{"id":54,"date":"2016-11-08T11:45:11","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T17:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/onlinemuseum.degreeofhonor.com\/?page_id=54"},"modified":"2016-11-29T13:15:08","modified_gmt":"2016-11-29T19:15:08","slug":"the-birth-of-fraternalism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/collections\/the-birth-of-fraternalism\/","title":{"rendered":"The Birth of Fraternalism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_section-349d316719c3b3d427d41d99888fc53c\">\n.avia-section.av-av_section-349d316719c3b3d427d41d99888fc53c{\nbackground-color:#4f2d37;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section av-av_section-349d316719c3b3d427d41d99888fc53c main_color avia-section-small avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-first  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-54'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-e458bc8079cb2c7e81a7f51e484f6a8f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h1 class=\"title-header\"><span class=\"upper-case\">T<\/span>he <span class=\"upper-case\">B<\/span>irth of <span class=\"upper-case\">F<\/span>raternalism<\/h1>\n<p class=\"title-sub-header\">J.J. UPCHURCH &amp; THE A.O.U.W.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_2'  class='avia-section av-av_section-d18d8c2c81d10022ebd21ffa95322c35 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-54'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><div id=\"attachment_402\" style=\"width: 438px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-402\" class=\" wp-image-402\" src=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch.jpg\" alt=\"John Jordan Upchurch\" width=\"428\" height=\"585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch.jpg 658w, https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch-219x300.jpg 219w, https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch-515x705.jpg 515w, https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch-450x616.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 428px) 100vw, 428px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-402\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">John Jordan Upchurch<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>John Jordan Upchurch<\/h2>\n<p>Born in 1820 on a thin-soiled farm on the North Carolina frontier, John Jordan Upchurch was just a young boy when he became intimately acquainted with hardship: When Upchurch was four years old, his father was murdered.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra1\">[1]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Very soon after his father\u2019s tragic death, the family farm was \u201cbrutally wrested\u201d from Upchurch\u2019s surviving mother and his siblings.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra2\">[2]<\/a> He was left to trudge through childhood, taking odd jobs to help his mother make ends meet, and struggled to obtain a \u201cdecidedly limited\u201d education.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra3\">[3]<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Life on the Railroad<\/h2>\n<p>From the time he came of age, Upchurch shuffled from town to town along the east coast as employment dictated, finding a living in various companies and trades related to the rail system. By April of 1868, he found himself in Meadville, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n<p>In many ways, Meadville did not differ from the towns through which Upchurch and his young family had passed over the years. Here, just as anywhere else, Upchurch and his fellow railroad workmen were subject to the harsh reality of life on the railroad.<\/p>\n<p>Here, too, Upchurch witnessed again the destitution and distress that an untimely death thrust upon the families of his fellow railroad workmen. Upchurch felt deeply for the men and their families, who were overlooked by the commercial life insurers of the time.<\/p>\n<p>In 1868, life insurance was a luxury for the few. It was offered almost exclusively to businessmen and manufacturers. Almost no appeal was made to the working class.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra4\">[4]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In fact, under the rare circumstances that workingmen were able to attain commercial insurance, Upchurch observed that their widows\u2019 and children\u2019s experiences with the insurers were \u201calways to their disadvantage, and frequently to their hurt.\u201d<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra5\">[5]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Knowing this strife all too well, Upchurch sought a remedy for this injustice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_section-4da73188384e96a35036e11a2c4a93c9\">\n.avia-section.av-av_section-4da73188384e96a35036e11a2c4a93c9{\nbackground-color:#f0eedb;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_3'  class='avia-section av-av_section-4da73188384e96a35036e11a2c4a93c9 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-54'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_three_fifth-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36\">\n.flex_column.av-av_three_fifth-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_three_fifth-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36 av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-5  el_before_av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2><\/h2>\n<h2>The Ancient Order of United Workmen<\/h2>\n<p>Inspired by the structure of the Free Masons (of which he was a member), Upchurch envisioned a society that united into a single brotherhood all men who shared the experience of the railroad, and that afforded protection to these men and their families during their greatest times of need.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra6\">[6]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>On October 27, 1868, Upchurch transformed his revolutionary vision into a reality: In a meeting hall in Meadville, Pennsylvania, he and 13 fellow rail workers formed the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the world\u2019s first fraternal benefit society.