KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES

KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES. The Knights of the Maccabees, a fraternal organization, was formed in 1878 in London, Ontario, Canada. A related but separate organization "Maccabees of the World" was also established. The two merged under the title "The Knights of the Maccabees of the World" (KOTMOTW) later shortened to the "Maccabees" in 1914.

Most active in Michigan, the group's fraternal aspects came second to providing low-cost insurance to members. In the society's early years, it also provided other final-expense related benefits such as society cemeteries. In 1926, they established their headquarters at the Maccabees Building in downtown Detroit, Michigan. In 1960, the Maccabees relocated to a new building in Southfield, Michigan - a suburb of Detroit. In 1986, they built new 251,000-square-foot office building, once again in Southfield.

In Dubuque, the Knights of the Maccabees were active as early as 1899 when the Knights of Maccabees, Dubuque Tent No 24 gave their first annual ball. Music was provided by the RUSSO ITALIAN ORCHESTRA. (1) The organization initiated one hundred members on October 17, 1908. Newspaper reports of the time stated the belief that this was the largest group ever initiated into a secret society in Dubuque in a single meeting. In 1908 Dubuque had the largest "tent" in Iowa. In 1907 the Dubuque "tent" had sixty-five members. In October, 1908 this number had risen to over 300.

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Source:

1. "The Maccabees Ball," The Dubuque Herald, December 14, 1899, p. 5 THE