User:Bellerophon5685/List of "Patriotic" organizations

This is a list of "patriotic" groups that existed in the 19th and early twentieth centuries. Some of these were basically historical societies, along the lines of the Daughters of the American Revolution, while others where political Anti-Catholic, nativist Know Nothing groups.

General

• American Knights of Protection - Founded in 1894 in Baltimore Charles L. Wilson "and others of Baltimore, Md. and Washington, D.C." Among the founders were members of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Knights of Pythias, Shield of Honor, Knights of the Golden Chain, the National Union as well as other "patriotic societies". While the Order did have optional beneficiary membership, it was also committed to protectionism, as well as the restriction of immigration, the public school system, the sanctity of the ballot and "purely American principles without sectionalism or sectarianism." Both social and beneficiary membership were open to black and white. The orders emblem was an eagle standing on a pedestal with an American flag. The organizations ritual was "said not to have been based on anything known in the other secret organizations of which the founders were members." The order was apparently defunct by the early 1920s.

• Ancient Order of Loyal Americans - f.1907 in Guthrie, Oklahoma; letter addressed to them returned undeliverable in June 1923. Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.299

• American Brotherhood - Axelrods description confused, almost unusable. States that there were three or four ABs, two founded in New York in 1844 and 1847. The other two (might have been one) were founded in 1915, at least one named AB USA. Both were only open to American citizens; the seconds objective was to "Americanize Americans". They both were beneficiary societies. The last ones degrees were called Unity, Service and Attainment and its rituals were based on episodes from US history. Schmidt says there were 2 groups. The first was founded in 1844 in NYC and later changed its name to Order of United Americans. He describes it as a "fraternal secret society with ritualistic and other fraternal features." The second one was called the American Brotherhood, USA and f.1915 and hq in Chicago. Schmidt describes its goals as "furthering patriotism and by enlightening its members relative to the Constitution and the country's institutions" Only US citizens were admitted. Ritual were three degrees, Unity, Service and Attainment. Also had grips and passwords.Schmidt cites Preuss. Preuess mentions 2 - the first was f.1844 as a nativist group in NYC; later called Order of United Americans. Cites cyclopædia 2nd ed.,no specific page Second version set out did not appear to have any explicit anti-Catholic or nativist tendency, but to "Americanize Americans"; one of their leaflets stated "The Brotherhood declines to support aliens, or others who refuse to assume the responsibility of citizenship and the support of our government and institutions. It believes in one flag, the Stars and Stripes, one language, one people, one nation, indivisible now and forever." According to a letter sent to Preuss, they did not consider themselves a secret order, but did have secret passwords and grips, for mutual recognition; the letter further stated that the order was open to US citizens only; the "ritualistic work" was based on American history and worked three degrees, Unity, Service, and Attainment, each of which corresponded to an emblematic color, Red, White and Blue; in 1923 there were 39 "Assemblies" with 3,500 members. HQ 1414 Capitol building Chicago. Cites Statistics, Fraternal Societies 1923, p.236; letter from "Supreme Supervisor" Lewis M. Jones to Preuss dated May 24, 1923; leaflets: American brotherhood, USA, The Reciprocal commercial features of the American brotherhood, USA and American brotherhood, USA Fraternal social Also in cyclopedia. A few hits in worldcat, but it is uncertain whether they are related.

• American Rangers, Inc. - Axelrod (p.195) says this was an anti-Catholic group based in Macon, George in the 1920s and that its periodical was called The Menace. Worldcat doesn't have a record of that but it does have a pamphlet The American Rangers. by American Rangers (Organization) Macon, Ga. : The Rangers, 1922 and a newsletter called Jews! Jews! Jews! Beverly Hills, Calif.: [American Rangers, the only copy of which is a Vol. 1 #1 at Michigan. Also apparently in A dictionary of secret and other societies by Preuss

• American Union - f.1900 in Brooklyn by H.C. Seymour; a revival of the American Protective Association; in May 1900 claimed a mem of 22,000, mainly of Englishmen, Scotsmen, Canadians and Ulster Orangemen. Cites The Republic Boston, May 12, 1900; The Review St. Louis, MO May 24, 1900 p.76

