Joseph Cullen Root founded Modern Woodmen of America on January 5, 1883, in Lyons, Iowa.[8] He had operated a number of businesses, including a mercantile establishment, a grain elevator, and two flour mills, sold insurance and real estate, taught bookkeeping classes, managed a lecture bureau, and practiced law.[10] Root was a member of several fraternal societies through the years. He wanted to create an organization that would protect families following the death of a breadwinner.[10]
During a Sunday sermon, Root heard the pastor tell a parable about the good that came from woodmen clearing away the forest to build homes, communities, and security for their families. He adopted the term Woodmen.[11] To complete the name, "Modern" reflected the need to stay current and change with the times. "Of America" was added to symbolize patriotism.[11]
Originally the Modern Woodmen had a rather unique set of membership restrictions and criteria. Religiously, the group was quite open, accepting "Jew and Gentile, the Catholic and Protestant, the agnostic and the atheist." On the other hand membership was restricted to white males between the ages of 18-45 and only in the twelve "healthiest" states - Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas. Residents of large cities were also disqualified from membership. Finally, those employed in a long list of professions were also prohibited from joining: railway brakemen, railway engineers, railway firemen, railway switchmen, miners employed underground, pit bosses, "professional rider and driver in races", employee in a gunpowder factory, wholesaler or manufacturer of liqueur, saloon keeper, saloon barkeeper, "aeronaut", sailor on the lakes or seas, plough polisher, brass finisher, professional baseball player, professional firemen, submarine operator or soldier in the regular army in a time of war.[12]
In 1884, the head office was organized in Fulton, Illinois. The first death claim of $698.58 was paid the same year.[13]
Modern Woodmen moved its home office to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1897.[14] In 1898 Modern Woodmen officially opened its Home Office at 1504 3rd Avenue. In 1967 Modern Woodmen opened a new facility to accommodate its rapid growth which is located at 1701 1st Avenue.[15]
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