The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-08-14
Ancient Order Of United Morkmsn.
Grand Legion OF Select knights In Ses-
sion Mt Ottawa . wesk---Tho Business
Done--The BANG Nie--Pa-
rade and Prize Drill.

Throughout the past week the people Of
Ottawa have had in their midst body Of
men who in every respect proved themselves
thorough going gentlemen. Tho Grand LIE
gion Of Select Knights Of tho A. 0. U. W. Of
Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin met in this
city on Tuesday and continued in session un.
til yesterday, when, after most excellent
display drill, they sought their homes. The
citizens of Ottawa are under obligations to
Howard Legion, No. 4s, for bringing to the
city so many strangers, and the visiting
gentlemen are not less under obligations to
them for the courtesies shown them. There
was not visitor who did not express him.
self as most highly pleased with the manner
of his entertainment.
Among those present WAS Mr.. George F..
Howard, of Paris, Illinois, Supreme Standard
Bearer and Assistant Grand Recorder Of Ill.
inois, to whom we are indebted for few
facts relative to the organization Of the An
cient Order Of United Workmen and the or
der of Select knights. Mr. Howard is the
editor of the Anckor and Shield, the society
organ, and is gentleman thoroughly posted
in all matters pertaining to the society. He
Is very courteous, pleasant gentleman.
*.*
The Ancient Order Of United Workmen
originated in this country at least, with j. j.
UpchurOh, generally known as Father Up
church, who, with six others, organized at
Meadville, Pennsylvania, October p, 1868,
the first society. The cause of the move.
ment was the pressing need observable on
every hand of workingmen making better
provision for their families in the way of
legaces. The idea embodied by Father Up.
church was the insurance, an idea after.
ward taken up by q number Of kindred So
cieties. In fact, from the little organization
of six in after years sprang all kindred so.
cieties, such as Woodmen, Legion Of Honor,
etc. The growth Of the organization during
the first FIVE years was exceedingly slow, and
the first beneficiary paid amounted to but
$3.50. At the end Of five years, however, it
had progressed so that in 1873 at Cincinnati
representatives. from lodges in Kentucky,
Pennsylvania and Ohio met and organized q
Supreme Lodge. Gradually the society
made itself felt, until now it has its repre-
sentatives in Canada and every state and ter.
ritory in the Union. Its membership now
numbers la, OOO-ls,OOO Of whom are to be
found In Illinois. 1t has paid out in bene.
isiaries since its organization $4,000, 900.
Not only is the organization the oldest and
largest of the beneficial companies of the
country, but it is also the cheapest The
average cost Of insurance in it is not more
than Sl2 per year, or dollar q month.
In Illinois it has 800 lodges. In the county
of La Sale there are more lodges and greater
membership than any other county in the
state save Cook.
The first lodge of the state was organized
at Rock Island, November q, 1874, and the
first Grand Lodge at the same place on June
2S 1875, with five lodges represented.
The order of Select Knights originated in
1873, being founded by Comrades Vaughts
and Waud. For a long time it met with de.
clded opposition, but FIVE years since it re.
ceived the sanction Of the Supreme Lodge to
use the name of the A. o. U. W. Since such
event its growth has been very rapid, and
Grand Lodges are to be found in every north.
ern state and in Canada. 1t has a total mem.
bershlp of lj,0OO-2, 800 of whom are in
Illinois, comprised in 50 Legions 1t has its
official organs, the two principal ones being
Tile Anchor aad Shietd, published by Mr.
Howard, at Paris, and the other, The OcerSeer.
published al st. Louis. 1t is largely due to
the efforts Of these organs that the order of
Select Knights has become 50 vigorous. The
lodge in Ottawa is one of the largest in the
state 1t was organized about three years
since by Mr.. Howard, and in his honor is
named Howard Legion.
The business sessions of the Grand Legion
4 :.