IOOF Worldwide
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), also known as Three Link Fraternity, is an altruistic fraternal organization derived from the similar English Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 1700s, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were far less common.

HISTORY
1700's England, the official oddfellows organization name, "The Patriotic Order" was followed by successors during a period of merger and re-organization by the "Union of United Orders" and then "The Loyal Order", and finally the "Union Order". In 1813, various lodges of the Union Order organized the "Manchester Unity of Oddfellows" which chartered the IOOF in North America in 1819.

While several unofficial lodges had existed in New York City before, because of the charter relationship, American Odd Fellowship is regarded as being founded in Baltimore at the Seven Stars Tavern in 1819 by Thomas Wildey and some of his associates, and the following year affiliated with the Manchester Unity. Within a few years the new American Lodges separated from the English Orders and formed the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The IOOF spread throughout the USA and most of the rest of the world, establishing lodges in the Americas (Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico), Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) and Europe (Austria, Belgium and Netherlands, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland) and Philippines.

Its ladies' auxiliary is known as the "Daughters of Rebekah" (The Rebekahs). Both the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs have higher branches known as Encampments and Patriarchs Militant.

Odd Fellowship, unlike many other organizations, makes no special effort to attract "name" members. Ours is a warm, personal type of affiliation that doesn't rely on "rubbing elbows" with the famous to give us satisfaction. However, for education purposes here are some of the notable members of IOOF:

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