History

Founder

Justus H. Rathbone graduated from Colgate University and attended Carlisle Seminary. He was a music composer and actor. One of his compositions, a Mazurka, was played at President Garfield’s inaugural ball and received high praise among musicians. He was a great Shakespearian scholar and often took part in amateur plays.

In 1863 he moved to Washington D.C. as a government clerk in the United States Treasury Department, where he founded the Knights of Pythias on February 19, 1864. Rathbone based the Knights of Pythias ritual on the mythological friendship of Damon and Pythias, while he was a school teacher at the Eagle Harbor Schoolhouse, in Eagle Harbor, Michigan.

History

The Order Knights of Pythias was founded on February 19, 1864, in Washington, D.C., during the turmoil of the Civil War. Its founder, Justus Henry Rathbone, was inspired by the story of Damon and Pythias—a tale of unshakable friendship, loyalty, and honor. From these ideals grew a fraternal order dedicated to the timeless virtues of Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence.

The Order quickly spread across the nation and, with the support of President Abraham Lincoln, became the first fraternal organization to receive a Congressional charter in 1870. Within just a few years, lodges were forming in nearly every state.

The Grand Lodge of Florida was established in 1872, ensuring that the principles of brotherhood, service, and community would be carried forward here in the Sunshine State. For more than 150 years, Florida Knights of Pythias have upheld our mission by serving our neighbors, strengthening families, and promoting unity in our communities.

Today, the Knights of Pythias remains committed to building lasting friendships, living out knightly virtues, and supporting charitable causes that uplift the people of Florida and beyond.

President Abraham Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln, being advised of the contents of the ritual and its teaching, said: “The purposes of your organization are most wonderful. If we could but bring its spirit to all our citizenry, what a wonderful thing it would be. It breathes the spirit of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. It is one of the best agencies conceived for the upholding of government, honoring the flag, for the reuniting of our brethren of the North and of the South, for teaching the people to love one another, and portraying the sanctity of the home and loved ones. I would suggest that these great principles by perpetuated and that you go to the Congress of the United States and ask for a charter, and so organize on a great scale throughout this nation, and disseminate this wonderful work that you have so nobly started. I will do all in my power to assist you in this application and with your work.” 

The suggestion made by the President was adopted. An application was made to Congress for a charter, and the Order of Knights of Pythias was the first American Order ever chartered by an Act of the Congress of the United States. 

Notable Members in History

      • 25th President William McKinley
      • 29th President Warren G. Harding
      • 32nd President Franklin D. Roosevelt (who joined during his presidency)
      • Vice President Hubert Humphery
      • Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan
      • Vice President Nelson Rockefeller
      • Louis Armstrong – Jazz Trumpeter and singer

Notable current members include Peter T. King, a Republican U.S, Representative for New York, and Chuck Schumer, a Democrat senator from New York. Currently the organization has over 50,000 members, but at its height it had almost a million, in the early 1920’s. Though not nearly as large as it was back then, the order is still able to help members of our community that are in need. We are proud to carry on the traditions of fraternity and service that our organization was originally founded on.

FRIENDSHIP – CHARITY – BENEVOLENCE