costumes. Id. The band was under the directorship of Dr. David Baskerville, who put fraternalism to music. Id. at 189.

In 1971, the I.O.F. absorbed still another fraternal benefit society, the Order of Scottish Clans, which had been founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 1878. The Order of Scottish Clans brought with it some 16,000 members to the I.O.F. (International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders at 222-223.)

Do they forget what the Colonies did with English dictation in revolutionary times - cut loose from British rule and declared for self-government; do they forget what Oddfellowship did in 1819 - separate from the Manchester Unity and build up a greater brotherhood of men than they on American soil? So will we, the Foresters in this country. If this district does not strike the first blow for fraternal rights, the Past Chiefs of the United States, like the Past Grands of the Oddfellowship, will be called into convention and a High Court, not a 'second fiddle' subsidiary concern, will be organized like the United States Grand Lodge of Oddfellows in 1821. Then it will not take for months before we can get supply goods after an order has been given, as our dealings with a self inflated shaw-cross and a pompous English executive council will be at an end, and our dispensations will reach new Courts sometime before the millennium!

Id. at 35-36. By 1875, the emergent Independent Order of Foresters was well established and had forty-nine Courts in eleven States, with two additional courts for women working the Miriam Degree and a ritual adopted for a uniform rank which was named the Glenwood Degree. Id. at 38. Until 1879, the Independent Order of Foresters did not require a medical examination before accepting a member. Id. at 39. The IOF was one of the first societies to adopt graded assessments in 1881, under which the lifetime annual dues for a new member gradually increased from 40 cents per month at age eighteen to 60 cents at age forty adn finally to $1.85 at age fifty-four. (From Mutual Aid..., Beito, p. 134. The IOF was proceeded in this by the Royal Arcanum which adopted a similar graded assessment in 1877.) A Juvenile Order with the lower age limit set at twelve years old was established in 1889. Fraternally Yours, at 69. Until 1891, all meetings of the Supreme Court were held in Canada. Id. By 1895, there were Courts in seventeen of the United States. Id. at 74. Although women were admitted into the Foresters in the United States, the Canadian domain did not admit women until 1898. Id. at 65.

The Foresters have shown a particular knack for being schismatic. The largest surviving Forester group in the United States appears to be the Independent Order of Foresters, which was also a break away from the Ancient Order of Foresters, but not otherwise related to the Foresters of America. The Foresters of America was originally founded in 1889 as the Ancient Order of Foresters of America when it broke away from the Ancient Order of Foresters. The Knights of Sherwood Forest was an appendant order. The Ancient Order of Foresters changed its name to Foresters of America in 1895. It no longer appears to exist. A break away group from the I.O.F. was the Independent Order of Foresters of Illinois, which split off in 1881 over the groups desire to divide the Order into separate State jurisdictions as far as endowments were concerned. Fraternally Yours, at 44. In 1879, another split occurred when a break away faction formed the Canadian Order of Foresters. Id. at 48.

The Foresters foundation principal was the "Fatherhood of God," particularly as expressed in the Ten Commandments. In 1847, the Foresters choose for their motto "Liberty, Benevolence, and Concord."

The officers of a Court are: Court Deputy, Physician, Chief Ranger, Past Chief Ranger, Vice Chief Ranger, Organist, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary Court Treasurer, Orator, Superintendent of Juvenile Court, Senior Woodward, Junior Woodward, Senior Beadle, Junior Beadle, and Trustees.

Patrons of Husbandry (P of H) a.k.a. The Grange

Marin County was home to three Granges: Tomales Grange, No. 153, Patrons of Husbandry; Point Reyes Grange, No. 154, Patrons of Husbandry; and Nicasio Grange, No. 155, Patrons of Husbandry. According to the State Grange, there are currently no Granges in Marin County.

The organizer of all three Marin Granges was John H. Higler from Freestone, Sonoma County. Mr. Higler held the Grange title of General Deputy at the time.