• Ancient and Illustrious Order Knights of Malta - Protestant; US branch charter 1870 by the Scottish commandery in Scotland; anti-Catholic; open to white males over 18 with no physical or mental deformities, "True Protestant in Religion"; that are not married to Catholics, read, write and speak the English language, law abiding and "competent to pursue some useful and lawful occupation"; members must be nominated by two members of the order who have known the candidate for two years and verify his religious and moral beliefs; late 1960s mem 10,000, 1979 mem 2,000; reorganized in 1889 - national org "Supreme Grand Commandery", which meets annually; state "Grand Commanderies" and local "Commanderies"; 1979 there were 36 commanderies in NY, PA, OH, NE states and Canada; HQ in Reading, Pennsylvania; home for aged mem at Malta Home in Granville, Pennsylvania; worked twelve degree, those at 2nd considered full members; had secret ritual; Cites What does the Ancient and Illustrious Order Knights of Malta have to offer the Christian man today?, Malta Bulletin, their periodical Preuss states that the order was introduced into the US in 1870, but reorganized under the present "Imperial Charter" in 1889; "of Orange descent" according to Preuss; 1923 mem 75,000; 1345 Arch St. Phild. Cites Christian Cynosure Vol. XLIX #12 April 1917 p.359; Vol. LI #7 1918 pp.359 sq; The Review Vol. V #50 p. 5; "2nd ed" pp.219-221; The Patriot St. Louis, MO Aug. 8 1913; Official Circular #55 Phild. July 1914; Fellowship Forum Vol. III #12 p.8 Sept. 8, 1923; Vol. III #18 p.1 Oct. 20, 1923; letter from W.F.Haas to organizer 509 Gernert Ct. Louisville, KY T. H. Dahmus Granite City, IL Aug 13, 1914

• Dames of Malta - Prot. , aux of above.; Ladies of Malta f.1896, merged with Daughters of Malta in 1902 to form Dames of Malta; open to white female Protestants who are not married to Catholics, read write and speak the English language, able to give the "unwritten work correctly" (evidently the rituals and passwords); a male may join if he is a Red Cross knight in good standing with his Commandery; 1920s mem 28,000, 1978 "slightly over 5,000" mem; local groups called "Commanderies", national structure the "Zenodacia", which meets annually and is under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Commandery of the above org; hq in Pittsburgh; selects one charity project per year, giving about $3,000 to the National Heart Fund in 1978; Cites brochures, annual proceedings and groups periodical Malta Chat org history identical to Schmidt; Zenodacia the national group under the jurisdiction of "Supreme Grand Commandery" of above; local groups called "Sisterhoods"; 28,000 mem; hq 14345 Arch st. Phild.; mem requirements include white female Protestants who are not married to Catholics, read write and speak the English language, as above as well as ""competent to pursue some useful occupation, beleivers in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as expressed in the Apostles' Creed"; the "ritualistic work" of the order unfolds the "marvelous history of its glorious past...the deep religious significance of its institution...[and] in the fact that it is the only Knightly Order having one Universal Password that admits to all Council Chambers around the Globe". Cites Statistics, Fraternal Societies 1923 p.235; undated pamphlet Dames of Malta; letter dated May 29, 1923 from "Sovereign Keeper of Archives" L.D. Woodington

• Benevolent Order of Bereans - anti-Catholic group that formed in the late 1840s. Schmidt states that it was founded between 1847-50 and hq in Phild. Schmidt cites cyclopedia. The cyclopedia says it was founded in Philadelphia between 1847 and 1850. Interesting information on them is available here stating that they were Protestant Scotch-Irish immigrants from an "Orangemen" background. In Schmidt, but not Preuss.

