As mentioned in his biography, Owen W. Harrison
belonged to the "The Knights of the Maccabees", which was a fraternal and
benevolent "legal reserve society". His older brother William W. Harrison,
was also a member. Families of deceased members received benefits
in the form of legal reserve insurance. All white persons of sound health
and good character, from birth to 70 years of age, were eligible for membership.
The name comes from the Biblical Maccabees. The order was founded in London,
Ontario in 1878 and reorganized in 1883. Before 1914, it was known
as the Knights of the Maccabees. Subsequent to 1914, it has been simply
been called "The Maccabees". Thirty years ago, the national headquarters
was located at 5057 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI. From "History of
Genesee County Michigan Vol. 1, 1916":
"Knights of the Maccabees of the World, organized originally in Canada was incorporated in Michigan in 1884. The Knights of the Modern Maccabees and The Maccabees of the World have since consolidated and are now known as the Maccabees."Images of a 1901 Maccabees Calendar which also lists the members and officers. This pamphlet was copied at the Western Michigan Regional Archives, in the Grant Shutes Collection, A-66. Several of the members listed were Schoolcraft families that had relationships to the Harrison family including Crose, Nesbitt, Fellows, Mack, McCreary, Shirley and Van Duzer.
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