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. Over the years, the Eagles have continued to meet member needs by fighting and winning many battles, with the results a Workman's Compensation Act, Mother's Day, old age pensions, Social Security laws and "Jobs After 40." The Eagles are still fighting to liberalize social benefits while battling life-threatening diseases through their sponsorships (excerpted from Fraternal Order of Eagles History, http://www.foe.com/about-us/aerie.aspx, accessed July 2010)
From the description of Fraternal Order of Eagles Records, 1928-1953. (Michigan Technological University). WorldCat record id: 703880797