• Brotherhood of the Union - founded in Philadelphia in 1850. Its degrees were Supreme Washington, Supreme Jefferson, Supreme Franklin; female auxiliary called Home Communion; Lodges were called Circles, then State Circles and the Supreme Circle. Axelrod states that the 1890s Brotherhood was a different group. Schmidt states basically the same information those he says "Supreme Washington" etc were the chief officers. Also says ritual accented "The Gospel of Nazareth and the Declaration of Independence." Schmidt cites Preuss. Preuss says same thing, only adding that a letter adressed to their hq in Philly in May1923 was returned "unclaimed". Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.300 Lots of their material on worldcat, which indicates they were the same group. Also in cyclopedia.

• Daughters of Columbia - was founded in 1888 as the female auxiliary of the American Patriot LeagueMentioned in cyclopedia.

• Fraternal Patriotic Order of Americans - formed in 1913 with the purpose of keeping church and state separate and using the Bible in public schools.. f.1913, open to people born in America, of good charetar, and believe in a supreme being who are opposed to the union of church and state, uphold the public schools and the reading of the bible therein; mainly in Penn; had 140 "Council"; and mem of 30,000 (claim) 21,000 (SFS) cites Statistics, Fraternal Societies 1923 p.236;Declaration of Principles sent by state secy. George S. Ford 608 Franklin building, Phild. 1923 Can't find anything else anywhere.

• Grand League of Protestant Women - stated that they were "Pro-Protestant, rather than anti-anything" and aims at the "advancement of our Public Schools, and Americanization of the Government." its National Secretary ws Mrs. E. J.Roth, 623 Binb Bldg. Houston, TX; at a 1923 conference they declined an invitation to merge with the Women of the Ku Klux Klan because they were not "entirely in accord with the missionary spirit of the Grand Lodges." Cites Fellowship Forum Vol. II #47 p.6 May 12, 1923; Vol. III #9 p.5 Aug. 18, 1923

• Guardians of Liberty - An anti-Catholic group founded in 1911. A group split off called the Pathfinders. Preuss quotes extensively from G of L sources; "non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-racial moral force" not against "Romanists" per se but against the Churchs supposed nefarious influence on America; there was some internal dissension among Lutheran members who objected to its being a secret oath bound society, the National Secretary is quoted "the Guardians refused to become eiter a secret oath bound or in any sense an APA or Knownothing society -- insisted inother words, that neither religion in any form or character be introduced or the society be made a political body as distinguishes from a purely patriotic one"; the seceding group became the Pathfinders or Ps and, in Preuss' words "carry this programme a step farther, and adopted specifically Masonic means for the purpose of carrying it out. Cites American Lutheran Survey Nov. 2, 1914; Fortnightly review Vol. XIX #16 Aug. 15, 1912 p.468; Fortnightly review Vol. XXII #2 Jan. 15, 1915 pp.54; NY Independent #3319; Christian cynosure Vol. XLVII #9 Jan 1915 Four of their pamphlets listed on worldcat. Mentioned, albeit in passing, by Reuben Maury. Some interesting material on the group in the magazine The Protestant Hathi has some volumes of their periodical The guardian of liberty. Also some mention here (with the KKK and Knights of Luther). They were apparently connected with the " Publicity Bureau concerning Roman Catholic Rulers" as evidenced by this

• Knights of Luther - founded in Des Moines, Iowa in 1912. Claimed 128,000 members in 1915 according Axelrod (p.152). Founded "for the purpose of fighting the Romanist Church with weapons like those with which it fights." Claimed 128,000 mem in 1915. Schmidt cites Preuss. Preuss quotes the Lutheran Standard April 12, 1913 that this group was founded 1912, 0r 13 in Iowa "for the purpose of fighting the Romanist church with weapons like those with which it fights"; In Feb. 1915, it claimed to have 128,000 mem and claimed it would have 3.5 mill before the election of 1916; Preuss says he still sees the group mentioned from time to time in the press, but was unable to contact it; Cites Christian cynosure Vol. XLVII #10 (1913) [?] p.319

