International Order of Odd Fellows Scrapbook

The Independant Order of Odd Fellows (see note on naming at the end of this section) was formed in 1819 by Thomas Wildey of Baltimore, Maryland. Originally chartered by the English Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity, the American group broke away and became independent following a dispute in 1842. The organization grew quickly in the United States, and remains one of the nation's largest fraternal organizations in the early 21st century. Beyond its role as a social organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows aims to uphold Judeo-Christian ethics and the spirit of reciprocity, summarized in its motto "Visit the sick, Relieve the distressed, Bury the dead, and Educate the orphan."

The Odd Fellows arrived in Rochester within a generation of their founding. While comprehensive records of the organization in Rochester are not available, it is known that the Genesee Lodge #3 (no longer extant) was founded in 1841 and the Teoronto Lodge #8 was founded in 1842 (and still meets on Gregory Street in Rochester in 2020). Overall, by the time came to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the Order in 1896, the organization was able to assemble a parade of between 1700 and 2000 Odd Fellows from Rochester. The Order in Rochester had a temple on North Clinton Avenue, a west side hall on State Street, and included 20 encampments and lodges.

John W. Stebbins, the special subject of this scrapbook, was amongst the leaders of the Odd Fellows in Rochester in 1896. Born on October 22, 1819 in Herkimer, New York, to John and Achsah Stebbins, he attended the Wesleyan Seminary at Cazenovia and Union College. After graduating in 1846, he became a teacher and was the principal at Macedon Academy. He studied law during this time, and joined the bar in Rochester in 1851. He also joined the Odd Fellows at this time, associating with the Genesee Lodge. He was quite successful in both fields, practicing law for over half a century and rising to the rank of Grand Sire in the Odd Fellows, making him the leader of the local organization. John W. Stebbins passed away on July 30, 1905, and was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Note on naming: While many Odd Fellows groups have referred to themselves as belonging to the "International Order of Odd Fellows," this term is not technically correct. The proper name for the organization is, and has always been, the "Independent Order of Odd Fellows."