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Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

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Profiles

  • LTJG Alexander Edward Karlin (1906 - 1984)
    Mr. Alex E. Karlin, 77, formerly of First Circle, Manitowoc, died Friday morning, Aug. 3, at Bethany Riverside Nursing Home, LaCrosse, Wis. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Pfeffer Funeral...
  • Joseph Marcus Schueler, Sr. (1910 - 1996)
    Joseph M. Schueler Sr., 85, died Friday, May 10, 1996 at St. John’s of Hays Nursing Home, where he had been a resident for a short time. He was born May 13, 1910 in Catherine to Alexander and Clement...
  • David John Clauss (1918 - 1987)
    Obituary
  • Allen Dana Kahle, Sr. (1925 - 2002)
    KAHLE, A. Dana, Sr., 76, of Woodland Drive, Wheeling, died Thursday April 11, 2002, in Peterson Rehabilitation Hospital and Geriatric Center, Wheeling. Dana was born Nov. 12, 1925 in Wheeling, the son ...
  • Col. Edward Thomas Ryan (1938 - 2024)
    Col. Edward Thomas Ryan was a decorated soldier in the New York National Guard and a firefighter who, upon his death, became internationally known for the following personal note that he requested be i...

In New York City, a small group of actors and entertainers, wishing to continue their social gatherings on Sundays, when New York's blue laws prevented the opening of public establishments, began to meet regularly as the "Jolly Corks," a name derived from a bar trick introduced by the group's organizer. While the meetings were held with regularity, apparently no form nor substance resulted, except for the adoption of a toast to members of the group not in attendance. Shortly before Christmas in 1867, only a few months after the fellows began to meet, one of their number died, leaving his wife and children destitute.

This event gave rise to the notion that, in addition to good fellowship, the Jolly Corks needed a more noble purpose in order to endure, and serving not only their own in need, but others as well, would be appropriate. Two months later, on February 16, 1868, with a statement of serious purpose, an impressive set of rituals, a symbol of strength and majesty and such other elaborate trappings that might be expected of a group of actors and musicians, the new fraternal order was launched.

Since its founding on February 16, 1868, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) has been recognized by the noble creature that is the symbol of the Order. The elk is a peaceful animal, but will rise in defense of its own in the face of a threat. The majestic creature is fleet of foot and keen of perception. A most fitting representation, the stately elk is, for a distinctively American, intensely patriotic, family oriented organization subscribing to the cardinal principles of Elkdom, "Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity." The 15 Founders of the BPOE desired a readily identifiable creature of stature, indigenous to America. Eight members voted to adopt the elk, seven favored the buffalo.

The main Founder of the Elks, Brother Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian, an English-born actor, was a member of the British fraternity known as the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. Brother Vivian especially desired to see the new Order adopt the title of "buffaloes," but the vote carried with the name of "Elks."

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE; also often known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks) is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868. It is one of the leading fraternal orders in the U.S., claiming nearly one million members.

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