• Knights Patriot Military Fraternity - composed of Masons, Oddfellows and Pythians, as well as members of the Knights of Luther, Guardians of Liberty and Orangemen; incorp. in Illinois, they claimed to beleive that all men are brothers, entitled to equal justice, mercy and brotherly support and that every child has the right to a public education also quoting from their circular "we are opposed to church armies and religious wars at any time and under any pretext as vitally detrimental to human liberty and progress."; in 1914 one of their generals was reportedly selling uniforms and guns to western farmers to defend themselves against the Knights of Columbus who were supposedly making plans to massacre all the non-Catholics. Cites America New york Vol. XI #24 Sept. 26 1914 p.592

• Ladies of Abraham Lincoln - formed after the Civil War, moribund by end of the century. Preuss says same and quotes from Stevens. Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.306 Apparently mentioned in Preuss (1924). Mentioned in cyclopedia. Apparently influenced by Orangemen according to Axelrod and Stevens.

• Lady True Blues of the Word - Prot. group popular in the decades following the Civil War, shared the same name of the female auxiliary of the Canadian Orangemen; Preuess believed it was extinct in 1923 Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.306

• Loyal Men of American Liberty - f.1890 in Boston with 50 mem; Preuss quotes, probably Stevens, "Nothing is known of its career or whether it still exists." Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.306

• Loyal Orange Institution of the USA - had 256 lodges,32,862 mem in the US; maintained a home for sick and aged mem; "Supreme Grand Secretary" office at 229 Rhode Island Avenue (Washington, D.C.); there was apparently a split in the group in "recent years"; open to Protestants who had never been Catholics, and never let his children or any children in his care be educated in a Catholic institution; Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. pp.306-9; Statistics, Fraternal Societies 1923 p.235; Fellowship Forum Vol. III #1 June 23, 1923 p. 4; two of the LOIs own pamphlets -Loyal Orange Institution of the USA and Loyal Orange Institution; What it stands for and represents in the United States of America'

• Ancient Order of Loyal Americans - founded in the first decade of the 20th century in Guthrie, Oklahoma, reported extinct 15 years later. Apparently mentioned in Preuss (1924). Handful of hits on hathi. Nothing in worldcat. Mentioned in cyclopedia

• Loyal Sons of America founded in Newark, NJ in 1920 by Charles Herbert Walker pointed "non sectarian" and in favor of "vigilance over the public school system" for "picked men of dependable character" Axelrod p.164-5. Described self as ""non-sectarian and non-political patriotic, ritualistic fraternal order." Paid sick, disability and funeral benefits. Set goal of 5 mil mem, but had less than 5,000 before demise in 1930s.Schmidt cites Preuss. Preuss quotes extensively from a letter from "Founder and Directer General" Charles Herbert Walker and from a leaflet he sent to him; the most relevant passages are the ones about "absolute protection of, and continuous vigilence over, our free public schools" and another stating that "The test of the politician, the office holder is his attitude to the public school. If he hesitates,if he departs one inch from the old idea that the public school is not the school of America, and the only school, if he hesitates in his loyalty to that school, he is a traitor to the spirit of the United Statesand your vote should tell him so. Later it says it wants no man who would not take the oath of the order to remain loyal to the Us above all other govt, civil political or ecclesiastical; had a goal of 5 mil. mem, but only had 515 in 1923; "Supreme Lodge" at Iroqui building in Newark,NJ. Cites Statistics, Fraternal Societies 1923 p.236; letters from Charles H. Walker May 16 and 25, 1933 [sic] and leaflet Loyal Sons of America recieved May 17, 1923

• Loyal Women of American Liberty - Founded in Boston in 1888. "Semisecret". Open to Prot. women who were not married to RCs. Dedicated to separation of church and state and pledged "not to assist the Roman Catholic clergy or their institutions". Schmidt cites cyclopedia and Preuss. f.1888 in Boston; platform the usual spiel on civil and religious liberty, separation of church and state, public money for sectarian purposes and against "ecclesiastical intimidation; states that in 1907 this group had many thousands of members in New England and other states, but was unable to ascertain whether it still existed. Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.309 Handful of items on worldcat, mostly microform. Mentioned in cyclopedia. Active in National Council of Women and International Council of Women.

