The New International Encyclopædia/Foresters of America

FORESTERS OF AMERICA. A benevolent and fraternal organization known under its present title since September, 1895. Originally the Order was part of the Ancient Order of Foresters, founded in England in 1745, and introduced in the United States in 1832. In 1889, however, the American Order freed itself from the jurisdiction of the High Court in England, and became a separate organization. It had, in 1902, some 1600 courts, or local branches, and a total membership of over 200,000. Its annual payments for benefits amount to $1,000,000.