KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS

Cabinet photograph of an organization member from the 1800s. The publisher was Charlie Jordan, Dubuque, Iowa.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded at Washington, D.C., on February 19, 1864. The organization was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias. This legend illustrates the ideals of loyalty, honor and friendship that are the focus to the order. (1)

Membership certificate c. 1890

Apollo Orient Lodge No. 41 was instituted in Dubuque on February 23 and incorporated on March 20, 1878. One of the leaders of the group was Edward Duncan of Dubuque who was a charter member of Lodge 41 and served as grand chancellor of Iowa in 1888. (2) Dubuque held the state convention of the organization in 1911. (3)

In 2003 the order had over two thousand lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000. A member must be at least eighteen years of age. He could not be a professional gambler, be involved with illegal drugs or alcohol, and must have a belief in a Supreme Being. (4)

See: KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS HALL

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Source:

1. "Knights of Pythias," Wikipedia. Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_Pythias

2. "Brother Duncan," Dubuque Daily Herald, August 12, 1892, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18920812&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

3. "Dubuque is the Rallying Place for Pythians," Telegraph-Herald, September 25, 1911, p. 1

4. "Knights of Pythias"