Fraternal Forestry
Encyclopedia
The Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) is a fraternal organization, now based in Toronto
, Canada, and operating under the brand Foresters.
, a mutual organization caring for the sick. The original Foresters groups were said to band together for mutual aid and protection in 14th century England, in or near the ancient royal forest
s which belonged to the monarchy. Although the older history cannot be proven, there was a society called the Royal Foresters in the 18th century. Membership originally was gained by combat, first with quarterstaff
s, then swords and finally with cudgels, until initiation by combat was abandoned in 1843.
In 1834 the Royal Foresters formed a Friendly Society, the Ancient Order of Foresters
(AOF). The IOF in the United States became independent of the AOF in 1874, and now operates a separate UK division, Forester Life, based in Bromley
.
The expansion of the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) into Canada in 1875 is attributed to a prominent doctor and community leader, Oronhyatekha
. Of Mohawk
descent, born in 1841 at Six Nations near what is now Brantford, Ontario
, Oronhyatekha ("Burning Sky") was baptized Peter Martin and later attended Oxford where he became an MD.
Dr. Oronhyatekha held the office of Supreme Chief Ranger (now called International Fraternal President) from 1879 until 1906; he died in 1907. By the early 1890s, he had successfully transformed the Foresters into one of North America's leading fraternal benefit societies. Foresters membership reached 257,000 in 1906. Through the 20th century it amalgamated with various other fraternal organizations, including the Ontario part of one of the oldest, the Ancient Order of United Workmen
.
Like other friendly societies and fraternal organizations of the time, Foresters helped transform the insurance industry by extending insurance benefits to the average working family. In addition to admitting women as full members, Foresters provided orphan benefits to the children of deceased Foresters members - benefits that are still available today as part of Foresters membership.
Historically, Foresters has also been active in helping communities in need. Today, Foresters supports various community causes in Canada, the US and UK, through direct investment in national and local community partnerships, branch funding and educational scholarships.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada, and operating under the brand Foresters.
History
Foresters traces its origin to a British Friendly SocietyFriendly society
A friendly society is a mutual association for insurance, pensions or savings and loan-like purposes, or cooperative banking. It is a mutual organization or benefit society composed of a body of people who join together for a common financial or social purpose...
, a mutual organization caring for the sick. The original Foresters groups were said to band together for mutual aid and protection in 14th century England, in or near the ancient royal forest
Royal forest
A royal forest is an area of land with different meanings in England, Wales and Scotland; the term forest does not mean forest as it is understood today, as an area of densely wooded land...
s which belonged to the monarchy. Although the older history cannot be proven, there was a society called the Royal Foresters in the 18th century. Membership originally was gained by combat, first with quarterstaff
Quarterstaff
A quarterstaff , also short staff or simply staff is a traditional European pole weapon and a technique of stick fighting, especially as in use in England during the Early Modern period....
s, then swords and finally with cudgels, until initiation by combat was abandoned in 1843.
In 1834 the Royal Foresters formed a Friendly Society, the Ancient Order of Foresters
Ancient Order of Foresters
The Ancient Order of Foresters is a friendly society which was formed in 1834. The society is now known as Foresters Friendly Society, and has approximately 70,000 members...
(AOF). The IOF in the United States became independent of the AOF in 1874, and now operates a separate UK division, Forester Life, based in Bromley
Bromley
Bromley is a large suburban town in south east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Bromley. It was historically a market town, and prior to 1963 was in the county of Kent and formed the administrative centre of the Municipal Borough of Bromley...
.
The expansion of the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) into Canada in 1875 is attributed to a prominent doctor and community leader, Oronhyatekha
Oronhyatekha
Oronhyatekha , , was a Mohawk physician, scholar, and a unique figure in the history of British colonialism...
. Of Mohawk
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
descent, born in 1841 at Six Nations near what is now Brantford, Ontario
Brantford, Ontario
Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Canada. While geographically surrounded by the County of Brant, the city is politically independent...
, Oronhyatekha ("Burning Sky") was baptized Peter Martin and later attended Oxford where he became an MD.
Dr. Oronhyatekha held the office of Supreme Chief Ranger (now called International Fraternal President) from 1879 until 1906; he died in 1907. By the early 1890s, he had successfully transformed the Foresters into one of North America's leading fraternal benefit societies. Foresters membership reached 257,000 in 1906. Through the 20th century it amalgamated with various other fraternal organizations, including the Ontario part of one of the oldest, the Ancient Order of United Workmen
Ancient Order of United Workmen
The Ancient Order of United Workmen was a fraternal organization in the United States and Canada, providing mutual social and financial support after the US Civil War. It was the beginning of the American network of fraternal benefit societies.-History:...
.
Like other friendly societies and fraternal organizations of the time, Foresters helped transform the insurance industry by extending insurance benefits to the average working family. In addition to admitting women as full members, Foresters provided orphan benefits to the children of deceased Foresters members - benefits that are still available today as part of Foresters membership.
Historically, Foresters has also been active in helping communities in need. Today, Foresters supports various community causes in Canada, the US and UK, through direct investment in national and local community partnerships, branch funding and educational scholarships.
External links
- Foresters official website (Canada and United States)]
- Forester Life (United Kingdom division)