What’s a Woodman of the World?
Headstones similar to this can be seen in many cemeteries across the USA.
In 1890 Joseph Cullen Root founded Woodmen of the World, after hearing a sermon about "pioneer woodsmen clearing away the forest to provide for their families." Taking his own surname to heart, he wanted to start a society that "would clear away problems of financial security for its members.”
The history of this organization includes numerous philanthropic efforts, community outreach projects, a program to donate American flags, and broadcast interests that were to own the first television station where Johnny Carson worked.
An enduring physical legacy of the organization is distinctive headstones in the shape of a tree stump. This was an early benefit of Woodmen of the World membership, and they are found in cemeteries nationwide. This program was abandoned in the late 1920s as it was too costly. Typically the headstones would include a stump or felled tree; the maul and wedge; and an axe. As Woodmen "do not lie", a common inscription was "Here rests a Woodman of the World".
The organization survives today as WoodmenLife (officially Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society) as a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society.
See Wikipedia.
Also see agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2011/06/woodmen-of-world-and-...
For We’re Here!, today visiting Plants, Plants, Plants, Plants,and more Plants,
My image is a composite of my own photos from the Yountville Pioneer Cemetery, and two source images provided by jus tt for fun -- see the originals in the first comment box below. This is my entry in the 191st Treat This event at Kreative People.
What’s a Woodman of the World?
Headstones similar to this can be seen in many cemeteries across the USA.
In 1890 Joseph Cullen Root founded Woodmen of the World, after hearing a sermon about "pioneer woodsmen clearing away the forest to provide for their families." Taking his own surname to heart, he wanted to start a society that "would clear away problems of financial security for its members.”
The history of this organization includes numerous philanthropic efforts, community outreach projects, a program to donate American flags, and broadcast interests that were to own the first television station where Johnny Carson worked.
An enduring physical legacy of the organization is distinctive headstones in the shape of a tree stump. This was an early benefit of Woodmen of the World membership, and they are found in cemeteries nationwide. This program was abandoned in the late 1920s as it was too costly. Typically the headstones would include a stump or felled tree; the maul and wedge; and an axe. As Woodmen "do not lie", a common inscription was "Here rests a Woodman of the World".
The organization survives today as WoodmenLife (officially Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society) as a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society.
See Wikipedia.
Also see agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2011/06/woodmen-of-world-and-...
For We’re Here!, today visiting Plants, Plants, Plants, Plants,and more Plants,
My image is a composite of my own photos from the Yountville Pioneer Cemetery, and two source images provided by jus tt for fun -- see the originals in the first comment box below. This is my entry in the 191st Treat This event at Kreative People.