WoodmenLife Highlights: History, Mergers & Acquisitions
Important Distinction:WoodmenLife (officially Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society) is distinct from Modern Woodmen of America. While both were founded by the same man (Joseph Cullen Root), they are separate, competing organizations.
- WoodmenLife is based in Omaha, Nebraska.
- Modern Woodmen of America is based in Rock Island, Illinois.
Corporate Owner & Structure
- Owner: Member-Owned Fraternal Benefit Society.
- WoodmenLife is not a publicly traded company and has no stockholders. It is owned by its "members" (policyholders).
- As a fraternal society (501(c)(8) organization), it operates on a "lodge" system (now called Chapters) and profits are returned to members in the form of benefits or used to support community service projects.
- Legal Name: Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (branded as WoodmenLife since 2015).
Early History & The "Root" Connection (1890–1920)
- 1883: Joseph Cullen Root founds Modern Woodmen of America in Iowa.
- 1890 (June 6): After a dispute with the leadership of Modern Woodmen, Root moves to Omaha, Nebraska, and founds Woodmen of the World.
- Mission: Root envisioned an organization that provided insurance to the "common man" while also offering a social network through lodges.
- 1890–1920s: The Tombstone Benefit.
- Unique Feature: One of the most famous aspects of early Woodmen policies was a rider that provided a free tombstone for deceased members.
- Design: These gravestones were carved in the shape of tree stumps or logs, symbolizing a life cut short. They are still visible in cemeteries across America today.
- End of Program: Rising stone/transportation costs forced the society to stop providing free stones in the 1920s, though they continued to provide metal plaques.
- 1912: Completion of the first Woodmen of the World Building in Omaha (19 stories), which was the tallest building between Chicago and the West Coast at the time.
Mergers & Acquisitions (Absorption of Fraternals)
Unlike commercial insurers that buy companies for profit, Fraternal Societies typically merge by "absorbing" smaller, struggling societies to protect those members' benefits.
- 1962 (January 1): Merged with The United Order of the Golden Cross (Knoxville, TN).
- 1964 (July 1): Merged with the Mutual Benefit Department of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers (St. Louis, MO).
- 1965 (January 1): Merged with Supreme Forest Woodmen Circle (Omaha, NE).
- Significance: This was the female auxiliary of Woodmen of the World. For decades, the "Woodmen Circle" operated separately for women; this merger unified the men's and women's organizations.
- 1969 (July 1): Merged with New England Order of Protection (Boston, MA).
- 2001 (July 1): Merged with Neighbors of Woodcraft (Oregon City, OR).
- Significance: This was originally a splinter group called "Pacific Circle, Women of Woodcraft" that had separated from the main order in 1897. The 2001 merger reunited them with the parent society after 100+ years.
Modern Era Highlights (1969–Present)
- 1969: Dedication of the Woodmen Tower (30 stories) in downtown Omaha. It remained the tallest building in Nebraska until 2002.
- 2002: Formation of Woodmen Financial Services, a subsidiary allowing the society to offer mutual funds and variable annuities (expanding beyond just life insurance).
- 2015 (June 1): Rebranding.
- The organization changes its marketing name from Woodmen of the World to WoodmenLife.
- Reason: To modernize the image and clarify its primary purpose (Life Insurance) to a younger generation.
- West Coast Settlement: Around this time, the society settled trademark disputes that allowed it to use the "Woodmen of the World" legal name in western states (where it had previously operated as "Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society").
Contact & Home Office Information
- Home Office Address:Woodmen Tower1700 Farnam StreetOmaha, NE 68102
- Phone: 1-800-225-3108
- Website: www.woodmenlife.org
Sources of Information
- Nebraska Department of Insurance: Examination reports detailing the specific dates of the five major mergers (Golden Cross, Railroad Telegraphers, Woodmen Circle, NE Order of Protection, Neighbors of Woodcraft).
- WoodmenLife Official History: Timelines regarding Joseph Cullen Root and the 2015 rebranding.
- Historic Houston / Cemetery Historians: Documentation of the "Tree Stump" tombstone program (1890–1920s).
- FundingUniverse: Histories of Modern Woodmen vs. Woodmen of the World.