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra7\">[7]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>To say that the creation of the fraternal benefit society was remarkable would be an understatement. As one 1921 author wrote:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201c[Upchurch] did not discover fraternalism\u2026 He did not discover life insurance\u2026 He combined into one institution the essential elements of the fraternal society, of the trade union and of a crude form of life insurance contract. It was an entirely new combination. No fraternal society, no trade union, no life insurance institution had ever made such a combination. He went beyond them all. Imagination, that wonderful artist of the human mind, had painted a new masterpiece and [Upchurch] transformed it into reality. This was his discovery. It was an entirely new species of human institution.\u201d<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra8\">[8]<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_two_fifth-9c1d454dc06f7247226bc4e8f931daae\">\n.flex_column.av-av_two_fifth-9c1d454dc06f7247226bc4e8f931daae{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_two_fifth-9c1d454dc06f7247226bc4e8f931daae av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_textblock  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_gallery-af521f7e6478cc31720d595530f9ecbb\">\n#top .avia-gallery.av-av_gallery-af521f7e6478cc31720d595530f9ecbb .avia-gallery-thumb a{\nwidth:16.6667%;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-gallery av-av_gallery-af521f7e6478cc31720d595530f9ecbb avia_animate_when_visible  avia-builder-el-8  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia_lazyload avia-gallery-animate avia-gallery-1'  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><meta itemprop=\"contentURL\" content=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/collections\/the-birth-of-fraternalism\/\"><a class='avia-gallery-big fakeLightbox lightbox avia-gallery-big-no-crop-thumb ' href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-AOUW-Seal.jpg\"  data-onclick='1' title='AOUW seal featuring the motto, which means &#8220;Each needs the help of the other.&#8221;' ><span class='avia-gallery-big-inner'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" ><img class=\"wp-image-397 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-397\"  width='300' height='289' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-AOUW-Seal-300x289.jpg' title='AOUW Seal' alt='AOUW Seal' \/><span class='avia-gallery-caption'>AOUW seal featuring the motto, which means &#8220;Each needs the help of the other.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/a><div class='avia-gallery-thumb'><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-AOUW-Seal.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-1' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-AOUW-Seal-300x289.jpg' class='first_thumb lightbox ' data-onclick='1' title='AOUW seal featuring the motto, which means &#8220;Each needs the help of the other.&#8221;'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-397 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-397\"  data-avia-tooltip='AOUW seal featuring the motto, which means &#8220;Each needs the help of the other.&#8221;' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-AOUW-Seal-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='AOUW Seal' alt='AOUW Seal' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-397 avia-img-lazy-loading-397\"  width='300' height='289' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-AOUW-Seal-300x289.jpg' title='AOUW Seal' alt='AOUW Seal' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Meadville-Meeting-Hall.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-1' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Meadville-Meeting-Hall-300x248.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='2' title='Building at which the first AOUW lodge was organized in Meadville, PA in 1873.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-404 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-404\"  data-avia-tooltip='Building at which the first AOUW lodge was organized in Meadville, PA in 1873.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Meadville-Meeting-Hall-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='AOUW Meeting Hall' alt='AOUW Meeting Hall' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-404 avia-img-lazy-loading-404\"  width='300' height='248' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Meadville-Meeting-Hall-300x248.jpg' title='AOUW Meeting Hall' alt='AOUW Meeting Hall' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Insurance-Article.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-1' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Insurance-Article-224x300.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='3' title='Original article, handwritten by Upchurch, providing for a life insurance fund.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-400 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-400\"  data-avia-tooltip='Original article, handwritten by Upchurch, providing for a life insurance fund.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Insurance-Article-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='Insurance Article' alt='Original article providing for an insurance fund.' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-400 avia-img-lazy-loading-400\"  width='224' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Insurance-Article-224x300.jpg' title='Insurance Article' alt='Original article providing for an insurance fund.' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-1902-Certificate.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-1' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-1902-Certificate-300x257.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='4' title='Blank AOUW insurance certificate from the 1870s.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-394 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-394\"  data-avia-tooltip='Blank AOUW insurance certificate from the 1870s.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-1902-Certificate-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='Blank 1870s Certificate' alt='Blank AOUW insurance certificate from the 1870s.' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-394 avia-img-lazy-loading-394\"  width='300' height='257' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-1902-Certificate-300x257.jpg' title='Blank 1870s Certificate' alt='Blank AOUW insurance certificate from the 1870s.' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-1908-Certificate-666x1030.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-1' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-1908-Certificate-194x300.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='5' title='AOUW insurance certificate issued June 22, 1908.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-395 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-395\"  data-avia-tooltip='AOUW insurance certificate issued June 22, 1908.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-1908-Certificate-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='1908 Certificate' alt='1908 AOUW insurance certificate' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-395 avia-img-lazy-loading-395\"  width='194' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-1908-Certificate-194x300.jpg' title='1908 Certificate' alt='1908 AOUW insurance certificate' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-WW-Walker.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-1' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-WW-Walker-211x300.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='6' title='William Washington Walker.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-410 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-410\"  data-avia-tooltip='William Washington Walker.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-WW-Walker-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='Wm Washington Walker' alt='William Washington Walker' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-410 avia-img-lazy-loading-410\"  width='211' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-WW-Walker-211x300.jpg' title='Wm Washington Walker' alt='William Washington Walker' \/><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>As he stood in the sparse meeting hall alongside a handful of peers, it seems unlikely that John Jordan Upchurch could have predicted how unbelievably popular his creation, the fraternal benefit society, would be.<\/p>\n<p>Within twelve years of its inception, the AOUW would have over 94,000 members across the United States, and would become the largest fraternal benefit society in the country.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra9\">[9]<\/a> By the end of the century, untold numbers of immigrants, tradesmen, and religious groups throughout the United States would establish hundreds of new fraternal benefit societies.<\/p>\n<h2>Deeply Wounded<\/h2>\n<p>By 1873, five years after the AOUW was established, the society had grown so quickly that the need for national organization had become necessary. As such, representatives from the state level, or Grand Lodges, were set to meet in Cincinnati in February to establish a national governing body, the Supreme Lodge.<\/p>\n<p>Just a month before this historic meeting, through a complicated series of events, John Jordan Upchurch, founder of the AOUW and creator of the fraternal benefit society, was \u201cpractically eliminated from any part in the further active management of the Order\u201d<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra10\">[10]<\/a> by his \u201cold rival\u201d William Washington Walker.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra11\">[11]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>At the Supreme Lodge meeting the following month, which Upchurch did not attend, Walker chaired the meeting and was also elected Supreme Master Workman, the AOUW\u2019s first chief executive. Upchurch was unanimously voted, in absentia, \u201cPast Supreme Master Workman,\u201d a purely honorary title.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra12\">[12]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Upchurch was, as one might imagine, \u201cdeeply wounded\u201d at this turn of events.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra13\">[13]<\/a> Not only had he been excluded from the AOUW\u2019s national affairs, the Supreme Lodge \u201chad chosen his bitter opponent\u201d as its chief executive officer.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra14\">[14]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A month later, Upchurch moved his wife and 15 children to Missouri, where \u201cseveral long years passed before he again became active in the ranks of the AOUW.\u201d<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra15\">[15]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_section-4da73188384e96a35036e11a2c4a93c9\">\n.avia-section.av-av_section-4da73188384e96a35036e11a2c4a93c9{\nbackground-color:#f0eedb;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_4'  class='avia-section av-av_section-4da73188384e96a35036e11a2c4a93c9 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-54'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_three_fifth-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36\">\n.flex_column.av-av_three_fifth-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_three_fifth-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36 av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-11  el_before_av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>The Father of Fraternalism<\/h2>\n<p>For five years, Upchurch was completely out of touch with the AOUW and its affairs.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra16\">[16]<\/a> During this time, the society grew and changed rapidly.<\/p>\n<p>In 1878, for motivations that escape the historical record, Upchurch felt compelled to embrace his beloved society once again.<\/p>\n<p>He called upon a lodge in Missouri, but found himself unfamiliar with the new rituals that had been approved in his absence.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra17\">[17]<\/a> Upchurch \u201ccould not satisfy the members of the lodge as to his identity,\u201d and was \u201crefused admittance.\u201d<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra18\">[18]<\/a> He was, again, \u201cstruck to the heart.&#8221;<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra19\">[19]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A short time later he once more summoned the grace to knock for admittance at the AOUW\u2019s 6th Supreme Lodge session, which took place in St. Louis, Missouri.