History
It was during the period of stress, turmoil and uncertainty following the Civil War that our Order was conceived. Our Order was the one of first of its kind to be conceived (1867), though the actual formation did not take place until May 1, 1873, at which time one other fraternal insurance society was in existence (Ancient Order of United Workmen- 1868). We therefore are the second oldest fraternal insurance organization in the country. (The oldest active organization since the A.O.U.W. is no longer in business) In the summer of the year 1867, two gentlemen met at Erie, PA to devise a form of beneficial society, embracing improvement upon the old organizations as to death benefits, and a fraternal organization to give it strength and permanency.
1867-The First Conference, Erie, PA - It was decided at that meeting that one of the two gentlemen, Mr. Jared B. Hawkes, of Washington, D.C., should prepare a death benefit feature, which, for cheapness, safety and reliability would recommend itself to those who might be physically sound, but excluding all whose membership would risk the stability of the Order. The other of the two gentlemen, Dr. James M. Bunn, of New Washington, PA, agreed to prepare a form of ceremony which would attract, impress and bring together the membership in strong fraternal ties.
1869- The Second Conference, Brookville, PA - Of the three gentlemen previously mentioned, one was Dr. Charles M. Matson, of Brookville, PA, under whose supervision, Dr. James M. Bunn had worked during the Civil War as an examiner of men drafted into military service, and with whom, it is recorded, he had discussed the project. Another of the three was Mr. John McMurray, also of Brookville, PA, whose cooperation Dr. Matson had secured. This conference took place at Brookville, PA, where Mr. McMurray, editor of the newspaper "Jefferson Democrat", received the obligation of an Artisan, being thus the first man to do so. The ceremony took place in a building in Brookville, with a dry goods box used as an altar. Mr. McMurray was then elected Most Excellent Recorder.
1872- The Third Conference, St. Louis, MO - Other gentlemen were added to the membership, and it was agreed that the members should be called to meet at Washington, D.C. for permanent organization on May 1, 1873.
1873- Organizational Meeting, Washington, D.C., May 1st, 1873 - There had been twenty one gentlemen enlisted in the movement at the time of the conference in St. Louis. The parties all met on May 1, 1873, at Washington, D.C. with the exception of Dr. James M. Bunn who had been detained on his journey by a railroad accident. Immediately an organization was effected by the election of officers.
Herein lies the beginnings of Artisanship and through the nearly 125 years in existence we are one of the many Fraternal Benefit Societies which have withstood the test of time, thus far. The rest, as they say, is history. However, how we conduct ourselves as members, will determine our future and history will judge us as a Fraternal Benefit Society.
There are many things we tend to take for granted. We have well-known rights to vote, bear arms, speak freely in public, and worship as we choose.
The right to congregate, for peaceful purposes, is also a protection our forefathers made sure was ours.
The fraternalism movement is an outgrowth of that planning and is, in its many forms, a supremely valuable social force contributing to the stability of the country.
During the Depression, banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions tottered or fell. The country spent long years climbing out of the chaos of that time.
No fraternal society failed to discharge its obligations. None went into bankruptcy or receivership.
Deep recessions, inflationary periods.... all the possible variations or economic stress have occurred during this century.
Quietly, and without fanfare, fraternalism kept its pact with its members. With courage and cost-effective results, the protectors of our investments and life-savings have diligently gone about their work.
No fraternal society failed to discharge its obligations. None went into bankruptcy or receivership.
The role of fraternalism, along with the efforts of our schools and churches, is to form a powerful alliance with government to give us a more orderly, and economically successful society.
One of the potent defenses in our fight against economic collapse is the open lodge room of fraternal organizations.
No fraternal society failed to discharge its obligations. None went into bankruptcy or receivership.
We can look to the future with faith and confidence in our ability to provide for our families.
1867-The First Conference, Erie, PA - It was decided at that meeting that one of the two gentlemen, Mr. Jared B. Hawkes, of Washington, D.C., should prepare a death benefit feature, which, for cheapness, safety and reliability would recommend itself to those who might be physically sound, but excluding all whose membership would risk the stability of the Order. The other of the two gentlemen, Dr. James M. Bunn, of New Washington, PA, agreed to prepare a form of ceremony which would attract, impress and bring together the membership in strong fraternal ties.
1869- The Second Conference, Brookville, PA - Of the three gentlemen previously mentioned, one was Dr. Charles M. Matson, of Brookville, PA, under whose supervision, Dr. James M. Bunn had worked during the Civil War as an examiner of men drafted into military service, and with whom, it is recorded, he had discussed the project. Another of the three was Mr. John McMurray, also of Brookville, PA, whose cooperation Dr. Matson had secured. This conference took place at Brookville, PA, where Mr. McMurray, editor of the newspaper "Jefferson Democrat", received the obligation of an Artisan, being thus the first man to do so. The ceremony took place in a building in Brookville, with a dry goods box used as an altar. Mr. McMurray was then elected Most Excellent Recorder.
1872- The Third Conference, St. Louis, MO - Other gentlemen were added to the membership, and it was agreed that the members should be called to meet at Washington, D.C. for permanent organization on May 1, 1873.
1873- Organizational Meeting, Washington, D.C., May 1st, 1873 - There had been twenty one gentlemen enlisted in the movement at the time of the conference in St. Louis. The parties all met on May 1, 1873, at Washington, D.C. with the exception of Dr. James M. Bunn who had been detained on his journey by a railroad accident. Immediately an organization was effected by the election of officers.
Herein lies the beginnings of Artisanship and through the nearly 125 years in existence we are one of the many Fraternal Benefit Societies which have withstood the test of time, thus far. The rest, as they say, is history. However, how we conduct ourselves as members, will determine our future and history will judge us as a Fraternal Benefit Society.
There are many things we tend to take for granted. We have well-known rights to vote, bear arms, speak freely in public, and worship as we choose.
The right to congregate, for peaceful purposes, is also a protection our forefathers made sure was ours.
The fraternalism movement is an outgrowth of that planning and is, in its many forms, a supremely valuable social force contributing to the stability of the country.
During the Depression, banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions tottered or fell. The country spent long years climbing out of the chaos of that time.
No fraternal society failed to discharge its obligations. None went into bankruptcy or receivership.
Deep recessions, inflationary periods.... all the possible variations or economic stress have occurred during this century.
Quietly, and without fanfare, fraternalism kept its pact with its members. With courage and cost-effective results, the protectors of our investments and life-savings have diligently gone about their work.
No fraternal society failed to discharge its obligations. None went into bankruptcy or receivership.
The role of fraternalism, along with the efforts of our schools and churches, is to form a powerful alliance with government to give us a more orderly, and economically successful society.
One of the potent defenses in our fight against economic collapse is the open lodge room of fraternal organizations.
No fraternal society failed to discharge its obligations. None went into bankruptcy or receivership.
We can look to the future with faith and confidence in our ability to provide for our families.