Passed Time - Kicking Off Women's History Month: Whitcraft Scrapbook: Sarah Miles Hanna Died April 9, 1907

Kicking Off Women's History Month: Whitcraft Scrapbook: Sarah Miles Hanna Died April 9, 1907

| Hits: 7670

Hanna Sarah 1w

Simply put, the goal of the Indedpendent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) is to "improve and elevate the character of man."¹ Its origins began when ordinary citizens in seventeenth century England joined forces and resources to aid persons in need. In America, Washington Lodge No. 1 in Baltimore, Maryland, received its charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England on April 26, 1819.²The members of the fraternal organization were employed to "Visit the sick, relieve the distress, bury the dead and educate the orphans" as Baltimore was suffering from an outbreak of yellow fever.³

I.O.O.F. was the first national fraternity which to include both men and women when it adopted the Rebekah Degree in 1851. This degree was written by the Honorable Schuyler Colfax (1823-1885), who is perhaps better remembered for having served as the Vice President of the United States from 1869-1873. The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs continue their work today with nearly 10,000 lodges in approximately 26 countries.

Sarah Miles Hanna (1825-April 9, 1907) became a Rebekah in 1854, three years after the Rebekah Degree was initiated. By the time of her death in 1907, she was one of the oldest Rebekahs. Hanna's pedigree was substantial. Her father, Solomon Stoddard Miles, was president of the Presbyterian College in Zanesville, Ohio. She was a cousin of General Nelson A. Miles (1839-1925), a somewhat controversial figure for his eagerness to accept accolades, but unwillingness to accept blame, during the Plains Indian Wars (1854-90).

Hanna Sarahw Her marriage to Rev. Philip K. Hanna (1810-1884) further established her credentials for he served as an Illinois congressman. The marriage also linked her to Philip C. Hanna (1857-1929 ), the last American Consul in Puerto Rico.⁴ In spite of the importance of members of her family, Hanna wielded her own widely-recognized influence.

Hanna's prominence stemmed from kindness. Hanna was one of the first Rebekahs and a highly esteemed member of the Rebekah Assembly of Kansas. Furthermore, she served as grand chaplain of the Kansas Assembly. As one of the first Rebekahs, Hanna paved the way for other influential women to follow in her stead such as Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) and America's first female dentist, Lucy Hobbs Taylor (1833-1910).

During her tenure, she was able to extend the reach of the I.O.O.F. throughout the West and Southwest. She was the only woman, at least at the time of her death, to have the Degree of Chivalry awarded to her by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.⁵ Hanna Sarah 2w

In fact, her character and reputation were so impressive the inscription upon her tombstone, which lies next to that of her husband in Peabody, Kansas, reads:

Chaplain Rebekah Assembly I.O.O.F. from 1890-1907 Erected by Rebekahs of Kansas.

In addition to the newspaper clippings found in the Whitcraft Scrapbook, newspapers such as the San Francisco Call heralded news of her death, further illustrating her kindly impact. 109-years-ago today....

Best, Pat

¹The Sovereign Grand Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs

² Ibid

³ Ibid

⁴To read about his influence in making Puerto Rico an American Colony, read here. After a long and eventful career he died in San Diego, California. A copy of his obituary is here.

⁵The Illustrated History of Odd Fellowship: A Documentary and Chronological History of the Origin, Rise and Progress of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Throughout the World Theodore A. Ross Ross History Company, 1916 641 pages

Leave your comments

Post comment as a guest

People in this conversation

Comments (132)

Load Previous Comments

Guest - Smith
Permalink

Developed specifically for growing babies and children, baby care play mat provides hygienic and safe floor space for the family with small ones.

about 4 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon
Guest - Garry
Permalink

Before giving your dog any people food, do your research to make sure it's safe. Never feed your dog toxic human items such as: chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins. Bland Diet for Dogs is very good, when an owner sees the sign of vomiting, diarrhoea etc.

about 4 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon
Guest - The Acharya Mukti
Permalink

hanks for such an enlightening blog. talk to astrologer

about 4 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon
Guest - 먹튀검증업체
Permalink

Thank you so much for providing good quality information. I think it would not have been easy to collect this information and organize it in an easy to understand way. I'll add it to my bookmarks so I can visit it often! And I will share it with my acquaintances. And there is a lot of useful information on our website too, so please take a look and take a look. Then have a good day.먹튀검증업체

about 4 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon
Guest - Prabhu Bhakti
Permalink

Narmadeshwar Shivling is a very holy Shivling, which brings good luck by worshiping it.

about 4 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon
Guest - Ravi Sharma
Permalink

Parad Shivling is very miraculous and auspicious, you can worship this Shivling to get the blessings of Lord Shiva. You can buy Parad Shivling at a reasonable price.

about 4 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon
Guest - Online Astrologer
Permalink

Thanks for sharing this post with the community! Talk to astrologer online to resolve all your life problems.

about 3 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon
Guest - bamgosoocom
Permalink

Appreciation to my father who stated to me on the topic of this weblog, this webpage is really amazing.

my homepage; <a href="/https://bamgosoo.com" rel="nofollow">오피</a><br>

about 3 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon
ghazanfar seo
Permalink

Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work. 먹튀검증업체

about 3 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon
Guest - 부산오피
Permalink

I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice,
keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. Many thanks|

Feel free to surf to my page - 부산오피 (jk)

about 3 years ago http://maps.google.com/maps?z=15&q=,

0 Like Share Short URL: Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn Tumblr Digg Delicious Reddit StumbleUpon