The first "Circle" of this auxiliary group was organized in San Francisco in June 1883, and it admitted male Foresters as well as their women relatives and friends (although the organization remained predominately a women's group). By 1895, membership in the Companions reached 20,000. Based on the English-based Ancient Order of Foresters, the American society experienced a number of schisms (e.g., the formation of the Independent Order of Foresters in 1874). In recent years the society called itself the "Ancient Order of Foresters of California, " and was headquartered in San Francisco. Although overall membership was somewhere near 120,000 in 1896, in 1979 the AOF had only 336 members, and we can assume the women's auxiliary, if it still remained, had even fewer members. (From dealer).
From the description of Lodge banner, ca. 1900. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122510621
