Woodmen of the World Tree-Stump Stones
Tree-stump stones were created by the non-profit fraternal organization Woodmen of the World, which was founded in 1890 by Joseph Root in order to help with peoples’ financial insecurities - so that they would not have to die without life insurance. Between its founding and into the 1920s, members of the organization were provided with a free tombstone. Later on, members were charged $100 if it had the Woodmen of the World logo on it.
Tree-stump stones were later sold through Sears and Roebuck mail-order catalogs. A 4-foot tree-stump stone went for as little as $28.75, plus 6 cents per character for engraved names and dates. They were shipped from Vermont and arrived within 4 – 6 weeks.
Families could even choose to purchase a tree-stump stone from the Sears catalog and then hire a local stonecutter to customize it with details to suit the personality, hobbies, or occupations of the deceased.
Flora Cemetery
Kirkland, Illinois
DeKalb County
Oakwood Cemtery
DeKalb, Illinois
DeKalb County
Tree-Stump stones were popularly made of limestone, as well as marble, granite, and sandstone. They range in size from a few feet to around 10 to 12 feet in height.
Features commonly found on a tree-stump stone:
* A scroll, ribbon, or parchment “tacked” to the stump that bears the name, birth and death dates of the deceased.
* Ivy and vines wrapping around the stump
* Nature-Themed Carvings, such as a squirrel or an owl
Tree-Stump Memorial Stone to the Forney Family Children
( Arthur Forney: 1892 - 1903 )
( Pearl Forney: 1897 - 1903 )
( Clarence Forney: 1906 - 1911 )
White Oak Cemetery
Forreston, Illinois
Ogle County
The Dewey & Dorothy White Family Tree-Stump Memorial Stone
New Milford Cemetery
New Milford, Illinois
Winnebago County
Dewey Leon White (1918 - 2008) Born in Centerville, Iowa, and spent 59 years of his life living in the Rockford metro area. WWII veteran of the US Air Force, serving as an airplane mechanic. For 36 years, he was a precision tool grinder at Greenlee Brothers, retiring in 1985.
Member of New Milford United Methodist Church, Harrisville Grange, Pomona Grange, Belvidere Moose Club, Rock River Fire Dept., Ogle County Senior's Group, I.A.M. Union Lodge #1553, and was a Scottish Rite Mason.
Married to Dorothy Lorana White (1923 - 1991) on December 31, 1943.
Children: Donald (1944), Diana (1948), Dennis (1950), Victoria (1952), Trudy (1956)
Tree-Stump Stone for TJ Bunn
Evergreen Memorial Cemetery
Bloomington, Illinois
McLean County
Original requirements to join the Woodmen of the World (since withdrawn):
*Male
*Caucasian
*Age 18 to 45
*Any religion
*Resided in one of the 12 “healthiest” states: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio
*No hazardous occupations, such as underground miners, gunpowder factory employees, saloon keepers, sailors, aeronauts, railroad workers, liquor manufacturers / wholesalers, and professional baseball players