Tombstone Tuesday-Improved Order of Red Men

We were taking some photos at Riverside Cemetery yesterday and Joe noticed this unfamiliar symbol on a tombstone, a fraternal symbol that I had never seen before, but had hoped to find some day.

It is the symbol of the Improved Order of Red Men.

Improved Order of Red Men, Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio. (2024 photo by Karen)

 

Their insignia consists of Indian items, such as tomahawks, clubs, and war bonnets. This is a perfect example of that. 

The Improved Order of Red Men was established in America about 1834 and traces its origin to secret patriotic societies founded before the American Revolution. They claim direct descent from the colonial group, Sons of Liberty, and was formed by members of two patriotic organizations, the Sons of Liberty and Sons of St. Tamia.

The Improved Order of Red Men is devoted to inspiring a greater love for America and the principles of American liberty.

Members dressed in costumes fashioned after the Great Plains and Iroquoian Indian patterns and it is believed the society used Iroquois Indian disguises to hide their patriotic work. Most costumes were purchased from supply houses or made by members.

The organization’s membership peaked in the late 19th century, but the society still exists today.

Their women’s organization, the Degree of Pocahontas, supports a number of charitable, youth, and education programs.

This symbol is on the tombstone of Oliver Hedges (1866-1937). There must have been a lodge in the area.

I have been reading a booklet about German-born Rev. Friedrich Konrad Dietrich Wyneken (1810-1876), whose restored Adams County, Indiana, home we visited the weekend before last, as part of this year’s Schumm reunion activities. The booklet mentioned the Order of Red Men and some other fraternal, aka secret societies, in about 1845. Rev. Wyneken was not a fan of secret societies. …The nuisance of the secret societies was then already widespread and well-established in Baltimore. It was particularly the Order of Red Men, which the Germans joined and of which they organized several lodges. …the Order of Odd Fellows was very esteemed, and it lodges were frequented far too much by the Germans… He pointed out their threat for church and state…he was the first pastor in America who publicly took a firm stand against the secret societies… and once, as a result of his stance …a lodge of Red Men in full array turned around the corner and marched past in procession. All of them took off their hats and saluted mockingly as they passed by Wyneken…

 

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  1. I shared this article on Ohio City’s Pride:
    https://www.facebook.com/ohiocityspride

    1. Thank you! Glad you found it interesting and informative.

    • Deb Reichard on August 13, 2024 at 8:17 am
    • Reply

    You find such treasures. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. Was Oliver Hedges a descendant of the family that owned Hedges homestead at the location where the American Legion currently is? Also I think I remember that the land that Mike Schumm lives on was once the Hedges land. Might be totally wrong but I possibly remember that is where they put the grafted apple trees from Johnny Appleseed. Hope to see you on 9/11.

    1. Thanks, Deb. I did not look into Hedges’ history but you certainly give me some good clues. Sounds like an interesting family. I will have to ask Mike about the apple trees. That is another interesting story. I wonder if any of those apple trees survive. Yes, I plan to come on the 11th. See you then.

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