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, after a long and cruel hiatus from the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Upchurch was admitted, welcomed by the new Supreme Master Workman, Samuel B. Myers, and \u201cwas accorded a rousing welcome all around.\u201d<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra20\">[20]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>From that day on, John Jordan Upchurch was \u201clionized by the Supreme Lodge, by the Grand Lodges, and by the entire membership\u201d of the AOUW.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra21\">[21]<\/a> He was regarded as \u201cFather Upchurch,\u201d and began a crusade of the United States, meeting workmen and their families and espousing the gospel of his creation, the fraternal benefit society. <a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra22\">[22]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>These, it has been said, were the \u201cgreatest, happiest days of his life.\u201d<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra23\">[23]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Upchurch died in his Missouri home on January 18, 1887, after being stricken with pneumonia.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra24\">[24]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith all the honors that his society, his brethren, his friends and his neighbors could bestow upon him,\u201d John Jordan Upchurch was laid to rest in St. Louis at the age of 66.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra25\">[25]<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Upchurch\u2019s Legacy<\/h2>\n<p>The Ancient Order of United Workmen, the \u201cpioneer fraternal benefit society,\u201d was for many years the largest in the world.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra26\">[26]<\/a> At its height, the AOUW was comprised of over 5,600 lodges throughout the United States and Canada, and insured over 500,000 members.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra27\">[27]<\/a> In 1902, the AOUW boasted that it paid over $27,000 every day to the widows and children of deceased members.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra28\">[28]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_two_fifth-9c1d454dc06f7247226bc4e8f931daae\">\n.flex_column.av-av_two_fifth-9c1d454dc06f7247226bc4e8f931daae{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_two_fifth-9c1d454dc06f7247226bc4e8f931daae av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_full  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_gallery-b9659fbf28bed2f8234b272fc0179453\">\n#top .avia-gallery.av-av_gallery-b9659fbf28bed2f8234b272fc0179453 .avia-gallery-thumb a{\nwidth:12.5%;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-gallery av-av_gallery-b9659fbf28bed2f8234b272fc0179453 avia_animate_when_visible  avia-builder-el-14  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia_lazyload avia-gallery-animate avia-gallery-2'  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><meta itemprop=\"contentURL\" content=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/collections\/the-birth-of-fraternalism\/\"><a class='avia-gallery-big fakeLightbox lightbox avia-gallery-big-no-crop-thumb ' href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch-Full-Length.jpg\"  data-onclick='1' title='Portrait of Upchurch.' ><span class='avia-gallery-big-inner'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" ><img class=\"wp-image-401 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-401\"  width='155' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch-Full-Length-155x300.jpg' title='bof-jj-upchurch-full-length' alt='Portrait of JJ Upchurch' \/><span class='avia-gallery-caption'>Portrait of Upchurch.<\/span><\/span><\/a><div class='avia-gallery-thumb'><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch-Full-Length.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-2' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch-Full-Length-155x300.jpg' class='first_thumb lightbox ' data-onclick='1' title='Portrait of Upchurch.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-401 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-401\"  data-avia-tooltip='Portrait of Upchurch.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch-Full-Length-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='bof-jj-upchurch-full-length' alt='Portrait of JJ Upchurch' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-401 avia-img-lazy-loading-401\"  width='155' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-JJ-Upchurch-Full-Length-155x300.jpg' title='bof-jj-upchurch-full-length' alt='Portrait of JJ Upchurch' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Keychain-Medal.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-2' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Keychain-Medal-282x300.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='2' title='Promotional AOUW medal.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-403 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-403\"  data-avia-tooltip='Promotional AOUW medal.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Keychain-Medal-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='bof-keychain-medal' alt='' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-403 avia-img-lazy-loading-403\"  width='282' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Keychain-Medal-282x300.jpg' title='bof-keychain-medal' alt='' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Medal-Front-AOUW-PMW.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-2' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Medal-Front-AOUW-PMW-199x300.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='3' title='Medal that belonged to I.W.C. Webster of Newburyport, MA. The medal displays an open bible, which symbolized the position of Past Master Workman, equivalent to Past President, of an AOUW lodge. Item donated by Degree of Honor member.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-405 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-405\"  data-avia-tooltip='Medal that belonged to I.W.C. Webster of Newburyport, MA. The medal displays an open bible, which symbolized the position of Past Master Workman, equivalent to Past President, of an AOUW lodge. Item donated by Degree of Honor member.