Woodmen of the World
Woodmen of the World is a fraternal benefits society and nonprofit life insurance company. Chapter membership was very popular in the early 1900's. Members donated man hours and finances to erect community buildings, fraternal lodges, disaster relief, and other efforts but primarily sought to benefit the lives of the members themselves through private insurance and employment opportunities. They believed in the dignity of a marked grave hence the recognizable tombstones found in so many cemeteries. They also believed that woodmen did not truly die but were resting as per the Christian faith. Tombstone epitaphs commonly reflect this statement.
As a 'secret' fraternal organization, membership can only be confirmed by the distinctive tombstones erected on fallen members' graves prior to 1920 and by memorial stamps on tombstones after this date. Below is a list of known members in our family.