Your TR Source
President Roosevelt, writing as “Brother Honorary Roosevelt, father of Brother Initiative” Ted Roosevelt, congratulates F. Meredith Blagden, and states that he will meet him at Philippi.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-20
President Roosevelt tells his son Theodore Roosevelt that William Appleton’s letter was “bully,” and he was surprised that Appleton called the Porcellian Club “the best club in college.” The President repeatedly advises Ted not to “lose touch with the rest of your schoolmates” now that he is a member of the Porcellian Club. Roosevelt hopes he can attend one of “the Porc” dinners soon, and closes by noting that a certain poem by Rudyard Kipling “has always been one of my favorites.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-07
Bernard J. Cigrand mentions to Theodore Roosevelt the Roosevelt coat of arms as well as an etching of Roosevelt he recently mailed him. Cigrand is sending him an article about U.S. presidents’ participation in fraternal organizations, since Cigrand is a member himself, and asks Roosevelt to point out anything that needs changing (William Howard Taft has already done so himself).
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-14
Louis Zinke writes a letter to William S. Bennet letting him know the Knights of Pythias society will be hosting an event in November at the Wendell Phillips Lodge commemorating the life of activist Wendell Phillips. Zinke would like to invite both Bennet and Theodore Roosevelt to deliver addresses honoring Phillips at this event. He is hoping Bennet can help arrange a meeting with Roosevelt so Zinke can personally extend the invitation on behalf of the New York District of the Knights of Pythias.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-11
T.R. Kelly writes to Theodore Roosevelt about his concerns that the history of the pioneers in the Western United States is being forgotten. Kelly wishes to form a society with the purpose of perpetuating the history of frontier life. This fraternal order will not have a political affiliation, and it will be primarily concerned with the preservation of pioneer history. Because of Roosevelt’s interest in the West, Kelly hopes he can share his opinion on this fraternal order.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-23
J.L. Vincent asks Theodore Roosevelt to become an honorary social member of the Theodore Roosevelt Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, praising his character and public standing and enclosing an application for membership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-12
Walter Allen Rice asks Theodore Roosevelt whether he supports federal supervision of fraternal insurance societies. Rice outlines the challenges these organizations face under inconsistent state regulations and argues that national oversight would reduce administrative burdens and benefit millions of members.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-12
By-laws and history of Federal Lodge, No. 1, the Masonic Lodge in Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary tells William Noble that Roosevelt is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-17
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary sends Roosevelt’s regrets that he must decline the offer to join the Fraternal Order of Bears, as he does not have any free time at the moment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-27
Theodore Roosevelt tells A. J. Thompson he is pleased to accept honorary membership into the Lodge of Universal Masons.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-13
Theodore Roosevelt writes N. Waldo Kennedy to let him know he is very upset at an advertisement for the Loyal Order of Moose fraternal society using his name to promote membership without his knowledge or consent. Roosevelt says he accepted honorary membership in the society, as he has for many organizations, but he did not apply. Since he does not want to be misrepresented in advertisements, he is formally withdrawing this honorary membership.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-13
Theodore Roosevelt thanks members of the Loyal Order of the Moose for the certificate.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-27
President Roosevelt extends through Charles Hitchcock Sherrill his congratulations to Delta Kappa Epsilon on the occasion of their sixty-second annual banquet. He notes that fraternities such as D.K.E. are important in uniting men across class.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-07
President Roosevelt sends his thanks to members of the Mount Vernon circle of the Brotherhood of America and regrets that he could not make it to Harrisburg to meet them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-05
President Roosevelt thanks Henry L. Redfield for the picture and was touched by the story connected to it. He wishes the picture and story could be sent to every masonic lodge in the country.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-10-26
President Roosevelt asks Senator Beveridge if there would be any objection to taking Aaron Jones as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. Roosevelt wishes to fill the position with someone from New York, and feels that Jones might be the man but wants to consult with “practical farmers.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-08
President Roosevelt regretfully declines the invitation from Thomas A. Bynum, the grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, to attend the laying of the cornerstone of the Pythian Temple. Roosevelt supports the work of fraternal organizations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-12
On behalf of the North Hudson Lodge of the Loyal Order of the Moose, James H. Bennett asks Theodore Roosevelt to speak to a large gathering of members in Union Hill, New Jersey, sometime in January.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-05
James J. Davis informs Theodore Roosevelt he is sorry to hear of his resignation to the Loyal Order of Moose and agrees with his frustration of a member using his name in advertisement without permission. Davis clarifies that the order is not a commercial society, but a fraternal one but operates like any other fraternity. Davis invites Roosevelt to a set meeting they are having in Washington, D. C. on December 3rd to discuss the location of the school and home of the organization and Davis would soon like a moment with Roosevelt to meet and talk over what the organization is doing.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-23