Modern Woodmen of America

The Modern Woodmen of America was founded Jan. 5, 1883, by Joseph Cullen Root as a fraternal society to “promote true neighborly regard and fraternal love.” The organization was insurance based to care for the members and their survivors.

Trouble grew with this society when the founder was accused of paying death benefits to a widow whose husband never existed. He left this organization, and went on to found the Woodmen of the World in Omaha, Neb., on June 6, 1890, which was essentially the same type of society.

This society was in existence in Woodburn around the turn of the century, and by the 1920s, no mention of them was found in this area. The organization is still active in some areas.

The following information was obtained from the current Woodmen organization’s head office:

Woodmen Lodge No. 97 was located in Woodburn, Iowa, and chartered in April 1897. In April 1967, it merged with Oak Grove No. 6016 in Woodburn. In October 1989, Grove No. 6016 merged with No. 356 in Glenwood, Iowa, which still exists and is active. Records show that Hallie Johnson of Osceola was Secretary of Lodge No. 97 when it merged. Sylvia Carlson of Creston, Iowa, was the last known Secretary of Grove No. 6016. The tallest building in Omaha is the Woodmen of the World Tower.

Mrs. Rudiger, Mrs. John Cochran, Mrs. Mary Lamb, Irene Rudiger Mackey, Mrs. William Lewis, Corda Clark, Mrs. Frank Fox, Ann Carson, Mrs. Elizabeth Crowley, Mrs. Sweeney, Mrs. Mary Westbrook, Bessie Voris Hootman and Corda Cochran Stacey were members of the Woodmen Circle Drill Team.

Contributor: Lynette Davis