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Medal-Front-AOUW-PMW-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='bof-medal-front-aouw-pmw' alt='Past Master Workman Medal' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-405 avia-img-lazy-loading-405\"  width='199' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Medal-Front-AOUW-PMW-199x300.jpg' title='bof-medal-front-aouw-pmw' alt='Past Master Workman Medal' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Eagle-Medal.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-2' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Eagle-Medal-199x300.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='4' title='Souvenir AOUW medal.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-399 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-399\"  data-avia-tooltip='Souvenir AOUW medal.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Eagle-Medal-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='bof-eagle-medal' alt='Souvenir AOUW medal.' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-399 avia-img-lazy-loading-399\"  width='199' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Eagle-Medal-199x300.jpg' title='bof-eagle-medal' alt='Souvenir AOUW medal.' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Minnehaha-medal-AOUW.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-2' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Minnehaha-medal-AOUW-179x300.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='5' title='Medal from the 25th annual Grand Lodge meeting of Minnesota in 1901. The medal features a relief of Minnehaha Falls, a prominent Minneapolis landmark.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-406 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-406\"  data-avia-tooltip='Medal from the 25th annual Grand Lodge meeting of Minnesota in 1901. The medal features a relief of Minnehaha Falls, a prominent Minneapolis landmark.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Minnehaha-medal-AOUW-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='bof-minnehaha-medal-aouw' alt='AOUW Minnesotan Grand Lodge Meeting medal from 1901.' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-406 avia-img-lazy-loading-406\"  width='179' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Minnehaha-medal-AOUW-179x300.jpg' title='bof-minnehaha-medal-aouw' alt='AOUW Minnesotan Grand Lodge Meeting medal from 1901.' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Oregon-Medal.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-2' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Oregon-Medal-199x300.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='6' title='Medal commemorating the 1902 Supreme Lodge session at Portland, Oregon.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-409 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-409\"  data-avia-tooltip='Medal commemorating the 1902 Supreme Lodge session at Portland, Oregon.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Oregon-Medal-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='bof-oregon-medal' alt='1902 Medal from Oregon Supreme Lodge meeting.' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-409 avia-img-lazy-loading-409\"  width='199' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Oregon-Medal-199x300.jpg' title='bof-oregon-medal' alt='1902 Medal from Oregon Supreme Lodge meeting.' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Blue-Medal-694x1030.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-2' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Blue-Medal-202x300.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='7' title='Medal commemorating the 33rd Annual Grand Lodge meeting of Minnesota in 1909.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-398 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-398\"  data-avia-tooltip='Medal commemorating the 33rd Annual Grand Lodge meeting of Minnesota in 1909.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Blue-Medal-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='bof-blue-medal' alt='Medal from 1909 Minnesota Grand Lodge meeting.' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-398 avia-img-lazy-loading-398\"  width='202' height='300' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-Blue-Medal-202x300.jpg' title='bof-blue-medal' alt='Medal from 1909 Minnesota Grand Lodge meeting.' \/><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-ND-1912-1030x278.jpg\" data-rel='gallery-2' data-prev-img='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-ND-1912-300x81.jpg' class='lightbox ' data-onclick='8' title='1913 meeting of the Degree of Honor and AOUW Grand Lodges of North Dakota.'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-408 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-408\"  data-avia-tooltip='1913 meeting of the Degree of Honor and AOUW Grand Lodges of North Dakota.' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-ND-1912-36x36.jpg' width='36' height='36'  title='bof-nd-1912' alt='1913 meeting of the AOUW&#039;s North Dakota Grand Lodge' \/><div class='big-prev-fake'><img class=\"wp-image-408 avia-img-lazy-loading-408\"  width='300' height='81' src='https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/BOF-ND-1912-300x81.jpg' title='bof-nd-1912' alt='1913 meeting of the AOUW&#039;s North Dakota Grand Lodge' \/><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_full-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_full-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_one_full-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_two_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Noteworthy though the origins of the Ancient Order of United Workmen may have been, the society was not immune from the financial and structural difficulties that so many fraternal benefit societies faced at the turn of the century. By the late 1940s, the AOUW had all but dissolved, evolving first into Pioneer Mutual Life, and later being absorbed into OneAmerica.<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra29\">[29]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In reflecting on the legacy of John Jordan Upchurch, \u201cIt needs to be said,\u201d writes one fraternal scholar, \u201cthat fraternal [benefit] societies have made great contributions to the American society.