Improved Order of Heptasophs

The Improved Order of Heptasophs is a Fraternal Organization established in 1878 when its founding members split from the Order of Heptasophs in a dispute over offering mutual aid to its membership. This group was organized for the purpose of "uniting fraternally all white men of sound bodily health, good moral character, socially acceptable, engaged in an honorable profession, business, employment or occupation, between 18 and 50 years of age."

The society had its head office in Baltimore, Maryland, and its membership reached 676,887 by 1915. As of May 1917, however, the IOH ceased to exist when it merged with the Fraternal Aid Union (Lawrence, Kansas), which changed to the Standard Life Association in 1933.

References

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=External links=
* [http://www.slpl.lib.mo.us/libsrc/frat2.htm St. Louis Public Library (Fraternal Organizations)]
* [http://mill-valley.freemasonry.biz/marin-fraternities-06.htm Mill Valley Lodge #356 (reference to motto)]
* [http://www.genealogytoday.com/guide/order-of-heptasophs.html Improved Order of Heptasophs (database search)]
* [http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/fraternalism/heptasophs.htm Improved Order of Heptasophs Initiation Ritual]