Genesee Lodge No. 24, Independent Order of Odd fellows, was granted a dispensation on April 29, 1847, to organize in the then village of Flint, with Edward H. Thomson as noble grand and George M. Dewey as vice-grand. Two of the charter members afterward became grand masters, William M. Fenton, in 1855, and Edward H. Thomson, in 1872. The late Francis H. Rankin became a member of this lodge soon after its organization and served as its treasurer for many years. He was grand master in 1872. This lodge is justly proud of the fact that it has never failed to make its report to the grand lodge, never missed being represented there, has always held its regular meetings on Tuesday evenings, and has paid many thousands of dollars for relief and burial benefits. The earliest meeting places cannot be definitely located, but according tot he recollection of some old members, it met for a time over No. 323 south Saginaw Street, and in 1867 had its home over No. 318 South Saginaw Street, removing about that time to the hall in the Judd block. In the fall of 1903 it decided to own its own home and purchased the Ladies' Library building, which it transformed into a handsome and commodious temple, the first meeting being held there on February 15, 1904. Later, when the Masonic Orders built their temple on South Saginaw and Fourth Streets, the Odd Fellows purchased the temple previously occupied by the Masons in the Bryant House Block.

Genesee Lodge No 24, has a membership of three hundred and eighty and the meeting are held every Tuesday evening in Odd Fellows Temple. 

Friendship Lodge No. 174, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted on November 20, 1871, over No. 322 South Saginaw street, with ten charter members. From this small beginning, through trying and perilous times and many changes, this lodge has fought its way to be one of the finest in the state, with a present membership of over six hundred. Its staff work is fast gaining an enviable reputation. It also has never missed sending its reports and dues tot he grand lodge and it is well represented in the camp and canton.

Friendship Lodge now has a membership of six hundred and fifty and the meetings are held in the temple every Thursday evening. 

Flint River Encampment No. 28, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted, December 19, 1868, with five members (none of whom now survive) in Odd Fellows' hall, Judd block. The first candidate was the late E. H. Thomson, who in later years became grand master. During its long and prosperous career it has admitted several hundred members, buried many, paid out large sums for sick and funeral benefits, never missed its annual report to the grand encampment of Michigan, and has always had one or more representatives in the grand bodies. The grand encampment has twice been its guest, first in 1892 and again in 1903. Five other encampments have been organized from it and it has produced seventy-five chief patriarchs. Flint River Encampment now has a membership of over two hundred and the meetings are held the first and third Mondays in each month, in I. O. O. F. temple.

Canton Col. Fenton No. 27, Patriarchs Militant (Odd Fellows), was chartered on August 30, 1887, and mustered into service on November 28, following, in the hall in the Judd block, with thirty-eight members.

It has always been well to the front along military lines and second and five first prizes and one national prize. One of its members, has won both state and national fame, winning in competitive drill, five Gen. T. A. Willett, organized the meetings of Canton the department council. The meetings of Canton Colonel Fenton now are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in Odd Fellows temple.