Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Independent Order of Oddfellows was first officially established in 1843 with the American branch breaking away from the Manchester Unity. The first documented lodges were previous to 1843 in Halifax in 1815 and 1832. The next lodges documented were the ones established in 1843 and after. George Mathews, an engraver and lithographer, and John H. Hardie, a painter and decorator, are credited with being the fathers of the Independent Order of Oddfellows in Canada. Both the American Branch and the Manchester Unity were represented in Montreal when the first lodge became a reality. During 1844 a number of lodges expanded outside of Montreal. The Grand Lodge of Canada West was formed in 1855.(Taken from: History of Odd-Fellowship in Canada under Theold Regime. Brantford: Expositor Steam Painting House, 1879.)