• National Council of Patriotic Americans, Inc. - F. early 1920s; was created because the Knights of Columbus supposedly had a monopoly on soldiers relief organizing during World War I; wished to unify the patriotic forces against the "papalizing influence" of the Church in govt. Cites Fellowship Forum Vol. II #49 p.3 May 26, 1923; Vol. II #4 p.2 July 14, 1923

• National Defenders - Formed in 1919 as an anti-communist group. f.1919 in Knoxville, Tennessee; Had benifit features; membership open to white males over 18 who believed in a supreme being and were opposed to Bolshevism. Slogan: "God, Country, Home", motto: Finis coronat opus. Had secret ritual. Fem. aux.: National Co-Defenders. Schmidt cites Preuss. Preuss mentions that, aside from the other qualifications, one to have served in the Army or Navy between 1914-1919, or bought a liberty bond, War Savings or thrift stamps or contributed to the Red Cross of United War Work Relief during the same period; the organization was founded, and the ritual written by J.W. Elliot; 34,000 mem at the endof 1919; Cites Statistics, Fraternal Societies 1920 p.236; Fraternal Monitor Vol. XXX #3 p.26 Oct 1919; Vol. XXX #9 p.9 April 1920; Vol. XXXI #1 p.17; Vol. XXXI #3 p.2; Some good information on them from Fraternal monitor. Some other mentions of a San Jose group and a pro-fascist one in the 1930s. Not sure if they are the same group. Also some items in worldcat; again not sure if its the same group.

• National League for the Preservation of American Institutions - f.1889 in NY with John Jay as pres. and Rev. James King to safeguard the public school system and prevent funds going to sectarian or denominational institution; they drew up a constitutional amendment on these lines, and secured the endorsement of a number of religious denominations; the League was successful in securing the confirmation of Gov. Morgan and Rev. Dorchester, whom Benjamin Harrison had nominated for head of the Indian Bureau, who discouraged appropriations to Catholic Indian schools; in the New York Legislature they blocked the passage of the Freedom to worship bill, for state inmates for a number of years; they unsuccessfully opposed construction of a Catholic chapel at West Point; they met their final defeat in Maine where Prot. groups opposed them because they felt that the use of the word "sectarian" would cut off funds to them as well; Cites Desmond Knownothing Party pp.152

• National League of Protestant Women of America - founded in Houston, TX July 10, 1922 its purpose:"To uphold the Constitution of the United States; Separation of church and State; Defense and Improvement of our Public Schools; White Supremacy; Restricted immigration; Promotion of high standards of morality, and protection of home life; Improvement of civic political, social economic and religious conditions"; there National Secretary was Mrs. E. J. Roth, in a circular issued June 21, 1923 made the typical statements - not anti-Catholic, but a Prot. interest group in the same way the Jews and Catholics have interest groups, fighting the allegded Catholic plot to take over the public schools and destroy Us institutions, strict secrecy because of opposing forces; Cites propaganda literature sent in June 1923;

• National Patriotic Order, Sons and Daughters of the USA -f.1916, in Waterloo, Iowa by H.G. Rogers, incorp. in 1922; quoted literature seems mostly harmless, but might betray an anti-Catholic bias "to teach truthful history and true allegiance to the government of the United States of America...to protect guard, and elevate the public school system of America"; one degree - the Patriotic degree, with a ritual, an uniformed semi-military rank that conducted drills, "setting up exercises" and participated in public events; "Legion commanders" - whom Preuss supposes were American Legion mem - were made gratis mem and given the rank of "Patriotic counselors"; had plans to create an orphanage for deceased members dependents and jr. depart; open to white men and women; had 3,000 in 1923; Cites Christian cynosure March 1917 p.329; Statistics, Fraternal Societies 1923 p.236; Fraternal Monitor Feb. 1917; Vol. XXXII #10 p.10 May 1922; and self titled propaganda leaflet sent to Preuss May 1923;

• Order of the American Union - Originally Order of the American Shield, founded in New York in 1873. Apparently ran into some bad press but regrouped and became formidable in the 1880s. Merged into the APA Schmidt states basically same thing, adds that the group claimed 1.5mil mem in 1890. Schmidt cites cyclopedia. f.1873 to preserve the liberties and government of the US from the Roman hierarchy, oppose the election or appointment of Catholics to public office, maintain public school, etc; an expose in1878 or 1879 made it disintegrate rapidly, but reorganized in 1881 under various titles such as United Order of Deputies and the minute Men of 1890; reportedly had 1.5 mil mem in 1890 There are also references in The Presidential election of 1880., The Know-Nothing party : a sketch Also in cyclopedia.