\u201d<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra30\">[30]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>To know these contributions, one need only to look upon the dozens of fraternal benefit societies that continue to this day; upon the millions of Americans whose financial securities are protected, and upon the care and concern that the fraternal system brings to American communities. In so doing, we all recognize that \u201cThe fraternal benefit society,\u201d the creation of John Jordan Upchurch, \u201chas filled, and is destined forevermore to fill with nectar the golden goblet of human life.\u201d<a class=\"fn\" href=\"#fra31\">[31]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_section-4da73188384e96a35036e11a2c4a93c9\">\n.avia-section.av-av_section-4da73188384e96a35036e11a2c4a93c9{\nbackground-color:#f0eedb;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_5'  class='avia-section av-av_section-4da73188384e96a35036e11a2c4a93c9 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-54'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_one_full-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36\">\n.flex_column.av-av_one_full-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-av_one_full-9497bbf8bff73ea4c6992cc17fa9ec36 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-18  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><div  class='avia-button-wrap av-av_button-3de5996e5ee1ad020cbd91c0dc37d3af-wrap avia-button-left  avia-builder-el-20  el_before_av_button  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id=\"style-css-av-av_section-fb37fa88fbca848c7e29aff3fecdfcf1\">\n.avia-section.av-av_section-fb37fa88fbca848c7e29aff3fecdfcf1{\nbackground-color:#ffffff;\nbackground-image:unset;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_6'  class='avia-section av-av_section-fb37fa88fbca848c7e29aff3fecdfcf1 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-shadow  avia-builder-el-22  el_after_av_section  avia-builder-el-last  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-54'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><strong>Footnotes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"fra1\"><\/div>\n<p>[1] \u201cFather John Upchurch,\u201d in Builders of Fraternalism in America (Chicago: The Fraternal Book Concern, 1924), 13.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra2\"><\/div>\n<p>[2] Ibid, 13.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra3\"><\/div>\n<p>[3] Ibid.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra4\"><\/div>\n<p>[4] Walter Basye, History and Operation of Fraternal Insurance (Rochester, NY: Fraternal Monitor, 1919), 10.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra5\"><\/div>\n<p>[5] \u201cFather John Upchurch,\u201d in Builders of Fraternalism in America (Chicago: The Fraternal Book Concern, 1924), 15.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra6\"><\/div>\n<p>[6] Ibid, 14.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra7\"><\/div>\n<p>[7] Ibid, 15.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra8\"><\/div>\n<p>[8] Ibid, 19.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra9\"><\/div>\n<p>[9] The Ancient Order of United Workmen: The Pioneer Fraternal Benefit Society of America. 1902, 1.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra10\"><\/div>\n<p>[10] \u201cFather John Upchurch,\u201d in Builders of Fraternalism in America (Chicago: The Fraternal Book Concern, 1924), 18.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra11\"><\/div>\n<p>[11] Ibid, 17.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra12\"><\/div>\n<p>[12] Ibid, 18.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra13\"><\/div>\n<p>[13] Ibid, 18.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra14\"><\/div>\n<p>[14] Ibid, 19.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra15\"><\/div>\n<p>[15] Ibid, 18.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra16\"><\/div>\n<p>[16] Ibid, 20.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra17\"><\/div>\n<p>[17] Ibid, 20.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra18\"><\/div>\n<p>[18] Ibid, 20.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra19\"><\/div>\n<p>[19] Ibid, 20.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra20\"><\/div>\n<p>[20] Ibid, 20.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra21\"><\/div>\n<p>[21] Ibid, 20.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra22\"><\/div>\n<p>[22] Ibid, 20.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra23\"><\/div>\n<p>[23] Ibid, 22.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra24\"><\/div>\n<p>[24] Ibid, 22.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra25\"><\/div>\n<p>[25] Ibid, 22.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra26\"><\/div>\n<p>[26] The Ancient Order of United Workmen: The Pioneer Fraternal Benefit Society of America. 1902, 1.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra27\"><\/div>\n<p>[27] Ibid, 6-7.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra28\"><\/div>\n<p>[28] Ibid, 7.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra29\"><\/div>\n<p>[29] &#8220;History,&#8221; History, accessed November 07, 2016, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oneamerica.com\/wps\/wcm\/connect\/oa\/PML\/Hist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.oneamerica.com\/wps\/wcm\/connect\/oa\/PML\/Hist<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"fra30\"><\/div>\n<p>[30] \u0002 Alvin J. Schmidt and Nicholas Babchuk, Fraternal Organizations (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1980), 19.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fra31\"><\/div>\n<p>[31] \u0002 \u201cFather John Upchurch,\u201d in Builders of Fraternalism in America (Chicago: The Fraternal Book Concern, 1924), 23.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_6'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-54'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":14,"menu_order":21,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-54","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":634,"href":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54\/revisions\/634"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/degreeofhonor.com\/onlinemuseum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}