Need Help to ID unusual WW1 "Rainbow" insignia

[Vincennes]

This pin is part of the Nelson Herbert “Ted” Welch WW1 collection I recently acquired. I previously posted about this collection in the Ephemera category.

Is this a military unit pin? I am familiar with the 42nd. DIV Rainbow insignia with its rainbow representation, but is this also a insignia for that Division? IT measures about 0.6" in length. On the reverse it is labeled "COOK CO" and below that " ELGIN".

Welsh was not in the 42nd. DIV but the 111th Engineer Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Company F, 4th Platoon, as part of the 36th. DIV.

Any idea what this is?

Paul

[yp221]

I'm not getting a military vibe from it. For what it's worth, the town of Elgin is a suburb of Chicago and is located in Cook County.

[Vincennes]

yp221

 

Interesting thought, but I know of no connection between Welch and Elgin, IL. He was born, raised, and died in Ponca City, OK. I assumed COOK CO meant manufactured by COOK COMPANY. But who knows?

 

Paul

[yp221]

I think the piece was manufactured in Elgin, IL.

[doyler]

Rainbow was also a Young Womens Masonic organization