KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
Knights of Pythias a secret semi-military and benevolent association founded in the city of Washington D. C. Feb. 19 1864, Justus G. Rathbone (who died Dec 9 1889) being its recognized founder.
The order was established in Illinois May 4 1869 by the organization of "Welcome Lodge No. 1," in the city of Chicago. On July 1 1869 this Lodge had nineteen members. At the close of the year four additional Lodges had been instituted having an aggregate membership of 245. Early in the following year on petition of these five Lodges approved by the Grand Chancellor a Grand Lodge of the Order for the State of Illinois was instituted in Chicago with a membership of twenty-nine Past Chancellors as representatives of the five subordinate Lodges, the total membership of these Lodges at that date being 382.
December 31, 1870 the total membership in Illinois had increased to 850. June 30, 1895 the total number of Lodges in the State was 525 and the membership 38,441. The assets belonging to the Lodges in Illinois on Jan 1 1894 amounted to $418,151.77.