Independent Order of Foresters
Private Post Card
Postmarked with Toronto Flag C dated September 17, 1898
Here is a copy of postcard designed by the Toronto-based publisher George P. Semple, although with no indication that it is published by Semple & Luke. Refer to the previous page for the other designs. The Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) is a fraternal benefit society that has become a not-for-profit member-based insurance organization which maintains a lodge system.
Foresters claim to be descended from so-called Friendly Societies of Thirteenth Century England, in fact Foresters are mentioned by name in King John's "Magna Carta" in 1219. The original groups, who banded together for mutual aid and protection, lived near the Royal Ancient Forests owned and operated by British Royalty. In the absence of any real State Sponsored programs, they collected pennies to be used in the event a disaster befell one of their Friends or neighbours.
The growth of The Independent Order of Foresters in Canada has been attributed to a prominent Mohawk doctor, Dr. Oronhyatekha, born in 1841 at Six Nations, near what is now Brantford, Ontario, Oronhyatekha ("Burning Sky") was baptized Peter Martin and later attended Oxford where he became an MD.
Dr. Oronhyatekha joined Foresters as a member in 1875 and quickly progressed through its leadership. He held the office of Supreme Chief Ranger (now called International Fraternal President) from 1881 until his death in 1907. By the early 1890s, he had successfully transformed Foresters into North America's leading fraternal benefit society.
Below, the reverse of the card with text over a background of
IOOF symbols and imagery
Below, a detail from the front of the card.
Below, the Private Post Card text with
“Companion Independent Order of Foresters”
Below, a second example of the card
postmarked Sept 22, 1898 with a Toronto Flag E cancellation