• Order of Independent Americans

• Order of United Americans - one of the larger Know Nothing groups. A second version was formed in 1896. Original version f. in NYC in 1844 as Alpha Chapter #1. Suggested that its leadership may have come from Tammany Hall. Also suggested it later merged with the Know Nothings. Schmidt cites cyclopedia. Preuss states that the OUA began as Alpha Chapter #1, helped found Know Nothings; second version f.1896 in Phild. as a patriotic and benevolent association for men and women.Cites cyclopædia 2nd ed. p.326 Literature on the former version extensive. Can find little on later incarnation. Mentions of both in cyclopedia and of either in Preuss.

• Patriotic League of the Revolution- Prot only group f. 1882 in Brooklyn, supposedly to study political questions and collect relics of the revolution. Cites cyclopædia 2nd ed. p.318

• Protestant Knights of America - Founded in 1895 in St. Louis and "disappeared a decade or two later." It was supposed to be to Prots. what the K. of C. was to the RC. Schmidt cites Preuss. Preuss says the same, adding only that the K of C is not a secret society and that, unlike the PKA, they are still around in the early 1920s. Also in cyclopedia. Nothing in worldcat

• Red, White and Blue - founded in Rochester, New York some time in the mid-to-late 1890s by Sylvester M. Douglas. Apparently mentioned in Preuss (1924). Also in cyclopedia. Preuss states this was founded by the late by Sylvester M. Douglas; appears only to paraphrase Stevens saying that the group was "very secret" as to membership and places of meeting; the thre degrees were Red -teaching Protestantism; White - teaching Purity; and blue - which is strictly American; members of the white and red circles were unknown to each other unless they were members of the Blue.Cites cyclopædia 2nd ed. p.322("Red, white and blue" mentioned as a phrase in unrelated context in Schmidt.

• Sons and Daughters of Liberty - Other than a brief mention in Axelrod p. 230, I cannot find anything on the 1877 Nativist version of the order. It was based in Philadelphia and excluded people who manufactured or sold intoxicating liquor. There is a mention of a "Sons of Liberty" Nativist group in a few eastern cities between 1870 to 1880s in the 1907 ed. of the cyclopedia, but no attribution. According to Preuss, this was a group open to all white, Protestants, 16-45, of good moral character born in the US or under the protection of its flag and not engaged in the liqueur trade; it had 775 subordinate councils with a mem of 108,776 in 26 states; in 1922 they payed out $336,933 in benefits and relief; goals included protection of the the public school system and "prevent any interference therewith" the use of the Holy bible and American flag in schools; opposition of public funds for sectarian or public purposes, and restricted immigration; Cites Statistics, Fraternal Societies 1923 p.235; propaganda pamphlet supplied in July 1923 by Wm. V. Edkins, National Secretary, 1604 E. Passyunk Av. Philadelphia.

• Sons and Daughters of the Republic - f.1916 in Chicago ostensibly to promote American patriotism, Preuss is suspicious because it was praised by the anti-Catholic The menace Cites Fortnightly review Vol. XXIII #21 Nov. 1, 1916 p.329; Menace Aurora, Missouri Oct. 14, 1916;

• Sons and Daughters of Washington - first heard from during the Election of 1920; led by Jay W. Forrest, a former undertaker; aim was to defeat Catholics for public office; had an official "Bulletin"; Cites Fortnightly review Vol. XXVII #20 Oct. 15, 1920 p.313; Catholic Transcript Hartford, Conn. Spri 22,1920, quoting NY World;

• Sons of Liberty - Preuss states that another version appeared in a number of Eastern cities in the 1870s. Cites cyclopædia 2nd ed. pp.323-5