Tomales Grange No. 153 applied for a Dispensation and paid its Dispensation-Charter fee of $15 on December 17, 1873. It listed as its nearest Express Office Tomales. The Charter Members of the Lodge were: S.C. Percival; A. Doyle; Thos. J. Johnson; F.A. Plank; F.W. Bemis (Benris or Bernis); O. Hubbell; Stanford Duncan; R.H. Prince; Conrad Strimp; Joseph Huntley; D.B. Burbank; Ed Ladner; John Buchanan; A.S. Marshall; William Vanderbilt; Thomas M. Hohnston; Isaac Parker; H. Culdager; Henry Elphich; John Guglimelli; Mrs. Phebe J. Huntly; Mrs. I. Parker; Miss Amelia Walters; Mrs. F.A. Plank; Mrs. Bemis (Benris or Bernis); Mrs. Hubbell; Mrs. S. Duncan; Mrs. J. Huntley; Mrs. D.B. Burbank. The first Master of the Grange was William Vanderbilt. The first Secretary was R.H. Prince.

Point Reyes Grange No. 154 applied for its Dispensation and paid its $15 Dispensation-Charter fee on December 20, 1873. It listed the nearest Express Office as San Rafael. The Charter Members of the Lodge were: John A. Upton; T.B. Crandell; William P. Ruggles; David Amos; Charles H. Johnson; A. Huff; Joseph Fay; A. N. Cleland; William Evans; S.E. Perham; Henry Clausen; Ames Whaley; Thomas Whaley; A.H. Stenson; N.H. Stenson; A. H. Kayser; D. Hochreuter; N. Shafter; R.E. Johnson; R.A. Upton; Mrs. John A. Upton; Mrs. T. Blerandell; Mrs. William P. Ruggles; Mrs. Peck; Mrs. A. Huff; Mrs. A.N. Cleland; Mrs. Wm. Evans; Mrs. S.E. Perham; Mrs. Henry Clausen; Mrs. James Whaley. The first Master of the Grange at Point Reyes was N.H. Stenson. The first Secretary was John A. Upton.

Nicasio Grange No. 155 applied for its Dispensation and paid its $15 Dispensation-Charter fee on December 22, 1873. Like Point Reyes, it listed its nearest Express Office for mail as San Rafael. The Charter Members of the Lodge were: Frank Nasen; George Boseham; Richard Magee; C.L. Estey; Thomas H. Estey; M. McNamara; William Reding; John Shaub; Frank Rodgers; B.F. Partee; William F. Farley; P.K. Austin; H.F. Taft; C.I. Magee; J.W. Noble; William Dixon; R.B. Noble; Thomas B. Roy; Thomas Campbell; Henry Thies; Mrs. H. Thies; Mrs. E.W. Bull; Mrs. Frank Nasen; Mrs. H.F. Taft; Mrs. C.I. Magee; Mrs. William Reding; Mrs. J.W. Noble; Mrs. M. McNamara; Mrs. B.F. Partee; Mrs. John Shaub. The first Master of the Grange at Nicasio was H.F. Taft. The first Secretary was J.W. Noble.

Based on preliminary research into its Journals, the California State Grange expressed a belief that each of these Granges did not survive beyond 1875 or 1876.

Patrons of Husbandry - Background, History, Ritual and Emblems

The Grange was founded in 1867 as a fraternal trade society for small farmers and their families in the United States. The National Grange of the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry was founded by a Freemason named Oliver Hudson Kelley in Fredonia, New York. It was a secret society arranged along the lines of Freemasonry, and dedicated to promoting rural life. However, its initial membership included great numbers of urbanites.

The Grange ritual and ceremonies consisted of seven degrees, which are in order of first to last: Laborer (Maid), Cultivator (Shepherdess), Harvester (Gleaner), Husband (Matron), Pomona, Flora, and Ceres. The bracketed names are the degree names for women taking the degree. Full membership was attained after receipt of the fourth degree, Husband/Matron. The first four degrees were conferred in Subordinate Granges. The three higher degrees, named for Roman or Italian deities were conferred respectively in Pomona Granges, which are district or country associations of Granges; the State Grange; and the National Grange. An order within the seventh degree (Ceres), the Order of Demeter or the Priests of Demeter controls the ritual of the organization.

The First Degree (Laborer/Maid), presents the emblems of the ax, plow, harrow, and spade. A symbol is the spring. The Second Degree (Cultivator/Shepherdess) presents the emblems of the hoe and pruning knife. A symbol of it is summer. The Third Degree (Harvest) presents the sickle as its emblem. The Fourth Degree (Home) presents the agate as its emblem.