The origins of the movement are unclear, although Foresters themselves claim to be descended from so-called Friendly Societies of Thirteenth Century England this almost certainly an exaggeration. But by 1790 the Court of the Ancient Order of Foresters was in existence in England.
North American Forestry declared themselves independent from the British organization in 1874 forming the Independent Order of Foresters.
As a self-help organization Forestry has long tradition of selling insurance and financial instruments to its members. Many of the mergers with other organizations might been seen as business acquisitions.
In 1926 the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Canadian Order of Home Circles were subsumed into Forestry. In 1931 both the Royal Templars of Temperance and the Modern Brotherhood of America became part of the movement. in 1971 the Order of Scottish Clans merged with the IOF.
External Links:
This article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by fixing it.