Bonded in Tragedy: The Role of Fraternal Orders in the Eastland Disaster

Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

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Welcome to Episode 56 of Flower in the River Podcast, where we will explore the role of Fraternal Organizations in the wake of the Eastland Disaster.

• Many victims of the Eastland disaster were members of various fraternal organizations
• Exploring the role these organizations played in the lives of working-class communities in early 20th century Chicago

What are Fraternal Organizations?

• Groups of individuals who come together based on shared interests, beliefs, or backgrounds
• Aim to provide mutual support, engage in charitable activities, and foster a sense of community
• Examples: Freemasons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), Knights of Columbus, Elks Club, Rotary International

Fraternal Organizations in Early 20th Century Chicago:

• Provided power and advancement opportunities in the workplace
• Allowed working-class individuals to build cross-class networks
• Defined a collective identity rooted in gender and race while sidelining class distinctions
• Fostered community and solidarity but also represented a division in American class politics

Conclusion:

• The intersections of faith, fraternity, and community in early 20th century Chicago were nuanced
• Researching ancestors' involvement in fraternal organizations can provide insight into how these groups influenced their lives

Links:

• Fraternal Orders and Class Formation in the Nineteenth-Century United States
• Secret Signs: How to Find Ancestors in Fraternal Societies by Rhonda R. McClure
• Encyclopedia of Chicago

Music:
Artlist

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus

Chapters

1. Bonded in Tragedy: The Role of Fraternal Orders in the Eastland Disaster (00:00:00)

2. Fraternal Organizations in 1915 Chicago (00:00:07)

3. Eastland Obituaries that mention Fraternal Organizations (00:15:00)

4. John Swedin and the "secret German order" (00:24:43)

5. Revisiting the Ristow Brothers (00:36:57)