Once existed in the United States were two unions of Labor, which were the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Knights of Labor. The American Federation of Labor happened to be a formal association of the labor unions, whereas the knights of Labor seemed to be a more secretive one. The knights of Labor, in addition, was a more radical association. James L. Wright and Uriah Smith Stephens formed a secret union in 1869, which is referred to as the noble family of the Knights of Labor.
This is actually the basis for the formation of the Knights of Labor. Stephens was once the leader of the organization before Terence V. took up the leadership position and made the organization have national recognition. After some time, the Knights of Labor lost its recognition as its membership declined due to autocratic structure, unsuccessful strikes, and mismanagement. When the Knights of Labor lost its recognition, the AFL gain popularity after its formation in 1886 at Columbus, Ohio.