The rich history of Odd Fellowship has been captured in many ways. Books, magazines, newsletters, photographs, and symbols all detail Friendship, Love, and Truth and how these basic tenets guide the IOOF in fulfilling it’s mission.
Here are some Odd Fellow related books that will provide some insight as to origins of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and how we have become the organization we are today.
The History of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of San Francisco
The Dreams of the Founding Fathers: American Odd Fellowship
Excerpt:
…Wildey was an Englishman through and through and all his thoughts and ideas were a reflection of his English nature and character. Wildey clung to the old ways and was an integral part of the old guard until the end of his life. Wildey was a shrewd man and gifted in reading the innate hearts of men. He had the uncanny ability to enlist men with far greater ability and use them to further his dream. Many outstanding men were firmly pushed to the rear if he could not control them through his influence. If others differed to any degree, the sweet smiling, genial Thomas Wildey would suddenly transform into a force to be dealt with. It is indeed a mystery how these founding fathers could manifest such loyalty and devotion to Wildey when it was so apparent that Wildey gathered to himself all the glory and honor and pushed his worthy associates a little deeper in the shadows and never, ever gave them the credit that they were so richly entitled…
The Three Link Fraternity – Odd Fellowship in California
Excerpt:
…Other evidence suggests that our origins were in an organization known as the Ancient Order of Bucks which thrived in England in the 18th Century, and had as its emblem three bucks with their antlers intertwined. These men had as their leader a “Most Noble Grand” and met in club rooms and tavems. One of their principal emblems was “a bundle of sticks,” familiar to modern Odd Fellows as signifying strength in union. They dropped “Bucks” from the name in 1802. Whatever the origin, solid evidence begins to be found in the late 18th Century. By 1796 Odd Fellow organizations were numerous in England, and each was independent from the others. Fraternal groups such as the Odd Fellows were suppressed in England for a time, but by 1803 the Odd Fellows were revived by an organization called “London Union Odd Fellows,” which later became known as the “Grand Lodge of England” and assumed authority over all Odd Fellow lodges in that country…
Sovereign Grand Lodge Sessions in California: Six Links of Fellowship (1915-1949-1960) – With Addition of 1994 Sacramento Session
Excerpt:
…By 1915, the “Jewel City” was a reality. The area covered 625 acres. 42 foreign nations, and 29 states and territories had buildings of their own, typical and emblematical of their localities. It had been eleven years since Sovereign Grand Lodge Representatives had visited the Pacific Coast; and since that visit, the awful disaster of April 18,1906 took place, almost sweeping San Francisco from the face of the earth. The earthquake and fire destroyed 508 city blocks, 28188 buildings, with a value of $351,500,000. From the ruins of 1906 a mightier and grander city arose…
California Odd Fellowship:Early History of Odd Fellowship in California
The Half Century of California Odd fellowship ..
History of American Odd Fellowship
Odd Fellows Monitor and Guide, Containing History of the Degree of Rebekah, and Its Teachings, Emblems of the Order