• Sons of Seventy Six - f.1851, also known as the Order of the Star Spangled Banner, eventually merged into the Know Nothings; Cites cyclopædia 2nd ed. p.326

• Sons of the Soil - f.c.1850 in NY State; merged into the Know Nothings; Cites cyclopædia 2nd ed. p.326

• Templars of Liberty - founded in Newark, NJ in 1881 according Axelrod (p.195). Rituals based on events from Prot. Ref.; women admitted as beneficiary members; local units called Temples; mem. based mostly in NJ, PA, NY; Schmidt cites cyclopedia. Preuss says same; a letter of inquiry sent to Newark, NJ was returned unclaimed. Cites cyclopædia 2nd ed. pp.189, 327 Worldcat lists four items for them, the constitution for the overall organization and for its subordinates in both English and German. Apparently mentioned in Preuss (1924) and in cyclopædia of fraternities

• Templars Order of the American Star, Free and Accepted Americas - f.c.1853 by William Patton in NYC; aka American Bretheran, True Bretheran, Wide Awakes; name seems Masonic to Preuss, but he cannot prove anything; some talk of reviving this group in the early 1920s; Cites cyclopædia 2nd ed. p.327, McMasters History of the United States, The Builder (Masonic monthly), Anamosa, Iowa Vol. VII #10 Oct. 1921; Fortnightly review Vol. XXVIII #21 Nov. 1, 1920 p.404;

• United American Men - f.1845; hq in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Preuss unable to get "an answer to inquires sent to the secretary in that city." 400,000 mem according to World Almanac; Cites World Almanac 1923 p.397

Patriotic Order, Sons of America

• Patriotic Order Sons of America - apparently began as a Know Nothing group, the United Sons of America "some time prior to 1847" in Philadelphia but was revived in 1868. The degrees were Red, White and Blue. According to Axelrod, they originally had a number auxiliaries - (Patriotic) Daughters of America, Junior Sons of America and Patriotic Order of Americans. All of these except the Junior Sons merged into the Patriotic Order of True Americans. There was also a Side degree called the Rough Riders. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum has a slightly different story: the Daughters of America were founded first by the Patriotic Sons of America but did poorly. It split off in 1891 and changed its name to the Patriotic Order of True Americans. The Patriotic Order Daughters of America were founded in Chicago in 1890 "with the same objectives and principles, so the two women's groups merged" at a conference in Pottstown, Pa. in 1897 as the Patriotic Order of Americans. The group devoted itself to sickness and death benefits as well as orphanages. There is rather extensive coverage of these groups in cyclopædia of fraternities. Some of the later organizations material is also on Hathi

• Rough Riders - Preuss calls them the mummers of the PSOA. Cites Philadelphia Public Ledger Sept. 1, 1923 p.2

• Junior Sons of America - f. Phild. 1847; disappeared after the reorganization of the parent society in 1868. Cites cyclopædia 2nd. ed. pp.303, 309

Junior Order of United American Mechanics

• Preuss cites Stevens 2nd ed. pp.302 sq; Catholic Citizen Milwaukee Vol. XLIV #23 April 24, 1915; Fortnightly review Vol. XXV #9 pp.137; Christian cynosure Vol. XLVII #3 p.69 July 1914; Statistics, Fraternal Societies 1923 p.235; Fellowship Forum Vol. II #39 March 17, 1923 p. 4; Statistics, Fraternal Societies pp.157 sq., 234

• Order of United American Mechanics

• Daughters of America - founded as the female auxiliary of JOUAM in 1891. Preuss cites Stevens 2nd ed. p.301; self titled propaganda pamphlet and "epistolary information" supplied by Secretary Albert S. Bossong, Cinccinnati June 6, 1923. Also in cyclopedia.

• Daughters of Liberty - began as an auxiliary of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics It became the Sons and Daughters of Liberty in 1915 and had 100,000 members as late as late as the 1920s. Preuss says it was founded in Meridian, Conn. in 1875 open to members of the JOUAM and the OUAM and had 30,000 mem in 1907. Preuss cites Stevens 2nd ed. pp.301, 316 Apparently mentioned in Schmidt (1979). Also in cyclopedia.

