Ancient Order of Foresters of America

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Text on Button ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS OF AMERICA LIBERTY, UNITY, BENEVOLENCE & CONCORD F. of A.
Image Description

Illustration of a deer's head in the center with black text around it, then two American flags on either side and an eagle above with black text on the top and bottom edges on a white background

Back Paper / Back Info

AMERICAN PEPSIN GUM CO.
BUTTONS MADE BY
THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO
NEWARK, N.J. 

JULY 17, 1894

APRIL 14 1896

JULY 21, 1896

Curl Text PAT. July 21, 1890
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Additional Information

Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 15 August 1889, the Ancient Order of Foresters of America (AOFA) had nearly one hundred and sixteen thousand members six years later.  AOFA broke from the Ancient Order of Foresters, which it claims has its origins in thirteenth century England.  In 1896, the AOFA changed its name to the Foresters of America.  AOFA was one of many fraternal organization between the end of the US Civil War and the end of WWI.  Fraternal organization membership totaled around thirteen percent of the US male population.  

Sources

Google Answers: Identify F.of A.. (n.d.). Google Answers: Identify F.of A.. Retrieved October 2, 2014, from http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=290853

San Francisco History - Societies (1890). (n.d.). San Francisco History - Societies (1890). Retrieved October 2, 2014, from http://www.sfgenealogy.com/sf/history/hgsoc.htm

US Population: From 1900. (n.d.). US Population: From 1900. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://www.demographia.com/db-uspop1900.htm

Catalog ID CL0212