Fraternal Order of Eagles Records
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Records, 1928-1953, of the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Calumet, Michigan, established in 1903 as a benefit society. Includes minutes of meetings, records of quarterly audits, sick and funeral benefit records, 50th anniversary booklets and various printed ephemera.
Dates
- 1928-1953
Access
Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.
Conditions Governing Use
Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.
Historical Note
The Fraternal Order of Eagles was founded on February 6, 1898 by six theater owners sitting on a pile of lumber in Moran's shipyard in Seattle. They were competitors who had come together to discuss a musicians strike. After deciding how to handle the strike, they agreed to "bury the hatchet" and form an organization dubbed "The Order of Good Things." Early meetings were held on local theater stages and after taking care of business, attendees rolled out a keg of beer and enjoyed social time. As numbers grew, participants selected the Bald Eagle as the official emblem and changed the name to "The Fraternal Order of Eagles." In April 1898, the membership formed a Grand Aerie, secured a charter and developed a constitution and by-laws, with John Cort elected the Eagles' first president.
The Eagles' popularity grew because their concept of brotherhood was so unique. The organization's success is also attributed to its sick and funeral benefits (no Eagle was ever buried in a Potter's Field), the provision of an aerie physician and many other benefits. As the Eagles grew, so did the organization's responsibilities to its members. Frank Hering, recognized as the "father" of Mother's Day, took the by-laws and customized them for the Eagles. He and other early members led the organization through difficult days at the turn of the century and built the solid foundation upon which the Eagles still rest. (excerpted from Fraternal Order of Eagles History, http://www.foe.com/about-us/aerie.aspx, accessed July 2010).
While no longer having a presence in the Copper Country the Fraternal Order of Eagles still has a presence today around the country with some of its most noted accomplishments falling under their avocation for Mother’s Day, their support for the enactment of Social Security Laws and the end of discrimination based upon age in the work place. The organization has also contributed heavily to charities such as medical research for cancer, heart disease, provided help for children with disabilities, and care for the elderly.
Extent
0.9 Cubic Feet (2 manuscript boxes (legal size))
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Fraternal Order of Eagles Records contain and note many of the activities the Calumet Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles were involved in. With meetings and other such gatherings taking present at the Italian Hall, this collection includes meeting minutes spanning from June 5th 1930 to May 29th 1952, death announcements, sick and funeral benefits from 1936 to 1953, audit forms, financial reports, letters of inquiry between the president of the group and the treasurer, membership pamphlet, a supplemental report between the state secretary and state treasurer, Ladies Auxiliary bank booklets, checks and stubs, 50th anniversary pamphlet, and a fishing contest envelope.
General Physical Description note
0.90 cubic feet2 manuscript boxes (legal size)
Processing History
Elizabeth Russell,7/20/2010
- Title
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Records
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Russell
- Date
- 7/20/2010
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository