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Ioof

brwdmason

Registered User
Good day Brethren,

Just curious on anyone's opinion regarding the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). I know someone who is an Oddfellow but wanted to get some feedback from others.

Fraternally,

Bro Manny
 
J

JEbeling

Guest
My Dad was one.. ! and he enjoyed it a lot.. ! think its a very good group.. ! just never hear much about them.. ! think they were big into cemetarys and insurance.. ! I know my dad had a insurance policy with them for years..
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
I have heard that IOOF is patterned after our own fraternity with similar traditions and teachings. However I am not well versed on the group as I am not a member. I think that any fraternity that does good works for the world is a worthwhile cause (within reason).
 

Joey

Co-Founder
Staff Member
I have heard that IOOF is patterned after our own fraternity with similar traditions and teachings. However I am not well versed on the group as I am not a member. I think that any fraternity that does good works for the world is a worthwhile cause (within reason).

You will find that most Fraternal Organizations are patterned after the Masonic Lodge. I know the Elk's Lodge obligation is so similar to our MM obligation that it's almost scary.
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
I believe we actually had a tread on IOOF when we first started the site but we may have lost it when we switched over. I really don't know too much about it. Curious to learn again though.
 

Wingnut

Premium Member
IOOF is tied very close to Masonry. In fact many belong to both. Ive often read in older books it refered to as 'a poor mans Masonry'...
 

cambridgemason

Premium Member
Premium Member
the ioof was formed in england in the early 1700's and like masonry migrated to the US. Very similar to our Masonry, it's family is also set up almost the same way, with womens groups, girls, RAC and their KT. They also have African-American lodges as well. At one point in time 2 out 5 americans were a Odd Fellow and out number the Masons. Today their numbers are very low.
 
T

Taurus27

Guest
Whilst I was in Texas(San Antonio) Jan '08, I happened to come across a plaque on a building that had "IOOF", but had the S&C underneath.

I'm still puzzled by it as I was not aware of IOOF using the S&C on their badges etc.
The plaque was not far from The Alamo complex........and I could see 'the "Crockett Hotel" from that spot.

Can anyone verify this for me please?.
 
T

Taurus27

Guest
News to me, Brother.

Yeah.....I thought it was very Odd....pardon my pun.

I only saw it quickly and had I thought of it...I should've taken a snap.
Hopefully, a brethren from, this forum who lives near The Alamo could wander down there and have a look/see.:D


It may have 2 plaques on one brick????????:confused:
 

cambridgemason

Premium Member
Premium Member
Brother,

I read somewhere that IOOF would rent the lodge to/from the Masons.

Bro. Manny
yes they would, in most cases at least here in the US the Masons and Odd Fellows parallelled closely to each other. The Odd Fellows in most cases were the first ones to begin buildings and owning their own buildings which were called Halls. The masons many times rented space from them, many new masonic lodges were formed in Odd Fellow halls. Of course at times the Odd Fellows rented from the Masons. In Everett Ma. there is a Masonic Lodge that still rents from the Odd Fellows, they use the same type of lodge set up, with just a few changes.
 

brwdmason

Registered User
Thank you Brothers,

I will be attending a few of their meetings just to get an idea and meet some folks. I will let you all know how it goes.

Thanks again brothers,

Manny
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
Brother,

I read somewhere that IOOF would rent the lodge to/from the Masons.

Bro. Manny

This is straight out of the history of Gonzales 30:

1854 The Lodge and Methodist Church erected a two-story building where the Methodist Church South (present day church) now stands. The Lodge owned the upper story and continued to meet here until 1875 when the building became uninhabitable at which time they met in the "Odd Fellows" building.

July 5, 1873 Three Trustees were appointed to represent this Lodge and co-operate with the Trustees of the Chapter and Odd Fellows to establish a Masonic and Odd Fellows College. Lodge appropriated Six Hundred Dollars towards that enterprise.

June 5, 1874 The Lodge resolved that Masons and Odd Fellows College be carried on if possible.

And this is the original "College" building:

college.jpg
 
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