APA

American Protestant Association

• American Protestant Association - Founded in c.1849 as a Know nothing group. Originally worked five degrees, when this was changed to three in 1884 the Order of American Freemen split off. There was also an Afro-American split in 1878. The Junior APA was founded in 1862 but split off to become the Loyal Knights of American in 1890. Local lodges called Subordinate Lodges, then State Lodge and the whole Right Worthy Lodge of the US. Schmidt says dates given for its foundation ranger from 1844 to Dec. 19, 1849. It was a secret society with rituals and, as above stated, degrees. Mem at "its high point" was 200,000. Preuss says they were still active in the 1920s, according to Schmidt. Schmidt cites cyclopedia and Preuss. Preuss states it was found in Pittsburgh between 1844 and 1850; the Order of American Freemen split in 1884 and the Junior American Protestant Association split in 1890 to become the Loyal Knights of America; the "Negro" APA was formed in Penn. in 1849 and supposedly still active in 1907; had five degrees, which supposedly linked it to the Orangemen; Quoting Preuss "We judge from a recent press report that the Association continues to this day, mainly in Pennsylvania and that its members are noted for their anti-Catholic tendencies"; Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.298 Also in cyclopedia. Fairly extensive citations in hathi. Also quite a bit on worldcat.

• Junior American Protestant Association - originally an aux. of the APA, became independent Loyal Knights of America in 1890. Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.302 See above also.

• Loyal Knights of America - A splinter of the Junior group from the American Protestant Association. f.1890 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, from what Schmidt describes as a schism in the APA. Schmidt cites Preuss. f.1890 as result of schism in APA in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; unsure whether it still exists. Cites cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.302 See above also. Also in cyclopedia. Apparently an unrelated group of the same name existed in Florida as late as the 1930s.

• Order of American Freemen - Axelrod says it was formed by 13 seceding lodges of the American Protestant Association in 1884. Also reports a similar nativist society in the mid-19th century. Preuss says that there was an "earlier" org of this name 1850-56, and states that it was apparently swallowed up by the Know Nothings. Cites Stevens 2 ed. p.310; Also mentions an APA splinter group in 1884. Cites Stevens 2 ed. p.291 sq. The cyclopedia says pretty much the same. There is also a pamphlet on archive.org from 1861 from a group of the same name which may of my not be related.

American Protective Association

• American Protective Association - well known. Plenty of mentions in hathi and worldcat records. Mentioned in Preuss (1924), and Schmidt (1980). Also in cyclopedia.

• National Order of Videttes - Texas based anti-Catholic group founded in 1886 merged with the American Protective Association in 1890, but kept its own name until 1900. Schmidt agrees it was founded in 1886, but only says it was founded by Texas farmers to protest unfair Ag conditions. Claimed 0.5 mil mem in 1888 but was extinct by 1900. Say the order was organized on a "semi-military basis" State groups called Brigades, divided into Regiments and Companies. Also known as the Order of Thirteen.Schmidt cites cyclopedia. May or may not have been the same as the National Order of Videttes, a militant agrarian group in Kansas. The Freemans Protective Silver Federation claimed to be an outgrowth of this. It was apparently a mixture of Populism and Know-Nothingism. Mentioned extensively in cyclopædia of fraternities

• Order of the Little Red School House - separated from the APA in 1895. Was supposedly inter-racial and accepted non-Protestant members, but was apparently concerned with "sectarian influences on the public school system". f.Aug. 1895 in Boston. Lodges called Schools, state groups "Seminaries" Ritual sought to inspire love for "Old Glory" and the "Little Red School House", the public school. Also included oath. Mem. theoretically open to everyone regardless of race or religion. Preuss says same thing, citing cyclopedia 2nd ed. p.317; only adds that it "is now probably extinct"; 34 hits on hathi, 15 viewable, with many repetitions, mainly the cyclopedia, Maury, Janson & Eismann, by Hallgren; Also in cyclopedia.

External links

• example.com