✅ SOLVED Mystery Button

[Iron Buzz]

Found in Minnesota. Does anybody recognize this design or can you read the writing? The 2nd photo is a mirror image of the inside of the button (iron back unfortunately, was missing) because it is much clearer.

 

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[Iron Buzz]

Pretty sure the word on the upper right is PATRIA (one's native country or homeland.) Bottom word appears to be CIRCLE.

 

[CASPER-2]

probably Masonic ?

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Upon closer inspection, your button reads 'PITHIA RURAL CIRCLE'.

Dave

 

[Iron Buzz]

Upon closer inspection, your button reads 'PITHIA RURAL CIRCLE'.

Dave

Uh, thank you, Dave. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Iron Buzz]

A non-metal detecting buddy solved it for me... or, at least provided the clues I needed. He pointed out that the words are "PATRIARCHAL CIRCLE". I haven't been able to find a picture of their button, or even the symbol on the button, but newspaper archives from the 1880s have plenty of mentions of it. It was a short-lived branch of the Odd Fellows, founded in Milwaukee, WI.

 

[Finder Bear]

Definitely interesting!

 

[Iron Buzz]

More here about the group

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Uh, thank you, Dave. Anyone else have any ideas?

What can I tell you... except that my eyes aren't as good as they used to be.

 

[Iron Buzz]

We went back there this morning and my buddy found another one... still needs cleaning but it looks like it is in much better condition. His still has the iron back on it, at least.

 

[Finder Bear]

This is really interesting. I didn’t know there were “branches” of the IOOF. I absolutely love this site!

 

[Iron Buzz]

This is really interesting. I didn’t know there were “branches” of the IOOF. I absolutely love this site!

If I'm reading those stories correctly, this group was an unofficial offshoot, designed to bring younger members into the group by encouraging them to march in public parades, etc. The offshoot was contained pretty much to the Midwestern, and a couple of Eastern, states (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and New York), and that, only for a couple of years. I haven't been able to find any other pictures of the button, and almost no mention of the group outside of newspaper archives, so I suspect this button is extremely rare.

 

[Iron Buzz]

"Prior to the acceptance of the Patriarch's Militant, a group of Encampment members in Milwaukee, Wisconsin organized its own uniformed body which it designated the Patriarchal Circle. In 1881, the Grand Sire raised the Patriarchal Circle issue at the Supreme Grand Lodge Session. -In 1882 it was referred to a special committee that found the organization was unlawful and membership in it was prohibited; this prohibition was renewed in 1883 and 1884. These prohibitions, together with the creation of the Patriarch's Militant, brought an end to the Patriarchal Circle."


https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Tactics-Patriarchal-Circle-Purinton-Holman-G/669757763/bd

 

[Iron Buzz]

We went back there this morning and my buddy found another one... still needs cleaning but it looks like it is in much better condition. His still has the iron back on it, at least.

Cleaned my buddy's button for him last night.