International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF)
Located in Section C The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, or IOOF, was the first American fraternal order to offer its members financial relief benefits for sickness, burial of deceased members, and assistance to orphans. It is one of the largest American fraternal organizations. This impressive monument, topped by the statue of a woman, was erected in 1884 by six German-speaking, Chicago-area Odd Fellows lodges.
German-language lodges were common until outlawed by the IOOF after World War I. The inscription on the south side reads "Freundschaft, Liebe und Wahrheit" [Friendship, Love and Truth]; on the east side are listed the six participating lodges.
Although only a few gravestones near the IOOF monument have their three chains linked together insignia incorporated on them this symbol is very common through out Forest Home Cemetery.
German-language lodges were common until outlawed by the IOOF after World War I. The inscription on the south side reads "Freundschaft, Liebe und Wahrheit" [Friendship, Love and Truth]; on the east side are listed the six participating lodges.
Although only a few gravestones near the IOOF monument have their three chains linked together insignia incorporated on them this symbol is very common through out Forest Home Cemetery.
