WOODMEN OF THE WORLD
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This article first appeared in the Summer 1996 issue of Tomb With A View. Visit the "Past Issues" pages to see reprints of other articles and book reviews. More information about Woodmen of the World: More information about gravestone symbols: ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Use the "back" button to return to the page that brought you here. |
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Joseph Cullen Root developed, in 1893, the non-profit Woodmen of the World (WOW), "envisioning a fraternal society dedicated to helping its fellowman." What does an insurance company based in Omaha have to do with cemetery markers found from coast to coast, you may wonder? Well, when the Society formed, the only policy offered was a simple term insurance that provided members death and monument benefits "...to give honorable burial to our sacred dead..." To accomplish that goal, the gravestones bearing the Woodmen symbol were originally furnished free of charge to members. By the 1920s the cost of the markers became prohibitive and many "modern" cemeteries no longer permitted above ground monuments because they hindered cost-effective lawn maintenance. Although the Society ceased providing the markers then, some lodges continued to erect the monuments on their own. Even today, bronze stake-type markers and stone-cutter patterns are still available. Originally, Woodmen gravestones were intended to be uniform by using a pattern designated by the Home Office. Instead, the personal preferences and creativity of the stone-cutters resulted in unique and varied designs that reflect the individualism of the members. The emblem adorning the Woodmen stump, symbolizing equality and commonwealth, is the most commonly seen on member's monuments. Other official Woodmen symbols included a dove with an olive branch, which symbolized the peace of Heaven, and an axe, beetle and wedge which symbolize workmanship and progress of culture. Many of the "tree" monuments stand 4 to 5 feet high and show sawed or broken limbs traditionally symbolizing a life cut short. Some are surrounded at the base by flowers, ferns or delicate vines winding past inscriptions cut on the main part of the tree where the bark has been peeled back or hewn away. The Woodmen, true to their word of the past 106 years, have benefited society by "...fostering fraternalism through family, civic, charitable and patriotic activities. Katie Karrick, 1996 It should be noted that not all tree stump monuments are for Woodmen of the World members; in fact, the majority of tree monuments simply reflected the very popular late 19th century rustic style of decoration. Only those monuments bearing the Woodmen of the World emblem should be attributed to this organization. Many WOW markers are NOT in the shape of tree stumps, particularly those erected after 1900. KK |
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