History of the Fraternal Order of Eagles

The Eagles started fast and have been on the move ever since

   Moran's shipyard in Seattle, Washington. February 6, 1898. Six men, John Cort, John Considine, T.J. Considine, Mose Goldsmith, H.L. Leavitt, and Melvin Winstock, all theater owners, are sitting on a pile of lumber. Although competitors, they are discussing their respective businesses. Deciding that working together was better than working against each other, they form an organization they call "The Order of Good Things" and within a few short weeks, change its name to "The Fraternal Order of Eagles," and choose the bald eagle as their official emblem.

   In a very short time, their ranks grow and in April of 1898, they form a Grand Aerie, secure a charter, draw up a constitution and by-laws, and elect its first president, Seattle, Washington's John Cort. Their goal is a simple one (yet unheard of at the time): Welcome the average man as a member, and fight for his right to a life of dignity and self-respect.

   The early Eagle members are connected with the theater - actors, stagehands, playwrights - and as they tour, they carry the story of the new order with them across the United States and Canada. Their ranks grow quickly and spread across the country. Many cities in the east have low Aerie numbers such as New York #40, Philadelphia #42 and Buffalo #46.

   By 1908, 1,871 Eagle Clubs are chartered. Introduction of Auxiliaries start in 1927. (Fast-forward briefly one hundred plus years: Same philosophy - just now it’s being spread by over one million members, both in the United States (all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.) and throughout Canada.)

   Initially, the Eagles utilize the Constitution and By-Laws of a previous fraternal organization, but it soon becomes apparent that they need a unique document, unique because the Order itself is unique. The concept of brotherhood, the establishment of a sick and funeral benefit (no Eagle will ever be buried in a "Potter’s Field"), provisions for an Aerie physician, and other concepts that are unknown in other fraternal organizations at the time result in rapid growth and acceptance nation-wide.

   It is the Eagles that push for recognition of Mothers Day! Over the years, the Eagles will fight and win many battles for a Workman’s Compensation Act, Mothers and Old Age pensions, Social Security laws and "Jobs After 40."

   Today, the Eagles are still fighting to improve social benefits and combating diseases that plague mankind through sponsorship of the Eagles Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund, Eagles Max Bear Heart Fund, Eagles Jimmy Durante Children’s Fund, Eagles Golden Eagle Fund, Eagles "Doc" Dunlap Kidney Fund and Eagles Judge Bob Hansen Diabetes Fund.

   Many great social and political leaders have belonged to the Eagles. President Theodore Roosevelt (Cheyenne, Wyoming) was one of the many who joined and praised the order for its humanitarian accomplishments, as did Franklin D. Roosevelt (Buffalo, New York). President Harry S. Truman (Independence, Missouri) often reiterated that the Eagles were his type of organization - one founded by, and for the common man.

   Other United States Presidents who were Eagle members: Warren G. Harding (Marion, Ohio), John F. Kennedy (Hyde Park), and Jimmy Carter (Honorary Life Member - Georgia).

People Helping People

People that understand that the needs of the many will always outweigh the needs of the few.

Proud  - -   Caring

The Fraternal Order of Eagles

(The above is a compilation of information gleaned from the Grand Aerie’s website at www.foegrandaerie.org, the Official Website of the California State Aerie at www.foe.com, and Jim’s Jems at www.bright.net/~jimsjems/eagles.html). For more information regarding the Fraternal Order of Eagles, please email us.

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